Hawaii, the big island of love and extremely friendly people was definitely worth the long plane trip and temporary jet lag. I would have liked to have spent more than 6 days but work on the mainland beckoned and I had to get back…

I am dedicating this blog to my good friend Steve Spiers, a 30 year natural products veteran who traveled to heaven on June 28th . He and his loving wife Trixi,  were some of my role models for becoming a diver and shared my sense for adventure  for living life to the fullest. They traveled to Europe , the Caribbean , Belize , were married in St. John (the very best wedding ever!)  and could not wait to go diving again when their son, Max  was old enough. During his illness, Steve asked me to take photos and to share my travels with him and of course, pray …since he was unable to go.  Steve brought  so much happiness, camaraderie and a smile wherever and whomever he was with. He suffered tremendously these last 6  1/2 years but always managed to smile and stay positive. He was a leader, a friend, a fabulous husband & father, one of God’s very special children. Steve would have loved Hawaii and he was in my spirit while I was diving. He is at peace now with the Lord. Praise God. He inspired us and we will miss him.

Traveling  to Hawaii to  work with a  longtime friend of mine, Andy Jacobson, who is the current president & CEO of my favorite Spirulina company - Cyanotech ( wwww.cyanotech.com) was fun.  As a longtime user of green superfood products, I have been using this nutrient for years as it is the key ingredient in Greens+, a unique blend of many super foods and is also sold separately under the retail brand, Nutrex www.nutrex-hawaii.com

The pristine weather conditions of the Kona coas - sunshine and 5-10 inches of yearly rainfall - offer a unique environment for growing both Spirulina and Astaxanthin,potent micro-algaes that should be part of everyone’s daily health regime. Spirulina is one of the best superfoods to slow down the natural aging process and fuel the body with naturally occuring B-12 , Vitamin C, SOD, Fiber, Protein, Zeaxanthin, and additional  Carotinoids along with a vast array of color rich phyto-nutrients. Astaxanthin is popular for joint-related and inflammation issues and is also a skin saver for those who love the sun. Cyanotech is blessed to have its own beach and oceanfront real estate  on a 90-acre lava field.  The facility is amazing to visit and well run. The colors of the brilliant blue-green Spirulina (phycocyanin gives it the blue color) and the coral color are Astaxanthin and beautiful and beneficial for both inside and outside the body. A research video is in the making and will air sometime this year on PBS.

Gerald Cysewski,  the original owner and founder of Cyanotech, the visionary behind the process  is a humble genius and a forerunner for nutrient dense Superfood production in the natural products industry… What a pleasure to work with such dedicated folks who care about nutrition, the environment and about being the best they can be.

Landing on the Big Island, you might think you have landed on Mars , the charcoal- bricket-dry ground of dark Lava-land instead of a lush landscape elsewhere on the island. There are 13 different climate zones on this island, enough to satisfy everyone. Tourism is down, but the majority of the people are happy, willing to help folks, and a pleasure to interact with -even mailing things home from the local Kailua-Kona post office was fun plus you get to sample homemade chocolate “macadamia nut honus” (or turtles in English) for free since the Kailua candy company operates there  too… locally owned they only use real natural ingredients… no corn fructose or GMO foods and pure sugar cane… check them out at  800-622-2462 www.kailua-kandy.com. This location is on the way to Costco, a life-saver for your grocery budget  if you are renting condo with a kitchen.

The Kona side is growing with the big-box  retailers moving in providing the locals more choices. However, I frequented the local places to get to know the people who live there and experience the true Hawaiian lifestyle. A guidebook you can’t live without is HAWAII-The Big island revealed by Andrew Doughty who actually lives in Kailula-Kona. The locals confessed to me that when they want to travel around the island they use this book as their reference.

A quick 2 night stay at the Sheraton, just south of  Kailula-Kona  in Keauhou, was a nice facility with large, clean rooms, but had overpriced and bland food. They have been warned by many guests,  so hopefully they will improve. In the meantime,  eat local. The highlights of this hotel were the immaculate grounds with ocean front lava gardens and the nightly visits from the Manta Rays. The staff was friendly and helpful. One local favorite restaurant is Jackie Rey’s O’Hana Grill, located on Kuakini Hwy, across from Walua Road. Their unique and locally grown food with a colorful & friendly atmosphere, reasonable prices, open air seating and a good wine list is a must do on my list. The Molokai purple sweet potatoes and organic turnips, fresh Mahi Ahi, Organic Chicken and leafy greens made my day. Another local restaurant, Jameson’s By the Sea offers fabulous sunsets but so-so food. They aim to please but Jackie Rey’s  is so much better. However, the only view is the beautiful Frangipani trees that ladies pluck the fragrant blossoms for their hair before entering the restaurant.

For casual dining and picnic foods that are healthy, the Island Natural Foods store on Kawai Ave offers a fabulous salad bar, fresh fish and vegetarian entrees too. I was amazed at the selection here in Kona. If you are diving out of Kona, the store makes terrific food for lunches or the Manta-Night Dives. Sure beats the sub sandwiches or the local spam, rice , french fries and gravy dishes popular with the locals.

Moving up the coast to the tourist area, Waikoaloa Beach area offers everything from a family-filled theme park adventure stay at the Hilton, to a moderate resort at the Marriott, to Luxury at the Four Seasons, Mauna Lani Bay and Mauna Kea Resorts. Staying frugal and wanting a blend of comfort too, I stayed at the Marriott, oceanfront for an amazing 185.00 per night as tourism was off this week.  Their restaurants were just ok but they did offer brown rice instead of french fries with my fish . The fresh fruit juices were good (passion fruit is my favorite thirst quencher) and being active, we chose to eat lighlty and picnic style most of the week. Bring your snorkel gear here (Ocean Sports on site also offered 4 hours free daily for mask, snorkel & fins) to  go early in the AM to swim the local green turtles in the sanctuary… the reef is good but the visibility is best in the AM. The Marriott has their own sandy beach and great sunset viewing in a casual atmosphere. You will use your own gear if you have a car to hit all the cool snorkel spots in on some of the best beaches right off route #19.

The Queens Market convenience store less than a mile away offered fresh meats, sushi, soups, goat & sheep cheese, fruits, herbs & veggies, and even wheat-free crackers for me… this market although pricey was a blessing. Most mornings we ate fresh fruit and Greens+ bars, local macadamia nuts, Guayaki Yerba Mate & Itoen Green teas (available from Kona Natural Foods, Island Natural Foods (in Kona) Healthway II (in Waimea)  and Abundant Life (in Hilo) and the new Vitamin Shoppe in Kona ...I don’t like to heavily eat before diving.

The Kohala Divers in Kawaihae harbor (only a 15 min drive) were an amazing dive shop that welcome both divers & snorkelers. They do not touch critters and are environmentally and ecologically sound. They also spoil you with impeccable service and offer a friendly, knowledgeable crew. I will definitely go back…www.kohaladivers.com/808 -882-7774. My favorite spot for morning dives was off of Puako beach… a turtle cleaning station and home to a  couple of white tipped reef sharks, 100 ft visibility and schools of colorful fish, healthy hard corals made for interesting and easy diving. They did not offer access to the world famous manta ray dive so I went into Kona and booked with Kona Honu Divers 808-324-4668. www.konahonudivers.com. Their large boat, friendly crew and the incredible 10 mantas that showed up made this a favorite dive. A must do.

For those non-divers or divers who don’t carry underwater cameras with them… who may  want fabulous photographs of the turtles, rays or other creatures, call Stephen Eitel at 808-895-0877 www.diveeitel.com. He is a friendly, educated and talented 20 year Hawaii resident, a  renowned ocean photographer who will sell his photos (I bought his turtles & rays) or who you can contract for a dive or snorkel for personalized underwater photos. For readers  interested in healthy reef maintenance you may want to check out www.reefcheckhawaii.org or call 808-953-4044.

Sightseeing on the northwest coast offers the most beautiful beach of Hapaku &  Puako, Mauna Kea and Spencer… or for hiking the trails and national parks in north Kohala… it is worth some exploration. The towns of Hawi and Kapaau offer a respite from tourism . They are quaint, artistic, folksy and offer healthy fresh food. The casual Bamboo Restaurant (votes one of the best on the island) was fantastic with fresh fish & greens and a guava & passion fruit on ice slushie … their were many choices on their menu I could eat plus a gift shop with local talented artistic wares is a fun place to browse around.www.bamboorestaurant.info The Coffee place across the street Kohala Coffee offered so much more than the local coffee… I would have gone back another day to eat here too… green tea, healthy food options like fish & sweet potatoes, homemade soups & fabulous ice cream in a more casual setting. A dessert place with a few sandwiches,  Short & Sweet bakery even offered flourless chocolate cake. Hawi is about 20 minutes north of  Kohala divers making for good afternoon of food and exploration.

A Couple of miles north of Hawi , is the small town of Kapaau where we stumbled on King Kamehameha day -June 11th. The Snack Shack (formerly Kohala Rainbow Cafe)  808-889-0099 is located across from the Kamehameha statue; offers sandwiches, salads, brick oven small pizzas & desserts that are all fructose free… they only use natural cane sugar and Alyssa Slaven, the owner  is open to exploring some gluten free menu items too. Let her know you are interested.

Next store, owned by the same family for over 30 years  is an amazing art gallery …Ackerman’s gallery that features local artisan wares. I was able to replace my glass pendants (lost when my backpack was stolen in Italy) with new ones here for less money and I met the artist. Exploring the beaches off road with a 4WD  jeep was also fun.

