Not sure what to give this holiday season?
Give a gift from the heart and let them decide!
Throughout December, buy any La Casa Spa & Wellness Center gift certificate and get the second 50% off.
You can even purchase over the phone by calling
(212) 673-2272.

From all of us at La Casa, we wish you the
Happiest of Holidays!

The following article was originally written for Thrive Global, Arianna Huffington's newest platform, launched two weeks ago, for which Jane was privileged to be asked to participate.  

The Deepest Meaning of "Cure"

If we’ve been diagnosed with an illness, or even if we just have the illness of “life,” perhaps if we can come to a new understanding of the meaning of “cure.” And, in looking at the meaning of the word and concept “cure,” perhaps we can learn some essential truths about our self, and then actually maximize the odds of our being “cured” of whatever afflictions we suffer from.

The word, cure comes from the Latin word, cura, meaning care and concern. But it also means trouble, anxiety and sorrow. The etymology of the word suggests that cure is an active process of bringing care and concern to the trouble, anxiety, even sorrow that is the constant companion of illness. Sorrow — for the loss of health, loss of a future as one envisioned it, for many losses that are individualistic to each person — is essential to cure.

But the root cura also gives rise to another word: curiosus, from which we get our word, curiosity. We must be curious about our illness. Not just frightened and worried, but curious too.

A two-month baby is driven by constant curiosity. He will roll his eyes to see whatever comes into his field of vision. Two months later, the baby, still being driven by curiosity, will crane his neck in every possible direction to see whatever is possible to see. And two months after that, the baby will crawl in every possible direction to do the same, still giving expression to his unrelenting curiosity. Then, the baby rises up on his legs, and is able to extend the region of his exploration. At each developmental step, the baby’s curiosity brings new abilities, more complete processing skills of all that surrounds him, and a growing imagination.

An eight-year-old boy will precariously place himself on a narrow board with wheels, and thrust himself into a pivot to make his whole body and the contraption soar through the air together, as though they were one. We parents hold our breath waiting to see if he will figure out how to ride a skateboard successfully, and not break various bones in the process. He will do this because he has seen others doing it, and he is curious. He wants to know the sensation of flying through space.

A teenage girl, under the vigilant eye of her mother, leaves the house looking perfectly conservatively dressed, wearing church-like attire. A block away from home, she will hike up her skirt above her knees, and sail her way into a party where every other girl, similarly, has a skirt as high as the flooded Mississippi, with lipstick and eye shadow to boot. Our girl, however, eschews the make-up, choosing only the path of adventure that can be easily put back in place before she walks back into her mother’s house. She does this in part, to feel a sense of belonging with her friends. Maybe there is, too, a hint of rebelliousness. But underlying both is a curiosity. What is it like to be one of the girls? What is it like to defy my mother’s orders?

Curiosity is a natural state. And to the extent that we retain a curious attitude in life, it assists us in managing obstacles, difficulties, and even illness. To the extent that we are curious, we stretch ourselves; we expand who we are into something larger and broader. We exercise our imagination, bringing the whole gamut of our body/brain abilities into the effort. Curiosity represents us at the pinnacle of what it means to be human: a thoughtful, creative, imaginative, resourceful being.

The best way of being curious and to rediscover some essential truths about oneself is a method of inquiry that asks WHY of all things. When we found ourselves confronting what seems like an impossible path, or a difficult decision, or a paralyzing feeling, or a diagnosis of a terrible disease, we need to be asking ourselves these questions:
 

Why am I having this dilemma? What is the root cause?
Was there a precipitating event — either internal or external?
What do I want the destination of my issue to be? Where do I want its resolution to land me?
Might the reason for my conflict, or even the state of my body, have to do with my emotions, my feelings, my thoughts, my unexpressed, unacknowledged, unactivated self?

Especially when we are diagnosed with a disease, it is difficult to understand that maintaining an attitude of curiosity is useful. But when we can acknowledge that in asking “Why?” with curiosity, we can come to a profound understanding of the meaning of our disease/ condition/ dilemma. We might honor the very honest and profound assessment of this one man’s intelligence:
 

“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.”
                                                                            (Einstein)

Follow-Up On Fulvic Acid

You may remember the Musings I wrote back in April, about fulvic acid. In Think of Your Body As One Great Big Battery, I talked about the importance of fulvic acid, which is another way of saying “dirt”.

