Clearing Out The Clutter is not about just cleaning UP.  Clearing The Clutter is more about cleaning OUT.  Clearing Out The Clutter is about releasing and letting go of things and/or relationships that are no longer serving your highest good.  Too much clutter can not only cause your physical space to become unbearable, too much clutter can start to weigh you down spiritually as well.  Ever notice how much lighter you ‘FEEL’ when you clean out your closets or your refrigerator or your garage or simply your purse?  There is most definitely a connection between your OUTER space and your INNER space.

Clearing OUT also sets in motion the process of receiving better and sometimes more.  Often times we allow so much ‘old, useless stuff’ to accumulate in our lives that we are unable to receive anything new and refreshing.  We often don’t have enough room in our lives for the joy and the blessings to FLOW in.  In other words…..you have to Clear Out The Clutter in order to receive Better.

Now don’t get clearing OUT confused with organizing and ‘putting things away’.  Clearing out requires you to GET RID of the excess.  Be mindful that while you are clearing out that you aren’t just RELOCATING the stuff.  For example, you clean out your closet, place the unwanted items in a bag, and then put the bag in your garage.  That’s NOT clearing OUT.  That’s RELOCATING.  When you move things around and relocate them, it’s still taking up space, just in a different place.  If this is how you handle your ‘tangible’ items, this is probably how you handle conflict, unfinished business, uncomfortable situations and even your relationships.  You simply ‘relocate’ them to the ‘back of your mind’ instead of Clearing Out The Clutter.

Right now, do an inventory of your physical space.  Is there clutter?  Are things out of order?  Do you need to clear the clutter?  Start with that place.  Work from beginning to end….from start to finish.  Throw away unnecessary items.  Neatly place wanted items IN THEIR PROPER PLACE.  And as you perform this task, repeat this affirmation……

“As I clear out my physical space, I am clearing out my life in every way. 

I am now putting my life in order, ready to receive all the blessings that are here for me now.’

And it is so,

J’licious

By Kerri-Ann Jennings, M.S., R.D., Associate Nutrition Editor at EatingWellMagazine

As a registered dietitian and associate nutrition editor at EatingWell Magazine, I know that herbs and spices do more than simply add flavor to food. They let you cut down on some less-healthy ingredients, such as salt, added sugars and saturated fat, and some have inherent health benefits, many of which Joyce Hendley reported on for EatingWell Magazine.

Modern science is beginning to uncover the ultimate power of spices and herbs, as weapons against illnesses from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease. “We’re now starting to see a scientific basis for why people have been using spices medicinally for thousands of years,” says Bharat Aggarwal, Ph.D., professor at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and author of Healing Spices (Sterling, 2011).

Aggarwal notes that in his native India, where spices tend to be used by the handful, incidence of diet-related diseases like heart disease and cancer have long been low. But when Indians move away and adopt more Westernized eating patterns, their rates of those diseases rise. While researchers usually blame the meatier, fattier nature of Western diets, Aggarwal and other experts believe that herbs and spices-or more precisely, the lack of them-are also an important piece of the dietary puzzle. “When Indians eat more Westernized foods, they’re getting much fewer spices than their traditional diet contains,” he explains. “They lose the protection those spices are conveying.”

While science has yet to show that any spice cures disease, there’s compelling evidence that several may help manage some chronic conditions (though it’s always smart to talk with your doctor). What’s not to love? Here we’ve gathered eight of the healthiest spices and herbs enjoyed around the world.

Chile Peppers
May help: Boost metabolism.
Chile peppers add a much-appreciated heat to chilly-weather dishes, and they can also give a boost to your metabolism. Thank capsaicin, the compound that gives fresh chiles, and spices including cayenne and chipotle, their kick. Studies show that capsaicin can increase the body’s metabolic rate (causing one to burn more calories) and may stimulate brain chemicals that help us feel less hungry. In fact, one study found that people ate 16 percent fewer calories at a meal if they’d sipped a hot-pepper-spiked tomato juice (vs. plain tomato juice) half an hour earlier. Recent research found that capsinoids, similar but gentler chemicals found in milder chile hybrids, have the same effects-so even tamer sweet paprika packs a healthy punch. Capsaicin may also lower risk of ulcers by boosting the ability of stomach cells to resist infection by ulcer-causing bacteria and help the heart by keeping “bad” LDL cholesterol from turning into a more lethal, artery-clogging form.
Don’t Miss: Foods That Blast Belly Fat

Ginger
May help: Soothe an upset stomach, fight arthritis pain.
Ginger has a well-deserved reputation for relieving an unsettled stomach. Studies show ginger extracts can help reduce nausea caused by morning sickness or following surgery or chemotherapy, though it’s less effective for motion sickness. But ginger is also packed with inflammation-fighting compounds, such as gingerols, which some experts believe may hold promise in fighting some cancers and may reduce the aches of osteoarthritis and soothe sore muscles. In a recent study, people who took ginger capsules daily for 11 days reported 25 percent less muscle pain when they performed exercises designed to strain their muscles (compared with a similar group taking placebo capsules). Another study found that ginger-extract injections helped relieve osteoarthritis pain of the knee.
Must-Read: 5 Foods That Fight Pain Naturally

Cinnamon
May help: Stabilize blood sugar.
A few studies suggest that adding cinnamon to food-up to a teaspoon a day, usually given in capsule form-might help people with type 2 diabetes better control their blood sugar, by lowering post-meal blood-sugar spikes. Other studies suggest the effects are limited at best.

Turmeric
May help: Quell inflammation, inhibit tumors.
Turmeric, the goldenrod-colored spice, is used in India to help wounds heal (it’s applied as a paste); it’s also made into a tea to relieve colds and respiratory problems. Modern medicine confirms some solid-gold health benefits as well; most are associated with curcumin, a compound in turmeric that has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin has been shown to help relieve pain of arthritis, injuries and dental procedures; it’s also being studied for its potential in managing heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Researcher Bharat Aggarwal is bullish on curcumin’s potential as a cancer treatment, particularly in colon, prostate and breast cancers; preliminary studies have found that curcumin can inhibit tumor cell growth and suppress enzymes that activate carcinogens.

Saffron
May help: Lift your mood.
Saffron has long been used in traditional Persian medicine as a mood lifter, usually steeped into a medicinal tea or used to prepare rice. Research from Iran’s Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital at Tehran University of Medical Sciences has found that saffron may help to relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and depression. In one study, 75% of women with PMS who were given saffron capsules daily reported that their PMS symptoms (such as mood swings and depression) declined by at least half, compared with only 8 percent of women who didn’t take saffron.
Must-Read: 4 Foods to Boost Your Mood

Parsley
May help: Inhibit breast cancer-cell growth.
University of Missouri scientists found that this herb can actually inhibit breast cancer-cell growth, reported Holly Pevzner in the September/October 2011 issue of EatingWell Magazine. In the study, animals that were given apigenin, a compound abundant in parsley (and in celery), boosted their resistance to developing cancerous tumors. Experts recommend adding a couple pinches of minced fresh parsley to your dishes daily.

Sage
May help: Preserve memory, soothe sore throats.
Herbalists recommend sipping sage tea for upset stomachs and sore throats, a remedy supported by one study that found spraying sore throats with a sage solution gave effective pain relief. And preliminary research suggests the herb may improve some symptoms of early Alzheimer’s disease by preventing a key enzyme from destroying acetylcholine, a brain chemical involved in memory and learning. In another study, college students who took sage extracts in capsule form performed significantly better on memory tests, and their moods improved.
Related: 5 Foods to Help Ward Off Colds

Rosemary
May help: Enhance mental focus, fight foodborne bacteria.
One recent study found that people performed better on memory and alertness tests when mists of aromatic rosemary oil were piped into their study cubicles. Rosemary is often used in marinades for meats and poultry, and there’s scientific wisdom behind that tradition: rosmarinic acid and other antioxidant compounds in the herb fight bacteria and prevent meat from spoiling, and may even make cooked meats healthier. In March 2010, Kansas State University researchers reported that adding rosemary extracts to ground beef helped prevent the formation of heterocyclic amines (HCAs)-cancer-causing compounds produced when meats are grilled, broiled or fried.
Don’t Miss: Drink This to Cure a Headache & 4 More Home Remedies From Your Kitchen

What are your favorite herbs and spices?

By Kerri-Ann Jennings

Kerri-Ann, a registered dietitian, is the associate editor of nutrition for EatingWell magazine, where she puts her master’s degree in nutrition from Columbia University to work writing and editing news about nutrition, health and food trends. In her free time, Kerri-Ann likes to practice yoga, hike, bake and paint.

“You can never know the journey of another person. You can never know what is being birthed. Resist the need to judge or compare because you just don’t have enough information.”

I’m not much of a TV watcher and I am definitely not into the ‘NEWS’.   However, I could not escape all the media attention given to Bishop Eddie Long these days.  Long story (no pun intended) short, Bishop Long has been accused by four young men of using his ‘spiritual authority’ to win sexual favors.  It is well known that Bishop Long preaches against homosexuality and same-sex marriages.  As a matter of fact,  in December 2004 Bishop Long led a “Re-Ignite the Legacy” march through the streets of Atlanta, GA to, in his own words, “present a vision of righteousness and justice.”

Now the story of ‘fallen’ preacher is not new.  And the story of  religious leaders accused of sexual crimes has been told and re-told countless times.  Most of those stories tell the tale of homosexuality and coercion.  Why is that?  Could it be because same-sex encounters would prevent pregnancies, unwanted children and proof?  Possibly.  Or could it be because same-sex encounters has the sting of not only guilt but SHAME?  And with shame (as we all know) things are kept hidden.  No one speaks about what they are ashamed of.  And when they do speak, it’s usually about what the other person has done to them.  They usually play the Shame Blame Game.

One thing for sure, these accusations against Bishop Long has people talking.  Talking about their own experience with sexual abuse and their beliefs regarding sexual orientation.  People are now sharing their lives openly when before they were too ashamed.  Have you noticed that when one accuser steps up that 2, 3 , and maybe even more begin to come forward?  That’s because now they don’t feel so alone.  They don’t feel so ashamed.  They now understand that there are others that have experienced similar things in their lives.  They now have what I would call a “comradery of victims”.

I am not writing to convict or to prove innocence in Bishop Long’s case.  As the beginning of my post suggests, I just do not have enough information to make that call.  And honestly, I don’t think it’s my call to make. Nor am I writing to ‘make small’ of the accusers accusations.  I applaud them for regaining control of their lives by speaking out.   I am writing however,  to suggest that whatever has happen in your lives that you hold YOURSELVES accountable.

You see, we all agree to come here (earth) to fulfill a certain purpose.  Most of us have yet to figure out our own purpose.  How can we possibly figure it out for someone else? 

Sending light, love and blessings you way,

J-licious

© Copyright 2010/10/02  Jacque Keil All Rights Reserved

Prepare this tonic soup and drink up to 1 cup a day for three to four consecutive days after a menstrual cycle, refrigerating the tonic between uses. It is said to rejuvenate the uterus, warm the female organs, and regulate menstrual flow; it is also drunk after childbirth and to treat menopause.

Some women bodies may be balanced without Dong Quai and for them the herb may be overstimulating. Dong Quai can also be cooked with chicken broth, which supposedly triples the tonic’s blood-building quality while improving its flavor. This tonic should be taken in moderation, as too much can be over-warming to the body and can produce the opposite effect desired.

Dong Quai is sold in herb stores and some Chinese supermarkets. It is sold in ivory-colored knobs with fine brown veins; each knob is about 3/4 to 1 1/2 ounces. It is also sold in fat pear-shaped paper-thin slices, about 1/2 ounce each. The price can vary according to the quality; very ­ordinary quality can cost about $10 per pound. If you use dried red dates, the dates must be soaked and the pits ­removed; black dates only need to be rinsed. Sometimes I double steam the soup in individual portions, using the Chinese tureen with double lids to “contain” the aroma, as it can be strong.

• 2 to 4 dong quai knobs or 6 slices, about 3 ounces
• 8 Chinese dried red or black dates (hoong zoe or hock zoe)
• 2 quarts cold water or broth

1. In a 2 1/2 quart saucepan, combine the dong quai, dates, and cold water, and bring to a boil over high heat.

2. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer about 3 hours, or until the soup has reduced to about 4 cups. Strain.

3. Drink piping hot (no more than 1 cup per person). For the very adventuresome, the dong quai can be eaten, but be warned—it has a very powerful flavor even after three hours of ­cooking.

To Your Health,

J-licious

There is no greater time to bathe yourself in your womanhood than now.  There is something within that can hardly be contained.  There is a tigress just waiting to pounce.  There’s a lioness just waiting to roar.  There may even be a “cougar” patiently waiting on her younger prey….lol

We are royalty. We are Queens of Kings.  Join me and……

TAKE ANOTHER LOOK BABY!!!!!

Susan Boyle exemplifies this best.

Susan Boyle Britains Got Talent 2009
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The way you view your body is a direct reflection of your self- esteem or the lack thereof.  Not to mention that what you see in yourself is what you project to the world.  Low self-esteem causes you to see yourself as ‘Damaged Goods’.  I call this the Damaged Goods Syndrome.  When you fail to see your beauty, you begin to believe that you are unpretty, undesirable, good for nothing….DAMAGED.

I know the effects of this illness firsthand.  I suffered from Damaged Goods Syndrome.  When my marriage failed and I was left with 3 young children, I saw myself as Damaged Goods.  I wondered what man was going to take the risk of loving me AND my children.  At the time, I did not realize that my negative thoughts were causing me to attract partners that played right into my illness.  Once I begin to see myself for who I am, they were no longer attracted to me AND I was no longer attracted to them.  See how that works?

Damaged Goods Syndrome is a serious illness and it will take some serious therapy to cure.  You will have to be dedicated to your own healing because no one can do this for you.  You will most certainly have to self-medicate and self-meditate.  Here’s a list of things you can do:

1.  Speak only to your strengths.  Be mindful that your thoughts about you are positive.

2.  Surround yourself with positive people.

3.  Celebrate your successes

4.  Do more of what you love.

5.  Be true to yourself.

6.  Give back and I don’t mean money.  Become involved in community projects.  Seek to help others.

7.  Speak your affirmations aloud.  Be sure to use the words… I AM.  For example, I AM BEAUTIFUL!

8.  Pamper yourself.

9.  Graciously acknowledge compliments.

10.   Invest in yourself.  Read, listen and watch material that is conducive to improving your self esteem.

To your healing,

J-licious

© Copyright 2010/02/19  Jacque Keil All Rights Reserved

Someone who loves me dearly emailed me the link to the site My Black Is Beautiful.  I believe he sent it in support of my passion to help as many people as I possibly can to acknowledge, accept and embrace their greatness.  I also think he sent it to remind me of my inner, outer and all around beauty.  I wish to share this with ALL of my beautiful sisters.  However, I did not want to alter the words of this manifesto.  So, please feel free to insert yourself within the words.  You may be black, white, brown, yellow, or red.  Whatever the ‘color’, KNOW that you are beautiful!!!!!!!

Manifesto

My Black is Beautiful

From the color of my skin, to the texture of my hair, to the length of my strands, to the breadth of my smile,

To the stride of my gait, to the span of my arms, to the depth of my bosom, to the curve of my hips, to the glow of my skin,
My Black is Beautiful.

It cannot be denied. It will not be contained. And only I will define it.

For when I look in my mirror, my very soul cries out,
My Black is Beautiful.

And so today, I speak it out loud, unabashedly, I declare it anew,
My Black is Beautiful.

Whether celebrated, imitated, exploited or denigrated. Whether natural from inside or skillfully applied,
My Black is Beautiful.

To my daughters, my sisters, my nieces, my cousins, my colleagues and my friends,
I speak for us all when I say again,
My Black is Beautiful.

You Are Beautiful,

J-licious

The following shows how many of these resolutions are maintained as time goes on:
- past the first week: 75%
- past 2 weeks: 71%
- after one month: 64%
- after 6 months: 46%

This means less than 20% of people who make New Year’s Resolutions actually see them through to the end.  Success is not achieved by accident, it begins with a well-conceived plan. You can and will achieve more in the next year than you have in the past ten with a disciplined plan of action. If you are not willing to do EVERYTHING on your list, then you should just put the pen down and throw away the paper right now.

Steps that can help you with achieving your New Year’s Resolution(s):

• You need to deeply desire the goal or resolution. Napoleon Hill, in his landmark book,  Think and Grow Rich, said it best. “The starting point of all achievement is desire. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desires bring weak results, just as a small amount of fire makes a small amount of heat.”   So in order to achieve any goal, you must want it enough to remain committed.  You must know your why’s and your why’s must deeply embedded in your soul’s core.
• Visualize yourself achieving the goal. Lee Iacocca said, “The greatest discovery of my generation is that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.”   And I know you heard the saying, ‘Fake it until you make it’.  You must BECOME a different person in order to achieve your goal.  You must be willing to let go of old, negative beliefs and incorporate new, positive ones.
• Make a plan for the path you need to follow to accomplish the goal. Create action steps to follow. Identify a critical path. The critical path defines the key accomplish-ments along the way, the most important steps that must happen for the goal to become a reality. Stephen Covey said, “All things are created twice. There’s a mental or first creation, and a physical or second creation of all things. You have to make sure that the blueprint, the first creation, is really what you want, that you’ve thought everything through. Then you put it into bricks and mortar. Each day you go to the construction shed and pull out the blueprint to get marching orders for the day. You begin with the end in mind.”
• Commit to achieving the goal by writing down the goal. Lee Iacocca said, “The discipline of writing something down is the first step toward making it happen.” I agree completely. Write down the plan, the action steps and the critical path. Somehow, writing down the goal, the plan and a timeline sets events in motion that may not have happened otherwise.
• Establish times for checking your progress in your calendar system, whatever it is: a day planner, a PDA, a PDA phone or a hand written list. If you’re not making progress or feel stymied, don’t let your optimism keep you from accomplishing your goals. No matter how positively you are thinking, you need to assess your lack of progress. Adopt a pessimist’s viewpoint; something will and probably is, going to go wrong. Take a look at all of the factors that are keeping you from accomplishing your goal and develop a plan to overcome them. Add these plan steps to your calendar system as part of your goal achievement plan.
• Review your overall progress regularly. Make sure you are making progress. If you are not making progress, hire a coach, tap into the support of loved ones, analyze why the goal is not being met. Don’t allow the goal to just fade away. Figure out what you need to do to accomplish it. Check the prior five steps starting with an assessment of how deeply you actually want to achieve the goal.

To get started on the right track, pick up your free Success Principles report here.

To Your Success This Year and Every Year Afterwards,

J-licious

© Copyright 2009/12/30  Jacque Keil All Rights Reserved

At this time of year we tend to reflect on the past year and begin to plan for the new year.   We vow to be better, to do and have more.   However, this is impossible if we take into the new year the things of the old.   We must shed ourselves of negativity.   We must remove from around us any and all obstacles.   We must rise above our circumstance(s).    We must find within our -licious.

In the words of the late, great Eartha Kitt when asked how she felt about performing for so long……”Oh, my heavens, each one is so different,” she said.   “I never feel that this is same old, same old because every time I walk out in front of that audience, it’s a different interpretation because I’m a different person from the person I was yesterday.   The story basically is the same.   But there are different innuendos.   Even the tones very often are different.

“Because as I have gotten older, Mr. Osgood, I have realized there are tones in my voice that I didn’t even know was there when I was much younger.   So I am experimenting with myself, constantly.”

Merry Christmas