Another Friend Dies - Lung Cancer and Smoking

I was studying in Goa back then, a time when Hippies drove caravans and mobile homes from as far as Germany to Goa and pitched camp on a cliff overlooking the sea in Little Vagator, Anjuna, Goa. I first met Reinhard at my cousin restaurant, 'Alcove', where i used to wait tables on my days off from college. It was his 5th trip to Goa in his old but well maintained Mercedes truck, which he had modified and designed into a mobile home. We connected over our similar music likes and thoughts about the universe, the sun, moon and stars. It was Reinhard who took me on my first Hippie trail and i got exposed to the magic of nature, the solace in star gazing and the simple pleasures of life like camping on a beach, learning to mix music, talking about life and living,eating different cuisines and marvelling over functioning of the human mind.

I remember the the early morning when i would ride over to Anjuna to have breakfast with him and he would sit with his pouch of tobacco and smoking paper and expertly role a cigarette. never once did he offer me a drag, and when i did ask him once if i could roll one, he simply stated that 'you do know that this is a bad habit and can eventually kill you'. I tried it, didn't like it, it didn't appeal to me in anyway. If there were other ways to get high, i would definitely find those ways, cause nicotine surely didn't do the trick. So i settled down to rolling those cigarettes for him .

 Over the months , we spoke about marijuana, hashish, psychedelics, snake bites and other ways that the works used to get high. I remember how we would discuss why people would want to use substances to get high and we figured or some the reason was purely fun, for others it was to escape reality, the stress and troubles of the worlds, for some it was just peer pressure and the need to fit in and for some it was just out of boredom or depression, we did also talk about the type who wanted to experience stuff just out of curiosity and innocence.

Reinhard finally drove back and st up camp in Andalusia, Spain for a couple of years, before heading back to Germany. He always had a dream to right a book about his ideas and philosophy about the creation of the universe.

A few months ago, Reinhard called me up to tell me that he was diagnosed with lung cancer.Nothing could be done, and he chose not to undergo chemotherapy when his doctors told him it could not guarantee a complete recovery. He told me about how we was leaving it all up to nature to take its course and said he hoped that i not gotten into the habit of smoking tobacco. He spoke about how agonizing it was for such beautiful life to be wasted because of a habit. although he was excited about discovering a new world on the other side. That was Reinhard, always happy, peaceful, generous, patient and extremely positive about everything in life.

Since I'm completely involved in the field of nutrition and cancer, i probed Reinhard with questions like how could he link the cancer to smoking? What if it was pollution, or maybe just radon levels in some place he had been for too long.

His answer was simple. Anyone can get cancer. You don't have to have a bad habit. You could just have a weak immune system, which is not strong enough to fight out germs, toxins, viruses. And no matter how healthy you are, you live in a world where the person smoking next to you is enough to inject over a thousand carcinogens into your lungs. We live in a world where we have no control over the kind of food we eat ( pesticides), the air we breathe or the water we drink.

All this means only one thing. We have to work harder to improve our lifestyles and make our immune systems stronger. As crime gets more sophisticated, the law needs to keep abreast y upgrading and changing to the latest technologies in order to offer protection. Apply this same principle to the human body.

If there was anything Reinhard regretted in his action packed life, it was smoking tobacco. He was certain that tobacco was the cause of his cancer.

Reinhard died a month ago, another victim to cancer, another end of a beautiful life.

We need to ask ourselves is it worth it in the end. It's a difficult decision. Yes, if you take it, your social life will suffer. Your friends who smoke tend to either force you to start again, or slowly drift away, unless you have good friends who actually see the reason you make this decision, respect it and support you right thru your journey of quitting.

It's ironic how a habit like smoking can destroy your entire, life, your career, devastate your family and loved ones. I am exposed to business tycoons and CEOS earning millions and puffing on a ciggy while they plan strategies for the next huge business move,,,,hmmmm,,,

Maybe you will be lucky and escape every sickness while you puff on one at the age of 92 and maybe you won't. Numbers and stats sure seen to tip over into the ' won't direction. I guess the choice is ours and the kind of stand we take in society to support and assertively compel people to kick the butt is of prime importance.

Another way of giving back to society is encouraging and actually helping people get of smoking. It's a great feeling when you are actually able to do this successfully.You life is worth so much more than just a cigarette.

A Warm Cup Of Healing Ginger Tea

Ginger is native to India and China.

Ginger has been important in Chinese medicine for many centuries, and is mentioned in the writings of Confucius. It is also named in the Koran, the sacred book of the Muslims, indicating it was known in Arab countries as far back as 650 A.D. It was one of the earliest spice known in Western Europe, used since the ninth century. It became so popular in Europe that it was included in every table setting, like salt and pepper. A common article of medieval and Renaissance trade, it was one of the spices used against the plague. In English pubs and taverns in the nineteenth century, barkeepers put out small containers of ground ginger, for people to sprinkle into their beer — the origin of ginger ale. In order to ’gee up’ a lazy horse, it is the time honoured practice of Sussex farmers to apply a pinch of ginger to the animal’s backside..

Ginger has long been ascribed aphrodisiac powers, taken either internally or externally. It is mentioned in the Karma Sutra, and in the Melanesian Islands of the South Pacific it is employed ‘to gain the affection of a woman’. Conversely, in the Philippines it is chewed to expel evil spirits. Ginger is a known diaphoretic, meaning it causes one to sweat. It was recorded that Henry VIII instructed the mayor of London to use ginger’s diaphoretic qualities as a plague medicine.

