Go and DO, Don't Sit and Stew

From The Graphics Fairy

...George Bernard Shaw said, "The secret to being miserable is to have the leisure to bother about whether you are happy or not." 
So don't bother to think about it!  Spit on your hands and get busy.  Your blood will start circulating; your mind will start ticking-- and pretty soon this whole positive upsurge of life in your body will drive worry from your mind.   
Get busy.  Keep busy.  
It's the cheapest kind of medicine there is on this earth- and one of the best.

~From 'How to Stop Worrying and Start Living' by Dale Carnegie

Trim and Healthy

Trim Healthy Mama....
The idea is this: You can eat healthy carbs and healthy fats...just not at the same time if you want to lose weight. 
This is low glycemic eating BUT, you can eat desserts like crazy!  Chocolate cake, fudge, cheesecake, puddings, pancakes with berry sauce, all of these wonderful items, sweetened with a brand of non-bitter Stevia extract and using healthy fats.

It makes sense.  
I could write on and on about it, but there are a few sites that do the explaining better than I ever could.
So- if you're interested in eating really healthy (there are tons of gluten-free recipes), eating really yummy foods AND losing weight, then visit the following sites:
Trim Healthy Mama Book Review

Trim Healthy Mama weight loss

http://www.trimhealthymama.com/

https://www.facebook.com/TrimHealthyMama

Be Radiantly Happy!

"Montaigne, the great French philosopher, adopted these seventeen words as the motto for his life:  "A man is not hurt so much by what happens, as by his opinion of what happens." And our opinion of what happens is entirely up to us.


What do I mean?  Have I the colossal effrontery to tell you to your face- when you are mowed down by troubles, and your nerves are sticking out like wires and curling up at the ends- have I the colossal effrontery to tell you that, under those conditions, you can change your mental attitude by an effort of will?


Yes, I mean precisely that!  And that is not all.  I am going to show you how to do it.  It may take a little effort, but the secret is simple.


William James, who has never been topped in his knowledge of practical psychology, once made this observation:  "Action seems to follow feeling, but really action and feeling go together; and by regulating the action, which is under the more direct control of the will, we can indirectly regulate the feeling, which is not."

In other words, William James tells us that we cannot instantly change our emotions just by "making up our minds to"- but that we can change our actions.  And that when we change our actions, we will automatically change our feelings.

"Thus," he explains,  "the sovereign voluntary path to cheerfulness, if your cheerfulness be lost, is to sit up cheerfully and to act  and speak as if cheerfulness were already there."

Does that simple trick work?  Try it yourself.  Put a big, broad, honest-to-God smile on your face; throw back your shoulders; take a good, deep breath; and sing a snatch of song.  If you can't sing, whistle.  If you can't whistle, hum.  
You will quickly discover what William James was talking about-- that it is physically impossible to remain blue or depressed while you are acting out the symptoms of being radiantly happy!
This is one of the little basic truths of nature that can easily work miracles in all of our lives."


~Dale Carnegie, 'How to Stop Worrying and Start Living'

The North Wind Made the Vikings

 

Illustration by Milo Winter


Harry Emerson Fosdick  says in his book,  The Power to See It Through,  " There is a Scandinavian saying which some of us might well take as a rallying cry for our lives:  'The north wind made the Vikings.'  Wherever did we get the idea that secure and pleasant living, the absence of difficulty, and the comfort of ease, ever of themselves made people either good or happy?
Upon the contrary, people who pity themselves go on pitying themselves even when they are laid softly on a cushion, but always in history character and happiness have come to people in all sorts of circumstances, good, bad, and indifferent, when they shouldered their personal responsibility.  So, repeatedly the north wind has made the Vikings." 
~Dale Carnegie, 'How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.

Real Food Video

Food for thought....

Fluffy Brown Rice

Brown Rice = Good Stuff.

 
I've always enjoyed brown rice- probably because my mother made it for us and I became accustomed to it at an early age.
My own children enjoy it as well, although typically they prefer white rice if given a choice.   I don't blame them- white rice is yummy.  However, since I've been cooking it a new way, everyone's enjoying it so much more!

The problem for most people is that brown rice can be heavy and very chewy in comparison to the white version.
But it doesn't have to be. 


I have a simple recipe for making light, fluffy, filling brown rice.
But first; a little about why brown rice is better:

Why Brown-But Not White-

Rice is One of the World's Healthiest Foods

The difference between brown rice and white rice is not just color! A whole grain of rice has several layers. Only the outermost layer, the hull, is removed to produce what we call brown rice. This process is the least damaging to the nutritional value of the rice and avoids the unnecessary loss of nutrients that occurs with further processing. If brown rice is further milled to remove the bran and most of the germ layer, the result is a whiter rice, but also a rice that has lost many more nutrients. At this point, however, the rice is still unpolished, and it takes polishing to produce the white rice we are used to seeing. Polishing removes the aleurone layer of the grain-a layer filled with health-supportive, essential fats. Because these fats, once exposed to air by the refining process, are highly susceptible to oxidation, this layer is removed to extend the shelf life of the product. The resulting white rice is simply a refined starch that is largely bereft of its original nutrients. 
The complete milling and polishing that converts brown rice into white rice destroys 67% of the vitamin B3, 80% of the vitamin B1, 90% of the vitamin B6, half of the manganese, half of the phosphorus, 60% of the iron, and all of the dietary fiber and essential fatty acids. Fully milled and polished white rice is required to be "enriched" with vitamins B1, B3 and iron. 
Read more of this great article here.

This recipe calls for soaking the rice before cooking.  Traditionally, whole grains were always soaked.  Even the original directions for Quaker Oats called for soaking overnight.  Soaking softens the outer layer of the grains and also reduces the phytic acid, which interferes with the absorption of vitamins and minerals .  This applies to other whole grains- wheat included.

Now for the basic recipe- adjust amounts for your family size.
In a bowl or pot add the following:
1 cup brown rice
2 cups water
1 Tablespoon plain yogurt/buttermilk or Kefir

(If you don't have any of these, you can easily make mock buttermilk by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of milk)

Stir and let sit at room temperature for 24 hours.


Do not drain.  When ready to cook, add 3/4 tsp. salt and cook on stove top (in pot with tight-fitting lid), in a rice cooker or bake as you normally would. (about 45-50 minutes)

 

The rice will be fluffier, lighter in color and have a softer texture.

Enjoy!

 

Liver Tonic

Eat a lot of junk or too much saturated fat? 
Taking  medications? 
Have hormones raging?

Because the liver's job is to clear toxins from the body, a liver cleanse can be very helpful for getting things back on track. 

This smoothie gently flushes the liver and gallbladder.  It can even flush gall stones.  And it really tastes great!

Seriously.

Drink this for breakfast or dinner every day for six consecutive days.  

Here's the simple, simple recipe:

Into a blender, place the following-

Juice of 1 lemon

3 chopped tablespoons of fresh parsley (I use more)

2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger root

1 banana

1/4 apple with peel  (optional)

Blend well.
Add just enough water to thin to your liking (do this last) and add a little ice, if desired.
Blend well and serve.


This is truly refreshing and delicious...and good for the whole family!


Benefits of these amazing ingredients for those who want to know:


        Parsley- 

.
• Raw parsley cleanses the blood, keeping it clean
• It can lessen the deposits left on the veins
• Parsley allows the elasticity of the blood vessels to stay the way they are
• Parsley is said to treat temporary deafness and ear infections
• Chewing parsley can cure bad breath 

        Banana:

          *Reducing Depression

Bananas contain tryptophan, an aminoacid that can be converted to serotonin, leading to improved mood

          *Blood Pressure

Bananas are extremely high in potassium (about 4673mg), yet very low in sodium (1mg), thus having a perfect ratio for preventing high blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

          *Ulcers

This is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without ulcer distress.

          *Stress Relief

Bananas are high in potassium, which helps normalize the hearthbeat and regulate the body's water balance. 

Ginger:

1. Ginger has carminative properties (anti spasmic) and can be used to calm in upset stomach, providing relief for the relief of bloating and gas.
2. The intake of ginger helps stimulate the secretion of mucus, quieting your cough and soothing any scratchiness I your throat.
3. Ginger has been proven (in multiple studies) to treat feelings of nausea, particularly in the form of seasickness, morning sickness, motion sickness and as a side effect of chemotherapy.
4. Ginger contains anti viral, anti toxic, and anti fungal properties, and is used for the prevention of and treatment against the common cold.
5. Ginger acts as an antihistamine and aids in the treatment of allergies.
6. Ginger displays anti inflammatory properties and can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and various other muscular disorders. The chemical components of the root are instrumental in inhibiting the biosynthesis of prostaglandins which are responsible for causing inflammation. Thus the root has proven to be a highly effective form of treatment, in some cases, even more so than the NSAID's that are traditionally prescribed.
7. Ginger contains special enzymes responsible for catalyzing the proteins in your food, thus aiding in digestion and the prevention of cramps. The ancient Greeks used to eat ginger after a large meal in order to ease the digestion process.
8. Due to its promotion of mucus secretion, ginger protects against the development of ulcers, unwanted holes in the lining of your stomach.
9. Ginger has proven to help lower your cholesterol levels and prevent the formation of blood clots.
10. Ginger is often used to settle an upset stomach or treat severe stomach ailments such as dyspepsia or colic. It is frequently used today in developing countries to treat diarrhea.

Lemon:

           * Lemon act as blood purifier and improves the body’s ability to get rid of toxins.

          * Lemon fruit is full of vitamin C and excellent in fighting disease that's related to infection and eating some of the peel helps guard  against skin cancer.

             Olive Oil:

* Taken internally, olive oil stimulates metabolism, promotes digestion and lubricates mucous membranes. It can also be applied externally to treat dry skin. Warm olive oil applied to the skin and help relieve internal or external inflammation caused by injury or disease.

       Raw Apple:

1. Apples are a rich source of flavonoid and polyphenols both are powerful antioxidants.
2. Studies show that by eating 100g of apple can give an antioxidant effect that equal to taking about 1,500mg of vitamin C.
3. Apples contain a large amount of minerals and vitamins that can strengthen the blood.
4. Apples contain malic acid and tartaric acid, that can help prevent disturbances of the liver and digestion.
5. Raw Apple cider vinegar when used as beverage can help to prevent the formation of kidney stones.
6. The skin of Apples contain pectin that can help remove toxic substances from the system by supplying galacturonic acid. Pectin helps prevent protein matter in the intestine from spoiling.
7. Eating an apple daily can lower cholesterol and reduce skin diseases.

Here's to VIBRANT health!

Cookbooks

 I love great cookbooks.  Especially those that promote healthful, economical meals.


Here are a few of my standbys...those I turn to often:
(You may like them, too!)

 Eating Economically is Just Plain Smart
By Mary Jane & Jeff Cardarelle-Hermans

Love in the Kitchen, Volumes I and II
By Wendy Jeub
Incidentally, they are having a sale right now- buy one, get the other free! 

Hopkin's Healthy Home Cooking , by Diane Hopkins




And one I hope to buy at some point;

From the Kitchen of Two Sisters - their cookbook and video set.

Enjoy cooking for your family!

Wholesome Living

I believe I've mentioned before that I love all things wholesome and good.
Because they're just that; wholesome and good.

This world could use a lot more of those two adjectives.

I love anything that inspires you to:
better yourself, get back to basics, 
simplify, hold your family closer,
learn to love those who drive you crazy (it's called charity), 
educate yourself, learn new skills,
and enjoy the land.

There is something so profound in growing your own food and seeing for yourself the magic of what this earth can do for and with you.
I love it!  

Which is another reason why I'm leaving the beauty of my area and moving back to a place that has a long growing season.  'Cause I like to grow things.  

Recently, I was introduced to a couple of great items.  
Items that I would LOVE to own.
To enjoy with my family and to loan out to others. 

The first item is the DVD entitled, 'Food, Inc.' 

Using Amazon's own product description:
Food, Inc. lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing how our nation's food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the
livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment. Food, Inc. reveals surprising and often shocking truths about what we eat, how it's produced and who we have become as a nation.

You can watch the trailer for it here.


Another wonderful item is the set of 9 DVDs entitled 'Homestead Blessings'.   
The West ladies- Jasmine, CeCe, Vicki and Hannah  host these DVDs from their farm while demonstrating  skills in the following areas:
soap making, candle making, bread making, canning, gardening, herbs, cooking, dairy and sewing.   
Many arts that are being forgotten today.





You can find these wonderful DVDs here.
 You can also look for them at your local library- or even request them.

Here's to living a more wholesome and agrarian lifestyle!