Blog Carnival 12/31/2008

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So, what is a Blog Carnival, anyway?


A blog carnival is a collection of blog articles from across the web on the topic of natural holistic health. Bloggers write 'journals' or short articles about specific topics. In this case, I organize articles about natural holistic health and medicine, and then give you a quick run down. You can click on the link for any blog you might be interested in.

Simple click on the title of this page or right here for the most current edition!


Do you have a blog? Submit an article for consideration!

I look forward to reading your comments, too!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I wish all the readers of this blog the best for 2009! I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to a new year. But as the song goes, 'These are the Days' which kind of makes me wonder what is waiting. Still, I'm very positive.

I like to take a look at the past (briefly), the present and look forward to the present every once in a while and usually on my birthday and New Years. I'm not big on New Years resolutions (a lot of change all at once) because change takes time, so I like to make goals for the year, and give myself some time.

Past

There are things from 2008 that I'm very proud of and pleased with on a personal and professional level. I started a new website (pray-with-beads.com), built naturally holistic.net even more and opened an online store for custom made rosaries and jewelry. I did this while holding down a full time job, AND maintaining most of my sanity. I love to write, and I hope to make a living as a writer creator of beautiful things with beads. Life is about enjoying what you do, and I enjoy things most when I contribute and touch others. I also take a look at the areas needing improvement. One of those very important areas screaming for improvement is taking better care of myself. Isn't this the way it goes? In order to achieve the things I want to, that will one day buy me more time to care for myself, I have to sacrifice somewhere and sadly that has been my free time. Hmmm Yes, there is room for improvement, and I'm working on that! I work real hard at following my own secrets to success! Which quickly brings me to...

Present

This is the time to ask myself if I'm at peace and happy. Happiness is a choice, of course, and I try to stay happy and positive. I'm pretty good at this, but not perfect. I would feel more peaceful if I took better care of myself. I'm working on that, and I try to remember that 'these are the days!' Finding happiness in today makes it much easier to be at peace and filled with joy. Yearning for more is a sure fire way to never really be happy with today. That's a touch lesson to learn, though isn't it? Maybe that is one of the lessons of the current financial situation of our society. I think so.

I enjoy the days even more when I stop and consider what I am really grateful for. There are so many, but I can say that I am grateful:

• For old friends that are still around and for the relationships that are stronger than ever-even if we don't see each other much.
• For my high school buddies who still see the teenager (nerdy as I was!) in me and love me just the same.
• For the wonderful, caring, smart, professional people I work with. I'm especially grateful for our manager who goes the extra mile because she has room in her heart for each of us.
• For my family and our health.
• For the laughter of my son, who I almost lost in war.
• For my three little doggies who are such good listeners.
• For my job!
• For my husband who cleaned the house for me yesterday.
• For the readers and supporters of my websites and blog.

Is is easy to forget about being grateful as we struggle with life's challenges. Just a simple list (written down) can turn a sad attitude to pure joy!

Future

I like to make a list and general time line. I don't spend a lot of time doing this because I've learned that great things land in my lap when I'm not looking. I like to consider these God's plans, and they are usually so much better than any I could come up with on my own. I'm going to spend more time in prayer and meditation so I can be quiet long enough to hear, too. Stayed tuned to this blog to see what the future brings! (I hope God's plans include a trip to Hawaii, but we'll see....)

Happy New Year and thank you for the support!

May all YOUR dreams come true

Be sure and visit my websites, naturally-holistic (natural holistic health for the busy person) and pray-with-beads (bringing an ancient practice back to life). There are over 200 pages of information. Be sure and support the google advertisers, if you are interested, and if you decide to order any of my recommendations from Amazon.com, you'll help support my website. It doesn't cost you anything, but it helps me.

Is the Crisis a Crisis of Balance?

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Amazon.com pays me a small commission for referrals, and best of all-it won't cost you at all! Thank you for your continued support!

