Affirmative Eating...................

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<b>Clean42day</b> - Tue 11 Apr, 2006 12:12 pm<br>
<b>Post subject: </b>Affirmative Eating...................<hr class="sep" width="95%">
<span style="color: blue;">Affirmative Eating
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By Dr. James Rouse
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“Change your thinking, change your life� is a philosophical and spiritual mantra that most of us embrace with passionate conviction. You may find it inspiring to know that you can positively impact your thinking, emotions and outlook through a practice of affirmative eating.
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I have witnessed both clinically and personally the impact that the right foods can have on creating inspired thinking and living. Your food choices do impact your mental and emotional body chemistry. You can help to create a positive mental and emotional thinking environment by choosing foods that are rich in key compounds that serve as building blocks for your body and brains chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters serve many different functions. One of which, is to keep your mind, mood and motivation on track and focused. Neurotransmitters also support your thoughts and thinking in a positive way!
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If you are looking to get the most spirited “bang from your brain� you can employ affirmative eating and set your thoughts and vision on a course for fine tune thinking and greater well-being! There are four powerful neurotransmitters that, when supported through healthier living and eating practices, can help you with feeling less moody, less depression and anxiety, greater focus, energy and concentration, help you to get a better nights sleep and give you greater control with your sugar cravings.
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The fantastic four that I’ve been referring to include serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine and norepinephrine. Here is how they work, what they do for you and how you can build your own optimal levels. First serotonin: Serotonin is like a natural anti-depressant and helps manage your cravings for high drama carbohydrates like cookies, cakes and chips. When your levels of serotonin are healthy, your mood and sense of personal peace is alive and well. You can build your stores of serotonin by eating foods rich in the amino acid tryptophan found in poultry and avocados, and in whole grains, legumes and tofu. The second of the fantastic four is dopamine.
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Dopamine is all about energy, passion and greater concentration. When fatigue and lethargy appear to be your normal state of being then you may want to do your best to support your natural and optimal levels of dopamine. You can do this by choosing foods rich in the amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine which can be found in low fat dairy products, eggs, rice and fish.
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If you’re feeling like your brain and your memory are experiencing more than just temporary difficulties with recall, and concentration is fleeting at best then you may wish to boost your levels of acetylcholine (neurotransmitter #3). Acetylcholine promotes mental fitness, supports overall optimism and balance. You can serve yourself and your memory by consuming choline rich foods like oatmeal, soy foods, nuts, whole grains, sesame seeds and brewers yeast. Choline can actually boost levels of acetylcholine in the body.
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When stress, sleep disturbances, depression and general lack of happiness and fulfillment are making “themselves� known on an all too often basis then you may want to boost your levels of norepinephrine. Norepinephrine has a stimulating effect on the brain, and it promotes positive perception, motivation and energy. It can also be helpful in supporting balance and focus during stressful situations, and promote an optimistic outlook while under stress too. The food base building block for this “happiness hormone� is the amino acid phenylalanine and can be found in fish, eggs, poultry, legumes, red vegetables, spinach, apples, and thank God chocolate (keep your consumption moderate and go with the dark variety).
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When your need for “comfort food� is winning over your need for eating healthy, think about the fabulous four and try to choose foods that will optimize your levels of these neurotransmitters. With affirmative eating practices you can build optimal levels of these chemical messengers, which I often refer to as chemicals for greater contentment and experience peak performance of your mind, body and spirit!
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A wonderful side effect of this type of eating plan is that it is naturally balanced with lean proteins, metabolically supportive carbohydrates and healthy fats, which can also be helpful in supporting healthy weight management and in the prevention of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer. I encourage you to begin each meal choice with the “end in mind.� Consider the outcome you are looking for with your food and your meals. Is your desire to just fill up, or are you looking for an experience of true and sustained nourishment that fuels your body and mind to co-create with Spirit to live and give from your highest expression?!
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Affirmative eating can be a vital piece and pleasure on the path to greater peace and well-being. Begin today. Set your table and your intention. Let the grace begin.
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Dr. James Rouse, often referred to as "Dr. James," is a consultant and spokesperson for Gaiam (www.gaiam.com). His extensive credentials in the wellness field include a doctorate degree in naturopathic medicine, post-doctorate work in acupuncture and Chinese medicine, a degree in transpersonal psychology and certification as a yoga teacher. He combines his knowledge of natural medicine, transformational psychology, yoga and therapeutic cooking to inspire people to improve the quality of their lives and to provide them with the tools they need to make positive changes. Dr. Rouse emphasizes the importance of balance in life and gives advice on health topics, such as nutrition, exercise, and clearing the mind for improved concentration and better sleep.?
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Dr. Rouse earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal arts with concentrations in transpersonal psychology and baroque music from Marlboro College. Then, he attended Antioch University for graduate studies in psychology. Wanting to fully integrate the mind-body relationship into healing, Dr. Rouse traveled to Asia. There, he met the Dali Lama's physician and became interested in Tibetan Ayurvedic Medicine, leading to his pursuit of greater knowledge in holistic medicine. Dr. Rouse returned to the United States to complete pre-med training, followed by a four-year doctorate naturopathic medicine program at National College, in Portland, Oregon, the oldest naturopathic medical school in the country. He also studied Oriental medicine at Oregon College.

