Appetite Curbing Snack

 Mix cut up grapefruit, oranges and a banana - 

for a delish nutritious filling snack!

Beware of the scams and quick fixes!!

The ONLY way to  be healthy and fit 

is to Eat healthy and keeping moving - 

on todays menu for lunch we had

Pesto Stir Fry; 

Shredded Broccoli cabbage blend,

Peppers, Onions, Asparagus, garlic and pepper

Mix in homemade pesto - 

a touch of feta till it melts and serve

(good cold too)

Cooking and eating healthy is 

SIMPLE

a little imagination and whole foods - 

Ohhhhh Look what I found today

Make your own vitamin water. Add fruits instead of sugar for a natural sweetener for your H20. Cut the fruit into paper-thin slices or small chunks. Combine ingredients with water. Refrigerate 4-6 hours and serve over ice. So delicious and very refreshing!

 

Found it here;

http://www.facebook.com/homesteading

or

http://homesteadingsurvivalism.myshopify.com/

Cucumbers!!

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5 Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6.. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe,  

its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber will react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but it won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!

Asparagus -- Who knew?

This is a forward that I found interesting - it is not about my mom - Deb Benefits of Asparagus My Mom had been taking the full-stalk canned style asparagus, pureed it and took 4 tablespoons in the morning and 4 tablespoons later in the day. She did this for over a month. She is on chemo pills for Stage 3 lung cancer in the pleural area and her cancer cell count went from 386 down to 125 as of this past week. Her oncologist said she will not need to see him for 3 months. THE ARTICLE: Several years ago I met a man seeking asparagus for a friend who had cancer. He gave me a copy of an article,  entitled "Asparagus For Cancer" printed in the Cancer News Journal, December 1979.  I will share it here, just as it was shared with me: I am a  biochemist, and have specialized in the relation of diet  to health or over 50 years. Several years ago, I learned  of the discovery of Dr. Richard R. Vensal, that  asparagus might cure cancer. Since then, I have worked  with him on his project.  We have accumulated a number  of favorable case histories.  Here are a few examples: Case No. 1, A man with an almost hopeless case  of Hodgkin's disease (cancer of the lymph glands) who  was completely incapacitated. Within 1 year of starting  the asparagus therapy, his doctors were unable to  detect any signs of cancer, and he was back on a  schedule of strenuous exercise.   Case No. 2, A successful businessman, 68 years old,  suffered from cancer of the bladder for 16 years.  After years of medical treatments, including radiation  without improvement, he began taking asparagus. Within 3  months, examinations revealed that his bladder tumor  had disappeared and that his kidneys were normal. Case No. 3, On March 5th 1971, a man who had lung  cancer was put on the operating table where they found lung cancer so widely spread that it was inoperable. The surgeon sewed him up and declared his case  hopeless. On April 5th he heard about the Asparagus  therapy and immediately started taking it.  By August,  x-ray pictures revealed that all signs of the cancer had  disappeared.  He is now back at his regular business  routine. Case No. 4, A woman had been troubled for a number of years with skin cancer. She developed different skin cancers  which were diagnosed by the acting specialist as advanced.  Within 3 months after beginning asparagus therapy, the skin specialist said her skin looked fine with no more skin lesions. This woman reported that the asparagus therapy also cured her kidney disease, which had started in 1949. She had over 10 operations for kidney stones, and was receiving government disability payments for an inoperable, terminal, kidney condition.  She attributes the cure of this kidney trouble entirely to the asparagus treatment. I was not surprised at this result as `The elements of materia medica', edited in1854 by a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania , stated that asparagus was used as a popular remedy for kidney stones. He even referred to experiments, in 1739, on the power of asparagus in dissolving stones. Note the dates! We would have other case histories but the medical establishment has interfered with our obtaining some  of the records. I am therefore appealing to readers to spread this good news and help us to gather a large number of case histories that will overwhelm the medical skeptics about this unbelievably simple and  natural remedy. For the treatment, asparagus should be cooked  before using.  Fresh or canned asparagus can be  used. I have corresponded with the two leading caners of asparagus, Giant and Stokely, and I am satisfied that these brands contain no pesticides or preservatives.  Place the cooked asparagus in a blender and liquefy to make a puree.  Store in the refrigerator. Give the patient 4 full tablespoons twice daily, morning and evening. Patients usually show some improvement in 2-4 weeks. It can be diluted with water and used as a cold or hot drink. This suggested dosage is based on present experience, but certainly larger amounts can do no harm and may be needed in some cases. As a biochemist I am convinced of the old saying that `what  cures can prevent.' Based on this theory, my wife and I  have been using asparagus puree as a beverage with  our meals. We take 2 tablespoons diluted in water to  suit our taste with breakfast and with dinner. I take  mine hot and my wife prefers hers cold. For years we  have made it a practice to have blood surveys taken as  part of our regular checkups. The last blood survey,  taken by a medical doctor who specializes in the  nutritional approach to health, showed substantial  improvements in all categories over the last one, and  we can attribute these improvements to nothing but  the asparagus drink. As a biochemist, I have made an extensive study of all aspects of cancer, and all of the proposed cures. As a result, I am convinced that asparagus fits in better with the latest theories about cancer. Asparagus contains a good supply of protein called histones, which are believed to be active in controlling cell growth. For that reason, I believe asparagus can be said to contain a substance that I call cell growth normalizer. That accounts for its action on cancer and in acting as a general body tonic. In any event, regardless of theory, asparagus used as we suggest, is  a harmless substance. The FDA cannot prevent you  from using it and it may do you much good. It has  been reported by the US National Cancer Institute, that asparagus is the highest tested food containing glutathione, which is considered one of the body's  most potent anticarcinogens and antioxidants. Just a side note... In case you are wondering why this has not been made public, there is no profit in curing cancer!

