Mindfulness for reducing anxiety

Is reflux simply an antacid deficiency?

So I was chatting to a friend the other day and she asked me if it was a problem that her partner takes antacids almost every day and has been doing so since he was a child.
I mean you can buy them at the supermarket so can they really be that harmful?
I spoke to her partner who when I mention it is best to figure out what is causing the reflux and eliminate that food or underlying issue, he responded by saying it is simply genetic, almost all foods give him reflux and the option for him is to take the antacid or simply suffer with the reflux forever. No other options, its genetic, out of his control.
I obviously didn’t push my opinion, I am learning to let go (well starting to) and am realising that everyone is on his or her own journey and must learn for themselves. And that what I believe to be the right way of doing things may not necessarily actually be right for everyone else (I know hard to believe).
So although I left the conversation there, I was feeling quite frustrated as in that brief encounter there were so many points raised that I rage against.
First and foremost the notion that the body is ‘broken’. That there is no reason for the ‘reflux’ or depression or IBS or headaches or PMS or whatever the issue happens to be for you. The notion that it is a physiological problem within the body occurring for no particular reason and there is nothing that can be done besides taking a pill to ‘fix’ what has gone wrong. I so rage against this as it is my strong belief that the body DOES NOT make mistakes. Things don’t simply go wrong for no reason. There is a symptom to alert you to a deeper problem. The body is crying out to you for attention. To hear what it is saying, something is not working for you and needs to change. There is ALWAYS something that can be done; we just need to determine the underlying cause.
Sure it may be genetic, or run in the family but this does not mean you simply need to put up with it and suffer for the rest of your life or medicate yourself. Because let me tell you this, as much as sometimes medications are necessary, they ALL have side effects not matter how ‘safe’ they may be. You are disrupting the body’s natural way of functioning by putting something unnatural into yourself.
When it comes to antacids, there is actually quite a lot of emerging evidence indicating that long-term use can be harmful.
How they work is by neutralising gastric acid, creating a reduction in stomach acid so that it doesn’t result in reflux. So what’s the problem?
The problem is that we need stomach acid for healthy digestive function.
• To break down our food so we can absorb important nutrients
• To avoid fermentation of food resulting in leaky gut, inflammation and the colonisation of pathogens and toxins not just in the digestive system but spreading systemically to your organs
• For a healthy microbiome (the good bacteria that live in the gut)- which are necessary for healthy mood/mental health, immune function, general digestive health, energy levels and daily we are discovering more benefits.
• For a healthy GIT environment to fight off pathogens
• For serotonin production for positive mood
• The majority of the body’s immune defense is found in the gut. Poor gut function = compromised immunity!
Reflux in itself is not simply a genetic condition. What can be hereditary is food intolerance's and digestive function both which can be corrected. I would highly recommend anyone who suffers from reflux to consult a health care professional to determine the cause.
There are many natural treatments that work just as effectively as antacids but without negatively affecting digestive function. One product I love is Iberogast, which actually helps to correct digestive function as well as reducing the symptoms of reflux. Probiotics are also highly recommended as well as identifying and eliminating any food intolerance's and correcting nutritional deficiencies, which may be contributing to poor digestive function. Not to mention the importance of a healthy, well balanced diet and lifestyle.
On an emotional level reflux is about conflict, the inability to digest conflict in our lives. Something is ‘eating’ us up on the inside. It can also represent fear and not trusting the process of life. Resolving these emotional issues will result in a reduction or cessation of the physical complaint.
Try repeating this affirmation daily to release fear and inner conflict-
‘I breathe freely and fully. I am safe. I trust the process of life.’
So to recap about reflux:
• Requiring antacids long term without the diagnosis of a medical disorder is not advised.
• Try something natural such as Iberogast, probiotics and eliminating food intolerances or sensitivities.
• Work on resolving emotional conflict.
• Determine and correct the underlying cause.
And to recap about our magnificent mind/body/spirit:
• The body is not broken it is just trying to alert you to a problem
• You are NOT a victim but have full control over your health
• Understand that symptoms are not random yet part of a greater picture when it comes to health.
• Taking a tablet to mask a symptom never resolves the underlying issue (yes there is one)
• It is often about a lifestyle shift not just one simple change in diet
• Reframing our mindset, releasing toxic emotions and changing our attitudes and awareness is ALWAYS the answer.
Dionne xx
P.S. This picture is just a few of the products you can use to aid your digestive function. Always consult with a health care practitioner before diagnosing or prescribing anything (even natural supplements) for yourself.

