PageOneLit.com: Where did you grow up and was reading and writing a part of
your life? Who were your earliest influences and why?
Claire Power Murphy: I grew up in the South Bronx near Yankee Stadium.
As a gang member reading and writing did not play a large part in my life -
at that time. My Father was my earliest influence. By his example I learned
to persevere through trials and to be true to my word.
PageOneLit.com: Why did you write PRESERVED TO SERVE? Explain the title as
it relates to the subject matter/story of your book.
Claire Power Murphy: I wrote PRESERVED TO SERVE at the urging of my friends.
I have been preserved through many disasters. For this reason I am now
serving both God and man.
PageOneLit.com: In PRESERVED TO SERVE 'Section Two' discusses "The
Vegetarian Years" - As you explain, your first husband Charles' books had a
huge impact on your new diet - Explain. Discuss briefly Charlie's books and
philosophy on health and diet. Are you currently a Vegetarian? What are some
of your favorite foods you can share with others that are important and
vital to a healthy lifestyle?
Claire Power Murphy: When I met my first husband, Charles, I had been a
carnivore all of my life. He introduced me to a simpler and delicious
vegetarian lifestyle.
As an antiquarian bookseller Charles had accumulated many books which were
written in the early part of the twentieth century. Having been a depression
baby Charles was basically seeking answers for his own health.
I am currently a vegetarian enroute to becoming a frugarian. Delicious fig
syrup is a staple which is just a bit lighter than figgy pudding. Chock full
of silica it helps coat the nervous system while permitting superior brain
function. Plato existed on a few nutritious figs per day.
Sea moss
tea contains the most minerals available in a food . It is very tasty
and many different types of fruits may be added - especially honey and
lemon. The Irish survived on it during the potato famine.
PageOneLit.com: PRESERVED TO SERVE discusses your daughter Laurie's (from
your second husband Bill) birth/health and the 'nightmare' of being accused
of child neglect - Explain.
Claire Power Murphy: Laurie was born low birth-weight high risk intensive
care - all shown in her birth chart. It was unbearable to endure my baby's
suffering - especially knowing the special support she was being afforded
during the first CRITICAL months of her life. She had a choice of sea moss
tea or chamomile tea along with the breast and seven other juices. She was also
receiving infant enemas, soaksies, and massages. There were many other
natural remedies which were applied. While my baby was slipping, my husband and I
were found guilty of child neglect on the seventh count which was that we
had refused to put her in the hospital. Laurie was dying at the hands of the
state. We were never going to see her again!
PageOneLit.com: What is 'Cerebral Palsy'?
Claire Power Murphy: Cerebral palsy is a 'catch all' phrase used by the
medical profession. Basically it is the nervous system which needs to be
treated!
PageOneLit.com: In PRESERVED TO SERVE you write that "drugs diminish the
life force." Explain.
Claire Power Murphy: Drugs block the nervous system. There is no vitality or
enzymatic action in a pill.
PageOneLit.com: A major theme that threads PRESERVED TO SERVE is your FAITH
- Discuss.
Claire Power Murphy: Since the Lord has strengthened me through numerous
trials, my faith has grown in His ability to heal in both the physical and
the spiritual - providing we obey the laws of the designer.
PageOneLit.com: What is a The Self-Rejuvenation Center?
Claire Power Murphy: The Self-Rejuvenation Center is an educational
institution where people can learn how to take care of themselves.
PageOneLit.com: In Preserved to Serve, you write "The closer we get to
nature, the greater the progress. By moving towards a more natural
lifestyle, it is possible for humans to become disease-free." - Explain
Claire Power Murphy: Dis-ease is the result of mineral imbalance. By
imbibing natural produce in a water soluble state disease is erased over
time.
PageOneLit.com: In Preserved to Serve you write about struggles with the
medical community in regards to what you fed your family. Briefly explain.
Claire Power Murphy: At Age 8 my son Charlie's severely broken leg healed
beautifully using natural quality nutrition in spite of much doctor concern.
My daughter Laurie's pendulum swung back and forth from being classified as
being low birth weight high risk intensive care at birth to appearing thin,
but normal, in all other respects at 3 months of age. From Age 3 months to 7
months she slipped to a condition of cerebral palsy on hospital prescribed
infant formula, Prosobee. From Age 7 months to Age 18 Laurie improved while
at home with the author each and every year on a special natural lifestyle.
Her standardized test results improved every year!
Preserved to Serve shows the author's own lab test results on man's dietary
(even vegetarian) and how she improved on the same natural lifestyle she
afforded her family.
PageOneLit.com: Was Preserved to Serve a difficult book to write or was it
therapy?
Claire Power Murphy: Preserved to Serve was extremely difficult to write
because many painful experiences needed to be recalled in exact detail so as
to specifically delineate the comparison between utilization of God's
natural therapy and man's medicine.
The blessing has occurred since stepping out to help others. Claire actually
helped herself leaving painful memories behind. She is now moving on with
her life and is more free to help others.
PageOneLit.com: What did you learn from writing PRESERVED TO SERVE?
Claire Power Murphy: From writing PRESERVED TO SERVE I learned that when we
let go of the past we may then progress to a much higher level hitherto
unknown.
PageOneLit.com: What do you hope to achieve with PRESERVED TO SERVE?
Claire Power Murphy: I expect that PRESERVED TO SERVE will open doors for
many in showing that we are not limited in what we may accomplish. I am
hopeful that our national health care crisis may be alleviated and that
babies will be coming up healthier every year. When this happens our schools
will once again be turning out first rate capable citizens!
PageOneLit.com: What's next?
Claire Power Murphy: I am working on PRESERVED TO SERVE Part II: Healthful
Solutions in which I spell out exactly what was done for my family and what
is available for our myriads of conditions.
PageOneLit.com: What was the last book you read?
Claire Power Murphy: I read the Bible regularly.
PageOneLit.com: Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they
enhance your writing?
Claire Power Murphy: I enjoy studying with others. I get to know many
personality types and their needs. Then, when I write I have more sympathy
for people's needs.
Elementary Education from Hunter College. Later she acquired a
Sixth-Year Certificate in Administration and Supervision from
Richmond College granting her lifetime entitlement to administer at
all levels of the public school system in New York State. Both
colleges are now a part of The City University of New York.