21 Things You Should Know About Using Essential Oils

These are the "Normal" or the standardized uses, and cautions. Be aware, that consulting your IPC or someone in the business, dependent on which oils that you get (Brand). There are many variances in quality. We use DoTerra Essential oils, and please feel free to ask questions. I have researched oils extensively, and through trial and error, so far use primarily the DoTerra Brand because they are listed as CPTG (Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade) Essential oils. Please check it out at: DoTerra Essential Oils

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Lord help me, people. I’ve spent the last two days trying to write a concise, easy guide to essential oils and their safety, and it ended up being just an enormous dump of information that no would want to ingest in a single blog post.

Therefore, you’re getting the quickest, easiest 21 facts you need to keep in mind. These things include safety measures, essential oil facts, therapeutic uses, and more. You’ll like this better. I promise.

However, at the end of this post, I am going to give extensive references to those of you who would like to learn more about the fascinating world of essential oils, as well as a list of my top 7 recommended essential oils for any household to have.

• Essential oils are not really oils. They do not contain the fatty acids that constitute what we would consider an actual oil. Valerie Gennari Cooksley, author of Aromatherapy: Soothing Remedies to Restore, Rejuvenate and Heal defines essential oils as “highly concentrated plant constituents possessing potent medicinal and cosmetic qualities.” However, I think Stephanie Tourles nailed it in Organic Body Care recipes when she said, “I consider essential oils the life force or the soul of the plant.”

• Most essential oils are high in antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties: This makes them an excellent addition to your homemade cleaning preparations. Oils that are best for cleaning are: Lemon, grapefruit, eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree, lavender, and rosemary.

• Essential oils are miniscule in molecular size, which means they are absorbed well by the skin – making them perfect ingredients in personal care items intended to heal, soften, and nourish. However, they do not accumulate in the body over time – they simply offer up their healing properties and then pass on through.

• Scientific studies have shown that rosemary essential oil helps your brain perform. Specifically, smelling rosemary essential oil helps memory recall and performance on tests. Interestingly, this study also showed that groups that inhaled either rosemary or lavender essential oil felt much more relaxed than those who inhaled no odor at all.

• Fragrance oils and essential oils are NOT the same thing. As a rule of thumb, if you see the word “fragrance” or “fragrance oil” or even “perfume” on anything, you can assume this is synthetic and NOT natural. (Even if it says natural fragrance.)

• Essential oils are wholly natural and cannot be patented; which means that you’ll never see an essential oil in a pharmaceutical drug. As such, you can expect that the vast majority of mainstream healthcare practitioners will never recommend essential oils as therapeutic alternatives to drugs. More importantly, because essential oils cannot be patented, drug companies will not waste money studying them. This limits our scientific knowledge of essential oils GREATLY, and the majority of what we know about them are things that have been passed down through thousands of years of personal use and experimentation.

• Enormous amounts of plants are needed to produce essential oil. In fact, on the extreme end, it takes 4000 pounds of Bulgarian roses to produce 1 pound of essential oil. Other plants like lavender only take 100 pounds of plant material to produce a pound of essential oil. Still, can you imagine how concentrated essential oils must be, in light of how many plants are used to produce them?

• Most essential oils should never be used undiluted on the skin. Instead, they should be combined with “real” oils (called carrier oils), waxes, butters, alcohols, or other diluting measures. Because they’re so concentrated, if you don’t dilute, you may end up with an unfortunate reaction (and unhappy skin).

• There are a few essential oils that are generally recognized as safe to use undiluted. Of course, there has to be a few exceptions to the rule. Again, in Organic Body Care Recipes, the author points out that the only essential oils that are widely acknowledged as safe to use undiluted (sparingly) are: lavender, German chamomile, tea tree, sandalwood, and rose geranium.

• Never use an undiluted essential oil on a baby or child. Children have much thinner, more delicate skin than adults have, and tend to be very sensitive to the potency of essential oils. In fact, even if you do use essential oil in a recipe for children, only use half of the essential oil recommended in the recipe. That’s all they’ll need, anyway. 

• Avoid the following essential oils while pregnant or nursing (and skip EOs completely in your first trimester): Aniseed, cedarwood, chamomile, cinnamon, clary sage, clove, ginger, jasmine, lemon, nutmeg, rosemary, sage (this is only a partial list of some of the more common essential oils).

