Healing Properties in Tea

By Aja Uranga-Foster, Certified Holistic Lifestyle Coach

*This article is for reference purposes only, and is not intended to provide medical advice. Talk to your doctor or holistic healthcare practitioner about what is best for your healthcare and wellness plan.

More and more people are waking up to the fact that while modern medicine is a wonderful invention for many health needs, it is not the answer for every kind of healing. Today I would like to get you thinking about healing properties found in teas. Teas are one of many healing tools available to you.

There are many healing properties and illness-preventative properties that have been found in teas of all kinds. For example, below is an interesting article about healing properties found in caffeine-free dandelion tea (easily found by searching on your web browser) during a study on its effects on cancer cells. 

Treating illness can be very complex. So why not explore healing options now for your own personal wellness "tool kit"? Many people from cultures around the world can share information with you about illness-preventative and healing properties from teas that they have experienced in their own lives. 

Here is the article about dandelion tea:

( Re-post from http://rawforbeauty.com/blog/ )

Researchers in Windsor, Ont., have received an additional $157,000 grant for a total of $217,000 to study how effective dandelion root extract is in fighting cancer.

Siyaram Pandey, a biochemist at the University of Windsor, has been studying the anti-cancer potential of dandelion root extract for almost two years.

His team’s first phase of research showed that dandelion root extract forced a very aggressive and drug-resistant type of blood cancer cell, known as chronic monocytic myeloid leukemia, to essentially commit suicide.

Researchers then discovered that repeated treatment with low dose dandelion root extract was effective in killing most of the cancerous cells.

Those initial findings landed the research team a $60,000 grant from Seeds4Hope, which provides money for local cancer research.

Pandey then applied for continued funding from the Lotte and John Hecht Memorial Foundation. That $157,000 came through earlier this week bringing the total to $217,000.
Pandey admits he was skeptical when he was first approached by local oncologist, Dr. Caroline Hamm, who was curious about cancer patients who had been drinking dandelion tea and seemed to be getting better.

“To be honest I was very pessimistic,” Pandey said in a statement. “She said it could be coincidental but it couldn’t hurt to see if there is anything.”

Hamm was convinced that the weed contains an active ingredient, but warned earlier this year that "it can harm as well as benefit."

She told CBC News in February that taking dandelion extract tea could interfere with regular chemotherapy, and she urged patients not to mix the natural remedy with other cancer drugs without speaking to a doctor first.

Pandey conducted a literature review and could only find one journal article suggesting dandelions may have cancer-killing properties. But he and his team of graduate students collected a bunch of the weeds anyway, ground them up with a mixture of water in a food processor and developed a simple formula they could experiment with.

They tested the formula on several lines of commercially available leukemia cells and much to their surprise, found that the formula caused those cells to kill themselves, a process called apoptosis.

“It was startling, but it was not that startling until we saw that it was non-toxic to the normal cells,” he said.

John DiCarlo, 72, says dandelion tea saved his life, after other medical treatments for his leukemia failed. (CBC News)
John DiCarlo, 72, was admitted to hospital three years ago with leukemia. Even after aggressive treatment, he was sent home to put his affairs in order with his wife and four children.

The cancer clinic suggested he try the tea. Four months later, he returned to the clinic in remission. He has been cancer free for three years.

He said his doctor credits the dandelions.

"He said, 'You are doing pretty good, you aren't a sick man anymore'," DiCarlo told CBC News in February. 

Original news story credit: http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2012/04/20/wdr-dandelion-tea-research-grant.html

Attunement Parties for All Relaxation Occasions

By Aja Uranga-Foster, Certified Holistic Lifestyle Coach

Our most popular holistic wellness services at Mighty are one-on-one life coaching sessions. But many clients have also experienced how much fun group coaching sessions can be. 

No, you won't have to share your deep, dark secrets in front of your friends or co-workers. Think of it more as getting together with your sports team to practice, or like attending a class at the gym with friends, but without all the physical movement. In an easy and fun 45 minute session, you and your group will feel the benefits of getting a 'tune-up' for your mind, body, and emotions. We call this type of service an "Attunement Party".

