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Thursday, December 31, 2015

What excites you?

This thought kind of goes along with my last post of quotes - one of which said:  When was the last time you did something for the first time?  My thought today, seeing as it is the end of another year and we are looking forward into the New Year, is that I want to do something every single day that excites me.

Now I know what you are going to think - ya we all make those kinds of goals for a new year - but I really think it is possible to do it.  I think if I work hard enough to make a conscious effort each day I can do something every single day that excites me. 

For example, writing excites me, that shouldn't be too hard to do that, a lot, because I do it a lot.  Seeing my grandkids and playing with them excites me.  I love to watch them learn and think.  It is so awesome to see their little minds at work internalizing the things that are before them. 

Here are a few other things that I could do that excite me:
  • meeting new people
  • talking to my husband each night
  • having a successful day at work with my little kiddos
  • planning for blog writing 
  • going for a walk and watching nature
  • eating yummy food I have made
  • making food from scratch that is a new recipe
  • learning something new
  • studying my herbal studies
  • reading a good book
  • making someone smile
  • meeting a friend for lunch
  • completing a reno project on my house - I have several uncompleted ones
  • working in my yard 
  • playing in my yard - kind of the same thing as the previous - at least for me
  • finding my laundry room floor - I know this is lame, but it excites me because it means the laundry is all done
So you see, it really isn't that hard to find things every day that excite me.  Now if you want to get really excited, I could mention a few things, like the Johnny Reid concert coming up that I got tickets for at Christmas, that excites me.  Camping in the summer, that excites me.  Those kinds of things are bigger events, but they all count.  Little or big things, they all count.

How about it?  I am positive I can find at least one thing each that excites me, and I am even going to start a small journal notebook to keep track of them all.  I will call it my excitement journal, kind of along the lines of a gratitude journal.  Who knows, perhaps I will have days when more than one things excites me, it has happened before!

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Turmeric - My Studies

Turmeric Studies and Plan

Turmeric, one of the most powerful food / spice / herb one could choose to use. In my studies this week, I have been researching information about turmeric. I have a bunch of it sitting in my cupboard and I rarely use it, mostly because I didn't know how to use it. I also have a large cupboard full of herbs that I use on a regular basis for medicinal purposes, as well as cooking, but turmeric is one I have shied away from – until now! How I wish I had done my research on it before now!

Here are – in a really small nutshell – some of the healing powers and benefits of turmeric:

  • really strong anti-inflammatory – treats arthritis and helps fibromyalgia – natural pain killer and can repair damaged skin – great for eczema and psoriasis
  • a potent antioxidant – blocks and neutralizes free radicals
  • boosts brain function – neurons multiply and form new connections – helps improve memory and understanding / learning
  • may help in reversing heart disease – improves the function of the lining of the blood vessels – has shown that it could be almost as effective as exercise on the heart
  • helps prevent and even treat cancer – reduces the growth of blood vessels in tumors – actually kills cancerous cells – suppresses several stages of cancer development – can prevent metastasis from occurring in many different forms of cancer – shown to go into the deepest part of individual cells and kill tumor cells – kills bladder cancer cells – kills lung cancer cells – and many other cancers
  • treats and prevents Alzheimer's – crosses the blood brain barrier – clears the build up of amyloid plaques in the brain
  • incredible benefits against depression – boosts the neurotransmitters and produces serotonin and dopamine
  • helps delay the aging process
  • great liver detox and healing – keeps the liver healthy and protects it - decreases activity of enzymes, triglycerides and cholesterol and increases production of vital enzymes that reduce toxins
  • antibacterial
  • helps with weight management and loss in obesity by boosting metabolism and increases flow of bile breaking down dietary fat
  • reduces overall bad cholesterol
  • aides in speeding up the healing of wounds – controls severe burn pain – disinfects cuts and burns – sprinkle on skin or use in a salve
  • healing to digestive health problems
  • kills fungus better than ginger, cloves, and oregano

Turmeric is hard for our bodies to assimilate, but studies have shown that if it is taken with a bit of black pepper, it increases the assimilation process by 2000%. It also will increase the process when taken with good fats like coconut oil. Some people simply swallow a couple of peppercorns when they take their supplements, others take the pepper grinder and add a few grinds to their drink or food. However you do it, take the two together. I know there are even supplements, Curcumin (the active healing ingredient in turmeric) and black pepper together, even better for those who have a busy lifestyle and just want to swallow a pill or two a day. In fact use those with the recipes below and voila – you will start to feel healthy soon!

Recipes and My Turmeric Plan to get healthy and stay that way

Each night – brew the Pain Relief Tea to be drank the next day and as needed.
Each morning – drink the warm Turmeric Lemon Water
Breakfast – a Turmeric Smoothie
Before lunch and dinner – take a quick Wellness Shot
Before bed – one drink of Golden Milk

  • Eat lots of whole grains and fruit and veggies
  • Very little dairy products or animal products – I don't eat meat anyway
  • very little refined foods, like sugar, breads, etc. - try to go as gluten free as possible
  • before bed take vitamins and herbs as per normal, 1000 vitamin C and others
  • mornings – vitamins and herbs as normal with the smoothie
  • walk or yoga for up to 30 mins 3 times a week – go easy with this to avoid excess pain due to fibromyalgia

Pain Relief Tea / Healing Tea
5 cups water
1\2 cup ginger grated or smashed
1 tbsp + 1 tsp powdered turmeric
1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tbsp coconut oil
2 tbsp raw honey
juice of one lemon
Pour water into a pan with the ginger and boil for 20 minutes. Add everything else except lemon and honey and whisk well. Add in the lemon juice and remove from heat. Leave to infuse as long as you want then strain. Add in the honey and drink or store in fridge to drink as needed. It can also be kept in a thermos and drank throughout the day.


Warm Lemon Water for first thing in the morning
1/2 of a lemon
1/4 tsp turmeric
warm water
1 tsp coconut oil or a shake of black pepper
a dab of honey if desired
Squeeze lemon. Add other ingredients and stir well. Drink warm before anything else in the morning.


