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Clear, At Last.

Marian Buck-Murray | March 19th, 2013

Just when I thought I had crossed all the hurdles, and was clear of heart problems once and for all, I began feeling the symptoms.  Was I imagining them, or were they real.  The old familiar jaw and tooth pain.  The throb in my left arm.  All happening when I would take a brisk walk, climb up a hill, do yoga, or  bounce on my mini-trampoline.

At first, I thought it was flu-related.  It seemed to appear just around the Holidays when I got sick with the flu.  So, I believed it would pass.  That I would feel better once I got stronger.  Or that perhaps, it was a cavity in my tooth.  But it wasn’t.  And instead of getting better, the symptoms got worse.

So I told my cardiologist.  He recommended an exercise stress test — which proved abnormal.

And that’s when I began to worry.  I worried that it was related to complications  from my last aortic-valve surgery, when my right coronary artery was impinged by scar tissue.  I worried it would mean more surgery.  That the stents used to correct the arterial impingement had collapsed — again.

My cardiologist didn’t know what to tell me.  He recommended a cardiac catheterization (angioplasty) to find out what was wrong.

So I had the catheterization.   And nothing was found.  Nothing at all. My arteries, my valve, my stents, were all beautifully healthy.  My blood appeared to be flowing perfectly.  Nothing appeared to be wrong.  Of course, I was happy.   All of this meant, no surgery!

But, despite my initial relief –  I was concerned.  Concerned that I had somehow mistaken my symptoms.  That I had just wasted time, effort, worry, and money on false symptoms.  I began to doubt myself.  And, I felt embarrassed.

Afterwards, I was determined to recover,  FAST.   I wanted to wipe the slate crystal clear.  So, I began exercising again. I alkalized my system with green drinks and seaweeds.  I cleared my energy with EFT.    But despite my determination,  my symptoms continued.  And I continued to waver between belief and disbelief in what I was feeling.

Then, at my follow-up visit to my cardiologist, all became clear.  According to my doctor, there is likely something amiss with my coronary capillaries. (What’s referred to as  Cardiac Syndrome X.) It’s a condition far more common in women.  It can be caused by a variety of factors, including post-menopausal estrogen deficiency.

Because capillaries are so small, they don’t show up in routine testing –  it can appear as if  nothing is wrong.  However, impaired capillaries can cause angina, and abnormal stress test results.  Fortunately,  because they are so small, they cannot damage the heart in the same way that impaired coronary arteries can.

For now,  I will take  the medication Ranexa, to dilate my capillaries.   And, as always, I will seek natural remedies to help me out.

I feel a lot better, stronger, and very relieved.  Relieved that I will not need surgery.  Relieved that my condition is treatable.  And most of all, I am relieved to know that I can trust my body to tell me the truth.

I am clear, at last.

Trust your body.  Listen to your symptoms.  Find health professionals who believe in you, even when the truth is hard to find.

To tap into your body’s truth, contact me for a free Intro-to-EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) session.  By skype or phone.

Be Well,

Marian

P.S.  Please share this with anyone who might need this information!

 

 

Staying Grounded When Things are Tough

Marian Buck-Murray | February 6th, 2013

Grounded focus.

When a strong gust of life blows you off track,  it can be tough to stay grounded.  I know, I’ve been there many times.   Especially, it seems, during the last couple of months.  Between the holidays, the news, illness, and family obligations, I’ve been easily distracted.  I’ve been actively finding ways to ground myself,  in order stay focused. Today I’m sharing my personal  true-and-tried tips to help you bring yourself back to Earth.

Illness,  a difficult challenge, or a traumatic event, can easily uproot your sense of  peace and wellbeing. Unexpected obstacles can dismantle your best intentions, leaving you feeling distracted, scattered, anxious, and irritable.

