My Book: Curiosity Expands Your Mind, Resource Book for Truth Seekers
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Monday, March 8, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Why should we allow or want industrial hemp to be grown in the USA?
Industrial hemp, which contains below 0.3% THC, is not the same as the recreational/medicinal cannabis—marijuana. Marijuana contains 6 to 20% or more of THC, which is the psychoactive substance in the cannabis plant. Just to name a few areas of use, industrial hemp is used for paper, clothing/textiles, biodegradable plastics, auto industry, construction, fuel, and in the health food and beauty products industries. Hemp is a sustainable plant that may be used in place of depleting Mother Earth’s forests and other resources. Growing industrial hemp requires none to very few pesticides, and it replenishes the soils with nutrients where is it grown.
Hempseed oil, aka hemp oil, is an edible oil that contains 80% essential fatty acids (EFA) and about 20% of a highly-digestible protein. Its amino acid content is almost complete when compared to sources of protein such as meat, milk, eggs, and soy. We Americans eat way to much soy, this product should not be consumed in the quantities that we do, especially women who have not gone through menopause. Soy is a good source of natural estrogen, which is great for women who have gone through the “change” but not before, as it may raise the levels of estrogen produced by your body, and with the increased levels of estrogen causing painful periods, PMS, etc. Anyway, one tablespoon of hemp oil taken daily easily provides your daily requirement of EFAs. Hemp oil is not suitable for frying nor is olive oil. Hemp oil turns rancid within a short period of time, such as flaxseed oil, if not stored properly. Keep it stored in the refrigerator and use within six months or less within the date of purchase. Also, keep in mind, when you purchase hemp oil/hemp seeds make sure that they are refrigerated (and have been kept refrigerated) at the time of purchase, as they may be spoiled. Hemp oil is also known to improve your memory and to strengthen brain cells.
Hemp seeds are great in salads, sandwiches, smoothies, grown as sprouts, used in baking, in teas, etc. These seeds contain all the essential amino acids and essential fatty acids necessary for daily nutrition. Hemp seeds are also a good source of calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, copper, and manganese. Other uses for hemp in your diet are cereals, tofu, flour, and its fresh leaves used in salads. As hemp oil and hemp seeds contain these much-needed nutrients, by consuming hemp this decreases your need to depend on manufactured supplements to get the recommended daily requirements to stay healthy.
During WWII, the US used hemp in the production of military uniforms, ropes, and other items for the war. However, our “War on Drugs,” which isn’t working anyway, caused the end of growing hemp in the US. We need to educate ourselves more about this wonderful plant, industrial hemp, and the great qualities it has and how it will be an asset to our lives as a renewable resource for textiles, biodegradable plastic, paper, fuel, auto body parts, etc., and in improving our health from its many wonderful nutritional benefits. With the Department of Justice and Drug Enforcement Agency (DOJ and DEA) micromanaging understanding of the Controlled Substances Act, their interpretation of industrial hemp is indistinguishable from marijuana. This interpretation has the US importing industrial hemp to the tune of $360 Million, or more, each year from countries where its production is legal. Just think if we were allowed to grow this wonderful plant, the benefits—economically and health-wise—would be astounding, so shame on us for not standing up to have outdated laws overturned.
However, with the help of the non-profit advocacy group Vote for Hemp many states have passed or introduced hemp legislation to change this. For more information, check out their website http://www.votehemp.com/.
Hempseed oil, aka hemp oil, is an edible oil that contains 80% essential fatty acids (EFA) and about 20% of a highly-digestible protein. Its amino acid content is almost complete when compared to sources of protein such as meat, milk, eggs, and soy. We Americans eat way to much soy, this product should not be consumed in the quantities that we do, especially women who have not gone through menopause. Soy is a good source of natural estrogen, which is great for women who have gone through the “change” but not before, as it may raise the levels of estrogen produced by your body, and with the increased levels of estrogen causing painful periods, PMS, etc. Anyway, one tablespoon of hemp oil taken daily easily provides your daily requirement of EFAs. Hemp oil is not suitable for frying nor is olive oil. Hemp oil turns rancid within a short period of time, such as flaxseed oil, if not stored properly. Keep it stored in the refrigerator and use within six months or less within the date of purchase. Also, keep in mind, when you purchase hemp oil/hemp seeds make sure that they are refrigerated (and have been kept refrigerated) at the time of purchase, as they may be spoiled. Hemp oil is also known to improve your memory and to strengthen brain cells.
