Autism, Astrology, and Incarnation

Is autism a disease or just the result of a challenging astrological chart?

As you know I love to dabble in the world of the metaphysical and spiritual.  But what you may not have known is that I am a proud parent of two girls, my youngest being autistic.

Occasionally, I’ve pondered if or how astrology could be connected with autism.   My daughter is a Sagittarius and Sagittarians love travel and knowledge.  She absolutely loves car rides no how long (though not always the destination!) and one of her favorite videos explores music around the world.  I’ve wondered if other parents have noticed their child’s personality traits match their astrological sign or chart as well.

Though my research didn’t prove worthwhile on how one’s birth sign plays out in autism, it did lead me to how autism may be predictable within one’s birth chart and how incarnation may play a major role.

Planets in their Astrological Houses

As well as the planets, astrological houses also contribute to our personalities and self.  There are two houses in particular to consider.

The second house (Mercury) is the house of social contact and speech.   If one’s second house is negatively affected, he or she may suffer with social behaviors and speech, desiring to focus or concentrate on one subject instead.  

The fifth house (Jupiter) relates to the intellect and the mind.  If this is afflicted, then the capacity to understand and discriminate between right and wrong may be challenged.

So, can astrological houses determine a tendency towards autism?  Maybe.

Astrological Combinations

During the Uranus/Neptune combination of 1991 through 1994, children incarnated are believed to be a new breed of people completely, hence the beginning of the idea of “indigo children.”  It was perceived that these children were very different than the children of previous generations (possibly being more with more DNA strands) and also was the time when the number of children being diagnosed with autism skyrocketed.

When Neptune arrived, it brought the removal of the old way of thinking and with it came a new awareness to autism.   This is when the sudden increase of “star children” was born, bringing with them this new characteristic of squashing old beliefs and promoting new ways of thinking.  Does this mean our autistic children the new generation of star children?

During a Saturn and Uranus cycle back in 1985 through 1987, autism noticeably began its climb.  These two planets have different attributes that could be major contributors.  Saturn is the ruler of order and structure, as well as restrictions and limitations.  Uranus is rebellious and promotes radical influence, demolishing the status quo.  It also rules uniqueness, innovation, an unusual way of thinking, and having no regard to emotion and is therefore detached.   Radical change can often occur during the Saturn/Uranus combination.

Children with autism have a challenging time coping with this world, most notably seen through their behavior and social skills.  Could this be a sign of radical changes ahead?

Incarnation

Are we incarnated?  Many people believe we are there are those who don’t believe so.  My belief is that we are spiritual beings who have incarnated here on Earth in this lifetime.  With that being said, there are limitations our spiritual self takes on when coming into physical form.  One thing we all have in common is our bodies, but what differs is how many times we have incarnated here on Earth.  Autistic children are believed to have incarnated less times on Earth.  What does this mean? 

 

Though an autistic’s body is physically here, it’s as if their spiritual self is not.  Many families with autism understand this, as I can personally vouch for.

If you’ve studied or read anything about enlightenment, then you understand how the ego is not our true self.  It’s simply mind chatter, or clutter as I prefer, that distracts us from our true nature.  It causes us to live in the past and future, not in the “now” which is where enlightenment can be found.  When children are born, they are in their in their true spiritual nature, with no ego being present .  As they mature, the ego develops and distances them from their spiritual nature.

What I have learned and noticed with my own child is that she has no ego.  My daughter lives in her own world without any judgment or concern of what others think of her.  Could it be that an autistic person’s spiritual self has not fully connected with their physical being?  Is this the new wave leading us to a more enlightened way of life?

Conclusion

Are we beginning to witness the transformation of the human being with a mind that operates very differently than what we know or are used to?  Though this transformation may be a scary thought for many people, it is also an opportunity for us to broaden our own minds and way of thinking.  Instead of trying to mainstream those with autism and trying to teach them how to live in our world, should we let them guide us into theirs?

