Here are some of my most interesting finds from the show. I have nothing to do with these companies, no products to sell, or affiliations. I’m writing just to share cool stuff that I had a blast finding. Here they are in no particular order.

Justin’s Almond Butter (Justins.com)

Love this almond butter for five reasons:

1. Tasty, good source of protein, and has low natural, unprocessed sugars.

2. It’s vegan, gluten free, no GMO’s, kosher, dairy free.

3. Great for emergency kits because it doesn’t need refrigeration. Don’t skimp on food for kits! In a crisis, you especially NEED healthy food to keep you calm and clear headed.

4. Also comes in “to go” packs for quick snacks.

5. Sustainable, eco, green company that gives back.

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Micro Greens Kit (ProductOfNature.com)

A super, easy way to grow your own sprouts.

1. Wet germination pad made from biodegradable, Kenas plant fiber.

2. Sprinkle seeds on the pad.

3. Grow, harvest and eat.

So easy to use. I’ll test it and let you know.

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Nasal Cleanse (nasopure.com)

Yeah, it looks strange, (looks like a funny Saturday Night Live skit), but if you get sinus congestion, colds, or suffer from allergies, this provides a natural way to keep your own personal filter clean and healthy. I’m a big fan of nasal cleansing and have tired many variations. This is supposed to be easier than the Neti pot.

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Easily Grow Mushrooms (BackToTheRoots.com)

Grow your own mushroom garden in ten days on your counter.

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For Radiant Skin (Lumavera.com)

The owner had the most radiant skin of the show. Wow! Being raised on a farm, he told me they’d go out and pick food and herbs to heal themselves.

Lumavera skincare blends virgin botanical extracts with peptides and Plant Stem Cells promote collagen and rejuvenate the skin. His web site doesn’t look that natural, and wouldn’t be interested if I just saw his site. But he had the healthiest looking skin of anyone I saw at the convention. So I’ll use the products, investigate more, and let you know.

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Pure, Organic, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (Nutiva.com)

Looking at the people behind the products was also a gage for me to see if the product works. The woman at Nutiva booth swears by the oil, and looked radiantly healthy. I always say how eating healthy fats make your skin glow, and she proves my point.

Nutiva coconut oil has:

• Less cholesterol than butter
• USDA Certified organic and non-GMO
• Made from fresh coconuts, not dried copra
• Cold-pressed
• Unrefined
• Chemical-free
• Unbleached
• Undeodorized
• Unhydrogenated
• No Solvents
• Tastes like fresh coconut

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Quorn-Meat Substitute that Taste Great! (Quorn.us)

I tried the breaded chicken and thought it was yummy. Made from Mycoprotein that has:

• Amost as much protein as an egg

• Twice the fiber of fresh broccoli

• No soy

• 9 essential amino acids

• Half the calories of chicken

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Gluten Free, Wheat Free Pasta (rpspasta.com)

Won Reader’s Choice award for best gluten free pasta. Tastes like pasta! They have wheat versions too, so make sure you get the wheat free. I have serious issues with wheat.

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Water with Birch Juice (sealandbirk.com)

100% Birch tree juice, tapped directly from the birch tree. Tastes great. No processed sugars or synthetic ingredients, organic, and full of antioxidants.

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Vita Clay Slow Cooker (VitaClayChef.com)

Slow cook organic clay pot to retain nutrients of food. Aluminum free, heavy metal free, lead free. Haven’t researched it fully, but looks interesting

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Still Alive Lettuce (hollandiaproduce.com)

Absolutely fresh because it’s still alive since the roots are still attached. Organic. Grown in the USA. Ready for you to harvest!

Those are some of the interesting finds from the show. Gluten free was hugely popular. What do you think of these products?

#####

Nutritionist and naturopath, Elaine Wilkes, PhD, LEED, is the author of the award-winning Hay House book, Nature’s Secret Messages: Hidden in Plain Sight – helps you to use nature in every area of your life. Now available in interactive iPad version with video. (ElaineWilkes.com)

She also created the interactive iPad version of her mom’s children’s story and learning health book, Dancing Fruit Put on Show! The iPad version adds music and video to this fantastic children’s book (paper, ebook and Spanish too) (www.DancingFruitBook.com)

Feel free to use this article, but please attribute it with my byline. Thanks!

