IC and the Quick Fix: 3 Ways to Understand the Process

What we wish from any healing tradition is a quick way out of our problem whatever it is  The magic pill, the magic operation, the magic whatever  So it is with any formidable chronic disease like the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia)  And intuitively we know there is no such thing but we can still hope that there is something that is going to deal with it  But as a recent visit with a patient who is a gastroenterologist said, “I would have thought you were a crank if you would have promised me a quick solution”

The Quick Fix

So even though we yearn for the quick fix we know it realistically doesn’t exist  We know this intuitively  So if this is the case then what are we actually looking for?

I believe any sufferer of  the IC bladder pain syndrome is waiting for “a trusted way” that will get them to where they want to go…that is, feeling better  And they feel that the “system” has not been that trusted way anymore

But as we have already said there is no quick fix but there is a fix….maybe not a fix but nonetheless a fix  It’s just that this trusted way, this path requires TIME  When time is put into the equation, impatience can become a problem  While we rationalize with the mind, it still wants whatever that’s supposed to happen, to happen quickly

Three Solutions for the Impatient Mind

Journal  Probably from a practical point of view the best way to show the impatient mind that progress is being achieved is to review our journal entries and see for ourselves that things are better  Even the mind’s memory is distrustful of itself but if we can see for ourselves in black and white what has been going on in the past and compare it to what’s happening now the impatient mind will shut up

Realize the ups and downs of healing  As an energy field the mindbody expresses itself as waves and so do the diseases that it experiences  So any disease has its good days and bad days, good weeks and bad weeks, flare periods and no flare periods of the disease process  Name any disease process and it will express itself in waves  The point here is “no discouragement” because of a particularly “bad period”  Keep up the good pursuit toward our goal of ever improving health  Real healing takes time…the correction of an energetic imbalance requires repetitive perseverative effort

Get reliable help in achieving our goal  If we are in a forest and hear the sound of waves crashing on the beach we know we are near  But we have no path to follow  We search but no one has gone there  We can forge our own path and cut our way through the forest, guided by the sounds of the ocean  But we can search for a path that other people have taken and use their experience to show us the way  This is the value of Ayurvedic consultations  They give us a path to follow rather than trying to make our own path

IC and 2016 Personal Goals: 5 Guidelines for Living Life on Purpose

IC and the Power of Mind: Improving Decision Making

The power of the mind is becoming more and more significant as research shows that in many ways effects on the DNA can impact our behaviors  This becomes important in chronic diseases such as the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) because as we know mind is a major determinant in healing

 How Can We Improve Our Decision Making?

Why do we chose one way of doing something rather than another way? Does it make a difference in the greater scheme of things?  And which is the best decision when it comes to healing a problem in the physiology?  Is it better to leave it up to intuition or be driven by hard facts?

There are always those times when we get to a critical juncture and want to make a decision that will move us forward  So it’s worthwhile to look at how decisions are made and how we can influence our decisions for the better

It’s clear from current science that decision making is genetically determined…that mind is our DNA  So change your genes to create better mental clarity and change the way you make decisions

How can this be done?  Alkalines of our DNA follow a regular grammar and have set rules just like our languages  So human languages did not appear coincidentally but are a reflection of our inherent DNA  When we are stressed or negative, our biological energy reserves are diverted from the important task of regenerating and repairing the body

We can counteract this cellular starvation by focusing on genuine states of care, expressing appreciation, gratitude, and love  These positive emotions enhance our energy system and feed the body, even down to the level of DNA

 The Bottom Line:  Our DNA is Listening

Living DNA substance will always react to language if the proper frequencies are being used  This is why mantra repetition, affirmations, autogenous training, hypnosis and the like can have such strong effects on humans and their bodies  It is entirely normal and natural for our DNA to react to language  And research has shown that we as humans can reshape and even reconfigure their DNA

Meditation helps access the energy body  Our cells are listening and there is a lively interaction between emotions and our cells  We have a thinking body  Breath work also helps affect the energy field  All of Nature is interdependent  Ancient cultures understood this interconnection as a living universal energy field which sustains life and can produce spontaneous healing events that have been well documented

IC and Supplements: The High Priced Scam

Many with chronic disease like the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromylagia) are looking for some kind of advantage to help with symptoms from their dis-ease  So it often comes to people looking for help with supplements offered from the molecular promised land of the matter science world

IC and the Art of Energy Cooking: 4 Healing Approaches

As we have discussed in the managment of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) nutrition is foundational to having success longterm  But in the energy science of Ayurveda nutrition is more than just what foods are selected for your unique mindbody energy constitutional makeup  Even though foods are integral to success because they bring about balance to the physiology and prevent imbalances from occurring there is more to nutrition than foods  Where to eat, when to eat, how to eat, why we eat all add to the “what to eat”

As we discussed we have talked about always making a deal with ourselves to sit whenever we eat  This simply allows us to improve the chances of agni doing a good job in digesting whatever we’re eating  Eating our biggest meal of the day at noon is foundational to successful nutrition  Why we eat uncovers that aspect of nutrition about emotional eating as well as overeating

But what about “how to eat”? This covers the aspects of bringing attention to eating of food but also how we prepare foods

The Uniqueness of Energy Science Cooking

One of the objections that I have heard about the energy science approach to nutrition is that you have to be Indian in order to do an Ayurvedic nutritional format  While this is complete and utter nonsense people buy into such false writing because they don’t know any better  And they believe the people that are protecting the matter science approach to nutrition by misrepresenting the energy science

1 Truth be told the nutritional formats that are at foodsheal.com can be integrated into anybody’s way of eating because the change in foods chosen means that you simply find substitutes for foods that are aggravating for folks with the IC bladder pain syndrome  If there are problem foods such as nightshades for Pitta Vata then find vegetable substitutes  Another example of this substitution is using sunflower instead of peanut butter

2  One of the basic tenets of energy science nutrition is to cook food in order to predigest  There is a lot of rhetoric about this from the raw food or macrobiotic community but it makes intuitive sense to break down the cellulose of vegetables in order to aid the agni of the mindbody particularly if it’s struggling  Another time that raw food comes up is in blenderized veggie drinks  In this situation the mechanical breakdown of the veggies may predigest but again the lack of heat applied may make this food preparation technique substandard

3 The use of ghee in cooking cannot be overemphasized in the management of the IC bladder pain syndrome because often the Pitta energy pattern is involved and the best way to pacify Pitta is by the liberal use of ghee due to its liquid and oily qualities   But there is good matter science data as to why one would want to use ghee which enhances agni  It is completely made up of small chain hydrogenated fatty acids(most common butyric acid) which does not have to be digested and moves through all the tissues within twenty four hours  This has important ramifications in the detoxification process of panchakarma(PK)

4 Spices have volatile organic compounds(VOC) which when activated facilitates digestion, absorption, and assimilation of foods  Spices are integral to healthy cooking because they augment agni  They are best activated during food preparation by placing them in ghee and heating to activate the VOC  Once activated they can then be added to other ingredients of the recipe  If you have a heavy aroma in the kitchen when activating VOC it means that you have overheated and overcooked the spices

So there you have it  A way to prepare foods so that your mindbody can get the most out of it because you have enhanced your agni in the process of preparation

IC and Guidelines for Eating During the Holidays

Food selection may become a big deal during the holidays with those with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystititis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) So what are some techniques that can help during the holidays?  Spreading out holiday-related events, and making get-togethers more active, and meditation are just a few ways to stay healthy this season.

Spread Out Your Events

Try to spread out the parties and get-togethers, instead of visiting several households on the same day If there is an event where the cooking is shared, start a Facebook group page to better organize the dinner and ensure there are plenty of healthy options  Each member can discuss what they are bringing to allow a wide variety of colors and choices rather than an overload of starches. You can also use this page to share recipes

Move at the Party

Holiday gatherings often consist of sitting, eating, talking, drinking, and more eating  We often find ourselves sitting for longer periods of time because we enjoy the conversation Your legs want to move, the food is on the counter, and off you go for food you’re are not even hungry for  This year, try some of these actions with the family to reduce the march to the kitchen  Take a walk or try some other physical activity

Don’t Go Overboard

Sticking to a healthy plan is important  However depriving yourself of certain foods can have negative results  Restrictive eating can lead to binge eating as well as disliking healthy foods by associating them with something you ‘have’ to do  When it’s time to pile food on your plate, eat what visually appeals to you, or you know you love without guilt clouding the mind  Try these final tips for holiday eating  If smaller plates are an option, use them. You’ll fill larger plates just because room is available. Second trips are better than overeating on the first round  If you’re trying something new, only take a bite-size portion

As you begin to incorporate more healthy practices into your life—whether during the holidays or during everyday life—your mindset will start to shift, and you’ll begin to not only choose more nutritious foods, but actually enjoy them, too