Have you answered The Call?

I’ve attended more self-improvement and spirituality conferences than I can count, and served on my fair share of committees to help improve how we treat the planet, the workplace, and each other. I’ve been a Seeker for as long as I can remember, wondering about things unseen, the marvels of the Universe, the human potential for healing, and what is that force that tells us the right things to do? I frequently check in with the Grand Source of Life; I’ve spent countless hours refining my intuitive skills, and maintain the highest intention of listening for, and responding to, The Call.

We usually think about The Call in terms of Life Purpose: a spiritual or religious experience that lets us know with certainty how to figure out our vocation, our gifts, our special role. We yearn to make some kind of meaningful contribution, to know what our unique piece of the whole is, so that we can get busy making a difference in our community and the world, feeling confident along the way.

I like to think that The Call is much more than vocation, or something relegated to religion or dogma. Personally, I find that more than scriptural reference, or what others have to say, more than social traditions or psychotherapy, personal discernment is what’s most important-becoming aware, gathering information, making a decision, and seeking signs of confirmation of your choice.

I surmise The Call to be spiritual, good for the Listener, and revealed for the good of all Beings; ultimately it is pragmatic, and yet it remains rather elusive for many of us. So why is it that for some of us, even when it becomes clearly evident to others, we can hardly believe the message we hear is The Call, that it’s meant for us, and we resist? Recently, The Call appeared in my life the most unforeseen way; so unanticipated that I couldn’t help but ignore it for almost a year.

Oprah Winfrey says, “We're all called. If you're here breathing, you have a contribution to make to our human community. There is no greater gift you can give or receive than to honor your calling. It's why you were born. And how you become most truly alive.”

One thing for certain, surviving my cancer diagnosis many years ago helped me recognize that I do want to be “truly alive,” and that my existence must have some meaning or contribution. Joie de vivre! Carpe Diem! Life’s too short as the saying goes, too short to not heed The Call and live your passions. The message seemed loud and clear at the time I perceived it in the past, but I wonder if I confused The Call with career direction: here I am at midlife and my vocation seems to be changing again.

So, how do you know you’ve heard The Call? In the song, WordUp, Nu Metal band Korn says, “When you hear the call you've got to get it underway,” implying that one will know without a doubt what actions to take for fulfillment and contribution. It’s never been that simple for me, but I’m working on it.

So what is The Call for me now? Well, this sounds as awkward as an Armadillo, especially coming from someone who’s been a non-meat-eating person for twelve years:

er, um…The Call for me now is clearly: “Eat chicken.”

OK, so maybe it’s not the most humble Call anyone’s received. But wait! It’s not just any chicken. It’s organic, locally pastured, insecticide and herbicide-free; raised by a friendly Farmer, with maybe a little organic grain to help supplement the chickie’s diet during inclement Midwest weather; it’s given no animal by-products to peck, no antibiotics,  and, (as is true with all commercial poultry) no hormones (the federal government forbids the use of hormones in all poultry, according to the USDA).

Recognizing that my dream messages are altruistic to a degree, as well as hearing sympathetic meat-eaters cluck about how humanely-treated chickens are happier (until we line them up for slaughter), doesn’t assuage my tender heart. After all, the defining moment when I decided to stop eating meat and poultry was purely psychological. I read a book called “Affluenza: The All Consuming Epidemic,” by DeGraf, Wan, and Naylor, and overnight committed to not participating in the ever-growing pressure to increase mass production of animal sources of food –animals inhumanely raised and treated to grow fast quicker, to get them down the conveyor belt each hour with so much speed that a worker could not kill them properly before being dismembered for packaging. All that to satisfy gorging Americans, capitalism and our consumer-driven market. I immediately embraced a vegan diet.

Kudos to those of you who remain steadfastly vegetarian. Certainly the planet is Calling for a more Eco-friendly, humane food chain. To my chagrin, I ended up converting to a plant-based diet, tossing the occasional fish in the saute pan and eating eggs. After becoming fatigued and protein-depleted I had to admit I did not feel good, and I simply did not have the energy and inclination required to satisfy that need otherwise. Please understand that I’m rationally aware of the ability to exist with non-animal sources of food, and have shared those benefits liberally, much to the annoyance of my meat-eating friends.

