Q = Phineas Quimby

Phineas Quimby described himself as a mind-healer. He also has been called a spiritualist, mesmerist and philosopher. His work led to the establishment of the New Thought Movement.

Quimby was mesmerized by Charles Poyen, a French mesmerist who toured America in the 1830s. He felt that he could become a mesmerist himself and followed Poyen until he had learned how to hypnotize.

Partnering with Lucius Burkmar, who was easily hypnotized, the pair set out on a demonstration tour. Quimby was disappointed when mobs formed to chase him from towns because the townspeople thought his show was too much like witchcraft.

Mesmerism was known as a form of faith healing. Quimby was featured as a healer in several scientific papers on the subject. One of his students, Mary Baker Eddy used Quimby’s philosophy that disease was rooted in a mental cause. This thought was instrumental in the founding of Christian Science.

Interested in more about Phineas Quimby? http://www.nndb.com/people/269/000203657/

Half Marathon

No, I didn't half marathon today. But I am thinking about jumping in on the next one. I say I'm thinking about it because I haven't done any running of consequence for a couple of decades.

Yes, yes I did run a mile in under six minutes when it was required to pass Phys Ed. Yes, yes I did run after toddlers with lightning speed to keep them from the street, cars and other obstacles. But that was a long time ago, and without a reason to run, running stopped.

But today, after taking this photo of the half marathon shirt, hearing the cheers from half marathon runners and audience as they completed the race and seeing that while exhausted the marathoners all looked really happy, I thought to myself, maybe I could try this marathon thing.

The decision needs to be made by registration time. The next race is about six months away. The training schedule starts well after the registration due date which I think is clever of the marketing department. But I think if I'm going to register I need to be training too. Who knows at this point, it may be impossible to run so far?? They tell me know but I have no experience with this retraining as an old person.

Right now, its all about the best intentions.

http://www.examiner.com/article/winning-record-time-at-2013-tinker-bell-half-marathon

Half Marathon

Today was the half marathon at Disney Resort, Anaheim, California. I was privileged to number among the force of volunteers who helped to make the event a great success.

3:30a.m. & I don't see each other very often. It's quite dark at that time, even with the nearly full moon in the sky.

By 5:45a.m. the water station was up and ready for the nearly 50,000 runners, walkers and bicyclists. At the first water station there were participants in all conditions, from 'I'm a runner & 2 miles is nothing' to 'I've got a stitch in my side & this was a very big mistake but I'm not giving up.'

All the runners impressed me. The energy and smiles, not to mention the genuine 'Thank you' put a smile on my face. The enthusiasm was catching even though early morning isn't my thing and running in a large group isn't on my list.

But what I can do is pour water and hand cups to some very nice, health minded people who are great examples of what people can do when they set their mind to it.

What to do with a broken heart

When you’re broken, you pick up the pieces you can find and move on. There really isn’t anything else that can be done. Putting things back together doesn’t work out, it’s never really fixed. With time, a scar grows where your heart broke and you do the best you can with what you’re given, but the heart is never really whole again.

I discovered my heart was truly broken in the emergency room of a hospital. I was eighteen and beside myself with grief. Within minutes of devastating news, my symptoms included shortness of breath, dizziness, heart racing and chest pain. Of course, I panicked, which is another symptom.

The doctors were entirely nonchalant while the nurses hooked up monitors and discovered my heart was broken, I had a mitral value prolapse. They were a bit concerned because while the condition often has no symptoms, I seemed to be having them all.

On the home front, I had just discovered a) I was pregnant and b) my new husband of about four months was having an affair. I suppose I was a bit stressed out.

After several days they released me from the hospital. They were unable to determine physically why the symptoms appeared. I was instructed to modify my activity and life based on the severity of the symptoms.

Since that day I've followed the doctor's advice modifying life to manage unexpected situations. Now, doctors and nurses just love to listen to this classic mitral value prolapse which requires no treatment.

Have you eaten your Roses today?

Not only are roses beautiful but they contain significant amounts of vitamin C.

In the 19th century, small town doctors prescribe roses as a regular remedy. The apothecary rose was a frequent suggestion for home treatment of common ailments such as stomach disorder, diarrhea, constipation, gallbladder & kidney problems, gout, fever and exhaustion.