The more uncomfortable you feel, the more likely you will seek an escape from your pain.  It could be anything from a walk outside, an online-surf, or a slice of chocolate cake.  There’s nothing wrong with any of these.  It’s when you’re stuck in an ongoing pattern of avoidance, that it causes problems for your life.

The key is to stay present in the moment.  If you’re lost in worries about the future, or regrets from the past, you’re not present.  And, when you’re not present, it’s easy to escape into unhealthy habits of avoidance.

Here are steps to keep yourself grounded and productive, even when you feel like you’ve been blown off course.

Write – When it’s tough to stay focused, take a break to write down your feelings.  Get in touch with yourself.  Allow yourself to write down your stream of consciousness.  Ask for guidance.  For example, if you’re having trouble getting your work done, ask for clarity about your next best step.  Wait for the answer to arise.  Write it down.  Honor your intuition by following this guidance.

Enjoy Nature – Take a half-hour walk outdoors.  If it’s warm enough, walk barefoot.  Spend time nurturing your indoor plants.  Gaze upon a beautiful horizon.  Notice what’s strong and grounded in Nature.

Move Your Body –   Stretch and bend.  Breath, slowly and deeply.  Dance.  Do yoga or tai chi.  Bounce on a trampoline.  March in place.  Do your favorite exercise routine.   Get back into your body.

Massage Yourself – Massage your hands, your face, your ears, your head, your arms, your lower back, your buttocks, your legs, and your feet.  Self massage will help release tension and anxiety trapped in your body.  It will also help bring you back into your body.

Nourish Yourself — Eat an abundance of  organic vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.  Favor root and ground vegetables, which are packed with nutrients to help you stay centered and balanced.

Avoid Stimulants – Caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and refined carbohydrates all offer temporary relief from discomfort.  However, they will also weaken you — at a time when you most need your strength.

Complete a  Household or Office Task – Tasks such as cooking and cleaning are especially grounding.  If you feel like you’re getting nothing done, take a break to complete a simple task.  Prep dinner, wash dishes, clear some clutter from your desk.   The feeling of accomplishment will help inspire you to continue with your work.

Limit Social Media & Web Use – When you feel scattered or anxious, a quick visit to Facebook can turn into an hour of web-surfing.  Turn off social-media notifications on your computer and phone.  Close your email reader.   Decide on the specific time and amount of time you will spend on electronic media each day, and allow yourself to enjoy this time.

Use EFT Tapping –  EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) helps reduce the mind-chatter and stressful feelings that keep you distracted.  If you are new to EFT,  contact me for a free Intro-to-EFT session.   Click here to learn more about EFT.

When life has got you scattered , take good care of yourself.  Schedule breaks for walks, massage, nourishing foods, friends, and creative expression.   Honor your need for healthy escape.  Ground yourself, and you will find focus.

Deep Fog

Marian Buck-Murray | December 8th, 2012

We’ve had a lot of fog lately here in NJ.  Dense fog.  Fog deep enough to disrupt  the morning commute.  The kind of fog that completely masks what lies ahead.

A dark cloudy day can sometimes make me feel unfocused, and stuck.  The greyness of  the sky clouds my thinking.   Fortunately,  a couple rounds of EFT and a cup of green tea will usually help me clarify my mind.

Fog is another story.  Fog distorts and inhibits far-sighted vision. Fog is blinding, limiting,  fear-inducing.  Venturing into the fog is like walking off the edge — you have no idea what lies ahead.

In fact,  traffic experts agree — the safest way to drive in fog is to not drive at all.

But the thing about fog, is that you KNOW it will lift.  You KNOW the sun is shining somewhere — and that it will eventually shine for you.

With that knowing, you can choose what to do.   You can choose to surrender to this temporary circumstance.  Or you can choose to go up against it.

If you choose to surrender– you might  just notice that THE ONLY  PLACE YOU CAN SEE CLEARLY IS RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE!

