Western Medicine is failing us and bugs are getting the better of us :P

Just my thought as it seems almost all the cityslickers I know (who have never been sickly people) seem to be getting ill with that this and the other...

I had a good friend who I haven't literally spoken to in over a YEAR actually call me after sending text messages (the like of which I had never seen from her before) ending in...Help!

Yes it seems that the superbugs are getting the better of us as we step further and further away from our natural selves and the way man was supposed to interact with his environment and each other causing a whole scourge-epidemic of health and other problems never before seen at these kinds of levels...while man disrespects the planet and even his own body like he does the world will continue to spiral in a downward fashion...

Disclaimer...western medicine is commendable on certain aspects eg surgery/emergency medical intervention and equipment mediated diagnosis, medical science gene/cell based therapies, however on the whole they are totally helpless to be able to treat a wide range of health problems seeing as their salve seems to revolve around that zillion dollar pharmaceutical industry which while it may alleviate that pain over there it will create a new pain and disease process somewhere else! And while they fail to recognise the body is a HOLISTIC interactional dynamic of a living thing their medicine will closely resemble a dummy covered in bandaid plasters!

So yeah on the whole isolated and remote country bumpkins should feel pretty damn blessed to enjoy relatively better health cos of their healthy living environs and healthier lifestyle practices! cheers bumpkins! :D

Blob-aholism

This is my new term...you like? ;)

I coined it when I was describing my birthday twin and made us get off quite a few stops too early to make her walk like is good to move her qi! LOL

But now I have fallen prey myself to Blob-aholism...cos it's SO. DAMN. COLD. Literally I've turned into a blobaholic out of necessity...to conserve energy. If I don't eat SH*tloads and am not idle I just keep seriously looooosing weight! Cos my body is literally drawing on any fat reserves I manage to stock up JUST to keep warm!

It's completely unbelievable how continously wet and cold and icy windchill this year has been...I was born in a tropical country...as I get older the more and more I feel I belong back in one!

Okay end of whinge. It was an interesting whinge though or at least I presented it interestingly, right? ;)

They call it "beauty" sleep for a reason!

WOW. It's amazing what actual sleep can do for you. The effects are quite drastic- for example it's only been 2 nights so far and I have put on significant WEIGHT and am the heaviest I have been for...I can't remember!!! My face is also starting to change perhaps losing some of that sickly hue...cool, I hope it continues...cos in a few days I'm due for renewal of a five year driver's license...it would cheer my vanity greatly to not have to always be faced with a terrible mug shot every time I open my wallet for the next five years...LOL!

I hope this post finds you well rested and in good health too :)

Welcome back to (sanity) and the land of the living Z...

I finally got SLEEEEEP for the first time in THREE AND A HALF...MONTHS!!!!

SLEEP! SLEEP! SLEEP! Did any word ever sound so SWEEEET??!

Who new moving houses could be such a health hazard?

Oh well I worked it out now. And once I catch up on the last 3.5 months, I'm hoping to get back into the full swing of busy bee LIFE!!! Maybe 20kms under the old speeds, lol I need to recognise the fact I'm getting old...

I need to catch up on blogs though, lucky I have a long weekend for that. Anyway I think I'll go back to bed now :)

5 mins in the Kitchen with Z...

Cos let's face it Life's too Short to spend ages slaving away like I used to.

So since my health took the dive I've gotten really good at devising super healthy very quick meals with am emphasis on finest quality produce and EASE.

So this is what I came up with today which if I had to name it, it'd be

Z's SUPER ANTI-RADIATION OMEGA BLAST
And all the quantities are approximate - it really is "a bit of this and a bit of that" in quantities to your taste.

