Flu & Cold Season: The best ways to protect & strengthen your immune system this winter!

The winter season is upon us, which means that more than usual we talk about how to protect ourselves. Is flu vaccination the only choice? You can read my post on this topic from last year: http://www.ibhealing.com/blog/flu-season-my-take-on-the-flu-shot

For those of you who want to take a natural approach to fighting the Cold/Flu, I suggest FORTIFYING your immune system, and below are the top 7 ways to stay healthy this winter season:  

1. Wash your hands thoroughly

2. Do not touch your face or nose unnecessarily

3. Stay hydrated; add lemon or lime to your water or tea

4. Take contrast showers, start with warm, end with cold water, do several 30 seconds rounds 

5. Netti Pot technique nightly helps to remove the invaders from your nasal passages

6. Supplement with proven immune boosters: Probiotics, vitamins D and C, Elderberry syrup (a potent antiviraI!)

7. If you respect Homeopathic medicine, get the Oscillococinum and start to take it at the first symptom

You can order all of the above recommendations on my online dispensary -Fullscript  which comes with a 15% discount and fast delivery (cheaper than ordering it through Amazon Prime).

Plus, my Fullscript dispensary gives you access to physician-grade brands, like Pure Encapsulations, Designs for Health, Klaire Labs and numerous other high quality brands. Other products available on Fullscript include body/ face care products, power foods and teas, and to make things easy for you, I’ve conveniently sorted all of my top recommendations under the “Favorite” tab. 

Sign up is easy and fast:  https://us.fullscript.com//welcome/ibhealingcom  Once you sign-up you can go to the tab labeled “Prevent Cold and Flu” and stock up on the products I recommend for fortifying your Immunity. Also, for my clients I offer a FREE 15-minute Nutritional Consult.

If you still feel unsure about the Flu shot, here is a view from a retired hospital nurse which you can see here 

My First Experience with Plant Medicine called Ayahuasca.

When I was twenty, I had a near death experience in the hospital while undergoing a minor (so I thought) surgery.

I didn't know the term “a near death experience” - NDE, but eventually found the book describing this phenomenon written by Dr. Raymond Moody, “Life After Life” www.lifeafterlife.com.

The book was translated into Russian by an underground publishing agency “Samizdat” in 1975.  I was a second year college student studying engineering, and firmly planted in a hard science, with a total lack of any spiritual or religious education. This is when my interest in an altered state of consciousness began. 

It was twenty five years later here in Stamford, I had multiple “Out-of -Body” experiences - OBEs. They were absolutely awesome, but unfortunately spontaneous.  I could not repeat them, as I so wished. 

Eventually I became familiar with the work of  Robert A. Monroe. I devoured his book, “Journeys Out of the Body”.  He had phenomenal OBEs. Bob’s interest in altered state of consciousness was the driving force in the foundation of The Monroe Institute in Virginia. The Monroe institute popularized his “Hemi-Sync” patented audio technology. It was claimed to facilitate “Out of the Body” experiences - OBEs.  From 2008 through 2011 I participated in many programs at The Monroe Institute (monroeinstitute.org) 

If you are interested in experiencing the Hemi-Sync effect during your next Reflexology/Reiki session, please let me know. I have accumulated a good collection of Hemi-Sync CDs, and it can be easily included into your hands-on session. 

My interest in altered states or I would rather call it, expanded states of consciousness, brought me to the teachings of Gregg Braden. Check out his books.  In 2007 we traveled with him to Peru on a journey called “Unlocking the Incan Code of Time”. While there, I have heard about the powerful medicinal plants ceremonies, that were led by native shamans using Ayahuasca. It was not on our itinerary then.

I started to read and hear from a few trusted friends about the effects of psychedelics on the expansion of consciousness. Even though I wanted a direct experience, I also had an enormous fears. The saying goes, once you drink Ayahuasca, which is a brew from two Amazonian plants, - you SEE, once you SEE, you cannot UNSEE.

A powerful film “Neurons to Nirvana” by Oliver Hockenhull helped me to learn more about the nature of different psychedelic molecules and its impact on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of the human being.  

I watched the documentary “The Reality of Truth”.  The story of Rythmia - Life Advancement Center in Costa Rica was mentioned in the film. The book “ Sh*T the Moon said” by Gerard Powell, the founder of of Rythmia was very intriguing and inviting for a first hand experience .

My good friend Lisa Wilson, the founder of The Raw Food Institute, talked about going to Rythmia.com in Costa Rica this summer. 

It was the last straw, that broke my fear.  I was ready to become a psychonaut and experience the power of psychedelics in a safe environment guided by a powerful shaman Taita Juanito.

The week of October 14th I went there with my daughter. We had four powerful ceremonies with unique and dramatic experiences  and breakthroughs. 

We also learned how to practice Transformational Breathwork, that helped to process the revelations of the Mother Aya, as this powerful plant medicine is lovingly called. 

The main lesson I got: “We are all ONE”. Mother Aya helped me to shake off “the reality of separation” for good. My other very personal revelation was aptly written on the T-shirt I wear now: “Relax, nothing is under control”

I am still processing on a deep emotional level discoveries and lessons of Rythmia. The Medicine works on your mindbody for three or more weeks after the last drink.

