“Just as there is an art to serving tea, flower arranging, and calligraphy, there is an art to burning incense. A sixteenth-century Zen priest is credited with describing the ten virtues of incense burning:

1. Incense burning opens the mind to divinity.
2. Incense burning purifies the mind and body.
3. Incense burning divests the mind of worldly impurities.
4. Incense burning wakes up the mind and keeps one alert.
5. Incense burning encourages the mind in solitude.
6. Incense burning brings peace to a busy mind.
7. One cannot burn too much incense.
8. Even a little incense is enough.
9. The age of the incense does not affect its efficacy.
10. Habitual use of incense causes no harm.”

~ 3 Bowls: Vegetarian Recipes from an American Zen Buddhist Monastery by Seppo Ed Farrey with Myochi Nancy O’Hara

• History, materials, types, traditions, and uses of incense
• An indepth look at Japanese incense including how to make incense
• Natural incense, resins, herbs, oils & incense making kits

Here are some links to organic resources on the internet. It’s a starting point for more information and associations on organic farming and sustainable agriculture.

• ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
  Managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and is funded under a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service. It provides information and other technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, Extension agents, educators, and others involved in sustainable agriculture in the United States.
• Organic Consumers Association
  Our website, publications, research, and campaign staff provide an important service for hundreds of thousands of consumers and community activists every month. Our media team provides background information, interviews, and story ideas to television and radio producers and journalists on a daily basis - from national television networks to the alternative press.
• The Organic Center
  To generate credible, peer reviewed scientific information and communicate the verifiable benefits of organic farming and products to society.
• Eatwild: The Clearinghouse for Information about Pasture-Based Farming
  Eatwild.com features comprehensive, up-to-date, accurate information about grass-fed and organic beef, pork, lamb, bison, dairy products, and poultry. It also features the country’s most extensive list of suppliers of pasture-raised products.
• Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (NODPA)
  A resource for organic dairy farmers, organic milk producers
  and consumers interested in organic dairy farming and products. Among the information offered: organic dairy news, northeast events, farmer classifieds, business directory, guidance on transitioning to organic, grazing management and soil health.
• NorthEast Organic Network (NEON)
  An innovative consortium of farmers, researchers, extension educators and grassroots nonprofits working together to improve organic farmers’ access to research and technical support.
• The Organic Trade Association (OTA)
  OTA is a membership-based association that encompasses all sectors of the organic industry, from farm to retail. OTA represents the industry’s interests to regulators, policymakers, the media and the public.
• Save Our Seed 
  A free certified organic seed sourcing service.
• Organic Farming Research Foundation
  To sponsor research related to organic farming;
  To disseminate research results to organic farmers and to growers interested in adopting organic production systems; and
  To educate the public and decision-makers about organic farming issues.
• USDA National Organic Program
  The National Organic Program (NOP) develops, implements, and administers national production, handling, and labeling standards for organic agricultural products. The NOP also accredits the certifying agents (foreign and domestic) who inspect organic production and handling operations to certify that they meet USDA standards.
• Organic Trade Association
  OTA’s mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy.
• Rodale Institute / New Farm

However, out of those well-intentioned people very few actually follow through and change their way of eating. The idea of completely giving up meat forms a big stumbling block for most.

For some reason, when it comes to vegetarian cooking, most people only see the “extremist” approach: either give up meat completely or you might as well include the meat in every meal. This “all or nothing” thinking becomes a mental barrier that keeps a lot of people from eating more vegetarian meals.

How about finding a happy medium? Drastic changes to one’s diet never last. Do not beat yourself up for eating meat. There is no need to give it up completely. Just try eating a little less of it, that’s all.

Start right now by making one meatless dinner every week. Keep everything else the same. Eating just one vegetarian dinner every week is definitely doable and easy. It will be just a nice change instead of deprivation!

If you think going meatless one day a week would not make a big difference, consider these simple numbers: if everyone ate vegetarian meals just one day a week, it would save one out of seven animals. Out of 92 million animals that are consumed in the United States alone every year, over 13 million animals would be spared. This is a huge impact!

