Book Review: PersonaliTrees

PersonaliTrees is an inspirational book that lifts one’s spirit. Timeless photographs show the winter trees in most expressive ways. Accompanying the photographs are wise sayings from some of the most memorable philosophers through history.

Author Joan Klostermann-Ketels is dedicated to helping others with health and well-being through her writing and training company. Her book PersonaliTrees blends the sights of Nature & human wisdom or thought.

Trees (and all Nature) speak to us, if we are open to hear what they have to say. Walking through the woods during different seasons offers different experiences. Walking through the woods during winter gives us the opportunity to look at the barren branches to see the PersonaliTrees beneath the leaves.

Silly, Fun, Serious, Scary, Thoughtful, Balanced, Joyous, name it… there is a photograph of a Tree representing that feeling, action, or emotion within this book.

Wise sayings from our cultural behemoths: Charles Dickens, Emily Dickinson, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Louis Stevenson, Mark Twain, Plato, Thomas Moore, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Victor Hugo, And Edgar Allan Poe among them give each reader inspiration for inner spiritual growth.

PersonaliTrees is an exceptional gift book, a coffee table book, an inspirational book, written for thoughtful people to pick up, read and rejuvenate the spirit anytime.

Title: PersonaliTrees: Let the Human Spirit Awaken in the Presence of the Trees
Author: Joan Klostermann-Ketels
Genre: Spirituality/New Age
ISBN: 978-1-84409-191-1
Publication Date: April 2010
Pages: 112
Price: $14.95
Publisher: Findhorn Press
Free Review Copy

Importance of Vitamin D

In the not-too-distant past, the family doctor knew you well enough to recommend the proper treatment for nearly every condition. It was not unusual for him, as most family doctors at the beginning of the 20th century were men, to say, you need to spend the winter in a different climate or you need to move.

The treatment for melancholy or as it’s now known Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) was to move to a warmer, sunnier climate. It was the impetus for the saying : Go West Young Man!

Today we know that vitamin D deficiency can have a plethora of symptoms: Unexplained muscle pain, fatigue, weak bones, fractures, mood swings, lowered immunity, low energy, sleep disturbances, PMS, hormonal imbalance, slow healing from injuries, among other symptoms. Who knew that one vitamin could have such a wide range of symptoms if it reaches a critically low proportion in the body.

A simple blood test will determine if you are suffering from Vitamin D deficiency. Current studies suggest that outdated information suggests 400-600IU as adequate for adults. But new studies are showing that truly healthy adults need 3000-5000 IU per day with the ability for an adult to metabolize up to 10,000 IU per day without any armful side effects. Moderates suggest an intake of 2,000 IU daily.

What Vitamin D Does

Vitamin D supports mineral absorption and metabolism.
Vitamin D regulates cell differentiation (prevents cancer).
Vitamin D regulates over 200 genes.
Vitamin D promotes blood sugar regulation.

Prolonged Vitamin D Deficiency

Higher Risk of Cancer
Higher Risk of Diabetes
Higher Risk of Osteoporosis
Higher Risk of Hormone Imbalance
Higher Risk of Depression
Higher Risk of Weight Gain/Obesity

How to Get More Vitamin D

15 - 40 minutes of Sun every day, depending on your skin pigmentation.
Cod Liver Oil
Vitamin D supplement
Egg Yolks
Fortified Organic Milk
Fortified Dairy Products
Fatty Fish

2010 Summer Fashion Trends

The theme for Summer 2010 is update, update, update. Thankfully budgets need not be broken. Working with the summer standards from last year, like the little white dress, this season’s wardrobe can be updated with key pieces. Be Bold. Be Bright. Be Floral.

From Head to Toe

Large hats are IN this season. Shade your delicate skin, keeping skin smooth and lovely with this season most essential accessory. No floppy brim is too big.

Update day wear with a cute romper of light weight fabric with a large flower print or select a solid creamy pastel color if you wish to accessorize. Look for large flower prints on blouses and small bold prints on shorts and pants.

Going out at night? Summer 2010 is all about an asymmetrical neckline dress, much like what we saw Katherine Heigl or mom-to-be Cate Blanchett wear at the Oscars. Another selection is the dress with flowing sheer fabric featuring a rose print to create a feminine look that brings the romantic side out in everyone.

Compliment every 2010 Summer outfit with strappy sandals, heels or flats, that make feet feel pretty and cool.

Stop & Smell the Flowers

Great wisdom can be found in a hectic life, if only we take the moment to become aware of our environment, to look for the good and to follow our bliss.

Bliss comes in large and small packages. With progress on the road of life, we hope that we have more moments of awareness, less chaos. Often it is right in front of us, we need only look for it.

In the midst of big change: change location, change work, change, change, change… at a moment of utter craze I stopped to watch Merlin, my dog, explore his new environment.

Merlin felt the warm concrete under his paws, a new sensation. He stepped out onto the lawn. He walked over to the flower bed in full spring bloom with flowers he’d never experienced before… he sniffed this one, that one… looked up at the sky… sniffed that one, this one, stuck his nose in a particularly low hanging rose, laid next to it and took a nap.

Life is good when we take time to smell the roses.

Top 5 Reasons to set your lawyer's number to speed dial

#5 You’re asked to sign a contract you don’t understand.

#4 You’re getting calls about accounts you didn’t open.

#3 The other driver doesn’t have insurance.

#2 Wills, Trusts & other complicated paperwork.

#1 Your husband introduces you: “This is Sue.” And your name isn’t Sue but she is…um…was your best friend. Yikes... Call your lawyer