Welcome to the ninth annual 30-day November to Remember Challenge. The 30-day challenge is coming to you in two parts: 1. to those of you already doing the Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery®; and 2. to those of you new to the blog and to those who have been inspired about recovery, but who are still thinking about whether or not to do the Recipe. The last eight years have turned out really well for those who decided to accept the challenge and either re-commit to doing the Recipe or begin an abbreviated version of the Recipe. So, here are some thoughts, followed by this year’s challenge.
As we head into the last two months of the year, this is a time filled with the additional stress of the holidays, balancing family, work, friends and extended-family during the holidays. Stress exacerbates Parkinson’s. Fear and worry exacerbate Parkinson’s. Wouldn’t you rather head into the holiday season with less stress, less fear, less worry, and physically feeling a little better? Wouldn’t that make you and your family and friends actually see that you are on your path to recovery?
Okay, then…let’s do this!!! You are two days away! Here we come November 1st!
For those of you already doing the Recipe, this is a time to re-commit yourself to doing the Recipe, the physical exercises, the mind calming, and the soul healing. Also, I welcome your comments at the end this post as a way to encourage and inspire those who are new to the blog or undecided in accepting the 30-day challenge 2019.
For those who are new to the blog or who are inspired but have not yet started doing the Recipe, it is my challenge to you to make a personal commitment to yourself to do the scaled-down version of the Recipe for the month of November to get on your path toward recovery. I am posting the challenge today so you can have plenty of time to get ready. It costs nothing. There is no sign up sheet. There is no catch. There is nothing to lose. There is much to gain.
My 30-day challenge to all of you: Embrace the Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery® for 30 days and make this your November to Remember!
There are some parameters to go over for my 30-day challenge 2019, and here they are:
1. The body.
For those of you already doing the Recipe, at a minimum, recommit yourself to doing the physical part of the Recipe you already are doing. If you are not doing the entirety of the physical exercises every day, then challenge yourself to do more than what you currently are doing and do it more often than you currently are doing. Practice deep breathing; click here for instructions. Practice drinking enough water; click here for instructions.
For those who are new to the blog or who are inspired but have not yet started doing the Recipe, at a minimum, perform Medical Qigong for Liver, Clearing Liver Wind Qigong, Standing and Balance Qigong, Brain Vibration Chanting (these are numbers in Mandarin Chinese in a sequences to stimulate vibration activity in the brain). There are videos of each of these in the Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery®. Also, add the Neck Exercises and the Medical Qigong Sound for Kidney Health (there are not videos of these). Additionally, two things to do for your body that seem natural, but many struggle with: Practice deep breathing; click here for instructions. Practice drinking enough water; click here for instructions.
2. The mind.
For those of you already doing the Recipe, and for those who are new to the blog or who are inspired but have not yet started doing the Recipe, a). at a minimum, stop doing research on Parkinson’s remedies and “cures.” This will start to reduce being in Adrenaline mode; click here for more information about Adrenaline mode. Also, this will send a message to your Parkinson’s that says, “I am committed to the Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery®, I believe in the Recipe and I believe in myself.” Commit to the Recipe for 30 days, and during the 30 days, stop looking for something different. If you are looking for something different, then you are not committed to what you are doing. Use your extra time reading a book, watching TV or a movie, talking to friends…getting back into living life; I am certain if a new miracle cure turns up during the 30 days, somebody you know will tell you about it. b). Getting rid of fear. Click here for a refresher on faith over fear. c). Stop thinking about your Parkinson’s. Instead, think about living your life, truly living your life and doing the things that you can do and want to do. You may do things a little slower, and you may not be able to do things as long, but you still can do the things in life you want to do. Click here for a refresher on having a “can do” attitude toward your cure instead of a “can’t do” attitude toward your life and your Parkinson’s. d). Calming your mind. At a minimum, for 5 minutes (10 minutes minimum for those already doing the Recipe), one time per day, sit in a quiet spot, close your eyes, and count your breaths from 1 to 10 (out breath first, then in breath, count that as 1 breath) and start over counting 1-10 and start over again, etc. Also, click here for a guided meditation designed to help with the Recipe.
3. The soul.
For those of you already doing the Recipe, and for those who are new to the blog or who are inspired but have not yet started doing the Recipe, a). Practice acceptance. When something occurs, instead of visiting it with a negative emotion, just look at it and say, “Okay, I accept what just happened.” And then deal with it without the negative emotions. Stress is caused by the mind’s refusal to accept reality. Accept what is occurring, create a solution, and reduce your stress. Click here for more on stress reduction through acceptance. b). Compassion. Practice compassion every chance you get…compassion for others and for yourself. Practically everybody, including you, is suffering at some level, physically, mentally, and/or spiritually. Practice compassion and unburden some of their load, and unburden some of yours. c). Gratitude. Click here for a refresher on practicing gratitude. Make a Gratitude notebook. Every day write down 10 things for which you are grateful. At the end of the day, look at the list and read it again to reaffirm your gratitude. If 10 things do not come to mind, think of something bad that did not occur, and be grateful that it did not occur. If you run out of new things, you may repeat things you have written on previous days. At the end of the month, you will have between 10 and 300 things for which you are grateful. The closer you are to 300, the more your heart will have opened, and the more your natural dopamine will be flowing. Additionally, for those of you already doing the Recipe, think back to a happy or joyful event in life, get a clear picture of it, and then give gratitude for having had that joyful event take place in your life; something in your brain captures the event, finds it inside you, and releases dopamine as if you were experiencing the joyful event in the present moment. Click here for more information on performing past life experience gratitude.
