Vitamins ala' Pepper

Looking at Turmeric the other day I noticed that it recommended that it be consumed with Black Pepper, which then obviously got me curious as the the benefits of Black pepper.  So here's the low down on pepper:

It is an anti-inflammatory; improves digestion; improves absorption of vitamins; good source of minerals namely potassium, calcium, zinc, manganese, iron, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure.  It is an source of many vital B-complex and anti-oxidant vitamins C & A. Peppers have been used therapeutically in dentistry as an antiseptic remedy for tooth-decay and gum swellings.  Black pepper and honey is a traditional approach to respiratory congestion, helping to expectorate and dry up mucus membrane.

Absorption of nutrients into our system is vital as if no nutrients were absorbed into our bodies we would die.  In the same manner the Holy Spirit works with us when we engage in reading the Word of God.  The Holy Spirit creates fertile soil in our hearts for us to be able to absorb the Word and gain maximum benefit from it.

So next time you open your bible, by book or by application, why not say a short prayer and welcome the Holy Spirit into your heart and mind and ask Him to be your guide and teach you what the scriptures mean.

A little bit of numbing

I had to have a dental procedure today and boy once the anesthetic wore off it was sore!  I remembered a trick my sister taught me about coriander having a numbing effect and although I did not have any cloves in the house I tried the powder and would you know it, soon after the pain subsided.

But oh my goodness!  I had no idea of all the wonderful medical properties of coriander and I don't have time share the details, so I'll enclose a link for you to check, but to name just a few of the conditions it can treat:  skin inflammation & disorders; lowers cholesterol; diarrhea; regulates blood pressure; mouth ulcers; anemia; allergic reactions; salmonella protection; bone health; digestion; smallpox; menstrual disorders; eye care; conjunctivitis.... but most impressively - blood sugar and diabetes.

It seems to me that most of the benefits of coriander are to regulate the bodies functions and bring us stability.  The Word of God does that for us in our faith.  It confirms our hope, strengthens our belief and therefore our resolve and gives us a solid foundation on which to build our lives.

So if you are looking for a little stability in your life of chaos, why not turn to the word of God and allow all its mysteries to bring you joy!

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https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/health-benefits-of-coriander.html

We need the lines

So back to art for a bit.  I have now reached the place where things are going to be a little uncomfortable for me with my art because I have to face the fact that if I want to improve my technique and finish I need to work a lot slower...... Arrrgggh!  For someone who likes to see a finished products quickly, that is going to be hard. 

But case and point was my last piece this weekend.  I wanted to paint a little otter bobbing out the water and he really was cute.  I laboured over the background and if I say so myself, I loved it.  Mixing brush strokes and blotting I had the water effect as perfect as I was going to get it.  Then came Mr. Otter.  Well being a very dark brown image I painted in the body and background very dark....but oops, in the process I last my guide lines. 

Now for an amateur loosing the lines is not a good thing at all and I realized afterwards that I could have done the first coat, then done the delicate bits like eyes and paws and then finished off with the full body fills where needed.  Lesson learned! 

Sometimes we forget that our journey in 'Growing with God' is a lifetime calling and not a hundred yard dash.  Learning to trust Him, lean on Him and become fully developed in our faith will never end.

So have a little patience with yourself when things don't quite work out right the first time :-) 

Gets you thinking

Okay so if you are not into all the spicy stuff, rest easy there will be other topics in between, but honestly I can say that this journey is already changing the way I cook and so I can't wait to see what the long term outcome will be from this path of discovery for the soul and spirit. 

Next is Turmeric.  Being a root as well it has many of the same healing properties that ginger has:  natural anti-inflammatory; increases body's antioxidant capacity; neutralizes free radicals; lowers the risk of heart disease; assists in treating cancer; helps arthritis and may help delay aging.

The exciting factor with Turmeric is that it improves brain function and lowers brain diseases, including strong benefits against depression and helps prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease.  It could even help improve memory and make you smarter.

In order for Turmeric to work at its best it should be consumed with pepper.  I believe the Word of the Lord is our Turmeric for scripture tells us that it goes to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow.  It judges the thoughts and intents of the heart.  In order for us to gain the best advantage from the Word it should be combined with solid fellowship in the Church of God.  And yes, reading the word will make you smarter too, Lol!

Cancer of the soul

When you look at it for its medical uses Ginger is a most exciting spice.  The list of uses is extensive starting with treating digestion and stomach related ailments, arthritis, colic, lowers blood sugar and cholesterol which assists with heart conditions, flu, headaches and muscle pain.  It is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.

What I am most excited about though is that Ginger is now believed to be one of the best non-chemical treatments for cancer.  Initially believed to only assist with nausea from chemotherapy it is not being discovered to be 10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy due to the component 6-shogaol because it targets the root cause of cancer malignancy.  

That got me thinking about the conditions of the soul we deal with.  We all have aspects or areas in our lives where we have been hurt and feel pain.  Over time and life experiences these areas become areas that the devil chooses to build as strongholds in our lives and he will inflict pain on us to continually reinforce our insecurities in those areas.  These areas become a cancer of the soul.

As much as ginger goes to treating the root cause of the cancer, so too the Holy Spirit works in our lives to heal the root cause of our insecurities but continually showering us with the love of God and with His Holy presence.  Yes it may take counselling or psychological support but the Holy Spirit is always in control and guides us to those whom He knows can administer the best treatment to us.

If you are needing a little ginger for the soul then move into the loving presence of God and you will soon feel and experience His love and His power in ways you never imagined!

Taming the shrew

A while back I was complaining that with the drought my garden was practically dead.....well that has changed for the better.  I once again have overgrowth that I can hardly control.  Although it is looking slightly messy, it really does look beautiful.  It is going to take some discipline to get to work on it though and I'll have to get stuck in soon. 

Talking about discipline though I was reminded the other day that I had let my bible reading discipline slip again.  It really is so easy to get so busy that we forget to make time for the things that are really important to us or that really mean something to us.  

The beauty about our relationship with God though is that God doesn't nag us when we wonder away from His presence, no He simply waits patiently knowing that like any small child we won't wonder far before we come running back into His loving arms. 

How about joining me and running into God's love through His word today! 

Bare necessities

Communication is a very strange thing.  People say what they mean then they don't.  Words can say one thing and behaviour something completely different.  Those in the know call this text and sub text, but where does it all start from?  Everything we do and say emanate from whatever is brewing deep within our soul.

Interestingly scripture talks about this often and three scriptures which you will find below say it well:  The mouth speaks what the heart is full of!  Have you ever been in a bad mood and just had a bad day?  I certainly have had many, and many times I have had to stop myself in my tracks and think about what is going on deep inside and forcefully pull my attitude straight.

How do we do this, how do you change your frame of mind and pull things in the right direction?  Philippians 4:8 (also below) gives us the tools to use.  To put it more simply I'm reminded again of that cute South Pacific song "Happy talking, talking, happy talk...talk about things you like to do."  Okay I'll stop singing now.

Sounds simple but then it wouldn't be powerful if it wasn't simple and true, that's why books like "Don't sweat the small stuff" became so popular, but if you are still stuck and can't get it right....remember Mogly from the Jungle Book....

Look for the bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife
I mean the bare necessities
That's why a bear can rest at ease
With just the bare necessities of life

Now that should get you smilin!  

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For your own study read:

Jeremiah 9:8

Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully. With their mouths they all speak cordially to their neighbors, but in their hearts they set traps for them.

Matthew 12:34

You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Luke 6:45

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.