2008 Newsletter - EDITION 12
What's up?
Hey this is the last newsletter of the year and a time when many people give gifts. We try and bypass the whole commercial aspect of Christmas and avoid most of the gift-giving and, over the years, toned down this to be gifts of healthy, good food, like a bottle of Olive oil or some of our organic salts with a bag of popcorn and olive oil, a recipe book with a packet of polenta. A more extravagant gift could be the whole 100 days to Health package of 3 organic salts, a Recipe Book, Perfect Health The Natural Way and BarleyLife, Herbal Fiberblend and Aimega. Other than that, I prefer homemade or hand-made gifts that actually mean something. Mark and I have gone the whole way of completely avoiding Christmas and have found a balance of staying out of the commercial aspect, refusing to get into debt but most important of all, acknowledging the gift of God's Grace to us and recognising that He is the light of the world. This has helped us celebrate with meaning and pass on a legacy of gratitude to our grandchildren, rather than one of selfishness. So this Christmas we spend the day with people less fortunate that ourselves to share the true meaning of Christmas and hope that in some small way we make a difference.
2009 is an exciting year for us. We are looking at a new way to do business and have taken 2 business partners on board and are raring to go. Adi and Myli Schlebusch have been receiving our newsletters from before we had an emailed newsletter so.. that goes back at least 12 or 15 years! They are involved with Family Foundations International, a ministry that focuses on helping set people free from their baggage such as family issues, financial problems, emotional and spiritual difficulties. They are both passionate about living well-balanced healthy lives and about being Fit 4 God and they bring a wealth of experience and solid Godly grounding with them. Adi as a farmer will be liaising with farmers to obtain the best products at the best prices and Myli has extensive administrative capabilities and is a trained wellness coach. Mark and I are not only excited about their involvement but extremely grateful to God for bringing them into our lives at a time like this, when we so desperately needed help in so many areas and they are tailor-made for the tasks we have set ahead.
Look out for some very helpful DVD's in the New Year and a more focused approach from us all. May God bless you and your family all with Wisdom, strength and grace in 2009.
What’s in? Sore backs and jet lag
It’s that time of year for travelling and with that come 2 common problems, back pain from the uncomfortable trips and lumpy guest beds you get to sleep on and jet lag with international travel, so here are some travelling tips and some good news on relief from back pain.
Hi Mary-Ann,
The last year has seen me plagued with lower back pain, difficulty in bending and general back discomfort.
I was horrified thinking that old age was getting the better of me and was quite prepared to accept that this is my lot in life!
It did not matter what I did it would not go away...I longed for my pain killer remedy at night so that I could at least sleep.
The pain was caused during a Pilates work out which I was really enjoying participating in!
To cut a long and very costly story short, after my umpteenth time to the physiotherapist and having taken all kinds of pain killers, my physiotherapist suggested that I take some Glucosamine tablets.
Having recommended Aims Frame essentials to many people in the past I had not thought of taking them for pain myself.
Well I took six tablets twice a day for three days and then reverted back to two three times a day.
On day two I literally jumped out of bed with very little stiffness and virtually NO PAIN!!
I drove for seven hours and did not need a rest or a stretch it has been an amazing experience!!
Kind regards
Roger Williamson
Director
Mobile: +44 777 592 3707
Hi Roger
Is it not strange how often we cannot take our own advice to heart?
Yup, Mark also found Frame Essentials made a huge difference to his knee problem he had.
Frame Essentials contains Glucosamine and this is an amino sugar. It is made in the body from the simple carbohydrate glucose (sugar) and the amino acid glutamine. Although our bodies generally use glucose to produce energy, the amino sugars found in glucosamine are incorporated into the structure of body tissue. Glucosamine is involved in the formation of cartilage, nails, tendons, skin, eyes, bones, ligaments, and heart valves. It also plays a role in the mucous secretions of the digestive, respiratory, and urinary tracts. Of particular interest is its role in cartilage.
Cartilage is connective tissue at the ends of bones (where it is known as articular cartilage). It separates bones so that they do not grind together, causing stiffness and pain. Cartilage also serves as a shock absorber. Briefly put, cartilage protects our bones from the wear and tear of movement.
