Metaphors, Signs & Symbols: The Language of Spirit

Snake MedicineSpirit has  talked to us in metaphors, symbols, signs and parables since the beginning of time, and throughout our history. Have you noticed thought blocks and answers that appear so fast, they couldn’t have come from the synapses of your brain; a knowing? This happens to all of us but often we don’t take the time to listen during the course of our busy task-filled days. And if we do,  we are “outvoted” by the left side of our brain, or others around us telling us it isn’t so and, may even use the word crazy or ridiculous. (Smiling)

Some of us are not even aware that the possibility exists—messages delivered in this way. I know this was new for me– some years ago.  However, I reasoned not why, but why not?  This is the honored “third” language; the language or communication of spirit. We are all given the opportunity to talk to God, Spirit, Source or All That Is and they to us. It is a two way communication, but it’s not linear and it’s not in the spoken word.  But, the question is, do we listen?

Today as I walked the familiar route on the beautiful and still not too hot morning,  I rounded the corner and headed south on the newly renovated and landscaped sidewalk.  I paused to adjust my ear buds and a large black snake slithered across the sidewalk about 20 feet ahead of me. I stopped. I watched fascinated—as he disappeared into the small neatly trimmed hedge. Hum. All the times I had walked this walk, I had never seen a snake. In fact, I hadn’t even seen one in my yard. It reminded me of the small garner snakes of the Northwest, but much larger. Not at all startled, I continued on my way.

It wasn’t until hours later that it suddenly dawned on me—was this a message that I had almost overlooked?

There are many resources for animal totems, and we all have our favorite sources—no matter what subject. Animal Speak by Ted Andrew has always been mine regarding this subject. According to Ted, the cornerstone of snake “medicine” or totem means: Rebirth, Resurrection, Initiation and Wisdom.

He notes that the snake has always been a symbol of death and rebirth and snake medicine people are those that move between the realms of life and death for healing and for enlightenment. “Snakes are symbols of change and healing. They have speed and agility, so those who have snakes come into their life will usually find the changes and shifts occur quickly and are soon recognized and defined. When snake comes into your life you can look for a rebirth into new powers of creativity and wisdom.”

Messages from our Animals

The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small

Now, what makes this so significant for me, is this comes on the heels of birthing a retreat called SOUL to SOUL—for people who have lost a loved one—and want to connect with them—on the Otherside of the veil. This retreat is about Healing & Growing . . . Love & Purpose.

More to come . . . but it seems I have the green light from Spirit! Now, what animal has shown up in your life—and what is its message to you?

“Inspired Wellness from Within”

Cathy Silver, HC

http://www.cathysilverHealth.com

Endings and Beginnings; 7 Tips for Dealing with Emotions in a Healthy Way.

Closing the Despacho

Closing the Despacho Ceremony

Unless you aren’t human, you’ve been experiencing your own tidal wave of change, surfacing as unsettled emotions—sadness, anger, fear, frustration—depression. Damm, you thought you could ignore these unresolved feelings forever? Nope. The Universe and all its divine wisdom is making sure we are cleaning house; a cosmic spring cleaning for the soul.  In the last few weeks, there have been huge changes stirring within us all; acknowledged or not to our conscious self. We can run but we can’t hide.

I picked up the phone and listened this morning as a tearful client and friend spoke about her father, family tensions, and huge family changes unstoppable and unfolding right before her eyes; big loss. Another woman called depressed about her failed relationship—and still another desperately trying to understand her abrupt ending. I have experienced my own losses over the years, but currently on a grander community scale my spiritual sisters crying safely in my kitchen at the sudden and unexpected changes in the organization we knew and loved as DTLA. Bigger than us? I think so.

The astrologers explain this energy as two powerful closely occurring eclipses and the game-changing Grand Cardinal Cross–predicated to cause earthquakes at certain points worldwide; Nicaragua already experiencing such chaos this week. We know that all this is happening, so, how do we deal with the endings and ready ourselves for the new beginnings being presented to us on a more personal level? And if not now, at some point in our life—we will all be forced to look at bigger challenges whether it is the job that was lost, our divorce, a death, move or other significant emotional loss. Monday, at our group meeting, I choose to honor these changes with a ceremony called Despacho—one that I had witnessed months earlier.

