Innholdsfortegnelse for September - November 2015 i The Art of Healing

Michael Leunig was born in East Melbourne in June 1945, a slaughterman's son and the second eldest of five children. He was educated at Footscray North Primary School and Maribyrnong High School, plus at various factory gates, street corners, kitchen tables, paddocks, rubbish tips, quarries, loopholes, puddles and abattoirs in Melbourne’s industrial Western suburbs. Enid Blyton, Arthur Mee, Phantom comics, The Book of Common Prayer, J.D. Salinger, Spike Milligan, Bruce Petty, Martin Sharp, Private Eye magazine and The Beatles were early creative influences. He fled in disgrace from formal education and pursued a successful career as a factory labourer and meatworker where he nurtured his art and philosophy before beginning work as a political cartoonist for a daily newspaper in Melbourne in 1969. The Penguin Leunig, his first book of…

In recent years, the topic of inflammation has become more widely studied, and more is understood about this condition than in the past. Medical researchers are beginning to realize just how much of a toll chronic, low-level inflammation can take on the body and are starting to link it not only to arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, but also as a suspected culprit in diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. And, of course, inflammation is a leading cause of chronic pain and causes millions of people every year to seek relief with over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers, all of which have unwanted and sometimes very serious side effects. Fortunately, there are natural alternatives to help both with pain relief and inflammation reduction. These are discussed below, and a recipe is…

Pyrrole disorder is a genetically inherited condition that is prevalent in the mental health patient community. Its incidence is common; 1 in 10 in the general population, and 1 in 4 of Irish descent. Pyrroles are a nuisance porphyrin that cause free radical inflammatory damage, as well as binding the key nutrients zinc and B6. When we excrete pyrroles via the urine, bound zinc and B6 are unfortunately lost and a chronic deficit of these vital nutrients is created. This adversely impacts such essential biochemical pathways as mitochondrial cell energy production (creating chronic fatigue), sex hormone manufacturing and there is a higher risk of oestrogen dominance, liver detoxification, and neurotransmitter production. Pyroluric patients often have chronic anxiety and depression (from childhood onwards), including social anxiety and a tendency to worrying.…

For years the doctors told me I was incurable. Twenty-five years ago I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Ten years ago I tested positive for hepatitis C. Just five years ago my doctor told me I had lupus. With three maladies to deal with, it brings new meaning to the phrase, “God does not give you more than you can handle”. But eventually I discovered a safe, alternative healing therapy that gave me hope. This therapy consisted of a plant-based diet with a regimen of fresh, organic foods and juices that help repair the immune system, giving back to the body its natural ability to heal itself. In addition, a new FDA approved drug would eventually cure my hepatitis C. Pamela J. Buchanan shares her story. The decision to chronicle…

Water and Stone What has water got to do with it? Well lots of things really. Apart from the fact that 80% of our body comprises of water and the fact that it is effectively the transport system for pretty much everything in our bodies … oh and without it you will die in about three days. But that is not what I wanted to discuss today. What I want to discuss today is the Chinese proverb of water and stone and how it applies to YOU. We are funny creatures us humans. We seem to have this misconception that we have the power to drag back the forces of nature with one ‘good’ act. As a Chinese medicine practitioner I treat a wide range of different conditions, including chronic…

Born To Fly - Living With Autism Mary Anne Napper In 1949, Jamie Sullivan, aged three, is diagnosed with Gross Mental deficiency. After two years in a mental asylum he is entrusted to the care of his nanny, Helen Ryan, a mothercraft nurse. Thirty years later, a biographer, Melanie Hayes, is commissioned to write Jamie’s story. Helen gives Melanie an account of her controversial and unorthodox interventions in the treatment of autism, and tells a compelling story of how Jamie learns to survive in our world, yet retains the richness of his own. Set in Australia and inspired by a true story, Born to Fly takes the reader on a journey through joy, suffering, insurmountable challenges and the inexplicable. It gives a refreshing account of the determination and resilience of…

