Good Luck Deluxe

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I’ve been really curious about something lately…

My grandfather on my mother’s side is pushing 80+ and has yet to have a serious health ailment. He’s still alive and kicking. His mother, my Cherokee great-grandmother, lived to be about 100.

Recently, I’ve been thinking long and hard about nutrition and the health industry and how much STUFF we’re supposed to do in order to have vitality and to be in perfect health.

However…

My grandfather grew up eating serious soul food, because his mama was married to a southern man, so she learned how to prepare the food he liked.

What kind of soul food?

Lard. Chitlin’s. Pig’s feet. Greens seasoned with ham hocks. Stuff made with Crisco.
Fried stuff. And let’s not mention the daily pies and cakes that my grandma baked once they got married. You know…health food.

How is it that this man is still living, has tons of energy, and is as fit as a fiddle?

All this talk in the news lately about the dangers of trans-fats, and then I think about my granddad, and I’m like .

Still to this day, my grandfather drinks his strong coffee with sugar and cream,
he eats doughnuts, sneaks an extra plate of chitlin’s on Christmas, and loves his
fried pork chops. My grandpa never drinks water, has never taken vitamins, and will only eat produce if he is force-fed it. He gets angry if he has to eat a salad.

Grandpa even falls asleep watching TV and drifts in and out of sleep through the night, so there goes that theory about proper sleep being necessary for living a longer life.

HOW IS THIS MAN SO HEALTHY AND ENERGETIC?

I would love to know what the deal is with these cases that defy the statistics.
I’m completely mystified. Same thing with my grandparents on my father’s side. They’ve been eating their country cooking for decades and have nary a health woe.

What gives?

I have no problem with admitting that my biological clock is ticking.
OK, it’s CLANGING!

I’m 35. It happens, folks.

I used to roll my eyes in annoyance when women would go on and on about their biological time meters. I thought it was simply a thinly-veiled attempt to garner attention for themselves.

But now that my feet are actually in the shoes of a mid-30’s woman, I’m singing a different tune. This procreation stuff is no joke!

I am always acutely aware now that “someone” has yet to venture into motherhood.
I mean, I coo at babies now! I window shop online for cute baby clothes. I’m a mess!

I have also been doing a bit of online research into all aspects of pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. I’m even contemplating adding a motherhood and parenting category to my blog. Lord help me…literally!

So here’s a bit of history for you about me. Now mind you, I cleared it with my mother this morning to get the green light on sharing this with the world…

When my mother was in labor with me, the doctor left the room for a moment, and my mom was in the room with a student nurse. Suddenly, my mother’s contractions got closer and closer together and she knew it was time. Now mind you, this was with NO epidural.

The student nurse panicked and ran out of the freaking room! Supposedly, she ran to get the doctor. My mother ended up delivering me ALONE. So for the first few moments of my life, I was completely in shock and by myself.

I told my mom that’s what’s wrong with me now!

I am a HUGE believer that a child’s birth sets an energetic pattern for their lives.
Iyanla Vanzant, one of my favorite authors, was born during a traumatic birth in the back of a taxi cab. In her book, Iyanla details the reality of birthing playing a role in setting the tone for a child’s life into adulthood.

Flash to the present. There is no way I’m having a dry birth.

I have already set in stone that when it’s time for me to deliver my baby(ies), the following must be close at hand:

1. My husband
2. A nurse-midwife
3. A doula
4. Snacks
6. Maybe even my best friend
7. Cozy room at home with dim lighting
8. Birth pool filled with pure warm water

I’m a big chicken. I have to be pampered every step of the way, from start to finish.

My hat is off to any woman who endures a dry birth and goes it alone. You’re braver than I am. For me, that is just NOT an option.

I know I may strum a different guitar once the actual labor pain kicks in, but I would like to go natural and do a water birth at home. I hear that giving birth in water is like a natural epidural for some women. The warm water eases the contractions.

Having a nurturing doula by my side, along with my hubby, should also defuse some of the pain.

But keep in mind, this is all speculation by theory. I may tell everyone to get the hell out of the room when the time comes. Knowing me, that’s a more likely scenario.

In all seriousness, I think having a comforting water birth is the way to go! It’s way less alarming for babies.

I have certainly done my homework.

Ladies, let’s admit it: breast pain is the worst.

I can attest that eating a healthy diet, getting proper nutrition, and periodically doing internal fiber and herbal cleanses go a long way toward helping women who suffer from raging PMS to alleviate their symptoms.

I have noticed that cutting out hormonal animal products like meat and dairy that are laden with hormones and antibiotics definitely benefits me whenever
Aunt Flow comes around, if even by 10%. I don’t need more hormones during that time of the month, I need less. Believe me.

