A Banana...A Banana...My Splinter for a Banana

⊆ Friday, January 30, 2009 by Donia | , . | ˜ 0 comments »

No, it is not the winter of our discontent.

Granted, it is winter.

And we do love the Bard...

But, we are rather contented (at least for the moment), especially because of a useful home remedy just come across (courtesy of Herbalist, Andrea Candee).

She writes, "Simply cut a piece of the ripened peel, tape it on, pulp side to the splinter, leaving it in place overnight. In the morning, the enzymes in the ripe banana will have pulled the splinter to the surface. Deeply embedded splinters may require another night or two of fresh peel."

Sounds like a remedy with appeal!

(Banana Shark courtesy of the silly people here)


Lil' Sprout

⊆ Wednesday, January 28, 2009 by Donia | , , . | ˜ 0 comments »

Here is how we are growing these next few days:

There will be a whole lot of sprouting going on (at least that's what i hope).

I am a great lover of the sprouted persuasion. Alfalfa, clover, broccoli, sunflower, fenugreek, radish, lentil, you name 'um, i dig 'um (admittedly, i pass on onion sprouts).

There has been great luck at our house in consuming them and much less luck at...well...sprouting them.

That is all going to change in the next few days.

The Sprout People have been consulted, as well as some new friends. We have got our equipment, and most importantly, our sprouts of tomorrow...let me introduce you to them.

(Clockwise from top, Panda, Chickpea, Aduki, Alfalfa, and Lentil. It is unlikely that Panda will be sprouted.)

And here is what the pay-off of all the new growing will look like:

Health Benefits of Sprouts
by Steve Meyerowitz
Sprouts have long been famous as "health food" but recent research shows that in addition to being a superb source of nutrients, they also have important curative ability. Sprouts like alfalfa, radish, broccoli, clover and soybean contain concentrated amounts of phytochemicals (plant compounds) that can protect us against disease.
Studies on canavanine, an amino acid analog in alfalfa, has demonstrated
benefit for pancreatic, colon and leukemia cancers. Plant estrogens are also
abundant in sprouts. They increase bone formation and density and prevent bone
breakdown or osteoporosis. They are also helpful in controlling hot flashes,
menopause, PMS and fibrocystic breasts tumors.
Alfalfa sprouts are one of our finest food sources of another compound, saponins. Saponins lower the bad cholesterol and fat but not the good HDL fats. Animal studies prove their benefit in arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Saponins also stimulate the immune system by increasing the activity of natural killer cells such as T-lymphocytes and interferon. The saponin content of alfalfa sprouts multiplies
450% over that of the unsprouted seed.
Sprouts also contain an abundance of highly active antioxidants that prevent DNA destruction and protect us from the ongoing effects of aging. It wouldn't be inconceivable to find a fountain of youth here, after all, sprouts represent the miracle of birth.


Practicing this week

⊆ Monday, January 26, 2009 by Donia | , , . | ˜ 1 comments »

Here is what i am abstaining from:

Interrupting people.

My sweet and incredibly talented associate (and when i say associate, i mean beloved friend and stunt double), Sabjimata, and i were speaking about the subject recently.

We both agreed that it seems to be a intrinsic component of female communication. (and now for some sweeping generalities) We ladies intuit, we flow with our conversation-ees, we overlap our speech and thoughts with others due, in part, to our collaborative natures (and/or if you have a lot of what Ayurveda calls Vata you sometimes just need the mellow Kapha to spit it out, already!)

That being said, it is still a good time for me to take a little break from the breaking in. I must admit that there have been a few conversations lately where yours truly jumped in, anticipating what "had to be what they were going to say" with sub-par results. Here is a dramatic re-enactment of one such time:

patient/caring/wow/dancerfriend: Yeah, well it seems that all people are interested in these days is Bollywood. Not as many people want to study the classical dance forms. And then they call and want my sister to do some of those film dances and she does it and
she looks....


me,the Great Intuitive: Really Silly!

patient/caring/wow/dancerfriend: Really Amazing, because she has the classical background.


Yuck. I guess my spidey sense was down that day. Makes me feel like simultaneously cracking up and up-chucking. Thank goodness he is so tolerant and that he didn't seem to hear me.

So, so long interrupting...let my ears be filled with the complete sentences of others (at least for the week)!


The Fast Feast

⊆ Friday, January 23, 2009 by Donia | , , , . | ˜ 2 comments »

So, here is an update on how the week's practices have been going...


to recap, i decided to take a break from sarcasm and make some time for myself everyday.


if ever there was a week to depart from digs, flippancy, facetiousness, cynacism, and wisecracks, it was this one. optimism has been in the air. and we have been breathing deeply.


so, the fasting bit has been going well.


The concentrated time to myself has been more of a challenge.


Although, last night i attended an incredible yoga class (the little man was asleep early and my folks were encouraging).


my conclusion? with the "om" comes the "shanti shanti shanti" (peace, peace, peace).



Bosom Friends When I Was Pregnant

⊆ Wednesday, January 21, 2009 by Donia | , , , , . | ˜ 1 comments »

First and foremost there was my mom. She was an incredible birthing partner and tremendous support the whole of the 9 months. But these guys helped out too...



Good old H2O. Super critical to ordinary health, what to speak of when you are growing a babe!

