I recently treated a man for hip and thigh pain he had been suffering with over the last year. He was retired from a life in construction, and he had remained fairly active at home until the last few years as his hip problem worsened. Now, with a few sessions of care, he was feeling less pain and was able to do more of the chores he had fallen behind on.
It was great to see him respond so well, and I asked him how he was doing with the stretch and strengthening ideas I had shared with him. He said they helped and he found he was actually enjoying them, as he could feel his movement improve and his pain reduce a bit immediately after doing them.
He also said he and his wife were cooking from scratch again, and had looked at my suggestions that a diet higher in quality, natural fats (no man-altered vegetable oils) and lower in grains and sugars can kick-start healing. (A higher fat diet is consistent with man’s history – we averaged 18 lbs. of butter per person per year in 1918 – and heart disease was rare. A higher fat diet reduces cravings; it helps control blood sugar and can even help the body increase fat burning). He and his wife were also taking time in the mid-day to lie down, reducing physical and mental stress. They were also sitting less and walking more outside, which ensured they got sun daily.
I was amazed he had jumped into these changes so easily, and I told him how rare it can be for a person to act on new ideas, no matter how logical and time-tested they may be. “You know the old saying,” I said, “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink!” To which he replied “But you can sure salt his oats and make him thirsty!”
He continued “So I ‘salt my own oats’ daily, reminding me that I love to be able to work around the property, to garden, to go for walks. Heck, to be able to pick-up my granddaughter is a gold. I just remind my self of these ‘loves’ of mine and move forward with the actions I now know will help. And finally, I recognize we don’t live forever, and that this very moment is a gift. I’m trying to open ME to the present with each breath!”
I found this to be a great take on an old saying and one that can help nudge us to make the changes we need and want. “Salt your oats”, relax and give thanks. Then add the Health Principles of daily sunlight, laughter, real food, movement (and rest) through the day, time to think and reflect, and, last but not least, early to bed-early to rise.