pammor's blog: "Spice of life"

One day while walking down the street a highly successful Human Resources Manager was tragically hit by a bus and she died. Her soul arrived up in heaven where she was met at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter himself. "Welcome to Heaven," said St. Peter. "Before you get settled in though, it seems we have a problem. You see, strangely enough, we've never once had a Human Resources Manager make it this far and we're not really sure what to do with you." "No problem, just let me in," said the woman. "Well, I'd like to, but I have higher orders. What we're going to do is let you have a day in Hell and a day in Heaven and then you can choose whichever one you want to spend an eternity in." "Actually, I think I've made up my mind, I prefer to stay in Heaven", said the woman "Sorry, we have rules..." And with that St. Peter put the executive in an elevator and it went down-down-down to hell. The doors opened and she found herself stepping out onto the putting green of a beautiful golf course. In the distance was a country club and standing in front of her were all her friends - fellow executives that she had worked with and they were well dressed in evening owns and cheering for her.. They ran up and kissed her on both cheeks and they talked about old times.. They played an excellent round of golf and at night went to the country club where she enjoyed an excellent steak and lobster dinner. She met the Devil who was actually a really nice guy (kind of cute) and she had a great time telling jokes and dancing. She was having such a good time that before she knew it, it was time to leave. Everybody shook her hand and waved goodbye as she got on the elevator. The elevator went up-up-up and opened back up at the Pearly Gates and found St. Peter waiting for her. "Now it's time to spend a day in heaven," he said. So she spent the next 24 hours lounging around on clouds and playing the harp and singing. She had great time and before she knew it her 24 hours were up and St. Peter came and got her. "So, you've spent a day in hell and you've spent a day in heaven. Now you must choose your eternity," The woman paused for a second and then replied, "Well, I never thought I'd say this, I mean, Heaven has been really great and all, but I think I had a better time in Hell." So St. Peter escorted her to the elevator and again she went down-down-down back to Hell. When the doors of the elevator opened she found herself standing in a desolate wasteland covered in garbage and filth. She saw her friends were dressed in rags and were picking up the garbage and putting it in sacks. The Devil came up to her and put his arm around her. "I don't understand," stammered the woman, "yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and a country club and we ate lobster and we danced and had a great time. Now all there is a wasteland of garbage and all my friends look miserable." The Devil looked at her smiled and told... « « « « « « - - - - - - - - - - - - - Yesterday we were recruiting you, Today you are an employee.

There was once a king who decided that if he knew who the most important people to be with were, and what the most important thing to do was, and when the best time to do each thing was, that he would certainly be the finest king ever to rule the land. Although he had asked his advisers, none had been able to give him a good answer to these questions. At last he decided to ask the advice of a wise hermit. The king dressed in the clothes of a commoner and set out for the forest. When he neared the hermit's hut, he ordered his knights to stay back at a distance, and he rode the last section of trail alone. The king found the hermit digging in his garden. The old man greeted him but continued digging. The king told the hermit that he had come to find answers to his three questions. The hermit listened but gave no answer and continued working. The king observed that the hermit was frail and elderly and that the work was very difficult for him. The king offered to take over the digging, and the hermit allowed it. The king dug for one hour. Then he repeated the question, but the hermit did not answer. He worked again for another hour, and then repeated his questions with the same results. This continued for a few more hours until the sun began to sink low in the sky. Finally the king got discouraged. "I came to you for answers wise man. If you have none, tell me and I will return home." Just them someone came running up the path. They turned to see a man with his hands pressed to his stomach and blood flowing from between them. He dropped to the ground at the king's feet. The king and the hermit knelt down and began tending to the man. The king washed and bandaged the man's wounds. The blood continued to flow so he had to change the bandages. The king also helped the hermit to get fresh water, and to help the man to drink. Finally the man slept and did not wake until the next morning. The king too slept upon the ground, waking often to watch over the man. In the morning the man woke up and looked at the king. "Forgive me," he said to the king. "I have nothing to forgive you for," the king answered. "Oh, but I do," he said. "You were my enemy, and I had sworn to take revenge on you for killing my brother and taking my land. I knew that you were coming here today and I decided to kill you on the trail. But when you did not return for many hours I left my hideout to find you. Your guards recognized me and wounded me. I escaped them but I would have bled to death if you had not cared for me. I meant to kill you but now you have saved my life. If I live I shall gladly serve you for the rest of my days." The king was so happy to have been reconciled with an old enemy that he immediately forgave him and promised to return his land. Then the king called for his knights to carry the man back to his castle to be cared for by his own doctor. After the wounded man had gone, the king asked the hermit once more if he would not give him the answer to his question. "Your questions have already been answered." the hermit replied. "But how?" the king answered, perplexed. "How?" repeated the hermit. "If you had not taken pity on my weakness yesterday and helped me instead of returning home, that man would have ambushed and killed you on the trail. Therefore, the most important time was when you were digging my garden beds; and I was the most important person; and the most important thing to do was to do good for me. Later, when the man came running to us, the most important thing to do was to care for him. If you had not bound up his wounds he would have died without making peace with you. Therefore the most important person was that man, and what you did was the most important thing and the right time was the time when you were doing it. " "You see, the most important time is always the present moment. It is the only time that is important because it is the only time that we have control over. The past we can only look back on and wish that we had done differently. The future we can only imagine. The most important person is always the one you are with in the present moment, and the only important deed is the deed that does what is best for others." - Author Unknown - It's your attitude and not your aptitude that determines your altitude. A request to Mothers: Please make this as one of the bed time story for your kids.

