Journey to Wellness
 September 2010
 THE GOOD NEWS, NATURALLY HEALTHY NEWSLETTER
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Hello to everyone from Davis, California, U.S.A.  I'm glad you can join me for this issue of Journey to Wellness.

Each month I am honored to have this unique opportunity to share my MS story.  Years ago I chose to be "enabled" by MS rather than "disabled," and I believe that each one of us has the opportunity to make that same choice. 

My task is to help you believe that also.  I believe my body is designed to be self-healing, and that my challenge is to learn how to "listen" to my body and to help it turn on that innate self-healing process. Whether you are new to Journey to Wellness, or you have been with me for years, I warmly welcome you to our world-wide network of readers.

I seem to have created quite a storm when I jumped into the fray over Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI) and its possible role in the development of the syndrome known as multiple sclerosis.

Hundreds of you have written to me with many how, what, where and when-to-proceed questions regarding testing and corrective procedures. It is important to remember that I am not an expert on CCSVI. I am trying to gather and share information at this time. It is my goal to keep you informed with up-to-date information and sources that is as accurate as possible, through the monthly issues of this newsletter.

I hope the follow-up information included this month will help answer some of your questions.  Lots of good stuff this month, so let's get at it.

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PLEASE NOTE: 

1. Archives of recent issues of Journey to Wellness are always available here. If you are a new subscriber I suggest you take one archived issue each week and really study the material covered.  Over a period of a year Journey to Wellness covers just about every aspect of the healthy natural lifestyle that I recommend for MS. 

2. If you wish to send an e-mail to me, please be sure to use the following as the subject: From a Newsletter Subscriber and your e-mail won't be lost in the never-never land of spam.   Remember to do that and your e-mail won't be lost in the never-never land of spam.
            

 

The process of self-discovery is fascinating to study, but even more fascinating to experience. The loss of my son four years ago this November, and trying to understand the how and why that my family had to experience that painful loss, lead me into an intense study that continues to this day.

It was during that process that I came to a realization that I had completely defeated MS. Then I continued to dig for answers about how I had done that. My regular readers know that I have always said I did not know specifically the answer to that question. I now feel that I know how to respond to that question.

1)  Remember when I first began to write about our Internal Guidance System (IGS), our body's vital energy, and how we can use that to communicate with our body? That was probably step one of my realization. Today I think of my IGS as my internal compass, which helps me navigate through life. As I have increased my awareness of its presence, the more I benefit from its guidance.

2)  Next I began to get insight into just what the IGS is. I believe it is our connection to the Universal force that holds our galaxy in space, and that powers our bodies. Whether we call that force God, or individually we think of it as our soul or perhaps awareness, it doesn't matter so much what we call it - just that we recognize it. And also learn more of how to use it consciously.

3)  I now believe the two most important aspects of my recovery were daily meditation, through which I developed a very strong belief (I never doubted), intention (exactly what I wanted), and inner knowing (of who I am), and Qi Gong/Tai Chi (and early on adapted yoga) and breath work, which work with the body's energetic system that I came to call the IGS.

Can anyone do what I did? Absolutely! But you must develop your belief, your knowing, and your intention to heal. Actually it is pretty simple and deceptively easy.

I can't even begin to tell you how hard I worked to learn these very simple truths. I tried everything, and spent a lot of money along the way. My retirement funds today would be much bigger if I had all the money I spent searching after everything I ever heard of for several years. Including, but by no means a complete list, were chiropractic, acupuncture, herbalists, massage therapy, 7-8 years of a very strict non-dairy and gluten free food plan, every supplement I heard of that might be helpful, etc., etc., etc. In the end I finally over a period of years realized more and more that the answers I sought were inside of me.

Everything I just related is not about MS at all.  It applies to anything we may need to heal (remember that healing is synonymous with change). When you are truly ready you can find your way through the maze to healing on the other side.

I was lead to think a lot about this in the past few weeks because of being inundated by people wanting to rush out and have the CCSVI corrective procedure done. Why is it that huge numbers of people are not beating a path to my door to learn to duplicate what I have done, when it really is simple and easy? I will leave the answer to you.

But my guess is that it begins with a society devoted to instant gratification. We don't want to work at changing our lifestyle, nor do we want to learn to meditate, or make a firm commitment to exercise regularly. Oh we say we want to do those things, but in actuality we don't. We would rather wait for the "cure," whatever package it may be wrapped in.

