Unveiling Our Inner Perception: Discovering True Love

Dr. Jane Fresne, DN

Love, often touted as the universal solution, remains a subjective concept, uniquely

interpreted by each individual. Gary Chapman's "The Five Love Languages" — Words of affirmation, Quality time, Physical touch, Acts of service, and Receiving gifts — serves as a valuable tool to decipher how our expressions and perceptions of love differ. Engaging with this framework not only unveils the manifestations of our own love languages but also heightens awareness of others' distinct needs, which may deviate from our preconceived notions of giving and receiving love. Through introspective endeavors, I consistently recognize that the imprints of my childhood significantly influence my adult experiences of love.

In childhood, our brains undergo developmental stages, each presenting opportune moments for specific areas of growth. The family dynamics during these formative stages contribute to the establishment of beliefs and paradigms concerning love. If our parents lacked a communication style characterized by non-blaming and non-judgmental tones, we may internalize these patterns as expressions of love. Consequently, our unconscious voices may echo love in blaming and judgmental tones, shaping our choices and thoughts.

This ingrained pattern becomes a subtle force guiding our actions and reactions, often underlying conflicts related to the desire to be heard, understood, and valued. The familiarity of these recurrent scenarios may draw us towards situations that mirror our remembered concept of "love." Consequently, when confronted with alternative expressions of receptivity, vulnerability, acceptance, and kindness, it may not register as love at all. Rewiring these neural pathways requires time to downregulate receptors associated with the old communication patterns and upregulate receptors that reinforce the new experiences of love.

In the process of shifting my perspective on what constitutes love, self-affirmation plays a crucial role. Acknowledging that the evolving experience is, indeed, an expression of love aids in navigating this transformative journey. When engaging in a new dance of love with family members, initiating understanding conversations with affirmations of love becomes a powerful strategy. Resources like "Getting The Love You Want" by Harville Hendrix and "Nonviolent Communication" by Marshall Rosenberg provide tools for fostering conscious choices in this regard.

Addressing the imprints of childhood may require exploration beyond conscious thought. Techniques such as hypnosis, energy healing, neurofeedback, voice frequency reframing, holotropic breathwork, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), sound frequency, and "Shake it Off Naturally" by Dr. David Beceli offer avenues for transformative healing of paradigms that developed during these critical developmental windows.

Wishing you abundant blessings on your journey toward love, health, and wholeness.

How To Improve Your Well-being

Dr. Jane Fresne, DN

Are you feeling tired, sluggish, finding it hard to concentrate, experiencing pain or indigestion? You're not alone in this, and there are reasons behind these discomforts. While

you can rely on coffee and medication for temporary relief, why not consider making a shift towards a healthier lifestyle that can help alleviate these issues?

Making this lifestyle change doesn't have to be disruptive, and the changes can be gradual. Over time, these small adjustments can lead to significant improvements in your overall well-being. Begin by making simple choices that can boost your energy and reduce the burden on your body from eliminating toxins or coping with toxin exposure. For example, choosing organic food products while shopping can eliminate the guesswork about potential toxic additives. You can also explore personal care product options on websites like ewg.org to support healthier skin absorption.

Investing in a HEPA filter air purifier for your bedroom and workspace, as well as a water filter for your drinking water, can make a substantial difference. Spending time with your feet on the ground to dissipate the accumulation of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from computer and phone use is another positive step. Pay close attention to your body, mind, and energy levels as you make these changes.

The ultimate goal is to feel better with increased energy. Consider incorporating a good multivitamin/mineral supplement into your daily routine, as many of these essential nutrients are lacking in our soil and processed foods. Don't overlook the importance of proper sleep and regular exercise, even a simple 20-minute walk can make a difference. If you experience aches and pains from repetitive movements or poor posture, a yoga or stretching routine can help alleviate discomfort.

If you've implemented these changes and still aren't feeling your best, it might be time to examine the potential accumulation of toxins that your body struggles to eliminate. The first step in investigating toxic buildup is to determine if you are living or working in a toxic environment with active mold or biohazard exposure. If not, or if you've already addressed the source of toxicity, you can start the detoxification process with guidance from your healthcare provider.

Functional medicine physicians, in particular, specialize in identifying and addressing the root causes of physical dysfunction, which could involve heavy metals, parasites, Lyme disease, viruses, bacteria, or even mold. They may recommend specific dietary changes and supplements during the detoxification process. Far infrared saunas are commonly used for toxin release and can be a valuable addition to your healing routine.

As you work on eliminating toxins from your body, you might experience detox reactions, often referred to as "herx" or Herxheimer reactions. These can manifest as mild headaches, nausea, fatigue, or pressure. It's an indication that you may need more nutrients, water, or rest. If you're working, consider pacing yourself to avoid potential reactions that could disrupt your work.

Take the steps toward feeling better now, and you'll thank yourself for years to come as you enjoy improved health and well-being. Many blessings on your healing journey.

Taking Guilt Out Of Dessert

Just a spoonful of alternative sugar IS the medicine!

Today is Halloween. Years ago, my children absolutely adored dressing up, gathering with the neighborhood kids, and going to neighbors' homes for candy. However, as I became more aware of the unhealthy additives and processed sugar involved, this holiday season became a challenging time for me as I tried to limit the potential impact on their bodies from these toxins.

Creating festive holiday meals required extra time and effort as I searched for recipes to replicate our cherished traditional favorites. Fortunately, many of my friends and family understand my need for alternative sweeteners, allowing me to bring a dessert to share when I visit their homes. Yet, transitioning to healthier eating habits is a complex endeavor.

I grew up with a rich tradition of homemade cakes, cookies, sweet rolls, pies, pudding, and more. These treats were an integral part of nurturing and being nurtured, and I believe it's important not to overlook that aspect. It has been a gradual process for me to find suitable substitutions, and it's a unique journey for each individual.

Initially, I started using stevia instead of sugar, which can be extremely bitter if used in the same, 1:1, ratio (it's up to 400 times the sweetness of table sugar). The white stevia found in stores can differ significantly from the organic stevia green leaf powder I now use, both in taste and potential additives with side effects. Stevia is a plant that can be easily grown at home and turned into a calorie-free and carbohydrate-free powder. A little goes a long way in beverages, plain yogurt, smoothies, etc. However, it doesn't work as well in baking, so I use the recommended ratio of one teaspoon of stevia instead of a cup of processed sugar in recipes, sometimes combining it with another alternative sweetener.

Pure monk fruit powder is another fantastic sugar-alternative sweetener. Most store-bought monk fruit sweeteners contain additives with potential side effects, so I prefer to order mine online. This sweetener works well in baking, but it's much sweeter than sugar without the added calories or carbohydrates. For baking, I recommend using less than the recommended 1/2 cup of monk fruit to 1 cup of sugar, as it can be overpoweringly sweet, although delicious.

Additional healthier sweeteners I explore include dates, honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, molasses, coconut nectar, and brown rice syrup. These options are lower on the glycemic index and contain more nutrients than table sugar. In my daily sweet fixes, I typically stick to monk fruit and organic green leaf stevia powder as sweeteners, with a moderate intake of fruit.

Remember, transitioning to healthier alternatives is a learning process that requires forethought and preparation. When changing your eating habits, it's important to take it one step at a time so that it becomes a lifestyle rather than a mere diet.

Pure alternative sweeteners are not only packed with nutrients and antioxidants but also offer delicious flavors. It's a matter of adjusting your palate, and once you get used to it, choosing healthier snacks becomes second nature. Many blessings on your journey towards a healthier lifestyle.

Dr. Jane Fresne, DN