Maple Springs Farm

How to Clean the Lymph System

2014-06-02T12:00:00.000-04:00

How to Cleanse the Lymph System

The lymph system consists of lymph nodes, lymph vessels, and organs. The primary jobs of the lymphatic system are to isolate and fight infections, and to absorb excess fluid, fat and debris from our bodies. As these materials build up in the lymph system, it may become congested or blocked. Because the lymph system cleanses our entire body, symptoms of a blocked system can manifest in many ways from frequent cold and infections to joint pain. Follow healthy nutritional and lifestyle guidelines to cleanse and rejuvenate your lymph system.

Clean up your diet to cleanse your lymphatic system

A healthy diet produces less waste for your lymph system to clean up, reducing your chances of congestion.
•Avoid processed foods that are high in salt, sugar and preservatives.
•Replace simple sugars and carbohydrates with whole grains, complex carbohydrates and fruit.
•Identify any food allergies you may have and avoid eating those foods.

Drink 6 to 8 glasses of filtered or purified water daily

Your body needs to be well hydrated to keep your lymph system operating properly.

Practice deep breathing from your diaphragm and through your nose to keep your lymph fluids moving

Learn proper breathing techniques to get the proper amount of oxygen throughout your body.

Get regular physical exercise

Jumping up and down on a trampoline or playing jump rope for 5 minutes a day is great for your lymph system. Other moderate exercise, such as walking and stretching, is also helpful if done regularly.

Relax in a sauna or steam bath and let your body sweat out toxins to cleanse your system

Wear clothing that fits properly

Tight clothing restricts your lymph system and contributes to blockage. For the same reason, women should avoid under-wire bras and try to wear no bra for at least 12 hours each day.

Deal with stress, depression and other emotional issues

Just like a congested lymph system can lead to emotional problems, so can the reverse occur. Sometimes when we are stuck in stress or other emotional issues, these feelings manifest in physical problems.

Consider alternative therapies

•Acupuncture has been found to do wonders for keeping our lymph system flowing.
•Regular treatment from a massage therapist who is familiar with lymph drainage massage is a great way to keep your entire body healthy and your lymph system running smoothly.

Do a detox and colon cleanse treatment following manufacturer instructions

•Choose one that is supported by liver enzymes to ease the burden on your liver and kidneys, and to decrease the pressure they place on your spleen.
•If you are under a doctor's care for any medical conditions, you should check with her before doing a detox and cleanse.

Do you know????

•The appearance of cellulite is often a sign of a congested lymph system. Massage the areas of your body where the cellulite exists, as well as the lymph nodes in your groin to help improve the condition.
•Self massage can also be beneficial to cleanse your lymph system, especially if done around your abdomen and breasts.

Here's Some Apple Cider Vinegar Cleanse(s)

1 cup water
1-2 caps full of ACV
(I make my ACV with 32 ounces of water)
8 ounces equals 1 cup
You can mix honey with it for taste

Here's another ACV technique

In the blender put:

1 cup apple cider vinegar (organic unfiltered)
1 cup raw honey (local is best)
8 cloves of garlic

Mix it for 1 minute on high speed. Put it in a glass container and keep it in the refrigerator for five days. Now, take 2 teaspoons every morning before breakfast - be sure to mix it in water or juice. Diluting it makes it very easy to take.

The other recipe is:

•Chop a small onion and a few cloves of garlic. Put them in a jar and fill the jar with honey. Let it sit for a couple of weeks. You can use this honey which becomes kind of thin and syrupy just to eat as is, with or without straining.
•Or add 2/3 cup of raw apple cider vinegar to 1/3 cup of the honey mixture that has been strained. Dilute 1 Tablespoon of the mixture in juice or water and drink it every morning.

Get Informed! Get Healthy! Stay Healthy!

Health Benefits of Cauliflower

2014-05-25T14:00:00.000-04:00

The Health Benefits of Cauliflower

Cauliflower ( Brassica oleracea, in the family Brassicaceae) is a white, flowering, and may I add delicious cruciferous vegetable (other cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, cabbage, and bok choy). Vegetables in this family have been found to have a multitude of medicinal benefits.

Here are some health benefits of cauliflower that may make you want to include it in your diet on a regular basis.

Cancer Prevention

Sulforaphane, a compound released when cauliflower is chopped or chewed, may protect against cancer. A diet high in cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower has been been linked to a significant reduction in the risk of cancer, especially prostate cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, and bladder cancer. One Canadian study found that eating a half cup of cauliflower per day reduced the risk of prostate cancer by 52%. Boiling reduces the levels of these compounds, with losses of 20–30% after five minutes, 40–50% after ten minutes, and 75% after thirty minutes. However, other preparation methods, such as steaming, microwaving (which I don't recommend for many reasons), and stir frying, have no significant effect on the compounds.

Better Digestion

Cauliflower is a great source of dietary fiber, which is essential for optimal digestion. When you get enough fiber in your diet, it helps to keep things moving smoothly through the intestines. Cauliflower also contains a compound called glucoraphin, which protects your stomach and intestines from certain health conditions such as cancer and ulcers.

Antioxidants

Cauliflower contains a high amount of antioxidants, which are essential for the body's overall health and help to prevent heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Antioxidants are also essential in destroying free radicals that accelerate the signs of aging.

Anti-Inflammatory

Because of the omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin K in cauliflower, it helps to prevent chronic inflammation that leads to conditions such as arthritis, chronic pain, and certain bowel conditions.

Pregnancy

Cauliflower provides a good amount of folate (B9), a B vitamin that is necessary for a healthy pregnancy. Folate deficiency in pregnant women can lead to problems such as birth defects and low birth weight.

B Vitamins

In addition to folate, cauliflower is also loaded with other important B vitamins like niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and thiamine.

Heart Health

Cauliflower protects from heart disease in many ways. It contains allicin, which has been found to reduce the occurrence of stroke and heart disease. Additionally, cauliflower can help to lower cholesterol levels in the body.

Weight Loss

Cauliflower is a great food to include in your diet if you're dieting because it's low in calories and can be used in a variety of ways. Try grating the cauliflower into a rice and using it in stir-fries instead of regular rice. You can also boil cauliflower and mash it into a healthier version of mashed potatoes.

The benefits of Cauliflower can and will benefit you and and your body.

Get Informed! Get Healthy! Stay Healthy!

Gary Zukav Seat of the Soul 12 Rules for Being Human

2013-01-23T06:50:00.000-05:00

This is a good read for those of you who haven't read it yet....

Gary Zukav's Seat of the Soul

Excerpt from book

Gary Zukav's 12 Rules for Being Human, worth repeating:

1. You will receive a body.
You may like it or hate it, but it will be yours the entire period.

2. You will learn lessons.
You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called Life. Each day in this school you will have the opportunity to learn lessons. You may like the lessons or think them irrelevant and stupid.

3. There are no mistakes, only lessons
Growth is a process of trial and error: experimentation. The "failed experiments are as much a part of the process as the experiments that ultimately "work".

4. A lesson is repeated until learned.
A lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned it. When you have learned it, you can then go on to the next lesson.

5. Learning lessons does not end.
There is no part of life that does not contain its lessons. If you are alive, there are lessons to be learned.

6. "There" is no better than "here".
When your "there" has become a "here", you will simply obtain another "there" that will again look better than "here".

7. Others are merely mirrors of you.
You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects something you love or hate about yourself.

8. What you make of your life is up to you.
You have all the tools and resources you need. What you do with them is up to you. The choice is yours.

9. Life is exactly what you think it is.
You create a life that matches your beliefs and expectations.

10. Your answers lie inside you.
The answers to life's questions lie inside of you. All you need to do is look, listen and trust.

11. You will forget all this.

12. You can remember it whenever you want.

Buy it now on amazon:

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red beet eggs

2012-10-14T10:42:00.002-04:00

red beet egg recipe

*** Red Beet Eggs ***
ingredients	directions
2 cups beets 1 cup vinegar ¾ cup sugar 1 TBSP salt 1 tea cloves 6 hard cooked eggs 1 medium onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings.	Put liquids into bowl and mix well. Add other ingredients, cover and chill at least 2 hours.

red beet egg recipe

courtesy of maple springs farm
http://www.maplespringsfarm.com/recipes/appetizers/redbeeteggs.html
start with fresh eggs... i ALWAYS get mine from the milk store NOT the grocery store!
hard cook your eggs... this is simply put in pan cover with water cook on low for 20 minutes... run under water to stop the cooking and let cool

i actually doubled this recipe this morning... i used 2 cans of red beets and 2 cups sugar 2 cups vinegar and cloves... i cooked the sugar and the vinegar on the stove before putting in the other ingredients just to marry it a little bit... then added the red beet juice and the cloves.... put in one of ethan's pickle jar (mr pickle has a lot of used picke jars!!! and that is it! put in fridge and enjoy!

many uses for asprin

2012-09-28T09:12:00.000-04:00

Other Uses For Aspirin-

Revive dead car batteries-

If you get behind the wheel only to discover that your car's battery has given up the ghost -- and there's no one around to give you a jump -- you may be able to get your vehicle started by dropping two aspirin tablets into the battery itself. The aspirin's acetylsalicylic acid will combine with the battery's sulfuric acid to p

roduce one last charge. Just be sure to drive to your nearest service station.

Remove perspiration stains-

Before you give up all hope of ever getting that perspiration stain out of your good white dress shirt, try this: Crush two aspirins and mix the powder in 1/2 cup warm water. Soak the stained part of the garment in the solution for two to three hours and then launder.

Restore hair color-

Swimming in a chlorinated pool can have a noticeable, and often unpleasing, effect on your hair coloring if you have light colored hair. You can usually return your hair to its former shade by dissolving six to eight aspirins in a glass of warm water. Rub the solution thoroughly into your hair, and let it set for 10-15 minutes.

Dry up pimples-

Even those of us who are well past adolescence can get the occasional pimple. Get rid of those annoying blemishes by crushing one aspirin and moistening it with a bit of water. Apply the paste to the pimple, and let it sit for a couple of minutes before washing off with soap and water. It will reduce the redness and soothe the sting. If the pimple persists, repeat the procedure as needed until it's gone.

Treat hard calluses-

Soften hard calluses on your feet by grinding five or six aspirins into a powder. Make a paste by adding 1/2 teaspoon each of lemon juice and water. Apply the mixture to the affected areas, then wrap your foot in a warm towel and cover it with a plastic bag. After staying off your feet for at least ten minutes, remove the bag and towel, and file down the softened callus with a pumice stone.

Control dandruff-

Keep dandruff in check by crushing two aspirins to a fine powder and adding it to the normal amount of shampoo you use each time you wash your hair. Leave the mixture on your hair for 1-2 minutes, then rinse well and wash again with plain shampoo.

Apply to insect bites and stings-

Control the inflammation caused by mosquito bites or bee stings by wetting your skin and rubbing an aspirin over the spot. Of course, if you are allergic to bee stings -- and have difficulty breathing, develop abdominal pains, or feel nauseated following a bee sting -- get medical attention at once.

Help cut flowers last longer-

It's a tried-and-true way to keep roses and other cut flowers fresh longer: Put a crushed aspirin in the water before adding your flowers. Other household items that you can put in the water to extend the life of your flower arrangements include: a multivitamin, a teaspoon of sugar, a pinch of salt and baking soda, and even a copper penny. Also, don't forget to change the vase water every few days.

Use as garden aid-

Aspirin is not only a first-aid essential for you, but for your garden as well. Some gardeners grind it up for use as a rooting agent, or mix it with water to treat fungus conditions in the soil. But be careful when using aspirin around plants; too much of it can cause burns or other damage to your greenery. When treating soil, the typical dosage should be a half or a full aspirin tablet in 1 quart (1 liter) water.

Remove egg stains from clothes-

Did you drop some raw egg on your clothing while cooking or eating? First, scrape off as much of the egg as you can, and then try to sponge out the rest with lukewarm water. Don't use hot water, it will set the egg. If that doesn't completely remove the stain, mix water and cream of tartar into a paste and add a crushed aspirin. Spread the paste on the stain and leave it for 30 minutes. Rinse well in warm water and the egg will be gone.

50 more uses for asprin

1. Acne Masks : Smashing an uncoated aspirin and mixing it with water (and a bit of cleanser if preferred) can help individuals with oily skin fight acne and dry their faces out. However, those with normal or dry skin ought not partake more than once a week lest they lose too much moisture.
2. Preserve Cut Flowers : Anyone hoping to keep fresh cut flowers beautiful on a table or in a windowsill would do well to drop in a tab or two of aspirin in the water.
3. Spackle : Small holes left in the wall can be filled with a simple paste comprised of a few aspirin and water.
4. Remove Sweat Stains: Two soluble aspirin dissolved in water and left to sit on perspiration stains for a couple of hours will help remove them when finally washed, though this solution works best on white clothing.
5. Relieve Insect Wounds : Wet the affected area and rub a small aspirin over the skin to help control and relieve the pain associated with mosquito bites and bee, wasp, or hornet stings. The acne mask works as well.
6. Cure Dandruff : Crushing 2 aspirin and incorporating them into a shampooing ritual will help reduce the presence of dandruff if left on for a couple of minutes. Do not do this too often lest the skin on the scalp dry up too much, however.
7. Stave Off Cancer and Strokes : The benefits of aspirin as a deterrent to heart disease has been well-publicized, if debated. However, research also suggests that it may also help reduce the spread of certain cancers and prevent the impact of strokes as well.
8. Remove Warts : Many blogs and websites discuss the virtues of using aspirin to cur warts, but only this one provides a quick recipe using a few tablets and apple cider vinegar as a workable poultice. Others suggest duct-taping a tablet to the affected area as well.
9. Aid Fertility : Studies have shown that a blend of aspirin and other medications may help increase a woman’s chances of conceiving.
10. Prevent Alzheimer’s : More research needs to be done on the subject, of course, but some early studies notice a correlation between aspirin and a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementia disorders.
11. Lower Blood Pressure During Pregnancy : While taking aspirin during pregnancy requires quite a bit of attention and care to prevent issues, research suggests that it could help women by lowering their chances of high blood pressure problems by 10% – which helps both mother and child.
12. Remove Nicotine and Grass Stains : Light skin staining from nicotine and grass can be wiped away with a blend of aspirin and a bit of water. Let it sit for around 15 minutes before washing it all off.
13. Exfoliate : The chemical properties of aspirin are frequently used as ingredients in commercial exfoliates anyways, and using a blend of the tablets and water can help slough off dead skin cells for much cheaper.
14. Keep White Clothes White : Dropping an aspirin tablet into a load of white laundry helps prevent them from yellowing with time, age, and exposure.
15. Relieve Psoriasis : Moderate doses of aspirin can help alleviate some of the inflammation and discomfort associated with psoriasis.
16. Healing Pierced Cartilage : Small scars and bumps can sometimes result when piercing the cartilage in the nose and ears, but a simple poultice of lemon juice and uncoated aspirin applied two or three times a day can reduce them significantly.
17. Cure a Toothache : The ever-versatile aspirin paste makes for a worthwhile venue for relieving tooth and gum aches before a dentist can be consulted.
18. Remove Ingrown Hairs : The instructions may discuss toe hair specifically, but a combination of warm water and aspirin paste helps individuals remove painful ingrown hairs with relative ease.
19. Clean Up Soap Scum : Aspirin paste can wipe up lingering soap scum in bathtubs, sinks, and other washbasins, but it is not economical for larger jobs.
20. Combat Shingles :L One of many dermatological marvels to be found in aspirin involves blending two tablets and 2 tablespoons of chloroform together to relieve the pain and itchiness associated with shingles.
21. Reducing Rosacea : Some research suggests that small doses of aspirin could possible reduce the reddening and flushing that results from rosacea.
22. Help Prevent Miscarriages : For women experiencing multiple miscarriages due to blood clotting near the placenta, a cocktail of aspirin and Heparin may assist them in carrying a child to term.
23. Boosting Car Batteries : Allegedly, a couple of aspirin tablets dropped into a dead battery will revive it long enough to putter to the nearest service station. However, doing so will destroy the battery in the process.
24. Prevent Hair Discoloration : Create a solution comprised of 6 to 8 soluble aspirin in a glass of warm water and leave it in the hair for 10 to 15 minutes in order to preserve dyed hair or prevent discoloration from swimming in chlorinated pools.
25. Fungicide : Aspirin dissolved in a liter of water can help plants fight off fungal infections if delicately applied. The solution – or just tabs of aspirin themselves – also helps stave off fungal growths in newer plants as well.
26. Reduce Pregnancy Complications : Specific research still needs to be done, but a few studies suggest that women partaking of very small amounts of aspirin may lower their risk of pregnancy complications if they suffer from pre-eclampsia or antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.
27. Relieve Asthma : One study revealed that women over the age of 45 reduced their risk of contracting asthma by 10% if they took 100 milligrams of aspirin every day. Those already suffering from the symptoms may find some relief with regular use as well.
28. Art : Channel inner creativity by taking advantage of aspirin’s crystalline structure, which may make for a surprisingly lovely holiday ornament.
29. Remove Bathtub Rings : Like soap scum, aspirin can remove the cleanser stains, dead skin cells, body fluids and oils, and other components of a bathtub ring when blended into a simple paste.
30. Kill Arthritis Pain : Though potentially dangerous when combined with other medications, doctors have been prescribing low doses of aspirin to alleviate arthritis pain for decades.
31. Prevent Plants from Drying Out : Popping an aspirin into the soil of a potted plant will help keep much-needed moisture in and keep it from dehydrating in the hot summer months.
32. Soothe Painful Stretchmarks : Delicately apply aspirin paste to painful stretchmarks for around 5 minutes as a means of reducing the inflammation.
33. Pesticide : Smashing up a few aspirin and mixing it with cornstarch results in a powder that helps stave off (though not entirely eliminate) an influx of pesky insects in gardens and around a home’s perimeter.
34. Desiccant : A couple of aspirin tablets placed in a closet or bathroom can soak up excess moisture in the air and help prevent damage from mold.
35. Make an Anti-Fungal Powder : Those suffering from athlete’s foot or other fungal condition may be interested in learning how to blend crushed aspirin and talcum powder together in order to make it disappear.
36. Relieving Ingrown Toenails : 20 aspirin dissolved in a bathtub full of warm water can help relieve the swelling, itchiness, and pain that come from an ingrown toenail.
37. Keep Christmas Trees Healthy : Similar to extending the life of fresh-cut flowers, dropping a couple of aspirin tablets in Christmas tree water helps keep the piney decoration fresher for longer.
38. Doily : One intrepid craft fanatic found a way to create an aesthetic doily made of aspirin and hot glue for a project.
39. Breaking in Cast Iron : Instead of using flour to break in a new piece of cast iron cook wear, try using crushed aspirin for a couple of days.
40. Reduce Razor Bumps and Burns : Uncoated aspirin whipped up with a bit of glycerin and water makes a handy substance to alleviate the painful and itchy bumps that pop up while shaving.
41. Prevent Wallpaper from Yellowing : While it would take quite a bit of aspirin to help reduce yellowing on a large patch of wallpaper, small areas can benefit from its whitening properties.
42. Inhibiting HIV : More research is obviously very necessary, but many studies have shown that aspirin may potentially unlock more information on how to cure HIV and AIDS due to its ability to pause the former’s replication.
43. Hide a Hickey : Rubbing an aspirin solution and rinsing it off should help remove smaller hickeys, though larger ones will likely need a bit of concealer.
44. Alleviate Sunburn : Pastes made from finely crushed aspirin and a bit of water can help soothe the pain associated with sunburn. Only adults should try this method, however.
45. Reduce the Risk of Parkinson’s : Research shows that women who partook of two or more aspirin a week for one month lowered their chances of coming down with Parkinson’s Disease by about 40%.
46. Treat Colon Cancer : Patients suffering from colon cancer face a staggering 29% increase in survival and 21% chance of surviving other complications with regular aspirin use, though further studies are necessary.
47. Quell Behavior Problems : A 2009 study made note of a possible correlation between women who took very low doses of aspirin to stave off miscarriage or premature labor and a reduction in behavior issues by the time their children turned 5.
48. Remove Egg Stains : Among many other things, aspirin is also handy for removing egg stains from clothing when mixed with lukewarm water and cream of tartar and left sitting for half an hour.
49. Help Treat Calluses : A paste of lemon juice and aspirin exfoliates and wears down calluses when allowed to sit before being washed off with warm water.
50. Clean Small Rust Spots : While not an economical solution for larger instances of rust stains, small ones left behind by shaving cream cans or razors can be wiped up with a bit of crushed aspirin on a wetted surface if left to sit for 10 minutes.

Juicing for Healthy Hormones

2012-09-08T09:20:00.001-04:00

Here's some foods that can promote healthy hormone functioning.

For Women:

Swiss Chard, Spinach, Pumpkin Seeds, Cashews, Almonds, Non-rBGH/rBST Plain Greek Yogurt (Organic) & Tahini (Sesame Seed Paste)

Swiss Chard, Spinach, Pumpkin Seeds, Cashews, & Almonds all contains high levels of magnesium, which can boost dopamine production in the brain & helps the body process estrogen. Women experiencing premenstrual or menopausal mood swings are often magnesium deficient. Eating a "diet" rich in these foods helps balance moods and relieve cramps and bloating. Non-rBGH/rBST Plain Greek Yogurt (Organic) & Tahini (Sesame Seed Paste), these foods are rich in calcium, which has been shown to prevent PMS symptoms and reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis in menopausal women. The dips in estrogen that occur in menopause drain calcium reserves in the body, it is very important that menopausal women take enough of this mineral to avoid bone problems. rBGH and rBST are growth hormones injected in cattle that change the chemical make-up of dairy products. These hormones mimic estrogen when ingested and can interfere with the menstrual cycle and weaken fertility. *If you still eat dairy products only purchase rBGH & rBST free products.

For Men:

Tomatoes, Watermelons, Grapefruits (I don't eat grapefruit because they're a grafted fruit) Pumpkins Seeds, Spinach, Sunflower Seeds, Hazelnuts, Dark Leafy Greens (Chard, Kale & Spinach) & Sweet Potatoes

Tomatoes, Watermelons, Grapefruits, these fruits contain large quantities of lycopene, which is an antioxidant known to protect against prostate cancer. Pumpkins Seeds, Spinach, Sunflower Seeds, these foods contain high levels of zinc, a mineral known to boost immunity, especially in the prostate region. Zinc is also known to raise testosterone levels in men, which improves the sex drive. Watermelon is also considered "The Natural Viagra" which has the amino acid called citrulline, which relaxes and dilates blood vessels much like Viagra and other drugs meant to treat erectile dysfunction. The best part is the rind of the watermelon. Hazelnuts, Dark Leafy Greens (Chard, Kale & Spinach) & Sweet Potatoes, all contain large amounts of various B-Vitamins, which are known to boost testosterone levels.

Favorite Juicers include Blendtec and Vitamix

Juices for balancing hormones:

Women:

50% Swiss Chard
1 banana
1 tbsp of tahini
6 almonds
6 cashews
water or coconut water topped off ingredients

Women:

50% Spinach
1 banana
¼ cup pumpkin seeds
12 almonds
almond milk topped off ingredients

Men:

50% Spinach
1 cup watermelon
½ grapefruit
water or coconut water topped off ingredients

Sunflower Power

50% Kale
½ Steamed sweet potato or raw sweet potato
¼ sunflower seeds
water, or almond milk topped off ingredients

Blue Moon and Full Moons

2012-08-29T07:51:00.001-04:00

What is the blue moon?

A blue moon (from wiki) can refer to the third full moon in a season with four full moons. Most years have twelve full moons that occur approximately monthly. In addition to those twelve full lunar cycles, each solar calendar year contains roughly eleven days more than the lunar year of 12 lunations. The extra days accumulate, so every two or three years (7 times in the 19-year Metonic cycle), there is an extra full moon. Lunisolar calendars have rules about when to insert such an intercalary or embolismic ("leap") month, and what name it is given; e.g. in the Hebrew calendar the month Adar is duplicated. The term "blue moon" comes from folklore. Different traditions and conventions place the extra "blue" full moon at different times in the year. In the Hindu calendar, this extra month is called 'Adhik(extra) masa (month)'. It is also known as purushottam maas, so as to give it a devotional name.

In calculating the dates for Lent and Easter, the Clergy identify the Lent Moon. It is thought that historically when the moon's timing was too early, they named an earlier moon as a "betrayer moon" (belewe moon), thus the Lent moon came at its expected time.

Folklore gave each moon a name according to its time of year. A moon that came too early had no folk name, and was called a blue moon, retaining the correct seasonal timings for future moons.

The Farmers' Almanac defined blue moon as an extra full moon that occurred in a season; one season was normally three full moons. If a season had four full moons, then the third full moon was named a blue moon.

Here is the Farmers Almanac’s list of the full Moon names.

• Full Wolf Moon – January Amid the cold and deep snows of midwinter, the wolf packs howled hungrily outside Indian villages. Thus, the name for January’s full Moon. Sometimes it was also referred to as the Old Moon, or the Moon After Yule. Some called it the Full Snow Moon, but most tribes applied that name to the next Moon.
• Full Snow Moon – February Since the heaviest snow usually falls during this month, native tribes of the north and east most often called February’s full Moon the Full Snow Moon. Some tribes also referred to this Moon as the Full Hunger Moon, since harsh weather conditions in their areas made hunting very difficult.
• Full Worm Moon – March As the temperature begins to warm and the ground begins to thaw, earthworm casts appear, heralding the return of the robins. The more northern tribes knew this Moon as the Full Crow Moon, when the cawing of crows signaled the end of winter; or the Full Crust Moon, because the snow cover becomes crusted from thawing by day and freezing at night. The Full Sap Moon, marking the time of tapping maple trees, is another variation. To the settlers, it was also known as the Lenten Moon, and was considered to be the last full Moon of winter.
• Full Pink Moon – April This name came from the herb moss pink, or wild ground phlox, which is one of the earliest widespread flowers of the spring. Other names for this month’s celestial body include the Full Sprouting Grass Moon, the Egg Moon, and among coastal tribes the Full Fish Moon, because this was the time that the shad swam upstream to spawn.
• Full Flower Moon – May In most areas, flowers are abundant everywhere during this time. Thus, the name of this Moon. Other names include the Full Corn Planting Moon, or the Milk Moon.
• Full Strawberry Moon – June This name was universal to every Algonquin tribe. However, in Europe they called it the Rose Moon. Also because the relatively short season for harvesting strawberries comes each year during the month of June . . . so the full Moon that occurs during that month was christened for the strawberry!
• The Full Buck Moon – July July is normally the month when the new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur. It was also often called the Full Thunder Moon, for the reason that thunderstorms are most frequent during this time. Another name for this month’s Moon was the Full Hay Moon.
• Full Sturgeon Moon – August The fishing tribes are given credit for the naming of this Moon, since sturgeon, a large fish of the Great Lakes and other major bodies of water, were most readily caught during this month. A few tribes knew it as the Full Red Moon because, as the Moon rises, it appears reddish through any sultry haze. It was also called the Green Corn Moon or Grain Moon.
• Full Corn Moon or Full Harvest Moon – September This full moon’s name is attributed to Native Americans because it marked when corn was supposed to be harvested. Most often, the September full moon is actually the Harvest Moon, which is the full Moon that occurs closest to the autumn equinox. In two years out of three, the Harvest Moon comes in September, but in some years it occurs in October. At the peak of harvest, farmers can work late into the night by the light of this Moon. Usually the full Moon rises an average of 50 minutes later each night, but for the few nights around the Harvest Moon, the Moon seems to rise at nearly the same time each night: just 25 to 30 minutes later across the U.S., and only 10 to 20 minutes later for much of Canada and Europe. Corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice the chief Indian staples are now ready for gathering.
• Full Hunter’s Moon or Full Harvest Moon – October This full Moon is often referred to as the Full Hunter’s Moon, Blood Moon, or Sanguine Moon. Many moons ago, Native Americans named this bright moon for obvious reasons. The leaves are falling from trees, the deer are fattened, and it’s time to begin storing up meat for the long winter ahead. Because the fields were traditionally reaped in late September or early October, hunters could easily see fox and other animals that come out to glean from the fallen grains. Probably because of the threat of winter looming close, the Hunter’s Moon is generally accorded with special honor, historically serving as an important feast day in both Western Europe and among many Native American tribes.
• Full Beaver Moon – November This was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs. Another interpretation suggests that the name Full Beaver Moon comes from the fact that the beavers are now actively preparing for winter. It is sometimes also referred to as the Frosty Moon.
• The Full Cold Moon; or the Full Long Nights Moon – December During this month the winter cold fastens its grip, and nights are at their longest and darkest. It is also sometimes called the Moon before Yule. The term Long Night Moon is a doubly appropriate name because the midwinter night is indeed long, and because the Moon is above the horizon for a long time. The midwinter full Moon has a high trajectory across the sky because it is opposite a low Sun.

Lunar Effect on People

They say more babies are born during full moon than any other time of the month. This is because when a woman is healthy, she is supposed to cycle during full moon. So naturally, when she gets pregnant, that is when the baby is due. If our bodies are are more than 50% water it makes sense that the moon would effect us. Look at what it does to the tides in the ocean. Read more about the moon from one of the books below

Cumin - Benefits of the Spice Cumin

2012-08-25T07:00:00.000-04:00

Health Benefits of Cumin

The health benefits of cumin include its ability to aid in digestion, improving immunity and treating piles, insomnia, respiratory disorders, asthma, bronchitis, common cold, lactation, anemia, skin disorders, boils and cancer.

Some of you might remember seeing Cumin in some of your Grandmother's or Mother's food dishes which had roasted or fried seeds in them, when you

were children, because they looked like small black insects. However, you liked the taste. So, some of your Mother would sort them out before she served you. Yes, that was Cumin.

Cumin, scientifically known as Cuminum Cyminum, belongs to family Apiaceae and is extensively used in culinary in Indian Subcontinent and some other Asian, African and Latin American countries, as a condiment or spice. Those who are of the opinion that spices are bad for health should note that cumin can be beneficial for some of their most dreaded diseases, beyond their expectations. Here are some of the great health benefits of cumin:

•Digestion:

Cumin is extremely good for digestion and related problems. The very smell (aroma) of it, which comes from an aromatic organic compound called Cuminaldehyde, the main component of its essential oil, activates our salivary glands in our mouth (the mouth watering flavor), facilitating the primary digestion of the food. Next is Thymol, a compound present in cumin, which does same to the glands which secrete acids, bile and enzymes responsible for complete digestion of the food in the stomach and the intestines, due to its Stimulating properties. Cumin is also Carminative i.e. relieves from you from gas troubles and thereby improves digestion and appetite. Due to its essential oils, magnesium and sodium content, it promotes digestion and also gives relief in stomach-ache when taken with hot water (like aqua ptycotis and mint).

•Piles:

The main reason behind piles is constipation added with infections in the wound in the anal tract, which again is caused by constipation. Cumin, because of its dietary fiber content and carminative, stimulating, anti fungal and anti microbial properties due to the presence of essential oils comprising mainly of Cuminaldehyde and certain pyrazines, acts as a natural laxative in powdered form, helps healing up of infections or wounds in the digestive & excretory system and speeds up digestion too. Cumin would definitely help a patient whom have piles.

•Insomnia:

This is a very peculiar property of cumin. It is a stimulant as well as a relaxant at the same time. This property cannot be attributed to a single component alone, just as causes of insomnia cannot be attributed to a single cause. But studies show that a proper intake of vitamins (particularly B-complex) and a good digestion help induce a sound sleep. Cumin helps both of these. Some of the components of the essential oil are hypnotic in nature and have tranquilizing effects.

•Respiratory Disorders, Asthma, Bronchitis etc.

Presence of caffeine (the stimulating agent), the richly aromatic essential oils (the disinfectants) make cumin an ideal anti congestive combination for those suffering from respiratory disorders such as Asthma, Bronchitis etc.

•Common Cold:

Common Cold is a viral infection which affects our body frequently when our immune system goes weak. Again, the essential oils present in cumin act as disinfectants and help fight viral infections which cause common cold. Cumin also does not let cough formation in the respiratory system as it is supposed to be hot and dries up the excess mucus. Cumin is rich in iron and has considerable amount of Vitamin C, which are essential for a good immunity and keeps infections away.

•Lactation:

It is rich in iron and thus very good for lactating mothers as well as women who are undergoing menses or who are pregnant, since they are more in need of iron than others. Moreover, cumin is said to help ease and increase secretion of milk in lactating women due to presence of Thymol, which tends to increase secretions from glands, including milk which is a secretion from mammary glands. It is more beneficial if taken with honey. Cumin has remarkable amount of calcium (above 900 mg per 100 grams) which accounts to over 90% of our daily requirement of calcium. This calcium is an important constituent of milk and hence cumin is very good for lactating mothers.

•Anemia:

Remember as stated above, cumin is very rich in iron (above 66 mg. in each 100 grams) which is more than 5 times the daily requirement of iron for an adult. This iron is the main constituent of haemoglobin in the red blood corpuscles of blood. It is haemoglobin which transfers oxygen (as oxide of iron) to the body-cells and whose deficiency causes anemia. So, cumin can be a nutritious additive to daily diet for anemic people.

•Skin Disorders:

Almost all of us know that vitamin-E is good for skin. It keeps the skin young and glowing. This vitamin is also present in abundance in cumin. The essential oils present in this have disinfectant and anti fungal properties. This prevents any microbial and fungal infection from affecting the skin.

•Boils:

Boils are just outlets for removal of toxic substances and foreign matters such as microbes etc. from the body. So, they are rather symptoms which show that a lot of toxic substances have accumulated in the body. Here cumin can help you a great deal. Those who regularly use cumin in food have been seen keeping free from boils, rashes, pimples etc. Components such as Cuminaldehyde, Thymol, phosphorus etc. are good de-toxicants which help in the regular removal of toxins from body, through excretory system of course, and not through boils.

•Immunity:

As discussed above, abundance of iron, presence of essential oils and vitamin-C & vitamin-A in cumin boosts up our immune system.

•Cancer:

Cumin itself has detoxifying and chemo-preventive properties and accelerates secretion of detoxifying and anti-carcinogenic enzymes from the glands, as it does to other secretions. As well as, it has nice anti oxidants like vitamin-C and vitamin-A in it, in addition to those essential oils, which, besides having countless other benefits, have anti carcinogenic properties too. It is particularly good for cancer of colon.

•Other benefits:

More gifts! Cumin is also beneficial in treating renal coli, weak memory or lack of concentration, insect bites and bee stings etc,

As you see Cumin does more than just giving your food flavor, Cumin heals the body.

How to Regrow Scallions

2012-08-22T07:07:00.001-04:00

How to Regrow Scallions

The next time you have green onions, don't throw away the white ends. Simply submerge them in a glass of water and place them in a sunny window. Your onions will begin to grow almost immediately and can be harvested almost indefinitely.

Stress and the Effects of Stress on the Body

2012-08-16T06:52:00.001-04:00

Stress and the effects it has on the body & Stress Management

Stress is the body's reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response. The body reacts to these changes with physical, mental, and emotional responses. Stress is a normal part of life. Many events that happen to you and around you and many things that you do yourself put stress on your body. You can experience stress fr

om your environment, your body, and your thoughts.

How Does Stress Affect Health?

The human body is designed to experience stress and react to it. Stress can be positive, keeping us alert and ready to avoid danger. Stress becomes negative when a person faces continuous challenges without relief or relaxation between challenges. As a result, the person becomes overworked and stress-related tension builds.

Stress that continues without relief can lead to a condition called distress a negative stress reaction. Distress can lead to physical symptoms including headaches, upset stomach, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, and problems sleeping. Research suggests that stress also can bring on or worsen certain symptoms or diseases.

Stress also becomes harmful when people use alcohol, tobacco, or drugs to try and relieve their stress. Unfortunately, instead of relieving the stress and returning the body to a relaxed state, these substances tend to keep the body in a stressed state and cause more problems. Consider the following:

•Forty-three percent of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress.

•Seventy-five percent to 90% of all doctor's office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints.

•Stress can play a part in problems such as headaches, high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, skin conditions, asthma, arthritis, depression, and anxiety.

•The lifetime prevalence of an emotional disorder is more than 50%, often due to chronic, untreated stress reactions.

Stress is when an individual encounters a stressor, the body part that first notes the stimulus passes the signal to the brain. The message passes through the reticular activating system to the hypothalamus and thalamus. When the hypothalamus experiences the stressor signal, it simultaneously activates the two major stress pathways: the autonomic nervous system and the endocrine system. When the sympathetic part of the autonomic nervous system is activated by the hypothalamus, involuntary functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and body fluid regulation are affected. At the same time, the pituitary gland is stimulated, which in turn orders the release of several chemical hormones. The chemical cortisol provides fuel for the "fight or flight" response by increasing blood sugar so that there is energy for action. Aldosterone increases the blood pressure. Epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine are also produced, along with thyroxine.

These brain chemicals, elicited by the fight-fight response, in turn, cause the following to occur:

• Acceleration of heart rate
•Dilation of coronary arteries
•Dilation of bronchial tubes
•Increase in force of heart contractions
•Increase in rate of metabolism
•Increase in anxiety
•Increase in gastrointestinal motility
•Increase in rate and depth of respiration
•Decrease in feeling of tiredness
•Decrease in Salvation (dry mouth)
•Dilation of pupils

The physical problems related to chronic stress include the lowering of the immune response, chronic muscle tension, and increased blood pressure. These problems can eventually lead to serious life-threatening illnesses such as heart attacks, kidney disease, and cancer.

Some health problems that may be caused by stress

•diarrhea
•nausea
•indigestion
•sphincter of Oddi spasms
•spastic colon
•irritable bowel syndrome
•constipation
•colds and sinus infections
•vaginal yeast infection
•bladder infections
•fiber myalgia
•arthritis
•high blood pressure
•heart disease
•hyperventilation
•asthma
•headaches
•migraines

Stress Management

It may seem that there’s nothing you can do about stress. The bills won’t stop coming and your career and family responsibilities will always be demanding. But managing stress is all about taking charge: of your thoughts, emotions, schedule, and the way you deal with problems.

Identify the sources of stress in your life

Stress management starts with identifying the sources of stress in your life. This isn’t as easy as it sounds. Your true sources of stress aren’t always obvious, and it’s all too easy to overlook your own stress-inducing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Sure, you may know that you’re constantly worried about work deadlines. But maybe it’s your procrastination, rather than the actual job demands, that leads to deadline stress.

To identify your true sources of stress, look closely at your habits, attitude, and excuses:

•Do you explain away stress as temporary (“I just have a million things going on right now”) even though you can’t remember the last time you took a breather?

•Do you define stress as an integral part of your work or home life (“Things are always crazy around here”) or as a part of your personality (“I have a lot of nervous energy, that’s all”).

•Do you blame your stress on other people or outside events, or view it as entirely normal and unexceptional?

Until you accept responsibility for the role you play in creating or maintaining it, your stress level will remain outside your control.

Start a stress journal

A stress journal can help you identify the regular stressors in your life and the way you deal with them. Each time you feel stressed, keep track of it in your journal. As you keep a daily log, you will begin to see patterns and common themes. Write down:

•What caused your stress (make a guess if you’re unsure).

•How you felt, both physically and emotionally.

•How you acted in response.

•What you did to make yourself feel better.

Look at how you currently cope with stress

Think about the ways you currently manage and cope with stress in your life. Your stress journal can help you identify them. Are your coping strategies healthy or unhealthy, helpful or unproductive? Unfortunately, many people cope with stress in ways that compound the problem.

Unhealthy ways of coping with stress

These coping strategies may temporarily reduce stress, but they cause more damage in the long run:

•Smoking
•Drinking too much
•Overeating or undereating
•Zoning out for hours in front of the TV or computer
•Withdrawing from friends, family, and activities
•Using pills or drugs to relax
•Sleeping too much
•Procrastinating
•Filling up every minute of the day to avoid facing problems
•Taking out your stress on others (lashing out, angry outbursts, physical violence)

Learning healthier ways to manage stress

If your methods of coping with stress aren’t contributing to your greater emotional and physical health, it’s time to find healthier ones. There are many healthy ways to manage and cope with stress, but they all require change. You can either change the situation or change your reaction. When deciding which option to choose, it’s helpful to think of the four As: avoid, alter, adapt, or accept. Since everyone has a unique response to stress, there is no “one size fits all” solution to managing it. No single method works for everyone or in every situation, so experiment with different techniques and strategies. Focus on what makes you feel calm and in control.

Dealing with Stressful Situations: The Four A’s

Change the situation:
•Avoid the stressor.
•Alter the stressor.
Change your reaction:
•Adapt to the stressor.
•Accept the stressor.

Stress management strategy #1: Avoid unnecessary stress

Not all stress can be avoided, and it’s not healthy to avoid a situation that needs to be addressed. You may be surprised, however, by the number of stressors in your life that you can eliminate.

•Learn how to say “no”: Know your limits and stick to them. Whether in your personal or professional life, refuse to accept added responsibilities when you’re close to reaching them. Taking on more than you can handle is a surefire recipe for stress.

•Avoid people who stress you out: If someone consistently causes stress in your life and you can’t turn the relationship around, limit the amount of time you spend with that person or end the relationship entirely.

•Take control of your environment: If the evening news makes you anxious, turn the TV off. If traffic’s got you tense, take a longer but less-traveled route. If going to the market is an unpleasant chore, do your grocery shopping online.

•Avoid hot-button topics: If you get upset over religion or politics, cross them off your conversation list. If you repeatedly argue about the same subject with the same people, stop bringing it up or excuse yourself when it’s the topic of discussion.

•Pare down your to-do list: Analyze your schedule, responsibilities, and daily tasks. If you’ve got too much on your plate, distinguish between the “shoulds” and the “musts.” Drop tasks that aren’t truly necessary to the bottom of the list or eliminate them entirely.

Stress management strategy #2: Alter the situation

If you can’t avoid a stressful situation, try to alter it. Figure out what you can do to change things so the problem doesn’t present itself in the future. Often, this involves changing the way you communicate and operate in your daily life.

•Express your feelings instead of bottling them up. If something or someone is bothering you, communicate your concerns in an open and respectful way. If you don’t voice your feelings, resentment will build and the situation will likely remain the same.

•Be willing to compromise. When you ask someone to change their behavior, be willing to do the same. If you both are willing to bend at least a little, you’ll have a good chance of finding a happy middle ground.

•Be more assertive. Don’t take a backseat in your own life. Deal with problems head on, doing your best to anticipate and prevent them. If you’ve got an exam to study for and your chatty roommate just got home, say up front that you only have five minutes to talk.

•Manage your time better. Poor time management can cause a lot of stress. When you’re stretched too thin and running behind, it’s hard to stay calm and focused. But if you plan ahead and make sure you don’t overextend yourself, you can alter the amount of stress you’re under.

Stress management strategy #3: Adapt to the stressor

If you can’t change the stressor, change yourself. You can adapt to stressful situations and regain your sense of control by changing your expectations and attitude.

•Reframe problems. Try to view stressful situations from a more positive perspective. Rather than fuming about a traffic jam, look at it as an opportunity to pause and regroup, listen to your favorite radio station, or enjoy some alone time.

•Look at the big picture. Take perspective of the stressful situation. Ask yourself how important it will be in the long run. Will it matter in a month? A year? Is it really worth getting upset over? If the answer is no, focus your time and energy elsewhere.

•Adjust your standards. Perfectionism is a major source of avoidable stress. Stop setting yourself up for failure by demanding perfection. Set reasonable standards for yourself and others, and learn to be okay with “good enough.”

•Focus on the positive. When stress is getting you down, take a moment to reflect on all the things you appreciate in your life, including your own positive qualities and gifts. This simple strategy can help you keep things in perspective.

Stress management strategy #4: Accept the things you can’t change

Some sources of stress are unavoidable. You can’t prevent or change stressors such as the death of a loved one, a serious illness, or a national recession. In such cases, the best way to cope with stress is to accept things as they are. Acceptance may be difficult, but in the long run, it’s easier than railing against a situation you can’t change.

•Don’t try to control the uncontrollable. Many things in life are beyond our control, particularly the behavior of other people. Rather than stressing out over them, focus on the things you can control such as the way you choose to react to problems.

•Look for the upside. As the saying goes, “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” When facing major challenges, try to look at them as opportunities for personal growth. If your own poor choices contributed to a stressful situation, reflect on them and learn from your mistakes.

•Share your feelings. Talk to a trusted friend or make an appointment with a therapist. Expressing what you’re going through can be very cathartic, even if there’s nothing you can do to alter the stressful situation.

•Learn to forgive. Accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world and that people make mistakes. Let go of anger and resentments. Free yourself from negative energy by forgiving and moving on.

Stress management strategy #5: Make time for fun and relaxation

Beyond a take-charge approach and a positive attitude, you can reduce stress in your life by nurturing yourself. If you regularly make time for fun and relaxation, you’ll be in a better place to handle life’s stressors when they inevitably come.

•Go for a walk.
•Spend time in nature.
•Call a good friend.
•Sweat out tension with a good workout.
•Write in your journal.
•Take a long bath.
•Light scented candles.
•Savor a warm cup of coffee or tea.
•Play with a pet.
•Work in your garden.
•Get a massage.
•Curl up with a good book.
•Listen to music.
•Watch something funny.

Don’t get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that you forget to take care of your own needs. Nurturing yourself is a necessity, not a luxury.

•Set aside relaxation time. Include rest and relaxation in your daily schedule. Don’t allow other obligations to encroach. This is your time to take a break from all responsibilities and recharge your batteries.

•Connect with others. Spend time with positive people who enhance your life. A strong support system will buffer you from the negative effects of stress.

•Do something you enjoy every day. Make time for leisure activities that bring you joy, whether it be stargazing, playing the piano, or working on your bike.

•Keep your sense of humor. This includes the ability to laugh at yourself. The act of laughing helps your body fight stress in a number of ways.

Stress management strategy #6: Adopt a healthy lifestyle
You can increase your resistance to stress by strengthening your physical health.

•Exercise regularly. Physical activity plays a key role in reducing and preventing the effects of stress. Make time for at least 30 minutes of exercise, three times per week. Nothing beats aerobic exercise for releasing pent-up stress and tension.

•Eat a healthy diet. Well-nourished bodies are better prepared to cope with stress, so be mindful of what you eat. Start your day right with breakfast, and keep your energy up and your mind clear with balanced, nutritious meals throughout the day.

•Reduce caffeine and sugar. The temporary "highs" caffeine and sugar provide often end in with a crash in mood and energy. By reducing the amount of coffee, soft drinks, chocolate, and sugar snacks in your diet, you’ll feel more relaxed and you’ll sleep better.

•Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. Self-medicating with alcohol or drugs may provide an easy escape from stress, but the relief is only temporary. Don’t avoid or mask the issue at hand; deal with problems head on and with a clear mind.

•Get enough sleep. Adequate sleep fuels your mind, as well as your body. Feeling tired will increase your stress because it may cause you to think irrationally.

Adjusting Your Attitude

How you think can have a profound effect on your emotional and physical well-being. Each time you think a negative thought about yourself, your body reacts as if it were in the throes of a tension-filled situation. If you see good things about yourself, you are more likely to feel good; the reverse is also true. Eliminate words such as "always," "never," "should," and "must." These are telltale marks of self-defeating thoughts.

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Tumeric - Benefits of the Spice Tumeric

2012-08-12T07:13:00.000-04:00

Here are 20 reasons why you would want to add turmeric to your diet:

1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.

2. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.

3. Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.

4. May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.

5. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.

6. Is a natural liver detoxifier.

7. May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.

8. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.

9. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.

10. Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.

11. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.

12. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.

13. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.

14. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

15. Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.

16. Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.

17. Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.

18. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.

19. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.

20. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.

Turmeric can be taken in powder or pill form. It is available in pill form in most health food stores, usually in 250-500mg capsules.

Once you start using turmeric on a regular basis, it's fun to find new ways to use it in recipes. I use it in several of my recipes, cooked and raw dishes. I'm also starting to take one spoonful of Turmeric a day, just because it's wonderful benefits.

#Note: Turmeric should not be used by people with gallstones or bile obstruction. Though turmeric is often used by pregnant women, it is important to consult with a doctor before doing so as turmeric can be a uterine stimulant.

Get Informed, Get Healthy & Stay Healthy!

Angel and Brushing your Dog

2012-08-09T09:16:00.001-04:00

Angel and brushing your dog

This is my angel. Here she is looking miserable. She is an old dog. She was born Sept 20, 2001 which means she was in her mothers womb when 911 hit. I think somehow, the trauma of what the country was going through and what her mother was feeling (absorbing traumatic emotions from absolutely everyone) caused her to be a drama queen. We got her as a puppy at 8 weeks old but this dog definately has a mind of her own and is nothing but drama. My son always says she has more issues than sports illustrated.

Angel likes to go for swims. It's not something that I exactly like her to do but guess what she does it anyway. It doesn't matter whatever I say she jumps in the pool anyway. She perfectly understands english, but like I said she has a mind of her own and does whatever she wants. Before we had our pool, she's already gone next door to the neighbors and jumped in his pool. Boy was he mad...

Anyway, see all that hair on her back? She's hot. I don't mind her swimming in the pool it doesn't hurt anything but also

what I did for her this summer is to get her the furminator.

See that bucket in the background? That is TOTALLY full of angel's dog hair. She totally hated it when we were brushing her. She layed on her back to Ethan couldn't get to spots. But he kept at it. He kept out it till that whole entire bucket of dog hair was full. See the end result? That is her happy dance. Don't be afraid to take the hair off your dog. If it looks like it's too much or too thick it probably is. The furminator totally thinned out her hair. Also, it actually made her look like she lost 10 pounds. It was all hair. She looks and feels way better now.

As you can see, the result is one happy puppy... She is way cooler for the hot summer. You can read more about angel and when she had her puppies here.

Herbs that Promote Hair Growth

2012-08-08T07:19:00.001-04:00

Herbs That Promotes Hair Growth

1. Horsetail

The foremost herb known for adding beauty and luster to the hair when taken orally is horsetail.The herb horsetail contains rich concentrations of the minerals silicon and selenium, both of which help promote circulation to the scalp. This herb is packed with a nutrient called silica. Silica is a substance that strengthens bones, nails and hair. Horset

ail helps maintain the hair and may even promote hair growth. The herb provides the most benefit when taken internally as a tea or when topically applied to the hair and scalp. To make horsetail tea, steep 1 tsp. of the dried herb in 1 cup boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes, and then strain. Drink a cup of the tea daily or massage the liquid into your scalp each night before bed. Rinse your hair thoroughly in the morning.

2. Sage

A traditional herbal remedy for increasing hair growth, the culinary herb sage may help stimulate the hair follicles and increase circulation to the scalp. In her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," Phyllis A. Balch recommends using an apple cider vinegar and sage rinse regularly to encourage hair to grow. To make, steep 2 tsp. dried sage in 1 cup boiling water for 15 minutes, and then strain. Combine the resulting liquid with 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, transfer to a plastic storage bottle and shake well before each use. Massage the solution into the scalp and hair after shampooing, and leave it on for at least five minutes before rinsing.

3. Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle, a widely used herbal remedy for increasing skin and hair health, may also promote hair growth in some people. To increase circulation, healers once suggested lightly tapping the scalp with fresh stinging nettle leaves. This treatment is painful and no longer recommended, but a nettle vinegar tincture may help without irritating the scalp. Stinging nettle can be purchased in either pill or capsule form and is said to be more effective when used in combination with saw palmetto. You can steep 1 cup dried nettle leaves in 4 cups boiling water and 2 cups apple cider vinegar for 30 minutes. Strain and store in a clean bottle. To use, rub the mixture into the scalp each night before bed.

4. Saw Palmetto

An extract made from saw palmetto berries may also promote hair growth. Saw Palmetto, a common herbal remedy used to treat prostate disorders, is also believed to prevent Dihydrotestosterone, the hormone responsible for hair loss, from binding to the hair follicles. For the best results, take standardized saw palmetto capsules labeled as concentrated and purified with 85 to 95 percent fatty acids and sterols. Take 160mg twice a day, once in the morning and again at night, but don't expect to see results for at least six to eight weeks or the fresh leaves can be submersed in olive oil in a glass jar. Seal and place in a cool, dark spot for 2 to 3 weeks. Apply the oil in an invigorating scalp massage. Stinging nettle essential oil is frequently an ingredient in organic shampoos and conditioners.

5. Lavender

Lavender, native to the Mediterranean, is now grown in temperate climates worldwide. For centuries, lavender has been used by herbal practitioners to prevent baldness and to encourage new hair growth. Lavender contains potent anti-bacterial agents that soothe and heal scalp infections. It is useful in treating dandruff and adds volume to the hair shaft and helps increase shine and gently cleanse deposits that dull the hair. Place a few sprigs of lavender in a glass container and cover with extra-virgin olive oil and cover tightly. Place in a cool, dark spot and allow to age for 3 to 4 weeks. Use the lavender infused oil as a daily scalp massage. Apply and leave on overnight. In the morning, wash hair with a gentle organic shampoo and style as usual. A daily rinse of lavender water (bring water to a boil, add a few sprigs of lavender, reduce to simmer for 20 minutes, then cool) will impart a delightful fragrance and shine to hair. Apply lavender as a daily rinse after shampooing.

6. Rosemary

Rosemary is an excellent herb to use topically to promote hair growth and increase scalp health. Rosemary has been used for centuries in cultures worldwide to promote hair growth and delay the onset of gray hair. When applied to the scalp rosemary increases circulation and helps to gently remove excess sebum and dandruff, which can inhibit healthy hair growth. A refreshing daily rinse of rosemary leaves simmered in water retains hair color. The rinse is most effective on dark hair. A few drops of rosemary oil can be added to olive oil and used as a scalp massage oil.

7. Hops

Hops are not only a main ingredient in beer. They make an excellent natural hair conditioner and softener when applied topically. The herb also contains silica so it helps fortify the hair from within. Many popular hair supplements use this to add strength and resilience.

#Note: every herb that may promote hair growth may not be listed.

Get Informed. Get Healthy. Stay Healthy

Patchouli Euclyptus Cinnamon Soap

2012-08-04T11:51:00.002-04:00

Try my patchouli/euclyptus/cinnamon with crushed cloves and coffee soap!

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Price - $11.11 for two 4oz bars
There are only 3 sets available.

Here are some other available soaps:

Handcrafted Soap Floral Scents	Handcrafted Soap Natural Scents
Handcrafted Soap Men's Scents	Handcrafted Soap Farm Scents
Handmade Soap Bargain Packs	Handmade Soap Soap Uglies

Water Retention and How to Treat

2012-08-04T08:58:00.000-04:00

How to treat Water Retention

Lessen your intake of salt and salty foods. Too much salt in the body can cause fluid retention to worsen. Many processed foods contain high values of sodium that should also be avoided, so check the nutritional information on products you eat to make sure that they do not contain high levels of sodium. Avoid adding additional table salt to your food, and stay away from salty snacks like chips, peanuts and pretzels.

Drink plenty of water if you are aware that your fluid retention is due to premenstrual syndrome, too much salt in your diet or another minor cause. You may feel that you have enough water in your body already, but being well hydrated will help you flush out excess water instead of storing it in your body.

Eat foods with diuretic properties. There is a long list of diuretic foods such as celery, lettuce, carrots, onions, asparagus, tomatoes and cucumbers.

Take vitamins daily that will reduce fluid retention.

•Vitamin B6 is known to reduce the effects of fluid retention, especially in mild cases such as fluid retention due to premenstrual syndrome. Large quantities of Vitamin B6 can also be found in foods such as red meat, salmon, tuna, bananas and brown rice.

•Vitamin B5, Vitamin B1 and Vitamin D will reduce water retention and can also be found in foods such as fresh fruits and low-fat dairy.

•Supplement minerals such as calcium, magnesium, manganese and potassium can help with water retention as well, and are known to act as mild diuretics to help the body release excess water. Calcium is also found in yogurt, milk and dark leafy greens like spinach. Potassium helps the body to get rid of excess fluid in the body, but also stabilizes the amount of sodium within the body. Potassium is found in fruit such as bananas citrus and melons.

Consider using herbs as diuretics to release excess water and lessen the effects of fluid retention. There are many herbs that work as diuretics; among them are dandelion leaf, parsley, corn silk and hawthorn.

Take a ginkgo supplement or drink it in a tea. Ginkgo can help with circulation, so it may benefit you if you have water retention due to circulation problems.

Exercise often to release excess body fluid and increase circulation. Exercise can greatly help with fluid retention problems because the body will heat up and sweat out excess water, and better circulation will reduce and prevent fluid retention in the future.

Avoid drinks that will dehydrate the body such as tea, coffee and alcohol. Although caffeine and alcohol is a diuretic, consuming it will only dehydrate you and worsen fluid retention.

Sleep with your feet elevated higher than your heart. Just place pillows under your legs to make then higher then your heart when you lay down.

Tips

•Dehydration can cause fluid retention because when the body is dehydrated it holds onto water instead of allowing the body to dispel it. In order for the body to process fluid correctly, it must be properly and consistently hydrated. The body will then use the fluid that is necessary to keep it hydrated, and dispel excess fluid instead of holding onto it, causing fluid retention.

•If you believe fluid retention may be the cause of dehydration you may be experiencing thirst, lack of urination, weakness, dizziness, cramping, headaches and dry mouth.

Warnings

•Do not take any new supplements before consulting your doctor, especially if you are currently taking any medication.

•Do not consume large amounts of water to treat fluid retention if you have chronic liver problems. Consult your doctor if you have liver problems, or believe you may have liver problems and are experiencing fluid retention in your abdomen or other parts of the body. Water consumption can have a negative effect on organs trying to process excess fluid in the body already.

Things You'll Need to treat Water Retention

•Water
•Diuretic vegetables
•Multivitamins
•Mineral supplements
•Diuretic herbs
•Daily exercise

FOODS THAT CAUSE INFLAMMATION

VEGETABLE OILS

Inflammation is a condition that damages healthy tissue, raises blood pressure, and can potentially encourage cancer cells to grow, Since consuming too many omega-6 fatty acids (in relation to omega-3s) can increase the risk of inflammation, swap omega-6-laden soy, sunflower, corn, cottonseed, safflower. Switch out mixed vegetable oils and use extra virgin olive oil, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

MARGARINE OR SPREADS WITH PARTIALLY-HYDROGENATED OIL

Trans-fatty (partially-hydrogenated) acids definitely increase inflammatory biomarkers in the body So avoid them in general. Ghee (clarified butter) is a good alternative: “Yes, butter contains omega-6 fatty acids, but clarified butter has an intense flavor, so you can use a lot less of it than normal butter." A way to get a rich, buttery taste without a heavy dose of omega-6 fat in recipes is to take half a teaspoon of ghee and blend it with some olive oil.

FATTY MEATS/PROCESS MEATS

Inflammatory foods increase risk for chronic health problems such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and autoimmune disease. And though the jury’s still out, a couple of studies point to saturated animal fats as inflammatory culprits. Instead of fatty meats like burgers, hot dogs, bacon, bologna, or ribs, studies suggests eating more omega-3-rich fish like salmon, sardines, mackerel, and tuna, as well as beans and nuts.

WHOLE OR 2% MILK

To lower your saturated fat intake, limit your consumption of whole and 2% milk; instead, opt for (organic) skim or 1% milk. Other ways to top your cereal include organic almond, rice, hemp, hazelnut, oat beverages.

CREAM CHEESE

Instead of cream cheese, substitute small amounts of naturally soft, spreadable cheeses like goat cheese (which I'm against) or part-skim ricotta when topping toast or making dips they're naturally lower in saturated fat.

PROCESSED CHEESES (SUCH AS AMERICAN)

Pass up processed cheese and enjoy small amounts of natural, hard cheeses for more flavor (and less sodium). If you can find it, vegetarian or vegan cheese or made from the milk of grass-fed animals is best.

SUGAR-ADDED CEREALS

There are some studies that show that a high sugar diet fuels inflammation. Cut back on sugary cereals and choose low-sugar, high-fiber varieties instead. Another anti-inflammatory breakfast option? Oatmeal especially minimally-processed steel cut oats.

FULL-FAT, SUGARY YOGURT

Even yogurt with “fruit on the bottom” can have a surprising amount of sugar. Choose low-fat or nonfat yogurt (preferably organic), or go for Greek yogurt to get an extra dose of protein. Sweeten plain yogurt with a teaspoon of agave or brown-rice syrup, a dash of cinnamon, and some diced fruit.

WHITE BREAD

As with sugar, eating too many refined carbohydrates can lead to inflammation. Limit white flour bread (and pasta) and eat more high-fiber, 100% whole-grain varieties.

PRE-SEASONED FOODS AND SEASONING MIXES

A high sodium to potassium ratio in your diet is thought to create an inflammatory response. Season your side dishes and entrées with fresh or dried herbs such as thyme, basil, sage, and rosemary, or try no-sodium-added spice mixes.

COFFEE

A recent study showed that coffee drinkers who have more than 1 cup a day have increased levels of C Reactive Protein. Men had a 30% increase and women had a 38% increase in CRP levels. Since coffee drinkers also tend to smoke more, exercise less, and eat fewer fruits and vegetables more studies need to be done to establish coffee as an independent risk factor.

HIGH GLYCEMIC INDEX CARBOHYDRATES/TRANS FATS

these foods cause excess production of insulin which incites the inflammatory process by producing arachidonic acid. These are quickly digested carbohydrates such as foods with high concentrations of sugar, high fructose corn syrup, refined baked goods and snacks, and soft drinks. Many of these foods are also high in Trans fats like processed baked goods, chips and snack foods, and deep fried fast food. Limit your intake of processed and fried foods that contain trans fat.

COOKING FOODS AT HIGH TEMPERATURES

This results in a browning effect, where sugars and certain oxidized fats react with proteins to form glycotoxins in the food. Glycotoxins are known to be inflammatory and form in the skin, arteries, joints, cartilage and other places in the body. Avoiding foods cooked at high temperatures also helps prevent the formation of numerous gene mutating toxins that are known to be carcinogens. Some of these foods are: French fries, hamburgers, other deep fried foods, and chips.

Perfect Iced Tea

2012-07-25T11:56:00.001-04:00

Perfect Iced Tea

In a large mason jar,
Add 7 stalks of mint
With your keurig, make 2 cups of celestial Perfect Iced Tea Half and Half (half black tea half lemonade). In the second cup, add 3 TBSP sugar. Pour everything in mason jar. Add fresh Ice.

Enjoy! Perfect Every Time!

Ketchup with Sugar not High Fructose Corn Syrup!

2012-07-22T08:05:00.000-04:00

Finally good Ketchup!

Heinz and hunts are FINALLY starting to get it. We don't want to eat high fructose corn syrup! I can't tell you how much time I spend at the grocery store reading labels. There are certain things that I don't want to put in my body and high fructose corn syrup is a biggie. I found these two treasures at the grocery store today... they are using SUGAR (yeah!!! finally!!).... Sugar is infinitely better for you than high fructose corn syrup don't let anyone tell you any different.... So glad to see these two products I thought I'd share...

Read your labels people. You want to be aware of what you are putting in your body... You have a CHOICE! Of course in the old days, they made it themselves...

Here is a recipe from the Willing Workers Cookbook of 1939

*** Tomato Catsup***
recipe page 91	comments
one basket ripe tomatoes, boil and strain, then add one large tea of ground cloves, and same quantity each of cinnamon, allspice and celery seed, one fourth tea of cayenne pepper, and one large tbsp of ground mustard, salt to taste, one onion size of a walnut, sugar to taste; boil three hours, adding one cup of vinegar the last half hour. Put spices and celery seed in a bag, to be taken out when catsup is sufficiently flavored.	Another thing you just go to the store to buy and we take for granted. They used to make their catsup by hand with the tomatoes from their garden. The other thing I want to point out is in todays day and time the spelling it way different - it is now called ketchup.

***** Tomato Catsup*****

recipe page 91

comments

one basket ripe tomatoes, boil and strain, then add one large tea of ground cloves, and same quantity each of cinnamon, allspice and celery seed, one fourth tea of cayenne pepper, and one large tbsp of ground mustard, salt to taste, one onion size of a walnut, sugar to taste; boil three hours, adding one cup of vinegar the last half hour. Put spices and celery seed in a bag, to be taken out when catsup is sufficiently flavored.

Another thing you just go to the store to buy and we take for granted. They used to make their catsup by hand with the tomatoes from their garden. The other thing I want to point out is in todays day and time the spelling it way different - it is now called ketchup.

Detox Your Body

2012-07-19T07:48:00.001-04:00

Cleanse your body, protect it from disease, and enhance your health system by detoxing with these supportive foods.
BLOOD
What does it do? The blood is a specialized bodily fluid that supplies substances and nutrients, such as sugar, oxygen, and hormones to our cells. It carries waste away from the cells and contains clotting agents. It is the circulatory system that holds the high-speed highways of the blood for transport.
Supportive foods – Blood building and circulatory supporting foods include dark green leafy vegetables such as dandelion greens, kale, collard greens, spinach, arugula and broccoli; also garlic, fresh ginger root, cayenne pepper, and protein-rich foods, apricots, beans, wheat germ, and tofu.
LYMPH
What does it do? As a part of the immune system, lymph nodes are located throughout the body and hold precious cells of the immune system. It’s important to keep your lymph nodes healthy to reduce the risk of colds and flus.
Supportive foods – Foods that support lymph node function include clean proteins such as wild-caught fish and grass-fed beef, citrus fruits, crimini mushrooms, turnip greens, spinach, and kale, garlic, parsley, carrots, asparagus, strawberries, and tomatoes.
LIVER
What does it do? Besides being the second-largest organ in the body (second to our skin), the liver processes virtually every transaction in the body – sorting, packaging, storing and using nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. This is one organ you’ll definitely want to nurture.
Supportive foods – There are two main detoxification pathways of the liver—eat foods that nurture those systems, and you’ll receive support in return. Foods include beets, leafy greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, olive oil, flax seed oil, citrus fruits, garlic, cabbage, green tea, avocadoes, and artichokes.
GALLBLADDER
What does it do? The gallbladder’s main function is to act as a place of safe-keeping for bile, the green substance the liver produces. When signaled to do so, the gallbladder releases bile to digest fats and cholesterols.
Supportive foods – Specific nutrients help to maintain the quality and integrity of the bile for digestion – without them, the bile become thick, sluggish, and coagulated, causing gall stones. Foods which help maintain integrity include beets, apples, cucumber, Swiss chard, dandelion greens, lemon, flax seed oil, and sweet potato.
PANCREAS
What does it do? The pancreas manufactures and secretes the enzymes necessary for digestion, including those that help digest proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
Supportive foods – Foods that support the pancreas include anti-inflammatory foods and foods that help maintain healthy blood sugar, including blueberries, cherries, broccoli, garlic, grapes, spinach, kale, collard greens, Swiss chard, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and tofu.
KIDNEYS
What do they do? The main function of the kidneys is to filter and clean the blood. They also regulate blood pressure, minerals (including potassium, sodium, chloride, calcium, and phosphorous), and acidity levels within the body.
Supportive foods – Foods that support kidney health include anti-inflammatory foods and foods which support mineral balance, including parsley, bell peppers, cabbage, cauliflower, apples, garlic, onions, cranberries, blueberries, strawberries, cherries, grapes, fish and olive oil.
INTESTINES
What do they do? Both the small and large intestines work with the absorption and elimination processes of our food and its nutrients. Keeping our digestive system healthy also keeps other systems healthy, such as our lymph and blood.
Supportive foods – Healthy intestines require a healthy balance of good bacteria and proper elimination, enabling this system to do its job. Supportive foods include insoluble and soluble fibers such as flax seeds, beans, green leafy vegetables, oats, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and more. Probiotic rich foods such as yogurt, kefir, kombucha and other fermented foods are also extremely useful.
Please note: Eating a healthy, balanced, clean diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables, clean proteins, anti-inflammatory fats, fiber, and more will also keep your body happy and healthy!
Please also note: None of the information provided is meant to treat or diagnose disease or ailments. Always consult your doctor before starting a new dietary or exercise regime.
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Farmer's Almanac Summer Weather Prediction

2012-07-17T22:18:00.002-04:00

Northeast
July: 10-14, 29-31. Seasonable, near-normal temperature with scattered t-storms upfront and more storms mid-July. The hottest period is late July.
August: 5-10, 16–20, 28–31. Near-normal temperatures and rainfall. The hottest period is early August.
Atlantic Corridor
July: 8–12, 16–20. Near-average temperatures but rainier than normal. The hottest periods will be in early and mid-July.
August: 8–11, 20–23, 28–31. Cooler and rainier than normal with sunny periods and t-storms intermixed.
Southeast
July: 15–31 (scattered P.M. t-storms, seasonable). Much cooler than normal with above-normal rainfall and hottest temperatures in mid- to late July.
August: 15–31 (sunny in the west). Much cooler than normal with above-normal rainfall. Scattered t-storms throughout entire month so difficult to identify a rain-free week. The hottest temperatures will be in mid-August.
Florida
July: 1–6, 7–17 (scattered t-storms), 22–26. Average temperatures and slightly rainier than normal with the hottest periods in early and mid-July.
August: 7–12 (for north), 16–20, 21–31 (scattered t-sorms). A tad cooler and much rainier than normal with a hot period mid-August.
Lower Lakes
July: 16-23. Slightly cooler and drier than average. The hot periods are in early and mid-July.
August: 5-10, 14–18, 28-31. Much cooler (4 degrees cooler than average) with slightly below-normal rainfall.
Deep South
July: 7–12, 18–21 (for south), 22–25, 28–31. Cooler than average month and slightly rainier. The hottest periods will be in mid-July.
August: 8–25. Much cooler (6 degrees below average). Much rainier than normal in the southwest and near-normal precipitation elsewhere.
Upper Midwest
July: 5–7, 8–10 (sunny in west but t-storms in east), 11–14, 26–28. Seasonable-to-cool weather with a hot period in mid-July. Slightly drier than normal.
August: 1–8, 12–15, 21–31. Cooler and drier than normal with the hottest period in early August.
Texas–Oklahoma
July: 1-5, 16-19. A bit cooler and drier than normal, on average. The hottest periods come in early and late July.
August: 3–6, 13–23 (for north). Much cooler than normal month (4 degrees below average) with rain above normal in the south and below average elsewhere with drought a threat.
Pacific Northwest Coast
July: 1-11, 15–17, 22–31. Slightly warmer with average precipitation. The hottest periods will occur in early and late July.
August: 1–12, 17–21. Much warmer than normal (5.5 degrees above average) with near-average rainfall. The hot period will fall in mid-August.
Pacific Southwest
July: 1-14, 19-31. Sunny and seasonable with normal rainfall. Great month! The hottest period will be in mid-July.
August: 1-22, 27–31. Warmer than normal with normal rainfall. Hot periods throughout August.

Watermelon Keg Instructions

2012-07-12T08:04:00.000-04:00

How to Make a Watermelon Keg

Flatten the bottom of one end of your watermelon by cutting off a thin slice of the rind. Cut just enough so that the watermelon will stand upright on one end.

Cut a circular top out of the opposite end of the melon. Much as you would cut the top off of a pumpkin, carve out a round lid from the melon and set it aside.

Scoop out the fruit flesh from the melon and put it into a bowl or blender.

Pour any remaining juice into a pitcher. If you use a seedless melon you can process the fruit without removing the seeds.

If your melon is seed-filled, remove the seeds with a spoon or clean hands or simply put through a strainer.

Drill a hole in the bottom front of your watermelon where you want the tap to be. Use a drill bit a little bit smaller than the faucet you want to use as your tap. Use a sharp knife to open the hole to the correct diameter.

Screw in a clean, new ball valve faucet into your hole.

The faucet should turn easily with one hand and have a fitting long enough to protrude through the rind of the melon. Put a rubber washer on the faucet inside the melon to assist in making a leak proof seal.

Mash the pulp to gather as much watermelon juice as possible. To get as much liquid as possible, mix with another beverage such as lemonade, limeade or 7-up. I'm not big on alcohol, but for those of you that are, you can mix with vodka.

Turn the valve to dispense the watermelon punch into guests' cups.

The Benefits of Castor Oil

2012-07-10T14:10:00.001-04:00

Castor oil - Grandmom's favorite old time remedy!

This oil has regained its popularity recently due to its many health benefits and treatment capacity. It is believed that most of castor oil's benefits are derived from its high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids.

Approximately 90% of its fatty acid content is made up of ricinoleic acid, and it is this aspect that is thought to give the oil its remarkable healing abilities. Ricinoleic acid can be effective in preventing the growth of viruses, bacteria, yeasts and molds.

This oil can be used externally and internally, it depends on the ailment you want to treat.

** Shrinks and eliminates fibroid tumors.
** Treats nerves inflammation.
** Very effective remedy for rheumatism, arthritis and gout.
** Helps relieving sore muscles.
** Heal and clear scar tissues.
** When administered in very low dosages, acts as germicidal (natural birth control).
** It can relieve chronic fluid retention.
** Get rid of ringworm.
** Relieve menstruation pain and discomfort.
** Effective in stye treatment.
** Is useful in treating skin diseases and skin ulcers, particularly those which are caused due to bacterial or fungal infections.
** Heals acne.
** Can relieve liver congestion and can remove mucus in the lungs and bowels.
** Treats fungal toenail.
** Studies have approved the use of Castor Oil for skin infections and other skin problems such as sunburn, abrasions, acne, dry skin, boils, warts, stretch marks, liver/age spots, athletes foot and chronic itching and inflamed skin.
** Cold compress in low dosage can help with lactation by increasing milk-flow.
** Natural wrinkles treatment, castor oil is a natural emollient that penetrates the skin and helps stimulate the production of collagen and elastin which can soften and hydrate the skin.
** Treats hair-loss, nourishes hair and prevent the scalp from drying by retaining moisture.
** Castor oil packs soaked through the skin improve the body’s ability to assimilate nutrients, eliminate toxins, and stimulate circulation.
** Castor is known as constipation treatment, it is used as a laxative (better call it purgative). It is thus a very effective treatment in extreme cases of constipation where the bulk laxatives do not work.
** An effective purgative.
** Natural moisturizer.
** Natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial,anti-fungal, antioxidant and antiviral.
** Used on burns, wounds to protect them from infections.

To make castor oil pack pad: Make a small pad by folding a small piece of unbleached cotton flannelette into 3 or 4 layers.

Dip the cotton pad into Castor Oil and place it on to the affected joint or muscle.
Cover the pad with a plastic wrap.
Place a hot water bottle or heating pad over the plastic wrapped cotton pad. The plastic wrap will prevent the water bottle or heating pad from getting oily.
Leave the cotton pad on for 45 minutes to an hour, once per day.

What does MY DOCTOR tell me to do with Castor Oil? She tells me to put it liberally externally on the liver area, put a towel over it, and cover it with moist heat. This helps to heal the liver and mobilize toxins.

CAUTION: Castor oil is usually safe when used in moderation. However, pregnant and lactating women and people with intestinal blockage, acute inflammatory intestinal disease, appendicitis, or abdominal pain should not take Castor Oil without their doctor's approval.

NOTE: Consult with your Naturopath before using castor oil internally. A typical recommended dosage for the oil is no more than one-half to one full teaspoon per day.

Castor Oil is best purchased from a health food store, look for cold-pressed or cold-processed oil only. The color of the oil should be a very light or pale yellow.

The Meridian Organ Clock

2012-07-09T11:34:00.000-04:00

The Meridian Organ Clock

The Chinese Acupuncture “Meridian Clock” is an example of a 24-hour cycle which portrays the body’s complete functions as well as its relationship with diet. There are 12 meridians, each taking the lead for two hours during the 24-hour period. Each of the 12 meridians has a dual flow, a coming and a going, marking 24 cycles per day.

The clock delineates which meridian system is activated and dominant at a specific time. Since these cycles happen automatically, we do not have to be preoccupied with them. However, if we know of these cycles, then we can make better decisions when it is generally best to eat, exercise and sleep.

TIME – MERIDIAN —

5-7 a.m. — Large Intestine — Drinking water triggers bowel evacuation making room for the new day’s nutritional intake. Removes toxins from the night’s cleansing. A healthy colon needs water to do its job properly, which is flushing waste matter 24/7. The morning is the most important time to drink plenty of water for this process, and the worst time to have caffeine. Caffeine is a diuretic and takes water away from your colon to your kidneys and bladder for evacuation. Your body needs water in the morning to do its repair and maintenance of the large intestine and colon. This helps you maintain digestion, normalize weight, slow down the ageing process. When you irrigate your system every morning with pure water (up to 32 oz.) your health improves. If you wait until you have a bowel movement before you eat in the morning, this is also healthier for your colon.

7-9 a.m. — Stomach — The stomach is repairing and does not need a big meal to deal with. While the large intestine and colon needs fluid to repair properly in the morning, the stomach needs very little. Start with fluids (pure water or fresh juiced vegetables) or fresh fruit that is easily digested. However, if you can, drink only fluids in the morning for optimal health.

9-11 a.m. — Spleen — During this time/process or when the spleen is in a weakened state, you may suffer with allergies or not be able to shake a cold or flu. This is because the spleen works with the liver and your immune system. A healthy spleen produces antibodies when there is an infection and constantly watches the blood for invaders.

11 a.m.-1 p.m. — Heart — Food materials enter the blood stream. The heart pumps nutrients throughout the system and takes its lipid requirements. The time for heart repairs is between 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Your body is removing waste from the heart and you may sometimes notice a rapid heartbeat, double beats and/or skipping beats. Seventy percent of heart attacks occur when the heart is in its repair period.

1-3 p.m. — Small Intestine — Foods requiring longer digestion times (proteins) complete their digestion/assimilation. Have you noticed that between 1 to 3 p.m. you are more apt to have indigestion, pain and bloating? If this happens, two things could be wrong: 1. Your diet is not what it should be and your food is not digesting; 2. Your diet is causing problems that are now causing you stress. A proper diet will help take care of these problems.

3-5 p.m. — Bladder — Metabolic wastes from morning’s nutrition intake clear, making room for the kidney’s filtration to come. From 3 to 7 p.m. you may notice you’re tired and want a nap. When the kidneys are healthy and working properly, you’ll feel energetic at that time, not tired.

5-7 p.m. — Kidney — Filters blood (decides what to keep, what to throw away), maintains proper chemical balance of blood based on nutritional intake of day. Blood to deliver useable nutrients to all tissues.

7-9 p.m. — Circulation / Sex — Nutrients are carried to groups of cells (capillaries) and to each individual cell (lymphatics.) This is the time of unwinding, sharing intimacy. The sun has retreated and rest and rejuvenation are taking center stage. Rejoicing in the day and the pleasures of the moment correspond to this period. The pericardium protects the heart. We can perceive it as a gate that opens to let love in and closes to protect from mistreatment and harm.

9-11 p.m. — Triple Heater — The endocrine system adjusts the homeostasis of the body based on electrolyte and enzyme replenishment. There is no physical organ associated with this function. The function is to distribute heat within the whole body. The three heaters are the upper chest, mid abdomen and lower abdomen. These three areas house the organs in the body and their functions of respiration, digestion and elimination. All inter action depends on the three heaters for warmth and inter relationship.

11 p.m.- 1 a.m. — Gall Bladder — Initial cleansing of all tissues, processes cholesterol, enhances brain function. The gall bladder depicts the decision-making process of our sleep, the dream state. For optimal well-being, this process of identifying and prioritizing provides a healthy environment for rejuvenation of the body.

1-3 a.m. — Liver — Cleansing of blood. Processing of wastes. Between 11 p.m. to 3 a. m. these two guys go into action. Do you ever have nights when you can’t sleep at this time? This means that waste is not being processed by your liver and it acts as an irritant to your body causing insomnia and frayed nerves. Your brain just won’t stop. The liver function presents as General, a planner, a CEO of a company. The liver creates the needed plans for survival. During these hours, it is essential to be lying down and resting, even if not asleep the bodies function depends on it being in the prone position. Laying flat initiates the plan with the timely flow of cleansing the whole being. With this cleansing, we gain the flexibility to experience new possibilities in each new moment of our lives.

3-5 a.m. — Lung — Respiration. Oxygenation. Expulsion of waste gasses. The lungs are the first organs of the day that are up for repair and maintenance. Lungs begins loosening the poisoning waste between 3 to 5 a.m., and when you awaken, this is why you cough sometimes. Your lungs are trying to expel the loosened waste. If you are coughing in the morning, this indicates that your diet and lifestyle needs tweaking.

July = National Blueberry Month

2012-07-06T21:49:00.001-04:00

July is National Blueberry Month

Blueberry History in the United States

July was proclaimed National Blueberry Month by the United States Department of Agriculture on May 8th, 1999. Blueberries are grown in 35 states in the US, and the United States produces over 90% of all of the blueberries in the world. They have been used in soups, stews and more, for centuries. According to Ark-LA-Tex, the Native Americans taught the pilgrims to use blueberries in many ways. Blueberries were dried in the sun and ground into a powder. The powder was used to make a pudding called Sautauthig, and it was used to season meat as a “spice rub.”

Blueberries And Your Health
The Native Americans also believed that these little blue berries were good for your health. Blueberry tea is supposed to help relax women during childbirth, leaves from the blueberry bush were used to make a blood purifier that was good for the kidneys, and blueberry juice was supposed to be good for coughs. Modern medicine also identifies the health benefits of blueberries. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, the Rutgers Blueberry Cranberry Research Center in Chatsworth, N.J. found that blueberries help prevent infections in the urinary tract in much the same way that cranberries do. They may also help to prevent macular degeneration according to Ronald L. Prior, Ph.D., director of the USDA.

Did you know that eating blueberries could also be one of the keys to living to a ripe old age? Well, if you take a look at the research, foods that are rich in antioxidants are supposed to help reduce your chance of getting cancer and heart disease, and blueberries are loaded with them. Out of 40 different fruits, juices and vegetables, the blueberry comes in with the highest antioxidant level, according to the North american Blueberry Council. Just three and a half ounces of blueberries are equivalent to over 1700 International Units of vitamin E.

Freezing Blueberries
According to the North American Blueberry Council, you should not wash your blueberries before you freeze them. If you buy the berries in a pint box, simply wrap the box tightly in cellophane to make it airtight, or slip it into a resealable plastic bag (squeeze out as much air as possible). Then freeze. If you buy the berries in bulk, freeze them on a cookie sheet first and then transfer them into a freezer container. Keep frozen until ready to use.

Substitute Fresh Blueberries For Canned Blueberries
According to Texas Blueberries, “If a recipe calls for a can of blueberries, you may make your own by using 2-1/2 cups of fresh blueberries, 1 tablespoon of corn starch, 1-1/2 teaspoons of lemon juice, 1/8 cup of water. Cook until thickened and clear. Cool before using as a substitute.”

Recipes

To celebrate National Blueberry Month, try out some of these great recipes.

http://www.maplespringsfarm.com/recipes/sweets/blueberrypie.html

***** Blueberry Pie *****

ingredients

directions

4 cups fresh blueberries
¼ cup cold water
5 TBSP flour
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
½ cup water
whipping cream

Mix together ¼ cup cold water, flour, salt and make a smooth paste. Bring 1 cup of the blueberries, sugar, and ½ cup water to a boil. When boiling, add the flour paste and stir until it thickens. Remove from heat and cool. When cool, add the remaining berries and put into baked 10” pie shell. Refrigerate. When cool, serve with whipped cream.

http://www.maplespringsfarm.com/recipes/breakfast/blueberryfunnycake.html

*** Blueberry Funny Cake ***
ingredients	directions
Blueberry Sauce 2 cups fresh blueberries 1 cup sugar 1 TBSP water 1 TBSP lemon juice Cake ¼ cup butter ¾ cup sugar 1 egg ½ cup milk 1 tea baking powder 1 ¼ cup flour 1 tea vanilla	Heat blueberry sauce ingredients until simmering and sugar is dissolved. Cool. Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, mixing well. Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Add milk. Pour in unbaked pie shell. Slowly pour blueberry sauce over top. Bake 375 35 - 40 minutes.

Master Cleanse - The Lemonaide Diet

2012-07-01T10:03:00.002-04:00

People have known the health benefits of lemons for centuries. Lemons are nature's way of cleaning out of detoxing your system. This recipe is real simple.

Recipe

4 lemons
1 quart spring water or well water(no town water!)
1/2 cup grade B maple syrup (i never actually measure this)
1/2 tea. of ground ceyene pepper

Mix it all up... put it in the fridge...

If you look on the internet with the true master cleanse diet this is all you are supposed to drink (no food) for a minimum of 10 days... It does clean out your system, but you then have to gradually introduce food to it again. People have lost up to 20 pounds on this system. Well, I've got news for you. My doctor told me that guess what you don't have to not eat for this mixture to be good for you! You of course should be eating light as in your fruits and vegetables but you don't have to do without food. THis is good news for people like me who want the benefits but have health problems (lyme) - dieting is not recommended within 2 years of any illness.... THis is great cold or hot.. I like to warm mine and then stick a green tea teabag in it. I try and alternate the hot and the cold because it actually does two different things to your cells... My doctor could tell you what they are but jist of it is both are useful. THis is especailly good for your liver. Yes if you don't eat you'll pull out more "stuff" as in toxins out of your cells but also your body has to be strong enough that once the toxins get pulled to get rid of it. That's why for me doing this three times a week works well... it still pulls toxins out of my cells but it also gives my body a chance to get rid of what's pulled out. Plus it's easier on my blood sugar situation. Make sense?

If you do think you are strong enough to do the full diet all you have to do is drink only the tonic, as in several times a day in place of food, and at night you need to drink a senna (laxitive) tea. You do this for a 10 day minimum. When you get back on food you need to introduce it s-l-o-w-l-y. Warning - if you have to go to work and be functional, my dr's way is easier... it may take a little longer but it still works..

I actually first got introduced to this diet from a handful of my customers.. Everyone was ordering the grade b maple syrup. It is delicious... Then my doctor told me about it a few years later... so here we are... If you would like to order grade b maple syrup please click on the link below.

"Pennsylvania Maple Syrup"
"Grade B"
Grade B
One Gallon
Price - $53.00

"We do not use any fertilizer or additives (no formaldahyde) of any kind"

The Benefits of Lemon

2012-06-27T12:40:00.005-04:00

The surprising benefits of lemon!

Lemon (Citrus) is a miraculous product to kill cancer cells. It is 10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy.Why do we not know about that? Because there are laboratories interested in making a synthetic version that will bring them huge profits. You can now help a friend in need by letting him/her know that lemon juice is beneficial in preventing the disease. Its taste is pleasant and it does not produce the horrific effects of chemotherapy. How many people will die while this closely guarded secret is kept, so as not to jeopardize the beneficial multimillionaires large corporations? As you know, the lemon tree is known for its varieties of lemons and limes. You can eat the fruit in different ways: you can eat the pulp, juice press, prepare drinks, sorbets, pastries, etc... It is credited with many virtues, but the most interesting is the effect it produces on cysts and tumors. This plant is a proven remedy against cancers of all types. Some say it is very useful in all variants of cancer. It is considered also as an anti microbial spectrum against bacterial infections and fungi, effective against internal parasites and worms, it regulates blood pressure which is too high and an antidepressant,combats stress and nervous disorders.

The source of this information is fascinating: it comes from one of the largest drug manufacturers in the world, says that after more than 20 laboratory tests since 1970, the extracts revealed that: It destroys the malignant cells in 12 cancers, including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreas ...The compounds of this tree showed 10,000 times better than the product Adriamycin, a drug normally used chemotherapeutic in the world, slowing the growth of cancer cells. And what is even more astonishing: this type of therapy with lemon extract only destroys malignant cancer cells and it does not affect healthy cells.