Thursday, September 16, 2010

Italian Omlette

(6 servings)


  • 6 eggs
  • 2 cups cottage cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 tablespoons minced fresh basil or 1 1/2 T dried
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
  • Pinch of black pepper
  • 1 cup cooked Angel hair pasta
  • 5 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
  • 1 small onion
  • chopped
  • 1/2 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 6 oz thinly sliced baco 1 cup shredded fresh spinach
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, cottage cheese, cheese, basil, salt, cayenne and black pepper. Add pasta and toss to mix.

In a large nonstick skillet beat 3 T olive oil over high heat. Add mushrooms, onion, bell pepper, garlic and meat. Cook, stirring often, until mushrooms give up their liquid and it evaporates (7-8 minutes).

Add spinach and continue cooking until spinach wilts, about 1 minute.

Add vegetable mixture to egg mixture. Stir to combine. Pour into a greased 9x13 inch oven proof casserole dish. Can be refrigerated over night at this point.

Bake in preheated 350 degree oven about 30 minutes until set. Serve hot or at room temperature. 


Have a great breakfast!!!


Mr Breakfast would like to thank specialk_c for this recipe.

Recipe number 875. Submitted 3/28/2003.

Ten Minute Omelette

(3 servings)
  • 4 Eggs -- separated
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1 tbsp Flour
  • 1 tbsp Softened butter or margarine
  • 1 tbsp Water

Beat egg whites with salt until stiff, but not dry. 

Beat egg yolks with pepper flour, butter and water until fluffy. Fold yolks into egg whites. 

Pour into a well greased skillet. Cover tightly. Reduce heat to low and cook 8 to 10 minutes on top of range until surface of omelette is dry.

Fold in half and serve promptly.


10... 9... 8... Blast off to breakfast!


Mr Breakfast would like to thank taintfair for this recipe.

Mexican crema

...delicious homemade sour cream

Authentic Mexican food is very unlikely to be covered in a thick and gloopy layer of suspiciously orange melted cheese. Cheese is actually used pretty sparingly in true Mexican cooking, and is more often a crumbled hard cheese than a soft a melted cheese.

Now don't get me wrong, I like a little melted cheese as much as the next guy, but for a true taste of Mexico, try substituting the melted cheese for this easy and delicious homemade crema (Mexican sour cream). This crema is often drizzled over dishes, and is a delicious accompaniment to the complex chile heat of a good Mexican dish.
Making your own sour cream is a cinch, and all you need is time to produce something that is infinitely better than store bought sour cream.
You can use either half and half or heavy cream for this. If you use the heavy cream it will be VERY thick!
Homemade sour cream

500 ml (about 1 pint) of half and half, or heavy cream

¼ cup of cultured sour cream or butter milk.

You will mix these two ingredients together well, in a very clean bowl, with a very clean spoon, and cover and allow to sit on the counter at room temperature. Sour cream is formed by the natural acidification casued by the endogenous bacteria in the cultured buttermilk or sour cream.
Let the cream sit on the counter for between 12 and 24 hours. It is done when it has thickened, and has a slightly sour tang. Store in the fridge until ready to use. This product does not contain any preservatives, and thus should be consumed within a couple of days of making. It tastes so good that this is rarely a problem!
You must use a sour cream or buttermilk with a living bacterial culture. Most of the commercially available sour creams will not have a living starter, but many butter milks will. The product information should tell you whether or not a living culture is contained within. You can interchange either the butter milk or the sour cream for the same eventual effect.
Drizzle this cream over the top of Mexican dishes, or serve on the side with fajitas, burritos, tacos…whatever!
This makes a very nice change from melted cheese, and truly is authentic Mexican!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Oil Change - Is the 3,000-mile oil change outdated?

Like the ’55 Chevy, the 3,000-Mile Oil Change Is Pretty Much History

 
I STILL remember learning from my father how to carefully remove a dipstick to check the oil level in our cars. It was drilled into me — along with turning off the lights when you left a room and clearing the plates off the table after dinner — that oil needs to be changed every 3,000 miles or so.
I’m not sure what I thought would happen if I didn’t, but I vaguely imagined an unlubricated engine grinding to a halt.

