Our Country Needs a Mom

Ordinarily, I try to stay away from religious and political postings, not because I don't have beliefs and opinions, but because I don't want this to become a platform. I'd rather just keep it ground for sharing.

Today, however, I am stating a political opinion, half tongue-in-cheek, half seriously.

Our country needs a mom! Really. Think about it. This country is our home, and should be run more like a home and less like a business. Just think what would happen if we got a good, practical mom in charge:

There wouldn't be deficit spending. "If we don't have the money, we don't buy it, simple as that." Can't you hear her? "Let's save for what we want. NASA, you might consider an Adopt an Astronaut Program to help with your budget." Saurday White House lawn bake sales would become a frequent activity.

Waste would certainly be cut, and some White house dinners might even become pot luck. If everyone brought something to share, it would certainly cut costs. And the elected officials would be expected to set a good example. Their behavior would be monitored and they would have their allowances cut (read unpaid leave) when deemed necesssary.

Ah yes, "And you (pointing a finger at unruly, misbehaving illegal aliens)...you go back to your country until you learn how to behave. When you come in legally, and nicely, and don't break the rules (laws), then we'll talk."

Time outs (prisons) would be structured so that offenders would not want to go back.  Behavior modifications programs would include incentives and consequences appropriate to the infraction. "And no desserts! Not until you get out and be good" (as the aroma of warm apple pie fills the air).

Any more mom ideas to share? All in good fun, not meant to inflame...

Peace and light.

Smiles ~ Kids Learning to Talk ~ Remembering

You have to write them down...you really do. You absolutely will forget a lot of those cute things your kids say when they are trying to figure out the language. There will be occasional events that trigger a memory, and some memories will stay strong, but wouldn't a book full of those cute little words be  wonderful? I am sure I have forgotten a lot more than I have remembered.

My two daughters are different as night and day. I have always said I received the best of two different worlds in their arrivals. They are grown now, but some of the words they coined are with us still, or at least with me. Both talked early, and learned the language quickly, with fun things along the way.

DD1, when learning the parts of the body, said "elbow" and then pointed to her leg joint and said "kneebow". It made sense to her, and I must say I agree. FeeVee was the designation for the television, and compound words were reversed: widesalk, sindowill, and flutterby were the favorites. She was convinced that the thing that went around her neck at mealtime was called a bibon - isn't it just obvious why? Have(with a long a) was a verb, as in, "Mommy, I'm being as have as I can!"

DD2 preferred belbow as her arm joint reference, but loved the y sound. Yadeerow was her word for radio and we still call the little round candy covered chocolates Yem and Ms. Anywhere you went to get something was a store: grocery store, clothing store, money store(bank) and dinner store(restaurant).

Kids have such a great view of the world and often make more sense than do we adults. It is such a joy to watch them experience learning. I am now blessed with two grandchildren and am witnessing that fun all over again.

Please share your kid word memories. They are smile makers, and we can never have enough smiles!

Peace and light

Living Your Spirit #35 ~ Nothing

Take time to do Nothing.


"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky is by no means a waste of time."
                                                                                                                         ~ J. Lubbock

Free Printable Planner Page Hot List

I used to write my Hot List (see previous post) on an index card because it is cheap and convenient and I can fold it in half to pretty much fit any pocket. I was doing some designing one day and made some printable lists for myself that I found I really enjoy using. As I have to print them, I am also more careful not to waste them and use them more efficiently. I sometimes used too many index cards at one time and pretty soon I didn't know which was which.

I like making my own fillers for my planner because I can tailor them to fit my needs. I also enjoy designing attractive pages that make me want to use my planner on a more regular basis. Creative types like me tend to get bored with plain lines. I am working on some sets now and hopefully you will be able to see them soon.

