Diatomaceous Earth or DE

So I ran across this information today from the Unintentional Urban Farmer and just had to share it.  We have used Diatomaceous Earth (DE) for over the past 10 plus but I see, after reading this, I am not using it enough!  Hope you too find some new ideas to apply to your farm for great and healthy living after reading this!


Diatomaceous Earth is marvelous and I wouldn't be without it in my poultry supplies. It has many uses for my birds but also other animals and bug control around the home. It consists of micro skeletons of fossilized remains of deceased diatoms, which are a type of algae found in both sea water and fresh water.

Diatomaceous Earth has a wide variety of uses such as in filtration (drinking water filters, fish tanks and swimming pools), abrasives (it is in some toothpastes and facial scrubs), as an absorbent for liquids (like cat litter), and it is used in dynamite to make it more stable. Food grade diatomaceous earth is particularly useful to reduce internal and external parasites (such as Worms, Lice and Mites) in animals, including poultry.

The powder absorbs lipids from the waxy outer layer of mites and lice, which causes them to dehydrate and then die. For internal parasites, the abrasive microscopically sharp edges will kill many of the worms with regular use (it must be used daily for it to be effective) although remember there are also larvae in the bloodstream that won't be killed by diatomaceous earth. It is for this reason, I personally believe using a chemical wormer two or three times per year to make sure.

Always remember to wear a dust mask when using dusting powders to avoid inhalation. Good poultry suppliers will sell food grade diatomaceous earth in tubs that can be used in the following ways as an organic approach to parasite control. Do not be tempted to buy industrial diatomaceous earth that is intended for other applications as it will have a different composition and may be dangerous to your health or that of your birds.

1. Removing lice and mites. Diatomaceous earth can be dusted between the feathers and onto the skin regularly. It can be added to dust baths which is particularly useful. Since it is a natural/organic product, it can be used on your chickens. Many other products and louse powders state that they are for use in nest boxes and on bedding, not on your birds. This is because they are not licensed for use on chickens which produce eggs for human consumption.

2. Added to poultry feed - daily use of diatom as a feed additive may result in fewer worms, less mortality and better feathering. There are many different trace minerals contained in diatomaceous earth that are beneficial to poultry. The dose that is commonly used in most animals from poultry to cats, dogs and even cattle is between 2 and 5% (follow the manufacturers recommendations) added to their feed.

3. Other uses - it has a huge variety of other uses from water filtration to cat litter and it is often mixed with grains during storage to prevent mites getting into it and to keep it dry. The other main use I have for it around the home is for an organic approach to flea control on our pets.

Diatomaceous Earth is particularly useful if you keep poultry and is well worth having to help in the battle against worms, red mite and lice.

A Mirror or a Two-way Mirror?

Saw this posted to facebook and had to share it with all y'all.  How can you tell when you are in a room, restroom, motel etc. with a mirror or a 2-way glass?  A police-woman pointed out this tip at a seminar given for businesswoman regarding techniques to be safe and private while traveling.  It takes about 30 seconds and can be used on ANY mirror!

When we visit toilets, bathrooms, hotel rooms, changing rooms, etc., many of us are totally unaware that someone may be watching us.  Know you can know for sure if that seemingly ordinary mirror hanging on the wall is a real mirror, or actually a 2-way mirror (i.e., they can see you, but you can't see them)?  There have been many cases of people installing 2-way mirrors in female changing rooms . It is very difficult to positively identify the surface by looking at it but with this trick, YOU will know before you are exposed!

TWO WAY GLASS IMAGE verses MIRROR IMAGE

Two-way Mirror (left) versus Real Mirror (right)

Place the tip of your fingernail against the reflective surface and if your fingernail DIRECTLY TOUCHES the image of your nail, BEWARE, it is a 2-WAY MIRROR.  If however, there is a GAP between your fingernail and the image of the nail, then it is a GENUINE mirror.

Here is a quick way to remember:  "No Space, Leave the Place" So remember, every time you see a mirror, do the "fingernail test." It doesn't cost you anything.  This is a great tip to share with your girlfriends, sisters, daughters, etc. and you men should share it as well!

