Wildflower Writes

You've heard "finding your bliss." Is it just a fancy way to talk about being happy? And why do you have to find it? Did you lose it? Where do you look for it? If you are blissfully unaware of your bliss, do you still have it? The closest I've come to finding bliss was somewhere in the middle of something created from a cacao bean. I can't tell you the exact time or place, but I can tell you what it tasted like. Seriously, I don't think your bliss is one thing, or necessarily tied to your work or family. Your bliss can be anything, it can change, and it can be fleeting. I guess you could lose it, but it's likely to show up in the least likely places. I found a little bliss this evening. I've jumped on the bandwagon and gone low carb. But I've found any deprivation is outweighed by the joy of creating low carb versions of my favorite foods. I've always been more of a mad scientist than a chef in the kitchen. I made a chocolate mousse...

Everyone knows that sleep deprivation can cause problems. When I’m in need of sleep, I feel drained and lethargic. I don’t concentrate well and I tend to be irritable. In order to persuade myself to get a few extra z’s, I’ve been researching the health benefits of sleep. Heart Health Apparently the cycle of sleep does something to keep cholesterol levels and blood pressure down. What would happen to the pharmacy industry if we treated high blood pressure with more sleep? Cancer Prevention Melatonin needs dark and quiet to be produced in the body. Without it, we don’t get sleepy, and we are at a higher risk for cancer. Sleep also allows the body to repair damaged cells and reduce inflammation in the body. Stress Reduction When we’re well rested, our bodies are less likely to produce stress hormones that can cause inflammation in the body and also make it difficult to sleep. Sleep also refreshes the mind to deal with problems in new ways. Alertness Sleeping refreshes the mind and the bo...