The Doctor and the Patient: Relationship, Partnership or Marriage? – Article

Bernard Siegel, MD

The word “patient” actually means “submissive sufferer.” In your relationship with your doctor, do you consider yourself to be a patient or a partner in your healthcare?

The article link below explains how doctors can create a better relationship with those they serve and how medical education shapes future physicians abilities to be compassionate.

Discover how great your relationship with your physician can be.

Article Link: The Doctor and the Patient: Relationship, Partnership or Marriage by Bernard Siegel, MD

For additional articles, visit the American Holistic Health Association’s Self-Help Articles Collection.

Posted in HEALING APPROACHES, holistic, LIFESTYLE/ATTITUDE | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Collaboration

Marcey Shapiro, MD

All beings live with one another in a state of dynamic and constantly changing balance. As one organism thrives, another declines. There is a perpetual recycling of the raw materials of life that make up our physical bodies. Minerals like carbon, calcium, magnesium, silica, and iron are the basic building blocks of life. All the minerals in our world today were created by the death of ancient stars incomprehensibly distant from us. We are alive because supernovae exploded and died in distant galaxies billions of years ago, spewing the dust that is now our flesh across the chasm of space. We are stardust.

While alive, each organism strives to promote the conditions that enhance its own survival and the survival of its offspring. Classical Darwinism frames this self-interest in terms of competition for scarce resources, but collaboration for mutual benefit is more commonly the result. Frequently there is interspecies cooperation occurring of which neither is fully conscious. For example, for most of human civilization, we did not give any thought to our intestinal bacteria because we did not even know they were there. The bacteria probably do not think of us consciously either, certainly not in the way humans do. But for hundreds of thousands of years, bacteria existed inside of us, living their lives. Their flourishing was synonymous with our flourishing.

Enhancement of survival can occasionally result in competition for territory, but the classical warlike interpretation of Darwin’s work is being replaced by a more expansive recognition of the central importance of collaboration. Even Darwin modified and softened his understanding in his later works, placing much more emphasis on relationship and partnership as forces that shape evolutionary change. In his second pivotal work, The Descent of Man, Darwin writes of the evolutionary advantage of mutual cooperation, especially within species. He implies that within a species, the fittest are those that cooperate the best. He wrote: “Those communities which included the greatest number of the most sympathetic members would flourish best, and rear the greatest number of offspring.”

This “Transforming Health” inspiration is from Marcey Shapiro, MD, Integrative Medicine Physician 

Excerpted from Transforming the Nature of Health: A Holistic Vision of Healing That Honors Our Connection to the Earth, Others, and Ourselves by Marcey Shapiro, MD, North Atlantic Books, copyright © 2012 Marcey Shapiro. Reprinted by permission of publisher.

Stay tuned for more thoughts from Marcey Shapiro, MD, on “Transforming Health” and Heart Centered Living.

Posted in LIFESTYLE/ATTITUDE | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How To Prepare Spaghetti Squash – Video

Karen Roth, MS, CNC

For many people pasta is a staple in the diet. However, for others it’s something they try to avoid because of all the carbs. Or they have a gluten intolerance and don’t like the alternative grains used to make gluten free pasta. Whatever the case, there is no reason you can’t enjoy a healthier gluten free version of this dish.

The video link below explains how spaghetti squash is the solution. Learn how easy it is to prepare and how to scrape out the insides and get the crunchy strands that look just like pasta.

Interesting comparison:
One cup of spaghetti squash is 80 calories; 18 grams of carbohydrates; 6 grams of fiber.
One cup of whole wheat pasta is 175 calories; 37 grams of carbohydrates; 4 grams of fiber.

Video Link: How To Prepare Spaghetti Squash with Karen Roth, MS, CNC

For additional educational video clips submitted by AHHA members, visit the American Holistic Health Association’s Self Help Videos section.

Posted in CONDITIONS, cooking, NUTRITION/SUPPLEMENTATION, weight | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A Simplified Explanation of Holistic Health – Article

Greg Anderson

If we hope to integrate the belief in and practice of holistic health on a wide-scale basis, we must first be clear about the principles of wellness.

The article link below describes an eight-point wellness program that makes holistic health understandable and workable for those that had vague or negative perceptions of the principles.

Discover how implementing this plan can help you discover the mind/spirit/body connection.

Article Link: A Simplified Explanation of Holistic Health by Greg Anderson

For additional articles, visit the American Holistic Health Association’s Self-Help Articles Collection.

Posted in Beliefs, HEALING APPROACHES, holistic, integrative, LIFESTYLE/ATTITUDE, Visualization | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How do YOU define “holistic”? – AHHA Resource

Have you discovered that others are not defining the term “holistic” the same way you do?

AHHA has always recommended that when you’re talking about holistic concepts, it’s wise to define terms and make sure you and the person you are talking to are on the same page.

The AHHA resource link below offers articles on this vital topic. Perhaps these articles will help you clarify your own thinking.

AHHA Resource Link: AHHA Self-Help Articles Collection – What is Holistic? category.

For additional American Holistic Health Association articles visit the Self-Help Articles Collection.

