Naturally Holistic

Start Your New Year By...

2010-01-04T18:34:00.000-08:00

thinking in a new way!

It's an exciting time of year because we have the chance to start all over. Even if our external life doesn't change a lot, certainly we have the control to change how we think. Isn't this the first step to changing how we live, afterall? We can do this any time of the year, of course, but what better time then right now at the start of 2010!

If you follow this blog at all, you know that I'm a book junkie. I have all kinds of information about books, CDs, Kindle reading materials and such from amazon.com. Yes, your purchases help me to keep my websites and blogs alive (thank you!), but I also love to talk about the books I read and the CDs I listen to when I'm driving about.

I've been reading Wayne Dyer's latest book, Excuses Begone!: How to Change Lifelong, Self-Defeating Thinking Habits. Hay House, 2009). I started reading this book on my Kindle New Years day and even the introduction really spoke to me. If ever there was a paragraph that describes just how would like to be, this would be it. The only thing better? If I had written it myself! ha! I read this paragraph, and knew I would have to finish the book soon. Our thoughts, afterall, do create our reality.

So ponder Dr. Dyer's writings about how he practices what to think and his experience studying the Lao-tzu ...

"I find I now choose thoughts that are flexible, not rigid; soft, not hard. I think with humility, not arrogance; with detachment, not attachment. I practice thinking small and accomplishing big things, as well as thinking in harmony with nature, rather than with my ego. The idea of not interfering replaces meddling and advising. I prefer peaceful solutions over the notion of fighting to solve disputes. I opt for contentment, rather than ambition; arriving, not striving. And most significantly, I choose thoughts that are congruous with the Great Tao (God), rather than the illusions of self-importance conjured up by ego." (Excuses Begone!: How to Change Lifelong, Self-Defeating Thinking Habits. Hay House, 2009).

Love this! If you would like to read more, click on any of the links to purchase your own Wayne Dyer gems. You won't pay any more, but your purchases help me to keep my blogs and websites (www.naturally-holistic.net and www.pray-with-beads.com ). I have devoured all of the books and meditations on the carousel below. Enjoy!

My Gift

2009-12-19T06:58:00.000-08:00

Writing blogs and websites works for me in so many ways:

I enjoy it

I make extra money

I have hope for the future-more free time to enjoy the things that bring me joy!

What brings you happiness? Have you ever considered writing about it-sharing it with the world? It is so easy! Just click on the link above or below to learn more!

PS- The Special is my gift to YOU!

For Every Action, There Is...

2009-12-15T00:01:00.000-08:00

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Something more to think about...

The statement means that in every interaction, there is a pair of forces acting on the two interacting objects. An 'object' in this case can be a person, of course. The size of the forces on the first object equals the size of the force on the second object. Forces always come in pairs - equal and opposite action-reaction force pairs. This law describes the relationship between the forces acting on a body and the motion of that body. They were first compiled by Sir Isaac Newton in his work Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica, first published on July 5, 1687.

So, other than the obvious, what does this mean to us? It may not seem like an equal reaction at the time, and most certainly it will be. I can think of so many examples where this law hit me hard, but never quite so important as in my role as a parent.

Here are a couple thoughts for today:

Why not choose a positive action? It is just as easy (okay, sometimes way more difficult) to be positive as it is to be negative. If your action or response is positive, the reaction will be positive as well. When my son was born, even though I thought I was already a pretty good person, I worked on learning to be the best parent I could. I read, listened and picked certain areas to really focus on myself. Every little action I took then, made a difference in his life. Parenthood is a huge thing, but the same goes true for other aspects of your life-or so it has for me.

**I prayed for strength
**I prayed for the ability to learn what I needed to
**I prayed for the guidance to be the best parent I could
**I forgave myself when I fell short
**I celebrated the successes

My son is a healthy, happy 22 year old now. I still try to be the best I can be. Afterall, I'll always be a Mom.

Visit pray-with-beads.com and naturally-holistic.net for even more!

What Should I Give?

2009-12-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

It is getting to the season where we think more about gifts. Sometimes we don't know 'what' to give to our coworkers, friends, those who help us out all year long (paper-delivery person) or even our loved ones.

Gift Giving Made Easy

Give to others because they need it, not because you need to provide it.

Sometimes we give gifts because it makes us feel good, not because we are giving someone what they really need. Most people have simple needs, whether they realize it or not. One thing we all have in common is the need to feel acknowledged and appreciated. This means we are understood. If you are a good listener, you will know what to give. The simplist, most thoughtful gift will be the most appreciated.

I recently had surgery and when I talked about it to my friends, I mentioned just how much I would love to have egg drop soup when I'm not feeling well. In fact, I mentioned it more than once. After surgery, someone very close to me offered to bring me something special, and brought me a couple cans of chicken noodle soup. I was appreciative, of course, but when I said that I was really craving egg drop soup, the reply was, 'oh, I didn't know you liked that.' The rest of the conversation was about his particularly bad day at work. The BIG GIFT I needed was simple acknowledgement. How often do we really give that gift to one another?

Prayer example for choosing the best gift for those we love:

Lord, please open my heart and my ears so that I may give the gift that _____ really needs from me. Release me from my need to provide this gift for any other reason. Amen

or repeat this mantra on every beads of your rosary or prayer beads:

I hear ___

Visit pray-with-beads.com and naturally-holistic.net for even more information

Kindle Magic

2009-11-25T09:15:00.000-08:00

Click on any item above to learn more and order.

I've had my Kindle for almost 2 years and just love it. I can take all my favorite books with me and pick out new ones to be downloaded in just seconds. Did I mention that the downloads are yours forever and costs much less? I still love to hold a real book sometimes, but I just can't resist my Kindle.

Is this the year for you to experience some of the Kindle Magic?

Click on any amazon.com link to learn more and order your own Today!

Share Your Passion!

2009-11-20T20:45:00.000-08:00

Would you like to:

Spend more time with friends and loved ones?

Get a jump on holiday shopping?

Earn extra holiday cash for next year?

Share your Passion with the world and start a potential new career with a product that truly changes lives!

Learn about the Thanksgiving Special.

You won't want to miss this!

Click Here TODAY!

Visit Naturally-Holistic.net to see what I did about my passion!

Holiday Special

2009-11-15T10:57:00.000-08:00

This is my way of saying THANK YOU to all my loyal readers!

Only $5.00 Shipping on total order purchased from Carmen's Treasures!

Whether you purchase one or 10 rosaries, prayer beads or necklaces... the total shipping will be $5.00.

This offer will run from today through midnight 12/32/2009.

I'm working on some new designs and items will be added weekly, so check back frequently. I also do special orders-just go to the Contact page of pray-with-beads.com and ask for your own one of a kind.

Happy Veteran's Day

2009-11-07T21:31:00.000-08:00

A Special Prayer in Honor of Our Veterans

A SOLDIER PRAYER
Brave warriors, should fate find us in battle, May our cause be just.
May our leaders have clear vision.
May our courage not falter.
May we be triumphant an earn victory as we show mercy to our enemies.
May our efforts bring lasting peace.
May our sacrifice be always appreciated by those we serve.
May we return to our loved ones unharmed.
Should we be harmed, may our wounds heal.
Should we perish in the struggle, may God embrace us and find for us a place in His Kingdom. http://www.faithfulcross.com

Happy Veteran's Day!

Uncertain Times, Call for...

2009-10-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

Uncertain times call for certain responses.

Notice I used the word 'responses' and not 'reactions?' When I think of a 'reaction', I think of knee jerk, emotional type behaviors. When I think of a 'response', I think of something a bit more thought out. Anticipation goes a long, long way. In my work right now, people are sick and scared about the prospect of having 'swine flu.' Bad manners, rude verbal attacks and even demanding behavior from people who have waited for their healthcare happens. It seems to be happening more lately than ever before. Okay, so when I've already worked 10 or more hours without even much of a bathroom break, my initial response to someone telling me off is to give it right back. I am human, and don't we want to defend ourselves. What would happen if I fired right back in defense? I would probably get fired right back at and things would really heat up.

So, I prepare and try to take care of myself so I can respond and not react.

6 Thoughts About Keeping My Cool Amist the Choas

#1. People are good deep down, but scared and sick today. It isn't personal.

#2. Remember to breath, stay calm and focus on trying to acknowledge their situation. (I understand that you aren't feeling well, and you just waited so long while I took care of the other sick people. Let's see what we can do to help you to feel better.)

#3. Focus on the results of the visit, not the attacks coming my way. I try to see every person as if they were a family member who I would want the best for.

#4. Grab onto those prayer beads and think of the big picture. (Help me to be a vessel of love; help me to be a channel of all things good; help me to stay cool; PS: I'ld like to have time for lunch and a quick bathroom break, too! (<: )

#5. Give the gift of presence by listening with eye contact.

#6. If I'm not able to get past the drama or if I consider it 'abusive,' I calmly say the following,' I am not able to take care of your health needs at this time. I ask that you leave, and return when you are able to talk to me in a respectful way.' Thankfully, I haven't had to say anything of the sort for a long time. You've got to love yourself, too. Being a good person doesn't mean you let people run over you.

I'm sure you've got your own 'chaos' to deal with. I hope these words can help support you.

Visit pray-with-beads.com and naturally-holistic.net for even more information!

Loving Acts

2009-10-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

Loving Acts, thoughts and prayers begin in the heart, at home, but the effects ripple infinitely OUTWARD.

What have you really done for yourself and others today?

Graceful Aging: 7 More Easy Steps

2009-10-13T08:33:00.000-07:00

Steps for Graceful Aging (7-13)

7. Practice affirmations daily-our minds believe what we tell them is true. The Imagery-Visualization pages can give you plenty of guidance. If you aren't familiar with this, you may be passing up some wonderful opportunities.

8. Keeping a Spirit Journal of one's day including posts about gratitude help to keep the mind sharp and the heart soft.

9. Learn to love spontaneity

10. Keep busy, but not crazy busy. Your mind needs 'quiet time' also (see #1 for some helpful hints about stressbusters.

11. Have fun, laugh and play (I like to go to parks and swing on the swings. The feel of the breeze through my hair and the rise and fall of the swing are invigorating-so are the memories of my childhood.

12. Balance Balance Balance This is a tough one for me, too!

13. Take time to pray-Connect with God

The Steps to Graceful Aging relate directly to our Spiritual Needs. More about Spiritual Needs Coming Soon. You don't have to wait, though.

Visit pray-with-beads.com and naturally-holistic.net for even more great information!

Graceful Aging-13 Easy Tips

2009-10-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

The First 6 Steps

1. Practice StressBusters of your choice-routinely and regularly

2. Limit or omit alcohol consumption

3. Challenge yourself daily-puzzles, games... Try something New, even.

4. Put away the remote control-read a book. Try reading something that you would ordinarily not pick out

5. Connect with others- our relationships (people and animals) keep us focused

6. Learn something new daily, whether it is a new word or something bigger like a new language

Visit pray-with-beads.com and naturally-holistic.net for even more great information!

Embrace

2009-09-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

Authentic Living is more about what you EMBRACE and less to do with what you AVOID

Amazing things happen when you opt for healthier choices. No, it isn't always easy and it isn't always what feels 'natural' to us. Habits that do harm are good ones to let go of, though.

Start by embracing good habits and those 'less than healthy' habits will just melt away.

Be as patient with yourself as you would be with anyone else you love!

Visit Pray-with-Beads.com and Naturally-Holistic.net for even more information!

Healthy Aging Links

2009-09-27T08:07:00.000-07:00

Some Great Aging Links (you might be surprised!):

Aging Homepage

The Aging Body

The Aging Mind

Memory Boosters

Aging and Spirituality

Natural Menopause

Natural Menopause Remedies

Aging Skin Care

Natural Eye Care for Glaucoma, Cataracts and Macular Degeneration

Natural Remedies for High Blood Pressure

Natural Weight Loss Treatment

Natural Treatment for Cholesterol

Sex Over 40

Erectile Dysfunction

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy

Male Menopause and Testosterone

10 Steps to a Better Sex Life

Sex at Any Age: Do Aphrodisiacs Really Help?

Aging: Is it too late for you?

2009-09-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

Since I'm 50 now, I enjoy the topic of Aging more than I used to. However, whether you are 20, 20, 40, 50 or beyond, the question 'Is it too late for you?' should really make you think. The answer is 'no' of course.

The Desire to Change shows up in places your would never expect-your body, your thoughts and your fears, your relationships... Pay attention to the chaos in your life. This might just be your call to Change!

I've devoted many pages to lifestyle that will pertain to you no matter how old you are.

Sometimes all we need to do is look at what we're really doing. I noticed, for instance, some of my more unhealthy eating habits when I started documenting exactly what I ate all day. How many calories, fat, fiber and even how little vitamins I ate took me by surprise.

I think you might find the #1 secret to health right here!

Next Post: Lots of Great Links Related to Aging Coming Next Post!

Visit http://www.naturally-holistic.net/ and pray-with-beads.com for even more information

What are You Waiting For?

2009-09-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought about how much time we spend waiting?

We wait for the alarm to go off in the morning to tell us when the awake part of our day should begin
We wait for the coffee to be ready to drink
We wait for the water to warm before we step into the shower
We wait in line at the grocery store
Okay, well you get the picture, I'm sure.

Sometimes we know exactly what we're waiting for and other times we have no idea what is ahead of us. I particularly enjoy waiting for 'something' to happen and trying to avoid expectations. How difficult is this, though?

It is more human to envision the future, think about the past and sometimes even stop and enjoy the present.

Is your prayer life spent in hopeful waiting, with high expectations or simple open heartedness?

In Truth We Pray for a Variety of Reasons:

With a Goal in mind

For Comfort

To Connect with God

For Miracles

For Hope

Today I stopped to enjoy the day. It is raining, but since we're in a draught, the rain is particularly beautiful. My prayer for today was about thankfulness-a simply acknowledgement of the beauty with gratitude. How perfect is that?

What are You waiting for?

Visit Pray-with-Beads.com to wake up your prayer life!

Prayer and The Flu

2009-09-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

Well, the flu season is upon us. Actually, as someone who works in a busy clinic, I can tell you that the flu season has been going on. There is a lot of anxiety out there about the seasonal flu, H1N1 flu, also known as swine flu and what we can do about it.

When people ask me what they can do to avoid getting sick, I give them some guidance on how to stay healthy. Afterall, the best defense is to be as healthy as you can so your body can fight off any unwanted visitors-such as viruses.

I've written quite a bit about the flu and colds and so on on naturally-holistic.net, and I'm sure I'll be updating it as the season goes on. The center for disease control has the latest and the greatest. Be sure and visit there, too.

So, my friends-let's get healthy!

1. Drink plenty of water. Remember you can also find water in fruits, vegetables, soups and so on.

2. Get plenty of Rest. It is essential for our bodies to get sleep-rejuvinate and refresh. This isn't just lip service-SLEEP is a requirement.

