Goddess Night Out!

Last night was magical!  A few friends and I are starting a new tradition!  Goddess Night Out!  We dress up and look lovely for each other.  We share our hearts - thoughts, new ideas, passions, sorrows, joys, magical moments, memories... and we also remind each other of what is really important in this life - love!  

The energy of love is the only thing that breaks barriers and can change any situation!  A reminder in words about this powerful energy is this:  

Nor can that endure which has not its foundation upon love.  For Love alone diminishes not but shines with its own light.  Brings an to discord, softens the fires of hate, aids all and injures none, and all that invoke its power shall have no fear of future ill!  I hope that today you take some time to breath into that magical powerful energy.  Pay attention to it.  Where is it in your life.  Where is it laking in your life.  What can you do to mirror that energy to those around you.  How can you be Love so that you can receive love.  And remember, we ALL deserve and desire love.  It is the only energy that can create life and also destroy it if it is missing.   

So, take the time to thank the Goddesses (and Gods) in your life for sharing their love light!   Be well, Janet

Spring is on its way!!

Thought for today -- spring!  The flowers will soon be popping out of the earth reminding us of bright glorious color and scents!  I feel so alive today, as always, but today the feeling is especially strong because while walking early this morning the air was warm (at first)!  Then it started to rain...  And ya' know what - that still felt good.  I kept the image of the lake in my mind and waterfalls and imagined the "mist" from the falls gently touching my shoulders and tipping my eye lashes and dripping down my cheeks...  What a glorious morning!!

Google... find me!

Fish Oil, Amazing Omega 3s

Every Friday I meet a few friends at the local diner (Caspers) in town for breakfast.  It is quite an experience.  There are four men who are "regulars".  They are some of our elders in town and are very interesting to listen (eavesdrop I mean...) to.  I enjoy their bantering back and forth about politics, marriage, raising children, religion, and all the other "taboo" subjects that are usually only discussed in private circles...  Well, a few weeks ago, one of the men was talking about health issues with his heart and high cholesterol and all of the different medications he takes.  The subject turned to natural alternatives (my heart was so happy!!).  Fish Oil, someone said.  That was their recommendation for the heart issues and to lower his cholesterol.  Soooo, of course I came home and started researching Fish Oil.  Here are some interesting things that I found out:

Mainstream medicine offers numerous pharmaceuticals - especially statins - to people with high cholesterol and other symptoms of heart disease (and I found out that statins have been linked to cancer, hummm, good reason to look for an alternative don't ya' think).  The American Heart Association states that Omega 3s protect cardiovascular health by decreasing risk of arrhythmia, reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, lower triglyceride and lipoprotein levels, inhibit development of artherosclerotic plaque, contribute to lower blood pressure and reduce inflammatory responses.  

I also found research that indicated that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have low levels of EPA and DHA (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid which come from seafood which regulate EVERY body function at the cellular level - WOW!).  The study stated that supplementation can improve cognitive performance and may reduce inattention and impulsivity (Alex Richardson, senior research fellow at Oxford University, UK).  Dementia in the elderly has also been related to low levels of essential fatty acids.  The inCHIANTI study concluded that individuals with dementia had significantly lower levels of EFA's.  

The best sources of EPA and EHA are salmon, sardines, light tuna, mackerel and herring.  Certified mercury free fish oil supplements are an option for those who don't like fish.  For vegetarians and those with allergies to fish, and excellent source is flaxseed, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and wheat germ.  

So, of course as always, check with your health care provider before changing any prescribed medication regime, but please take the time to ask about Fish Oil and what it may be able to do for you.  Any time that we can help our health in a natural organic manner, we are better off.  Less side effects and health as Mother Nature intended it to  be!  

Happy Happy Joy Joy

Just got this photo from my partners Uncle.  What joy to have a deep love with someone who understands other ways of being - thinks outside the box - yet remains grounded!!  I am such a lucky girl!  Enjoy the brisk winter day and remember, summer's coming!

Stained Glass and spirits

Some photos I found so beautiful, thought I'd share!  The one is of some of the stained glass in the sanctuary (now the home of Thou Art Gallery) and the other one is of me and Sidney.  If you notice, there are two orbs between us, just about at my heart level.  We have had many photos with orbs and this is the newest one... Enjoy!

Breathing, Our Life Force Energy

Did you know that we breathe roughly 23,000 times a day and take in about 4,500 gallons of air - 25 times that amount during exercise...  Of course it makes sense that this influences our minds, bodies and overall health!  There are three types of "breathers"...  nasal, chest, or belly...  Do you know which one you are?  Here are some clues:  

Nasal breathers breathe only in through the nose (no, really??!).  They do not use their diaphragm thus resulting in a lack of oxygen flow throughout the body.

Chest breathers use only a slight portion of the diaphragm bringing in some oxygen to the entire body, but still not enough for optimum health.

Diaphragm breathers (top answer!) use their bellies - using the full diaphragm to breathe as nature intended.  They bring in the necessary oxygen to feed the body, mind and spirit - yeah!!

Breathing helps the healing process, it empowers you with a tool to help you connect back to the wisdom of the body.  It helps us check in with whats happening on the inside.  The breath cycle is a representation of the life cycle... inhale (a new beginning), space before exhale (a natural ending cycle), exhale (letting go and beginning again).  

Breathing is not just a physical process.  Notice how you feel when you get upset or depressed - your breathing patterns change, and when breathing patterns change so to does your state of mind and emotions.  If you practice focusing on your breathing (diaphragm breathing please) when you are upset, your thoughts and emotions will become stabilized, as well as allowing a more relaxed and at-ease body and mind.  The breath is what brings you back into balance.  So, that being said, I highly recommend practicing belly breathing in everything you do, and notice how life starts to flow with your breath instead of getting stuck where you are!

1, 2, 3, deep breath, pause, and exhale!