Why NOT Drink Cokes?

Here's why.  You may not be aware of what happens to your body when you drink these sugared carbonated drinks.

For starters, when somebody drinks a Coke…

• In The First 10 minutes: 10 teaspoons of sugar hit your system. (100% of your recommended daily intake.) You don’t immediately vomit from the overwhelming sweetness because phosphoric acid cuts the flavor allowing you to keep it down.
• 20 minutes: Your blood sugar spikes, causing an insulin burst. Your liver responds to this by turning any sugar it can get its hands on into fat. (There’s plenty of that at this particular moment)
• 40 minutes: Caffeine absorption is complete. Your pupils dilate, your blood pressure rises, as a response your livers dumps more sugar into your bloodstream. The adenosine receptors in your brain are now blocked preventing drowsiness.
• 45 minutes: Your body ups your dopamine production stimulating the pleasure centers of your brain. This is physically the same way heroin works, by the way.
• more than 60 minutes: The phosphoric acid binds calcium, magnesium and zinc in your lower intestine, providing a further boost in metabolism. This is compounded by high doses of sugar and artificial sweeteners also increasing the urinary excretion of calcium.
• more than 60 Minutes: The caffeine’s diuretic properties come into play. (It makes you have to pee.) It is now assured that you’ll evacuate the bonded calcium, magnesium and zinc that was headed to your bones as well as sodium, electrolyte and water.
• more than 60 minutes: As the rave inside of you dies down you’ll start to have a sugar crash. You may become irritable and/or sluggish. You’ve also now, literally, pissed away all the water that was in the Coke. But not before infusing it with valuable nutrients your body could have used for things like even having the ability to hydrate your system or build strong bones and teeth.

I found some more interesting information from Wade Meredith as well and you may want to go and read about it yourself.  Be Healthy!

How to Store Fresh Veggies and Fruits

I saw this on a blog and had to share it with my readers.  So many times we just don't know how to store fresh fruits and veggies...this will help you get it right.

There are a few things to consider: what needs to be in the refrigerator, and what needs a cool place and what can't be by other foods and stored by itself.  If you can make a few minor corrections in how you store your food, you will find it will keep longer and you will save money as you enjoy fresher produce.

ROOM TEMPERATURE or COOL PANTRY:

Avocados       Apricots          Bananas          Citrus

Garlic              Kiwi               Melons            Nectarines

Onions            Pears               Peaches           Plums

Pineapple        Potatoes

REFRIGERATE:

Apples            Beans              Berries            Broccoli

Cabbage         Carrots             Cauliflower    Celery

Cherries          Corn                Cucumber      Eggplant

Ginger            Grapes             Jalapenos       Leafy greens

Mushrooms    Zucchini

It kind of comes down to which fruits and vegetables give off the natural gas, ethelyne.  Ethelyne can affect the other fruits and veggies that they are stored next to.  You don't need to buy special bags, but you do need to know which produce doesn't take too kindly to others.

Apples - Do not wash until just before eating, keep them sealed in the plastic produce bag, in the refrigerator. They give off a lot of ethelyne gas, so don't store them next to anything else.Avocados - Keep them at room temperature.  If you need one to ripen quickly, put it in a brown paper bag along with a banana.  If it is ripe and you need to slow the ripening process, put it in the fridge.

Bananas - They produce more ethelyne gas than any other fruit.  Keep them away from other produce,   on the counter-top, away from other produce.  Once they are ripe you can stop the ripening process by putting them in the fridge, just be sure to put them in a sealed bag.  The skin will turn black, but the fruit will be fine.Beans (snap, string or wax) - Store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator.  Do not wash until just before use.Berries - You know when you buy berries and they look like they have a dusty layer one them...? That is called bloom, and it serves as a natural preservative.  Never wash berries until just before use.  Pick through them and throw away any berries that are bruised or molding.  Store loosely in shallow containers, cover with plastic and keep them in the refrigerator.Broccoli & Cauliflower - These need to be kept in their wrapping/packaging and kept in the fridge.  Do not wash until just before using.

