In reality we all hunger to celebrate life’s milestones, to add more meaning to our lives, the sense of comfort and connection that it brings. We want to celebrate a special birthday, the promotion at the office, retirement or a new home, but the overwhelming majority of people see it as an occasion just to have a party, an empty celebration devoid of purposeful content, intent or action.

To have a home or house dedication or blessing, your home or apartment does not have to be brand new. Indeed it can be an older home or a home or apartment made new again after a renovation or restoration.

Have you ever held a house warming party, a celebration after you moved into a home or apartment? Was it pretty much the same as every other party – plenty of food and drinks, lively music and maybe even a little dancing? Maybe it was a laid back BBQ or a dinner party. Whatever form your party or celebration took it was to celebrate moving into a new abode.

Ritual can be added to any celebration to deepen the occasion, to give it real meaning and purpose. In a home dedication the rituals we engage in are traditions that have been passed down to us by ancient civilizations including Chinese feng shui.

So, even if you plan to have a house warming party you can add a home dedication or blessing to it. We just take time aside early in the day or evening to participate in the ritual then proceed on to the party afterwards.

In a home blessing or dedication ceremony or celebration we talk about the house itself, the personal journey or the relationship the new owners have with the dwelling. The circumstances that brought the owners to the particular location, how they came to find it, did they do any work to the house prior to moving in? Does it have a deeper connection with the person, couple or the family?

The actual dedication and blessing of the home, involves walking from room to room employing ancient customs or rituals as we go. When each room or area has been dedicated or blessed everyone gathers back at a central spot for the conclusion.

Examples of things that can be included in the ceremony are the use of lit candles, lavender oil lamp or lavender spray, orange and lemon infused water, flowers or sprigs of blossoms, a broom to sweep, a basket of blessings, readings by the home owners or their guests, a tree planting, a welcome wreath, welcoming drinks and a welcome cake. You may even wish to sit down for a celebratory meal at the conclusion of your ceremony or celebration.

It is possible for new home-owners to devise a ceremony of their own?

Yes, this is particularly easy to do by using the 2 ceremonies in my e-book as a guide.

To really personalize a ceremony, substitute the unique details of the house or apartment and the couple or family, adding original readings and ritual activities to make it uniquely theirs.

For more details on house, home or apartment dedication or blessing, seek out -

www.home-dedication.net

About the author: Elizabeth Gray is an Australian celebrant who conducts ceremonies for all life’s milestones

Regularly we hear of another well known personality or relative of a friend with a diagnosis of dementia. Because of the ever increasing numbers it’s hard to not think that perhaps environmental factors are at play, or at least a major contributing factor. Air pollutants we breathe, in the food we eat, in the water we drink, in the creams, sprays etc we put on our skin, the shampoos and potions we put in our hair.

The prevalence of dementia among individuals aged 71 and older was 13.9%, comprising about 3.4 million individuals in the USA in 2002. The corresponding values for Alzheimers Disease were 9.7% and 2.4 million individuals. Dementia prevalence increased with age, from 5.0% of those aged 71–79 years to 37.4% of those aged 90 and older.

The numbers of those aged 65 years or older in the USA is expected to double from approximately 35 million today to more than 70 million by 2030.

These statistics in the US would equate to other western countries giving the information required to bolster facilities that will be required to care for sufferers as well as their carers and to look to our health care systems in general.

Statistics such as these makes it very possible for today’s children to be exposed to people not only with dementia, but with Parkinsons, stroke or arthritis as well.

How best to help children understand what is happening to their beloved grandparent, friend of the family or elderly neighbour?

Information on degenerative diseases in the elderly for children 8-12years is available in e-book form written by Elizabeth Gray a former Australian RN who worked in this area for over 20 years. She has encapsulated in story form all the facts – the symptoms and the management.

www.dementia-explained.com
www.stroke-explained.com
www.parkinsons-explained.com
www.arthritis-explained.net

Stats: Prevalence of Dementia in the United States: The Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study :published 2007

As not all relationships end amicably or in the shortest possible time frame, a divorce ceremony or ritual can be a very constructive part of the healing process. Some of us need assistance to enable us to move unencumbered to the next phase of our lives. Assistance can include, specialized counselling and a divorce – end of relationship ritual or ceremony.

