Archive forMay, 2008

A Certain Order of Things

Adventure looms close on my personal horizon. Vacation time arrives next week and I am traveling to a place I have never been before, the Western United States. I’d watched a PBS special last summer and felt a distinct pull to go to Yosemite National Park this year. Although that is not my destination, I feel I have kept an important promise to myself of which I am still in the process of discerning. I’ll get back to you with the details on that as they unfold. What I’ve realized as I’ve begun the usual pre-trip preparations is how easy it is to slide off course or step off the trail when we are distracted by things in the distance, or things in the distant past, that are a part of our lives, but don’t necessarily inform or contribute to what we need to be doing for ourselves right how. At least by logical standards.

As I’ve been cleaning, organizing, paying bills, sorting clothing and arranging for cat care, as I am wont to do before any trip, I found my mind drifting to a time when I sewed all my own clothes. Now, I stick to curtains, napkins, pillows, simple things that add some extra touches to my home and some buoyancy to my spirit, but don’t take a whole lot of time to produce. Although sewing is one of those old-fashioned skills, sort of like playing the piano if you are not a professional musician, which I also do, I’m glad to have some practical skills with which to surprise people now and again. Both the sewing and the piano playing taught me some life lessons, but it is the skill of sewing that taught me the whole process of creating an envisioned project and the steps needed to take to feel the joyous satisfaction of successful completion.

Creating a new dress or top started with seeing a great style on someone else - a classmate, a television star or a model in the Sears catalogue - that looked fantastic. Sometimes the item was on the third floor of the downtown department store. “Off the rack” meant my parents usually couldn’t afford it and it wouldn’t fit anyway. In those days, small-town stores only carried sizes in the range they could sell, so those simple realities sent me to the basement of said downtown store to see if the pattern companies, Butterick, Simplicity or McCalls, had kept up with the times closely enough to help me out. If they had, then there were choices to make for fabric and any additional materials I would need, like buttons, zippers and thread, and braid or ribbon trims.

Back home with the goods, the project began in full force. Reading the instructions, laying out the fabric, pinning the pattern and cutting out the pieces then led to marking button holes, gathering points and hem lengths. After all the preparation was completed, the pattern pieces could be removed and the construction process begun. The sewing machine came out, the instructions were pulled back out of the package, and step-by-step, what was once only a dream transformed to a hope, and finally embodied the promise of something special, something I could claim as my own creation and wear whenever I wanted to.

Of course this entire scenario is dependent upon following the instructions and working with the pattern as your experience grows. Experience, of course, is usually born of trial and error, and of a firm teenage belief that you have a short cut that will save time and allow you to wear your new garment that much faster. Measure twice, cut once applies here too, as does think before you act.

Which brings me back to cleaning, organizing, paying bills, sorting clothing and arranging for cat care as I continue to prepare for my trip. As I follow my routine and manage the larger routine of the rest of this thing called my life, I sometimes wonder how to keep everything on track, and how I’ve managed to do so to this point. It feels very easy to get distracted by old patterns that no longer fit or were missing pieces that had to be adjusted for along the way. Sometimes it feels right to go back to my old friends in the pattern department, the Buttericks, the Simplicitys and the McCalls and just say hi, and see if there are some new patterns that might be a better fit for me now. The fabric section also speaks its mind, inviting me over with rich colors and textures.

What continues to delight and charm me, in this whole sense of life as a creatively abundant process, is God’s consistency in helping us work with our own plans and God’s plan with all of us together. “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted (Job 42:2),” comes at the end of all of Job’s miseries. This is a man who had to rework the pattern over and over, and struggled with how to make the falling-apart pieces of his life make sense with his faith in God who he believed loved him and had blessed his life in every way possible. Step-by-step, Job did find his way along, completing his projects and moving on to the next as he and God decided.

In his book, The Last Unicorn, Peter S. Beagle also speaks to this sense of order and timing in our lives, using his character, the Prince, to express the yearnings of many of our souls to get our lives right and find our way to a happy ending.