Cabbage - Keep in the fridge, in a plastic bag. Do not wash until just before usingCarrots - Whole carrots?  Wash them thoroughly.  If they have green tops, cut off all but an inch.  Wrap them in a damp paper towel, seal in a plastic bag and store in the crisper drawer.  "Baby" carrots?  You can put them in a plastic container, covered in water.  Be sure to change the water every few days.  (Note: this may reduce the flavor of the "baby" carrot.)Celery - Give it a rinse, loosely wrap it in a paper towel, then tightly wrap the entire stalk in aluminum foil and keep in the crisper.  It will keep fresh and crisp for weeks.  (I actually have had celery that I bought to make stuffing at Thanksgiving still be fresh and crunchy for Bloody Marys on New Year's Day! Amazing!)

Cherries - Store in fridge in plastic bag.  Do not wash until just before eating.Citrus - Since citrus fruits have thicker skin, they are easier to store.  They'll stay fresh for about 2 weeks in the fridge, about a week on the counter.  It doesn't matter if they are near other produce.

Corn - Husks on? Store loose and uncovered in the fridge.  Husks off?  Wrap in foil and store in the crisper drawer. It will keep for 1 to 2 days.Cucumber - Store in plastic bag in the refrigerator. Do not wash until just before use.Eggplant - Wrap in plastic and refrigerate.Garlic - Store at room temperature. Whole heads will last 3 to 5 weeks, but once cloves are separated, they will last about 10 days. Grapes - Do not wash until just before eating, as they also have a bloom.  Store them in the fridge, in the plastic bags they come in, or poke holes in a plastic bag to allow for air circulation.  They say they should last up to 2 weeks.  (I have never seen them last longer than a week before getting shriveled up and gross...)Jalapeno Peppers - Store in plastic bag, in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.Kiwi Fruit - store at room temperature until ripe, then cover with plastic and refrigerate.  Will keep for about a week.Lettuces, Leafy Greens & Spinach - Wash, wrap loosely in paper-towels, then bag it... paper towel and all.Melons - Store at room temperature until ripe, then refrigerate. They will keep for about a week.Mushrooms - Do not wash until just before using.  Pre-sliced? Store in the refrigerator in their original packaging. They will last for about a week. Whole?  Store loosely in a brown paper bag in the refrigeratorOnions - Store in a cool, dry place that has good air circulation.  (Store in the fridge if you don't have such a place.) They will keep for 2 to 3 months.  DO NOT STORE WITH POTATOES.  (If next to each other they spoil faster.  Who knew?)Pears - If they aren't ripe, store them at room temperature.  Once they ripen, place them in a plastic bag and store them in the fridge.  They will keep for about a week.Peaches, Plums, Nectarines & Apricots - Store at room temperature until ripe, then store in plastic bags in the refrigerator until ready to eat.  They will keep from 3 to 5 days.  Do not wash until ready to eat. Pineapple - Store at room temperature until ripe, then store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.Potatoes - Store in a cool, dry, dark place that has good air circulation. They will keep for 2 to 3 months.  DO NOT STORE WITH ONIONS.  (If next to each other they spoil faster.  Who knew?)  Sweet Potatoes keep at room temperature for a week or in a cool dark place for about a month.

Tomatoes - Store them in a cool, dry place.  Don't store them in plastic bags as the trapped ethylene will make them ripen more quickly. Once ripe, you can put them in the fridge to slow the ripening process, but let them come to room temperature before using them. Zucchini - Refrigerate in a plastic bag.  Do not wash until just before using.

Freezing Berries:

Rinse them.

Dry them.

Place them on a cookie sheet and freeze for about 15 minutes

When the outsides of the berries are frozen, put them in a zippy bag and freeze for later.

I did that with the blueberries a while back and I'm just now down to about 1 container worth and they are just as yummy now as they were when we got them.  ENJOY!