*a handful of good quality cooked soba noodles
*some fresh seaweed strands cut into shorter strands you get in the vacuum packs (if it's salted make sure you rinse and soak well so you don't salt yourself to death)
*quarter to half of a lightly panfried (Tasmanian) Salmon cutlet(this cut seems like it has less bones) make sure it's well mashed with a fork so you can extract any stray bones esp if you're feeding the kids)
*1t-1T high quality Flaxseed oil(the bottles packed in dark glass or steel that are in the refrigerator)
*1t of crushed or finely ground flaxseeds (for texture) or for a flavour twist I think organic pinenuts would be great (but these are often rancid)

Swirl it all around...Voila! So simple even Mark who can't fry an Egg *^^* can look like a gourmet chef ;)

Okay maybe it took you more than 5 mins- the key is I always have the ground flaxseeds and panfried Tasmanian salmon in my fridge so I don't have to prepare those specially.

The key advantage of simple meals especially if you haven't the strongest digestive system is that there are less ingredients to conflict and ferment and stagnate in those intestines...you'll feel better for it! Cheers to Good Health :)

Letting Go...Embracing Change.

Invariably I wake up with my muscles all tense...usually stressed out by overly vivid dreams and profound insights that come deep from my subconscious - things I barely had any clue was "a problem" in my conscious. When the muscles are all tense and achey like this from an energetic point of view, qi is not flowing smoothly and there is energy blockage. From certain alternative health view points this blockage could be seen as due to resistance to change.

So a couple of things that might help...

1. Letting go through Breath and Visualisation - measured breathing with a focus on long exhalations...imagine that when you exhale you're breathing out that tension and any "stuck crap"! You can focus your mind on particular areas of your body where there is concentrated tension.

2. Yoga: Fish Pose I'd always found this stance very beneficial but didn't realise why...until I realised it unblocks the throat chakra(the one which is responsible for being able to embrace change). I'd guess it also opens the Heart Chakra somewhat.

3. Get out of your comfort zone! Things that make you feel uncomfortable...they're likely related in some way to areas that need changing/to be shaken up and MOVED...Set yourself a goal of challenging yourself out of your comfort zone by doing something that makes you go "Nooooo!" once a week or so. I'm one up on that last one...I did go to Karaoke last week didn't I!

4. And the active solution would be to GET MOVING with exercise...to release any pent up energy. Boxing class anyone? Devoid of anger issues I think I prefer cycling LOL...anything that is aerobic anyway...walking (unless fast up a steep hill sustained) doesn't count.

5. And the passive solution...Liver tonics...something common at home that's simple could be...peppermint tea, dandelion tea...and if we get more specialised...anything Bupleurum!

H.O I think you often get this "stuck qi" business...and even bother make effort to get it treated...what other suggestions can you add to this list?

How I've come to perceive Happiness...

It never ceases to amaze me how people who seemingly have all they could ever want in life (which they are happy with) are still terribly unhappy...

Okay you could summarise it in two words: clinical depression.

Or maybe, maybe it goes like this...

People have expectations and when these are not met, it makes them unhappy.

In any case I am terribly guilty of the "if only I had..." sentiment, then I'd be PERFECTLY HAPPY.

Whether this be money, a partner, kids, or as in my case, *great health*....it doesn't actually equate to happiness...cos somewhere along the line, something else will not meet your hopes and expectations and will make you "not happy". It's an interminable state of affairs...

So this is the way I've come to perceive Happiness...

Basically if your very existence is not in actual jeopardy and you have the essentials necessary to survival eg: food, water, shelter and you're not living in an atmosphere plagued by war, hitmen, massive debts or life-threatening illness...basically, with that criteria...I argue that anything above that should be regarded as "a bonus" so that you should count yourself Happy!

In alternate terms, I guess what I am saying is that our perception needs to change so that we lower our expectations for what we feel we NEED to be happy.

And you need to consciously think about what you are happy for in the present moment...

e.g for me right now I am happy for the Swedish pear cider that sits in a fantastically pleasing wine glass (yes, I AM easy to please), and the spare time and freedom I have with which to sip it at my leisure in the privacy of my own space....in my pyjamas! ;)

Hehe...Happiness then, is forever dynamic and constantly changing, reflected in continual "moments"...

(For the people who are never happy ie those who are clinically depressed, apart from the biomedical view of it being due to chemical imbalance etc...here's an alternative thought...perhaps, it is karmic residue?!)

