Expression: the process of making known one’s thoughts or feelings; a look on someone’s face that conveys a particular emotion. Expression is LIFE. We’ve all heard it over and over again: we are what we eat. Now let’s take that one step further: we are what we ABSORB. Is it possible to express life to its greatest potential when one isn’t conscious of what they surround themselves with? As chiropractic students, we are used to putting our student patients & outpatients first. For the next few minutes, I invite you to put yourself first. Take a look around, stop trying to IMPRESS and start EXPRESSING.
Ashley Gonzales
As per what we’re taught in Philosophy I in Q1 of chiropractic school, thoughts, traumas and toxins are the three causes for chiropractic subluxation. Throughout one’s chiropractic journey, one learns how to transform thoughts to be healthier, how to care for certain traumas, as well as the basics on how to eliminate toxins from our everyday lives. However, how often is that fully expressed in day-to-day life?? I decided to start practicing what I preach this past June. Prior to that decision, my diet was full of inflammatory foods, my beauty products contained parabens, and the people in my life (non-chiro friends) were not fully supportive of the kind of life I was trying to achieve. Worst of all, I still had synthetic hormones being pumped into my system by my birth control implant. No wonder I felt so unbalanced. My life expression was dim.
On July 14th, I embarked on a journey of total hormone re-balance. It started with the removal of my implant. Unpopular opinion for some: regular chiropractic care and a clear nervous system isn’t enough to heal. It’s also about what one surrounds themselves with, what one absorbs, and what one puts in their body. Though, a clear mind-body communication IS a major component. With the birth control implant removed, I was on my way to a more balanced system.
As per the Jolene Brighten Hormone Re-Balance Program, I fed my body nothing but nutrient-rich foods that fed my body what it needed during each stage of my menstrual cycle (estrogen-rich foods such as strawberries during the luteal phase & progesterone-rich foods, such as carrots & walnuts, during the proliferative phase). It was incredible to see how much different foods impacted my mood, period symptoms, my sleep, all the things! My life expression was so bright. I had more of a positive outlook on life, and my chiropractic adjustments held better than ever.
Ladies – have you ever stopped to think about how the synthetic hormones from the pill, IUD, etc. affect your system? “A woman ovulates only one day, but sperm can live for many, which means that you are potentially fertile seven to eight days out of your cycle. Yes, you are technically fertile up to six days before you ovulate because of those sperm that are swimming so diligently to reach that egg can live up to six days.” (Dr. Jolene Brighten, 2019) So why do we put our bodies through chaos the other 22 days of our cycle? It’s a small window, in retrospect, in which we have to be extra careful with our partners. The rest of the time, we owe it to ourselves to be nice to our bodies. Happy hormones, happy life!
I HIGHLY recommend anyone with a uterus to pick up this book! It teaches so much about the human body than one ever thought possible. The hardest thing about the entire detox was handling my sweet tooth. I almost gave up around day 21, however, after some crazed googling, I found some recipes that helped satisfy my belly AND stick to the program.
Here are some hormone-friendly recipes I used during the week leading up to Boards! Cacao is a key antioxidant. Maca is an adaptogenic herb that helps you balance your hormones and increase your energy. Cinnamon supports healthy blood sugar levels. The list goes on! Enjoy!
Stress Less Hot Cocoa
Maca is an adaptogenic herb that helps you balance your hormones and increase your energy. Cinnamon supports healthy blood sugar levels.
Serves 3-4
Ingredients:
- 4 cups unsweetened coconut milk
- ½ cup raw cacao powder
- 1 tablespoon maca powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- Pinch of cinnamon
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a blender and blend on high for one minute. Add mixture to a saucepan on the stove and bring to a slow simmer. Avoid boiling. Serve in mugs and enjoy!
Chill Out Hot Chocolate
Chee and coconut fat have a blood sugar stabilizing effect and provide you with important nutrients. Collagen contains an amino acid called glycine that supports a mellow mood.
Ingredients:
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 tablespoons cacao
1 tablespoon ghee
2 teaspoons coconut oil
Pinch of nutmeg
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
¼ teaspoon cardamom
3 tablespoons collagen
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a pot. Heat over medium-high heat while whisking the mixture. Let the mixture come to a boil, then remove from heat and serve in mugs.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tablespoons cacao
- 1 tablespoon ghee
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom
- 3 tablespoons collagen
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a pot. Heat over medium-high heat while whisking the mixture. Let the mixture come to a boil, then remove from heat and serve in mugs.
Healing Hot Joddy
Ginger is a warming spice that also offers anti-inflammatory benefits.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups boiling filtered water
- 4 tablespoons fresh grated ginger
- Juice from two lemons
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 4 star anise
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions:
Divide ingredients into 2 mugs, adding water last. Stir gently with a spoon to dissolve honey.
Every decision matters. In order to lead full, happy and fully-expressed lives, one must be conscious of what they allow their body to absorb. You can read more about other recipes in Beyond the Pill, online at drbrighten.com, or stop me in the hall if you want to chat.
This article first appeared in the September 2019 issue of Lifelines, the Life West student magazine.