The B Vitamins...

I have a friend who is SO knowledgeable about vitamins and what does what that she has spurred me on to do my own investigations.  In my quest to understand more and learn about the importance of what each one does I found some interesting information and I wanted to share it will all of you.

I know most of you have heard the words thiamin, niacin, and maybe even riboflavin but what you may not realize is that these common names are the names of vitamins that each of us need daily.  You possibly haven't made the connection that when you say folic acid you are also talking about Vitamin B9; they are one and the same.  Here is the association between the two names.

Thiamin is a water soluble vitamin also known as Vitamin B1

Riboflavin is also a water-soluable vitamin aka Vitamin B2

Niacin, you guess it; Vitamin B3

Pyridoxine is called Vitamin B6

Folic Acid is Vitamin B9

Cobalamin is Vitamin B12

and Pantothenic Acid

Vitamin B1 (thiamin)

DOES: Coverts food into energy (breaks down carbohydrates into the simple sugar glucose) and aids the function of the heart, cardiovascular system, brain and nervous system. It is absorbed through the intestines.

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: these are rare but can often occur in alcoholics (the alcohol interferes with the absorption of thiamin through the intestine).

FOUND IN: whole-grain cereals, bread, red meat, egg yolks, green leafy vegetables, legumes, sweet corn, brown rice, berries and yeast.

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)

DOES: works with other B vitamins to promote healthy growth and tissue repair and helps release energy from carbohydrates and the breakdown of fats and proteins.  Helps with healthy skin, the mucus membranes, the cornea, the nerve sheaths and red blood cell production.

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: skin disorders, anemia, light-senstive eyes and inflammation of soft tissue lining around mouth and nose.

FOUND IN: whole-grain products, milk, meat, eggs, cheese and peas.

Vitamin B3 (niacin)

DOES: Releases energy from carbohydrates, metabolism of food, produces healthy nerves, skin and digestive system.

DEFICIENCY: disease called pellagra.

FOUND IN: meat, fish, brewer's yeast, milk, eggs, legumes, potatoes and peanuts.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
DOES: Important for maintaining healthy brain function, formation of red blood cells, breakdown of protein and synthesis of antibodies in support of immune system and is essential in the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: sink disorders, disruption of the nervous system, confusion, poor coordination and insomnia.

FOUND IN: liver, meat, brown rice, fish, butter, wheat germ, whole grain cereals, and soybeans.

Vitamin B9 (folic acid)

DOES: interacts with B12 for the synthesis of DNA.  It breaks down proteins and aides in the formation of hemoglobin.  It is produced by a bacteria in the stomach and intestines.

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: anemia, poor growth and irritation of the mouth.  It is common in alcoholics, the elderly and people who are malnourished.

FOUND IN: yeast, liver, poultry, pork, shellfish, green vegetables, beans/legumes, citrus fruits/juices, and whole grain cereals.

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
DOES: Important for metabolism in the processing of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, formation of red blood cells and maintenance of central nervous system including the brain and spinal cord.  It is stored in the liver.  It can be consumed in large doses because excess is excreted by the body or stored in the liver for use when supplies are scarce.  Stores can last up to one year!

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: include tiredness, being irritable, finding it hard to concentrate, difficulty remembering things, mouth irritations, anemia and in extreme cases, psychosis or depression. Many believe that B12 helps normalize the body’s internal sleep timers, so if you find yourself sleeping often and waking up tired, a vitamin B12 deficiency may be the cause.

FOUND IN: liver (from almost any animal), meat, egg yolks, poultry, milk and cereal.  The BEST sources are found in these top ten list:  1) clams, oysters and mussels.   2) liver.   3) caviar (fish eggs).   4) octopus.   5) fish.   6) crab and lobster.   7) beef.   8) lamb (mutton).   9) cheese (swiss has the most!)   10) eggs (yolks).

Pantothenic Acid

DOES: used in the breakdown of carbohydrates, lipids and some amino acids.  It is produced by bacteria in the intestines.

