Merry Christmas to you all.
Now, I know that perhaps some of you don't believe in Christmas. You are perhaps of a different religion, or maybe you just don't believe. I don't know how much that I really believe in an organized religion myself. I am more the when you gotta say thank you to the Creator (who or whatever you may believe that is) you say it. When you feel that you need guidance, you ask. When you just want to talk, you talk. Simple as that. Who is to say that there is nothing or no being there to hear or to answer? I don't know for a certainty that there isn't, so what is the harm? None really and what the heck!
What I do know is that the teachings of this man, Jesus, that lived 2000 or so years ago make sense to me. I especially like the one about "doing unto others as you would have them do unto you". Can you imagine a world where everyone did that! Wouldn't it be amazing? There is also the story about having faith as small as a grain of mustard seed. Wow, what if we all had that kind of faith in a peaceful world where no one went hungry and we didn't try to take what we could before someone else got it, or if we were content sharing everything so that we were all comfortable. What a fine world it would be!
Imagine a world where people respected each other to the point of not imposing their points of view on each other but respecting their right to their point of view?
What would it be like to replace the hate and fear in the world with love and peace? What would it be like to replace the constant toiling for the dollar to working and helping each other live a decent life?
December 25th isn't even the real birthday for Jesus. I think that he was born in the spring sometime. The church chose that date to bring in more people to the church. They combined the date for an ancient rite that celebrated the Winter Solstice, the celebration of the return of the light, the lengthening of the day. What does it matter in the long run.
To me, this day symbolizes not the birth of a man, but the spirit of the words that he taught. This day symbolizes the idea of peace, joy, love and respect for our fellow man and hope for the future.
So, it is in this vein of thought that I say, Merry Christmas to everyone, no matter what religion, race, or creed.
Peace, Joy and Love for 2012.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
Food Additives
I really like the fact that labels are required on our food now. We can read the ingredients and find out the percentage of sugar, calcium, carbohydrates etc are in each serving. First off though, have you ever measured out a serving size? Most of it is not much compared to what we would usually eat. Secondly, do you know what some of the ingredients are? I was surprised to find out that some companies put wood fibre in their products. It is listed as cellulose. Would you think that it meant wood pulp? I wouldn't, but then again perhaps I am a label virgin. Don't think so but who knows....
Food freedom has a good article on companies that put wood in their food. Give it a read and be enlightened.
Food freedom has a good article on companies that put wood in their food. Give it a read and be enlightened.
Monday, November 21, 2011
What an Eye Opener!
I don't know where this came from as someone sent it to me via email but I did find it disturbing even if one tenth of it is true. And I do know that margarine lasts a very, very long time!
Read on.......
Margarine was originally manufactured to fatten turkeys. When it killed the turkeys, the people who had put all the money into the research wanted a payback so they put their heads together to figure out what to do with this product to get their money back. It was a white substance with no food appeal so they added the yellow colouring and sold it to people to use in place of butter. How do you like it? They have come out with some clever new flavourings...
DO YOU KNOW... The difference between margarine and butter? Read on to the end...gets very interesting!
Both have the same amount of calories. Butter is slightly higher in saturated fats at 8 grams;compared to 5 grams for margarine.
Eating margarine can increase heart disease in women by 53% over eating the same amount of butter, according to a recent Harvard Medical Study.
Eating butter increases the absorption of many other nutrients in other foods. Butter has many nutritional benefits where margarine has a few and only because they are added!
Butter tastes much better than margarine and it can enhance the flavours of other foods.
Butter has been around for centuries where margarine has been around for less than 100 years.
And now, for Margarine..
Very High in Trans fatty acids.
Triples risk of coronary heart disease ...
Increases total cholesterol and LDL (this is the bad cholesterol) and lowers HDL cholesterol, (the good cholesterol)
Increases the risk of cancers up to five times..
Lowers quality of breast milk
Decreases immune response.
Decreases insulin response.
And here's the most disturbing fact...HERE IS THE PART THAT IS VERY INTERESTING!
