DANCE Doodles and Little Bit!

My lovely granddaughters have a dance review this weekend.

Doesn't Doodles look beautiful in her 

French Maid outfit?

 

She will also be a Firefly.  Her little outfit

has lights that will twinkle.

She is starting to look so much older...

This is Little Bit on her way to rehearsal.

Isn't she cute with her missing teeth?

LOVE THAT SMILE!

Little Bit in her Gator costume.

Her great-grandmother helps with the costumes.

My little Ballerina!

She is still so petite.

I can't wait to see them perform.

Their dance company puts on a big show.

IT SHOULD BE FABULOUS!

Here's to your health!

Snack Bar good for High-Blood-Pressure

Ever wonder about your blood pressure?  Did you know that it measures  two things? One (the first number) is called systolic; the other (the second  number) is called diastolic. --for example, 180/100 mm Hg (mm Hg stands  for millimeters of mercury). The systolic number indicates the pressure in  the blood vessels when the heart contracts. The diastolic number is the  pressure in the blood vessels when the heart is at rest.  High blood pressure has few symptoms. That's why it is called  "the silent killer." Dr. Leigh Connealy states that there is no way to show people that their hearts are working too hard or that their arteries have "hardened" from plaque deposits. If there's no symptoms, then it's hard to take it serious.   BLOOD PRESSURE GUIDELINES: Blood Pressure Readings Systolic Diastolic Low blood pressure (hypotension) Less than 90 Less than 60 Normal 90–119 60–79 Prehypertension 120–139 80–89 High blood pressure (hypertension) 140+ 90+ In the case of high blood pressure, cutting back on sodium is a number  one recommendation.  Everyone could actually benefit from consuming less sodium. There is a very high amount of sodium is packaged foods, many soups,  and frozen dinners. FAST foods are even worse.  Order up a cheeseburger, that's a whopping 750 mg of sodium. Order a double cheeseburger, that's double on the sodium.  If your serious about cuttingback on the sodium, be prepared to do  the detective work in the supermarket and when eating out.  As always, see your physician to get checked out. If medication is advised,  be sure to ask questions as to how this will effect you if you are taking other  medications. So be smart and ask questions. Another addition to reducing your risk factors (such as excess weight,  smoking, stress, and poor diet), try eating the potassium rich foods.  Potassium is a key element in balancing sodium's effect on the body. A few examples of potassium-rich produce include: • bananas • orange juice • beans of any type • spinach • avocados • green leafy vegetables, like Swiss chard and kale • nuts • figs • papayas • cantaloupes • dates • dried apricots • guavas • peaches    You could take supplements, but increasing fruit and vegetable intake also provides a long list of healthful nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and fiber! Other supplements good to take if you have high blood pressure,  per Dr. Leigh Connealy:     Potassium (4,000 mg per day)     Magnesium (350 to 500 mg per day)     Calcium (1,000 to 1,500 mg per day)     Omega-3 fatty acid (2 to 4 grams of fish oil per day)     Vitamin D (1,500 IU per day)     CoQ10 (100 to 200 mg per day)      And why not do a little Yoga. Yoga is very effective in lowering blood pressure (as long as your physician says that it's OK.) Make it a point to get checked out and make the effort to help reduce your blood pressure. Your body will thank you for it!! HERE'S A GREAT RECIPE! A good source of potassium Banana-Oat Snack Bars Makes one dozen bars Easy to make and inexpensive, these banana-oat bars are low in sodium and high in potassium and fiber, making them a delicious treat for individuals with high blood pressure. Consider this recipe a good starting point. You can dress it up with your favorite nuts, dried fruit bits, and seeds. These bars will stay fresh without refrigeration for about five days if they're stored in an airtight container.

Ingredients: 1 very ripe large banana, mashed (about ½ cup) 1/3 cup organic maple syrup 1/4 cup raw organic honey 1 egg, beaten 1 tablespoon oil, preferably coconut or grapeseed 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour 1 1/4 cup quick-cooking oats 1/4 cup cranberry raisins 1/4 cup sunflower seeds 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. 2. In a mixing bowl, combine mashed banana, maple syrup, honey, egg, oil, and vanilla. Mix until well combined. 3. Add flour, oats, raisins, sunflower seeds, salt, and cinnamon. Mix well. 4. Pour mixture into a buttered 8" by 8" square baking pan, and spread evenly. 5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool before cutting into bars.  Here's to  your health! Thanks to Dr. Leigh Connealy for great information.

