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Let Go of Financial Burdens and Get your Health Back

Let Go of Financial Burdens and Get your Health Back
By Dr. Mary Starr Carter

Do you have Financial Burden in you life? You know the type of debt that you can just barely cover every month. Or maybe you are behind in your financial obligations. Or worse maybe you are facing foreclosure on your home.

More and more of my financially smart friends are doing things like selling their homes and moving to a rental, releasing their mortgages, living with only one car. Why would they make the decision to do this?

In the movie Larry Crowne starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts, Larry loses his job of many years and decides to go back to school. He can't afford his house (living in California) and strategically gives it back to the bank. His big gas hogging SUV is put up for sale and he starts riding a scooter. In essence he unburdens his life and becomes much happier.

Opposite this scenario is my 50 year old single friend whose health has deteriorated through the years from stress and lack of self care. Her stressors are both relational and financial and when she comes home at the end of the day she is responsible for EVERYTHING.

DEBT is DECEPTIVE

The American Dream of owning a home is very deceptive
A homeowner must do or outsource many things including: Cleaning, Maintenance, Lawn Mowing, Garage Take out, plus all the financial burdens of mortgages and taxes. (In my state NY, taxes on a $125,000 home, per month are as much as a 2 bedroom apartment would cost per month.) If something happens in your home and you aren't handy you must outsource it. Stoves that don't work, Toilets that break, Hot Water tank breaks down, all this can cost a home owner on average $500-1500 a year.

And the deception that your house is your retirement fund, that when you retire you can sell your house and live off of that money is not good financial sense any more in most situations.

But my husband (a real estate investor) wants me to make the point if you strategically learn real estate investing you can create an additional or significant income. But this too can be burdensome as one of my single friends found out while trying to get her deceased parents home ready to sell. She thought she would save money doing almost everything herself. Almost 4 years later she has depleted her savings, deteriorated her health and still has not sold it. All this to get an additional POSSIBLE $50,000 – $100,000 more.

What is 4 years of your life worth? What is your health worth? I hope more than that. One word – WHOLESALE… look up wholesaling a home if you are in that same situation.

STAY AWAY FROM THE BIG RED CHECK

Recently I was reunited with my old college roommate who has a business of repossessing cars. It was really interesting listening and learning the process of how these car dealership credit companies get you. THE BIG RED CHECK… if you see that when applying for a car loan… RUN….. If you get a loan with these companies and miss just one payment they will come to take your car, and to get it back, you will have to catch up on your payment and spend minimum in $250 in penalties.

MAKING MORE MONEY IS NOT THE ANSWER

I know this statement is true because just several years ago my husband and I were earning over 6 figures a year and spending all of our income every month plus an additional $1000 on credit cards. We had $250,000 in debt. BUT by learning just a few principals of wealth we paid off over $170,000 in debt in a little over 3 years. YOU CAN TOO. My best recommendation for learning Wealth Principals of keeping your money and paying off debt is War on Debt a program by America’s Secret Millionaire, Dani Johnson. http://www.danijohnson.com/successtools/self-improvement/war-on-debt-home-study-program/ Get the program it will change your life.

DEBT = DISEASE
With over a decade of working with clients who struggle with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Rheumatoid Arthritis and other chronic illnesses I have found that 90% of them have had periods of or currently have very stressful financial situations. Whether they were sole providers like single parents with no financial support from a former spouse, they had lost a job, they or a child needed hospitalization that left them in debt…. and the list goes on.

I have no doubt that stressful DEBT = DISEASE. If you are someone who is struggling financially act NOW. Don't wait the longer you wait the worse it gets. Face the situation, do what needs to be done, invest in War on Debt and apply what you learn. These steps not only can help you get your life in order it can literally improve your health!

Come join us every Tuesday evening for a Free Total Wellness Coaching Call.

Please share your comments below. Your comments help us serve you better.

Dr. Mary Starr Carter is known as the Total Wellness Doc. She has been training individuals about Natural Health Solutions for over 13 years. She is trained as a Chiropractor and has studied under the world’s foremost leaders in natural medicine. She is a mother and a wife and has created a balanced and total wellness life for herself and thousands of her clients using her simple wholistic approach to health and wellness. Her coaching, classes and ebooks help clients with Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes, Weight problems, Thyroid and Chronic pain find resources and solutions to better health.

