"Floride" Spill Burns Hole in Concrete

A Chemical spill at a water treatment plant in Rock City, caused the whole plant to be evacuated and  teams in Hazmat suits  to be deployed to clean up the spill.  Before the spill could be contained it burned a hole in the concrete driveway. The chemical, Hydrofluorosilicic acid is used to add fluoride to the plants water.  It is highly corrosive.  Yikes!!


Click here for the full story: 




"Floride"  (Hydorfluorosilicic)Spill at Water Plant Burns Hole in Concrete


Maybe we shouldn't be adding this chemical to our water. You think?

Energy Green Smoothie

Smoothie of the Day

Fill the container loosely with fresh spinach

Add:

2 peeled carrots, organic

2 handfuls red grapes

1 kiwi, peeled

¼ cup almonds, raw

¼ cup sunflower seeds, raw

¼ cup pumpkin seeds, raw
1/4 cup cashews, raw

1 can coconut milk

Add:water or cooled Green tea, to fill to 3 cup mark 

Blend start on low, turn to high for 15 seconds - to liquefy into a emerald green soup (I call it green sludge)

See picture:

Add:

1 cup bananas, frozen

2 cups berry blend, frozen

Blend on high and it turns purple. 

I pour out drinks for the adults then take the remaining smoothie  and add more berries and a squirt of Agave for the kid.

I blend it for about 20 seconds on high.

It looks like this…tastes like kiwi.

Energy Boosting

Body Repairing

Healthy Goodness!

Note: you may blend it more - I blend less because I like to chew the blackberry seeds.  You may blend these away.

Also, If you have plain yogurt or kefier, stir it in after blending.  Blending kills the probiotics.

What Is In The Water We Drink?

Now that is disturbing....This is  a small sampling of the crispy brown crud that is left behind after a gallon of Nashville city water has run through my water distiller.  It feels like brittle dried paint.  I am curious if it was analyzed what the chemical content would be?

Sustainable Agriculture - The Root Source of Our Health Problems and Solutions: CLICK LINK BELOW TO SEE INTERVIEW with FARMER BRAD - VERY INTERESTING!!

http://www.naturalnews.tv/v.asp?v=E5E67E052067D69F408212B68E37DE72

America is undeniably having a health/obesity crisis.  Don't believe me?  Just go to Wal-mart and people watch.  So many of our modern prolific diseases have its roots in the last generation's chemical stripping of the soil and new "factory farming" methods that focus on profit rather than the quality of the product. 


Simply, if our bodies aren't getting the nutrients they need for fuel and repair, they bog down and become disease prone.  It all starts with the quality of the fuel.


This is a fascinating, interview with a farmer practicing sustainable agriculture -a true American Hero.  Farmer Brad simple explains why we need a farming revolution in order to facilitate a healthy nation .  It all starts back at the farm - not the factory. 

THE GREEN SMOOTHIE HEALTH CHALLENGE

• 

The Green Smoothie Health Challenge



The challenge is to drink a green smoothie each day for one month. It will boost your energy and immune system. It helps level blood sugar, lowers cholesterol, curbs the craving for sugar as well as helps you reach your daily fruit and vegetable requirements in one drink.


The Green Smoothie is really purple. We call it “green” because we try to sneak in as many vitamin packed greens as possible before we sweeten it up with antioxidant berries. This drink is high in fiber and low in calories. Fiber is so very good for us because binds with excess cholesterol (fats) and toxins and helps sweep them out of the body.


The best blender to make your green smoothie in is a Vitamix or Blend-tech, an expensive purchase, but worth every penny of the investment. If you don’t have one then try your food processor or use whatever blender you have available.


Mix your green veggies and liquids first to make a “green sludge” out of them. Make sure no one watches this step until they are hooked. Blend well, if your kid ever bites into a chunk of spinach – well, your busted! It is important to have nothing green visible and for it to taste like fruit especially when you are trying to getting your kids or Hubbie to drink it without drama. Empty glasses and Ahhhs are good, euuuew and eu-yuuuks – leaving you to drink an entire batch - not good.