Alternate Detox morning drink for first thing
2 1/2 cups boiling water
1 lemon sliced
1 inch fresh ginger sliced
1/8 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp honey – optional
grind of pepper
Steep 30 minutes – don't boil it, just pour the boiling water over and let steep, drink warm or cool and drink.


Breakfast Turmeric Smoothie – can also be used for a night snack
1 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup frozen pinapple or mango or peaches etc
1 fresh banana
1 tbsp coconut oil
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1 tsp chia seeds
Blend and drink


Natural Energy Boost / Wellness Shot
2 cups coconut water
1/2 – 1 tsp dried turmeric or a 2 inch knob fresh
1 inch knob fresh ginger root
1 lemon
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 – 2 tbsp honey
Blender water, turmeric and ginger. Strain and add the rest. Few grinds of pepper in drink and serve. Great energy booster or to eat before a meal to help digest better and curb appetite.


Tea to drink throughout the day – great for regeneration and to boost metabolism
Turmeric Detox Tea
Green tea – or Ginseng, Chamomile, Mint or Ginger if you prefer – enough to make a good pot of tea
1 tbsp fennel seeds
1 tbsp coriander seeds
1 tbsp cumin seeds
fresh ginger sliced
lemon juice or fresh lemons sliced
fresh turmeric root sliced
Add all ingredients and boil slightly and then allow to steep for awhile. This can be reused by discarding the lemons and tea bags, replace with fresh ones and use the same herbs a few times. Drink as often as wanted hot or cold. Extreme great health benefits.

Monday, December 21, 2015

Writers Need To Read

How in the world can a writer expect to write good, if he doesn't like to read, or doesn't take the time to read?

How would you ever know you were a good writer or a bad writer if you didn't know what good or bad writing was all about?

I don't know if it matter's much what you like to read, just read!  I think it is really important to read in the genre that you intend to write.  Writing a sci-fi novel is going to be difficult if you have never read one yourself.  I have learned this one first hand with the novel I am working on right now.  It is a romantic adventure novel, targeted at young adults.  I had the plot figured out, I knew what was going to happen throughout the entire book, but when it actually came down to writing the romance part of it, I struggled.  I knew what should happen, but couldn't get it down in words.  Then I started reading some young adult romantic adventures and "boom", it started coming.  

I also love reading non-fiction books.  No great surprise that several of my written works have been in this genre.  You will write what you love to read.  You will write the novel that you want to read, so read, read and read some more.

When my boys were young in school they hated reading, as most young boys do, but I kept persisting and reading to them every day.  At the end of the day, we would all gather around as a family and I would read, out loud, stories, novels, adventures and all kinds of great books.  I read things like Harry Potter - yes all of them, and several other series.  Guess What????  My boys love reading today!  Yes they do.  It takes persistence and reading the right genre for a person to fall in love with reading.  Some of us come by it naturally and could do nothing but read, while others must push through, but the truth of it is, all great writers will tell you to read, read, and read some more.

So find that perfect balance to read and write.  Good luck with it, and remember one of the greatest authors of all time said:

"Oh the places you'll go...."

"The more that you read, the more things you will know.  The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."  Dr. Suess


Go read a book.  Pick up a pen and paper, and see where you go!








Saturday, December 19, 2015

Food For Thought

I read a couple of sayings this week that I totally love..........




When was the last time you did something, for the first time.


and


Those things we take for granted, others are praying for.



Some great food for thought!

15 Escapes

As I sit down to tell you about the 15 escapes I would love to indulge in, I must admit it was harder than I thought to find 15 of them.  And honestly they are not in any order at all, just escapes that I think would be fabulous.

Italian EateryHere goes:  First off, I must say that Italy holds a few of my escapes. I love Italy and could knock off a few of them in one big trip.
  1.   I want to eat at a quaint little Italian Eatery such as the one shown here.  I want to enjoy the fresh pasta, the one of a kind pizza, the breads, cheeses, and vinegars.  I crave the ambiance that comes with having a special afternoon meal here.

Italian Market2.  I want to experience shopping at the amazing Italian markets.  The fresh produce, the fresh breads, and just the fun of being and looking at it all.  Communicating with the locals and learning about things.


Bellagio, Lake Como3.   I want to spend some time sight seeing around Lake Como in Italy.  I think it must be one of the most beautiful places ever.  The towns, the buildings, the streets, the water, the atmosphere, it is all very appealing.  I would be giggling like a little kid if I were walking down this street in Bellagio.  Sigh....


Balsamic Vinegar4.   I really want to do some Balsamic Vinegar tasting in Italy.  I want to visit some of the cellars that are curing the perfect vinegar in Modena and Reggio Emilia.  I would love to bring home a bottle or two of their best for my sister who loves Balsamic as much or more than I do.

Parmeisan 0Reggiano5.   I would also love to go into some of the cheese cellars and warehouses, tasting the finest Parmesiano Reggiano cheeses of Italy.  The smell must be heavenly, and the taste... wow!  I can only imagine.  It would be so exciting to tour some of these cheese caverns.

Grasse France6.   I would love to walk through a field of French Lavender like this one in Grasse France.  It would smell even more heavenly than the cheese caverns of Italy.  Lavender has got to be one of my favorite essential oil smells, and can you imagine what it would be like to walk through this field, running your hands through the flowers and brushing your feet along the bottoms?  Simply amazing!

Iguazu Falls, Brazil7.   I love waterfalls and I have always wanted to see the Iguazu Falls of Brazil.  There are some stunning falls in the world, but this one to me, would be at the top of my list to see.  And of course it is in South America, where I have always wanted to tour.

Hatch8.   I love hot peppers and I love the Spanish culture.  I have always wanted to visit the Hatch Chile Festival that takes place in Hatch, New Mexico every year.  I love the taste of chilies, the looks of them, the smell of them, growing them.  They are just so warm and friendly in so many ways.... if you get my meanings....

Hatch ChiliesThe varieties of chilies are so numerous, the ways to cook them and eat them, get me salivating just thinking about them all.  Oh the pain....




Cuzco peru marketAlong with my love of the Spanish culture, comes my love with all things Central and South American.   9.  I would love to spend a couple of days exploring the market in Cuzco Peru.  Just take a look at the treasures I could find here.  The color, the vibrant expression of life.  Simply incredible!


