Monday, January 17, 2011

Billy's Greens



I watched an interview on Conscious Media Network a while back with Billy Merritt of Billy's Greens. Greens have become a big thing with people focused on good health and nutrition.

This young man has quite a story. Plagued with brain tumors and resulting seizures, he went on a quest to try and heal himself. He tried drugs, looked into surgery, but found nothing was working. Unable to work, or live a normal life, he started eating better, mostly raw foods, fresh fruits and vegetables. His health improved some.

He also spent time every morning meditating. It was during this time that he started praying, hours and hours of prayer, during his day.  He would let God know of his desire for health and then he said he would listen, believing that we need to let the Universe know what we need and then pay attention to strong hunches, instincts, those ideas that say go this way - go that way. He was reluctant to admit, but finally did during the interview, that at one point he heard a small quiet voice that said he must drop everything and "go to Nepal." He said he has only heard voices a couple of times in his life - so it's not like he hears them all of the time - but this one time he followed his instincts and did exactly that - he dropped everything and went to Nepal. After hiking 300 miles in the mountains from one guest lodge to another, he was still having seizures and felt the journey was for nothing. Sad and dispirited, he booked a return flight through the Bangkok airport for home.

It was during time of protests in Bangkok, that included the airport, and flights were canceled. He decided to spend time in Laos, admitting he had never felt so alone and sad. The food in Laos was not what he was used to so he ate coconuts for two weeks. And guess what? He cured his seizures! Something in the coconuts!

This sent him on a path that continues to this day. At 22 years old he has his own business, honed by trying different combinations of algaes, herbs, botanicals, probiotics, enzymes, and superfoods into nutrient-dense combinations that he found to be incredibly effective while working and perfecting his blends at the Ashram Health Retreat of Calabasas, CA.

I came across this interview while concerned for my own health. Struggling with one major virus after another, a feeling that something was wrong, or going to be wrong very soon, I went to his website and ordered a couple of his products. I felt, instinctively, that I needed an immune booster. I have to admit to feeling better - much better. Is it from the superfoods? I don't know. It could be because I'm eating better and exercising again, but I did order some for my family. They just received it, so I haven't had any reports so far.

I think Billy's story is one that proves we have what we need to help us in this world. Paying attention to God, Spirit, Higher Self,  or whatever you want to call it - is the answer. Going within with our questions,  and most of all - listening to the answers. They don't always come in word form. It could be hunches, ideas, synchronicities, something we read, something we hear, someone who comes into our life at just the right moment, symbols, music, pictures. The important thing is to pay attention and remain open.

For me, at this time in my life, it was Billy. I'm now looking at my health from a nutrition standpoint that will include products that help me in this endeavor.

Besides, I believe in supporting grass-roots businesses that feel they are lead by Spirit. Billy proves we don't need to rely on big corporations to meet our needs. This is our future.

23 comments:

Lori said...

What an amazing story! It gave me goosebumps when I read that he drank coconut milk for 2 weeks and it cured his seizures. I really do believe that when we open ourselves up to our creator and to the universe, and follow where we are led, what we are in need of is provided. I am off to check out his web site! Thank you Nancy!

Jen said...

I have been drinking Billy's Greens every day- and I feel good, but I have a holistic health regimen that includes Spirulina as well as other body cleansing herbs on a daily basis- so, this was a welcome addition. I'll let you know if I feel any major changes!

Nancy said...

Lori - I know! He still has the tumors, but the seizures have stopped.

Jen - I would be interested to know what you think.

Kathryn said...

I like this Nancy. I, too, have been feeling a need to enhance my nutrition as a way of making my life better. I really do believe it all starts with what we put in our bodies, and what we DON'T put in our bodies.
That being said, I only started my journey about a year or 2 ago, and have a long way to go. I'm just proud of myself for making small changes and that I haven't given up even though I'm a long way from 'perfect'. This is progress, for me.

Nancy said...

Kathryn - I've been doing things the same way - one step at a time.

Trish and Rob MacGregor said...

Fascinating post. off to check out Billy's goods! Thanks for posting.

Natalie said...

