Israelite Home Journal

Homemade Cottage Cheese From North Central Kansas

2011-08-03T08:38:00.000-07:00

From: Mother Earth News

7/19/2011 12:13:06 PM

By: the MOTHER EARTH NEWS editors

This story is from Chris Long, submitted as part of our Wisdom From Our Elders collection of self-sufficient tales from yesteryear.

I grew up in a self-sufficient homestead on the plains of North Central Kansas in the 1930s. My mother often made homemade cottage cheese. We always used skim milk so the cream could be taken along with the eggs to “trade” for groceries. We were eating “healthy” and didn't know it! We let a gallon of the milk set on the back of the cook stove (where the water heated, it was always warm) until it "clabbered." The clabbered milk should look kind of like jello. This could take a day or more.

When I make cottage cheese today, I add a half cup of buttermilk, which speeds the process up, and I make it in my crockpot at a low temperature. Then, I use a large whisk to stir occasionally and cook until curds form and separate. This process takes a day or more. Place cheesecloth in a strainer or colander and pour mixture in. Drain thoroughly. Add cream or half-and-half, salt and pepper. Enjoy!

I found another recipe on the internet for quick cottage cheese. You heat a gallon of skim milk to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, remove from heat, and add 3/4 cup vinegar. Stir slowly for 1 to 2 minutes. Curd should separate from whey. Cover and let set for 30 minutes, drain through cheesecloth, and rinse in cold water. Squeeze as dry as possible. Add 1 1/2 teaspoon salt. Store in refrigerator until needed. Add cream or half-and-half as desired.

Conair John Frieda Full Volume Hair Dryer Giveaway

2011-08-02T19:08:00.000-07:00

From: Woman's Day

Ten lucky winners will receive a Conair John Frieda JF1 John Frieda Full Volume Hair Dryer (Approx. retail value: $49.99); JohnFrieda.com; Conair.com; Ulta.com

This durable, lightweight dryer features 1875 watts of power, three heat and two speed settings, as well as two snap-on concentrators for custom targeted airflow. Made with Advanced Ionic Technology and Titanium Ceramic Coating, the Full Volume Dryer defends hair from heat damage and infuses hair with volume bounce and shine as it dries.

To view rules of entry click here.

Do the Twist: Dish Dumpling Style!

2011-08-02T07:20:00.000-07:00

By: Cheyenne

This scrubby little pad is almost too cute to be so tough on grime. But it is. The Dish Dumpling Agave Scrubber is a chubby little nugget of sponge power, packed in an agave wrapper. This is the natural replacement for those plastic or copper scrubber pads. It makes removing even baked-on food kind of fun and quite easy. Best of all, it's dye-free and 100% plant based.

We got this just a few days ago at Whole Foods. We haven't used it yet, because we still have S.O.S Pads (I can't wait till their gone so we try this out!) to use up. You can even wash this in the dish washer and dry it in the microwave, read the directions on how to do so first though. Try it if you find it as interesting as I do, and tell me what you think about it. Blessings,
Cheyenne
To view Twist's other products, click here.

Convicted Arkansas Muslim admits shooting at home of rabbi

2011-08-02T07:11:00.000-07:00

From: Creeping Sharia

Posted on August 2, 2011
By: creeping

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) – A man who pleaded guilty to shooting two soldiers outside a military recruiting station in Arkansas said he also shot at the home of a rabbi in Little Rock days earlier, according to a letter he wrote to the FBI.

In the letter obtained by The Associated Press under a Freedom of Information Act request, Abdulhakim Muhammad said he fired 10 rounds at the home of Rabbi Eugene Levy days before he fatally shot Pvt. William Andrew Long and wounded Pvt. Quinton Ezeagwula in June 2009.

A judge sentenced Muhammad to life in prison without parole this week after prosecutors accepted his plea agreement during his capital murder trial for killing Long and hurting Ezeagwula.

In the letter, dated November 24, 2009, Muhammad said he targeted Levy’s house after researching Jewish leaders in Little Rock, Nashville, Tenn., and his hometown of Memphis, where he was born by the name Carlos Bledsoe. He changed his name after converting to Islam in college.

“Figured the FBI wasn’t watching me anymore,” he wrote. “I started my Plans to Attack, recruitment centers, Jewish organizations, across America…” He said he bought rifles, a pistol, ammunition and materials to make Molotov cocktails.

Then, shortly after midnight May 30, Muhammad said he shot at Levy’s house from his truck using a .22-caliber rifle.

“The spent rounds were found during search,” he wrote.

Levy’s wife, Bobbye Levy, said FBI agents visited their home sometime in June after Muhammad was arrested. But she said she didn’t hear any gunshots or find any damage to the house.

“We never knew anything about it until the FBI showed up,” she said.

She wasn’t sure whether the agents found any remnants of a shooting outside. FBI spokesman Steve Frazier declined to comment.

Muhammad said he then drove to Memphis and later Nashville to the homes of two other rabbis. In Nashville, he said he drove to a Jewish community center, “but found there were too many children around so I aborted that.”

So, the self-professed jihadist said he kept driving until he came to a recruitment center in Florence, Ky., but found it was closed.

He decided to go back to Little Rock to revise his plan, and said he drove overnight to Nashville. About 2 a.m. on June 1, Muhammad said he decided to firebomb another rabbi’s house. He said he lobbed a Molotov cocktail at the home, but the fire blew out mid-air.

“Another attempt gone sour,” he wrote.

He made it to Little Rock that morning and spotted two uniformed soldiers outside a military recruiting center in Little Rock. He said he considered firing at them from afar, but decided to get closer so he wouldn’t miss.

He fired an assault rifle at Long and Ezeagwula, who were smoking cigarettes outside. They had recently completed basic training and decided to volunteer as recruiters. Neither had seen combat.

Muhammad rolled down the window and fired an assault rifle. Ezeagwula, then 18, watched his friend fall to the ground as the bullets hit them. In the parking lot, Long’s mother, Janet Long, heard the gunshots.

In his letter to the FBI, Muhammad confessed to his actions, taking full responsibility and professing ties to al-Qaida.

Meanwhile, Long’s parents want to know where the Feds are, while a Congressman wants to honor the two victims of jihad:

Long’s parents have said their son and Ezeagwula deserve the Purple Heart and sent a hefty report to the Secretary of the Army and the AP detailing the reasons why.

“Andy was the first person killed and Quinton was the first person wounded on American soil in a jihad attack since 9/11,” said Long’s father, Daris Long.

Long’s family and the Ezeagwulas have struggled to convince the military and the federal government that the two were victims of the global war on terror, not merely a random act of violence.

No federal charges have been filed in the case, though Muhammad has deemed himself a jihadist and professed ties to al-Qaida. Cherith Beck, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney in Little Rock, declined to comment.

“If we get the Purple Heart, I’ll be pleased, but I want answers from the federal government on why they’re not pursuing this,” Long said.

Don’t get your hopes up. The Feds haven’t gotten involved yet, but Federal charges against Muhammad surely being considered, former prosecutors say

“I do believe there are federal laws involved with this,” Long’s father, Daris Long, said after Muhammad was sentenced. “I would like to see the feds step up to the plate.” Daris Long described Muhammad as “an enemy of this country.”

Long said he has never received a explanation of why Muhammad hasn’t been charged in federal court, and he doesn’t understand why others have been charged for what appear to be similar crimes, including planning to travel to Yemen to become terrorists or planning terrorist attacks in the United States.

Chuck Banks, a former U.S. attorney for the eastern district of Arkansas, said there are “some very serious considerations that are being considered by the U.S. attorney and by the staff regarding that this is an attack on federal military personnel who were in a nom-combatant role at the time they were attacked and killed.”

“I think they are feeling responsibility to the citizens of our country to recognize that this type of attack and crime, violence that been admitted to, a murder, is not going to be tolerated,” Banks said.

Unfortunately for the citizens of our country, Eric Holder tends to side with terrorists.

Virgil's Rootbeer

2011-08-02T06:58:00.000-07:00

By: Cheyenne

My Dad bought some of this Rootbeer from Whole Foods yesterday. It's all-natural, and made with purified carbon water. Don't take my word for it though, try it your self! A 4-pack is $6, but it's well worth the price. Blessings,
Cheyenne

Jalapeno Corn Cakes with Avocado Radish Sa

2011-08-01T19:33:00.001-07:00

Jalapeno Corn Cakes with Avocado Radish Salsa

from Plant Food Fabulous by Angelika

In the middle of summer, nothing is better than fresh corn. It is so sweet and succulent. I am a huge fan of fresh corn eaten, well any which way. The funny thing about corn, growing up in the midwest it was abundant, a real staple crop, right? Well my European grandparents were horrified that people actually ate corn, to them it was the stuff you fed your farm animals, absolutely not fit for human consumption. Clearly they had not gotten the memo, that corn had been upgraded and frankly is no better vessel for butter and salt.

Today corn made its debut in a corn cake. Partly because the idea was calling me, and partly because Little Man will eat anything if you call it a pancake. So we have taken to eating a lot of vegetable based fritters and he is none the wiser. These corn cakes are really delicious, in an addictive way. As in, someone was actually eating the burned batch once all the other cakes were gone. (it was me!) They are light and fluffy, super moist and the perfect backdrop for sweet summer corn. The addition of jalapeno and cilantro really rounds out the flavor. We served them with an avocado and radish, sort of a salsa fresca. It was the perfect topping, with just a little hit of sour cream to really take them home.

Jalapeno Corn Cakes

1 cup cornmeal

1/2 cup flour (I used gluten free AP flour)

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 large egg

1 cup plain yogurt

2 tablespoons melted butter, cooled

2 ears of corn, kernels removed with a knife

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion, minced

1 garlic clove, minced

1 jalepeno, finely diced (remove seeds if you want)

2 teaspoons honey

1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

Avocado Radish Salsa

1 avocado, diced

6 radishes, cut into match sticks

1/4 cup diced onion

juice of 1/2 lemon

1/4 cup cilantro

salt and pepper to taste

This recipe is an adaptation of this epicurious recipe.

Running a knife down the sides, remove the kernels of corn from the cob.

In a large bowl whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking soda, salt and pepper.

In a smaller bowl whisk together the egg, yogurt and melted butter. Stir in the corn. Set aside.

In a skillet heat the tablespoon of olive oil and saute the onions until they are golden. Add the jalapeno and garlic and saute another two minutes. I took the seeds and ribs out of my jalapeno, since I was sharing this with small kids. However, I really wanted more heat in the end. So next time seeds stay in and little people get something else to eat. Remove the onion mixture to a bowl and let it cool a bit. Just so it stops steaming.

Add the corn mixture to the flour mixture and combine gently. Stir in the onions and the honey. Lastly add the cilantro and give it a last stir.

Heat a skillet or a griddle until water beads up and rolls off. Add the batter in 1/4 cup measure. Cook about 3 minutes on each side. Be careful, they cook fast. I burned the first batch while trying to get the best picture.

Remove the cakes and stack them on a plate to keep warm. Make the salsa by combing all the ingredients in a bowl. Easy as can be. Serve the corn cakes warm with a generous dollop of the avocado and a little splash of sour cream.

A votre santé!

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Killing Kandy Bars!!!! Coming to a Grocery Store near you!

2011-08-01T19:33:00.000-07:00

From: Yahoo!

1. "You're Paying More For Less."

In May, Nestle introduced two new candies under its new Skinny Cow label: nut clusters and a chocolate-covered wafer crisp, each under 120 calories, the latest to join the candy industry's rush keep calorie-conscious snackers in the fold. Many major candy companies now offer low-cal treats, including Mars' 3 Musketeers Truffle Crisp Bars (34% fewer calories than a 3 Musketeers) and Hershey's 100 Calorie Crisp Wafer Bars (50% fewer calories than a Kit Kat).

But the candy companies' secret to keeping the calories down doesn't come from a new miracle cocoa bean. They've simply done what weight-loss experts have advocated for years: They've cut the portion sizes -- but not the prices, meaning health-conscious candy buyers are paying proportionally more for less candy. The Mars Truffle Crisp bar and its regular 3 Musketeers bar, for example, each cost $1, but at 1.1 ounces, the lower-calorie bar is half the size of the more caloric treat.

Mars and Hershey's declined to comment, but Gary Stibel, founder and CEO of the New England Consulting Group says this is just smart marketing on the candy companies' part. "People will pay a premium to take calories out of the package," he says. "And it takes away a reason why people don't eat candy."

2. "Our Candy May Have More Than Sugar."

Consumers have long been warned about the dangers of lead paint, but few know that the lead levels in chocolate products can also run high. While lead can turn up in many foods in trace amounts, in 2004 chocolate bars had among the highest lead levels of 280 items surveyed by the Food and Drug Administration. In 2006, the agency issued a recall of some types of Dagoba Organic Chocolate for having a lead content that was too high. (Dagoba, which was bought by Hershey's in 2006, did not respond to requests for comment. At the time, a company executive told reporters that the test results an isolated incident and said no reports of illness were associated with the recall.) Researchers in California have also found that bittersweet chocolate and chocolate pudding had levels of lead that would exceed that state's recommendations, says Russ Flegal, a professor of microbiology and toxicology at the University of California at Santa Cruz and one of the researchers. That doesn't come from the cocoa bean itself, he says, but is rather a result of handling, processing and storage.

Most people don't eat enough chocolate for the lead to have serious consequences, says Flegal: You'd have to eat one-and-a-half milk chocolate bars each day to put your lead intake above California's recommendations for what is considered safe. But he thinks consumers, especially parents of small children, ought to be aware of the limits. "Some children eat a lot of chocolate, and it could be a potential problem," he says.

The candy industry notes that small amounts of lead are often found in plant-based foods, and say they're taking every possible precaution. "Manufacturers take many steps to ensure that lead is at its lowest level possible in chocolate products," says Susan Smith, a spokeswoman for the National Confectioners Association.

3."Chocolate is Not Actually Good For You."

Chocoholics love to cite the healthful properties of the candy, and the candy industry is happy to arm them with statistics and research to support the claim. On Hershey's website, for example, the company says chocolate "may contribute to improved cardiovascular health," citing the antioxidant properties of cocoa and a connection between antioxidants and a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer, among other illnesses. A separate study on the National Confectioners Association website claims that children and teens who eat candy are less overweight or obese than their peers who don't.

Not so fast, warn health care experts. While chocolate does have antioxidants, which protect cells against certain kind of damage, and the occasional indulgence is satisfying, chocolate treats "are not fruits and vegetables," says Bonnie Liebman, nutrition director for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a consumer advocacy organization. So far, she says, there is no definitive evidence that antioxidants have any positive effect on your health, and "there's no health authority that recommends eating more chocolate." And outweighing any potential benefits, experts say, are the detrimental effects of fat, sugar and calories. With two out of three adults and half of children either overweight or obese, "We do not need a license to eat more chocolate," says Ross A. Hammond, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, who estimates that the annual costs from obesity may run to $215 billion a year.

The candy industry is aware of the need to eat healthy, says Smith of the National Confectioners Association. "Candy is supposed to be one of life's little pleasures." Hershey's declined to comment on the health claims made on its web site.

4. "Our treats could land your kid in the ER."

Of the roughly 17,500 children who go to the hospital each year for choking, nearly 20% were chewing gum or candy, according to the latest national estimates of nonfatal injuries by the Centers for Disease Control. For this, health experts and advocates squarely blame the government and candy makers for not doing enough to warn parents and kids about the dangers of choking on their candies. There were a series of incidents between 2000 and 2002 in which "gel candies," jellies that come in plastic cups about the size of coffee creamers, were linked to a several choking deaths in children. That prompted some in Congress to propose the Food Choking Prevention Act, which would have required warning labels on some foods. "Many more children would be alive today if the choking hazards posed by gel candies and other foods marketed to children were investigated quickly and pulled from store shelves," said Rep. Mike Honda (D., Calif.) at the time. That legislation didn't pass, but last year, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a report on choking prevention that concluded that the FDA should "evaluate foods and require warning labels on foods that pose a high choking risk to children."

Danger aside, it's also an expensive risk. If you have to rush your choking child to the emergency room, expect a bill for the ambulance ride, emergency room visit and possibly a visit to a pediatric gastroenterologist, says Alan Cherkasky, a family practitioner in Kaukauna, Wis. "This could easily cost many thousands of dollars," he adds.

The National Confectioners Association's Smith acknowledges that "hard candies are not for kids under three," but says parents can help prevent their children from choking by restricting them to age-appropriate candy.

5. "When our costs went up, so did yours."

On top of the rising costs of fuel, the prices of candy's staple ingredients -- sugar and chocolate -- remain near all-time highs this year. Sugar now costs about $0.25 per pound, up 55% over a year ago, according to International Monetary Fund data; cocoa prices have almost doubled over the last five years to about $3,000 per metric ton. So what's a candy maker to do? Pass the golden ticket along to consumers. Most candy companies have increased prices this year by about 10%, says Chris Growe, an analyst with brokerage and investment firm Stifel, Nicolaus & Company. Companies typically don't advertise their price increases, although in March, Hershey's said it was increasing its prices to offset the higher costs of materials and fuel among other things, in order to keep profits on track. The company didn't respond to requests for comment, but so far, the strategy seems to be working: Hershey's stock is up 23% to $59 per share in the last 12 months. For consumers, a candy bar is a modest expense, says Growe. "You may not be able to buy that flat-screen television, but you can afford a Twix bar," he says.

How to Make Tassels

2011-08-01T19:30:00.000-07:00

From: EliYah

Making tassels (tsit tsiyot) is actually pretty easy. With a little practice, you can make a full set in 20-30 minutes. Click one of the links below to download a video of one tassel being made very slowly. Once you see how they are made, it is pretty easy to copy and do it yourself.

For clarification, we've included instructions to accompany the video.Better quality
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String material for making tassels can be found at most any department store. The thickness of your string is a personal preference. Take 1 blue string 48” long, and 3 white strings 36” long. Combine the four strings together and make sure they’re lined up evenly one only one side. The blue string will hang lower than the rest.

Using some kind of hook type surface such as a coat hanger, fold them in half around the hook so that the white strings all match up evenly. Again, the blue string will be longer than the rest.

Yod
Tie the strings together just like the first step in tying your shoes, but don't tighten the strings around the hook. You'll want to leave a loop for tying the tassel to a garment.
Tie the strings together again just like the first step in tying your shoes but tighten it this time up against the first one to create a knot.
Separate the longer blue string from the others and wrap it around the now 6 white strings a total of 10 times. Yod is the 10th letter in the Hebrew alphabet.

Heh
Split the strings into a pair of three whites, adding the blue string to the side without a blue string.
Tie the strings together just like the first step in tying your shoes and tighten it against the 10 wraps of blue strings.
Tie the strings together again and tighten it against the the first one to create a knot.
Separate the long blue string from the others and wrap it around the 6 white strings a total of 5 times. Heh is the 5th letter in the Hebrew alphabet.

Waw
Split the strings into a pair of three whites, adding the blue string to the side without a blue string.
Tie the strings together and tighten it against the 5 wraps of blue strings.
Tie the strings together again and tighten it against the the first one to create a knot.
Separate the long blue string from the others and wrap it around the 6 white strings a total of 6 times. Heh is the 6th letter in the Hebrew alphabet.

Heh
Split the strings into a pair of three whites, adding the blue string to the side without a blue string.
Tie the strings together and tighten it against the 6 wraps of blue strings.
Tie the strings together again and tighten it against the the first one to create a knot.
Separate the long blue string from the others and wrap it around the 6 white strings a total of 5 times. Again, Heh is the 5th letter in the Hebrew alphabet. The tassel now numerically spells out (Yahweh).

Complete
Split the strings into a pair of three whites, adding the blue string to the side without a blue string.
Tie the strings together and tighten it against the 5 wraps of blue strings.
Tie the strings together again and tighten it against the the first one to create a knot.
Do all four tassels the same way, and then line them up, putting the loops through your finger, and then cut them to the desired length. After cutting, you may choose put small knots at the end of each string to keep the strings from being frayed at the ends. This is more important with looser, yarn-like string material.

If you want to store them, we suggest putting one of the strings left over from the cutting through the loops and tying it in a bow at the top. This will help to keep them from getting tangled.

If for some reason you are unable to make them, click here to request a free set.

**** ATTENTION ATTENTION *****

Since we began offering free sets of tassels we have been inundated with hundreds of requests for tassels (resulting in hundreds of hours worth of work to be done!). If you want to fulfill an important role in the body of Messiah, we need volunteers who are willing to send us sets of tassels. We are far behind what we are able to make and send out. This is an important need, for it is helping brothers and sisters keep Yahweh's commandments. If you are wanting to help, please send your tassel sets to:

EliYah.com
PO Box 1255
Ava, MO 65608

May Yahweh be magnified as we all work together to help one another walk in His will for our lives.

Zucchini Boats

2011-08-01T16:59:00.000-07:00

From: Brenda Cardenas

2 Zucchini Squash
1 lb. Ground Beef
Onion,Salt, Pepper & Garlic to taste
Tomato sauce (2 small cans)
Grated Parmesan cheese (or your choice of cheese)

Cut the end off at the top then, cut zucchini in half long ways & scrape out insides
Cook w/ground beef, onion, spices & 1 small can of tomato sauce.

Cook till ground beef is done.
Put mixture back into the zucchini skins.
Pour 1 small can tomato sauce over top then,
Top w/cheese of your choice (Parmesan is good)

Bake in oven approx. 350 degrees at 30-45 min or until done.

This recipe was sent to me by a dear old friend of mine. It's her aunt's recipe, and she was telling me about it on Yahoo's online chat system. I asked her to send it to me, and if it would be ok for me to post it here. She said that was fine,but she needed to ask her aunt exactly how to make it. I haven't tried it out yet though, but she says it delicious. Tell me what you think about it, and I'll make sure to tell her y'alls opinions. Blessings,
Cheyenne

6 Simple Steps to Your Cleanest Windows Ever

2011-08-01T16:37:00.000-07:00

From: Mother Earth News

Let the sun shine in through sparkling windows.

5/9/2011 1:07:47 PM

By: Robyn Griggs Lawrence

Eliza Cross’s Happy Simple Living blog is one of my go-to sources for tips on home, family, good food, personal finance and sustainable living—and not just because she was my boss many moons ago. I love Eliza’s practical yet personal advice, and she’s always right on the money when it comes to frugal, simple living.

In “How to Wash Your Own Windows, Save Big and Be Green,” Eliza tackles a subject that I’ve been thinking about (and putting off) since brilliant spring sunlight began exposing the state of my windows. It’s time to clean the glass. Eliza’s window washing tutorial is simple, effective and makes use of materials I already have around the house. My ex-husband’s aunt, Ciocia Paulette, taught me that using newspapers eliminates streaks—and it really works—but Eliza’s horizontal/vertical strokes technique is a new twist. I'm grateful to Eliza for giving me the steps I need to take on a task that can seem overwhelming. She continues to teach me well.

Supplies

2 cups water

1/4 cup white vinegar

1/2 teaspoon liquid dishwashing soap

Spray bottle

Newspapers

Sponge or rag

Dishwashing or work gloves (optional)

6 Simple Steps to Cleaner Windows

1. Combine water, vinegar and dishwashing soap. Pour mixture in spray bottle.

2. Use a wet sponge to gently remove odd bits of crud on the windows.

3. Wearing gloves, fold two pieces of newspaper into a paper towel-size rectangle and fold in half.

4. Spray cleaner on the windows and use a horizontal stroke to wipe down the outside. Switch to a vertical stroke for the inside and continue cleaning. Avoid window frames, as newsprint can leave a mark.

5. Keep a sponge or rag handy to wipe the window sill and catch drips. When the newspaper becomes dirty and soaked, put it in the recycling bin and grab a fresh piece.

6. Check your work; horizontal streaks mean you need to go over the outside, and vertical streaks mean you need to go over the inside.

Yet More Proof That Grass-Fed Meat Is Better

2011-08-01T16:36:00.002-07:00

From: Mother Earth News

More evidence that grass-fed meat is good for you emerged earlier this year when scientists in Ireland found that consuming grass-finished red meats from lamb and cattle, even for a short period of time, is good for your heart.

The study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition (volume 105, issue 01), not only confirmed again that red meat from animals “finished” on grass for the six weeks before slaughter contains significantly more omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids than meat from grain-fed feedlot animals, but also demonstrated for the first time that healthy consumers who ate that grass-finished meat for only four weeks showed significant increases in blood levels of omega-3s compared with those eating grain-finished red meat. This is important news for several reasons.

Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial in our diets, in part because they have a stabilizing effect on atherosclerotic plaques, which reduces the likelihood that the plaque will rupture and cause a number of heart and artery issues, including heart attack and death. These special fatty acids also reduce arterial inflammation and clotting. So, eating grass-fed red meat is actually good for your heart.

Eating only three portions of grass-fed red meat per week (about 18 ounces cooked) increased study participants’ omega-3 blood levels as much as some fish oils when factoring in cultural eating habits. Plus, the grass-finished cattle and sheep used in the study were offered grass for only the final six weeks of their lives, which means there may be even more potential for obtaining dietary omega-3s from red-meat animals that are finished on grass for a typical 120-day finishing period.

Critics will note that grass-fed red meat is no panacea, and they will be correct. Any dietary magic bullet has yet to be discovered, no matter what special interest groups want you to think. We do, however, have clear evidence that grass-fed red meat is better for us than industrial red meat in a number of additional ways.

To read the rest of this article click here Steak.

Drinking From Garden Hoses

2011-08-01T16:36:00.001-07:00

From: Mother Earth News

6/14/2011 10:05:29 AM
By: Oscar (Hank) Will III

I’ve read that a garden hose can leach toxic chemicals from the plastic into water as it flows through the hose — especially if the water is hot, after the hose has been lying out in the sun. Is it dangerous to drink from a garden hose or give this water to livestock? Would using a food-grade hose be better?

Do garden hoses release traces of chemicals from the plastic into the water flowing through them? Sure. Is drinking water from a hose a serious health issue? I’d say no.

First, consider that most people run the hose until the water is cold before they take a drink. This would flush out virtually any traces of these chemicals. Next, it just takes a little fundamental physics to see that any toxins that leach into the water will be a mere drop in the bucket. If we did the surface-area-to-volume measurement, coupled with the flow characteristics of 40 PSI (pounds per square inch) water moving through a typical hose, and we knew the solubility characteristics of any chemicals in the hose, we’d discover that the amount of potentially toxic materials actually dissolved in the consumed water is miniscule — possibly immeasurable. If you did additional math, you would discover that if you filled a 300- to 3,000-gallon stock tank with your garden hose, you would be at it for quite a while, and again, the amount of potentially toxic hot water would be tiny. Your livestock would probably be at more risk from some water-borne parasite than plastic toxins leaching from hoses.

It doesn’t really make sense economically or environmentally to replace perfectly good hoses with food-grade hoses — the health risk simply doesn’t justify it. But when the time does come to replace them, if you want a food-grade hose, shop for “boat or RV supply hoses.” Expect to pay about $30 for a 50-foot length with a 5/8-inch inside diameter.

Compost Manure to Avoid E. Coli and Other Foodborne Pathogens

2011-08-01T16:36:00.000-07:00

From: Mother Earth News

6/23/2011 10:48:04 AM
By: Natalie Schaefer

A deadly E. coli outbreak in northern Germany had government officials originally suspecting sprouts from an organic farm to be the cause. However, in a statement released Monday, June 6, test results were released that found no evidence that sprouts from an organic farm were the cause of the outbreak, according to The Associated Press.

As of Thursday, June 16, over 3,000 German citizens, mostly adults, had been effected by the rare E. coli O104:H4 strain, according to Food Saftey News’ website.

The geographic source of the outbreak is still unknown; however, the E. coli epidemic has been linked specifically to bean sprouts and no other vegetable. The sprouts are responsible for the worst recorded outbreak of E. coli infections and a death toll of 39 people.

Mark A. Kastel, co-director and senior farm policy analyst at The Cornucopia Institute, a farm policy research group based in Cornucopia, Wis.,reminds us how important it is to know the origin of your manure, otherwise it could become the source of spreading foodborne pathogens such as E. coli.

The new practice of raising beef and dairy cattle on highly concentrated factory farms and feeding them grain in high rations changes the pH in cattle rumen, according to Kastel. These pH changes are responsible for creating more deadly E. coli pathogens, which are alive and well in manure.

When we spread this type of manure around growing produce, eating that produce raw becomes dangerous. Using contaminated manure from concentrated factory farms can encourage the spread of highly toxic strains of foodborne pathogens in raw food.

To kill these pathogens, organic farmers are required to compost their manure before they spread it on crops. Conventional farms, however, are not required to follow this strict management practice. As a result, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has seen 10 sprout recalls in the past two and a half years (since April 2009). Nine of these were because sprouts from conventional farms tested positive for foodborne pathogens, while only one was because sprouts from an organic farm tested positive (90 percent conventional, 10 percent organic).

Below is a chart detailing all FDA sprout recalls since April 2009. Click here to see chart and read the rest of this article.

Herbs for Memory: Maintain Your Brain

2011-08-01T16:30:00.000-07:00

From: Mother Earth News

Imagine this. You’re driving in the city. Nothing is familiar. You’re not even sure of the cardinal directions. You hesitate at an intersection, car horns blaring behind you. Yet you’re not a new arrival to this place. You’ve lived in this city for many years, are within five miles of your house—and you have recently received the diagnosis of dementia.

Defining Dementia

Many people wonder whether mislaying the keys or blanking on the names of acquaintances at cocktail parties telegraph an insidious downslide into dementia. Taken alone, minor episodes of forgetfulness are normal. People with dementia don’t just forget a friend’s name, but much of their shared history. It becomes difficult to interact with other people, think abstractly, solve problems, speak, write, and comprehend printed and spoken words. This chronic, progressive condition can eventually erode the ability to perform simple tasks as basic as getting dressed in the morning.

There are more than 60 types of dementia. The most common type is Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which afflicts more than 35 million people worldwide and 5.5 million Americans. This is followed by vascular dementia (also called multi-infarct dementia) and Parkinson’s disease (a disease that impairs muscle control).

Unfortunately, dementia lacks a cure. Drugs such as Aricept and Namenda can produce modest improvements, but do not stop the course of the disease.
Herbal Defense

Worldwide, traditional healers prize selected herbs for sustaining mental function. So far, the research on herbs to enhance memory in normal people and in those with dementia remains preliminary. As with pharmaceuticals, no herb has yet been shown to cure dementia, or to prevent it from developing. Nevertheless, some experts are quite optimistic about particular herbs.

One such expert is Con Stough, Ph.D., a professor of neuropsychology at the Brain Sciences Institute at Swinburne University in Melbourne, Australia. He points out that, while pharmaceuticals tend to have a single action, herbs can have multiple, often synergistic actions. Because AD and other dementias have multiple causes, this herbal multitasking is important.

The herb best supported by research is ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba). (Click here to see an image of ginkgo.) So says neuropsychopharmacologist Jerry Cott, Ph.D., a renowned researcher, lecturer and writer. Standardized leaf extracts are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, improve circulation to the brain, and protect brains cells from beta-amyloid (a misfolded protein that accumulates in the brains of those with AD). In mice with an Alzheimer’s-like condition, ginkgo extracts inhibit damage to nerve cells and promote nerve cell growth and the generation of new cells in vulnerable brain areas.

To read the rest of this article click here.

Should I Use Sunscreen?

2011-08-01T16:00:00.000-07:00

From: Mother Earth News

7/26/2011 12:06:31 PM
By: Ellen Sandbeck

I’m confused about whether sunscreen is necessary to protect my skin, or if it might actually be bad for my health.

Sunscreen use is a complicated issue, so before we dive into recommendations, here are a few facts to keep in mind:

You Need Some Sun Exposure to Get Enough Vitamin D. Your body produces this essential vitamin whenever your bare skin is exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Unfortunately, as many as 32 percent of Americans have inadequate levels of vitamin D, which increases the risk of cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Some researchers suggest that 5 to 30 minutes of direct sunlight at midday, twice a week, will give you enough vitamin D. However, many factors, including age, skin tone and latitude affect vitamin D production.

Sunscreen Alone Won’t Prevent Cancer. Sunscreen may protect your skin to some extent; however, the pain and blistering of sunburn serves as a warning that you are getting too much solar radiation. Thus, sunscreen may lull some people into complacency and overexposure to the sun. Some studies have found that frequent sunscreen use is actually associated with a higher incidence of malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.

You Can’t Rely on the SPF Number. Sunscreen generally doesn’t perform as advertised, because most people don’t follow the application recommendations. Many of us don’t slather on enough sunscreen or reapply it often enough to reach advertised protection levels.

Some Sunscreen Ingredients May Be Harmful. Several common chemical UV-filters in sunscreens are hormone disrupters.

• Octyl-methoxycinnamate and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor interfere with thyroid hormone.

• Benzophenone-3, 3-Benzylidene camphor, Padimate O and homosalate are additional hormone disruptors commonly found in sunscreen.
Your Best Bets for Sun Protection

You don’t need sunscreen to protect yourself from excess sun. My fair, red-headed husband and I have been avid gardeners for more than three decades. We avoid overexposure to the sun by using large beach umbrellas and by wearing broad-brimmed sunhats, long pants, and light-colored, cotton long-sleeved shirts.

If you do opt for a sunscreen, check out the Environmental Working Group’s 2011 sunscreen recommendations to find products with the fewest potentially harmful ingredients. A few of the group’s many recommended options include Aubrey Organics, Blue Lizard and Badger sunscreens.

Finally, if you must spend long hours outdoors in the summer with exposed skin, consider astaxanthin supplements. This naturally occurring red pigment, which is found in marine plants and animals, absorbs UV rays, is a powerful antioxidant, and reduces the pain and inflammation caused by sunburn.

Recall Alert!!!!

2011-08-01T15:30:00.000-07:00

From: Hungry Girl

A top papaya distributor is recalling ALL papayas sold in the U.S. and Canada prior to July 23rd, due to potential salmonella contamination. Click here for full info. We've never had much love for the taste of papayas, but this is a much bigger problem.

Simple Sorbets

2011-08-01T15:00:00.000-07:00

From: Mother Earth News

An herbal sorbet captures all the vibrant fragrance of the summer herb garden in a single spoonful. Imagine the intense citrus of lemon verbena, the soft perfume of lavender or the bracing pine of rosemary funneled into refreshing scoops of sweet-tart ice. I delight in finding ways to use herbs as the focus of a dish rather than as a seasoning, and herbal sorbets are the purest example of this. With little more than sugar, water and herb sprigs, these desserts are among the easiest to prepare.

You can call them sorbets, sherbets, granitas or ices, but they all are in the same family and share the same methods of preparation. If you learn to make one flavor, you can make many.

Try These 5 Herbal Ices:
• Basil-Lime Sorbet
• Lemon Verbena Yogurt Sherbet
• Rosemary, Lavender and Ginger Granita
• Strawberry-Rose Geranium Sorbet
• Honeydew Melon and Tarragon Sorbet

How to Make Herbal Ices

I use two basic methods to extract the herbal flavors. One uses a blender and the other a saucepan. Aside from an ice cream maker, which is not required for granitas, a fine-meshed strainer is the only special piece of equipment you’ll need. Be sure it has a very fine mesh so that it can hold back the small bits of herb leaf that may distract from a smooth texture.

1. For the blender method, measure the sugar, water and lemon juice into the blender container, add a generous quantity of herb leaves, and blend for a minute or so until smooth. Pour the liquid through the fine strainer and immediately freeze it in an ice cream maker. Although you can use ordinary granulated sugar, fine sugar (also known as baker’s sugar) is a better choice because it will dissolve faster in the syrup without heat. This method works best with lemon verbena, lemon geranium, tarragon and mint. It also works well with basil, but you’ll get the best color if you blanch the basil leaves first (a quick dip in boiling water followed by a cold-water bath).

2. The second method is called an infusion, and it truly is as easy as brewing tea. Bring sugar and water to a boil in a saucepan, toss in a bundle of herb sprigs (stems and all), cover the pan and take it off the heat. Let the herbs steep for 15 minutes or so and then strain. The syrup will carry the flavor and fragrance of the herb while the green vegetal flavor of the leaf, along with the stems, will stay behind. Next, add citrus juice and freeze. This is the more versatile method because it works with nearly any herb. The infused syrups also can be mixed with fruit purees like berry, melon or peach, creating endless combinations of herb and fruit sorbets.

To read the rest of this article click here.

10 Easy and Useful Flowers

2011-08-01T14:30:00.000-07:00

From: Mother Earth News

We value beauty for its own sake, yet many colorful flowers have much to offer beyond their good looks. Some can be used medicinally, others are good to eat, and many provide food and habitat for beneficial insects. Some flowers are threatened by habitat destruction just like birds and other wild things, so growing flowers is simply a good idea. Give multipurpose flowers a bit of space in your garden and prepare to be amazed at what they can do for your health, your palate and your spirits.

Amazing Annuals

Annuals are flowers that grow from seed to bloom and produce seed in the course of one growing season. Annuals often bloom for a longer period of time than winter-hardy perennials and will do well in new soil that has been dug and amended with organic matter. You can sow the seeds of these plants directly in the garden.

If you’re a new gardener unsure of which little green things are weeds and which plants are flowers, you also can sow some seeds indoors in a small container and use the seedlings as visual guides. These annuals, as well as the perennials discussed later, bloom best if they receive at least six hours of sun each day. See “Woodland Wonders,” below, if your planting plans are limited by shade.

Whether you prefer your calendulas orange, yellow or somewhere in between, all are easy to grow in cool weather and bloom for weeks or months if you remove seed heads before they mature. Many cooks snip a few calendula petals into eggs or rice as poor man’s saffron, and chickens fed calendula flowers lay eggs with darker yellow yolks. Calendulas make great cut flowers, but their greatest use may be as topical oils or creams for burned or injured skin. In a recent study of 254 breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy, calendula ointment proved superior to the most widely used prescription product for preventing radiation burns. These latest findings are among a growing number of studies that validate calendula’s ability to help heal injured skin.

Want to make your own calendula first-aid oil? Molly Bunton of Molly’s Herbals in Mooresburg, Tenn., suggests drying the blossoms first, then combining them with olive or almond oil in a blender (2 ounces dried blossoms per 1 cup oil). Put the lumpy mixture in clean jars and keep them on a hot, sunny windowsill for two to three weeks, shaking them daily. Pour the infused mixture into a cloth bag and squeeze out the oil. Let the oil settle for a few days before straining it through good-quality paper towels. Bunton suggests keeping it from going rancid by squeezing the contents of one natural vitamin E capsule into every 4 ounces of the oil.

When Michigan State University entomologists counted beneficial insects on 46 plants, sweet alyssum outperformed all but one native plant (boneset) and bloomed longer than any of its competitors. Integrated pest management programs in California, Colorado and Wisconsin also recommend sweet alyssum as a comely plant for pest-prevention purposes, but attracting hoverflies and other beneficials is only one of this flowers talents. Sweet alyssums fine texture and spreading habit make it ideal for edging beds or planting with other flowers in containers — and older open-pollinated varieties are especially fragrant.

To read the rest of this article click here Flower Power!

Healing Homes

2011-08-01T14:00:00.000-07:00

From: Mother Earth News

I’m proud that Natural Home was one of the first magazines to recognize the importance of healthy homes. I’ve been in many nontoxic houses over the years, and I’ve felt—and witnessed—the difference that keeping out chemicals and fumes makes. Homeowners who moved in with serious health problems saw their symptoms clear after living without toxins such as flame-retardants and formaldehyde.

The people who built and remodeled these three houses were forced by health issues to be extreme. These are three of the most vigilantly designed and built healing places Natural Home & Garden has featured. Most of us don’t need such extremes, but we can learn a lot from these healthy, nurturing homes—and we might choose differently next time we order curtains.

To read the rest of this article click here A Healthy Home is a Happy Home!

Poison Ivy: Treatments

2011-08-01T13:30:00.000-07:00

From: Mother Earth News

As your fingers pluck the weeds between lengthening squash vines and ripening tomatoes, don’t forget to keep both eyes open for the ones that fight back. Poison ivy, oak and sumac are more likely to be tangled up in dense undergrowth; however, they still manage to appear where you least expect.

You can identify the poison ivy family by its shiny leaves in clusters of three, but don’t forget you can also contract an itchy rash from touching the roots, stems, flowers or berries. This reaction is known as contact dermatitis caused by contact with the irritant urushiol, resin found in poison ivy plants. When transferred to your body, urushiol bonds with the lipids in your skin. If not diluted with cold water immediately or wicked away with rubbing alcohol, an allergic reaction will follow, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website, that will make your skin a war zone.

If you find yourself among the unlucky, nurse your rash with home-grown and store-bought antidotes, but remember time and patience are the only cure as you wait for the blisters and bumps to run their course (anywhere from two to four weeks). To reduce itching and spreading try some of the following:

DIY Remedies

In The Itch and You (May/June 1989), MOTHER EARTH NEWS writer Terry Krautwurst suggests some remedies from home.
Moist compresses, soaking in cold water or taking a cold shower can temporarily ease the fiery itching.
Jewelweed (also known as touch-me-not) is common in the eastern U.S. and has long been used to ward off rashes. If you find that you've gotten into poison ivy, grab a handful of jewelweed leaves, flowers or stems, crush them, and rub them on your skin to release the juice.
Aloe vera gel can be squeezed from the plant of the same name or purchased in health food stores and drugstores. Aloe soothes and seems to promote healing.
Herbal topicals (not to be consumed, but applied to a rash) such as jewelweed, plantain, oak bark (leaves or acorns), rhubarb leaves, ragweed, dock, gum plant (grindelia), garlic and goldenseal are among the more common and highly praised rash-healing herbs, according to Krautwurst.

Commercial Products

There are many over-the-counter creams available. Try Tecnu Poison Oak-N-Ivy Cleanser. Tecnu is said to neutralize skin, clothing, footwear and tools and is available at outdoor and garden supply centers. Calamine lotion is also great for soothing itch and healing damaged skin after the climax of the rash. Calamine comes in pink and clear and is a classic antidote. An oatmeal bath can also calm poison ivy symptoms. You can buy a commercial oatmeal preparation (Aveeno), or make your own by wrapping a half cup of uncooked rolled oats in a piece of cloth and letting the cereal soak in the bath water. Squeeze the bundle from time to time or use it as your washcloth to release a solution that will help dry up the blisters and treat itch, according to Krautwurst.

Understand Your Symptoms

In Outwitting Poison Ivy,Susan Carol Hauser dispels a lot of the myths surrounding the angry red blotches, oozing, weeping blisters and sensitive, itchy bumps that are the result of a brush with urushiol oil. Remember to wash all clothing and tools that may have come in contact with poison ivy. This will lower your risk of re-exposure. Also, try your hardest not to itch and further irritate the reacting skin. Be patient and let your immune system finish the fight on its own.

If you do break open a few of the blisters, do not worry about re-infection. The watery fluid released from the blisters is only blood serum and does not contain traces of urushiol oil, according to Hauser’s research. When new patches appear several days after the beginning of a rash, this is not necessarily evidence of spreading, but rather the emergence of other areas you were exposed to with smaller quantities of oil. Sometimes the original pattern of the contamination shows itself over a longer period of time. Late bumps can also be a sign that you are re-exposing yourself to urushiol oil and should re-wash clothes and wipe down furniture that may have come into contact with the oil.

The best cure is to avoid poison ivy all together so remember as you happily tackle rows of weeds this summer to keep both eyes open for the ones that fight back.

Learn more about Identifying and Irradicating Poison Oak and Poison Ivy from Sandra Dark (March/April 1981) in the MOTHER EARTH NEWS archives.

Browse this dialogue of MOTHER EARTH NEWS readers to see what home-grown poison ivy antidotes they suggest.

3rd Annual Bully Masters Golf Tournament

2011-08-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

From: Phoenix Pack

When: Saturday, September 17th

Where: The Links at Dardenne

Format: 4 person scramble

Cost: $110 per player

Shotgun Start: 12:30pm

Includes: 18 holes w/cart, lunch, drinks, ribeye dinner, 50/50 raffle, silent auction, $10,000 hole in one prize, skins game, long drive and closest to pin contests, putting contest for 2 airline tickets.

Don't golf? You can also come out for the ribeye dinner and auctions: $15

How do I sign up?

Please R.S.V.P.

Call: Linda Herman 314-805-0557 or

Email: Events@phoenixpack.org

Dog Heatstroke Survivor Guide

2011-07-31T23:00:00.000-07:00

From: Phoenix Pack

What is heatstroke?

In simple terms, heatstroke occurs when a dog loses her natural ability to regulate her body temperature. Dogs don't sweat all over their bodies the way humans do. Canine body temperature is primarily regulated through respiration (i.e., panting). If a dog's respiratory tract cannot evacuate heat quickly enough, heatstroke can occur.

To know whether or not your dog is suffering from heatstroke (as opposed to merely heat exposure), it's important
to know the signs of heatstroke. A dog's normal resting temperature is about 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Once a dog's temperature rises above 105 degrees, physiological changes start to take place, and the dog begins to experience the effects of
heatstroke. At 106 to 108 degrees, the
dog begins to suffer irreversible damage to the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract, heart and brain.

If a dog is experiencing heatstroke, you may observe excessive panting,
hyperventilation, increased salivation,
dry gums that become pale, grayish and
tacky, rapid or erratic pulse, weakness,
confusion, inattention, vomiting,
diarrhea, and possibly rectal bleeding. If
the dog continues to overheat, breathing efforts become slowed or absent, and finally, seizures or coma can occur.

The amount of damage a dog sustains when stricken with heatstroke depends on the magnitude and duration of the exposure. The longer and more severe the exposure, the worse the damage will be. Recognizing the symptoms of heatstoke is the key.

Get into the shade. If you think your dog is suffering from heatstroke, move her into a shaded area and out of direct sunlight. Apply cool water to the inner thighs and stomach of the dog, where there's a higher concentration of relatively superficial, large blood vessels. Apply cool water to the foot pads, as well.

Use running water. A faucet or hose is the best way to wet down your dog's body. Never submerge your dog in water, such as in a pool or tub - this could cool the dog too rapidly, leading to further complications, including cardiac
arrest and bloating. Use cool - not cold - water. Many people make the mistake of using cold water or ice to cool the dog. When faced with a dog suffering from heatstroke, remember that the goal is to cool the dog. Using ice or extremely cold water is actually counterproductive to this process because ice and cold water cause the blood vessels to constrict, which slows blood flow, thus slowing the cooling process.

Don't cover the dog. One of the keys
to successfully cooling your dog is

ensuring the water being placed on the dog can evaporate. Never cover an

overheated dog with a wet towel or blanket. This inhibits evaporation and creates a sauna effect around your dog's body. Likewise, don't wet the dog down and put her into an enclosed area, such as a kennel. Any air flow during the cooling process is helpful in reducing the dog's body temperature. Sitting with the wet dog in a running car with the air conditioner blowing is an ideal cooling situation.

Allow the dog to drink small amounts of
water. Cooling the dog is the first
priority. Hydration is the next. Don't
allow the dog to gulp water. Keep the dog moving. It's important to try to encourage your dog to stand or walk slowly as she cools down. This is because the circulating blood tends to
pool in certain areas if the dog is lying down, thus preventing the cooled blood
from circulating back to the core. Instead, offer small amounts of water
that's cool, but not cold. If the dog
drinks too much water too rapidly, it
could lead to vomiting or bloat.

Avoid giving human performance drinks. Performance beverages designed for humans are not recommended because they are not formulated with the canine's physiology in mind. If you can't get an overheated dog to drink water, try offering chicken- or beef-based broths.

See a veterinarian. Once your dog's temperature begins to drop, cease the cooling efforts and take the dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Your dog's temperature should be allowed to slowly return to normal once cooling has begun. A dog that's cooled too quickly may become hypothermic. Even if your dog appears to be fully recovered, the veterinarian needs to check to determine if the heatstroke caused any damage to your dog's kidneys and liver. The effects of heatstroke can continue for an additional 48 to 72 hours, even if your dog appears normal. William Grant, DVM, a veterinarian for 20 years and former president of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, has treated hundreds of cases of heatstroke, ranging from mild to fatal.

According to Dr. Grant, the most common cause of death following heatstroke is
disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (blood coagulating throughout the body),
or DIC, which can occur hours or days after the heatstroke episode. DIC can also be caused by pyometra or septicemia, but Dr. Grant says heatstroke is the most common cause. "Once a dog develops DIC, it may bleed in the thorax, abdomen, nose and intestine," Dr. Grant says. "Once the blood-clotting factors are consumed, there is an inability of the blood vessels to prevent leaking; the condition is almost always fatal." For this reason, follow-up veterinary care is essential following a heatstroke episode, even if your dog seems to be completely fine.

Prevention is the best medicine
The best treatment for heatstroke is
prevention. Especially during the summer
months, it's essential to be aware of the
potential for heatstroke. Knowing the
signs of heatstroke, and taking the
necessary steps to prevent it, will ensure your dog can have a safe and active life year-round.

Resilient Rico

2011-07-31T22:30:00.000-07:00

From: Phoenix Pack

September 12, 2009, changed Rico's life. While running with weights on, Rico overheated and collapsed on the shore. Beach-goers heard Rico's owner scream at him to keep working. They witnessed the owner draw a knife and cut Rico's tongue from his mouth, afterward throwing it into the ocean.

Even Chance, a San Diego-based rescue and advocacy group

for the American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT), offered Rico a spot in

their training-focused foster program after learning of him in

July, 2010.

After months of physical improvement and progress in

obedience with English words, Rico will soon encounter a roadblock. His uniquely qualified foster family will move away

from San Diego in December.

Sadly, due to Rico's specific needs, finding the right type of foster home is tricky. A typical need for terrier-type dogs is creative mental stimulation. Rico has a higher than average need for mental exercise and a greater need for ball-chasing space. These qualities make a typical urban or suburban home sub-ideal for Rico.

This is where we come in. Phoenix Pack has offered to house Rico if we can build him a cottage. Can you help us? Here is a list of materials we need. If you can, or know of someone who can, donate any of these materials, please email or call us.

agility field & equpment

six foot chain link fencing and posts

home-improvement store gift cards - for those who don't know what to get us

UPDATE:

We are so excited to see Rico's Cottage, built for Rico and a friend, finished. Rico is a social dog and we decided to build it double wide for a female victim of dog fighting as well. We were as energy effiencent and earth friendly as our budget allowed. We put in solar tubes for natural lighting, organic felt roofing paper, and insulation to keep the pups comfortable.

Special thanks to Nick with Teson Properties. Please support Nick and give him a call for all your home improvement needs. 636.578.9500

Fiber One Coupon

2011-07-31T22:00:00.000-07:00

From: Betty Crocker

To print coupon click here Fiber Foods.

Target Money Tips

2011-07-31T21:30:00.000-07:00

From: Yahoo!

By: Kate Parham

If you're going to shop there anyway, you might as well make the most of your dollar, right? We help you do just that in the fourth article of a five-part series outlining the best ways to save money at the nation’s leading retailers. So far, we’ve looked at saving money at CVS, Kroger and Walgreens. Now, it’s time to learn how we can maximize our savings at Target, the second largest discount retailer in the United States, behind Walmart. Here’s what you need to know about Target before shopping:

Sales Cycle: Target's sales cycles run Sunday through Saturday, meaning that advertised sale prices change on Sunday. However, keep in mind Target's sale prices can vary regionally and sometimes even from store-to-store within the same area.

Money Saving Tips: While Target doesn’t have a rewards program, there are a lot of ways to get additional savings at the discount retailer. First, Target offers dozens of printable coupons online, with no printing limit. So, you can print 500 coupons for toothpaste if the deal is just that good! If you’d prefer to save your computer's paper and ink, you can even print coupons at Target stores at the Registry computers. You can also sign up to receive mobile coupons straight to your phone.

Another plus when shopping at Target is the store’s “Gift Card Promos.” Often times, when you buy a certain amount of a particular product, you will receive a $5 gift card. Combine these offers with coupons, and you can often make money on your purchases! To check whether or not a product is participating in a gift card promo, scan the product’s barcode at one of the store's red machines located at the end of aisles. The screen will show you the price and the corresponding promo.

In addition to gift card promos, Target has a national markdown schedule. Every two weeks, items will continue to be marked down until sold out or until the discount reaches 75 percent. You can find these items at the clearance racks, typically on the end caps of aisles. And finally, Target offers a $0.05 bag credit if you bring your own bags to carry your merchandise home.

Coupon Policy: Below is a summary of Target's coupon policy:

Target accepts the following types of coupons: Target store coupons, manufacturer coupons, Internet printable coupons and mobile coupons.
Target does not accept competitor coupons, but they will match competitor prices if the advertisement is local, current and the product being matched is identical.
Target offers price adjustments within seven days of purchase.
Target allows you to stack one manufacturer coupon and one store coupon per item.
For promotional "Buy One, Get One Free" (BOGO) sales, you may not use two coupons or promos to get two free items. Unless stated otherwise on the coupon, the use of one BOGO coupon requires that you purchase two valid items, where you pay the full price for the second item.
Target does not offer "overage," meaning they will never pay you to take the item out of the store. So if the coupon value exceeds the purchase price of an item, the cashier will adjust the price of the item to match the coupon amount.
Target does not double or triple coupons.
All Internet printable coupons must have a bar code and be scannable.
Target does offer rain checks on out-of-stock items, except gift card promotions. Target rain checks expire 45 days after issue.

Extras: Target has a large trial size section filled with items usually marked at around $1.00. While some coupons exclude trial sizes, some do not specify a size requirement. If you have a coupon that doesn’t exclude trial size, you can often score free products in this section.

Use the Target Store Locator to see where the nearest Target store is in your area.

Whether you’re an extreme couponer or a recent couponing convert, you can learn new ways to save money at Quizzle.com. Find out how to save money on your home loan, improve your credit and make better choices for a more secure financial future.