Long standing philosophical traditions find Rose garlands strewn around altars of Gods and Goddesses. The rose was one of the flowers which had cross culturally represented love and health throughout the World. Many are the brides who held roses in their bouquet as they entered into marriage with the well-wishes of life-long health and love.

It stands to reason that the ancients understood the relationship between the beautiful flower and its health giving properties. The flowers’ fragrance provides for a method of relaxation. The beauty and cultivation of the flower offers tranquility for all to behold. The internal properties of the flower, in the rose hip, offer to the health practitioner a potent and reliable source of immunity boosting properties.

The following is a brief review of the versatility of the Rose.

Rose petals make a light and fragrant tea which settles stomach upset and provides a soothing aroma.

Rose hips in vitamin form offers an extra boost for people needing to fend off colds and fevers.

Rose jams and jellies offer sweetness and vitamin C to boost children’s immunity to the everyday ails found in most daycare and school institutions.

Rose water is added to ice cream and cookies in the Middle East to give added flavor.

Rose water also adds moisture to skin preparations, Middle Eastern and European traditions.

French chefs add Rose syrup made from rose petal extract to pastries.

Chinese apothecaries are among the few practitioners who still use this remedy for stomach ailments.

As all things go full circle, scientists harkened back to a more intuitive time and are testing rose and rose hips in the treatment of some cancers.

Horseradish: Herb of 2011

Horseradish, known is scientific circles as Armoracia rusticana is a close relative to broccoli, cabbage and mustard. It grows as high as 5 feet (1.5 meters) with large leaves and beautiful white flowers.

Best When Used: The Horseradish root is best use when freshly broken providing the most pungent of tastes and unique aroma.

Myth: Ancient Greek myth states the horseradish root is worth its weight in gold for the myriad of medicinal uses. These medicinal applications were commonly used through the Renaissance period.

Good Health: Horseradish contains calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin C.

Medicinal Use: Known to herbalists through the ages as a diuretic, Horseradish is used in treatment of minor health problems such as urinary tract bronchitis, coughs, infections, and sinus infection. Recent biochemical research reports Horseradish kills harmful bacteria and has an immuno boosting constituent.

Growing: The root grows better in a sunny area. Plant the root immediately in a moist hole twice as large as the root itself. Keep the area moist but not soggy wet. Add compost two or three time per growing season. Horseradish grows into zone 5. Harvest in the autumn after the first frost for the most pungent flavors.

Landscape: Horseradish is used as a border accent flowering plant.

Recipe:

Granny’s Horseradish Sauce

1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup horseradish
1/8 cup mayonnaise
2 Tbsp mustard
1 bunch chopped chives.

Blend together. Pour over steak or seafood.

Food Uses:

Breakfast: Scramble 1-tsp in with scrambled eggs.
Lunch: Add ½ tsp to mayonnaise on a sandwich.
Dinner: Use Granny’s Sauce with abandon

Has It Really Been a Year?

Some call it reflection, others call it inventory: I think it’s just a part of moving forward in life: Review.

Periodically, my mind reviews a particular segment of life: Work, Relationships, Location, Health and Inner Stuff. When I started this process in earnest more than 25 years ago, I followed direction to put it on paper. Through the years the need to put things to paper decreases as the problem to solution or goal to fruition methodology has become ingrained within my neuro-net. So ingrained is this that it would better be described as a continuing stock inventory system rather than a yearly goal setting session.

So it was not surprising when there is a “problem” my brain goes into hyper-drive to find a solution. This trait, call it Type-A personality or liken it to the Rabbit character in Winnie-the-Pooh, is helpful at minimizing situations so that they never become real problems.

The demarcation for this particular inventory came quickly in that it’s been a year since my last cross country move. Logical to look at the state of things/life, as the dust has settled and scramble has turned to routine.

Work ~ this year has marked more regular writing work than ever. With more than 50 ghosted articles sold and a regular technical writing gig, I’m pleased with the quality and the level of output. The downside is the ridiculously low pay. My son said yesterday, “That’s great money for 1856!” and he’s correct.

