Friday, November 23, 2012

Being Thankful.....



A blurb from my latest book: Thoughts from the Heart: Writings from the Gulf Coast of Alabama
    
Being Thankful
 
       Yesterday was Thanksgiving which causes me to reflect on what I am thankful for in my life.  As our long fought freedoms slowly slip away from us due to legislature, I have to remember to be thankful for living in this country.  I don’t know what the end result will be for our lifestyle in the next few years but right now I am thankful for all the freedoms that I am enjoying in my life.
            Alfred North Whitehead, who is an English Mathematician and philosopher, once said: “No one who achieves success does so without the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.”  So true a word has been spoken.  We are all dependent upon each other for successes in our careers, hobbies and pursuits. How ungrateful we would be if we didn’t feel truly thankful for those people who have helped us get to where we are today.
            Those who complain incessantly about everything are not taking the time to ponder about the blessings received over the last year: our health, our family, the place where we live, the food we eat and our jobs.  Now, if you don’t have any of those things then maybe you would have reason to complain but for most of us, we live in a great world and whatever short term trials we have to live through, they soon will be over.
            It’s too bad we don’t have Thanksgiving more than once a year because as a people we only seem to be thankful when we are reminded. We live in such a great country, it’s easy to take it for granted.
            Another thought for being thankful is by Jim Rohn who says: “To receive more you must first be thankful for what you already have.  Thanksgiving opens the doors for good ideas to flow, while cynicism blocks the door of good ideas.”
            Jim Rohn was just a regular guy back in the ‘30’s who wanted a better life for himself and his family.  He teamed up with another man who was an entrepreneur and became very successful at motivating people to work towards a better life.  Through his “Five Major Pieces to the Life Puzzle, he has influenced many for good.  These five pieces are:
Philosophy-how you think.
Attitude-how you feel
Action-what you do
Results-measure often to see if you are making progress and,
Lifestyle-the kind of life you can make for yourself out of the first four pieces.
            So whether you need motivation for a better life or are living a life of contentment, we should remember to be thankful for what we already have and tell others in our life how we feel about them.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

My latest book......

I have published another book. This one is book number 5!!!  It's called:

Thoughts from the Heart: Writings from the Gulf Coast of Alabama

Here is the blurb from the back of the book:



The Gulf Coast of Alabama has had its share of trials and triumphs. As a Gulf Coast Newspaper Columnist, Valerie J. Steimle, has seen it all: from hurricanes, the BP oil spill to Supper on the Beach, festivals, concerts and beach life.  Living on Alabama’s gulf coast has been an interesting life journey.  “Thoughts from the Heart” was a column especially written for the gulf coast of Alabama with inspirational stories, small town politics and federal government antics.  Read one hundred of the best of “Thoughts from the Heart,” an insightful collection of honest, humorous and heart-felt writing.





Here are a few reviews from a few fellow authors:



Margaret Turley

Valerie Steimle shares her editorial articles written for a newspaper column in Alabama: The Independent, the Gulf Coast Newspaper and the newspaper's website. Her views on family and marriage, local and federal government, education, entertainment and the media, health care, and patriotism are unapologetic and very conservative. Reading her book brings me back home to how I was raised in a different "A-state", Arizona. Though the scenery may be different, and I am from the Southwest part of the United States instead of the Southeast, the issues are the same. It is good to be able to read articles by someone else who thinks like I do. Thoughts From The Heart: Writings From the Gulf Coast of Alabama


Donna K. Weaver:
Mrs. Steimle, in her book, Thoughts from the Heart, Writings from the Gulf Coast of Alabama, takes readers through a series of pieces previously published as columns for the Independent, a Gulf coast newspaper. She opines on a variety of subjects ranging from educating children, families, the media, politics, etc. Mrs. Steimle voices her strong, conservative feelings without apology. In a world where too many people applaud freedom of speech but scorn ideas that don't match their own, this book is a refreshing and open look at one woman's thoughts.

It is possible to glean insight and understanding from other people without agreeing with their personal philosophies. While I have my own strong feelings, I like to think that I am teachable. As a small child who lives close to the ground will notice things I do not, I find that trying to see the world as others do opens possibilities I might have otherwise missed.

Thoughts from the Heart may reinforce your own worldviews or make you stretch. Personally, I think both are good for us.








Tuesday, November 6, 2012

My Goldenrod Oil....

Over the past few years, I have become more aware of the availability of food, water and other resources in my area and how I can use them for good.

