Happy Birthday America 1 Nothing New Under the Sun 2 Brunch/Pool Party 2 Important Dates 2 Natural Sweeteners 3 SISTAS at SEA 2007 3 Protect Your Skin from the Sun 4 Inside this issue: THE VOICE SISTAS VISION IS THE HEALING OF THE BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT Volume 5, Issue 4 July/August Page # THE VOICE VOLUME 5, ISSUE 4 Page # Bi-Monthly Publication Board of Directors Janetta McReynolds Treasurer Valerie Brown Director of Training Viola Cooper President Cheryl Gainey Executive Director Staff Georgiana Maddocks Executive Assistant Kyla Ehret Special Projects Coordinator Susan Sailow Sound Software Web Mistress Return Service Requested NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION PERMIT #62 US Postage Paid Vacaville, CA 95687 P.O. Box 2845 Vacaville, CA 95696 Board Members Wanted! Do you want to make a difference in the lives of other women? Become a SISTAS Board Member Call our office today for more information on how you can become a part of our team! Sisters Influencing, Supporting, Transforming & Affirming Sisters SISTAS 8 or (707) 317-9478 Join Our Team become a Sponsor today Check Out Our New Website www.esistas.org Sistas At Sea 2007 January 21 - 28, 2007 Join SISTAS as we set sail From San Juan, Puerto Rico for St. Thomas/St. John, Dominica, Barbados and Aruba Don't miss out For reservations and information Call Gwen or Debbie at GalaxSea Cruises today (707) 451-1923 Or Toll-free (800) 923-7447 Every day thousands of people leave their homeland to come to seek the “American Dream.” the United States is a diverse nation made up of dynamic people. Each year on July 4, Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings. We are learning to communicate with people of different nations, with different languages and different races throughout the world. Bringing the world closer with understanding and knowledge can only benefit all nations. We invite all nations and people to celebrate the Fourth of July. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. What's old is new again. People have been using herbs for nearly 5000 years. Egyptians wrote about herbs in 2000 B.C., and the first Chinese herbal dates back another thousand years. In early Rome, herbs and spices were so highly valued, some were even used as money. The Bible says anise, cumin and mint were acceptable tax payments during the first century. I got interested in natural healing since I learned all about it from our speaker Pat Duncanson. She was our cruise conference speaker in 2002. She shared with us information on how to be healthy by eating healthy. I have been drinking the natural green juice since than and have finally taken control of my own health. I suffered from cholesterol and high blood pressure problems. I started taking Hawthorne Berry-an herb-which originates from the Mediterranean areas. This herb has been used in Greek culture for thousands of years to treat a variety of health issues and dates back to as early as the first century AD. Hawthorne berries were also used by Native Americans to treat such conditions as diarrhea, female problems and to heal wounds. The herb has historically been used in Chinese culture to promote good cardiovascular health as well as to treat stomach problems. The benefits of Hawthorne Berry in modern medicine have not been well know until recently. Today Hawthorne Berry is used extensively throughout Europe. Benefits of Hawthorne Berry include its ability to treat insomnia, protect against heart disease, relieve irregular heart beats and provide advantageous antioxidant qualities. Hawthorne Berry is critical in cardiovascular health due to its ability to actually enlarge blood vessels and strengthen the heart. Hawthorne Berry also assists with promoting good circulation throughout the body, treat hypertension and strengthen structural components in the body. I also take-Garlic-which has been used for many years to prevent health problems including colds, flu, menstrual pain, high blood pressure, coughs, gastrointestinal problems, arteriosclerosis, and bronchitis. Garlic has been proven to skill various fungal infections, viruses, bacteria, and intestinal parasites. Also labeled as an antioxidant, garlic may help prevent certain cancers such as colon cancer and can improve the effectiveness f the immune system. Garlic is most popular for its effectiveness of cardiovascular wellness. Garlic is effective treating arteriosclerosis, high cholesterol, respiratory infections and triglyceride levels. I am watching my sugar intake and my carbohydrate consumption. So far I have been able to keep my cholesterol and my blood pressure very low. I have regular check-ups with my doctor and I would recommend you get all of the information you need for your own health. What works for me may not work for you. Please see your doctor