NON-ESSENTIALS
Feature: Pimple Perplexions
Two Basics
* Aerobic exercise and physical activity are beneficial if you have acne.
* A healthy diet contributes to overall skin health.
-PlanetR Web site
The Case for the Face
By Dr. Koger
Contrary to popular opinion, pimples are not always a result of eating sweets or oily foods. A person's tendency to have a problem with pimples could be genetic-not food related. Pimples and oily skin have a lot to do with hormones (that's why pimples are sometimes more of a problem during adolescence, because there's an abundance of hormones on the loose) and the blood, and it can often be hereditary. That's also why some people have perfect complexions and others seem to constantly battle with pimples, even though they avoid sweets and oily foods like the plague.
Some people are allergic to sweet foods or chocolate, and eating these things can cause pimples, as an allergic reaction. And in some cases, pimples are caused or aggravated by the food that you eat. Look at Mama Maria [when she first joined]. She had a bad case of acne, but when she stopped eating sweets her complexion completely cleared. But in many cases, pimples aren't caused solely by what you eat. Of course, eating well and having a good and healthy balanced diet contributes to overall skin health and does help in your fight for clear skin, even if certain foods aren't the sole cause of your pimples.
Everyone is different, and as with all health remedies and tips, there's nothing that will work for everyone. Everyone's body is different and responds differently to treatments, so you really have to pray and find out the cause of your pimples. Is it hereditary? In the blood? A change in hormones? An allergic reaction to a type of food? Too much oil or sweets in your diet? Or because you need to pay more attention to keeping your face clean? Then once you know the cause, you can work on finding the solution. You may have to try different things to find what works for you, but don't give up.
In all cases, no matter what the cause, a big part of the solution is keeping your face clean. You don't want to use harsh soaps or cleansers, because these will damage your skin further and cause you to break out in more pimples. There's no across-the-board rule as to what products to use, because every person's skin is different. You just have to pray and find out what works for you. But you do want to keep your face and pores clean, which will help prevent pimples and keep them at bay. Keeping your hair clean is a good thing too, because oil and dirt from your hair can get in your pores and clog them, thus causing more pimples or blackheads.
Getting good sound sleep, as well as vigorous exercise, helps to keep your skin healthy, clear, fresh, and bright. Drinking lots of water helps too. Water flushes your body of toxins that might otherwise come out through your pores.
Hands Off!
By Paula Begoun, The Beauty Bible
Over-squeezing, picking, digging, scraping, or poking at pimples may be hard to resist, and you may think it speeds healing, but in fact it sets you up for more problems. Bacteria from your hands or from a non-sterile needle or pin can easily get in your skin, leading to more pimples. Creating scabs and constantly re-injuring the lesion increase the likelihood of scarring. There is nothing wrong with gentle squeezing to remove a blemish's contents, but unless you are extremely careful you will create more problems than you started with.
More Personal Face Tips
By an SGA woman, WS
If I don't have chocolate my face is fine, but if I even just have a little bit, I can usually expect several pimples to break out within the next day or two. The same goes for other high-sugar foods. I guess people just have to know what their body can take and what it can't.
I started noticing the effect sugar had on my body when I was about 12 years old. We had provisioned a lot of marmalade, which had a very high sugar content. I didn't eat it in excess, just a reasonable spread on my bread, but it had a terrible effect on my skin. I cut it out of my diet, and I found that I didn't have much problem with spots. Of course it's difficult to cut certain ingredients out of your diet just to accommodate your complexion, but it makes a difference for me. Fortunately I prefer savory snacks to sweet, so I don't find the sacrifice too great, and I do indulge every now and then.
I used to have horrible spots on my back too, to the point that I was too self-conscious of wearing shirts that showed my back. But I found the cure for that was moderate sun exposure, as my back always did better in the summer. Once I hit four winters in a row, due to my travels, and my back was in pathetic condition, painful and ugly. When I finally moved to a climate where I was more exposed to the sun, my back healed up, and I haven't had much problem with it since.
I found that my skin did the best when I stopped trying to dry it out. I went through a time period where I would scrub it, steam it, and wash it with every imaginable type of soap, but finally I stopped and just started washing it once every day or two with soap and warm water. I started putting a cream base, which doesn't have added perfumes, oils or colorants. It really worked, and though I had occasional pimples, it was probably the time my face did the best.
Another thing that does affect skin is the water type-I found that hard water was very rough on my skin.
Where Did I Come From?
From Thrive Online Web site
Pimples develop when the greasy material that is produced by glands in our faces and elsewhere gets trapped, producing a whitehead. This material, called sebum, may then break out of the gland into the surrounding skin, and it is irritating, producing an inflammatory response which is the red pimple. The material can also become infected.
Studies have pretty much debunked the theory that chocolate, or any other foods, plays much of a role in getting pimples. (Note: Though there is a balance to this statement. See previous message from Dr. Koger.) Hormones, the amount of sebum you produce, and whether your glands become easily plugged up are much more important factors.
A Simple Cure
By an SGA male, WS
I've had pimples ever since I was a young teen, and had always heard they were caused by what I ate, but no matter how vigilantly I shunned greasy foods and sweets, it didn't seem to help much-if at all (of course, eating well would have kept my health in other ways). However, just recently I discovered that the foods that I eat don't affect my complexion; it has much more to do with how faithful I am to wash my face and hair. I've found that by washing my face and hair every day, my pimples are significantly less. If I miss a day or so, I notice the difference.
Bar soaps don't work very well for me and tend to clog my pores, but using a good facial scrub does the trick. If you have sensitive skin a facial scrub might be too harsh, though, so you'll have to pray and see what works for you.
Make-at-Home Pimple Helpers
From Natural Beauty for All Seasons
Oatmeal Scrub for Blackheads
Oatmeal is an excellent skin cleanser, the lemon juice is a mild astringent, and the olive oil softens the blackheads so they leave the skin easily.
2 tbsp fine oatmeal (blended or ground with mortar and pestle)
4 tbsp/60 ml buttermilk or plain yogurt
1 tbsp/15 ml lemon juice
1 tbsp chopped parsley
1 tsp/5 ml olive oil
1. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Slowly spread the paste over your face with your fingertips.
3. Rinse off the mixture with tepid (warm) water.
4. Splash your face with cold water, and leave to dry naturally.
Oatmeal Honey Scrubbing Cream
˝ cup uncooked oatmeal
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp ground almonds (optional)
1. Combine all in a glass or enamel bowl.
2. Steam face or lay warm washcloth on face for 1 min. Apply mixture to your face, avoiding the sensitive area around eyes.
3. Let dry on skin completely. If your skin is young and firm, you can gently rub dried mixture off with a clean terry washcloth or towel. Lean over sink and rub face in brisk but gentle circles with the cloth.
4. Rinse with warm water, pat dry and apply facial cream.
Anti-blemish Night Cream
The lactic acid in the yogurt combats bacteria, and tea tree oil is a renowned treatment for pimples and blemishes.
2 tbsp/30 ml plain yogurt
1 tsp/5 ml lemon juice
2 drops tea tree oil
1. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Spread the mixture over your face with your fingertips last thing at night.
3. Rinse your face with warm water in the morning.
[IN A BOX:]
My skin is very sensitive, even though my face is oily and prone to pimples of all sorts. So when I tried leaving yogurt on my face overnight, it became red and itchy. It was just too strong. So if your skin in sensitive, you could try just leaving yogurt (or this mixture) on until it dries, and then rinse it off.
-FGA woman
[BOX:]
Tea Tree Oil: The tea tree is a small, shrubby tree native to New South Wales, Australia, that has only recently gained attention in other parts of the world. Tea tree oil is extracted by steam or water distillation from the leaves and twigs. It is non-toxic and non-irritant, but nonetheless has powerful antibacterial properties. It can be used with great effect to treat oily skin, pimples, acne, rashes, cold sores and warts. It can also be added to toothpaste.
