Author Archives: Dana Taylor

Apr 19 2015

How The OKC Bombing Affected Me


April 19, 1995, 9:02 am ~ Edmond, OK

Crack…the walls of my home shudder. I think, Something terrible just happened.

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This weekend marks twenty years since the Oklahoma City Bombing of the Murrah Building heralded a new era of  global terrorism. At the time I was a suburban housewife, raising my family in a “safe” little community, in a “safe” state (not counting the tornadoes.)

The days and weeks that followed the bombing impacted all the residents of the city, profoundly. We walked around in shock, crying or numb. Forever changed.

Personally, the bombing tumbled my world view. But not necessarily in a bad way. It certainly wiped out my illusion of living in a “safe” bubble of geography. Until that time, terrorism was a remote problem in foreign countries. A bomb going off in a Middle East cafe, taking out innocent bystanders, brought only a mild shrug. 

I had no compassion. No empathy. American middle class me, could not identify.

After Oklahoma City, I could feel the pain. I understood the shock and anguish of 911. I recognized those desperate souls holding up pictures captioned Have You See Her? They were my people.

Since then, I’ve felt the pain for the families of people caught up in global massacres, disasters, and tragedies profoundly in my heart.

The illusion of my safe, insulated life was forever stripped away, but I gained global awareness. We are all in this thing called life together. Terrible things are going to happen. How do we respond?

There are no easy answers. But, compassion is a good beginning. In small ways, I’ve tried to make my corner of the world a kinder, more loving place. 

Perhaps, the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi is the best response we can take to honor lost loved ones and create hope for the future.

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

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Blessings,

Dana Taylor

 

 

Apr 17 2015

CHARLES A. LINDBERGH- Mystical Experience

Here’s an interesting piece from Ellis Nelson about a mystical experience during the famous first flight across the Atlantic. Sounds as life changing as an NDE.

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Last week I was sure this week’s blog would be on John Dee. I’ve read several books about the Elizabethan alchemist, queen’s spy, and magus. But John Dee is a complicated subject, and well, I got sidetracked in a synchronistic sort of way. Consulting Harper’s Encyclopedia of Mystical and Paranormal Experiences, I was shocked to find John Dee not included, but stumbled on a fascinating little entry on Charles Lindbergh. Lindbergh? THE Lindbergh? Yup!

I suppose some of you may have heard of John Dee, but I’m sure all of you recognize Charles Lindbergh. The twenty-five year old, unknown air mail pilot became an overnight, worldwide household name in 1927 when he completed his non-stop transatlantic flight. You might even remember the tragic loss of his son in 1932 in what was called “the crime of the century”.  And there are a few of you who are mulling over the…

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Apr 10 2015

The Best Food You’ve Never Eaten

breadfruit-salad-recipeMove over quinoa, there’s a new indigenous superfood on the block–the amazing ‘Ulu!

Since moving to Honolulu a couple of months ago, I have been tipping my toes into Hawaiian culture. This week I attended a presentation at the local library about ‘ulu aka breadfruit, a neglected treasure of the South Pacific.

Maafala_Tree‘Ulu was once the staple of the islands. When Englishmen set foot on Maui in 1793 an eighteen mile grove existed that produced 70 million pounds of breadfruit a year. By 1850 much of it was gone. A major highway now exists along that path. About a hundred old trees still exist, hiding in plain site a resource that could feed millions of people in the coming generations.

1525964A beautiful legend called the Gift of Ku tells of a time of drought and famine on the islands. Ku and his wife had many children, growing weaker and more gaunt as each day slipped by without sufficient food. Ku knew of a way to feed his family, but it meant sacrificing his life. Ku and his wife had a very sad parting as she gave him permission to end his life to save his children. Ku stood tall and then was sucked into the earth. Soon, a new kind of tree sprouted in his place–the ‘Ulu. Read the full story here.

