Today's Spiritual Woman Summer Issue

Today’s Spiritual Woman

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A magazine for women who want to explore their inner spirit and share with women all over the world.

Summer 2012 Issue

A life without Love, is a year witho

Mind: Look at the “Mun”danity

8– 9

Travels to the East

10 – 14

Vicarious Trauma

16 – 18

Spirit: “AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL” GLORY

22 – 23 24

Discussion: Successful Women Want To Help Others Succeed

26 – 27

Disneyland ...The happiest place on earth and where the magic began

28 – 32

The Dilemma of the Beggar

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Image by Rick Harris http://www.flickr.com/photos/rickharris/25582614/sizes/o/in/photostream/

out Summer ~Swedish Proverb ~

Body: Comfort Foods....Cabbage Rolls Now, you’re talking! Great substitutions for cooking/ baking!

20 Painkillers in Your Kitchen

36 38 – 40

41 – 47

Giving

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Japanese cooking

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Improvement: Habitat for Humanity

52 – 53

Revving up your metabolism and lose weight faster!

54 – 55

Summertime and the living is easy….

54 – 55

How to Stay Healthy and Happy – Advice from our pets!

57 – 61

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MASABI Editorial Staff: Lola Carlile Ph. D. Art Therapist & Editor of Today’s Spiritual Woman Cin Broyles Digital Creative Editor & Advertisement Liaison Mind and Spirit and Body Improvement is proud to present our Summer 2012 issue of Today’s Spiritual Woman we would like to thank every contributor to this issue and are always looking for new submissions. Please send your artistic personality in to us for inclusion by E-mailing our Editor Lola Carlile Ph. D. todayspiritualwoman@gmail.com Advertiser, we would be happy to help you reach more consumers with our inexpensive ads.

Full page for $200.00, half page $100.00, quarter page $50.00, your business card for $25.00; for photo ready advertisements.

If you need us to create a graphic ad for you, we would be happy to for an additional $20.00 with the inclusion of your own logo and images. For more information or to place your advertisement, E-mail Cin Broyles cinbroyles.masabi@yahoo.com

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MASABI Seeks Outgoing Advertisement Liaison to help build awareness, revenue, and support for MASABI and Today’s Spiritual Woman Magazine. Qualified individuals may send in cover letter and resumÊ for this internship with possible commission to todayspiritualwoaman@gmail.com. The position is ideal for a marketing or advertisement student in the Willamette Valley.

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Mind

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8

Look at the “Mun”danity

By John Le Carre

Here is a day in my life: 1.

2.

Wake up at 6 AM Eat, shower, dress, etc. be out the door and leaving for work no later than 7 AM 3.

7 AM – arrive at work and settle in for the day (email, organize, etc.)

4. work 5. break 6. work 7. lunch 8. work 9. break 10. work 11.

Leave work at 5 PM 12. Arrive home around 5:45 13.

Make dinner 14. eat 15. work 16. night rituals 17. sleep

….and the mundane days will be the same until Friday night. While being too exhausted from the mundane week, I go to bed early. Morning comes and it’s Saturday. Shall I have some fun today? NO! I have housework and yard work to do today. What about Sunday? Well, I am a churchgoer, so I will be in church all day. Sunday afternoon comes and I’m exhausted from the weekend! Oh no, Sunday night and I have to start the mundane workweek again.

I’m working for the “Man” so I don’t have time to take more than 1 vacation and that means 1 annually. Of course the vacation is cut short because I don’t have enough vacation leave.

With all of this stress and unfulfilling lifestyle, at least I can count my blessings.

1. I don’t have to commute 2 hours to and from work.

2. I have a paycheck.

3. um…….

This schedule of events happens to about 80% of our population. The other 20% (argh) are very lucky to have maids, gardeners, and extra help so that they can focus on making money.

Would you believe that with all my ranting and raving, I am looking for fulfillment? So must others find their fulfillment in their work and personal lives. Many people are unsure of who they are, what they can do and what their passions are (me included). It takes effort to relearn yourself and find your passions again. I suggest the following to find who you are and what your passions are: 1.

2.

3.

Write down a list of words that energize and excite you.

Write down a list of words that describe you.

Take career and personality tests to find careers that fit your passion.

Remember, that if you don’t find passion in your work, you won’t be productive and can lose most of your life without making a difference in this world. And that’s what we are all about is making a mark that will last when we pass….and when we do pass we want others to say, “That ‘your name’ was good at ‘your passion’ and left a legacy. No matter how big or small your legacy was…..don’t waste your life going through the motions.

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Teaching Literacy in a Global Society The Big Book of Reading Authored by Vye Carlile Ph.D. Teaching Literacy in a Global Society is an informational text that will guide the reader to understand the nuances of teaching reading. It serves as a general guide to the many components involved in teaching and learning to read.

Publication Date: Apr 25 2012 ISBN/EAN13: 1469906406 / 9781469906409 Page Count: 164 Binding Type: US Trade Paper Trim Size: 6" x 9" Language: English Color: Black and White Related Categories: Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Reading

List Price: $24.99 https://www.createspace.com/3770052 About the author:

Vye Carlile is a veteran teacher who secretly loves to read picture books in her spare time! Dr. Carlile has over 38-years of teaching every grade except for 2nd. Her unique style of making reading appealing to even the most uninterested potential reader is reflected in her many awards, including Salem’s Crystal Apple Award. She teaches with enthusiasm and a special nod to all the intelligences - not just the auditory and verbal so often the only way school is experienced. Dr. Carlile is not only a reader, teacher, and counselor, she is also a writer. Past editor of Today’s Spiritual Woman, she also has written five children’s books and one novel. In her spare time she travels, stalks her sons on Facebook, and spreads art therapy throughout her community.

10 Travels to the East

By Susan Scott Cambodia

Eve of departure Sunday 13 May, 2012.

Just gone 1.30 p.m. …Neil has gone to do some shopping and thereafter to chip a few balls at the golf course which suits me well as I prepare rather haphazardly to pack and be organised for leaving for destination unknown tomorrow morning. Still some bills to pay electronically and a few other things to check and tick off I pack light – I have the tiniest pouch for a handbag that will contain my credit card, some local currency to change at the airport either here or there, a lipstick or two, a small dainty mirror from Paris which my son Mike brought back for me recently on his European travels, my cell phone, my ID book, a tiny moleskin notebook & pen, a few toothpicks. I will also carry a small and neat backpack which will carry my Kindle, a book, and my travel documents and room enough I hope to stuff my sleeveless jacket into if it is too hot on arrival in Bangkok where last I heard 2 weeks ago that the temperature was at 37 degrees celsius. I am still to check my itinerary but perhaps I can do that on the plane.

Actually I am still to double check my departure time …

My luggage is small enough for me to carry on the plane as hand luggage. It is an extra light bag which weighs only 2.3kg. It has wheels and handles …

Image by aseieff: http://www.flickr.com/photos/aseiff/3497733139/

11 It all still seems rather unreal to me … Susan and I will be skyping at 4 my time here in Johannesburg, South Africa this afternoon; her time in Phoenix Az will be 7.00 a.m. One more sleep for each of us and then we each set off to meet up in Bangkok on Tuesday …

I am not sure how I feel – in a sense I am on auto-pilot. I think I am organised. It was not nice however waking up in the early hours this morning with a toothache and realising that I have a slightly wobbly crown which is what is causing the toothache. Will I have the courage to phone my dentist this evening and ask him if he would see me very early tomorrow morning? I don’t even know if he is in town .. Once before when I was visiting my sister in Cape Town I had an excruciating tooth ache which required antibiotics. I do NOT want to go through that again in ‘other countries’ – I do have an antibiotic on hand if I need it but I have nearly choked to death before on those bombs … which makes me think that if I need to see a dentist in Thailand, or Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia then so be it ..

Can anything go wrong at this stage? Besides my tooth? I will be re-assured when Davey my younger son lets me know that he has returned safely to Cape Town, from playing a gig in Plettenberg Bay on Friday night. He is on the road as I write. The trip is about 550 kms.

I was watering my garden yesterday afternoon and wondering how it would look on my return. Is there is enough compost, acid compost and potting soil bought by me a few days ago to keep the gardeners busy? I wondered whether this would be the last time I would ever see my garden … morbid silly thoughts but those are the thoughts that I sometimes have – I do not dwell on them but they do enter my mind.

Will I manage without my laptop? Should I take my cell phone and buy a chip for it in those foreign countries so that I can sms the family and let them know that I am alright?

How will it be in a foreign country? What if .. what if .. what if … but there comes a time when I say to myself amongst my usual angst, to take it as it comes, take it as it comes and hope that Providence will be on my side and the future awaits!