3. Eat a healthy diet. If you aren't sure where to begin, start right here. Most of us have to work at this this, so if you feel like it is a lot of work, you are right. Eating junk is easy. No supplement can make up for healthy eating. If you can't eat right, take your vitamins. I'm so busy in our little clinic that sometimes I barely make it to the bathroom, much less take time to eat stress free. I do try to make up for it the next day and try to watch my stress level.

4. Take time to pray. Prayer can help us become stress resistant and tolerant of life's ups and downs. There are so many more reasons to pray and so many ways to pray! Prayer is part of a healthy life.

5. Carry your prayer beads with you. I do this so that I can just reach into my pocket when things get tense-AND they do get tense!

6. Try to stay as stress resistant as possible. There is always stress, but how you address is it will make the difference.

7. Remember those 'unwanted visitors' I mentioned earlier. Avoid them!

Wash your Hands often. Try singing Mary Had a Little Lamb (outloud or in your head) when you wash your hands to be sure you wash for long enough.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as these are ways those viruses can find their way in

If you cough or sneeze, try to do so into your elbow or sleeve rather than letting them fly into the air.

Avoid people who are sick, if you can help it. Viruses like the flu bugs are easily shared.

If you get sick, (fever, body aches, cough...) stay home. Please don't share with others. You could save someone's life.

The flu is terrible, but for people with other health conditions it can be deadly. Take care of your own health and respect the health of others. There is no need to panic, but it is important to be wide aware.

Visit pray with beads.com and naturally-holistic.net for life saving information!

Walk, Walk, Walk

2009-09-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

Well, my avid readers and new readers alike: If you don't already know it, you'll soon learn that I love to walk. I've never been a runner, perhaps because of my body type. I'll just let it go at that. I love walking because it is

Good for my Body
Keeps me in nature more than I would otherwise
Gets those good hormones (endorphins) flowing
and Basically just keeps my day in balance

If you haven't adopted the practice of walking, consider starting-even if little by little and step by step. Walking is an important part of a balanced life. You can even take your meditative practice to the streets! This is called meditative walking, mindfulness walking, and prayerful walking.

However you choose to fit walking into your day, start with good shoes. Your body needs the support.

Choose an appealing route and try to alter your route a bit to avoid getting bored.

Do you like music? I do, and I love my little MP3 player. There really is Joy in Music! I listen to books on tape, dance music, oldies, mellow stuff... It all depends on my mood.

Drink plenty of water. Very important!

Thanks for reading and be sure and visit naturally-holistic.net and pray-with-beads.com!

Is it a Cold or the Flu?

2009-09-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

Republished from earlier in the year, because it is so very important!

Flu season is here! If you think you may have the flu (or have flu symptoms), there are things you can do to feel better.

The sooner you get treatment, the better, of course. There are anti-viral medicines you can take, but they won't help you if you start them more than 48 hours after experiencing flu symptoms. So, it is good to know what some flu symptoms are.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is sometimes difficult to know if you've got the flu or a bad cold. Both are viral, afterall. If you've ever had the flu, though, you KNOW the difference.

So, what are some symptoms of the flu and how are they different from a cold.

Visit Naturally-Holistic to Learn more about flu symptoms, and what you can do.
Flu Season IS Here! It isn't too late for the flu shot, either.

Are You Ready to Resist the Flu Bug?

2009-09-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

Re-published from 1/9/09 because it is sooooo important

The time is here! Yes, it is time for change. Good change, bad change, it is all change and we don't have much control over it except how we respond. I'm trying to feel anxiety free and hope-full. Let's see how that goes!

It is also time for the flu season. It is here already! I'm a nurse practitioner, and I'm here to tell you that the influenza virus is among us.
Frequently Asked Flu Questions. Test Your Own Knowledge

What is the flu?
The flu is caused by viruses (influenzas) that infect you.

How is the flu spread?
When someone with the flu coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets with the flu virus go into the air and are inhaled by other people. YOu can also become infected by touching something with influenza virus on it (a telephone, for instance) and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.

Flu Facts: If I get the flu, when will I be most infectious to others?

Healthy adults may be able to infect others 1 day before getting symptoms and up to 5 days after getting sick...
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More Flu Facts
What are the symptoms of the flu?
Influenza usually starts suddenly and may include many symptoms.

Will antibiotics help me get over the flu quicker?
I got the flu last year and I was given an antibiotic. Why?

Flu Facts: Can the flu cause more serious problems?

Who has the highest risk of having more serious problems?

How is the flu spread?

If I get the flu, when will I be most infectious to others?

Healthy adults may be able to infect others 1 day before getting symptoms and up to 5 days after getting sick. Therefore, it is possible to give someone the flu before you know you are sick as well as while you are sick. This is part of why it is so important to get the flu shot!

Learn more right here! Your body will thank you!

CAM-How Much Do Americans Spend?

2009-09-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

Americans Spent $33.9 Billion Out-of-Pocket on Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Americans spent $33.9 billion out-of-pocket on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) over the previous 12 months, according to a 2007 government survey¹. CAM is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products such as herbal supplements, meditation, chiropractic, and acupuncture that are not generally considered to be part of conventional medicine.

CAM accounts for approximately 1.5 percent of total health care expenditures ($2.2 trillion²) and 11.2 percent of total out-of-pocket expenditures (conventional out-of-pocket: $286.6 billion² and CAM out-of-pocket: $33.9 billion¹) on health care in the United States.

Approximately 38 percent of adults use some form of CAM for health and wellness or to treat a variety of diseases and conditions, according to data from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)³.

The CAM component of the NHIS was developed by the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The data provide estimates of the cost of CAM use, the frequency of visits made to CAM practitioners, and frequency of purchases of self-care CAM therapies.

"With so many Americans using and spending money on CAM therapies, it is extremely important to know whether the products and practices they use are safe and effective," said Josephine P. Briggs, M.D., director of NCCAM. "This underscores the importance of conducting rigorous research and providing evidence-based information on CAM so that health care providers and the public can make well-informed decisions."

Ready to see where else we spend our money? Do you spend more or less than the average American?

Visit naturally-holistic.net for even more information including references.

Original article compliments of NIH-National Center for Complementary and Alternative Health

Cancer and Complimentary Medicine

2009-08-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

August 04, 2008

Many Cancer Patients Turn to Complementary Medicine
MONDAY, Aug. 4 (HealthDay News) -- As many as 61 percent of cancer patients use complementary therapies such as prayer, relaxation, meditation and massage, researchers from the American Cancer Society report.

This new study echoes findings of other, smaller studies that also found that many cancer patients use complementary treatments. The kinds of methods used were influenced by sex, race, age, education, type of cancer and how far the disease has spread.

"Many complementary methods are extremely popular among cancer survivors, who are spending a lot of their time, money and attention on them," said study co-author Dr. Ted Gansler, the society's director of medical content. "For this reason, it is important to determine which are helpful, not only for shrinking tumors and extending survival, but also for relieving symptoms and improving quality of life."

For the study, published in the Sept. 1 issue of Cancer, Gansler's team collected data on 4,139 cancer survivors who participated in the American Cancer Society's Study of Cancer Survivors-I. The people were interviewed 10 to 24 months after diagnosis.

The use of some complementary methods by cancer survivors is very common, the study found. For example, 61.4 percent used prayer; 44.3 percent used relaxation techniques; 42.4 percent used faith/spiritual healing; 40.1 percent used nutritional supplements such as vitamins; 15 percent used meditation; 11.3 percent used religious counseling; 11.2 percent used massage; and 9.7 percent participated in support groups.

But other complementary methods aren't as common, the researchers found. Only 0.4 percent of survey participants used hypnosis; 1 percent used biofeedback therapy; and 1.2 percent used acupressure or acupuncture.

All types of complementary methods were more popular among women, Gansler said. Fifty-nine percent of women and 43 percent of men turned to methods such as aromatherapy, art therapy, support groups, hypnosis, imagery/visualization, meditation and relaxation.

And methods such as tai chi and yoga were used by 10.1 percent of women, compared with 1.9 percent of men. Massage was used by 16.6 percent of women, but only 3.9 percent of men, the study found.

"In general, younger, more educated and more affluent cancer survivors were more likely to use complementary methods," Gansler said. "People with more advanced cancer were more likely to be complementary-method users."

And, complementary methods are much more popular among breast and ovarian cancer survivors, Gansler said.

"This is not only because ovarian cancer is obviously limited to women and breast cancer is extremely rare among men. For example, all types of complementary methods were used more often by breast and ovarian cancer survivors than by uterine cancer survivors -- also women, of course," he said.

It's not clear why complementary methods are used more often by women with breast and ovarian cancer, Gansler added.

It's also not clear just how much benefit complementary therapies might confer, he said. "Scientific studies of complementary methods have become much more common during the past few years, but there is still a lot of uncertainty about the effectiveness of many complementary methods," he added.

"As more studies are done to evaluate effectiveness, we will want to know whether men are missing opportunities to use some effective complementary methods that are far more popular in women, or whether women use ineffective complementary methods more than men. Or whether some complementary methods are more effective for women than they are for men," Gansler said.

Alternative medicine expert Dr. Harold Burstein, an instructor in the Department of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, said, "This study, like many before it, confirms that cancer patients actively pursue a variety of alternative and complementary therapies, usually in conjunction with standard approaches to cancer treatment."

The motivations for such practices are worth exploring, Burstein said. "It is not known, but it is not thought that these have an impact on cancer-related outcomes, though many patients report deriving comfort, solace or symptom relief with such practices," he said.

More information

For more on complementary medicine, visit the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Clinical Considerations: CAM and Low Back Pain

2009-08-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

Additional Clinical Considerations: CAM for LBP

When a health care provider considers treatment options for a patient with LBP, other factors play a part as well, such as clinical experience and the patient's condition, preferences, and expectations. Consider the following additional tips on CAM:

1. Ask your patients about CAM. Research has found that most patients do not disclose CAM use to their health care providers. Let them know they can discuss any therapy with you that they are interested in or are using.

2. Evidence-based information for you and your patient is available from NCCAM as well as other resources listed below. Visit the NCCAM Web site for additional links.

3. When making referrals to other practitioners, find out about their training, and their licensing or certification, if applicable. Ask specifically about the nature and length of their experience in treating LBP.

Health care providers of all types may be involved in the care of patients with LBP. Open and clear communication between providers helps ensure coordinated and safe care.
"There is much more to learn about the effectiveness and safety of CAM therapies for chronic LBP and other chronic pain conditions," says Dr. Briggs. "Building a better and clearer evidence base in these areas, and sharing reliable information, are priorities for NCCAM."

March, 2009 NIH Newsletter

Findings on CAM from Systematic Reviews

2009-08-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

Findings on CAM from Systematic Reviews
Systematic reviews on CAM for LBP may be divided into two categories:

Cochrane Systematic Reviews. The Cochrane Collaboration is an international nonprofit organization of health care professionals. Its authors use a systematic process to analyze the results of clinical trials and other sources to explore the evidence for and against the effectiveness and appropriateness of health care treatments. Topics pertaining to CAM for LBP include:

Findings on CAM from Systematic Reviews
Systematic reviews on CAM for LBP may be divided into two categories:
Cochrane Systematic Reviews. The Cochrane Collaboration is an international nonprofit organization of health care professionals. Its authors use a systematic process to analyze the results of clinical trials and other sources to explore the evidence for and against the effectiveness and appropriateness of health care treatments. Topics pertaining to CAM for LBP include:
Massage
Herbal medicine
Spinal manipulative therapy
Acupuncture
Chiropractic interventions
Behavioral treatments (including some mind-body therapies).

Other Systematic Reviews: The CAM on PubMed database, a service of NCCAM and the National Library of Medicine, provides abstracts of systematic reviews published in peer-reviewed medical and scientific journals. Examples of relevant review topics include:

Spinal manipulation and mobilization
Osteopathic manipulative treatment
Acupuncture
Herbal and other dietary supplements
Willow bark
Devil's claw
Spa therapy and balneotherapy (treatment based on bathing in water).

Two of the themes that are consistent throughout the body of systematic reviews on CAM for LBP are that the evidence evaluated is limited—for example, in its quantity or quality—and that more high-quality research is needed.

Specific areas for future research in CAM for LBP include the cost-effectiveness of CAM therapies; head-to-head comparisons of therapies and studies of the effectiveness of CAM therapies versus usual care; and the optimal form, duration, and frequency for treatments.

Finish this complete blog section about back pain and CAM by going directly to naturally-holistic.net right now or stay tuned for the next few posts.

NIH March, 2009 newsletter

Low Back Pain and CAM

2009-08-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

Low-Back Pain and Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

Four out of five American adults will experience low-back pain (LBP) at some time in their lives. If you are a health care provider, you have almost certainly cared for such patients. No doubt, some of them have asked you about using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to relieve their pain. This article provides an overview of the use of CAM therapies for LBP and lists evidence-based sources for additional information.

A Challenging Condition
LBP is a major public health burden in the United States. It is the leading cause of work-related disability and missed days of work, and the fifth-most-common reason for physician visits. A 2006 report estimated that annual costs of LBP in this country exceed $100 billion. Two-thirds of that is for indirect costs, such as lost wages and reduced productivity.

What about Treatment Options?

More information about treatment options can be found on the next post of this blog OR you can go right to naturally-holistic website to see the full post right now!

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTHNATIONAL CENTER FOR COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE May 2009 Newsletter

Layoff Stress

2009-08-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

This article was originally posted by HealthDay News.gov on February 12, 2009.
It is still very much pertinent.

Job Losses Carry High 'Stress Tag'
THURSDAY, Feb. 12 (HealthDay News) -- As each day brings more bad news on the U.S. economic crisis, the monetary cost of the mounting job losses might be far easier to measure than the mental toll on the thousands of people who suddenly find themselves out of work.

"When you lose a job, the losses are multiple," explained Michael McKee, a psychologist at the Center for Integrative Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. "There's the possible loss of the financial ability to support yourself and your family if you don't have savings. There may be the loss of self-respect, and the respect of others. For some people, there's a loss of identity. There's a loss of security and daily structure. At the extreme end, there are people who lose meaning and hope."

"What I feel is different now is that a great many people are anticipating that things will get worse," McKee added. "People are talking about a depression. And, it's everyone who's worried, even people with a great deal of money and middle-class people. It's getting harder to muster some optimism."

"People might be aware of the stress of job loss, but I don't think they're aware of the impact it has on their life," said Dr. Carole Lieberman, a psychiatrist at the University of California, Los Angeles, Neuropsychiatric Institute. "Any loss results in depression and anger. Those are two things that people who've lost their job will feel."

The one upside -- if there is one -- is that people losing a job today might feel less of a stigma about their job loss because they have so much company. "It may be harder to find a job and harder to finance the things you need, but it is easier in terms of feeling less singled out, and it's easier to get extended benefits," Lieberman noted. U.S. Labor Department statistics released last week back that theory: Almost 600,000 people lost their jobs in January, bringing the nation's unemployment rate to 7.6 percent.

Read the entire post by clicking right here!

