Here's a brief musical debriefing after my first NERFA (Northeast Regional Folk Alliance) conference. Enjoy!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Nice Universe
Just got back from NERFA -- the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance conference -- in Sullivan County, NY. I’m a singer-songwriter, among several other things, and I was at NERFA to work on the craft and business of that rewarding and maddening pursuit. It was my first time there, and I was at various times overwhelmed, exhilarated, triumphant, defeated, crystal clear, confused and just about any other adjective you can think of. I was feeling a little vulnerable on my last morning there, partly due to lack of sleep and partly because there were a couple of things I’d hoped to accomplish but, alas, did not. To top it all off, they ran out of caffeinated tea at the continental breakfast -- and I’m not a coffee drinker these days.
As I stood in bleary-eyed disappointment, an empty cup in my hand, Sonny Ochs -- sister of the late folk legend Phil Ochs -- noticed my dilemma. Realizing that she had gotten the last bag of the “real stuff,” Sonny did not hesitate for a moment: “Here,” she said, taking it out of her cup, where it had been steeping for less than a minute. She placed it in my empty cup with a smile.
In the grand scheme of things, it may have been a small gesture. But in that moment, it felt huge. Moments later, Lara Herscovitch, another wonderful singer-songwriter, offered me her slightly used teabag as well. Soon I was sipping a delicious combination of orange pekoe and green jasmine tea, grinning at how the universe always seems to find a way to come through for me.
Somehow, the items I hadn’t been able to cross off my "to do" list didn’t bother me so much anymore. There was no doubt in my mind that all those good things were going to happen eventually. In a universe like this one, how could they not?
As I stood in bleary-eyed disappointment, an empty cup in my hand, Sonny Ochs -- sister of the late folk legend Phil Ochs -- noticed my dilemma. Realizing that she had gotten the last bag of the “real stuff,” Sonny did not hesitate for a moment: “Here,” she said, taking it out of her cup, where it had been steeping for less than a minute. She placed it in my empty cup with a smile.
In the grand scheme of things, it may have been a small gesture. But in that moment, it felt huge. Moments later, Lara Herscovitch, another wonderful singer-songwriter, offered me her slightly used teabag as well. Soon I was sipping a delicious combination of orange pekoe and green jasmine tea, grinning at how the universe always seems to find a way to come through for me.
Somehow, the items I hadn’t been able to cross off my "to do" list didn’t bother me so much anymore. There was no doubt in my mind that all those good things were going to happen eventually. In a universe like this one, how could they not?
Monday, November 5, 2007
Suweet!
Sigh.
If only there were something sweet that was actually good for you. Something natural -- something that came from trees, say -- that could stop cavities, and maybe even repair them. While we're dreaming, let's give this sweet stuff the ability to enhance remineralization, promote healthier gums and prevent ear infections. Now we need a name. I've got it: Xylitol!
Yes, xylitol does exist, and it really does do all those nice things. The stuff's been tested six ways to Sunday -- go ahead, Google it -- and it's way safe for humans (but not dogs, interestingly). It's been around for a good long while: Xylitol was first derived from Birch trees in Finland in the 19th century.
The coolest thing about xylitol is that it's incredibly easy to use: Chew some xylitol gum a few times a day and you're golden. If you don't like gum, it also comes in the form of mints, candies and breath spray.
I'm working on setting up an affiliate account with a big xylitol gum manufacturer, and when I do, you'll be able to purchase it through this blog, thereby supporting my humble attempts to provide you with cool, practical health info.
But if you just can't wait, Google away till you find some xylitol products you like. Happy chewing!
If only there were something sweet that was actually good for you. Something natural -- something that came from trees, say -- that could stop cavities, and maybe even repair them. While we're dreaming, let's give this sweet stuff the ability to enhance remineralization, promote healthier gums and prevent ear infections. Now we need a name. I've got it: Xylitol!
Yes, xylitol does exist, and it really does do all those nice things. The stuff's been tested six ways to Sunday -- go ahead, Google it -- and it's way safe for humans (but not dogs, interestingly). It's been around for a good long while: Xylitol was first derived from Birch trees in Finland in the 19th century.
The coolest thing about xylitol is that it's incredibly easy to use: Chew some xylitol gum a few times a day and you're golden. If you don't like gum, it also comes in the form of mints, candies and breath spray.
I'm working on setting up an affiliate account with a big xylitol gum manufacturer, and when I do, you'll be able to purchase it through this blog, thereby supporting my humble attempts to provide you with cool, practical health info.