This March my husband Nicholas agreed to go with me to Rythmia. First time for him.

There are plenty of video testimonials on the Rythmia “Youtube” channel - you can get lost in them. 

Check out a brand new documentary “From Shock to Awe”.  It explores the healing effect of Ayahuasca on two American veterans and their families dealing with PTSD. Their transformations after Ayahuasca ceremonies are powerful.  

Also, I would love to mention the serendipities during our travel to Rythmia. The first person we met, when we arrived to Costa Rica airport was from a small town in Florida, where my daughter lives.  The person who greeted us from the big TV monitor at Rythmia entrance hall - our beloved Gregg Braden (remember our trip with him to Peru and recently Israel), and a young lady I met there shortly after, was from Taiwan, born precisely in a small town of Taitung, where my Reflexology Master and Life Mentor Father Josef lives for the past thirty years. Serendipities.

If you want to know more, please do ask me, I am open to share with you face to face.

I need to mention, that the visions I had at Rythmia were of extraordinary beauty, reminded me of my NDE some forty years ago.

The New Wearables

Today I want to talk about wearables. Do you know that electronic smart gadgets can be incorporated into clothing, implanted under the skin or worn on the body as an accessory for the purpose of collecting and tracking your personal physiological data to improve your health and fitness? Such medical data collecting devices are perfect tools in the development and implementation of  a  medical care model that shifts its focus from diagnosis to prognosis.

Precision Medicine is an emerging field in the science of health and wellness. This Medicine is based on four principles:

1. Predictive

2. Preventive

3. Personalized

4. Participatory.

The use of FitBits or similar devices is quite common now and  wearables technology is exploding all over the world.
Let me introduce you to the Oura Ring. It is developed by a  fairly new - only two years old - company from Finland.

I have been learning about the outmost importance of good sleep on our health for quite sometime now. Please check  out one of the best books on this seemingly trivial subject.  Here comes the wearable that allows me to quantify the quality of my nightly sleep and much more. Of course I got excited. 

I ordered my Oura Ring - second generation, last December.  Due to its enormous popularity  it arrived with delay this August.
For almost two months I have been collecting and monitoring the data on my SLEEP - 7 characteristics; READINESS  - 7 characteristics, ACTIVITY  - 6 characteristics; yes, steps walked  and TRENDS.

The ring is synched with my iPhone ( can be other cell phone models) via the Oura app and can independently collect and store info up to 5 days, if for whatever reason I am not near my phone. It emits very low EMF compare to other devices and operates in Airplane Mode, if chosen. There is so much more to learn and discuss about the Oura Ring.
 
Ask me any questions at your next session.
If you decide to buy it, you are welcome to use HIH code for $50 off its $300+ price, depending on the model. 
I am happy to share, that my husband agreed to wear his cool Christmas present - Oura Ring. I pray, that his ring will arrive just in time.

Here's other products that I introduce on my page The Products We Love: Vibram Five Toes shoes - give my bunions  - yep, I do have them on both feet more space and to prevent future misalignment  and a simple pleasure Massage Glove. 

I am also excited to share a fantastic podcast by Peter Attia MD, called The Drive. Thanks to Max, one among my young and savvy clients,  I am now hooked to Peter's podcast, his style, cutting edge info on many subjects... Mainly, health, longevity, critical thinking and a few others. 

What I Learned from my Recent Trip to Israel

Many of you know, that this March Nicholas and I took a 16-day trip to Israel, named “The Holy Land Tour - In Search of Original Wisdom”, with one of the most extraordinary teachers of our time Gregg Braden. It was my first trip to Israel, even though I know that my ancestors came from this land, and quite a few friends and distant family members are living there now.

It was a profound, empowering and extraordinary journey of a lifetime. It was a journey, that  awakened memories, and evoked powerful feelings and emotions.  It has been said, that from those who are deeply devoted to a religious practice, to those who are non-denominational spiritual seekers, there is no place on earth that touches the cords of our spiritual beliefs so powerfully, and our souls so deeply. We saw the beauty, history and sacredness of the land, and the people, from multiple backgrounds as we experienced layers of history and tradition. We followed in the footsteps of the greatest spiritual masters that ever walked the earth, and taught the words of divine wisdom, compassion and love celebrating the unity of the Creator.

So much is on the news today about Israel, that made me hesitant to visit the area for a long time. If it was not for Gregg Braden, with whom we travelled to Peru some 11 years ago, I would be still on the fence.  

Our group of 106 included people from 16 countries  and all over the States. We traveled through the desert and into Jerusalem ( in Hebrew means City Of Peace) and then north to the Galilee area following the paths that Jesus,  as a man, Joshua ben Josef, would have followed. 

We entered Palestine several times, and in all that time never once incurred any tension or hostilities. We witnessed Jews, Christians & Muslims co-existing together as a nation. 

Jesus, as the prophet (and he was one of many prophets over the centuries) only wanted to empower people with his actions & words to live in peace and justice. Unfortunately this is not how his wisdom has played out in the past. 