[END OF BOX]
More Tricks to Try…
* To loosen and cleanse blackheads, make a paste of oatmeal, honey and an egg white. Apply to the skin, massage for 10 minutes, then rinse with tepid water.
* Beat an egg white stiff. Add 1 tsp honey and with a cotton swab apply on the face and leave for half an hour. Rinse with warm water and pat it dry.
* Heat honey slightly and apply to face, tap face gently with your fingers.
Wash honey off with warm water, then rinse with cool water. A bit of wheat germ may be added to the honey before applying.
* To loosen blackheads, combine equal parts baking soda and water in your hand and rub gently on your skin 2-3 minutes. Rinse with warm water, and follow up with 1 tsp cinnamon powder mixed with 1 tsp lemon juice, if desired.
* Keep some fresh cinnamon powder in a tightly sealed bottle. Mix a little powder with water and apply this only on pimples. Wait for some time and wash your face. Do this for at least 10 days.
* Take ripe, mashed papaya and apply on pimples.
* Grind mint leaves and apply on pimples. Wash after 5 minutes.
* Breakouts can be controlled by applying wine with a cotton ball, white wine for fair skin, red wine for darker complexions.
* Use an infusion of fresh parsley to wash the skin.
* Garlic has well known antibiotic properties making it an excellent treatment for pimples and acne. Apply peeled, mashed garlic cloves to pimples and other skin blemishes.
* Blotchy skin: Make a mixture of 1 part apple cider vinegar and 8 parts water. Store in a decorative bottle in the bathroom. Rinse face 1-2 times a day with the solution.
[BOX:]
Emergency Blemish Treatment: Soak a cotton ball in warm salt water. Press it on the blemish for three minutes to dissolve the top. Dab on it a bit of honey. Leave 10-15 minutes. Rinse.
-From Natural Beauty
[END OF BOX]
Natural Remedies for Acne Vulgaris (Cystic Acne)
From Absolute Beauty
Description: Very oily skin, large pores, blackheads, large pus-filled pimples, deep scars.
* Take a weekly detoxifying bath using Epsom salts or ginger and rock salt.
* Exercise vigorously for a half-hour, three times a week to achieve sweating.
* For stubborn, large cysts, apply piece of warm onion two or three times a day to break it, but do not squeeze.
* Increase dietary fiber, including bran, fresh fruit, and produce. Drink fresh carrot, beet, or apple juice.
For blackheads:
* To loosen, add a pinch of Epsom salts to one cup of water. Dip cotton ball in mixture and wash face.
* Apply a mask of ground fresh parsley on oily area. Lie down for 10-15 minutes, then cleanse, nourish, and moisturize as usual.
The Water Way
By Paula Begoun, The Beauty Bible
Water is one of the least irritating things you can use on your skin. Although water is the gentlest substance used in cleaning the face, it is gentle only when it is tepid. Hot water can burn and irritate the skin, and cold water will shock and irritate the skin. If the goal is to be gentle (and it always is), then tepid water is essential.
Water is also frictionless, which is a very important reason to use it. When you splash your face with water, your hands glide over the face, keeping you from pulling or tugging at the skin. That means you can remove makeup without stretching the skin tissue. This can prevent irritation and reduce sagging.
JUST FOR FUN….
Simple Summer Soul Snacks
By Susie Michelle Cortright, Web reprint
* Just before dawn, take a moonlit hike. Then sit back at your destination and watch the sunrise from a new place.
* Make strawberry shortcake with real whipped cream.
* Go fishing.
* Escape with your spouse (or friend) and go boating on a lake or river.
* Take the kids horseback riding.
* Take a historic walking tour of your town or city. Learn about your city's heritage.
* Take the kids to the zoo.
* Hike through a nearby wildlife area or park.
* Sit back in a lawn chair with fresh iced tea.
* Take the kids on a bike ride.
* Visit your local farmers market.
* Bring a rocking chair onto the front porch and rock.
* Float down a river.
* Run through the sprinkler with your kids.
* Sit outside and paint your toenails.
* Eat raspberries.
* Host an outdoor tea party with your daughter and her friends.
* Find a petting zoo.
* Fly a kite.
* Head to the beach.
* Blow bubbles.
* Go inline skating.
* Dine al fresco. Set a table on the deck, front porch, or in the middle of your backyard. Outdoor dining doesn't have to mean paper plates. Use the dishes, light a few candles, and enjoy a glass of wine. Don't forget the centerpiece of fresh-picked flowers.
* Take the kids out for an ice cream cone. Take a walk while you enjoy this warm weather treat.
* Make sun tea.
* Enjoy the feminine flair of a sundress, sandals, and a straw hat.
* Sit on a park bench.
* Take off your shoes and run through freshly mown grass with the kids.
* Refrigerate a bottle of body spray, or make your own by adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil to a spritzer of water. Spray the cool mist on your face, the back of your neck, and the soles of your feet.
* Pack a picnic and go to the prettiest place you can think of.
* Visit a botanical garden.
* Treat yourself to a homemade fruit smoothie. Blend yogurt with your favorite fruits. Serve in an elegant wine glass or goblet.
* Take your camera along on a walk. Be on the lookout for peaceful moments you can capture with a photo.
* Round up the kids this evening, and head outside to watch the sunset. Focus on all of your senses. What do you see? How does the evening air feel against your skin?
* Curl up with your favorite pet for 10 minutes. If your dog loves fetch, head outside to throw a few Frisbees.
* Nap on a porch swing.
* Sit outside in your yard and practice some deep breathing exercises. Consciously relax each part of your body.
* Try not to think about what's going to happen Monday, or this afternoon, or even five minutes from now. Instead, turn your attention to the details of your life ... the way the sun feels on your face, the way your scalp feels when your hair blows in the wind, the way your children talk, the joy of spending time with your family.
* Appreciate nature. Whether you focus on the stars above, a distant mountain range, or the cottonwood tree in your backyard, try to notice the details.
* Sip an iced coffee or tea.
* Try putting scented powder on your sheets … so smooth to slip into!
(Dad:) The girl who compiled this list has gotten a lot of good and fun ideas together. Of course, there's a lot of things that all of you, the Lord's children, could add on there that would be equally relaxing, and would really feed your soul at the same time!
So to this list, I would just add this: There are many wonderful, relaxing, and "glorify God through His creation" type of ideas here-just remember to make them even more special by bringing the Lord into them. Instead of just sitting on the porch in the rocking chair, take some time to praise the Lord as you look at His beautiful creation. Take time for a little personal prayer time, or time loving Jesus, or fellowshipping with someone else.
And don't forget the greatest and most long-lasting "soul snack" of all-going out and searching for lost sheep and feeding and shepherding their hungry souls into the Kingdom. Summer witnessing is a great recreational activity with unbeatable results!
As you pray and put these fun ideas to use in your life, they will not only be a source of fun and relaxation, but can also draw you closer to the Lord and each other as well. Have fun!
* * *
HEALTH
Feature: Psoriasis-What It Is and What to Do
Kerosene Lice Cure Side Effect-Beware!
By Rachele, Ivan, and Hephzibah, USA
Misty has a severe case of psoriasis on her face and head. When she recently came down with infected kidneys, we went to see a doctor. He found that the psoriasis had resulted from using kerosene on her hair for lice treatment. Misty had been taking herbs to cleanse the kerosene out of her system, which drove the psoriasis out on her face and over-taxed kidneys, so they became infected. Misty knows at least one other person-now a teen-who also got psoriasis from kerosene. Please print a warning about this potential health problem, as its consequences are severe!
(Eve:) For some helpful tips and information on how to rid yourself of lice, please see KL #31:28-31.
What is Psoriasis?