In addition to doing good for our planet, you’ll enjoy great health benefits by including more fruits and vegetables in your diet. Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, nutrients, anti-oxidants and fiber - all the things that are good for us. They can help with weight loss and prevent diseases. Numerous studies show that diets high in fruits and vegetables reduce the risks of deadly diseases such as cancer, heart attack and stroke.

Also, by trying out new dishes, you will break your food routine and discover new tasty recipes and food combinations. It’s really nice to eat something different once in a while instead of being stuck in a food rut.

This simple shift of mindset from “all or nothing” to a happy middle ground will do wonders. Vegetarian eating does not need to be a full-time commitment, sacrifice and strive for unattainable perfection. Just do what you can to eat a little less meat, have fun trying new vegetarian meals and enjoy the benefits.

——————————————- 

About The Author

Melanie Mendelson is the author of “Vegetarian Main Dishes - Yummy Recipes That Even Meat Eaters Will Love”.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melanie_Mendelson

The number of web sites offering health-related resources grows every day. Many sites provide valuable information, while others may have information that is unreliable or misleading. This short guide contains important questions you should consider as you look for health information online. Answering these questions when you visit a new site will help you evaluate the information you find.

1. Who runs this site?
Any good health-related Web site should make it easy for you to learn who is responsible for the site and its information.

2. Who pays for the site?
It costs money to run a Web site. The source of a Web site’s funding should be clearly stated or readily apparent. For example, Web addresses ending in “.gov” denote a government-sponsored site. You should know how the site pays for its existence. Does it sell advertising? Is it sponsored by a drug company? The source of funding can affect what content is presented, how the content is presented, and what the site owners want to accomplish on the site.

3. What is the purpose of the site?
This question is related to who runs and pays for the site. An “About This Site” link appears on many sites; if it’s there, use it. The purpose of the site should be clearly stated and should help you evaluate the trustworthiness of the information.

4. Where does the information come from?
Many health/medical sites post information collected from other Web sites or sources. If the person or organization in charge of the site did not create the information, the original source should be clearly labeled.

5. What is the basis of the information?
In addition to identifying who wrote the material you are reading, the site should describe the evidence that the material is based on. Medical facts and figures should have references (such as to articles in medical journals). Also, opinions or advice should be clearly set apart from information that is “evidence-based” (that is, based on research results).

6. How is the information selected?
Is there an editorial board? Do people with excellent professional and scientific qualifications review the material before it is posted?

7. How current is the information?
Web sites should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis. It is particularly important that medical information be current. The most recent update or review date should be clearly posted. Even if the information has not changed, you want to know whether the site owners have reviewed it recently to ensure that it is still valid.

8. How does the site choose links to other sites?
Web sites usually have a policy about how they establish links to other sites. Some medical sites take a conservative approach and don’t link to any other sites. Some link to any site that asks, or pays, for a link. Others only link to sites that have met certain criteria.

9. What information about you does the site collect, and why?
Web sites routinely track the paths visitors take through their sites to determine what pages are being used. However, many health Web sites ask you to “subscribe” or “become a member.” In some cases, this may be so that they can collect a user fee or select information for you that is relevant to your concerns. In all cases, this will give the site personal information about you.

Any credible health site asking for this kind of information should tell you exactly what they will and will not do with it. Many commercial sites sell “aggregate” (collected) data about their users to other companies–information such as what percentage of their users are women with breast cancer, for example. In some cases they may collect and reuse information that is “personally identifiable,” such as your ZIP code, gender, and birth date. Be certain that you read and understand any privacy policy or similar language on the site, and don’t sign up for anything that you are not sure you fully understand.

10. How does the site manage interactions with visitors?
There should always be a way for you to contact the site owner if you run across problems or have questions or feedback. If the site hosts chat rooms or other online discussion areas, it should tell visitors what the terms of using this service are. Is it moderated? If so, by whom, and why? It is always a good idea to spend time reading the discussion without joining in, so that you feel comfortable with the environment before becoming a participant.

This publication is adapted from a fact sheet produced by the National Cancer Institute. It is not copyrighted and it is in the public domain.

