Windstorm, Blackout and Reading Books

On the tail of hurricane Ike, we had a devastating windstorm on Sunday, September 14, 2008.
During the windstorm some the trees in our neighbor’s yard were swaying back and forth, at times almost horizontally to the ground. But they always went back ready to bend again with the next gust. Those trees maybe lost a few branches or leaves but they were firmly grounded. Then there were those which bend and snapped. Other trees were uprooted. Besides the damage I tried to find a lessons form the trees. The flexible trees are like people who can go with the flow, who can accept situations and new circumstances without complaint. The second ones are those who get bend out for shape by any unexpected event. Some people get disoriented and confused if things are not the same as they plan or what they are used to.

The result of the windstorm was that we had a blackout in Ohio. Some parts were out of electricity for a week, we were for five days in the dark.
We cooked outdoors, put extra ice in the freezer and refrigerator, used the cell-phones, and went to bed early. But there was still extra time which I usually spend on the internet and sometimes watch TV.
What better opportunity to catch up with reading books. I had several laying on the my desk and by my chair. So with a flash light I would reed “The New Earth” by Eckhardt Tolle. I also got to read part of “Bringing out the Best in People” by Alan Loy McGinnis. I certainly could practice some of the principles I came to understand and that is LIVING IN THE NOW. By just accepting any circumstance I was able to avoid confusion and frustration during that week.

Here are some links to the Cincinnati News:
http://www.journal-news.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/09/24/hjn092508hamcouncil.html

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20080925/NEWS01/309250092/

Aronia berry

Aronia berry which is commonly called "Black Chokeberry" is in the same family as the blueberry. It has even more powerful antioxidant properties than the blueberry and cranberry. It is native to our continent but more popular in Eastern Europe where people drink the juice for heart health.

Nutritional benefits of the aronia berry:
Anthocyanins (725 to 1050mg per 100g of fresh fruit)
Flavonols (quercitin, rutin, and hesperidin)
polyphenols
Quinic Acid (prevents urinary infection).
Vitamins B2, B6, E, C, and folic acid

The aronia berry is considerate a superfood and being tested in its healing properties. A lot of research is on the way in the medical world as well as the natural healing arena.


10 Benefits of the Aronia Berry
1. Is a great source of antioxidants
2. Fights against heart disease and other cardiovascular problems
3. Helps prevent blood pressure from becoming too high
4. Promotes a healthy urinary tract

5. Has anti-inflammatory properties
6. Fights bacteria and viruses, such as colds and the flu
7. Strengthens memory
8. Aids digestion
9. The body produce good cholesterol
10.Provides the body with essential oils
With all the benefits that the aronia berry has for the body, it's easy to see why this little fruit is causing quite a positive stir in the people who come in contact with its healing powers.

For more information on medical research about the aronia berry, please go to:

http://superberries.com/research.asp

To purchase the MonaVie juice which contains the aronia berry, please visit:

http://www.the-team.biz/mv991215/19Fruits/tabid/155/Default.aspx

Trust Yourself - Trust Others

A couple of days ago I noticed that I was missing a small wallet I carry with me at work. It contains a credit card, my employer’s discount card, some cash and some coupons. Naturally I was concerned when I discovered it missing. I asked my co-workers, looked in my purse and car, but couldn’t find it. When I came home I looked there in all the possible places, but couldn’t find it. Rather than getting all worked up over it, I tried to calm myself, did my rebounding exercise and tried to relax. The key was to keep my mind calm, not allowing any of the negative thoughts and accusations to come in. While I relaxed I thought back of when I used the wallet the last time. It became clear that the wallet must be in the car since I pumped some gas the day before. Sure enough when I looked in the car again, I found it in between the front seats. I wish I could say that I had a convincing feeling that I would find it. The victory was more that I could control my inner self-talk and trust myself to find it.