From Microsoft Encarta, Medical Examiner Web site, and Yahoo Health
Psoriasis is a very common, chronic recurring disease of the skin, characterized by the appearance of plaques, patches, or papules on the skin surface. The lesions are usually slightly elevated above the normal skin surface, sharply distinguishable from normal skin, and red to reddish-brown in color. They are usually covered with small whitish-silver scales that adhere to the underlying eruption and, if scraped off, leave bleeding points.
The extent of the disease may vary from a few tiny lesions to generalized involvement of most of the skin. It is most commonly seen on the trunk, elbows, knees, scalp, skin folds, or fingernails, but it may affect any or all parts of the skin.
Normally, skin takes about a month for its new cells to move from the lower layers of skin up to the surface. In psoriasis, this process takes only a few days, resulting in buildup of dead skin cells and formation of thick scales.
It can appear suddenly or gradually. Psoriasis is characterized by frequent episodes of recurrences and remissions. Psoriasis seems to be an inherited disorder, and it appears to be related to the immune or inflammatory response. It almost never occurs in persons of naturally dark skin pigment, and the affliction is often seen in families. Psoriasis is not contagious.
What Causes Psoriasis?
From the National Psoriasis Web site and American Academy of Dermatology
The cause [of psoriasis] is unknown, though it is generally accepted that it has a genetic component. One in three people report a family history of psoriasis, but there is no pattern of inheritance. There are many cases in which children with no apparent family history of the disease will develop psoriasis. Recent discoveries point to an abnormality in the functioning of key white cells in the blood stream triggering inflammation in the skin. Because of the inflammation, the skin sheds too rapidly, every three to four days.
Psoriasis may be aggravated by injury or irritation (cuts, burns, rash, insect bites). Medications, viral or bacterial infections, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, lack of sunlight, overexposure to sunlight (sunburn), stress, general poor health, cold climate, vaccinations, infections, dry skin, and frequent friction on the skin are also associated with flare-ups of psoriasis.
How Is Psoriasis Treated?
The goal is to reduce inflammation and to control shedding of the skin. Moisturizing creams and lotions loosen scales and help control itching. Special diets have not been successful in treating psoriasis, except in isolated cases. Treatment is based on a patient's health, age, lifestyle, and the severity of the psoriasis. The most severe forms of psoriasis may require oral medications, with or without light treatment (see page 10).
In 1979 a successful treatment for severe, chronic psoriasis was introduced. It consists of first coating the skin with a dye that absorbs ultraviolet light and then shining ultraviolet light, on the painted area. Because this technique causes an increased incidence of mild skin cancers, it is reserved for severe cases of psoriasis.
Heavenly Insight on Psoriasis
By Dad
Psoriasis is so puzzling that it even has the medical professionals stumped. Even though it's a very common skin disorder that can become very serious and bothersome in the more serious cases, they still don't know exactly what causes it or what cures it. They have some ideas and theories, but nothing concrete.
There are many different causes of psoriasis, many different strains, and the degree of severity can vary greatly from person to person. What affects one person negatively might be the solution for the next guy, so regarding remedies you've really got to seek the Lord and ask for His help and guidance. If the Lord's shown you to ask a doctor for his advice, desperately claim the keys of anointing and wisdom for him, so that he'll get it right and won't be "experimenting" on you.
The same goes for any natural remedies you might try. What might be soothing and helpful for one person may irritate the skin of the next guy, so you've got to be desperate with the Lord. He may lead you to try a few things before you hit on what works best for you. Each person's skin is different, each case is different, and a lot depends on the severity of the psoriasis.
If you have this skin disorder, it is important to take care of it, to do what you can-and trust Jesus to do what you can't do. The Lord does have answers, and there are solutions. Even if it's not His will to completely heal you just yet, there are ways you can make it more bearable.
It's also important to have patience. This is a not an affliction that will naturally disappear overnight-unless the Lord sees fit to give you that instantaneous healing. It's probably going to take time, patience, and faithfulness with the healing regimen the Lord gives you. Don't get discouraged if you don't see dramatic improvement right away; if the Lord has shown you what to do, then keep at it. In time-even if it takes longer than you expected-you will see results if the Lord is in it.
Again, everyone is different. Some people will see pretty quick results to a treatment the Lord shows them to begin, but for others it will take longer. So the important thing is to ask the Lord for His plan for you and His timetable. If you don't see any results, ask the Lord if you should try something different, or if it's just a matter of waiting a little longer to see results.
If you pray and claim the Lord's power of healing through the keys, ask Him for His will for you, and follow through with what He shows you, you can be assured of relief and healing. His power to heal is just as real as ever-in fact, even more powerful now that we have the keys. Whether the healing process is instant or takes place over the duration of some time, you can be assured that He will heal you if you put your trust in Him and hold Him to His promises.
Natural Helpers
From the American Academy of Dermatology, Web MD, and Natural Health World
Sunlight: Sunlight exposure helps the majority of people with psoriasis, but it must be used cautiously. Daily, regular, short doses of sunlight (that do not produce sunburn) can clear psoriasis in many people. Vitamin D (in sunshine) aids in healing diseased tissue.
Fresh air and exercise: Plenty of fresh air and exercise promote healing. Deep breathing exercises have been found to stimulate the oxygen exchange, which rids the body of toxins.
Bath solutions: People with psoriasis may find that bathing in water with a natural oil added, then applying a moisturizer, can soothe their skin. Scales can be removed and itching reduced by soaking for 15 minutes in water containing a tar solution, oatmeal (500g oatmeal in a cloth bag in warm water-pat it over worst areas), Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate), or sea salt. Avoid the use of soap at the site. The drying of soap aggravates the symptoms.
One can also add one half cup of cider vinegar to the bath, as this restores acidity to the skin. In addition, research indicates baths with two tsp of ginger (freshly grated is best) added is beneficial. Baths with lavender (dried or oil), as the herb fights inflammation and heals the skin, have become more popular in recent years.
Sea salt water: The application of sea salt water on a cotton ball to areas affected, several times a day, can relieve the itching characteristic of psoriasis.
Moisturizers: When applied regularly over a long period, moisturizers have a cosmetic and soothing effect. Preparations that are thick and greasy usually work best because they hold water in the skin, reducing the scales and the itching. (For best absorption, apply moisturizer to still-damp skin.)
Shea butter: Its essential oils are a wonderful agent for revitalizing skin cells so that they regain their moisture retention capacity. Unrefined shea butter (a white fat from the seeds of the shea tree) not only contains a high moisturizing element, but also contains an extraordinarily high healing element and may be effective in dealing with psoriasis. After you have coated an area of your skin with shea butter, spend some time making sure that the shea butter works its way down under the surface of your skin. Move your fingers gently in a circular motion as you apply the shea butter.
100% emu oil: A very deep penetrating moisturizer that has anti-inflammatory and healing qualities.
Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is a popular natural way of treating psoriasis, eczema, and numerous other skin conditions. Over the years, there has been significant published medical evidence supporting the effectiveness of tea tree oil for these conditions. Tea tree oil is not only a potent antiseptic, it also aids in healing skin tissue and preventing scarring often associated with psoriasis. It also acts as an oil-controlling agent. Tea tree oil has the property to penetrate pus and by mixing with it, the pus liquefies which causes it to slough off, leaving a healthy surface. Apply directly to the affected area using a cotton swab.
Aloe vera: Aloe vera gel (100% in a bottle, or straight from the plant if you have one available) is primarily used externally for skin conditions such as psoriasis. The pure gel is clear, non-sticky, odorless, easily absorbed and can be used as often as required. The ability of aloe vera gel to promote healing and quell itching and pain may offer some relief to those who suffer from this troubling condition. In a recent study of 60 people with chronic psoriasis, 83% of those who applied aloe to lesions three times a day for eight months experienced substantial improvement.
Turmeric: Powdered turmeric mixed with water or aloe vera gel can be made into a paste and applied to inflamed and infected skin problems. This has been found successful when treating acne, eczema and psoriasis, although care should be taken with the amount of turmeric used because it can color the skin yellow.
