7 steps to a Winter Wellness Recipe, success guaranteed
1st – start with a base of optimism and faith.
- research with cancer patients has consistently shown this is the most universally applicable healing factor. if love is the light bulb, faith is the battery. and in this faith is the underlying tenet that life in human experience is purposeful and supported by a force directing us towards growth, evolution, happiness and fulfillment. often we are only aware in hindsight what the challenges were all about.
2nd – mix in heaps of unconditional love and loving touch.
- this is love that says “I love you for who you are, not for what you do to me or for me.” love is how we are fundamentally wired. we are born to be loved and loving. when infants are given the choice between food and love, they choose love every time. for it is love that is the fuel for expansion. at the cellular and genetic level we are either in expansion or in contraction, growth or protection, faith or fear… and we cannot be in both at the same time. so, which do you choose? choice is always available.
3rd – toss in handfuls of gratitude.
- this is the great equalizer among men. knowing that life is about perspective and when we are in true gratitude, we are in presence. we are present to the now here moment, fulfilled, satiated, and more likely to be loving, generous, giving, patient… looking around at the state of affairs, who could deny we all would benefit from more of this. so, if you cherish your health, clean water, freedom to pray openly, available food… be thankful because you are now in the top 1% in the world.
4th – spice it up with your own unique version of creativity.
- in the act of creativity one becomes her/his own Creator. and in this expression one is manifesting into the universe something never before offered. a life entirely new and part of the great tapestry of life. this is the supreme act of our greatness as humans. and it is how we bring newness into life.
5th – flavor with the medicines known to benefit physical health and mood in the winter months.
- Vitamin D – best received directly from the sun. a client of mine in the rainy northwest had a yearly seasonal depression (SAD – seasonal affective disorder) and a vitamin D level of 10 (optimal level in the blood of 25-OH vitamin D is around 50-60 ng/ml). we tried several well known and trusted sources of supplemental vitamin D for months with a modest improvement to 15. she then went weekly for 10 minutes to a UVB tanning bed (better to use one with an electronic ballast over a magnetic ballast because of less detriment of EMF exposure) and took cod liver oil (another alternative is krill oil). after a month and a half or so of this UVB and fish oil regimen her level went to 53 and her mood substantially improved.
- SAM-e – helps the methylation of cells, up-regulates the neurotransmitters, and benefits the liver and joints. studies have shown a much safer side-effect profile than prescription antidepressants, while often working faster and just as well and medications. while it’s not a cure all, it can be quite helpful with a relatively low risk to benefit ratio. to some a therapeutic dose is 200 mg/day and for others it’s closer to 1200 mg/day. it is best used with a quality broad spectrum live vitamin B source (specifically with B6, B12 and folate), should be individually monitored for adverse reactions and should be used cautiously in the midst of other meds or supplements with an antidepressant quality (for example St. Johns Wort) or anti-histamines. i’m not in the practice of suggesting many supplements, and when i do it’s in the context of specifically testing clients for the dosage they require and then monitoring the effect closely. that being said, use your own judgement and if there is no effect you may decide to change brands.
- Adaptogens are a class of herbs used in all forms of traditional medicine around the world to help the body “adapt” to stress. they were traditionally used by the medicine keepers of royalty as the base for potions of immortality, by competitive athletes as a secret energy enhancer and by kings as a libido booster and for procreative insurance. they support the immune system, enhance energy, strengthen the adrenal glands, act as antioxidants, support liver detoxification, and are considered the longevity tonics in eastern medicine. common ones are ginseng, green tea, licorice, deer antler, ginkgo biloba, and goji berries. there are more than 20 total from all over the world, and to recommend one over another would take much more time and space than is applicable here. as a rule these herbs are to be taken daily for months to years, as they build up in the system, help to replenish depleted stores of energy and work over time. suffice it to say, do your research, try one you resonate with, get a good source and ask for guidance from someone who is reputable, honest and knows what they are talking about.
6th – layer it all with enough high quality protein.
- neurotransmitters govern mood, energy, concentration, sleep and general mental wellness. they are made from amino acids, which come from protein. without adequate protein one can tend to feel flat, with little motivation or stamina.
- high quality proteins come in a variety of forms, and the amount you require depends on a variety of factors, including your individual constitution, metabolic rate and speed at which you use glucose in the cells. the choices also depend on your availability and spiritual and ethical preferences.
- whatever your choice it is best supported by awareness that the great majority of farm raised beef, pork and poultry industries are a toxic breeding ground laced with hormones, organo-pollutants, cruel and barbaric practices, and genetically modified lab altered foods that in many studies have shown stunted growth and even sterilization in off spring of lab tested animals. so, do your research and get educated. their is a mountain of available research on the benefits of a vegetarian (or at least mostly vegetarian) diet. your body, the planet and the animals will thank you for it.
- good sources include chlorella and spirulina (both are plant source proteins with the highest concentration of utilizable protein gram for gram over any other source), fresh wild caught cold water fish (best to get smaller fish as bigger ones can accumulate heavy metals, so salmon and sardines over tuna and shark), organic and ethically pasture raised local eggs – preferably the yolks (you get the protein plus lecithin, B vitamins, fat soluble vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids), plenty of seasonal, fresh, local and organic fruits and vegetables, and a variety of beans, whole grains, and nuts (especially raw organic soaked almonds).
7th – and top it all off with a slurry of singing, dancing and laughing.
- they help … always! it’s not very often you can say that about anything. so… the answer here is consistently YES.
- feel free to ask for extra helpings and share with reckless abandon to your friends, family, and communities. it does make a difference.
DR. DAN ENGLE, MD, Grace Grove Medical Director
Dr. Dan Engle, MD is the president and founder of Mindful Medicine, an integrative medical and holistic psychiatric practice in Portland, OR and Sedona, Arizona. He is also the former Medical Director of the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center in Patagonia, Arizona, the premier live food, vegan natural healing and detoxification center in the country. He coaches clients and health centers in his most recent program Sustainable Wellness, a comprehensive program providing the learning tools and living skills for sustained vitality and personal fulfillment.
For more information contact Dr. Dan
DrDan@GraceGrove.com
