Dear fellow Hernando. I have a little disagreement with your mind. "Pathetic meat machine," indeed! How would you see a beautiful sunset, listen to Guohua's astonishing Asian music, get a hug when you're sad (or amorous)? What told you what fresh apple pie, rain, perfume, smelled like? How would you experience refreshing sleep?
Oh, and the foods and drinks you've tasted. How would you find any enjoyment in them? Hot chocolate in winter, a beer from the refrigerator after mowing a summer lawn, a steak on the grill on an early fall evening. Have you never walked into a cathedral, or been on a mountain, or seen the ocean, or been at a large fireworks display, and just wanted to fall to your knees in awe?
I would say that our minds, with biases, prejudices, fuzzy thinking, and on and on, are the pathetic parts of us. They could do so much, yet we refuse to train them, discipline them, and give them the honest and vital facts they need to work with.
If this were truly a hostile dimension, you'd have been dead at birth, we'd all be. This is a challenging dimension. We have grown, spread out, developed, found comfort, and most of all, have found love in this dimension.
Henry Wright asserts . . . after years of whining to God about why only 5% of the folks he prayed for got healed . . .
he asserts that . . . when we go back and make right according to God's priorities relationships etc. . . . particularly forgiveness, bitterness, resentments, pride, anger, stubbornness etc. . . .
That God is greatly more likely to heal the person . . . regardless of the malady.
He also has discovered that specific kinds of cancers tend to correlate with specific spiritual/relational/emotional misdoings, sins.
He even claims . . . that when one breast on a woman has breast cancer, he can tell MOST of the time, whether the woman is still angry with her own mother, or with her mother-in-law. One side correlates more with one and the other side with the other of the two older women.
He's been shockingly facilitative to full healing with folks who have had extreme allergies . . . to the point of eating 1-3 things only and living in a very sterile literal plastic bubble.
He's had such a success rate that 100's of MD's now consult with him about their own patients.
One woman came up to him after a service with a large tumor that was to be surgically removed the next morning. She gave him the specifics of the type of cancer. He queried her about did she have this sort of problem with this sort of relationship. She said yes. He said he would not pray for her if she agreed just to get healed. But if she'd go off by herself for 10 min or so and decide if she'd let all that go and live right on those issues JUST BECAUSE IT WAS THE RIGHT AND GODLY THING TO DO--regardless--then he'd pray for her.
She did. And he did.
The next day, not only could the Dr's not find any hint of the large tumor--there were NO blood markers nor any other cancer markers at all in her body whatsoever. 0.00000%. None.
Some healings have taken longer to manifest and he calls that process--"walking it out." But IIRC, his success rate is in the 90 something percent range.
Don't get me wrong I agree there is much good to be found within this existence. I guess what I find unfortunate is the sheer scale of misery and destruction balanced against that good we can find. It seems sometimes that looking for the positives is almost an act of desperation for most living creatures on this world.
As an example I love reading scifi and the way I see this world it would almost have to be described in the category of a "death world." FWIW I believe the rest of this universe is the same which is why I used the word "dimension." Hopefully in some alternate universes the opposite is true and Earth could be classified as a "life world."
That said I better go feed the chickens or they will peck me to the end of my humble existence.
Hernando's Hideaway Plank Owner
If the lessons of history teach us anything it is that nobody learns the lessons that history teaches us. —Anon
You know, if the chickens peck you to death, you'll still be "feeding the chickens."
Yeah, the positives are tough to find, but consider, I found you and the other Hernando's on this board. Those are enough positives for me right now.
I didn't mean to be flip. Starvation, violence, illness, and more are all terrible things. Some use that as a motivation to open their hearts, offer aid, and if they can't do that, offer prayers or a kind word, or just their time. Oh, it's an ugly world all right. But that's the challenging part. How do we respond? How do we use the world's tragedies to help our (hearts, spirits, souls) grow?
I wonder how much of the misery is caused by people? I wonder how much I'm causing? That thought gives me reason to pause and rethink pretty frequently.
Maybe science fiction gives us a goal to shoot for, the world that we want. Nothing wrong with that, just don't give up on this one. Take care,
I am old enough to finally know why my grandparents loved quiet time and naps! I would love to go full steam all day, but the old body seems a little low on fuel.
I am trying really hard to adjust to aging, and to do it gracefully, but when you're out in public and discover a 10" hair growing out of some ungodly place- like your forehead, or left nostril- the 'graceful' part becomes more challenging!
I have developed a closer relationship with gravity these past few years, too. It will pull me down at the most inopportune moments!