FOUND IN: meats, legumes and whole-grain cereals.

How to...

So I came across some really cool videos and thought I would put them all in one place -- I may even add links here as I find them.  With all the uncertainty in the economy, some of these videos will help you save money on groceries for your family by doing-it-yourself and making your food supply more organic because you grew it!

Most people today have lost touch with the art of growing their own food, raising their own herds, sustaining their own life...these videos will bring you back to days gone by.  ENJOY!


LIST OF HOW TO VIDEOS:
Bees and Beekeeping for Honey in Your Backyard
Raising Chickens this clip is from Cincott Nursery and Market Garden (Canada)

Ocillococcinum

Oscillo-cox what?  Oscillococcinum (o-sill-o-cox-ci-num) or Oscillo for short.

I decided to blog about this "wonder" product because I am always recommending it to my friends when they tell me their children are sick with the flu.  We have used Oscillo for almost 5 years now and have had no problem with the flu in our home.  Not sure who or where I heard about it, but I do know it works.  It was at one time the number one homepathic remedy in France for the flu.

You can buy it at almost any drugstore or pharmacy; it is usually near the cough drops and homeopathic remedies for colds and flu.  The bigger chain stores carry it as well and it can range in price considerably.  I usually buy it from the bigger chain stores for the best price break.

Here is how we use it.  I try to ALWAYS keep some in the medicine cabinet.  At the FIRST sign of fever is when we take it.  Open the package and take one vile (dissolve under the tongue).  There are three viles to a package and it is sealled to be air-tight.  The standard box comes with two packages or six viles.  (By-the-way, tt taste good - kind of like Nerds Candies my children say.)  After taking the first vile, wait about 6 to 8 hours and then take another vile.  Usually three viles does the job.

One time my son was sick (he lived away at school) and didn't take it right away when he first felt sick.  He needed to take six viles total to finally kick the bug and then he was well.  He was running a very high fever and felt awful.  After the first dose he felt an improvement. Then he was convinced and took the rest according to what I have told you above.  Like I have said, if you take it at the first on-set of sickness (fever is the measure I use) you will see it kicks the bug right away.

I am no physican and I do not claim to know medicine but I know this product works for our family and wanted to share it with you for yours!  Read more about Oscillococcinum on Wikipedia.

Beach Body and Shakeology

So as many of you know, I have recently signed up to be a Beach Body Coach.  I stumbled into this as I was really interested in feeling better and I heard about their fabulous nutrition drink called Shakeology.

I am sure many of you have heard of P90 or P90X and many others including Insanity.  Well, these workouts are all from Beach Body.  So what does a mother of six have in common with a beach body you may ask?  Well, I wanted to get my health back and with that, get back into shape.  I can't tell you have pleased I am with the products.  Shakeology has been so great for me.  It is quick, easy and can be used on the go.

See, most the time we eat bad only because we are pressed for time and have limited choices.  Think about it...you are running to pick up the kids and get them to the next event, everyone is tired, hungry and you are out-of-time so what do you do?  You pull into a fast food place to grab a quick bite.  Well, with Shakeology, I just have to have a bottle of water with me (or stop and get one or a bottle of milk), pour the powder in, shake it up and boom - your meal is served.  Quick, easy and best of all, nutritious!  In one drink is the comparison of 5 servings of salad!  Best of all, it tastes great!  There are two flavors, Greenberry and Chocolate and they are packaged in individual packages or in a bulk bag.

I use the base mix at home for breakfast every morning and add my own fruits and veggies for a fabulous smoothie.  I get all the nutrition comparable to handfuls of supplements in on easy to drink mix.  Since drinking shakeology, I have more energy to WANT to exercise and I also have lost my cravings.  You know, the need to have something sweet or salty at about mid-day or late-night.  I even went to Olive Garden last week and passed on the bread sticks!  WOW - that was first!  I LOVE their bread sticks but I was content with the salad.

They also have a great results and recovery drink to take after those extreme workouts.  It is called P90X Results and Recovery Formula.  It helps to rebuild your muscles and give you what you need to replenish your body at the cellular level.  Great stuff!

