UP, UP AND AWAY

April 17, 2010

"Self care means learning to love the person you're responsible for taking care of--yourself."

It is difficult to say we should let go of feeling excessively responsible for those around us. I find this especially difficult as a health care practitioner, but I must also take care of myself and be appropriately responsible to others but not solely responsible--the doctor-patient relationship should be a partnership. The doctors provide the tools, the advice and sometimes medications, yet the patient is responsible for themselves (if they want to stay healthy). Self-care should mean "you first".

This blog has enhanced my daily life. It is pleasurable, not a duty. Although I feel responsible to you, the follower, it is not time-consuming. We keep talking about heart disease... we always should keep CVD in our minds, not in our hearts. To keep CVD away from our hearts is to find the suitable diet for us. We know it should be low in simple carbohydrates, and even possibly gluten free. A diet that is rich in organic, un-denatured and vitalizing foods is an excellent way to start. The lifestyle should be rich in fruits and vegetables, properly washed even if organic. Eat the vegetables and fruits as they are in season and choose colors of the rainbow. If you have a sugar imbalance, fruits that are high glycemic and acidic like watermelon, pineapple, grapes and oranges should be limited but not altogether avoided. You can have a mixed fresh fruit bowl with more alkaline, less glycemic fruits such as apples, pears, kiwi and all the berries.

Grains are important as well, possibly more of the gluten free grains (millet, brown rice) and less wheat. You need a balanced intake of organic protein rich foods as well as those foods that provide Omega 3, 6, and 9. Try organic free range meat, but you do not have to either. In the summer, you should consume a larger intake of fruit and in the winter larger amounts of vegetables and omega 3 and 6 (consumed in nuts and flax seeds). If you take one thing away from today's blog, it is to consume more fruits and vegetables. I really like the Mediterranean diet or a modified version of it. A Mediterranean style, low glycemic diet with mild soy protein had more of an impact on cardio vascular disease than the American Heart Association diet. That says it all!!

There is new data (scientific for those who need studies to confirm) that nuts have the ability to lower cholesterol and LDL. Also, the flavinoids found in the rinds of citrus fruits have the potential to lower cholesterol and LDL. Carotenoids found in tomatoes, pink grapefruit and watermelon may reduce the risk of heart disease, but watermelons are high in sugar, and tomatoes are night shade (acidic). It sounds conflicting--AND IT IS. You must decide what is energetically right for your body. You must eat in moderation and eat a balanced diet. The needlepoint above is a combination of petit point, needlepoint in wool, and the black wings of the butterfly are in beading. The beading was given to me by a friend, still in the original box from Macy's. I haven't finished it. I will make it into a pillow. I am grateful today for the ability to teach and the ability to once again learn. I will be visiting Ithaca monthly to study more herbology.

Thank you, Rick

Photo credit: Rick Byrd

Until tomorrow...