What makes Raw Cacao such an amazing superfood?

MAGNESIUM: Cacao is a fantastic food source of heart-supporting magnesium.
ANTI-DEPRESSANT PROPERTIES: Cacao is a great source of well-studied neurotransmitters, which help alleviate depression and are associated with feelings of well being. All this makes cacao a natural anti-depressant.
LOSE WEIGHT, EAT CHOCOLATE!: Eating raw cacao is known to diminish the appetite. Therefore eating chocolate in its raw form helps one to lose weight by allowing you to eat less.
ANTIOXIDANTS: Cacao beans contain 10 grams per 100 grams of flavonol antioxidants. This is a whooping 10% antioxidant concentration level! This makes cacao one of the richest sources of antioxidants of any food.
(order from www.superfoods.co.za or come to the WaterShed Health Shop in Knysna)

At the beginning of his struggle, the warrior of light stated: "I have dreams."

At the beginning of his struggle the warrior of light stated: "I have dreams."
After some years, he realises that it is actually possible to reach his goal; he knows that he will be rewarded.
At that moment, he feels sad. He knows about other people's unhappiness, about the loneliness and frustration experienced by so much of humanity, and he does not believe that he deserves what he is about to receive.
His angel whispers: "Give it all up." The warrior kneels down and offers God his conquest.
The act of surrender forces the warrior to stop asking foolish questions and helps him to overcome his feelings of guilt.
(by Paulo Coelho from Manual of the Warrior of Light)

Mantra for the day

In the infinity of life where I am,
all is perfect, whole, and comlete.
Change is the natural law of my life. I welcome change.
I am willing to change. I choose to change my thinking.
I choose to change the words I use.
I move from the old to the new with ease and with joy.
It is easier for me to forgive than I thought.
Forgiving makes me feel free and light.
It is with joy that I learn to love myself more and more.
The more resentment I release, the more love I have to express.
Changing my thoughts makes me feel good.
I am learning to choose to make today a pleasure to experience.
All is well in my world.
(by Louise L. Hay from You can Heal Your Life)

Herbal Preparations

INFUSION: is made by pouring boiling water over the herb, to extract the properties
DECOCTION: involves simmering the herb in water to extract its properties
HOT OIL INFUSION: oil and herb are heated up gently for a couple of hours and then strained
COLD OIL INFUSION: let herb infuse into the cold oil over 2 weeks
TINCTURE: let the herb infuse into a water/alcohol mixture over 2 weeks
COMPRESSES: a cloth is soaked in an infusion or decoction and placed on the skin
POULTICE: herb is placed on the skin directly (usually hot)
OINTMENT: oil and wax is melted together
CREAM: water is added to the melted oil and wax mixture
(further instructions are found in Natural Cures by Mark Evans)

Preventing Cold with Herbalism

One of the herbalist's most traditional standby's for cold is still one of the best: use an infusion of equal amounts of PEPPERMINT, ELDERFLOWER and YARROW. Taken hot just before going to bed, this will induce a sweat, and if the cold is caught early enough, may stop it altogether. Even if too late for this, it will still be very useful. Other herbs that may be added to the infusion include:
CAYENNE: a favourite North American Indian remedy: use 1.25ml of the powder to really stimulate circulation.
CINNAMON: use a cinnamon stick, and break it into the mixture of herbs, for a gentle, warming and sweat-inducing effect.
GINGER: great a small piece of fresh root ginger into the mixture for extra heat.
(by Mark Evans from Natural Cures)

Green Medicine

I wonder what's around the bend? said the explorer
I wonder what that plant is? said the collector
I wonder what's in it? said the chemist
I wonder what activity it has? said the pharmacologist
I wonder if it'll work in this case? said the physician
I hope she lives! said the father
Please God! said the mother
I think she'll be all right in the morning, said the nurse
(by Margaret Kreig)

Nutrients for the stress hormones

The stress hormones rely on certain nutrients for their production. For adrenalin you need enough of vitamins B3 (niacin), B12 and C. Cortisol, wich is also a natural anti-inflammatory substance, cannot be produced without enough vitamin B5 (patothenic acid). Your need for all these nutrients, along with those needed for energy production such as vitamins B and C, goes up with prolonged stress.
(by Patrick Holford from The Optimum Nutrition Bible)

The warrior respects the suffering of others and does not try to compare it with his own

"It's just a storm in a teacup," someone says to the warrior of light.
But he never exaggerates his difficulties and always tries to remain calm.
And he never judges someone else's suffering.
A small detail - which does not affect him in the least - could serve to ignite the storm brewing in his brother's soul. The warrior respects the suffering of others and does not try to compare it with his own.
The cup of suffering is not the same size for everyone.
(by Paulo Coelho from Manual of the Warrior of Light)

A warrior of light knows that he has much to be grateful for

A warrior of light knows that he has much to be grateful for.
He was helped in his struggle by the angels; celestial forces placed each thing in its place, thus allowing him to give of his best.
His companions say: "He's so lucky!" And the warrior does sometimes achieve things far beyond his capabilities.
That is why, at sunset, he kneels and gives thanks for the Protective Cloak surrounding him.
His gratitude, however, is not limited to the spiritual world; he never forgets his friends, for their blood mingled with his on the battlefield.
A warrior does not need to be reminded of the help given him by others; he is the first to remember and he makes sure to share with them any rewards he receives.
(by Paulo Coelho from Manual of the Warrior of Light)

What Are Living Foods?