What kinds of groups enjoy Attunement Parties? 
* Work teams stressed out after completing a big deadline
* Mommy or Mr. Mom groups who need some rejuvenation and relaxation
* Brides and bridesmaids who need a breather before the big wedding day 
* Groups feeling nervous before a big presentation or performance
* Restaurant management teams recovering after a grand-opening or busy season
* Students feeling stressed before a big exam

There are so many more applications for this service, but this list above is just to give you ideas. Attunement Parties are especially great for fitting into your busy schedule. In just 45 minutes your group will feel the benefits of mind+body balance and relaxation. Peace, confidence, and a clearer head are just some of ways our clients describe how they feel after their sessions. Attunement Parties are customized to your group, and can include a wide variety of wellness discussion topics if your group would like to learn about how to improve their well-being for the long-term.

Any time you and your group are feeling exhausted, stressed, or just plain fried-out, Attunement Parties are an excellent way to rejuvenate and re-balance your mind, body, and emotions.

Sessions start at just $100 for up to 8 people, and anyone can do it*! No mobility or experience required. Enjoy the relaxing group space at the Mighty office, or you may request mobile service to your location in the greater Sacramento, CA region! 

Please contact us today at (916) 800-3866 or info@MightyMindBody.com for more information.


* Children under the age of 12 may not be suited to participate in an Attunement Party, depending on their temperament and interest in personal wellness. Feel free to contact us with any questions!



Fun AND Healthy: Spring Cleaning

From the Mighty Newsletter May 2013

By Aja Uranga-Foster, Certified Holistic Lifestyle Coach

The arrival of spring means longer days, more sunshine, and a time of renewal. Infuse the vibrant springtime energy into your daily activity with these tips!  

1) Clear out the body's internal clutter.

The topic of bowl movements is not typically polite conversation. But your bowl's regularity isliterally how your body clears out its waste. So it is important that you are being aware of your fiber intake. And many people find a gentle daily supplement-- such as the Ayurveda herbal blend Triphala-- is helpful to assist the body in the daily cleansing process. Several clients and colleagues have reported reductions in bloating and stomach discomfort after starting to take Triphala daily. You can find Triphala at your local Whole Foods in the 'whole body' department, and at many other natural products retailers.

2) Clear out clutter in your home.

Unused items stacked on shelves or crammed in closets are not just annoying places you have to dust during the year. They can actually cause energetic blocks in your home, which can cause tension and stress in your body. You can test this idea for yourself by going and looking into a cluttered closet or shelf full of items you never use. How does it make you feel? Would you rather close the door or ignore it? Do you feel anxiety or regret as you look at it? You deserve to have every inch of your home infused with peace and order. Tackle the job in chunks of time and clear out the clutter! It is an important part of the puzzle to create peace and balance in your life.

3) ...And in your car.

The same concept about clutter in the home also applies in your car. Crumpled papers, garbage, and loose change clanging around can cause layers of stress that can start your day off on the wrong foot. Why not enjoy your environment in your car? Simple changes in your car like vacuuming the carpets and detailing the console can work wonders for your feeling of serenity while driving.

4) ...And in your cyber world.

Take a day or two to file important emails, delete unnecessary ones, and unsubscribe from email lists you no longer care to read. Unsubscribe or delete people on your Facebook or Twitter who are negative or unhelpful. Allow your online "world" to become a peaceful place where you can connect with positive people. Any action that creates space, even cyber-'space', is helpful to remove energetic blocks in your life and create more peace and balance. 

5) Update your self-talk.

Has your internal dialogue to yourself in your mind been less-than-kind? We often tend to be our own worst critics. But guess what: it's a new day, and it's time to turn over a new leaf! Practice "turning the thought" when you catch yourself indulging in negative chatter in your mind: simply intercept a negative thought with a new, positive thought. Positive statements to yourself such as "I'm going to enjoy a rejuvenating 15-minute walk right now," or "I am thankful for my comfortable and cozy bed, and look forward to a great day tomorrow," can do wonders to bring your mind into the moment and poise it for a new stream of positive thoughts.

