Clouds

Yesterday and today had the most fabulous clouds here in the South Puget Sound.  When I was small in Illinois, I would lay in the grass in the summer and watch the clouds.  We all could see different things in them shout it out to our friends - it might be an animal or a person's face or the shape of a flower.  Clouds in the Pacific Northwest are usually stratus clouds - flat and gray and all encompassing.  Cumulous clouds make me light up with excitement.    The cumulous and cumulonimbus ones are so magnificient - sometimes miles high, sometimes dark and threatening - a sky with these clouds fascinates and thrills me.
Perhaps the underlying current of a possible electrical storm, also are rare here in the Northwest, adds to this excitement.  Having grown up in the Midwest, I miss the electrical storms, the huge clouds floating across a sky that is usually blue, and the fireflies.  I do not, however, miss the humidity or the huge amounts of snow snarling traffic or the tornadoes.  Seeing mountain peaks everywhere (because Puget Sound is in between the Cascade and the Olympic mountain ranges), and the ocean and large lakes surrounded by tall fir trees gives daily inspiration and I never tire of these views.

The sky is still blue this evening and I now see stratus, cumulous and cirrus clouds.  Mt Rainier (about one hour from my home on winding, country roads, so large, it makes its own weather) is just barely visible now with a layer of various types of clouds above it, around it and moving toward it.

© Andrea Corwin

Myrrh and Goldenseal

Well, I said I would talk about myrrh in a post and this is it. 

If I eat too many walnuts the roof of my mouth gets sore; yet sometimes this happens without ingesting walnuts.  

During one episode I kept rinsing with sea salt for days and the soreness would not resolve.  Then came the big "ah ha" moment!  I had forgotten my herbal remedies!  Ta Da...........myrrh healed it within a day.  Sometimes I mix liquid goldenseal, an antiseptic, with the myrrh in the palm of my hand and then use a finger to put it onto the tender area.  Years ago I bought Dian Dincin Buchman's "Herbal Medicine," an excellent herbal compilation with in-depth information on ailments and herbs.  I believe there is an update to now to this book but I still have my original, falling apart copy.  I don't know if I found the remedy from this book or elsewhere but I do highly recommend the book.

Speaking of goldenseal - here is something I use during cold/flu season and when traveling by air:  I mix liquid goldenseal with echinacea in the palm of my hand and add a bit of water.  Then you close one nostril and sniff the mixture into the other one.  Repeat on both sides.  It burns a bit when it hits your sinus cavities in the cheekbones but that is all right.  Wait a few seconds and then you can blow your nose.  I use this regularly along with some other nutritional support (Shaklee of course) and rarely get sick.  The one time I was flying a lot and forgot to do this, I did get sick.  If I'm on travel, I use it before I leave for the airport.  Mixing the 2 together and using it this way puts a barrier to germs in your nostrils and is especially important on airplanes.

Shaklee Cinch Success:Matt

My last post was from an article talking about obesity affecting one's income in different ways.  Since I am an Independent Shaklee Distributor, I thought I would follow up that post with something about Shaklee's CINCH product.  Cinch has helped many many people lose weight, and INCHES.  I dropped a size in the top and the bottom by using this program.  I found that using this keeps your blood sugar levels more stable and can positively affect cholesterol levels (as it did for me). 

It is tasty, science based, fills you up, has variety, is very comparably priced and very easy to follow.  I lost inches but retained muscle and I have continued to use Cinch to keep the weight off.  The money I would normally spend on meals is redirected to the Cinch product and my tastes have changes - we rarely eat breakfast out any more because I have a Cinch shake. 

Some diets get the weight off of you, and many times that includes losing muscle; people also tend to gain it back after stopping the diet and it comes back as more fat. CINCH has scientific proof that muscle is retained, that is why this program is so fabulous.  Muscle helps to burn fat.  We watch the inches melt away with Cinch, and retain muscle.  This translates into:  changed body shape, some weight loss, possible improved blood chemistry, more energy.  You can view more about it at my Shaklee website. 

