Crisp Cookie Tip

I don't know about you, but I get hotter than boiling water when I've baked a tray of cookies for a few minutes too long.

I mean, seriously, who wants to bite down on a hard cookie?

Well, today I have a great crisp cookie tip for you.

The next time you have a tray of cookies you baked a little too long and ended up with cookies that are too crisip for anyone's liking, simply put the cookies in an air-tight container with a couple slices of torn up bread (any kind).

Like magic, overnight the cookies will become chewy and soft.

This crisp cookie tip work every time, so be sure to give it a try.

If you have a good cookie tip you'd like to share, click on the "comment" link below and start typing.

Chet "I Like Soft Cookies" Day
Editor, The Natural Health Circus
http://chetday.com

Rapid Relaxation Tips

This morning I want to share two easy and rapid relaxation tips that work great.

If you're given to tightening up during the day because of stress, lack of sleep, a jerk for a boss, or any of the zillion other reasons most of us rarely relax, then try putting these tips to work.

I learned them, by the way, from a retired college psychology professor. Whoa!

Controlling Breathing

The first rapid relaxation routine involves breathing in and out nine times in three series of three breaths.

In the first series of three breaths, inhale deeply and, as you exhale slowly, say quietly or think to yourself, "Calm body." Repeat three times.

In the second series of three breaths, inhale deeply and, as you exhale, say quietly or think to yourself, "Calm mind."

In the final series of three breaths, inhale deeply and, as you exhale, say (and do) "Smile."

Five-Finger Exercise

For this rapid relaxation technique, close your eyes, take several deep breaths, and relax.

Now touch your thumb to your index finger.

As you do so, think of a time when you felt an exhilarated, healthy physical or mental fatigue, like after jogging or skiing or successfully completing an important project.

Next, touch your thumb to your middle finger.

As you touch your thumb to your middle finger, think of a time when you had a loving experience.

Now, touch your thumb to your ring finger; as you do so, think about one of your successes in life or a time when you valued praise that you valued.

Finally, touch your thumb to your little finger. As you do, go back to the most beautiful and relaxing place that you have ever been. Allow yourself to stay in that place for awhile.

Whoa, those are easy enough, eh?

Now, don't discount either of these exercises because they're easy.

Instead, be smart and try them. Right now. Don't wait. Take a couple of minutes out of your insanely busy day and try them right now.

You have nothing to lose but your squinched up, unhappy feelings!

Chet "I Try to Stay Relaxed" Day
Editor, The Natural Health Circus
http://chetday.com

Help Gas with Sitz Baths

Fall is just around the corner, and it's time for me to start adding a few blog entries every week.

To get cranked up again, I want to share something I wrote several years ago on how to use a sitz bath to cut back on gas problems.

And, no, I don't mean gasoline.

I mean nasty flatulence. Bad stinky farts.

Ugh!

Help Gas with Sitz Baths

I was passing the time the other morning, reading a paperback entitled The Natural Remedy Bible and I surprised to learn that sitz baths may provide relief from gas problems.

Of course it's best to avoid gas altogether by not eating the things that disagree with us, but, hey, most people don't choose to follow that kind of life and generally end up with some annoying gas at least on occasion.

So, the next time you splurge at the Mexican restaurant and eat the gigantic super special that contains a taco, a burrito, three kinds of enchiladas, a bowl of tripe, two tamales, and a basket of corn chips, try to ease the resulting gas problem by taking sitz baths, using the directions found in The Natural Remedy Bible:

Sitz baths are helpful for gas as well as for other abdominal ailments. Try a ten-to-fifteen-minute hot sitz bath followed by a quick cold gush to the area that was submerged; or alternate between three-minute hot and ten-second cold sitz baths, starting with the hot bath and taking each three times.

Oh, if you've never heard of a sitz bath, it involves a plastic tub that fits over your toilet or in your bathtub itself. You fill this plastic tub with water and then place your butt in it for 10 to 15 minutes.

And try to stay out of the Mexican food joints this weekend, though that's certainly something I find very difficult to do.

Chet "I Love Burritos" Day
Editor, The Natural Health Circus
http://chetday.com