Ginseng, Benefits Beyond Better Sex
The most beautiful, amazing and inevitable fact about life—everything has a natural healing process. – Sanober Khan Succeed and Soar’s Thrive! offers insights into foods and practices that can heal and improve life. Succeed and Soar’s Thrive! offers insights into foods and practices that can heal and improve life. The Healthline article Ginseng for Erectile Dysfunction opens with, “Panax ginseng may benefit sexual function in people with penises and in people with vaginas.” According to Cleveland Clinic’s Dr.Thuy [Kim[ Nguyen, ginseng, “can boost energy, alertness and memory, as well as benefit blood sugar, digestion, heart health and immune function.” For women, a National Institute of Health study on sexual arousal in women found that when “women were given either three capsules a day of ginseng or a placebo. Those who received [ginseng] had improved sexual functioning with no side effects.” Web MD reports, “There are two main types of ginseng: Asian or Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). Studies show that different types have different benefits. In traditional Chinese medicine, American ginseng is considered less stimulating [gentler and more soothing] than the Asian variety.” Web MD post also says that ginseng has also been studied as a way to improve mood and boost endurance, as well as treat: Cancer Heart disease Fatigue Erectile dysfunction Hepatitis C High blood pressure Menopausal symptoms Cautions Although some herbs are called ginseng—like eleuthero or Siberian ginseng—they don’t contain the active ingredient of ginsenosides. And, side effects reported from ginseng use include nervousness,, insomnia, headaches, dizziness, allergic reactions and menstrual cycle changes. Ginseng could also interact with Dioxin, blood thinners, diabetes medications, diuretics, blood pressure medicines, stimulants like amphetamines, morphine and drugs that affect the immune system. While ginseng offers great benefits, definitely discuss its use with health care professionals. Research Resources: 7 Amazing Benefits of Ginseng for Women Can Ginseng Boost Your Health? Korean Red Ginseng for Erectile Dysfunction What Is Ginseng? COMMENT Ginseng Videos Both Asian and American ginsengs are Chi tonics well-known for their energizing effects as well as immune-modulating and endocrine enhancing qualities Click Here to View Length: 24 Minutes Also see: Wisconsin Foodie. Here, learn why ginseng is so popular, how it’s cultivated in United States and ways to include it in recipes. [24 minutes] and Lucky Chow. Ginseng Recipes Happy Body Formula has rounded up 13 tasty recipes, including: Headache-Soothing Adaptogenic Hot Chocolate Ginseng Steamed Fish Raw Maca & Ginseng Aphrodisiac Truffles 10 More Shop Sandra’s Fine Art America galleries for beautiful additions to home, office and as gifts. Art can be purchased as prints, framed as well as coffee mugs, yoga mats, shower curtains, tee shirts and much more. Revisit often. Galleries change. Buy this Art. Thanks for shopping!
Your Heroic Heart, River Ice
We often look outside to find our hero when there is one inside of each of us. Be your own hero today. -Robert Braathe To Braathe’s inspiring words, Andrew Carnegie said, Man does not live by bread alone. I have known millionaires starving for lack of the nutriment which alone can sustain all that is human in man, and I know workmen, and many so-called poor men, who revel in luxuries beyond the power of those millionaires to reach. It is the mind that makes the body rich. Thus, in his 1904 Deed of Trust, Carnegie provided five million dollars, “To place those following peaceful vocations, who have been injured in heroic effort to save human life, in somewhat better positions pecuniarily than before.” According to CPI Inflation Calculator each of those dollars would be worth over $35 in 2024. On April 4, 1917, Hezekiah Abbott – who could not swim – led four others into stormy waters clogged with treacherous ice to save stranded seal hunters. The rescuers rowed two miles. Listen here. Eighty seven years later, on the same date, Lori Michelle Abbott sustained lacerations and contusions while rescuing an eleven-year-old who’d fallen through river ice. By then, the boy could no longer feel his feet and legs. All survived. Read more. Nominate a Hero. Myths tell of gods creating constellations for heroes. Some stories say heroes’ eyes become stars to watch over loved ones. ‘Hero’ comes from ancient words meaning demi [half, unfinished, almost]-god and to watch over, to protect. Imagine a world where everyone goes to bed a hero. A “Random Act of Kindness” will do, as in this post’s video [below]. What a world! COMMENT. What Makes A Hero? This little video presents the Hero’s Journey formula that’s built history’s great stories and is part of everyone’s life. Click Here to View 4 minutes This image is in Sandra Gould Ford’s beautifully illustrated Wisdoms Gallery and is available as prints, shower curtains, tote bags, tee shirts, beach and bath towels, coffee mugs, stickers, puzzles and more. Buy this art. Thanks for your support !
Author Speak, Pray Like a Woman
We went in to dinner. Moving from one room to the next … I inhaled in passing that incence of an old library which is worth all the perfumes of the world. —Sign in Martha’s Vineyard bookstore Authors Speak This Succeed and Soar series invites writers to answer questions about their artforms and special inspirations. Welcome Polly Alice McCann Photo [c] 2014, Sandra Gould Ford Visit Sandra’s Fine Art America Collections Polly, what phrase inspires your writing and life? In prayer, as in poetry we turn to words, not to use them as signs for things, but to see the things in the light of the words. . . . In poetry, in prayer, the words speak. . . . In our own civilization, in which so much is being done for the cause of the liquidation of language, the realm of prayer is like an arsenal for the spirit, where words are kept clean, holy, full of power to inspire and to keep us spiritually alive. Out of that arsenal we get the strength to save our faith, our appreciation of things eternal, from vanishing away. ~ Rabbi Abraham Heschel How have Herschel’s words helped your writing, your life? When I found Man’s Quest for God in my college library, I realized it was okay to be a poet and an artist. I understood creative work could be both useful and spiritual. Creative work, especially with words, could be building blocks for so many good things. I began by writing poetry, then books. Each creative work opening doors until I could face my own story and share my own testimony with words How these words inspired Pray Like a Woman. When Polly Alice McCann found her hope, faith, and creativity near death’s door, she was blown away by the Biblical story of Tabitha, an artist who made beautiful clothing for the “marginalized .” McCann is the granddaughter of a Midwest Minister and several generations of Heartland prayer warriors, In this book, Polly, shares simple, time-tested methods of prayer and a few new ones. She turns myths about prayer on their heads, proving that prayer isn’t selfish or magical, but can be a journey sometimes like “lightening,” sometimes like walking in “new shoes.” Devoid of “Christianese” or hard-to-get religious concepts, Polly shares twelve types of prayer with fresh and easy-to-remember imagery like “basket prayer” “patchwork prayer” and “flag prayer.” Sample Text Dear Father of all children of every kind, You’re the one who causes everything to grow. Save me from sorrow. I’m in a hard place where nothing is as easy as I expected. People look down on me and I don’t have any kindness left, not even for myself. Some people doubt me and my good intentions; they don’t care for who I am, or the choices I’ve made with my family. They don’t understand my calling or the place you’ve brought me from. They don’t see the good future I know you promised to me and to my family. Help me remember your word. Remind me what is true. GoodReads Reviews Purchase Pray Like a Woman About Polly Alice McCann Polly Alice, McCann is a Kansas City artist, book designer, and poet with her MFA in Writing for children and young adults from Hamline University in St. Paul, MN. Her art has been published in US newspapers and magazines, most recently Rattle Magazine, and has shown internationally from Santa Monica to the Netherlands. Sally’s art has been collected on four continents. McCann has edited three international poetry anthologies and over twenty-five other titles. A professor of poetry and art, she is the managing editor of Flying Ketchup Press. There, Polly “curates” galleries of talent. She says her favorite thing is to tell stories, maybe yours. Learn more at www.pollymccann.com Stories of wonder, fear, doubt, redemption. Summer, 2020, McCann”s Flying Ketchup Press included my short story, “Wishes” in Tales from the Dream Zone. The charming, must-read story is about a woman who finds a coin that gives her anything she wishes for. The story starts, On October 31, 1958, moonbeams lit the stardust that sprinkled Crescent Avenue’s sycamore and hawthorn trees. On that clear, bright evening, candles dimmed inside jack-o-lanterns as Estelle Ringgold Pearson said, “We shouldn’t see any more spooky movies.” Parnell held her hand as they strolled from the Roland Theater. He chuckled. “Did The Queen of Outer Space really scare you?” “When that mask came off, her face was horrifying.” Purchase Tales from the Dream Zone. Thanks for shopping, Sandra
