Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Music and Praising G-d...
Aaaah!
I'm finally getting a chance to sit down and write! I've had some crazy weeks, moving apartments, packing and unpacking, and settling in. It's the end of the week, Shabbath is on it's way, and I can breathe easy.
I'm in town, sitting observing, thinking and writing.
Beside me are a group of young folks, creating beats and rhythms on their drums, guitars, and their hands and feet, singing the night away. "Hodu l'Hashem Ki Tov!" (Give thanks to G-d Who is good)
A few feet away is a group of Ethiopians who want a chance on the drums...and get it. Laughter.
A cool Jerusalem night. Music and praising G-d.
Ok. I'm in Heaven.
Where have I been all this time? Lost in work. Lost in bills. Lost in all sorts of distractions! Distractions!
But G-d has His ways of getting us back on track. Oh, didn't you know? Oh, yes. He didn't just create this little planet and say bye bye. Oh, no. He is very much in the world, in my world, and in yours.
He's even "talking" to you.
Hunh?
Oh, yes.
Problem is, dear reader, many times I don't hear so well. And sometimes, it seems I don't wanna hear. Oy vey. But He is persistent. And He sends messages to get me to notice Him as if saying, "Talk to Me!" "Sing to Me!" If I don't listen to the softer messages, He'll send LOUDER ones.
He is my Papa, after all. And He didn't create me only to leave me on my own. No, He is very much in the world, in my world, and in yours. But you have to want to hear His messages-look out for them. I don't mean superstitious-the black can ran passed me. I mean- these guys are playing music for G-d, am I playing my "music?"
What does my "song" sound like? How am I thanking Him? When was the last time I changed the tempo? Am I being creative? Am I singing by myself or am I letting others play along?
Ok, I may say, "Well if He wants me to talk to Him,why doesn't He get rid of some of my problems first?" or "I complain, er, talk to Him all the time!" or "What I've been doing the past 10 years is fine. I'm QUITE pious, you know...
Right.
Well, it all comes down to faith/emuna. True, it's not easy to maintain, given the onslaught we have to face in life. Continuing to believe in G-d's goodness, our goodness, and His love can be....HARD!
But it's Truth.
And it becomes easier to believe and maintain faith/emuna and hear G-d's messages once we slow down and begin a dialogue.
or a song...
G-d bless!
Check out: Garden of Emuna, Arush
I'm finally getting a chance to sit down and write! I've had some crazy weeks, moving apartments, packing and unpacking, and settling in. It's the end of the week, Shabbath is on it's way, and I can breathe easy.
I'm in town, sitting observing, thinking and writing.
Beside me are a group of young folks, creating beats and rhythms on their drums, guitars, and their hands and feet, singing the night away. "Hodu l'Hashem Ki Tov!" (Give thanks to G-d Who is good)
A few feet away is a group of Ethiopians who want a chance on the drums...and get it. Laughter.
A cool Jerusalem night. Music and praising G-d.
Ok. I'm in Heaven.
Where have I been all this time? Lost in work. Lost in bills. Lost in all sorts of distractions! Distractions!
But G-d has His ways of getting us back on track. Oh, didn't you know? Oh, yes. He didn't just create this little planet and say bye bye. Oh, no. He is very much in the world, in my world, and in yours.
He's even "talking" to you.
Hunh?
Oh, yes.
Problem is, dear reader, many times I don't hear so well. And sometimes, it seems I don't wanna hear. Oy vey. But He is persistent. And He sends messages to get me to notice Him as if saying, "Talk to Me!" "Sing to Me!" If I don't listen to the softer messages, He'll send LOUDER ones.
He is my Papa, after all. And He didn't create me only to leave me on my own. No, He is very much in the world, in my world, and in yours. But you have to want to hear His messages-look out for them. I don't mean superstitious-the black can ran passed me. I mean- these guys are playing music for G-d, am I playing my "music?"