I will admit to having an appreciation for arthritis, though. It's annoying, but I always know when the weatherman is WRONG! If my foot hurts, it will cloud up and likely rain. If my leg hurts, a huge storm front is on the way. This 'gift' really comes in handy when we're planning camping trips or picnics. :)
Now, where's my coffee? The first cup is complimentary, right? (rofl)
OMG that cracked me up!! I'm 56 and trying to age gracefully too, but sometimes I have more in common with my 90 year old Mother than someone my own age. LOL
Nugget, @airen, Pennylemon, Bassago, OK, I've finished the Turtle soup,,,, and I've posted it, but for you my friends, I'm going to bring you all a bowel here with a copy of the recipe.
Ok, Who's ready for the Recipe?
Let's make a broth from these ingredients, Which can be pick up from your local Asian Market with the names I've provided just write down the item and ask a clerk to locate.
One ounce Dioscorea (Shen Yao) , One and a half ounces Radix Astragali (Huang Qi), One and a half ounces Codonopsis Pilosula (Dang Shen), One half ounce Medlar (Qi Zhi),
8 dried Chinese dates, One whole chicken with the feet removed. Include the liver, heart, gizzard and neck in the broth.
When the broth is done, remove the chicken meat and the bones, but not the herbs.
Put the chopped up turtle (including the shell) into the ceramic pot and fill the pot, up to one inch from the top, with the chicken broth.
Place a towel or some chop sticks on the bottom of the stainless steel pot so that the ceramic pot does not touch the bottom of the stainless steel pot.
Pour water into the stainless steel pot, and allow the soup to simmer inside the ceramic pot for 12 hours at least. Do not allow the water in the stainless steel pot to get into the ceramic pot, which has a small hole in the lid. Cover the stainless steel pot with a tight-fitting lid and allow the soup to simmer for up to 7 days.
To serve the soup, remove the pieces of turtle shell. You may also remove the turtle meat. You do not have to eat the turtle meat, as all of the medicinal properties will be in the broth. The amount of broth that you are required to drink depends on how much you boil it down. Normally, about 12 ounces of broth will be enough to have a good effect on your kidneys.
Turtle soup is highly recommended by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as the best possible medicine to revive failing kidneys. The kidneys controls every organ in the body, especially the heart and the pancreas. Weak kidneys can cause high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and Type II diabetes. When your kidneys are completely failing, you have two choices: turtle soup or a kidney transplant.
To serve the soup, remove the pieces of turtle shell. You may also remove the turtle meat. You do not have to eat the turtle meat, as all of the medicinal properties will be in the broth. The amount of broth that you are required to drink depends on how much you boil it down. Normally, about 12 ounces of broth will be enough to have a good effect on your kidneys.
Turtle soup can be eaten once a month until your kidneys recover. For people who don’t have weak kidneys, the soup can be eaten once a year to maintain good health.
How will you know if your kidneys have improved, after you have eaten the soup? A TCM doctor can tell you how well your kidneys are working. When your kidneys are working the way they should, you will have not have to get up at night to go to the bathroom, and you will have no tell-tale symptoms of failing kidneys, like dry mouth. You will have renewed energy and your blood pressure, and blood sugar, will be normal.
My next post here will be my recipe for the soup. How it made is Very Important.
Also keep in mind, Not only is it Good For You and Your Body,,, It Taste Good Too!
Appreciation of live turtles probably dates back to somewhere during or just after Neolithic times. Certainly before and during Shang Dynasty times, all kinds of turtles were eaten; and the Shang was between the eighteenth and the twelfth centuries BCE. During the Han Dynasty 206 BCE - 220 CE, turtles were very important. That is known because turtle shells and other parts were found in a Mawantu Han tomb known as the 'Number One Han Tomb.' Others have since been found in a few other tombs.
Because this animal is believed to live the longest, no wonder the Chinese associate it with longevity and honor it. In addition to this association, they consider it one of four super-intelligent animals, and believe it controls the four compass points and governs the one for north. With such importance, there is little wonder that the meat of this animal is considered pu, which means it is a strengthening food.
The Book of Rites speaks of the turtle and advises that young turtles not suitable for culinary purposes. Later in the Yuan Dynasty 1279 - 1368 CE, turtle soup was recommended but only if the turtle was not too large. Any size turtle can be used for divination, that is for predicting the future, and for that purpose, bigger is better. This use is as ancient as is consumption of their meat. When used as predictors, the shell were heated, the shape, number, and length of the cracks determining the likelihood of some event, such as the next rain taking place. Shells were also used for recording events. As such, they were commonly known as 'oracle bones.'