“My Lady,” he said, “I am a hero. It is a trade, like weaving or brewing, and like them it has its own tricks and knacks and small arts. There are ways of perceiving witches and knowing poison streams. There are certain weak spots that all dragons have and certain riddles that hooded strangers tend to set you. But the true secret of being a hero lies in knowing the order of things. The swineherd cannot be wed to the princess before he embarks on his adventures. Nor can the boy knock on the witch’s door while she is away on vacation. The wicked uncle cannot be found out and foiled before he does something wicked. Things must happen when it is time for them to happen. Quests may not simply be abandoned. Prophecies may not be left to rot like unpicked fruit. Unicorns may go unrescued for a long time, but not forever. The happy ending cannot come in the middle of the story (p. 212.)”

God has a way of reminding us that there is often more to come before the plan is successfully completed.

Cory L. Kemp

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Hope for the Earth

The future of the earth lies in our hands, and not only in our hands but in our hearts, our minds, and in the ability that each of us has to contribute to the vast network of light and of consciousness of which we form a part. This network includes every living soul and allows each of us to make more of a contribution to the whole of life than our smaller self would have us believe is possible. Yet, the truth is that each heart and each life makes a difference of immense proportions to the outcome of what shall be. For this reason, we must each assume responsibility for what we think and feel and come to understand that it is only by purifying our emotions, thoughts, and energy body that a new life for the earth can begin and new solutions be found to the problems of old that have beset mankind and continue to do so.

The choice is ours and the possibilities are great. For in every heart there is a wish for peace and in every heart there is distress at the suffering of others as well as at our own. Yet, our difficulty in conceiving of our own interconnectedness with others and our sense of being small rather than large can prevent the kind of alignment with light that is so greatly needed today in order to bring mankind’s consciousness to the next level of its expression.

Today, there is hope for the earth and for each soul who inhabits her sphere and it lies in this: that through the greater advent of light on earth we are becoming more aware of our inner relationship to each other and with our own souls, and out of this sense of interconnection shall grow an immediacy of love and of responsibility which no longer permits the divisions among groups and among nations that presently exists.

This love will display itself not only in outer action, but in inner knowledge, and not only in the wish to do good, but in the wish to become a representative and embodiment of that which is ultimately good, namely, God. This then, is the call to all nations - it is a call for people everywhere to meet the challenge and the opportunity of this pivotal time in human history with a sense of hope and of vision. It is a call to meet God’s heart from a place within our own that seeks the expression of our soul and the presence of a lasting peace.

World Blessings is an online spiritual gathering place for people of all faiths, dedicated to the unity of souls and the creation of a sacred earth. Mashubi Rochell receives the spiritual guidance messages shared on the site, which offers spiritual support and teachings for living a sacred life.

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Forget Prescription Drugs! A Natural Cure for High Blood Pressure

True or False? You need prescription medication to lower high blood pressure? False!

However, most people believe you need to take common high blood pressure (hypertension) prescriptions to combat your high blood pressure. Unfortunately, high blood pressure sufferers pay millions of dollars each day to take medications with harsh side effects. Some of these hypertension drugs include: Diuretics, Beta Blockers, ACE Inhibitors, Alpha Blockers and Vasodilators. Side effects could include: kill nutrients in body, risk of asthma symptoms, speed heart rate, depletion of taste, rashes, cold symptoms, kidney problems, headaches, nausea, weight gain, and growth of hair. Who wants to deal with these? Besides, I thought this was suppose to help people who suffer from high blood pressure. Does this sound better?

All doctors agree that treating high blood pressure naturally is also a way to improve your health and lower your blood pressure. In fact, thousands of people each day lower points on their blood pressure with natural (non-pharmaceutical) foods, vitamins and supplements. Here’s what one of our reader’s said,

“I found your information on prevention and control of Blood Pressure to be extraordinary as a lay primer for people of all ages. It is quite comprehensive and thorough, addressing completely not only the known medical facts concerning high blood pressure but also alternative means of prevention and control.”

True or False? All I need to do is lose weight to control my high blood pressure? False!

However, most people believe if they control their weight; they control their blood pressure. Here are some other significant causes of high blood pressure:

Heredity: Do any family members suffer from hypertension? If so, you are at risk.