• Anise: repel nightmares
• Basil: protection & psychic dreams
• Bay: wisdom & clairvoyance
• Catnip: relaxing
• Chamomile: peaceful sleep
• Dill: promotes sleep
• Hops: healing & restful sleep
• Lavender: peaceful sleep & clairvoyant dreams
• Marjoram: relieves depression
• Mint: vivid dreams
• Mugwort: visions & prophetic dreams, aids in remembering dreams
• Rose: peaceful, happy dreams & clairvoyance
• Rosemary: to avoid nightmares & headaches
• Thyme: peaceful sleep, psychic powers & attracting faeries
• Valerian: deep rest

Herbal Dream Pillows by Mystic Naturals

Health Benefits, Brewing & Varieties

Green tea is much more than just a refreshing beverage tea; it provides many proven health benefits as well. The Chinese and Japanese have enjoyed green tea’s healing qualities for thousands of years but it hasn’t been until recently that scientific research has proven the health benefits of drinking green tea.

All teas (green, black, and oolong) are harvested from the same plant (Camellia sinensis). The method of processing creates the different types. Green tea contains the highest content of various antioxidant compounds (polyphenols) that have been proven as beneficial in fighting certain cancers, to help lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure, to help prevent food allergies, to reduce the risk of flu and infections, and to reduce the effects of aging. Vitamins C and E and beta carotene are also prevalent in green tea. Enough fluoride is found in green tea to help reduce plaque formation and bacterial infections in the mouth. The caffeine content found in green tea is about a quarter to an eighth that of coffee and less then a can of cola but varies with the brewing time.

Green teas are as varied and unique as wines. Their uniqueness depends upon the growing region, the season’s weather, time of harvesting and type of processing. Many varieties are available in multiple grades. Some exotic teas are picked only one day a year! The majority of green teas come from Japan, China or India. Processing of the tea varies between the different regions so this is just a basic overview. The finest teas come from the most aromatic, young, top two leaves and the unopened leaf bud of the plant. After picking, the green leaves are spread out in the hot air to wither. Once they are soft, they are traditionally pan-fried in woks. In Japan, they may be steamed. This prevents the leaves from oxidizing (fermenting) as occurs in black tea. The leaves are then rolled to give them durability, their characteristic shapes: twisted, curly or balled, and as a means to regulate the release of natural substances and flavor when steeped. The final step dries the leaves by firing. This stabilizes the natural fragrances and flavors and preserves the green color. The objective of processing the tea leaves into green tea is to preserve the healthy, natural and active substances.

Sometimes flowers are placed on the tea leaves during the drying process to impart a gentle floral flavor to the tea, such as the popular jasmine green tea.

There are hundreds of different green teas, most of which never reach the U.S. Some of the more common green teas are:

• Gyokuro - the finest green tea.
• Bancha - the “everyday” green tea of Japan. This tea is made from low-grade leaves, imparting a slightly astringent taste.
• Genmaicha - a tea made from a combination of usually bancha and roasted brown rice. Some of the rice pops during the roasting process like popcorn. This is a light tea with a slightly nutty flavor.
• Sencha - a delicate, sweeter, Japanese green tea with needlelike leaves available in many grades.
• Kukicha - a mild Japanese tea made from the twigs or stems of the tea bush.
• Gunpowder - a stronger Chinese tea rolled into tight pellets originally to preserve freshness during the long trip from China to Europe.
• Dragonwell - a favorite Chinese tea with flat, long leaves.

Some of the more exotic and expensive green teas have such interesting names as: White Monkey Paw, Dragon Pearls, Lucky Dragon, Jasmine Dragon Tears and Bird Nest.

So, for those of you who have tried green tea and just don’t care for the taste, give it a second chance. Green tea requires a quicker brewing time from most teas to keep it from becoming bitter tasting. Use approximately one teaspoon of tea per cup of water. Bring your water to just under a boil or boil and let sit for 5 minutes before pouring over the tea. Green tea only needs a brewing time of one to two minutes before removing the tea leaves from your cup or pot. Adjust the quantity of tea or length of brewing to suit your taste. The used tea leaves can actually be reused for a second cup of tea, just brew about 20 seconds longer. Green tea can also be brewed with other herbs such as ginger, peppermint, lemon balm or jasmine flowers to change the flavor yet still reap the health benefits.