Childhood habits are hard to undo, and that’s often good. To this day, I hate seeing an empty room with the lights on.
But sometimes, we need to throw aside our parents’ good advice. In March, for example, I wrote about how we should relearn the dishwasher and laundry soap habits we inherited from our mothers.
Add frequent oil-changing to that list.
“There was a time when the 3,000 miles was a good guideline,” said Philip Reed, senior consumer advice editor for the car site Edmunds.com. “But it’s no longer true for any car bought in the last seven or eight years.”
Oil chemistry and engine technology have improved to the point that most cars can go several thousand more miles before changing the oil, Mr. Reed said. A better average, he said, would be 7,500 between oil changes, and sometimes up to 10,000 miles or more.
The California Integrated Waste Management Board ran public service announcements for several years about “the 3,000-mile myth,” urging drivers to wait longer between oil changes. Although the information is a few years old, the board has a list of cars on its Web site and how often they need oil changes. The concern is not only the cost to drivers, but the environmental impact of throwing away good oil, said Mark Oldfield, a recycling specialist for the agency.
But the situation is not that clear cut, according to Robert Sutherland, a Pennzoil scientist who works at Shell Global Solutions.
Rather than picking a number, Mr. Sutherland said, he recommends following what your owner’s manual advises. I checked the manual for our 2007 Mazda5 and had to determine if my typical driving included a lot of stop-and-go driving, short distances, extended idling, muddy, rough or dusty roads or really humid or cold temperatures.
Hmm. Yes, to short distance and stop and go. So that meant I should get the oil changed every 5,000 miles. If I did a great deal of longer-distance highway driving, it would be every 7,500.
The different types of driving are usually known as severe and mild (which is also sometimes called normal), Mr. Sutherland said, which seems counterintuitive since most of us probably don’t think we drive in severe conditions. But we do.
The reason, he said, is that if you take a trip of less than 10 miles or so, the engine and the oil are not completely warmed up. And if the oil is still cool, he said, it cannot absorb the contaminants that come from internal combustion as efficiently.
“It’s designed to work best when fully warmed up,” Mr. Sutherland said. “If you’re running to the music lesson, to school, the gym, that’s severe driving conditions.”
Mr. Sutherland said he has a mild commute. “It’s 47 miles, all highway.”
What actually happens if you don’t change your oil? Well, it doesn’t run out, it simply gets dirtier and dirtier. It’s like mopping the floor with a bucket of water and detergent. The water starts out clean, but the more you use it, the filthier it gets. Eventually, you’re making the floor dirtier if you don’t change the water.
Some people remain attached to the 3,000-mile oil change and have a hard time trusting the recommendations in the owner’s manual. If you’re one of those skeptics, you can send your engine oil out to be analyzed. Blackstone Laboratories in Fort Wayne, Ind., one of the best-known places for engine oil analysis, will send you a free kit.
You send back an oil sample and for $25, they’ll tell you all sorts of things about your car.
“We would compare what your oil looks like compared to the average Mazda5 of that year,” said Kristen Huff, a vice president at Blackstone. If there is a lot more lead in my oil than in a typical Mazda5, for example, it means I have a bearing problem, she said.
Her lab runs about 150 samples a day and a fair percentage of those are consumers looking to find out how often they need to change their oil, Ms. Huff said.
“Very often, it is the case that they’re changing their oil too often,” she said. “They do what their dad did with his ’55 Chevy.”