Race: African Americans are most at risk. However, all ethnicities are on a rise.

Gender: Men are more likely than women to have high blood pressure.

Age: As we become older, it is more difficult to control your blood pressure.

Salt Intake: Sodium intake has been linked with high blood pressure sufferers.

Smoking: Smokers will often times be more at risk for hypertension.

A Sedentary Lifestyle: If you are required to sit a lot at your profession… your risk rises.

Pregnancy, Diabetes and Alcoholism can also contribute to hypertension.

True or False? I can start to naturally cure my high blood pressure today? TRUE!

However, many people think you need to wait till your next doctor visit and tests before you start taking your high blood pressure serious. Life is too precious and unpredictable to wait when you are dealing with a disease that kills almost 60,000 Americans each year.

Start naturally treating your High Blood Pressure Today with these twelve tips!

1. Exercise for 30 minutes at least 4 times a week! Exercise equals a strong, efficient heart.

2. Loss that extra 15! This appears impossible… however, you would be surprised what will happen if you eat smaller portions and keep exercising!

3. Pass on the salt! Sodium reduction is a key to your high blood pressure treatment!

4. Grains are great, fruits are fabulous, and vegetables are vivacious!

5. Reduce your intake of alcohol.

6. Pack the potassium. Potassium is essential for lowering your blood pressure. Eat bananas, citrus fruits, low-fat milk and some vegetables.

7. More Magnesium! Potassium and magnesium usually go hand-in-hand for lowering blood pressure. Eat whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables and most nuts.

8. Calcium is King! This mineral will be a god-send to hypertension sufferers. Consider low-fat dairy products and calcium supplements.

9. Garlic has become a popular supplement! It is no wonder; it has great benefits to help your high blood pressure.

10. How about Hawthorn? No, not the writer… the herb! Sprinkle this herb on any dish and watch those blood pressure numbers plummet.

11. Multi-vitamins are loaded with vitamins that benefit your health and lower your blood pressure.

12. Relax! I know it sounds simple, but you would be surprised how many people forget about this.

Finally, these twelve tips will help you reclaim back your life and health. However, don’t stop with these twelve. You need to continue to educate yourself and understand what you are against. High blood pressure is a disease that can be deadly. Please take a few minutes and check out our high blood pressure hypertension website. You would be amazed what other readers are saying!

Lastly, if your doctor has prescribed a blood-pressure lowering drug or combination of drugs for you and you are currently taking them, Do Not stop all at once or without consulting your doctor. Talk to your doctor about your intention to treat your blood pressure naturally. For more information, check out bloodpressurenormalized hbp1

Joe Barton writes for Barton Publishing Inc., a natural health company specializing in educating people of numerous health remedies and safe, and affordable cures. To educate yourself more on hypertension visit bloodpressurenormalized hbp1 bloodpressurenormalized hbp1

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Amino Acids And Tourettes

There are research studies being conducted to determine exactly what the links are between Tourettes and amino acids in treatment. Many studies are being conducted to see what causes Tourettes, however this study differs because it attempts to determine the effects on the treatment of Tourettes instead of focusing on curing Tourettes.

Amino acids are a form of dietary supplement that is anticipated from research to help reduce the symptoms of Tourettes. Many suffer from very severe forms of the disorder, so any relief possible for them is always a great step in the correct direction to assist them in achieving a much better quality of life. While amino acids are certainly not the only treatment option, they are being considered more now than before.

Tourettes is a disorder that is classified by the presence of numerous tics in the body, both motor or physical and vocal tics. Many adults and children alike have problems adjusting to the disorder and treatment options are very limited currently. With nothing truly able to control the symptoms it become a matter of controlling as many aspects as possible until complete control can be realized.

Most occurrences of Tourettes are diagnosed in childhood, with the most severe symptoms being present in childhood as well. Very few adults have as extensive problems with Tourettes as they did as a child, however there are some adults who do have serious complications with the disorder as an adult and are forced to seek what would previously been considered radical treatments.