We publish newsletters and blogposts twice a week for our readers for general education purposes only. We cover topics that are related to achieving and maintaining total wellness which includes our emotional, physical, spiritual and financial health.

Protected: A Smoker’s Pain: 5 Tips to Reduce your pain and fight the effects of smoking

by Claudi 4 Comments

You are weaker than you think you are and stronger than you think you are

by Claudi 2 Comments

You are weaker than you think you are and stronger than you think you are?

By Dr. Mary Starr Carter

Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia sufferers can spend a lot of time in bed resting. Some may even spend 16-20 hrs a day resting. The pain and fatigue can be unbearable to even get out of bed. After just 4 hours of bed rest the body begins to decrease its muscle mass and fibers. Bed Rest can contribute to the pain because lymph and toxins become stuck in the body and inflammation can increase. Bed rest for weeks at a time can contribute to muscle atrophy and weakness of the stabilizing core muscles which could lead to neck and back problems.

Obese individuals can have a condition of muscle build up, tightness and weakness where certain muscles grow strong and big from the extra weight they carry and other muscles become weak. They can end up with the same inflammatory pain conditions as a Fibromyalgia client.

What about those who sit all day long? They also can end up with a tight muscle weak muscle condition which can cause pain and problems.

First why Exercise? Well we addressed that in our Benefits of Exercise article. Here are a few more reasons from Dr. Murphree's Health Matters Newsletter

Exercise is a wonderful stress reducer and mood elevator. It helps relieve mild depression by generating endorphins, the body's natural pain killers that are associated with the "runner's high." Some researchers have said that exercise can raise levels of norepinephrine — a neurotransmitter associated with drive, ambition, energy, and happiness — by 200 percent.

Exercise also stimulates important neurotransmitters that help us combat insomnia, irritability, and fatigue, as well as food, alcohol, and tobacco cravings. Blood glucose and insulin levels are decreased, which is extremely beneficial for carbohydrate-intolerant individuals and type-2 diabetics. (Type-1 diabetics will need to adjust their insulin regimen to account for increased exercise.)

Exercise also decreases triglycerides (fats) in your blood and LDL – the bad form of cholesterol, while increasing HDL – the good form. High blood pressure is lowered, and the heart becomes stronger and more efficient, pumping more blood per beat. Exercise increases the diameter of coronary arteries, greatly reducing the risk of heart attack. Exercise can even reduce the risk of a second heart attack. Among heart attack survivors, those who choose not to exercise are over 20 times more likely to have another heart attack than those who exercise.

BUT EXERCISE ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH
YOU MUST STRENGTHEN ALL YOUR MUSCLES

Myself and many of my clients walk daily, ride a bike, even have strenuous jobs with physical labor, but to properly strengthen the body we must include Strength Training into our Recovery and Fitness Plan.

The number #1 reason for Strength Training Exercise is to protect your bones and muscles. But there are plenty more reasons like increasing your immune system, decreasing your risk of injury, eliminating Type II diabetes, burning more calories, and Strength Training is even found more effective than drugs in fighting arthritis pain.

Where to Begin?

If you have any illness be sure to consult with your health care practitioner. But if you have Chronic Fatigue or Fibromyalgia you may also need to work in stages.

Recovery Stage

If you have a debilitating disabling condition I recommend the Chi Machine or a Vibrating machine for beginners. These machines help do the work for you as you lay, sit or stand on them. They burn calories, and increase the lymphatic motion which can decrease pain.

Beginner and Beyond Stage

The next level would include an exercise program developed for Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Obese, Arthritis and Pain clients called T-TAP exercise. This is an excellent short (some are 15 minutes) simple exercise program that you can do in the comfort of your home.

T-TAP exercise helped me to regain my health and strength. It got me strong enough to start to lift weights. Many individuals have regained their health with this system alone. Charlotte Siems released over 100 lbs and has kept it off for years.

You may only be able to do part or some of the exercises at first but stick with it you will get stronger. You can use a variety of T-TAP trainings for a Total Body strength and toning workout for your entire life. But some of you will need more so when you are ready move on to the next stage.

Strength Training Stage

Strength Training can be accomplished in the gym or at home.

