Some simple guidelines for staying healthy and happy..

Don't worry, don't hurry, you're only here for a short visit.  So don't forget  to stop and smell the roses"      Walter Hagen

I once asked a medical doctor if he thought that the fact that I had my tonsils and adenoids removed at a young age compromised my immune system and he very adamantly responded that there was absolutely no connection, and went on to tell me that if something is not working, that’s what the doctors are here for – to remove it.  I know there’s a place for medicine and I have to confess that I’ve ended up in the ER twice this year – once as a result of contracting Dengue fever and another time when I had a bad fall and needed an x-ray.

However, I have to say I was very excited on discovering the Eastern approach to health and wellness, which, even though it hailed from another part of the planet, has so much relevance universally – it simply makes sense.  The marriage of Eastern and Western medical practices is becoming more mainstream these days and much like our big toe being somehow connected to our brain, when systems come together to work in harmony, health prevails.

As well as eating healthfully, there are so many facets of life that need to be in balance for us to live healthy and balanced lives.  Here are some things that I have found important in order to maintain health, happiness and balance:

Alkalize – One of the most important considerations for good health is to maintain your body’s pH balance.  Many people become overly acidic, mostly due to dietary factors - the average diet is too high in acid-producing proteins and carbohydrates and other acid forming elements like coffee and sugars and lacking in alkaline-producing foods like fresh vegetables and sea vegetables.  Stress also elevates acidity in the body.  Acidosis has many symptoms, including low energy and chronic fatigue, weight gain, obesity, premature ageing, osteoporosis and weak brittle bones, bladder and kidney conditions including kidney stones, aching muscles and stiffness in the joints.

Rest - There’s nothing more important than a good nights sleep to regenerate all our body systems.  We get the best rest when we can be attuned to nature’s rhythms and get to sleep soon after sunset and up at sunrise.  For most people this is not a reality, but aim to get to bed at a reasonable hour and get 8 hours of sleep.  Napping during the day also helps to recharge our batteries.  Lack of sleep can contribute to lowered immunity, high blood pressure, brain fog, learning and memory deficiency, irritability and moodiness, adrenal exhaustion and a host of other health conditions.

Eat predominantly plant based foods – whether you’re vegan, vegetarian or eat animal foods, make vegetables, fruits and other plant based foods the core foods in your diet for optimum health.  These nutrient dense foods, especially if they’re locally sourced and organically grown keep our bodies vital and healthy. 

Choose Organic - Organically grown products are always the best choice.  However, if you can’t find all organic foods, you can rinse your fruits and veggies in a mixture of 1/4-cup apple cider vinegar in a basin of water.  Soak for several minutes and rinse.  Alternatively, a few drops of citracidal (grapefruit seed extract) in a basin of water will help remove pesticide and chemical residue.

Use good quality water – whether you’re drinking it or bathing in it, the quality of the water we’re ingesting has a huge impact on our health – for more on this check out my blog post http://www.oprah.com/food/Why-You-Should-Drink-Water-Aine-McAteers-Blog

Chew your foods  - I’ve heard it said, “you should drink your food and eat your drinks”. Digestion begins in the mouth – the enzymes in the saliva start to break down the food and prepare it for the next stage of digestion.  To get the most nutritional benefits from your food, it’s very important to chew it thoroughly before swallowing.  If weight is an issue, this is also very beneficial, as you tend to eat less if you’re taking time to chew.

Don’t’ skip meals – I know I’m at an advantage here as my work involves spending quality time in the kitchen, but even if you have a busy lifestyle, you will find that you’ll be so much more productive in your day if you start with a good healthy breakfast and have at least three meals throughout the day.  When we skip meals, our blood sugar levels are disrupted, causing feelings of sluggishness and fatigue and it can also have a negative impact on metabolism.  If you think of our metabolism as a muscle that needs to be exercised, when we’re not putting it to work, digesting our foods, it can slow down and become less efficient.  Also to get the proper nutrition our body needs for optimum health, it’s important that we have a regular and balanced diet.

Keep hormonal levels in check - Our hormones naturally decline with age, but even from a young age, as I personally discovered, we can have hormonal imbalances that can greatly affect our health and wellbeing. If you’re having difficulty shifting that extra weight despite all your dietary measures, or if you’re experiencing low energy, brain fog, memory loss, loss of muscle mass, lackluster hair and skin, mood swings, depression, low libido – it’s a good idea to have your hormone levels checked.  There are many natural ways to address hormonal imbalances, using plant based natural hormone replacement and other natural remedies as well as dietary adjustments.

Use natural skin care products  - A respected teacher once said to me ”don’t put anything on your body that you wouldn’t put into your mouth” and I’ve taken this to heart.  Lotions, creams and potions that we put on our bodies are absorbed into our systems, so read the labels on your cosmetics as you do on your foods. 

Exercise regularly and make it fun – it’s important to engage in exercise that’s suited to your level of health, body type, constitution and lifestyle.  Yoga is a perfect balance for someone who is quite physically active and needs a way to connect to their inner quite place and cultivate flexibility of body, mind and spirit.  For someone who has a more sedentary lifestyle, it’s fun to get out in nature for a good hike or engage in some cardio exercise.  For me, there’s nothing better than a barefoot beach walk – not only do I get to breath in fresh sea air, but I get the added benefit of a natural foot reflexology session.  If you’re not near water, walking barefoot in the garden first thing in the morning gets your body systems activated.

Be flexible - Strive to be open, flexible and happy in your life and work.  Take time to walk in nature, smell flowers, be introspective, do yoga, dance, listen to inspiring music and keep a balance between work, rest and play.  I once thought I was being “selfish” by taking care of my own health and wellbeing first and foremost, but have since learned that the greatest contribution I can make towards the health of the planet is being healthy, fit and happy in my own skin.