Anything

[Butterflying]

What GFN and Longtire wrote reminds me of Nike's slogan:  JUST DO IT!

I think that statement has a lot of wisdom in it.  Do we have to know how an automobile works before we can safely operate it?  I don't think so.  Just turn on the ignition, appreciate the mechanical complexity of it and just drive it.  Who knew that a shoe slogan would apply to psychology as well.

IMO, sometimes we don't have to know all the details in order to benefit from the big picture.

Just my 2$ again.

Butterfly

[mum]

Excellent point, Butterfly.  We can spend ALL kinds of time discussing the merits of something, but at some point, we have to get of the couch and just do it!  Thank you!!!

[Anonymous]

G'Day Ya'll:

Wow!  Mum!!  Your 1,2 3 method is another cool way to meditate, channel, visualize, clense, rejuvinate, etc.!!   It reminds me of Tai Chi where there is a similar excercise where you stand with feet comfortably appart, take slow deep breaths, and imagine your spine extending down into the ground, allowing your hips to relax and just seeing your spine grow longer and longer until it touches the ground, while at the same time....allowing your spine to be imagined extending upward, through your head, and you lift your head upward and just see your spine growing and growing into the sky.  Then, very similar.....you imagine all your discomforts, pain, unhappiness, all negativity.....flowing down your spine, deep into the earth..where it disintegrates, and you imagine good things...fresh air, sunshine, clouds, warmth, good feelings, etc coming into your spine through your head.

There is actually a bit of science...there too because relaxing and stretching your spine comfortably, standing straight, relaxing muscles in your kneck, shoulders, back, hips .....is:

1.  Good physical stretching.....allows maximum blood flow to muscles.
2.  Good posture.....allows maximum blood flow/nerve impulses up spine.
3.  Good emotional release.....letting out the junk and bringing in the good...promotes good feelings.
4.  Good deep breathing......allows for maximum oxygenation of cells.

I believe in China this is done daily by all ages.  The Chinese amaze me because they have thousands of years of medicinal practice which our culture totally ignors and discounts....because there is no scientific proof that it works (       ).   I think our scientists are really silly to discount such a massive amount of knowledge and experience (wisdom).

Once, a friend and I did a research project.  Our objective was to decide upon one country in the world, find out a bit about the history of the country, explain their medical practices, and locate/describe the most prevalent disease process (most common illness causing death), in that country.  Oh ya....we had to interview people from that country and use some of their data in our presentation.

We chose China because there was a chinese food restaurant near our houses and we figgered we could easily find people to interview at the restaurant ( ).  We did a really good job and got a wonderful mark in the course we were taking and guess what???

THERE IS NO PREVALENT DISEASE IN CHINA!!!!    

For example, at that time, in Canada...the most prevalent disease causing death was Heart Disease.  IN the U.S, it was cancer.  Elsewhere...it was something else...but in China.......NOTHING!!!  No significant numbers of anything like that!!!!    

(well....there wasn't at that time....but now that they have fast food and a number of other western-like influences taking root.....who knows????).

Anyway....thanks Mum because these types of excercises are definately positives....no matter which way they are looked at and might interest some of us to explore further and find what suits us best.

Thanks for correcting my spelling of Amygdala, 2cents.    I am interested in learning more about it, it's functions, etc.  I found that program really interesting because......up until recently.....there has been no way to really...."scientifially"....measure emotions.

Butterfly...you make an excellent point about "Just Do It!".  Really......it is  in the doing that we will learn the real value of these things.   We can read and try to understand and explore and all of that is good...but it is actually doing it.....that will prove the most to us and make things the clearest.

So why not anyway???  What's to lose??  10, 20, 30 minutes per day???
Big deal.  I bet most of us waste more than that doing far less productive stuff (maybe just I do?  ).

And Hey again Mum:   Actually.....it can be done....on the couch!!!  So we don't even have to get off of it, if we don't want to!!!    

At the very least....it's a break from stress.

Hey P!  Glad you love the science!!  Glad you've thought about it a little differently and found your AHA!!!  I've heard of that elastic band around the wrist stuff too (negative reinforcement).  I know someone who used to help kick their heroine addiction!  It worked!! (But for your jerk bosss.....there probably isn't an elastic big enough to snap any sence into him!!!  Sorry he did that to you P.   ).