Margarine is but ONE MOLECULE away from being PLASTIC...and shares 27 ingredients with PAINT These facts alone were enough to have me avoiding margarine for life and anything else that is hydrogenated (this means hydrogen is added, changing the molecular structure of the substance).
Open a tub of margarine and leave it open in your garage or shaded area. Within a couple of days you will notice a couple of things: * no flies, not even those pesky fruit flies will go near it (that should tell you something) * it does not rot or smell differently because it has no nutritional value ; nothing will grow on it. Even those teeny weeny microorganisms will not a find a home to grow. Why? Because it is nearly plastic . Would you melt your Tupperware and spread that on your toast?
Read on.......
Margarine was originally manufactured to fatten turkeys. When it killed the turkeys, the people who had put all the money into the research wanted a payback so they put their heads together to figure out what to do with this product to get their money back. It was a white substance with no food appeal so they added the yellow colouring and sold it to people to use in place of butter. How do you like it? They have come out with some clever new flavourings...
DO YOU KNOW... The difference between margarine and butter? Read on to the end...gets very interesting!
Both have the same amount of calories. Butter is slightly higher in saturated fats at 8 grams;compared to 5 grams for margarine.
Eating margarine can increase heart disease in women by 53% over eating the same amount of butter, according to a recent Harvard Medical Study.
Eating butter increases the absorption of many other nutrients in other foods. Butter has many nutritional benefits where margarine has a few and only because they are added!
Butter tastes much better than margarine and it can enhance the flavours of other foods.
Butter has been around for centuries where margarine has been around for less than 100 years.
And now, for Margarine..
Very High in Trans fatty acids.
Triples risk of coronary heart disease ...
Increases total cholesterol and LDL (this is the bad cholesterol) and lowers HDL cholesterol, (the good cholesterol)
Increases the risk of cancers up to five times..
Lowers quality of breast milk
Decreases immune response.
Decreases insulin response.
And here's the most disturbing fact...HERE IS THE PART THAT IS VERY INTERESTING!
Margarine is but ONE MOLECULE away from being PLASTIC...and shares 27 ingredients with PAINT These facts alone were enough to have me avoiding margarine for life and anything else that is hydrogenated (this means hydrogen is added, changing the molecular structure of the substance).
Open a tub of margarine and leave it open in your garage or shaded area. Within a couple of days you will notice a couple of things: * no flies, not even those pesky fruit flies will go near it (that should tell you something) * it does not rot or smell differently because it has no nutritional value ; nothing will grow on it. Even those teeny weeny microorganisms will not a find a home to grow. Why? Because it is nearly plastic . Would you melt your Tupperware and spread that on your toast?
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Teachers, teachers everywhere you look!
Teachers, teachers, everywhere. How many times have you learned something from the most unlikely person or source? I find that I am doing this quite regularly and have learned the most amazing things.
One of my cousins sent me an email about honey and cinnamon being great for arthritis, diabetes, colds, weight loss and much more. Another friend told me that she uses honey and turmeric for mental health as the cucumin in the turmeric helps the brain to stay healthy. My 7 year old grandson said the other day that sometimes change is good and sometimes it is bad, depends on the subject. Labels are great teachers. They tell us what is in the food we eat and all about the nutritional content. Too bad they don't tell us what some of the unpronouncables do to us! Sometimes we learn great things on the TV too. Did you know that your life is incomplete if you don't eat at certain restaurants.... buy certain clothes.....drive certain vehicles? Many many teachers........
How 'bout you? Have you noticed any teachers lately?
One of my cousins sent me an email about honey and cinnamon being great for arthritis, diabetes, colds, weight loss and much more. Another friend told me that she uses honey and turmeric for mental health as the cucumin in the turmeric helps the brain to stay healthy. My 7 year old grandson said the other day that sometimes change is good and sometimes it is bad, depends on the subject. Labels are great teachers. They tell us what is in the food we eat and all about the nutritional content. Too bad they don't tell us what some of the unpronouncables do to us! Sometimes we learn great things on the TV too. Did you know that your life is incomplete if you don't eat at certain restaurants.... buy certain clothes.....drive certain vehicles? Many many teachers........
How 'bout you? Have you noticed any teachers lately?
