Enerji Sisters

I officially started Phase 1 of Dr. Cousen’s plan on May 1st of this year. I did so by slowly eating more smoothies and salads throughout the week while still eating some cooked foods. I eventually had a few days in a row where I realized I had eaten entirely raw meals. The Healthy Home Market has raw “fast food” that helped me transition and not have to prepare so much on my own. I had their lasagna, granola, flax crackers and vegetable medley during the transition weeks. I did not plan to start Phase 1 on May 1st, it just happened naturally. I basically drank and ate what was left of my almond milk, carrots, sweet potatoes, fruit and chocolate (my favorite things that I could not have on this Phase) so not to waste anything and decided not to buy anymore of these items. I was left with lots of vegetables to start the Phase. I also purchased a 9-tray Excalibur Dehydrator and an 11 cup Cuisinart food processor. Although these items are a bit pricey, I was ready to invest in my health. These costs are minimal compared to the outrageous costs of insulin pump supplies, blood glucose test strips, insulin, and doctor visits.

One of the first recipes I tried was Sun Burgers. I used the Cuisinart to process the ingredients, my hands to shape the patties and the dehydrator to dry the burgers. They turned out great but my kitchen was a wreck!

Since then I have also made chili, falafel with a lemon tahini sauce, spaghetti (used the food processor to slice zucchini into pasta-like strips) topped with marinara sauce and garden neatballs, and flatbread and crackers to name a few. All of these recipes can be found in Dr. Cousen’s Rainbow Green Live-Food Cuisine book.

After only 2 weeks being on Phase 1, my insulin needs dropped from an average of 30-35 units a day to an average of 15-16 units a day! I even had a few days where I only used 14 units! Before starting this diet, on any given day my sugar would be as high as 250-300 and as low as 40-50. (My goal is to keep my sugar levels between 70 and 120). This up and down pattern occurred almost everyday and exhausted me physically as well as emotionally. I always berated myself when my glucose meter revealed a high or a low number, blaming myself for not controlling my levels better. This is not a fun way to live. Now my glucose levels have stabilized and range from 65-185 and I no longer have “roller coaster” days like I used to which is a miracle for me! Friends have commented that I seem more relaxed. I meditated about this and realized I no longer have that ever-present anxiety about when my blood sugar may suddenly fall dangerously low or rise dangerously high. I now have tremendous trust in the food I am consuming and know that it is changing me on all levels- physically, mentally and emotionally. What a gift raw food is giving me!!

As I read the “Reversing Diabetes” book, I learned that other diabetics had reversed their condition by following certain guidelines, which Dr. Cousens terms “phases”.  There are 3 phases to his plan to reverse diabetes.

Phase 1 is the toughest and most restrictive.  As I read what I could and could not eat, I focused on what I could not have which is typical of me anytime I’m looking to make a change.  Speaking of the “could nots”, let me share those with you: no caffeine, no coffee (not even de-caf!), no dairy, no soy, no meat, no eggs, no alcohol, no wheat, no fruit (except lemon, lime, cucumber, tomato, red bell pepper and avocado- this is not my idea of fruit!), no mushrooms, no dark chocolate, no cashews, no carrots, beats, sweet potatoes, (nothing starchy).  I felt overwhelmed at the prospect of giving up coffee with soy creamer, dark chocolate, pasta, carrots and fruits. As I thought about all I’d have to give up, I felt overwhelmed and scared.  I knew I was about to make a huge decision, one that would affect my home and social life.  After lots of prayer and meditation, I was reminded of all of the people who had the courage to change their eating habits to heal their bodies and knew deep down that I had the strength to do this too.

The foods I now eat on Phase 1 include: green sprouts, green leafy vegetables, green juices and smoothies, green powders, the “vege fruits”  I listed above, kelp, nori and other sea vegetables, extra virgin olive oil and other cold-pressed oils, nuts and seeds, caffeine-free teas, all herbs and spices, and Himalayan or Celtic salt.

