I am going to be the pain in the rear end for some of you this morning. Just because something is here on the planet doesn’t mean it was intended for physical consumption. In going over my diet plan and talking to my husband about his eating habits etc this is a topic that has come up a lot lately. And then of course everyone is talking about their new year’s resolutions to lose weight too.

Marijuana is a natural plant resource and we frown upon it’s consumption because the government and advertising say it’s naughty stuff. We go out and buy milk by the gallon because somebody somewhere decided it was good for us even if it’s not and the government and advertising said it was good too, because they would rather us consume milk than marijuana. Okay those were probably extreme examples.

Just because chickens lay eggs doesn’t mean we have to eat them. What if they have a higher purpose that we aren’t aware of yet? What if milk is actually intended for watering a certain kind of flower? Who said cows were supposed to be cut up and eaten? Some guy with a lot of cows did, that’s who. Why on earth would cows and chickens be intended to be mass produced only to be chopped into bits? That doesn’t sound right, does it?

Who decides “supposed to be…” anyhow? If I said right here and right now that gray squirrels are actually supposed to be ground into hamburger, would you go out in your backyard and round up some gray squirrel dinner?? Or if I said that human breast milk was supposed to go into cat food, would you be pumping to feed the hungry cats all around the world?? Cows are pumping to feed the hungry people, so why not? Are you confused yet?

I like what ifs. /goes back to corner for the morning/ That reminds me I haven’t had breakfast yet ….

Technorati Tags: eggs, breakfast, cows, beef, hamburger, food, diet plan, diet, government, marijuana, dinner, breast milk, cat food

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One thing you start to learn about when you’re having multiple health issues is vitamins. All 13 of them and what they do. I knew what they were before but I didn’t necessarily know what they did. Basically, there are 13 vitamins. Four of them are fat-soluble and nine of them are going to be water soluble. The ones that are fat-soluble can be stored in your body fat and also stored in certain organs such as your liver. The water-soluble vitamins do not get stored in your body in large amounts.

The vitamins that are fat soluble, which means that you can store them in your body for a long time, include A, D, E and K. These dissolve in lipids and require bile in order to be absorbed. They are also stored in tissues, and if you have too many of them they can be toxic to you.

The water-soluble vitamins are going to be C and eight of the B vitamins. These are thiamine, which is B1, Riboflavin, which is B2, niacin, pyridoxine, which is B6, pantothenic acid, which is B5, vitamin B12, biotin and folic acid. These dissolve in water, so if you are cooking or washing, the vitamins might actually be washed out of the food. They are easily absorbed and excreted, and are not stored very much or often in your tissues. These vitamins are seldom going to reach toxic levels.

I’ve had some trouble with a few of those. I’m anemic for starters, so I’ve had to take supplements for that since I was about 12 years old. But I also have to watch because it goes up and down and there are certain times when I can stop taking the supplement because when you have too much it just goes right back out of your body and it’s a waste of time and effort. And hand in hand with that came a vitamin b deficiency problem, leaving me tired, cranky, and forgetful. It’s something I’m still working on, even with the right complexes and foods I’m having difficulty with it. Hopefully it gets worked out over time and I don’t have to go for more yucky tests … again. I feel like guinea pig!

Amazingly all of these vitamins are found in the food you eat every day. So, are you getting all thirteen vitamins or are you eating cardboard for lunch?

Technorati Tags: health, vitamins, vitamin c, vitamin b, vitamin b deficiency

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You can learn from it. When your child started kindergarten, one of the first historical people they learned about was John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. Chapman was known for traveling across the country helping pioneers plant apple trees. And, since apples are harvested in the late summer or early autumn, they are a common theme for a child’s first year of public school.

Apples are one of the most versatile fruits known to man, and have been for a good part of recorded history. There are so many things that can be done with apples, it’s no wonder people believe Eve gave Adam an apple in the Garden of Eden. Apples are so popular in fact; apple pie recipes are often handed down through generations. They are served at family reunions and during the holidays all around the world.

You can bake it! Here’s an Apple Pie recipe (and printable recipe card!) you’re sure to enjoy making as much as you do eating.

Old Fashioned Apple Pie (Save time by purchasing ready-made crusts)

Ingredients
2 (9 inch) unbaked pie crusts
7 cups peeled, cored, and sliced apples
1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons butter

To prepare this pie, begin by preheating your oven to 425 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine the apples, sugar, flour, and spices, stirring gently. Pour the mixture into the prepared pie crusts and dot with butter. Place the top crust on the pie, and cut holes in the top for ventilation. Bake for ten minutes at 425 degrees, and then turn the temperature down to 275-300 degrees. Allow the pie to bake for an additional 40-50 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. Let the pie cool and then serve. Add a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream for a special treat.

>> Click here to download Old Fashioned Apple Pie Recipe Card <<

You can craft it! Besides using them in pies, fresh cider, and eaten raw, you may also use apples as a decoration around the home. After drying apple slices, you may string them on a piece of jute to create a garland, or add the dried slices to a wreath that hangs on the front door. You can also make ornaments out of applesauce and cinnamon.

Apple Cinnamon Ornaments

Ingredients
3/4 cup ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons ground cloves
1 cup applesauce
1 tablespoon ground allspice
1 tablespoon nutmeg
1/8 or 1/4 inch ribbon

In a small bowl, mix the applesauce and spices, stirring until the mixture makes a dough. Roll the dough out between sheets of wax paper. Using a cookie cutter, cut out the designs you like, and then set them aside. Roll out the leftovers and cut out until all of the dough is gone. Poke a hole in the shape to accept the ribbon. Let the ornaments dry four to five days, uncovered, and undisturbed. Place the ribbon through the hole and then hang the ornament to leave a pleasant scent. Store the ornaments in a zip-top bag.

Apples, with 7,000 varieties, are one of the most well-known fruits. They can be used in myriad recipes and can even be used in non-cooking methods. Now is the time to get some – cooked or raw, food or craft – apples are truly a fruit to enjoy.

Whatever you decide to do with your apples, enjoy them.

Technorati Tags: apples, uses for apples, apple ornaments, apple pie, apple pie recipes, apple kitchen

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Have you ever noticed how tired you get when you’re feeling under the weather? If you’re constantly feeling burnt out, it may be because your immune system isn’t working properly due to poor diet or excessive stress. You’ve probably heard that wine contains powerful antioxidants that help keep your healthy; well, what is wine made from silly? GRAPES! Grape juice contains antioxidants as well but doesn’t make your drowsy like alcohol can. If you drink it regularly, these antioxidants can help boos your immune system, leaving you feeling healthy and energized. Antioxidants have also been shown to fight heart disease, prevent Alzheimer’s, and decrease the signs of aging.

Be choosy about your grape juice too, you want 100% juice, not the ones that are mostly sugar water with a little bit of juice added for flavor! The sugary kind might give you a false sense of energy boost but it will just be a sugar rush and they come to a crashing hault pretty quickly. The natural boost from the 100% juice will last longer and be better for your body in general.

You should be wary of drinking grape juice if you have a specific disorder that is causing your fatigue. People with fibromyalgia, polymyalgia rheumatica, and chronic fatigue syndrome are actually cautioned against drinking grape juice because it contains too much sugar and can actually worsen fatigue.

The most obvious way grape juice helps fatigue is by adding iron to your diet. Iron deficiency is common, especially in women. It can cause severe fatigue and leave you feeling completely burnt out. Don’t drink dark grape juices if you are anemic, low on iron - that’s me btw totally anemic, can’t even donate my blood to a good cause because no one wants it -lol-. Dark grape juices contain chemicals that can actually lower the level of iron in your system, worsening the problem. Stick to white or light grape juice for the best iron boost. If your feeling extra tired after a workout, you probably need to replenish iron lost from sweating. Drinking grape juice will not only give you more energy, but also help with muscle fatigue as well.

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Are you using progesterone creams to help battle your menopause symptoms?

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Technorati Tags: fatigue, tired, juice, 100% juice, grape juice, grape, grapes

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And I mean that in a good way! Pictured at left is “heavenly bloom” from Full Bloom Tea. It’s just one of many cool tea blooms you can order from them. When you receive your tea bloom you place it in the bottom of a clear glass mug or teapot, clear is so you can see the pretty bloom. Pour your boiling hot water over the bloom and watch it open into a beautiful tea bloom in just a few minutes. Yes, you actually drink this tea, it’s not just for show! And each bloom can be steeped two or three times, so you’ll get plenty of enjoyment from it. Can be served iced or hot. Or you can use this interesting recipe I came across on the website!

Strong Man’s Iced Tea

* 1 cup iced blooming tea
* 2 ounces vodka
* Simple sugar
* Ice

In a large glass cup, mix vodka and iced tea over ice with a little simple syrup. Leave bloom in bottom of cup for your enjoyment.

Full Bloom Tea has plenty of gift options to spoil yourself or a friend with these great teas. You can send a bouquet of tea blooms as a pick me up for a friend, or you can subscribe yourself to the tea bloom club for an entire year of blooming tea! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a prettier cup of tea. Have your camera ready to take a picture to share.

technorati tags: Tea, Bloom, unique, tea gifts, bloom, floral, bouquets, tea, wedding favors, teaware, full bloom, antioxidants

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