Bora BoraSt. Regis Bora Bora10.   I would love to spend some time sitting here on this deck watching my husband do some parasailing, or snorkeling.  Heck I might even brave snorkeling in water that looks like this, here off Bora Bora.  Then I would go inside and spend a romantic dinner, and evening inside, watching the fish below, or sitting out on the deck enjoying nothing but beauty and peace.  I would love to indulge in this pleasure.






Mayan_RuinsMayan Riviera, Mexico11.   The Mayan Riviera in Mexico has to be on my list, not only for it's beauty, but for it's ruins to explore.  I have always wanted to explore the ancient culture and ruins related to these people.  What a cool experience.  Not just the ones on the beaches, but there are so many to explore back in the jungles as well.




Local crafts and souvenirs in Cancun Mexico. Image shot 2009. Exact date unknown.12.  Then of course, if I am in Mexico I have to take in a market or two because I love decor from this culture, and have it throughout my house.  It might be dangerous to let me loose in these markets.




North Coast of Isle of Skye Scotland13.   I would love to sit here off the coast of Scotland with my husband
scotland_castles_dunnottarand watch the waves splash on the shores, and then go exploring the shores.  Scotland has some amazing history in it's castles and light houses, and I would love to discover some of the history and stories behind them.





old-manor-house-tucked-away-london14.   I would love to go to England and uncover some of my family history.  Not only for family history, but for the history itself.  I love reading the historical romance novels of the 1800's.  To actually see the old english manor houses and put pictures to stories, would be awesome.  I love the culture they represent, and knowing some of my family history was part of this would be pretty sweet to experience.




c6eca21d05e8c73b35c06f1dba2becda15.   Now I love tigers, and so does my husband.  I have discovered in Thailand a Tiger Temple, a retreat which is a Buddhist Temple and enclosure which is home for 20 or more tigers, and a couple of lions.  You can pet them, feed them, walk with them and get up close and personal with them.  That would be an experience of a lifetime.  I would totally do this.


So there you have it.  15 escapes I would love to indulge myself in.  Don't ask me to pick my top or my favorite, because I am not sure which it would be.  You could just surprise me and buy me a ticket to one and I would be happy.  :)
What are your top escapes?
Which of the seven dwarfs do I relate to the most?

Hmmm.  I kind of chuckled when I went back to the memories of the movie and wondered which one I thought I was most like.  I don't think there is one that stands out for me, there is two, maybe others would think differently about me though.  Smiling here.
Doc
Doc

Doc

Here is the description Disney gives of him.... Self proclaimed leader of the group, Doc often loses his train of thought and bumbles around, looking over the dwarfs.  I guess I self proclaim myself the leader all the time, and expect people to listen and do what I say, because you know I always know what is best, right??  I often lose my train of thought, and I can understand why Doc does too.  When we have such active brains, always trying to solve the problems for those we "lead", there is just too much rolling around in our heads all of the time and sometimes we get sidetracked.  We always eventually get back to what we were doing and finish the task, but if something of a greater priority comes up, we run with it.  Bumbling around is what we do, always working, always doing something, very rarely ever sitting still, always finding projects to keep us busy. I get Doc.  He and I could be good friends.

Happy

Fat and jolly with a friendly personality, Happy maintains laughter and joy amongst the dwarfs.   Yes I love
Happy
Happy
Happy.  Yes we are a bit overweight, but I wouldn't go so far as to agree we are "fat" per se.  We are jolly and comfortable for sure.  We worked hard to get that extra bit of weight on us and it agrees with us.  :)   We both have friendly personalities, obviously his name is Happy, right?  Mine isn't happy, but I love people.  I must admit I make friends with most people.  There is only one personality type out there that I struggle with, and no don't ask me what it is, but you will know if you have it and I struggle with you.  Just kidding.  Likely I won't ever let you know it, I just won't ever be a close friend to you because I stay away, only because I avoid contention at all costs.  I abhor it.  It makes me physically sick to deal with contention.  My dad has always said even as a child I was a peacemaker, and hated fighting or seeing anyone else fight.  I am mostly a pretty happy personality.  I love to laugh.  I love to have fun.  I love people, and yes I am a bit overweight.  Me and Happy - we could be BFF's in today's world.  In fact I would love to dance with him to the Happy song by Pharrell Williams.  It would be fun.

If you aren't sure who you might relate to, here is a quick run down of the rest of them.....

Bashful

Being around Snow White increases Bashful's tendency to bury his head but she doesn't mind.

Dopey

Although Dopey may annoy Doc & Grumpy, his intentions are silly and he is often the core of the dwarfs jokes.

Sleepy

While always eager to fall asleep, Sleepy is considered the most observant amongst the dwarfs.

Sneezy

A bad case of hayfever causes Sneezy to sneeze violently and frequently but he doesn't let that stop him from having fun.

Grumpy

Grumpy tends to be irritated with the other dwarfs antics and opposes allowing Snow White to stay with them.

Have some fun with this one.  See who you can relate to the best.  There is a little of one or two of them in all of us.

Letters

When was the last time you actually received a hand written letter?  I honestly cannot remember.  Thankfully I was sappy enough at one point in my life, I kept many letters sent to me  the old fashioned way, in the mail, by friends and family.  It is kind of nice to have them as a keep sake.

I have written many letters, I guess mostly because I love hand writing.  I love the feel of it.  I love the way a neatly hand written letter looks.  I love the personal intimacy it offers. I love the time one takes to do it.  I love to read the historical novels of the 1800's, where they take the time to write letters because that is all they can do.  To be accomplished enough to be able to sit down and write an intricately personal hand written letter was huge then.  Not everyone could do that.  It was a huge privilege.

Yet.... I find it is becoming a lost art.  Today I bet not even 50% of the kids who graduate high school could sit down
Grandma's old recipes
Grandma's old recipes
and hand write a beautiful letter, let alone read one they received. I write a letter to my two younger children, who are 16 and 18, and guess what?  They can't even read my handwriting, and I think I have pretty nice writing.  I call it a lost art because no longer do they teach cursive in the education system.  Everything is done via technology.  Sad days.