I can go on about the amazing health benefits of this root. Over the last few years, i have used  and shared this remedy with so many clients and friends  for so many conditions, and it has never failed to produce the desired results.

Flu
Common cold and cough
Stomach pain
Menstrual cycle pain
PMS
Digestive disorders
Cancer ( building immunity and cellular health)
Headaches and migraine
Lowering cholesterol
Controlling high blood pressure
Boosting immunity and cellular health
Arthritis, joint and bone pain
Anti-ageing properties
Stimulates blood rush to sexual organs

You can use ginger in food or just have it plain. I like it best in a cup of warm herbal brew.

Try this simple and healing herbal brew -

1 inch piece of ginger washed and peeled.

Boil it in water for 10 minutes with 2 cloves
Add a slightly spilt cardamom

Optional: Fresh lemon grass / Fresh basil for flavor

Simmer for 15 minutes

Strain and pour out into a mug. Add 2 pinches of powdered cinnamon,1 tsp of organic raw honey or jaggery.

Sip hot.

This drink will boost your immunity and make you feel better almost instantly. Make it part of your lifestyle.

( always check with your doctor especially if you are pregnant or have gall stone issues, before using ginger)

Disclaimer The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only.  My blog makes no representation and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of information contained on or available through this web site, and such information is subject to change without notice. You are encouraged to confirm any information obtained from or through this blog site with other sources, and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your physician.
NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS WEB SITE|*

Back to Nature - Knee and Joint Pain Cure

Over the last few years I've come to learn so much from our elders. Facts, remedies and wisdom that we can find no where in school books or Harvard white papers. The universe is certainly progressing in the fields of science and technology, so much so, that sometimes we forget that going back to nature, can be a simple solution. Using remedies and wisdom passed down from generations can be a simple, inexpensive and extremely safe way to prevent and cure disease and suffering.

Complicated solutions can lead to complicated results.

I was consulting with an elderly lady in Mumbai and she shared with me how doctors wanted to perform a knee replacement on her 64 year old husband. The doctors advised her to get the operation performed with two weeks for best results.

For several years a simple combination of fenugreek seed powder, turmeric and dry ginger powder was used to prevent and cure the most severe cases of joint pain and arthritis.

On further probing, this kind woman shared with me the proportions of this elixir.

50 grams of fenugreek seeds ground into a powder.

2 tbsp of turmeric powder

1 tbsp of dry ginger powder.

All of this is mixed and stored in an airtight bottle.

1 tbsp of this powder, every day in the morning, on an empty stomach with organic honey or jaggery, or simply dissolve it in water and drink.

Her husband never got that knee replacement done. It's been 3 years now and he is free of pain and recently back from a trek in North India.

This mix is something that we can all prepare and keep ready for use. Pain or no pain, it's a great anti-inflammatory mix, excellent for general health.

I've been using this mix daily, and i surely don't feel the dull throb in my joints that i used to feel the day after i run an 8k.

Try this out and share your experience.Spread the word as this is an inexpensive way heal.

 Author of ' Eat Smart, Move More, Sleep Right' - Book Link

 

Disclaimer The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this web site is for general information purposes only.  My blog makes no representation and assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of information contained on or available through this web site, and such information is subject to change without notice. You are encouraged to confirm any information obtained from or through this blog site with other sources, and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your physician.
NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS WEB SITE.

Our Health And The Irony Of Life - Welcome to my Space

I

I strongly believe that man complicates things way too much.

We have more gyms, health clubs and health foods available and we have more disease and obesity.

We have more elaborate security systems and we have more crime.

We have strong and multiple education systems and we have more children taking to

drugs and other illegal activities.

We have more money and less time.

We must understand that our bodies are built differently. What works for someone

else, may not work for you. Fitness is a result of so many factors: Your lifestyle, genes,

the food you eat, the kind of exercise you choose, the amount of sleep you get, and

most importantly, your mental attitude and the kind of goals you shape for yourself.

The concept of fitness, health and living has gotten twisted and complicated by man and has become expensive over time.

It's ironic how we complicate our lives more and more everyday. We strive to earn more and we neglect our health which later becomes a liability for us and our loved ones.

I recently counselled a business man who has built an empire over the years, and he mentioned how he achieved success, fame and fortune, but neglected his health along the way. Today, his knees and back aches every morning and through the day. Simple enjoyments in life, like a walk in the park with his grandchildren or a game of ball with his nephew has become arduous. He regretfully spoke about his money being of no use at this stage in his life.

How many of us know someone like this?

It comes down to valuing and doing the simple things in life, like treating our bodies with respect. Without the use of our body and mind, we have little.

Do you know what your life goal is? You will be surprised at the amount of people who do not know what they want or what their life goal is. That's not a bad thing. If you have one, make sure that your health is one of the goals and if you don't have a goal, you can start of with 'your heatlh' being one of them.

 For whatever your life goal is, you need a healthy body, mind and soul to achieve it.

You need your health to live a complete and whole life.

Welcome to my space. My intention is to share and receive knowledge and wisdom that can help humans 'prevent' and 'cure' with food and nature.

Through this space, it is my desire to beable to motivate people to get fit, build healthy lifestyles and contribute towards a healthier planet.

If you wish to write and contribute knowledge and wisdom to this blog, please let me know.