It's time to start taking care of the earth.

We have always recycled everything from clothes and shoes to bottles and paper but more recently in the last couple of years I started making regular compost with kitchen refuse such as egg shells, vegetable peels, and coffee grains. I'm so excited and cannot wait for spring to see the difference in our yard. When I was a little girl growing up in Puerto Rico I remember the barrio refuse collector going from house to house collecting kitchen leftovers to feed to his pigs. Housewives would leave the refuse out back in a big metal can and he'd swing around and pour the contents out into a big container he carried in a wheelbarrow.  So recycling kitchen refuse is not new to me.

Recently also we have traded vinegar and baking soda for commercial products that are not so good for the environment.  I find that this enviro-friendly way of cleaning is much cheaper, and easier on your hands and lungs. Speaking about your hands we use coffee grains for all-over body exfoliating, as well as oatmeal for soaking and bathing in, just mix a little body wash into the mix for a one-step treatment. Your body will thank you in kind--you will immediately notice the smoothness and suppleness in your complexion when you look in the mirror and see a more vibrant and youthful you smiling back at you.

Recently I started oral rinsing with peroxide. This works well for whitening teeth and healthier gums. Add a tiny bit of baking soda for good all-around oral care. And on the subject of good health a 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda mix in to a glass of fresh lemon water does wonders for your colon. This is not to say that you should skip your annual doctor visits. 

There are endless ways in which we can contribute to protecting our Mother Earth and our pockets as well and also look beautiful and stay healthy in the process. Don't forget to check out Syl's Cocina Criolla on FB for delicious boricua inspired recipes and more health conscious ways to eat and stay healthy. If you like this article, write and let me know. God bless everyone. 

For more tips visit: www.neefusa.com

What will be your last thought before .....

What will be your last thought before you take that last breath?  Will it be, "Will I be worthy to see God's face?"  "Did I live enough of a Christ-like life?"  Who will I see up there (or, down there?!)?"  

Not everyone believes there's a heaven and a hell; but if you believe in God and consider yourself a Christian, what question will come to your mind? And if so, will you be able to answer without hesitation and with peace in your soul?

Last week at the 8:00 o'clock Mass, our pastor started the homily by asking himself how will he react when he's on his death bed seconds before leaving this earthly home--will he be out-of-this-world elated? will he feel worthy? will he have doubts (or guilt feelings)?

He asked we each consider what we will ask ourselves on that last second. 

These are deep questions that we should be asking ourselves now, so as to make our journey into the light easier--so that when our time comes, we can go acceptingly and in peace. 

What will be our last thought?  Seriously think about this. Our time may be closer than we think. Through Christ our Lord, God wants all his children to enjoy his heavenly home.  Amen!

Snap Krackle 'n Pop!: My Adventure on El Tren Urbano de San Juan

Snap Krackle 'n Pop!: My Adventure on El Tren Urbano de San Juan: I can visit the island of Puerto Rico a thousand times and always find something new and different to do.  On my last 'busication' (...

My Adventure on El Tren Urbano de San Juan

I can visit the island of Puerto Rico a thousand times and always find something new and different to do.  On my last 'busication' (business/vacation) I was fortunate to hop on the Tren Urbano.  Thank to my sister Kimi and her hubby Machy for making it possible!  As I've oftentimes expressed on this blog, I am a trainophile—in order words, I love trains and anything that has to do with them.

Martinez Nadal Stop

Partial view of the Milla de Oro, Hato Rey

El Tren Urbano of San Juan was a most pleasurable experience.  I was pleasantly surprised at the rare opportunity given me to ride the rails of the tiny island's metropolitan area.  I never tire of saying that "God works in mysterious ways."  Out of what could have been a sad time, God turned it around to make every day of my two-week stay practically blissful.  That day, it happened to be the San Juan Urban Train ride.  I paid for roundtrip tickets for the three of us, riding from Rio Piedras to Bayamon and back on just the departing tickets.  We never descended the train because we just wanted to experience the pure pleasure of riding the rail.  I left the tickets with my dear Kimi and Machy, for whenever the bug bites to ride the train again.