• Phone: (866) 329-7118
• Web site: www.att.com/mydirectorie

Post other ways to stop junk mail and sending of unnecessary phone books. Thanks.

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by Elaine Wilkes, Ph.D.,

Disasters or terrorist attacks can strike with little warning, forcing you to act immediately if there is a fire, utilities are cut off, or if you have to evacuate.  As we have learned from Katrina, we can no longer depend on others to provide life saving food.  Even if help does come, it will not be the type of food you need.   Studies show nutritious food helps you to think clearer and reduces violent behavior.  In an emergency, it can be life saving to think clearly and act rationally.  Therefore, it is vital that you have water and the right food in easy access locations; your home, office, car, school lockers, gym bags and purses, to help you cope in any crisis.

Here are quick, easy, money-saving ideas to jump start healthy emergency kits NOW.

1. BUY HEALTHY FOODS YOU LIKE, SO THEY WILL BE USED AND NOT WASTED
Stock your kits with foods you will eat and continually replace.  Just as the grocery stores do, place the newer items in the back where they will be ready for an emergency, while the items in the front can be used before the expiration date. This prevents a waste of food and money since you EAT AND ENJOY the food before it expires, but you’ll still have food on hand for emergencies.

2. CHOOSE THE NEW WAY TO PLAN YOUR KITS
Plan 1.  Buy a few extra items for your kit each time you grocery shop, which takes no extra time and will not be a strain on your budget.  Start with one kit at a time.  First, a “grab ‘n go” kit to keep near the door.  The next time you shop, add to the kit for your car, next time for the office, and so on.  This will get you started now.
Plan 2. If you prefer to buy your entire kits all at once now, then mark your calendar to “replace and use” every six months.  This will avoid throwing out food while keeping your kits full.  For an easy reminder, use the same times you change your clocks for daylight saving time. Then replenish and use the food already stored to begin your semi-annual rotation.

3. BUY FOODS IN CARTONS AND VACUUM-PACKED POUCHES
Tasty tuna, chicken, fish, “milks” (almond, soy, rice) and soups all come in these convenient, easy to open packages.  They are lightweight, need no refrigeration, have a long shelf life, are nourishing and can serve as a meal.

4. KEEP HANDY POWER BARS WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES
An emergency can occur while you are in your car, office, gym, school, etc.  Look for bars with low sugar amounts.  Look for those with low sugar amounts, as some are merely glorified candy bars. Studies show that too much sugar (especially on an empty stomach) may cause you to be irritable or explosive, making it harder to cope.  Remember, four grams of sugar is approximately equal to one teaspoon of sugar.  Keep extra bars in car, purse, lockers, etc.

5. USE DRIED FRUITS TO SUPPLY VITAMINS DEPLETED BY STRESS
These tasty fruits store well, are loaded with antioxidants, minerals and vitamins, especially vitamin C.  Also consider adding tasty, dried Goji berries to your kits.  Many health experts agree that they are possibly the most nutritious food on the planet.  Research shows how they can relieve stress, elevate moods, build healthy blood, etc.  Check all package labels and avoid the fruits with additives, fructose, corn syrup, or sugar added.

6. CHOOSE NUTS & NUT BUTTERS FOR PROTEIN & HEALTHY FATS
Walnuts, pecans, cashews, Brazil, pistachios and almonds are packed with the healthy fats you need.  When you are ready to use the food, make your own trail mix using nuts, dried fruits and cereal.  The fat from nuts slows down the sugar absorption from the fruit, giving you sustained energy.

7. BUY CEREAL FOR YOUR CARBOHYDRATE AND FIBER NEEDS
If any of the first three ingredients are high fructose corn syrup, sugar or fructose, it has too much sugar so don’t buy it!

8. CONSIDER WHEY PROTEIN POWDER AS A GOOD SOURCE OF PROTEIN.
You can add it to those soy, almond or rice milks.  You’ll easily get your protein and nutrient needs met.  Experiment with different brands till you find one that tastes great.

9. PLAN AT LEAST ONE GALLON OF WATER PER DAY PER PERSON
Besides for drinking, you’ll need water for bathing, and so on.  Most stores offer a 10% discount if you buy by the case.  Use additional bottled water to fill your freezer.  If the power goes out, the frozen water in the bottles will keep the food cold and will also provide extra water.

