5 Reasons to support your local farmers market.

1) Enjoy the flavor and freshness of organically grown produce.

2) The opportunity to support your local farmers and community artisans.

3) The celebration of your local growing season and the natural growth cycle of your local area.

4) Physical nourishment... Organic products that are minimally processed eliminate the many hazards of exposure to pesticides, hormones, antibiotics etc.

5) the ambiance... A trip to the farmers market is much more than a trip to the grocery store. 

It is an opportunity to connect with your local community. 

A place where friends, family and artisans can come together and listen to music performed by the local talent and enjoy the savory flavor's of a variety of international food's..

All of this as you stroll around and appreciate the many different arts, crafts and vendors that are the heartbeat of the market.

So as summer approaches, why not visit your local Farmers Market?

The power of connection! 

For as long as I can remember I have had a strong connection to living things...



 As a child living on Long Island NY it was my good fortune to have been raised by parents who were dog breeders.My Dad was a grocer by day. His people skills were amazing. He taught me many valuable lessons.

One of my first memories is when I recalled the birth of a struggling pup.  After a long night with the laboring mama the moment arrived.  One by one the puppies were born (thirteen in all).

The mama worked hard all morning attending to each pup, by the time the last pup came she was rightfully tired. The last pup was  being born and she was barely able to push no less remove the placental membrane (sac) from the pups nose and mouth.  That is when my dad asked me to step in...

 I was eager to help when he instructed me to  "gently tear open the sac near the pups mouth and nose and it should be able to breath"...
 After removing the "sac" the pup was not breathing,  unsure what to do next I turned to my dad and asked "what's wrong"? He then told me to "stay calm, take a deep breath and gently massage the pup. Give a gentle pat on the back once or twice"... I followed each step with careful diligence.

That is when my love for life was ignited,  the pup began to breath!
With tears of joy streaming down my face I exclaimed "daddy it's breathing"! To which he replied  "you see all the pup needed was a little help". It was then I became innately aware of the connection we have to all living things.  The power of touch brought life to this newborn creature.

Life takes us down many roads and things don't always turn out the way we plan but if we stay true to ourselves and remember the lessons we've learned along the way, things unfold like a beautiful tapestry.
How could anyone forget the name of the teacher who inspired them the most?. Or the situations in life that didn't work out the way you wanted only to realize years later it was for the best?

Each experience is an opportunity to learn, grow and move forward.
Our connection with life is a constant process of rebirth. The power of touch comes in many ways,  the kindness we share with others that may be less fortunate than us, or the time we take to listen when someone needs a friend. Even when we are far from the ones we love  we  can wish good things for them. Our thoughts, actions and words have power. The more we connect with our inner peace the more we radiate positive energy.

It's never too late to reinvent ourselves.  Each new experience can be used for learning. Today I am filled with gratitude for each experience in life.  Willing to let go of my own agenda and surrender to the process!

Health technology will make our medicine cooler than Star Trek’s soon

Health technology will make our medicine cooler than Star Trek’s soon

If—

BY RUDYARD KIPLING

(‘Brother Square-Toes’—Rewards and Fairies)

If you can keep your head when all about you   

    Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,   

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

    But make allowance for their doubting too;   

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

    Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

    And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;   

    If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;   

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

    And treat those two impostors just the same;   

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

    Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

    And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

    And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

    And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

    To serve your turn long after they are gone,   

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

    Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,   

    Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

    If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

    With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,   

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,   

    And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

Source: A Choice of Kipling's Verse (1943)

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/175772

In your memory...

For My Dad... He will live forever in my heart

In your memory...

In your memory I've tried to live the way you thought I should.

I've tried to build a life that you would be proud of.
In your memory the challenges I face today, are comforted by the light that you send my way.
In your memory I've hidden all the pain...
Once you were here, now things are not the same.
In your memory I carry on the way you knew I would.
I close my eyes, with a smile, you'd be here if you could.
In your memory I can embrace the laughter that we shared.
A timeless place to celebrate the life that we once had....
In your memory...
Luv, Hope, 1987
.

Massage Therapy For Our Loved Ones. The Power of touch!

The Power Of Touch...

There is a light at the end of the tunnel on the journey of demementia!

How nice would it be if all families could say that they had no resentments? How many of us can say that we have led a drama free family life? It would be nice to think everyone could breeze through life without drama. But I doubt this is reality!

If at all possible try to be conscious of your loved ones feelings.Can you remember some of your loved ones favorite activities? There may be something’s you both enjoyed doing together. Dealing with dementia has many challenges yet we can also find many rewards.

It might be difficult for those of us whom have had family interactions that were not always ideal to make the transition into caring for a loved one with dementia. Letting go of what we have no control over and focusing on our current situation can lessen stress. If we have a bond with our loved one that goes beyond the difficulties of the past, we have something to build on.

When we stay in the moment and look at what is before us as we travel down the road of dementia with forgiveness and respect we can create a positive experience with our loved ones.It may seem the person with dementia is out of it. However, if they sense feelings of resentment we may be met with aggression and resistance.  They still have feelings...

Anxiety can cause our loved ones feelings of being disoriented and confused. Imagine the frustration you would feel if you were unable to complete basic tasks. An art full approach to our loved ones needs can make the journey through dementia a healing experience for both the caregiver and our loved ones.

Family traditions that are still within the range of your loved ones abilities such as  watching a favorite movie or listening to short stories are both good ways to stimulate the mind. We spend many hours caring for our loved ones. Why not make them enjoyable?

You could also try encouraging your loved one to recall moments from their past that they are particularly proud of. Creating a bond while going through old family photos and reminiscing are both good ways to have a healing experience.This can be a time that can bring our families closer together. We can create a time for healing and closure. When we come to the end of our journey as caregivers we may find peace in the assurance that we made a daily commitment to comforting our loved ones in their time of need.

 We have the power to take a bad situation and make it good. Yes there is a light at the end of the tunnel. We just have to look for it!