(Photo Credit: Heather Katsoulis)

“Nothing more excellent or valuable than wine was ever granted by the Gods to man. -Plato

It’s no secret that I love red wine. I acquired the taste about twenty-five years ago when  studies about the benefits of red wine for heart protection, disease prevention and ant-aging became popular. I remember the old people use to say that everyone needs a little nip here and there, to get us through a day. Society now is consumed with combating the plague of stress and I believe that God made an abundance of things, that in the right balance and context; are meant to liberate and heal us from the effects of the world.

Newfoundlanders are famous for their Blue-Berry Wine; a very potent Super Food appreciated for its extremely high antioxidant content. While Super Foods are high in antioxidants, they also posses high levels of mandatory nutrients. The concept of Super Foods came from Dr. Perricone a well-known dermatologist who devised the most potent diet and supplements systems for anti-aging purposes. Dr. Mehmet Oz is an Oprah favorite guest and also another fan of the Perricone concepts. In this link featuring one of Dr. Oz’s appearances with Oprah, he explains the benefits of Red Wine for anti-aging purposes. http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/slideshow1_ss_oz_20080205/5

Benefits of Red Wine

• Wine helps elevate mood and enhances muscle relaxation and tension (Note; too much alcohol of any kind, causes depression);
• Wine also increases the body’s absorption of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc, thus aiding towards’ preventing osteoporosis;
• The high iron content of Red Wine increases it’s mineral value;
• It is high in flavonoids (antioxidants) in Super Foods known as Resveratrol, is produced naturally by certain plants to aid under attack by bacteria or fungi. In wine, the Resveratrol comes from the grape skins and seeds. Resveratrol helps to prevent free radicals from damaging cells and thus reverses the aging process.
• Laboratory studies have shown that Resveratrol can cause certain cancer cells to self-destruct, suppress the growth of prostate cancer cells and prevent colon cancer;
• Studies show that one of the antioxidants, Saponin, contained in Red Wine, can reduce the levels of cholesterol, thus decrease the build up of plaque and protects the heart;
• Red Wine in your bath can give your body a beautiful color and glow;
• Red Wine as a facial tonic will give your face a youthful glow, and work as an astringent  to constricts the blood cells and tone your face while killing cleaning the pores and killing facial bacteria.

 More about Wine and Resveratol:  http://www.benefits-of-resveratrol.com/health-benefits-of-drinking-wine.html

I’ve spoken about the concept of being Comfortable Numb for years. It is my own term for when people lack passion and purpose in their lives and is a state of being far deeper and more dangerous than being depressed. In this state you have pretty much fallen for a lie about who you are and why you’re here. The lie has suppressed you, you’ve settled, you’re hollow and worst of all comfortable with being so. You may even be so comfortable with your lies and misery that you will fight violently to stay in it. In this state, there are people and environments around you, intent on diminishing you.

There are Three Stages to Comfortable Numbness:

Stage 1) Suppression: In the suppression stage, you are held down, controlled and/or manipulated by people in your personal life or career. I call these people Spiritual Conspirators. Usually conspirators notice that you are intellectually, spiritually or physically out of their league and so they are motivated to drain your energy to feed and advance them selves or they want to recruit you to lower your standards and be like them. There are a variety of ways conspirators do this, but the common tactics are; distracting you, playing mind games, confusing you, intimidation, abuse, using guilt, obligation, pity or drama, attacking your esteem, sleep, privacy, freedom, identity, popularity and judgment. Conspirators don’t want to see you challenged. They want you laying low. They don’t want you to move too far or do too much. They don’t want you to think to big or to be creative.

Symptoms of Suppression:
-Failure to use the head or heart effectively;
-Feeling of disconnect from something significant;
-Feeling of an external conquering over your inner desires;
-Feeling inhibited or controlled to effectively showing emotions, desires, impulses, or behavior;
-Feeling of being put out of your consciousness;
-Feeling misunderstood or kept from public knowledge;
-Feeling or dreams of being smothered, stifled or strangled;
-A mental, pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity;

Stage 2) Depression: In the second stage of depression, you have by now given up, complied or have begun to really buy into the lies, standards and manipulations. Usually in the depression stage though, you do know on some level, that you are giving into some conspiracy around you. Deep down or in phases, you know it and it saddens you. Depression is a state of spiritual sadness or regret for where you are and what you have complied to. No matter what the mind and body forgets and ignores, the spirit remembers and causes you to feel. Depression is contrast to elevation. It is a term for movement in an inferior direction.