One way to think of cartilage is as a super sponge. It soaks up water (more accurately, synovial fluid) when a joint is at rest, and squeezes out the water when a joint moves. As the joint rests again, it again soaks up water. This sponge like effect of cartilage makes it a shock absorber, buffering our bones and body from the wear and tear of making thousands of movements per day. Cartilage is also slipperyfive to eight times more slippery than ice. Thus, when two bones do meet, the cartilage at the ends of each bone allows them to slide off each other, adding to the buffering effect.
Cartilage is made up of three main components: Water (70 to 80 percent), collagen (10 to 15 percent), and proteoglycans (10 to 15 percent). Combined, these are called the cartilage matrix. The cartilage matrix is where new cartilage is born.
As we have seen, water provides cartilage with buffering qualities, and also helps shape the cartilage sponge. It also feeds the cartilage. Cartilage contains no blood vessels, so the soaking up and squeezing out of water is what provides cartilage with nutrients.
Collagen also plays a role in giving cartilage its shape and resiliency, and it also absorbs shock. Think of collagen as super strong threads that create the framework to hold the third component of cartilage: proteoglycans.
Proteoglycans are large water-soluble molecules. They are woven in among the collagen threads, forming a kind of netting. This netting traps the water. Proteoglycans also act like magnets. The individual molecules push away from each other, again allowing for space and a buffering effect.
Finally, tiny factories called chondrocytes are located throughout this netting. They produce new collagen and proteoglycans, as well as enzymes that dispose of older, past-their-prime collagen and proteoglycans.
THE ROLE OF GLUCOSAMINE
Glucosamine stimulates chondrocytes to produce more collagen and proteoglycans. The more glucosamine there is, the more collagen and proteoglycans there are, and the more water can be absorbed. The end result is healthier cartilage. Because of these properties, glucosamine can help the body help itself repair damaged or eroded cartilage. It works at the cellular level to reinforce our natural repair ability.
When things go wrong
As we age, the millions of movements we have made in our lives begin to wear and tear on cartilage. Cartilage begins to deteriorate, and our bones begin to rub together. This becomes noticeable around age 45, and often happens in the fingers, knees, hips, neck, and lower back. Cartilage can also be destroyed through trauma, injury, and repetitive actions.
When cartilage is damaged, the chondrocytes go into high gear, manufacturing more proteoglycans and collagen. Unfortunately, these replacements may be of inferior quality, or be overproduced, resulting in bumpy joint surfaces. Chondrocytes also produce more of the enzymes that eat away old matter. These enzymes may begin attacking the new, inferior cartilage, with an end result of diminished cartilage, not more cartilage. This also may result in fewer proteoglycans, which means the cartilage cannot hold water well. The cartilage can then dry out and wear out more quickly.
The result is that we begin to feel our bones rubbing together during movement. We experience pain and stiffness.
What to do
One way to counter the deterioration and destruction of cartilage is to increase the amount of glucosamine your body hasremember, glucosamine helps the body build and repair damaged cartilage. Glucosamine is not only a builder but also a painkiller. In sum, it improves joint function and reduces pain. It makes no difference whether it comes from foods we eat or from supplements.
Glucosamine
Both glucosamine sulfate and glucosamine HCL are forms of glucosamine. Glucosamine makes up 63 percent of glucosamine sulfate and 83 percent of glucosamine HCL. Most human studies have used glucosamine sulfate. This is because the company that paid for the research developed this form. Glucosamine HCL has not been evaluated as extensively, but clinical experience from a variety of health practitioners indicates that glucosamine HCL works just as well. Many health practitioners recommend trying one, and if that does not work, trying the other. AIM Frame Essentials gives you both of these at once.
MSM (methylsulfonylmethane)
MSM is a biologically active form of the mineral sulfur. Sulfur is the fourth most plentiful mineral in the body and is found in every cell of the body. Sulfur plays a particularly important role in tissue structure. MSM is naturally present in foods and the human body. MSM has been used by veterinarians for more than 15 years, and use by humans goes back some 20 years.
The formation of MSM begins when marine algae release sulfur compounds that are transformed in ocean water into a substance known as dimethyl sulfide (DMS). DMS rises into the atmosphere where it is transformed into DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) and MSM. These compounds are returned by rainwater to the earth, where they are absorbed by plants.
MSM contributes to healthy joints because, as a form of sulfur, it adds to the benefits of glucosamine. It may aid glucosamine in its role in maintaining healthy cartilage as well as in helping to maintain joint flexibility and mobility. Many glucosamine users experience increased benefits when adding MSM to their supplement regimen.
