Wednesday, December 9, 2009

GEMSTONE



GEMSTONES - DIAMOND

Spiritual initiation and the higher self. Considered a master healer and the most neutral of all gemstones. It is powerful for removing blockages and negativities that can interfere with vibrational remedies. Primary focus is on the brain. Place the exilir or gemstone by the medulla oblongata in the temple or at the top of the head. Then meditate there should be an alteration in the muscular structure in the jaw and shoulder blades. Tensions in these regions such as TMJ problems and those in the atlas and the temples and cranial plates would be alleviated. There is a self adjusting balance bc circulation to these areas improves. Diamond has the capacity to draw toxicity out of the body.

DESTINATION



TSCHUGGEN GRAND HOTEL, AROSA

Top hotels are another world. Full of life, full of luxury, they make everything easy, and bring together a select range of unusual attractions...
This, in fact, is as good as it gets. The Tschuggen Grand Hotel in Arosa is an exclusive hotel in an exclusive location. Tasteful surroundings, top quality – our hotel has always based its philosophy on these features. The Tschuggen Grand Hotel is a member of "Swiss Deluxe Hotels" and “Leading Hotels of the World”, and is thus numbered among the world’s top 450 luxury hotels.

To stay here is to experience winter, summer and autumn at its most beautiful. If you are raring to get up and go, you could hardly be better placed, 1800 meters above sea level. Alpine and cross-country skiing, curling and figure skating are all on offer here, not forgetting long rambles on 40 kilometers of winter rambling routes. Pure Alpine air is an added tonic. There are horse races on the frozen lake, hot-air balloon trips, paragliding and deltagliding, romantic rides on horse-drawn sleighs, and exciting toboggan descents. Don’t forget the mountain huts: the ultimate snug with exceptional culinary delights.

These man-made northern lights are just as magnetic. Perched atop Tschuggen Grand Hotel's new Bergoase Spa, the nine sail-shaped, glass-and-metal dormers illuminate the 43,000-square-foot minimalist facility, which comprises 12 treatment rooms, four indoor and outdoor pools, four sun terraces, and two spa suites, each with its own whirlpool and steam bath.

Since opening in 1929, the Tschuggen Grand has been one of Switzerland's preeminent winter retreats, luring skiers, snowboarders, and even paragliders to Arosa's 37 miles of trails.

http://www.concierge.com

ART/DESIGN



JOHN BALDESSARI
EAR SOFA; NOSE SCONCES WITH FLOWERS (IN STAGE SETTING)
Tate Modern 13 October 2009 – 10 January 2010

Opening on the eve of his eagerly anticipated retrospective at Tate Modern, Ear Sofa; Nose Sconces with Flowers (In Stage Setting) is the first ever tableau vivant created by acclaimed American artist John Baldessari, a living installation which epitomises the wry wit, visual ingenuity and conceptual vigour which has defined the artist's practice for almost five decades.

The installation centres on an ear-shaped sofa, on which a model sits, posed and poised, flanked on either side by a pair of nose-shaped, wall-mounted sconces. The sofa is framed by a large decorative semi-circular arch, and the gallery's glass frontage is shrouded by a sheet of sheer stretched silk. The palette, proportions, and geometrical forms deployed in the construction of the tableau are redolent of an Art Deco aesthetic, which further contributes to a sense of grand theatricality. The allusion to (or illusion of) Hollywood's Art Deco glamour in the exhibition's design has been developed by Baldessari in collaboration with acclaimed American production designer Naomi Shohan, whose credits include her BAFTA-nominated work on American Beauty (1999), Training Day (2001), I Am Legend (2007) and The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010).

The retrospective exhibition John Baldessari: Pure Beauty is concurrently on show at Tate Modern, and will then tour a number of museums internationally:

Tate Modern, London: 13 October 2009 10 January 2010
Museu d'Art Contemporani, Barcelona: 11 February 2010 25 April 2010
LACMA, Los Angeles: 27 June 2010 12 September 2010
Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC: 17 October 2010 9 January 2011


http://thepandorian.com
http://www.tate.org.uk



HEALTH




WHAT IS THE LYMPHATIC SYSTEM?

A healthy life depends on the circulation of the lymphatic system. It is our second circulatory system, FOUR TIMES LARGER THAN OUR BLOOD SYSTEM and the unsung hero of the immune system. Lymphatic fluid is located in vessels that run parallel to our blood vessels, moving in an upward fashion, responsible for ridding the body of all debris including fats, toxins, infection, bacteria and viruses. Ultimately, the lymphatic system represents the flow of life. A healthy, flowing system bolsters the body's immune system, fights disease, and strengthens energy for daily life.

