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Sunday, March 27, 2011

Honey and Cinnamon

I came across this and there just might be something to all this. Wouldn’t hurt to try a few of these.

Health Benefits of Honey and Cinnamon

 

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Q. What is the only food that doesn't spoil?
A. Honey
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It is found that a mixture of Honey and Cinnamon cures most of the diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Ayurvedic as well as Yunani medicine have been using honey as a vital medicine for centuries. Scientists of today also accept honey as a very effective medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases. Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients.
Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada, on its issue dated 17 January, 1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by Honey and Cinnamon as researched by western scientists.


HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, chappati, or other bread, instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also those who already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack.
Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heartbeat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as age the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalizes the arteries and veins.


INSECT BITES: Take one part honey to two parts of lukewarm water and add a small teaspoon of cinnamon powder, make a paste and massage it on the itching part of the body slowly. It is noticed that the pain recedes within a minute or two.


ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured.
In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week out of the 200 people so treated practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.


HAIR LOSS: Those suffering from hair loss or baldness, may apply a paste of hot olive oil, one tablespoon of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder before bath and keep it for approx. 15 min. and then wash the hair. It was found to be effective even if kept on for 5 minutes.


BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.


TOOTHACHE: Make a paste of one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and five teaspoons of honey and apply on the aching tooth. This may be applied 3 times a day till the tooth stops aching.


CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder
mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to
reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10% within 2 hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken 3 times a day, any Chronic cholesterol is cured. As per information received in the said journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.


COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for 3 days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold and clear the sinuses.


INFERTILITY: Yunani and Ayurvedic Medicine have been using honey for thousands of years to strengthen the semen of men. If impotent men regularly take two tablespoon of honey before going to sleep, their problem will be solved.
In China, Japan and Far-East countries, women, who do not conceive and need to strengthen the uterus, have been taking cinnamon powder for centuries. Women who
cannot conceive may take a pinch of cinnamon powder in half teaspoon of honey
and apply it on the gums frequently throughout the day, so that it slowly mixes with the saliva and enters the body.
A couple in Maryland, USA, had no children for 14 years and had lost hope of having a child of their own. When told about this process, husband and wife started taking honey and cinnamon as stated above; the wife conceived after a few months and had twins at full term.


UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomachache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.

GAS: According to the studies done in India & Japan, it is revealed that if honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.


IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral diseases.


INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food, relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.


INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ingredient, which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.


LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly arrests the ravages of old age. Take 4 spoons of honey, 1 spoon of cinnamon powder and 3 cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, 3 to 4 times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age.
Life spans also increases and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old.


PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of Honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.


SKIN INFECTIONS: Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.


CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month 3 times a day.


FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon power in equal parts, are more alert and flexible.
Dr. Milton who has done research says that a half tablespoon honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3.00 p.m. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.


BAD BREATH: People of South America, first thing in the morning gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water. So their breath stays fresh throughout the day.


HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder taken in equal parts restore hearing.


*NOTE:The honey used needs to be REAL RAW UNPASTEURIZED HONEY. If it says PURE honey it is most likely pasteurized. It is best to only buy honey that says RAW or UNPASTEURIZED on the label. The difference is that the enzymes are all heated out of the pasteurized honey.

