July 2018 – GoldWiser Conroe

July 31, 2018

Metal-coated crystal

Metal-coated crystals are natural crystals, such as quartz, whose surface has been coated with metal to give them an iridescent metallic sheen. Crystals treated this way are used as gemstones and for other decorative purposes. Possible coatings include gold (resulting in a stone called aqua aura), indium, titanium, niobium and copper. Other names for crystals treated so include angel aura, flame aura, opal aura or rainbow quartz.

Aqua aura is created in a vacuum chamber from quartz crystals and gold vapour by vapour deposition. The quartz is heated to 871 °C (1600 °F) in a vacuum, and then gold vapor is added to the chamber. The gold atoms fuse to the crystal’s surface, which gives the crystal an iridescent metallic sheen. When viewed under a gemological microscope in diffused direct transmitted light, aqua aura displays the following properties:

a coppery surface iridescence in tangential illumination
diffused dark outlines of some facet junctions
a patchy blue colour distribution on some facets
white facet junctions, irregular white abrasions and surface pits, where the treatment either did not “take” or had been abraded away.

Rainbow quartz have been treated with a combination of titanium and gold. Titanium molecules are bonded to the quartz by the natural electrostatic charge of the crystal in a process known as magnetron ionization. The brilliant color of flame aura is the result of optical interference effects produced by layers of titanium. Since only electricity is used to deposit the titanium layers and create these colors, very little heat is involved and the integrity of the crystal is maintained. The crystal does not become brittle or prone to breakage as with other treatments.

July 30, 2018

Sugars

Stop sipping so much sugar!

We all know water is the number one drink to quench your thirst. But when you’re in the mood for a little something more, you might order up a juice, cocoa, margarita, or iced tea. Problem is, those choices can be deceptively high in sugar and calories—and in some cases, you’d be better off drinking a soda. Sugary drinks make up almost half of all added sugar in the average American’s diet, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest. That’s why making smarter choices about these sips can pay off big time for your waistline and your health. Here are 15 places to start.

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Fruit juice

You’d think juice would be healthy—it’s made from fruit, after all. Problem is, while fruit is rich in fiber, juice is not. So even if you opt for 100% fruit juice and avoid drinks with added sugar (like cranberry or grape cocktail), they’re still high in the sweet stuff. For instance, a cup of grape juice contains 36 grams of sugar and a cup of apple has 31 grams—not far off from what you’ll find in a can of lemon-lime soda, which racks up 44 grams.

Make over your drink: “I don’t recommend juice ever, even 100% fruit juice,” says Ilyse Schapiro,RD, author of Should I Scoop Out My Bagel? ($11; amazon.com). “You’ll feel much more full from eating the fruit, which has fiber, versus drinking the juice,” she says.

inRead invented by Teads

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Hot cocoa

The sip is practically necessary on a chilly winter day (post-snowball fight, natch), but keep in mind that it’s more of a dessert than an afternoon snack, says Chicago-based nutritionist Renee Clerkin, RD. A typical 16-ounce mug with whipped cream packs 400 calories and 43 grams of sugar—more than a can of cola.

Make over your drink: When you need a winter warm-up, Clerkin recommends DIYing a mix of non-Dutch processed cocoa and sugar. That way, you control the amount of sweetness. Start with one teaspoon of sugar and gradually increase the amount to taste. (One teaspoon contains 4 grams of sugar.) Adding spices like a dash of cinnamon or cayenne will add even more flavor, allowing you to use less sweet stuff.

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Sweetened iced tea

Tea is no doubt a good choice; it’s full of disease-busting antioxidants. But syrupy-sweet iced teas contain a wallop of the white stuff, practically canceling out the health benefits. One popular brand has over 30 grams of added sugar in one bottle. Yep, that’s more like dessert.

Make over your drink: Unsweetened iced tea is your best bet, whether you’re getting a bottled or at a restaurant, since it contains zero added sugar. If plain is too bitter, Schapiro suggests adding 1 teaspoon (or one packet) yourself—it will still be less than a pre-mixed tea. Squeeze a lemon or orange on top for an additional flavor bood.

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Flavored coconut water

Part of the reason coconut water is so hot right now is because it’s packed with electrolytes, like potassium; one 16-ounce container supplies more than 25% of the mineral you need in a day. “Electrolytes are minerals that help keep the body’s fluid levels in balance so that the body is hydrated,” says Clerkin. “You probably don’t need to sip coconut water all day, but it can be helpful if you’re sweating a lot during the summer or activity,” she says. Read labels carefully, though. Flavored versions, like pineapple or mango, can pack more than 30 grams of sugar per 16-ounce container. Some have less because they use calorie-free sweeteners.

Make over your drink: Stick to plain coconut water, says Clerkin, which doesn’t contain added sugar. “Drink it when you need to hydrate, not just casually throughout the day,” she says. “Remember it still contains calories.”

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Energy drinks

Even though they usually don’t contain a ton of calories, an 8-ounce serving can run you more than 25 grams of sugar—and no, they aren’t healthy just because they’re fortified with B vitamins.

