Good morning friends and family! Sorry that this blog is one day late. We had company from out of town last night and, well, you know how that goes. LOTS of chatting and catching up to do!
This weeks topic is celery tea & soda. Yes, thats right, celery tea, made from celery seed. We have to give credit to Alton Browns show "Good Eats" where he talks about celery soda and the benefits from drinking it. Well, being celery lovers that we are we decided to give his recipe a try...and to do some of our own research into this delicious and healthy drink.
Please remember that anytime you are consuming herbs you should always check with your doctor how it could interact with any medications that you are taking. We will discuss the benefits and warnings of consuming celery tea.
BENEFITS:
Celery tea has shown to help lower blood pressure, cholesterol, reduce arthritis paid, and inflammation due to gout. It has been used for thousands of years in India to treat liver disease, flu, colds, edema, and help with digestive prooblems.
** When I was pregnant I ate celery stalks when I had heart burn, followed by drinking fresh squeezed lemons in water...and it WORKED!!
Back to celery tea.... drinking tea has also been acredited to being a laxative & sedative. Celery seed also contains a substance called lutein, which may help prevent cancer and tumor growth. It may also help with muscle spasms & nervousness. It is a source of fiber, flavenoids, linoleic acid (which is an omega 6 essential polyunsaturated fatty acid. When we are deficient of linoleic acid we can experience hair loss, dry hair, and poor wound healing). But just like anything else if you have too much of linoleic acid, there can be negative side effects. For more information about linoleic acid go to http://www.linoleicacid.net/
WARNINGS:
Celery seed contains bergapten, which can cause your skin to become more sensative to sunlite and ultraviolet rays. It can aslo increase kidney inflammation, as well as cause uterine contractions & bleeding in ppregnant women! It can increase the levels of lithium in your body.
********If you are taking blood thinners such as Coumadin because celery seed contains coumarin (which is another blood thinner), consult your physician before starting a celery tea/soda regiment.
DOSAGE:
There are two celery recipes we are going to share today
1) CELERY TEA: 1 tsp celery seed (grind just before using it, fresh ground is always better), 1 cup boiling water.
Boil the water, turn the heat off add the tsp of ground celery seed, let steep for 15 minutes. Strain out the seed. You can enjoy up to 3 cups of celery tea daily.
******University of Maryland Medical Center advises not to consume more than 3 cups of celery seed per day, or 1 TBSP of ground celery seed.
2) CELERY SODA: Grind 2 TBSP of celery seed, set aside.
In a sauce pan combind 1 cup of honey, if you are allergic to honey you can use 2 cups table sugar, (Honey is the healthier option)!!! AND 1 cup water. Bring to a simmer and reduce to a simple syrup consistancy. Turn off the heat.
Pour the 2 TBSP of ground celery seed to the syrup, DO NOT MIX IN!!! Just sprinkle it on top. Cover with a tight lid and let steep for 1 hour.
After steeping, pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or sieve into a heat save GLASS jar...throw away the celery seed remains.
Let cool completely. The syrup can remain in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 6 months.
Pour 2 TBSP of the celery syrup into a glass, add 8 OZ of club soda or selzer water. Add ice if desired. ENJOY!
Ed and I drink 1 glass a day. We stay under the max consumption recomended, yet enjoy just enough to take in it's benefits.
PRODUCT OF THE WEEK:
Ed's Happy toes Foot Balm. Ed developed this due to his own cracked heels. This is the ultimate foot balm for dry and cracked feet! Silky smooth, no alcohol to dry out your skin. It's rich texture and ingredients absorb into your skin leaving you feeling like you just stepped out from a pedicure! Let us not forget to mention that sweet birch essential oil gives it a sweet winter green like scent that smells amazing!
Ingredients: almond oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, essential oils, and glycerine.
4oz jar $16.00, includes S&H
Once again, we thank you for spending your precious time with us.
Have an energetic day!
Ed & Amy
Friday, January 11, 2013
Monday, January 7, 2013
Todays recipe: MAYONNAISE What you will need...a food processor (if you don't have one I hightly recomend getting one!) They can run anywhere from $30.00 - $300.00, for most purposes such as making mayonnaise, a $30.00 machine will do just fine!
A glass Ball, Mason, or Kerr jar with lid and ring. Ingredients include: 2 whole raw ORGANIC eggs, 2 TBSP of champagne vinegar, 2 TBSP of lemon or lime juice (must be fresh squeezed, organic prefered), 1 tsp dry mustard powder, 1 tsp mineral salt (himalayan, or a quality salt from a co-op), 1/4 tsp sugar (organic prefered), and 2 cups oil. We use either first cold press olive oil, or our favorite, grape seed oil. Olive oil gives it a more pronounced and heavier flavor than grape seed. You will find which works best for you. If you would like to add a little spice to the mix, try adding 2oz of a chili oil or a little chipolte powder!
In the food processor add the eggs, mustard, salt, sugar, vinegar, and juice. Pulse 5 times. Then turn the food processor on and slowly add the oil, in a steady streatm. The total time should only take about 3-4 minutes. Pour into the glass jar and cover losely with lid. Let stand in room temp for 4-6 hours. Refrigerate. Mayo will last up to 2 weeks refrigerated. We find in our house it doesn't last even that long, because it tastes SOOO good! Ed and I had decided to make our own mayo when we read the ridiculous list of ingredients, most of which were preservatives that allowing the mayo to have a shelf life of 6-7 months! Which brings me to our first topic......