Cinnamon and Honey formula for weight loss:
This should be prepared at night before going to bed.
1. Use 1 part cinnamon to 2 parts raw honey. 1/2 tsp cinnamon to 1 tsp honey is recommended but can use more or less as long as in the ratio of 1 to 2. --- so 1 tsp cinnamon to 2 tsp raw honey is ok too as an example.
2. Boil 1 cup...that is 8 oz of water.
3. Pour water over cinnamon and cover and let it steep for 1/2 hour..(30 minutes)
4. Add honey now that it has cooled. Never add honey when it is hot as the heat will destroy the enzymes and other nutrients in the raw honey.
5. Drink 1/2 of this directly before going to bed. The other 1/2 should be covered and refrigerated.
6. In the morning drink the other half that you refirgerated...but do not re-heat it...drink it cold or at room temp only.
Do not add anything else to this recipe. No lemon, no lime, no vinegar. It is not necessary to drink it more time in a day...it is only effective on an empty stomach and primarily at night.
This works for most people. Inches are lost before any measurement on the scales. This program will cause significant inches lost...but you will reach a plateau and may not lose anymore. This is because the cinnamon and honey cause a cleansing effect in the digestive tract and cleans out parasites and other fungus and bacteria that slow down the digestion...causing a toxic build up. (Lowers pH) Once this is all cleaned out then you will most likely have the weight loss slow down.
Other side effects from a cleansing can occur because of toxins being released...if this occurs, cut back on how much you use or take a break.
Additionally people report increased energy, more sex drive, and feeling happier/mood enhancer.

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It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month ... which we know today as the honeymoon.

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HONEY LINKS

This wonderfully rich golden liquid
is the miraculous product of honey bees
and a naturally delicious alternative
to white sugar.

Report to the Officers and Board of Directors of the
Committee for the Promotion of Honey and Health
January 17, 2008 (pdf file)

