Clutter-Clearing and Your Authentic Self

Have you ever felt so discouraged, your life so out-of-control, the universe so unresponsive to your needs and desires, that you couldn't help it: you just had to clean up? By paying attention to these impulses we recognize the deep connection between our personal environment and our innermost selves. It's as though by shifting the arrangement of our belongings we hope to rearrange the molecules of our emotional lives as well.

Feng shui teaches us that our spaces both reflect and affect our physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. When our homes become cluttered and disordered, other aspects of our lives tend to feel gridlocked as well. It's a chicken-and-egg kind of situation. Not only does a cluttered home reflect a distracted and cluttered mind, it also makes it hard to focus and think clearly. It gets easier and easier to stop making the item-by-item decisions that could put you back in control of the mess and help you to feel more in control of your life.

Eventually, we give up. The task seems overwhelming, and the clutter is so pervasive that we can't figure out where to begin. We slog through our days thinking "someday when I have the time I've got to clean this up." Clutter clearing becomes an abstract goal that awaits a mythical future time when our calendars will be free of obligations, we will awaken one weekend morning well-rested and energized, and mysteriously through some unseen grace we will have acquired the focused clarity and enthusiasm that will finally inspire us to dive in and get it done. We wait for the moment to be right before we begin, so beginning never happens.

We're approaching the clutter challenge backwards when we think this way. Regaining a sense of clarity and order is more easily achieved by putting our space in order than by trying to order and control our thoughts in a disorganized space.

Clutter saps your energy and erodes your spirit. Clutter makes it difficult to get things done, enjoy peace and quiet, or spend time the way you really want to. It adds to your stress, slows you down and drains your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual strength. Clutter is disempowering.

In feng shui terms, clutter is both a symptom and a cause of stuck energy. Opening the dictionary we see that "clutter" derives from the Old English word "clott", which means: "to cause to become blocked or obscured." Like a blood clot blocking circulation in our veins, clutter prevents energy from circulating through our homes and our lives.

As a feng shui consultant, I have worked with many clients who complain of feeling creatively or professionally blocked, or who bemoan the lack of a sense of purpose or direction in life. What I usually find in their homes are lots of things that don't reflect their personality or future aspirations. These people are surrounded by objects that have been allowed to wander in unchecked at the door or that linger on the shelf long after the relevant stage of life is past.

On an energetic level, all this stuff is preventing a clear vision of self. Anything that is neglected, unwanted, or unappealing to you will drag your energy down every time you look at it. Even a beautiful object of great value does nothing for you or your home if you don't like it. This is why we include "anything that you do not love" in a holistic definition of clutter.

Everything that surrounds you should be working for you in some way. If the things in your space are not supporting you and contributing to the positive quality of your life, it is time to do something about it!

The defeat, fatigue, and depression that you feel when you think about your clutter will start to evaporate as soon as you put yourself in action. The hard part is getting started, but once you do the magic will begin.

Clutter-clearing creates space for us to discover our true path in life and to define who we want to become. With this new vision we can consciously choose to surround ourselves with objects and imagery that reflect and support our authentic concept of self.

© 2003 Stephanie Roberts

[exerpted from "Clutter-Free Forever!", Lotus Pond Press, 2003]

Prebiotics - The Key to Improving Digestive Health and General Wellness

For many years, people have believed that the best strategy for improving digestive health is to eat probiotic foods on a regular basis. These are foods that contain live microorganisms that boost digestion and protect our intestinal tract from the invasion of infection-causing bad bacteria.

However, modern studies are uncovering new facts about probiotics, causing health experts to seriously doubt whether these food products are even useful at all for the human digestive process. On the contrary, a new substance has been brought to light, and all indications show that this could be the real magic solution for improving digestive health.

The Discovery of Prebiotics

This new substance is called prebiotics. Unlike probiotics that are not found naturally in food, prebiotics do occur in most common foods, particularly fruits and vegetables. These substances are what the good bacteria in your gut need in order to thrive and do their job properly.

With the regular consumption of prebiotic foods or prebiotic supplements, you can ensure that the population of your good bacteria will remain stable. Furthermore, there will be no need for you to bring in foreign bacteria into your body, which can actually be quite dangerous as you don't really know where these bacteria are coming from.

Digestive Functions of Prebiotics

In addition to feeding your intestinal flora, prebiotics can also contribute in other ways towards improving digestive health. Some of the most notable benefits are as follows:

* Boosts absorption of vitamins and minerals

* Increases immunity against infections and illnesses.

* Hinders the growth of bad bacteria.

* Speeds up metabolism.

* Aids in weight loss.

* Reduces the risk of intestinal diseases like colon cancer.

Food Sources of Prebiotics

Prebiotics can be found in many different kinds of ordinary foods but some of the richest sources are whole grains, nuts, seeds and certain fruits and vegetables. Kiwi fruits, in particular, are noted for their extremely high concentration of prebiotics, as well as their abundance supply of fibers, phenol compounds and enzymes.