Life gets foggy sometimes.  It’s in those moments of deep fog, when nothing seems clear, that clarity can be found from deep within.  Surrender.  Take the time to listen to your spirit.  Relax into your feelings.   Gather your resources.  Nourish your strength.  Take deep care of yourself.

 When the sun finally comes out — you’ll be ready.

Find out how EFT can help you clear your fog. Learn more here.

Contact me for a complimentary 30-minute INTRO-TO-EFT session.

Moving Into Heroism

Marian Buck-Murray | November 6th, 2012

It’s hard to articulate what Sandy means for me, impossible to say what it means for anyone else, especially those who have lost so much.

As a born-and-bred Jersey Girl, I spent my summers down-the-shore. (And many summer weekends as an adult.) Although I am shocked by its devastation,  I have faith in its revival.

My daughter Annika was born at NYU Medical Center, where I also had a few medical stays.  I’m in complete awe of the hospital’s heroics during their evacuation.

I lived in Hoboken for eight years.  I feel so sad for a town I loved (and love) so dearly.

And, two nights before Sandy, I ate a fabulous dinner with a  fabulous group of women at NYC’s Barbarini Alimentari, now ravaged and lost to the storm.  I feel utterly helpless to help.

No matter how you’ve been affected, one thing is clear –  Sandy’s massive winds have moved us all.  And she’s still moving us.

The devastation moving so many of us to tears, sadness, and disbelieving shock.   Moving us into compassion for people so abruptly uprooted from everything they know.   Moving us further away and closer together, all at the same time.  Moving us to reach out to friends and strangers in need.

In all of this movement, in all of this disruptive destruction, heroes move into action:

  • The NYU Nurses who carried premature babies and their oxygen tanks down 9 flights of darkened stairs.
  • The tireless utility workers who left their homes to bring power back to the East Coast.
  • Patient police officers, guiding long lines of patrons safely to gas.
  • Reporters and camera crews weathering dangerous conditions to bring us up-to-date news.
  • Friends opening their homes to weary, less-fortunate neighbors.
  • Elected officials doing an amazingly good job.
  • The guys who stood in putrid water, digging out drains on Hoboken’s flooded streets.
  • Organizers and volunteers of donation drives and cleanup efforts.
  • The people of Staten Island who are hanging on tight.
  • The Maplewood Librarians who welcomed the masses.
  • The fire officials, the troops, the rescuers of stranded people.
  • Those political leaders who put politics aside in order to expedite assistance.

And so many many more….

When powerful winds blow everything away, we’re the ones who are left behind.

It’s in this dark, naked moment that we are moved to look deeply within.  It is our opportunity to ignite our own heroic power.  The power we need most when the lights go down.

Who are some of your favorite Sandy Heroes?   Please Post below.

Looking for some Post-Sandy, Post-Election-Season Stress Release?  Contact me for a complimentary introductory EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) session via Skype or Phone. 

Be Well,

Marian

Lessons from a 600-Year-Old Tree

Marian Buck-Murray | October 4th, 2012

Life in the graveyard.


“Praise and blame, gain and loss, pleasure and sorrow come and go like the wind. To be happy, rest like a giant tree, in the midst of them all.” – Buddha

Life in the middle of a graveyard.  This tree stands in the center of Basking Ridge NJ —  the town where I grew up.

The graves date back to the Revolutionary War.  The tree is much older – from  the days when the Lenni-Lenape inhabited the land.

Surrounded  by  worn-down,  crumbling, gravestones,  that tree stands strong.   It’s still growing, still thriving.   Never bending to upheavals all around. Talk about focus.

And to think that this gigantic beauty began its epic life inside a tiny little acorn.

Of course, an acorn has no power to grow unless it’s well grounded, well nourished by Nature’s elemental forces.

Before it can grow strong and mighty, the acorn must soften, and surrender into the Earth.  Only when it’s firmly rooted , can it can grow beyond the Earth’s nurturing womb.

