Claim Your Original Medicine

This morning I began reading an inspiring book titled Transformational Speaking by Gail Larsen. This is a “how-to” book for those of us who want to be change agents in this world, by giving voice to what we care about the most, and speaking out about how we can transform ourselves and the world we live in. In Chapter Two “Be Yourself-Everyone Else is Taken”, there is a sub section called “Claiming Your Original Medicine”.

Original Medicine is a concept from indigenous cultures, which teaches that each of us is born with a totally singular nature characterized by our natural unique gifts, talents and attributes. Larsen writes:

” No one is more special than another, but each unique expression is essential and irreplaceable. In a society that more often encourages us to fit in rather than to stand out, the process of excavating and revealing our originality is an essential step to fully experiencing and expressing our true gifts. Knowing and accepting your medicine is core to expressing your personal power, strength and understanding.” (page 14)

This idea reminds me of a favorite Jewish folktale about a man named Yosef ascending to Heaven and upon arrival is interviewed by God. God does not say to him, “Why were you not more like Moses, but rather says, “Why were you not more like Yosef?”

This week my podcast interview with one of my favorite change agents, Jimmy Moore, of the Living La Vida Low Carb show was published. It was the first time that I expressed myself on such a public forum, and I was afraid that I would sound like an idiot. My fears did not materialize. I was able to be myself and talk about a number of topics that I feels passionately about in a coherent manner. That was so exciting! It felt like the beginning of something that I want to develop. I was so happy that I went beyond my comfort zone and made myself do it.

Here is a link to listen to the interview, as well as the show notes from Jimmy’s blog of the topics that we covered. I hope you enjoy it.

• How she has been a long-time listener to this podcast
• She comes from a family of psychiatrists and psychiatric issues
• Her family history of obesity, diabetes and metabolic issues
• The deep cultural focus on eating and food within her family
• How she sought out answers for her problems with little success
• The role the GAPS protocol has played in improving health
• What the GAPS program is all about and why it works
• How the microflora in the gut impact our health
• Why pathogenic microflora can “get the upper hand” in the gut
• The sterility of an unborn baby’s gut until the birthing process
• How the wrong kind of microflora can “leak out” into the body
• Dr. Campbell-McBride’s upcoming new book on the GAPS plan
• The “disease states” that happen when the body attacks proteins
• The GAPS protocol is grain-free, sugar-free and starch-free
• The diet “starves the pathogens” while “healing the gut”
• Fermented foods repopulate the good bacteria in the gut
• How greens “juicing” is used in creating “GAPS milkshakes”
• What role epsom salt baths play in detoxifying the body
• Getting an enema done to help further detox the body
• Who should get a “coffee enema” for detoxing and healing
• Why people tend to ignore the role of their gut health
• Why there is a “disconnection” between diet and how they feel
• The “enormous impact on the gut” from psychological issues
• How there are so few people talking about “feelings” and food
• Why “talking about things” can help with mental health issues
• What her patients think about nutritional advice for health
• How people come to her because she is a holistic psychiatrist
• It can take “a long time” to heal health nutritionally
• When medications can “be real useful” for some people
• Whether the low-fat has contributed to psychological issues
• Why people turn to a carbohydrate-rich food for comfort
• How to convince people that consuming fat is okay to eat
• Where the Paleo/low-carb movement is heading in the future
• She is so “impressed” with the growth of the low-carb community
• How easy it is to start writing a blog and publish herself
• What a psychoanalyst is and what role it plays in mental health
• Combination of talking and nutrition she uses with patients
• How your cultural upbringing dictates how you feel and think
• If someone has psychological issues, who do you talk to?
• Where people can find a holistic psychiatrist in their area
• The difference between in person vs. long-distance sessions
• Whether nutrition is the wave of the future in psychiatry
• The health dangers of prescribing the anti-psychotic drugs