Boswellin Extract
Boswellia serrata (Indian frankincense) has been used for centuries in the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine to maintain healthy joints. This is still one of its main uses.
Boswellic acids improve blood supply to the joints and maintain the integrity of blood vessels. At least one study has indicated that they may open up collateral blood circulation to provide adequate blood supply to the joints.
Boswellic acids have been known to reduce joint swelling, maintain blood supply to inflamed joints, maintain mobility, and reduce pain due to stiffness in the joints. They also have no side effects.
Main benefits
7 Maintains musculoskeletal health
7 Provides building blocks for healthy joints
7 Improves joint function
7 Reduces pain
For more info about these products contact anyone from our list of consultants Click Here or email Roger in the UK on http://www.mary-anns.com/consultants.htm or Melissa at info@mary-anns.com
Hi Mary-Ann
I wonder if you can please help me.
We are leaving to visit my son in Australia in 1 1/2 weeks and would like some help on how to prevent of overvome jet lag. I know one of your emails had information about this but i cannot find it. I hate travelling by air as my feet swell up and i am scared of dvt because i have had 2 blood clots before.
Your help will be much appreciated
Thank you
It is that time of the year again, when we pile into the car and take a 5 or 10 hour drive to the coast/mountains/family or wherever you go during the holiday season.
As kids I remember taking Tupperware containers filled with sandwiches and that was about it. There was nowhere to eat on the way to anywhere and other than getting a drink of water from the nearest gas station, nowhere to get a drink.
Things have changed in a big way, now every petrol station has a mini supermarket and or fast food outlet, with any kind of fast food you can dream of! So now we tend to just pile in the car and eat whatever we find and feel like without a thought as to what impact this will have on our bodies.
As much as you may be going on holiday, travelling is stressful and as such, this is a time to eat as well as you can. One of the reasons we so often get post holiday flu is the junk we eat on our way to and from the holiday.
Those pies, burgers, hotdogs and pizzas all contain processed and refined flour and these are known to contribute majorly to constipation. The inactivity in the car or plane for hours and using public restrooms does not help either. Constipation leads to build up of waste products in the colon and this leads to the body not being able to efficiently repair itself which leads to inflammation and disease.
So what to do when you travel, so that you arrive not only alive, but glowing with health and ready to make the most of your annual rest?
1. When travelling internationally
This may seem like the most difficult but in fact most international airports now have a wide selection of healthier food options. The thing with international air travel is to avoid jetlag or at least reduce it to one day from the usual week or two.
The best way to do this is to fast and only drink water while you fly. I make sure we travel at night then it is not so difficult. The plane usually leaves at 8 or 9pm and we should really not be eating after that time anyway as your digestion slows down after sunset. You then land early in the morning, so breakfast is not a big deal.
Here is what works for us;
We drink only water, BarleyLife, which is barley grass juice (we add the dried powdered juice to bottled water)
The first meal we eat when we land is usually fresh fruit or a salad. This is because these foods are easier to digest and most nutritious and allows your stomach to catch up to itself. (Its been flying at 900km and hour!)
We then try and spend the first day out doors, yes even if it is raining, we go for walks with an umbrella. This is to allow your pineal gland (behind the eyes in the brain) to be exposed to ultra violet rays from natural light (even on overcast days this is more than indoor light) and this allows your body to regulate melatonin and serotonin. These two neurotransmitters help you feel good and sleep well. This is what will correct jetlag naturally the way God intended. You will find that the sleepy feeling during the day and hours spent awake in the early morning will disappear in a day of two so that you can enjoy your stay. While overseas we try to eat as well and naturally as we can and make a point of always starting all meals with some raw vegetables or fruit. (For more ideas go to www.100daystohealth.com)
2. When flying locally
This is a bit easier as few people fly further than 2- 4 hours a time. During this time I only drink water and avoid all food and never ever consume alcohol or caffeinated beverages. One of the side effects of flying is dehydration and alcohol, caffeine and cooked salty meals encourage dehydration. Most common side effects of this are fuzzy head, headaches and constipation. So if you want to arrive bright eyed and bushy tailed just stick to water. For goodness sake if you cannot go without food for 2-4 hours you need serious prayer!
3. When travelling by car
Possibly the most tiring way to travel especially if you have children; between the bathroom stops there is the arguing, the Im bored to when are we getting there and how many much longer comments that can drive many a sane adult over the edge.
So other that making sure you pack in some great, clean fun things for the kids to do you need to pack in food that will have a calming effect on the kids but keep you alert but calm too.
