Weekly Roundup - Living On Nothing Edition [Survival Today

Did you hear about the guy that lives on nothing? No seriously, he lives on zero dollars a day. Meet Daniel Suelo, who lives in a cave outside Moab, Utah. Suelo has no mortgage, no car payment, no debt of any kind. He also has no home, no car, no television, and absolutely no “creature comforts.” But he does have a lot of creatures, as in the mice and bugs that scurry about the cave floor he’s called home for the last three years.

To us, Suelo probably sounds a little extreme. Actually, he probably sounds very extreme. After all, I suspect most of you reading this are doing so under the protection of some sort of man-made shelter, and with some amount of money on your person, and probably a few needs for money, too. And who doesn’t need money unless they have completely unplugged from the grid? Still, it’s an amusing story about a guy who rejects all forms of consumerism as we know it.

How to Brew Your Own Beer and Maybe Save Some Money. A fantastic introduction to home brewing, something I’ve never done myself, but always been interested in trying. (@Generation X Finance)

Contentment: A Great Financial Principle. If I had to name one required emotion for living a frugal lifestyle it would be contentment. Once you are content with your belongings and your lot in life you can ignore forces attempting to separate you from your money. (@Personal Finance by the Book)

Use Energy Star Appliances to Save On Utility Costs. I enjoyed this post because it included actual numbers, and actual total savings, from someone who upgraded to new, energy star appliances. (@The Digerati Life)

Over-Saving for Retirement? Is it possible to “over-save” for retirement? Yes, I think so. At some point I like the idea of putting some money aside in taxable investments outside of retirement funds, to be accessed prior to traditional retirement age. (@The Simple Dollar)

40 Things to Teach My Kids Before They Leave Home. A great list of both practical and philosophical lessons to teach your kids before they reach the age where they know everything. I think that now happens around 13 years-old. (@My Supercharged Life)

Index Fund Investing Overview. If you are looking for a place to invest with high diversification and relatively low fees (for broader index funds with low turnover), index funds are a great place to start. (@Money Smart Life)

5 Reasons To Line Dry Your Laundry. My wife and I may soon be installing a clothesline in our backyard. In many neighborhoods they are frowned upon - one of the reasons I don’t like living in a neighborhood. I digress. One of our neighbors recently put up a clothesline, and we might just follow his lead. (@Simple Mom)

* 4 Quick Tips for Getting Out of a Rut * Young and Cash Rich * Embracing Simple Style * First Trading Experience With OptionsHouse * The Exponential Power of Delayed Consumption * How Much Emergency Fund is Enough? * 50 Questions that Will Free Your Mind * Save Money On Car Insurance

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/ds_sugarsweet.html

Sugar Sweet Beauty
By Danielle Sims

In the self-care and beauty industry, the latest craze is including sugar in skin care products. If you search the Internet you will find everything from sugar body scrubs to sugar hair removers. The prices can range from $8.00 to $35.00 for each product. How’s that for a product in which the main ingredient can cost you a no more that $3.00 for a 5 pound bag!

To enjoy all of the benefits of a sugar based product without shelling out the big bucks, trys these recipes:

Orange Cream Sugar Body Scrub

This recipe is great to remove dead skin and give your skin a healthy glow. The sugar contains glycolic acid and the cream is a source for lactic acid. Avoid irritated or broken skin areas.

Ingredients:

½ cup sugar
2 TBSP cream or whole milk
5 drops orange oil
1 cup olive, jojoba, or almond oil

What You Do:

Mix sugar, oil and cream together. Add orange oil after main ingredients are completely mixed. Apply to your body by starting at the feet and working your way up. Massage in a circular motion and leave it on for 10-15 minutes, then shower it off. This recipe is enough to make one full body treatment.

Lemon Head Sugar Body Scrub

This recipe is both cleansing and detoxifying. Lemon is very detoxifying to the body and will also help brighten the skin.

Ingredients:

½ cup sugar
10 drops lemon oil
or ½ a lemon freshly squeezed
1 cup olive, jojoba, or almond oil

What You Do:

Mix all ingredients together. Apply to your body by starting at the feet and working your way up. Massage in a circular motion, then shower it off. This recipe is enough to make one full body treatment.

Facial Cleanser

Ingredients:

White or brown sugar
Your favorite facial cleanser
Witch hazel
Water

What You Do:

Using your favorite daily facial soap, an easy, inexpensive facial scrub can be made by adding sugar. Simply add a teaspoon of either white sugar or brown sugar and massage it gently on your facial skin. Rinse with cool water and spritz your face with a ½ witch hazel and ½ water mixture.

Sugar is a natural and inexpensive way to include alpha-hydroxy acids in your skincare program. It produces glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, which is included in many skincare product lines. Today’s pricey beauty products that include sugar or alpha hydroxy acid, can be created inexpensively right at your kitchen table. You will experience all of the benefits without the inflated price.
about the author

Danielle Sims explored her library of alternative health, herbal books, and aromatherapy books and created a blueprint for making her own body wrap formulas at home. Now she offers this information in an e-book entitled Wrap Yourself Slim: Body Wrap Exposed. Monthly newsletter is also available at her web site. For more information go to http://www.wrapyourselfslim.com

More skin care articles

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/jg_menskin.html

Discovering the Facts on Men’s Skin Care
By John Gibb

An important factor which contributes to one’s personality is the look and feel of one’s skin. So, dedicated skin care is a vital step in grooming yourself. However, the question of gender, to which skin belongs, does not arise in skin care and mens skin care is equally as important to that of a women’s.

The idea that men should not care about how they look like, or how their skin is, is a story of the past. People are made more aware now to look after themselves and their skin in a much better and appropriate way to ensure health and healthy skin. The fact is - irrespective of our gender, everyone has a right to enjoy clear and smoother skin.

Proper skin care like avoiding the sun, drinking plenty of water, regular moisturizing and skin massaging and using soap-free products can help in delaying the natural aging and wrinkling process. Similarly, it also saves you from other skin disorders like dryness and acne.

Protecting our skin from damaging sun rays will keep you from deep wrinkles, rough and dry skin and serious disorders like skin cancer. Avoid going out in the sun in peak times. Be sure to cover your body with a cloth to protect it from direct exposure to the sun. Wear long sleeves and pants. Certain fabrics are designed to protect you from the damages of sun rays, use them. Use a sunscreen before going out.