Special Short Video, Beautiful Life Wisdom
Life is a mirror and will reflect back to the thinker what he thinks into it. — Anonymous Each month, Succeed and Soar shares a little video, chosen to lift the heart and spirit, awareness and humanity. Good News! Yesterday, Succeed and Soar started developing a YouTube Channel. Lots to be done, but See the first uploads. Below are screen shots of my favorites from this post’s video. Share yours, why they’re meaningful and you could win a free PDF of Wise Ways [details below]. Comment Click Here to View. Inspirational Quotes about Life 11 Minutes And here are four of my favorite images and wisdoms from this video. A great reminder for those shoulda-coulda moments. Plus, this gorgeous image could be a sunrise or sunset. This message is a great reminder, which works wonderfully with birds flying above earth and ocean. I admire snowboarders and vicariously enjoy how liberating the experience must be. This quote reminds why I save wisdoms. In time, had to share via Succeed and Soar. Win one of 10, free PDF downloads of Wise Ways. Wise Ways shares meditations and musings on how to make the most of each moment. PREVIEW HERE . .SALE: All Radiant Tree Books are 30% off, with free shipping through September 25. Discount Code: MAGIC30. Free downloads will be awarded in order comments are received on this post’s featured video [thru Sept 28].
Troubling Tampons
Consider Why do they call it ‘Alternative Medicine’ when it is the original medicine that humans have been using for thousands of years? Chemical medications were discovered about 100 years ago! Rawforbeauty.com After Midnight’s Taylor Thompson Discusses Toxic Tampons Thompson’s Opening Monologue aired two months ago. [Unfortunately, no longer available] Each month, from puberty through menopause, female bodies prepare for pregnancy. The uterus’ lining thickens. An egg grows and leaves one ovary. When pregnancy doesn’t occur, estrogen and progesterone levels fall so low, that lining and two to three tablespoons of blood, leave via the vagina. To absorb the flow, ancient Egyptian women inserted soft, papyrus. Greek women once wrapped lint around pieces of wood. In ancient Japan, women created paper tampons. Hawaiian women used ferns. Indonesians used vegetable fibers and Africans inserted rolls of grass. In 1931, Dr. Earle Cleveland Haas patented an item he called a “catamenial device,” from the Greek word for monthly. He sold his rights to the “tampon” + “vaginal pack” to Gertrude Tendrich. That businesswoman started the company called Tampax. Forty years later, research linking tampons to toxic shock syndrome began. The Mayo Clinic explains that “Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria cause toxic shock syndrome,” which can come from: Cuts or burns Recent surgery Contraceptive sponges, diaphragms, superabsorbent tampons and menstrual cups Viral infections like flu or chickenpox Whether in males or females, toxic shock syndrome can cause shock, renal failure and death. Prevention reported, “many tampon applicators contain phthalates, a group of hormone-disrupting chemicals that have been linked to everything from early-onset menopause to diabetes, and the cotton used to make tampons and pads is typically bleached.” And, “Many feminine hygiene products also contain rayon and polyester. After being in contact with body fluids, these materials can release chemicals akin to BPA [bisephenol A, a chemical used to make plastics] and other phthalates.” NPR reported, “Some states are passing their own laws in the absence of federal requirements.” The article stated, “In 2022, Reps. Debbie Lesko, R.