Eating to comfort ourselves often come to us, this is something very normal. Often when we feel stressed, bored or lonely or we just want to cheer ourselves up. Most do it without even being totally aware of it. That temptation to have that extra helping because we've enjoyed the first one so much and taking an extra serving will make us feel better is the main reason why we over eat. However, every time we comfort ourselves with food, we consume lots of extra calories - when we're not even really hungry at all.

Hard Habits to break

We may not realize it, but comfort eating is something that we picked up from the time we were kids.

When we were babies, we cried and our mothers comforted us with their milk. As we grew older we were given treats for comfort or when we hurt ourselves, or when we achieve something great. Thus, we associate food as something that can cheer us up or something that has to be present when we want to celebrate. But, unfortunately for many of us, these comfort eating lessons often come back later in life and cause weight challenges.

To conquer comfort eating we need to change our relationship with food. The main purpose of food is to nourish out bodies, and that's it. Fuel. When we start to think about what food is, and what it contributes to our lives, we start to develop a healthier, more aligned relationship with food. The next time you feel down and want to dive in to that large serving of ice cream, take these simple alternative steps instead:

• Take some time out to pamper yourself with a long comforting bath, a facial, massage or manicure.
• Do something nice for someone else who needs the cheering up more than you do. It makes them feel good and helps you forget about your problems for a little while. You also feel better knowing you have helped out a friend in need.
• Visit or have a quick phone chat with a friend. Go for a walk in the fresh air or visit some nice place.
• Get off your bed or couch and exercise. Exercise takes our mind off things and when we work out our body releases endorphins, the natural feel good hormone.
• Don't suppress your feelings. Cry, and let it all out. You will feel finality when you have let your emotions out. Your head will clear afterward.
• Fill your ears with happy music. Dance like crazy if you want.

Food is our body's friend. But as we associate it with other things in life, in the end, we over eat and food suddenly becomes something to struggle with. By channeling our emotions properly, we can deal with the different up and downs of life without having to eat our way out of the situation.

If this persists you can get what is called a chronic stress reaction which in time can lead to things which are more problematic such as ulcers, heartburn and diarrhoea. Sometimes if these stress and anxiety symptoms go on for long periods of time they can even develop into very debilitating or even life threatening conditions which will stop you working, or even lead to permanent impaired health.

It is essential that when you recognise any symptoms in yourself which are brought on by stress and affect your digestive system you speak immediately to your health practitioner who will suggest either tracking the conditions to see when they arise and what they are associated to and then make suggestion for further medical investigations and diagnosis. On the whole recognition of such symptoms such as the butterfly in the stomach when about to do some kind of activity which may cause nervousness for example public speaking or a job interview is quite natural and part of your body's process of preparation and alertness. They are usually and you will have experienced them before. Mostly you know to take a deep breath and prepare yourself mentally looking forward to the outcome of a good accomplishment.

But when these feelings rise often and frequently and your feel them in your body at times which you do not associate with a normal response to your ongoing activities you must try to look at what is going on for you at the time. This can be difficult because the stress may arise some feelings of fear in you especially if this feeling is happening frequently and you are feeling the discomfort as described in you stomach and digestive system. But try to relax and gently look at what just happened previously to cause you to feel these feeling of stress and anxiety. If you can get an understanding of what the stressful situation was you can begin to identify with support the best way of managing those worrisome times with stress management techniques which work for you and put into your life. What is essential is that you know that you are not on your own and that you can seek help to get through these periods.

Digestive problems and stress

When we have butterflies in our stomach we will often view them as somewhat like a wake-up call to how we are feeling about the situation in front of us and chalk it up to nerves, stage fright, work presentation, or exam conditions etc. This is our body doing what it does best, taking care of us for preparation for survival, an alert to be wary and take care. But what if the butterflies increase to gut wrenching pain that is debilitating and long lived? In these circumstances if the painful situation is not brought on by an organic medical condition which has been diagnosed as such by a health care practitioner then it is at times diagnosed to be the associated symptoms of stress related issues.

The digestive system

For the purpose of this article we include the length of the digestive system which ranges from the mouth to the lower end of the digestive system. All the ailments can be associated with various bodily issues but we are talking about the effects of stress induced ailments and for those that suffer from stress.

What are the possible stress related problems?

Mouth ulcers

They are a small sore which is an inflammation of the mucous membrane, vary in size and can be found in any area around the mouth. They can be triggered by various causes including stress, poor diet and infections. Some suggest vitamin B can aid the stress issues internally.

Toothache and bad breath

Not commonly associated with stress but lack of personal hygiene or attention to mouth problems can make you upset and worried and also impact on yourself image. A quick check for bad breath is to lick your inner wrist then take a quick smell of it after 30 seconds.

Indigestion

Indigestion is often the most common ailment accompanied with stress and prolonged stress. The most effected stress management technique is to treat more than the symptoms, but to also have some kind of counselling and even meditation

Nausea and vomiting

Like all conditions you must seek medical advice if you are experiencing any prolonged nausea and vomiting or if your stomach is distended in any way. These symptoms go hand in hand with indigestion for some stress sufferers but most people do not actually vomit when under acute and prolonged stress. Herbalism is a great way to treat the symptoms of nausea and vomiting that is stress related.

Stomach Ache

As discussed slight butterflies when filled with dread is what we are talking about which is not persistent and leads to pain that goes away, usually associated with a recognisable stressful situation.

Colic

Some people suffer from colic should ensure that they take care of personal stress and think about coming activities which have an element of activity with deep breathing such as yoga. It has also been noted that time management issues can bring on colic for some sufferers who have pressurised deadlines and responsibilities.

Constipation and irritable bowel syndrome

This is a specific medical diagnosis which is given after several tests to rule out other diseases and digestive or whole body problems. Although bought on by types of food that we eat IBS is one the symptoms that has been easily triggered by the inclusion of stress in our lives. Most IBS sufferers will be asked to keep a mood diary in order to track the situations which maybe triggering this response.

When I first brought my dog home more than 10 years ago, she was a pretty wild one. As she was badly abused by her previous owners, she was neurotic and a little violent at times. I suffered from bites, scratches and minor injury for the first few months of my life with her. I didn't know how to control her and so I bought all kinds of books on dog training and tried to undo some of the damage she went through in her previous home.

She was obviously not an easy dog to train. I tried all the methods that the books talked about. And the success rates for discipline was only 10%. She would either try to pounce on other people around or she would try to hide if there was a big group of people walking towards us. My whole apartment was wrecked. She bit off a huge chunk of my sofa so there was sponge foam everywhere when I came home one day. She pulled down my curtains and bit all my nice candles, pictures, shoes, anything you can think of. My nicely decorated living room soon became an empty shell filled only with dog toys. Fleeting thoughts of giving up and sending her to the SPCA came to my mind. But I persevered because I believe every living creature deserves a chance. Over time the success rate for discipline, even though it did not go very much higher, did not deter me. After a couple of years she began to tone down on her boisterous behaviour. She was more calm and steady and realised eventually that I was unlike her previous owners. I can't say that her discipline level went beyond 50% but I still felt it was a great success.