Well, we’re nearing the end of 2008, and many of us are really looking forward to 2009. This year has proven to be the year of uncertainty, although there isn’t real hope that 2009 will be different. Someone I admire said today, ‘it is more of a re-balance.’ When I hear the word balance, I have a tiny pang of guilt mixed with anxiety because I’m so far out of balance. It seems the harder I try to be in balance, the further away I get. Okay, I digress...

Many people I know are living a live out of balance. We run around trying to do more, achieve more and make more as if there just won’t be enough ‘someday.’ The fear of not having enough keeps us running-even running on empty. Well, guess what-it happened! There isn’t enough money for many businesses to stay afloat, including some very big ones. There isn’t enough money for some people to pay mortgages for homes they probably shouldn’t have purchased in the first place. There aren’t enough teachers in some parts of the country to teach our students and to teach at higher education establishments. I could go on, but it starts to get depressing, UNTIL we stop to acknowledge what we really DO have instead of what is missing.

Abundance VS Scarcity

Let's choose Abundance, shall we? Why not put our energy to something beneficial instead of thoughts that not only bring our spirits down, but also lower our body's immunity?

Some Thoughts to Ponder

Bonus points to you if you have good health. If you are not, this is the year to make whatever changes are necessary. 2008 should have taught us that we can withstand a lot of change, and it may as well start at home.

Gold star if you are working on becoming free of debt. It might take a whole lot longer to get debt free then it did to get debt-full, but the ride is worth it. Imagine the relief to know that you don’t owe anybody else money? That freedom will allow you to do more worthwhile things with your life-not because you HAVE to, but because you WANT to.

A+ if you can think of some of those worthwhile ‘things’ to do, and you do it this year. It can be simple-donate time (even a few hours) at the local animal shelter. There are animals who have been abandoned by people who really loved them. They still need love. Let’s take good care of our children. Consider donating time to help a child to learn to read. The opportunities out there are endless. What really pulls at your heart strings? Etch out a bit of time, and you’ll see huge returns for your time!

I miss my friends. There was a time when there was time for phone calls and even meals together. Calendars are so booked up with important things, those friends (and how important are our friends!) get left out. Make a commitment to spend time with your friends. Those human connections are part of what the world a happier place.

I am fortunate that I work with some very wonderful people. We are all feeling the crunch and cutbacks. Some of us have spouses out of work, and so the news of real and potential cutbacks in our healthcare setting was an unexpected, disheartening bummer! Because of the nature of our work, we all work in different locations by ourselves, so we don’t get the benefit of supporting one another in person. Email just isn't the same! If you don't have as much support as you would like, find other ways to reach out. This blog and website is one way I try. Applaud those who go the extra mile. Our manager is in the middle and still goes way more than the extra mile. My heart goes out to her. I can only imagine the stress she is feeling right now.

What we know for sure is that change will happen, because-hey, it always does. Maybe we are just getting back into balance-starting to recognize what is really important. I would love to see a day when spending time with a friend, helping a child to read or reaching out to abandoned pets is more important than an expensive big label handbag so many women yearn for. Seriously! Are we over this yet? I sure hope so.

If it took a major crisis to awaken us, well, here we go. Let’s make the most of the ride. Thank God every day for the many blessings we are given everyday. Keep a gratitude journal to make those fleeting thoughts something tangible. Enjoy the New Year!

You can read more about finding your life's balance here!

Naturally Holistic and Pray with Beads are two of my website that you might find as interesting as this blog post!

Food, Mood and Endorphins

Food, Mood and Endorphins

Endorphins are released during intense exercise, (the runner's high), laughter, soothing music, meditation, and other pleasureable experiences. Part of the holistic health lifestyle is creativity, so you can be creative with this one!

Endorphins are released when we eat tasty, sweet, or creamy foods. This is why so many of us enjoy these so much-Food and Feelings-not always a winning combination!

The bad news, once you start giving into your cravings, you'll just want more. It's a vicious cycle, but then, we all now this don't we?