Vegan and FODMAPS friendly Pesto

This is my take on an Alain Ducasse light pesto recipe. I have modified it to be vegan, dairy free and FODMAPS friendly.

Ingredients:

2 Bunches fresh basil
20 grams vegan parmesan (I used Oliana foods brand)
30 grams pine nuts
6 Tablespoons water
6 Tablespoons garlic infused olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Simply put all ingredients into a blender and mix until smooth.

Pop in the fridge to thicken for an hour and it's ready to eat!

This pesto tastes great on pasta, as a salad dressing and on chicken or fish.

Experiement and see how you like to use it and let me know your feedback.

Dionne xx

My take away message after seeing 'The gut movie'.

Last night I went to see the gut movie.

I wanted to share my take away messages with you.

Although I didn’t learn anything new about the gut (as this is an area I already follow quite closely) it did reiterate some important points I wanted to share.

First of all I always find it fascinating learning about different cultures and other peoples way of life so watching Kale’s journey living with the San Bushmen was insightful and fascinating. What made it extra special to watch was the fact that 2 years ago on a family trip to Africa I too met this incredible tribe (but was not fortunate enough to actually live with them).

They did have a great sense of humour playing a prank on us. They told us they were catching a rabbit and then proceeded to pull a plant out of the ground and throw it at us as if it was a rabbit. They had my whole family screaming. It was quite amusing.

There is something so special about all these nomadic tribes who live off the land, have no technology or western comforts and yet are so happy. What they do have is a great sense of community, connection with others and the land, eating real food, being grateful for what they do have and enjoying life for what it is. It’s so easy to get caught up in what we don’t have that sometimes stripping it all back to the basics shows us what matters most.

When it comes to gut health here are the main points I took away:

·      Gut health and the microbiome (all the microbes that live in and on us) play a hugely important part in our overall health.

·      There has been an association found between poor microbiota diversity and many western diseases such as cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, allergy, certain cancers, Alzheimer’s, depression, ADHD, obesity, diabetes and several inflammatory disorders.

·      A sterile environment and over prescription of antibiotics has contributed to a lack of diversity of these good bugs we require.

·      All cultures that have low rates of these western diseases also appear to have a wide range of these bacteria in their gut (although the types of bacteria differ from culture to culture).

·      In terms of diet they all consume a large amount of plant-based food especially those foods high in fiber and starch.

·      Bacteria that are necessary for colonising our guts may also be found on the food when it is freshly picked or in the dirt. Eating organic or growing your own vegetables is best.

·      Resistance starch found in green bananas, cooked and cooled potatoes, rice and yams as a few examples helps to feed these good bugs and heal damaged gut tissue.

·      Changing the microbiome has been shown in several case studies to be able to reverse certain diseases.

Basically going back to basics is always the best way. It is so easy to get confused about nutrition with all the information we are constantly inundated with. If you are eating real food that is not processed, in season and freshly picked that will always be best. Eat lots of plants and some of everything else. No food- if it is ‘real’ food is bad. You don’t need to be afraid of food. The fear is what is most unhealthy. Meat will not kill you and shock horror neither will sugar. It is only when these things are eaten in the huge quantities we are consuming them in, when they are sprayed with chemicals, are overly refined or have added preservatives that they become detrimental to our health.

Do you want to know the real secret to good health?

It’s not even about diet and exercise.

All the cultures in the world, which live longest and have the least disease, have one thing in common. It’s about lifestyle not fad diets. Not even diets at all. The only aspect of diet they all have in common is that they all consume some form of legume.

Their lifestyle for longevity and health includes:

1. Moderate, regular physical activity.
2. Life purpose.
3. Stress reduction.
4. Moderate calories intake.
5. Plant-based diet.
6. Moderate alcohol intake, especially wine.
7. Engagement in spirituality or religion.
8. Engagement in family life.
9. Engagement in social life.

I think there needs to be some reframing around our lifestyle to put things such as life purpose, social connection and spirituality as top priorities (or simply as priorities at all). Only then will movement and eating right for our bodies come naturally and easily.

The gut is an area of great interest and importance and we will only be seeing more information being discovered in the future. However, it is nothing to be overwhelmed about. Simply eat a wide variety of plant-based foods including resistant starch and then listen to your body when it comes to everything else. When you focus on things like spirituality, stress reduction, life purpose and connection with others you automatically becomes more in tune with your body. You will then notice that you are aware of what you should and should not be eating. As everyone is different there is no 1 diet that suits all. Know your body and give it what it is asking for. It is that simple!

