The Future's Medicine is Here

I have been busy busy over winter break and hope everyone has enjoyed their holiday as much as I have been enjoying mine.  The break from school has allowed me to at last spend some real quality time with my family. I think my favorite part so far was cooking a traditional southern-style dinner (where I ate meat AND cheese! lol - separate blog post on the effects of that to come! For now, it is safe to say I am officially 100% plant-based, no cheating!)

Otherwise, I have been busy training for my upcoming race and with not much progress on the ITBFS.  It looks like there will be no running for me until race day if I am to stand a chance at finishing a fifty thousand meter trail run.  Today is my first day without running and I am already going nutty

…which leads me to how I have been spending my recently acquired free-time.  Those of you who know me are aware I am in college headed toward becoming a doctor.  I have 3 semesters before I enter medical school.  I have been researching, reviewing, applying, and preparing applications for every available scholarship online.  That being said, I came across a scholarship competition for blog posts.  “I can do that!” I thought.  The requirements are to blog about how I will positively impact my community and nation upon graduating from college with minimum 300 words (which I am never at a loss for!!!)  so.. here’s my story in a nutshell:

I returned to school last fall with every intention of entering into the Associate degree Nursing Program at the local community college after a chat with my brother in law who is an E.R. Doctor.  He suggested I become a R.N. when I expressed my interest in returning to complete my undergraduate work to enter medical school.  He was thoughtful in giving his advice because of the time involved and amount of student loan debt acquired from school. 

However, through my fixated reading about health, fitness and nutrition I came upon exactly what I was supposed to be doing.  I still wanted to be a doctor; only now,  I knew the specialization I wanted to pursue.  I needed to practice Integrative Medicine to teach people how to take care of themselves in a way that allowed their body to heal itself.  

There are many traits that will allow me to make a difference in other people’s lives as a physician.  I work hard to succeed at anything that I put my mind to.  I am passionate about living life to the fullest putting my all into everything I do.  I have suffered too much because of poor decision making in my past not to live by this rule – the loss of every privilege such as reading a book, running in an open field, climbing a tree, swimming in an open stream, or relieving yourself in private (although, this privilege is sometimes lost in the longer trail running events!) brings a “certain” appreciation and respect for life and its G-d given gifts.

I maintained a 4.0 GPA this semester while waitressing, tutoring math, training for and running my very first marathon all while fundraising for American Heart Association which required many facebook posts (thank you to all that put up with me, contributed &  didn’t delete me as a friend), written letters, typed emails, business visits, and events planning which successfully earned me a spot in the New York City marathon.  Physics, Calculus and Chemistry classes were skipped multiple times to run fundraising events, and yet I still maintained an A in all three classes.  I am currently seeking a full time job at the local hospital and enrolled for a full load of 19 hours while studying for the MCAT.  I will be a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine specializing in Integrative Medicine.  I know exactly where I want to be and the path is laying itself down in front of me as I move forward.  The ability to successfully juggle all of these interests is evidence that I will be able to maintain the vigorous requirements of medical school while being such a well rounded individual builds excellent interpersonal skills that in turn make an excellent physician.

I want to be at the forefront of the much needed healthcare revolution here in the U.S. where I can be part of a research team for integrating conventional medicine with that of natural healing to empower the patient to take control of his or her own health.  This area of medicine needs additional dynamic team members who can communicate this information in a meaningful way to individuals so they can go home and better care for themselves and their families to live healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives.

I am curious about your thoughts… what are your opinions on natural healing?  Do you have any people in your life who have been affected by diseases such as Type II diabetes, cancer or heart disease who have sought out help through integrative or naturopathic medicine?  Do you believe in your body’s innate ability to heal itself?  I would like to hear some of your thoughts or stories.  Anything that comes to mind when you read this..does your area need more access to this type of care? Do you find yourself reading more and more about this type of medicine?

"The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest her or his patients in the care of the human frame, in a proper diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease."
~Thomas A. Edison, inventor (1847-1931)

For more information on Integrative and Naturopathic medicine visit:

Andrew Weil, M.D.

Walter Crinnion, N.D.

Cleveland Clinic

Duke University Health
AANP

Right Mind Right Action

My run yesterday was a success in unexpected ways.  I was hoping to be able to run 25 miles in 5 hours putting me at a 12 minute per mile pace.  Instead, I ran 18 miles in 4.5 hours, putting me at a 15 min/mi pace.  My run gave way to annoyance when I embarked along a trail that took me along the back side of the mountains where the park staff has been unable to clear the trails as fast as the trees have come down in recent storms.  Being unable to run at a steady pace for having to stop and crawl over, under and around trees, I finally let go of the frustration and decided to continue on anyway.  The most important part of the day was getting my body used to moving for an extended period.