Reflecting, to myself, that closings are normal and so is change, but some changes are harder and more painful than others. All cultures have their way of closing the old and bringing in the new.  We certainly declare this every December when one year comes to an end, and we usher in the next–usually without even blinking an eye.

Our Despacho ceremony was a beautiful way to create new intentions—literally “shipment or dispatch” to the universe aligning our personal powers with cosmic ones; representing what is part of our lives now, and our intentions for what is to come next. This simple but meaningful act of harmonizing and engaging ourselves in a sacred ceremony to recognize, acknowledge, and connect to all planes of our existence—physical—mental—and spiritual.

Below are seven ways to help you deal and process changes in your life—begin with the one that resonates with you.

  1. Find someone to just sit and listen—sometimes that’s all we need. A caring heart and an open ear.
  2. Journaling – write—write—write—to the Universe—our lost loved one or to our self. Pour your heart out with an old-fashioned pencil/pen and paper.
  3. Can you tell a new story? Is there a new perspective from which to view this chaos or situation? Maybe you are the special one? The one with a much bigger purpose? Can you see that? There are no mistakes at the divine level.
  4. Can you see this situation as an opportunity to do something you never had the freedom to do before? Is this God, saying—go ahead and . . .
  5. Get moving – even just a walk around the block? Exercise reduces stress—and makes our mental outlook so much better.
  6. Do something for somebody else. When we are able to express our love and gratitude from the bottom of our hearts, we manifest the intention to attract more of what we are grateful for.
  7. Ask your angels and guides for help. Those unseen helpers standing by, but cosmic law says you must invite them in. Unfair—but true. Talk to them!

 

Julie Andrews,  In the movie The Sound of Music as  Maria, advises: “When God Closes a Door, Somewhere He Opens a Window”, timely advice then and today.

 

“Wellness inspired from Within”

Cathy Silver, H. C.

www.Cathysilverhealth.com

The Despacho Mandela before wrapping!

The Despacho Mandela before wrapping!

 

 

 

(Part 2) Emotions Affect Our Health and Our Path to Healing; 7 Ways to Help Yourself!

Now if this isn’t confirmation; the law of attraction in motion.  This morning as I was working on finishing touches of this blog I  received a call from John Castagnini who is a master and international expert on transcending our emotional perceptions into balance and harmony.  As I said last week, we must begin to look at these underlying causes so often discounted and dismissed. The choice is ours. Part of that illness or loss maybe opening our hearts to what’s next, and learning to connect with what is truly important in our lives.

Below are seven steps that will help you get started . . . rooted in Universal knowledge and intuition. Emotions and disease

Step 1 – Acknowledge that my disease may have emotional roots. And, it is just a form of communication from me to me. What have I have ignored for too long. Ask yourself, what sadness, hurt, anger, fear or loss is stored deeply waiting to be released? You just got “the Memo”; now what?
Step 2 – You must give Intent to heal—A very important question: Do you want to heal or simply choose relief? No one but you can answer that question.
Step 3- Examine your thoughts, attitudes, point of view, assumptions, habits, beliefs, and what we thought we knew! Everything is much bigger. Go outside into nature or pick a quiet place for meditation. Quietly or out-loud, ask for help; “Please tell me what I need to know?”  Then, listen for the answer. Challenge yourself and be willing to change; without judgment towards yourself. Does what I believe to be true, serve me now? Am I willing to step outside of my box? Do I need help? Am I willing to change the way I eat or the way I look at food? Sugar? Wheat? Caffeine? How I was treated as a child by my mother or father? Are the intimate relationships in my life supportive? Is my career fulfilling and joyful? How do I look at life? What is important to me?
Step 4 – Verbalize: Look at adopting new thought patterns. Feel the energy begin to change when you change your ideas about life and what has “happen to you.” It’s proven that positive thoughts influence our physical health. Can I forgive? Do I have gratitude? If we’re consciously grateful how would this look? We transmit this gratitude and it returns to us exponentially. The Universe always tells us yes: Shut your eyes, feel and repeat: “I am whole, Healthy and complete. Everything has come to me for a reason whether I understand it or not.  I am healthy and a powerful piece of the divine.” Yes, you are! (–The Universe).
Step 5- Live your Truth.  What someone thinks of me or my situation is none of my business. (To paraphrase Les Brown.)  Perhaps, it’s time to make up your own mind about what you innately belief.  We can heal our disease or condition, and not be subject to someone else’s well-intended spousal or professional opinion. As in the movie Risky Business . . . “if you can’t say it, you can’t do it.” Whatever you believe to be true is. So, here’s a secret. You are a part of God. Does it not feel better to begin to own your power? Love is power. And, Love is the space where the miracles happen. Are you ready to step into your power of LOVE?
Step 6 – Catalyst: A person or thing that precipitates an event or change.  Your healer, doctor, therapist or holistic health coach is the catalyst for helping to balance your energy. But it is YOU that heal yourself. Our body was designed to be self-healing. Energy healing is a system of balance. Healers no matter what we call them don’t heal, they balance. Pick a balanced one. The individual human reaction to a balanced healer is what heals the human.
BONUS: It all begins with you. Intent and love can change physical things. Drop into your heart. Give your intent and say:

The Heart is the feeling center of your being!

The Heart is the feeling center of your being!

“Dear God, by intent I choose to remove myself from my lesson and give myself permission to let this disease (or anger or fear) leave. It is not appropriate. It is going to keep me from being what I came to be.”

Always more to come!
“Inspired Wellness from Within”

Cathy Silver, HC

http://www.CathySilverHealth.com

Email: CathysilverHealth@gmail.com

 

 

(Part I) Emotions Affect Our Health and Our Path to Healing; 7 Ways to Help!

 

"Embrace all Emotions" --Buddha

“Embrace all Emotions”
–Buddha

By finding this blog, you have acknowledged on some level that you are ready for something bigger—the next step to taking control of your health or dis-ease. Isn’t it wonderful to know that if we co-create our condition—we have the power to co-create our health and wellness also?
I have been attending the University of Miami Clinical Nutrition series, and participated in a group sharing circle last Saturday. We batted around IgA function, food allergies/sensitivities and other more traditional thoughts about patient care and disease. But, when I raised my hand to suggest about asking what else might be going on (at an emotional level) in the patients’ life—I was met with silence.
This morning I had conversation, with a dear friend, in reference to her mother’s diabetes.  She replied, Mom always seems so happy and positive–but has she dealt with her pain and disappointments?  Diabetes is about longing for what might have been.  A great need to control.  Deep sorrow–and no sweetness left.  Yes, there was certainly some of that.  Last week, a colleague apologized for her large pile of Kleenex, and allergies until I shared my experience about the hidden message our body tries to communicate to our conscious mind.  Allergies she read: Denying your own power.  Who are you allergic to? Her eyes met mine with OMG revelation. What about Marla’s emotional eating, Lucy’s migraines, Daniel’s depression and Andrew’s back? Also clues—you bet. This afternoon in a serendipitous discussion with an older woman, speaking of her husband and his illness, she confessed, “I don’t think he ever acknowledged his emotional issues.”
We need harmony within our system. There is an emotional component to our dis-ease; an ‘indicator’ we are not in balance; like the oil light in our car. I am not alone in this belief. This dialogue is simply a method to bring the energy to the surface and raise the collective consciousness—exposure—and create an even greater awareness to a larger “truth”; we cannot have lasting health until—our emotional, mental, and spiritual sides are acknowledged as part of the healing equation.
Visionary pioneer, Louise Hay has addressed the mental patterns of fear and anger in much of her work. In her book, You Can Heal Your Life. She writes, “Anger can show up as impatience, irritation, frustration, criticism, resentment, jealousy or bitterness. These are all the thoughts that poison the body. When we release this burden, all the organs in our body begin to function properly.” She continues, “fear can show up as tension, anxiety, nervousness, worry, doubt, insecurity, feeling not good enough, or unworthiness.” Isn’t it time to take this out of NEW AGE thinking and insert it into MAINSTREAM management? And, if mainstream, isn’t ready, why wait another 20 years for science to prove what innately we already know! The body communicates as a whole, each part connected to the other, in fact, communication flowing to every part of who we are. In her book, Your Body Speaks Your Mind, Deb Shapiro writes “the underlying psychological or emotional issues usually relate to the purpose or the function of the affected part. Unconsciously you are participating more than you realize.” When or what does it take to address these underlying causes so often discounted and dismissed? The choice is yours. Part of that illness maybe opening our hearts, and learning to connect with what is important in our lives; what is our true priority?
I know as part of my white bread culture—NOTHING was ever discussed growing up. How I felt about my grandmother’s death, my father being laid off by Boeing, my sister’s open heart surgery, my aunts cancer, my mother disdain for her in-laws (my grandparents) . . . and more recently my divorce several years back. All families come with issues; no one escapes these lessons. We all have a story. I have witnessed emotional breakdowns over loss, violence, sexual abuse, alcohol, drugs, and death to start. (And that doesn’t include the small stuff.) We’ve gotta start letting it out! Christiane Northrup, MD humorously points out and illustrates so colorfully when she asks: “What’s that over there in the corner? OMG, it’s a feeling; someone quickly, go stamp it out!