[IN A BOX:]
Living up to two centuries, the shea tree bears fruit after 15 years and produces a full crop after 25 years. It grows mainly in West Africa, and can reach a maximum height of 15 to 20 meters. The shea tree cannot be cultivated. It blooms from June to July and bears dark green fruits which fall to the ground when ripe. Each fruit contains a nut with a hard white kernel, which is the source of the shea butter.
[END OF BOX]
[IN A BOX:]
100% emu oil: A very deep penetrating moisturizer that has anti-inflammatory and healing qualities.
The Australian Aborigines have been using emu oil for over a thousand years to help promote healing of almost every imaginable injury and ailment. Emu oil is rendered from a thick layer of fat on the emu's back, yielding 5-7 liters of unsaturated, non-toxic, highly penetrating oil.
[END OF BOX]
Honey-A Sticky Solution
By David Goding, Healthy Options Web site
Honey is a time-honored remedy for so many ailments. It is cleansing and antibacterial. The active compounds in honey kill pathogens (agents that cause disease), while its sugars help to stimulate the growth of new cell tissue and actually speed up the healing process-something antibiotics cannot do.
Honey acts as a natural germicide. Bacteria cannot survive within the honey. Honey can be used as a curative ointment or balm for ulcerations, burns, cuts, abrasions, rashes and skin infections. It has had proven success in treating skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, allergies and even insect bites. (Eve: Please note that the more pure, natural and unprocessed the honey, the better results you will get.)
Honey should be applied directly to the wound [or diseased skin], and then covered with a bandage. This "honey dressing" has the ability to reduce pain, inflammation, minimize scarring, kill bacteria infection and stimulate new growth of skin. The honey absorbs moisture through the process of osmosis; this prevents the formation of scabs and prevents dressings sticking to the wound.
Unprocessed or raw honey has the greatest healing properties. The enzymes that contain the most active components of honey are destroyed during heat processing and exposure to light.
(Dr. Koger:) Honey is a very soothing and relieving dressing for psoriasis, especially if the psoriasis is in the advanced stages and is covered in scabs and in very bad shape. A good time to apply the honey is before bed-do so generously, and cover it with a bandage. The honey will usually help to dislodge the scabs and begin the healing process.
But it's not enough to do it just once. You should repeat the treatment as often as you're able until you see further improvement. Applying a honey dressing, along with other supplemental treatments, can be very beneficial. For example, doing the honey dressing a couple of nights a week, as well as exposing the sores to mild sun for up to 20 minutes per day, and using some sort of natural oil or moisturizer-olive oil, aloe vera, or something similar.
And, like this article says, raw honey has the greatest healing properties. The purer the honey, the better results you'll get.
Diet Guidelines
From the National Psoriasis Foundation and Health 2000 Web sites
People with psoriasis benefit from a healthy lifestyle and eating habits, just like everybody else. Still, many people report that certain foods either aggravate or improve their skin.
Some foods that may be helpful include:
* Foods rich in essential fatty acids-deep sea fish (salmon, tuna, herring, sardines, mackerel), flax seed and flaxseed oil, walnuts, evening primrose oil, vegetable and nut oils (uncooked).
* Rye, avocado, whey, apples, cucumber, millet, whole grain rice, sprouts, prunes, pearl barley, vinegar, walnuts, squash, mung beans.
* Liver-cleansing foods-beets, carrots, artichokes, lemons, parsnips, dandelion, watercress, onions, garlic.
* Fresh vegetable and fruit juices (carrot, silver beet, parsley, celery, beet, pineapple, grape). Citrus fruits may aggravate symptoms in some individuals.
Some foods/substances you may want to avoid include:
* Hot sauces, fried foods, fatty foods, salty foods, spicy and stimulating foods, coffee, caffeine.
* Pork, processed foods, refined foods, hydrogenated fats (and food containing hydrogenated fats), white sugar.
* Tryptophan, NSAID, aspirin, biotin and vitamin C in high doses, ginseng, burdock, echinacea augustafolia, alacampane.
More on Psoriasis
By Lavon J. Dunne, Nutrition Almanac, Fifth Edition
Psoriasis is an acceleration in the growth of skin cells that results in patches of dry, scaly, itchy skin. The cause is unknown, although it tends to run in families. Stress is often a trigger and gluten in foods or alcohol can precipitate the condition in some individuals. A sluggish liver may also be a factor.
In studies, fish oil (in amounts equivalent to 5 oz of fatty fish daily) significantly alleviated symptoms. The oil in fish contains anti-inflammatory properties.
Saturated fats and omega-6 fatty acids should be limited in the diet as they have an inflammatory effect on the body.
Beneficial Nutrients
Vitamin C-1 g, an antioxidant
Bioflavonoids-work synergistically with vitamin C
Vitamin E-400 IU with mixed tocopherols, an antioxidant
Flaxseed oil-1 to 3 tbsp, can relieve symptoms, has anti-inflammatory properties
Vitamin A-50,000 IU, if deficient
Zinc-30 mg, if deficient
Beneficial Foods
Whole grains
Fatty fish
Salmon/Mackerel/Sardines/Albacore tuna
Fresh fruits
Figs
Olives
Fresh vegetables
Sauerkraut
Onion/Garlic
Carrots
Celery
Parsley
Ground flaxseeds
Yogurt
Extra virgin olive oil
Cold pressed canola oil
Fennel
Herbal therapy
Angelica-contains psoralens that inhibit cell division
Capsaicin (from red pepper)-cream, apply topically; alleviates redness, scaling, pain and itching
Chamomile-cream; has anti-inflammatory properties, alleviates symptoms
Milk thistle-2 capsules twice daily; cleanses liver, an anti-inflammatory
Oregon grape-an antioxidant, slows cell proliferation; can also be used topically
Burdock root-2 to 4 ml or 1 to 2 grams three times daily; blood purifier
Licorice-glycyrrhetinic acid-containing cream, has effect similar to that of topical hydrocortisone
His Healing Touch
Miraculously unburned: Recently, I was boiling tamarind (which is used to flavor an Indian dish called dhal). The water was bubbling and scorching hot when I switched it off. Instead of picking up the pot with a potholder, I unprayerfully picked up the nearest thing, which was a wet cloth.
My hand slipped, and the contents of the pot-including boiling pieces of tamarind-fell over the entire length of my hand. I was waiting for a surge of pain to come … but nothing happened!
I regularly visit patients in the burn ward of a nearby hospital. Many have very bad burns where their skin is completely peeled off after having being burned by hot water, the same temperature as was spilled on my hand. It was a total miracle-not only that there was no visible sign on my skin, but also that there was no pain. It felt like a supernatural experience, and really increased my faith for miracles of healing.
-Joy (of Indian Andrew), India
(Jesus:) This was a wonderful miracle, My brides. And as you praise and thank Me for it, let it also be a reminder of the danger of working in the kitchen and handling boiling water, oil, and other liquids. The Enemy walks about as a roaring lion, always seeking a way to get in and harm My children. Your best defense against him is to be on guard at all times and claim the keys of My protection, and I will guard you from harm and danger of every kind as you do your part.
[IN A BOX:]
Calling on the unlimited power of the keys is your greatest protection and assurance of safety.
Chronic cough gone: I had a chronic cough for over 20 years; it was so bad that people sometimes thought I had TB or some bad disease. I had my lungs checked, and they seemed to be okay, but my cough persisted. Two years ago, when my daughter was born, we prayed desperately for my healing. We didn't want our daughter to grow up with a father who was coughing all the time. As a newborn I wanted to spend time with her, but the doctors were recommending I didn't get too close, since we didn't know what my cough was all about. Anyway, we prayed, and the Lord totally healed me! I haven't coughed since my daughter was born. It's a miracle, which people who knew me before can probably testify to.
