Greetings! 2017 almost slipped by without a post! Time passes very quickly.
I am retiring from working for someone else and plan to refresh myself for the next season of life. I call it the last trimester of life...0-30, 31-60, 61 and beyond. I will be able to devote more time to sharing and researching information for the well-being of "comfort".  I plan to take a year sabbatical (ceasing from structured planned labor) and focusing my attention on what I can learn from natural things. I want to ease back into the rhythm of living. Once I go through the four seasons of transition, I will continue the journey of sharing "Comfort Therapy". I will have seasonal workshops which will help others find their ability to find "comfort" by connecting the body, mind and spirit in harmony. In other words, how to be more comfort-able in life. Can you accept the things you cannot change? Do you change the things you can? Do you know the difference?

Someone shared this quote with me. I share it with you....asking you to think what brings you comfort that does not cost anything?

“Even after all this time,

the sun never says to the earth,

“You owe me.” Look what happens

with a love like that. It lights the whole sky.”

Hafiz

Building Green

There are three pillars when building a home. Quality vs. Cost vs. Size. You have to find a balance of these three to reach your dream home goal. A friend cautioned that building a house is not for the faint of heart. What I found was if you have good friends, skilled tradesmen, have an open mind to learn and show your appreciation for the expertise of all involved, you have a good chance of being successful.
TK Constructors is a wonderful builder that will let you customize to your hearts content.
http://www.tk-constructors.com/

Did you know?

• Ecobatt is a green insulation.
• • Made primarily from sand, one of the world’s most abundant and renewable resources
• • Lower embodied energy than our traditional batts
• • Rapidly renewable binder eliminates petroleum-based chemicals
• • Contains no phenol, formaldehyde, acrylics or artificial colors
• check out the technical data http://www.ecobatt.us/eco_batt.html
• Casement windows seal tighter than double hung windows. The screens are on the inside so they stay cleaner longer and when you open the window you get excellent natural ventilation. In addition to catching the breeze casement windows also maximize the view. http://homerenovations.about.com/od/windowsanddoors/a/artcasementbene.htm
• Geothermal for heating and cooling is an easy way to let nature work for you. Look for lucrative green energy rebates to off set the cost. I received 30% of the cost back as income tax refund! This company is fantastic! They do the entire geothermal installation from start to finish. Including your proof of purchase certificate for the energy efficient tax rebate. http://www.daytongeothermal.com/daytongeothermalenergy.php
• Cork flooring has excellent thermal and acoustical qualities. It's lightweight, warm to the touch, hypoallergenic, fire and insect-resistant, stable and renewable every 8-10 years.
• Award winning bamboo flooring, is completely non-toxic, formaldehyde free, zero VOC and third-party certified to be safe, durable and eco-friendly 
• Marmoleum: Natural linoleum is bio-based, highly durable, non-toxic, anti-microbial and easy to maintain. http://www.greenbuildingsupply.com/All-Products/Flooring

Where does time go?

What has happened over the last year? I built an energy efficient green home! It takes quite a bit of energy and a host of good people to accomplish a goal like this. I learned so much and have more "comfort" therapy to share.

Sweet Sweet Spring!
The signs of Spring awaken your senses and bring a promise of renewal! Emerging from the deep sleep of Winter takes significant energy. Try not to spring into Spring too quickly. Take time to listen to your body and let it gently warm up as the earth does in the Spring season.Here are some good stress less tips to get you on the road to a comfort able Spring! While you are stressing less remember to hydrate.
Live well and enjoy!
                                           
Did you know?
Do we lose body water when we breathe?

When we inhale, air moving through our air passageways (i.e., trachea and bronchi) becomes humidified. This means that we are adding moisture to it. Subsequently, when we exhale, much of the humidified air is lost to the outside environment. This is noticeable on a cold day as humidified exhaled air condenses to form little clouds. The amount of body water lost in this process is about 300 to 500 milliliters, depending on the humidity level of the air. For instance, in a dry environment, such as a desert climate or at higher altitudes, a little more of our body water is used to humidify the air we inhale. This in turn means that a little more water would be lost during exhalation. Conversely, breathing more humid air decreases the amount of water lost through our lungs.

http://www.thenutritiondr.com/daily-body-water-losses/

Winter is here and with it comes the opportunity to rest and renew. Take a hint from nature and slow down. Preserve your energy. Keep warm by choosing fabrics that work best in cold weather.
Stay comfortable!

Winter Clothes Materials

By Erica Morris, eHow Contributor

When dressing for the winter, certain fabrics will be more successful than others at keeping the wearer sufficiently warm. Paying attention to what material your clothes are made of will go a long way to making sure you stay comfortable when spending time outside during the colder months of the year. With some tips and know-how, keeping warm during the winter will be easy and stress-free.

Wool

Wool is one of the most insulating fabrics, making it ideal for winter clothing. Some wools are tightly woven, making it a good fabric for wind resistance, and it releases moisture slowly. This means the wearer can sweat from the warmth of his or her clothing without the wool causing a chill. Popular wool items include sweaters, scarves and mittens. Wool is characterized by an elastic, woven fiber, and is taken from animals of the Caprinae family, usually sheep.

Fleece

Fleece is a synthetic fabric, typically made of a plastic material like polyester. It is a good insulator, and dries very quickly, making it a good option for those who will be exposed to snow and ice, like skiers or mountain campers. Fleece can be made thin, so it is a good layering fabric, though it is not the best wind resistor. Because of this, fleece clothing is sometimes backed with a more wind resistant fabric. Popular fleece items include scarves, gloves and jackets.

Cashmere

Cashmere's makeup is similar to wool, but a popular substitute as it can sometimes feel softer and less itchy than wool, though it is typically more expensive. Cashmere typically comes from the cashmere goat. Though cashmere is lightweight, it still acts as a good insulator, as its fibers are tightly woven. Many different types of winter clothes can be made out of cashmere, including scarves, sweaters and dresses.

Silk

Silk can sometimes be associated with warmer months, as it is sometimes used for light clothing like camisoles, but is also useful in the winter as an insulator. Though a thin fabric, silk is one of the most tightly woven fabrics, and when worn close to the skin, can act as a good warming fabric. Silk is a protein fabric, usually made from the cocoons of moth caterpillars. In the winter, silk clothing can include long john underwear, pajamas and scarves.

Down

Down is often thought of as a good choice for pillows or comforters, but is also a successful fabric for winter clothing, especially coats. Down feathers are a natural insulator, and are commonly used inside a quilted fabric for cold-weather clothing like ski outfits. One factor to consider is that down feathers tend to stick together when wet by snow, so it's important that down is protected by a water resistant fabric, typically a synthetic material.

Read more : http://www.ehow.com/about_6501579_winter-clothes-materials.html

Welcome to Autumn! Time to harvest and prepare for a healthy winter.
Did you know there are safe and natural alternatives to cold and flu care?
Lavender essential oil is a natural alternative and useful against viruses.

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the common cold and flu are viral infections NOT requiring antibiotics. Take a look at their information on antibiotic use; see the link: Get Smart:  Know When Antibiotics Work. Also find out about six ways to use lavender essential oil for the flu and the common cold.

Get smart about antibiotics.

Antibiotics can cure bacterial infections, but not viral infections. The common cold and the flu are viral infections, so avoid using antibiotics if you have one of these. Using antibiotics when they are not needed causes some bacteria to become resistant to the antibiotic, and therefore stronger and harder to kill. See your doctor or nurse to find out if your illness is bacterial or viral.

• Get Smart: Know When Antibiotics Work
• http://www.cdc.gov/family/autumn/

Six powerful ways to use lavender during the cold and flu season

by Carolanne Wright 

(NaturalNews) Hidden beneath the pleasing scent of lavender is a fierce natural medicine and formidable protector. Used since antiquity, lavender was a significant guardian against some of the most deadly infectious diseases of all time - the great epidemics of plague sweeping across Europe throughout the Middle Ages and into the 17th century. The protective aspects of the plant were discovered when tannery workers who utilized the oil in manufacturing, and those who tended lavender fields, appeared to be immune to the disease. Unbeknownst at the time, lavender is an exceptional bactericide and also stimulates the production of white blood cells, thereby creating a robust defense against harmful invading pathogens.
http://www.naturalnews.com/z042405_lavender_cold_and_flu_season_essential_oils.html

Stages of Readiness for Change

There is some interesting research that shows that people who successfully change their behavior go through a series of five stages-and usually cycle through these stages three to four times. (The sixth stage, Termination is at the end of the cycles.)
It is important to recognize where you are in the cycle of change, so you can set appropriate goals and action steps. According to James O. Prochaska, the psychologist who identified the cycle, each stage requires different strategies or tools.
If you set goals that you are not ready for, you set yourself up for failure. Similarly, if you choose goals that you have already mastered, you will delay your progress. But if you match your goals to your stage of change, you will maximize your ability to change.

http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/activities/stages-readiness-change

Are you ready to change your comfort-ability? What stage of readiness to change are you today?