For some, New Year’s resolutions are short lived intentions that quickly become their opposite, much like a revolving door. Some of us keep our intentions or resolutions for a few weeks, some just a few days, and the lucky ones, for perhaps a lifetime.

Before the winter holidays, I decided to eliminate sugar from my diet, not just the refined stuff, but also honey, molasses and maple syrup. I sought out my friend and certified hypnotist, Randy, as I had previous success with another habit and felt encouraged to keep cutting away at anything in the way of my feeling better and in charge. I listened to my recorded session every night for a month and it spoke to the part of me that was determined and willing. It was very helpful and I have since felt more even, more energetic and in control.

So if you've been "revolving" or need a little encouragement to stay the course, here are some suggestions to help you get back on track:

• Remove the “offender/pretender”(O/P) from your home and work space. Most people have to substitute something for the substance, activity, thought or person. It's too easy to go for what’s familiar and predictable as it temporarily eases the fear of the unknown or possibly a painful memory or experience.

• Get support from the people you wake up, eat, or socialize with and let them know how determined you are and when you are struggling. Most people want you to be happy.

• Try psychotherapy, hypnosis/hypnotherapy, EMDR, or EFT for emotional/psychological support.

• Take up meditation, qi gong, tai chi, or yoga.

• Try acupuncture to balance and regulate your body. Acupuncture can strengthen your Kidney function (which helps will power), releases endorphins, and is beneficial for pain and anxiety. Consider auriculotherapy (ear seeds or ear tacks) to help decrease your cravings.

• Don't give up. Reduce as many stressful factors as possible and start every day with your intention clearly in view.

Contact me if you would like a qualified referral. Even if you live or relocate to Anchorage, I may know someone who knows someone who can help you.

Spoken recently by a dear friend, Pamela, Heart health is the focus of February's DID YOU KNOW? column.

DID YOU KNOW?

THAT: Wine, drunk with meals, keeps the blood vessels open and less susceptible to clotting caused by heavy animal food consumption. It may, however, contribute to the development of stroke or other afflictions.

THAT: Lack of joy or excessive joy, redness between the eyebrows or a weak voice are associated with heart deficiencies.(Traditional Chinese Medical Theory)

THAT: The American Heart Association is recommending that rescuers give twice as many chest compressions, 30 instead of 15, for every two rescue breaths. "Basically, the more times someone pushes on the chest, the better off the patient is," Dr. Michael Sayre, a professor of emergency medicine at Ohio State University, who helped develop the guidelines. (Associated Press. Dallas, Nov. 28, 2005)

THAT: Whole corn nourishes your heart and its physical and psychological functions. Eating good quality, open-pollinated, organic, and non-genetically engineered corn is preferable.

THAT: “Half of all heart attacks take place in people with normal cholesterol levels!” (Stephen MacMahon, Norman Sharpe, Greg Gamble, Hamish Hart, John Scott, John Simes, and Harvey White. Effects of Lowering Average or Below-Average Cholesterol Levels on the Progression of Carotid Atherosclerosis: Results of the LIPID Atherosclerosis Substudy Circulation 1998 97: 1784 – 1790 and other studies.)

THAT: Re-heated coffee releases 400% more Caffenol into the system. Caffenol has been linked to elevated cholesterol. ("Coffee-It’s Time to Avoid it." by Stephen Stiteler, L.Ac,O.M.D.

THAT: Cholesterol-lowering statin drugs are now proving to be a considerable risk to your health. Statin drugs can produce such serious side-effects that doctors insist on blood tests at least twice per year to detect early stages of liver damage. (Omar MA, Wilson JP. FDA Adverse Event Reports on Statin- Associated Rhabdomyolysis. Annals of Pharmacotherapy, Feb, 2002; 36 (2): 288-295 and other studies.)

So, remember to "Put your heart before the coarse".