Purple Passion
Blend into green sludge:


• 2-2 ½ cups water, filtered (or 1 cup coconut milk and 1 cup water)
• 2 large handfuls spinach
• 2 Carrots – organic, peeled
• ¼ Cup Raw Almonds

Add and blend:


• 1 Teaspoon Flax Seed Oil
• 1 Banana, frozen
• 2 Cups Mixed Berries, frozen (or blueberries, frozen)
• 1 Teaspoon Agave or 2-4 frozen dates for sweetness (I don’t care for the after-taste of stevia)


Stir in:


• ½ cup Yogurt or Kefir (don’t blend because blending kills the probiotics)


I pour into glasses for whoever is having one and pour the rest into a mason jar with a plastic screw top lid for later. Sometimes I add vitamin-C crystals to preserve the nutrients if I have to take it to work.


I buy from Costco:

• Big bag of spinach
• Bananas (freeze them)
• Mixed berries (frozen)
• Organic Carrots (baby peeled for convenience)

I buy from Trader Joe’s:

• Raw Almonds
• Raw Cashews
• Raw Pumpkin Seeds
• Raw Sunflower Seeds
• Coconut milk
• Vitamin C crystals

I use distilled water I make with a machine or “Zero Water” from the “Zero Pitcher”. I make my own Kefir with raw milk when I can get it.


Things I have added:


• 2 Kale leaves instead of Spinach
• 1 Apple cored, peel on
• Green Grapes
• Red Grapes
• 2-4 Kiwi (more potassium than a banana, 3 times the vitamin C of an orange)


What I have noticed since I started our daily smoothies:


• Increased Energy
• Haven’t gotten sick during flu season –although I cared for others who had it – and when that happens I usually get it too.
• Sleep better – all night – without body aches
• Wake up alert
• Don’t have “brain fog” in the morning
• Don’t have to have coffee to wake up – only if I want it
• Don’t need as much sleep
• Back doesn’t ache
• Don’t feel hungry until around 2:00 pm
• I don’t crave sweets as much and when I do eat them – they taste too sweet and I eat less

I feel so much more healthy and energetic when I start the day with the “Purple Passion” and I am sure you will too.

GMO Food

GMO Food

I look for the “contains no GMOs label” especially on corn chips.  One of my favorite grocer stores, Trader Joe’s will not carry products that are GMOs.

You can pretty much assume that all corn, soy bean, cotton, and canola (rape seed as it is known in Europe) are GMO products.  Monsanto is now working on GMO alfalfa, wheat and sugar beets.  Forty plants like tomatoes and cantaloupes, according the FDA, have already completed Federal requirements to enter the market place.

Because the US subsidizes corn and soybeans production they are consequently very inexpensive to use in human and animal food manufacturing.  Who would guess that corn would be in your Twinkie?  Some variation of corn and soy are in virtually all baked goods, processed food and even in our medications/vitamins, in forms of corn syrup, oil, corn starch, fillers etc.

The powerful Monsanto lobbying arm was able to bypass all government requirements for honest consumer labeling of GMO products.  A top Monsanto executive was quoted as saying “If GMO products had to be labeled, no one would buy them” and Europe agrees.   Europe insists that GMO foods be labeled and has banned  most GMO foods sighting overwhelming evidence from numerous independent studies that GMO foods are detrimental to our health.  Monsanto’s studies assert the risks are minimal.

Organic "Kettle Corn"

Whirley pop Method

1/4  Cup Extra Virgin Coconut oil

1/3 Cup Popping corn (Non-GMO)

1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Coconut oil

1 Tablespoon Agave

On stove top gently melt 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Coconut oil and 1 Tablespoon Agave.

Put corn and oil in popper.  Fasten the lid securely.  Begin stirring, using high heat.  Popping with begin in about 1 ½ minutes.  Continue stirring until popping almost stops.

Air Pop Method

¼ to ½ organic pop corn (non- GMO)

1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Coconut oil

1 Table spoon Agave

In a sauce pan warm 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Coconut oil and

1 Table spoon Agave.

Pop popcorn.  When the coconut oil is melted stir in agave and spoon over hot popcorn.