Take a few minutes, brew up a cup of this ancient healing tea and contemplate life while your body enjoys the gentle health benefits. A wonderful supplier of organic green teas is Mountain Rose Herbs. I’ve been very happy with the high quality of their products.

Related Articles - Green Tea

An excellent article about Green Tea
From Wikipedia, the free encylopedia - Covering the history of green tea, Chinese green teas, Japanese green teas, other green teas, health benefits of green tea, the Japanese tea ceremony, additional links and references. Includes complete descriptions & photos of the different types of green teas.

Health Benefits of Green Tea provided by Celestial Seasonings
Includes green tea research links, Q & A

Links to scientific papers on the Health Benefits of Green Tea
Provided by Google Scholar - very cool!

Search for News Articles about Green Tea
Provided by Google News

UK Tea Council - Tea 4 Health
Tea4health is dedicated to bringing you the facts about the health giving properties of the world’s favourite drink. If you need questions answered about tea and health, or if you want to know why drinking at least 4 cups of tea a day is good for your health, then look no further – this site provides a wealth of information that will help you.

 The mission statement for United Plant Savers (UpS) states:

“United Plant Savers’ mission is to protect native medicinal plants of the United States and Canada and their native habitat while ensuring an abundant renewable supply of medicinal plants for generations to come.”

Their website is full of articles, news, images, events, links, membership information, and more. Take a little time to visit the United Plant Savers and consider a membership to help support their wonderful efforts to preserve medicinal plants. 

From the United Plant Savers website:

At-Risk Medicinal Plants

• American Ginseng - Panax quinquefolius
• Black Cohosh - Actaea racemosa (Cimicifuga)
• Bloodroot - Sanguinaria canadensis
• Blue Cohosh - Caulophyllum thalictroides
• Echinacea - Echinacea spp.
• Eyebright - Euphrasia spp.
• False Unicorn Root - Chamaelirium luteum
• Goldenseal - Hydrastis canadensis
• Lady’s Slipper Orchid - Cypripedium spp.
• Lomatium - Lomatium dissectum
• Osha - Ligusticum porteri, L. spp.
• Peyote - Lophophora williamsii
• Slippery Elm - Ulmus rubra
• Sundew - Drosera spp.
• Trillium, Beth Root -Trillium spp.
• True Unicorn - Aletris farinosa
• Venus’ Fly Trap - Dionaea muscipula
• Virginina Snakeroot - Aristolochia serpentaria
• Wild Yam - Dioscorea villosa, D. spp.

To-Watch List

• Arnica - Arnica spp.
• Butterfly Weed - Asclepias tuberosa
• Cascara Sagrada - Frangula purshiana (Rhamnus)
• Chaparro - Casatela emoryi
• Elephant Tree - Bursera microphylla
• Gentian - Gentiana spp.
• Goldthread - Coptis spp.
• Kava Kava - Piper methysticum (Hawaii only)
• Lobelia - Lobelia spp.
• Maidenhair Fern - Adiantum pendatum
• Mayapple - Podophyllum peltatum
• Oregon Grape - Mahonia spp.
• Partridge Berry - Mitchella repens
• Pink Root - Spigelia marilandica
• Pipsissewa - Chimaphila umbellata
• Spikenard - Aralia racemosa, A. californica
• Stone Root - Collinsonia canadensis
• Stream Orchid - Epipactis gigantea
• Turkey Corn - Dicentra canadensis
• White Sage - Salvia apiana
• Wild Indigo - Baptisia tinctoria
• Yerba Mansa - Anemopsis californica

Organic is always the best, right? As an herbalist, I have mixed views.

First, let’s define the three different growing classifications for herbs.

Commercial: These plants are farm raised, non-organically. Typically fertilizer, herbicides and pesticides are used. Produces nice, large plants, but laden with chemicals that have been absorbed into the plant. Why would we use these medicinally? We would be taking in additional toxins into our bodies.

Organic: These plants have been cultivated by natural means on unpolluted land without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. Hopefully they have not been fumigated, irradiated, or genetically altered.