and discuss your health with them. I once read that you have to be responsible for your own health and the doctor is there to facilitate. For more information on herbs from A to Z check our www.celestialseasonings.com/research/allaboutherbs/index.php. To Your Health, P.S. Cleansing-it's about restoring your body and flushing away poisons and toxic residues that are stored in your body due to cumulative effects of poor diet and other lifestyle habits, environmental pollution and natural wastes. I'll talk about my cleansing experience in the next issue. Nothing New Under the Sun. . . Natural Sweeteners Here are some interesting things about the many different natural sweeteners that are available on the market today. There are many others, but we've tried to give you the basics on some of the more common (and not-so-common) natural sweeteners. Let us know if you've tried them and how they taste-go online at www.esistas.org Agave Nectar comes from the agave plant, which grows naturally in the desert southwest and is found abundantly in Mexico. The nectar of this plant is obtained by pressing the leaves of the agave plant. Agave nectar, or syrup, is about 50% sweeter than table sugar but has a low glycemic index. While it's not considered a “free” food for diabetics, it can be part of a diabetic's diet if counted as a carbohydrate. Barley Malt made from sprouted barley. It's a thick brown syrup that has a taste similar to molasses. It's about half as sweet as table sugar. It can be used as a substitute for molasses or other sweeteners. It can be combined with maple syrup in recipes to yield a sweeter result. It contains complex carbohydrates as well as minerals and protein. Brown Rice Syrup is made from brown rice and has a slightly butterscotch flavor. It's about half as sweet as table sugar. It can be combined with honey or maple syrup to yield a sweeter result. Date Sugar is made from dates and comes in a granulated form and is a course, brown granule that can be used instead of table sugar. Date sugar contains complex carbohydrates and is fairly high in folic acid. Honey is made by bees, which extract nectar from flowers. It is about 20-60% sweeter than table sugar. Honey contains complex carbohydrates and some proponents believe that consuming honey from your local area may help reduce seasonal allergies, if those allergies are related to local plant pollen. Maple Sugar is the granulated product made from maple syrup, which comes from sap of the maple trees. It has roughly the same sweetness as table sugar. It contains complex carbohydrates as well as calcium and potassium. Maple Syrup comes from the sap of maple trees and is a rich, deep golden brown color. It is about as sweet as table sugar and less sweet than honey. Like maple sugar, it contains complex carbohydrates, calcium and potassium. Sucanat (a registered trademarked name) is made from dehydrated fresh can juice. The process leaves more nutritional components in the product and it contains calcium, potassium and a small amount of iron It has a taste similar to sugar and molasses. It comes in both syrup and granulated form and can be used in recipes calling for sugar of all kinds. Stevia comes from a South American plant by the same name and is related to the Marigold family. The leaves can be used, but the most common form found on the market today is a fine white powder that looks similar to aspartame or artificial sweeteners. The power is 250-300 times sweeter than sugar. Stevia has no glycemic value and does not contain carbohydrates, glucose or any form of sugar. Thus it is safe for diabetics and has no side effects. Turbinado Sugar is made from the can plant, as is white table sugar. Turginado sugar is slightly less processed than table sugar and through a tumbling process has about 2/3 of the molasses removed from it. It contains some complex carbohydrates and has a slightly better nutritional profile than refined white table sugar. Conclusion There is a wide range of choices for natural sweeteners on the market today. Many are available in organic forms as well. These sweeteners make good substitutes for the nutritionally naked white sugar. Most of us know that white sugar has no real nutritional value. But more importantly, because white sugar is so refined, it can rob your body of essential nutrients as it is digested. That's why, as a general rule, it's better to eat less-processed foods-they are typically more nutritionally complete and do not rob your body of essential nutrients as they're digested. Some even contribute to your overall health by providing added nutrients. So, next time you want to create something that's naturally sweet and good for you too, reach for one of these alternative sweeteners. Experiment and enjoy the new taste sensations you can create, knowing you're contributing to your