wellness – Michelle Berry

Daily Dinacharya

Ayurveda encourages us to live in harmony with ourselves and our environment, providing a framework of guidelines for achieving lasting peace and joy. Through the natural rhythms found all around us – day/night cycles, moon phases or seasonal shifts – it’s important that we adopt similar habits into our own lives; especially when considering that living life ‘at pace’ can easily cause imbalances within the body which result in mental and physical distress. Fortunately there are simple steps we can take daily such as following an individualized dietary plan, practicing truthfulness & incorporating appropriate rituals throughout each season to bring back balance.

Let’s start cultivating these beneficial routines today!

Meditation

At one point in time in my life Meditation was one of those things that was always elusive to me. I was a dabbler. Then when I was pregnant with my third daughter it became a staple in my life. After she was born I rooted in daily meditation even more. Then I became more structured with my meditation practices and even started practicing twice a day. Now my you get daughter is 5 and I can say that daily meditation has save my life and in times of stress and anxiety became even more important. I have tried many different times of meditation and its practices and on the solstice will release a meditation e-book.

Meditation has a long history of use for increasing calmness and physical relaxation, improving psychological balance, coping with illness, and enhancing overall health and well-being.

There are many types of meditation, but most have four elements in common: a quiet location with as few distractions as possible; a specific, comfortable posture (sitting, lying down, walking, or in other positions); a focus of attention (a specially chosen word or set of words, an object, or the sensations of the breath); and an open attitude (letting distractions come and go naturally without judging them).

Many studies have investigated meditation for different conditions, and there’s evidence that it may reduce blood pressure as well as symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and flare-ups in people who have had ulcerative colitis. It may ease symptoms of anxiety and depression, and may help people with insomnia. I know it helps me.

Most first-time meditators find it strange to sit in silence, to sit with their innermost thoughts and feelings, to sit and do nothing — the very things that, funnily enough, the mind tends to resist. To a beginner, meditation might initially feel a little alien, perhaps even daunting, but that’s okay. People have been meditating for eons, and many have doubtless experienced the same reticence, trepidation, or wonder that first-time meditators often feel.

Maybe you want to start meditating because you want to be less reactive, feel less stressed, or be more focused. Maybe meditating is part of a wider personal development plan of some kind. Or maybe you’re looking to improve your relationships with those around you. Whatever the reason, training the mind through meditation is training in awareness, and training in awareness offers the potential to fundamentally transform your perspective on life.

Our entire existence is experienced through our minds, and our perspective on life can dramatically alter once we begin meditating. Being inspired to start meditating is very different from actually doing it, however, have only felt the benefits of meditation by beginning and maintaining a regular practice. In order to understand meditation, simply do meditation. In order to calm your mind, you need to begin by simply sitting, take a few deep breaths…… and check out my Heart Centered Meditation ebook!

Love, Michelle

Low Iron

Iron is found in every cell of the body. I have struggled my whole life with having low iron levels, so naturally when I became pregnant and the volume of my blood increased my hemoglobin levels have been low. Hemoglobin is the substance in red blood cells that transports oxygen all over the body. If you don¹t have enough iron, your body has to work a whole lot harder to get the energy it needs, which has left me feeling tired, weak, irritable and unable to focus. The nurse practitioner suggested I take Ferrous sulphate, which is commonly prescribed to prevent and correct iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy, I chose to avoid it because ferrous sulphate is often times poorly absorbed by the body and taxes the organs of elimination – liver, kidneys, intestines – and can be very constipating. I chose to fight my extreme fatigue I have been experiencing caused by this iron deficiency, I first turn to iron-rich foods. By changing my diet, and adding iron rich foods I could see significant changes in your energy level within a couple of days.