Fully connected, fully supported, fully nourished,  the acorn grows into the mighty Oak Tree — expressing  it’s full potential.   Without the synergistic cooperation of these conditions,  the acorn turns to food for the squirrels.

This grand old oak  reminds us that it’s really quite simple to reach our fullest potential.

Here, in an acorn shell,  are lessons from this tree:

  • Stay grounded.
  • Eat a  nourishing, plant-based diet.
  • Drink plenty of clean water.
  • Breath clean fresh air.
  • Connect with supportive family and friends.
  • Stay calm, focused, and flexible during life’s storms.
  • Follow your inner guidance.
  • Surrender to a higher source.
  • Be authentic.
  • Express your divine potential.
  • Share your beauty and your strength.

To learn how to use EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) to tap into your true potential, contact me for a free 30 minute introductory session.

What will you do today to nourish and grow your potential?  Post your answer below.

Be Well!

Marian

Your Body Tells All

Marian Buck-Murray | July 25th, 2012

Listen to love.

It’s amazing what your body will tell you.  In essence, it will tell you everything you need to know.

Take for example, something as simple as a scratchy feeling at the back of your throat.  You know that’s your signal to do something quick to avoid on oncoming cold.

Taking a closer look, there may be even more to it than physical discomfort.  A scratchy throat might be telling you something else you need to know — it’s up to you to listen.

A headache, for example, could be just a headache. Or it could be a sign that you’re spending too much time in your head, and not enough time doing what you love.

A sprained ankle could be the obvious result of tripping off a step, and/or a sign to be more careful.  It could also be a signal that your life is somehow out-of-balance, and that you need to slow down.

A stomach ache might be caused by something you ate.  Or, it might be a trapped emotion, hiding in your gut, trying to get your attention.

As a volunteer at the Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute in Morristown NJ, I’m continually amazed at what the body will do to protect the heart.    Chest pain, shoulder pain, jaw pain, shortness of breath,  bloating,  palpitations —  these are  just a few of the alarms which signal heart trouble.

The alarms continue to get louder, until they are finally heard — and responded to.  Sometimes it takes a heart attack, or a completely ‘unrelated’ accident, injury, or surgery to uncover the needs of the heart.

Taking it one step deeper — I believe that all heart trouble, and serious illness, is the body’s ultimate wake-up call.  A call for transformation.

Listening  is the first step.   Next, following the body’s guidance is what empowers us to transform.

Illness is body poetry, asking to be understood.  A gift to help us wake up to the beauty of our lives.

Not quite sure what your body is telling you?   EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) is a fast, effective technique to find out.   Contact me to set up an introductory session.    Learn more about EFT here.

Be Well & Keep Listening!

 

Marian

What has your body told you? Post below.

Share this with someone you love.

EFT for High Blood Pressure?

Marian Buck-Murray | June 13th, 2012

I have (had) a silent secret.  High blood pressure — for nearly 20 years.

I have none of the typical risk factors. I don’t smoke. I’m not overweight.  I eat a whole foods diet. I do yoga. I meditate.  The typical drill. But no matter how much I tried to lower my blood pressure naturally, it just wasn’t happening.  So, I agreed to take medication.

Now, despite my good intentions, I sometimes  forgot (resisted) my medication.   Eventually, I would remember, and take my pressure with my home monitor.   The numbers would scare me.  I’d take my medication. Until…I forgot, again.

Finally, I surrendered.  I knew low blood pressure  was critical for my heart.  So I took the meds — every day.  I stayed on track, I stuck with it.   And — I gave up trying to lower my blood pressure naturally.

Then, a month or so ago, I forgot again. I went for at least two weeks without medication.  When I finally noticed, I shamefully took my pressure, certain it would be high.

But it wasn’t. It was 120 over 78.

IMPOSSIBLE,  I thought.  So I took it again, and again.  Slight fluctuations, but my pressure was low.  It stayed low.  It was low the next day, and the next, and all the days following.

