Debbie B's Blog

Update -You don't need pets to get fleas in your house

2011-09-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

You don't have to have a dog or cat or any other pet to end up with fleas in your home. Flea's live in your yard and travel over from your neighbors. Maybe you visited someone with a pet who had fleas and a few hitch a ride home with you. Maybe that nice BBQ in the park with all your friends netted you some unwanted visitors. The years when the weather is mild, no extremes of heat or cold, will give the fleas (and other bugs) extra breeding time as well as a longer life expectancy.

In my personal case, I have a cat and two large dogs. The cat, who is not only sneaky... he's fast! He's hard to catch so I wasn't keeping up on his Frontline applications. The dogs are much easier!

My cat, didn't seem to like it in his room (hereafter referred to as the "cat room") much and I had thought he had gotten into a fight since he had some scabs. Of course, not feeling up to par made it easier to catch the wild buggar and get some Frontline on him. He started living in the bathroom, specifically the bath rug and bath tub. Then, he started living upstairs where the kitty I'm babysitting chose to live for her duration here.

The other night, I got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and looked down at my bare feet to discover about 8 or so fleas on them! I was not happy. Brushed them off and crawled back into bed. That night, I was taking a nice warm bubble bath and looked down at the rug seeing quite a few black things jumping and moving around in the rug. HORRORS!!

I jumped up, dried off, avoiding both rugs in the room, and quickly, but carefully rolled up both rugs and shoved them into a plastic garbage bag, closed it and, after dressing, tossed the bag into the garbage can for morning pickup. I might add that the rugs had only been in the room for about 3 days having just been washed and dried.

Next night, I went into the cat room, wearing white socks, and looked down to discover more than a dozen fleas on my socks! NOW, I was pretty sure why they cat chose not to live in that room and also was pretty sure that the scabs on him were not from a fight, but from flea bites.

I took to the Internet since I can't be sure I could capture my kitty to move him outside so I could bomb the house, plus I have the visitor here. On the Internet I looked for information about "green" ways to rid my house of fleas and not harm any of the pets. I found a few good informational sites:

Barefoot Lass's Favorite Pet Hints and Tips
Daily Puppy
VetMedicine

There were others but those were the ones I bookmarked and they all pretty much said the same thing. Some of the other sites went on and on about buying several different "essential oils" and that sort of thing, but that just seemed like a lot of expense and trouble to go through, so I opted for the cheaper route of Vinegar. From these sites (and the other sites) I learned these things:

1. Vinegar kills fleas instantly (I don't think it kills eggs, however).
2. Fleas don't like brewer's yeast or garlic... feed it to your pets to help repel the fleas from them.
a. I did read on one other blog that brewer's yeast can cause yeast infections in your pets, I have decided to put a bit of garlic powder on their food.
3. Fleas are attracted to white (remember my white socks?)
4. Fleas can't swim
5. Salt will kill fleas, but its not as fast
6. Dog soap - 1/2 apple cider vinegar and 1/2 Dawn dish washing soap
7. Spray your pets fur with your 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water mixture, rub it into the coat, even
after a flea bath.
8. Fleas don't like cedar chips
9. A female flea can lay a trillion eggs in a season.
10. Fleas have 4 stages of life.
11. Fleas hatching can take two days to a few weeks, depending on your conditions.
12. Fleas like moist, warm climates the best and thrive in them.
13. The second stage, the Larvae stage usually lasts 5 - 18 days.
14. The third stage, the Pupa, is when the Larva is in it's cocoon. It can stay in it's cocoon for
3 days or more than a year. It will wait in the cocoon until the conditions are just right and
then it will come out and become an adult, the final stage. I didn't read anything that said
how long an adult lives.

Before doing anything else, I dumped about 1/2 cup of table salt on the floor and vacuumed it up so when I vacuumed up live fleas, they would die in the bag and not get back out.

Keeping those things in mind... I armed myself with a bottle of apple cider vinegar and a spray bottle of 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water and sprayed everything in the bathroom with it, including the towels that were hanging up. I dumped some straight vinegar on the floor and gave it a good mopping, rinsing the mop frequently (which netted many more fleas that were now dead).

Next, I took a deep breath and entered the cat room, which is also a storage type area. First thing to go was a runner rug that I had in there. I stepped on it and several fleas appeared on my feet and lower legs.... which I sprayed with the spray bottle to kill those ones. Rolled the rug up and put it in a plastic garbage bag, gathered up the other two little rugs and did the same with them.

I sprayed vinegar on me, my socks, and pants bottoms as well as hands and arms... then went back in and started spraying other stuff so I could move them... not ONE flea on me! I even watched one large flea do a very "Hollywood death".... staggered around for a moment, appeared to rear up, then toppled over! LMAO He/She shoulda been a star!

Sprayed the cat trees and hauled them out to the garage (I'll be removing the carpet parts off the trees and replace it with clean stuff). And, then I washed down the floors with straight vinegar. I sprayed down everything that I could in that room.

I followed that same procedure in the rest of the rooms on the main floor, although, in none of the other rooms did I have fleas jumping on me. Not even where the dogs spend most of their time. But, better safe than sorry I always say.

Lastly, before I went to bed last night, I put some water and dish detergent (about 1T worth) in two white sandwich plates and placed one in the cat room and one in the bathroom. The bathroom one had nothing in it when I got up this morning, but the one in the cat room had about a dozen and the water dish had another 1/2 doz or so in it. I emptied those out and put both with water and soap back into the cat room. Before I put one of the dishes down, two fleas jumped into it!

I placed one dish over where the cat normally slep,t if he wasn't on his tree, and it now has 6 fleas in it. The other dish I put near the closet entrance, where I was attacked by fleas this morning and have since cleaned. It has two in it.

I intend to hook up one of those vessels that attaches to the hose that enables you to spray fertilizer and such on your lawn, but fill it with vinegar instead and spray my lawn, after I mow today or tomorrow. Also, going to get some cedar chips and spread around the foundation of the house, as fleas don't like cedar either. It won't kill them but it will deter them.

Incidentally, the straight vinegar tended to remove a layer or two of the wax I use on my hardwoods.

The larger carpets/rugs you can use 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water mixture in most carpet cleaners.

There is still much to do as I have 2 stories and the basement, but I feel like I might win this war with the fleas now.

I did receive several bites from the critters on my feet but they only last for a short bit. I guess all the brewer's yeast used to make the beer I drink is not tasty to them so they didn't bite long or hard. Chalk one up for the benefits of beer! LOL

One last thing you should know.... once you've had fleas on you... every time you have a piece of hair brush your face or something touch your leg... you just KNOW there is a flea there, even it there isn't... you will develop a sort of parasitophobia that hangs on for a while.

Now, I need to get on with the cleaning of the carpets and laundering of all the bedding and towels etc. I hope this information will be helpful to you.

UPDATE
Although the vinegar/water treatment around the house netted many, many fleas... and the white dishes with water/Dawn in the cat room netted even more... I felt that perhaps a "bomb" or "fogger" with real chemicals might be in order to really get a handle on things. So, I did that.

Feeling relatively certain that the fogger would get to places the vinegar couldn't, I threw the dogs outside, put the cats in carriers and put in my car, set off the bombs and took the cats to the vet. While the vet was looking Psycho over and we discussed his flea issue, I told him that I was bombing the house as we speak. He was not impressed. He is not a proponent of "bombing" because they don't get to the areas where fleas tend to live, like behind the baseboards.

He said that studies have proven time and again that foggers and all the others only reach that which it settles on. Hence, it likely was doing very little good for the problem. Sigh.

When I got home, I aired the house out as instructed, vacuumed the pet areas and used Lysol liquid to clean off surfaces that the pets might get on. Since it was already getting hot out, I had set the fans going to vent out the window upstairs and etc etc so I could get the "kids" in as quickly as possible.

I decided to put the white plates down again in the cat room.... just to prove the vet wrong. As I left the room to get the plates... I looked down at my feet to discover about 1/2 a dozen fleas on my feet. Sigh. The vet was right!! The fogger did very little more than the vinegar, yet it has caused me much more work around my house to have to wash everything AGAIN, wash down everything AGAIN, washing all the plush dog toys, and on and on.

He said, and I now totally believe, that the only way to stop the flea cycle is to Frontline (Advantage, Revolution, or other flea killer protection) your pets faithfully every month so they don't keep bringing them in. Vacuum frequently, especially if you know you have a problem existing. I will continue with the vinegar/Dawn bathing of the dogs, vinegar/water washing of floors and rugs, and spraying vinegar/water on things like my stuffed animals (after I wash them all in the washer).

So much to do... so little me. I wish I were twins!

UPDATE:
After I wrote the original article, about ridding the home of fleas, I learned that if the problem is big enough... vinegar ain't gonna fix it! Borax (Boric acid) is also a popular "green" item to rid your carpet of fleas, but again, I didn't read where it would actually kill the eggs or pupua.

Vinegar treatment will fix an immediate issue and make them drop dead off your legs and arms if you spray them, but it is not a long term solution if you have a major infestation. For 3 weeks after my initial vinegar washing of the floor and spraying of virtually everything in that one room (the "cat room"), I set out white plates on the floor with water and a small squirt of Dawn dish washing liquid in them. The plates continued to capture and drowned fleas to the tune of about 3 dozen per day - EVERY day!

I bought some foggers and fogged the whole house. That didn't do a damn thing. I walked in the room right after that (after waiting the time you're supposed to wait) and lo and behold... my legs were assaulted by about a dozen fleas. So, sprayed them off and set out new white plates of water. Again, captured and drowned about 3 dozen fleas per day.

Bought a set of fumigator foggers.. set of TWO in that small room a couple days ago... just walked in there to see how that worked.... walked out with four fleas on my legs and 3 on my shirt. Only difference is these are smaller fleas than before. Sigh. I cleaned out all the fleas from the white plates, filled them with more water and Dawn and have set them down on the floor to see what happens.

Next step will be a professional exterminator to come in and deal with that room because, frankly, I'm sick of it. I think some major chemicals are going to be required to kill off the rest of them. I was so disappointed to find fleas on me. In the other room where fleas would jump on me, the vinegar washes and spraying eventually seemed to end the problem there, but the problem was not as prolific as it is in the Cat Room.

Now I must go shower and make sure I have no more fleas because every time my hair touches my skin, I think one is crawling on me.

Gardening

2011-06-14T14:39:00.000-07:00

I hadn't realized how long it has been since I last posted anything! Life sure gets busy. Spring has finally arrived and Summer is right around the corner. I was reading recently about healthy lawns, composting and worm bins and thought I would share the highlights with you. I am not an environmentalist or an "eco-nut", but some things do make sense! Most of this information I got from Metro Recycling, although some is from websites. Metro Recyling's website is: Oregon Metro

If you keep your lawn healthy, it will naturally cut down on your weed population, diseases and pests. Pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and fungicides can not only be spendy, but they are toxic and can pose a threat to your pets or children if overused or carelessly applied. The also can kill beneficial insects, earthworms, birds and other useful organisms which then throws off the healthy ecological balance of your lawn and garden. Fertilizers with a fast release of phosphorus and nitrogen can pollute storm drains, streams, rivers and on and on creating a health hazard for fish and amphibians.

There are steps you can take to create a healthier, happier and more carefree lawn and garden.

1. Build healthy soil by adding 1/2 to 2 inches of compost or aged manure every year by tilling it into the soil. Do a soil test, if you need to add fertilizer, use an organic fertilizer. Most will last longer and provide more support for your beneficial soil organisms without adding chemicals.

2. Grasscycling. Leave your grass clippings on the lawn. It releases nutrients back into the lawn and reduces the need for fertilizers. Grass clippings do not cause the dreaded Thatch!

3. Water about an inch a week, that's all you normally will need. Over watering promotes disease and leaches nutrients from your soil.

4. Older lawns may need to be aerated in the late Spring or early Fall.

5. If you do have weeds, pull them out. At the very least, cut off the part that has seeds in it and put them in the yard trash recycling bin. For instance, don't just pull off the head of the opened (or unopened) dandelion and toss it aside... that won't stop the seeds from spreading.

6. If you do pull out the entire weed and leave a bare spot, sprinkle a little grass seed on it and cover with weed-free compost.

7. Grow a diverse garden in your yard.... it will provide beauty as well as decrease the amount of lawn you have to care for. (Note: if you live in the Pacific Northwest, you can obtain a list of "Appropriate Plants for Northwest Landscapes" by calling Metro Recycling Information at 503-234-3000. Planting plants that known to thrive in your area will be much less expensive in the long run than buying plants that would have a low survival rate for this area. It's also a lot less work if you don't have to replant every time something dies.

8. Again, you don't want to use chemical pesticides in your garden. It will likely kill off essential insects and harm birds and other wildlife. Once your essential insects are gone then you will need more and more pesticides to keep the bad bugs out... let the good bugs do their thing. If you really need a pesticide, use the least toxic product like an insecticidal soap. (NOTE: You can call Metro Recycling, 503-234-3000, and ask for a copy of "Natural Gardening: a guide to alternatives to pesticides").

9. Rotate crops and annual plants year to year to keep potential pests and soil diseases from getting established in your garden.

If you want to find out if a bug is beneficial or a pest, there are several books on the subject, Master Gardeners can tell you, take a sample to the a garden center or nursery and ask them.

I thought these websites are very good about good and bad bugs:
Attracting Beneficial Insects
Top 10 Beneficial Garden Insects
Recipes for Attracting Beneficial Insects to Your Garden

Composting!
Why buy compost when you can make it in your own backyard, using stuff you're going to pay someone to haul away anyhow, just following a few easy steps? First and foremost.... you cannot put every bit of your waste into a compost pile. Compost is used as a soil amendment (which, if you live in the Portland area, you have clay for soil and an amendment is very beneficial), mulch, potting mixture,

Absolutely no human, dog, or cat wastes can be composted. No dairy products, meats, fats, oils, grease, diseased plants, or weeds with seed heads should be composted. Dispose of those things in other ways.

What you can compost is (Green stuff, used as 1 part of the total) fresh grass clippings, green leaves, plants stalks, hedge trimmings, vegetable and fruit scraps, coffee grounds (including filters), tea bags, and egg shells. Manure from horse, cow and poultry is good. (Brown stuff, is one or two parts of the total) such as woody prunings, leaves, twigs, straw, wood chips, old potting soil, shredded newspaper.

Composting is accomplished when a variety of organisms found naturally in organic matter work together to break down materials. Bacteria are the first microorganisms. Fungi and protozoa soon join the bacteria. Later on, centipedes, millipedes, beetles and worms arrive to finish the job.

To make things easier for them to feed and break down the materials, chop garden debris into 6" or smaller pieces or use a lawnmower, when possible, to shred the material.

Compost piles trap heat generated by the activity of the millions of microorganisms. A 3 x 3 x 3 foot pile is considered an ideal size for hot, fast composting.

The compost pile needs to be damp, like a wrung out sponge, in order for the microorganisms to work at their best. Extremes of sun and rain can adversely affect the balance. The most efficient temperature for the decomposing is between 110 and 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

One thing you should be aware of and think about is that rodents will be attracted to your pile if you put fruit and vegetable trimmings in the mix. If you are going to add those things, get yourself a rodent-resistant composting bin. If rodents aren't a concern for you, you can just plop it all on the ground in a space of about 3 x 3 feet. Or put it in a simple holding bin made of wire mesh or salvaged lumber. Just add your chopped browns and greens to the area as you generate them. Be sure to mix moist green materials, like grass clippings, to the pile as to not attract pests. In 4 to 12 months, you should have soil-like compost to harvest at the bottom of the pile.

Hot composting requires more effort and space but it is the fastest method for composting yard trimmings. A two or three bin system that allows access to the compost for turning is ideal.
Mix your brown and green materials and dampen the pile as you go along. About a week later, turn and mix the materials into the next bin. Do that a few times and then let the compost cure for several weeks. If it seems dry, add water. If it didn't heat up initially, add more high nitrogen material or nitrogen fertilizer. Commonly, it takes about one to three months to complete. It is finished when it is cool and looks nice and brown.

If you live in the Portland Metro area, you could benefit from visiting one of the sites that holds composting demonstrations. There are 4 in the area. 1. Metro Natural Techniques Demo Garden, 6700 SE 57th Ave, Portland (call Metro Recycling for hours), 2. Clackamas Community College site, 19600 S Mollala Ave, Oregon City, 3. Fulton Community Gardens site, SW Barbur Blvd and SW Miles St, Portland, in the Burlingame neighborhood, 4. Leach Botanical Garden site, 6704 SE 122nd Ave, Portland - there is more than a 1/4 mile walk to look at this one. Compost bins can be purchased at a deep discount from the Metro Paint store at 4825 N Basin Ave, Portland.

Worm Composting!
Using worms to compost turns fruit and vegetable waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. Red worms or "red wigglers" are the best to use because they live in the top layer of soil under the organic debris that is their food. They process large amounts of organic matter, reproduce quickly, and tolerate fluctuations in temperature, moisture, and acidity that other species cannot. Oregon metro can tell you where there are outlets for that particular worm.

If you recall, I had made a post a while back about Worm Poop... you might want to go back and read that again too.

As with the regular composting... no dairy products, meats, oily/greasy foods, or grains go into the compost bin. No human or animal waste goes in the compost bin. Fruit scraps, veggie scraps, coffee and filters, tea bags, eggshells, shredded newspaper, leaves and straw DO go in the bin. A pound of worms is usually enough for a small household.

The worms get fed at least once a week, mostly because the scraps will get smelly and attract flies if you wait longer than that to feed it. As with the other compost, the smaller you chop the scraps, the faster it gets composted. Each time you add food, put it in a different part of the bin. Always keep the worms and food covered with 2 - 3 inches of damp bedding.

There will be other creatures in the bin. Most are good bugs who help the worms to decompose the materials. If you have centipedes, that is bad because they eat worms. Millipedes have two pairs of legs per section.. they are good bugs... centipedes have only one pair per section and need to be removed.

The size of bin you need depends on the amount of waste, weekly, there is to be composted. The bin should provide a surface area of 1 square foot for each pound of waste per week. For instance, if you produce 4 lbs of waste weekly, you will need a worm bin with 4 feet of surface area. This could be a bin whose floor is 2' x 2' or two bins, each with floors that are 1' x 2'. The bins should be no more than 1.5' deep.

Your bins should be placed in the shade in the Summers and insulated in the Winters. The best temperature range for your worms is between 55 and 80 degrees.

Worms need a loose, moisture retaining environment with lots of air pockets to allow for drainage. Bedding should shredded newspaper in thin long strips, fluffed up and dampened with water. Mix with leaves or straw to prevent compacting. The bin should be 3/4 full of damped bedding with a few handfuls of soil to provide bacteria and grit that the worms need.

You can start harvesting three to six months after the initial setup. Make sure you harvest at least once per year to ensure your worms have a healthy environment. To harvest, just scoop out the compost, worms and all.

A few websites for you about worm composting:
Composting with Red Wigglers
Worm Composting Guide
Red Worm Composting
How to Make Your Own Worm Compost System

That's about it! Since you have to pick up and dispose of your various wastes anyway, why not put it to work for you instead of paying someone to haul it away? Have fun!

Finding People

2011-02-12T09:17:00.000-08:00

The multitudes of websites that can, for a fee, find public records on people can be a great tool for those who are trying to find lost family members or want to find out if Suzie's new boyfriend is a criminal or not. They can be quite useful. But for the unscrupulous who access such websites, it can be a pretty scary thought.

When people had to actually burn some shoe leather to physically go get a public record, they were probably less likely to go do it, but it is so easy now and many times it's just a couple bucks to get all kinds of information from the comfort of your own home.

I was already aware of some of these sites I've listed, but the amount of these sites that some less than honorable person can use to find you to do you harm is just astounding. Some of the sites have an "opt out" or "blocking" option, but many do not. Here's just a few:

Search Government Records
Will search for spouse details, criminal history, military history, business records, immigration records, and other records for $59.95 for a lifetime access and $39.95 for 1 year access.

USA People Search
Has a people search as well a reverse phone lookup, background check and criminal record check. It will also give the names of other people attached to the subject you're looking for. For a one time $1.95 you can get names, phones, addresses, birthdays, aliases, and relatives. For a 30 day access of $39.95, you can get people, property, marriage, divorce, death and unclaimed money searches. To get criminal records or business records, that will cost you $10 more each.
Their privacy policy doesn't offer any type of "opt out" or "blocking" option.

Lookup Anyone
Public records, reverse phone, background, cell phone ID, property report, email lookup, death records, and business search. Also provides relative/associate information attached to your records. It costs $1.95 for basic information (name, age, income, address history, phone), $19.95 for unlimited searches for 24 hours for basic information, and for $39.95 you can also get a background check, civil and criminal, property liens, aliases, neighbors, marriage, divorce, death, bankruptcy, lawsuits and judgement information. I didn't see any "opt out" or "blocking" option.

Detective Magic
For a special price of just $6.99 a month, if you continue use after the first month, you will gain access to email address, phone number (including unlisted numbers), hidden assets, FBI record, driving and police records, background checks, addresses, credit reports, track online activity, learn how to make untraceable calls and emails, obtain alimony and child support records, maps birth and death certificates and much more. I didn't see any "opt out" or "blocking" option.

Zabasearch
I like zabasearch and I've used it in looking for possible relatives still living, in my genealogy research. It does have a "blocking" option, you have to mail them a copy of your Government issued ID with your name, dob, and address on it and they will block that information, however, if your public record is not expressly written as what is on the ID card, then it won't get blocked.
The basic search at Zabasearch will give you name, month and year of birth, relatives, a map to the address. I think the address history goes back up to 40 years. It will then direct you to Intellius will then allow you to buy the background information, sex offender check, neighbors, home info, criminal checks, small claims and judgements, etc all for $49.95. You can also do a search by SSN and a reverse phone search.

KnowX
A part of LexisNexis, which has you agree to not use their information for the purpose of employment, credit or insurance, will, for a fee give me bankruptcies, judgments, lawsuits, liens, FEIN, corporate records, and business address and phone information. Their pricing list is too extensive to list here, but it's pretty spendy. Their list of databases is also extensive. There is no "opt out" or "blocking" option.

PC World Article
This article provides 5 additional good places, according to it, to find people and their public, but potentially sensitive, information. It includes WhitePages.com, PeopleFinders, FriendFeed (which searches 40 social networking sites for your subject), Spock (looks for school, work, and social affiliations and photos) and, of course, the ever popular Facebook.com

All People Information on Demand
When you register for free, you can get photos, phone numbers, city, age and associate/relatives. I didn't get to the cost part of this site, but to send an email to your subject, find them on social networks and run a background check it takes you to another part of their site. There is also an "affiliates" link, which if you are not familiar with the concept, it means that any Joe Blow can operate a site that links back to this Background Report 360 and for each "sale" you make through your site for people to run backgrounds, you earn 75% commission. They offer no "opt out", because, like the others, they don't own the information they provide you, it is owned by 3rd parties. Also, like many of the others, when you visit their website, they may collect non-personal information on your computer's IP address, browser type, web site that referred you and your search criterion which they may share with the 3rd parties.

PeekYou
This site lets you search by name, username, interests, work, school and more. If they have a picture located, you get that too. When you run a name, you get city and state matches, facebook matches, myspace matches, public record and background checks (5 days unlimited access), phonebook, email addresses, wikipedia, LinkedIn, Photo Albums, Twitter, Documents on line, web results and Images if found. I clicked on their privacy policy and found a link for "Protecting your Privacy". It is run by Reputation.com. They have a monthly, annual and 2 year program ($9.95, $7.95 and $4.95 per month respectively) that will remove your name, address, age, phone number, past addresses and other personally identifiable information from the web; continually monitors the Internet and requests the removal of personal information whenever it becomes visible; blocks unwanted paper mail from your home postal mailbox; creates a "do not track" list for you on over 100 online networks; and provides 24 hour help.

There are also some nifty websites that can school you on how to search properly and get the results you want to find. One such is The Spider's Apprentice. Another is Find Free People Friends. The LawFirm provides you some links to 5 free people searches and gives a few helpful hints, including when to hire a professional (go figure, eh? LOL)

Okay, that's about it. These examples barely touch the surface of what can be found on you. Those social networks are a treasure trove of information, be careful what you put in your profile. If you are a celebrity or other high profile person that gets interviewed frequently and that sort of thing, your all over the Internet anyhow. These things are nice for people who you may have lost touch with and would want to see again, but, as I said before, they are great tools for people who may want to do you harm also.... and they don't have to do much at all to get your information.

Take care!

Holidays and other Observances

2011-01-04T09:06:00.000-08:00

This website is great! If you’ve ever wondered about little known holiday/observance dates, this is the place to look! Or maybe you’re just in the mood to celebrate something and need a “cause”... this is a good place to look!

History for the main observances we all enjoy I have researched and put the “history of” on my website. I try to remember to post the link before the holiday arrives, but, I get busy with stuff and have a very short attention span, so sometimes I forget. The information below is all from the holiday insights website and is their research notes. (My remarks are in parens with my initials).

It lists the normal Federal holidays (all of which get moved to a Mon or Fri, except the last 3), namely:
1/1 New Years Day;
1/17 MLK day;
2/21 President’s Day;
5/30 Memorial Day;
7/4 Independence Day;
9/5 Labor Day;
10/10 Columbus Day;
11/11 Veteran’s Day;
11/24 Thanksgiving Day;
and 12/25 Christmas Day.

Other special days include:
2/2 Ground Hog Day
2/6 Super Bowl Sunday
2/14 Valentines Day

3/8 Mardi Gras Day (Fat Tuesday)
3/17 St Patrick’s Day
3/20 Spring Equinox

4/1 April Fools Day
4/15 Taxes Due
4/17 Palm Sunday

5/1 May Day

6/21 Summer Solstice

10/31 Halloween

12/22 Winter Solstice

Some of the little known to most of us special days are:

1/3 Festival of Sleep Day!
The origin of this celebration is not known

1/5 National Bird Day!
There was no documentation found that this is really a National Day, which requires an act of Congress. It was established by bird activists to recognize the plight of captive birds.

1/16 National Nothing Day!
Quite simply put... a day for nothing! There was no documentation found that this is really a National Day, which requires an act of Congress. It was created by newspaperman Harold Pullman Coffin in 1973. (Perhaps it was a slow news day? dsb)

1/21 Squirrel Appreciation Day!Christy Hargrove from Asheville, North Carolina started Squirrel Appreciation Day on January 21, 2001.

2/16 Do a grouch a favor day
Look around for someone who is in a grouchy mood today. Then, do him or her a favor that will cheer up their day. The origin of this celebration is not known

2/17 Random Acts of Kindness Day
The origin of this celebration is not known. It’s a fun and good thing to do.

3/14 National Potato Chip Day
Potato Chips are America's #1 snack food. Potato chips were first made by Chef George Crum in Saratoga Springs, NY on August 24, 1853. The origin of this celebration is not known. There was no documentation found that this is really a National Day, which requires an act of Congress.

3/22 National Goof Off Day
Sort of self-explanatory don’t ya think? LOL The origin of this celebration is not known. There is no information found to suggest this is truly a national day, but there were references to this day as International Goof Off Day.

4/3 Don’t Go to Work Unless it’s Fun Day
The origin of this celebration is not known. Probably someone who hated going to work created it!

4/17 Blah, Blah, Blah Day
The intent of this day is to do all of the projects and things that you have been avoiding, like the “honey do” list. It is a copyrighted holiday created by the folks at Wellcat.com

4/30 National Honesty Day
Created by M Hirsh Goldberg, former press secretary to a governor of Maryland in the early 1990's. He felt that the month of April, which begins with a big day of lying (April Fools Day), should end on a higher moral standard. There was no documentation found that this is really a National Day, which requires an act of Congress.

6/4 Hug your Cat Day
If you don’t have your own cat to hug, be advised that June is also Adopt a Cat Month... so go adopt a cat and hug it! The origin of this celebration is not known.

6/25 National Catfish Day
No, you don’t have to hug one, but it is a day to enjoy eating one in your favorite recipe. This is truly a National day as of Proclamation 5672 in 1987, President Ronald Reagan.

7/14 National Nude Day
(Oh my gosh, if you’re going to celebrate this one... please do so in the privacy of your own home! dsb) This holiday appears to have originated in New Zealand. There was no documentation found that this is really a National Day, which requires an act of Congress.

7/23 National Hot Dog Day
Eat a Hot Dog! The origin of this celebration is not known. There was no documentation found that this is really a National Day, which requires an act of Congress.

7/31 Mutt’s Day
Spend the day relaxing and doing all the things you and your non-purebred dog like to do. The origin of this celebration is not known.

8/27 Just Because Day
Today is the day to go out and do something “just because”. Finally, you have a chance to do something without a rhyme or reason. The origin of this celebration is not known.

9/16 POW/MIA recognition Day
Day of remembrance and hope for the speedy and safe return of American Prisoners of War and those still Missing in Action. It also seeks the return of the remains of fallen soldiers. It is the 3rd Friday of September. The first official commemoration of POW/MIAs was July 18, 1979. It was the result of resolutions passed in Congress. In 1986, it was decided that the date would be the 3rd Friday in Sept because that date was not associated with any wars. Each year, the president of the United States issues a proclamation on this day.

9/28 Ask a Stupid Question Day
(It’s self explanatory I think. dsb) The roots of this special day goes back to the 1980's, there was a movement by teachers to try to get kids to ask more questions in the classroom without fear of ridicule.

10/7 or 10/14 Bald and Free Day
Honors those with a shiny top! Zero tolerance for bald jokes this day. The origin of this celebration is not known.

10/17 Wear Something Gaudy Day
(I think many in my area practice this EVERY day! dsb) Look for something to wear that's really wild and wacky, and will stick out like a sore thumb wherever you go. The roots of this day go back to the hit 1970's television comedy show "Three's Company". Larry Dallas (played by Richard Kline), one of the characters on the show, declared a Wear Something Gaudy Day.

11/8 Dunce Day
It’s all about learning. Duns Scotus of Duns, Scotland was a medieval scholar. He believed knowledge would flow from the point of the cap, down and into the head of the wearer, making that person smarter. (Alrighty then! dsb)

12/16 National Chocolate Covered Anything Day
(Does this really need explanation? dsb) Pour, spread, or drizzle chocolate over cakes, cupcakes, pies, pancakes or waffles, nuts, raisins, even ants. The origin of this celebration is not known.

These are just a few of the multitudes of special days that are in that website. It was quite amusing and turned my normal morning coffee at the computer time to a relaxing and amusing 3 hours! It also has holidays around the world, birthdays, anniversaries, “this day in history”, and recipes. It was pretty interesting and you should take a look at it! Maybe you'll find that special day made just for you! LOL

Incidentally, today, January 4, is Trivia Day. It is an opportunity for us to share those many little trinkets of knowledge that somehow managed to stay lodged in our brains for later use.

Happy whatever!

Shelf life of home canned, commerically canned, frozen, and raw foods

2010-12-24T14:15:00.000-08:00

Shelf Life of Pantry and Freezer Goods
First... and a no-brainer... if the product, either home canned or store bought, has a bulge or dent, any signs of leakage, a bad seal, or any signs of rust on the outside near the seams... get rid of it.

For home canned goods, including jams and jellies and presuming they are properly canned, use the high acid item (tomatoes, green beans, pickles, etc) within a year and dispose of everything past a year. For low acid foods, 2 - 5 years is acceptable. When I talked to a lady at NorPak canning, here in Oregon, she said the reasoning for that is likely because that little band of stuff that seals the jars is so thin that aging, cracking, and leaking are of greater concern, making the product less stable earlier. I personally have used my home canned goods up to three years old and had no problems with it. Also, once again, one has to use their senses to determine if that food is going to be edible... does it look fresh? does it smell fresh? Is the seal good? If it fails any of those tests... throw it out.

Commercial canning for nearly all vegetables, including the high acid ones, is three years from the date it was canned for optimal quality.

As a general rule, I think I will just not can more than I can eat up in a couple years max. I like to be safe and not have to run to the store in the middle of a recipe because my product was not good when I opened it. I also like my dishes to be tasteful as they are intended to be and don’t want to have to guess at how much extra spices or herbs I need to put in it because the herbs are deteriorated. I will buy my spices and herbs in smaller amounts too.

In an article in Women’s World, dated 12/14/09, they give us the following information about how long some foods can be used after the “use by” or “best by” dates. They indicate that their information is from the US Dept of Agriculture. The magazine cites the following:

Eggs... still good up to 3 weeks past the "use by" date. There is a note that you should keep eggs in their original container because every time you handle the egg, you risk bacteria seeping into the egg's more than 17,000 pores.

Hard Cheese.... still good up to 3 months past the "use by" date. If there's mold on it, trim it off and eat the rest. Mold needs moisture to multiply, so soft cheeses like cottage cheese you can't eat at all if there is spoilage or past the date. After the cheese has been opened, wrap it tightly in saran wrap trying to keep the air out of it. Air is cheese’s worst enemy. (We did that at the deli I worked at... which meant we went through A LOT of saran! LOL)

Milk... if properly refrigerated, even if it's open, it's still good up to 5 days past the expiration date. Don't store it in the door, that's the warmest place in your fridge.

Yogurt... safe to use up to 5 days past the "use by" date. Store in the fridge upside down, it creates a seal that keeps bacteria from seeping in.

Fruit juice... good up to 6 days past the "use by" date. Frozen juices or the kind that don't require refrigeration can last up to a year past the date.

Bottled water and soda... both have expiration dates but they never actually spoil and are safe to use. The soda may lose it's fizz though.

It has been, until most recent years, a pain in the neck to figure out whether a product is too old to be safe to eat. The codes the manufacturer used made sense only to them. Of course, you could always call the company to find out if that particular product was still edible and safe, but who has the time to do that?

Most manufacturers now use the “best if used by” date on their products, which, of course means that the product should maintain its optimum value until the date printed, after that the taste, coloring and nutrition start to deteriorate. The “best if used by” date is not a food safety date. It is not an expiration date.

If the date stamped on the product is a “use by” date, that is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. Again, this is not a food safety date.

Spices and herbs don’t expire per se, they just loose flavor, smell and color. Even if it’s old, if it still smells good, tastes good and looks good. Why not use it?
Well.... I was going to make some candied bacon yesterday. So, got the brown sugar on the bacon and took out a can of Cayenne powder... opened it, sniffed it (smelled good), tasted it (tasted okay), looked at it (didn't really like the color so much) and decided it could still be used since it smelled and tasted okay. Sprinkled the powder on the bacon and noticed these rather large (considering it's powder, they were large) dark things on my bacon. Got the magnifying glass out and plucked out one of those dark things and from the side it looked like a hard body flea!
So..... had to toss out the pound of bacon I just powdered, I was afraid to use it.
Got out another pound of bacon and re-did everything, except no Cayenne, popped it in the oven, got side tracked, didn't hear the timer go off and it burned.
There will be no candied bacon this year. Sigh. Threw out the Cayenne too!
So, the point of that story is that you need to shake some of that spice out and really inspect it for things that shouldn't be there!

Salt and Pepper don’t expire either. Salt, however, if it is Iodized, has a shelf life of about 5 years. It has to do with the Iodine that is added to it. Pepper, like the other spices, loses it’s color and flavor over time. Whole spices last longer than than ground ones, but then you have to grind your own and sometimes, that's just an added annoyance that takes up your precious time.

