Your Inner Ecosystem—the Good Guys vs. the Bad Guys

Probiotics are a big deal in healthcare these days. We see them in health food stores, drug stores, even in pet stores. Until recently, the only awareness people had about the benefits of probiotics was that if you eat yogurt while on antibiotics, you might not get diarrhea. However, there’s a lot more to it than that.  

While holistic and natural health practitioners—as well as mothers and grandmothers who have served up traditional fermented food recipes that have been passed down for generations—have long been aware of the benefits associated with probiotics, it’s taken quite some time for “modern” science and medicine to catch up. 

However, there is a growing amount of research published “in the literature” (meaning highly regarded peer reviewed medical and scientific journals) showing scientific evidence of health benefits associated with taking probiotics and having a balanced inner ecosystem. 

In fact, my veterinarian (we have a baby bearded dragon) showed me a recent article in Scientific American about the significance of the beneficial (non-pathogenic) strains of bacteria in and on our bodies, as well as their role in combating the onslaught of autoimmune disease in our society. How did we get to that topic, you might wonder? I asked him if there were any lizard probiotics available for our little guy, of course. As of now, he only knew of ones for mammals. Darn it.

Fifi the Bearded Dragon :)

I think there is a lot of confusion regarding probiotics.

What are they? Where do they come from? Why do we need them?

As you may know, I am writing my first book. I am a strong believer in the power of probiotics in improving one’s digestive health and hence, their skin. When I’m discussing probiotics and toxins with my clients, I often use analogies and imagery to help make it easier to understand (after all they’re not there for a science lecture). One of my most popular analogies is a military analogy—the good guys vs. the bad guys.

I shared this analogy as I broke down the whole probiotics vs. antibiotics topic in chapter 5 of my book (which is now in the editing process and is scheduled for its digital launch on June 25, 2013!!!). 

I’m excited to now share it with you in this first excerpt from my upcoming book, Love Your Skin, Love Yourself. 

Here I’m discussing good guys and bad guys—in this case Candida albicans (yeast) is the bad guy. 

“These friendly flora are the good guys. They are our little army guys, running around in our gastrointestinal tract keeping the bad guys under control and their population in check. Unfortunately though, because we are exposed to such a heavy toxic load on a regular basis due to our diets and lifestyles, more bad guys invade and overpower the good guys. They also fortify the existing bad guys and make them stronger (Candida is a very good example of this). Furthermore, we have become too accustomed to using antibacterial soaps, hand sanitizers, body washes, surface and air sprays, and antibiotic drugs. These materials disrupt our body’s balance of good guys and bad guys in many ways. Obviously the theory is that these agents go in and kill only the bad guys—but if that were the case, then why do so many people get yeast infections and diarrhea when they are taking antibiotics… 

“The fact is that the antibiotics cannot decipher which bacteria are good guys and which are the bad guys, so they just kill them all. Taking a course of antibiotics is like launching a nuclear attack on your body—everything inside dies—and guess who begins to repopulate first? The bad guys. The army can’t rise from the dead, and bad guys will still find their way in the same way they did before. This is why you need to send in more troops by eating probiotic rich foods.”

Did you enjoy that? You’ll love the rest of that chapter—it offers lots of other fun analogies to help simplify this stuff. 

I leave you with more food for thought from that chapter:

How is Candida like a cockroach?

-and-

What the heck does The Lord of the Rings have to do with it?

Stay tuned for the book—you can sign up here for free book updates and more excerpts and bonuses as the launch date nears!

What I'm Promising Myself This Mother's Day

I'm not one of those moms who needs expensive gifts for Mother's Day...not that I'd ever turn one down, of course ;) No, I'm one of the moms who loves handmade cards, plants grown from seedlings in kindergarten classrooms, and clay vases made in grade school art classes. 

I'm also not one of those moms who wants a kid-free day for Mother's Day. I don't get to be with my kids as much as I used to, so I really enjoy days of complete downtime with my family where we get to be silly and snuggle on the couch with some popcorn (organic, air-popped multicolored popcorn seasoned with truffle-infused olive oil and sea salt is my favorite way to do popcorn) and watch movies together, or play outside together as a family if the weather is nice.

I was a stay-at-home mom for years, and once both my kids were in school full time and I began working full time, I realized how lucky I am that I got to treasure those times--even the not-so-fun ones for all those years. Now the kids get home late in the afternoon, then we have the shuffle off to lessons, and homework time, and piano practice, and dinner...and in the blink of an eye the day's over and the kids are off to bed. So I really treasure downtime with my kids.

While I love my Mother's Day goodies from my family, this year I was inspired to give myself a little something for Mother's Day as well. Again, I'm not using it as a reason to go shopping (because I sure don't need a reason for that!)--instead, I am taking this opportunity to give myself something that money can't buy.