Today, the same dog is older and deaf. She is still a live wire at times, and because she is now deaf, the learned ways of disciplining her has been thrown out of the window. We are now starting all over again with new methods of discipline. She has started to steal food off the kitchen counter, she does things she is not supposed to and all commands have been ignored because she can no longer hear. But my motivation to discipline my dog has always been the same - to be sure that she remains safe and harm free.

This experience with my dog has taught me many lessons on perseverance and adaptation.

We all have different reasons why we succumb to addictions and bad habits because we all have different experiences in life. But what we must do in order to break out of any bad habits/addictions is to persevere. Our life's circumstances may change over time and so adapting our methods to master our addictions must be done wisely. What may work yesterday may not work today. But our motivation should remain the same and that is to be liberated and to claim our mastery of self.

No matter how positive our outlook in life, unpleasant things are going to happen which bring us down. People betray us, hurt us and disappoint us. People attack us with their spiteful words. They misjudge us, take credit for our work or malign us. When we experience this sort of thing in our daily lives, it is very difficult to remain positive. Such actions and feelings produce a very low vibration: a very negative energy.

However, while we cannot stop this sort of thing from happening, we can choose how to react to it.

Option 1:

The natural human reaction is to play into the drama of the situation. If we buy into this, we feel compelled to justify and defend ourselves. If we take on the negative energy, we find ourselves feeling resentful, angry or even vengeful. Unfortunately, this simply magnifies the negativity, and damages us. If you are on a path of self-improvement and growth, your quest will be to raise your vibration to that of unconditional love. If you allow yourself to slip into this negative pattern of drama, you will be undoing all your good work and making yourself feel dreadful in the process.

Option 2:

Alternatively, you can change your perspective and choose to see the situation in a different light. Raise your perspective up above the drama to the highest perspective of the Soul or Higher Self. From the highest perspective, everything is perfect, and everything has a purpose. From the highest perspective, your experience provides a wonderful opportunity to grow and ascend further. Ask yourself what gifts and lessons your soul wanted you to learn from experiencing this; usually you are being shown what not to do! For example, how should a loving person have behaved in that situation? What have you learned from witnessing their bad example? What qualities have you gained by going through that experience? How have you become a better, more loving and less judgemental person yourself?

When you have identified the lessons and gifts, sit quietly with your eyes closed, and feel the energy of your heart. Let the energy expand with every breath. Then let your heart energy expand out of your body and ask that it be connected to the energy of the Universe. Now, ask the Universe to show you that you have finished learning those lessons completely now, and it is unnecessary to keep on learning them from the incident, or from any resentments, grudges or anger you are holding on to. Then ask the Universe to release all people concerned from the obligation of giving you those lessons and gifts. Now, let the energy of the Universe move through your body, cleansing away all the lower vibrations and transforming them. Visualise or imagine it happening, until you see that every cell in your body has become clean and bright. Allow your vibration to rise once again to the vibration of love.

The upsets and hurts of life are still going to come along, but if you deal with them straight away, they will help you on your path, rather than hinder you. If you complete the lessons and then cleanse the lower vibrations from your body, you will bring yourself back to who you truly are as quickly as possible. Only then will you be able to bring that vibration of love into the world again.

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• every year at tax time there is the same pressure to get your income tax papers in to your accountant on time
• same tensions whenever the family get together for Christmas
• same conflicts surface at work despite new staff or even a job change
• same irritations and arguments with the 'significant other' in one relationship after another
• same pattern of illnesses or persistence of a disease in your life

Even though the calendar date has moved forward and the people and circumstances of your life are different, do you have the feeling that your life really isn't changing? Even though you have a strong desire to make positive change in your life, do you have the feeling that you are not moving forward and that you are stuck? Could it be that at some fundamental level you have not changed? Do you resonate with the saying - " The more things change, the more they stay the same."

At the root of these repeating and unchanging pattern are unconscious beliefs that are running the show. You might say to yourself that you want a loving, warmly intimate and understanding life partner. However, if you are unconsciously holding a belief that it is unsafe to be intimate or that you are not lovable (conclusions you unknowingly came to as a result of your own past experiences), then your conscious efforts to create the relationship you say you desire will be blocked.

These unconscious beliefs or conclusions are like filters through which you view everything in your life. They determine how you see your world and affect your thoughts about yourself and others, your perspective on events, your reactions, and your dominate feelings and attitudes. Until you wake up to your own filters, you are stuck with seeing your life through the lens of " I'm not lovable." or " I'm not good enough" or " I am not deserving of anything better. "

The filters are not who you really are but rather they represent an interpretation of who you think you are. A thought is just a thought and can be changed. Imagine how your whole life would change if you dropped the belief " I'm not lovable". I am sure you would agree that it would be totally transformed.

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Have you ever found yourself offended or angry?

Did you know that if you don't wish to remain in this state of being offended or angry, you have a choice?

When you feel anger rising in your mind and body you can stop and take a deep breath in and as you exhale know that on that next deep inhalation you are actually opening yourself up to that Divine Spirit that is within you and as you do so you can choose to follow that Divine Spirit's lead.

Sometimes this might mean walking away from the situation or counting to 10, or any other option that will come to your mind when you allow yourself to open to that Divine Spirit that is within you.

You may also notice that whenever you feel that you are angry with yourself, you can do the same thing as well. Whenever you feel angry and with whoever you feel angry with simply stop, take a deep inhaling breath and know that on your next inhalation you will be open to that Divine Spirit that is within you.

Since you are connected to that Love, Joy and Peace that is within you as the Divine Spirit you can remain calm and extend that compassion to yourself and others. By knowing this you have a way to forgive and make a new choice.

Because you have taken the time to read at least this far it is obvious that you are seriously interested in making the empowering choice when you find yourself being offended or angry.

Feel what you're feeling now and as you do so I want you to understand, just understand that when you meditate on a daily basis it actually helps you begin to make the more empowering choice when you become angry or offended because you have an open door to that Spirit of Love, Joy and Peace that is within you.

At the same time, when you meditate on a daily basis it allows the mind to settle down which in turn allows the body to settle down as well.

And I wonder if you will be surprised to learn that the practice of Yoga Nidra which is a guided meditation technique is one of the most powerful meditation techniques you can utilize when it comes to both your personal and spiritual growth.

Finally, in conclusion if you are seriously interested in making the empowering choice when you find yourself being offended or angry then you will be glad to know that when you meditate on a daily basis you will actually be opening up the most empowering pathway you can choose always.

When it comes to personal health, most people are very skeptical about trying alternative treatments. There are so many myths that surround alternative care. These myths ultimately result in the fear of trying anything outside of traditional medical care.