Make over your drink: Skip these entirely—and not just to save on sugar. Drinking just one Rockstar energy drink raised healthy people’s blood pressure and norepinephrine (a stress hormone) levels more than a placebo drink, revealed a recent study in the journal JAMA. That may not be good for your heart. If you need a boost of caffeine, opt for a cup of coffee instead.

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Sweetened yogurt drinks

Probiotics is such a hot buzzword right now because, as research shows, the beneficial bacteria help keep your gut healthy. So you may be trying to get more in your diet. Enter probiotic yogurt drinks or kefir. They can be a healthy choice, but flavored versions rely on sugar to decrease yogurt’s traditional tang. A small bottle may pack 26 grams of sugar, and contain multiple forms of the sweet stuff, including sugar, fructose, and fruit puree or juice.

Make over your drink: Plain versions are your best bet, since the only sugar they contain is from the milk itself. (A typical 1-cup serving of plain contains around 12 grams.) If that’s not happening, consider skipping non-fat varieties and going for low-fat instead. In one popular brand, making that switch could save you nearly two teaspoons of sugar per serving.

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Sweetened non-dairy milks

Non-dairy milks like almond milk, cashew milk, and soymilk say they’re better than cow’s milk, but choose the wrong one and you’ll end up with a sugar bomb for breakfast. “A glass of chocolate plant-based milk can have the same amount of sugar as a handful of cookies or a chocolate bar,” says Shapiro.

Make over your drink: Read the ingredients and nutrition panel before you buy. That’s because even deceptively innocent “plain” or “original” varieties may contain added sugar, says Schapiro. Look for unsweetened, unsweetened vanilla, or new reduced sugar flavors. And try the different types of plant milks—almond, cashew, rice—until you find one that you like the taste of when unsweetened, she says.

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Tonic water

You’re probably sipping this as part of an alcoholic drink, not on its own. But if you’re doing it because you think a “gin and tonic” is healthier than a “rum and coke,” you’re out of luck. Twelve ounces of tonic water adds 124 calories and 32 grams of sugar to your glass (that’s 8 teaspoons). Compare that to a cola, which isn’t too far off at 182 calories and 44 grams of sugar per 12 ounces. Whoops.

Make over your drink: When you’re ordering up a booze beverage, ask for seltzer. Why? It’s sugar- and calorie-free.

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Fancy coffee drinks

“Most people are blown away when they look at the calories and sugar in their lattes and Frappuccinos,” says Schapiro. Case in point: a grande white chocolate mocha Frappuccino at Starbucks has 61 grams of sugar. Sure, some is from the milk, but most is from sugars that add up to nearly one-third of a cup of the sweet stuff. A vanilla latte is better, but still comes in at 35 grams of sugar for a medium size.

Make over your drink: Stick with coffee with milk, adding a packet of sugar yourself or sweetening it up with a shake or two of cinnamon or nutmeg at the barista bar. Want something fancier? Go for a café misto (coffee with steamed milk), recommends Schapiro.

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Sports drinks

Finish a bottle of one typical sports drink, and you’ll have downed more than 50 grams of sugar. No surprise, considering sugar is listed as the second ingredient after water on the label. If you’re training for a marathon, that makes sense; the sugar supplies carbs that help keep up your energy during the tough workout. Sitting at your desk all day? You don’t need the extra sugar and calories.

Make over your drink: “Unless you are seriously training for a marathon or triathlon, you do not need to consume sports drinks,” says Schapiro. Even if you regularly exercise three to five days a week, she recommends hydrating with water only.

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Margarita

Your favorite Cinco de Mayo sip is among the worst cocktail options. “A margarita made with a bottled mix can have more than 500 calories and more than 35 grams of sugar. That’s the equivalent to the sugar in two and a half to three pieces of cake,” says Clerkin. And you wouldn’t wolf down three pieces of cake in one sitting, right?

Make over your drink: Not all cocktails are off limits. Your favorite booze plus soda water and a squeeze of lemon or lime is a great bet because it’s almost sugar-free. “Pure alcohol, like vodka or tequila, does not have any carbs, protein, or fat,” says Clerkin. A 1-ounce shot of tequila mixed with soda water and a squeeze of lime juice sets you back just 70 calories.

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Flavored “nutritional” waters

It’s just like drinking sugar water—even if it does have vitamins added to the mix. Some bottles pack 30 grams of sugar (7 teaspoons) or more. “Even if they don’t have added sugar, they have to be flavored somehow,” Schapiro says. “This means they may contain artificial sweeteners or Stevia. And just because it uses a more natural calorie-free sweetener doesn’t make it healthy.” (For example, studies show the sweet taste can spur cravings for more sweet.)

Make over your drink: There’s nothing wrong with not loving plain H2O. To spruce it up, add natural, sugar-free flavor by infusing water with lemons or fresh fruit. Do that either using a water pitcher with a built-in infuser (like the Prodyne Fruit Infusion Pitcher, $20; bedbathbeyond.com) or simply put cut up fruit in a water jug and enjoy.