Hemp seeds are great in salads, sandwiches, smoothies, grown as sprouts, used in baking, in teas, etc. These seeds contain all the essential amino acids and essential fatty acids necessary for daily nutrition. Hemp seeds are also a good source of calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, copper, and manganese. Other uses for hemp in your diet are cereals, tofu, flour, and its fresh leaves used in salads. As hemp oil and hemp seeds contain these much-needed nutrients, by consuming hemp this decreases your need to depend on manufactured supplements to get the recommended daily requirements to stay healthy.
During WWII, the US used hemp in the production of military uniforms, ropes, and other items for the war. However, our “War on Drugs,” which isn’t working anyway, caused the end of growing hemp in the US. We need to educate ourselves more about this wonderful plant, industrial hemp, and the great qualities it has and how it will be an asset to our lives as a renewable resource for textiles, biodegradable plastic, paper, fuel, auto body parts, etc., and in improving our health from its many wonderful nutritional benefits. With the Department of Justice and Drug Enforcement Agency (DOJ and DEA) micromanaging understanding of the Controlled Substances Act, their interpretation of industrial hemp is indistinguishable from marijuana. This interpretation has the US importing industrial hemp to the tune of $360 Million, or more, each year from countries where its production is legal. Just think if we were allowed to grow this wonderful plant, the benefits—economically and health-wise—would be astounding, so shame on us for not standing up to have outdated laws overturned.
However, with the help of the non-profit advocacy group Vote for Hemp many states have passed or introduced hemp legislation to change this. For more information, check out their website http://www.votehemp.com/.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
Candlemas/Imbolc/St. Brigid's Day, Groundhog Day - Feb 2
Candlemas, February 2, commemorates the ritual purification of Mary, 40 days after the birth of Christ on December 25. Candlemas is one of the four “cross-quarters” of the year, occurring halfway between the first day of Winter (Winter Solstice) and the first day of Spring (Spring Equinox). Traditionally, it was believe that if Candlemas is sunny, the remaining six weeks of Winter would be stormy and cold. But, if it rained or snowed on Candlemas, the rest of the Winter would be mild. In the US, this is known as Groundhog Day. This day is also called “Imbolc” (pronounced “im-olk”), the end of Winter, and the beginning of Spring, a day of newborn calves and lambs, and dormant seeds begin to wake-up within the Earth (Spring has sprung!). With the arrival of these newborns, milk and cheese are once again available for consumption. The promise of the return of light and renewal of life that was made at the Winter Solstice is now starting to show, to come forth and germinate. It is the start of the new planting year, a time for new beginnings.
In the past, it was a custom to bring candles to church to be blessed by the priest on February 2. The candles were then taken home where they served as talismans and protection from all sorts of disasters. This custom was the origin for the name Candles-mass. Originally, this festival was associated with fires that were built in open places. These fires would be lit from the sacred flames (of the previous years’ celebration), in which they would be allowed to burn throughout the year. Then, eventually, the fires were built in church courtyards where people would dance around the flames or jump over them. The people would carry home some of the embers to kindle their own fires from the sacred flames. If the observance of Lent starts as early as February 4, this causes Candlemas customs to become associated with Shrove Tuesday, which is also Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, or Carnival. The fasting season of Lent, a time of purification, begins on Ash Wednesday, the day after Fat Tuesday.
Celebration: The main element of your decorating scheme for this day is, obviously, candles. Beginning at sundown on Candlemas Eve (Feb 1), gather all the candles in your home into one room and light all of them from one central candle, or place a candle in each window of your home and allow them to continue burning until sunrise (but watch them carefully, don’t want any accidents). Or, if you have a fireplace, clean out your hearth, then light a new fire. Have your family and friends sit around the fire or candles to share their hopes for the New Year, like what you hope to accomplish, what your passions are, what you wish to plant in your new garden, etc. Write these ideas down in a journal and/or piece of paper, to make them concrete so that on August 2, the Festival of the First Harvest, Lammas, you can look back to see if, or what progress you have made. Crepes and pancakes are traditional foods for Candlemas because of their round shape and golden color, which are symbols of the sun -- the return of light.
Purification and Renewal: You may give up something frivolous or something serious for 40 days (Dec. 25 to Feb. 2), but it should be something that you will miss or notice. Folklore/wisdom says it takes six weeks to establish a new or better habit, so you may end up with a changed or whole new lifestyle.
Spring-cleaning is another act of purification, and since Candlemas is sometimes considered the beginning of Spring, this is a great time to start. This is a good time to get rid of your old things, change your air-conditioner filters, open your windows to let in fresh air, and do a good house cleaning to banish the gloom of Winter and to create a shiny new setting for Spring. A smudge ceremony in your dwelling or workspace this time of year is also a good idea.