The top 7 myths about chiropractic treatment are: It is painful, it is too expensive, it is not scientific, once you start it is a life-long commitment, chiropractors are not "real doctors", it is dangerous, and chiropractic care only treats back pain. Let us take a closer look into the validity of these myths.

1. "Chiropractic treatment is a painful process". Spinal and joint adjustments are virtually painless. Most patients experience immediate pain relief after the first session. There are some cases where patients will experience some pain and stiffness at the site of the adjustment, headaches, fatigue, and/or muscle spasms. It all depends on the patient's health and physical conditions/injuries, but most do not experience any pain during or after the session.

2. "Chiropractic care is too expensive". When you break down the cost of traditional methods of care, chiropractic treatment is only a fraction of the cost. A study done by the state of Florida's workman's comp. board did a research in 1988 which showed that the average cost per patient for chiropractic treatment is $558 compared to $1,100 per patient for traditional medical care.

3. "Chiropractic care is not based on scientific evidence". There are numerous studies, which can be found online, that confirm the validity of chiropractic treatment as a viable alternative to traditional methods of medical care. Chiropractic care is physically and mentally beneficial, has very few side effects, and is far more cost effective when compared to traditional medical treatment.

4. "Once a patient receives their first chiropractic session, they will have to go for the rest of their life". Everyone goes to the doctor for a yearly physical or the dentist for their routine cleaning. With chiropractic care, once the immediate issue is resolved/under control, routine check-ups are recommended but not required. This is due to the fact that your spine and joints are compressed by every day activities. It is recommended that you get periodical adjustments as a preventative measure against misalignments, but it is not a requirement. Some people only make an appointment when something hurts or doesn't feel right, and then discontinue the treatment when the issue is resolved. Others believe that being proactive by getting regular chiropractic treatment is more beneficial to their health and overall well being.

5. "Chiropractors are not real doctors". To become a chiropractor, several things must take place before and just after graduation. First, they must complete 2 to 4 years of pre-med schooling. After that, they must complete 4 to 5 years at a chiropractic college. Just before or right after graduation from the chiropractic college, they must log in several hundred clinical hours. This is a hands-on experience with real patients. Once that has been completed, the last step is passing the state and national board test(s). The curriculum is very close and almost as rigorous as those attending medical school.

6. "Chiropractic adjustments are dangerous". If adjustments are made by a licensed and highly qualified/skilled/experienced chiropractor, the risk of spinal injury is extremely rare. More physicians are recommending spinal adjustments before a patient decides to pursue traditional methods of treatment such as medications and surgery. The risks are much greater with all of the side effects from medication and the possible complications of surgery. Chiropractic care is virtually painless and is a much safer choice.

7. "Chiropractic care only treats back pain". Chiropractic care can treat or help lessen the symptoms of numerous conditions such as soft tissue disorders/conditions, migraine headaches, Fibromyalgia, ear infections in children, ADHD/ADD, Autism, and depression. Yes, the treatments can be effective for back, spine, neck pain along with a plethora of other disorders and conditions.

Now that you are aware of the myths and the truth about chiropractic care, you can make your appointment with a chiropractor licensed in your state to begin your journey to living a better and healthier life.

Pure essential oils are hard to come by these days due to the time consuming and intricate process involved. The high demand is more than the supply. First you need to ask what constitutes them? There are many factors that play a role in its purity. It has hundreds of different chemical constituents that can give the oil its overall power and purity for medicinal uses.

The essential oil constituents are categorized into the following 13 different categories: Alkanes, Phenols, Terpenes, Alcohols, Ethers, Aldehydes, Ketones, Carboxylic acids, Esters, Oxides, Lactones, Coumarins, and Furanoids. The constituents are all affected by many variables such as geographical region, climate, altitude, soil condition, fertilizer, harvesting methods, the part of the plant the oil came from, and the distillation process. In order to get pure on all of the variables that affect the constituents need to be optimal for the plant, especially the distillation process.

When it is being produced, it needs to have the aromatic compounds preserved as much as possible. The aromatic chemicals are very fragile and can be killed by high temperature, pressure, and chemically reactive metals. It should be distilled in stainless steel cooking chambers at low temperatures and low pressure.

You want a pure therapeutic-grade essential oil that has been cared for in the growing process, distillation process and also in the testing phase. It will cost more for the pure ones, but if you buy cheap oils chances are it is synthetic and can be harmful. You want to know that the plants are free of herbicides, pesticides, and all other agrichemicals. These harmful chemicals can mix with the oils during distillation and produce toxic compounds.

The main constituents and fragrance have been successfully created in the laboratory by chemists. These are called synthetic oils and lack the true purity of therapeutic-grade essential oils. The chemist is unable to manufacture all of its molecules and isomers leaving the synthetic oils in an unnatural state. This can lead to the synthetic oils being harmful and having no real benefits to you. This is a big concern because the demand for oil is more than the supply so a lot of the oil on the market is synthetic.

True pure oils take a lot of preparation, time and testing to be labeled as therapeutic. It starts with the seed and ends with the distillation process. It is very important to be aware of who you're buying your essential oils from and how they process them. The therapeutic-grade essential oils can greatly benefit your mind, body, and spirit. So just remember, in order to receive the health benefits from essential oils they must be pure.

Hypnotherapy is the process or technique of utilizing hypnosis to assist an individual to make some positive changes in his life. And those changes can be physical, mental, or emotional. And of course these procedures are administered by a trained hypnotherapist. What it does really is to try to access the subconscious mind which actually has a great effect on our whole self. You alter the subconscious and you will start to see major changes in your life.

In case you are wondering, what is the difference between hypnosis and hypnotherapy since they seem to be similar concepts? Understandably both have similarities but they differ in one main thing: hypnotherapy makes use of hypnosis to treat certain problems of an individual. In short hypnosis is the tool.

So here are some of the major benefits of hypnotherapy that you might be interested to know.

It can help you connect your present difficulties or problems with something that happened in the past that directly or indirectly caused you those problems. How can this be useful? If you know about those things then your hypnotherapist can now help fix them for you or at least guide you to the right healing process.

It can actually help in reducing your daily stress level, minimize your anxieties and along the way also help in improving your immune system. And when you are free from stress and your body's immunity is at its peak, less diseases will be affecting you from now on.

Hypnotherapy can also help clear your cluttered mind and as such helps to let out the creative part of your brain. So if you think you are being hindered by something, especially by your thoughts, from achieving your full potential as an artist you should definitely give this a try.

Are you feeling down? Is depression affecting the way you live your life and your relationship with the people that you love? Depression is a very serious problem that can lead to more grave consequences. Therefore before it starts to escalates in its gravity, look to a hypnotherapist to help you out.

Are you suffering from a phobia? Many people have claimed that hypnotherapy was able to relieve them from their phobias. Hypnosis have been known to achieve such healing milestones especially because it is able to reach into the subconscious which is mainly where our phobias reside.