Next week: Seven steps that will help you . . . rooted in Universal knowledge and intuition. Smiling—Stay tuned! 

“Inspired Wellness from Within”

Cathy Silver, HC

www.CathySilverHealth.comEmotions-everyhumanbeingistheauthorofhisownhealthordisease

Obama Care or Wellness for Me? It’s time to Paint a New Picture!

Healthy 2

Lets change our mindset. A declaration to ourselves.  I’ve been thinking about our dysfunctional sick care  or insurance reform that’s been in the news almost daily and know this is not the answer. American’s are smarter than this, and it’s time to take control of our own destiny. The question is really, how do we stay out of the sick-care spiral? Our current system  is a failure to create true health.   What about instead, a  pro-active choice to live a life of vitality and wellness?  The WHO (World Health Organization) defines health “is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.”

Ask yourself in this moment,  what do I need to do to insure myself a life of wellness– Today? (Not next week, or next month or next year or when I get around to it or after I have a heart attack or diabetes.)  The responsibility has to shift to us and our choices in the moment; not some future situation or event.  I always tell my clients it’s easier NOT to have to DIG YOURSELF out of a ditch or mud hole–you know when your boots are stuck.   What does it take to avoid the ditch and mud?  Everybody can live a life of wellness–not just a few.  Just like the air we breathe–there is not a limited number of people who can be well at one time.  There is  no preset number or rotation or take a number; the responsibility  becomes ours.

Educators and parents have used the philosophy of  Natural and Logical consequences for years.  I used it on my own children. It goes like this: If I choose option A (this could or will happen) and if I choose option B ( another set of potentials must happen) but the responsibility ultimately falls on our shoulders or in the case of my kids–theirs– and I have no one to blame, but myself!  Nifty for kids–more to think about when it us!

Hum, let me see, what do I get to do today that supports me being healthy? That gives me vitality? That allows me to fulfill my passion, purpose and desires? That creates positive energy in my life?  How can I shift the box I now live in to create this space?

I  love the metaphor of the painter and his canvas.

Could I use a few new paintbrushes to paint another canvas? Is it time to bring out the paint set, set up my easel and dream for a minute about a new way to paint? Is it the paint, brushes, technique or time of day–what I wear or don’t wear that inspires me to paint without the constraint of what I was taught? A roller, a rag, stones, leaves, splashing, throwing, dripping, spinning, mixing our medium and colors to recreate and unlearn all that we we taught in Art School?  Maybe forgetting everything and painting with our innate wisdom, a more beautiful and profoundly moving piece of art and portrait?  What if our paintbrushes were our tools for wellness–and the canvas was our body.  Are we able to UN-learn what we think we know?  How open are we to a new technique not restricted by someone else’s belief and truth moving forward without our fears in our personal new paradigm of wellness.  Drop your resistance. We can do this.  You can do this! Begin today! Do whatever it takes to wipe the cobwebs off your easel.