FOOD AND FEELINGS: HELPFUL HINTS

Be sure you begin, you might be wondering what size is a serving? Is it the 'small' the 'medium' the 'large' or, heaven help us, the 'super-sized!' A serving is about the size of the palm of your hand. That is an easy way to remember because, well, your measuring tool is right there with you.

Remember that Food and Feelings are related and think before you reach for that 'craving.' Be sure it is the best choice for you. We are sometimes so hurried and yes, stressed, that we don't really stop to think about things. If this is you, you might want to take a look at the stress pages including the Stress in the Body and Stress Busters pages.

Learn more about Food and Mood here!

Success Secrets Part 6

Click on Any Item to learn more! Every item you purchase helps me to keep this blog and my two websites going, Naturally Holistic.net and Pray with Beads.com . Thank you for your purchases and support!
Are you looking for ways to secure your success in life? No matter how you define success, you will find these secrets helpful.

6. Give up your attachment to the outcome. That doesn't mean that you give up your desire or intention. Deepak Chopra, in The Seven Laws of Success states that 'anything we want can be acquired through detachment, because detachment is based on the unquestioning belief in the Power of the Self.

Dr. Chopra's book offers other wonderful gems.
See all the Success Secrets at one time right here!

One of my other Favorite Books
In her book, Inside Every Woman, Vickie Milazzo offers 5 promises we need to make to ourselves in order to unleash the 10 forces within us. I have met Vickie a few times and I attended her workshops. She is quite the dynamo and has been successful in her business. She is also an extraordinary person.


Promise 1: I Will Live and Work a Passionate Life


Promise 2: I Will Go for It or Reject it Outright


Promise 3: I Will Take One Action Step a Day Toward My Passionate Vision


Promise 4: I Commit to Being A Success Student for Life


Promise 5: I Believe as a Woman I Really Can Do Anything


Milazzo suggests that you Harness your 10 Feminine Forces with the 5 Promises.


Take a look at Vickie's Book to learn more. She is a very resourceful woman who really knows what she is talking and writing about!

Two for One Special! Take Control of Your Destiny!

From now until December 25, 2008 at Midnight:

Buy One get One Free!!

Do you want to make money while you sleep?

Maybe you've thought about it yourself, but didn't know where to begin.

Maybe you are just thinking about it for the first time.

Take Control!!

Why not take what you already know and share it with the world?

Go directly to SiteBuild It! (SBI) or visit my first website
www.naturally-holistic.net to read about my story first. I've built two sites over the past year, and I love my new 'career as a writer'. I'm a nurse practitioner, and I feel wonderful being able to write about other things that I care about. SBI! gives you the help you need to make it happen!

What is your Passion?

Are you ready to share it with the world?

Even if you are a beginner like I was, you can build your own website!

Control your destiny!

Food, Feelings and Stress

Food is one factor that impacts how we respond to stress. There are others, also. The effects of stress on our lives can be profound. Food and Feelings and Stress: You have the Power to feel great!

Serotonin: The Mood Regulator

High serotonin levels boost your mood, cut down food cravings, higher pain tolerance, and help you sleep well.

Low serotonin levels can cause insomnia, depression, food cravings, more sensitivity to pain, agression, and a really messed up body temperature regulation.

Serotonin and Foods and Feelings

Sugar triggers a rise in serotonin levels-also a sharp rise and fall in your blood sugar, of course. It is this sharp rise and fall that leaves you feeling so tired after a sugar fix, by the way.

White bread and white rice also raise serotonin levels, and because these act like sugars, the blood sugar also rises and falls sharply. It is this sharp rise and fall that leaves you feeling so tired after a sugar fix, by the way.

Whole-grain starches like whole wheat, brown rice and oatmeal, trigger a slower rise and fall in your blood sugar. This is better for you and doesn't leave you with that tired feeling after the high. Serotonin levels also rise slow. This is a good thing, by the way.

