Tag Archives: The did you know guy

Oregano-Did You Know?

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OreganoDid you know the word “oregano” comes from the Greek phrase, “joy of the mountains?” Oregano is the Oil of Humility and non-attachment. Oregano cuts through the less important parts of life and teaches people to do the same. Oregano is a powerful oil, and may even be described as assertive or intense. Oregano addresses an individual’s need to be “right.”

Ancient Greek physicians discovered that oregano had beneficial properties, and prescribed it for a variety of ailments. Hippocrates used it as well, as its close cousin, Marjoram, as an antiseptic. Just married couples were crowned with wreaths of it. It was also put on graves to give peace to departed spirits.

The use of oregano later spread throughout Europe and much of Northern Africa. In these regions it was used as a spice for meats, fish, and a flavoring for wine. In the middle ages people continued to use it. Oregano was one of few spices used in cooking to give variety to the daily meals.

In spite of its use in England, Oregano was little known in the United States prior to the Second World War. Soldiers discovered the flavors, and aromas during the Italian Campaign, and brought back the spice, and the desire for it. The oregano sold on the spice racks of stores today, is usually made up of several varieties.

Oregano is one of the most potent and powerful essential oils, and has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for its cleansing and immune-boosting properties. The primary chemical components of Oregano are carvacol, and thymol, both in the Phenols group, which possess purifying, and antioxidant properties. Due to its high phenol content, caution should be taken when inhaling or diffusing Oregano; only one to two drops is needed. Additionally, Oregano should be diluted with fractionated coconut oil when applied to the skin.

Oregano essential oil contains phenols—powerful antioxidants that ward off free radicals. One drop taken daily can help maintain healthy immune function; Oregano should be taken more frequently when seasonal threats are high, or as needed to further boost immunity. In addition to being a popular cooking spice, Oregano supports healthy digestion by promoting the secretion of digestive juices. When diffused, Oregano acts as an enhancer and equalizer in essential oil blends, and can help maintain healthy respiratory function.

Melaleuca-Did You Know?

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Melaleuca (Tea Tree)Did you know Melaleuca essential oil has over 92 different compounds and limitless applications? Melaleuca is the oil of energetic boundaries. A natural disinfectant, Melaleuca clears the baggage from the negative energy. It clearly releases codependent and toxic relationships. Melaleuca encourages people to connect with each other in a positive way.

For many centuries, the native Aborigines of Australia used the therapeutic oil of the Melaleuca trees for a wide range of topical and oral applications. They crushed the leaves to use as rubbing mediums and mixed them with clay to form poultices, and even bathed in the water that had collected under the trees. When the white settlers came, they watched and learned how to use the leaves for their own healing purposes.

It was most unfortunate for people in the west that there was no documented evidence of the use of Melaleuca oil. It was to remain confined to Australia, as a bush remedy, for the next 150 years. In 1922, however, an Australian chemist, Arthur Penfold and his team, distilled the oil from the Melaleuca alternifolia, and subsequently published a paper stating that it had a wide-rang of antibacterial and anti-fungal activity.

During the Second World War Melaleuca oil was in such short supply that all the available supplies of oil were used to help stop infections from the unavoidable war wounds, both in soldiers and munitions workers that were helping with the war effort. Soon it was considered necessary that a cheaper, more readily available, alternative should be manufactured to help stop the spread of germs. The once thriving industry went into a steep decline until recently. Over the past few years it has made a huge come back.

Melaleuca is best known for its purifying properties. It can be used to cleanse and purify the skin, nails, and to promote a clear, healthy complexion. Taken internally, Melaleuca enhances immunity when seasonal threats are high, and Melaleuca can be used on surfaces throughout the home to protect against environmental threats. Melaleuca is frequently used on minor skin irritations to soothe the skin, and help it recover quickly. Diffusing Melaleuca will help purify, and freshen the air.

Church Gossip

Better Living, Humor with a moral, , , ,

Gossiping Women
Irene the church gossip, and self appointed monitor of the church’s morals, kept sticking her nose into other people’s business.  Several members did not approve of her extra curricular activities, but feared her enough to maintain their silence.

She made a mistake, however, when she accused George, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old blue pickup parked in front of the town’s only bar one afternoon.  She emphatically told George, and several others, that everyone seeing it there would know exactly what he was doing.

George, a man of few words, stared at her for a few moments and just turned and walked away.  He didn’t explain, defend or deny!  He said nothing!  Later that evening, George quietly parked his  blue pickup in front of Irene’s house …. walked home …. and left it there….all night!Blue Pick-up

The moral of this story is don’t judge others. Even the most obvious situations are not what they appear to be.

Essential Oils in the Bible

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Bible

“Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months’ preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women.”
ESTHER 2:12

Leadership

Better Living, Personal stories, , , ,

American Flag“A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.”
John Maxwell

As an American we have many wonderful ways to be great leaders. I remember my first recollection of being in a leadership position was when I was a crossing guard in 6th grade.

I felt very confident and powerful holding the safety patrol flag making sure the kids were safe crossing the street. The special safety patrol uniform and badge made me feel very important.

Four years later I was called to be a youth leader I was 15 years old and responsible for the boys 14-15 years old in my church congregation.

Little by little as we grow we are given more responsibility. This is what makes a great leader, learning one step at a time.

When I was a teenager I got a job vacuuming classrooms at an elementary after school. I worked for a man who would give me demerits for doing anything wrong. I only worked for this man for about four months when I was fired after getting my allotment of three demerits. I was devastated. I vowed that if I ever became a boss I would be fair, be kind and never make myself look better than anyone else. More than 30 years later, I am an Elementary Head Custodian the boss of several teenage youth that I work side by side with. I am not perfect but I try my best at being fair, kind and I don’t ask them to do anything I am not willing to do myself.

The times that I have felt like I wasn’t a good leader is when I didn’t communicate with others like I should have. People like to be appreciated. It is so important to let others know when they are doing a great job.

I think of all the places where I have enjoyed working the most; they were the places where I was appreciated, where there was open communication and everyone was part of a team being treated equal.

A few years ago I got to work for a new principal who was wonderful. She was kind communicated as often as needed. She asked you, “How was your weekend?” When a decision needed to be made she would ask for your opinion. The children loved her, she was in the lunchroom almost everyday. She was the happiest when she was with the children. They loved telling her jokes or talking to her if they had a problem.

One of the things that impressed me the most is that she was real. She wouldn’t lets the office workers have reserved parking. She would park in the back parking lot even when she was at the school first thing in the morning carrying a big bag of bicycle helmets for the children.