Relationships ~ really the key to a happy life are the people around. It may be old age creeping up on me hopefully, just wisdom probably a bit of both. But honestly, if it’s difficult, I’m really not interested. Relationships are so much better when they’re easy. Things are easy if everyone is polite.

I’ve noticed there are two kinds of people, probably more but for this example there are two: the kind of person that accepts an apology and the kind of person that continues to tell you how awful you are after you apologize.

Disrespect just leads to hard feelings, or in tough places, mortal peril. Personally, I choose to be polite for social cohesion. It’s easier to navigate situations if everyone cooperates and is forthright. I know, some would say I’m trying to live on Cloud Nine. And I would reply: If Cloud Nine requires manners then, yes. I require good behavior from myself when I make a mistake, I apologize and so expect the same from others.

Then of course, there are the people with whom I have no business being around. Take my ex, please! Seriously, we are ex, we don’t talk, we aren’t friends. If people ask me why? He's my ex, duh... Those who knew us should attest that the world is a happier place for the distance between us. After a number of years, I had a dream where I discovered he was doing really well. I woke really hoping the dream was true that he was doing well. I don’t know if he is or isn’t. It’s none of my business, that’s the ex-part. I consider this segment complete.

I learned a long time ago a relationship takes two people with a similar vision for the relationship for both people to be happy. I remind myself of that periodically as I continue life’s construction.

Location ~ Location, Location, Location… it’s true. Wishing to be somewhere and being somewhere are two entirely different things. Make a decision. Be there.

Health ~ As an issue health has come to the fore in the news as the overweight people outnumber the physically fit. The percentages coincide with the level of poverty and unhappiness, though not by simple equation. A simple way to live is healthfully: Eat right, sleep enough, avoid anger, and love daily.

Health is one of my favorite topics. I’ve been published on this subject more than any other in the last 20 years, probably because I love eating. I love good food. The flavors, spices, and textures of good food made into a fabulous dish is one of the things that make life enjoyable.

Memorable food moments this year: avocado off a tree, orange juice from personally picked oranges, Churro @ Olvera St, Soup in a Bread Bowl @ New Orleans Square, my daughter’s potato soup, ripe jalapeños, my neighbor’s lentil soup, my husband’s veggie burgers, my son’s quesadilla, my son’s rice & beans… I just discovered, the way to make my list of favorite people is to cook a tasty dish.

Inner Stuff (old & new) ~ I have these things called thoughts and feelings. Sometimes they’re old, sometimes their new, sometimes useful, sometimes just clutter… I decided to de-clutter the old and useless, just let it go, don’t beat the dead horse. Life got lighter, calmer, happier.

I liken the inner stuff to a closet. When I started my Fibber McGee closet was full. If I opened the door stuff would tumble out with a crash. Life went from one crash to another. It also made seeing today in reality difficult, if not impossible. Reality is where it’s at baby. Reality is today!

At a moment of clarity I realized I didn’t like the way a bunch of the old stuff felt when it crashed and I set about throwing out the stuff I didn’t want anymore. Some of closet junk I gave back to others, it wasn’t mine to keep. Some of the junk was mine and I had to face it, deal with it and move on. Some of the stuff was useful, some stuff was pleasant so I tidied up and placed those items in a mental file: Things Worth Remembering.

Things Worth Remembering:
Like the Kitty: Allergic to Kitty: Don’t pet Kitty.
Kids, like vegetables, spoil if you put them on a shelf & forget about them.
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Share good things, it makes the world a better place.

Chocolate & Sunshine

As much as the world changes, it remains the same. The individual story and the accessories change but the story of humankind: love, hate, peace, violence, these things are the human story.

One might think that with enough time and learning we too should move closer to the ideal of what a human being should wish to be, want to be, and become. But as much as we see two steps forward, it seems that we’re at least two steps back.

Who was it who said: Love your brother as yourself? And when was that…

The Golden Rule moves my spirit… I practice it daily to make it a reality not only in my small part of the world but with the hope that what greater people than I have said becomes the reality we all need so badly.

The awareness of what we do, what we buy, how we treat each other flows out like the motion of a water droplet onto a glass-like still pond, gives each of us an awesome responsibility. Everything counts.

