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A lovely site that promotes beauty inside, outside, and around you – Poreless.com

Poreless.com is an exciting site that guides people to innovative news and new products for revitalizing skin and body. This week they go behind the beauty scene with the director, and the writer, of the short film “The Retreat” www.theretreatfilm.com. This past weekend “The Retreat” received Boston International Film Festival’s award for “Indie Soul Special Recognition.” The film also had a screening at The Big Apple Film Festival 2010, and the NYC Downtown Short Film Festival 2011. Soon it will have another screening at the Staten Island Film Festival 2011.

I hope you enjoy the article. Those at Poreless.com are interested in knowing what you think about their article, along with the questions and answers, and the way they have of handling a busy lifestyle in the entertainment industry. They are open to your comments.
http://poreless.com/?p=711

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camino de santiago

I’M OFF THEN by Hape Kerkeling
Have you ever thought about hiking the Camino de Santiago? – If you have or haven’t, I’M OFF THEN is a delightful travel book; it’s very funny and very honest. The writer freely shares what he’s feeling and learning, and the thoughts that arise on his spiritual journey. Questions come to him from out of the blue, and answers come when least expected. He meets people of all persuasions, a few become good friends, others he’d rather not have met. And the differences of one little village after another where pilgrims stay the night to seek food and refuge are noted, as are thoughts about the day’s hike.

Experiences differ greatly because everyone has their own reasons for hiking the camino. I’ve read that the experiences a hiker encounters on the pilgrimage are the ones needed, and that includes the people one meets along the way. To go alone seems quite brave. If the hiker is on a personal quest, then alone time tends to soothe the soul – after awhile. And there are always companions who come and go. At the end of the journey Santiago’s magnificent cathedral is there to greet the pilgrim.

The good and the not so good all sound wonderful to me because, when all is said and done, the experiences seem worth the tremendous effort it takes to hike the Camino de Santiago. Are you ready?

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from a friend in malta . . .

Thank you for the following, Lilian. You’re so good at informing people about all kinds of pertinent information.

———————-

Please take note this in no hoax
Another reminder!
No matter how many times you get this
E-mail,
Please send it on!!!!
Bottled water in your car is very dangerous!

On the Ellen show, Sheryl Crow said that this is what caused her breast cancer.
It has been identified as the most common cause of the high levels of dioxin in breast cancer tissue.

Sheryl Crow’s oncologist told her: women should not drink bottled water that has been left in a car.
The heat reacts with the chemicals in the plastic of the bottle which releases dioxin into the water. Dioxin is a toxin increasingly found in breast cancer tissue. So please be careful and do not drink bottled water that has been left in a car.
Pass this on to all the women in your life. This information is the kind we need to know that just might save us! Use a stainless steel canteen or a glass bottle instead of plastic!

LET EVERYONE WHO HAS A WIFE / GIRLFRIEND / DAUGHTER KNOW PLEASE!
This information is also being circulated at Walter Reed ArmyMedical Center .
No plastic containers in microwaves. No plastic water bottles in freezers. No plastic wrap in microwaves.

Dioxin chemical causes cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to cells in our bodies. Don’t freeze plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic. Recently the Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard.

He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating food in the microwave using plastic containers….
This especially applies to foods that contain fat.

He said that the combination of fat, high heat and plastic releases dioxin into the food.

Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Pyrex or ceramiccontainers for heating food. You get the same result, but without the dioxin. So, such things as TV dinners, instant soups, etc., should be removed from their containers and heated in something else.

Paper isn’t bad but you don’t know what is in the paper. It’s safer to use tempered glass, such as Pyrex, etc.

He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the styrene foam containers to paper. The dioxin problem is one of the reasons…

Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Cling film, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead.

This is an article that should be sent to anyone important in your life!

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tama kieves

I subscribe to Tama Kieves eletters, and this week under Tama’s Musings she wrote about “Mothering Ourselves: Nurturing Yourself, Your Dreams, and the World.” She writes at her soul level, and she shows no hesitation in sharing the person she was, the person she is, and the person she’s becoming.

I imagine that to be on a cruise with her, and the other spiritual teachers joining her, would be a gift one could call “Mothering Ourselves.”
www.tamakieves.com

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nine gates mystery school

From time to time, I hear about the Nine Gates Mystery School in Loomis, Ca. Gay Luce is the founder, and I am not clear about Jean Houston’s role, only that she is connected with the school. Through the years every indication suggests that these two women-both personally and professionally-know what they are doing.

So, I sent for a brochure. The brochure doesn’t beat around the bush; it says a great deal, is easy to understand, and after reading it all questions are answered. After that I received an email from a graduate, and an email came asking whether I’d like a DVD sent to me. I said yes, that would be helpful. Information which truly informs is a good thing. The program is not inexpensive. However, I’d bet my last dollar that it’s worth the price.

I could tell you more; it wouldn’t come from experience though, and I’m at a loss as to exactly which parts of the brochure would best describe the Nine Gates Mystery School. Suffice it to say that it’s a “spiritual adventure,” and it touches every area of the graduate’s life. The program is in two parts; Part 1 in the Fall, Part 2 in the Spring, both for nine days. The DVD states that there is a deep committment to the student from the beginning, and from the beginning the students naturally form a close community. There are no books, no doctrines, no rules to learn. The learning is internal prompted by nine master teachers.

A youth program is offered. If I had a teenager in my life who needed help in dealing with the challenges of the teenage years, I would not hesitate to register her/him as I’ve read that parents say their children return to them transformed. www.ninegates.org

Oh, yes.

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jill pettijohn and the master cleanse

I promise to not go on and on about the lemonade diet, just to say that there was mention of it in an article by Alexandra Jacobs in April 2009 Allure magazine. In the article titled LOVE MEDICINE, Donna Karan tells about the experts in alternative medicine who have made a big difference in her life. One of the people, Jill Pettijohn, a Raw-Food Expert, said, “When most of us hear the word “cleanse,” we think of the Master Cleanse – that brutal ten-day regimen of maple syrup, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice. . . . ” www.allure.com

That might be so, but I don’t feel it’s so for everyone. I began the lemonade diet in February 2009, and stayed on it for 21 days, plus 3 days of coming off, and I wouldn’t call it “brutal.” I’ll say that I would have liked to continue for the full forty days, however, on the 20th day I happened to notice that my hands were cracked and looking rather awful, and my gums and teeth were very sensitive when brushing. If I knew what needed to be done to continue on I would have, but it was better to listen to what my body was saying and stop.

Weeks have passed now, and, all things considered, I’m glad the lemonade diet is available because it offers many benefits, and, of course, the benefits are different for everyone.

That said, Donna Karan and Sonja Nuttall have founded Urban Zen.
www.urbanzen.com Check it out; good things are on the offerings.

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acceptance

Acceptance is a good word, and a soothing word; it’s a word that’s effective when used verbally or silently. When applying acceptance to a particular situation, we’re inclined to wonder whether we’ve done enough, and whether it’s time to  stop guessing, thinking, worrying, trying. Yes, stop so that the mind is free of the energy we’ve created around a situation or person, and free of blockages – hands off; it’s time to trust.

Becoming comfortable with acceptance allows the mind arguments and blockages to eventually disapper. Practicing acceptance will lead us to intuitively know what’s best in a situation. Then we trust. Acceptance and trust go hand in hand. We know that things are not okay at the moment, and we trust the tide will turn. Trust.

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a good reason

Today is the 6th day of The Master Cleanser by Stanley Burroughs for me. I am not going to say that it has been exactly easy. I will just say it is entirely doable, and as the days go by it gets easier. Food thoughts come and go, and everyone handles them differently. When thoughts of food come, I remember two things, and when I do, I am okay. They are: 1) The reason for going on the cleanse, and 2) It is temporary. And a nice thought about temporarily givng up food is that some of us suddenly have free time from something that is done two or three times every day – shopping, preparing, cooking, and, of course, eating.

Today I went to University City in Philadelphia, opened the door to Penn Bookstore, and headed directly to the cookbook section. For some peculiar reason it is rather satisfying for me to read cookbooks when on the cleanse. There were three of Madjur Jaffrey’s on the shelf. She inspires in the way she writes about food, in the mouth watering pictures, and in the clarity of her recipes which tend to give the reader confidence in creating them with the same results.The book is worth buying just to look at those beautifully photographed pictures. It was eye-filling.

Now if one morning you wake up, and your first thought is: I want to go on the cleanse, there is a thin, yellow book by Stanley Burroughs waiting for you at a bookstore. It is to be followed without any exceptions. And if you want a coach in the form of a book, I have a good one; it is called Lose Weight, Have More Energy, Be Healthier in 10 Days by Peter Glickman. Also, here are a few interesting websites for support, if they are needed:
www.thelemonadediet.com
www.themastercleanse.com
www.healsa.co.za/cayennepepper.htm
www.curezone.com

Be well; be happy.

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eckhart tolle

The title of The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle says it all, and the contents of the book is priceless. For starts, it can change one’s ideas about how things are, or ought to be, and take one on the ride of one’s life. It tends to turn one’s thoughts around and around, and get one to agree that, -okay, that’s true; that way is not working for me. I have to do what? All right, if that’s what it takes to stop the misery, I’m on board. And little by little, thoughts and opinions about the past, present, and future, about relationships, about the way the mind is used – the thinking and doing that doesn’t work, and yet has a stranglehold on one’s life, get chiseled away.