Give us some updates won't you Nancy?

Brian Miller said...

what an intriguing story he has....def on my way to check this out...

susan said...

I think that more than anything else the intention to care for ourselves is what sets us on a more healthful path both physically and spiritually.

DJan said...

On my way over to Billy's page, too. Thanks for the tip, and I'm so glad to hear you are feeling so well.

Hilary said...

"Going within with our questions, and most of all - listening to the answers."

More and more, I'm understanding this to be true. Thanks for the reminder.. those are needed too.

Miss Sadie said...

An interesting and thoughtful post, Nancy. When I have the energy, I do go with my questions. Though sometimes they drive me crazy.

Nancy said...

Trish - Let me know what you think.

Natalie - I will.

Brian - I like the grass-roots business model.

Susan - I agree.

DJan - Much better, thanks.

Hilary - I have to remind myself of that all of the time.

Miss Sadie - Try and take them one at a time. Life can be overwhelming sometimes, I know.

Anonymous said...

Eating nothing but coconuts for 2 weeks would indeed stop seizures. I don't know if you've ever heard of the ketogenic diet, but its a diet which is 90% fat 10% combined carb and protein (which aint much, let me tell ya) But in terms of coconuts, that is real close. Low carb, high good fats. (Ironically, if you are on the ketogenic diet, you do not get fat, pretty much proving fat doesnt make you fat)

The ketogenic diet is a remedial diet for people with seizure disorders. It was developed at Johns Hopkins University. Its not the first thing doctors advise because of the difficulty of sticking to the diet, but it works in a high percentage of patients.

The basic thing about ketogenic diets is the elimination of processed foods, grains especially which turn to glucose. Glucose is the problem in many many brain disorders, including seizure disorders. Most people do not know if they simply cut carbs down to 20 a day they can get control of any seizures, depression, bipolar....all those things improved or eliminated by cutting down on foods which become glucose too fast. And in this category is Americas beloved "whole grains". They are not necessary for health and in fact are bad for humans. Vegetables and fruit are the only carbohydrates people need and fruit should be minimal.

But try saying this to most people, they look at you like you are a lunatic. No whole grains? The very thought is almost illegal!

Nancy said...

Nancy - Thank you for this information. We have found that we feel better with much lower carbs, but as you said, it's hard to do all of the time. Very interesting about the coconuts, don't you think? We had a young man (who was selling coconuts in Hawaii) that said you can actually use coconut milk as a replacement for blood loss because it is sterile. I haven't checked out that claim, but it sounded interesting. Thanks for the information - more impetus to eat veggies.

ellen abbott said...

yes, I have felt that. Knowing that we have everything we need to heal our bodies if we will just listen to what they are saying.

Joanne said...

There's a lot of wisdom in this post. So much happens when we just pause and truly pay attention. Sometimes it seems like it's our own running around, cluttering up our thoughts, that stands in our way.

Cloudia said...

You have been inspired!!!!! Cool




Aloha from Waikiki

Comfort Spiral

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Unknown said...

I have heard that God comes to us through others....and I am a believer in that....amazing about the coconuts!....Thank you for the uplifting story too...smiles.

Nancy said...

Ellen - We seem to have so much to sift through.

Joanne - I totally agree.

Cloudia - I have!

Emom - You're welcome. I love the coconut story.

Deborah said...

What a remarkable story, Nancy! I hope your improvement continues and agree with you that we do better when we listen to our hunches. Have you read 'Blink' (Malcolm Gladwell) by the way??

I also liked your Edison quote - how prophetic!! Well, I hope it's prophetic.

Reya Mellicker said...

I'm so glad you're feeling better. That's the most important thing, no matter how it came to you.

To your good health! Cheers!

Katherine Josh said...

i've been drinking bird nest soup every night (i only get the homemade kind back at home). the only reason why i drink it is because it's supposed to be good for complexion.

i’ve been taking the store-bought kind online (e.g. http://www.geocities.jp/hongkong_bird_nest/index_e.htm of famous branded only of course) which is directly mailed from Hong Kong. this would be at a more affordable price.