If what we do not only impacts those immediately around us but around the world, how too does it impact the generations yet to arrive. What will you say when your children or grandchildren ask about the world you leave to them… because you were here is there more kindness… more generosity, more love?

Shouldn’t we say to our grandchildren, I was there when we conquered poverty, I contributed to eradicating pollution, it was my country that moved fearlessly into a better future, I sang in the streets when the Declaration of Independence and the Ideals of our 1776 forefathers became a reality. Wouldn’t that just be awesome to say that to your kids? What you do today makes a difference. Everything makes a difference.

It doesn’t matter how it’s said, but the following are words that help keep us on the road to a better future.

Blessed is he who prefers his brother to himself.

Do naught to others that which if done to you would cause pain.

What is hateful to you, do not to your fellows.

That nature only is good when it shall not do unto another whatever is not good for its own self.

Hurt not other with that which pains yourself.

To hurt them is not at all good. Beloved, then, hurt thou not any one’s heart.

He is kind to the kind, he is also kind to the unkind: for virtue is kind.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.

With that I wish you prosperity in love and money, a fun filled and productive 2011 and lots and lots of chocolate and sunshine! ;)

Happy Birthday Baby Boy

Twenty-nine years ago today, I showed up for the appointment made to surgically remove my baby from my womb. It was a trauma: not the birth because he wasn’t birthed but the surgical removal of the infant for a variety of dubious reasons which were given for the convenience of the doctor’s schedule during the holiday season.

Hopeful that my experience was rare and that most doctors aren’t as hard-hearted, I didn’t often share my experience with others. Frankly, I was ashamed of it. I felt violated. I felt stupid and soon after recognized my gullibility, I had acquiesced and placed my child in jeopardy.

Mother’s guilt for bad decisions can be overwhelming but there is a point where you can only be responsible for decision based on the information given at the time. My guts said the doctor was telling me some information but not all. But why would as 18-year-old girl know better than a doctor?

The doctor said that I was unable to birth. He said the baby was too late. He said the baby was too big. He said the baby would die inside of me if I didn’t do what he said to do.

The inner knowledge, woman-wisdom I’ve come to call it, said the baby wasn’t ready. If he was ready to be born, he’d come. I didn’t trust myself. I was afraid. I allowed a doctor to schedule the surgery.

The arrival was disastrous with the anesthesiologist telling me I didn’t feel anything. I was chemically paralyzed but not anesthetized. I felt everything. It wasn’t until I was being wheeled into recovery that I actually went numb.

Numb and dumb in the recovery room, I cried. They took my baby away to the nursery. My baby was jaundiced, a sign of premature birth. I was drugged & out of it until they released us on the morning of the 25th; sent home with my abdomen stapled together, a prescription in hand and a bag of disposable diapers. “Merry Christmas,” they said.

Many years later, I see the beginning was a foreshadowing of things to come. But truth be told, the doctor was a liar. I was the recipient of many lies as the drama based on bad information unfolded.

In this particular case I affirm that I birthed much larger babies than my first and for whatever reason they take longer choosing their arrival date. A wise midwife told me: Babies come when they come; their time not by scheduling on a calendar.

So I light a candle each holiday season: a prayer for pregnant women, that only the truth will fill their ears.

Book Review: Earthing

Title: Earthing: The most important health discovery ever?
Authors: Clinton Ober, Stephen Sinatra, MD, Martin Zucker
Publisher: Basic Health Publications, Inc
Publication Date: 2010
ISBN: 978-1-59120-283-7
Price: $18.95

This book came to me as a surprise. I love surprises. Even more of a surprise was the contents which made so much sense. In regular language the authors explain why we have so many health problems and the simple solution to many, if not all of them.

Wish you felt better? Interested in small changes that make a huge difference in your health? This should be the next book you read.

The 259 page book is sectioned into four parts: Part One: Why we are unhealthy – the missing link; Part Two: Personal discoveries; Part Three: Connecting with Science; Part Four: Earthing Chronicles.