The healing power of honey:
From burns to weak bones, raw honey can help

Honey Offers Many Benefits

CINNAMON

Although in Europe and the U.S. cinnamon is most often associated with sweet dishes, it has broad culinary uses. For example, in India, cinnamon is never used with desserts, but is the main ingredient in curries. In North Africa, not only is cinnamon an ingredient in Raz-el-Hanout, the flavoring of couscous and tagines, but appears also in Berber spices. In Greece, it appears in lamb dishes.
And it is an essential spice in Chinese cuisine. Ground, it is one of the constituents of five-spice powder; whole, it is frequently added to flavor braised dishes.
In the Caribbean, it is in Jerk seasoning. In Mexico, it appears with chocolate and chili powder in Mole sauces. In the U.S., it is used in barbecue rubs and sauces.
Cinnamon is the bark of three bushy evergreen trees of the laurel (Lauraceae) family. The most fragrant and delicate cinnamon is obtained from the Cinnamomum zeylanicum tree native to Sri Lanka (which used to be called 'Ceylon'), the western coast of India (known as the Malabar coast), and Burma. Zeylanicum cinnamon is sometimes called 'true cinnamon' and 'old fashioned cinnamon.' But the 'true' part was just advertising copy for the Dutch East India Company's 17th century monopoly.
Cinnamon is also derived from the Cinnamomum loureirii tree native to Indonesia and the Cinnamomum cassia tree native to China, Vietnam, and Sumatra. The cinnamon from the loureirii and cassia trees is darker and more pungent and aromatic than cinnamon from the zeylanicum tree.
Cassia cinnamon is what most Americans are used to and is the preferred cinnamon in Southern Europe. So don't let the term 'true cinnamon' confuse you; cassia cinnamon is just as true as zeylancium.
Neither Grieve, King nor Felter distinguish the cinnamon varieties medicinally – Grieve simply asserting that they all act alike, and King's covers all varieties in one listing, as 'The barks of numerous species of Cinnamomum.' Medicinally, they all act the same, although there are subtle taste differences.
Cassia cinnamon has a more intense and less fragrant aroma than zeylanicum (Ceylon) cinnamon. It is sweet, warm, pungent, and slightly astringent. Zeylanicum (Ceylon) cinnamon is pale in color, and more delicate, more fragrant, not as pungent, and not as sweet. It has a slight citrus flavor. Zeylanicum (Ceylon) cinnamon is more expensive than cassia, and better to use in sweet dishes and cakes.
Cassia nips the tongue and is more suited to spiced meats, stews, rice dishes, curries, pancake and waffle batters, cinnamon rolls, and flavored drinks. Cassia cinnamon sticks are reddish brown, thick, and coarse in texture. They are the sticks Americans are accustomed to and use in mulled cider and wine. Zeylanicum cinnamon sticks are pale in color, thin, and look like a roll of dried paper; they are delicate and crumble easily.
Cassia cinnamon, depending on its origin or strain, is also known as Chinese, Vietnamese (Saigon), and Korintje (Sumatran) cinnamon. Each has its own distinctive taste.
The 1997 Commission E on Phytotherapy and Herbal Substances of the German Federal Institute for Drugs recommends Cinnamon 'For loss of appetite, dyspeptic complaints such as mild, spastic condition of the gastrointestinal tract, bloating, flatulence.'
'Side Effects: Frequently, allergic reactions of skin and mucosa.'
'Daily Dosage: 2 - 4 g of bark; 0.05 - 0.2 g of essential oil; equivalent preparations. Mode of Administration: Cut or ground bark for teas, essential oil, as well as other galenical preparations for internal use. Actions: Antibacterial; Fungistatic; Promotes motility.'
Cinnamon is also a powerful hemostat and can be of great use in some female complaints.
Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'Stomachic, carminative, mildly astringent, said to be emmenagogue and capable of decreasing the secretion of milk.'
'The tincture is useful in uterine haemorrhage and menorrhagia, the doses of 1 drachm being given every 5, 10 or 20 minutes as required.'
'It is chiefly used to assist and flavour other drugs, being helpful in diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and to relieve flatulence.'
'The oil is a powerful germicide, but being very irritant is rarely used in medicine for this purpose. It is a strong local stimulant, sometimes prescribed in gastro-dynia, flatulent colic, and gastric debility.'
'Dosages: Of oil, 1 to 3 minims. Of powder, 10 to 20 grains.'
King's 1898 Dispensatory: 'Stimulant, tonic, stomachic, carminative, and astringent; also reputed emmenagogue, and capable of diminishing the secretion of milk.'
'The tincture of the bark is useful in uterine hemorrhage and menorrhagia, given in drachm doses in sweetened water, and repeated every 5, 10, or 20 minutes, or as may be required. A tincture of the oil (j) in 98 per cent alcohol (viii), is preferable, given in from 5 to 30-drop doses, repeated as often as necessary.'
'For post-partum and other uterine hemorrhages, it is one of the most prompt and efficient remedies in the Materia Medica. To a limited extent it controls hemorrhage from other parts of the body, yet its most direct action is upon the uterine muscular fibres, causing contraction and arresting bleeding.'
'Upon the nervous system cinnamon first stimulates and then depresses. Cinnamon is generally used to correct the effects or improve the flavor of other drugs, and is one of the best additions to cinchona bark for correcting the nausea or vomiting sometimes occasioned by that drug.'
'Internally, it is very useful in diarrhoea, colic, cramp of the stomach, flatulency, and to allay nausea and vomiting. Dose of the powder, from 5 to 20 grains; of the tincture, from 10 to 60 drops; tincture of oil, 6 to 60 drops. Specific cinnamomum, 10 to 60 drops (see Oil of Cinnamon).'
American Materia Medica, 1919 (Ellingwood): 'Cinnamon, in the experience of the writer, is a hemostatic of much power and is positively reliable in all passive hemorrhages. It is not advisable to combine it with the usual astringents, as ergot, geranium or epilobium, but it acts in perfect harmony with erigeron and to a certain extent with turpentine.'
'German authorities claim that as soon as the menses or any uterine hemorrhage becomes excessive and produces exhaustion or causes alarm the decoction should be administered freely. It works to a better advantage in hemorrhage due to atonic conditions of the non-gravid womb, or where there is muscular relaxation, or a general flaccid state of the womb after delivery.'
'It certainly restores tone to the uterine muscular structure and induces tonic contraction. It will also, Hale says, moderate hemorrhage not dependent on plethora, anemia or organic uterine disease. In some cases, during labor, it promotes the normal labor pains and materially increases uterine contraction, and prevents post-partum hemorrhage.'
*NOTE:The cinnamon powder that you get in the super markets could very well be sawdust that has been coloured and artificially flavored. I think it is better to get the bark and powder it yourself. Most spices are irradiated. This is supposedly done to eradicate bacteria, but spices are generally excellent bactericides so the irradiation is merely a way of destroying the precious properties of spices. Non-irradiated spices are available from most high-end health foods stores like the one below. Cinnamon can be confused for cassia and in fact many powdered forms use cassia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassia) It is also known as “bastard cinnamon”. True cinnamon is also known as "ceylon" cinnamon. There are other variants such as Indonesian and Vietnamese so avoid anything that is from these countries. Specifically ask for Ceylon Cinnamon. Cinnamomum zeylanicum is the botanical name for the purest and most potent form of cinnamon.