-Francis, Russia
Saved by the keys: I have had chronic bronchitis for a few years; every little cold would turn into a month of deep coughing and sickness. Recently I caught another cold, and started getting the bad cough and also a fever. I prayed desperately, claiming the keys. The next day, the fever was gone, the cough was almost nothing, and I felt so much better. In a couple of days I was back to full health.
-Dana (of Michal), Russia
Sample inspires more healing: Inspired by Dana's healing (see previous page), I decided not to just accept my sicknesses but take a stand of faith against them. I used to have problems with the veins in my legs; I had a hard time going to sleep at night, as my legs felt very heavy and tired. I wasn't able to relax them. It was especially difficult when I was pregnant. So I prayed, claiming the key promises. And from one day to the next, my legs stopped bothering me at night. They still get tired, but I don't have the same feeling of heaviness and unbearable pressure. TYJ!
-Virginia (of Ivan), Russia
Back to full health: I tend to have back problems, but a few days ago I really wanted to clean up the garden and make it nice. I had to move cases of bricks around, so by the end of the day my back was in terrible pain; the next day, it was even worse. Finally I asked for prayer, so everyone got together and prayed for me. Ten minutes later, the pain was completely gone! I was able to paint the furniture and do other things around the house. This really gave me the faith to pray for people when they are sick!
-Spring, Italy
The diminishing cyst: The Lord answered our prayers for the cyst that was in my right breast, and it has totally disappeared! I learned many lessons on obedience, both in the physical and in the spiritual, which I know were vital to my being healed. I also stuck strictly to the diet and vitamin supplements the doctor prescribed and the Lord confirmed for me (no meat, no chicken, lots of beans and soy, non-fat dairy products, lots of fresh veggies and fruits). When I went in for a check-up after three months on the diet, the cyst was still there and the doctor suggested a further vitamin treatment and to continue the diet until next December. But after prayer I strongly felt that the Lord needed more time to work. So I didn't buy the additional vitamins, and by a real miracle the cyst got smaller and smaller-and now has finally totally disappeared! TYJ!
-Mary, Brazil
A touch of healing: When I asked the Lord to heal my urinary tract infection, He told me He would do it, but that it would take time. I didn't want to take antibiotics, so I told the Lord I preferred Him to heal me instead of medicine, and I wanted to give Him the credit for my healing rather than the doctor.
So for two weeks I suffered from my disease. Sometimes I was tempted to buy the antibiotics to ease the pain, but the Lord helped me to stand my ground and say, "Jesus, I want You to get the credit." Then one night, exhausted from lack of sleep, I lay back on my bed-and He just healed me. I was back to normal again. Praise God!
-Ruth, Tahiti
[BOX:]
Heaven's gift of healing is at your disposal as you call on the keys.
[END OF BOX]
* * *
PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
[BOX:]
God uses humble little funny women to do one of the most important jobs there is next to soul winning-having babies! New eternal souls for God's Kingdom! (ML #990:107)
[END OF BOX]
FROM HEAVEN'S DOORS
Overcoming Fear and Obtaining Healing
By Jason and Michelle, Taiwan
When Michelle was five months PG, the doctor told her that the placenta was in the wrong place; the baby was not getting enough nutrition from the placenta (through the blood). He said there was a chance the baby might stop moving, and if that happened we should come to the hospital right away as this could endanger Michelle's life as well. The doctor also said the baby was about three weeks behind in growth.
When we heard all of this, we asked the Home and the area to pray for Michelle and the baby. When researching on the Internet, Michelle found a lot about the dangers of this condition, which was even more disturbing. Then we went to our Husband, for a "special analysis" from our Doctor of the universe. He told us that we shouldn't worry, and that the baby would come out whole. It was a long prophecy, where the Lord showed us how the doctors had to write their analyses in a certain stance, stating the worst to cover themselves in case they got sued, etc. He mentioned specifically that what Michelle needed was to go to bed earlier at night, get rest and sleep, and get the Word time she needed. If we took His prescription, He promised to do what we could not.
About a month later, the doctor noticed that the placenta was back where it should have been, and the baby was gaining ground.
During this time, we were pioneering a new Home. So when we moved to our new location in a new city, we needed to find a new doctor. A friend of ours recommended a local clinic, which turned out to be a real blessing. The woman doctor examined Michelle and said the baby was up to about 2.8 kilos (she had been very underweight, and the Family was praying for her to gain weight), and that Michelle should be able to have a natural delivery.
We credited these victories to the prayers of our brethren and the power of the keys, which we claimed every day at devotions. The previous doctor was pretty sure Michelle would need a cesarean, which would have been not only difficult but also very expensive.
On the day of the delivery, the baby came out perfectly whole, weighing 3.2 kilos (about 7 pounds)! The doctor was also very enthusiastic about our work (I was witnessing to her during the delivery), and she charged us a mere U.S. $15! Baby Marianne is alive and kicking-and of course, adorable!
We want to take this opportunity to thank our ever-loving and wise Husband, Who carried baby Marianne through it all, and Who guided us through the storms of apprehensiveness and fear. We want to also thank our sweet friends of the Emerald Home in Taiwan for their prayers and support, and the Riverside Home in Taiwan for helping to watch our children when Marianne was born. We believe that prayer and claiming the power of the keys is what brought Marianne and Michelle safely through the storm.
Here is a short excerpt from the prophecy we received when Michelle was five months PG:
(Jesus:) Look not at this affair in the eyes of man. For man looks literally at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart. Cheer up and see how the Enemy is trying to turn a good thing into an evil thing, taking that which is good and from My hand and a blessing in your life, and trying to make it look bad and take away your joy from Me.
Be not weary in well doing, and in seeking Me for faith, and claiming the Word and My keys of healing and safe delivery. What I have started, I will perform unto the end. So fear not, but rejoice and be happy. I have brought this one into the world, and I will do the miracle and deliver her into this world with smooth sailing and no complications.
His Strength Over Mine
By Letizia (of James), Italy
My childbirth testimony is not about how easy it was, but it is a testimony of how the Lord can give you "peace in the midst of the storm." Through it, I learned what leaning on the Lord's strength is all about.
My labor was quite long and intense, as I started having strong contractions right away, which were only five minutes apart. I went into labor at 1 AM, so I was already quite tired going into it. In the morning, when the midwife came to check on me, I found to my dismay that I was only 2 cm dilated! I had made no progress in eight hours of labor.
I got quite discouraged after hearing this, so we decided to call all the Homes in the area and ask for desperate prayer. And it was the most amazing thing: No sooner had they started praying than I felt incredible peace sweep over me. It was amazing! Unlike anything I had ever felt. I knew it was the Lord. An hour later, when the nurse came to check on me, I had dilated to 4 cm.
I still had another eleven hours of labor ahead of me, but the whole time I felt this calmness surround me. It was quite a testimony to the midwives who came to check on me, as in all the other labor rooms the women were screaming and shouting. Whenever they came into my room they would say, "You're really good at this. You're really brave. You're having the longest labor, yet you're the calmest person." Each time I thanked the Lord for being there for me, as it isn't in my nature to be like that; I knew it was only Jesus.
Finally, at 8 PM I had the baby-right there in the labor room, as all the delivery rooms were occupied.
Through all this I learned that sometimes the Lord doesn't answer your prayers exactly the way you want Him to, because He wants to show you something even more special. In my case, He showed me that His strength is made perfect in my weakness-and I definitely prefer the Lord's strength to my own!
* * *
FITNESS
The Importance of Warming Up
By Peace Jubilee, Asia
My teen son kept spraining his ankles when going for get-out, and my dear co-worker suggested he may not be warming up enough before getting into the actual play. This brother had experienced in a previous Home that on the days when they didn't warm up, without fail somebody in their group would sprain an ankle or have some injury. I looked on the Internet to see what I could find, and found the following exercises.
Web reprints
Warming up: Muscles and tendons function best when they are warm and stretched to their maximum length prior to exercise. A warmed-up and well-stretched muscle will produce a stronger and more efficient contraction when required.