My sister Hove  from Easton , CT who joined me on this trip is a master gardener and her goal was to see the Botantical gardens. There are several. The  newer World Botanical Gardens included the Umauma waterfalls in their $13.00 ticket price and we spent almost 3 hours there hiking around…Their master gardener Brian may be out and about too…what a pleasure to meet such a vibrant young man who loves the environment. 808-963-5427. The original Tropical Botanical Gardens located off the 4 mile scenic road outside Hilo (not to be missed by every guidebook & they are right) the dept of agriculture to enter the US . I bought a red plumeria to try out… Ticket price here is 15.00 pp. Bring your bug repellent for all the gardens and hiking around the Hilo side. The Jason ” Quit Bugging Me “ spray and a few extra drops of the Aura Cacia geranium essential oil mixed with my ASAP Gel did the trick . The popular What’s Shakin’ on this road offers good smoothies and great service but their sandwiches could be better-the local Mahi was deep fried and had a batter coating - not good for me and bland. Another smaller, simple take out shop (I didn’t write down the name but going North on the left hand side) with local honey & fruits offered a better menu they offered a good rice bowl with veggies and protein of your choice.

I didn’t have the time to go horseback riding  in Waipi’o Valley where the best views are, so I opted for a sunset ride with Paniolo Adventures that I heard was good from other divers. We ended up with no sunset due to rain but the experience was still worth it… to ride across a wide open range with hundreds of grass fed cattle, I felt like I was in a John Wayne western film. The lady wranglers let you trot and canter and my high spirited horse needed no urging. Herds of baby wild pigs, the constant moos of the cattle grazing and following you  and the mystique of the misty dusk were different than any other ride I have experienced. www..panioloadventures.com/ 808-889-5354

The town of Waimea, a naturally-oriented place had a terrific reasonably priced restaurant called Charlie’s Thai. Offered great summer rolls, soups, green tea and brown rice, fish and stir fries. Check it out 808-885-5591. The natural food store there Healthyways II in the Parker ranch shopping center across the street has wonderful smoothies and great takeout healthy food choices too. They will customize any menu item for you. Sheila runs a wonderful nutrition dept for all your supplement needs.  808-885-6775.  Merriman’s is also another interesting restaurant option here with good salads and passion fruit lemonade.

To finish off the trip , my other sister Sara gave Hove & I a birthday present  (as we are both 50 +  now) of a helicopter ride with Blue Hawaaian Helicopters and did the 2 hour spectacular with a comfortable craft and an educated pilot. The tour was terrific but we did not buy the DVD as it recorded all conversation and the people in the front seats… did not work for us. I just liked the scenery-the waterfalls and northern coastline were magnificent and the lava flow was interesting… the best part was the new land mass evolving when the lava hit the ocean. A truly unique perspective than just being underwater or on land . The Eco Star, more expensive offered us better & individual seating and viewing than the A Star and the pilot was quite conservative, it was easy to take photos. Be sure to watch the time you select if you are diving or hiking in the Volcano park -they want you  to allow 24 hours to decompress . call 800-786-2583 for reservation . Extra charges for persons over 250 lbs.

Not enough time to do as much as I wanted and certainly not much time to relax. Had a fabulous time …worked with the natural food stores and met many great folks. Would love to come back and do more… The only negative thing happened as we were leaving ….someone at TSA stole my large Princeton Tec dive light and left the clips that attach to my BCD… probably needed for the Manta Ray night dive. So my advice for any diver with camera equipment or lights… you may want to store them in your carry on baggage .

Remember to use a natural oil-free sunscreen like ZIA SPF 15 or 30 to protect both you and the reef (oil based products are damaging reefs). Bring a skin, even for snorkeling so you don’t get burned because there is so much to see, you won’t want to get out of the water once you are in.  In June the water was 77-79 degrees so I was very comfortable in my 3/5 wetsuit w/ a hooded vest for multiple dives.

So as natives say… Mahalo (thank you) to the wonderful people who work so hard to keep this Island a paradise  & Aloha (hello / goodbye)  until next time. Facebook has some photos posted now…

In Continued health,

Sally Byrd

The Women of Gragnano Italy & children !

I finally had the opportunity to visit Italy.   I owe it all to my Aunt Dee (my deceased dad’s older sister) and her husband, Uncle Dick wanting me and their daughter Karen to finally meet our cousins in Gragnano, Italy, a suburb of Naples (Napoli).  My great grandfathers who did not know each other at the time they came over to America  Gabriel Malafronte ( went to New York and was in the restaurant business ) and Domenic Mercurio( produce guy )   came to the US in 1898 . Domenic Mercurio started selling fruit & vegetables door to door and  eventually opened an authenic thriving Italian grocery store, Mercurio’s in Fairfield , CT (closed in 2005 after 100 years) .I grew up in this store and never shopped a traditional supermarket until I was 18 and in college.

Meeting my cousins was fascinating and they are all wonderful . Aunt Dee speaks excellent Italian( she takes lessons and is more disciplined than I )   , I do not as my grandmother used to tell us …they lived in America and should only speak English now…. I never learned and now I am trying to learn Spanish for my job .

Gragnano is a small working class suburb of Naples that was known for its pasta - originally had 2,000 pasta manufacturers now it it is down to 200 . Gragnano is about an hour north of the Amalfi coast and the sophisticated charming towns of Positano & Sorrento . Ferries to Capri depart daily from Naples but due to inclement weather we were unable to visit this trip.

Everyone has their own vision of Italy whether they have been there or not …..the land of romance,  fabulous food & wine, historical, ancient secrets still waiting to be discovered, home of Ducatis and Ferrais , high fashion and now the slow food movement. I love the discovery and adventure of getting to know the locals and their culture and italy did not disappoint me .

My travel  challenges, however,  included the  national obsession with cigarette & cigar smoking and the questionable  sanitation of the bathrooms.  Just spending a couple of days in Rome and my eyes were already burning and hurting. I ‘ll bet the  US tobacco  industry is still making their profits here.  I used the American BioTech Silverbiotics spray and gel to keep the irritation and swelling down . Thank goodness I also had all of my supplements , they really helped. Couldn’t have made it without my Deflect for O blood types from North American Pharmacal …..and my Sun Chlorella.

What I want to know is , how do the motorcycle  riders keep a lit cigarette in their mouth while maneuvering their speedy vehicles through traffic . Amazing skills they have .

The bathrooms , which on top of fees ranging from .5 to 1.00 Euro were always a surprise.  Hole in the ground or toilette? Seat or no seat ?…were you going to get paper? Did they flush ? We used the great outdoors several times and it was more sanitary than most public toiletes. Other than that we were comfortable with Italy and its customs, many familiar to me with my Italian upbringing.

Rome was a typical city full of adventure and Gelato waiting for you on every block . I had only experienced Gelato at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas and it was nothing like this. I am not a fan of ice cream and usually opt for sorbet because I am lactose intolerant to cow’s milk. . However, I became a Gelato convert( no milky aftertaste, does not make you thirsty , no indigestion or bloating and a small cup satisfies you ) ……even a snob by the end of my trip . In Italy ,  Gelato is considered a snack , not a desert . Much better than a candy bar over here.

My friend Stacey Stilts from West Hollywood, CA  joined me for the final week of my trip and she loves Gelato , usually buying it from her local Whole Foods store.  The best types are made several times daily in small batches, served in stainless steel metal tub with natural ingredients  no artificial anything- right up my alley!

Our #1 favorite place was in Rome ( Roma ) . Gelateria Die Teatro , at 70 Via di San Simone Street a small cobblestone side street near some antique stores just a few blocks down after crossing the Tiber River from Caste De Angelo and walking about 10 minutes. My ginger Gelato with chunks of ginger and Stacey’s fig & Ricotta cheese were the best of all we had. Wished we could have gone back for more . #2 winner was Gelateria Torterzo Coccatero / Furoi dal Centro in Borgo a Mozono , just north of Lucca about 25 miles with  hazelnut-Nicola ,Pischaccio, Raspberry & Mango …a real surprise  on the main road leading to Bagni de Lucca on the right . They also make the most incredible Gelato pastries and cakes .wwwbernorddiniluca@yahoo.it #3 for organic and dark chocolate with cocoa nibs was GROM in Florence, Oche 24a  ..(.the Strawberry (  fragiloa ) was good too) . A new restaurant in Lucca( opened in MAY ) , Grano Salis , we could have been dining in LA with the decor  ……their house specialty was Cinnamon ( canella )and it was sooo creamy, not sweet &  absolutely awesome . Do not however get their Tiramiso , very disappointing .Other flavors that we loved from other establishments were pear, passion fruit, tiramiso and crema . The chestnut was bland and Tuscany chianti was ok  ,the cherry was too sweet.

Eating was a challenge since I do not consume wheat or pork products -I cheated once and paid dearly for it with an anchovy & zucchini flower pizza and a few slices of salami . So what do you eat when you aren’t eating the 5 p’s in Italy - pizza, pasta, panni, proscuitto & pastries? A lot of cheese! Thank goodness for sheep cheese..and many different types… …it agreed with me -no bloating or sinus problems .. I stay away from cow except for mozarella.

The bohemian suburb of Rome , per Rick Steve’s Italy 2009 book  www.ricksteves.com…..saved us here. Trastevere had wonderful restaurants that were better priced and offered more varieties of vegetables, fish and meats than some of the others I had experienced in other parts of Rome & Lucca.

Our favorite here which we frequented twice was Ai Fienaroli , a couple of blocks south of the main square and not as touristy . www.aifienaroli. See if Gizamo is working…she only works part time for tips because she loves the cooking of Chef Stefano . They have the best mussels & clams ,vegetables ( like chicory & artichokes)lean fresh  meats and fish dishes and are well known for their Tiramiso . The best wine bar was ChaKra with owner Ricardo who told us about Ai Fienardoli and helped us understand the social life of the local Romans……get the Valpolicello for only 22Euro……tastes like the Amarone for 55.00 …..both from the Veneto region.

While we were in the Lucca area we rented a Villa for the week from a sharp business women -Alexandra Galvani who recently purchased Burgo Giusto and is turning this restored 17th century village into a wellness center. We loved it here and our villa , the former postman’s house was ours & we had a full kitchen . A bit romantic , and decorated with roses herbs gardens,  olive groves and an abundance of  birds;  is located 23 miles north of Lucca in a very small village Partigliano . A running joke around here is if you enter one of the bars ( very different from the US ) you may as well be going into a retirement home , a little challenging for us single women .

