What Life Teaches
Life has taught us that love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction.
–Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Life is Just a Mirror…
Life is just a mirror, and what you see out there, you must first see inside of you.
–Wally ‘Famous’ Amos
5 Ways to Spend Less this Holiday Season
It doesn’t matter who you are or where you live: budgets are tight all over this holiday season. This year, we’re asking you to rethink the way you give. The result? More cash for emergencies and a happy, fun, and meaningful holiday season.
1) Spend Time, Not Cash
You’ve heard the saying, time is money. This season, instead of spending money on the people you love, see is there’s anything you can do for them. Maybe you’re harried sister-in-law would love an afternoon away from the kids and you can put those old babysitting skills to use. Offer to drive an elderly neighbor on errands or watch your friend’s cat while she’s out of town. Giving up your time to others who need it this time of year is truly a priceless gift!
2) Go Green
There’s a reason why plants make excellent gifts: everybody loves them! Assembly line gifts are the way to go for people with a ton of family and friends. Buy some simple pots at a nursery or thrift store, a bag of soil, and some bulbs. Attach a note to each pot explaining how to care for the plant. Simple and beautiful!
3) Concentrate on Fun
Since when did gift giving have to be so serious and competitive? This year engage in a “White Elephant” gift exchange where each person brings one or a few inexpensive, wacky gifts. Label the gifts, draw numbers, and you’re off!
4) Get Together
Instead of buying a long list of gifts for all of your loved ones, why not throw a party instead? It’s much more fun to socialize with the people who matter rather than run around the mall looking for presents for them. It’s a good way to get everyone together, have some eggnog and catch up. If your entertainment budget stretched thin, throw a potluck instead.
5) Be Up Front
If buying presents just isn’t in the cards this year, it’s okay to tell people so without much explanation. A simple email or phone call saying you’re “opting out” of buying gifts this year will suffice. There’s no need to feel ashamed or guilty—practically everyone is in the same boat!
How do you plan to save this holiday season?
We Make a Living…
We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.
–Winston Churchill
The Goal of Life
The goal of life is living in agreement with nature.
–Zeno
From Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers
To Live is so Startling…
To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else.
–Emily Dickinson
The Find Bliss 2009 Gift Guide
The holidays are once again upon us, which means it’s officially shopping season. This year, we’d like to introduce a few products that we think are just great. The best part is that they are all just a click away at the Find Bliss store. Enjoy!
This simple device removes chlorine from your bathwater, so you can indulge in a natural, chemical-free experience. Because chlorine can strip your body of natural oils, the recipient can expect softer skin and hair. Bonus!
This ultra-lightweight yoga mat is also zero waste and sustainable, so you don’t have to worry about it taking a toll on the environment. This is the perfect gift for the friend or family member who’s committed to fitness in 2010.
40 Oz Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Once you stuff this into your loved one’s stocking, they’ll never have to buy another bottle of water again! This lightweight Klean Canteen is equipped a non-leaking polypropylene cap and is perfect for the office, the gym or the trail.
This charming necklace encourages prosperity in all aspects of your life. The centerpiece, a Chinese coin, is an ancient symbol of good fortune. Give this gift to a loved one so they can seek new, exciting opportunities in the New Year ahead.
Nothing lets you let go like some soft music and a fragrant candle. Give the gift of relaxation with this set of 6 Soylicous candles in 6 delicious scents: Aqua Fruits, Asian Bamboo, Bergamot Fresh, Lavender Patchouli, Ravishing Red Currant and Romantic Chypre.
Bamboo Dreams Reversible Coverlets
Sweet dreams are made from these pesticide-free reversible coverlets! These handy gifts are perfect for your holiday guests or that someone special on your gift list. They come in chocolate, natural and rain/blue moon colors and fit Twin, Queen and King-size beds.
Karen Luu’s designs are committed to elegance and comfort. This super-soft robe allows your loved one to relax in luxury.