What is my passion? Why I do what I do?

My passion comes from looking at the bigger picture. What scares me most is looking around and seeing the direction our society is headed. I believe that people’s priorities have become distorted and so too have their ability to feel connected, joyful and TRULY and COMPLETELY happy. People think that in order to find happiness, success and acceptance in this world they must work themselves into the ground; often doing something they are not passionate about, often squashing many others on their way to make lots and lots of money. Only then will they feel fulfilled. In my opinion they are wrong.

We have forgotten what is really important and purposeful. Love and being with those we love, family and friends and even the ability to show love and kindness to strangers. Being true to ourselves and following our purpose, our passion and actually living a life where we do what makes us feel happy not what society tells us we should be doing.

My work comes from a broader perspective of wanting to help people tune in to themselves, be authentic and come from a place of wholeness, of love. Because I believe that when we strip away all the superficial crap we are carrying around in our minds, in our bodies, in each and every cells we will be able to access our true potential, our true selves. I feel like this is what has been lost and this is one reason our world is headed the way it is. If you are also afraid for the survival of our planet and mankind as a kind, caring people then stand with me to make a change. Its not easy, change never is especially when it causes you to stand out from the majority but it is necessary.

I refuse to be disheartened, I refuse to give up and let those leading us down a tunnel to darkness win. I also refuse to waste my time and energy fighting with those who do not want to listen. I choose to stand tall, stand strong and continue living the life I choose for myself and for my family. Sometime I look out at this world and think how can I make a difference, how can I help? Its just little old me against the big bad world. But you know what, I have to knock some sense back into myself. Because if everyone who wants to make a difference believed that too where would we be. We must stand tall together, in our own way every bit of difference that can be made is a step in the right direction. Being authentic means always coming from a place of goodness, of love. Because authentically that’s what us humans are, pure love, pure energy. We just have many big industries trying to squander that for their own agendas.

I am not trying to convince anyone of anything, force anyone to believe anything that they do not already. I am calling out to work with people who already get what I am saying. Who want a change for themselves, for their families and for this world. For people who already believe what I believe but just do not know how to make a change, what they can do to help. I am here to guide those of you who share my vision, my passion. I want to work WITH you to create a better world for us, for our children and many future generations to come.

I was asked an interesting question the other day about my opinion on bringing children into the world when we appear to be headed downhill. Do I really want my children to have to be a part of what is going on? My answer is simple. If all of us who see all that is wrong in the world, who want to make a change, an impact, stop having children then what hope does this world have. I refuse to give up hope and live a life as a victim, giving up on society and mankind as a whole. This beautiful planet, these beautiful souls- I will not give up. I will remain positive because I truly believe all hope is not lost. We are not yet at that point. We NEED to keep populating the earth with children raised by us with our belief systems in our environment. I believe that is one of the most powerful things we can do to help save the planet. If the only people having children are money hungry, planet-destroying individuals then there will be no hope for the planet. I believe it is my responsibility to have children and raise them in the way I believe to be best for their health, happiness and the wellbeing of the human race.

Values I need in my clients:

1.     They are responsible for their own health. I am there to support them and educate them but their health is their responsibility not mine. They need to do the work. They also are the only ones who know what their body needs. I will help them rid-themselves of all the crap both physically and emotionally blocking them from being in tune with their bodies and being able to listen to their bodies. The human body is an incredible thing. We have all the answers inside of ourselves, we just need to listen. This can take some time but once we get there the journey is endless joy. They are the only ones who can heal themselves and I take zero responsibility for how they treat their own body.

2.     I work with people who believe in making the planet a better place. People who already without me needing to convince them have an innate knowing that things need to change, that emotions are powerful, that the body is not just physical but also energetic, that chemicals are toxic, that organic is best, that there is more to us and the universe than the physical. I refuse to have to argue or convince, everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion but to truly be able to give fully to my clients they need to be on board with their belief system. No energy should be wasted in convincing. Educating yes but arguing no. Open mindedness is a must.

3.     Social conscious and environmental conscious is also a must. These are the type of people I can connect with. I need to really be able to connect with my clients to help facilitate their healing. They need to be doing their part to help the world. This may only come once they are feeling better within themselves but it must be within them to begin with. I want to help make a strong group of people who will do the right thing for mother earth and ALL its inhabitants.

How I will be living by my values and doing my bit to help the planet:

Chemical free living- not polluting the environment and myself

Environmental friendliness- recycling, no littering, chemical free

Humans- be kind and compassionate. Show love, smile at strangers, give everyone the benefit of the doubt, and see the good in everyone.