Highest Quality Cinnamon:


Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil (Cinnamomum zeylanicum; Rou Gui Pi)
Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil (Cinnamomum zeylanicum; Rou Gui Pi)
Cinnamon Sticks 5'' Ceylon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum; Rou Gui Pi) 1 lb
Cinnamon Sticks Ceylon Soft 3 Inch (Cinnamomum zeylanicum; Rou Gui Pi) 25 lb
Cinnamon Sticks Ceylon Soft 3 Inch Cert. Organic (Cinnamomum zeylanicum; Rou Gui Pi) 1

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Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Sophie says the darndest things!

I actually slept last night!!! I even slept through the night. Granted I didn’t get to sleep until about 1:00am and had to get up at 5:30am but I’ll take it!!!

Sophie is cracking me up this morning. I do not know where she comes up with some of these things.

Here are just two convo’s we’ve had this morning.

Sophie: Mom, did you ever want to meet your sister?

Me: Sure I would love to meet her some day.

Sophie: So, why don’t you meet her then?

Me: Because I don’t know where she’s at

Sophie: Well, haven’t you ever heard of GPS? It tracks things and shows you where you are.

Me: LOL, it doesn’t work like that Sophie

Then she goes right into talking about Step-parents and step-brother and sisters. She wanted to know if it were possible for animals to have step=parents and step-brothers and sisters.

That girl had me giggling. Which is so much needed today because my pain level for my back is through the roof today. I’m hobbling around like a little ole lady.

Today is their last day of school then they have the rest of the week off for spring break! I’m so excited and hoping to be able to find some fun stuff to do on the cheap side. It’s supposed to rain all week so gonna have to come up with things to do inside but I’m sure we will come up with something.

Jamiegrspring-vi

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Blah

I so wanna blog but I have so many thoughts, ideas, and feelings coursing through me I’m finding it impossible to say anything that makes any sense. 

I should be sleeping right now and I AM very tired but I just can’t sleep. Sad smile I have a doc appt. in the morning with the pain doctor.  I imagine it will go pretty quickly and uneventful. I wish there was a magic pill out there that would take me out of pain and let me have some energy. I constantly feel like I have a 50lb weight on my shoulders which makes it hard to do much at a productive pace.

Girls only have school two days this week then they are off for spring break.  They are excited. I’m hoping to be able to take them to the movies one day this week. Not sure what we will see since it has to be something Sarah can sit through.  Would be great to find a sitter for her so the older girls and I can go see something else but that’s not gonna happen. She’s such a busy girl that my Mom can’t take her because of her Knee and Brian’s Mom can’t take her because of her health, which leaves Brian but he works all the time. Ho hum…..

Liz’s dog Lilly is almost 2 and has gone into the heat for the first time. All in all it’s going pretty good except she keeps attacking our older female dog.  She just totally flips out on her for no reason and it’s getting harder and harder to break up. Liz is going to be getting Lilly fixed as soon as she’s out of heat so hoping that will solve a few issues. Word to the wise, if someone tells you a dog is high spirited that really means it runs around like a dog on crack.  Just an FYI Winking smile

I always like to include some sort of pic in my blogs so I’ll share this one of Sophie.  This is what she wore for spring pictures the other day. Not what I would have chosen but she’s 9 and has her own fashion sense.

