MAX/MIN CLUB: HOW YOU CAN CHOOSE HEALTH

The info has been pouring out of me and I want to get it out so you can start to integrate these essential tips to maximise your own health and minimise disease.

My new Resort to take you to, the Bethsaida Hermitage

Every time you eat something, or put something on your body, you are choosing to either nourish and support your body’s cells or cause them to be damaged resulting in disease.  And The Max/Min Club is to help you learn how to choose well.

My personal goal is to NOT get any of the long list of “Western” diseases that my immediate family have and know that if I had continued on the same path, was probably destined to the same fate.

gorgeous sea view rooms

By understanding what YOUR body needs gives you the ability to become well and stay well.  It’s my life’s passion to put myself and my son on that path, but also to learn about how to self-correct when I get off the health path (eg: there are ways to “un-do” the negative effects I get when I have a few too many wines…. woohoo)

Ayurveda has a way of doing this which is called The Six Stages of Disease, so that once you know what your Dosha type is, you can do things that will help minimise the chances of your cells developing a disease that your GP can only tell you about once you have it. 

inside a Seaview Room

2 swimming pools overlooking the beach

At Bethsaida you receive 3-4 Ayurveda treatments
per day each for 1 1/2 hours per session on our
8 or 15 day Ayurveda Plans

Ayurveda principles are that you can know what your body type is to prevent this in the early stages, or correct through herbal medicines, Ayurveda treatment, eating to your Dosha type and learning the best way to keep your cells alive and disease free.  

This is opposed to “modern” medicine which will just detect a disease from your symptoms when the disease is already at stage 5-6. (NB don't rely on a computer program to tell you your Dosha type, its not accurate, see an Ayurveda Doctor).

So over the coming months I will cover these topics and more 

• Superfoods & how to get them into your diet; • how to make sure you have the essential nutrients in your diet; 
• milk alternatives and why you should “give up the cow”; 
• the best antioxidant teas; • boosting your digestion and probiotics; 
• benefits of Miso soup (this one’s “especially for the ladies”); 
• skin products especially deodorants; 
• benefits of the time you eat meals & what to do whilst eating meals; 
• why ditch sugar including lowering your fructose intake; 
• when it’s essential to “go organic”; 
• sourcing good non-GMO grains; 
• protecting yourself from eating extra toxins on your fruit & veg (it’s a great way to keep kids empowered & entertained); 
• cold pressed juicing vs. centrifugal force juicers; growing fresh herbs; 



fantastic food to suit your Dosha type

• and my favourite topic – green smoothies, plus much more.

optional yoga overlooking the ocean at Bethsaida

And that’s just the body – wait until you hear my tips about 30 second meditations (yep you can change what is happening to you physiologically in just 30 seconds).

Plus the power of Gratitude and jotting it down (or do like my 4 year old son & I to create a Gratitude book which we write in every Sunday night and review other nights), teaching your kids how to “Fill their Buckets”, and the genius concept that is “Worry Time” to help solve problems and reduce stress, plus more.

So spread the word, pass on the information and let’s all maximise our health and minimise disease together.

Or come on a Group Ayurveda holiday with me in Kerala South India for either 8 or 17 days from end of January. 

Namaste, Alison Jose

relaxing outside rooms at the Bethsaida Hermitage

(Namaste represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us that is located in the heart chakra. It is an acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another. Nama means bow, and te means you. Therefore, namaste literally means "I bow to you"  or the divine spark within me is connecting with the divine spark in  you.)

www.pranahealingholidays.com

TIP#2 GET SOME LINSEEDS/FLAXSEED INTO YOU. Warning though, avoid pre-packaged LSA Mix

Flaxseeds (also known as Linseed) is one of the most potent sources of omega 3 fatty acids (ALA) found in nature.  

Preliminary studies show that Flaxseed may help fight everything from heart disease and diabetes to breast cancer.  It improves the quality of hair, nails, and skin, helps to regulate body weight, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, and prevents arthritis.  It can help regulate bowel movements and prevent constipation.

Flaxseeds are an outstanding source of antioxidants and are significantly higher in polyphenol antioxidants than fruits like blueberries or vegetables like olives. The antioxidant benefits of flaxseeds have long been associated with prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

THE GOOD NEWS:
The reason why you want to take in a good dose of Omega 3 fatty acids daily is because it lowers high blood cholesterol and triglycerides.  They also decrease the probability of clots in the arteries which may lead to stroke, heart attack, pulmonary embolism, or peripheral vascular disease occurring.  Flaxseeds themselves can also lower high blood pressure, so overall it’s great for heart health.

My breakfast: Oats, Chia Seeds, Psyllium Husks,
fresh ground Flaxseeds & sprinkle of cinnamon
with combination of Organic Soy & Rice milks

Studies have shown that the plant omega-3 fatty acid ALA, inhibited tumour incidence and growth as it decreased the inflammation which leads to cell growth in cancer, also assisting certain immune disorders like psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. 

Further studies resulted in a decrease in blood sugar levels. More research is needed to measure blood sugar levels and flaxseed in type 2 diabetics but recent research shows its been tied to decreased insulin resistance.

Flaxseed can also be used to help condition the skin from the inside, and to reduce inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis.

It may also improve brain function due to the conversion of ALA to DHA in the body, which is found to improve brain cell communication and development.

Most whole seeds pass through the body without much benefit therefore its best to freshly grind however, once ground, the meal is less stable and should be refrigerated, or preferably freshly ground and eaten immediately.  

HERE’S WHY:
Type in the words “Flaxseed rancid” into Google and you will see what I mean.  While the whole Flaxseed is chemically stable it also has a hard-ish coating on it therefore when you eat it like this it will most likely pass through whole, hence you won’t get the benefits.  BUT ground Flaxseed can go rancid at room temperature in as little as one week and you don’t want a rancid product in your body.

So that means pre-ground Flaxseed in the LSA mix is not recommended.  Instead, just buy a coffee/spice grinder (Kmart $12) and grind 1 Tbsp fresh yourself then sprinkle on your breakfast, in a smoothy etc. Some people ask about freezing it, but since it may or may not keep it from going rancid quicker, I would rather err on the side of caution and grind it fresh each time I use it since it’s not a big deal and you know what your getting.

If you use it ground in baking (muffins, cake etc) or bliss balls then I would refrigerate them and eat them within a week.  Good news is that the omega-3 content of the flaxseed remains stable and intact with baking.

The recommendation for keeping Flaxseed Oil is also minimal (about 4 weeks in your fridge and if you don’t use it then toss it).

DON’T FORGET:
Since Flaxseed is also high in fibre, it may give you increased bowel movements. So firstly, ease into it by taking 1 Tbsp a day – if you are super worried then start with a ½ Tbsp, and work up to max 2-3 Tbsp. 

The other thing to make sure of is that you consume enough water to help that fibre move through you – so it’s a great reason to remind yourself to drink more and reach the recommended 8 glasses of water a day.

Side effects and precautions:Even though research on the safety of taking flaxseed during pregnancy is scarce, pregnant women should stay on the safe side and avoid consuming flaxseed because of its oestrogen-like properties which doctors believe may affect pregnancy outcome. In addition, people suffering from a bowel obstruction should avoid flaxseed too (because of its high level of fibre).

There's a whole lot more information on Flaxseed history, digestive health and Post-Menopausal Symptoms at The World Healthiest Foods.

Stay tuned for more health tips from The Max/Min Club on how to maximise your health and minimise disease and visit www.pranahealingholidays.com to learn more about our Ayurveda healing holidays in South India.