How to grow younger through the years

By: Cory Quirino
Philippine Daily Inquirer

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It is beautiful that the soul is indestructible and immortal. Perhaps it is the presence of this living spirit in us that drives us to keep our bodies just as imperishable. Thus, the pursuit of the fountain of youth.

The proliferation of beauty and wellness centers, anti-aging clinics and spas is positive proof that there is a demand to be filled. And this demand is more a need to extend life and to preserve youthfulness.

Sharing a few helpful tips will certainly offer you various approaches to keeping healthy, fit and attractive.

Balancing your fat

Going on a zero-fat diet has its downside. Not all fats are bad. There are good fats one needs in order to insulate the body, improve digestion, regulate vitamin and mineral absorption, satisfy the taste buds, protect vital organs and body parts, and more importantly, assist in the production of appropriate hormones.

Example: The adrenal glands, thymus, kidneys, and other glands use fats to help make hormones. The adrenals specifically require a specific fat, cholesterol, to produce hormones such as progesterone and cortisone.

Can you imagine what would happen if, say, your thymus is sluggish? This crucial gland regulates immunity and the body’s entire defense systems. Take a closer look at the other glands:

Thyroid—regulates body temperature, weight, and several metabolic functions

Kidneys—regulate blood pressure, circulation and filtration of the blood

Action plan:

See a specialist.

Check your blood today. Ask for a hormone profile.

Start taking in good fats.

It is during the peri-menopausal and menopausal stages when hormonal imbalances will be experienced. Many will attribute their balding head, hair loss, irritability, declining libido, dry skin, weight gain, high blood pressure and high cholesterol to aging. But what is aging if not the drying up of the fountain’s youthful waters? The key is your hormones.

Linda Reyes, 49, a successful banker, complained about the all-too-familiar symptoms of aging. Unable to get out of bed due to exhaustion despite a good eight hours of sleep, she sought the help of a new and popular wellness clinic set up by Florida-based cardiologist Dr. Cris Enriquez, who also specializes in complementary medicine.

After a simple blood test, Linda was determined to be already menopausing, and had a hypothyroid condition. Her treatment included bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. It differs from the conventional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) program, which is produced from the urine of horses.

BHRT, on the other hand, utilizes hormones from plants and has no side effects. Their molecular makeup is similar to those produced in the human body. Thus, it’s called bio-identical BHRT. However, it’s not available over the counter from a regular pharmacy. The clinic’s supply is sourced from the US.

In Linda’s case, she was treated with estradiol, progesterone and testosterone. Today, she is back to her usual energetic self, and her libido is comparable to a woman in her 30s.

But it isn’t only women who will need BHRT. There is also a specific program for men who suffer erectile dysfunction and chronic fatigue. Check out www.raphahealth.com.

The good oil

There is a simple regimen you can do to address dry skin.

Drink 10-15 glasses of water daily. After taking one glass of water, wait 45 minutes. Then, 30 minutes before bedtime, drink 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil. This is designed to increase the good fat in your body. Olive oil is high in monounsaturated fat, just like avocados and almonds. This fat raises good cholesterol (HDL) and lowers bad cholesterol.

If you have a few days’ drops of oil left, dab a drop or two around the eye area. But if you feel like it, rub gently all over your face. And the next morning, just like magic, your skin will be more supple and moist.

While a little cheese can be good for you, remember that its saturated fat is 66.8 percent. Depending on the amount of cheese you eat, it may be safer to eat a lean steak, whose saturated fat content is only 46.5 percent—shocking, but true. And don’t worry about peanuts: 50.6-percent monosaturated fat and 17.7-percent saturated. It’s a safe snack which can stimulate your brain function as well.

Cory’s Low-Fat Diet Dressing

1 c extra virgin olive oil

2 tbsp raw wild honey

2 cloves garlic

¼ c apple cider vinegar

2 tsp sea salt

1 tsp mustard

Optional: 1 tbsp yogurt or fresh kefir

Shake well in a tightly covered bottle. Refrigerate. Shake well before serving.

Affirm today: “I am a blessing to others!”

Love and Light!

Wellness means wholeness

By: Cory Quirino
Philippine Daily Inquirer

While going about our regular routine at home and in the office, we go through our actions almost mindlessly, as if by rote.

We can walk, jog, or run through life—the pace is entirely up to us, isn’t it? But while we are doing it, we should be aware.

Mind experts like my friend, Jimmy Licauco, call it mindful awareness, the art of being an observer of our own selves. You might ask, what does this have to do with wellness? Actually, everything. Every action we make is ruled by a decision—to eat, exercise, sleep, laugh, cry, love, dream, or not.

This is where true wellness begins—the journey that begins with the first step of awareness. And even the act of not acting on anything is also an action. Being aware of our decision making process will ultimately prompt us to make wiser choices.

Thus, every time we decide “to decide,” know and actually visualize that you are watching yourself. In this way, it will be much easier to make a judgement call between a bowlful of fresh greens and a bowlful of halo-halo. What practical health-conscious dieters do is this: they learn to compromise with themselves by making concessions. Here is the internal dialogue: “If you eat the dessert and ignore the veggies, you will send yourself on a guilt trip. So, give in a little to your sweet cravings, but finish your greens first.”

Sometimes the inner conversation can become audible. So if you catch someone standing before a restaurant buffet talking to himself/herself, show a little understanding. Negotiations are ongoing! These are two best wellness tips I can give you: 1) observe yourself, and 2) talk to yourself.

Body talk

This is a timeless piece of knowledge: your body talks to you. So, learn, listen, and respond to its message. Not a minute passes by when your body does not talk. Question is, are you listening? Every ache and pain is a sign for you to simply pay attention.

Maybe you have grown insensitive to your body. Here is a tactile exercise:

Sit comfortably in a quiet corner of your room.

Be still for three minutes.

Slowly run your right hand over your left arm, from fingertips to the neck. Then repeat on the right arm.

Now with two hands, cup your face, and feel the warmth of your hands. Close your eyes.

You have now connected with your body.

Warming oil regimen

Place ½ tsp of virgin coconut oil on your open palms. Place your palms together. Rub gently. You are warming the oil with your body heat. Once warmed, place both hands on your face and massage with upward stroked. Now rest your palms on your face for 30 seconds. Your own warmth will open up your pores to absorb this super-rich moisturizing oil completely.

Heart to heart

It’s about time you had a heart-to-heart talk with yourself.

Perhaps your busy life has robbed you of this precious opportunity. Find some time to do this. It will empower you, and with it, give you a new sense of freedom. This is so, because as human beings we tend to judge ourselves too harshly. So, try practicing a little kindness on yourself.

Write a tell-all and wish-all list for yourself. Contemplate each item on your list, whether it be a disappointment or a delight. Once you’re gone through your list, forgive yourself for your own shortcomings and congratulate yourself for exceeding your expectations. And promise yourself two things: 1) to never let yourself down again, and 2) to praise yourself for every accomplishment.

Mood lifters

Spice up your day or night with this stimulating yet soothing tea. Great for calming your tummy and driving away your chills. Ingredients:

One tea bag of your favorite blend (peppermint, black oolong, white tea)

2 stalks of fresh lemongrass

3 slices of regular ginger

2 tsp. raw wild honey

3 glasses of water

Boil the water, lemongrass, and ginger for 5 minutes, and allow tea bag to steep for 3 minutes. Add honey. Allow to cool slightly. Place in blender with five ice cubes.

Today’s affirmation: “I am one, I am whole.”

Love and light!