A relationship break-up, whether it is from marriage, a defacto relationship, a long time same sex commitment or a long term friendship can be very traumatic, second only to death in terms of associated stress.

Divorce has the ability to carry with it conflicting emotions of love and hate, intense feelings of resentment and all the emotions associated with grief and loss.

Dissolution of marriage or long term relationships almost always affects more than two people. Children can be involved as well as both sides of the family plus the common community of friends.

Because of the sheer number of individuals and families affected by divorce in our communities it’s important that all forms of support and help is available to assist in the finalization of the divorce process, spiritually, emotionally and psychologically.

After months if not years of being consumed with the ‘divorce process’, completing the paperwork pretty much concludes the legal side of things but it can bring with it a great feeling of emptiness, a void, disbelief that a substantial part of your life has come to a grinding halt.

This is where a divorce or relationship dissolution ceremony ritual fits into the overall scheme of things, this ceremony is intended to assist with the resolving of issues, acknowledging the good and the positive from the past and let go of the bad from the past, offer forgiveness for wrongs, tie up loose ends, and assist greatly with the moving on and healing process, provide a platform from which to launch new and better things.

Ideally the divorce ceremony is conducted with both partners present but a positive outcome is still possible when the ceremony involves only one person. To have both partners present offers the greatest potential for a positive step in the journey of closure. Friends or family and especially children may also be present to participate or lend their encouragement and pledge their ongoing support.

Elizabeth Gray is an Australian celebrant and has conducted ceremonies for  many of life’s milestones.

Read more about her divorce ceremonies at www.divorce-ceremony.com

Many ceremonies involve families. Children are a part of families, so children automatically become involved whether they are merely acknowledged or actively participate.

There are not many ceremonies that do not touch the life of a child in some way. From first time marriages and second marriages where a child or children come with one or both partners, renewing of marriage vows, gay marriage or commitment ceremonies, divorce ceremonies and naming or name giving ceremonies where the child as the focal point or the reason for the actual ceremony or a home dedication where children are often involved as part of the family celebrating their new home.

Lets look at the ways children can be involved in ceremonies.

Involve the children in the planning process. Don’t run the risk of having them feel left out, that they don’t count. You’ll be surprised at how positively they will respond. Their thoughts and ideas may also surprise you. Share the excitement with them, its all part of the ceremony process, the build up, the rehearsal and then the ceremony.

Ask your celebrant or officiant to make certificates for the children as mementos of their participation.

The young daughter, niece or other relative or friend of the bride or groom may be a flowergirl or maid of honour, an official member of the bridal party. The flowergirl may help scatter flower petals onto the path that the bride will tread, entering into the ceremonial area. Petals may also be scattered around the couple before the ceremony begins. A flowergirl may also hold a cushion with a wedding ring/s secured on it. Children may also be involved in blowing bubbles, releasing balloons or butterflies.

Little boys may also act as a ring bearer or attend the groom as one of the bridal party – a groomsman. Depending on the age of the boy he may give his mother, the bride, away. Many teenage sons have done this for their mothers and proudly so as a spokesperson for the family.

Children collectively may be acknowledged by their parents as being an integral part of a marriage or commitment ceremony, not only are two lives being joined at the marriage or commitment ceremony but a new family is being forged with a child or children as part of the union. They are often acknowledged as being “precious gifts” and being of “utmost priority” in the lives of the couple.

Children may also be given an opportunity to read singly or collectively. The reading may be something the child has written or it may be a poem or a passage of prose, authors such as Dr Seuss, A.A. Milne, Michael Leunig and Edward Lear are often used in marriage and commitment ceremonies. In home dedication ceremonies children may also read.

A child or children may wish to say vows at a marriage ceremony – they may wish to declare their promises or a pledge along with the new union that their parent is making.

Children may be involved in a candle lighting ritual, often as part of a family unity ritual. This is a very inclusive gesture at a time when family unity is eagerly sought and treasured. Candles are often lit in home dedication ceremonies as well although this is a task for older children or adults.

