HEALTH ALERT: Internal Bathing Benefits (c) By Polly Guerin

It’s party time and the holidays mean that most of us over indulge in eating and drinking libations far more than we usually do, which puts stress on our bodies and minds. When relief is sought from eating excesses perhaps it is time to de-tox and do some internal cleansing. As Edgar Cayce said, “For every one---everybody—should take an internal bath occasionally as well as an external one. They would all be better off if they would. (440-2) There may not be any miracle cure, but a good cleansing routine will do wonders to rejuvenate and restore one’s enjoyment of the season.
APPLE CLEANSING PROGRAM
An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but the apple cleansing regime is an easy way to start a therapeutic program right now or even after the holidays. Cayce advised: “We would use first the apple diet to purify the system; that is, for three days eat nothing but raw apples of the Jonathan variety. The Jonathan is usually grown farther north than the Delicious, but these are the same variety, but eat some. You may drink coffee if you desire, but do not put milk or cream in it, especially, while you are taking the apples. At the end of the third day, the next morning take about two tablespoonful of Olive Oil. (780-12)
A MIRACLE THERAPY
The “Edgar Cayce Handbook for Health Through Drugless Therapy” cautions that although the apple cleansing regime is recommended to cleanse all toxic forces from your system, like any other holistic program anyone who decides to try it should first check with their doctor. Consulting a Caycean trained physician first is especially important if you simply cannot handle eating apples, and another regime may be recommended. However, since most people are toxic, a good cleansing routine is the first step toward improving your healthy outlook. If you are in reasonably good health, the detoxification will bring about an almost euphoric feeling of well-being and provide an inexpensive and effective insurance against disease. The most important element about the apple regime is that the apples should be “organic’ and free of chemicals.
INTERNAL CLEANSING BENEFITS
Internal cleansing plays a vital role in general health and well being, in longevity, beauty and sexual vigor and just the sheer joy of living alert and physically rejuvenated. However, the apple regime is not the only factor in the cleansing and therapeutic process. You must be determined and consistent and not break the regime for a mere three days of apple intake and watch how the detoxification makes your eyes become much brighter and your skin take on a fresh glow.
RESTORE HEALTH, BEAUTY, SEXUAL VIGOR, ENCOURAGE LONGEVEITY, RESTORE THE SHEER JOY OF LIVING ALERT AND PHYSICALLY REJUVENATED.

HEALTHY NATURALS and NUTTY SOLUTIONS (C) By Polly Guerin

As the saying goes, “You are what you eat.” Edgar Cayce, the great American prophet preferred natural food over man-made sources of vitamins. In the book, "The Edgar Cayce Handbook for Health," Cayce occasionally did prescribe extra vitamins in certain cases but he warned that these should not be continued indefinitely. He also advised that we opt out of eating frozen food and taking supplements and instead purchase vegetables and fruits “in season.” Fresh food markets have cropped up all over the city and the foods represented in these markets come from local farmers when fruits and vegetables are at their peak of freshness and nutritional value. Cayce further advised that you have at least one meal each day that includes a quantity of raw vegetables, such as cabbage, lettuce, celery, carrots and onions. Tomatoes he said, “May be used in their season.”

A GOOD CUP OF COFFEE

Americans love drinking coffee. I for one cannot begin the day without a cup of fresh percolated coffee. If you’re like me one or two cups in the morning will satisfy my devotion to coffee. However, Cayce felt strongly about coffee, which he suggested was a food when taken alone, but should never be taken with milk or cream and sugar, since the milk transforms itself into leathery curd blocking the digestive process. He said, “If coffee is taken, do not take milk in same. If tea is taken, do not take milk in same. This is hard on the digestion. (5097-1)

AN ALMOND A DAY

Cayce was also enthusiastic about almonds, and so am I. He said, “If an almond is taken each day and kept up, you’ll never have accumulations of tumors or such conditions through the body. An almond a day is much more in accord with keeping the doctor away, especially from certain types of doctors, than the apple. For the apples was the fall, not the almond—for the almond blossomed when everything else died. Remember all this is life! (3180-3) He further recommended that those who would eat two or three almonds each day need never fear cancer. And those who would take a peanut oil rub each week need never fear arthritis. (1158-31).

BEWARE OF FRIED FOODS

Cayce was strongly opposed to fried foods and excessive consumption of fats. He warned, “Beware of all fried foods, No fried potatoes, fried meats, fried steaks, fried fish, or anything of that nature.” (926-1) He suggested that you consider steam pressure for cooking food quickly because it rather preserves than destroys precious vitamins. Chicken or fish would be better steam cooked as well.
HEALTHY NATURALS AND NUTTY SOLUTIONS ARE SO EASY TO FOLLOW AND PROVIDE LIFE EXPANDING BENEFITS.

PLANTAR FASCIITIS, Ouch!!! Heel Pain Relief (c) By Polly Guerin

Does the bottom your foot, specifically the heel area, hurt a lot lately? Are you experiencing a burning, stabbing, or aching pain in the heel of the foot? If so, you’re not alone. Many people suffer with this uncomfortable condition due to many causes, but women particularly have pain because they are victims of fashion and have been wearing killer high heels or flip flops all summer which provide no support. The medical term is called Planter Fasciitis and it is the most common condition of heel pain, which occurs when the long fibrous fascia ligament along the bottom of the foot develops tears in the tissue. Many sufferers may also have heel spurs.
CAUSES OF PAIN
According to the Plantar Fasciitis organization there are many spellings for the condition but Plantar Fasciitis is the correct medical term. Since our heels absorb much of our body’s pressure when we walk, being overweight can easily lead to plantar fasciitis damage. This condition can easy occur from a number of reasons. A wise warning to women: You should avoid going barefoot and get rid of those flip flops or cute flats that do not provide adequate support and cushioning around the heel and through the arch of the foot. An over-the-counter orthotic device placed in your shoes will take pressure off the planter fasciitis and provide shock absorption, but when the condition persists you may need to visit a doctor or podiatrist to seek medical attention. Excessive running, jumping, or other physical activities can easily place stress on the foot. On a more serious note arthritis is another common cause.
EXERCISE AND RELIEF
The good news is that you can take conservative steps to relieve the condition. Early attention to plantar fasciitis pain can be treated with home care and exercise. It is advisable to start stretch exercises even before you get out of bed in the morning. Edgar Cayce, the renowned American prophet had exercise suggestions that with patience can provide relief from pain. Fold a towel lengthwise into a 4-inch width. Place the middle of the towel on the sole of the foot, under the toes. Grasp both ends of the towel and pull toward you and back. Then push the toes and front of the foot forward. Be sure to keep the ankles in a straight line, and keep pressure on the towel so that the foot will have a real workout.
SOOTHE THE PAIN
Who suffers the most? People in professions that require them to be on their feet all day need to soothe aching feet and plantar fasciitis. Resting with your feet elevated may relieve some of the pressure, and applying ice to the area for a least a half hour is another common remedy. When pain persists taking over the counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce pain and inflammation, but you don’t want to become addicted to pain relievers. Prevention is the key to avoiding the condition. So why suffer? Wear adequate fitting shoes with good support, avoid repetitive stressful exercise like running and maintain flexibility around the ankle. Try the foot roll. Sitting on a chair roll your foot back and forth over a tennis ball or try the toe wiggle. Hold your foot and stretch and wiggle each little tootsie separately with your hand.
WARNING: Don’t ignore the initial pain and just think it will go away. In most cases, luckily treatment only needs to be through conservative at-home methods. However, ignoring the problem can only make it worse. It is important to seek help and treatment as soon as possible to prevent further damage. http://www.plantar-fasciitis.org.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME: To Sleep Perchance to Dream (c) By Polly Guerin