By:  Kristen Lee Curtis

 

Himalayan Crystal Salt - Your Healthiest Salt Choice

There is no denying that salt is important to our health and well-being.  We cannot live without it.  Every cell in our body depends on it.  With so many varieties of salt available, and so many of us unaware of the differences between common table salt, sea salt and natural salt . . . how do we know which one is the healthiest choice?

Is Table Salt Poisonous?

Common table salt is chemically cleaned and refined.  Because its natural minerals are believed to be impurities, most minerals are removed until it is reduced to just sodium and chloride.  Due to this process, table salt becomes harmful to your body since it’s no longer in its natural state.  In fact, it could be said that sodium chloride is actually poisonous to your body, which is why you crave water when you have too much salt in your system. Your body wants to flush out the excessive salt as soon as possible before it strains your excretive organs. 

For every gram of sodium chloride that your body cannot dispose of, your body requires 23 times the amount of water to neutralize it. This steals the necessary cell water from other parts of your body.  Your body then becomes weak and susceptible to many ailments like water retention, cellulite, rheumatism, arthritis, gout, and kidney and gallbladder stones.

Is Sea Salt a Scam?

Why are so many salt manufacturers adding “sea salt” to their product line when all salt is technically sea salt?  When salt is white in color, it has been processed, regardless of whether it’s labeled “sea salt” or not.  No matter how it’s labeled, white salt is salt with all of the sea minerals stripped from it.  Natural salts are not naturally white in color. Take Celtic sea salt for example. Its brownish/gray color is your first clue that no minerals have been removed from it.  The rosy-pink color of Himalayan crystal salt is another good example of unrefined salt.

Another thing to consider about sea salt is that it is mined from the sea and oceans.  With many toxic poisons like mercury, dioxin and PCBs being dumped into our waters these days, as well as oil spills, the water in which sea salt is mined is far more polluted than in the past.

Healthy Benefits of Himalayan Crystal Salt

Knowing that processed salt is damaging to your body and sea salt can be as well, let’s explore how Himalayan crystal salt is actually beneficial for your body and your health.

Considered the purest salt on earth, Himalayan salt crystals contain 84 natural minerals and elements found in the human body.  Because it’s been maturing for over 250 million years in a location with zero exposure to the outside environment, it is clean of all toxins and impurities.  It is hand-mined and hand-washed; is immune to the electromagnetic fields which surrounds us; contains no environmental pollutants; and has no limited shelf life, eliminating the need for silica packs to reduce clumping.

Himalayan crystal salt has many health benefits including:

• Regulating and controlling the water levels in your body to ensure proper functioning.
• Encourages optimal pH levels in your cells and in your brain.
• Maintains the amounts of chemicals and electrolytes needed for bodily functions.
• Balances blood sugar levels.
• Aids in reducing the signs of aging.
• Improves digestion of food within the intestinal tract.
• Helps aid vascular health.
• Supports a healthy respiratory system.
• Reduces respiratory problems and promotes sinus health.
• Reduces muscle cramps.
• Increases bone strength.
• Encourages healthy sleeping patterns.
• Encourages a healthy libido.
• When combined with water, it can help regulate blood pressure.

Using Himalayan salts in your drinking water or bath can provide relaxation, relief, detoxification, and essential body nourishment.  It also improves circulation which helps combat Fibromyalgia, lung problems, allergies, and rejuvenates your skin.

For a full body soak, use one cup of Himalayan salt in your bath water and relax for 20-30 minutes.  Refrain from towel drying as this will allow your body to absorb the salt’s nutrients and minerals.  Resting for 15-20 minutes after your bath is recommended.

Another healthy option is drinking a glass of water mixed with Himalayan crystal salt sole.  To make a Himalayan crystal salt sole (water which is fully saturated with the salt without any granules left in the bottom on the glass), please follow this recipe:

1.     Fill the bottom of a glass jar with one inch of Himalayan salt crystals and add two to three inches of distilled water over the crystals.  Cover the mixture with a lid and let stand overnight.  