CAM and Kids: What Else You Should Know

2009-08-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

Additional Points To Consider

In addition to asking your child's physician what is known about whether a therapy works and is safe for children, consider these points when making decisions about using CAM in children:

*** Ensure that your child has received an accurate diagnosis from a licensed health care provider and that CAM use does not replace or delay conventional medical care.

*** If you decide to use CAM for your child, do not increase the dose or length of treatment beyond what is recommended. More is not necessarily better.

*** If your child experiences an effect from a CAM therapy that concerns you, contact your child's health care provider.

*** Store herbal and other dietary supplements out of the sight and reach of children.

*** If you are a woman who is pregnant or breastfeeding, remember that some CAM therapies may affect your fetus or nursing infant.

For More Information
NCCAM Clearinghouse
The NCCAM Clearinghouse provides information on CAM and NCCAM, including publications and searches of Federal databases of scientific and medical literature. The Clearinghouse does not provide medical advice, treatment recommendations, or referrals to practitioners.
Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615Web site: nccam.nih.govE-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov

Also, visit www.naturally-holistic.net

Natural Holistic Health for the Busy Person!

My Weight Loss Journey Blog now has its own site.

2009-08-10T10:10:00.000-07:00

Do you want to follow my weight loss journey? It is going to be fun! You can read all about my journey on the newest blog: My Weight Loss Journey Blog ( I tried to be creative!)

Hang on Tight and Keep Your Arms in the Car at All Times!

You will enjoy the journey as I drop those last 15 big ones and then keep it off. I'm going to be trying out some recipes for taste and ease of use.

I'll still be publishing the latest and greatest information I can find about natural holistic health right here, so stay tuned. My website, naturally-holistic.net has over 200 pages of information, by the way. There are over 200 pages of interesting information on naturally-holistic.net, I'll let you know whenever I post a new page. I can be funny even when I try to be serious, so who knows what unusual ideas you'll learn.

Anytime you wish, please drop me a quick comment. I like to feel that I'm not all alone out here. Thanks.

My Weight Loss Method-will it be Nutrisystem?

2009-08-10T09:44:00.000-07:00

Whether you've got 10, 20, 30, 50 or more pounds to lose, you still have to decide just HOW you are going to do it. Of course, #1 'how' has to be a manner that is healthy. Those quick fixes you hear about? NOT healthy.

I looked at a variety of popular weight loss 'helpers' and decided to go with one of them. Let me begin by saying that I receive no payment from any of them. I make my choice because it is best for me. You'll make your choice because it is best for you. One method that I do not choose just might be your first choice.

So, here goes...
I looked at Nutrisystem. They advertise a lot on TV as does Jenny Craig, and my husbands gives me kind of sad looking eyes when he sees the weight loss victories. I'm not sure what he is thinking exactly, and I'm afraid to ask. Perhaps he is tired of hearing me complain about those lingering pounds.

Nutrisystem Pros and Cons for Me

Pros

Variety of Plans to choose from
Nice 'body assessment' but I have
to give out my email to get results-
Ht/Wt is a basic BMI-easy to figure
and I didn't want to run risk of getting
marketing emails. No offline component like groups or anything
Easy to follow program
Many Food choices

Cons

I don't really like frozen meals
If I eat the frozen meals, I'll need to still cook for my hubby
No cooking-I like to cook and want to learn how to cook healthier so I can keep the weight off
No real focus on fitness
No offline component (meetings, support...)
Expensive

I'll think about once I finish looking at some of the other options tomorrow. Stay tuned...

Discussing CAM with your Pediatrician-What You Should Know

2009-08-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

Discussing CAM With Your Pediatrician

Parents often do not tell pediatricians or other health care providers that their child is receiving CAM. It is important, however, that families speak with their child's health care provider about any CAM therapy being used or considered. Providing a full picture of what is being done to manage your child's health will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

For tips about talking with your health care provider about CAM, see NCCAM's Time to Talk campaign at nccam.nih.gov/timetotalk.

When seeking care from a CAM practitioner, it is important to ask about the practitioner's:

** Education and training

** Experience in delivering care to children

** Experience working with other providers, including physicians, to ensure coordinated care

** Licensing (some states have licensing requirements for certain CAM practitioners, such as chiropractors, naturopathic doctors, massage therapists, and acupuncturists).

My Weight Loss Journey-Goals

2009-08-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

It is important to set some real life, attainable goals. Some will be short term goals and some a little more long term. This way I'll feel like I can actually see the light at the end of the tunnel. I like to celebrate little successes. What is life without celebration, afterall?

My Goals

1. Decide on best way to achieve healthy weight loss.

(I plan to look into some of the more popular weight loss programs. I'll share my findings with you!) I'm giving myself a week to investigate and choose.

2. Lose 15 pounds, which will give me a healthy body mass index (BMI). I'm very close to a normal BMI, however I feel best when I'm more toward the middle. I'm giving myself about 7 weeks, which is about 2 pounds a week. This is a healthy goal.

3. Exercise again! I love to exercise, but I let my work take priority. Oh, no! There are many fun ways to exercise, and I really look forward to this. I like to do some of the DVDs so that I can exercise anytime any day. I much prefer to be with other people, but that doesn't always work out with my schedule. I'll let you know what I like, don't like and the benefits of the DVDs I try. I plan to start exercising within 3 days. I'm really ready to start this one! Please share your own experiences, too.

My Weight Loss Blog-an Unexpected Feeling

2009-08-04T00:01:00.001-07:00

I just published very personal blog articles-about my own weight loss journey. I've been toying with the idea for awhile-to publish or not to publish. I decided to publish because I figure I'm pretty normal and perhaps other people can relate to my stories. Of all the types of blog articles published, this particular thread is bound to be more personal. This certainly fits my personality, but also implies vulnerability.

The feelings of excitement and empowerment are incredible! I didn't except to feel like this. I expected to feel support from cyberspace-from wonderful people I had never met, but yet who share my journey with me. Hopefully our journeys will cross and we can eventually support one another. I feel so incredibly empowered right now-like there is nothing that can stand in my way! Simply aknowledging that I wasn't where I wanted to be in my life and health and then sharing my goals and committment with you, my readers, has set me free.

Thank you all of you for this! I am very, very grateful. Please honor us by sharing your own stories as well. Perhaps you too will feel empowered. It is sure worth a try.

I wish peace and honor to you all

CAM, kids and Who uses What

2009-08-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

Patterns of CAM Use in Children

The 2007 National Health Interview Survey gathered information on CAM use among more than 9,000 children aged 17 and under. Nearly 12 percent of the children had used some form of CAM during the past 12 months. CAM use was much more likely among children whose parents also used CAM. Adolescents aged 12–17, children with multiple health conditions, and those whose families delayed or did not use conventional medical care because of cost were also more likely to use CAM. The accompanying figures show survey findings on CAM use by children, including top therapies and diseases/conditions.In addition, a 2001 survey of 745 members of the American Academy of Pediatrics found that 87 percent of pediatricians had been asked about CAM therapies by a patient or a parent in the 3 months prior to the survey. The pediatricians were asked most often about herbs and dietary supplements.
The ten most popular CAM therapies used in children in 2007 (NIH.gov):
Natural Products: 3.9%

Chiropractic & Osteopathic: 2.8%

Deep Breathing: 2.2%

Yoga: 2.1%

Homeopathic: 1.3%

Traditional Healers: 1.1%

Massage: 1%

Meditation: 1%

Diet Based Therapies: 0.8%

Progressive Relaxation: 0.5%

And, What Conditions are They Hoping to Improve?

Back and Neck Pain: 6.7%

Head and Chest Cold: 6.6%

Anxiety/Stress: 4.8%

Musculoskeletal: 4.2%

ADHD: 2.5%

Insomnia: 1.8%

Won't it be fun to see the data for 2008 and 2009?

No doubt, the numbers will be higher, especially considering the interest in diet based therapies for children.

Seeking Options in CAM for Low Back Pain

2009-08-03T00:01:00.001-07:00

Seeking Options in CAM

"Low-back pain is one of our society's most common, burdensome health problems," says Josephine P. Briggs, M.D., Director of NCCAM. "The currently available treatments have limitations. Many patients turn to CAM with the hope of decreasing pain, improving function and quality-of-life, preventing recurrence and chronicity, or avoiding side effects of other treatments."

According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, back pain is the most common condition for which American adults use CAM. Data suggest that the CAM therapies most frequently used for LBP are chiropractic/manipulation, massage, and acupuncture. Other CAM approaches include yoga, herbal and other dietary supplements, devices, and lifestyle products.

Evaluating Treatment Options

Identifying optimal treatment approaches for LBP can be difficult for both patients and clinicians. A thorough patient assessment is the first step for a clinician who may be considering recommending CAM therapies. Clinical practice guidelines stress the importance of ruling out serious underlying conditions and evaluating a patient's psychosocial factors and emotional distress when doing an assessment of LBP.

Among recent recommendations on LBP are joint clinical guidelines from the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society (ACP/APS). Released in 2007, the statement's seven major recommendations to clinicians include:

Conducting a focused history and physical examination to help place patients into one of three categories: nonspecific LBP, back pain potentially associated with radiculopathy or spinal stenosis, or back pain potentially from another specific spinal cause

Providing patients with evidence-based information on the expected course and on effective self-care options, and advising them to remain active

Considering use of medications with proven benefits (first-line options are acetaminophen or NSAIDs)

Considering nonpharmacologic therapy that has proven benefits for patients whose LBP does not improve with self-care alone.

There is a lot more information to follow! You can either stay tuned for future posts or go directly to naturally-holistic.net to read the entire article.

See NIH May, 2009 newsletter for original article

My Weight Loss Journey

2009-08-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

Well, today is the day I decided to make the big committment-TIME to LOSE some weight!

Every once in awhile, I get the bug for change. Sometimes it is because I hear something interesting and decide to give it a try and other times I just suddenly find myself fed up with something.

Yesterday I woke up feeling tired, sluggish and unhappy with the what I saw in the mirror. Work, writing 2 blogs and 2 websites, home 'facelifts' and just generalized laziness has left me out of balance emotionally and physically. There really isn't a good excuse for not taking proper care of myself, though.

I'm carrying around about an extra 15 pounds. I know this because I looked at a BMI (body mass index) calculator/chart and because my clothes just don't fit the way they used to. I also know that I'm just not as energetic as I am typically. Even a few extra pounds can increase risks of serious health problems. I'm 50 now, and there aren't really any excuses for being lazy-the price is just too high.

The first step in making changes is simply to decide to make the change. Part of my committment is to say it out loud-basically make it real. I'm saying it out loud in a big way-I'm blogging about it. I'm going to be honest, too. I may know a lot about living a holistic and healthy life, but I'm also human. I'm not perfect. You'll get to share this journey with me.

After making the committment, I decided to find the best way for me to achieve my goals. Oops-better decide exactly what my goals are. It is important to have definable and acheivable goals. I'm visual, so I like to write things down. Then, I turn those goals into affirmations. Affirmations are very, very important. So often our 'inner critic' is so much louder and so much more negative than we need and want.

Thank you all for supporting me in this journey. I hope you will find my story entertaining, inspiring and maybe even educational! Please share your comments with all the other readers!

Begin Your Spiritual Journey Today!

2009-08-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Where to Begin: Start Your Spiritual Journey Today!

1. Meditate-Try to carve out at least 1 minute twice a day to be still. Do this for a month or so. Even the busiest of us can spare 1 minute, but we sometimes forget, right? Leave yourself little notes until it becomes a habit for you. Give yourself one minute in the morning and one minute in the evening. Then, extend to 2 and then 3 minutes and so on. It is simple, but can make such a huge difference.

2. Part of your spiritual journey will require paying attention. Look for the message in every problem or challenge. Ask yourself, ‘What is Your message for me?’ and ‘What are You here to teach me?’

3. Find like-minded people and friends who can share your spiritual path. Once you make the decision to start down the path, others will be attracted to you, and you’ll notice situations and people you may not have noted before.

The Bible says ‘wherever 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, I am there.’

• Gather in a church or synagogue
• Start a book club
• Gather to simply share laughs and get to know one another
• Come out of yourself

Pay attention to your life! Notice when you are fighting rather than allowing life to flow.

Try to Allow way more often then you Fight. This doesn’t mean giving up or giving in-it simply means to choose your battles wisely. If you find that you struggle a lot, you are probably not where you should be.

What else do you need to know???

CAM, Kids and Safety

2009-07-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

Safety of Childhood CAM Use

Few high-quality studies have examined how CAM therapies may affect young people, and results from studies in adults do not necessarily apply to children. Children are not small adults. Their immune and central nervous systems are not fully developed, which can make them respond to treatments differently from adults. This is especially true for infants and young children.

Herbs and other dietary supplements may interact with medicines or other supplements, or they may cause problems during surgery, such as bleeding-related complications. In addition, "natural" does not necessarily mean "safe." CAM therapies can have side effects, and these may be different in children than in adults.

Parents should seek information from scientific studies about how safe and effective a specific CAM therapy is in children. However, since few, if any, rigorous studies in young people exist, additional scientific studies are needed. Anecdotes and testimonials (personal stories) about CAM therapies are common and can be compelling, but they are not evidence.

Coming Soon: Patterns of CAM and kids-who uses what?

Complimentary and Alternative Medicine for the Kids

2009-07-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

A wide range of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies are used in children, including herbs and dietary supplements, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic care, naturopathy, homeopathy.

Massage is the pressing, rubbing, and moving muscles and other soft tissues of the body, primarily by using the hands and fingers. The aim is to increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the massaged area.

Acupuncture is a family of procedures that originated in traditional Chinese medicine. It is the stimulation of specific points on the body by a variety of techniques, including the insertion of thin metal needles though the skin. It is intended to remove blockages in the flow of qi (energy, life force) and restore and maintain health.

Naturopathy is a whole medical system that originated in Europe. Naturopathy aims to support the body's ability to heal itself through the use of dietary and lifestyle changes together with CAM therapies such as herbs, massage, and joint manipulation.

Homeopathy is a whole medical system that originated in Europe. Homeopathy seeks to stimulate the body's ability to heal itself by giving very small doses of highly diluted substances that in larger doses would produce illness or symptoms (an approach called "like cures like").

Coming up next: A fact sheet from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) that offers information for parents who are thinking about using a CAM therapy for their child.

Prayer in Crisis-Part II

2009-07-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

This is How We Blossom.

Consider this: Everything that happens and every moment is a Spiritual Moment. You are being guided into becoming who you are meant to become. Being Spiritual means being Alive and awake to the experience of life. There is an inherent understanding that something much richer is going on around us than what we can see.

Have you wondered how to live in the midst of a crisis? Afterall, words are words, but living the day to the day crisis isn't easy. I don't believe it is meant to be easy or we wouldn't really get value out of it.

Crisis Intervention 101

1. Don't fight the fight-instead try relaxing into it. Look for the positives, keep your head up and be grateful for the experience. Ask God to show you what you are supposed to be learning and then sit quietly so you can hear the response. Your prayer will be answered.