This recipe is from Sumati's kitchen, which in her own words, "lies somewhere in between the South Indian dish, Aviyal, which usually includes popped mustard seeds and yoghurt, and Thai Tom Kha. To me, the coconut in this is like Mama holding  me close.” Sumati Ganeshan is well known for preparing beautiful, sump-tuous and healthy edibles with ease and love.

Yields 6-8 servings

1 large ginger root, sliced
6 large cloves of garlic, minced
1 oz macadamia nuts
4 large limes or lemons
Milk of 3-4 coconuts (fresh or 3 cans coconut milk)
3 Tbsp coconut, fresh or dried, shredded or shaved
1 large onion, chopped into big chunks
3 zucchini, chopped into thin slices
5 large carrots, chopped into tiny chunks
1 cup shiitake mushrooms, chopped
1 tsp lime peel, minced,
Sea salt
2 tsp turmeric
1 cup water
 

Heat water and put half ginger slices in water.
Allow to just barely to come to a boil, turn down heat and add salt. Add turmeric.
Heat water and put half ginger slices in water.
Allow to just barely to come to a boil, turn down heat and add salt. Add turmeric.
  In a separate pan, saute 3 cloves of garlic, onion, zucchini, carrots, mushrooms, lime peel, adding salt and turmeric as you saute. Put aside.
 

In a blender, blend 3 cloves of garlic, macadamia nuts, shredded coconut and rest of ginger.
  Add juice of 3-4 limes to the ginger water, then turn to low heat.
Add vegetable mixture into ginger water, then coconut milk. Add blender mixture.
Stir and cook on low heat to let flavors meld, 10 minutes more.
   

"YOUR (QI)CHEATIN' HEART" Fundraiser (Hill Country Ride for Aids)

When: Sun. Jan.19 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Where: Zilker Botanical Rose Garden
Cost: 0 - ? Donations accepted. Checks payable to HCRA.
Bring: Wear loose, layered clothing; yoga mat or blanket opt.

Note: Inclement weather cancels and will be rescheduled; some portion of class may be videotaped.

Qi Gong has it's roots in Asia where it is practiced as a way of promoting health and relaxation. Qi Gong has a beneficial effect on the heart by strengthening the heart muscle and increasing the stroke volume, the amount of blood pumped per minute, allowing more oxygen to be delivered to the tissues and more waste products carried away.

Qi Gong also lowers blood pressure. Several years ago, members of my Qi Gong class took our blood pressure at the beginning of class and then at the end. Everyone's blood pressure was reduced by an average of 10 points after practicing Qi Gong for an hour.

WILD GOOSE QI GONG CLASSES

When: Wednesdays (ongoing) 7:00-8:15 pm
Where: Bouldin Creek Movement Studio
1310 S. First St. #200
Cost: $52 month or $15 single class
Register: Call 374-9800 ext 2

This column features an active and reputable business person in our community. Dr. Scott Sweeney is a Doctor of Chiropractic whose caring manner combines well with his skillful hands and gentle strength.

Growing up as the son of a furniture salesman, Dr. Scott Sweeney recognized an early appreciation for typical chiropractic care. It wasn’t until engulfed in his studies did he fully understand the chiro-practic adjustment as a powerful partner in attainment of quality health and well being. Scott’s own seasonal colds became mild to non-existent, allergies waned, and his back issues faded into a memory.

Dr. Sweeney uses a specialized chiropractic technique that involves a gentle touch. Even though the primary focus is on the neck, the effects of the correction influence the whole spine and all body systems. To find out more about the NUCCA technique and its benefits, visit www.nucca.org. Dr. Sweeney is currently accepting new patients who are seeking general well being and a higher quality of life as well as those searching for solutions to various health issues. You can find Dr. Sweeney at 1205 Nueces in the heart of downtown Austin (512)479-7878.

Find out if Oriental Medicine might be your road to better health and vitality.

Mention Dr. Pea's Journal when you call to make your appointment!

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