SWIHA Blog

By Jenna Zizzo

Stress is one the biggest issues plaguing most Americans

Today’s fast-paced world can have a multitude of effects on us, ranging from physical effects such as high blood pressure or insomnia, mental or emotional effects such as high levels anxiety, and even spiritual effects, by bringing us further away from whichever spiritual connection we choose to attain. According to a July 2014 article from NPR, in which more than 2,500 adults across the country were surveyed, 49 percent reported to have had a “major stressful event or experience in the past year.”

We need a method for calming our minds,
healing our bodies and freeing our souls

Our mission is to inspire individuals to discover their gifts and graces, and support them as they share their talents in a loving and profitable way. Discovering your gifts and graces can often mean you need to be fearless in pursuit. We're blessed to have a community of talented and fearless souls. Today we're featuring Julie Christensen, as she shares how being FEARLESS by tapping into her heart has transformed her life.

What does being fearless mean to you?

To me, being Fearless is having the courage to take the hand of your "shadow-self", and let it lead you to your "Golden Shadow"...That part of you that is pure Greatness. To me, being fearless is about living from the vast space of an open heart, rather than the confines of a doubt-filled mind.

Like many in my generation, for most of my life I only knew white rice. Although I heard about whole grains I did not incorporate them into my daily eating until I was learning about whole grains about eight years ago. At that time I decided to get tested for food sensitivities and found that I’m sensitive to gluten, the protein in whole grains including wheat, barley and rye. I stopped eating most food with gluten and now find that when I do eat gluten, I almost immediately get hives. Last year, I was also tested for celiac disease, a serious autoimmune condition in which our body does not absorb nutrients. Fortunately, I do not have celiac disease. I’m glad that I’ve had these experiences as I can now share gluten-free eating with my clients and in my writing.

Why We Need Carbs

People are confused about carbs and about whole grains. Many diets are no carb or low carb, but in reality our bodies need about 40-50% carbs every day at every meal. The problem is that people eat low quality carbs, like cookies, cakes, crackers and bread. Other carbohydrate-rich foods, such as whole grains, beans, vegetables are good for us.

What is a aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for therapeutic purposes.Essential oils are the plant’s “life blood”, as they protect the plant from infection, attract pollinators, repel harmful predators, and assist the plant in healing and repair. The term aromatherapy is a bit of a misnomer as the essential oils are not used solely by inhaling them. Essential oils are used aromatically (inhaled), topically (applied to the skin),and some use the oils internally (orally, pessaries, douches, suppositories).

The use of essential oils has been around for centuries. Pictographs have been found in Egyptian tombs along with vats of expensive oils such as Frankincense. Throughout history and across cultures, the use of essential oils for health purposes has been recorded.

Essential oils have many therapeutic properties based on the plant’s chemical components. Commonly essential oils are bactericidal, antiviral, immune supportive, and analgesic. Dr Jean Valnet , a French surgeon, effectively used aromatherapy in World War II to treat wounds when he ran out of antibiotics!

We all know how important it is to love ourselves just the way we are. We preach it to our children, family and friends. If a friend comes to us saying they aren’t good enough in some area, we’re the first to try and help them work through that belief. Do we show up for ourselves in the same way though?

Confession Time

As a teacher, I often speak with people who attend my classes about the importance of living in the moment and loving ourselves. I have a beautiful soul family all across the globe and an amazing son, yet I found myself feeling lonely and dejected.

In my (hundred thousandth) attempt to quit drinking coffee I have given in to the lure of the mystic drink again... and I feel great. My liver, mind, and nervous system are thanking me for the needed break from the caffeine, but they are also thanking me for the pick-me-up that was very much needed today.
I have been a consistent coffee drinker since I was 4... Yes that is right, and that could be the reason why the comfort of it is almost as important as food and water to me.But what are the benefits of coffee?

The Coffee Controversy

Coffee is so controversial and it seems like it will forever remain that way, so I wanted to share informative facts I came across during my research. Like I said, I am an advocate for coffee, but I also know just because one thing is "good" for one person does not mean it is good for another. Make an educated decision based on the knowledge of your own body chemistry.

According to Mayo Clinic many individuals used in studies showing coffee had ill effects on the body also smoked heavily which caused conflicting results. The website states there are many antioxidants in coffee may aid in preventing diseases like Parkinson's, type 2 Diabetes, and liver cancer. Although coffee contains these healthy nutrients, it is essential to consume the beverage in moderation.

When we cook and enjoy eating real whole foods we have the opportunity to create a wide variety of tasty, beautiful, colorful, local, in-season dishes.

• Cook with variety. You can cook the same foods different ways – raw, steamed, roasted, blended - and enjoy very different, delicious meals.
• Eat with the Season. When we eat real whole foods, we have the opportunity to eat in tune with what’s in season, and enjoy the food that nature naturally creates for us in the geographic area where we live.
• Eat with Color. By incorporating whole foods into our life, we easily enjoy the infamous "rainbow of fruits & veggies" that we hear about so often, getting a variety of nutrients and phytonutrients (natural plant chemicals).

Holistic Wellness Practitioners offer a wide variety of ways to help us transform ourselves and create balance in our life. Hypnotherapy, Life Coaching, Holistic Nutrition, Aromatherapy, Reiki; just to name a few, are powerful modalities that offer tremendous transformation at various levels, including body, mind and soul. These all offer us a chance to tap into the answers and infinite power that is within us, instead of looking outside of ourselves for security, love, happiness and truth. The journey is not always a clear a simple path, but we can certainly still enjoy it. There are many forms of alternative therapy that can can help us transform our lives and enjoy the journey.

How To Make the Most of Your Holistic Wellness Practices and Therapy

1. Remember you are 100% responsible of your life.

Owning responsibility for your own experience is the first step towards transformation. Some people might look for alternative therapy assuming that the therapy is going to save them, or completely change them in some way. The therapy it self is very powerful, but the level of transformation will be equal to the level of openness, intention, and passion you yourself put in the process. Take responsibility and allow the therapy to guide you in your transformation.

Eat Local. Shop at a Farmers’ Market. Buy a CSA. Enjoy a Simple Roasted Roots Recipe

In Arizona where the Southwest Institute of Healing Art (SWIHA) campus is located and where I live, many of the local farmers’ markets will be re-opening for the season after our “dry heat, hot summer”. Fortunately, we do have a few farmers whose produce is available during the summer, so I’ve been having fun shopping from a few farmers for our Whole Foods Cooking Classes at SWIHA this summer.

4 Great Reasons to Eat Local

• Locally grown produce is fresher, tastes better and lasts longer.. Most produce in conventional grocer stores is picked well before it's ready to be picked. Some of the methods used to ripen the food in warehouses and in trucks include methane gas. Food that is allowed to ripen on the vine absorbs many of the flavors and nutrients they are intended to. Local produce shortens the path traditionally traveled from farm to table and the result is better tasting more nutrient dense food.

Pregnancy massage is a wonderful self-care tool that can be used during this special time. The wise woman sees massage as an integral part of her total prenatal care, addressing the many changes rather than a special treat! It is safe and effective. Pregnancy is a non-medical event; it is a natural process. If you have concerns about receiving massage as an expectant mother, have a conversation with your obstetrician.
I first took classes in pregnancy massage when my daughter was having her first child. I wanted to support my daughter, make her more comfortable, and create a warm, supportive environment for my grandson by providing pregnancy massage for his mother. It was a wonderful time for me to be able to be totally present for my daughter on the many levels. Touch is a way of connecting and developing deeper bonds. Research has shown that expectant mothers that receive massage during pregnancy are more likely to touch and bond with their babies.