Pick up ‘one new color’ that calls to you–and a small brush. The brush represents a more healthful lifestyle choice;  the color; our action. Could that be a pair of walking shoes to walk around the block? Or eating something green? Or having a apple with lunch or skipping the drive-thru or packing something from home because its organic? What about  becoming gluten free or reading labels and watching our ingestion of sugar laden foods? Or drinking more water? Each of us is on our own time schedule–and our old canvas we’re painting over is sometimes cracked and worn, but the new masterpiece is well worth the effort, if we can just use our imagination and see in our minds eye, what is possible. Now download some Mozart, write your intentions and make a dream board.  The Universe always tells us “yes”. Choose one big thing and one small thing that you can do today to begin this journey! Shut your eyes and feel the joy and vitality shifting with your intent and declaration. Congratulations, you’re on your way!  The master is you, soon to be unveiled!

Painter Painting“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step”  ~Lao Tzu

“Inspired wellness from within”

Cathy Silver, HC

http://www.cathysilverhealth.com

When You Just Don’t Feel Like Exercising . . .

Exercise, movement, physical activity or fitness. Whatever you choose to call it, some days are tougher than others.  Motivating ourselves to do the right thing can be a challenge some days. So, how do we get past our resistance?

First, acknowledge we all have days like this.  A spontaneous discussion after class with my yoga instructor last week revealed something similar: the exact same class, movement, and poses were easier some days than others for him. Lets call it human nature.  I don’t know if it is  tied to the moon, our bio-rhythms, stress or energy levels, but it’s important to find ways to get past it.

How do we convince ourselves to get moving when our job is weighing on our minds–our kids have soccer practice or we’re fighting a virus or boredom and the motivation that is usually there seems to have taken a leave of absence?

I share these thoughts as I fight to get out and do something; it is how I am feeling today.  I have a cold–nothing serious but my energy level is definitely waning. I’m afraid the cold is winning.  My friend Keary’s  kids have soccer practice and Wendy is frustrated with her latest job.  A common  scenario? Our reasons are all valid and convincing for not exercising.

I know I always feel better after my trip to the gym or a walk. The outdoors make me feel refreshed and renewed; especially this time a year in south Florida. The endorphins and the negative ions circulate wellness to my being.  I could choose to walk the treadmill or pedal the bike, a variation from my almost daily elliptical tete-a-tete.  What about a spontaneous dance or step class? What made me feel good as a kid? Could I get out on my bike, or jump in the pool for a swim? Maybe a reward? A feel good massage, a facial or another form of pampering? What about treating myself to a pedicure or a new spring work-out top?  A few sessions with a personal trainer, perhaps? My friend Debbie, suggests belly dancing! If  that sounds fun, let the inner-child out to play!  The reward is worth the fight.  Anything that can get us out of our routine and stimulate our desire and motivation encouraging  us towards some sort of daily fitness– does a body–and attitude good! But sometimes, it’s just nice knowing, we’re not alone!

Keary has decided to walk the grass soccer field while her kids run its length chasing that white and black ball. Wendy and I decide to go for a nice long walk. Debbie loves her tennis!   What will it be for you?

“Inspired wellness within

Cathy Silver, HC

www.cathysilverhealth.com

Moving into a New Energy – 2014

2014 Happy New Year

The past year of recalibration has concluded and we continue to slide quickly into 2014. Is it astute to ask:  What is the flavor to come?  A “seven-year” in the eyes of numerology means–one of divinity, perfection and wholeness.  So what does that really mean?I can’t say exactly how your world or for that matter my year will unfold, but what I am sure of, is, it all begins with intention. A declaration to ourselves and to the Universe that lovingly supports our growth and enlightenment–unfolding before our eyes–seen or unseen, our actions will support this unfoldment.
What about a year where we create wellness, vitality and a body of health?  And if so, what changes does that mean for you? I say it’s possible to use our intuition, not our intellect, on what our body needs–more greens, veggies, fresh fruit or water perhaps? A morning meditation? Or do we need more movement in our life such as a new exercise routine; something we love to do! What about healthy relationships and a career of passion?