Guidelines: Stretches should never be painful. A sustained stretch of 15 seconds or longer is required. Repeat each stretch 3-4 times. Body position is of utmost importance.
Cooling down: Many forms of exercise involving repetitive actions or sustained postures result in muscles being tighter and less elastic at the end. Exercise also produces a lot of chemical waste products and fluids, which need to be reabsorbed from the area as quickly as possible. The cooling down process encourages a gradual return of the heart, metabolic, and respiratory rate to normal.
Guidelines: Stop at the first sign of tension. Hold the stretch for up to 1 minute. Ease off on the stretch if tension increases. Repeat 2-3 times.
Rehabilitation: Following injury, the body's natural healing processes leave the tissues shorter, less elastic, and on occasions adhered to other structures. Progressive stretching will reduce the shortening and loss of elasticity, and minimize the possibility of adhesions.
Guidelines: Stretch should be felt at the site of the injury without pain. Care must be taken with position and balance. Stretches should be held for 15 seconds in the early stages, and up to 2 minutes in the latter stages. Repeat stretches 4-6 times.
The Specific Steps of a Warm Up
An effective warm up for active sports or vigorous exercise has a number of important key elements. These elements, or parts, should all be working together to minimize the likelihood of sports injury from physical activity.
Warming up prior to any physical activity does a number of beneficial things, but its main purpose is to prepare the body for more strenuous activity. One of the ways it achieves this is by helping to increase the body's core temperature, while also increasing the body's muscle temperature. By increasing muscle temperature you're helping to make the muscles loose, supple, and pliable.
An effective warm up also has the effect of increasing both your heart rate and your respiratory rate. This increases blood flow, which in turn increases the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the working muscles. All this helps to prepare the muscles, tendons and joints for more strenuous activity.
Obviously, it's important to start with the easiest and most gentle activity first, building upon each part with more energetic activities, until the body is at a physical peak. This is the state in which the body is most prepared for the physical activity to come, and where the likelihood of sports injury has been minimized as much as possible. There are four key elements, or parts, which should be included to ensure an effective and complete warm up. They are: the general warm up, static stretching, the sports specific warm up, and dynamic stretching.
All four parts are equally important and any one part should not be neglected or thought of as not necessary. All four elements work together to bring the body to a physical peak, ensuring the athlete is prepared for the activity to come. This process will help ensure the athlete has a minimal risk of sports injury.
* General warm up: The general warm up should consist of a light physical activity. Both the intensity and duration of the general warm up (or how hard and how long) should be governed by the fitness level of the participating athlete. A warm up for the average person should take five to ten minutes and result in a light sweat. (For a lighter intended exercise, the warm-up period may be shorter.)
The aim of the general warm up is simply to elevate the heart and respiratory rate. This in turn increases the blood flow and helps with the transportation of oxygen and nutrients to the working muscles. This also helps to increase the muscle temperature, allowing for a more effective static stretch.
* Static stretching: Static stretching is a safe and effective form of basic stretching. There is a limited threat of injury and it is extremely beneficial for overall flexibility. During this part of the warm up, static stretching should include all the major muscle groups, and this entire part should last for about five to ten minutes.
Static stretching is performed by placing the body into a position whereby the muscle, or group of muscles, to be stretched is under tension. Both the opposing muscle group (the muscles behind or in front of the stretched muscle), and the muscles to be stretched, are relaxed. Then slowly and cautiously the body is moved to increase the tension of the muscle, or group of muscles, to be stretched. At this point the position is held or maintained to allow the muscles and tendons to lengthen.
This second part of an effective warm up is extremely important, as it helps to lengthen both the muscles and tendons, which in turn allows your limbs a greater range of movement. This is very important in the prevention of muscle and tendon injuries.
The above two elements form the basis, or foundation for a complete and effective warm up. It is extremely important that these two elements be completed properly before moving onto the next two elements.
* Sport-specific warm up: With the first two parts of the warm up carried out thoroughly and correctly, it is now safe to move onto the third part of an effective warm up. In this part, the athlete is specifically preparing their body for the demands of their particular sport. During this part of the warm up, more vigorous activity should be employed. Activities should reflect the type of movements and actions which will be required during the sporting event.
* Dynamic stretching: This final form of stretching carries with it a high risk of injury if used incorrectly, and should really only be used under the supervision of a professional sports coach or trainer. Dynamic stretching (involving a controlled, soft bounce or swinging motion to force a particular body part past its usual range of movement) is more for muscular conditioning than flexibility and is really only suited for professional, well-trained, highly conditioned athletes. Dynamic stretching should only be used after a high level of general flexibility has been established.
*
* Note: Please see also Eve #29, pgs.21-26 for more on this subject, including a great list of warm-up and stretching exercises.
Rules of Abdominal Workouts
By Myatt Murphy, Women's Health and Fitness Web site
You crunch, you grunt, you strain. So why aren't your abs flatter and firmer? Blame your technique. In the most popular crunch techniques, most exercises tend to isolate the wrong muscles. "The crunch is an effective tool in shaping a strong, tight midsection," says Len Kravitz, an exercise scientist at the University of Mississippi. "But only if you perform the exercise correctly, which few of us do." Here are the rules of abdominal workouts, based on Kravitz's findings.
Fold from the middle: Most people believe the object is to curl the shoulders off the floor and forward. But lifting the shoulders tightens the muscles of your upper back and neck, straining them unnecessarily. Instead, think of folding the body from the middle, not the top. Draw your ribs to your hips as if your midsection was an accordion.
Defy gravity: Letting yourself fall back down during the lowering phase is bad form. Slowing down as you return to the floor yields maximum results.
Don't go too far: After you raise your torso more than 45 degrees off the floor, you stop using the stomach muscles and start engaging the strong back and leg muscles to help pull yourself up. Curl up only until your shoulders clear the floor.
Isolate the abs: Drawing your legs to your midsection is a popular way to work the lower abs. However, most people end up working their hip flexors-the muscles responsible for raising your legs up-more than their stomach muscles. To deactivate the flexors, elevate your heels on a step or bench and dig them in as you crunch. This redirects your body positioning, so the effort stays concentrated on the lower abs.
Suck it in: Holding in your gut doesn't just make it look flatter; it can help make it flatter, too. Doing so helps to stabilize the hips to make the exercise more effective. And breathe normally, not forcefully.
Mix it up: Muscles can become accustomed to new routines, so vary the types of crunches you do for even more dramatic results. Now that's our idea of middle management!
Ab-solutely Necessary
By Ed Eyestone, Runners World Magazine
Since the abdominal muscles support the rest of the torso, men and women with strong abs have better posture, a more stable gait, and fewer low-back problems. Added bonus: Our abs also help us move our legs and shift our hips, so we derive more power from these actions when our abs are well developed.
Of course, doing a million sit-ups is no fun at all. And it's not too effective, either. Instead, you need an ab workout that targets the upper and lower abdominal muscles, along with the internal and external oblique muscles on either side of the abdomen.
Some of the best collegiate track teams have come up with such a workout. I like to call it "circuit abs," because it's a combination of abdominal exercises that rotate every 30 seconds. By rotating the exercises, you ensure all ab muscles get strong. And the variation in the exercises allows one group of abdominal muscles to recover while another group is worked. Circuit-ab workouts can be done every day. Here's how:
* Set your watch to beep every 30 seconds, and begin the first ab exercise.
* Do as many repetitions of the selected exercise as you can until the watch beeps.
* At the beep, switch to the next exercise, which should work a different part of your stomach.
* If you become fatigued before 30 seconds is up, simply rest until the next exercise begins.
* Start with just 6 minutes total.-Longer than that and you might have trouble getting out of bed the next day. Gradually work up to 12 minutes total.
There are many abdominal exercises besides the basic crunch. Here are just a few, along with the abdominal muscles they target. You can also invent you own.