Unlike the blood vessels, which carry nutrients and oxygen to our cells through discrete vessels and remove waste products from the cells, the lymph system carries waste and toxic fluids AWAY from our cells, enhancing total health. However, this system has a serious built in limitation because it does not have a pump to keep things moving. It must rely solely on good health habits of the person to function properly. When there are health challenges including mental and physical stress, poor nutrition and lack of consistent exercise, the lymph system can get overloaded and become quite sluggish, thereby making our bodies and us tired and toxic. Toxins, which are not properly processed through the system, will then, back up and store in lymph nodes throughout the body, negatively affecting our appearance, energy level and overall health. Correct maintenance, and care of the lymphatic system is a major challenge in today's hectic lifestyle.

When your lymphatic system is blocked or clogged, this creates a condition of stagnation, which promotes fatigue and ill health. Some of the most common symptoms include lumps, bumps, pain and swelling. Some causes of a blocked lymphatic system are due in part to stress, lack of exercise, improper diet, repressed communication and basically everything we do or don't do and every thought we have ever had.
Read more...

WHY DETOX YOUR LYPMH SYSTEM?

When the lymphatic system is flowing freely everything is fine. When it backs up, however, there’s trouble. The consequences can be serious, even life-threatening. Not only are the building, repair and waste disposal systems affected by a disruption, the body’s defenses against foreign substances are also impaired. In addition to filtering out toxic materials, the lymph nodes also produce substances which fight off invading viruses and bacteria and destroy abnormal cells that developed within the body, such as cancer cells. In addition to being part of the body’s plumbing and repair system, the lymphatics are an essential part of our immune system.

DOES YOUR LYPMHATIC SYSTEM WORK?

Lymph fluid plus the cellular fluids it is in contact with constitute 80% of body fluid. Blood supplies the remaining 20%. All nutrients and oxygen traveling to, and all carbon dioxide and other metabolic by-product wastes traveling from each of your billions of cells are carried by lymph fluid. Lymph fluid can either be reabsorbed into the blood, or be filtered by one or more lymph nodes before entering the bloodstream.
When not working efficiently, the lymphatic system reduces the ability for the brain and other organs to do their work. Toxins normally filtered out and destroyed by the lymph system are offloaded onto other organs ... overloading them. Even as happens in the intestine and colon with poor health and nutrition habits --- stagnant lymph fluid may contain old deposits of dead bacteria, metabolic toxins, and dead cells.

Factors influencing the lymphatic system negatively are:

overwork: lack of rest periods;
sedentariness: lack of healthy exercise;
processed foods: lack of fresh foods;
authority-based toxic shame;
chronic depression: bureaucracy;
toxic chemical-based pollutants;
energy block attitudes and behaviors;
materialism restricting spirituality.

When the lymph system becomes blocked or sluggish, an oxygen-starved, toxic environment is created which will influence all the cells of the body. A stagnant toxic lymph flow can produce thickened, turbid dirty lymph. It encourages degeneration of both cells and organs and contributes to tumor and cancer formation. Symptoms of congestion can include any one or any combination of the following. All of these conditions have shown consistent improvement following lymph drainage massage or other lymph clearing processes:

back pain; breast congestion; chronic bowel problems: constipation; yeast infections; chronic fatigue syndrome; fibromyalgia; skin disorders; cellulite fat accumulations; rheumatoid arthritis;
hormonal and emotional imbalances; recurrent headaches; chronic depression; muscle and tissue tension; chronic sinusitis, allergies; gum disease and bad breath; hearing, balance or sight problems; recurrent tonsillitis, colds; prostatitis; overweight; lupus; hemorrhoids; slow healing of burns, cuts, ....

A healthy lymph system produces lymphocytes which target and destroy unrecognized cells which are assumed to be, and usually are, destructive diseases presenting germs.

REJUVANATING YOUR LYPHATIC SYSTEM

• Clean up your diet. Reduce your body’s toxic burden by avoiding processed food, eating organic when possible, and eliminating simple sugars and carbohydrates. Get tested for heavy metal exposure (lead and mercury are very common in the US). The idea here is that the less waste your lymph has to deal with, the more easily it will flow.
• A regular nutritional detox and colon cleanse, supported by liver enzymes, will ease your liver and kidney burden, which in turn will decrease pressure on your spleen. Even a two–week Quick-Cleanse can do wonders.
Read more...

http://shanti.com.au

NUTRITION



CAULIFLOWER

The milk, sweet, almost nutty flavor of cauliflower is at its best from December through March when it is in season and most plentiful in your local markets.

