Your Health, It’s Up To YOU!

Why are we SO sick? Here is some information to make you think about taking control of your health.

Everyday I see people who have been seeing Doctors for years with no results, or, who have  gotten worse.

What has happened to our health care system?  Why in North America are we one of the richest, most advanced cultures, but we are the sickest?

Right from when I was young I knew that garbage in equaled garbage out; and I am not talking about my computer(they didn’t have computers then).  I am talking about FOOD.

Here are 3 things about medical training here in North America that concerns me:

• They only get 3-4 hours of nutrition training.

• They are taught to look at the symptom and prescribe for that symptom.  Some doctors are now even insisting that patients make a second appointment for a second symptom.  A lot of times, multi-symptoms are the clue to the actual problem.

• Medical schools are hugely influenced and lectured by drug companies regularly.

We consume record numbers of medications and inject our children with massive numbers of vaccines.  Why are we so sick, if these drugs are meant to be our saviour?

In 1980, 10% of the population suffered from allergies. Today that number is up to 30%

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How much is being made off of our illnesses? …. A LOT

Now let’s look realistically at this.  These companies will be selling over 70 billion next year in over-the-counter drugs.  The pharmaceutical companies  made profits of  83.9 billion in 2012.   Do they really want us healthy and do they really have our best interest at heart?

In 1983 children were receiving 10 vaccinations between the ages of  birth and 6 years.  Now in 2014 they receive 36-38.  Our children have more allergies;  and inhaler use is off the charts.  According to the CDC, the number of children with asthma is  6.8 million or 9.3% and 25 million people total in the US and 3 million in Canada.  These stats are staggering.  I remember in school just one girl having an inhaler.  That was in the whole school, not just my class.

Americans consume 80% of the world’s pain pills.  Why is no one concerned?

Chronic pain costs the U.S. approximately $560 to $635 billion annually. (Source: Institute of Medicine)

80% of all antibiotics are used on farm animal.  That’s our food supply.

Why aren’t we fixing the problem?  Why aren’t natural remedies being allowed in our medical system?

Our band-aid approach is not working.  We have more depressed, obese, stressed people than ever before.  We need to deal with it in a body, mind, spirit approach.

Our health is in our hands and there are a few ways to kick-start it.

First is your food.  Our food can be toxic, and I am not being dramatic; I am being realistic.  The chemicals they use to add flavour and colour makes our brain want more.  They are chemicals.  You wouldn’t knowingly ingest toxins; so why is it okay in our food?  Wait .. It’s not.  No where on a bottle of  weed killer or other chemicals does it say take in small doses!   Did you know that the strawberry flavoring in milkshakes contains 50 chemicals. So let’s stop ingesting them  If you are buying processed foods, look for ones with ingredient list that contains real food and not all chemicals or additives.  Most food at your site line is the cheapest with most additives.  Look up or down 2 rows and voila, better choices.

For vegetables, try to buy organic.  If you can’t, bring them home and wash them well. I soak mine in water for 15 minutes with grapefruit seed extract oil or apple cider vinegar.  Also, only buy what you need for a few days.  Try to buy local, this also helps support our local economy.  Farmer’s markets are popping up all over. Find one and talk to the grower, you might surprised what you learn about your produce.

Double your vegetable intake.  Your plate should be half vegetables.  I know some of you are thinking that double of nothing is nothing.  In your case, eat a vegetable.  Start with one or two and keep adding.

If you are having stomach, bowel, migraine, arthritis or any autoimmune issues, consider going off gluten.  Gluten is a protein in wheat rye, barley, spelt, and some oats.  It is one of the hardest to digest and is full of toxins.  Probably the reason so many are feeling better off of it.

Milk and cheese; make your choices organic if possible.  European cheeses have less toxins because they don’t use the same chemicals that some North American farmers do.  Again try to scope out a local supplier you can trust.

Fermented foods have been forgotten, but are a great way to get your gut back into shape.

Down time is an important part of being healthy.  We need time to let the body rejuvenate.  Our bodies heal while we sleep and most of us aren’t getting enough.

Add a walk to your day.  A 30 minute walk daily does wonders for your health and your stress levels.

Next time you have a cold or flu, ask your grandma what she did to help get rid of it.  Chances are it wasn’t a pill.  More than likely there were mustard plasters, hot water bottles, steams, cold baths for fevers, and Epsom salts baths when feeling sluggish.  They just didn’t take a pill at the drop of a hat; and neither should we.

Why do we believe a pill is going to fix our life?  In our busy lives, it’s just easier; but easier doesn’t mean healthier.  If you don’t have time for your health now, trust me when you are sick it’s going to take a lot more time to get healthy.

For a lot of people I have worked with, meds have actually damaged other organs while trying to fix the initial problem, which was usually diet induced.  In our family of 5 we have not taken a prescription drug in over 8 years and the only over the counter drug is an acetaminophen  on occasion and an anti nausea rarely, and we have never felt better.  It is possible.

Being healthy takes a little practice but don’t be hard on yourself, it’s a journey.  Plan out a couple of day’s meals at a time, add one healthy choice weekly and enjoy the new you.