One of those resources is Essential Oils for medicinal purposes.  Let's face it the world is in turmoil and how can I get food, other supplies and doctor's help for emergencies if we have a major catastrophe.  I certainly can't depend on government and other emergency agencies--as much as they do try to help-- because of the time factor and availability.

Reading about what was happening in the New York/New Jersey area and learning from my own personal experience on the gulf coast during Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina, agencies who try to help are sometimes impeded because of availability and travel.

So it is up to us to take care of ourselves as much as possible in all areas of living.  This journey has been both informative and fascinating. One area I was led to learn about was wild plants in our area which can be used for medicinal and eating purpose.

One of those is Goldenrod. This plant grows profusely every where in the area in which I live.
Goldenrods are very common wildflowers throughout Virginia and North America. It is difficult to describe only one, because there are over 50 species of Goldenrod in North America and most of them are very similar and hard to tell apart. All Goldenrods are late bloomers, flowering in late Summer into the Fall. Most species have spectacular displays of bright yellow flowers. (from www.fcps.edu)

With instruction from several sources, goldenrod oil can be produced and used right in your own home.

How To Make Goldenrod Oil:
   First you find goldenrod plants which can be picked for your oil. The best would be away from the road as the car fumes would not make the plant pure.

Pick goldenrod plants away from the road like this one and let dry for a few days
Then you dry the plant for a few days and it looks more like this:
The oil absorbs more when the plant is dried......














      Cut up into pieces and place in pint sized jars.  Pint sized works the best and you don't even need a lid.  Place the flowers, leaves and stems in the jars about an 2 inches down from the top so the oil won't over flow.  Then pour extra virgin oil or castor oil in the jar to cover the goldenrod plant.  I have only used olive oil as I have heard the horror stories of drinking castor oil. But some people use it. Then cover with cheesecloth or burlap squares and rubber band and sit in the sun for 6 weeks.  It seems like 6 weeks is such a long time to wait but it's worthy every minute.  After 6 weeks in the sun, strain the oil through a cheesecloth into a bottle and VIOLA!!!  You have goldenrod oil.

Jim and I both use goldenrod oil. I have allergies and asthma issues and he has urinary tract issues. It works wonders.... Read more about it below.



Uses of Goldenrod Oil
Goldenrod oil is used as an antiseptic and anti inflammatory ointment. Good for the circulatory system, a massage with goldenrod essential oil works wonders for various aches and pains. The oil is also good for the skin, and is effective in healing various skin conditions.

During the Boston Tea Party, the colonist drank Goldenrod tea, which was nicknamed the “Liberty Tea.” In the past the oil was used for treating digestive disorders, throat problems and disorders of the nervous system. The fresh, balsamic and peppery smell of the oil is very relaxing.

 The Genus "Solidago " plant name is derived from the Latin word “solide,” which means “to make whole.

Goldenrod oil is used for hypertension, liver congestion, hepatitis and fatty liver, circulatory conditions, and urinary tract and bladder conditions. Goldenrod is a little-known essential oil made from a plant that grows as a prolific weed in areas of Canada. The oil has a very distinctive fragrance, rather strong but not unpleasant, and its main use is in its anti-allergy properties, for conditions like hay fever, allergic reactions, coughs, and respiratory system infections. It is also reputed to be a lymphatic system conditioner, a regulator of the autonomic nervous system, and a healer of wounds, insect bites and inflammation.

Goldenrod’s most profound use tends to be directly on the muscles, healing pulled muscles in amazing time periods with repeated application (every three hours or so), and often soothing strained or spasm muscles with only a single application.

The oil is used for the treatment of allergies, sinus infections, hay fever and other related respiratory conditions. The calming and soothing effect of the oil has found use in various aromatherapy processes for nervous disorders. It is also used for dispelling stress related effects.

Goldenrod oil promotes the proper functioning of the circulatory system.
If you troubled by acne and eczema try using the oil for treating such skin conditions. It is also beneficial, when applied on wounds and sores.


Tips for using goldenrod oil
Medical Properties: Diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, liver stimulant
The oil should be properly diluted before using. For best effects apply on joints or inhale through the diffuser.
It is best not to use goldenrod oil on damaged and sensitive skin.
It is suggested that you do not use the oil on children.
The usage of the oil should also be discontinued during pregnancy. Conduct a patch test on your skin before applying, to eliminate possibilities of skin irritations and allergies.
Dilute 1 part Goldenrod Oil with 1 part Massaging Oil or other safe oil. Apply 2-4  drops on compress. Directly inhale/Diffuse or take as dietary supplement