Vitamin B-6 is needed in the making of serotonin. If you are deficient in Vitamin B, your mood and food cravings are altered.

Tryptophan raises brain levels of tryptophan, which increases the production of serotonin.

Protein causes only small amounts of tryptophan to enter the brain, and so therfore, serotonin levels do not rise. In fact, you might crave carbohydrates such as those sugars and white bread and rice to get those serotonin levels up again. However, you might feel more energetic and more clearheaded as a result of lowered serotonin levels.

Learn more about Food and Feelings!

Food and Mood: 10 Important Meal Tips

FOOD AND FEELINGS

1. Be sure your breakfast (yes, be sure and eat breakfast!) has some protein and some carbohydrates. Be sure and have at least one serving of foods rich in protein such as legumes, meats or low-fat dairy, and at least 2-3 servings of fruits, vegetables, and grains.

2. Love you caffeine? Me, too. The sad truth is that you need to limit caffeine to 3 servings (AND a Super Big Drink is more than 1 serving and YOU know it!) and avoid tea or coffee with meals. Why, you ask? Because coffee and tea have something called tannins, and these reduce the iron that gets absorbed into your body. That is not a good thing.

3. Never eat sugar by itself (so no desserts without other food, also) and limit the sweets to less than 10% of all your calories.

4. Eat several small meals and snacks all day long or about every 4 hours. This helps to keep your blood sugar stable (not too high or too low) and is a great way to keep feeling 'stable' also. Remember, it isn't just about eating frequently, it is about your choices and amounts. Keep reading...

5. Eat a moderately sized, low fat lunch. I like to make the midday meal my largest because I'm not feeling real full in the evening and I've got the day to work on burning those calories off and giving my body time to digest. Be sure your meal has one serving of protein (legumes, meats, or low fat dairy, and some carbohydrates (at least 3 servings of fruits, vegetables, and grains). Do you crave carbohydrates? Many of us do. Eat even more whole grain and starchy vegetables like corn and potatoes. Remember what a REAL serving looks like, now. It is probably smaller than you think.

6. Do you know when your lowest energy time is? If not, pay attention. Most of us have a time of day that we are more tired than usual. Mine is around 2pm. Be sure and have a carbohydrate rich snack ready for this time. Watch for the sugars and starches, though. A peice of fruit or fruit and yogurt or whole grain crackers would work.

Visit my page on carbohydrates for some more ideas.

7. Eat a lighter meal in the evening and avoid excessive snacking in the evening. I know that some recommend nothing in the evening. I think a small protein snack in the evening helps keep the blood sugar more stable during the night. Imagine going from 6am until 7pm without eating anything. Well, when you eat dinner (6pm) and then don't eat until around (7am) you've gone a very long time without food (energy). When you sleep, you are still using energy.

8. Avoid restricting your calories too much. You couldn't run your car without proper fuel, and yet many of us try to run our body without adequate fuel. By the way, Diet ___ (fill in the blank) isn't a good fuel. Sorry. I like them, too.

9. Many of us are dehydrated a lot. Don't wait to feel thristy before you drink water. By the time you feel thirsty, you are dehydrated. So what, you ask? Dehydration can lead you to feel very tired, make your joints hurt, affect your blood pressure and make it very difficult for your body to function. Everyone has different needs, but about 6-8 glasses of fluid a day is usually adequate. If you drink caffeinated drinks, for every can or cup you drink, drink that much water to make up for it. Caffeinated drinks act as diuretics.

10. Avoid or limit alcohol. If you drink alcohol, red wine is a good choice. Alcohol dries out the cells and suppresses the nervous system (brain and spinal cord and nerves). This means your attention span will be limited, you won't be able to concentrate as well and you'll be tired. Alcohol can also get in the way of a good night's sleep.

Holistic Health and Nutrition: Learn More Right Here!