The 24th of this month I will have my 74th birthday - and no, I neither look nor feel like what I thought years ago that 74 years of age would be like! - but as long as I have breath and a functioning computer and Internet connection I will continue to try to convince everyone who wants to heal, whatever they wish to heal, that they can indeed accomplish that.  And I hope the Universe allows me to do that.

A few readers have written to me asking why I no longer write about my personal practice of yoga. The truth is that much as I benefited from the Yoga for MS routine for years, I can not personally do the routine any longer because of painful degeneration in my low back and right hip, mostly from a bad fall about 30 years ago.   I just this week completed a series of x-rays to determine just what is happening and causing pain.

But I have continued my Qi Gong practice - much of which I can do seated, and my internal medicine doctor recommends walking, walking, and more walking. It is very important to note that none of this has anything to do with my MS history. I was able to stop my MS in its tracks, and share with you the process, but alas I cannot stop the aging process. We can however age healthily by continuing to practice a healthy lifestyle and I concentrate on doing that.

As I look back on my personal MS story, it was a mere "bump" in the road of my life. It was also a great teaching tool for me. I would not today trade what it taught me in exchange for the MS journey I experienced. It is now 16 years since I was diagnosed, and 18+ years since my symptoms began. And thanks to my healing/learning journey, this is absolutely the best time of my life so far!

Enough of my soapbox for this month.

  

The Internet is such a powerful communication tool today. One of my goals is to help you navigate that vast information source.

It seems like every few days I learn of another real nugget on YouTube. I want to share something I discovered a few days ago, an exciting short lecture from the TED TALK organization by Dr. Sue Morter, who's an internationally recognized authority on bridging Science, Spirit and Human Possibility.

Check out the video below and you'll see exactly why I always tell you that YOUR energy is extremely POWERFUL. Even beyond what you can imagine with the ability to change, create, and alter your reality. This is how healing happens.

                http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKqpiS9tjgQ&feature=player_embedded#!

There is such a powerful message in Dr. Sue's talk that I have watched it several times and always learn more from it each time.

Dr. Sue's talk refers to "epigenetics," which we first became acquainted with through the work of Dr. Bruce Lipton (see his book The Biology of Belief). Remember that epigenetics means beyond genetics.

Here's another one by best selling author Mike Dooley called Thoughts Become Things!. Very powerful also. Enjoy.

                http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x4sVR67wCk&NR=1

I have wonderful memories of sharing Dr. Seuss's magnificent fables with my son Kevin when he was a little guy.  Oh how he loved Dr. Seuss.  Here is a favorite relevant quote of mine:

"Think left and think right, and think low and think high.
 Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!

                                                                -  Dr. Seuss

I can still see Kevin swinging his arms high and low, and left and right.  Thank you for allowing me to share that with you.

Reader Pamela T. in Ohio sends along the following two recipes this month.

Healthy Chocolate Mousse

        3 bananas
        1 avocado
        2 T cacao powder

Just blend in the blender and you have yourself a great tasting mousse. I put some cacao nibs on the top too! Fantastic. Thin with a wee bit of water if necessary.

Thanks Pam. I loved this. Since I only cook for one I made 1/2 the recipe and it worked fine.  A wonderful "chocolaty" treat.

Massaged Kale Salad

        1 bunch kale, stalks removed and discarded, leaves thinly sliced (black kale is especially good)
        1 lemon, juiced
        1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
        Kosher salt
        2 t. honey
        freshly ground black pepper
        1 mango, diced small (about 1 c.)
        small handful toasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds), about 2 rounded tablespoons

In large serving bowl, add the kale, half of lemon juice, a drizzle of oil and a little kosher salt. Massage until the kale starts to soften and wilt, 2-3 minutes. Set aside while you make the dressing.

In a small bowl, whisk remaining lemon juice with the honey and lots of freshly ground black pepper. Stream in the 1/4 cup of oil while whisking until a dressing forms, and you like how it tastes.

Pour the dressing over the kale, and add the mango and pepitas. Toss and serve.

Pam says: This salad will keep in the refrigerator for several days because the kale is very fibrous so it takes a while for it to break down. This is fabulous and has so much nutrition.

Honey Mustard Glazed Salmon Fillets

       2 T fresh lemon juice
       2 T Dijon mustard
       2 T honey
       1 t. finely grated lemon zest
       4 (5-oz.) salmon fillets
       salt and freshly ground black pepper
       cooking spray

In an oiled shallow baking dish, combine lemon juice, Dijon, honey, and lemon zest.  Stir together.  Season both sides of salmon fillets with salt and pepper and place in the baking dish. Flip salmon to coat in glaze.  Bake immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 hours.

