The Local Physical and Spiritual Healing Supplies Shop in Senegal

Pictured above, a woman in the market of  M'Bour, Senegal (small city 1 hour south of the capital) sells a cornucopia of medicines and herbal aids; from chew sticks of many varieties to the popular "Viagra"-like kola nut.  Perusing her table, you can also find many provisions of the local marabouts (religious healers), like goat horns, Guinea feathers, cowry shells, and various incenses, used for sacrifices and other spiritual purification.
Very different then going to your nearby CVS or Rite-Aid pharmacy.
The top photo, taken on our visit to Senegal earlier this year, shows my husband and bewildered-looking son. .

The Wisdom of Africa Available At GyeNyame Online Holistic Health Store

My friend Bola Jacobs, originally from Nigeria has been selling wild-crafted balms, bitters oils and other cosmetic and health aids to stores in the New York area for years now and not long ago he opened an online shop to share the medicinal wisdom of Africa.
Products in the GyeNyame shop include Black Seed Bitters which have been used in Nigeria as an important detoxification and  digestive aid, Bullamatardi Tonic -  a natural "Viagra" of sorts that contains maca, black seeds and other herbs and Anokye balm - a product that touts healing everything from hemorrhoids to asthma.
The main ingredient in most of their products is an extract of the Nigella Sativa plant - also known as Black Seed or Black Cumin.  The oil of Nigella Sativa has been used for thousands of years for well-being throughout the Middle East, Asia and Africa and  has even been said to have been found in King Tutankhamen's tomb.
Read more about its many benefits here
Visit the GyeNyame holistic heath store here.

Suzanne Somers "Breakthrough" Cinema Event 11/4 and 11/9

One of the companies I manage financials for(Cinema Events) is putting on a one time event in theaters of Suzanne Somers lecturing on the contents of her well-researched anti-aging and cancer-prevention "how-to", BREAKTHROUGH, Eight Steps to Wellness.
I read the book recently and found it to be right up my alley.  She interviews 8 cutting edge doctors and topics range from the dangers of vaccines and fluoride to the importance of hormonal balance for both men and women.

Here's the announcement from company with links to previews and theater details;

I’d like to take a minute of your time to promote our newest Cinema Event – the Suzanne Somers’ BREAKTHROUGH Tour.

Our team has worked arduously for months bringing this event to the big screen! 

Please give your support to Cinema Events and come out November 4^th or November 9^th.

This event is a must-see for men and women alike, Suzanne Somers’ BREAKTHROUGH Tour provides aninformative and engaging discussion about how she educated herself and took control of her health.  Moviegoers will learn how Suzanne tackles difficult life experiences; including cancer, aging and menopause, and the daily steps she takes to stay ageless and vital in a toxic world.  Suzanne also explains how men can maintain their vigor, libido, energy, and lust for life. 

Come learn more about:

- Advanced Anti-Aging Techniques

- Cutting-Edge Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BRHT)

- Alternative Cancer Treatments

To see if the Suzanne Somers’ BREAKTHROUGH Tour is playing at a theater near you - please visit:

http://www.screenvision.com/s/showing/SuzanneSomers/

For more information, trailers & previews - please visit:

http://www.suzannesomers.com/breakthrough-tour/

For more information about Cinema Events LLC - please visit:

http://www.cinemaevents.org/

*** Our November 9^th exhibition may not be available at all locations ***

Be sure to confirm early & secure tickets as not to miss this event; it is an exclusive & limited run!!

Many thanks in advance,

Megan

Kanna Plant of South Africa Used gives "Natural High"

I've never heard of this strange but beautiful plant, but apparently the Hottentots and San of South Africa have been using it for hundreds of years for elevating mood, relieving hunger and reducing stress.  Recently they were approved to sell it over the counter worldwide (although I've seen it for sale already on a bunch of herbal medicine and botanical sites around the web). Sounds good.  Let me know if anyone's tried it out there.
More here via Timbuktu Chronicles an here at OrganicPharming.

