9/11

On this day, 10 years ago, the world watched America under attack.

We witnessed thousands of lives unwillingly taken at the hands of terrorists. We were affected. Whether directly or indirectly we all realized that in a blink of an eye our lives can make a dramatic change based off someones action. Ten years later, there are people still grieving this tragedy, very sad. Images plague our media outlets of that faithful morning, stirring up emotions that fuel our perception of the type of world we live in.
So what type of world do we live in?
Is it one that is cold, without remorse, disregard to human life, or God? Or, is it a world we see hurting and desperate for love, unity and peace. What is driving our actions?

I for one, have a strong faith in God, the Alpha and Omega, the Omnipresent, the Everlasting Father... and so I know that events such as these have been prophesied in my bible.

Matthew 24:6,7..."And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places."

We need to still think, speak, act, and walk in love for it is within our tiny gestures that can be the change we are searching for. I encourage you to never forget the suffering and loss of lives that have been taken as a result of war and natural disasters, however try not to let it consume you into grief and doubt. We are still alive! We can still dream and prepare, reconcile and restore. We can still be the change the world needs.

So live for your family, love thy neighbor and be of service to your sistern and brethren. Let's make this ten year anniversary of tragedy a mark for positive change!

Jeremiah 29:11..."For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not evil, to give you an expected end."

(((+)))

Women and Heart Health

The first Friday in the month of February marks National Wear Red Day. This campaign was designed to encourage women (and men) to wear red in support for the awareness of heart disease in women.

Did you know...

• Eight times as many women die from heart disease and stroke than from breast cancer. 41% of all Canadian women's deaths are due to heart disease and stroke, compared to 37% of men
• A women's risk of death from heart disease increases 4 times after menopause
• Women with diabetes at any age are at more risk of developing heart disease and stroke than men with diabetes.
• Compared to active women, inactive women are twice as likely to die from heart disease and stroke
• Heart disease is the leading cause of death followed by Cancer, Stroke, Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases, Alzheimer's and Unintentional Injuries

Prevention Tips...

Manage your weight: eliminate processed foods, white flours, white sugars. Incorporate green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits, and supplement with essential fatty acids. Exercise everyday, minimum 20-30 minutes cardiovascular activity. (Make sure to first consult your practitioner before hand should you have any health issues)

Reduce Stress: Bringing balance between work and family life can be difficult at times. Taking the time to relax, unwind and enjoy life is important. Take time for yourself, do something you enjoy. Take a moment out of your day to "be still", finding quietness and peace for reflecting and meditating.

Choose a healthier lifestyle: Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption

Women are known as the care-givers, the nurturer's that wears her heart on her sleeve. Well it's time to put ourselves first to ensure we live a long, healthy and enjoyable life. Afterall, who wants to die of a broken heart?

Happy Giving Thanks

It's that time of year again where we Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving. Many families on this weekend will gather to eat and enjoy each other's company, and most will get an extra day off from work, all in the name of this holiday.

So what is everyone so thankful for? Most are thankful for their health, family, friends, shelter, jobs... and the list continues covering all bare essentials to our existence. But when the weekends over, and everyone goes back to work on Tuesday the thankful wishes sometimes goes on the back burner. Imagine if more than some people had the spirit of 'thankfulness' with them almost constantly through-out the year? What if we choose to incorporate a lifestyle that included Giving Thanks, and take it a step further to demonstrate this gratitude in our thoughts and actions for ourselves and those around us. We could impact people positively, and who knows maybe they would pay it forward to others. Just imagine if EVERYONE you knew had that 'attitude of gratitude' year round instead of only in October. How would our communities be affected? How about our city, or our country? Better yet our world? Lol, yes it may seem a bit out there but you don't know until we all could agree and try.

Giving costs nothing. A small deed, an encouragement, or even cleaning out your closet of clothes you don't wear anymore to give to a shelter for those who are without. When we take our minds off ourselves and focus on the needs of others, we can see how easy it is to give. And when we are in the realm of selfless giving, we will find that the blessings will flow in karma. So GIVE THANKS always and encourage others to do so as well, then we will soon discover that every weekend will be like Thanksgiving.

Go Green

Green. Not only is it a color, which happens to be one of my favorites, it can be a way of living. Green can represent our concept to thinking, living, and eating. Our environment is affected by our personal impact and carbon footprint that we leave behind.