12 World, a part We arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam last night.

It is blessedly cooler after the heat and humidity of Luang Prabang Laos, and Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. So far so good. Susan and I have walked the streets, eaten where the locals eat and put unknown sauces onto unknown food which has been so delicious, very inexpensIve and nutritious.

We have bused to temples, walked three times around the Buddha while saying the Buddhist prayers. We’ve boated on the Mekong and stopped in at villages along the way.

We’ve walked up 328 steps to see another glowing Buddha and made our obeisances to him. We’ve made purchases of beautiful handmade or hand woven goods at a small cost to ourselves in the bustling markets which the locals frequent. We have seen snakes in oil in glass bottles, tiny birds in tiny cages which for a fee you can buy and set free.

Susan and I have talked at length about the people we’ve observed and interacted with.

We’ve wondered about the eastern attitude in relation to our western one. We wonder about their way of being in the world, and our western way of being in the world. I feel we can learn much from them. They seem rooted in their culture, so warm and friendly with ready smiles and willing to help where they can.

We wondered whether there is the same striving for economic wealth and material goods that we westerners have. In Luang Prebang, Laos, now a UNESCO world heritage site since 1995, people have welcomed the economic advantages that this has brought to the country. Do they yearn for a higher standard of living such as we are used to? What may be sacrificed?

We are going to explore Hanoi today. We walk a lot taking in the sights and sounds.

Later… I am not sure this got posted. So will re try.

Image by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dalbera/4353047471/sizes/l/in/photostream/

13 It’s Monday night 28 May. We are in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, arrived ex Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City as it is also known (HCMC) this evening. We walked the busy streets this evening here in PP in search of local food which we found. How to try to distil these last few days into a few words without writing a travelogue?

HCMC … Yesterday .. The Cu Chi tunnels .. An extraordinary maze of tunnels – 250 kms long – built initially in 1948 by the erstwhile peaceful villagers of Cu Chi to fight back and protect themselves from the invasion of the French and then the Americans in the IndoChina conflict. We stopped in at a cemetery called the City of Sorrows where 50,000 Viet Congs are buried, those who lost their lives in this appalling conflict. The cemeteries are beautifully maintained in all parts of Laos and Vietnam. The dead are truly honored. From the Cu Chi tunnels we stopped in at beautiful temple where the religions of Catholicism, Confucianism and Buddhism are blended in the wish to take from each its best and thus to have the perfect religion. We witnessed a service in progress. We lunched, just Susan and I at a local family’s home where we we served the most delicious meal by the most gracious people. Poor, yet all clean and spotless, flowers in pots, chickens running aroun What is it about traveling to unknown places and not going on organized tours and rather finding out about different cultures in our own way and time? What do we hope to achieve by doing this in our rather unorthodox way? We wonder how much we are Image by joaquin uy :http://www.flickr.com/photos/wakxy/2303524263/sizes/o/in/photostream/

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influenced by our western cultures and how much propaganda we are fed by our own?

How important it is, we are coming to realize, to broaden our world view and to see the world through different lenses and not remain trapped in our comfort zones.

We visited the Re-Unification Palace this morning in HCMC. This was North Vietnam and South Vietnam negotiating an end to the conflict between the two regions and was begun in 1975. After we had walked around the Palace we asked two young women at the information kiosk how it was for them that north and south Vietnm was now united?

What was interesting is that they said they they look only forward. Evidently they were not a part of the conflict. Susan and I discussed this and thought how true this is that the young lead the way forward and the elders seem to hold on to the past. The past is never to be forgotten since it does to a significant extent determine the future; but how refreshing it was to hear these young women looking forward to the future. I can’t help but think of South Africa and be hopeful that the youth will lead the way for a better future for all….

Phomn Phen … A very poor city is our first impression of walking the streets this evening. We are anxious about visiting the killing fields of the Khmer Rouge tomorrow …. Pol Pot.

Image by James Chua:http://www.flickr.com/photos/james_chuas/3681097052/sizes/o/in/photostream/ image by Marguerite Carstairs: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ladymaggic/3142452967/sizes/o/in/photostream/

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Season of summer

By Aniah Harrison age 8 and Brenda Ellison

Summer is fun because you can do fun activities and play games that you can’t play before summer comes.

You can wear nice and cool clothes such as T-Shirts and shorts.

You can also cool yourself down by popsicles,swimming at the beach,cold drinks and snow cones.

My family is going to do a lot of fun stuff this summer and we will go to the beach.

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Vicarious Trauma The Stress Doc™ Newsletter NOTES FROM THE ONLINE PSYCHOHUMORIST™ JUN 2012, No. I, Sec. II

Fight when you can Take flight when you must Flow like a dream In the Phoenix we trust!

Who Can Catch VT? According to the Vicarious Trauma and Headington Institutes, “Vicarious trauma is the process of change that happens because you care about other people who have been hurt, and feel committed or responsible to help them. Vicarious Trauma is what happens to your neurological (or cognitive), physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual health when you listen to traumatic stories day after day or respond to traumatic [or emotionally maddening, discouraging, and disheartening] situations while having to control your reaction.

VT is a process that unfolds over time. It is not just your responses to one person, one story, or one situation. It is the cumulative effect of contact with survivors of violence” and disaster. However, I believe Vicarious Trauma is not only the product of horrific drama; VT conditions need to be placed on a spectrum of distress and disruption. Other less sensational yet often no less demanding person-social situation contexts contribute to VT susceptibility, including •

continuously working with or caring for

•

intervening with substance abusers and

people who are struggling with poverty or economic

those engaged in other self-defeating addictions and

displacement, many working in and warehoused

behaviors, including defiance and denial, people

by the criminal justice system, or grappling with

whose disastrous, disruptive, demeaning, and/or

environments (e.g., a tight job market or foreclosed

self-defeating experience may result in a profound

housing market) that foster a sense of “learned

sense of loss of personal control and of trust, often

helplessness,” hopelessness for the future, or angry

contributing to a wariness with perceived “authority

resignation,

figures” and a resistance to accepting counsel; a clash of divergent cultures or conflicting cultural practices

•

the victims of domestic, child abuse, sexual

abuse, and bullying or other anti-social and destructive actions;

between providers and recipients of aid or service may exacerbate interpersonal contentiousness or distance,

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the aged and infirmed, or being responsible

hostile and hurtful patterns of interaction in the

for individuals struggling with profound physical,

kitchen are invariably acted out in the classroom; or

neurological, and cognitive-affective illness, disability,

when a child’s chronic stress contributes to noticeable

and/or dementia; not understanding the nature

underachievement, attention deficit, and learning

and limits of the condition may create unrealistic

disabilities, if not a sense of shame and depressive

expectations and frustration for both parties,

tendencies; alas, hurt and hopelessness can morph into withdrawing inside a hardened protective shell,

•

a once strong family member or significant

other who has now lost his or her bearings, balance,

•

a parent trying to reach, reason with, and

and/or bladder control; in their new “strong one” role,

restrain a forever angry or defiant, bingeing, texting or

a caretaker who prematurely buries his or her grief

drinking while driving, living on the edge, thinking he

regarding this loss and potential “role reversal” is

or she is invulnerable teenager or young adult.

inviting exhaustion if not drama or trauma, •

teachers who can’t get through to young,

irritated students who come to school hungry, •

or students from dysfunctional families whose

Such daunting and draining work may result in “existential angst” – the sense that one is constantly being pushed out of a comfort zone and is forced to question the meaning of events, one’s own and others’ actions and reactions. How could a benevolent “God” allow such atrocities, catastrophes, or unexpected and unfair casualties? Why were these people targeted? Being the witness, recipient, or active participant in distressing, disheartening, disillusioning, and disempowering life scenarios and stories, “day after day, and year after year” can take a profound toll on one’s mind-body-spirit.

So the numbing or alienating field of VT may not just be thousands of miles away; it may be as close as your professional office, a classroom, your living room, or the home of a family member. Defining Codependency Clearly, people who place their mind-body-spirit on the line, helping those fighting for post-traumatic survival or struggling to maintain some sense of economic and/or psychological stability, autonomy, self-worth, and competency in a “survival of the fittest” world rate a Purple Heart for passion and compassion.

Codependency can occur in any type of relationship, including family, work, friendship, and also romantic, peer or community relationships. Codependency may also be characterized by denial, low self-esteem,

18 excessive compliance, or control patterns. More specifically, people who are codependent often take on the “martyr role”; they constantly put others’ needs before their own and in doing so forget to take care of themselves. [In fact, such individuals often use the role of “rescuer” to distract or lose themselves or deny and project their vulnerable emotions onto others’ problems.]