Symptoms of Depression:
-Depressed mood or sadness most of the time;
-Lack of energy and feeling tired all the time;
-Inability to enjoy things that should bring pleasure;
-Withdrawal from friends and family;
-Irritability, anger, or anxiety;
-Inability to concentrate;
-Significant weight loss or gain;
-Significant change in sleep patterns;
-Feelings of guilt or worthlessness;
-Aches and pains, with no known medical cause;
-Pessimism and indifference;
-Thoughts of death or suicide;
-Thoughts reflect that hopelessness and exaggerated self-critical thoughts;

Stage 3) Oppression: The last stage is oppression and it is the completed state of Comfortable Numbness. Oppression is when there is a spiritual void, darkness and nothingness about you. The spirit of life that should thrive in you is almost like an electrical short. It is so weak and rare that it can hardly be seen. When you are oppressed you feel nothing. You’re numb and you like it that way. No one is getting through to you. It’s much like what’s expressed in the song Comfortably Numb, by Pink Floyd, “You are only coming through in waves. Your lips move, but I can’t hear what you’re saying.” In oppression, many of God’s people forget and reject him. In the oppression state, there is so much emptiness, cold and darkness, that the spirit of life starts shorting out. It is in these moments of disconnect that our loved ones take their own lives.

Symptoms of Oppression
-Low self-image;
-Confusion in thinking, opinions and beliefs;
-Perceiving anger, hostility, in others when it doesn’t really exist;
-Nightmares causing fear or violent thoughts;
-Envy, despondency, restlessness or fear when encountering someone involved in Spiritual work
-Irrational fears, panic attacks, phobias or irrational anger/rage;
-Calculated personality, mood and attitude changes, like irrational laughter or crying;
-A dark aura, steely, hollow look in eyes, contraction of the pupils, inability to look in anyone’s eyes directly;
-Loss of time or blackouts;
-Pretence of extraordinary abilities; ESP, Telekinesis or Supernatural experiences;
-Negative voices are heard in the mind or narcissistic behavior;
-Long and regular seizures;
-Pain without justifiable explanation;
-Buzzing in ears, inability to speak or hear, sudden severe headache;
-Hypersensitivity in hearing or touch, sudden chills or overwhelming heat in body, numbness in arms or legs, temporary paralysis;

Another way of looking at suppression is to ponder the idea of “spiritual slavery.” Some one or environment has your best inner interest held in hostage. But when depression sets in, you are like a fish in a small tank. You begin to shrink, because on some level you believe what you see around you to be true. This is where “spiritual brainwashing” has the best of you. In the later stage of oppression, it is like the spirit of life has a restrain order on it, agreed by both the conspirator and you. This kind of “spiritual rape” is accomplished when the spirit of life is severed from your identity under false pretences. In 1778, Joel Barlow, American poet, published an anti-slavery poem entitled “The Prospect of Peace.” From September 1780 until the close of the revolutionary war, he was Chaplain in a Massachusetts Brigade. I believe Barlow understood the concept of Comfortable Numbness. He described oppression as a habitual submission to external forces and that this compliance destroys human consciousness. In this, men promptly lose the power of protecting themselves and eventually the ability to discern the source of their oppression.

~Chief Liz LaSaga
Photo by Gisela Giardino

Forgiveness is a sinless form of revenge.

I’ve spoken to individuals and audiences all over Canada about the great miracle that forgiveness is meant to deliver in our lives. The last session I performed stirred me to write this post.

I’ve always said that forgiveness is a sinless form of revenge. There was a time in my life when I was tortured with the wrong concept of forgiveness. I mistakenly thought, it meant that I had to befriend, accept or condone the offender on some level. Well, that concept was too difficult for me and as a result I ended up confused between unhealthy hate and being taken advantage of. Basically, I re-victimized myself because I was ignorant about the power of forgiveness.

I didn’t know that God our Creator does not want us to befriend, accept, or condone our offenders, in any way. My Catholic upbringing gave me mixed messages; that hate was bad and being a martyr to pain was good. Hate and anger is what many of us haven’t learned enough about in many organized religions. Many years of life trials and spiritual development brought me to the understanding that hate and anger are indeed virtues given to us by God. They are emotional reactions to toxic, spiritual interruption. In fact, we’re created to hate inequity. I’ve always said, that light and dark, are like oil and water, they don’t mix. In human form, they don’t like or compliment one another and they’re not suppose to. But exploitation or misuse of any good thing can consume and destroy us. Thus, the management of hate and anger is all about transforming them into conviction and passion. When you do this, you create a spiritual position, for yourself. In this position you have developed an ability to discern who your predators really are and what your true offenses really are. Offense is different for different people, so you can’t measure the nature of what offends you, the way other people measure theirs.