Name giving ceremonies date back to ancient Greek and Roman times. A child was not considered a part of the family until he or she had been named in a special naming or name giving ceremony. It is a ritual or tradition that has been adopted by many western countries. It is important to note that this ceremony does not take the place of any other religious or non religious affiliation that the child may choose in later life.

The child is the focal point of this ceremony, can be of any age, most usually an infant or a toddler. Parents fashion a ceremony around their personal situation usually including a formal welcome to the child and an acknowledgement of their thanks and relief that the child arrived safely. Information about the child’s life thus far and the meaning of the name of the child can also be included. Blessings and wishes for the life of the child are often a feature of the ceremony.

Given that about half of all marriages terminate in divorce nowadays, if there are children from the marriage, its obvious that children are going to be involved in some way. In an effort to assist with the healing and moving on process for both parent/s and children/child, a divorce ceremony can be conducted.

Children may just be acknowledged or they can take an active part in the proceedings. Both the good and the bad aspects of the marriage are acknowledged with ample opportunities for a child to contribute in positive ways.

Never work with children or dogs? Children absolutely yes, dogs – well, I am not an authority on animals.

Participation in ceremonies by children makes ceremonies richer and the benefits for the children are immeasurable.

Notes on the author:

Elizabeth Gray is an Australian celebrant.  Ceremonies that may involve children can be found at:

www.thevowsbook.com – a compilation of marriage ceremonies
www.renewalofvows.net - renewal of vows ceremonies
www.spiritualceremonies.info – spiritually inspired ceremonies
www.2ndmarriageceremonies.com – second marriage ceremonies
www.gaycommitmentceremony.net – gay commitment/marriage ceremonies
www.namegivingceremonies.com – name giving/naming ceremonies
www.wedding-ceremonies.net – more marriage ceremonies
www.divorce-ceremony.com -  divorce ceremonies
www.home-dedication.net – dedication and blessing of homes

By ritual I am referring to meaningful symbolic practices relating to our personal, cultural or religious beliefs, most of which are steeped in symbolism. We could do well to learn from other cultures, for example, when it comes to rites of passage for children and young adults.

In today’s society, many teenagers upon reaching 18years of age see this milestone as a license to drink themselves stupid and continue to do so, weekend after weekend. I wonder how many of them have any real insight into the real meaning of the attainment of age….their rights and accompanying responsibilities.

Ritual has the ability to put more understanding and meaning into lives, to replace the void, restore peace and harmony, rekindle spirituality, to heal wounds and sore hearts.

The celebrations and ceremonies that we do partake in can be made richer, more meaningful and infinitely more memorable by the creative addition of rituals, whether for births, deaths, marriages, milestone birthdays, divorces, healing or even retirement.

For example a marriage cultural ritual – the tasting of salt, bread and wine, a Polish marriage ritual that says symbolically, “may you overcome the bitterness in life”, “may you never go hungry”, “may you enjoy the sweetness in life”.

Another cultural marriage ritual – the ancient Celtic ring warming and blessing ritual. The rings are passed to each of the wedding guests to be held momentarily, warmed and given a blessing before the rings are put on. It’s a symbolic acknowledgement by the couple that each person present has had and will continue to have an important part to play in their lives.

Other marriage ritual examples - lighting a candle to remember deceased relatives – those people who had an influence on the developing years of one or other of the couple. This more spiritual practice, the lighting of the candle can be accompanied by a reading by a family member and a pause to remember; The giving of a flower to mothers of the couple or all guests at the commencement of the ceremony as a token of thanks for their love and support; A marriage ritual of acknowledgement and inclusion of children belonging to each partner into a new family. Children’s vows or readings may also be recited.

It is evident in many of these ritual examples that our hearts cry out for love, thanks and acknowledgement. And as these are not new practices, most of them emanating from ancient civilizations, it is also evident that the basic needs and desires of people have not changed over the millennia.

The burning or burying of photographs and copies of marriage certificates are often included in divorce rituals but positive statements of acknowledgement, thanks and forgiveness also feature as part of the healing ritual in divorce ceremonies. Again thanks and acknowledgement is given for the good things that came out of the relationship, after all, not every aspect of a union is negative or bad.

Eulogies are an integral part of funeral rituals, again, thanks and love are words often found in eulogies. Displays of photos, placing of favourite flowers of the deceased on the casket and guards of honour of teams or colleagues in uniforms are often seen as a symbolic mark of respect for the deceased and a show support for the family.

Name giving ceremonies are another example of a cultural and family tradition or ritual passed to us from ancient Roman and Greek cultures.

The naming ceremony can be enhanced by other rituals for example, the appointing of Godparents and the acknowledging of Grandparents, both of whom may light the child’s name giving candle as a symbolic gesture of unity and love.

Cultural thanksgiving harvest rituals were a more common observance a generation or two ago but are still a common occurrence in many European countries as are seasonal observances, Equinox and Solstice rituals to celebrate seasons and the sun. A home dedication or blessing involves ritual sweeping away or cleansing of residual spirits from previous occupation/presences and welcoming of light and warmth and welcoming by the use of rituals steeped in symbolic practices.

Religious rituals are conducted by Religious Celebrants in churches, for example, communion, paying homage to God, baptisms and ordinations.

Add more meaning to your celebration or your ceremony and enrich your life generally by including rituals. When words are inadequate, a ritual often says it all.

About this author: Elizabeth Gray is an Australian celebrant. Her ceremonies are all enriched by rituals – see for yourself.

www.thevowsbook.com – a compilation of marriage ceremonies
www.renewalofvows.net – renewal of vows ceremonies
www.spiritualceremonies.info – spiritually inspired ceremonies
www.weddingvows101.net – 101 marriage or commitment vows
www.2ndmarriageceremonies.com – second marriage ceremonies
www.gaycommitmentceremony.net – gay commitment/marriage ceremonies
www.namegivingceremonies.com – name giving/naming ceremonies
www.wedding-ceremonies.net – more marriage ceremonies
www.divorce-ceremony.com -  divorce ceremonies                                                                                                                                       www.home-dedication.net - dedication and blessing of a new home

Consider the level of anxiety being experienced by most couples. The amount of butterflies fluttering around in their tummies! Getting married is not an experience undertaken very frequently, it is unknown territory…..for many it is a once in a lifetime event.

The scariest part for many is that they will be the centre of attention. Having to utter words in public. Its a frightening thought and needs to be addressed.

Not only are your two lives being joined in matrimony or lifetime commitment but two families are also being united, parents, brothers and sisters and extended family. Consider too, that each of you has a number of friends each, cumulatively a community of friends. You are bringing to your union, your families and your community of friends.

One of the most important reasons for having a full rehearsal is the importance of Process.

By that I mean: “A wedding ceremony is meant to bond not only the bride and groom, not only the two families, not only the two sets of friends, but it specially honours and bonds all the wedding party participants to the bride and groom and with each other. The rehearsal enhances and underlines all this. People usually have a wonderful time at a rehearsal. It is a special and memorable coming together and bonding of friends, in a psychologically permanent way.” (Dally Messenger III)

A rehearsal familiarises everyone involved with the ceremony itself, who stands where, who speaks when, the music starts and stops where and when, CD’s and iPods tested, when to pass the bouquet to the bridesmaid. When held at the ceremony venue, a rehearsal familiarizes everyone with the venue, parking and travelling time. Phone numbers and name of the driver in each vehicle given to the celebrant in case of breakdown or accident.

The rehearsal is a vital opportunity for participants of the ceremony to practice readings, can assist to quell nervousness and anxiety, and show up lack of clarity or volume problems. In order for the ceremony to be understood, appreciated and enjoyed by all present, every aspect of it must be seen and heard.

Insist on a full rehearsal before your wedding or commitment ceremony.….you’ll be so glad you did. Your ceremony will go more smoothly, there will be no hidden surprises, you will be more calm and composed and will have every reason to thoroughly enjoy the occasion.

To learn more about how you can personalize your wedding, gay commitment ceremony or renewal of vows ceremony have a look at how Elizabeths e-books have made it easy for you.

www.thevowsbook.com – a compilation of marriage ceremonies
www.renewalofvows.net – renewal of vows ceremonies
www.spiritualceremonies.info – spiritually inspired ceremonies
www.weddingvows101.net – 101 marriage or commitment vows
www.2ndmarriageceremonies.com – second marriage ceremonies
www.gaycommitmentceremony.net – gay commitment/marriage ceremonies
www.namegivingceremonies.com – name giving/naming ceremonies
www.wedding-ceremonies.net – more marriage ceremonies

To add personal touches to your ceremony will require you, the couple to open up and share the details of your lives you’d like to share with your family and friends. Not only details of your relationship, your journey together, but the journey with your family and friends, the music or songs you both love and readings or poetry that you both deem special or meaningful.

You may feel a little vulnerable, awkward or exposed by the ’sharing of yourselves’ process. That’s normal you’ll be pleased to know.

One of the best ways to personalize a marriage or gay commitment ceremony is to ask yourselves certain questions. Something like this……..

How did you first meet?

When did you first become aware that you were in love with one another?

Why are you marrying?

Do you share the same expectations of marriage?

What were the good things that helped you decide?

Were there any difficulties?

What do you like/love most about each other?

What are each others strengths and weaknesses?

What special reason, if any, did you have for deciding on the place for the ceremony?

What does your family mean to you?

What do your friends mean to you?

What are your hopes for the future, individually and for both of you?

By compiling the answers to questions such as these you will begin to see a narrative of your journey, your unique story happening, snippets of the important areas of your lives, the backbone of your values and beliefs, what you view as important and worthwhile in your life as a result of your life’s experiences.

The introduction or the beginning paragraphs of your marriage, commitment or namegiving or naming ceremony is a great place to narrate your ‘journey’. Add to that an acknowledgement of your family and friends – alive and deceased, a place where you can give heartfelt thanks for unconditional love, nurturing and guidance to parents, extended family – perhaps throw in a few anecdotes to shed light on special times, times of great joy or deep sorrow.

Now it’s time to turn the spotlight on your friends. Next to your parents your very best friends are the most influencial, not only in, but also on your life. In the absence of your own mother, best friends act as ‘mother confessor’, the shoulder to lean on or cry on, someone you can brag to, someone who can give you a jolly good telling off but still be there in the morning to pick up the pieces – be good for a hug, someone who says you look absolutely fantastic in that new dress or suit when you know you probably look like Whistlers mother!

The inclusion of anecdotes involving friends can be a fun, light-hearted way of sharing your journey with them, revealing the lesser-known and possibly deeper side of your relationship with your friends to all the guests attending your ceremony.By doing this it further personalizes and creates the uniqueness of the ceremony.

Really good friends can be just as important as mums and dads and in the overall scheme of things deserve to be acknowledged and thanked for their role in your life thus far.

Music enhances all ceremoniesand if the music is chosen by the both of you it personalizes your ceremony because it is a reflection of your personal tastes, style, thoughts and feelings. Music not only has the ability to create an emotive backdrop to a ceremony but can continue a theme, provide words and pictures that are not necessarily said. Thoughts and feelings of the couple to one another and to others can be expressed in music and song. Have a friend or relative sing or play an instrument. Maybe one of them would write a song especially for the occasion?

Choice of readings or poetry in a ceremony reveals a little more of the nature of a person. In a rite of passage ceremony, poetry and prose may punctuate, add light and dark, continue a theme, convey thoughts and feelings of the couple to each other or to the guests. Again, what a fantastic opportunity for a friend or brother or sister to write a poem for you…..maybe even about you? Have them read it for you, again, your unique stamp is being placed on your ceremony.

In a personalized wedding or commitment ceremony, to put the cherry on top of the cake, so to speak, write your own vows. Ask each other exactly what is it that they consider important enough to them, to promise to you at this time. Write it down!! Use it. Let it be in your words. It doesn’t have to be Pulitzer Prize winning prose! It is a simple, humble, promise from your heart to the heart of another.

The very nature of a personalized ceremony allows friends and family not only to share a very special moment in time with the couple but for the couple to share their lives thus far and their thoughts and feelings but to do this they need to allow themselves to open up and expose their lives a little to those who matter most in their lives.