• To test if you’re sensitive to an essential oil (which is probably best to do before using it in a skincare preparation): Combine one drop of essential oil with 1/2 tsp carrier oil (like olive, jojoba, or sweet almond). Rub this on the inside, upper portion of your arm and wait a few hours. If no redness or itching develops, you’re most likely not sensitive to that essential oil.

• Keep all essential oils out of the reach of children – and avoid contact with your eyes. This is just standard safety precautions, but must be mentioned.

• Do not take essential oils internally, especially oils like wintergreen and eucalyptus. While some essential oils may be used well-diluted in something like toothpaste with safety, it’s generally recognized that there’s no need to take essential oils internally. In fact, there are several toxic essential oils that should be avoided even through skin contact. Luckily, these are NOT common essential oils, and most of them you’ll never find in the store.

• Not all essential oils are created equally, nor does more expensive necessarily mean “better.” There are certain brands I will use in a less therapeutic fashion (like for cleaning), because they’re far less expensive than their counterparts. When you see a wide fluctuation in price between, say, lavender essential oils, you can bet that the far less expensive one is likely lower in quality. However, a small variation in price differences on the higher end will NOT mean a better essential oil. It will just mean a higher price. (A little birdie also told me that there are also only a handful of essential oil distilleries in the world, which means that most essential oils come from the exact same places – thus there is little difference in quality between the more “typically priced” EOs.) What I’m saying here is: Understand that you DO have to pay for quality, but that if you’re just using essential oils in non-therapeutic fashions, it’s okay to use less expensive oils. But if you want high quality, I suggest using DoTerra or another ethical supplier that offers organic essential oils (grown without pesticides or toxic fertilizers).

• To test your essential oil to see how “pure” it is, put a single drop of it on a piece of construction paper. If it evaporates quickly and leaves no noticeable ring, it is pure. If you have a ring left, then it is likely diluted by the manufacturer with an oil of some sort (this test will not work for myrrh, patchouli, and absolutes).

• Essential oils will last for at least 5 years (if not 10), so one bottle could literally last you a decade. Hopefully that thought will help mitigate the cost involved in purchasing some essential oils. Because they are SO concentrated and only a tiny amount is needed in anything you do, they’ll last you a very, very long time. The only exception to this rule is citrus oils, which will see a reduction in potency after a year or two.

• Store your essential oils in dark glass bottles (which they were probably packaged in) and out of direct sunlight. This is simply to help preserve their potency.

• Remember that what you’re allergic to in food, you will be allergic to in essential oils. So if, for some reason, you can’t eat sage without breaking out in a rash, steer clear of sage essential oil (or any product containing it).

• USE ESSENTIAL OILS TO HELP YOUR MOOD. Lavender, peppermint, grapefruit, chamomile, lemon, ylang-ylang all help produce happy, joyous moods. Clary sage helps with PMS (although there have been reports that overuse of clary sage can lead to intoxication). Rosemary increases focus and concentration. Don’t forget the mood benefits of essential oils. 

• The recommended usage of many essential oils is hotly contested throughout the aromatherapy profession. The majority of oils you find in the supermarket are absolutely safe (though you should research them before using them); however, once you start digging into the world of essential oils, you’ll find that professionals – even within the same organization – debate extensively over the use of certain oils. If you’re ever unsure about an oil or its use, do the research you can, and if you still cannot make up your mind as to its safety – avoid it. But, by all means, do NOT be afraid of essential oils. Just use them with care and respect, and all will be fine.

Recommended Essential Oils to Get You Started

“What essential oils do you recommend I buy?” is the number one question I receive.

It’s a tough one to answer, because what EOs you buy depends on what you’re going to use them for. Nonetheless, I’ve narrowed it down to 7 essential oils to consider when starting to use them in your personal care products or homemade cleaning supplies.

