Issue 5

In This Issue:

Bloodstone by Sibyl McLendon

The Empress by EagleDancing

Tai Chi

Soybeans, the Anti-Aging Wonder by Dr. John Maher

Bloodstone
by Sibyl McLendon

Bloodstone is an agate found in India. It differs from other agates by its look. It always has a dark green background with red blotches in it, which is how it got its name. It is becoming a little 
difficult to find a piece of bloodstone with well-defined red in it. Bloodstone is inexpensive to buy.

Bloodstone is a very beneficial stone for health uses. It contains iron, and can be good for blood problems. It will help lower cholesterol as well!

A true story: Many years ago, my mother was diagnosed with high cholesterol. My mother was not a lady who was in to self-denial. She thought that the 5 food groups were caffeine, nicotine, sugar, ice cream and chocolate! But, she did recognize that she would have to lower her cholesterol level. So, she bought a nice Bloodstone pendant that she wore faithfully every day. She watched her diet somewhat for 4 weeks. I do
not want you to think that she went on a strict low-cholesterol diet! She just cut out eggs, and took it easy on things like cheese and animal fats.  She still ate her ice cream every day!

As the weeks progressed, the red in her bloodstone just faded away. It disappeared, leaving behind white splotches. In 4 weeks, she had her cholesterol level taken again, and it had gone down over 60 points. The
Doctor congratulated her on her amazing progress, and her ability to stick to a diet. She just smiled. After that, she retired her bloodstone, bought another and always kept one with her. She went back to her regular
ways of eating, and never had high cholesterol problems again!

I am NOT suggesting that you use Bloodstone in place of a good diet! I am only illustrating that stones really can help us with difficult things we must do. In addition, do not be surprised when a stone that you are using
regularly for some purpose changes dramatically. I have seen them change color, size, shape, and just crumble into dust. This simply means that they are working as hard as they can for you. If one of your stones
begins to look tired, or changes dramatically, it may mean that it needs
to be retired. Please, don't just throw it in the garbage. Put it in your garden, or on a shelf. It worked hard for you, it deserves a nice place to spend it's declining years.

For a nice photo of bloodstone, go to http://www.gemstone.org/bloodstone.html   I am NOT recommending a commercial site!  This was chosen specifically for the photo.

The Empress III

by Eagle Dancing

The Empress is the third card in the Major Arcana. She appears as a beautiful woman wearing a lovely gown seated on a throne. She has a heart by her side that contains the symbol for the female inside of it. She
wears a crown of stars and holds a golden wand in her right hand. 

She stands for powerful female forces. When symbolizing a state of mind, she is telling you that you are full of creative energy. You should go forward with plans you have put aside, for now is the time to act. She
stands for mother nature and can indicate your need to go out and have some fun. She also tells you that you should trust your inner feelings for they will not betray you.

Reversed:
She can represent a block of creativity, meaningless sex that some times results in an unwanted pregnancy. There is the possibility of an abortion. She can also signify a period of poverty in spite of having money on hand. When there is trouble in a relationship, she can represent the presence of the "other woman." In this capacity, her actions are usually just to cause trouble and not for the purpose of true love.

Planet: Venus

Tai Chi

Has your life turned into a ever speedier treadmill? Days flying by, rushing from activity to activity? Not even a chance to catch your breath? 

Welcome to "modern living". To the days that are supposed to be easier as a result of our new technology. Where we can't ever "get away" from phones, faxes, email. 

There is a vital lesson in all of this. We simply can't count on our society to help us slow down and enjoy each moment. We must take action ourselves. 

a. Each day, spend some time alone. Time in
prayer, meditation, yoga or tai chi. Time just
sitting. Not reading, knitting, watching TV,
talking, scratching, or sleeping. Just sitting.
Not even thinking. Thoughts will of course try to
invade. That's fine, but let them drift away,
like clouds floating across the sky. 