The following is re-printed from the Rethinking Cancer newsletter, created by the Foundation For Advancement in Cancer Therapy, which was founded by Ruth Sackman (my origianl mentor in the holistic health arena), and is now headed by Consuelo Reyes.

Why Dirt Makes Us Happy
 

For centuries people have been finding solace and joy futzing around in their gardens. Now, in the 21st Century, science has figured out why.

Researchers have long theorized that the sharp rise in autoimmune conditions, like asthma and allergies, could stem from living too clean (the "hygiene hypothesis"). The idea is that routine exposure to harmless microorganisms in the environment, like soil bacteria, strengthens our immune system and trains it to ignore benign molecules like pollen or hairs on a neighbor's cat. A series of studies reported in Neuroscience took this hypothesis a step further by treating depression with a specific soil bacterium, Mycobacterium vaccae. They found, for example, that lung cancer patients injected with killed M. vaccae reported better quality of life and less nausea and pain. The injections also eased skin allergies in other patients. Additional studies have shown promise with M. vaccae in improving cognitive function, Crohn's disease and even rheumatoid arthritis.

It appears that the bacteria activates a set of serotonin-releasing neurons in the brain - the same nerves targeted by Prozac - with no side effects. Lack of serotonin has been linked to depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and bipolar problems. According to Christopher Lowry, a neuroscientist at the University of Bristol, England, "What we think happens is that the bacteria activate immune cells, which release chemicals called cytokines that then act on receptors on the sensory nerves to increase their activity."

When researchers looked at mouse brains to see which neurons, if any, were activated after the bacterial injections, they discovered that serotonin-producing neurons in the area of the brain that regulates mood, were more active in treated mice. When another set of mice were subjected to a stress-response test - dropping each mouse in water to see how long it would take the animal to switch from active swimming to passive floating, the M. vaccae-injected mice swam for nearly twice as long as the control group. Past research had shown that antidepressants increase active swimming and decrease immobility. "The bacteria," Lowry explains, "had the exact same effect as antidepressant drugs."

But it's not necessary to inject M. vaccae to get these mood enhancing effects. Studies suggest that simply inhaling M. vaccae - just walking in the wild or rooting around in the garden - can elicit a happy state of mind. Lowry notes, "You can also ingest M. vaccae through water sources or through eating plants - lettuce that you pick from the garden, or carrots."

It's nice that science has reaffirmed the feelings of well-being we experience in the great outdoors, but let's not depend too much on those guys in labs with reams of data to tell us whether or not we're delusional. Mankind has survived for thousands of years by careful observation of Nature and the trial and error practice of living. You don't have to wait for the studies; listen to your gut instincts and learn.
 

Sources:

1. "Identification of an Immune-Responsive Mesolimbocortical Serotonergic System: Potential Role in Regulation of Emotional Behavior," by Christopher Lowry et al, published in Neuroscience

2. "Is Dirt the New Prozac?" by Josie Glausiusz

Jane's latest book is the perfect holiday gift for moms and daughters alike!
Out now through Free Association Press, you can purchase it on Amazon! 
 

For a complete archive of all previous issues of Musings From 20th Street, simply click HERE!

To keep up with all the latest news about my books and writing projects, please “Like” my new page on Facebook,
HERE.

The Value of Curiosity

Emily Graslie is the world’s only Chief Curiosity Correspondent. She works at the Field Museum, Chicago, and in her 2015 Ted Talk she talked about how essential curiosity is in preserving natural history, and also in propelling mankind forward.
 
You can watch the full video
HERE
 

La Casa has the only infrared/ salt sauna in New York City. We consider it a miraculous duo of therapies, so we were excited to see a fantastic article on NaturalHealth365.com, titled "Infrared Sauna Helps Remove Heavy Metals and Prevent Cancer".