• Peppermint (good for lip balms, oily/acne skin, and cleaning products)
• Rosemary (good for hair preparations, oily/acne skin, and cleaning products)
• Sweet orange (good for all skin types and very soothing in room sprays for children)
• Rose geranium (good for all skin types, creating perfumes, and for use in homemade moisturizers)
• Tea tree (great for healing, getting rid of dandruff, oily/acneic skin, and cleaning products)
• Lavender (great for all skin types, for relaxation, hair preparations, and cleaning products)
• Lemon (great for lifting moods, cleaning preparations, and sparingly in toners and products for oily skin)

Want to Learn More About Aromatherapy and Essential Oils?

Here are some of my favorite references for learning more about how to safely and effectively use essential oils in skincare, aromatherapy, and cleaning products.

http://everythingessential.me/HealthConcerns/_HealthConcernIndex.html


 thank you and have a great day.

Gerald

20 SECRET INNER KEYS TO GOOD HEALTH AND LONGEVITY

by Robert Lewanski

Feb. 7, 2009

1. EAT ONLY WHEN TRULY HUNGRY. Mouth waters, hunger in throat, tongue is pink & clear. Happy & relaxed. Food digests well—no bloating or fatigue after meals. Overeating is indulging in sensual mind appetite—causing body illness & spiritual insensitivity.

2. PROPER ACID/ALKALINE & YIN/YANG BALANCE. Eat more raw fruits & vegetables with some cooked foods in warm/hot weather. You can eat more cooked grains, soups, beans, casseroles in winter, & less raw foods to keep warm & good internal balance in cold weather.

3. EAT ONLY WHOLE NATURAL FOODS MOSTLY. Choose whole grains cooked: wheat, brown rice, millet, oats, corn, buckwheat, barley & rye. Eat fresh organic chemical-free vegetables & fruits, seeds & nuts. Avoid processed & preserved foods. Use Sea Vegetables—rich in minerals & very healthy for immunity & organs.

4. CHEW FOOD WELL. Stomachs have no teeth. Chewing well brings out the sweet taste in foods. Meat loses flavor when chewed long—therefore not a good choice of whole food. When sick fast 1 to 5 days, or eat only vegetables & rice. Whole food complex carbohydrate digestion starts in the mouth with the saliva enzyme Ptylin, which converts food into nutrients usable by body.

Chewing develops spirituality & sensitivity. Mental clarity & good judgment improves with mastication, & leads to satisfaction after eating, and minimizes overeating.

5. NEVER EAT IN PAIN, TIRED OR IN EMOTIONAL DISTRESS. This state cause body enervation & impedes digestive juices, & causes indigestion & toxins to accumulate in the organs of assimilation & elimination. Eat when relaxed & cheerful.

Wait until you are calm to eat. Rest.

6. AVOID HOT & COLD FOOD. This suspends digestion & wastes body energy. Eat food warm, but not too hot. Avoid iced drinks before, during and after meals. It creates mucous & digestive problems.

7. FASTING OR CLEANSING DIET. Water fasts, Lemon Juice Cleans, raw fruits & vegetables, & their juices are all good body cell, organ & blood cleansers when the body requires it. Best time is Spring or Summer.

8. FOOD COMBINING. Incompatibility in foods can cause gastric upsets in some people. Avoid raw fruits with any cooked carbs or protein. Eat raw fruit on empty stomach, especially melons, all fruit digests quickly,(15 minutes), & if eaten with other foods, can cause gas, bloating & indigestion. Acid raw fruits can be combined with proteins, like lemon or pineapple with fish or nuts/seeds or nut milk

9. EAT ONLY TO 80% CAPACITY. Stop before full. Overeating causes excess diseases—more is taken in than eliminated. Overeating brings blood to lower digestive system, & takes blood away from the brain. Clarity is diminished with full stomach. An alert clear mind equals success, inner security, good health and longevity.

10. ENJOY YOUR FOOD. Eat with the spirit of thankfulness, gratitude & enjoyment

11. THE KITCHEN IS YOUR PHARMACY.

Your daily food is your internal medicine. Choose whole foods wisely; proper preparation of daily meals is crucial to well-being.

Most illnesses are avoided with proper nutrition. No need for doctors if you eat healthy and well, with good insight.

12.  ”BODY, EARTH, & SPIRIT NOT TWO”

Body is not separate from Heaven & Earth.