I recently picked up a beautifully hand written letter my Great Aunt had written to her family.  What a treasure.  I received a copy of some recipes written out in my Grandmother's hand writing.  Another treasure.  I guess the really sad part to me, is we have lost the intimacy of a hand written note, or letter.  I have written notebooks full of journals through the years, and yes I typed them all out over time, but nothing is quite the same as picking up an old journal, that has shared the laughter, tears, and romance of it's author.  The type written page just doesn't hold the same scent, flavor, feel, or character.
Some of my notebooks
Some of my notebooks
I still write in a notebook or two, at least once every day.  It isn't always a journal notebook.  I actually keep about fifteen different notebooks on the go at any given time.  One for ideas and inspiration, a journal, a book of characters I may someday use, a brain mapping book of stories, a brain mapping book of non-fiction ideas, a notebook for church, and various others.  All hand written, all a part of me.  I hope someday my kids may find them a treasure.  If not they will toss them, and a huge part of me will be lost to them.  Sad day again, for they are my life's work in a sense.

I think I need to write more letters and notes to those I love.  Letters of appreciation.  Letters of encouragement.  Letters of my pride for them.  Letters, letters, letters.  The topics I could write letters about are endless.

I would even write a letter to you or for you, if you really wanted me to.  I do love the art of cursive writing and the art form of letter writing.  It is a form of therapy for my soul, and an art form that I enjoy.  Put a canvas and paint in front of me and we are likely to end up with a huge mess.  Ask me to write out a letter and I could make it beautiful.

Letter writing, hand writing.  Give it a whirl.  Give someone an intimate, personal, piece of you that hopefully they will cherish for years to come.

Summer, Life, Writing

Summer, Life, and Writing
I have been working on my novel quite a bit this summer, and it is tough work. Satisfying work, fun work, but tough work. It is called Creek, and I think you are going to like it! I actually decided to set it aside for a short time, and work on some other projects. Don't get me wrong, I really like the way it is turning out, but when I open the file to work on it, I seem to just stare and can't really make progress. That is a good sign that it is time to take a short break, and come back to it when I feel refreshed.
What's summer without a good camp fire?
What's summer without a good camp fire?
Perhaps it is because summer is here, in fact almost gone, and with that comes the terrible slough of no routine. I find that really hard. Even though I get up early still, there are just so many things that take away my focus. Yard work, gardening, camping, picnics, all that kind of fun stuff, which is all good, but it takes away from my writing. There are also the not so good that take away my focus, like too many phone calls, me allowing myself to be pulled to the help of so many others, because of course I don't work during the summer, so I have nothing better to do, right? Needless to say, my blog writing has suffered this past two months, my novel writing has suffered, and I consider it a good thing if I can still write my morning pages, or in my nightly journal, which doesn't always happen. I am desperate for routine to come back, of school, work, writing, and accomplishing. 

I have learned to roll with the punches, and enjoy the good memories that have been made through the summer, even though they were not all the memories I wanted to make, they were good none the less. 

I have also learned that I need to be willing to turn off my phone when I don't want to be disturbed, and if I forget to turn it off, I need to be able to not answer it, especially if I am in the middle of something. If it isn't an emergency, I don't need to answer it, I can call them back when I have time and energy to deal with whatever it might be. My work, my writing, and my life comes first. Something we could all remember from time to time. 

Summer has happened, and is almost gone, I must make the most of what is left. Life has happened, and will continue to do so, again I must make the most of it, and what I want of it. Writing has somewhat happened, on and off, and so I must make it a focus, and make the most of it, for it is what I love to do.

Summer.....

Life.....

Writing....

Ahhhh.....

Writing Heals

I have been writing on blogs now for almost 10 years.  I initially started doing it, to help others, feeling like I had knowledge to share, and a blog was a great place to share it.  I had followers that reached all over the world, and made some great contacts, but it was still not my love.  Later when I really started writing, just to write, is when I felt the healing process in my own life begin.  The research says that writing can reduce the healing time, both emotionally and physically, by 50%. In my opinion, it can be even more than that.


I gotta admit, a couple of years ago, I started a blog called Walk the Creek, which is now meshed in with this blog.  I  started it because I was really struggling with some depression and feeling lost in life. I needed a place to sort my thoughts and feelings.  I needed a place to help me feel better, and if in the process I helped someone else, then bonus.  I started writing about ways people could feel happier, be more secure with life, love life, and in the process, I began to love life again.  

Writing about your thoughts, experiences, and emotions are all part of how we can begin to heal.  Think of the things you like to read about.  If  you are struggling with your marriage, does it help you to read about someone else who is winning the battle, someone who you can relate to?  If you struggle with employment, children, abuse, mental health, or any aspect of life, does it help to know there is someone else out there going through similar challenges and you can heal from connecting with them?  I guarantee if you feel like you need to heal, start writing about the process, and amazing things will start happening for you.  The healing process will begin.

You can write online, a blog if you want.  There are many different places you can start a blog for free, and I won't go into them all here simply for lack of time, and space, suffice it to say the options are many.  If you prefer not to write on a blog, then go to the local dollar store and pick up a coil notebook or two and start writing.  I have the habit of carrying a notebook with me almost everywhere I go.  I say almost because sometimes I forget it, and on those times, I always find something I wish I could have written down.  My memory isn't all that anymore, and inevitably when I want to remember something I saw or heard, I don't.  

Write about the hard stuff.  Write about the things that hurt.  Be willing to open up your inner self, and you will begin to heal.  Write about the good stuff.  Write about the happiness, even if it is found through the hard stuff.  Fill your notebooks with quotes, inspiration, and wisdom.  Write about things that you see, hear, feel, and experience.  Write about things you read and learn.  Give yourself freedom to write about anything at all, there are no limits.  It is your notebook, your blog, your journal, your novel, yours to do what you want to do with it, and in the process, whatever healing you need, it will come.  It may come slowly over time and you don't even realize it, until one day, you wonder how you got to that place.  It may come suddenly, when you have an "aha" moment, that answers all your prayers you have been sending out there.  

