Tesheca LaRose-Wellness Consultant-Specializing in Reflexology & Reiki

I've recently made a self-diagnosis of a problem I've dealt with for years, but had no idea that there was a name attached. It is IBS or irritable bowel syndrome. Many of you may be suffering from the same and not even realize what it is. IBS isnt a disease, its not serious, just a nuisance that causes discomfort in daily life. Doctors have no cure or fixes for this syndrome, except in severe cases where a prescription for constipation or diarrhea would be suffice. There's massive amounts of information on the web about it, but I will speak about my own personal symptoms, which are unlike what 80% of IBS sufferers may experience.
 
I had taken a colon cleanse product which contained mostly fiber. The recommended dosage was 4 pills per day with fluids, but I took 3. Mind you, I eat a well balanced diet that has adequate amounts of fiber in it derived from veggies/fruits/whole grain products. It escaped my mind that TOO much fiber is a bad thing! By the second day, I literally looked months pregnant- which I am not! I figured it had to do with the pills, but I wasn't sure why such a quick effect. I happened to hear a member of 'The View' speak of her wheat allergy and how it bloats her belly to the point of pregnancy, lol, so I started some research thinking that I too may have a food allergy. I happened to stumble onto IBS and its symptoms. I experienced most of them: Apparently the fiber irritated my bowels to the point of it reacting in such an extreme way. But apart from this incident, menstrual cycles would produce the same effect. Apparently, with IBS, women are more prone to suffer from the condition and experience a flare-up before or during menstruation because the hormone levels will irritate the bowels. Infrequent constipation, white mucus in the stool, pebble-size stools, having that 'unfinished' feeling when having a bowel movement, bloating/gas are symptoms I have had and are common with IBS. More severely, IBS can cause chronic constipation and diarrhea with cramps/pain in the lower abdomen.

What is the way to relieve this? change of diet seems to be the first line of defense. Avoid regular consumption of stimulants such as caffeine, chocolate, too much dairy milk products, alcohol, and excess fiber. Note: You dont have to restrict it from your dietary intake. Drinking a probiotic drink such as the ones made by 'Kefir' will help. And drink plenty of water. This has helped my pot belly to go down in a matter of a week. It can be more or less time for you. I hope this article will help shed some light so that there can be an awareness to this condition.

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A recently published article in the Philadelphia Inquirer states that according to researchers in Boston & Denver who published a study, now found in  the 'Archives of Internal Medicine’, vitamin D, not C, may help prevent infections such as  the common cold. Vitamin D has been known to help assimilate calcium, which is necessary to maintain strong bones. Vitamin D is naturally 'activated' by the sun. In humans, its formed by the sunlight on sterols in the skin. Vitamin D prevents rickets and osteoporosis.
 
The study compared blood levels of 18,883 participants in a national survey. It suggests that the amount of sunlight that reaches the skin, triggering  Vitamin D production, may be inadequate in northern latitudes from the months of November to March, (prime cold seasons).
Findings are as follows:

• Compared to people with 25 hydroxyvitamin D levels of 30 ng/mL or more- those with less than 10 ng/mL of Vitamin D were 55% more likely to have had a recent cold. Those with  30-40 ng/mL levels between age 10 & 30 were 27% more likely to have had a cold. The differences were greater in winter and amongst asthmatics.

The current U.S. recommendations for Vitamin D are  200-600 IU per day, which according to these researchers are not adequate, and wont give optimal results. Vitamin D is found in fish-liver oils, and added to margarine, milk,  and cereals.


In regards to this article particularly, I would suggest that one eats a sensible and nutritious meal daily, and take a multi-v. Going out to purchase over 600 IU of Vitamin D isn't necessary, but it wouldn't hurt to have it in optimal amounts.   Too much of a good thing can be hazardous, however.  Because the body cannot rid itself of it by excretion, high intakes can cause a toxic reaction such as fatigue, nausea, and abnormal calcium deposits.

If you'd like to read more of my articles on diet and nutrition, please click here

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What exactly is a stroke? A stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery supplying blood to the brain, starving the blood cells of oxygen. 

For those who have already had the awful experience of having a stroke, you have choices to speed up your recovery. These are suggested complementary therapies that can be done alongside what your primary physician is already doing for you:

• Acupuncture has been known to enhance a speedier recovery in the body
• Hyperbaric oxygen chamber therapy which increases the oxygen level in the blood and facilitates brain cell and recovery time. I must admit that it would be a little difficult to find a center that has one of these machines
• Body and facial reflexology or accupressure, helps to stimulate certain body organs and in getting movement back into the regions that the stroke may have affected
• Not changing the behavior that led up to the stroke will certainly ensure it happening again. Seeking out an Ayurvedic nutritionist's advice is recommended so that you can get on the road to a faster recovery and healthier life.
• Have a positive mental outlook on and focus your intention on your healing. Look at the glass as half full that you have made it past the stroke, and have lived. Celebrate that fact and take steps to ensure it not happening again.

