Copia's Healthy Life: Yes, Really, Cucumbers!

In case you have not met yet, I'd like to introduce you to the amazing cucumber. Do you realize how many foods are really super? I bet you had no idea that cucumbers offer such a variety of nutrition. One whole cucumber with the skin on and preferable without wax, contributes to your daily intake of vitamin C, B1, B2, B3, B5, folic acid, calcium, iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, silica and one called molybdenum which helps to metabolize fat, iron and carbohydrates and this cucumber contains 17 out of 18 amino acids. So you might think twice now when you need an afternoon pick-me-up. Instead of going for a caffeinated beverage or sweet treat, you can have a cucumber salad. The lift cucumbers provide could last for a couple of hours! The juice of cucumbers is an excellent source of silica which an integral part of healthy connective tissue helping to improve the overall health of the complexion. Plus the high water content of a cucumber is naturally hydrating; water is a must for a optimum health in all cells and tissue. Cucumbers can are also used topically due to the two chemical compounds found in cucumber. Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and caffeic acid (found in all plants) are known to prevent water retention, help soothe irritated skin and reduce swelling. That is why cucumber slices are recommended for swollen eyes, burns and dermatitis. This might interest you to know that cucumbers my have originated in southern Asia over 10 thousand years ago. early explorers and traveler introduced cucumbers to India. Cucumbers were very popular in ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greed and Rome for the benefits of skin healing properties. King Louis XIV enjoyed cucumbers immensely and during his time, greenhouse cultivation of cucumbers was invented. The early colonists and settlers introduced cucumbers to the United Sates. For a change, you can also ad sliced cucumbers to the pitcher of iced water you serve you serve at meals. Cucumbers are alkalizing and alkalize your water like lemon slices do.

Enjoy,
Jules

Copia's Social Life: More than a Community

I am dedicating this article to a dear friend of mine, Ahnalisa. She inspires me in many ways. I admire her clear and concise ways of communicating her needs and the way her heart is open in giving and in receiving. She truly has a beautiful soul.

Every other Halloween Ahnalisa and her husband, Michael, host a party; El Dia de los Muertos. This is a Mexican celebration that focuses on the gathering of family and friends. Famously it is also a celebration to remember family members and friends who have died. The actually holiday occurs on November 2nd. Due to the close timing of Halloween, El Dia de los Muertos (also known as The Day of The Dead) is often thought to be simular to Halloween when in actuality the holidays have little in common. But over the years Ahnalisa's party has evolved to celebrate both prodigious alter ego costumes and deceased loved ones. Everyone who has attended the bash at least once knows to mark the calender for the next one in two years.
At the last party in November, Ahnalisa kept announcing throughout the evening that this would be the last party. The guest list had grown so large the house and yard were busting at the seams. The preparations begin an entire month in advance, the home gets completely rearranged, and the clean-up; can you imagine cleaning up after 150 plus people (I never took an actual head count)! I don't even want to clean up after a dinner for three.
At one point in the evening Ahnalisa had made her last party announcement to me. A dramatic yet bona fide Nooooo poured from my mouth. And beautiful Ahanlisa, through her naughty Raggedy Anne costume, looked me straight in the eye and said, "You show up tomorrow and help clean up and maybe I'll think about another party"!
Well, she must of said that to every single person there because the next day Michaeal and Ahnlisa's home was filled with friends helping to clean up and put their home in order again. My kids and I were the last to come. It was 4:00 p.m. many had come, few were left and I found plenty to do. Ahnalisa and I found a quite moment over a stack of clean clothes which we folded together to reflect upon the joy everyone shared in the last 48 hours. Ahnalisa shared how grateful she was that so many came together to help in so many ways. I heard her say that maybe, just maybe, there will be another El Dia de los Muertos!

Love and Light,
Jules

Make a Trade for What you Want

When I think of bartering an image of crowded old world markets where everyone has traveled for miles to spend the day trading and haggling for the items they need immediately comes to mind. But bartering is more common in our modern world than you may realize. Remember as kids we traded food items from our lunches for items we thought were better? I have been witness to both of my children swapping various small toys and trading cards and even small Lego pieces with friends. I believe bartering is innate in each of us. Bartering is simply the trade of goods and services without the use of money. But since the invention of currency, bartering is a forgotten option. Yet the ancient practice really is alive and well and can provide benefits especially when inflation saunters in the economy. Sometimes bartering is just plain impractical because it takes too much time, work and sometimes even money, but you will know when bartering is not a fit you. I want to share some ideas and the benefits of bartering. What to trading is as varied as we are people and is up to our imaginations; there are no limits as long as you can find a person to make an exchange with.

• First figure out what you want and what you can give. Make a list for both.
• Next create a list of potential trading partners.
  
• If you are trading for a timely or costly service, put the details of what you expect from each trading partner in writing - be very clear.
  
• You may want to join a bartering community like this one or a time bank
• Remember the Tax Man. Some trades need to be reported to the IRS when it is tax season, so do your due diligence.

Here are some ideas you can build trading communities around soup swaps, gardening/yard work, babysitting, pet sitting/walking, housecleaning, and of course the list becomes endless.

Cheers,
Julie