22 Natural Remedies to Combat Colds and Flu
Cold and flu season is upon us again. Learn the difference between H1N1 and the regular flu, and how to combat the bugs, naturally.
by Svetlana Konnikova, MA, AN
Do you know that several hundred different viruses cause the common cold and a seasonal flu? You can get infected when sneezing and coughing people near you pass infected droplets into the environment. Usually it happens during cold winter months. However, a cold or flu can strike at any time.
Cold season has already started. At first, the best defense is to be prepared how to prevent these seasonal sicknesses and know the difference in the common cold , H1N1 and seasonal flu symptoms. Try to get proper treatment as soon as you get prickling sensation in the nose. It’s a sign that you must take urgent care of yourself before it’ll get worse.
Let’s see how colds, H1N1 or seasonal flu are different:
Common Cold Symptoms:
Prickling sensation in the nose
Running, and later stuffy, nose
Sneezing
Congestion
Sore throat
Fever
Body aches
Growing cough
Symptoms last 3 to 5 days
H1N1 or Seasonal Flu Symptoms:
Fever
More Painful Body Aches
Diarrhea
Dry Cough
Severe Fatigue
Respiratory Problems
Dehydration
Sources say that it may take testing to determine if you have seasonal flu or H1N1.
If you got a cold, your body sends you a signal that you run down and your immune system is weak. First of all, clean up your body. I don’t use the word ‘detoxify’ because it is so overused. Just try to treat yourself with the following effective, natural healing remedies.
Naturopathy:
1. Make a hot foot bath with a mustard powder. Add 2 tsp. mustard powder to 2 pt. of water. Mix it and put your feet in for 15 minutes. It will enhance the body’s ability to get rid of toxins and will make easier on your immune system to fight the common cold.
2. A hot bath with chamomile or lavender will produce steam you can inhale to clear a stuffy nose and relax the muscles.
3. Prepare a glass of warm mineral water and gargle to relieve a painful throat.
Healing with Herbs and Superfoods:
4. Take two finely sliced garlic cloves and mix with 2-3 tsp. organic raw honey. In my experience, acacia or linden honey are the most effective. Eat this mixture and drink a cup of hot spring water with a piece of squeezed lemon.
Acacia honey is one of my favorites because of its golden clear color, great taste and potential to remain in liquid for a long period of time due to its high concentration of fructose. Linden or Lime Tree honey is also clear and has fresh, balsamic, meadowy flavor and delicate aroma.
5. Drink hot elderflower tea, It’s excellent for almost all cold symptoms. Place in a cup one tsp. (one packet) dried elder flowers or 1 tbsp. fresh elder flowers. Add boiling water and steep for 15 minutes, then strain and drink as is. To make this herbal tea more pleasant, add one 1 tsp. linden or acacia honey and a slice of lemon or lime. Drink several times a day.
6. Put 1-2 tsp. raspberry preserve in a cup with hot spring water. Mix it and drink. It’ll help you to relieve high fever.
7. Take 1-2 capsules Echinacea extract or pour several drops of Echinacea tincture into 1/4 cup with spring water and drink. Echinacea Echinacea Angustofolia) is immune stimulant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, blood purifier, antibiotic and antiviral. The same you can do with Astragalus, if Echinacea is not available in area you live.
8. Some organic farms in the U.S.A. and Canada produce organic Echinacea tea blends with delicate flavors of mint, licorice, orange or lemon which are effective natural healers for colds and flu.
9. You can also find in health food stores a very effective treatment for sore throat–Herbal Throat Spray with herbs that have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, such as Echinacea mixed with Oregano oil, Astragalus and St. John’s Wort.
10. Eat several times a day oranges. Even one orange a day is a great source of vitamin C which will help you to relieve cold symptoms and block further infection.
11. Eat bell peppers and other vegetables. Drink freshly squeezed juices from carrots, parsley and green apples, as a supply of antioxidant nutrients. It also helps to boost your immune system and makes for faster recovery from colds.
12. Eat white and red, delicious cherries for the same supply of antioxidants and to prevent colds and flu.
13. Eat 1-2 tsp. a day a raw honey from bees who feast on Echinacea flowers. It is an instant boost to your immune system and energy building food.