This creates a sense that [there’s a serious issue for which] they are “needed”; they cannot stand the thought of being alone and no one needing them. Codependent people are constantly in search of acceptance. When it comes to arguments, codependent people also tend to set themselves up as the “victim.”

When they do stand up for themselves, they feel guilty. Codependency does not refer to all caring behavior and feelings or to normal kinds of selfsacrifice or caretaking, but only those that are excessive to [a dysfunctional] degree. For example parenting is a role that requires a certain amount of self-sacrifice and giving a child’s needs a high priority, although a parent could nevertheless still be codependent towards their own children if the caretaking or parental sacrifice reached unhealthy or destructive levels. [Such scenarios might include a child compelled to fulfill the unfulfilled fantasies of a parent, or one frequently parenting the parent,

or prematurely and subtly yet fairly literally having to be the “man” or confidant in the household; or when a lonely parent needs to be “best” friends with a teenage son or daughter]. Generally a parent who takes care of their own needs (emotional and physical) in a healthy way will be a better caretaker, whereas a codependent parent may be less effective, or may even do harm to a child. Another way to look at it is that the needs of an infant are necessary but temporary whereas the needs of the codependent are constant.

In any case, knowledge is power. If you know that you are falling into the trap of VT, you have made the first step to healing. The second step is a bit more difficult, but attainable.

Just learn to distance yourself from others’ problems. You can be empathic, yet retain your own emotional stability. It takes a lot of practice and health practitioners take classes in order to understand these phenomena. But, the old adage, ‘take care of you and then take care of others’ works here. If you are having difficulty with the individual concerned, how can you help if you are becoming just like them? Great food for thought….

The Staff at MASABI would like to recognize Clockworks Cafe and Cultural Center located at 241 Commercial St NE, Salem, OR 97301.They are a big supporter of 501c3’s in our community and as one themselves, understand the needs of non-profits to have a quality place to hold events like our recent book signing for

“The Twin Within.”

From the bottom of our hearts we say :

Thank You Clockworks You help make the community move forward!

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Find up to date event and special information by joining them on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ClockworksCafe

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Spirit

http://kaarosusama.deviantart.com

m

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“AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL” ~Joyce Roberts Lott~ Several summers ago I took an exciting cog rail ride to the top of Pike’s Peak. When I was a Colorado resident, I had experienced this, but this time as a visitor from South Carolina it was a more thrilling experience.

The scenery was wondrous. The clear day let me see every detail along the way. Lakes were nestled occasionally in areas to the right of our cog rail. To my left I saw the ragged Rockies. The contrasts of the clouds and sky with the mountains, the tall, straightstanding trees, and the patches of rolling green with lakes embedded in them created a breathtaking experience. I stood up and took pictures along the way in my attempt to capture the beauty to enjoy it later.

As the cog rail neared the top of Pike’s Peak, the young man in charge of the cog rail pointed out a lake nearby where Kathryn Lee Bates had written a poem. He asked if anyone on our car knew the name of the song that the poem became. I had just submitted a manuscript in which I had some of that information in it. I knew! I quickly raised my hand and gave him my answer, “America the Beautiful.” He said, “Yes, and do you know the words to that song?” I answered that I did. He then asked me if I would sing it. I answered, “If everyone will sing with me. He asked my name and then announced, “Passenger Joyce will now lead you in “America the Beautiful.”

As we sang that song, I thrilled to hear the voices join together as we approached the top of Pike’s Peak and seeing all of the beauty in our midst. At the summit a lady came to me and stated that we had “goose bumps” when we sang that song and that she was thankful that I had led it.

Yes, it was indeed “America the Beautiful.” At the top I could see off towards the plains to the east, the direction of Kansas and my home state. I saw the city of Colorado Springs below. The sign at the top read “Summit Pike’s Peak altitude 14,110.” Truly this was a mountain-top experience for me -- the sights of the beauty of America and to sing “America the Beautiful” in such beauty.

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcrean/4927878283/ Photo by Patric Crean

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GLORY Dad had just been transferred from ICU into a regular hospital room. Outside his

window he could see a tattered and torn flag flying on the hospital grounds in a town on the plains of western Kansas. When the nurse entered his room, he called her attention to the ragged condition of the flag and lamented. “That ought not to be.” She enthusiastically agreed, stating, “Let’s just see what we can do about it.”

A new “Old Glory” was raised outside his window five days later on Friday, June 4, 1993.

On the following day, Dad passed from this earthly life to be raised to “Glory.”

The flag on his memorial leaflet was not chosen because Dad was a veteran of a war.

(He had brothers and cousins who fought and one cousin killed in action.) It was chosen because of his respect for the flag and for the symbol of comfort it was for each of us he left behind. That flag, “Old Glory,” tattered and torn, had been replaced with a new “Old Glory.” Dad’s life, weary and worn, was raised in newness to “Glory.”

Joyce Roberts Lott

Prairie_writer@yahoo.com

joycelott@ruraltel.net

Benjamin Ragheb

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What would you do if your

twelve–year old son began his period?

That is the question one California family had to ponder in 1960, an era when rock and roll shattered the innocence of the 50’s. With impending doom from nations near out shores, the world was not ready to accept, discuss, nor tolerate a boy having a girl’s period. This American family was soon to be drawn into a world they never dreamed of, much less were prepared to cope with.

Lola Carlile is a writer, muse, traveler, and, most of all, an educator interested in the psyche of people. She lives on the West Coast with her husband and enjoys writing as a form of meditation.

Stephanie Anne Stockton is a gardener, seeker of truth, and a woman in search of happiness from within. She also lives on the West Coast.

On Sale now through Author House Publishing online Hardcover $28.20 E-book $ 3.99 Softcover $18.70 Get your copy now at http://www.amazon.com/The-Twin-Within-painful-struggling/dp/1438958846/ref=sr_1_1?ie=U TF8&qid=1340671814&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Twin+Within

26 Discussion: Successful Women Want To Help Others Succeed

by Rajendranath Mehrotra

We all are mortal human beings with all the weaknesses and strong points alike attributable to human beings. I do not favor the idea of non - generalisation. We have two distinctive human groups, Ladies and Gents.

BOTH HAVE THEIR STRONG AND WEAK POINTS, BUT IF 60% OR SO OF ONE GROUP SHOW better control of their instinctive reactions, then definitely this group is better. Traits vary and greatly depend on the culture of each reason and hence two groups from different cultures may not be comparable, but two groups from the same culture are always comparable.

Within India, women have proved their mettle in every field beyond any doubts and many of them have cemented their places internationally.

What men could have done, women have done better than men in every field. I don’t know ‘Why should we shy away from accepting the facts?’

Be it politics, business, scientific researches, adventures or any field, whatever they have done and achieved, cannot be taken away from them and we should accept the facts.

Indian homes generally have been ruled by them and more than 90% of Indian children attribute their success to their mothers.

See a list of Indian women achievers: The 21 Leading Businesswomen in India

1 Akhila Srinivasan, Managing Director, Shriram Invest. Ltd 2 Chanda Kocchar, Executive Director, ICICI Bank 3 Ekta Kapoor , Creative Director, Balaji Telefilms 4 Jyoit Naik, President, Lijjat Papad 5 Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, C.M.D, Biocon 6 Lalita D Gupte, Joint Managing Director, ICICI Bank 7 Naina Lal Kidwai , Deputy CEO, HSBC 8 Preetha Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals 9 Priya Paul, Chairman, Apeejay Park Hotels 10 Rajshree Pathy, Chairman, Rajshree Sugars & Chem. Ltd 11Ranjana Kumar, Chairman, NABARD 12 Ravina Raj Kohli, Media personality and ex-President, STAR News 13 Renuka Ramnath, CEO, ICICI Ventures 14 Ritu Kumar , Fashion Designer 15 Ritu Nanda, CEO, Escolife 16 Shahnaz Hussain, CEO, Shahnaz Herbals 17 Sharan Apparao, Proprietor, Apparao Galleries 18 Simone Tata, Chairman, Trent Ltd 19 Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Joint MD, Kinetic Engineering 20 Tarjani Vakil,Ex-C.M.D, EXIM Bank 21 Zia Mody, Senior Partner, AZB & Partners.

Some very young CEOs,

Laxmi Venu, 29 yrs., Sundaram Clayton.

Natasha and Shweta Shroff, Law Firm.

Devita Saraf, the CEO of Vu technologies.

Jayanti Chauhan, CEO of Bisleri.

Ashni Biyani, 25 yr., Director of future ideas a subsidiary of 2 billion worth future group.

Roshni Nadar,CEO and Executive Director of HCL Group.