This is why eating God made foods is so important, they do both; keep you alert and calm.
Make sure you have lots of bottled water, either bought or filtered at home, take natural pure fruit juices like Ceres fruit juices, they have great travel packs, which can be frozen the night before; plenty of fresh ripe fruit bananas and apples are always popular but try grapes, naartjies, and preservative free dried fruit like raisins and dates. You can also make some date and coconut balls by combining equal quantities of dates and desiccated coconut. On the savoury side, home made popcorn made with coconut oil as it is the healthiest fat to cook with or olive oil then sprinkled with herb salt and put in packets, is a great option. Plain salted potato chips as a treat if that is needed. Otherwise whole-wheat sandwiches with lettuce, avocado, tomato and Marmite or other vegetable spreads or dips are delicious, rice cakes with pure peanut butter, or whole-wheat pit pockets stuffed with avocado and tomato slices. Our favourite travelling dish is to make a pot of Polenta (this is porridge made from sweet corn and is a traditional Italian dish, which is similar to pap or corn grits or sudza, but a whole lot tastier). We spread this into individual dishes (with lids) and top with a tomato and leek sauce, topped with grilled mushrooms and drizzled with olive oil. Then half way on our journey we find a pretty roadside picnic spot and pull out our delicious fare. We usually have some raw vegetables before we eat lunch or dinner and for us cucumber strips dipped in hummus or mashed avocado and herb salt is easy, delicious and very nutritious. You can make your own or buy in most deli departments at your local supermarket. (For recipes and ideas see www.100daystohealth.com or my books, The Natural Way Recipe Book 1 & 2)
Believe me there is no excuse for soggy sandwiches or junk food while travelling, you can still be a good steward of your body, eat God made delicious and nutritious food and arrive at your destination healthier than when you left home! Just focus on making it fun and keeping it simple, remember this is about being a good steward of the body that was bought with a price. To health!
What's to eat? Some ideas for Christmas holidays
Christmas Ice-cream
1 tin preservative free Coconut cream
1 tin fresh cream or another tin of coconut cream or milk
3 ripe bananas
= cup almonds
= cup dried peaches
= non-oiled raisins
= cup chopped figs
= cup raw honey
1 tsp. Cinnamon
Blend and freeze 3 times or use an ice-cream machine
Asparagus, Mushroom and pea salad
1 punnet button Mushrooms, sliced
1-2 punnets asparagus, cut into bite sized pieces, steamed and cooled
1-2 cups snap peas or frozen peas (thawed) or both
= pkt spinach, finely shredded
Mary-Ann's Seasoning salt to taste
Mary-Ann's Herb dressing
Combine first 3 vegetables and place on a bed of spinach pour over dressing. You can garnish with chopped hazel or macadamia nuts.
Aubergine Terrine
4-5 large aubergine, sliced into thin rounds and dry roasted.
Mary-Ann's Garlic & herb salt
5-6 large tomatoes, seeded (pips removed) and chopped
= cup Mary-Ann's Tomato Pesto (plain or Chilli)
500g cashews, finely chopped to a paste with juice of 1 lemon
300 g Tofu ( or Ricotta cheese)
= cup pitted Mary-Ann's dried olives
1 cup fresh basil leaves chopped
Season the aubergine slices with the garlic & herb salt and dry roast aubergine slices in a hot, 200oC+, oven until golden brown.
Line a loaf tin with the aubergine (sides as well). Overlap each slice.
Combine the pesto with the tomatoes and basil.
Blend or chop the olives with the cashew paste and tofu and spread half the mixture on the aubergines. Place a layer of grilled aubergine on the cashew mixture, top with half the tomato mixture and then another layer of aubergines. Repeat until mixture is finished ending with a layer of aubergine.
Cover with wax wrap and chill overnight.
To serve Turn out and slice, serve with red pepper mayonnaise and garnish with fresh herbs.
What's inside?
1 A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
2 Rich and poor have this in common:
The LORD is the Maker of them all.
3 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
4 Humility and the fear of the LORD
bring wealth and honor and life.
5 In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares,
but he who guards his soul stays far from them.
6 Train [a] a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.
7 The rich rule over the poor,
and the borrower is servant to the lender.
This is a great Proverb to use as a guideline for 2009, so go and read it. If you do not have a Bible read it at www.biblegateway.com Just type in Proverbs 22 and it will come up
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