Thanksgiving – a Time to be Thankful

October 6th, 2011

Here in Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving at the end of the harvest. It is something we look forward to since we can express our gratitude for the bounty we gathered all summer long.

I am made aware of all those not lucky enough to have a small plot of land to grow food on and I have to emphasize just how important this really is. Ask you neighbour to share a plot, start a neighbourhood or community garden, get involved with school gardening programs and anything else you can think of to give you access to fresh food.

Since the products in our fresh food aisles in grocery stores is already days old, you are not getting all the goodness you should be out of the plant. The only way to assure yourself of this is to get to a farmer’s market and buy there, have your own plot and harvest it or resort to frozen food which is still the best bet as a last resort since it is frozen quickly after it reaches maturity.

Having control over what you eat is still the only way to assure yourself you are eating healthy. This Thanksgiving which is all about bounty and gratitude, think seriously about obtaining a small piece of land for our next spring season.

I recommend going as natural as you can in having your own garden, picking your own fruit, hunting and gathering herbs for teas, etc. If more people took the time to do this, we could live the way we were meant to with little disease and natural solutions to living issues.

Happy Thanksgiving and bless you all!!!

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Triggers to Sleep

September 18th, 2011

Everybody has those nights when they just can’t drop off to sleep so easily and we all need to find ways to make the process less of a struggle. Some folks are highly stressed and so frequently experience sleepless nights. One of these possibilities might work better than others. Here are a few to try:

  • Take a few minutes to write down in point form, the stressful things of the day. Take that paper, crumple it up and put it into the waste basket. Now you should be able to sleep without mulling over every little thing that worries you since you have psychologically thrown them away.
  • You can be overly energized by triggers like tea or coffee and even your multi vitamin so keep those activities for the morning when you want to be awake.
  • Maybe you have a secret passionate desire to travel somewhere or to build a dream house or some such thing. Get right into it where you can visualize yourself enjoying the beach or looking at the view from your new home patio. Pleasurable activities like this keep out stressful emotions and so allow you to relax.
  • Eliminate any sources of noise or light from the room and be sure to keep the air circulating if it is a warmer night.
  • Prevent the phone from ringing by disconnecting the cord and turn off your cell phone away from you and your bed. Anything electrical has a magnetic field around it so eliminate anything of that nature away from your sleeping area.
  • Two proven natural remedies if all fails are taking 1 mg of Melatonin or 100 mg of Valerian about an hour before bedtime.
  • Create your own acupressure routine before bed by freezing two plastic bottles of water and rolling them under your feet for about 10 minutes. Since the pressure is relatively the same on the entire foot, you are effecting all of your organs and body parts to relax normally.

 

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Pet Tricks I Have Learned

September 8th, 2011

When I say I have learned pet tricks, I mean I have learned how to do a few things to make my relationship with my pet even easier. I have an old cat, a female named Greyfax and a male dog named Cody.

Both are the light of my life since they have been with me for quite a while. The cat is now 17 and Cody is 11 years young. Just like family members, they interact and maintain their own idea of dominance and playfulness.

Cody was a rescue and was mistreated at a very young age before I got him. But he reached out to me to help him and he has taught me a lot. Grey was really my husbands cat and when we split up, he left her behind, something she has never really gotten over since she did not choose me to be her master.

So they have their own history and needs, quite separate from each other. By spending a little quality time with each of them doing what they enjoy the most, I manage to maintain a sense of equality and lessen any of that green-eyed jealousy.

For example, when Grey awakens from a solid sleep, she talks a lot to me telling me about her dream. I always respond by interacting which she loves. She also tells me when her litter box is in need of a change by sniffing the air and when she needs a brushing, I notice she starts scratching her back against furniture.

Cody sits up when he wants me to throw his stuffed “critter” to play fetch. Other times he finds his ball and starts rolling all over it with his back to tell me it is time to play catch. He also has a way of intensely looking at me when he needs to go out. Most dogs scratch at the door but not my Cody. He figures I can read his mind.

On that note, give a try to envisioning what you want your cat or dog to do. Strangely enough, they catch that mind transfer and do just that. I have had several people try this and report it does work. But it takes you a bit of doing to actually see them in your head. Give it a try, what have you got to lose?

Also Cody and the cat respond well to my speaking in soft tones, higher pitched and excited when I want to praise them and play and low and gentle for when I am trying to persuade them. A firm, sharp and low toned “No” works for stopping Cody and Grey from bad behaviour. The main thing when they are misbehaving is for you to remain calm as it is infectious.

Well those are a few things I can pass on from personal experience. I am sure you have a few too. Feel free to pass them along to me.

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Resveratrol – not a weight loss panacea

September 2nd, 2011
 PR: n/a  I: 154  L: 0  LD: 8  I: 8  Rank: 13422422  Age: December 3, 2007  I: 0  whois source Robo: no Sitemap: yes  Rank: n/a  Price: n/a
Info  PR: n/a  I: 154  L: 0  LD: 8  I: 8  Rank: 13422422  Age: December 3, 2007  I: 0  whois source Robo: no Sitemap: yes  Rank: n/a  Price: n/a Density

I recently read an article about Resveratrol and the debate that continues regarding the benefits including losing weight. In fact, only animals have been tested with this product and so it leaves a considerable area for doubt.

