Learn how to eat according to "interventional research"

As I complete my studies in Nutrition in the next 2 weeks (well, it’s really just the beginning) I have become MOST fascinated by the evidence of the correlation between what we eat and drink and diseases.

I’ve made RADICAL changes to my diet following my scare with breast cancer, the start of arthritis in my knees, and then my back going out so bad I had to virtually lay flat for 2 weeks, and that was about a year & a half ago now. 

Brunch on a 5:2 fast day - tho its a total treat
First time Ive included egg & smoked trout as I
usually keep these days vegan & antioxidents

I can honestly say that I THANK my body for giving me these warnings & for telling me that there was definitely going to be worse to come if I continued living the same way.  Symptoms are warnings that if we heed them, can be life affirming instead of a death sentence or a decline.

My trajectory has been up, up, up as I grow healthier and stronger beyond what I had achieved in my whole life previously.  And I give credit this change from my time laying flat on my back reading The China Study by Dr T Colin Campbell as this book opened my eyes and mind to a whole new way of looking at food and nourishing my cells rather than damaging them.

Dr Campbell wrote The China Study with his son, also a Doctor who writes:

“A growing body of interventional research showing that the superior power of plant foods, or components of plant foods, extends even to disease treatment and reversal. Most impressively, this varied research has now demonstrated benefits for a wide range of diseases. We have seen advanced heart disease and diabetes, and their risk factors, reversed. 

We have seen promising interventions with rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and prostate cancer. We have seen evidence of plant-based benefits for kidney, bone, eye, and brain health. Anyone looking honestly at the data of the past hundred years cannot be but impressed by the overwhelming leaning towards the benefits of eating whole plants over other types of foods.” Thomas M. Campbell, MD (read full article)

And I truly believe that my good health now is related to me giving my cells healthy nourishment so that the diseases in their early stages could be reversed.

It recently stunned me that my own family really don’t get me, and the way that my son and I now eat.  It just blows their mind and is so challenging for them.  They simply haven’t been able to get their heads around what it is that I’m doing, let alone put thoughts to what THEY are doing to themselves.  It’s not to say that they won’t, but so far they don’t want to listen.

My 4 yr olds lunch - home made nonGMO wholegrain bread
Hummus, & Choc slice made from organic
cocao, coconut oil, cranberries & little maple syrup,
plus organic corn chips & veg.

It’s a revelation to me though that I too don’t “get them” and find it mind blowing the food that I see them eat and feed their children – white bread with margarine and sausages, compressed lamb & chicken cubes on sticks all soaked in sugary sauces.  In small doses they MAYBE can get away with it, but there is hardly EVER any inclusion of ANY “living” food.  And now I don’t get them.  I could not do that to myself ever again.

As Dr Campbell says the message is pretty simple: “Eat more whole, unrefined fruits, vegetables, legumes, tubers, and whole grains. Eat less animal foods and processed foods.”  

And of course add to that exercise, drink clean water, get safe amounts of sunshine and rrrreeeelllllaaaaxxxxx your mind and body regularly.

I love the perspective in India when you look at a restaurant menu and see first the Vegetable section, then at the back, there’s a smaller “non-vegetarian” section.  This is how we should be thinking – veg first, meat as a treat.

Ditch the sugar laden tomato sauce
for this delicious sun-dried tomato
sauce that's high in iron

So since there is so much information out there on what NOT to eat, I’m going to start to publish my own Max/Min Club e-Book Meal Plans on what you CAN eat to give maximum nutrition to your cells and maximise your health and minimise disease.

You can be assured that I’ve invested extensive research into all ingredients that I will recommend.  I will have created my own recipes plus tweeked other people’s so they are full of nutritious ingredients that will advance the nutrient intake of your body’s cells – and I will have veg and non-veg options.

Never to be one who will shy away from a good time, some of my Meal Plans will be just in time for Xmas so you can also do some minimal cell damage by eating and drinking naughty stuff (eg sugary treats and alcohol) but I will also be giving some tips on how to boost your cells and minimise inflammation the next day so you recoup faster.

Our bodies are amazing, and with the right tools our cells will regenerate and give us the love back that we give to them.

So stay tuned for some exciting Max/Min Club Meal Plans.

Come on a Personalised or Group Ayurveda healing holiday with Alison Josewww.pranahealingholidays.com

WHAT IS AYURVEDA?

Blissfully relax with specialised massage and
treatments while taking herbal medicines

Ayurveda (pronounced eye-yur-vay-dha) medicine originated from Kerala, India over 5,000 years ago. It is a “sister science to yoga and meditation” and is known to help cure chronic illnesses, provide weight loss and anti-aging plus prevent future illnesses through a combination of Ayurvedic herbal medicines, and by eliminating toxins through specialised massage and unique treatments.