To Your Health,
Andrea

Finances suffer by being overweight (Jennifer Openshaw - MarketWatch)

OK, this article at link below if quite fascinating and brings up several items of note - and keep in mind, my comments below are my comments, not those of the link's authors):
1) if you are overweight, you eat more calories, thus spend more money on food
2) if you are overweight, your health can suffer in numerous ways, thus increasing spending on health care (either out of obese person's wallet, or tax payer if the person isn't covered by health care) - chronic disease costs a lot over the long haul and even more when you are elderly and have to be in a medical assist facility
3) life insurance costs more if you are obese because the actuarial tables show obese people have shorter lives - thus, are charged more for life insurance (and medical insurance - remember pre-existing conditions!)
4) and what I think is a weird study on BMI (body mass index) showing think people earn more (what about all those "fat cat" males who ARE big earners.......whatever.  Ms. Openshaw makes some good points in the article, so check it out.
What do you think?  Post comments and be sure to subscribe to my blog (at top of blog) and  follow my blog by clicking the Follow link, lower left.

If you don't lose weight your finances will Jennifer Openshaw - MarketWatch

Gulf of Mexico oil spill

Gulf of Mexico oil spill: How bad is it? - CSMonitor.com

We have people saying 'Drill Baby Drill' and here is a huge catastrophe hitting our Gulf coast. It can be seen from space and is currently about 600 miles around. The oil spill in Valdez, AK still has consequences after 20+ years. At first the oil company didn't there was a leak and then discovered it was indeed leaking. There is a valve that is supposed to activate to shut off the leak and it didn't activate. Now remotely operated vehicles (ROV) have been deployed to try and get that shutoff valve to work and stop the flow. Burning off the oil is being considered. This appears to be a very strange leak that is not reacting as the oil company is used to, like a rebelling child. Murphy's Law is in effect here.

Does this mean there should be more maintenance, more oversight, more testing, more emergency response test runs, old wells replaced with newer equipment, or....??

In any case, consequences for birds and marine life could be huge even though right now this oil slick is not as large as Valdez. If BP and all the agencies assisting them can't get it shut off, it could continue to grow. The currents will carry the oil slick toward land - then shorebirds will become covered in the oil - then they will die. Even with numerous ecology groups cleaning the birds and the gooey mess from the shore, it will be a disaster.

Of course some will say the ocean will cleanse itself, there are ups and downs in nature.........but when man interferes, the consequences are always larger and skewed. 

How about exploration for alternative fuels instead of more oil exploration?  We need creativity, thinking outside the box: electricity, microwave technology, microchips, lasers, satellites, etc. were innovations - we need that "100th Monkey" awareness and breakthrough with the oil and energy companies.

Adopted Pets Are The Best!

When Ava, my 21 year old cat died, it didn't take me long to want another cat.  Our dog had also died but it took longer to be OK with getting another dog.  I guess Ava had been around with me so long that when we had to humanely help her transition, she took all of her presence with her.  I needed a feline companion and kind of wanted to 2 cats this time.  I've had cats and dogs all my life.  I guess I am more of a cat person ('cause I'm a LEO?). 

My intuition told me to stop at the vet's.  Don't know why - they didn't adopt pets or sell them.  When I walked in the door, I knew why the little voice had guided me there.  On the counter was a picture of the most magnificent cat and a non-profit organization was adopting him out. He was in a 'foster' home.  I called the number and they set up a meet and greet. 

The cat was creamy orange, with Paul Newman blue eyes and Angora fur.  He was gorgeous.  He looks like Aslan in the Narnia film, with a large mane.  He had been somewhat abused and had 3-4 pins in his paw from surgery needed due to an untreated injury by the previous owners.   I took him home for a try and he hid under the bed because of the dogs we had already adopted (another story).  After a few days he came out and decided he would stay with us.  Now Simba runs the house, just like a king should.  We didn't change his name because Simba suited him and he had that name for 3 years.  A few weeks later I picked up Miles (renamed Miles from 'Tiger') and brought him home.  Miles was a stray and the same organization had him.  Miles is a much larger version of the old Ava, a brown tabby and looks like a cougar.   Miles is my protector.  He slapped Simba around when Simba was hissing at me right after I brought Miles home.  He basically let Simba know that good manners must be observed in the adopted household!  He also lets us know by hissing and growling if there is something outside the bedroom window (another cat? a raccoon? we never have seen what it is).  2 male cats who never knew each other and are fast friends - it's great to watch. 