Or, better put ask yourself...What can I be thankful for and what do I HAVE that makes me Happy? Yes Folks, it's all about keeping that glass half FULL mentality!

Now...Stop whingeing and go back to work!!! (hehe that's what I would usually be saying to myself except for the fact that now I can be a bum as much as I wish...*sigh...now that's what I call SUPER DUPER HAPPINESS!^^ haha)

p.s this is what sounds like sheer happiness to me...

How do you cleanse of Bad Vibes? Part 2.

Hey, Thanks for the comments! I've just made a follow up post here cos I have quite a few things to say in relation to the post and comments yesterday...

MAN what a day...James, I think you're right - there IS something weird in the air...well at least my past day or two was just so...intense and unusual! It was totally hectic today and then I even came back to 25 emails...which is highly unusual for me!

The weirdest coincidence was that I incidentally met a good friend who also had my exact same Bad Vibes experience from yesterday happen to her Today (a.ka. Tall Poppy Syndrome)- it seems to be such a disease afflicting the people in this country for some reason...and the same reason why so many I know have gone overseas for better opportunities in their career and most importantly to not be "held back"!

Just on the note of Moon effects though...I don't know if I necessarily associate the moon with "bad" vibes per se but I do notice that people can go a little crazy when it's a full moon- I know I am susceptible...There is a long running joke that I turn into a werewolf if I'm shone on by a full moon at midnight LOL- I do often get restless and crazy kind of like when you get caught up in the elements of strange weather. It seems especially heightened when there is an eclipse.

Shan, I think also for us girls when it's "that time of month" our protective aura or whatever is weaker...not that I'm dismissing it as sensitivity over other people's crap that would have affected me regardless, but you do get more affected by negative vibes at these times which reminds me of *** other "cleansing" strategies I irresponsibly left off my list..

HELPFUL PRODUCTS-no I don't get paid to spruik...(wouldn't mind though ;)

***Rescue Remedy!! I need to go get some- I know many people who SWEAR by this stuff (a couple of drops under the tongue) in times of acute stress/trauma!

Also, I really like ***Dr Hauschka's Moor Lavender Body Oil...Lavender is very calming and soothing and Peat Moss is a very protective shield for the body especially against Electromagnetic Radiation etc so great before flying and great if you're sensitive to being sandwiched between so many transmissions towers and people who can't survive without their portable wireless electronic devices like I am! Or if you have a "weak etheric body"...

Healingstones, Thanks for the Vetiver tip! I've looked it up and it has very impressive energetics even by TCM standards! I think when you do alot of energy work and get bogged down by all your patients' baggage/sickness, even just washing your hands and face helps..I also think spraying the room with some clearing, cleansing and positive essential oils (I like eucalyptus, lemon, lavender, orange and bergamot oils for this purpose) help. I can't remember what Vetiver smells like but I think it is related to something else...petitgrain...?

Asianmommy, yes I was debating whether to put ***"chat with a good friend" on the list...as long as you pick the right good friend...some, like the one today had a great comforting vibe like a warm snug blanket on a cold day...some, just stress me out more!LOL

And finally, like the children's wards in certain hospitals actually do...***Turn on your Himalayan salt lamp! Their gentle pink ray is very comforting :) When they get warm they also emit negative ions...benefits of which you can read about in depth here.

p.s I instinctively got drawn to 2 bonafide Australian desert rocks I picked up in the middle of nowhere from my box of rocks to place under my pillow before bed...I never noticed them before actually-usually I will go for polished bought tumblestones...in any case I had Remarkable sleep for once!

The two rocks don't look impressive or identifiable but they have a very special feel and energy about them and I have no idea what kind of rocks they are...I actually suspect they might be meteorite fragments!!!(honestly...they are kind of out of this world looking...in a humble kind of way.)

How do you "cleanse" of Bad Vibes?

Found myself totally drained and downed by "Bad Vibes" today. Hence ended up compiling this list of my favourite "cleansing" strategies...

