When I was a young girl, my art teacher never liked my drawings. They weren’t very ‘artistic’, she used to say. I always tried to conform to the rules: color within the lines, watch myperspectives, follow design ‘rules’… No wonder I never felt artistic enough. I never gave the chance for my deep feelings to be expressed, explored or released on papper.

It was only when I decided to draw for ‘myself’, not for pleasing anyone else that I started to feel free. Only then, I gave room for my true creative self. ART for me is my therapeutic tool that heals life stresses, worries, woes, aches and pains. Art therapists teach that the word ART stands for: Access, Release, & Transform. And, this is exactly what it does for me. Colors, shapes, pictures, symbols, chosen ephemera, collaged bits and pieces, fabric scraps, and charms… all have meaning, a deep meaning hidden in every selection, in every choice you make, in every decision that alters the shape of your canvas as it alters the shape of your life. These selections are your mean to access your heart feelings, your insights, ideas, and creative thoughts, as well as your hidden hopes and fears. Your canvas, or any other medium you choose to express your art on, is your way of releasing. Releasing negative thoughts and beliefs, releasing erroneous perceptions and hurtful feelings that no longer serve you at this point of your journey. And, as your piece of art develops, as it takes shape and form, you gently, yet powerfully, start the transformation journey. You experience your anger melting into acceptance and forgiveness; your frustration converted into peace and wisdoms; your challenges transmuted into lessons and tools for growth; your pains shaped into a mold of satisfaction and insights… With my art, I heal my heart.

Surprisingly, now that I no longer wait for others appreciations and acceptance, I receive loads of that. Many friends try to convince me to take a professional step in art practice, sell my paintings or accept orders. I diligently refuse. “It will just take the magic out of it” I reply. It will force me back to look outside for acceptance rather than looking inside for answers. I choose to keep my ART as my heart healing ally.

Try it for your self
Have a wonderful week
With Health & Healing

The year2003 witnessed a remarkable event that forever changed the face of our biological knowledge: the human Genome was finally decoded. For decades, scientists believed in the one to one relationship between the gene and the protein that expresses a desired trait in the human body. According to that theory, they expected to find at least 120,000 genes in each human cell. To their surprise, only
 25, 000 were discovered. The genetic expression proved to be far more complex than they ever expected. We now know that one gene decodes for much more than only one trait[1].

This newly discovered fact re-enforced the doubts about the safety of genetic engineering which is now, more than ever, considered to be “a shot in the dark”, as K. Roseboro describes it. 
It is estimated that 70% of all food products in USA contain some form of genetically modified component with the two highly common culprits being corn and soy.[2]
  When we introduce a new gene in a crop, when we transfer genes between species, when we mix and match genes between animal and plant kingdoms, we are in for a huge surprise. We can never predict the results, whether short or long-term ones. Genetic expression is highly complicated phenomenon, and we, with all our knowledge, are still in kindergarten. A seemingly tiny change in one gene, changes the whole system; it even alter the entire ecosystem. The transferred gene may carry the desired trait, but along with it, it carries tens or may be hundreds of other unknown and unpredictable ones. In addition, the genetic engineering process is far from a straight forward mathematical relationship. Cell mutation can be expected causing complete deformation and potential toxic results in the host cell.

As if all this is not enough to convince us of the potential risks of genetic biotechnology, another major threat is added to the formula. When scientists genetically alter a cell, they do not only transfer the desired gene to the host, a whole 'package' is introduced. One main ingredient in this package is what they call a promoter gene. The role of this promoter gene is to trigger the transferred gene into action to ensure genetic expression in the host cell. And, where do we get this promoter gene from? From a virus. Yes! CaMV virus is deliberately added to the mix of genes during genetic engineering. And, according to Dr. Stanley Ewen, the histopathologist at Abudeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland, CaMV is “an infectious virus that causes a potential risk of stomach and colon cancers”[3]. Other studies warned from potential viral mutation creating yet unknown and unpredictable new viral strains.

Wait a minute, this is not all. If we go back to our gene transfer ‘package’, we will find another serious health threat: ‘the marker gene’. Biologists and histologists need to know which cells have ‘accepted’ their newly introduced genetic package. The only way to know that is to add an antibiotic resistant marker gene. When the transfer process is over, an antibiotic is added to the cell culture killing all cells except the genetically engineered ones which accepted and successfully integrated the newly introduced ‘package’ into their DNA. And, now they are officially: Antibiotic resistant!! YeY!!!

Before leaving you, I want to raise a very critical question: Why again do we “need” this genetic engineering? So far, our foods have been engineered mostly to increase its resistance to pesticide. This means that genetically engineered crops could be sprayed with more pesticides and hazardous chemicals without wilting or waning! YEY again!

Unfortunately, FDA does not require producers to declare the presence of genetically modified ingredients. If you can afford it, consider buying organic food; or at least fresh unprocessed local produce; and please think twice before purchasing a processed product stating suspicious excipients such as high fructose corn syrup or hydrolyzed soy protein among its ingredients!

With health and happiness!


[1] Lipton, B. 2008. The Biology of belief. Hay House
[2] Haas, E. 2006. Staying healthy with nutrition. US: Celestial Arts.
[3] Roseboro, K. 2004. Genetically altered foods and your health. US: Basic Health Publications