Forgiveness is a celestial-power, given to us all. The fact is, that every second, minute and day, that we remain stuck in unforgiveness, we are actually allowing ourselves to be re-offended by the same predator and trauma. I have often heard the quote, “Un-forgiveness is like pouring Miracle Grow on a poisonous plant.” You see, inside of us, certain cells retain memory of numerous upsetting and traumatic events and unless we clear those memories, our cells become infected with a very toxic energy. What this does, is make us sick. I am confident that the disease, cancer, is stimulated by the inability to clear. In fact, I tell people all the time that they have two weeks to clear with someone or something before this dangerous infection starts to manifest inside of you. It will enter your body and mind and eventually attack your quality of life and spiritual destiny. 

Forgiveness is one of the most powerful forms of clearing. Native Americans have always known this. One of the very many levels to accomplish to become a regarded Pipe-carrier, in our Mi’kmaq culture, is indeed the very mastery of forgiveness. It’s an extremely hard and complicated thing to accomplish. Many Pipe-carriers I’ve known, have been asked to forgive 1,000 people and thoroughly. It’s easier than you might think, though, and so powerful. We have two ways to do it; 1) we can manage to forgive the person created by God but NOT the offense; or 2) we can forgive the good intention, but NOT the offender. As a result, we derive celestial power, in our own lives.

Forgiveness is a sinless form of revenge because it is the power to free from the chains and binds that a predator or trauma has over you. All forgiveness calls you to do, is to clear yourself from being hostage. There is no more to it. You don’t befriend the predator or condone the act. You just release the predator and/or trauma from your consciousness. Forgiveness is the ability to kick iniquity out of your inner space and restore your life with all the awesome blessings God has stored for you.

~Chief Liz LaSaga

Photo by darkpatator

My love of Salmon has been the fuel of family jokes for a long time.  I’ve been accused of having the fishing skills of a Bear and it’s been suggested that I’m just savage enough to dive in and come up with a Salmon in my mouth! In the Mi’kmaq culture we respect the Bear for its mastery over the natural medicines and its great love for Salmon speaks to that inherent wisdom. The Bear seeks this rich food source to restore and preserve its body for a long winter of hibernation and significant physical depletion.

Significant attention has been given to the benefits of Salmon as it is the richest source of marine-derived Omega-3 and has potent anti-inflammatory abilities. It is well known for being beneficial for anti-aging, brain function, prevention of menopausal symptoms, cancer and heart disease, among other things. In my home, any Salmon dish is always a favorite as it’s one of Newfoundland’s natural blessings and a long time Mi’kmaq secret to traditional health.

~ Chief Liz LaSaga

Benefits of Salmon

• A 4 oz serving of wild salmon provides a full day’s requirement of vitamin D which is necessary for natural light/sun deficiency and mood elevation. It also improves muscle strength and reduces the risk of bone fracture;
• A serving also provides the body’s daily requirement of B12 which is important for maintaining a healthy nervous system and DNA production;
• Niacin, which is needed in the formation of red blood cells, some hormones and the production of hydrochloric acid, is also in abundance. Niacin supports the function of central nervous system and it great for health of the skin. It maintains normal digestive tract function and regulates cholesterol levels. It is used in supporting higher brain function and cognition, thus moods and psychological function;
• A serving of Salmon also provides the daily requirement of Selenium which can reduce the risk of cancer in several organs and prevent of a number of degenerative diseases including cancer, inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular disease, neurological diseases, aging, and infections. Selenium is also a known for its antioxidant properties which combat aging;
• A serving of Salmon is also an excellent source of B6 and Magnesium. Vitamin B is good for energy production, a healthy nervous system, good digestion, healthy skin, hair and nails. Magnesium helps keep the heart healthy, strengthens bones and helps the body absorb other important minerals such as calcium and potassium;
• Salmon is ranks highest in protein and the “good fat,” (Omega-3s) which reduces inflammation in our bodies. Reducing inflammation is the secret to preventing many health problems like heart disease, diabetes, stroke, cancer and arthritis. Omega -3 fats also can help prevent cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s and other age-related cognitive-decline problems. Sufficient levels of Omega-3s also assist with depression and other mood disorders.
• Finally, Salmon has one of the highest natural concentration levels of Resveratrol available. In Dr. Perricone’s book, “The Wrinkle Cure,” and in many of his other findings, he identifies Salmon as one of the premier Super Foods of the world. For a list of Super Foods go to: http://www.benefits-of-resveratrol.com/10-super-foods.html.

Photo by footosvanrobin

This piece has been around for a while now, but its message still holds true. And it’s in keeping with our feeling on the state of the world. So read on and give some thought to what you value most in life and why.

The Paradox of Our Time

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints; we spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too seldom, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life; we’ve added years to life, not life to years.

We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor. We’ve conquered outer space, but not inner space; we’ve done larger things, but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul; we’ve split the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less; we plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait; we have higher incomes, but lower morals; we have more food, but less appeasement; we build more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication; we’ve become long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships. These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer to quiet to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom; a time when technology has brought this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to make a difference, or to just hit “Skip Ahead”…

By Dr. Bob Moorehead

Photo by inoc

“Americans have more food to eat than any other people and more diets to keep them from eating it”-American Quotes

 In the Traditional Health section of this site, I will often make reference to the term “Super Foods.” Super Foods are foods that have been discovered in tribes and populations demonstrating uncommonly long life spans. The foods from these cultures are high in antioxidants and levels of the necessary nutrients that prevent, and even reverse, the effects of aging. The concept of Super Foods first came from Dr. Perricone a well-known dermatologist who devised a potent diet and supplement system for anti-aging purposes. Many of his books can be found at http://www.amazon.com.

I have been interested in the study of traditional healing and age reversal for years and I take the concept of Super Foods a step further. I happen to believe that every part of the world is blessed with at least one native food or herb that is an essential piece of the scientific puzzle of human health, anti-aging and longevity. For the Newfoundland Mi’kmaq; I see that our Wild Salmon, Berries and a variety of our native greens are deserving of their place on the list of the Super Foodst and I view them as ancient secrets and great blessings from God.

It is also important to know that nutrient-dense food is actually delicious! Just because it’s a good source of nutrient base, or has less calories, does not mean that you sacrifice taste. Equally enticing is the fact that Super Foods are richly vibrant and colorful, beautiful to look at. We live in a mass-production world that is all about fast living and fast food. Every naturally occurring resource possible has been over processed and modified. We have to acknowledge that because of this artificial “improvement” to taste and visual appeal, our ability to make good food choices has been weakened and distorted. That’s why it is often necessary to re-acquire a taste and appetite for healthy food.

So as much as science struggles to find a pill or serum, the answers to age-reversal, disease prevention, and living a long and vibrant life are really simple and accessible. And you can find them, not at the drugstore but at your market and in your own backyards.

The main Super Foods are listed below. More about the Top 10 foods and the Super Food theory can be found at: http://www.benefits-of-resveratrol.com/10-super-foods.html

• Red wine, water, and green tea
• Avocado, broccoli, onions, peppers, soy, spinach, and sprouts, hot peppers, leeks, daikon radishes
• Açai, apples, blueberries, pomegranates, pumpkin, kiwi, oranges,and tomatoes
• Wild salmon, turkey, eggs
• Beans, barley, seeds, nuts, lentils, oats, walnuts and buckwheat
• Cinnamon, dark chocolates, garlic, honey, extra virgin olive oil (“cold pressed”), sea salt, yogurt & kefir
• Sea vegetables, irish moss, umeboshi plums, wheat grass, miso

~ Chief Liz LaSaga

Photo by mckaysavage 

Growing up, I would always hear the women whisper about, “The Change of Life,” and many times, I wondered and feared about how devastating it will be. However, in all the women I’ve known in my life, from all around the world; I have to say, that the percentage of them that do not experience menopause as a negative thing, is high. In fact, about twenty-five percent of women do not experience any symptoms of menopause at all. The Mi’kmaq women I have grown up around were so strong, so it’s hard for me to tell how it really impacted them, if at all. But in the last decade knowing that I’m approaching this stage myself, I have been looking deeply into the lifestyle, attitudes, diet and natural remedies that lend to a promise that “The Change of Life,” can be the most positive time of life for a woman, after all.

Reflecting on the issue of aging and its implications for women, reminded me of a movie I watched several years ago starring Halle Berry, “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” The movie takes places in rural Florida, where a young Janie (Halle Berry) was married off to an older man and forced to conform to the Southern ideals of marriage and womanhood. Her husband was abusive with her, eventually died and left her widowed, with an inheritance, at age forty. During the marriage, she was old in every respect of the word. I truly believe that people who are unhappy in love, age faster. But in her mourning period, she met a man twelve years her junior, Tea Cake (Terrance Howard), fell in love and ran away with him. This clip is what I think the best expression of how their love affair exposed her optimum age and her sexual vibrancy.