We frequented the local markets for produce & fish and also a grocery chain, Esselunga ….which offered the best take away gourmet foods- sheep cheeses, meats ( beef , shrimp ) and incredible prices on produce & wine. Local food in season included our favorite of artichokes- Carciofi , zucchini & flowers, green beans , mussels ( Cozze), eggplant ,rainbow trout and blueberries. We ate well. Breakfasts of organic eggs, herbs,meats and veggies with our Yerba mate & green teas were lifesavers. I was in egg withdrawal since Gragnano & Rome did not serve eggs for breakfast - mostly pork based meats, pastries , breads, rolls & croissants  and Capucino . I lived on Yerbe Mate te , Greens+ bars & almonds  for breakfast the first week that I brought from the US. From then on we ate meals like picnics……and maintained our weight with better foods and smaller, more frequent meals.

Our favorite day of all was in Cinque Terre . A group of 5 small towns tucked into the cliffs north of Tuscany past Carrara ( the marble mines) and La Spezia ( off A -12) . We only had the chance to hike the first 3 towns and and back …..and want  to return. There are trails at several altitudes, small charming villages , good food & wines….and really nice  people) . This area is a mad house in the summer but May & Sept are terrific lower key months with great weather .  The town practically shut down during the winter months in Dec ember& January . We ate in the small delis & Trattoria’s  that offered cheeses, anchovies,tomatoes,artichokes ,eggplant & olives …with slices of Cecina from the  pizzeria’s (completely wheat free lentil flour slices that the Italians eat it plain with salt  but I added my picnic treat on top )and hung out at our favorite wine bar -(Enoteca) in Corniglia ….Il Purin.Mario ,Mario owns local vineyards, has his own wine label and will allow you to consume your lunch in his shop with a purchase when the other restaurants are all closed. A  truly delightful place. Most of the restaurants close from 2:30-7:30 so you are very limited on food choices except for the smaller deli’s and pizzeria’s.

Other Lucca area highlights:

Horseback Riding : Ranch Il Ruscello / Bagni Di Lucca 347-688-8661 Rosi  , a Dutch native,  is the best ! Western saddle, speaks English ,25.00Euro per hour ( includes natioanl license )  and also offers 3 day overnight trips and riding lessons.

Terme /Hot Springs : Jean Varraud , Bagni Di Lucca.www.termebagnidilucca.it  A medical spa type of place ….the caves offer a natural steam sauna( dating back to the time of Napolean’s sister -Paulina )   and the mud treatments and massages are a respite from all the hiking around. Not fancy , just effective. Closed Friday afternoons.

Lucca Winery & Olive Oil : Fattoria Sardi Giustiniani offered wine & olive oil tastings by Elena , a native from Lucca who for 25.00 Euro pp is a great deal . Truly off the beaten track and not touristy like some in the southern Tuscany areas…..no tour buses here. ..get a local directory of the 30 local farms & wineries in this region. The 2005 Merlot is truly one of the best reds you will ever consume( next to the Veneto regions of reds)  I am not a Chianti fan . The best white is blend is a 2007 Felice. The olive oil has a peppery finish and only 300 bottles are produced per year . Apts are also available for rent . You are just 10 minutes south of Lucca and close to the Auto strada for convenience to Florence but in another quiet  peaceful world .

Umbria/ Assisi . I did not get but less than 24 hours in this beautiful town and could have easily spent a week here….this was my favorite Artist : I wish I had room to buy some plates and vases from this talented artist -Pittura su Tei at Assisi Typical wwwassisitypicalaltervista.org. She makes the most unusual bracelets from forks & raw gemstones and her painted plates were the most beautiful anywhere.

Must have’s for healthy travel :

Travel mug for your tea unless you don’t mind 4 oz china tea cups…tea bags…..herbal teas are  limited here however you can buy Green ,chamomile,rose hips and lemon verbena….bring  extra kleenex or TP-for roadside stops!  ,a shaker cup , Ipod or mp3 player for music  if you stay in the country as it is very quiet ……Band-aids and an ace bandage for hiking….several pairs of sneakers/sandals to rotate  your shoes in case of blisters…. a headlamp flashlight for hiking around unlit areas or to use as a reading light …Natural Air Fresheners for mold control - North American herb & Spice Germ-a Cleanze...and Mia Rose Air therapy work the best and your supplements. I really needed the Liverclean city pollution) ,Thyroid Balance ( weight,brain  & hormones)  Sugar Balance ( after Gelato’s& wine ) and the Anti-Aging 3 Collagen( skin, joints& immune)  from Dr Venessa, chlorella & spirulina  or your favorite green drink ….L- Glutamine, Taurine, Tryptophan , MSM & Turmeric ( Jarrow brand is best here….for any inflammation)  Melatonin, B’s ,& C and EFA’s … good quality skin care serums , creams & masks ….Italy is VERY dry

Bring ….a sense of humor ….a lot of time ( Nothing in Italy moves quickly except for cars and motorcycles) and PATIENCE .

I will definitely be back to explore my other roots in Sicily and keep in touch with my Cousins, visit Capri ,  and head back to Cinque Terre…..

In Continued health and happy traveling …..there are 3 photo albums up on Facebook now.

Sally Byrd

When I mentioned to my friends & family that I was headed to Nicaragua for a much needed break, they all wanted to know if it was safe, even though I was traveling with two of my dear friends, Sue Bennett and Mary Kennedy - we were celebrating a 25 friendship and the need to escape our hectic work schedules.

Our goal:  An inexpensive get-away without the a lot of glitz and people that included nature/eco-tourism and diving and snorkeling.  All of us are  Hunter genotypes, O positive “strong American women” as we were nicknamed here…I first heard about Little Corn Island in my undercurrent newsletter: www.undercurrent.org  - written for serious divers about 4 years ago and was so happy that I was finally able to make this trip with two adventurous friends.

A quick trip through Miami on American Airlines to Managua was delightfully uneventful.  Mary’s luggage was delayed a few hours but made it safely before the early morning flight.   Managua, Nicaragua is the largest and worst city to be stuck in so we stayed at the Best Western directly across the street.  They advertise hot water but it is lukewarm to cool … rooms are like cabins and the restaurant serves good food; there is a pool. Internet is free, rates run about $95.00 per night.  The other recommended hotel is only 5 minutes away  - The Camino Real for about $15.00 more per night.

An early am flight took us to the airport around 5:30 am  to continue our journey across the country to the Caribbean coast . This was the pricy part of the trip for me as the $1.20 per pound ran me up $91.00 plus a $2.00 tax on the domestic airline La Costena - regular baseline RT  airfare runs $165.00.   Both Mary and Sue paid under $20.00 extra (I like to travel with my own dive gear).

The planes are old, but safe as long as you don’t dwell on the few places where there was some duct tape.  When we landed on Big Corn Island we were met by Elvis, a taxi driver for Casa Iguana, 848-4875, that ran us $2.00 each . The ferry ride to Little Corn ($6.00 US and about 40 min) was better than most theme park roller coasters and the previous week’s winds were calming down. Only 1 -15  foot drop, the other 4-6 ft drops were common and fun.  Still for those who get sea-sick, you would want to wait for calmer weather.

Little Corn Island, a humble speck of land less than 3 miles long, East of Big Corn, is surrounded on 3 sides by coral reef’s.  This island takes you back 60 years to Old Caribbean  living.  There are no roads - only a 3 ft wide concrete sidewalk that meanders through the town . The town generators struggle to keep up with electrical needs so sometimes you can’t have dinner at your  favorite spot unless they have a back up generator or a grill.

The friendly people greet you with smiles and many of them speak English. Coconut bread is the mainstay starch  here and you will be approached several times daily by children peddling this and other baked delicacies. The restaurants are  excellent and not everything is fried like most Caribbean islands.  From the incredible Mahi Fish Soup and citrus shrimp at SOLE, to tender beef with cilantro sauce at the Cuban place - HABANA LIBRE, to Fantastic Chicken curry at LOS DELPHINES, best creole fish at BRIDGETES,  local island fare at Elsa’s and her her sons place, up the path on the West side … If you love Pizza … Mangoes is great but no spelt crusts(although the dough is made from scratch) yet for me, and of course the simple elegance of gourmet meals at the Casa Iguana Lodge, we did not have one bad meal.  All of the seafood is of course caught within minutes of your meal - the service is VERY slow so order and take a walk, bring books or converse with some fun people.  It may take up to an hour to be served. The locals are proud of their food and their island and the attitude  radiates  in everything they do.  Most dinners ranged from $12.00 - $20.00 including a glass of wine, water or beer.

Since we were diving , we stayed at the Casa Iguana Eco-Lodge on the east breezy side of the Island that has the same owner as Dive Little Corn.  Two years ago, this resort sold to a sharp Chicago business women Mary and she  is getting ready for expansion as Little Corn is being discovered and bookings increase.   She has hired a wonderful environmental engineer, Tim who resides in Idaho to improve the resort.

Tim made our stay comfortable, although there is NO hot water for showers anywhere on the Island, Tim made sure that sure that Sue and I had a thermos of hot water for tea every morning.  We introduced him to Guayaki Mate, Traditional Medicinals Ginger Aid  and Numi Jasmine Green and Rooibus tea.  Mary looked forward to  her Organic Nicaragua coffee.  Mary, the Casa Iguana owner, also owns a premium line of  fair trade organic foods called Sol Simple (www.sol-simple.com)  with her brother who lives in Managua,  makes preserves  from passion fruit, orange,  and hibiscus flowers,  dried mango, pineapple and banana, cashews and coffee.   All organic, all grown in Nicaragua to help the farmers expand fair trade practice.  They have a few accounts in the  US and are hoping to expand.