Yellow Dock Root tincture that I made, its an herb widely used by herbalists as a general health tonic. It grows throughout North America and is used in Native American herbal formulas. You can purchase some at my online shop! Yellow Dock Root has historically been used as an iron-builder for pregnant women because it replenishes the bloods hemoglobin. It’s also a great digestive aid that alleviates heartburn by increasing the digestive enzymes in the stomach. Who doesn’t need that when they are pregnant?? No more heartburn! Always listen to your intuition before adding an herbal supplement to your diet.

Below is a list of iron rich foods that I have been trying to include in my diet along with nettle tea, dandelion root coffee and a kelp supplement called ErythroPro by Premier Research labs, it contains organic kelp, organic Irish moss, organic oat grass, organic beet root, as well as organic chlorella, Organic tomato, Organic bilberry and reishi mushroom extract. Great supplements combines with great greens and beets I make sure to add plenty of vitamin C to help with absorption and assimilation of the iron has made a huge difference in my energy levels!! My favorite vitamin C sources are grapefruit and strawberries!!!

There are some foods to avoid and that would be coffee, excess bran, alkalinizes and phosphates as they inhibit the absorption of iron.

Energy Building Juice:

4 beets

2 carrots

2 grapefruits

Juice and enjoy!!

Anemia Prevention Brew:

1/2 ounce dried Nettle leaves

1/2 ounce dried Parsley leaves

1/2 ounce dried Comfrey leaves

1/2 ounce dried Yellow Dock root

1/4 ounce dried Peppermint leaves

Measure herbs and put in half gallon mason jar …….. Pour boiling water in jar until it is totally full. Steep herbs for 8 hours.

This brew contains 3 excellent sources of iron: nettle, parsley and yellow dock root. It provides folic acid from the parsley and vitamin B12 from the Comfrey. The green eras all contain vitamin C which aids iron absorption and the Mint makes it taste good!

Drink freely up to four cups a day for up to 1 week. You can use this medicine every month as a blood builder and purifier!

Enjoy these blood builders and many blessings on your journey!

Many Blessings!

Michelle

~ A mother lovingly nourishes her child who has entered her womb, and brings them forth with care. ~

7 Day Juice Cleanse

This is an extension of the 3-Day Juice Cleanse and the 5-Day Juice Cleanse that was posted earlier this month. Cleansing is a great way to kickstart your way to better health! Give your body a break from caffeine, sugar, wheat, dairy, and alcohol so that you may establish new, healthier habits, renew your energy and detox your body with this invigorating week long cleanse!

Make sure to use fresh organic ingredients for your juice, to ensure that your juices contain no synthetic ingredients. This supplies the body with a concentrated batch of natural vitamins and minerals in their natural form. With the extra nutrition, your body’s performance will improve and more energy will be available. With all of this extra energy many people report wanting to exercise, which leads to clearer thinking, healthier emotional states & weight control (you may even sleep better too). As dis-ease thrives in bodies which are filled with toxins, bacteria and carcinogens, most of which are found in un-healthy food. To prevent dis-ease and effectively defend itself, the body requires a wide assortment of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. When you feel healthy, its natural to get more out of life. That is why I created this simple 5 Day Cleanse to liven up your life!!!

Click here for symptoms of detoxification and what you can do about it.

To prepare your body for juice cleansing please check out my 3 Day Cleanse, its easy and it will really help prepare the body for a 7 day juice fast.

7 Day Juice Cleanse to Boost Your Metabolism!

Day 1

Drink 48 ounces of fresh juice throughout the day.
Drink water. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water. (150 pound person would drink 75 ounces of water).
Fiber. Drink apple juice and 1 teaspoon fiber cleansing formula mixed with either 8 ounce of water and/or apple juice. Drink this twice a day.
Green Drink. Mix 1 tablespoon of a green powder like Pure Synergy, Vitamineral Green or Premier Research Labs Greens Mix with 8 ounces of water or apple juice. Drink this twice a day.
Drink as much herbal tea as you want throughout the day. Ginger tea is amazing because it contains over 477 constituents, it inhibits inflammation, it’s helps fight tumor growth, and it stimulates HCL – Hydrochloric Acid that is used by the stomach to break down fiber and plant roughage. An ancient Indian Proverb once said, “Every good quality is contained in ginger.”
Drink lemon water. Although lemons are acidic, they have an alkalizing effect on the body because the contain alkalizing minerals. Lemons are a wonderful germicide and are used to reduce fevers. They are high in vitamin C, B1, and G, as well as potassium. Lemons are ideal for removing toxins from the body, especially the liver.
If you’re hungry, drink veggie broth. Broth actually helps improve enzyme and cellular metabolism and general cleansing and detoxification.
For some great green juice recipes click here. For some vibrant red and orange juice recipes click here.

