The A, B C's of Spring Cleaning Body and Mind

April 30, 2009 by Curt Siters

The A, B C's of Spring Cleaning Body and Mind

by Lisa Hogan - Health Advocate and Wellness Advisor

I don't know about you, but I am feeling a BIG surge of energy to spring clean, to bring myself into balance! We spring clean our house, so too can we spring clean our body, getting rid of the old, stagnant energy and bringing in a renewed, vital energy. This renewed energy that we create now carries us through the year, allowing us realize our dreams and goals. I have set some lofty things to accomplish for myself this year and I want to make use of all the resources I have. It made me think that maybe you too are feeling that desire to create something meaningful for yourself this year! I hope you are! There are so many ways to help support your physical, mental, and emotional health. Part of my passion and dream for this year is to share my knowledge of health and wellness on a much larger scale than I have before. So this is the start!

Here are a few ABC's to get you started in your spring cleaning!

ALLOW

Allowing our bodies to recalibrate to the optimal level of wellness is often times more about getting out of our own way. Avoiding the things that we know are harmful or insulting to our body and choosing the items that are uplifting and supportive of wellness. Over the years of working with families, I have found that there is an excellent way to support and build the body, allowing it to operate at its optimum level. Here's an excerpt from one of my articles:

There are over 400 strains of micro-organisms that populate the intestinal tract. Of the friendly bacteria, two of the most vital are acidophilus and bifidus. They reside primarily in the small and large intestine, respectively. Not only are these friendly bacteria instrumental in the assimilation of nutrients, they prevent harmful bacteria from "taking over". Unfortunately, antibiotics, chlorinated and fluoridated water, stress and sugar consumption kill off these friendly bacteria. What happens then? "Bad" bacteria proliferate and can result in yeast overgrowth in the intestinal tract. Yeast overgrowth can lead to "leaky gut syndrome", where the intestinal wall becomes permeable and food particles find their way into the blood stream. Both acidophilus and bifidus can be supplemented in the diet in order to increase the absorption of micro and macro nutrients and prevent yeast overgrowth. Also, a significant benefit in the reduction of clouded, fuzzy thinking and hyperactive behavior.

Re-nourish the body with vital nutrients through whole super foods. Super foods are foods that are nutrient dense and readily assimilable into the body. Because fast food and processed food is common in the American diet, our families are simply not being nourished with the required vital nutrients they need to function at their best.

What does this mean? Don't go running out to the health food store and start popping every vitamin in sight! The best way to get the nutrients required is through natural super foods. These foods are already in a form the body can readily accept and absorb. They include sprouts, seeds, bee pollen, wheat grass and fresh-water wild blue green algae. Wild blue green algae is a plant that grows wild in nature, is harvested from a special lake and is put into tablet or capsule form for consumption. Wild blue green algae is the most comprehensive super food containing a wide array of micro and macro nutrients, essential fatty acids (Omega 3 & 6) and amino acids.

Deficiencies in "Omega-3 fatty acids are directly connected to behavioral problems in rhesus monkeys as well as learning disabilities and neurological dysfunction in humans." (ADHD - A Nutritional Approach, Karl Abrams 1998)

"One of the best sources of the brain nutritional requirements for children with ADHD is wild-crafted blue green algae" (John Taylor, PhD. - author of Help for your Hyperactive, Attention Deficit Child and a nationally known speaker).

Replenishing friendly bacteria strengthens the digestive tract, improves nutrient absorption, builds the immune system and can aid in reducing hyperactive behavior. Re-nourishing the body provides key vital nutrients that may be missing from the standard American diet. Altogether the immune system is strengthened, body and mind can work more effectively, and another piece to the your wellness puzzle can be put in place.

BALANCE

Essential oils are a gentle way to bring about change on different levels of your well being - physically and emotionally which result in a more balanced way of living. Why not let go of that "stinkin' thinkin'" and any unwanted patterns of thought that no longer serve you?

THREE EASY THINGS YOU CAN DO RIGHT AWAY!

1. Use a drop or 2 of GRAPEFRUIT, ORANGE or LEMON essential oil in your water It's a great way to cleanse and the scents are uplifting to your mind! Lemon is also very effective in sterilizing the air. Add two drops to water in a spray bottle for purification or combine with peppermint to provide a refreshing lift.
2. Reduce toxins in your environment! This time of year is full of mold, germs, etc...! The THIEVES products were especially helpful for me when we had a mold problem in our house 3 years ago. THIEVES was named for an essential oil blend that grave robbers used in medieval times during the plaque. They would cover themselves in this blend and not get sick. Of course, the reason it worked is because there are many components in the oils - tested with a 99.96% effective rate against airbourne bacteria!
3. As you are spring cleaning, don't forget about your curtains and bed linens! When you wash your sheets and blankets, add a drop of EUCALYPTUS! It kills the dust mites and helps to eliminate the allergy cycle!

CREATE

Create time for fun! Part of life is experiencing fun and laughter and true joy! I know that I am hearing a lot of people saying that they don't have time for fun! Well, help is on the way! My very dear friend, Christina Grant (you may know her as Christina Boden) and I are ready to publish a book! It's all about easy ways that you can incorporate more fun into your life! Here are a few suggestions:

• Light candles for dinner! A meal is so much more interesting when dining by the soft light of candles. I have a pair of candlesticks that I always use EVERYNIGHT! I change the colors of the candles with the seasons or holidays. Again you are limited by your imagination!
• Practice breathing deep breaths to center yourself - you can even do this while on the toilet! Center your attention on your breathing and feel yourself calm down and relax!
• A plate and cup for just you! Find a special plate and cup/mug that you absolutely love. There are plenty of stores that carry varieties of different patterns. Find a pattern that makes your heart sing! Buy one plate and one coffee mug. These are just for you! Use them everyday! This is a way to honor YOU everyday! Eat your breakfast, lunch and dinner on this plate. You will smile every time you see it because it is so beautiful and remember the beauty that is in the plate is a reflection of the beauty that resides in you!

I hope that this gives you some food for thought to get your own spring cleaning started! Just like I always say,

"Baby steps... just take baby steps in the beginning and you'll soon enough be jumping and skipping down the road!"