Smoking, alcohol or other medication or drugs accelerates aging and induces wrinkles, dryness and itchiness in the skin. Smoking depletes the skin of oxygen and some important nutrients and it results in decreased blood flow, and reduces elasticity.

Male skin is exposed to dust and sun more frequently as compared to female skin, so cleansing is an essential part of mens skin care. Treat your skin gently, wash your skin gently to cleanse the excess oils and dirt, and avoid soap because it causes dryness and itchiness.

While bathing use warm water, hot baths remove natural oils from your skin and can leave it flaky and dry. Do not take a bath for more than 15 minutes. Moisturize your skin regularly as it will hydrate the skin and give it a fresh glowing look.

Take care while shaving because it can cause irritation. Use shaving gels, a toner and aftershaves which have natural ingredients because they are harmless and effective. Avoid aftershaves which have alcohol in their content because they can cause burning and redness. Use a warm towel on the skin to soften hair.

Use these tips, because mens skin care is very important to make you look great and appealing to others.

The Author

John Gibb is a dedicated researcher of skin care health and products. He shares his research on his website - Natural Skincare. If you have unwanted wrinkles, fine lines and damaged skin, visit - How to achieve the best looking skin naturally now to learn about the skin care line our editors personally use and recommend.

We have personally been using these products with excellent results.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

[LOL - if the men on this list have not as yet learned to shave, this will help you discover how...granny]

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/bw_shave.html

Tips for a Great Shave!
By Buck Williams

Warning - this is the long answer - but isn’t a couple of minutes of reading worth it? After all, your face is the first thing they notice......

1. Make Sure Your Beard is Thoroughly Wet

One of the keys to a great close shave without irritation or skin rash is to make sure your beard is thoroughly wet. Facial hair will absorb moisture up to 30% of its volume. Hair swollen with water becomes quite weak and therefore easier to cut. Showering before shaving is the ideal way to ensure you beard is properly moistened. If a shower is not possible, rinse your face and then apply a warm moistened towel to your face for at least a couple of minutes. This is the technique that barbers use. Never shave cold or apply shaving products to a dry face.

2. Use a Quality Shaving Cream

Use a shaving cream that has a high concentration of lubricants (eg silicones) and moisturizers. The best shaving creams create a rich creamy lather and do not foam up like the cheaper drug store brands. The less “foaming” in the shave cream the better, as it is what is in contact with the skin and beard that matters - all else is wasted. Less resistance, less irritation and less nicks also mean a longer lasting blade! While the primiary function of the shaving cream is to lubricate your face so that the razor will glide smoothly and effortlessly across the surface, it also serves to lock the moisture into the whiskers, keeping them soft and upright, primed for the cut. The ideal scenario is to leave the shaving cream on your face for at least a minute before you begin cutting, so that the beard is as soft and wet as possible.

3. A Shaving Brush is One of the Best Tools

One of the best tools you can use to achieve the optimum shave is a shaving brush (as top barbers do). A shaving brush does a couple of things. First, it helps raise the hair so that a closer cut is possible. Second, it helps create a rich creamy lather with the shaving cream that stays close to the skin. And, finally, it helps remove dead skin cells (exfoliation) which reduces the chance of blemishes, razor bumps and also helps the skin look and feel smooth and healthy. Always look for a shaving brush with bristles that have the right balance between softness (to create a rich creamy that stays close to the skin) and resistance to raise the beard (making a closer cut easier!)

4. Apply the shaving cream using the brush in a circular motion ending in an upward stroke to help lift the beard up and away from the face.

5. Use a Quality Razor and Change the Blades

Always use a good quality sharp razor blade. Be sure the blade is sharp. You’re not just cutting off hair, you’re also scraping off up to two layers of surface skin when you shave. A dull blade is more traumatic to the skin, making your face feel scratchy and look blotchy. Depending on the toughness of your beard, change the blade somewhere between every three and every ten shaves, if you shave every day. Two weeks is too long to go without changing blades. Regardless of the number of shaves, if the blade is dulled, ditch it.

As to which brand of razor to use - we think you can’t go wrong with any of the Gillette Mach series. Of course there are very high quality and expensive razors available at specialty retailers that you may want to try.

Rinse your blade under hot water before you begin to shave and after every few swipes. This removes the accumulated shaving cream, whiskers, and skin goop. For a really close shave, remoisten the section you just shaved, by spreading a thin layer of lather from another area of your face, and then swiping that area again. Keep everything moist. (Note: The use of hot water here is to help lubricate, has nothing to do with “killing bacteria.”)

6. Use the Razor Properly

Ideally shave in the direction of the beard growth. Start with the sides, then the moustache area and last the chin. The chin hairs are the toughest, so this allows them the most time to soften under the shave cream.

Shaving against the direction of hair growth gives a closer shave, but has two drawbacks:

A. It’s a good way to donate blood, and

B. You run a high risk of cutting off a hair below skin level, causing an ingrown hair (razor bumps) - the whisker grows into the surrounding tissue instead of out of the pore, resulting in inflammation and possible infection.

To avoid these shaving problems, again, shave “with the grain” (that is, in the direction your hair grows.) Each person’s facial hair has its own growth pattern. If you are unsure of the direction of your beard, let it grow for a day or two and you’ll see it.

7. If you want an even Closer Shave

If you wish to achieve an even closer shave (as many barbers do) apply some more lather from your brush (add more cream if necessary) to the areas you wish to shave again. This is one of the extra advantages of using a brush. For most guys, re-shaving certain areas with the grain should do the job. Professional barbers, by the way, usually first shave with the grain, and then re-shave going sideways - but they’re trained professionals!

But, don’t over shave. Too much shaving will cause skin irritation and rashes.

Rinse the blade thoroughly before you put it away. (The water temperature isn’t going to have any impact on bacteria; you’re rinsing the blade to get rid of hairs, shaving cream, oils, and gunk, not to kill bacteria. You’d need to boil the razor for that, which is not necessary.) Do NOT wipe the blade with a tissue or towel—that will just dull it faster.

8. Cleanse and Soothe After Shaving

After shaving, when the skin is most vulnerable (remember, you’ve just scraped off up to 2 layers of surface skin!), rinse the face with warm water and use a facial wash that has a high concentration of tea tree oil (a natural antiseptic that is ideal to help cleanse and protect from spots and shaving rash) and witch hazel (for its soothing, healing and astringent properties).

9. Rinse with the coolest water that is comfortable and pat dry with a clean towel. (Don’t rub! Just pat)

10. Finish off with an Aftershave Moisturizer.

Shaving can remove up to two layers of skin. There is no other regular activity that does this, which is why it is so important to use a good quality moisturizer after shaving. An after shave moisturizer, designed as an after shave balm and moisturizer in one, is the ideal way to replace lost moisture and soothe the skin. And, be sure to use one made just for guys - these formulas are designed so that they are not greasy, absorb quickly and dry with a matte finish so that your face doesn’t look shiny. Typically moisturizers made for women are too greasy as men tend to have not only thicker skin but also oiler skin than women due to men’s larger sebaceous glands. The best aftershave moisturizers not only replace lost moisture and soothe, but also have ingredients that will cool and refresh the skin.

Following these 10 shaving tips should help you achieve optimum skin health, avoid shaving problems and help you look and feel your best.
author

Buck Williams is a master barber with over 15 years of barbering and product development experience for premier barbershops, salons and manufacturers. Most recently, Buck has appeared on TV as a makeover guru, and behind the scenes on TV and film production sets and magazine features helping actors and sports celebrities look their best. Buck’s passion is helping men look and feel their best and believes that a great shave and post shave skin care is so important to the impression you make.

This article on the Shaving Tips and Techniques is reprinted with permission.

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/sh_tomatoskin.html

Tomato - Very Useful For Skin Care
by Sharon Hopkins

It is an important fruit which has many health benefits due to the presence of anti-oxidants. These anti-oxidants give tomato the radiant red color. The calorie content in tomato is very less making it a favorite among many people. It also contains fiber, vitamin C, E, K, B1, B6, B3, B2, iron, manganese, potassium as well as carotenes and many more to help you in every manner.

Tomato Skin Care Recipes

Tomatoes are of great help for your skin. If you happen to go in the sun and in that span of time you get tanned, there is an easy solution. Prepare cucumber and tomato juice mixture to be applied on the affected areas of your skin. Keep it for 10 minutes; later wash it off with clean water. You will notice the difference.

Anyone can have skin rashes and the main reason for these rashes is silicon deficiency. This problem is overcome by having good amounts of sprouts, tomatoes and other vegetables and fruits.

Make a mixture of honey and tomato juice to be applied on your face and neck. Wash it off after 15 minutes and within minutes you would see a glowing face in front of the mirror.

Another recipe for glowing skin is the mixture of 2 tsp tomato juice and 4 tsp curd. Apply it well on your skin and wash it in 15 minutes to see the difference.

This recipe is for all those people who have oily skins, open pores and blackheads. Tomato has a acidic trait which also contains potassium and vitamin C which helps in cleansing the face. Rub a sliced piece of tomato on your skin and leave it for fifteen minutes. This would help the pores. Later wash it off with water.

For a good complexion spread the pulp of tomato on your face daily. Keep it for 1 hour and then wash it off with warm water. If done regularly the results will be seen.

The tomato lotion helps in shrinking the enlarged pores and this can be made by using tomato juice mixed with 2 or 3 drops of lime juice. Apply this solution on your face and then wash it off for 15 minutes.

A great recipe to remove sunburn can be made by adding 2 tsp tomato juice in 4 tbsp of buttermilk. Apply it all over your skin. Wash it off after keeping it for 1/2 hour.

You can easily make a homemade cleanser by using tomato and milk. Use tomato juice by straining the pulp and mix it with equal parts of milk. Store this in a bottle which can be refrigerated to be used everyday. Apply this on your face and neck by using your fingertips. Keep it for 10 minutes and later wash it with cold water.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautions while following instructions on the recipes from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

The Author

Sharon Hopkins is the webmaster of Hair-n-Skin-Care site, it guides you with the various hair and skin care treatments. Natural Skin Care with Tomato. Used to cure cancers and protects the skin from many problems.

Source: www.isnare.com

Article Posted: November 17, 2008

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/ayurvedicbeauty.html

Feed Your Skin...and Water It Too!
by Vasu Nargundkar

Natural creams and lotions are great for your skin, but if you want your skin to look good day after day and year after year, you have to work on it from the inside out. Ayurveda - the 5,000-year-old system of holistic healing from India - contends that a balanced diet, proper digestion and regular elimination are vital for clear glowing skin. “Ama” - the residue of improper digestion that can accumulate in the body - is the Number 1 enemy of healthy skin, leading to lifelessness and breakouts, according to ayurvedic dermatologist Rama Kant Mishra.

So what should you feed your skin to keep it looking good?

To follow ayurvedic principles for diet, you first need to figure out which of the following three categories your skin falls into:

If your skin is dry, thin and sensitive, susceptible to dullness and wrinkles, you have Vata type skin.

Pitta skin tends to be reddish, warm and extremely sensitive, prone to breakouts and easily affected by the foods you eat, heat and sun.

Kapha skin tends to be lustrous, oily, and thick in texture. It is prone to clogged pores, breakouts and toxic buildup.

Once you’ve determined the predominant ayurvedic category your skin falls into, you can try some of these suggestions for feeding your skin right -

Individuals with Vata skin may need to include judicious amounts of healthy fats in their diets to restore natural luster to the skin. Ayurveda suggests Ghee (clarified butter), or you can use olive oil or sesame oil.

Green leafy vegetables should be eaten daily by all skin types. Rather than eat them raw, try steaming them lightly. Carrots are also nourishing for all skin types.

People with Pitta skin should stay away from hot, spicy foods to avoid skin irritation.

Kapha skin types can enhance the digestive fire by taking a bit of fresh ginger mixed with a little limejuice before meals.

Juicy fresh fruits are excellent for all skin types; they act as cleansers and re-hydrate the skin from within.

Roses are considered cooling. People with Pitta skin can eat rose petal jam on its own or mixed into warm milk.

Spices recommended for each skin type should be incorporated into the daily diet. In addition to having therapeutic properties of their own, some spices act as “carriers” of the benefits of other foods, especially when sautéed in a small amount of Ghee. Cumin and coriander are considered good for all skin types; they enhance digestion and cumin is also effective as a toxin hunter.

