Niagara, Wind Turbines

The latest checkmark is thanks to a mostly spur of the moment decision to visit our friend who just moved close to Buffalo, NY. This weekend I was able to check ‘See Niagara Falls’ off my list!!

The falls are gorgeous and it’s amazing to think of the amount of water falling over the edge every second! We checked out the Observation Tower, Maid of the Mist, Goat Island, and Three Sisters Islands, all of which were amazing. We were not able to go to the Canada side but plan on going back once we all have our passports!! I would also like to check out Hurricane Cave and walk behind the falls when we go back!

And although it wasn’t specifically on the list, I can check off that I’ve seen one of the great lakes. Lake Erie is, well, HUGE!

We also had the chance to see some wind turbines on the way to Buffalo. It’s amazing how something so simply designed can be so beautiful! I’ve seen some before but it was at a distance and this time I got a much closer view! Someday I’d like to get even closer to get a true idea as to their massive size.

Tattoos - Would you get inked?

I did...and I probably will again. Society holds a very wide range of opinions on tattoos Opinions range from 'you're going to rot in hell for destroying the temple that God gave you' to 'I wouldn't be me without my tattoos'. I am obviously 'pro' tattoo but you just never know how people will react.

Strangers will sometimes ask me about my tattoo(s) and sometimes they will just look with disgust. A lot of the time when I meet people, they don't realize I have tattoos. I don't plan it that way, it just tends to happen. Then once they see one of my tattoos for the first time they're always shocked and say things like "YOU have tattoos?!?" "Why on earth would you get that" "You don't strike me as the tattoo type"...well you know what, I don't think there is a 'tattoo type' anymore. Sure once upon a time, it was for bikers or people in the navy, or even people in prison but you know what, society changes, people change.

It’s the same with technology, some generations are disgusted at what cell phones can do and refuse to own or use one. My cell phone is my life line; I keep up with the news, blog, and keep in touch with friends through email, text messaging, instant messaging, and Facebook, etc. etc. In my opinion you can't judge someone based on whether or not they have tattoos or whether they prefer to text rather than make a phone call.

It all comes down to how people accept our changing society.

How do you handle change?

Iris

Headache Relief

I just stumbled on an article about headache relief, here are a few chunks of the article.

Press Valley of Harmony for headache relief

Recently, a patient's eight-year-old child was suffering from a headache. I was able to bring her the benefits of acupuncture without the needles. I simply used my own fingers to administer acupressure on an acupoint in the web between her thumb and index finger called Valley of Harmony. Within five minutes, her headache was gone.

Find the acupoint Valley of Harmony (Li 4) on yourself. It's in the web between the thumb and index finger on both hands. Apply steady pressure with your thumb until you feel soreness. Hold for 2 minutes. Repeat on the other hand.

Find the acupoint Great Yang (taiyang), which is in the indentation of the temples. Stimulate the point with the knuckles of your thumbs or the tips of your index fingers. Massage in circular motion for 5 minutes.

Give yourself a simple spa experience to help relieve a headache. Put 5 drops of lavender essential oil in 1 cup of warm water. Soak a small towel in the water, wring it dry, and then place it on your forehead as a compress during a headache.

How often have you uttered these words in a stressful situation, "This is giving me a headache!" It turns out that the human brain is genetically programmed to translate physical and emotional stress into headaches. Headaches can typically be prevented by relaxation or stress releasing techniques like meditation and tai chi. Here is a simple visualization meditation called White Light Meditation that I have taught to my patients to reduce stress and headaches:

1. Sit or lie down comfortably. Clear your mind, relax your body, and breathe deeply and slowly.
2. Inhale and visualize a white light or clear mountain spring water entering your body at the top of your head and flowing down to your abdomen.
3. Exhale and visualize the white light or water continuing its downward course from your abdomen to the bottom of your feet, where it drains out.
Repeat for 10 minutes. Usually you will experience a quick reduction in symptoms right after this exercise.

B-complex vitamins are one of my recommendations for headaches -- not only for their pain-relieving properties, but because they are crucial for energy production and help the nervous system. Vitamin B6, in particular, can be very effective for alleviating pressure headaches. Use supplements of B-complex vitamins to relieve pain when a headache strikes and take them daily to prevent headaches.