Trust Your Gut - Day 52

Today's inspiration comes from health advocate, Jordan Rubin, author of the Maker's Diet. In a recent newsletter he discusses the digestive tract and what's really going on with your gut. Have you ever experienced butterflies before a major presentation or had a stomachache after making a big decision? Jordan shares that this is your body's way of responding to stressful situations. Notice that the feelings aren't happening between your ears. There's scientific evidence that the body has two emotional centers — in the brain and also in the gut. Next time your body talks, pay careful attention to what it's saying.

We are all taught from childhood to believe that our brain is essentially the "boss" of our body. While it is true that our brain is the centerpiece of our mental capacity and nervous system, it is also a fact that there are nearly one hundred million nerve cells in our digestive system alone — about the same number found in our spinal cord!

Because of the multitude of nerve cells that are located in the gut, your capacity for feeling and for emotional expression is in large part dependent upon the condition of this sensitive area. By the time you add together the number of nerve cells in the esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines, there are more nerve cells in the overall digestive system than there are in the peripheral nervous system. Pretty staggering, huh?

Most people would say the brain alone determines whether you are happy or sad, but they have their facts skewed. It seems the gut is more responsible than we ever imagined for how we feel. So doesn't it make sense that we should treat this part of our bodies with utmost care and attention? When people come to me asking for advise or for direction with their health, I very often tell them to first begin educating themselves, but along the way, go with their own gut instinct. Although I have always believed in following these instincts, I now have a better understanding of why following your gut really is sound advise. What steps are you taking to nourish, cleanse and purify your digestive tract? What is one thing that you can do today that will move you one step closer to better health and a stronger, more efficient digestive system?

Before signing out, I have to give a shot out to my sweet friend, Angela, from Bartlesville, Oklahoma. I wrote about my visit with Angela last week and she and I were able to get together again this morning and spend some time, sharing thoughts, ideas and just enjoying one another's company. Angela brought a gift of the most gorgeous flowers and they are gracing our living room in such splendor. Thank you, Angela, for the flowers, but even more so for your friendship. You're awesome!

Monday's Daily Juice:
1 qt. strawberry, goji berry, blood orange, young coconut, spirulina
1 qt. master cleanse
1.5 qt. pineapple, parsley, VitaMineral Green
1.5 qt. celery, asparagus, cucumber, kale, jalapeño, cilantro, orange bell pepper, radish, tomatoes, garlic, lime