As Gregg suggested throughout the trip, Israel is a ground zero for the world peace, and if it can be achieved in Israel it can be achieved throughout the world.  If you have not been to Israel yet, you may consider going with Gregg Braden and Elan Cohen, check out the schedule www.ShalohaProductions.com

One of the most profound places for me was Mary Magdalene Church at Migdal Junction in the north of the country.

A few years ago Father Juan Solana, the papal appointee in charge of Notre Dame of Jerusalem, felt the leading of Christ to build a retreat center on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. As workers began to dig the foundation for the guesthouse in 2009, they discovered a First Century Synagogue and inside what is being called The Magdala Stone. Fast forward, they hired a female chief archeologist, a female lead architect, and they built a church next to the excavation site, which honors Mary Magdalene, the other women of the Bible, and the divine feminine in general. Inside the dome of the church is a representation of Guadalupe. In the basement of the church, they built a meeting room modeled after a synagogue. The painting behind the altar, is of the woman in the Bible who by her faith was healed touching the hem of Jesus’ clothing. Wonderfully animated  Priest, Father Eamon Kelly, originally from Ireland, lectured our group in that synagogue, and in so many words reminded us that Jesus was a Jew, that he taught in synagogues, that he almost certainly taught in the synagogue discovered there, that Jesus honored the divine feminine in this place. Yes, the church that once threw Mary Magdalene under the bus is on a mission at Magdala to unite people in her name. I was fortunate enough to spend three hours talking to  Fr. Kelly about his mission here in Israel at Magdala, about powerful and talented women who actively created this place.  Place that continues to attract pilgrims and tourists alike from all over the world. See more here: http://www.magdala.org Donate, if you are moved so. I did.

 Almost daily we had the presentations by Gregg Braden with powerful video slides illustrating his narrations on the latest scientific discoveries, that support the ancient texts and spiritual teaching from all over the world! These  were SUPERB. I am glad to share with you, that you too can watch  and be with Gregg from the comfort of your home. 

Subscribe to Gaia channel, for example with Amazon Prime, and look for “The Missing Links with Gregg Braden”. He explores the deep truth of our origin, history, destiny and fate! like no one else.

Much to take in, understand and act upon now - to create solutions to total Peace on Earth as our foremothers and our forefathers taught us.

Book References & More:

1. The Dead Sea Scrolls: A New Translation, Michael Wise, Martin Abegg, Jr. & Edward Cook (Harper San Francisco 1999)

2. The Other Bible, Ancient Alternative Scriptures, Edited by Willis Barnstone (Harper San Francisco 1984)

3. The Nag Hammadi Library, The definitive new translation of the Gnostic scriptures complete in one volume, James M. Robinson Editor, Harper San Francisco 1990)

4. Prayers of the Cosmos, Meditations on the Aramaic Words of Jesus, Neil Douglas-Klotz, (Harper San Francisco 1994)

5. The Essene Gospel of Peace, Book Two, The Unknown Books of the Essenes, Translated by Edmond Bordeaux Szekely (International Biogenic Society 1981)

6. Torah Code Software (Available for PC Only, not for Mac)

http://www.biblecodesoftware.org/ 

7. On iTunes you will find the chant of the sacred hebrew personal name of God, YHVH: "The Divine Name" I Am (Feat. Tina Malia) Jonathan Goldman (2013 Spirit Music)

8. More on Hebrew Names of God: http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Names_of_G-d/YHVH/yhvh.html

Gregg Braden one and only official web site (please beware of pseudo-Gregg Braden sites):

www.greggbraden.com

Words of Wisdom from Trusted Sources

I could never say it better, then these powerful teachers. So here they are: 

"There are many situations, attitudes, lifestyles—even food choices—that you do not want to participate with. Through the living of your life, you have identified many wanted and unwanted aspects, and it is important to remember that none of those unwanted things can jump into your experience, because there is no assertion in your attraction-based Universe.

The choices that others make cannot negatively impact your experience unless you include them in your experience through your attention to them. Things come to you only through your Vibrational invitation—and they remain only by your continuing attention to them.

Your Universe is based upon freedom. Freedom for everyone to choose what they give their attention to, and therefore what they choose to experience. And your interaction with one another provides a contrasting basis that assures continual expansion.

When others achieve Vibrational alignment with something they desire, they in no way deprive you of your desires. If your time-space reality has inspired a desire within you, it is certain that your desire can be fulfilled, for your Earth environment has the potential of satisfying the essence of all desires.

Excerpted from "Getting into the Vortex" Guided Meditation CD and User Guide on 11/1/10

Esther (Abraham and Jerry)

“Learn to live simply, staying in the now moment and being true to the prompting's of your heart. Allow yourselves to be guided from a place of love regardless of what may present itself as you go about your day, for love is the only power and the only reality regardless of any outer appearances. We are spiritually mature enough to accept that it is one's state of consciousness that determines their outer experiences. In reality there are no victims, only those suffering the effects of believing themselves separate from Source, others, and their good .

You are creators, and must ask yourselves what you are choosing to create--for yourself and for the world. It is serious and often difficult work to be awake in a third dimensional world at this time, but know that you knew this before incarnating and chose to be here.” 

from onenessofall.com