With new studies being conducted constantly there have been studies into the effects of Candida albicans yeast on the symptoms, by reducing the yeast many are seeing a decrease in the symptoms. Also considered is treatment using amino acids. The treatment using amino acids is a nutritional treatment that focuses on giving the body more nutrients in order to help reduce the symptoms associated with Tourettes.

While there are no clear studies indicating that those who suffer from Tourettes are also suffering from low levels of amino acids, there is reason to believe that an increase in amino acids is able to reduce some symptoms. There are still many questions regarding the exact effects of amino acids; however, the research shows great promise in being very effective.

5-hydroxtryptophan is the main amino acid used to help in the treatment of Tourettes. This is not the first time this particular amino acid has been considered in research for mental and chemical disorders. The amino acid has also been used to treat other disorders such as Schizophrenia, Down’s syndrome, PMDD or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, and SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder. The range of disorders attempted to treat with the amino acid is starting to grow and there have been several signs that it is helping.

The long term effects of using 5-hydroxtryptophan are still unknown, since the research has only been conducted in the last few years, but the studies are continuing and research will continue to grow and help educate those suffering from the disorders. Studies have shown so far that as much as 70% of the 5-hydroxtryptophan in an oral dose is actually absorbed into the blood stream.

As technology and medical research improves, this number should be able to improve. As the percentage of absorbed amino acid is improved, it allows the dosage either to be better adjusted, or modified, as the symptoms require. As a treatment for Tourettes it is still considered experimental but with the studies growing older, treatment methods improving and dosage requirements tightening it seems very promising that those suffering from extreme Tourettes symptoms will be able to experience improvement in the quality of life.

While treatment options continue to unfold, many do encourage the more natural forms of treatment that are being researched such as the use of amino acids in treating the emotional and mental disorders. While there is no clear indication of a timeline for when the treatment will be fully out of the experimental phase, and when it will yield positive results for all, it is showing great signs of promise in assisting many with Tourettes the ability to lead a much more peaceful and simple life.

5-hydroxtryptophan itself is a product from the African Griffonia Simplicifolia plant, specifically the seeds of the plant. The amino acid is extracted using an alcohol process that leaves the acid with an oily solid appearance that must be refined in order to be transformed into the dry solid that is capable of being used in pill form. The amino acid itself is dispensed either as a tablet, or in the form of a capsule both of which require the dry form in order to be most effective.

Most 5-hydroxytryptophan tablets or capsules are distributed in either 25, 50, or 100 mg dosages depending upon the exact needs of the patient. This allows doctors great flexibility in determining the appropriate dosage for each patient based upon their symptoms, as well as age, weight, gender and other factors that are important in selecting the most effective dosage.

It has also been suggested that the use of 5-hydroxytryptophan is able to produce elevated levels of Serotonin levels. Serotonin is a chemical found in the brain, which is directly linked to the functions of the body and can have a great amount of impact on such basic survival issues as sleep, mood, aggression, temperature, sexual behavior, anxiety, and pain sensation. As you can see the benefits of the treatment seem to out weight any possible adverse side effects, but they are still important to note.

Some of the most common side effects of the amino acid treatments include mild nausea, flatulence, and other gastrointestinal disturbances. While the side effects are mild, some would rather be left with the initial symptoms of the Tourettes depending upon how severe the symptoms are. Most doctors do agree that you should never take more than 100 mg a day of the amino acid 5-hydroxytryphan unless specifically instructed to do so by a doctor. Most individuals using this treatment are only taking 50-100 mg in the average day, which has been determined to be a very safe level for most adults.

Steve Driskill is the author of “End Your Child’s Tics Now!” and his book can be found at facialticsfacialtics.

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Coronado Luggage by Dilana

Coronado luggage is ideal for travel. Whether you’re going by plane, train or cruising it is the perfect luggage. It is constructed of water resistant and tear resistant Ballistic nylon with genuine leather appointments. The upright Pullmans feature Zero Gravity construction with a honeycomb frame providing a suitcase that is stronger and 33% lighter than conventional metal frame construction. It has quiet rolling in-line skate wheels housed in corner-mounted fixtures positioned for maximum stability. The upright cases also have a locking handle system. With the push of a button, the handle raises and locks in place so it can be pushed or pulled as needed. The ergonomic Comfort-Grip handles offers an easier, more comfortable grasp. There is also an attach strap to secure a second bag or carry-on piece for “hands free” convenience. The beautiful Coronado cases are also lined in nylon for durability and ease in cleaning. The zippers are self-repairing nylon for a further measure of security. They are also equipped with the regulation TSA combination locks. This is the only lock permitted to and from U.S. airports.