2. Be patient. You do not have control over everything.

3. Look for and be grateful for the connections that grow from a crisis. I've noticed when things are uncertain in my place of employment, we tend to be a stronger, more cohesive, caring group.

Prayer in Crisis-Part I

2009-07-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

What is the value in a crisis?

Many of us are experiencing some sort of a crisis right now whether it is financial or professional. If we are not personally affected, we know people who are, and are thereby impacted. If you look at the newspaper or watch or listen to any news programs, you have to be impacted on some level.
There is still a war going on in the Middle East, afterall. This is a crisis for sure, even though we've grown accustomed to this crisis, in a way, unless we have loved ones over there.

Short or long term crisis-it all takes a toll.

It all has value, too, though. Spirituality is an instinct and it makes itself evident through our yearnings for something more.

Crisis certainly brings about yearnings.
Crises teach us that we are more than just our phusical bodies and minds.
Crises teach us that life has a meaning-and that meaning can be very personal. We go from being broken, tightly wound, and shut down to being open.
Our heart opens as we walk along the path of a crisis, so long as we awaken to the gift it presents. In other words, we see the crisis as a challenge to learn something from and we try to find value in the situation.

You can read even more by visiting pray with beads.com!

Psalms-What Do You Know?

2009-07-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

Why We Like Psalms so Much

Ever need that quick spiritual 'pick-me up?' Psalms are short and sweet-they get right to the point. They are also nondogmatic views of God that serve as a resource for spiritual renewal for a people no matter the culture or religion.

What about the Origin of Psalms?

The word 'psalms' comes from the Greek word Psalter. The word 'psalter' comes from the Hebrew word 'techillim' which means Song.

This is one of the things we love about psalms! They are like songs-both poetic and metaphorical.

When were the Psalms Written?

It is believed that they were written around the tenth century BC, although many of the Psalms are ascribed to David. However, some modern day scholars doubt that David wrote them at all. The most likely birth of the psalms is that they were written over a number of centuries by many, unknown authors. Too bad for them, but these unknown authors didn't get credit. Credit was instead given to other authors at a later time.

What is Best Way to Enjoy Psalms?

Psalms may seem to be a bit disorganized, however if they are read as poems, they are easier to understand and enjoy.

What are Psalms Really About?

Some of the most common themes of psalms are beauty, sweetness, nature, adoration and death.

What Makes Psalms Different than Poetry?

They flow beautifully, but unlike most traditional poetry, the authors address God directly. Poetry in Western cultures tend to address man and nature while Psalms are more of an expression of human feelings of repentence or praise, doubt or faith, anger or calm, sorry or joy all within the relationship with God. This makes Psalms incredibly hardy and inspirational reading material, and why I've devoted several pages to Psalms in the Pray with Beads website.

Law of Attraction and Happiness

2009-07-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

If there is any 'secret' to be told, it must have to do with the secret to happiness. Happiness is, afterall, something we strive for.

Perhaps you've read or watched the wildly popular 'The Secret,' which was about the Law of Attraction. They told us how to get what we want, basically, through our attitude. When we get what we want, we can be happy. Sounds kind of simple, doesn't it?

The Law of Attraction and Happiness

1. Happiness, according to experts, is not determined by the stuff we acquire. It is a state of being we acquire. Yes, certain stuff can bring temporary happiness, and money can buy you the ability to take better care of yourself, but you've got to thave the right attitude first.

2. You are responsible for your own quality of life. Yes, things happen, but your reaction to them is more important. While it is true that bad things happen (jobs get lost unexpectedly, people get sick, accidents happen, spouses leave...), it isn't true that our quality of life must stay poor for long. The length of grieving time is up to you.

It is important to go through life's changes, not unlike a little boat on the ocean. There will be times you float along just fine soaking up the rays. There will also be time it takes every ounce of courage and strength to keep your little boat afloat.

3. Recognize that life has his own ebbs and flows. Accept that fact, and you'll be much happier. Keep your boat as level as possible, and keep on sailing. It is so easy to wonder and even believe that bad times will go on forever.
The definition of bad is relative, however. What may seem 'bad' right now might be comparatively easy. Be careful what you whine about. Choose a perspective that leans toward the positive.

4. Out of every challenge comes growth. Many of the gifts we have to offer are ours because we earned them. Perhaps you learned how to find humor in the most trying of times, and now you help others in crisis. Perhaps you learned how to manage money when you didn't have much, and you now help others with little. I'm sure you can think of many examples on your own. Look toward the challenge with delight-you get to learn something wonderfully
powerful!

5. You are powerful enough to bring greatness! Your thoughts can uplift you. you've probably heard this, but you are your thoughts. if you think negatively, you will bring more negative energy your way. The opposite is true, as well. Positive people bring more positive energy into their lives.

6. Small changes in your thinking can bring about huge changes in your life. Try it for just a day and see what happens.

7. Practicing the principles of the law of attraction can improve your quality of life because thought becomes reality. Perhaps more than ever, we could all use something to really believe in. Many of us have beliefs in a higher power, and many of us do not. Positive prayer and affirmation prayers can help you to focus and stay positive.

Perhaps this challenging time is God's gift to us. Financial difficulties have made a lot of us think about what is really mportant, how easy it is to 'downsize,' just how resilient and courageous we are and how comforting our family can be. Believe in yourself. You are a child of God bestowed with beautiful gifts. Who are you to turn them away? Choose your path carefully and follow your heart. Quiet meditative prayer can help you to hear the voice of God that will direct you toward your own greatness. This isn't a journey for wimps or quitters, but it is a journey you don't want to miss! You can transform your life.

Vision Board-One Path for Success

2009-07-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

What is a Vision Board and Why Should You Care?

A vision board is quite simply a board that you design for yourself. It is YOUR unique board covered with photos, items and whatever you choose.

The items on the board are steps of your journey and reminders of where you want to
go.

It is so difficult sometimes to stay on track when we get tugged in many different directions.

The vision board is your daily reminder of where you want to be. It might also simply plant the seed for you, and even give you hope.

It will help you draw creative energy to your actions. It is YOUR creation, so you'll have to think about what YOU really want or see for yourself. It isn't to be judged by you or anyone else, either. It will be perfect for you simply because you created it for yourself.

Let your 'inner critic' take the day off.

My vision board has photos of the ocean. I love the ocean. I experience a supreme sense of peace and joy when I am at the beach or on the ocean. I certainly feel close to God, and although I am so small compared to the ocean, I feel like I'm a part of it. My mother tells a story about me when I was 3 or 4 that goes something like this: 'The first time I took her to the beach she just ran into the water and the waves with absolutely no fear!' I don't have a lot of childhood memories, but I do remember this day. I don't remember the spanking I got for running in there, but I clearly remember seeing the ocean and feeling like I had just come home.

So, needless to say, my vision board has photos of my favorite place in Hawaii, where I used to live. My heart is still there, so I believe I'll return one day. I'm reminded of this daily in such a way that I can enjoy today, although I'm in central Texas. I'm with my husband in some photos as my reminder that I want to strengthen that relationship. The words I put on my board are strong and simple. There are no photos of me working a full time job because I envision myself being financially independent-not necessarily rich with money, but rich in happiness for
sure!

Begin by using a board of some kind that you can tape, glue or any other way affix photos or other items. If you aren't sure what you want on your board, don't worry. Go through magazines that catch your attention and start cutting out photos that touch you in some way.

Don't judge or try to figure out why right now. Just gather. When you are ready, affix those that speak to you the loudest to your board. You might want to add some affirmations such
as 'I am ready to ____' 'God loves me' 'I love my life' I am happy;

Post your board where you can see it regularly. Remind yourself about your path. You may end up with several vision boards or you can keep adding to yours. Your vision will grow, afterall.

The vision board can help you manifest and accept greatness in your life. Perhaps it can be part of an altar that you make for yourself. Create a peace-place for yourself. It doesn't have to be big, but it does have to be special for you. Comfortable pillows or chair, inspirational reading materials, photos, your board, candles...

Believe in Miracles-they happen every day! Evolve as a spiritual being and invest in your physical and emotional healing as well.

Visit Pray with Beads.com to learn more!

Success Secret: Attitude

2009-06-28T12:01:00.000-07:00

What is Attitude?

Everything!!

Holding onto a positive attitude, even when things are not going along like you would prefer, increases the chances of you finding happiness and fulfillment. A positive attitude can help you know when you are living 'on purpose,' too.

Do you know that having negative thoughts and emotions actually does harm to your body? Scientific research has shown that our body's respond to a negative experience at the time and continues to do so for hours afterwards. The sooner we 'get over' it and get back to a positive attitude, the healthier it is for you. So, it really pays to learn how to get back to that state of balance.
Your thoughts, whether positive or negative, lead to decisions. Who wants to make bad decisions? Be sure you are in a positive state of mind before you make any big decisions.
Worry is a negative thoughts, by the way. Why not visualize a positive outcome instead of a negative one (worry)?
Optimists may or may not predict their future correctly. Perhaps the worrier is more accurate. Some would argue that the worry state of mind begets the troubles in life. Optimists live longer than pessimists, also. Isn't that a great reason to change your attitude?
A negative attitude, at minimal, affects you by trashing your moment to moment happiness. That moment to moment happiness is what leads to a really great day!
Setbacks, disappointments and chaos are bound to happen. That is life. What makes these events even worse is an ongoing negative attitude. Learn to see these as opportunities that will guide you to something wonderful.
What can help your attitude?
Journal
Prayer
Imagery, creative visualization
Creative Imagery and Prayer together
Meditation

I've got a very dear friend who stayed way too long in a job where she just didn't seem to fit. She did a great job, though, and helped a lot of people. Changing jobs meant a decrease in income, and more difficulty taking care of her family. However, working in what seemed like a toxic environment was taking its toll on her health. Tough predicament, right? She worked at this job for years all the while getting little and big 'nudges from heaven' that perhaps she should move on. One day she went in and learned that her position was going to be eliminated. She was devastated and relieved. She had a good excuse to look elsewhere, guess what? She found something wonderful that had always been there for her. She feels great physically, mentally and spiritually. It wasn't easy, but it was worth it. I kept telling her: right now you are getting nudges to encourage you to make a change. One day you'll get a kick in the pants. Why not listen now?

Dr. Bernie Siegel writes, 'Over God's desk there is a plaque that reads, "if you go around saying I've got a miserable life, I'll show you what miserable really is. And if yhou go around saying I've got a wonderful life, I'll show you what wonderful really is."

Direct Your Life-Affirmation Prayers

2009-06-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

Envisioning your intended, which is what affirmation prayers are, implies a sense of fulfilment and wholeness already.

Affirmations are more powerful than a simple request or even a plea or a beg. When you affirm, there is an assumption that it is your right to have what you intend.

My father used to tell me that life is not a dress rehearsal-you may as well live it well. We all probably try to do this, but find that distractions and challenges get in the way.

Keep the Focus on What is Real!

1. Relax! Take 3 deep cleansing breaths.

2. Take a good look at your Vision Board at least once a day. It is even better if you have it posted where you can see it regularly.

3. Focus-see it-experience it! The powers of the mind are phenomenal. Your imagination can create your reality-in both positive and negative ways.

4. Be sure your daily actions, decisions and conversations (even those in your head!) take you toward your visions.

5. Stay on course and let every decision support your vision.

Be sure and visit Pray with Beads.com to learn more!

Music is a gift from heaven. Can music help your heart, too?

2009-06-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

Joyful Music in Tune With Heart Health
Study Finds it Leads to Improved Blood Flow
By Amanda Gardner-HealthDay Reporter

(HealthDay News) -- Throw on a little Bach, Beatles or Beyonce, and then sit back and relax in the knowledge that your blood vessels are expanding wide open, letting the blood flow freely.
Nothing could be healthier for your heart, a new study suggests.

"Listening to music that makes you feel good may also be a good preventive measure for heart health," said study author Dr. Michael Miller, director of the Center for Preventive Cardiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center, in Baltimore. "There's no downside. It's simple, economic and it may pay off dividends in regard to a healthy heart."

Previous studies had found that music could affect heart rate and blood pressure. Prayer has also been shown to improve cardiac performance. And Miller's group previously found that laughter improved vascular health.

For the new study, 10 healthy, nonsmoking volunteers (70 percent of them men with a mean age of 36) selected music that made them feel good and other music that made them feel anxious. Selections differed according to the person. Participants also were asked to look at humorous video clips and relaxation audio tapes.

The researchers measured brachial artery flow, in the forearm, using a blood pressure cuff, before and after each "stimulus."

"In the minute after you release [the rubber bulb], you see how the inner lining of the blood vessel reacts, the endothelial response," Miller said. "People with risk factors for heart disease like smoking and hypertension don't dilate normally. We believe that means that their vasculature is not healthy."

(This is a very interesting article, but it is a bit large for this format. Don't give up, though! Please read the rest of the article. It can be found right here. )

(SOURCES: Michael Miller, M.D., director, Center for Preventive Cardiology, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore; Carl J. Lavie, M.D., medical director, cardiac rehabilitation, and prevention director, Stress Testing Laboratory, Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute, New Orleans; Nov. 11, 2008, presentation, American Heart Association's annual scientific sessions, New Orleans)
Copyright © 2009 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.

HealthDayNews articles are derived from various sources and do not reflect federal policy. healthfinder.gov does not endorse opinions, products, or services that may appear in news stories. For more information on health topics in the news, visit Health News on healthfinder.gov.

Affirmation Prayers and Gratitude

2009-06-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU!

Envisioning your intended, which is what affirmation prayers are, implies a sense of fulfilment and wholeness already.

Affirmations are more powerful than a simple request or even a plea or a beg. When you affirm, there is an assumption that it is your right to have what you intend.

Stop Asking and Start Knowing!

Manifest your Visions by Claiming Them!

What Will Your Affirmation Say?

1. Begin with Gratitude-'Thank you for hearing my prayer'

2. Then, start with the solution, not the problem.

3. Act with complete confidence that your prayer has already been answered-because it already has. Will it look like you envisioned? Probably not perfectly, however it will still be perfect.

4. Stay focused on your vision. This can be tough sometimes because, if you are like me, there are a lot of things that get in the way to block your focus. Be careful not to falter or become negative. What you think becomes reality.

5. See the perfection in all the situations. Challenge yourself to accept perfection for yourself.

6. Believe that you have the power to heal and create when you think in alignment with God.

7. Remember your Vision and your Purpose. Keep the Faith. A vision board can be helpful here. In some cultures, such as in the Native American culture, there is a 'faithkeeper' who holds the tribal vision. This is a cultural tradition. You can be your 'FaithKeeper.'

8. Your purpose will light the way to your vision and your intention. You, must, of course, be clear on your purpose. If you find that nothing much has meaning for you or it is really easy to stray, then you may actually be off purpose.

Zicam: Get the Latest Scoop Here!

2009-06-17T19:09:00.000-07:00

Have You Heard about the Zicam Warnings???