At any rate, I’ve been resisting The Call to Eat Chicken for about a year now. I’ve been perfectly content with the planetary and personal health benefits of eating a plant-based diet for at least twelve years! On a practical everyday level, having a meat-free diet has meant no worry about prions (mad cow disease, bird flu in humans); no greasy residue or rancid aromas; and, a smug sense of satisfaction knowing our food is safer to eat because there’s minimal risk for evil bacteria such as Salmonella or campylobacter. Let’s face it-it’s simply not as dangerous if an organic carrot sits on the counter for a few hours.

 

So how do I know that “Eat Chicken” is really The Call? Well, at first, the message came through Chicken Dreams: I ask my husband to order the Organic Roast Chicken dish, so I can take a bite (without anyone seeing me of course); then, dream scenes in which I instruct him to buy chicken, or grill it (only outside); next, I’m at our local Co-Op quizzing the butcher about what they mean by “free-range” and “natural organic”; I purchase the bird bits myself, before I wake up from the dream-mare in a cold sweat.

In spite of the dreams,  of admonitions from my Asian health practitioners, and my intuition telling me as clearly as though it were coming through my IPhone: “Eat Chicken to build your depleted Chi”, up until now I cringed at the idea and refused to act accordingly.

I figured, “I’m pretty darned healthy”…except that I began having swallowing problems. Funny, it started happening around the time the Eat Chicken Dreams Series began…feeling like food was getting a bit stuck in my throat progressed in frequency, accompanied by achy finger joints and eczema outbreaks, until I completed a rigorous Elimination Diet and stopped eating soy and, ironically, eggs…

Which brings me back to what a wise friend recently stated is the most precise way to detect The Call:

 “If you ignore The Call, the universe will repeat the message for you. And, if you still don’t listen, you get symptoms (to help you pay attention.)” Still, it’s hard for me to let go of the mind set that I disciplined myself to adhere to in the past, and accept what my body is telling me now.

One of the things I love about Eastern philosophy is that at its purest, it prevents you from becoming too rigid or attached to the rules you make up for yourself, even rebuking its own rules in favor of believing in messages of inner truth:

"Do not believe in what you have heard; do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations; do not believe anything because it is rumored and spoken of by many; do not believe merely because the written statements of some old sage are produced; do not believe in conjectures; do not believe in that as a truth to which you have become attached by habit; do not believe merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. After observation and analysis, when it agrees with reason and is conductive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it." ~ Gautama Buddha

As I swallow my smoothie and rub my tender fingers, I search the Internet for restaurants serving local organic chicken, and map out the way to our local family-owned organic chicken farm store to make my first purchase in over 12 years.

Contribute to the Conversation:  If you want to explore The Call from both religious and secular perspectives: http://whatsyourcalling.org/about

(specific to chicken slaughter: http://whatsyourcalling.org/campaign/what-if-your-calling-involves-a-violent-but-necessary-act)

Food energy: Healing GF Quinoa Cabbage Soup

Food "...is a conveyor of universal energy. (What Mary Says...)

Relaxation, Awareness, Movement, and Nourishment are the four cornerstones of healing. When it comes to Nourishment: I love beautiful food! 
     The idea of 'dieting' or 'eliminating toxins' has always sounded dreadful to me...images of deprivation, blandness, mournfully tracking amounts and type of food eaten lessened my joy/joi factor immensely!

    In the past I was overjoyed at the end of the standard "elimination" regime (to see if it would reduce eczema flares), because I noticed no difference. It seemed to be good news: since there was no difference, I could eat "whatever I wanted"! With each food I re-introduced, I could hear my inner lush cry out, "Viva la chocolate! Cook the noodles, and pass the sourdough bread, please!"