I’ve been eating a boatload of naughty foods lately and have had more than my share of white sugar, white flour, caffeine, and even a bit of the bubbly recently, so I’m paying dearly for it.

However, it’s kind of a Catch-22: You know you should eat cleaner to feel better, but when you’re already in the throes of PMS, all you see are fried, crispy foods, that
jumbo bag of Hershey’s Nuggets with Almonds, a slice or two of richly frosted cake, and crunchy, high-carb, salty nibbles.

A wheatgrass shot just ain’t gonna cut it on a day like today.

But what I can say is the one PMS cure that works like a charm every time for
the breast tenderness symptom is NATURAL Vitamin E.

My gyno informed me that I had fibrocystic breasts caused by a lack of natural
Vitamin E.

She got me on a primarily organic diet, a potent whole food multivitamin, and told me to supplement with additional Vitamin E a week before my period. Works like a dream!

So how do you know if your Vitamin E is natural?

Pay attention, as this is VERY important…

Read the label closely. If it says dl-alpha tocopherol, the “dl” indicates that it is SYNTHETIC Vitamin E.

Instead…

You need to take Vitamin E that says “d-alpha tocopherol” or “mixed tocotrienols” from natural sources.

A week before my period, I take anywhere from 400-800 IUs (up to two 400 IU capsules) each day. I have even been known to take 1200 IUs and have lived to tell about it.

First off, I tend to be deficient in Vitamin E, so I’m coming from a place of nutritional deficiency. Any excess Vitamin E that I take is not excessive in my body if I am only taking it at that higher dosage for one week. It normalizes me. My boobs no longer hurt, and I don’t get breast knots (ouch!).

Before anyone gets all dramatic and chimes in with, “Taking that much Vitamin E is dangerous!” let me remind you once again, as I always do on my blog…

Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means it builds up in the liver. Never overdose on fat-soluble vitamins, such as Vitamin A, D, or E.

But again, if you’re completely deficient in a nutrient, and you up your dosage for one week to rebalance yourself, I highly doubt it will kill you. So please let’s not be overly cautious or make a big production out of nothing.

FYI, I hear that taking B-vitamins, calcium, and magnesium also does wonders for relieving PMS symptoms.

I have already eliminated carbonated sodas and meat out of my diet, but refined carbs and sugar (which I’m sure are my nemeses and the culprits here) are going to take quite a bit of time to gradually overcome.

I take chromium and alpha-lipoic acid for managing my glucose, and acidophilus for candida control, so I’m not a complete noob when it comes to health.

Besides, can you imagine how BORING my blog would be without my decadent food talk?

I know the sugar addiction has to go. Just not now.

I have been a yoga lover for years. However, if you saw me in action, you wouldn’t know it. I am the least flexible and coordinated person on earth, which is partly due to my own inconsistency and infrequency of doing yoga. But still, I keep at it.

I’m not one of those intense yogi types who does yoga for the spiritual aspect. I do yoga because it makes me feel good on all levels. I get an endorphin rush off of it. Even if I still can’t touch my toes without strain, I reap the physiological rewards of what little exertion I can perform.

Before I ventured into Bryan Kest’s yoga studio in Santa Monica, I was a bit hesitant to voluntarily throw myself into what I thought might be a thoroughly humiliating experience. This would be akin to Daniel throwing his own self into the lion’s den.

There I would be, in a sea of Twizzler-thin Hollywood yoga chicks as flexible as pretzels, and I couldn’t even touch my toes. Did I really want to do this? Was I a masochist? Perhaps.

If y’all only knew how much anxiety I had about signing myself up for what might be the most embarrassing day of my life. I had all these visions of contorting myself like Gumby, then not being able to get out of a pose - and everyone, including my
yoga instructor, would be hysterically laughing at me in unison.

With a pounding heart and shallow breath, I thrust myself into Bryan’s yoga studio one morning a couple of years ago. My only regret was not having the balls to go sooner!

Bryan Kest is an incredibly patient, intuitive, and understanding yoga instructor. Not only did he not laugh at me when I bumbled my way through my first class, he compassionately guided me through some of the more difficult poses.

I already had several of his yoga DVDs, so I was familiar and comfortable with Bryan’s heavy Detroit accent and matter-of-fact manner of speaking. Those who are accustomed to girly-speaking male yoga instructors are in for quite a surprise when they land in Bryan’s studio.

