Archive for September, 2007

You can do magic

September 27, 2007 at 5:26 pm · Filed under health tips, inspiration

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I love angels and fairy tales. Today I would like to send some sparkling star dust to those who are struggling in any way with food, emotions and life.

The following is from Healing myth, Healing Magic by Donald Epstein.

Myth: One stage of healing is better than another.

Magic: Wherever I go, there I am. When I am attentive to where I am in the moment, I am magically carried to a new stage of healing. Because I cannot resolve a situation from the same consciousness that created it, I embrace the stage of healing I am in and maximize its gift to me. When I am not in the stage I love, I love the stage I am in.

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Today love yourself, love others and know that you can do magic.

All my love.

Fatma

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Lemon Essential Oil

September 26, 2007 at 3:40 pm · Filed under Young Living, health tips

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I love essential oils. I also love lemons. Just their sight in my fruit basket brings  sunshine into the room. Lemon oil is one of the cheapest essential oils although it takes 3000 lemons to make a kilo of lemon oil. The oil is expressed through cold pressing from lemon rinds.

Lemon essential oil is composed mostly of the chemical constituent limonene. Limonene is a powerful antioxidant. It is also photsensitizing. Do not apply to skin that will be exposed to the sun within 12 hours.

The fragrance is uplifting and has been shown to restore balance following stress dysregulation.

Lemon oil is refreshing added to drinking water. It is especially helpful while travelling when concerned with the source of water. Just add a drop or two to the water.  A few drops can be added to a spray bottle and used to clean counters and sinks. It can also be used to spray around you to clear the air and deliver some negative ions, especially if you have been working on the computer for too long or even driving in the car for too long.

Limonene in Lemon oil elevates glutathione levels which helps with free radical damage and heavy metal detox.

It gives a nice tang to all kinds of smoothies, soups and salad dressings as well as adding its own therapeutic benefits.

Lemon oil is also antiseptic – antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and improves circulation.

It promotes clarity of thought and purpose with a fragrance that is invigorating, enhancing, warming and cheerful.

Lemon Oil can be diffused, inhaled, applied locally (great on the solar plexus chakra) or taken internally.

Use some lemon oil and let the sun shine in.

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September – Fall equinox

September 24, 2007 at 1:39 pm · Filed under Young Living, inspiration, organic food, raw food

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By all these lovely tokens

September days are here,

With summer’s best of weather

And autumn’s best of cheer

Helen Hunt Jackson, 1830 – 1885

Fall equinox (day and night are almost same length after which the days start getting shorter) fell on September 23 this year. This is the official beginning of fall but we have already been feeling it for about a fortnight now.

I love living in rhythm with the seasons and always find seasonal changes  to be a powerful catalyst for making personal changes. It was in September 2005 that I started my raw journey.  

I feel  naturally inclined to do some cleansing during this time.  Usually when summer moves into fall our bodies take time to adapt to the changes. During this time of change, be gentle with yourself and treat yourself with loving care.

Fall is also harvest season, so make use of the bounty of grounding produce like beets, broccoli, cabbage, celery, kale, parsley, spinach, onions, swiss chard, squash, corn. Enjoy fruits like berries, apples, pears and grapes.

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As the days get shorter and we turn more inwards here are some wonderful things you can do for yourself during this time:

Write down your vision and goals and remember to factor in fun and joy.

Declutter to make space for them.

If you need to let go of emotional issue now is a good time for any process that will help you to move on.

As nature lets go of her glory, it’s a good time to do a detox through herbs, foods, homeopathics, colonics, sweating, baths, body wraps etc.

If your immunity tends to be low at this time of the year start taking immune supporting herbs.

Increase your intake of spices. I will be posting more on that in the next few days.

Use a body oil with warming essential oils. The act of rubbing in the oils is soothing to your nervous system and helps move your lymphatic system and in doing so supports the cleansing process. The oils are wonderfully fragrant so this is  treat for all senses. Essential oils work their special magic on mind, body and soul.

Live in glory.

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Things we can do for our children

September 19, 2007 at 3:51 pm · Filed under kids

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As a Mum of 3 children I am  conscious  of the decisions I make regarding my children. I will go the extra mile for them. They inspire me daily.

There are many areas where we as Mothers can make wise choices. In  other areas it is better to let the child make his or her own decisions so that you do not end up with a Power Struggle.

Here are some things you might want to educate yourself more on.

Mercury fillings

Vaccines

Hot dogs

Fluoride

Cough syrup and over the counter medication

Sunscreen

Fluoride in water

Fast Food

Chemical body and home cleaning products

Soda

Air fresheners

To read more on this issue click here.