They play rough, tumbling around, pouncing and swiping at each other.  Older and street wise (he was an outdoor cat), Miles tires of Simba chasing him and turns into Bruce Lee.  Simba is larger, but is the "student" and Miles is the Kung Fu master.  Simba is mischievous, getting into everything and going wherever he wants - he opens cupboards, tests his jumping skills, takes anything new as his own.........Miles is more reserved and nervous, especially when my husband is around. 

All 4 of our adopted pets get along - no issues or messes in the house. Simba loves the dogs!  (The Aussie mix Mariah doesn't like it when Simba gets too close).  Ruby, the Akita/Ridgeback mix allows Simba to rub on her and snuggle.  It's a great happy home, much of it due to the magnanimous nature of Simba and Ruby.    Our crazy zoo of adopted animals

- each with his or her own quirks or issues.

Non Profit Fund Raising with Shaklee

Shaklee guarantees the unconditional safety of its products and has supported environmental causes, Olympic Gold Medalists and was the first company in the world to obtain Climate Neutral™ certification and totally offset its CO2 emissions, resulting in a net zero impact on the environment. Of Time Life book’s 25 Greatest Adventures of All Time, seven were powered by Shaklee.  People want their purchases to count towards making a difference and now Shaklee has created a way to help non-profits, based on a simple concept called “Cause Marketing.”  Non profits can partner with Shaklee distributors to create a stream of income for their cause.  http://images.shaklee.com/library/shakleefundraising_041610.pdf

- Independent Shaklee Distributor

How Arnica Worked For Me

Years ago we were in a Bed and Breakfast in France.  Having taken 8 years of French in school, it was coming back to me nicely and I was acting as interpreter for my husband - sometimes well and sometimes with poor grammar. 

One morning we were speaking to the owner of the B&B in her office.  The room was one step up from the 'sunken' breakfast/dining area.  I stepped back, and, being close to the edge of this room's floor, I stepped backward and harshly down into the breakfast room, fell, and twisted my ankle.  Europe doesn't post all the warning signs that America does.  I had not taken note mentally to be careful at this exact location in the home we were staying.  It was my fault.  The owner was upset but not as upset as an American would be (probably because lawsuits don't happen there like in U.S.?). 

This was not just any twisted ankle.  Ice was brought and my husband helped me hobble back to our private room.  Then I let loose with my pain, extreme (!) - away from everyone but my husband.  The ankle swelled to twice its size and I was worried about the rest of our vacation.  We continued icing it and the next day went to the Pharmacie.  I was familiar with ARNICA's use for bruises and tried to explain that is what I wanted.  The staff didn't understand until I showed them my ankle and somehow imparted the quest for a product to help with bruising (contusions to them).  Arnica appeared.  It worked magic on my ankle.  I am certain that the Arnica we purchased there is stronger than what you can get in the U.S. health food stores but it is something I keep in my herbal "medicine cabinet" along with myrhh (will write about that in a later blog).
(I am not offering medical advice, just a personal experience.)

We’re not getting any younger - Progressive ideas needed to help aging population | Regional Voices - The News Tribune

The link below is to my local newspaper's article on aging. When I was young some people on the outskirts of my circle had grandmothers living with them. It seemed odd to me at the time because the kid my age had to take orders from both the mom and the grandmom. Mothers hung clothes on the outdoor clotheslines and talked across the fence (if there was a fence, it was not the norm then). Now elderly people are many times quite spry so their families forget they have been on this Earth as long as they have. They might not visit as often or offer help because they don't see the person's age or deny it in their own mind.

There are assisted living centers, and centers where one can rent a small apartment (very small) and have one meal a day or more. Long term health insurance came into being, became popular and now is considered more essential. The authors here pose questions about having multigenerational neighborhoods where everyone helps and cares for each other.

I think it's a good idea to look upon the elders of the community as a resource of wisdom and knowledge, having broad experience from one generation to another. The elders have seen many changes in their lifetimes and can contribute in ways that the younger generations may not have yet imagined. Just as visits to nursing homes with a pet or a child can cheer up the nursing home resident, so can an elder share time, fun, or stories with younger people and out of these experiences could come new innovations just from a conversation.