Green For Life Second Edition

The book that helped me to start eating more greens as well as realize the tremendous importance of them has just released it's second edition.  Highly recommended.
Green smoothies have certainly been a revolution for me, so much so that I even convinced my parents to put leafy greens in their smoothies now and then - no small feat!
Buy the book here

The Connection Between a Popular Senegalese Coffee and a Back Yard Weed

Unbeknowst to me, this common blue-flowered weed pictured above that had been growing in abundance in the neighbor's abandoned lot near the house I grew up in was chicory.  I had heard of chicory from the non-caffeinated coffee substitutes I would by at the health food store and from the popular Bru instant coffee sold in Indian specialty stores, but I had no clue that I could just pick it in the backyard and make a tasty drink myself.

Chicory was brought to America by the European settlers possibly for its many medicinal and healing uses.  The roots were boiled down and used by the Cherokees as a wash and poultice for sores and by the Iroquois as a nerve tonic.  One of the most popular uses was its use as a caffeine-free coffee substitute when coffee beans were scarce.  It's easy to make a nice roasted flavor drink from chicory by drying the roots, grinding them up in a coffee grinder and then roasting them.  I made some myself not long ago and new instantly that chicory was used in the popular Cafe' Touba of Senegal.  It's a distinct warm, spicy flavor that you can't miss.  Besides its great taste, chicory supposedly has the added benefit of cleansing the blood and liver and containing Vitamin C and inulin.

Find out more about chicory here.

  

Desert Seed Pods Used for Delicious Healthy Flour by Southwest Indigenous Peoples

The seed pods above are from a tree called a Mesquite tree that is very commonly seen in the deserts of the Southwest.  The pods were traditionally ground up by indigenous Americans to make a sweet flour that was high in protein, gluten free and low-glycemic.  I've purchased raw mesquite powder before and used it  in smoothies and ice creams and it has a deliciously sweet and and kind of smoky flavor.  One of my favorite raw restaurants, Bonobo's, uses mesquite and dates to make these out-of-this-world ball treats.
Mike Adams at Natural News touts it as a superfood that's high in protein micronutrients.  More on their website here.
More from the Tuscon Citizen about mesquite, it's healthful qualities and other ways the Pima Indians once used it here

Sleeping on the Ground While on the 18th Floor?

Several months ago I purchased a device from the Raw Food World store made by a company called "Barefoot Connections" that will actually "ground" your body and reduce your the overall effects of EMF exposure when you touch it. It's a sheet containing conductive silver threads that you place at the foot of your bed and then connect via it's cord to your standard outlet.
What is "grounding"  (or "earthing" as some refer to it) you ask?  A great succinct article by Dr. Sandeep Gupta on the dangers of EMFs (Electric and Magnetic Fields) and the new research on grounding and its myriad benefits can be found here.

I can't say that I notice any major difference in my sleep or well-being after using the bed sheet, but I can say that after reading more about this new health technology I do have a peace of mind every night when I go to sleep knowing that I am reducing my EMF exposure at the time of day when the body is restores and heals itself the most.

Medicinal and Other Uses of the Black Walnut Tree

The other day I was at my parent's house in the country and discovered these "fruits" scattered all over the ground under their black walnut tree.  They had a really interesting and strong of spicy smell and there were so many of them, I thought to myself there must be something we can do with these.
I did some research and found out that every part of the tree has been used by indigenous Americans (First Nations) for everything from dyeing the hair to treating toothaches.  And besides eating the flavorful nuts, they also used a juice they would make from it for parasite prevention and as an antiseptic salve.
Read more about it's many uses on the Virginia Tech Fact sheet here and on eHow's fact page here.

Supporting Your Health Through Inexpensive Natural Means - It's Possible!

Love this simple list of five things we all can do to boost our life force and vitality - easy and without spending much money.  I swear by the warm water and lemon first thing in the morning.
Read it on Natural News here

A Traditional Quecha Diet of Peru and It's Benefits

Kevin Gianni at Renegade Health Show talks about the native Q'ero (a tribe in the Quecha community of Peru) diet; mostly potatoes, alpaca meat and coca leaves.  Find out why they can be in apparent excellent health with basically only these three foods here.