The one thing that I liked about the book was that everything, even the complicated scientific stuff was put in a way that was easy to understand. The explanations are essential so the reader doesn’t think that this is just made up. Time and time again, in anecdotal trials then in clinical trials the same results played out the same: getting grounded restores a better healthy balance to the body.

Grounded is just that grounded to the earth, like an electrical appliance, only humans need to reconnect with our Planet. There are several ways of reconnected, each is explained in the book but it is a simple as walking barefoot on the beach or in your garden.

Older people suffer from a variety of ailments but most are accompanied by inflammation. The trials and the photos show that earthing or grounding help relieve much of the inflammation in a short period of time. The pain relief when the inflammation subsides is testimony enough for the clients/patients to want to continue to use the earthing apparatus or to continue to connect to the Planet regularly.

The easiest way to connect and become grounded while continuing to have a busy life, is to use the products developed by one of the authors, placing grounding sheets on your bed is all you must do. The authors declare, you won’t have to wait for results, you’ll feel better after the first night.

Green Clean = Clean Environment

Benefits of Green Clean

Better Health
Clean Environment
Supporting Environmentally Friendly Companies

The last century held a war of germs at the cost of ever increasing numbers of toxic chemicals. Some germs, bacteria, viruses died but some became Super Illnesses threatening the health of an increasing number of people. Hazardous for the elderly and young children Super-bugs are infecting athletes and others in locker rooms and public restrooms with fungus, bacterium and viruses.

One way to avoid a variety of Illnesses is to keep your environment clean.

http://www.seventhgeneration.com/

http://www.simplygoodstuff.com/

Light Clean – Daily
Wipe All Top Surfaces
There are places such as public restrooms, offices and even some homes that only use this type of cleaning. They need to do more, really.

Regular Clean – Weekly
Bring the cleaning bucket with all the cleaning supplies. Today is cleaning day: Dust, Vacuum, Wash Floors. All daily lightly cleaned areas are really cleaned with cleaner. Wash all towels, bedding, over-clothing aprons, et cetera. Wash all mugs, coffee pots, tea pots, et cetera. Clean keyboards, mouse, screens, shelves, picture frames, et cetera.

Deeper Clean – Monthly
A semi-large cleaning keeps the dust bunnies and cobwebs from collecting. This is the level of clean that gets noticed by guests and the public. Wipe Walls, Light Switches, Door Handles, Tops of Cases, Tops of Fans, et cetera.

Seasonal Clean – Quarterly
Inside and Outside Windows and Screens, Railing, Curtains, and Behind Appliances in this three-month cycle of clean. This is the cleaning that prevents build up of nasty toxins. While cleaning behind the appliances remember to vacuum the vents, this will extend the life of your appliance. Change vent filters in the heating and air conditioning system. If a loved one has allergies you may want to do this more often but a seasonal filter change keeps your indoor air cleaner, reducing pollen and dust. Change water purity filters too.

This is a great time to prepare a repair list too.

Comments
With the recession building management has reduced the number of cleaning personnel and it shows. Cleaning and maintenance should be a high priority because it reduces overall cost of health-care by reducing communicable diseases, and keeps public areas in better repair.

Historical Note
Until recently most Middle Class and all Upper Class Homes had one or more staff members because cleaning was a daily event. For larger homes it was common to have Upstairs and Downstairs Staff as well as Chamber and Scullery Staff.

Good Clean Health!

Writers Write

Writers gathering together at a coffee house may be a theme for the genus. Is it the adrenaline anxiety or the caffeine that pumps the blood to push the writer through any shy self consciousness? Does it matter?

Writers write and a writer’s group is a forum for improving talent or experience, expanding genres or categories. Each subsection in a library offers degrees of specialized expertise in knowledge, research, imagination, grammar, communication and talent, cross writing takes time and effort but may be incredibly rewarding.

Many famous dead writers wrote in a variety of ways: Mark Twain was a journalist and master story teller. Oscar Wilde wrote plays, poetry, stories and essays. Charlotte Bronte wrote novels and poetry.

Personal caffeine addiction/enjoyment aside, the coffee house is an artist's refuge and writer’s requirement.

Porridge in the morning, M-M- Good!