Casa Iguana’s simple huts had comfortable beds and a futons in the larger Casitas with hammocks to spend a few hours reading in the afternoon.  The mile long beach was safe for snorkeling and about 10-15 minutes out was a reef teaming with sea life (lots of eagle rays) and healthy coral.  Rooms run $65 - $85.00 depending on the size of the cabin.  Prices for meals are $6.00 breakfast, $7.00 lunch, and $16.00 dinners. Wines from Argentina are only $4.00 per glass and beer is $1.60 - $1.80.  A small bar and dining room makes this lodge a central part of island entertaining.

Because we were on the breezy part of the Island away from town, there were no bugs. but you may need the provided mosquito netting during the hotter, calmer summer months.  There were community and private showers and bathrooms.  We actually had toilet seats -  not all accommodations provide them and I ended up getting used to the water.  I was also thankful to see them use eco friendly soap like Wonder Wash from All Terrain a popular environmental line of bug repellents, sunscreen and washes operated by the Kulow family in NH which also imports the Borlind of Germany products, an  upscale environmental friendly skincare line.  For more info or to book a room : wwww.casaiguana.net.

Another unexpected surprise were the fireflies and the massive galaxy of bright twinkling stars every evening.  We loved every minute of it.

For scuba divers, there are 2 dive shops Dive Little Corn www.divelittlecorn.com and Dolphin Dive www.dolphindivelittlecorn.com.  Diving prices are very reasonable - 2 dives for $65.00 and $75.oo for night dives.  Packages of 10 bring it down to $60 per 2 tank dive.  Snorkelers are invited out on the afternoon dives that frequent shallower waters for $15.00. 

I dove primarily with Dive Little Corn and loved the experience.  I just needed more dives and wished I could have stayed longer.  My dive masters Linnea (from Sweden) and John (Chicago transplant)  were very good about safety,  pre-dive conditions and briefings.  The dives were easy and fun, not many big fish except at Blowing rock which is more pricey - a 17 mile away dive that takes all day.  My favorite local dive site was White Holes which offered both snorkelers and divers an opportunity to swim with nurse sharks, eagle rays, and schools of blue tang among picture perfect Elkhorn coral. There are now 2 boats, no rinse tanks and they do carry DAN safety emergency kits. I did learn to feel better about cavern and ledge diving as we had several of these.  The water was a beautiful 81 degrees.  Mary and I were the only ones with full wetsuits which I would advise for protection.  I wore a skin for snorkeling as there were a few small jellyfish. The current was mild, with a few swells on the east side.

Due to a funeral which closed down Dive Little Corn for 2 days - I took a day and dove with Dolphin Dive.  These Europeans offer good diving too, but the boats was so crowded that I did not feel safe. On the second dive John and some students also came on the boat and they helped me with gear issues and getting on and off the boat was challenging.  A newer more spacious boat would make a big difference here.

While I was diving one day - Mary and Sue  went horseback riding with Bing Crosby (his real name) for 2 hours,  only $25.00 which included riding on the beach and through the woods and orange groves.  Bookings through the Peace & Love Farm on the NE part of the Island. They need 24 hours notice and the riding starts at 10:00 am .www.farmpeacelove@hotmail.com or have someone radio them. It is about a 45 minute walk to get there from town. They also have a room to rent and provide a genuine  3 course Italian dinner for those who will venture out there during the night .

Other activities include  fishing trips, swimming, volleyball,  playing pool, hiking around the island, hanging out with the locals, reading or just relaxing in a hammock somewhere.  Be sure to book your trip soon as the word gets out this sleepy little island is already on the drawing board for land developers.  We met people from all over the world and group of grad students from the DC area.  I think we were the oldest tourists there!

We needed more time and will just have to go back.  We flew back after only 6 days to Managua and hopped a cab to Granada, the 4th largest city and the prettiest and oldest mainland settlement that sits on the edge of Lake Nicaragua, only a 1 hour drive from  Managua. Our destination was a small intimate hotel with 13 rooms  -  Casa San Francisco run by a hard working expat, Nancy a former United Airlines employee who believes a good bed is key to a great night’s sleep .www.casasanfrancisco.com to reserve rooms from $55 - $75 per night  and includes a hot breakfast in a courtyard filled with flowers and birds and free Internet.  We were also delighted with the hot showers and homemade soaps her professional and friendly staff made our trip perfect - Maria Lourdes - she knows everything! And there is Pena, Carlos, Franklin & Giovanni …

The dinners were elegant and filling and the we liked the location of this hotel as it was a 5 minute walk from the town square - Central Park and all vendors and celebrations … in a safe quiet neighborhood. This town is  being restored and several other places also looked nice.  Another elegant hotel is La Gran Francia -  www.lagranfrancia.com

Nicaragua is the home to 54 volcanoes. We only had time to visit one - Mombacho an inactive one that encompasses a coffee farm and a zip line  high up in a cloud forest. There are many different Eco-tours places all over Granada - Giovanni was our guide who spoke excellent English and provided us with a memorable day for $30.00 pp.  If we had another day we would have gone to Masaya, the town that houses the active volcano -it is visible from Mombacho.   Another few hours roaming about the streets, churches, convents and art museums provided us with a good feel for the town . The artisans in Central Park offered reasonably priced jewelry, pottery, clothing and food items. Only a few beggars.  They even had a small chocolate shop - Momotombo Artisian chocolates infused with local fruits, nuts and coffee that were irresistible.

Wanting more exercise we headed out for a 3 hour kayaking tour amongst the 365 islands in the lake - created by volcanic eruptions years ago.  Of course that would take days but our short trip proved to be great exercise and informative. Our guide Alberto Mario Romano,a 22 year old with beautiful English speaking skills, works with  Inuit Kayak company ($35.00 pp including transportation.)  The birds and the flowers were beautiful and Alberto  is also a poet  and teaches children English in his spare time. His dream is to have a large whiteboard, pens and paper for his students.  I would like to help him reach his goal. Casa San Francisco also owns several small cottages on the lake if you want to be directly on the water and want to hike,  bird watch or swim.  www.sansimian.com  505-813-6866.

One afternoon Sue & I pampered ourselves by getting a massage, an acupuncture treatment and a pedicure at the Alma Zen massage place down across from the bus station - a  rougher area but very peaceful inside.  www.almazennicaragua.com/825-9094.  A simple place that offered great rates and could take with just a quick call from Maria Lourdes at our hotel.  Paula, a competent business women runs the place and Claudia and Lydia our therapists were awesome; they are skilled, attentive women with big hearts.  Another Spa - Pure Vida was more upscale and was completely booked. The fitness center is free when you stay at the Casa San Fransisco. I had no idea that the Mayan Indian Indian culture was using acupuncture.  It is still common in Nicaragua and Claudia  inserted the needles with better proficiency than most therapist here in the US  for only $10.00 and you get to keep your needles! We also received a discount since there were two of us.

Totally relaxed,  we walked around town the rest of the day.  Leaving Nicaragua was difficult for us. The people, the landscape, the activities and simple affordable fun was such a treat!  The water was safe to drink - I did bring my Cell Food drops, North American Herb & Spice, Wild Oregano, Silver Biotics gel & spray, Tea Tree Therapy oils and Dr. Venessa’s Liverclean & Digestion just in case. We always travel with all of our supplements and have never had any illness or stomach upsets  in my last 30 years of road travel.  Nutritional supplements were lacking in the stores but the food supply was so fresh. Protein bars and snacks did come in handy (bring some with you)  for hiking but the fresh fruit smoothies were awesome.

The men -waiter and bartender at Casa San Francisco seemed to love the Aura Cacia Geranium oil that I wore mixed with lavender for a bug repellent. Some new American perfume, they all had to put it on …very cute… All 3 of us took our Dr. Venessa’s Anti-Aging 3 Collagen each evening to keep our immune system up, our joints limber and our aging bodies intact.  We tried to represent America well.  We respected their customs and mingled with the locals and thanked everyone we met.  Even taking photos,  the people were friendly and wanted me to spread the word that Nicaragua wants  tourism.  On a Friday night you may be able to catch a movie outside as the local were projecting American Movies on the side of an old building  with sound!  Better than a drive in and free!

Spanish schools are everywhere - for 4-5 hours a day and $140.00 for class and an additional $70.00 - $80.00 per week you can stay with a family and learn.  I am contemplating going back. They do have cell phones, Internet and I need to learn Spanish . Can’t wait to return - I have 2 photo albums posted on Facebook.

In Continued Health,

Sally Byrd

Unnecessary thyroid surgeries are on the rise nationwide rendering many people slaves to prescription medications for the rest of their lives. This small butterfly shaped gland at the base of your neck , controls more than just your weight and body temperature and is a very critical piece in the anti-aging puzzle of life.

As I was traveling through the Southeast this past month , I ran into a number of individuals who due to thyroid problems , had pending surgeries and prescription medication scripts waiting to be filled.

With the aging population growing , this thyroid challenge will escalate. While some people take the more natural form - Armour (from Pigs) many are still on the commonly prescribed  Synthroid or Levothyroid ( T-4 production) and Cytomel ( produces T-3) .

Still, even on medications many people just don’t feel right and still maintain many of the symptoms.

My recent hormonal tests showed that I have the thyroid of a healthy 20 year old in a 50 year old body.  My doctor wanted to know what I was taking.  As a lover of sea vegetables, I have always consumed  seaweed in the form of green superfoods - Chlorella ( Sun Chlorella, New Chapter  or Jarrow ) , Spirulina ( Nutrex )  and in nori, wakame, dulse and arame certain dishes whenever I could . I also started taking the Tree of Life Thyroid  product 8 years ago that I formulated as a preventative (not available now) and have worked with Dr. Venessa on a newer, higher potency formula to help the body cleanse, balance  and maintain this important gland - Dr. Venessa’s Thyroid Balance. The abundance of bladderwrack, dulse,  Vitamin D, Colleus forskohlli, rosemary , acetyl l-tyrosine,  trace minerals and schizandra offer hormonal and parathyroid support for  several areas: bone density , balanced body weight, emotional and memory health for the Hypo-type of thyroid imbalance (TYPE 2)

For people with years of chronic low thyroid , they may need additional homeopathic iodine drops to get their system back on track .Many alternative practitioners such as Johnathon Wright ( Townsend letter -April issue ) claim this is partly due to influx of flouride in our water supply , food supply and toothpaste. People with this condition should avoid hydrofluosilicic acid or sodium flouridas Dr Wright considers flouridation along with the prominant Albert SchartzPhDas the one largest health care frauds in our history . As a lifetime opponent to fluridation myself ( and I am cavity free) I  agree with this statement . check out www.fluoridealert.org for more info …………

For Hyperthyroid individuals,  ( about 10% diagnosed & more difficult to treat ) please research the properties of bugleweed, lemon balm, motherwort, cat’s claw and royal jelly for your program. Also add 300-600mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid w /a good b-Complex for a couple fo months then try a maintenance dose of 100-300mg.