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Lemonade

You know lemonade is sweet, of course. But it sounds like a better option than soda, right? It’s got lemons! It’s practically a fruit! Here’s the kicker: you’re probably drinking mostly sugar water. Consider a powdered lemonade drink mix; the first two ingredients are sugar and fructose (also sugar), plus artificial colors. Another lemonade brand uses high fructose corn syrup.

Make over your drink: Now’s the time to make it at home to cut down on sugar. Try this recipe for rosemary lemonade (which contains just 10 grams of sugar per cup).

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Smoothies

Walk into any high-end gym and you’ll see a smoothie bar. Safe to assume they’re healthy, right? Not so much. Even though they’re packed with fruit, you really can have too much of a good thing. “Fruit is healthy, but too much fruit adds up in calories and sugar, leading to blood sugar spikes and crashes,” says Schapiro. One popular green bottled smoothie may advertise “no sugar added” but all of the juice and fruit purees add up to 53 grams of sugar per bottle. And, it’s green, so you’d think it’d be a smart option.

Make over your drink: Schapiro prefers that you eat your fruit whole, but a smoothie can pack a lot of nutrition in a handy container you can run out the door with on busy mornings. Rather than buying a bottle at the store or hitting up a smoothie place, make it at home where you can control the ingredients.

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Beer

It’s all about what—and how much—brewski you’re knocking back. Drink a Bud Light Straw-Ber-Rita (beer + margarita) and you’ll get 198 calories for a tiny 8 ounces, double the amount in the same amount of soda. Even if you’re drinking traditional beers, they tend to contain more calories and carbs compared to wine and spirits, says Clerkin. The higher alcohol content of beer, the more calories, too. With rising alcohol content—especially in some craft brews (double IPAs, we’re looking at you)—some contain 300-plus calories in one 12-ounce bottle.

Make over your drink: First order of business—make sure you stick to the recommended one alcoholic drink per day for women, and two for men. Now that that’s out of the way, if you like beer, you can opt for light versions to save half the carbs and 50 calories per brew, says Clerkin. Other options: Guinness (126 calories) or Sierra Nevada Nooner Pilsner (161 calories) and Summerfest (158 calories). If you want something fruity, opt for a radler, a mix of beer and fruit soda, which keeps alcohol content low. A Stiegl-Radler Grapefruit is 125 calories per 12-ounce bottle.

1235 N LOOP 336 WEST CONROE TX 77301

July 28, 2018

Celestine Crystal

Celestite, also known as Celestine, is revered for its high frequency and Divine energies, and is known as a powerful healing crystal. Celestite has been called a “teacher for the New Age”, as it will connect one with the Angelic realms, allowing for the free-flow of these higher frequencies into the Crown and Third-Eye Chakras, and also down into the Throat Chakra for expression. Bringing mental calm and clarity in the midst of any chaotic circumstance, Celestite can allow one to easily flow through a traumatic period and still come out on top.

Celestite can relieve stress, anxiety and obsessive behaviors. It is a perfect piece to carry for those who are singers, actors or speakers, as the energy will alleviate any type of stage fright or nervousness. Celestite gives courage to those who suffer from agoraphobia (fear of crowds) or public speaking. It can be beneficial for shy or timid children to try new experiences. Celestite brings harmony and balance, and will assist the holder in finding and maintaining inner peace. Its ability to heighten divine intuition makes Celestite especially useful for Reiki practice.

A stone for peace and harmony, Celestite has the potential to bring these qualities into daily living. Celestite is a great facilitator for deep states of meditation, helping to calm the mind and open it to communication from the higher realms. Celestite is a perfect companion to use during dream time. It will assist in recalling not only the dream, but also the specific details of the dream. Information imparted during the dream state will also be recalled with perfect clarity.

Physically, Celestite sends energy to the organs of the higher chakras, aiding the healing of disorders such as brain imbalances, cellular disorders, and ailments of eyes, ears, nose, and throat. Celestite can also act as a detoxifier and pain reliever.

July 27, 2018

Malachite

Symbolizing the lush and verdant hues of nature in full bloom, green is more than just the color of money. It’s also the color of personal growth and abundance of the spirit. With the wisdom of the Malachite crystal, progress isn’t measured in material riches but with spiritual treasures found deep within the heart. But this enchanting stone also has a practical side. The Malachite meaning brings us a lesson in sustainability to help keep the good vibes going strong and steady.

Malachite Meaning & Healing Properties

Just like the old saying goes, Malachite reminds us to turn over a new leaf. If you’re drawn to the vibrant Malachite crystal, it could mean that it’s time for a change. Known as the stone of transformation, the Malachite crystal meaning helps bring energy and focus to new growth while pruning off the brambles holding you back. Get a spiritual makeover with the Malachite crystal stone and use its healing properties to give a burst of fuel to the fiery passions of your heart. Whatever you’re searching for–love, money, power–Malachite offers you the gift of wisdom to know the difference between abundance of the spirit and monetary wealth.