Todays topic is going to be about: PRESERVATIVES Not to long ago my husband was visiting a mexican restaurant, the owner there was stating how excited he was because the flour tortillas he uses have a shelf life of 6 months! We were so sickened at the thought of eating something that can stay on a shelf for 6 months, just like with the mayo. I started to do research on common preservatives and here is what I found:
A glass Ball, Mason, or Kerr jar with lid and ring. Ingredients include: 2 whole raw ORGANIC eggs, 2 TBSP of champagne vinegar, 2 TBSP of lemon or lime juice (must be fresh squeezed, organic prefered), 1 tsp dry mustard powder, 1 tsp mineral salt (himalayan, or a quality salt from a co-op), 1/4 tsp sugar (organic prefered), and 2 cups oil. We use either first cold press olive oil, or our favorite, grape seed oil. Olive oil gives it a more pronounced and heavier flavor than grape seed. You will find which works best for you. If you would like to add a little spice to the mix, try adding 2oz of a chili oil or a little chipolte powder!
In the food processor add the eggs, mustard, salt, sugar, vinegar, and juice. Pulse 5 times. Then turn the food processor on and slowly add the oil, in a steady streatm. The total time should only take about 3-4 minutes. Pour into the glass jar and cover losely with lid. Let stand in room temp for 4-6 hours. Refrigerate. Mayo will last up to 2 weeks refrigerated. We find in our house it doesn't last even that long, because it tastes SOOO good! Ed and I had decided to make our own mayo when we read the ridiculous list of ingredients, most of which were preservatives that allowing the mayo to have a shelf life of 6-7 months! Which brings me to our first topic......
Todays topic is going to be about: PRESERVATIVES Not to long ago my husband was visiting a mexican restaurant, the owner there was stating how excited he was because the flour tortillas he uses have a shelf life of 6 months! We were so sickened at the thought of eating something that can stay on a shelf for 6 months, just like with the mayo. I started to do research on common preservatives and here is what I found:
Butylated Hydroxyanisole, more commonly known as BHA, is a phenol-based food preservative that prevents food from going rancid. It is commonly added to cereals, potato chips, chewing gum and vegetable oils. The Center for Science in the Public Interest explains that BHA causes cancer in laboratory animals. As a result of these studies, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has labeled BHA as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen."
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/288335-the-most-common-food-preservatives/#ixzz2GejUuWY5
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/288335-the-most-common-food-preservatives/#ixzz2GejUuWY5
Sodium nitrite and sodium nitrate are commonly used to preserve meat products. Sodium nitrite has a number of properties that make it appealing as a meat preservative. Most notably, sodium nitrite prevents that growth of bacteria that cause botulism. Sodium nitrite also preserves the red color of many meat products and adds to the flavor of foods such as bacon and hot dogs. The University of Minnesota explains that under some circumstances, nitrites can be digested to form high carcinogenic compounds known as nitrosamines. While it is theoretically possible for nitrites to form nitrosamines, nitrites have not yet been shown to cause cancers in humans and are considered to be safe in the amounts used in cured meat products. Nonetheless, the Center for Science in the Public Interest recommends that people avoid nitrate and nitrite-containing foods until more is known about their carcinogenic potential.
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/288335-the-most-common-food-preservatives/#ixzz2Gesl5y4J
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/288335-the-most-common-food-preservatives/#ixzz2Gesl5y4J
TBHQ: One scary and toxic preservatives. First of all it is a form of Butane! And it's in our food! The FDA only allows 0.02% of the total oils in our food to be TBHQ. Now, this doesn't sound like a whole lot, and theres a reason for that. If a person (or animal) were to comsume a high dose (between 1-4 grams) of TBHQ it could cause nausea, tinnitus, delirium, and vomiting. Studies have shown the effects on children include hyperactivity, asthma, dermatitus, and rhinitis. For more information about TBHQ http://www.naturalnews.com/031318_TBHQ_food_preservatives.html
Not to mention that it is used to bleach skin!
And these are just 3 of the many that are out there. Yes, some are natural, but just because something is natural doesn't always mean it's safe. We all need to do our research to make sure what we are putting in AND on our bodies is safe. Which brings me to our first product of discussion.......................
Our product: Amy's Healing Salve
Our specialized formula is made from natural and organic ingredients with fantastic healing properties. In 2004 I (Amy) was searching for a product that didn’t have petroleum or artificial coloring to aid in the healing of tattoo’s. Unable to find anything I decided to make my own salve, using only the finest ingredients.
Our salve is great for healing scrapes, cuts, burns, tattoo’s, chapped lips, dry skin, and diaper rash. We also use it on our daughter each time after she has a poopy diaper. We have found she doesn't get a rash this way. And we use a high quality diaper that is recomended if you don't want/or can use cloth diapers. But that will be a topic for another time!
Ingredients include: *Bees wax, *coco butter, *lavender oil, olive oil, *rosemary oil, *tea tree oil, and *vitamin E.
*Indicates organic ingredients
1 oz tins are currently available for just $10.00, which includes cost of S&H. Please submit any orders to pnptradingpost@gmail.com Please allow 24 hours for us to respond to order request.
Thank you for spending your valuable time with us today! Ed & Amy
Our salve is great for healing scrapes, cuts, burns, tattoo’s, chapped lips, dry skin, and diaper rash. We also use it on our daughter each time after she has a poopy diaper. We have found she doesn't get a rash this way. And we use a high quality diaper that is recomended if you don't want/or can use cloth diapers. But that will be a topic for another time!