The Coronado collection consists of many different sizes and styles. There are expandable cases available in 22″, 24″ and 27″ sizes. These include a Suiter System, which stores in its own mesh pocket and helps reduce wrinkling. It is removable so that the pocket can be used for more casual travel. Each expandable case has up to 25% additional capacity allowing the same case to be used for shorter or longer trips. Coronado is also available in a “no-weight” series. The same very durable Ballistic nylon and leather trim is available in 22″, 26″ and 29″ sizes but in a much lighter weight case. These are among the lightest weight cases on the market today and are extremely popular. We often include a “gift with purchase” of a soft removable garment bag.

There is also a rolling garment carrier, which accommodates any type of household hanger. It is equipped with a variety of different sized pockets and tie down straps for each in packing. There is also a trifold garment carrier, which meets the strictest airline requirements and can be carried on because it fits in the overhead compartment. It has a shoulder strap with a comfort pad to more evenly distribute the load. The collection also has matching cosmetic cases and duffels, which slip over the upright handle for ease in transport. The hanging cosmetic case does not need unpacking as the whole case opens and hangs on the back of the bathroom door on the door hook. It has a removable mirror and great pockets which will hold bottles upright. The duffel is expandable so there’s room to bring home “extras.” Another very important piece in the Coronado collection is the rolling tote bag or briefcase. This is a smaller carry-on case with wheels that can be used for business or shorter trips.

The entire Coronado collection has a 15-year warranty that states if any pieces become defective it will be repaired or replaced at no charge to the customer. The collection comes in three colors: black, cactus green and sienna brown.

Maxine Greco has been in the travel and luggage industry for over 35 years. She is currently working at villageluggageandgiftsvillageluggageandgifts.

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Acidity - 13 Useful Home Remedies for Acidity

Read this Article to get information on some of the best Home Remedies for Acidity.

What is Acidity

Acidity refers to a set of symptoms caused by an imbalance between the acid secreting system of the stomach and proximal intestine and the protective mechanisms that ensure their safety. Acidity is responsible for various symptoms like dyspepsia, heartburn and the ulcers formation.

Acidity means the excessive discharge of acid by the gastric glands of the stomach.

Acidity is the set of symptoms caused by a disparity between the acid secreting mechanism of the stomach and proximal intestine and the defensive mechanisms that ensure their security. Acidity is accountable for signs like dyspepsia, heartburn and the formation of ulcers. Acidity is more common in very emotional and nervous human beings.

Acidity is closely related to change inalpha-cellulose content & loss of strength after aging. When excess acid leaks back up into the gullet this inflames and irritate the lining of the oesophagus and the feeling of heartburn is produced

Below is the list of some useful Home Remedies for Acidity

Home Remedies for Acidity:

1) 1-2 teaspoon juice of chebulic myroblan is taken daily is highly helpful in the treatment of acidity and heart burn and this is also beneficial Home Remedy for Acidity.

2) Eating water melon, banana and cucumber also reduces the acidity.

3) Juice of raw spinach also helps to reduce acidity caused by smoking or excessive consumption of alcohol.

4) Drinking the almond milk made from blanched almonds is very helpful as it supplies good quality protein and also binds the excess of acid in the stomach. This is another effective Home Remedy for Acidity.

5) A glass of plain milk gives fine relief during the pain.

6) Take tender coconut water 3- 4 times a day.

7) Take a small piece of jaggery each hour. Just keep it in the mouth and gradually suck it till acidity gone.

8) Cumin seeds boiled in a glass of water can be taken. This remedy is also superior Home Remedy for Acidity.

9) By Eating sprinkle sugar and pepper on the piece of pineapple, you will get relief from acidity.