For me, the significant point in the movie was when Tea Cake told her it was like she saved all her young years up for him. The point of the movie is all about the self-discovery of a woman after age forty. I understand that after forty is a time in your life when so many combinations of YOU meet at the equilibrium point of your very LIFE; it’s the sexual, physical, emotional, mental, financial and spiritual assets all looking to converge and bless you, in harmony; if you give in to it. In this phase, a woman is at her optimum age and should look and have a tone about her that oozes wisdom, divinity, child-likeness and sensuality. It’s true you know? After forty, is the time you saved up to be young and a time to spend it!

~Chief Liz LaSaga

Photo by germanyengland

Further Reading

This menopause site http://www.geocities.com/menobeyond/positive.html; speaks to the positive outlook that women reported about menopause:

• Increased empathy;
• Freedom from monthly periods;
• No more worry about getting pregnant;
• Flashes of deep creativity and insight;
• The ability to problem solve more effectively and creatively;
• A balance of using both logic and intuition;
• A sense of deep autonomy, becoming more assertive and in control of oneself;
• Feeling grounded in the present moment; by avoiding dwelling in the past or obsessing about the future;
• Hot flashes sometimes act as pointers to underlying stress;
• Need for less sleep giving more hours in the day, thereby extending daily hours of productivity and creativity:
• New surges of emotions that enliven and energize and lead to new risk taking, adventures and rewards;
• Increased awareness of one’s own body and how it works;
• Periods of “Menofog,” brief vacations for the busy brain;
• Increased ability to laugh at flaws and moods and take oneself less seriously;
• The ability to discern petty things from things of more importance in life;
• The ability to find peace and quiet within oneself and to develop Wisdom through inner reflection:
• A sense of closeness with nature;
• Beneficial reassessment of lifestyle, habits and diet;
• Desire to clear out/up the accumulated emotional baggage;
• Recovering past joys, past interests and talents;
• The ability to remember dreams in detail and enjoy them;
• In creased sensitivity and the ability to cleanse emotional clutter by crying more spontaneously;
• The disappearance of hormonal migraines;
• Freedom in the empty nest stage to do explore and do more for oneself instead of doing for and pleasing everyone else;
• The ability to examine oneself with some degree of objectivity and to learn to accept and appreciate oneself;
• The ability to send off a signal that prompts others of trust and openness;
• A deeper bonding with other women;
• A greater ability to go with the flow of life and not harp so much on having to plan everything

Within this site, you will inevitably encounter some reference to the concept of Self-actualization. But what exactly is Self-actualization? Most simply put, it is the process of realizing the identity, destination and purpose of the authentic Self. Often the concept of personal-growth gets misconstrued for Self-actualization. While personal growth is indeed a process of expanding our horizons, improving ourselves and pursuing life-long learning, it is still only an element of the broader process of Self-actualization.

Two people can be on a similar personal growth path, and yet only one may be Self-actualized. For example, Linda might be expanding her horizons and struggling to increase her daily happiness in comfort and peace, yet is at ease with herself and recognizes and embraces all the lessons life is offering. She stacks each lesson as a blessing and gradually improves her quality of life and sense of self. She is growing in a state of self-actualization. Sarah, meanwhile, is also growing. Her mind is open to life’s lessons and she desperately wants to increase her happiness. Yet, she is not at ease with her lessons. She measures her progress by worldly acceptance and finds discomfort in change, challenge and crisis. Sarah is growing within the confines of the world and not outwardly in the in limitless space of Self-actualization.

While theological and ritualistic ideals differ in cultures and religions, there is at least a common understanding that the authentic Self (the Spirit) is omnipresent, having no beginning, no end, no destination and yet every destination. Thus, the process of actualization is also limitless, timeless and endless. Dr. Abraham Maslow explained that it is a process where no one in any place or time can arrive at a point where they can simply say, “Now I am self-actualized. I don’t need to grow anymore.”

The Self-actualization has its own inherent emotional, tangible and spiritual rewards, such as, but not exclusive to, the following attributes:

-An innate ability to recognize small miracles and opportunities which seem to be pre-determined just for you.

-An inner feeling of fulfillment, self-acceptance and joy that makes the ego invulnerable to insult.

-An intuitive discernment between supportive and manipulative people and situations.

-An inner acceptance to fully and effortlessly embody any belief that enhances your life.

-An insatiable need to discover your unique largest purpose in life – why you are here, what you are living for and what you have to contribute.

-An increasing power to develop skills and advanced natural competencies.

-An inner resilience to overcome adversity and to avoid or quickly recover from any setback.

