New Sounds ~ Are We Listening?

Playing for Change ~ Band on Tour

They may be coming to a city near you. Support 'em. Make your own music!
~ anais

Take a Break ~ Mudra for Wisdom

Mudra hand gestures or poses are often used in yoga practice, meditation, and for healing purposes. One I am familiar with and use all the time is Gyan Mudra, shown in the photo left. Click here for more information about Gyan Muddra.

Here is the one to take a break for, the Mudra for Wisdom. Simple hand position with deep breathing. Both can have a dramatically positive effect during a trying time, or at any time.

More Remedies For What Ails Us . . .

This week a friend and I went to visit Tom Tracey of Swan Valley Herbs, in Bigfork, Montana. Tom is a master herbalist with a lot of experience. His store is a thing of beauty! He and his crew harvest much of their stock locally. I love it! I cleaned up my basement yesterday and found a copy of his Herb Reference Guide from 1989.

We went to talk with Tom to get his ideas for keeping our immune systems up and running in best form. Tom's approach is pretty common sense. Cleanse the body using heat (saunas, baths) and take an appropriate herb, homeopathic remedy or other healing/balancing substance. Add to that, what you eat, water you drink, rest and exercise. Makes sense.

Winter seems to have come early here in Montana . . . along with quite a few other places in the U.S. Change of weather always affects our immune systems. There are homeopathic remedies for symptoms created by seasonal weather changes. It's a test, and an opportunity. How will our system respond? It's a good time to keenly observe, and take steps to take care. We can re-train our bodies to adapt to change. As a homeopath, and working with myself and my family, I have seen success in remedy administration over time, bringing the recipient to the point of being less susceptible, or entirely immune, to conditions that previously had caused a dis-ease condition.

I came away from Tom's shop with some ready-made tincture, and some herbs to make my own. It's fun to make your own tinctures—and quite simple to do. Tom recommends using Everclear (grain alcohol). Use glycerine or apple cider vinegar for non-alcohol preparations. Do an internet search for more details . . . or talk to your herbalist or buy a book.

The tincture Tom calls "Lomatium Compound" contains Lomatium Root, Osha Root, Cedar Leaf, Yarrow and Usnea. I also purchased some dried elderberries (locally wildcrafted) and a couple bags of the Lomatium Compound dry. I've started my tinctures which should be ready to strain and bottle by the next full moon.

Tom doesn't have a website but if you would like to contact his shop, call 406.837.5747.

I urge everyone to look up their own local herbalist, hopefully, one who takes the time and effort to wildcraft their own herbs. Knowing and trusting your health care provider is as important as anything else. Who's your farmer, who's your banker, and where's your money applies at all levels.

~ Anais

Playing For Change ~ Episode 17

Watching the Weather?

George Ure of urbansurvival.com pointed to these news pieces:

Western MT Cold Breaks Records
MontanaNewsStation.com (11 Oct 09)

Cold Temperatures Threaten Seed Potato Crop
Missoulian (12 Oct 09)

It doesn't take a newspaper article to tell us what we're feeling. And it doesn't take a weatherman to tell which way the wind blows. Change! Things are changing. Food and energy. It's only October. Keep your eyes open. It's keenly observe time.

Capitalism ~ Who Needs It?

Last night I went to see Michael Moore's film "Capitalism: A Love Story." It's one of those good/bad ones. Good, thanks for pointing it out on the big screen, but BAD . . . an extremely bad story. We all know it. Those of us in America, we're living it. What are we going to do about it? What can we do about it . . . in each of our places? We should get together and figure it out.

I work with Catherine Austin Fitts and Solari. Catherine has been talking about this story long before bailouts and other recent events that are making us wonder where IS the money, among other questions? Catherine was Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, appointed in 1989 by then President GHW Bush. You can read her story, Dillon Read and the Aristocracy of Stock Profits here. It's another good/bad story. Catherine writes very well; engaging and real.

So I recommend seeing the movie, and I recommend you read Catherine's story and visit her blog daily: http://solari.com/blog—she connects dots that we may not otherwise see.