The carbon footprint is a way to measure the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, like carbon dioxide. Ultimately, it is a useful way for people to conceptualize their impact in contributing to global warming.

We have to take the time to think about ways to lighten our carbon footprint and preserve our planet from further damage. Our generations after us are inheriting mother Earth and need to enjoy it in its most natural form. There's a lapse between awareness and action. People will know what they should be doing, but they just don't do it, either because they are waiting for more information, trying to get their minds in the right place to commit, or have excuses as to why they'll wait until Monday, or after the holidays, or until some other vaguely reasons rather then begin making changes in their lives. But the state of the planet is now at a tipping point. The world is in crisis, and there are no excuses to sit on the sidelines anymore. Our current choices and behaviors are warming this planet, and you can do something now to have a significant impact on cutting your carbon footprint. THINK ABOUT THIS.

Put plan into action, take accountability for your personal footprint and live green. Some steps listed below to cut down your carbon footprint:

• become a sustainable shopper and use a cloth grocery bag when shopping. If you purchase few items opt to carry them in your personal bag instead of buying a plastic bag. Consider transportation and distance used for shopping when your items can also be conveniently sold in one general area, instead of traveling to get to a store that has that one item for sale.
  
• reduce, reuse, reuse, reuse some more... then recycle
• remove unused cords from the electrical socket and turn lights off when leaving the room
  
• make sure your appliances are energy efficient ho hum, sounds boring right? One of the biggest hotspot to determine a person's personal "footprint" is that household food storage and preparation account for 25-30% of the total carbon load of that food.
  
• eliminate overprocessed, overpackaged, oversized, nutritionally empty foods that are currently hogging up space in your fridge, pantry, and daily food jaunts. Replace these with sustainable, fresh whole, delicious foods that are much healthier for you and the planet. This will clear out a bunch of unnecessarily calories that are keeping you from moving towards ur personal best health.

Green eating is paramount to attaining a healthy clean body. Eating foods that have no labels, and is in its whole state can assure you will feel better, look better, and function better. You can replace flesh protein with green protein. Foods like lentils, split peas, black-eyed peas, beans, and tofu. Also nuts like walnuts, almonds, pistachios, peanuts, cashews, pecans, and soy nuts. These are nutrient powerhouses that are portable and last relatively long. They are considered high in protein, monounsaturated fats, fiber, potassium, vitamin E, and many trace minerals. They can also provide excellent source of Omega 3 EFA's that promote protection from free radical damage to a cellular level, promote better cognitive function, and provide anti-inflammatory benefits. Nuts and seeds are a winning combo of heart healthy fats and proteins that curb cravings and keep blood sugar and energy levels stable for hours.

It's not difficult to incorporate this ideas into practice. These steps can leave a lasting impact that you will benefit from immediately and consistently, and will impact others positively. Ready. Go!

Black Health Awareness

The 10 most serious health problems threatening blacks vary in impact by gender and age. The first three: heart disease, stroke, and cancer are primarily conditions of the aged, and account for two-thirds of all deaths in the Black community. The other seven major health threats include hypertension (high blood pressure), cirrhosis, diabetes, AIDS, homicide, accidents and infant mortality-account for 80 percent of all Black deaths.

• The prevalence of diabetes among African Americans is about 70% higher than among white Americans.



• Infant mortality rates are twice as high for African Americans as for white Americans.



• The five year survival rate for cancer among African Americans diagnosed for 1986-1992 was about 44%, compared with 59% for white Americans.

Heart disease, a leading killer of Blacks, frequently culminates in heart attacks which occur when the heart's supply of oxygen-rich blood is drastically diminished or cut off because of fatty deposits in the coronary arteries. Patients should be advised to address any weight concerns. Eat foods that are prepared in a healthy way, consisting of whole grain, fish and lean white meats, fruits and fresh vegetables. Avoid stressful situations and exercise, meditate and yoga. Most importantly, for smokers to quit!

Stroke often signals an already existing condition that affects blood flow to the brain. If that flow stops, brain cells lose their only energy source and begin to die. The result is a stroke. Certain rare blood diseases, inherited disorders, and birth defects can also cause stroke.