-A natural easiness to meet even the most challenging situations with humor, dignity and grace.

 -A feeling of inner satisfaction that is immune to addiction and the detrimental consequences of negative emotional states.

The process of Self-actualization is ultimately a powerful and positive one. But as fulfilling and inspiring as it may become, often we are faced with deep disappoint, challenges and daunting tests of our faith and courage.  Self-actualization does not appear at a common milestone or age for everyone. Each of us are unique and the so the timing and style of the process is unique to us all. However, I have observed a general pattern which seems to fit for all the Self-actualized people that I have encountered.

The process can slowly unfold and mature over the full course of an individual’s lifetime or can repeat itself a few or in some cases many, many times over in a lifetime.

Stage One:     A change, opportunity or trip taken to reflect a desire for a better life.

Stage Two:     A stage of dramatically increased, deep emotional sensitivity.

Stage Three:  An insatiable thirst for Spirituality, identity and curiosity for true purpose.

Stage Four:    An unexpected life change, a great leap of faith or a major crisis, while the individual’s faith, peace and inner joy remains ironically strong and confident.

Stage Five:      A stage of advanced intuition, psychic-sensitivity, wisdom and personal conviction.

Stage Six:       A graphic series of testing the individual’s Spirit, personal knowledge, conviction and purpose in life. Confusion and then clarity.

Stage Seven:  A series of practice, achieved milestones, acceptance, insight and peace.

Understand that your process and purpose is like an image on television screen. Everything you’ve done and experienced up to this point is a part of that picture. Wherever you are now, whatever you are going through, trust that this time and place is simply like a pixel of that image–it’s not the whole picture. You may be in a dark pixel that is simply a fragment of the pupil of a beautiful eye or shadowed crease in cupped hands. Or you may be in a light pixel which is the gleam streaming from the middle of the very pupil or the bright white tip of a single gull feather.

Any one of these larger pieces may itself be the entire focus of the picture, or it may be a tiny, hardly visible detail of a much larger picture. The fact is, that as you actualize, you move from pixel to pixel, gradually finding clarity in the picture that is your life purpose. The sad reality is that you can become trapped in a pixel of darkness by a habit or belief that prevents you from acting and moving forward with conviction. More often than not, it is fear and ignorance that leaves us stuck and unable to claim the gift of our pre-determined purpose and ultimate happiness.

~Chief Liz LaSaga
Photo by daita

Society today is congested with many types of toxins or more accurately, poisons. Poisons are accumulated by exposure to chemicals, atomic energy, petrochemical residues, metals, viruses, parasites, worms, infectious bacteria, mold and fungus. These harmful elements exist in air we breathe, the food we eat, the liquids we drink, as well as drugs and alcoholic. Because of the invasive nature of these contaminating toxins, our systems cannot possibly filter it all, the result being illness, fatigue and a loss of overall well being.

MIND Detoxification

Natural detoxification is a way of Cleansing our bodies and maintaining health and longevity. But Cleansing the physical may not be enough unless the source of the poison is first treated. In most cultures there is a distinct understanding about the connection between the organs and the emotions. This belief suggests that the body confesses the emotional poisons (issues) in a physical manifestation of illness. When the following emotions are transmuted into internal issues, or are suppressed, they trigger an illness or disease in the connected organ.

Anger is expressed through the Liver.
Fear is expressed through the Kidneys.
Worry is expressed through the Spleen.
Sadness is expressed through the Lungs.
Lack of Peace is expressed through the Heart.

It is important to avail of resources and supports (this site can definitely be one for you) that can advance your emotional intelligence and assist you in eliminating any internal beliefs or traumas that may ultimately be poisoning you.

BODY Cleansing

As the liver becomes congested, it has difficulty removing toxins which then build up in the body. This congestion can lead to issues with digestion, food sensitivities, fatigue, low-grade depression, as well as many other discomforts. Similar to the liver, the gallbladder can become choked and results in poorly digested food, diminished nourishment, deficiencies in vitamins and minerals, and other health issues. As food moves through our systems through the large and small intestines, food particles and other toxins, parasites and Candida build up inside the intestines. This also causes trouble with the ability to digest food and absorb nutrients from food. Many worms, parasites, viruses, infectious bacteria will live in the intestines and other organs. These organs eventually become narrower, malfunction, and create a variety of serious health issues.

The following detoxification recipes will eliminate the top layer of the toxins of the intestines, but it would take a month to six weeks of colon cleansing to scrape off the cumulated debris and reduce the damage at the cellular level.