How are you looking after your soul? If you are living outside of the ‘mainstream’ consciousness, if you have chosen a different way, or taken an alternative path, you are likely interested in all aspects of how you can live life in a way that embraces all levels of self, and includes the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social and environmental levels of being. You are likely thirsty for more knowledge about how to be in the world, how you can be a more contributing human, how you can modify or change yourself, and perhaps how to surrender to a new and different way of being. I know I am. And there are lots of us out there. In my role as editor of this magazine, I receive and read a…

A whopping 4.8 million Australians experience incontinence. Now a company from ‘just across The Ditch’ has developed a fashionable hi-tech option that looks and feels like normal underwear. Launched online recently in Australia, Confitex uses innovative textile technology to make fashionable underwear that helps women feel attractive and stylish as they cope with this very common experience, and there is also a range of sporty boxers for men. A patented world first, the elegantly sexy 'feel good' underwear is super-absorbent, waterproof, pad-free and machine-washable – and affordable. Aimed at mothers, sportswomen and men too, the underwear is based on hi-tech sports fabrics that wick away moisture using the body's heat and can easily absorb a cup-full of fluid throughout the day. Users have described it as "life-changing". Developed by a…

Soba rigpa (also known as Sowa rigpa or gSo-BA Rig-PA) is a traditional form of medicine practised in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. This forward-thinking country integrates soba rigpa (which means ‘science of healing’) into their national healthcare system to work alongside modern medicine. Practitioners of soba rigpa assess patients based on the status of their somatic humours, which are representative of the different elements: lung (air and ether), thriba (water and fire) and bethken (earth and water). Though good health means having a balance of these three humours, it's likely for most people to have one that is dominant. And when there's an imbalance of any of these, illness results. Balancing these humuors can be achieved through certain lifestyle changes. For example, in the Summer, temperature rises, causing a…

There are many different yoga practices and many ways of doing these practices, but when you step onto your yoga mat, or want to select a yoga class, what should you choose and how do you know what is most appropriate for you? Jen Schrader offers some guidance. Having a clear intention is everything when choosing what and how to practise in your yoga session. But if you also have a basic knowledge of what yoga can offer then the selection process can be easier and make more sense. At its heart yoga can be defined as the science and art of creating balance between the dualities of spirit and matter, but along this pathway there are many sets of polarities to explore. The ones with which you choose to…

Does this ever happen? You have one slightly negative thought, like “I’m short of cash this week” which leads to another negative thought … “It’s because I’m underpaid at work“… and another … “and I’m underappreciated at home” … followed by … “tonight I’ll have to cook dinner, why can’t my partner get off their backside, my mother always told me I was making a big mistake and now I’ve got a headache, maybe it’s a tumour!” Negative thoughts are like rats. One shows up and before you know it they have taken over. But you can beat negative thoughts. Here’s how: 1. When Things Go Wrong: Ask Yourself, “What’s Good About This?” There is an up-side to every situation. For example: You are drowning in debt. You say, “What…

The Connor Brothers is the pseudonym of Mike Snelle and James Golding. Their work revolves around the concepts of truth and fiction and raises questions about the process by which we turn experience into meaning. Both men are currently also working on a number of ongoing projects which address social issues such as homelessness, addiction and mental health. James Golding grew up in Newmarket, Cambridgeshire. During a brief spell working in the city, he began experimenting with drugs, eventually becoming a heroin addict. He lost his job and spent several years living as an addict, in and out of rehab, and often in trouble with the police. Eventually he was rehabilitated, thanks to a controversial treatment which involved surgery to implant medication inside his stomach. During his recovery he met…

Compassion literally means “to suffer together.” Among emotion researchers, it is defined as the feeling that arises when you are confronted with another’s suffering and feel motivated to relieve that suffering. Compassion is not the same as empathy or altruism, though the concepts are related. While empathy refers more generally to our ability to take the perspective of and feel the emotions of another person, compassion is when those feelings and thoughts include the desire to help. Altruism, in turn, is the kind, selfless behaviour often prompted by feelings of compassion, though one can feel compassion without acting on it, and altruism isn’t always motivated by compassion. While cynics may dismiss compassion as touchy-feely or irrational, scientists have started to map the biological basis of compassion, suggesting its deep evolutionary…