We’re not getting any younger Progressive ideas needed to help aging population Regional Voices - The News Tribune

How to Conduct a Home Fire Drill - wikiHow

I came across this article and want to share it because it is so important! 
How to Conduct a Home Fire Drill - wikiHow

Killer fungus seen in Pacific Northwest

In the past few years a fungus, Cryptococcus gattii (or C. gattii), has infected humans and animal, including cats, dogs, and dolphins, in Washington and Oregon .  It appears there is now a new strain that can cause respiratory illnesses in normally healthy people.  It is said that people do not need to worry about this becoming an epidemic or even a common condition.  It's good to know about it though.  A strong immue system is important to fight off everyday germs but even more important to fight off something unexpected that can hit you - ecoli, C. gatti, swine flu, etc.
       Here's a link to the article on C.gattii: http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/04/22/killer.fungus.pacific.northwest/

     Recommend you take an immune builder such as Shaklee's Nutriferon which boosts the body's natural interferon.  Its 4 plant extracts are shown in studies to boost the immune system.  Two caplets contains 500 mg of a patented, proprietary 2:1 powdered botanical extract derived from the flowers of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), the seeds of pumpkin (Curcurbita moschata), and Asian plantain (Plantago asiatica).

 http://www.physicians.shaklee.com/displayContent.htm?fileName=nutriFeronPDR.xml§ionName=shakProdInfo

Earth Day

So many activities for Earth Day are happening today and all week.  I am posting a link to 2 videos regarding cleaning products causing asthma.  Get Clean by Shaklee is green, safe and works.  Basic H2 is the reformulated version of the Basic H that Jacques Cousteau used (twice as strong).  When green was just a color, Shaklee embodied it.  Use safe cleaners, protect the earth and your in-home environment!  Save the landfills from containers of cleaners and save emissions from the transportation of all those products.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTpBru2Oaj4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CKGNZ8pWXA

Shaklee Get Clean® Is One of "Oprah's Favorite Things!"
On November 20, 2007, on her famous "Favorite Things" show, Oprah described the Shaklee Get Clean Starter Kit as "the perfect gift for someone who likes cleaning and also likes to help the environment." Millions of loyal Oprah viewers have seen the video clip.

Future Beauty

The Oprah website and magazine has a great article on what we can expect in the future - fewer gray hairs, fuller more firm skin, thicker hair, brighter teeth and more.  Different industries and medical specialties are studying all of this.  More in the pursuit of looking younger.  Let's hope the methods they come up with prove out to be very safe and that they are not testing on animals.  Let's hope that people decide to use prevention instead of waiting until they are ill or obese to look for help.  Prevention goes a long way in saving medical costs, lost time at work, keeping drugs/antibiotics out the body unless necessary.  You make sure you car has oil in it, right?  What happens if it doesn't?  The engine blows up and the car won't run.  So goes it for your body.  You must feed it, bathe it, exercise it and ensure nutrients get to the right places at the right time in your organs.  Supplements are important because most people do NOT get the nutrients they need from their food. If you didn't just harvest the food yourself, you don't know how long it was on the shelf, or how long it took to get to market.  Organics are great, but organic farmers can't control vehicle pollution near their fields.  Use products from a company that you can trust and doesn't use additives and can prove its claims. 

We can look forward to medical advancements but we need to still investigate new products/drugs/foods to make sure they are safe.  Analyze what the company is saying and look for science that is published and peer reviewed.

By Jenny Bailly, O, The Oprah Magazine
April 19, 2010
http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Beauty-Innovations-That-Will-Happen-in-the-Next-Decade/2

EARTH DAY

April 22, 2010 is the 40th Earth Day.  Many countries and people celebrate Earth Day, and the Green movement is still ongoing.  What are you doing to promote healthy living and sustainable practices in your neighborhood, family, workplace or city?  You can recycle, use CFL bulbs in your fixtures, energy efficient appliances and reusable shopping bage.  Plant trees and shrubs and use native plants in your garden whenever possible to cut down on watering.  Continue to spread the word because there are still those who don't believe in global warming (even though the glaciers are melting and polar bears are drowning because there is less floating ice for them to rest upon; even though weather is more violent and storms larger than before).  Yes, the earth goes through natural weather phases and warming/cooling trends but with all the over-population of the earth and carbon emissions, man has contributed greatly to global warming and the speed with which it is overtaking all of us.  Don't be fooled - every little action counts.  Do what you can to keep the planet green.  There is such a thing as finite resources - have you ever run out of sugar or bread?  The planet can run out of oil; water aquifers can be depleted and never restored (think Florida).........
Be kind to yourself because of your actions, big or small.  Green up your living space, and outdoors use sunscreen (after getting your 15 minutes of Vitamin D unprotected, put on the sunscreen)!
Here is an Earth Day short video from last year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWlRuIiRrIs

SUGAR, HEART DISEASE, DIET, CHOLESTEROL - LATIMES.COM

According to the LA Times article "The study, published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Assn., found that people who got at least 25% of their daily calories from added sugars of any kind were 3.1 times more likely to have low levels of so-called good cholesterol in their bloodstream than people who got less than 5% of their calories from added sweeteners."  You can read the study at JAMA: http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/303/15/1490
and the LA Times article at the link below.
sugar, heart disease, diet, cholesterol - latimes.com

Shaklee has nutritional products to help people lose weight (which helps with diabetes, heart, cholesterol sometimes) and targeted products for specific issues.  However, it is ALWAYS better to maintain a healthy weight, eat a well balanced diet and EXERCISE - lift weights that are difficult for you to finish 8-10 reps and walk besides other exercise you might do.  Remember, everything is individual and you are better served to stay in tune with your body and take charge of your health.  This makes it easier to be an informed patient, which also helps your doctor.  Don't be afraid to ask questions and take in articles you have read for input from your physician.
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Mobile payment systems gain traction - San Jose Mercury News

In this fast moving, electronic world, there are great innovations to make life more entertaining, easy and exciting. Now we can look forward to tapping our cellphone to make payments for goods. I welcome anything that makes transactions faster and seamless. With consumers looking to the internet for facts and consumer information, it is a serious consideration of how to separate fact from fiction (Snopes anyone?) and reputation vs. hype. That is why I use Shaklee products and share them with others with my online Independent Shaklee Distributor store. Shaklee has a long environmental history, high scientific standards, a stellar reputation, and offers and are products for the whole family that work and are guaranteed.


Mobile payment systems gain traction - San Jose Mercury News

Looking for Natural Nutrition?

In 2006, Shaklee Corporation marked its 50th year with a continued commitment to producing top quality products, to environmental citizenship, and to ongoing philanthropic endeavors. Founded on the philosophy of offering products in harmony with nature and good health, Shaklee adheres to the principles that were established by Shaklee’s founder, Dr. Forrest C. Shaklee. Ingredients must be as natural as possible and ingredients must reflect the most recent scientific and technological advances. The major priority for Shaklee is to use natural ingredients in the products whenever possible.

Shaklee defines "quality" as meeting or exceeding the highest standards in the industry, from product conception to market entry. A team led by Jamie McManus, MD, Chairman of Medical Affairs, Health Science and Education, is comprised of nutritionists, chemists and food scientists, who are involved in all stages of new product development and the continuing evaluation of existing products.

Shaklee is a leader in research, has powered numerous athletes including Olympic medalists, has provided NASA with a re-hydration drink for the astronauts for their re-entry to Earth's atmosphere for years, and was green before it was popular to be called green. The company philosophy includes Always Safe, Always Green and Always Works.

Team Shaklee Athletes

Shaklee sponsored Olympic medalists in previous years and in 2010 Vancouver.

Team Shaklee Athletes

What to watch this Earth Day | MNN - Mother Nature Network

What to watch this Earth Day MNN - Mother Nature Network

Shaklee Videos: Earth Day: Will Steger

Shaklee sponsored Will Steger on Arctic expeditions - this is a great video on his expedition and studies of climate change - something to watch and consider how it relates to Earth Day: Shaklee Videos: Earth Day: Will Steger

Shaklee Videos: Earth Day: Mission

Shaklee Videos: Earth Day: Mission

Green Energy TV Blog - Shaklee - Two Green Thumbs up!

Green Energy TV Blog - Shaklee - Two Green Thumbs up!

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Environmental News Network -- Know Your Environment

Environmental News Network -- Know Your Environment

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