Generally, people with Vata skin can add moderate amounts of black pepper, ginger and turmeric. Pitta skin benefits from cooling spices such as fennel and licorice, and Kapha skin from pungent spices such as pepper, ginger, cloves and turmeric. Spices should be cooked, not eaten raw. Herbal teas that incorporate spices are a quick, simple way of including them in your diet.

In general, weight your diet with fresh, light, nutritious foods - vegetables, grains, lentils and legumes - and go easy on heavy, deep-fried foods. For more detailed information on eating for personal balance, visit http://www.mapi.com and click on the links for Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Water is considered a life-giving force in ayurveda, very important in maintaining skin health as well as overall health. Says Mishra, “It’s not always enough to just drink eight glasses of water everyday. For the body, and the skin, to realize fully the life-giving properties of water, people with different types of skin need to consume it differently.”

Ayurveda is very firm on one aspect of drinking water, and, indeed, all beverages. Ice-cold drinks are not recommended because they inhibit the digestive fire and lead to imperfect digestion of food, which can show up on the skin. One internal water therapy recommended by Mishra is drinking 6-8 glasses of boiled water everyday. Use pure drinking water, and boil it for five minutes. People with Vata type skin should drink the water warm, Kapha skin types can sip it hot, and Pitta skin types should cool it to room temperature before drinking. The water should be boiled fresh each day, and should not be ingested on a completely empty stomach. This therapy helps the water flush toxins from the body and moisturize the skin from within, keeping it hydrated and lustrous.

Combining boiled water with herbs suitable for the skin type enhances the benefits. Mishra suggests the following procedure -

Boil one liter of water for five minutes, then pour it into a thermos or other type of heat-retentive container. Add the recommended herbs and spices and steep. Keep the container closed. Strain and use the spice-infused water as needed. Drink at the temperature recommended above for each skin type.

Basic combination of recommended herbs and spices:

1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds
2 pinches of ground licorice root

Vata skin types can add 1/4 teaspoon cardamom seeds, Pitta skin types 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds and Kapha skin types a one-inch slice of peeled fresh ginger root.

Note - Information presented in this article is solely for the purpose of imparting education on Ayurveda and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or mitigate any disease. If you have a medical condition, please consult a qualified health professional.

The Author:

Vasu Nargundkar is deeply interested in holistic healing and the ayurvedic approach to beauty. She is the editor of Total Health News Online, a free monthly newsletter published at mapi.com. To read a sample issue, please visit http://www.mapi.com

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/skinfood.html

What You Eat Can Protect Your Skin from the Sun
By: Barbara Levine, R.D., Ph.D.

(ARA) - By now you probably think you’ve heard all of the health reasons there are for eating your vegetables. But, just in time for summer, researchers from Harvard University have announced that lutein — a potent antioxidant found in such dark green, leafy vegetables as spinach and kale — may protect the skin from sun damage.

“Lutein has been widely recognized for its eye health benefits for several years. But, our data is the first of its kind to suggest that lutein may have the potential to act as a preventative agent against UVB-induced skin cancer,” said Salvador Gonzalez, M.D., Ph.D., leader of the Harvard research team. “In addition, these data suggest that lutein protects the skin against damage caused by exposure to UVB light, further validating our position that lutein is a critical component to overall skin health.”

Lutein (LOO-teen) is a yellow pigment (the yellow is covered up by chlorophyll in green leaves) found predominantly in vegetables. It is also present in the eyes and skin of the human body. In women, lutein is found in the breasts and cervix. As an antioxidant, lutein protects the eyes from the damaging effects of aging. Lutein also acts as a light filter, protecting against the sun’s harmful rays.

UVA and UVB rays are two types of harmful rays found in sunlight. UVA rays contribute to wrinkling the skin, as well as to the development of skin cancer. UVB rays are the ones that are the primary cause of sunburn and skin cancer.

Good sunscreens block both UVA and UVB rays and are critical to skin health. But, you can do even more to protect your skin and eyes when you’re outside this summer.

Safety tips to keep top of mind:

Wear UV-blocking sunglasses. Over time, exposure to ultraviolet light can cause cataracts and increase your risk of macular degeneration, a disease that causes irreversible blindness.

If you’re a parent, protect your children’s skin. Research indicates that one or more severe, blistering sunburns in childhood or adolescence can double the risk of skin cancer later in life.

Check the expiration date on your sunscreen. Sunscreen without an expiration date has a shelf life of no more than three years.

Eat a healthy diet comprised of green leafy vegetables. Consumption of 6 milligrams of lutein per day (approximately one-third cup of cooked spinach) has been linked to a reduced risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Vitamins and dietary supplements formulated with purified lutein provide another option for adding this nutrient to a daily diet.

—

It’s important to note that when lutein is consumed in foods or vitamins, it deposits in various tissues in the body — the eyes, the skin, fat tissue and so on. Therefore, it may also be beneficial to apply lutein directly to the surface of your skin. Several skin care products containing lutein are now available and can be purchased online at www.sephora.com or at salons that carry California Tan Heliotherapy sun care products.

The Author

For more information about how lutein can help promote healthy eyes and skin, talk to your doctor and visit the Lutein Information Bureau..

Website: www.luteininfo.com

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/me_oliveoil.html

Olive Oil In Your Beauty Routine?
by Melissa Eaton

We all know that olive oil is wonderful and healthy for us to cook with, but what about its other uses? Truthfully, olive oil is another main ingredient in several beauty products you can buy on the shelf. See for yourself how you can make your own skin cocktails and save a little money at the same time.

1. A mixture of 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 1/4 cup water used as a night cream will make your skin glow. The olive oil softens and moisturizes and the vinegar lightens discolorations, kills bacteria and loosens dead skin cells. Splash water on your face before applying.

2. Olive oil can be used as cleansing cream if your skin is dry.

3. For a facial, wet face thoroughly, then massage olive oil into your skin. Use about a half teaspoon of sugar and scrub your face with that, then wipe off gently with a warm, wet cloth until the sugar is all gone.

4. Use olive oil on your feet with clean white cotton socks. Helps to soften up you feet and it absorbs better than baby oil.

5. It seems when you pour olive oil out there is always a drip, so wipe it up with your hand and rub it in to your elbows. Wonderful softening properties.

