Your kids will love this article! I loved the article - it brings me back to my childhood and my twenties. One of my truly amazing life highlights was seeing the mountain gorillas in Rwanda.

I arrived in Kigali, Rwanda overland from Nairobi, Kenya with 2 good friends. It was 1990, so the place was alive and full of tourists. However, most of the tourists were on planned trips and we were some backpackers just rolling into town to see the famous Dian Fossey gorillas. Luckily, Colin, loved to speak the 3 languages he knew and that the Rwandans spoke, and as we stood in the middle of a dusty road, we could hear Colin and our future tour guide make some deals in French, English and Swahili.

The next day we began our hike into mountain gorilla territory. It was rainy and actually quite miserable. The gorillas were usually seen within a 2 hour hike and we were hitting that mark. But  when our guide turned to us with his index finger to his lips, I didn’t care if  a storm broke out!  All of a sudden, right in front of me, 2 black hands gently pushed away the branches that covered his face. And there, framed with greenery, was the magnificent creature’s beautiful face.

The clouds drifted away and the sun began to shine as we watch this mountain gorilla family eat and play in the dewy bushes. It was a sight and the  feeling of true natural bliss, I will never forget.

OK,  back to this article in the New Your Times. The article talks about all the different voices/calls monkeys have for predators and such. Maybe monkeys could talk if they wanted too but are choosing not too. Interesting! And it would not have surprised me if one had said hello to me…they are brilliant.

Be well,

Some of you may know that I am an avid lover of animals. When I was little I spent hours, in the summer, catching painter and snapper turtles at the pond close to our cottage. I was pretty obsessed. I spent almost a year in East Africa working with elephants ( with Daphne Sheldrick) and traveling overland to Rwanda to see the mountain gorillas. In college, I worked for the state of Florida in the sea turtle department. Wildlife conservation was top on my list of career choices. Sometimes I find it quite amusing how my focus changed but I am very happy it did but I do hope in the future to get back to helping wildlife.

Well, I came across this article and was quite amused ~ the “Giant Squid.” What fun to discover it so unexpectantly although not too excited about the trolling and netting. It does give us a clue to how “clueless” we may be about the wonderful waters that surround us all.

This “Giant Squid” maybe a great topic to bring up at the supper table tonight ( hopefully with amazement and excitement versus being scared.)

Be well,

I stumbled upon this website, natural doctors international, (actually I think I stumbled upon their video first – see below) and was blown away with what they are doing.

This is directly from their site:

“Natural Doctors International delivers natural medicine to underserved communities throughout the world and works with local peoples and international agencies to advance natural medicine and fully integrate it into global health care. NDI focuses on primary healthcare delivery, global health education, global health policy, research in natural medicine, and socially responsible volunteerism and service. Our medical rotations and global health courses are for licensed naturopathic physicians & acupuncturists, chiropractors, nurses, herbalists, midwives, and conventional medical doctors with an interest in natural medicine.  Undergraduate students and lay people are encouraged to apply to our programs as well.”

I wish I had known about this when I was in school. I love to travel and am always amazed at what the third world countries are doing for their healthcare. I love that NDI is helping them be more proactive (and even re introducing) in their own botanical medicines and teaching so much more. It is very empowering for these people and for the people of the organization.

If you have a moment, please watch their video and if you have some time to donate or have some monies, please contact them.

Be well,

That is my book trailer!

I am so excited to share this with you and not to mention that I am happy to have my book out there for everyone to see and hopefully buy!

Here it is! Enjoy! And please pass this on to all your friends!

You can learn more about HBD on my website and purchase the book on my site or Amazon.

Be well,

I have officially entered into the summer with kids home ALL THE TIME! So far it is going well (it’s only been a week though) and I expect it to be a fun, relaxing and creative next few months.

Their first day out I had my kids write up a list of ten things they wanted to do this summer. I suggested they be realistic but also put some crazy things on the list, as you just don’t know – it may happen!

The summer really comes down to one very important thing – WATER!



Here are some essentials that include water and also some extra stuff:

1.    some type of sprinkler to attach to hose ( this could be a good hour of fun for kids)
2.    blow up pool ( even older kids will get into this)
3.    water balloons – more kid fun
4.    you have to be set up for some popsicle making – let the kids get creative
5.    and the most important necessity - SUNSCREEN!

PS scavenger hunts are always a success so keep that in your back pocket

On a health note, here are some things in my summer first aid kit:

Homeopathy:
1.    Apis and Bite care: for bug bites
2.    Cantharis: for any sunburns
3.    Arnica: bumps and bruises
4.    Nux Vomica: for those moments when eating and drinking take over at BBQs and picnics

Herbal and vitamins:
1.    Emergency C vitamin packs in pink lemonade – YUM!
2.    Wise Woman Herbal All Purpose salve – for bug bites, minor scraps and cuts

You can go to my Emerson - shop supplements - to purchase any of these items.

Be well,

I realize that if I allow myself to be more creative I am a much happier person. I love writing, creating photo books (although I am not a scrap booker as I need to see an end) and movies and if my family is lucky, getting adventurous in the kitchen.

When I was younger, I would sew but rarely use a pattern. I would just go for it and end up spending way too make time ripping thread out and re-sewing but it was all fun for me. Knitting was also a favourite and then when I had kids, the kid crafts took over. Even if you just pull out a coloring book and some crayons I guarantee you will feel relaxed and bring out the kid in you!

Be well,

www.drheathernd.com