One Love

We landed in La Ceiba,Honduras; skies were gray and rain was falling, just what we wanted for the perfect conditions on the river.  Greeted by our friendly bus driver Mario we began on our journey.  For some us, already stepping out of our “comfort zone”, entering an unfamiliar country with a different language. and a completely different lifestyle.

Thirty minutes down the highway to the river road, felt has if we had gone back in time.  Once we were outside of the city there were no 2 million dollar condominiums to be found or Gucci purses, but little fruit stands along the road and homes made up of multi colored wood and tin roofs where a few families nestled together to create their home.   The simple life but very difficult, reminded me how easy we have it in the first world, complaining about the heat, or the traffic seemed so wrong.

We finally arrived to the river road, then another twenty minutes bouncing from left to right, one pot hole after another. The road followed the river, up the mountain, passing humble abodes, kids running in the mud with no shoes and girls selling local fruit from the front of a small lean-tos.  None of this looked like home, as Dorothy would of put it “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore”.

We arrived at our destination and had some lunch and then headed out on our first adventure.  Up to the 18 line canopy and hot springs it rained the entire way there. Local people riding their bikes on the road, not worrying about getting wet, just letting it be.  Once we arrived we piled in the back of a pick up and drove up the steepest driveway you could imagine, some of us didn’t think it was possible to drive up something like this.

Top of Canopy

Eighteen cables of flying high over the canopy, like a bird, soaring high above any worries, beginning to let our fear flow through us like the water we passed in the river on our drive. Zip line, after zip line, they became longer and faster.  By the time we made it half way through none of us wanted to use our breaks and continue to soar, soar into new possibilities, into a new path in our life! Finally made it to the bottom and rested in a few hammocks which were surrounded by orange trees.  The sun was beginning to set and the rain began to fall again, perfect timing to soak in the natural hot springs in the middle of  the lush canopy we just flew through.

Our yoga practices were in a gorgeous home, one of our accommodations,  in an open-aired living room over looking the river and beautiful views of the mountains.  Flowers surrounding us and birds flying high above. Incorporating the five elements; Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space into our practice and experiencing them off of the mat on our adventures.  The practices were a combination of vinyasa, restorative, flow and stretch.  Finding a balance couldn’t of been more important reminding us to do the same on our adventures.

Rafting Rio Cangrejal

The conditions for white-water rafting on the Rio Cangrejal, couldn’t of been better.  Our guides were safe, fun and experienced.  After our briefing and a short walk down to the river bed we entered the fresh, clean, cool water.  Practiced our commands and then we were flowing. There were a few spills out of the rafts and some faces of fear but with no expectations we were ready for “what is”, in that moment. All coming together as ONE, helping each other out. Half way down the river we pulled off to the side and did some boulder jumping, started off small and then larger. Every time the river water hit my face, I felt cleansed, renewed, like a child again. The excitement continued, when I would feel the fire build inside and the rapids get stronger, I would take a breath, a peaceful breath, opening up to a new space and then the on calm waters again.  Our guide, Darwin, showed us the natural soap, in form of a flower, lining the river that the locals use to wash clothes and for sunblock. We spotted a toucan flying high above and then played a bit in the lower eddy’s.  My stomach hurt so much from all the laughter. Once we got to the bottom, I wanted to do it all over again, after a siesta and a very warm shower, that is.  This is how I new I embraced my fear!

Our hiking trek the next day was no walk in the woods, however our 75-yr old guide made it look that way.

Guide up to waterfall- Alejandro

Five minutes into the trip we had already experienced the five elements.  Our guide lead us across the river, which is normally waist deep water, however, with all the rain, something must have shifted in the river allowing the water to be neck deep.  The flow was too strong for us to walk, we had to swim up stream whilst the flow pushed us downstream avoiding the next eddy and then a rapid. Everyone managed to cross safely and the guides kept everything dry for us.  A small yoga session was in order, centering ourselves into the calm and opening up the body for the journey up to the waterfall.

Refreshing Swim

We headed off on a 20 minute walking meditation in silence, observing nature and listening very closely to our inner voice, scanning our internal landscape and allowing a personal mantra to guide us each footstep we took. This led us up to the first section of the waterfall where we could swim in a refreshing natural pool and experience going underneath the waterfall itself.

Trees of Strength

As we continued up the mountain the terrain continued to become challenging both physically and mentally.  Nature made us slow down, feel our footsteps and breath. The trees were magnificent, 200 year old massive trunks shooting up to the sky, reminding us how small we really are and encouraging us to continue on our way.

After carefully walking and climbing, one foot in front of the other, we finally made it to the 300 foot waterfall.  Made it over the final climb and found our first sight of a man made object, a metal pole, which lead to some stairs upward and then opened  onto this gravel path which overlooked the river, the sea and Ultila (one of the Bay Islands).

We decided to rest here and have some lunch before heading back down on a different path to the hanging foot bridge. Once the hike was over there was time for some hammock enlightenment. The day ended with a well needed restorative yoga practice.