Image: Dennis Jarvis: http://www.flickr.com/photos/archer10/2215722186/sizes/o/in/photostream/

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Besides these names, we all know about Indira Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, Sunita Williams, Renu Khator ( Chancellor and President of Houston University), Anju Bhargava (advisor to U.S.A President), Kamala Harris/ Ami Bera/ Nikki Haley (Politics),Co founder of Yahoo ( Shrinija Shivaraman), Manju Bhargava/ Medha Yoth/ Kausalya Hart/ Anita Goel/ Kalpna Chawla/ Vinita Rastogi/ Sangeeta Bhatia and thousands of other Indian women achievers.

Society of Asian American Women in U.S.A features many lady achievers.

I have close to 500 such names who have proved that in many ways, they are better than men but it is either male Ego or chauvinism, which stops us from accepting facts and giving them their dues.

I personally feel that within many cultures, women are in a better place and it is true from India, at least, as I do not know much about others, but from what I have observed in many countries, I find them the better half of those societies as well.

image: http://www.educationsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/women_managers_india.jpg

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Disneyland ……..

The happiest place on earth and where the magic began

By Leslie Sieren

Everyone knows who Walt Disney was. The impact he had, and continues to have, on us is astounding. What child does not know who Mickey Mouse is? What little girl can’t name all the Disney princesses? It is a rare child who has not been exposed to Disney prior to turning two. It transcends the borders of the United States. When visiting St. Petersburg, Russia several years ago I was wearing a Mickey Mouse t-shirt. A museum guide, who did not speak English, pointed at me and said “Mickey Mouse!”. Even in Russia.

As a parent Mr. Disney took his two young daughters to amusement parks and would sit on a bench watching them and think how nice it would be if there was a place where families could go that would be clean, safe and where the parents could enjoy themselves too, instead of just sitting and watching the children. Out of that small idea came Disneyland.

Construction began in July 1954 and opening day was July 17, 1955. The five major areas were Main Street, Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.

They still exist today. Over the years New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown and Critter Country have been added. And Disneyland is now a full blown resort consisting of three hotels, a shopping district, a high-rise parking structure and, in the original parking lot, a new park called California Adventure.

Walt Disney said that Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world. In the 57 years since Disneyland opened, he has been proved right. And I suspect there is much more to come.

I was particularly fortunate that my mother had an Aunt who lived approximately five miles from Disneyland. Although I grew up in northern California we spent most Thanksgivings and many Easter holidays with Aunt Lorine and Uncle Pete. I made my first visit in November 1961 at the age of six. I now live in southern California and continue, as

29 an adult, to make 3-4 trips to Disneyland each year with my youngest sister who also lives and works here too. Don’t believe it if someone tells you that Disneyland is just for kids.

I’ve seen many rides come and go but there is always something new and exciting to see.

Every time I walk down Main Street my mind flashes back to the years as a child when my Dad, who was just as excited as us kids, practically skipped down the street with us.

For those of you who have never been to Disneyland it is hard to explain the atmosphere. It is truly a different world. As you enter the park you pass through a sign that reads “Here you leave today and enter the world of Yesterday, Tomorrow and Fantasy”. A few feet further and you are THERE. It is an experience that has to be felt, one cannot explain it. Everyone is smiling and happy. Disney music plays through the loudspeakers.

As you look around you see Mickey Mouse, Minnie

Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and other characters. The only way to get into the park is to walk down Main Street filled with shops, candy stores, a crystal store, ice cream shops, just like a turn of the century Main Street. Keep an eye out for the horses pulling the carriages though!

Disneyland is built on a hub and spoke motif. Main Street leads down to the “hub” directly in front of Sleeping Beauty’s castle. To the left you will find Adventureland where you can visit the remote jungles of Asia and Africa. Continuing in a counter-clockwise direction, Frontierland, where you can pretend you are living the American frontier.

Fantasyland is next, where dreams really do come true. Then it is on to Tomorrowland to visit the marvels of the future. In addition, tucked behind some of the lands are New Orleans Square, where the South comes alive. Mickey’s Toontown is where the world of cartoon mayhem becomes reality. And Critter Country, where animals like Winnie the Pooh, Brer Fox, Brer Bear and other animals of American folklore play all day.

There is not enough room in this article to describe every ride and show (yes, there is plenty of live entertainment) nor will I mention all you can do at California Adventure. But here are some tidbits that you may not be aware of: Did you know that there is a very exclusive, private restaurant in Disneyland located in New Orleans Square? It is called Club 33. The entrance is a small

30 door located adjacent to the Blue Bayou restaurant. It is the only place in Disneyland where you can get an alcoholic drink. One enters the room and takes an elevator upstairs to the dining area where you can sit and overlook the Square while eating. Before you get too excited about this stop and consider the price. There is a $10,000 initiation fee and the yearly dues are over $3000 per year, and, despite that, there is a 14 year waiting list to join. It is the dream of my life to have just ONE meal at Club 33. It’s the best place in the park to see celebrities.

If you visit on your birthday be sure and stop at City Hall as you enter the park. You will be given a “Happy Birthday” button to wear. All the cast members will constantly be wishing you a Happy Birthday. Way cool.

See how many “Hidden Mickeys” you can count. They are all over the place. Images of Mickey’s head and ears are in the flowers, buildings, murals, rides, everywhere.

Don’t ignore the non-ride entertainment. The Tiki Room, first opened in the mid-1960s, is still going strong. The kids will love it even though it is not high tech. Singing and talking birds and flowers can be very entertaining. The boys will love the Star Wars Jedi training classes that take place in Tomorrowland. Let your little Luke Skywalker trade light saber blows with Darth Vader. He just might win.

And the parades. Indescribable. The music, dancing, performers and floats. Magical. Don’t miss it.

Now for a reality check. Disneyland is not cheap and not for the financially faint-hearted. But there are ways you can mitigate the cost. You DO have control over some things. But here are the things you do not: Parking -- $15.00 for the day unless you are staying in a hotel with shuttle service.

Food – bite the bullet (or the hamburger) and just pay. You cannot bring food into the park and if you try I suspect Security will find it as you go through the search prior to entering (yes, after 9/11 all bags are checked). There are picnic areas outside of the park.

31 Any food you bring should be left in the car and retrieved when you are ready to eat. This takes so much time it is not even worth the effort.

A soft drink, hamburger and fries will put you back at least $10.00.

Buying a ticket at the ticket booths is not a good idea. Disneyland costs $87.00 for one day for those over 10 years old. If you belong to AAA then get your tickets through them. Multi-day, Park Hopper (to go back and forth between Disneyland and California Adventure) are the best way to go. If you are Active or Retired Military you can get special deals through your local Morale Support Office.

Seeing Disneyland in only one day is not practical. So unless you are lucky enough to have family nearby then you will need a hotel. Unless money is no object, stay away from the three hotels at the resort. You will simply be paying for the location. There are many safe, clean and well-priced hotels along the main street (Harbor Blvd) outside the park and many are within walking distance. Some have free shuttles and others use the Anaheim trolley system which costs less than $10.00 a day to use. You will save an enormous amount of money staying in one of these hotels. Check Tripadvisor.com for reviews.

If you can possibly go during the school year, exclusive of holidays, do so. Going during the summer or any of the school holidays can turn your vacation into a nightmare. If you have to go when the kids are out of school then do some smart planning. Get to the parks when they first open. Quickly go from ride to ride. You will be amazed at how much you can get done in the first two opening hours.

Then leave the park for lunch, head back to the hotel during the afternoon for a swim or nap and then go back after dinner. You won’t be sorry.

Now having said all that, there are some things money cannot buy. A soft drink, $2.29. A hamburger, over $5.00. A churro, almost $4.00. The look on your child’s face when she meets her first princess or the look on your son’s face when he comes face to face with Mickey Mouse? Priceless.

Image by Meridith P.: http://www.flickr.com/photos/meredith/5446527289/sizes/l/in/photostream/

32 So go ahead.

Make some travel plans.

More importantly, make some precious family memories.

Some things at Disneyland never change. Some do. Here are two pictures from my family memories.

1961, Mom and daughters in front of the wooden Indian in Frontierland.

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45 years later, 2006. Same two little girls, much changed, same place.

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33 The Dilemma of the Beggar

By Lola Carlile What should I do? I see them on every street corner, with signs and placards indicating they will be grateful for anything, just something, please! Usually I am more in tune to them when I am driving to Mass on a Sunday, filled with the spirit of love and all. Yet, my friends and those in the know say that these people are usually not what they seem. Are they not Jesus asking me for help? Are they not the down and out who need me? I shiver as I pass a dollar bill to a young man and tell him to go to The Salvation Army or to the shelters in town….I shudder as I pass a $5 to a young girl so pretty and yet so poor. And I wonder. Do they take that money and go buy a flask and imbibe? And who am I to tell them they shouldn’t do that? Questions….Well, this story from Godvine made me wonder again today….