I'll be putting my printable lists on Etsy in the near future. For a FREE printable of my Hot List, just link to this post on your blog or website, and add your email address in the comments section here along with a link to your blog or website and I will email you your own printable version in PDF format. Please note that you may use this as much as you want for personal use, but not for resale (that's a copyright no-no). This Hot List is part of the River Cottage Collection, which will soon be available as printables and scrapbook set.

There are three lists on an 8.5 x 11 sheet. I just use a paper trimmer to cut them (or you can use scissors). I also have a seven hole punch for classic size planner that I just love. They run anywhere from $10 to $50. I have a Franklin Covey that works very nicely that I bought for about $25.00. Amazon.com has it listed right now for $20.10.

Note: I do not make any money from companies that I recommend here. I am only passing along my own preferences.

As always, I'd love to know what you think.
Peace and light.

Living Your Spirit #34 ~ Bringing Mindfulness to Life

I awaken...and immediately beging to mentally list all of the things to do, then I stop, and remind myself to be aware of the light. I look out the window and look at the day. It is bright and beautiful and I make a mental note to make sure I allow some outdoor time today, even though it is still cool and crisp.

As I go through my morning routine, I find my mind starting to wander again to the day's list. This list is usually comprised of more things than I can reasonably accomplish. Once again I remind myself to be in the moment. "You are brushing your teeth," I tell myself. "Be in the brushing."

I wend my way through the hall and downstairs to prepare coffee, my morning indulgence, although without caffeine, and I enjoy the aroma of the grounds and the sparkle of sunlight through the window. While the coffee brews, I wipe the sink clean and take a moment to enjoy the shine while I pour my coffee.

I settle at my desk with pen and pad and my previous day's list, adding anything I think may be of importance. Then I give myself just a few things to do. It's my hot list for the day and contains only what absolutely must be done and a small number of other things I'd like to accomplish. Once this is done, I carry the hot list in my pocket, and refer to it as the day progresses. I do not even look at the Master List again until the next morning. If anything occurs during the day that needs my immediate attention, I write it on the bottom of the hot list. As I think of other tasks or appointments I write them on the back of the Hot List and will add them to the Master List the next day. Choosing only a few things that have to be done and looking at the Master List each morning while enjoying my coffee helps me to prioritize which allows me to "be in the moment" of whatever else it is I am doing for the day.

As my mind's natural bent is to race forward, this has taken some practice. Slowing down is not what the world preaches today. We are encouraged to be fast-paced multi-taskers, and there is a cost to that. Our stress levels are sometimes off the charts, and unrelenting stress can cause permanent health damage (a post for another day).

We do have lives that are full, and usually have a lot to accomplish. It needn't be overwhelming. We don't have to go full speed ahead all the time. We can do one thing at a time and enjoy the moment for what it is, be it work or pleasure. Even an unpleasant task can be made more tolerable by looking at it with new perspective. Putting the unpleasant things at the top of the list will get them out of the way first, enabling you to better enjoy the rest of your day.

Being aware of our surroundings...on the drive to the office, for example, can give us bursts of joy to carry us through a day. Instead of trying to think of all the things you need to do when you get there, be in the driving and be aware of your surroundings. Notice the sun rising in the sky, maybe the smell of the rain, or that chocolate factory you pass every day. Witness the fact that the lady that lives in the farmhouse that you don't even know has planted flowers, and you get to enjoy them too. Oh, and yes...be in the driving!

Part of being mindful is to organize those potential distractions early in the day so they don't keep interrupting you. Some people I know like to do this before bed so they can start the next day fresh. I admit as nice as this sounds to me, by the end of the day my brain sometimes doesn't want to play. You'll find a system that works well for you, I'm sure. If you already have a system, please share it with us.

Peace and light and joy to you in your moments! I'd love to know about them...

Housecleaning Files ~ Folder Tip

Spring cleaning and taxes - time to reorganize the files. Don't you just hate it when you have to tear off a label and put on a new one and either it won't come off at all or it tears most of the folder away? I bought a box of recycled folders a few years ago and didn't like that it was difficult and messy to reuse them and still have them look neat.

