We need a laugh!!

We need a laugh!!!

INSTRUCTIONS FOR GIVING YOUR CAT A PILL 

1. Pick cat up and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow. 

2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process. 

3. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with lef hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of 10. 

4. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse from garden. 

5. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, holding front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold cat's head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously. 

6. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines from hearth and set to one side for gluing later. 

7. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with its head just visible from below spouse's armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force cat's mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw. 

8. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply band-aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap. 

9. Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band. 

10. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put door back on hinges. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Throw T-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom. 

11. Ring fire brigade to retrieve cat from tree across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil wrap. 

12. Tie cat's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table. Find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed. Force cat's mouth open with small spanner. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of fillet steak. Hold head vertically and pour 1/2 pint of water down throat to wash pill down. 

13. Get spouse to drive you to emergency room; sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Stop by furniture shop on way home to order new table. 

14. Arrange for vet to make a housecall.

Today I am sitting here thinking of my list again!  

Under the health element of my list is sleep!  

Sleep is very important when it comes to your health I am learning.  Especially if you are diabetic! Getting enough rest is crucial for your liver to metabolize the sugars!  I, generally, and not one for much sleep!  I was existing on approximately 4 hours of sleep a day before I went into the hospital.  My body was tired!!!!!  It needed rest!  You can take your insulin on time, eat all of the right foods, exercise and anything else that comes to mind, BUT if you are not getting enough sleep, you are undoing all those good things with that one bad!!  Had to learn this!!!!!  Now I am getting better!! I get between 6-8 hours a sleep at a time.  I would like to increase the time to 8-10 hours. It is a goal that I am working on!  

I will continue to work on my list, one item at a time till I reach my goal!!  What is my goal?  Living a spiritual, healthy, sustainable, off the grid life!!!

The next herb on our journey to herb education is:  Burdock!!

Now this is one herb that I take!  It has so many benefits!  For my situation with the spina bifida and the bladder issues, this herb really helps!  It is also beneficial when used in conjunction with milk thistle for liver function!

Burdock

Burdock (Arctium lappa ([Latin]), also known as burr, is a common weed known for the distinctive prickly burrs it produces, which seem to get caught in just about everything. It is found throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. 

It is the root of the burdock plant that is most often used in herbal supplements. Fresh burdock roots contain polyacetylenes, which are phytochemicals that kill some types of bacteria and fungi—burdock has been used to treat both bacterial and fungal infections, including ringworm, urinary tract infections, and acne. It’s antibacterial effects may also promote wound healing and help treat ulcers. 

Burdock works as both a decongestant and diuretic in the body, and may cause sweating. Traditional Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medicine uses burdock to treat congestion and fever caused by colds, flu, and pneumonia. Today’s herbalists recommend burdock to help eliminate toxins from all parts of the body, including the blood, liver, lymphatic system, kidneys and gallbladder. 

Burdock is being studied for its potential as a treatment for cancer. It has a long history of usage for treating this disease-- Hildegard of Bingen, a well known medieval herbalist, often used burdock for treatment of cancerous tumors. Recent studies have shown that arctigenin, a chemical in burdock, does in fact slow tumor growth. Burdock is an active ingredient in the popular natural remedies for cancer, including Essiac and Hoxsey. Of course, cancer is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease, for which you absolutely must be under a doctor’s care. However, you may want to speak to your doctor about augmenting your cancer therapy with an herbal treatment. 

Burdock may help treat diabetes by reducing blood sugar—in one study burdock root reduced blood sugar levels and improved carbohydrate tolerance in lab rats. In another laboratory study, burdock protected animals that consumed the root from the toxic effects of several poisonous chemicals. Burdock stalks taste a little like celery, but the leaves are rather bitter like dandelion greens. The plant’s roots are considered vegetables in Japan, and are commonly found in stores and markets that offer Asian produce. Burdock is abundant in the wild; you can gather your own and cook and eat the roots and leaves. However, if you’re gathering your own burdock, be careful—it looks a bit like belladonna, a plant that can be fatally toxic if ingested. Safe and effective burdock capsules or liquid root extract (Bur oil), are also available at most pharmacies and health food stores. The burdock extract has long been used in Europe to treat dandruff and encourage healthy hair growth. It you want to use burdock to improve the condition of your hair, simply massage burdock root oil into your scalp. 