10. KEEP A MINIMUM OF A WEEK’S WORTH OF FOOD PER PERSON.
In the past, it was recommended to have a “72 hour kit.”  This was the amount of time estimated for help to arrive.  However, as we have seen, this is not always the case.  So the more you can store the better, providing you “replace and use” the food before it expires.  Foods are best kept in cool, dry, dark places.  For easy mobility, you can also store food in a suitcase with wheels.  Backpacks with wheels are also handy, since they have both rolling and carrying alternatives.  Also, remember to store enough food for your pet.

11. BUY EXTRA MEDICATIONS TO STORE IN KITS
With hurricane Katrina, some of the people who evacuated in haste left their medications behind causing them to have seizures or other problems.  Therefore, make sure you have extra medicines available in various locations.

12. MORE LIFE SAVING TIPS

If you are at home and an emergency is eminent, fill all bath tubs with water.

If you have to leave your home, remember to put the lawn mower gas can in the trunk of your car. If you do not have a lawn mower get a second gas can and keep it filled in the garage. (Please note, I take no responsibility if anything happens with the gas can. These are suggestions for you.)

Make a resolution to always get gas once the tank is half full.

Divide food into three groups and keep one group in the trunk of the car, another at the office and one by the door at home, to grab and go.

Get copies of all prescriptions and keep them with each food supply.

Keep a battery operated radio and flash light and emergency medical kit with each food supply.

Keep an extra wallet with personal identification, medical records, medical insurance identification, important phone numbers and names of next of kin with the one food group that will be in the house.

Have cash in all your kits.

It’ll be hard to walk far if you are barefoot at your home or in high heels when you are out. Have walking shoes in all your kits. Instead of throwing out those worn gym shoes, put them in your kits.

Remember to stay calm so you can think clearly. Having all these things done ahead of time, will allow you to focus on the task at hand, rather than scrambling at the last minute causing added chaos to the situation.

START YOUR KIT NOW.
When you grocery shop, always buy some additional items for your kits.  Remember, it wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.  Don’t wait.  Start now!

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The information contained in or made available through this site is intended to help you make informed decisions about your health, not to replace your medical care. Elaine Wilkes, Ph.D., NC, MA, recommendations are NOT intended as a cure, diagnosis, prescription, or treatment for any disease; physical, emotional, spiritual or mental, and is not a substitute for regular medical care.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE. Thanks for including the following: This was written by Elaine Wilkes, Ph.D., N.C., M.A., http://www.ElaineWilkes.com

They treat it with a fungicide or irradiate it. Irradiation is becoming more and more popular and there’s nothing to let us know what’s been done to it.

Absolutely the skin is porous on Thai coconuts. So it DOES absorb the chemicals. I put red food coloring on the white shell and when I opened the coconut, guess what I saw inside? Yep, lots of red dye. here’s the photo. I wish I had a better one. It was RED not pink inside.

Simple, Natural Ways to Spell Relief.

by Elaine Wilkes, PhD

Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it ISN’T!

Billions of dollars are spent in antacids each year.  For example, Nexium is the third best-selling drug in the world, with annual sales exceeding $5 billion. Priolsec is the #1 selling drug in the world making over 6 billion dollars a year.  But antacids and drugs do not fix the cause of the problem and there are reports of harmful side effects.

What causes acid reflux and acid indigestion?

The acid from the stomach may force open the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), allowing acid to flow into the esophagus, resulting in heartburn and indigestion.  In other cases, this sphincter becomes flaccid and acid splashes into the esophagus.  If this indigestion happens more than twice a week, it is time for you to seriously digest information on how to heal this situation now.

What’s so wrong with having acid indigestion?

The technical name for persistent heartburn and/or the stomach contents regurgitating up into the esophagus is called gastro esophageal reflux disease or GERD.  “Chronic GERD has the potential to scar and damage the lining of the esophagus. It can also lead to a condition called Barrett’s esophagus, which carries the risk of developing esophageal cancer” (Rubin, 2003).