Excerpt from Curiosity Expands Your Mind by Brenda Miller, available through http://www.trafford.com/; http://www.amazon.com/; or http://www.designsbybrenda.net/.
In the past, it was a custom to bring candles to church to be blessed by the priest on February 2. The candles were then taken home where they served as talismans and protection from all sorts of disasters. This custom was the origin for the name Candles-mass. Originally, this festival was associated with fires that were built in open places. These fires would be lit from the sacred flames (of the previous years’ celebration), in which they would be allowed to burn throughout the year. Then, eventually, the fires were built in church courtyards where people would dance around the flames or jump over them. The people would carry home some of the embers to kindle their own fires from the sacred flames. If the observance of Lent starts as early as February 4, this causes Candlemas customs to become associated with Shrove Tuesday, which is also Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, or Carnival. The fasting season of Lent, a time of purification, begins on Ash Wednesday, the day after Fat Tuesday.
Celebration: The main element of your decorating scheme for this day is, obviously, candles. Beginning at sundown on Candlemas Eve (Feb 1), gather all the candles in your home into one room and light all of them from one central candle, or place a candle in each window of your home and allow them to continue burning until sunrise (but watch them carefully, don’t want any accidents). Or, if you have a fireplace, clean out your hearth, then light a new fire. Have your family and friends sit around the fire or candles to share their hopes for the New Year, like what you hope to accomplish, what your passions are, what you wish to plant in your new garden, etc. Write these ideas down in a journal and/or piece of paper, to make them concrete so that on August 2, the Festival of the First Harvest, Lammas, you can look back to see if, or what progress you have made. Crepes and pancakes are traditional foods for Candlemas because of their round shape and golden color, which are symbols of the sun -- the return of light.
Purification and Renewal: You may give up something frivolous or something serious for 40 days (Dec. 25 to Feb. 2), but it should be something that you will miss or notice. Folklore/wisdom says it takes six weeks to establish a new or better habit, so you may end up with a changed or whole new lifestyle.
Spring-cleaning is another act of purification, and since Candlemas is sometimes considered the beginning of Spring, this is a great time to start. This is a good time to get rid of your old things, change your air-conditioner filters, open your windows to let in fresh air, and do a good house cleaning to banish the gloom of Winter and to create a shiny new setting for Spring. A smudge ceremony in your dwelling or workspace this time of year is also a good idea.
Excerpt from Curiosity Expands Your Mind by Brenda Miller, available through http://www.trafford.com/; http://www.amazon.com/; or http://www.designsbybrenda.net/.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Algerita Berberis, Mahonia
Algerita Berberis, Mahonia
The algerita is found throughout the State of Texas, but mainly in Central Texas or the Hill Country, as well as many parts of the US. It is an evergreen bush/shrub with thorn covered leaves. In the spring, the bushes are covered with sweet-smelling yellow flowers that later produce small red berries. To avoid the painful thorns when picking the berries, place a cloth on the ground beneath the bush and use a stick to knock the berries off of the branches, which causes the berries to fall onto the cloth. The red berries are great for jellies, pies, drinks/wine, etc.. The woody parts of the algerita bush are bright yellow like the blooms and also have a sweet-smelling scent.
Algerita roots should be gathered during the winter and cut into small pieces to be dried for later use. Other woody parts may be preserved in the same way. The medicinal parts of the plant are the stem, bark, and root. Use the bright yellow wood to make a tincture as a liver purifier and/or to treat jaundice; the small branches can be made into a cold infusion. The flowers, applied to wounds, help prevent infections.
Algerita roots are laxative in action, and in weaker preparations, they are effective in treating diarrhea caused by bacteria, such as food poisoning. The berry may be used for sore throats and acts as a mild local anesthetic. Berberine is the main active ingredient in algerita, which is found in other healing plants such as goldenseal and Oregon grape. The algerita is also used for chronic indigestion; constipation; eye infections; fever; mouth ulcers; and sore throats. This is a wonderful native plant that has no problems with medicinal or food usage.
The algerita and other barberry bushes are used frequently in landscaping. This plant may be bought at your local nurseries specializing in native plants, or they may be grown from cuttings and/or seeds. The algerita makes large full hedges that are colorful during the spring flowering season and again when laden with its berries.
To make a yellow dye from the algerita bush: Use about three parts by weight of the root to one part by weight of cotton or wool. Gather branches and/or roots of the algerita and chop into small pieces. Place the pieces in a piece of cloth (pillowcase) and tie it closed. Soak this bundle several days in water. Soak fabric and/or yarn for several hours in water, then squeeze out the excess water or as much as you possibly can. In a pot, immerse the wet material/wool in the algerita dye solution and, stirring continually, bring this to a boil. Simmer this until it reaches the color or just a little darker then the desired color you are looking for. Rinse the material until the rinse water is clear. In order to not fade your newly dyed material/wool, dry it out of direct sunlight, which may take several days.