Fresh juice and tea ideas for day 1:

Orange-Cherry-Ginger (16 ounces)
Celery-Pineapple-Kale-Swiss Chard-Ginger (32 ounces)
Ginger Tea

Day 2

Drink 48 ounces of fresh juice throughout the day.
Drink water. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water. (150 pound person would drink 75 ounces of water).
Fiber. Drink apple juice and one teaspoon fiber cleansing formula mixed with either 8 ounce of water and/or apple juice. Drink this twice a day.
Green Drink. Mix 1 tablespoon of a green powder like Pure Synergy, Vitamineral Green or Premier Research Labs Greens Mix with 8 ounces of water or apple juice. Drink this twice a day.
Drink as much herbal tea & lemon water as you want throughout the day.
If you’re hungry, drink veggie broth. Broth actually helps improve enzyme and cellular metabolism and general cleansing and detoxification.

Fresh juice and tea ideas for day 2:

Beet-Carrot-Cherry-Grapefruit-Ginger-Lime (16 ounces)
Celery-Kale-Apple-Cilantro-Lemon-Ginger (32 ounces)
Licorice Tea

Day 3

Drink 48 ounces of fresh juice throughout the day.
Drink water. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water. (150 pound person would drink 75 ounces of water).
Fiber. Drink apple juice and one teaspoon fiber cleansing formula mixed with either 8 ounce of water and/or apple juice. Drink this twice a day.
Green Drink. Mix 1 tablespoon of a green powder like Pure Synergy, Vitamineral Green or Premier Research Labs Greens Mix with 8 ounces of water or apple juice. Drink this twice a day.
Drink as much herbal tea or lemon water as you want throughout the day.
If you’re hungry, drink veggie broth. Broth actually helps improve enzyme and cellular metabolism and general cleansing and detoxification.

Fresh juice and tea ideas for day 3:

Beet-Grapefruit-Ginger (16 ounces)
Swiss Chard-Apple-Ginger (32 ounces)
Chamomile Tea

Day 4

Drink 48 ounces of fresh juice throughout the day.
Drink water. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water. (150 pound person would drink 75 ounces of water).
Fiber. Drink apple juice and one teaspoon fiber cleansing formula mixed with either 8 ounce of water and/or apple juice. Drink this twice a day.
Green Drink. Mix 1 tablespoon of a green powder like Pure Synergy, Vitamineral Green or Premier Research Labs Greens Mix with 8 ounces of water or apple juice. Drink this twice a day.
Drink as much herbal tea or lemon water as you want throughout the day.
If you’re hungry, drink veggie broth. Broth actually helps improve enzyme and cellular metabolism and general cleansing and detoxification.

Fresh juice and tea ideas for day 4:

Carrot-Apple-Ginger (16 ounces)
Celery-Swiss Chard-Dino Kale-Apple (32 ounces)
Soothing Licorice Mint Tea

Day 5

Drink 48 ounces of fresh juice throughout the day.
Drink water. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water. (150 pound person would drink 75 ounces of water).
Fiber. Drink apple juice and one teaspoon fiber cleansing formula mixed with either 8 ounce of water and/or apple juice. Drink this twice a day.
Green Drink. Mix 1 tablespoon of a green powder like Pure Synergy, Vitamineral Green or Premier Research Labs Greens Mix with 8 ounces of water or apple juice. Drink this twice a day.
Drink as much herbal tea or lemon water as you want throughout the day.
If you’re hungry, drink veggie broth. Broth actually helps improve enzyme and cellular metabolism and general cleansing and detoxification.

Fresh juice and tea ideas for day 5:

Beet-Grapefruit-Ginger (16 ounces)
Celery-Apple-Parsley-Cilantro-Ginger-Lemon (32 ounces)
Jasmine Tea

Day 6

Drink 48 ounces of fresh juice throughout the day.
Drink water. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water. (150 pound person would drink 75 ounces of water).
Fiber. Drink apple juice and one teaspoon fiber cleansing formula mixed with either 8 ounce of water and/or apple juice. Drink this twice a day.
Green Drink. Mix 1 tablespoon of a green powder like Pure Synergy, Vitamineral Green or Premier Research Labs Greens Mix with 8 ounces of water or apple juice. Drink this twice a day.
Drink as much herbal tea or lemon water as you want throughout the day.
If you’re hungry, drink veggie broth. Broth actually helps improve enzyme and cellular metabolism and general cleansing and detoxification.

Fresh juice and tea ideas for day 6:

Beet-Grapefruit-Carrot-Ginger (16 ounces)
Celery-Pineapple-Cilantro-Ginger-Lemon (32 ounces)
Dandelion Root Tea

Day 7

Drink 48 ounces of fresh juice throughout the day.
Drink water. Drink half your body weight in ounces of water. (150 pound person would drink 75 ounces of water).
Fiber. Drink apple juice and one teaspoon fiber cleansing formula mixed with either 8 ounce of water and/or apple juice. Drink this twice a day.
Green Drink. Mix 1 tablespoon of a green powder like Pure Synergy, Vitamineral Green or Premier Research Labs Greens Mix with 8 ounces of water or apple juice. Drink this twice a day.
Drink as much herbal tea or lemon water as you want throughout the day.
If you’re hungry, drink veggie broth. Broth actually helps improve enzyme and cellular metabolism and general cleansing and detoxification.

Fresh juice and tea ideas for day 7:

Beet-Apple-Carrot-Ginger (16 ounces)
Celery-Apple-Parsley-Cilantro-Ginger-Lemon (32 ounces)
Evening in Missoula Tea or Chamomile Tea

During your cleansing process:

Take time to go for a 20 minute walk everyday.
Stretch and practice yoga.
Meditate
Dry Skin Brush
Infrared Sauna
Enemas!!! 1 or 2 a day depending on your detox symptoms!
Take Detox Baths (I love bathing in Sole Water)
Get your Beauty Sleep
LOVE YOURSELF!!

Please note: During a juice cleanse I generally don’t use tomatoes. Tomatoes are a great detoxifier but they also upset calcium metabolism and should be avoided in cases of arthritis. Large amounts of tomatoes are weakening for everyone. So I like to enjoy them after a fast as they are easy to digest.

Another side note. I do not juice cucumbers in the winter. Remember that phrase, “As cool as a cucumber”? Well, a cucumber at any given time can be literally 20 degrees cooler than the temperature of the surrounding area. Since it is already cold here in Montana, we don’t need to tax our bodies with extra cold, so I leave cucumber juicing to the heat of the summer!

On this seven day journey, try to free yourself of the past hurts and worries that continue to live with you. Let them float away. Journal or write letters (you don’t have to send them) to give yourself a regular outlet for your emotions, regrets, and worries. Don’t push them aside, harness them and move on as a smarter and lighter person.

After the 7 Day Juice Cleanse

If you would like to continue cleansing, check out the post on a 3 Day Cleanse! You can make this journey a 13 day cleanse if you do the 3-Day Raw Food Cleanse before and after your 7-Day Juice Cleanse!

As you ease back into eating remember to take time, to be thankful for having food. Choose easily digestible foods like soups (my favorite is miso) and smoothies.

The best of all medicine is resting and fasting. ~Benjamin Franklin

Much love and juice,

Michelle