Cauliflower is a vegetable belonging to the Brassica oleracea species, which also includes cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli and collard greens. The vegetable originated in the Northeast Mediterranean and is presently cultivated in most of the countries of the world. It has a white head and stalk and is surrounded by thick, green leaves. However, the stalk and the leaves are discarded and only the head (white curd) is eaten. Cauliflower can be had in the raw, cooked or pickled form, though it the raw form that holds the highest nutritional value. Given below is complete information on the health and nutrition benefits of eating cauliflower.

Health & Nutrition Benefits of Eating Cauliflower

• The allicin in cauliflower is known to promote a healthy heart and reduce the risk of strokes
• Cauliflower contains selenium and vitamin C, both of which work together to strengthen the immune system.
• Cauliflower has been associated with the maintenance of a healthy cholesterol level.
• Being rich in folate, cauliflower is known to help improve cell growth and replication.
• The high amount of fiber in cauliflower improves colon health and can even help prevent cancer.
• Recently, it was found that cauliflower contains ‘indole-3-carbinol’, a substance that can prevent breast and other female cancers.
• The glucosinolates and thiocyanates, present in cauliflower, increase the ability of liver to neutralize potentially toxic substances.
• Cauliflower acts as a blood and liver detoxifier.
• Sulforaphane, a substance in cauliflower, can remove cancer causing chemicals and also stop the spread of cancer cells, even in the later stages of their growth.
• Maintaining optimum health
• Researches have suggested that cauliflower contains certain phyto-chemicals that might help reduce the risk of some hereditary cancers.
• Weight loss


Roasted Cauliflower Soup (vegan)

I used a blender to get this silky smooth, but a food processor or hand blender might also work. Be careful not to burn yourself opening and pouring from the blender because the mixture can be super-heated.

1 cauliflower (I used an orange one)
1 onion, cut into wedges
2 cloves garlic, peeled
4 cups fat-free vegetable broth
1 large potato, peeled and cubed
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
salt and pepper, to taste
4 drops truffle oil (optional, but good)
Smoked Spanish paprika, to garnish

Preheat oven to 400. Cut the cauliflower into florets and place them into a large baking dish sprayed with oil. Lightly spray the top of the cauliflower with oil. Bake for 20 minutes. Sprinkle the onion wedges and garlic on top of the cauliflower, spray lightly with olive oil, and return to the oven. Cook for 20-25 more minutes, stirring once halfway through.

While the vegetables are roasting, heat the vegetable broth and add the chopped potato. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat. Cook covered on very low until cauliflower is ready.

Add the cauliflower mixture to the broth. Puree it, in batches, in the blender until very smooth. Return it to the pot and add the nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 10 minutes. Just before serving, stir in a few drops of truffle oil, if desired. Ladle into bowls and serve, sprinkled with smoked Spanish paprika.

Makes 4 large servings. Per serving: 45 Calories (kcal); trace Total Fat; (5% calories from fat); 2g Protein; 10g Carbohydrate; 0mg Cholesterol; 11mg Sodium; 2g Fiber. Weight Watchers Core / 1 Flex Point

http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com

GIFT



FRAGRANT ROSEMARY HOLIDAY TREE

Enjoy the fragrance and flavor of this culinary favorite throughout the year with our rosemary tree. This 2-year-old rosemary plant is happy on a sunny windowsill. Come springtime, transfer to the garden or outdoor container. Rosemary is hardy outdoors to Zone 6 and can be over-wintered indoors in colder climates. 15" to 18" high including basket.

http://gardeners.com

TREAT



HOLIDAY DELIGHT
Ina's Gartens Lemon Capellini with Caviar
(serve with champage)

Ina Garten, owner of the gourmet food store Barefoot Contessa in East Hampton, New York, likes to serve this special appetizer or dinner for a celebration or New Year's Eve. Use the highest-quality fresh malossol caviar you can afford. Osetra is usually the best for the money. We suggest serving with champagne.

Ingredients
Serves 6
• Olive oil
• 1 pound dried capellini
• 1/2 pound unsalted butter, melted
• Zest and juice of 2 lemons, plus additional zest for garnish
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
• 150 grams very good black caviar

Directions

1. Drizzle some olive oil in a large pot of boiling salted water; add capellini, and cook until al dente. Drain quickly, leaving a little of the water. Quickly toss capellini with melted butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
2. Place one serving of pasta on each plate, and top with a large dollop of fresh caviar. Garnish with extra grated lemon zest. Serve immediately.