My solution? I placed a piece of clear packing tape in the labeling area and then used blank address labels (the kind you buy for your printer) to place on top of the packing tape. When it comes time to change the label, it peels off the packing tape nicely and a new one goes in place just as easily. It takes just a little time to put the packing tape on your folders, but saves time, money, and frustration in the long run. If you don't want to buy labels, any piece of paper with a strip of scotch tape on top will serve the same purpose.

Plus factor? Everything stays relatively neat, and your folders last longer.  If you mess up a label, it's easy to change it...

Happy organizing!

Please share any tips you might have.

Living Your Spirit #33 ~ The Important Women in Our Lives

On the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day it only seems fitting to recognize, remember, and think about those women who have affected our lives in large or small ways.

Famous women, of course, have made an impact by the things they have done and the things they have said. There are many heroes among them, and I applaud their intelligence, courage, creativity, and all the things they have accomplished. I have learned much from learning about them. There are many women, however, that remain unsung. These women who have made an impact on our lives, but have never gained fame or recognnition, are the women I would like us to think about today. Here are but a scant few from my own life.

My Mother.
     I learned from her example never to be afraid of hard work. She worked very hard all of her life, often at more than one job, and never once made us feel like she was sacrificing anything. Among many other things, I can thank her for a strong work ethic.

My Grandmother.
     She taught us not to waste anything. She lived through the depression as a widowed mother of three and "Waste not, want not" was her mantra. The verse of the day was "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." My fondness for recycling and repurposing surely comes from her.

My High School English Teacher
     She made us learn the words in the Reader's Digest feature every month and stressed the importance of good grammar. Her joy in words was so evident, and she was definitely a positive influence in my love of language.

My Sister
     She taught me grace. She was loving and good and as far as I know, never said an unkind word about anyone. During her terminal illness she was the epitome of grace and dignity throughout. The continued presence of those elements sustains me often in troubling times.

My Daughters
     I have experienced pure love and joy through their mere existence, and found delight in accomplishments that were not my own. I have savored every moment of their differences and their similarities. To observe a child grow is one of life's greatest mysterious pleasures. I am grateful to them for having been born.

My Granddaughter
     It is everything they say and more ~ being a grandparent. All of a sudden you are willing to risk your life, and very possibly someone else's, to protect this child. You can find pleasure in the moments you might have missed as a mother because you were busy taking care of your children's needs and being totally responsible for their welfare. My granddaughter just makes my life sparkle!

There are many others. Aunts and cousins and friends and teachers and grocery store clerks and co-workers and strangers on the street have all made a difference. I thank all of the women who have passed through my life, and cherish all of the women who are still in it.

Who are your special women? We would love to know...

Just Too Cute Not to Post

Little Bucky Foo Foo
I don't want to see you
Chewing up the cushion
And pulling out the fluff

Looking innocent

Acting nonchalant

Thinks I'm not watching

Planning the next move

Ready

Go

Little red-eyed devil

Good thing he's so cute!

A Most Extraordinary Story

Just a story about luck, and other-worldly things.

My father was the one with the Irish heritage, but my mother had all the luck. She never had a lot of money, but always had a positive attitude and was always winning things...not usually big things, but door prizes, raffles, and on one plane trip to Las Vegas, she won on the slot machines in the airport before she even got there! So...she got the reputation as the lucky one.

She had a hard working life, but a nice, simple retirement that was full of pleasure for her. She lived until 92 years of age and smiled every day. I was her youngest child, and we had a special relationship. In her final two years in a lovely nursing home, I always felt that my brother looked after her financial and physical needs and I looked after her emotional ones. My sister had passed on years before.

On the evening of the day she died, I took a long walk around my brother's neighborhood, enjoying and needing the solitude. On that walk, I found six four leaf clovers. Count 'em, six!  It took me some time to process, but what could it be but a message from my dear mother sending me her love, and maybe her luck.

As if that wasn't extraordinary enough, for weeks after, I found at least one four leaf clover a day, often more than that. It seemed that they were finding me. At first, I pressed them between pages of a book, but then I started giving them away, usually to the first person I saw after the finding, for I already had so many.  I put one in a painting, gave them as baby gifts, even finding them on my way into the hospital to see the newborn child. I keep very few now, and don't find them nearly as often, but I still look, and once in a while, find a happy surprise.

Ponder...

These are just a few. The two tiny ones in the lower right hand corner I found on my birthday. The pretty one below them is one I found on her birthday, and the one to the left of the tiny ones I found on Mother's Day.

Blind Sketching 2nd Day

Same blind sketching process, done quickly. On this, green was done blindly first, followed by blind pen. I then deliberately (and sightedly) accented what the blindness brought me in red. This is fun and I sometimes have an idea where it's going. It does allow me the freedom that I usually have trouble giving myself, so it is a good exercise.

Sketch Wednesday 2nd

no...not blind.

Tuesday ~ Blind Sketching

Today I started a week of blind sketches. I started with the blue, my eyes closed, and just let my hand do what it wanted.  I then took the pen, closed my eyes, relaxed, and did the same. I then used the violet, eyes open, to accent what the blindness brought me. I did this last step quickly, not wanting the result to become elaborate or deliberately representational. This meditative exercise has brought my spirit to the surface on many occasions. It was interesting to note the circular patterns my blind steps took.

Tips for Eating Raw

I enjoy eating raw foods and "uncooking" all of the wonderful recipes out there, and coming up with my own concoctions. One of the things that I have noticed though, is that just as in the standard american diet (SAD), there are a lot of sweet treats, however raw and natural they may be. It is a good idea, if we are going to embrace raw eating, to balance these as we would in any other healthy eating regimen. I don't prepare too many elaborate sweet recipes. I am happy with the Chia Bliss Pudding (below), a piece of fruit, or one or two medjool dates if I want a sweet treat. I find that the less I include sweets in my day, the less I crave them.

Another thing about eating raw is that many of the recipes are nut based, which means that they have a high fat content. While they are good fats, and are unadulterated by the heating process, it is easy to consume a diet that has a higher fat content than is desirable. I love nuts, so this is something I try to watch.

Adding plenty of fresh vegetables and greens is a great way to bring balance. I'll be posting some salad and salad dressing recipes (some nut based, some vegetable based) later in the week.

This is my cabinet of basics. Although I do have some nuts and seeds stored in these jars, they are usually used quickly. For things stored for a longer period, I refrigerate or freeze. This is especially true of macadamia nuts and sunflower seeds. I also refrigerate hemp seed and ground flaxseed, except for small portions that will be used within a few days.

Have a glorious day!

Friday's Quick Sketch

Trying to keep with the program...more sketching, even if only a few minutes.

We Can't Rig Sails to Our Cars

"If every U.S. citizen ate just one meal a week (any meal) composed of locally and organically raised meats and produce, we would reduce our country’s oil consumption by over 1.1 million barrels of oil every week. That’s not gallons, but barrels. Small changes in buying habits can make big differences. Becoming a less energy-dependent nation may just need to start with a good breakfast."


This was written by Steven L. Hopp in Barbara Kingsolver's book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. It was written in 2007 but is still pertinent today, maybe even more so. We are so concerned with gas prices as should we be, but there is more involved that the cars we drive ourselves. This book is well worth the read.

Some days there are no posts...some days a lot. This was important enough to add to today. I may repeat it ocassionally for emphasis.

Please know I make no money from things I may mention on my blog (other than my own artwork and other makings that I sell separately). I recommend things becuse I like them or think they are valuable or useful. We need to do more free sharing.

Thank you, I'll get off my soapbox now, although it does give me a vantage point I don't usually have from the low to the ground perspective with which I was biologically blessed.

Coments? Yeah...if you want.
 

Living Your Spirit #31 ~ Take This Moment

This moment...take this moment and embrace it, wrap yourself in it, even if it isn't what you think you want, for we don't always understand that this moment may have unseen purpose.

There is the zen philosophy of living in the moment, and I feel it is an important one, for often we are muti-tasking to the point that we are not even paying attention to the moment, let alone living it. But embracing the moment...that goes a bit further. It is when we stop, recognize the moment and hold it close to us, fo it may have something to teach.
 
I know, many of you are sitting there shaking your heads saying, "Yeah, well you don't want MY moment!" and I know that not all moments give us pleasure. There are many, many unpleasant and painful moments. Our lives have sadness, grief and pain as well as pleasure, laughter and joy, but whatever it is we are experiencing at one moment in time has something to teach us.
 
We miss many lessons of the moment because we are busy living them, or trying to live through them. We can't possibly embrace every single moment of every single day, but throughout the day, we can stop at random and recognize a moment, sieze it for what it is, look deep into it, and maybe learn.
 
Peace and light on your journey of moments.

Friday Raw Breakfast ~ Bucky Granola (gluten free)

I don't have to worry about gluten, but for those of you that do, this breakfast recipe is gluten free.  I was waiting to get the buckwheat in the dehydrator so I could get them in my tummy! I am usually careful about what I dehydrate together because of possible cross contamination of odors...like onions with apples, etc. I have been wanting to make onion bread, but wanted to wait until after the flax crackers and Buckies were done. I had the flax crackers in and then had to wait for the buckwheat to sprout so I have had a few days of a partially filled dehydrator. It IS more efficient if you can think of things to dry that can go in together to fill up your trays.

First - making the Buckies (dehydrated buckwheat groats)

Sprouted, dehydrated buckwheat is great and can be used in a lot of things. Many people think buckwheat is a grain, but is actually a fruit seed from a broadleaf plant that is similar to rhubarb. You can buy buckwheat groats at any health food store.  I always buy organic anyway, but you want to make sure you have organic to ensure sprouting. Sprouted seeds are easier to digest.

Soak 1 cup of buckwheat groats in filtered water for about 8 hours. I like to do mine overnight so they are ready to rinse in the morning. Rinse thoroughly in a large strainer or sieve. I find they will slip through the holes of most colanders, Allow the buckheat to remain on the strainer and place it over a container to allow for drainage. Set aside on the counter in an area that receives light. Rinse well every several  hours until you see tails beginning to sprout from the seeds. This may take 1 to 2 days from the initial rinsing. Spread in thin layers on dehydrator sheets lined with teflex, or on cookie sheets lined with wax paper if you are planning to use your oven (remember, lowest temp for oven with door slightly open). Temperatures over 115 degrees usually will destroy raw plant enzymes, but if you don't have a dehydrator, and want to make these, your oven will have to do, right? You can also put them in the sun, just be careful of critters. Dehydrate 8 hours at 115 degrees. Some people will say 3 hours, but I like to make sure there is no moisture left, so I just put them in before I go to bed. You can't over-dry them.  Oven times will vary. They will be very light and crispy when done. You can use them for so many things, you may want to make a larger batch. They will keep indefinitely stored in an airtight jar.

So here's the Bucky Granola recipe. I eat 1/2 cup of it with 1/2 cup of almond milk and a packet of stevia. My current batch was made without raisins because I was out of them. Experiment with this and try different things.
I use all raw, organic ingredients.

Bucky Granola
Buckies (from a 1 cup soaked batch)
1/4 cup ground flax seed
1/4 cup hemp seed
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup goji berries
2Tbsp sesame seeds
2Tbsp poppy seeds
1/4 cup dried coconut
1/4 cup raisins
2Tbsp sunflower seeds

Mix together and store in airtight container. Makes 2 and 3/4 cups. Enjoy!
Let us know what else you're doing with your Buckies!

Don't you love the shadows from the bowl?

Thursday Raw Breakfast ~ Cinnamon Flax Crackers

This is breakfast this morning with a piece of fruit. No, not ALL of them. They just looked so pretty on the plate. I'll have two or three and wrap the rest and put them in the breadbox. They are completely dehydrated, so will keep a long time. Another raw food offering that is easy to make, although you do need to plan ahead if you want them for something special, because they do need time in the dehydrator. I make my own almond milk and use the leftover pulp. You can simply soak almonds overnight and grind them and use that.

Cinnamon Flax Crackers (makes about 24  3 inch diameter crackers)
Pulp from 1 cup of soaked and ground almonds. ( I use the leftover pulp from my almond milk making)
1 cup ground flaxseed (flax meal)
1/2 tsp cinnamon (or to taste)
1 packet stevia (or to taste)
pinch sea salt
1 cup filtered wated

Combine all ingredients. Drop by teaspoon onto teflex sheet and smooth into thin circle with back of spoon. This takes a little time, but is fun and relaxing. Dehydrate at 115 degrees for several hours, or until tops are dry, then flip onto another tray and remove the teflex. Allow to dehydrate several more hours or until completely dry. This usually takes less than 24 hours to complete.

For those without a dehydrator, you can put your oven on its lowest temp, and use a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Over 115 degrees approcahes the limit for the raw enzymes to be preserved, but they will still be delicious.

Flax seed is renowned for its high omega 3 content and is a good oil for your body.
Almonds are considered alkaline (one of the few nuts that is)

Enjoy these. Let me know what you think. I love feedback.  And I remembered the picture today.

Wednesday's Sketch

Need to do more sketching, just for the serenity of it all...it's so cathartic. As my studio is in the garage, and it is still usually pretty cold out there, I dragged a little basket with my watercolor supplies into the study, and there, on my rocking chair, I was perfectly happy. It is tantamount to meditation,as I get lost in it all. Here's today's sketch. It's just a small thing. It is on 5 x 6 inch paper of unknown content.

Chia Bliss Pudding ~ Now You're Going to Think I'm Just Nuts

Chia seed pudding...no, really! Chia seeds (food grade, not Chia Pet grade, silly) are one of the most nutritionally dense foods around. Read HERE for a good article on this high energy endurance food.

Anyway, you are either going to love it or hate it on first try. The texture is quite interesting. It has gelatinous properties and can be used as a thinkening agent, but the little crunch of the seeds remains. It could become and acquired taste...I adored it from the beginning!

This is my own recipe. Look for more variations later. Again, no picture. I have to remember to shoot before eating. Bliss? *nodding* Yes...because I feel REALLY good after eating this.

Chia Bliss Pudding
1/2 cup almond milk
1 Tbsp chia seeds
1 packet stevia
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 Tbsp unsweetened coconut
1 Tbsp slivered almonds

Mix almond milk, stevia and vanilla. Add chia seeds. Allow to stand for at least 20 minutes.
Stir well and add almonds and coconut.
Makes 1 serving. 258 calories
Enjoy!

Okay, I really would like to know if you like this. I know I loved it, but I eat a lot of things at which most people will turn up their noses.
Good? Huh? What do you think?

Keeps You Going All Morning ~ Hemp Hemi

I'll get back to the art posts, and Living Your Spirit - I promise, but I feel so good when I consume raw food that it just doesn't seem fair not to share it.

I had this for breakfast this morning. I make all sorts of smoothie drinks, but my husband thinks the word smoothie doesn't do justice to the power of the drink, so we call them Hemis now. Laugh if you will, these mixtures are great energy boosters, good for you, and taste teriffic.

Hemp Hemi
1 cup purified water
1 banana
2 Tbsp Hemp seed, hulled (available at most health food stores)
2 cups frozen mixed berries (anything with raspberries will have seeds in it...I don't mind, you may)
1 handful spinach (yes, spinach! You don't even taste it.)
Stevia to taste ( I use one packet Sweet Leaf)

Mix all in high speed blender until well processed.
Add straw for extra fun.
I drank it before I thought to take a picture, but it looks something like this.


Makes two servings about 200 calories each. I drink the whole thing and then go lighter at lunch.

Try this one, and let me know how you like it. Stay tuned for other variations. More on the benefits of hemp seed in a later post.

YUM!

Raw Ginger Limeade

This is so refreshing, and much better for you than commercially prepared beverages:

1 5" piece fresh plump ginger, peeled and chunked
3 cups filtered water
Blend in high speed blender until thoroughly mixed and ginger is finely ground. Allow to sit for half an hour.
Strain mixture through cloth bag into large bowl. Transfer to glass jar if desired. This will keep in refrigerator several days if it lasts that long.

For beverage:
In a tall glass mix 1/4 cup of ginger water with 2T lime juice and 1 pkg stevia. Fill glass with water. Add chopped ice if desired.

For a sweeter ginger drink, omit lime juice. You can substitute raw honey or agave as a sweetener.

The ginger water can also be added to hot water for a great ginger tea.

Enjoy!

For Fun ~ Cryptic Crosswords ~ for the Love of Wordsmithing

Some are easier than others.

They are all cleverly tricky.

Many are available online...here's one source:
http://thinks.com/crosswords/cryptic/cryptic.htm
and one a little easier:
http://www.lovattscrosswords.co.uk/news/lovatts-online-puzzles/play-daily-cryptic-crossword-puzzle-online/

Here's an online guide:
http://www.puzzlers.org/guide/index.php?expand=cryptics1

I find them therapeutic and calming...some may find them stressful.

Oh, go ahead...vent here!

Living Your Spirit #30 ~ Health Care or Fear-Based Symptom Management for Profit?

So what do you think?

One of the things I am pondering today is the outrageous launching of new products by the pharmaceutical companies and their incessant and inane advertising. How much of what they are selling is actually advantageous and how much is preying on our "magic bullet" belief systems?

One small example: "Buy this pill for indigestion," they'll hock, but then list the side effects, which often include the word fatal. I know...they have to include the disclaimer, no matter how small the odds, but why would someone opt for any chance at all...for indigestion?

I have long been an advocate of Natural Health and believe that the pharmaceutical companies and the allopathic medical community (run by the pharmaceutical companies) do not always tell you, if they even know, what you need to do to stay healthy, because they don't make money unless you are sick and need their drugs. This generalization certainly does not include all the wonderful doctors who work integatively with their clients to include comlimentary practices.

Do not misread me, I am very thankful for the good medicines we have that we need for many serious things, and for excellent medical and surgical care that is very valuable in many situations; but we need to think, because things are getting out of hand. They are getting out of control to the point of running amok. We need not to be so easily led that we don't use our brains to help us make wise choices for ourselves and our families.

Much of what ails us is from what we put into and onto our bodies and what we are exposed to either by our own choices or involuntarily. Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine said, "Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food," and it is still applicable today.

Just one thing...when I eat raw food, I never, ever have indigestion.

Interesting, huh? Your thoughts?
Ponder...

Pictureless

There are things too precious for words,

Moments that bring tears of joy,
Memories that can never be saved in a book of pictures;
Like the sweet, warm smell of a baby's damp head
When he awakens from his nap and you lift him into your arms;
Like the soft touch of his little fingers on your face
As he explores where your nose is, and your eyes, and your ears;
The delightful, repetitive giggle as the two of you play peek-a-boo
Over and over and over again;
The way he sticks his little toes in your face
Because he knows you will kiss and tickle them;
When he falls asleep in your arms in the rocking chair
And you would sit there holding his sleeping sweetness
All night, if you could ~
Moments of joy this little child will not remember
But that you will hold forever in the scrapbook of your heart.

Pictureless copyright Donna Welsh 2011