I love the old fashioned movie theater taste that you get using the Whirley Pop and  Extra Virgin Coconut oil.  It is quite easy to eat the whole bowl in one sitting.

Natural Cough Syrup

Natureal Cough Syrup
and
Immune Booster

Wow! This is some pungent smelling stuff. The funny thing is that it doesn't taste like it smells. It is a very sweet tasting and delicious syrup.  Last night we even enjoyed it as a salad dressing - yum!

How to make:

Get a clean glass jar with a lid

• Chopped Fresh Ginger
• Chopped Red (or any type) Onion

• Whole peeled Garlic Cloves  (Elephant Garlic is milder.  I use regular)

• Organic Dehydrated Cane Juice (sugar)


Make a parfait by layering the Onion, Ginger, and Garlic then add about 1-2 inches of sugar. Repeat

I am told this concoction will last 6-12 months un-refrigerated. At the end of that time you can compost it and make a new batch next flu season.

The recipe is from Amanda McQuade Crawford - Herbalist.  I am sorry that I was not able to ebed this wonderful video but you may view it at the address below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q2Um560fTI

Honey - the "Come-Back Kid" - Honey as Medicine - Honey as Food

The Honey Bee and her products have amazing health benefits.  Honey's antibacterial properties were known and used by ancient civilizations such as the Chinese, Egyptians, and the Greeks.  Apitheropy, the medical use of honeybees and their products, was practiced regularly until World War II.  With the discovery of modern antibiotics honey was taken out of the medicine cabinet and relegated to the the kitchen pantry.  Today however, honey has made a medical come back and is in the gleaming high-tech spotlight.  It has even been awarded  the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's seal of approval!  You can't get more respectable than that!


Medical supply labs are actually packaging honey soaked bandages for wound and burn application. For details see:  MSNBC Report 

Now that viruses have adapted to many of our twentieth century antibiotics  science is looking back to some of the old tried and true remedies that have enjoyed historical success.   Recent research has shown that components of honey even diluted 50 times kills the newly antibiotic resistant  "Golden Staph (staphylococcus aureus) bacteria".   


Some astounding healing properties of honey when consumed or applied topically are : 

• Effective antibacterial-producing hydrogen peroxide on wounds
• Anti-inflammatory
• Speeds healing by promoting new tissue growth
• Minimizes scaring and keloid formation
• Moisturizes
• Draws lymph and dirt out of a wound
• Replenishes energy
• Enhances stamina
• Aids in absorption of nutrients
• Improves the immune system
• Promotes sleep
• Coats and sooths sore throats

Apitherapy - is the term for the medical use of product made by honeybees which includes bee venom, honey, propolis ,royal jelly, bee's wax etc.  It includes treating infectious wounds, replenishing energy, chronic pain relief, tissue rejuvenation, and alleviating symptoms of major diseases among other things.


Honey was the base or was included as an ingredient in many natural remedies. Have you heard of the old time cure for sore throats, colds and the flu -  the "Hottie-Tottie"?  It is fresh squeezed lemon juice, mixed with a teaspoon of honey and a shot of whiskey.  Stir it up, drink it down, then straight to bed under a quilt with socks on and a warm hot water bottle.  Owwee!  Sounds like natural Ny-quil.


I have heard some people say they have tried honey cures and they didn't work.  Yep, that is right - honey cures don't work now-a-days.  The reason is that most honey that you buy in the grocery store is cooked, processed and imported from overseas - mostly Chile.  High temperature along with UV light and microwaves kill the enzyme activity in honey.  Light and heat particularly effect the Glucose Oxidase (GOX) enzyme as well as honey's Gluconic Acid  which produce the antibacterial properties of honey.  


So when you try to do it Grandma's tried and true way - do it her way - with real unpasteurized, raw local honey.


Now you can throw out that Neosporine and Nyquil and eat or smear on that raw organic local honey instead.  Now if these go out of date in your medicine cabinet you don't have to waste money and throw them out.  Just eat them instead.  Right honey?

The Flu - What Cures Me?!