Sophie

It’s 1:40am and I have to be up at 5:30am so I’m gonna go attempt to get some sleep.

BeautifulCalmFB10Jamie-vi

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Seventeen Second Miracle

I went to the library last week to donate some books. While there I felt the urge to look around. For those of you who know me well, know I’m a germ-a-phob and have problems handling library books because I don’t know what the person before me did while reading it. 

What I love about your local library is the fact that she puts all the new to the library books in one spot. So while going through them my eye caught a book called “The Seventeen Second Miracle”  Picked it up and though eh, maybe next time and put it back down.  Saw another book by an author I really like that I hadn’t read and though ok, I’m good to go.

As I start chatting with the librarian she mentioned to me that she had recently read The Seventeen Second Miracle and wanted to know if I had. I knew right then it was meant for me to take home and read. I told her no, but that I had been looking at it. Asked her to hold on and I went and grabbed it too.  I started reading it right away and couldn’t put it down until I had finished it.

This is one of the best books I’ve read in a really long time and while it’s fiction you bring home with you the lesson of the seventeen second miracle.  Life can change for good and bad in such a short time.  Even the simplest things like holding a door open for someone can brighten a person’s day.

I highly recommend reading this. I will be looking for his other books and hopefully they will be just as well written as this one.

So go check out The Seventeen Second Miracle by Jason F Wright

Friday, March 11, 2011

Touching

Liz was channel surfing and came across an episode of “Coming Home” on the Lifetime channel. She had already seen it but wanted  me to watch it.

For those of you who don’t know what the show is about, it’s about a service man or woman coming home and surprising their family.

There were two Army wives who had grown close while their husbands were serving over in Afghanistan.  They thought it would be wonderful to surprise their children. So they got together with the school and had it all set up. The night before they went and got their husbands and got to spend a little “adult” time with him.  The next day was the big day and it was all set up.  The school had an assembly and some of the children sang a patriotic song in to say thanks to all the military. After the song was over a few more words were said and the two fathers walked out.

The kids started crying and yelling DADDY, DADDY, DADDY! I was fighting back the tears. Sarah is just standing there all quiet, taking it all in. Then the fathers scoop up their kids in a big hug. The kids are crying pretty hard and saying daddy over and over again.  I looked over and Sarah was crying.  I had her come over to me and she just clung to me.  It just touched me even more so to see that something could touch a just turned 3yr old as much as it did.

Also brought back memories of when my son Jeff surprised me on year at Christmas.  I still get chocked up thinking about that.

So if you guys have a chance to catch this it does a first run on Sunday’s at 10E/9C, right after Army Wives on Lifetime.

JamieFree2bMe-vi

Monday, March 7, 2011

Morning

0239

I’ve decided not to call the doc today. After I blogged last night something odd happened.  I started craving icecream. Now most people say that’s not odd. For me it is. I’m lactose intolerant so because it makes me so sick I just don’t want it.  However, last night the craving was so strong I had some.  My body must have been craving the calcium or something because I didn’t get sick. I did get very mild stomach cramps but it wasn’t much.

Then I actually fell asleep somewhere between 1 and 2 in the morning. Which for me is AMAZING! I got sleep last night. You have no idea how good that feels.  Then when I got up at 5:30am to get the girls up for school I woke up starving. Another odd thing because I am NOT a breakfast person at all.  So I took my meds waited the hour that I have to before I can eat. I made two scrambled eggs. I really wanted 1 egg and a piece of toast with some jam on it but we were out of bread. Sad smile So far so good, I have had to make any trips to the bathroom.  So I’m gonna see how today goes and if I continue to show signs of improvement then I won’t go to the doc.  Smile Ok, off to get another glass of Sunny D. Have a wonderful day everyone.