If you’re yearning to get an extra hour of sleep this Sunday, November 7, 2010 marks the end of daylight savings time when you set your clock back one hour. In this way we take an hour of daylight from the end of the day and give it to the morning. You’ll get an extra hour of sleep Sunday, but the days will seem shorter. Some experts say it’s to save energy and heat, but Daylight Savings Time (DST) wasn’t always a popular concept and surprisingly the United States was one of the last countries to adopt it. Why? Because it was difficult to get every state to agree on exactly how we should go about doing DST. However, the old adage reminds us to “spring forward, fall back,” because come spring we set out clocks forward to shift that hour of light to the end of the day. Society’s need for ‘more’ or ‘less’ daylight at certain times of the year has its roots in ancient concepts.
WHO INVENTED DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME?
It’s actually an old idea and has been around since the 1780s. Thank one of our founder fathers for coming up with the idea. In 1784, while Benjamin Franklin was serving as the American Ambassador to France he wrote an essay entitled, “An Economical Project,” in which he proposed the concept because he could not imagine that the Parisians would still be using candlelight at night if they knew they could get sunlight in the morning free. It is also the basis for the practice proposed by George Vernon Hudson, who in 1895 presented a paper to the Wellington Philosophical Society, proposing two-hour time shift that would extend daylight hours later into the evening. The idea took on a more serious tone in 1907, when British Builder William Willett published, “The Waste of Daylight.”
THE U.S ESTABLISHES DST
Needless to say the United States was a vast country in 1918 and it was a challenge to coordinate the states so the U.S. Government established standard time zones across the country and set the parameters for Daylight Savings Time to make the days longer and therefore increase productivity during the World War I. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt took a similar stand on DST and put into effect year-round, a “War Time,” mandate to augment significant energy savings.
ENACTING LEGAL MEASURES
Daylight savings Time across the country became very confusing with different cities and states practicing DST, or not. To put a concise spin on DST in 1966, Congress passed The Uniform Time Act, establishing daylight savings time between April and October. Congress revised the law in 1972 and again in 1986, then the law was amended, moving the beginning of daylight savings time to the first Sunday in April. The Energy Policy act of 2005 once again changed DST, this time extending daylight savings time by four weeks. In fact, the most recent DST-regulated legislations went into effect in 2007, which extended daylight savings time from Mid-March through the first week of November.
LET’S THANK BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FOR HIS KEEN OBSERVATION AND FOR PROPOSING THE IDEA THAT WOULD BECOME DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME AND GEORGE VERNON HUDSON, WHO INVENTED IT AND WILLIAM WILLETT WHO FOUGHT FOR IT.

Cough, The Coughing Health Hazard (c) By Polly Guerin

This is the season when coughing and even minor coughs can make the holidays not so pleasant to look forward to. At first one resorts to taking commercial cough drops, which are largely herbal and some contain honey. Although cough drops provide some relief, that’s only suitable for common, uncomplicated coughs. When the cough takes on a life its own and over-the-counter prescriptions fail to tame more persistent coughs, after one week it is time to take steps to curtail further development of a more serious condition. At this point of advanced coughing a visit to the doctor may be the solution to obtain a more potent remedy. Or you could consider the holistic approach and chose one of Edgar Cayce’s remedies which he prescribed in one of his readings for a cough that was hanging on.

MISSING THE HOLIDAYS

At this time of the year missed time at work and school , or taking to one’s bed during the holidays does not make for a happy outlook. Since prevention is the key consider this: throughout the Cayce readings several formulas were given for cough syrup. Simply called Cough Mixture 2, this formula was recommended as a cough medicine and for healing through the whole system. Prepare as follows: Put 2 ounces of strained pure honey in 2 ounces of water and let this come to a boil. Skim off the refuse, then add 1 ounce of Grain Alcohol. To this add the following in the order as follows: Syrup of Cherry Bark-1 ounce, Syrup of Horehound-1/2 ounce, Syrup of Rhubarb-1/2 ounce and Elixir of Wild Ginger-1/2 ounce. Shake well before the dose is taken, which would be about a teaspoonful taken as every hour. It will allay the cough, heal those disturbing forces through the bronchi and larynx, and make for better conditions through the eliminations. (243-29)

HERBAL RESPIRATORY TONIC

The great advantage of this formula is that it does not produce side effects and may be taken as often as once every hour until relief is obtained. So you may rightfully ask, “Where am I going to find these ingredients? No you will not have to go out and remove the bark from the north side of a wild cherry tree to produce the formula or scrounge around for the other ingredients. The holistic product is called Respicol which is available at the A.R.E. Edgar Cayce New York Center’s store at 246 W. 30th St. or call 212.691.7690. Cayce products are also available at www.baar.com or 800-269-2502.

TAMING THE MALE COUGH

When an adult male has a cough you may more easily entice him with holistic cough medicine that contains rye whiskey. Simply called Cough Mixture 3 this Cayce formula is an aid for cough and cold, and for assistance in expectoration. It should be taken three to four times a day, or at night when there is the tendency for spasms of coughing. The Cayce formula is as follows. Dissolve 1 ounce of Rock Candy, as a syrup, in a pint of good rye whiskey and add the Syrup of Horebound-1/2 ounce, Glycerine-10 drops, and Elixir of Lactated Pepsin-10 drops. Shake this well together before the dose is taken. (303-25) this remedy may also appeal to women who can tolerate the whiskey.
SOUND ADVICE. MOST IMPORTANT: BE SURE TO TAKE COUGH REMEDIES AS SOON AS THE COUGH ACTS UP. IF THE COUGH IS PERSISTENT CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR.

HEALTHY WEALTH MEASUREMENT (C) By Polly Guerin

Do you ever think about your self- worth? If what you are all about in life is merely based on your job status you’re heading in the wrong direction because a superficial attitude can affect your health, depression being one of those symptoms. When people get depressed more often than not it is based on loss of work. It’s easy to succumb and tally up yourself worth in the negative when all along you forgot about your self-worth. Joel Osteen, the popular TV minister, recently addressed the issue of self-worth stating that medical research has evaluated the human body and all of its amazing intricate parts and function as worth six million dollars.

THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN AND WOMAN

Osteen further attested that starting at this realization you perhaps never estimated your self-worth at such a high level. You’re actually wealthy, a unique 6 Million Dollar Man or Woman, which right off ought to push you up on the emotional scale of inner strength and self reliance. Now doesn’t that make you feel elated? You’re extremely valuable and can hold your head up high with confidence and dignity despite job loss concerns.

SHE WHO HESITATES

At a time when the job market is flooded with applicants it’s a wise decision to make a compromise. When a friend of mine lost her high figure job she held out for a position with equal remuneration, and refused to accept a position at lower pay. “Take it,” I said, but she did not heed my words and warning that she should not pass up this opportunity. However, by the time she realized her mistake, like Lily Bart in Edith Wharton’s book, The House of Mirth, when my friend and Lily finally decided to compromise the offers had ceased.

VOLUNTEERISM WORKS

It’s always better to be employed in the work force than to be out of it, and although unemployment insurance will tide you over this period in your life, what are you going to do with the time on your hands? In order to keep your skills polished and at top form now may be the time to fill up the vacant hours and volunteer in an organization where your expertise will not only contribute, but be noticed. Sometimes a volunteer job can turn into a permanent position. Volunteering will keep your skills polished and help to build your self esteem and boost your confidence. Giving back to community by contributing your time and skills adds a bonus to your 6 million dollar worth.

PLAN OF ACTION

When the job interviewer asks, “What have you been doing in the interim?” You’re volunteer work skills will provide a positive plus for you. Once you’re gainfully employed again improve upon your self-worth attitude and remember that your self-worth is based on who you are and how you live a healthy, positive life. Get vigilant about how you face any crisis and show family, friends and work associates how you value your self-worth because you have a unique role to perform not only in the workforce but in personal relationships as well.

Balanced Life...A Healthy Outlook (c) By Polly Guerin

Nowadays it seems that everyone’s calendar is so programmed and jammed with appointments that one wonders how they find time to simmer down and find balance in their life. There’s so much that draws us from one extreme to another in this busy, hectic world that it’s easy to overdo it. When it comes to investing time and energy, relating to other people and even eating we are constantly challenged to find balance in our life. The great American prophet, Edgar Cayce, the A.R.E., Association for Research and Enlightenment, often counseled people about the necessity to stay balanced saying in one reading, “All work and no play is as bad as all play and no work. (2597.2)
BALANCING RELATIONSHIPS
The daily pull on your personal resources of energy and nurturing, concern and compassion, can be a drain on a healthy relationship with family, friends and co-workers. When we give so much of ourselves to others we most often get out of balance because we forget to nurture and develop a healthy relationship with ourselves. As Cayce suggests it is possible to go through “burnout” in which so much energy is focused on the needs of others or the demands of the workplace that one loses the appreciation of self.” When the work schedule or pressure cooker family needs invade your personal time zone it’s time to re-evaluate how much you are neglecting yourself and what you need to do to regain balance.
LOVE OF ONESELF
I often think that I need to protect myself from the “needy” people I meet but remember that Cayce said, “Genuine love of oneself is quite different from selfishness, which ignores the needs of others—has a very important role to play in a balanced healthful life. We should find time to invest in ourselves.” Check point evaluation: How balanced are you in your daily life in regard to contributing to the welfare of others versus contributing to the welfare of yourself? In other words, it is important to invest daily in activities and interests that are self-nurturing and elevate your spirit in a balanced harmony that appreciates YOU.
CELEBRATING EACH DAY
My friend Kathy makes it a practice to do something special each day for herself and others. She says, “Every day is a cause of celebration, I do not wait for a birthday or holidays to do something special for myself or someone else. Whether it be listening patiently to a problem, or treating myself to a single rose or sending an unexpected gift of gratitude, these activities nurture my existence as well as the recipient of such gifts. The personal touch contributes to the welfare of others and the self-nurturing through these tokens of friendship helps me to keep a healthy balance in my life.”
INVESTING IN YOURSELF
Balancing relationships and investing sufficiently in yourself contributes to your overall health, your soundness of sleep and your patience in responding with love and compassion to challenging situations both at home and in the workplace, or just out there in the public domain. A healthy balance, a give and take, so to speak, is the key to satisfaction and a means to achieving a happy outlook on life without sacrificing self.