It was a cold winter’s day that Sunday. The parking lot to the church was filling up quickly. I noticed as I got out of my car that fellow church members were whispering among themselves as they walked to the church.

As I got closer I saw a man leaned up against the wall outside the church. He was almost laying down as if he was asleep. He had on a long trench coat that was almost in shreds and a hat topped his head, pulled down so you couldn’t see his face.

He wore shoes that looked 30 years old, too small for his feet, with holes all over them, his toes stuck out. I assumed this man was homeless, and asleep, so I walked on by through the doors of the Church.

We all enjoy fellowship for a few minutes, and then someone brought up the man who was laying outside. People snickered and gossiped, but no one bothered to ask him to come in, including me. A few moments later church began. We all waited for the Preacher to take his place, and to give us The Word, when the doors to the church opened. In came the homeless man, walking down the aisle with his head down.

People gasped and whispered and made faces. He made his way down the aisle and up onto the pulpit. When he took off his hat and coat my heart sank. There stood our preacher... he was the “homeless man.”

No one said a word... the room was silent and still. Then the preacher took his Bible and laid it on the stand. “Folks, I don’t think I have to tell you what I’m preaching about today.” Then he started singing the words to this song...

“If I can help somebody as I pass along, If I can cheer somebody with a word or song, If I can show somebody that he’s traveling wrong, Then my living shall not be in vain.”

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Body

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http://browse.deviantart.com/?q=body&order=9&offset=1440

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Comfort foods….

Growing up my Oma and Mom made what we called “galushti.” This recipe from the Ukraine is very similar to theirs. It’s a lot of work, but so worth the taste. And, if you elect to purchase these at your local deli, you will pay upwards of $3. for each one! Imagine that!

Cabbage rolls (golubtsi) 1 hour Ingredients: 1 whole cabbage 1 pound ground beef 1/2 pound ground veal 3/4 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup packaged precooked rice 1 egg, beaten 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 can (16 ounces) tomatoes or sauerkraut 1/3 cup bouillon or meat broth 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper sour cream Cooking: Remove core from cabbage. Place whole head in a large kettle filled with boiling water. Cover; cook 3 minutes. Remove softened outer leaves. Repeat until all large leaves have been removed (about 20 leaves). Cut thick center stem from each slice. Saute meat with onion 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in rice, egg, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place 3 tablespoons meat mixture on each cabbage leaf. Roll each leaf, tucking ends in toward center. Place each roll seam side down in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Lay bacon slices over top of cabbage rolls. Mix tomatoes, bouillon, sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Pour over cabbage rolls. Cover; simmer about 1 hour, turning occasionally.

Serve warm with the sour cream.

I am so hungry now – I should make the potato latkes, but I don’t have an onion….tomorrow for sure! I am hungry for real food. The food of my childhood…. http://www.bridesofukraine.com/newpage/UkrainianRecipes.php

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Image by A. Fiedler: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adrianfiedler/4318639245/sizes/z/in/photostream/

38 Now, you’re talking! Gre cooking/baking!

1.Black beans for flour Substituting a can of black beans (drained and rinsed) for flour in brownies is a great way to cut gluten while getting in an extra dose of protein— and they taste great.

2. Whole wheat flour for white flour In virtually any baked good, replacing white flour with whole wheat can add a whole new dimension of nutrients, flavor, and texture. Because whole wheat includes the outer shell of the grain, it provides an extra punch of fiber, which aids in digestion and can even lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

3. Unsweetened applesauce for sugar Using applesauce in place of sugar can give the necessary sweetness without the extra calories and, well, sugar. While 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce contains only about 100 calories, a cup of sugar can pack more than 770. Perfect for oatmeal raisin cookies.

4. Unsweetened applesauce for oil or butter Don’t knock this one till you’ve tried it. The applesauce gives the right consistency and a hint of sweetness without all the fat of oil or butter. This works well in any sweet bread, like banana or zucchini, or in muffins (like in these low-fat blueberry muffins), including pre-boxed mixes.

5. Almond flour for wheat flour This gluten-free switch gives any baked good a dose of protein, omega-3s, and a delicious nutty flavor.

Check out these classic butter cookies for a simple example.

6. Avocado puree for butter They’re both fats (albeit very different fats) and have nearly the same consistency at room temperature.

The creaminess and subtle flavor of the avocado lends itself well to the texture of fudge brownies and dark chocolate flavorings.

eat substitutions for

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http://greatist.com/health/healthy-recipe-substitutions/

7. Brown rice cereal and flax meal for Rice Krispies Brown puffed rice has the same texture as conventional white rice, but with half the calories. The flax adds extra fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and phytochemicals to the mix without changing the flavor.

8. Marshmallow Fluff for butter and sugar (in frosting) Replacing the fat and sugar in frosting with marshmallow gets the desired consistency with fewer calories. While 2 tablespoons of Fluff has just 40 calories and 6 grams of sugar (and no fat!), the same amount of conventional frosting can pack up to 100 calories, 5 grams of fat, and 14 grams of sugar.

9. Vanilla for sugar Cutting sugar in half and adding 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla as a replacement can give just as much flavor with significantly fewer calories. Assuming the recipe originally calls for 1 cup of sugar, that’s already almost 400 calories cut by leaving out ½ cup of sugar.

10. Mashed ripe bananas for fats The creamy, thickening-power of mashed banana acts the same as avocado in terms of replacing fat in baking recipes. The consistency is ideal, and the bananas add nutrients like potassium, fiber, and vitamin B6.

11. Nut flours for flour A word of caution: Nut flours don’t rise the same way as wheat flour so an additional rising agent might be needed when replacing more than ¼ cup of wheat. Many gluten-free blogs detail how to streamline nut-based baking. And while these flours are typically higher in calories and fat, they also have more fiber and protein

40 12. Meringue for frosting Made from just egg whites and sugar, meringue can be a great fat-free substitution for traditional frosting. Feel like going a step further? Take a torch to it. Lightly charring the edges of the meringue can add a nice caramelized flavor.

13. Graham crackers for cookies (in pie crusts) Who doesn’t love a fresh baked cookie-crust pie? But next time, refrain from the traditional sugar or Oreo cookie crust and grab the graham crackers. Reduced-fat graham cracker pack about half the calories of the more conventional options.

14. Evaporated skim milk for cream It’s the same consistency with a fraction of the fat. Evaporated milk tends to have a bit more sugar (only about 2 grams), but the major drop in fat content is well worth the switch.

15. Stevia for sugar Natural sweetener Stevia is lower in calories and up to 300 times sweeter than sugar. But watch the grocery bill, as this fashionable sweetener can also cost up to 5 times as much as granulated sugar.

41 20 Painkillers in Your Kitchen Make muscle pain a memory with ginger When Danish researchers asked achy people to jazz up their diets with ginger, it eased muscle and joint pain, swelling and stiffness for up to 63 percent of them within two months.

Experts credit ginger’s potent compounds called gingerols, which prevent the production of pain-triggering hormones.

The study-recommended dose: Add at least 1 teaspoon of dried ginger or 2 teaspoons of chopped ginger to meals daily.

Cure a toothache with cloves

Got a toothache and can’t get to the dentist? Gently chewing on a clove can ease tooth pain and gum inflammation for two hours straight, say UCLA researchers. Experts point to a natural compound in cloves called eugenol, a powerful, natural anesthetic.

Bonus: Sprinkling a ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves on meals daily may also protect your ticker. Scientists say this simple action helps stabilize blood sugar, plus dampen production of artery-clogging cholesterol in as little as three weeks.

Heal heartburn with cider vinegar Sip 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 ounces of water before every meal, and experts say you could shut down painful bouts of heartburn in as little as 24 hours. “Cider vinegar is rich in malic and tartaric acids, powerful digestive aids that speed the breakdown of fats and proteins so your stomach can empty quickly, before food washes up into the esophagus, triggering

heartburn pain,” explains Joseph Brasco, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the Center for Colon and Digestive Diseases in Huntsville, AL.

42 Erase earaches with garlic Painful ear infections drive millions of Americans to doctors’ offices every year. To cure one fast, just place two drops of warm garlic oil into your aching ear twice daily for five days. This simple treatment can clear up ear infections faster than prescription meds, say experts at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine.

Scientists say garlic’s active ingredients (germanium, selenium, and sulfur compounds) are naturally toxic to dozens of different paincausing bacteria. To whip up your own garlic oil gently simmer three cloves of crushed garlic in a half a cup of extra virgin olive oil for two

minutes, strain, then refrigerate for up to two weeks, suggests Teresa Graedon, Ph.D., co-author of the book, Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy. For an optimal experience, warm this mix slightly before using so the liquid will feel soothing in your ear canal.