“People with chronic heartburn can develop painful ulcers in the esophagus, and in rare cases, some can end up with damage that can lead to esophageal cancer” (Yu-Xiao Yang, MD, MSCE, et al., 2006).

Also, throat and breathing problems may be made worse by acid indigestion.  Some people may actually think they have allergies, since they have inflammation in their sinuses or throat, when acid reflux is the real culprit.

There are many other challenges.  Even “dental enamel exposed to acid from acid reflux will cause dental erosion.  The enamel dissolves when exposed to a pH of less than 3.7”  (Freund, M.D. and Rejaunier, 2003).  Neutral pH is around 7.

Doctors are not sure exactly why this is so, but almost half of asthma patients also have acid reflux.

Why popping a pill can be harmful.

If the warning light in your car goes on, would you simply turn off the light, and never bother to check under the hood?  Sooner or later you will have more serious problems with your car by ignoring it’s warning signal.

The same is true with just taking a pill, and not addressing the fact that your body is telling you that something needs your attention.  Just taking a pill is like turning off the warning light that your body is giving you, and doing nothing about the cause.

Antacid pills have reported side effects:

Neurologist Dr. Daniel Purlmutter stated on The Oprah Show, “Antacids block B6.  Many people are taking antacid medications and the problem is that when they block stomach acid, they block absorption of B6 and that can damage the brain.” (Oprah, 2006.)

Dr. Sherry Rogers saw many complications with her patients who took Mylanta.  “Quite simply, as Mylanta sopped up acid that prompts indigestion, it also depleted the same acid we nee for absorbing minerals. Without a sufficient quantity of minerals we are vulnerable to many diseases, from depression to cancer.”  (Rogers, S., M.D., 2000).

A study of 145,000 seniors showed heartburn drugs can increase risks of broken hips.  These drugs block absorption of calcium, leading to weaker bones and fractures (Yu-Xiao Yang, MD, MSCE; et al., 2006).  The drugs causing the most problems in this study were Nexium, Prevacid and Prilosec.

“(Tagamet or Pepcid) are some of the worst drugs that you could possibly take. They significantly reduce the amount of acid you have, inhibiting your ability to properly digest food. Reduction of acid in the stomach also diminishes your primary defense mechanism for food-borne infections and will increase your risk of food poisoning… I can assure you the number of people who actually need this drug is less than one in 100 of those taking it.  In other words, people are being prescribed drugs for heartburn when it is one of the easiest medical problems to treat.” (Mercola, J., 2006).

Chronic use of aluminum containing antacid products may be detrimental to the body.  “Research has shown that at least 10 human neurological conditions have been linked to toxic concentrations of aluminum” (Gasdorph, H. and Walker, M., 1995).

There is a way to go off of these drugs. Do not go off cold turkey. Check with a health practitioner.

What can create acid indigestion?

It is best to look at what you are eating or what is “eating you,” since foods and emotions can cause acid indigestion.  Eating too many processed, acidic foods and soft drinks and/or emotions of fear, anxiety or anger can trigger acid indigestion.

Being over weight or pregnant may also contribute to acid indigestion, since possibly the added weight may put pressure on the sphincter, allowing it to open.  Some people may also experience indigestion when lying down or bending over.

Natural ways to spell relief.

“Eat whole foods, eliminate processed foods, exercise and relax and enjoy life.”  Yeah, yeah, we have all heard that.  But, the reason why we have heard it so many times is because it works.  Here are some more natural ways to help with indigestion:

• Scientists have shown that there is a strong correlation between obesity and GERD.  If you are overweight, losing weight would most likely help relieve the symptoms of acid indigestion and heart burn.

• Many health professionals feel the bacterium H. pylori that lives in the stomach can be a contributing factor in acid indigestion. Blood tests and stool tests will be able to diagnose if you have H. pylori.

• Stop drinking sodas as they are much too acidic for the body. If you can do one thing to really help your health, it would be to cut down or eliminate sodas from your diet. Yes, even those sugar-free sodas are so damaging.

• A Japanese folk remedy is to use a teaspoon of alkalizing umeboshi plum, which is available at heath food stores.

• The use of herbs may help:  “Dandelion, fennel, slippery elm and Irish moss function as antacids.”  (Tierra, 1990). You can make a tea of bay leaves in hot water.