We are ONE with Great Nature. Incorrect attitude to think we are separate from this earth. To enhance physical sensitivity & spiritual cultivation, eat more vegetable foods. Lessen animal foods, dairy & refined sugar of all kinds, excessive fruits & juices.

These foods weaken our ability to feel, heal & diagnosis other’s diseased conditions.

Eating well increases awareness that we & the earth are One Integrated Whole. Our understanding & sensitivity will increase dramatically, with clarity & wisdom.

13. GO OUTDOORS AFTER MEALS & NO CLOSE WORK. This practice can improve your health & longevity dramatically. Why? Oxygen helps to digest food. Indoor, close work, reading, tv, or computer work after meals causes poor digestion and blood stagnation in the head, & not enough blood in the stomach to facilitate proper food digestion. Walk at least 30 minutes after meals and look softly into the distance. This one practice, according to Dr. Sasaki, an eye doctor from Ann Arbor, MI, can add 20 to 30 healthy years to your life. Even 15 minutes will help.

14. NEVER EAT A HEAVY MEAL BEFORE BED TIME. This is a big no-no if you want health & mental clarity, & keep slim. Eating at night puts on weight for Kapha (Water) types, & causes mental sluggishness in all people. Night hours after 5, 6, or 7pm are for healing & rejuvenation of cells, not for ingesting heavy proteins & other foods. Eat your last meal before sunset if possible, or at least 3 or 4 hours before sleep. Sleeplessness is causes mostly from overeating late or over-drinking all day.

15. EXERCISE DAILY. Our bodies were made to move each day. Walking 2-4 miles a day is good. Do yoga daily. Get a massage, perform chi gong movements. Use light weights & squatting exercises for tone.

16. DRINK PURE LIQUIDS WHEN THIRSTY ONLY. No animal in nature drinks when they are not thirsty. If you eat enough vegetables, grains & fruit (whole foods), your thirst will be normal. Over-drinking is the cause of much kidney, bladder, colon & stomach problems. Water is not an inert substance. Water causes water-logging of entire body if taken to excess. The man, who wrote the book on drinking more water, died of a water disease—water on the lungs—pneumonia!

17. REST OR SLEEP WHEN FATIGUED OR EXHAUSTED. When your body is tired, rest. When you are fatigued or exhausted, rest. When you are sleepy, sleep & rest. Your body knows best & gives you signals daily. Heed the signals.

18. MODERATION IN ALL THINGS. Taoist, Buddhist & Yoga teachings all say to avoid extremes. “Extremes” cause extreme disease conditions in the body organs, muscles & cause body/mind/spirit imbalances, leading to suffering & illness.

19. PRACTICE LOVE, KINDNESS, FORGIVENESS, THANKFULNESS & GRATEFULNESS AT ALL TIMES.

Live in the Now Moment as you move through your daily activities, & all your wishes will be realized.

20. CULTIVATE YOUR SPIRIT & CLEANLINESS OF BODY & MIND

Asparagus for your health

There was a retired navy man that worked in the lab and he was a very interesting gentleman to talk with. He was a retired biochemist from  the USN. he asked me what was going on that day and I said I had the day off.  I wish I was working as the crew today was
taking a sailor to Homestead as  he had a very bad kidney infection. Now
this elderly gent told me the man  should have eaten more asparagus and he
wouldn't have that problem. I asked  why? I'll never forget him saying do
you eat asparagus and I said yes, I love  them. He replied you notice how
your urine stinks after eating asparagus? I  said well I never thought it
was what I ate but yes it does have a pungent  odor. It is because it is
detoxifying your body of harmful chemicals!!! This  was back in 1986 when I
was stationed there and to read this email again I had  to share this
story...Eat more asparagus my friends. Asparagus -- Who  knew?

 

My Mom had been taking  the full-stalk canned style asparagus, pureed it and took 4  tablespoons in the morning and 4 tablespoons later in the day.  She did this for over a month. She is on chemo pills for Stage  3 lung cancer in the pleural area and her
cancer cell count went from 386 down to 125 as of this past week. Her oncologist
said she will not need to see him for 3 months.