Chase away joint and headache pain with cherries Latest studies show that at least one in four women is struggling with arthritis, gout or chronic headaches. If you’re one of them, a daily bowl of cherries could ease your ache, without the stomach upset so often triggered by today’s painkillers, say researchers at East Lansing ‘s Michigan State University . Their research reveals that anthocyanins, the compounds that give cherries their brilliant red color,

are anti-inflammatories 10 times stronger than ibuprofen and aspirin. “Anthocyanins help shut down the powerful enzymes that kick-start tissue inflammation, so they can prevent, as well as treat, many different kinds of pain,” explains Muraleedharan Nair, Ph.D., professor of food science at Michigan State University . His advice: Enjoy 20 cherries (fresh, frozen or dried) daily, then continue until your pain disappears.

43 Fight tummy troubles with fish Indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases...if your belly always seems to be in an uproar, try munching 18 ounces of fish weekly to ease your misery. Repeated studies show that the fatty acids in fish, called EPA and DHA, can significantly reduce intestinal inflammation, cramping and belly pain and, in some cases, provide as much relief as corticosteroids and other prescription meds. “EPA and DHA are powerful, natural, side effectfree anti-inflammatories, that can dramatically improve the function

of the entire gastrointestinal tract,” explains biological chemist Barry Sears, Ph.D., president of the Inflammation Research Foundation in Marblehead , MA . For best results, look for oily fish like salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, trout and herring.

Prevent PMS with yogurt Up to 80 percent of women will struggle with premenstrual syndrome and its uncomfortable symptoms, report Yale researchers. The reason: Their nervous systems are sensitive to the ups and downs in estrogen and progesterone that occur naturally every month. But snacking on 2 cups of yogurt a day can slash these symptoms by 48 percent, say researchers at New York ‘s Columbia University. “Yogurt is rich in calcium, a mineral that naturally calms the nervous system, preventing painful symptoms even when hormones are in flux,” explains Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a professor of gynecology at Yale University.

Tame chronic pain with turmeric

Studies show turmeric, a popular East Indian spice, is actually three times more effective at easing pain than aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen, plus it can help relieve chronic pain for 50 percent of people struggling with arthritis and even fibromyalgia, according to Cornell researchers. That’s because turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, naturally shuts down cyclooxygenase 2, an enzyme

that churns out a stream of pain-producing hormones, explains nutrition researcher Julian Whitaker, M.D. and author of the book, Reversing Diabetes.

The study-recommended dose: Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of this spice daily onto any rice,

44 poultry, meat or vegetable dish.

End endometrial pain with oats The ticket to soothing endometriosis pain could be a daily bowl of oatmeal. Endometriosis occurs when little bits of the uterine lining detach and grow outside of the uterus. Experts say these migrating cells can turn menstruation into a misery, causing so much inflammation that they trigger severe cramping during your period, plus a heavy ache that drags on all month long.

Fortunately, scientists say opting for a diet rich in oats can help reduce endometrial pain for up to 60 percent of women within six months. That’s because oats don’t contain gluten, a trouble-making protein that triggers inflammation in many women, making endometriosis difficult to bear, explains Peter Green, M.D., professor of medicine at Colombia University.

Soothe foot pain with salt Experts say at least six million Americans develop painful ingrown toenails each year. But regularly soaking ingrown nails in warm salt water baths can cure these painful infections within four days, say scientists at California ‘s Stanford University . The salt in the mix naturally nixes inflammation, plus it’s anti-bacterial, so it quickly

destroys the germs that cause swelling and pain. Just mix 1 teaspoon of salt into each cup of water, heat to the warmest temperature that you can comfortably stand, and then soak the affected foot area for 20 minutes twice daily, until your infection subsides.

Prevent digestive upsets with pineapple

Got gas? One cup of fresh pineapple daily can cut painful bloating within 72 hours, say researchers at California’s Stanford University . That’s because pineapple is naturally-packed with proteolytic enzymes, digestive aids that help speed the breakdown of pain-causing proteins in the stomach and small intestine, say USDA researchers.

45 Relax painful muscles with peppermint Suffering from tight, sore muscles? Stubborn knots can hang around for months if they aren’t properly treated, says naturopath Mark Stengler, N.D., author of the book, The Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies. His advice: Three times each week, soak in a warm tub scented with 10 drops of peppermint oil. The warm water will relax

your muscles, while the peppermint oil will naturally soothe your nerves -- a combo that can ease muscle cramping 25 percent more effectively than overthe-counter painkillers, and cut the frequency of future flare-ups in half, says Stengler.

Give your back some TLC with grapes

Got an achy back? Grapes could be the ticket to a speedy recovery. Recent studies at Ohio State University suggest eating a heaping cup of grapes daily can relax tight blood vessels, significantly improving blood flow to damaged back tissues (and often within three hours of enjoying the first bowl).

That’s great news because your back’s vertebrae and shock-absorbing discs are completely dependent on nearby blood vessels to bring them healing nutrients and oxygen, so improving blood flow is essential for healing damaged back tissue, says Stengler.

Wash away pain injuries with water Whether it’s your feet, your knees or your shoulders that are throbbing, experts at New York ‘s Manhattan College , say you could kick-start your recovery in one week just by drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily.

Why? Experts say water dilutes, and then helps flush out, histamine, a pain-triggering compound produced by injured tissues. “Plus water is a key building block of the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones, your joints’ lubricating fluid, and the soft discs in your spine,” adds Susan M. Kleiner, Ph.D., author of the book, The Good Mood Diet. “And when

these tissues are well-hydrated, they can move and glide over each other without causing pain.” One caveat: Be sure to measure your drinking glasses to find out how large they really are before you start sipping, she says. Today’s juice glasses often hold more than 12 ounces, which means five servings could be enough to meet your daily goal.

46 Heal sinus problems with horseradish Latest studies show sinusitis is the nation’s number one chronic health problem. And this condition doesn’t just spur congestion and facial pain, it also makes sufferers six times more likely to feel achy all-over. Horseradish to the rescue! According to German researchers, this eye-watering condiment naturally revs up blood

flow to the sinus cavities, helping to open and drain clogged sinuses and heal sinus infections more quickly than decongestant sprays do.

The study-recommended dose: One teaspoon twice daily (either on its own, or used as a sandwich or meat topping) until symptoms clear.

Beat bladder infections with blueberries Eating 1 cup of blueberries daily, whether you opt for them fresh, frozen or in juice form, can cut your risk of a urinary tract infection (UTIs) by 60 percent, according to researchers at New Jersey’s Rutgers University. That’s because blueberries are loaded with tannins, plant compounds that wrap around problem-causing bacteria in the bladder, so they can’t get a toehold and create an infection, explains Amy Howell, Ph.D. a scientist at Rutgers University.

Heal mouth sores with honey

Dab painful canker and cold sores with unpasteurized honey four times daily until these skin woes disappear, and they’ll heal 43 percent faster than if you use a prescription cream, say researchers at the Dubai Specialized Medical Center in the United Arab Emirates . Raw honey’s natural enzymes zap inflammation, destroy invading viruses and speed the healing of damaged tissues, say the study authors.

47 Fight breast pain with flax In one recent study, adding 3 tablespoons of ground flax to their daily diet eased breast soreness for one in three women within 12 weeks.

Scientists credit flax’s phytoestrogens, natural plant compounds that prevent the estrogen spikes that can trigger breast pain. More good news: You don’t have to be a master baker to sneak this healthy seed into your diet. Just sprinkle ground flax on oatmeal, yogurt, applesauce or add it to smoothies and veggie dips.

Cure migraines with coffee

Prone to migraines? Try muscling-up your painkiller with a coffee chaser. Whatever over-the-counter pain med you prefer, researchers at the National Headache Foundation say washing it down with a strong 12- ounce cup of coffee will boost the effectiveness of your medication by 40 percent or more. Experts say caffeine stimulates the stomach lining to absorb painkillers more quickly and more effectively.

Tame leg cramps with tomato juice At least one in five people regularly struggle with leg cramps.

The culprit? Potassium deficiencies, which occur when this mineral is flushed out by diuretics, caffeinated beverages or heavy perspiration during exercise. But sip 10 ounces of potassium-rich tomato juice daily and you’ll not only speed your recovery, you’ll reduce your risk of painful cramp flare-ups in as little as 10 days, say UCLA researchers.