• Drinking fresh vegetable juices, especially red cabbage juice in this situation, would be alkalizing and helpful to restore balance in the body.

• Greens are very alkalizing. Eating more green vegetables would help. The best greens powder that I have found is 100% organic, raw, with no fillers, sprouted and grown on mineral-rich soil, then dried in low temperatures in an oxygen-free environment. Very pure.

• Taking enzymes may help to break down food in the stomach.  In a double-blind study pancreatic enzymes were shown to reduce gas, bloating, and fullness after a high fat meal (Suarez, F. et al., 1999). One theory is to take enzymes after meals, so your body makes enzymes first and will not get lazy making enzymes. You can buy some at your health food stores.

• Probiotics may be helpful.

• Supposedly the old fashioned remedy of baking soda and water can help with acid indigestion.

• Meals are not a surprise.  Planning meals will help to avoid eating those culprit, acidic on-the-run foods.

• Eat s-l-o-w-l-y.  Quickly wolfing down too much food may cause indigestion, along with usually over eating. Taking just a few more minutes to chew your food, actually can give your body enough time to tell you when you are full.

• Eating smaller portions always helps one’s digestion tremendously. They say, “you are what you eat.” I say, “You are what you digest.” If you are eating too much, it puts a strain on your digestive system, and you may not digest your food properly. That can lead to all kinds of health challenges. Like the saying goes, “the first third of what you eat is for your life, the other two thirds are for doctor’s lives.” Meaning eating too much, may result in medical issues.

There are so many natural ways to get rid of acid indigestion, you no longer need to take pills that may have harmful side-effects. Ahh – what a relief that is.

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PLEASE FEEL FREE TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, WEB SITE, OR E-MAIL. Thank your for including the following blurb at the end of it: This article was written by Elaine Wilkes, Ph.D., N.C., M.A.  http://www.ElaineWilkes.com.

References

Freund, L. M.D., Rejaunier, J. (2003). The complete idiot’s guide to food allergies. (p. 66). New York:  Penguin Group.

Gasdorph, H. and Walker, M. (1995). Toxic mental syndrome. Garden City Park, NY: Avery Publishing, P.120.

Mercola, J., M.D., (2006).  Taking heartburn drugs can break your hip. Retrieved Dec. 26, 2006 from the World Wide Web:  http://www.mercola.com/2007/jan/13/heartburn-drugs-can-break-your-hip.htm

Mohandas, M. M.D.  (2005). BJS Abstract 105860: Rise of esophageal adenocarcinoma in USA is temporally associated with the rise in carbonated soft drink consumption.  Retrieved May 17, 2005 from the World Wide Web:  http://scienceblog.com/cms/node/2712

Purlmutter, D. MD., Oprah. (2006)

Rubin, J., (2003). Patient heal thyself. (p. 222). Topanga, California:  Freedom Press.

Rogers, S. M.D., (2000). No more heartburn.  Stop the pain in 30 days – naturally.  (p. 6). New York:  Kensington Books.

Suarez F, Levitt MD, Adshead J, Barkin JS. (1999). Pancreatic supplements reduce symptomatic response of healthy subjects to a high fat meal. Dig Dis Sci;44:1317–21.

Tierra, M., (1990). The way of herbs. (p. 41). New York:  Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Yu-Xiao Yang, MD, MSCE; James D. Lewis, MD, MSCE; Solomon Epstein, MD; David C. Metz, MD, (2006). Long-term proton pump inhibitor therapy and risk of hip fracture. JAMA, Vol. 296 No. 24, December 27.

The information is intended to help you make informed decisions about your health, not to replace your medical care. Elaine Wilkes, Ph.D., NC, MA, recommendations are NOT intended as a cure, diagnosis, prescription, or treatment for any disease; physical, emotional, spiritual or mental, and is not a substitute for regular medical care.

I’ll like to share some Mothers’ Days celebrations, and if you want, please share your favorite Mothers’ Day below.

When my father was a little boy (growing up in a very poor family) he would go into the empty lot next door and pick a handful of dandelions. Then he would excitedly bring his gift of ‘the beautiful flowers’ to his mother. She saw his love and thanked him profusely. To this day when he sees dandelions he thinks of Mothers Day. He cherishes the memory.