Ayurveda means "Knowledge of Life” - Ayuhu = life and Veda = complete knowledge or Devine knowledge. It is the science of life, prevention and longevity. Ayurveda is the oldest and most holistic medical system available on the planet today.

One of the secrets to Ayurveda's success
is the herbal medicated oils

Ayurveda holds that specific disease conditions are symptoms of an underlying imbalance. It does not neglect relief of these symptoms, but its main focus is on the big picture: to restore balance and to help you create such a healthy lifestyle that the imbalance won't occur again.

Living in health and balance is the key to a long life free from disease. Perhaps the most important lesson Ayurveda has to teach is that our health is up to us.

Every day of our lives, every hour of every day, we can, and do, choose either health or illness. When we choose wisely, nature rewards us with health and happiness. When we persistently choose unwisely, nature, in her wisdom, eventually sets us straight: She makes us sick and gives us a chance to rest and rethink our choices.

Ayurveda – “Knowledge of Life

Ayurveda is an ancient science that covers many healing systems utilising herbal medicines and herbal oil massage plus considers climatic suitability, colours, diet, yoga, meditation, plus emotional and mental balance. 

Ayurveda therapists with a client
at the Bethsaida Hermitage (option 2)

The Three Primary Life Forces in the Body relate to the three humors of air (Vata), fire (Pitta) and water (Kapha). These three principle elements govern the growth, and decay of the human body. Whenever any of these three go out of ratio, or balance, then diseases start to appear in the body.

The air element (Vata) governs inhalation, exhalation, movements, discharges, impulses and the human senses. The fire element (Pitta) deals with hunger, thirst, digestion, excretion, body warmth and circulation. It also relates to the body strength, energy, youth, intelligence and executive abilities. The water element (Kapha) controls the stability, lubrication, movements, body luster, digestive tract, glands and fluids of the body.

An even funnier close up

hilarious pic of me in
the Sweda (read more)

All patients, before treatment, first have their constitution analysed through the Q&A Process and face-to-face consultation to understand the body's balance; it is also helpful if a patient has any previous doctor's findings and scans.

We then commence treatment using herbal medicines and 2, 3 or 4 massage and specialised therapies a day, depending on your needs (1 1/2 to 2 hours per session).

We also teach a client to become familiar with their own body type, so it is up to them also to bring balance to their body through the food they eat and how they eat them, plus incorporate practices such as daily exercise, rest and massage.

Everybody has all three energies, though people experience each of them to a greater or lesser degree. Ayurveda can be a mirror that reflects our true nature and maps out the path for a return to the lives of vitality that we are meant to have.

Read more about different treatments
like this Kizhi pouch

The primary treatment for re-balancing your body is Panchakarma which is administered over a period of 14 days and the selection of the treatment methods depends up on the condition of the patient's health and illness.

Panchakarma treatment is Ayurveda's primary purification and detoxification treatment used to eliminate deep rooted stress and illness-causing toxins from the body while balancing the doshas - energies that govern all biological functions.

You can read further about Ayurveda topics on the Prana Healing Holidays website such as:

* examples of Ayurvedic treatments  

* Example Treatment Plans
* Types of Diseases and Illnesses
* What is Panchakarma? Why we recommend at least 14 days for treatment? 
*The Six Stages of Disease

Resorts : Choose a holiday from 1 of our 3 Resorts
See Package Itineraries and prices: Example rates $600 (Single) for 8 Day Personalised Holiday (Option 1) and $2051 (pp couple/twin share) for a 15 day Personalised Holiday (Option 2). Or come on a Group Holiday with Alison Jose from January 24th for $2315 (pp couple/twin share Option 3).

Come on a Personalised or Group holiday with Alison Jose.www.pranahealingholidays.com

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.

ANNOUNCING GROUP HOLIDAY DATES: from 29 January 2014

Option 2: Bethsaida Hermitage

Come meet me in Kerala for an Ayurveda journey:
I am thrilled to announce my dates for the upcoming Group Ayurveda healing holiday.  It doesn’t matter where you are in the world we can all meet up at the bottom of India.

I will be facilitating a Group Holiday starting from January 29^th next year and spaces are limited so contact me to book now and join our Group.  You can choose to come for an 8 day or a 17 day Healing Holiday and your dates can begin anytime between the 29^th January and end of February as I will be there for you the whole time.

Option 3: Dr Franklin's Panchakarma Institute

You can choose to stay at any one of our three Resorts on offer. The benefits of coming on a fully facilitated Group holiday are numerous including meeting like-minded people, but also to have a personalised holiday with time just for you.

There will be a few occasions where we will have get-togethers and beyond that you can choose how much or how little time you spend with the rest of the group. I give you all a local sim card to put into your mobile phone so you can all be in touch with each other if you want to, and I’m just a call away.