-Ariz., and Meng — one of the letter’s signatories — introduced the “Menstrual Products Right to Know Act,” which would have required the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to “treat menstrual products as misbranded if their labeling does not list each component of the product.” While waiting for congress to act, here are alternatives: Six Feminine Hygiene Products Free of Scary Toxins 14 Best Non Toxic Tampons and Period Products COMMENT Succeed and Soar! Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. Videos Click here to view. Period Products, 5 Natural and Non Toxic Alternatives. 7 Minutes Click here to view A Gynecologist Explains Safe Alternatives and One Not to Use 10 Minutes Shop Succeed & Soar Shower Curtains Details: Made of 100% polyester fabric Includes 12 holes at top for ease in hanging Dimensions 71” wide, 74” tall Cost: $68 to $78 NOTE: Each item has a tool to adjust size and placement of art as well as over 60 background colors. View All Shower Curtains
Your Heroic Heart, Facing Lions & Grizzly Bear
I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people. -Maya Angelou Andrew Carnegie was born in Scotland, the second of three children. When he was 13, his family borrowed from a maternal uncle and moved to Allegheny City, now part of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Growing up in Scotland, Andrew Carnegie attended the Free School in Dunfermline, founded by Adam Rolland of Gask, a philanthropist, judge and co-founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. When young Carnegie reached the United States, he stopped attending school and studied people, like his mentor, Thomas A. Scott of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. After selling his steel company and becoming one of the world’s richest men, Carnegie worked at distributing his wealth. One project remains the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission. As stated in his Deed of Trust, Carnegie wrote, “I have long felt that the heroes and those dependent upon them should be freed from pecuniary cares resulting from their heroism.” Here are two honorees: On February 9, 1940, Joseph R. Arcans faced down five lions at Clyde Beatty’s Circus in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Arcans was an animal trainer. While dressing for a performance, the small man heard a commotion and found five lions attacking a man who’d entered their space. Arcans grabbed a 2×4 and kept beating the lions. Even after his stick broke, Arcans kept chasing the lions until all fled. On October 1, 1971, in Edmonton, Alberta, Malcom R. Aspeslet rescued a co-worker from a huge grizzly. With a small knife, Malcolm climbed atop 800-pound bear and hung on, while his scalp was lacerated, his ears torn off, his arm broken. Nominate a Hero. Myths tell of gods creating constellations for heroes . Some stories say heroes’ eyes become stars to watch over loved ones. ‘Hero’ comes from ancient words meaning demi [half, unfinished, almost]-god and to watch over, to protect. Imagine a world where everyone goes to bed a hero. A “Random Act of Kindness” will do, as in this post’s video [below]. What a world! Succeed and Soar! Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. COMMENT. Pen Pals Meet after 56 Years Click Here to View 2 minutes From ABC’s “America Strong” series, here a 7th grader’s kindness to a stranger wound up being incredibly powerful. Through Radiant Tree Books, SucceedandSoar.com, and her Fine Art collections at SandrasArt.Pixels.com, Sandra Gould Ford [a former steelworker] creates and presents art for healing and high achievement, to lift hearts and spirits, awareness and humanity. Shop All Books Thanks !