Zicam Fact Sheet
June 16, 2009

Reports of anosmia or loss of sense of smell associated with use of three zinc-containing intranasal Zicam products represent a strong and significant safety signal.
Anosmia is a serious, disabling condition that may result in the permanent loss of one of the five senses, the sense of smell.
Anosmia may be long-lasting or permanent.

These products are for the treatment of a condition that goes away on its own (common cold).

People with anosmia may not be able to smell smoke, a gas leak, or spoiled food. Additionally, anosmia is often associated with a loss of sense of taste (ageusia).

Anosmia and ageusia may affect the work of people employed in the food industry, or other industries in which the sense of smell and taste are very important.

Zicam products that are the subject of the warning:
Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel (NDC 62750-003-10)
Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs (NDC 62750-003-20)
Zicam Cold Remedy Swabs, Kids Size (NDC 62750-003-21)

Zicam brands that are NOT affected by the warning:
Zicam Cold Remedy RapidMelts with Vitamin C
Zicam Cold Remedy RapidMelts
Zicam Cold Remedy Oral Mist
Zicam Cold Remedy Chewables
Zicam Cold Remedy ChewCaps
Zicam Cold Sore Gel Swabs
Zicam Multisymptom Cold and Flu Liquid-Daytime
Zicam Multisymptom Cold and Flu Liquid-Nighttime
Zicam Multisymptom Cold and Flu To Go-Daytime
Zicam Multisymptom Cold and Flu To Go-Nighttime
Zicam Cough Max Cough Spray
Zicam Cough Max Cough Melts
Zicam Extreme Congestion Relief Nasal Gel
Zicam Intense Sinus Relief Nasal Gel
Zicam Healthy Z-ssentials
Zicam Seasonal Allergy Relief Nasal Gel
Zicam Seasonal Allergy Relief Gel Swabs

While Zicam also makes zinc-containing oral cold remedies, these are not subject to this warning because the development of anosmia appears to be related to the intranasal application of zinc.
Post-viral anosmia has been noted in individuals (unrelated to zinc), however, anosmia with intranasal zinc presents differently; many individuals complain of burning or stinging sensations in the nose and a more rapid onset of symptoms than is seen with post-viral anosmia.
FDA’s concerns about reported adverse events of anosmia are heightened by published scientific literature that provides evidence supporting the connection between intranasal zinc and anosmia.

www.fda.gov

Weight Loss Secrets

2009-06-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for that perfect weight loss secret? You've probably read about diet, exercise, supplements, surgery and even medications. But what is the number one way to achieve a healthy body? Awareness!

In order to lose weight, you've got to consider all aspects of your life. Weight loss must be holistic-the body, mind and spirit. Many fail at weight loss by focusing all on the body or just the mind and maybe even the spirit. Remember, it is about being healthy. If you focus on something positive (health) you will do better than by focusing on something negative (fighting obesity).

In order to optimize your personal holistic, development-body, mind, and spirit-you must be fully aware of your self. This awareness means that you need to be alert, knowledgeable and watchful.

How can you be aware and just what should you be aware of?

The #1 Weight loss Secret is to keep a journal-also known as a diary. Why is this so important? This is how you can become aware of the details. Success is in the details.

What Details Do You Need to Know?

A. When do you eat? Are you hungry when you eat?

Sometimes we eat when we're not hungry. In fact, often times we eat when we're not hungry. Sometimes we keep eating even when we're full. That is probably no secret to you! Certain foods can even trigger us to eat more.

What about that relationship between Food and Mood. This is Powerful!

B. How do you feel when you eat?
Many of us are emotional eaters. You may not even realize it until you write down what you are feeling when you eat. This will also make you stop and think before you eat. How many times have you reached for something to eat and gobbled it down before you even realize what you are doing? That is not eating about of hunger! So, what are your triggers? Anger, frustration, sadness, fatigue...?

You probably already know that one response to stress is eating without thought. All about Stress, Emotions, and Weight Loss

C. Know exactly how much you eat-both quality and quantity.

It isn't unusual for people to be stunned by the amount that they find themselves eating. By writing down what is eaten and how much, you can actually put a concrete number to the 'estimates.' Keep reading-I'm going to give you a simple way to make it easy!

Learn more about weight loss the holistic way by simply clicking here!

Wondering what foods to eat and which ones to avoid? Start Here!

Click on any item to learn more and to help support this site. Purchases through this site help me to maintain this blog and my two websites.
Thank you for the support!
Carmen
Naturally Holistic and Pray with Beads

Top Ten Healing Foods!

2009-06-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you've heard about the most healing foods, the foods to help you lose weight, the foods to keep you healthy, the foods to enjoy... Well, you get the picture!

So, what do you think they are?

Certain fruits or vegetables? Maybe some hybrid of two of your favorite ones?

Fresh fish-ocean or freshwater?

What are the advantages of eating whole grains? Did you know that whole grains are usually low in ______ and _________ thus making them excellent choices? But, did they make the TOP 10 list?

Is FAT ever a good thing to eat?

Okay, okay, enough teasers! I've actually written one full page about healing foods (including the answers to these questions) and lots more!

Visit here!!!

Affirmation Prayers-5 Simple Steps

2009-06-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

Five simple steps to help you use Affirmation Prayers:

1. Recite the affirmation prayer regularly-at least twice a day and more often, if needed.

2. Post the affirmation prayer where you can see it as a reminder-tape it to your bathroom mirror, your locker at work, your car-whatever works for you.

3. Remember to recite it with belief. You are your thoughts, afterall. Know it, believe it and become it!

4. Recite out loud or in silence. Start with saying it out loud, though. You'll find it far more powerful.

5. Keep it simple to start with. Simple is actually good even for the affirmation savvy.

A few affirmation prayer examples:

I am healthy

I have enough ____

I am patient and kind

Have you heard of VISION BOARDS? Affirmations work in a variety of ways.

This is just PART ONE of many other blog entries and webpages about Prayer Affirmations. You won't want to miss even one of these posts!

Constipation: A National Problem Solved!

2009-06-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

So, we've seen that constipation is a national problem impacting the lives of about FOUR million Americans and HALF a million Canadians!

It results from a sluggish, slow colon and/or not enough fluids and fiber.

The U.S. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearninghouse have some recomendations to help relieve the symptoms of constipation and to help keep the problem from returning.

Eat a well-balanced, high-fiber diet that includes beans, bran, whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Did you know that most Americans eat less than half of the 20-35 grams of fiber that is recommended? It is true! You may even be one of them. I know I am sometimes. (Trying healthful smoothies has been one way I've improved on this!)
Drink plenty of liquids. Water and other liquids add fluid to the colon and bulk to stools. This makes the stool softer and easier to pass.
Exercise regularly. Remember one cause of constipation is a sluggish colon. If you move your body, your colon will work better.
Set aside time for yourself for undisturbed visits to the toilet.
When you feel like you have to go, by all means don't put it off. If you ignore your body, pretty soon it will stop sending you the messages at all!
It is normal to have temporary irregularity. There are many causes. Don't stress over it, but do take a look at what may be throwing your system off.
Is the constipation signficant or lasting for a prolonged time? Be sure and check with your healthcare provider.

The U. S. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearninghouse off some great advice. I have a few others of my own:

1. Try to stay in balance in your life in general. This is easier said than done. Remember, if one part of your life (body, mind or spirit) is out of balance, the others will also be.

2. Try Go Chi every day. My husband and I drink this, and I recommend it because I like it. I like the taste, the benefits and I like that the claims are scientifically supported. You owe it to yourself to look into this powerful antioxidant that has also been shown to keep you moving regularly! Learn more about antioxidants or go right to the Go Chi webpage.

Affirmation Prayer

2009-06-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

Why Affirmations Work

Affirmations are more powerful than a simple request or even a plea or a beg. When you affirm, there is an assumption that it is your right to have what you intend.

Stop Asking and Start Knowing!

Manifest your Visions by Claiming Them!

How about an example? Let's say you lose your job.

You may pray- "please send me a job."

Affirmation Prayer- "The perfect job is waiting for me. Thank you for giving me the ability to seek. I have faith. The perfect job is mine."

Asking or begging implies a need with emptiness, as well as a sense of being a victim. While it is natural to experience some disillusion and negative thoughts as you get it together enough to take that next step, the best step is the positive step. It takes practice and time to get there, but it is worth the effort.

Have you heard of VISION BOARDS? Affirmations work in a variety of ways.

This is just PART ONE of many other blog entries and webpages about Prayer Affirmations. You won't want to miss even one of these posts!

Constipation: A National Problem?

2009-06-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

#1: True or False?
In North America, more than 4 million Americans and half-million Canadians have frequent constipation that accounts for 3 million visits to a healthcare provider?

#2: True or False?
If you have a bowel movement once every 3 days, you are constipated?

If you answered True to #1 and False to #2 you are correct!

If you have bowel movements less frequently than 3 X a week and experience pain or difficulty passing stool (due to hard stoool), you may actually have constipation. For some, 3 bowel movements a day is normal and yet for other, 3 times a week is normal.

So just how do our intestines work? The short answer is that as food moves through the colon, the colon absorbs water from that food as it forms waste products or stool. Constipation can occur when the colon's muscle contractions that move the stool along the color are sluggish or slow. Constipation can also occur when the color absorbs too much water from the stool and the stool gets hard.

What causes these problems?

Not enough fiber in the diet
Lack of physical activity
Medications, including some pain relievers, antacids and some iron supplements
Irritable bowel syndrome
Changes in your life such as travel, pregnancy, aging and stress
Abuse of laxatives
Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement (too busy, don't want to use public bathroom, wait til later and then urge is gone...)
Not enough water or other fluid intake (also too much caffeine, which is a diuretic that depletes your body of water)

What do the experts at the U.S. National Digestive Diseases recommend?

You can watch for a future blog entry or go right here to read now!

New EBooks with Lots of Freebies!

2009-05-31T23:20:00.000-07:00

I've got quite a deal for all my loyal readers out there! It is my way of thanking you for sharing with me and reading what I've had to 'say.'

Coming Soon!!! Ebooks for immediate download

Quiet Talks on Prayer

The Soul's Sincere Desire

The Spiral Way

Holistic Weight Loss

Stay tuned for future notices or send me a note to be sure you get in the specials I've planned for my favorite readers!

Psalms-The Righteous and the Wicked Contrasted

2009-05-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

Psalms

The Righteous and the Wicked Contrasted

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in the law doth he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The ungoldly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Blessings for Beginnings

2009-05-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

Blessings for Beginnings

Beginnings are exciting, yet scary. Think about your own beginnings: first day of school, first day of a new job, new marriage, birth of a child...

These first steps and experiences are really the gifts of growth. To refuse to grow or experience new beginnings is really self-neglect.
Consider where you might be called to a new beginning-something completely new.

Without this calling, life would cease being exciting, fun and your growth would stagnate.

Ask for a blessing to make the right first step. It can't hurt, but it certainly will help. And, hey, it is easy and free!
Blessings for Beginnings

There are many types of beginnings-Some are fast and we have no choice in the matter. Some examples are illnesses, accidents and other tragedies. Some of these events are actually very positive, but are still abrupt such as an unexpected job promotion.

Some changes seem to come about quickly, although we've prepared for a long time. A high school or college graduation is a good example. One day you are a student, and the next day you are not. The work took years, but the change seemed to happen overnight. Suddenly a new beginning started.

Sometimes beginnings happen slow and steady and just seem to work out. This type of beginning is very exciting!

Be sure and visit Pray with Beads to read more!

Blessings-How Much Do You Know?

2009-05-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought about the blessings in your life?

Just what are blessings, anyway?

Blessings are special favors we ask for God to bestow upon us. We hope that these favors bring us peace, happiness, wealth and protection. They are special, unique prayers that:

Remind us that each life is connected in spirit

Show that our inner light shines bring, no matter what

Give us a protective web as we step forward in each day and little journey of our life

Encourage us to feel protected and guided.

Provoke an intimacy that is privileged-asked from that personal place where human life and divine life interact freely.

This gracious invitation is the invocation of spirit that can be subtle or might be a plea. Sometimes we beg to God-this is also a prayer.

No matter your language or religion, these special prayers become a part of life.

Be sure and visit www.pray-with-beads.com/blessings.html to learn more!

Special Memorial Day Prayers

2009-05-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

Special Memorial Day Prayers

Almighty God Who art the Author of Liberty and the Champion of the oppressed hear our prayer. We the men of Special Forces, acknowledge our dependence upon Thee in the preservation of human freedom.

Go with us as we seek to defend the defenseless and to free the enslaved. May we ever remember that our nation, whose oath "in God We Trust," expects that we shall requit ourselves with honor, that we may never bring shame upon our faith, our families, or our fellow men.

Grant us wisdom from Thy mind, courage from Thine heart, and protection by Thine hand. It is for Thee that we do battle, and to thee belongs the victor's crown. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and glory forever. Amen!

Please visit pray-with-beads.com for even more Memorial Day Prayers

Memorial Day and Our Prayers

2009-05-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day Prayers

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day, and was designated as a day to remember those who have died in the service of our nation.

Just how did it all begin? Well, that is kind of a mystery. About two dozen cities and towns claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day. Before the end of the Civil War, a hymn was published called "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" which was written for the ladies of the South who decorated graves of the Confederate dead.

Perhaps Memorial Day and the prayers, hymns and other dedications that followed had many different beginnings in order to honor those who gave their lives for the United States. You see, no matter how it began, the true source-love and honor for those who gave so much-is there.

Original Memorial Day Prayer

How to Celebrate Memorial Day:
"...gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime....let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude,--the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan." --General John Logan, General Order No. 11, 5 May 1868

How Will You Spend Memorial Day?

2009-05-21T14:13:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day is a day set aside to honor those who have given so much so we,

United States citizens, can live a good life.

How will you spend it?

Going to a big sale

Party

How will you spend it in a way to really

honor those who served our country?

Food Safety Tips

2009-05-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

Our food might travel a great distance from its origin to your table. There are many protective measures in place, however we are also responsible for maintaining food safety in our homes.

Food Safety Tips for You!

Grow Your Own

I grow a garden, and my husband and I started it last year after moving to Texas. We had to learn about when and what to plant for the area, but it was fun. We made some mistakes, but as I look out the window this year, we've got quite a crop. We planted some of our favorite vegetables including ones that I can easily store for the winter as well as herbs for cooking. This is an affordable way to provide safe food for yourself and your family. We even have a bin to collect scraps to make our own compost. This sounded really extreme for us to begin with, but it is really simple. We purchased good soil to make our raised beds, and can say that our garden treats are organic! You can start small, and you won't regret it.

Shop Wisely

Try to purchase local, seasonal and organic foods. Many places have local farmer's markets. Ask where the fruits and vegetables were grown and if they were grown organically. If a food is out of season for where you live when you see it at the grocery store, you can bet that it had to come quite a distance to reach you.

Clean and Cook with Safety in Mind

Well, I like to cut corners as much as anybody else, however proper cleaning and handling of food is not an area to slack off on.