Many gyms are equipped with good Nautilus, Cybex and Free weight type of equipment that helps you develop your strength and muscle. My personal opinion after working out at dozens of gyms is that one size fits all machines are not as effective as a program specifically tailored for you. I recommend investing in a Personal Trainer for several sessions until you understand and can do a specific routine. You may want to work with a Personal Trainer periodically throughout the year to help challenge you and get the quickest results.

MY FAVORITE

Chalene Extreme by Beach Body

Wow am I impressed with this Program. She is an excellent trainer who has very carefully paid attention to all the little details a personal trainer would. But the best part is that the cost is less than 2 sessions with a personal trainer and you can do it in the convenience of your home. You will feel the results in a week, and see the results in less than 3 weeks.

DON'T FORGET THE NUTRITION

To get strong again your body is going to need some specific carbohydrates and proteins. NingXia Red is an excellent way to fuel your body during a strength training workout followed by Powermeal a meal replacement shake. I recommend getting a liter of water with 2 oz of NingXia Red in it and drink this during your work out and finish it within 3 hours of your work out. Also make sure you have had your Protein Shake within 20-30 minutes of finishing your workout. Some people even enjoy a shake 30 minutes before and then again afterwards. Listen to your body and give it what it needs.

After a decade of only doing aerobic exercises and then living 2 months in bed and on the couch I became extremely weak, fatigued, and hurting. I did not have a foundation of strong muscle that would sustain me through that period of little movement. But THANK YOU GOD…. for that awful experience because had I not gone through that I would have never known how WEAK I REALLY WAS. Now just 3 weeks into it. I feel Stronger than EVER !

Remember if you sit most of your day you are probably weaker than you think you are. But give yourself just a few weeks of beginning Strength training and you will soon realize you are stronger than you thought you were too!

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Dr. Mary Starr Carter has worked with thousands of clients from terminally ill and chronic diseases to those who are healthy and want vibrant health. She has counseled hundreds of families who had given up hope find simple safe solutions. Known as the Total Wellness Doc she looks at all aspects of health to help someone overcome disease. She specializes in difficult cases like Fibromyalgia, Hormone and Adrenal issues, Asthma, Diabetes and Chronic pain.

Protected: What Nutrition do you need? The Basics for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue and most Chronic Illnesses

by Claudi 3 Comments

Gluten Intolerance & Pain : Could there be a connection?

by Mary Carter 26 Comments

Gluten Intolerance & Pain : Could there be a connection?

By Mari Ann Lisenbe

July 10th, 2002. That's the date I received my diagnosis: "Severe gluten sensitivity, leaky-gut syndrome & candida overgrowth".

How could this be? In my quest to feel better, I'd even become a vegan. I was eating lots of fresh fruits, veggies and healthy, whole grains. I had become regular health-food nut!

Becoming a vegan, I'd lost a ton of weight. But also, I was losing bone mass. And the pain was getting worse.

"OK. Where's the truck?"

That's the question I'd wake up asking every morning.

Surely that's what happened. If I hadn't been hit by a truck, why did I hurt so badly?

Groggy Head.

Draw a very hot bath, and soak at least 30 minutes so I could face the world.

And, the crazy body aches was just one part of it.

I had excruciating bouts with cramping. And constipation. It had even gotten to the point where I was regularly performing soap-suds enemas just to get rid of the bloating.

So, here I was again. Back in another doctor's office on my never ending quest to try to find out why I felt so miserable.

And she tells me I need to get off wheat? AND all those other "healthy" whole grains I'd been filling my body with?

How could it be so simple? I'd spent the last 20 years going to doctors in attempts to find out why I hurt. Gastroenterologists. Neurologists. Orthopedics. Gynecologists. Allergists. Pain management clinics.

How could they have missed something so basic? So simple.

But I was desperate, so I decided to listen to this new doctor's recommendations and eliminate all grains from my diet. Not just wheat, but all grains (including corn).

And, within 3 weeks, I felt as though I'd been given my life back.

I've spent the last 10 years learning about gluten and it's devastating effects on the body.

For one thing, you do not have to have "celiac disease" to experience problems with gluten. I didn't, and that is why the gastroenterologists missed it. They were looking for signs of celiac.

