Issue: # 1

June/2009

Welcome to our first newsletter publication. Our goal is to provide natural alternatives to keep you and your loved ones healthy all year round.

Each edition will provide something for your mind, body, and spirit. We hope you enjoy this information, and that you find it helpful, educational, and full of ideas that you can implement at home. 

Help name our newsletter

If you have a fabulous name that we can use for our monthly newsletter, please send your ideas to me at Rowena@abelwellnesscenter.com. If we select your name, you will receive a free one-hour massage and a tremendous amount of gratitude.   :)

Essential Oils for Health 

More than Aromatherapy

 
Essential oils have been used for thousands of years, even during Biblical times when oils were considered more valuable than gold. The Egyptians used it to embalm there dead, as well as to heal their sick and to please their lovers.

During the plague, thieves used to rub clove, cinnamon, and rosemary oil on their feet and chest before robbing plague victims of their goods. This mixture, of course, prevented them from contracting the horrible disease. 

In England, many hospitals use medicinal-quality essential oils before ever prescribing antibiotics. The antimicrobial, antiviral, and antibiotic properties of oils make them a powerful ally to have. 

Some oils are also very high in antioxidants. Clove oil is perhaps one of the highest source of antioxidants. One drop of clove oil contains a 10,786,875 Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity (ORAC) score. Compare this to 3.5oz of Chinese Wolfberries, which contain a 25,300 ORAC score. The higher the ORAC score, the more capable that food source is at destroying free radicals that cause us to age and digress. 

ORAC SCORE for 3.5 oz 

Carrots  210  
Oranges 750  
Beets  840  
Raspberries 1,220  
Strawberries 1,540  
Blueberries 2,400  
Chinese Wolfberries 25,300 
1 drop of Clove Oil 10,786,875 

 
Essential oils have even been used and proven to reverse the effects of scoliosis. It is believed that scoliosis may be caused by dormant viruses that live in the spine, causing it to contort. By killing these viruses, the spine is able to correct itself. This technique is called Raindrop Therapy and has been used and refined for several years. Only medicinal-quality oils are used, of course. It is not recommended to receive this type of therapy with sub-standard or synthetic oils. 
 
At home, there are several ways in which you can implement the healing powers of essential oils:

Colds and Flu
The next time you or your loved ones are sick, try this fabulous remedy:

Pour a ½ cup of hot water into a bowl, and then add five drops each of Eucalyptus, Rosemary, and Peppermint oil. Place a clean washcloth in the bowl and allow it to absorb the oils and water. Wring the cloth out, and then place it on the person's chest. Make sure that you cover it with a dry towel to retain the heat. 

The oils will stick to the cloth and will be absorbed into the person's skin. This combination of oils will help to open the airways and boost the immune system. 

Warning! Consult a doctor before using these oils on babies, pregnant women, or people with epilepsy. 

If you happen to be blessed by those who are sick, you can diffuse a blend of Clove, Cinnamon, Lemon, Rosemary, and Eucalyptus to kill any airborne germs flying about the room. This mixture also makes a very powerful disinfectant spray. 

Burns
Always have a bottle of Lavender oil handy. When placed on a burn, it often removes the pain and prevents the skin from blistering. It is also a very powerful antiseptic. When combined with Calendula oil, it helps the skin heal without scaring. 

Depression
You may find yourself in a bit of a funk now and then. A few drops of Bergamot oil will help lift your spirits and sharpen your mind. Place a few drops in the palm of your hand and breathe deep--ahhhh.

Low Energy
Feeling a little sleepy, hard to stay focused? Try dropping some Orange oil in your palm and breathing in the delicious tangy aroma. Your mind will snap to and your second wind will whoosh you back into the stream of things in no time. 

As with any type of therapy, use common sense and please keep all essential oils out of the reach of children.

Lentils

Braised Lentils Morroccan Style

This is an allergen-free recipe as well as being appropriate for vegetarian and vegan dietary requirements.
It's delicious with cooked brown rice and a fresh green salad for a very comforting meal.  This is an adaptation of a recipe by Mark Bittman in his book How to Cook Everything Vegetarian.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 
1 medium onion chopped 
2 teaspoons minced garlic 
½ teaspoon crumbled saffron threads (optional) 
1 teaspoon ground turmeric 
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
1 teaspoon ground cumin 
1 bay leaf 
1 cup vegetable stock or water, or more as needed 
1 ½ cups chopped ripe tomatoes with their juices 
1 cup dried brown lentils, washed and picked over 
Salt and freshly ground black pepper 
Chopped cilantro or parsley for garnish

Cooking Directions:

Put the oil in a medium pot over medium high heat.  When hot, add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally until it is soft, 5 to 7 minutes.  Add the garlic, saffron, turmeric, cinnamon and cumin and cook for another minute until very fragrant.

 
Cedar Bay Culinary is owned and operated by Chef Linda Strong.  As a Personal Chef her mission is to bring custom designed events and menus to your home or business that meet your specific needs.  Her range includes international and American regional cuisines, as well as the special dietary requirements of vegans, vegetarians, diabetics, and those requiring allergy or weight control. 

Phone the Kitchen at 360-426-6920 or Email lindastrong101@hughes.net 

Play More, Work Less 

Take Time to Enjoy Life

Most of us work for a living and leave very little time for anything else. We then wonder why disease settles in our bodies, causing us pain and even loss of function. Soon, the light at the end of our journey fades against the ever-stressing walls that encompass our life. 

How many times have we advised our friends and family to take time out and relax, yet we rarely practice what we preach?

You may think you have no time for yourself, but if you really look at what is taking your time, a little time management could gain you hours per day. Here are a few ideas to get your motivation ball rolling in the right direction:

Turn off the television. The average person watches three to five hours of television per day! Hmm, what can you do with all that time? If you absolutely cannot give up your TV time, try sitting on the floor and doing some light stretches. 

Invite your family to help make dinner. Once you educate your kids and spouse on how to cook and prepare food, you will find that the help will remove an hour or so from your meal preparation time. This will also enable some communication to occur and will teach your kids a valuable life skill. 

Set aside one hour each day for just you. During this time, you can practice Yoga, meditate, take a walk, or simply do nothing. Whatever tries to invade this time can wait until you are done. Create your boundary up front so that your friends and family understand that you are unavailable during this time. It is important that you maintain that boundary. Learn to say no, not right now. 

Introduce one new healthy habit each week. Start walking 20 minutes each day, or add more veggies to your diet. Drink one less cup of coffee each day, or add an extra glass of water. Eat less, exercise more. Pray more, complain less. Whatever you choose, make it something that makes you feel good-adding chocolate is not an option. 

Dream big! Put a goal in your mind and strive toward it a little each day. Feel in the very core of your being that your dream will come true. Live your life as if it has already come true, within reason, of course. In other words, don't quit your job because your dream is winning a multi-million-dollar lottery. 

Remember, with all things be gentle. Living is an option; dying is inevitable.