Jamieailuck-vi

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Update

It’s been an uneventful weekend. Which is a good thing. I’m still not feeling good and it’s been a month.  Going to call and make an appt. to see the doc tomorrow.  I’ve only been eating about once a day and it goes right through me.  I won’t go into the nasty details but I will say this. I weighed myself today and in the last 3 weeks or so I’ve lost 12lbs. Now don’t get me wrong, normally I would be happy about the weight loss. But not like this. It’s because I can’t eat anything.  I’m finding that I am weak, I’m exhausted all the time,  but at the same time I can’t sleep. Doing anything wears me out. Just feeding the cats last night took it out of me.

I haven’t been this weak since I had cancer.  I’ve tried to push myself to do more and the room starts spinning and if I don’t sit down I’m sure I would pass out.  I’ve waited far to long to get this taken care of. I was on a heavy dose of anti biotics so assumed that they would kick whatever I had in the butt. Since I’m still ill and still on anti bitoics. I will be on them for the  next 6 months for a different reason. That whatever this is must be viral.  Now I know some of you are thinking it must be the meds causing the back door issues. Well, it’s not. I do have IBS with diarrhea but this is beyond anything I’ve dealt with in the past. Don’t get me wrong it’s been this bad before but it would get better after a week or so.  Stress is a huge factor in my IBS flare ups but I’m not under any more stress then normal. 

Oh Friday I finally used up my free movie tickets and took the girls to a movie. I’ll blog about that later. Right now I’m feeling tired so gonna try and sleep.

LuckyCharmJamieVicky11-vi

Friday, March 4, 2011

Religious Tolerance

toon

What does the above cartoon have to do with Religious tolerance? Well nothing per say. Just thought it would give my fellow Pagan friends a giggle.

It’s not uncommon in today’s society to see one religion bashing another.  After 9/11 it seemed all were bashing the Muslim religion for what had transpired.  Who are we to bash an entire religion for the doing of one man. Yes I say one man because he is the leader of the Taliban. I could get into all sorts of conspiracy theories but we will save that for another blog. I am ashamed that at first I jumped on the band wagon and had huge “issues” with anyone that looked even remotely middle eastern.  Once I realized I was doing it I put myself in check.  We can NOT condemn a religion or an entire race for the doings of a few people.

If you look back through history isn’t that what we have been doing since the beginning of time?  Jesus was put to death for his beliefs.  Women and Men were burned at the stake for being alleged witches. Jews were sent to concentration camps and murdered.  Why I ask? Because it scares people to think that just maybe there might be a bit more out there then they care to see.

What gives one religion the right to persecute another because of their beliefs? Who says that one is THE right one and all the others are wrong? Through out my life I have met people from all sorts of religious backgrounds.  As a child I had a friend who was a practicing Buddhist. They had an entire room dedicated to him.  I asked about a million questions because I just couldn’t wrap my head around why you would leave food out for a statue. LOL

My biological father wouldn’t allow religion in the house. We were not allowed to go to church.  Though he would take me aside and tell me how wonderful “Hell” was. What a great place it is to go. At such a young age I didn’t understand what he was telling me.  I remember when my Mom and I would go visit my Grandma we would go to church. I always found it a novelty though I never really bought what was being said.

As a teenager I would go to church with various friends from various religious backgrounds and I never felt like any One religion was the right fit for me.  I just knew what I felt and how I believed but I didn’t know why I had such beliefs because to my knowledge no one believed the way I did.

Fast forward to being an adult. One day after surfing the net I found a term I wasn’t familiar with but it felt like I should know. The word was “Pagan”. I don’t ever remember hearing that word growing up but once I found out what it meant I realize I found my path. It’s the same path I have walked all my life and it had a name. In 2002 I found out my Grandfather was Pagan. We were already close but we really bonded even more over our religious beliefs.  He did adopt to a bit of the Christian faith as well but all in all he was Pagan.

