I turned 80 this week with a cane and a new hip. This is not how I envisioned myself at this point in my life. When I began writing Get Gutsy, I had just published my novel, Paper Bags, and I wanted to help others find a way to tell their stories.
Because I stumbled into courage, I wanted to share my discovery with everyone I knew.
In 2015 I began studying about the microbiome—the trillions of microbes that live in our guts. After following Gerard Mullin, MD’s book, Gut Balance Revolution, and healing my own gut, I knew I had to share what I learned with my community.
At first I was nervous because it was such a new concept and even though I had been successful getting off all medications, I didn’t know if others would do as well. I needn’t have worried because everyone in the group got healthier. The most interesting part of the class was how it also affected their moods. They were more positive, felt better about themselves, and gained confidence.
EVEN MY VOICE CHANGED
One morning my beau said, “Do you realize that even your voice has changed since you’ve been teaching this class? You’re more confident, there’s even a lilt in your voice.”
Eureka! I had stumbled into courage. I know this sounds “woo woo,” but not only did I start to listen to my gut and my intuition, but it gave me the courage to write a novel. Imagine how many people there are who would love to write their story but can’t get started.
When your gut is healthy, it communicates with your brain through the vagus nerve giving you the confidence to make courageous choices. At least that’s how it worked for me.
GUT FEELINGS
What is a gut feeling?
According to Emeran Meyer, MD, author of The Mind-Gut Connection: How the Hidden Conversation Within our Bodies Impacts Our Moods, Our Choices, and Our Overall Health,
Trillions of microbes inhabit your gut, many of them in the mucous lining. This location allows them to listen as the brain signals the gut how stressed or happy or angry you are.
As incredible as this may sound, your gut microbes are in a prime position to influence your emotions, by generating and modulating signals the gut sends to the brain.
GET STARTED
The easiest way I know to get started is to combine prebiotics and probiotics each day. You know what probiotics are—yogurt, kefir, fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut. If you’re lactose intolerant you can find dairy free kefir in the dairy case of your supermarket.
For prebiotics—I use ground flax seeds and hemp seeds which I mix into my kefir. (In a previous issue of Get Gutsy, I posted a list of both Probiotic and Prebiotic foods.)
The goal is to diversify the microbes in your gut. There is general agreement today among health professionals that the more diverse your microbiome, the healthier your gut and also your immune system. In order to balance your gut and encourage diversity, you’ll want to make healthy choices from the rest of your foods: low sugar, fewer processed foods, and olive oil instead of vegetable oil.
Gut health is a fascinating field of nutrition. I’ll do my best to keep you updated so you can Get Gutsy. Thank you for subscribing. I’d love if you would COMMENT or click on the HEART so others can get this valuable information.
Remember, there’s no expiration on dreams,
Trish
Link to order my novel from my publisher: http://woodhallpress.com/paper-bags
Happy belated! And thanks for the reminder about flax seed, which I've neglected for way too long.
This is so informative and encouraging! A wonderful read. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and courage.