In-fact you will be surprised how much time is taken up when you are treating yourself with love and focusing just on your wellbeing. 

HERE’S A HOLIDAY SNAP-SHOT: 
It starts with being picked up from Trivandrum International Airport (TRV) which is at the bottom of Kerala, South India.

Sandra outside Dr George's AyurGe
Treatment Centre (Option 1)

Depending on the time of your arrival you may check in and go straight to bed or join me for a welcome beverage.  The next day I take you to meet your Ayurveda Doctor for your first Consultation and from there we work out your Treatment schedule.

Each day you may wish to start with a yoga class or a Meditation for Busy Minds class with me and then go for your treatment.

my post treatment snack costs
100Rs approx aud$1.80

Daily Ayurveda treatments go for two or more hours and often this treatment time is broken up into two sessions – one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Sessions go for around an hour or more, and afterwards it’s recommended that you keep the herbal medicated oils on your body for at least another hour. 

After my morning treatment I like to do one of the following:  grab some fresh fruit or fresh coconut from the ladies on the boardwalk and sit and watch life go by on the beach.  Breakfast is provided each day and its best to keep that light before treatment anyway, so nice to follow treatment with a mega vitamin hit. 

Sometimes I would just go back to my room to meditate or read, or go and relax by the swimming pool.

Me post treatment in my Lungi

Don’t worry about how you look as you are given a special Lungi to wear post-treatment which is two metres of cloth and they tie it so you look like a Grecian God or Goddess.   They scrape the excess oil off you but you do look gloriously healthy and oily and it’s funny because you see so many other people walking around like this and you can go and you can also go sit in a café to eat as they are used to it.

(NB:  in this photo I do look VERY red faced because I had just had 1 1/2 hours Abhyanga and Udvartana massage treatments plus a Sweda which is to sweat our your toxins.  My redness was less severe the more I lost weight - but I have tendency to go red faced)

So after your hour or so, you can go and wash the oil off.  I recommend you buy some lovely natural Ayurveda products to wash with and I can take you up to the local Supermarket to buy pretty much anything you like – it’s cheap and lots of fun (and they take credit card).

I bought all of these natural Ayurveda products
for aud$12

When it’s time to wash off I like to “shower” the local way so I either request a stool, chair or sit on the toilet and use the shower nozzle or the bucket and scoop to wash off.  It’s totally opposite from my quick in and out shower at home and I think in-keeping with the concept of going slow and being mindful that you are there, and doing something loving for yourself.

So after that it’s almost lunch time.  Depending on your choice of Holiday Plan you could be eating at the Ayur Restaurant (which is included in Holiday Option 2) which is the only dedicated Ayurveda restaurant in Kovalam or you can choose to go where ever you like (my favourite restaurants are listed on the Additional Holiday Information page).  

Life&Leaf Ayurveda restaurant at Dr Franklin's

If you are staying at Dr Franklin’s Panchakarma Centre, it’s a little out from Kovalam and their Resort is all inclusive with their own private Ayurveda Restaurant to you get all meals according to your Dosha type included (Holiday Option 3).

In the afternoon you can swim in the private pool or beach, hire a beach umbrella and lounge chair, rest, eat, relax, go sight-seeing, ride and elephant or just meander a few minutes down to the beach front where the boardwalk is full of lovely shops, cafes and restaurants. 

super cute silk tea-cosy

It’s a bit of a shopping paradise with beautiful things to buy from locals or people bringing things in from Tibet or one of my favourites is the guy who has a shop with things made by the Kashmiri Gypsies.

All of our Resorts provide wifi so you can hook yourself up to a device but I recommend you keep this activity to a minimum so you stay connected to where YOU are.

This is the Udvartana powder
massage used for weight-loss

And then in the afternoon your treatment routine begins again with returning to the Ayurveda centre for another hour+ treatment and then sitting in your oils for another hour, showering and then it’s almost dinner time.

During this time you can also book in with me for a consultation for a Nutrition and Lifestyle Plan (as Optional extras – see Dosha Nutrition Plans), or I could be helping care for your kids at the Childcare Centre I will run at the Golden Sands Resort.

We purposely keep an element of flexibility in your day so that you can choose to move things around just in-case you want to do something else for the day; after all it is your holiday.

If you don’t want to book in, but know someone who really could do with a healing holiday then please make the recommendation and I will give you a cash thank you for your referral. Or better still, bring together nine other people and you can come for free.

So I look forward to greeting you at the airport and making sure you have a holiday where you return home rejuvenated and blossoming full of life.
Namaste, Alison Jose
(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.)

Join The Max/Min Club: Learn invaluable information on how to maximise your health and minimise disease through Ayurveda and nutrition.

your email address  

Your first name

Your surname

Email Format

• html
• text
• mobile