Create personal ownership of your unique ceremony now – for more ideas and guidance check out these sites:

www.thevowsbook.com – a compilation of 25 marriage ceremonies
www.renewalofvows.net – renewal of vows ceremonies
www.spiritualceremonies.info – spiritually inspired ceremonies
www.weddingvows101.net – 101 marriage or commitment vows
www.2ndmarriageceremonies.com – second marriage ceremonies
www.gaycommitmentceremony.net – gay commitment/marriage ceremonies
www.namegivingceremonies.com – name giving/naming ceremonies
www.wedding-ceremonies.net – more marriage ceremonies

So many marriages these days are second marriages, sometimes third marriages, couples marrying again as a result of divorce or death. The statistics tell us that over 50% of all marriages will end in divorce, sad but true. But so many couples find fulfilling relationships and lasting happiness second or third time around and are seeking a guide to the ceremony and the celebration.

Should we have a big wedding celebration or not? Should it just be a small wedding? Should we invite all the relatives? Perhaps we should elope, just the two of us! Is there a protocol for second weddings? These are some of the real thoughts, real concerns, that couples have.

A rite of passage as momentous as a second wedding is worthy of celebrating.

A ceremony is the vehicle or the means by which we as people move from one phase of our lives to the next. A ceremony serves to remind us of what we are doing, of our responsibilities and goes a long way in preparing us for our new station in life.

The size or extent of your 2nd marriage celebration depends on you, your budget, your total personal situation. Maybe you had the ‘big’ wedding first time. Maybe you were married in a Registry office or by a JP. You will know what you want this time, what best fits with your inner thoughts and feelings.

The start of a new life will also include your immediate families. They are a part of your life whether you are married or not. Under normal circumstances they will want to celebrate with you, share your happiness at your new start. Ask for the blessing of your family. Deep down we seek their approval.

Similarly your community of friends, those who have been supportive, caring, a shoulder to lean on in needy times, celebrated and shared with you in happy times. These people are an integral part of your lives as well and at a time like this they will especially want to be with you. Often immediate family, parents, siblings are scattered and your community of friends can be like family to you. Your community of friends can also be given the opportunity to give their blessings collectively to your second marriage as part of the ceremony.

If either of you have children you may decide to include them in your second wedding ceremony. They could join you in a family unity candle ceremony, a ribbon ceremony, recite a reading or say their own vows. The children may wish not to participate but merely attend. One child may speak on behalf of all the children. Either way they can be acknowledged in the ceremony.

Whatever you decide to do, celebrate your second wedding ceremony in a thoughtful, meaningful manner. Your hopes, wishes and desires for each other as individuals and for your combined future together can all be articulated. Whatever is said, say in your words. When thinking of what to say, imagine that you and your partner are having an intimate discussion about your relationship. Write things down, no matter how simple or basic they seem. This is a new beginning for you both, make it memorable for all the right reasons.

For more information on 2nd Marriage Ceremonies have a peek at:

www.2ndmarriageceremonies.com

There is absolutely no reason in the world why we shouldn’t eat healthily. The choice of foods that we have to choose from is without doubt momentous, fresh or frozen, dried or salted, canned or bottled.Maybe this is part of the problem. The choice is too great! Maybe even confusing.

In the western world no one should suffer from malnutrition or constipation just to name two maladies, but the reality is that people do, in staggeringly high numbers.

A simple, inexpensive and easy way to add nutritional value to food is to add flaxseed meal to it. Whether you sprinkle it on, mix it in, or cook it into food it maintains its unique nutty flavour and nutritional value.

Flaxseed meal is a natural source of soluble and insoluble dietary fibre and mucilage, which aids digestion and encourages regular bowel movement.

To get the most out of what you eat think of adding flaxseed meal to enhance and add to the taste, the texture and the nutritional value.

It can be added to yoghurt, custard, sprinkled onto porridge or cereal or spreads, mixed with fruit and into fruit smoothies. It can be added to soups and casseroles, cookies, biscuits, cakes and muffins before cooking.

So many of us suffer from the eternal problem of not enough fibre in our diets. This problem solved naturally with flaxseed meal. Not only does it add dietary fibre but a lovely nutty flavour and a little crunchiness to the texture as well.

Be warned though, when adding flaxseed meal to the diet, additional water is recommended. It absorbs moisture as it passes through the intestine. Without additional water in the diet, flaxseed meal may make a constipation problem worse!