Herbs and Spices, Weight Loss Ginger is a spice which has traditional medicinal value. In fact Indian and Chinese civilizations have been taking advantage of ginger since ages. Most of the Indian recipes have ginger in one form or the other. It has long been known as a very healthy food. It has anti-cancer properties and is recognised as healthy by both modern and ancient systems of medicine. Have a read to see why you should start eating more ginger. What gives Ginger medicinal value? Ginger is scientifically called Zingiber officinalis and this is a rhizome as discussed in the case of Turmeric earlier. This rhizome has volatile oils and compounds which impart medical properties as well as taste and odor to the rhizome. The aromatic constituents of ginger are zingiberene and bisabolene. The other constituents which give ginger a pungent taste are gingerols and shogaols. These stimulate the digestive system and impart characteristic taste and flavor. These active constituents are in form of phenols and complexes in form of flavanoids which impart their properties. The other active ingredient in ginger is terpenes and an oleoresin, which is called ginger oil. These active agents are responsible for its antiseptic qualities, lymph-cleansing, circulation-stimulating and mild constipation relief. Research has shown that ginger lowers blood cholesterol by reducing cholesterol absorption in the blood and liver. Ginger in ayurveda Ayurveda acts by correcting the energies within the body to suit the environment outside and maintaining this balance. Energies within the body are either hot or cold. When there is excessive heat in the body, the hot energy is provocative and in cases of flu and cough, the cold or cool energies are more dominant. Ginger increases the heat within the body and thus increases the action of the hot energy giving rise to a fruitful balance of energies and correcting the illness. Medical properties of ginger 1. It helps in improving perspiration, hence is effective in reducing or treating fever. 2. Ginger loosens phlegm and hence is used in the treatment of tough cold. Here it is used as an expectorant. 3. Ginger aids digestion by activating the digestive enzymes. 4. They neutralize stomach acids and hence are effective in digestion. 5. Ginger tones the muscles of the intestine and is thus used in relieving constipation. 6. It reduces inflammation of joints and tissues and hence is used in treatment of arthritis. 7. The circulation increases within the body by consuming ginger. 8. Motion sickness and nausea can be curbed by chewing ginger, swallowing may reduce its effect. 9. Nervousness and sore throats are easily improved by ginger. 10. Ginger has been shown to clean and thin the blood and hence is used as a blood purifier. 11. The ills of LDL or bad cholesterol are curbed by reducing the concentration of LDL. 12. Ginger is also a mood enhancer due the content of cineole , an alcohol. 13. The mouth freshening properties of ginger make it commonly used in tea and after meal refreshers. As a spice, ground ginger can be quite a valuable substitute when fresh ginger root is not available. But fresh ginger is always preferred, both for its greater health benefits and for its superior taste. Fortunately, in most parts of the United States fresh ginger root is available year round, so finding it shouldn’t be a problem for the majority of shoppers. Ginger may not be the most familiar spice or herb, but it definitely pays to get to know this great root.