     Most people who know me will tell you that for years I've had a healthy, mostly organic, plant-based diet, allowing for flexibility and the occasional splurge. So, why did I try "The Elimination Diet" again? Well, I started having difficulty swallowing... seemingly random, occurring a couple times of year, then more often in the past few months. Recently, a family member got a hotdog stuck in his throat, ended up having it removed at the local emergency room, and was eventually diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis, which may be related to food sensitivity/allergy. I figure my history of receiving a hefty dose of mantle radiation (near esophagus), and the fact that I also have mild eczema, which can be associated with EE, was worth considering whether this might be happening to me too.

     Standard recommendation is the 6-food elimination diet to reduce inflammation (and the resultant accumulation of eosinophils in the esophagus): no milk, soy, eggs, wheat, peanut, seafood, then re-introduce each food to see if you have a reaction. So, I decided to try the nutritional approach again. This time, though, my reasoning was to show greater kindness towards my body, to have a more ecological approach to the food I consume, and to keep my mind open to possibilities (at times I lean towards cynicism i.e., "good for you" often = 'Pay more for less', e.g., less fat or gluten-free, or no pesticides=costs more). I intuitively chose a process based on a book after reading a blog that said: "The Elimination and Detoxification Diet ~ It's about Feeling Good!

What is the Elimination Diet? It is a program of eating designed to calm inflammation and balance the body. Once the body is calm, and the disease symptoms diminish, it becomes noticeable to a person when a “trouble” food is eaten and the symptoms come back."

   Some of it seemed radical, but after doing Stomach Flow Jin Shin Jyutsu, and holding my thumbs (JSJ self-help to reduce worry), something clearly told me to give it a try. It's a commitment, but I have no regrets (so far). I've made it  to the 'challenge' phase, integrating various foods slowly and seeing how my throat, skin, and rest of my body, emotions, sleep, mood, and energy level respond. When I'm back on a full regular diet and have a scope procedure to see if my esophagus looks constricted, and possibly if it has cells indicating allergic response, I'll have enough info to make decisions about treatments, including a permanent lifestyle change. By then though, I think my body will have told me what I'll need to do! 

     In the meantime, here is a recipe that I customized to my own liking, adapted from the blog above. You can change ingredients according to what is good for your own body. Start with where you are at: can't afford or don't have organic available? Use any fresh veggies, peel off outer layer or skin, or wash with mild soap and water and rinse well instead; Not sure about quinoa? Try brown jasmine or basmati rice for your first try at nutritious whole-grain complex carbs! Don't like one of the ingredients-get creative and substitute what you love!

    My adaptation is GF, highly nutritious, easy to make, inexpensive-what have you got to lose? (as a pleasant side effect, I've lost 7 pounds so far eating foods like this, have not gone hungry, and enjoy the colors and meditative effect preparing the meals):

Izumi Joi Golden Qi GF Quinoa Cabbage Soup

1 C. cooked quinoa

3T extra-virgin, cold-pressed organic olive oil

3 t. honey or agave

3 small onions, or equivalent

3 large carrots, cut into matchsticks

3 small pinches cayenne pepper

3 T. grated fresh ginger (ok to leave skin on while grating)

1 head of garlic, cloves peeled, and crushed or chopped

1 C. thinly sliced shitake or other mushrooms

1 stalk lemongrass stem, sliced thinly in diagonal rounds

1 t. Herbamare or sea salt

6 cups water or vegetable broth

1 more t. Herbamare or salt, if desired

2 cups or more thinly sliced cabbage (savoy/Napa/green work best)

1/2 C. chopped cilantro

1/2 freshly squeezed lime

freshly ground black pepper

1/4 ripe avocado, per serving, cut into chunks

pine nuts, for garnish

Thin round slices of lime, if you want a fancy garnish.

1) Cook the quinoa (if you haven't already), rinse, drain, set aside.

2) Heat very large (6 qt+) pot over medium heat, add olive oil, onions, agave or honey. Saute until onions begin to carmelize/turn golden, about 10 min. Use a steady heat, not too high to avoid burning or over-browning.

3) Add carrots, cayenne, ginger, garlic, mushrooms, lemon grass and Herbamare or salt-stir well so all are shiny and coated, about 5-10 min more.

4) Add water, remaining 1 t. salt and cooked quinoa, simmer 10-15 minutes, until carrots are tender.

