Gardening is my favorite natural remedy. I can hardly wait for Spring so I can get back out into my garden and put my hands in the dirt! Research shows that being around green plants, and even the soil they grow in, can help relieve stress and boost mood.

Today I got a little taste of Spring when I received an Inspiration Bean (iBean) kit from the Daily Om (www.dailyom.com) . Inside was a little pot, planting mix and two seeds that read “namaste.”

To perform Namaste, you place your hands together at the heart chakra, close your eyes and bow your head to another. The gesture means that you salute the divine spark in each person. It is often used in yoga and fosters understanding and connection.

Each iBean represents a goal, a dream or a desire, in this case recognizing the divine in others. In addition, as part of the exercise of planting my iBean, I was asked to write down an affirmation, meaning what I most want to bloom in my own life. I chose a peaceful heart. This way no matter what happens I will be calm (or try to be!). I’ll let you know how it grows! In the meantime you can get your own iBean at www.ibeaninspired.com.

Namaste!

About Death Drops: A Natural Remedies Mystery:

Dr. Willow McQuade, N.D., a twenty-eight-year-old naturopathic doctor specializing in natural remedies, has decided to take sabbatical and visit her Aunt Claire, the owner of Nature’s Way Market and Cafe in idyllic Greenport, Long Island. But the idea of rest and relaxation is quickly forgotten when Willow arrives from a morning meditative walk to discover her Aunt Claire dead in the store, a strange almond-like smell emanating from her mouth and a bottle of flower essences by her side.

Despite her Zen nature and penchant for yoga, Aunt Claire had a knack for getting into confrontations with folks. An activist, she held weekly meetings for different causes every week in the store. The police want to believe the death is accidental—but Willow thinks she may have been poisoned.

Things get worse when Aunt Claire’s valuable recipe for a new natural age-defying formula, Fresh Face, is stolen during a store break-in, and an attempt is made on Willow’s life. Desperate for a way out of the mess, she turns to a handsome young cop Jackson Spade. Together the two set about solving the case the natural way—through a combination of hard work, common sense, and a dose of luck.

Praise for Death Drops: A Natural Remedies Mystery:

“With a terrific premise and an interesting topic, Fiedler’s debut shows promise.” – Library Journal

Death Drops is a gem! Entertaining, informative, and with a mystery that had me completely baffled! – Gayle Trent, author of Killer Sweet Tooth

“Fiedler’s absorbing mystery is an entertaining debut, featuring a likeable menagerie of characters, filled with natural remedies, with all of it unfolding on Long Island’s idyllic East End.” Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, author of the national bestseller Liberating Paris.

“An engaging investigative thriller…an enjoyable whodunit.” The Mystery Gazette

Death Drops: A Natural Remedies Mystery is available for pre-order on www.amazon.com etc. and for sale on February 21st . Visit www.chrystlefiedler.com for more info!