If you happen to be visiting, by all means hop a ride on El Tren Urbano—you won't be disappointed.

Snap Krackle 'n Pop!: Who loves train travel?

Snap Krackle 'n Pop!: Who loves train travel?: I love to travel by train. When we were gallivanting through Europe years ago, we went from country-to-country and fr...

What makes you happy? Go find what it is and do it.

We are all here on borrowed time, some more than others but we all agree, no one is getting out alive. So why not make the most of our time here. 

When my best friend, partner and father of my children went home to the Lord, it was an awakening for me.  You know how you never think you're going to die and much less a beloved family member. Well it did happen with the one person I never thought would go because of his positive outlook on life, his bubbly personality, and his ability to befriend everyone, among so may other great qualities. So when Victor passed, after the initial shock of losing him I decided to relish life, to 'grab the bull by the horns'.

I started traveling more than ever, I wrote two books and a third one is about to be published so I can start working on the next one. I bought a third property out on Long Island.  I lost all fear and started enjoying life once again. 

Find out what makes you happy and make a commitment to follow it through. It doesn't matter if you're 16 or 86, there is no better time to do it than now. So go ahead.  Do you enjoy traveling, but afraid of going solo?.. Entertaining, but don't qualify as Martha Stewart? Want to get the degree you've been wanting but haven't because of lack of money. Well there are always going to be obstacles but God has given you the resources to do whatever it is you want to do. 

Don't waste another second, none of us is getting any younger and don't forget to pray to God to guide you. Everything turns out better when God is in your life. 

Third Space Medical

The only time I got a little relief from fibro-myalgia (FM) was when I took non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and that was pretty much all the time. Yet in spite of taking ibuprofen, I was always in pain. I rarely slept, as the pain was so intense it would keep me up all night. I also worried about what the ibuprofen would do to my stomach. 

One time over dinner with friends, with tears in my eyes I was emboldened enough to tell them about my condition.  As to be expected my friends were very sympathetic but at a loss as to what to reply. After all FM is like a slow death sentence.

But lo and behold the next day I received an email from one of my friends telling me about Third Space Medical and how they had helped her with a debilitating pain she'd suffered as a result of an accident. I kindly thanked my friend for her suggestion and promised to give them a call.  

That was a Monday. I went in on Thursday and I was seen by Dr. Jonathan immediately. He took the time to listen to me, and followed up with a thorough evaluation of my condition. For some reason, I trusted Dr. Hartman when he promised to do everything in his power to get me up and moving again. 

The following week I started therapy at the TSM clinic in Ridgewood Ave. I would see Lisa the PA for muscle relaxants containing all natural drugs. After which I would follow with chiropractic manipulation by Dr. Jon, and thirdly with physical therapy in the adjacent room. 

Wow, this clinic offered everything I needed to get better and all departments within walking steps of one another. I was mostly impressed with the kind and friendly staff who did their best to make every patient feel special. Not only do they treat you as part of their family, they always do so with a kind word and a smile on their face. 

It's been two months that I've been going to TSM and I can't say enough good things about this place and their highly professional staff. I recommend this place to anyone suffering from any type of pain. In my case TSM was Godsend--I had altogether given up and resigned myself to whatever years I had left on earth in pain and misery.  I cried in silence whenever I thought about my 'death sentence'. But thank God the staff at TSM gave me a new lease on life. 

Thirty-three-year-old Dr. Jon explained that FM is basically pain which doctors haven't been able to identify its source.  Pain can stem from any number of things: celiac from gluten foods, glucose intolerance, long-term injury that hasn't been treated properly (or not treated at all), and/or a host of other triggers. TSM's aim is to get to the root of your pain through the use of all-natural muscle relaxants and up-to-the-minute chiropractic care, in conjunction with highly trained physical therapists who work closely with their patients to attain optimal health. 

I feel 75 percent better than when I first came to TSM. I'm experiencing much less pain, much more mobility and flexibility, and about a 50 percent increase in energy levels. But more importantly, I don't see my condition as a death sentence anymore. I have renewed hope that with the right diet, continued exercise, and positive outlook, I can achieve a long and healthy life.