What does my "song" sound like? How am I thanking Him? When was the last time I changed the tempo? Am I being creative? Am I singing by myself or am I letting others play along?
Ok, I may say, "Well if He wants me to talk to Him,why doesn't He get rid of some of my problems first?" or "I complain, er, talk to Him all the time!" or "What I've been doing the past 10 years is fine. I'm QUITE pious, you know...
Right.
Well, it all comes down to faith/emuna. True, it's not easy to maintain, given the onslaught we have to face in life. Continuing to believe in G-d's goodness, our goodness, and His love can be....HARD!
But it's Truth.
And it becomes easier to believe and maintain faith/emuna and hear G-d's messages once we slow down and begin a dialogue.
or a song...
G-d bless!
Check out: Garden of Emuna, Arush
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Quick! Get Outta' Here!
It takes a lot of determination to eat like a mentsch. That is to eat real, good, healthy food.
On days where there's a lot of time, I can pre-plan meals. I'll have time to cook rice, legumes or make salads, steam vegetables, etc. and even save for the week. But on hectic days, all the pre-planning and cooking flies right out the window. But, oddly enough, the hunger remains.
So, what to do?
Go for the junk food.
There's no planning involved. There's no cooking to do. AND, it's cheaper than if I went to buy a meal in a restaurant, let's say. And best of all, it's FAST. I don't even need to sit down while eating. I can actually multitask-eat and run. Quite literally.
Oy vey.
And yet, as brilliant and convenient as the fast, junk food is, why is that in half hour or less even, the hunger pangs come back.
Ok, so just buy more fast, junk food. Stave off the hunger and save money.
Well, if I do it one/ two days, or here and there, that's one thing, but for weeks? Bit by bit, my energy level drops; my irritability increases; and, basically, it's not a pretty sight. Not to mention the effects we don't see inside the body...or the soul?
Sometimes, life has a way of pushing you forward. And it takes a lot of effort to STOP and say, "hey, that is NOT where I want to be going," or, "this is NOT what I want to be eating!"
One has to be cunning. Rebellious, even. Faster than the fast food? Or slower? Bringing reinforcements. Sounding the alarms. Making a fuss! Crying out to G-d! PRE-PRE Planing for those difficult days. And finding things that are ENJOYABLE to eat, ie. not stuff that tastes like tree bark!
And if there's no time to cook, than opting to buy a healthy meal, ie. a wrap or a chicken salad, etc. Which of course WILL cost more than the fast, junk food (which percentage-wise of actual nourishment is low anyways!)
And, I, too, fall into the trap of thinking that buying cheaper means I'm being smart w/ my money. But I think it's quite the opposite. My money IS to buy me the better food/the better anything when I can, otherwise what's the WHOLE POINT?!! All w/in reason... :)
Hunger compels us to eat, which gives us life. So, why am I spending money to make myself weak?
But y'know, it's not just the day and week that's hectic. It seems society is hectic. I step out and everyone is rushing off here and rushing off there. There just isn't any time! Quick, go to the mall! Quick, catch the bus! Quick, catch that light! Quick, answer the phone! Quick, just.. just get going! Quick, eat fast and go! Or don't eat, just get outta' here!
"Yes, but where are we going exactly?" That thought may flash briefly as we're "herded" to....not quite sure yet. But if you dare to stop, you'll hear the question again and will want an answer. Be careful b/c someone may ask you why you're not moving with the herd.
"What's wrong w/ this pretty packaged, preservative-full, MSG ridden yum yum? Everything has been arranged for you!" Then like a scene from a movie, the smiles disappear as they hiss, "Conform!"
lol
So, like I said, it takes a lot of determination to eat like a mentsch. That is, to eat real, good, healthy food.
I'm still figuring it out...
G-d bless!