The bright yellow woody parts of the algerita may be used around your home/office or in rituals/workings to represent clarity of mind, happiness, power, creative energy, wisdom, and hope. The fragrance is very pleasing, so use it in potpourri. Also, having this wonderful drought-repentant shrub around your home will impart all these useful characteristics listed above, making your home and yard a much brighter place.
Brenda Miller, RM, IAAM
http://www.designsbybrenda.net/
Author of Curiosity Expands Your Mind, a resource book for truth seekers.
Visit http://wwwdesignsbybrenda.net/ or http://www.amazon.com/ or http://www.barnesandnoble.com/
or http://www.amazon.co.uk/ or http://www.trafford.com/ to purchase your copy.
Brenda L Miller is a NAPW 2010 VIP Woman of the Year. The National Association of Professional Women (NAPW) is one of the most exclusive and rapidly growing associations of female executives, professionals, and entrepreneurs in the United States. We span almost every industry, including health and medicine, education, advertising and public relations, manufacturing, publishing, communications, entertainment, law, and more. Visit http://www.napw.com/ for more info.
The algerita is found throughout the State of Texas, but mainly in Central Texas or the Hill Country, as well as many parts of the US. It is an evergreen bush/shrub with thorn covered leaves. In the spring, the bushes are covered with sweet-smelling yellow flowers that later produce small red berries. To avoid the painful thorns when picking the berries, place a cloth on the ground beneath the bush and use a stick to knock the berries off of the branches, which causes the berries to fall onto the cloth. The red berries are great for jellies, pies, drinks/wine, etc.. The woody parts of the algerita bush are bright yellow like the blooms and also have a sweet-smelling scent.
Algerita roots should be gathered during the winter and cut into small pieces to be dried for later use. Other woody parts may be preserved in the same way. The medicinal parts of the plant are the stem, bark, and root. Use the bright yellow wood to make a tincture as a liver purifier and/or to treat jaundice; the small branches can be made into a cold infusion. The flowers, applied to wounds, help prevent infections.
Algerita roots are laxative in action, and in weaker preparations, they are effective in treating diarrhea caused by bacteria, such as food poisoning. The berry may be used for sore throats and acts as a mild local anesthetic. Berberine is the main active ingredient in algerita, which is found in other healing plants such as goldenseal and Oregon grape. The algerita is also used for chronic indigestion; constipation; eye infections; fever; mouth ulcers; and sore throats. This is a wonderful native plant that has no problems with medicinal or food usage.
The algerita and other barberry bushes are used frequently in landscaping. This plant may be bought at your local nurseries specializing in native plants, or they may be grown from cuttings and/or seeds. The algerita makes large full hedges that are colorful during the spring flowering season and again when laden with its berries.
To make a yellow dye from the algerita bush: Use about three parts by weight of the root to one part by weight of cotton or wool. Gather branches and/or roots of the algerita and chop into small pieces. Place the pieces in a piece of cloth (pillowcase) and tie it closed. Soak this bundle several days in water. Soak fabric and/or yarn for several hours in water, then squeeze out the excess water or as much as you possibly can. In a pot, immerse the wet material/wool in the algerita dye solution and, stirring continually, bring this to a boil. Simmer this until it reaches the color or just a little darker then the desired color you are looking for. Rinse the material until the rinse water is clear. In order to not fade your newly dyed material/wool, dry it out of direct sunlight, which may take several days.
The bright yellow woody parts of the algerita may be used around your home/office or in rituals/workings to represent clarity of mind, happiness, power, creative energy, wisdom, and hope. The fragrance is very pleasing, so use it in potpourri. Also, having this wonderful drought-repentant shrub around your home will impart all these useful characteristics listed above, making your home and yard a much brighter place.
Brenda Miller, RM, IAAM
http://www.designsbybrenda.net/
Author of Curiosity Expands Your Mind, a resource book for truth seekers.
Visit http://wwwdesignsbybrenda.net/ or http://www.amazon.com/ or http://www.barnesandnoble.com/
or http://www.amazon.co.uk/ or http://www.trafford.com/ to purchase your copy.
