1. Food Habits

Our uninformed dietary habits are the root causes of problems. Hippocrates said ‘All disease begins in the gut’. In recent years modern research has established that many health problems start with intestinal permeability, otherwise known as leaky gut. This occurs in what are called the tight junctions of the small intestine wall, which is where digested foods enter the arteries. These tight junctions can tear or enlarge leading to partially digested food, bacteria, bacteria, fragments, and pesticides and herbicides into the arteries.

This leads to activation of the immune system, which triggers inflammation. Secondly, modern diets have led to an imbalance in the micro biome in the gut. This imbalance leads to an overpopulation of pathogenic gut bacteria that weaken digestion.

The most thoroughly researched and widely proven method to address. These two problems is the gut and psychology syndrome method developed by Dr. Natasha Campbell McBride over 20 years ago. This has been proven in many countries using GAPS certified coaches . The principles of this method include elements that have been widely used in other diets. This includes no sugar, no grains, reduced starch, such as in rice, potatoes and sweet potatoes and no ultra processed food. Along with a well designed inclusion of ingredients entirely designed to repair and maintain the gut lining and a balanced microbiome in the gut.

Reducing inflammation is one of the main purposes, as this can come from certain foods which we commonly eat such as wheat. The other main source of inflammation is conventional foods that contain pesticides and herbicides many of which end up in our guts. This is a source of chronic low-grade inflammation as the immune system has attack and neutralise them. This happens in the gut the arteries as some leak from the breakdown of the tight junctions and let partially digested food in. Even high levels of stress break down the intestinal wall.

This to repair the gut and strengthen digestion the GAPS method includes: fermented food including sauerkraut, soaked nuts and seeds, sprouted lentils, meat broths and fruits. All these improve digestion and reduce the load in the gut.

The first stage of the diet starves the pathogenic gut bacteria to clear the way for the repopulation of good gut bacteria. This enables the gut wall to regain integrity and prevent leaky gut. Then the longer term stage has a much wider range of ingredients to fully repair the gut, over a recommended, 2 year period. 

2. Ayurvedic Habits

Ayurveda explains how we can thrive by maintaining harmony and balance with the laws of nature. It describes three major categories of nature’s functioning so that just by identifying each person’s natural mental and physical type, it is possible to determine which foods and activities he or she should favour, which to avoid, and how to maintain balance during changing seasonal influences. On that basis, Ayurveda is able to offer simple rules to follow based on our mind-body type. It often happens that, once we learn our mind-body type, the knowledge seems to resonate with who we know we are. We feel that “Yes, that’s me, and I do love these recommendations.”

For Ayurveda, any vulnerability from an imbalance is the root cause of disease, as it creates a weak spot in the system where disease will take hold. Thus, restoring balance is the basis of prevention and cure. Food prepared using Ayurvedic principles is the key to good health, as it serves to bring the mind-body back into balance and restore vibrant health and vitality to the whole system. I am sharing these recipes so that you may enjoy delicious food and greater health and happiness in everything you do.
Ayurveda explains that the digestive fire, called Agni, is vital for health and I will be explaining about Agni and how it can be kept strong, to ensure excellent digestion. In Ayurveda the result of poor digestion is called Ama. Ama means incompletely digested food, which can then get into the blood stream (even more through a leaky gut), where it is delivered to all of the cells and tissues in the body and blocks their healthy functioning. This is known in modern medicine as plaque and is implicated in most serious health conditions. A strong Agni and good eating habits will prevent Ama from being created. This is why Hippocrates said “All disease begins in the gut”.

If your Agni is not strong enough, it can lead to Ama being created, even if you eat the best organic food. If we are distracted or moving around while eating the blood flow naturally moves from your stomach into your brain and muscles. Because blood flow increases to the stomach when we eat (to warm up the stomach to help the digestive fire stay hot), then when it is moved away the fire cools down, and digestion weakens. The result is undigested food (Ama / plaque). For example, if you eat too quickly or too much, or while watching TV, or on your mobile phone, the blood flow moves away from the stomach, so Ama gets created. Eating in s settled manner is therefore critical to good health.