1. Store meats in a leak proof container or bag so that the liquids won't contaminate your other food.

2. I use a separate meat and vegetable cutting board. My knife was kind of expensive, so I don't have two, but I wash it thoroughly between use with meat and veggies.

3. Did I mention how important it is to wash your hands? Ah! This is a key Food Safety Tip. If you use a dish towel to dry your hands, careful that it is maintained clean. If you accidentally use it to wipe away any food droppings (especially meat) it isn't clean anymore. Keep some paper towels nearby for meat spills. I don't like to use throw-away things much, but on occasion it is worth it. See what works for you, but remember to avoid contamination.

4. Wash fruits and vegetables before using.

5. Use warm soapy water to wash your cutting boards and utensils.

6. Do you sometimes wonder if your meat is cooked properly-not too well done and not too rare? Invest in a digital thermometer tip so you'll know. They usually have little guides to tell you the 'done temp' of foods like hamburger (160 degrees F).

7. Watch the expiration dates. I've been guilty of keeping dried seasonings and herbs way past their expiration date because I don't use them that often. Be sure and take a look an discard anything that is expired.

8. See something you don't like? Speak up! Some bad things have happened and people have been hurt by unsafe practices on very big scales. Watch what happens at the local grocer, and if you see something that isn't right, make your voice heard.

You can learn more from the United States Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. There are a lot of things you can do, too! Watch for Food Safety Tips in a future blog entry or visit naturally-holistic.net right now.

What is Prayer

2009-05-18T07:09:00.000-07:00

Prayer is the act of attempting to verbally communicate with the supernatural. In most cases, this is God. It can be a private or a group experience. It can be formal or informal.

Your Daily Bread Prayer is the very soul and essence of our spirituality. It doesn't matter who you pray to, but it is important that you pray. It is the very core of man's life. Therefore begin your day with prayer and make it resonate from your soul so it can carry you through the day, if needed. End your day with prayer to help assure a peaceful night's rest.

What is prayer?

Simply put, prayer is a direct route to joy and peace of mind. Imagine what the world would look like if we were all prayerful, filled with joy and actively sought peace? How different our days would be! Let me tell you a little secret: If you are more prayerful, joy filled and peaceful, you will see the world as such, also, AND you would attract more positive people and events into your life. The first step to peace begins right in our hearts!

You can read much more about prayer on my websites, Naturally Holistic, Pray with Beads and my rosary, prayer bead and spiritually inspired jewelry store. Please take a look!

Here is a sample of the few of the pages on Pray With Beads.com:

How to Pray with Beads
The Miracle of Prayer
Christian Prayer Beads
How to Pray the Rosary and many, many more!

Food Safety: Some Facts about Our Foods

2009-05-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

Food Safety: From Market to Mouth-What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?

There is a lot of anxiety about food safety with recent food recalls and questions raised about safety. Our food really gets around! The distance it travels from origin to our tables can be more than most of us travel in our lifetimes.

Did you know that 20% of our bell peppers come from other countries such as Mexico? I live in Texas, so I know this for sure. Labels on produce now also tell me so. Canada and the Netherlands are also big supplies for us because they have very large greenhouses.
Dairy is one food supply that the United States has tight trade agreements with, and so only about 6% of our dairy is imported. States that supply a large percentage of our dairy include California, Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania and Idaho.
Around 40% of our tomato supply comes from Canada, Mexico and a few other countries. California supplies the bulk supply for us, though.

Yes, our food really gets around! Imported meat, poultry and eggs and all organic foods are overseen by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Over $466 bilion dollars in domestic and imported processed foods, fruits, seafood, grains and vegetables as well as medications and vaccines are overseen by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). I don't need to tell you that this is a huge job!

How much do you know about what goes on in other countries?

So, we must all do our job, too, when it comes to food safety.

Can Stress Cause Cancer?

2009-03-17T06:22:00.000-07:00

Stress is blamed for a variety of problems. This is is no secret, right? But, can it cause the BIG C? Afterall, how can we avoid stress, especially at this time of financial crisis?

Let me begin by saying that there is so much we don't know. We speculate, but not a lot has been proven, although this is rapidly changing.

Let's talk about what is known:

1. We all experience stress-how you RESPOND to that stress is what makes the difference to your body.

2. Stress interferes with our ability to fight or heal from cancer or any other illness.

3. Stress does impact your body. A negative response to stress depresses our immune system. A strong immune system is what is needed for good health.

4. Feeling 'stressed out' can lead to serious health problems including high blood pressure and aging of your body. (It is not just about how you look, either!)

5. There are some simple 'stress-busters' you can do that can make a big difference between being stressed and being stress resistant.

Firefighter's Prayer

2009-03-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

When I am called to duty, God,

Whenever flames may rage

Give me strength to save a life

Whatever be its age.

Help me embrace a little child

Before it is too late

Or save an older person from

The horror of that fate.

Enable me to be alert

And hear the weakest shout

And quickly and efficiently

Put the fire out.

I want to fill my calling

To give the best in me

To guard my friend and neighbor

And protect his property.

And if according to Your will

While on duty I must answer death's call

Bless with Your protecting hand

My family one and all.

6 Great Reasons to Build Your Own Website

2009-03-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

This is a great time to make some of your dreams come true! Challenging times can shift our thinking toward the things that are REALLY important. Time for ourselves and loved ones and enjoyment in life are just a few things we yearn for, right? Start making it happen TODAY!

6 Great Reasons to Build Your Own Website Today!

1. There is something you know a lot about that someone else in the world really wants to know.

2. A few extra hours a day (or week or month) will help you today AND help protect your future.

3. It's EASY and you can have lots of support along the way.

4. Times are challenging, but it is easy to prepare.

5. Make $$$$ while you sleep. (My personal favorite reason)

6. You can control your own destiny.

Learn more about how to build your own website right here!

High Cholesterol and What to Do!

2009-03-08T00:01:00.000-08:00

Risks to High Cholesterol and What You Can Do About It:

Hereditary (You can't change this factor!)

Stress (This you CAN change)

Caffeine Intake (too much caffeine can raise your cholesterol)

Exercise (Exercise can raise your 'good' cholesterol and lower your 'bad' cholesterol

Most people are willing to make little changes in their diets before they will make some of the other changes to lower cholesterol. They may opt to take a pill.

Are there natural cures for high cholesterol?

There are natural ways to control cholesterol. Are you doing everything you can?

Back to how fats can help or hurt us:
Are polyunsaturated fats, such as vegetable oils safe?

The sad truth is that polyunsaturated fats have dangers of their own, and there are probably dangers we aren't aware of.

Remember the little chemistry lesson about molecular chains with hydrogen attached (saturated) or with not so much hydrogen attached (unsaturated)?

It seems that those areas on the polyunsaturated (poly meaning 'many') chain WITHOUT hydrogen attached to it is not stable and is open to attack by oxygen. That's right! Our friend, OXYGEN, actually attacks. This is especially true when the oils are heated.

AND, don't we often heat these oils. YES! It seems that these unstable and angry molecules can actually damage DNA and increaseour risk of cancer, speed up aging (OH NO!!!) and aggravate certain immune system and inflammatory disorders.

OH NO, both types of fats, saturated and polyunsaturated, can hurt us! What can we do now?

Okay, so what is the safest fat?
Monounsaturated fats, are those wedged between unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. If you think of a teetertotter, the monounsaturated fats are right in the middle.Once thought to be of no harm and no good, they really are your best choice. They don't seem to increase the risk ofheart disease and raise cholesterol and they do not oxidize quickly, making them not cancer promoting. That's good news!

By eating more monounsaturated fats, such as olive and canola oil, you can lower your 'bad' cholesterol AND raise your 'good' cholesterol. This is something you want!

Omega 3 Fatty Acids are something Special! How much do you know?

Types of Fats

2009-03-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

Types of Fats

Perhaps you've heard about saturated and unsaturated fats. The terms describe the basic chemistry of the fats.

Saturated fats have hydrogen atoms attached and unsaturated do not. There are varying degrees of saturation depending
on how many of the molecular chains are occupied with hydrogen.

Hydrogen, molecular chains, varying degrees...

What?

You don't need to be a chemist to figure this out. whether there are hydrogen atoms attached or not isn't as important as knowing what type of fat you are about to put into your mouth. I promised to keep it simple, didn't I?

Alright, let's make this chemistry thing a little more user-friendly!

Saturated fats become hard and you can't seem through them if you put them in the fridge. They also take a bit longer
to become liquid if you turn the heat on-such as in the frying pan. Examples: most animal fats including bacon and
some vegetable fats such as coconut and palm kernel oils.

Polyunsaturated fats are the opposite. (poly=many)
Most vegetable oils are polyunsaturated. Safflower oil is the most unsaturated.

Interesting Fact About Safflower Oil: Safflower is a fairly new plant to us here in the Northern Hemisphere. It is native to India and the ancient texts warn against using it as food. It has been used here for years, but as a natural dye-not food. I recommend passing onthe Safflower Oil until we learn more.

Between saturated fats and polyunsaturated fats, lie monounsaturated fats. Mono=one

Sunflower, corn, soy and cottonseed oils are monounsaturated fats. These lack saturation only at ONE point in the molecular chain.
Olive oil and canola oils have more monounsaturated fats than some of the other oils in the list.

Key point:

All fats are mixtures of fatty acids, and the terms saturation and unsaturation really refer to the predominant components. They're mixed up, and you can probably relate to that feeling right about now! Just kidding! Don't give up, because there is something wonderful-
good health-waiting at the end of the path. In fact,some helpful hints follow, but just a few more steps first...

See Next Post!! or visit my naturally-holistic.net

Fats-A 4 Letter Word?

2009-03-02T00:01:00.000-08:00

Let's begin with something most of us have heard about, cholesterol. High choleserol in the blood is a result of many factors-one of which is the amount of fat you eat, also known as dietary fat.

This is an image of cholesterol in a blood vessel. The small cholesterol plaques can break off and cause a heart attack if it goes to your heart or a stroke if it goes to your brain. Holistic Medicine addresses high cholesterol in a number of ways. One way is through nutrition.

Holistic medicine and nutrition seriously addresses dietary fat. High Cholesterol and Holistic Medicine are popular topics in lay and professional journals. I don't know about you, but it is a challenge for me to keep up with the latest news AND to remember what is bad and, even more importantly, what is helpful. I promised holistic health for the busy person, and I aim to keep that promise to you. So, read on...

Why we crave fats

It is no secret that many of us crave fats. How do I know? Go into any fast food joint and look around.
Most of the choices are high in fat and are very popular. But why is this?
Fats are stored in our body as energy. There were lean days when we hunted for our own food (and I don't mean with a shopping cart!).
Therefore, having enough fat stored in your body meant survival when others with less fat died of malnutrition. Fat, from a large game animal killed was often reserved for special occasions, because it wasn't so easy getting one.

4 Steps to a Better Memory

2009-02-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

Your purchases won't cost you anything (but you may qualify for FREE shipping!) but they do help support my blogs and websites. Thank you!

Boost Your Memory with 4 Easy Moves

1. Meditate! This is a little foreign to many of us, but it isn't as difficult as it might seem. There is breath meditation, traditional meditation, imagery meditation and more.

Look here to learn about meditation

A University of Pennsylvania study in 2007 suggests that daily meditation can help to train your brain to remember more. Who doesn't need that! Twenty adults between the ages of 52 and 70 with mild cognitive impairment (sometimes a precursor of Alzheimer's disease) who meditated 12 minutes a day for eight weeks showed improved blood flow to the region of the brain that is linked to learning and memory.

Want to give it a try? Try meditating for 10-12 minutes before your morning breakfast and/or coffee or tea. Did you know that caffeine can actually decrease the blood flow to the brain? Sit comfortably, closer your eyes and focus on your breath. If your thoughts wander, bring your attention right back to your breath. Is this easy? NO It takes practice, but if you let go of your expectations and just let it happen, you can be successful, also.

Meditation Practices-some help to get started!

2. Take your Vitamins A form of the B vitamin Choline called Citicoline helps to replenish the brain's phosphatidylserine, a nutrient believed to improve memory, thinking and learning in older adults. In fact, in 2007 a study from the Massachusetts Institue of Technology found that people aged 50 to 85 with memory deficiency after taking 1 gram of citicoline every day for three months. Those who took 2 grams for another two months showed even better results. Check with your doctor about proper dosing for you.

Want to give it a try? You can find citicoline supplements at health food stores and suppemental specialty stores or online. I found some good deals for you right here!

3. Get your left and right brain to talk! By simply moving your eyes from side to side seems to encourage your brain's two halves (hemispheres) to work together. This in turn improves your ability to get your memories-also called memory retrieval. A 2007 British study had college students listen to 20 lists of 15 words and found that those who followed a computer program that prompted side to side eye movements for 30 seconds remembered more. They actually remembered 10% more words on average than those who looked at a vertical list.

Want to give it a try? Next time you can't remember where you put your keys or where you parked your car, try moving your eyes from side to side for about 30 seconds. Take a deep breath (memories come to us when we are relaxed!) and try again.

4. De-stress When we are stressed, a lot of changes happen to our bodies and our minds. The stress hormones flood our brains. It pays to de-stress, and your body, mind and spirit will benefit.

Want to give it a try? I've written a lot about this. You can start here.

All About Stress

Stress Busters

Stress and Emotions?

Stress and Your Body-What happens?

3 Great Reasons to Eat Eggs

2009-02-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

Three Great Reasons to Eat Eggs

Starting your day with some type of egg dish can help you to feel 'satisfied' a lot longer than a big bowl of cereal. Have you ever noticed this? You can feel full a lot longer because eggs are loaded with protein and other nutrients, and protein takes longer to digest. Therefore, you feel full longer.

During my typical work day, I start around 7:45Am and my lunch break will be around 2pm or later. That is a long time to go without eating! I noticed that if I eat eggs in the morning, I don't feel quite so hungry while I'm at work.

Egg Fear
Let's address the egg fear before we even talk about the benefits of eggs. We all probably know that eggs were declared an enemy because of their high cholesterol content. A diet high in cholesterol can lead to heart disease and other problems.

Here is some good news!
In 1999, a study at the Harvard School of Public health found that if you eat more than one egg per day, the danger of heart attack or stroke didn't go up. In 2000, a Michigan State study found that the cholesterol in your blood was actually lower in those who ate more than four eggs a week than those who didn't eat eggs at all! It is believed and widely accepted by the medical community, that unless you have heart disease already, diabetes or high bad cholesterol (LDL), you can safely eat one egg a day. Be aware of what you eat along with those eggs, though. There is a lot of cholesterol in bacon, sausage, and fried potatoes.

Three Benefits of Eating Eggs

Increase Your Energy!

Protein in your diet gives you energy. One large chicken egg has about 7 grams of protein, which means that 2 eggs have about 30% of the recommended daily allowance for women. If protein is a part of every meal or snack, you'll find that you just not as hungry as usual.

Lose Weight!

Louisiana State University studied eggs in 2007 found that eating eggs helped people to lose weight because they felt more satiety. Since they weren't feeling hungry, they ate less and found it easier to stick to a healthy low calorie diet.