I recently ran into a Pagan that was saying horrible things about Christians. I thought to myself what gives this person the right to tear them down. We have fought so hard to be able to stand up and say we are Pagan. Here this person is doing what so many religions before him have done.  He was saying that what they believe in is crap.  What gives him the right to say that? Is that not persecution? Is that not doing exactly what was done to us for so many years? His stand on it was well they did such and such and they are trying to do blah blah.  Let it go man, let it go.  When I explained to him we were about peace and love his response was and where did you read that? Wow! What does he think walk in the light means for goodness sake? He is a fairly new Pagan as far as that goes. I would say maybe the last 10yrs he’s been practicing. MAYBE! The wonderful thing about walking the path of the old is things are not all in books. You learn from elders. You experience it, you live it.

I was really upset at him at first because I was worried about him  giving us a bad name. But you know, what you put out into the universe comes back to you good and bad. Let him carry on with all this negativity and see how far it really gets him. One day he will realize that he is doing exactly what he hates. Saying one religion is better then another.

I say to each his own. Have a belief system or don’t.  It’s YOUR life. Who am I to say what a person should or shouldn’t practice? If I did, would I not just be repeating history and making the same judgments that has been passed on to various religions?

I conclude with this. Do what feels right to you. As long as it harm none. Even if that means not believing in any sort of higher power.  I for one feel very close to Goddess and glad she is in my life. Blessed Be.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Day of Peace

Friday March 4th starting at Midnight no matter where you are is the first annual Day of Peace.

What is the Day of Peace? It’s easy. For one day, just one day out of 365 we ask that you act in a positive way.

Here are the rules as posted on the event page.

Rule #1.
Say not a single unkind thing about anyone or anything. If at all possible, try not to even think a nasty thought. If we do, reflect on why it was that we thought to say it in the first place.
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Rule #2.
Show everyone we cross paths with some genuine human compassion. Be it with a smile or kind words, just spread some love.
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Rule #3.
Make not one person the exception to the rule. Not everyone deserves to have roses thrown at their feet and have a holiday in their honor, but nobody deserves to feel alone. Reach out. Talk to someone new. Care about them, and we will be cared for in return.

I know without a doubt if everyone did the above the world would be a better place. While it’s hard not to have a negative thought, do we need to act on it? No! Lets reflect on why we are having these feelings. When we act on negative emotions or thoughts does it make us feel any better? Does it solve the situation? No it doesn’t.

Remember harboring anger and negative feelings towards a person only hurts us.  What you put out into the universe comes back to us. We think negative and put that out then negative things tend to happen more often.

Have you noticed that there are some people who are always right in the middle of drama? Well, think about what they are doing and putting out into the world and you might see why they seem to always be in the middle of things.

When you pass by a stranger just smile at them. No matter how bad I feel or how bad of a mood I am in ALWAYS smile at strangers.

Tell the checkout clerk thank you and to have a nice day. Tell your family thank you for their small chores. Say someone empties the trash. Tell them thank you. A thank you can go a long way in a person’s day.

I know if we can all do these little things not just tomorrow but each and every day this world will be a better place.

Time goes by far to fast to waste it harboring the negative. One thing I learned from my friend SCott how passed away a month ago today is that you need to live for today. For the moment. Go out and hear some live music. Just enjoy your day!

Scott

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It’s been a month today since my friend Scott passed away.  He had just turned 43 a few weeks before.  I was having a hard time accepting his death. It really made me realize if someone who had been the epitome of health could pass away, then someone such as myself who has a ton of health problems could go.

Scott’s girlfriend posted this pic on his facebook profile. This picture really represents who Scott was. Captures such a wonderful moment in time.

So I was feeling really down about his death, worried about his Mom, his Girlfriend, and his son. How unfair that such a wonderful person could be taken away. He came to me in a dream and I have never in my life felt the peace he brought to me in that dream. I wasn’t able to finish the dream as I got woke up, but for the first few minutes the peace was so surreal and I knew Scott was ok and that he was in a good place.