And finally if you are just seeking some inner peace, if you are seeking life's purpose, this procedure can help you find all that. It sets you straight on the right path because it can help you feel more assertive and feel more peaceful.

Are you fed up with struggling with overeating, starting another d-i-e-t that you know will probably blow up on you, or wishing your pants were not so tight?

Here are five simple things you can implement today to control your cravings, eat less, and thrive more.

1. Sleep. Don't keep working harder and harder. Play it smart. Women who average five hours or less of sleep per night weigh more, gain weight more easily, and crave more carbohydrates and fattening foods-and it's not in their heads! Sleep deprivation leads to chemical changes in your body that cause overeating and weight gain (even if you don't overeat). Aim for at least seven and a half hours of sleep per night. Not only will you be less hungry, your productivity, focus, and creativity will probably improve. You may even find yourself accomplishing more than when you were burning the midnight oil. Additional bonus: you're likely to feel a whole lot better.
2. Pay attention to your feelings. Emotional eating-eating as a response to feelings-is a major cause of overeating and packing on the pounds. Stress eating, comfort eating, eating out of frustration and even eating out of boredom or happiness can all sabotage your weight loss plans. Develop strategies to check in with yourself and with how you are feeling so that you can respond to your emotions in ways that don't involve food. Added bonus: when you address your feelings instead of feeding them, you will be taking charge of your life and responding to what you really need. When you do this, life gets better.
3. Carve out time for you. Stress and overload can be a direct path to weight gain. If you're feeling time crunched, you're likely to make the all-too-common mistake of cutting out the activities that are actually the best for you. Me-time helps you relax and unwind. It also gives you an opportunity to pay attention to yourself and what you need to function and flourish. When you meet your needs and care for yourself in quality ways, you are less likely to find yourself using food as a "special treat" or a "band aid" to help you get through the day. Practice giving yourself a five or ten minute time out a few times a day. The bonus: these short breaks help you get perspective on your day. You're likely to feel more organized and relaxed as a result.
4. Feed yourself quality food at regular intervals. If you are trying to eat less, it can be tempting to cut back too far and allow yourself to get too hungry. Big mistake. While depriving yourself with strict diets may initially seem to create results on the scale, in the long run, eating too little leads to stronger cravings (usually for foods that will spike your blood sugar levels quickly), overeating, and binge eating. Do you find that your healthy eating plan always gets blown in the afternoon or evening? Try eating smaller, more frequent meals during the day and make sure that you are including some protein each time you eat. Bonus: when you feed yourself well, both your energy levels and your mood are likely to improve.
5. Savor. You might be surprised to find how little of what you eat you actually allow yourself to savor and enjoy. Eating on the run and multitasking while you eat mean that your attention is divided between food and your hunger and whatever else you are doing. When you eat without giving it your full attention, you are likely to eat more and not feel as full. Impose a ban on multitasking when you eat. Take your time and practice eating mindfully-paying complete attention to your food-the taste, smell, even the texture. Notice how full or hungry you are and allow yourself to enjoy the act of eating. Bonus: savoring is a pleasant activity and it tends to be relaxing. Practicing enjoying your food in this way and getting in the habit of doing one thing at a time is a great strategy for reducing stress. If you apply the concept of not multitasking to other areas of your life, you're also likely to see an improvement of the quality of your results.

The dog's joy is obvious as she runs free across the fields, weaving and winding, sniffing and following interesting scents and bounding here, there and everywhere with her tail high and her ears back. As she races backwards and forwards enjoying the fresh air and the chance to run wild I realise how rewarding and how much fun it is having a dog. I appreciate her a little more every day. The simple pleasures in life are often the most rewarding.

Seeing her enjoy her freedom makes me happy and reminds me that there is more to life than the everyday stresses and strains of modern life. My pleasure is just as great as hers. Walking a dog brings many benefits, physical, mental and emotional.

When I'm out walking the dog my mind clears and I'm able to think. Striding briskly across the fields I'm reminded of how lucky I am to be alive and healthy. To have the energy to walk as far as I want, to enjoy time with my dog and to feel the vitality of walking whatever the weather and whatever is going on in my life.

Walking wakes your body up and energises you. It gets your circulation going, makes the blood pump round your body and makes you feel alive, and grateful to be so. The exercise and the fresh air feel so good and so healthy.

Being out in nature is refreshing and where I live I'm able to fully appreciate the beautiful views, the sweeping English countryside, the blue skies, the green fields, the red poppies, the birds swooping in the sky. And, the absolute peace and quiet of the countryside. In the city we enjoy exploring new neighbourhoods, searching for some green space to throw the ball. We never fail to find something of interest on our jaunts together.

We are, perhaps, a little more able to put life into perspective when out walking. Biologically, you are reducing the cortisone and other stress hormones in your body with a brisk walk. The chance to still your mind and realise your place in the bigger scheme of things is very centring. I often use my dog-walking time to reflect on issues that I need to deal with. Being out in nature with my faithful four-legged companion gives me a unique perspective on life, love and the universe.

Dog walking with a friend is fun too and offers the opportunity to share the experience, the exercise, the views and the exploration, and gives time for in-depth conversation. Together, you have the chance to look at the bigger picture of things, and to let the conversation take a different turn as a result of the stimulation of the great outdoors, and the exercise.

My heart warms when I see my dog bounding towards me, her tongue lolling out, waiting for my approval to go bounding off ahead again. The sheer enjoyment of our walks together makes this one of life's most simple but most valuable pleasures.

Learn how to breathe properly and let go of the troubles of yesterdays and your anxieties about tomorrow. Live in the present.

Below is a list of things you can do to be kind to yourself so that you may happy, feel joyful and feel at peace too.

1. When looking in the mirror, rather than seeing your flaws, compliment yourself on your assets. Do this regularly. Tell yourself you are beautiful out loud.
2. Burn candles, or nice scents through the house. Scents affect your mood and can create calmness.
3. Listen to music. Get up and dance like no one is watching!
4. Buy fresh flowers.
5. Open up the windows in your home. Open the blinds and let the light in. Nature balances out the energy in the air with the sun and with rain. Open your home and let nature balance your home.
6. Get a massage or facial.
7. Hug someone. Never underestimate the touch of another human.
8. Write a letter to someone you appreciate and say thank you.
9. Bake. Paint. Make something and get creative.
10. Stretch. Get the blood and oxygen flowing though the body and loosen up the joints.
11. Stand tall. Slouch and your energy declines too.
12. Say no to things you don't want. Don't feel pressured to have a piece of birthday cake if you don't want it, don't go to every family/friend event when you really just need time to chill at home.
13. Ask for help. If you are running on empty, don't be embarrassed to ask for help or advice, the person helping will probably feel good helping you in return!
14. Go for a walk. Fresh air and the sun will do wonders. Feel uplifted and energised.
15. Play. Stop being so serious and tackle your partner to the ground, play a board game, throw a ball around outside, try skipping.
16. Nourish your body with healthy food. How do you feel after a heavy meal? Exactly. Eat fresh and your body will love it. Drink lots of water.
17. Dress and groom for success every day. Wear your best clothes. Wear your best underwear.
18. Sleep. Buy yourself nice bed linen, wash them frequently. Buy the best Pjs.
19. Use your best china every day. Every day is a special occasion.
20. De clutter. Don't let bills, junk mail, shoes and everything else clutter your home. It clutters the mind.
21. Spend time with people who make you happy. You become who you hang around. Remove yourself from the energy vampires, the complainers and the victims.
22. Read. Learn something new every day. Keep the mind active and grow each day. You're never too old to start a course or learn a new skill.
23. Use your work holidays. Why are you saving them all up?? They are meant to be used, life is for living.
24. Stop stressing. It all works out in the end.
25. Be optimistic. Choose to see life in the positive. How you feel is directly connected to your thoughts. Learn to change your thoughts.

