How Will You H.E.A.L.?

It has been said that the power to heal is in your own hands.   It’s a nice saying if it were just that easy. However, when you are going through some tough health challenges or you are trying to heal a serious pain or injury that hurts like heck, it’s easy to get caught up with overdoing it with medication or painkillers.  Then sometimes our “pain” is not a physical pain but instead a heartache or depression over an emotional trauma.  In which case we turn to a bad habit or hiding out.  It could mean burying yourself in work and never taking time for yourself, turning to emotional eating to cover up the lack of sweetness in life or even surrounding yourself with people who want to wallow along in an on-going pity party.  No matter which way you look at it, the ability to heal ourselves doesn’t have a chance if we don’t give it one.

Granted we could spend the entire day (or year) describing all the different types of pain there is on the planet, today, that doesn’t matter.  What really matters is how do we heal? All in all, to heal is to make things better or to bring your mind, body, and soul back to a state of balance, wellness and health.  It’s the place where you feel happy, healthy and whole. Even further, to heal your Self in the truest form can only happen when a decision is made to Honestly Endeavor to Alter one’s Life.

Think about it.  Pain changes everything.  It’s a disruption that causes you to pay attention to something that needs you right now.  To heal that pain does not mean to mask it.  If you do, it will just come back again and sometimes in the long run, worse off than it was in the first place.  It also doesn’t mean to ignore it.  That’s like your tire blowing out while you’re in motion and you keep driving.  A multitude of things can happen and the damage can get worse, even deadly, if you continue.
1. Honestly assess the root of your pain.  This means to take the time to pay attention to your self and what is going on in your mind, body and soul.

2. Endeavor to take a lasting approach to your health rather than a quick fix to pain.  Get the support, guidance and help that you need to do things naturally and with long-term gains in mind.  Your mind, body and soul will love you for it.

3. Alter ones thinking and you alter ones health.  It’s that simple.  Not only can positive thinking affect you in a good way but, positive habits and positive actions toward a state of health rather than keeping ahead of a disease is a far better way to go in the long run.

4. Life is precious and if you begin to grow that one thought in your heart and mind you begin the journey of appreciating, accepting, and aligning yourself with true healing.

This year, how will you H.E.A.L.?  Post a comment below – I’d love to hear!

Quinoa, Tofu, Kale Confetti

Prep & Cook Time: 45 minutes                                                 

Servings: 6 or more

INGREDIENTS: Use organic for this recipe.

• 4 Cups Cooked Quinoa (Option: Cook in vegetable broth & favourite fresh herbs)
• 1 Cup Corn (Frozen or canned.  If frozen, make sure to drain first.)
• 1 Block Firm Tofu (Cut in small squares)
• 4-6 Kale Leaves (Finely chopped)
• 2 Tbsp. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
• 4-6 Cloves Garlic (Pressed or diced)
• 2 Tbsp. Turmeric
• ¼ Tsp. Cayenne Pepper
• Sea Salt & Fresh Cracked Pepper (To taste)
•  Optional Ingredients: Red & yellow peppers, feta cheese, olives, fresh mushrooms, pineapple, black beans

Directions:

1. In a large salad bowl, toss ingredients together until well mixed and coated.  You may want to add more herbs for more flavour depending on your taste.
2. Optional ingredients: Black beans, chickpeas, any kind of steamed or cooked squash, spinach can be used in place of or in addition to kale.

You Are What You Eat!

(A Short Bio on the Nutrient Density of the Main Ingredients)

Quionoa:         Rich in amino acids, a complete protein that includes all nine essential amino acids, good source of manganese, riboflavin, magnesium, iron, copper and phosphorous which is helpful to migraine sufferers and diabetics. An excellent grain rich in fibre and antioxidants.

Tofu:                Tofu is made from soybeans and is high in nutrients such as tryptophan, calcium, manganese, iron, protein, omega 3 fatty acids and selenium.  It also contains phosphorous, copper and magnesium all while being a very low caloric food.  Great food to add into an obesity management or type 2 diabetes programmes.  Fermented tofu carries even more nutrients beneficial to overall health by increasing the digestibility and absorption of nutrients that are formed during the fermentation process.

Kale:                Researchers now identify over 45 different antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits that provide excellent support of your body’s natural detox system.  Good to include kale on a regular basis in your diet from the cruciferous family.  Steamed kale enhances its health promoting qualities, especially for those who need to lower their bad cholesterol.  Kaempferol and quercitin are excellent forms of antioxidants that help to relieve oxidative stress that may lead to more serious health problems including cancer.  Excellent source of Vitamin K, A & C, good sources of manganese, fibre, copper, tryptophan calcium, vitamin B6, potassium, and iron.  You will also find magnesium, vitamin E, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin B2 & B1 & B3, folate, phosphorous and protein in Kale.