HOT and COLD

Hot and Cold CONTRAST Shower Benefits

First of all, what is contrast showers?

It is starting off with a warm or hot shower

and finishing with a cold one.

Very simple.

Century old traditions of saunas, followed by

cold immersion or a plunge pool follows

exactly the same principles as hot

and cold showers.

It is believed that it has many health benefits.

Here's how it works!

The temperature ranges are small -

less than 10 degrees Fahrenheit -

but increase to ranges of 45 degrees.

If you feel you need a thermostat to gauge

the temperature, you may be able to 

find one in the baby section of stores

where they are used to test bath temperature.

It may not give you the mim and max range

you require, but after a while you will find

you can estimate your own temperatures.

So here's what is suggested:

For the first ten days shower for 40 seconds at 97 degrees F,

then follow this by 20 seconds of 86 degrees. Repeat 

twice more for a total of three warm and three cold treatments.

After the first few days, increase the temperature range

gradually until after three months the range is 45 degrees.

We all react to cold variations differently. It may take 

some longer to reach the maximum temperature.

Don't rush it. Listen to your body.

A good gauge to know when enough is enough

is that of shivering. Aim to be

towel drying as you START to shiver.

OK. Now WHAT is this good for?

Contrast showers have many claims of health benefits

through medical and scientific backing. Professional 

athletes and ardent amateurs claim the treatment

is highly effective for post workout skeletal and soft 

tissue trauma, muscle spasm and soreness.

Contrast showers are indicated in treatments

for the relief of arthritis, lowering blood pressure,

boosting the central nervous system, the reduction

and relief of respiratory infections and conditions,

stimulating male and female sex hormone production

and pain relief. It is said that these type showers

also bolster the immune system through the sudden

temperature changes and overall well-being is

promoted through improving the blood circulation.

What about antioxidant functioning? Through gradual adaptation 

to cold temperatures it is thought that contrast showers

may in fact improve the body's antioxidant functioning!

Then with the combination of the hot treatment, triggers

the body's natural toxin elimination and sweating, helps the

body to detoxify.

It is said, though, that if any individual has any type

of chronic condition including heart disease or high

blood pressure should seek medical advice before

starting this type of treatment.

Here's to your health!

Article found through Out of Stress.com

Little Bit had a Birthday!

Little Bit celebrated her 7th Birthday!

 Here's Doodles, of course, playing a game.

The Birthday party had a Hello Kitty theme!

Her Nana made her a beautiful cake with the theme Hello Kitty.

Beautiful cake and it was DELICIOUS!!

Little Bit invited all of her wonderful friends and family.

Little Bit is getting ready to blow out the candles...

That is Little Bit's mother lighting the candles.

 

MAKE A WISH!

I know it will come true!!

Oh, the excitement of opening gifts!

Yea, she's really thrilled with this one!

But then she sees the card and stops to see who the gift is from.

She takes time to read the card. She had no prompting from her mother.

She did this on her own.

Well, what do you know. It's from Pops and BB. (My husband and I)

Now she's ready to open it...

It's a L La Loopsy Mermaid doll. What she always wanted.

It was so funny, she was so excited about each gift,

but if it had a card, she took her time to read it before 

she opened the gift. You're a great gal, Little Bit.

Happy Birthday!!

I would like to join Martha's Favorites for tea today.

She is my all-time favorite lady.

Here's to your health!

In My Garden - Mosaic Monday

I am joining Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.

She has AWESOME pictures to show. Hit Little Red House

and pay her a visit.

I've had her for over 20 years. The weather is

starting to get to her. I need to find a way

to help preserve her. If anyone has any

great ideas on how to do that

please let me know.

 When I was growing up

my father would never let me work in the yard.

"It was a MAN'S job," he would tell me.

It was always my brothers chores to do.

I got to help my mother in the

vegetable garden and the flower beds.

But taking care of the yard was not to

be my responsibility. 

I found out later as I grew up

that when I worked in the yard

I would end up with such migraine headaches.

It would take me a couple of days to recover.

What do you think would cause that?

Maybe not drinking enough water?

Too much lifting and bending?

I do harder stuff in the gym!

Maybe it's the HEAT and the HUMIDITY! 

Oh well.....

My discovery over the weekend

Dry Brushing

Have you ever heard of a technique called "Dry Brushing?"

I am an artist and most artist have heard of this technique,

but I am not talking about creating an art piece...

Apparently, this dry brushing offers powerful detoxification!