‘Ulu fed islanders for centuries until colonialism and Westernization forced plantation farming over forest agriculture to fuel a money-driven colonial economy. Younger generations learned to prefer white rice and spam over the old “starvation” and “slave food” hanging on the ‘ulu trees.

All was not lost. Keepers of old traditions and knowledge remained and kept stands of trees alive throughout the Pacific. Now, scientists and agriculturists are joining forces with tribal and island leaders to revive the bountiful breadfruit for the modern world.

The Breadfruit Institute has been formed by the National Botanical Tropical Garden to nurture a new ‘ulu agricultural system and educate the world about the benefits of ‘ulu.

From Nutrition and You:

Health benefits of breadfruit

  • As in line with other tropical fruits, breadfruit too holds lots of calories. 100 g fresh fruit provides 102 calories. The major fraction of this comes from the carbohydrates. Ripe fruits are sweeter since their starch content is converted into sucrose and simple sugars like fructose and glucose.
  • Its pulp has more fiber than in jackfruit, which makes it a good bulk laxative. Dietary fiber helps reduce blood cholesterol by preventing its absorption in the gut, reduce obesity, blood pressure and help protect the colon mucous membrane by warding off cancer-causing chemicals from the colon.
  • The fruit has moderate levels of essential vitamins, and minerals. Like other tropical delicacies, it is rich in many vital B-complex groups of vitamins. The fruit is a moderate source of vitamins, especially thiamin, pyridoxine, and niacin.
  • Fresh fruit is an excellent source of potassium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that help regulate heart rate and blood pressure. Its pulp is good in copper, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus.
  • Breadfruit seeds contain average levels of protein; 100 g seeds provide 7.4 g or 13% of daily-recommended values. However, they are excellent sources of minerals like potassium, iron, calcium, zinc, selenium, manganese, etc.

Commercially, ‘ulu has a myriad of possibilities because the fruit is so versatile. Unripened fruit is high in vitamin C. Islanders from ancient times carried it in their canoes to stave off scurvy. Today that fruit is delicious in a pickled form, much like pickled artichokes. Mature fruit can be used in dozens of recipes– appetizers, salads, main dishes, desserts, and baked goods. Breadfruit flour is gluten free and makes excellent flat breads, cookies, and so much more.

Breadfruit-cookbook-front-cover-300px2The National Botanical Tropical Garden has a recipe book, Ho`oulu ka`Ulu Cookbook: Breadfruit tips, techniques, and Hawaii`s favorite home recipe available of contest winning recipes from across the islands. 

 

 

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 ‘Ulu may help us survive the upheavals of global warming. It is hardy and thrives in a variety of wet and dry climates. 

So, ‘ulu, or breadfruit, maybe the Next Big Thing. Remember, you saw it here first!

For more information visit The Breadfruit Institute.

Dana Taylor

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Mar 23 2015

Reiki via Skype. Does it work?

th[8]Energy healing is an ongoing theme in my life. It’s part of what I do, who I am, but I have no professional aspirations in that regard. Yet, Spirit nudges me forward. Sometimes it shoves me. A couple of years ago I suddenly had strangers coming over to my house for Reiki treatments, all started by a casual conversation with a new friend.

I was reluctant to charge money for fear absolutely nothing would happen. Much to my amazement Healing Happened. Each session was different. Energy flowed for physical, emotional, and even past life healings. At the very least, my clients enjoyed a quiet, refreshing session to realign their energetic pathways. My confidence as an energy worker grew.  Now, I’ve moved to another state where I know practically no one. I still pray and send energy everyday, but at the moment, I have no local clients, which is fine.  Spirit has nudged again. This time into the realm of working “non-local.” In the last two weeks, I have had two sessions via Skype for Reiki I attunements. (See my post on Attunements for more information about them.) Reiki_SymbolOnce again, I had my doubts. It’s one thing to work on a client under my hands and feel their energy auric field. Could we do such a thing simply seeing each other on a computer screen. Could I pass on the Reiki frequencies? Seemed like a worthy Supernal Adventure, so we gave it a go. We started out the sessions with discussion and meditations. I felt myself head into the “zone” of flowing energy. Then I performed the attunements, visualizing the sacred symbols, and moving my hands as if the students were seated before me. Did it “work?” Attunements are difficult to gauge. I haven’t heard back from the first person, who is dealing with serious health issues. The second person is exploring her own healing capabilities. Here is what she reported the day after the attunement.