1. Go swim in the ocean-if not possible at least walk barefoot on the sand through the waves along the beach.

Should 1. not be possible then

2. Take a seasalt or epsom salt bath with some relaxing essential oils such as lavender...

3. Walk barefoot on grass.

4. Listen to cleansing music such as Lisa Gerrard, opera or classical-very loud.

5. Gong a tibetan singing bowl for a long time.

6. Handle appropriate rocks/crystals!

7. Write it out.

8. SLEEP-tomorrow is always a New Day!

9. Do Yoga, Qi Gong/Breathwork or Meditate.

Today was especially urgent so I ended up implementing nos 2,4,5 and 7 and intend to round up with 6 and 8 :p

p.s to get the gist of some of the problem I endured today go read this super post by Shannanigans, and whatever you do do not miss THIS VIDEO!!

Lo Siento, Mi Cuerpa

(I'm Sorry, My Body)

Alternatively, this post could be called "Eww Z...That's Disgusting!!!"

So next week we have the tiniest little recess from semester...somehow my body was more than aware of the fact it could finally just "let go" cos I didn't leave my bed for the last SIXTEEN+ hours(!!!)

Exhausted.

Unbelievable! I'm not even jetlagged or sick- I have never spent so much consecutive time in bed! Just from that much rest I also noticed my pupils went all *sparkly* which is something I definitely have not seen for a looooong time...yes, Rest is Good! :)

In any case, basically that 16+ hours is the equivalent of about 3-4 Whole Days of my usual rest...I know-shocking, I definitely have been mistreating my body-basically because I'm so busy with daily grind the only time I get "leisure time" is to ill treat my body by depriving it of sleep so I can read blogs, see friends, blog ;) etc...

So anyway when I emerged from bed as the last rays of sun were dying it felt pretty disgusting to have slept the whole day away! And I really craved some fresh air...so taking a note from my friend who's doing a detox diet I cut loads of fresh veggies and fruits and packed them all up and rushed to the park with my IPOD and sand chair...one of the weirdest things I've done in a while but it totally made my day(or night)!

The quiet, clean air, the peace of nightfall was such a nice opportunity to detox and rejuvenate...and the best part? I saw stars! :-D

Even if you do get a couple weird looks by the occasional bypasser, at least you can rely on city people to mind their own business. I think I'll have to do it more during the warmer months- such a nice way to re-ground, really savour every mouthful of food and just

*Enjoy living in the moment*

Now this is a seriously disturbing thought...

Not yet half way through, and it's not just that the going is tough...

Since I embarked on my studies with the idealistic "I'm going to to save the world with..." plus I want my own career, my own business etc, I've been living a very blinkered one track-minded and limited version of life...

Foregoing several opportunities, making quite a few sacrifices, turning lots of blind eyes in the process...cos God forbid if anything take me off my track!

My first semblance of a wake up call came in January via a supernatural meeting of sorts, la la la although I didn't miss that it was Huge, because I'm anti-confrontational at my core, I still chose to ignore it...then recently the health scares, that was the second major wake up call...and I think THAT'S the one that really kicked in(cos that is something all too familiar I can relate to)...

So having had Time to reflect on these wake-up calls, I realised what I am living is not really living, it's merely existing and for what? For a career! Hmmm, somehow with this new mindset, the maths doesn't really seem to add up...

A health caring, life-saving career is all fine and well and noble but as older, wiser K :) pointed out, you can't help others unless you can help yourself...and with my ongoing medical issues, I've pretty much been near killing myself to try and achieve what I thought has always been my ultimate dream...to have a purposeful and fulfilling career and run a successful business.

But I noticed, perhaps I already inherently have in my character the capacity to help a lot of people in a big way...and perhaps a further tool is not necessary since isn't that all that matters in The Big Picture??

an aside, the number of random depressed/people with issues I seem to have attracted into my life in the past couple of months especially has really been completely uncanny! And I think although I did use tcm as a tool, I think the tools that really made the difference was more my big mouthed logical psychobabble and my care...