Sun Worshipping For Health (c) By Polly Guerin

The benefit of sunlight has been much maligned and misunderstood. Based on medical advice people have been hiding from the sun to excape its deadly rays that might cause cancer or cataracts. Fearing the worst people would never leave their homes without sunscreen or dark sunglasses, particularly on bright, sunny days. Avoidance of the sun was the rule but new medical research now stresses the importance of sunlight, the major source of vitamin D, as an important daily ingredient for good health.
SUN FIGHTS DISEASE
The great American prophet Edgar Cayce preferred natural food over man-made sources of vitamins. Through the natural process of assimulation sunlight, Vitamin D, is absorbed through the skin with UV rays that benefit your health and on which the body depends to defend itself from infection. A good daily dosage of sunlight boosts your metabolism and can ward off depression and insomnia. At the same time, light signals also enter your eyes to regulate a healthy system. Cayce cautioned, “Let there not be too much activity in the middle of the day, or too much of sunshine. The early morning and the late afternoon are the more preferable times.” (934-2) Sunlight or sunbathing, where it is possible, energizes, rejuvenates and strengthens the body.
ANIMAL WISDOM
Animals instinctively seem to know about the benefits of sunlight. Even my little dog Colby seems to have a sage need for the sun and he didn’t need medical advice to tell him about sunlight’s benefits. On any day I can find him sitting in any very sunny spot basking in the sun’s warmth and nutrition. Sunlight and the penetration of its rays sustain the planet and directly play a part in our mental, emotional and spiritual well being.
SUNLIGHT HEALS
The ancient physicians knew about the power of sunlight. In ancient Greece patients were sent to healing temples in the “sun city” of Heliopolis. Extended sunbathing was a remedy for a host of ailments and when tuberculosis was at its height patients were sent to sanatoriums in the mountains in upper New York State and in Austria and Switzerland to bask in the open air. On a similar note Cayce recommended, “Keep in the sunshine as much as possible, with as few clothing as possible, would be well for the body.” (137-86)
REFLECTIVE RAYS
Standing outside at lunchtime by the concrete of an office building, shoveling or playing in the snow, basking at the beach on the sand can unexpectedly cause excessive sun exposure. That’s because the rays of the sun refocus and bounce back onto the surface of your body? You’ll get less of a burn or tan if you would go to a park than you would in these locations. The sun is at its peak of penetration in the summer months, whereas a midwinter day will affect significantly less damage than a July afternoon.
SUNLIGHT FOR LIFE
Protecting your skin from over exposure is of major concern, but sunlight is a life giving force that should not be denied. For individuals who seek to protect their skin the best choice is a non chemical sun block which is available at health stores. It will form a physical barrier to block out UV rays. After sun exposure it is best to soak in a cool tub to remove accumulated oil, sweat, and suntan lotion and restore the moisture to the skin. Although we are wisely advised that overexposure to the sun can be potentially damaging, the good news is that with controlled exposure to sunlight generates good health and a happy countenance.

BREATHING DEEPLY AND LIVING HEALTHY (C) By Polly Guerin

Breathing is something that we perform so automatically that we frequently take it for granted. Seldom do we concern ourselves with the function that keeps us inhaling and exhaling so consistently with rhythmic motion. However, very few of us realize how poorly so many of us perform this life-giving task. Edgar Cayce the great American psychic said in a reading on this subject, “rarely does the body breathe as deep as it should.” (2360-1) He further advised, “This lack of deep breathing can have serious consequences causing poor assimilation and fatigue.
FRESH AIR BREATHING
More than ever, people need to be concerned about breathing fresh air. The poor air quality polluting big cities, confinement in corporate offices, re-circulation of air on airplanes, enclosed gyms lacking open windows are all warning signs that our health is threatened. Breathing in fresh air, however, clarifies and purifies our system. Not only do our cells breathe, but so too does our skin. All the more reason to start the day breathing in fresh air before an open window. A brisk walk in the open air will also bring benefits replenishing the body with oxygen.
DEEP BREATHING
Why deep breathing? A lot of elimination takes place through the lungs and deep breathing clarifies and purifies the body. Cleansing the lungs is beneficial, especially when you exhale the breath completely, forcing the air out of the lungs and bringing in a complete change of air that will revitalize your body. Deep breathing not only drives oxygen down into the lower part of the lungs, but it also helps to eliminate carbon dioxide, which is the end product of fatigue.
BREATHING EXERCISE FOR HEALTH
Cayce’s readings on the subject of deep breathing exercise also placed great emphasis on stretching and bending exercises in the yoga tradition. One of the easiest exercises he recommended involves a mere three to five minutes in the morning and evening. Before an open window, of course, standing with feet on the floor, gently rise on the toes, and at the same time raise your arms high above the head. Breathe IN as the body rises, stretch backward to open up the chest and breathe OUT as you bring your arms down in front, lower your heels, cross arms and hug the body as you bend forward, forcing all the air out of the lungs. (1773-1) Repeat this exercise for the prescribed minutes and feel refreshed and re-energized.
BREATHE YOUR WAY TO LONGEVITY
Exchanging stale breath for fresh breath in the lungs is one of the best ways to eliminate toxins from the body and keep yourself feeling and looking young. Just for a few minutes a day, morning and evening, deep breathing exercise rejuvenates the body, and improves circulation and elimination. For people seemingly trapped at their computer desk in office buildings in big cities it is important to get outdoors. Do not eat lunch sitting at your desk. Walk around the block, find a pocket park to rest and on weekends engage in outdoor activities that give life restoring energy to the body and bring the mind in harmony with nature.

Toxic Friends And Social Vampires (c) By Polly Guerin

Everyone has problems and needs support sometimes, that’s why good friends listen and offer counsel, solace or confirmation. However, some people just don’t know when to draw the line and become social vampires draining your patience and leaving you exhausted. If a friend demands attention, time and support without regard to your own life they’re being abusive and the friendship is heading for a showdown. Some so called friends use the friendship as a sounding board for their deep rooted anxieties and problems of such a personal nature that you feel like you’ve become an involuntary full time counselor. As Fred Astaire said to Ginger Rogers in one of those romantic comedies. “Let’s call the whole thing off.

REGOGNIZING TOXIC TYPES
You may wonder how you ever became involved in the first place, but it can happen so fast you don’t realize that you’re dealing with a narcissistic, financially irresponsible, selfish or whiny individual. It’s easy to be drawn in by a toxic person because by nature you’re a good listener, but now is the time to cut the ties that bind. Detaching yourself from people and situations that are not good for you is necessary to preserve your own mental health and well being.

THE NARCISSIST

It’s all about “them” and you never get a chance to get a word in edge wise. Even if you try to inject a comment your words are ridden over as unheard as the narcissist drones about every itsy bitsy news about their ills, their uninteresting life and friends who you do not know, nor do you care to know, and a sundry laundry list of self-absorbed topics. The narcissist never concludes with an inquiry into your life, they’re only interested in dumping on anyone who will listen. Do not ever return a phone call to such a person and put a safety net around yourself and banish such a person from your life permanently.

THE COMPLAINER

No matter what you say the complainer never seems to look on the positive side of any situation. They always seem to overreact. Instead they find the negative point of view in every aspect of their life. Unfortunately their constant pessimism can distract you from your positive affirmation and infect your usual sunny personality. Perhaps you need to let the complainer down gently and say, “I know you must have some valued reasons to complain, but I am not qualified and you really should try to speak to a professional counselor to resolve these issues.” Don’t ever return this person’s phone call and if they do trap you don’t answer the phone or answer an email.

THE SELF -APPOINTED CRITIC

The self-appointed authoritative critic has something to say on just about everything and everyone. Whether it’s the way you dress, manage your lifestyle or how you raise your children this self-appointed critic has the quintessential answer and it isn’t pleasant. Often this critic is a family member and manages to cast a pale over any gathering. The critic may say things that are hurtful and sometimes damaging: “Are you sure that’s the right hairstyle for you?” Or “Did you know that Fran and Joe are having financial difficulties.” It’s not so easy to rid yourself of the home-style critic but you can take steps to stop them in their tracks and say, “It’s impolite to say such things, please do not do so in the future?” You may leave them speechless, but they’ve been warned.

THE DREAM SQUELCHER

Everyone needs support, encouragement and enthusiasm, but the dream squelcher can be the worst kind of so-called friend. They never seem to relish anyone’s achievements. They are mum on compliments. Worst the dream squelcher can never bring themselves up a notch to champion your new ideas or dreams of creating something new, changing jobs, moving on to a new adventure. In other words, they are so hideously jealous of anyone’s success they’d just don’t have it in them to rally up with compliments or praise. Steer clear of such an individual, don’t share your joy with them, and refuse all invitations. Worst their negativity can put the flames of your passionate dreams out permanently.

EXERCISE FOR HEALTH

Exercise is often recommended to relieve tension caused by toxic people. Edgar Cayce in one of his readings recommended, “A general exercise, but as stipulated a great deal of exercise would be given to the body, that makes for a better balancing in the system. The better is walking or rowing.” (3374-1)

PERHAPS YOU CANNOT CHANGE A TOXIC PERSON’S BEHAVIOR BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR OWN AND FIND A WAY TO LESSEN THAT PERSON’S PRESENCE IN YOUR LIFE.

WATER, The Ordinary H2O Cure (c) By Polly Guerin

You’ve heard it over and over again, “Drink plenty of water!”





Doctors, chiropractors and health practitioners all agree that dehydration can cause mild to severe health problems. Drinking water therefore is crucial for overall good health and especially for mental clarity. In a polluted society Toxemia, the presence of a toxic substance in the blood is another major concern because being toxic probably applies to most everyone in modern life. Water is a natural flushing agent and can rid the system of disturbing forces in the body. Edgar Cayce, the great American prophet had this to say about the virtue of water.
DRINK TO REPLENISH
Like the other authorities mentioned here, Cayce also recommended six to eight glasses of water for the average person each day unless he/she is suffering from a specific illness. In one of his readings he said, “Drink plenty of water. No stimulants, as tea or coffee. Herb teas, however, are acceptable . The care of the body in general---keeping plenty of water for the system, internal and external will build the body to its normal resistance.” (583-4). He also pointed out the importance of water as an aid to digestion and assimilation.
CHOOSING A BRAND
Plastic bottled water has recently come under fire as a health concern and many people are changing to metal dispensers. However, if you are still purchasing bottled water remember that the label may be enticing, the location of the water source may be exotic, but it is important to check that the brand you buy is what the label claims, not bottled tap water. Cayce recommended to use spring water or distilled water for drinking. However, Spa water is another topic. A spa is a place where nature brings forth a spring whose water is either hot or has an unusually high mineral content. Many people attest to the benefits of drinking these waters but it is best to consult your physician before making travel plans.
WATER ENHANCERS
The prospect drinking six to eight glasses of water may seem like a daunting task to some individuals, but don’t get discouraged, simply add a little flavor to the water to give it a tangy boost. Though a dash of lemon or lime juice will add zest to the fluid, do as the tony spas do and add slices of cucumber or sprigs of lemongrass. Herb teas are acceptable enhancers to plain water, but skip the sugar. Ice cubes also add flavor and can be made more interesting. Just freeze the cubes with berries of your choice or grapes. No ordinary water ice cubes will do however. Remember to use the same distilled or spring water for these tangy ice cube enhancers.
FLUSHING OUT FAT
Fancy diets may be all the fad but water can not only detox the body, it fights fat as well. According to a Virginia Tech University study, there’s a simple trick that makes you feel full even before you start eating. All you need do is to slowly drink a sixteen ounce glass of water before each meal, and as much additional water during the day to complete your 8 glasses full capacity. Of course, you’ll need to coordinate this fat fight cure with a sensible diet, perhaps even consult a nutritionist but most important before starting this regime, consult your doctor first.
SOUND ADVICE
Water is a rich commodity and in some countries it is so rare that there are water wars. Let us give praise to the health benefits of water so freely available to us in this country. Best advice from my savvy mother. “Don’t reach for hot java, upon first arising take a glass of warm spring water, not so hot that it is objectionable, and drink it slowly to let the fluid clarify the system of poisons.”

Hailitosis Bad Breath Health Hazard (c) By Polly Guerin

Even a legendary icon like Clark Gable could have bad breath. It is part of Hollywood legend the Tara’s Vivien Leigh did not like kissing Clark Gable in Gone With the Wind because he had terrible breath. So like these star crossed lovers is bad breath keeping you from having a romantic lifestyle but most importantly is it hampering your health? I can’t understand the movies they portray tony people sitting in bed and being served a breakfast tray. Obviously they did not have to brush their teeth first or gargle away the night’s sludge on their breath. Or how about those commercials about gargling. Here’s the scoop!!!
FOOD LODGES IN THE MOUTH
Well, according to reliable sources probably the most important thing you can do for bad breath is to brush and floss your teeth at least 2 times every day, because food sticks between your teeth, around your gums and on your tongue. The great American prophet Edgar Cayce said that bad breath in most cases also comes from improper elimination and/or decaying teeth. Cayce recommended internal cleansing with colonics, castor oil packs, a balanced diet, and when he was asked, “How can I get rid of bad breath?” Cayce’s replied, “By making for better conditions in eliminations. Take GlycoThymoline as an intestinal antiseptic. Two, three times a day.” (Reading: 5198-1) GlycoThymoline is available at the Cayce Center in New York City.
BAD BREATH CAUSES
Offensive bad breath is most noticeable in the morning and it tends to increase in concentration with advancing age. It can be caused by numerous excesses including smoking, drinking, eating toxic foods like onions, garlic and exotic spices or taking certain medication. Naturally, if you have a decaying tooth in your mouth or diseased gums, the bad breath may be a symptom of a condition that requires a visit to the dentist. It can also be an indication of a health problem, such as diabetes or sinus infection and a warning sign to consult your doctor.
TO GARGLE OR NOT TO GARGLE
Fresh Mint, Spearmint and Peppermint: There are many refreshing mouthwashes on the market but to gargle alone will not entirely eliminate the problem. Good oral hygiene is the basic approach. Even a toothbrush can be toxic. When was the last time you bought a new one? Most mouthwashes do not have a long-lasting effect on bad breath, and the more you use a mouthwash, the more you will have to use it because once the astringency and tart taste are gone, your mouth may need another swishing. If you do use a mouthwash, swish it around in your mouth for 30 seconds before spitting it out. If you have dry mouth drink more water or suck on a sugar-free mint.
THE SOCIAL IMPACT
In general people are so concerned about bad breath that the mouthwash industry is a profitable business. Between the massive purchases of mouthwashes and mouth spritzers people know that bad breath just isn’t socially acceptable. Whether in the workplace or at home truly bad breath can be a deterring factor that may provoke the loss of friendship and even romance. Unpleasant bad breath can easily be avoided. However, if you cannot get rid of bad breath on your own, don’t hesitate to consult your family doctor of find out if there is a more serious condition causing it. Well said, but I'm buying new toothbrush and floss today and will gargle to my heart's content afterward.

Honey, Nature's Health Elixir (c) By Polly Guerin

Thanks to the cunning little yellow and black critters, the bee turns nectar from flowers and plants into honey and stores it as a food source in the extraordinary wax honeycombs inside the beehive. Such architects of honeycomb construction are nature’s builders, and as humans we depend on this elixir of health not only as a sweetener, but as a food, drink and even medicine. Honey application to the skin is a good tonic to soothe burns, chapped lips, skin problems and it even helps to cure a sore throat. When humans harvest honey they typically either process it for resale in grocery stores and other outlets. As such these are good products but, I prefer raw honey which is typically found in health food stores, holistic and farmers’ markets.

A SWEET ELIXIR

When the great American prophet Edgar Cayce was asked, “What type of sweets may be eaten by the body?” He replied, “Honey, especially in the honeycomb; or preserves made with beet rather than cane sugar. Not too great a quantity of any of these, of course, but the forces in sweets to make for the proper activity through the action of the gastric flows are as necessary as body-building elements. Hence two or three times a week the honey upon the bread or the food values would furnish that necessary in the whole system.” How could I forget this sound advice? I remember my father’s favorite treat was spreading honey on toast.

HONEY THROUGHOUT THE AGES

The benefits of honey were discovered since the dawning of civilization. The frequent Biblical references to milk and honey provide a clue to the importance of these two oldest nutrients. Further evidence, provided in the archives of ancient cultures, include documents from, India, Egypt, Persia, Babylon and Assyria that attest to the fact that bees were already domesticated and extensively used for a variety of nutrient purposes and medicine. Honey in the ancient world was a valued commodity. Taxes and tributes were imposed in the form of payments of honey and wax. It was the equivalent to currency. Honey played a vital role in domestic life throughout the age and continues to do so today.

“HONEY” AND BEAUTY

It may have been by accident that a beekeeper’s wife discovered that working with honey during the collecting season her hands became soft and smooth. So she gave herself a honey facial. Honey in cosmetics is as popular today as it was for the ancients. Poppea, the comely wife of Nero, who employed a hundred slaves to attend her beauty, used honey and tepid asses’ milk as a face lotion. Roman women knew a thing or two about this cosmetic tonic and even Louis XV’s mistresses, Madame du Barry and other royals used honey in their toilet preparations. Honey packs, honey masks honey facials and hand creams are easily available today so that modern women can soften her skin and soothe facial wrinkles. For an at-home remedy simply pull your hair back and apply raw liquid honey to your face and neck and let it stand 15 minutes then wipe it off with a damp cloth. Voila!!! There my dear is all you need do as a regular beauty regimen.

A WORLD WITHOUT HONEY

Bee colonies have been threatened quite recently and honey bee colonies have been disappearing at an alarming rate. The good news is that the Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville, Md. (a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture) is studying this dilemma and reports that honey bee colony loses are down from previous reports. The cause they cite is a parasite and some say it’s caused by inbreeding. Nonetheless, measures are being taken to address the problem and to restore the bee colonies.

HONEY FOREVER

The beauty regime of Italian and Spanish women gives us cause to consider the benefits of honey. Their beautiful complexions are due not solely to olive oil but also to honey, which will greatly improve not only the color but the texture of the skin. No need to restrict its use to external application do as the Creole women of Louisiana suggest and rub your entire body with a lotion consisting of honey and water, to which add spices of your choice. Nature’s greatest gift is honey the golden elixir to good health that helps to stimulate and support the body’s own healing process.

Herbs That Make You Feel Better (c) By Polly Guerin

Cultivating herbs for health is so easy that you can grow them in your window box or garden and reap the “feel good” benefits without even leaving home. Right at your fingertips for so little effort herbs’ have an innate ability to lift one’s spirits, produce calm, boost memory and mood, and even lower anxiety. You don’t need to be a gardener to plant herbs that contain the seeds of health-promoting antioxidants and anti-inflammatory seeds of renewal. Fresh herbs’ potency is higher than the dried variety. All the reason to grow your own.
PLANTER’S ADVICE
To plant an herb garden all you need are some earthenware flower pots, a window box or a sunny spot in your backyard or front lawn. The good news for amateur gardeners is that in general, herbs tend not to be very fussy about soil, don’t require optimal fertilization, and are seldom bothered to any extent by bugs. If your local nursery doesn’t have herbs find them on the Internet at horizonherbs.com. During the growing season, keep the plants moist and cut them back frequently to encourage growth. Imagine the convenience and the pleasure of plucking herbs to enhance any meal.
ROSEMARY PLEASURES
With its green earthiness and fragrant essence, Rosemary can help to reduce joint pain and is effective for weakness in the limbs. Both tension and depression are said to respond to the charms of rosemary. Greek students must have known that rosemary improves memory. Why else would they have worn garlands of rosemary around their heads? Chefs know a thing or two about rosemary in the kitchen. It can perk up the simplest meal. Toss it into salads, tie it into bunches for the stock pot, give a roast a boost and add jazz up dressing oil, stir it into softened butter for topping baked potatoes, whisk it into eggs for omelets, stir it into mayonnaise or mustard---are all delicious ways to get the goodness.
PEPPY PEPPERMINT
Peppermint’s brisk aroma and stimulating taste make it a fine beverage anytime to perk up a lackluster feeling, and it has the wonderful ability to make the stomach happy, settles and upset stomach and is an excellent remedy when you feel nauseous. Peppermint tea soothes headaches so drink a few strong cups and lie down and let nature over pills takes its course of recovery. The source of menthol, peppermint is one of the oldest household remedies and grows easily in almost any garden. A word of caution!!! Peppermint is such a vigorous grower that you must watch your peppermint patch carefully or it will completely take over your garden, lawn or window box. This is one plant that grows best in a separate bed. Put zest into any salad with fresh peppermint tossed in with the greens; add it to cream cheese for a tangy flavor. Sprigs of peppermint enhance summer coolers and other libations.
SAGE STIMULANTS
There’s no need to purchase expensive mouth washes, sage is highly valued, primarily as a gargle and mouthwash and for relieving sore throat pain or inflamed gums. However, you don’t have to have a problem to enjoy the bracing effect of sage. For a soothing beverage add half an ounce of fresh sage leaves to the juice of one lemon or lime. Sweeten with honey and infuse in a quart of boiling water. Remove from the heat, strain and serve hot or cold. My grandmother had an excellent winter tonic. Put a cup of fresh sage in an electric blender, mix and pulverize at high speed then pour into a bottle of claret or burgundy. To reap the benefits, during the winter months, sip small amounts, perhaps diluted in a small amount of water. Oh, so good to ease sore throats!!! Sage is a hardy perennial and likes a sunny area without strong wind and plenty of water, especially when it is young.
RED HOT CAYENNE
Don’t limit your enjoyment of cayenne to putting it on hoagies and steak sandwiches. Cayenne is one of the most effective herb medicines to treat fevers and when digested it is a harmless internal disinfectant. It’s best to take a capsule or two followed by two heaping glasses of water. Other authorities recommend cayenne as a powerful stimulant and a hangover remedy. If you can stomach the heat, mature red peppers are bursting not only with heat, but nutrition. They have more vitamin C than anything else that you grow in your garden. Cultures that eat goodly amounts of hot peppers every day are also getting important amounts of iron, potassium, and niacin from these spicy foods. Cayenne plants should do as well as tomatoes or eggplant in the garden and when perfectly dry, the peppers can be ground into a fine powder and stored for later use.
BIBLICAL REFERENCES
Wild herbs have been long known from almost all historical writings to possess “curative” or healing qualities. Its beginnings have been traced back thousands of years. In the Bible, for example, over 100 plants are mentioned which have uses beyond their edible properties. Native American Indians used herbs on the American plains to cure a variety of ills and legions of ancient military doctors schooled in folk medicine have saved lives with the use of herb poultices. Mothers of yesteryear, schooled in the use of herbs, were the first nurses in a family, but few, if any young mother’s today, continue that tradition of herbal care. However, it is comforting to know that modern medicine is beginning to realize that many herbs, used wisely, are the gateway to maintaining or restoring health. If you want to learn more: Read Mark Bricklin’s book “Natural Healing,” (Rodale Press), a practical encyclopedia of natural healing.

RAINBOW RESULTS With Chakra Colors (c) by Polly Guerin

There’s more in a rainbow than meets the eye. It’s all the colors naturally found in sunlight split apart, enabling you to see each color separately but each rainbow color helps you to energize the Chakra centers in your body. A rainbow can send your spirits soaring, it can pump up your energy and even send stress beyond the rainbow. Waiting for a rainbow to appear to reap the benefits doesn’t happen with enough regularity to bring results. To quicken the pace just place a glass of water on a windowsill or better yet hang crystal beads in a window. As the sun’s rays pass through, rainbows will tweak your day in amazing ways.