fruit september cumquats, grapefruit, lemons, limes, mandarins, nashi, orange october strawberries, cumquats, grapefruit, lemons, limes, nashi, oranges november apricots, loganberries, raspberries, strawberries, youngberries, cherries, lemons, limes, oranges veges september Artichoke, asparagus, asian greens, beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower, carrots, kohlrabi (green), leek, lettuces, peas, silver beet, spinach, spring onions october artichoke, asparagus, asian greens, beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, cabbages, carrots, kohlrabi (green), lettuces, peas, silver beet, snow peas, spinach, spring onions november artichoke, asparagus, Asian greens, beans, beetroot, broad beans, cabbages, cucumber, carrots, kohlrabi (green), garlic, lettuces, onions, peas, silver beet, snow peas, spinach, spring onions herbs september bay leaf, parsley, mint, rosemary, thyme, chives, oregano, marjoram, sage, bronze fennel, dill, garlic, coriander october bay leaf, parsley, mint, rosemary, thyme, chives, oregano, marjoram, sage, bronze fennel, dill, garlic, coriander,…

Making natural products is simple and inexpensive. In every first aid kit be sure to include a balm for bumps, bruises, and sprains. The best known herb for this is Arnica. Arnica has been used as medicine for hundreds of years. It has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties which contribute to the healing of bruises while soothing and alleviating pain from bumps and sprains. Below is a simple recipe to make a Arnica Balm. Arnica Balm Recipe INGREDIENTS • 2 cups of coconut oil• 3/4 cup of Arnica flowers• 1/2 cup beeswax• 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil ( optional)• 10 drops of essential oil such as peppermint, lavender, or tea tree (optional) * For added pain relief add 3-6 teaspoons of cayenne pepper. DIRECTIONS 1. Crush the Arnica flowers or put in a food processor then…

The lymphatic system is made up of glands, lymph nodes, and a network of vessels. The tonsils, spleen, thymus, and adenoids are the glands of the lymphatic system. This system plays three major roles in the body: immunological defense, fat absorption, and fluid balance. If the lymphatic system isn't working properly, our bodies can't fight disease or remove toxins. For this reason it's crucial to keep the fluid of the lymphatic system (lymph) moving. A slow-moving lymph can lead to disease, even cancer, in some cases. What is lymph? The heart pumps blood throughout the body in such a powerful manner that some fluid gets squeezed out via the capillaries. That fluid is known as extracellular fluid and is comprised of varying components such as proteins, water, glucose, electrolytes, enzymes,…

Before you even begin your meditation practice, you probably have some expectations about what’s going to happen or some beliefs about what should be happening. And some of those expectations and beliefs might not be realistic or helpful. So what are some of the barriers that prevent us from starting or maintaining a regular meditation practice and how can we go over, under or around these obstacles? Do any of these four sound familiar? 1. I don’t have time! You can always find time for the things in life that you really value, so if you’re ready to start your meditation practice you’ll need to give it some priority. And meditation doesn’t require a huge time commitment to bring good results. If you were to meditate for 10 minutes each…

Is this typical? You are a month behind in your rent and your credit cards are maxed out. Your boss wants more results, your twelve-year-old wants to leave home and your Dad won’t stop telling you that you should have been an accountant. And you have a migraine. “Be happy?” you say, “with my problems?” But here’s what’s fascinating … happy people don’t have less problems. Happy people are happy in spite of problems. Here’s what happy people do – that you can do too: 1. Look For Good Things In Every Situation We find in life what we look for. If you ask yourself, “What do I hate about my job, my stupid husband and my life?” you will find things to be unhappy about. If you ask yourself,…

No Bone Broth With Sea Veggies, Shitake and Tofu This soup is the perfect addition to any detox or digestive cleanse. It is high in vitamins and minerals, whilst being very gentle on the system to digest. Typically simmered for a very long period of time (often in excess of 24 hours), bone broths are a staple of any traditional foods diet producing gelatin from collagen-rich joints but also releasing minerals from bones. Looking for a fast and easy way to get the benefits of bone broth without the bone? Using a collagen hydrolysate powder like ‘Great Lakes’ Collagen Hydrolysate for Joint Care in replacement of a typical bone broth is an easy and efficient way to nourish and repair without the time commitment or advance planning. Proteins are a…