Tag: inspo

Roots of Addiction

This article from Medical Medium is surprising but makes sense:

…there are two different deep roots behind addictions: adrenaline surge dependency and glucose deficiency. Other factors can certainly play a part too, including life stressors, immense pressure, and abuse. Nonetheless, adrenaline dependency and glucose deficiency – or a combination of the two – are nearly always involved. This is unknown to medical research and science. From these root issues stem countless possible addictions, including to alcohol, drugs, sex, food, diet soda, extreme sports, and more.

This fits with what I’m learning about prometabolic eating to regulate blood sugar and decrease the excitability of the nervous system. Your physiology affects your psychology, including addictive behaviors.

I have been living beyond my means! For years I have starved myself, drank coffee and powered through life. Now I am changing course and changing my state- from surviving to thriving!

In the morning, I check in with my body and see how it feels. Then I eat an efficient fuel that sounds good based on my hunger level (more or less dense foods.) Twenty minutes post meal, I check in with myself to see how I feel: still hungry, tired, energized, full?

This practice sets the trend for the day: awareness.

What you eat deeply affects the way you feel and how well you can function. Each person is unique in their needs, what satiates them and for how long.

The results so far are a stark contrast to what I’m used to. I feel more grounded, calm and safe in my body. I’m less anxious and stressed. It’s unbelievable to me that I can feel this good just by eating and actually noticing how my body responds and what it needs. I am creating a new rhythm for a return to vitality and resilience!

To learn more about the Restoration Thyroid Nutrition program I am using, visit Eastwesthealing.com or check out @realfoodgangstas on IG.

Taliesin West Tour

I am at the home and school of architect Frank Lloyd Wright here in Scottsdale, Arizona. I meant to visit for a very long time. Upon learning that Dale Chiuly is exhibiting, I know this is the time to go. After six months on display, I made it on the final week of Chiuly and live tours.

Our guide sheds light on life at Taliesin West: FLW bought the over 100 acres of desert property in the middle of nowhere. (Today it sits conveniently off of highway 101 in northeast Scottsdale.) They sourced local rock out of the mountain to build. When they found petroglyphs, it encouraged them knowing that OTHER people survived here too!

Rock and cement make up the walls of all the structures. In the early days, the buildings are covered in canvas, secured with a redwood frame. Over time, different woods and eventually metal is incorporated in the structures. Open windows and organic shapes allow air to flow through (and also critters.) Eventually glass windows, electricity and even air conditioning were brought in.

When power lines went up across the landscape, it upset FLW so much that he declared he would NEVER look THAT way again, instead turning his attention back towards his land and the mountains behind. He added walls to the living room and built his wife a whole new tea garden.

Apprentices build their own structure on the back part of the land. There are three people who still live there today in lifelong fellowship!

Taliesin is beautifully unassuming; it melds into the mountains all around it. I am impressed by the accomplishments of all who made the place what it is and contributed to it’s legacy.

Check out my photos and see if there’s a FLW structure in your area to visit!

The day after my tour, Frank Lloyd Wright is still showing up in surprising ways. In the morning on TV, there is mention of a FLW house in Charleston.

I go to an appointment at noon. My client’s house is in the same area of Taliesin and she has six wind chimes that perfectly match the ones in the gift shop. When I go inside, she tells me that her property backs up to FLW property!

Windchime Synchrony
Chimes at Taliesin West

On my way to the deli after, I see a guy walking down the street looking and dressing like the tour guide- hat, glasses, facial hair, colorful shirt, shorts, kicks, water bottle. It wasn’t perfect- no yellow Converse- but evoked his image. Can’t wait to go back for another visit!

New Moon Circle

It’s the start of something great! For our new moon circle we set intentions for new projects that are getting underway. Going around the circle and sharing, I tear up over my health challenges because I feel backed up to the wall with seemingly no options left, but I found hope again.

The ladies want to quantum leverage that optimism and so, I visualize my best outcome and describe it to the circle. They listen and then one by one share with me their vision of my vibrant health.

You have a bigger smile than I’ve ever seen on you! You’re walking backwards on a trail in front of me and you’re laughing.. You are driving up to the mountains and launching a paddle board on a lake.. At the end of the day you cook a big dinner over a campfire.

I am so grateful for each of their visions of me. Now I take action on my plan!

Fantastic Fungi

We just watched Fantastic Fungi on Netflix and it was awesome! Mushrooms have so many applications from breaking down oil and plastics, to bug control, to immune support and maybe the next antibiotic that slows a pandemic! Mushrooms can save the world.

The documentary explores studies on Turkey Tail for cancer, Lions Mane for dementia and of course the magical Psylocybin for depression and anxiety.

Once again, regenerative agriculture comes to mind where fungi and bacteria benefit the life of our soil, plants, animals and climate.

I’ve started using mycorrhizal fungi when we put a plant in the ground because it helps the roots reach out into the soil and bring back nutrients. It also holds water. And sequesters carbon. Good stuff!

Found a dried praying mantis at the front door yesterday; it was a blue moon. Does anybody know what that means? LOL

On Covid

I don’t often post about the pandemic; I prefer to focus on finding my joy. But when I do, you’ll find me reading Matt Shapiro’s blog Marginally Compelling. I got hooked and recently became a subscriber for access to all of his content. In a recent post, I appreciate the reminder that it’s NOT ABOUT MORALITY!!

-Matt Shapiro, Marginally Compelling

I sense from his writing that he is an independent thinker. He’s not trying to control or scare anyone. Shapiro is driven by curiosity and critical thinking.

I encourage you to subscribe to his newsletter! Or read some of his public posts and get hooked like I did. He does a monthly update for each state by region; check out his post for July. Here is one that talks about how Friends Don’t Belong in Buckets.

I also found this video to be a helpful reminder of the importance of maintaining proper perspective; it’s about Covid vaccinations and base rate fallacy.

For the last year, I am using an RSS reader for news. This let’s me pick the sites I follow and avoids me watching a news PROGRAM. I reserve my TV time for important shows like:

Love Island UK/AUS/USA, Catfish, 90 Day Fiance, Before the 90 days, Happily Ever After, the Other Way, Darcey & Stacey, the Single Life, the Family Chantel, Married At First Sight USA/AUS, Sister Wives, sMothered, Extreme Sisters, Welcome to Plathville, My Big Fat Fabulous Life, Seeking Sister Wife, Return to Amish, So Freaking Cheap, You, me & my Ex, Total Divas, Total Bellas, Miz & Mrs, Below Deck Med/Sailing, All Real Housewives franchises, Shahs of Sunset, Summer House, Southern Charm, Don’t Be Tardy, Vanderpump Rules, Marrying Millions, Family Karma, Doubling Down with the Derricos, the Farmer wants a Wife, I love a Mama’s Boy, Unexpected, Lost Resort, Camp Getaway, Toddlers & Tiaras…