Ingredients include: *Bees wax, *coco butter, *lavender oil, olive oil, *rosemary oil, *tea tree oil, and *vitamin E.
*Indicates organic ingredients
1 oz tins are currently available for just $10.00, which includes cost of S&H. Please submit any orders to pnptradingpost@gmail.com Please allow 24 hours for us to respond to order request.
Thank you for spending your valuable time with us today! Ed & Amy
Thursday, July 29, 2010
We've moved
Hello, it has been a while since we have posted anything on here. We have been busy getting new product ready for sale. Our newest items are the soaps we have been creating. They are getting a very welcome response! Thank you to all who have tried them. Our website is now up! So, we have now moved our blog to the new site and will no longer be posting on this one. Please, stop by, take and look and tell us what you think. Check us out at. pineandprairietradingpost.com Thank you all.
Ed and Amy
Ed and Amy
Friday, June 18, 2010
New product line and new happenings!
Hello and welcome back. Er, I mean, we are back!
After taking a little time off of the blog to get things rolling on the home front, and making sure we are on the right track of who we are and where we want to go, we are making a triumphant return! We are building a new green house that will be ready by the weekend, and can't wait to have all of our own fresh veggies and herbs!
We have put together a product list of what we currently have to offer. I hope you like it. We will blog more on Sunday, it is just too nice of a day to be inside, but I thought I would get this out for you to review. Have a great weekend everyone!
Pine and Prairie Trading Post
Welcome to our little corner of the world!
Pine and prairie trading post was started with an idea.
Well, a dissatisfaction really. Our bodies are constantly being bombarded every day by synthetic ingredients. Man made products that our body just doesn’t know what to do with. Or, petroleum based, so called health products that actually destroy your body, not heal it. Well, we have had enough!
We decided to do something about it. We didn’t want to be constantly wondering if the products we were using caused cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, hair loss, acne, kidney stones, discolored nails, body order, organ failure, etc. There is enough to worry about without adding that to your daily to do list! You can relate I am sure.
So, we started Pine and Prairie Trading Post. The idea behind it is to learn everything we could about living and healing in a natural way. What herbs where beneficial for what part of the body, what was the best way to prepare and store them and what ones worked together to complement each other for maximum benefits to our body. To take what we had found, and create products that we can use every day and feel good about using them.
Here is a product list of what we currently have available. We are adding more each week, and modifying what we have to suit our customer’s needs. Everything we have can be customized to fit your specific needs. That is one of the nice things about working with all natural ingredients. So feel free to ask.
Amy’s healing salve
Created by Amy many years ago, this original recipe has wondrous results. From chapped lips to bed sores, you won't be disappointed with this product. A unique blend of moisturizing oils, beeswax and essential oils. Created with total body healing in mind.
Sugar body scrubs
Available in a variety of scents, you will love these. Choose from, Chocolate Mint, Orange Haze, Botanical Breeze, Wake Up Call, -or- create your own by telling us what you like. Our luxurious scrubs ex foliate & moisturize your skin, leaving you soft and glowing. Even the guys like this one.
Gentle Kiss body lotion
Crafted with all organic oils and butters, vitamins and minerals. This one is lightly scented for those who want smooth silky skin with just a hint of scent.
Facial Cleansers
We offer a line of facial cleaners that ex-foliate, and moisturize your face while leaving it healthy and radiant without the tight dry feeling you get from others. Our main ingredient is lavender. A plant that seems to have been made for the human body. We add other gifts from nature as well, depending on the season. We try to give you face what it needs when it needs it to combat the man made elements. They are full of vitamins, minerals and cell rejuvenating properties. They are all made to order, so please tell us what you like.
Roaring Mouse Bug Spray
This is a huge favorite!
This blend of all organic essential oils is a great alternative to those who, like us, refuse to use the harsh synthetic sprays on the market today. This one is dog safe as well!
Rolling River Hand Cream
This product is great for chapped and cracked hands. For those of you that like to spend time outdoors, this one is for you.
Calm winds ear drops
Just put a couple drops of this 100% organic product in your ears as often as needed. This blend of healing oils and herbs are a welcome relief to discomfort.
Tired feet rejuvenating foot soak
With a foot tingling combination of salts, sodas, oils and flowers. This will help make the perfect ending from a long day on your feet.
Happy toes foot lotion
After you dip your tootsies in a nice soak, help them stay feeling great with this lotion designed just for that reason.
We also carry a line of tinctures for overall body harmony.
We believe that healing starts from the inside. We make no claims that these products heal you in any fashion, as these products have not been evaluated by the FDA.
But we do offer this line of products for those of you know and who wish to use them.
We also have a line of soaps that we are currently testing. They will be available before the end of summer.
Gift baskets are something we do as well. Either for individuals, parties, office gifts or holiday packages. What a great way to say you appreciate them.
Contact us with any of your gift ideas and we will gladly build a custom order for you. No minimum or maximum numbers for this service.
And if you are not sure what you’re looking for, ask us for some ideas!
We value your business and will do our best to fulfill your needs.
After taking a little time off of the blog to get things rolling on the home front, and making sure we are on the right track of who we are and where we want to go, we are making a triumphant return! We are building a new green house that will be ready by the weekend, and can't wait to have all of our own fresh veggies and herbs!