A couple years ago, I contacted my local County Extension office because I had found many bags of dried beans, rice, and noodles when cleaning out my Dad’s cupboards. They told me that those products don’t expire or go rancid, however, the older the product the longer the cooking time and beans in particular should be soaked over night or they may not “soften”. (I found that to be very true.) They also said that the rice, beans and noodles that had been stored in glass airtight containers, instead of their plastic bags, would retain freshness much longer.

In the case of things like past-date boxed Mac and Cheese, toss the cheese packet out and keep the noodles. The cheese will become rancid, but the noodles are still good. Why risk ruining the whole meal because you didn’t check the cheese, seasonings, or gravy packets first? If they look bad, smell bad, or tastes bad when you stick a finger in it to test it, get rid of it and make your own!

A bit about frozen foods. First, freezer burn does not make food unsafe, according to the Johnson County, Kansas Environmental Dept, it is just dried out at that spot and looks icky because air reached that spot. If it is heavily burned, you might want to discard the item due to quality reasons. Properly packaging your foods will diminish the probability of freezer burn. They also tell us that freezing keeps food safe almost indefinitely, the recommended storage times in their chart are for quality only. But then they say that some foods will develop a rancid or “off” odor when frozen too long and should be discarded.

The US Dept of Agriculture site says the same as the JCED site. Actually, much of what I am reading in the USDA site is exactly what the JCED site says so one has borrowed from the other.
The next information is from the USDA site:

Whole eggs should never be frozen, if one freezes and cracks, throw it out. If it happens to freeze and not crack, you can safely thaw it in the fridge and hard cook it, but most uses are limited after they’ve frozen since the yolk becomes thick and syrupy. It won’t blend well with the egg white any longer.

You can freeze almost everything but some things like Mayo, cream sauce and lettuce just don’t do well in freezers.

During a power outage, a stand alone freezer full of food will usually keep about 2 days if the door is kept shut; a half-full freezer will last about a day. The “fridge” freezer may be less efficient. If the freezer is not full, quickly group packages together so they will retain the cold more effectively. Separate meat and poultry items from other foods so if they begin to thaw, their juices won't drip onto other foods.

The chart says:
Bacon, Sausage, Ham, Hot dogs, and lunch meats will retain quality for up to 2 months; Casseroles, Gravy, cooked meats, soups and stews will retain quality for up to 3 months;
Frozen dinners, uncooked ground meat, and uncooked giblets will retain quality for up to 4 months;
uncooked Poultry parts will retain quality up to 9 months;
Egg whites, uncooked roasts, steaks, chops, and poultry will retain quality up to 12 months.

Also of interest, it says “There are three safe ways to thaw food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave. It's best to plan ahead for slow, safe thawing in the refrigerator. Small items may defrost overnight; most foods require a day or two. And large items like turkeys may take longer, approximately one day for each 5 pounds of weight”.

I personally have used and do use a vacuum system for preparing my meats and some other things for freezing. I know some folks who said it didn’t work for them, but I do my best to make sure there are no air bubbles in my bag as it’s sealing and that it has a good seal. I have eaten steaks that were in my freezer for two years. Of course, first I thawed it out, made sure it didn’t feel slimy, the color was good, and it didn’t smell rancid or funny. I cooked it and it tasted great. As the websites above will point out to you when you read them, packaging things properly makes a huge difference as to the quality your product will retain. The sites will tell you proper wrapping methods for freezing.

I did look, briefly, at the American Frozen Food Institute’s website for more information, but at the onset it seemed to just have a bunch of political crap on it, so I quit looking fairly quickly.
I looked at the Frozen Foods Foundation website and found nothing particularly interesting in it either.

I did find this website on food safety to be pretty informative and interesting, including food recalls and alerts. It is a “Gateway to Federal Food Safety Information". If you click on a link, it will take you to the agency that has the information you are looking at.

The websites I looked at were in basic agreement regarding basic shelf life times. Unfortunately, those basic shelf life times they list are what the manufacturers now put as a date on the item itself. I found relatively little authority as to how long a product is good or safe to eat AFTER that date, but it seems it's all a "quality" issue not necessarily a "safety" issue.

The website Still Tasty, has a section called “Keep it or Toss it”. It has a section on just about any type of food that you are interested in, whether it is a canned food or fresh food. They say a primary source of their research is from the food safety research conducted by Government agencies, including the US Dept of Agriculture, US Food and Drug Administration, and The US Center for Disease Control. As well as, state Government agencies, non-profit studies on food storage and safety, and actual manufacturers. But, again, I didn’t see anything that indicated how much longer AFTER the “best by” date a food might reasonably be used and not have a food safety issue. It’s a good and interesting site however. I thought this site was very helpful for raw food storage with tips on how and where to store.

Here's some other good sites I came across:

Canned Goods Shelf Life and Stamped Code Decoder (a list of some products dated 1997 and 1998) Sally Strackbein’s Emergency Kitchen.

Fact sheet regarding Food Labeling and Dating USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service

Kikkoman Products shelf life and date code information. Different sauces have different times from their production code date to be used by, they range from 18 months to 3 years.

Frank’s Red Hot products use by and product coding information. Their product will maintain good flavor quality for a few months after the “best by” date, particularly if refrigerated, however refrigeration is not required.

Tabasco Sauces open and unopened seem to not make a difference. Original Tabasco pepper sauce is fine for use up to 5 yrs, but best if used by the third year. Their other sauces have a shelf life of 18 - 24 mos. Even though the color may change, the product won’t spoil. Refrigeration almost always helps slow the color change, but is not required.

Kraft Foods. If you go to the Customer Service link, it will take you to the frequently asked questions. You can put a search in the box and it will show you the topics available that may answer your questions. I was interested in Chocolate shelf life for Baker’s Chocolate, which I had 4 bricks of. It told me how to read the code and further stated that the product should be consumed by that date. After that date, freshness, texture and taste may have deteriorated, so they only assure freshness to the date on the package. Another neat feature on this website is on the opening page, it has a place where you can enter the main ingredients you have and it will try to find a recipe for you to make! I like that!

McCormick’s site was pretty neat too. Instead of having to figure out what code they used, you just enter the code in the search box provided and it will tell you when and where it was manufactured. Incidentally, if the product is from Baltimore or if it is a “tin” container, it is at least 15 years old (except black pepper). If you click on the “Keeping it Fresh” link, there is a shelf life chart for their products, which appears to be the industry standard. Ground Spices are good for 2 - 3 yrs, Whole Spices are good for 3 - 4 years, Seasoning blends are good for 1 - 2 years, Herbs are good for 1 - 3 years, and Extracts are good for 4 years except pure Vanilla which lasts indefinitely. Incidentally, all Schilling products are at least 7 years old. There is also a bunch of recipes in this website.

Spice Islands products. It has a bit about testing for freshness and how to prolong freshness and some other tips. There is also a spice education section with video’s to watch. Has the same “shelf life” list as McCormick does.

Durkee spices and some of their other products. In their FAQ section there is information on their product code dates and shelf life of some of their other products. It is not clear if the shelf life time listed is the time after the “Best by” date or if the “Best by” date is the shelf life time. There is also recipes at this site, like the Durkee Gooey Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar.... sounds yummy! LOL

Morton Salt’s website has information on all types of salt products as well as a nifty conversion chart. This chart is to convert recipe amounts from Table Salt to Coarse Kosher Salt, Fine Sea Salt, Coarse Sea Salt and Canning/Pickling Salt. There is also a handy “Uses for Salt” chart showing what you can use different types of salt for. It also has a recipe section.

The Virginia Cooperative Extension program. It has an extensive list of basic products and the optimal life span of each before it peaks and starts to deteriorate.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF COINS IN AMERICA

2010-12-06T23:34:00.000-08:00

When I started cleaning out piles and files of this and that, I happened upon my coin collection. I had some of these coins since at least high school, which was long ago, but I think I started before that, I don’t actually recall. Dad and Mom started us out on this coin collecting, but in adult years, it waned as the pressures of career and other pursuits took the forefront.

Well, anyhow, I must have looked at them since that time, probably at the time I packed them away, because I also had a 2003 coin value book and a paper money value book. In anticipation of the treasures I might uncover in the various places I had squirreled away change and in my nest of older coins, I perused the coin book. I found the history of coins to be very interesting and thought I might share that information with you.

According to the Official Red Book, A guide Book of United States Coins, 2003 by RS Yeoman, the Spanish Milled Dollar and its fractional parts of ½ and 1 “real”, 2 and 4 “reales” were the principal coins of the American colonists and the forerunner of our silver dollar and its fractional divisions.

The early settlers of New England used “wampum” to trade with the Indians. Wampum was mussel shells fashioned in the form of beads. Beaver skins, wampum, and the tobacco from Virginia became the mostly commonly used media of exchange. The settlers had little use for coined money for exchange but when the traders from foreign countries arrived, coins were usually demanded for payment of goods.

The Spanish milled dollar, or “piece of eight”, continued to be a standard money unit throughout the entire Colonial era and was circulated, with it’s fractional parts, with official sanction until 1857. One “real” equaled 12 ½ cents and was known as a “bit”. A quarter of the dollar then became known as “two bits”, which anyone over 45 years old probably would remember that as a term used by a parent or grandparent.

England made no effort, in the beginning, to provide gold or silver coins to the colonists. The first coins minted in America were minted by John Hull in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, beginning in 1652.

Coins and tokens of many types were introduced and employed by the colonists until the Articles of Confederation, adopted March 1, 1781, provided that Congress should have the sole right to regulate the alloy and value of coin struck by its own authority or by that of the respective states. Each state had the right to coin money, but Congress was the regulating authority. Vermont, Connecticut, and New Jersey granted coining privileges to companies or individuals. Massachusetts erected its own mint to produce copper coins.

It took several years for a national, uniform, coinage to come about. It was actually discussed beginning in the Colonial years. So, by July 6, 1785, Congress gave formal approval to the basic dollar unit and decimal coinage ratio in its resolution. Because of other pressing matters, the idea was on the back burner and it was not until George Washington became President and the new nation was on firm ground, that Congress turned their attention to the subject of currency, a mint, and a coin system.

Finally, in April 1792, a bill was passed providing “that the money of account of the United States should be expressed in dollars or units, tenths, hundredths and thousandths of a dollar. So at that time we had a $10.00 Gold Eagle, $5.00 Gold Half Eagle, $2.50 Gold Quarter Eagle, a Silver Dollar, a Silver Half Dollar, a Silver Quarter Dollar, a Silver Disme (dime), Silver Half Disme, Copper Cent, and Copper Half Cent. The mint was constructed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In 1834, a new law was passed reducing the weight of standard gold. Branch mints in Dahlonega, Georgia, and Charlotte, North Carolina were established in 1838 to handle the newly mined gold at the source.

In 1848, the California gold discovery prompted a series of private, state, and territorial gold issues in the Western states. The result of which was to establish another branch of the mint at San Francisco in 1854. In 1849, the legislature passed an act providing for a mint and specified five and ten dollar gold coins without alloy. Oregon City was the selected location for the mint since it was the largest city in the territory. About this same time, Oregon had been brought into the United States, by Congress, as a territory. When the new governor arrived in March, he declared the coinage act unconstitutional. The people, however, continued to work for a convenient medium of exchange and soon started a private mint which was named the Oregon Exchange Company. They produced the coins specified in the original act, despite what the Governor said. Incidentally, in 2003, those five dollar coins, in good condition, were valued at $11,000.00 each and the ten dollar coins at $27,500.00 each. Uncirculated condition coins were valued at $38,000.00 and $87,000.00, respectively. The coins had a beaver on the front of them. There were only 6,000 five dollar coins minted and 2, 850 ten dollar coins.... all made from virgin gold.

The law of 1857 abolished the half-cent piece and reduced the size of the cent. The new cent would contain 88% copper and 12% nickel. In 1864, the weight was again reduced and the composition became 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc. (Additionally, in 1962, the alloy was changed to 95% copper and 5% zinc and in 1982, it was changed to 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper).

The law of 1864, provided for the new bronze two cent piece. The two cent piece was the first coin to bear the motto “In God We Trust”. The denomination proved to be unnecessary and was discontinued 9 years later.

In the Spring of 1865, our country began producing a three cent piece of 75-25 copper-nickel alloy, until 1889. We also a had silver three cent piece until 1873.

In May of 1866, the five cent nickel was born with the same alloy as the three cent piece. The silver half dime was retired in 1873.

A mint was erected in Carson City, Nevada in 1870 as a convenient depository for the miners in that area and operated until 1893.

The law of 1873, eliminated the silver dollar. The coin had not been circulated in the US to any extent since 1803 for various reasons, even though it had been turned out steadily since 1840.
In 1878, the Bland-Allison Act authorized coinage of the silver dollar to resume. Coinage of the silver dollar was, again, suspended after 1904 when teh bullion supply became exhausted. Under the Pittman Act of 1918, more than 270,000,000 silver dollars were melted down and in 1921, coinage of the silver dollar was resumed. From 1921 - 1935, the Peace dollar was issued without congressional sanction under the terms of the Pittman Act. From 1971 - 1978, the Eisenhower dollars were issued. Next was the Susan B. Anthony dollars, issued from 1979 - 1999 and the Sacagawea dollars that began production in the year 2000.

From 1875 until 1878, there was a twenty cent piece created for the Western states. It was confused with the quarter dollar and discontinued.

So, anyway, it took me all day just to go through my pennies. I had a lot of them and they weigh a ton. I was kinda excited when I found one dated in 1921, it was the oldest one. I tore the book open to see how much my old penny was valued at in 2003, trembling with anticipation.... only to find that my penny was only valued at 20 cents! (Okay, I wasn’t really trembling with anticipation, but I thought it sounded more exciting that way! Ha ha)

Later on, I did some Internet checking and discovered that my penny is now valued at 50 cents. I have to admit that I was disappointed to find that the little coin that had survived through 82 years of use by 2003 and 89 years by 2010, was only worth that much. It seemed rather sad, actually. But, if you think about it, the little penny is now worth 50 times more than it was when it was produced... so now, I feel better!

The book I was reading has so much more information in it. I’m tempted to get the 2010 version, or actually, the 2011 version when it comes out. Plus, it shows pictures of the old original coins and tokens and they’re pretty interesting to look at. There were many more stories of different coins that were produced by the states before the uniform ones that we use, but since I wasn’t looking to re-write the man’s book, I just took out some stuff I thought was interesting! There’s also tons of different stuff that you need to watch for when you’re going through your coins that are specific to a coin, a year, a mint, or whatever, that may (or may not) increase the value of the coin.

While perusing information on the Internet, I found this site to be very helpful with today's values. It also has many links to other information, including pointers to finding a legitimate coin dealer and recognizing fake/altered coins.

From this site, I got the mint marks which show where the coin was minted. There are several U.S. Mints that struck coins over the years, below is the list:

1. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Mint- coins from this mint usually don’t have a mint mark if they do it will be a P.
2. San Francisco, California Mint- coins with a S stamped on the reverse or obverse.
3. Denver, Colorado Mint- coins with a D mint mark on the obverse or reverse.
4. Dahlonega, Georgia Mint- this mint also used a D and is stamped on gold coins from 1838-1861 only.
5. West Point Academy Mint- Coins with W mint mark. Only the American Silver Eagle (beginning in 1996 to present), Modern gold coins, and the 1996-W Roosevelt Dime.
6. Carson City, Nevada Mint- coins will have a CC mint mark on the reverse.
7. New Orleans, Louisiana Mint- coins will have an O mint mark on the reverse.
8. Charlotte, North Carolina Mint- is a C mint mark and is only on certain gold coins.

Happy collecting!

Backyard Birds and Squirrels

2010-12-04T08:11:00.000-08:00

All summer long I enjoy watching my wild birds and squirrels in the back yard. They can be a lot of fun and very entertaining to watch and figure their hierarchy of who gets to eat first.

I did have some problems with the squirrels getting into the bird feeders instead of eating their own food but, they were pretty entertaining at that. I posted pictures on my website.

Then I also realized that the larger birds, the Crows and Jays, were scarfing down the squirrel food so the squirrels were getting into the smaller birds food. Some squirrels actually got inside the one feeder so they could eat in peace and be protected from the rain too!

I thought that squirrels hibernate in the Winter and that birds flew South, but that's not necessarily true. So I did a little research on squirrels and bird feeding and found these things:

1. Ground squirrels, like chipmunks and prairie dogs, hibernate in their tunnels in the Winter. Tree squirrels are active all year long. I have tree squirrels, so I will keep feeding them.

2. Crows and Jays prefer peanuts in the shell - unsalted and roasted, not raw. If you provide those, they will leave the other food for the squirrels and smaller birds alone.

3. Birds will hang out all year long if you give them food and may even begin to depend on your services.

4. It's okay to feed breads but most probably don't have all the nutrients the birds need so be sure to supplement your breads with actual birdseed.

5. Most birds that feed in feeders prefer sunflower seeds and will "brush away" all that other stuff that is in the mixed seed, which usually ends up all over the ground and eventually will grow if the birds (or mice/rats) don't eat it up.
a. Black Sunflower seeds are among the most versatile of all bird foods. Small and easily cracked, the seeds have a high fat content that many birds seek. Chickadees, nuthatches, finches, blue jays and cardinals will all come out in number for black sunflower seeds.
b. Cracked Corn is ideal for drawing in large, ground-based birds. Starlings and quail are two species that adore cracked corn.
c. Millet, the small, yellow pellets, are popular in bird seed mixes and will be eaten by a large variety of species, including wrens, sparrows and doves.
d. Thistle is a small and thin black seed that is so narrow it requires special feeders. A thistle feeder will bring finches out in great numbers
e. Safflower, with its thick shell, is particularly well-suited to larger birds and those with tougher beaks. Safflower should be fed in open trays, so the birds will have room to crack open the tough outer casings. Safflower is popular with doves, sparrows and cardinals.

6. They make bird baths with "heaters" in them so the birds can have water all year long. (I have a heated dog water dish that I will fill with water and put out of reach of the dogs so the birds can get a drink in the snowy/icy times. It worked great for the dogs but since they spend most of their time inside instead of outside, they don't use it any more.)

Also, before nesting time, put out pieces of lint, hair from your hairbrush and the like so the birds can use it for nesting material. You can put it in a suet cage so it's easier for them to find and use, plus then it's not scattered all over the yard.

The dogs have gotten used to all the birds and squirrels in the backyard. Even the ever-vigilant Luke doesn't chase or try to scare away as often as he used to, although he will go to the trees and bark at the squirrels and the squirrels chatter back at him - probably taunting him since he can't reach them! LOL I have to admit that I like it when I open the back door and hear all the birds chirping away from the bushes, it, at times is quite noisy out there! I've gotten so used to their songs, that when I open the door and hear nothing... it's kind of eerie!

Okay, that's all I learned but I wanted to put the info somewhere that I could find it again, which is the main reason I started a blog to begin with! LOL If you have any other tips or information to share, let me know and I'll add it or start a new blog.

Honey and Cinnamon

2010-10-16T16:45:00.000-07:00

Snopes.com was doing research on the many emails that were coming out with the below listed information on it to determine if it was true or not. It began its research in 2008 and the status is still listed as "undetermined". Emails began, apparently, in 1995.

I have completed what research I could find on the Internet, that was supported by studies that could be further researched if one was so inclined, and put that information at the end of each section. The research noted may or may not totally support what the claim is. In tradition Chinese medicine, Cassia Cinnamon is used for colds, flatulence, nausea, diarrhea, and painful menstrual periods. It's also believed to improve energy, vitality, and circulation and be particularly useful for people who tend to feel hot in their upper body but have cold feet. In Ayurveda, cinnamon is used as a remedy for diabetes, indigestion, and colds, and it is often recommended for people with the kapha Ayurvedic type.

According to foodreference.com , the vitamins found in honey may include niacin, riboflavin and pantothenic acid. Minerals present include calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. Honey has a phytochemical profile which includes polyphenols that can act as antioxidants. Honey contains antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

According to WHFoods.com The cinnaldehyde in cinnamon helps prevent unwanted clumping of blood platelets. Cinnamon's ability to lower the release of arachidonic acid from cell membranes also puts it in the category of an "anti-inflammatory" food that can be helpful in lessening inflammation. Cinnamon's essential oils also qualify it as an "anti-microbial" food.Cinnamon slows the rate at which the stomach empties after meals, reducing the rise in blood sugar after eating. In addition to its unique essential oils, cinnamon is an excellent source of the trace mineral manganese and a very good source of dietary fiber, iron and calcium. This website has a link of an "In-Depth Nutritional profile of Cinnamon and also gives references for the information contained in the site.

I personally believe in trying a "natural cure" before running off to sped a few hundred bucks at the doctors office for my 5 minute visit, so he can give me some scripts that will cost who knows how much that may or may not do any good. I do believe that honey and that cinnamon, as well as other spices, have some good properties in them that can and do help with various conditions. I know that honey is good for alleviating allergy conditions like hay fever and that cinnamon is beneficial for diabetes patients.

The information below was sent to me via email and, as I said, what research I could find I added to each category. Best part is, that it may not cure you, but, unless you are allergic to honey or cinnamon, it won't kill you either! It may give some relief for some symptoms you are having. As always talk to your doctor first if you are on medications.

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Cinnamon and Honey
Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot. It will do what some call "turning to sugar". In reality honey is always honey. However, when left in a cool dark place for a long time, it will do what I rather call "crystallizing". When this happens I loosen the lid, boil some water, and sit the honey container in the hot water, turn off the heat and let it liquefy. It is then as good as it ever was. Never boil honey or put it in a microwave. To do so will kill the enzymes in the honey.

Cinnamon and Honey
Bet the drug companies won't like this one getting around. Facts on Honey and Cinnamon: It is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a "Ram Ban" (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases.

Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage, as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada, in its issue dated 17 January 1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists:

Heart Diseases
Make a past of honey and cinnamon power, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and save the patient from heart attack. Also, those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins.
(NOTE: see the information under Cholesterol, that is probably where this came from).

Arthritis
Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly, even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain. (NOTE: I did not try to find the research claimed)

Bladder Infections
Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.

Cholesterol
Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken 3 times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.
(NOTE: The journal mentioned is the Diabetes Care medical journal. The study was published in 2003, involving 60 persons with type 2 diabetes. They took 1, 3, or 6 grams of cinnamon in pill form daily - roughly equivalent to 1/4 - 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. After 40 days, fasting blood glucose was reduced by 18 - 29%, triglycerides were reduced by 23 - 30%, LDL cholesterol was reduced by 7 - 27% and total cholesterol was reduced by 12 - 26%).

Colds
Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold and clear the sinuses.
(NOTE:A 2007 study by a Penn State College of Medicine research team found that honey at bedtime was more effective for curing COUGH and sleep difficulty in children that dextromethorphan - a cough suppressant found in many OTC cold meds. It does not indicate that it cures the cold, only that it suppresses the cough. J Beiler, A McMOnagle, ML Shaffer, L Duda, CM Berlin Jr.)

Upset Stomach
Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.
(NOTE: see indigestion below)

Gas
According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that if honey is taken with cinnamon powder, the stomach is relieved of gas.
(NOTE: see indigestion below)

Immune System
Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

Indigestion
Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.
(NOTE: Drs Tobias Olofsson and Alejandra Vasquez from Lund University in Sweden showed evidence from their research that different varietals of honey possess a large amount of friendly bacteria, viable lactobacilli - 6 species and bifidobacteria - 4 species, which may explain the "mysterious therapeutic properties of honey"

Influenza
A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ingredient which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

Longevity
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take 4 spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of and boil. Drink 1/4cup, three or four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increase and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20 year old.

Pimples
Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Apply the paste to pimples before sleeping and wash it the next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.
(NOTE: see Skin Infections below. Also the article I was looking at explained that pimples and blackheads are caused by bacteria - not from greasy food, chocolate or soft drinks).

Skin Infections
Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cure eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.
(NOTE: A 2008 study conducted by the University of Amsterdam investigated the antibacterial capability of medical grade honey- Revamil. They concluded that honey is a promising topical antimicrobial agent for prevention or treatment of infections, including those caused by multi drug-resistant bacteria. A 1999 study conducted by the University of Wales Institute found that unpasteurized honey produced an antibacterial action against Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacteria found readily in our environment that can cause infections, especially in open wounds. Ref: RA Cooper, PC Molan, and KG Harding, J R Soc Med 1999 June).

Weight Loss
Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.
(NOTE: During the 2008 First International Symposium on Honey and Human Health, Dr. Nicola Starkey from the Universtiy of Waikato, New Zealand concluded that honey may be a healthier replacement for sucrose, particularly in those with poor glycemic control or who are at high risk from cardiovascular disease. According to Dr. David Baer of the USDA Agriculture Research Service, our body tolerates honey better compared to table sugar. Eating honey is better for people with diabetic conditions as it is less likely to cause blood sugar spike. A 2004 study conducted by the University of California concluded that participants did not gain weight for the month they were consuming honey and some claimed that eating honey for breakfast made them feel full and satisfied).

Cancer
Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day.

Fatigue
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who had done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00pm, when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.
(NOTE: Studies at the University of Memphis Exercise and Sports Nutrition Laboratory found that honey may be one of the most effective forms of carbohydrate to eat just prior to exercise. The honey group maintained optimal blood sugar levels throughout the two hours following the workout. IN addition, muscle recuperation and glycogen restoration was favorable in those individuals consuming the honey-protein combination).

Bad Breath
People of South America, fist thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

Hearing Loss
Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing. Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!

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Water and Histamine

2010-10-05T13:44:00.000-07:00

In further research of Dr. Fereydoon Batmanghelidj, I found an entry by Stephen Barrett, MD that basically claims that the claims by Batmanghelidj are nonsense and that there is no real research data produced by Batmanghelidj. However, Dr. Barrett also doesn't supply any research or citations that refute what Batmanghelidj claims. From personal experience and experience of friends, I do believe that water is essential to one's physical well-being and a lack of it causes a myriad of problems. Is it a cure for everything...... probably not, but proper hydration can ease many problems. I also looked at WebMD for hydration and a rather haughty article in there said, basically, that unless you have "cotton mouth" you don't need to drink water... which I think is very irresponsible advice. db

Your Body's Many Cries for Water by Dr. Batmanghelidj, MD.

According to Dr. Batmanghelidj, Histamine is a regulator of water metabolism and distribution of it in the body. Asthma and allergies indicate that the body has increased its histamine production. Water is lost by evaporation through the lungs during breathing so the histamine causes bronchial constriction to lessen water evaporation.

When dehydrated, the histamine activity for water control becomes exaggerated and the immune producing cells release exaggerated amounts of histamine from its storage for other functions.

Histamine also has responsibilities in the anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-foreign agents defense systems of the body. Histamine regulates the immune system. A long-term dehydration increases histamine production and suppresses the immune system at it’s bone marrow site.

During a water shortage in the body, salt is retained. Salt is a natural anti-histamine. Water is needed by the lungs to keep air passages moist. In dehydration, mucus secretion prevents the air passages from drying. In the first stages of asthma, mucus is secreted and too much mucus prevents the passage of air. Sodium is a natural mucus breaker and is secreted to make mucus disposable. (The phlegm is salty tasting).

Salt is needed to break up the mucus and make it watery for expulsion. The body needs both water and salt to relax the bronchial constriction and loosen up the mucus for expulsion. A pinch of salt on the tongue after drinking water, fools the brain into thinking a lot of salt is coming, the brain begins to relax the bronchioles.

While you are re-hydrating, if you are asthmatic or allergic, don’t over drink, gradually re-hydrate up to 6 - 8 glass of water per day. Also decrease orange juice consumption as it contains potassium which will increase your histamine production.

The website I took this information from (link is above), addresses more than just allergies and asthma. The website is a summary of the book named and is really very interesting. It also addresses pain, dyspepsia, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes, AIDS, and many other topics that were very interesting. I would recommend you read the website for more information.

Some Foods Affect Histamine Production by Arlene Miles

Foods and Herbs for Treating Seasonal Allergies by Heather Schulte

At these websites, we can learn that allergies are an auto-immune disease where the body turns against itself, producing an over abundance of histamine. With all the extra histamine, you can end up with itchy/watery/burning eyes, sneezing, increased mucus production, itchy skin, congested sinuses, wheezing and coughing.

What many people, including me, don’t realize is that histamine is present in many foods. Some foods cause the body to release histamine when eaten. These foods are listed as histamine-rich and should be avoided:
Cheese (particularly Parmesan, Bleu, or Roquefort),
Alcohol (notably beer and wine),
dried fruit,
pickled and smoked meats,
processed meats and fish,
sour cream,
buttermilk,
yogurt,
vinegar and foods containing vinegar like mayonnaise salad dressings.

Histamine-releasing foods include:
bananas,
chocolate,
milk,
eggs,
shellfish,
strawberries.
(NOTE: well, that is just dandy! So many things I like are on one or the other of these lists... I just had a serving of yogurt this morning and was planning on munching down some chocolate covered strawberries for my snack in a bit. Sigh)

Foods that will lessen your symptoms have vitamin C, a naturally-occurring anti-histamine. Foods rich in vitamin C include:
red and green bell peppers,
broccoli,
all citrus fruits and juices,
cranberries,
most lettuce,
cauliflower
sweet potatoes.
(NOTE: remember that in the Histamine information from Dr. Batmanghelidj, it says to decrease orange juice intake because the potassium will cause histamine production).

Other foods to choose would include those rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and Quercitin. Quercitin is a natural compound that helps stabilize mast cells and prevents the release of histamines and other inflammatory compounds that augment allergies.

In the Quercitin category you would want to choose:
cabbage,
cranberries,
kale,
grapes,
pears,
apples,
spinach,
garlic,
onions,
stinging nettle,
grapefruit.

Omega-3 fatty acid is found in flax seeds, cold-water fish, and walnuts.

Ms. Schulte and Ms Miles articles seem to contradict each other on the yogurt issue. Ms Miles says to avoid, Ms Schulte says that it works well for the treatment of allergies! Ms Schulte’s article says that the beneficial bacteria found in yogurt helps populate your digestive system with more good bacteria which will improve the overall function of your immune system and minimize your allergies. (NOTE: Okay, guess I’m safe now for devouring that yogurt for breakfast!)

At this website: Health.com it indicates that GERD is directly affected by over production of histamine. Another website, that I didn’t save the URL info of, makes a connection between over production of histamine and fluid in the inner ear.

Seems histamine is a very important part of how our bodies work and when it’s out of balance it really wreaks havoc with us. I hope this article and the links are helpful to you.

Fruits, Grains and Herbs for Beauty and Health

2010-10-01T11:21:00.000-07:00

The information below was taken from several magazine articles. I am not a doctor, herbalist, dermatologist, or any "ologist" at all. I am not recommending that you use these things and certainly don't guarantee that they work the way it says. I simply put the information out there, so you can use your own little brain to decide if it is something you are interested in. If it is something I have tried, I will also put that down, as well as the results. I have to say, however, that the countries where these things are grown, must be the happiest, healthiest, most youthful looking people on earth! (That is me being sarcastic, by the way!)

HERBS:
Lavender - The clean fresh scent of this herb is supposed to increase the brain waves associated with relaxation. The flowers are edible and can be used to flavor butter, salads, vinegar, fruit salad, or jelly. The flavor is fairly pungent, so use in very small amounts.

Thyme - The scent of this herb reportedly sharpens your senses and energizes your nervous system.

Mint - Using some crushed mint in your iced or hot tea calms an upset stomach and the menthol in the mint helps soothe upper respiratory ailments. They say that just a whiff of mint can relieve headaches and relieve nausea.

Basil - Believed to help soothe the nerves, enhance mental clarity, and ward off depression. Infused basil oil is great on veggies, bread, and pasta. Just put a clean basil leaf in a clean bottle, cover with warm oil and seal. Let sit in a cool dark place for two weeks then strain and use.

Parsley - Loaded with vitamins A, K and C, and antioxidants which boost the immune system and ease pains. It will also get rid of bad breath at the end of a meal. (I always save the parsley on my plate until I'm finished eating and eat it last, makes my mouth feel fresh again).

Sage - Supposedly reduces perspiration and prevents hot flashes. Brown a sage in a little butter and use to season pasta and veggies. In a British study, test volunteers that consumed sage before the test, scored much higher and recalled more words than those who took a placebo. Compounds in sage prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical that transmits messages in the brain.

Rosemary - The scent of Rosemary stimulates blood flow to the brain resulting in an oxygen boost which helps the memory.

Oregano - Loaded with antioxidants. Believed to be effective in fighting bacteria including those that can cause staph infection or e.coli.

HERBS FROM THE RAIN FOREST:
Catuaba - The bark of this Brazilian tree has a long history of use for calming nerves. It is used to treat anxiety, stress, insomnia, fatigue, and forgetfulness.

Chanca piedra - Enhances liver and kidney function, lowers blood pressure and fights pain. Breaks up kidney and gall stones.

Stevia - Contains natural compounds called glycosides that are 300 times sweeter than sugar, has zero calories and lowers blood sugar.

Pau d'arco - Boosts white blood cells, which revs immunity and kills bacteria and fungi. Fights off infections and is packed with immunity boosting antioxidants and flavonoids like co-enzyme Q10. Researchers are studying it for possible cures to cancer and HIV.

Sangre de grado - The bright red resin has a rich array of flavonoids to rejuvenate skin cells and stimulate collagen production. It is also an antibacterial, anti fungal and antiviral, so it helps with bites, stings, cuts, and abrasions.

Camu camu - A tart berry with the highest concentration of vitamin C of any food. It is also packed with lutein, valine, and serine, which are amino acids that help regulate moods.

Cat's claw - In an Australian study of Rheumatoid arthritis patients, cat's claw slashed their swelling, pain and stiffness in half. There are no side effects to using Cat's claw. Cat's claw targets all the pain causing enzymes instead of just one that Ibuprofen or acetaminophen does.

SEEDS, GRAINS AND SPICES:
Quinoa - It is a plant seed related to the leafy greens family! But we use it as a grain which is nutritionally superior to rice, oats, corn, pasta, and wheat. It has twice as much protein and all nice essential amino acids.

Paprika - The capsicum in paprika boosts saliva and stomach acid which help break down your food and ease digestion. Made from chile's and hot peppers, it also helps blood circulation, regulates blood pressure, and can kill bacteria on contact. Red paprika is the mildest, yellow is the spiciest.

Ginger - Great for nausea and headaches. Powdered ginger can relieve symptoms within 30 minutes. Just make yourself some ginger tea or have some ginger cookies!

Cinnamon - In one study diabetes patients who had just 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon daily saw their blood sugar plunge by 30% and had lower cholesterol levels and fewer fat lipids in their blood than non-cinnamon eaters. Additionally, a recent study found that taking half a teaspoon of cinnamon with a tablespoon of honey each day can relieve arthritis pain in as little as a week.
NOTE: As I was typing all this stuff out, I started to develop a headache and, as well, my arthritic hand was feeling tight as a drum. So, I made myself a "tea" using just 2 thin slices of fresh ginger root, about 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon and a couple teaspoons of honey. Amazingly, my headache disappeared in about 10 minutes, my hand loosened up and my coughing nearly stopped too!)

Vanilla - Appears to aid in a peaceful rested sleep. Patients who slept in a vanilla scented room fell asleep faster and felt better rested than those who slept in an unscented room.

Allspice - Contrary to popular belief, Allspice is a berry, not a combo of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves! It contains eugenol, an essential oil that boosts circulation and warms the body. It also kills fungi and bacteria.