The Chinese believe turtles are magical, symbolic of strength, and endurance, and of longevity. Imperial families revered them and their subjects followed their lead. The picture on the cover is most often found as common decorations at burial sites; it is called a 'steele,' the turtle holding up the memorial tablet marking a grave site. Turtle motifs are found on funeral clothes, particularly of the wealthy, and on the clothes of royal rulers when laid to rest.
Nope, that's true,,, it's seven days and you can't believe How It Melts in your Mouth, You Don't Need Teeth. It'a a Slow simmer, very low and the water in the Stainless steel pot the ceramic pot is setting in,,,,helps, keep your meat fresh and it takes some time to soften the shell bits for you to digest. So, you cook it slow and allow your herbs to work and everything is Alright, It's been done like this for a Very Long Time.
This is the best way for the Most Benefit for your Health.
OK, This may sound different to you, But your Spleen as a lot to do with Asthma Attacks in T C M and Yes, it works. Diet is often the Biggest Problem.
Diet can trigger an asthma attack. Raw and cold food may injure the Spleen and tend to contribute to the stagnation of fluid circulation and the increase in the production of phlegm. Heavy, sweet, and greasy food tend to create phlegm and heat in the body. Fish, crabs, shellfish and other seafood have also been noted to increase the likelihood of asthma attacks as well. Do any of the above foods bother you? Congenital weakness and chronic illness are also common causes of asthma.
Treatment,,, The herbal formula of choice that dispels cold, warms up the interior, eliminates phlegm and relieve bronchial spasm. Ephedrae (ma huang) and cinnamon twigs (gui zhi) dispel the cold factor, arrest wheezing and move water by smoothing the Qi flow of the Lung. Besides the bronchodiating effect, ephedrae (ma huang) can also promote urination and thus dispel the congested fluids in the Lung.
Due to the cold, patients with water metabolism problems in the Lung will experience constriction and a sudden blockage of fluids. Mustard seed (bai jie zi), asarum (xi xin) and dry ginger (gan jiang) warm the Lung, dissolve congested fluid and help the Lung resume its normal function.
Magnolia bark (hou po) is used to regulate the Lung Qi which is impeded by the congested fluids. Apricot seed (xing ren), lepidium (ting li zi), and pinelliae (ban xia) eliminate phlegm, transform congested fluids and reduce wheezing. Schizandra (wu wei zi) is used to protect the Lung by preventing the leakage of Qi. Lumbricus (di long) is used to relieve wheezing and dilate the bronchi.
White peony (bai shao), containing paeoniflorin helps lumbricus (di long) achieve the antispasmodic effect on the smooth muscle of the bronchi. Baked licorice (zhi gan cao) supplements Qi, stops coughing, moderates spasms, alleviate pain and harmonizes the formula.
Yes, all of these Herb and can be found at your Local Asian Food Store with the Help of the Store Clerk or an Asian Herbalist Store. Yes you can take this item off at the end of the year on your Taxes as a Medical expense.
The Very Best and Easiest cure and treatment is Acupuncture. The first treatment will last about 30 minutes and yes you will notice relief and the following treatment, usually 5 to 10 will last 20 minutes each and trust me, you won't be othered again for the year or years to come.
Now if you have Asthma due to Heat, that is an entirely Different Treatment.
Now how to pronounce my Name,,,, In Chinese it's Guo Hua = 郭華 , go here and Type in Guo Hua and translate to Chinese Traditional and hit the speaker button. www.mdbg.net/chindict/chindict.php?page=translate
Thanks, that helps! I still can't pronounce your name; can I call you Mrs. G?
That is a LOT of information about asthma! We don't have acupuncturists near where I live- I wish we did!
We lack an Asian market, too- but I will search online. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with me!
I get few of the annoying symptoms- like wheezing, congestion, etc.- but I do get bronchial spasms, and I don't have time to be bothered with that stuff...
I have to assume because it's winter time and I understand you to be in Alaska? You have Cold Asthma Attack Problem.
I'm going to give you a Natural treatment that may help relieve your symptoms.
Ginger Rice Soup, Fresh ginger: 9 grams Cut into very small pieces. 6 Apricot kernel's, 50 grams of Sweet rice.
Cook sweet rice and apricot kernels together in water at low temperature; when the rice is very soft, the soup is done. Add ginger to the boiling soup before serving.
Take as breakfast and part of dinner.
Also there's Green Onion Rice Soup, 15 Fresh Green Onion, only use white part of green onion cut into 3 cm long pieces, 50 grams of Spring rice, 10 grams of Fermented soy bean (black color) and a little Sea Salt is Best.
Cook rice with water first to make soup; when the soup is done, the rice becomes soft. Then add green onion, fermented soy beans and salt and then cook for another 20-30 minutes. Serve once a day at dinner for 3 to 5 days.
These ingredients should be easier to get and cheaper.