Thursday, June 16, 2011
The Mind is a Powerful Think
Most of us don't realize how much creative power we have within our minds. This energy is so creative it can virtually materialize our desires. Hogwash you say. But I truly believe that this is so. We are creative beings and we have been born with this ability. Unfortunately, how to use it has been bread out of us!
Yes, when our ancestors from way way back were born, they were in tune with the universal energy that is all around us. They know that the universe was there to assist them in their desires. They knew that if they focused on something that was needed, say food, they would find it. Even though they knew this, they also knew that they couldn't just lay back and expect that all would be handed to them. They were wise enough to know that they had to go out and do something. The Wooly Mammoth didn't carve itself up to provide meat for the tribe, the tribe had to be active in the acquiring of food.
As time went on, the knowledge of action, has been slowly taken away. We have been told by the few that did know, that we had to go through them in order to be taken care of. We were made to believe that we didn't have the ability to venture forward without guidance of another human. And they bought it! Those that didn't were disposed of for creating opposition.
Now, we are realizing that we can do this on our own. We are creators in the largest scale. We are re-learning how to do this and some of us who have been exposed are getting the message while others are still stymied by it all.
Yes, we can visualize what we would like to have and accomplish in this lifetime but what some don't get is that it isn't enough to just visualize it, we need to work toward it every day. It needs to be the focus of what we are doing for a good portion of the day if it is to succeed.
We also need to be aware of the other signs that come our way and remember not to take things blindly for granted. We need to be skeptical. We need to listen, to evaluate and to come to a conclusion on our own. Process through our filters. What is manna for one is poison for another.
So, take time and listen to yourself. Pay attention to what your body is telling you. Learn to interpret the signs of a positive energetic jolt as well as a gut wrenching pull to reality.
The mind is tricky. It doesn't discern as the emotions do. What looks good and sounds good, may ultimately be wrong for you. The mind can help us with this if we let it. The mind is not ego, it is choice. Learn how to use this tool to create your own reality and make a better life for yourself. Visit www.robinsnestretreat.com/workshops.html for more information on this wonderful investment for yourself.
Yes, when our ancestors from way way back were born, they were in tune with the universal energy that is all around us. They know that the universe was there to assist them in their desires. They knew that if they focused on something that was needed, say food, they would find it. Even though they knew this, they also knew that they couldn't just lay back and expect that all would be handed to them. They were wise enough to know that they had to go out and do something. The Wooly Mammoth didn't carve itself up to provide meat for the tribe, the tribe had to be active in the acquiring of food.
As time went on, the knowledge of action, has been slowly taken away. We have been told by the few that did know, that we had to go through them in order to be taken care of. We were made to believe that we didn't have the ability to venture forward without guidance of another human. And they bought it! Those that didn't were disposed of for creating opposition.
Now, we are realizing that we can do this on our own. We are creators in the largest scale. We are re-learning how to do this and some of us who have been exposed are getting the message while others are still stymied by it all.
Yes, we can visualize what we would like to have and accomplish in this lifetime but what some don't get is that it isn't enough to just visualize it, we need to work toward it every day. It needs to be the focus of what we are doing for a good portion of the day if it is to succeed.
We also need to be aware of the other signs that come our way and remember not to take things blindly for granted. We need to be skeptical. We need to listen, to evaluate and to come to a conclusion on our own. Process through our filters. What is manna for one is poison for another.
So, take time and listen to yourself. Pay attention to what your body is telling you. Learn to interpret the signs of a positive energetic jolt as well as a gut wrenching pull to reality.
The mind is tricky. It doesn't discern as the emotions do. What looks good and sounds good, may ultimately be wrong for you. The mind can help us with this if we let it. The mind is not ego, it is choice. Learn how to use this tool to create your own reality and make a better life for yourself. Visit www.robinsnestretreat.com/workshops.html for more information on this wonderful investment for yourself.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Meditation
I have been getting back into a daily meditation and I must say that it has been rewarding, even if it is for the calm that I feel for quite awhile after wards. Many people have said that they have trouble with meditation because they can't get rid of the mind chatter. I must say that this has been a problem with me as well getting back into the routine.