Gluten sensitivity causes inflammation in your body. And, the inflammation does not just manifest in your gut. It can manifest in pain all over your body. In my case, it caused excruciating leg pain, swelling, bloating and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Gluten is also linked to neurological disorders. This is one reason why "brain fog" goes away when you eliminate gluten from your diet.

Now, "gluten free" has become the new buzz-word. In a way this is good because people are becoming aware of problems with gluten.

However, many of the so-called "gluten free" products you see everywhere now, are not really gluten free! They are only "wheat-gluten" free.

And, that is why many people go on a "gluten-free" diet, but don't see all their symptoms go away.

You see, every grain (including rice) contains it's own form of gluten. Even corn. ESPECIALLY corn!

In fact, corn gluten is often one of the biggest offenders, and it is added to many products in the form of "malto-dextrin".

So, even if you're reading labels, you may miss some of the hidden forms of gluten lurking in your foods. You have to learn all the hidden things to look for.

Why is this? Why are people suddenly becoming gluten sensitive when grains have been consumed for thousands of years?

It's quite possibly because of the hybridization of grains. Genetic selection and sometimes actual genetic modification produces grains that are vastly different than they were 200 years ago. Genetic modification of corn has become so prominent that unless the corn you buy specifically says "USDA Certified Organic", you can safely assume that it is GMO corn!

If you experience Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Crones, IBS, Carpal Tunnel, or neurological problems, let me encourage you to try going gluten free for at least 3 weeks.

– No grains (not even rice). This means no flour, or products made from flour, too. Eliminate breads, pastas, rice, corn, corn chips, tortillas, etc. You really can get by with out this things for 3 weeks!

– Read labels. If the product contains malto-dextrin, MSG, monosodium glutamate, "natural flavors", or any obvious form of grain…put it back!

– At the end of 3 weeks, begin adding back 1 grain at a time.

Begin with quinoa since this is usually the least offensive grain. Then, try brown rice, corn, oats…waiting at least 4 days between the time you add a new grain. If you notice any of your old symptoms returning, eliminate that grain.

Being gluten free does not necessarily mean remaining bread free. Many people who are gluten sensitive can tolerate sprouted grains. The most commonly known sprouted grain products are by "Food for Life", the makers of Ezekiel Bread. However, there are many others. Just look for the words "made with sprouted grains".

There are also many truly gluten free recipes for products made with almond meal and or coconut flour. With many of these, you'd never guess that the muffin you're eating doesn't contain even an ounce of grain!

For overall good health, you should continue to be fanatical about reading labels.

This new way of eating may take a little getting used to, but feeling good again is worth the effort. You can do it!

About the Writer:

Mari Ann Lisenbe is the creator and CEO of The MARI Method where they teach “Mindful Actions for Radical Improvement!”. Her faith-based approach to weight loss is helping people, many who’ve struggled with weight their whole lives, finally lose weight and keep it off… without feeling deprived. One reason for Mari Ann’s success with her clients is her belief that “weight loss begins in your mind”. So, she sets out to help clients change the way they think about food and exercise. Married to her childhood sweetheart, musician Steve Lisenbe, they have 2 grown sons and one beautiful daughter-in-law. Mari Ann & Steve are active in their local church and live on a hobby farm near Houston, TX. At 56 years old, Mari Ann is living proof that you can continue living a strong active life when you learn to honor and respect the body God gave you. You can find her at www.marimethod.com. While you are there, grab her free online training called 8 Secrets to Transform Your Body in Record Time.

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Angels Among Us

by Claudi Leave a Comment

Angels – The Body Guards that walk with me

By Angela Brooks

I was raised in a small Methodist church out in the country where my family have always attended. I grew up hearing about angels and how they watch over us but had never had an angel experience, until I began working in a state funded mental hospital.

As I drive to work, usually in the peace and quiet of the car – I use my time for prayer with God. I want Him to walk alongside me as I go into an environment that is so unpredictable.

On many occasions I will ask in prayer to be covered with a protective shield before I reach the unit. There are times I have been confirmed that it was answered by a client on the unit or an event that shows up.

After a long week of very difficult clients I dreaded coming into work this particular day. I felt drained going in. As I stepped on the unit a long term client who I have worked with over the years came in this admission in worse shape than normal for him. He had sat on the hall talking to his internal stimuli most of the time with little interaction to the staff.