~Anais

Playing For Change ~ Episode 16

Support the music. Buy their CD—I did—it's great! Click here.

Definitive Word ~ Immunizations in Montana

I have been on a path of inquiry regarding immunization requirements here in Montana. I started by e-mailing Mike Jopek, Representative for HD4, local farmer, and friend. He suggested I start by contacting State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Denise Juneau, which I did by e-mail. She passed my query to the proper person/agency.

I received a response this morning from Cathy Kendall, Administrator of the State's Health Enhancement & Safety Division. Following is the full text, my questions preceding her responses in red:

Good morning,

In response to your questions:

Will state vaccine exemption laws apply if my child goes to school and
they are vaccinating the school’s staff and students with the pandemic flu
vaccine?

No child or adult is required to receive an influenza vaccination.

-- Will informed and voluntary consent be obtained from parents prior to the
administration of a seasonal or pandemic flu vaccine?

Yes

-- Will our right to decline these shots based on our religious beliefs, or
for health reasons‹such as severe allergies/anaphylaxis to normal vaccine
ingredients‹be honored?

Yes

Let me know if you have further questions and I will search out answers for you. Thanks for the inquiry.

Cathy Kendall
Administrator
Health Enhancement & Safety Division
PO Box 202501
Helena MT 59620
406-444-0829
cakendall@mt.gov
Fax: 406-444-2955

Mary Travers 1936 ~ 2009

Mary Travers, of the folk group Peter, Paul, and Mary, died yesterday of leukaemia.

From her biography:

Mary Travers was an iconic folk singer, a dedicated activist, a writer and a poet, a mother, and, along with Peter Yarrow and Noel (Paul) Stookey, a member of perhaps the most influential folk music trio in American history.

Peter, Paul & Mary became famous for their ability to convey powerful personal and political messages through a repertoire of songs that became, for millions of Americans, an introduction to political awareness and activism in the movements born in the 60’s; movements for freedom, justice and social equity. For many, Peter, Paul & Mary became the soundtrack of their participation in an ongoing commitment to a progressive American vision of social equity, justice and freedom.

I sing some of their songs. What folk singer doesn't? I perform at Colter Coffee house in downtown Kalispell Friday night. I plan to sing for the joy of it, for the remembrance of Mary Travers, and in thankfulness for the music she created.
Mary Travers at Wikipedia

Remedies for What Ails Us

I've been listening and reading about remedies and methods of staying healthy. The precipitator being, for the most part, swine flu chatter. And I am glad to hear many suggestions for remedies and supplements that 'make sense.' The underlying premise is support the immune system.

When there is no immediately imminent event, and folks are fairly healthy, and, really, ongoing at all times, the best action is to do everything in support of the immune system. I have heard it said that there is only one thing standing between any of us and disease or illness--this would be our immune system.

So what are the basics of immune system support? Maybe these to start with:

• Don't do what you know is not good for you
• Get plenty of rest/sleep
• Drink an appropriate amount of good clean water
• Eat organic (local) food
• BREATHE!

Easy enough? As Dr. Laura Thompson said in a recent interview with Catherine Austin Fitts, doing these things alone can make a dramatic difference in immune system function.

. . . more to come.

Lomatium ~ lomatium.com / Medicine Woman's Roots

Tired of Being Serious :-((((

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do you every get tired of being serious? OK...now I'm getting into this. I did a search . . . I found the book subtitle of which you see here. I don't know what it's about, and it was written in 1899, but it might be a remedy . . . for seriousness.

Yikes! And then I see that there are groups. This subtitle: Read true personal stories, chat, & get advice from a group of 12 people who all say 'I Am Tired of Being Deeply Serious All the Time'. Twelve people. Wow! I think I'm coming out of it.

Then I remembered that I sit in front of a Mac computer. I called up Photo Booth for a little introspection...or extrospection. It never fails me . . . Photo Booth and the banishment of seriousness. It just works. I record short videos. If I knew how to upload them here I might. Maybe you're thinking . . . spare me! Ah, but ye know not what ye (is that right) say.

How long did that take? We're on to something. Well . . . the whole internet is on to something!