6. Use olive oil as bath oil. Two to three tablespoons will do the trick.

7. Use olive oil for your hair. Not only does it condition, but it also gets rid of the frizz. Put a small drop into your palm & then rub both hands together & apply it to dry hair.

Just a few of the many creative uses for olive oil in your skin care routine. Not only is it cheap, but it will go a lot further than most products you can buy. Have fun and be creative.
Author

Melissa is a professional cosmetologist who is constantly updating her education. For daily updates including tips, secrets and other information, please visit her blog at: http://bizewomanbeautytips.blogspot.com/. Beauty doesn’t have to cost a fortune!

Source: ArticleCity.com

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/nhb_beauty.html

The Latest Buzz: Beauty Treatments Using Honey
By: The National Honey Board

Can’t spend the day at a beauty spa? You can still get a sweet treatment. All-natural honey has been used as a beauty product since the days of Cleopatra and it continues to be used today in manufactured and homemade products for skin and hair care. Honey is a natural humectant, which means it has the ability to attract and retain moisture. The skin’s ability to stay moist (or hydrated) is an important factor in its ability to maintain softness, suppleness and elasticity. As skin ages, or as it is exposed to environmental stresses and chemical agents, it loses its ability to retain water; it becomes dry and appears wrinkled. Honey’s natural hydrating properties make it ideal for use in moisturizing products. Because is also suitable for sensitive skin products.

Studies have also revealed that honey has significant natural antioxidant properties. Antioxidants play a role in protecting the skin from the damage of UV rays, and aiding in skin rejuvenation. Prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV radiation can cause skin damage, premature aging and even skin cancer. The Cosmetics, Toiletries and Fragrance Association reports that, because chemical and physical barrier sunscreens can cause skin irritation, companies are researching the use of antioxidants, anti-irritants and moisturizers in sun care products. Honey has potentialfor use in these products.

A recent review of medical research documents honey’s effectiveness as an antimicrobial agent. Antimicrobial agents inhibit the growth of certain bacteria. According to Janice Cox, author of Natural Beauty at Home, “Honey’s antimicrobial properties make it useful for the treatment of minor acne flare-ups. Also, unlike some acne treatments, honey doesn’t dry the skin.” Honey is antimicrobial for many reasons, including its high sugar content, which limits the amount of water available to bacteria for growth; its relatively high acidity (low pH); and its low protein content, which deprives bacteria of nitrogen needed for growth. The presence in honey of hydrogen peroxide, and the antioxidants honey contains, also inhibit bacterial growth.

Honey’s prospects in skin care are looking even sweeter; research is currently underway to develop a process using honey to create alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). AHAs are an important ingredient in many skin creams and moisturizers because they help exfoliate the skin. Exfoliation increases the renewal of the skin cells and gives skin a younger, more vibrant look. Exfoliation can also cause skin irritation, so honey’s natural moisturizing ability makes it a perfect fit for AHA products.

Soothing Skin Clarifier (for minor acne flare-ups)

Mix 1/2 cup warm water with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Using a cotton ball, apply directly to blemish. Maintain pressure with cotton ball for several minutes, to soften blemish. Using a cotton swab, dab honey on blemish; leave on 10 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.

Firming Facial Mask

Whisk together 1 tablespoon honey, 1 egg white, 1 teaspoon glycerin (available at drug and beauty stores) and enough flour to form a paste. Smooth over face and throat. Leave on 10 minutes. Wash off with warm water.

Hair Conditioner

Mix 1/2 cup honey with 1/4 cup olive oil. (Use 2 tablespoons oil for normal to oily hair.) Using a small amount at a time, work mixture through hair until coated. Cover hair with a shower cap; leave on 30 minutes. Remove shower cap; shampoo well and rinse. Dry as normal.

The Author

The National Honey Board
For more recipes using honey visit

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/honeybeauty.html

Honey You’re A Natural Beauty

by The National Honey Board

Throughout the centuries, legendary beauties have used honey as part of their skin and hair care treatments. Cleopatra was famous for her milk and honey baths, and Poppea, wife of Roman Emperor Nero, used a honey and milk lotion on her face to keep her looking youthful. By the time cosmetics were beginning to be mass produced in the late 1800s, honey was a popular ingredient. Today, manufacturers are increasingly using honey in skin moisturizers, facial masks, hair conditioners and shower gels in response to consumer demand for more natural formulations.

Did you know!

All-natural honey is an effective treatment for minor abrasions and burns. A recent review of medical research documents its effectiveness as an antimicrobial agent.

A Natural Moisturizer

The skin’s ability to stay hydrated is an important factor in its ability to maintain softness, suppleness and elasticity. As skin ages, or as it is exposed to environmental stresses and chemical agents, it loses this ability to retain water, becomes dry and appears wrinkled. Honey is a humectant, which means it attracts and retains water. So honey is a natural fit for a variety of moisturizing products including cleansers, creams, shampoos and conditioners. Because honey is also an anti-irritant, it is suitable for sensitive skin and baby care products.

Skin Softening Bath

Add ¼ cup honey to bath water for a fragrant, silky bath.

Hair Shine

Stir 1 teaspoon honey into 4 cups (1 quart) warm water. Blondes may wish to add a squeeze of lemon. After shampooing, pour mixture through hair. Do not rinse out. Dry as normal.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids

Research is currently underway to develop a process using honey to create alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). AHAs are an important ingredient in many skin creams and moisturizers because they help exfoliate the skin. Increased exfoliation, or renewal of the skin cells, gives skin a younger, more vibrant look. Exfoliation can also cause skin irritation so honey’s natural moisturizing ability makes it a perfect fit for AHA products.

Moisture Mask
Mix 2 tablespoons honey with 2 teaspoons milk. Smooth over face and throat. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Smoothing Skin Lotion
Mix 1 teaspoon honey with 1 teaspoon vegetable oil and ¼ teaspoon lemon. Rub into hands, elbows, heels and anywhere that feels dry. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with water.

Antioxidants

Preliminary studies have also revealed that honey has significant natural antioxidant properties. Antioxidants play a role in protecting the skin from the damage of UV rays and in aiding in skin rejuvenation. Prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV radiation can cause skin damage, premature aging and even skin cancer. Because chemical and physical barrier sunscreens can cause skin irritation, companies are researching the use of antioxidants, anti-irritants and moisturizers in their sun care products. The natural properties of honey make it ideal for these products. Look for honey to appear in the ingredient statements of more and more cosmetics, sunscreens and skin care products.