Another way to get a more accurate assessment of your oil needs is to buy a car that has a maintenance minder, like a Honda. A light on the dashboard alerts the driver when the system judges that the oil has only 15 percent of its useful life remaining. The time between oil changes varies depending on the driver and driving conditions.
Honda has used such maintenance minders on most models for at least the last five years, said Chris Martin, a Honda spokesman. Previously, the owner’s manual suggested changes every 10,000 miles in mild conditions and 5,000 miles in severe conditions.
Still, some people stick to the 3,000-mile changes, because “the Jiffy Lubes of the world have done a good job convincing people,” Mr. Martin said
It’s not just the fast oil change outlets. My sticker from my trusted mechanic states that I’ll need a change in 3,000 miles or three months. But Jiffy Lube, the largest quick oil change company in North America, is now under pressure to change its automatic 3,000-mile recommendation.
For about a year, the company has run a pilot program with some franchises across the country suggesting that instead of a blanket recommendation, mechanics tell customers what the manufacturer recommends under mild or severe driving conditions.
“By this time next year, every Jiffy Lube will do it,” said Rick Altizer, president of Jiffy Lube International. And the little sticker on your windshield will no longer simply state when the next oil change should occur, but, “I choose to change my oil” at a specific mileage.
“It’s so it’s not some arbitrary technician saying this,” Mr. Altizer said, but the consumer’s decision.
Mr. Reed of Edmunds.com said car owners often got conflicting messages because of an inherent tension: “The car manufacturers want the reputation that it makes cars that last a long time. The dealership wants to see you every three months.”
But he acknowledged that “3,000 miles strikes a deep chord with the consumer,” adding: “It feels good to get an oil change. If you fill up the car with gas, wash it and change the oil, it runs better. Of course, it doesn’t. But it’s the perception.”
Although Mr. Reed is doubtful that most drivers fall into the severe driving category and fears mechanics will use that to push drivers into paying for more oil changes than necessary, Mr. Sutherland said he wouldn’t want “to second-guess the manufacturer.” Vehicles, he said, “are a substantial investment and changing fluids is how you protect that investment.”
So before you go in for your oil change, dig out your owner’s manual and see what it says. And when the mechanic slaps on a sticker that gives the next change date in 3,000 miles, ask questions. And then, go get the car washed. That’s one thing that always seems to be needed.
September 10, 2010

Friday, September 10, 2010

WOMEN'S DESIGNER SHOES

The Most Popular Women's Designer Shoes



The Giuseppe Zanotti is one of the top designer shoes on the scene now. The E00068 is one from the evening collection, a stunning stiletto heeled black shoe covered with mosaics of small mirrors that are encased in the black leather straps that cross in almost skyscraping fashion. Zippers in the back and an open-toe in the front, these shoes are perfect for a night on the town.

Another shoe by Giuseppe Zanotti is the zip cuffed jewel sandal, which has the exotic look of Egypt with its high stiletto heel and its give heavily ornamented cuffs that form the straps of the shoe. Each one is patterned differently, one with beads, another with silver studs, another with melted gold, and the last with giant silver balls and golden pieces.

Another hot designer is Bourne, who unleashed a line of stunning designer shoes this year. The Tiffany is an elegant studded stiletto with style and regality. Studded with diamonds and sparkling jewels, the straps of this shoe have a woven pattern and leave space for an open-toed mark of feminine elegance. For a more 1940s flapper look, Bourne offers the Petunia sling back sandal, a rich purple stiletto heeled shoe with a large, elegant, flirty flower at the toe, made with silver beads and purple netting.

For stylish shoes that are perfect for a fun night on the town, the Christian Louboutin brand offers satin slides that come in black or cranberry satin and are made from criss-crossed satin pieces. With five inch heels and an open-toe, they would match perfectly with dancing dresses and skirts. For more conservative outfits, Christian Louboutin offers black platform or sling back pumps that have elegantly shaped soles and slick, sharp heels, perfect for a job interview or a fancy dinner out on the town.

For unique shoes, Badgley Mischka is sure to please. Their design of Hyde offers an extraordinary shoes that comes in a sea blue shade with satin covering and silk ruffles that allow for a classic, elegant, vintage appeal that will be fashionable for decades to come. Another amazing piece by them is the Randee high heel ruffle flower shoe. An beautiful shade of coral pink, the shoe is made up of satin ruffles that cluster at the front of it to create a fancy and beautiful flower body. The Badgley Mischka Carlton pumps with a bow is a perfectly classic shoe perfect for formal dances or weddings. Covered in a bridal dress white satin it is a close-toed pump that is marked with a delicate and ladylike bow beside the ankle.

Finally, for the glamorous and the fabulous, Dolce Vita provides shoes that are stunningly stylish but can be worn in casual settings adding flair to ordinary jeans and t-shirt outfits. The Agatha studded thong sandals are a mixture of flip-flop open toed sandals merged with an ankle-high boot. Wrapped with bold studded cuffs, these shoes are certain to add style to any outfit with which they are worn. For everyday wear, the Dolce Vita Miller studded leather oxfords transform a classic shoe style into a studded thing of beauty and high fashion.