Positive vibes- give positive, loving, healing vibes out into the planet. Send loving energy out into the universe.

Myself- always work on being true to myself, connecting to my core, speaking my truth, nourishing my soul, coming from a place of open heartedness, non judgemental, practice self love and connecting to me/mother earth daily. Fuel my soul with things I love and bring me joy. Fill my body with goodness when it comes to what I ingest and put on my skin.

Work daily to release toxins and emotions that are toxic. Put in what’s good and get rid of what’s bad.

Be kind to myself. Its ok to not always be perfect. Listen to my body and give it what it needs.

The time has come to stop being afraid, to stop squashing our own power to make others feel good, to stop putting everyone else first, to stop being a victim, to stop living by old patterns and to start truly living our purpose. To start surrounding ourselves with like minded people, to start speaking our truth, to start putting ourselves first, to step into our own power, to create new patterns and to start living our soul purpose.

Life is precious, life is short and life must be cherished. No more time can be wasted living a life that was not designed for us.

Dionne xx

Are you a highly sensitive individual?

Do you want to learn how to make this gift your superpower?

Rather than it becoming your destruction?

So I just got home from a run all elated. I had had an epiphany. While eating my lunch I read a very interesting article about “Highly Sensitive People” (HSP). During my run a light-bulb just turned on in my head. I am one of these people and so are all of my close friends. In fact that’s why I attract these types of friends, because we all have this one thing in common. We are all HSP. It really explained a lot to me about why I am surrounded by people who are so sensitive and act in a certain way.  I have these friends because we all GET each other. I often have wondered why people decide to offload all their worries and concerns on to me and now I get it. I always thought it was just because I am a very empathetic person but empathy is only one aspect of being a HSP, which all these people have been. They all knew I would understand and not judge.

Now if you can relate to this story I am about to share you may be a HSP too. I just got home from my run full of enthusiasm and excitement after my epiphany of why I am the way I am and why I attract the people I do and my purpose and ability to help others just like me. I sat down at the computer ready to get to work when my husband called. I began excitedly telling him about my thoughts when he was quick to shut me down (well this is how I felt anyway). My husband for anyone who knows him is a very witty person. He likes to make jokes in most (and very often inappropriate) circumstances. This is one of the things I love most about him as he can always make me laugh. However, this one time when I was sharing something meaningful to me I did not appreciate his joking remark. Suddenly all my excitement drained away and was replaced by disappointment. Disappointment that the person I seek approval from the most was not as excited as I was about my ideas. Now don’t get me wrong my husband is the most kind, generous person but not being a HSP like me he sometimes doesn’t realise the impact his comments have on my mood. I take everything to heart and can’t always differentiate between when he is joking and when he is being serious. And when I get hurt (which can happen quite easily) it takes a long time for this to shift, I cannot go just as quickly back to feeling elated. So it was actually quite ironic that while I had an epiphany that I am a HSP, I created this real live example for myself to share. Luckily for myself I have throughout my life been learning how to deal with this gift, even before I knew I had it. But when it comes to someone as close to me as my husband I find I still can get upset more easily than I do in relation to others.

I have seen sensitivity be the downfall of too many of my close friends. Stopping them from moving forward in the world, creating new relationships, connecting with people in their workplace and resulting in anxiety and depression. This can often occur when feelings are so strong and are not being dealt with in the most productive way possible.

But there are so many positive aspects to being a HSP and if used in the right way this sensitivity can actually become your super power! Channelling this super power can make you more successful and happier in this world than you have ever imagined.

Using your emotions for good and as a tool for success:

·      In your career: Choosing a helping career when having a strong sense of empathy and understanding is a trait that will help you succeed. Forming more meaningful connections with co-workers or clients.

·      Getting involved in a charity or having the drive to make a difference in this world.

·      Relationships: It helps you really understand how others feel, form more deep connections with others and allows you to know how to treat others.

·      Noticing beauty in the world. I don’t know about you but I feel like I definitely notice the beauty and wonder in the world more than most. When you are sensitive you not only feel more when it comes to humans but also animals and the environment and get touched by things on a deeper level.

·      Feeling positive emotions more strongly. One great thing about being sensitive is that you get to experience positive emotions such as love on a deeper level.

·       

A few ways to increase you experience of positive emotions and connectedness to yourself:

·      Music

·      Nature especially water

·       Exercise

·      Looking after your body with correct nutrition

·      Herbal remedies and flower essences

·      Mindfulness

·      Positive connections with others

·      Creative expression through art; music; writing; singing.

