Hello Club Members,
I wish to share this story with you about a carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee.
A young woman went to her mother and told her how things were so hard for her. She wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother filled three pots with water and placed each on the stove. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil;
Then she fished out the carrots and placed them in a bowl, then the eggs and then the coffee.
The mother asked her daughter what she saw. "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," her daughter replied.
Her mother asked her to feel the carrots -they were soft; the eggs – they were hard boiled and to taste the coffee – had a rich aroma.
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile but its insides became hardened. The ground coffee beans had changed the water.
How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
The carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity; do you wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
The egg starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat to a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?
The coffee beans actually change the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain.
The truth is we are all three from time to time. Our aim should be to be a coffee bean as often as possible. Behaviour is a decision – to act with nobility or to act badly.
Our society shows so many displays of bad behaviour – greed, selfishness, pride. And yet there is much more good behaviour – patience, respect, compassion.
Our society needs to be nurtured and healed – so make a determined effort to be less a carrot, less an egg and more like a coffee bean.
Behaviour is a decision ……….enjoy making good coffee.
Words of Wisdom by Mario Calanna - www.calannapharmacy.com.au
For many women, the vitality of younger looking skin is comfort. This month, we are looking at skin care, with some very helpful tips on how to look after your skin for that youthful feel.
Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It has many important functions, which include:
Preventing too much water loss from the body’s tissues
Regulating body temperature
Eliminating wastes
Protecting the body from invasion by bacteria, fungi and parasites
To perform these vital functions, skin consists of the following three layers:
• Hypodermis: an underlying loose connective tissue layer which contains lots of fat cells, blood vessels, nerves and immune cells. It nourishes and supports the upper layers.
• Dermis: a dense layer of connective tissue that sits on top of the hypodermis; it contains lots of collagen and elastin fibres, giving skin strength and elasticity
• Epidermis: the overlying protective layer, which consists largely of dead cells filled with a protein called keratin. It forms a natural barrier to keep water in.
COMBATING DRY SKIN
While the winters are mild in North Queensland, many people notice that their skin becomes drier during the cooler months. Follow the tips below to keep your skin in optimal shape so that you can look and feel great!
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
Drink 6-8 glasses of filtered water each day. This will keep your skin hydrated and assist in elimination of toxins from the body. Avoid excessive amounts of alcohol or caffeine-containing drinks, as these draw water out of the body.
No soaps allowed…
Normal soaps and hot water destroy the protective layer of oil that covers the epidermis, leaving it more vulnerable to damage and dehydration. Have a warm shower and use a non-soap wash.
Moisturise the skin regularly
Make moisturising your body part of your routine after bathing. A variety of skin creams will do the trick – most people won’t go wrong with sorbolene cream or aqueous cream. For particularly dry skin, try applying an oil such as olive oil, evening primrose oil, almond oil, avocado oil or apricot kernel oil.
Boost your intake of the good stuff!
Essential fatty acids and vitamin E are wonderful for skin health. Rich sources include tuna, salmon, sardines, nuts, seeds and vegetable oils. Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E, as well as selenium and zinc, are also important for skin wellbeing. Eat lots of colourful fresh fruit and vegetables and wholegrain products to optimize your intake of these antioxidants. Essential fatty acids and antioxidants are also available as supplements.
Hello Club Members, 