2.     After all salt crystals are dissolved, add a few more salt crystals to water and let stand overnight again until fully dissolved.  Repeat this process until no more salt crystals can be absorbed.  The water will then be fully saturated.  You should have a few undissolved crystals in the bottom of the jar, proving its saturation.  Keep the jar closed as to avoid any evaporation.  This sole does not need to be refrigerated and has no shelf life.

3.     Every morning, before eating or drinking anything in the morning, add one teaspoon of the Himalayan sole to a glass of distilled water and drink. By doing this, your body will keep the energetic vibration pattern of the crystal sole for 24 hours.

Though Himalayan salt crystals have not yet been scientifically tested, this salt has been used for medicinal baths and spas since at least 300 B.C.  In ancient times, it was known “white gold” and “king salt” and was the choice of royalty, leaving the commoners to use sea salt and rock salt.  In these modern times, it is referred to as the “salt of life.”

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By Kristen Lee Curtis

Originally published at http://www.insidershealth.com

Barbie Wannabe

It starts off sounding like a joke: “Did you ever hear the one about the lady that wanted to look like Barbie so much that she . . . (insert punch line here).”  Except it’s not a joke.  A 51 year old England resident, Sarah Burge calls herself a “Human Barbie” and has spent nearly a million dollars for reconstructive surgery in an effort to be a splitting image of Mattel’s infamous doll.

Sounds like an attempt to get in the Guinness Book of World Records for “most elective surgeries” if you ask me!  But I digress . . .

After 2011's headline-grabber of Sarah teaching her seven year old daughter, Poppy, how to pole dance; her plastic surgery addiction has put her in the spotlight again. And this time it puts Poppy on center stage.   Most little girls enjoy getting gifts like stuffed animals, dolls, and maybe a bike; but gift-giving at the Burge household is a little less typical.  For her birthday, Poppy received a gift certificate, and it wasn’t for a trip to Build-A-Bear.  The little girl (remember, age seven) received a coupon for breast enlargement surgery on her 16th birthday.  Christmas was no different!  For that festive holiday, Poppy received yet another gift certificate, this one for liposuction, to redeem on her 16th birthday as well.  For the record, elective surgeries are legal once you are 16 years of age in the U.K.

How do you think Poppy felt about this?  Well, she has been quoted by a London newspaper saying, “I can't wait to be like mummy with big boobs. They're pretty."  Poppy has said that she is pleased about the gift certificates given to her because they may be useful if she “looks weird or something.” 

This isn’t about getting in shape or getting a new haircut, which can often make a person feel more confident or happy with herself. It appears that this is about a young girl who is being groomed for a life full of plastic surgery to fix anything that is less than “perfect.” 

So, the question arises: Is Sarah inadvertently teaching Poppy that she is not good enough or that she will never be (or should never be) happy with herself?  

One can’t help but wonder what kind of positive physical and emotional support Sarah currently gives to Poppy when Poppy is being encouraged to use cosmetic surgery at such a young age. Is this a form of child abuse?  Many parents are left outraged, feeling that little girls should be able to enjoy their youth and not be pushed into growing up sooner than necessary. These types of parents definitely don’t agree with Sarah’s choices.

The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far

Sarah herself was seven years old herself the first time she had plastic surgery, having her ears pinned back because they “stuck out too much.”  Sarah’s mother gave her a “gift” of cosmetic surgery when she was young, and it’s possible Sarah feels that since it was bestowed upon her, then it’s good enough for her daughter too.  Maybe she wishes for her daughter to be just like her as well. 

Sarah’s been quoted as saying, "I'm just supporting her to make her dreams come true. There shouldn't be a stigma around wanting to look good."  But is she sending her daughter down an impossible road in search of superficial and impossible perfection? With all of this attention based on achieving physical excellence, has anyone given any thought to the risk of botched surgeries?  Whatever happened to being a natural beauty and being taught to love yourself as you are?