It stands to reason that if we can exercise for a longer period of time and do so without showing the usual signs of fatigue, we will go longer with our regime. That alone should bring about some weight loss but we could get that anyway by pushing through and not using the pill.

Since this is an antioxidant, why not take more of those healthy products that contain it like grapes and berries. Red wine in moderation is also on that list but I would not recommend it since there is a tendency to take too much of it and lose any benefit we could get.

The effect comes from the extra Oxygen we are able to store which in turn fires up our muscles and slows the heart when doing exercise. Thus the sensation that we can do more without tiring.

So if it is Oxygen we need, why not take in more with proper deep breathing exercises before our work out? That combined with eating the right foods will help us to exercise longer and more effectively and give us the result we are seeking.

Also, combine that with already established weight loss helpers like eating much more fiber found in whole foods. Till we get some long term answers re this pill, I would not be a guinea pig!!

 

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Plastic Containers – to use or not?

August 22nd, 2011

These are the numbers we find on our plastic containers and what they mean:

Number 1 – In our stores, you will find this frequently as a soda bottle or a
water bottle. It is clear and although reasonably safe does allow bacteria and
outside flavours to get in through the surface. It is suggested this is not reused.

Number 2 – is usually cloudy or coloured and used for familiar items like: juice
bottles, detergent bottles, milk bottles, butter or margarine containers, etc.
It is relatively safe with little or no leaching due to the opaque surface.

Number 3 – is common for plastic wraps and is also used in cooling oil bottles and
even plumber pipes called PVC. This is not a safe plastic since it does contain
phthalates which interrupts hormonal creation. So keep it away from anything
edible and never use in a microwave to cover food.

Number 4 – is everywhere in grocery bags, bottles we squeeze, bags for bread and
even some food wrappings. Although safe, there is room for some doubt since not
all recycling programs consider it a possible addition.

Number 5 – These have a cloudy exterior and can be used in yogurt or other wider-
mouthed items. But it is also used for ketchup, syrup and medicine bottles and
even straws. It has a safe rating.

Number 6 – is something we find at picnics as throw-away plastic in cups, plates
and even the packaging to wrap it up. Unfortunately, this type of plastic is
known for absorbing chemicals when warmed up. So, I would try to avoid
buying and using this at all costs.

Number 7 – This is a “fits all” category for anything that is not easy to configure
like the others listed above. This means you are getting a mix of potentially
harmful containers like older baby bottles, newer radios, computers and other
plastics in every day use.

Use caution, numbers 2, 4 and 5 can be around food but even then, no heating of
containers and use a little common sense.

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Cataract Month

August 12th, 2011

Some of you might have noticed that it is the month when we recognize
Cataract Awareness. To that end, I would like to pass on some information
on what many of us do not understand.
Since 50% of us will likely develop cataracts by the time we reach 80, it
should be no surprise that people undergo surgery commonly for this
eye condition.
Many experience this prior to age 60 due to a persistent and recurring medical
condition, prescribed medications or some sort of eye injury or shock. It is also
possible for a fetus to experience factors affecting the mother that are passed on
to the unborn child. Even environmental factors can influence the fetus.
Mature individuals also can get it through various medical illnesses like diabetes.
Over exposure from sunlight is another factor as is smoking or lack of vitamins.
Since the eye lens becomes milky-looking when this condition appears,
many assume that the cataract is on the outside. However, it is formed on
the inside and blurs vision by hampering the light to the lens.
Since surgery for this impairment is very successful, most opt to have it
rather than risking possible blindness. Fortunately, it does not grow back.
The surgery involves replacing a lens in an out-patient procedure. While some
have had a small membrane grow behind the implant as time goes on, this can
be opened up through laser techniques.

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Chemical Sensitivity

July 28th, 2011

Since chemical sensitivity is not a new issue, I just wanted to say that more and more people are becoming so sensitive that they are not free to lead a normal life.

Too many feel that it will not happen to them, that they can eat anything they want and that all this drama about toxicity and chemicals is over blown. In fact, many of the diseases we are so used to today have started as a direct result of what we put in our mouths.

Years back in the early 1960′s, company food manufacturers tried new ways to preserve food, gave it an appealing color and made it tasty. We went along with the changes because we were assured it was not harmful and in fact, would enhance the food we eat.

Our trust in big corporations allowed the process and continues because we do not question what we eat. It is up to us as individuals to control this whole process by forcing the large food companies to be accountable to us.

Start reading labels and doing your own research on the harmful additives of all packaged foods and some tinned foods as well. Eat fresh whenever possible and start growing much of your own food. We have to start somewhere to manage our own lives and the food we eat is vital to our very future. Please be vigilant. It really does matter.

 

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Pets and how much we love them

July 13th, 2011

I have had my small dog Cody with me for over 11 years now. About a year back, I almost lost him due to a severe bacterial infection. I could not figure where it came from since I am so careful but I felt like I let my best buddy down.