A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle has sold over 6 million copies. And what a book it is. The book grabs hold of one’s being – if one let’s it, and if one is not compelled to ask the why of everything when reading it. The meaning of the words will eventually find a place in one’s consciousness, and then a place in one’s outer life.

I’ve noticed that A New Earth is not a book one can give as a gift, I suppose that’s true for The Power of Now, too. That’s been my experience. Well, one can give it, but… A New Earth can’t be a blind date, a person has to chose it for themselves, or the giver will most likely see it untouched, or used as a coaster, or maybe taken out when “they” know you’re coming. The best time for someone to read The Power of Now, or A New Earth, or any book of a spiritual nature, is determined by the one who will be reading it. That makes perfect sense. www.eckharttolle.com

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The Master Cleanse Experience… aka Lemonade Diet

Well it has been sometime since I have blogged, before the birth of our second baby, Clover Alessandra. This topic, however, has to be blogged about. I started the Master Cleanse diet this past Monday, January 29th, 2008. It is a 10 day(min) fast where you only consume liquids consisting of a lemonade concoction and then do a herbal laxative tea in the morning and evening. I completed this fast once January 2007 with my mother-in-law, Fran. 

What drove me to even consider this craziness was that I was at my wits end with the lack of weightloss from having my first baby, Sebastian. I packed on a hefty 50 lbs with him and had 40 lbs to lose after the baby. I managed to wittle away at it but by the holidays (6months) later I was still 10 lbs heavier and at a plateau. I saw the footage on Oprah about Beyonce Knowles doing the fast to lose weight for her role in “DreamGirls” I thought to myself… I can do that! So when I saw the family at Christmas I mentioned it to Fran and low and behold, she had the actual orginal book The Master Cleanser by Stanley Burroughs.   I was shocked! Apparently she had the book and had always wanted to do the fast but never got around to it.  So it was ON! We decided to start and complete the fast together beginning the new year. 

It was a really tough first few days and I almost quit so many times. It was amazing the need to chew something was what I felt and I just felt like I had the flu. Apparently these are all detox symptoms. At the end of the fast I was a pleasant 12 lbs lighter and had so much energy and umpf that I was so happy I had completed the fast no matter how tough it had been.

This is why I am here again going through the same fast. This time I had more to lose since I started at a higher starting weight. I figure it will get me going down the right path and help me restart my system. Oddly though, this time the fast has not been as arduous. It has actually been quite easy.  I was prepared for the worst on day 2 and day 3 and that never came. I am currently on day 6 and toward the end of the day at that.  One side effect I am experiencing that I also had last time is the “coldies”. You just freaking feel cold all the time. I guess the lack of solid food and also it being winter time doesn’t help. Besides that everything else, including the cravings are manageable. Last time I was obsessed with watching the Food Network and looking at cookbook recipes. Weird even though I couldn’t eat anything just looking at it made me feel better and closer to food. I am planning to go to day 10, but have been contemplating continuing on for 4 more days to make it a full 2 weeks.

I have been looking at message boards www.therawfoodsite.com which are really helpful during this time. It is always nice to know there are others going through what you are going through. With that being said, it is definitely easier to do this with someone than alone. Also I had the benefit of having this week off of work. So I will only be at work for 3 days if I complete the 10 day fast instead of the 14 day one. The worst days are also in the beginning.

So right now my sense of smell is like superhero sense of smell. I guess since I am not eating it has instensified my other senses. It’s really odd to smell everything so intensely but at the same time really great. I am also just starting to get the energy high that comes with this fast toward the end. I have also managed to mantain working out. I have gone twice now and plan to go and do a weightlifting class tomorrow.

One thing I did differently this time was I drank a lot more water in between my lemonade drinks. I think that really helped me feel so much better and I am glad I figured that out. Also having two little ones keeps me really busy and my mind off of the whole food thing. It is truly amazing how much time you have when you don’t mess with food. You have a lot of free time to read and do things you usually don’t have time for. For me though with the kids I am just spending more time with them.

So another hard thing is watching your loved ones eat in front of you. Michael has been eating pizza, chinese food, pasta, etc.  It’s tough but I just tell myself that I can’t do it and I am too close now to the end to stop this. I know once I am done I will feel like a million bucks just like last time. Also hopefully a good 15 lbs lighter. Currently I have lost 8 1/2 lbs as of this morning weigh in. It is really motivating to see that scale go down everyday! My plan after the fast is really stay away from all the bad foods and eat a more clean diet and continue my vigorous exercising… I am addicted to the working out part!

So to anyone that wants to try this diet… DO IT! Just commit and do it and I promise you will be truly amazed at how you feel and how you look!