It is said that skin is the body's largest organ of elimination.

My father-in-law has this saying that if you buy what

you want then you are more likely to take care of it.

I found this picture in Microsoft and thought it

was appropriate to use for what I am about to share.

If you had to buy your skin, would you take better care of it?

Your skin is able to eliminate as much as one-fourth of the total toxins that your body filters out -- up to 2 pounds of waste each day! BUT in order to do a good job,we need to keep our skin healthy and uncongested.  That's where dry brushing comes in handy.

Dr.. Gloria Gilbère, a renowned natural health practitioner, explains the value of dry brushing this way:
"With today's sedentary life-style, general lack of exercise, and use of antiperspirants...toxins and metabolic waste products become trapped in the body instead of being released with sweat."  It is believed that Dry Brushing stimulates the sweat glands and exfoliates the skin. Here's a list of benefits from Dry Brushing:

• Faster elimination of toxins
• Improved blood flow and circulation
• Reduced cellulite (my favorite)
• Accelerated lymphatic flow (clink the word for info)
• Exfoliation of the skin
• Cell regeneration
• Stimulates sebaceous glands (click the word for info)
• Boosts immune system
• Opens pores and cleanses skin  

The lymphatic system is sometimes called the "second circulatory system."  The lymphatic system cleans up the waste created by virtually all the other systems of the body. Our bodies have twice as much lymph fluid than it does blood! So while our circulatory system has the heart to keep the blood flowing, our lymphatic system does NOT have a "pump" to push the lymph fluids around our bodies. It solely relies on our breathing and movement to perform its function of protecting our bodies by removing dead cells, blood proteins and any other toxins...and excreting them from our bodies.

The flow of lymph can become sluggish if you DON'T exercise; especially rebounding exercises, and do
deep breathing exercises. These 2 activities keep the lymph circulating properly. Dry brushing can enhance the flow of the lymph through the body.  Dry brushing removes dead skin cells, thereby allowing the skin to breath and absorb nutrients.

NOW you know WHY it's important to take care of your skin. Now I will tell you the Dry Brushing Technique!!

It is recommended by the health experts to use a brush with NATURAL BRISTLES made from boar hair or plant fiber (or even a loofah). DO NOT use a brush with synthetic bristles for it can cause irritation.

The Dry Brushing technique should take no longer than 5 minutes:

1. Start at your feet and brush gently in small circular motions from toes to heel.
2. Continue up each leg, and as you reach your waist, turn your strokes slightly inward towards your groin (where lymph nodes are located).
3. To brush your arms, start at the finger tips and brush all the way up to your shoulders and armpits.
4. Next, brush your back from lower to upper.
5. Brush your stomach (downward strokes from navel towards hips and upward strokes from navel toward chest, avoiding breasts).
6. Rinse off, and take a shower for the best possible results.  (More on showers in a later post.)

Dry Brushing is most effective if done twice weekly. However, more frequent dry brushing will bring faster results.  The directions of the strokes are very important since it targets and stimulates the lymphatic system more effectively than just random brushing.  If you want to dry brush your face, please use a softer brush or a dry wash cloth and your strokes should be gentler.

Here's to your health!

Picture by Microsoft

Thanks to Underground Health Reporter for the information.

A Tribute to My Mother

Happy Mother's Day!

I love my mother dearly. She is a wonderful, loving mom.
She would always let us have friends over.
She would even join in on the fun.
She made sure that she got to know
who we ran around with.
Both my mother and father didn't
put up with any foolishness.
They were strong in their discipline
and LOVED even stronger.
We knew when NOT to cross the line.
We knew that we were dearly loved.

I actually had two wonderful, loving parents.
I am thankful and grateful for them.

My father passed away several years ago and

I miss him greatly.

My mom is a tiny woman, but a very STRONG woman.

She has never changed through many trials and tribulations.
She remains the same through it all.

It's hard to give tribute to my mother
without acknowledging my dad also.
I believe they "completed" each other
and are who they are because of each other.

 This is my mother in the middle of her two sisters that are twins,
who I absolutely adored. And I tell you, they were quite a threesome.
My mother is 80 years old this year, and My Aunt Louis (R) passed
away last year. My Aunt Lois and mother remain
strong and committed totally to their families. 


This is a poem I wrote for my mother
and entered it in a contest. I received first place!

My Mother’s Eyes

My mother’s eyes are so kind

As she talks to me about the day.