Health is a very important part of human life, and plays a crucial role to the development of human beings, the revolution of society, the updating of culture, and the change of lifestyle. However, what is the definition of health? In 1948, the World Health Organization gave a specific one: Health not only means no disease of body, but also emphasizes the mental health. How to keep a healthy body and mind? The following tips will give you a reference.

First, set clear goals in life. We always pursue a lot of things during our life. However, due to the living environment, social culture, and individual condition, we cannot make all our dreams come true. And this requires us to set goals for the limitation of one's time and energy. In order to realize the value of life and pursue larger development in the limited time, it is better make sure what you want and set clear goals. With a clear goal, you can effectively eliminate all kinds of negative emotions and keep vitality to challenge.

Second, keep a forgiving attitude towards others. Nowadays, the competition among people is fierce for the advanced science and technology. Clear goals and success in life are certainly the elements to keep health, but be lenient with others and gain corporate progress also make benefits to one's happy and health. Sometimes, you will get unexpected results by helping others selfless.

Third, develop good living habits. Good habits can make contribution to people for a lifetime. We cannot underestimate its value to health. But in our real life, many people ignore this important aspect. They always keep bad habits in life. For example, some people like to spend all night to play cards or watch TV, which will do serious harm to health. According to the scientific research, the activities of the human body are controlled by biological clock. The violation of it will cause the disorder of body function. So, we should keep good habits in all aspects of life to ensure the best function of whole body system.

Fourth, ensure enough exercises. It is proved that physical activities can keep clear mind and nimble thought. Because exercises can enable enough rest for brain to maintain its work ability, and promote the blood circulation to improve the function of heart. Moreover, sports can adjust person's psychology to keep vitality. Regularly exercises can also improve person's adaptability and strengthen the resistance to disease, then to live a health and longer life.

In addition to these, reasonable nutrition composition and essential hobbies are also in favor of physical and mental health. In order to live an easy and happy life, please draw attention to the maintenance of your health.

Yea that sounds simple, but how many times in the day do you stop and actively seek aspects of your life to be grateful for? What about your boss, your children, your pets, your family and your job? All of these things can easily be moved from our positive thinking to our negative thoughts depending on how we process our interactions with them.

Your kids require so much time and effort but they are the reason you strive for betterment. You want to give them a better life than you had. Be grateful for them.

Your job blows, you struggle to meet deadlines and you have no control over your daily schedule. However, it also pays the bills, it ensures you have a nice place to live and can enjoy the activities and events you share with your loved ones. Even if your job sucks, be grateful for it while you seek another.

There are endless examples of things or people who may add to our stress and workload. Take a moment to be thankful for them as you work to improve these circumstances.

2. Keep a Gratitude Calendar

Sometimes we need to be reminded of the things and people we need to express gratitude toward. A calendar is what we use to structure our lives. It is also one of the most useful ways to ensure that the things you are grateful for are constantly in the forefront of your mind.

Before each month begins, take a few minutes to reflect on the things and people who are currently in your life that give you pleasure, opportunity and appreciation. While you may be grateful for these things everyday, be sure to set aside a specific day to actively express your gratitude toward these things and people so that they know what they mean to you. Even if you don't say it to the people you are grateful for, try to find some way to let them know that they are important to you.

The great Wallace D. Wattles once wrote that gratitude brings us closer to the source from which our blessings flow. I believe this to be true. Without gratitude we cannot distance ourselves from dissatisfied thought. Gratitude will take your thoughts and intentions and put them to work for you, drawing the things and people you need to have a happy life closer to you. Life is important. A happy life is a blessing. Learn to cultivate gratitude and watch your life change in positive ways you may have never dreamed possible.

3. Participate, Compete, Just Try!

So often I find that people who lead rather mundane, unfulfilled lives do so out of fear of failure. They have few things to be happy and excited about because they've never achieved anything they find to be worthy of appreciation. Their fear of failure and embarrassment keeps them from engaging in the kinds of things that could give them their greatest fulfillment. These days there are so many great ways to achieve without the fear of failure - especially concerning fitness and exercise. So many historically competitive events have embraced those who simply want to participate. For instance, nearly every running event I can think of is filled primarily with people who just want to cross the finish line but know they'll never cross it first. These people are craving achievement, personal betterment and the sense that they did something big! Endeavor to find ways to challenge yourself to become better and just do it! Train for a 5k, 10k or a marathon. Join a local club and take part in events that allow your to train hard, compete and achieve more than you dreamed possible. Remember, for most of us, getting better is not about being the best, it's about being the best that we can be in the present. That's a pretty good feeling and it's available to anyone who will take the time to chase their dreams and pursue betterment with an energized sense of gratitude.

To succeed in life takes many different approaches that you need to be considered competent in. Success as we know it is really cultivated in our minds. Our minds are considered the software and our physical bodies is considered our hardware. Both have to be working in tandem to be successful. There is an old saying that "health is wealth". Most of us do not understand that until something goes wrong with our bodies and, our health starts to decline.

To be successful in the 21st century we have to become more self- reliant. Becoming self -reliant will entail getting into shape physically to face the demands that will be placed on each one of us. One aspect of getting into shape will be starting a weight training program to build not only physical strength but, mental discipline as well. We have to assume in life that no one is coming to the rescue.

Our physical independence will be paramount. Relying on someone else to assist you may not be a choice we have. We can see the changing of the guard in the United States that to be a success, you have to be healthy physically. If you have not started a fitness and weight training program, now is the time to get yourself prepared to build that fortress of independence by having a strong resilient body that weight training and of course a proper diet bring.

Life truly is, if we want to admit it or not is a survival of the fittest mentality. We have to depend on ourselves to control our lives and destiny. We all know of cases where we have had to depend on someone else to get something done and left disappointed. Taking control of your own survival we depend on your coping skills and the physical strength you bring to your life at that stage of the game.