Oatmeal in the morning isn’t just for athletes. We can get all the same benefits weight lifters and other exercise fanatics get from their morning bowl of porridge. Health benefits include a leveling of metabolism, lower blood cholesterol and a stabilizing of blood glucose levels.

Oats grow on an Oat plant, also called Avena sativa. The top three producers of Oat are Russia (5.1 metric tons), Canada (3.3 metric tons) and the US (1.7 metric tons). Oats grow in temperate climates and require less heat and thrive with more rain.
Oats grow inside the hull of the plant. The plant is processed and the oats are rolled or ground for human consumption, while horses and cattle will eat the entire plant. Truly oats are an eco-friendly life cycle with every part of the plant being useful.

Health Benefits

The beta-glucan in oats is responsible for reducing the risk of heart disease, especially if combined with a low-fat diet. The fiber of rolled oat keeps digestion moving while providing maximum energy from the complex carbohydrates. Oatmeal is also high in B vitamins which are important for energy and overall good health and especially important for non-meat eaters.

Traditional Cooking Methods

Scotland: Oats have been a staple in the Scottish diet for centuries. Often cooks will soak the oats with some salt overnight then in the morning cook over a low heat until the mixture thickens.

Switzerland: Oats are soaked in milk, honey & cinnamon overnight then in the morning, add fruit & nuts, serve cold.

Vermont: An American version via Scottish settlers of the 19th Century, oatmeal is soaked overnight with a pinch of salt and maple syrup. In the morning, the mixture is cooked with nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger. This must be the best recipe because Vermont leads the US per capita for oatmeal consumption.

Clearly, oatmeal is a breakfast food of champions!

Relationship Ends

Ending a relationship, especially a life-long relationship, isn’t easy and usually isn’t done without thoughtful reflection. In some cases there is malingering contact that isn’t a relationship but isn’t broken off completely either.

Despite knowing this from past experiences in other relationships, there was one relationship that no matter how much I tried to let go, I found myself returning to “check-in” from time to time, sometimes months, sometimes years between checks. My obligation was often prompted by other people’s questions or stories of reconciliation after years apart. People do change, why don’t you try again? Maybe this time will be different.

Through the Years
So the magical thinking child inside of me, checked-in for a number of years wanting to make everything okay. The emotional adolescent checked-in for some time, angry at the wrongs and hoping for a change. Then finally, the spiritual adult arrived on the scene and said, ‘hey I’m just here to check-in because that’s what people do.’ The adult checking-in had no rhyme just randomly, periodically, via phone, mail, email… Still continuing to do what seemed obligatory by societal standards, though mentally and emotionally knowing nothing would change.

Grace from Above
The cosmic continuum lined up and in a series of events I found myself pulling up to where she was, standing there waiting. Must be a sign we hadn’t seen each other in fifteen years.

Revelation and Release
My appearance obviously came as a complete surprise. For the first time instead of the long standing declaration of love and care, ‘Yes, call,’ ‘Yes, this is important’; I heard, ‘No, don’t call’ and ‘No, I don’t want to see you.’

What I said was: ‘Coming here was a mistake. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry.”

What I thought was: “Finally, the truth… Thank you.”

What happened was the simple realization that there was nothing there… and there never had been.

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

Smooth Heels

There are few things as pleasing as producing something that is useful, good for you, and environmentally friendly.

Some of the best home-made cosmetics recipes come from Rosemary Gladstar and Jeanne Rose. Both women are long standing matriarchs of the herbal movement. Both women share their wisdom with the next generations of herbalist.


Although I can’t recall exactly where I got this recipe, it has proven useful, good for me and environmentally friendly. So I decided to share it.

With summer comes sandals and with sandals comes dry heels.

Heel Softener
1 tablespoon cocoa butter
1 tablespoon marshmallow root powder
1 teaspoon beeswax
1 teaspoon avocado oil

Place all ingredients in a glass or ceramic pot. Warm until all ingredients are melted together. Stir. Remove from heat. Pour into a jar. Cool.

Use with a pumice stone for best results.

Herbal Moving

There are few things in life as stressful as moving from one place to another, whether you are moving across town or across the country; whether you are looking forward to the move or wishing you could stay where you are. Moving is a change. Change creates stress. Often, stress creates illness. There are a several ways to make the move smoother and to combat the inevitable stress that accompanies change.