 

 

THE  ARTICLE: Several years ago I met  a man seeking asparagus for a friend who had cancer. He gave me  a copy of an article, entitled "Asparagus For Cancer" printed in 
the Cancer News Journal, December 1979. I will share it here, just as it was
shared with me: I am a biochemist, and have specialized in the relation of diet
to health or over 50 years. Several years ago, I learned of the discovery of
Richard R. Vensal, D.D.S. that asparagus might cure cancer. Since then, I have
worked with him on his project. We have accumulated a number of favorable
case  histories. Here are a few examples:

 

Case No.  1, A  man with an almost hopeless case of Hodgkin's disease (cancer of  the lymph glands) who was completely incapacitated. Within 1  year of starting the asparagus
therapy, his doctors were unable  to detect any signs of cancer, and he was
back on a schedule of strenuous exercise.

 

Case No.  2, A  successful businessman, 68 years old, suffered from cancer of  the bladder for 16 years. After years of medical treatments,  including radiation without
improvement, he began taking  asparagus. Within 3 months,
examinations  revealed that his bladder tumor had disappeared and that
his  kidneys were normal.

 

Case No.  3, On  March 5th 1971, a man who had lung cancer was put on the  operating table where they found lung cancer so widely spread  that it was inoperable. The surgeon
sewed him up and declared  his case hopeless. On April 5th he heard about
the Asparagus therapy and immediately  started taking it. By August, x-ray
pictures revealed that all  signs of the cancer had disappeared. He is now
back at his  regular business routine.

 

Case No.  4, A  woman had
been troubled for a number of years with skin cancer.  She developed
different skin cancers which were diagnosed by the  acting specialist as
advanced. Within 3 months after beginning  asparagus therapy, the skin
specialist said her skin looked fine  with no more skin lesions. This woman
reported that the  asparagus therapy also cured her kidney disease, which
had  started in 1949. She had over 10 operations for kidney stones, 
and was receiving government disability payments for an  inoperable,
terminal, kidney condition. She attributes the cure  of this kidney trouble
entirely to the asparagus treatment.

 

I was not surprised at this result as `The elements  of materia medica', edited in 1854 by a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania , stated that asparagus was used as a popular remedy for kidney stones. He even referred to experiments, in 1739, on the power of
asparagus in dissolving stones. Note the dates! We  would have other case
histories but the medical establishment  has interfered with our obtaining
some of the records. I am  therefore appealing to readers to spread this
good news and help  us to gather a large number of case histories that
will  overwhelm the medical skeptics about this unbelievably simple 
and natural remedy.

 

For the  treatment, asparagus
should be  cooked before using. Fresh or canned asparagus can be used. I
have corresponded with the two leading canners of asparagus, Giant and Stokely,
and I am satisfied that these brands contain no pesticides or preservatives.
Place the cooked asparagus in a blender and liquefy to make a puree. Store in
the refrigerator. Give the patient 4 full tablespoons twice daily, morning
and evening. Patients usually show some improvement in 2-4 weeks. It can be
diluted with water and used as a cold or hot drink. This suggested dosage is
based on present experience, but certainly larger amounts can do no harm and may
be needed in some cases.

As a biochemist I am  convinced of the old saying that `what cures can prevent.' Based  on this theory, my wife and I have been using asparagus puree as  a beverage with
our meals. We take 2 tablespoons diluted in  water to suit our taste with
breakfast and with dinner. I  take mine hot and my wife prefers hers cold.
For years we have made it a practice to have blood surveys taken as part of our
regular checkups. The last blood survey, taken by a medical doctor who
specializes in the nutritional approach to health, showed substantial
improvements in all categories over the last one, and we can attribute these
improvements to nothing but the asparagus drink. As a biochemist, I have made an
extensive study of all aspects of cancer, and all of the proposed cures. As a
result, I am convinced that asparagus fits in better with the latest theories
about  cancer.

 

Asparagus contains a  good supply of protein called histones, which are believed to  be active in controlling cell growth. For that reason, I believe  asparagus can be said
to contain a substance that I call cell  growth normalizer. That accounts
for its action on cancer  and in acting as a general body tonic. In any
event, regardless of theory, asparagus used as we suggest, is a harmless
substance. The FDA cannot prevent you from  using it and it may do you much
good. It has been reported by  the US National Cancer Institute, that
asparagus is the highest  tested food containing glutathione, which is
considered  one of the body's most potent anticarcinogens and 
antioxidants.