More about weight loss here

Lots of Vitamins!

What vitamins are in eggs?

B vitamins, including folate, which is needed to build new cells. (Your body is constantly making new cells, by the way)

Vitamin A helps to maintain the immune system and fight off germs and other dangers to your health

Vitamin D is essential for bone health and calcium absorption

Vitamin E, which acts like an antioxidant that protects your body from free radicals

Iodine, which is important to your thyroid

Zinc is also in eggs and is important so that your body can absorb protein

Calcium is needed for your bone health

Look for future blog posts about the different types of EGGS!

Fear and Love

2009-02-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

Fear and Love

It has been said that your feelings about something can be broken down into two basic aspects: Fear or Love

If you have love, you cannot fear. If you have fear, you cannot love.

Confused? I bet you can think of many instances where you have love and fear all at the same time. You love your child, and yet you fear that something could harm him or her. True, but consider this:

There must first be LOVE
This means that you must first love yourself. When you don't exercise or you don't eat well, you are not loving your body or yourself enough. There are many pages about nutrition and wellness on my naturally holistic website and yet I find that I don't follow my own advice at times.

Example:

I talked with a friend last night who is experiencing a tremendous amount of stress with regard to work. Like many of us, she is experiencing cut backs, more work for less pay, more responsibility...and tons of fear. There is fear of the unknown and fear of the known-working longer and harder means more time from my family and less time for myself.

What if we consider this time as one of those in which we need to flow with the current?

Instead of fighting the current situation, take a look at all the changes you can make. For instance, I transfered the little bit of credit card debt we have to a no-interest account that I can pay off a bit slower, but still before the interest kicks in next year. I made the calls to see if re-financing our mortgage would be beneficial. If not, we can downsize. If the choice is between a bigger home and my health, well...

What if we put our trust in God (or whatever your belief system) and faith that things always work out for the best?

This could be just the opporunity you need to stop and think about what you really want to do. If your current job is you life's work and the job is your work-purpose, then stick it out and follow your heart. For instance, my life's work is nursing and this is a job I have. No matter what is going on around me, I give the absolute best care I can give to every patient. That brings me joy-not the 'job.'

What if we take this time of chaos and make it a time of growth?

Nursing is my career choice, but I've always been creative. I love to write. This current situation has given me the courage to take the steps and devote the energy to other dreams I've had for a long time. What a blessing! Maybe before when I looked at the income (Oh, my gosh-can I really give up that income to pursue something that is just getting started?) I hesitated to take that leap of faith. Many of us are being pushed into that leap of faith! Taking that leap may end up being the best step ever taken!

Just a few thoughts about Love and Fear. Love more than you fear. Let the anxiety go, and enjoy the ride. If your child is sick, focus on all you can do out of love. Pray for that child or job or whatever out of love. Pray for yourself out of love. Life will be more joyful-even in the chaos.

Living Green Part II

2009-02-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

9 More Easy Green Tips-Continued from 2/10/2009

I realize that making a lot of changes can be overwhelming. We're all human, afterall. Some changes can be easy and not need a lot of upkeep such as the change in lightbulbs. Make baby steps, but keep stepping! Every change makes a big difference-especially if many of us make the little changes.

9. Do you pots fit your burners? Matching your pots and pans to the size of the burner on your stove. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, cooking with a 6-inch pan on an 8-inch burner wastes 40% of the burner's heat. Using pots and pans with flat bottoms also use less energy because of the larger surface area. Aluminum and copper heat up faster, so cookware made of these use less energy.

10. Do yhou love your long showers? I do. If you simply cut your shower one minute shorter, you can keep as many as 170 poinds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere. Even I can cut back one minute-maybe even 2 minutes!

11. Store your foods in reusable containers with covers rather than foil or plastic wrap. Bonus if you wait until the foods cool before you put them in the freezer or fridge. Placing hot or moisture rich foods such as soup in the fridge or freezer, water can evaporate from them, adding moisture to the air inside. Your fridge then has to work harder to maintain its tempature.

12. Be sure and clean the lint filter before starting it up. If you are drying items with a lot of lint such as new towels, you may want to clean that filter out somewhere half-way through the cycle, also. You'll improve your dryer's energy efficiency by 30% and save about $40 a year on your utility bill.

13. Wash your clothes in cold water in order to reduce the washer's energy use by 90%. This also cuts your carbon emissions by 144 pounds per year.

14. Use ceiling fans. They use as little as 50-200 watts every hour and an air conditioner uses up to 3,500 watts. We like to use the ceiling fans to cut down on A/C use. Be sure your A/C unit is in the shade or at least shaded from direct sunlight. A unit in direct sunlight will work a lot harder.

15. with all the wonderful capabilities of phones now, using your phone or handheld device to send an email rahter than your computer will save electricity. Just keep your computer off, if you can. A 'sleeping' computer using energy, by the way.

16. Switch to voice mail and dump your answering machine. A plugged in answering machine uses up power. Bonus: Choose a phone carrier that will go paperless for you.

17. Save the Earth by reading fewer books! Ah, less reading? No!!! Just change the way you read by simply downloading your books electronically. My favorite device is the KINDLE! This is my favorite new thing for over a year now. I'm not real technologically inclined, but I love this. Be sure and check this out.

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.

Soldier Prayers

2009-02-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

Soldier Prayers: Dedicated to my favorite soldier-my son-Today on his 22nd Birthday.

Prayer for The Troops

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you.
Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." -John 14:27

Father, we approach You as the Most High God. We declare that You are the Creator of all things.
You set the boundaries of the sea, and stretched out the heavens above. When You act Lord,
no one can reverse it, and there is no one who can deliver out of Your hand.

We ask Lord that Your mighty hand of protection would be with our troops, that You would
surround them with Your favor as a shield. Bless them in the land, and do not
surrender them to the desire of their foes.

I pray that Your hand of protection would guard them from chemical and biological agents.
Give our soldiers wisdom in staying clear of these weapons, and
thwart the plans of the enemy to use them.

I ask for discernment in separating civilians from soldiers. Help our troops to
protect the innocent, and to watch over the needy as they liberate the Iraqi people.

Go before them Lord as they press into the battle and be their rear guard.
Surround them with songs of deliverance, and keep them from the hands of the enemy.
In Jesus name, Amen.

http://www.stcharles-church.org

Soldier Prayer: Deliverance from Evil

"Jesus, I'm so grateful that You strengthen and protect us from the evil one. Lord, I stand with our troops right now, and ask You to strengthen them to do the right thing.

Guard them from the evil one. Uphold our troops and cause them to walk in righteousness, so You can bless them.
Deliver them lord, from pride, bitterness, revenge, and rage. Cause them to move in compassion and walk Humbly before You.

Lord, when the tempter comes, You always provide a way of escape. Please help these soldiers to run to You every time they are tempted. Strengthen them to take every thought captive and to cling to You. You are their Deliverer, cause their hearts to trusts in You and be their help." In Jesus mighty name, amen.
http://www.prayercentral.net

A SOLDIER PRAYER

Brave warriors,
should fate find us in battle,
May our cause be just.
May our leaders have clear vision.
May our courage not falter.
May we be triumphant an earn victory
as we show mercy to our enemies.
May our efforts bring lasting peace.
May our sacrifice be always
appreciated by those we serve.
May we return to our loved ones unharmed.
Should we be harmed, may our wounds heal.
Should we perish in the struggle,
may God embrace us and find for us
a place in His Kingdom.
http://www.faithfulcross.com

Psalm 23 (A psalm of David) Soldiers Prayer

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

Living Green Part I

2009-02-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

Living green is something that is no longer just for a few of us. We all can take simple steps to live green today!

8 Easy Green Tips
Part 1

I realize that making a lot of changes can be overwhelming. We're all human, after all. Some changes can be easy and not need a lot of upkeep such as the change in light bulbs. Make baby steps, but keep stepping! Every change makes a big difference-especially if many of us make the little changes.

1. Choose matches over lighters
Lighters fill landfills because so many aren't reusable. If you prefer a lighter, get one that can be refilled. Matches are made from biodegradable wood or cardboard. A lot less greenhouse fuel is produced when they are made than in the manufacturing of lighters.

2. Keep your tires inflated. The engines work harder to turn soft tires, and this leads to even more greenhouse gases. There are even more benefits-properly inflated tires can improve gas mileage by about 3% and extend the life of your tires by around 15%.

3. Lighten up! The slower you accelerate and the quicker you stomp on the gas, the more gas you use-up to 35%. My car tells me how much gas I use, and I have seen the benefits of lightening up.

4. Wondering what to do with your old tires? Check out your local rubber recycling center.

5. Should you wash your own car or go to a carwash? You might be surprised to learn that gong to a carwash is a little better than washing at home. When you clean your car at home or elsewhere on your own, the suds usually end up in the ground or in the storm drains. This eventually ends up in the rivers and streams. This ends up in our water supply. At commercial car washes the waste water is drained into sewers, so it is treated before going into the water supply. The commercial car washes are obligated by law to do this. What is the difference in water use?

Wash your car with a hose at home for 10 minutes: up to 100 gallons of water
Conveyor car washes: as little as 30 gallons of water

6. Do you know that every time you go to the ATM or buy gas at the pump and choose to go paperless (no receipt) Americans can save about 2 billion feet of paper or about enough to circle the equator 15 times every year. This is an easy thing for all of us to do that can make a huge impact!

7. Change Your Light Bulbs
If you swap out regular incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) or light emitting diodes (LEDs) you can cut down on your electric bill. CFLs are fluorescent lights that can be screwed into traditional bulb sockets. They might not look very pretty, but they use only a quarter of the energy that an incandescent bulb uses. Plus, CFLs last for years-—around 10,000 hours. LEDs are even more energy efficient than CFLs. They last around 100,000 hours and use around 90 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs. That can be a huge savings for you and the planet.

8.Reduce Your Power Use
The best way to reduce power used is to-well simply use less. simple things can make big changes.
•Turn off incandescent lights and televisions when you leave the room.
•Turn off fluorescent lights if you’re leaving the room for more than 15 minutes.
•Turn off LEDs if you’re leaving the room for more than 5 minutes.
•Unplug devices with power adapters (“wall warts”) when they are not in use. Wall warts use power whenever they are plugged in, even if the device is turned off. Toasters, and other appliances use energy even when they're not being used. You can even get special outlet strip where you can opt to leave some items plugged 'on' such as your alarm clock while turning others off. We're going to see lots more nifty ways to cut down on power usage.
•Line-dry clothing instead of using a dryer.
•Don’t let computers and other electric devices go to “sleep.” This also sucks energy.

My Favorite Earth Saving Tip? See the Living Green Part II blog posting!

Creative Imagery and Prayer

2009-02-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

Creative Imagery and Prayer

Why is Imagery so important to us? Imagery is a healthy daydream, and we all do it to enhance our life, to help us cope and to escape. Using imagery in our everyday life can actually be very healthy. It can help us reduce our stress.

Creative Imagery and Prayer
In prayer, we can't help but use imagery. In fact, the more vivid the imagery, the more moving our prayers will be. Our bodies don't know the difference between what is going on in our minds and what is reality.

Consider this: Read this, and then close your eyes and give it a try: Imagine taking a lemon and holding it in your hand. Take that same lemon and cut it in half. Imagine putting it up to your nose and notice the odor of that lemon. Imagine taking a big slice and putting it in your mouth. Is your mouth watering? Probably. Is there really a lemon making your mouth water? No, but your body and mind think it is real. That is the power of imagery and your imagination.

Imagery is also a window of your inner world, your own way of seeing those surrounding you. It’s a mean of distorting the reality that can direct your life and sometimes even shape your health. But in our life, imagery is often thought of being impractical.

Creative Imagery and Prayer
But how powerful is imagery? First of all, think of all the cases where people miraculously abolished diseases. Bernie Siegel, MD is a pioneer with regard to this topic. Take a look at my book store to learn more. You won't be disappointed in his natural and informational writing. In fact, my first introduction to holistic health and imagery were through his wonderful books. I still revisit them once in a while. Imagery can also make you pass through the emotional aspect of any illness, encouraging the physical healing.

Just click on any item to learn more. You won't be disappointed! Remember that every purchase you make through this site helps me to keep improving. Thank you so much for your support!

Next time you pray, think about the imagery you use. What images go through your mind? How do you feel about them? (Remember that worry is an image, also-so not all imagery can be positive.) Enhance your prayer life by injecting more and more imagery. It can be very powerful.

Read the full page by clicking on the title link!

Spiritual Life

2009-02-03T00:01:00.000-08:00

Spiritual Life

Are you trying to live a more spiritual life, but you aren't sure where to begin? You can start Right Here!!
I've decided to write a variety of shorter pages, so you can browse, spend a little time, practice and grow along with all of us!

What Does It Mean to Be Spiritual and live a spiritual life?

Let's first say what 'spiritual' is not: it is not religiosity. It is far more than that.

You CAN be Religious and Spiritual. Many people are.
You CAN be Spiritual and not Religious.
You CAN be Religious and not Spiritual at all.

Spirituality is that instinct and yearning for something more-and also the inner knowing that where you are right now is right where you should be. It is what keeps you sane inspite of insanity in the world around you. It is the knowing that every moment and every event is a spiritual event. Religiosity is your beliefs in a higher power. Your spirituality is what you do with those beliefs-who you are because of those beliefs. It is about compassion, kindness and love.

There will be many more posts and webpages about this with tons of guidance about living a spiritual life!

Be sure and take a look at the spiritual needs pages. We all have spiritual needs, and this is one way to define spirituality.

I have to admit that I've kind of fallen off the wagon recently. I've been so tied to the business and 'have to' things in my life, that I've let myself and my own practices take a back seat. This is part of why these pages are so important. I know I'm not alone in this AND these pages are my reminders, also! I hope you enjoy them.

Valentine's Day Specials for the Month of February

2009-02-01T22:34:00.000-08:00

February is the month of love and of showing that love. I've created some beautifully, romantic peices of jewelry using Swarvski crystals, which are magnificant! I chose heart shaped rose, siam red, amethyst, and yellow topaz pendants with a gorgeous silver bail and chain. The matching tear drop neckaces are perfectly understated. This set will sell for only 50$ for the month of February or until supplies run out. This is a great deal so you'll want to buy early. I'll ship it to whoever you wish!
Click on title link to go directly to Carmen's Treasures and then look for Swarovski crystal sets to make your own choice. Let me know how you like them!

10 Steps to Spiritual Well Being

2009-01-31T00:00:00.000-08:00

1. Address your spiritual needs. You Spiritual Well Being is as important as your body's wellness

2. Take the time to enjoy the little things-smile and appreciate life

3. Practice Gratitude

4. Forgive who and what needs forgiving

5. Accept what you cannot change and remember about Hope

6. Peace is your goal. Happiness is great, but fleeting. Peace stays in yoru heart no matter what.

7. Laugh!! Humor is healthy and contagious

8. Love and Be Loved

9. Decide if you believe in a Higher Power or not

10. Balance, Balance, Balance

Visit Naturally-Holistic for many more(more than 200) pages of information!