What makes Bryan’s yoga sessions different than the others is his virtual in-class therapy. He talks you through it all, with no holds barred. Bryan says exactly what he is thinking. If you want someone who will “keep it real,” Bryan Kest has got you covered. Bryan tells you what you already know to be true, but haven’t taken heed to. He spurs you on.

Some may find this annoying, but even the annoyed ones return to Bryan’s class time and time again. His classes are always packed like a can of sardines.

Bryan’s philosophy of not competing with others in class is an excellent reminder right when I need it. Just when I was admiring the chiseled six-pack abs on the girl in front of me and comparing them to my squishy middle, I heard Bryan bark something to the class to the effect of, “This is NOT a competition. You came here to release your competitive tendencies - not to reinforce them!”

Some yoga instructors preach unity and loving others, but they themselves are
ice queens and kings, and it is clear that they don’t want to be bothered outside of class. Bryan is really approachable, and he is always willing to have a chat with you after class.

I feel so aligned and centered mentally and emotionally when I’m covered in sweat and leaving Bryan’s class. I’m so lucky to live in L.A. with easy access to such a groovy yoga studio!

For those who are interested in doing Bryan’s yoga sessions at home,
visit my Amazon store and go to page 6 of my Nutrition and Health section to order Bryan’s DVDs.

I will admit that pairing vanilla with mint is a bit suspect. I almost didn’t reach for it today when I was in Tar-zhay (Target - the upscale one in West Hollywood next to Ulta). I was *this* close to grabbing my usual Natural Citrus Listerine. But today, I decided to be a rebel.

I am really impressed. I love the flavor of this Listerine!

For those of you with weak tongues and taste buds, this is the “Less Intense” variety…so relax. The sinister Listerine people aren’t conspiring to eat away at the surface of your tongue with their product.

I want to say again with emphasis that I really, really like this vanilla mint-flavored Listerine. It’s such an unlikely combo, but for whatever reason, it works.

I have read other reviews where folks complain that there isn’t enough of a vanilla flavor in it to constitute it as being “vanilla” on the label. I, however, insist that the vanilla flavor is not only there…it lingers.

If I had the choice of receiving a kiss from a man who just swizzled with either
Original Flavor, Cool Blue, Natural Citrus, or Vanilla Mint Listerine, I would be all puckered up waiting to be smooched by my vanilla mint Cassanova.

This is gonna sound pretty geeky, but I’m actually kind of excited about waking up in the morning and gargling with my new flavor of Listerine.

For those who aren’t daily Listerine mouthwashers, shame on you! Every mouth should be exposed to Listerine at least once a day.

My dentist agrees!

I can’t express enough what a difference having a showerhead that filters out chlorine and other nasties has made in the look and feel of my hair and skin…even my lungs!

It’s such a simple concept, but oh so beneficial. Filtered showerheads rock!

My skin used to be so sensitive after I would take a shower, and my hair felt gummy and gross. I couldn’t figure out why. It only happened once I moved to Los Angeles.

Three words: poor water quality.

You know that burning sensation you feel in your lungs post-shower? Believe me when I say chlorine vapor is the culprit. Isn’t that disgusting?

Bathing kids and pets in chlorine-filled H2O is one of the worst things you can do to them. I would never bathe a newborn baby in heavily-chlorinated water.

Folks, I hate to be the bearer of bad news…but that white, ashy crust on your skin may not be dry skin. And likewise, that film on your hair may be the result of chlorine buildup.

You can pile on the conditioners and lotions, but if you’re covered in chlorine, they simply won’t penetrate.

I am certain that the chlorine in my shower water is what was making my face all acne-prone and itchy, and made my hair so gnarly and matted.

Once I installed a filtered showerhead, my hair and skin absorbed conditioners and lotions like a dream. My skin is no longer dry, and it is virtually flawless. My hair is so soft now!

I could tell an enormous difference even after the first shower with my new showerhead. I use less soap and less shampoo and conditioner this way because they actually reach my skin and hair. A little product goes a long way, which is much more economical!

If you have zits, itchy skin, dry and cracked feet, ashy elbows, brittle hair, and burning lungs, you now know the potential evil. Do something about it.

Click on the picture above to order the showerhead I recommend from Amazon.

I don’t know when my addiction to carbonated beverages began. It wouldn’t surprise me to learn that my bottles were spiked with Pepsi and Sprite as a baby.

I always knew carbonation was bad for me, but I never realized just how bad it is until I stopped consuming it altogether.

Suddenly, my waistline is cinched and more slender. I don’t look or feel puffy anymore. I’m not gassy. Not that perfect me ever had issues with gas, I’m just saying…

I could only wonder, what in the world does carbonation do to the human body to make it expand and swell like I had experienced? It must be pretty potent stuff to cause me to loosen my belt buckle a notch after partaking in it.