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Giving

By Vye

I used to make fun of old ladies who started their holiday purchases in the summer and, voila!, here I am doing it myself! What started out as a meaningful project turned into a foray of ridicule as I discussed my idea with my other half. He thought it incongruous that I would take my daughter in law’s photo of her first plant that actually bloomed (she had started the plant from a seedling) and paint it and give it as a gift to her. He thought my idea a wicked waste of time. That dialogue started me thinking about gifts and what they mean. I can buy my children lots of stuff but the next garage sale sports their visibility so I know I haven’t purchased anything meaningful for them…

So what would meaningful giving include? A story.

An artful pleasing object. But what is meaningful to males? When I think of it, the things he has wanted have been big ticket items – a new car, a vacation, etc.

My sons are the same – they are so difficult to buy for, but the girls – now there’s something I’ve longed for – daughters to make meaningful life’s journey (not that the boys don’t make it meaningful – here we are talking about gifts)….I think painting her first plant is a superb idea and I plan to do it.

Writing a children’s book about my mama for my granddaughter is a good idea, methinks. I’ve already started on Grandma Mary’s book for her. And, I love the idea of the cookbook I started many years ago for my sons (of course, they didn’t care about it much, but later on they may)….it lists foods we ate – how I prepared them and in what context I learned about them. For instance, one of my bridesmaids died at the age of 46 and I miss her dearly. In my cookbook, she is honored as the baker of fancy cakes for the boys’ birthdays and the chicken enchiladas they love.

We can’t forget crazy cake made by Grandma Carlile or cabbage rolls by Grandma Mary. I think those are the best gifts. And I intend to work hard this summer on making meaningful ones for the winter holidays looming ahead….

Japanese cooking

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with Ai Wasano Hiruta Cooking is my hobby but I want to be a teacher someday. I love food and especially like Cheetos, but I don’t eat them because I know they are bad for your health. I do like fruits and chocolate. Most Japanese people are trying to watch what they eat and snack only at parties, on trips, and at BBQ. Most snacks do harm to our bodies, so we watch what we eat.

I like to bake, but I don’t want to do that as a job permanently. Most housewives (those who stay at home in Japan) bake every day, but most Japanese girls work after they are married (especially in Tokyo), so they

don’t bake or cook every day.

There are many yummy restaurants in Tokyo. We enjoy foods from many countries, especially those that serve fresh seasonal vegetables and homemade food.

Sad, but many Japanese women are worrying about their weight. The problem is I worry, but I like to eat! I don’t drink sweet soda because it is not healthy for me. I drink only 100% juice. Sad, but true, I get fat from good and delicious food!

Sometimes we have dinner parties in my apartment and we do shabushabu in the winter and Korean BBQ and sometimes we have a sushi party. My husband likes sushi.

I cooked caponata and he said he liked it. Since we don’t have a deck, we go to a BBQ site near the beach. BBQ is very popular in Tokyo and the beach site is very crowded at times. You have to book the site in advance and sometimes it’s all booked up.

My mother helped me decide on kitchen colors and mine is red! People in Tokyo don’t follow traditional Japanese customs like sitting on cushions on low tables. We have regular sized tables and chairs in our apartment and in most of the restaurants we visit.

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Improvem

ment

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For twenty years, Habitat for Humanity of the Mid-Willamette Valley has been building homes and fulfilling dreams. With the help of thousands of caring volunteers who have given their time and money, their sweat and their heart, Habitat has opened doors, created new opportunities and helped hundreds of Oregon families make their dreams a reality.

Stable, affordable housing is critical to education, health, and economic success. Just as a family has dreams for their loved ones, Habitat has a dream to build homes, change lives and nurture communities.

Habitat’s homeownership program allows hardworking, low-income families to build and buy a home with a 0%-interest mortgage after completing 500 sweat equity hours.

Tony Frazier, Habitat for Humanity of the Mid-Willamette Valley’s Executive Director, speaks during the triple home dedication on May 26th, 2012.

As Habitat looks to the future, it focuses on skills based training. That is why the H2° program has partnered with the Garibay family to help young volunteers learn valuable trade skills that they can take anywhere. H2° is a program which helps divested youth develops technical skills on residential construction sites.

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Hector and Svetlana Garibay are two very hard working parents with four beautiful girls, all under the age of 7. Mr. Garibay currently works for Kettle Foods. The Garibay family has an unresponsive landlord and has to deal with rodents. Their current home is one with heating issues, a dishwasher that leaks, overloading circuits when the vacuum is on, and mold and moisture issues. Construction on the Garibay home has started.

The Garibay Family  To learn more about Habitat for Humanity please contact us at www.salemhabitat.org or call (503)364-6642

Image by The Official U.S. Navy Imagery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/usnavy/6121133204/

54 Revving up your metabolism and lose weight faster!

When we started this magazine, we promised ourselves we would not do beauty, weight, or gossip articles, but then, again, we need to help one another understand the truth about weight loss. Not just for beauty (of course, that’s part of the message), but for health. Overweight individuals occur more health problems and don’t live as long. FACT. So, read on about a few ideas that may be new or just reminders to those of us who struggle with our weight….

Muscles – yep! Muscle training helps you lose weight. According to webmd.com, every pound of muscle burns 6 calories a day while each pound of fat burns only 2 calories. This may seem insignificant, but after a long time, you can increase your average daily metabolic rate, which translates into losing weight easier!

High intensity was never in my vocabulary until a friend suggested that while doing mild intensity water aerobics that we work out intensely for 60 seconds and then rest for a minute, repeat, and so on until 6 minutes are past. Easy! And more productive.

Image by Mathieu Jarry: http://www.flickr.com/photos/impactmatt/107832798/sizes/o/in/photostream/

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Studies have shown that individuals who drink 8 or more glasses of water burned more calories than those who drank less than half that amount. Easy to do by eating fresh fruits and vegetables and drinking a glass of water before each meal.

While energy drinks do boost the metabolism, the harmful effects negate taking them and those in the know say teens should never drink them.

Okay, say it’s not so – eating more can help you lose weight?

Actually, munching every 3 – 4 hours helps your metabolism work more effectively and keeps you from getting hungry. So, instead of three large meals, cut down the size of each meal and eat 6 times a day.

Spices also help in weight loss by boosting your metabolic rate. Try chopped red or green chili peppers or red pepper flakes on your food. It has been shown that putting cinnamon (as little as a teaspoon per day) in your coffee or tea allows improved health.

Be sure to eat Protein which can boost your metabolism. Examples include eggs, lean beef, turkey, chicken, tofu, nuts, low-fat dairy products and beans.

Drinking coffee and/or Green tea seems to help boost metabolic rates as well. I finally understand why yoyo diets so popular during my teens and early 20’s and still today do not work. When you lose weight too fast, your loss comes from muscle. Now it begins to make sense: less muscle to boost your metabolic rate and lots of fat to burn less. Simple math. Anyone can understand it.

So, get out there and MOVE. Move each day. Don’t allow yourself to get hungry and, most of all, enjoy each day on this good green earth by treating your body with respect and love. It’s the only one you have, folks!

Image by William Cho: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adforce1/4003700096/sizes/l/in/photostream/

56 Summertime and the living is easy….

Maybe that was true a long time ago, but livin’ ain’t easy nowadays! If you hide your head in the sand or turn off the television, radio, and don’t read the newspapers and don’t go anywhere, perhaps you can live a life unfettered by stress of economic woes, but if you are like most of us, you are beleaguered daily with rising costs, hateful diatribes between opposing political parties, and gas prices that are quadrupled.

What is this world coming to? I have witnessed the effects of the end of a world war, civil strife, Vietnam, attacks on our country, and countless and senseless other acts of hatred, yet, what we are going through is more subtle, more sublime, and downright dangerous. This new campaign goes under the heading of PC. How dare one say something that is not politically correct?

Last I checked one of my Eastern European cousins was sent to Siberia when he made negative statements about his government in his home around his children and wife.

Seems the kiddos went to school and ratted on dad. The government officials showed up and took him away for twenty years. Don’t think this can’t happen someday here.

We have government telling us we can’t eat sugar and even NYC’s mayor is trying to make it a law that you can’t purchase sugary drinks in that fair city. Whoa, horsie!

Seems that we have our blinders on and are not seeing the great big picture. Last time I checked (again, I like to check out my facts) there were still fires, shootings, robberies, and other acts of violence occurring in our fair NYC. So, why don’t we spend precious and expensive government officials’ time on taking care of THOSE problems? Why invade the home and tell us what we can’t eat? And maybe what we can’t wear next….or which church we can or cannot attend? That is not as far-fetched as one would believe.

57 We are in an economic crisis and our paid and elected government officials are wasting time on sugar. Yes, we are adults. We know that sugar can be bad, but so can eating bananas 24/7 and eating bacon all the time. We should be able to make up our minds about what we put into our bodies. This is not prohibition era time, folks, this is time we stop the government from taking all our freedoms. I am usually not a vocal political woman, but sometimes we have to step out of our comfort zone and speak up before it is too late.