Wildcrafted:These plants have been grown wild in nature without human intervention and ideally have been harvested following wildcrafting guidelines (see end of article).

Plants, just like humans, are living organisms and thus have an energetic life force. Plants living in their own environment undergo stress due to too dry or too wet conditions, competing plants, insects, etc. but these natural conditions make for a plant with more vital energy.

“Generations of herbalists have emphasized the quality of wild versus cultivated plants. This bias was not based on plant constituency, which is often higher in cultivated species, but rather on the energetics of wild plants. There is a spirit, and energy inherent in wild things, both fauna and flora, that is apparent to anybody who has visited the last remaining wilderness areas of this country. That essence is hard, if not impossible to capture.” - Planting the Future: Saving Our Medicinal Herbs - ed. Rosemary Gladstar

Organically cultivated medicinal herbs are pampered. They are raised under the ideal growing conditions and soils. Watered when needed, naturally fertilized, weeded and treated with organic pesticides. Healthy? Yes, but without out the stress “to be all they can be.”

However, as medicinal plants are becoming more and more popular, some wildcrafting practices are placing a great burden on the wild plant populations. Commercial over harvesting is wiping out many species of medicinal plants. It is important to follow wildcrafting guidelines and not collect threatened or endangered species. Wildcrafting is a great way of connecting with the spirit of the plants and nature before using them for your medicine making. For plants that are at-risk or on the to-watch lists, organically cultivated is the only way to go.

“But let us not make a reactionary mistake of construing wildcrafting as something negative. It is not in the least; it is an herbal art and a craft that commands respect when performed by a skilled artist and craftsman. Pursued with intelligence and understanding, wildcrafting is a process of harvest pruning, which when practiced knowledgeably never exploits or diminishes wild plant communities, but instead supports and enhances them. What is needed is not condemnation of this ancient, honorable craft, but more well-trained teachers and fervent, plant-loving students.”

The Herbal Medicine Maker’s Handbook: A Home Manual by James Green

So are organic or wildcrafted herbs better? I feel it depends upon the circumstances. 

Wildcrafting Guidelines

• Always gain permission from landowner.
• Positively identify the plant.
• Never collect plants that are endangered or at-risk for the area.
• Collect plant in the proper growing phase.
• Pick on a sunny day after the morning dew but before hot sun.
• Do not “ring” a tree if taking bark.
• Never collect more than 15% of the species in any given area.
• Never take more plants than you will use.
• Leave the area undisturbed, do not damage other plants or disrupt the earth.
• Always leave largest and smallest members of the community. Take only from the middle growth.
• Never collect plants located close to highways or industrial areas.
• Never collect from areas with livestock, or downstream from livestock if collecting streamside.
• Do not collect in areas of known pesticide use or possible chemical contaminants.
• Take care of your harvest immediately.

We are connected with all living beings. Adding in some spirituality during collection is a nice way of honoring the plants. Show respect and graditude to the plant for giving itself to create a healing medicine by connecting with the plant, ask permission and offer thanks.

“Ritual helps you allow yourself to function at an altered state of knowing and receptivity.”  ~James Green

Apple cider vinegar has amazing health and healing properties. The best type is organic, naturally brewed, unfiltered and unpasteurized versions of apple cider. Filtered, pasteurized vinegar does not have healing properties. The most recognized brand is Bragg’s, which is available in most health food stores. Natural apple cider vinegar should be a rich, brownish color and if held to the light you might see a tiny formation of “cobweb-like” substances, called the “mother,” which are strand-like enzymes of connected protein molecules.

The use of apple cider vinegar for healing is not new, in fact it was used by Hippocrates (the father of medicine) in 400 B.C. and as far back as the Egyptians in 3000 BC. It contains naturally occurring antibiotic and antiseptic properties which fight germs and bacteria.

Natural apple cider vinegar is full of vitamins and minerals including: potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, chlorine, sodium, sulfur, copper, iron, silicon, fluorine, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, provitamin beta-carotene, and vitamin P.

So, just what does natural apple cider vinegar do?