In it, Lori Alton writes: 
"Traditional saunas, which use steam to induce sweating, require high temperatures – something many users find uncomfortable. In contrast, infrared sauna rays use radiant heat similar to that of the sun – but minus the harmful ultraviolet rays – allowing the infrared rays to penetrate the skin, heating from the inside out as well as on the surface.

"Experts advise temperatures of 105 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit as optimal for infrared saunas. The result is a higher comfort level and the ability to remain in the sauna longer for maximum therapeutic effects."
 

You can read the full, highly informative article

HERE.

 You can check on all of Jane's latest Thrive Global contributions

HERE.

Ariana Huffington's brand new platform is dedicated entirely to issues related to health and wellness.
 

Not sure what to give this holiday season?

Give a gift from the heart and let them decide!

Throughout December, buy any La Casa Spa & Wellness Center gift certificate and get the second 50% off.

You can even purchase over the phone by calling 

(212) 673-2272.

From all of us at La Casa, we wish you the

Happiest of Holidays!

 

THE BEST SALTS FOR YOUR BODY/BRAIN

Contrary to what you may think, the best salt is not Himalayan, nor Celtic. It’s a salt you have not yet heard of: Himalayan Black Salt. It’s pink in color. Just because the salt that you see at the store may be black in color, don’t be fooled into thinking that it is the same as Himalayan Black Salt. The only way you can tell whether it’s the real thing is by opening the jar. The smell will be so awful and strong that everyone nearby will ask where that terrible stench is coming from. That stench is your new, healthier-than- any-other salt.

You’ll recognize the smell. It’s sulfur. You know, that old rotten egg smell.
 

The salt is brought in by my friend, Adiel Tel-Oren, directly from the Himalayan mountains. Adiel, or Dr. T. as he is known, sponsors an orphanage in Nepal, and takes people trekking in the Himalayans. You can order the sale from a clinic he is associated with, Ecopolitan. 

We all know the need for high levels of oxygen in our bodies. Many of us know the connection between low cellular oxygen and disease, and most especially cancer (as per Nobel Prize winner, Otto Warburg's discovery). As it turns out, sulfur and oxygen have a love affair with one another going on in our bodies. Sulfur binds with four molecles of oxygen. SO4 (Sulfate) is a major molecule that delivers O2 to red cells. They talk to each other. The oxygen molecule finds a sulfur molecule, and says to it, "Hey buddy, how ya' doing? Hey, I have a present for you. Here's a little O2 for you. It's my gift to you."

Sulfur has a host of functions in the body and it is an essential mineral that most of us are deficient in. 

• Essential for on-going detoxification
• Iron/sulfur proteins live in the mitochondria, the energy factory of cells
• Assists in glucose metabolism, thus reducing inflammation
• Necessary for proper enzyme functioning
• Gives connective tissue and cartilage flexibility, appropriate elasticity to prevent sagging and wrinkled skin
• Gives keratin (hair and nails) strength

Besides liberally salting my foods (because this salt REALLY IS good for you), my favorite way of replenishing my body with sulfur is to take a floatation session at La Casa. The float chamber has 800 pounds of Epsom Salts.

I have covered the benefits of Epsom Salts previously in Musings, when I talked about the benefits of one of the ingredients of Epsom Salt: magnesium. Indeed,

Epsom salt is made up mostly of magnesium, and thus we get the very profound relaxation response to the float experience, as well as reduced pain and muscle cramping. Magnesium is great. But Epsom Salt is also made up of sulfur and oxygen.

Sulfur deficiency has been implicated in the diseases of autism, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, rheumatoid arthritis and chemical sensitivities. Without sufficient sulfur, the detoxification pathways of the body cease to function

properly. This can result in a level of toxicity that makes foods high in sulfur not easily tolerated. If you have a negative reaction to the high sulfur cruciferous veggies—broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, mustard greens, bok choy, as well as the alliums of onions, garlic and leeks—then it is likely that you have a sulfur deficiency.