I don't know maybe it's the wisdom you get with having lived longer...but having those two wakeup calls, I'm starting to realise maybe I was wrong...in the Grand Scheme of LIFE, career is probably not that big a deal in terms of what makes you Happy long-term! In the case of healthcaring, it can actually be quite stressful being surrounded by sick and miserable people with their negative vibes all the time! And...Life is short!

So....I dunno. We'll see...I guess there'll be good scope for really honest soulsearching within myself when I'm in the middle of woop woop with nothing but the sky and the grass to distract me....that's if I pass through this semester and still have the option to choose(!!)

Control freak tendancies even for your own life are soooo irrational but that is the nature of the human beast: we're imperfect beings.

While I'm a Knowledge Gathering Whore...

I gotta admit...especially for those born high strung like me: Ignorance is Bliss!

a couple weeks back we had some health scares in the family which was a Major trigger for me...

the worst part is, when other people have problems I start worrying like nothing else and the worst part is I don't just leave it at the door...I internalise it-my stomach literally goes into knots: then I get sick. Having all this medical knowledge as well actually just makes the worry a whole lot WORSE- I totally get why lots of people just refuse to go to the doctor: Knowledge can be a Burden with a capital 'B' (as much as it is empowering and liberating too! :)

I also wish I cared less and felt less responsible for the welfare of others- but then again, I AM a Water sign! And maybe that's why I may one day make a kick ass Chinese doc yet!

So anyway recognising this has got to stop I got myself a Chinese patent the other day- what I know as Jia Wei Xiao Yao San but the good folks at BTRT know it by this euphemism which I thought was so to the point it was amusing...


p.s GROUNDING is a really simple and effective tool to combat stress as well...if you can't get to the beach, park, yoga, just connecting with the earth by sitting or lying on the floor can be really helpful. Right now I only sit on a chair when absolutely necessary- instead I have my yoga mat set up 24-7 where I do stretches, have meals on etc....it's surprisngly calming! If you find it hard to sit on the floor for extended periods, I highly recommend getting yourself a Nada chair.

Play till you can Play no more...

So. Allowing myself complete freedom to just Play has been the latest strategy in my student life saga. I knew drastic action was necessary since my burnt-outedness was actually reaching a crisis point (ie: I, the so far excellent student to date, literally failed a test because I was so past caring I didn't bother studying). So basically the last 2-3 days and nights I've been throwing all sensible regulations out the windowso I could play to my heart's content- allowing myself to DO WHATEVER as I please!

So today, rather than my usual *fascinating but responsible* routine of clean house, study, qigong class, grocery shop, cook dinner, clean up, study, sleep I did ABSOLUTELY none of this!and just spent the morning reading blogs to my heart's content, then leisurely perused a design exhibition, had a really late and leisurely lunch, then ate some really delicious tofu icecream, and trawled wholefood stores for cool products. It was pretty strange actually...somehow omnivore me, the vegan shop lady and the vegan depressed nurse in the shop all got into a really in depth, soul bearing and lengthy conversation on health matters. I'm not sure if I have a knack of getting into fascinating conversations with random strangers or whether it's just the environment of these types of stores! Or perhaps it also has a lot to do with my fascinating field of study/profession... because people are always curious, I love talking about it, and they get all this health advice fee free with the real benefit being that since I am not actually practising they know the advice I'm giving them is completely objective and without ulterior self interested motives!

Anyway in short, I think the "play play" strategy worked :) Now, although I'm really tired(decent hours of sleep got sacrificed for play), I just want to stay in and actually feel like doing work!

NOW I get it. If dealing with a rebel, the most powerful tool you have up your sleeve is to allow them full blown freedom...Mothers Take Note- it's total reverse psychology almost but somehow it really works!!!

P.S Re: Veganism I don't understand why they don't eat organic/free range eggs- since they are unfertilised, no animal is being killled! I don't even see it as animal exploitation since the egg would just sit there, rot away and be wasted anyway where as we humans can derive incredibly nutritious sustenance from it! That's just my personal opinion- I respect your right to differ!

Destination China 2010

So I saw an old "expert" Chinese TCM Doctor today- one that I even needed an interpreter to see(!)