Not only is this the November to Remember 2019, but it also is No Excuses November 2019!
1. Objection to doing the Recipe, “I do not want to go on a vegetarian diet.” My response, “Don’t.” However, during the 30 days, see if you can add a little more fruits, vegetables, greens, and whole grains into your diet, and see if you can reduce a little your fried foods, dairy, and refined-sugar sweets. This will reduce your symptoms — look at number 2 in the Recipe of the causes that bring the symptoms to the surface: “2. Phlegm-Fire Agitating Wind, which is caused by dietary considerations such as consumption of too much greasy, fried or sweet foods.” In simplest terms, these foods cause phlegm and mucus to accumulate inside the body raising the internal temperature, and this cause tremors to increase (agitating wind; wind makes things shake).
2. Objection to doing the Recipe, “I cannot do the Qigong exercises because, a. I do not understand them, b. I am physically unable, c. Both a. and b.” My response, “I will help you.” (See my “My Commitment to All of You” below in this post).
3. Objection to doing the Recipe, “I cannot do the Qigong perfectly, so I know it is not worth my time because if I cannot do it perfectly, I know I cannot recover.” My response: “The only “perfect” Qigong is the one your body is allowing you to do in the moment you are doing it, and it is good enough.” Click here for more information on why your best is good enough.
4. Objection to doing the Recipe, “It takes too much time.” My response, “You are worth the time it takes to cure yourself from a disease from which the professionals say there is no cure. Plus, for those of you doing daily Parkinson’s research, once you stop doing daily Parkinson’s research (Part 2a of the challenge), you will find yourself with extra time to do the Recipe and many other wonderful things.”
5. Objection to doing the Recipe, “I am currently taking medications and I do not want to reduce them.” My response, “Don’t.” I feel that you will benefit greatly from doing the Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery® even if you are currently taking medications. Doing the Recipe and cleansing your liver will help your body process your medications better and help you function better, and maybe some time in the future you will decide that reduction makes sense in your recovery. Click here for more on medications.
My Commitment to All of You
People have expressed to me that they feel I was successful in curing myself because of my confidence in what I was doing and my commitment to doing it, the “it” being the Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery®. I am just as confident in all of you, and just as committed to all of you being successful, so I make this offer:
If you feel that you do not understand how to do any of the things outlined in my 30-day challenge above, let me know, and I will provide you with a 30-minute conference in person, by phone, by Skype, by FaceTime, or by WhatsApp video or Zoom Video at no charge. Send me an email at howard@fightingparkinsonsdrugfree.com and I will coordinate the conference with you.
If you are in the Portland area, I will meet with you or have a call or a Skype or a FaceTime. If you are outside the Portland area, but in the United States or Canada, we may have a call, a Skype, a FaceTime, or a WhatsApp video. If you are outside the United States, we may have a Skype, a FaceTime, or a WhatsApp video.
I am committed to all of you. I am committed to assisting you to accept my 30-day challenge, and I am confident in you being able to do the Recipe. Also, I am confident that the Recipe will work for you, and at the end of the 30 days you will see enough positive results in your recovery that you will know you are on your path to recovery and you will know the full Recipe is right for you.
Also, throughout the month of November, I will be posting information to assist you in successfully completing this 30-day challenge. Please check back regularly to this blog, or if you wish to receive an email notification of the blog posting updates, please fill out the “Subscribe to receive blog update notifications” form.
I am committed to you and your recovery from Parkinson’s.
Why not accept the abbreviated Recipe challenge, get on your path toward recovery, and commit yourself for 30 days to the Parkinson’s Recipe for Recovery®!
Parkinson’s is curable! Be your own cure!
Why not make this your November to Remember!
YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!
All my best,
Howard
NOTE: Two years ago during 30-day challenge, I released my book, “Fighting Parkinson’s…and Winning.” Click here for information about my book.
Also, two years go, we started a picture gallery. So far, we have 51 pictures of people doing the Recipe or already fully recovered from Parkinson’s (plus some with their spouses or children). One thing you will see in this picture gallery is what I call the “New Faces of Parkinson’s;” people with big smiles filled with hope and faith about recovery. If you would like your picture included, please email it to me at
howard@fightingparkinsonsdrugfree.com.
Click here to see the picture gallery. Also, the picture gallery is a permanent page on the website. On the computer view, it is under the blue picture at the top of each page, listed as “Picture Gallery.” On the mobile view, click the menu (near the top left of the mobile screen, there are three horizontal lines next to the “F” in Fighting). One of the menu choices says “Picture Gallery.”
Finally, I have put five symptom relief videos on You Tube. Click here to access my You Tube channel and see the five symptom relief videos.