HAVE A RAINBOW DAY

In my book, The Message is in the Rainbow © 2009 I discuss the powerful ‘feel good’ results that can be achieved merely by focusing on a particular color in the rainbow spectrum. Your root charka center is associated with the color red, your sacral center with the color orange, your solar plexus with the color yellow, your heart center with green, your throat center with blue, your brow center with indigo and your crown center with violet and white. Simply by visualizing the color can produce amazing results. How? Well to assist the process you could place a sheer chiffon scarf in a particular color over your head or purchase colored jells in an art store and hold them in your eye view.

JUMPSTART ENERGY WITH RED

Red is a passionate color and coloring your root chakra with red sends warmth and energy soaring through this center. The energy surge of Red has been known to stimulate circulation and give you that “Can Do” attitude. So don’t let cloudy days dim your outlook on life, carry a red umbrella. Wear red when you want to attract attention, but don’t wear a red suit to the job interview it might just get the interviewer flared up like a bull and your toreador skills won’t come in handy in this situation. Red is drama at the zenith of attention grabbing colors, no wonder sale signs blare their message in red. Put out the welcome mat and paint the entrance hall with touches of red. Its message puts an upbeat spin on entertaining.

TAKE AN ORANGE PLUNGE

Nothing invites happiness more than the color orange. Orange may lack the passion of red but its innate value as a happiness booster makes you feel more confident and energetic. Not everyone can wear orange but a splash of tangerine coaxes affection and perhaps a kiss. Perhaps now is the time to redecorate the family room. Paint a wall warm salmon and turn it into an inviting gathering space with plush orange plump pillows tossed on the sofa. Orange has a gentle flame of its own coloring warmth, enthusiasm and a joyful spirit. Think of a juicy orange and sink your teeth into the aroma that invites you to share the simple goodness of the fruit and happiness.

DIP INTO SUNNY YELLOW

Sunlight and sunflowers guarantee to boost optimism. I’ve often heard people say, “My, doesn’t she have a sunny disposition.” Such a person seems to have captured the sun inside their personality. They are always such a joy to be around. A bedroom decorated with sunny yellow sheets can bath you in a comfy warm glow and lull you to sleep in a bed of happy dreams. A bouquet of sunflowers plucked from the flower fields in Southern Europe has that homespun quality that seems to make the view come up with visions of a simpler, happy time. A dark hallway can be cheered up with yellow paint and lead the way to a warm reception.

HARMONIOUS GREEN

Who would ever think that green could have so many benefits? Every time you visual green or see it in décor you can feel the calm balancing quality of this color. Why? It encourages people to get along with each other and stifles argumentative confrontations in the home or office environment. It is Mother Nature’s color with the promise of rejuvenation, refreshing and rebirthing not only the spring season but with similar effects in home décor. Warm up your rooms with green grassy color and invited the outdoors in. It is associated with the heart chakra where compassion and love dwells.

BLUE HEAVEN AND PEACE

There’s a touch of serenity in the color blue. No wonder it’s America’s favorite color. It has a sense of permanency associated with the color of the constant sky, the cool waters of a pristine lake and the azure beauty in a rainbow. Blue imbues one’s psyche with calm it lowers your blood pressure and stabilizes your heart rate. When it comes to stressful moments stay ‘cool and collected’ seeing yourself through with blue visualization. True blue is Navy the color of authority and trustworthiness. Pile on the blue, especially in the bedroom the private oasis of calm and rest.

INDIGO BLUE THE ALL-SEEING EYE

The Indigo energy center is located just between your eyebrows, which is commonly called the third eye chakra. This is the center of intuitive thinking and a search for enlightenment is at its core. Such individuals are likely to be highly spiritual thinkers, perhaps motivational speakers. They inspire and uplift thinking to its highest level of development. Think Indigo and find your own spiritual awakening or let creativity flow as it never has done before. Indigo invites you to expand and to explore the universe. Make your world more meaningful and capture Indigo from the rainbow.
Make your home, your life a rainbow of happy, positive possibilities.

TONIC IN A TEACUP HEALTH BENEFITS (c)

Mary Cassatt's FIVE O'CLOCK TEA

TONIC IN A TEACUP ©
By Polly Guerin

Tea in the afternoon, tea parties, tea anytime may be a popular pastime but besides the comfort factor lies the many health benefits that drinking tea can provide. Plucked from Mother Nature’s tea garden tea not only quenches thirst, but it encourages friendship and conversation. Most significantly tea can be health promoting. Folk medicine, for example, has long valued tea for sore throats and upset stomachs. However, most people are not aware of which teas are the most beneficial. However, all teas are not created equal.

GREEN TEA IS SUPREME

A host of ailments appear to benefit positively from drinking green tea. Some studies have proven results but many health benefits are attributed to ancient folk lore and common sense. According to modern day researchers antimicrobial molecules contained in green tea helps to preserve teeth, but here’s the catch, as long as you don’t add sugar. Green tea could protect against common eye diseases like glaucoma, but assuredly the brew adds sparkle not only to the day but to your eyes. Depression may need medical attention, but regular exercise and drinking green tea creates the serenity, an oasis of calm that deflects negativity.

INSOMNIA BUSTER

One of the best is chamomile tea which has long been recognized by traditional herbalists as a harmless sedative. In laboratory tests patients were relieved of anxiety and fell into a deep slumber short after drinking chamomile tea. If you have insomnia, drinking herbal tea is not a magic potion. You cannot count on tea alone to induce sleep. The right kind of exercise can also aid the sleep process. It doesn’t mean that you have to exercise before retiring, but a good walk after dinner will be beneficial as well exercise done earlier in the day. Peppermint tea's brisk aroma and stimulating taste make it a fine hot beverage to soothe the stomach and even counteract headaches.

SCENTED TEAS

It’s a pleasant sensory pleasure to smell the aroma of brewed tea laced with spices, but here’s the catch, is the spiced tea real or is the scent sprayed on? Look at the label and the ingredients on spiced tea. It should contain pieces of actual spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, orange or lemon peel. That would be a genuine brew to satisfy your olfactory senses and at the same time provide soothing health benefits. Tea tastes vary; one tea enthusiast squirts lemon in her cup but may cringe at the sight of another pouring milk or honey. Don’t make this issue be a ‘tempest in a teacup,’ over nothing but preference. Just drink your tea and be satisfied.

A BRIEF TEA HISTORY

The birth of tea was quite a serendipitous event. Legend has it that one day in 2737 B.C. the Chinese Emperor Shen Nung was boiling water and some leaves from a nearby Camellia sinensis plant floated into the pot. When the emperor drank the brew he declared the potion he unwitting had brewed that day as tea. The incarnation of the tea bag was equally serendipitous when a Boston tea merchant (1900-05) began sending samples of tea in small silk bags to customers to try. And you know what happened next, the convenient little sacks of tea came to dominate the tea market. Iced tea made its debut in 1904 at the Louisiana State Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, Mo when the Far East Tea House couldn’t attract fair goers. After some quick witted person poured the hot tea over ice cubes, iced tea saved the day and is one of summer’s popular beverages.

TEA TIME TRIVIA

Our vocabulary is full of tea time trivia; a teacup full for one and how about ‘a tempest in a teacup’ an uproar about little or nothing. Drinking tea has also spurned a host of likely products from tea carts, to an elegant silver or chinaware tea service, the tea caddy, tea cozy, tea towels, tea cakes, tea biscuits, and social events like a tea party, a tea dance, a tea ball. But most of all let’s consider taking a ‘tea break,’ in the morning or afternoon to grant us an intermission from work and to savor tea’s delicious qualities and health benefits.

POETRY THERAPY A HEALTHY REMEDY (c)

April is National Poetry Month

POETRY THERAPY

A HEALTHY REMEDY ©
By Polly Guerin

Poetry is often neglected in today’s high tech society resulting most significantly by the preoccupation by individuals with text messaging, cell phone use, iPods and other mechanical devises. This causes a cold interaction with plastic and metal that does not enhance the human spirit. Constant use of high tech devices can cause an individual to feel out of sync with one of life’s greatest pleasures: the written or spoken word. The reading and reciting poetry has lingering and uplifting vibrations exciting pleasure by beautiful, imaginative, or elevated thoughts. Poetry can also be a health benefit that helps to create a feeling of serenity, an oasis of calm or an avenue of encouragement or enlightenment.

READING & RECITING POETRY

There’s a great deal of pleasure to be had when you are alone just by reading poetry, but reciting it out loud could also give you considerable satisfaction as the words replenish beautiful thoughts. When a few friends gather in a poetry circle and someone with a lovely voice recites the inspired words aloud the affect can have positive vibes on the listeners in the group. When deciding on poems to read, at first chose poems for their simplicity, mood and message. Just as they do in a book club, after the poem is read, engage the friendship circle in a lively discuss of shared responses to the poem. I remember how a delightful friend with an exquisite tone to her voice as well as her ability to articulate certain words with emphasis at a holiday party recited the poem, “T’was The Night Before Christmas.” (Clement Clarke Moore) Although many of us had read this poem many times before, as we heard it read out loud we were spellbound as if held my some magical force that elevated our holiday cheer.

A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE

In my poem Broken Pieces, (by Polly guerin3/30/2010) for example, there is a message that each person can clearly define merely by reading it. As my dear friend Jan Cullinen said, “I really enjoyed it. Your positive outlook on life is so welcome in a world gone mad!” Yes, poetry can lift us out of the deluge of a computer driven and high tech society. If recited before retiring poetry can lull us to sleep, by day it can uplift our lackluster spirit, it can replenish our need to be centered and calm and it can have such a soothing effect that can make the workday seemingly pass with relative ease and efficiency.

BROOKEN PIECES ©

For your pleasure here is Broken Pieces: How am I to mend a broken heart? Each jagged piece is where I start; This tiny broken angle is a fragile part, of a treasured teacup bought on a lark; It began one Spring day, joy to savor, Something wonderful was in our favor; Life Unfolds with many twists ‘n turns, Like these broken pieces I learned; The glue of life reminds me anew, Of opportunities before we knew; Though rainy days will surely come, Keep courage up before you’re done; Amazing things are in God’s plan, Gluing the teacup pieces says ‘I can;’ Reap the rewards that are on their way, Be prepared mend the cup, don’t delay; Mold the teacup into a positive whole, Make solid affirmations your goal; Count your riches, family friends, Your joyful renewal should never end; Abundant life ‘n health your cup is full, Gluing teacup pieces is all you need do.”

REACTION TO THE POEM

I adore getting feedback from my friends and acquaintances and share a few with you. Patt Mihailoff, a celebrated author of mystery and romantic novels said, “Dear Polly, Only you can write though provoking prose about a broken tea cup and make it whole and beautiful once more. Thank you for sharing Broken Pieces.” Andrew Baseman of Andrew Baseman Design, an interior designer also mends antique broken pieces of china said, “Thanks so much for sharing your poem Broken Pieces. I forwarded your poem to the editor of Tea Time magazine.” Dear reader, won’t you please make a comment to this poem of your own or tell me about your favorite poem at the end of this blog in the comment section? If you do, thank you I will look forward to reading your response.

WRITE A POEM OF YOUR OWN

Why not write your own poem, you can do it and you do not need to be a wordsmith either. Keep it simple, rhyming two lines to start and before you know it you’ve created an inspiring work straight from your heart. Share it with your poetry circle; share it with family and friends. Read it out loud and savor the words as they flow gently from your imagination and inspired spirit. Wherever you live take the opportunity to attend poetry readings, be brave enough to ask if you might recite your own poem at another session. Get into the poetry grove and discover the great pleasure that poetry can bring to uplift your emotions, revitalize your appreciation and help you to recover the true meaning of a creative life.

RUBBING PEOPLE THE RIGHT WAY MASSAGE BENEFITS (C)

Relax, Rejuvenate, Revitalize, Revive Your Stamina, Massage Benefits (c)
By Polly Guerin

Demystifying the myth that massage is only a luxury pastime for individuals who frequent a tony Spa, it is evident that massage has come mainstream and is recognized today as a link to many health benefits. According to a recent study in the Journal of Clinical Nursing, massage therapy will not only tone up the body’s immune system, but also decrease pain and relieve other health symptoms. Edgar Cayce, the great American prophet who amazed the medical profession with his knowledge of health remedies also endorsed massage, “For the hydrotherapy and massage are preventive as well as curative measures. For the cleansing of the system allows the body-forces themselves to function normally, and thus eliminate poisons, congestions and conditions that would acute through the body.” (257-254)

THERAPEUTIC TOUCH

Massage or (manipulation) is the oldest and most instinctive healing method. In fact, studies have shown that by holding and cuddling premature babies they have a better survival rate. Babies and children, even teenagers and adults need to experience human touch because it plays an important role in mental and emotional development. In humans, quiet stroking of different parts of the body brings about a relaxing semi-hypnotic feeling that has a more favorable effect on the nervous system than tranquilizers or sleeping pills. The list goes on but the truth of the matter remains that after thousands of years of experience, it is easy to understand why massage administered by the human hand can never be supplanted by any machine or vibrator.

MASSAGE THERAPY

Massage is the active and passive movements of the joints, muscles, connective tissue, tendons, and ligaments. Pressure and stretching may also be used in this therapy. Cayce recommended, “Take not just a few minutes, but set a period and make of it an occasion when the massage is given. Take from thirty minutes to an hour and a half to do it.” (l688-7).
A weekly massage can be both stimulating and relaxing. It affects every part of the body---nerves, organs, glands, circulation and muscular tone. It’s a ‘Feel Good’ therapy that is readily available at numerous, reasonably priced accredited venues. There are all types of massage available today. Whether it be Swedish massage or any other discipline the treatment is relatively the same. Caution: To address any medical concerns always consult your primary doctor first who can recommend a qualified and certified massage therapist. Edgar Cayce also said, “Those who would take a peanut oil rub each week need never fear arthritis. (1206-31).

HISTORICAL LORE

The curative powers of massage has been the foundation health remedies in many ancient cultures. There are records of massage being used in China as back as 3000 B.C. Although massage is usually given with the hands but among some cultures, such as Japan, the elbow or forearm is used. Folklore tells that in Russia at harvest fairs, “walking the bear” was a practice using a small honey bear that was trained to walk up and down the patient’s back. For the peasant farmer the treatment provided vast relief from bending and working the fields. The ancient Polynesians idea of massage had a similar effect. Massage was given by walking up and down on the patient while he was lying down. Asclepiades, who practiced in Greece and Rome (circa 140 B.C.), promoted the use of massage as part of a diet, water, and active and passive exercise practice.

RUBBING PEOPLE THE RIGHT WAY

May literally be a way to cure the world of its aggression, road rage, fatigue, depression and a host of other nasty ailments that make daily life less durable. So, next time you find yourself getting irritable consider massage as the life-giving antidote to all that ails you.

POSTURE PERFECT HEALTH BENEFITS (C)

POSTURE PERFECT HEALTH BENEFITS ©
By Polly Guerin
A perfect posture, to a large extent, mirrors your reaction to life. All the twists and turns of your destiny are reflected in your “carriage,” which is the manner of bearing your body to project a positive image to the admiring public. Those of us who feel we have the world on a string and everything’s coming up roses walk chin up, heads held high greeting each day with optimism and a happy outlook, and looking up as they do; they tend to have a heightened spirituality. Most likely they smile more and react to the slightest confrontation with a calm and peaceful conclusion. We envy such people, because they appear to be far better looking than they may deserve, but their good posture leads the onlooker to think they are more richly endowed, more likely a superman or superwoman with perfect posture.

EXERCISE, ENERGIZE

When I was a teenager, my mother used to place a book on head and taught me how to walk like a lady, but the concrete streets of New York City where I live now pose navigating problems. Uprooted concrete slabs become stumbling blogs so I can’t always look up and my good posture becomes compromised, because I must look down to avoid a spill. Instead, I must be careful to catch these faults before they make me, or anyone else for that matter, fall on their piazza. So to keep the body fit and upright and maintain a good posture I need to pump up my daily exercise regime.

AVOID PREMATURE AGING

Dr. Scott Keller, Caycean chiropractor at the A.R.E. Cayce New York Center, points out that bad posture can lead to a variety of health related heart and circulatory problems, arthritis and even aging. It further contributes to the aging process and causing you to look older than your time.” Gravity seems to be tugging at our body. It may cause rounded shoulders, and there is nothing more dangerous for the lungs for it makes it difficult for the lungs to expand and to take in air, which is essential to flush our stagnant air, and provide oxygen for the brain. As we grow older the body tends to take a downward sag dragging with it the chest, lowering the ribs and the abdomen, but attention to a daily exercise program can do wonders to avoid this condition. Exercise, Dr. Keller says, “Will not only strengthen the chest and abdominal muscles that hold the body firmly upright, it will add to a general toning of the entire body.” If exercise has been neglected, for quite some time, it might be a good idea to engage a ‘trainer,’ who can work along with you to address specific areas of concern.