I always heard that most sodas are acidic. I had no idea that Coca-Cola has a pH level of 3 on the pH scale. A lemon has a pH value somewhere in the range of a 2! That is really scary, and makes me want to develop amnesia as to how much Coke I have sucked down over the years.

Add the phosphorus and calcium-leaching factor to your soda, and you have a sure-fire recipe for rotting teeth, acid reflux, calcium loss, and bone weakness.

I’m not referring to the occasional soda drinker. That is NOT the person in question here. I’m talking about those of us with an addiction to sodas that we just can’t seem to shake.

You know who you are. You drank more than five cans of Coke yesterday. Or maybe you switched to Diet Pepsi because you thought it was a healthy substitute.

I am proud to say that, save for the occasional glass of champagne (of which I will never completely abstain), I am now an avid water drinker. My food tastes better! I’m slimmer!

My best advice on the topic is to ease up on the sodas, tapering off gradually. I never thought I could do it, but I have.

This may sound trite, but if I could do it - anyone can. Here’s to your health!

I was always notorious for having cold fingers and toes. Even when the rest of my body was warm, my extremities felt like ice cubes. Can you relate?

A while back, I was given a beneficial health tip regarding circulation that was so simple, I just had to try it. The secret?

Cayenne!

Folks, this really and truly works. I haven’t found anything that works as fast and effective to get my blood circulating and to bring heat to my icebox feet. Per the National Institutes of Health, cayenne may be helpful for diabetics, as well. Not cayenne capsules, but organic cayenne powder.

So instead of reaching for thick socks and the thermostat, I have gotten used to taking a teaspoon of cayenne powder straight, with no chaser.

Keep in mind that I’m more of a rebel than you may be, and I adore spicy food, so I actually get a sensational adrenaline rush off of this. You can take cayenne whichever way suits you best. Some people take it with a tiny bit of food or in a cup of warm water. You’ll be surprised at how effective this is!

Cayenne has also been widely reported to stop a heart attack dead in its tracks.

Want to learn more?

Click this pic to buy The Healing Power of Cayenne Pepper from Amazon.

Anyone who knows me knows how much of an advocate I am for internal cleansing. Yes, I said it.

With the increase in colon cancer and other colon maladies, there’s no time for embarrassment. If you’re laughing now, you won’t be laughing if (God forbid) you or a loved one is diagnosed with colon cancer.

Doesn’t everyone need a healthy colon?

I don’t tout myself as the colon savior of the world, but I will tell you what I have found to be quite effective, with remarkable results.

Please be aware of my disclaimer that I AM NOT A DOCTOR. I AM ONLY SHARING MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. I am not twisting anyone’s arm to take anything or saying anyone has to try the following products or else.

Years ago, I did an Arise & Shine cleanse that I found to be highly effective. Arise & Shine is a pretty intense, heavy-duty detox cleanse. I highly recommend it! I endured the month-long cleanse. It was tough for the first week, but thereafter it was a cake walk!

After I completed the cleanse, my best friend said (verbatim), “What are you doing to glow so much? You are actually GLOWING! You have an aura around your body that I can see. What in the world have you been doing???” Arise & Shine, that’s what.

I lost (and kept off) 15 pounds, my skin was as clear as when I was a child, my tummy went completely flat, and I had SO much energy that lasted for months. Those were the after-effects.

But the process wasn’t all kicks and giggles, let me tell you. I experienced what is called a “healing crisis,” where your body is releasing all of the toxins into your bloodstream, kidneys, and skin. My face broke out in zits, I caught the flu, and I was extremely tired. But in hindsight, I can say it was well worth it to rid my body of its poisons.

When you think of environmental pollutants, household chemical cleaners, chemicals in grooming and beauty products, preservatives and additives in food… We are constantly absorbing toxins. That’s life in the big city, right?

Some people do internal cleansing once every season, others more frequently. I’m on more of a once or twice a year schedule, if you must know.

I will admit that Arise & Shine is an expensive internal cleansing system. It’s very expensive. However, you get several cleanses out of one kit, and the end result is worth it.

A cheaper, but still effective cleanse I’ve done and love is Ultimate Cleanse, by Nature’s Secret. This one will clean all of your eliminatory organs (kidneys, bloodstream, lungs, liver, skin) and do you good. It’s a great, simple cleanse that you can do without fasting (yet eating light and clean; fruits, veggies, etc.) that WORKS.

Are you due for an internal cleansing?

Then click this pic to buy Ultimate Cleanse from Amazon: