Amira Ayad, PhD
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Online Courses
  • My Books
    • Body Whispers Book
    • Body Whispers Journal
    • Healing Body & Soul
    • The True Secret
  • Resources
    • Chakra Self-Assessment
    • Boost Your Immunity
    • Videos
    • Find the cause & Fix the problem
    • Washwasha
    • kitchen Dispensary
    • My Library
  • My Blog

Art from the Heart

23/4/2012

2 Comments

 
When I was a young girl, my art teacher never liked my drawings. They weren’t very ‘artistic’, she used to say. I always tried to conform to the rules: color within the lines, watch myperspectives, follow design ‘rules’… No wonder I never felt artistic enough. I never gave the chance for my deep feelings to be expressed, explored or released on papper.

It was only when I decided to draw for ‘myself’, not for pleasing anyone else that I started to feel free. Only then, I gave room for my true creative self. ART for me is my therapeutic tool that heals life stresses, worries, woes, aches and pains. Art therapists teach that the word ART stands for: Access, Release, & Transform. And, this is exactly what it does for me. Colors, shapes, pictures, symbols, chosen ephemera, collaged bits and pieces, fabric scraps, and charms… all have meaning, a deep meaning hidden in every selection, in every choice you make, in every decision that alters the shape of your canvas as it alters the shape of your life. These selections are your mean to access your heart feelings, your insights, ideas, and creative thoughts, as well as your hidden hopes and fears. Your canvas, or any other medium you choose to express your art on, is your way of releasing. Releasing negative thoughts and beliefs, releasing erroneous perceptions and hurtful feelings that no longer serve you at this point of your journey. And, as your piece of art develops, as it takes shape and form, you gently, yet powerfully, start the transformation journey. You experience your anger melting into acceptance and forgiveness; your frustration converted into peace and wisdoms; your challenges transmuted into lessons and tools for growth; your pains shaped into a mold of satisfaction and insights… With my art, I heal my heart.

Surprisingly, now that I no longer wait for others appreciations and acceptance, I receive loads of that. Many friends try to convince me to take a professional step in art practice, sell my paintings or accept orders. I diligently refuse. “It will just take the magic out of it” I reply. It will force me back to look outside for acceptance rather than looking inside for answers. I choose to keep my ART as my heart healing ally.

Try it for your self
Have a wonderful week
With Health & Healing


2 Comments

Genetic engineering: A Blind Shot in the Dark

13/4/2012

1 Comment

 
Picture
The year2003 witnessed a remarkable event that forever changed the face of our biological knowledge: the human Genome was finally decoded. For decades, scientists believed in the one to one relationship between the gene and the protein that expresses a desired trait in the human body. According to that theory, they expected to find at least 120,000 genes in each human cell. To their surprise, only
 25, 000 were discovered. The genetic expression proved to be far more complex than they ever expected. We now know that one gene decodes for much more than only one trait[1].

This newly discovered fact re-enforced the doubts about the safety of genetic engineering which is now, more than ever, considered to be “a shot in the dark”, as K. Roseboro describes it. 
It is estimated that 70% of all food products in USA contain some form of genetically modified component with the two highly common culprits being corn and soy.[2]
  When we introduce a new gene in a crop, when we transfer genes between species, when we mix and match genes between animal and plant kingdoms, we are in for a huge surprise. We can never predict the results, whether short or long-term ones. Genetic expression is highly complicated phenomenon, and we, with all our knowledge, are still in kindergarten. A seemingly tiny change in one gene, changes the whole system; it even alter the entire ecosystem. The transferred gene may carry the desired trait, but along with it, it carries tens or may be hundreds of other unknown and unpredictable ones. In addition, the genetic engineering process is far from a straight forward mathematical relationship. Cell mutation can be expected causing complete deformation and potential toxic results in the host cell.

As if all this is not enough to convince us of the potential risks of genetic biotechnology, another major threat is added to the formula. When scientists genetically alter a cell, they do not only transfer the desired gene to the host, a whole 'package' is introduced. One main ingredient in this package is what they call a promoter gene. The role of this promoter gene is to trigger the transferred gene into action to ensure genetic expression in the host cell. And, where do we get this promoter gene from? From a virus. Yes! CaMV virus is deliberately added to the mix of genes during genetic engineering. And, according to Dr. Stanley Ewen, the histopathologist at Abudeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland, CaMV is “an infectious virus that causes a potential risk of stomach and colon cancers”[3]. Other studies warned from potential viral mutation creating yet unknown and unpredictable new viral strains.

Wait a minute, this is not all. If we go back to our gene transfer ‘package’, we will find another serious health threat: ‘the marker gene’. Biologists and histologists need to know which cells have ‘accepted’ their newly introduced genetic package. The only way to know that is to add an antibiotic resistant marker gene. When the transfer process is over, an antibiotic is added to the cell culture killing all cells except the genetically engineered ones which accepted and successfully integrated the newly introduced ‘package’ into their DNA. And, now they are officially: Antibiotic resistant!! YeY!!!

Before leaving you, I want to raise a very critical question: Why again do we “need” this genetic engineering? So far, our foods have been engineered mostly to increase its resistance to pesticide. This means that genetically engineered crops could be sprayed with more pesticides and hazardous chemicals without wilting or waning! YEY again!

Unfortunately, FDA does not require producers to declare the presence of genetically modified ingredients. If you can afford it, consider buying organic food; or at least fresh unprocessed local produce; and please think twice before purchasing a processed product stating suspicious excipients such as high fructose corn syrup or hydrolyzed soy protein among its ingredients!

With health and happiness!


[1] Lipton, B. 2008. The Biology of belief. Hay House
[2] Haas, E. 2006. Staying healthy with nutrition. US: Celestial Arts.
[3] Roseboro, K. 2004. Genetically altered foods and your health. US: Basic Health Publications


1 Comment
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    About the Author

    Hi, I'm Amira... I'm all for simple, natural, uncomplicated life... My core values are derived from my Islamic faith... My definition of wellness includes lots of smiles, human interactions, delicious food, music, joy, colorful paint, Mediterranean sunshine, blue sky and turquoise sea, care, love, compassion and deep heart-felt peace.
    I love learning… I love books and art supplies… And, I am saddened by human conflict and intolerance.
     
    I am an introvert who loves being around people... I love building communities and gathering around the kitchen table... I am a teacher at heart... I simplify complex health science and speak openly about heart and soul stuff...

    I've been helping people on their health and healing journey for more than 20 years now and I am committed to be authentic, caring and a beacon of love and peace.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    July 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    May 2014
    February 2014
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010

    View my profile on LinkedIn

    Categories

    All
    Art Healing
    Body Whispers
    Emotional Healing
    Energy
    Functional Nutrition
    Holistic Healing
    Holistic Living
    Islamic Medicine
    Mental Body
    Mind/Body
    Nutrition
    Recipes
    Spirituality
    Stress Management
    Stress Mangement
    Workshops
    مدونات باللغة العربية

    RSS Feed

 Disclaimer
My wellness coaching, workshops, teachings, and all the services I provide are at all times restricted to education, teaching and training on the subject of natural health matters intended for general natural health well-being and do not involve the diagnosing, prognosticating, treatment, or prescribing of remedies for the treatment of any disease, or any licensed or controlled act which may constitute the practice of  medicine. 
Any questions? Please email me at info@amiraayad.com 

Privacy Policy    Terms of Service