Ins and outs (upper and lower abs): Lie on your back, hands at your sides or under your buttocks. Move through the following four positions: (1) legs extended and 6 inches off the ground; (2) legs bent and pulled toward the chest; (3) legs extended up to the ceiling; (4) legs bent and pulled toward the chest again.
Crossover crunches (obliques): Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. With your hands behind your head, raise your shoulders off the ground and twist toward your left knee. Lower to the starting position and repeat, this time twisting to your right knee.
Straight-leg flutter kick (lower abs): Lie on your back with your hands under your buttocks and both feet 6 inches off the ground. Keeping your legs straight, kick your feet in a flutter-kick motion.
The V reach (upper and lower abs): Lie flat on your back with your legs straight, heels just off the ground, and arms extended above your head. (Be careful not to arch your lower back.) Lift your legs while simultaneously raising your chest and reaching for your toes (your body makes a "V" shape). Return to starting position.
End your circuit-abs workout with the following stabilization exercise. Try to hold the position for 60 seconds, but don't be surprised if you shake after 30.
The stabilizer (entire abdominal area): Get into the pushup position, except with your body weight resting on your forearms instead of your hands. Push your body to the "up" position, tighten your stomach, and keep your shoulders, back, buttocks, and heels in a straight line. Now hold.
Cardiovascular Exercise
From Nature Immunology Online
While some people spend a lifetime trying to hide the fact that they produce sweat, new study findings suggest that the bodily excretion may be a lifesaver. It seems that sweat contains a potent germ-fighting agent that may lend a hand in fighting off infections.
What's more, German researchers have isolated the gene responsible for the compound. Investigators dubbed the gene-and the protein it produces-dermicidin. It can probably limit an infection very early. Sweating is in this way a first line of defense against infectious agents.
It seems that dermicidin is manufactured in the body's sweat glands, secreted into the sweat and transported to the surface of the skin, the report indicates. This is the first antimicrobial agent found which is produced by cells in the human skin and which is permanently produced-this means that it provides a constant protection against invading microorganisms.
The investigators found that dermicidin was active against many different types of bacteria. The findings indicate that human sweat contains at least one antimicrobial protein, which may play a role in the regulation of human skin microbes.
(Comment from Dr. Mercola, Optimal Wellness Center:) Exercise has many amazing benefits when it comes to preventing infections. I suspect that the dermicidin compound is likely not even the most profound effect that exercise has on the body.
When you exercise hard enough to sweat, your body temperature is obviously elevated. Many infectious agents are highly susceptible to slight increases in body temperature. This is one of the reasons why we get a fever when we are sick, as it helps the body defeat the invading organism.
So regular and consistent cardiovascular exercise, proper sleep and a good eating plan
Downsize Your Dinner Plate
From Prevention's 300 Secrets
So you're eating healthier than ever, but you're still not losing needed weight? Maybe you need to work out more. Or maybe you need to eat less. And let's face it: The former comes easier than the latter. Why? As kids we were taught to clean our plates, and old habits die hard.
Try this simple solution: If you've got trouble with portion control, use smaller salad or dessert plates instead of the large dinner plates for your meals. You won't be able to pile on as much food, so you'll eat less.
(Dad:) As Junior Lehman told me years ago at our dinner table once-I think he was talking to my mother, because she was pretty stout then. He said, "You know the best reducing exercise there is? I'd like to show you!" She thought he was going to perform some kind of callisthenics or what they call aerobics today, it's all the same thing, they've been doing it for years. She said, "Well yes, I'd like to see it, what is it?" And as she watched, all he did was to push himself away from the table! That's the best reducing exercise! Seconds look so tempting or snack time in-between meals, that trip down to the kitchen, it would be so good, especially with all these goodies that these cooks are making now! The best reducing exercise is ... (pushes away from the table!)-In other words, no! (ML #2082:15)
Just for Fun…
Everything I Know About Dieting I Learned on TV
By Dave Barry
One recent Tuesday morning I was flipping through the TV channels at a brisk, businesslike, no-nonsense pace, looking for cartoons, when I found myself caught up in a fascinating talk show. The theme of the show was: "Superstars of the Diet Wars." This was a debate among top diet experts, who felt so strongly about the correct way to lose weight that at times they came close to whacking each other over the head with their competing diet books.
Dieting was not always so complicated. Thousands of years ago, there was only one diet book, entitled "Don't Eat Too Much." It consisted of a big stone tablet on which were chiseled the words "DON'T EAT TOO MUCH!" It did not sell well, because nobody could lift it, on top of which everybody back then was busy with other concerns, such as not starving.
In modern days, however, food is abundant everywhere except aboard commercial airplanes. Dieting has become a huge industry involving many complex theories that can be confusing to the average layperson.
So let's review the History of Modern Diet Science:
The first big advance came in 1895, when a food researcher named Dr. Wilbur Calorie made the breakthrough discovery, while working late one night, that he could no longer pull his pants up past his thighs. After spending many hours in the laboratory squinting at fudge, Dr. Calorie concluded that people gain weight because certain foods contain tiny invisible scientific units that became known, in honor of their discoverer, as "Wilburs."
No, sorry, I mean "calories." For decades, everybody operated on the Calorie Counter Theory of dieting, which basically states that you should never eat anything that tastes good. Then along came a new theory, the Evil Fat Theory, which states that you can have calories, but you should not have fat. This resulted in the multibillion-dollar Low-Fat Things Industry, which gave us low-fat brownies, low-fat Milk Duds, low-fat cows, low-fat cologne, the cast of the TV show "Friends," etc.
But there is another major theory that says you can eat all the fat you want, but you can't have carbohydrates.-You can snork down an entire pig for breakfast, but eat a single Froot Loop and you will bloat out like a military life raft. The Evil Carbohydrate Theory is extremely hot at the moment, as is evidenced by the top-selling diet books, which include "Carbohydrate Beaters," "Carbohydrate Busters," "Carbohydrate Whackers," "Let's Poke Carbohydrates in the Eyeball," and "Carbohydrates Kidnapped My Wife."
So it's hard for a dieter to know what to think, which is why it was so helpful for the talk show to hold a debate among the leading diet experts, including several medical doctors, several people with scientific initials after their names, and of course Suzanne Somers, who may yet win a Nobel Prize for her work on the ThighMaster, and who is now a top diet authority with a book out. It is only a matter of time before she thinks seriously about running for president.
So anyway, the diet experts debated their theories, and the talk-show host walked around frowning with the deep concern that talk-show hosts feel about everything. The audience provided feedback by holding up cards that said YES on one side and NO on the other. In between there were numerous commercials, most of which were for law firms that want to Fight For You, although there was also a thought-provoking one for a toilet cleanser.
Anyway, I watched the experts debate for an hour, and here's what I learned:
The (pick one: low-calorie/low-fat/low-carbohydrate) diet really works!
Whereas the (pick one: low-calorie/low-fat/low-carbohydrate) diet will probably kill you.
If you are a human being of any kind, you should file a lawsuit, because you have money coming like crazy!
Speaking of TV attorneys, toilet bacteria grow.
So there are the facts, consumers; it's now up to you to make an informed decision. Remember: It's your body. And, as such, it wants a hot dog.
* * *
SEX AND ROMANCE
How to Tell a Man You Like Him
By Susan Sawyer, eHow Web site
You think he could be Mr. Right, but at the moment he's just a friend. What could be more frustrating? Follow these steps to tell him how you feel.
1. Use body language to let a man know that you like him romantically. Hold his gaze with your eyes, or flash a dazzling smile in his direction.
2. Express intense interest by focusing your attention on him when you are with him.
3. Send signals of your romantic interest in him by flirting.
4. Create an opportunity to be alone together.
5. Be lighthearted about it. Tell him that you think you're interested in him romantically-tell him why, and just leave it at that. Now it's his move. And if he doesn't move? Well, maybe it wasn't meant to be.