I’m so anti-mind control that I don’t even want to practise it on myself!!!!!

Ya.....but I know you P....you can always change your mind about that!!!
(Especially after a big.....AHA...like that one!!!   ).
For me it logic.  It's got to make logical sense for me to accept it.  If it does not, I have very little interest.  Science...shmience..really.  Some is...as you say....not really proven/measurable.  The most logical thing that makes the most sense to me is what Anna said about repetition.

Talking to anyone/everyone:

Think of how many times your abuser put you down?  Verbally, non-verbally!!!  How many times?  What happened after awhile?  Some of that really stuck, didn't it?  The nasty things that have been said/done to you......how much of that......hurt.....left wounds.....is open to button pushing???

Think of someone saying good things, kind things, logical things, affirmative things to you....over and over and over......Verbally and non-verbally???  Many, many, many times.  What will happen??  Some of that will really stick too, don't you think?  The good things that are said/imagined by you will feel.....good....help to heal your wounds.....remove those pesky buttons.

It just doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the benefits of it.  For me....it just makes logical sense that to overcome the mean voices in our heads, we have to replace them with kind voices, loving voices, soothing voices and voices that encourage us to move forward, go for our dreams, accomplish goals, solve problems.  Those nasty voices don't have a chance.....after awhile.  They just fade away and can't be heard anymore.

Why?

Because we no longer believe them.

PS: Portia:   Your choccy biscuit sounds yummy, with a coffee!!   Enjoy!!  

GFN

[Butterflying]

GFN Wrote:

We chose China because there was a chinese food restaurant near our houses and we figgered we could easily find people to interview at the restaurant (  ). We did a really good job and got a wonderful mark in the course we were taking and guess what???

Too bad, you didn't know me then, cuz you could have used me as one of your interviewees.  And I would be glad to pitch in.  Even though I grew up in the states I'm exposed to some chinese remedies for ailments.  My mom is big on it.  Sometimes she's goes down to Chinatown just to buy some chinese herbal medicine.  Personally, I think you more about China than I do though.  Just curious, what class were you taking?

I'm like you in that I need things to be logical before it will stick in my mind.  If the pieces of the puzzle don't fit perfectly together, then I'm reluctant to accept or believe in it.  I like what you said about replacing unproductive thinking with productive thinking.  From a scientific standpoint, everything takes up space.  Something must always occupy the space of our thinking.  Which makes perfect sense and very logical.  According to the law of nature, something must always occupy the space left void by the removal of negative thinking.  Why not replace it with positive thinking??  Thanks for the insight, GFN.

Mum, thanks for the compliment

Butterfly

[Me again]

If y'all don't mind, I will take a turn around the bend with another topic.  Or maybe it's an old topic, just revisiting it.  

For those who are soy beans lovers, this recipe may be of interest to you.  When I tasted it for myself I was luving it, just cuz i like to eat beans of all sorts.  Anyway, this recipe can be eaten as a snack.  The concept is the same as roasted peanuts, except that they are roasted soy beans.  

What you do is submerge a package of dried soy beans in water for 2hrs.  Next boil them in a pan full of water till the soy beans are soft but still firm.  Now drain the cooked soy beans in a colander.  After they have been fully drained, thoroughly marinade the beans with a little bit salt, black pepper, and a sprinkle of olive oil (sugar can be added if you prefer).  The oil will make the salt and pepper adhere to the beans.  Now they are ready to be roasted in a convection oven for about 15-20min.  The timing varies depending on how roasted you want them to be.  You can always add more salt or pepper base on your taste preference.

Walla!  You've got yourself a healthy and yummy snack.  Warning:  they can become irresistible after you've tasted a few.  Just my opinion.  Hope they'll turn out yummy.

Butterfly

[Brigid]

Butterfly,
I like the sound of that recipe and I know the soy beans are good for you.  How long do you let them marinate in the salt, pepper and olive oil?  How much olive oil are we talking about?  I assume you do not need a convection oven and can use a regular oven, but do you have a temperature?

Sorry if I sound picky, but I want to do it right.

Thanks for sharing.  I think we should have a whole thread devoted to favorite recipes.  Maybe I'll work on that.

Brigid

[Anonymous]

Hi Everyone:

Hey Butterfly!  Cool!    I'm almost itching to interview you!! Did your mother ever treat any of your childhood illnesses with her herbal mixes?

The thing is....I really believe there is a whole world of information that our medical system is ignoring, although.....maybe that is changing a little and they are starting to pay attention.  I hope so.  I think there will be great advances made in treatment if they ever put their heads together!

The course was part of a community certificate, (can't even remember the name of it now).  We decided it would take us forever to get the certificate, which was brand new, and not recognozed by employers, so we only took that one course and that was it.  It was fun though and I will always remember that "no prevalent disease" part because it speaks volumes, I think!!

Love the soy bean recipe!   Sounds lovely.  Hopefully you'll fill us in on the details Brigid asked about (wouldn't want to burn them .. ...one of my pass times in the kitchen!!   ).

One thing more........re something I said that has been bugging me since I said it........

I said that medications cover up symptoms and do not cure.

That has been really bothering me     and I do appologize for not being clearer and more complete, and sounding so negative .

Ofcourse.....medications can be a great help to people.  They can indeed change one's entire outlook on life and help people to feel very much better about so much.  I do not, in any way, mean to say that medications have no value, are not useful or any such thing.  They can be very helpful.

But for me...personally....I have fought depression by trying to look for the cause and dealing with it.   For me.....medications would be a short term solution...hopefully.

But for some conditions and for some people.....medications are the answer that truly make the symptoms disappear, keep some chemical processes in the brain in synch, or control conditions that would otherwise be uncontrollable.

So please forgive me for making this statement that applies to me and my personal desire/beliefs/only.  I can say it because   I don't have a condition that requires medication.  The chemical processes in my brain are being flushed regularly with lot's of water and seem ok for now.  I do, however, think a brain transplant might be a nice change, when they perfect that procedure!!  (heehee ).

I just don't want  to insult anyone who is taking medication, who believes in using meds to help their situations, etc.  What I do want to do is to encourage even those people...that by doing some serious "mind control", as Portia has named it .....it will also help.  Training your mind to think positive stuff will help too (in addition to the meds).

Telling ourselves good things and encouraging good thoughts won't hurt.
As Butterfly has put it plainly....replacing unproductive thinking with productive thinking.....taking up the space with good thoughts rather than not good ones...... seems like a logical and sensible thing to do...especially when we are really down in the dumps.

I'm away for the week end .....leaving tonight.....

Hope you will all have a wonderful week end.

(((((((((((((((all)))))))))))))))

GFN

[Portia]

have a great weekend GFN, whatever you do

[Anonymous]

This morning was my son's graduation from preschool.  It was a bittersweet moment.  Between my son and daughter I have been driving them to that preschool for five years now.  

Also, the lovely woman who ran the Christian Preschool all these years is leaving and moving down South.  Five years ago I walked into her classroom with my 2 yo and my infant son and she welcomed us with open arms during a very difficult time.  Today, I gave her a great big old hug along with some chocolates and a gift card as a thank you and as a good bye gift.  I got very choked up as she is going through a very difficult time right now.  I wish I could do more for her in her time of need.

She really touched the lives of my children and they love her dearly.  We were blessed to be able to share these tender years with such a sweetheart.  

A chapter ended today.  Mixed feelings about this one.  My little boy will be going up to the big leagues now....Kindergarten!

I hope everyone is having a fantastic day.  Embrace life....it really does speed by.

Mia

[Brigid]

Oh Mia,
I remember when my youngest "graduated" from pre-school.  My children were blessed to have some wonderful teachers there and I will forever be grateful to the head teacher for seeing my son's ADHD, so we caught it early and he was able to excel all the way through school and is now pre-med in college.

If you think the time until now went by quickly, just wait until they get to high school.    Those four years just fly by, and junior and senior years are so consumed by college preparation, applications, testing, waiting for results, etc., etc., that its over in the blink of an eye.

Treasure every moment and get in all the snuggling you can while they will still let you.  As I have said before, my children are wonderful and I still get hugs and kisses and I love you's on a daily basis, but I really miss cuddling with them and smelling their hair and kissing those soft cheeks.  OK, I have to quit now before I start sobbing.  

Thanks for the memory.  Very nice of you to remember that special teacher.  We can never do enough of that IMO.