Success Secrets Part 4 & 5

Click on Any Item to learn more! Every item you purchase helps me to keep this blog and my two websites going, Naturally Holistic.net and Pray with Beads.com . Thank you for your purchases and support!
Are you looking for ways to secure your success in life? No matter how you define success, you will find these secrets helpful.

4. Honor your friends and family. They are all your teachers just as you are a teacher for them. When you recognize that, you will find so much more joy in the time you spend with them.


5. Honor your world-no matter how large or how small. Enjoy your sacred space. This will help diminish the mental static that will otherwise just keep on going.


Can't wait to see all 6 Secrets day by day? See them all at one time right here!

Natural Holistic Help for Common Conditions

By clicking on the links on the site, you help me to continue to help others. It helps me to publish and add to this site when you follow the links.
Thank you!
Natural Holistic Therapies

There are a variety of ailments that can be helped with natural holistic medicine and therapies. If you find yourself suffering with an ailment or illness, there are things you can do to help yourself. However, natural remedies are not necessarily a substitution for Western medicine. You've probably heard of the term 'Complimentary and Alternative Therapies (CAM).' Complimentary implies working in tandem. So, if you wish to try natural therapies, please talk with your health care provider about these things. They need to know about any over the counter medicines, any natural or homeopathic products you try and any modalities (body work, energy work, mind body, spinal manipulation...).

Some of the conditions on this page include degenerate eye disorders, depression, aging skin conditions, menopause, osteoporosis, obesity, premenstrual syndrome, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, benign prostatic hypertrophy and insomnia.

Most Common Reasons People Seek Complimentary or Alternative Therapies

1. (54.9%) Because they believe that combining CAM with convention, Western medicine would help. 2. (50.1%) Thought it would be interesting to give it a try 3. (27.7%) Believed that conventional medicine would not help 4. (25.8%) A conventional health care professional suggested it 5. (13.2%) Conventional medicine too expensive Source: National Center for Health Statistics

Learn more at Naturally Holistic and Pray with Beads

Tis the Season: Stressed Out?

So, just what is stress and does it really even exist?

Stress is the one syllable word we use that describes the wear and tear our bodies go through in response to everyday events and pressures.

Stress has become the number one problem in these days of our lives. Why? Because rarely stop or even slow down. When I say 'we' I am referring to most of us, AND you know who you are. Years ago a friend of mine gave me a stack of cards with daily thoughts specifically for women who do too much. I looked at them and wondered why she gave them to me. When I look back at that, I really just have to laugh. She was a good friend. I was (okay, still am!) definitely a woman who did too much. I'm working on that, but I'm also constantly working on how I can remain calm on the inside.

That's Funny? Can Humor Lower your Stress and help you to Heal?

Why do we get so upset and stressed out instead of staying cool calm and collected?

Stress happens when reality doesn't match our expectations. Things don't go as planned and it sets us off balance. It is our emotional response that throws us off. With such busy lifestyles as they are, when an unexpected event or thought or challenge or illness is thrown in, we get just fall right off the tightrope we walk everyday. Our bodies and our minds respond to the stress.

So what do you do? You accept that stressful events will happen AND you become resistant to the stress and keep on the tightrope. This is how you can experience stress, but not let the stress impact your health. Eventually, you'll become so calm that you will give up that tightrope completely! Your body will thank you because stress in your body can do serious damage. I've listed a few interesting Facts that might really surprise you.

Becoming Stress Resistant

You don't have to let stress affect your overall health. Thoughts, events, and situations that cause either positive or negative feelings or responses is considered stress. Positive stress, you say? Yes, even wonderful, exciting events can cause a stress response. Consider the stress associated with a wedding. By becoming stress resistant, you can handle just about anything with grace. It isn't just the stressful events that cause damage; it is how you feel aobut them that determines whether you are stressed out or not.

Learn something new: All About Stress Busters!

Visit my Websites: Naturally Holistic and Pray with Beads.



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Thank you!
Carmen