Falcon Ridge Farms in Canada produces this delicious product which contains all essential minerals necessary for a healthy life. This honey is unprocessed, but just extracted from the honeycombs at room temperature to preserve all natural enzymes. The American Botanical Council states that “Echinacea may be of value for any infection, chronic or acute, but especially where there is not long-term immune deficiency or dysfunction.”
Taking Vitamins and Minerals
14. Drink extra fluids: spring water with a piece of squeezed lemon or lime and 1/2 tbs. honey. Make freshly squeezed juices or steep herbal teas to avoid becoming dehydrated. I like to use pomegranate juice, which also helps with fatigue and loss of energy when you are sick with colds or flu.
15. Some experts recommend to consume 4-6 oz (120-180 g) of fresh protein daily to help build cold-fighting antibodies and enzymes.
16. 1-2 capsules (about 2-3 g) of natural (not synthetic) vitamin C with bioflavonoids daily helps to treat a headache provoked by colds.
17. To relieve pain and irritation in the upper airways, buy zinc gluconate lozenges or Ricola lozenges with mint and lemon that give better effect if sucked rather than chewed or swallowed whole.
18. Drink freshly squeezed juices. Fresh pomegranate juice (8oz) with with one tsp. honey will take away anxiety, fatigue and stress, which deplete levels of immunity.
19. Herbal essential oils help effectively to treat sinus, stuffy nose and painful sore throat. Prepare 2 cups (about (18-20 fl.oz) with boiling water, add 3-4 drops of pine needle essence, 2 drops of clary sage, 2-3 drops of eucalyptus essence, and 1 drop of thyme (optional). Mix it with a special medicinal glass stick. Then inhale to clear throat and sore nasal passages.
20. Keep 1-2 plants with geranium flowers in your bedroom and/or family room to clean the air from dust and bacteria.
21. Place bowls of water with green herbs like basil, parsley or dill on the windowsills to keep the environment moist.
22. When you’ll feel better start doing outdoor exercise, which will help to combat anxiety and stress associated with colds and flu, which deplete levels of immunity.
Good luck in preventing and/or treating colds or flu!
Copyright 2009.
References: Mama’s Home Remedies: Discover Time-Tested Secrets of Good Health and the Pleasures of Natural Living by Svetlana Konnikova, MA, AN, Aurora Publishers, 2008; Complete Well-Being, A Guide to Symptoms and Cures by Dr. Caroline Shreeve, Paragon Books, 2003
Svetlana Konnikova, MA, AN is an award-winning author, publisher, consultant, herbalist, researcher and entrepreneur. Svetlana is perhaps best known for writing her latest book, 2009 Gold Mom’s Award Winner, Mama’s Home Remedies: Discover Time-Tested Secrets of Good Health and the Pleasures of Natural Life, which has become a best-selling book worldwide. Visit her blog at http://mamashomeremedies.com/
Yoga at Home
A home practice is the heart of Yoga. That being said, it took me years to get into the groove of practicing at home. It’s daunting, and, I felt that if I couldn’t devote an hour, it wasn’t worth it. If this line of reasoning sounds familiar, please, learn from me and take this to heart: If you have 10 minutes, practice 10 minutes and bask in your 10 minute home practice. Even 10 minutes (heck, even 5 minutes) per day can be transformative.
When we come to Yoga or Meditation, we do so for a number of reasons.
Knowing our reasons can help us stay the course with our practice. Some of the reasons that people choose to practice are:
- A healthier body
- To quiet the mind
- To be more present, mindful
- To strengthen the qualities that asanas embody
- To see (and transform) how we “do” life
No matter why we begin a practice, eventually, a steady practice leads us to perspective, a clear(er) mind, and a greater ability to respond to life instead of react.
A home practice requires very little of us. An open mind, an empty stomach and bare feet are all that we really need. A sticky mat is helpful, but certainly not necessary. The most important thing is to know what is essential for YOU to be able to create a home practice. Do you need a video, or a podcast? Are books enough for you? Give yourself the gift of creating circumstances that will foster success, and then, set reasonable time commitments for your practice.
Hint: I NEVER say to myself, “I am going to practice for an hour every day.” Honestly, I would never practice! Typically I commit to 15 - 20 minutes of daily practice, and often, more time appears. It’s a recipe for success.