Cloves - The scent of cloves, according to researchers in Tokyo, increases beta waves in the front of the brain, leading to more alertness, concentration and energy.

Sunflower seeds - Boost your mood! Contains folic acid, b vitamins, and magnesium.

Flax Seeds - Balance mood swings. Ground flax seeds have hormone-like compounds that make progesterone work more efficiently, brightening your mood.

Sesame Seeds - Lower cholesterol and high blood pressure. Top source of lignans, compounds that block the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines.

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES:
Yacon - A cross between and apple and a watermelon, it is referred to as a vegetable! (I'm so confused!) Scientists have learned it regulates blood sugar levels and the Incas drank the leaves as a tea during meals to avoid energy crashes. Scientists are now studying it as a potential diabetes cure. It grows in the Andes.

Goldenberries - A sweet and chewy snack that tastes like raisins. They are loaded with vitamin A, B vitamins, fiber, bioflavonoids, and 16% of your daily protein needs. They grow in the Andes.

Quandong - Sweet and tangy it's sometimes called the desert Peach. Loaded with vitamin C and considered to be the oldest fruit on earth. It is a source of santalbic acid, a unique fatty acid that kills germs, relieves inflammation and helps flush toxins from your system. It is found in the Australian outback.

Tomatillos - loaded with antioxidants, including Vitamin A, vitamin K, folic acid and potassium. According to research at the U of Illinois, a compound in the veggie causes human cancer cells to stop dividing and disintegrate.

PLANTS AND FLOWERS:
Geraniums - Activates the brain region that regulates hormones, reducing anxiety and irritability. Also - mosquitoes hate the fragrance, so they're nice to have in the sitting area of your back patio.

Creeping Charlie - As you are ripping this ground ivy out of your yard, put some of the roots, flowers, and leaves into an old (clean) sock and tie the sock over your bathtub faucet so the hot water will pour over the sock. Soak for about 20 min and it should relieve your sciatica, lower back pain and any other back pain.... it will also leave your skin softer because of it's natural emollients! (I would wash the roots myself before letting them drain into my bathwater, but the instructions don't say that).

Growing your Garden

2010-08-08T08:32:00.000-07:00

Growing your garden in the best soil and condition you can is better for you, your family, your community and the environment. Unfortunately, what's best isn't always what's easiest or most time efficient and we do have time, energy and limited resources in our very busy lives. A few tips that can help you:

Start out with healthy soil, it will cut down on the "bad bugs" and keep beneficial insects and organisms in your garden. Adding a good compost and other organic matter to your garden on a regular basis will keep the soil healthy.

Choose plants that will thrive in your area and growing conditions. If you have a short growing season, you don't want to plant a veggie that is going to take more time than you have to mature. It's a common sense thing that I know you already know!

Practice good plant care. Don't over water, over fertilize, or over prune your plants. Keep it simple! Water thoroughly but only as much or as often as is really needed. Mulch the soil to keep moisture in and you don't have to water as often. In any case, you don't have to water for an hour every day for your garden to flourish... a couple times a week in the hotter months and 3x in extreme heat is more than enough.

Bugs - Praying mantis are a good option instead of using a commercial bug killer on your veggies. They are a good bug and will take care of the bad bugs. Plus they are just interesting to have around! Lady bugs are helpful in ridding your gardens of aphids and other pests. Both can be purchased. Parasitic wasps, lacewings, birds and toads help keep your pest population down too. Check the Internet on how to keep them in your garden and provide them a good home.

Worm poop fertilizer - yes you read it right! Turning waste into plant food with the help of worms! Drill holes in the bottom of a large plastic box. Fill it with moistened shredded paper or cardboard. Add some peat moss or leaf mold to increase the water retention. Mix in a couple handfuls of soil that the worms need for grit. Occasionally add a pulverized eggshell for calcium and grit. Place red worms in the bedding. Bury kitchen scraps, coffee grounds and filters with the bedding in one corner of the box and cover loosely with black plastic. Place the next offering of scraps next to the first. Do NOT put dairy or meat in the box with your other kitchen scraps. Keep the bedding moist but not wet. The worms will be working in the box turning the scraps and bedding into "worm castings".. or "worm poop", if you will. Use the castings as a slow release organic fertilizer in your garden. NOTE: One pound of red worms can process about 1/2 pound of kitchen scraps per day! Add bedding every 4 months or when you have more castings than bedding in the box.

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Some growing pointers:

Loose-leaf lettuce prefers cooler temps, so don't plant it in direct sun. Put straw near the lettuce to keep the soil cool and ward off weeds. Keep sowing small crops every couple of weeks as far into the fall as you can. Harvest outer leaves as soon as they're big enough to eat and the center will continue to grow for future harvests.

Peppers love hot weather so wait until the soil is at least 65 degrees to plant them and give each plant two feet of space. Support them with stakes or cages. Harvest the first green peppers to encourage future growth. After the first harvest, allow some green peppers to stay on the plant and turn yellow, orange or red for more flavor.

Green beans: Bush beans grow fast and mature all at once. Sow some seeds every two weeks to harvest them all season. Pole beans need a trellis to grow but will continue to grow all season as long as you keep picking them.

Grow your cucumbers on a trellis or along a fence to save space and make the picking much easier than letting them trail along the ground where slugs will eat on them. Sow a second set of seeds in mid summer to have a harvest all season. Keep your cukes well watered or they will become bitter.

Take your old CD's or DVD's that you don't want, run a string through the hole and suspend from the fence or tree branches where they will reflect the sun confusing squirrels and birds so they won't dine on your garden.
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Garden in the city

2010-08-08T07:50:00.000-07:00

A woman in Seattle turned her backyard into a sustainable garden that supports the local ecosystem and requires no chemical intervention.

First, she determined where the sun fell, what the soil was like, how the rainwater flowed and where it collected. She cleaned out the area, removing everything (dead tree, ivy, overgrown shrubs and some lawn), and enriched the sandy soil with coffee grounds from local coffee shops.

Next, she designed the garden to pretty much take care of itself using tough, durable varieties of leafy and flowering plants as well as edible plants and herbs. The plants provide food and shelter for the rabbits, hens and other fowl she keeps as well as wild birds and other wildlife. The animals provide fertilizer and the fowl provide eggs.

The rabbits actually live in a hutch and the fertilizer is collect and distributed. She spins the fur of the angora rabbits into yarn. The chickens have an attractive coop to live in at night. During the day they live in a bottomless pen that is moved around for them to scratch to soil and fertilize.

Rainwater is collected in cisterns from her house roof and used in the summer for watering the garden. In the garden is a composting fence topped with an arbor. The leaves fill the fence and decompose and the arbor is draped with kiwi and grape vines. She also turns manure, animal bedding, yard waste and kitchen scraps into compost for use in the garden beds.

The sitting area for humans is composed of crushed rock, landscape fabric, an inch of sand and then topped with stones and 1' square pavers. The vegetable gardens are in raised beds. Fruit trees (Asian pear, apples and Italian prune plums) have blueberry bushes growing underneath them, with strawberries growing under the blueberry plants.

She's made good use of all of the 60' square area she created this functional and beautiful backyard in.

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Another interesting planting idea that I recently read about:

Take an area in your yard that is a pain to mow and remove the grass. Then drive a 66" piece of re-bar into the ground 2'. Surround the base with newspaper and place a 12" or larger pot at the base. You feed the re bar through the hole in the bottom of the pot... generally clay pots would be the choice of pot to use. Fill that pot with soil. Tamp the soil down so it is fairly firm and able to support the weight of the next pot. Thread your next pots over the re bar, filling each with soil before you put the next pot on the re bar. Cant the pots to the side and use the pot below it to hold it (cant one to the left, next to the right, next to the left, etc). The pots that are threaded on after the base pot should be smaller than the base pot. Even graduating smaller pots up the re bar would be attractive. Be sure to leave about 1.5" of space at the top of each pot so the soil won't run out when you water. Next, chose some nice trailing foliage, flowers, or herbs to the pots and water. You might want to add some mulch over the newspaper to hold it down and make the event look "finished".

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Gardening Ideas

2010-08-08T06:54:00.000-07:00

There are 10 plants that are top picks for providing bird seed to your feathered friends. Growing a combination of these flowers will not only be a pleasing sight for the gardener, but provide seeds for the birds from Summer through Fall.

They are:
Autumn Joy Sedum, Black-eyed Susan, Blazing Star, Coreopsis, Cosmos, Goldenrod, Mexican Sunflower, Purple Coneflower, Purple Majesty Millet, and Sunflower.

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Our winged friend, the butterfly, will appreciate it if you find a nice sunny spot in your garden for them that is protected from wind. Then give them plants in that area for all their stages of life.

The Caterpillar likes munching on Milkweeds, nettles, violets and passion vines. The adults enjoy drinking the nectar of marigolds, zinnias and daisies. The more variety in your plants, the more variety of butterflies you attract.

After a fine meal, much like a human, the butterfly loves to relax. They prefer to bask in the sun so give them a place to rest... like a brick or paving stone.

Butterflies sip water from small puddles so place a saucer in the garden and put a small branch or rock in it to give them an easy place to land.
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The hardy plants of the Prairie

Flowers that grow native in the American prairie endure searing summer heat, extended periods of drought and bone-chilling cold. Prairie flowers also attract birds, butterflies, and pollinator's. Prairie natives have unusually long root systems, some up to 10 feet or more! That's how they survive drought... they can get to subsoil moisture that other plants cannot.

First, determine what your soil type and moisture regime is and then buy the plants for those conditions.

For dry soil and dry climates:
Leadplant, Butterfly weed, Smooth Aster, Cream false Indigo, Purple Prairie clover, Pale purple coneflower, Prairie smoke, Dotted blazing star, Wild lupine, Large flowered beardtongue,Goldenrod, and Bird's-foot violet.
(Amorpha canescens, Asclepias tuberosa, Aster laevis, Baptisia bracteata, Dalea purpurea, Echinacea pallida, Geum triflorum, Liatris punctata, Lupinus perennis, Penstemon grandiflorus, Solidago speciosa, and Viola pedata, respectively)

For Medium soils in Average Rainfall climates:
Nodding pink onion, New England aster, Blue false Indigo, White false Indigo, Shooting star, urple coneflower, Rattlesnake master, Pririe blazing star, Wild Quinine, Yellow coneflower, Royal catchfly and stiff Goldenrod.
(Allium cernuum, Aster novae-angliae, Baptisia australis, Baptisia lactea, Dodecatheon meadia, Echinacea purpurea, Eryngium yuccifolium, Liatris pycnostachya, Parthenium integrifolium, Ratibida pinnata, Silene regia, and Solidago rigida, respectively)

For Moist soils and Moist Climates:
Wild hyacinth, Tall Joe Pye weed, Queen of the Prairie, Bottle gentain, Rose Mallow Dense blazing star, Cardinal Flower, Marsh phlox, Sweet black-eyed Susan, Ohio goldenrod, Tall iron weed, and a Culver's root.
(Camassia scilloides, Eupatorium fistulosum, Filipendula rubra, Gentiana andrewsii, Hibiscus palustris, Liatris spicata, Lobelia cardinalis, Plox glaberrima, Rudbeckia subtomentosa, Solidago ohioensis, Vernonia altissima, and Veronicastrum virginicum, respectively)

Top picks for Prairie grasses are: Side Oats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)

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Some interesting ideas to help your backyard:
1. If slugs and snails are eating your garden, give them some thing to drink to wash it all down. Pour some beer in a saucer, fill the saucer, and put it where the critters appear to be entering the garden. They are attracted to the scent and taste of beer, crawl into the saucer, get drunk and drowned.

2. Bare patches in the lawn? Before putting down the grass seed, place some wet tea bags on the spots and the grass will get green twice as fast. For large spots, try dusting it with powdered iced tea mix and then light water to help it soak into the soil.

3. Reluctant to use chemical fertilizers? Sprinkle powdered Jell-O mix on the plant and flower seeds. The gelatin delivers nitrogen, which speeds sprouting and powers plant growth while the sugar feeds microbes in the soil that produce fertilizing nutrients.
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Making Your Backyard a Hummingbird Haven

2010-08-07T16:35:00.000-07:00

Hummingbirds can see the bright red that normally is the color of the nectar put in those funky looking hummingbird feeders (yes, I have two of them too) from a distance which is why that color is the one used. Truth is that hummingbirds will drink the nectar from flowers of a variety of colors.

When choosing the flowers for your hummingbirds, a few things should be kept in mind. The hummingbirds seek shelter among vines, they perch on them to rest and survey their surroundings, and they use the spent flowers as nesting material.

The top picks for vines to allure the hummingbird are:
1. Cardinal Climber - fast growing annual, 10 - 20 ft tall, red flowers in the summer months
2. Clematis - Evergreen and deciduous vines, 5 - 30 ft, variety of colors
3. Cross Vine - Evergreen/Semi Evergreen woody vines, 20 - 50 ft, orangey to scarlet flowers
4. Cypress Vine - Annual to 20 ft, red or scarlet
5. Honeysuckle - Fast growing deciduous vine, 10 - 20 ft, orangey, yellow or red flowers
6. Jasmine - Evergreen and semi evergreen, grows to 30 ft, white to rose colored blooms
7. Morning Glory - Fast growing annual, 10 - 15 ft, red, white, blue, purple or bi color blooms
8. Scarlet Runner Bean - Fast growing annual to 15 ft, scarlet flowers
9. Trumpet Creeper - Vigorous climber to 30 ft, orange and scarlet blooms

Some vines are prolific growers and need to be trimmed up or they will take over your garden and choke all the other things out of existence. My Clematis are on a metal arch at the front of the little garden I've started, one of the hummingbird feeders, with it's bright red nectar hangs from that same trellis. The flowers on the Clematis are light purple and dark purple so the red feeder brings the hummingbirds in.

I also have, I think, the Trumpet Creeper mentioned above. It's a beautiful plant with dark green leaves and big orangey-red flowers on it. It is also very invasive and tries to take over, so it gets cut back every year. The other bird feeder is on the trellis by that flower.

Also in the garden are the ever popular "Butterfly Bush or Brush" (depending on who you're talking to), which has not brought any Butterflies to my yard but the birds seem to like them!

Decorating with vines can be very satisfying as well as very frustrating. Vines can be trained to follow trellis's, fence lines, light poles, or any number of things and make the garden a beautiful place as well as a haven for your hummingbirds. But they need to be properly taken care of and trimmed regularly if they are like the Trumpet Creeper.

In addition to the vines the hummingbird loves, there are many other flowers of note that can grace your garden and draw the tiny little birds to it. Try to plant a variety of nectar rich plants in your garden... after all, you don't like to eat the same thing over and over and over do you? Well, they don't either. Pick flowers that will bloom at different times too to keep the hummingbirds around longer.

The best picks for Perennials are:
1. Bee Balm - Blooms of red, pink, white and purple on stalks up to 4' tall in midsummer.
2. Butterfly Weed - Blooms in shades of orange and red in the summer reaching 3' tall
3. Cardinal Flower - Shades of red, pink or white in the summer and grows up to 5' tall.
4. Columbine - Broad range of colors blooming in the spring, 1 - 3' tall
5. Coral Bells - White to coral colored tiny flowers on long-lasting wands, blooms in the late spring.
6. Crocosmia - Red and orange blooms in mid-summer reaching 3' tall.
7. Evening Primrose - Yellow or pink flowers, 2 - 3' tall, blooms in the Spring
8. Hyssop - Violet to blue blooms in mid-summer. Reaches 3' tall. Also attracts bees.
9. Indian Pink or Pinkroot - Red and yellow blooms on 1 - 2' stalks, blooms in the late Spring.
10.Maltese Cross - Red flowers on a 2 - 3' plant blooms in the Summer.
11.Penstemon - Red, purple and white blooms on stalks that reach 4' in the Summer.
12.Red Hot Poker - grows to 4' tall with plumes of red, yellow, orange,or bi color flowers.
13.Salvia - Blooms of red, maroon, purple or indigo on 1 - 5' stalks.
14.Speedwell - Generally 1 - 2' tall with purple, blue, pink or white blooms.
15.Verbena - Summer blooms of red, pink, purple, or white that reach about a foot tall.

Hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to a container of petunia's and verbena's that overflow the container in bright colors. Butterflies are also attracted to a container of English Butterfly, euphorbia, spurge and betony that are attractive to the gardener also because of it's beauty and low maintenance. Another pretty favorite combination of hummingbirds and gardeners alike is the Ogon sweet flag, Coral bells and mini petunia's of bright colors.

And, finally, nesting time. The hummingbirds nest is typically made of small pieces of soft plant fibers and bits of leaves that creates its flexible shape that expands as the nestlings grow. Fluffy plant down and animal hair line the inside and bits of lichen and moss cleverly camouflage the outside. The seed heads from the Clematis and Honeysuckle transform into fuzzy balls of soft fibers that the hummingbird uses for nest building material. The Pasque flower, Pussy Willow and Blanket flower offer similar soft fibers. The Lambs ear (I love that plant, its sooooo soft!), the silken plumes of ornamental grasses and all milkweeds provide nesting materials. The Ruby-Throated hummingbird will attach her nest to a twig or branch using the spider silk from a web. Put out nesting materials in an empty suet cage, like hair, yarn pieces and string.

Have fun with it, feed them, and provide them the means for nesting. Make a hummingbird happy!!

Uses for Baking Soda

2010-06-13T07:10:00.000-07:00

A friend told me about this information. It comes from a book called "Baking Soda: Over 500 Fabulous, Fun and Frugal Uses You've Probably Never Thought Of". Pretty interesting stuff! Some I've heard of before and some I'm going to try out, but haven't yet.

1. Washing Food. Make a paste of baking soda on a clean sponge, the wash toxins off the skin of fruits and veggies. Rinse well.

2. Drain Cleaner. It's not the fastest idea but if you got the time, give it a try! Take 1/2c of baking soda and pour down the drain followed by 1/2c of vinegar. Place a glass bowl over the top of the drain for two hours, then rinse with hot water. This will remove grease and dirt build-up through the pipes. (note: This might be best used as a "preventative measure" during your monthly deep cleaning around the house).

3. Vacuum odors. Sprinkle some baking soda on the floor and vacuum it up to kill odors in your vacuum. (note: I use a baking soda based carpet "freshener" that seems to kill the odors in the rugs as well as the vacuum, but plain old baking soda is probably a lot cheaper!)

4. Soft Hands. Make baking soda into a paste and use on the hands while washing dishes. It'll help remove tough food while softening your hands at the same time.

5. Tooth brushing. This wasn't on the list, but I would bet it is in the book. I use a mix of baking soda and salt to brush with. It gives a good shine and clean to your teeth, freshens your breath, and the salt is good for your gums.... except if you have salt issues, better not use the salt.

6. Musty books. Sprinkle some baking soda between the pages and brush it out a few days later for a fresh scent.

7. Mothball smell. The smell of mothballs on stored clothing, bedding, etc can be removed by adding a cup of baking soda to your washing machines rinse cycle to eliminate the odor.

8. Oil and grease. Sprinkle soda on the garage or basement floor to soak up oil and grease.

9. Weathered look. Wash your deck with a solution of 2 cups baking soda to one gallon of water. Take a stiff straw brush to work the solution into the wood, then rinse with cool clean water to achieve a clean, yet aged patina. It will also eliminate mold and mildew.

10. Weed Killer. Sweeping large amounts of sodium-rich baking soda into the cracks of your paved walks and driveway will eliminate weeds and dandelions.

11. Canvas Cleaner. To clean anything canvas, rub on a paste of baking soda, then rub it off.

12. Burned Pots. Pour in a thick cushion of baking soda, add an inch or so of water and put the pot on the stove to boil. After boiling for a minute, try scrubbing again. The burnt-on mess should come right off.

13. Plastic Shower Curtains. Wash mildewed or dirty plastic shower curtains in the washing machine on the gentle cycle with a couple bath towels, add in a 1/2c of baking soda and detergent during the wash cycle. Add in 1c of vinegar during the rinse cycle and let drip dry.

14. Dishwasher detergent. Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with two tablespoons borax as an alternative to commercial detergent. You can also sprinkle a good amount of baking soda on your dirty dishes and use your usual dish washing detergent, it will give it a cleaning boost.

Uses of Cucumbers

2010-06-13T06:38:00.000-07:00

I received this information from a friend who says it comes from The New York Times.

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, like Vitamins B2, B3, B5, B6, C, Folic Acid, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Instead of a shot of coffee to cure your afternoon slump, eat a cucumber! The B Vitamins and carbohydrates can give you a "pick me up" that can last for hours.

3. Rub you bathroom mirror with a cucumber slice and it will eliminate fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. To get rid of grubs and slugs in your planting beds, place a few slices of cucumber in a small aluminum pie tin. The chemicals in the cuke react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans, but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5. Cucumbers react with Collagen in your skin to tighten and firm the area.

6. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins, and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost during a night of drinking. Eat a few slices before bed and wake up refreshed and headache free.

7. Don't have a nice shine to your shoes? Grab a slice of freshly cut cucumber and rub it over the shoe. Not only will you have a nice shine, they will also repel water!

8. Have a squeaky hinge and no WD40? Rub a slice of cucumber over the hinge and the squeak is gone!

9. Stressed out? Cut up a whole cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water. The chemicals and nutrients will react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress.

10. No time to brush your teeth and you don't have any gum or mints available? Grab a slice of cucumber and hold it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 3 seconds to eliminate bad breath. The phytochemicals will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for bad breath. (note: I don't know about you, but I don't usually carry a cucumber around with me).

11. A "green" way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel is to take a slice of cucumber and rub it over whatever you want to clean. Not only will it remove years of tarnish and leave a shine, but it won't leave streaks and won't harm your fingernails!

12. Active, creative offspring have decorated the wall with crayon or markers? Take the outside of a cucumber and rub it on the marks slowly to erase the art.

The Mighty and Often Misunderstood Coconut

2010-05-10T07:51:00.000-07:00

I have long been a lover of coconut. I remember when I was little my folks would buy us a whole coconut as a special treat every now and then. Dad would use an ice pick to punch a hole in it and drain out the milk inside so we could drink it. Then, he would crack the coconut and we'd dig out the white meat and gobble that up.

From what I have read about coconut meat, milk and oil, it's a pretty awesome food.
I have cooked with coconut oil and it takes a little getting used to because it has a lower "flash point" temperature than, say, Crisco, has. So you can cook on lower heats.

In one of my blogs, I had posted here, I told you that canned coconut milk would make your hair shiny when put directly on the hair after shampooing. And, it did do that when I tried it. Unfortunately, it also looked, to me, like I had a severe case of the "greasies". It took about 5 washings to get it out of my hair. However, during that event of putting it on my hair, some of the coconut milk ran down over my back. I had always, as long as I can remember, had a "dry patch" on my back that itched every now and again. But, after that milk poured over it... it was gone.... and a year later it still hasn't come back. So, it was very beneficial for that.

The website coconutresearchcenter.org tells us that the coconut is highly nutritious and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It is classified as a "functional food" because it provides many health benefits beyond its nutritional content. On many islands of the world, the coconut is a staple for it's nutrition and health benefits.

In traditional medicine around the world, coconut is used to treat a wide variety of health problems from asthma to baldness to colds to toothaches to STD's. In modern medicine, published studies in medical journals show that coconut, in one form or another, kills viruses, bacteria, fungi and yeasts (that cause things like flu, Hepatitis C, Aids, uclers, UTI's, STD's, ringworm, athletes foot and others). Additionally, in the studies, it says the coconut boosts energy and endurance, improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients, improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose, reduces inflammation, helps prevent liver disease, supports thyroid function, and the list goes on and on.

The vast majority of fats and oils in our diets, whether they are saturated or unsaturated or come from animals or plats, are composed of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). The coconut is predominately composed of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA). Our bodies respond to and metabolize each fatty acid differently depending on its size. The MCFA do not have a negative effect on cholesterol and help protect against heart disease. They help to lower the risk of both atherosclerosis and heart disease. There are only a few good dietary sources of MCFA, the best sources are coconut and palm kernel oils.

In Health Benefits of Coconut, it says that to coconut is rich in protein and very good in destroying intestinal parasites we get from eating infected foods. The coconut water (milk) is good for kidney and urinary bladder problems. The coconut has Vitamins A, B (Thiamine), C, and Riboflavin, Niacin, Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, and Protein.

The site Coconut Milk Health Benefits, states that the saturated fat in coconut is made up of short and medium chain fatty acids that the body quickly turns into energy instead of storing as fat. Therefore, although high in saturated fat, coconut can aid in weight loss. The lauric acid in coconut milk is an anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and anti-fungal, helping to boost the immune system and fight off illness and disease. It also says that coconut milk is used in skin care products to moisturize the skin and relieve dry skin rashes... which I know by my own experience actually works!

In addition to the information above, Coconut Benefits, says that Dr. Enig suggest a rich lauric acid diet would contain about 24 gr of lauric acid daily for the average adult. Her calculations are based on the amount of lauric acid found in human mother's milk. The daily amount could be found in 3.5 Tablespoons of coconut oil, 10 oz of pure coconut milk or 7 ounces of raw coconut daily. If you are allergic to coconut, you can still use coconut oil. The allergy is caused by proteins in the coconut, not the oil. The webmaster also notes that the raw young coconuts from an Asian market are sweeter than the traditional brown hairy coconuts we find in our supermarkets.

The coconut meat is an excellent source of dietary fiber. At Earth in Common, it says that the average person gets on 15 grams of the recommended 20 - 35 grams of dietary fiber we should get per day. Seventy-five percent of the total carbohydrate content is fiber in a coconut, compared to 30% fiber in green beans, 18% in corn and okra has only 25% to cite a few. Coconut dietary fiber is available as a dietary supplement also. It is made from the finely ground, dried, and defatted coconut meat. It contains four times as much fiber as oat bran and twice as much fiber as wheat bran or flax seed meal. A tablespoon or two of coconut dietary fiber can be added to beverages, baked goods, casseroles, etc. The coconut is beneficial to Intestinal health, Diabetes issues, and mineral absorption, among other benefits.

Now, a bit about buying Coconut oil for cooking. When I first bought some, I didn't really read up on it, I just wanted to try it out. So, you can imagine my surprise when the steak I cooked in it came out with tropical flavor. I was not a happy camper and wrote to the company about it all because had I known it would make my food taste like coconut, I wouldn't have fried my steak in it, I would have, however, cooked chicken or fish in it!

Well, turns out that there is a process that takes the flavor out of the oil and that is what I will buy next time. I buy my oil from Tropical Traditions. And had I read their website more thoroughly, I would have learned that their "expeller-pressed" coconut oil doesn't have the odor and taste of the coconut. Expeller-Pressed coconut oil is a refined coconut oil and is missing some of the nutrients and anti-oxidants properties that are in the virgin oil. But, since some things are better without the taste of coconut added, I think I will get some of that. I also noted in their website that they have distributors in the US (none near me) and have added several products for skin care, household goods and pet products that I don't remember seeing the last time I looked at the site.

So, that's it for the Coconut. It's benefits appear to be many. There's more websites and research out there on the Internet, but it all seems to be in favor of the coconut and dispels that pesky "it has fat" issue.

More About Pineapples

2010-05-05T12:11:00.000-07:00

Recently a friend emailed to tell me that he ate a small pineapple (about 2 oranges worth) to see what effect that would have on his arthritis. Although it seemed to relieve the arthritis pain, it also caused painful sores in his mouth. He also reported that he had gone to bed and woke up 3 hours later with a stuffy nose and the pain had returned. So, a little research was conducted to find out why that happened regarding the mouth sores.

Here is what I found out about pineapple:

The biodiversityexplorer tell us that the pineapple originates from South America (Brazil, in particular I read) and is a cultigen species produced in prehistorical times by South American Indians through hybridisation of two wild species and selection for beneficial traits of fruit size and quality. They contain protein-digesting enzymes called bromelains, so that if you add fresh pineapple to jelly, it will not set, and pineapple added to marinades will help tenderise meat.

According to howstuffworks, in the 1890's, researchers began isolating and studying bromelain, a natural mixture of two preteases (protein-digesting enzymes) found in pineapples. The discovered that bromelain is quite effective at dividing proteins such as the collagen in steak, as well as in your tongue. Powdered bromelain is used for tenderizing meat, as well as treating inflammation, swelling, indigestion and excessive blood clotting. The enzyme bromelain is neutralized by heat of about 158 degrees Fahrenheit, so they stop working when cooked. The process of tenderizing your tongue when you eat the raw fresh fruit is the same as in the steak - the bromelain begins to separate the peptide bonds that build amino acids into proteins. Your tongue regenerates these cells, so you won't be left with permanent damage to your tongue. Once you've consumed the pineapple, your body begins metabolizing it and soon renders it harmless.

Other websites echoed what is written above and also, if you like pineapple in your jello you have to use the canned stuff because the fresh pineapple with not allow it to set because it eats the proteins (Jello is made of animal protein - so just like it breaks down the protein in your steak, it also breaks down -digests- the protein in the jello).

So, we have learned:
A. Excessive eating of a pineapple is not good for your mouth, but you will survive. (Everything in moderation is my motto!)

B. The bromelain will not gnaw on your innerds because your body's metabolism will render it harmless.

C. Pineapple (bromelain) will help ease the pain of arthritis.

D. You can't make Jello with fresh pineapple.

E. Canned or processed pineapple doesn't have any bromelain in it because the heat needed for proper processing will have killed the enzyme... so if you're going for pain relief, that won't do it for you.

F. Fresh raw pineapple will tenderize meat, like a steak. (But don't leave it in a pineapple marinade overnight or your steak will probably have too much of it's proteins broken down and be mushy. Incidentally, lemon juice or Italian salad dressing will also tenderize your steak).

I have had no problems with the juices I've made, which are primarily pineapple, including the core and pulp, but they are juices so they aren't in my mouth long enough to tenderize my tongue and gums. Living painless or near painless just from one glass of juice every day has been great!

If you have any concerns about your ability to metabolize bromelain or the safety of pineapple, talk to a doctor, dietitian or other authority about it before you start eating megatons of the fruit. You might do better with the supplements instead of the raw fruit.

Also, I checked Dole's website and found no mention about the problems one can encounter eating too much pineapple... like the canker type sores my friend encountered. They have not answered my email as of right now either.

Next - I'll discuss The Mighty and Often Misunderstood Coconut!

Healthy Drink

2010-05-02T06:12:00.000-07:00

After doing all the posts about healthy foods, colds, flu, and allergies, etc, I decided to try something out to help alleviate the constant pain in my elbow and wrist. As well, any natural help with allergies is always welcome!

So, I re-read it all and made some notes and made a tasty juice drink. The recipe:

3/4 of a fresh pineapple, peeled and cut into chunks (including the core)
2 mangoes, peeled and pitted, cut into chunks
2 bananas, peeled and cut into chunks
about 3/4 cup of shredded, unsweetened, coconut
1/2 - 3/4 cup of local honey
Water

Fill the blender about 1/2 full of fruits, add a little water and blend until it's liquified. As it liquifies, add more of the fruits and honey (and water as needed) until it's all liquified. I kept it fairly thick. When I wanted to have a glass of juice, I poured some into a glass and added water to make it thinner and easier to drink.

To my amazement, after the first glass of juice at work last Tuesday, about 1/2 way through the day, I realized that the constant burning ache in my elbow and wrist was nearly gone. It was gone to the point that I couldn't hardly feel it and could move quite easily without pain.

Pineapple is full of bromelain and is the only dietary source for that enzyme. Bromelain performs many services, one of which is being a natural anti-inflammatory. Pineapples are also packed with Vitamin C. Local honey is good for desensitizing your immune system to help manage allergy season. Coconut oil increases the immune system, but I don't know if shredded coconut meat does that, but I like it and it seemed like a tasty idea to add it! LOL Bananas are full of Potassium and Tryptophan which are helpful for blood pressure and production of the "happiness hormone" Serotonin. Mango is full of Beta-Carotene, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, all of which are helpful to overall health.

I don't know if any of it helped my allergy issues since allergies ebb and flow depending on the level of allergens floating around. But it did definitely help with that pain issue. I think I will make another drink since this one is almost gone. Maybe some Pineapple, Papaya, grapes, and kiwi with honey or molasses.

Oh, and it also made a good mixer with Rum and would make a nice milkshake additive too!

Free Trees, Shrubs, Flowers

2010-04-26T16:51:00.000-07:00

This company locates unsold plants that normally would just be destroyed and have them packaged by workers with disabilities. The plants are free, you pay $7.95 per unit for processing, packing, and shipping. You get the plants and people with disabilities get jobs.

Click here to take a look!

Another interesting place to find information on gardening, ratings for different plants, ratings for different tools, a place where you can chat with fellow gardeners in the forums, swap seeds with other members and even get some free garden plans.

Click here to check it out!

Healthy Food Choices

2010-04-21T20:46:00.000-07:00

In addition to the benefits of the foods mentioned in the Colds, Flu, and Allergy blog, here are some other healthy additions for your diet:

Pistachios - rich in nutrients that keep triglycerides in check. A handful a day can lower your triglyceride levels up to 30%.

Tomatoes - they contain lycopene, which stops LDL (bad cholesterol) from turning into artery-clogging plaque. Incorporating 3 small amounts into your daily diet can make a difference in your health. Even the ketchup on your burger counts! (Also, if you have a dog, especially female dogs, that leave those nasty yellow spots in your yard from urinating... give her a cherry tomato or a tablespoonful of some marinara sauce every day and the spots will stop. Males do it too, but the females are the worst. I feed my dogs tomato and the spots stopped completely).

Black Tea - full of flavonoids that work to dilate blood vessels, improving circulation. Could be helpful to a migraine sufferer too.

Cranberry Juice - rich in polyphenols, which boost HDL (good cholesterol). It is also helpful in deterring Urinary Tract Infections.

Raspberries - the anthocyanins block the storage of fat to prevent weight gain. They also reduce cellular inflammation which helps to flush excess water weight. Eating 1 cup of raspberries a day has been shown to help lose 2 lbs a week.

Grapes - The antioxidant resveratrol increases the activity of SIRT1, the gene that controls the rate at which cells metabolize stored fat for energy. Eating 1 cup of grapes daily can boost fat loss up to 25%. I have also read that the red and purple varieties are better than the green ones. I have also read that concord grapes are the best of the lot.

Grapefruit - Eating half a grapefruit with meals helps women lose weight faster by reducing production of fat-storage hormones. The antioxidants (naringin, apigenin, and d-lilmonene) help stabilize blood sugar.

Nuts - Nuts are chock-full of fiber, good fats and other nutrients that speed weight loss.

Kiwi - It has more vitamin C than any other common fruit. Research indicates that lack of Vitamin C will result in burning less fat.

Beans - Beans ore the best source of a nutrient called "resistant starch", a type of fiber that ferments i the digestive tract and triggers strong hunger control and a 20 - 25% increase in fat burning for hours after its eaten. One cup a day is recommended.

Whole Grains - Eating whole grains lowers risk of major weight gain by 49%, researchers say, due to the fiber and other hormone-stabilizing nutrients.

Dark Chocolate - Just 1/2 a bar of dark chocolate a week will lower your blood pressure and heart-attack risk.

Cherries - Eating about 45 Bing cherries a day relieves the pain of osteoarthritis in the knees. The tart cherries are full of unique antioxidants. A supplement might be easier to manage on a daily basis!