It assists in creating a proper functioning metabolism, aids in weight loss, boosts the immune system, reduces joint stiffness, reduces muscle pain from exercise, reduces cholesterol, regulates water within the body and reduces water retention, reduces excess sodium, reduces excess mucus, helps to regulate blood pressure, assists in blood circulation, cleanses the blood, inhibits unfriendly bacteria, increases concentration and memory, regulates body temperature, and increases vitality and energy. Natural apple cider vinegar aids the liver in detoxifying the body and helps to digest rich, fatty, greasy foods (which you shouldn’t be eating anyway!), and promotes the proper metabolizing of proteins, fats and minerals.

Add natural apple cider vinegar to your daily routine (the taste isn’t all that bad) and quickly notice all the changes in your body. It really does boost metabolism, vitality and a sense of well being within a couple of days. Being healthy on the inside shows on the outside as well.

And as an added bonus, according to Chinese medicine, “vinegar is warming, it creates a temporary warming circulation of energy (qi) in the body and removes stagnant blood. It can quickly alter emotional stagnation as well — bad moods will usually disappear a few moments after taking vinegar.” (from Healing With Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition)

Typically 2 - 3 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in 8 oz. of water is taken 3 times per day, before meals. A little honey can be added to sweeten the taste if needed.

For more information, Patricia Bragg has written a book which has sold over 7 million copies: Apple Cider Vinegar: Miracle Health System

“The rise in nutritional awareness occurring at a rapid pace in the West has elements of Far Eastern traditions, in which a balanced diet has been integral to health and enlightenment practices for millennia. This book is a synthesis of vital elements of Eastern and Western food practices and philosophies. Experiencing such an East/West union brings one into fresh areas of awareness and can lead to renewal in all areas of life.” ~Paul Pitchford

Food is energetic, it can effect our bodies either in a negative or positive way. We’ve all heard the expression, “You are what you eat.” Processed foods, sugar, alcohol, caffeine, artificial flavorings, fats, and meats are not energetically “alive” and thus effect our bodies in a negative way, leading to eventual dis-ease. Whole foods, fresh fruits and vegetables still have their life force energy and by eating these foods, are bodies absorb their vibrant energy.

The same theory applies to the preparation of the food as covered in the chapter “Vibrational Cooking.”

“There is an invisible energy imparted to the food by the cook that effects everyone who partakes of it. It is helpful to be aware of what your intentions are. The appearance, taste, balance, and presentation of food and the way everyone feels after eating are reflections of your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual state.” … “Cooking can be a time of self-reflection. When you feel yourself becoming unbalanced, you have an opportunity to change your condition simply through the cooking process. Just be mindful of what you want to accomplish and concentrate on the food and how you want to prepare and serve it. Most likely, you will change and enjoy cooking, and the meal will be quite pleasurable.”

Living in the present, the Now.

From the back cover:

“Healing with Whole Foods brings together authentic traditions of Asian medicine with current Western research and nutrition to create the most detailed sourcebook available on planning and preparing an optimal diet. This comprehensive reference work features:

• Current guidelines on nutrition basics, such as the protein/vitamin B12 group, fats and oils, sugars and sweeteners, water, salt, seaweeds, “green foods” (micro-algae and cereal grasses), calcium, oxygen, and other nutritional concerns.
• Clear discussions of the Chinese healing arts applied to physical and emotional conditions, including the Eight Principles (Six Divisions of Yin and Yang), Five Elements, and syndromes of the internal organs.
• Information on making a gentle transition from a diet based on animal products to one centered on whole grains and fresh vegetables. Over 300 hearty, purely vegetarian (vegan) recipes, as well as the healing properties of plant and animal foods.
• Sections on weight loss, heart and vascular renewal, female health, digestive problems, candida yeast infections, root canals, food combining, fasting, children, pregnancy, and aging. Includes insights from Ayurvedic medicine of India.
• Detailed “Regeneration Diets” and herbal treatments for cancer, arthritis, mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse, AIDS, and other degenerative conditions. Also features a “Parasite Purge Program” tailored to specific body types.”

This is a fascinating and easy to read book for anyone interested in bringing their body back to a state of wholeness.