Again the question is “What in the world do you eat”?!  In the middle of April, I decided I would see if I could eat raw foods before going to the strict Phase 1, meaning I would initially still eat carrots, apples, blueberries, bananas, etc.  My first challenge was getting off caffeine, mainly coffee and dark chocolate.  I used a product called Teeccino that tastes a lot like coffee.  I mixed this with my coffee grinds, starting with 3/4 coffee to 1/4 Teeccino until I was able to drink Teeccino only.  Amazingly, I had no side effects from this process.  I also slowly decreased the amount of soy creamer I was using.  I kicked the caffeine addiction but now had to give up Teeccino because it’s not “raw”; it’s a roasted product.  I then began drinking herbal teas to take the place of Teccino.  I must admit I still miss the aroma and taste of coffee with cream- I currently avoid coffee shops so I’m not tempted.

I then tackled the ever-looming green smoothie.   I found recipes online and started experimenting.  My first smoothies basically consisted of greens (kale, spinach, and/or romaine), bell pepper, cucumber, banana, stevia, vanilla, cinnamon, protein powder, green powder, blueberries, raspberries, mango, lemon and lime.  I could not drink a green colored drink so I used the berries to change the color to purple.  I know it’s hard to believe, but it actually tasted good!  This gave me hope!  Over the next week or two, I decreased the amount of berries and exchanged the banana for an avocado until one morning I drank my first “real” green smoothie with no fruit!  And liked it!  My taste buds had changed!  I now crave these smoothies which is still sometimes difficult for me to comprehend.  It’s amazing what a lemon and lime can do to spruce up a smoothie

Next up: how this drastic diet has affected my blood glucose levels and insulin needs!  (Note: it’s good news!)

Picking up from where I last left you, in early April I began Googling raw food because I had no idea what raw food was except the obvious: an apple out of the fridge and baby carrots as a snack.  I eventually found a great website geared towards diabetics following raw diets to help them reverse their condition.  I read other people’s posts about “going raw” and found good books to purchase to help me understand this new diet.  The books are “There is a cure for Diabetes” and “Rainbow Green Live-Food Cuisine” by Dr. Gabriel Cousens.

Immediately, I ordered these books online at www.abebooks.com.

I also visited the Mecklenburg County library online system and picked up several different books, one of the most helpful being “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Raw Foods”- this book is very easy to follow and great for anyone thinking about incorporating more raw foods into their diet.  It starts with the basics and helps us understand all of the raw terminology out there like soaking, sprouting, dehydrating, etc.

Honestly, I was skeptical initially because the medical community has told me for 7 years that I will always be on insulin and that my pancreas is dead, meaning it can never function correctly again.   So to read about other diabetics who have reversed their diabetes by eating natural, raw foods gave my skeptical self a bit of hope.  I assumed the only ones reversing their disease were Type 2’s (T2’s).  As I dug further in my research, I realized some Type 1’s (like me) have either lowered their insulin needs so much that they only need 5-7 units a day or no longer inject insulin because their pancreas is now producing insulin on its own!  (If you are confused about the difference between T1 and T2 diabetes, please read my first blog on this subject).  Once I read these books, I decided to slowly introduce more and more raw foods into my daily meals.  This will be the subject of my next blog.  Thanks again for reading about my on-going journey to reversing diabetes naturally!

I want to share my experience trying to reverse my Type 1 diabetes naturally.  I was diagnosed on May 30, 2002.  My life changed dramatically since that shocking day.  I had (and continue to be) very active, growing up playing sports, running, lifting weights, etc.  I also tried to eat as healthy as possible.  I never drank soft drinks, ate fast food or even greasy foods.  It was so hard to accept that “this” could happen to me!  I immediately had to learn how to prick my finger to test my blood sugars, how to use a syringe to give myself injections, and what foods to eat and to avoid.  All of my doctors have told me that I will always be on insulin to stay alive since my pancreas does not produce insulin on its own anymore.  Insulin is the hormone that keeps blood sugars in balance.  Without insulin, people die.  High blood sugars over time cause heart attacks, stroke, blindness, neuropathy (numbness in legs) and kidney failure.  There is a difference in Type 1 (T1) and Type 2 (T2)  diabetes:  in T1, the immune system attacks the pancreas (researchers are still not sure why), leaving it damaged and unable to perform it’s insulin-producing function; thus, it is termed an auto-immune disease.  This is why T1’s must inject insulin into their bodies with syringes or use an insulin pump; with T2 diabetes, the pancreas is overworked so it sometimes does not produce the right kind of insulin or the body becomes resistant to insulin and does not use it correctly.  A T2 can help their pancreas by exercising and eating healthy foods and not ever have to use insulin.  If they do not change their lifestyle patterns, they usually need to take pills (to help their body be less resistant to the insulin they are making) or they eventually have to take insulin injections to control their blood sugar levels.