A weekend away doesn’t seem like much, but when you are taken away from your comfort zone, the norms of everyday life and are able to connect with the people around you and the real things that are important in your life; you feel as if  the journey has been a week long of relaxation and rejuvenation. Allowing yourself to embrace your fears brings growth and perhaps a new path on your adventure in your life!

If you weren’t able to join us on this past adventure, we invite you to join us on one in the near future in Honduras.

One of my favorite soups is Butternut Squash.  If you aren’t familiar with this type of winter squash it is the one that looks like a long pear shape. The flavor is sweet and buttery, skin light peach/yellowish and the flesh is orange.

This recipe is from a favorite cook book of mine; Skinny Bitch by Kim Barnouin The Ultimate Everyday Cookbook

The bright orange and yellow flesh found in winter squash show high-levels of carotene.  Carotenes can brighten your skin, and studies have shown that they offer protection against cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Squash are also a good source of very good source of vitamin C, B vitamins, folic acid, fiber and potassium.

Enjoy the recipe!!

The soup:

Miracle Fruit

The fruit is delicious! A funny texture, a bit slimy, but so tasteful! I thought I would blog the forwarded email about all the research that has been done on this amazing fruit. I hope that you can find it in a local market in your location! I plan to plant a sour-sop tree or two in my garden.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please read about this miracle fruit that can kill cancer cells 100,000 times, more effective than chemo that gave you side effects.

Guyabano,… The SourSop Fruit

The SourSop or the fruit from the Graviola tree is a miraculous natural cancer cell killer 10,000 times stronger than Chemo.
Why are we not aware of this?

Its because some big corporation want to make back their money spent on years of research by trying to make a synthetic version of it for sale.

So, since you know it now you can help a friend in need by letting him know or just drink some soursop juice yourself as prevention from time to time.

The taste is not bad after all. It’s completely natural and definitely has no side effects.

If you have the space, plant one in your garden.
The other parts of the tree are also useful.

The Next Time You Have A Fruit Juice, Ask For A SourSop. How many people died in vain while this billion-dollar drug maker concealed the secret of the miraculous Graviola tree?

This tree is low and is called Graviola in Brazil , Guanabana in Spanish and has the uninspiring name “Soursop” in English.

The fruit is very large and the subacid sweet white pulp is eaten out of hand or, more commonly, used to make fruit drinks, sherbets and such.

Soursop Fruit

The principal interest in this plant is because of its strong anti-cancer effects.

Although it is effective for a number of medical conditions, it is its anti tumor effect that is of most interest.

This plant is a proven cancer remedy for cancers of all types. Besides being a cancer remedy, graviola is a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent for both bacterial and fungal infections, is effective against internal parasites and worms, lowers high blood pressure and is used for depression, stress and nervous disorders.

If there ever was a single example that makes it dramatically clear why the existence of Health Sciences Institute is so vital to Americans like you, it’s the incredible story behind the Graviola tree.

The truth is stunningly simple:

Deep within the Amazon Rainforest grows a tree that could literally revolutionize what you, your doctor, and the rest of the world thinks about cancer treatment and chances of survival.

The Future Has Never Looked More Promising.

Research shows that with extracts from this miraculous tree it now may be possible to:
* Attack cancer safely and effectively with an all-natural therapy that does not cause extreme nausea, weight loss and hair loss
* Protect your immune system and avoid deadly infections * Feel stronger and healthier throughout the course of the treatment
* Boost your energy and improve your outlook on life The source of this information is just as stunning: It comes from one of America ‘s largest drug manufacturers, the fruit of over 20 laboratory tests conducted since the 1970′s!

What those tests revealed was nothing short of mind numbing…

Extracts from the tree were shown to:

* Effectively target and kill malignant cells in 12 types of cancer, including Colon, Breast, Prostate, Lung and Pancreatic cancer..
* The tree compounds proved to be up to 10,000 times stronger in slowing the growth of cancer cells than Adriamycin, a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug!
* What’s more, unlike chemotherapy, the compound extracted from the Graviola tree selectively hunts down and kills only cancer cells.

It Does Not Harm Healthy Cells!

The amazing anti-cancer properties of the Graviola tree have been extensively researched– so why haven’t you heard anything about it? If Graviola extract is as half as promising as it appears to be–

why doesn’t every single Oncologist at every major hospital insist on using it on all his or her patients?

The spine-chilling answer illustrates just how easily our health–

and for many, our very lives are controlled by money and power.

Graviola- -the plant that worked too well

One of America ‘s biggest billion-dollar drug makers began a search for a cancer cure and their research centered on Graviola, a legendary healing tree from the Amazon Rainforest.

Various parts of the Graviola tree–including the bark, leaves, roots, fruit and fruit-seeds- -have been used for centuries by medicine men and native Indians in South America to treat heart disease, asthma, liver problems and arthritis.

Going on very little documented scientific evidence, the company poured money and resources into testing the tree’s anti-cancerous properties– and were shocked by the results. Graviola proved itself to be a cancer-killing dynamo.