Meditate with Malachite and feel all chakra centers being cleansed and purified, removing emotional blockages and opening your heart up to new experiences. If you find yourself wandering down memory lane, Malachite reminds you that memories are like an old highway. If you stay too long you might lose your way. Keep the past in the dust and move on, that’s the message of Malachite. The Malachite crystal is also excellent for new relationships. Known in the crystal healing world as a warrior stone, Malachite serves as a guardian of the heart, the area that often takes a brutal beating. Whether it’s closed to heal emotional wounds or open to new love, Malachite is on guard, allowing its healing energy to flow through your heart chakras and giving you a new sense of vitality and spiritual renewal.

Malachite Meaning

The Malachite crystal stone meaning echoes its deep connection to nature withcolors of a lush and verdant spring bursting with new life. A must-have stone for city dwellers yearning for natural relics, bring the wonders of nature into your home by placing a large piece of Malachite in your living room. It works to remove environmental pollution and also adds a welcome pop of color in your sacred healing space. A powerful way to channel the Malachite crystal meaning is by meditating with a crystal layout that focuses on its healing properties.Following the cleansing ritual used by the Native Americans for thousands of years, smudge the space and crystals with sage to set the mood for transformation and healing. Then, place the Malachite crystal on your heart chakra and feel the crystal radiating with its perfect energy pattern that opens up the heart to love, the medicine to heal the world. This healing and purifying energy can be accessed when you connect with the Malachite crystal properties through peaceful contemplation. Holding a stone in each hand, feel its transformative powers infusing your body and mind with a white light of pure, healing love of the universe.

Malachite Properties

Depression is the common cold of mental illness and Malachite crystal healing properties are an effective antidepressant against the everyday blues. Wear Malachite crystal jewelry and feel it balancing out your highs and lows as it returns you to an even plane of positivity and optimism. It also works as a mood stabilizer by neutralizing any toxic energy in your world and guarding your spirit against any outside negativity. Gaze at the lush green color of Malachite and feel your world becoming illuminated by the vibrant colors of nature.

When you channel the powerful vibrations of this stone, it’s a direct link to photosynthesis and the miracle of light transforming into energy, which sustains life. Like a forest of green, the spirit of Malachite is all about growth and progress as it helps you prune away old belief systems and thought patterns no longer serving you. Malachite also helps you open the doors to the universe and all its beauty and wonder. It was Albert Einstein who said, “Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better.” If you get stuck on a project, call on Malachite to help bring you out of a rut by giving you a deeper understanding of your true creative spirit. To encourage positive, life-affirming thoughts, practice walking meditation in nature while holding your Malachite stone and contemplate your intention for healing and transformation.

Check out of the well-grooved track of everyday life and tune in with the Malachite crystal, your gateway to reconnecting with earth and its healing vibrations.

July 26, 2018

Rhodium

Rhodium is a silver-white metallic element that is highly reflective and resistant to corrosion. It is considered the rarest and most valuable precious metal in the world — well above gold or silver. The name rhodium comes from the Greek word “rhodon,” meaning rose, named for the rose-red color of its salts.

Just the facts

Atomic number (number of protons in the nucleus): 45
Atomic symbol (on the periodic table of the elements): Rh
Atomic weight (average mass of the atom): 102.90550
Density: 12.41 grams per cubic centimeter
Phase at room temperature: Solid
Melting point: 3,567 degrees F (1,964 degrees C)
Boiling point: 6,683 degrees F (3,695 degrees C)
Number of isotopes (atoms of the same element with a different number of neutrons): 24 whose half-lives are known; one stable
Most common isotopes: One stable isotope Rh-103

Properties

Rhodium is one of the of the six platinum group metals: platinum, palladium, rhodium, osmium, iridium and ruthenium. It is also classified as a noble metal, meaning that it does not react to oxygen easily, acts as a fantastic catalyst and is resistant to corrosion and oxidation. Some common characteristics of the platinum group metals include high melting points, general non-toxicity, and resistance to wear, oxidation and corrosion, according to Chemistry Libretexts.

Rhodium is the rarest of the platinum group, only occurring up to one part per 200 million in the Earth’s crust, according to Chemistry Libretexts. Rhodium has lower density and a higher melting point than platinum. Rhodium it is unaffected by air and water up to 1,112 degrees Fahrenheit (600 degrees Celsius), according to Lenntech.

Discovery

Rhodium was discovered in 1803 by English chemist William Hyde Wollaston shortly after he had discovered the element palladium. Wollaston extracted rhodium from a piece of platinum ore that he had obtained from South America. Rhodium often occurs with deposits of platinum and is commonly obtained from the mining and refining of platinum.

Wollaston was first alerted to the possibility of a new element existing in platinum ore by the French chemist Hippolyte-Victor Collet-Descotils, who believed that the red color of some platinum salts was due to the presence of an unidentified metal. After a series of chemical reactions, Wollaston was able to remove the platinum and palladium from the sample of platinum ore. He was left with a dark red powder — which turned out to be sodium rhodium chloride, according to Jefferson Lab.

Uses

The main use for rhodium is in catalytic converters designed to clean vehicle emissions. Rhodium — often together with palladium and/or platinum — accomplishes this by reducing nitrogen oxide in exhaust gas. Without rhodium catalysts, the air in our cities would be much worse due to vehicle exhausts.