This whole idea was inspired by my friends at Spa Week. As a member of their Hot Mom Spa Squad, I'm often asked to participate in Spa Week activities, which is awesome! This time, I was asked to simply answer one question:   
"What me-time promise for health and vitality will you give YOURSELF as a gift this Mother’s Day?"


Click HERE to read my answer, as well as answers from other fabulous Hot Spa Moms.

However, I'm giving myself more than what I answered for Spa Week. Why? Because I deserve it. Why do I deserve it? Just for being me. And I have no problem admitting that. So in addition to my answer for Spa Week, I am promising myself the following for Mother's Day:

1. To give myself one solid day off each week. No business calls, no emails, no social media for business (don't worry, you'll still get updates on Facebook and Twitter that I've scheduled ahead of time :).
2. At least one hour a week to read a book that has nothing to do with skincare, self help, or nutrition. Non-fiction is great for all of us (which is why I am a non-fiction author!), but every now and then we need a really good, completely made-up story. We need to escape to another reality (in a constructive way). Reading a great fiction book is a great way to do that!
3. At least one morning a week to sleep as late as I want to. I'll have breakfast pre-made and available for the kids (who wake up at the crack of dawn) and I will just tell them that this is "Mommy's morning off"
   
4. Stay on track with my daily fitness. I've been doing really well incorporating some kind of movement into my daily life whether it is a long yoga practice, hula hooping during TV commercials, or just a few jumping jacks. I've been working extra long days lately due to all my work on my book and writing content for my upcoming new website (yay! More info on that soon to come), and it's been a real challenge to not just go to bed but actually find a way to get moving. I've been checking in at the Holistically Haute Daily Fitness Check-In group (join us--it's free!), but I admit I have missed a couple of days. So I am re-committing now--I'm on Day 11 of a 30 day squat and crunch challenge!
5. And finally, I promise to cut myself some slack. I have very high expectations of myself and I have a very full schedule. I'm also a bit of a perfectionist and tend to be very hard on myself if things don't go as perfectly as planned. Everything will get done on time--I know it will--so I have to just trust myself that I'm doing what I need to do, and trust that the Universe will guide me as well.   

I could go on, but I think these will be challenging enough! What about you? What promise will you make to yourself or gift will you give to yourself just because you deserve it?

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers and mother-figures out there :) Much love to you all.
 

The Beauty of You

Today I am sharing a special post with you that is written by my friend and colleague, Brittiney George. Brittiney will be presenting this month's edition in the Holistically Haute Free Webinar series, which will be on May 23 at 8:30pm EDT. Our topic is "Listening to the Wisdom of Your Body". 

Our bodies are always communicating with us, but we often either miss the signals, or ignore them for whatever reason. Brittiney is one of the lucky ones who has always known how to trust the signals her body has given her, and use that to guide her through making important life decisions. Through her work, she helps others do the same thing, as well as heal from past incidences. Before this month's webinar, I wanted you you to have the opportunity to hear from Brittiney and get to know her a bit. Enjoy :)

All of us have a tape that plays in our head.   

That voice, sentence, or belief that is replayed over and over that either propels us forward or stop us in our tracks and leave us feeling stuck.  However, there is another voice, a different resource, also calling out for attention. 

Your body. Your gut reaction, your instinctive response, this is your body’s voice and it has a lot to say.  I have had the honor of exploring the body’s voice with many of my clients and one thing is consistent….the depths of knowledge that the body holds is endless. 

From me to you; from my experience and theirs; this is something your body would like you to know:

The Beauty of YOU

You are a beautiful imperfection.

I know that makes you uncomfortable, because you want to be perfect.

Ahh...my child.  I do not work in perfection...humans do.

Perfection assumes completion.  But how can you be complete when the world around you, and in you, is full of so many glorious options for miraculous change?

I work in magical mysteries, in awe inspiring moments of truth and clarity.

I commend you for wanting to better yourself.  But I ask you to not try to perfect yourself. That implies you are flawed. You are not flawed. 

You are a mosaic of magical colors reflecting the experiences of your life.

Instead of berating yourself for that which you do not know;

Breathe.  Listen. Explore with me.

You are more than a number on a scale, a title in a job, the pain or fear that you feel.

You are a gift. 

If you don’t believe me, journey with me.

Let me show you how amazing and resilient you truly are.   

Brittiney and I sincerely hope you will join us on May 23 at 8:30 pm EDT to learn more! 

Sign up here:

 

Brittiney George, BS, CSS, CEIM, is a Certified Somatic Synergist in the Rubenfeld Synergy Method, Infant Massage Educator, and a Certified Pilates Instructor. Brittiney offers Restorative Pilates classes, Infant Massage Education Courses for parents and pregnant women, and individual Rubenfeld sessions. Her focus within her Rubenfeld practice is working with highly sensitive women and athletic women who have been sidelined by chronic pain or reoccurring injuries.  Brittiney helps her clients move past feelings of isolation by helping them find ways to feel empowered by their bodies. Contact her via e-mail at movebackintolife@gmail.com.