DAY 6:

Hello again, Welcome to Day 6 of ‘The Challenge’ – it’s a Sunday (if you began the Challenge on Tuesday) so you probably have a bit of relaxing on the agenda.While you’re resting your body, it might be a good time to reflect on the important role your mind plays in your body’s health.Physician Andrew Weil, M.D. (remember his comments on breathing yesterday?) has researched extensively into the link between the mind and our physical health.He features on page 135 of your workbook (The Power of a Directed Mind & Heart) and he adds these observations:Having a totally directed mind is an important part of having a healthy, energised body. Being comfortable, relaxed, directed, motivated and confident plays a huge part in maximising your energy and knowing what to do with that energy to create consistent success.There are 3 basic components to having a directed mind:• Relaxation/ Stress Control • Creative and Achievable Goals and Aims • Strong and Enjoyable RelationshipsHow does having a directed mind affect your health? Many people do not realise this, but the mind is hugely influential in the state of your health. It affects everything from your energy levels to your immune system. Think about when there is a bug ‘doing the rounds’. If you are under high levels of stress, working too hard or worrying do you think there is more chance that you will come down with it? There is – but this doesn’t mean that the bug was suddenly stronger, but that it found a susceptible host. On the ten day challenge there are seven points to consider in having a directed and focused mind: The mind has a tremendous power over the body – the two should not be considered in isolation Anger and resentment are poisonous to the body! Stress is a result of how you interpret situations and the associations that you have to specific situations Fear and stress compromise your immune system! Stress disappears in a state of certainty – it is essential to develop empowering beliefs that let you know that there is always a way if you are committed. Physiology plays a major part in how we feel mentally. If we behave physically as if we are vibrant, happy and directed we will be so. Emotion is created by motion! Stress and upset disappears if we have a compelling future. When you set and review your goals and reward yourself for moving forward, it will put you in a positive, vibrant state at any time! If you are new to alkalising, this list may make you laugh out loud but I swear that the longer you alkalise, the more these foods WILL feel like a treat to you.It is a well-known phenomenon that as you start alkalising your body, your tastes adjust. After a while bottled soft-drinks seem to be undrinkably sugary sweet!On the flip-side of this, you begin to get more of a sweet sensation from subtle flavours such as peppers and carrots, which can only be a good thing.So – the top 5 alkalising snacks:1. Almonds: packed full of protein, fibre, calcium, magnesium, potassium (yes, 3 of the 4 most alkaline minerals) vitamin E and other antioxidants and phytochemicals – and unsaturated fat. If possible, remember to soak your almonds overnight in order to increase the potential for the body to digest the nutrients and goodness.2. Sprouts: these are one of the most alkalising, nutritious and easily accessible foods known to man. Being rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins and enzymes, they can be grown easily in four to six days and require no effort and very little cost. Crunchy, raw and delicious!3. Raw Carrot: shredded, sticks, chunks or just peeled – carrot offers a sweet, water-rich, nutrient dense snack that is packed full of vitamin A, C, K and B1, B3 and B6, fibre, magnesium, potassium and folate. Bonza!4. Seed Mix: get a mixture of pumpkin, sesame, sunflower and flax. This will give you a filling snack, plus a range of minerals, proteins and essential fatty acids. What more could you ask for? 5. Raw Soups: make yourself a giant batch and then eat/drink as much as you like, whenever you are hungry, tired or bored! The raw alkalising soups will give your body a HUGE boost of nutrients in a form that the body can easily assimilate, meaning that it will require absolutely no energy to digest. A great selection of real body boosters. So snack away!