 

Just a side note...  In case you are wondering why this has not been made public,  there is no profit in curing cancer!

Young and Beautiful

Advanced Medical Knowledge

In numerous instances the Bible contains medical information that far predates man's actual discoveries of related principles in the field of medicine. The medical instructions given by Moses to the Israelites some 3500 years ago were not only far superior to the practices of contemporary cultures, they also exceeded medical standards practiced as recently as 100 years ago. Where did Moses get this advanced information? Following are some examples of the medical knowledge afforded the Israelites in biblical times:

Sanitary Practices

For centuries doctors denied the possibility that disease could be transmitted by invisible agents. However, in the late 19th century Louis Pasteur demonstrated in his Germ Theory of Disease that most infectious diseases were caused by microorganisms originating from outside the body. This new understanding of germs and their means of transmission led to improved sanitary standards that resulted in an enormous drop in the mortality rate. Yet these core principles of sanitation were being practiced by the Israelites thousands of years earlier. 

The Israelites were instructed to wash themselves and their clothes in running water if they had a bodily discharge, if they came in contact with another person's discharge, or if they had touched a dead human or animal carcass. They were also instructed to wash any uncovered vessels that were in the vicinity of a dead body, and if a dead carcass touched a vessel it was to be destroyed. Items recovered during war were also to be purified through either fire or running water. In addition, the Israelites were instructed to bury their human waste outside of camp, and to burn the waste of their animals (See Numbers 19:3-22, Lev. 11:1-47; 15:1-33, Deut 23:12). 

These sanitary practices without question saved countless lives in the Israelite camps by protecting them against infection caused by unseen germs. Meanwhile, their Egyptian peers were dying by the thousands due to "remedies" that almost always consisted of some amount of human or animal dung1. As mentioned earlier, the sound sanitary practices that we take for granted today only began to flourish about a 100 years ago.

Bacteria

Some time after I wrote these web pages, a Bible skeptic unwittingly showed me yet another example of advanced scientific/medical knowledge in the Bible. He posted a message on a discussion board that ridiculed some verses in Leviticus 13 and 14 that mention leprosy on walls and on garments. He felt this was silly and an error since leprosy is a human disease. What this skeptic was unaware of is the fact that leprosy is a bacteria, a living organism, that certainly can survive on walls and garments! In fact, the Medic-Planet.com encyclopedia notes that leprosy "can survive three weeks or longer outside the human body, such as in dust or on clothing"2. It is no wonder that God commanded the Levitical priests to burn the garments of leprosy victims! (Leviticus 13:52)

Laws of Quarantine

In the same Med-Planet encyclopedia cited above we read that "It was not until 1873 that leprosy could be shown to be infectious rather than hereditary."2 Of course God knew this all along, as His laws to Moses reveal (Leviticus 13, 14, 22, Numbers 19:20). His instructions regarding quarantine to prevent the spread of leprosy and other infectious diseases are nothing short of remarkable, considering that this life-saving practice was several thousand years ahead of its time. Infected persons were instructed to isolate themselves outside the camp until healed, and were to shave and wash thoroughly. The priests that administered care were instructed to change their clothes and wash thoroughly after inspecting a plague victim. 

It should be re-emphasized that the Israelites were the only culture to practice quarantine until the last century, when medical advances finally demonstrated the importance of sanitation and isolation during plagues. The devastating black plague of the 14th century that claimed millions of lives was not broken until the church fathers in Vienna began encouraging the public to start following the guidelines as set forth in the Bible. The promising results in Vienna compelled other cities to follow suit, and the dreaded plague was finally eradicated3.

The First Antiseptic

Hyssop oil was charged by God to Moses to be used as a purifying agent. Hyssop oil has been shown to contain 50% antifungal and antibacterial agents (Numbers 19:18, Psalm 51:7).

Circumcision and Blood Clotting

For centuries scholars must have been perplexed by God's law of circumcision which required the procedure to be performed on the 8th day after birth (Gen 17:12, 21:14, Lev 12:3, Luke 2:21). Medical researchers recently discovered that the two main blood clotting factors, Vitamin K and Prothrombim, reach their highest level in life, about 110% of normal, on the 8th day after birth. These blood clotting agents facilitate rapid healing and greatly reduce the chance of infection. You can verify with any Obstetrician that the 8th day of life is the ideal time for a circumcision, and that any circumcision done earlier requires an injection of Vitamin K supplement.