Therefore, it would be logical to think that eating more kiwi fruits will surely help in improving digestive health. That certainly is true but it's not really that sensible when you think about it. In order to get all the prebiotics that you need to keep your gut and the entire digestive system in peak condition, you would need to consume three or more kiwis a day, including their fuzzy skin, which is not really pleasant to eat.

Fortunately, there is a better solution and that is to use a kiwi-based prebiotic supplement. Just make sure that you choose one that includes the skin and is not processed using heat-based methods. You should also check to see whether the kiwis are harvested from a clean, pesticide-free farm. Those that come from New Zealand are highly recommended because of their purity.

For the purpose of improving digestive health, it really pays to be meticulous in choosing which supplements to use. If you make your choice carefully, tremendous benefits will be enjoyed by your digestive system and by the rest of your body as well.

What Are Staycations and How Do I Organize One?

Q: My family usually takes a summer vacation, away from home. And while we have a lot of fun, we usually come home broke, exhausted and not ready to go back to work. I've heard a little about "stay-cations" and that they're good for my budget.

A: Vacations away from home can cost a lot of money and energy. Stay-cations have recently become very popular because of the downturn in the economy and the higher cost of gas during the summer. A stay-cation is a vacation where you and your family get to relax at home and enjoy day trips close to home.

You have the opportunity to visit local parks, museums, festivals and attractions. You save money on accommodations because you can sleep in your own bed every night. You save time and money on transportation because you can ride, walk or cycle to local attractions. You can also save on your food costs by having breakfast at home, packing picnic lunches and enjoying dinner at home. One way to save even more is to look for deals at local attractions, such as two-for-one discounts; children get in free; or package deals.

Your stay-cation could include a BBQ, relaxing on your deck, or having a party at the local pool. You could check out a sports game, a concert or outdoor theater, spend a day at the beach or a nearby lake. You may even want to check out your local farmer's market for fresh summer produce and cook a gourmet meal with wine from a local winery.

A stay-cation is a great way to enjoy your family, the local scenery and the savings in your wallet! And best of all, you won't hear the dreaded words "Are we there yet?"

Easy Woodworking Projects That Will Save You Tons

It is always great to save money when you are doing crafts or when you are working on your favorite hobby. As a hobby, you know that costs can begin to add up especially when you work on your craft day in and day out. There are a ton of easy woodworking projects that you can do from home that will save you a ton of money by you building them yourself rather than buying the piece you need from a store or having someone making it for you.

If you are not familiar with do it yourself projects, you will learn that woodworking is becoming a really large market for many people across the nation. Allowing so many of us to buy the materials and build the desired outcome is not only fun and will get your creative energy flowing, but it will also save you money.

First and foremost, woodworking hand tools are pretty inexpensive and will allow you to use them time and time again. For simple projects you may just need a hammer, nails, a pencil, and a ruler for measurements and you are good to go. This should help you get started with your first project, which can be a simple bookshelf or a small stand. Whatever you decide, you should do a few practice runs to see how easy woodworking projects can really be.

A lot of problems these days are the fact that many people don't know where to start with their projects. Either they are not sure of measurements or need some guidance with the tools needed and a "how to" plan on getting the project done the correct way. When you have all of the necessary tools on hand, measurements and a detailed guide on how to do this first, then that and something to show the end result, you will be better off than you think.

Technical Writing Exercise - Using a Colon

After the comma, the two marks of punctuation most often used inappropriately are semicolons and colons. Whole books have been written about the "correct" use of these little marks. It's a wonder wars haven't been fought over them. There's even a movement in the higher levels of some ivory towers to eliminate one of them. Until that happens, though, we tech writers have to use them and do it in a way that won't get us into too much trouble with proofreaders, editors, or clients.

For this Exercise, we're going to deal only with the colon. There isn't space here to layout all the various rules/opinions or to create a style guide on the subject. The intent of this exercise is to give an idea of where we can run afoul of the "rules" about using a colon. It can also help us to see where some of the disagreements lie and decide where we stand on them.

Based on a few, simple, generally agreed-upon usage rules, the task is to decide whether each sentence needs or doesn't need a colon. The "correct" usage we provide is based on our version of standard written English (SWE). If you disagree and can support your position with a good style guide, we're not going to argue.

OK, in a rather large nut shell, here are some guides to using the colon.