I thought that I would share some of the techniques that I have used to overcome the chatter and get back into the quiet space that meditation brings.
First, I find that it helps to pick a time that you know that you won't be interrupted. Unplug the phone or change the ring to o if you have an answering machine that allows you to do that. If you can use the same time every day that would help.
Second, light a candle. Sometimes it helps to do an open eyed meditation and focus on the candle. By doing this you can drown out some of the chatter and discern what is chatter and what is useful.
Third, sit in a comfortable chair with your feet flat on the floor if you don't sit in the lotus position on the floor. Me, I use the chair as I have trouble with the floor. Be comfortable. There is nothing worse than trying to meditate and you are sitting in an uncomfortable position or you have a pinch in your waist from your pants, or you are in a draft. You get the gist.
Fourth, play some nice quiet instrumental music, or you could use a guided meditation tape or CD. These help you stay focused and as you progress with your ability to let go, you sometimes will go off and not even follow the tape. That is fine if you find yourself wandering through the meditation after all, it is about letting go and allowing the body to relax and release.
Fifth, some find that using a small Native hand drum and beating out the heart beat rhythm is helpful in allowing them to journey in a meditation.
Try these techniques and see if they work for you. They have for me.
I thought that I would share some of the techniques that I have used to overcome the chatter and get back into the quiet space that meditation brings.
First, I find that it helps to pick a time that you know that you won't be interrupted. Unplug the phone or change the ring to o if you have an answering machine that allows you to do that. If you can use the same time every day that would help.
Second, light a candle. Sometimes it helps to do an open eyed meditation and focus on the candle. By doing this you can drown out some of the chatter and discern what is chatter and what is useful.
Third, sit in a comfortable chair with your feet flat on the floor if you don't sit in the lotus position on the floor. Me, I use the chair as I have trouble with the floor. Be comfortable. There is nothing worse than trying to meditate and you are sitting in an uncomfortable position or you have a pinch in your waist from your pants, or you are in a draft. You get the gist.
Fourth, play some nice quiet instrumental music, or you could use a guided meditation tape or CD. These help you stay focused and as you progress with your ability to let go, you sometimes will go off and not even follow the tape. That is fine if you find yourself wandering through the meditation after all, it is about letting go and allowing the body to relax and release.
Fifth, some find that using a small Native hand drum and beating out the heart beat rhythm is helpful in allowing them to journey in a meditation.
Try these techniques and see if they work for you. They have for me.
Monday, April 18, 2011
April Musings
I am an avid reader. When I am reading a book, I often feel that I have a book in me wanting to come out. I sit down and either on the computer or with pen/pencil in hand proceed to make an outline of a story. That part goes well. Sounds interesting to me. Then, I start to weave the tale around the skeleton of the outline. What happens then is a puzzle to me! When I started, I had all of these lovely, descriptive conversations and scenes running through my mind, like colour commentary at a sports event designed to keep spectators riveted to the play.
Somewhere alone the line, I loose my train of thought and everything unravels like a sweater caught on a nail. I sit bewildered and try to figure out why, when I am falling asleep, or just day dreaming, that the flow is endless. The images and thoughts keep coming like a huge freight train at a railway crossing, never seeming to end.
I have finally figured it out, I think. No, not that I think that I have figured it out but, I think! When I am day dreaming or falling asleep at night, I relax the mind. There are no brakes or filters to constantly change what is coming through. I just am. Revelations pop into my semi-consciousness that cause many ah ha moments. Thoughts so deep that I am astounded. Thoughts that I tell myself to remember when I wake up, or that I try to capture in a journal to no avail as when the light comes on, that flow turn off. The thinking starts.......ta dum.....ta dum...
Meditation seems to be the key. I have known this for decades, practiced it for just as long until recently. Through meditation, I am able to retrieve this state of being and I mostly retain what I receive. Wonderful. The feeling of re-membering so many things that I once knew brought forth again without conscious thought. The re-membering floats to the surface from the depths of the memory. Thoughts that I never knew that I had. Thoughts that I connected with in that vast, continuous ether that is called consciousness. The consciousness that connects us all together. The consciousness that is universal and available to all who seek it.