The following tactics have been developed over time. In the past twenty years, I've moved eleven times, always to a better place, whether I thought so at the time or not. Either way, moving was traumatic to my system.

The first few moves I rushed didn't take care of myself and became ill. The several weeks of illness gave me the time I needed to recover from the move rather than taking the time, a few minutes here and there throughout the day to avoid getting sick.

The next few moves, I began to learn the relationship between the trauma of moving and the debilitating illness I had afterward and I slowed down, got organized and asked for help.

Five of the last seven moves have been across the county which included a spouse, pregnancies, kids, and dogs. We all survived and remained healthy throughout the entire process.

The move when I was eight and a half months pregnant is memorable because I was also preparing for finals at the university, and chasing a very active 18 month old. But I wasn't as stressed as previous moves. What had changed is that I had learned about the moving process and had taken advantage of some very old herb wisdom that I would like to share with anyone who would care to know.

The following is the result of my experience. I would like to say that if you have any health concern, consult with your health practitioner. If you are pregnant consult with your midwife before taking any herbal preparation, the life within you is extremely sensitive to everything you put into your body.

Preparation for the move. Planning for your move can save countless aggravations. Make a list of all the things you need to do. Everything should be on the list, from mailing change of address cards to calling the utilities.

Include in your plans, time to take an extra bath or spend time with a supportive friend.

Before you pack, look through your herb cupboard; make sure that you have plenty of everything you use regularly, plus an additional one month supply. The additional herbs will carry you through until you have found a new herb supplier in your new neighborhood.

Packing is also a good time to throw things away, give unneeded items to a local thrift store or friends. The fewer extra things that are moved the fewer hassles you'll have with the move.

If you don't already have these herbs in your pantry, make a special trip to your herb store and make sure that you have them to get you through the move.

Chamomile has a calming influence. In those moments when you feel up-tight sit down and have a cup of chamomile tea.

Pennyroyal helps the nervous system maintain a balance; it also has a sedative effect. *Do not use this if you are pregnant.*

Echinacea helps promote white blood cells and helps the immune system.

Valerian is known to relieve nervous tension.

Peppermint is a stimulant. It is a good to drink in the morning, for that jump start on the day.

Making your morning tea, mix 2 parts Peppermint with 1 part of Echinacea to start your day. Place 1 teaspoon of the tea mixture in a tea strainer to 1 cup of boiling water, infuse. A simple way to infuse your tea is to pour boiling water over the strainer into a cup then place the saucer over the top of the cup for several minutes.

Keep this anti-stress tea handy for stressful moments, mix equal parts Peppermint, Echinacea and Valerian. Infuse 1 teaspoon of tea with a strainer to 1 cup of boiling water.

Relaxing in the evening is essential. Try this evening tea. Mix 2
parts Chamomile with 1 part Echinacea. Infuse 1 teaspoon of herbal tea to 1 cup of boiling water.

Keeping things as simple as possible throughout your move, you may want to mix several batches of the different teas and place them in empty heat sealable tea bags, or prepare an entire teapot or thermos full of the herbal mixture you enjoy or need the most, so it will be ready for you any time.

Proper diet and hydration gives you the nutrients your body needs to get through this transition. Drink plenty of water and keep snacks, like dried fruit and nuts, available. Mealtime is a good time to sit, relax and plan the next portion of the moving process. It is more important in the long run to eat a meal than unpack a box. The box isn't going anywhere. It will be there when you return. Taking the time you need to refuel will give you the energy you need to complete your task.

Whenever people offer help, accept it. If nobody offers, ask for the help you need. Even if you do all the actual packing, having someone to talk while you pack can be advantageous to your overall attitude. If you have children, involve them as much as possible. Kids love to help. Keep things in perspective. A broken dish can be replaced. Saying good-bye to friends doesn't mean forever.

When the old passes, it gives room in your life for new and wonderful people, places or things to replace them, if you are open...to the adventure.




Reference:
Lust, John. The Herb Book. New York: Bantam Books, 1974.
Mabey, Richard. The New Age Herbalist. New York: Collier Books, 1980.