Dietary Guidelines

By the 1980s, all the health organizations of the United States had adopted low-fat, high fiber dietary guidelines. This was the culmination of numerous scientific studies that had demonstrated that diets high in vegetables, fruits, and grains reduced the risk of heart disease, cancer, and many other diseases. Secular physicians generally agree that these dietary guidelines that were producing longer life spans were first developed by religious movements founded in the 1800s, particularly by the Seventh-day Adventists. Where did the Seventh-day Adventists get their guidelines? From a meticulous and careful study of the Bible4. It appears man has finally caught up to the dietary recommendations given by God to the Israelites some 3500 years ago!

1. Lise Manniche, An Ancient Egyptian Herbal, 1989, pgs 92, 136, 146

2. Leprosy, Medic-Planet Encyclopedia.

3. Grant R. Geffrey, The Signature of God, 1996, p 149

4. The Biblical diet was primarily a vegetarian diet of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and grains. It wasn't until after Noah's Flood that God reluctantly allowed moderate consumption of meat (ingestion of fat remained strictly forbidden), though He still clearly indicated the superiority of vegetables over meat (see Daniel 1:12-15). For a detailed discussion, see Dr. Jerry Bergman's report in the Creation Research Society Quarterly, Vol 34, No. 4, March 1998, pg 209.

Caledonia

Simple Joy

Today I had the best time with a very special person in my life.  She is 16 years old and her first Valentine’s Dance at school is coming soon.  I  had the joy to take her to look for a dress.  I was just watching how much joy she had anticipating this evening with her boyfriend.  I remembered when I was young and looking forward to the first date the first dance and my first driving lesson, my first car, all those things that are so exciting as a teenager.  

 

It is a simple joy in life that we are allowed to experience and to witness when we get older.  I am so thankful that I have had the opportunity to have children and teenagers in my life and to be with them hearing their stories, watching their excitement, going through their disappointments and healing and to see them growing into wonderful young men and women.  

We sometimes get caught in the busy of life and sometimes think we don’t have t time to just enjoy the present moment it is all we have and it is so important to allow ourselves to take in life and allow ourselves to feel these moments with joy, love and gratitude.

 

When my friends come to visit, I appreciate when they are staying focused in our conversation and not on the phone texting and answering every little beep.  We do not have a guarantee that we will see each other again and I personally don’t want to lose that moment with them.

 

I am in a stage of my life where I have learned to breath, to enjoy, to sit and listen and to accept that we are not guaranteed the next moment we have no idea what God has planned for us and therefore living as it is the most important time, and be present.  I have looked around and all I see is everyone texting,  using their ipods, iphones, laptops and not talking, laughing and being present with each other, multitasking.  We can not get these moments back and therefore, I choose to allow myself more time to be present here with those that choose to be in my life.  I thought I always did but, I want to be sure that I will I make a consciousness decision to spend quality time and know that each moment is the most important moment in my life at the time.

 

The past, God has blessed me with quality time with some of my dearest friends not knowing that God had plans for them to make their transition.  I was allowed personal time with them and left me with beautiful and wonderful memories.  It is the gift of the present moment and making it a time of quality and filled with friendship, truth., laughs, love ad joy.  I am so grateful for those times.  It has made me all too aware of how life is about what you have right now, not tomorrow and not what we had before, just right now.

 

I am a hugger, when my family and friends come in hugs for all, and at the end of the visit, hugs for all because I might not have the opportunity to hug them again.

 

I tell those who are in life, “love ya” when I finish texting, on emails and in person.,

I might not get to tell them again.  My parents actually lived that way and I am so thankful that was a part of my upbringing and I have followed their ways, they are good ways and loving ways...

 

To all those I love, thanks for being you and allowing me to be me with you.  Thanks for your hugs, calls, time together and the laughs and joy....Life is not about money, working and dying, it is about living in the present moment, showing up and bringing your light and love into all you have and all you are.  

 

Blessings, may the Light of God bring you peace and joy

Oneesha