Prevention is the best method to avoid even getting such a debilitating and life threatening condition. Stop smoking!!  Eat more balanced, nutritious, live foods. Exercise-- You do not need to do exhausting workouts or even go to a gym to get exercise. Exercise is any movement that will get that heartrate up. Breaking a sweat is most beneficial for weight management, but is not necessary for overall health. A body in motion stays in motion. Your HDL levels which are a key component for keeping that bad cholesterol down, will increase levels with exercise and proper dietary intake. Niacin, which are found in green leafy veggies and chicken and fish will aid in keeping HDL levels up and LDL levels down. The best preventative measure is to have a sunny disposition and happy outlook on life, even when we are going through adversity. The key is to know that you are passing THROUGH adversity, not living in it for a lifetime. As the ancients use to say "know thyself"...knowing who you are and where your happiness lies will ensure that you will WANT to live your best life and will do anything to preserve your life and longevity. 

If you are a recovering stroke patient and would like to experience what alternative medicine can do for you,please feel free to read more about my reflexology service by clicking here

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What is it about the feet that seems to gross people out? lol...We all are born with them, we NEED them, they transport us to and from our destinations.  Yes, feet can be smelly, and if not groomed, can look horrific. But in actuality, feet serve more of a purpose than just transportation.  

Our feet contain over 2000 sweat glands- pores which are ducts for releasing toxins and sweat from the body. This is very crucial from an anatomical standpoint. It's necessary for our bodies to release harmful toxins from our systems so that we can maintain optimum well-being.  Reflexology is an alternative therapy to do this.  Reflexology deals primarily with the feet, which are believed in Old World cultures to be the mirror of the body.  Changes underfoot cause changes in tension levels throughout the body. Lying down, sleeping, standing up, walking, sitting, running and playing - each activity calls for its proper internal alternations. The feet help the whole body adjust and change to meet the demands of the day. By intentionally stimulating the pressure sensors in the feet, the body is influenced to behave in a better, more healthy manner. Reflexology is exactly this intentional manipulation of the pressure sensors to enable the individual to be more balanced, reducing stress and tension throughout their entire physical system, therefore returning the body to its proper equilibrium. Certain areas of the feet are believed to correspond to the internal organs and meridian pathways of blood energy.  Reflexology is believed to clear these pathways from obstructions such as lactid acid buildups/calcification. Lactid acid breaks down the muscle tissue. High levels of acid will make you lose strength instead of regenerating in sleep. It also releases qi/energy obstructions within the body.

A simple foot rub can be so relaxing...imagine what a more technical therapeutic massage can do for someone! 

Here are some testimonials from some of my clients: 

" Excellent job. Very thorough and professional. Relieved all of my aches and pains after just 3 sessions. Highly recommended."-- Alan G., NJ

"I remember having a stuffy nose and Tesheca suggested a reflexology with my hands and at the end of my 15 minute session, my nose was  clear. I was amazed after being very, very, very skeptical"-- Lynn N., NJ

“I was experiencing some pain in my arm and Ms. LaRose used her techniques, and in a short time, the pain was gone. I felt a lot of relief after that. Thank you!”—Harry T., NJ

“Thanks to Tesheca. She pinpointed and aleved problems I was having. I feel better for her techniques, by concentrating on the pressure points”—Maria S., NJ

If you'd like more information on this form of alternative medicine, you can learn more here...or if you'd like to schedule a session today, please feel free to contact us

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In my time as a reiki/energy healing practitioner, I have been asked the question repeatedly of what is reiki exactly. First, I give the obvious response, inserting a few facts about the origins, who perfected the technique, what it's used for and by whom.

There is so much information via the web on reiki, so Google the term if you would like to know more, or visit my website for a brief description, by clicking ---> Reiki info

People still seem to be skeptical, curious, cynical, or puzzled even after I give them a brief rundown on the subject.  Most of them happen to be Christian or agnostic. Therefore, I find myself equating Reiki to Jesus. Jesus was a man, not a deity. He was a conduit for GOD's power. Jesus went around all over the old world healing and teaching. He layed his hands on the afflicted and they miraculously felt better. Many skeptics would attribute their sudden 'healing' to some psychosomatic response, or wishful thinking. But however or whatever the reasons for their feeling better, it worked. And results are what matters!

Reiki is a Japanese term for universal energy.  The Universe being created by intelligent design AKA God, and the energy of that force that is within all things. Even if one is atheist and only goes by scientific evidence, they cannot deny the fact that energy exists. Healing energy or work is not measurable or quantifiable- it just is..I myself do energy healing work. I happened to be certified in Reiki, but I use Reiki techniques as a guideline, not an absolute. I use my intuitive abilities to determine what can be affecting my client, where I should be focused on  healing, with the intention healing anything that needs addressing, seen or unseen. A practitioner does not have to be religious, spiritual or the like to do reiki on themselves or another.  The energy is there for use by anyone, and it is through your own intention that you can harness and utilize the energy for positive, or even negative purposes.