health. Time Is Running Out Sign-up Today As the US continues to age, each of us is aging right along with it whether we like it or not. The good news is that our generation of women is actually living longer . . . And better. Women now enjoy unprecedented opportunities for preserving and improving their health. In this century alone, a woman's life expectancy has increased by 31 years. Maybe we don't have the body we had when we were 20, but growing older isn't without its perks. Listed below are the top 10 Gifts of Aging suggested by Sue Patton author of “Freedoms after 50.” We can act “disgracefully.” That means laughing uproariously in public, throwing your arms around a dear friend you haven't seen in a long time or being free to ignite the fiery part of ourselves. We can take care of ourselves - and we know it. One of the benefits of aging is a deep, hard-earned trust in my ability to regain my equilibrium when I'm knocked off-kilter. We can just say no. Period. Being able to say that wonderfully assertive word without guilt, explanation, or remorse is to break free from the prison of obligation. At our age, we've certainly earned the privilege. We have more time to let our creative juices flow. Most of us have more leisure time as we get older, so we can develop our creativity more fully. And since we don't have to prove ourselves, we're more inclined to try anything. Sex becomes more spiritual. There's a depth of feeling between you and your mate that makes sex less about performance and more about tenderness and sharing. We don't have to cook if we don't want to. There are times when you can grant yourself the freedom to assert your noncooking credo of “forage, take out, or take me out!” We can snooze when we choose. Pets can doze off whenever the mood strikes - we now have the time to follow their example. We can can the guilt. It's time that we kiss guilt goodbye! We learn to accept things as they are. One of the joys of maturity is realizing that it's perfectly all right to give up trying to control everything and accept what is. What a blessed relief. Our “wisdom gland” kicks in. With our wealth of experience, we gain perspective - a much deeper understanding of what's really important in our lives. Let's celebrate where we are - whether young, old or somewhere in between - we're at the perfect age! Today is the most important day in our lives. I encourage you to celebrate the wonderful gifts of aging. Your sista friend, Join SISTAS for our annual Brunch/Pool Party Saturday, July 22 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Come for a time of fun, sharing and affirmation 224 Meade Ct., Vacaville (707) 449-4513 (watch for more information & details) September 22, 2006 Roundtable Event Special Guest Speakers, Dawn Throne & Mara Capron Colon Hydrotherapist of Fountain of Health, Sacramento November 18, 2006 Annual Sponsor Appreciation Party And Cultural Expressions January 6, 2007 SISTAS at SEA 2007 Cruise Party January 21-28, 2007 SISTAS at SEA Cruise Conference With summer here and all the outside activities it's important to protect ourselves when we are enjoying the sun from over exposure and the risk of developing skin cancer. Most skin cancer can be prevented. Use the following tips to protect your skin from the sun. You may decrease your chances of developing skin cancer and help prevent wrinkles. Limit your exposure to the sun, especially midday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wear protective clothing, including a wide-brimmed hate. Dark, tightly woven clothes are best. Wear sunglasses that block out ultraviolet (UV) rays. Use a sunscreen every day, all year, even when it is cloudy. A sunscreen should block ultraviolet rays (both UVA and UVB) and have a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 to 30. apply sunscreen: (1) 30 minutes before gong out into the sun. (2) Every 2 hours, and reapply after swimming. Use a higher sun protection factor at higher elevations or in tropical climates. Be careful when you are on sand, snow, or water, because these surfaces can reflect 85% of the sun's rays. Don't stay out in the sun for long periods of time because you feel protected with sunscreen. Do not use tanning booths to get a tan. Artificial tanning devices can cause skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer. Some people think hat a tan protects against sunburn and therefore protects the skin from skin damage and skin cancer. A tan is itself a sign of sun damage (overexposure). For people who don't tan easily, the amount of sun exposure needed to try to get a tan can, by itself, cause skin damage and outweigh any possible benefit from having a tan. Be sure to protect you children also. It is estimated that 80% of your lifetime exposure to sunlight occurs before you are 20. Information taken from Healthwise