By Kristen Lee Curtis

Originally published at http://www.insidershealth.com

HypnoBirthing - A Natural Alternative to Pain-Free Childbirth?

Does the thought of natural childbirth frighten you?  Would you prefer not to take any medications that could affect you or your soon-to-be-born baby?  If you would like to experience childbirth in its fullest, but don’t wish experience the pain, HypnoBirthing may just be the answer for you!

What is HypnoBirthing?

HypnoBirthing is a relatively modern method of child birthing which interlaces self-hypnosis, visualization, and breathing.  The program itself is fairly uncomplicated and simple.  It focuses on preparing new mothers for a calm and peaceful birthing experience.  HypnoBirthing helps instill trust in letting your body and baby do what happens naturally.

The History of HypnoBirthing

To Marie Mongan, a young New Hampshire English teacher, childbirth did not have to be a sterile birthing experience filled with drugs that knocked you out nor an excruciating experience with painful contractions and pushing . . . the seemingly only two choices for most of history. She explains, "Most women were totally anesthetized and out cold, and their babies were taken from them with forceps; except for the very few who didn't make it to the hospital and had them by the side of the road."

Not at all pleased with how childbirth was handled, Marie devised her own method to avoid the “system” by practicing a form of self-hypnosis which helped her to relax and imagine a calm and painless birth.  What had initially given her this idea was when she witnessed a cat giving birth to its kittens.  When a dog interrupted the cat’s birthing process, the cat’s labor ceased and the mother cat took her kittens away to a quieter place to resume the labor. 

"I always believed that it didn't make sense that it [labor] had to be painful," Mongan said. "It's a physiological law that all muscles in the body work unless there is something wrong. What could be wrong with procreation of the species?"  Her self-hypnosis method is now a registered trademark and women are currently practicing her technique in 34 countries across the globe.

How It Works

HypnoBirthing begins by taking away the negativity associated with childbirth.  For example, instead of labor pains or contractions, they’re called “surges.” When the actual birthing begins, it’s not referred to as pain, but rather pressure.   By removing the fear associated with pain, it opens the door to a much calmer experience.

A regular contributor on such networks as CNBC, Bravo, and Fox, Nancy B. Irwin, PsyD, C.Ht., Psychotherapy/Clinical Hypnosis and noted speaker and author offers this:  “Most of the other animals in the animal kingdom need no assistance in birth. It is an instinctive, natural act for the female to deliver offspring.  Of course, a percentage dies in the process, but for the most part only humans have focused on this small percentage of loss, exaggerated it, and learned how to 'freak out' about this natural process.”

She continues, “The good news is that the fear of childbirth was learned. And whatever has been learned, can be unlearned.  Hypnosis can restore a woman to her natural default setting . . . and focus on listening to her body cues to deliver safely and naturally, minimizing the pain, and [focusing] on the miracle of birth and the magic of a baby.  There is nothing more powerful than human thought. Indeed, the ‘negative mass hypnosis’ of childbirth is exactly what causes the distress. In therapeutic hypnosis, we turn that around, using positive hypnosis to encourage the woman to embrace this process as a fascinating one, start to finish.”

After proper training in HypnoBirthing, you are able to reach complete relaxation.  You are awake, alert and in full control.  Pushing does not take place because it tenses the muscle; and by not pushing it allows for experiencing the birth in an atmosphere of calm relaxation.  In this tranquil place, your body’s endorphins, being a natural relaxant, override the stress hormones which tighten and cause pain.  Instead, you focus on “breathing the baby down” by working with your body’s natural rhythms, much in the same way you breathe into your stretch when practicing yoga.

How Do Women Who Tried this Method Actually Feel?