Sulforaphane is one of the primary substances in cruciferous veggies, and it is this that makes them smelly, as well as conferring an anti-cancer effect. Sulforaphane increases the liver’s detoxification enzymes that provide protection from cell mutations, cancer and a whole host of other harmful conditions that these toxins are involved in.

Although I am about 95% raw, I do cook my broccoli for two or three minutes, though not to a boil. Compared to slightly steamed broccoli, raw broccoli actually gives you a diminished amount of sulforaphane. There is a heat-sensitive protein—epithiospecifier—that is in love with destroying sulforaphane. So slight cooking is important in order to eliminate this protein, and enables the broccoli to retain the enzyme myrosinase, which then converts to sulforaphane.

La Casa Spa & Wellness Center recently participated in Piers Gelly's wonderful podcast, Cellar Door, in which he explored the benefits of floatation. It’s really such a fascinating listen—well worth the few minutes it takes to hear it. He himself is speaking, and he has a great voice, with lots of enthusiasm. I highly recommend spending a fun few minutes with Piers. You can find the Podcast, Cellar Door, in the panel below.

Gelly notes: "Jane is a psychoanalyst. For Jane, the most valuable feature of floatation is that it approximates dreaming, letting the mind wander while allowing the floater to observe the course of those wanderings with more clarity than during sleep. In that particular train of thought, Jane sees the murky contours of the subconscious. In this way, floating’s not unlike psychoanalysis… I hadn’t considered the analogies between floatation, talk therapy, and radio until I spoke with Jane."

You can listen to the podcast, or read the full transcript of the show, by clicking HERE.

Jane's latest book, My Mother, My Daughter, My Self recently made it onto a wonderful Christmas Book Gift Guide from Yellow Days. You can see the full list HERE.

The book currently has a rating of 5 stars on Amazon, thanks to reviews like these:

"Love this book! It embraces all facets of being a woman, a mother and a daughter. I highly recommend this book to all women!"
                                   -C.Reed

"This is a very touching, warm and insightful memoir. It is also a deep examination of the relationships between mother and child and is replete with very useful information both psychologically and sociologically. It's about birth, life and death. It's about children of all ages and their relationships.
As I read this book, there were many times where I stopped and said to myself "God, I wish I'd known this at the time!". I didn't get as misty as some of my friends did while they were reading it, but this is a very special read.
Do yourself a favor and get this book. It will touch you, it will reach you, it will teach you. If I had my way, this would be required reading for all parents and adult children."
                                               -A.J.

"This extraordinary book successfully manages to explore every facet of mother-daughter relationships in a manner that will simultaneously move and educate the reader. Essentially, it's an intimate memoir that happens to be imbued with powerful psychoanalytical insights, thanks to the fact that author Dr. Jane Goldberg has worked as a psychoanalyst for decades. Thanks to Goldberg's lyrical and elegant writing style, you'll learn a wealth about intimate family relationships, without ever struggling to process the more academic information peppered throughout. A unique and truly fascinating read."
                                              -R.N.

We were very pleased earlier this month to see Dr. Mercola getting behind the concept of hormesis - a subject Jane has been talking about for a decade, as evidenced by her 2014 book, The Hormesis Effect. 

Jane is frequently at the forefront of ideas that are documented and proven for their efficacy, but not yet well-known – and hormesis is one of those concepts.

You can see the full Dr Mercola report HERE.

An excerpt is below.

Hormesis and Polyphenols: Why Are They Important for Your Mitochondria?

"There are special types of non-typical antioxidants that produce their effects through a process called hormesis – a term we use to describe health benefits from taking low doses of something that is otherwise toxic, or even lethal at higher doses.

For example, many of the fruits and veggies you eat are loaded with natural compounds called polyphenols. The plant produces these polyphenols to ward off pests and predators.

"The polyphenols are toxic to the predators, but since we are much larger, and we take them in far smaller doses, they actually cause our body to develop a protective response that makes us stronger. This brings me to one of my new passions: you can improve mitochondrial dysfunction by taking advantage of these beneficial polyphenols.
And one very special type of polyphenol is called resveratrol, which is extracted from Japanese Knotweed Root."

 ----------------------------------

 The Hormesis Effect is availble to purchase HERE.