People with a hypo-thyroid need to be aware that too much Alpha Lipoic can slow the thyroid down more so keep the dose around at 100-200mg daily .

Cut Soy products out of the diet for all thyroid issues.Sometimes even the healthy cruciferous veggies ( broccoli ,cauliflower,cabbage & brussel sprouts) will slow the thyorid so choose the most beneficial  by your blood or geno-type .

The closer to age 40 one is, the more you should start thinking about the nutrients that support this important gland. Even if you don’t have weight or energy issues, you need to take precautions for life long health.  It is never too late to start.

What is the role of a thyroid in your body?

Very Important, as it in involved with the central nervous system communication and positive emotional health,it control’s one’s body temperature, bone density , cellular enzyme activity, tissue growth and repair, fat metabolism, it regulates carbohydrate absorption, improves balanced energy, healthy cholesterol, arteries, and triglyceride levels.

Thyroid tests are usually not complete (get at least 5 tests done not just the 2 covered by your insurance).  Even if the doctor tells you that you are normal, you still need  to start nutrient supplementation after 40. Men are only 5-7% of the population and women nearing 40 with peri-menopause are the hardest hit and can reach 26% of this age group .

As women age and estrogen reserves decline ,the thyroid will be compromised. With increases of synthetic estrogen this issue will get worse.  Please ask your doctor about  Bio-identical hormones based on plants, instead of animal urine and synthetics to help balance oyur body at this age.

Your thyroid health is critical to our bodies decreasing sex hormonal levels (after age 30) and for supportive communication to the Hypothalamus & Pituitary gland- the spark plugs of your brain.  Be sure to also watch you insulin levels too as high levels of insulin can also slow down your thyroid activity.

So if you have any of these common symptoms, you may want to change your diet and start on some products that may help you through this transition - male or female.

Brittle nails….intolerance to cold…constipation…dry scaly or rough skin…enlarged goiter…fluid retention…heavy menstruation…headaches…high blood pressure…recurrent infections…joint pain…kidney problems…MS..Muscle aches…droopy or puffy eyelids….a bloated face…insomnia…thinning eyebrows…are just some of the symptoms . Do something about it now and don’t become a product of the latest surgery Du Jour !

and stop using flouridated products…….

In Continued health,

Sally Byrd

Today there are so many choices available claiming to erase the visible signs of pre-mature aging. As part of the aging boomer generation I am continually working to inspire others by looking and feeling great for as long as I live.  Many women and some men are asking me what alternatives to medication , surgery , cosmetic fillers & injections actually work ; so I set out to further investigate some of the oldest forms of Eastern Medicine , Acupuncture & massage .

Although I have been receiving monthly Acupuncture treatments  for stress and hormonal balance for over a  year ,  I was fascinated with a traditional  therapy in acupuncture called Facial Rejuvenation.

I have just completed a full set - 12 treatment Acupuncture -facelift series , with Dr Michelle O’Shaughnessy, owner of Aesthetic Acupuncture Clinic in Orlando www.aestheticacupuntureclinic.com and am very pleased with the results.

Dr Michelle has the professional training as both an acupuncturist and an esthetician and loves using nutritional products too, to help her patients meet their goals. She and her husband have created a frozen soups with added Chinese herbs that are condition-specific( metabolic, detox , recovery,lungs  )  to encourage healing from the inside for people who have limited cooking abilities,  time constraints or who may want to limit oral supplementation.

www.herbalhealingsoups.com

Acupuncture facelifts , are an overall body makeover and do much more than just impact the face &  neck areas. Unlike a “tight ” un-natural wrinkle-free pulled skin look , these methods are much more natural ; they involve improving overall muscle & skin tone with improved elasticity for both the key target areas-face and neck with supportive body balance. These treatments  include a facial /European type of massage too.

Qi or circulation is stimulated by needles on the the face ( the normal flow of circulation  the  face is compromised as we age , “dragging “down facial muscles )  and supported by additional needles in your legs,feet,arms & hands  to achieve maximum stimulation and circulation and ultimate body balance. The needles that are used in this treatment are coated in silicon and are extremely thin , so you hardly feel them . Many of these esthetician’s also have needle-free skin -lifting machines ( micro-current technology ) that offer the similar effects , although more treatments are necessary . Acupuncture works by causing a slight trauma to the area of injection , forcing the body to produce more protein. This action plumps up the skin to reduce the visible fine lines & wrinkles.

Typical Acupuncture facelift benefits include : reduction of both fine lines, wrinkles and bags under the eyes ,lifts eyelids, firms the jowl area, reduces puffiness and stress , tightens pores & moisturizes skin,improves lymph & blood circulation and improves acne.

One additional benefit that I have noticed , is that my long distance vision has improved and I have not worn my glasses for driving in 6 months. I also advise you to follow a strong nutritional program with Dr Venessa’s Anti-Aging3 Collagen 1-2 times daily . This supplement along with the many benefits I have written about in previous entries , has now started to increase the layers of my facial skin., adding additional elasticity . Both Dr Michelle and the Janean Hamilton , RN , my acupuncturist ( stress management ) at the FL School of Integrative Medicine www.fcim.edu have noticed the improvements and have starting using and recommending the Anti-Aging3 collagen .

Other important nutrients to consider adding  would be the Jarro-sil or Natrol Bio-sil pro collagen liquid drops, along with amino acids like Carnosine , Acetyl Carnitine & l-Glutamine, Lutein, Alpha Lipoic Acid, B-Complex , MSM ,Resveratrol  or pycnogenol ,hyaluronic acid &  essential fatty acids like Evening Primrose oil  or Marine DHA  . Absolute musts for helathy vibrant skin include super green foods, like Greens+ , Perfect Food ,Chlorella or Spirulina , Dr Venessa’s Liverclean, turmeric or curry powder along  with hydration from water & lemon  and green tea  are essential .

For those who may needle- phobic or who travel frequently ; try the Health Recovery Chips that use a new revolutionary nanometer technology ( are actually crystalized stones with jade & sapphire)  and are safe ,efficient and very simple to use . www.shennongroup.ca. These are terrific for home use, are cost effective and will work between scheduled treatments .

For people who may want more of an instant lift , but don’t want Botox , Guna Therapeutics offers a natural homeopathic injections but they may only last 2-3 weeks in the beginning .   Check with your esthetician :with frequent use the dosage  used decreases and the length of time  between visits increases, becoming more cost effective .

The “filler category is increasing with Restalyn as the major filler for the brow or lip area . This injectable contains hyaluronic acid and is safer than Botox but is just as costly . Because it forms a bump or ridge in the area injected, it is not suitable for the entire face.

For those of you who want an alternative ,safe , and total body anti-aging effect, try acupuncture or one of the micro-current treatments that use a mild electrical vibration to lift and tone the skin. Do not confuse these treatments with micro-dermabrasion .This is equivalent to “mowing the grass” while these in depth acupressure massage and lifting treatments actually support the inside of the tissue too. There are 18 different facial acupressure points.

Another facial treatment winner that I like is the Bellanina Facelift Massage method www.belavi.com that works similar to the Acupuncture facelift except it is massage based and does not use needles. The roots of this treatment actually has some Asian roots….I was trained in this technique by the owner Nina Howard and now use some of the home techniques taught for my  daily maintenance cleansing routine. Long term aging  benefits packages start include a 10 week package , but stress reduction & relaxation is apparent after just 1 treatment . These treatments can actually be combined with acupuncture for additional health benefits. Monthly treatments and home acupressure massage techniques will keep the face firmed and toned between treatments.

These treatments are available at many day spas ,independent estheticians’ , massage therapists and several integrative wellness centers.If you are ever in the Ann Arbor Michigan ,give yourself a treat and make an appointment at the Bellanina Day Spa (www.bellaninadayspa.com)  for a facelift massage .

Whichever treatment you prefer; they are all superior to toxic injections or a an expensive facelift, unless it is for facial reconstruction or a health condition. Remember, that even Botox type injections will not work as well on thin skin so they become less effective with older, aging or diabetic skin challenges.

With Acupuncture, massage , nutritional supplements,  a healthy diet and exercise you can achieve your goals for 2009 and look & feel terrific .

In our twenties we have the body we inherited; in our forties we have the body we made and by the time we are in our fifties or older , we have the body that we deserve because of the way we lived our earlier years…………Dr Michelle O’Shaughnessy

Erase your visible signs of aging skin and improve your overall energy with acupuncture ( both face & body !) and healthy lifestyle changes for 2009 .  You will be amazed  at the results.

In Continued Health ,

Sally Byrd

In my travels and work within the natural products industry the growing use of body piercings is escalating. The fashionable belly button piercing, complete with accessories has left no body part or organ off limits. Piercings due to peer pressure, individual tastes, religious or cultural traditions, because your friend did it and the possibility of additional sexual stimulation, fail to communicate the long term health risks involved in this practice. Given the option of a tattoo or piercing, I would opt for a soy based ink tattoo. As one who regularly receives acupuncture treatments for lifestyle balance, I have consulted with several acupuncturists and their resources for this information.

Think of your body as an energy grid that runs on high voltage power. Too much interference may cause a short-circuit electrical failure within cellular communication and the body’s natural energy flow. These interruptions may contribute to a variety of diseases as we age .