I realized too that the road running I had done during training for my recent marathon had softened me.  O boy…trail running is no joke and my run yesterday was a great reminder for me.  I love road running but trail running is my first love and the more challenging of the two. So, over the next three weeks leading up to my 50K, I get to go back on the trails and re-connect with my original running passion – trails.  I will be tapering off the distance from now until race week, but it is essential that I hit the trails at a minimum 5 days a week this week, 4 days the following week, and Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before race day Saturday, January 5^th.

I will say after yesterdays run that I am certain I have set an unattainable goal of finishing my first 50K at the 10:10 per mile pace I had set ~ but I can guarantee, universe willing, that I will finish this race at the best pace possible for that day.  I have no idea what I was thinking signing up for a 50K less than 2 months after running my very first marathon, but I will remain loyal to my ambitious nature and keep moving forward as planned. 

Not every training run is perfect and I can say that I felt more alive after finishing yesterday’s run than before I started even though a bit soul destroyed that it had not gone as planned.   I think I’ll be fine after a few more days on the trails because there is where I learned my passion for running and that it what my body craves.

“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.” ~ Thomas Jefferson 

Right mind, right action ~ at the end of my run when I started feeling pain throughout my body, I remembered something key I have learned along the way. The more I focus on the hurt the more hurt I feel but when I change my focus to the stepping of my feet and the good feeling that movement brings throughout my body, the pain disappears.  And when I did this during my 17^th & 18^th mile yesterday, the pain disappeared and I was encouraged.  I knew at that moment that I could’ve completed all fifty kilometers by staying in that mindset.      

Do not underestimate the power your mind plays over your body – EVER. 

For those of you interested, a link to the map of yesterday’s run

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/251971176

Nearing the end of my run on the newest trail in the park, Wildcat Trail, built by our wonderful mountain bikers, Logan Mountain Bike Association

The sun decided to peep out just when I needed nature's moral support

it's always worth the climb when you get to the top

Mountain top, another favorite part of my run

Downed trees everywhere

You get the idea...trees down everywhere.. I fell in and felt like I was getting eaten by them, my shoe gaiters were tangled in branches and when I got them loose I stood up only to knock a knot on my knoggin' , slid down mountain sides trying to bypass

This means "You are about to have a LOT of fun!"

Favorite part of my run yesterday, just before running downhill very fast on Rattlesnake Trail, Chief Logan State Park, WV

The start of my run, headed up Coalmine Trail, Chief Logan State Park, WV

TODAY & MY CACAO CRAZE

I started my day today with a visit to my chiropractor.  I am truly in love with his staff by now.  They are working wonders on getting out all the emotional scars and knots left from past traumas.  My day only got better from there.   I stopped by the shops on the way home and lucked out on picking up a new blender for $10 marked down from $80.  Superb win for the day. 

I came home and spent some time making besan flour.  It’s quite simple actually.  All you need is:

Garbanzo beans

Food processor

Coffee grinder (not required but helps make more flour out of the beans)

Sifter

Run the beans through the food processor, sift it, grind left over bits in coffee grinder and sift again. 

Why may you ask did I decide to make besan flour???  Well, I discovered its benefits while surfing the net for at home natural remedies that lighten your skin tone.  I tried out the recipe with the items I had in my kitchen already and put in an order for the things I was missing.  So far, I have been mixing 3 tbsp of besan flour with the juice of ½ lemon & ½ lime.  I have already seen significant improvements in my complexion.

Still, my day got even better when I received a package via USPS priority mail.  In it, came my Organic Spirulina, Ashwagandha Root, Turmeric Root, and Kelp powders (I have posted some key benefits of all these at the end of my post today).

Oooo.. and I must not forget, in the package also came my Organic Cacao Beans, and these I must take time to talk to you about.

I had ordered Cacao nibs after reading many vegan recipes which called for them.  They sat in my refrigerator, unopened for over a month before I decided to get them out and work with them.  I was actually quite uncertain of what to do with them until I remembered reading smoothie recipes that had called for them.  So, I made a smoothie – it was good, not the chocolate blast I was expecting – but consumable.   Then, during the weeks leading up to my finals, I started consuming the recommended amount of 2 ounces every day.  

And, let me tell you…. these have been called the “food of the gods” and for no small reason.  I can honestly say that yes.. I supplement my diet.  And, I do so because it makes me feel good knowing I am putting in all kinds of good stuff.  but, I don’t really think I have ever felt the direct effect of one single supplement that I am taking.  However, within four days of eating 2 ounces of the organic cacao nibs, I felt them and they were in every respect noticeable.  I was breezing through my finals, happy as a lark (& let me mention now I carried a 19 hour load including Physics, Calculus I, and Chemistry).  My Calculus professor even commented on my “cool as a cucumber” state.  I have not stopped raving about them or consuming them since.  Classmates and professors joked that many addicts speak of a certain drug this way..  but, seriously, I can’t advocate supplementing with them enough.  I call them nature’s prozac.  I swear....absolutely amazing!  AND...Today, my whole organic cacao beans arrived!!!  and, for those of you reading this who are not tolerable of unsweetened foods can either sweeten them yourself with agave nectar or, order them presweetened.