We have put together a product list of what we currently have to offer. I hope you like it. We will blog more on Sunday, it is just too nice of a day to be inside, but I thought I would get this out for you to review. Have a great weekend everyone!
Pine and Prairie Trading Post
Welcome to our little corner of the world!
Pine and prairie trading post was started with an idea.
Well, a dissatisfaction really. Our bodies are constantly being bombarded every day by synthetic ingredients. Man made products that our body just doesn’t know what to do with. Or, petroleum based, so called health products that actually destroy your body, not heal it. Well, we have had enough!
We decided to do something about it. We didn’t want to be constantly wondering if the products we were using caused cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, hair loss, acne, kidney stones, discolored nails, body order, organ failure, etc. There is enough to worry about without adding that to your daily to do list! You can relate I am sure.
So, we started Pine and Prairie Trading Post. The idea behind it is to learn everything we could about living and healing in a natural way. What herbs where beneficial for what part of the body, what was the best way to prepare and store them and what ones worked together to complement each other for maximum benefits to our body. To take what we had found, and create products that we can use every day and feel good about using them.
Here is a product list of what we currently have available. We are adding more each week, and modifying what we have to suit our customer’s needs. Everything we have can be customized to fit your specific needs. That is one of the nice things about working with all natural ingredients. So feel free to ask.
Amy’s healing salve
Created by Amy many years ago, this original recipe has wondrous results. From chapped lips to bed sores, you won't be disappointed with this product. A unique blend of moisturizing oils, beeswax and essential oils. Created with total body healing in mind.
Sugar body scrubs
Available in a variety of scents, you will love these. Choose from, Chocolate Mint, Orange Haze, Botanical Breeze, Wake Up Call, -or- create your own by telling us what you like. Our luxurious scrubs ex foliate & moisturize your skin, leaving you soft and glowing. Even the guys like this one.
Gentle Kiss body lotion
Crafted with all organic oils and butters, vitamins and minerals. This one is lightly scented for those who want smooth silky skin with just a hint of scent.
Facial Cleansers
We offer a line of facial cleaners that ex-foliate, and moisturize your face while leaving it healthy and radiant without the tight dry feeling you get from others. Our main ingredient is lavender. A plant that seems to have been made for the human body. We add other gifts from nature as well, depending on the season. We try to give you face what it needs when it needs it to combat the man made elements. They are full of vitamins, minerals and cell rejuvenating properties. They are all made to order, so please tell us what you like.
Roaring Mouse Bug Spray
This is a huge favorite!
This blend of all organic essential oils is a great alternative to those who, like us, refuse to use the harsh synthetic sprays on the market today. This one is dog safe as well!
Rolling River Hand Cream
This product is great for chapped and cracked hands. For those of you that like to spend time outdoors, this one is for you.
Calm winds ear drops
Just put a couple drops of this 100% organic product in your ears as often as needed. This blend of healing oils and herbs are a welcome relief to discomfort.
Tired feet rejuvenating foot soak
With a foot tingling combination of salts, sodas, oils and flowers. This will help make the perfect ending from a long day on your feet.
Happy toes foot lotion
After you dip your tootsies in a nice soak, help them stay feeling great with this lotion designed just for that reason.
We also carry a line of tinctures for overall body harmony.
We believe that healing starts from the inside. We make no claims that these products heal you in any fashion, as these products have not been evaluated by the FDA.
But we do offer this line of products for those of you know and who wish to use them.
We also have a line of soaps that we are currently testing. They will be available before the end of summer.
Gift baskets are something we do as well. Either for individuals, parties, office gifts or holiday packages. What a great way to say you appreciate them.
Contact us with any of your gift ideas and we will gladly build a custom order for you. No minimum or maximum numbers for this service.
And if you are not sure what you’re looking for, ask us for some ideas!
We value your business and will do our best to fulfill your needs.
Monday, May 3, 2010
A change of the seasons
Ah, the month of May. When spring gives way to summer. We are waiting for the company to call us about our high tunnel hoop garden so we can go pick it up and get the tomatoes, peppers and herbs planted.
We wanted to share a news source that we have found with you. It is called naturalnews.com. It has a lot of good information about what is going on in the medical field, as well as research from universities and private agencies dealing with health and medicines. For the most part, the web site is very informative. The one downside, is that the writer sometimes gets very opinionated with his articles and you can definitely tell what he likes and doesn’t like. But, it does seem to be very factual despite that.
Even though there are some good things about the medical field and treatments they give you. Most, if not all ailments can be avoided by eating right, and listening to what your body has to tell you. Your body is great at telling you what is wrong with it. From acne, to discolored nails, from pain to yellow eyes and everything in between. It is amazing that we as humans, have known all of this for ages, and actually used this knowledge for centuries. But, for some reason, modern medicine has forgotten how to use it, and they only seem to want to treat the symptoms, and not the problems causing them.
That is one of the things that Amy and I have been learning these past few months. How to read our bodies to keep healthy. And, doing the reading and research to know how to correct the problems our bodies encounter on a daily basis. One of the best things you can do to get started, is to eat healthy. We all know this, but most of us seldom do it. We know fast food and the processed in the box food we buy is toxic to our bodies, but yet, most of us eat it every day. Our excuse is we are too busy for anything else. We justify our actions instead of finding ways to make time to cook a healthy meal at home, or to make a healthy lunch to take to work. Or, in today’s economic hard times, I have heard people say that it is just too expensive to eat healthy. I admit, I have to laugh when I hear that.