I can assure you working in the healthcare field for many years now and working with geriatrics, that getting older is no laughing matter. Depending on someone else to come to your rescue is not either. Surviving in life will determine how prepared you are physically for the challenges that lie ahead. Working right now on your fitness level and overall health, helps build that confidence you need to succeed in the later years of your life.

To succeed today and years from now, you need to be fit regarding your self -reliant mindset and, be fit strength wise to carry out the demands that your life will require. If you plan now and prepare yourself properly with a sound fitness program, you can greatly increase your chances for success with better health and a stronger physical body.

No one likes to hear the words "medical bills" or getting a bill that says "payment due immediately" followed by several thousand dollars in the box that says "total balance." Chiropractic care is not free, but it is much less expensive than traditional methods of treatment and is recognized as one of the safest alternative medical treatments to date.

On average, it will cost around $70,000.00 per patient for a surgical procedure. Compare that to the $3918.00 it will cost for chiropractic treatment per patient. That number is a lot less intimidating and won't take the rest of your life to pay off. Not to mention, chiropractic care yields either the same or better results than medication and/or surgery. Around 60% of patients reported they had better results with chiropractic care than those who chose the surgical route. Out of 400,000 patients, 250,000 had another healthier, safer, much less expensive than traditional medical treatment(s), and drug-free option that they were never made aware of. That option is chiropractic treatment.

"Is this holistic form of treatment more expensive, and how can I afford this kind of care?" In today's society, there are numerous ways to pay for medical services such as: health insurance, auto insurance, flexible spending plan, worker's compensation, affordable payment plans or good old fashion cash.

Health insurance companies are now recognizing chiropractic as a viable method of rehabilitative medical treatment. They are realizing that they will spend a lot less money if they offer chiropractic care for either rehabilitative purposes or for preventative measures. If an individual has regular adjustments (solely at the discretion of the chiropractor), s/he is less likely to need ongoing medical care, medications, and/or surgery or some other form of medical procedure. Regular health maintenance will help ward off illness, will drastically reduce the number if sick days employees use, and less chance of the current injury/condition(s) becoming more aggravated or serious.

Before you partake in any chiropractic rehabilitative therapy, check with your insurance provider. There are still some that do not cover this service. The companies that do, you need to "read the fine print." Ask questions such as, "how many sessions are covered," "what is my co-pay," "what other therapeutic treatments are covered such as acupuncture and massage therapy"? The other question(s) that are unavoidable are those involving the financial aspect of treatment. You should as questions like, "Do you take credit/debit cards" and (whether or not you are insured) "do you have affordable payment plans," "do you only cover the policy holder or is everyone in the immediate family covered?." It is imperative that you do not leave the consultation visit with any questions about treatment, insurance, financial responsibilities, the chiropractors credentials, and another question you might have.

If you don't have a medical insurance policy that covers chiropractic care, there are more options for you. Check with your automobile insurance company. You can purchase medical expense benefits which could cover chiropractic treatment(s). Another option is a flexible spending account. It should cover the remaining balance of your overall treatment plan. There is one stipulation though, chiropractic care must be required to rehabilitate or treat the injury or condition/disorder and regain maximum mobility.

Workman's compensation is also available if you are injured on the job. You must report the injury to your supervisor in the amount of time required by your state or you forfeit your right to claim workman's compensation. Another regulation is that chiropractic treatment must be deemed necessary (by a physician who is usually appointed by the state) and they can prove that your injury is work related to qualify for assistance.

Last, but not least, is affordable payment plans set up between you and your chiropractor. There are several clinics/offices that will work with you and create a payment arrangement that fits easily into your budget. There are also financing options, but you must qualify via credit check. If your credit is less than favorable, do not panic. Some finance companies will help you get financed (the interest rate will be higher than normal by choosing this route) if you can prove you will be able to make the payments on time and why this method of treatment is medically necessary. You just need to do a little research to find a financing company that will be willing to work with you. If financing is not an option, many chiropractic clinics will offer discounts if you pay the total amount in cash or a pay (upfront) a large amount of your total balance. Just don't be embarrassed or afraid to talk with your chiropractor about your financial situation. They can't help you if they do not know your financial circumstances.

Again, as with any insurance policy, read the fine print and ask as many questions that you feel are necessary until you are fully aware of what coverage you have and you are satisfied with the answers the agent has given you regarding this issue. Your health is well worth the time and effort that you put into finding a chiropractor who will work with you and your financial situation, is extensively skilled, highly experienced, and properly licensed in your state. Only settle for the best because you deserve nothing less.

I am hoping that this article will help you to easily choose a Reiki treatment couch that suits your needs.

The first thing you need to think about is whether or not you want to do mobile Reiki treatments? By this I mean, will you be visiting other people at their homes or other premises and are wanting to take your Reiki couch with you?

The point of asking this, is that some couches are a lot heavier than others and so if you are wanting one that you can take from place to place the weight of it will be an important consideration for you.

Also consider whether or not a protective travel bag is included - so as to protect it when you take it out & about with you. Of course, if you are not planning to do any mobile Reiki treatments, then this will be less important to you.

Okay - so you have decided whether or not you need a couch that will be kept in a treatment room or one that you can easily lift in and out of your car, for taking from place to place.

The next step is to think about how tall you are, and the height of the Reiki couch. I myself am fairly tall and like couches with adjustable leg heights, so that I can easily adjust the couch to the correct height for me. This ensures that I am not straining myself or holding myself in an uncomfortable position whilst giving a Reiki session.

If you are planning to teach Reiki either now or at some point in the future then adjustable leg heights can also help you to find a good height for most people to work at. You can then adjust the leg height as required by different people of varying height. In this way you are catering for a wider range of Reiki students.

Also with Reiki treatment couches that are adjustable, consider whether or not you want a treatment couch that you can adjust with a remote control device or one that you adjust manually.

Another important consideration is whether or not you want a hole for a person to put their face through when being treated.

Sometimes you can get an attachment that is detachable and fixes into a slot on the couch. Other designs have holes in the couch itself. A consideration here is, if the hole is in the couch itself and you want to use it, then you will need to remove any covers, pillows etc. that you might have had over the face hole.
Sometimes a part of the couch is adjustable in height, so that a person does not have to lie completely flat when they are receiving Reiki. You need to decide if you want this facility or not.

Moses was initially, in and of himself, weak, stammering, and uncertain. Yet, praying and placing his trust in God Almighty Who had called him into a covenant relationship, Moses was filled with power and confidence to lead an entire nation out of bondage into freedom. He displayed unwavering confidence in God's power to perform everything that He had promised. Let me share a challenge to stand still and see the Invisible, Mighty God make a way for us which we are not yet able to see, just as Moses did on the edge of the Red Sea. He pronounced with confidence, this very exhortation to "stand still and see the salvation of God" on that day. Can we follow his example in our personal lives and as a nation?