Flaxseed meal is very rich in nutritional value. Have a peek at the following information.

Nutritional value of flaxseed per 100g (3.5oz)

530 calories 2230kj ; carbohydrates 28.88g Dietary fibre 27.3g ; Fat 42.16g ; Protein 18.29g

Vitamins – Thiamine [B1] 1.644mg -126%, Riboflavin [B2] 0.161mg, Niacin [B3] 3.08mg – 21% Pantothenic acid [B5] 0.985mg – 20%, Vit [B6] 0.473mg – 36%, Vit C 0.6mg – 1%,

Minerals and trace elements – Calcium 255mg – 26%, Iron 5.73mg – 46%, Magnesium 392mg – 106%, Phosphorus 642mg – 92%, Potassium 813mg – 17%, Zinc 4.34mg – 43%

Essential Fatty Acids: Linolenic Acid, Oleic Acid

Lignans – which act as anti-oxidants

Give your diet and nutritional status a real boost and add some flaxseed meal. Something so good for you has never tasted so good.

For anyone who has a constipation problem, check out www.constipationrelief911.com

This unhealthy constipation process is endured by hundreds of thousands of people all over the world all the time.

I hear you asking, what did I do to find myself in this constipated situation? Constipation is one of the most common gastro intestinal problems in the world.

It could have been any one or a combination of the following. Years of bad habits – ignoring the urge to defecate, taking aperients, lack of routine, insufficient liquid intake, lack of roughage or fiber intake; a lazy bowel – after taking aperients for many years; underlying medical conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome which can cause the extremes of diarrhea and constipation or taking medications such as calcium, opiates and some cholesterol lowering drugs.

I guess the next question is, what remedies have you tried to really rectify your constipation problem? Let’s leave the over the counter quick fix’s off the list. They are not long-term problem solvers.

So that leaves us with unprocessed wheat bran, all bran, dried apricots, figs and prunes, pepitas, fiber rich fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grain bread and breakfast cereals with additional fiber, good amounts of water, trying to establish a routine for daily evacuation recognizing that ‘mind over matter’ is important. Even massaging the lower abdominal region, BUT, none of these addressed the constipation problem effectively in the long term. Where did you go wrong?

Well you were heading in the right direction. It’s all in the combination of the ingredients and the balance!

The key dietary ingredients for regular bowel actions are…….

A balanced diet with fiber rich fresh vegetables and fruit, plus, 6-8 glasses of water each day besides anything else you might drink. Psyllium husks twice a day at meal times. Flaxseed meal three times a day at meal times. Olive oil or flaxseed oil three times a day at meal times.

Psyllium husks are non-digestible, soluble, expanding and thickening and adding fiber to a diet. They help relieve irritable bowel symptoms, diverticular disease, and diarrhea. The inert bulk of the husks help provide a constant volume of solid material irrespective of whatever else is eaten or any disease condition of the gut. Research indicates promising results in lowering cholesterol and controlling diabetes.

Flaxseed meal is another excellent source of dietary fiber plus mucilage, which aids digestion and regular bowel movements. Flaxseed (linseed) meal is an excellent source of protein, minerals, vitamins and the essential fatty acids omega 3 and omega 6. It is also a rich source of lignan, which acts as an anti oxidant in the body.

Olive oil has soothing properties inside the body and mild laxative properties, acting as a stool softener. It has been suggested that long-term consumption of small quantities of olive oil may be responsible in part for the low incidence of heart disease associated with a Mediterranean diet…an added benefit! Flaxseed oil may be taken instead.

It is most important to drink 6-8 glasses of water each day normally, even more so when consuming both psyllium and flaxseed (linseed) meal because they absorb large amounts of fluid as they pass through the intestine. Try drinking hot water instead of coffee or tea.

Combine the key ingredients with daily exercise and an unhurried time routinely to go to the toilet to empty your bowel. Your renewed bowel function and improved health and well-being will surprise and delight you!

About this author: Elizabeth Gray was a registered nurse for over 30 years. Most of her career was spent in aged care and rehabilitation. Planning client self-management strategies in all aspects of self helping health care was a great part of her work. For a more detailed look at chronic, severe constipation management see www.constipationrelief911.com