Whatever it was, I do believe it worked!
 
I did Reiki on my husband last night and felt much more energy in my hands. It was almost distracting! I had my hands over his eyes (not touching) and kept thinking I was bumping his nose, but when I looked down, my hands weren’t touching any part of his face, but the energy made me think I was. I didn’t get much feedback from him because he fell asleep, almost instantly. At one point, when I was over his heart chakra, he took a huge breath, after breathing steadily during the session.
 
I felt a lot of white light energy coming in to me to the point that, my crown started prickling and I had the urge to reach up and scratch it. Glad I didn’t because it then started spinning like a propeller! I’ve never experienced anything like that.
 
I did Reiki on my dog this morning and also felt much more vibration. I had my right hand on her leg where she has a fatty tumor, but my left hand was vibrating so much, I ended up putting that one on her neck.
 
So, I do believe the attunement was very successful! 
The traditional idea of praying has always tapped into “nonlocal,” but our knowledge of quantum realities is expanding. As people develop their abilities to tap into the higher frequencies, they will change the world. (Hopefully in a good way!)
This adventure of exploring multidimensional living goes on and on.
Have a great day!
Dana
Mar 16 2015

Jellyfish Facts For Your Next Tropical Vacation

th-1   Since my move to Hawaii two months ago, I’ve been learning about island living. Discovering new culinary experiences–sushi and sea asparagus. Gazing across the aqua warm waters, whales surface blow misty spray. Kayakers, snorkelers, and surfers enjoy a liquid  playground. 

Of course, there are risks when frolicking in nature. A local newspaper article about jellyfish featured useful information for anyone planning a tropical vacation. If you or a member of your party got stung by jellyfish, what would you do? 

thAbout Jellyfish: The box jelly and man-o-war jellyfish are the most commonly found species around Hawaii.  The box jelly sting is 10,000 more damaging than a bee sting. The venom acts more like snake bite and causes cellular destruction. It is extremely painful. An encounter can cause serious systemic reactions that go far beyond irritating the site of contact.

Encounters are most likely the week after a full moon at dawn and dusk. Experts estimate possibly 10,000 stings a year around the Hawaiian islands.

Do’s and Don’ts of Treatment:

  • Don’t douse in cold water. That only spreads the venom and continues cellular damage.
  • Don’t use ice packs, alcohol, or spray-on pain relievers like Dermoplast. All will increase the action of stinging cells.

Best Actions:

  • Immediate immersion in hot water. Action of cell invasion by the venom is halted.
  • Flood contact site with vinegar or epsom-salt water to remove tentacles and rinse undischarged venom.
  • Emergency workers can start an epsom-salt start IV drip to greatly reduce pain.

How about that episode from Friends? Remember when Rachel is stung by a jellyfish and the guys administer first aid her by urinating on her? Actually, that is a recommended action. The acidic quality of the urine will counteract the venom. If the “delivery system” is immediate, the temperature should be about 98.6F to quell the venom action.

Beach Bag Essentials:

If you don’t want to be like Rachel, adding a small container of vinegar in your beach bag along with the obligatory sunscreen, is probably your best first line of defense after a jellyfish encounter.

Of course, don’t get in the water if there is any activity in the area. Though strangely beautiful, a jellyfish sting will surely ruin a wonderful tropical vacation.

Be smart, be safe. Have a wonderful time in the tropics!

Aloha!

Dana Taylor

Information provided by MidWeek Newspaper, Honolulu March 11, 2015. Rasa Fournier interview with Dr. Angel Yanagihara, Assistant Research Professor at the University of Hawaii, Manoa