Montana - Vaccine Awareness

I have not heard of Montana responses to recent news about possible vaccine requirements, but I saw these flyers stuck on vehicle windows at music in the park last night.

I heartily espouse edification and information. Fear and anger are not part of those. Let's be getting on this. Find more links to inform in this blog.

Playing For Change ~ Tour Highlights

Montana Vaccination Information

Quick Fact: A notarized affidavit on a form prescribed by the department stating that immunization is contrary to the religious tenets and practices of the signer, immunization of the person seeking to attend the school may not be required prior to attendance at the school.

Other Resources:

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services: www.dphhs.state.mt.us

State of Montana Immunization Program:
http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/PHSD/ Immunization/immune-index.shtml

State of Montana School Immunization Requirements:
http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/PHSD/ Immunization/documents/
SchoolImmunizationRequirements.pdf

State of Montana Day Care Conditional Attendance Form:
http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/PHSD/ Immunization/documents/
Hes103a_daycare.pdf

State of Montana Preschool, K-12 Schools Conditional Attendance Form:
http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/PHSD/ Immunization/documents/HES103-1B_conditional_preK-12.pdf

State of Montana Post-Secondary School Conditional Attendance Form:
http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/PHSD/ Immunization/documents/HES103-C_postsecondary.pdf

State of Montana Legislature: http://leg.mt.gov/css/default.asp

Swine Flu ~ More Information

Pandemic Flu Online
Click on Toolbox image at left.

AND

Homeopathy can prevent, cure swine flu, say homeopaths
Prokerala.com (8 Aug 09)

Homeopathy can both prevent and cure swine flu, sans any side effects, say doctors who practise this alternative medicine system in India where over 700 people have been diagnosed with the disease.

Amid panic over the spread of influenza A (H1N1) virus, homeopaths are now drafting a proposal for the health ministry to offer their services in tackling the crisis.

AND

Originally from the Homoepathy World Community website

Pandemic H1N1 Swine Flu: What About You & Your Family?

On April 26, 2009, public health officials from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security held a press conference and declared a national public health emergency. The declaration came in response to identification of a new novel Influenza A (H1N1) “swine flu” virus (combination of swine, bird and human influenza viruses) that was making people sick and causing deaths in Mexico. By June 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the global influenza pandemic alert to the highest Phase 6 level.

You, your family and residents of your state are governed by federal and state public health laws whenever the government declares a national “public health emergency.” These laws, which contain provisions for isolation, quarantine and vaccination of citizens, may or may not be enforced by government officials during a declared public health emergency involving outbreaks of communicable infectious diseases.

Contents: go to www.NVIC.org for these articles listed:

INFLUENZA & SWINE FLU
Past Influenza Pandemics
Mortality Associated with the Current Swine Flu Pandemic
What are the Symptoms of Swine Flu?
Who Is More Likely To Get Swine Flu?
Are Some People More Likely to Have Complications?
Is There a Vaccine for H1N1 Swine Flu?

SWINE FLU VACCINES
How Will the Swine Flu Vaccine Be Made?
Will Future Swine Flu Vaccines Contain Unlicensed Adjuvants?
Will Swine Flu Vaccines Contain Mercury?
How Long Will Swine Flu Vaccines Be Tested to Prove Safety & Efficacy Before Being Released?
Who Will Be the First to Get Swine Flu Vaccine?
Is There Liability Protection for Vaccine Makers?

PUBLIC HEALTH LAWS
Could You or Someone in Your Family Be Required to Get Vaccinated or Be Quarantined During an Influenza Pandemic?
Federal Public Health Laws vs. State Public Health Laws
U.S. Supreme Court Gave States Power to Mandate Vaccine Use
Congress Gave More Power To Public Health Officials After 9-11
States Gave More Power to Public Health Officials After 9-11
U.S. Public Health Service and U.S. Coast Guard
The National Guard
Department of Defense
Local Police
Check the Public Health Emergency Laws in Your State

BEING PREPARED & TAKING ACTION
What Can You and Your Family Do To Be Prepared?
Evaluate Holistic Health Approaches to Wellness & Healing
Stay Informed and Connected
Contact Your Legislators & Community Leaders
Take Action with NVIC
Remain Cool, Calm and Collected

MORE INFORMATION
NVIC INFORMATION & STATEMENTS
SELECTED MEDIA PRINT ARTICLES
U.S. GOVERNMENT INFORMATION ON INFLUENZA
FEDERAL LEGISLATION AFFECTING U.S. PUBLIC HEALTH LAW
MODEL STATE HEALTH EMERGENCY POWERS ACTS
MASSACHUSETTS PANDEMIC ACT (2009)

Tackling Flus with Homeopathy
Scoop Independent News (11 Aug 09)

Families are as diverse and interesting as the remedies that treat them. Homeopathy offers a natural alternative to support the immune system and restore balance on all levels. Homeopathic remedies gently and safely initiate and support our bodies’ healing, bringing about speedy and lasting relief.

This winter has brought with it the onset and spread of a new Influenza virus (H1N1 A). Registered Homeopaths with NZCH (New Zealand Council of Homeopaths) have been successfully treating patients manifesting with influenza, prescribing Homeopathic remedies that address the particular set of individual symptoms they are presenting.

NOTE: I had the great pleasure of spending some time with the guys at Scoop Independent News in Wellington, New Zealand, not too long ago. I loved Wellington; stayed at the Hostel downtown and walked along the bay to their offices. Recommend cruising the Scoop website. Catherine Austin Fitts is an ongoing regular contributor. Catherine's latest contribution is Swine Flu: What I Believe.

Homeopathy: Swine Flu at Twitter

Physicians talking about homeopathy for Swine Flu at Twitter:







Gelsemium successful.
Note symptoms.
FEAR! involved. Imagine that?!

~ Anais

Laughing Yoga

This is wild!

Gut Instinct

A couple weeks ago, I was at the end of a discussion with my good friend and supporter of incomparable measure, Dr. Jim MacKimmie. For reference, he wrote a book called Presence of Angels: A Healer's Life (click the image for more about the book.) I recommend everyone read it . . . but this post is not about that.

As I was leaving Dr. Jim's office, I mentioned common sense, and that I thought one of the most important (and quite possibly, most lacking) aspects of our collective lives at present was plain and simple common sense.

How did we lose it? How do we learn about it? As I am writing, the topic expands with the attention—like the edge of the world in quantum physics. Ah . . . anyway, to come back to something more manageable AND I'm not going to answer those questions here anyway, if for no other reason than lack of time.

So in quick answer to my question about what I could do to enhance my own common sense, Dr. Jim says, read Gut Instinct by Pierre Pallardy. OK....I walk out the door.

See this article from the Independent UK: Pierre Pallardy: France's gut doctor comes to the UK.

I pretty much always follow Dr. Jim's suggestions. They just make sense, you know! So I purchased the book and I am about half-way through the read. But I have read enough to get the idea -- pay more attention and BREATHE. It's effects can be dramatic, but my experience of

As I am working my way through the book I can see more of the reason Dr. J made this recommendation at my question about increasing common sense. It is as much in the way the book is written as in the words. Think on that. It's the feeling the words evoke.

Main areas covered (the basic table of contents):

• Abdominal Breathing
  
• Regular and Slow Eating
  
• Eating Carefully
  
• Recreational Exercise
  
• Exercises for the Two Brains
  
• Self-Massage
  
• Abdominal Meditation
  

It's perfect information in my opinion. The overall message, if considered carefully and followed to a greater, or even a lesser extent, would lead to enhanced overall physical, emotional and mental health. It's a pretty big statement. And I do know that flaws can be found in everything, AND everything is not for everyone! OK....disclaimer. But, if we look at something, and it makes sense, and it doesn't take away from us to apply the thing, my MO has always been to try it. Be a researcher, be skeptical (keenly observant), and take a step forward. For me, many things have worked out using this method. And as a result, I have a wealth of great tools in my toolbox that I can pull out at any time and apply as needed.

Never too old, never too late to learn something new! and

Love is all there is . . .

~ Anais