Emotions are something we cannot afford to ignore!  Can we admit and recognize deep pains stuffed and stored in the recesses of our being, begging to be released once-and-for-all? We are supported on many layers–each building upon another by the larger intelligence to which we are all deeply connected. Our challenges differ slightly for each of us. But if we adopt a “whatever it takes attitude” to walk through our fears and trust what lies ahead on the other side will be a life of joy, compassion, acceptance, tolerance and our integrity for ourselves.  Truly able to be free and to celebrate us–our shining perfection– flaws and all!  Make your list with heartfelt intent and the synchronicity will follow. To a  Happy Healthy year of Wellness; let it begin now!

“Inspired Wellness from Within”.

Love and Light,


Cathy Silver, HC AADP
Wellness Warrior
Energies of Healing, LLC
 P.S. Call or email me if you need support on your NEW Resolutions!

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Bringing in More Light . . . Compassion Choir 2013

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Creating a new reality? Rewriting the future? Singing tones to the Earth?
Opening time capsules?

It sounds like science fiction: Star Wars, Stargate, Star Trek or Deep Space Nine; creative imaginative writers working for some big Hollywood production studio. Right? Wrong. But, as you already know, truth is stranger than fiction.

Like iron filings to a magnate, I was drawn to and spent this past week in Cancun, Mexico toning sacred sounds in an ancient language: two choirs singing two different sets of tones paired together. We sang  twenty-six tones,  “speaking” to our personal DNA and activating time capsules within ourselves while simultaneously speaking to and unlocking  attributes for our beloved Mother Earth, activating things called grids, nulls, nodes and more time capsules–all quantum, put in place by the ancient Pleiadians, our long lost family, from the Seven Sisters should we make it this far—and we have!

All of this unlocked by a brilliant scientific visionary, Dr. Todd Ovokaitys, who served as the choir master 26,000 years ago in a civilization known as Lemruia.  Over the last dozen years he has remembered precise patterns to trigger the opening of our pineal glands, beginning to awaken and transform us– humanity– to a more compassionate race and sending information to the universes and galaxies beyond, tapping into a deep level of “quantum reality.”  These seen and unseen, male-female, inward-outward, giving-receiving, and compassion-allowing energies create a very real and profound experience recognized in our awareness or not. These tones mine information stored within our Akashic records, opening channels of telepathy, aiding in transformation without limits, activating the third eye and tying us into a quantum connection with All There Is.

Fascinating esoteric stuff–invisible–like gravity, magnetics or the feelings of love—but based in physics and way beyond my technical expertise. Yet it resonates as Truth for me and that is why I share it with you and why I spent this past week in Mexico with 300 others from around the world.  Everything is energy and “at the level of quantum understanding, everything in the Universe is simply waves and vibrations” including these rhythms, tones and sounds we generated together in a beautiful angelic chorus.

But, the bigger question is why? In a simple answer: Compassion. By singing and toning these unique sounds and patterns, the choir began to move humanity and birth our new reality; to help us become more astute and caring to each other no matter what corner of the world we live in. These are the beginning steps to a new foundation for humanity as we begin to move out of our current competitive dog-eat-dog fear-based world and into a world and new human consciousness that will embrace attributes such as: tolerance, temperance, generosity and integrity.

I share this vision of unlimited possibility and ask you to believe in a world of peace, love and compassion as the new structure unravels our past and the old crumbles giving way to this new outlook.  Look around and ask, Have we begun this shift? The answer is, yes. You can see glimpses as it begins to unfold—like a delicate flower opening before our very eyes. Perhaps as family members respect and honor the others’ opinions and ways of being for the first time–ever, or as simply a more cooperative spirit among your colleagues at work?  There will be a noticeable shift.  And, does it really matter how we get there? I think not, but one day we will all celebrate this new world together,  only remembering the dark barbaric ways of the past, and instead, seeing our magnificence. And that is a beautiful and divine place to be!

Inspired wellness from within,

Cathy Silver, HC

Holistic Health Coach & Wellness Warrior

www.cathysilverhealth.com

For more information check www.pinealtones.com and www.kryon.com

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Gaia’s Abundance ▪ What’s Fresh in the Market Right Now?