Last November, my brother-in-law informed me that Dr. Neal Barnard was on The Mike Collins show (a local show on NPR).  Dr. Barnard has researched diabetes extensively and has written a book called “Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program to Reverse Diabetes Now“.  Reversing Type 2 diabetes (by following a low fat, vegan, high fiber and low glycemic foods diet) was the topic of the radio interview that day.  As I listened to him speak, I wondered if this diet could help T1’s like myself.  I emailed him a few questions and he answered them on the air.  He said this diet has not reversed T1 but that it could help lower insulin needs and help balance my blood sugar levels.  I decided to check his book out of the library and see if this was something I wanted to try.

I read his book in a few days, full of hope and excitement.  I decided to “go vegan” which means following a vegetarian diet and also eliminating dairy and eggs.  I had been a meat-eater all my life (35 years at the time) but did not have trouble giving it up.  I only ate eggs because they are a good source of protein- I never liked the taste of them so this was easy to remove from my diet.  My biggest challenge was dairy- I love yogurt, butter, and creamer- so I started substituting soy creamer in my coffee and gave up all foods that contained butter, milk, and eggs.  Grocery shopping was labor-intensive initially but I eventually “learned” what I could and could not have.  I also had to include low fat (so limited nut intake), fiber-rich and low glycemic foods so I became an educated label reader.   The reason I was able to transition so easily was because I could eat as much as I wanted as long as it fell under the above guidelines.  That was my saving grace!  Because of this diet change, I dropped 8-10 pounds (while eating like a teenager!) and lowered one of my insulin medications from 60 units a day to 12 units within a month or so!

I started this diet the day I finished reading his book, a week before Thanksgiving last year.  My partner was amazed at my determination and will power and my family was concerned that I was not getting enough to eat at the holiday dinner.  I brought vegetables that I could enjoy (without butter) and felt satiated.  I did feel a bit sorry for myself that I was so “different” and could not enjoy the traditional foods, but I had hope that this new diet would help me control my blood sugars, thus helping me feel better daily and prevent all of the diabetic complications I mentioned earlier.  To me, possible blindness, dialysis and strokes are reason enough to try.

My insulin needs did decrease, but I eventually hit a plateau and continued to need an average of 30 units a day.  Some days, I felt disappointed and upset because of this leveling-off, but I continued following it, unsure of what to do next.  In March, 2009, an acquaintance mentioned that she had heard of diabetics completely reversing their disease by following a raw diet.  I asked if this included T1’s and she thought it did.  I was skeptical at first, knowing the difference between T1’s and T2’s.  I did not look into a raw food diet for another month or so…

I am signing off from this blog because it’s getting long and my fingers are tired :)  I will continue with my raw food research next time.

Thanks for your interest!

We can all agree that music is a powerful motivator:  the right song can inspire us to dance, sing and even cry.  Music also reminds us of past experiences and relationships.

Music is sound, sound is frequency, frequency is vibration and every part of our physical plane (especially our bodies) consists of vibration.  We think of hearing as something we only do with our ears, but every cell in our body “hears”.

Vibration affects us physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually by entrainment and resonance.  Entrainment is the process in which a stronger pulse speeds up or slows down a weaker pulse.  In our bodies, our breathing, heart rate, and brain waves entrain with each other.  If we slow down our breath, as in yoga, we also slow down our heart rate.  Sound therapy can transform negative, repressed emotions into a state of equilibrium that has immediate effects on our entire body.

Resonance is the natural frequency in which an object wants to vibrate.  Something external sets something else in motion, or changes its vibratory rate.    (How many times have you said you really resonate with a particular idea or person?  You are speaking in the language of sound).

In my work, I use vibrating tuning forks on acupuncture points of the body.  I also work with the meridians of the body.  Meridians are like highways that carry energy throughout the body.  Stress, poor diet, environmental toxins and old injuries are some factors that cause “road-blocks”.  When I place a fork on an acupuncture point, the cells along the meridian vibrate at the same frequency as the fork (through entrainment and resonance discussed above), thus clearing and balancing the entire meridian.

It has been so long since my last post!  I apologize to my avid blog readers :)  My only excuse is that I’ve been focusing my energies into starting this new venture and all that it entails.  I have never owned my own business, so at times I feel very overwhelmed and nervous.  I know change is the only constant, but I still struggle with all of the changes in my life.  I am accustomed to working 8-5 for someone else, having a routine and knowing what is expected of me.  Now, I am my own boss, I have no strict routine and my hours change daily.  I am learning new vocabulary words such as LLC, DBA, line of credit, etc. which is difficult for me.

I am trying to take it day by day, trust the abundance of the universe and take advantage of this life-transition by nurturing my inner self through journaling, meditating, practicing yoga, walking my dog, and enjoying nature.  When I let go of the fear of starting my own business in this weak economy, I feel so grateful and honored to share sound therapy with the community!

It is my pleasure to announce I have recently made the move to practice sound therapy full-time. Because I’ll no longer have that pesky day job taking up all my time, I’ll now have more availability to schedule sound therapy sessions!I guarantee that I can find everyone an appointment time that works with their schedule.

To celebrate this transition, I would like to offer a special deal. If you contact me to schedule an appointment within the next two weeks (that’s until September 24) you’ll get $20 off the cost of that session!

Please call or email for scheduling or any questions you have. And please bookmark and keep visiting this blog for regular updates, posts, and the new “Testimonial” page!

I look forward to working with you!

A Student of the Truth asked her Wise Teacher, “what does this mean?” and the Wise Teacher answered, “what does this mean to you?

How often I look to others I consider wiser than me for answers to questions that I feel I’m in no way capable of answering on my own. The answers to life’s mysteries, to the Universal Truths of humankind, to the deep ache in my heart that longs for peace and serenity and love. I ask the Universe to send me a sign to the questions that I long to know, to allow clarity so that I can see. When I receive that sign, that feeling in my heart that tells me the Truth for me, I go directly to my teacher and ask, ‘what do you think this means, what should I do?’

I am extremely grateful for the patience of my teachers, as I do ask many questions, always sharing their experience yet encouraging me to seek the Truth from Within. It is like them that I strive to be.

I heard the conversation that began this blog just this afternoon in Tribal Wisdom, the Native American Store that my studio is above. I feel so blessed to be practicing massage in an environment that is infused with the energy of such wisdom.

If you are Leo, chances are you have some of the following characteristics:  enjoy being the center of attention, rock stars, movie stars, selfish, leaders, talented, confident, passionate, athletic, stubborn, jealous, over-bearing and arrogant.

The Sun rules the sign of Leo.  The Sun represents the vital life force and helps us define our individuality, integrity and independence.  The Sun helps us become all that we are so that we can shine in the universe.

The Sun is related to the immune system, heart function, the spine/back, and the eyes.  In my practice, I use the Sun tuning fork to bring energy, heat and vitality into the body.   This fork treats fatigue, immune system disorders, depression and arthritic pain.  When I use the Sun and Om forks together, this interval creates a strong and positive influence that brings feelings of empowerment, energy and calm.

I, too, want to thank you all for your positive words about our new website. Lula and I learned a lot about creating websites with the help of our designer, Sharon Powers. I am grateful for the experience and excited that it is up and running! I also want to thank Shannon and Erin for taking pictures for our site. Thanks to all of you for your gifts of friendship and loving support.