In the words of my best friend Robin…

“AND THEN….” I spent my afternoon running on the trails with my very best bestie in the whole wide world and our 5 furry friends. 

I came home and heated up leftovers from my most recent favorite dish (I tend to make a new dish and completely obsess over it and eat it for several weeks in a row – right now, it’s a whole wheat penne pasta dish with Italian squash and sundried tomatoes coated with my homemade organic vegan pesto creamed with an ounce of soy milk when heating.)

I watched some history channel documentaries on youtube and am lounging around for tomorrow brings a BIG DAY:::  my very first 5 hour trail training run!!!  So excited!  I hope to get some great pics from the run to upload and a link my garmin page showing the map of course covered.  

Toodles for now, ya’ll!

~Amy

info on supplements with a link pasted for ordering or browsing:

Organic Cacao Beans – boosts energy and enhances mood, contains anandamide (a euphoric substance), arginine (a natural aphrodisiac), and tryptophan (a natural antidepressant).  They are also high in magnesium and contain one of the highest levels of antioxidants on the planet, exceeding that of red wine and green tea.  Flavanols in cacao help maintain youthful, beautiful skin, and is a good source of sulfur which promotes healthy skin, nails and hair.  The ORAC levels (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity – how they measure the antioxidants) in cacao are valued at 13,120 per 100 grams.  Compare this number to blueberries at 2,400; strawberries at 1,540; and spinach at 1,260 – that makes cacao 5.5 times more powerful as an antioxidant than our precious blueberries.

Organic Spirulina powder – type of blue-green algae found in most lakes and ponds.  It has been consumed for thousands of years by the Aztecs, Mayans, Africans, and Asian peoples.  Spirulina consists of approximately 60% amino acids - the building blocks of our bodies.  It is also rich in other nutrients including B complex vitamins, beta-carotene, vitamin E, carotenoids, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, selenium, and gamma linolenic acid.  If purchasing, buy organic as most non organic forms have been found to contain nitrates.

Organic Ashwagandha Root powder – stimulates neurotransmitter pathways in the brain enhancing memory and other cognitive processes.  Research has found it to increase levels of three powerful antioxidants:  superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase.  It is also used to promote reproductive health, longevity, and stress relief for a variety of bodily systems.

Organic Turmeric Root powder – this I ordered to use in my face masks as it has proven to bleach your skin (to its natural color, evening skin tone), but it also has many many benefits when added to your diet as well.  It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent when used topically, prevented breast cancer from spreading in lungs of mice, current studies showing it can prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide, natural liver detoxifier, natural painkiller and aids in fat metabolism.

Organic Kelp Powder – this I ordered for my dog, who has inherited an immune disorder from his mummy which causes him to have allergies.  Besides treating doggie allergies, it has also been helpful for nails and hair loss, regulating thyroid and pituitary, cleanses body of radiation and abounds in calcium, chlorine, potassium, and magnesium.

Link to FAVORITE WEBSITE where I purchased these items:

http://www.znaturalfoods.com/

Oh She Glows Energy Bites recipe

Fruit and Nut Energy Bites — Oh She Glows
 
I added 2 tablespoons of organic cacao nibs, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1 Tbsp organic coconut oil, substituted 1/2 c dried peaches since I was low on apricots - used half of each, and substituted 1 Tbsp agave nectar for almond milk... Haven't tried the recipe pasted in the link but the one I made with these additions and substitutions is AMAZING!  Enjoy!

Trail bars

I made trail bars tonight to take on my training run Saturday. I'm training for my first ultra race - 50K on Jan 5.  I'll be running for 5 hours this Saturday & will need all the help I can get. I used a recipe I found on Oh She Glows with a few substitutions for extra energy.  I'll share the link to original recipe with a list of my changes.

Why I am here

I have been wanting to blog for a while now and have just not made the time to do so.  I’m not quite sure which direction this blog will take and that excites me.  What I do know is I want to share all the things that bring me alive.  I started running just a little over a year ago and it has transformed my life.  I have learned more about myself in the last year than I learned in my lifetime.  Running and the passion to become healthier has put me on a journey of a love filled life bringing passion back when I thought it would be impossible.  I am the happiest, healthiest, and fittest than I ever thought possible and I want to share my experiences with everyone.  I am in love with humankind and absolutely amazed at what we are capable of when we make the decision to start living.  By that, I mean… start recognizing what are bodies need and begin to care for our bodies as we would a loved one.   I’m hoping to share with you all the vitality that I have happened upon because one day I woke up and decided to go for a jog.  One healthy decision led to another which led to another…