For good health, follow the 80-20 principle

MANILA, PhilippinesA professor who lived near Cochin in India was diagnosed with six blocks in his heart arteries some years ago. He was ordered by his doctors to undergo a bypass surgery. Instead, his friends and family checked him into a Nature Cure Yogashram in Kerala. After 30 days, the professor came out completely healed. He has followed the health principles he learned in the hospital and has been enjoying good health since. The Nature Cure Yogashrams of Rev. Dr. Thomas Maliekal, ND, PhD have helped more than 50,000 patients since the first one was established in 1981. Patients with blockages in their arteries, those who were unable to walk, people with arthritis, women who havent gotten their periods in years, people who suffered from infertility, heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, stones, ulcers, cancer (primary stage), tumor, obesity, drug/alcohol addiction, tuberculosisthese were just some of the patients who were cured without medicine and without surgery at these Nature Cure Yogashrams. They come from all over the world and they check out not only with healed bodies and a happier state of mind, but more importantly, with a better understanding of how the body works. Dr. Maliekal chuckles, These people are alive today, they are in good shape, and are very happy. Dr. Maliekals story Some 30 years ago, Rev. Thomas Maliekal, a Catholic priest, suffered from severe health problems including asthma, migraine headaches, and obesity. Another priest encouraged him to start a nature cure diet and explained to him how to change his lifestyle for better health. Rev. Maliekal followed the advice and was eventually cured. He kept the lifestyle and has since enjoyed three decades of almost perfect health. I was suffering, yet this suffering was easily cured without the need for medication, without any side effects and with very little expense, the priest explains. Conventional medicines almost always give side effects, are expensive, and sometimes cause more ailments. When he got cured, Rev. Maliekal tried to help other people. He started to learn more about naturopathy, through his guru, naturopathy courses, and hands-on experience. He expanded his study to include yoga, magnet therapy, physical exercises, herbal therapy, and nutritional therapy. Patients started coming to him for health advice and medical help. Old people and patients with so-called incurable illnesses came to him and got better, so I thought Id open a place where more people can be cured through diet, exercise, and other natural methods, he says. It was then that the St. Tresas Nature Cure Yogashram was born, a hospital that operates upon the basic principle of naturopathy: The body has a special and natural structure, which is 80 percent alkalinity and 20 percent acidity. When this natural balance is kept, the bodys health is likewise maintained. It is a very simple method, but definitely life changing. Today, Rev. Dr. Thomas Maliekal runs two residential naturopathy hospitals in Kerala: St. Tresa and Cardinal Padiyara, which was established five years after St. Tresa. There is already a third one in Chandrapur near Bombay, the Amala Nature Cure Yogashram. People come and stay for 15 to 30 days to learn about how to change their lives, to practice, and get well, he explains. At these nature cure hospitals, patients are encouraged to attend classes and learn about naturopathy principles. They are also encouraged to meditate, pray, and keep their faith in God. The 5 elements The human body is composed of five elements: akasa (ether), vayu (air), agni (fire), jel (water), and pritvi (earth). When kept in balance, the presence and combination of these elements assist the body in its functions. These elements also help the body get rid of toxins. 1. Akasa. Emptiness is power. Ether or, essentially, empty space in the body is created through fasting and prayer. When a person fasts, the emptiness created helps the body remove the accumulated waste in the system. Rev. Dr. Maliekal encourages everyone to fast at least once a week. A person could do this by eating raw vegetables and fruits only, including juices and water; by having less meals than what he normally has in a day; or, if he is ready, by taking in water only. Fasting has some considerations and is ideally done under the close supervision of a naturopath. 2. Vayu. Air is obtained through exercise. Daily exercise like yoga and tai chi is recommended. Rev. Dr. Maliekal also emphasized the importance of wearing light colored clothing made from cotton, as opposed to synthetic materials. So that the air passes through and the body maintains a connection with the sun, light and the cosmos, he explains. 3. Agni. The body draws light energy from the sun, so it is important to spend some time in the sun every day. A mild sunbath from 20 to 30 minutes a day is recommended. Exercises, meditation, or prayer can be done during this time. Light cotton clothes are best for these activities. 4. Jel. There are various ways to use water for health: drinking; washing, bathing or cleaning; or by using water as therapy. At Rev. Dr. Maliekals Yogashrams, therapeutic baths include the hip bath, spine bath, full bath, mud bath, and steam bath. Massage is also recommended.

5. Pritvi. The earth produces our food. It is important to make sure that our daily diet is composed of 80 percent alkaline, and 20 percent acidic foods. The satvic diet (positive or alkaline diet) is made of vegetables including greens, sprouts, and fruits. The rajasic diet (semi-acid, semi-alkaline) includes cereals, grains, nuts, and seeds. The thamasic diet (or negative diet) is made of food items that are unnecessary, and those that cause sickness. Examples of these acid forming foods are: those cultivated with chemical fertilizers, junk food, sugar and its products, pickles, drinks that contain tannin and caffeine, non-vegetarian foods, carbonated beverages, canned or preserved foods, synthetic food items, and bakery items. Follow the 80-20 rule at every meal, that is, one part rice for every four parts of veggies. If you do this every day, you can be perfectly healthy and your illnesses will disappear thats all, Rev. Dr. Maliekal assures everyone. The right way to eat and drink Rev. Dr. Maliekal stressed the importance of chewing well, until solid becomes liquid, before swallowing. He also advises against drinking liquids while eating solid food. Take your liquids half an hour before eating, or one hour after, he says. When ones appetite is good, it is best to eat during the day only. At night, liquid food like soup can be taken, or fruit be eaten two hours before sleeping. Incidentally, a fruit (one variety at a time) should be taken alone at a meal, for best results. When drinking, dont gulp your drink in but slowly sip it. A person may drink warm or normal temperature water, but never cold drinks because these stop digestion and lead to gassiness. As a general rule, avoid food and drinks that are too hot or too cold. Rev. Dr. Thomas Maliekals Model Diet 6 a.m. Drink pure water or vegetable juice like cucumber (which could melt blocks in arteries, according to Rev. Dr. Maliekal) 6:30 a.m. Meditation and exercises 8 a.m. Eat fruits 11 a.m. Take some vegetable juice, vegetable soup, or coconut water. May be taken with honey, muscovado sugar. 12 nn Have some rice or wheat bread (1/3) with green leafy vegetables (1/3), and cooked vegetables (1/3). Dont take fruits with the meal. 2 p.m. Have a glass of water 4 p.m. Eat fruits or nuts 6 p.m. Have cooked veggies, soup, and whole wheat bread 8 p.m. Have some soup, honey water, or water with lemon juice 9 p.m. Bedtime Note: If your produce is not organic, simply clean them by soaking in warm salt water or warm vinegar water from 30 minutes to 1 hour. Then rinse them using clean water.

5 Power Recipes Daily Drink Mix vegetable juice (cucumber, zucchini, carrot, etc.) with juice of green, leafy vegetable (mint, parsley, malunggay, pechay, spinach, oregano, basil, etc.). Experiment with the combinations to get the taste you want. Peanut Milk Mix peanut and water in a blender. Great for growing children. You can also add some coconut milk. Daily Dessert Mix papaya, coconut milk, and muscovado sugar in a blender. You may also use honey instead of muscovado, and add raisins or other fruits. Mango Chutney Mix mango, raw coconut (firm), greens, salt, onion, and chili. You may also fry the coconut to get a variation in taste.

Best Salad Mix orange slices with shredded coconut and muscovado sugar. You may also add/substitute papaya, grapes, or other fruits.