Roberto Sedycias works as an IT consultant for PoloMercantil

FOODS for WOMEN

5 foods every woman must eat

KALPANA SHARMA

We bring to you five nutritional eats that every woman should include in her diet. Happy eating!

Leafy vegetables

It is not possible to meet your nutritional needs without having leafy vegetables in your diet. Spinach, legumes, asparagus, lettuce, fenugreek leaves, broccoli are available in abundance and are huge sources of fibre, Vitamin C and K, folic acid. It is also a vision protector and provides four essential minerals, i.e. calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium. Try to have it daily in your diet and darker the better.

Whole grains


Whole grains have up to 96 per cent more fibre and essential nutrients and vitamins than refined grains. Advises diet expert Honey Shah, "I advise my clients to have whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, and brown rice as they are high in essential nutrients and do not contribute to weight gain. You can start your day with whole wheat cereal or a whole wheat bread toast."

Nuts

Make nuts an essential ingredient in your diet. Sprinkle it on salads or breakfast cereals or stir them into yoghurt because they are an excellent source of protein, magnesium and B & E vitamins. They are useful in fighting heart disease and cancer. Nuts are high in fat calories, but their fat is the heart-healthy kind. You can also eat them as an evening snack. But make sure you don't overdo them. About a quarter cup or about 15-20 almonds, cashews, walnuts are good enough a week.

Yoghurt 

Low fat or plain yoghurt is a great source of vitamins, protein and calcium. It also has healthy bacteria which can fight diseases. "Three to four cups a week is good enough for your diet. But make sure you don't add sugar to it. Instead choose plain yoghurt and add fruits or berries to it," suggests dietician Pinky.

Berries

Ever wondered why most of the diet fibre products have berries in them? Reason being berries are high in fill-you-up fibre and also helps curb weight. Berries have more protective plant antioxidants than almost any other food. These antioxidants not only lower your disease risks, but also help prevent memory loss. You can have a bowl full of them thrice a week. It could be fresh or frozen, benefits stay!

Sep 10, 2010

WOMEN and SHOES

'Shoes change a woman’s personality'



Famous footwear designer, Jimmy Choo, has said that shoes can transform a woman's personality. 

Choo, whose creations are sought after by women across the globe, adores his work and believes footwear plays such an important role in people's lives that he relishes the chance to improve their lifestyle.'' 

"We all wear shoes, every day - we have to. So they are a very important part of your wardrobe. They say something about the way you hold your body. Shoes must be elegant, comfortable. They affect the person's personality," Stuff.co.nz quoted him as saying. 

The Malaysia-born craftsman has been designing shoes since he was just 11, but admits he still has battles with himself while trying to perfect his styles. 

"I'm a perfectionist. I get angry and I lose my tempter, but only over shoes. My temper is very quick but there's never anything personal. If I lose my tempter with a member of staff, afterwards we'll go for a drink. Maybe I just love my shoes too much!" he added: 

Jimmy, 40, recently revealed that it is never too late for people to start wearing heels, but they should not start off with skyscrapers. 

"You should start with two or two and a half inches, get used to that first. But a lot of men, when they've been married for ten years, they walk in front of their wives," he said. 

"When a woman is wearing heels they have to walk more slowly, but sometimes their husbands won't wait for them," he added. 

MOBILE PHONE and DRIVING

For those who love using mobile while driving



CHANDIGARH: All of you who are in the habit of chatting on the mobile phone while driving. Just don't do it Your brain just cannot manage driving and chatting simultaneously. A recent research at the Johns Hopkins University says the brain cannot handle the sights and sounds simultaneously. 

And traffic police personnel and neurologists don't differ on this count, either. In a significant decision of Traffic Regulation and Pollution Control case in 1998, 'Namit Kumar versus UT Administration,' justice Sat Pal and justice Swatantra Kumar of Punjab and Haryana Court had instructed the UT administration to start challaning commuters who chat on mobile while driving. 

Ever since that Punjab and Haryana High Court has been closely monitoring the Chandigarh Traffic Police's role in challaning the defaulters. While talking to Times of Chandigarh, a senior traffic police official stated that during the previous year, they challaned nearly 4,000 violators and this number will get double by the end of this year. 

Multitasking has been one of the new buzzwords doing the rounds, but if you brag about what a great multi-tasker you are, don't. Especially when you refer to your ability to drive and gab on the mobile at the same time, warn experts. According to the senior traffic police official, "You can't concentrate on the road when you are talking on the mobile.

