Beauty

True Beauty
Chad A. Booher

Beauty is a thing seldom seen

No one sees it because no one looks

Or at least not in the right place

Beauty is held by all

Within the soul it lies

Waiting to come out to the surface

Only it can't

Beauty is suppressed by the evils of the world

Only love can bring beauty out

Once seen

Beauty never hides again

Not even hatred can deny beauty

Of it's true design

Beauty although possessed by all

Will only ever be truly seen by few

And fewer yet will ever see

One of the most beautiful sights

The beauty held by you

You are all beautiful to me ~Thumper

Relax, Breathe and have Tea
Herbal teas are not only relaxing and soothing to the spirit, but your stomach as well! Many herbs have properties to calm. Two common herbs are chamomile and peppermint. Both herbs in tea can calm anxiety, restlessness and help with sleeplessness.

INGREDIENTS (Use organic ingredients whenever possible)

• 1 ounce dried or fresh chamomile flowers
• 1 pint boiling water

1. Put the flowers in a cup.
2. Pour in boiling water.
a) Cover the cup with a saucer and let it stand for 10 minutes
b) Pour the liquid through a strainer and into another cup.
Enjoy! Chamomile tea has a naturally sweet flavor, so you'll probably like it plain. To make it sweeter, though, just add a little honey.

* Don't let the steam escape while your tea is brewing. If you let the steam out, it may carry away some of the "calm healing power" of the flowers.

* If you don't like the light and flowery taste, of the herb tea, you can try mixing with black tea for a heartier teas.

** I personally drink organic peppermint tea at work. It helps alot with annoying co-workers.
Health
Reading Food Labels
Food labels may help you make healthy food choices, but they can be confusing.* Here are some quick tips for reading food labels:

Check Serving Size and Calories: All the information on a food label is based on the serving size. Be careful—one serving may be much smaller than you think. If you double the servings you eat, you double the calories and nutrients, including the percent Daily Values (DVs).

Percent DV: This number tells you whether a food is high or low in nutrients. Foods that have more than 20-percent DV of a nutrient are high. Foods that have 5-percent DV or less are low.

Saturated Fat: Saturated fat is not healthy for your heart. Compare labels on similar foods and try to choose foods that have 5-percent DV or less for saturated fat. Most of the fats you eat should be polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Keep total fat intake between 20 percent to 35 percent of your total daily calories.

Trans Fat: Trans fat is not healthy for your heart. When reading food labels, add together the grams of trans fat and saturated fat, and choose foods with the lowest combined amount.
Cholesterol: Too much cholesterol is not healthy for your heart. Keep your intake of saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol as low as possible.

Sodium (Salt): Salt contains sodium. Research shows that eating less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium (about 1 teaspoon of salt) per day may reduce the risk of high blood pressure.

TIP: Many food labels say "low-fat," "reduced fat," or "light." These claims do not always mean the food is low in calories, however. Remember, fat-free does not mean calorie-free, and calories do count!

Fiber: Choose foods that are rich in fiber, such as whole grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables.

Sugar: Try to choose foods with little or no added sugar, such as low-sugar cereals.

Calcium: Choose foods that are high in calcium. Foods that are high in calcium have at least 20-percent DV.

* For more information on reading food labels, visit: www.cfsan.fda.gov/labelman. For information about the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, see: www.healthierus.gov/dietaryguidelines.
Source: National Institutes of Health