Get Your Giggle On

These are challenging times we are living in. It may sound strange, but I gave up listening to the news quite some months ago. But somehow, I have always managed to keep abreast of everthing that's going on in the world through other people and glimpses of headlines here and there without having to actually sit and watch or listen to any news channel.


For some people the very idea of this may be too much to handle, but for me, it just makes sense. Especially if you could be watching something really funny instead. Anyway, for the last few years, there has been very little good news to report, and I don't particularly want to be remided of it daily. Especially, if I am having a day that things are not going as well as I would like them to. Some people find knowing what to eat stressful, for me this is simple, for others, it is chosing something to wear, again, for me this is something I love doing. However, the area I fall down on most is making sure I am not overgiving, and keeping my stress levels well managed. This is an area of my life that I like to keep in check and one of the best ways I have found to do this and that works for me to have a good old giggle. Oh, you just feel brilliant afterwards! Like going to see a good comedian and having to hold your sides from the pain because your waist  muscles are getting such a good workout. In my opinion, nothing is a good at changing your mood as much as laughing. So how are you going to get your giggle on?

For me it was last Sunday afternoon when I met with an old and very good friend of mine. We had not seen each other for a long time (way too long in my opinion). We spent a wonderful day together and what resulted from this meeting was a completely fresh look at life.We laughed and giggled for hours and I came home completely refreshed and invigorated. It reminded me of when I was young, carefree and unaware of the world around me. I felt fantastic and could barely remember what had been causing me concern in the first place. However, some days later I did remember what it was, plus several creative solutions to achieve resolutions, without having to sit down and "figure" them out.

Some people naturally gravitate towards having lots and lots of fun and making sure that it is an integral part of their lives. For me, I have a tendency to work a lot and keep seeing where I can be better. This means that I can sometimes forget to "pencil in" (that's a joke!) to have a good old giggle.

It may sound too silly for you (and if it does, then perhaps, then it is good to be reminded), but I am wondering, have you had a giggle today? What did you do? If you didn't, could you find a way to have one tomorrow? Life is a journey, not a destination and it will be much more fun and enjoyable if you can make room for giggling. So, what are you waiting for?...get your giggle on! A really belly laugh is irresistible and if you still want to be technical about it, having a giggle will do your immune system the world of good. Studies have shown, that people who laugh more, have stronger resistance to stress and build healthier and more white blood cells. They're the little critters that go out and work hard protecting you from getting sick.

I would love to hear what makes you have a belly laugh and if you happen to be facing challenges right now, what creative ways you have found to help you deal with some of those challenges, particularly if they involve laughing or having a giggle.

If you have any comments, I would be delighted if you would post them in the comments box below and look forward to reading them all.

Yours in good health and giggleness,

Ruth.

Get in Touch with Your Inner Cow

Don't judge it until you've tried it! You know that most things in life that are incredibly good for you, don't always taste the best....in the beginning anyway. If I told you that you might actually get to like this substance, would you believe me? Alright, like might be too strong a word, but how about tolerate? Better? Wheatgrass was one of these little substances that took me a while to get used to. I found it bitter and just way to grassy for my liking. Even today when I take wheatgrass, and I do regularly, I think it's the closest I will ever feel to understanding what a cow's life must be like....without needing the 4 stomachs to digest it.

What is Wheatgrass?
A little information about this berry. It is grown from the wheat berry, which is the whole kernel of the wheat grain, so while it might have a similar appearance to lawn grass (see daisy above), in truth it is far from it. Wheatgrass is the young shoots from the berry that has been watered and nurtured for approximately a 10 day period. In order to extract the nutrients, the wheatgrass will need to be run through a juicer called a masticating or auger juicer to get all the available nutrients out and to make these nutrients available for the human body. Wheatgrass, can be tolerated by those with wheat allergies because the gluten, which is the protein in wheat that causes the allergic reaction, changes during the sprouting process and the protein that was in the original seed is no longer in the grass blade and therefore can be tolerated by people with wheat/gluten sensitivities. Some people people who have been diagnosed as coeliacs are not prepared to try it just in case, but research points to the fact that it is safe to drink because it does not contain gluten.

Wheatgrass has been around for a long time, but it was through Dr. Ann Wigmore in the 1940's a health pioneer,  who uncovered it's benefits when using it to help people with serious health challenges. Dr. Wigmore passed away in 1994 but if you would like to find out more about Dr. Wigmore and her legacy you can visit http://www.annwigmore.org or http://www.annwigmore.com . Suffice to say that almost anyone who is interested in the benefits of wheatgrass or sprouting, has come across the name Dr. Ann Wigmore. Her legacy is wide and far reaching.

The Benefits of Wheatgrass
Looking at the following list if might seem obvious that everyone should be consuming wheatgrass daily to their get their dose of vitamins and mineral, but they are not. I hope that the following will go some way to helping you understand a little about why it would be incredibly beneficial for you to start taking this green drink.

Wheatgrass is reported to have the following benefits:

• Be one of the richest sources of Vitamins A and C
• Contains a full spectrum of B vitamins including B17, which has been accredited to destroying cancer cells but without affecting normal cells
• Provides organic iron to the blood which helps improve circulation
• Contains 92 of 102 trace minerals
• Very rich in chlorophyll, a powerful detoxifying agent
• Helps to purify the liver
• Improves blood sugar problems
• Is considered a complete food by many authorities
• Helps wound and sores heal more quickly
• Is very similar to the molecular structure of your red blood cells, enhances the blood's capacity to carry oxygen to every cell of your body

And I know that this list is not complete! But I wanted to give you some understanding of what those little green shots that you have heard are good for you are actually doing.

Another point that I would like to mention about wheatgrass is that it can be very strong. It also contains alkaloids, which are like nature's chemicals that can strengthen the immune system, but if taken in too large quantities are not supportive to the body. At times, I can down 3oz shots (approx 90mls), but then I wouldn't give you tuppence for even a 1oz shot. Like always, my advice is to see how you go. Try a 1oz first and then work up to more if you can tolerate it. Sometime, I add a shot to my green smoothie because I don't want to take it on it's own. This way I can still get the benefits, but without having to take it on it's own.

One final note, wheatgrass is best taken on an empty stomach even though I personally add it to my smoothies at times. I mostly have it on it's own to get maximum bang for my buck.

Well, that's it from this meadow.

As always, I wish you good health and empowerment!

Green, grassy wishes.

Ruth.