Burdock is generally safe, but some people should be cautious when taking this herb, especially those with abnormal blood sugar levels. Pregnant women also should not use this burdock, as it is said to cause uterine contractions. 

Focus

I was sitting here reading some of my old blog posts from 5 yrs ago, and came across one post that still has a strong presence for me today as I read it.  It is amazing how some things change over time and how some things stay the same.  Over time maturity and experience are tools that we use regularly to navigate our paths. At times, we do need reminders of what should be our primary focus! 
Here's the post from 2007!  Enjoy!

Stay Focused!

I am finally getting back to writing. I had gone to Walmart on Thursday and got myself some new knitting needles and a skein of yarn. {Dangerous!} I had watched my show on TV - Knitty Gritty - and decided that I was going to learn how to make socks like Karen Baumer the guest for the day. She worked on double pointed needles, and I really do not like them! I tried to do it anyway. It worked! I made a pair of bedroom socks! But I really do not like the process of working with 4 or 5 needles. I am a 2 needle person. I took the pattern and adapted it to 2 needles, and the rest is history!!! Allie is wearing the new and improved bedroom socks! I am a total knitting knut! Now I am working on a baby blanket in a new stitch that I learned while working on the socks. This one is a little more time consuming, but it will be beautiful when finished.

Today, I got to see a movie that I had wanted to see when it came out not too long ago. "One Night with The King". The story of Esther. It was really good! It stayed true to the Bible. I really like that, because so many Biblical movies stray and embellish much of their story. I am going to try and look at it again. I watched it online at www.tbn.org (The Trinity Broadcasting Network) 

Over the weekend, I was talking with a friend of mine about the world today and what it is doing to our children/heirs. What started the conversation was I was looking on television at a program dealing with retirement. They were on the subject of baby-boomers. They said that the boomers were born in the years 1945-1964. Well, I just missed the mark!! I was calling to pick on my friend because she is in that age group! We laughed, and then we started talking about issues that face alot of us. The economy, our families, our health and what it takes to live in this society today. We were both concerned because our children will have to work sooner, work longer, to achieve less than we did. Not only that they are not living as long! Due to crime, stress, obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and more. All at epidemic proportions! We were talking about our parents, the generation before us, and how at our age they could run laps around us! We sat and laughed at how we do what the older folks used to do! We compare our medications! Our conversations revolve around who went to the Dr and what the Doctor said and what test we have to go and get done! 

I had to sit and think about it. Where was my focus? Twelve years ago I was hours from death. I had a major bone infection, and my body was starting to shut down. I had two little children, and at that time I was still with my husband. We had our own home and I worked full time. My time was consumed with living and all the drama that goes along with it. I took minimal time to read my Bible and go to church. You know GOD is good! He is a fair and considerate person. I say person, because He is one. He is real and alive. 

While in the hospital, with the Doctors fighting the infection and trying to bring my blood count up enough to operate, I desperately called out to GOD. Many people may not believe, but I know GOD answered. GOD asked me a question. It was a question that only I could answer. He could not answer it for me. No one could answer this question but me. GOD asked me "Do you want to live?" Without hesitation I answered yes! GOD then said "Get up and live!" At that moment my life changed! Things happened quickly after that point in time. My blood count rose from 2.5 to 9 in less than twelve hours without a blood transfusion! They operated and removed my leg from mid calf down. Within two hours my blood count was in the normal range of 12. Usually when a person has a limb removed, they are in extreme pain and has to stay sedated. The hospital stay is not days but weeks! I came out of the recovery room sitting up on my gurney! I had no pain! I was home in 7 days!

Why the long story? I wanted to share with you about the choice I made. Life is full of choices. GOD allows us to make our own choices. I had to remember that! To stay focused on GOD and live.........................................

Excited!!!!

The first item on my list of course is developing a closer walk and relationship with my GOD!  Most important really!  Getting to know HIM not only Biblically, but on a natural scale as well.  Learning of HIM through HIS creations.  The earth is full!  We just have to take the time to explore!  Everything was created with a purpose in mind.  We were created to be the caretakers and caregivers of this planet.  Right now if you look closely, really focus, you can see where the animal kingdom in part has taken over that duty for us!  Maintaining and keeping a balance where it is crucial.  Slowly but surely, mankind is making a turn towards their purpose!  Hard to see??  Not really!!  Just look around and see!!  There are sustainable living movements all over the world!  Getting back into being self reliant.  Growing your own food, making your own clothing, building smaller footprint homes, solar energy, wind power,organic farming, heirloom seeds, and the list goes on and on.  I want to take part in all of it!! To fulfill GOD's purpose for me in this world.

Not that this is for everyone!  Some are not ready for that type of transition. That is totally understandable. For those who are, they have to pave the way!

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Second on my list?

Taking control of my health!  I cannot be a useful vessel if my health is not in check!  There are some things that have been done already!  We no longer buy white sugar!  It was hard to do, and took years to completely stop, but we have cleared that hurdle!  We now use Agave, stevia and Saccharin.  Saccharin is the next to go!  We buy very little meat as opposed to what we used to buy.  Still not a good thing, but better than we were!  We drink more water!  When I was in the hospital, they thought I was a fish!  We have not totally eliminated all the processed foods out of our lives yet, but we have considerably stopped eating them as much! Condiments! Condiments! Condiments!  They are a major issue here in this house! I am already meeting resistance from the household members on that one!!  It is a process!!

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The next herb is?   Black Cohash

I have heard about this herb, and have taken it for awhile.  It does actually help with the hot flashes and night sweats in my case.  It must be taken with caution!!!!!  Please before you attempt any herbal therapy please consult your Dr!!

Black Cohosh

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa ([Latin]), also known as black snakeroot, bugbane, cimicifuga, and squawroot, is an herb that has been proven effective for relief of menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, mood disturbances, palpitations, and vaginal dryness. 

Black cohosh is a popular alternative to estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in menopausal women. Because it is a phytoestrogen (estrogen found in plants), black cohosh is thought to work by helping to offset the declining amounts of estrogen in the body during menopause. Health officials in both Britain and Germany have recognized this herb for its ability to mimic estrogen in the body. Unlike some synthetic hormone-replacement medications, black cohosh is not known to the risk of breast cancer or other hormone-related cancers. 

Black cohosh helps to relieve other hormone-related symptoms that cause discomfort to both menopausal and premenstrual women, including depression, headache, and cramping. The root of this plant can also fight excess water retention by acting as a diuretic, and help inhibit the growth of painful fibroids in the breast and uterus by reducing the amount of estrogen available to these sites. Black cohosh may prove to be an effective treatment for male infertility in men—one of its components, ferulic acid, protects sperm cells from oxidative damage. 

Recent preliminary research indicates that black cohosh may act as an anti-inflammatory, particularly in the joints. This supports the traditional use of black cohosh to treat arthritis. 

If you’d like to try black cohosh for relief of menopausal or premenstrual symptoms, it is available in capsules, tablets, and tinctures. One of the most popular formulations for treatment of menopause is Remifemin, available over-the-counter as an extract or in capsules. The usual dosage for Remifemin is two 40-milligram capsules once a day, or 40 drops of extract twice a day. 

Women who are pregnant should also avoid this herb, because it may relax the uterine wall and cause a miscarriage—some midwives actually use black cohosh to stimulate labor. Because this herb mimics hormonal activity, it should not be used in girls who have not reached puberty. 

Some women taking black cohosh may experience mild stomach upset, especially if they take it on an empty stomach. Other potential side effects include increased sun-sensitivity and allergic reaction, especially in those allergic to aspirin (black cohosh naturally contains salicylic acid, a substance that is found in aspirin). 

The Bilberry

I know I have not been here for a bit!  Not that I forgot, just did not make time.  Not a good thing!!  

So many things (some good, some bad) have been going on in my life.  Trying to sort through things and decide what my next step should be.  Knowing that my decision will affect my lifestyle in a positive way.  

First and foremost, my health!!!  I am diabetic.  I have spina bifida. I am a right bk amputee (not due to diabetes, but bone infection). I have thalassemia. I have arthritis. I am overweight.  Note, there is nothing on this list that I cannot deal with. 

The purpose of this journey?  To start over, to begin again, to make different choices, to fulfill a purpose, to make a difference!

First thing on my list for today:  Make a list of positive changes that can be made in my life and surroundings!

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Still on my quest to learn more about herbs and alternative treatments. Have been looking at videos and reading articles and blogs about healthy changes I could make as a diabetic.  Some are very interesting! Some should not even be considered! The majority is common sense practical.  The main thing is to educate yourself!!!!   The more you know, the more you can do!

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The next herb on our list is:  Bilberry

I do not know much about this herb either! Only that it is in the Blueberry family!  That alone is a good thing!!

Bilberry

Bilberry, or Vaccinium myrtillus (Latin), is made from a small, blue berry that has been used medicinally for hundreds of years. Like their close relatives, blueberries and cranberries, bilberries have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities. Bilberry has traditionally been used to treat diarrhea, varicose veins, mucous membrane inflammation, and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). It has also been shown to be particularly beneficial to the health of the eyes. 

Bilberry contains flavonoids called anthocyanosides, which are found largely in dark-skinned fruits, and act as potent antioxidants in the body. These anthocyanosides are thought to be at least part of the reason that bilberry is effective in treating such eye disorders such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts. In one Italian study, a combination of bilberry extracts and vitamin E stopped the progression of cataracts in 97 percent of the study participants. 

Bilberry may also help improve night vision. British pilots in World War II ate bilberry jam before flying at night, claiming that the jam gave them better vision. Some research seems to indicate that the pilots were correct—bilberry may help the eyes adjust to different light intensities more quickly. 

In Europe, a bilberry extract called Vaccinium Myrtillus Anthocyanoside (VMA) is a popular treatment for chronic venous insufficiency, a condition characterized by swelling, varicose veins, pain, itching, and skin ulcers in the legs. It might also prove to be an effective treatment for Raynaud’s disease, a condition that causes numbness and pain in the outer extremities (fingers, toes, nose) upon exposure to the cold--the anti-inflammatory properties of bilberry help reduce the stress on capillaries, and relax small blood vessels, which helps keep the blood flowing to all parts of the body. Because bilberry strengthens the capillaries, it is also used to discourage bruising. 

Bilberry promotes good circulation and strengthens artery walls, and thus may be an effective treatment for atherosclerosis, a condition in which plaque builds up on the artery walls and blocks the flow of oxygenated blood to the heart. Bilberry’s anti-inflammatory properties also work to reduce the overall inflammation, including inflammation of the gums, that has been linked with heart disease. 

Bilberry has long been used to ease gastrointestinal discomfort. During the 16th century in England, eating bilberries mixed with honey was a popular remedy for diarrhea. Today, Commission E, an expert panel that evaluates herbal medicines in Germany, endorses bilberry as a treatment for diarrhea. The commission also recommends bilberry for treatment of mouth sores—bilberry is thought to have strong antiseptic qualities, and initial studies indicate that it may be an effective treatment for peptic ulcers as well. Bilberry has also been used traditionally in the treatment of diabetes, fibrocystic breast disease, and painful menstruation. 

Bilberry is available in tinctures and capsules. One 80 to 160-milligram extract capsule standardized to 25 percent anthocyanidin, taken three times per day, is the usual dosage. You can also eat fresh or dried bilberries, if you can find them. 

Bilberry may cause gastrointestinal upset, dizziness, or headaches, but such reports are rare. Also, people taking drugs or herbs that lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar, cause diarrhea, or thin the blood, should take bilberry with caution—it could increase the effects of these herbs and medications.