My clients may not fully understand reiki, but they seem to love it because it makes them feel better, more relaxed, and  heals them in some way or form.  Here are some testimonials from some of my clients:

• "After my first Reiki treatment, I felt a calmness and then about an hour later, I felt a strange sensation in both my shoulders"  Connie P., NY
• "When she placed her hands over my eye which were closed, I saw a gray screen with green clouds moving toward the center, then the gray screen turned deep blue"  Connie P., NY 
• “My aching muscles were much relieved since I had sessions of Reflexology and Reiki done”  Joyce, NJ

If you are curious and would like to experience this wonderful form of healing for yourself, please contact me, or seek out a practitioner near you.

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• MSG- monosodium glutamate..I have found this in almost every variety of my former favorite snacks and chips. It is used as a flavor enhancer.  But extensive research has shown it to be a cause of migraines.
• Aspartame- a toxic sweetener that converts to methanol and formaldehyde in the body. 'Yummy!' ..thought to contribute to forms of cancer
• Sucralose- another sweetener, present in many of our treats and also known to be a carcinogen, causing cancer.
• Sulcalrose-  I think you better rethink that Splenda in your morning coffee next time you go to Starbucks because this agent is like ingesting chlorine.
• Nitrates- wreak havoc on our kidneys and eliminatory systems.
• Margarine- 'I cant believe its not butter'...should be named ' I cant believe its not plastic'...since the formulation is a component away from being actual plastic. This is the lure- 'it'll pass through you and your body wont absorb it'...hmmm, I wonder why?!  Well, it may be due to the fact that our body was never intended to process plastic since it has no nutritional value...Use butter...it wont kill you, once used in moderation
• High Fructose Corn Syrup- probably the leading contributor to obesity and diabetes in America..it's in everything we consume. Its practically unavoidable, unless you have an all natural specialty shop in your neighborhood. If you don't, then limit the amount of drinks and food that you find have this ingredient.
• High sodium- cause of high blood pressure and heart problems.  Next time you go to your fridge isle, take a look at the frozen food labels and see how high that sodium level is...its astronomical...Eating out at your favorite restaurant? Be warned- most of the foods have over 3000mg of sodium per serving.
• Sugar- yes, its natural...the brown kind at least...but try not to go overboard on using sugar. The body doesn't know what to do with sugar after its used it for energy, so its then converted to fat and flab.  It also causes very loose bowel movements when there's a high intake.

In my younger days, I ate every single processed food, snack, etc. It had effects on my blemish prone skin.  My hair wasn't shiny and strong as it is now. After modifying my diet to incorporate live, natural foods, I found my skin is much clearer, my hair strands are super strong and shiny, and my abs aren't bloated. I'm not telling anyone to be a vegan or live the hippie lifestyle. I am neither of these. But I believe that we need to be more aware of what we put into our bodies.
 I haven't eliminated every 'treat' from my diet, I think its impossible to avoid all chemical agents in our society today, really. But I would suggest that you pay a little more for the organic, natural, gluten free foods. It's worth the extra buck, since its your health that is being impacted. In the longrun, you'll have less medical bills & feel and look better- and you cant put a price on that!

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Although a global market meltdown may not seem as if it can impact us, it certainly can and will to some degree. In America, we are not use to the destitute situations as most of the world may be use to. Most of us aren’t forced out of our homes, living amongst civil wars, living under tyrannical rule, starving....the list goes on. We Americans have it pretty darn good to say the least. But this financial crisis of the stock market will impact us mentally and monetarily. The rich really won’t be impacted to such a drastic degree. Their bank accounts will still remain at a high level, whether they lose $100K or $1 mil...the poor will get poorer, but at least they have the assistance of the government based programs to give them a helping hand. It's the rest of us middle income Americans that I'm worried for. We are the ones who bought these homes that are being foreclosed and caused this real estate market collapse. We are the ones who won’t get that helping hand. We will feel the strain most of all...I feel that amidst all of these negative events, we are not in a catastrophic situation...Like our predecessors before us who survived the Great Depression of the 20's...we too can and will survive. We need to change our mentality to be stronger and form an action plan...budget your expenses, pay bills on time, but pay the minimum if you have to, don’t venture out to far off places on weekends if you don’t have to- as to conserve gas and to conserve the cash that it takes to buy that gas, don’t go to happy hour and buy your friends 2 rounds of drinks...do what it takes to be conservative at this uncertain time in our economy… Be mentally strong and don’t freak out...God always makes a way. We will always get what we NEED...someway, somehow...do not worry...for those bible-wielding group, lol...Matthew 6:25-34 sums it up best: "DO not worry about your life, what you will eat, drink, or wear. Is not life more important than food and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air, they don’t sow or reap or store away in barns, yet our heavenly father feeds them. Are you not more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own"

Being a true Capricorn, I would tend to plan and look years into the future. But I've learned that plans don’t and wont come to fruition if it isn’t in your divine plan (that YOU set forth)...Short term goals and strategic plans of action are what I recommend. Have a strong mind and learn to harness your emotions so that you can deal with just about ANYTHING that comes your way.

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