Ever since my immune system was compromised by an incompetent Florida dentist nine years ago I have annually contracted a serious bout of influenza between the end of Christmas and the fist couple of weeks of January. Not a good way to start the New Year to say the least.  It always develops into bronchitis and takes weeks to get over and down time in bed.  I now avoid antibiotics (which made no difference  when I did take them - other than bad side effects) and I believe the flu shot does more harm than good beside the fact that the chemists guess as to what type of hundreds of strains of influenza to target.


Last year I tried a cough syrup/immune builder called Sambuca it is a syrup made of elderberry, vitamin C, Zinc and other good stuff.  It was pretty good.  I could tell a difference and it seemed to shorten the time I had the flu.  It cost around $17.00 for a small bottle.


This year I hit the mother-load simply, natural, stinky, garlic cloves! I was in bed feeling terrible - head pounding, coughing, congested, fever, sore throat - the whole deal - when my dear husband suggested I take a clove of garlic.  To appease him (he brought it to me on a plate) and feeling so bad that at least it couldn't hurt, I took it.  I actually cut it in half and only took half of it.  Within hours I unexpectedly felt better.  I began to take one half to one clove with every meal.  The next day I was 50% better.  I got up, did some light exercise (because my back was hurting from being in bed for so long) and took a shower.  The next day my symptoms were reduced to a mild cold - then gone.  Wow!  Nothing has ever worked so dramatically in the midst of the full blown flu before!  I may not smell great but I feel great and the vampires are leaving me alone.

Treating Hypothyroid Naturally

This video is a little bit technical - but very very important to watch if you have or think you may have thyroid problems.

Chapped Lips?

If you lips are chapped, you may be dehydrated.  Remember, drink 2- 8oz. glasses of water as soon as  you wake up or especially after your morning coffee.  It is even better with a squeeze of lemon to help detox the body from the day before.  Then remember to keep drinking through out the day.  Yes, it is a nuisance at first until your body adjusts, but remember, it is good for proper body function, detoxification and helps decrease appetite.  Drink up!

Southern Fried Goodness!

Do you want to eat healthy but still have that craving every now and then for that "Southern Fried Goodness"?  Here is a healthier version of Mom's Southern Fried Chicken...

Fried Chicken - (a Healthier Version)- that will make you want to shout the Rebel yell - even if your a Yankee! 

Yee-haw!

 

Ingredients

·        1 broiler/fryer organic chicken, cut into 8 pieces (you may even use skin-off breast pieces)

·        2 cups plain Kefir or low fat buttermilk (I make my own Kefir)

·        2 tablespoons kosher salt

·        2 tablespoons Hungarian paprika

·        2 teaspoons garlic powder

·        1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

·        Flour, for dredging (whole wheat pastry)

·        Coconut oil, for frying

·        Directions

Place chicken pieces into a glass container and cover with kefir or buttermilk. Cover and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours - or whatever time you have.  This tenderizes the chicken and adds flavor too.

Melt enough coconut oil over medium-low heat (I use expeller pressed/organic that has a neutral flavor instead of cold pressed extra virgin which has a coconut flavor) so that it comes just 1/8-inch up the side of a 12-inch cast iron skillet or heavy fry pan. Once oil liquefies raise heat to 325 degrees F. Do not allow oil to go over 325 degrees F.

Drain chicken in a colander. Combine salt, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Liberally season chicken with this mixture. it should look red.  Dredge chicken in flour and shake off excess.

Place chicken skin side down into the pan. Put thighs in the center, and breast and legs around the edge of the pan. The oil should come half way up the pan. Cook chicken until golden brown on each side, approximately 10 to 12 minutes per side.  The internal temperature should be 180 degrees. 

Drain chicken on a rack over a sheet pan.

Food Inc. Documentary - A Must See

Hey, did you see Food Inc. on the Oscars last night?  Maybe you didn't notice it in the Independent Documentary category - but it is a must see.   

This isn't a gross-out movie to scare you into eating healthier or buying someone's product.  It is an eye opening educational film about how our food is grown and processed.  We think we eat food that comes from a farm when in fact we eat "factory food".  When you see the manufacturing process one can easily come to an obvious conclusion about why we have so much disease in our culture. 

For instance, most corn and soy beans grown in America (except organic) are a Monsanto product. Food Inc. shows how Monsanto gained the monopoly on seeds and petro-chemicals that farmers must use to produce their crops..And as monopolies word, the farmers have little choice but to purchase from them - or be shut out of business.  Sadly, many family farms have been swallowed up by the industry giants. 

Monsanto developed and owns "Round Up" weed killer.  Monsanto labs have also genetically altered corn and soy bean seeds to survive being sprayed with Round-up. So, when the farmers plant these genetically modified seeds and when the weeds begin to grow Round-up is sprayed on the entire field. It kills everything it touches except the genetically altered plant. 

Monsanto's research says genetically modified corn has no adverse side effects on those who consume it.  Independent studies say otherwise. Serious illnesses and cancer are linked to consumption of genetically modified crops; So much so, that Europe has banned genetically modified foods from being brought into the country.  Monsanto also spearheaded and lobbied to prevent consumer labeling of genetically modified foods.  Sounds like an evil conspiracy doesn't it?  You decide. 

 

PS - If you would like to purchase a copy e-mail me at :

rondaholmberg@comcast.net

I think it is so important we sell it!

I am on a Diet. Are you?

I am on a Diet.  Are you?

Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipe

If you think of mushroom soup as that gelatinous can-shaped grey stuff that glops out of a can (not to mention loaded with MSG) - this recipe is NOT that stuff!  

This recipe is well worth the home-made effort!

Cream of Mushroom Soup Recipe

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Ingredients

·        1 pound regular white mushrooms, cleaned, quartered or sliced

·        1 Tbsp lemon juice

·        1 Tbsp unsalted butter

·        2 Tbsp minced shallots (or ½ diced onion plus 1 Tbsp Garlic)

·        1 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme

·        1/2 bay leaf

·        1 teaspoon salt

·        1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

·        2 cups heavy cream (or buttermilk, or yogurt)

·        1 1/2 cups chicken stock - organic

·        1 teaspoon Non-GMO cornstarch dissolved in 1 Tbsp water (or flour)

·        Minced parsley for garnish

Method

1 Coarsely chop mushrooms and lemon juice.

2 Melt butter in (4-5 quart) sauce pan and lightly sauté shallots on medium heat. Add mushrooms, thyme and bay leaf, sauté over moderate heat for 5-10 minutes, or until the liquid that is released from the mushrooms disappears.

3 Add salt, pepper, cream and chicken stock and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

4 Add cornstarch slurry and simmer, stirring until thickened. Correct seasoning and add more lemon juice to taste.

Serves 4. Serve sprinkled with a little parsley.

Hey Fat-Head, Take your Fish Oil!

Hey Fat-Head, Take your Fish Oil!

Yes, I said fat-head!  Our brains are composed of about two-thirds fat. The fatty acids processed by our bodies from the fats in the food that we eat are what our brains use to help us think and feel.  Therefore, our diets affect the brain chemicals that influence our mood and behavior and our thought processes and emotional reactions that ultimately create how we feel and the way we are inclined to behave.

What are Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s)?  They are building material that our brains need.  “Essential” means that your body needs them for proper function and health, however, your body can not manufacture them.  You must get them from the food you eat.

Which Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) do we need to maintain the brain?

A steady diet of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids is crucial to a well-functioning brain. The good news is that your local supermarket has what you need to maintain your brain’s supply of fatty acids.

Good dietary sources of Omega-3 fatty acids are high-fat, cold water fish like salmon, sardines, mackerel, and trout.

The Solution:  Change bad fats to good fats in your diet. A steady diet of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids is crucial to a well-functioning brain as well as stable moods. The good news is that your local supermarket has what you need to maintain your brain’s supply of fatty acids.

Good dietary sources of Omega-3 fatty acids are high-fat, cold water fish like wild caught salmon, (beware of farm-raised and color injected) sardines, mackerel, and trout. That’s why fish are called “brain food”.

To boost your supply of Omega-6 fatty acids, look for foods and supplements that include evening primrose, borage, and black currant seed oils. Of course meat, eggs, and dairy are also good in moderation.