It is part of my daily practice to drink at least 3 liters of clean, purified water a day. When i was pregnant we upped the ante to 5. It was tough some days (and didn't always happen during a very nauseous first trimester). Of course it meant more trips to the lavatory laboratory, but you tend to spend a lot of time in there anyway when you are with child, and the benefits far outweigh any slight inconvenience.

The amazing qualities of clean water and its ability to assist in health and well-being became illuminated to me through reading the work of Dr. F. Batmanghelidj. This Iranian doctor "discovered" some of water's curative powers while in prison. Here is a New York Times article from 1983 talking about his experience. The good doctor's work and water suggestions have been hailed by many. Long story short, more water = healthier babe and healthier you.


I became aquainted with these next two tried, tested, and true friends through another amazing friend - Keli Lalita Reddy of Karuna Shakti Yoga studio.

While visiting the Reddy clan while i was newly pregnant, Keli shared a piece of advice from her midwife...take floradix and liquid chlorophyll 2x daily while growing your little one for fantastic results. She said it had really helped her. After looking at the 3 incredible kiddies that the reddy's have it just made sense to head over to the health food store and pick up some of the stuff.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) notes that iron-deficiency during pregnancy occurs in half of all women. This seems to increase the chance of pre-term labor and low birth weight (the reddy kids have certainly not suffered from this. they were 10lbs, 11lbs, and 13 lbs, respectively!)

One of the great things about Floradix Herbs + Iron (which can be gotten in a yeast free form too) is that it is easily assimilated and food based. it doesn't seem to cause the constipation that are pretty common with iron supplements. it continues to be a part of my daily routine as a nursing momma.

And last, but not least there is the humble Chlorophyll (here represented by dear Wheatgrass).


Oh, rich and wondrous, Chlorophyll
of you i can never get my fill
with your dark and verdant hue,
i dream of spring when drinking you...

okay, that was not penned by the Bard, but that doesn't make Chlorophyll less spectacular...

Not convinced? Don't love the taste of green? Lets see if the HealthyGreenMoms with all their wisdom can change your mind. or better yet:
• It has been seen to help in the growth and repair of tissues.
• Chlorophyll helps in neutralizing the pollution that we breathe in and intake everyday - a good supplement for smokers
• It efficiently delivers magnesium and helps the blood in carrying the much needed oxygen to all cells and tissues.
• It is also found to be useful in assimilating and chelating calcium and other heavy minerals.
• It had been seen to have a good potential in stimulating red blood cells to improve oxygen supply.
• Along with other vitamins such as A, C and E, chlorophyll has been seen to help neutralize free radicals that do damage to healthy cells.
• Chlorophyll is also an effective deodorizer to reduce bad breath, urine, fecal waste, and body odor.
• It may reduce the ability of carcinogens to bind with the DNA in different major organs in the body.
• Chlorophyll may be useful in treating calcium oxalate stone ailments • It possesses some anti-atherogenic activity as well.
• It can be used to treat infected wounds naturally.
• These are only a few of the multitude benefits that chlorophyll can do to the body.
• It has antimutagenic and anti-carcinogenic properties so that it may be helpful in protecting your body against toxins


Awakened

⊆ Monday, January 19, 2009 by Donia | ˜ 0 comments »



The Om Ball (as in dancing, not bouncing)

⊆ Sunday, January 18, 2009 by Donia | , , , , , . | ˜ 0 comments »




It always inspires me to know of people being the change they want to see in the world. It is something that i keenly aspire for in all aspects of my life.

Some of my dear friends are doing it in a big way tomorrow. They are hosting an event called Chant for Change to help create auspiciousness, peace, and blessings for the upcoming inauguration and administration.
An incredible crew of musicians, yogis, meditators, and agents of positive change are assembling for this wonderful happening.

For those who aren't able to make it out to D.C. (and actually it is sold out) they are sharing via live webcast! The broadcast starts at 6:30 pm.

I also heard that there is another similarly-themed event, The Om Ball, that still has tickets available. Deepak Chopra will be amongst the amazing people there.


This week's feast...

⊆ Friday, January 16, 2009 by Donia | , , , , . | ˜ 1 comments »

And so you won't think i am just flagellating myself for the sake of personal betterment and this humble blog...i give you...

My weekly indulgence! (although perhaps, you are thinking it is my strange fascination with and repeated use of that wonderful devise the "..."- does anyone know what this is called?) Actually, the intention is to have a weekly practice that i add to enrich my life and the lives of those around me.

So, starting tomorrow i will be allowing myself to have a 1/2 hour of peaceful, reflective, nourishing alone time everyday. it will be time away from the little one, time away from screen, business, and phone. it will be my mind spa. or if i just want to work on learning harmonica, that is fine too.

How will this better my life and the lives of those in the 'hood? i can only imagine...and tell you as i find out.


This week's fast...

⊆ Friday, January 16, 2009 by Donia | , , , . | ˜ 0 comments »

Each week i plan to abstain from some habit or activity that i regularly partake in.

And then the effects are to be observed and chronicled...
So i will be celebrating the week (starting tomorrow - Saturday) without...sarcasm.
Actually, my stomach flip-flopped a wee bit while writing that last sentence (i'm from the east coast, for crying out loud, we are born and breed on the stuff). But a week's departure from the lowest form of wit should do the 'ole girl some good.

Sarcasm by Susan Riba
Really, its just a distancer, isn't it?