Your Mind-Body Type

According to Ayurveda, the many forces and laws of nature can be understood and handled in a very practical way when understood as the fundamental controlling principles found throughout nature, including our physiology and the food that suits us best. These three controlling principles are called Doshas. Everything in the universe is governed by them and they interact through innumerable laws of nature, or impulses of intelligence, so that all life functions though that intelligence. We each have a unique blend of these doshas which determines our nature. When we are in balance, these three principles, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, act together to support a healthy mind and body.

When we are out of balance, through improper diet or fatigue, for example, we become vulnerable to disease, which can cause health issues. Essentially, any weak point in the body will be the site of imbalance, and can be exploited by impurities or foreign organisms, which take the opportunity to grow.

Meet the Three Doshas: Vata, Pitta, Kapha. These three controlling principles are easy to understand and to see in all aspects of life, watch this short video to understand how these qualities are in everything. Fill in the questionnaire at the end of these Steps.

This short video explains the new paradigm of health from the connection between Ayurveda, Yoga & Consciousness.

3. Organic Food Habits

In essence, a healthy soil ecosystem, teeming with diverse microbial life, creates a symbiotic relationship that benefits both plants, and the surrounding environment. This leads to more nutritious and flavourful crops, while promoting sustainable agricultural practices that maintains soil health for future crops. This also leads to more support for wildlife, which helps to preserve a balanced ecosystem.

We now know that pesticides and herbicides residues are in the plants and this leads to the immune system creating inflammation to contain them and this often comes with intestinal permeability and these foreign bodies getting into the blood stream, leading to potential disease. Learn more about the benefits of organic food.

4. Transcendental Meditation (TM) – Daily Habit

TM is unlike all other types of meditation which are either contemplation, or concentration or mindfulness. TM is a simple effortless technique that allows the mind to settle to a state of very deep rest using a mantra, that has no meaning, and enables the mind to go beyond thinking and simply be.  Experientially it just feels as if the 20 minutes of TM was more like 10, and you fell more creative and positive. TM offers a wealth of benefits across mental, physical, emotional, and relationship health, primarily by reducing stress.

Mental Well-being:
TM significantly reduces stress and anxiety, making it twice as effective as other methods. This leads to improved focus, clarity, and creativity. Research shows it lessens symptoms of depression and PTSD.

Physical Health:
TM aids better sleep, resolving stress-induced insomnia by balancing hormones. It’s highly effective in lowering blood pressure, comparable to diet and exercise, and improves overall cardiovascular health by reducing atherosclerosis and unhealthy habits.

Emotional Balance:
Practicing TM fosters emotional resilience and a profound sense of inner peace. It builds self-esteem and confidence by connecting individuals to their inner self, reducing self-doubt.

Relationships and Happiness:
By reducing personal stress, TM enhances patience, understanding, and empathy, leading to stronger interpersonal relationships. Individuals become more secure and less dependent on others for happiness, fostering healthier connections.
Scientific Insights

Sleep: TM improves sleep quality by decreasing stress and balancing serotonin/cortisol levels.

Confidence: It strengthens self-concept, reducing anxiety and boosting self-esteem.

Addictions: TM helps overcome substance abuse by reducing stress and increasing well-being.

Anxiety: It effectively lowers stress hormones and improves emotional regulation.
Blood Pressure: Numerous studies confirm TM’s consistent reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Type 2 Diabetes: Research suggests TM can improve insulin sensitivity and glucose regulation.

IQ & ADHD: Studies show TM can boost IQ scores in students and improve focus, organisation, and reduce stress in children with ADHD.
TM’s effortless technique provides deep rest, addressing the root causes of many modern health issues and promoting comprehensive well-being daily.