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​So many cancer patients feel overwhelmed with the steady stream of medical treatment that they have to endure and in most cases this leaves a vast array of physical and emotional side effects that quite often are not addressed from a personal perspective.    

​Alexander observed that humans act in the world with their individual habits. Habits are automatic, unconscious responses to stimuli. They are learned through repetitive acts. Habits are necessary because of the often repetitive nature of normal tasks in life. Habits conserve energy and give space for life challenges that are not routine affairs.  Habits are goal-oriented. Habits make us feel comfortable with ourselves. We feel powerful.  So, they are pleasant, good and necessary.

Barbara’s Berry Recipes

Berries are perfect as a snack in their own right or for sprinkling onto a bowl of cereals. If you’re feeling more adventurous, why not try my smoothie, sauce or sorbet?

Mixed Berry Smoothie

½ cup raspberries
½ cup blueberries
½ cup strawberries
½ cup pitted cherries
1 tbsp organic blackcurrant cordial
2 cups filtered water

Blend all ingredients in a blender and serve chilled. 

Lady in Red Cranberry Sauce 

200g cranberries (dried)
1 orange (peel and juice)
1 cup apple juice

Boil all ingredients together until soft (approx 10 minutes). Cool and then blend until smooth. You can add more apple juice depending on the consistency of sauce required. This sauce is a great complement for fish, meat and vegetables.

The Big Chill Berry Sorbet

1 punnet raspberries
1 punnet strawberries
1 punnet blueberries
½ cup of cherry juice
2 cups filtered water

Blend all ingredients and freeze in ice lolly holders or in a big container. Serve in a bowl with sprigs of fresh garden mint.

Look at your watch and give yourself 20 seconds to name as many berries as you can!
 
The biological definition of a berry is “a fleshy fruit that usually has many seeds; it is made from a single ovary and its middle and inner layers are not distinct from each other”. 

​A friend and I were catching up with each other’s news when she told me this story.  I thought it was such a perfect reminder for all of us, that I am sharing it with you here!
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Her particular story involved a religious group but as you read it, think about what the parallels in your life might be. Here is her story, with ways that you might be able to apply her lessons to assist you.

​The statistics for cancer in the UK are not a pleasant read. So far, there is not one official explanation for the cause of this devastating illness which sadly causes an early death to many people every year.

I strongly believe we have to look at the emotional issues each cancer patient carries and help them clear feelings of long-standing resentment and deep hurt. Working as a holistic therapist for the last 25 years, I firmly believe that our body knows the trouble and that all disease begins with our negative thought patterns.

​For as long as I have been on the spiritual path, I have heard the wisdom of those talking about the ‘I AM’ Presence – our Higher self, our Monad or God self.  The mighty I AM is defined as our unique and immortal true identity and, as I have found, personally and with clients, has been within us the entire time.  We are our ‘I AM’ presence.  

In 1982, John Vane won a knighthood and a Nobel Prize for his work on Cox-2, an enzyme found in every cell of your body. He showed that when turned on, Cox-2 makes eicosanoids, a group of hormones that each last one to five seconds. You may have heard of prostaglandins – they are the eicosanoids that are active in rheumatism and arthritis. 

Stress has long been known to be detrimental to our health and wellbeing and causes havoc with all our physical processes not least our gut, the largest organ in our body. Known as our second brain.
Some cancer sufferers have sworn by a daily dose of laughter to aid their recovery. Some like to watch funny movies and others will use Laughter Yoga.

Metaphysically, the emotional causes for cancer are said to be anger and resentment.

Our lives are supposed to be joyful. Any dis-ease is our body’s way of telling us that changes need to be made so having a look at where you are in life and what you are doing can be very illuminating. Is this life you are living filling you with joy? If not, find ways to get closer to that ideal. It’s up to you to empower yourself to make those joyful choices.

This month we are thrilled to have an article from Chris Woollams, founder of CANCERactive, Britain´s number one Complementary and Integrative cancer charity. Read Debbie Goodridge's story. Her personal experience led her to a new, extremely fulfilling & rewarding career helping others in holistic health and wellbeing.  Also featured are Lis Horwich who looks at cancer from a metaphysical point of view and Barbara Cox, Nutritionist Extraordinaire and author of The Rainbow Diet cookbook.

Our specialist contributor article ‘columns’ this month -

Kellie Lucas Master Practitioner of NLP (Neuro-linguistic Programming) her article this month is about using Framing techniques in our relationships. 

Alexander Angles from Doris Prugel-Bennett gives us a deeper insight into AT with the Inhibitions and Habits of the body.

Resilient Warrior Woman, Vanda North, urges us to use our ‘Unsubscribe’ button’.

Reena Kumarasingham says ‘I Am Healthy’.

Here’s to your very good health

Amanda Sharman