We have incredible options when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. When it comes to everyday ailments there are a vast array of natural remedies to choose from, ranging from homeopathy, herbs, flower essences to essential oils. I have treated many children including my own successfully using these remedies. You might want to check out my article on using essential oils for babies and children.

May you find great delight in raising your children, even in the moments when they drive you crazy.

Fatma

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Apricots and Apricot pudding

September 17, 2007 at 5:41 pm · Filed under health tips, organic food, raw food, recipes

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Another raw sweetener that I like are dried Turkish Apricots. They have such an intense apricot taste. As with other dried fruits I prefer them combined with nuts or added to smoothies to tone down their sweetness yet still taste that beautiful apricot flavor. In the Raw Food Lifestyle they are used for raw desserts, in smoothies or as a snack.

Hunza people who inhabit the high mountains of North Pakistan are the longest-living and healthiest people in the world. When medical doctors studied Hunzas in the 1950’s and 1960’s, 100% of its population had perfect vision, while modern disease conditions were unknown. Hunza people do not consume animal fats. Their diet is rich all year round in fresh or dried fruit and nuts, especially apricots and apricot kernels and their primary source of oil is apricot seeds. Apricot is such an important part of Hunza life, that actually in their valley the wealth of a person is measaured by the number of apricot trees owned.

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Apricots are a rich source of betacarotene – a powerful natural antioxidant. It prevents plaque deposits in our arteries and is beneficial to eyes, skin, hair and gums. Apricots are also rich in lycopene,  copper, cobalt, iron, potassium, calcium and boron. Apricots due to the potassium content are a good alternative to diuretics.  Boron helps post menopausal women retain their estrogen levels and so prevent osteoporosis.  Apricots are NASA’s number one choice as astronaut’s provision.

Apricot kernels contain an average of 21 % protein and 52 % vegetable oils. They are a source of vitamin B 17 and utilized in altenative medicine for cancer therapy.

Turkey is the leading dried apricot producer. Iran is the second biggest producer. In Hyderabad, India, a cooked apricot pudding called Qubani ka Meetha is served at weddings and festivals. In Egypt there is a similar version made with dried apricot sheets called Amr el deen. The apricot sheets can be bought ready made in Middle Eastern countries.

Organic dried turkish apricots are darker in color because they have not been treated with sulfur dioxide. Dried apricots have a low glycemic index of 32.

Here is an easy Apricot Pudding recipe.

 Soak 1 cup of dried apricots overnight. Blend. Serve sprinkled with nuts like walnuts or pistachios or even better a cashew or macadamia cream.

Variation

Some orange juice or rose water can be added while blending.

Add one or more of the following spices to the apricots: vanilla, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg.

Yummy! :)

Fatma

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Dates – one of the oldest crops cultivated by man

September 13, 2007 at 2:46 pm · Filed under health tips, organic food, raw food

Grand Crescent Moon Sunset

Today is the first day of Ramadhan, the holy month of fasting for Muslims. No food or water is taken in from sunrise to sunset. The crescent moon signals the beginning of a spiritual month meant for purifying soul and body and cultivating patience, love, gratitude and kindness. It is time spent in prayers and devotion to God.

I love the spirit of this month. I have a lot of happy memories of growing up and celebrating this tradition regardless of where we were living.

 The fast is broken at sunset with dates in line with the tradition of the prophet. Dates helped sustain the desert and nomadic peoples of the Middle East and North Africa. They have been found in earthen jars in the tombs of Pharaohs and Kings. While living in Doha, Qatar, I remember getting an abundance of fresh dates from the Prince’s farm. My husband was working for the prince (not that he got to see him). He did get to see the wives and palaces!

Dates are one of the natural raw sweeteners used in the Raw Food lifestyle. They are used in smoothies, desserts, just as they are or filled with a variety of fillings.

Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Iran are the world’s largest growers of dates. There are an incredible variety of dates. I usually buy the Medjool (Arabic for unknown) from the Bard Valley in California.

The medjool palm trees are orginally from Morocco and were given to the United States in the 1920’s when disease was threatening the existence of the dates.

Deglet Noor (Arabic for date of light) is another popular variety.

Last week I discovered fresh organic dates from Iran. So very yummy. The stores are carrying more varieties right now due to Ramadhan. So it is a good time to discover and stock up on some delicious dates.

Dates ripen in four stages: unripe, fullsize and crunchy, ripe and soft, ripe and sundried. To me they are very best when they are ripe. soft and juicy.

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date tree

 

Dates  palms take 7 years after planting before they will bear fruit. Mature date palms can produce 80 – 120 kilograms of dates per harvest season.

Ripe dates on the palm tree

In India dates palms are tapped for the sweet sap which is converted to palm sugar (known as jaggery or gur). Special skill is required when tapping the tree so that it does not die.