It can cause accidents." Which is why there are continuous drives against such offenders. Neurologist Dr Uday Murgod says, "It's difficult for the brain to handle too many functions at the same time. You have to be extraordinarily gifted to multitask like that." 

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Sciatica

Secrets of Healing Sciatica


You should count yourself lucky if you have not suffered from sciatica. Sciatica happens when you feel pain in the sciatic nerve which is a nerve mass which is rooted in the lumbar spine that travels from there till the crossing at the knee. It goes through the hip and down the outside of the leg till the knee and then the nerve continues to the foot. Pain may occur throughout the entire length or at certain places in varying intensity.

Depending on the cause of sciatica, healing it can be a challenge at times. Some of the common causes of sciatica can be spinal trauma, tumors, stenosis which is narrowing of the spinal channel and also herniated discs.

The sciatic nerve continues throughout the back and then branches off into both legs and so any one of the legs can be more susceptible to symptoms than the other. The sensation as described by some patients is that like their leg is on fire. From being mildly discomforting to being intolerable with time, a painful sciatic nerve can cause various ranges of discomfort and pain in the patients. The basis of the symptom is irritation to the sciatic nerve and that the nerve is being pinched. This causes discomfort to the nerve.

Seeing a chiropractor is one of the easy ways to relieve the pain that sciatica causes.

 Chiropractors aim at correcting the problem by determining the main problem rather than providing a temporary solution. If you take the help of a chiropractor, they ease the pain of sciatica in a very natural way. Chiropractors can align your body in the correct way and adjust your alignment and hence your pain will be relived. There are many people who have found peace with the help of chiropractors.

Although there is no defined way to heal sciatica, bed rest is usually prescribed for it. At times, the pain from sciatica is so much that patients cannot even move properly. What can be pretty effective is bed rest with periodic movements and physical activity. There are some particular exercises that is prescribed by some doctors. You can try to ease the pain by taking bed rest with proper lumbar support and change in sleeping position. An added help would be lifting your knees with the help of a pillow.

A good and natural method in order to adjust your spine and reduce pain so that it can function better is chiropractic treatment. In order to provide you relief from lower back sciatica, a chiropractor may also perform massage and stretching.

Alchemy

Can Thoughts Purify Water and Food?



Alchemy is not just changing base metal to gold. Spiritual teacher Jim Self, founder of Mastering Alchemy, states that "alchemy is first recognizing all that is possible, and then transforming one possibility into another. Alchemy is accomplished by changing the frequency of thought, altering the harmonics of matter, and applying the elements of Love to create the desired results."

In a similar vein, Dr. Emoto, a Japanese subtle energy field (Hado) researcher, teaches that water has a bio-resonance field and is impacted by human thought and actions.

"Hado* creates words. Words are the vibrations of nature Therefore beautiful words create beautiful nature Ugly words create ugly nature. This is the root of the universe." ~ Dr. Masaru Emoto, author "Hidden Messages in Water"
"Hado" refers to the intrinsic vibrational pattern at the atomic level in all matter. It is the smallest unit of energy and its basis is the energy of human consciousness. Dr Emoto's water crystal research proves that thoughts and words have the power to change water on a molecular level. He experimented with different words affixed to water jugs, then studied under a microscope as the water froze. The water jugs with positive words like "love and gratitude" created incredibly beautiful and unique crystal patterns like snowflakes. The water jugs with ugly words like "I hate you" would not organize into crystalline structures and remained incoherent and muddy.

Emoto took water samples from a polluted lake in Japan, and you can see how muddy and unstructured it was, when compared with the beautiful clear crystal taken one hour later after a priest prayed. The implications are enormous for our ability to clean up our environment.

Here in Florida, the water is so nasty even my dog Suki wouldn't drink it. So I spent years researching how to improve our tap water, and now have several systems in place to filter, oxygenate and remineralize it so we all enjoy the taste more and stay hydrated. Since becoming aware of Emoto's research, you can bet I placed stickers with words like Love and Gratitude on my water container and everyone comments how great it tastes!