To purchase all these products you have to be a "customer" and sign-in with Beach Body.  I can offer you a "free customer" sign-up if you are interested in seeing the products, reading the nutritional values of products, buying work-out programs and also allow you to track your work-outs!  Let me know by sending me an email, I would love to help you achieve your fitness goals.  There is nothing stopping you but you!

Just wanted to close with a couple of inspirational testimonies.  This woman has an inspiring personal testimony, Cammie and I wanted you to read it.  Then there was this one, don't know if he used Beach Body products or not, but his 120 pound testimony was so inspirational that I wanted you to see it.  It is never too late and you are never too far...start now and get moving!

Fruit Flies

Welcome to summer!  So if your house is full of fruit in the summer and you live in Texas or another warm southern state, you have probably been inundated with some uninvited guests, fruit flies. 

As you can see from the photo, they are ugly little guys if you aren't convinced yet that they are ugly and totally annoying.  They come in on fruit from the store and if you leave fruit out (like bananas - which they LOVE) or a watermelon or cantaloupe on the counter, you are doubling your chances to see these little pests.

They lay their eggs anywhere and they hatch out in about 7-10 days.  So first thing to do is to clean everywhere.  Get your counters clean and keep them wiped.  If  you have heavy appliances sitting on the counter, you need to be sure to wipe under everything.  The object is to find the eggs.  If you have a trash compactor, run hot water down the drain and turn it on.  Using some bleach, scrub the drains, strainers and don't forget to change all towels.  Get rid of any grime that is clinging to the drain.  Those little buggers love the stuff.  If you have a compost bucket under the sink, you need to clean it up and make sure there is tight lid on it.  Any food crumbs or particles is a source of life for this guys.  Add this ritual to your kitchen clean-up until they are gone.

A pipe cleaning idea I read about is to combine salt, baking soda and white vinegar and make a homemade drain freshener that will eliminate build up in your drains, and kill the fruit flies.

Do it like this:

1. 
   
   pour a half cup of salt down the drain
2. 
   
   follow that with a half cup of baking soda
3. 
   
   end it off with a full cup of white vinegar.

Let the drain foam overnight and then wash it all down with a pot of boiling water in the morning.  The object is to rid the drain of any food source for them.

SOME HOMEMADE TRAPS:

1. 
   
   Mineral Oil Trap: Take a slice of banana and put it in a shallow dish of mineral oil. The mineral oil is viscous enough that the flies will land in it and be unable to take off again – leave this out someplace where you can monitor it for about 24-48 hours, and then throw it out, along with all the dead flies.
2. 
   
   Apple Juice Trap: Another trap can be made out of pop bottle with some apple juice and dish soap (the dish soap breaks the surface tension of the cider, which attracts them – they can’t pull away from the soap).
3. 
   
   An easy & effective fruit fly trap is to set out a bowl of vinegar with a couple drops of citrus smelling liquid dish detergent. This attracts the fruit flies and they drown. Lay a fresh bowl out each day to keep the smell strong enough to attract them.
4. 
   
   Cider Vinegar Trap:  Add 1 cup water, 1cup cider vinegar and 2 tsp dish washing liquid.  Directions: Pour into a jar or bottle and set out close to fruit & produce. The smell will attract the fruit flies and they will come investigate, getting themselves covered with soap and then drown.
5. 
   
   Fresh Fruit Trap: Place a piece of cut fruit in a jar (use a ripe/overripe banana if you can, this seems to be their favorite). Roll a piece of paper into a funnel (cutting the bottom tip so there’s an entry) and place into the top of the jar to trap fruit flies. Make sure the bottom opening of the funnel doesn’t touch the fruit (you don’t want the fruit flies to have an easy exit) and that the sides of the funnel fill the jar opening completely (no cracks for the flies to get out). Make sure to remove and replace the fruit every two days to avoid breeding new fruit flies. You could also skip the funnel and just cover the jar with plastic wrap, poking a few small holes in the top for them to enter.
6. 
   