Whatever way the healing comes, and whatever way you choose to write about it, is entirely up to you.  If I have learned one thing over the last 10 years of my consistent writing, it is this.  Write you.  Yes, write you.  You are different than anyone else out there.  Don't try to do it the same way someone else has, it won't work.  You need to do it your way.  It may be the same subject, but I guarantee when you find your flair, your niche, you will write what works for you, and you will find healing in the process.

I tried writing to make money, like so many blogs out there, but it wasn't who I am.  I tried writing about "popular" niche topics because I thought it would draw more traffic to my blogs. I just got burned out because I didn't love what I was doing.  I tried writing about my hobbies, but they change as I change and learn.  It wasn't until I started writing just to write about what I feel, and even more importantly because I loved it, that I started to heal inside.  It is a journey.  It is a journey that nobody controls except you.  

My healing journey has led me to a place in my life where I can honestly say, I have an inner peace that I didn't have a few years ago.  Did it all of a sudden appear?  Nope.  It has come one day at a time as I watch little children experience new things.  It has come one day at a time as I have learned to accept life for what it is and embrace the good, let the bad roll off.  Has there been ups and downs?  Definitely.  Some days I don't want to write on my blog, and I go for a couple of weeks where I don't.  I write in my notebooks.  I write on my novel.  I write somewhere else because I don't feel like I want to share on my blog, and that's okay.  So many times, I have read how you need to write consistently to have readers follow you, and not lose your audience.  Well I have finally come to realize, that is not why I write. I don't care about the audience.  I care about what I want to write, and those who want to heal along with me.  I care about writing because I love to write.  It is who I am. 

Write for you.  Write how you want.  Write to be healed.  Don't write for others, write for you.  In the process of you being healed, you will be writing for others as well, for they will find you and you will heal each other.  In the end, what you want will come out, and if that is to be a great writer, then that will happen too. 


Some Days

Some Days....

Some Days are...
  • beautiful with the quiet of the morning allowing peace and serenity
  • crazy as the hustle and chaos of life gets in the way of quiet
  • down right difficult when nothing works out how it should
  • fun when play takes precedence over all else
  • melancholy with wondering, pondering where life may be heading
  • quitting days, giving up, done, don't want to do it days, but push through anyway
  • family days, making memories, accomplishing nothing but what is precious
  • work, work hard, work fast, exhaustion, feel good, and accomplish days
  • for others, to serve, to please, to sacrifice, to do, to be blessed
  • to just be quiet, meditate, ponder, believe, worship, sit and listen, watch and wonder
  • to be beautiful, inside and out, appearance, clean, glowing, kind, classy
  • for nature, walking, listening, observing, beautifying, healing, sharing, life
  • for hobbies, learning, growing, stretching, smiling, reading, building, craft
  • just for sighing, happy, sad, content, frustration, worried, all for sighing
Some days....are every day, here and now, reality, today, calling, enticing
"Make Me Great!"  "Live Me!"  "I Am Yours!"
Some days....
by Davilyn

The Road To Self Discovery

The Road To Self Discovery
I'm on a road, to not sure where,
Yet I will find it, I will get there.
On this journey I hope to find,
My inner peace, my strength of mind.
The road seems long, twisted, and hazy.
Sometimes it's easy, most times crazy.
Sometimes I laugh, sometimes I cry,
Yet it keeps whispering to me, "Just Try"
"Just try to learn and grow, you'll see,
You'll find yourself, who you should be.
You'll find it's not always a mystery,
Your road to self discovery."
I might find strength in the things I do.
I will likely be challenged, the whole way through.
I am sure I will find happy, and crazy, and sad,
And laughing, crying, peace and glad.
It's all a part of who I will be,
The journey, these travels, the blessings, I'll see.
It's who I was, who I am, who I'll be,
As I walk my road to self discovery.
I've traveled this road for some time now,
I am finding me, and finding out how,
To keep trudging along, through the sun and the pour,
There are days I don't want to walk any more.
There are days it is rough, tough, and down right hard.
There are days I could sing and dance in the yard.
But I am discovering, learning, and strengthening me,
On my road to self discovery.
So I'll keep walking the road, though I can't see the end.
I'll climb the hills and go around the next bend.
I'll take one step, two steps just for me,
As I stay on my road to my self discovery.
Davilyn Atwood

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Study Guide

Here is my outline for my studies.  I created it from several online outlines, combining them and changing them to make what I think is a pretty comprehensive outline.  If I can spend time learning all I can about each area, and anything else I come up with, I will have a pretty great education.

Here goes:

Herbal Studies - My Own Study Guide

Herbal Traditions and History
  • American Botanical Movement
  • the Humoral System
  • Other Botanical Traditions
  • Traditional Chinese Medicine
  • Ayureveda
  • phytotherapy
  • herbal energetics
  • Global healing traditions
  • Healing strategies
  • Modern medicine and holistic healing – how they can work together
Herbal Basics
  • choosing herbs, determining what are good quality
  • where to get good herbs
  • herbal actions
  • storing herbs, collecting and drying
  • herbal teas and tinctures, the basics
  • syrups
  • topical applications
  • herbal actions
  • anatomy overview
  • growing herbs
  • creating a materia medica – what is it and how to best make it work
    • describe herbs – parts, what types of roots, the seeds shape, size, color, name and habitat, shape of leaves, color and size, common names, flowers, petals, scent, height, habitat, shrubs, trees, etc absolutely everything about them all
Making medicine with herbs
  • science vs art
  • solubility and proper menstruums
  • determining proper dosage
  • the menstruum table
  • herbal preparations
  • creating herbal formulas
    • guidelines for formulas
  • herbal extractions
  • plant constituents and solubility
  • the apothecary
    • garden
    • therapy in horticulture
    • planning a growing area
    • growing techniques
Herbal Intermediate
  • Herbal first aid – create a flip book or quick reference guide
    • compress and poultices
    • plantain poultice
    • stimulants and stimulation therapy – when to use and not
    • making a first aid kit
  • herbal actions, energetics and constitutions
  • simples and creating formulas – making effective formulas
    • traditional ways
  • balancing and directing the energy
  • side effects and safety
  • remedies for radiation
  • survival tactics
  • nutritional antidotes
  • Materia Medica of herbs discovered in this unit
Botany and Phytochemistry
  • plant identification and taxonomy
    • eight steps to plant identification
    • botany – understanding plants
  • plant chemistry
  • pharmacognosy and pharmacology
  • herb / herb / drug interactions
  • materia medica
Common Complaints
  • the immune system
  • prevention is the best medicine
  • detox and cleansing
  • cold, flus, and viruses
  • respiratory system
  • herbs that are good for kids
  • herbs for her and for him
  • Materia Medica basics
In the Kitchen
  • What's in the kitchen cupboard?
  • Spices and their magic
  • Materia Medica for the kitchen
  • kitchen remedies
  • wildcrafting and foraging
Food as medicine
  • the kitchen cupboard
  • vinegars
  • oils
  • honey
  • edible and medicinal plants
  • foraging
  • wild crafting
  • plant savers
  • Materia Medica
The Nervous System
  • the nervous system overview
    • the central nervous system
    • the peripheral nervous system
    • the enteric nervous system
  • stress
  • headaches and migranes
  • essential oils for nerves
  • sleep and insomnia
  • materia medica for the nervous system
The Holistc Approach to life
  • History
  • Conventional medicine
  • The Holistic model of medicine
  • The holistic body
  • herbalism – what is it? More than just herbs
  • holistic approaches
The Digestive System
  • digestive system overview
  • common ailments
  • imbalances of digestive system
  • good health for the digestive system
  • herbal remedies
  • materia medica
The Immune system
  • building our immune system and health
  • prevention
  • common problems
  • materia medica
The Cardiovascular system
  • anatomy of the heart
  • blood pressure
  • cholesterol
  • heart strong health
  • herbal remedies and therapeutics
  • diet
  • glycosides
  • the energetic heart
  • materia medica
The Liver
  • liver overview
  • liver health
  • liver imbalances
  • herbal remedies and tonics
  • materia medica
The Respiratory System
  • overview
  • breathing
  • asthma
  • lung imbalances and common complaints
  • herbal tonics and remedies
  • materia medica
Urinary System
  • Urinary and Kidney health
  • Urinary Tract Infections
  • Bladder Health
  • Materia medica
Children and Herbs
  • common complaints
  • formulas and recipes
  • building health
  • safe herbs for kids
  • dosing
  • materia medica
The Blood, Lymph and Mucous membrane systems
  • anatomy review
  • blood, lymphatic and mucous membrane functions
  • common conditions
  • herbs and healing
  • materia medica



The Endocrine system
  • Anatomy overview of the endocrine system
  • players and messengers of the system – the ultimate messaging system
  • general health and wellness
  • common ailments
  • the herbal approach – conducting a symphony
  • materia medica

Male Health
  • the male reproductive system
  • youth and puberty
  • ageing
  • general health care
  • the male heart
  • the prostate
  • male hormones and balance
  • male stressors and common complaints
  • materia medica
Female Health
  • female reproductive system, hormones, reproductive system
  • youth
  • ageing
  • general health care
  • breast health
  • female complaints
  • fertility, pregnancy, miscarriage, birth
  • menopause
    • signs of
    • general guidelines
    • specific treatments for
    • estrogen replacement therapy
  • materia medica
The Musculoskeletal System
  • Bones and Muscles – anatomy
  • physiology of
  • inflammation, spasms, and damaged bones
  • health of the ms system
  • common conditions
  • managing pain
  • materia medica



Healthy Ageing
  • longevity, vitality, and prevention
  • ageing and the elderly – social and cultural considerations
  • the ageing skin
  • illness and disease
  • materia medica
Weight management
  • overweight and obesity
  • the brain / gut connection and psychology of food
  • energetics of food
  • sugar
  • food allergies and sensitivities
  • fasting and detox
  • daily living with herbs
  • dieting
  • materia medica
Healing
  • the nature of healing
  • the energy of healing
  • the mind body connection
  • regeneration and rejuvenation
  • reaching the spirit
  • aromatherapy in the healing process
Body Care
  • Intro to the skin
  • body care recipes
  • external health
  • internal health
  • salves, balms, lotions and butters
  • topical oils for the skin
  • scrubs and cleansers
  • herbal baths
  • moisturizers and toners
  • hair care
  • Materia Medica for the skin
Extras
  • assessing a body and complaints
  • advanced formulations
  • becoming an herbalist
    • defining your path – what do you want to do with it
    • valuing your worth
    • useful resources and organizations
    • setting up a practise
    • seminars
    • classes
    • writing
  • flower therapy / flower essence therapy and overview
  • reflexology
  • yoga
  • tibetan medicine


Making and Selling Herbal Products
  • labelling, sourcing, creating brand and marketing your product


Herbal Resources and Organizations









Aromatherapy Studies
  • aromatherapy history
    • substances used by ancients for medicinal purposes and how they were used
    • chi, yin, and yan
    • vibrational medicines
  • curative powers of smell and the olfactory pathway
  • essential oils, extraction, mixing and blending
    • essential oil industry, why these oils are different from others
    • how they penetrate the skin and how long it takes
    • three methods of obtaining an essential oil
    • evaporation of the oils
  • carrier oils
    • what is a carrier oil
    • five carrier oils
    • top, middle, and base note oils – make a list
    • how long each note lasts
    • the most versatile of all oils and two which are very expensive
    • contra-indication and examples of how it applies
  • materia medica of essential oils
    • tables of oils
    • using oils for – alopecia, catarrh, bronchitis, dermatitis, earache, menopause, migraine
  • tables of essential oils
  • stress and aromatherapy
    • stress
    • burnout
    • managing stress
  • aromatherapy massage
    • centering yourself
    • benefits
    • meaning of massage and why you should oil
    • effleruage massage is.... and how to apply
    • petrissage massage ... method of application
    • the functions of the bladder meridian
  • massage
    • relaxing, stimulating
    • how to perform a massage sequence of the back area
    • massage of the stomach
  • setting up a therapy practise



December 16

Nine more sleeps til Christmas!  Oh my goodness. 

