The Magic of Coconut Oil!

I really think that sometimes you meet people for a reason. Even if you only have a brief encounter with them. Maybe you just have a good immediate vibe with a person, learn something new, etc. So I'm in this health food store to buy 'biotine' an herb I read is good for people with blood type A (me). I'm talking to the hippie behind the counter....and this guy in line jumps in and I end up finding out tons of interesting info on COCONUT OIL. He raves on it for at least 15 min! I luv how he just cut in & shared all this info on something he loves & believes in, which is why I do this blog, and am now sharing this info with you. Anyway, I left the store without the 2 herbs I came for, but WITH a jar of Organic Virgin Coconut Oil.

So, here's what I found out: The health benefits of coconut oil include: hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength. [Ummmmm WOW!]
"The benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid in our body. The human body converts lauric acid into 'monolaurin' which is claimed to help in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as herpes, influenza and even HIV. It also helps in fighting some harmful bacterias." -Megan Sutton.
• Healing: When applied to infections, it forms a chemical layer which protects the infected body part from external dust, air, fungi, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil is effective on bruises as it speeds up the healing process by repairing damaged tissues.
• Infections: Coconut oil is very effective against a variety of infections due to its antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. According to the Coconut Research Center, coconut oil kills viruses that cause influenza, measles, hepatitis, herpes, SARS, etc. It also kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, etc. Coconut oil is also effective on fungi and yeast that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, etc.
A few ways to add coconut oil to your life are: add a tablespoon to smoothies, use it instead of butter on toast, add it to yogurt, cook with it, or eat a tablespoon of coconut oil before each meal to get all the benefits listed above, use it as lotion, etc. Be sure and get only the best coconut oil. Well, sounds easy to me, and since Friday I have already added some to my bath water (and my dogs!), put it in pasta salad, cooked with it, and put it on some scrapes Alex had. Plus, who can resist the smell of coconuts! So tropical and wonderful.

Happy New Year-in July!

I love the motivation I get from vacation! A re-birth, a soul searching journey, total relaxation- it's like my 2nd New Years. A new start. So, I just got back from a 10 day holiday in Myrtle Beach, SC. The whole family went (oyyyy): me, Alex (my 8yr old son) my parents, sister, her hubby and 2 kids. Awesome beach house, plenty of room...absolutely perfect. Yet something was different and sad...this was my first time in 11 yrs I've been anywhere w/out my (ex) husband- and we'd do 2-3 vac's a yr. It was also really sad for Alex! I was surprised that I felt this way, but I did. And I'm happy being separated. All this sadness and guilt came creeping back. But, instead of freaking out, I prevailed...pushed it all away, did some meditation and forced myself to focus, breath and relax. I am really trying to stick it - on a reg basis, which is the way to get the full benefit. Even for 10 min everyday (ya, right) but I'm doing pretty good so far, and won't worry about perfection as I always do! Who cares if you skip a day or 2. It's gonna be all about connecting, balance and inner peace. If it's hard to clear your mind, repeat a mantra, like "I feel calm and happy" or whatever.

Laura Fraser says: My preference would be to call meditation conscious & chosen relaxation. Constantly working toward the goal of discovering my own ability to reach a state of serenity, I have learned to meditate and it’s actually easy. Start by focusing completely on your breathing, which takes the mind away from the "clutter" that constantly tries to invade our mind and eliminate feelings that will lead to calm. With repeated effort the goal of clearing your mind - to think of nothing - does occur and the process of meditation takes on its own energy. The result is (and I guarantee this) peace, serenity, calmness. The peace and joy felt by those who meditate enters the world for all of us as positive energy. From it the world is a better place. Imagine if we all practiced meditation!

Hummingbirds & Birthdays

Well, Friday May 14 I turned 44 (wow, that sounds old).  What a year it's been, and continues to be, as I am entering into a new phase of life. I had a great birthday weekend, my mom got me a card and it had this little message inside about hummingbirds, which I luv.  Another thing I luv is this poster from O.A.R.  So, I thought for today I'll post this lovely little message and this great art -  which I then realized didn't have a hummingbird in it. That didn't seem right,  so I photoshopped one in.  Plz don't say anything if you ever meet the band.  LOL. 