Vinegar - Just two tablespoons of Apple Cider vinegar daily switches on the genes that are key to the manufacture of fatty acid oxidation enzymes. These block the body's storage of incoming dietary fat plus breaks down about 10% of existing body fat. It helps even out blood sugar levels. It also contains acetobacter (a beneficial microbe) binds to illness-causing bacteria in the body and renders them harmless. The vinegar's abundant potassium can flatten bloat by flushing retained water from tissues, help normalize muscle contractions to prevent aches and bring down blood pressure. For best results, use unfiltered, unpasteurized vinegar that doesn't undergo the intense processing that can reduce levels of beneficial compounds.

Warm Milk and Honey - cure insomnia. The milk's calcium calms the nervous system, inducing sleep, while the honey triggers the relaxing brain chemical serotonin. The honey also helps the body absorb calcium to boosts the effects and help you get to sleep faster.

Green Tea and Lemon - supercharge immunity. The citric acid and vitamin C in the lemon rev up the green tea's catechins, which boost immunity and reduce the risk of caner, stroke and Alzheimer's disease.

COOKING OILS
To speed weight loss, use Macadamia Nut Oil. It's buttery-tasting and boosts metabolism. It contains monounsaturated fats - which are good fats - reducing the risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. It also reduces cellular inflammation.

To lower blood sugar, use Safflower Oil. This oil significantly lowers blood sugar and body fat, as well as, boosting muscle mass. Buy the cold-pressed variety for the healthiest variety.

To improve your memory, use Grapeseed Oil. It protects brain function by reducing inflammation and protecting against age-related decline. It is loaded with resveratrol.

To prevent heart disease, use Sesame Oil. It lowers blood pressure because it's main phytonutrient, sesmin, relaxes blood vessel walls.

To lower cholesterol, use Avocado Oil. Two tablespoons daily lowers "bad" cholesterol up to 17% and raises "good" cholesterol by 11% in just one week. It is full of antioxidants, Vitamin E, and fatty acids, so it keeps your hair shiny and skin smooth too!

To increase immunity, use Coconut Oil. It is about 50% lauric acid, which strengthens the immune system and kills bacteria and viruses in the digestive tract. It boosts the body's ability to absorb other nutrients also, especially calcium and magnesium.

Colds, Flu, and Allergies

2010-04-21T19:34:00.000-07:00

The allergy season is upon us and going full-force. At least it is in my area. It's been particularly horrible this year too, probably due to the very mild winter we had and things started blooming early and all that. Ugh! I wish I could just hibernate through it and wake up when it's easier to breathe and my eyes won't itch.... I guess that would be Winter!

Allergies attack at all times of the year here. Pollens in the Spring and Summer then Mold and Mildew in the Fall and Winter. I'm sure there are others, but those are the main ones and as I get older I get more and more sensitive to them and I got to say that it is really annoying!

So, here we go, some tips I read about to ease the suffering of the allergy-prone:

Apples - The quercetin in apples, a flavonoid in the peel, makes cells resistant to allergens and protects lungs from irritants and allergens. When Grandma said "an apple a day keeps the doctor away", she was right. Apples, especially the peels, are also high in antioxidants and cholesterol-lowering fiber that helps reduce inflammation and blood pressure. It also lowers your risk of the clots that can cause a heart attack or stroke. Additionally, apples contain about 5 grams of pectin, a soluble fiber that blocks the absorption of 90 calories of dietary fat and suppresses appetite for up to 4 hours. Before I retired a couple years ago, I would have an apple everyday as a snack between lunch and leaving for the day. I have to admit that I did feel generally better in those days. I've started back on that program.

Honey - Honey contains small flecks of allergens in it. Eating it helps desensitize your immune system so it doesn't go crazy when an allergen comes in. Now, I now one woman, who I used to work with, who said that she had read that eating the honeycomb itself was the best way to avert allergies, so she did that. She ate too much of the stuff and ended up hospitalized for a couple weeks near death. On the good side, she never had another pollen allergy issue once she left the hospital. I don't recommend this! If you are going to eat the comb, eat small amounts!! I have also read, and this makes sense, to buy honey that is made in your own area. The pollens in Vermont are not necessarily the same as the pollens in California, for example. You want the stuff particular to the pollens in your own area. Mix a tablespoon in your morning tea every day or top your oatmeal with it.

Pineapple - Another of my favorites! It is the best natural food source for bromelain, an enzyme that relieves sinus problems like irritation and congestion. It is a natural anti-inflammatory. Plus it's packed with Vitamin C which helps out in cold and flu season. Fresh pineapple is the best to use, processing of canned fruits and vegetables can, and usually does, destroy much of the good stuff in our foods.

Green Tea - A major compound in green tea, EGCG, blocks the body's allergic response to common triggers such as ragweed, dust and dander - relieving sneezing, itchy eyes and congestion. They recommend two cups a day of fresh brewed tea. The bottled tea, they say, is not as good as the processing destroys/limits the EGCG properties.

Perilla - Perilla leaf extract, found in health food stores, has been used by the Chinese for centuries to stop allergies. The leaves contain rosmarinic acid and luteolin which are powerful natural antihistamines. (NOTE: I'm going to try this out!)

Beeswax Candles - When beeswax candles burn, they clean the air, neutralize pollen, mold spores, dust, bacteria and other particles that can trigger allergies and even asthma. The candles release negative ions that sweep up pollutants and pull them out of the air. As with any candles, don't leave them burning within reach of children, pets, or anything that might catch fire, like curtains. Be responsible.

Garlic - Taking a daily garlic supplement during the cold season can lessen your chances of catching a cold, up to 50%. The sulfur compounds in garlic help your heart also by making blood flow more freely and lowering your systolic blood pressure. For a supplement, it's best to take 600 mg to 1200mg in divided doses. I prefer the natural stuff instead of pills, so I go with the crushed clove in an ounce of wine... let it sit for a couple minutes, then swallow it down in one shot! The wine actually boosts the immunity powers of the garlic. Because garlic can thin your blood, so you should talk to your doctor before taking them.

Water - Gargle with it. Just plain old water. Gargle and spit it out morning and night. It will help clear your throat of viruses before they make you sick.

Mushrooms - Very low in calories and zero fat! White button mushrooms are packed with immunity-boosting compounds that deliver protection against colds and other viral infections.

Remember when you were a kid and without batting an eyelash, you'd run out into the cold weather to play with your friends without buttoning your coat or wearing a scarf? Then Mom, or Grandma, would holler out the door at you to come in, button up, or zip up "before you catch your death"? Well, they were sort of right about that. Being in cold weather, alone, will not cause you to have a cold. When you are feeling chilly, your white blood cells and other antibodies become less aggressive toward invading viruses. If you stay warm, those cells and antibodies are better fighters giving your immune system a boost. So, absent an existing virus running through the neighborhood, being in cold weather, by itself, will not cause a cold according to reports in the journal Family Practice.

Health and Beauty Secrets of Other Lands

2010-04-20T18:10:00.000-07:00

HIMALAYAS
The Hunza, who live on the highest peaks of the Himalyas, are among the longest living people in the world. The higher up in the Himalayas you climb, the more potent the plants are.

To ease allergies, the extract of the Guduchi, a flowering vine significantly reduces nasal congestion and sneezing. It blocks histamines and boosts immune cells that fight allergens.

Buckwheat, which is gluten free, is also a major source of fatty acids and vitamins B and E. It is also rich in rutin, a cancer-fighting bioflavonoid that fights inflammation, lowers cholesterol and strenghtens capillaries.

The Gotu Kola boosts blood circulation in the body, improving concentration and alertness and it reduces varicose veins, spider veins, and edema.

The resin of the Guggul tree can help lower bad cholesterol as well as prescription drugs - without the side effects. It also improves good cholesterol levels. In addition to that, it improves thyroid function which improves metabolism. Researchers aren't exactly sure how it works, but they think it helps speed the breakdown of cholesterol in the liver before it can enter the bloodstream.

The Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil, boosts production of the brain chemicals serotonin and dopamine easing the symptoms of depression. It takes effect in about 72 hours. It also is loaded with antioxidants so it lowers cholesterol and blood sugar and protects cells from damage caused by aging, inflammation and some chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Drink a cup or two of Tulsi tea daily.

Himalayan natural salt crystals boost energy, mood and well-being. They enhance the body's absorption of nutrients as well as balance electrolytes and boost circulation. Use as you would table salt.

Drink 2 oz daily of Goji berry juice to fend off a cold. It triggers a 300% boost in illness-fighting white blood cell production in as little as 3 weeks. They also have 500 times more vitamin C per ounce than an orange, and 15 times more iron than spinach. They are also packed with compounds that trigger secretion of the natural anti-aging human growth hormone (HGH).

MOROCCO
The spice Tumeric has lipotropic properties which rev metabolism and help the liver flush out toxins. It also reduces inflammation in fat cells and lowers blood sugar dramatically. It is a popular spice in Moroccan cuisine. Sprinkle it on chick or steak for a spicy curry taste.

Cumin, another spice, has more than 100 chemicals that help ease digestion and prevent gas and bloating. It also helps stimulate the enzymes that break down food more efficiently so you get more nutrients and the fats and toxins are swept out before they can be stored by the body.

Researchers have found that the herb Fenugreek boosts circulation to the scalp and ormalizes cortisol levels, which help regulate production of oils in the skin and hair. The Diosgenin compound can stabilize mood swings and ease PMS.

Moraccon Oil is the hottest thing in Hollywood right now. The Argan oil is made from the crushed kernels of hte argan tree, which grows only in Morocco. The fatty acids and vitamin E have been shown to penetrate hair shafts to reduce frizz and smooth split ends. Moroccan oil sold in most salons contains extra ingredients, but the 100% Argan oil is so organic, Moroccans use it for cooking too!

Moraccan mud, or Rhassoul, is rich in silica, iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium. The clay draws out dirt, toxins, and impurities from the skin and deposits skin-soothing minerals back into the pores. It has been found to reduce dryness up to 80% after a single use.

PROVENCE
Folks in this southern regoion of France use Sage to beat PMS and hot flashes. Sage's natural estrogens balance hormones and its tannins help block sweating.

They consume Almonds to relieve a tension headache. The almonds have salicylates, the same painkillers found in aspirin. They are also high in Vitamin E which widens blood vessels to ease circulation in the head and magnesium, which reduces muscle tension.

For soft skin they rely on Calendula which protects against dryness, wrinkles and acne.

A glass of red wine, handful of red or purple grapes, or a glass of grape juice every day has the antioxidants quercetin and anthocyanins which fight inflammation, easing joint pain. As well, it has Resveratrol, a flavonoid that blocks pain.

Garlic sulfur and allicin remove toxins and pollutants from the liver and one study found garlic can bind to mercury in the body and sweep it right out of the system. It can kill germs and bacteria on contact but leaves your "good" bacteria alone.

CHINA
Body brushing to rid yourself of cellulite. Body brushing, they say, is shown to tighten and exfoliate skin and reduce cellulite. It stimulates the lymphatic system to flush out fluids and toxins that make you feel tired and sluggish too. Just use a natural soft bristle brush to sweep you skin from head to toe in a circular motion for two minutes every day before you shower. Focus on the soles of the feet, back of the knees and the neck.. all of which are areas near the lymph glands.

Coffee Grounds, Mouthwash, and Cardboard Tubes

2010-04-20T17:52:00.000-07:00

Coffee Grounds
1. Sprinkle used grounds around the acid loving plants in your garden, like roses and azaleas. Coffee adds nutrients to the soil and the caffeine encourages roots to spread.
2. Put fresh coffee grounds in a bowl and place in the back of your fridge and freezer. The grounds will absorb bad food odors.
3. Pour used coffee grounds around the area where ants seem to be living. Apparently they are not coffee drinkers and will leave the area. (NOTE: I tried this at my Mom's place and mostly it seemed to wake up those nasty little sugar ants! However, it may ultimately get rid of them. May 9, 2010 - We added more coffee grounds to the area and it seems to have gotten rid of those little ants.)
4. To clean your disposal, pour used grounds down the disposal and turn on the hot water, then turn on the disposal. The grounds will destroy the bacteria lingering in the pipes and eliminate odors.

Alcohol-based Mouthwash
1. Fill a spray bottle with one part mouthwash to three parts water. Spray directly on your plants leaves and into the soil. The mouthwash protects the plants from fungi.
2. Pour 1/4 cup mouthwash into the toilet bowl and let sit for 30 min. The alcohol will make it sparkle while the antiseptic ingredients will kill germs.
3. After shampooing, pour a capful of mouthwash onto your scalp, leave it on for 5 min, then rinse and condition. The mouthwash kills the fungus that causes dandruff.

Cardboard Tubes
1. Bracelet stand. Cover a tube with a pretty wrapping paper and stand it on your dresser. Pile on the bracelets.
2. Place a few paper-towel tubes inside tall boots to keep them standing tall to keep their shape.
3. To prevent nylons/pantyhose from snagging in your dresser, just roll them up and stuff them into toilet paper tubes before putting in your drawer.
4. To extend your vauum's reach, tape a gift wrap tube to the end of your vacuum's hose and flatten the tube slightly to fit behind the furniture or to reach up to the ceiling corners.

Cleaning cheaper

2010-04-20T17:17:00.000-07:00

Lemons
1. Sanitize wood chopping boards with use lemon juice. The citric acid in the juice is a powerful antibacterial that can kill even e. Coli on contact!
2. Run a solution of one part water to one part lemon juice through your coffee machine to remove hard water and mineral deposits that can clog it up. Then repeat using just water.
3. Put half a lemon or a few drops of lemon juice in a bowl of water and cook on high in your microwave for 3 minutes. It will rid your microwave of odors and the steam will loosen any food particles that are stuck inside so you can easily wipe it clean.

White Vinegar
1. In your shower, use a sponge or in a spray bottle. The Acetic acid that gives vinegar its sour taste and pungent odor also dissolves mineral deposits, hard water stains, and soap scum. It also kills 99% of surface bacteria and 82% of mold.
2. If Fido has an "accident" on the carpet, mix up one part vinegar and two parts cold water into a spray bottle. Shake well and spray the stain until it's saturated. Let soak for a minute or two then blot up with a rag.
3. A couple times a year, pour a few cups of white vinegar into your washing machine and turn it on to cycle, as if you were washing clothes. The vinegar will break down soap residue, deposits, and mildew leaving your machine with a longer life span and more cleaning power.

Baking Soda
1. Sprinkle burned on foods with baking soda and add enough water to moisten and let sit for several hours. Then you can wipe it clean without any elbow grease.
2. Mix up a paste of baking soda and a dab of dishwashing liquid to use in removing bathtub rings. It will keep the porcelain sparkling without causing any damage.
3. Place generous amounts of baking soda on the bottom of your oven and spray it with some water. Let it sit overnight and wipe it clean in the morning with no effort.

Club Soda
1. Pour club soda on clothes, carpets or couches to remove stubborn stains, including red wine, grease and chocolate. Let it set in for 15 - 30 minutes, then blot the stain with a clean cloth or sponge.
2. Jewelry looking dull? Place your precious gem jewelry in a glass of club soda and let it sit overnight. The soda will remove debris, loosen the oils, and won't damge the gems. Rinse well before using.
3. Use it to remove rust and rust stains. Just pour the club soda on the spot and let sit 15 minutes, wipe away with a cloth. You can also spritz it on rusty nuts and bolts to get them moving again or soak rusty tools in a bowl of club soda overnight. (NOTE: It doesn't say this, but, the last time I used a home remedy to remove rust from tools, it did work, but it was necessary to immediately give the tools a rub down in oil or the rust came back as soon as it dried. I would guess the same would hold true for this remedy).
4. Soak your stainless steel utensils in club soda and rub away any streaks with a cloth, then rinse with clean water to restore the shine.

Fabric Softener Sheet
1. To keep faux flowers looking fresh, wipe the petals and eaves with a clean, used fabric softener sheet. The antistatic qualities of the sheet will keep the flowers from attracting dust as quickly.
2. Wipe down dusty TV screens with a used sheet to remove the dust and keep it from attracting more dust as quickly.

Nine Uses for a Banana

2010-04-20T16:46:00.000-07:00

1. To get a scrape to heal faster, after disinfecting the wound with disinfectant, rub the wound with the white side of a banana peel for one minute. The peel is packed with Vitamins B6 and C, antioxidants that stimulate the healing process.

2. To whiten your teeth without the expense of commercial tooth-whitening kits, massage your teeth with the inside of a banana peel, rubbing in a circular motion for 2 minutes. Repeat once a day for two weeks. The texture of the peel gently removes yellowing tartar and plaque while infusing the enamel with whitening minerals such as potassium, calcium, and vitamin D.

3. Give indoor plants a great shine by stroking each leaf with the white part of a banana peel. The texure and oils of hte inner skin serve as a mild abrasive and polish in addition to feeding the plant nutrients from the peel.

4. When you see the signs of a wart developing, cut a dime-size piece of banana peel and place it white side down on the wart. Secure with a bandaid. Leave on overnight and remove it in the morning. Reapply nightly for two weeks or until the wart disappears. The pulp on the inside of the peel contains mucilage, which kills warts without chemicals.

5. To relieve the itchy annoyance of a mosquito bite, rub the inside of a banana peel against the inflamed area. The polysaccharides seep down into the skin cells and stops the irritation almost immediately.

6. If you've managed to get some ink on your skin that won't wash off with soap and water, rub the white side of a banana peel on the area and the ink should disappear. The natural oils in the peel attract the oils in the ink, weakening the bonds of the pigment.

7. Got a scratched CD? Well, rub the white side of a banana peel in a circular motion for 30 seconds. Then wipe with a lint free cloth sprayed with glass cleaner to remove any leftover film. The CD should play fine again. (NOTE: I gave this a try and, amazingly, it worked!)

8. To get rid of aphids and ants in your garden, cut up 2 or 3 banana peels, place on a cookie sheet and bake at 200 deg for 15 minutes or until they shrivel. Then dig a 1" deep hole in the ground at the base of the plant and place the dried pieces in the soil. The high concentration of potassiumin the banana skin will make the aphids leave and the buried bits are lethal to ants.

9. To revamp leather that is scratch and scuffed, rub the white side of a banana peel on the scratch/scuff, then buff with a clean cloth. The potassium (a key ingredient in leather polish) will be absorbed into the damaged leather and diminish the marks.

Herbs and Other Stuff

2010-04-04T17:39:00.000-07:00

The Olive W Garvey Center for Healing Arts in Kansas tells us that the Ashwagandha, an Indian plant, balances your hormones when your stressed and increases stamina. The plant has chemicals, like adrenaline and also contains Anolide. They recommend 200 - 500mg daily.

Add Rosemary to your meal to soothe a sore throat and help quell a cough. The eucalyptol loosen chest congestion and the herb is rich in anti-inflammatory tannins.

Add 2 teaspoons of Oregano to your meal to reduce or eliminate menstrual cramping. The herb has thymol and carvacrol in it which relax uterine muscles.

They say Dill, with it's limonene works as well as prescription antibiotics at killing harmful intestinal bacteria such as e. Coli.

To relieve sinus congestion and pressure, add some Cayenne to your meal. The Capsaicin in cayenne deactivates substance P, a neurotransmitter linked to inflammation.

To ease chronic fatigue, joint pain, and depression, add some Cilantro to your food. The carboxylic acid in it binds to heavy metals such as mercury in the blood and carries them out of the body reversing the toxin buildup.

The curcumin in Curry inhibits the body's production of prostaglandin E2, an inflammatory compound that over sensitizes nerves. This is supposed to work as well in relieving joint and muscle pain as effectively as prescription medications.

Feeling bloated? The apiol and myristicin in Parsley is a natural diuretic that prevents salt from being reabsorbed into body tissue, which causes water retention.

The eugenol and rosmarinic acid in Basil boost the brains production of dopamine and serotonin, although the happier effects might not be noticed for 3 days or so of using it.

Ginger's gingerol and shogaol calm disgestive tract spasms to reduce nausea better than motion sickness drugs according to Brigham Young University.

The Duke Integrative Medicine in Durham NC says that the use of Butterbur has been shown to be as effective as Allegra or Zyrtec for the relief of allergies. It blocks both histamine and leukotriene, two chemicals that trigger swelling in the nasal passages. It can take several weeks for it to build up in your system, so you would need to start taking 50 - 70mg of extract, twice daily, before the allergy season begins. NOTE: The raw plant contains liver harming compounds so you will have to buy some that is "PA free".

For relief of allergy-related congestion, eucalyptus or peppermint essential oil can help... you breathe it, don't eat it.

Constipated? Drink lots of water and gnaw on a couple Kiwi. The Kiwi fruit is loaded with enzymes that have a mild laxative effect.

Skimping on green vegetables can trigger a round of "the blues". Greens are rich in folate, a B vitamin, that kick starts the production of serotonin, the brain's own potent antidepressant.

The complex carbohydrates in fruit increase the production of mood-boosting brain chemical by as much as 50%. Eat fruit regulary, any fruit, to help avoid "the blues".

Here's another miracle plant: Rhodiola. It thrives in super-cold, dry climates and is full of phytonutrients that can help you beat fatigue, beat stress, lose weight, and protect your heart.
It energizes your brain cells by taking , boosts serotonin, revs up calorie burn and makes your heart work more efficiently.

Here's a good one: Beer helps you recover faster from a workout!! LOL It is better than water at rehydrating and re-energizing your body after an exhausting workout, according to the Granada University in Spain.

According to the University of Quebec scientists, the smell of baking cookies (or any sweet scent) reduces the activity in the part of the brain responsible for sensing pain.

Researchers in Scotland tell us to drink a can of our favorite soda pop (not diet soda pop) to sharpen the memory. The sugar activates the hippocampus, your brain's memory center.

Roses add elegant beauty to any room and are rich in calming chemicals called esters that reduce conflict and negative emotions.

Studies show that the sweet scent of Jasmine sedates the nervous system, taking the edge off negative feelings, insomnia and headaches.

The scent of Lavender increases alpha waves in your brain, which are associated with relaxation.

Relieve your allergies with a Rubber Plant. Their high humidity content draws dust and allergens like a magnet so they stick to the plant's leaves instead of lingering in the air and irritating you.

The Golden Pothos plants are adept at absorbing benzene, found in plastics, furniture wax and tabacco smoke, which cause drowsiness and dizzyness.

A Snake plant works overnight to lower levels of carbon dioxide, keeping your oxygen levels higher during the day - or keeping the air quality cleaner.

Freshen up the bathroom with Peace Lilies. They are one of hte best at absorbing chemical vapors licke acetone (nail polish remover) and the alcohol used in hair products and household cleansers.

The lovely Dracaena will gobble up odors and the toxin TCE found in paints, lacquers, varnishes and adhesives.

The Orchid will rid your room of headache causing culprits like cigarette smoke, paints, ammonia, dry cleaning chemicals, plastics and cosmetics.

The tropical Bromeliad, unlike most plants, gives off oxygen during the night instead of during the day, helping you breathe easier overnight.

A nice Boston fern removes formaldehyde from the air. A toxin often found in furniture, clothes, and carpeting which can trigger asthma symptons and irritate the eys, nose and throat.

A pretty English Ivy plant will remove up to 60% of airborne mold from musty basements, damp laundry rooms and anywhere else mositure collects and becomes a breeding ground for molds.

The Bamboo plant not only is supposed to bring good luck, but it cleans the air of benzene, formaldehyde and TCE. They also pump moisture into the air, especially helpful during the cool months when heating systems dry the air.

The Philodendron will help remove formaldehyde fumes often found in new rugs and carpets.

Oh those Hollywood women! Here's some beauty tips they say they use:
1. Brush your teeth with strawberries mashed up with a little baking powder to make a paste. It makes your teeth whiter.
2. Spritz your face with milk and water to make wrinkles stay at bay.
3. Eat two Tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar before meals to lose belly fat.
4. Brew up a pot of coffee, let it cool, then pour on your shampooed and towel-dried hair, let it sit for 20 minutes then rinse it off. Your brunette locks will be deeper, richer, and shinier.
5. Pour a cup of red wine in your bath to get softer more luxurious feeling skin.
6. Give yourself a facial of powdered vitamin C mixed with 1 Tablespoon of water to get that youthful look.
7. Soften and moisturize your skin with a sugar rub. Mix some sugar with your usual cleanser and use as you normally would.

And last, but not least:
If you are needing to focus and find some peace in your world, take a walk through a labyrinth. When you walk in a circle, you mind slows down and you are able to meditate on each curve and step you take. This pushes our logical left brain out of the way and allows you to think more creatively! Go for a virtual walk, if you don't have a Labyrinth handy, at The Labyrinth Society.

Still need some solutions? Stare at a mandala. The Buddhists and Hindus use the brightly colored circular design to focus on a problem. The creative side of your brain, the right side, is stimulated to "see" solutions that the logical left side of your brain can't. Download mandalas at Free-printable-mandala-coloring-pages or at Coloring Castles.

Health and Wellness tips

2010-04-03T14:17:00.000-07:00

The blessings of Citrus:
According to research by Texas A & M, eating ruby red grapefruit can help prevent osteoporsis. Adding the fruit to a normal diet increased bone mineral density and improved the absorption of calcium and magnesium in just 60 days.

Just two tablespoons per week of Orange marmalade can slash your risk of squamous-cell skin cancer by 50%. Marmalade, which is made from the peels and membranes of citrus fruit, is loaded with plant polyphenols, which prevent skin cells from turning cancerous. It also is loaded with natural UV light blockers, which can reduce sun-related skin damage by 46%.

One tablespoon per week of Orange rind will cut your bad cholesterol by up to 40%. The rind contains poly-mexthoxylated flavones and will not reduce your HDL (good) cholesterol and doesn't produce any side effects.

Because of its unique mix of phytonutrients, lemon juice boosts metabolism and enhances the liver's ability to break down trapped fats and pollutants by 30%, according to researchers at the Univeristy of Bridgeport in Connecticut. Just putting a lemon slice in your tea or water chan help you shed pounds, feel energized and get rid of toxins.

The researchers at Texas A & M say that tests show that Lemon zest, the outer most peel of the lemon, contains D-limonene, which has been shown to inhibit cancer cells. Their tests showed that the lemon zest can shut down the growth of breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer cells by as much as 63%, forcing them to self-destruct instead of reproduce. As little as one Tablespoon of zest a week can make a huge difference.

Hot salsa, horseradish, wasabi, chili sauce... super hot condiments unplug clogged sinuses faster than a decongestant spray. Consume 2 Teaspoons twice a day until your infection clears.

Inhaling steam from a nice hot morning shower for 15 minutes each morning can kick-start sinus healing in as little as 72 hours.

Eat some pineapple, fresh, to ease inflammation of the nasal passages, easing sinus pain and making breathing easier. The bromelain is an anti-inflammatory enzyme.

Give yourself a 5 minute foot massage 2 times a day to increase oxygen flow. The oxygen flow will help reduce inflammation and congestion.

According to an article in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, loading up on Vitamin C rich foods (Citrus, broccoli) and beta-carotene rich foods (carrots and sweet potatoes) will help prevent metabolic syndrome (a collection of risk factors for diabetes and heart disease), whereas popping Vitamin C and beta-carotene supplements will not.

To get a better night's sleep, try eating a slice of cheese, a half cup of cottage cheese, a few whole grain crackers, a handful of soy nuts or a glass of milk. These foods each contain the sleep-inducing tryptophan. Eat about 30 - 60 minutes before going to bed.

According to new research by West Virginia's Wheeling Jesuit University, milk chocolate boosts attention, memory and focus more than dark chocolate. Just a 3-oz portion boosts blood flow and oxygen to the frontal lobe of the brain - the area that regulates attention and focus - by 50%, heightening concentration in just 15 minutes.

One teaspoon of powdered nutmeg in a glass of hot milk will ease whatever anxiety is keeping you awake or waking you up at night, according to the University of Michigan. The nutmeg contains phenylpropanoids, compounds that ease anxiety.

Just 2 teaspoons of molasses (especially blackstrap molasses) provides nearly 20% of your RDA of iron, manganese and copper. These minerals boosts oxygen to cells and it also detoxifies your system, removing fats and pollutants that make you sluggish. Hmmmm, think I'll go make some cookies now!

The key compound of Licorice, glycyrrhizin, boosts immunity and shortens colds by increasing levels of a special virus-fighting chemical called interferon. Licorice has been proven to soothe colds and coughs as effectively as over-the-counter remedies. It also thins and loosens mucus in the airways and relaxes spasms in the bronchial tract so you can breate easier and stop coughing. Try a good hot cup of licorice tea.

Feeling frazzled after a long hard day at the office? Try a cup or two of Passionflower tea. The tropical treatment contains flavonoids, oils and other compounds that relax blood vessels, improving circulation and inducing calm. According to scientists, these compunds act just like Valium without any side effects. It can also help if you have insomnia.

Aloe Vera gel is great for easing the sting of a sunburn but, if you have digestive issues, the juice of the Aloe Vera plant can prevent digestive problems, including constipation. The fiber composition soothes and dtoxifies the intestines according to ethnobotanist Chris Kilham. Sip 2 - 4 oz of the pure juice per day.

Bromelain, the main enzyme in pineapple, speeds the healing of bruises, sprains and strains according to Chris Kilham. Drink the juice of the pineapple for a quicker reaction.

According to Elizabeth Somer, MA RD, the Mango is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, especially beta-carotene, that nourish and plump skin cells. Eating as little as 2 cups of sliced mango per week is proven to reduce the aging effects of sunlight.

Ginger has the ability to quash viruses and provide protection from infections, according to Chris Kilham. It also has an anti-inflammatory coupound that soothes a sore throat instantly while attacking the virus causing it.

Also according to Kilham, bananas are rich in potassium (which keeps blood pressure in check and controls headaches) and tryptophan (which your brain converts into the happiness hormone, Serotonin). Next time you're feeling so-so... have a banana.

The papaya, high in Vitamins C and A and potassium is best known for the enzyme papain, proven to reduce swelling and relieve the pain of inflammatory conditions like arthritis, tendonitis and backaches. It also helsp the body break down protein. So have a glass of papaya juice or some fresh fruit!

The little flax seed can lower bad cholesterol by 10%. Just add 1oz of flax seed daily to your diet to reduce artery clogging LDL cholesterol levels, per Steven Joyal, MD. Flax is also rich in sooluble and insoluble fiber, both of which reduce the absorption of dietary cholesterol. Consuming 3 Tablespoons of the seed per day cuts the risk of breast cancer in half according to Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD who says that Flax is the richest plant source of these powerful compounds, lignans, which help the liver break down and excrete breast irritating estrogens.
People who sprinkle flax on their high-carb snacks and meals cut their blood sugar and insulin levels as much as 28%, enough to control, or prevent, Type 2 diabetes. Flax's fiber and omega-3's slow the digestion and absorption of carbs, plus improve your body's ability to absorb and use glucose, according to Doctor Joyal.
Note: The benefits of flaxseeds are only released when the seeds are ground, but since pre-ground flax can go rancid quickly, you should buy whole seeds and store them in the fridge, using only what you need on a daily basis.

Uses for Coffee Filters

2010-04-03T13:44:00.000-07:00

Coffee filters can be used for more than just filtering the coffee grounds of your morning coffee and they are pretty inexpensive to buy.

1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave.
2. Clean windows, mirros, and chrome - coffee filters are lint-free so they're good for cleaning
3. Protect china by placing a filter between each plate on the stack
4. If you break the cork while opening your bottle of wine, and the cork gets into the bottle, use a filter to filter out the cork when pouring it.
5. Protect a cast iron skillet by placing a coffee filter in it to absorb moisture and prevent rust
6. Use it to apply shoe polish
7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain the oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.
8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients into the filter and place on the scale. The scale stays clean
9. Coffee filters make convenient wraps for messy foods like a taco, or just to hold a sandwich.
10.Stop soil from leaking out of a plant pot by lining the pot bottom with a filter.
11.Poke one or two holes in the filter to accomodate using as a drip catcher for popcicles.
12. Use strips of coffee filter, instead of expensive store-bought strips to wax eyebrows.
13. Use on a plate to soak up grease from your fried bacon, french fries or chicken fingers while they are draining on them.
14. Keep some in the bathroom for those nasty "razor nicks"
15. Use a filter as an easy to tear backing for embroidering or appliqueing soft fabrics.
16. Put baking soda in a coffee filter and insert ito shoes or a closet ot absorb or prevent odors.
17. Use them to strain soup stock and to tie fresh herbs in to put in soups and stews.
18. Use a coffee filter to prevent spilling when you add fluids to your car.
19. Use them as a spoon rest while cooking and to clean up small counter spills
20. Can be used to hold dry ingredients when baking or when cutting fruit and veggies. Saves on having to wash all those extra bowls.
21. Use them to wrap Christmas ornaments for storage
22. Out of cotton balls? Use the filters to remove fingernail polish.
23. Use filters to sprout seeds! Dampen the filter, place the seeds inside, fold it and place in a plastic baggie until they sprout.
24. If you're into pressed flowers.... place the flower between two coffee filters and put the coffee filters in the phone book, or other large book, the filters will act as blotting paper.
25. Use them as a disposable "snack bowl" for popcorn, chips, nuts, etc, when you want a snack.

Still More Helpful Household Hints

2010-04-03T12:55:00.000-07:00

In the kitchen:
The dishwasher isn't leaving your dishes pristene and spotless. Try pouring a packet of powdered lemonade mix into the detergent cup and run the dishwasher while it's empty. The citric acid cuts through the deposits of hard water rust and iron that are clogging the water jets. To get rid of a cloudy film that sometimes appears on your "clean" dishes, add 1 cup of white viengar to your rinse compartment and run through the full cycle, the acids in vinegar break up soap deposits allowing the dishes to rinse cleaner and preventing the buildup of dingy film.

Cleaner cookware:
If you have food burned on to your skillet, pour in some CocaCola to cover the bottom and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer for a few minutes and the acids and carbonation in Cola break down grease molecules and stubborn cooked on foods, releasing them from the cookware's surface. When the pot cools off, put it under running water to rinse the gunk away.

Shine copper with ketchup. If your copper or brass cookware is looking a little old, squeeze some ketchup onto a a cloth and rub it onto the surface, then rinse. The acids in the tomatoes and vinegar bond with the molecules causing the tarnish which then wash away with water. They will look like new. Worchestershire sauce works also. NOTE: I tried this on some old copper bottom pots at my Dad's house and the ketchup method didn't do a darned thing for them. Perhaps they are speaking only of new cookware.

Pet hair removal and deodorizing around the house:
Keep the kitty litter fresher smelling by adding a layer of baking soda on the bottom where everything will naturally seep to. Your kitty will thank you for a nicer smelling toilet.

To remove pet fur from the couch, put on a pair of rubber gloves, run some water over the outside, shake and then run the gloves over the couch. The moisture will cause the fur to ball up and the rubber gloves easily pick it up.

Pet hair tends to gather on baseboards and heating units, if you run an unused dryer sheet over them, the sheet will pick up the existing hair and leave a coating on the baseboards etc that prevents future hair buildup.

Shedding - a year round problem at my house - according to Julia Szabo, author of Prety Pet-Friendly, says that in the cold months, add a drop or two of olive oil in your pets food and it will almost eliminate shedding. The reason is because, just like your own skin, your pet's skin also becomes dry in the winter so it releases hair more easily and flakes more, causing more allergy inducing dander to be in your home. The olive oil gives your dog the essential fatty acids that smooth and moisten skin, reducing the shedding issues.