5) Add cabbage, stir into the broth, only needs a few minutes cooking.

6) Add cilantro and pepper-you're done with the cooking!

-Place avocado chunks in bottom of individual serving bowls.

-Ladle in the soup.

-Top with pine nuts, and lime round if desired.

This soup is even good at room temperature or chilled, flavor is richer next day, if it lasts that long!

If you try it let me know how it turns out!

(Herbamare is a salt and herb seasoning. Sub w/herbs only to minimize sodium. Leave out anything you don't like or are not yet eating and it still turns out wonderful, full of healing nutrition, creating a golden "Qi" (energy) glow inside!)

Therapeutic Massage!

Everybody loves the idea of receiving a relaxing massage-but when is the last time you invested in your well-being and had a session?


For several years my practice has focused on providing energywork and offering yoga (to individuals or small groups). Now, a new 'tool for the toolbox'-therapeutic massage!


I'm currently in-training to become a licensed Massage Therapist in the state of Wisconsin, which has some vigorous requirements! I'm specializing in the Eastern modality tract at TIBIA school of massage, which is supremely in alignment with JSJ, and also allows me to learn/offer the beautiful service of Swedish massage for clients wanting a 'western' focus.


So, what makes it "therapeutic"?
Therapeutic means making a measurable difference, which means an assessment before and after the session. As an RN with a love for science, I have an interest in making a measurable difference for people in pain, who feel "something is missing in life", who want to develop ways to have greater self-awareness, or simply say "I need a retreat" or want relief from sore muscles! (Although massage may be for enjoyment and relaxation, I do not provide sexual massage.)

Lavendar fields, ready to be cultivated for essential oil production

Stay tuned for more about massage, and use of Essential Oils...

Simple healing techniques: let your fingers do the walking!

     Last post I mentioned holding your ring finger to bring about a sense of joy, or thwart off winter blues.

     This comes from a method/philosophy called Jin Shin Jyutsu ("jitsu") Physio-Philosophy™, or "JSJ". I've become a lifelong student of this Japanese healing art. It's akin to acupuncture or acupressure without needles, only gentle placement of hands or fingers on specific areas in particular sequences are used instead of needles. Here's a picture of holding the ring finger, with the thumb placed in the center of the palm. The palm center helps balance the larger "Main Central" energy pathyway, and the ring finger will help lift your mood.

I like the fact that it's a healing art rather than a prescribed technique,  because it allows me the freedom to incorporate my intuition, as well as years of nursing experience when applying flow patterns to alleviate a symptom.

     JSJ is in alignment with yoga philosophy as well as other Eastern approaches in that it's based on the idea that there are energetic pathways in the body, and when we have symptoms it's because energy gets blocked, or is excessive or weak, and these hand placements somehow help to let the pathway get cleared. It doesn't make scientific sense in terms of the  double-blind-controlled-study, gold standard-conventional medicine approach, so it doesn't qualify as "evidence-based medicine". However many Eastern and other traditional practices have worked for thousands of people for thousands of years, and yet don't fit those criteria. I wonder if maybe we aren't asking the right questions, or don't know how to set up the study well enough yet. I know for certain that there is a lot less funding to study CAM (Complementary Alternative Medicine) modalities, esp if they're difficult to measure.

I remember when massage therapy, acupuncture, and exercise for women after surgery for breast cancer were admonished, and now we have more information indicating that these are things that are helpful to alleviate pain and inflammation, prevent limited mobility, and reduce risk of cancer recurrence and other disease states.
There are many facets and complexities of JSJ, but one of the things I love most is that it can be REALLY simple. As simple as holding your fingers! This is a  great self-renewal tool for restoring balance and inner wisdom, and keeping that "generalized anxiety" feeling at bay. If you have ever felt out of sorts but don't know why, and esp. if meditation is not your thing, try holding your fingers! It supports healing the physical, is compatible with conventional therapies, and brings harmony back to many levels of one's being.