My all time favorite oil supplement is Carlson’s Norwegian Cod Liver Oil.  Carlson’s Fish Oil is rated among the best fish oils. It is cold processed from the cold, unpolluted waters of Norway and imported to Carlson’s Lab.  We use the lemon flavored oil and pour it into our morning smoothies.

What it does:

·        Omega3 oils promote the optimal function of:

·        Cardiovascular health*

·        Brain and Nerve Function (helps alleviate depression)

·        Healthy Vision *

·        Immune system Health*

·        Healthy Joints and Movement*

·        Radiant and Healthy skin*

Personal Testimony:  We have seen dramatic results in our family in eliminating spring time allergies.  One table spoon gives us about 12 hours relief from sneezing, itching, and that underwater feeling.

I coach high school sports and elementary PE.  I stand, run and jump (mostly standing) for hours.  Taking Carlson’s alleviates joint pain.

My Grandmother used to give my mom Cod liver oil her when she was a child for her asthma.  Now in her 70's Mom has started taking it again.  Mother knows best.

*statements not approved by the Food and Drug Administration 

More about the Neti Pot - A Gross Story – but Educational:

A Gross Story – but Educational:

  When I was about 11years old my parents were youth leader.  One Saturday they took a group of high school kids to the beach for a day of swimming and play on the Gulf Coast. 

When we were in the 12 passenger van getting ready to go back home one of they guys who had been surfing reached forward from the seat behind me to change the radio station.  When he did, to both of our surprise it was like someone poured a large warm bowl of salt water down my back and in my lap.  The surfer’s sinuses where full of ocean water from surfing all day and when he leaned forward, out it poured. The surfer was embarrassed and apologized profusely.

Looking back it was amazing how much water our sinuses can hold.  I remember my mom telling me, as well as reading, that doctors would often prescribe swimming in the ocean (salt, sun, fresh air, as well as a "de-stresser") for people with asthma, sinus problems, for the healing of skin ailments or for deep wounds, and also for burn victims.  

Now that I think about it my surfer friends they were  rarely sick or caught colds, even in the winter while surfing in near freezing temperatures.  They were always smiling with a far away look in their eyes. – But never sick.

Don’t Blow it! You will just get an Ear Infection

Ear Aches are common among little kids because of the shape of their faces.  When a child is young their eustatation tubes are fairly parallel.  When little kids are told to blow their nose – that is pretty much blowing infection into their ears. As they get older their face gets longer and the tubes angle down so they suffer with less ear aches.   Instead of blowing little noses just gently wipe.

With winter upon us and we retreat into closer quarters there is more sharing of colds and flu bugs.  One great way to alleviate sinus congestions is to use a neti Pot

When we were kids we were told to sniff warm salt water to clear a sinus infection.  Have you ever tried that?  It really stings and it feels like you are drowning too.  It was a mess, it hurt, and never did much good.  But the neti pot is different.

What is a neti pot?  A neti looks like a ceramic small tea pot with a long spout.  Yes this is gross but it works.  A solution of (1/4 tsp) pharmaceutical grade salt and pure warm water is made for the pot.  Then you bend over the sink with your forehead below your chin and pour the warm saline water through one nostril.  Wait, it takes a few seconds because your sinuses are all behind your forehead and behind your eyes but in about 8 seconds the saline water pours out your other nostril washing all the nasty and bad bugs with it.  The saline water helps fight infection, and dries out that runny nose.

My daughter’s doctor (we know doctors are usually pill perscribers) said that if folks would neti pot as soon as they were exposed to a bug then we wouldn’t catch colds or the flu.  I know it sounds weird – it did to me at first – but it really works.  

Simple Homemade Orange Cranberry Sauce

My mom and I make this every Thanksgiving.  It is very simple and delicious. 

Simple Homemade Orange Cranberry Sauce

1 bag Fresh Cranberries – wash and drain

1 Cup Agave

1 Cup Orange Juice

Put all ingredients into a medium size sauce pot on medium high heat.  Bring to a slow boil.   When most of the cranberries have popped push to back burner and cool to room temperature.  Pour into a glass serving bowl and chill or pour into a pretty jar for a gift.  Keep refrigerated.

Decorate with orange zest.