an exerpt from "The Mindscape of Alan Moore"

"Quitting my day job and starting my life as a writer certainly was a tremendous risk.
It was a fool's leap, a shot in the dark.
But anything of value in our lives- whether it be a career, a work of art, a relationship- will always start with such a leap. And in order to be able to make it, you have to put aside the fear of failing and the desire of succeeding. You have to do these things completely purely without fear, without desire.
Because things that we do without lust or result, are the purest actions that we shall ever undertake."


Sunday, November 9, 2008

A natural kick-ass cold remedy

Well, here I am 4 days into my relationship with some fairly gentle cold-bugs, and they don't show any sign of wanting to break-up with me anytime soon. Though I have gently urged them to go bug someone else by simply taking better care of myself, they aren't taking the hint. So today I am stepping up my game and have concocted a killer evacuation recipe. These are the starring ingredients and their healing properties:

Ginger: Similar to garlic, ginger is a great immune booster. Additionally, it can be used for calming upset tummies, aiding digestion, and stimulating blood circulation.

Lemon: We all know lemons are packed with the immune-boosting Vitamin C, but the acidic nature also acts as a powerful body cleanser.

Honey: Aside from being the sweet addition to the brew that makes the medicine go down, the medicine go dooooowwn....it is a great bug-killer, i mean anti-bacterial agent. ;)

Cayenne: One site I visited claims that cayenne, or specifically the herb Capsicum, has the most healing properties of any herb out there. In terms of healing a cold, it is effective due to a)it's vitamin c content, b) it's role as a stimulant that loosens up phlegm or mucous making it easier for the body to expel, as well as c) triggering the release of endorphins into your system, promoting the body's innate healing abilities.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Another powerful source for healing many different ailments, including hangovers! It is best used for detoxifying your liver, and cleansing the body of pollutants, while restoring the bodies minerals and nutrients. (trust me- it's worth looking into and then buying for your kitchen cupboard!).

In a pot with water, I added thinly sliced pieces of ginger (2inch chunk) and the juice of one lemon and let it simmer for about 15 min. After straining the liquid into my mug, i added apple cider vinegar, honey and a dash cayenne. mmmmmyummmmmy....



I strongly urge all of you to opt for natural remedies this season, rather than taking the apparent "easy-out" option of antibiotics (or other prettily packaged and highly marketed pharmaceuticals). Not only do they kill all the good bacteria as well as the bad, they actually educate bacteria on how to evolve and become stronger, thus rendering all of us more susceptible to infections.

Another great natural remedy to add to your arsenal is Oregano Oil. It's a highly concentrated tincture that contains Carvacol, one of the strongest antiseptics known to man. In general, the oil can be used externally and internally as an anti-fungal, anti-bacterial or anti-viral aid, and contrary to with pharmaceuticals, the invading pathogens cannot build-up an immunity to it. These days Oil of Oregano can be found at Shopper's and Loblaw's, as well as your typical alternative medicine depots. Check it!

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