Honey Cleansing Scrub
Mix 1 tablespoon honey with 2 tablespoons finely ground almonds and ½ teaspoon lemon juice. Rub gently onto face. Rinse off with warm water.

Firming Face Mask
Whisk together 1 tablespoon honey, 1 egg white, 1 teaspoon glycerin and enough flour to form a paste. (Approximately ¼ cup). Smooth over face and throat. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

reprinted with permission
The Author:

Brought to you by :The National Honey Board, which conducts research and marketing programs for the honey industry.

Photo Credit: The National Honey

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/aicr_fallpurees.html

Squash and Apple Purée - Makes 8 servings.

* 3 lbs. winter squash (such as acorn, butternut or Hubbard)
* 3 large baking apples (Rome Beauty, York Imperial or Granny Smith)
* 2 tsp. fresh parsley, minced
* 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
* 1/2 cup toasted wheat germ

Preheat oven at 350 degrees.

Cut squash in half. Scoop out seeds and stringy portions. Place in a large baking pan cut side down and bake until soft, 45 to 60 minutes, depending on size.

About 30 minutes before you expect squash to be done, poke a few holes in the apples. Add to the baking pan. When squash and apples are tender but not mushy, remove from oven.

Cut apples in half to aid in cooling.

Scoop squash out of their shell, or pull off peel. Remove peels, seeds and cores of apples. Place squash and apple in a blender. Add parsley and pepper. Purée.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spread purée in a baking dish lightly sprayed with oil. Sprinkle wheat germ evenly over the top. Bake 20 minutes, or until bubbling softly.

Per serving: 155 calories, 1 g. total fat (4 g. saturated fat), 37 g. carbohydrate, 4 g. protein, 9 g. dietary fiber, 347 mg. sodium.

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/aicr_zucchini.html

Italian Pickled Zucchini - Makes 3 cups, or 6 half-cup servings.

Canola oil spray
2 large zucchini, cut at slight angle into 1/4-inch slices
1 medium carrot, cut at slight angle into 1/4-inch slices
1 small green bell pepper, seeded, halved
1/3 cup white vinegar
1/3 cup water
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
and thinly-sliced

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Coat a baking sheet with spray oil. Arrange zucchini on the sheet in one layer. Spray zucchini liberally with cooking spray. Roast until zucchini is just slightly softened, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Add carrot and bell pepper. In a small, non-reactive pan - like an enameled, stainless steel, or non-stick pan - combine vinegar with water. Add garlic. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Pour hot mixture over vegetables.

Cover with a plate or other heavy object to hold vegetables under pickling liquid. Refrigerate overnight. Bring to room temperature. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

Per serving: 30 calories, 0 g. total fat, 5 g. carbohydrate, 1 g. protein, 2 g. dietary fiber, 203 mg. sodium.

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/mh_herbvinegar.html

Making Herb Vinegar From Your Herbal Garden
By Mary Hanna

A way to use your amble herb crop from your herbal garden is to make flavored vinegars. To make herb vinegar, wash and dry your fresh herbs thoroughly then pour warm vinegar, not hot, over them in glass jars. You can use any type of vinegar but distilled. Be sure that the fresh herbs are completely covered by the vinegar. Seal the jar and allow them to sit for a month or two to mingle the flavors. Do not allow the herb vinegar access to direct sunlight.

After the herb vinegar has steeped, remove the fresh herbs that you used and add new ones for a fresher look. If you want to add garlic or chili peppers to the herb vinegar, thread them on wooden skewers so that they will stay submerged.

There are no herb vinegar recipes that have strict rules. Use your imagination when pairing fresh herbs to be used in your herbal vinegar. Here are a few that go well together.

Cinnamon Basil and Whole Cloves
Lemon basil by itself
Cinnamon sticks with Whole Cloves Nutmeg and Allspice
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme –no kidding
Dill flowers with Peppercorns
Basil Garlic and Peppercorn
Hot Peppers alone or with Pearl Onions

When you start to use your herb vinegar, as the level of the liquid goes down take out any of the herbs that are exposed to the air in the jar. If you leave them in the jar they may form a mold. Never use metal tops on the jars, they will rust from the vinegar.

Your herbal garden has been a success but now you have so many herbs you don’t know what to do. You’ve already made several herb vinegars. Still your herbal garden have produced so much basil you can’t think of any other ways to use it. You’ve garnished every plate this summer with parsley from your herbal gardens and you still have a bumper crop. It is one dilemma that many herb gardeners have had over the years. There is a fix for abundant herbal gardens.

From your herbal garden you can freeze herbs or dry herbs easily and by utilizing these methods you will have herbs long into the winter months. A favorite method is to wash and dry the herbs. Put them in the bottom of plastic ice trays, fill with stock and freeze. Anytime you make soups or stews just pop in as many as you wish. Once frozen put them in Ziploc bags and label with the name of the herb. If you were diligent about pinching your herbs back during the growing season you should have a lot of herbs from the herbal garden. Pinching applies to oregano, chives, basil and thyme. Woody herbs like rosemary should be cut vigorously to keep them from getting too woody.

To freeze herbs without the stock, wash and gently dry the herbs. Put them in a Ziploc bag that can withstand the freezer. As needed you can take out your herbs and chop them for your recipes. The herbs will no longer be of use for garnishing but they will retain their flavor, they just won’t be as intense as fresh herbs from the herbal garden.

To dry herbs is pretty simple. Pick the herbs from the herbal gardens after the dew has dissipated. Harvest from your herbal garden just before the herbs bloom. That is when the herbs are at their peak flavor. Gather them into a bundle and tie a string around them. Hang them upside down in a room with good circulation and no light. This will take a bit of time. Drying time varies with humidity and temperature of your climate and the item that you are drying. Most of the time about 14 days will do it. To check pull off a leaf, if it crumbles easily it is ready. Once they are dried put them in a tight sealed container away from light.

You could use the microwave to dry herbs. Once again, harvest your herbs from your herbal garden after the dew is gone. Wash and gently dry the herbs. Put them between two pieces of paper toweling. Two paper towels on the bottom and two on the top. Cook them on high for one minute and then check them. If they are still moist, cook again at twenty second intervals. You must watch this very carefully. Hot spots could occur and the towels catch on fire. Once they are crisp seal in an air tight container in a dark spot. Now you will have dried herbs from your herbal garden all winter long..