   Coke Trap: Leave an inch or two of Classic Coke in the bottom of a pop bottle and twist on the cap. Take a hammer and nail or drill to make a small hole in the cap (about 1/4″ diameter). Set the bottle in the room where the fruit flies are heaviest. Fruit flies will crawl in and won’t be able to get back out.
7. 
   
   Beer Trap: Fill a mason jar about 2″ to 3″ deep with beer, cover opening with a piece of plastic wrap secured with a rubber band. Poke a few holes in the top of the plastic so the fruit flies can get into the jar to get at the beer–they won’t be able to get out.
8. 
   
   Yeast Trap: In a mason jar, sprinkle active dry yeast over 1/3 cup warm water. Add 1 teaspoon of sugar and stir. Once the yeast is activated and starts to foam, cover the jar top tightly with plastic wrap (try to keep the surface wrinkle free), secure with a rubber band. Make a small hole in the top for the fruit flies to find their way in, most will be unable to get out.

SOME THINGS TO REMEMBER:
* If you have an especially heavy infestation, set out a fruit fly trap in a small room with the light left on overnight. Although fruit flies are most active during the day, the flies will be attracted to the light and make their way to the room (and their tempting trap bait).

* Once it seems you’ve gotten rid of the fruit flies, you may notice a fresh batch flying around–these are likely those that have hatched from the eggs of the previous fruit flies (the gestation period is about 7 to 10 days). Repeat the cleaning process and lay out the traps until there’s no recurrence. This is why it’s important to find all their food sources, fruit flies lay eggs on the food that will hatch later.

Puritan's Pride

I wanted to share a great place to buy vitamins in bulk with you today.  If you are not familiar with Puritan's Pride, then you need to get yourself familiar with them.  They have a fabulous selection on almost every time of vitamin and health product that I have ever needed. But the best thing about them is their sales.  They usually have some sort of sale going on from buying 2 bottles and getting 3 free or free shipping or buying one bottle and getting 2 free.  Always some incentive is going on and if you sign up for the snail mail catalog, there will "codes" on the magazine or if you sign up for the email notifications you will get "codes" periodically that get you further freebies.

I have been buying product from them for over 10 years and have never had a problem and I have always been happy with the products they sell.  You buy purchase via the Internet, snail mail or phone.  You can call them directly at 800-645-1030 and you can talk to one of their representatives and they will help you with any questions as well.

Vitamix

I have told you that I would be posting my favorite things here on this blog and that said, I certainly have to tell you about my Vitamix.  This is the most incredible machine we have ever used.

We use our machine everyday at least once a day and sometimes more.  We add fruit in the morning with a bit a flax seed, protein mix and veggies too for a great breakfast drink.  I use it for lunch with veggies and make tortilla soup or cream of broccoli soup.   The blades rotate so quickly that they actually create heat.  Mixing for about 5 minutes will warm the soup!

For an afternoon shake we make cappuccino's with some flax and even some veggies again and it tastes great!

When wondering what fruits to use and what part of the fruits, here is a great rule of thumb.  If it's thick (the peal of a cantaloupe) it will make you sick.  If it's thin (thin peals) throw it in.  You can use the core of a pineapple in the smoothie, the seeds from the cantaloupe, the greens of a strawberry and the peal from the kiwi as all these are loaded with vitamins and fiber!

The clean up consists of pouring water into the canister adding a touch of soup and turning the machine on.  Simply the BEST blender you will ever want or need.

FYI - I am NOT a distributor and I make no profit from your purchase!

Tortilla Soup - Yield: 5 cups (1.2 l)
Speed: Variable to High to Variable     Time: 5-6 minutes

3 cups (720 ml) low sodium chicken, beef, or vegetable stock

1 Roma tomato, halved
1 carrot, halved
1 rib celery, halved
1 thin slice of onion, peeled
1 garlic clove, peeled
1 thin slice of yellow squash
1 thin slice of red bell pepper
1 thin slice of cabbage
1 mushroom
1 teaspoon taco seasoning
dash cumin
salt and pepper, to taste

OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS add when ready to serve DON'T MIX: 1/2 cup (70 g) cooked chicken, breast meat; 1/2 fresh jalapeno; 1/4 cup pitted olives; 1/4 cup (50 g) canned corn, unsalted; 2 ounces (60 g) tortilla chips


1. Place all soup base ingredients into the Vitamix container in order listed and secure lid.
2. Select Variable 1.
3. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.
4. Blend for 5-6 minutes or until steam escapes from the vented lid.
5. If adding optional ingredients, reduce speed to Variable 2. Remove the lid plug.
6. Drop in chicken, jalapenos, olives, corn and chips. Blend for an additional 10 seconds.

Health Classification: Low Fat, Low Sodium, Low Cholesterol, Heart Healthy, Vegetarian

the C-Prime Bracelet

So I have seen the infomercials regarding this "new" wonder bracelet called the C-Prime Bracelet that is making claims to add strength and energy to our lives and I then had a cousin who said she bought one.  She posted that it was helping her feel stronger and then again she wasn't sure if it was just a placebo effect.

I did some checking and I liked the video link above called 'Not really testing the "magic bracelet" on Today Tonight'. (hover over the names and scroll until you find it at this site.)  A reporter from Australia did a "blind" test and found some interesting results. Basically, the conclusion I got from the video testimonials is that the mind is highly responsive to suggestions and that is why this bracelet works.  All-in-all the people who were "tested" who were also the doctors and scientists in the group, did not believe the claims.  The "people" who use them though say they work.  Interesting.

In the testimonial that I mentioned above, they took the "hologram" which apparently has the magnetic field in it from the bracelet and placed it in a credit card...one credit card and they had 5 other credit cards that were just credit cards. From behind, they placed the credit cards in six subjects back pockets and then did the "test" for strength.  They asked the manufacturer  to "pick" the person who he felt had the "hologram" in their pocket based on the strength increase he had seen.  They did the test two times and each time the man did NOT guess the right person.  This indicates that it is about positive thoughts and you THINK you are stronger because the magnetic field is on you.

A-Rod (Alex Rodriguez) from the New York Yankees also has his personal testimonial and I found it on-line.  He thinks it helps hum but then I'm not sure if I can totally believe everything he is saying.  He has been known to stretch the truth in the past, if you remember.

Newsfit.com called it a "scam" and the FCC is involved with busting up the pyramid operation.  Not surprising, either way.  Don't know who I trust less, pyramid schemes or the FCC.  I'm just sayin....

Some in the testimonials were quite harsh in their opinions (usually they were educated) calling it a modern day "snake oil".  I tthought the whole discussion was interesting though.  We all are looking for the "fountain of youth" was my conclusion!

Natural Remedies to Fight Chronic Pain

I have not tried these remedies as I don't suffer from chronic pain but I can tell you my husband did deal with a pulled tendon in his arm that he noticed after a canoe trip with our sons.  The pain was so severe that when he would shake hands with another man, he would wince in pain.  He went to the doctor for treatment after dealing with this condition for over a year.

The doctor told him to take ibuprofen, gave him some oral steroids and recommended him to wear a brace on his arm covering the pulled area.  The black band helped but didn't cure the issue.  The doctor talked about giving him a steroid injection into the site but was not confident that it would help and he said it alone was quite painful.  He also talked of surgery.  Well, there really wasn't a great choice of options.  So he resolved to wear the band.  The pain was really difficult to deal with as he could not swing a hammer, use a paint brush or really do much with putting weight or stress to the arm.

A friend of his saw him wearing the band and said to him two words.  Take glucosamine.  My husband went to Wal-mart on the way home from that encounter, bought the glucosamine and within a few days felt relief.  In two weeks he was no longer wearing the band.  He has not had an issue with that injury for almost two years now and even went canoeing again with his sons this past spring!

So if you are dealing with chronic pain I suggest you give a few of these items a try.  What do you have to loose except the pain!