Another method of picking up pet hair is to spary a cloth with hairspray and run it lightly over pet haired areas. The hair will stick to the rag for easy clean up.

Happy Plants:
Don't toss out that flat club soda. Give it to your plants! The mineral rich soda will keep their leaves nice and green and the plants will grow faster.

Our fine feathered friends:
There are plenty of birds that hand around during the winter months. Here are some "bird-friendly" treats and a way to clean up some stuff in the kitchen!
1. Eggshells. They are rich in calcium and are good for the birds digestion. Crush them up and place near other food you put out.
2. Stale cereal. Crush up the bigger stuff and put it out for the birds. Try to avoid giving them the high sugar stuff though.
3. Stale bread. Tear it up into pieces and toss it out for the birds to eat.
4. Water. Leave some water out for the birds. Especially in the winter when things are frozen, the smaller birds will have a difficult time finding safe, non-frozen, water. Use a dark colored, shallow bowl and leave it out in the daytime. The dark color will absorb heat and help keep the water thawed. Bring it in at night.

Winter help - outside the home:
Keep slush, snow and road debris off your headlights with car wax. The wax has water repellents in it and will help to keep these things from collecting on and covering up your lights.

Ice proof your windows with vinegar. Fill a spray bottle with three parts vinegar to one part water and spritz it on all you car windows at night. In the morning, they'll be clear of icy mess. The acetic acid in the vinegar raises the melting point of water preenting water from freezing. If you wake up to an already frozen car, just spray on the mixture and watch the ice melt.

Fog proof your windshield with shaving cream. Shaving cream contains many of the same ingredients that are found in commerical defoggers. Just spray some on the inside of your windows and wipe it off with paper towels. The cream creates a protective film on the glass that prevents fogging. (works on bathroom mirrors too - for those who like those hot steamy long showers, but need to use the mirror right afterwards!)

De-ice your car locks in seconds with hand sanitizer. The hand sanitizer has to be at least 60% alcohol. Sanitizers with less won't work - and they don't sanitize much either. Anyway, put a little gel on your key and some on the lock and the problem of a frozen lock is solved. Commercial de-icers main ingredient is generally alcohol (not the drinking kind), which is also the main ingredient in Hand Sanitizers.

Squeak proof and streak proof your windshield wipers. Use rubbing alcohol or ammonia to wipe off your wipers. These are solvents that can cut the buildup of grease and grime on your wipers and make your view much clear and operation less noisy.

Credit and Debt advice

2010-04-03T11:58:00.000-07:00

It's not easy getting along in the economy that we are living in. But I will spare you my personal politics in this area. The reality is, it's not as easy as it used to be to get by.

I was reading an article about "becoming debt-free" and it had a website in it called Debt Advice. I looked through the website and thought it was very informative on it's credit, housing, bankruptcy, saving money, and debt reduction advice. Instead of calling one of those "debt consolidation firms" that have erupted like hordes of locust, try seeking the help of the nonprofit credit counselors at this site.

Additionally, in the article it talked about paying off your highest interest credit cards, even if they don't carry the highest balance. (This is what I did - so I was glad to see someone agreed with my plan! LOL)

It also says that some credit card companies will reduce your interest rate for 6 to 12 months if you promise to freeze your account during that time, as in no new charges. (I didn't do this but had I known about it, I probably would have given it a shot).

The article also said that you should think about signing up for a balance transfer to a new credit card that will give you a "no or low" interest rate for a specified period of time. I've done that before and it was nice, but now that they charge a large transaction fee, which makes it less appealing to me. Plus there is the fine print you need to really read. Many of them say if that if you are late, at all, with your payment, you'll likely get socked with a huge interest rate up to 30% as your penalty. And though it says "low or no interest for a year", well, that's not exactly true because the paperwork can take up to two months of your "for a year". I'm not a big fan of this method of lowering your bills.

Another thing it talks about is your credit score. Credit scores are very important if might ever want to own a home, a car, or anything with a big price tag that you don't have the cash for. It can also be a factor for gaining certain employment. This article, talks about the "credit utilization ratio" which means how much total credit you have compared to what you're actually using. Now according to the article, it says that you should never cancel a credit card. If you have $20,000.00 of credit on 3 cards and carry a total balance of $5,000.00 owing, you're credit utilization is 25%... which is good. If you were to cancel one card that has a $10,000.00 line of credit, then your utilization score jumps up to 50%... which is bad.

Now, in my personal experience, I have always enjoyed an excellent credit score and until recently never was turned down for any credit app. Well, I was turned down twice and the stated reason was because I had a lot of credit cards with huge lines of unused credit on them.... which means I MIGHT use those lines of credit. Most of those cards I hadn't actually used for several years, having paid them off, I just hadn't officially closed them out.... and what I MIGHT do counted against me! I'm not even sure that's legal!

You can be sure that I have cancelled all those unused cards since then, regardless of the above advice. Also, if you cancel a card.... they don't always really cancel it, I found out.... so if something that you have automatically charged every year on your card, and you forgot to tell that agency/company... the charge still goes through.... which it should not! This happened with two cards from two different companies and, fortunately, I had saved the "cancellation" numbers written down with date, time, and the name of the person I had talked to. After a scathing tongue lashing from me, for them allowing a charge on my card I had cancelled, AFTER I had cancelled it, they apologized, removed the charge and truly cancelled the cards.

So, there you have it.... advice from some "experts" ( Jean Chatzky - author and financial editor; David Bach - money expert and author; and Carmen Wong Ulrich - author and personal finance expert) and my personal experience/thoughts on their advice.

2009-12-08T22:33:00.000-08:00

Feel Better Stuff

2009-11-01T14:21:00.000-08:00

Again, this information is from various Women's magazines and are presented to give you different ideas to help yourself. However, if you have health considerations you should never try anything new without consulting your doctor first.

1. Feel serene in seconds. Log on to zendesk and click on the Buddha machines. Try listening to one sound over and over or play several sounds at once and see what works for you.

2. Enjoy a pineapple shake. The pineapple is the only dietary source of bromelain, an enzyme proven to ease swelling, bruising and inflammation. Core and cut up one Pineapple, pour juice and chunks into a blender and puree'. Add one pint of vanilla ice cream, blend until smooth, pour into tall glasses and enjoy.

3. Cut Alzheimer's risk by having a Bloody Mary or Screwdriver at least three times a week. Compounds in the fruits protect pathways in the brain from being damaged by free radicals, while alcohol triggers the release of a chemical that protects your memory center... according to scientists.

4. Chromium. According to this article, 9 out of 10 of us are low on Chromium. This mineral plays a big role in keeping us trim and healthy. Replenish your Chromium with a daily 400 mcg supplement. You would have to eat a bushel of mushrooms, barley, chickpeas, lentils and broccoli to get as much Chromium as the supplement will give you. Use Chromium picolinate or Chromium polynicotinate.

University of Texas research suggests that a supplement a day can help dieters melt twice as much fat, without losing metabolism-boosting muscle. Chromium makes the body more sensitive to insulin so it shuttles sugar into cells before it damages organs or gets converted into fat. Chromium helps control blood sugar and could prevent diabetes in up to half of the "at risk" people with high levels of glucose.

A Duke University study suggest that taking chromium can cure one in five cases of full blown depression with the side benefit of not overeating or sleeping too much. The chromium signals the brain to produce more of the "happiness" hormone Serotonin.

European studies suggests Chromium helps reduce high blood pressure so arteries are less likely to become damaged, making a heart attack less likely.

Chinese research suggests boosting Chromium levels can lower artery-clogging cholesterol as much as 27 points.

5. Got a sore back?
Adjust the height of your seat so that the top of the computer screen is level with your eyebrows. This will stop you from craning your neck for hours on end causing shoulder and upper back pain.

Most of us ladies carry our purse over the same shoulder every day, which puts a strain on the overused side. Empty that purse out to lighten it up. Alternate shoulders to even out the strain. Switch to a back pack.

If you sleep on your back, put a pillow under your knees so that your lower back curves inot the mattress. If you sleep on your side, put a pillow between your knees so your hips are aligned evenly with your body. If you sleep on your stomach, puta small pillow under your tummy so that your back isn't arched.

Use 1200 mg of Omega 3 fish oil supplements daily, take 2000 IU of vitamin D, use a capsiacin cream that has a .025% capsiacin concentration 4x a day.

6. Ancient Chinese cures for Stress and Anxiety.
Cordyceps - burns fat and makes exercise easier. Mushroom extract.
Ginkgo Bilboa - increase libido and pleasure. Take 120 mg twice a day.
Codonopsis - boosts metabolism. 1 tsp of the extract can double your feelings of energy and vitality within just 48 hours.
Goji berry - Live longer. It triggers the release of a human growth hormone that keeps cells young, is also loaded with antioxidants and amino acids.
Dong quai - eases PMS and menopause symptoms
Gotu kola - eases stress and anxiety within 48 hours wihle improving concentration and focus.
Jiaogulan - soothes the nervous system and regulates melatonin production to prime the body for sleep.

Miscellaneous Helpful Hints

2009-11-01T13:45:00.000-08:00

I took this information from several magazines so I could put it all in one spot.... here! LOL

1. If your lipstick breaks in half, use your hair dryer to heat the intact base for about 20 seconds and stick the broken off piece back on. Stick it in the freezer for about a half hour and it's good to go!

2. If your china plate has a crack in it, place it in a pan, cover with milk and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 45 minutes. The milk will fill in the crack. For very fragile or valuable China, see an expert.

3. If you drop your powder compact or eye shadow and it breaks the powder into several hundred pieces, no reason to throw it away. Just add a few drops of rubbing alcohol and smooth the mixture over with a butter knife and let it dry. The powders will be good as new.

4. To mend a vase that has a chip or small crack in it, just grab a crayon of the same color and use your blow dryer to melt the crayon into the crack. Let it cool, scrape off the excess and your vase should be good as new.

5. Got a leak in your garden hose? Chew a piece of gum and then fit it right on the hole. Let it harden overnight and you can use the hose the next day. Gum shapes itself into the hold to fit perfectly and is extremely durable.

6. Sharpen dull scissors by cutting through 3 layers of aluminum foil a few times. The foil removes rust and buildup as well as smoothing any rough edges. For a dull knife, roll up a ball of foil and use the knife to cut through it a few times, it will sharpen the blade.

7. If you drop your cell phone in a puddle, take out the battery and SIM card and leave the phone in a bowl of dry rice for 24 hours, the rice will draw out any excess water. If it was in salt water, rinse first to stop the salt from causing corrosion. Gently dry off the battery and SIM card when you take them out.

8. Bugs can leave sticky spots on your car that damage the finish, so you should remove them asap. Make a watery paste of baking soda and water and mix until the soda dissolves. Wipe it on the tained areas with a soft cloth, rinse, and dry with a clean soft cloth.

9. Damp glasses or hot cups of coffee can leave white rings on tabletops. To get rid of them, mix mayonnaise with a non-gel toothpaste and gently rub the spot. Wipe off, and polish with wax.

10. Brighten your porcelain by soaking the item in a 1/2 table denture cleaner and 1 qt of water.

11. Websites for Crafters:
Scrapbooking (Scrapbooking-Warehouse.com)
Knitting (knitpicks.come)
Quilting (Quilting-Warehouse.com)
Painters (FactoryDirectCraft.com)
Jewelry Making (HouseofGems.com)

Tea to Improve Your Health

2009-11-01T13:15:00.000-08:00

I haven't tried any of these teas since I just read the article, but this is what they suggest for different health issues:

1. Joint Pain - Rose Hips. Relieves arthritis symptoms by 37% in some studies and has essential fatty acids and immunity boosting nutrients, they have 20 times more vitamin C than an orange.

2. Insomnia - Passionflower. Eases nervousness and restlessness but won't cause grogginess. It has natural sedatives that cure insomnia and lead to deeper, longer sleep.

3. Bloating - Dandelions. A natural detoxifier and diuretic, triggers the kidneys to flush out excess salt and fluids at a much faster rate. Helps the liver release toxins. Loaded with Vitamins A, C, and Calcium making it more nutritious than broccoli.

4. Stomachache - Marigolds. Anti-inflammatory compounds relax stomach muscles, ease swelling and digestion problems. Petals are antibacterial, killing illness-causing microbes in the intestines on contact.

5. Eyestrain - Chrysanthemums. Has antioxidants that soothe overworked eyes and tension headaches. Detoxifies teh body, breaking down indoor pollutants and imputities.

6. Stress - Jasmine. Eases stress, anxiety and tension. Can reduce heart rate, relax muscles and calm anxiety in as little as five minutes.

7. Cholesterol - Hibiscus. Rich in Phenols and antioxidants, lowers cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Although you might have the urge to run outside and raid your flower garden and whip up some tea, until you know what you are doing, buy it at a health food store instead. Home brews without the knowledge required to make a safe tea, can have hazardous effects.

Getting a Good Nights Sleep

2009-11-01T12:58:00.000-08:00

I was reading recently, well, fairly recently, in a Woman's magazine on tips to get a good night's sleep. The experts are Mary Susan Esther, Ronald Glick, and Michael J Breus, all MD's.
These are the tips that were in the article:
1. Take a nap if you're tired, but not more than 45 min so you won't go into deep sleep. If you are overtired in the evening, it can make it difficult for you to fall asleep, so a nap can actually help you sleep later on instead of causing you insomnia.

2. Allergy meds in your medicine cabinet with decongestants can heighten alertness, inhibiting your ability to sleep. Try taking something that doesn't have that property in it.

3. The scent of flowers. A floral scent, studies suggest, will help you fall asleep and even make your dreams more pleasant, making it less likely you will sleep restless and ensure you will enjoy a deep, uninterrupted slumber.

4. Doing some simple Yoga stretches significantly boosts your quality of sleep. Download a Yoga routine for free at yoga.org.nz to practice for 15 minutes daily.

5. A 20 minute walk 3x a week two or three hours before bedtime will boost the quality and length of sleep.

6. Take 60 mg of Valerian root nightly to fall asleep faster and wake up less often.

7. An amino acid called 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is used by the brain to make serotonin, a hormone that plays a significant role in regulating sleep. Try taking a 100 mg dose before bed to improve duration and depth of sleep.

Health Help From the Kitchen

2009-07-05T08:02:00.000-07:00

Cinnamon
Lund University in Sweden states that Cinnamon contains methylhydroxy chalcone polymer, a plant compound that activates insulin receptors on cell membranes to ensure blood sugar remains at an energizing constant. One teaspoon of cinnamon with a high carb food can decrease the pep-zapping blood sugar spikes by 56%.

Two teaspoons of cinnamon provides 40% of your daily dose of manganese. That mineral helps activate prolidase, an enzyme critical to the formation of collagen.

A dash of cinnamon per day provides a defense to Urinary Tract Infections. Cinnamon has an antimicrobial oil, cinnamaldehyde, that eradicates 99.5% of E. coli bacteria, the leading cause of UTI's. It also kills Candida albicans, the bug behind most yeast infections.

A pinch of cinnamon will improve memory, attention span, and the speed of visual-motor response. Two compounds in Cinnamon, cinnamylacetate and cinnamylalcohol, optimize blood circulation to the brain.
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Dried Plums
Eating 10 of these daily can improve artery helath. The Plums' pectin,blocks the formation of artery-hardening LDL (the bad cholesterol).
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Coffee
Researchers in Sweden have discovered that the caffeine in coffee hampers the growth of abnormal cells. Two or three cups a day may prevent breast cancer. Additionally, coffee's antioxidants help lower your risk of Type 2 diabetes and Parkinson's disease.
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Wines
According to Dutch researchers, one 5 oz serving of white wine helps remove "bad" LDL Cholesterol from artery walls. Red wine helps to fight heart disease. Drinking more than one 5 oz serving per day will not increase the benefits, it will, however, decrease the health benefits.
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Thyroid problem
This information that I took from an article I read, had Harvard Medical School as it's "expert".

If you have 3 or more of these symptoms, you may have a sluggish thyroid. Discuss with your doctor and ask for a Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)test.
1. Feel exhausted by bedtime, but have trouble sleeping
2. Usually wake up tired, no matter how long you've slept
3. Often feel chilly, even when others don't
4. Struggle with anxiety
5. Have trouble losing weight
6. Often have sore muscles and/or achy joints
7. Struggle with allergies, infertility, or digestive problems
8. Feel unfocused or forgetful
9. Have dry hair or skin and /or problems with eczema
10.Prone to depression or blue moods
11.Have thinning hair
12.Tried to treat depression with antidepressants or menopause symptoms with estrogen, but they didn't help

The thyroid slowdown can cause many problems. Keeping your thyroid working at peak condition boosts your metabolism, which helps to strengthen bones and muscles, cut your risk of heart disease, dodge weight gain, sleep better, diminish depression, and a plethora of other benefits.

More than 25% of Americans get too little Iodine, which is a mineral your thyroid needs to produce adequate amounts of the hormones T3 and T4 which fuel fat burn by controlling the rate of your metabolism. The only good dietary sources are iodized table salt and sea food. Sea salt and the salt in processed foods don't contain T3 and T4.

Broccoli, Kale, Cabbage, Cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts contain goitrogens, natural compounds that slow thyroid function. However, the goitrogens are deactivated by heat, so steaming, boiling, broiling or roasting these veggies lets you enjoy their health perks without slowing your thyroid.

Soy is a thyroid suppressing agent. Although it is known for it's ability to reduce heart disease risk and to ease hot flashes, it also contains isoflavones that slow weight loss by reducing levels of thyroid hormones. Limit daily use of soy to 9 oz of soy milk, 5 oz of tofu, OR 3 tsp of soy sauce or miso daily.

Quench your thirst with bottled water instead of fluoridated tap water. As little as 2.5 mg of fluoride daily can suppress thyroid function.
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Miscellaneous
Adding 1/2c pureed cauliflower to your mac and cheese (or any other dish) lowers a non-smokers risk of lung cancer by 30% and a smokers risk by 69% of contracting it.

Feta cheese, made from goat's milk, helps prevent iron deficiency, a leading cause of fatigue. Cows milk, according to the study at the niversity of Granada in Spain, does not. Without adequate iron, you can't get enough oxygen to your muscles... causing fatigue.

Apricots, a member of the rose family, contain beta carotene which helps pevent the buildup of plaque deposits in arteries. The body converts it into Vitamin A which protects the eyes from sun damage. Dried apricots contain nearly twice as much as the fresh ones.

Dropping just 7.7 lbs lowers the risk of high blood pressure by 50%.

Laughing causes the inner lining of blood vessels to relax, which improves blood flow. Watching a comedy for just 15 min can improve blood flow by 22%.

Lower cholesterol with Hummus. The chickpeas used to make hummus are loaded with artery-clearing phytochemicals and fiber that reduce "bad" LDL cholesterol.

Eating onions frequently can lower your risk of heart disease by 20%. They provide an antioxidant, Quercetin, that helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
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To plan healthy meals, check out the Dept of Agriculture's free menu planning service at My Pyramid

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Household Cleaning and Cleaners

2009-07-05T07:12:00.000-07:00

Baking Soda is an inexpensive gentle abrasive for scouring kitchen counters, sinks, bathtubs, etc. The alkaline action quickly neutralizes the acidity of odor-causing molecules to eliminate sour smells also. Sprinkle the Baking Soda directly on what you are cleaning and rub with a damp sponge.

White Vinegar and water is the best glass cleaner and far less expensive to use. Mix 1 cup of white vinegar and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle and get to cleaning your windows. The vinegar evaporates quickly and leaves no visible residue on your glass. I also use old newspaper to wipe off the vinegar/water, it seems to help clean better but I have no idea why.

For wood furniture, mix 1 Tablespoon of lemon juice and 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil to use for your polish. The citric acid cuts through buildup and helps the oil penetrate the wood, bringing out its natural glow.

For degreasing kitchen cabinets, add 1/4 cup of lemon juice to 1 quart of hot water then wash the surface.

To kill cutting board germs, run a slice of lemon over the board's surface to disinfect it, then wash as normal. Bacteria will be broken down in a flash by the citric acid in the lemon.

To help lift set-in stains in clothing, mix 3 Tablespoons of vinegar, 2 Tablespoons of liquid detergent, and 1 quart of warm water. Spritz onto the stain and let sit for 5 minutes, then launder. Warm water softens the fibers as the vinegar breaks down the stain particles. The loosened particles will bond to the soap molecules and rinse off in the washer.

Erase crayon marks from a wall using a dab of toothpaste and a damp cloth.

Keep your chrome fixtures shiny using a dab of toothpaste and a soft cloth. Water spots will disappear and the chrome will be polished.

To remove water marks from wood, massage 1 teaspoon of petroleum jelly into each stain using your fingers. Leave overnight and buff with a dry cloth.

To shine your silver, place tarnished utensils in a sink lined with foil (shiny side up). Fill with hot water, 1/4 cup of salt, and 1/4 cup of baking soda. Soak for 3 minutes. Dry with a soft cloth.

To remove pet stains from the carpet, mix one 16 oz bottle of hydrogen peroxide, 2 Tablespoons of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap in a mixing bowl. Saturate the spot with the solution and rub with a sponge. The oxidizing mix breaks up the uric acid crystals and neutralizes the smell.

To clear a clogged drain, drop 3 denture-cleaning tablets into the sink drain followed by 1 cup of white vinegar. The drain should clear in a bout 10 minutes.

Cleaning the toilet bowl. Pour 1 1-liter bottle of coke into the bowl and close the lid. An hour later, flush the toilet and your stains should have disappeared.

To clean your coffee maker, put 1 denture cleaning tablet in the coffee filter holder, fill with water like making a pot of coffee, turn the coffee maker on and let it cycle. I ran another potful of water through the coffee maker to make sure it was clean coming out.

If you want to de-germ your home, check out the eco-friendly tips at Health.com

Happy cleaning!!

Ayurvedic medicine

2009-05-15T11:32:00.000-07:00

Ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine practiced in India and practiced in other parts of the world as "alternative medicine". The word Ayurvedia is translated to mean "the science of life", it is believed to have been around since the 1st millennium BCE.

This information was found in a popular ladies magazine, and, as always, talk to your doctor before taking any new supplements.

Guggul - Studies show that the resin from this tree lowers the "bad" cholesterol by 22% and improves the "good" cholesterol by 35% within 3 months. It also stimulates thyroid function, which causes a boost in metabolism. It is an ingredient in many of today's weight loss products. Recommended does is 25 mg 3 times per day.

Boswellia - Known as the Indian Frankincense, this herb is study-proven to reduce joint pain and swelling as well as any OTC pain reliever. It's anti-inflammatory compounds prevent the breakdown of joint tissue and cartilage that leads to arthritis. It can reduce pain, stiffness and swelling in current arthritis within just 2 weeks.

Tulsi - Also known as Holy Basil, it is NOT the basil in your spice rack. It is proven to cure blue moods and even depression by boosting the production of serotonin and dopamine. It works within 72 hours. Drink a cup or two of Tulsi tea daily.

Neem - The flowering Indian tree has powerful and anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and antiseptic properties that kill bacteria on contact. It is as effective at preventing plaque and gum disease as its chemical counterpart and can even reverse periodontal disease. It is found in natural toothpastes and mouthwashes.

Ashwagandha - This leafy Indian shrub has been used for relief of anxiety for more than 4,000 years. It lowers blood levels of Cortisol and Adrenaline, which are two stress hormones, and boosts production of GABA in the brain, which is a calming brain chemical. In a Swedish study it found that taking 200mg before bed relieved insomnia in more than 80% of the women in the study.

Turmeric - A new study by Columbia University showed that eating this curry spice can prevent Type 2 diabetes. The active ingredient, Cur cumin, improves glucose and blood sugar levels and reduces the inflammation in the fat and liver cells that can trigger the disease. It also causes weight and fat loss without dieting. To get the benefit, just add a pinch of turmeric to your food each day. It is better absorbed when you eat it in the same meal with black pepper.

Shankhpushpi - (shank-a-push-pee) is a flowering plant that has been used for centuries in India to boost focus and ease anxiety. It works by lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the bloodstream. It improves energy up to 91% and concentration up to 70% within 6 weeks. It helps induce sleep an decrease nervousness about as well as Valium. Recommended dose is two 275mg capsules daily.

Mangosteen - The dark rind of the Mangosteen is loaded with xanthones, antioxidants that lower cholesterol, block cell inflammation and kill bacteria. They are being studied as a cancer cure. Try mangosteen juice or take one 500 mg capsule daily.

Health and Beauty

2009-04-28T13:54:00.000-07:00

The scent of the Polynesian flower Ylang-Ylang is reported to have an uplifting, relaxing effect on the subjects who sniffed the flower. You can buy the essential oil at healthfood stores. Put a drop on a cotton ball and when you're feeling a bit down.. take a sniff!

The oil of the Tiare Flower, a gardenia native to Tahiti, called Monoi is reported to be more effective than three of the commerical lotions for softer, firmer skin with fewer fine lines. Pure Monoi oil is available at health food stores or at monoi.org

The root of the South Pacific Kaval has been used for centuries to calm the nervous system and induce sleep. According to Health Myths Exposed, the root has kavalactones that relax the nervous system while boosting levels of the natural antidepressant dopamine. It can be found at drug, health food and grocery stores.

The Polynesian Noni, is a yellow-green fruit with white flesh that has been used by them as a healing fruit for more than 2000 years. It is packed iwth minerals, antioxidants and enxymes. It is said to improve digestion, detoxify the body and boost energy and immunity. It is sold at health-food stores.

Thousands of years before Hops were used in beer, the Irish brewed the flowers as a tea and even stuffed their pillows with them to help them sleep. Scientists have pinpointed natural sedatives in hops that do ease anxiety. Although you find hops in beers, you can get a greater use of their effects without the alcohol, in capsule form, at a health store. (According to legend, hops were also said to improve psychic ability.)

The Celtic cure for joint pain, including arthritis, is nettles. The Druids ate the nettle leaves for relief, but you can get them in capsule form at a health store.

The sacred Druid herb, Hawthorn, is packed with heart-healthy bioflavonoids and studies prove it boosts blood and oxygen tothe heart and lowers blood pressure. It can also destroy deadly blood clots on contact. You can find it in health food stores.

Cut your Cold and Flu short by taking Sambucol Black Elderberry Extract. The elderberry has Anthocyanins, antioxidants that eliminate virus particles. Again, available at health stores.

Irish Moss - once considered so sacred that only Celtic priests were allowed to gather it! It protects teh digestive tract witha coating that reduces inflammation, gas, bloating and heartburn. Its high in Iodine and Vitamin B which regulates thyroid function, boosts metabolism, and energy. Find it in tea form or capsules at Health food stores. Celtic legend say the moss was placed under rugs to ensure a steady flow of luck and money into the home!

I have used the Herbal Healer website frequently when I want to get any oils, capsules, creams etc and their prices are pretty good. Their product seems to be better than alot of places you find online.

More helpful Websites

2009-04-28T13:02:00.000-07:00

To help cut your grocery bills a little more, it is helpful to log in to specific companies websites and you will often find extra savings coupons, rebates, and the like. Just a few of them are:

Bayer
Betty Crocker/General Mills
Colgate-Palmolive
Del Monte
Gorton's seafood
Iams Pet Food
Proctor & Gamble
Quaker Oats

Major pharmacy chains frequently offer products at below cost to draw shoppers into their stores, generally through rebates. Their websites frequently have in-store coupons available too. Here's a few:

CVS
Rite Aid
Walgreens

Several retailers offer attractive rebates and coupons also. Here's a few:

Ace Hardware
Bed, Bath and Beyond
The Home Depot
Lowes
Staples
True Value Hardware

Now for some helpful sites for information, employment, credit, mental illness, prescription drugs, and all kinds of stuff:

Greener Lawns
Faster job search
Small Businesses, state by state listings
Online Reference Directory
Smarter Credit
Disability Network
Free Birthday Treats
Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Mental Health America
National Mental Health Consumer's Self-Help Clearinghouse
Depression and Bi-Polar Support Alliance
Money Aisle is 108 banks participating to offer the best rate on FDIC insured CD's.
Earth Calendar to find celebrations by date, country, religion, etc
Smarter Job Searches
Successful Entrepreneuring
Travel Planning
Bargain Deals
Tracking down people
Run a background check
Run a background check II
Free college and university courses
Samples and Giveaways lists - More samples and giveaways lists - and one more site
Price Ambush
Bread for less

Recycled electronic goodies!
Flat Screen TV
PDA
Laptop Computers
GPS Systems

I guess that's enough websites to keep you busy for awhile!

Making the Most of your Garden Area

2009-02-27T13:03:00.000-08:00

In these tough economic times and the surge of "green" thinking individuals, the garden is coming back to life in full force. Of course, if you don't have a few acres on which to plant, you need to think about how you want to make the most of the space you do have.

Your garden spot should be in full sun at least 6 hours a day, have good drainage, have protection from high winds, have a water source close by for convenience, and good soil quality. If you live in an apartment, condo, or town home, you might want to consider pots for your garden, but be sure to check on your HOA rules about these things.

It is normally most cost effective to start your garden from seed and then transplant into your garden space when the fear of frost is gone and the young plants can survive in the open area. You can always buy bedding plants to transplanting also.

Decide on what you want to grow in your garden. What veggies does your family enjoy eating the most? Of those veggies, which ones are the most expensive to buy in the store or farmer's market? How much time are you and your family going to be able to devote to caring for the garden? What kinds of critters live in your area? Seriously consider fencing in your garden. Not only will it keep the neighborhood pets and various wild pests, like rabbits, out of the garden, it can be used as a trellis for your vine plants like beans, peas, tomatoes and the like that need support. I trellis'ed my cucumber's last year and that worked out very nice and made it easier to find the cucumbers!

Ok, now you've decided what you want to grow. Now, diagram the space you have available and start mapping out your planting strategy. Tallest plants you'll want to plant on the North end of your garden to avoid shading the smaller plants. Pay attention to what the directions say for the amount of space needed for your plants to flourish. Also, you need to make sure there is room for YOU to get between the rows easily for pulling weeds and harvesting your crop. Consider raised beds for your garden, they are much easier on the back and knees for weeding and harvesting!

Container gardening is great and has more opportunity for the more artistic souls wanting to grow their own food! You can use almost anything for your container garden! Old-fashioned wash tubs, tin buckets, terra-cotta planters, all kinds of things.... just look around your yard or house! Personally, I had some leftover cement blocks, the kind that are about 8" tall and have two large holes in them. I used them for planting herbs and it worked out quite well! I also had some tires, no rims, to get rid of, but instead, terraced them in front of my country home and filled them with dirt and flowering plants. It looks really great! (Of course, the house is in the country not in Beverly Hills.. would probably not looks so nifty there!) One note, don't plant food you're going to eat into empty tires. Doing so will poison your food.

You can also increase the duration of your yield by leaving space for a later planting. Stagger your planting a few weeks or even a month apart, if at all possible.

Gardening doesn't have to be limited to just the summer either. With a little extra care, your garden can last well into fall and winter months. Row covers trap the warmth that radiates up from the earth much like the way that a cloud cover holds temperatures and prevents frost from forming. Cardboard boxes and fruit baskets can provide shelter to individual plants, while old sheets, blankets, and heavy plastic tarps will protect entire rows of plants to be removed after the sun has warmed the air outside. For a cold frame, just arrange straw bales into a rectangular shape around a garden bed and lay windows across the top to form an enclosed and insulated growing area.

Late summer is a great time to sow cold-tolerant vegetables that will flourish in the fall and endure cold weather without complaint. Some hardy vegetables would be kale, spinach, collards, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, kohlrabi, turnips, cabbages, oriental greens, rutabagas, and some varieties of lettuce.

A few vegetables will survive on their own even through bitterly cold conditions. Some of these would be leeks, kale, and collards. Fall planted garlic and shallots will develop strong root systems in the fall, spend the winter underground, and then spring up at the earliest signs of the arrival of spring.

Many root crops can be left in the garden protected with a thick layer of shredded leaves or straw. Beets, carrots, turnips, rutabagas, and parsnips can be left in the ground and you can continue havesting as needed, provided that the ground doesn’t freeze and prevent digging. However, finish harvesting before spring arrives, once the roots resume growing and switch into seed production mode, the quality of the food will diminish.

The options are endless for the gardener and only limited by your imagination.... well... and your cash! LOL Do your homework, make a plan, and get the soil prepared before the season gets here and you're sure to have a wonderful garden.

ref: magnoliatreeearthcenter.org
ref: thegardenhelper.com
ref: containergardeningtips.com
ref: gardening.wsu.edu

Compost and Mulch

2009-02-25T12:56:00.000-08:00

Compost is any decayed, organic plant or animal matter. It's nutrient rich and acts as a natural fertilizer for your plants. The composting is accomplished over a period of time by means of natural bacteria and often aided by worms, heat, and water. Compost includes weeds, grass clippings, hay, seaweed, garden waste, kitchen scraps, tree leaves and twigs to name a few. I can include animal matter but animal matter is discouraged.

Mulch is any material placed around plants as a protective covering for reducing weeds, increasing/decreasing the soil temperature or retaining moisture around the plant. Mulches can be organic like compost, wood chips, or hay. Or they can be inorganic like plastic sheeting.

A well maintained and active compost pile will convert organic material to compost in as little as thirty days. If left for nature to take care of the pile, it will likely take several months or a year. Most people who compost nowadays do so in a compost bin which is more aesthetically pleasing than having a pile of composting material in the middle of your yard.

To your composter add any organic matter from your garden or yard. Include any vegetable waste from the kitchen (including eggshells, coffee grounds, tea bags, etc). Alternate layers of green and brown waste (new and old), if at all possible. This helps with the mixing and decomposition. Keep your compost pile moist, but not wet. Turn the pile over from time to time so the bacteria and microbes can convert the pile into rich compost. After it has turned to soil, or mostly soil, feel free to use it.

Do not put any type of feces in your compost pile.

Do not pile grass clippings too thickly.

Do chip or shred larger items like branches or plant stalks if possible.

Do not put any diseased plants of any kind into your compost pile.

Stir your pile to mix it up it will speed up the process.

Add red worms to your pile. They should reproduce and they will speed up the composting process.

This is an excellent site for what you can and cannot compost, be sure to check it out:
http://www.gardenersnet.com/gardening/compostmaterials.htm

Next: Making the most of your garden area

ref: gardenersnet.com

Garden Preparation

2009-02-25T11:04:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the year again! Pre-Spring and time to start thinking about and preparing your garden space.

First, select a sunny location that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
Second, be sure that area has a source of water nearby.

Then, it's time to prepare your space! Remove all large weeds, sod/grass, and large rocks from the garden area. Test your soil to determine it's pH content, salt concentration, and nutrient needs. Some County extension offices will run the tests, private testers are available in many areas, or you can buy an "at home" tester and do it yourself.

If you have sandy soil, it warms early in the Spring, allows a lot of drainage, and doesn't compact. Unfortunately, it also doesn't hold the necessary water and nutrients around the root zone.

If you have clay soil, it readily holds moisture, locks out air to the roots and is dense. Because of it's properties, the roots have difficulty growing very deeply, producing a smaller product.

If you have loam soil, it contains equal portions of sand, silt, and clay. It holds moisture and nutrients around the root zone and drains well to deliver oxygen to the roots.