Brenda L Miller is a NAPW 2010 VIP Woman of the Year. The National Association of Professional Women (NAPW) is one of the most exclusive and rapidly growing associations of female executives, professionals, and entrepreneurs in the United States. We span almost every industry, including health and medicine, education, advertising and public relations, manufacturing, publishing, communications, entertainment, law, and more. Visit http://www.napw.com/ for more info.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Charities That I Support.
My new year’s resolution is to not give consumer products as gifts for birthdays or Christmas. I have chosen instead to donate in honor of the recipient to organizations such as http://www.heifer.org/, http://www.nature.org/, and http://www.ocenconservancy.org/. As I see that most people, including me, do not need another dust collector in their abode, I have decided this is the best way to go. I also think that in lieu of flowers/plants in honor of a deceased loved one/friend, that I will contribute “in honor of” to such charities as these.
I am tired of being a pack rat, a collector or consumer goods, and I am tired of feeling guilty in having to keep the gift so as to not hurt the giver’s feelings. In order to not overburdened the already busting at the seams landfills, I can recycle the gift(s) by sending it to Goodwill/Salvation Army, which are good causes, but eventually they may need to toss such goods as their warehouses/stores become overcrowded with such products.
I also donate to http://www.organicconsumers.org/, http://www.votehemp.com/, http://www.arborday.org/, and http://www.npca.org/. These organizations fight for nature and environmental rights. They keep our government from enacting laws that will be harmful for the environment (Mother Earth), which will eventually be harmful to us, as what happens to our environment happens to us.
Vote Hemp is an organization that is removing barriers or misguided beliefs to industrial hemp farming in the US by educating the public and standing up to the lawmakers/our government. Check out http://www.votehemp.com/ for more info as to what they are doing and why we should support this cause/organization.
Organic Consumers Association informs you of what is going on in the organic world, news about food safety, health issues, genetic engineering, etc. To find out more of what they do, go to http://www.organicconsumers.org/. Sign up for their newsletters to keep yourself informed as what is going on with these issues listed plus much more.
Heifer International, through donations such as mine, will provide families with chicks, lambs, sheep, bees, etc. These animals help the families become sustainable by providing eggs, wool, milk, honey, beeswax, meat, etc. These products not only provide food, clothing, wax, etc. but they provide cash in the selling of the products so the families are able to purchase items that are needed to sustain their way of life or to the betterment of their lives. Check out http://www.heifer.org/ to see what it is all about.
Maybe the next time that you are planning to purchase a gift, you may want to stop and think about buying another dust collector for that special someone. These organizations or those of your choosing are very appreciative in your donations, which they will put to good cause. So there will be no dust colleting going on here or guilty feelings about having to keep said gift, etc., etc.
Brenda Miller
http://www.designsbybrenda.net/
Author of Curiosity Expands Your Mind
I am tired of being a pack rat, a collector or consumer goods, and I am tired of feeling guilty in having to keep the gift so as to not hurt the giver’s feelings. In order to not overburdened the already busting at the seams landfills, I can recycle the gift(s) by sending it to Goodwill/Salvation Army, which are good causes, but eventually they may need to toss such goods as their warehouses/stores become overcrowded with such products.
I also donate to http://www.organicconsumers.org/, http://www.votehemp.com/, http://www.arborday.org/, and http://www.npca.org/. These organizations fight for nature and environmental rights. They keep our government from enacting laws that will be harmful for the environment (Mother Earth), which will eventually be harmful to us, as what happens to our environment happens to us.
Vote Hemp is an organization that is removing barriers or misguided beliefs to industrial hemp farming in the US by educating the public and standing up to the lawmakers/our government. Check out http://www.votehemp.com/ for more info as to what they are doing and why we should support this cause/organization.
Organic Consumers Association informs you of what is going on in the organic world, news about food safety, health issues, genetic engineering, etc. To find out more of what they do, go to http://www.organicconsumers.org/. Sign up for their newsletters to keep yourself informed as what is going on with these issues listed plus much more.
Heifer International, through donations such as mine, will provide families with chicks, lambs, sheep, bees, etc. These animals help the families become sustainable by providing eggs, wool, milk, honey, beeswax, meat, etc. These products not only provide food, clothing, wax, etc. but they provide cash in the selling of the products so the families are able to purchase items that are needed to sustain their way of life or to the betterment of their lives. Check out http://www.heifer.org/ to see what it is all about.
Maybe the next time that you are planning to purchase a gift, you may want to stop and think about buying another dust collector for that special someone. These organizations or those of your choosing are very appreciative in your donations, which they will put to good cause. So there will be no dust colleting going on here or guilty feelings about having to keep said gift, etc., etc.
Brenda Miller
http://www.designsbybrenda.net/
Author of Curiosity Expands Your Mind
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