But that’s where the Graviola story nearly ended.

The company had one huge problem with the Graviola tree–it’s completely natural, and so, under federal law, not patentable. There’s no way to make serious profits from it.

It turns out the drug company invested nearly seven years trying to
synthesize two of the Graviola tree’s most powerful anti-cancer ingredients.

If they could isolate and produce man-made clones of what makes the Graviola so potent, they’d be able to patent it and make their money back.

Alas, they hit a brick wall. The original simply could not be replicated.

There was no way the company could protect its profits–or even make back the millions it poured into research.

As the dream of huge profits evaporated, their testing on Graviola came to a screeching halt.

Even worse, the company shelved the entire project and chose not to publish the findings of its research!

Luckily, however, there was one scientist from the Graviola research team

whose conscience wouldn’t let him see such atrocity committed.

Risking his career, he contacted a company that’s dedicated to harvesting medical plants from the Amazon Rainforest and blew the whistle.

Miracle Unleashed
When researchers at the Health Sciences Institute were alerted to the news of Graviola, they began tracking the research done on the cancer-killing tree.

Evidence of the astounding effectiveness of Graviola–and its shocking cover-up–came in fast and furious…..

….The National Cancer Institute performed the first scientific research in 1976.

The results showed that Graviola’s “leaves and stems were found effective in attacking and destroying malignant cells.” Inexplicably, the results were published in an internal report and never released to the public…

Since 1976, Graviola has proven to be an immensely potent cancer killer in 20 independent laboratory tests, yet no double-blind clinical trials- the typical benchmark mainstream doctors and journals use to judge a
treatment’s value- -were ever initiated..

A study published in the Journal of Natural Products, following a recent study conducted at Catholic University of South Korea stated that one chemical in Graviola was found to selectively kill colon cancer cells at “10,000 times the potency of (the commonly used chemotherapy drug) Adriamycin.. .”

….The most significant part of the Catholic University of South Korea report is that Graviola was shown to selectively target the cancer cells, leaving healthy cells untouched.

Unlike chemotherapy, which indiscriminately targets all actively reproducing cells (such as stomach and hair cells), causing the often devastating side effects of nausea and hair loss in cancer patients.

…A study at Purdue University recently found that leaves from the Graviola tree killed cancer cells among six human cell lines and were especially effective against prostate, pancreatic and lung cancers…

Seven Years Of Silence Broken–it’s Finally Here!

A limited supply of Graviola extract, grown and harvested by indigenous people in Brazil , is finally available in America .

The full Graviola Story–including where you can get it and how to use it–is included in Beyond Chemotherapy:

New Cancer Killers, Safe As Mother’s Milk,

a Health Sciences Institute FREE special bonus report on natural substances

that will effectively revolutionize the fight against cancer.

>From breakthrough cancer and heart research and revolutionary Amazon Rainforest herbology to world-leading anti-aging research and nutritional medicine, every monthly Health Sciences Institute Member’s Alert puts in your hands today cures the rest of America –including your own doctor-is likely to find out only ten years from now. —————————————————————————————————————————– For your information…..

AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY AND ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY ….

Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins

1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person’s lifetime.

3. When the person’s immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc., and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.

9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.

11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.

WHAT CANCER CELLS FEED ON:

a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells.. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal,Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg’s aminos or sea salt.

b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk, cancer cells are being starved.

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.

d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells.

To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water–best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrified and leads to more toxic buildup.

13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body’s killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc..) to enable the body’s own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body’s normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor.

Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit.. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

Mango sliced

One of my favorite recipes is Mango Sorbet, refreshing and satisfying!

I actually cut out some of the simple syrup and replaced it with a bit more mango. Also when I made my simple syrup I used cane sugar instead of white sugar.

Mango & Lime Sorbet
Adapted from Gourmet Magazine

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
4 ripe mangoes
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 tsp finely grated lime zest, plus more for garnishing Click here directions…..Enjoy!

Mango Sorbet

- Guava is rich in Vitamin C; about 5 times more than that of an orange
- High in Potassium, Calcium and Iron
- Beneficial for the heart because; fiber content in guava controls blood pressure and cholesterol
- Helps control diabetes, protects prostrate
- Its Lypocene reduces the risk of cancer
- The juice of the leaves cures toothache, swollen gums & oral ulcers (you can chew on the leaves)
- Improve your skin texture, guava is very-very rich in vitamin-A, B, C and potassium which are very good anti oxidants and detoxifiers and keep your skin glowing and free from aging, wrinkles and other disorders
- Apply the crushed leaves on wounds and aching places to get relief from pain
- Juice of raw and immature guavas or decoction of guava-leaves is very helpful in giving relief in cough and cold by loosening cough, reducing mucus, disinfecting the respiratory tract, throat and lungs
- Whole or chewed, serve as excellent laxative

and of course there are all those delicious sweet recipes that you can make…pie, sorbet, jam, bread, cake etc…..

Happy Guava Hunting and Creating!