To determine what type of soil you have, turn over a shovel full of dirt. If a handful can be squeezed and it doesn't stick together, it is sandy. If the handful forms a sticky ball that doesn't easily come apart, then you got clay. If the handful forms a ball that crumbles easily and isn't sticky, then loam is your soil. Of course, you can have a combination soil too so don't rule that out.

Soil should be 5% organic matter. Straw, twigs, leaves, peat moss, sawdust, grass clippings, manure are a few examples. Spread the organic matter 2 - 3" thick over the area and then incorporate it 6 - 8" deep.

Do NOT add sand to clay soil in an effort to improve drainage - the two mix and form a low grade cement instead!

Do NOT at peat moss to clay soil - they both hold water and you will end up with too much water.

Add nitrogen fertilizer to the organic matter to aid in the decomposing process. You will add more fertilizer later on also.

If your soil is acidic, add lime, gypsum or dolomite per the package directions.

If your soil is alkaline, add iron sulfate or ground sulphur. Iron sulfate will change the pH quicker, but also breaks down quicker. Ground sulphur will stay in the ground for years.

When your soil is dry enough, it's time to start tilling it. Take a handful of soil from about 3 - 4" down and compress it into a ball. Drop it on a hard surface and if it shatters, the soil can be worked. Till as deeply as possible to break up the soil. Try not to go the same depth each year or you run the risk of creating a "hardpan layer" just below the tilling depth. This layer, or floor, is where water accumulates and cannot soak through. Plants don't grow well unless this "floor" is broken through.

Next: Compost and Mulch

ref: essentialgardenguide.com

Healing Herbs

2009-02-03T11:29:00.000-08:00

Research into the usefulness and value of herbs in healing is proving that the ancient herbs and spices mentioned in the Bible really can help heal health problems according to an article in a popular women's magazine.

Saffron, a Middle Eastern spice, eases depression. It also can help regulate your monthly cycle and increase libido.

Myrrh, a tree resin, eases pain. It has a natural anesthetic property that numbs pain signals in the brain.

Frankincense contains a mood-boosting chemical which eases anxiety and depression. The smoke from frankincense incense also boosts oxygen levels to the brain, giving you a quick energy boost.

Hyssop, an herb used for thousands of years as an antiseptic and disinfectant, treats respiratory problems, allowing you to breathe more readily. Phytochemicals in the flowering plant break up congestion, loosen phlegm, and eases swelling.

Cumin has been used for thousands of years to prevent and ease indigestion. It contains more than 100 chemicals that prevent gas and bloating, stimulate enzymes and flush out toxins from the intestines.

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Helpful teas to use:

Ease heartburn with marshmallow root. It contains a gel-like substance that coats the digestive tract and blocks the stomach acids that cause heartburn.

Holy Basil, not the basil in your spice rack, boosts production of dopamine and serotonin which promote happiness and tranquility.

Dandelion, which we all consider a nuisance weed in our yards, is actually a flowering herb. It can speed up the time it takes your liver to filter out alcohol so you feel much better much faster with your hangover! Additionally, if you know you're going to drink some wine, drink a glass of prickly pear juice about 6 hours before hand and it will extremely reduce or even prevent a hangover entirely.

The Indonesian herb, Gotu Kola, increases concentration and beats fatigue, even if you haven't slept much the night before. It boosts oxygen and circulation to the brain keeping you alert and preventing brain fog.

Oolong tea eases the bloat from overeating and helps flush out excess fluids and sodium.

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From an article in Women's World:
The set of techniques the Chinese believe helps them become in sync with the world and their surroundings, is called Tao, pronounced "dow" and meaning "path or way".
1. Taoism teaches the principle of wu wei, meaning effortless effort. Essentially, it says to follow your gut instinct when making decisions. If you make decisions based on what someone else wants you to do or because it is what you "should do", your own internal resistance can get in the way of success.
2. Taoism urges people to be like water. When water meets an obstacle, it doesn't give up or stop, instead, it flows around, seeps under, or runs over to get to the other side. In other words, don't force your issues, see if you can feel your way around it be seeking alternate solutions to the problems.
3. Don't beat yourself up over mistakes made. Tomorrow is another day, life is a moving journey.
4. Taoism encourages yu, ample amounts of free and easy wandering. Take a few minutes each day to do something fun - play with a pet, call a friend, read a chapter in a book, whatever you feel is fun for you.
5. A Taoist motto says "Talking about a path is not walking a path; thinking about life is not living". When you're stressed, ground yourself by focusing on your actions and senses.... live in the moment and experience it. Focus yourself on the smell of the flowers, the sound of coffee getting chewed up in the grinder, whatever you're doing at the moment.
6. According to the Tao, "the more we realize we're part of the vastness of nature, the easier it is to put problems in perspective and the happier we'll be". This notion could explain the beautiful gardens that are usually seen at Asian homes.

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Cures from the kitchen for stress
Foot bath and massage:
6 c milk, 1/4 c honey, 2 packets of instant oatmeal
Warm the milk and honey. Allow mix to cool until comfortable to the touch. Pour into a large basin then sprinkle in the oatmeal. Dip feet in and massage the oatmeal all over them.

Scalp treatment:
1 Avocado, 1 can coconut milk
Scoop out the fruit into a blender. Pour in the coconut milk and puree. Work the conditioner through your hair and scalp with your finger pads for 10 - 30 minutes. Rinse and style as usual.

Facial:
1 c canned pumpkin, 1 t honey, splash of milk
Blend all the ingredients together and apply to a clean face uisng gentle circular motions (avoid the area around your eyes). Relax for 10 minutes and splash warm water on your face to rinse. Pat dry and moisturize.

Massage away anxiety:
2 -4 drops of vanilla extract, 1/4 c grapeseed oil, 1/4 c glycerine
Pour all ingredients into a resealable bottle and shake vigorously. Drizzle on to the pads of your fingertips. Then, using circular motions, massage your body starting at the base of your neck, the the outside of your shoulders. Massage the center of your palm and gently tug at each finger.

Body Scrub:
2 t cocoa powder, 1 c brown sugar, 1 c sweet almond oil
Blend cocoa and br sugar. Drizzle in oil. In the shower, massage the scrub on warm, wet skin, rinse and pat dry.

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Home Remedies
Asthma:
Drink a cup of coffee! It opens airways and prmotes breating well enough until you can get to you asthma meds. Coffee can prevent asthma attacks altogether.

Cough:
Dark chocolate quiets coughs 33% better than coughmeds containing codeine and lasts a full four hours.

Cold:
Chicken Soup. Yep, Grandma knew best! It helps relieve and even cure a cold.

Eyesight:
Eating just one carrot a day slashes your risk of macular degeneration almost in half. Other orange fruits and vegetables, like sweet potatoes and canaloupe have sight saving beta carotene too.

Hiccups:
Put a teaspoon of white granulated sugar in your mouth and let it dissolve. The granules irritate teh phrenic nerve, which is responsible for the hiccup reflex and cause the diaphragm to immediatley stop spasming.

Burns:
If you get a burn in the kitchen, pour some honey on it. It is more effective at healing and has antibiotic properties that kill the germs that cause infection.

Sore Throat:
Have a piece of pineapple! It's loaded with bromelain and vitamin C. Bromelain is deactivated by heat, so use fresh pineapple, not canned.
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More Helpful Hints

2009-01-28T15:25:00.000-08:00

Are you retired but still want or need to work? There are 3 websites that could help you find employers that are looking for older job seekers with work experience. I have looked into this first one and they have many many job listings, I haven't checked the other two yet.
retirementjobs.com
seniorjobbank.org
retiredbrains.com

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Thinking green? Here are 3 easy ways to help save the earth.
ecoperks.com
earn eco points from stores you normally shop at like Home Depot and Macy's.
webmail.planetsave.com
each email sent helps save the rain forest. Every email protects 5 sq ft.
betterworldclub.com
It typically costs the same or less than AAA auto club. The group donates a portion of all proceeds to eco-friendly causes.

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Sinus Pain!! Yep, we've all had it at one time or another... some of us more than others! It puts a damper on our whole day. These are methods for relief from sinus issues that don't have any side effects and don't require a prescription.

1. A hot 15 minute shower in the morning can kick start sinus healing in just 72 hours -faster than most meds. You can also lean over a hot bowl of steaming water with a towel draped over your head to inhale the steam. Or, hold a hot, damp cloth to your cheeks and forehead for 15 minutes each morning.

2. Avoid taking antihistimines. It's what we all reach for as soon as there's a problem, but try not to do that! They stop your sniffling by THICKENING mucus, so it actually stays longer in the sinus, prolonging your problem. Decongestants can be used once in a while in small doses to help you sleep. Nasal sprays can damage the delicate lining of the nose and the pill forms can cause heart troubles in some people.

3. Try, if your Doctor says you can, a supplement with Bromelain. Bromelain is an anti-inflammatory enzyme in pineapple that helps relieve the swelling of the nasal lining.

4. Spicy condiments like horseradish, wasabi, hot salsa will unplug your sinuses too! Try eating a couple teaspoons twice a day until it clears up.

5. Recent studies indicate that stomach acid washes up into the throat and sinuses. If you've got heartburn... take steps to get that under control and it could very well help your sinus issues.

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To ease heartburn, pop a piece of gum in your mouth and chew rapidly for about 5 minutes. The quick chewing creates saliva in your mouth and throat which washes the heartburn causing acids out of your esophagus.

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Feeling tired, over-worked, and stressed out? Get some fresh evergreen boughs for your office or home. Their turpineol activates teh brains energy center and after a few wiff's of the boughs you'll find the energy to go on!

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Thinking about a make-over? New hairstyle? Different makeup? This is a really neat site and it's free! Log on to www.taaz.com, upload a photo of yourself and then choose different hairstyles and cosmetic effects! Once you've created your new look, you can email your makeover photo to friends for their opinion too!

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Leg and foot cramps.... who hasn't experienced a charley horse in their calf or worse, the arch of their foot in the middle of the night?? The usual culprit, they say, is having too little potassium in your system... eat a banana every day. Mild dehydration can cause cramps so be sure you drink plenty of water every day. Magnesium is also essential for healthy muscle function. Just a small spinach salad every day will give you 75% of the magnesium your muscles need to stay pain free. Sometimes, for a calf cramp, standing on the ball of the foot that has the cramping calf for 5 seconds will take the tension off the affected area and stop the painful spasm. Another thing to try when the cramp hits is to run a hand towel under hot water and wrap it around the cramp to relax the muscle.

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They say that for every hour you work, you need 5 minutes of downtime to recharge. Try out these fun websites when you need your 5 minute break!
cyke.com/garden.swf
learningmeditation.com/relax.htm
realarcade.com
stressiq.com
relaxation.com/streamingrelaxation.htm
virtualbubblewrap.com

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Nifty websites and tips

2008-12-20T21:34:00.000-08:00

If you want to see if you have a rare coin worth lots of money, check out this site!
pocketchangelottery

Why carry around a fist full of coupons when you can have them transferred to your supermarket bonus card? The coupons are instantly redeemed when you swipe your card at the checkout! Best of all it's free! Check out the site and see if your favorite store is on it yet... if it's not, they'll email you when it is! The site is: shortcuts

Earn money at home. Work as much or as little as you like. Learn about the industry at these two sites International Virtual Assistant Association and Alliance for Virtual Businesses and then check out guru and elance for freelance job listings.

Need a little "fun break" in your day? Check out WebSudoku. Billions of free puzzles to play online, includes interactive tutorial.

Need to find out what something is? Take a picture of it and go to PicAnswers to post it with your question. While you're there, check out what others have posted and see if you have their answers! There were lots of pictures and lots of categories in that website when I looked at it!

Youngsters needing some help with homework? Check out this site, it's looks pretty neat! BJPinchbeck

I came across this information recently too and I had never heard of it before. Apparently, through a few companies (GE Money, Citigroup and a few others) one can get a "medical credit card" for use ONLY for health care expenses and they have 0% interest rates for as long as 12 months. Medical debt does not usually show up on a credit report unless it goes to collection, but consumer debt shows up immediately and can have a big impact if you pay bills late. The cards are usually offered to people who are having trouble paying their medical bills -making it very likely that they will still have a balance at the end of the 0% time. I don't know what the interest rate is after the 0% is over. So, the point being, if you are putting your medical costs on your regular credit cards, and then not able to pay properly... it's ending up on your credit report and you're probably paying at least 12% on the credit card balance. So, if your doctor won't negotiate a fee and payment schedule with you directly, this credit card might be another avenue you want to explore. This information is from Credit.com.

More health, diet and weight loss related stuff

2008-12-20T16:44:00.000-08:00

Cranberries!
Cranberries are an interesting little fruit!
They contain the hard-to-get trio of malic, citric, and quinic acids. These compounds bind fat in the belly region to the cellular fluid for efficient removal by the lymphatic system.
Plus the berries' arbutin mimics the hormone insulin to prevent unhealthy fluctuations in blood sugar!
The berries also contain quercetin and myricetin, which are flavonoids that disable the enzymes that let cavity causing oral bacteria thrive.
These berries are so powerful that sipping cranberry juice has been shown to reduce heart disease risk by 40 percent. Their phenolic acid, an antioxidant that repairs damage to the liver made by free radicals optimizing the organ's breakdown of blood fats, keeping arteries free of blockage.
Lastly, eating a handful of dried cranberries every day can slash a woman's risk of developing a urinary tract infection by 42% according to the Harvard Medical School in Boston. The berries are packed with proanthocyanidins which work with the berries natural sugars to stop UTI causing E.coli bacteria from adhering to the walls of the bladder and urethra.

Now that's a lot of stuff for one little berry to be able to do!

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And now, an amazing little vegetable! The sweet potato!
The sweet potato has enough potassium in one potato to erase bloating in 24 hours. This electrolyte enhances the kidneys' ability to eliminate retained fluids.

Additionally, it has betaine which clears fatty deposits from the liver, accelerating the organ's breakdown of belly fat for fuel.

The sweet potato is packed full of betacarotene. The body uses this nutrient to synthesize glycoproteins that accelerate the renewal of skin and improve skin cell cohesion, resulting in a smoother complexion and fewer fine lines within 10 weeks!

Sweet potatoes have ample supplies of copper, iron, Choline, Vitamin C, and phytochemicals in them also. The copper and iron work together to help the body produce hemoglobin, a blood molecule that transports energizing oxygen to every cell. Choline serves as a building block of acetylcholine, improving alertness in just 12 weeks! Vitamin C and phytochemicals assist the immune system in the production of T cells, infection fighting lymphocytes shown to decrease a person's risk of developing a cold or flu by 33%.

Not bad for a root! LOL

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Stop Fat Storage!
Lose 18 lbs in 21 days!
Soluble fiber is the basis for this diet... that would be a high fiber diet to us normal folks!
The research breakthroughs were made by the Spanish.

Sample menu's:
Breakfast - choose one daily:
2 scrambled eggs, 2T low fat cheese, 2T diced veggies, 1 whole wheat pita, 1/2 grapefruit OR
3/4c oat bran flakes, 3/4c nonfat milk, 1 banana OR
1 oat-bran waffle, 1T low-sugar preserves, 1/2c lite yogurt, 1 pear
Lunch - choose one daily:
3/4c whole wheat pasta, 1/4c garbanzo beans, 1/4c reduced fat feta, 1/4c diced cucumber, 1/4c tomato, 4 black olives, 2T lite vinaigrette, 1/2 whole wheat pita pocket. OR
2 oz chicken breast, 1/4c black beans, 1/4c low fat cheese, 1/4c lettuce, 1/4c tomato, 1 whole wheat tortilla, 2T Salsa, 1/2c shredded carrots, 1T raisins, 1T lite mayo and 2t wine vinegar OR
3 oz Salmon, 1/2c orange sections, 1T pecans, 2c mixed greens, 2T lite dressing, 4 whole wheat crackers, 1 pc string cheese
Dinner - choose one daily:
3 oz lean deli roast beef, 1/4c kidney beans, 1/4c mozzarella, 1/2c orange sections, 6 grape tomatoes, 2T lite vinaigrette, 2/3c chilled brown rice, 1/2c broccoli, 1T walnuts OR
3 oz turkey burger, 1 slice fat free cheese, 2t lite mayo, veggies, 1 whole wheat bun, 3/4c lentil soup, and 1/2c blueberries OR
4oz tuna or salmon, 2T teriyaki sauce, 1 sm baked sweet potato, 1T lite sour cream, 1c 3-bean salad.
Snack - choose two daily:
1 plum, 3/4c lite yogurt OR
1/3c low fat cottage cheese, 1/2c berries OR
1T bean dip, 5 baby carrots OR
1 kiwi, 1 pc string cheese OR
100 calorie pack oatmeal cookies OR
1 peach, 10 almonds

Best sources of soluble fiber: Artichoke, oat bran cereal, kidney beans, orange, figs, soy beans, pear, navy beans, brussel sprouts, oatmeal

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More Multitudes of Diets!

2008-12-20T11:40:00.000-08:00

As always, I am not recommending any of these diets for anyone, I am just putting them all in one place for you to compare and decide if you want to try any of them or none of them! Also, always consult your doctor before starting any diet. db
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Lose 2 pounds every day!
For three weeks you are drinking all your meals and snacks.
Sample day:
Breakfast - In juicer, combine 3 large carrots, 1 cucumber, 1/2 beet, 1/2 peeled lemon, and 1" pc of gingerroot. Drink along with 8oz of warm water or herbal tea.
Snack 1 - In juicer, combine 1 cup mixed berries, 1 cored apple and 2 cucumbers
Lunch - In juicer, combine 1/2 cucumber, 1 large handful spinach, 3 carrots, 2 stalks celery, and 1/2 lemon. Drink with 8oz iced herbal tea.
Snack 2 - In juicer, combine 2 cored apples, 1 cucumber, and 1 large handful of dandelion greens or spinach.
Supper - In juicer, combine 3 medium tomatoes, 1 cucumber, 1 sm handful cilantro, 1 red bell pepper and 1/2 peeled lime. Add dash of hot sauce if desired.
Snack 3 - In juicer, combine 1 c mixed berries, 1 cucumber and 1/2 peeled grapefruit. Drink with 1 large glass iced herbal tea.

Week 4 and after, have one glass of juice, 2 pieces of fruit, and 3 cups of veggies daily. Eat fish, lean meat, skinless poultry, eggs and protein powder.

None of the veggies are peeled when you eat them. If you are concerned about what toxins may be on your produce, rinse them in 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar mixed with 1 gallon of water or buy organic produce.

For more recipes you can visit My First for Women

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Breakthrough new Flat Belly Diet
Lose 7 lbs and 5 inches from your tummy in just one week!
A Spanish study proved that adults who get lots of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA's) have significantly less belly fat than adults who eat fewer calories but skimp on good fat.

Sample menu:
Breakfast - choose one daily:
1/2 c egg whites scrambled with 1/2 c baby spinach, 1/4 c each salsa and guacamole, 4 sm corn tortillas OR
1 slice whole grain toast, 2 T natural peanut or almond butter, 1/2 banana, and 1c fat free yogurt or milk OR
1 c oatmeal, 1c cherries, and 2 T pistachios or macadamias
Lunch - choose one daily:
3 oz grilled chicken, 1 c grape toatoes, 1/2c whole wheat penne, 1/2c grated carrot, 1 oz feta cheese and 1 T pesto sauce OR
1 black bean veggie burger, 1/4c sliced avocado, 2 T sliced onion, 1 T salsa, 1 whole grain bun, and 1 med apple OR
1/2c fat free ricotta, 1/4c diced bell pepper, 10 sliced green olives, 2 diced oil packed sun dried tomatoes, 1 t minced garlic, 4 sliced basil leaves, 1 whole grain pita. (Fill pita with other ingredients and broil until cheese bubbles). Serve w/ 1/2c low sugar pasta sauce.
Dinner - choose one daily:
3 oz grilled chicken breast, 2 c Asian-style veggies (stir fried in 1 T sesame oil), 1/2c cooked brown rice OR
3 oz lean ham, 1 oz low fat cheese, 1 T pesto sauce in 1 multigrain pita, 1 c grape tomatoes OR
3 oz broiled medium shrimp, 2c mixed greens, 3/4c corn, 1/2c snow peas, 1/4c sliced red onion, 2T balsamic vinegar and 1T extra-virgin olive oil.
Snack - choose one daily:
Blend 1c fat free or soy milk and 1c frozen blueberries until smooth, add 1 T flaxsee or canola oil. Drink w/ 3 c lite popcorn. OR
1c raspberries, 8 oz Greek style plain fat free yogurt, 1/4c chocolate chips. OR
1 whole grain English muffin with 2 oz Turkey, 2T black olive tapenade, 2 T hummus, and 1/2c water packed artichoke hearts.

Best sources of MUFA's: Olive Oil, Canola Oil, Almond Butter, Avocado, Macadamia Nuts, Pesto Sauce, Peanut Butter, Olives, Chocolate Chips, Peanuts and other nuts.

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Metabolism Superfoods
Lose 20 lbs in 6 weeks! The Hot Latin Diet
Sample menus:
Breakfast - Choose one daily:
1 egg and 2 egg whites scrambled in 2t olive oil, 3T salsa, 1 warm tortilla, 1 1/4c papaya OR
1c low fat cottage cheese, 2c pineapple, passion fruit or banana,sprinkle of cinnamon, 1T chpd nuts OR
1 soft cooked egg, 1 slice whole wheat toast, 1 c mango or cantaloupe, 12 oz low fat latte w/ sprinkle of cinnamon
Lunch - choose one daily:
10 shrimp, 1/2c black beans, 1/2c corn, 2t each of live oil, vinegar, onion, tomato and chiles, 1c jicama or cucumber slices, 2 guavas or 1 orange OR
2 oz grilled chicken or fish, 1/4 avocado, veggies, salsa, cilantro to taste, 1 corn tortilla, 12 sweet potato chips, 3/4 c berries OR
1c brown rice, 1/3c each of tomato and canned tuna, 2T fresh cilantro, 1t each of olive oil and lemon juice, pinch of garlic powder and salt, 3/4c vegetable juice, 1 1/2c watermelon
Dinner - choose one daily:
1 chicken breast, 1c mixed veggies, 1 clove minced garlic sauteed in 1t olive oil, 1 oz goat cheese, 2c mixed salad, 1t olive oil and 1t lemon juice OR
3 1/2 oz fish, 1t olive oil, salt, lemon, cilantro to taste, 1/2c cooked black beans, 2c mixed salad greens, 1/4c avocado, 1t olive oil and 1t lemon juice. OR
3oz shrimp or chicken topped with 1/2 c mango salsa, 1c bell pepper sliced, 2c mixed salad greens w/1t olive oil and 1t lemon juice
Snack - choose two daily:
3/4c each low fat yogurt and sliced bananas OR
3/4oz cheese and 15 grapes OR
1/3oz nuts or seeds and 1 frozen fruit bar OR
1c low fat rice pudding OR
3/4c low fat milk blended with 3/4c mango

Fat burning Latin Superfoods: Cinnamon, Chiles, Avocado, Beans, and Garlic

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Drop 47 lbs by Christmas! (this was in a magazine dated 11/24/08)
Basically, this diet wants you to sip 5 or more servings of tea a day, including one cup before each meal. Eat 3 balanced meals that contain at least 50 percent veggies, fruit and whole grains, plus a serving of lean protein and a bit of fat.
1. Drink Oolong tea which promotes health and weight loss benefits, instead of drinking coffee.
2. Take a green tea pill first thing in the morning on an empty stomach if you don't have time to brew yourself a cup of tea.
3. Pulverize loose tea in a coffee grinder for one minute. Depending on the tea you pulverize, use it as a seasoning in whatever you're cooking.
4. Add one oz of lemon, orange, lime or grapefruit juice to Iced Tea instead of drinking soda pop.

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Fat Burning Carbs
Resistant starch in pasta, potatoes, and rice can boost your body's anti-hunger hormones and stop fat storage!
Sample menus:
Breakfast - choose one daily:
2 scrambled eggs, 1/4c black beans, 2T low fat cheese, 1 whole wheat tortilla, 1 tangerine OR
2 low fat oat bran waffles, 1T peanut butter, 1/2 banana, 1/2c lite yogurt OR
Stir together 3T lemon juice, 4t Hi-Maize Natural Fiber, 3/4c lite vanilla yogurt and 1T superfine sugar until smooth. Add 1 1/3c fruit and some ice. Whip smooth in a blender.
Lunch - choose one daily:
1/2c chilled pasta, 1/2 c black beans, 1/2c corn, 2T chopped tomato, 2T bell pepper, 2T lite dressing OR
2 oz lean ham, 1 slice fat free cheese, 2t mustard, lettuce and tomato. 2 slices fiber rich bread, 2c mixed salad, 1T lite dressing, 6 baked corn chips, salsa, 1 nectarine OR
1c chilled cream of potato soup, 2oz cubed cooked chicken, 1/2c chilled brown rice, 3T low fatr cheese, 1T each of green onion and bell pepper, 2T lite dressing, 1 peach.
Dinner - choose one daily:
3oz lean turkey burger, 1 whole wheat bun, 1 slice fat free cheese, 2t mustard, lettuce and tomato, 1/2c chilled diced potato, 1T onion, 1T relish, 1 1/2 T lite mayo, 2t lemon juice, unlimited carrot sticks OR
1/4c each of navy beans, black beans and kidney beans, 1T each of diced onion, tomato, and corn, 2T lite Italian dressing, 3 1/2 oz lean grilled steak, 1 whole wheat roll, 1t margerine OR
6 oz cod or other white fish baked with 1t olive oil and seasoning to tast, 2/3c corn, 1 1/2c baby spinach, 1/4c chilled lentils, 1 hard cooked egg, 2T mozzarella, 1T lite dressing.
Snack - choose two daily:
1/3c lite yogurt, 1/2c fat free milk, 1/2 banana, blended to smooth OR
2 rye crisp crackers and 1 oz fat free cheese OR
1 frozen banana and 1T lite chocolate syrup OR
5 mini oatmeal cookies and 1/2 c fat free milk OR
2T hummus and 1/2 whole wheat pita OR
3/4 oz pretzels, gluten free are preferable

For more info and recipes go to: resistantstarch

Best sources of fat burning carbs: Bananas, navy beans, other beans, potatoes, brown rice, corn, pasta, oatmeal, whole grain bread

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Drop 16 lbs by Christmas while eating what you love! (from a magazine date 12/15/08)
This diet requires that you take Phase 2, which is a white kidney bean extract that blocks starch absorption. You are to consume a daily diet of 55% carbs, 30% protein and 15% fat. You will also need to drink 8 - 16oz of water each time you take the capsules to prevent constipation and sub-par results. You take a total of 3000 mg daily of the Phase 2.
If fatty foods are your diet downfall, you can take Chitosan which is a form of fiber that binds fat and flushes it out of the body. You also take it with 8 - 16 oz of water each time.
If you are perimenopausal, you'll need to also take Natrol Carb Interceptor with your Phase 2 to help prevent blood sugar swings.

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The Get Slim Vitamin - Discover the health boosting nutrient that can heal your thyroid, turn off your cravings, and melt off 9 lbs a week!
According to Brazilian researchers, for each extra milligram of B6 that dieters get from foods like red meat, potatoes and bananas, they lose an extra 3.3 pounds. B6 helps metabolize foods and turn their calories into energy. B6 creates a hormonal balance helping people to sleep better. Without enough B6, the body can't make neurotransmitters like tryptophan, dopamine and serotonin which are linked to improved mood, less stress and an increased sense of well-being. Serotonin specifically reduces carb cravings.
Sample menus:
Breakfast - choose one daily:
1c lite yogurt, 1 banana, 1/2c low fat granola OR
1c Total cereal, 3/4c fat free milk, 1 banana, 1c tomato juice OR
2 frozen oat bran waffles, 2t peanut butter, 1/2c diced papaya and 1/2c fat free milk
Lunch - choose one daily:
2c mixed greens, 3oz lean meat, 1/4c garbanzo beans, 1/4c tomato, 2T shredded low-fat cheese, 2T sunflower seeds, 2T balsamic vinegar and 1t olive oil, 1/4 cantaloupe OR
1 hard boiled egg, 2T lite mayo, 2T sunflower seeds, 1 whole wheat pita or 8 reduced fat triscuits, 1 slice fat free cheese, 2 sm plums OR
1 banana, 1c 1% fat cottage cheese, 1c berries, 2T sunflower seeds, 2 graham cracker squares or reduced fat triscuits.
Dinner - choose one daily:
4oz grilled lean beef or braised beef liver, 1T BBQ sauce, 1c grilled vegetables, 1/2t olive oil, 1 med baked potato, 1T low-fat cheese, 1 tomato, 1/2t olive oil and oregano OR
4 oz salmon, 3/4c diced tropical fruit, 1c spinach, 1/8 avocado, 1/4c each of garbanzo beans and red onion, 2t walnuts, 2T balsamic vinaigrette, 3 reduced fat triscuits OR
2c mixed greens, 4 oz grilled pork loin, 1/3c apricot slices, 2T green onions, 2t sunflower seeds, 2T lite vinaigrette, 2 thin hard bread sticks, 1 1/2c watermelon.
Snacks - choose two daily:
2oz Tuna, 1T lite mayo, wrap in a lettuce leaf OR
3/4c lite yogurt, 1/4c strawberries, 1/4c Total cereal OR
2t peanut butter, 1/2 banana OR
1/2c melon, 1pc string cheese OR
1c tomato soup, 4 reduced fat Triscuits OR
2T raisins, 1T sunflower seeds

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That's all for now, but I have more of this stuff to post!

Fruits for Better Health

2008-12-20T11:35:00.000-08:00

Fruits for Better Health

The pomegranate -
Studies have found that the juice of the pomegranate slows free radical damage - which is what causes your cells to age. One small glass of juice has more cell-protecting bioflavonoids than red wine, grapes or green tea. The pomegranate is loaded with ellagic acid, a natural anti-tumor compound.

Boysenberries -
New Zealand researchers have discovered that this berry contains natural compounds that improve memory and reaction time. These berries - which look a lot like a blackberry - have high levels of anthocyanins which are powerful antioxidants that protect brain cells against age-related damage (dementia and alzheimers).

Passion Fruit -
These fruits are loaded with calming B Vitamins and potassium, which relax the nervous system. South Americans eat the fruit to help them rest. The fruit’s alkaloids are proven to lower blood pressure.

Goji Berries -
A tangy red berry from the Himalaya’s that are loaded with iron, Vitamin C, and betacarotene. They are also loaded with an antioxidant called zeaxanthin, which protects the retina and filters out UV light. Studies suggest that these berries can prevent age-related vision loss.

Mangosteen -
From the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, this fruit fights depression. Its active ingredients, xanthones, are also found in St Johns Wort. This fruit also seems to have a positive effect on the “good mood” brain chmical serotonin and enhances tryptophan -an amino acid that aids sleep.

Acai Berries -
This tiny berry from Brazil is packed with antioxidants and protein. Researchers at the University of Florida found an extract of the berry caused leukemia cells to self-destruct 90% of the time.

Kumquats -
These are tiny little citrus fuits that are loaded with vitamin C and can boost your metabolism. These fruits are about the size of a grape tomato. You just pop them in your mouth and eat them, skin and all. The skins contain pectin, which expands in your stomach and makes you feel full longer.

Helpful Household Tips

2008-12-20T11:32:00.000-08:00

Helpful Household Tips

Slow shower:
Fill a plastic freezer bag with equal parts of warm water and white vinegar. Place the bag around the showerhead and secure. Leave on for 1 hour then remove the bag and run hot water through the showerhead. Your problem should be cured.

Cleaning stainless steel appliances:
Squirt a dab of hand sanitizer into a clean dry cloth. Clean your appliance! The gel’s alcohol base lifts dirt and oil from fingerprints leaving your appliance shiny and, as well, you’ve just sanitized your appliance!

Leaky glass vase:
For a small crack in a vase, you can melt (with a match) a matching color, color crayon onto the vase. Let it cool and scrape away the excess. You should now have a watertight seal.

Holiday weaths:
To protect your wreath from drooping and shedding, mist the entire surface with hairspray. It helps trap moisture and keep the needles fresh and pretty.

Growing Herbs -Rosemary, Thyme, Parsley and Sage

2008-12-20T11:30:00.001-08:00

Growing Herbs -Rosemary, Thyme, Parsley and Sage

All herbs require at least 4 hours of direct sunlight every day. If you are growing them indoors, place them in front of the window that receives the brightest light.

The herbs need to be watered consistently. Generally, when grown indoors in a window sill, a smaller pot must be used because of space constraints. They will need to be watered every other day in these small pots. Do NOT leave these pots sitting in a bowl of water, this will most certainly kill them. Place the pot under running water in the sink then allow the pot to drain before moving them back to their sunny window.

Indoors, the atmosphere is drier. Your herbs will need a daily misting to keep the foliage hydrated and insects under control. (Mites hate being damp). Herbs flourish outdoors in humid air.

If daily misting doesn’t cure the insect problem, try moving the plants to a sunny, but cooler, window.

Trim your herbs regularly to encourage new growth. Snip the tips of Rosemary and Thyme and remove the outer most leaves of Parsley and Sage.

To learn how to use herbs to the maximum potential, check out this herb dictionary:
Southern Living

Multitudes of Diets

2008-12-10T20:27:00.000-08:00

Have you ever flipped through magazines, women's magazines, and seen all the diets that are in those? There's tons of them every week!

I have a few that I cut out over the last few months that I thought I would share. I have no idea of these work, because I've not been organized enough to actually get in the mood to diet. But, plan to get on that!

"Drop 16 lbs in 7 days"
This diet, according to the article, is from Wendy Chant's book "Crack the Fat Loss Code" and "nutrition boot camp" seminars. This interviewee claims to have lost 170 lbs in 3 1/2 yrs following Chant's advice.
Week 1 - Force the body to burn fat. Limit your carbs to 20 grams per day (total carb grams per serving minus fiber grams per serving is the actual carb count on nutrition labels.) Avoid starches like potatoes, bread, rice, corn, beets, carrots, etc. Avoid low-carb packaged foods and processed foods, fruit, fruit juice and alcohol. Fill up on low carb veggies like asparagus, broccoli, celery, mushrooms, spinach and radishes. Up to 16 lbs of weightloss this week.
Week 2 - Keep cravings at bay. Cycle between 3 carb formulas and lose up to 5 additional pounds this week.
Week 3 - Blast even more fat! Switch your high carb and low carb days to prevent weight loss from stalling. Lose up to 4 more pounds this week.

So that's up to 25 lbs in 3 weeks!

Sample of week 1:
Breakfast - Egg cheeseburger (1 egg, 3 egg whites and 1 1/2 oz of lean ground beef, season and form into a patty, grill).
Mid-Morning meal, 3 hrs later - 1/2 c cottage cheese, full fat
Lunch, 3 hrs later - Lettuce and cucumber salad topped with 4 oz grilled checkin. Drizzle with 1 T olive oil and 1 T vinegar.
Mid-afternoon meal, 3 hours later - Mocha protein shake (8 - 10 oz water, 1 heaping tsp instant decaf coffee, ice cubes, 1 1/2 scoops chocolate whey protein powder).
Dinner, 3 hrs later - 4 -6 oz broiled salmon, 1 c broccoli, lettuce and cuke salad topped with 1 T flaxseed oil.