Most writers are familiar with using a colon to:

separate the hour and the minute in a time reference - The train arrived at 6:43 in the morning. indicate a ratio - The correct ration of gin to vermouth is 4:1. separate chapter and verse in a scriptural reference - You can't go wrong if you follow the advice in 1 Timothy 5:23 follow the salutation in a formal letter - To the Members of the Board:

Some people are unsure about when a colon is used to:

introduce lists - (In this usage, what comes before the colon must be a complete thought without the rest of the sentence. If it's a sentence but an incomplete thought, don't use a colon.) Correct: The old stereo had three speeds: 78, 45, and 33 1/3.Incorrect: The old stereo speeds were: 78, 45, and 33 1/3. Correct: He was fluent in two languages: Russian and Urdu. Incorrect: He was able to read: Russian, Greek, and Urdu. introduce a noun or noun phrase that renames another noun just before it at the end of a sentence - Correct: He didn't expect what hit him: a squash. Incorrect: He didn't expect it when he got hit: with a squash introduce a quotation when it follows a complete sentence - Correct: My mother started every meal with the same comment: "Eat it or I'll throw it to the hogs."Incorrect: My mother started every meal with the same comment, "Eat it or I'll throw it to the hogs." separate a title from a subtitle - Correct: She was reading Playing the Oriental Lute: Basic Lessons from Too Ning.Incorrect: The book's title was Betting on the Dogs Through the Eyes of a Grayhound. separate two independent clauses when the second clause explains the first clause or gives an example - Correct: The advice my dad gave me was sound: don't sweat the petty stuff and don't pet the sweaty stuff. Incorrect: The advice my dad gave me about: don't sweat the petty stuff and don't pet the sweaty stuff was sound.

Read each of these sentences and decide whether there needs to be a colon and whether it's in the right place.

1. There was only one thing that Mr. Colbert worried about: exactly where was the bear at that moment.

2. She was responsible for: invitations, seat assignment, and greeting the guests.

3. She was able to sing: pop, opera, country, and soul.

4. He had only one need in order to survive: water.

5. They enjoyed challenges such as: swimming, boating, and rock climbing.

6. Don't ever forget rule Number One: the boss is always right.

7. They gave him a choice of transportation: trains, planes, and automobiles, but he said he didn't really want to travel.

8. To Whom It May Concern: is not a good way to start a letter

9. Everything went wrong at once: the storm hit, the window broke, Jill dropped the flashlight in the pond, and Hal let the cat slip out the door.

10. To Whom It May Concern:

When you're done check the answer below.

Exercise - Answer

Colon or no colon? That is the question.

1. Correct - There was only one thing that Mr. Colbert worried about: exactly where was the bear at that moment.

2. Wrong - She was responsible for: invitations, seat assignment, and greeting the guests.

3. Wrong - She was able to sing: pop, opera, country, and soul.

4. Correct - He had only one need in order to survive: water.

5. Wrong - They enjoyed challenges such as: swimming, boating, and rock climbing.

6. Correct - Don't ever forget rule Number One: the boss is always right.

7. Wrong - They gave him a choice of transportation: trains, planes, and automobiles, but he said he didn't really want to travel.

8. Wrong - To Whom It May Concern: is not a good way to start a letter.

9. Correct - Everything went wrong at once: the storm hit, the window broke, Jill dropped the flashlight in the pond, and Hal let the cat slip out the door.

10. Correct To Whom It May Concern:

Types Of Coffee Grinders And How They Work

When walking down the coffee aisle of most grocery stores, you will find a coffee grinder that customers use to grind coffee beans. A coffee grinder has also become a popular home appliance as the popularity of espresso and other coffee drinks has risen in the last two decades. Even the large number of coffee shops has not diminished the need of many coffee drinkers to grind their own beans in a coffee grinder.

A coffee grinder will grind roasted coffee beans into grounds that are either fine or coarse. By grinding your own coffee, you choose how you want the grounds.

A coffee grinder can produce fine or medium grounds which are best for traditional coffee makers. Those who love espresso will want to grind the beans into a fine grounds, which is similar to sugar or salt. Coarse coffee grounds are good for percolators or vacuum brewers.

A coffee grinder comes in two main types. The first type of coffee grinder uses rotating metal blades. These blades on the coffee grinder chop up the coffee beans.

The bladed coffee grinder allows the consumer to control the type of grounds. The type of grounds the bladed coffee grinder makes depends on how long you grind the beans.

Another type of coffee grinder uses a grinder wheel. This is called a burr grinder. To get coarse or fine grounds, you move the burr on the coffee grinder. Many people say this type of coffee grinder allows you more control as to the type of grounds you make.

The cost of the burr grinder depends on the type of wheel, whether it is flat or cone-shaped. The burr coffee grinder with the cone-shaped wheel rotates slowly and the coffee grinder will clog less.

You can chose a coffee grinder that works in two different ways. The manual coffee grinder comes with a crank on its side. You must move the crank on the coffee grinder to grind your coffee.

But if you don't want to do that much work to have freshly ground coffee, you will want to purchase an electric coffee grinder. The electric coffee grinder is the most popular coffee grinder on the market today. Many electric coffee grinders are small and inexpensive so you can carry them anywhere to grind your perfect cup of coffee.

The advantages to grinding your own coffee with a coffee grinder are many. You can grind coffee that suits your taste and not rely on pre-packaged coffee grounds.

A coffee grinder can be found in most retail stores and online auction sites. A coffee grinder will range in price from about $20 to several hundred dollars. The coffee beans can be purchased at a grocery store or at a specialty coffee shop.

How you want your coffee to taste and the type of coffee you brew will determine the type of coffee grinder you will need to purchase. The type of brewer you use to make your coffee will also determine the type of coffee grinder.