First of all, when you eat healthy foods that your body can actually digest and get the nutrients it needs, you eat less. Yep, that’s right, you eat less! Your body tells you it is full faster. The reason most of us are hungry all the time, is that your body is telling you it needs more. That you haven’t eaten enough. But you need to interpret that the right way. It isn’t saying we need more of that 14″ pizza that we ate, or another bag of chips. It is saying, “Hey, I know that you just ate a bushel full of food and we are full, but what you gave me doesn’t have what we need to live healthy!” So you eat more, or stay hungry. But when you eat a plate full of raw veggies, or a salad, your not hungry for a long time and you feel satisfied. Ever notice that when you eat a big salad before your main course, your not hungry when it gets to the table? But, you eat it anyway cause your paying for it.
We can honestly say, between what we eat at home, and what we pack for lunch, we can live on about 6 to 8 bucks a day. Hey, a bag of carrots is only 88 cents! I know you can’t do that when your eating processed refined food. And, when the garden is ready this fall, it will be a lot less!
And not only will you save money on food from eating healthy, but you also save on other items you buy as well. For instance, when you eat healthy, your feel better, and your body can stave off illnesses and problems that it can not when it isn’t healthy. So, you won’t take over the counter remedies as often as you do now. If you have allergies, they may get weaker, or go away all together. When your body has less toxins in it, it is better able to deal with the ones from your environment.
Just a side note here. How many of you take antacids when you have stomach problems from eating? Do you know that your only making the process worse even though you feel better? What your stomach really needs is more acid not less. What is happening, is that your stomach cannot break down the foods that are in it because it doesn’t have enough acid to finish the job. Try some lemon juice next time you have that problem. Or, eat foods naturally high in HCL. Like, celery and lemon juice. The real reason for lemon slices or lemon juice in your water at the dinner table is not for looks. It is actually to aid you in digestion!
Ok, back to the topic.
You also lose weight from eating raw fruits and vegetables as well. Believe it or not. Some of the processed, (quick throw it in the microwave) foods are stored in your body as fat, because it doesn’t know how to convert it into usable energy. So, there it sits. And you all know the health costs of being over weight. It is on commercials, in ads, and the news every day. And the one that I found the most amazing! You don’t need deodorant anymore! Your body no longer stinks. Yep, that is correct. So, your not buying toiletries as often. Hey, don’t take our word for it, try it out for yourself. We dare you.
Well, it is time to get back to planting some seeds. We hope everyone has a great week and that some of what we write here actually motivates you to live a happier, healthier life.
Ed and Amy
We wanted to share a news source that we have found with you. It is called naturalnews.com. It has a lot of good information about what is going on in the medical field, as well as research from universities and private agencies dealing with health and medicines. For the most part, the web site is very informative. The one downside, is that the writer sometimes gets very opinionated with his articles and you can definitely tell what he likes and doesn’t like. But, it does seem to be very factual despite that.
Even though there are some good things about the medical field and treatments they give you. Most, if not all ailments can be avoided by eating right, and listening to what your body has to tell you. Your body is great at telling you what is wrong with it. From acne, to discolored nails, from pain to yellow eyes and everything in between. It is amazing that we as humans, have known all of this for ages, and actually used this knowledge for centuries. But, for some reason, modern medicine has forgotten how to use it, and they only seem to want to treat the symptoms, and not the problems causing them.
That is one of the things that Amy and I have been learning these past few months. How to read our bodies to keep healthy. And, doing the reading and research to know how to correct the problems our bodies encounter on a daily basis. One of the best things you can do to get started, is to eat healthy. We all know this, but most of us seldom do it. We know fast food and the processed in the box food we buy is toxic to our bodies, but yet, most of us eat it every day. Our excuse is we are too busy for anything else. We justify our actions instead of finding ways to make time to cook a healthy meal at home, or to make a healthy lunch to take to work. Or, in today’s economic hard times, I have heard people say that it is just too expensive to eat healthy. I admit, I have to laugh when I hear that.
First of all, when you eat healthy foods that your body can actually digest and get the nutrients it needs, you eat less. Yep, that’s right, you eat less! Your body tells you it is full faster. The reason most of us are hungry all the time, is that your body is telling you it needs more. That you haven’t eaten enough. But you need to interpret that the right way. It isn’t saying we need more of that 14″ pizza that we ate, or another bag of chips. It is saying, “Hey, I know that you just ate a bushel full of food and we are full, but what you gave me doesn’t have what we need to live healthy!” So you eat more, or stay hungry. But when you eat a plate full of raw veggies, or a salad, your not hungry for a long time and you feel satisfied. Ever notice that when you eat a big salad before your main course, your not hungry when it gets to the table? But, you eat it anyway cause your paying for it.
We can honestly say, between what we eat at home, and what we pack for lunch, we can live on about 6 to 8 bucks a day. Hey, a bag of carrots is only 88 cents! I know you can’t do that when your eating processed refined food. And, when the garden is ready this fall, it will be a lot less!
And not only will you save money on food from eating healthy, but you also save on other items you buy as well. For instance, when you eat healthy, your feel better, and your body can stave off illnesses and problems that it can not when it isn’t healthy. So, you won’t take over the counter remedies as often as you do now. If you have allergies, they may get weaker, or go away all together. When your body has less toxins in it, it is better able to deal with the ones from your environment.
Just a side note here. How many of you take antacids when you have stomach problems from eating? Do you know that your only making the process worse even though you feel better? What your stomach really needs is more acid not less. What is happening, is that your stomach cannot break down the foods that are in it because it doesn’t have enough acid to finish the job. Try some lemon juice next time you have that problem. Or, eat foods naturally high in HCL. Like, celery and lemon juice. The real reason for lemon slices or lemon juice in your water at the dinner table is not for looks. It is actually to aid you in digestion!
Ok, back to the topic.
You also lose weight from eating raw fruits and vegetables as well. Believe it or not. Some of the processed, (quick throw it in the microwave) foods are stored in your body as fat, because it doesn’t know how to convert it into usable energy. So, there it sits. And you all know the health costs of being over weight. It is on commercials, in ads, and the news every day. And the one that I found the most amazing! You don’t need deodorant anymore! Your body no longer stinks. Yep, that is correct. So, your not buying toiletries as often. Hey, don’t take our word for it, try it out for yourself. We dare you.
Well, it is time to get back to planting some seeds. We hope everyone has a great week and that some of what we write here actually motivates you to live a happier, healthier life.
Ed and Amy
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Change of heart
Hello and Namaste!
I was going to write this week about the evils of Propylene Glycol,Sodium Laural Sulfate and the fiasco that is Susan G. Komen and their ridiculous partnership with KFC. But after a recent trip to Wisconsin, and watching Avatar tonight with a good friend, made me change directions.
As I was driving home today, I was thinking about my weekend with friends, and how we all, eventually, come full circle in life. I was at peace thinking how awesome it is that we were embarking on a new life of organic, and natural living. That we were again connecting with the earth and all she had to offer. And that we were are getting healthier and leaving things like toxic cleaners, chemicals and fast food behind. I was pondering how life must have been 1500 years ago. When you fed yourself and your family off of the land and respected life for what it was. No one cared what your credit score was or what level you were in Farmville or Mafia Wars. Or if you had the newest flat screen television or the biggest truck on the block. How you never had to worry about paying taxes, or keeping up on your insurance payments. Or even fretting about the fact that you might not have the latest Coach purse or were wearing the hottest designer jeans.
I know that some of you will be thinking, yea, but Ed, 1500 years ago, you didn't have the safety and security we have now. We didn't have air conditioners, cars, cell phones, ipods and all those other things that make life so easy and comfortable. How did we ever survive?? Wasn't it miserable back then? Well, we managed not only to survive, but to get to a place where most of us no longer feel comfortable and wish to take a step back and live simple again. We have seen what fast has to offer, and it isn't all it is cracked up to be. It costs more than it is worth sometimes. Or dare I say, most of the time. Big corporations do not have your best interest in mind, no matter what the commercials say!
When was the last time you took the time to admire the beauty of a trillium? To crush the leaves of a mint plant between you fingers and smell the beauty that it is, or had the pleasure of blowing the seeds from a milk thistle across a meadow on a late summer afternoon and wonder where they would land. Or how about the last time you stepped outside in bare feet and felt the chill of the morning dew as it kissed the last wisps of sleep from you mind. Do any of you who wake up in the morning listening to the birds singing, know what birds they are?? I would venture to guess not, and I would venture to say that it has been way too long since most of us has experienced nature.
What is on my mind tonight is the fact that we are at a pinnacle in society as we know it. We have to make a choice. We have to make a conscious effort to do what is right for our kids and for generations to come. We are at the point were disposable living, no longer makes sense. Where teaching others about sustainable living is in our best interest. Where taking the time to grow a garden or stop and help a neighbor in need, should be in itself, reward enough for the day.
Where does the movie Avatar come into this? Well, without giving anything away to those that have not watched it yet, I will just say that their entire planet is connected and that the survival of one species depends on all of the rest. Doesn't that sound a lot like the planet that we currently reside on? Isn't our future dependent upon the soil and water that give life to the plants that feed us and the other animals living on this globe we claim as ours? Think about it. Without clean soil, water and air, things on this earth would not survive. We are all connected with the environment around us. And yes, I do realize the the sun is the driving force that fuels it all, but we do not, directly have control over that. Which is a good thing, I am sure some mighty (for toxic oh err um I mean ahh for profit) corporation would find a way to screw that up if they could just only find a way to make money from it! But, that isn't where I am going with this.
I guess what I want to say is simply this, that we all need to take the time to think about the actions we take everyday, and what the consequences of those actions may be. For instance, where, does your garbage go? Why can't you use that one more time before you throw it away? Can you fix it, instead of going out and buying a new one? How about this one simple act. Instead of buying small bottles of water, get a water bottle and take it with you and fill it up as you go. Most bottled water is tap water anyway. Can you imagine what you would save every year by not spending that two to three dollars a day buying bottled water?(Lets see, 3 times 365 is $1,095.00 and we all know we spend more than that on crap ever day), Not to mention what your not throwing away every day by buying disposable.
Never mind the fact that soda, regular or diet, is toxic to your liver and kidneys?? But of course the advertisements won't tell you that. You can't really believe that they care about your health?? If they did, they wouldn't use things like High Fructose Corn Syrup and Aspartame.
