Carmen Nunez

Last year I had my life-long interest in Natural Health reach new heights, and I ended the year with one convincing practical lesson on it. I sailed through the seasons digging into several topics related to Naturopathy and Natural Health, topics which have become important to me at this point in my life. I started out seeking alternatives for continuing my education. I found myself finally deciding on the path to follow, after years of feeling uncertain. I decided to take on a degree on Healing Herbs, Holistic Nutrition, and Natural Health. Oh! What great excitement! I received a brochure from my chosen school, and I spent many an hour flipping through the pages with unending satisfaction… I could say that was the springtime of my new vocation. I moved on to a summer of research. I immersed myself in a sea of websites and books dedicated to the ongoing debate on the advantages and disadvantages of vaccinations. My motivation to draw my truth from all the information was particularly strong, as I am a new mom. I learnt much, and my path lead me to an even deeper understanding and appreciation of the principles of Naturopathy. I believe our bodies have the innate ability to heal, and the ability to not only survive in the world, but thrive in wholesome health. I feel happier than ever as I make myself a green salad for lunch, munch on organic bell peppers, or give my son a green smoothie for breakfast (made with organic fruits and spinach). I feel my body thanking me for providing it the proper nutrition, and I enjoy every meal knowing I’ve made each of them a focused effort to assure my health and well-being for days and months and years to come. The fall arrived, and with it my son’s first visit to the Naturopath and the purchase of the homeopathic alternative to immunization. I continued my readings and my efforts to integrate Nutritional Medicine in my everyday life. I also welcomed herbal teas and their therapeutic properties with renewed passion. I thought I knew it all, and then came the winter. The winter last year was remarkably cold, and the viruses that came with the cold weather were also remarkable in strength. It seemed like everybody got sick. I rested happily in the knowledge of my constant efforts to have a healthy diet. A healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle: That should keep all illness away. Ah! But my overconfidence would get the best of me. One of my husband’s nephews had the great idea of turning one year old right in the middle of both the cold winter and a snow storm. We were invited to the party and decided to go without much thought. Great party, beautiful baby, nice family, good times… And then the next day I was sick. I had a sore throat within hours after leaving the party. Noooo!!! All my efforts!!! Frustrated as I was with the apparent failings of my immunity, I went through various emotions ranging from resentment against the party throwers to extreme preoccupation about my baby’s health. I immediately started an intensive fight-that-cold-off program that I invented myself, drawing from my knowledge of Natural Health and Nutritional Healing. I also brought up my memories of my grandmother’s approach to the cold and flu season when I was a child. I started taking multivitamins diligently, and also tablets of vitamin C. I drank as much water as I possibly could. I squeezed a half lemon into each glass of water I drank. I ate a great big spinach, tomato, and bell pepper salad every day… And then there was the onion and garlic healing bomb: I had bowl after bowl of chicken broth, loaded with raw onion and garlic. Each bowl must have had at least three garlic cloves and half a medium onion. I added some lemon and cayenne pepper, and tackled the teary meal with military determination. Yes, my husband thought me crazy, and I felt awful for a couple of days, but guess what? The illness was gone after three days. I did have a couple of feverish days, and one really bad night, but people all over the place were dealing with those same gloomy symptoms for weeks. What a triumph. I was so happy and proud. My spring, summer, and fall of immersion into the world of Natural Health were not in vain. I had learned to heal myself.