Another encouraging post! Love the photo gallery! Thank you Howard!💗
This is sooooooooooooo great it is beyond words but I will try to say a few things that may help others.
I have recently recommitted to doing every day the recipe and in 1 week I now am awakening at anywhere between 3-5 am with so much energy which was not the case before. I have a new spring in my step, one filled with hope.
I truly believe that this path is like finding an oasis in the desert, such a gift.
ty so much for everything Howard but most of all your continued support and care.
Howard – Thank you so much YOU are amazing!!!! Your love, care and commitment fills me with so much gratitude, I can feel the dopamine flow!!!
I am in and take the challenge. How could I pass on doing it?
Since I have been doing the Recipe since February and have experienced great progress I am very encouraged. For the challenge, I plan on practicing deep breathing, calming the mind, joy and gratitude. I also want to be more mindful while doing the physical part of the recipe!
Good luck fellow warriors your energy is contagious – we got this!
WE ARE WORTH IT!!!!
Howard, as always, helpful, kind, supporting… the list is endless!! Thanks again for your effort and ideas we appreciate so much!! Let‘s start with this 30-days-challenge, hope and fun inclusive😋!
I’m in!
I’ve been slacking recently as I have been energized by renovating my 130-year-old house, and when I wake up in the morning I want to get through my very long list. 🙂
I’ve had an awesome experience recently at the thrift store that I volunteer at. A man came in with the tremor the other day and I walked up to him and said, “I have one of those too” and smiled. He is about 20+ years older and just started his journey with P. I could tell he was going through a difficult fear stage that I went through myself.
Compassion started to flow, my spirits lifted, and I told him about Howard’s book. It was awesome to be able to uplift a complete stranger.
My symptoms are elevated my typing is getting easier. This is a very rich life experience.
Dustin in Nanaimo
Count me in Howard!
I’m one of the “currently doing the Recipe” warriors; I have faith in and gratitude for Howard’s Recipe. It is a journey that began with letting go of the anger, fear and “why me??” that came with my PD diagnosis. Not easy! but possible with a little help from Howard, his Recipe and friends. Surrender.
And then, the best part begins – let in the joy, compassion and gratitude and once it starts it just grows. I plant a smile on my face and giggle once in a while when I’m doing the physical part of the Recipe and I find that pretty soon I’m feeling really good about myself and my life – and I am thankful that I ‘get to’ experience this 2nd awakening…that I get to meditate…that I get to rediscover the wonders of this life…
So, thank you again Howard, for this challenge. I’m going to add an extra 10 minutes of Medical Qigong for Liver (my favorite exercise put to music), and I’ll forge ahead with faith in my recovery from Parkinson’s.
Those in doubt, accept the challenge. It’s your life and your journey and with these tools you can’t go wrong.
The best to you all 🙂
Elaine J.
Love it Elaine!
Surrender….. we are fortunate to have the gift of a second awakening
Indeed!
I’m in! Thank you Howard for giving us all the tools to recover from this condition. It is a real challenge but with your guidance and support it makes everything possible. I’m excited to hear all the positive feedback from others doing the challenge! Come on people, we can do it!
Dear Howard and fellow brave ones, What a great opportunity to up my game publicly to all of you. I will add to the recipe saying “I love you” in the mirror. I have done it sporadically and always find myself crying and then being able for a moment to feel love for the dear person I am. Looking forward to more of that.
Love to all of us, Anne, Portland, Oregon USA
Thank you for the challenge Howard. I am definitely in for this. Just a minor interruption for partial knee replacement surgery on the 22nd. I think the recipe will be beneficial in the recovery process.
Howard –
Wow, a regular booster shot of relaxation, joy and happiness for the holidays!
I’m always amazed at the thoughtful and comprehensive set of tools you deploy for everyone to use.
I commit to review the tools, daily recipe practice and keeping my attitude joyful and generous.
Thanks again for YOUR wonderful commitment to everyone on the blog!
Let’s go for it, everybody! (In a kind of relaxed and wholesome manner…)
Chris In Wisconsin
Howard: I appreciate the reminder about the “Nov. 30 Day Challenge” you provided in our recent skype session and e-mailing me the link for signing on to it.
I look forward to full personal Recipe performance during Nov. so count me in.
Howard, Thanks again for being there for us!
Michael in Brooksville, Florida
Nov.30 last year was a real challenge. That day I had my first appointment with my doctor who told me right away I have PD. I denied it of course…Nov.30 this year I will be celebrating all together with you and the Recipe. I have a new life. I have a happy life!
Henrik –
Wow, looks like you ripped a huge hole through any worries about PD. That’s a great feeling, isn’t it? I’m moving on to contemplate how I can be a generator of love for my family, friends and community – even the plants and little bunnies in the yard…
Congratulations and best regards,
Chris
Thank you dear friend. Life goes on and now I can play my guitar again!
Thank you sooooo much Howard for devoting yourself to all of us in this way with such uplifting words!
I have been doing all the exercises every morning although recently sometimes do not repeat them afternoon and evening as I am trying to keep up with some work and social life.
I shall start to increase again! Yes!
And I had forgotten about WATER! Here I go into topping up my water intake!
Many thanks