The Most Beautiful Faces I've Ever Seen From Ethiopia to Myanmar

Photos by Eric Lafforgue:  What an amazing, talented photographer.  Check out his website for tons more absolutely stunning portraits from around the globe.

http://www.ericlafforgue.com/

Tanning Booths and Sunlight Exposure are Healthy For You!?!

That's right.  I did just say that. Sunlight exposure and tanning booths can be healthy for you......when your body has the antioxidants and nutrients to support it.  Fair-skinned or dark-skinned, "Sunblock is Evil!" says Mike Adams.
If this informational video by Mike Adams of Natural News doesn't compel you to put that sunscreen away, eat your superfoods, and get out there and get more sun, I don't know what will.

Check it out here.

One Man's Cool 3 Minute "Journey Across India" Video

Journey Across India from Mike Matas on Vimeo.

Drugs Used for Digestive Tract Issues Actually Kill Your Stomach Acid?

Another reason to say 'No' to drugs from new article by Dr. Carolyn Dean


TITLE: Why Kill Your Stomach Acid?
      by Carolyn Dean MD ND

CONTENT: Aloha,

When I went to medical school there was a different attitude toward
drugs than there is today. We were taught to give drugs only when
necessary and only as long as necessary. In the past few years,
drugs for long term use and even for preventive use have become the
norm. And the consequences of chronic drug usage are. . .

Click the following link to continue reading:

http://drcarolyndean.com/blog?a=tamzee&p=2162

New York's Multicultural DanceParade 2010

Took the family to the 3rd annual New York City  DanceParade yesterday and had a blast.  Dance from Brazil, Harlem to India was represented beautifully.
Check out the beauty of the parade  in the other  pics I took below.

Problems with Child Marriages in Nigeria (and elsewhere)

Just learned that apparently a Senator from Nigeria has married a 14 year old Egyptian and was arrested as a result.  Michael Jon, writer for allafrica.com states in his article that "He has no respect for the law and he does not hide the fact. He is fond of getting married and he prefers them young - like thirteen or fifteen - beautiful and poor."
This post from Naijablog also alerted me to the potential physical dangers accompanying pregnancy for these child-brides.  Frankly the whole practice disgusts me to no end.
Read more about it on Naijablog here.

Regulate Hormones and Energy with this Ancient Peruvian Food

I've used this powdered root from Peru, known as Maca, to help with fibroid issues I had in the past and feel it had a significant impact.  It is also known to increase libido and energy levels in general.  Has an interesting taste too.

Check out more about Maca and its other healing properties (and purchase it at an excellent price) on Natural News here.

(photo from dirttime.org)

The Awful "Truth About Bottled Water"

Must-see trailer for the movie "Tapped".
Check it out on the Dr. Mercola website here.

Dr. J.E. Williams on Why Indigenous People Can be Healthy on Different Diets

Great posts via Renegade Health Show on a discussion with Dr. J.E. Williams on why indigenous people in different parts of the world can be healthy eating diets that vary from region to region.  e.g. peoples in the Arctic can eat a virtually 100% meat and fat diet with little or no vegetables and have almost no incidences of diabetes and cancer.
The three main factors he points out are Exercise, Environment and Community.  Interesting stuff.
Check out the video interview here.

Stunning Portraits of Afghani Women in Burkas

From one of my favorite blogs My Marrakesh.

Click here for more haunting photos.

Ancient Egypt Wing of the Met and Extended Nursing

My five year old boy has been really into ancient Egypt lately (especially the mummies and sarcophagi, of course). His excitement on his first visit to the Egyptian art section of the Metropolitan Museum of Art was something to see.

Check out the statuette of Isis nursing what looks like a 3 or 4 year old Horus. Yea extended breastfeeding!

More on the benefits and history in other cultures of nursing beyond toddler hood from the Natural Child Project here.