I am not trying to be a preacher an Imam or Da'ee. I am just simply trying to say, that it isn't a bad thing to respect and honor what we have and what will ultimately come to pass. To realize that we are all connected and that our actions leave a lasting impact. That a little bit of sacrifice and a small amount of good deeds, will not only go unpunished, but will benefit us all. I am glad that I have had the opportunity to experience the frosty mornings when I can see my breathe, or the heat filled afternoons that have made me sweat and long for shade and a cool drink. Or for the warmth of a friendly camp fire that greets myself and friends at the end of the day. And admiring all that mother nature had to offer for us that day. And I hope you don't forget where you came from and what is most important. Most of all, I hope you want the same for your future sons and daughters. After all, self destruction, is not the next chapter in history, it is the sad ending of fools.
Enjoy a good glass of wine, turn off the tv, and get outside once in a while.
Ed and Amy.
I was going to write this week about the evils of Propylene Glycol,Sodium Laural Sulfate and the fiasco that is Susan G. Komen and their ridiculous partnership with KFC. But after a recent trip to Wisconsin, and watching Avatar tonight with a good friend, made me change directions.
As I was driving home today, I was thinking about my weekend with friends, and how we all, eventually, come full circle in life. I was at peace thinking how awesome it is that we were embarking on a new life of organic, and natural living. That we were again connecting with the earth and all she had to offer. And that we were are getting healthier and leaving things like toxic cleaners, chemicals and fast food behind. I was pondering how life must have been 1500 years ago. When you fed yourself and your family off of the land and respected life for what it was. No one cared what your credit score was or what level you were in Farmville or Mafia Wars. Or if you had the newest flat screen television or the biggest truck on the block. How you never had to worry about paying taxes, or keeping up on your insurance payments. Or even fretting about the fact that you might not have the latest Coach purse or were wearing the hottest designer jeans.
I know that some of you will be thinking, yea, but Ed, 1500 years ago, you didn't have the safety and security we have now. We didn't have air conditioners, cars, cell phones, ipods and all those other things that make life so easy and comfortable. How did we ever survive?? Wasn't it miserable back then? Well, we managed not only to survive, but to get to a place where most of us no longer feel comfortable and wish to take a step back and live simple again. We have seen what fast has to offer, and it isn't all it is cracked up to be. It costs more than it is worth sometimes. Or dare I say, most of the time. Big corporations do not have your best interest in mind, no matter what the commercials say!
When was the last time you took the time to admire the beauty of a trillium? To crush the leaves of a mint plant between you fingers and smell the beauty that it is, or had the pleasure of blowing the seeds from a milk thistle across a meadow on a late summer afternoon and wonder where they would land. Or how about the last time you stepped outside in bare feet and felt the chill of the morning dew as it kissed the last wisps of sleep from you mind. Do any of you who wake up in the morning listening to the birds singing, know what birds they are?? I would venture to guess not, and I would venture to say that it has been way too long since most of us has experienced nature.
What is on my mind tonight is the fact that we are at a pinnacle in society as we know it. We have to make a choice. We have to make a conscious effort to do what is right for our kids and for generations to come. We are at the point were disposable living, no longer makes sense. Where teaching others about sustainable living is in our best interest. Where taking the time to grow a garden or stop and help a neighbor in need, should be in itself, reward enough for the day.
Where does the movie Avatar come into this? Well, without giving anything away to those that have not watched it yet, I will just say that their entire planet is connected and that the survival of one species depends on all of the rest. Doesn't that sound a lot like the planet that we currently reside on? Isn't our future dependent upon the soil and water that give life to the plants that feed us and the other animals living on this globe we claim as ours? Think about it. Without clean soil, water and air, things on this earth would not survive. We are all connected with the environment around us. And yes, I do realize the the sun is the driving force that fuels it all, but we do not, directly have control over that. Which is a good thing, I am sure some mighty (for toxic oh err um I mean ahh for profit) corporation would find a way to screw that up if they could just only find a way to make money from it! But, that isn't where I am going with this.
I guess what I want to say is simply this, that we all need to take the time to think about the actions we take everyday, and what the consequences of those actions may be. For instance, where, does your garbage go? Why can't you use that one more time before you throw it away? Can you fix it, instead of going out and buying a new one? How about this one simple act. Instead of buying small bottles of water, get a water bottle and take it with you and fill it up as you go. Most bottled water is tap water anyway. Can you imagine what you would save every year by not spending that two to three dollars a day buying bottled water?(Lets see, 3 times 365 is $1,095.00 and we all know we spend more than that on crap ever day), Not to mention what your not throwing away every day by buying disposable.
Never mind the fact that soda, regular or diet, is toxic to your liver and kidneys?? But of course the advertisements won't tell you that. You can't really believe that they care about your health?? If they did, they wouldn't use things like High Fructose Corn Syrup and Aspartame.
I am not trying to be a preacher an Imam or Da'ee. I am just simply trying to say, that it isn't a bad thing to respect and honor what we have and what will ultimately come to pass. To realize that we are all connected and that our actions leave a lasting impact. That a little bit of sacrifice and a small amount of good deeds, will not only go unpunished, but will benefit us all. I am glad that I have had the opportunity to experience the frosty mornings when I can see my breathe, or the heat filled afternoons that have made me sweat and long for shade and a cool drink. Or for the warmth of a friendly camp fire that greets myself and friends at the end of the day. And admiring all that mother nature had to offer for us that day. And I hope you don't forget where you came from and what is most important. Most of all, I hope you want the same for your future sons and daughters. After all, self destruction, is not the next chapter in history, it is the sad ending of fools.
Enjoy a good glass of wine, turn off the tv, and get outside once in a while.