Ways to not let negative emotions overpower the positive:

·      Accept your negative feelings and don’t try and deny their existence

·      Allow them to be expressed though a positive medium such as writing

·      Cry once in a while to release

·      Talk to someone about your feelings (a professional if need be)

·      Practice meditation and relaxation techniques

·      Let others know how their actions make you feel eg. I had a conversation to my husband about the way his comment made me feel and what he can do (think before speaking) to help me not feel this way.

·      Rather than suppressing emotions accept them and let them pass, if you feel stuck then do one of the strategies that help increase positive emotions.

Since writing this article I have been doing a lot of emotional clearing and felt it important to express that being strong and confident within yourself is possible even while still maintaining your sensitivity. This will enable you to not be as affected by others as I was in the story written above. I have found that neuro-emotional technique (NET) and kinesiology have helped me clear some of my subconscious beliefs about not being good enough so that I not longer respond in such an emotional way. Along with that it is an everyday practice to stay connected to my core and be able to express my truth. Using this gift as a superpower is so powerful but it does require daily attention using the tools mentioned above.

No go be the magnificent sensitive souls you are and let it help you change the world! Because I don’t know about you but I believe the world definitely needs a bit more empathy, love and sensitivity.

Spirituality and happiness

Having a spiritual connection has actually been scientifically proven to make people happier.

Did you know this?

What are your beliefs?

Do you believe there is more to life that just the physical?

Do you believe in God?

Do you believe that we posses a spirit/soul?

I urge you to ask yourself these questions.

Spirituality is different for everyone. There is no right or wrong answer but simply believing, believing in something bigger than you is protective against depression.

I believe this is one aspect of ourselves so many of us are missing in our western society. We are so focused on the physical, material possessions and even our physical health. What about spiritual wellbeing? It’s a whole piece of the puzzle that we so often neglect. How can we feel whole when we are not looking after ourselves as a whole?

It is not enough to simply look after the physical, mental and emotional. The spiritual governs it all. It is our highest self and our most powerful tool.

You may be confused when it comes to spirituality. That’s ok. It’s not something that can be crystal clear in this empirical world. It’s not something that can be proven, it’s simply something that can be felt.

I have always had a strong sense of spirituality. My belief has never wavered but I certainly have been caught up in this physical world and been through times of neglect when it comes to my spiritual wellbeing. During these times I have definitely noticed that my physical and emotion self has been affected. As I was not as in tune with my self, my needs and my higher purpose, I began to neglect certain aspects of myself. I wasn’t eating the way that was best for my body

(I have always been a healthy eater but I have not always honoured my body, eating certain things as it gave me a high or to fit in and not be different). I wasn’t being true to myself, expressing how I felt and working on my emotional wellbeing. I was trying to be perfect, to fit in, be accepted by others, follow our societal model of school, to university to a 9-5 job. I had more to offer. I knew that much but I wanted to do what was right. What others told me was right. Be the perfect daughter, wife, and friend. Not the perfect version of myself for me. While in actual fact I could never be ‘perfect’ and at the same time was already ‘perfect’. This is as we are all perfect already.

Exactly as we are.

In all our perfect imperfection.

As human beings the best thing we can do for ourselves, our loved ones and our society is simply to be true to ourselves. Shine our light, share our story, to be unapologetically us.

We are all spiritual beings, we are all connected in a way that may not be able to be measured but certainly can be felt. If you just take the time to truly connect within yourself you will learn unimaginable things about what you have to offer in this lifetime, how you need to be showing up and who you truly are. You feel things more deeply than ever and experience your heart opening up like never before. You will begin to notice the opportunities that are there for you that you may have missed up until this point. You will discover that you have been living with your eyes closed.

See the magnificence.

Experience the magic.

Know that all is going exactly to plan.

You are exactly where you are supposed to be.

Life is full of excitement you just need to be open to noticing it.

Find a spiritual practice that works for you. Do it every day. EVERY DAY. You will notice the shift. You will never turn back. Coping with the physical world will become so much easier as life will flow with ease. Release the resistance. The answers are inside of you already. Let go and just be. Just be you.

Dionne xx

P.S. I am working on a very exciting new program for you. It will be delving deeper that any of the work I have done before. Lets work on all aspects of your health and wellbeing. The physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. Lets uncover what has been holding you back from living the healthiest and happiest life possible.

P.P.S. Life is meant to be fun. If its not ask yourself what you need to be doing differently. It your life and its your choice how you live it.