Another alternative is to dry herbs in your oven. Turn the oven on to its lowest setting. Spread the herbs out on cookie sheets, put them in, prop open the door and check in about an hour, if they are not done continue drying, check ever thirty minutes. If possible leave the herb leaves intact. If you crush them before storing they will lose flavor.

When you go to use your dried herbs the rule of thumb for usage is that for every tablespoon of fresh herbs you would use, only use ½ teaspoon of dried.

This was to help you use up the abundance of herbs that you grew in your herb garden this summer. Enjoy!

Good Luck and have fun!

About The Author

Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida. This allows her to grow gardens inside and outside year round. She has published other articles on Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at
http://www.ContainerGardeningSecrets.com
http://www.GardeningHerb.com
http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com

POSTED JULY 26, 2006

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/bt_green.html

Green Living: Declutter, Donate, & Enjoy

by Barbara Tako

The economy is uncertain. Isn’t it a bad time to declutter? Maybe we should save what we have in case we need it some day (maybe sooner than we’d thought)? I don’t think so. I think many of us still suffer from an overabundance of stuff. It will be kinder to ourselves and to the world if we continue to clear out clutter, especially if we can weed out wisely.

If you are having tough economic times, consider using the Internet and other avenues to sell items you don’t need. Maybe the cash to pay the bills and put food on the table would be more helpful to you right now than the extra stuff at home. Think about wants versus needs as you look through your stuff.

If your circumstances are okay but you are still mired down with extra stuff, consider donating to your favorite charity. When you donate to your favorite charity, you help the charity as well as the people who ultimately receive your extras. You also help yourself by creating open spaces in your home as well as time and energy for your priorities.

There is an additional bonus. We are not just helping ourselves and other people when we donate our extra household goods. We are living green because we aren’t adding to a landfill and contributing to our environmental problems. Our extras are finding homes where they are needed and appreciated instead of going to waste, literally.

Maybe our instinct right now is to cling to what we have. If we have too much and our clutter is draining and frustrating us, then now, more than ever, it is time to let it go. If we are learning anything, perhaps we are learning that happiness doesn’t come from stuff, and acquiring more and more stuff hasn’t made us happier and happier.

I have been in modest uncluttered homes that glow with love and energy. These are homes where anything is possible: reading a book, playing a game, having a spontaneous get-together with friends or neighbors. Sadly, I have also been in expensive stuff-filled homes that seem to suck the vitality from their owners. These are homes where the owners would feel too depressed by the clutter around them to sit and read a book, or maybe they wouldn’t be able to find the game under the piles of stuff, or perhaps they would be too embarrassed to invite the neighbors in to visit.

Maybe it is how we live rather than what we have that creates joy. Perhaps it doesn’t matter how much we have. Maybe it matters more whether or not the stuff we have is uncluttered, clean, repaired, and maintained. Our stuff can support us rather than the other way around. If we work to create this kind of environment in our homes, we can help others and we can all live a sustainable life. Will you try it?

The Author:

Barbara Tako
Clutter Clearing Choices LLC
http://www.clutterclearingchoices.com
http://www.clutterclearingchoices-simplybarb.blogspot.com/
Clutter Clearing Choices: Clear Clutter, Organize Your Home, & Reclaim Your Life (O Books, Jan., 2010)

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/tk-kitchenbudget.html

Save Money in the Kitchen
BY TAWRA KELLAM & JILL COOPER

For many people, cutting back on their grocery budgets can be an overwhelming experience. They know they’re spending too much, but don’t know where to begin to cut. Often, they fear that they will deprive themselves and their children if they become frugal. The good news is that there are ways to have your cake, eat it and save money at the same time. The whole secret is to start slowly. There are countless ways you can cut, but if you need to, target just one thing at a time - you will still be saving money if you do only one thing. If you are a frugal beginner, try these simple suggestions from my cookbook, Not Just Beans, (www.notjustbeans.com) for saving on your food bill:

~Cooking frugally is like changing your diet. You need to learn gradually how to save money and cook frugally. Don’t expect that you will get your food bill down to $150 for four people in the first month if you are spending $600 a month right now.

~Try cutting just $25.00 or $50.00 a month. Even if you cut back only $50.00 a month, you will save $600.00 a year. If you save just $1.00 a day that is $365.00 a year. You can then apply that $365.00 a year to paying off your credit cards. At 21% interest, you will save over $70 a year. This will eventually cause a snowball effect since the more you pay off, the less you pay to interest. When you pay less to interest, you have more each month to apply to paying off your overall debt. This means that as you pay off the debt, the rate that you can pay it off increases.

~Before you shop, take a tour through your pantry and your refrigerator. Be organized! Don’t buy what’s already hiding in your kitchen.

~If you’re a fan of coupons, remember this: It’s not what you save, it’s what you spend. If you save 30 cents on something you wouldn’t ordinarily buy anyway, you haven’t really saved anything.

~A typical fruit item is significantly larger than one serving. Most people would be just as happy eating a small apple as eating a large one — so buy smaller fruits! You will save money by the pound.

~This month, try two meatless meals a week (or one, if you’re a diehard meat fan).

~Make simple meals. One-dish meals can contain your meat, your vegetable and your bread.

To order Not Just Beans, 50 Years of Frugal Family Favorites visit or send check or money order for $14.95 to: Not Just Beans, P.O. Box 4252, Wichita, KS 67204.

For many people, cutting back on their grocery budgets can be an overwhelming experience.

Most people don’t think they can live the frugal life and still be comfortable. I feed my family of four on $125 month. Over five years, when my husband earned an average of $22,000 per year, we paid off $20,000 debt. When cutting your grocery bill and paying off debt, it’s the little things that add up. If you are a frugal beginner, try these simple suggestions from my cookbook, Not Just Beans, (www.notjustbeans.com) for saving on your food bill:

~Drink water for your meals.

*If your family is used to drinking milk, juice or pop for every meal then start by cutting juice from one meal or snack a day and drinking only water. After you get used to this, cut from another meal until you drink only water for meals and a glass of juice or milk at snack time.

*You can also try allowing one glass of juice at meal times and then water after it is gone.

* You save over $500.00 a year by cutting just one glass of juice per person per day for a family of four.