Disclaimer: These are natural home remedies and like all home remedies, may or may not supported by the medical industry and should not replace a doctor’s advice or recommendation.

Common symptoms of any detoxification are fatigue, nausea, headache or other flu type symptoms. These are actually healthy indicators as the toxins are leaving your system. The symptoms should be should pass within 5-10 days. You should eliminate milk, dairy, white and brown sugar, artificial sweeteners, reduce fat intake and only eat organic vegetables, meat, rice, and fruits for about 3 weeks before you begin a colon cleanse. It is also important to eliminate about 90% of your wheat and grain intake, and have no more than 2 cups of coffee each day. Colon cleanses should be done twice a year and are exceptionally important for menopausal women.

Gallbladder and Liver Cleanses

“Apple & Olive Oil Cleanse”: Day 1: Start in the morning with 8 oz of apple juice. Then every 2 hours drink 16 oz of apple juice, repeat five times over the course of the day. Use only natural unfiltered apple juice, no chemicals or sweeteners, preferably made fresh from organic apples. Do not have any food on this day. Day 2: Repeat the juice routine of the first day. No other food is too be consumed during this period. At bedtime, drink down at once, 4 oz olive oil.

“Beets, Lemon, Apple & Honey Cleanse”: Mix together: 2 oz. juice of raw beets and greens of beets, 3 quarts water, 2 cups fresh lemon juice and 2 tablespoons raw honey. Make fresh, unfiltered apple juice from organic apples or use purchased unfiltered organic apple juice. The following routine should be done for 2 or 3 days. Start with 2 glasses apple juice. *In two hours have 2 glasses beet/ lemon/ honey juice and two hours later have 2 glasses apple juice. *Two hours later have 2 glasses beet/ lemon/ honey juice. *Two hours later have 2 glasses apple juice. *Two hours later have 2 glasses beet/ lemon/ honey juice. *Two hours later have 2 glasses apple juice and finally, *two hours later have 2 glasses beet/ lemon/ honey juice

Colon Cleanses:

“Clay Cleanse”: Bentonite Clay and a cleanser such as Psyllium husks and take for 7 days.

“Herbal Cleanse”: A combination of yellow dock, onion, sage, wahoo bark, and rhubarb root OR try a combination of white pine tree bark, mugwort, myrrh, chamomile, catnip, and mullein.

“Coffee Cleanse”: 1 tablespoon glycerin in 1 cup of coffee.

“Spleen and Liver Juice Cleanse”: You will need: 2 Quarts Concord Grape Juice, Juice of 6 Oranges and Juice of 3 lemons. Cut the white of the lemon in small pieces. Boil this in a little water for 10 minutes. Mix this mixture with all the juices and add enough water to make 1 gallon. This is a one-day supply of your food/drink intake. Day 1: The first day when you wake, drink 8 oz hot water with 2-3 fresh lemons squeezed into it. From then on, eat whenever hungry, stewed tomatoes and tomato juice. Drink hot water and lemon or tomato juice whenever you feel like it. Do not worry about the following day, because it will be exactly the same. Day 2: Do the same routine as day one, but at bedtime drink a mixture of; 3 oz olive oil, 2 oz castor oil, and 3 oz whipping cream. You can chew a small piece of lemon after drinking this, just for taste.

SPIRIT Detoxification

In combination with a mind and body detoxification, it is important to consider that in addition to the digestive system, elimination system, and nervous system, also exists within and around us, an energy system. As much as our physical system requires Cleansing, our energy systems can become congested negative influences. Since, the body, mind and spirit are inter-connected, the chemicals, metals and atomic toxins that exist in our physical bodies clutter up the energy systems so that energy cannot move through and around you at the optimum rate.

~ Liz LaSaga

Tactics of Manipulation

Everyone has a natural tendency to rely on a form of control in their dealings with others. It’s within our nature to have these styles and feel inclined to use them in response to real or perceived threats.

The ugliness of this mechanism becomes clear when self-preservation stops being the motivation and a desire to shape another person’s personal progress, compromise their free will or guarantee a desired outcome, becomes the underlying reason for these manipulations.

There are three levels of personal Control Dramas:

Healthy-Driven:

These individuals are aware of their natural style and inclination to control, but instead make a conscious effort to use alternative ways to communicate their needs and desires in a way that supports a healthier interest for those concerned.

Unconsciously-Dangerous:

These individuals employ control dramas and genuinely don’t realize they are victimizing another person by doing so. There is no ill intent here as these individuals come by their styles naturally and unconsciously but may still be considered harmful or dangerous.