On the 235th anniversary of the founding of our nation, we may feel a bit trapped and hopeless with a nation once more at war and in a sea of greater debt than ever. We may feel personally trapped and enslaved for various reasons. The list of ailments and challenges personally and nationally may be lengthy indeed.

I would rather consider the faith and confidence of our Founders which led them to pledge their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor as they signed the Declaration of Independence. This kind of passion, vision and courage to trust God, is an example to be replenished in all our hearts today.

So many in our military today, and their families, know the sacrifice involved. Their patriotism is high and their service courageous. But, what about the rest of us? In 235 years, our culture and morals and demographics have changed dramatically; so has our global perspective and the capacity to communicate instantly anywhere in the world. But, with all the advancements to make life easier, still it seems life is so hard. With all the wealth our nation possesses, still people do not have enough. With so many conveniences, still many seem so tired. The pursuit of higher education, more costly than ever, finds many jobless and in debt. Are we still in bondage? Is there any hope of true freedom?

Inspired by our nation's Founders, we can remember that freedom came at a great price. Many of those who signed the Declaration died in the effort against England. They were tortured and imprisoned, lost their sons in battle, or had their property seized and destroyed and died penniless. But, their effort in the pursuit of freedom at any cost gave birth to the nation and the lifestyle we continue to enjoy these many years later.

The American Experiment in government of the people, for the people, and by the people has outlasted any other on earth. Surely, God has blessed America and the noble faithful people who placed their trust in the Creator to build "one nation, under God". Can we do any less?

Moses stood still and saw the salvation of God as He miraculously parted the Red Sea and made an impossible way to freedom a reality. Our Founders laid it all down and put full confidence and trust in Divine Providence to make a way to establishing a free nation. We can continually experience God's salvation in our lives. There is hope, if we hope in our God.

God is true to His covenant and will protect and provide for those who call upon His name. But, we need to spend that time in prayerful conversation and connection with Him. Then will we see that prayer changes things, personally and nationally. Why? It takes a humble heart to pray earnestly for God's best in our lives and in our nation. Humble hearts lean on God's wisdom, and God's wisdom can lead His people to true freedom.

We've been singing for years, "God Bless America". We've heard countless political speeches end with the phrase, "God Bless America". People want to be blessed, forgiven, uplifted, and filled with hope and promise. Today, I was reminded by a preacher that it is time for us to learn how to bless America, and, in turn, bless ourselves and others. The greatest blessing, the greatest gift we can give is to pray.

Are you busy all the time, but not actually getting the things done that you want to get done? Does it feel like you are unmotivated or procrastinating? If so, it is typically not that you are uninterested; it is more that you have lost your focus on your priorities for your life. Often life gets so busy that it is easy to have a week or two where you feel off and you get pulled away by little distractions that all add up.

We don't need to be focused 100% of the time. In fact our bodies and minds need down time so that we can rejuvenate ourselves. But, when you are being pulled away into a direction that you know is not where you want to spend your time, it can create anxiety, resentment, anger, frustration and stress.

When this becomes the norm for you it might be time to check in with yourself and re-evaluate what your priorities are for you and your life.

Our priorities will change throughout our life. What you valued in your 20′s might not be something you value in your 40′s. When was the last time you actually stopped to think about hat is really important to you in your life? Try it now.

Is your health a priority in your life? Do you want to be healthy? If so, are you making the time to exercise and eat healthier foods? Is your family a priority in your life? If they are, do you greet them with a smile when they enter the room or continue doing what you were doing and say hi without even looking up.

We get so busy with the distractions in our life that they can begin to take over our priorities. Then, without even noticing, we just go through the motions of each day. We lose touch with what is important to us and we start to become complacent.

When you know what your priorities are, life will automatically simplify because you are focused on living a life based on the things that are important to you. You will be happier and the distractions will no longer be over taking your day. Ultimately, you will reduce your stress level because you are focusing on the things that are important to you. The little distractions that seemed so important will no longer have the pull on you they once had.

If it has been awhile since you evaluated and thought about what your priorities are, then I suggest:

1. You give yourself a few minutes of quiet time.
2. Ask yourself what is really important to you.
3. Write it down and get clear about what your priorities are in life.
4. Start living each day knowing what your priorities are.
5. Schedule time for what is important to you and watch your distractions fade.
6. Revisit your priorities from time to time and make adjustments where needed.

When you start scheduling your priorities in your life you will enjoy each day more. Try it, you just might be surprised!

Few people are aware, or even believe, that the moon has any kind of affect on our mood. But whilst every schoolboy knows that tidal flow is caused by the gravitational pull of the moon (though I once worked with a colleague who thought I was making that up), most rational people scoff at the idea that the moon could affect something as complex as a human being. And yet, perhaps the fact that our bodies are between 55 and 78% water goes some way towards explaining what police departments and accident and emergency wards have known for years - there may be a statistically significant correlation (and I chose that word carefully) between the phases of moon and the activities of people.

Now I'm not saying that around a full moon you might find yourself sprouting more facial hair, and developing a craving for dog food (although, maybe) but you might find yourself a little more stressed, a little more harassed. There have been studies (though I can't vouch for any of them) that show that during or immediately following a full moon there will be more births, more animal bites, more incidents of 'fake' strokes (people with stroke-like symptoms that later turn out to be fine), and more visits to the doctor - presumably from all the births, animal bites and fake strokes. Though there are less cardiac arrests. There's also (according to one study) less alcohol consumed; 26% less. And yet there are more incidents of violent crime, arson, and dangerous driving. And if the statistics are to be believed then these people who are beating each other up, setting fire to things or driving like idiots are apparently eating more; meal sizes allegedly increase by around 8% during a full moon. Why? No one knows.

It's worth mentioning that there seem to be as many people ready dismiss and dispute these findings, as there are those ready to believe them. A simple internet search will return a bewildering number of websites arguing both sides of the debate.

In my own life however I've noticed that events and appointments seem to bunch up around a full moon, as if the people I work with unconsciously gravitate towards that date. And I'm not alone. Of course, we could all be seeing a pattern where none really exists, but it's significant enough for me to find difficult to ignore.

More interestingly however is the waning moon. A week of so after the full moon, or to use the technical term, when the moon is "waning" (disappearing) as we move towards a new (dark) moon, some people find themselves feeling a little 'flat', lethargic or depressed. They don't want to do anything. They just want to sit, and brood. And think. And wish. And imagine. Which is probably why I personally find this time of the month particularly good for generating new ideas about, well, everything!

Now I know how all this sounds. This post was originally an early chapter within my book How To Do Everything And Be Happy (available now from all good online booksellers!) - but I took it out at the last minute fearing that readers might get to that chapter and then read no further. The moon indeed! However, if there's a shred of truth behind the numbers, if the moon really does affect us, directly or indirectly, this is information you can use. I myself have a Luna calendar, and the cycles of the moon in my diary. They're not expensive, there are websites where you can print your own - there's even an iPhone app. But I encourage you, the next time you're feeling low or stressed, especially if it's for no discernable reason, consult your luna calendar, and see if you notice a pattern emerging.