Another experience involves a feedback I received from one of my Amazon.com sales. One customer proclaimed that the book that she received was not the way she expected, in fact it was stained. She gave me negative feedback which lowered my overall rating. I told her in an email that I could refund her money if she was not satisfied and she should return the book. After thinking about for a few days, she demanded refund. No problem, I told her, and refunded, even though I haven’t received the book yet. I was tempted to ask her to erase her negative feedback but didn’t say anything about that. I just added a note that I had refunded her at her request as a response on her negative feedback. To my surprise she erased her negative feedback. I felt that was a victory for me, since I didn’t speak my mind to her or requested the removal of her feedback. I became sure within me to not get emotional or react to her negativity.

Somehow I feel that these two incidences are related. I am working now on becoming sure within myself, not identifying myself with any external circumstance or person for who I am or what I do. Eckhart Tolle, in his book A New Earth, writes extensively about the Ego in chapter 3. As long as we state facts and not complain, being the watcher of circumstances rather than reacting to them, we can keep the ego in check. He talks about the ego taking everything personally. When emotion arises or perhaps aggression, the ego is involved and tries to defend itself. The ego confuses opinions and viewpoints with facts. It is a master of selective perception and distorted interpretation.

Through awareness – not through thinking – can we differentiate between facts and an opinion.

Apricots

Apricots came originally from China and were brought by explorers to the Mediterranean. The Spaniards brought them to the New World. Apricots ripen early in the summer and are priced for their antioxidant compounds. They are also packed with vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.

Nutritional Value of Apricots
Nutritional Value / 100 grams
Vitamin A 2,790 I.U
Vitamin B .3 mg
Vitamin C 7 mg
Calcium 16 mg
Phosphorus 23 mg
Potassium 165 mg
Carbohydrates 12.9 gm
Protein 1.0 gm
Calories 51

Apricots are also an excellent source of minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron and traces of sodium, sulphur, manganese, cobalt and bromine.

Health Benefits

The fruit, kernel (inner softer part of the seed), oil and flowers of the apricot have always been used in medicine and medical treatment from ancient days.
The kernel yields an oil that is similar to that of the almond and is widely used for their sedative, anti-spasmodic relief to strained muscles. It is also useful for healing of wounds, expelling worms and as a general health tonic.
Anemia: The high content of iron in apricot makes it an excellent food for anemia sufferers. The small but essential amount of copper in the fruit makes the iron available to the body. Liberal consumption of apricot can increase the production of hemoglobin in the body. This is ideal for women after their menstrual cycle, especially those with heavy flow.
Constipation: The cellulose and pectin content in apricot is a gentle laxative and are effective in the treatment of constipation. The insoluble cellulose acts as a roughage which helps the bowel movement. The pectin absorbs and retains water, thereby increasing bulk to stools, aiding in smooth bowel movement.
Digestion: Take an apricot before meal to aid digestion, as it has an alkaline reaction in the digestive system.
Eyes/Vision: The high amount of vitamin A (especially when dried) is essential to maintain or improve eyesight. Insufficiency of this vitamin can cause night blindness and impair sight.
Fever: Blend some honey and apricots with some mineral water and drink to cool down fevers. It quenches the thirst and effectively eliminates the waste products from the body.
Skin Problem: Juice fresh apricot leaves and apply on scabies, eczema, sun-burn or skin itchiness, for that cool, soothing feeling.

To learn more about the juice combination of 19 fruits in MonaVie, please visit:
http://www.the-team.biz/mv991215/Home/tabid/148/Default.aspx

Labor Day Project

Fall 2008









I had plans for this landscaping project for a while. Last year I was health-wise unable do it. In the spring I missed the planting season. When the end of summer came along (at least by the calendar in September), I knew it was the right time.

I had hoped that my son could help with this work, but he had to work that weekend. I started to move some soil on Thursday and then again on Friday. By Saturday morning I was in full swing. Because I wanted to sift the soil to find the hidden bulbs of tulips, daffodils, crocus, hyacinths, etc. it became a big job to move the soil. It was also hot and became hotter as the day went on. Many times during the whole project I thought of just stopping and doing it “some other time.” I had a certain picture in my mind and I also looked at the neighbor’s front yard and how pretty it looked, and I just couldn’t stop. So, I just took some breaks and continued.

Every once in a while my husband (he has a physical condition which does not allow him to do such kind of work) came out and encouraged me. He also helped me fix my sifter. After I bought a new piece of hardware cloth from the hardware store, he helped me put it back on the old frame.

By Sunday morning I could see the end of the groundcover go to my compost pile. We had to make several trips to Home Depot to purchase the bricks, since we have just a regular car and could only get 20 at a time. I had calculated 50 or so. Well, we ended up needing 82, since there is such a slope and we needed 4 layers on top of each other at the lower side.

The moral of the story is that we need perseverance to finish any project and be willing to encounter any setback as a stepping stone. Because of my determination and commitment to get this project done, I found energy and strength within myself which surprised me.

I am very pleased with the end result after I planted some hardy plants for now and a lot of blooming bulbs for next spring. I am looking forward to see the daffodils and crocus bloom next year.









Spring 2009








I hope that in the years to come I can add bulbs in the Fall and it will fill out more. (4-16-09)

Acerola Cherry

Acerola cherries are widely known for their high Vitamin C and A content. Additionally, acerola contain potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus and other minerals. They also are rich in phyto-nutrients and protein. With this, they support the body’s immune system, help with diarrhea, dysentery and anti-fungal activity.
Other traditional uses of acerola berries include: postmenopausal disorders, digestive disorders, colds, fever, infection, stomachaches and in prevention of tooth decay.
Acerola’s high antioxidant content contributes to the health benefits of the MonaVie juice.
The acerola cherry grows wild in tropical and subtropical climates. It also grows in some parts of Southern California.

To learn more about the the health benefits of the MonaVie juice, please visit: Official MonaVie Claims List.

To learn about the MonaVie juice with 19 fruits, please visit:http://www.the-team.biz/mv991215/19Fruits/tabid/155/Default.aspx

Be still - take a break

"Be Still and Know That I am God." Psalms 46:10

Everybody needs to take a break at times. I am not just talking about a coffee break or bathroom break.
In The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey gives a whole chapter to habit #7 – Sharpen the Saw. He talks about the four dimensions of our nature as a human being. Physical includes exercise, nutrition and stress management. Next is the Social – Emotional aspect which mentions: service, empathy, synergy and intrinsic security. Another aspect is the Spiritual dimension. It notes value clarification and commitment, study and meditation. Finally he includes the Mental aspect with reading, visualizing, planning and writing. All four dimensions help us preserve and enhance our greatest assets – ourselves. Paying attention to all four aspects will create balance and allows us to make better decisions by including recreational activities into our lives.

Most of us don’t have a problem with the physical aspects, they are more obvious. During my vacation I was reading a book Journey to Center by Thomas F. Crum. He emphasizes the importance of going inside, being centered and finding the peace and power there. So far, I had glimpse of moments where I could connect with that stillness, that no-thingness inside. That is what the word vacation means, to vacate or make empty.

We are so full of information and stimuli today, therefore we have to make extra effort to just watch simple moments – like the other day I was watching trops of frosting dripping from one bucket into a bowl. Nothing very meaningful but that short moment of about 5 minute gave me very much peace for hours to come. The idea is to observe the space in between the apparent matter where there is no time or space.

Deepak Chopra in his book Creating Affluence calls it possibility amplitude. By the magic of our attention to this place of nothingness we can connect to our true selves and the infinite, omnipotent and omnipresent creator of the universe. We can practice this magic of attention in five ways: watching (eyes), listening (ears), smelling (nose), touching (hands) and tasting (tongue). The magic is that we don’t have these functions only on the physical plane. Our spiritual self has the same abilities in the spiritual realm. Some people sum these functions up as the sixth sense.

Have you ever thought about why we have the seventh day – Sabbath – as a day of rest and reflection? Or why we sleep at night where all the repairing and healing of our body takes place? Nature has built in certain functions which we want to be aware of and abide. So, next time you get overwhelmed with a situation, just go inside and find the place within or even better, set aside times during the day where you center yourself and have a moment of meditation. Be still – take a break.