Applying the Elements of Love through Chanting

However, this is not entirely a new awareness. In 1990 I lived in a meditation ashram and often did service in the kitchen. We were advised how important it was to maintain a high vibration while handling all aspects of food preparation as our thoughts and feelings would be transmitted to the food. We were asked to remain silent unless necessary, to eliminate gossip and negativity. A beautiful devotional chant was constantly playing that Indian sages concurred that both the melody and the mantras were particularly beneficial during food prep and eating. Even though I really disliked all facets of food prep, I was often in deep states of bliss in that kitchen.

At first blush I admit the rules seemed a bit, well, fanatic. However, I was shown the opposite effects very clearly one day when I was eating out at a restaurant with a fellow ashram resident. We were both feeling queasy towards the end of the meal, even though we ordered totally different lunches, so it did not appear to be food poisoning. The food was not digesting well and we couldn't quite figure it out.

As we debated what was causing our indigestion, we began to hear shouts emanating from the kitchen, and the crash of pots and pans flinging against a wall. Next the waitress came running out crying-clearly not a happy environment! We immediately understood why we were not feeling well! It was the vibration that was going into the food from the stressed out angry chef, not the food itself.

Altering the harmonics of matter with Reiki


I have been practicing Reiki, a natural energy healing method, for 18 years. In the very first class we learned we could apply Reiki, or universal life force, to our water and food to raise the vibration. I have been applying this healing energy to my food and water for many years, especially when eating out.

For validation, for the past 5 years my partner (and Reiki student) and I would compare notes while applying Reiki to our meals. Our results always matched and some patterns began to emerge. Whenever we prepared food at home, it always held a high vibration and radiated energy back to us. It did not seem to matter if it was organic, vegan, raw or highly processed junk food. It was in our unified field and already seemed to hold a high vibration.

However, when we went out to eat it was quite varied. Sometimes it would take several minutes of Reiki till the food and water felt vibrationally higher. This food would draw energy from my hands like a thirsty desert dweller, and then finally subside and even out. Other times it would feel even and balanced; only requiring a few seconds of energy. On rare occasions the food would be such a high vibration, it would be giving energy back and flow out so strong it seemed to be healing me!

Changing frequency of thought through Intention

Then one day about a year ago, right before I ate I caught a frequent thought pattern-"This food is probably really bad for me". I spend a lot of time researching natural healing and healthy foods and of course pesticide-free, organic, living and whole food ranks high on my list of "shoulds"-though unfortunately this is not always how I eat. I realized my thoughts are too powerful to be so negative about my food and perhaps, more potent even than pesticides-my thoughts are literally poisoning me! While I may not have control over how pure all my food is, I do have control over my thinking.

That very day we began to install a new intention: "All my food/water nourishes me at the highest level". While it did not shift over night, we both noticed a significant change in the vibration of all of our food. Now whenever we Reiki our food, no matter where or what we eat, (yes this includes the rare but occasional fast food while traveling) it has a steady and vibrant pulsing giving-back energy!

We are all energetic beings, living in an energetic world, and we all have the power, through our thoughts, feelings, and healing energy, to purify and uplift our food, our water, our planet, our selves! We are all Alchemists!

Kumari Mullin is a Reiki Master, Animal Communicator, intuitive healer, counselor, attorney, author, and equestrian. She specializes in energetic problem-solving for pets and their people. For the past 22 years she studied and lived with internationally acclaimed meditation masters, energy healers/teachers and with Penelope Smith, the pioneer of interspecies telepathic communication. Kumari has helped thousands of people and their animal friends internationally including doctors, veterinarians, trainers, holistic practitioners, rescue organizations and zoos. 



Crystals and Crystal Healing

Bringing a Metaphysical Subject Down to Earth



More than five billion years ago, a star exploded in a fiery supernova. Over millions of years, the swirling, colliding cosmic debris produced larger and larger spatial bodies. Our solar system took shape, and as the red-hot molten rock cooled, water vapor condensed in the earth's atmosphere. Clouds formed. A deluge of rain created the primordial oceans; and crystals formed.
Crystals are highly structured units of energy in constant motion:

  • they gestate deep within the earth and, metaphorically speaking, assist in uncovering individual buried reserves of power and strength
  • they are structured according to precise mathematical rules and adhere to clearly defined geometric patterns
  • they are forced to transmute under intense pressure, and are made exquisite by extremes of time and temperature
Every crystal is unique, with properties and characteristics as varied as their individual strengths. The study of crystals would consume years but a surprising number of benefits can be attributed to all crystals.