Since rhodium is quite brilliant and resistant to tarnishing, it is used as a finish for jewelry, searchlights and mirrors. It is also alloyed with platinum for aircraft turbine engines. In the chemical industry, rhodium is used as a catalyst in the making of nitric acid, acetic acid and hydrogenation reactions, according to the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).Other uses for rhodium are coating optic fibers, crucibles, thermocouple elements and headlight reflectors. Since it has a low electrical resistance and is highly resistant to corrosion, it is used as an electrical contact material as well, according to RSC.

Rhodium is often alloyed with platinum and iridium to make an oxidation-resistant metal that can stand against high temperatures. These alloys are used in furnace windings, pen nibs, phonograph needles, high-temperature thermocouple and resistance wires, electrodes for aircraft spark plugs, bearings and electrical contacts, according toLenntech.

Rhodium has no known biological use and no known use for life processes. While some compounds of rhodium are carcinogenic, there are almost no reported cases of humans being affected by this element in any way. This may be because rhodium compounds are encountered so rarely. Test on plants have shown that it is the least toxic member of the platinum group of metals, according to Lenntech.

Although rhodium is generally considered non-toxic, some of its compounds are toxic and carcinogenic. Naturally occurring rhodium consists of just one stable isotope: Rh-103.

Who knew?

An alloy of rhodium-platinum is used in heart pacemakers.
South African PGM producers extract a mix of metals comprising approximately 60 percent platinum, 30 percent palladium and 10 percent rhodium, according to Mining.com.
Rhodium is resistant to most acids.
Rhodium metal is rarely used by itself and almost always as an alloy.
Of the three precious metals (rhodium, platinum and palladium) currently used in vehicle catalytic converters, rhodium has by far the highest activity for the removal of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from the exhaust. It also has very high activity for the oxidation of hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) and very good resistance to the poisons present in the exhaust stream, according to Eastern Catalytic. Its primary drawback, however, is its high cost.
All rhodium compounds are easily reduced or decomposed through heating to create powdered (or sponge) metal.

Mining

Commercial rhodium is generally obtained as a byproduct of copper and nickel refining. In nature, rhodium can occur uncombined or with other platinum minerals. It can be found in river sands in North and South America and in copper-nickel sulfide ores in Ontario, Canada, according to the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Due to its rarity, the small market size and the concentrated supply — South Africa alone produces roughly 80 percent of the world’s rhodium — prices are typically volatile, according to Mining.com. For example, rhodium briefly reached $10,025 an ounce just before the 2008 financial crisis hit, but then plunged 90 percent before the end of the year. In 2017, the price of rhodium more than doubled, adding $1,000 an ounce since hitting 12-year-lows mid-2016.

July 25, 2018July 25, 2018

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is made of hulled oat grains – groats – that have either been milled (ground), steel-cut, or rolled. Ground oats are also called “white oats”. Steel-cut oats are known as “coarse oatmeal” or “Irish oatmeal” or “pinhead oats”. Rolled oats can be either thick or thin, and may be “old-fashioned”, or “quick”, or “instant”. The term “oatmeal” is also used in the U.S. and parts of Canada as another word for an oat-based porridgepopular in such countries made from either ground, steel-cut, or rolled oats.

Nutrition[edit]

Unenriched oatmeal, cooked by boiling or microwave, is 84% water, and contains 12% carbohydrates, including 2% dietary fiber, and 2% each of protein and fat (table). In a 100 gram amount, cooked oatmeal provides 71 Calories and contains 29% of the Daily Value (DV) for manganese and moderate content of phosphorus and zinc (11% DV each), with no other micronutrients in significant content (see table on right).

Health benefits

Oatmeal cooked with water to create a runny bowl of porridge

Oatmeal and other oat products were the subject of a 1997 ruling by the Food and Drug Administration that consuming oat bran or whole rolled oats can lower the risk of heart disease when combined with a low-fat diet via the effect of oat beta-glucan to reduce levels of blood cholesterol.^[6] A similar conclusion was reached in 2010 by the European Food Safety Authority

July 25, 2018

Aquamarine Crystal

Introduction to the Meaning and Uses of Aquamarine

Aquamarine evokes the purity of crystalline waters, and the exhilaration and relaxation of the sea. It is calming, soothing, and cleansing, and inspires truth, trust and letting go. In ancient lore, Aquamarine was believed to be the treasure of mermaids, and was used by sailors as a talisman of good luck, fearlessness and protection. It was also considered a stone of eternal youth and happiness. [Simmons, 49] Today it protects all who travel by, over, or near water, and opens the channels of clear and heartfelt communication.

The name Aquamarine comes from the Latin aqua marinus, meaning “water of the sea,” and refers to its sparkling ocean-like color. The pale blue, transparent crystal is a member of the Beryl family. Its color, sometimes bluish green, is caused by iron oxides within the chemical makeup of the stone. Ancient seer considered it to be under the influence of the moon, an orb exerting very great magnetic influence. Present day supporters of crystal-gazing suggest that when using an Aquamarine to view coming events, do so when the moon is increasing. The magnetism of the moon on the included iron oxides will strengthen the stone’s forecasting ability.

Aquamarine embodies all things connected to the sea, as well as those things relating to Heaven reflected on the surface of the water. It becomes a mirror, reflecting itself indefinitely, making it possible to discover hidden meanings of reality. As a stone of symmetries, it is conducive for meditation and revelation, a stone of prophets, shamans, healers, and mystics. It also allows us to explore the darkest depths of our souls, face to face with ourselves, and with others.

Aquamarine is the blue variety of Beryl, though the Beryl family forms in other colors used as gems, such as green Emerald, yellow Heliodor and Golden Beryl, pink Morganite, Red Beryl or Bixbite, and the colorless variety, Goshenite.

Aquamarine Uses and Purposes – Overview

Associated with the Throat chakra, Aquamarine helps overcome the fear of speaking, and is an excellent stone for teachers and presenters of all types. It relaxes speakers to a stage of consciousness in which they are fully aware of their own truths, wisdom and feelings, and able to articulate them with clarity and conviction. It also allows one to speak clearly and without anger in difficult situations.

Aquamarine accelerates the intellectual reasoning processes and enhances the ability for rapid response. It makes one unconquerable through learning, not only about the physical world, but about oneself. It bestows perseverance, discipline and light heartedness.

Aquamarine encourages the ideal of service to the world and to the development of a humanity attuned to healing. It emits a gentle and compassionate energy, promoting moderation and responsibility for ones’ actions. It inspires judgmental people to be more tolerant, and helps those overwhelmed by responsibility to find order.

A stone of natural justice, Aquamarine utilizes compromise and negotiation, and gives quiet courage and clear reasoned words in confrontational situations. Pass Aquamarine over any written complaints you receive or before you send any out, wear or carry Aquamarine when visiting your child’s school because of a complaint, or when resolving neighborhood disputes over parking or boundaries.

As a travel crystal, greenish blue Aquamarine protects those who journey by sea, alleviating the fear of water, and guards those involved in any long-haul travel such as flying or driving long distances. It is a good stone for learning to swim.

As a love crystal, pale blue Aquamarine encourages a lover to return, helps two people with different lifestyles to live together in harmony, and reduces the effects of sensitive issues that cause quarrels.Aquamarine is often given as a love token or eternity ring, and increases commitment and fidelity “as long as the waters of the earth flow.”

Aquamarine Physical Healing Energy

Aquamarine is a stone of breath, the respiratory tract, and the lungs. It can heal sinus conditions and frequent coughing, and is effective for hay fever and other chronic allergies. It relieves colds and bronchitis.

Aquamarine is a cooling stone, countering infections and useful for laryngitis, strep throat or a sore throat. It harmonizes the pituitary and thyroid glands, regulating hormones and growth. It is beneficial for teeth and gum problems.

It supports the healing of inflammatory diseases of all kinds, and is soothing to eczema, hives, rosacea and psoriasis. It may also help prevent outbreaks of herpes. [Ahsian, 50] Some skin diseases caused by allergies may be cured by Aquamarine, and can complement the treatment for shingles. [Megemont, 32]

Tired eyes and some vision problems can be relieved if Aquamarine is placed on the eyelids for 20 minutes every night. Placed on the solar plexus, it will calm nervous spasms.

Aquamarine Emotional Healing Energy

Aquamarine is a Water element stone, powerful for cleansing the emotional body and opening communication. Its gentle energy brings emotional patterns to the surface and assists in understanding the reason for holding onto old thoughts or patterns that are limiting forward motion. It also identifies where ego is causing one to overreact, assume a victim/abuser role, manipulate others, or martyr oneself. By consciously releasing these patterns, it allows for better relationships, love and compassion.

Aquamarine helps balance excessive anger or fear, and clears past emotional, physical or verbal abuse. It is an excellent stone for children who have been through traumatic situations and are acting out aggressively or who have disassociated from their emotional bodies. It heals the effects of over-judgmental parents who set impossible standards, and panic attacks lingering from guilt and inadequacy into adulthood.

Aquamarine is useful for moving through transition and change, its cleansing energy removing resistance and helping one overcome fear of the unknown. It helps not only in the release of emotional baggage, but the clearing out of physical items and clutter.

Aquamarine Chakra Healing and Balancing Energy

Aquamarine is perhaps the strongest stone for clearing and activating the Throat Chakra. It stimulates energy from the heart to the throat, allowing one’s deepest and heartfelt truth to be communicated.

The Throat Chakra is the voice of the body, a pressure valve that allows the energy from the other chakras to be expressed. If it is blocked or out of balance, it can affect the health of the other chakras. In balance, it allows for the expression of what we think and what we feel. We can communicate our ideas, beliefs, and emotions. When the throat chakra is in balance and open, we can bring our personal truth out into the world. We have an easy flow of energy within the body and spirit. The energy that springs upward from the lower chakras can continue its path enabling free expression and natural release.

Aquamarine Spiritual Energy

Aquamarine is a stone of empowerment, for men and women alike. It helps in the realization that not all power comes from force. There is also power in aligning with the yielding, resilient vitality of life, and in promoting truthful and compassionate communication. It lends women the courage to express their inner knowing and enhances their intuitive abilities, and helps dispel the emotional numbness and difficulty men sometimes experience in communicating their feelings.

Aquamarine can be used as a gateway crystal to the Divine Feminine, both within the self, and in Her outer manifestations.

Aquamarine Color Energy

Pale blue Aquamarine is the color of the winter sky giving way to spring. As the sun moves higher each day, it marks the beginning of life and emotion, helping us reflect on, question, and relax in our acceptance of the life we have. Light blue talismans help us develop patience, reconcile differences, or seek forgiveness. They’re excellent for recovery efforts from addictions or destructive patterns, aid in curbing tempers, and help us become more dependable and cheerful. Light blue crystals also assist in dealing with grief, letting go of the past, and curing guilt.

Aquamarine in pale turquoise shades provides a fresh, welcome energy that moves us to serenity as new growth and life emerges. It brings hope, discovery and balance. It returns us to center. In lighter shades, Turquoise energy promotes inner harmony and peace through spiritual understanding.

July 24, 2018

Desert Rose

Adenium obesum, also known as desert rose or mock azalea, is a succulent plant with red, pink and white flowers. Here’s how to care for a desert rose.

The desert rose can’t survive in cold temperatures. Therefore it’s usually planted in pots so it can be moved indoors when the weather changes. For adequate drainage, plant your desert rose in one part potting soil mixed with one part perlite [source: Sidhe] or sand. A layer of gravel below the soil and another above it helps prevent stem rot [source: Plant Care].
The desert rose can be grown from seeds or from stem cuttings. Let the stem cuttings dry out before planting. Plant them in the springtime and keep them in filtered sunlight until they begin to grow.
The desert rose needs full sunlight and a temperature of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21.1 to 26.7 degrees Celsius). The temperature should never drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 degrees Celsius) [source: Plant Care].
The desert rose only needs watering when the soil feels dry. In the winter, it only needs water every three or four weeks. This lets it be dormant so it can bloom better in the springtime [source: Sidhe].
The desert rose can be fertilized once a month in the spring and summer. Water it lightly after fertilizing.
The desert rose should be pruned once in early spring, before it begins to bloom. Cutting off long, leggy branches encourage the growth of more flowers.
The desert rose should be repotted every year or two. The new vessel should be 1 or 2 inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters) larger than the previous one.

July 21, 2018

Goldstone

Here’s some good advice: Keep calm and carry the Goldstone crystal to ensure a golden future. Because let’s be realistic—the mysterious abyss of the unknown–also known as the future–can be a daunting aspect. Known as the ‘ambition’ stone, the Goldstone crystal meaning is linked with boosting your drive and confidence, the essential mindset for paving the way for all your dreams to come true, regardless of how crazy or wild. Like a cheerleader for the soul, the Goldstone crystal is a special stone that gets its shimmery appearance from Quartz and sand glass that’s been infused with copper particles, giving it a signature glistening luster. The heavenly sparkles remind us that light can always be found in the darkness. We all walk in the shadows from time to time but Goldstone shows us how to turn on our own inner light of radiance and joy.

Goldstone Meaning & Healing Properties

The message of the Goldstone crystal stone meaning is that sometimes you have to lose your mind to find yourself. A protective warrior stone, the Goldstone crystal helps you get out of your head and back down to earth. This powerful grounding stone is a must-have for those moments when you feel overwhelmed by toxic emotions and negative thought patterns. Regardless of the chaos going on in your head, hold tight to the Goldstone and immediately feel a strong connection to the earth and is healing vibrations. When you start to feel its grounding effects, notice its silky feel and deep luster that resonates with a dark blue night sky studded with stars. Deepen its healing powers even more by holding a stone in each hand, which helps to balance the chakras and restore harmony to the mind-body-spirit. Keep the fire in your heart burning long and bright with the glittery sheen of Goldstone.

Being grounded also helps restore balance and harmony to the sacral chakra, the energy center that contains your deepest passions. Let this fiery cauldron of creativity and sensuality reawaken when you access the inspirational qualities of the Goldstone crystal stone meaning. A powerful cocktail for boosting your creative energy is Goldstone combined with other power stones from the golden and orange color ray, including Carnelian, Tiger’s Eye, Amber, and Orange Calcite. Keep this healing creativity grid in your office or studio so you can always harness its inspirational energy. To magnify its healing power, set an intention for your stone, which it will store for you to call on later when you need its guidance and support.

Goldstone Meaning

The Goldstone crystal meaning is shrouded in mystery and legendary folklore that can be traced back to the Miotti family of Venice in the seventeenth century. This Italian family of glassmakers perfected the technique of creating a special kind of treated glass resulting in Goldstone. Another legend traces its origins to medieval times and an obscure monastic order, giving it the name Monk’s Gold. The Miotti family kept their technique secret for hundreds of years until an Italian glassmaker named Pietro Bigaglia brought it to the mainstream in the 19th century. Today, its sparkling microscopic copper spheres look even more stunning when smoothed and polished into beads for jewelry making. The Goldstone crystal is often included with other stones in healing bracelets and necklaces, an excellent way to have constant access to its grounding and protective healing properties.

Goldstone Properties

Goldstone is a warrior crystal that guards against negative energy. But it doesn’t just propel toxic psychic debris. It also returns it to its origins. A powerful medicine, use the protective vibes of Goldstone to feel safely and securely anchored to the earth. Goldstone crystal healing properties are powerful because its energy works to restore balance to the sacral chakra, the energy center linked with your powerful inner force of creativity and insight. Call on the Goldstone crystal properties when you want a break from reality because this mineral is a gem when it comes to higher states of consciousness. Spend time in peaceful contemplation with the Goldstone crystal and let it bridge the gap between the physical world and the spirit realm.

Its glittery sheen resembles the heavens, making it a uniquely attractive stone in the world of crystals. If you find yourself drawn to its ethereal aesthetic, it could be a sign that you’re ready to step out of the everyday and into a new spirit world that exists in another dimension. Go deep with the Goldstone crystal healing properties by incorporating it into your daily meditation practice. Use it as your spirit guide on your journey into the depths of space, its microcrystalline particles glistening in the darkness like far off galaxies and constellations.

Keep Goldstone in your gem collection and always remember that the brightest stars can only be seen in the darkest skies.

July 20, 2018

Ametrine Quartz Crystals…

Ametrine is a mixture of Amethyst and Citrine, both varieties of quartz crystal.

It carries the energy of both of these stones, and is a harmonious blend of their energies.

This lovely stone embodies the energy of the above crystals, to enhance mental and spiritual clarity, while uniting masculine and feminine energies.

As it is a type of quartz it will amplify the energy of the vibration of both of the stones that it is made up of.

Its healing energy releases negativity from within the aura, and it aids weight loss and helps you to release your addictions.

If are studying, the Citrine energy within this stone helps you to stay focused, as well as using the Amethyst vibration within it, the higher energies of the crown chakra, for inspiration.

The name of this crystal relates to a merging of the words Amethyst and Citrine, as this stone is alike both, and embodies the vibration of both of these quartz crystals.

This crystal is usually transparent, and its color is an interesting mixture of the golden yellow color of Citrine blended with the lovely purple color of Amethyst Crystals.

Natural Ametrine specimens exhibit varying attributes of the two stones, in differing color combinations, some with more purple and others with lovely golden patterns through them.

It is fairly easy to find these stones, even though they are not as widespread as either Yellow Citrine or Purple Amethyst Crystals. Most sources come from South America, from Brazil, Uruguay and Bolivia.

Ametrine is a quartz crystal variety, so like all quartz, is a strong amplifier of energy. They have within them the vibration of Citrine Crystals, which is the energy of the solar plexus chakra and the ‘will’.

When you combine this vibration with the ‘knowing’ from the crown chakra via the Amethyst Crystals energy, the resulting mixture is a powerful energetic vibration.

Yet the energy of this crystal is altogether different to either of the other stones. Ametrine crystals provide a connection between the higher energies of the crown, and the energy of the physical, from the solar plexus chakra.

This connection will aid you to bring your thinking from the physical day to day realm, into the spiritual realm.

This will enhance mental and spiritual clarity, as well as uniting masculine and feminine energies.

Wearing Ametrine jewelry may be helpful to you, and may provide you with ways to let go of stress, as they help to create peace and inner harmony.

It is an extremely useful tool for those in the healing profession to utilize. As well it is also very helpful for the average person to use, to work on themselves at home.

If you are working on losing weight, the energy of one of these quartz crystals will aid you, as they are crystals that aid weight loss.

Like Amethyst crystals they are useful if you have addictions, as they will help you to let go of the compulsions associated with them.

It will clear stress and tension from the head, and will bring excess energy down into the physical for use or release.

Its Citrine energy will enhance your will, and the Amethyst vibration helps you to break self-defeating habits, that may be holding you back.

Their energy is also said to alleviate depression, anxiety and stress.

The Citrine Crystal vibration helps you to boost your creativity, and its connection with the crown, the highest chakra in the body may assist psychic artists in their work.

Learn an easy way to meditate, as via its action in meditation, it will aid you to link to the spiritual realms. Use it to do a daily crystal meditation. Once you have connected to its energy, keep this crystal on you all day, as it will aid you overall in your life.

Using this crystal to make a spiritual connection is powerful, as once a connection is made it will align the solar plexus with the crown chakra.

This may help you to enhance both your mental and spiritual clarity, and plan to live life from a perspective of Divine Will.

It is easy to buy jewelry made from this stone including lovely pendants.

It is easy and useful to keep a piece of this crystal within your aura, for as long as possible during each day.

It often has quite striking golden yellow colors within the purple, and these stones are very attractive and have excellent metaphysical properties.

These lovely stones are on the list of zodiac birthstones, and wearing an Ametrine pendant or a lovely ring made from one of these stone, is one way to keep this lovely crystal within your aura.