Dates in Awali

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Curry Leaves

September 11, 2007 at 10:00 pm · Filed under health tips, raw food

 

I absolutely love curry leaves. It has to be my favorite spice or herb in Indian cuisine. Usually it is added to the oil before cooking  in mainly vegetarian dishes like dal, sambar, curry, pickles etc. It also goes very well with coconut and tomato dishes. Curry Leaves are mostly used in South India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Fiji. The leaves are usually used fresh, and the aroma is so good.

 Curry leaves are also an ingredient in some curry powders.

The leaves are available from Indian grocers. They can be kept in the fridge for about 2 weeks and can also be frozen or dried.

 I blend the fresh leaves into raw soups and crackers. I also dehydrate the leaves to sprinkle on salads and raw soups. Mmm Mmm.

Curry leaves are high in antioxidants and carotenoids. They are used in ayurvedic medicine as a digestive. Curry leaf mixed with lime juice is a folk remedy for morning sickness. They are also used to increase the appetite of convalescents. New research is showing them to be highly beneficial for diabetes.

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Olive trees and Olive oil facts

September 6, 2007 at 5:05 pm · Filed under health tips, raw food

Olive Tree

Olive trees start producing olives after 5 years but it takes 5 decades before achieving a mature yield.

Olive yields can vary greatly from year to year depending on the care provided.

By their very nature, olive tree yields vary by as much as threefold every second year.

1/4 acre holds 16 trees.

One tree produces 15-40 kg of olives.

One litre of olive oils requires 4-6 kg of olives.

One tree produces enough olives for 4-10 liters of oil.

Olives

 

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Zatoun Fair Trade Olive Oil

September 5, 2007 at 2:48 pm · Filed under health tips, organic food, raw food

My friend Dima gave me a bottle of Zatoun Fair Trade Olive Oil a few months ago. It is one of the most delicious olive oils I have ever tasted. And I love the philosophy behind this particular one of supporting the farmers and peace. The oil is organic and stone crushed. Palestine does not use any chemicals or pesticides on the land.

Since the 19th century , olives have been a major commercial crop for Palestine. The olive oil is used for food, lighting and soap making. Zatoun Olive Oil is meant to bring to North Americans the human experience of Palestine and its people, especially farmers who depend

on the land and its fruits.

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Montilla olives collage12

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Robert Massoud developed the project as a “people sized initiative for those who want to make a difference.

He says: I turned to the sale of olive oil because it’s a life giving substance that binds us together in the human experience of eating and sharing, and a symbol of life, hope and peace. The world today is in dire need of bridge-building. This is an invitation to walk that bridge. Sales of Zatoun support 150 farm families from the northern West Bank between Nablus and Jenin, as well as urban artisans who make oilve oils soaps in Nablus, Palestine’s second city and the birthplace of modern soap-making.

Zatoun also sells soap made with olive oil and zatar, a mixture of sesame seeds mixed with foraged sumac and wild mountain thyme gathered from the hillsides. www.zatoun.com

Some health information on olive oil. For the best benefits use the oil raw on salads or food. Do not cook with it.

Olive Oil is effective against Helicobacter Pylori the bacteria responisble for ulcers. In research it exerted stron activity even against some strains resistant to antibiotics.

 Olive Oil Phenols protect from free radical damage

Olive Oil Phenols prevent inflammation- induced osteopenia (bone thinning)

 Olive Oil has anti-inflammatory benefits

Olive Oil has been shown to be a key factor in the lowering of breast cancer risk associated with the Mediterranean Diet.

 Olive Oil  reduces Cardiovascular disease risk

Olive Tree in Tuscany

Tomorrow I will list some more interesting facts about olive trees and olive oil.

Have a peaceful day.

Fatma

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The Power of Nice

September 4, 2007 at 5:17 pm · Filed under Law of Attraction, inspiration

How to Conquer the Business World With Kindness

I have just finished reading “The Power of Nice” by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Kaval. It was a recommedation by Donald Trump in his book “Why we want you to be rich”. I loved both books. Wisdom can be found in unusual places.

 Here are some suggestions from the book greatly simplified by me.

Learn a few jokes – make others laugh.

Flash a smile – Smiling should become as natural as breathing.

Be kind to everyone.

Cooperation beats out the competition.

Come in Peace.

Compliment those who irritate you the most.

Offer your assistance to your rivals.

Don’t be afraid to set boundaries.

Ask a question – listen.

Honor your debts (the non financial ones) – Honor those who helped you get where you are.

There is untapped potential in even the smallest good deed and it can have a multiplier effect strong enough to change the world. Love that.

I am off to learn a new joke.

Smile :)
Fatma

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