Sample week 2:
Monday, Thursday, and Sunday:
Breakfast - Power oats (1 serving cooked quick oats with 1 1/2 scoops unflavored or vanilla whey protein powder, add cinnamon and stevia sweetner.
Mid morning meal, 3 hrs later - 1 boiled egg
Lunch, 3 hrs later - 4 oz grilled tuna, 1 c broccoli, 1/2 c rice.
Mid-Afternoon meal, 3 hrs later - Chocolate berry shake (blend 8 -10oz raspberry flavored seltzer, ice cubes and 1 1/2 scoops shocolate whey protein powder)
Dinner, 3 hrs later - 6 oz grilled chicken wih spices, 1 c green beans, lettuce, tomato and cuke salad with 1 T olive oil and 1 T vinegar.
Dessert - 1 c sugar free gelatin and 1 T Reddi whip.
Tuesday and Friday:
Swap the lunch in the menu above for a lettuce wrap (3 oz Turkey with 1 slice cheese wrappedin Romaine lettuce.
Wednesday and Saturaday:
Swap the mid-afternoon shake in the menu above for a 6" roast beef and swiss sub on wheat bread and a small bag of chips. For dinner, enjoy 2 slices of pepperoni pizza.

Sample Week 3:
Monday, Tuesday and Friday (Carb down days):
Eat one serving of starchy carbs at one meal of your choice before 3pm. Have no carbs except low-carb veggies the rest of the day.
Thursday and Sunday (Baseline days):
Eat one serving of starchy carbs at breakfast and lunch. No carbs except low carb veggies the rest of the day.
Wednesday and Saturday (Carb up days):
Eat one serving of starchy carbs before 3pm and 2 servings after 3pm. Can include an 8oz serving of alcohol, fruit, pizza or pasta.
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Lose 12 lbs in 7 days! The Lunchbox Diet

Breakfast (chose one daily):
1 slice ham, 1 scrambled egg, 1 slice low-fat cheese, 1/2 whole grain bagel, 2/3c mixed fresh fruit. OR
1 packet flavored oatmeal, 2 T raisins, 1 t walnuts, 1c fat-free milk. OR
6" whole wheat tortilla, 2 tsp peanut butter, 1 sliced banana, 1 c lite yogurt.

Lunchboxes(chose one daily):
2c Romaine lettuce, 1c cuke slices, 20 baby carrots, 5 cherry tomatoes, 1 sliced bell pepper, 1/2c chickpeas, 4 oz lean beef, 1 oz reduced fat feta cheese, 3T fat free dressing. OR
2c spinach, 1c broccoli, 1 siced zucchini, 10 raw mushrooms, 4 green onions, 2 hard boiled eggs, 3 oz deli ham, 1 stick lite string cheese, 10 almonds, 3T fat-free dressing. OR
2c mixed greens, 1 c grape tomatoes, 1 c cauliflower, 5 oz chicken breast, 1 oz slice of low-fat cheddar cheese, 1 small serving fruit, 3T fat-free dressing.
NOTE: Your lunchbox should contain 4 -5 c starchy veggies, 5 oz protein (lean beef, poultry, tuna, hard-boiled eggs, beans) and 100 - 150 calories of seeds, cheese, nuts, olives, dressing)
Dinner (choose one daily):
10 cooked shrimp, 2/3c whole wheat pasta, 1/2c marinara sauce, 1c mixed greens, 2T low-fat cheese, 1T low fat fdressing, 1c green beans, 1tsp olive oil. OR
3 oz lean beef or pork, 2T cranberry sauce, 1/2c mashed potatoes, 2T low-fat cheese, 1c veggies, 2 tsp lemon jiuce, 1 tsp margarine. OR
3 oz chicken stir fried with 1 1/2c veggies in 1 tsp olive oil, 1/2 c brown rice, 1/2 peach, 1/3c fat free cottage cheese.

Fat melting lunchbox superfoods: 1. tuna, 2.eggs, 3. pork tenderloin, 4. low fat cheese, 5. beans, 6. nuts, 7. Spinach, 8. Tomatoes
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Lose 10 pounds in 3 days - Reach your happy weight
Day 1 - Drink a protein shake (1scoop whey powder, soy powder or egg white powder with 8 oz of water) every 2 hours throught the day. Then, enjoy a 6c raw veggie salad with 6 oz lean protein (chicken, turkey, beef, or fish), 1/2 avocado or 2T olive oil, and the juice of a 1/2 lemon or lime.
Day 2 & 3 - Every hour from the time you get up in the morning, eat one serving of fresh seasonal fruit that is low on the energy density scale. Every 2 hours, enjoy a protein shake (above) and a 6c raw veggie salad with 6 oz lean protein (chicken, turkey, beef, or fish), 1/2 avocado or 2T olive oil, and the juice of a 1/2 lemon or lime.
Follow-up the 3-day plan by eating as much raw fruit as you wish at breakfst and lunch and have fruit for snacks. For dinner have 3 - 5oz lean protein iwth a large raw veggie salad and unlimited berries.
One day each week, indulge in a "cheat hour" when you eat anything you like to!
Low Energy density fruit from least to most: Strawberry, Raspberry, Watermelon, Grapefruit, Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Papaya, Peaches, Tangerines, Apricots, Pineapple, Oranges, Plums, Blueberry, Apples.
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Of course, then there's always the magic pills! Like ThermoSlim that claims you can eat what you want, don't exercise, and still lose weight. I like that! LOL If anyone has really tried this and has real proof it worked, please let us all know!

Well, that's it for the diets I hung on to. Maybe I'll try the 2nd one out, it looks the easiest!

Three tips for saving money and food in the kitchen

2008-11-11T09:51:00.001-08:00

We are all guilty of throwing out food because it's "gone bad". What a wasteful society we are as a whole.

Here are three tips:

1. Cheese - softer cheeses seem to invite mold but you can remove the cheese from its plastic wrap and wrap it in foil instead. Cheese needs to breathe and it can't breathe in plastic - so it feeds on itself which creates the mold. Wrap it in foil, which will allow the air to circulate.

2. Wilted lettuce - If your lettuce leaves get limp on that head of lettuce, remove the core, immerse the head in a bowl of cold water with the juice of half a lemon and refrigerate for an hour. It will cause a chemical reaction that makes the little veins in the leaves re-absorb water and restore the crisp texture.

3. Hard Brown Sugar - Brown sugar that has turned hard doesn't need to be thrown out. There is nothing wrong with the sugar other than it's harder than a brick! Take a slice of an apple and seal it in an airtight container with the sugar. The apple gives off moisture and ethylene gas and makes the brown sugar soft again.

More help from Nature

2008-11-11T08:16:00.000-08:00

Here are more cures from Nature that I've read about:

Allergies - fight them with yerba mansa. The leaves from this flowering plant are made into tea to fight allergies, colds, and sinus infection. It relieves irritated mucous membranes and soothes the tissues in the bronchial tract. Best way to use this in 2 drops of tincture twice daily in a cup of water.

Upset tummy - The Cherokees harvested the Goldenseal flower to relieve indigestion. Research claims that its main ingredient, berberine, kills bacteria and viruses in the intestines without disrupting the balance of good bacteria in the digestive tract the way antibiotics can. Best use is 465 mg twice a day once symptoms start.

Irritated skin - Soothe it with witch hazel. Boiling the bark and twigs releases tannins and phytochemicals that numb pain, stop minor bleeding and kill surface bacteria on contact. It also soothes insect bites and sunburn and clears up rashes and skin conditions like acne, poison ivy and eczema. You can buy it at the grocery store and apply topically with a cottonball.

Arthritis - The saponins in the Yucca plant reduce inflammation and stop the breakdown of cartilage. It also reduces cholesterol, blood pressure and even works on headaches. The SW Native Americans nibbled this plants leaves to fight pain. Best use is to take up to 1500 mg three times daily.

Sleep - Passionflower helps you fall asleep fast without the risk of addiction. It calms the central nervous system and relaxes muscles naturally. Best use is to sip a cup of passionflower tea before bedtime.

Anxiety - The bark of the Magnolia tree has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years to ease anxiety. Two of the active compounds, magnolol and honokiol, act on mood regulating neurotransmitters in the brain, reducing stress, anxiety and even depression.

Headaches - The Feverfew flowering herb eases tension headaches due to it's powerful anti-inflammatory and sedative compounds.

Urinary Tract Infections - The two phytochemicals in the bloom of the Hydrangea, quercetin and rutin, kill bacteria in the bladder and kidneys and prevent them from returning. Best use is to sip hydrangea tea.

Immunity - The Acai palm (Brazil) has deep purple berries packed with immunity boosters! It fights joint pain, boosts energy and protects arteries. Best use is to drink a glassful or eat a handful of dried berries at least 3 times per week.

Sugar cravings - The Date palm (North Africa) contains calcium, magnesium, potassium and antioxidants. They are sugar sweet and 3 have only 70 calories.

Clean the air - The Bamboo palm, which is easy to grow, requires very little sunlight and minimal care, is one of the best natural air purifiers. It also puts moisture into the air which makes for moister, plumper skin.

Weightloss - The Coconut of the Pacific Coconut palm is high in lauric acid, a fat that gets metabolized as energy rather than stored on the body. Coconut oil's fatty acids have a powerful antiviral and antibacterial effect that protects against kidney and heart disease also.

Cancer - The African oil palm claims to be a cancer-killing powerhouse. The oil is the richest source of tocotrienols which, studies at Wayne State University show destroy breast, skin and prostate cancer cells. A single teaspoon of this oil gives you the full RDA of vitamin A also.

Enlarged Prostate - The berries of the Saw Palmetto stop the production of DHT, a culprit in the enlarged prostrate reducing prostate problems. Men should take 320 mg daily.

Concentration - The odor molecules in Peppermint oil stimulate the part of the brain responsible for alertness. Put a few drops of peppermint oil on a cloth to inhale whenever you feel tired or while you exercise. You should be come more alert and have more energy!

Headaches and Insect bites - Rub Lavender oil on insect bites to make the sting go away. It has anti-inflammatory compounds that reduce itching and swelling. The two main compounds, linalool and lavandulyl acetate, sooth the nervous system making it easier for your body to fight off stress-induced muscle tension and blood vessel constriction - the two main causes of head pain. Drop a few drops onto a cottonball and sniff whenever you feel a headache coming on.

pH balancing foods - 1. The avocado. The avocado has plant protein and omega 9 fatty acids. The Omega 9s alkalinize the body and stave off hunger and cravings. 2. Lemons - The lemon's antioxidants enhance the liver's ability to break down toxins up to 35%. When digested the phytonutrients become powerful alkalinizers. 3. Leafy greens. Spinach, Swiss chard, and Wheatgrass are nature's most potent detoxifiers. They are rich in acid neutralizing calcium, magnesium and potassium. They're also packed with chlorophyll that enhances the liver's ability to burn fat for fuel.

Bad Breath - Eat raisins! The phytochemicals in raisins suppress the growth of several species of oral bacteria and also helps prevent gum disease. Your breath will be fresher, in other words.

Bloated - Eat fresh pineapple! The bromelain, an enzyme that ensures food breaks down, is plentiful in fresh pineapple. Have a couple slices for dessert to help relieve bloating issues.

Weightloss and Allergies - Grab yourself some yogurt with L.casei. L. casei is a bacteria that blocks the body's production of allergy triggering histamines. The L. casei also speeds up the breakdown of fat molecules... helping you shed pounds more quickly.

Canker sores - suck on some real Licorice candy and they'll disappear in half the time! Licorice has a sweet compound called glycyrrhizin which lowers the levels of cortisol, which, in turn, reduces inflammation and speeds healing.

Arthritis - The herb Oregano is loaded with antioxidants that help mop up free radicals, the molecules that trigger the inflammation that erodes cartilage and causes osteo and rhumatoid arthritis pain. You need about 200 mg of Oregano a day to reap its pain relieving benefits.

Leg cramps at night - Drink a 6-ounce glass of tonic water each night before bed. The fizzy water contains quinine which stops repeated muscle contractions.

Constipation - Flax seeds are an excellent source of fiber, mucilage and lubricants. which helps the digestive tract work properly. Sprinkle 1 - 2 tablespoons on your daily cereal or yogurt or add it to your smoothy or muffin recipe.

Heartburn - Eat apples and pears daily. The pectin produces an acid-neutralizing foam that rises to the surface forming a "lid" that keeps heartburn triggering acids away from the esophagus.

Motion Sickness and digestion - One dose of Ginger quells queasiness within 30 minutes. It also is a powerful anti-inflammatory, reduces intestinal spasms, improves stomach and liver functions, eases morning sickness, and soothes indigestion. Take 1000 mg 30 minutes before traveling and 500 mg daily with food for the other digestive issues.

Gas and Indigestion - The phytonutrient in artichokes, cynarin, boosts the liver's production of bile, a digestive aid. The artichoke cuts nausea, bloating, indigestion, gassines and belly pain.

Food poisoning - Cinnamon's active ingredients, eugeno and cinnamaldehydes, will zap stomach flu triggers like E coli and salmonella according to a Kansas State University study.

As always, consult your doctor before taking any new supplement or herbal remedy. Herbal remedies can interact badly with other medications.

Sugar, Mineral Oil and Hydrogen Peroxide uses

2008-11-10T20:42:00.000-08:00

More helpful tips that I read about and wanted to pass on:
If you can't get the coals burning for your BBQ, toss a few spoonfuls of white table sugar onto the coals and try lighting them again! When exposed to high temperatures, sugar decomposes quickly and forms hydroxymethylfurfural, a chemical that ignites easily.

When you plant tomatoes, protect your plants from parasitic damage by putting 1 tablespoon full of white table sugar into the hole and plant your plant on top of it! The sugar kills the root-eating microorganisms by absorbing the moisture that the organisms need to multiply.

To keep your cookies moist and chewy, sprinkle the bottom of the cookie jar with a thin layer of sugar and then put the cookies in. The sugar will lock in moisture, preserving your cookies. (I've done this and it does work!)

To make corn on the cob sweet, add a pinch of sugar to the boiling water and cook the corn as you normally would. . The sucrose (sugar) keeps the natural sugars in the kernels by stopping them from escaping during the boiling process. (I do this and it does taste sweeter).

When your teenager gets the dreaded pimple, mix up 1 teaspoon of sugar and a few drops of water to make a paste. Use a cotton swab and put the paste on the pimple over night. The sucrose inhibits the growth of bacteria to help reduce the swelling by morning!

If you burn your tongue on some hot coffee (for instance), sprinkle some sugar on your tongue and hold your tongue against the roof of your mouth. The melting crystals stimulate the brain to release endorphins that can alleviate the pain and induce a sense of well being.

Combine 1/2 cup of sugar, 2 cups of milk, and 2 oz of ground pepper in a small saucepan and heat. Let is simmer for 10 minute then pour the mixture into several small shallow bowls. Place the bowls throughout your yard, far away from you. The heating of the ingredients causes the sugar to melt, making it very sticky. Milk and pepper enhance the aroma of the caramelized sweetener, attracting flies and trapping them instantly in the glue like mixture.

Make your cut roses bloom faster and stay longer with sugar. For each quart of warm water, add 3 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. When the sugar has dissolved and the water is cold, put your roses in. The sugar provides the nutrients the buds need to bloom and the vinegar kills bacteria to keep the flowers fresh longer!

To lighten age spots naturally, add 1/2 teaspoon of sugar to a bowl filled with the juice of half a lemon. Using a cottonball, apply to the age spots, leave on a couple minutes, then rinse off. The spots will gently start fading.

To restore gloss to the leaves of houseplants, combine one part mineral oil to two parts water in a spray bottle. Once a month, use to mist the plants, then wipe the leaves with a soft cloth.

Make your own furniture polish by combining 1 cup of mineral oil and 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray it on a clean dry cloth to polish up your furniture. The lemon juice cuts through grime and the oil lubricates wood and brings out its natural shine. (I've done this and it looks very nice!)

To preserve a wooden cutting board, wash and dry the board. Pour a small amount of mineral oil onto a clean cloth and use it to rub the wood's surface. Let sit for 2 hours and wipe off any excess oil. Do this every couple of months. The oil barrier will keep odors from getting absorbed into the wood and also prevent premature drying and cracks where bacteria can thrive.

Fill a large bowl with cold water and add 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide. Soak your fruits and vegetables for about 1 minute, then rinse with running water. The hydrogen peroxide kills E. coli and other bacteria by creating an oxygen rich environment that the organisms can't survive in.

If your plants are getting root rot and turning the once lush greenery yellow, fill a spray bottle with 1 cup of water and 1 oz of hydrogen peroxide. Use the solution to water plants as usual. The excess can be stored, but be sure it is in an opaque bottle. The antimicrobial agents acts as an oxygen supplement, releasing extra oxygen to aerate the soil and strengthen the plants.

Whiten stains between teeth by pouring a small amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide in a shallow bowl and dip regular dental gloss in it. Floss as usual. The hydrogen peroxide releases oxygen to break down the stain and whiten discoloration without damage to the enamel.

If your pet gets sprayed by a skunk and you don't have any tomato juice handy to wash him down, try using 1 qt hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda and 2 teaspoons of liquid dish soap with a gallon of water. Wearing rubber gloves, apply the mixture to your pets fur using a wash cloth. Leave on for 10 minutes and then rinise with water. Keep the mixture out of your pets' eyes. Do not store leftover liquid in a covered container.

Our Aging Parents

2008-10-12T12:50:00.000-07:00

The information contained in this article is from "Accepting Your Parents' Limitations" by Roni Lang, LCSW, Greenwich Hospital. Having been the main caregiver for my father as he got older, sicker and died, I thought the information in her article was well written and brings out a lot of points that you need to be prepared for.

Watching our parents become less able to care for themselves is one of life's greatest challenges. Adult children often feel awkward and ill-equipped to assume the caretaker role. Although this shift in roles may be uncomfortable and frightening, it also can provide opportunities for connection and growth.

Accept your conflicting emotions and those of your parents. Aging brings up a complicated tangle of feelings in both parents and children. Along with love and appreciation, we also are likely to feel, at various times, resentment, sadness, fear, frustration, guilt, anger and impatience. Underlying all these emotions is the issue of loss. The parent fears losing independence and, with it, self-confidence, power and control. Adult children not only suffer by witnessing their parents' pain but also must cope with their own losses. They lose the image of a parent who always can be counted on to take care of things. Instead, the "buck stops" with the adult child.

If you bring up aging and health issues before a crisis hits, it makes communication and planning easier. Introduce the topic in a friendly, low-key way. Ask questions of your parent(s).
1. Who would you want to speak for you if you couldn't speak for yourself?
2. If it became hard to take care of the house, what other options would you consider?
3. How would you feel about live-in help?
4. What about retirement communities or assisted-living facilities...
5. Could we put together a list of your doctors' names and phone numbers, and the medications you're taking?

Caution: Don't raise more than one issue at a time. Trying to tackle too much at once can lead to stress and defensiveness. If your parent doesn't want to discuss the issue, back off and talk about something else. Raise the topic again on another occasion. (NOTE: I can tell you from experience and a friends' current experience, once you start trying to introduce the subject of "care facilities"... they get immediately defensive, stubborn, and untrusting of you... refusing to even entertain the thought.)

Determine if you need to get actively involved. If a parent is already declining, you need to be more assertive. Signs that you should get actively involved include...
1. Trouble with everyday tasks, such as cleaning, cooking, paying bills.
2. Neglecting personal care (wearing the same clothes every day, bathing less often).
3. Health changes, such as weight loss, lack of energy, difficulty walking.
4. Frequent confusion, memory lapses, trouble with problem-solving, getting lost in familiar areas.
5. Safety concerns, such as the stove being left on or medications in disarray.

Involve your parent in decisions. Most parents dig in their heels when their children tell them what to do. Statements such as "I think you should see a doctor" or "I don't think you should drive anymore" threaten their independence.
Unless your parent is in immediate danger, give him/her as much latitude as possible. Present options. Encourage mutual brainstorming and problem-solving.

Try to express your concerns, rather than giving orders.

Stay calm and connected. Strive to show empathy, affection and respect. Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, can help you maintain your composure. When you catch yourself raising your voice or getting impatient, stop trying to force your point. Instead, acknowledge what the other person is saying.

Often, a parent may be more receptive to the idea of accepting assistance when it comes from someone other than a son or daughter. If your parent resists your help, consider asking your parent's close friend, sibling (your aunt or uncle), clergyperson or doctor to initiate the conversation.

Listen compassionately. When our parents say things that sound negative, the temptation is to try to talk them out of those feelings. We may think we're helping them, but we're actually protecting ourselves from feeling guilty or sad -- and probably making our parents feel worse.

Get support. A large network of public and private agencies and programs exists to help seniors and their families with caregiving assistance and emotional support.

To locate publicly funded and community programs, start with Eldercare Locator, a free national service of the Administration on Aging. The service links those who need assistance with state and local area agencies on aging and community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers.

If your parent has been hospitalized, the hospital social worker can help guide you toward resources.

You may want to consider hiring a professional geriatric care manager (GCM) -- a nurse, social worker, gerontologist or other specialist who can help you navigate options and create an action plan. Contact the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

Can You Afford to Retire?

2008-10-12T12:33:00.000-07:00

The information below is from an article written by Jonathan D. Pond, Financial Planning Information, Inc.

Critical factors you must consider to prepare for your retirement...

To be financially safe, he tells his clients to expect to live to age 95 -- and to expect a 6% annualized return on investments, based on a mix of 60% stocks and 40% bonds and other interest-earning securities.

To calculate your income needs, figure inflation could average 3% annually. Then withdraw an annual amount in the early years of retirement -- say, 4% of savings -- that is enough to meet your income needs but is below the assumed growth rate of investments. That way you won’t drain your assets too quickly.

Expect your taxes to drop by no more than 10% -- and realize that they even may increase.

Assume that you will spend at least that much, and shape a financial plan that provides enough income to support that spending. Important: Don’t leave out big-ticket expenses that still will pop up, including replacing your car, large-scale home repairs and dental work.

Consider obtaining temporary insurance through the stop-gap federal program COBRA... check with state programs... or look for private individual coverage with high deductibles to lower premiums.

Assume that they won’t find part-time work to bolster your income and map a financial plan that doesn't count on extra income.

Put off retirement until your accounts are big enough to support your spending needs. (NOTE: all considered by what's happening today - you'll have to work for many more years than you expected.)

Unless you really need the money or are in poor health, it's often better to delay starting Social Security benefits until you reach full retirement age.

Be careful not to overestimate the value of an early retirement package. You may want to consult a financial adviser for help analyzing the package.

RETIREMENT CALCULATOR
This is a good retirement calculator: Analyze Now It has free on-line information that helps you determine when to begin taking Social Security payments, how much to allocate to different investment categories, how much you need to save for retirement and how withdrawals from your retirement accounts will affect your taxes. It was created and is run by Henry K. Hebeler, a former chief economic forecaster for The Boeing Company.

Online Health Care Advice

2008-10-12T12:10:00.000-07:00

Health care advice is all over the Internet these days. As we, the public, thirst for information without having to make an appointment to talk to a doctor for the 4 minutes he has to spare, throw some money his direction and go home feeling like the day had been wasted... we turn to the Internet for answers.

Online, you can find sites that allow you to predict your risk of getting a certain disease... get motivated to eat better, lose weight or exercise more... keep track of your family's medical history... research symptoms/disease and drugs... and on and on and on. While incredibly helpful, these tools need to be carefully evaluated and used responsibly in conjunction with proper medical care.

NOTE It has been my personal experience that when you try to tell someone else how to do their job, they instantly stop listening to you. Whipping out a printout from your computer to challenge what the doctor has told you is not generally met with a high degree of acceptance or appreciation, either. Just be prepared, if you are going to do that!

As scientists continue to expand their ability to analyze large volumes of data and distill the most important findings, properly designed online tools can enable individuals to pull out the most important and valid points for themselves. Online health tools can be beneficial but are also vulnerable to misuse or misunderstanding, which in some cases can be dangerous. Critical, however, is that the information is from a credible source.

These tools are all about averages, many calculate relative risk, not absolute risk -- and even those that go further are still only predicting risk for the average person with specific risk factors. Use online interactive tools as a starting point, not the end point. They can help you think and plan, they do not give definitive answers... they help to ask questions. They can be used to learn about possible problems and possible solutions.

Be sure any online tool you utilize comes from a valid source. You can trust that tools posted by US government agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the National Cancer Institute (NCI), for instance, have undergone an extensive review process before being posted. Be aware that Web sites that feature advertisements or product endorsements, have a profit motive in the form of a product or service they are trying to sell.

Questions to consider when evaluating an online tool:
Who wrote the information?
What are the author(s) qualifications?
Does the site have an editorial board that includes independent medical experts in the specific area covered?
How reliable is the evidence that the findings are based upon?
When was the site last updated?
How is the site funded?
Are there any conflicts of interest?

There's also a helpful tool for evaluating online tools -- The National Library of Medicine offers a 16-minute tutorial on evaluating Internet health information. It provides a step-by-step process to help you decide if the health information on a Web site is credible. Visit Medicine Plus. MedlinePlus, provides health information, a medical encyclopedia, and a medical dictionary, as well as access to medical journal articles and health tutorials, and provides links to other health organizations.

Healthcare 411 offers current news and information from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

The American Cancer Society (ACS) Web site provides a variety of interactive tools including,
Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator
Calorie Counter (how many calories you need based on individualized factors)
Nutrition and Activity Quiz
Exercise Counts (how many calories you burn by an activity)
Target Heart Rate Calculator
It is located at Cancer.Org

The US Surgeon General's Family History Initiative offers "My Family Health Portrait," a tool to help you organize your family's health history information to share with physicians or other family members. Here is the link: Family History

Health Finder is a comprehensive Web site developed by the US Department of Health & Human Services, together with other federal agencies, that provides links to 1,500 health-related Web sites to government and other health-related organizations.

Your Sinuses

2008-10-12T11:35:00.000-07:00

Before I go into this article I read.... I have to tell you about my personal experience with having ones' sinuses irrigated.

While living in California, my allergies had continued to get worse and worse, so I went to an allergy doctor in Orange County near where I lived. I can't remember the guy's name, but I didn't much like him when I first met him. (Always go with your gut!!)

Anyway, he sat me down in a chair and asked me a ton of questions. The lighting was low also which I thought was sort of strange. So, he starts rattling on and on about different allergens and stuff. He tells me to close my eyes and that he was going to irrigate my sinuses, but not to worry, it doesn't hurt.

Well, I reluctantly did as I was told and the next thing I knew that fat bastard was nearly on top of me, pinning me into the chair, while he shoved a hose up my nose with a full force of water coming out! I'm here to tell you that was a very unpleasant, and scary, experience as I was choking on the flood of water going down the back of my throat and struggling to get out of his clutches!

He released me when he was finished, and I immediately gave him a searing verbal reprimand about the whole thing. (He was unmoved by my reprimand, by the way. Was almost smirking, in fact). The fact is, I really could breathe like a normal person, but his bedside manner left a lot to be desired. I never went back to him either.

I did go to another allergy doctor who I told up front that under NO circumstances would there be any irrigation going on!! We went the shots route instead which took longer, but it did help a lot! I have not had shots for about 12 years now and feel I would like to do that again, but had such a negative experience when I went to a doctor in Portland (she was an idiot, to say the least), that I never went back to her either.

That being said, I have tried to do that irrigation thing on my own but just can't force myself to do it while having flashbacks of my first experience. If you can do it... it really does help... I simply can't do it and won't let anyone else have a crack at me! After reading this article, there are several ways to do an "irrigation" now that are certainly less invasive than what happened to me or flooding your own sinuses with water.

The article is based on information from Jordan S. Josephson, MD, a nasal and endoscopic sinus specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

He says, "People who irrigate on a regular basis feel better, breathe better, sleep better, have fewer sinus and nasal infections, and suffer from fewer allergy problems. Flushing the sinuses is also helpful for other seemingly unrelated health conditions including asthma, snoring, sleep apnea and gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). These can all originate from a condition he calls “Chronic Airway-Digestive Inflammatory Disease” (CAID), which occurs when irritants such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or pollutants are swallowed or inhaled and cause inflammation in the upper respiratory system (the nose and the sinuses), the lower airway (the lungs) and the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The membranes that line the nose, sinuses and lungs are so sensitive that inflammation in any of these areas can affect other areas in the body,”

There are several ways you can do this. Some people use a Neti Pot (e.g. SinuCleanse)… others prefer a squeeze bottle (e.g. NeilMed)… while a third option is a higher-tech, modern version called an irrigation machine (e.g. Hydro Pulse) that provides a gentle, pulsating cleansing, albeit at a much higher price (they start at about $100). Or, you could use a nasal saline spray (e.g. Goldberger's Saline, AYR, Little Noses), which has the advantage of being portable. Full irrigation will, obviously, work better than just using a nasal spray. The good Doc believes in full irrigation and using a nasal spray as needed throughout the day. He also believes that a nasal irrigation should be done twice a day.

Dr. Josephson said the process is nowhere near as distasteful or messy as it sounds. “It’s actually very easy -- I can irrigate while fully dressed, in a white shirt, tie and suit, and never get anything on me.” He recommends various stretching exercises and head positions while blowing your nose and after you irrigate to remove any leftover irritants as well. He also recommends that you tilt your head from side to side while blowing your nose.

In Dr. Josephson’s view, “Daily life is filled with transmission of germs and irrigation helps clear them away.” Given our environmental challenges, Dr. Josephson suggests making sinus irrigation a regular part of daily hygiene, like showering and brushing your teeth and suggests you do it once or twice each day.

Well, there you have it!

Oh my Aching Back!

2008-10-12T11:16:00.000-07:00

A few points from Thomas H. Reece, DO, ND, one of just a few practitioners with dual degrees in Naturopathic and Osteopathic Medicine.

Serious back problems usually involve pain that travels down the leg, producing numbness and a decrease in muscle strength (this may show up as a drop foot or you may simply notice that you are tripping on one foot). This kind of problem requires appropriate diagnosis and care not any attempts at self-treatment.

In the initial stages of back pain from a strained muscle, nothing is quite as simple and effective as ice and rest. It may be beneficial to stay in bed (or at least rest from normal activity) for a day or two after such a strain, but longer bed rest may do more harm than good, leading to further stiffness and weakness. It's best to return to some activity, such as walking on level ground, as soon as possible. Taking magnesium malate, enzymes and homeopathic arnica may help ease the pain of a strain. If back pain is severe (you can't move or you experience the serious symptoms noted above) or a seemingly simple strain persists for more than three days, see your physician for diagnosis and treatment.

A lack of exercise lies at the root of many back problems, with muscle weakness and stiffness opening the door to injury. Try daily exercises, carefully tailored to suit individual ability, consisting of muscle stretching and strengthening, endurance, low-impact aerobic exercise (e.g., walking or swimming), and spine stabilization exercises for deep abdominal muscles. Specific activities included walking on a treadmill, stationary cycling, step-ups and abdominal-strengthening exercises using a gym ball. Perform Qigong over Tai Chi... yoga or Pilates could also be beneficial if the instructor tailors the program to your specific needs.

Hot compresses relax muscles and increase blood flow to painful areas, while cold compresses reduce inflammation. With back strains, always use cold only during the first 48 to 72 hours, then alternate cold with hot. Apply alternate cold and hot packs to strained or sore areas of the back, using cold first. Use each for two to five minutes, for a total of 20 to 30 minutes, ending with cold. Instant cold and hot packs are widely available in drugstores or you can use moistened towels.

There are some natural solutions, however. Enzymes such as bromelain and herbs such as curcumin are known to have a natural anti-inflammatory impact. Also, supplements such as fish oil may help reduce inflammation and soothe back discomfort.

Many back problems stem from poor body mechanics or posture -- for example, lifting objects incorrectly or sitting hunched over a computer all day. Good body mechanics mean that you are standing, sitting and moving without putting undue stress on any muscles or joints. Before resorting to complicated, high-tech solutions for back pain, consider going the natural route. The truth is that most episodes of acute pain from back strain resolve on their own and low-tech, side-effect-free options work for many people.

Posture and Exercise

2008-10-12T10:59:00.000-07:00

I was reading a story about the importance of our posture and thought it was important information that bears repeating.
Bad posture contributes to arthritis, muscle pain and injuries that can be avoided by proper posture, or at least minimized. Bad posture also make your clothes not fit correctly.

In our lives today, we aren't required to get off our butts and move around to finish a task. We spend hours in front of a computer at work, then go home, and sit for a few more hours in front of our home computer! When we do move around, it's generally in a repetitive movement that doesn't use all our muscles or a full range of motion. Certain muscles get strong while others get weaker. We lose correct alignment.

What Is BAD POSTURE? A rounded back and/or shoulders, A pelvis that is tilted too far forward or backward, Too much or too little curve in the lower back, A head that droops or protrudes too far forward, A shoulder, hip or other body part that is higher or more forward than the same part on the other side of the body, A foot, knee or ankle that points to one side.

Some of us are born with alignment issues, some have issues due to injuries in our younger lives, and some of us are just too lazy to make sure we sit up straight with our shoulders back! (Which also helps you breathe better by the way!)

There are a few exercises that strengthen and stretch unique muscles in the body that hold us upright and stable. These muscles usually aren't worked by standard aerobic or strength-training exercises. You should do these exercises at least every other day, in addition to your usual aerobic, stretching, and strength training regimen.

The recommended exercises:

Groin Stretch
Purpose: Stretches and aligns the groin muscles. Over time, it will align your hips and allow your shoulders and back to return to a more anatomically correct position.
What you need: A chair, coffee table or ottoman that is the right height so that when you lie on the floor on your back, one leg can rest on top of the object and form an approximate 90-degree angle.
What to do: Lie on your back, bend your left leg and place it on top of your "platform." Your left calf muscle should be resting on the platform. Stretch your right leg straight out on the floor, toes pointed toward the ceiling. Place your arms out to the sides, palms up. Rest in this pose for five minutes, allowing gravity to do the work, relaxing the body and letting the muscles stretch. Repeat with your right leg.

Table Stretch
Purpose: Counteracts the tendency to hunch and roll shoulders forward.
What you need: A table, desk, counter or back of a chair.
What to do: Stand a few feet from the table, with feet hip-width apart and pointing straight ahead. Lean forward and rest your hands, palms down, on the table so that your legs and torso form a 90-degree angle. Relax. Let your head fall forward between your shoulders, and let gravity do the work. Hold for one to two minutes.

Cats and Dogs
Purpose: Increases flexibility and movement in the pelvis and lower back.
What you need: A carpet, exercise mat or other comfortable floor surface.
What to do: Get on your hands and knees so that your back forms a small table. Place your hands directly below your shoulders, fingers pointing forward. Knees should be in line with your hips. Exhale and slowly arch your back upward like a cat, pressing your chin toward your chest. Hold for five seconds.
Then arch in the opposite direction (the way dogs do when they stretch), pulling your head and neck upward and your upper and lower back downward and lifting your buttocks into the air. Hold for five seconds. Smoothly transition from "cat" to "dog" for 10 complete cycles.