Deliberately-Dangerous:

These individuals pose the greatest risk to those they interact with. They have an awareness of their actions but have little regard for the implications. They will rely on a combination of the following styles and tactics to manipulate and control people and situations.

1. POOR ME

The “Poor Me” is a passive-aggressive and the most secretly manipulative of the four styles. This person will portray a false sense of being a victim in order to appeal to another person’s compassion, guilt or obligation through the manipulation of their sympathies.

This person causes disharmony by creating feelings of guilt and obligation, or a need to appease or conform the person to their desires and beliefs.

Mechanisms of this drama include: procrastination, forgetfulness, stubbornness, lying, dramatizing, sulking and intentional inefficiency. These individuals consistently externalize blame onto others. They have great difficulty taking responsibility for their actions without becoming argumentative or more manipulative. Despite a false presentation of assertiveness and self-confidence, these individuals are very envious of others, resentful of their peers and partners and their self-confidence is extremely poor.

 How to diffuse:

Angry confrontation is ineffective as it just perpetuates the victimization and facade by giving the “Poor Me” and their supporters more to justify and fuel to re-enforce the drama.

The best response is to avoid being thrown off balance by their ploys and avoid buying into their guilt. Keep a sense of perspective and emotional distance while maintaining priorities and boundaries. Confront their games and have a clearly stated and firm position. Evaluate the real extent, need or desire that is behind their manipulation and only give the appropriate amount of compassion.

2. ALOOF

The “Aloof” is just a less passive and manipulative than the “Poor Me,” but more secretive. The “Aloof” approach is to create a vagueness and facade around themselves, forcing an undeserved investment of energy to gain information, commitment and emotion which should normally be shared in a straight-up, direct way.

Essentially, they are “high maintenance” causing the other person to work hard at breaking through their facade in order to identify their true needs and desires.

By their indirectness, their tact, and their façade, they appeal to us but as we try to develop an intimate or collaborative relationship, they retract, become distant and unapproachable. They do this because they are afraid that their inner secrets, fears, inadequacies or machinations may be exposed.

How to Diffuse:

These are individuals who are wounded by a perceived betrayal of their expectations. They believe that essentially no one can be trusted fully. After having exchanged trust and intimacy with someone, they may suddenly turn against the very person they were getting close to. The most effective way to deal with this style is by avoiding the defensive behaviors. Indulging their behaviors will only fuel their anxieties, fears, and mistrust. The key is to call the individual on their behavior and underlying fears. Typically, the individual will either admit to the observations or they will take the extreme step of severing the relationship.

3. INTERROGATOR

More aggressive but less manipulative than the two passive-secretive types, the “Interrogator” uses this style of drama by evaluating and asking questions with the specific purpose of finding something wrong or corrupt.

If they find something, they can evoke a sense of conscious in a person that confuses and criticizes their intent, position or commitment. If this strategy succeeds then the individual being criticized is pulled into the drama which will never resolve in their favor.

The trap lies in the individual feeling consistently judged by the “Interrogator” and paying attention to what the “Interrogator” may be thinking and feeling about them.

How to Diffuse:

Don’t be drawn into a never ending cycle of accusations and explanations with the “Interrogator”. This is a tactic meant to perpetuate confusion and uncertainty. Avoid defensive behaviors like cowering back and giving in; recognize that the questioning is a set-up to prove their fears or perceptions. Confront the reasoning or intent behind the questioning. The “Interrogator” will then likely re-frame the questioning in a way that is more genuine to what he or she really needs to know. Don’t surrender to anger or frustration. The key is to be patient, moderate and confidently firm about your integrity and character.

4. INTIMIDATOR

“Intimidators” are the most aggressive of the four types. Their presence is well stated and felt and there is a threatening air of danger conveyed from them. They are unpredictable and can threaten, use harsh words and abusive actions uncontrollably. They will demonstrate a capacity for rage or violence.

They also attack self-esteem by creating unwarranted guilt, a sense of worthlessness, a feeling of incompetence, and of course, fear. Often the “Intimidator” will also express threats publicly and boast illustrations of how they dealt with or destroyed others in the past.

How to Diffuse:

“Intimidators” often attack when others are least able or unwilling to confront them. The best response for dealing with them is to 1) name the game, 2) consider whether the accusations are right and correct and 3) refuse to be knocked “off balance”. Where possible, create distance from the individual to minimize control but stay close enough to know what he or she doing. When the “Intimidator” recognizes that the tactics can’t overcome resolution or haven’t invoked fear, the individual may get uglier and plan a more dramatic move. Patience, control and persistence will eventually outlast the “Intimidator”.

~ Liz LaSaga