On days where there's a lot of time, I can pre-plan meals. I'll have time to cook rice, legumes or make salads, steam vegetables, etc. and even save for the week. But on hectic days, all the pre-planning and cooking flies right out the window. But, oddly enough, the hunger remains.
So, what to do?
Go for the junk food.
There's no planning involved. There's no cooking to do. AND, it's cheaper than if I went to buy a meal in a restaurant, let's say. And best of all, it's FAST. I don't even need to sit down while eating. I can actually multitask-eat and run. Quite literally.
Oy vey.
And yet, as brilliant and convenient as the fast, junk food is, why is that in half hour or less even, the hunger pangs come back.
Ok, so just buy more fast, junk food. Stave off the hunger and save money.
Well, if I do it one/ two days, or here and there, that's one thing, but for weeks? Bit by bit, my energy level drops; my irritability increases; and, basically, it's not a pretty sight. Not to mention the effects we don't see inside the body...or the soul?
Sometimes, life has a way of pushing you forward. And it takes a lot of effort to STOP and say, "hey, that is NOT where I want to be going," or, "this is NOT what I want to be eating!"
One has to be cunning. Rebellious, even. Faster than the fast food? Or slower? Bringing reinforcements. Sounding the alarms. Making a fuss! Crying out to G-d! PRE-PRE Planing for those difficult days. And finding things that are ENJOYABLE to eat, ie. not stuff that tastes like tree bark!
And if there's no time to cook, than opting to buy a healthy meal, ie. a wrap or a chicken salad, etc. Which of course WILL cost more than the fast, junk food (which percentage-wise of actual nourishment is low anyways!)
And, I, too, fall into the trap of thinking that buying cheaper means I'm being smart w/ my money. But I think it's quite the opposite. My money IS to buy me the better food/the better anything when I can, otherwise what's the WHOLE POINT?!! All w/in reason... :)
Hunger compels us to eat, which gives us life. So, why am I spending money to make myself weak?
But y'know, it's not just the day and week that's hectic. It seems society is hectic. I step out and everyone is rushing off here and rushing off there. There just isn't any time! Quick, go to the mall! Quick, catch the bus! Quick, catch that light! Quick, answer the phone! Quick, just.. just get going! Quick, eat fast and go! Or don't eat, just get outta' here!
"Yes, but where are we going exactly?" That thought may flash briefly as we're "herded" to....not quite sure yet. But if you dare to stop, you'll hear the question again and will want an answer. Be careful b/c someone may ask you why you're not moving with the herd.
"What's wrong w/ this pretty packaged, preservative-full, MSG ridden yum yum? Everything has been arranged for you!" Then like a scene from a movie, the smiles disappear as they hiss, "Conform!"
lol
So, like I said, it takes a lot of determination to eat like a mentsch. That is, to eat real, good, healthy food.
I'm still figuring it out...
G-d bless!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Fennel
I'm thrilled to to have added a new veggie to my lunchbox. It's the beautiful, pale green fennel. She hails from the Umbellifereae family and is related to parsley, carrots, dill and coriander.What's so great about fennel?
Well, first it's got this wonderfully light scent. Think of the anise spice, but not as strong.
I once visited a family for Shabbath, and they served a fennel salad. Raw fennel cut up in pieces sitting in a bowl of lemon juice. No salt added. Nothing. And it was... Heavenly!! Crunchy, refreshing, and slightly sweet. What a joy to the palatte! I know had seconds...probably thirds.
G-d was definitely in a playful mood when He created the fennel.
Aside from being a delight to eat, fennel has great medicinal and nutritional properties.
Apparently, way back fennel was used to cure stomach ailments and freshen breath. Even to fight against weight gain..And an infusion of fennel seeds can help with menstrual pains.
It has phytonutrients-including the flavonoids rutin, quercitin, and various kaempferol glycosides-that give it strong antioxidant activity. Also, it has Vitamin C, another powerful antioxidant. It has fiber, folate, and potassium which assist in colon health.
Next time, you're in the supermarket, I dare you to pick up a bulb of fennel and try it out. Pick one that's free of bruises, and it should be white, pale green in color. And you should smell that sweet anise/liquorice-ish scent. It should last around 4 days. I like the inner part of the bulb b/c it's not fibrous.
You can eat it raw or cooked.
According to Howard Yoon on NPR's Kitchen Window, "fennel's strength may be its power to blend and enhance other flavors. Tuna tastes more tuna-like when cooked with fennel. A simple salad of oranges, red onion and lemon vinaigrette has more zing with the addition of crunchy, raw fennel."
Yeah, I'm likin' the fennel. It's just a light, happy, and easygoing veggie!
G-d bless!
Check out:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=23
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6710330
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Swine Flu
Great. Just what we need-a world-wide pandemic. It's really scary to read about it, and it's scarier to imagine what may become in the future...
Every newsite is reporting on this. And, today, I read that the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the world pandemic level to Phase 5, which means a "strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.”
Oy.
The latest: There was one death in America. A toddler died in Texas.
But, I only later did I learn that the child was visiting from Mexico City. And In addition to swine flu, the boy had several underlying health problems." (Dallas Business Journal)
So, really, there have been no deaths (as of now, and it should only remain so!) outside of Mexico, and the reported cases have been mild.
Apparently, there is the vaccine, Tamiflu, out there-which should bring us some relief. I didn't even think about it, but I also recently learned that "more than half a dozen pharmaceutical companies, including Gilead Sciences Inc., Roche, GlaxoSmithKline and other companies with a stake in flu treatments and detection, have seen a rise in their shares in a matter of days, and will likely see revenue boosts if the swine flu outbreak continues to spread."
Revenue boosts?
Hmm....Wait a sec, is everything as true as they appear?
We're hearing news from all the mainstream newsites and being bombarded with the same messages. Let's hop off to a "road less travelled" and read another side of this story at
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/04/29/Swine-Flu.aspx
Here's some highlights...
On Sunday, April 26, The Independent reported that more than 1,000 people had contracted the swine flu virus in Mexico, 8 but by the afternoon that same day, Mexican President Calderon declared that more than two-thirds of the 1,300 thought to have contracted the disease had been given a clean bill of health and sent home.9
Just last month I reported on the story that the American pharmaceutical company Baxter was under investigation for distributing the deadly avian flu virus to 18 different countries as part of a seasonal flu vaccine shipment. Czech reporters were probing to see if it may have been part of a deliberate attempt to start a pandemic; as such a "mistake" would be virtually impossible under the security protocols of that virus.
this isn't the first time the public has been warned about swine flu. The last time was in 1976, right before I entered medical school and I remember it very clearly. It resulted in the massive swine flu vaccine campaign.
Do you happen to recall the result of this massive campaign?
Within a few months, claims totaling $1.3 billion had been filed by victims who had suffered paralysis from the vaccine. The vaccine was also blamed for 25 deaths.
And the swine flu pandemic itself? It never materialized.
This should grab your attention. Read the article 'cuz there's more...
Let's not blindly accept what mainstream media is telling us.
People are saying different things. What is the truth? Is the flu deadly or isn't it? Is the vaccine deadly or isn't it? This whole affair seems to raise more questions than answers! But there is something we DO know. There is an illness in the world. Call it swine flu, call it greed. We have to fight to protect ourselves from these physical and spiritual germs. That means paying attention to what/who we come in contact with-paying attention to what we let our eyes see. What we allow to enter our bodies and our minds. And we have to try our BEST to boost our immune system/the good part of ourselves-to eat the foods that will protect and vitalize us. To let into our lives influences that will strenghen us (intelligence, G-d's Word, self-esteem) and not weaken us (lust and greed).
We must try...
G-d bless!
and G-d save us from our true enemies...
Check out
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/04/29/Swine-Flu.aspx
http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2009/04/27/daily36.html
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
Every newsite is reporting on this. And, today, I read that the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the world pandemic level to Phase 5, which means a "strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.”
Oy.
The latest: There was one death in America. A toddler died in Texas.
But, I only later did I learn that the child was visiting from Mexico City. And In addition to swine flu, the boy had several underlying health problems." (Dallas Business Journal)
So, really, there have been no deaths (as of now, and it should only remain so!) outside of Mexico, and the reported cases have been mild.
Apparently, there is the vaccine, Tamiflu, out there-which should bring us some relief. I didn't even think about it, but I also recently learned that "more than half a dozen pharmaceutical companies, including Gilead Sciences Inc., Roche, GlaxoSmithKline and other companies with a stake in flu treatments and detection, have seen a rise in their shares in a matter of days, and will likely see revenue boosts if the swine flu outbreak continues to spread."
Revenue boosts?
Hmm....Wait a sec, is everything as true as they appear?
We're hearing news from all the mainstream newsites and being bombarded with the same messages. Let's hop off to a "road less travelled" and read another side of this story at
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/04/29/Swine-Flu.aspx
Here's some highlights...
On Sunday, April 26, The Independent reported that more than 1,000 people had contracted the swine flu virus in Mexico, 8 but by the afternoon that same day, Mexican President Calderon declared that more than two-thirds of the 1,300 thought to have contracted the disease had been given a clean bill of health and sent home.9
Just last month I reported on the story that the American pharmaceutical company Baxter was under investigation for distributing the deadly avian flu virus to 18 different countries as part of a seasonal flu vaccine shipment. Czech reporters were probing to see if it may have been part of a deliberate attempt to start a pandemic; as such a "mistake" would be virtually impossible under the security protocols of that virus.
this isn't the first time the public has been warned about swine flu. The last time was in 1976, right before I entered medical school and I remember it very clearly. It resulted in the massive swine flu vaccine campaign.
Do you happen to recall the result of this massive campaign?
Within a few months, claims totaling $1.3 billion had been filed by victims who had suffered paralysis from the vaccine. The vaccine was also blamed for 25 deaths.
And the swine flu pandemic itself? It never materialized.
This should grab your attention. Read the article 'cuz there's more...
Let's not blindly accept what mainstream media is telling us.
People are saying different things. What is the truth? Is the flu deadly or isn't it? Is the vaccine deadly or isn't it? This whole affair seems to raise more questions than answers! But there is something we DO know. There is an illness in the world. Call it swine flu, call it greed. We have to fight to protect ourselves from these physical and spiritual germs. That means paying attention to what/who we come in contact with-paying attention to what we let our eyes see. What we allow to enter our bodies and our minds. And we have to try our BEST to boost our immune system/the good part of ourselves-to eat the foods that will protect and vitalize us. To let into our lives influences that will strenghen us (intelligence, G-d's Word, self-esteem) and not weaken us (lust and greed).
We must try...
G-d bless!
and G-d save us from our true enemies...
Check out
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/04/29/Swine-Flu.aspx
http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2009/04/27/daily36.html
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
Sunday, April 26, 2009
When it Strikes...
when IT strikes, you may have known it was coming. Or not. Or you pretend like you were unaware. But there is thunder...and there is wind. Something in the air changes, the smell perhaps? and the sky darkens..you vaguely remember hearing the forecast...and even your spirit is unsettled...
And it happens.
Swiftly. Done.
And it could strike again...
Question is
what do we do?
Before the strike...
We listen.
which direction is the wind blowing? Is she whispering "east" or whispering "west?" Who can tell us? Is she screaming "north!" or "south!"
What's our gut telling us?
We listen.
We summon our courage.
and ACT.
G-d bless!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
When it comes to oils, extra virgin olive oil is ahead of the game. It is rich in monounsaturated fat, which is full of health benefits. In a study published in Clinical Cardiology, researchers write that, "Exclusive use of olive oil during food preparation seems to offer significant protection against coronary heart disease, irrespective of various clinical, lifestyle and other characteristics of the participants."