Anyway,  I am not going to talk about Christmas today.  I have a love / hate relationship with it, so therefore I am just going to save that subject for another day. 

I do however love talking about herbs, studying herbs, making things with them, growing them, smelling them, and using them in so many things, and I am excited for my new goals.  You can follow me along with my new study goals here at Bitter Sweet Herbals, if you want.  I have created my own, pretty inclusive, outline course of study for becoming a master herbalist, and am going to go through the study process myself to achieve this. 

I have done a fair bit of basic studying in herbal studies, and totally love it, but now it is time in my life to step it up a notch, before time runs out on me.  I am a great one for getting sidetracked on various projects that take forever and I never really get around to doing what I love to do or really want to do, so now is the time to pick up on that and get her done!

Some day I would love to create a product that I could sell enough of, or even have my own store front, working with herbals, so that I wouldn't have to have another job.  But like I said, I am not getting any younger, and my time is sailing by so quickly, I really need to get a move on these things. 

Some of my goals for the new year of 2016, study and write every day, something, and figure out a way to get some online sales going for some of my herbal products.  I have other goals, and will share some of them another day, and I may even write them all out here, and my process for making them all happen, but not today, because for today, I have to head off to work soon, but I promise for myself, I will make it happen.  It is time to make it happen.

Book and Pen, you are my brains and my inspiration for the new year.  Hang in there with me!


The Beginnings of Bitter Sweet

I have always wanted to become a Master Herbalist, or a Clinical Herbalist, or both.  I am not sure at this point that I completely understand the difference.  I have already taken a basic beginning herbalist class and a few other online classes, but that doesn't suffice for what I want to be when I "grow up", so to speak.  I have raised six kids and am on the grandkid side of things now, and I actually find I have a small amount of time to myself on occasion, and I think it is time to kick it into gear and make some of my own wants become a reality, yet I can't come up with or just yet the couple of thousands it will take to do it.

What I did come up with, after researching several different online study options and gathering from them their course outlines, and going through different books that I have, was my own outline for my own study course.  I think it is pretty comprehensive, and when I have completed studying each subject on my own, I may not have the certificate or title behind my name, but I will know the material and that is what is important for now.  And I guess during my studies if I find I can justify the money going out, then I can always begin a real course to get the title and certificates.

This Bitter Sweet blog is going to be my place to collect all of my study notes, well probably not all of them, because I am an avid note taker as I read and study, I tend to write notebooks full of information I find.  I also love to write in my books I am reading, so I don't lose what comes to mind as I read.  However hopefully a couple of times a week, I will pop onto this blog to compile what I have learned and record it.  In that way, perhaps at the end, I can print off my own study manual I have compiled, and also it helps with the memory and recall of information if I write it down several times and in different ways.

So, there we have it.  This is my compilation of what I am going to study.  Later today, I will share my outline I have come up with, just in case there are any keeners out there like myself who would love to study herbalism, but just don't have the available funds right now to do so.

I have always said that Google is my best friend, and the library - whether my home library or the public one - is my university, so I am taking my best friend and my library and I am going to get my degree for myself.

Come and study along with me, if you like.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Things I Love

Sometimes it is important to think of just how many things out there in the world there are that we really love.  It helps to remind us on those bad days, that there are lots of great things in the world.  Here are some of the things on the list of Things I Love, not in any particular order.

Things I Love:
  • large dogs - in Mastif's and St. Bernard's, I love puppies of any type, but when they grow up I want them to be big
  • hot peppers - eating them, growing them, decorating with them, cooking with them, ya just everything about them
  • growing things - trees, gardens, flowers, and pretty much anything that makes the garden beautiful
  • creeks - the water trickling over the rocks, the rocks, the peace, nature
  • herbs - all things herbal, herbal healing, aromatherapy, reading about herbs, growing herbs, making things with herbs, again just everything about them
  • eyes - I love looking at people's eyes, it makes me see them who they really are, eyes tell so much
  • balsamic vinegar - yes I love it, some day I want to go to Italy and taste the real good stuff
  • hot summer days - yes I love the heat, my body just seems to soak it up and it feels so good
  • tigers - tigers are a magnificent animal, I could look at them all day
  • writing - it is my escape, I can say what I want, when I want and it is my own therapy that is just for me if I want it to be
  • digging in the dirt and planting things - I guess that goes along with growing things, but there is something to be said for digging in the dirt, it is itself a form of wonderful therapy for me
  • camping - yes I love it, with family or alone, I would take it either way, I love being in nature away from the craze of the world, camping is fantastic and makes for wonderful memories
  • front porches - I love the invitation that a front porch can offer, it is welcoming and friendly, and can be so beautifully decorated with great fun things.  Many memories can be made on a front porch
  • southwestern decor - all things of that variety, I love the look, the culture, the bright colors, and would just love to get to a market in Cusco Peru and do a little shopping
  • sunsets - not sunrises, I don't love mornings, but I love a pretty sunset especially if I can be in a quiet place either alone or with my husband to just watch and enjoy
  • lavender - the plant - I can only imagine the euphoria of walking through a field of lavender, oh my...
  • bonfires and picnics - so amazing and full of memory making material
  • cabins - especially ones that are in the mountains, I love the mountains too, peaceful and majestic, with the most beautiful scenery
  • birds - in particular I would love to have a large bird like a Macaw or African Grey - don't so much love the budgies and smaller ones, but the big ones I could train and grow friendly with - ya
  • family reunions, family gatherings, family parties - making memories
  • reading a good book - key word - good
  • sitting in the quiet and enjoying nature sounds - trying to see how many I can pick out
  • nature walks - in the mountains especially, but anyplace out of the city
  • of course my family - that should be at the top of the list
  • waterfalls - would love to travel and just go see waterfalls everywhere - the are just so pretty they fascinate me
So there is a short list of things I love.  As I think of more random ones, I will likely just jot them down, after all this is my place to jot down random things right?  It is my writer's notebook, so to speak, so it will be random things all the time.  Haha, you should see my real notebooks, WOW!  Maybe some day - or maybe not!  Smirk, snicker.

