Finding a Love for the World Around You

Learning to do what is right for you and what is health for you involves discovering a love for the things that are good for you.  It is essential for not only a healthy body, but a healthy mind, heart, and soul. 
As I began reading more about natural health, a lot of what I read circled back to the Native American Indians and how they lived.   It is no secret that they had a tremendous love for nature, a bond with the earth, the sky, the trees, and even the animals that they ate.   One article described it as them protecting the world around them from exploitation.   Some of the oldest and still widely used practices of the Native Americans was the use of bark and roots for medicine.   As a child growing up in upstate NY I heard a lot about the Iroquois Indians of the Adirondack Region.  Their name apparently means “bark eaters”  and judging by the numerous pine trees in the Adirondacks, they may have been the original pine bark eaters, responsible for uncovering what we market as wonder of Pycnogenol in our OPC-3 and other anti-inflammatory supplements today.    For the Indians, pine was a popular cold and flu remedy.  Pine tea was used for treating sore throats, lung infection and chest congestion.  The tree symbolized peace, harmony and creativity for the Natives. 

• Other popular barks include Cedar, used also for respiratory ailments, healing and maintenance.  The Natives sometimes wore a necklace of cedar for protection from illnesses.  Willow bark had analgesic properties similar to aspirin and is also an anti-inflammatory.  Willow symbolized wisdom, strength and stability.
• The mighty oak symbolized strength and courage, and also improved circulation and helped with blood problems.
• The Maple, also abundant in Upstate NY, provided maple syrup, which helped with digestive problems and symbolized generosity and balance.  Maple products were offered as a promise of friendship.

 
Berries, nuts and fruits were of course also popular with the Native Americans.  Using natural remedies like those made from pine or willow bark may take some practice or getting accustomed to.  Their benefits however are indeed timeless.  Coming to love the benefits of fruits berries and nots however can be an overnight addiction.  It is hard to find one that does not have abundant benefits for the body.   Most berries are high in antioxidant properties.  Fruits are full of vitamins, and nuts, although some high in fat, most possess “good” fat. 
P&G is working on a series of post centered around natural foods.  The first will be a personal collection of drinks; smoothies, teas and concoctions that are not only good tasting but good for you.  Fall in love with what is good for you!  It is easy to like what you eat and in general what surrounds you if you find a purpose and appreciation for it.  #bethebestyoucanbe