This day as I stepping on the unit he came walking straight to me and I stopped because we had direct eye contact. He said, "Mrs Angie can I tell you something?" I said, "Sure how can I help you?" He says, "Mrs Angie when I see you walk on the unit. I know I am going to be ok. I said, "Thank you I appreciate that." He goes on to say, "You remind me of a light house." I turned my head – smiled and stated, "Really why is that" He speaks very clear and very sincere as he continues to explain. "A light house is a safe place for those that are out to sea. When the boat is rocking back and forth in rough water the sailors begin looking for the light. I see that in you. A bright light that shines all over this town reaching others. But your light is going to reach more than this town – it will reach way out into the world and others will see you. Thank you for taking care of me when I am sick." He turned and walked back down the hall way to his room. We did not talk any more that shift.

I was speechless. Actually I had to step across the hall in private to wipe my tears because he had just answered the prayer I had spoken in the van on the way to work less than 10 minutes before. I had dreaded coming to work that day and my prayer was – God just let me be a light to one person. Let that person see you in me.

When we have a disturbed client we have a buzzer than will sound called a 'Code D' all available staff will go to that area to assist on that unit. Most the time when a client sees a large group of people entering the unit they will stop on their own.

This young man around the age of 23 years old began throwing chairs. Raging until the staff felt he was out of control and called a code D. The buzzer sounded and the unit number was given over the loud speaker. You could hear people running across the floors above and doors opening and slamming closed as staff ran to that area.

When you go to a high risk situation you have no idea what will be waiting on the other side of the cold steel door. You put your key in the lock, turn the key and step in to the unknown. As I run to these situations I am asking for 10,000 angels to show up and go with me for protection for the client and the staff so that no one gets hurt. That is our main goal, safety.

I opened the door and locked eyes with the young man we were going to assist. He stopped, leaned back against the wall, slid down to a sitting position on the floor. We began talking to him to see what was going on. He became very cooperation with the staff and walked to his room to receive medication the doctor had ordered.

Later that evening I went back to check on him and see how the medication was helping. He was standing at the desk talking to the staff. He turned to me and said, "Did I hurt you earlier?" I answered, "No one was hurt how are you feeling?" He stated, "I am feeling better why did you have to bring those great big men with you? I looked at him puzzled and questioned him, "I do not remember any one walking in with me. I came alone. What men are you talking about? He said, "They were big guys that came in with you and pushed me to the ground.

It did not dawn on me until later who those men were. They were my body guards that I did not hire, but they walk with me. Angels really do walk among us.

Another gentleman that comes to mind has a long history of hurting the nurses that work with him. He stands 5'10 around 250 lbs. In 21 years not to many of the men give me the good ole creeps. He did. I did not walk close to him when out on the hall. This evening we were watching a movie with the clients.I stood against the wall because I felt more comfortable with him still awake on the unit. There was another male sitting in a chair between us and he leans over to speak to me.

His eyes carried a darkness and his smile looked so evil he said, "I ain't gonna mess with you." I looked at him and questioned him "What did you say?" He said again. "I am not going to hurt you. You always walk around with your big ole guards." The other client sitting between us smiled and snickered as he glanced at me listening to this man speak. There was no one standing beside me. No other staff. No other clients. Just me. I smiled and stated "Thank you, I am glad you feel that way." From that day forward – he walked on the other side of the hall from me.

Another Angel spoke, After a long hard stressful night another staff member and I were walking through the connecting unit to go to our cars. A lady sitting in a chair at the end of the hall close to the door sat rocking back and forth. I have never spoken to this lady before. I did not know her name. All I had ever seen her do was rock. Both of us were walking mentally exhausted from all the drama that had happened during the night and I was wondering to myself how could anything that had happened really helped anyone in those 13 hours. When the rocking lady looked up – not really gaining eye contact but looking upward and said, "God said, you did good ladies." She looked back down and went back to rocking. I smiled, looked up and said "Thank you".

Do you have angels that walk with you? Tell me about it by leaving a comment below. I want to hear your story.

Angela Brooks is a leading distributor of Young Living Essential Oils. Dedicated to natural health solutions, Brooks provides people with healing alternatives without harsh side effects. Additionally, Brooks is a mental health nurse committed to bringing mental happiness to the nursing profession by motivating and supporting nurses around the country.