This process will awaken you to the frenetic, constant, repetitive activity of the mind. The constant pressure to be elsewhere with the assumption that something more needs to happen so you can be "happy". The first step is the recognition of this process on a regular basis. The next step is to continue spending time alone, in prayer, meditation, yoga, tai chi... 

b. Each day, find something simple in your life
that is beautiful, interesting, wondrous or
amazing. Like a spider web. Or a flower. Or the
sun reflecting off a colorful bird. Or a sunset.
Maybe the moon. Or a smile. You get the picture.
Living in appreciation makes every day better,
and there is always something to appreciate. 

c. Each day, decide to listen completely in every
conversation. Without second guessing the content
you are expecting from the other person. Without
finishing the sentences for him/her. Without
already preparing your rebuttal to the
anticipated conversation. Just listen. Listening
is a rare skill these days. It takes practice,
and is enhanced considerably by having a quiet,
still mind. 

d. Quit fighting "what is". Whatever is happening
in the present moment is happening, whether or
not you like it. It is as it is for now, so
increase your level of contentment by accepting
each moment as if you have chosen it. Of course
you can take actions to improve your life, but
you can't change the present moment because it
already is... 2. Baby Steps are Better than No
Steps at All 

Stress affects every one of us, seemingly more-so every year. One popular solution - personal development courses - can be truly life changing.  After two or three days of intensive learning, we begin to feel deeply relaxed, joyous, at peace with the world. Then, more often than not we are asked to commit an hour or two a day to meditation, yoga, tai chi, prayer, journal writing or whatever. No problem, we say. I deserve to feel this good all the time. I'll just get up an hour earlier every day... 

Within 24 hours of returning home, the harsh reality of life smacks us right between the eyes.  We truly and often desperately want to keep up ‘the practice’, but family, business and life commitments simply demand most of our time.  Usually after a day or a week, we quit. This sad end result can be just one more blow to our self esteem, rather than the anticipated path to enlightenment (or at least reduced pain). Sound familiar? 

I've been instructing tai chi, which is often called a moving meditation, for over two decades. For most of that time, I asked my students to practice a long and complex series of moves for an hour a day. Most didn't do it. Nor did my assistant instructors. Then one day I came to realize with unexpected surprise - neither did I… 

Why not? Well, I had too many demands on my time. Too many obligations. My life is huge! Just like yours. But I need the benefits, just like you do. 

So do we just forget about our personal development for a few years (or decades?), and receive zero benefits? Do we simply tolerate the stress and pain? No we can make small, manageable goals. 

Tai Chi for Busy People and 4 Minute Fitness are designed to give you maximum benefits in minimum
time.  The result? A few minutes before going to work, before interacting with the family, or before
sleep can significantly improve your quality of life. And then, after a period of regular practice you may begin to make decisions, even lifestyle decisions that will bring more balance into your life. 

I firmly believe that a few minutes a day is infinitely superior to no minutes a day, and that even just a small amount of this quality time will increase your productivity and performance at work, improve health in all ways and reduce your stress levels. 

It is said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Five minutes a day is the single step needed to begin a journey toward wellness.



Soybeans, Anti-Aging Wonder
by Dr. John Maher

Looking for a high-protein, low-fat alternative to meat that can actually reduce your cholesterol level, ease menopause and help preventosteoporosis and even cancer?  Soy protein is a "complete" protein and just as nutritious as animal protein. In those countries where soy is the main source of protein, rates of heart disease and certain cancers( particularly breast, cervical, prostate and colon) are relatively low. Soy also protects 
against osteoporosis and some symptoms of menopause.

Let's take a look at some ways that you can substitute soy for animal products.

Tofu--made from soy milk. It can be blended, stir-fried, steamed, grilled and baked. Crumble firm tofu into the cheese for lasagna, or add it to chili or spaghetti sauce. 

Miso--soybean paste, often put in soups.

Tempeh-made from fermented soybeans, can be made into a spread or pressed into a cake and marinated, grilled or baked.

Soy milk--is rich, cream milk of whole soybeans. Pour over breakfast cereal or mix half-and-half with dairy milk. Add soy milk to  coffee in place of milk or creamer. Choose a low-fat product fortified with calcium.

Soy flours--can be used to thicken gravies and cream sauces, to make homemade soy milk, or to add to baked goods for a protein boost. Using about 15% soy flour in a bread recipe procudes a dense, moist,
nutty-flavored bread.

Soy sprouts--like alfalfa sprouts, can be added to salads and other dishes.

Soy cheese is great in omelettes. Soy flour can be added to pancakes and waffles. Soy protien powders and soy based meal replacement drinks are convenient and tasty way to increase soy intake. Soy "burgers" are
available at most heath food stores. Textured vegetable soy protien can be added to ground beef or turkey recipes. (10% soy in such dishes blocks the formation of cancer causing HCA's, hetero-cyclic-amines, in meat.)

Try to eat some legumes every day. And make soy your most common choice. The average Asian eats one and a half servings a day.

About the Author: 

Dr John H Maher
Ed., "Longevity News"
"Your Prescription for Wellness"
More Details at: http://www.RxforWellness.com

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