10) You can also get relief from acidity, by drinking pumpkin juice and also adding sugar in it for better taste.

11) Drink carrot juice, it is also used to get relief from acidity.

12) Take 1 tablespoon of amla with 1 tablespoon of haritaki. It is an effective Home Remedy for Acidity.

13) Squeeze the juice of an orange and mix it with roasted cumin seeds. You can also add some rock salt to make taste good. This will give you an instant relief from acidity.

Dr. John Anne is an ayurvedic doctor having years of experience in the field of Ayurveda and Alternative medicine. Find out more Home Remedies for Acidity at natural-homeremediesnatural-homeremedies

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Honda’s Sci-Fi 4WD in the Acura RL Legend Fast Cars - Now

Honda has come up with the most amazing 4-wheel-drive system, not for off-roaders but to improve the handling and stability of fast cars. It is being used first in the new Acura RL (Honda Legend).

Why is it so advanced? This SH-AWD system has the potential to increase cornering power and cornering safety by leaps and bounds. It will be ideal for supercars as well as luxury coupes.(More information about supercars at fast-autos supercars.htmlfast-autos supercars.html )

First, it allows the amount of power sent to the wheels to be varied from 30% front and 70% rear to 70% front and 30% rear. True, some other systems get near that, but this allows the system to adjust itself to completely different conditions. On top of that, it can alter the torque from zero to 100% to the left or right rear wheel.

In other words, all the power can one to the right wheel one minute, and if necessary can be reversed so that all the power goes to the other wheel in an instant. This might be needed in slushy or snowy conditions, where there was a patch of bare road for a bit on one side offering good grip, but a bit later on a bare patch on the other side.

In addition to those features, the outer rear wheel can be speeded up so that it goes faster than the inside wheel! All done continuously depending on conditions. A few years ago this would have considered desirable, but science fiction.

More power to the rear wheel for acceleration

Confused? Well, let’s start with the front-to-rear power. When you accelerate, the weight of the car is thrown on to the back wheels by the force of acceleration, so you want more power to go to the back wheels - if it all goes to the front you get wheelspin. When cornering, you generally want as much or more power to the rear wheels. SH-AWD does that.

On the other hand, when you are cruising along, you want more power to the front wheels as this increases stability. SH-AWD also does that.

More power to outer rear wheel for better cornering

The side-to-side variation in power is used to improve cornering power and stability. For example, when you accelerate through a corner, extra power through the outer rear wheel counteracts understeer, letting the car corner on rails. In fact, stability control systems used on many cars now do this by reducing the amount of torque sent to the inner wheel - this means that you actually corner slower than you could do. SH-AWD lets you corner faster.

On the over-run, you don’t need that, and less power is sent through the outer wheel for optimum stability. But that isn’t enough because when a car corners, the outer wheels have to travel further than the inner ones - by 5-10% on very tight corners, so the outer wheel normally goes slower.

Honda overcomes this with some gears in the back axle gear set which actually drive the outer wheel faster when cornering! This improves maneuverability and cornering at low speeds.

Electro-magnetic multi-plate clutches

All this is accomplished by multi-plate clutches operated electro-magnetically - a world first - and the gear clutch set used for acceleration. In fact, these gears also serve as the rear differential.

An advantage of the electro-magnetic clutches is that the electronic controller does not need to control a hydraulic actuation system as used normally but an electric actuator - this reduces cost and weight.

Is this the best thing since sliced bread? For the person who wants to have stability and control, and doesn’t want to know what is happening to the car -yes. Such a system is bound to reduce the input the driver gets from the road.

He will be less aware of whether the surface is slippery, or whether the car is understeering more than usual because the SH-AWD system is correcting things all the time.

John Hartley is editor of fast-autosfast-autos an online magazine devoted to fast cars and supercars. He has written from many of the world’s top auto magazines, and has written about 10 books about cars and the auto industry, including ‘Suspension and Steering Q&A’ and ‘The Electronics Revolution in the Motor Industry’. He has been writing about fast cars and testing them for over 20 years, and has been involved in race car design, and has also raced cars.

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