Speaking of PC, I have a regular group of women I have known for more than twenty years. We meet monthly during the school year for dinner and drinks at rotating homes.

The last time they were at my house they decided to start putting down Republicans. I am a conservative fiscally and just see it as logical and intelligent thinking. I don’t put them down, nor do I make fun of their candidates. These women shocked me by beginning a dialogue about a Republican woman they deemed stupid and how they thought Republicans were taking away women’s rights. I almost gagged and had to say, “Excuse me, I am a Republican (even though I have voted Independent, Democratic, etc.) and I don’t appreciate put downs.”

Why can’t we all get along? If we have divergent thoughts, let’s discuss them, but not in the form of elitist condemnations of entire groups of people. If we sat down and compared, I think most of us would be on the same page about most things. I am flexible and am able to make choices. But when you pigeon-hole me into feeling picked on, you take away the adult conversation and insist on inserting childish dialogue. I say let’s work together rather than against one another. That’s what I thought educated people did….

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How to Stay Healthy and Happy – Advice from our pets!

Forget Multitasking When dogs have a job to do, they give it their undivided attention. It turns out people should probably do the same. Stanford researchers found that attention and memory suffer in those who juggle work, email, and web-surfing, compared to those who focus on one task at a time. Other studies suggest employees actually lose time when multitasking.

Take Naps You won’t catch your pet going from dawn to dusk without any shut-eye. There’s good evidence humans can benefit from catnaps, too. A study involving about 24,000 people indicates regular nappers are 37% less likely to die from heart disease than people who nap only occasionally. Short naps can also enhance alertness and job performance.

Walk Every Day Whether you’ve got four legs or two, walking is one of the safest, easiest ways to burn calories and boost heart health. Taking regular walks can also help you: • • • • • •

Fight depression.

Lose weight.

Lower your risk for type 2 diabetes.

Lower the risk of breast and colon cancer.

Keep your bones strong.

Cultivate Friendships

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People are social animals, and friendships have measurable health benefits. Researchers in Australia followed 1,500 older people for 10 years. Those with the most friends were 22% less likely to die than those with the fewest friends.

Live in the Moment Living in the moment may be one of the most important lessons we can learn from our pets. In a study called “A Wandering Mind Is an Unhappy Mind,” Harvard psychologists conclude that people are happiest when doing activities that keep the mind focused, such as sex or exercise. Planning, reminiscing, or thinking about anything other than the current activity can undermine happiness.

Don’t Hold a Grudge Part of living in the moment is letting bygones be bygones.

Let go of old grudges, and you’ll literally breathe easier.

Chronic anger has been linked to a decline in lung function, while forgiveness contributes to lower blood pressure and reduced anxiety.

People who forgive also tend to have higher self-esteem.

Wag OK, so maybe you don’t have a tail. But you can smile or put a spring in your step when you’re feeling grateful. Researchers have found a strong connection between gratitude and general well-being. In one study, people who kept gratitude journals had better attitudes, exercised more, and had fewer physical complaints.

Maintain Curiosity According to a popular saying, curiosity may be hazardous to a cat’s health. But not so for humans. Researchers have found that people who are more curious tend to have a greater sense of meaning in life. Other studies have linked curiosity to psychological well-being and the expansion of knowledge and skills.

Be Silly Indulging in a little silliness may have serious health benefits. Cardiologists at the University of Maryland Medical Center found a stronger sense of humor in people with healthy hearts than in those who had suffered a heart attack. They conclude that “laughter is the best medicine” – especially when it comes to protecting your heart.

Get a Back Rub

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The power of touch is nothing to sniff at. The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine has found massage therapy can ease pain, give the immune system a boost, and help manage chronic conditions like asthma and diabetes. The touch of a loved one may be even more powerful. In one study, married women experienced less anxiety over the threat of an electric shock when they held their husbands’ hands.

Drink Water When You’re Thirsty Dogs don’t lap up sports drinks when they’ve been playing hard – and most people don’t need to either. During a typical workout, drinking water is the best way to stay hydrated. Water gives your muscles and tissues critical fluid without adding to your calorie count. Be sure to drink more than usual on hot days or when you’re sweating a lot.

Eat Fish Most cats would trade kibble for a can of tuna any day. Luckily, you can choose to make fish a regular part of your diet. Salmon, tuna, trout, and other fatty fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which may reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and arthritis. In addition, Rush University researchers found that people who eat fish at least once a week are 60% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

If You Love Someone, Show It Dogs don’t play hard to get – when they love you, they show you. It’s a good approach for people seeking to strengthen their relationships. A study published in the journal Personal Relationships suggests small, thoughtful gestures can have a big impact on how connected and satisfied couples feel.

Play Goofing off is not just for kids and kittens. In his book, Play, Stuart Brown, MD, writes that playing is a basic human need along with sleeping and eating.

Play enhances intelligence, creativity, problem-solving, and social skills. So take a cue from your pet and devote yourself to an activity that has no purpose other than sheer fun.

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Enjoy the Great Outdoors A hike in the woods may be a dog’s idea of bliss, but it has plenty of benefits for the human mind and body as well. Spending time outdoors can enhance fitness, increase vitamin D levels, and reduce stress. In children, playing in natural settings has also been linked to better distance vision, fewer ADHD symptoms, and better performance in school.

Make Time to Groom Aside from the obvious health benefits of bathing and brushing your teeth, grooming can have a number of positive effects on your life. Good personal hygiene is vital to self-esteem. A tidy appearance can also help you get and maintain a job.

Be Aware of Body Language Dogs are excellent at reading each other’s intent from body language. Humans, not so much. While most of us do reveal our emotions through posture, speech patterns, and eye contact, other people generally aren’t very good at reading those cues. People get better at decoding body language as they get older.

Stretch Often Stretching will keep you limber, but the benefits don’t stop there. In a 10-week study, volunteers who did no exercise other than stretching experienced surprising physical changes. Besides improving flexibility, they increased their muscle strength, power, and endurance. Although the study was a small one, the results suggest stretching may be a good alternative for people who have a condition that rules out traditional strength-training.

Seek Out Shade When you’re at the park, and your pooch is ready for a break, she’ll probably find a nice shady spot to relax. Dermatologists recommend you follow suit, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. That’s when you would soak up the most UV rays, particularly during late spring and early summer. While you’re sheltered in the shade, it’s a good idea to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed skin.

Stick to a Schedule Pets like the consistency of a routine – they can’t tell a Saturday from a Monday.

The same goes for the human body clock. People sleep better if they go to bed and get up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Sticking to a consistent schedule for bathing, dressing, and eating can also improve the quality of sleep. http://pets.webmd.com/ss/slideshow-things-you-learn-from-your-pet?ecd=wnl_day_052212

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Facebook Recycling Tip:

Lola Carlile and Stephanie Anne Stockton Review by Charles Petterson Why do you want to read a memoir? Perhaps a famous person you admire or are curious about has offered insight into her life. Perhaps an experience you identify with or are curious about is offered by a person you are not acquainted with. In the case of The Twin Within, I doubt you are familiar with Ms Stockton so the issue is whether or not you are curious about the life experiences of a hermaphrodite.

Ms Stockton was born soon after 1945 (her birthdate is not revealed) and I identified with her early childhood experiences because I grew up in the same era. The attitudes of her parents, the medical community, and cohorts match my recollections. Born with a penis and a vagina, the prevailing medical advice of the time was to raise such children as a boy. The hormonal battles that ensued during childhood are secondary to the abusive treatment at the hands of her father.

At the onset of menses the doctors performed a hysterectomy and closed “the slit.” Although menstruation is no longer a factor, the adolescent’s hormones continue to strengthen and the internal battles rage while the youngster yearns to live as a female.

The battle continues to the present day, with alternate periods of living as a female and male.

The most impressive part of this story is Ms Stockton never presents herself as a victim, which one might easily accept given her challenges and abuses. Instead, the story ignores most of the negative emotions she certainly experienced and, if related, would generate a great deal of sympathy.

Lola Carlile has done a good job of presenting the story in a linear manner. Unlike many memoirs that mimic a Mexican jumping bean within pages and paragraphs, this story is told from start to finish.

Hermaphrodism is a rare condition. I can’t imagine living with the constant conflict, but The Twin Within brings to the reader a pragmatic account of one person’s life. If this work were fiction I would be looking for additional details at certain critical points. If this work were an academic offering I would be looking for more clinical discussion, but this is neither. This is Stephanie’s story. I recommend you read it.

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Summer 2012 Issue of Today’s Spiritual Woman is a product of M.A.S.A.B.I. PO Box 2663; Salem, OR 97308