He stayed with the vet for three days and it was then I knew how much he truly meant to me. My living space did not seem alive anymore because he was not there to help me enjoy it.

So when I went to get my little pal from the vet, he looked at me like he did not recognize me. He was so weak and dutifully followed me on his leash to the car. He still had a way to go to regain his health and I was determined to get him back to health. Finally, half way home he yelped for joy and seemed like the old Cody. He looked at me with love in his eyes and recognition at last.

I did not go to see him while he was at the vets because I knew he would not understand me leaving him there and would want to come home with me. It was better not to disturb him and just let him get his strength back after all that diarrhea and vomiting.

It didn’t take long before he was almost as good as new but something had changed. He could no longer have the odd scrap of what I was eating since his stomach was very sensitive. But we learned to live with that. He didn’t seem to mind, he just wanted to be home again, bugging the cat whenever he felt it necessary and creating new games to give me joy.

If I have any sage advice about this it would be to love your animals every day. They give us so much and are always non judgmental and happy to see us. Sometimes I think I care more about him than people in my life. I am so thankful we found each other and that we still have time to look forward to many more adventures.

 

 

 

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Warts – Helpful Remedies

June 16th, 2011

Warts have been recorded to be as small as one-sixteenth of an inch and can build up to three-eighths of an inch. Customarily clear around the edges, they are firm and the color of flesh. These can be expected to appear on fingers, knees and hands.

Flat warts, flat on the top and the color of flesh, most frequently appear on the face, wrists, and backs of the hands. Warts can be flat, have a head like a cauliflower, or form a needle shape.

Digitate warts are darker in hue and are long extensions extending out like a finger. Planter warts are another variety and can be found on the sole of your foot. Another type are Filiform warts, long and slim developing on armpits, eyelids and necks of  people who have become overweight and who are generally middle-aged.  Genital warts have the cauliflower head and are pink.

Remove Warts Naturally by using these methods:

Garlic oil or grated and crushed garlic will work wonders but must be used only on the wart so as not to hurt delicate skin. Apply garlic directly on the warts and cover with a tight bandage.

A great alternative is the inner skin of a banana. Put this on the wart and tie in place with a bandage. Be sure to use a fresh banana each day using the same method.

Another daily ritual can be used only with Basil. This herb is known to have antiviral properties. Place some fresh crushed basil leaves on the wart and cover with a bandage.

Alfalfa teas made directly from soaking 1 tablespoon of seed in boiling water work well. You can also use 2 ounces of dried leaf. Drink teas three times throughout a day.

The juice from buttercup flowers and leaves can be applied directly to the wart several times a day.

Celandine contains a chemical that inhibits the wart virus. It also has skin irritants and enzymes that destroy wart proteins. Squeeze the fresh celandine plant gel and place it on the wart or apply a strong tea made from the herb to the wart twice a day.

The dandelion juice from either stem or root will destroy the wart if it is applied locally every day.

Pineapple produces enzymes that destroy warts. Cut a square of pineapple peeling and tape the inner side to plantar warts for overnight relief. Soak your foot in hot water removing the peel in the morning. Peel skin with a file and repeat nightly.

You might also consider using this topical idea, Vitamin A. Begin in the A.M. by crushing the vitamin capsule in water  and making a paste which is applied to the wart. Be sure to keep the air out with a bandage. After lunch, place a drop of Castor oil on the wart, and later in the day after dinner, apply a drop of lemon juice. Used as a daily practice, this should help Plantar warts.

Another vitamin in use is Vitamin E oil. Used on the wart directly as above, it will take much longer, likely months. So try adding it to the Vitamin A paste using a 400 IU capsule. The combination should produce desirable results.

Willow trees also offer a form of relief. Use a piece of moistened inner bark and tape it to the wart and change it every day. The acid in Willow is a commonly used as a remedy for

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Living Cells – join us together

June 11th, 2011

We are fond of thinking that we are alone in this universe and that we are
all different. In fact, we are the same except for some personality variances
and skin pigments.
The thing that joins us, our common cells, is also what exists in the universe
in all living matter. That is no accident and it should make us appreciate we
all have a common purpose as living beings to recognize our oneness.
That became even more apparent to me when I heard a surgeon and scientist
speculating on the fact that there are recognized and documented cases of
organ transplants where the recipient took on personality traits and general
likes of the donor.
The memory of who we are, our likes and dislikes, resides in every cell, not just
in our brain cells. While our DNA defines our unique cell structure, who we are
is tied more to each individual cell.
Perhaps if we understand that our universal connection is the same, we might see
others in a new, kinder light. Our purpose en mass is the same: to serve others
and love them unconditionally. So our sameness is a blessing that guides us and
serves our daily existence.
No one person is better or lesser than another. Our experiences are different and
we all know some form of limitation which we strive to overcome, a life lesson in
disguise. As a human being, I find that refreshing and and I see each day as a
gift to open and appreciate. I hope you do too.

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