Wednesday, December 09, 2015

To The Farmers

To the farmers here in Alberta, fighting for their lives against a government who thinks they know what is best, but has never walked in their shoes. 

To the oilfield workers and the hundreds of thousands of others, whose lives literally depend on our oilfields here in Alberta, who are fighting for their livelihood, and who will all soon be fighting just to feed our families if it doesn't stop.

Let us keep the dance of rain our fathers kept and tread our dreams beneath the jungle sky.  Arna Bon temps

Never fight fair with a stranger (farmer), boy.  You'll never get out of the jungle that way.  Arthur Miller

My father was a farmer, is now 78 and is still a farmer.  My father in law was a farmer and is now 82 and is still a farmer.  My husband was a farmer; I grew up on a farm; and with all our hearts we wish we could go back to being farmers, and share that life with our children, who are now grown - and love to visit their grandfathers farms.

Sometimes we make mistakes, and our mistake has never been farming, our mistake was voting in the wrong government.  There are always ways to correct those mistakes, but it is much more difficult to right a wrong after the wrong is done.  It would have been easier in the first place to never have made that wrong choice.  It is never too late.

I am proud of the way the people of my province are standing up for what they believe in, and even though we made a wrong choice - some of us - and elected the wrong person to have power over our lives; we can still stand up and be heard.  We can still make it right, with much effort, loud voices, work, never ending persistence, long days and even nights, dedication and determination, all which our farmers and oilfield workers have and do on a daily basis.

We have the right to live our lives the way we want to.  We are not a dictatorship run province.  We are not living under Stalin, Hitler, Lenin, Hirohito, or any of the others through history - or are we?  Is this just the beginning, or are we willing to fight to get our freedoms back after we so foolishly threw them away?

I will fight.  I will fight for the future of my children.  I will fight for the future of my grandchildren.  I will fight for my neighbors, my way of life, and I will fight for what is right!  And man o man, what we have in our government right now is NOT RIGHT!


Sunday, November 01, 2015

Random Acts of Kindness - Day, Week, Month, for life


November 13, 2015 is Worldwide Kindness Day, and even though Random Act of Kindness day is in February on the 17th, I think we should do it all of the time.  There is a great website here, Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, yep there is really a foundation about it all.  Pretty sweet, check it out.  

I also found this video, among many others, that shares just how little we have to do to change the life of someone around us.  We may never even know all the good a kind act will do, but if we act on the promptings and impressions we get to do them, we really can help change lives.  It may make you shed a tear or two, hopefully.  :)


Some of the ideas I have used before on a couple of different posts include:


Greeting Card Ideas - or notes, everyone loves to get one.
  • for any special occasions
  • for appreciation
  • when they are missing
  • to say thanks
  • reminders of events
  • reminders of things we did together
  • to share a joke
  • to say I love you
  • for a job well done
  • to share wonderful news
  • tell them what they mean to you
  • for fun memories
  • encourage with scripture
Ideas to do:
  • make and deliver cookies
  • take treats to a daycare
  • donate diapers, etc to teen moms
  • leave a gift card for someone
  • take dinner to someone
  • become email pals
  • make pillowcase dresses for girls in Africa
  • I love you because.... cards
  • coloring books and crayons to ER
  • fortune cookies – fortunate to have a friend like you
  • leave chalk messages for a friend on their sidewalk
  • leave smiley faces on the mirrors wherever we go
  • always have treats baked and ready to go
  • take a flower to someone
  • take a friendly balloon to someone
  • just because, thinking of you today, wanted you to know, simply just because
  • a bottle of refreshment – enjoy your day with a little refreshment
  • small gift basket full of treats from....
  • welcome to the neighborhood gift
  • thank someone
  • follow inspiration immediately
  • compliment someone
  • do something for a cause or group
  • give a book to a friend
  • hand written notes
  • pick a book – put $5 inside with a note to use the 5 to purchase the book
  • hand out lollipops at a store
  • hand out coloring books and crayons at a store full of kids with a note attached about the importance of sharing kindness
  • hand out small mirrors to people with the note attached – you are beautiful just the way you are
  • care pkgs for someone who is sick – herb tea & mug, chocolates, tissues, noodle soup
  • little boxes or bags with candy hearts and note saying you are loved
  • buy someone tickets to something at the esplanade
  • place sidewalk chalk at a playground for kids to use
  • take a large cake to food bank for supper
  • take stuffies to kids in hospital
  • take small hats to babies in hospital
  • take a bag of do food to the SPCA
  • add money to a parking meter
  • knit booties for kids at hospital
  • buy a magazine for a friend
  • leave kind notes in library books
  • take flowers to hospital patients
  • leave positive comments online
  • tape loonies to toys at dollar store with note saying buy a toy on me
  • take fun balloons to the kids floor at the hospital
  • take crayons and coloring books to hospital
  • make cookies and take to staff room at school
  • take flowers to a care center
  • donate clothes
  • leave coins at a car wash
  • leave stick on eyes in random places to make people smile
  • write a kind note and sent it to a random address
  • put hearts on random wind shields in a parking lot
  • leave a sidewalk chalk message
  • post happy quotes in random places
  • stop complaining – speak positive
  • give hot chocolate & a mug
  • buy a Costco cake and a large jug of milk and take to the fire station
  • leave a basket full of goodies at the missionaries home
  • make and give headbands for the new babies and moms at the maternity unit
  • smiley faces – someone is happy because of you today
  • support a young persons dream
  • have an ...... appreciation day for who needs it
  • compliment everyone
  • make little gift baskets for kids in the neighborhood – just because
  • learn to just listen
  • learn to use peoples names
  • buy a small gift for someone just because
  • leave a pretty bag of hugs and kisses with a note on a door


    Here on this link you can find a ton more ideas you could do.   Check it out.

It really doesn't matter what it is, how you do it, or when you do it.  It really only matters that you DO IT!!!

 Do those RAK's and get outside yourself.  The world will be a much better place, one life may be a better life, because you looked at someone else, besides yourself.  

Good luck - Go and Do - then feel free to share with us what you did.  Or not.  Sometimes anonimity is a good thing, but to be inspiring to others is also good.