Here are some questions that can help you get started with a home practice:
Why do you practice? What are you seeking?
What do you feel you need to do at home to create practice time? (ie; “the house has to be spotless before I can practice.”) Is it really true? Or realistic?
Can you make (or find) 10 minutes per day for your practice?
If you don’t practice at home (and you want to), what stops you?
If you had 10 minutes per day set aside for practice, what would you fill it with? (ie; “3 asanas and 5 minutes of meditation”)
Got questions about creating a home practice? You can ask in the comments. Or, if you have a successful home practice, tell us about it.
As a Martha Beck trained coach, writer, Kripalu yoga teacher, and speaker, Nona helps dynamic women who want less stress and more joy in their lives.
For Nona, yoga and meditation were a catalyst – the experience of being fully in the body combined with feeling the stillness and power of her inner wisdom led her to belief that living a life connected to the wisdom of our
bodies is essential to vibrant health and happiness. For more information about Nona, you can find her at Insight Health Coaching.
How Yoga Changes Us
by Nona Jordan
Have you ever noticed how when you get tense or angry, you might tighten your belly or clench your jaw, or your shoulders come up around your ears? These reactions are, at their essence, body memories–habitual ways that our bodies respond to certain stimulus. Especially, I think, when we don’t express our negative emotions, they can get stored and compound our responses in the here and now. (ie; have you ever overreacted to a situation? I believe this is often a result of stored body memory)
About seven years ago, I was taking a wonderful series of online meditation courses through Wildmind. One of the things that the teacher, Bodhipaksa, shared with me was related to how we hold our bodies. I was expressing to him all the stress I was under at work and he, to paraphrase, basically told me to drop my chin when sitting at the computer and feeling stressed.
Well this was nothing short of a miracle. First of all, it worked. I would drop my chin, my neck would lengthen and all of a sudden I wouldn’t be a stressed out mess. Somehow, the simple act of dropping my chin and lengthening my neck allowed me to step back and be more mindful of the choices I was making. I had this total *aha* moment, “This is how Yoga asanas change our lives.” (But it took a Buddhist monk to show me!)
Let me explain. We learn these habitual body responses that “match” up with a neurological pathway that prescribe to us how we are going to respond in any given situation: remember our tight belly or our clenched jaw? By moving our bodies in new ways through consistent asana practice, we give ourselves the opportunity to rewire our brain’s responses. If our belly doesn’t tighten automatically (or we loosen it as soon as it tightens up), all of a sudden, we have shifted our habitual experience just enough to allow for a few moments of space in which to change our mind.
A relaxed belly, a soft belly, a long neck…all of these ways of being in our body are associated with relaxation, spaciousness, and perspective. Just as shallow breathing can bring about a stress response, so too can long, deep, relaxed breathing reverse that stress response. By changing the way we hold our bodies, we give ourselves the opportunity to change our mind. Practicing Yoga, we open and lengthen our bodies and the breath over and over again. Doing this, we are able to get past the layers of body-habit.
As our bodies move and respond in new ways, new neurological pathways are carved in our brains- this is one of the ways that the simple act of practicing asana over a period of time begins to spill out into our daily life. Organically, we find ourselves accessing our own wisdom, being able to step back and choose, which translates into being present and mindful. We find we don’t have to respond in the way we always have- through making space in our bodies, we magically make space for new ways of thinking and responding! We are, fundamentally, transformed.
Is there a way in which you respond physically that you can experiment with changing? Lengthening the neck, relaxing the belly? Uncrossing the arms? Loosening the jaw? Pick one and work with it for a week and notice if it changes how you habitually react.
As a Martha Beck trained coach, writer, Kripalu yoga teacher, and speaker, Nona helps dynamic women who want less stress and more joy in their lives.
For Nona, yoga and meditation were a catalyst – the experience of being fully in the body combined with feeling the stillness and power of her inner wisdom led her to belief that living a life connected to the wisdom of our
bodies is essential to vibrant health and happiness. For more information about Nona, you can find her at Insight Health Coaching.