Todays lunch... Healthy and oh so YUMMY...

YES those words 

can be in the same sentence!!

Inspired by my friend Cheryl - THANK YOU

Summer  Noodle Salad -
2 cups of shredded chicken or Tuna

with 

1 cup Chobani yogurt - Plain

1/4 cup of Brianna's Blush Salad Dressing

1/2 cup of diced onion preferably Valdalia

1 cup dried cherries

1 cup dried blueberries 

2 crispy sweet apples your choice

a bit of garlic pepper, basil...

Mix with noodles of your choice

ENJOY  - this wonderful summer cooler

with a glass ofFresh Organic Iced Green Tea

Tidbits

HYDRATION, HYDRATION, HYDRATION!!!

Water, Water, Water....

to keep HEADACHES at bay (no pun intended)
add some lemons or limes if plain water is well
too plain ;-)

Keep Hydrated to Reduce Joint Pain and Headaches

Written by ShirleyWardTuesday, 22 February 2011 03:19

Dehydration can lead to headaches and other joint aches and pains including back ache. Tiredness and other digestive problems can also be a result of not drinking enough or too much of the wrong drinks.

“As we’re made up of 70% water if levels reduce the body simply can’t function properly.  We lose on average 1.5 litres daily, just through normal functioning so topping up daily is crucial to ensure good health.” says Shirley Ward, Sundial’s Nutritionist.

Feeling thirsty is actually one of the last signs you’re dehydrated; let’s look at how the body reacts if you’re not a regular water drinker.

When water levels reduce the body reacts by trying to conserve as much water as possible, in case this situation continues.  Blood vessels tighten and contract, to try to cope with reduced fluid content and blood becomes thicker and more concentrated.  The heart therefore has to work harder to pump blood through.

Headaches & Dehydration

The body has no reserve supply of water, so when levels reduce it prioritises distribution to the most important areas, i.e. the brain, leaving other areas to struggle without adequate hydration.

The brain is heavily water-dependant (containing 85%), so when levels drop it simply can’t function properly.   Studies show that even a 2% water loss can cause a 20% drop in mental and physical energy!

When blood vessels contract in the brain, to cope with reduced fluid content, this leads to a reduced supply of blood and oxygen; hence the link between dehydration and headaches.

Joint Pain/Inflammation & Dehydration

Joints are made up of 55% water; if levels reduce they become weaker and less lubricated.  If this situation continues dehydration can be a key contributing factor to joint pain and inflammation.  Where inflammation occurs adequate water levels are needed to remove inflammatory debris.

So How Can I Help Myself?

Ensuring adequate daily water intake is such an easy way to improve health and help address issues such as headaches and joint pain and inflammation.

Increasing daily water intake is a great start; aim to gradually increase to 1.5 to 2 litres daily.

If you’re not a major water fan, fruit or herbal teas count towards your daily amount (there’s such a wide selection available to try in supermarkets), plus chicory/rye coffee alternative drinks (available from health-food stores).

Coffee and tea have mild diuretic properties, so can actually contribute to water loss, so reducing intake is a good idea.

Choosing foods high in water-content such as “crunchy” lettuce, cucumber, radishes and peppers and “juicy” fruits such as melons and peaches can also help towards hydration.

Water = good health: keep drinking!!

Visit www.downtoearthnutrition.co.uk to find out how nutritional therapy can help you achieve your health goals.

The above is provided as general nutritional advice.

Powders, Shakes and Things...

Today for lunch we had
A wonderful SIMPLE
 Egg White Fritatta
With Kale, Tomatoes, Aparagas
Pesto and Feta -
Lite healthy and
DELISHOUS!!!

EATING HEALTHY is SIMPLE

and SIMPLE is BETTER!!!

We live in a time of quick fixes...

that means even when it comes to our health

people will make dangerous sacrifices 

to lose weight - 

to fill todays 

WARPED image of what healthy looks like!!

While all those EXPENSIVE

powders, shakes, bars, etc 

will get you results 

FAST

you cannot stay on them forever

1- They are just not healthy

2- you are going to get sick of them

3 - they are costly both moneywise and healthwise

SO 

WHY NOT do things the old fashioned way - 

Learn to eat differently

adding in more 

REAL foods

Veggies, Fruit and Grass Fed Meats

avoid white things, fried things  - 

Drink in MODERATION

Red Wine  or DARK beer

are your best options.

But most of all ...

get up and get moving 

if you can't run... 

walk...

if you can't run 

bike... 

JUST MOVE

moving means you are getting healthy so 

MOVE

I personally know how hard it is to

KEEP MOVING - 

there are days when my body and joints ache so bad 

(from Osteoarthritis and Fibromyalgia)

that all I want to do is lay in bed with the heating pad on and

have someone wait on me - 

but I don't because I know if I get up and 

GET MOVING

and guess what

I feel BETTER

and when you make these changes

you too...

You will feel better

You will look better

You will lower your blood pressure

You can often times eliminate prescriptions

You can have dinner dates with your family and friends 

and EAT REAL FOOD

most restaurants in todays world are more than willing 

to accomodate your healthier lifestyle - just ASK

AGAIN 

REMEMBER there are 

NO 

QUICK FIXES!!!

ONLY YOU 

can make the changes

ONLY YOU 

can stick to these changes

ONLY YOU

can control

if you move

and what you eat!!

Remember this blog is just 

"FOR THE HEALTH of IT" 

These findings are based on 

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE -