Bonnie Bee Living Free

I hope I didn't offend you

2013-10-08T17:26:00.001-07:00

If someone says "I hope I didn't offend you" after giving you their unsolicited advice or negative feedback on something you've said or done, don't say "Oh, no, you didn't offend me." That is a lie.

You did feel offended in the first moments - c'mon, you know you did. That's okay. That's what you're supposed to feel - if you're homo sapien anyway. So, here is a way you might answer so that you are:

1. telling the truth
2. giving permission to the other person to tell their own truth
3. raising everyone's self-awareness and consciousness
4. having a little fun.
5. learning how to be compassionate toward others and yourself
6. all of the above

"Actually, yes, at first I was offended, but of course, that's because I'm human and my ego is involved in most of what I think, say and do everyday." hahahaha (little laughter here to create a level of comfort - hopefully they know what an "ego" is - if not, move on).

"But then" - you say continuing - "I"- now, choose one of the following:
1. "waited until my blood stopped boiling"
2. "stopped cursing you in my mind"
3." took the imaginary hands from around your neck"
4. "was trying to think of a way to make you feel horrible, but thankfully wasn't quick enough and/or
5. all of the above

At this point, you can go on to ask questions of clarification, tell the person that you appreciate his or her feedback, suggest that they've given you something to ponder, say "hmmmmm that's interesting" or another phrase suggesting that you've heard them, or simply say "thank you" or "okay" or whatever ego-free word/phrase seems appropriate.

There. You've just made the world a better place.

Bonnie Bee :)

Scientists discover previously unknown cleansing system in brain

2012-08-22T18:27:00.001-07:00

Scientists discover previously unknown cleansing system in brain

Clarity on the Edge of Life & Death

2012-08-11T09:05:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my child stopped breathing and lay lifeless in my arms. It was only for a few seconds maybe, but everything that I thought was real was stripped away in that moment of realization - "he is not breathing." The clarity that came while on this line between life and death was not new. I have had this vision many times before. It gets blurred by daily life, daily routine, daily concerns.

This morning my stepson was upset because his shorts didn't match his shirt and he wasn't going to look right for his team's fundraising event. I said to him "You don't have to be cranky because your clothes don't match. Let's try to put things in perspective ..." and thankfully he stopped me and said "I'm not cranky." I was ready to scream out, "Your stepbrother stopped breathing yesterday!" What good would that have done except to make him feel worse? Somehow I think he knew what was underneath my seemingly calm words. He's pretty sensitive to others in that way. I could at least do the same for him in return. He is a child and, in some way, we all are.

My husband was unsure how to be in the hospital with this child of mine. Although not connected by genes, there is a mutual admiration that I have seen forming between them. They move cautiously in a difficult dance - resistant teenage stepson and set-in-his-ways middle-aged stepdad. My husband treaded softly like a child not knowing what to do - joking & trying to sidestep the seriousness of what had transpired, then holding me close knowing what could have been. My husband lost his first wife tragically. He's had the vision. I imagine that it's not easy to return there. If we were to live from a place of this kind of life and death clarity what would that look like? I want to explore this with a list....perhaps you'd like to add your own thoughts:

If we lived each moment as if it were our last, or the last of someone we loved, what would be different?

We would live very simply.....we would be surrounded by people and things that we loved.
We would share most of what we have with others less fortunate and keep only what we needed.
We wouldn't yell.
We wouldn't go to war.
We would cry alot - for the injustices of the world, for the needy, for victims, for the planet.
We wouldn't worry about our clothes matching, brand names, styles....
We would care where our food came from....we would thank our farmers...we would eat slowly and taste our food.....we would give thanks for everything that nourished us & want to share with others.
We would be grateful for life-giving water and never waste a drop.
We would hug people whenever we met, we would put our arm around someone who was
having a difficult day, we would stop to help someone who seemed to be struggling with a
small child, grocery bags, car troubles.....not just sometimes but always.
We would stop and listen when someone was speaking with us and we would look in their eyes.
We would never say "I don't have time" for something that was important to someone else or for something that would make our world a better place.
When faced with a situation or someone that was irritating, difficult, complicated, or frustrating we would know that nobody was dying and we could sort through it eventually.

When faced with death and dying, we would be grateful that we lived our lives as though each moment was our last, or the last of someone we loved.

2012-07-01T20:29:00.000-07:00

Ancient Wisdom for Modern Relationships

According to Buddhism, there are four elements of true love. The first is maitri, which can be translated as loving-kindness or benevolence. Loving-kindness is not only the desire to make someone happy, to bring joy to a beloved person; it is the ability to bring joy and happiness to the person you love, because even if your intention is to love this person, your love might make him or her suffer.

Training is needed in order to love properly; and to be able to give happiness and joy, you must practice deep looking directed toward the person you love. Because if you do not understand this person, you cannot love properly. Understanding is the essence of love. If you cannot understand, you cannot love. That is the message of the Buddha.

Excerpted from True Love by Thich Nhat Hahn, 2006

Being Light

2012-06-30T12:10:00.002-07:00

Being Light

When I allow myself to Be Light,
I live from a place of compassion.
I feel at peace.
I want people to feel welcome, heard and accepted.
I feel whole.
It is easy to accept others as they are.
I am not stuck or struggling because the Light holds me up,
embraces me gently,
permeates my being,
clears away all the blockages to Light.
My Being Light means that others around me are reflected in that Light.
I see them differently.
I feel the Light emanating from them as well.
Light knows Light.

Bonnie Nalley
June 30, 2012

Gratitude

2011-08-15T18:25:00.000-07:00

Self-Trust Inspiration Course - Part 1 of 10

2011-05-02T21:15:00.000-07:00

I have serendipitously ended up on a site created by Jennifer Louden and signed up for a Self-Trust Inspiration Course. Why? Well, it feels like a nice time for someone to guide me along for a bit.

If you would like to join me I will post all 10 as I get them.

(For more about each email inspiration you can go to Jennifer's site at www.jenniferlouden.com )

Today's Simple Self-Trust Action:

The next time you find yourself saying, "I can't handle this" or "I don't know what to do," exhale fully. Really exhale. Then, as you inhale, remind yourself you have handled everything that life has brought to you. Not perfectly, not always admirably, but you are still here, aren't you? Thus you handled it.

Then ask, "If I believed I could handle this and I did know what I wanted to do, what would I choose right now?"

Weather changes and joint pain

2011-04-24T18:56:00.000-07:00

The weather around here has been unstable to say the least in the last few weeks. Low pressure, high pressure, low pressure, thunderstorms, lightning, rain, tornado warnings, low pressure, high pressure. I found myself wondering about why my neck aches when the weather changes. Most of us can say that we have something that aches, or some change that we feel in our bodies when the weather changes....maybe before it rains or something like that. I wondered why, what specifically is going on and is there anything I can do to minimize the effects. As always, there's lots to be found on the net, but this article was most helpful. As a result I guess I'm not planning to move to Arizona afterall :)

Excerpt from: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=14686

But does the weather actually affect arthritis? If so, how?

First, there hasn't been much real research science. In 1961, a famous arthritis specialist, J. Hollander M.D., conducted a study in which he built a climate chamber and demonstrated that high humidity combined with low barometric pressure were associated with increased joint pain and stiffness. Neither weather factor by itself seemed to influence joint symptoms. The study has been criticized because of the limited number of patients evaluated (12 patients). The theory of the study is that inflamed joints swell as the barometric pressure drops. This swelling irritates the nerves around the joints that sense pain and causes more stiffness.

Well, if this theory proved correct (and it is not universally accepted), should a person with arthritis move to a region with a dry climate?

The answer is no. Relocating to a different climatic environment does not seem to make a difference in the long run. Scientific studies have shown that no matter where people live their bodies seem to establish a new equilibrium to the local climate. As a result, changes in the weather affect the arthritis symptoms in the same manner regardless of the actual overall average weather. Moving is not likely to be beneficial long term. (To emphasize a point, I can tell you that there are plenty of busy rheumatologists in Arizona!)

JWDT

2011-03-06T06:28:00.000-08:00

In light of recent(and on-going) hateful, derogatory & divisive actions, words & offensive behavior by the Westboro Baptist Ch...Group I would just like to say JWDT - Jesus Wouldn't Do That.

Join in this creative movement against this hate group :)

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=117928591579931&v=wall

Sulfite and sulfa drug allergies - is there a connection?

2011-02-11T11:19:00.000-08:00

I met a woman yesterday who, like myself, is allergic to sulpha(sulfa) drugs and sulphites(sulfites).
I was told years ago that there was no connection. It was a pharmacist who told me this so I
am trusting that what he told me was the truth, or perhaps the truth as he knew it at the time.

I am now beginning to wonder if there is something missing here, some connection between the two as
this woman I met yesterday is the third person in THREE WEEKS that has told me the same thing.

I am doing some research to find out what I can. In the meantime, if you have an allergy to either
sulpha drugs(antibiotics) or sulphites you may want to consider being careful of the other. If you
have a severe, life-threatening allergy you should consult your doctor.

FYI: Here's some quick info. about the differences between sulfites, sulfa, sulphur, sulfates:

http://allergies.about.com/od/medicationallergies/a/sulfahub.htm

Enjoy the simple things,
do your best to be free of toxins, unhealthy attachments & negativity,
living your life deeply and with much love.

All is well.

Where have I bean?

2011-01-18T10:03:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe that my last post was November 26th of last year! I refuse to believe that time goes that quickly. Seriously? It's been almost 2 months! I shudder to think of what I have, or rather, have not, accomplished during that time in my quest for simple free living. Perhaps I need to reflect and find if I've made any advances, had any insights, reached any small goals.....if, indeed, I did anything this last two months! My mind is suddenly blank! Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Okay. Let's be calm. Let's recap.

Cupboards - yes, they are complete - only stocking essentials that are organic, preservative free &/or contain one ingredient..... okay, that's not totally true because there are some products that continue to be on the grocery list as per my family's requests - potato chips....okay, I blame my family, but that's an out and out lie because:

I secretly love potato chips!
I use every excuse to include these as part of my healthy food regime - with a healthy wrap perhaps? They are made of potatoes, I rationalize.
I need to stop eating potato chips.

Tortilla chips. Healthier than potato chips, I convince myself, as I use them as a side with my chili.
I need to stop eating tortilla chips.

Non-organic/non-homemade cereal. I will allow these to stay in the cupboard for my family as I am not tempted to eat them, therefore, there's no problem here. I will continue to let my family know that the homemade oatmeal or granola is the healthiest alternative should they so choose - they eat pretty healthy, probably better than me most days, so no problem. The "treat" cereal stays.

Wait. I have made progress in a big way this last two months!
I have two kinds of beans on the counter soaking. Yes!!
One of my goals has been to make the switch from canned beans(containing additives other than beans) to just beans, that is, dried beans. I cut out information about beans out of a magazine and posted it in my cupboard, well, about two months ago. It's a quick reference guide to beans and rice. Today is the first day I looked at it and actually used it. The beans have been soaking long enough and are ready to be rinsed, drained and to go in the pot for simmering.

Thank you Neighborhood Co-op for the reference guide and for the organic dried beans.

Do a quick google search and find a bean guide that you can put in your cupboard. You have two months, apparently, to complete this task and begin using it. :)

Here's a link to get you started:
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/guides/beans.php

Guide to Beans | WholeFoodsMarket.com

2011-01-18T09:54:00.000-08:00

Guide to Beans | WholeFoodsMarket.com

Flax, flaxseed oil & breast cancer

2010-11-26T12:57:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I've given up numbering the days for the title of my blog post.

~ what if I want to post two blogs in one day?
~ what if I don't post anything for days(the more likely scenario)
~ what if I can't remember what day the last post was & I have to keep looking
back at my posts to know the correct day....you get my drift.

Thus, from now on the post title will be according to the content....what a novel
idea, I know!

I figure that I'm also taking the pressure off of you to follow the days....

Oh, I didn't do Day 1 so can I do Day 6?
Wait, Day 7 isn't anything to do so should I go back and do a day that had something to do?
What if I don't like Day 4, can I go back to Day 1?
Where's Day 11!?
It shouldn't be so complicated!

It's not. Read whatever day you like from now on.
The titles are on the right if you'd like to go back and
see if there's anything you're interested in.

Today's post is about recent(for over a decade now) information about the relationship
between flax, flaxseed oil(also called linseed oil) and breast cancer(also, some other cancers).
There is so much to tell you I don't know where to begin so I will end here:
I've listed a few links that may be of interest to you but please do your own research as well. I have included three reputable sources with no alterior motives(e.g. want to sell you something) and who have scientific backing for their medical opinions:

http://www.vitalitymagazine.com/the_cancer_chronicles_1

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/flaxseed/NS_patient-flaxseed

http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/flaxseed

Good luck. Be well. Take good care of yourself. Enjoy this day!

Day 1, Part 2 - Looking at Labels

2010-11-21T11:42:00.000-08:00

Okay. So we will all say that we read labels.

I look for the amount of fat, you might say.
Oh look, this has no saturated fat(bad fat, bad fat).
Yay! I can eat lots of this!

But wait! What's this? Why is the sodium content so high?

Hmmmm....let's read the ingredients....

Artificial flavour....."natural" flavour.....long words that I can't pronounce.....
so they've lowered the fat, but what price is my body paying for all the other stuff they've added!

Back to fat content. Here's some helpful information about fat from Katherine Zeratsky a nutritionist with the Mayo Clinic (note: Mayo doesn't stand for Mayonaisse)

Question

Fat grams, calories or percentages: Which are more important?

When assessing the fat content of foods, which should I focus on — fat grams, calories or percentages?

Answer

from Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.

All three are intended to help you understand the fat content of foods. However, looking at fat grams is probably the most useful way to monitor how much fat you're getting in your daily diet.

Health experts at the Institute of Medicine recommend that healthy adults get 20 to 35 percent of their total calories from fat. Each gram of fat has 9 calories. So, if you're trying to eat 1,800 calories a day, you should have no more than 70 grams of fat a day — 35 percent of 1,800 calories = 630 calories, divided by 9 (calories per gram of fat) = 70 grams.

For the rests of this article see: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fat-grams/HQ00671

Once I've established the fat content then I will look at the sodium.

According to this article posted by the University of Maine,
"the sodium content should not be more than 5%"
Read more on sodium at:
http://www.umext.maine.edu/onlinepubs/PDFpubs/4059.pdf

IF the fat and sodium content pass, I will look at hidden additives like:
I cannot name them all here - my first posting about monos$#%um gl(*&mate
connected my blog to an advertisement for a site that sells it - lol!

Reread the names of some hidden forms of "you know what" in earlier blogs and remember...
If I can't pronounce it, it's probably not good for me.

Okay. That's plenty of information for today. Take one thing from this post and
pay attention to it in the next while. Grams of fat, sodium content, words I can't
pronounce - you choose your focus. Maybe just getting in the habit of reading labels
(either for the first time or a renewed attempt to know what you're eating).

Have a great week!

Day 10 - Priorities

2010-11-17T10:57:00.000-08:00

In the face of so many tasks it is sometimes difficult to set priorities.

Some of you have told me that you are still working on cleaning out your cupboards. Good.
Do it when you can, but make sure you are priorizing all of the tasks of your day.

Here are a few tasks that I would consider vital to healthy & whole everyday fulfilment.
Choose one to focus on for the week, doing it every day.
Be mindful of everything surrounding this simple daily task:

Have a glass of water.
Shower or wash.
Eat a piece of fruit.
Look outside. Go outside.
Plan a meal.
Pay attention to the people in your surroundings.
Pay attention to your choices and actions.
Make a list.
Check your calendar.
Sit without purpose or distraction.
Connect with someone about something meaningful at least 5 minutes - in person, by phone, by email.

Do one thing that contributes to your ability to be mentally well, financially stable, physically healthy, creatively expressive, socially satisfied & spiritually sound - if you have a job that involves all five you are really really lucky!

This is not about just "getting through your day"
or "getting things done"
or "doing what you're supposed to"
or "listening to Bonnie Bee or getting into big trouble :)"

We are allowing our lives to be transformed
~ our days, our weeks, our months, our lives ~
one moment at a time.

Enjoy this day.

Day 8 & 9 - When Life Happens

2010-11-16T14:41:00.000-08:00

Sometimes when life happens one needs to set priorities so as not to go crazy trying to get it all done. The past two days have been like that. I'll be back on here tomorrow. Thanks for checking in. :)

Day 7 - Day of Rest

2010-11-14T11:20:00.001-08:00

And on the 7th day she rested. :)

Day 6 - A Hopi Elder Speaks

2010-11-13T17:14:00.000-08:00

A Hopi Elder Speaks

"You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour, now you must go back and tell the people that this is the Hour. And there are things to be considered . . .

Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in right relation?
Where is your water?
Know your garden.
It is time to speak your Truth.
Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for the leader."

Then he clasped his hands together, smiled, and said, "This could be a good time!"

"There is a river flowing now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold on to the shore. They will feel they are torn apart and will suffer greatly.

    "Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above water.   And I say, see who is in there with you and celebrate. At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally, Least of all ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.
    "The time for the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word struggle from you attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
    "We are the ones we've been waiting for."

Hopi elderHopi NationOraibi, Arizona
Source: http://www.communityworks.info/hopi.htm

Day 5 - Freedom

2010-11-12T13:16:00.000-08:00

* Freedom is never free. ~Author Unknown
You've probably heard this in reference to war and the sacrifices made by many for freedom in any country.

Does not the same holds true of our own personal freedom?

~ freedom from fear
~ freedom from irritants
~ freedom from being a slave to our work
~ freedom from being dependent on others for our happiness ~
~ freedom from anger
~ freedom from unhealthy attachments to people, places or things
~ freedom from ourselves, sometimes said to be "our worst enemy"
~ freedom from.........add your own words here

* Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better. ~Albert Camus

If you've read this blog thus far you are most likely aware of needing

to free yourself of a few things whether it's toxins in your body,

patterns of your mind or resentments in your heart.

I believe that wherever you begin the practice of freeing yourself,

the side effects of such actions will be felt in all aspects of your life.

Today's practice: Freedom

Begin with the small things. The big things will take care of themselves.

* We must be free not because we claim freedom,
but because we practice it. ~William Faulkner

(* thanks to www.quotegarden.com)

Day 4 - A Day of Remembrance, Forgiveness & Gratitude

2010-11-11T07:15:00.000-08:00

Today, November 11th is Veteran's Day in the United States
and Remembrance Day in Canada.

At 11:00am we will have a minute of silence to remember those who have served
our countries and died. Let us also take the time to remember those who are
still alive who carry images that darken their dreams and whose bodies carry
the pain and suffering of war.

On November 19th we are asked to wear camouflage to show our
love and support for all soldiers - male & female - remembering those who have
taken their own lives because their gender preference needed to be kept a dirty secret,
or worse, because they were tormented because of who they were.

Let us vow not to wait until days we are told to remember, but remember always
that we are all one & the same.

Let us remember and forgive.
Remember those who fight for what they believe in, even until death.
Forgive our enemies.
Forgive ourselves for not standing up for justice in our everyday lives.
Forgive ourselves for judging others and adding to their pain
Seek the place of gratitude within ourselves for all that we have.

May we always return to the path of remembrance, forgiveness & gratitude.

Peace. Shalom.

Day 3 - We're still cleaning out the cupboards

2010-11-10T13:08:00.000-08:00

Okay. So today we are still looking for hydrolyzed protein(MSG or glutamic acid)
hidden away in the recesses of our cupboards. Chances are you've found prepackaged
soups, boxed pasta, gravy & soup mixes and such that contain hydrolyzed protein &
in some cases will say monsodium glutamate as well.

DOUBLE WHAMMY!

No, it's more than double. Let's look at what else is in there.
Here are a few more words to our vocabulary that are another word for,
you guessed it, MSG. Check your labels.

amino acids (They almost invariably contain glutamic acid.)
autolyzed yeast
glutamate
glutamic acid
hydrolyzed protein
monopotassium glutamate
monosodium glutamate
protein
whey protein concentrate

The bad news is that you can find these names in many items sold in
health food stores or in items sold as organic.
The good news is....well....we're working on that.

So this is what happens: you find yourself reaching for your old standby - a quick lunch/dinner item when you're running out of groceries - chicken noodle vegetable something, Somebody's Uncle's tasty pasta and herbs or yummy rice and seasoning, or instant pasta in a box.

Today I make a different choice: you're grabbing whatever vegetables you can find, throwing them in a pan/wok with some olive oil and herbs. Broccoli, onion, garlic, carrot, tomato, peppers, zucchini, chopped spinach, beans...whatever's hanging around. No boullion. Salt, pepper, basil, oregano, paprika, cayenne, dillweed, rosemary - whatever taste suits - be brave & zesty!

But what about the pasta? I love it.......the noodles in the soup, the KD, the prepackaged seasoned thing I really like in garlic and cheese or that yummy salty herby one what's it called...I really like the pasta part.....whine whine whine.....

The answer is angel hair pasta. It cooks up quickly while you're tossing the veggies in the pan.
Best of all, you will know exactly what is in your food! If you're eating gluten free, like my nephew,
then you throw rice noodles right into the pan - even quicker!

Today, I am starting a grocery list that includes 6 kinds of vegetables and angel hair pasta.

Source: www.truthinlabeling.com

Day 2 - Bars - Granola, Cereal, 'Health', Protein - Look at the Label

2010-11-09T08:34:00.000-08:00

It can be overwhelming to change our eating habits.
Everywhere we turn we hear about something else that's not good for us or something that we should be eating that we're not or something new that's linked with cancer or, or, or.....

WE DO NOT NEED MORE STRESS IN OUR LIVES! Agree? Agreed!

But wait! That's why you're reading this blog.

It's simple.

It's free.

It allows you to keep living the way you are.

(I picked up one of Martha Stewart's Simple Living magazines at the dentist's

office the other day. Martha has a bit of a different take on 'simple' and 'living'

than I. I'm guessing her take on 'free' would be as well :) At the end of the week,

we'll look at these three words and try to come to a consensus as to their meaning

in this blog without offending Martha fans :)

WE ARE MAKING CHANGES ONE STEP AT A TIME :)

We have found out that hydrolyzed protein is in many things in our cupboards(thanks for the messages everyone). Soya sauce is not one of the things for which I'm going to attempt to find an alternative.

WE ARE GIVING UP SOYA SAUCE.

Where else did we find hydrolyzed protein? In our packages of granola and cereal bars.

In our favourite protein bar that we keep handy for an instant satisfying snack on the run.

We don't want to give these up! Have no fear. There are many brands that don't have

hydrolyzed protein. Eat the ones you have left - they haven't killed you yet - & be prepared

to read the labels on your next trip to the grocery store.

WE ARE READING LABELS ON ALL GRANOLA, CEREAL, PROTEIN,

OR ANY OTHER KIND OF BARS WE WANT TO BUY.

I've had to give up many packaged items and over the years have replaced them with my

own homemade options. So, here's today's offering:

Hearty Healthy Granola Bars(gluten free)

You'll want: A baking sheet &/or an 8X10 pan, a coffee grinder, a small pot, a large bowl,

a wooden spoon, wax paper, an apron(because I think it's fun to bake with an apron on)

I LOVE YOU MOM!

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Baking Sheet - 2 cups oats

or 8 X 10 pan - 3/4 cups wheat germ

- 3/4 cups raw sunflower seeds

- 1 cup crushed peanuts(allergy? substitute another nut or seed)

Toast in oven 10 to 12 minutes. In the meantime......

Simmer in pan - 1/2 cup brown sugar

for 5 to 8 min. - 1/2 cup honey
(as local as possible to boost the system of allergy sufferers)

- 4 T. butter

- 1/2 t. salt

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and fold in 8 oz. of dried fruit

(I like cranberries, currants, fig or date pieces)

Read the label: no sulphites please!

Line the 8 X 10 pan with wax paper. Press the mixture in.
Cover in wax paper & press flat. Wait 2 to 3 hours then cut.

I reuse the wax paper by cutting it into pieces to wrap the bars.

Cut them into whatever size you like - rectangles, squares - big or small.

Enjoy these bars packed with fibre & protein(that's not been hydrolyzed :)

Source:
http://www.joyfulabode.com/2008/04/11/homemade-granola-bar-recipe-no-high-fructose-corn-syrup-in-these-bars/
I adjusted and put less brown sugar.

Day 1 - MSG & Hydrolyzed Protein Are One & the Same.

2010-11-08T08:46:00.000-08:00

DAY 1 - MSG & Procrastination - are they linked?

This morning I posted the following on my facebook profile page after some friends said they'd like to join me in getting rid of unhealthy things in my diet:

" 'Living free' blog coming soon. For now I will post daily tips on here.
Eliminating MSG is 1st(& it's 45 hidden forms): reduce weight/ blood pressure,
eliminate headaches & being flushied after eating/drinking & many other benefits.
Your body will thank you!

1. "Hydrolyzed protein". Go to your cupboards.
Remove everything that has this in it. Post them.
We will find healthy alternatives for all of them.
Good luck."

I will now admit that I said "coming soon," but hadn't looked into how I would do this blog yet.
Presto. My sister sent me the idea of blogspot and I created this blog.

Step 1 toward Simple Free Living has become:

DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. IF YOU WANT TO DO IT THEN WRITE DOWN THAT YOU ARE DOING IT.

Today you are taking everything out of your cupboards that says "hydrolyzed protein" on the label(because it is MSG in disguise) and posting it here for us to find healthy alternatives for you. Good luck!

Source: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/help/faqs_flavorings/index.asp

Are MSG and hydrolyzed protein related?
Yes. MSG is the sodium salt of glutamic acid. Glutamic acid is an amino acid, one of the building blocks of protein. It is found in virtually all food and, in abundance, in food that is high in protein, including meat, poultry, cheeses, and fish.

Hydrolyzed proteins, used by the food industry to enhance flavor, are simply proteins that have been chemically broken apart into amino acids. The chemical breakdown of proteins may result in the formation of free glutamate that joins with free sodium to form MSG. In this case, the presence of MSG does not need to be disclosed on labeling. Labeling is required when MSG is added as a direct ingredient.