“The biggest thing I took away from HypnoBirthing was the knowledge of what to look out for at the hospital. I learned about my rights as a patient and I learned how to stick up for myself.  When the nurses insisted I push the baby, I actually used the HypnoBirthing method of ‘breathing the baby down,’ which worked and she [my daughter] was delivered that night at 10:56 PM. Best moment of my life!” claims Brina Bujkovsky.

Kellie Adkins had a positive experience as well.  “I delivered my daughter using that [HypnoBirthing] technique. I loved the training and did feel the HypnoBirthing helped me have a more beautiful birth. I had a five-hour labor [and repeatedly visualized no pain which was taught during my HypnoBirthing course].  I did feel, however, that my yoga and meditation training helped me more than the HypnoBirthing did.  However, the HypnoBirthing is a great 'baby step' for moms who DON'T have any experience with yoga/meditation.”

After trying the Bradley technique for her first birth, Isra Hashmi was ready to try Hypnobirthing the second and third time around.  “My midwife at my third birth said I should be a spokesperson for HypnoBirthing; she said she's never seen anyone like me (in a good way!). I was smiling between contractions, talking and relaxed and limp even during my most powerful transition at the end of the birth.”

Alisha Worthington had used HypnoBirthing for four of her seven births and had this to share: “It made a tremendous difference in my ability to handle natural childbirth. I was able to relax and allow my body to work as it should which shortened my labor time and quickened my recovery. I also believed it made a difference in my pregnancy as well due to the number of times I ‘practiced' relaxing which improved my overall sense of well-being.”

And the Verdict?

My personal childbirth experiences happened in the typical hospital setting, suffering through the painful contractions and praying for the epidural.  Though I was fully awake with my first child, I was so numb from the waist down.  The only thing I actually experienced was the pain of the contractions and that magical moment of birth being lost.  Fortunately, when my second daughter was born the epidural was nearly worn off and I got to truly experience her birth.  Had I been wise to the HypnoBirthing experience would I have tried it?  Back then I was young and naïve and made the best choice that I could at the time.  My choice would have different had I known what I know now.

Through all the testimonials, there was not one woman who had a negative thing to say about this method.  Even the women who had complications during childbirth, all felt that the HypnoBirthing training helped make their experiences more tolerable since they knew how to remain calm and relaxed.  

So what do you think?  Does natural childbirth become a possible choice for you?

By Kristen Lee Curtis

Originally published at http://www.insidershealth.com

Besto Pesto for Detoxing Heavy Metals!

Cilantro and parsley are very potent herbs which can detox (or cleanse) your body of heavy metals. Treat your body with organic varieties whenever possible, especially when detoxing or cleansing. And don't hesitate to add any of your other favorite ingredients like basil or Parmesan ... have fun with it!

Try adding these flavorful herbs to juices, salads, soups and meals at least once a day for the best results!

Besto Pesto

 

3 cloves garlic

1/3 cup Brazil or macadamia nuts

1/3 cup sunflower seeds

1/3 cup pumpkin seeds

1 cup fresh cilantro (coriander)

1 cup parsley

2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

big pinch of Himalayan salt

Directions:

1.  Soak the seeds and nuts overnight to release the enzyme exhibitors.
2.  In a blender or food processor, chop the parsley, cilantro and olive oil.
3.  Add the garlic, nuts and seeds, Himalayan salt and lemon juice.
4.  Mix until finely blended into a paste.
5.  Store in dark glass jar and is also freezable if you choose!

Enjoy!

Living a Natural Lifestyle in an Allopathic World

Whether it’s a personal journey towards spirituality, prevention or recovery from illness, or you simply want to “clean up” your way of living, many people are adopting a more holistic lifestyle.  While the change to a more natural lifestyle may initially seem daunting, it is not impossible.

One of the most challenging aspects, certainly, is how to handle healthcare when the world of modern medicine no longer fits into your life’s purpose.

What exactly is holistic living?

Living holistically is living a lifestyle that supports the mind, body, heart, and soul connection.  Living in this fashion can help you to achieve balance in your life; and having that balance positively influences your health, relationships, spirituality, and finances. When balance is achieved, you become happier, healthier, and find that your life has become more fulfilling.