The easiest way to recognize a living food is to answer this question: "Is it still growing?" If yes, it's a living food. Good examples of living foods are vegetables and fruits growing wild or in your garden. My favorite memories of eating living foods are when I would pick wild berries and find myself eating most of them before I got home, or when I would be tempted to bite into a tomato that had just picked out of my garden. I even remember once pretending I was Bugs Bunny and biting into a carrot right after pulling it from the ground and wiping it clean. "What's up Doc?" It's an incredible experience I call "from garden to mouth". Those of you who have had similar experiences know what I mean when I say there is a distinct difference in the flavour and the energy that these foods provide.
Raw foods are the other stars of health and nutrition. Just remember this about raw foods: the older they get, the fewer nutrients they contain. Think about this: when any living food is picked, it is separated from its energy source (it's "umbilical connection" to Mother Earth), and its growth begins to slow. Within 24 to 48 hours after picking, all the growth stops. This is when a living food becomes an "adult" raw food. Now, as days go by, a raw food's powerful healing energies begin to slowly "radiate out". This may be evidenced by a change in color, a softer texture, a wrinkled appearance, a sweeter taste, etc. Be aware of this and choose only the freshest raw produce as you shop.
(by Rose Lee Calabro from Living in the Raw)

Cacao, Cocoa, and Chocolate

What do we mean by cacao, cocoa, and chocolate? Cacao is the tree (Theobroma cacao) and the beans before processing. Theobroma gave the name to a sister of caffeine present in cacao seeds called theobromine. The terms "cocoa" and "chocolate" have meant various things over time. Today cocoa usually refers to the defatted powder from cacao beans, while chocolate refers to any of the manufactured products of the bean. Even though the cacao tree had its origin in the forests of the Amazon and the Orinoco in South America, it was in Central America and Mexico that cacao trees were widely cultivated and their products used as a beverage.
The Mayas introduced drinks made from the cacao bean to the Aztecs, who called this drink chocolatl. The Spanish found it pleasant and stimulating, enough so that Cortez brought it back to Spain in 1528 and introduced the drink there. In 1606, Antonio Carlotti introduced it to Italy and France. The use of chocolate spread to England, and by the early 1700's, there were about 2000 chocolate houses in London. It was the first stimulating drink that became popular in Europe. Caffeine and theobromine are the two closely related stimulants present in the cacao bean. Chocolate is quite low in caffeine, compared to coffee or even tea, but there is enough to give you a moderate lift. Theobromine, while not very stimulating to the brain, is mildly diuretic.
We have good news for the chocolate lover who's worried about the fat in the chocolate. It's an unusual saturated fat - stearic acid. In a 1991 study, Drs Margo Denke and Scott Grundy at the University of Texas discovered that stearic acid does not adversely affect blood cholesterol levels, as do some saturated fats when consumed in large amount.
(by Dr Gene Spiller & Rowena Hubbard, RD from The Power of Ancient Foods)

Flood your body daily with Green Juices like this one

Life Force Power-Ade
(Enjoy only on an empty stomach)
Makes 3 to 4 cups
6-8 leaves fresh kale with stems
2 apples (use more or less as desired for taste)
1 whole lemon with peel
1 whole medium-sized beetroot
1 head celery or 2 cucumbers
1-2 tablespoons fresh ginger
Juice all ingredients and enjoy!
(by Natalia Rose from Raw Food Live Force Energy)

The Point of Power is Always in the Present Moment

All the events you have experienced in your lifetime up to this moment have been created by your thoughts and beliefs you have held in the past.  They were created by the thoughts and words you used yesterday, last week, last month, last year, 10, 20, 30, 40 or more years ago, depending on how old you are.
However, that is your past. It is over and done with. What is important in this moment is what you are choosing to think and believe and say right now. For these thoughts and words will create your future. Your point of power is in the present moment and is forming the experience of tomorrow, next week, next month, next year and so on.
You might notice what thought you are thinking at this moment. Is it negative or positive? Do you want this thought to be creating your future? Just notice and be aware.
(by Louise L. Hay from You Can Heal Your Life)

Nature's Little Helpers

The irresponsible use of pesticides is contributing to a steady  reduction in the number of Nature's wonderful pest controllers and beneficial life-forms, as well as the micro-organisms on which our survival depends. Every single organism in the garden, from the most destructive and irritating to the friendliest, has a specific purpose and function. The way we treat them today will, in some small way, help determine the future health of our gardens, ourselves, our environment and our planet.
(by Johan Gerber from The Garden Guardians)