Enjoy and tell your friends!

Fun AND Healthy: Love and Mindfulness

From the Mighty Newsletter February 2013

By Aja Uranga-Foster, Certified Holistic Lifestyle Coach

Want to feel more love and peace in life? Don't we all? 

But daily life, duties, and inter-personal relationships can get so complicated and stressful at times. Thus, it goes without saying that we all feel overwhelmed at times... sometimes a lot of the time! The last thing that comes to mind when we are stressed and upset is love. So how do we get more of it, this elusive love?

Here's how:

Step 1: connect to this moment in gratitude. 

Step 2: balance the mind, body, and emotions. 

Step 3: repeat daily, even multiple times per day. 

Step 4: enjoy the well of love and peace you will find! 

"What?! But how do I do those 4 steps?" Well, there are many ways people try to accomplish these. But there are 2 notable methods that will help you accomplish all the steps above at once: 

Meditation 

and 

Mindfulness. 

You can search online for health benefits of meditation and mindfulness to read the latest research for yourself. An example can be found here for your reference to get you started.

Meditation is an ancient practice designed to help you turn on and amp up the love in yourself for life all around you. By slowing the mind down for a small period of time, you can assist the body to regain perspective, and gain/regain the ability to not sweat the small stuff.

Mindfulness is similar to mediation in terms of design, but it is simpler and requires less training than meditation. While the effects of mindfulness may not be as profound as the effects of mediation, much benefit to your wellness can still be gained. Many people who are not comfortable mediating find mindfulness exercises to be very helpful.

Here is a basic but effective mindfulness exercise you can do at home:

1) Bring your conscious awareness to what you eat and when. Allow your awareness to linger for 5-10 seconds.

2) Bring your conscious awareness to what you say, how you say it, and to whom. Allow your awareness to linger for 5-10 seconds.

3) Bring your conscious awareness to your movements throughout the day. For example, have you stretched? How is your posture? Allow your awareness to linger for 5-10 seconds.

4) Bring conscious awareness to this moment. What are you thankful for? Allow your awareness to linger for 5-10 seconds.

5) Repeat ANY of steps 1 through 4 at least 6 times per day for 30 days. But be sure to do step 4 at least once per day. Write down the steps if that will help you to remember!

At the end of 30 days, feel the power of increased peacefulness and loving appreciation for the "little things" in life. And surprise! You will have formed a good habit. Carry it through beyond the 30 days with ease.

Enjoy and tell your friends!

Fun AND Healthy: Confidence and Good Karma

From the Mighty Newsletter January 2013

By Aja Uranga-Foster, Certified Holistic Lifestyle Coach

What is your vision for this new year?  

Whether your goals for this year include de-cluttering the house, getting a new job, maintaining peace in your daily life, or any other aspiration, there is one key factor that is vital to your success: Confidence! Confidence will help you to turn your goal into a reality.

But where does one find confidence? It isn't something that you can buy on a shelf or order online. Sure, a great outfit or a new haircut can help with one's confidence. But ultimately it must be earned, often over a long time-frame. 

There are many ways to earn it, but there is a great double benefit available to you also: to earn confidence while simultaneously gaining good karma! A great way to accomplish this double benefit is to volunteer at an organization where you can help 'other beings' in a direct way. Those 'other beings' may be children at an after-school program, animals at a shelter, homeless at a soup kitchen, or so many other places. Helping others is a proven way to make us feel good, and over time this leads to building up that elusive thing we call confidence.

Use your imagination and determine what motivates you. Connecting your volunteer effort with doing something you enjoy will keep you motivated and enthusiastic about getting started. Do you love to work with your hands? 

Do you love to be outside? Do you enjoy helping people organize things? What else? 

In just a couple of hours, you can Google search for volunteer opportunities, call leads, and apply to volunteer. Then, follow up with your chosen organization and get signed up for volunteer training. And by this time next month, you will be on your way to gaining confidence and gaining good karma. A great 2-for-1 win for yourself and your community!

Enjoy and tell your friends!