My mom’s favorite Mothers’ Day gift was when we’d all help her plant many flats of flowers, and then have dinner outside and admire our handiwork feeling satisfaction and peace. The memory still evokes that feeling.

Last year my sister met my mother in Chicago where they spent a few hours together touring the Art Institute. Then they stopped for sandwiches at the train station before going back to their homes. It was a simple loving togetherness. They’ll remember.

This is a special day to love your mother for who she is, and for who she has helped you become. Whether you’ll be with her, talk to her on the phone, or can only hold her closely in your heart—cherish her.

Happy Mother’s Day!

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It’s Earth Day—It’s good to take a moment to pause and reflect on the treasures all around us.
Nature will also bring you peace if you engage all of your senses and allow yourself to experience her fully.

Just go in Nature. Sit still. Close your eyes. Listen. When you become more aware of Nature’s sounds, you turn down the volume of your “monkey mind,” which scampers about from thought to thought. We reap what we sow, both in Nature and in the garden of our mind.

Observe how Nature mirrors us and shows us we’re all connected. Let’s remember that whatever we do to Nature we do to ourselves. We can ask ourselves, how can we show appreciation for Nature in thanksgiving for all she has given us?

So, awareness is the key today. Share your thoughts about Earth day.

~Elaine

P.S. They announced today that my book, Nature’s Secret Messages: Hidden in Plain Sight won the silver award in the Living Now Book festival.

Consider that you’re being bombarded daily with radiation from things liken power lines, cell phones, x-rays, and Wi-Fi Internet.

Studies show radiation may be harmful to your health, even causing cellular changes, and possibly cancer.

A Dutch study showed that when ash trees are exposed to radiation emitted by Wi-Fi base station antennas, the leaves discolor with a “lead like shine” and gradually die.¹ This means that yes, you may be writing, literally, “killer” emails! The study also found that Wi-Fi radiation could inhibit the growth of corn cobs.

There’s been a class action lawsuit against a school board that uses Wi-Fi technology in their classrooms. Britain has removed it from some classrooms altogether.

Here’s a video about the harms of Wi-Fi.

http://www.youtube.com/safeschool#p/u/3/KN7VetsCR2I

I found a good research site that discusses all the news and studies about radiation that you might find helpful.
http://www.magdahavas.com/

Also, consider that there are 432 operational nuclear power plants worldwide and over 100 in America. Here are the nuclear power plants in your area:
http://www.animatedsoftware.com/environm/no_nukes/nukelist1.htm

QUESTION: What do you do to protect yourself against radiation?

Best wishes,
Elaine

Sources
1. http://www.magdahavas.com/2010/11/23/if-wifi-harms-trees-what-about-children/

My take-away tips are from Dr. Mercola and Gabriel Cousens debate are:

• Dr. Mercola recommends eating high quality raw eggs in a smoothie.

• Dr. Cousens eats bee pollen. (I love products made by bees-I wrote about how the bees are amazzzing in my book.)

• They both recommended chlorella or spirulina.

• They both liked coconut oil.

• http://www.FindASpring.com lists where you can get spring water.

• They both use the Power Plate. I started using one and will let you know what I think.

Have you felt any different using bee pollen or royal jelly?

I saw this blog from Byron Katie (thework.com) and wish to share it. My favorite quote is:

If you want to experience fear, think of the future.
If you want to experience shame and guilt, think of the past.

Here’s her entire blog:

Live Now: Just Do the Dishes!

Become mindful of how often your conversations focus on the past or future.

Be aware of the verbs you use: was, did, will, are going to, etc. To speak of the past in the present is to reawaken and recreate it fully in the present, if only in our minds, and then we are lost to what is present for us now. To speak of the future is to create and live with a fantasy.

If you want to experience fear, think of the future.

If you want to experience shame and guilt, think of the past.

Just focus on the dishes in front of you.

“Doing the dishes” is a practice of learning to love the action that is in front of you. Your inner voice or intuition guides you all day long to do simple things such as doing the dishes, driving to work, or sweeping the floor. Allow the sanctity of simplicity. Listening to your inner voice and then acting on its suggestions with implicit trust creates a life that is more graceful, effortless, and miraculous.

The miracle of now.

[Photo is from http://www.SunStarPhoto.com]