Holistic Path

'Superfoods' Everyone Needs
Experts say dozens of easy-to-find 'superfoods' can help ward off heart disease, cancer, cholesterol, and more.
By Susan Seliger
WebMD Feature
Reviewed by Charlotte E. Grayson Mathis, MD

Imagine a superfood -- not a drug -- powerful enough to help you lower your cholesterol, reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer, and, for an added bonus, put you in a better mood. Did we mention that there are no side effects? You'd surely stock up on a lifetime supply. Guess what? These life-altering superfoods are available right now in your local supermarket.
"The effect that diet can have on how you feel today and in the future is astounding," says nutritionist Elizabeth Somer, author of Nutrition for aHealthy Pregnancy, Food & Mood, and The Essential Guide to Vitamins and Minerals.
"Even people who are healthy can make a few tweaks and the impact will be amazing," Somer says. "I'd say that 50% to 70% of suffering could be eliminated by what people eat and how they move: heart disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension can all be impacted."
You don't need specific foods for specific ailments. A healthy diet incorporating a variety of the following superfoods will help you maintain your weight, fight disease, and live longer. One thing they all have in common: "Every superfood is going to be a 'real' (unprocessed) food," Somer points out. "You don't find fortified potato chips in the superfood category."
Top Superfoods Offering Super Health Protection
• Beans
• Blueberries
• Broccoli
• Oats
• Oranges
• Pumpkin
• Salmon
• Soy
• Spinach
• Tea (green or black)
• Tomatoes
• Turkey
• Walnuts
• Yogurt

Blueberries -- Antioxidant Superfood
Packed with antioxidants and phytoflavinoids, these berries are also high in potassium and vitamin C, making them the top choice of doctors and nutritionists. Not only can they lower your risk of heart disease and cancer, they are also anti-inflammatory.
"Inflammation is a key driver of all chronic diseases, so blueberries have a host of benefits," says Ann Kulze, MD, of Charleston, S.C., author of Dr. Ann's 10-Step Diet, A Simple Plan for Permanent Weight Loss & Lifelong Vitality. When selecting berries, note that the darker they are, the more anti-oxidants they have. "I tell everyone to have a serving (about 1/2 cup) every day," Dr. Kulze says. "Frozen are just as good as fresh." Be sure to include lots of other fruits and vegetables in your diet as well. Remember too that, in general, the more color they have, the more antioxidants.

Omega 3-Rich Fish -- Superfoods for the Heart, Joints, and Memory
"We know that the omega 3s you get in fish lower heart disease risk, help arthritis, and may possibly help with memory loss and Alzheimer's," Somer says. "There is some evidence to show that it reduces depression as well."
Omega-3s are most prevalent in fatty, cold-water fish: Look for wild (not farmed) salmon, herring, sardines, and mackerel. Aim for two-to-three servings a week. Other forms of omega 3s are available in fortified eggs, flax seed, and walnuts. These superfoods have the added benefit of being high in monounsaturated fats, which can lower cholesterol.

Soy -- Superfood to Lower Cholesterol
A study reported in The Journal of the American Medical Association (2003) showed that a diet of soy fiber, protein from oats and barley, almonds, and margarine from plant sterols lowered cholesterol as much as statins, the most widely prescribed cholesterol medicine. "Look for tofu, soy milk, or edamame -- not soy powder," says Somer. In other words, soy sauce won't do the trick. One caveat: If you have a family history of breast cancer it is not recommended that you eat extra soy.

Fiber -- Superfood Aids Weight Loss and Checks Cholesterol
A diet high in fiber will help you maintain healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels. As a bonus, because fiber helps you feel full longer, it's a great tool in weight management. Whole grains, beans, fruit, and vegetables are all good sources. Try throwing some beans in your salad, recommends Kulze. "Fresh, frozen, or dried are the best. You can use canned, but they tend to be higher in sodium," Kulze warns.