Seriously , this is one of the side effects of aging and the ailments that are attached to it . For instance , when the brain loses electrical power ,symptoms such as hypertension, anxiety ,memory laspses, depressions, elevated blood pressure ,lack of energy, hormonal imbalances , etc start creeping into our lives. Most people write these off as aging  but you can delay old-age symptoms by keeping your electro-magnetic fields balanced which is what most bodywork is designed to do .

Metals ( body piercings )  interfere with this natural energy flow in the body. Researching Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM); Acupuncture therapies are now recognized by NIH and the Global World Health Organization along with many medical doctors for health maintenance.

Acupuncture, regulates Qi (pronounced chi) in the body and works to improve energy flow and overall balance and cellular communication. Each point of insertion will have a different electrical impulse or tissue frequency. The 14 meridian channels are linked into this flow of natural energy and our bodies’ natural electrical fields. Meridians; invisible channels that flow like a river, carry the Qi to various organs to keep our energy fields in balance.

 For instance the Stomach meridian spans from the brain & nervous system function to the face all the way to your toes. When the stomach meridian is comprised, wrinkles become visible around the mouth, and you may become prone to acid reflux, nausea, hiccups, frontal headaches, and atrophy throughout your nervous system and even experience problems with your vision.  It affects much more than the area thought.

We need to view our bodies as a whole not just sliced up into different diseases per body part as our western medical culture dictates.

The meridian channels are as follows:

Liver, Stomach, Large intestine, Spleen, Heart, Small Intestine, Bladder, Kidney, Triple Warmer (not organ related), Gallbladder, Ren (female issues), and Du (male impotence , spinal and mental disorders).

This is why it is so important to maintain overall body health and why I do not advocate organ removal before first using integrative medicine for body balance, i.e.; many Western medicine doctors would rather remove a gallbladder instead of treating the liver and endocrine system first with various integrative medical treatments.  

Getting back to piercings: When the bodies’ Qi is compromised due to diet, stress, anxiety, surgery, aging (hormonal reduction), medications, physical accidents, disease, environmental toxins including metal insertions, the energy may become stagnant. Energy imbalances reduce our natural immunity and set the stage for chronic or long term diseases. 

Metals, no matter what type will interfere will this process. Gold is an alloy (never 100% pure for jewelry) that tonifys the body, while silver will calm or sedate. When the acupuncture point is active due to a continued piercing 24/7 the area may become over-stimulated. This may lead to possible organ burn-out or immune weakness setting off chain reactions to various parts of the body –depending on your inherent genetic or environmental weaknesses.

When these metals are inserted into certain points, the body either speeds up (hyperactive, hormonal burnout, addictions to stimulant foods, alcohol, medications, etc.), while silver may lead to anxiety, stress, depression and a lack of ambition or clarity.  Once a person removes metal piercings, they may have to chelate or detox their body as many people absorb toxins from the metals – similar to metal dental amalgams (another blog!).  The best and most reasonable ways to chelate metals from your organs are to use chelation/detox suppositories, selenium, chlorella, l- glycine, glutathione, cilantro, green tea

(5-10 cups) infra-red saunas and lots of fluids.  Supplements such as Dr. Venessa’s Liverclean and the Anti-Aging3 collagen may also help. 

Common Body Piercings:

Belly Button: This is a forbidden acupuncture point, known as CV8, located on the Ren Meriden channel, impacts the entire central nervous system. This point, depending on where the ring, metal or diamond stud is inserted could cause long term energy displacement and has been linked to chronic immune disorders such as MS. Piercing this point is could be linked to short-circuiting your core energy and lead to burn-out. Women wanting to conceive should remove this piercing and NEVER leave it in if one is pregnant or lactating. There are also fertility issues in many women who have belly piercings.  

Tongue: The tongue is divided into 5 parts; stomach, lungs, heart, gallbladder & liver.  The center involves the spleen & stomach points. Several people I have encountered with center tongue piercings experience chronic digestion problems, acid reflux, constipation, fatigue and increased acne. The tip of the tongue represents the heart point - is there a link to possible heart disease here? How about just behind the tip - this is the lung point. Experiencing asthma or allergies?  Please give this a second thought. On the outside of the tongue is the gallbladder, on the person’s right side and the liver on the left. All critical points for healthy endocrine activity and long term health. In ancient cultures, the tonugue piercing was a pagan blood ritual and was not a permanent piercing.

Lip/ Medusa Point:  Located in the middle of the upper lip. This is point DU26. This point helps with proper muscle contractions – over stimulating could lead to spasms in the back, dizziness and nausea.

Chin: This is on the ren Meriden and is point REN24. Piercings here can affect hormonal level burn-out, stress in the mouth (grinding of the teeth) infections in the mouth, and salivation.

Bridge/Top of Nose:  Bladder2 point. Over stimulating may lead to sinus issues and headaches.

Madonna Piercing: also known as the Beauty spot or Monroe piercing placed on the top or outer part of the lip can cause damage to the gums (receding gums) and teeth (may reduce tooth enamel).

Outer eyebrows: Triple heater 23 point – over stimulating can lead to headaches.

Center brow points: Yua yao point - too much stimulation can aggravate headaches while traditional acupuncture stimulation can diminish headaches. It is all in the balance.

Ears: The points from the mid – ear (imagine your ear like the face of a clock)

 9:00- Draith, tragus, conch orbital ,helix orbital , etc- to the top of the ear, 12:00 should never be pierced.  At 9:00 both the uterus and genital parts may be affected.  The outer ear at the 2:00 area is also a nerve point for the occipital area in the back of your head – already a stress magnet. From 3:00 down to 6:00 is the safest part on the ear for any piercing.

So the silver industrial bars (barbells) that connect the top of the ear or even the vertical industrial bars can severely affect your liver, kidney, bladder and mental state.

There are so many other places that are pierced but there are just a few of the highlights. If you must the very small gold, common in the traditional Indian culture that the women do to show submission to their husbands and to ease menstrual and childbirth pain is probably the safest piercing next to the lower ear lobe. It involves cartilage and not meridian or acupuncture points.

Be careful with infections, allergies and immune disorders. Please think twice before jumping into body piercing. Your immune system may reject it. Keep your electricial system working well , take those dangerous peircings out . You immune system will thank you.

We will discuss positive results from acupuncture in the next segment.

In continued health,

Sally Byrd

People usually cringe when I tell them I love fruitcake and yes , I have heard all the jokes.

This one tastes so good that I actually receive requests every December from family & friends for years. This is not the white flour, artificialy colored dry,flavorless hard-as-rock cake that you could use a doorstop. Spelt flour replaces the whole pastry flour that I used 25 years ago ..which was a variation of the Joy of Cooking dark fruitcake recipe . (You could also try a completely gluten-free mix from Bob’s Red Mill or Arrowhead Mills ) with added organic , fruits & nuts that are free of sulfur & artificial colors and preservatives.

The results are rich & satisfying, especially when served with a rum sauce or a freshly whipped real cream topping & fresh mint leaves. Start now ( for the best flavor ,it should cure properly in 2-4 weeks) so you have a homemade treat to serve your holiday guests or for you to enjoy yourself.

TROPICAL HOLIDAY FRUITCAKE

Preheat over to 300 degrees.

All ingredients should be at room temperature and organic whenever possible

SUPPLIES: 1 large 10 inch commercial loaf pan or several small loaf pans, greased with unsalted butter or Spectrum Spray and lined with wax or parchment paper .

Kitchen Aid or other mixer, Large bowl for mixing ,Spatula,Toothpick/bamboo skewer for larger loaves ,parchment/wax paper / bag ,Cake cooling rack

SIFT TOGETHER : 2 cups of Spelt flour ,1 teaspoon baking powder, aluminum free,¼ teaspoon sea salt ,1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground,1 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly ground½ teaspoon ginger, freshly ground , ½ teaspoon cloves, ground

LARGE MIXING BOWL : Beat until creamy ½ pound butter (2 sticks), unsalted

ADD: 1 1/2 cups of dark raw cane sugar

BEAT IN : 6 eggs, large

FOLD IN : 3/4 cup Blackstrap molasses

JUICE: 1 orange or tangerine & 1 lemon with the zest from the rind & pour into mixture ( option: use 1/3 cup of pineapple juice & a 1/4 teaspoon of lemon extract )

ADD the flour( sifted) and slowly work it into the wet batter.

POUR in ½ cup brandy or dark rum

USE KITCHEN MIXER on low to mix.

GENTLY FOLD IN : 2 cups nuts, chopped (pecans or walnuts) ,1 cup dates -chopped ,1 & 1/2 cup figs, Turkish work best -chopped,1 cup raisins or blueberries *dried, ,1 cup cranberries*,dried, 1 cup pineapple*, chopped-dried ,1 3/4 cups tropical fruits*, dried & unsulphured –mangos, bananas, apricots, ginger chunks (candied)

* for extra flavor -pre-soak the dried fruits in a little brandy or dark rum 24 hours before adding to the cake batter

POUR the batter into the loaf pans and spread evenly. You can add whole pecans or walnuts on top to decorate .

BAKE for 2 ½ hours–with a foil tent to prevent burning until the toothpick or wooden skewer comes out clean. Please adjust the cooking time if you are using the smaller loaf pans .

COOL loaves for 1 hour on the cake rack . Peel off the wax paper and wrap in cheesecloth .

For best flavor, the fruitcakes need to cure for 30 days in a dark place at room temperature with weekly applications of rum( about 1/4 cup) or brandy .Use a pastry brush to apply or just carefully drizzle the liquid all over the cake. This keeps the cake moist & flavorful .

WRAP the loaves (on a plate or sturdy piece of cardboard) in wax paper or cheesecloth for the outer wrap and store in a parchment/paperbag)* for best preservation. Do not store in foil because the fruits may cause metal leakage into the cake.

* this allows the cake breathe and prevents molding

SERVE with: Whipped cream & fresh mint or homemade rum sauce with a cup of your favorite herbal tea .