Three weeks later, it’s still low!  Without medication!

I suspect my low blood pressure was the result of my EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) practice.  During the past year I have spent hundreds of hours tapping with clients, at EFT seminars, with EFT practitioners, and with EFT audio programs.  I’ve tapped (successfully!) on many personal  issues — but never on my blood pressure.

I have no doubt that EFT releases physical and emotional pain, but I never thought it would help my blood pressure.  I remembered EFT Master Carol Look saying that she had a similar experience with her ‘incurable’ insomnia.   It  disappeared as a result of her ongoing EFT practice with clients.  Maybe the same thing had happened for me!

I bet it’s the cortisol connection.  In addition to many illnesses, high cortisol contributes to both insomnia and high blood pressure.

And, EFT just happens to be one of the all-time BEST cortisol-lowering techniques!

So, while I’m not certain that my blood pressure will stay low, I have every reason to believe it will.  I know EFT is a powerful tool.   And, I can’t wait to tell my cardiologist!

Let me be clear — I am not suggesting you do what I did.  If you need medication, take it.  What I am suggesting is that you try EFT.  You never know what might happen!  You’ll be amazed.

Contact me for a one-on-one EFT session.  (First 30 minutes are FREE.)  Via  Skype or in person.  marian@goodfoodsolutions.com. 

CLICK HERE to learn more about EFT.

Marian’s Kimchi

Marian Buck-Murray | May 11th, 2012

 

I had a dream once where I met a woman named Kimchi.  She would say I am Kimchi, and I would say, “No, I AM KIMCHI.”  Over and over we argued,  until someone finally asked would the Real Kimchi Please Stand Up?

Well, I’m definitely not the real Kimchi.  But  here’s my version.  It’s not real Korean kimchi –  it’s a lot less spicy.  You can really play with this recipe.

Marian’s Kimchi

Kimchi is a Korean-style  naturally fermented, probiotic  sauerkraut.  It’s a perfect side dish for protein or grains.   Promotes digestion, and adds probiotics to your diet.  

1 small head cabbage, cored and shredded
1 bunch green onions, chopped
2-3 carrots, shredded
1 beet shredded (optional)
2 parsnips, shredded (optional)
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
½ teaspoon dried red pepper flakes  (optional)
1 tablespoon sea salt
4 tablespoons liquid whey (see recipe below)

  1. Place all ingredients in a bowl, and pound with a wooden pounder or a meat hammer to release juices.  You may also do this by using your hands to knead the mixture.
  2. Place in a quart-sized, wide-mouth jar and press down firmly with a pounder or wooden spoon, until juice comes to the top of the cabbage.  Vegetables should be submerged in liquid.  If necessary, add a little water to cover  top of  vegetables.
  3. Cover tightly and keep at room temperature for about 4-5 days before transferring to the refrigerator.  Keep vegetables submerged in liquid by periodically pressing them down with a wooden spoon.  Taste each day to check for desired sourness.

Whey and Yogurt Cheese

2 cups (or more) high-quality organic plain yogurt

  1. Line a strainer with double or triple layer of cheesecloth.  Place strainer over a bowl.  Pour in the yogurt. Let stand for a few hours.   Whey will drip into bowl, and milk solids will stay in the strainer.
  2. Store whey in sealed jar in the refrigerator.
  3. Flavor whey cheese with ½- 1 teaspoon orange zest, 1-2 teaspoons raw honey and a sprinkle of currants or raisins.  Use as a spread on crackers or toast.

ENJOY!

10 Everyday Foods to Cleanse Your System

Marian Buck-Murray | April 4th, 2012

Here are some easy-to-find, easy-to-use, foods you can use to gently detoxify your system.

Add them to juices, smoothies, soups, side-dishes, and everything else. Clear yourself out, and open up –  receive the energy of Spring!