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Dr. Rouse also became a certified yoga instructor and began teaching yoga to individuals, incorporating it into his holistic health practice. In 1997, Dr. Rouse moved to Denver to start a family naturopathic medicine practice. In his family practice, Dr. Rouse offers primary care, including yearly exams, physicals, therapeutic nutrition and exercise therapeutics. The clinic offers acupuncture, physical therapy, yoga and Pilates instruction, as well as cooking classes taught by a nutritionist. For the past six years, Dr. Rouse has held group detoxification/cleansing programs, believing the transformation for change is stronger within the group's energy.</span> <hr>
<b>Clean42day</b> - Tue 11 Apr, 2006 1:08 pm<br>
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ok so I have been tyring to slowly change my diet....and for the first time went to the Healthfood store here in town (there is only one). I was amazed at the variety of foods that are grown organically <span style="text-decoration: underline;">without </span>pesticides, herbacides, steroids, or growth horomones in them. unfortunatley the difference between these kinds of stores and the local grocery store is PRICE! I spent $71 dollars and walked out with 4 very small bags of Food. But I guess the extra cost in price is worth the peace of mind that I am eating exactly what is listed on the ingredients in every package.

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After doing my research and little speach on the far reaching hand of the Pharmecutical companies in the U.S. I became aware of some little known facts and here they are...........
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The pharmecutical companies and their research labs are the same companies that copywrite and sell chemical compounds that go into our food supply like pesticides, herbacides, growth horomones, steroids....all designed to mass produce our food and get it to market as quickly as possible in the name of consumerism. also into our manufacturing companies that supply many of the products we use on a daily basis, like cars, electronics, household goods....ect. it is no secret that these chemical compounds used in manufacturing after running their cycle end up in our enviornment as polution and enviornmental toxins.
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They are now finding that these compounds have long term accumulative effects and over time effect our bodies neurochemistry and lesson our ability to fight diseases. not only that in some cases they are the cause of many of the mood disorders we see in our population today.
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for instance: Enviornmental toxins cause birth defects, learning and developmental, and behavioral disorders in our children. and Cancer. There is a high rate of these disorders recorded in areas where there is big industrial companies, which more often than not are the exact areas where the poor are forced to live.
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Growth Homomones, steroid compounds, pesticides, herbacides, are just now showing up in our population as mood disorders, anxeity, depression, bi-polar, and autoimmune deficiencies. pre-maturation in children......
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the common MSG preservative has been proven to cause sterility and cancer and when they foud this little fact out.....they did not ban it from the food industry...they only reduced it's use to smaller levels. kind of like harm reduction instead of harm prevention.
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and this is a little known fact that most people are not aware of.....all of our household and hygiene products......have no mandatory testing requirements or enforced regulations to follow. These are private industries ......like Shampoo, deodorant, makeup, shaving gel, household cleaning products...........The FDA has no authority to ask these companies for their research records or testing results......unless there is a imminent threat to the public. so we mistakenly assume that everything we buy including all the things we use on our childrens bodies have been thoroughly tested and approved by some regulatory office...and are safe over the long term. THESE COMPANIES ANSWER TO NO ONE! The pharmecutical companies also have affiliations, interests, and investments in these companies also.
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Every year the FDA does 20,000 Food diet studies taking a cross section of the American public ages 17 - 25 and test the averages of the food we eat.....Last year alone these studies revealed that there were:
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5,000 toxic elements found in the averages of food bought at local supermarkets and fast food outlets.......that comes to 36% of our Nations food supply in contaminated in some way. with mercury, chlorines, arsenic, pesticide runoff, ect.
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overall what I found is this:
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The very pharmecutical companies that we have put our faith in to heal us....are working both ends against the middle. not only do they produce and sell the very chemicals that we use in our daily lives....they also treat the long terms disorders caused by these chemicals.
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it is a scary fact that when the need for profit overrides the prevention of human suffering....we are headed for big trouble.
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The reason there are very few health food stores and thier prices are higher is because of consumerism.....they cannot compete with mass produced food companies.....because american want convenience, and we want it now.
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They grow thier food the old fashioned way.....naturally. free range beef, poultry....are allowed to live their natural lives in a natural way, grazing on range grass and are being fed whole grains that are grows without pesticides or growth horomones in them.
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there is no way these companies can compete with the supply and demand of our Nations food needs. But the bottom line is this:
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when we as individuals become more aware and take a more careful interest in how we eat, where we buy our food....we hold the power to shift the market into a more holistic way of living. These huge companies will go where the money is.....and the money comes from us little guys at the bottom.
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This information is what has changed my mind in the way I eat.