After doing some research on this subject, besides the obvious, I found out that people have many reasons as to what they do and why they spend a certain amount of time on the all mighty throne, john, loo, toilet or commode. Plus considering technology today, i.e. laptops, playbooks, tablets, MP3's, PSP's, Smartphones, its no wonder people will utilize time spent in the bathroom or even take alittle more time to play with these devices or even to do some quick tasks. Would playing video games, listening to music or doing a business task have a positive effect on us? I believe it could.

Actually, I had no idea that there was so many different types and styles of toilets in the world. Some were simple while some were extravagant. Some toilets came in small stalls that made you feel like you were in a tiny capsule. Some came in huge bathrooms the size of a person's living room or bigger. I started to get flushed about all of this(no pun intended)but I was fascinated about it at the same time. For some people time on the toilet allows them some quiet time, to think about their day, what plans they have, what they'll be doing on the weekend or something about their work.

So here I would think that time spent on the toilet is positive. But we probably shouldn't sit in that position too long due to our legs would fall asleep. Then you'd be stuck there until you figured out how to pull yourself up to your feet, which would make you late for work or an appointment. Then you'd have to explain why you were late..it just keeps snowballing into a nightmare LOL! Anyway, some people spend time on the toilet reading a book, magazine, doing crosswords or book puzzles, in an attempt to create a few moments of quiet time. Which I would think is a positive way to relax our minds, ponder a thought, even briefly meditate.

For some people spending time on the toilet is a way for them to escape the hustle of the day. Probably a good thing to do once in awhile. I found that some people felt safe in the bathroom even public rest rooms held a sense of security for some. Why is it called a bathroom at home and a restroom in public? Because many people use the restroom to do their business and freshen up? How can a person "freshen up" in a public restroom? Thoughts and questions keep spinning in my head about this. OK, back to my point. I've been in public restrooms, who hasn't, and frankly when I walk in there, I don't care how sterile it looks, I feel like I've just entered a petri-dish full of bacteria. You can bet I clean the seat and then place paper on it.

Vegetarianism is not for everyone. One can choose to eat healthily and naturally while still eating meat, and vegetarians do not necessarily have an edge when it comes to eating well. In fact, it is possible to be a vegetarian and eat nothing but junk food. But there is no doubt that a well-planned vegetarian diet can be great for the health and the environment. Unfortunately, too many people have misconceptions about the vegetarian diet, and this leads many to reject this natural option without carefully considering it.

Most of the misconceptions about vegetarianism are easily disproved, yet many remain widespread. Let us debunk a few of the biggest ones.

Myth #1: Humans evolved to eat meat.

Humans are omnivorous, meaning that we are meant to eat practically anything that is available. In this respect, we are among the most versatile species on Earth, capable of sustaining ourselves on a wide variety of plant foods and, yes, animal flesh, if that is what is available. Meanwhile, when you compare the human teeth and digestive system to that of any primarily meat-eating animal, there are huge differences. In the end, while our bodies have evolved to eat practically anything, we are also meant to thrive on what we have. This means that we are free to make the ethical choice not to exploit and kill animals.

Myth #2: All vegetarians are on a moral high horse.

Many meat-eaters think of vegetarians as over moralizing and obnoxious, but that is just because the more self-righteous vegetarians happen to be the loudest ones. In fact, the vast majority of vegetarians do not judge how other people eat, and they mostly keep their opinions to themselves. If you do not hear from these people, that is because they are not actively trying to convert anyone.

Myth #3: Vegetarians do not get enough protein.

People opposed to vegetarianism commonly trot out this "fact" as if it is indisputable, but in reality it is plainly wrong. Granted, there are some vegetarians who do not get enough protein, but that is simply because they eat poorly. Conscientious vegetarians, on the other hand, get protein from a variety of plant sources. Protein, a building block of all life, takes many different forms, and there are complete and incomplete proteins to be found in both plant and animal food. In fact, a vegetarian who eats a variety of vegetables will get more complete proteins than someone who eats lots of meat but few veggies.

Myth #4: Vegetarians do not get enough calcium.

The argument has been made that vegetarians, especially vegans, do not get enough calcium because animal products are the primary source of calcium in our diet. In reality, while dairy foods are great sources of this mineral, there is plenty of calcium in many types of plant foods, especially dark leafy greens.

Myth #5: Vegetarianism restricts your options.

Technically, there are more options available to meat-eaters. But in reality, few take advantage of the full breadth of their food choices. Vegetarianism implies that one cares deeply about what one eats, and in many cases this means that vegetarians are more adventurous and varied in their food choices. This is not always true, but when you consider just how many foods can be made without meat, the field of possibilities is vast and quite diverse.

It utilizes ancient techniques and simple tools: herbs, plants and our sense of intuition and or sense of smell. Traditional cultures believe that the smoke attaches itself to negative energy. As the smoke clears, it carries the negative energy with it, and releases it where it will be converted into positive energy: like composting.

The sense of smell evokes powerful emotions and memories. The nose transmits information directly to the brain, more effectively than the other senses we use. This serves as a safety caution, warning us of impending danger. Even many of our metaphors show us how subtle but potent our sense of smell is: something smells fishy. We smell a rat. Something stinks.

In fact, it is the sense of smell that imbues many foods with their taste, or flavour. Plug your nose completely, and it is almost impossible to distinguish between an apple and an onion. Pretty amazing!

We naturally like things to smell nice, and sweet. This reassures the deepest levels of the brain that all is well with the world. It is why companies go to so much trouble (and believe me, they do), to make products smell very certain ways. But this can also confuse the brain, since it is being "informed" that everything is "happy" and safe, when perhaps it may not be.

Before we had chemicals to make things smell good, many cultures used essential oils, perfumes and plants to sweeten the air around them. For example, in medieval times, "decking the halls" in midwinter was done with evergreen boughs. It was a way of bringing in freshness when all windows were shuttered for the winter, and people weren't overly fond of bathing. Yuck!

Smudging is a form of clearing the air and restoring the sweetness into our lives, both literally and metaphorically. Smudging is a term used for this use of smoke and incense. Churches still do this, particularly for important or special services. When the priest enters the church, he carries incense in a container, which he gently waves before him. The sweet smoke wafts before him and through the congregation. This serves to clear the air, release negativity and put the soul at ease.

In indigenous terminology this is called "creating sacred space," or "opening sacred space." This ritual of incense or smudging creates a delineation. Before, we were ordinary, now we are gathered for a purpose. This reminds us to put aside external thoughts and concerns, the argument with partner or spouse, car repairs, job related worries; all of those things are extraneous to what is going in. Instead, we are present in the moment.

In traditional cultures, many different things were used for this purpose. And often, what was used depended on the occasion. Just as plants have very different and distinct physical properties and medicinal properties, they have distinct magical or ceremonial uses.