Apple Cider Vinegar – Raw apple cider vinegar assists with fat digestion and prevents blood stagnation. It is detoxifying and helps relieve liver congestion. Unpasteurized, unfiltered vinegar contains nutrients, amino acids.

Asparagus – Reduces phlegm and mucus, eases constipation, soothes membranes. Contains asparagine, a diuretic. Useful for treating kidney problems. Also helpful for gout, rheumatism and edema.

Arugula – Bitter and pungent taste makes this an effective digestive.

Beets and Beet Juice — Beets are highly detoxifying — helping to cleanse and support the liver.

Celery – Effective as both a laxative and diuretic. Relieves liver congestion. Used to treat arthritis, rheumatism and gout. Useful for blood cleansing, hangovers, high blood pressure.

Cilantro – Assists in clearing. heavy metals from the body.

Flax Seed — Anti-inflammatory, cleansing, stimulates bowel by helping to move waste.  Must grind flax in order to release Omega 3′s. Pre-ground flax is available for purchase – but must be frozen or refrigerated.

Green Apple –Contains malic and tartaric acids, which inhibit fermentation in stomach. Green apples help cleanse the liver and gallbladder and help soften gallstones. Pectin promotes beneficial intestinal flora and supports normal colon function.

Lemon – Stimulates the release of enzymes – an essential part of the liver’s detoxification process

Turmeric – Turmeric helps detoxify the liver and regenerate liver cells. Turmeric has been shown to increase levels of two liver enzymes important for detoxification. In addition, turmeric helps lower cholesterol levels.

Of course, the list goes on, and on.  Seaweed, cruciferous veggies, garlic, daikon, burdock, and shiitake mushrooms are also stand-out detoxifiers.  Once you familiarize yourself with these foods,  use them often.  Enjoy them and  know that you’re giving your body an enormous gift.

What’s your favorite detox food?  If you have any questions or comments, please post it below.

 

Be Well,

Marian

THE ABC’s of EFT

Marian Buck-Murray | February 1st, 2012

 

Rainbow after the storm.

 

EFT has got to be one of the easiest, most effective ways to release stress, limiting beliefs, and unwanted emotions. I use it on myself, and with my clients. 

I am constantly amazed at EFT’s power!

In quick nutshell, here’s how EFT works:

1. According to EFT creator Gary Craig,  “The cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body’s energy system.” When we clear the energy disruption, we clear the negative emotions.

2.  EFT works by tapping on specific meridian endpoints to release and clear energy. There is an easy-to-learn ‘basic recipe.’

3.  Our bodies remember our experiences. Painful experiences, which are not properly cleared, form blocks in our energy system. This creates a disruption to our natural energy flow.

4.  Painful memories (energy disruptions) are triggered by events and people which seem similar to the original event. By clearing the energy disruption, the memory is deactivated, losing its trigger-ability.

5.   Neural pathways are strengthened and ‘thickened’ by consistently believing and thinking the same thoughts.  And vice versa. The stronger a neural pathway, the stronger the belief. These thick neural pathways are what ‘keep’ us in all sorts of limiting belief, thought, and behavior patterns.

6.  EFT helps disassemble old neural pathways, clearing energy disruptions, stress, negative emotions, and beliefs. Once a neural pathway is dissembled, it can be reassembled into new positive pathways.

7.  EFT is easy to use. Once you learn it, you will always have it at the tip of your fingers. Working with an EFT practitioner is helpful for working with persistent issues.

EFT IS THE ULTIMATE FUNK-BUSTING TOOL!  Try it for yourself!

 Questions?  Want to know more about how you can use EFT? Leave your comments below.

Contact me to learn how to use The Basic Recipe for EFT.

 

Be Well,  Marian

Disclaimer:  While EFT has been used by thousands of health professionals and individuals worldwide with minimal negative side effects, this does not mean that you will not experience any side effects. If you use EFT  on yourself or others, please take full responsibility for yourself and the treatment.  Always consult with a medical professional for medical concerns.