Send Off to Summer
How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. – Winnie the Pooh From this marina, I watch yachts bob gently from eastmost to western horizon [click on video below]. Behind me, muted music bounces beneath a hundred conversations. Before me, green hills and the Allegheny River refresh the wind. Allegheny River. Depending on source, the name means, “best flowing river of the hills” or “fine river” or other lovely names from various First Nations [Algonquin, Lenape, Seneca], who lived along this waterway thousands of years before Columbus left Europe. In 2008, nineteen-year-old, Katie Spotz was the first-known person to swim the 325 miles from Warren, Pennsylvania, into New York State, and past this Fox Chapel Yacht Club. A few miles west, this water joins the Monongahela. The mingling creates the Ohio River that, 981 miles later, becomes the Mississippi. It flows into the Gulf of Mexico that becomes the Atlantic Ocean. Along the way, mists becomes clouds that rain, perhaps onto the hills in Warren, Pennsylvania and the river begins again. The third Wednesday of August, I enjoyed the Pittsburgh Business Exchange’s annual “Send Off to Summer.” As with that’s summery, I think of Brooke Davis’ words, “So for now I say goodbye to this chapter of my life, and I look forward to what comes next.” Next was a short drive to Bob’s Garage, a colorful bar twinkling with thousands of little white lights. As folks sing karaoke, I consider attempting Prince’s “U Got The Look.” How much worse could I be? [Okay, a lot.] As the thought that summer will return after autumn, winter and spring, I wonder about voice lessons. I embrace these anonymous words, “Set your Goals High and always Dream Big. Because you’re only as big as the dreams you dare to Live..” See you next year relaxing by the yachts and, later, at Bob’s Garage [photo above]. Until then, Succeed and Soar! Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. COMMENT. Vivid Journals Record your dreams, hopes, plans and achievements in these beautiful, inspiring notebooks. Details: 6” x 8, spiral notebook 120 pages, ruled on both sides Art printed on front Cover is thick paper stock. Back cover is medium gray Inside front and back covers have pockets for storing extra paper and pens Price: $17 View All Notebooks Thanks for shopping!
Authors Speak, Cryptid Bits
To read is to fly: it is to soar to a point of vantage which gives a view over wide terrains of history, human variety, ideas, shared experience and the fruits of many inquiries. ~ A.C. Grayling Authors Speak This Succeed and Soar series invites writers to answer questions about their artforms and special inspirations. Welcome Jess Simms “Ascending, Mt. Ararat,” Photo [c] 2014, Sandra Gould Ford, Route 30, Pennsylvania Visit Sandra’s Fine Art America Collections Jess, what phrase inspires your writing and life? I don’t believe in being serious about anything. I think life is too serious to be taken seriously. – Ray Bradbury How have Bradbury’s words helped your writing, your life? I find that my best writing comes out of a place of joy and fun. This quote is an excellent reminder that sometimes the best way to approach a serious subject is to find a place to inject something light—even if it’s in the form of gallows humor, or even if it’s just a small moment of levity in the midst of something heavy. I also find this quote helpful in a broader, life sense. There’s no shortage of serious things happening on a daily basis, from the personal to the global level. If I let myself take all of them seriously all the time, I end up so drained of motivation and energy that it’s hard to keep moving forward. How these words inspired Cryptid Bits When I set out to write Cryptid Bits I wanted it to be fun, first and foremost. My main inspiration was to play with the thought experiment of “modern society plus fantasy creatures.” Using the modern world as my starting point inevitably meant I would have some serious topics at play, but by tweaking the world to include things like brownies and bigfoot, I could treat these real-life details with a wink instead of tackling them straight-faced. Sample Text: It must have been a full moon last Saturday because I ran into a werewolf at the night market. He was at one of the produce booths, a bag of arugula hanging from his right foreclaw and a head of romaine in his left palm. He was comparing the greens as though his paws were scales. Reedsy Review Purchase Here About Jess Simms Jess Simms is a co-founder of Scribble House and the managing editor of After Happy Hour Review. They’re the author of the micro-chapbook Shapeshifter Diaries (Rinky Dink Press, 2023) and their short fiction can be found in MockingOwl Roost, The Oakland Review, and HOOT!, among other publications. They live in an old house in Pittsburgh with two humans and four cats. Web Site: https://www.jesssimms.com/ Keep in mind, Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary. – Jim Rohn Succeed and Soar! Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. COMMENT. NEXT WEEK: Heroic Hearts On Saturday, September 7, LaToya Ruby Frazier’s Monuments of Solidarity show ends at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art. Her awesome exhibition includes special selections from several of her works, including “The Last Cruze,” “Flint is Family,” and “On the Making of Steel Genesis,” which presents my artistic life. Here’s a 2-minute video. The Museum of Modern Art is offering some complimentary admissions. My “Steel Genesis” tour and conversation starts at 10:30 am on Saturday, September 7. To join the Guest List, RSVP here. I’m delighted to share this precious experience with you. Sandra Gould Ford
Name That Tune
Consider Dreams feel real while we’re in them. It’s only when we wake up that we realize something was actually strange. Inception [2010] These special posts offer a little video, often less than five minutes. Some are selected to inspire. Some to amaze. Some to fascinate, even shock. All are chosen to fulfill Succeed and Soar’s mission: To lift the heart and spirit, our awareness and humanity. Here are comments on this 11-minute video: How impressive is it that most of these were written by John WIlliams? John Williams deserves every single award known to man. Damn, John Williams scored most of my childhood. My favorite was “Time” from Inception, scored by Hans Zimmer, another marvelous movie composer. The video has 22 movie themes. I guessed 13. How did you do? What is your favorite? Why? Comment NEXT WEEK Authors SpeakSandra Gould Ford Presenting art to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thing and inspire Click Here to View. 11 Minutes Keep summer memories in a quality journal with Succeed & Soar art. Journals are: 6×8” 120 pages lined on both sides Art printed on front cover [thick paper stock] Inside back cover has pocket for extra paper & pens PRICE: $15-$17 Buy this Journal See All Journals Shop All Collections HERE. Thanks for your support!
The Wonders of Watermelon
The Benefits of Eating Watermelon Click Here to View Length: 20 Minutes See also What Happens when You Eat Watermelon Everyday Consider Eating healthy, clean, and nutrient-rich food fills your body with energy, nutrients, and antioxidants. Imagine your cells smiling back at you, saying thanks. Anonymous Succeed and Soar’s Thrive! offers insights into foods and practices that can heal and improve life. This post explores the wonders of watermelon. Beyond pretty pink slices with white and green borders, cooks have developed delightful ways to enjoy this fruit, from Watermelon Sorbet to Watermelon Gazpacho, plus Watermelon Blueberry Sparklers and Dark Chocolate Watermelon to Watermelon Olive Salad and Watermelon Pizza. This “Watermelon Carving” video shows how to sculpt the fruit into amazing art. In addition to refreshment, beauty and low-calorie sweetness, watermelon: Contains Carotenoids, and cucurbitacin E which can combat cell-damaging free radicals. Has more lycopene than any other fresh fruit or vegetable. The chemical gives watermelon its red color while being linked to decreased risk of cancer, heart disease and age-related eye disorders. Vitamin C boosts the immune system, reducing summer colds, and supports glowing skin. The high water content helps the body regulate temperature, deliver nutrients to cells, aids digestion, assists bowel regularity and helps organs function normally. That said, over-indulging can be too much of a good thing. As with other fruits, watermelon contains sugar, a concern for diabetics. Allergic reactions can cause hives, swelling and difficulty breathing, requiring medical attention. For more information, check out my resources: Top 10 Benefits of Eating Watermelon The Wonders of Watermelon 9 Benefits of Eating Watermelon That Surprised us Watermelon Benefits and Risks COMMENT Succeed and Soar! Sandra Gould Ford Presenting arts experiences to encourage, refresh, enrich creative thinking and inspire. NEXT WEEK: Special Short Video The Wisdoms Collection Beautifully illustrated encouragements and inspirations from Succeed and Soar posts are available as canvas and framed prints, yoga mats and journals, tee shirts, shower curtains, iPhone cases and much more. Shop the Wisdoms Collection Thanks for your support!