How do you achieve “balance”?

The path to balance is wide and varied, but often includes activities such as yoga, meditation, positive thinking, affirmations, and especially changing the way you eat.

As you adopt a more natural lifestyle, you may start by avoiding pesticide- and GMO-ridden foods, opting for organic varieties instead. Your curiosity into this new “world” may lead you to explore the numerous health benefits of the foods you’re now eating. Soon you realize that eating an organic diet can actually prevent many illnesses from ever developing in the first place.

Often when choosing to live a more natural lifestyle, people become vegetarian or vegan as well. The reasons for this choice can be many and varied. Spiritualists choose it because the death energy in the animal meat can lower their personal vibration and spiritual growth.  Others choose it because they believe an animal not should be killed to be served on a plate for our consumption.  By avoiding meat in your diet, you are eliminating the growth hormones which animals such as chickens and cattle are given to become “meatier” and produce more milk.

In the most basic sense, it’s about avoiding all products and choices which you consider “poisonous” to your health, personal growth and well-being.

What does modern medicine have to do with it?

When living a more natural lifestyle, an allopathic or medicinal choice becomes a thing of the past.  Your focus is drawn to the prevention of illness rather than the treatment.  Modern medicine focuses on treating the ailment or illness by use of prescription drugs and surgery.  And this is where the challenge begins.

What do you do if you have a condition that requires a trip to the doctor?  You know in your heart that the last thing you want is for the doctor to write you a prescription (one of those pesky poisons to your system) or request an X-ray (radiation exposure), or get tossed around from doctor to doctor so they can properly “remedy” the situation.

You begin to feel like you’re a pawn in the medical version of chess. You feel trapped because if you’re fortunate enough to have health insurance, naturopathic doctors are not typically covered under most insurance plans. So, in order to be financially responsible, you may feel you’re stuck seeking traditional medical care. Seeing a naturopath will mean out-of-pocket costs for you, and let’s be honest . . . in this economy that may be hard for many to afford.

Living the holistic lifestyle myself, a situation recently arose which left me in just this predicament.  My doctor quickly grabbed her prescription pad and set me up with a slew of doctors for testing.  I was even “offered” by one doctor a medicine that would make my condition worse AND cause me pain (which I hadn’t been feeling to begin with). Finally, in a worst case scenario, they offered me a surgical option.  It left me feeling very frustrated as I tried to decide the best thing to do. 

I had originally followed the traditional route because I initially felt it was the only thing to do.  But I ending up choosing not to follow their advice or take any their prescriptions or suggestions.  What I chose to do was about it was practice meditation, use the power of intention, and positive thinking.  Instead of constantly asking myself, “Why is this happening to me?” (which focuses on the negative), I shifted gears and began focusing on healing (which is positive). And so far it’s working.

Now, of course, my choice is not for everyone. And you shouldn’t feel guilty if you need to take a step away your holistic lifestyle and seek traditional medicine. Your choices are your own and there are no rules: no right or no wrong.  It’s about taking care of yourself and doing what’s best for you and your health.

By Kristen Lee Curtis

 

Originally published at http://www.insidershealth.com

Water – Happy & Healthy Drinking!

Did you know that drinking water …

… after waking up helps activate internal organs?

… 30 minutes before a meal helps digestion?

… before taking a bath/shower helps lower blood pressure?

… before going to bed avoids stroke or heart attack?

… helps you lose weight?

… relieves headaches and backaches caused by dehydration?

… can give you younger, healthier skin?

… helps you think better, be more alert, and concentrate better?

… flushes toxins out of your body?

… helps with constipation?

… prevents muscle cramps and sprains?

… relieves fatigue?

… regulates your body temperature?

… fights the flu and seasonal ailments?

… reduces this risk of cancer?

Stay hydrated and stay healthy!