Good Medicine Society

Elder’s Meditation of the Day May 7 We must all become caretakers of the Earth. - Haida Gwaii Traditional Circle of Elders... Mother Earth is the source of all life. We should not only be concerned about the part of the Earth we live on, but we should be concerned about the parts of the Earth that other people live on. The Earth is one great whole. The trees in Brazil generate the air in the Untied States. If the trees are cut in Brazil, it affects the air that all people breathe. Every person needs to conscientiously think about how they respect the Earth. Do we dump our garbage out of the car? Do we poison the water? Do we poison the air? Am I taking on the responsibility of being a caretaker of the Earth? Great Spirit, today, I will be aware of the Earth. I will be responsible. Copied with the permission of Don L. Coyhis, from the book "Meditations with Native American Elders: The Four Seasons" If anyone would like to purchase the book is can be found at: Coyhis Publishing at: http://www.coyhispublishing.com//meditations-with-native-a Or Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1605304514/ref =olp_tab_all

Beautiful garden

Came across this and figured I would share. These are "BAY LEAVES" - - Many people add bay leaves to foods especially jollof rice (Nigerian), red meat and poultry but do you know why bay leaves are added to food? When asked why, some reply: to add flavor to the food... Do you know that If you boil some bay leaves in a glass of water and taste it, it will have no flavor? Now why do you put bay leaves in the meat? The addition of bay leaves to meat converts triglycerides to monounsaturated fats, and for experimentation and confirmation: Cut the chicken in half and cook each half in a pan and place on one bay leaf, and the other without bay leaf and observe the amount of fat in both pans. If you have bay leaves, there is no need for a pharmacy. Recent scientific studies have shown that bay leaves have many benefits & helps to get rid of many serious health problems and illnesses. THE BENEFITS of BAY LEAF are: *Bay leaf treats digestive disorders and helps eliminate lumps, Heartburn, Acidity & Constipation. *It helps regulate bowel movement by drinking hot bay tea. *It lowers blood sugar and bay leaf is also an antioxidant *It allows the body to produce insulin by eating it or drinking bay tea for a month. *It eliminates bad cholesterol and relieves the body of triglycerides. *It's very useful in treating colds, flu and severe cough as it is a rich source of vitamin "C", you can boil the leaves and inhale steam to get rid of phlegm and reduce the severity of cough. *Bay leaf protects the heart from strokes as it contains cardiovascular protective compounds. *It's rich in acids such as caffeic acid, quercetin, eigonol and bartolinide, substances that prevent the formation of cancer cells in the body. *It eliminates insomnia and anxiety, if taken before bed, helps you relax and sleep peacefully. Drinking a cup of boiled bay leaves twice a day breaks kidney stones and cures infections ... Just like garlic and ginger are a must find amongst my collection of spices, Bay leaves are a must see in my collection of spices too (my little spice secrets to good aroma and flavor)

The World Health Organization says the virus thrives on division, but is defeated when we unite. Onosa, Iroquois, said... "They advised their children, when they became weak, to plant a tree with 4 roots branching to the four directions, and then collect under it's shade to dwell together in unity and harmony."... The Creator has given us the perfect lesson!

The Burden Basket "The Burden Basket teaches us not to leave our troubles at the door of another. If we rely on ourselves and our connection to the Great Spirit we learn to stretch into our own unique potential. If we become confused and we seek counsel, we should always use the advice given. ... We should not waste the time of others if we do not intend to respect and honor the wisdom given to us. We should also know that it is not our job to solve the problems of others. In doing so, we rob them of their right to self-reliance. While we walk through our lifetime, we only carry the burdens we wish to carry. If we find pleasure or a feeling of importance because we have so much to handle, then we need to look seriously at our ideas of self-importance. The lesson of the Burden Basket is that we are all self-reliant and should use our own talents to find our own solutions. Before the First People were forced onto reservations, Burden Baskets were used to gather wood by the women of the tribes. This wood would be used for cooking fires and Grandmother Fires to heat the inside of the lodges. The heating fires were so named because the wood was small enough that even a Grandmother could carry it. The wood was placed in the Burden Basket to free the hands to gather and collect items for cooking. Native women were not asked to bear a burden heavier than their Burden Basket could handle. When not in use, the Burden Basket was hung outside of the home to serve another purpose. Native American etiquette differs from other cultures and the Burden Basket played a role in a custom honored by all Tribal members. Before entering the home, all burdens were to be placed in the Burden Basket outside. Leave your complaints and problems outside, please. It is not polite to bring those troubles into the Sacred Space of the family you are visiting. The Burden Basket becomes a symbol of the internal strength of knowing how to keep your own counsel and not to inflict our burdens onto the shoulders of others. It takes a strong heart to feel compassion for the burdens of others and not to take the burdens on as our own. Burden Baskets were used for utilitarian means but also as a Guardian of the homes. Giving balance to the tribe as a whole and a reminder of respecting the happiness and privacy of those around us." - Native Nation Museum See more