But if you just can't wait, Google away till you find some xylitol products you like. Happy chewing!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Zoom Cleanse!
Just finished my fourth Master Cleanse of the year, and I'm feeling great -- light, happy and yes, cleansed!
What's the Master Cleanse?
It's is a detoxification regimen that involves drinking 6-12 10-ounce servings of specially prepared "lemonade" daily, for 10-40 days. The cleanse is said to eliminate all kinds of bad stuff from all over your body. Some cleansers have reported "miracle" cures of every manner of ailment. This should come as no surprise; fasting has been proven, again and again, to have huge positive effects on body and mind, and the Master Cleanse is, essentially, a juice fast.
The lemonade is prepared thusly:
1. Into a glass, place two tablespoons of fresh-squeezed organic lemon or lime juice.
2. Add to this two tablespoons of organic Grade B maple syrup (the dark stuff). Grade A can be used instead, but Grade B is more nutritious.
3. Add 1/10 teaspoon (or more) of organic cayenne pepper.
4. Pour in 10 ounces of spring water -- hot, cold or in-between -- mix, and drink!
You must drink between six and 12 servings of the lemonade daily. You can drink as much water as you want throughout the day. A bit of mint tea is allowed as well.
There are just two other things you need to do to cleanse properly. Because of the lack of solid foods, you'll need some assistance in clearing your digestive system. So, drink a cup of herbal laxative tea each evening (widely available at health food stores and elsewhere), and do a "salt water flush" every morning. The flush involves adding two teaspoons of sea salt (never the regular iodized stuff) to 32 ounces of warm water and drinking it down. Access to a bathroom will be of great import during the following two hours, so planning is essential.
Details on every aspect of the Master Cleanse are available here:
http://www.therawfoodsite.com/
I'm not an affiliate or anything, and although there are two useful books on the topic ("The Master Cleanser" by Stanley Burroughs and "Lose Weight, Have More Energy & Be Happier in 10 Days" by Peter Glickman), I don't think anybody is getting rich off the cleanse (other than Glickman, perhaps, whose webstore sells both books and other cleanse-related gear).
As I said, I've done this four times now, and contrary to the warnings of well-intentioned (but uninformed) friends, I've not died, been hospitalized or lost my ability to function. I'm a fifth-grade teacher with 27 spirited 10-year-olds to deal with every day. I also teach two high-energy Spin classes at my local gym each week, and I tutor after school. The cleanses I've done have not stopped me from living my regular life. Rather, they have added to my life in myriad positive ways.
Okay. I've gone on for long enough about the cleanse. If you'd like to know more, check out the link above, or comment on this post and I'll address your question in a future entry.
Peace and love,
Bob
What's the Master Cleanse?
It's is a detoxification regimen that involves drinking 6-12 10-ounce servings of specially prepared "lemonade" daily, for 10-40 days. The cleanse is said to eliminate all kinds of bad stuff from all over your body. Some cleansers have reported "miracle" cures of every manner of ailment. This should come as no surprise; fasting has been proven, again and again, to have huge positive effects on body and mind, and the Master Cleanse is, essentially, a juice fast.
The lemonade is prepared thusly:
1. Into a glass, place two tablespoons of fresh-squeezed organic lemon or lime juice.
2. Add to this two tablespoons of organic Grade B maple syrup (the dark stuff). Grade A can be used instead, but Grade B is more nutritious.
3. Add 1/10 teaspoon (or more) of organic cayenne pepper.
4. Pour in 10 ounces of spring water -- hot, cold or in-between -- mix, and drink!
You must drink between six and 12 servings of the lemonade daily. You can drink as much water as you want throughout the day. A bit of mint tea is allowed as well.
There are just two other things you need to do to cleanse properly. Because of the lack of solid foods, you'll need some assistance in clearing your digestive system. So, drink a cup of herbal laxative tea each evening (widely available at health food stores and elsewhere), and do a "salt water flush" every morning. The flush involves adding two teaspoons of sea salt (never the regular iodized stuff) to 32 ounces of warm water and drinking it down. Access to a bathroom will be of great import during the following two hours, so planning is essential.
Details on every aspect of the Master Cleanse are available here:
http://www.therawfoodsite.com/
I'm not an affiliate or anything, and although there are two useful books on the topic ("The Master Cleanser" by Stanley Burroughs and "Lose Weight, Have More Energy & Be Happier in 10 Days" by Peter Glickman), I don't think anybody is getting rich off the cleanse (other than Glickman, perhaps, whose webstore sells both books and other cleanse-related gear).