Then with expressions of concern

Her eyes turn a deeper blue,

For she cares about those around her.

I remember when we were little,

My brothers and I would do things

She did not approve of, then her eyes

Were hard to look at, and we knew

That we were in for deep trouble.

I remember the teasing of my father,

When my mother would walk by

As he slapped her on the behind.

Her face would turn red and her eyes,

Her eyes would absolutely glow.

She and my father loved each other

And I would catch them at a glance

Eyeing one another with admiration.

I always felt secure in my life

And I knew everything was OK.

Now that she is older and wiser

Her eyes still speak the same

Language of love and understanding,

For she hasn’t changed at all and

My mother’s eyes are still deep blue.

 

Poem by: Brenda Stevens; Copyright©2009

Soothe the Body, Mind, and Soul

I told you sometime ago that I would give you some information about the benefits of Epsom salt.

So what is it and where does it come from?

Epsom salt is named for this bitter saline spring at Epsom in Surrey, England.

Although it is not actually salt but a naturally occuring pure mineral compound

of magnesium and sulfate. It has long been known as a natural remedy

in many ailments. I am told that not only can it be used for health benefits, but

also for beauty, household, and gardening-related uses; which the last three

can be talked about in a later post.

 

Many studies have shown that magnesium and sulfate are both

readily absorbed through the skin. Putting some Epsom salt

into your bath is an easy and ideal way to enjoy the amazing

health benefits. 

 

Studies have shown that magnesium

plays a number of roles in the body including regulating the activity

of over 325 enzymes, reducing inflammation, 

helping muscle and nerve function 

and helping to prevent artery hardening.

There are COUNTLESS health benefits of Epsom salt:

relaxing the nervous system, curing skin problems, soothing back pain

and aching limbs, easing muscle strain, healing cuts, treating colds

and congestion, and drawing toxins from the body. Also

for easing bronchial asthma and migraine headaches.

Proper magnesium and sulfate levels increase the effectivenss

of insulin in the body, helping to lower the risk or severity of diabetes.

For improving the absorption of nutrients, flush toxins and help

ease migraine headaches - that's what sulfates are for!

Many, MANY powerful, healthful benefits of magnesium and sulfates!

Since I have been dealing with adrenal fatigue and I am exhausted 

most of time, I have been searching ways to ease stress and to

relax my body. Stress DRAINS the body of magnesium

and increases levels of adrenaline. So you just fill your tub 

with warm water pour in a litte Epsom salt and soak your worries away...

The Epsom salt is absorbed through the skin and replenishses 

the level of magnesium in the body. Research shows that magnesium 

helps to produce serotonin, a mood elevating chemical within the brain

 that creates a feeling of calm and relaxation. Now THAT'S easing stress!

Not only does it make you feel relaxed but it helps to lower blood

pressure, improves sleep (which I am in need of), concentration,

and help muscles and nerves to function properly.

Experts believe that bathing with Epsom salt at least three times

a week helps you to look better, feel better, and gain more energy.

After you relax for a while in the nice warm tub, expholiate

to give your body good circulation and a nice warm glow.

You'll LOVE yourself for it!!

Here's to your health!

Sunrise is Tea Time

I love waking up early in the mornings.

I love seeing the sun rise.

I feel so close to God during those mornings.

Mornings like this give me a chance to take deep breaths.

Mornings like this help to calm my soul.

It's good to have time to stop and enjoy a moment.

It's good to look back on your day and be thankful.

And then I love watching the sun go down in the evenings.

The evening sunsets show me that God is all around me.

The evening sunsets show me God's love and His beauty.

Come Here Child

Come here Child and I will give you life,

And that Two Edged Sword that cuts like a knife,

Bountiful Living Waters to never thirst again.

Open your heart for your life to begin.

Come here Child and listen to my voice,

Strong and powerful for the right choice,

Faith beyond measure and Mercy abound,

Grace to be sufficient for a life so sound.

Come here Child and experience the Love,

Sincere peacefulness given to you from above,

Freedom from all sin and a heart full of joy,

Power against Satan who is here to destroy.

Come here Child and see who Heaven is for.

Only for my loving creation that I so adore.

But it is your choice and your choice alone.

I ask with eagerness that you don’t postpone.

Here's to your health!

I would like to join Martha's Favorites again for tea time! She's also having another giveaway, so pay her a visit, sign up for the giveaway and tell her I said HI...

Photos by Brenda Stevens

Poem by Brenda Stevens, Copyright © 2008