I don't always sit in a prescribed manner, place or time. I sometimes just gaze out into the woods beyond my windows and let nature take over. I flow into some space far from me, that is somehow all of me as well.
Wow, who would have thought that by not thinking, our greatest thoughts appear.
Just a thought.
Somewhere alone the line, I loose my train of thought and everything unravels like a sweater caught on a nail. I sit bewildered and try to figure out why, when I am falling asleep, or just day dreaming, that the flow is endless. The images and thoughts keep coming like a huge freight train at a railway crossing, never seeming to end.
I have finally figured it out, I think. No, not that I think that I have figured it out but, I think! When I am day dreaming or falling asleep at night, I relax the mind. There are no brakes or filters to constantly change what is coming through. I just am. Revelations pop into my semi-consciousness that cause many ah ha moments. Thoughts so deep that I am astounded. Thoughts that I tell myself to remember when I wake up, or that I try to capture in a journal to no avail as when the light comes on, that flow turn off. The thinking starts.......ta dum.....ta dum...
Meditation seems to be the key. I have known this for decades, practiced it for just as long until recently. Through meditation, I am able to retrieve this state of being and I mostly retain what I receive. Wonderful. The feeling of re-membering so many things that I once knew brought forth again without conscious thought. The re-membering floats to the surface from the depths of the memory. Thoughts that I never knew that I had. Thoughts that I connected with in that vast, continuous ether that is called consciousness. The consciousness that connects us all together. The consciousness that is universal and available to all who seek it.
I don't always sit in a prescribed manner, place or time. I sometimes just gaze out into the woods beyond my windows and let nature take over. I flow into some space far from me, that is somehow all of me as well.
Wow, who would have thought that by not thinking, our greatest thoughts appear.
Just a thought.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Well, the new web site is up and running. I have been a little annoyed that I lost all of my newsletter contacts with the old hosting site. They didn't even give me a heads up that they were going under. I am sure that I am not the only one that was stung. I am going to make a back up of any future lists, that's for sure!
I am liking the City Max though. It is the company that I have my web site with now. They are a build it yourself site and they are very easy to use, reasonable prices and quite nice to deal with.
I went to a workshop about social media the other day and found out some interesting facts. I know that this is the way to go for advertising and look forward to learning more. I like to be hands on with my stuff and I look forward to learning how to make all of these things work together.
Please visit www.robinsnestretreat.com and let me know what you think.
I am liking the City Max though. It is the company that I have my web site with now. They are a build it yourself site and they are very easy to use, reasonable prices and quite nice to deal with.
I went to a workshop about social media the other day and found out some interesting facts. I know that this is the way to go for advertising and look forward to learning more. I like to be hands on with my stuff and I look forward to learning how to make all of these things work together.
Please visit www.robinsnestretreat.com and let me know what you think.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Web Site news
Hello to you all
Due to circumstances beyond my control, The Robins' Nest Retreat.com web site isn't functioning at this time. I think that the server that it was on has gone belly up. I am not sure about this as they haven't notified me of any changes and the site as well as their site hasn't been online for about a week. I am busily trying to get another site online and should be back in a few days. I thank you for your patience.
I have also lost all of the addresses for my monthly newsletter. On the new site, I will have a sign up so please wait and sign up again when the new site is up. I thank those of you who have been followers.
If there are any questions about The Robins' Nest, you can ask me through the blog until the new site is up. I will be checking it daily.
Thanks again for your patience.
Due to circumstances beyond my control, The Robins' Nest Retreat.com web site isn't functioning at this time. I think that the server that it was on has gone belly up. I am not sure about this as they haven't notified me of any changes and the site as well as their site hasn't been online for about a week. I am busily trying to get another site online and should be back in a few days. I thank you for your patience.
I have also lost all of the addresses for my monthly newsletter. On the new site, I will have a sign up so please wait and sign up again when the new site is up. I thank those of you who have been followers.
If there are any questions about The Robins' Nest, you can ask me through the blog until the new site is up. I will be checking it daily.
Thanks again for your patience.
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