The Green Queen

Your Digestion: What’s Going On In There And How You Can Feel So Much Better!

Guest Post by Emma Bathie
Did you know that digestion is the foundation of your health? You can eat all the healthiest food in the world, but if your gut is inflamed or unhealthy, the nutrients from that wonderful food will not get processed nor be properly absorbed by your body.

Did you also know that your belly actually communicates with your central nervous system? This connection is called the brain-gut axis. The gut is often called your second brain because it contains hundreds of millions of neurons – more neurons than are contained in your spinal chord. Your belly is also deeply connected with your intuition because it is a way in which you perceive and read the world, but you do it without thoughts, obviously, because it is not happening in your brain. What you instead experience is a “feeling” – your intuition.  This is as valid and powerful as what your brain is experiencing, but it is something that we often overlook, especially if our digestion is already making us feel lousy. Just think though, how you could more deeply use this part of your body and your intuition to more accurately make decisions on a daily basis, and in all areas of your life, if it was as healthy as it could be!

The Worst Year Of My Life, The Power Of Food & Thought, & What That Has To Do With You Creating The Body & Life Of Your Dreams!

Guest Post by Emma Bathie
As the end of 2011 draws to a close, I want to drop the bright, happy, shiny face for a moment and ‘fess up. 2011 was the worst emotional rollercoaster I’ve ever been on, and boy am I glad it’s coming to an end!

As I sit here though, knowing I’ve turned my corner, drawn my line in the sand, and am completely ready to embrace the wonder and magic of a new year, even I’m kind of amazed that I got through this last one without pills, Prozac or piling on the pounds.

Does the Way You Eat Rob You of Precious Energy and Stress You Out?

Guest Post by Emma Bathie

One of things we all seem to desire more of is energy. We think “If only I had the energy, I could…”. At the same time having enough energy can feel like an exceptionally vague topic. It can be difficult to know if we have enough, and then how much could we really have – what’s possible?

It’s not always easy to gauge what good energy means because it feels different from one person to the next. So I’d like you to ask yourself this way, on a scale of 1-10 where 1 is none at all and 10 is absolute in your own estimation (ie. I can do everything I need and want to do with some left over), on average, how would you rate your current energy levels? Once you have your number consider this: if your energy levels were improved by just 1 point on your scale what would be different in your life? How would you feel? What could you put that energy into doing and creating, that you are not doing now?

Hmm, makes you think, doesn’t it?

How To Kick Sugar Cravings To The Curb!

A Guest Post by Emma Bathie

Sugar is perfectly designed to hook us in. Just about everything sugary looks and smells irresistable and it has a similar effect on the brain to pain-killing drugs like morphine and other opiates (such as heroin). These types of drugs produce an almost instant feeling of pleasure, calm and satisfaction, at least initially, making them incredibly addictive.

For many of us sugar isn’t seen as the problem – it’s the answer: the answer to our sorrows, our lack of energy, and our boredom. For many of us this began in childhood when we were rewarded with sweets when we accomplished something deemed worthy, offered a little chocolate when we’d hurt ourselves or were feeling sad, and showered with sugary treats when loved ones came to visit. Often it is not the sugar we’re enjoying but the comfort we associate with it. The next time a sugar craving hits try this exercise:

Sugar: Is It Really That Bad For You?

A Guest Post by Emma Bathie

There has been some amazing research in the last few years about the effect of sugar on the body. And yes, it really IS THAT BAD for you! Not only does eating too much sugar lead to obesity, diabetes and tooth decay, even a small amount is one of the biggest contributors to low energy and feelings of being overwhelmed – it has even been scientifically linked to depression.

Unfortunately there has been so much focus in recent years on fat as a culprit in disease that many people have lost sight of the dangers of sugar.

Please Listen Up… White sugar and artificial sweeteners are corrosive to everyone’s health and well-being, but for those of us who are already stressed and tired (and who doesn’t that include these days?) – they are poison.

Why? Because unlike the sugar that occurs naturally as a simple carbohydrate in foods such as grains, beans, vegetables and fruit, refined table sugar lacks vitamins, minerals and fibre, and thus requires extra effort from the body to digest. In fact the body must deplete its own store of minerals and enzymes in order to absorb refined sugar properly. Therefore, instead of providing the body with nutrition, it creates deficiency.