Brussels SproutsFall brings its bounty; there are many vegetables and fruits that we typically consider “fall”. We all know pumpkins ripen around Halloween, but what about pomegranates, or a new variety of winter squash? This year I began to notice, and try some new varieties, a medley I typically haven’t  prepared in the past.  Acorn squash is one example, as I’ve always been more of a sweet potato gal.  I wondered, though, if Mother Nature provided this harvest, what are the benefits of eating such things as:  acorn squash, chestnuts, cranberries, or Brussels sprouts? And, do these vegetables prepare us for the winter?  I whipped out my Whole Foods Encyclopedia by Rebecca Wood and share what I discovered.  I hope this will encourage you to try something new!

Acorn Squash started this whole discourse. LOL.   Squash is considered a chi tonic* and a warming food that is medicinal to the spleen, stomach, large intestine and lungs.  It improves energy and blood circulation. Winter squash is exceptionally high in complex carbohydrates (A good thing for keeping the glycemic index stable.) and is medicinal for diabetics and those with digestive problems.  Squash provide vitamins A and C, potassium and magnesium.  It is an excellent source of pre-vitamin A and often carotenoids and therefore has anticarcinogenic properties.

I experienced hot chestnuts while visiting NYC many years ago from a street vendor.  I didn’t know if I liked them at first, because of the texture, but it happened to be cold and blustery and after a few, I decided I did in fact appreciate their uniqueness to my palate.  I now look forward to their appearance in the stores.  They are easily and quickly boiled—sliced with X’s and “roasted” in the oven.  They happen to be a chi and yang tonic** and the chestnuts nurture the kidneys, stomach and spleen.  Rebecca describes them as sweet like fruit, but unlike fruit, it warms and builds, rather than cools and cleanses.  They are a good ‘convalescing food and they have an astringing nature that controls diarrhea, coughing, whooping cough and rheumatism’.

I have already made my first batch of cranberry sauce this year—one of my favorite condiments.  Cranberries are actually native to North America and a welcome sight when I see them in the store.  They are a cold food and dispel heat and damp.  They act upon the bladder, kidney and large intestine.  They are rich in polyphenol antioxidants and appear to benefit the immune and cardiovascular system. They have anticancer properties and have a chemical compound called proanthocyanidins which help inhibit bacteria in the bladder, urinary tract and teeth.  Cranberry consumption also reduces some types of kidney stones.  Who knew?

Brussels sprouts seem to be a controversial food; they are either loved or hated!  But, given the evidence and benefits to the body, perhaps they are worth taking another look—and taste.  They happen to be a warming food that helps disperse cold.  They support the stomach and large intestine function and mildly stimulate the liver out of stagnancy.  They are an excellent source of folic acid, vitamins C and K and beta-carotene.  Nutritionally and energetically, they’re similar to cabbage and contain numerous glucosinolates, which are cancer fighting phytochemicals.  At their prime need only to be seasoned with butter and salt or with extra virgin olive oil and lemon after they have been blanched or steamed.

And, last but not least are Pomegranates, not typically something I buy often. But I was recently a host-family to a student who grew up in Iran.  She showed me how they ate them and I watched her squeeze the rind and turn this fruit into fresh ruby red juice—I was amazed!  Pomegranates are a yin tonic*** that disperses heat and treats the bladder, spleen, stomach, liver and large intestine.  They promote the production of red blood cells, expel tape worms, strengthen the bladder and gums and soothe ulcers in the mouth and throat. Rebecca also states that they have punicalagins (the tannins in the pomegranates) have free radical activity and therefore treat heart disease and help protect against cancer.  Clinical data shows the effectiveness of pomegranates in treating breast, lung, and prostate cancer.  They also help with the assimilation of fats, protein and carbohydrates.

*Chi Tonic: Improves and maintains the quality and quantity of available energy in the body.
**Yang Tonic: Maintains and improves our ability to generate warmth and stimulate our system.
***Yin Tonic: Complementary to yang in Chinese philosophy. Yin is the female element and associated with moon, night, damp, cold, interior and decending.