REMEMBER : Be thankful during this special season.

A smile goes a long way and remember others less fortunate than yourself. Stay Blessed.

In Continued Health

Sally Byrd

Taking a much needed vacation to Panama with my mom and my dive buddy , Bobbi Walton last month was fantastic. What a fabulous time we had. Everyone should travel globally to understand and appreciate our lives & the blessings that we have in in America.

Caribbean Jimmy’s ( www.caribbeanjimmys.com) is in the Costa Arriba area - East of Colon , in Nombre De Dios is my favorite place to dive on the Caribbean side… about 2 1/2 hours from Panama City . Jimmy is a 51 year old ex-pat from Alabama ( his relatives all live to be 100 + so expect him to be around for a while! ) , from the entertaining business , been diving since was 6 years old and has been in Panama over 12 years now. He married a beautiful women -Leti from El Salvador who manages the resort , while Jimmy is your entertainment & guide for fun in the wild !

Jimmy,a truly precious man , is a cross between Crocodile Dundee, Indiana Jones and James Bond …he cares about the local culture , is a straight shooter, honest person that gives back to society ,and he will challenge people when they are breaking rules and hurting others.

Diving at Jimmy’s is an experience you will never forget -imagine no other boats , no other divers and abundant marine life and virgin reefs. The fresh catch can be lobster , crab or fish or they will make you a steak! I usually bring additional veggies , olive oil ,herbal teas and hot sauce but they will accommodate your dietary needs as much as possible .

Staying in the simple huts on beach are my favorite -he is building a 14 room hotel too. No phones or internet here only bright stars at night . A new deep pool perfect for dive lessons or washing off the salt was just completed ;and he now has a zoo license so he can take care of injured animals and birds. The monkeys, guinea hens and kittens become part of your vacation family .

Diving is relaxed & fun , starting with a back roll off the boat . Eric another AL guy, is now working with Jimmy & caters to your every need ( like handing up your BCD before you get up on the boat ladder- I am definitely spoiled now) There currently no rinse tanks for cameras but I am sure they would set something up if you brought one. Both Jimmy & Eric care about safety first( they have Dan emergency kits on board) , then fun.

We saw an 8ft bull shark , hawkbill turtles, moray eels, schools of blue tang, sargent majors, black durgeons, angels(butterfly, french ,gray ) huge hogfish , groupers, squid, parrot fish ,trumpet fish,rock beauty , drums and of course many lobsters & crabs ( Jimmy will not take any female, small or pregnant ones) and some dolphins . If you don’t dive there is a reef off shore so you can snorkel from shore or use a kayak . The water is perfectly flat from August through October -perfect during the hurricane prone other parts of the Caribbean ( note: Panama has never had a hurricane!) There are also jungle hikes or horseback riding but no other places to “hang out” as this is a remote spot or a day trip to the San Blas Islands .

Please bring your insect repellent and some oils to use( geranium, tea tree & coconut oil ) …there are many sand fleas & no-see ums all over the place at dusk & dawn and for a few days we all looked like we had chick-pox. We always rent a car ( Christine @ Thrifty speaks Engklish and offers wonderful internet rates- you will always need to spend an additional $12 .00 min daily for insurance no matter which CC you carry) and make the drive up so we can tour the country side …..the best place to eat along the way is the Coco Plum restaurant ( they speak Spansih but they do understand sign language and pointing! ) just before you get into Portebelo , a historic town that Columbus visited and has fallen into ruins with the locals who don’t seem to appreciate history . The fresh fruit smoothies and fish with garlic & plantains is fantastic and they make their own hot sauce.A new place Octopus Garden is down a few miles , haven’t tried it yet but there are more choices now.

All of us wanted to visit the canal . The history is fasinating and the boats and procedures are amazing . We saw a boat carrying 4,000 Mercedes & Volvos whose tariff was $245,000 ! The canal is 50 miles long and it takes a boat around 8 hours of transit time , although it can run up to 14 hours . We could hardly drag my mom away ….she should have been an engineer. The new and third canal channel is already under construction and slated to open in 2014. There is a frantic building pace now in the city . I have never seen it so torn up as they plan to expand waterfront apts/condos & shops and the renovations in “old town ” continue . The recession has not hit this area of the world. The Panamanians are so warm and friendly and willing to help , and they still like Americans!

Bobbi’s parents spent their time at the Gamboa Rainforest Resort , an upscale place on the upper canal with a spa and numerous activities. www.gamboaresort.com/507-314-9000

The mountains of El Valle beckoned to us and we found a beautiful new hotel , Los Mandarinos to stay for a couple of nights. It looked like a Tuscanny , Italy with a fabulous upscale restaurant-Casa de lourdes and a reasonably priced spa and fabulous mountian views. www.losmandarnos.com /507-983-6645 . Ann & Pete are your hosts and will take very good care of you. They are currently working on an authentic English pub to provide some evening entertainment . Because the mountains are damp , always take along your favorite air-freshner as there is always a hint of mold during the rainy season. My favorite is Mia Rose lime therapy.

We did not stay at the Crater Valley Spa Resort www.crater-valley.com /507-215-2330 where we originally had reservations because the mold was so strong. They were very gracious and actually recommended the Los Mandarinos to us. The grounds are beautifully manicured gardens with a spring fed pool . Most of these hotels and boutiques will keep the rooms closed up with air conditioners off until the guest arrives. Call first to have them air out the rooms or stay in newer and/or renovated places.

El Valle is located in a 5 mile wide extinct volcano crater . This picturesque & tranquil town has so much to offer for those who want to relax, hike , bird-watch, horseback ride, get a massage or shop for native handi-crafts.They even have a 6 tower canopy adventure over a beautiful waterfall. Our favorite casual restaurant was Brushetta , a new Italian/Panamanian eatery next door to the Pinocchios 507-983-6975 , a 14 year pizza place with the same owner. The grilled chicken with garlic & herbs & plantains ,the homemade soups , hot sauce and a fresh glass of passion fruit juice was my favorite.

After the mountains it was back to beach to my friend Karen’s house . The ex-head nurse of the canal and her husband Bill who was an ad measure person for the canal ( boat tariffs) were delightful hosts and we l0ved their casual beach front home in Gorgona. Black sand , sunshine & ocean waves with rain during the night . Lots of high rises are going in and the entire strip of beachfront is expanding with construction.

The city was fun too.I usually stay the night before flying and after at the Courtyard by Marriott w/ free internet & parking.They are adding 200 more rooms. It is connected to the Multiplaza Pacific Mall so you can stock up on anything you may have forgotten , enjoy a movie , shop for drinks & snacks at Riba Smith, my favorite grocery store with a great selection of natural foods, an elegant dinner at the Palamar was all over too quickly . In Casa Viejo, the Cafe de Aris, 507-262-9304 on 3 street/Calle is a must stop if you love authentic Panamanian food. The flan was fabulous and no caramel syrup, I like firm-cheese flan plain or w/fruit is the best !

Panama is STILL a third world country with first class fun , especially if you enjoy the outdoors. There is something for everyone.The are no emmissions controls so don’t get too close behind trucks or buses.

Panama is starting an interest in organic farming ( they can grow almost anything ) in the highlands and opening up more natural spa’s and integrative medicine selections.

Next time I want to dive on the Pacific Side …Jimmy’s friend Kei -currently the manager of the upscale & elegant Isla Secas Resort is starting diving & tours soon……look out for a 2009 trip !

Be sure to take a break , even a weekend during this beautiful fall season, it doesn’t have to be expensive …..but we all need a break from the ridiculous politics and the temporary woes of the economy . Stressful thoughts DO affect your health so get out and exercise and be thankful for the beauty around us and all that God has provided for you.

In continued health ,

Sally Byrd

An article appeared this week in the Wall Street Journal ( Obesity Study Looks Thin) this week saying that in 40 years the entire US population will be overweight . Like we needed to pay someone to do this study ! While I don’t 100% agree with the article: the Obesity Forecast does raise a topic that is in the news but people really don’t know what to do . Yes, they know that diet & excercise help ( even if they don’t follow it ) but that is only part of the solution. Media focus on ingredients like trans fat elimination means that other fillers will take their place and the cycle continues.

New Research is surfacing that shows that many people can’t lose weight because of the toxic chemical solvents from our food supply ,including phthalates found in pesticides, perfumes, paint , nail polish , plastics, estrogenic compounds ( known as xenoestrogens) that are embedded in their cells & tissues. Think about all the chemicals in the air , our water, our cars ( every time you pump gas !) our households, our food supply ,and the packaging used by most of us on a daily basis ; a water bottle , a paper wrapper , a bag , a coffee cup , a takeout meal , a paper napkin or towel ,childrens toys, all have an abundance of chemical processing agents . This doesn’t include the chemical household and personal care products that many families still use .

We are surrounding ourselves with synthetic hormones that act like estrogen recepters in all plastics and drugs residue that filters into our water supply . Extra Estrogen contributes to “belly fat “, which may be a symptomatic pre-cursor of Metabolic Syndrome , Hypertension , High Blood Pressure and Diabetes - all modern day diseases . The recommendations by our medical authorities to use flouride in our water & daily oral hygiene, to mercury & other toxic chemicals in our vaccines and in the air we breathe.

Some of the more common Estrogen-like Chemicals include : Parabens( cosmetics & produce waxes) , Phthalates( personal care) , PCB’s , DDT ( still used in other countries that export food to the US ) Red Dye #3( Erythrosine) P-nonylphenol ( PVC,detergents) Dieldrin ( insecticides) Atrazine( insecticide) , Hyroxy-anisole butyrate( preservative) and 4MBC found in sunscreens.

Are you confused yet ? Oh and Soy isoflavones may also contribut to the abundant of estrogens in our system . Wow , what is the average American supposed to do ?

As previously discussed , a healthy diet ( organic & regionally grown foods wherever possible ) and a moderate exercise plan ( 3-5 x’s per week) will help.