     Although there are many patterns, I've found the easiest tool for overall self-renewal is to simply hold the thumb, then each one of the fingers, on one hand, while breathing 3 slow deep breaths for each finger hold. If you notice pain, symptoms or tension on one side of your body, hold the fingers on the hand of that side first. If you have time, complete the session on the other hand as well.
A 'double whammy' benefit to speed things up a bit is to put your thumb in the center of your palm as you hold, as shown in the pictures. If you find this awkward, forget about putting the thumb in the center of the palm, and just wrap your fingers around each finger of the opposite hand-it still works very well! Even holding only one finger is beneficial. Next or future posting, I'll introduce the specific remedies each individual finger or thumb provides.
Free, can do it anywhere, can't harm you, and beneficial even when you have only a moment or two (like when you boot up your computer, are waiting to reheat your beverage in the microwave, are on hold while on the phone, etc.). What have you got to lose, why not try it?
Of course, it is frequent, consistent, repetitive applications of the finger holds that will help you to feel your optimum.
As a healing arts practitioner, I incorporate JSJ as well as Reiki when working with clients in the private practice; the idea in both of these Japanese-based theories is that receiving the hands-on-healing from a practitioner is a great way to get a 'jump start', to help you become more centered and balanced, and get your energy flowing. The most complete healing, or sense of feeling things are "right" in our life, you must continue with finger holds or other recommendations almost daily between sessions.
Future postings: possibly whole food energy, Reiki, more JSJ-Here comes 2010!!

Lift your Mood with exercise and Jin Shin Jyutsu

Winterwonderland in Wisconsin holds beauty in mysterious ways, like steam rising off Lake Monona the day after a big snowstorm (not to worry, traffic was stopped); and dazzling turquoise skies in single-digit weather; these taken on my morning commute, heading towards our capital (dome in the background below).

     Keeping the mood up is a challenge when days are gray tho'; ennui sets in as I unconsciously imitate what's happening in the elements all around me: withdrawing inward, eating more carb-rich foods, stillness. For a short period of time this retreat to the interior of buildings and the mind is beneficial-a slowing down, time to recoup from a fast-paced world, to enjoy hot steamy soups and cuddling.
      However, since winter's harshness lasts about 5 months here, it's easy to gain the proverbial extra 5 or 10 pounds every year, which by itself causes its own health problems, as well as being depressing and discouraging! (in general, people seem bigger in the northern midwest, but stats show 1/3 of all Americans now are obese)
      It takes a fair amount of self-talk to convince myself to get outdoors, but I never regret it when I do. I see things differently when on a walk, snowshoe outing, or hike. When I'm stable enough on cross-country skis I can look around (without falling or seeing trees whiz by on the downhill) and enjoy the surprises nature holds. I grumble before I get outside, then remember how much fun it is to GET UP AND GET MOVING!
      I exercise for mental health as well as physical well-being, and find the secret is to just do SOMEthing consistently: if you can't get outdoors, practice dancing, put on an exercise or yoga DVD, or do hip-hop to your own playlist...or just put on the layers if it's cold outside and get going. You don't have to like it, just do it; notice whether you feel better afterwards mentally, physically, emotionally. Personally, I'm a morning person and if I exercise at the beginning of the day, I'm more alert (without cafeeine) in the afternoon.

       To help myself get motivated, I play mental mind games by saying things like, 'I'm gonna challenge myself to do something I never did before...I'll go snowshoeing while it's still dark!" I lay out clothes and gear the night before. I stumble around at 5:30 a.m., flip on my headlamp, and head for the path in the woods behind our house. (The path isn't really icy, it's just strange-looking in the photo, but afterall it's taken with a headlamp and my iPhone!)

Once my arms and legs start pumping, the grumbling goes away, and I focus on my breath...I remember when I had cancer 15 years ago, and my presenting symptom was that annoying dry cough, and not being able to catch my breath...I am filled with gratitude to be here, breathing, fully alive! All my parts are working, and I feel the energy amp up in my body as I breathe...I imagine my breath traveling up my spine, over the top of my head and whooshing down the front of my body, washing stress away down and out through my feet. My shoulders release, and a Cheshire Cat-grin begins to appear as I stop to appreciate the living energy in the midst of what looks dead in this winter environment.

   Something shines in the corner of my eye and I look up...snow! What keeps it there?