When ready to cook, preheat oven to 400 degrees F and bake 10 minutes or until fish is fork tender.

I recently read an article in my local newspaper about an author, Elana Amsterdam, who was returning to Davis, where she grew up (and where I live), for her 25th year High School Reunion.  It went on to relate how she had located in Colorado after college, and had become a very successful cookbook author.  Her publisher had arranged a book signing while she was visiting her home town for the reunion.  I was intrigued when I read the name of her cookbook.

It is an exceptionally good resource for anyone who must cook gluten free.  The author as a young adult developed Celiac disease and must never eat gluten.  She also has a child who has the disorder.  Her search for a good gluten-free flour lead her to discover almond flour.  I wish I had known about her when I was living gluten free. 

It certainly is true that a good gluten-free flour is probably the biggest challenge the gluten-free cook faces.  This beautifully illustrated book is available at Amazon, and I highly recommend it. 

I was truly amazed at the huge numbers of people who have written to me about having the CCSVI testing and corrective procedure done.

In addition a number of readers who have either had the procedure done or have it scheduled for the near future have been sending me lots of information. I am truly grateful. But I would have to be a full-time all day every day writer just to put it all together in proper form to share with you. Instead I have chosen to keep my sanity and share a lot of links with you and you can do your own foot work.  First you should all be a Facebook "friend" on Denise Manley's page. She uses that to keep everyone up to date on the CCSVI progress in the U.S. and Canada, as well as time-line information on the theory and research.  Here's the link on the time-line information:

http://www.facebook.com/gabbycats#!/note.php?note_id=234671112210&id=110796282297&ref=mf

If you are not proficient with using Facebook, then you will just have to learn to be.  Denise is doing a tremendous service to the MS community, and even has a list of doctors who are doing the testing and corrective procedures in various places in the U.S.

If you are unable to maneuver Denise's Facebook page to learn the what, how, when and where answers, send me an e-mail and I'll forward some of the rough material she has sent to me.  It is very detailed but is just not in a form that I can quote here without a lot of editing.

Here are some of the links I have received:

One of the most insightful things I have read regarding the general CCSVI issue is located at:

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=420187852210 I recommend you read it and remember.

Here is another one of the best resource sites for CCSVI:

http://bmctoday.net/evtoday/2010/07/article.asp?f=chronic-cerebrospinal-venous-insufficiency.

Here's another great source. Just go to www.Facebook.com and do a search for "CCSVI in Multiple Sclerosis." There is a ton of information there. It is entitled: CCSVI in Multiple Sclerosis's Notes - Medical Hierarchies: Neurologists vs. Vascular Doctors

Here is another good source for information: Most of these are coming to me from reader Karen A., who has had the corrective procedure done.

There is a great Blog from Dr. Ashton Embry of Direct-MS.org.  This is a must read about the MS Society.  You'll find Ashton's blog posting at:

http://ccsvi-ms.ning.com/profiles/blogs/why-national-ms-societies-are?xg_source=msg_mes_network

Hi Betty. "This is the CCSVI Alliance link: http://ccsvialliance.org/ Very good stuff. It also has how to talk to your doctor and help yourself finding testing and treatment near you. It does send people back to the "This Is MS" site. They have some information, but nothing as up to date and complete as Denise's Facebook page. She lists doctors and sites that TIMS hasn't a clue about. But for those who can't get around Facebook, this is the next best thing. Thanks."  /S/ Karen A.

Here's another quote from Karen: 

I have been glued to my PC ever since IBM made the first one, and I am generally considered a computer "geek" by my friends, but nonetheless I still stumble on new things that had somehow escaped me over the years. One I found quite by accident the other day may be helpful to you.

In Microsoft Internet Explorer (which is how most of us access the Internet), in the lower right corner of your monitor is a little arrow (↓). Beside the arrow it normally says 100%. Click on that arrow and a little menu appears with various other percentages. Clicking on one of these little jewels will change the size of whatever appears on your monitor.

Perhaps I'm the only Internet Explorer user who didn't know that, but I somehow doubt that. I discovered it quite by accident when I must have changed it without thinking and suddenly all the images on my monitor were too large. I went to the "help" menu, which is usually what I do as a last resort, and there was the answer. One of the joys of being self-taught.  I had never noticed that arrow before.