POOR POSTURE SIGNALS

Droop, Stoop, Slump, Slouch, Sloop, Slide, Sink: this is the downward spiral bending the body towards the ground. Poor posture seemingly attacks the body’s fortitude to stand upright and clearly indicates that something is wrong, mentally or physically. Carrying the weight of disappointments on our shoulders can cause the body to lean forward, and in some cases even bend sideward. In more severe cases poor posture may be caused by a medical condition, perhaps the beginning of osteoporosis. Further abetting poor posture can also be caused when physical fitness has been neglected. You were born to stand proud and erect. It is not a privilege, it is your birthright. PLEASE TAKE A SEAT Take a seat, won’t you, but please sit in a proper position. In modern living we are often exposed to round-shoulder occupations. Many office workers or individuals working at home, where no one can observe them, are sitting in their chairs incorrectly. They are bent over slightly into their work or advancing over the keys towards the computer with no back support. Instead they should be sure to be sitting in computer chair configured to support the body, keeping the head held high and the shoulders back. If you’re tied to the chair with work hour after hour, that would also contribute to back pain, even headaches. Health professionals advise such individuals to take frequent breaks and walk around the office, walk to the rest room, or even go out for a 10 minute fresh air break to sap fatigue and restore good posture. DO’S AND DON’TS OF GOOD POSTURE Many back problems which cause poor posture can be avoided, just tap into your memory and remember that it’s best to never sit or stand in one place for a very long time which can cause curvature of the spin. Ladies and gentlemen: Why carry heavy books or groceries, when you can take them with you in a drag along case? When you need to pick something off the floor, bend the knees and drop down gracefully and never, ever lift heavy objects without help. The challenge to keep up a good first impression with perfect posture is a fight against the downward pull of gravity, but with physical fitness and a positive image, winners take all with a well conditioned body and brilliant mind energized, positive and healthy.

THE JOY OF SINGING, THE JOY OF HEALTH (C)

By Polly Guerin

There have surely been some vocal phenomenon’s, like Enrico Caruso, a voice of such rare beauty that he was named “the Master of Natural Singing.” In the book, “Caruso’s Method of Voice Production,” by Doctor B. Mario Marafioti, M.D (D. Appleton and Company 1922) wrote, “Experts on voice believe that the principal feature of Caruso’s golden voice was the striking power of his health, due to the exceptional strength of his muscles. In reference to another physical factor was Caruso’s breath, which he always had at his disposal; the most generous supply of air, which he supported wonderfully by his control of the diaphragm. The natural placement of his voice in the very center of masque was also a prominent feature.” Dr. Marafioti ought to know. He was for many years the personal physician of Caruso and official physician of the Metropolitan Opera Company.

SINGING NATURALLY

In a letter Caruso wrote to Dr. Marafioti, “I, myself, have always felt that something natural has inspired and guided my art.” Nature then must be the answer to the natural instincts to sing. Might not therefore even the layman seeking better health benefit from singing whilst improving their mind with learning? Singing which is a natural phenomenon therefore may be the best exercise for any individual who seeks to acquire good breath control and better health. If you can talk, you can sing for your own amazement but there are more opportunistic ways to achieve your goal. For the novice singer it is important to acquire basic sight reading skills and to take voice lessons. You can then audition for a choral society where repertoire will improve one’s mind and quality of life.

JOINING A CHORAL SOCIETY

A choral society member told me a most interesting story about how she came to join the St. George Choral Society. She recalls, “I was in such a weakened state of health that my doctor advised me that I should not do any strenuous exercises. Instead this wise doctor recommended that singing would produce vibrations in my entire body and serve as an internal exercise of sorts and generally build up a healthy state. Singing he added would be beneficial to improving my breath control and that through the process of singing the resonating would travel from my face throughout my entire body.” After listening to this choral member I concluded that vocal exercise is obviously another major key to maintaining good health. I, for one, think that professional singers’ vocal production stimulates the face muscles and gives them a built in face lift.

MUSIC INSTRUCTION

The correct training is paramount for the choral singer to develop natural voice production. It comprises a knowledge of normal functions of the lungs, as moving power; of the larynx with the vocal cords, as producing power; and the mouth, which include the tongue, palate, lips, and the resonance chambers, as resonating power of the voice. As Dr. Marafioti states, “Vocal education, as related to music, is purely a technical study and an acquisition of vocal musical knowledge, should be entrusted to music teachers, coaches, accompanists and conductors.

THE ART OF SINGING

“The joy of singing can be a joy forever,” or so goes the old adage. One of the most rewarding experiences a singer can have is by joining a choral society where masterworks of the choral repertoire are under the baton of a music director like Dr. Matthew Lewis. If you like to sing you could become a member of the St.George’s Choral Society and experience the thrill of singing choral music in an inspiring setting, the historic chapel of St. George’s Church at Stuyvesant Square (16th St). Rehearsals: Wednesday evening from 7 to 9:30 pm. www.stgeorgeschoralsociety.org. Author, Polly Guerin is a member of the St. George’s Choral Society.

JUMPSTART JOY, MAKE EVERY MINUTE COUNT (c)

By Polly Guerin

CLOCKING TIME

and

SMELL THE ROSES

Like so many people today some of us are so busy on a fast track of activity that it’s no wonder we are often left feeling disconnected, dissatisfied with results and sometimes even depressed. The cacophony of noise blasting a discordant symphony of city sirens, the invasion of our thoughts by cell phones ringing and text messaging, the lure of the computer and other electronic devices jangles our nerves. These intrusive distractions can make your good mood plummet. Most seriously, zipping through life and its daily demanding tasks you’re missing each day’s minutest treasures that sustain a healthy and happy life. A Cayce reading says, “For the vibrations should be from within, rather than from without!” (1183) It’s time to calm down, relax and take time out to ‘smell the roses,’ to still your thoughts and focus your attention on the present.

TIME TO REPAIR

If your calendar is so crammed with appointments and you have become a victim of the computer driven society now is the time when you should assess what’s happening to you. It may seem that the days just roll one into another and before you know it another week has pushed you frantically into the next week. When you’re racing against the clock, trapped by appointment overload, or you rush to complete a project or lock yourself on the computer for hours on end you’re beginning to lose touch with life’s precious hours. If you are racing against the clock it’s time to go into repair mode.

SAVORING EVERY MOMENT

When Cayce said that vibration should come from within rather than from without, he was talking about the matter of attunement, allowing our innermost being to align to the world. Slowing down and savoring every moment is a mental medicine that may even save your life from a sudden heart attack or from depression, and even premature aging. Despite personal or work demands put your needs first and find five or ten minutes to focus totally on the ‘now’ in your life.
BREATHING SERENITY

One of the easiest ways to get into the ‘now’ grove is through calm breathing exercises. Cayce placed a great emphasis on deep breathing as a daily exercise. He said, “When you take a good deep breath, especially if you exhale it completely, forcing residual air out of the lungs, you bring about a complete change of air.” Still the moment in your activity at home or office and take a deep breath, feel the air flow passing in and out of your nostrils, filling your lungs with oxygen which will help to eliminate carbon dioxide, which is the end product of fatigue. As you perform this simple exercise a calm feeling floods over your body. Do this any time you find yourself caught in a traffic jam, locked in standby mode at the bank or the checkout counter or post office. Look around and breathe in serenity and you’ll find yourself looking at the situation with rose colored glasses instead.

WELCOME NATURE
Cayce also recommended walking briskly to replenish the oxygen in your body. Walking can work as well as any antidepressant and it can benefit weight loss as well. For short trips instead of jumping into the car or taking a bus start walking, not strolling and window shopping. As you do so, discover new sights and sounds. Welcome the trees that renew each spring, select a flower and cherish its creation and smell its aroma, thank the stars that come out each night, take joy in the returning seasons, the wind in your hair, the feather kiss of the snow and before you know it you are in the ‘now’ living life fully and cherishing each moment.

LIVING IN THE MOMENT

Becoming fully aware and living in the present your internal sense of happiness takes on a new level of meaning and relationships improve. You no longer rush through the moment, but instead you listen and respond with personal attunement. Each individual in your life receives your total attention in the moment and you make them feel appreciated and important. When dining you taste each morsel you eat with renewed delight and find that you eat slower and enjoy it more. You’re on the path of discovery and find many other little ways to return yourself to the present. Making every day, every minute, every hour count, you jumpstart joyful renewal, living in the moment.