Each and every crystal can be programmed to receive, store, release, reflect, refract, magnify, transform, balance and harmonize, organize, amplify, focus and redirect energy. Thus, the understanding of their endless applications historically documented in virtually all cultures.

Ancient Egypt's Pharaohs were entombed with vast quantities of precious jewels, gemstones, and ornate golden statues to assure their enjoyment in the afterlife. These gold encrusted metals were ornamented with:
  • carnelian - believed to ensure the soul's passage into the netherworld
  • lapis lazuli - the ancient alchemist's stone of heaven; used by the royal morticians in cosmetizing and painting
  • turquoise - believed to ward off the "evil eye"
  • quartz - the mainstay of the crystal world, and the most versatile, multipurpose stone
  • amber - believed to aid in discovering ancient wisdom and knowledge
  • emeralds - favored by the Pharaohs for their breathtaking green color; symbolized life, growth, fertility, and creativity
  • ruby - considered one of the most valuable gemstones of our earth; symbolizes power, passion, and desire
  • sapphire - the stone of prosperity and the sister of the ruby
  • topaz - once thought to be tinted with the golden glow of the Egyptian sun god Ra; believed to increase physical strength
Chinese jade, long believed to be a symbol of wealth and honor, has been treasured since 2950 B.C. The ancient Chinese used jade extensively in treating chronic disease, restoring energy balance, and strengthening spiritual healing power. Jade is incorporated in feng shui to help one improve life by receiving positive qi (energy).

The mysterious, enigmatic crystal skulls of Mexico, Central and South America, represent some of the most fascinating archaeological finds of the 20th century. Within the last ten years or so, there have been recently discovered crystal skulls, either excavated or held by private collectors. The mysteries of the Mayan Crystal Skulls have endured for millennia; most interestingly, the prophesied, parallel demise of our world as we know it, and the great cycle of the Mayan calendar on December 21st, 2012.

Individuals familiar with natural healing practices are all pretty well accepting of the universal laws of mind/body/spirit interface philosophies fundamental to Indian Ayurvedic and Native American systems.

Crystal healing teaches the basic principles and characteristics of the human energy field:
  • barite - a sky-blue stone, is favored by many Native Americans, who use it to transform from physical to spiritual beings in their ceremonial practices; is also said to inspire lucid dreams and dream recall
  • emeralds - the ancient Incas and Aztecs in South America believed emeralds were holy; the Vedas, the ancient sacred writings of Hinduism, teach that emeralds are lucky stones that enhance well-being
  • nebula stone - black with nebula-like markings for access to cosmic wisdom and understanding
  • pink manganocalcite - is sometimes called the Reiki stone; healers use it to magnify their healing energies
  • serpentine - believed to guard against the bites and stings of venomous creatures; on a metaphysical level, it is thought to help with the rise of kundalini, or "serpent fire" energy through the chakras
  • Shiva lingam stones - any Indiana Jones enthusiast is familiar with Indy's quest for the 3 sacred stones symbolizing the Hindu god, Lord Shiva; the markings symbolize yoni or female energy, for the perfect balance of masculine and feminine fertility
  • sugilite - used by healers to dispel pain and instill peace of mind
  • sunstone - used to dispel negativity and fear; radiate health, happiness, and good fortune
Practitioners of crystal healing develop and experience personal energy sensitivity and healing abilities. By "listening" and being " in tune" with their crystals, they can redirect unhealthy, negative energy patterns; rejuvenate, balance and align their energetic bodies.

Civilized societies depend on quartz as the key component in advanced technologies. The discovery of solid-state silicon radar crystals and transistors turned the tide for the Allies in WW II, and generated new concepts for electronics in oceanographic and atmospheric research. You will never again look at your computer, digital camera, cell phone, crystal watch, cd or dvd player; or even an xray machine; without thinking about the quartz powering these.

Crystals, in and of themselves, do not heal. Instead, they can be used as a focal point for inspiration and enlightenment; they can prompt practitioners to think and live in healthier ways; and they can be used as conduits for healing energy. This knowledge will awaken intuitions to guide you through the science and the superstition.

Good Health!