What to Eat to Energize your Day?

I would suggest omitting chocolate for 1-golden delicious apple, cored and quartered.

If you must eat late at night or early at 4:00 am, you would be better off eating a small bowl of berries (raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, blueberries - your choice of any two or 1/8 cup of each) topped with plain yogurt, plain granola and 1-tsp of honey (optional).

It is always better not to eat late as you are about to go to sleep but if you worked out in the morning your body should still be in the high metabolic burning phase.

It is never good to miss breakfast. No more than 5-hours after rising, you should eat something even if it's small like an orange, ripe mango or pineapple slices.

You could have a cup of peppermint tea (good for digestion) and sour dough bread toasted with garlic butter, 2-boiled eggs or you could make an omelet filled with chopped green peppers, onions, mushrooms and tomatoes.

Lesley Barrow's Premature Final Journey

Stress Factor and Successful Educated Women

It is now becoming a regular occurrence to read articles and to hear from friends that relatively young women are heading homeward bound at the prime of their lives. Women have now taken on life challenges often times alone and the strain, stress and pressure is most likely having its toll on them. Perhaps, these women are suffering in silence. Not enough time is being spent relaxing and de-stressing from the rigors of life.

It was indeed shocking to learn that Lesley Barrow, daughter of former Barbados Prime Minister, Errol W. Barrow, is the latest victim - a progressive, young high achiever at the prime of her life. http://www.cbc.bb/index.pl/article?id=1947531 It's all too soon - we need to stop, walk the beaches, go for the early morning swims, smell the roses and take time out for ourselves.

I would like to encourage everyone on this blog to think about their lives. Make a list of what's really important. Separate the good from the bad. Set out boundaries and priorities. Barbados is a beautiful island with a lot to offer by way of finding things relaxing to pursue, the crystal clear seawater is breath-taking but far too few take the time out of their schedules to enjoy them.

I recently started reading and following a health and wellness blog that got me on track to healthy eating, daily exercises and lifestyle changes that are leading to a better quality of life for me. I would like to recommend it as there's something for everyone. Give it to a woman you love, a friend or even a foe but do share it.

Sincerest condolences to Lesley's brothers and the Barrow and O'Neal families and friends. Eternal Light grant unto her O Lord, let Thy perpetual Light shine upon her - May she rest in peace.

Insect Stings and First-Aid Herbs

It is Summer and every mom will have to deal with her kids wanting to be outdoors - playing, swimming, running and bike-riding. One of the perils of Summer and outdoors fun is the number of bugs that also run out to play as well - sand flies, mosquitoes, flies and others so stings and bites are the norm.

There are some natural essential oils that work wonders on stings and bites are worthy of mention. Most commercial repellents have harsh chemicals that can strip your skin of its natural oils and dry out the skin leaving it vulnerable to peeling and cracking.

Herbal bug repellents mostly contain citronella, peppermint and lavender that will keep away mosquitoes, flies and even ticks but for maximum effectiveness they need to be applied every hour.

For insect stings your first-aid of choice would be lavender essential oil and alcohol based echinacea tincture that can be dabbed on with a cotton swab but make sure that you do not use this on any child two years and younger. Echinacea have been used by Native Americans for centuries to heal stings because of the natural antibiotic that it contains.