Wh foods writes that olive oil has a large amount of antioxidants, including chlorophyll, carotenoids and other compounds that neutralizes free radicals and protect the Vitamin E found in olive oil.
Olive oil and antioxidants? I would have never guessed!
Actually, the oleic acid that is in the the oil is resistant to free radical/oxidative damage.
Not only that, but "it turns out that people who use olive oil regularly, especially in place of other fats, have much lower rates of heart disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and asthma." (Whfoods.com)
There are several methods of extracting oil from olives. Extra virgin olive oil is produced from gently crushing the olives between stone or steel rollers. There is minimal heat or oxygen involved, and therefore the nutrients and antioxidants are kept intact. There is also a smaller amound of acid in this oil-less than 1%. Unrefined, this oil is best kept in dark, opaque bottles/ in a dark area. And it's wonderful to add to salads or steamed vegetables!
In order to squeeze out more oil, there are modern techniques which do subject olives to heat, light, and oxygen. This process destroys the natural nutrients and later, chemicals are often added to replace the vitamin E, etc that were lost from the heat. Thus we have "pure" olive oil or just olive oil-refined and civilized....
A possible benefit from refined olive oil is that b/c it's more heat resistant than vegetable oils (like corn), it may be a safer option when frying. Since the oil will not break down as fast as it's vegetable counterparts. (It's important not to heat any oil past it's smoke point: the point where visible gaseous vapor is evident from the heated oil. 'Cuz that means the oil is decomposing...)
So, if and when we can, let's opt for extra virgin or virgin oilve oil. And keep them in the cupboards when we can remember. It is more pricey than, say, corn oil. True.
But considering the benefits, I say, pray to the Almighty, save our pennies/shekels and get the best...
Sages say that olive oil strengthens and sharpens the memory.
G-d bless!
Check it out:
http://www.whfoods.com/: Olive oil
Wh foods writes that olive oil has a large amount of antioxidants, including chlorophyll, carotenoids and other compounds that neutralizes free radicals and protect the Vitamin E found in olive oil.
Olive oil and antioxidants? I would have never guessed!
Actually, the oleic acid that is in the the oil is resistant to free radical/oxidative damage.
Not only that, but "it turns out that people who use olive oil regularly, especially in place of other fats, have much lower rates of heart disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and asthma." (Whfoods.com)
There are several methods of extracting oil from olives. Extra virgin olive oil is produced from gently crushing the olives between stone or steel rollers. There is minimal heat or oxygen involved, and therefore the nutrients and antioxidants are kept intact. There is also a smaller amound of acid in this oil-less than 1%. Unrefined, this oil is best kept in dark, opaque bottles/ in a dark area. And it's wonderful to add to salads or steamed vegetables!
In order to squeeze out more oil, there are modern techniques which do subject olives to heat, light, and oxygen. This process destroys the natural nutrients and later, chemicals are often added to replace the vitamin E, etc that were lost from the heat. Thus we have "pure" olive oil or just olive oil-refined and civilized....
A possible benefit from refined olive oil is that b/c it's more heat resistant than vegetable oils (like corn), it may be a safer option when frying. Since the oil will not break down as fast as it's vegetable counterparts. (It's important not to heat any oil past it's smoke point: the point where visible gaseous vapor is evident from the heated oil. 'Cuz that means the oil is decomposing...)
So, if and when we can, let's opt for extra virgin or virgin oilve oil. And keep them in the cupboards when we can remember. It is more pricey than, say, corn oil. True.
But considering the benefits, I say, pray to the Almighty, save our pennies/shekels and get the best...
Sages say that olive oil strengthens and sharpens the memory.
G-d bless!
Check it out:
http://www.whfoods.com/: Olive oil
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