6. Wait until the right moment to talk about your romantic interest in him. (Eve: And when is that magical "right moment"? Well, there's one Person Who can give you a never-failing timetable and plan of attack!)
7. Remember that either way, you will learn from this experience. If he returns your affection, it could be the start of a great romance; if not, it's better to know now rather than pining over Mr. Wrong, when Mr. Right is out there somewhere.
Tips:
>> A touch of humor can go a long way. Keep your tone light while letting him know that your message is sincere.
Warnings:
>> Avoid the possibility of creating an embarrassing moment in public for yourself-and for him. Express your feelings in private just in case the feelings are not mutual.
More Tips:
>> Just spend time with him and enjoy his presence. Don't be pushy or overbearing; just be there for him. When the time comes, just let him know. Use plain English.
>> Ask a mutual friend to bring you up in conversations with him and see how he responds. If he tends to light up when he hears your name, then you can feel safe to tell him how you feel without risking embarrassment.
>> Write him short notes or letters that give him hints that you like him. Don't come right out and say it or you might make a fool out of yourself. Take a note and slip it under his bedroom door or give it to him in person.
>> Tell him something nice about himself, then say that you like him or write a letter if you can't say it face to face.
>> If the feeling is not mutual, let him know you're not devastated and that being just friends would be just as cool. You don't want discomfort if he turns you down.
(Jesus:) My loves, even as I have asked you to bring Me into every action of your lives, even so I would that you bring Me into situations such as these. If you wonder what is going on in the mind and heart of another-why not ask Me about it? And if perhaps you don't have the faith to ask Me outright about such a question, or you are afraid that the answer you receive might not be right on, then let's take it slow. Why don't you ask Me what your interaction should be with this one that you find so attractive.
Ask Me whether you should approach them with your feelings, and if I say that you should, then ask Me exactly what you should say, how you should say it, and when you should broach the issue. There are times when I would that you step out by faith, and by your honesty lead the way into a different level of relationship. On the other hand, a friendship is also a beautiful thing, and there are times when I will encourage you to just wait, go slow, and take things as they are for the time being. By being sensitive to My leading and guiding, and keeping Me first and foremost in your heart, you will be able to make the most of your relationships with others, and draw the greatest fruitfulness out of your life and interactions.
Don't be afraid to ask Me these personal, intimate, seemingly infinitesimal things. These are the decisions of your life that I love to be involved with, and there's so much I can do to make things run so much more smoothly than they otherwise would be if you tried to handle them on your own. So just get quiet somewhere, sometime, undisturbed and uninterrupted and when there are no other pressures or time demands, and let's just talk it over in detail. You tell Me the whole story, and then give Me your specific questions, and watch Me fill in all the blanks one by one.
My greatest desire, after all, is to see you happy and fulfilled-so don't you think I'm going to help you get there? I'm here, just waiting to offer My help and advice. Won't you ask for it?
JUST FOR FUN …
True Medical Stories
A man comes into the emergency room and yells, "My wife's going to have her baby in the cab!"
I grabbed my stuff, rushed out to the cab, lifted the lady's dress, and began to take off her underwear. Suddenly I noticed that there were several cabs, and I was in the wrong one.
-Dr. Mark MacDonald, U.S.A.
At the beginning of my shift, I placed a stethoscope on an elderly and slightly deaf female patient's anterior chest wall. "Big breaths," I instructed. "Yes, they used to be," remorsed the patient.
-Dr. Richard Byrnes, U.S.A.
I was performing a complete physical, including the visual acuity test. I placed the patient twenty feet from the chart and began, "Cover your right eye with your hand." He read the 20/20 line perfectly. "Now your left." Again, a flawless read. "Now both," I requested. There was silence. He couldn't even read the large E on the top line. I turned and discovered that he had done exactly what I had asked; he was standing there with both his eyes covered. I was laughing too hard to finish the exam.
-Dr. Matthew Theodropolous, U.S.A.
* * *
SHORT STORIES
Smell the Rain
By Nancy Miller, a true story
A cold March wind danced around the dead of night in Dallas, Texas, as the doctor walked into the small hospital room of Diana Blessing. Still groggy from surgery, her husband David held her hand as they braced themselves for the latest news.
That afternoon of March 10, 1991, complications had forced Diana, only 24 weeks pregnant, to undergo an emergency cesarean to deliver the couple's new daughter, Danae Lu Blessing. At 12 inches long and weighing only one pound and nine ounces (less than a kilo), they knew she was perilously premature. Still, the doctor's soft words dropped like bombs.
"I don't think she's going to make it," he said, as kindly as he could. "There's only a 10 percent chance she will live through the night, and if by some slim chance she does make it, her future could be a very cruel one."
Numb with disbelief, David and Diana listened as the doctor described the devastating problems Danae would likely face if she survived: She would never walk. She would never talk. She would probably be blind. She would certainly be prone to other catastrophic conditions from cerebral palsy to complete mental retardation. And on and on.
"No! No!" was all Diana could say. She and David, with their 5-year-old son Dustin, had long dreamed of the day they would have a daughter to become a family of four. Now that dream was slipping away.
Through the dark hours of morning, as Danae held onto life by the thinnest thread, Diana slipped in and out of sleep, growing more and more determined that their tiny daughter would live-and would be a healthy, happy young girl. But David, fully awake and listening to additional dire details of their daughter's chances of ever leaving the hospital alive, much less healthy, knew he must confront his wife with the inevitable.
"David walked in and said that we needed to talk about making funeral arrangements," Diana remembers. "I felt so bad for him, because he was doing everything, trying to include me in what was going on, but I just wouldn't listen. I couldn't listen. I said, 'No, that is not going to happen. No way! I don't care what the doctors say; Danae is not going to die! One day she will be just fine, and she will be coming home with us!'"
As if willed to live by Diana's determination, Danae clung to life hour after hour, with the help of every medical machine and marvel her miniature body could endure. But as those first days passed, a new agony set in for David and Diana. Because Danae's underdeveloped nervous system was essentially "raw," the lightest kiss or caress only intensified her discomfort-so they couldn't even cradle their tiny baby girl against their chests to offer the strength of their love. All they could do, as Danae struggled alone beneath the ultraviolet light, in the tangle of tubes and wires, was to pray that God would stay close to their precious little girl.
There was never a moment when Danae suddenly grew stronger. But as weeks went by, she slowly gained an ounce of weight here and an ounce of strength there. At last, when Danae turned two months old, her parents were able to hold her in their arms for the first time. And two months later-though doctors continued to gently but grimly warn that her chances of surviving, much less living any kind of normal life, were next to zero-Danae went home from the hospital, just as her mother had predicted.
Today, five years later, Danae is a petite but feisty young girl with glittering gray eyes and an unquenchable zest for life. She shows no signs whatsoever of mental or physical impairments. She is everything a little girl can be and more-but that is far from the end of her story.
One blistering afternoon in the summer of 1996 near her home in Irving, Texas, Danae was sitting in her mother's lap in the bleachers of a local ballpark where her brother Dustin's baseball team was practicing. Danae was chattering non-stop with her mother and several other adults sitting nearby, when she suddenly fell silent.
Hugging her arms across her chest, Danae asked, "Do you smell that?"
Smelling the air and detecting the approach of a thunderstorm, Diana replied, "Yes, it smells like rain."
Danae closed her eyes and again asked, "Do you smell that?"
Once again, her mother replied, "Yes, I think we're about to get wet. It smells like rain."
Still caught in the moment, Danae shook her head, patted her thin shoulders with her small hands and loudly announced, "No, it smells like Him. It smells like God when you lay your head on His chest."
Tears blurred Diana's eyes as Danae then happily hopped down to play with the other children before the rains came. Her daughter's words confirmed what Diana and all the members of the extended Blessing family had known, at least in their hearts, all along.
During those long days and nights of the first two months of her life when her nerves were too sensitive for them to touch her, God was holding Danae on His chest-and it is His loving scent that she remembers so well.
(End of File.)