             And crystals clinging to a branch! There is a tension, an energy holding molecules of ice together...

I tromp on, appreciating this beautiful land; up and down a few hills, past the meadow that is someone's back yard, and back towards home again. I stop now and then to listen to the silent dark morning air-a stark contrast to when the cleats on the snowshoes are hitting the crisp trail with crunchy vigor! Believe it or not, I even run (sort of) for a little while. Absolutely enlivening...same trail on another day we saw a treat: candy cane on a tree, and ice sculptures with a texture that looked like a wintry fungi, compliments of Mother Nature:

How could I have NOT wanted to get out and see that?

"Wisdom taught me I am nothing
Love taught me I am everything

Between the two, my life flows"

~ Sri Nisargadatta

      I feel a resonance in my body with these elements of nature, as harsh as they may seem in their crystal coldness...it is, after all, water, transformed into vapor or solid form...different, yet with the same properties as the warm liquid water comprising up to 60% of my own body, 70% of my brain, 83% of my blood, and nearly 90% of these breathing lungs and ...I recognize that the life energy creating this pristine frosty beauty that is present in nature and all things, is also present within me. Of course, spiritual writings thousands of years old present this concept of non-duality, such as in the quote "Thou Art That" ("tat tvam asi" in Sanskrit), or when Jesus said "I AM"; and here it is today... spurred on by exercising in a setting of nature...such a meditation! My mind relaxes...and my body keeps moving through space.
It was a 40 minute 'shoe trip wonder!  :>D
      A very important part of goal setting is giving oneself the reward after accomplishing what you set out to do. In this case, at the end of the trail: the hot tub awaits!!

Later in the midst of a busy workday, I use a simple technique to keep my spirits lifted-I place my right thumb in the palm of my left hand, and hold my right ring finger as I breathe, and feel the joy and energy of the morning pulsing in my hands and my entire being - Jin Shin Jyutsu ("jitsu"), more about that and hands-on energy healing in future postings...try it yourself, switch hands after 10 breaths...

BETTER THAN BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S

   Lately it's food that I'm most interested in. Like millions of other Americans. Only I'm not so interested in dieting and weight loss as I am about the influence of food on our perception of self, on energy level, about where the food I eat or prepare comes from, and what it does to the body, and sustainability, in the long run.
   I like to look at the food I'm eating; I feel better when it's pretty. Even better: good for me. Breakfast today:
Half-decaf cappuccino (NF organic milk, not too much caffeine) with cinnamon (anti-inflammatory), in my favorite Lotus coffee cup from my friend Pam (love energy and Buddhist/Hindu icon for spiritual growth). I try to drink a glass of water before coffee, tip from a marathon coach 10 years ago (thanks Coach Al!) to stay hydrated.
   The beautiful orange mandala is a Fuyu persimmon sliced crosswise, my FAVORITE birthday present from my Mom! Thanks, Mom! Her friend grows them, an autumn seasonal fruit loaded with beta carotene.

• 1 persimmon (Fuyu is shaped like a tomato, not like an acorn) 
• 1/2 slice of wholewheat bread, each slice topped with
• 1/2 tsp. of peanut butter (organic, no transfats for me), and
• 1/8 tsp. tahini (sesame seed butter, organic)-Less than 250 calories.

Check out Mike's Calorie & Fat Gram Counter or, if you want to keep a log My Pyramid Tracker

Yeah, I know-they keep changing and adding to that dumb pyramid, but at least it's a tool so you don't have to look up charts all the time, you can enter your common foods and the data base keeps it and there's visual charts and stuff.

   I'm lucky to have been raised in a family that took pride in growing and preparing much of their own food. My mother is Japanese, an artful cook who seems happiest in the kitchen, intuitively offering just what you need to lift your spirits and feel welcome (or maybe too much, she always makes sure there is plenty even if you drop by unexpectedly). And Dad, well, he did things like grafting peaches onto an apricot tree,'tilled the garden and expounded on the evils of too much soda pop. Lots of fresh food!

   Colors, shapes, textures, beautiful energy of real food...good medicine! See you next Wednesday...IJ