Day 4: Learn the Basic First Cleanse

Its Day 4 of my cleanse... I'm still alive.

I felt like utter crap (excuse the pun), the first 2 days. Yesterday was better. Today feeling nasty again. I do mean that in every sense of the word actually.

Physically, the fatigue is tremendous and quite unsettling. Nasty headaches torment my days and sometimes accompany me at night. I won't describe in detail what is coming out of me. That would be real nasty of me and I love you all too much.

Let's just say for someone who leads a pretty clean life, its amazing to see my toxic release. I can't imagine what a meat/dairy eating, alcohol drinking, nicotine smoking, grease consuming, drug using and coffee brewing Joe would see. Or feel for that matter. Poor soul!

But there is a less painful and gentler way...

Beginners Cleanse

One recommendation I have for those who are embarking on a healthier lifestyle is to go slooooooooow.

If you have not done a cleanse ever, and your current diet and lifestyle would

make me all red in the face from frustration, then I would suggest you just begin by cleaning your diet.

That's it for 3-4 months.

Herbs, water or juice fasts, or specific organ cleansing protocols like a liver flush or heavy metal detox are for much later!

Trust me it will be way too much and you may get too ill doing too much too soon.

What is a clean diet?

That means: No processed food like bread, cookies, muffins, cereal, anything in a box, bag or package. If Momma earth didn't provide it from a tree, bush or shrub don't go there.

Second wean off stimulants like coffee, chocolate, nicotine, caffeine sports drinks or supplements, sugar in any form (honey, white, brown, fructose or rock sugar) it's still refined and HIGH on the glycemic index.

Limit alcohol to 3 drinks a week. It's pure liquid sugar and many empty calories. The best thing would be to forgo it altogether. Alcohol is one of the most toxic things for our brains, livers and whole organism to filter and process. I'll dedicate a whole post on this one day. There is way too much information to go into that here.

Drink 2-3L of pure water. Yes you may be in the bathroom a little more, but your body will get used to it.

On the lighter side of things...

I feel lighter!

Also, my dream world has been quite a joyride. It's been the highlight of these first few days. I've gone to worlds unbeknownst to me. I've intensely visioned vivid landscapes , so magnetizing I did not want to leave. I will have so much material for a book, that I can foresee a series of adventures in print. Who knows.

There is always good in the seemingly "ungood" in life. So even though I feel like a Mac truck hit me, my body is revealing what needs attention and what doesn't.

Chocolate cake really wants me right now. Do I want it? Or a better question is what part of me really wants it- the mind or the body?

Who is the master in all of this?

Aim to be the master of your mind, choices, actions, reactions, and Life. What if that desire or craving were all just a sneaky trick?

The rest truly works itself out...

Peace and Namaste

Piera

Day 2- Fall Cleanse

(You'll understand the pic above by the end of this post. So just start reading)

Last night looked like this:

11pm Got to bed, after having already gone perhaps 20 times to the bathroom that day. 4L of liquids can easily do that.

12:30 am Up to go to the bathroom.

12:31 Back in bed. Fall asleep to the still playing ipod on low volume.

2:30 Up to go to the bathroom. I recall a dream! It was way to racy to mention here, but I'm glad I got up to remember it.

2:31 Back in bed. I hear such a beautiful thing. Complete silence. I nestle right into the most tranquil and comforting position in bed. I'm awake long enough to let the dark depth of the night remind me there is always stillness if we can just get quiet enough. Yes, that is actually what I thought.

4:23 Up and grumbling on the way to the bathroom. Dam dandelion tea. Maybe I put too much in the pot. I just want to sleep and meet my angels. Stumbling back to bed, as I didn't see the dresser that has been there since I moved in over 10 years ago, I stub my toe. Ya profanities came out. I judged that reaction at first, then remembered it's all part of letting go of crap. So I'm off the hook for a few not so poetic words.

Actually I'm allowing myself to be whatever surfaces for the duration of this cleanse. If you call me and I'm not my usual self, well you are forewarned. Just play along and enjoy the show.