“Inspired Wellness from Within“--Cathy Silver, HC and Wellness Warrior

Acorn Squash

Death, what do we really know? Who are we? Is it programed within our DNA?

Mom And Carl

Brother and sister together in August

We observe change daily. Our lives are interlocking cycles of change. Are we more connected with the earth and to each other than we consciously know? I like to believe this is so. Like puberty and our reproductive cycles, are souls programed to exit our physical bodies too? A biological time-clock counting down pre-programed, before we arrive in physical form? Simply and beautifully, I liken it to leaves when they detach and are blown off the tree? I promise more lightness next week, but today, I have been thinking about death all day. I was awake a 3, 4 and 5 am. At 5:15 am, I decided to get up and make a cup of coffee.

When I lived in Nacogdoches, I knew a lovely woman from Garrison. One day in conversation she said, that the ‘old timers’ say, when the sap starts to fall many people leave; fall and winter were their busy seasons at the funeral home; that was 15 or more years ago, and I ruminate on that fact today. As I type these thoughts, my phone rings, it is my mother. She has been on my mind all day. I listen for a brief second. She is gripped by pain and grief-stricken; I hear her tears and her muddled words. She tells me her brother has just passed. They were very close. I want to put my arms around her but, she is 3000 miles away.

You do not choose when you are born or when you die, or do you? When I visited Seattle this summer, I spoke with my Uncle. He had had numerous health challenges—but seemed to be handling them in stride and his attitude with me was positive. One comment, however, even today, sticks in my mind. He said, “I told Doc Smith, that it was my quality of life that had taken a turn” then he quietly chuckled—he wasn’t happy about his new regiment of chemo. . . I bit my lip and just listened.

So, here we are three months later and I wonder. It takes nine months for a soul to arrive by birth—is that the preparation time? Does it take approximately nine months for a soul to transition out of this realm and back into another dimension where I believe we exist as pure energy and light and is truly our home? And, because of our modern societies fear and lack of understanding about this transition process, do we miss what our loved ones are really trying to tell us? And, the call to go or the call to come, are they really one and the same? At what moment do we innately know and hear that call? Uncle Carl was 85. Are souls like leaves when they detach and are blown off the tree by the wind? Are we really more like the wind— influenced by some “magnetic indicator” with a set-point? Sometimes a gentle breeze takes our leaves, bark, flowers and branches, and other times, it is more gale like forces that moves with voracious appetite and intention, sometimes even creating hurricanes of tremendous pressure, force and destruction with great suddenness. Are we the wind?

Or are we really more like light and color? Beautiful and yet undefinable by our consciousness? Are we like individual LED lights that light up the universe or like lightening bugs on a warm summer eve?
The enigma between life and more life?  Seen and unseen? What awaits on the other side of this veil? Our bodies attached to our soul and to our physicality; the inner and outer, earth and heaven, time and space to which we are tethered for a moment?

Most leaves fall in the autumn, but some like the live oak and madrona release their leaves all year? Is there a magnetic message tied and programed to our DNA that sends a message and our call to leave? Is it the same one that calls the birds to fly south and the whales to migrate thousands of miles away and animals to have innate knowledge of their own world?  Is it the same ‘voice’ calling to us one by one? Does our soul get this call and pull and lift off one evening propelled by those same cosmic forces? What moves the world outside, moves within me too?

I know we are not simply biology, and we carry within a piece of this sacredness, divinity—a piece of God, and therefore could the instructions be carried in a magnetic portion of our DNA which is hidden and unknown to us? Does this also include our passage into and out of this world? Is it programed with our life lessons—our growth—our healing—and some gift we give to another by our passing. In this case, my Mother. Her heart has opened wide, and just like many events in our lives, we are forever changed—also now programed within our DNA.

I bought a card earlier this week—It said, “When you are born, you are crying while everyone else it smiling. And, when you die, you are smiling while everyone else is crying.” If I have to make up anything, Uncle Carl is smiling—looking down on us all—and I hear him utter these words—“you are so right”. God Bless, you are dearly loved.