Normalizing fasting for better health
Fasting is as natural as breathing. Imagine how healthy our relationship with food would be if we didn’t give ourselves access 24/7?
Fasting is as natural as breathing. Imagine how healthy our relationship with food would be if we didn’t give ourselves access 24/7?
In 2019, Canada finally released a new food guide, and it is a much more well-rounded and a great teaching tool for the population to take our health in our own hands by consuming more of the foods that we intuitively know is better for our bodies.
It is the beginning of the new year – time to give yourself some promises and keep them! Think of yourself, but also of the world around you.
I guess hiatuses are sometimes needed. Taking a break from online life is a must for everybody. But know that we weren’t resting, just working harder and more intensively on another project. Stay tuned to find out more about it. Thank you for coming back to read our Can’t Human Properly thoughts – ideas far from average and wish to contribute as much as we can to the well-being of this Earth, which will be hopefully our home for another 50 years. Join us by giving promises to yourself and this wonderful planet we all call home!
Though January is half-way down, there is still enough time to write down your promises for the year. Since you as a person matters the most, it is wise to start from yourself. Think first of how you felt last year, about your health, relationships, goals, etc. Were you healthy and active? or should you make some changes in your eating habits? Did you have enough time for your hobbies? Did you start a project, which would benefit other people?
Working-out may be the answer to your low health state. Do not think of joining a gym, as this way, you just contribute to the never-ending consumerism and capitalism. Instead, save your money, log online and find a beginner’s exercise package through an app instance. Set two days and get into work-out gear. Though the beginning is tough, the good feeling will kick in soon and you start loving working out.
If working-out is really not your thing, then make a goal of 10 000 steps daily. It makes you feel better, even without sweating at the gym. If walking aimlessly is not your thing, then download an e-book and listen to it, while walking to meet your partner or going to do grocery shopping.
How about food? Do you like what you eat? Do you know where your food comes from or how it is made? If there are plenty of no’s as answers, then it is the time to stop and think. Perhaps you realize that ready-made, overly salty and sugary meals are not good for your health. Also, foods that take a long way to travel to your table do not contribute to the well-being of your local farmers. Check online for your local farmer’s markets or if there is nothing around, start learning more about what you can do to change this situation.
January is known also as a Veganuary. It is your chance to try not to eat meat and dairy. Why should you want to do that? Animal farming is known as one of the most devastating industries for Mother Earth. It is extremely strenuous for the environment, needs many resources and hence has a very big ecological footstep. Animal products are not needed and we can survive without consuming their bodily fluids, skin, and meat. There are plenty of plant-based options for every taste and craving out there. And if Meat Loaf can do it, so can you!
We will take the Liberation Pledge and be more dedicated and environmentally friendly vegans.
There are plenty of things you should have time for, as they help and make you feel good:
Perhaps you have a personal project or goal you neglected last year, this is your chance to tackle it with fresh energy. Personally, I will try to update my photography website and make it modern. It is a big cross I have dragged along with me for the longest time. I also want to hone my skills in architecture photography, which I have always found very interesting. In addition, I want to scribble down more of my thoughts, who knows perhaps one day they will be put together for a book! Dreams, dreams, dreams.
This one is easy: JUST SPEND MORE TIME WITH THEM!
We here, at CHP appreciate nature a lot. We do not like consumerism and plastic and we love animals and saving food. So it is not difficult to guess what we are going to offer you, as something you can do in 2020 to make life better. Not just for yourself, but also for people around you and the environment.
We are going to follow this little list below. And we are offering you to try at least some of the things yourself, whether it’s for a few weeks, a month or even for a year. As long as you feel comfortable:
I guess there are always things we want to improve, start or continue what we like. But dedication is what we lack. Make sure you do not overcrowd your goal list and concentrate on up to 10 items.
You should come back to your goal list every month and see how you are doing. This is how you are not going to neglect them and actually work towards completing them!
Make sure to share your list, if it is not personal, also with your close ones, to inspire them to take steps to make their lives better too. And also to preserve the world around us.
We are daily surrounded with so much plastic, that we even do not notice how much of it is out there. It is practical, it is poisonous and it is forever. Make a change and stop using plastic!
We realized that we are eating too much bread. Too much of anything is not good, so while at it, we stopped eating sugar as well. Read more about our 10 days journey!
Though it is colder outside, do not think that the windows have to be closed. Now it is the right time to keep them open for your better health!
Summer is over and therefore autumn blues may creep in for many of you. We may get the feeling of cold in our bones. Also, low activity and extra weight or bad health may welcome us. Though it doesn’t sound all so beautiful, the beginning of the fall is a great time to make a change. Yes, another change. We sure love changes. Now is a good time to stop for a moment and think about what can we do for our health.
I am a big fan of Chinese Medicine. I have had acupuncture annually since I was 14. It has helped me a lot. Just in case if you do not know what acupuncture is, let me explain. It is a medicine in which the needles are inserted in the skin at specific points. These are considered lines of energy, in other words meridians. They are used to heal various physical and mental conditions.
You have to keep in mind that acupuncture is a good way to keep your health in a good balance. But it doesn’t always help. For example, if you have inflammation in your tooth’s root channel, then the needles are not going to heal it. You actually have to go and see a dentist and get the nidus removed. I am not saying that it never helps. I am sure there are people who have received miracles to their health thanks to needles.
Why did I mention Chinese Medicine? Other than that it seems like a good health practice to follow. It may also be your way of discovering something new. Something you may consider a better option for your health. I think it is useful to know what fall in Chinese Medicine represents and what can we learn from it.
In Chinese, Medicine fall represents the transition season from the height of (yang or) active energy of summer into the passive (yin) energy of winter. It is associated with the Metal element and the Lung organ network. Just as the lungs and the breath help to establish a rhythm within our bodies. Fall is the natural season to rediscover a healthy rhythm in your life. If you think about fall, doesn’t it remind you of a sore throat and running nose? Looks like we have been neglecting our lung organ network altogether. Why else we experience the low immune system during fall time.
The Metal element of fall symbolizes clarity and diamond-like strength. Harness the natural energy of fall to both clarify what you value most and to find the strength to set boundaries. And say no to what no longer supports a fulfilling life. If you fell away from your commitment to your health routines during summer. Fall is a great time to recommit to eating healthy, exercising regularly, and addressing your health concerns. What could be the best to give a great start for a new season than doing all this!
Perhaps some tips from a Chinese Medicine perspective can help you to stay in good health this fall. Some of those are by Tara Gregory, LAc from Dr. Samantha’s clinic in Portland, Evergreen Natural Health Center. I was inspired by her post to talk about health during fall time.
Find inspiration from the following tips as well. Hopefully, that keeps you away from falling on a cozy sofa. Also not eating so much of calorie-rich foods and spending most of your time indoors.
Fall is a great time to prioritize what is important to us. Keep an eye on our eating, exercise regularly and spend time with your loved ones. Also, it is a season to enjoy warm, healthy, plant-based meals prepared of local produce. Use garlic, ginger, and onion to flavour to keep the cold away. Don’t forget your scarf, as wind is a real menace to your body. And if you really need a boost, get some good quality vitamin D for the darker times ahead.
And yes, keep the windows open, especially in the morning after waking up. So that the fresh air can exchange the night stuffy air and bring in freshness to your home.
What are your tips to stay healthy this coming fall season?
Being vegetarian? How come I wasn’t aware of the word vegan? As a teenager, I worked at a grocery store near my house and I was a cashier. I remember being at the first belt near the door, the worst position when it was winter. …