URBAN: Relating or belonging to the city.

SHAMAN: Somebody who acts as a go-
between for the spiritual and physical realms,
and who is said to have particular powers
such as prophecy and or healing.

Welcome to the September issue of my Blog...
www.TheUrbanShaman.blogstop.com


The theme for this month is:
Treating Yourself With Love From the Inside Out...

I hope you are enjoying these blogs... It is my pleasure to share this information to you all. I've added a new title, it is "Self Love" and will offer you a way to indulge yourself in simple pleasures for wellness and stress reduction. Sometimes it is neccessary to disconnect from our cell phones and computers :) and take a time out for ourselves...

If you have any suggestions for future blogs...email me at: TheUrbanShaman@aol.com

Life is not just a journey... make it an adventure!
ENJOY! & Much love to you all...
Gail Oliver

(theUrbanShaman@aol.com)






Stop Complaining

by Gail Oliver © 2005

Ever have a moment where you listen to yourself and realize almost everything coming out of your mouth is a complaint? And people you may be engaged in conversation with join in and next thing it's a competition to see who's life is filled with the most drama? And then to the extreme... Who's drama is more dramatic and important?

Wow... I know lots of people like this. I was once one. Boy oh boy, I could out complain anyone, and mine were better than yours, period, case closed. I could complain, my friends would complain, but what I didn't get was how this sparked a competitive reply. I am not a competitive sort by nature, nor do I just lay down in the face of good healthy competition when appropriate, but dang! I soon found myself wondering do we really hear people complain when we are supposed to be listening? Or, does it open our floodgates too, which invites us to join in enthusiastically? Have we replaced communicating positive experiences with complaints? And is anyone listening truly? I thought when we complained subconsciously we were, in a primitive way, seeking comfort or advice from a friend or just having a pity party out loud and needing to vent.

When Did We Stop Listening to People ?

Last year was rough for me. Life happened in an accelerated manor, dementia diagnosis of a parent (months later to find out sleeping pills have the same symptoms), emergency surgery as a result of an accident with the same parent (requiring care-giving duties), me falling and breaking a few ribs (can't teach yoga), my ulcer because of the stress, losing my corporation from hiring the wrong tax man, and the ultimate? And the grandest show of award winning drama, my MS flaring up because I was giving my attention to everyone and everything else and not myself. (Beat that ... and all the while dealing with the regular day-to-day surprises.) Now mind you these life challenges happened over the course of 5 months. Over those months I spoke to a few of what I would consider to be my oldest and dearest friends. One in particularly, who is the victim of all victims in her drama, was so busy complaining in our conversations, that she missed my stories completely. She was ultimately in shock when she asked about my business and I told her what had happened. That I had to abandon my corporation 6 months prior, she responded with, "Girl, how and when did that happen?" That's when I realized that for some of us, we are so self-consumed with our own drama that we just go through the motions of listening, and consequently we don't hear a thing. Another friend was in a conversation with me and I had mentioned in passing that my Godmother had made her transition and because of the heat (summer heat and MS don't mix well) I would not be able to go and support my Godsister. She called a few days later and wanted to know how I was dealing with my mother's death... Huh?

Are we so conditioned and disconnected by things that are happening in the world that we tune out what's uncomfortable for us to actually hear? Or are we becoming that Self-involved we can't hear for fear of having to get involved? (the subject of another book).

Complaining, is a negative spiral of activity, that if we are not careful we get sucked into. It is an adult version of nana-nana na na., or mines is bigger than yours is. When you catch yourself about to complain, stop, breathe, and redirect your thinking.

I posed a challenge to a group of people a few months ago; not to complain for a full week. It is amazing when you consciously choose not to complain, you change your vibration for the better. When you stop complaining and stop and listen to the other person, you become patient enough to hear their pain and have compassion for them (unless their M. O. is just straight up drama). Another observation was that when you are not feeding into the drama of another by adding your 2 cents, they eventually hear themselves and how ridiculous the one sided conversation has become and they stop complaining.

When we are not complaining, we have time for positive interaction with others. We dwell less in the negative side of life and open ourselves up to the bounty of goodness we deserve. When you have a complaint brewing up inside of you, stop, and figure out the lesson in the challenge or the reason, learn and flip the complaint into a positive reality. or...Vent in that moment...Do something to rectify it... And get on with life!

Exercise:
Make a vow not to complain for a full week. Get a friend to join in and support you. It becomes funny after a while when you both realize how much you complain unconsciously. It becomes a funny challenge and you may realize half of what you talk about is a complaint of some kind.

By Gail Oliver "Happiness 101" for seminar information,
e-mail: GailFOliver@aol.com






A Quick Understanding of the Kama Sutra... The Art of Love... Part 3

Breaking Habits

Personal growth can be accelerated simply by changing one’s habits. It is the condition of dependancy inherent in habits that must be broken. When you find yourself saying or thinking, “But I can’t change that... I always do that,” then “that” is undoubtedly the first habit to break. Freedom of choice results from mastering habit. Independence from habits in the area of sexuality should be cultivated, as sexual habits are the most restrictive. Any intentional act of will has a magical potency and is far more effective than a habitual or unintentional act. The human body is capable of quite extraordinary adaptation, even when it seems set in a rigid pattern. The potential for change is always there, but it is better not to wait for a moment of crisis before ridding ourselves of habits. Our very survival as a species is due to our ability to change and adapt.

Mental habits are more difficult to deal with than physical ones, as they are less obvious. Often enough, they are inherited from parents or acquired through social conditioning. They restrict our whole way of life, insidiously providing a false sense of security. By causing us to forget our Higher Selves, they obliterate our awareness and are fatal to an intimate relationship. Frequently, an unawareness of disagreeable habits or idiosyncrasies is a source of contention between people, to change, to grow and evolve. When initial fear of change is overcome, one can really begin to enjoy new experiences. Sexual habits are especially limiting and it is here that Tantra requires absolute adaptability. All Eastern teachings on the sexual mysteries point to the need for variety and uninhibited spontaneity...

From “The Alchemy of Ecstasy”
Nik Douglas and Penny Slinger






Fall Skin Care

So Labor Day is here and gone and just like it´s time to put away one´s white shoes, it´s also the perfect opportunity to change your skin care routine. Autumn represents a time of challenge to our skin. Not only does summertime damage need correcting, a lack of preparation now becomes critical during long winter months. Summer has taken its toll, draining skin of nutrients, and damaging vulnerable skin cells with ultraviolet rays, despite your best protective efforts.

Chlorine is harsh on the skin, hair and nails. Discoloration may have increased for those prone to skin tone imbalances. Not only is fall the season to repair the damage, it’s also time to gear up for winter dryness prevention. Autumn is the perfect time to reorganize your lifestyle, so take the 5 minutes a day just for you. Your skin will thank you, and your friends will most definitely notice.

Surprising Benefits of Bathing

Apparently, the ancient Romans knew something we are just learning -- bathing is about far more than simply cleaning behind your ears. A warm bath can be a great way to relax your muscles at the end of a stressful day. A cool one might be just what you need to wake yourself up in the morning, or chill out in the middle of the scorching summer. But have you considered that bathing can be a great way to eliminate waste? Or calm down your anxious mind? Bathing can even teach your body to cope with stress before it occurs.

CLEANING INSIDE AND OUT

Okay, first, let's look at cleaning. You know that a bath is a pleasant way to clean yourself off, but it's also a great way to clean yourself out. A warm salt water bath every three or four days can help purge toxins from within. "You are a water balloon," says Thomas Stearns Lee, ND. Think way back to grade school science. In the process of osmosis, fluids on either side of a membrane pass through to adjust the concentration of a solution, moving from a lower concentration to a higher one. "You are filled with fluids containing salt, electrolytes and minerals. And your skin is a membrane." A saltwater bath is a mini experiment in osmosis. The salt water against your semi permeable skin will draw out salt and take toxins in your body with it in the process. You can use fancy bath salts or simply old fashioned Epsom salts for your bath. After soaking, rinse with fresh water. This can also be a great time to add some essential oils. "Aromatic oils impact hormones, and they have a physiological effect as well as a psychological one," Dr Lee notes. Mary Muryn, author of the book Spa Magic (Perigee Trade), recommends five drops each of lavender and lemon essential oils for mental clarity and balance. She says that a few drops of sandalwood also nicely complement this recipe. Note: Since aromatic oils impact hormones, it is best -- especially for pregnant women -- to use them under the guidance of a trained practitioner.

HYDROTHERAPY: THE POWER OF WARMTH AND COOL

There is another aspect to bathing that most Western cultures no longer practice. It is hydrotherapy, and it can be found in bathhouses around the globe. Our bodies react strongly to temperature. Cold is good for reducing pain and stopping inflammation. Warmth is relaxing, but will increase inflammation. The experience of moving from hot to cold is refreshing. Hydrotherapy uses extreme temperature changes to increase the body's ability to adapt to stress and to help the body learn to accommodate change. It builds the immune system, and trains the body to become more efficient at balancing fluids, acquiring nutrients and eliminating waste. "It's exercise for your body's cells and systems," says Dr. Lee, who works with methods of both alternative and mainstream medicine to treat degenerative diseases and cancer. "Hydrotherapy is like strength training. It should be done gradually. Over time, you will increase the duration and extremity of the temperature changes." At home, you may want to use the shower. When you are just starting off, begin with a lukewarm shower, and then switch to cool. This will enhance peripheral circulation and stimulate the nerves. Eventually, you can extend the water temperatures so that you are going from a hot shower to a cold one. Briskly dry yourself with a towel to warm up. "Ending a bath or shower with cool water closes your pores, reseals your skin and restores normal circulatory balance," says Dr. Lee. Dr. Lee's other bath recommendations...

* Carefully monitor your shower and bath temperatures to avoid scalding.
Baths should be no hotter than 104 °F.
* Use a natural coconut- or olive oil-based soap in lieu of processed
and synthetic soaps and shampoos. (Dr. Bonner’s)
* Finish each bath by moisturizing with a coconut oil product.
Bathing dehydrates most adults. (Whole Foods or MountainRoseHerbs.com)
* Get a chlorine filter for your bath and shower. Chlorine and fluorine add to the
effects of aging, and are bad for the immune system.
You can get a filter at most Hardware Stores, Whole Foods Markets or Online.

Basic Emollient Moisturizing Bath Recipe
All of the ingredients asked for in this recipe are found in most health food stores.

* 1 to 2 ounces apricot kernel, avocado, almond, flax seed, or jojoba oil
* 1 ounce pure vegetable glycerin * 2 ounces aloe vera gel
* A few drops pure essential oil of your choice.

Add the ingredients to the tub while it is filling. Makes about 1/4 cup, enough for 1 bath.

Basic Honey Bath Recipe

Herbalists have touted honey for centuries because it helps skin retain moisture and is thereby rejuvenating and softening.

* 2 tablespoons honey
* 1 cup very hot water
* A few drops pure essential oil, if desired Dissolve the honey in the water.
Add essential oil, if desired. Pour the mixture into the bath water.

Makes 1 cup, enough for one bath.

Modern laboratories now know why milk worked such wonders for Cleopatra’s skin: the lactic acid in milk is an alpha hydroxy acid, a natural material that dissolves the glue that holds dead skin cells together. Milk can cleanse the skin down to its deepest layers.

Milk Bath

This secret beauty formula couldn't be simpler. Add 2 to 4 cups of fresh milk or buttermilk to the bath water as the tub is filling. Soak for a good 20 minutes. Gently rub your skin with a washcloth or loofa to slough off the dead skin. Rinse your body thoroughly after soaking.

Try bath of Milk and Honey! Your indulgence at home... gives new meaning to The Saturday Night Bath...

Caution: Very hot baths are not good for those with high blood pressure, and they can be draining for anyone. Skip this bath if you are allergic to milk or are lactose intolerant.

Submitted by Kim Wilson
Information from SaltWorks.us and Care2.com






Real foods come from the earth, not from cardboard boxes. Knowing what is ripe at what time of year is an important part of food preparation and nutrition. The increasing number of farmers' markets helps us to be in close touch with the sources of our food supply and to appreciate what is in season. By closing some of the gaps between food producer and eater, we can participate more fully in an increasingly sustainable agriculture.

Season’s Eatings:
By Tiffany Owens

These days, the concept of eating foods “in season” has all but lost its meaning. Modern processing techniques and worldwide distribution has now made a variety of foods available year-round—it’s nearly impossible to gauge whether it’s January or July from looking at a typical produce bin.

However, buying seasonally harvested and locally grown produce from farmer’s markets and organic grocers not only helps sustain regional agriculture but also assures you’re getting the highest quality in freshness and taste. This produce is free of both the preservatives used to keep imported foods fresh and the genetic modifications of so-called “Franken”-fruits and -vegetables. Additionally, eating seasonal and regional foods is one of the healthiest ways to restore balance to the body during the cyclical changes in weather, daylight and temperature.

BEFORE AMERICA was criss-crossed with highways, railways and flight paths, we could enjoy produce only from our own regions--and only when it was in season. Today, the world's harvests are brought to us all year round. But just because you can get a fresh tomato in December doesn't mean you should. Much of the out-of-season produce we eat has traversed 1,000 miles or more to get to our plate, and often its flavor and nutritional content get lost along the way. Plus, imported fruits and vegetables are often coated with wax, other preservatives and chemical ripening agents.

Locally grown seasonal foods, on the other hand, are harmonized with your body's needs. For example, the beta carotene contained in the orange pigment of pumpkins and other squash helps bolster the immune system just in time to ward off winter colds. And the oils in nuts--fats in their purest form--provide calories to burn to keep the body warm as the temperature drops.

This relationship of seasonal foods and health is a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine. According to TCM, our inner and outer worlds are synchronized; each season corresponds with a personality type, parts of the body, and a motive. Fall is typified by metal, a tempered substance, and it's characterized as a time of pulling in. If you feel in the mood to stock up your pantry, you're in harmony with the primary energy of this season. Fall also corresponds to the lungs, skin and lymphatic system, which makes it an ideal time to make sure the passageways for breath are cleared and immunity strengthened.

The season's produce lends itself well to menus that support TCM fundamentals: soups to counteract the weather's dryness; slow-cooked foods, which require less energy to digest; and dishes made with warming spices to clear and ease the lungs.

SEPTEMBER: Seasonal Produce

n = newly in season;
p = at its peak;
w = winding down

VEGETABLES FRUITS

artichokes n
apples p
basil p
figs w
beans, fresh shelling p
grapes p
celeriac/celery root n
melons w
cucumber p
orange, Valencia p
eggplant p
pears, Asian p
garlic p
pears, Bartlett w
kale n
persimmons: n
kohlrabi n
okra p
onion
pistachios n
peppers: p chile, bell
plums w
pomegranate n
quince n
potatoes w
squash: summer w
squash: winter n
tomatillo w
tomatoes p