While I don’t remember much about the dream I do know we were all outside having a drink. There were several of us. I didn’t know any of the people there but him. But I didn’t find it odd.  Scott was drinking a mixed drink which I am not sure he even ever drank anything other then beer. Anyway..he went in to the building to get another drink and before walking in he  stopped by someone that looked a lot like his sister. ( I don’t know her at all and I’ve only seen a handful of pics) He pats her stomach and looks at her with a grin and says “Do you really think you should be drinking in your condition?” She just looked up at him in shock and mumbled something. About that time I was woken up.  I know this without a doubt. Scott is ok, he’s happy and in a good place.  He is no longer in pain.  In his 43yrs here he left such an impact of a vast number of people and through that his memory will forever go on. He was an amazing son, father, boyfriend and friend.  To all us of who were lucky enough to know him, he left a peace of him with all of us.

Rock on Scott!!!!

I know I rambled on in this blog but I felt compelled to write it. 

Negative

I’m feeling extremely negative right now. I have no idea why either. I was fine one second then the next I’m extremely grumpy.  Part of this may be because I’ve not had any sleep yet. This not sleeping at night or sleeping an hour or two is for the birds.  I can’t understand why I can’t sleep.  I’m STILL not feeling well, running a fever off and on. Low grade but still a fever. I’m weak, every single time I eat no matter what it is I have back door issues immediately.  Sometimes before I’m even done eating it starts.  I’ve gotten to the point where I will only eat once a day because of the severity of the diarrhea after I eat.  It’s just not worth it, when I have to deal with bloating, the pain in my stomach, and then running to the bathroom several times after I eat.

This has been going on for so long I’ve lost count. I see one of my many docs on the 14th so I’m really hoping she can figure out what is going on with me.

My house is a mess because I don’t have the energy to do a whole lot and I don’t have the energy to force anyone to do their chores.  That might be part of my problem too. A clean home is a happy home. Or so they say and mine has stuff all over the place.   Last night I was in the kitchen and I almost fell. If it hadn’t been for Emma being behind me I would have. My body just didn’t want to stand anymore.  

On a positive note, Zoey and Guess seem to be getting along for the most part. Shadow is scared of her still and Lilly well, she barks at her acting all big and bad but when it comes right down to it she’s scared too.   There hasn’t been one cat fight though. They just look at each other and hiss and growl so that’s good. I know in time they will all if not get along then live remotely in peace. LOL

JamieDontGiveADamn-vi

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

March 1st

It’s March 1st and it looks like it will be coming in like a wee lill lamb. Smile Not a bad thing of course.  The snow is starting to melt again. For the most part I have a yard again and not a blanket of snow. Looking forward to being able to go to the park with the girls when it finally warms up.

Zoey is doing well. She is adjusting well. She still runs to the bathroom from time to time but she’s spending more and more time out of there. Albeit, it’s her laying on my bed.  She does love to cuddle in the blankets for a nice snoooze.  Yesterday evening Guess and Zoey were both on the bed sleeping just a mere few inches apart. 

Shadow jumped on the bed last night for a cuddle which she NEVER does. However Zoey was having no part of her being on the bed. Just took one hiss from Zoey and Shadow took off like a big ole scaredy cat. Who me?

Sophie is staying home again today. She’s got a low grade fever, dark circles under her eyes and says she’s feeling weak. I feel sorry for her. I was there last week so I know what she’s going through.

Speaking of sick, I am still sick though better by leaps and bounds. I can’t breath the best when I move around. I feel like a baby elephant is sitting on my chest.  I’ve also got tummy and back door problems today.  Hopeing once I get a bit of sleep I’ll feel better.  That’s something else that’s going on. I can’t sleep at night. No matter how tired I am I just can NOT sleep.  It’s really starting to wear me down. I go through this from time to time. Hopefully it will run it’s course and I can start getting a few hours at night again.

My goal today is to deliver some Girl Scout cookies to a few people who ordered in Anamosa. I got all the ones ready from the ones that order at Brian’s work.  I’ve also got to get to the post office and mail a few out. 

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