As I said, I've done this four times now, and contrary to the warnings of well-intentioned (but uninformed) friends, I've not died, been hospitalized or lost my ability to function. I'm a fifth-grade teacher with 27 spirited 10-year-olds to deal with every day. I also teach two high-energy Spin classes at my local gym each week, and I tutor after school. The cleanses I've done have not stopped me from living my regular life. Rather, they have added to my life in myriad positive ways.
Okay. I've gone on for long enough about the cleanse. If you'd like to know more, check out the link above, or comment on this post and I'll address your question in a future entry.
Peace and love,
Bob
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Oil Can!
Okay. This is gonna sound even stranger than tooth soap to you. But thousands swear by it, and my personal experience with it has been very positive. Best of all, no fancy books or exotic elixirs are required -- just a bottle of refined sesame or sunflower oil.
It's called "oil pulling therapy," and it's said to cure everything from migraines to meningitis.
Here's how oil pulling works: Upon arising, before eating or drinking, put a tablespoon of refined sesame or sunflower oil in your mouth, but don't swallow. Simply swish it around in there for 15 or 20 minutes, making sure to pull it through your teeth as you do so. When you're done, spit it out and clean your mouth carefully, 'cause the oil is now loaded with toxins that have been removed from your system.
That's pretty much it. Do it every morning, and you may see all kinds of nice results. Among ailments said to be treatable by oil pulling: all sorts of pain, asthma, eczema, constipation, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes and a bunch more.
Oh, one more thing: In addition to the many who endorse it, there are people on the web who claim that oil pulling can't work -- but these same folks also admit they haven't tried it. It's worth remembering here that there are also people who say the bumblebee shouldn't be capable of flight. Some stuff is kinda hard to explain, but that doesn't mean it's not real.
It's called "oil pulling therapy," and it's said to cure everything from migraines to meningitis.
Here's how oil pulling works: Upon arising, before eating or drinking, put a tablespoon of refined sesame or sunflower oil in your mouth, but don't swallow. Simply swish it around in there for 15 or 20 minutes, making sure to pull it through your teeth as you do so. When you're done, spit it out and clean your mouth carefully, 'cause the oil is now loaded with toxins that have been removed from your system.
That's pretty much it. Do it every morning, and you may see all kinds of nice results. Among ailments said to be treatable by oil pulling: all sorts of pain, asthma, eczema, constipation, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes and a bunch more.
Oh, one more thing: In addition to the many who endorse it, there are people on the web who claim that oil pulling can't work -- but these same folks also admit they haven't tried it. It's worth remembering here that there are also people who say the bumblebee shouldn't be capable of flight. Some stuff is kinda hard to explain, but that doesn't mean it's not real.
Wash Your Mouth Out With Soap!
Do you know about tooth soap? It's a little strange the first couple of times you use it, but it is said to reduce plaque, restore healthy gums and eliminate bad breath and all kinds of other oral evils. Me, personally? I love the squeaky-clean feeling -- and the fact that, because tooth soap contains no added glycerin, your teeth are said to have a chance to remineralize between brushings.
Testimonials talk about cavities literally filling in after a person started using tooth soap; I wouldn't know. But I'm happy to be brushing with a natural product that contains no added glycerin, dyes, sweeteners, silicates (i.e., sand), and -- the worst in the bunch, from what I've read -- fluoride.
Here's what's in the stuff I bought: "saponified coconut, palm, and extra virgin olive oils and pure essential oil."
Anyway, if you want to find out more, use this link:
http://www.automateyourwebsite.com/app/?af=669127
Make sure you use that link, 'cause then, if you decide to buy some, your purchase will help support this blog.
Speaking of this blog...
Check in regularly to learn about all kinds of cool stuff relating to health and happiness and the connection between mind and body.
That's all for now!
Love,
Bob
Testimonials talk about cavities literally filling in after a person started using tooth soap; I wouldn't know. But I'm happy to be brushing with a natural product that contains no added glycerin, dyes, sweeteners, silicates (i.e., sand), and -- the worst in the bunch, from what I've read -- fluoride.
Here's what's in the stuff I bought: "saponified coconut, palm, and extra virgin olive oils and pure essential oil."
Anyway, if you want to find out more, use this link:
http://www.automateyourwebsite.com/app/?af=669127
Make sure you use that link, 'cause then, if you decide to buy some, your purchase will help support this blog.
Speaking of this blog...
Check in regularly to learn about all kinds of cool stuff relating to health and happiness and the connection between mind and body.
That's all for now!
Love,
Bob
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