Ascending the Sugar-free Mountain
Illustration by Lily Moon from the memoir “Field Notes on Letting Go” Lessons From Riding Up a Volcano - Slow and Steady
I am on a lifetime journey of healing. I am a Master Practitioner of Shamanic Energy Medicine, a Reiki Master, Kundalini Yoga practitioner and teacher and a new author. I am a mom. I am vegan and alcohol free. But wth all of that - my stomach goes on lock-down sometimes - happened when I was young - but is still a chronic issue – literally holding my shit together. As I learn to let go - loosen my grip on my habits and learned beliefs, it seems natural to follow Dr. Alberto Villoldo’s guidance and “grow a new body,” heal my gut and teach my physical body to let go as well. It is safe to let go. It is safe to loosen my grip. My memoir is about letting go of a painful past – but my body still holds on tight sometimes.
I have been successful in eating well in the past, but after the launch of my memoir - the witch (who I thought I had lost for good) stepped out of the forest, offering me sweets - coaxing me into her house made of candy - for relief - and I followed. I thought I would stay for a day or two - but had trouble finding the door. And now, a few months later, I’m ready to push the sugary witch into the oven - for the last time. Sorry witch - you have to go - for now. Okay, I don’t have to push you into the oven, but I am leaving you in your sugary house and walking away. Maybe we can be friends and see each other occasionally later on - but right now, I can’t see you at all.
I can do it. I have set challenging goals for myself in the past. In 2018 at age 55, I set a goal to bike up Haleakala volcano on the island of Maui. I was single - after a 25 year marriage - and the goal helped me find my power. My gut led me. And I trusted it completely.
While it was only thirty-eight miles to the summit, it took over eight hours, pedaling four miles an hour, due to the incline and elevation. It was a slow and steady pace and taught me valuable lessons. The bike climb imitated life - what it takes to climb life’s often insurmountable-feeling inclines. Slow and steady. What I learned from Haleakala - and life - is to not look too far ahead, keep the head down, focus on one pedal at a time and get off the bike, lay it on the ground, rub the feet and coach one’s self in the third person. “You got this. Take your time. You will get there.”
While I made it up the volcano, abstaining from sugar is more challenging - since I rely on it for feelings of safety, calm, and comfort. How will I manage my intense emotions and triggers without sugar? I will take it on like a volcano - a firm commitment, training, and preparation and then one pedal at a time. I won’t look too far ahead. And I will write about it - and you will be there with - we will be in it together.
“The thick doorway between us and the invisible matrix is regulated by the sugars in our diet, by the excess protein in our food, and by the toxins in our brain.” - Alberto Villoldo, “Grow a New Body.”
I am in the three weeks of preparation for the week-long “Grow a New Body” program - eliminating sugar, gluten, certain foods and taking a LOT of supplements. My start date is July 9, 2023 - and it will last a week.
The supplements are detailed in Chapter six of the book. It’s a lot. I am not accustomed to taking so many supplements and it is overwhelming. Some of the foods that I have to avoid are part of my regular diet - peanuts, soy, corn and even peppers. The book guidance is not for vegans but I will substitute beans when eggs or other animal proteins are suggested. It’s all outlined in Dr. Villoldo’s book.
Will you join me? Don’t look up the mountain - but get out your bicycle. Take it slow and when you need to, put your bike down and tell yourself “I got this.”
About Janet
A little about me (in case you are a first-time visitor.) My name is Janet Howard. In February 2023, I released a healing memoir called “Field Notes on Letting Go - a memoir of truth-seeking, healing and personal freedom” and an accompanying “pondering workbook”, with writing prompts for digging deeper into the life experience. The memoir is about healing, life lessons and recognizing challenges as initiations with hidden gifts. It is not a tell-all. It is a heal-all. My kundalini yoga spiritual practice is my foundation. It holds me sturdy in a chaotic world. Earth-love holds me safe.
The book shares earned wisdom and the writing prompts create a safe space for you to explore yours - your challenges, your hidden gifts and your uniqueness. Explore my website for energy medicine offering, kundalini yoga and my energetic basket of offerings. Sat nam, Janet