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I refuse to participate in the poisoning of America. I am not only changing my eating habits....I am also changing my spending habits.
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ANNUAL CAUSES OF DEATH
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IN THE UNITED STATES
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Tobacco 435,000
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Alcohol 85,000
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Adverse Reactions to Prescription Drugs 32,000
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Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Such As Aspirin 7,600
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All Illicit Drug Use Combined,

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Direct and Indirect 17,000
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Poor Diet and Physical Inactivity 365,000
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Microbial Agents 75,000
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Toxic Agents 55,000

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Source: Journal of the American Medical Association, Jan.
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19, 2005, Vol. 293, No. 3, p. 298.)
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Doctors themselves are responsible for about 120,000 deaths here in the US. <hr>
<b>Clean42day</b> - Tue 11 Apr, 2006 1:15 pm<br>

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Spring Purification
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Q&amp;A With David Simon, MD
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Q. I try very hard to eliminate toxins from my diet—skipping alcohol and caffeine and eating organic food whenever possible—but I still have signs of toxic overload. I know that there are toxins in my environment that I just can’t avoid. What can I do to help mitigate the effects of toxins I can’t control?
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DS: From an Ayurvedic perspective, the environment is our extended body. The relationship between our personal body and our extended body means that our personal choices have a collective influence, and our collective choices affect each of us individually. The cars we drive, the food we eat, and the clothing we wear influences the air, water, and soil in our ecological system. Choose to reduce your contribution to the collective toxicity of this planet.
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On a personal level, see if you are holding onto toxic emotions or participating in a toxic relationship that can be transformed. Look at your home and work environments, assessing if there are choices you can make to improve the quality of your experience.
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One weekend a month, take time to do a home detox program. Simplify your life for 48 hours. Take time to meditate, perform yoga, and go for walks. Eat simply, favoring rice, vegetables, and easily digestible lentils. Drink gingerroot tea. Get massaged. Avoid driving and refrain from watching television. Read inspiring books and listen to uplifting music. Provide your senses with a regular opportunity to purify, and your system will take the opportunity to release accumulated toxins.

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David Simon, M.D., is the co-founder and medical director of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing at the La Costa Resort &amp; Spa in Carlsbad. Learn to make choices that support your daily well-being at the Chopra Center’s weekly Perfect Health program. For more information on this and other programs, visit <a href="http://www.chopra.com," target="_blank">www.chopra.com,</a> email <a href="mailto:info@chopra.com">info@chopra.com</a>, or call 888.424.6772.