Natural Holistic Aging and The Spirit

2009-01-28T00:00:00.000-08:00

Do our Spirits Age?

Amazon.com Widgets

Not taking the time to tend to your spiritual needs will leave you cold and empty.

Perhaps more than any other time of our lives, spirituality becomes incredibly key to our overall wellness. It has always been, but we were probably too busy to consider it fully. Just the topic of spirituality brings many questions to the surface.

Aging and Spirituality

Perhaps at no other time of our lives are we more aware of our own mortality. Thoughts of our mortality naturally leads to a spiritual quest. This may be a short or long quest depending on your degree of spiritual well being to begin with. What really matters, though, is that you address your spirituality and take the steps YOU need. A little at a time is fine.

All about Well Being Through Spirituality

Next Post: 10 Steps to Spiritual Well Being!

Natural Holistic Aging and the Mind

2009-01-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

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Having a mind with a sharp edge, but being unhappy won't hack it either. Peace and joy are the real goals, because happiness, though wonderful, is fleeting. It is those who have peace in their hearts who weather life's triumphs and tragedies well. Begin with happiness, though.

Meanwhile, have you found yourself forgetting things lately?

Is it more difficult to focus?

Our brains do get smaller with age, but that doesn't mean you have to lose any real brain power!

Natural Holistic Mind
Imagine how hard your brain works. If you did imagine it, you just gave it a bit more work! It never rests and is constantly flooded with tons of information and impulses. It's not just an 'INBOX' either. it sends messages out just as fast. Our neurological system is a complex send and receive system with neurotransmitters scurring about to do the job.

As we age, our brain shrinks a bit

We have less neurotransmitters produced

This is linked to some of our cognitive problems (thinking, reasoning, memory, behaving), sleeping and our mood.

Be sure and visit Naturally-Holistic for even more information! See 1/19/09 for my favorite book recommendations. Your purchases help me to continue to built my blogs and websites.

Natural Holistic Aging-Part 2

2009-01-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

Natural Holistic Aging

Graceful Aging and Living for the Day

This is a great topic for me today, because it is my birthday! Let's just say that I'm entering a new decade today, and I feel great!

Have you seen the movie 'The Bucket List?' My husband and I saw this last winter when we were visiting Maui. Who goes to the movies in Maui? (Even I don't go to the beach when it rains in the afternoon.) Anyway, in the movie, the characters are faced with serious illness and their own mortality.

The bucket list is a list of things they wish to do before death (kick the bucket).

What does your bucket list look like? Exotic trips don't need to be on the list, by the way.

Maybe your list would include adding a hint of beauty to the day, eating healthy meals on your favorite dishes, trying a new food or recipe, taking a new supplement you've been wanting to try, starting a new exercise class (like taking a yoga class for the first time), getting a facial or bikini wax, wearing that favorite dress just because, taking a foreign language course, learning to play a musical instrument...

Learn How to Take Good Care of Your Body!

Sex after 40? Sex isn't reserved for the young!

As Always, you'll find much more on my website, Naturally-Holistic.

Be sure and take a look at the 1/19/09 post for some of my favorite book recommendations.

Natural Holistic Aging

2009-01-19T16:49:00.000-08:00

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Natural Holistic Aging
There is more and more buzz about aging these days. It isn't your imagination. This is because more and more of us are reaching the 'middle ages.' Once rather a tabu subject, it is now okay to discuss what happens to our bodies, minds and spirits as we age. Some of us have fearfully entered those conversation, however the results are usually good.

How is our society preparing us for graceful aging?
I'm not sure I would use the word, grace, but you need to only watch a few hours of television any given night or day to see multitudes of advertisements for remedies for:
Erectile dysfunction (the dreaded ED!)

Wrinkles (AKA fine lines) and Cellulite (I'm not sure which is worse).

Urinary leakage (I miss this one sometimes because I'm in the bathroom with urinary urgency!)

Constipation

Thinning of the bones (osteoporosis)

Menopause for Women and even Male Menopause

High Cholesterol

Insomnia

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
and
Retirement plans during a recession and the potential for no social security for many of us!

Whew! What a list!

The Good News:
At least we're talking about what is happening. There are more and more books and magazine articles (and even websites!) to give us some guidance.

So, why pages about graceful aging in a natural-holistic blog? Rest assured, if you've never considered a more natural, holistic (body, mind, spirit) approach to wellness, you will as you begin to face the challenges of the middle ages and beyond.
One day, not long ago, (and it seemed like an over-night change) I woke up to find a body that I no longer recognized. There were lumpts where there never were before, and it seemed like everything went totally south-and I mean seriously south. I noticed lines that weren't there before. My joints creaked so loud that I thought I may wake up my snoring husband. The woman staring at me in the mirror looked sad, tired, and overwhelmed. I was just that! The bad news is that outward signs that I'm seeing is REALLY an indication that changes are happening on the inside.
Some good news?! Our body is always regenerating and trying to maintain health. If you are in weak in an area (body, mind or spirit) simply work on those areas. Otherwise, just keep up the good work. Prevention is KEY.
Tending to your body alone is not enough..
More to follow in future posts, and of course, visit Naturally Holistic anytime!

Why I Love Music

2009-01-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

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Christmas, 2008 was about music for me. This love affair I have with music isn’t new at all. I played woodwinds from the time I was about 7 all the way through college. I picked up guitar along the way, and never outgrew my love for the radio. There is something about music that touches me, and I think it touches many of us the same way.

I believe that music is a language of love, which may indeed be straight from heaven. There is a feeling when I play music that I can’t tap into in any other way. Perhaps it is the same feeling a runner has when they reach that ‘high’ but since I’m not much of a runner (I’ve hit the ‘wall’ more than a few times) I can’t really say.

When I was in my 20s, I had the opportunity to hang out in casinos in Las Vegas. This was in the 70s, so things have changed a lot. I didn’t gamble, but I did take in the live music. Yes, disco WAS popular at this time, then again, so were 8 Tracks. I was in college studying to be a nurse, which seemed like the most responsible thing to do. My heart wasn’t really at the health science building, though. Nope, my heart was down the block at the music department. I occasionally wondered over to that building. I loved the smell, the sounds and even the look of music stands, tiered rows of chairs. I loved the anticipation of what was about to be created. I made music there, too, but I knew it was a short lived thing for me. I enjoyed being a nurse and being able to really impact someone’s life in a good way. It’s just that music impacted me in an entirely different way. While living in Las Vegas I experienced live music created by the best. I even got to join in. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt quite the same peace of mind (runner’s high?) as I did then. The energy of the other musicians and the crowd was so intense that it overpowered me. I knew I had experienced a bit of heaven on earth. Only on very rare occasions have I had this experience.

Now, some 30 years later, I bought myself a classical guitar and I’m taking time to play it. The one I purchased 30 years ago when I first graduated from college was recently stolen. My son borrowed it, and when he was in Iraq, someone took it. Imagine that? I’m not sure a stolen musical instrument can bring the peace it brought me, but I hope the person who stole it loves it like I did. My new one is a bit more fancy (not a lot) and is actually a little better fit for me. I’m starting over again and although my fingertips are sore, I love it. My husband has wanted to learn to play piano his whole life. He didn’t have the opportunity when he was younger, and then, like me, life got a hold of him. I got him a keyboard-not an expensive one, but one to start out. I should have recorded the smile on his face! My son wanted a violin. He taught himself other string instruments and welcomed the challenge. I surprised him with a beginner violin, and I was happy to see him find joy in every squeaky sound he created.

So, we had a rekindling of an old favorite for me, a venture into a very new world for my husband and a music challenge of Jeopardy proportion for my son. Alas, we all got to spend time in music heaven. I’m not sure why I didn’t focus on music more over the past several years, but I think it had to do with the very reason I didn’t pursue my musical dreams 30 years ago. What I thought was ‘real life’ got in the way. Today, I’m living my real life. Stay tuned! There is way more ‘real life’ ahead. I hope you have found your own music and piece of heaven on earth!

Naturally Holistic and Pray with Beads are two of my other passions! There are over 200 pages now, and growing strong! I look forward to your visit.

Egg Types

2009-01-15T00:01:00.000-08:00

Confused by the different kinds of eggs?

Cage-Free: These birds are raised in a cage free environment. Who would have guessed!? They generally roam the floor of the barn rather than in a cage. No word on how many chickens live in the barn, though.

Certified Humane: These chickens are certified by Humane Farm Animal Care and are able to nest, perch, and live in a 'natural' chicken lifestyle.

Free of Antibiotics, Chemical or Hormones: These chickens are fed food that is free of hormones. There are also no antibiotics or chemicals used in the production.

Free Range: Chickens eat bugs and grass. Free Range hens are given outdoor access so they can chow down on natural foods-bugs and grass.

Nutrient-Enhanced: How are nutrients added to eggs? Some producers add flaxseed, marine algae or marigolds to the feed given to the chickens. The eggs produced might be advertised as 'omega-3 enriched' or 'folate fortified' or 'high in lutein' eggs.

Organic: These eggs are USDA certified as organic and come from free range chickens that eat feed that has no antibiotics or pesticides.

Vegetarian Feed: These hens aren't fed any animal products.

6 Natural Steps to Beautiful Skin

2009-01-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

6 Natural Steps to Beautiful Skin

1. Eat a healthy diet-nothing special, just fill your plate with antioxidants in a variety of colors, and balance that out with the good fats, an adequate supply of fiber and good protein.
2. Get your rest. Nothing ages us faster than sleep deprivation and yet many of us run around without even the bare minimum of Sleep.
3. Become stress resistant.
4. Learn to expect happiness.
5. Got water? It is recommended that we drink 6-8 glasses (about 8 ounces each) a day. If our body is well hydrated, our skin will be also. If our bodies are dry, so is our skin. If you find you are thirsty, your body is already low on water.
6. Stop Smoking! If you smoke, see your health care provider and find a way to stop. There are a variety of natural options out there. If you don't smoke, don't start. Smoking is a real AGER in many ways.

Visit Naturally-Holistic.net to learn the good and the bad news about skin care!

More about the flu-What about Homeopathy and Oscillococcinum

2009-01-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

Homeopathy and Oscillococcinum

Perhaps you've heard about an over the counter homeopathic medicine called Oscillococcinum which is advertised as a remedy for the prevention of the flu and to help reduce the misery associated with the flu. Before we talk about its usefulness, let's talk a bit about homeopathy.

Homeopathy The terms holistic and homeopathy are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Homeopathy is the practice of homeopathic medicine. The history of homeopathy is very interesting. Homeopathic medicines are allowed to be sold in the United States because of legislation that was passed way back in 1938 which was sponsored by a homeopathic physician, who happened to also be a Senator. The law required, and still does that the Food and Drug Adninistration (FDA) allow homeopathic medicines listed in the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the US. The really interesting part of this is that they are not held to the same safety and effectiveness standards as conventional medicines.

So what are these homeopathic medicines anyway? Good question!

Homeopathy is created based on the following principles:
Like cures like
For example, oscillococcinum created to relieve symptoms of the flu should have some influenza virus in it. Don't panic yet, though. One belief about homeopathy is that like cures like because the exposure to minute amounts of something (such as the flu virus) will help your body to build an immune defense. This helps to protect you.

Itty Bitty Doses

The remedy is taken in an extremely dilute form. The typical homeopathic medication is one part of the remedy to around 1,000,000,000,000 parts of water. In fact, these medications are so dilute, that they are considered generally safe and with little if any interaction with other medications. However, homeopathic medication research is very limited.

The Single Remedy

That's right-no multi symptom relief medications for homeopathy. No matter how many symptoms you experience, only one remedy is taken. That remedy will be aimed at all those symptoms.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Homeopathy and Oscillococcinum

Oscillococcinum, which is manufactured by Boiron is just one brand name homeopathic medicine to help reduce the symptoms of the flu, and there are others manufactured by other companies. Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic dilution of duck liver and heart extract. Really.

Can it Keep you Flu-Free?
What about if you get the flu-can it help you get better quicker?
How can you prevent the flu?
These answers and more can be found right here!

What is Prayer?

2009-01-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

Rosary, Prayer Bead Store Now Open!

2009-01-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

Happy New Year!!!

I hope 2009 is a good one. This is an exciting time for me. If you've visited Pray with Beads you know that I launched my second website last year. The most popular pages on Naturally Holistic were all about prayer, and so it was time for a second site. I enjoy learning and sharing all about prayer and praying with beads. Be sure and take a look.

The third step for me was to open the Pray with Beads store filled with one of a kind rosaries, prayer beads and spiritually inspired jewelry. I started making these when my son was in Iraq (and I couldn't sleep!), and my own practice of praying with beads and making beautiful pieces has grown. I hope you like them!

I'll be adding more pieces regularly. I'm already getting started on the Spring designs for wedding and First Holy Communion rosaries, bracelets, and necklaces.

Do you have a dream? I hope so, and I hope you follow it. It isn't always easy. Your continued support on this blog through my affiliates and my designs help me to continue to grow the sites. I do all this while holding down a full time job as a family nurse practitioner, because that is just how precious my dream is. You can read more about my journey on Naturally Holistic and Pray with Beads.

I hope you'll share your story with all of us, too!

Happy New Year!!

What is a Blog?

2009-01-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

Purchases made from Amazon.com through this blog help support the continued growth of this blog and my two websites.
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!

Blogging
What is a blog?
Since you are reading this, you've read at least one blog. Have you ever wondered what a blog is, though?
A blog (short for weblog) is a short article that is usually a part of many other blog entries. Source

A frequent, chronological publication of personal thoughts and Web links. Source

From “Web log:” A blog is basically a journal that is available on the web. I like to add lots of information, also. The activity of updating a blog is “blogging” and someone who keeps a blog is a “blogger." Source

It is basically a journal that is available on the web. The activity of updating a blog is “blogging” and someone who keeps a blog is a “blogger.” They are typically updated daily using software that allows people with little or no technical background to update and maintain the blog. Postings on a blog are almost always arranged in cronological order with the most recent additions featured most prominantly.

Do you think you might be interested in writing your own blog or website? I started writing in September of 2007. I wanted a way to answer some of my patients' questions in a simple quick way, and it somehow turned into well over 100 pages! It has been fun, and I hope to one day be able to cut way back at my full time job and write full time. I do more than 'hope.' I'm making my dream come true! Be sure and take a look at my two websites, Naturally Holistic and Pray with Beads to learn more. I've had friends who got the website/blog bug and are loving their life! I'ld love to hear YOUR stories.

Blog Carnival 12/31/2008

2008-12-31T17:00:00.000-08:00

Purchases made to Amazon.com through this blog help support its continued growth.
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!

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!

2008-12-31T15:31:00.000-08:00

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?

2008-12-29T14:14:00.000-08:00

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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

2008-12-23T00:08:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-15T00:58:00.000-08:00

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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!

2008-12-11T07:18:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-07T00:15:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-04T00:51:00.000-08:00