Addiction in the way I am going to write about it here can be contextualized as a neuro-spiritual/behavioral/genetic/psychological issue, characterized by a powerfully persistent compulsion to engage in compulsive behaviors, despite the risk of harm or other negative consequences to self and/or others. Repetitive use of substances that are dependency-forming or addictive can “turn on” addiction-prone genetics and even change brain function in ways that perpetuate cravings and feelings of powerlessness in the presence of addictive stimuli.
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What’s the Nicest Thing a Non-Family Member Has Done for You?
Last summer I taught a “Healing Trauma to Reverse Autoimmune Disease” course for the Shift Network. Before they launched the course one of their correspondents, Phil Bolsa, contacted me for an article. He asked me to answer the question, “What’s the nicest thing a non-family member has ever done for you?” This was his write-up to my response.
As you read it, I pose the same question to you. What’s the nicest thing a non-family member has ever done for you? Did it trigger a life lesson for you like it did for me? How did you feel in your body as you received this beautiful offering of love? Where does that memory live now in your system? These kindnesses extended by others are called “resource spaces.” They can be energy channels that you can switch to, much like changing a radio station when there’s a song you don’t want to listen to and finding one that brings you joy.
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Who’s in Charge of Your Mind?
Recently I have been giving a homework assignments to some of my patients with autoimmune issues and past trauma. The assignment is to watch the beloved Pixar/Disney Toy Story series that began in 1995. There are four movies in this computer-animated world that includes Woody, Buzz Lightyear, their friends, and the villains and allies that help them grow and develop as more compassionate, wise, and loving beings.
The actual assignment is to study the characters in the movies and see which ones resonate with parts of your own personality. All of us have “parts” that were developed in childhood to help us navigate our own individual life circumstances, familial and other relationships, and traumatic events. Each of these parts learned its role, which ultimately is some form of protection for the innocent psyche that was you as a child. These parts are created by the child’s mind and make sense of the life experiences your younger self lived. However, they become outdated when they remain in charge in your adult life.
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Autumn Paleo Pumpkin Bread
This easy-to-make Paleo Pumpkin Bread is fantastic as a way to break your fast in the morning after you exercise, or you can dip it in some whisked eggs and pumpkin pie spice and cook it in the skillet as French toast. It’s naturally sweet with no sugars, dairy or grains and the warming spices of autumn bring a spicy tang to your taste buds.
The Holidays Promise a Swell in Highly Infectious COVID-Please Prepare
Omicron variants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 are sweeping through the United States and Europe right now. They are considered highly immune evasive, and we don’t know if antibody resistance from a prior COVID illness, or your vaccination/boosters, are going to be of any help in preventing infections. Given that many of my patients have a history of or are suffering from active autoimmune disorders, I would like to offer a couple of words of advice about how to protect yourself and your loved ones in the coming months.
Please wear your face masks while frequenting indoor public spaces, get tested for COVID often, and consider getting on the FLCCC (FLCCC.net) protocol to protect yourself from the new COVID variants in the coming holiday months. We have added some features to the FLCCC protocol to prevent and treat long COVID. You can find it here.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these two Omnicron variants (BQ.1 and BQ1.1), are now comprising more than 11% of COVID cases. First detected in Canada in mid-July, BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 are rated highest in the COVID variant line up in transmissibility, reinfection, and reduced vaccination effectiveness against infection by Canadian public health officials. Dr. Fauci and experts at the University of Washington are predicting a surge of infections that will peak in late December or early January. This would not be a great way to spend your holidays.
I hold retreats for healing trauma. They are small gatherings, but the participants and I do not wear masks. I require that all participants get a COVID test within 24 hours of traveling to my space and show me a negative result before arrival. This is something you can also do if you are hosting holiday guests. There are two kinds of tests that can be utilized: a rapid antigen (home) test and a PCR test. PCR testing if much more reliable. There are alarming rates of false negative readings for home tests, especially for Omnicron and its variants. Some countries have already implemented the research that is showing better reliability in testing that swabs the oral mucosa (saliva) and nasal passages. The United States has been slow to adopt some of the findings of other countries and this is yet another example. Look for rapid salivary antigen test kits as they are hitting the market soon.
Please be mindful, and regardless of your politics or personal beliefs about how COVID has been handled or reported about, wear your masks, get COVID tested and only go to gatherings if you have a negative test result, and get on a prevention protocol. We are happy to call these RX meds in if you follow the instructions here. We cannot call them in and have them arrive to you in a timely manner if you wait until you are already sick. Our prevention, early treatment, and long haul protocols are here.
Our Canadian neighbors published this instruction sheet earlier in the year that you can use to combine nasal and oral swabbing for at home testing for greater efficacy.
Paleo Blueberry Peach French Toast Casserole
INGREDIENTS:
- Ghee for greasing your pan
- 1 loaf Easy Paleo Bread (recipe below) cubed into one-inch pieces
- 2 cups fresh organic blueberries (may use frozen)
- 4 organic peaches pitted and chopped into bite-sized chunks
- 6 eggs
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
- ½ cup Choc Zero maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Grease a 13 x 9-inch glass pan with ghee.
- Arrange the bread cubes evenly along the bottom of the pan. Pour the blueberries and peaches over the bread cubes.
- Whisk the eggs until fluffy. Add the cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, grated ginger, coconut milk, maple syrup, and vanilla.
- Pour the mixture over the bread and berries. Use your hands to mix them until bread is thoroughly coated with an egg mixture.
- Place in preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to sit for 15-20 minutes before serving. Serve with coconut milk yogurt if desired.
Easy Paleo Bread
Adapted from Danielle Walker’s Against All Grains Blender Recipe
PREP TIME: 15 minutes mins COOK TIME: 65 minutes mins TOTAL TIME: 80 mins
INGREDIENTS:
- Ghee for greasing your loaf pan.
- 10 eggs
- 1/2 cup unsweetened macadamia nut milk
- 4 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups raw cashew butter
- 7 tablespoons coconut flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Lightly grease a silicone loaf pan with ghee.
- Combine the remaining ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center, comes out clean.
- Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 30 minutes, then gently remove the loaf and allow it to cool on a wire rack before cutting.