Musings - A New Dawn A New Day

Every day is a new day - and as part of my faith, I am counselled through the writings that I need to bring myself to account each day. I do this all day actually but try and remember to spare a few moments to go over things I said, did and thought and strive to remedy the bits and pieces I wasn't happy with.

I also, however, try to have the same approach when it comes to my health. And whilst some may feel this is a cumbersome task, I find it liberating. What did I do, eat or think today that brought me great health? And what did I do, eat or think today that could potentially bring about poor health, whether physically, spiritually or emotionally?

There was a point today where someone made a comment and afterwards I felt dejected, powerless and miserable. I wasn't having that so asked myself if I wanted to hold onto that feeling, if I could let it go and when? (the Sedona Method!) This worked and the horrible feeling left me.

I was going to start on a detox plan today - something I have wanted to do for a while - just to follow a plan to the letter and not worry about what I am going to eat and drink next, as it's all in the plan. But that didn't go to plan (!) so I am going to put some thought tonight into getting myself into the zone, to adopt the mindset I need to be able to follow this plan for 30 days - one I have to say that is actually easy and full of all the foods I love best and lots of pampering. More of that when I start it!

But I also had a wonderful day today with my daughter, doing lots of lovely things together, enjoying each other's company, playing, talking about volcanoes (for a very long time!) tending to the garden, shopping and being in the sun, hugging, laughing, role play and eating ... bliss! So whilst taking all of this into account, I ponder upon what was good and what I would rather leave behind.

My asthma interestingly has taken a turn for the better of late. I have made some changes as I couldn't keep doing what I was doing and getting what I'd always got! I need to bring myself to account here too you see!

Here are the changes. And just to note, that in the beginning of my blog, I was taking ten puffs every day of my blue inhaler. And now I am having no more than three a day. My next goal is to get that down to two, then one... then to have it just for real emergencies.

1. I have changed our floor cleaner from one that had a hazard sign on the back to a natural orange cleaner with no harsh chemicals or abrasives. There is no overpowering scent that makes my eyes feel like they are burning and the floor gets just as clean. It's called 'Orange Mate' and I got it from a local co-operative called Daily Bread. I just can't believe it took me this long.

2. I did this well over a year ago, but I changed my toothpaste, from one of the leading brands to an Aloe Vera based one called Aloe Dent. I have visited the dentist three times for check-ups where each time he has praised me for my very clean teeth! My old toothpaste would always leave me reaching for my inhaler.

3. I have finally got round to changing my shampoo and conditioner. Janey Lee Grace, Anna Victoria Rodgers and Star Khechara have, through their blogging and videos about using natural products really helped me to make this change. 

And now I think about it, I can't believe I spent all those years putting chemicals on my head and skin - all of which, in part would have been absorbed into my body! I am yet to find a great shampoo and conditioner so please post here if you have found the best one! I have tried out three so far and am not thrilled with any of them - but I do like the JASON conditioner - although am not yet convinced about how natural it is.

The real reason I kept with my old ones for so long was honestly...? 

Price! 

When you can buy 'two for the price of one' almost day now, on one type of product or another and they are relatively inexpensive anyway - then you compare that to the real natural products that are nearing £10 - I just couldn't justify it. But now I am experiencing a real shift in understanding for what I need to do to really sort out my health inside and out. I used to wash my hair every day and am now averaging twice/three times a week - so that cuts a lot of the cost already! And I am using a lot less than I used to. A bit of coconut oil on my hair after washing really helps too.

4. I also did this a long time ago, but I will share it anyway. When I was in my twenties, I would always use skin creams - and my skin was never good back then! I then made the switch to sweet almond oil at the advice of a friend before I got pregnant (a bottle will last over a year for a fraction of the price of most high street creams and potions) and I now favour coconut oil too. (it's a wonder is that coconut oil!)

5. My final switch of recent weeks has been deodorant. I used to use Sure, but I was never sure (sigh!) about all that aluminium going into my lymph glands each day just to keep me smelling sweet. I have been experimenting with this one, believe me, for months and I can tell you that if your diet is as clean as possible, with little to no sugar, meat, wheat or dairy and full of fresh clean veggies and fruits, your body odour will not stink to the high heavens anyway. But it is completely programmed into my brain to use something so my favourite of all time is... Live Native - another one recommended to me by Janey Lee Grace, which is very expensive compared to the Sures and Niveas BUT which lasts for ages and hey, you're going to experience better health, right?! It smells divine and I have just run out so need to order another one.

I also like the crystal ones which last months (possibly years) and I have been using Biosen recently, which has no aluminium in and seems to be a bit of a compromise. Yes, you still sweat, but seriously, we need to! If we stop ourselves doing this, we hinder our body from doing what it needs to do. I have seen people who I know use 'proper' anti perspirants and they STILL have wet patches on their t-shirts under their arms - so why not just not worry about it and use something that will possibly, if not probably (maybe even definitely) not contribute to something that may in the future end up as a serious illness. 

We need to sweat.

 And the less toxins we put in and on our body, the less we will sweat out and the the sweeter we will smell. We just have to start this cycle!

So, I am sorting out what goes on my body for this breathing malarky - and I am getting there with the diet. Slowly but surely, my experiment is truly working in my favour!

My goals for the next month are to drink LOTS more water (and to investigate how I can drink the best water for my body whilst not breaking the bank - again, any tips here would be greatly appreciated and no doubt shared with all my thousands of readers (hello?!;))

And to leave my digestive system to truly rest after the last meal of the day.
And to finally crack this habit of addiction... to sugar and to even making raw treats. I need to get to my natural weight once and for all - and I need to stick to my plan and keep up the exercising.

Ooh and speaking of exercising, HOOPING! I love it! Once you have bought your hoop (for under £20) you just get going! I have made a little hoop vid that might inspire you. It's great for getting fit, obviously, but I am finding that a good hoop workout is adding to the wonder that is combatting asthma naturally. Enjoy - and look out for the Bonnie Tyler Move! 

Over and out, love and light, don't be a stranger now x