I kid you not 5:05 Up again! I'm thinking my kidneys are getting quite a workout by now, and I must be 5 pounds lighter already. Talk about releasing water retention. I crawl back into bed, and safely avoided the dresser and the dog by my bed. Ya a squashed chihuahua would not have been a pretty thing.

I laid in bed and visions of chocolate mousse swirled in my head. Then the mousse was being spread on chocolate croissants by Javier Bardem and he was trying to feed me one and I wanted to curse the cleanse and who ever invented them for eternity. Just as I was about to take the croissant past my lips, I wake up again.

7:00 am What? Where did Javier go? Ugggghhh I realize I was hallucinating or dreaming. I need to pee once again. I've woken up with a gnawing craving. But alas, the day must start and I prepare my green smoothie with Javier still lingering in my consciousness.

Last night was interesting. As much as I know how these cleanses work and no matter how much I prepare myself for facing the first week of this, I still want to whine.

Here is a Green smoothie you may want to try for yourself. I can't promise Javier will come and feed you chocolate croissants, but this will make every cell of your existence smile and do jumping jacks.

Piera's Power Smoothie

1/2 cup organic blackberries

1/2 cup blueberries

2 oz of wheat grass juice

1 bunch of kale

2 tablespoons of hemp seeds

1/2 avocado

2 tablespoons almond butter

1 tablespoon raw honey

2 tablespoons of Chia seeds

1 tablespoon of Spirulina

1 cup of filtered water

Blend all of the above in a blender. Serves 2. Javier's serving is still on the counter. Maybe one day...

Namaste

Piera

My Fall cleanse! Day 1

I'm back to this blog again. Have taken a hiatus. Sometimes life throws us some curves that can block the writing drive. I had to play ball and got struck from a few. Everything passes :)

I return with commencing my yearly Fall cleanse. I'm so looking forward to all this season has to bring to me. It's a time of harvest just before the big retreat of the winter months. It's a time now to truly reflect on the gracious blessings that are in our lives.

I know its been a rather hectic time for me these past few months. So a cleanse is something I fully embrace now as it will allow me to let go of what is not needed right now in my life, and it will help to let go of the past.

How does a cleanse do this? Well for me, I feel things beyond solely the physical plane. A cleanse to me isn't just juicing a little more, taking herbs and eating lighter. I truly take the time to reflect, get introspective and listen to what the deeper sensations within are saying.

Remember when you do a cleanse you are embarking on a whole body, mind and soul endeavour. Only if you are aware and have the intention to do so of course. But why just do a cleanse to see physical benefits only? Why not get the most out of it, and transform even more deeply. Food for thought ;) Make those green foods....

Things I picked up today for my 30 day cleanse:

• Betonite clay- An amazing product that helps to chelate toxins or absorb them from the intestinal wall and pull them out of the colon.

• Psyllium husk fiber supplement- Fiber helps to keep hydration in the colon at optimal levels as well as providing bulk. It will also help the clay move through and do its job more effectively. So these two work in harmony.

• Herbs: Burdock root - a blood cleanser and purifier which helps the detox process.

• Red clovers- another blood purifier. During a cleanse you want to ensure that toxins don't build up in the blood and that they get ushered out as effectively as possible.

• Milk thistle root- one of the best liver detoxifiers in the plant world. Milk thistle will help keep the liver from becoming too overburdened from the colon's release of toxins.

• Licorice root- An adrenal support herb that will lessen the stress during a cleanse.

• Dandelion root- a natural diuretic that will eliminate excess retention of water and helps the lymph nodes release toxic build up.

• Ashwahghanda- my favourite adaptogen in existence. It supports the immunity, relieves effects of stress, feeds the adrenals and helps reduce any stress from withdrawal from substances and addictions of any kind.

• Liquid Chlorophyll- the best natural internal deodorizer around. It also purifies the blood, is great for anemic states as it helps fortify the blood and absorb natural iron.

• Spirulina- A potent sea plant that not only provides one of the highest sources of bio available and highly assimilable protein, but also trace marine minerals that support our whole biological make up.

• Ginseng tincture- I include this one for supporting energy levels. During a cleanse you can become very fatigued as your body lets go of toxic build up. Ginseng is a powerful adaptogen that also supports the sexual system as well. So bonuses everywhere ;)

My diet is fairly clean to begin with and I don't do much alcohol. ( Is vino alcohol really? hehe) I'm cutting out dairy, coffee, and chocolate for the next 30 days. Eeeek! I can really do without most, except for chocolate. That will be the temptress in all of this. Oh my mocha madness tendencies will be quite interesting to observe the next 30 days. I'll call out for an SOS if it becomes a problem of dire straits.

However I must mention though, I had given up chocolate for 40 days this past Lenten season and that absence actually helped bring down the addiction quite dramatically overall.

Interesting.

When we let go of our attachments for a sustained amount of time, the mind eventually gives up on trying to seduce us back. With any addiction it's really the first two weeks that are the hardest. After that, it's really all uphill. Just remember your mind is the biggest trickster around. Claim power over that, and you own all that you desire :)

If you have any questions about cleansing or starting a detox, I invite you to message me. Always here to answer the call.

Namaste

Piera

Dirty Dairy Facts- Why dairy can be DEADLY!

The campaign tried to sell us on the white liquid.

Big white moustaches streaked the upper lips on all kinds of celebs who chose to sell out. "Milk does the body good"! was the tag line.

Really???

I didn't buy it. Here is why.

Milk first and foremost is something only we humans decide to drink past our weaning stage. Every other animal on this planet does not drink milk after they are weaned off momma's bosom. They go on to eat grass, plants or wild berries if they are lucky enough. The domesticated ones are subject to the poisons industrial farmers choose to feed them with.

Most dairy cows are not fed natural feed, let alone grass. If you really care to know more about the disgusting dairy industry, I invite you wholeheartedly to read "Eating Animals" by Jonathon Foer. The book explicitly details the atrocious methods, and practices most industrial farmers practice to make as much milk as they legally can in the shortest amount of time.

Here is what your regular milk contains:

• Pharmaceutical grade HORMONES- so no kidding our children are obese by the age of 6.
• Pharmaceutical grade ANTIBIOTICS- keeping large numbers of livestock in warehouses creates a breeding ground for bacterial sickness. So they pump them up with lots of nasty antibiotics to keep them from dying and spreading disease. YUMMMM!
• All the pesticides and artificial fertilizers used to make the feed
• Many also feed the cows other cows, other dead animals. Again YUMMMMM!
• Milk can also contain pus and blood that is present in the mother's utter from infections caused by over lactation and general stress.

Ready to have that latte now?

Here are 5 other reasons why ELIMINATING COW milk is a great idea:

1) Milk is pasteurized: It has to be, considering all the potential for bacteria or viruses to be present. Pasteurization successfully kills bad bacteria, but it also kills the good bacteria you need! So essentially you are getting a DEAD product. NO VALUE. So get over the idea that you need it to get CALCIUM. That is a savvy way the dairy industry SELLS THIS CRAP TO YOU.

2) Lactose Intolerance: I am convinced that this is such a rampant problem now because people have been consuming milk like it was water. Over consumption of anything will cause digestive problems in the longterm with artificial foods like milk. Milk is NOT NATURAL. It is not supportive or nutritious to our bodies. Lactose intolerance gets worse not better when people continue to consume "lactose free" milk. The next point will explain why.

3) PRO INFLAMMATORY: Due to the type of fat milk contains, it causes inflammation in the body. Inflammation is proven to be linked to Cancer, heart disease, and bowel diseases such as colitis, Chrohn's and IBS. Milk, a source of arachidonic acid when consumed in excess, promotes inflammatory cells and hormones. It also disrupts alkalinity in the body, and if you are over acidic in your body PH than you create a favourable environment for disease and free radicals to go haywire.

4) Allergies and INTOLERANCES: With inflammation comes other consequences. One most important one is a LOWERED IMMUNITY. Inflammation stresses the body and therefore takes the bodies reserves to heal. Your immunity becomes compromised and your tolerance for things also is at risk. You are thus more susceptible to allergies and food sensitivities.

It is almost certain that when I see a child for allergies, chronic asthma or digestive intolerances to numerous foods, they consume large amounts of dairy in their diet.

5) Dairy is the MOST MUCOUS FORMING food out there: This means that the whole respiratory system is put in a highly compromised position. Milk creates sticky mucous that coats everything internally. So when you have a respiratory condition already like asthma, or chronic sinusitis, MAKE THE LINK TO YOUR DAIRY CONSUMPTION. It's a HUGE connection. If your airways are coated in sticky goo, then breathing is harder, eliminating phlegm is more difficult, and essentially healing becomes a longer ordeal.

Also whenever you do experience a cold, flu or respiratory infection the first thing is to get OFF ALL DAIRY. Any intelligent and conscientious doctor will advise this. If your doctor thinks this is airy fairy BS than change your doctor.

So to conclude...

Milk does not do the body good!

I would love to hear your experiences, comments and thoughts on this subject.

To your health always,

Namaste

Piera

How to heal HIGH CHOLESTEROL naturally!

So your doc declares you have "high cholesterol". Yet another label to deal with. Not to fret, let's clear the myths from the current facts.

Good vs. Bad Cholesterol is part of the problem.

It was once thought that simply raising the "good" HDL cholesterol was the answer to this problem. It is part of the equation, but not the whole gig. So do strive to include better whole foods in your diet, which are going to fuel the body and not cause an increase in the lousy cholesterol or LDL.

Power foods for lowering bad cholesterol:

• Garlic, Garlic, GARLIC!! - also helps lower blood pressure beautifully
• Omega rich foods such as salmon, mackeral, sardines, flax oil, borage and primrose oil
• Organic virgin Coconut Oil ( also anti inflammatory which is very indicated for those with high LDL
• Beta carotene foods: Carrots, yams, dark greens like Kale, collards
• SPIRULINA- its the elixir to everything period.
• ARTICHOKES- one of the best foods to clear a congested liver, to detox and overall blood cleanser

Oxidative Stress is the other side of the coin

In addition to addressing the LDL cholesterol, we need to understand how serious oxidative stress is to our bodies. This happens when "free radicals" are not kept in check and left to disrupt the balance of our cells and whole body.

Oxidative stress is caused by smoking, ingesting processed foods ( pasta, bread, cookies, anything packaged, boxed, in a carton or bag) , fried foods, sugar, excess alcohol, drugs and conventional medications, HIGH STRESS levels, not exercising enough, over exercising, pesticides and fertilizers in our food, and environmental pollution.

The cleaner your diet, the less oxidative damage is caused to the body. So eating clean must be the first step you take.

Secondly you should aim to increase the amount of oxidants you eat everyday through food and through supplementation, at least in the beginning phase of your attempt to lower your cholesterol.

High Anti oxidant Foods:

• SPIRULINA
• CHLORELLA
• Acai juice or supplements
• Aloe Vera juice
• Goji berries
• Dark green, red, orange, yellow vegetables
• All kinds of BERRIES
• Wheat grass juice
• Green drinks/supplements
• PLANT STEROLS- concentrated nutrients found in supplements at your health food store

Include these foods everyday! Also take higher doses of Vitamin C and B to counter the effects of stress on the body.

Understand that the body works as a whole. It cannot be dissected and treated in parts, even if conventional doctors will have you believe. Cholesterol is a symptom of an overall in balance in the body. STRESS is the underlying cause of most disease processes.

Therefore, treat that first! Manage emotional and mental stress by taking time for yourself. Lower physiological and physical stress by eating clean and exercising on a regular basis in a way that makes you FEEL GOOD. And set some time to do the spiritual work. You just cannot ignore this last one. Going inwards, taking time to reflect, journal, pray and really appreciate the great things in your life are important for all of this to work.

Once all the pieces fit, you are no longer left with a puzzle :)

In health always,

Namaste

Piera

www.coreconnectionshealing.com

A Tired You is A Tired Thyroid

You feel fatigue. You hardly can get out of bed in the morning without groaning. Just walking to your car seems a struggle. You're achy, and feeling lethargic has now become the mainstay.

What is up with that?

Dealing with chronic low energy is not normal. Many have come to believe that it is just the way it is. We become so used to it that we are unaware of how much it affects our day to day mental, physical and emotional functions. It just may be a poor functioning thyroid.

Getting your thyroid checked is a must. Your adrenals are most definitely also affected and must be treated alongside the low thyroid issue. Hypothyroidism or low functioning thyroid is at epidemic proportions it seems for the overworked, over stressed, over pressured and on demand A types who are nearing a very critically dangerous state of health. When the well runs dry, you simply cannot fetch for more water!

Supplements for Hypothyroidism:

My philosophy with supplements is always to use them in chronic, and depleted states of ill health. I never advocate taking supplements in large quantities or in substitution for a good, clean and nutritious diet. However, 90% of urban people have adrenal fatigue or exhaustion. The only way to build that up is by supplementing for the first phase of their health plan. That is my strategy in practice.

L-tyrosine- an amino acid that is a precursor to thyroid hormone, and must be present for it to function optimally.

B vitamins- All B vitamins are supportive in times of stress. Buy a B complex and take 2 50mg capsules everyday. These support our energy needs, helps stabilize moods especially anxiety, and balances the nervous system. When you are treating thyroid and adrenals STRESS is the number 1 enemy. So anything that can nourish the nervous system and counter the stress response is highly indicated.

Vitamin C: This is required in any high stress state. Our bodies go into vitamin C overdrive, and use up any incoming Vitamin C at a much more rapid and intense rate. Eating oranges is not going to cut it. Unless you have access to freshly picked oranges daily and consume a bushel, I would say take the caps. Vitamin C is just a given. Take 500mg at least 3 times day or to bowel tolerance.

Selenium: One of the most important minerals and antioxidants around. Our soils are now depleted more than ever and so we are not getting enough of this mineral through our diets. It was also found by french researchers to contribute to auto immune disorders affecting the thyroid and creating low functioning thyroid conditions. Selenium supports the thyroid in making thyroid hormone and aids the metabolism.

Great food sources of selenium are : Brazil nuts, tuna, cod, eggs and whole unprocessed grains.

Spirulina and Marine Phytoplankton Algae: These 2 are pure food sources. So go crazy with them. They literally are the most potent and nutrient dense foods we have on the planet.

Spirulina ounce per ounce has more protein, iron, minerals, and vitamins than any animal product out there. Also these supplements build the blood, thereby increasing energy and boosting the immunity like nothing else.

Iodine: A natural source of iodine may help those who have a high TSH number and low thyroid output. The thyroid may not be converting the hormones effectively. If you are going to supplement with iodine do so only with a natural source. Instead of buying pure iodine, the better option is to take bladderwrack herbal capsules, eat seaweed like nori, dulse and take seaweed such as Kelp in capsule form. Again these are food supplements and not extracted minerals condensed into a pill or tincture. Your body will absorb and use what it needs accordingly.

Personal note: SPIRULINA is not just for Thyroid health!

The moment I began taking spirulina my whole physiology changed for the better! I could not believe the immense support this food can give you. It almost seemed miraculous when I first started supplementing with it. I'm literally a Spirulina freak. Yes and some of you who know me personally, would just say ENTIRELY health freaky. I still love you ;)

My energy sky rocketed, my stamina went from struggling to get through a day, to getting back to working out and being active like I used to be. Spirulina and the algaes are SUPER DUPER DUPER foods! Spirulina cured my anemia faster and more sustaining than any iron pills my MD would give me. 2 teaspoons are added to my morning shake every morning! I just don't leave home without it

These are whole foods, and not substances extracted from foods, and therefore YOU ARE GETTING PURE fuel sources.

Your body wants that. Your body craves and is screaming for that kind of sustenance. Your body can assimilate, process and use these types of supplements better than anything else. Consider this whenever you are shopping for health food products.

Remember: When your health is compromised, and you are in a depleted state taking larger amounts of vitamins, minerals and other supplements is safe (I am not referring to mega dosing, just more than what is advised for healthy people on a maintenance health program).

Words of Caution: Make sure to consult with a professional practitioner before you begin any supplementation or healthcare program. The suggestions here are not intended to diagnose or treat your specific situation. A professional must always work alongside your efforts :)

To your thyroid health!

Namaste

Piera

Foods that will HARM your thyroid: Part 2 Hypothyroid Solutions

"Let medicine be your food, and let your food be your medicine".

Hipprocrates knew what he was talking about. Just like a car performs better with higher quality fuel, so does your body and mind.

It still often amazes me how much I hear people complain they feel tired, and sluggish and no desire to move, yet don't see the connection to their really poor food choices. You just are what you eat- day in and day out.

If you are currently eating fried food, fast foods, white processed anything (bread, chips, baked goods, pancakes, pasta, white rice ect ect.) sugar, excessive amounts of alcohol, fatty meats and candy all day long than guess what, you can't perform at your best.

We often feel we will be "deprived" when we are told we should be eating cleaner healthier meals. But don't you already feel robbed and "deprived" of your energy, health and VITALITY?

I've seen some 50+ year olds with more of ENERGY, vitality and vigour than some 30 year olds I know. That infectious energy we all deserve is really our natural state. We just settle to accept it as "part of getting older".

Diet and HYPOTHYROIDISM:

Contrary to what conventional medical doctors believe, your diet can impact the health and function of your thyroid quite significantly. Food like a drug, triggers chemical responses in your body that will activate or suppress a number of reactions and processes. Food impacts hormonal activity, mood modulators in the nervous system, sugar levels and much more.

So which foods are good and which are best to avoid with Hypothyroidism?

FOODS TO AVOID:

• Processed foods such as: White flour, bread, baked goods, essentially anything that comes in a box, package, box, wrapper, carton or bag. These foods burden the body and place more demands on the body to process, assimilate and eliminate. Your thyroid needs less work, so stay with clean foods.
• RAW Vegetables: some veggies in their RAW form suppress the thyroid function and interfere with iodine assimilation. AVOID RAW:
• Broccoli
• Brussel sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Kale
• Cabbage
• Mustard Greens
• Spinach

• SOY avoid all soy products and beans themselves. SO no TOFU, soy based burgers or hotdogs, tempeh or edamame. These cause hormonal triggers that interfere with your thyroid and iodine assimilation.
• MSG, commercial iodized table salt, artificial sweeteners
• ALL SUGAR!
• Fake fats like margarines, excessive amounts of animal fats
• Commercially raised meat, dairy, eggs and poultry. Regular meat is FULL of antibiotics, artificial hormones and all the pesticides and fertilizers used on the feed they eat. So your ingesting it too!
• COFFEE and caffeinated products, these stress your body and you need to recover and re nourish your body as much as you can right now. Caffeine will just undo everything else.
• Most FRUITS: eat as little fruit as possible, as the sugar poses a strain to cortisol and insulin levels, which already are compromised with thyroid and adrenal deficiency.

Foods To Eat Everyday :

• Cooked vegetables
• SEA VEGETABLES: a great source of natural iodine
• Organic eggs and Brazil nuts: both high in Selenium
• Flax oil, Coconut oil, OLIVE OIL: the best fats your body can breakdown and use
• Sprouted nuts, grains and seeds
• Lean proteins: organic meat, poultry, fish and dairy
• CELTIC OR SEA SALT: these have not been bleached an stripped of the essential trace minerals your thyroid needs
• WHEAT FREE grains: Oats, Quinoa, spelt and kamut
• Nuts and seeds: Almonds, cashews, sunflower, and pumpkin seeds
• Freshly juiced Vegetables, preferably on a daily basis

The key to a Hypothryoid friendly diet is to eat less toxic and unnatural food as possible. The more your body has to work to get rid of the toxins, less reserves it has to heal and help you recover from your low functioning thyroid.

In a future post this will tie in with how important it is to de stress and learn to implement stress management techniques for the health of your thyroid.

A low functioning thyroid is essentially a DEPLETED, worn down, burnt out unhappy camper. It is waving a flag, and saying "TIME OUT! I just can't take it anymore!" and has to slow down.

You too will have to follow suit and GIVE YOURSELF a break....

In health until next time

Love and Light

Piera