Brigid

[Butterflying]

Brigid and GFN,

Regarding the recipe...after you've marinade the soy beans evenly, you can roast them right away or let them sit for 5min.   I didn't premeasure the amount of olive oil to be added, but my estimation is 2 tablespoons.  That all depends on how much beans you're using.  The best way to tell is, if the oil lightly and completely coated the beans, then you added the correct amount.  Make sure you don't add so much oil that it dripping off the beans.  Be sure to miranade the beans with oil first before you add the salt and pepper.  The best way to know whether you've added enough salt and pepper is to do a taste test.   You can always add more, but you cannot take away. Spread the marinaded beans fairly evenly across a shallow baking pan.  Brigid, what you said is correct...you can choose to use a regular oven instead of a convection oven.  I think the oven should be 400 degrees.  That's a safe temp.  The oven doesn't need to be preheated.  Hope this helps.

Brigid, I think devoting a thread just to food is a great idea.   I'm always interested to learn about new recipes.

Butterfly

[Anonymous]

Thanks Butterfly!!

Gonna try those!!  They sound delicious!!

My pc is broke and so I'm away for who knows how long??

Could be quick?  Could not?

Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers and hoping each day of your lives get better and better!!

(((((((((((((all)))))))))))

GFN

[Portia]

GFN here's hoping your life gets better every day too and in particular that your sick PC  gets better real quick. Or maybe not? More time out in the Spring might be what you want...what a good idea, time to feed the birds bye for now P

[Anonymous]

Hello all:

Well the pc problem was a phone line problem, which is finally fixed (yay!!).   It worked out nicely because the phone company fixed the problem (their equipment was the cause) and that saved me some money, since I didn't have to take my pc out and get it repaired.

Thanks Portia for your good wishes.  I think I do want more time out to enjoy the Spring.  I have lot's of planting left to do.  Today is a lovely day for that so I think I will get to it real soon.

Do you have a garden?  Flowers or veggies?  What are your favorites?

I have mostly flower gardens.  Nine of them.  Going on ten this year.  I grow cosmos, sweet peas, sun flowers, holly hocks, moon flowers, morning glories, phlox, black eyed susans, echinachea, lemon balm, lavender, peonies, pansies, shasta daisies, dailias, columbine, forget me nots, johnny jump ups, violets, mums, marigolds, fox glove, snap dragons, poppies, flowering cabbage, hostas, begonias, clematis, roses, cleome, geraniums, nasturtiums, golden glows, maltese cross, hydrangea, pontinella, snowball bushes, lilacs, (I know I've missed a bunch) etc,etc and tulips, daffidils, hyacinth, in the spring plus various ground covers in my rock garden and a weird but gorgeous flowering cactus that I have no idea what it's called but it's really lovely.  The only edibles I grow are raspberries and sweet cherry tomatoes.  I don't like weeding so I jam everything in as close as possible to eachother and then I only have to do a real good weeding once now and maybe again part way through the summer.   I think my favorites are the pansies, although it is really hard to choose.

Anyone else have a garden?  What are your favorites?
Do you start your own seeds?  I do.  It's so cool to watch them springing up!  And better when a perennial actually lives through a winter and goes on to get larger and larger, year after year....all from one little seed.  What a wonder eh?

Hope you are all enjoying a nice spring day!

GFN

[Brigid]

Hi GFN,
So nice to see you back up and posting.    Happy to hear that the phone company had to pay for it rather than you.

I'm heading to the garden store to get some flowers and herbs for my pots today.  It is generally too risky to plant them before now around here or there is a chance of losing them to a late frost.  Hopefully, we are past that now.  Most of what I have in my garden are perennials.  I moved in here last July so everything was already up and blooming by then.  I'm still figuring out what I have around here and saw the early spring blooms for the first time.  At my last house, I was out in the country with 5+ acres of property and had planted it all myself.  Now I'm on a city lot with everything already established and not much space to add things.  

I tend not to start plants from seed since I don't have a greenhouse and I'd be waiting half the summer for them to come up and bloom.  I'm not sure what I'm going to buy this year.  I always forget from one year to the next what did well and what didn't.  I always mean to take pictures, but never get around to it.  I'll let you know what I end up with.

Happy gardening and have a great weekend.

Brigid