Cancer, despite medical science's significant advances in therapy which have resulted in drastically improved survival rates, is still a major health problem among Blacks as well as Whites. Until such time that the disease has been eradicated, doctors stress that early detection, which dramatically increases the chances for successful treatment, is still the most effective anti-cancer weapon. Symptoms of common cancers include:

Lung :: Coughs that linger indefinitely; coughing up blood; shortness of breath.

Breast :: Lump in the breast; change in breast shape; discharge from the nipple.

Colon and rectum :: Changes in bowel habits, bleeding from the rectum; blood in the stool which appears bright red or black.

Prostate (men) :: Difficulty or pain while urinating; the need to urinate often, especially at night.

Uterus, ovary, and cervix (women) :: Bleeding after menopause, unusual vaginal discharge, abdomen enlargement, pain during intercourse.

Skin :: Sores that do not heal; sudden appearance of a mole; changes in shape, size or color of a wart or mole.

Our bodies communicate through symptoms, telling us something needs attention. We must be vigilant and research for the cause and not only treat the symptoms. Maintaining an annual physical is also essential for any early detection. We are a resilient race, and keeping our health at the forefront in our day-to-day lives will ensure many years ahead.

"When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth becomes useless, and intelligence cannot be applied." ~Herophilus

*Reference/Ebony/Nov.1991

The Art of Making A Goal

It's that time of year again where we consider making New Year's Resolutions. Statistics show that only about 15% of New Year's Resolutions are kept. Another Survey included asking respondents to identify the biggest issue that prevents them from achieving their New Year's Resolutions or goals. The top 3 reasons identified were 33% Procrastinating, 24% Lack of discipline and 19% No game plan. Interestingly enough, 10% of individuals felt the biggest issue that prevents them from achieving their New Year's Resolution or goals was doing it alone. These statistics are not listed to discourage you, however to reflect the importance of planning and achieving a positive outcome.

Goals are usually put in place to help us succeed. It gives a clear vision of where to go, why we should go there and what to expect along the way. Goals also involve change, and people are put off by change and associate it with discomfort (ie. Fitness goal when involving exercise/ dietary changes). We can keep motivated with our goals by asking ourselves some powerful questions like;

• "Why do you want this change?"
• "Are you ready for this change?"
• "Do you know what to expect?"
• "What are you prepared to do to get it?"
• "What would have to happen that might stop you from reaching this goal?"

With these questions, we can literally change our minds to do things differently. Change doesn't have to be difficult, it can be quick and lasting. The task is to focus on how we will be when we achieved our outcome, as this gives the unconscious mind a description of where it needs to take us. The nervous system is unable to differentiate between a real and imaginary experience. When we stop giving ourselves a hard time and shift our focus from what is wrong or missing, or what we don't want, to what we do want, we will begin to feel better. The unconscious mind will let go of negative patterns with dead end results, and adapt a new behaviour which matches our "new image". The stronger the connection between our desired outcome and our sense of self the more compelled we will be to achieve it, using questions like;

"How does this outcome relate to my sense of self?"

"What would happen if I got my outcome?"

"Will this outcome enhance my sense of who I am?"

Also, the more clearly thought out and distinctive our goals are, the more actively we will pursue them. An effective tool can be the S.M.A.R.T system:

SPECIFIC - State the goal so that the exact outcome is understood

MEASURABLE - State a goal where success can be measured

ACTION-ORIENTED- State a goal that promotes action towards accomplishment

TIMED - Set an appropriate deadline for meeting the goal

"Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul. Dream deep, for every dream precedes the goal." - Pamela Vaull Starr

H1N1 Checklist

The flu season and most popular H1N1 flu virus is in full effect. We may even have been directly affected by it, or know someone who has. Prevention is still key and important for protecting ourselves and those around us. Here is a reminder on tips to keep from spreading the virus.

• Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol-based sanitizer if soap and water are not available


• cough and sneeze in your arm, not your hand


• Keep common surfaces and items clean and disinfected


• Stay home if you are sick

H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu) is a respiratory illness that causes symptoms similar to those of the regular human seasonal flu. The symptoms include:

• Shortness of breathe


• Fever (body temperature above 38 degrees Celsius or 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit)


• Extreme fatigue


• Lack of appetite


• Cough


• Muscle aches


• Severe headache and sore throat

Some people with H1N1 flu virus have also reported vomiting and diarrhea. If anyone is concerned about their health or well being should contact a health care practitioner to discuss their personal circumstances. The majority of cases to date have been mild. Keep vigilant when applying these tips, plus choosing to eat majority of foods in its natural state and not processed.

"Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live." - Jim Rohn

What's Eating You?

This video is pretty enlightening, please take the time to look at it.

Shared courtesy from the beautiful Miss Alicia Keys "tweeting" to the masses with some important info about Americas food industry and farming. It's a real eye-opener, and may even lead you to consider thought about the foods you purchase.

http://tvshack.net/movies/Food__Inc___2008_/a:39249/


"In today's environment, hoarding knowledge ultimately erodes your power. If you know something very important, the way to get power is by actually sharing it." - Joseph Badaracco

Chemtrails and You

A friend of mine once described chemtrails to me, and the governments conspiracy plot for population control. Than, this video arrives in my inbox from someone else making me realize that this is something worth paying attention to without further delay. Apparently this is happening right now, globally!

So I'm sharing with you all that are not yet aware...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8NmzfjIkI0

"Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions."

-Oliver Wendell Holmes

H1N1

We've been made to believe that vaccination is important for our children right from the beginning of their tender young lives. "Protection from what"?! I wish I had questioned doctors before ever considering to vaccinate my son when he was younger...now I am aware of the dangerous side effects vaccinations can cause.
We are now living in an era where we are coming under attack with the H1N1 virus and means for vaccination to "prevent it". Is this the true solution for preventative care? Will you consider vaccination for the H1N1 virus for yourself and family? Please watch these videos before deciding, and become aware! You have the right to empower yourself with the information so freely provided!

Just simply right click on each link to open a new window and watch...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgw2OiRcUWc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4SmFxyust0


"Learning is not compulsory...neither is survival"
- W.Edwards Deming

An Idea

I somehow stumbled upon this clip. Felt it's a great idea to think about viewing wellness.
A way of motivation to remain consistent with your goals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVRwhq9XIPA

Eat fresh foods. Make a life list. Meditate


-Camille

Fibroid Health

What is it?

Uterine fibroids are benign tumor growth within and around the uterus.
While most common among black women, fibroids can occur from the beginning of menstruation up until menopause.
Uterine fibroids can exist without treatment, and if problematic can lead to surgical removal and/or hysterectomy.



What can help?

Healthy Herbs…

Burdock: A common plant found in Europe and the United States. Burdock is an especially good detoxifier for the blood, kidneys, skin, liver, stomach, and lungs. This plant includes minerals such as iron, which can purify the blood. Burdock is also known to have anti-tumor properties, antibacterial and anti fungal properties. It has been useful for diabetes and a variety of female problems, such as uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, PMS, and fibrocystic breast disease.
Burdock is safe: there are no risks, no side effects and no drug interactions. You can supplement in pill form, drink as a tea, and from a tincture.

Chastetree berry: Chastetree berry is one of the most important herbs used for female reproductive health. Some suggest this as the best treatment for PMS. Huge numbers of women found relief with this herb. A number of studies have proven a major impact of total or partial elimination of PMS symptoms. This herb helps more than just PMS, a whole range of menstrual irregularities from absence of periods to infrequent periods, too frequent periods to too heavy periods. In addition to menstrual problems and infertility, chastetree berry is also able to help endometriosis, fibrocystic breast disease, fibroids and corpus luteum insufficiency. It does not contain hormones. It regulates hormones by working in the pituitary gland. Specifically increases progesterone while decreasing estrogen and prolactin. Even thou prolactin is the hormone which stimulates breast milk; ironically, chastetree berry can still encourage breast milk production in mothers.
Chastetree berry is very safe with rare side effects. 1-2% of cases found minor rash with itching and mild upset stomach. This herb can be supplemented in tincture form, extract and pill form.

Wild yam: As an herb for women, wild yam has been used for normalizing hormones. It also helps with menstrual cramps, infertility, miscarriage, morning sickness, menopause, fibroids and endometriosis.
Wild yam is safe and has no side effects even when used long term. It can be taken in pill form, dried powder root, tea and tincture.


All material supplied by, Healthy Herbs by Linda Woolven, M.H., C.Ac. and Ted Snider
Please consult a practitioner first before taking any herbs.