She gave me hope that I'll be healthy enough to go to China for further training :-D

Basically because I've been sick for so long the western washed down version of TCM is useless on me- ie all these powdered granules and patent pill shortcuts are just a dripping tap solution...I need the Real Deal: the bad black herbal brews comprised of a specifically tailored formula which exists only in the expert mind...the ones that turn your teeth yellow and are a challenge in itself to down even when you hold your nose!

On the upside, the sales girls were saying that this doctor makes your skin *beautiful* LOL

So anyway I've reprioritised and revised my goals slightly...so although I still dream of having my own business by 35 I'm focussing on the shorter term future first...going to China (flying a plane, living in shocking air pollution and dirt) to get specialist training in herbs...and possibly even get 100% cured :)

So my Priorities in order...1.HEALTH 2.STUDIES

Apart from seeing the expert doctor today in my health crackdown I also joined an organic food cooperative...

So that's it: each week will be an exercise in discipline and commitment and will definitely test my perseverence levels!
Having the herbal consultations and having to boil the brews to drink every day is very time consuming and pretty costly which is normal if you're on medication EVERY DAY... there is also yoga and qigong each week...I think the worst part though is sticking to a strict Chinese medicine diet- ie no spices, no caffeine...minimal to zero chocolate : (...basically minimise grease, sweet, no deep fried etc and the other challenge- sleeping early and getting sufficient hours rest!

So time wise being strictly healthy I will have to devote at least 20 hours solely to health maintenance and improvement- that's a big commitment. Cost wise I think it's probably an extra $100/week.

So something's gotta go...I guess I have to wean myself off blogging...and definitely cut out social life completely during semester - the people I see in the course of daily life will have to suffice.

Of course I will need lady luck on my side too so that everything runs smoothly and I don't suffer any further setbacks.

Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do...to achieve your goals....will be a good exercise in developing discipline and mental toughness(especially when it comes to having to drink that stuff twice a day-Yuck!!!)

On Depression Part 2

I think it ironic that the more I try to find Happy people, the more cases of depression I seem to be uncovering...I was describing (okay, whingeing) to my friend my draining past week re:depressed people overload when she just candidly admitted she was "one of those" to the extent of turning to drink and actually wanting to kill herself...and still has her moments! I was truly shocked...it was only then that it really hit me, wow this depression thing is waaaay more prevalent than ever I could have imagined...at the rate I'm observing- I'm guessing 8-9/10 people have had a major depressive episode in their life?

I wonder if I had known her any longer whether my intuitive antennae would have picked it up-if not, this is truly scary how it can completely pass 'under the radar'!

All this pain often goes untreated cos sufferers are too ashamed to tell people, seek help...they keep all this pain so well hidden! And then I realised, wow rather than sighing with despair and wanting to head for the hills, I should actually feel privileged that people would actually share these things with me!

To me it doesn't matter how many times I've heard it :P but it is always shocking when people so seemingly rational with such happy seeming lives confide that they're entertaining suicidal thoughts. Cos to me, straight up: not an option...maybe it's partially what kind of disposition you're born with or maybe it is partially a result of life perspective gained through having gone through more than your average bear but...really I don't believe there is anything SO BAD as to warrant taking one's own life...okay maybe in rare cases of human vegetation similar to Jean Luc Bauby etc. In cases like these I see Euthanasia (if so requested) as the Ultimate Compassion, but for things of a purely emotional basis I really believe it's just a) either traumatic event induced or b) brain chemicals out of whack...for both types I think holistic medicine is very effective and unfortunately sooo underutilised! I've seen multiple cases now of patients solely on western meds for both types of Depression and am to date, incredibly unimpressed- they may temporarily patch a leaking hole but the hole keeps growing bigger!!!

Now the prevalence factor amongst so many people I personally know is starting to really sink in, I definitely have renewed vigour to get deep and dirty into it and work out how to combat it....I think I just need to draw my boundaries better, lose this "empath" affliction and learn how to be a "detached observer"...so maybe that means only treating strangers and referring friends to a colleague...sometimes I guess that's what you need in order to properly do your thing!