Ed and Amy.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Kifer
We had a great day planting yesterday. Ed's parents were digging up their back garden to put other things there, and we were there to take what they didn't need anymore. About 60 strawberry plants, a 5 gallon pail of horse radish roots, 6 raspberry plants, several seedums, Iris flowers, chocolate mint and rhubarb! It took the whole day to get them in.
Last week, we talked about Kombucha and had great responses and questions about it. And we still have 3 left we can sell yet before we have to wait for more to grow. We would like to talk about Kifer this week.
Kifer can be made from milk, water, coconut water along with other varieties of milk, such as soy, rice or almond. Our favorite is the water kifer that has been fermented with mango. Very tasty!! Here are some of the health benefits and how to make it.
Kefir is a cultured, enzyme-rich food filled with friendly micro-organisms that help balance your "inner ecosystem." More nutritious and therapeutic than yogurt, it supplies complete protein, essential minerals, and valuable B vitamins. Easily digested, it cleanses the intestines, provides beneficial bacteria and yeast, vitamins and minerals, and complete proteins. Because kefir is such a balanced and nourishing food, it contributes to a healthy immune system and has been used to help patients suffering from AIDS, chronic fatigue syndrome, herpes, and cancer. Its tranquilizing effect on the nervous system has benefited many who suffer from sleep disorders, depression, and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
According to most experts the regular use of kefir can help relieve all intestinal disorders, promote bowel movement, reduce flatulence and create a healthier digestive system. In addition, its cleansing effect on the whole body helps to establish optimum health and longevity.
Kefir can also help eliminate unhealthy food cravings by making the body more nourished and balanced, because of its excellent nutritional content.
To make kifer, you need about 1/4 cup of what is called the grains. It is the starter culture you need to ferment the liquid. If you're making milk kifer, you just add 1 quart of milk to the 1/4 cup of grains. Make sure you use a glass jar. Once you mix the two together, just place a cloth over the lid and secure it with a rubber band. Let is sit for 2 or 3 days and then strain the liquid off and enjoy! It will last in the refrigerator for several weeks.
To make the water kifer, you just mix 1/4 cup of the kifer grains, with 1 quart of water, coconut water, etc, and 1/3 cup of sugar. You can then experiment with dried fruits, there are some that are not good to use because they will actually destroy the kifer grains. Click on the link we posted, it lists the fruits you can and can not use. As with the milk kifer, make sure you use a glass jar. Cover it with a cloth and secure it with a rubber band. Let it sit for 3 days on your counter top, strain the grains out, and enjoy.
There are several combinations you can use for flavors, and different recipes. We have included a link for more information. http://www.kefir.net/intro.htm
If you wish to start your own kifer, we do have grains available for purchase. Please e-mail us at pineandprairietradingpost@yahoo.com
Well, off to enjoy a glass of kifer ourselves! Hope you have a happy and healthy day.
As always, we appreciate your time.
~Amy and Ed
Last week, we talked about Kombucha and had great responses and questions about it. And we still have 3 left we can sell yet before we have to wait for more to grow. We would like to talk about Kifer this week.
Kifer can be made from milk, water, coconut water along with other varieties of milk, such as soy, rice or almond. Our favorite is the water kifer that has been fermented with mango. Very tasty!! Here are some of the health benefits and how to make it.
Kefir is a cultured, enzyme-rich food filled with friendly micro-organisms that help balance your "inner ecosystem." More nutritious and therapeutic than yogurt, it supplies complete protein, essential minerals, and valuable B vitamins. Easily digested, it cleanses the intestines, provides beneficial bacteria and yeast, vitamins and minerals, and complete proteins. Because kefir is such a balanced and nourishing food, it contributes to a healthy immune system and has been used to help patients suffering from AIDS, chronic fatigue syndrome, herpes, and cancer. Its tranquilizing effect on the nervous system has benefited many who suffer from sleep disorders, depression, and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
According to most experts the regular use of kefir can help relieve all intestinal disorders, promote bowel movement, reduce flatulence and create a healthier digestive system. In addition, its cleansing effect on the whole body helps to establish optimum health and longevity.
Kefir can also help eliminate unhealthy food cravings by making the body more nourished and balanced, because of its excellent nutritional content.
To make kifer, you need about 1/4 cup of what is called the grains. It is the starter culture you need to ferment the liquid. If you're making milk kifer, you just add 1 quart of milk to the 1/4 cup of grains. Make sure you use a glass jar. Once you mix the two together, just place a cloth over the lid and secure it with a rubber band. Let is sit for 2 or 3 days and then strain the liquid off and enjoy! It will last in the refrigerator for several weeks.
To make the water kifer, you just mix 1/4 cup of the kifer grains, with 1 quart of water, coconut water, etc, and 1/3 cup of sugar. You can then experiment with dried fruits, there are some that are not good to use because they will actually destroy the kifer grains. Click on the link we posted, it lists the fruits you can and can not use. As with the milk kifer, make sure you use a glass jar. Cover it with a cloth and secure it with a rubber band. Let it sit for 3 days on your counter top, strain the grains out, and enjoy.
There are several combinations you can use for flavors, and different recipes. We have included a link for more information. http://www.kefir.net/intro.htm
If you wish to start your own kifer, we do have grains available for purchase. Please e-mail us at pineandprairietradingpost@yahoo.com
Well, off to enjoy a glass of kifer ourselves! Hope you have a happy and healthy day.
As always, we appreciate your time.
~Amy and Ed
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