Tea -- Superfood for Lowering Cholesterol and Inhibiting Cancer
"The overall antioxidant power of black tea is the same as green tea," says Kulze, "but green tea does have ECGC, a powerful antioxidant that we really do think is quite special." A recent Japanese study on green tea found that men who drank green tea regularly had lower cholesterol than those who didn't. Researchers in Spain and the United Kingdom have also shown that ECGC can inhibit the growth of cancer cells. For a double health whammy, replace sugary sodas with tea.

Calcium
OK, OK, you know the drill: Calcium helps build strong bones and prevents osteoporosis. Look for it in dairy products or supplements. Added bonus: Some studies show that calcium helps with weight loss. Here are the calcium levels recommended for adults by the USDA:
• Age 9 to 18 -- 1,300 mg
• Age 19 to 50 -- 1,000 mg
• Age 51 and over -- 1,200 mg

And Finally, the Yummiest Superfood Yet ... Dark Chocolate
New research has shown that dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants and can lower blood pressure. Kulze recommends that you look for chocolate with 60% or higher cocoa content; the darker, the better. In addition, the darker it is, the lower the fat and sugar content. Now that's our kind of health food!

http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858762861/

I tied myself with wire
To let the horses run free
Playing with the fire until the fire played with me
The stone was semi-precious
We were barely conscious
Two souls too smart to be in the realm of certainty
Even on our wedding day

We set ourselves on fire
Oh God, do not deny her
It's not if I believe in love
But if love believes in me
Oh, believe in me

At the moment of surrender
I folded to my knees
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me

I've been in every black hole
At the altar of the dark star
My body's now a begging bowl
That's begging to get back, begging to get back
To my heart
To the rhythm of my soul
To the rhythm of my unconsciousness
To the rhythm that yearns
To be released form control

I was punching in the numbers at the ATM machine
I could see in the reflection
A face staring back at me
At the moment of surrender
Of vision over visibility
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me

I was speeding on the subway
Through the stations of the cross
Every eye looking every other way
Counting down 'til the pain would stop

At the moment of surrender
Of vision over visibility
I did not notice the passers-by
And they did not notice me

Keyword summary: intuition, renewal, calming, awareness.

When studying the energy of moonstone it can be useful to also study the energy of the moon, as there are some similarities. Moonstone promotes the use of intuition and feelings rather than intellectual reasoning. It can be a useful crystal to have around if you find yourself getting "stuck in your head" – worrying or thinking too much. In this way it also helps to trust your intuition when it comes to decision making and can be seen as a guiding stone – not that it guides you by itself, it is more an energetic reminder of how you have all the tools to guide yourself.

It is also a crystal of renewal and can help you connect to the ideas that life is a continuing process with many births and many deaths as you grow. Moonstone energy is an energy that helps you to accept this process more readily, and maybe even to welcome it because every death and resulting birth brings you greater knowledge of yourself and the world you live in.

In India today, and in other traditions, moonstone is still regarded as a sacred stone. It is a rejuvenating and vital crystal that brings calmness and awareness of things greater than our human body and mind. It is also sometimes known as the wishing stone.

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Moonstone
This milky, translucent crystal is believed to be strongly connected to the moon. It is a calming stone and can be very effective in soothing the emotions.

Moonstone is said to be the stone of women and is believed to enhance feminity, gentleness, receptivity and intuition. It is said to help reduce PMT and to lesson the problems associated with the menopause by slowing down the hormonal changes. Moonstone is also believed to aid the reproductive system, benefiting conception, pregnancy and childbirth

Wearing Moonstone as a pendant or placing it on the Brow Chakra is said to enhance your psychic abilities and spiritual awareness. Placing this crystal on the Solar Plexus or Heart Chakra is said to bring forward old emotional issues which can then be dissolved. In healing Moonstone is believed to heal upper digestive disorders that are being caused by old emotional problems

Sometimes a house or office can feel uncomfortable, and there’s no real reason you can put your finger on to explain your uneasy feeling. Other times, it’s easy: someone has been there that was negative, ill or died. Homes and spaces often take on the energy of the previous occupants as well. There may be instances when you moved into a space and just felt like someone else was there, or the space just didn’t feel right.

If this sounds familiar, just remember you are not alone. Many people feel uncomfortable in spaces and can’t explain why. The “why” is not important, however; what is important is that you find a way to make your space feel more comfortable so you can feel more at ease. A first step would be to perform a space cleansing.

Unlike “space clearing,” space cleansing doesn’t rely on getting rid of clutter. However, if you have a bunch of old items and junk from previous residents or others, it is possible that some of the energy is coming from these old items. If that’s the case, then you should definitely take some of these things to the trash.

What’s more, if you have had a spate of bad luck and find that life has just been a constant struggle, it’s possible that you have some negative energies hanging around that are making your house yin - or negative in energy.

This is another good instance when it might be a good idea to do a space cleansing. Space cleansing will help you feel more comfortable in your home or office, and let you move on in your space comfortably and in a positive state of mind. Why bother? Because negative energy gathers and compounds to create MORE negative energy. That’s why it’s important to handle negative energy when you feel like your space isn’t quite right. To ignore it is to allow more negative energy to build, and this can impact your health, your career and your finances, and even cause depression.

Regardless of why you feel the way you do, if your space doesn’t feel quite right, here are some tips to help you clear out the negative energy in your house and invite good energy back inside!

STEP 1. Clear stale energies from the house.

If you have recently moved, you might be feeling some residual energy from past residents. If that’s the case, then consider using this technique: open everything that is closed. In short, you should open all doors, all windows, all cabinets, all boxes, anything that is closed should be open.

Then, walking from the front door in a clockwise pattern, circle each room and go into the next while ringing a bell. Be sure to ring the bell in the corners of rooms and in closets where negative energy can remain trapped. You may want to proceed through the other five steps before closing everything up again.

STEP 2. Use salt to cleanse an area.

Another tip is to use salt to remove negative energies. You can wipe the walls with salt or sprinkle salt into the corners of the room. Be sure to sweep up the salt and throw it into the trash outside of your house.

STEP 3. Feed your ghosts rice.

If you feel extreme negative energy, you can also try sprinkling rice around the perimeter of your home, beginning at the front door and walking in a clockwise fashion until you come to the door again. The rice will draw the energy outside and away from the interior of your home.

STEP 4. Scent the air to clear out negative energies.

Use smoke from incense or from herbs, such as lavender for transcending problems, eucalyptus for healing, or mint for prosperity. The scents of incense or herbal essential oils are all excellent ways to introduce beneficial energy.

STEP 5. Use light and sound.

Light and sound are two very effective “yang” treatments that help to dispel negative energies. Tinkling windchimes and bright crystal rainbows or lit chandeliers are both excellent ways to introduce beneficial - and cleansing - energy to your space.

If you have done all five steps, it’s time to close up all the doors, windows, cabinets, and drawers, and then proceed to Step 6.

STEP 6. Take a salt bath yourself.

In the process of cleansing your home, it might be a good idea to cleanse yourself as well. It is possible that you are bringing negative energy home from work or from the outside world. Soak in a tub with sea salt or make your own sea salt scrub and wash your body in the shower with salt. Salt will purify you and remove negative energies from your body. This is especially helpful if you work in a hostile or gossipy environment, and will help you clear negative energy from your body.

About the author

Kathryn Weber is a master feng shui consultant who publishes the Red Lotus Letter, which can help you unlock the success locations in your home or office and get your life out of a rut. Red Lotus Feng Shui Design & Consultation, P.O. Box 531, Cuero, Texas 77954, 1- 361-676-8800. To contact Kathryn by email, write to kweber@redlotusconsulting.com.

http://www.vinegartips.com/cleaning/

When you work with your personal bagua, the area directly to your right as you walk into a room is the travel gua. This is most commonly known as the area of helping people. It works both ways – people who pass through your life and aid you in one way or another, but also people you help in the journeys through their lives.
By paying special attention to the travel guas in your home, you will inadvertently attract chi in a number of different areas that are intertwined. Feng shui can affect your life even when you don’t know why. That's one reason it's nice to know the possibilities that can happen so you can be somewhat prepared. (You wouldn't want to know exactly how your life will unfold. That would defeat the whole purpose of living.)
Feng Shui Literally
The workings of the bagua can be as literal as your needs dictate. Perhaps you are in the market for a new car. That would definitely be travel. You may need help to decide what type of car to buy or in obtaining a loan. You would need to spruce up your travel/helping people area in hopes that the right people come into your life to assist you with financing and lead you to the car for you.
If you don’t want a loan, maybe you just need to be guided to the people who will have a car that will fit your budget without the help of any outside sources. To bring the right car for you into your life, you could make a collage with pictures of you, the type of car you want, and pictures and words that tell a story of how you will feel when you get your car. Hang the collage in your travel gua and wait!
Be Open
One of the most exciting (and sometimes frustrating) aspects of feng shui is that, although it can improve your life in so many ways, it is not 100%. There is always the chance that you won’t get your wish. Sometimes what you get is even better than you asked for, even if it doesn’t look like it at first.
Part of the miracle of feng shui is that many times the changes that occur in your life are not literal at all, but symbolic. Keep your heart and mind open to the intricacies of feng shui. It’s little things that get you through life, little helping hands, little miracles that you often don’t notice in your busy life. Be open to them in your work with feng shui, and always.

NORTH
This is the career sector. Ornaments here can be, frogs, fishes and protective warriors. Also useful are tortoises/turtles. A bird bath or water feature can also be placed in this area. Ornaments should be of black or dark blue and made from metal or stone. A rockery is well placed in this area as are small clumps of trees, gentians, ceanothus and clematis.

SOUTH
This is the area of fame, success and public recognition. Known as your ‘Bright Hall’, it should contain red, orange and bright yellow flowers and shrubs. An ornament of the phoenix, cockerel or peacock should stand in this area. It should be well lit, perhaps with garden lights or a Japanese lantern. Red wooden ornaments are also useful in this sector. Plants in this area could include - camellias, sage, coriander, cinnamon, pieris, acer, euphorbia (fireglow), aquilegias and fuchsia (representing lanterns).

EAST
This is the sector of health, longevity and the family. It is the area of the green dragon. Dragon ornaments and the colour green should dominate this part of your garden. Also useful in this sector are statues of Buddha, cranes or deer. A water feature could be placed here. Planting might include bamboo, lilac, magnolia, hydrangea and small ornamental trees such as crab apple or cherry. Chrysanthemums can also be used.

WEST
This represents children and new projects, hobbies, stages of life and pleasure. It is also the area of the white tiger, who needs to be kept dozing. Use fragrant flowers in this sector. Flowers of white, gold and silver are best. Ceramic ornaments and quartz crystals in these colours are also useful as well as windchimes with six hollow tubes (five is ok, but do not use solid rods!). Any other round shapes are good here including small bells. Plants could include spirea (bridal bower) and convolvus (silver). Do not use tiger statues at all --- far too powerful.

NORTH EAST
This is the sector of spirituality, knowledge, education and self-growth. You should use yellows and earthly colours in this area. Terracotta pots, ornaments, hanging crystals and Buddhas are all good. Plants could include genista and euphorbia.

NORTH WEST
An area for new beginnings, mentors, networking, meeting influential people and important meetings. Metallic colours, white and silver are best. Use six tube windchimes in this location as well as stone and metal sculptures.

SOUTH EAST
This is your wealth sector, not only money, but wealth in terms of a full and happy life. Use greens here, representing growth and money. A small water feature in this sector is very lucky, as are wooden ornaments, small leafy plants such as hebes and low growing flowers. Frogs, fishes and toads are ‘prosperous’creatures in this part of the garden.

SOUTH WEST
This part of your garden represents relationships, harmony and marriage-very much the physical side of your life. Use reds and pinks, particularly peonies, genista, euphorbia, tropaeolum as plants. Oranges and yellows are also very good. Ceramic and wooden pairs of ducks, tied together with a red ribbon stand for harmony and close loving relationships. Light the corner with Japanese lanterns, place pebbles and stones within this area. It should look oriental and warm, attracting good chi energy.