Posted in HEALING APPROACHES, holistic | Tagged | Leave a comment

Sleep Better Insomnia Acupressure Points – Video

with Michael Reed Gach, PhD

Do you have a problem getting to sleep?

In the video below learn acupressure ankle points to sedate your energy for counteracting insomnia, plus tips to get to sleep.

Pressing these ankle points together can enable your body to relax deeply for a good night’s sleep. These techniques are easy to teach your child.

Video Link: Sleep Better Insomnia Acupressure Points with Michael Reed Gach, PhD

For additional educational video clips submitted by AHHA members, visit AHHA’s Self Help Videos section.

Posted in Acupressure, CONDITIONS, HEALING APPROACHES, insomnia, Visualization, yoga | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Fats: The Good, The Bad, And The Harmful! – Recipe

Judy E. Buss

Friends, don’t try smuggling lamb chops under your armpits and into your homes! True, fat is vital to health; however, not all fats are created equal: Saturated fats, which are solid at room temperature, come mostly from animal foods. Butter, lard, dairy, shortening, and meat, all contain large amounts of saturated fat. When consumed frequently, they become major contributors to heart disease, strokes, obesity, and cancer. Unsaturated fats, present in some oils, are needed for maintaining good health. Sources of these fats are seafood and plant oils (except coconut and palm oils). Omega 3 fats, abundant in seafood, flax seed, greens, and wheat germ, are particularly beneficial. Hydrogenated and trans fats originated as plant oils, but were chemically processed and altered, rendering them among the most harmful fats; margarine is a prime example. Troops, it’s time to launch an invasion of wholesome, good- fat cuisine into your kitchens!

Here are some low fat, good fat eating tips:

  • Home cooking, primarily with whole foods, allows for greater fat consumption control.
  • Eat less frequent and smaller portions of cheese, and meat.
  • Choose low-fat or non-fat dairy products, and leaner cuts of meat.
  • Use olive or canola oils in salads and in cooking.
  • Avoid eating fried food.
  • In many recipes low-fat yogurt can be substituted for cream, sour cream, butter or mayonnaise. A combination of yogurt with a little olive oil is also an excellent solution.
  • Trim as much fat as possible from meat before cooking.
  • When consuming meat, do not eat the skin!
  • Make your own salad dressings with olive oil, vinegar, and herbs.

Mediterranean-Style Fish
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon capers
1 large, ripe tomato, diced
8 green olives, pitted, chopped
1/4 cup water
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon lemon zest, finely grated
2 – 3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 lb catfish or tilapia fillets

Rinse the fish, wash hands. In a covered skillet, cook the oil, tomato, water, olives, and capers for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, pepper, lemon juice and zest. Move the mixture to the side. Place fish in the skillet, wash hands. Baste it with the tomato mixture. Cover, and cook slowly for 15 minutes, or until the fish is fork-tender at its thickest part.

“Mission Nutrition” Tips and Recipe from Judy E. Buss, Health Columnist, Nutritional Cooking Instructor.

Excerpted from Judy E. Buss’ article, first published in the “Feeling Fit” Magazine, Sun Coast Media Group newspapers, Florida.

Stay tuned for more Judy E. Buss’ “Mission Nutrition” words of wisdom and recipes.

Posted in cooking, healthy foods, nutrition, NUTRITION/SUPPLEMENTATION, RECIPES | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

7 Tips for Talking with Children about Tragic and Threatening Situations – Article

Lois Nightingale, PhD

How do you talk to your children about the tragic events that they have heard about and seen through the media and their friends?

The article link below provides tips for talking to children about tragic events.

Learn how to connect with your children and support them during difficult times.

Article Link: 7 Tips for Talking with Children about Tragic and Threatening Situations by Lois Nightingale, PhD

For additional articles, visit the American Holistic Health Association’s Self-Help Articles Collection.

Posted in Beliefs, children's health, CONDITIONS, Grief, HEALING APPROACHES, LIFESTYLE/ATTITUDE | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Essential Iron – Research Article

Are you are one of the forty percent of menstruating women who experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms?

The research article link below presents the value of adding higher amounts of iron to your diet and supplements.

Research Article Link: High Iron Intake Linked to Reduced PMS Risk” from the March, 2013, issue of Natural Standard’s Integrative Medicine Newsletter posted with permission.

For additional research results, visit the American Holistic Health Association’s Special Updates eReport Archives and note Featured Research item in each issue.

Posted in CONDITIONS, dietary supplements, HEALING APPROACHES, healthy foods, nutrition, NUTRITION/SUPPLEMENTATION, PMS | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Selective Awareness – Video

with Emmett Miller, MD‬

Play some mind games with Dr. Emmett Miller.

In the video link below learn about the differences between the conscious mind vs. unconscious mind, and how the unconscious mind avoids thinking about unpleasant things to protect the conscious mind.

It’s easy to miss something you’re not looking for.

Video Link: Selective Awareness with Emmett Miller, MD

For additional educational video clips submitted by AHHA members, visit AHHA’s Self Help Videos section.

Posted in consciousness, HEALING APPROACHES | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment