Three wonderful healing teas for respiratory relief.

1 - Thyme, lemon, and honey. (1 tsp. thyme per mug will do the trick, lemon and honey to taste). This is known as "French Healing Tea".

2 - Ginger, Garlic, Cilantro (you determine the right mixture for you). I might try shredding a golf ball sized chunk of ginger, adding 6 cloves chopped garlic, and a mouthful of chopped Cilantro to one gallon of water, boil all for 30 minutes, filter, and drink! (A monk recommended this combo to me).

3 - Ginger, Cinammon Stick, Cloves, Cardamom Seeds. (Golf Ball Sized Ginger, shredded, 10 cloves, 10 cardamom seeds, one cinammon stick. Boil all into one gallon water, 30 minutes, let cool overnight, bring back to boil, add 2 bags Earl Grey to steep 10 minutes, then filter all and drink.

For those of you who may have developed a sinus condition this winter, I HIGHLY recommend trying Neti Pot. Here is the best website I have found to clearly outline what Neti Pot is, and how to use it properly. http://www.jalanetipot.com/index.html Pay special attention to "Stage 2" of the cleansing process. THIS is what will get rid of any Upper Respiratory Infection you may have. Stage 2 cleaning is what really cleans all the gunk out. And here is a special tip for you. Add 1/3 dropper full of GOLDENSEAL liquid to your Neti Pot, in addition to the salt water, to add a holistic healing booster to the wash. Namaste - Alex

For those of you who have the good fortune to visit Kauai, there is a truly gifted healer and masseuse named Katharina Strack. Her massage was one of the best I have ever received -- and I have received MANY MANY massages. http://www.touchkauai.com/ is her website. In addition to massage, she runs island tours and more. I would honestly say that you have not experienced Kauai until you have taken a healing lomi lomi massage with Katharina. She is a breath of fresh Hawaiian air and her spirit shines like the sun.

Namaste - Alex

Thoughts for the week: While on a personal retreat in Kauai (a place I highly recommend everyone go) I had the absolute luck and pleasure to receive lomi lomi from "Michael" at Auntie Angeline's. (I would fly to Kauai just to have another Lomi Lomi here - it was so good!) During the Lomi Lomi (massage), Michael made a few 'stress' related recommendations to me which I think would apply to just about everyone I know. http://www.angelineslomikauai.com/

(1) Check out the numerous health benefits of TURMERIC! Based on what I have learned - I would recommend almost everyone take 2-3 grams of this spice on a regular basis. Google turmeric and see for yourself! You can buy organic turmeric cheaply from Whole Foods or Wild Oats for about $3.00 a bottle! (Do not pay for the expensive pill supplements!)

(2) To deal with computer related neck, shoulder, and upper back muscle tension and pain, try Googling "SHOULDER RETRACTION STRETCH" and "THORACIC EXTENSION STRETCH".

Namaste and Happy New Year to all my friends! - Alex