Other food & supplement choices that help to combat excessive estrogen in the body are :

Spices: Tumeric ( curcumin) ,Cilantro , Oregano , Thyme & Basil . Eat them frequently on all of your food. I love eggs for breakfast w/ chopped herbs; add them to soups, meats,veggies, use basil leaves like lettuce and sprinkle turmeric on fish & meats -even in tuna fish or egg salad.

Herbs: Chamomile, Juniper, Green Tea, Fenugreek, Passion Flower

PowerFoods: Broccoli ,Cauliflower,Cabbage, Nuts( Walnuts, Almonds,Pecans) Avocado, berries, artichoke,( blueberry,raspberry,bilberry,blackberry) sea veggies, oats, barley juice , lemon, lime, grapefruit, celery, beet, green leafy veggies, flax & sesame seeds

Supplements: Dr Vennessa’s Liverclean- 6 tabs daily ( responsible for metabolizing and neutralizing excessive estrogen-contains turmeric,cysteine& methionine ) and Anti-Aging 3 Collagen( contains Proline ,Lysine & Glycine) for damaged cellular repair ( mix with Lakewood Pineapple or Grape juice if water doesn’t work for you ) , Resveratrol 200mg( Jarrow ,Country Life) , Quercetin 500-1000mg ( Jarrow) , Turmeric 1,000-1,200 mg( Natures Way , Jarrow ) , Chlorella( Sun Chlorella, Source Naturals, Jarrow) , Cilantro extract( Herb Pharm, North American Herb & Spice) ,Taurine,and Carnitine( Jarrow ) ,EFA’s of your choice( Evening Primrose , Borage, DHA etc)-Health from the Sun , Nordic Naturals,Spectrum )

Extras: Infared Sauna’s -the best for detoxing -15 or 20 min daily if possible at 130-140 degrees. Cancer cells are destroyed at 103 and toxin removal is accelerated . Drink extra water w/ electrolytes( Cell food , Trace min drops, Emergen-C or raw salt in a it .

Colonics: they work and really help solvent detoxification with any plan you are following . A series of 6-12 for newbies and 1 monthly to get back on track . Healthy individuals should have one quarterly .

Acupuncture ,Massage, Reflexology & Chiropractic,Chelation : For healthy circulation , electrolytes repalcement , energy balance and to regulate hormones. Discover the modalities you like and set up a regular schedule for treatment.You can alternate several to create what is best for your situation.

Solvent toxicity and detox programs will continue to grow in popularity as the public discovers new methods and results from natural choices ; these ususally that work better long term than most medications and long as you start early . Agressive treatments will be required for people with progressed disease.

Become aware of what you are putting into your mouth and onto your body . Don’t become depressed about the situation when you cheat , but instead take some simple steps to regain your health & vitality . You will feel and look better .

You can be tested for heavy metals -ask your natural Doc for a lab or contact me for more info .It isn’t just a colon cleanse in a bottle any more !

In continued health ,

Sally Byrd

In our society it is not politically correct to discuss politics and religion but I have to say what is on my heart and let people know the truth - Body , Mind , Soul & Spirit . Our life is full of many small puzzle pieces and God is the border holding everything together .We have so many choices that it can be overwhelming - the supernatural is the next attainable realm for those of us who are expecting more out of life and want to connect with God’s blessings for our life.

With the roller-coaster economy , extreme political dissatisfaction , panic for this year’s elections , global warming , skyrocketing prices on food combined with the deteriorating quality of our food supply with GMO’s and chemicals, energy trends and health care, people are lonely, scared and fearful . The government , the new world order plots , the people that say they care but don’t , the dissappointments in the world around us …..ultimate dispair for many …. and there is power & protection in the promise of God( Psalm 91) .

Fear is not the way to manage your life unless you enjoy the stress, anger , discontentment ,anxiety , selfishness and uneasiness that for so many has become there way of life and they wonder , why are they here? What is our purpose? It is not just the good deeds that many of us do( you can not work your way to heaven!) , but our spiritual emotional stability that will guide our steps in our daily walk on this earth .

People are searching for spiritual connections today and looking many times in all the wrong places.

I am expecting miracles and they are showing up - my friends are starting to notice too. Expect the unexpected , the radical , the things no one thought was possible -make the miracles bible come alive Never allow anyone’s perception of you become your reality! from Les Brown - motivational speaker).

This summer has been life changing for me . Although I accepted Jesus into my life during a very desperate time in November 1995 , I have never experienced the electrifying power of God as I have at the The Florida Outpouring / Lakeland, FL Revival . The atmosphere under the tent( usually 5,000-8,000 per night ) has been downright amazing -the spirit of God is so strong , at times you can hardly stand up , there is weeping , demonic deliverance , there is laughter ;other times it is an electrifying energy .The call on my life has been to minister to others through nutrition and prayer.

The Florida Outpouring ( www.freshfire.ca) which started on April 2nd at the Ignited church( Pastor Steve Strater) off route 98 in Lakeland , FL has been the most controversial , highly publicized, amazing widespread media revival ever and God is definitely trying to get our attention.

Many of my friends , business contacts and people I meet traveling know that they are on my prayer lists and that millions of people are praying for them . Some choose to believe and others won’t ( I don’t judge , just pray!) , but thousands of miracles are happening around the world and in our everyday lives.

My miracles are small compared to others who are leaving wheelchairs, glasses, fibromayalgia, depression , severe physical limitations auto-immune problems and cancer behind them but they mean a lot to me and God see everything , no mater how large or small a situation is - it is important to him too.

People have to start stepping out in faith and claiming their healing . It is a totally foreign way to pray for many people but you can’t box Jesus in ! He is tired of “Man’s Religion “as we think we know it -look how radical Jesus way in his day !

I have had friends & family memebers who healed from anxiety , financial ruin , fibromayalgia, chronic aches and pains , back problems and terminal spinal ailments.

My own spine ( I had a previous fracture of L-5 ) and 4 broken bones( phalanges) and my meta-tarsal in my right foot have been totally healed . My very low body temperature , a 97.6 for years, is now a healthy 98.0 to 98.6 . My eyesight for distance driving has slightly improved and I feel that I am moving into a new realm of healing.My finances have also improved and I am giving more away ! I have sense of Peace and Joy like never before in my life. And to witness the miracles …..from financial - emotional healing - physical healing is absoutely amazing . I walk in divine health daily and yes, I still eat right and take my nutritional supplements and exercise daily as I try and be steward of the healthy body that God blessed me with .

Todd Bentley, the controversial ,tatooed, pierced evangelist with a very tainted past , intensely pursured God and the supernatural according to scripture . Why couldn’t we experience the joy , the healing , the miraculous teaching of those biblically based? His child-like curiousity and awe for God led him to wonder why all Christians and Messianic Jews were not claiming their miracles. He was sick and tired of the conterfeit so called “new age religions” that just confuse and curse people’s lives even more . Many people have said these miracles are from Satan but they are not -there are countless biblical verses to back him up . Matthew 10:8 is what Todd and Fresh Fire Ministries and now countless other churches live by :” Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons ” and freely give away to others. Teach others the ways of the bible - make the bible become a way of life today .

For more information you can check out his website and watch by internet streaming : www.freshfire.ca or watch daily the GOD TV channel at 8-11 EST . Todd has also started on a nutritional path too . He has lost over 85 pounds with the help of a nutritionist and the local Vitamin Shoppe in Lakleland,FL. Roy Fields , the worship leader is also aware of the changes he must make to continue the annointed , productive life for the future of his ministry and family . As a nutritional missionary ,I know that is why God has put Lakeland on my heart so strong because me & my big mouth will start to influence people’s nutritional habits too and honor him .

My biggest passion for health, verified by this summer’s revival is that people keep their healings . You can’t have one or the other . To receive your miracle healing and then return to your “old life patterns’ of eating ( which may be responsible for your illness) is ludicris.

We should honor God with our bodies too, not just our spirit . We are all walking testimonies and are selling the whole wellness package to others 24/7 …… Body ,Mind , Soul & Spirit whether we are conscious of this or not. We need to be bold , healthy, spirit filled joyful people .

When we have the choice ( we do need to be respectful to our hosts when invited or traveling to other countries or cultures), we need to say no to junk food, soda, artificial preservatives & sweeteners ( ie :nutrasweet ) genetically altered foods ( non organic corn, soy, canola-includes fructose ) extreme chemicals used in farming and become responsible citizens in the world that God created. Our children are the most at risk since they can’t tolerate the chemicals and man-made foods as well as some adults.

Check out our book : ‘Are Your Kids Running on Empty ? ” available at your local natural food store, amazon or www.gomillionmoms.com or www.betterfoodchoices.com for more information for practical household eating solutions.For Adults research the blood type and genotype diet from Dr D’Adamo- www.dadamo.com( I ahve been folowing his programs for 12 years!) Make it a priority to live a better lifestyle than you were before. I am not against prescriptions or medical doctors however, too many people of God are addicted to to drugs , chemicals and food. You can start slowly and God will meet you where you are . Ask for guidance and he will direct you. God sees your progress , your eagerness to to find him brings him joy ……he wants you to pursue him not just take in and accept whatever “man” tells you in an hour on Saturday or Sunday by a religious person who spoons feeds you . Read his word and ask for understanding and revelation.We need to see people and situations as God sees them not how man views them .

Come and get some ….as Todd says -see what all the fuss is about or watch on God TV or the internet .Remember this is God not Todd at these events - the other annointed people who preach ,all have their own amazing gifts by God.

Coming Soon - There is a Fresh Fire burning in a town near you !

The Lakeland revival tent will close on August 23rd so Todd can take the fire elsewhere worldwide but continue at the Ignited Church

A relationship with God changes meaningless work into spiritual productivity and purpose. (James W Goll from revival-day 103 )

You will feel alive & vibrant again , no matter what circumstances are surrrounding you in your environment . We should be waking around jazzed & joyful , not like zombies and complainers.

Healthy Blessings for a new lease on life! YOU deserve it !

Hope to see your smiling faces soon!

Sally Byrd