~~Legend says that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying hope for love, joy and celebration. The hummingbird's delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere and every personal connection has meaning~~

the glass is....HALF FULL

WOW - what a week last week! Busiest time ever for me at the Fox - doing the new Broadway stuff for NEXT year + wrapping up the current season= STRESSED. Plus my ADD is kicked into high gear & so are my emotions. Should my motto be: “It Sucks to be Me” (popular song from AVE Q which is at the Fox right now). Or should it be: “The glass is half FULL” How lucky are we that it’s all about choice, and I think I know which one I should choose. One of my best frds has cancer & is in the hospital after surgery, hasn’t been doing great (not life threatening); someone else I know....her baby died pre-delivery at 9 mos last week...and there’s the super sad looking homeless man I see 3 times a week at Olive & 170. Do I have it that bad, NO. Can I be OK with myself for being super emotional about lots of stuff last week....YES. And to add to the emotion...I got my teeth cleaned and a massage last week. These are great detox/energy unblockers, but they can also release major emotions. Make sure to go to my older posts about teeth/flossing-very interesting info. So, its Monday, its gorgeous out - and here’s looking to a great week.

Give yourself the gift of FORGIVENESS

Forgiving can be hard and sometimes seem impossible, but if we can do it (and we all can) then the results are amazing! One of the most powerful gifts we can give ourselves is to FORGIVE - both ourselves and others. By forgiving we are not condoning the behavior of the person we perceive as having wronged us, but rather allowing ourselves to 'break the hold that person has on our lives.' Feeling anger towards that person may have been well-justified, but unless it is dealt with and processed it becomes corrosive to our bodies, leading to physical disease and emotional illness. Holding onto feelings of anger or revenge are likely to be hurting us rather than the original perpetrator.

Exercise: Forgiveness of Self and Others

Think of a person who has wronged you and for whom there are still bad feelings. Place your hands over your heart with the intention to channel energy to your heart. Read the affirmation of forgiveness below, with feeling, in your mind and channel energy for 10 minutes or until you feel a shift in your heart. Don't be surprised if you experience tears as you forgive yourself.

Forgiveness Affirmation

I forgive everyone who has ever hurt or harmed me, consciously or unconsciously, in this lifetime or any other, in this universe, dimension, plane or level of existence or any other.

I offer them grace. I ask forgiveness for everything I have ever done to hurt or harm another, consciously or unconsciously, in this lifetime or any other, in this universe, dimension, plane

or level of existence or any other. I ask for grace. I forgive myself for everything I have ever done to hurt or harm another, consciously or unconsciously, in this lifetime or any other, in this universe, dimension, plane or level of existence or any other. I accept grace. I am free.

All chains and restrictions fall from me. I stand in my full power as a master.

Mandalas

Hmmmm, awaken the artist within, clear out inner clutter, connect with both sides of the brain and express creativity through a daily artisitic writing practice. OK, this sounds good to me - plus, I love art and writing. Experience deep calm, inner wisdom and insight through the making of mandalas, journaling and meditation. Ahhhhhh! I am really trying to practice what I preach, and am loving this idea and the simpleness of the MANDALA. These are circular images that represent wholeness and centeredness, and creating them brings about the same qualities in a person's life. Sounds wonderful, kinda reminds me of "spirograph" when I was a kid, anyone remember those! I am doing a last minute art project for "Record Store Day" and using a mandala in my design. Will post when I am done. For now, here is a nice mandala I found....and a great website. CreativityForTheSoul.com

wow, has it been 4 MONTHS...

...since my last post- YES. I took a break to get myself back on track with some personal things and just didn't care about the blog. Now it is April (SPRING) and I am truely inspired to start a new path...one that I have been down before, but always stopped and retreated back. But now, starting this 'new' life, I am determined to head down the road again, & this time NOT quit...is this easier said than done? Heck YA, esp for me who gets EASILY distracted, procrastinates and is overwhelmed 'most' of the time. I just met with my friend who does soul coaching and we talked about letting bad stuff from the past go...forgiving and forgetting. Seems like such a simple thing, doesn't it. I am posting a great picture, perfect for spring. By my fave artist - George Rodrigue (the blue dog guy) Plus it perfectly titled: "Forever Starts Here"