Face the Wall
Purpose: Stretches and aligns the muscles of the chest, shoulders and pelvis.
What you need: A wall.
What to do: Stand facing the wall with feet hip-width apart, toes turned inward and touching (pigeon-toed). Your chest and nose should almost touch the wall.
Lift your arms straight above your head, shoulder-width apart. Place the backs of your hands on the wall. Hold for one minute, eventually working up to three minutes. You will feel a stretch in your pelvis and shoulders.
At first you only may be able to reach the wall with the sides of your hands. As your muscles align and stretch, you will be able to work up to reaching the wall with the backs of your hands.
Helpful: This may be uncomfortable at first, but after a minute your shoulders will begin to relax.

I did, and will continue to do, these exercises. They aren't hard and don't take a massive amount of strength to complete them. Good luck!

More on Coupons

2008-10-12T10:26:00.000-07:00

Like everything else on the Internet, you have to be careful when going to sites that require a download or personal information. Yep, bad guys/gals even infiltrate a harmless activity like couponing! To find and use on-line coupons safely and easily, try out these sites. These sites also have information and links to blogs or chatrooms where coupon aficionados discuss deals they have located. You don't need to register to use these sites, but might have to if you want to join any of the discussion groups. These are good sites:
Coupon Mom
Flamingo World
Hot Coupon World
Tech Bargains
Coupon/Bargains

Couponing is not just for grocery store buying either! You can find coupons for all kinds of purchases. Not all manufacturers offer coupons on their websites, but many do. Just go to the companies website and look for a tab that says "deals", "bargains", "promotions", "coupons"... you get the idea! Most will require registration.

There are three Internet coupon types. On-line coupons aren't always the print and clip type.
1. Coupon codes is an alphanumeric code that can be used to obtain a discount. Typically, you can only use the code for online purchases and you will be prompted to enter the code at some point, usually the end, of the checkout process.

2. Link promotion is another popular online experience! (I had these on my website for a few months, but have taken them down.) You click the link and it takes you directly to the page in the site where you can make the purchase at the discounted price. NOTE: Confirm that the link promotion has taken you to the actual retailer's site, not a copycat, before entering your credit card number. The URL should contain "https" not just "http" (the "s" means the site is secure). Make sure the site includes functional links to customer service pages, such as return policy and shipping charge explanations.
Look for a VeriSign or BBBOnline (Better Business Bureau) seal on the site. Clicking on these seals should bring you to these organizations' Web sites. If it doesn't, don't proceed with the transaction.

3. Printable Coupons are very popular. These can be printed and redeemed in stores. To print the coupons, you will most likely have to download some software to allow you to do the printing. You take the chance that along with the coupon printer download, you may download spyware. This spyware might monitor where you go on the Internet and report this information back to the coupon Web site or anyone who has paid the site for this data. That robs you of your on-line privacy and slows your computer slightly. Spyware even can make you vulnerable to identity theft, though this is unlikely with major coupon Web sites. Be sure you have good Spyware detection on your computer. (I use Spyware Doctor but there are free spyware monitors out there that you can download).

Even if you are not asked to download software to obtain your coupon, you might be asked to provide an E-mail address. Set up a free email through Yahoo or Gmail and use that account if you need to provide an email to get a coupon via email. That way your main account won't get filled up with spam messages.

And, finally, a couple things to remember when checking out sites for Internet coupons. If their coupons don't have a bar code on them... they are bogus. Look at the website. If it looks amateurish or if it's small scale, it's probably bogus. Stick to the large scale sites (like those mentioned above) and to the manufacturers websites.

Helpful money saving and time saving tips

2008-10-09T13:14:00.000-07:00

Some money saving tips from several sources. I can't vouch for them, just passing them along:

1. Do your grocery shopping on Sunday. Sunday, for supermarkets, is "bargain day" in the industry, when most things are marked down. Doing your shopping on Sunday and using coupons can save you a substantial amount of money depending on your buying habits and family size.

2. You can save up to 33% on fruits and vegetables by avoiding bagged items like salad greens in the fresh produce section (buy a head of lettuce and chop it yourself) and by choosing bagged, not boxed, items in the frozen section.

3. Some staples are cheaper in the drugstore! A gallon of milk costs up to 60 cents less at the drugstore! Snacks and cleaning supplies are up to 50% cheaper when getting them at discounters like Wal-Mart or Target.

4. Keep an eye on what the store scanner is showing for the price of your item. Shopper lose up to $1 billion every year because of scanner overcharges!

5. Fill two plastic water bottles with about 2 inches of pebbles. Seal and place inside the toilet tank, leaving enough room for about 3 gallons of water. Not only will you save about 10 gallons of water per day, you'll also pocket $40 or more per year on your water bill. You can also buy a "float booster" for $4.95 or so to do the same thing.

6. Use your toaster oven, if you have one, to cook instead of heating up your oven! Cooking a casserole in an electric oven will cost you twice what it will cost in the toaster oven!

7. About Coffee Grounds:
Clean with used coffee grounds! Rubbing coffee grounds on stuck on food, lifts it away!
Been handling fish or onions? Add 1 t of coffee grounds to a palm full of liquid soap and the odor will disappear.
Have a scratch in a favorite table? Boil the grounds in water to make a brown "paint", then fill in the scratch.
Plants lacking some luster and looking droopy? Give them some cooled coffee grounds and some water to perk them up!

8. Dry orange peels on a sunny window sill for about 4 days, put them in small sachet bags and store in closets, drawers, and bathrooms for some freshened air!

9. Got some old panyhose?
Pull a pair over your broom or a yardstick to get those hard to reach areas that dust bunnies and pet hair like to hide under. Secure the pantyhose with a rubber band and start dusting! Then throw dust and panty hose away.

Another good use for old hose is to store onions and potatoes. If you have a cold dark place with some space... put your onions and potatoes in the legs of the hose with a knot between each vegetable. Hang the hose on a nail from a board that will allow air all around the veggies. When you need an onion or potato, just cut below the knot and take that veggie out. This also helps out so that if the onion or potato DOES start to rot, it will only touch itself, not everything else too. (I did this when I lived on Mt Hood and kept them in my cellar. I think I had 1 potato that rotted, but the rest were always fresh)

10. Download free games to your kids cellphones to amuse them for hours on long trips. You can get them from Gamejump or Mobilerated

11. To find the 5 lowest priced gas stations near you, log in to GasBuddy or you can text via your cellphone to gas@gasbuddy.com, send your Zip Code or city and state, and the info will be sent to your cell phone.

12. Cut your drive time! Get up to the minute traffic reports by calling 866-698-7232 and say the city and street you want to know about, then it will tell you whether your chosen route is clear, closed or clogged!

13. Don't have a fancy GPS, but have a cellphone?? Then you have a GPS! Simply call Dial Directions - 347-328-4667 and give your location and destination. Turn by turn directions will be sent via text message to your phone in seconds.

14. To keep produce from spoiling, don't wash them before you're going to use them... put them in the fridge and keep your fruits and veggies in separate crispers or separate shelves at least. Studies have found that fruits produce ethylene gas which stimulates ripening. (BTW - those Debbie Meyers green bags that you see for sale... they work great!) One more thing, warm or tropical weather fruits like bananas, tomatoes and oranges, should not be refrigerated, it will make them spoil faster. Cool/cold weather fruits, like apples and figs, should be refrigerated, they will spoil faster when left out. Watermelon will spoil faster if you keep it away from cantaloupe and honeydew melon!

15. You probably know that hte back of your fridge is cooler than the front, but the lower shelves are cooler than the higher ones also! Keep perishables like milk, meat and fish as low as you can possibly put them and they'll last a few days longer. Eggs will last twice as long stored low and in the carton they came in.

16. Most people think that storing bread and coffee in the fridge helps them stay fresh - but that is actually not true. Bread dries out and goes stale faster, coffee stays fresher longer in a sealed container in the cabinets where it is safe from fluctuating temps and condensation.

17. Keep your meats and veggies separate. Meats will last one to three days in the fridge, while side dishes like veggies or rice can last nearly a week... unless those veggies/rice are touching meat. Leftovers: store leftovers in containers no more than two inches deep so food will stay fresh longer. Deep containers don't cool down fast enough to keep bacteria from growing in the middle.

18. The lovely Lemon:
To clean graters, halve a lemon and run the pulpy side over it. Any food stuck in the crevices will pop right out and leave a citrusy aroma behind.
To get the buildup from your coffee pot. Swirl lemon wedges, salt and a cup of ice in the pot for a couple of minutes, then dump and rinse it with water.
Toss a lemon half into the water before boiling shrimp. If you're frying or baking fish, squeeze lemon jice on it when its still raw. The lemon will combat the fishy odors before cooking and enhance its flavor.
Add a spoonful of lemon juice to the boiling water before adding rice. You won't taste the citrus and the rice will be fluffier.
Swish lemon juice around your mouth then rinse for an effective mouthwash.

The Amazing Cacti

2008-10-09T12:51:00.000-07:00

There are more than 2000 species of cacti in the desert. The most powerful of them can help you in many ways! I was reading these in a magazine and wanted to pass along to you.

Dragon Fruit
The fruit from this cactus tastes like Kiwi and is packed iwth antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C. It has been proven to lower blood sugar, prevent and help manage diabetes. You can find it dried at Health Food stores or in juice drinks.

Agave
The natural sweetener from the agave cactus is rich in inulin, a fiber that prevents stomach upset by promoting healthy bacteria in the intestines. It has no chemicals or side-effects. You can use this in place of sugar or honey. It's a very nice tasting nectar, sweet but not sicky sweet (I bought some).

Hoodia Gordonii
The San tribe of South Africa relied on hoodia for energy on hunting trips and could go days without eating. Hoodia signals the brain to feel fell faster, so you eat less without trying. On the average, using hoodia, people eat 1000 calories less per day without feeling hungry. If you go buy Hoodia, make sure that it is the real thing. To find it, look for brands with a legal permit to export. Some brands are lovate Health Sciences Hoodia Sure or Hoodia DEX-L10 that have the real thing.

Prickly Pear
Drink a glass of prickly pear juice about 5 hours before you're going to go drinking and you'll avoid or severely diminish the effects of those nasty hangovers! Prickly pear blocks the tissue inflammation that alcohol causes. If you're not going drinking, drink some prickly pear juice just to be more alert during your day! (I bought this in a tinctature which I add to my tea in the morning)

Nopal
These cactus leaves are packed with calcium, iron, and phytochemicals, and powerful antioxidants. They taste like green beans and can be added to salsa and soup or look for nopal powder and dissolve 600 mg into a glass of water daily. This leave was found to kill cancer cells on contact in labs.

More helpful beauty tips

2008-10-09T12:10:00.000-07:00

I thought these were pretty interesting tidbits in a magazine I was reading. I haven't tried them yet, but wanted to pass them along. What you don't eat, use for topical beauty!

Strawberry Smoothie Mask
in a food processor oblender, combine 1 c frozen or fresh strawberries, (or a mix of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries). Blend into the berries 1 c vanilla or plain yogurt and 1 1/2 T of honey. Pour into an 8 oz glass and enjoy your smoothie, but leave enough to coat your face! It will be a little drippy at first, but a smooth layer will stay on. Leave it on for about 8 min before rinsing it off. Strawberries have more antiaging vitamin C per serving than oranges or grapefruit which helps to fight those nasty wrinkles and lines we get as we age. You should do this once or twice a week.

Pomegranate Exfoliating Scrub
Cut off Pomegrantate crown and score the rind in sections, without cutting all the way through. Place in a bowl of water for 5 - 10 min. Break away the rind from the seeds, which will sink. Strain the seeds. In a food processor, combine 2 T seeds and 1 c uncooked oatmeal. In a bowl mix the oatmeal and seeds mix with 2 T honey and 2 T buttermilk. Apply to face for a few minutes then rinse. For rough patches, like elbows, add 3/4c turbinado sugar before scrubbing. Enjoy the remaining seeds, the ones not mixed with anything, with your favorite cheese. Pomegranates are one of the most antioxidant rich fruits, which has more inflammation fighting antioxidants than red wine or green tea.

Olive Oil drizzle
Olive oil reduces inflammation and disarms free radicals. The ancient Romans massaged olive oil into their skin. Inflammation is a major cause of wrinkling and sagging of the skin. Use the oil on your rough patches and even on your lips for a kissably smooth mouth! After dinner, drizzle a few tablespoons of extra-virgin oil into a small bowl and dip your favorite bread into it for a nice snack or before dinner as an appetizer.

Green Tea
Sip at least 3 big mugs of green tea, from tea bags, every day for an antioxidant boost! Chill the damp tea bags in the fridge and put on eyes for 10 - 15 min. Green tea contains tannins, which act as an astrigent when applied to the skin and can help reduce puffiness.

Pumpkin pudding
In a food processor or blender, combine 2 c canned pupkin, 4 T vanilla yogurt, 4 T honey, and 1t pumpkin pie spice. Separate 1/3 of the mixture to a different bowl. With the remaining 2/3 pumpkin mix, add 2T cream cheese and 1/2 t vanilla extract and mix well. With the 1/3 you kept separate, smear it all over your face and leave on for 10 minutes and rinse. Eat the pudding! You should do this once per week. Pumpkin is full of wrinkle fighting plant pigments called carotenoids. It is full of vistamins C E and A and powerful enzymes. (Personally, I'd pop that pudding into a baking pan and bake it til it was more of a custard to nibble on.)

The mighty Coconut!
Coconut oil, per the Michigan State University studies, is 48 percent lauric acid, which strengthens the immune system, kills viruses, bacteria, and fungi on contact, makes your hair shiny and thick, relieves dry patches. Coconut oil will also speed up weightloss. For winter illness protection, consume 3 1/2T of coconut oil daily. For your hair, massage 2T coconut oil into the hair and scalp, cover with a shower cap for 30 minutes and then shampoo. Repeat once or twice weekly. For your skin, apply a small dab of coconut oil two times daily. At first it will feel greasy, but will soak into your skin in about 15 minutes and be very smooth. A coconut milk bath will sooth your whole body. I don't recommend a coconut milk shampoo however, it took me 4 washings to get it out of my hair! Just pour a can of coconut milk into your running bath water, get in and enjoy a nice little respite from the day.

More money saving tips

2008-09-11T13:30:00.000-07:00

Here are a few money saving tips that I read about. Most are pretty interesting, particularly the credit card website.

1. Get a good "rewards" credit card. As long as you pay the balance every month so you don't get charged any interest, it's a win-win situation. You're paying out the same amount of money that you normally do, but you're getting cash back rewards on top of it. The bigger the family, the bigger the rewards. Generally, a "rewards" card carries a higher interest rate so you want to be SURE that you pay it off prior to the date they tack on that nasty interest! Check out Index credit cards for information on all credit cards.

2. Always buying books and passing them around to friends or giving to the library or Goodwill? Why not get some cash back on your discards? This company even pays for the postage to mail them your books! Check it out: Cash4books for more information.

3. Woman's Day DIY (Do-it-yourself) section has recipes for making your own laundry soap, window cleaner, and all-purpose cleaner. The laundry detergent will cost you about 2cents per load instead of 25cents per load. (If you have a big family that could be QUITE a savings!!) Window cleaner in the store is about 10cents per ounce, their recipe is less than 1cent per ounce. (Personally, I mix vinegar with water and then use newspaper to wash windows - gets them squeaky clean in no time, with no streaks!) Anyhow, the recipes are at: Woman's Day.

4. Ask for lower interest on your credit cards! All you need to do is call your credit card company and ask to speak to a supervisor. Tell them you are receiving many offers to transfer your balance, but would prefer to stay with them, IF they can lower your rate to match the other company(ies). If they don't want to lower their rates, check the credit card site listed in #1 and find a better deal!

The other sites listed in the article are:
Microsoft's new Live Search Cashback program. If you use their search engine and make a purchase via that search, you are eligible to get a rebate from Microsoft.

Once Upon A Child. Best deals on high-quality, gently worn, kid's clothes.

Bank of America has an agreement until April 2009 with 73 museums across the country that allows you to get in free the first weekend of the month if you show them our B of A debit, credit, or ATM card.

Online coupons place.

Heathy Help from your Kitchen

2008-09-11T12:28:00.000-07:00

Spices for Health:
Cloves - improves heart health by lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides (blood fat) levels.

Sage - an extract in sage naturally ups the production of memory enhancing brain chemicals.

Saffron - Helps regulate serotonin production alleviating mood swings, migraines, cramps and fatigue.

Parsley - builds bones. Naturally bonds with the body's calcium molecules.

Cinnamon - Full of polyphenols, it helps reduce inflammation. Steep a stick of cinnamon in tea instead of using powder.

Saffron adds a unique flavor to foods and has been used for centuries to treat depression in traditional Persion medicine for centuries.

Tumeric may help prevent Alzheimers and lower cholesterol. Tumeric is a powder made from the root of the Curcuma longa, which grows in southern Asia. It is used widely in India in curries.

Maca a Peruvian root vegetable is considered a "super food" that helps with everything from memory to arthritis!

Fresh spices offer more health benefits than dried ones. Most of the nutrients in dried seasonings are destroyed during processing.

Nuts for your health:
Brazil nuts combat colon cancer. One oz of these contain 7x the RDA recommendation. They are full of selenium, which protects cells.

Walnuts fight heart disease. They contain a hefty dose of omega-3fatty acid called alphalinolenic acid which is a potent inflammation fighter.

Soy nuts lower blood pressure. They are packed with isoflavones which reduce inflammation and relax muscles around blood vessels.

Pistachios steady your nerves, reduces stress and tension. They have high levels of unsaturated fats and antioxidants which improve circulation, reducing blood pressure.

Pecans will drop cholesterol levels. It's monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats guard against the damaging effects of "bad" cholesterol.

One ounce of nuts can gave 20 grams or more of fat and up to 200 calories, but most of the fats are healthy omega-3's and monounsaturated fat, which we need.

Other healthy foods:
Add some flacked salmon, walnuts and kiwi fruit to your salad. All rich in Omega-3's, they help with moods.

An omelet made with eggs, broccoli and milk and toast with peanut butter give you a healthy dose of Choline which helps boost your IQ

Sip red wine. One glass a day..no more. It raises your levels of HDL (good cholesterol), which protects your heart, sharpens recall, and wards off dementia by dampening inflammation in the brain.

In defense of eating REAL dairy treats:
Studies show that women who had two daily servings of full-fat milk, sour cream or cheese gained 30% less weight than their 1% counterparts. Milk fat is among the richest natural sources of conjugated linoleic acid, which blocks fat from entering body cells. Full fat milk in dairy desserts, ice cream, and pudding significantly slows the rate at which sugar enters the bloodstream. This guards against unhealthy spikes in cortisol and insulin.

Odds and Ends:
Tart cherries have anthocyanins which stimulate expression of fat burning genes in the liver, reducing belly bulge up to 15%.

A few slices of avocado are naturally rich in appetite suppressing monounsaturated fats.

Green tea, is rich in antioxidants that have been proven to boost metabolism. Skip bottled tea however, the processing has depleted them of slimming nutrients. Steep one bag of tea in hot water for 2 minutes and cool with ice instead.

Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese are rich in calcium and activate the body's fat-burning hormones. It's high protein content will make you feel full longer also.

Turkey contains fewer calories per ounce than any other meat. The amino acid in turkey prompts the production of serotonin, a calming neurotransmitter that help you sleep.

Cannellini beans are resistant to starch and resists digestion. The slower digestion means your body has to work harder, burning more calories.

You won't find this stuff in your kitchen, but here's some accupressure tips:

Unclog a stuffy nose by pressing the groove to the side of each nostril... this didn't work for me, but it is supposed to cause cells in the sinuses to contract, opening up the nasal passages and help you breathe easier.

Applying pressure to the temples can stop a migraine. Migraines are due to too much blood flow through the blood vessels, applying pressure decreases the blood flow.

Feeling a little queasy? Press your inner arm two inches below the wrist. It governs your stomach region.

Put an end to cravings by pressing on the front of your ear just above the flap. This area slows the movement of food through the GI tract, which suppresses appetite.

Back hurt? Press the crease behind your knee. This will boost circulation along the spine, releasing pain causing blockages.

Feeling blue? Press the webbing between your thumb and forefinger.

Help for Arthritis Sufferer's

2008-08-20T17:58:00.000-07:00

The following is a synopsis of what I read in Bottom Line Health. This information is what was provided by Vijay Vad, MD, a sports medicine physician and researcher specializing in minimally invasive arthritis therapies at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. He is an assistant professor of rehabilitation medicine at Weill Medical College of Cornell University, also in New York City, and the author of Arthritis Rx (Gotham).

ONLY about half of the people who suffer from osteoarthritis pain get significant relief from aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil) or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) -- and each year, an estimated 16,000 Americans die from gastrointestinal bleeding or other side effects from these medications.

Inflammation in the body has been implicated in heart disease, diabetes and kidney disease -- and it also contributes to osteoarthritis. The incidence of arthritis has steadily risen since the early 1900s, when processed foods, such as packaged crackers, cereals, bread and snack foods, began to dominate the American diet -- and more people started becoming obese. Most of these foods actually promote inflammation, which can cause joint and cartilage damage and aggravate arthritis pain.

What you should do:
1) Add apricots and berries to your diet, which contain large amounts of antioxidants, chemical compounds that reduce inflammation.
2) Add almonds to your diet, which contain fiber, vitamin E and monounsaturated fats, all of which curb inflammation.
3) Increase omega-3s. These inflammation-fighting essential fatty acids are mainly found in cold-water fish, such as salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines. At least three three-ounce servings of fish per week provide adequate levels of omega-3s. People who don't like fish, or don't eat it often, can take 2 g to 3 g daily of a fish-oil supplement that contains eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)... or one to three tablespoons daily of flaxseed oil. (Because fish oil taken at this dosage can have a blood-thinning effect, check with your doctor if you take a blood-thinning medication, such as warfarin (Coumadin).

4) Add several teaspoons of fresh ginger to vegetables, salads, etc., daily or take a daily supplement containing 500 mg of ginger. (Ginger thins the blood, so consult your doctor if you take blood-thinning medication.)
5) Take 1,500 mg of glucosamine and 1,200 mg of chondroitin daily. Or consider using a product called Zingerflex, which contains glucosamine and chondroitin as well as ginger. (If you have diabetes, consult your doctor before using glucosamine. It can raise blood sugar. Do not take glucosamine if you are allergic to shellfish.)

What you should not do:
1) Most Americans get far too many Omega-6's in their diets. A century ago, the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids was about 2:1 for the typical American. Today, it's about 20:1. This imbalance boosts levels of a chemical by-product, arachidonic acid, that triggers inflammation. Omega-6s are found primarily in red meats, commercially processed foods (described earlier) and fast foods, anyone with arthritis should avoid these foods as much as possible.

2) Although the reason is unknown, tomatoes, white potatoes, eggplant and other foods in the nightshade family have been found to increase arthritis pain. For a complete list of nightshade foods, go to the Arthritis Foundation Web site at www.arthritis.org and enter "nightshade" in the search box.

Put some exercise in your day!
Osteoarthritis pain weakens muscles, which diminishes joint support. The result is more inflammation and pain, and faster progression of the underlying disease.

Common exercises, including running and traditional forms of yoga, actually can increase pain by putting too much pressure on the joints. Patients benefit most from medical exercise, which includes modified versions of common strengthening and stretching exercises, supervised by a physical therapist. (To locate a physical therapist in your area, contact the American Physical Therapy Association at 800-999-2782 or www.apta.org.)

Medical yoga improves joint strength and flexibility by strengthening muscles and moving joints through their full range of motion. Unlike conventional yoga, it does not require poses that put undue stress on the joints.

Pilates combines yoga-like stretching and breathing control to strengthen the "core" muscles in the lower back and abdomen, as well as muscles in the hips. Like medical yoga, it puts very little pressure on the joints.

Healthy breathing. Most of us take shallow breaths from the upper lungs -- a breathing pattern that increases levels of stress hormones and heightens pain. Deep breathing, which promotes the release of pain-relieving chemicals called endorphins. Patients who breathe deeply for five minutes daily have less pain for several hours afterward. Practice deep breathing in addition to a regular exercise program.

In a different article at BottomLine Health it says:
5 Little-Known Ways to Reduce Arthritis Pain, Without Painkillers and Anti-Inflammatories

If you have arthritis, you've probably tried painkillers and heating pads. But here are 5 little-known remedies that you probably haven't tried. They're safe... they're inexpensive... and they can dramatically curb your symptoms.

Drink Tea. Research shows that green tea is rich in polyphenols -- compounds that suppress the expression of a key gene involved in arthritis inflammation. Drink one or 2 cups of hot or cold tea daily.

Boost Your C and D. Vitamin C is believed to slow the loss of cartilage due to osteoarthritis, while a diet low in vitamin D has been shown to actually speed the progression of osteoarthritis. Take daily supplements that provide 500 to 1,000 mg of vitamin C, and 400 IUs of vitamin D.

Try Willow Bark and Boswellia. Willow bark is where aspirin comes from. And boswellia has been used for centuries to reduce inflammation and maintain healthy joints. Take 240 mg of willow bark and 1,000 mg of boswellia per day.

Eat Grapes. Grape skin contains resveratrol, a natural compound known to act as a COX-2 inhibitor. Resveratrol both suppresses the COX-2 gene and deactivates the COX-2 enzyme, which produces inflammation at the site of injury or pain. Eat one cup of white or red grapes daily. Good news: Purple grape juice and wine contain resveratrol, too.

Therapeutic Taping. Wrapping tape around a joint to realign, support, and take pressure off it has great benefits for arthritis sufferers. Taping must be done properly to be effective. Consult a physician or physical therapist who can show you or a family member the proper technique.

Plants to eat, grow, or wear for Health and Beauty

2008-08-04T17:14:00.000-07:00

Environmental researcher Bill Wolverton, PhD, says to place plants primarily in your "personal breathing zone", within 6 - 8 cubic feet of where you work, sleep or spend long stretches of time. Also, he says, consider using clay pebbles instead of commercial potting soil for your plants. The plants grown in the clay pebbles remove airborne irritants more effectively than plants in potting soil because their roots are better able to breathe.

NASA studies show that Peace Lilies can reduce levels of microscopic mold spores in the air by 60 percent! The flowers sop up the mold organisms through their leaves then it goes to the root system as food for the plant. Since it eats up those spores, it means less allergens for you! They claim it also prevents spore buildup on shower curtains and tiles meaning less scrubbing for you when you clean!

Cathy Wong, N.D, author of The Inside Out Diet, says that Boston Fern act as humidifiers by releasing water vapor into the air in exchange for atmospheric pollutants, which the plants convert to fuel. So, if you have some dry itchy skin, perhaps the purchase of a Boston Fern could help you out!

NASA's investigation has revealed that houseplants can remove nearly 90% of toxins from indoor air within two days! Researchers say that the Spider Plant is the most powerful air cleanser filtering harmful substances through microscopic openings in the leaves. It also absorbs mold spore allergens and traces of carbon monoxide and formaldehyde.

Suzy Cohen, R.Ph, says that Eucalyptus offers prime defense against Spring colds. It's leaves are packed with tannins, a chemical that, when inhaled, raises levels of healthy pericilary fluid in the body's airways, thinning and loosening congestion-causing phlegm.

Need to get some better sleep? Get some Gerbera Daisies! According to Dr. Wong, unlike most plants which absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen in the daytime, this flower does it at night. The benefit to you is easier breathing and deeper sleep! Higher levels of atmospheric oxygen were found to stabilize breathing and increase the duration of sleep by over 10 percent.

English Ivy absorbs and chemically neutralizes benzene, a colorless toxin emitted by some paper products and office equipment. The benzene can slow thinking and break concentration by disrupting the central nervous system according to Dr. Wong.

This one is a bit tougher for me to believe, but I'll throw it in the mix anyhow! According to author Leatrice Eiseman, gazing at flowering purple plants, like African Violets, stimulates the release of adrenaline (improving creativity) and also triggers the release of endorphins (improving mood and easing stress). According to Eiseman, the body responds to flowering plants of any color by boosting oxygen flow to the brain, resulting in relaxation.

Now let's move on to ancient Mayan and Aztec secrets for Optimal Health! As you know the Mayan and Aztec empires were among the most advanced civilizations in the world. Here are some of the plant foods they dined on:

Sarsaparilla - the root of the flowering vine has special flavonoids and plant sterols proven to cleanse the liver, kidneys and intestines of toxins, improving immunity and metabolism. Many detox teas have sarsaparilla.

Prickly Pear - the juice of the Prickly Pear cactus is an energy source improving alertness and stamina. The juice is loaded with minerals, fiber and immunity boosting vitamin C. It is proven to lower cholesterol and keep blood sugar stable.

Chia - the seeds have a slightly nutty flavor and have 6 times more calcium than whole milk, 3 times more antioxidants than blueberries! It lowers cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, and improves mood. Sprinkle the seeds on cereal or yogurt.

Agave - known as "nectar of the Gods" to the Mayans, the sweet syrup of the Agave plant is 75% sweeter than table sugar and it's broken down into energy at a slower, more steady pace. You feel full longer and don't get the energy rush and crash caused by sugar. Incidentally, there are 136 species of Agave but only the Blue Agave is allowed in the use of tequila according to Mexican Law!

Yucca - the Aztec's and the Mayan's used the trees leaves and roots to fight joint inflammation. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory. It's main components, called saponins, block toxins that can interfere with new cartilage growth. The Yucca extract also lowers blood pressure.

Chocolate - the cacao bean, the main ingredient in chocolate, was worshiped by the Aztecs. The cacao bean is full of flavonols which improve blood flow to the heart, decrease bad cholesterol, decrease high blood pressure and prevent everything from heart attack to a stroke.

Here's the one the women used in their beauty regimen:
Avocado - the avocado is packed with Vitamin E, a skin smoothing nutrient. Mash up on overripe avocado and smooth over skin, leave on for 5 minutes then wash it off with a damp cloth. It is also packed with glutathione, an antioxidant that prevents aging. Avocado oil improves collagen's elasticity and reduces roughness, cracking and irritation. It even prevents fine lines!! NOTE 8/18/08: I tried this out and was very impressed with the results. I used 1/3 of an average sized avocado for my arms, hands, feet, and face. All came out smooth and very soft! Make sure you get it all off though or you'll be wandering around with a green hue! ha ha I recommend this treatment. It's easy enough to do and takes very little of your time.

Speaking of beauty regimens, here's some secrets from top spa experts:
Glowing complexion - Mix 1/2cup of canned pumpkin, 1/4cup sliced ginger, 1 tsp ground cinnamon and 1/4c of brown sugar. Apply to face and leave on for 10 minutes, rinse with warm water. NOTE 8/19/08: I tried this mix and have to admit that it not only smells good, but it's pretty tasty too! ha ha I'm not so sure I have a glowing complexion now, but it is definitely softer and healthy feeling. It's a little messy getting it off and I only used about 1/3 of the recipe but I like it and would recommend this one.

Shiny Hair - Coconut milk reduces hair damage 62% better than other types of milk used in hair products. The milk binds to strands and tightens the hair's protein bonds so locks better maintain their strength and shine. Place a towel in a bowl of hot water, then place the bowl and 1/2 cup of coconut milk next to your tub and settle down into a nice warm bath. Take the milk and pour it over your hair using your hands to massage it in. Wring out the hot towel and wrap it around your head. The towel's heat will open pores so the milk is better absorbed. In 20 minutes, remove the towel and rinse hair in warm water. NOTE 08/18/08: I can't recommend this hair treatment. I tried it last night and this morning my hair looks like I've not washed it for a week! I guess their idea of "shiny" is my idea of "greasy looking". It could just be my hair type that doesn't take to it very well, but I can't wait to wash my hair again! 8/19/08: I've now washed my hair 3 times over the last two days and have almost lost all the "greasy" look. I think one more washing will do it! I think I will use the rest of the can of coconut milk in the form of a "milk bath" and make sure none of it touches my hair because the milk that was on my neck and shoulders made them much softer and even made a dry patch that I have had for years disappear!!

Lose Weight - Pineapple's bromelain and Papaya's papain are specialized enzymes that fight fat. In addition to breaking down protein to reduce abdominal bloat, the dissolve fat trapping waste in the circulatory system and lymphatic system. These enzymes also rev fat-burning liver function and neutralize inflammatory compounds. For a 1 day cleanse, cut at least 2 peeled pineapples or 4 peeled papayas into small chunks; place in a bowl and keep chilled. Fill up on the fruit whenever hunger strikes. Also consume at least 2 liters of water throughout the day.

I'll toss these ones in too:
Relaxing bath - add 3 - 5 cranberry tea bags to the hot bathwater. Allow to steep for 10 minutes. Then soak in it for 20 minutes. The bath is relaxing but with the use of cranberry tea, it also stimulates circulation for a healthy glow and reduces the formation of the brown spots that make skin look older.

Baby soft hands - add 1/2 cup Olive Oil to 1 cup of sugar or kosher salt. Stir well then rub onto hands and cuticles for 15 - 30 seconds. Rinse with warm water.

Happy Feet - add 1/2 cup of Epsom salts to a basin of warm water. Relax and soak feet for 20 minutes. Using a pumice stone, rub away any calluses. Dry feet then add two drops of peppermint essential oil to your favorite moisturizer and rub in thoroughly. Put on a pair of lightweight cotton socks and allow to moisturizer to penetrate at least 15 minutes

Thicker hair - Champagne gives hair the volume, depth and shine it needs to look lustrous. the antioxidant properties of the champagne grapes remove dulling residue buildup and help hair grow in 20 - 60 % thicker. In a spray bottle, combine equal parts of champagne and water then spritz onto wet roots after shampooing. Doing this before blow-drying ensures hair doesn't get sticky or stiff.

Okay, this is the last thing I read that I wanted to impart to you..... instead of buy that pricey plant food to make your indoor plants grow better, water them once a week with room temperature flat club soda. It contains macronutrients like potassium that help plants thrive.

Anne of the Thousand Days - Movie Review

2008-07-04T08:54:00.000-07:00

"Anne of the Thousand Days" is the story of Anne Boleyn and how she was pursued by Henry VIII at the cost of his marriage and the fate of England's understanding with the Catholic church. It tells the story of Anne and Mary Boleyn a bit differently, but much like, the more recent movie "The Other Boleyn Girl". Again, I can't vouch for it's historical accuracy, but the movie is well done and the actors and actresses do a very good job. I liked the ending the best when Anne, refuses to renounce her marriage to the King and thereby refuses to renounce their daughter, Elizabeth's, rightful position as the successor to King Henry's throne - even though he's going to have Anne beheaded to make his way clear to pursue a new love interest who might give him a boy heir. Her final speech is great!

This movie is out with a companion movie called Mary, Queen of Scots.

This double feature can be purchased through Debbie's Movie House link.

The Other Boleyn Girl - Movie Review

2008-07-04T08:34:00.000-07:00

I liked this movie. I can't vouch for it's historical correctness, but it is very entertaining. It is based on the novel The Other Boleyn Girl. It is a tale of intrigue, romance, and betrayal. Two sisters, Anne and Mary are driven by their ambitious family to seduce the king of England in order to advance their position in court. What starts as an opportunity for the girls to increase the family fortune becomes a deadly rivalry. The movie depicts Mary as the "nice" sister and Anne as the "ambitious bitch". Anne ends up married to the King and nearly destroying the country and ultimately loses her head - literally.

It lasts about 115 minutes and is rated PG-13.

I've read several reviews about this movie that state that the movie is "a waste of time" and an "hysterical drama more than a historical drama" but, the fact remains, it is a well done movie with good actors and actresses. I liked it.

You can buy this movie through the Debbies Movie House link.