I received a note from an anonymous reader asking me to write more about my concept of how our immune response works.  S/he also questioned my suggestion that MS - and probably many other disorders - are what doctors call auto-immune.  My understanding of what that means is that the body's own immune response literally attacks a part of our body, the myelin in the case of MS.

  Hello Betty,

Thank you so much for covering the CCSVI story.  Every month when you publish your newsletter, it seems that there is something in it that is just what I needed or wanted to know.  Blessings to you.  I so much appreciate all you do for us.
/s/  Frank S.

Thanks for writing Frank (and all the rest of you who wrote about the CCSVI story).  There is a special joy that comes from doing what you absolutely do know that you are supposed to be doing, and I do know that this is what I am supposed to do at this point in time.

LifeDesign Videos coming soon.  For those of you who are patiently waiting for these to be ready, just a brief update.  I have a group of friends evaluating the first one, and hopefully I'll be announcing availability soon.  The early response is exciting.  You'll be the first to know when they are available.  In the meantime if you wish to do an early test of one, let me know and I’ll send along details.

   "INSTANT IMPACT" Stress Relief

I have been studying a new book, The Healing Code, by Drs. Alex Loyd and Ben Johnson. It is a fascinating book about self-healing. I will do a review of The Healing Code after I have personal experience working with it in the coming weeks. After reading the entire book, and beginning the exercise they give which is called a code, and which is thought to heal cellular memory stress, generally considered today to be the cause of all dis-ease in the body, I got to the very last chapter and found something I had never read or heard about breathing.

You all know my personal belief in and practice of breathing exercises. But Drs. Loyd and Johnson not only emphasize deep breathing, as I do, but they add a few elements that are totally new to me. It is designed to totally relieve what they call situational (current) stress that we experience in our everyday lives. They call this exercise Instant Impact. Here is how they teach it:

1.  Rate the intensity of your stress from 0 to10 (so you can track the efficacy of the breathing technique).

2.  Place your palms together in any position that's comfortable. You may interlace your fingers, or use the prayer position.

3.  Focus on the stress you want to leave your body - physical, emotional or spiritual.

4. Do what they call Power Breathing for 10 seconds, as follows:

Breathe rapid and power "belly breaths" in and out, by forcefully blowing out and sucking in through your mouth. Use your diaphragm so your belly moves out as you breathe in, and moves in as you breathe out. (If you feel lightheaded, breathe the same way but reduce the intensity.)

As you do this breathing pattern, visualize something positive. It can be the stress leaving your body, or a peaceful scene, or whatever opposite thing you want instead of the stress. You might just say in your mind something like "peace," or "patience."

Drs. Loyd and Johnson state that this simple exercise will interrupt the stress cycle and provide a similar feeling to how you'd feel after 20 minutes of combined vigorous exercise and meditation, in mere seconds.

The following quote is from The Healing Code:

"The physical Law of Inertia states that nothing changes unless it is acted on with enough energy, and Power Breathing creates tremendous internal physiological power. Power Breathing adds great force to this process - a high-energy fuel of oxygen and physical effort. Just as the wind is a primary source of power in the world, our breath is our personal source of wind power."

Drs. Loyd and Johnson suggest that one should do this Power Breathing for 10 seconds three times a day. I hope you will try it and then share your personal results with the rest of us.

  

ONE AND ONLY YOU

Every single blade of grass,
And every flake of snow—
Is just a wee bit different ...
There’re no two alike, you know.

From something small, like grains of sand,
To each gigantic star
All were made with THIS in mind:
To be just what they are!

How foolish then, to imitate—
How useless to pretend!
Since each of us comes from a MIND
Whose ideas never end.

There’ll only be just ONE of ME
To show what I can do—
And you should likewise feel very proud,
There’s only ONE of YOU.

That is where it all starts
With you,
A wonderful
Unlimited human being.

- James T. Moore

  

A number of you wrote thanking me for the amazing 5-minute Paul Scheele meditation "gift" I gave to all of you last month. Actually it is Paul Scheele's gift to all.  If you didn't download it, go to last month's newsletter, and do it now. I promise you will be glad you did.  Paul is wonderful, and that he has made this available for free to everyone is pretty amazing.

Have a wonderful rest of the summer, wherever you live. Of course, if you are in Australia or New Zealand it is winter and you are probably pretty tired of the cold!

That's it for now.  Blessings to all.

Betty

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