~Don’t assume homemade is cheaper. If you get a VERY GOOD deal on chocolate chips and ingredients for candies, it is cheaper to make them than buying them pre-made. Make sure you do the calculations, though! If you don’t purchase them on sale, homemade candies can be more expensive than candies purchased at the store.

~ Stop wasting food. Give young children small portions. They can always have more if they are still hungry. Give them a half glass of juice and a half sandwich so you don’t waste uneaten food. Put food in the refrigerator right after the meal so it doesn’t spoil. Use leftovers for lunches, in other dishes or frozen in one portion sizes for a quick meal.

~Don’t buy everything at one store.

Prices vary greatly from one store to the next. Go to different stores to buy only their sale items. You will save more than the cost of your gas. It usually only takes half an hour to 45 minutes per store to get the items that are on sale including driving time. If you save a minimum of $20-$30 per trip, it is like “earning” $40-$60 an hour. If I save $60 spending one hour going to two different stores, it is five extra hours my husband does not have to work for us to pay for that same food purchased at the regular price. I would rather have him home with us.

~ Remember cooking frugally is a mind set. You have to change your cooking and eating habits. Don’t get discouraged if one idea fails. Try another one.

~Stop buying things like toaster pastries and breakfast bars for breakfast. Eat oatmeal, pancakes, granola and fruit instead.

~Don’t assume that bulk is cheaper. Compare cost by the ounce or pound.

Granola Bars

* ¾ cup brown sugar
* ½ cup sugar
* ½ cup margarine, softened
* 2 Tbsp. honey or corn syrup
* ½ tsp. vanilla
* 1 egg
* 1 cup flour
* ¼ tsp. salt
* ½ tsp. baking soda
* 1 ½ cups oatmeal
* 1 ¼ cups crispy rice cereal, or crushed bran flakes, corn flakes or crushed graham crackers
* 1 tsp. cinnamon
* 1 cup chocolate chips*

In a large bowl, cream sugars and margarine until fluffy. Add honey, vanilla and egg. Mix well. Blend in flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Stir in remaining ingredients. Press firmly into the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350< for 20-25 minutes. To microwave: Press ingredients into a microwave-safe dish. Microwave on medium power for 7-9 minutes. Rotate dish every three minutes. Bars will firm as they stand. Cool and cut into bars. Save the crumbs for yogurt or ice cream topping. Makes 24 bars.

*The following may be used in addition to or to replace chocolate chips:

1 cup coconut

½ cup creamy or chunky peanut butter

½ cup nuts

½-1 cup raisins, dried apples, apricots

½ cup fruit preserves

_______________________________________

Author:

If you would like free tips and recipes from Not Just Beans: 50 Years of Frugal Family Favorites, please visit our website at www.notjustbeans.com.

To order Not Just Beans, 50 Years of Frugal Family Favorites visit or send check or money order for $14.95 to: Not Just Beans, P.O. Box 4252, Wichita, KS 67204.

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/mixes.html

Make Your Own Mixes and Save 50-90%

BROUGHT TO YOU BY: WWW.MIXAMEAL.COM

Easy, Convenient and Inexpensive

Want to cut the cost of convenient mixes by at least 50 percent? Make your own delicious bread, cake, muffin, frosting, salad dressing, sauce, cookie, and pancake mixes without sacrificing your budget, time, or tastebuds. Preparation and cleanup time is a snap. And it’s so easy even the kids can do it!

Ingredients

Commercial dry mixes use dehydrated products such as butter, eggs, cheese, milk, shortening, etc. You can use these same ingredients at home by making your own mixes. Many grocery or health food stores are starting to carry the basic dry ingredients. However, they are usually quite a bit more expensive than if you purchase from companies who sell bulk dehydrated foods. You might just find many of the ingredients on your home food storage shelf collecting dust. Once you learn how easy it is to use these basic dry ingredients, you’ll never want to return to “old-fashioned” cookin’ again!

How To Make Mixes

There are two ways to make mixes: 1) put all ingredients together in a large electric mixer; cover tightly and mix well, or 2) shake all ingredients in a large container with a lid or in a plastic bag sealed tightly. If the recipe contains dehydrated whole egg, first combine the egg with one cup of flour in the bag, then add the remaining dry ingredients, close and shake. If a dry ingredient becomes hard or lumpy, break into pieces and process in a blender just long enough to make it a fine powder again.

Try our Pancake Mix for fun:
Pancake Mix

Ingredients:

* 8 cups white or whole wheat flour
* 3/4 cups shortening powder
* 3/4 cups powdered milk
* 3/4 cups brown or white sugar or 1/3 cups fructose
* 2/3 cups dehydrated whole eggs
* 1/3 cups baking powder
* 1 scant Tablespoon salt

Family Favorite Pancakes

* 1 scant cup Pancake Mix
* 1 cup water

Stir together. Let stand a minute and cook on a hot oiled griddle. Turn when bubbles break on top. Makes six 4” pancakes.

Apple Pancakes
Combine:
1 cup Pancake Mix made without sugar
Add:
1 cup apple juice

Mix-A-Meal Cookbook, by Deanna Bean and Lorna Shute, p. 36.

Storing Mixes

Store in covered container in cool dark place for optimal shelf life, preferably 40-68 degrees. If you want a longer shelf life for your mixes, put your flour in the freezer for two days before making mixes.

Taste and Health Benefits

Homemade mixes taste better and are better for you. You can eliminate or significantly reduce preservatives in your foods. Need to make modifications for special diets? No problem! You can use fructose in place of sugar. Just use approximately one-third to one-half as much and adjust to satisfy your own taste. Need a no-salt diet? In place of salt try dehydrated orange flavoring for breads and rolls and dehydrated butterscotch flavoring for cookies. Or, you could reduce or leave out salt entirely if you need to. What about fat? The big secret in making mixes is you use half as much dehydrated shortening, butter, or margarine in the mixes as non-dehydrated. Who couldn’t benefit from a lower fat diet? The recipes will turn out light and fluffy! For a non-fat alternative use applesauce in place of oil. A lactose intolerant individual can use dry soy milk powder in place of powdered dairy milk. You’ll never know the difference. Dehydrated egg white and dehydrated whole egg can be used interchangeably in most recipes according to dietary needs and taste. Butter or margarine powder can be used interchangeably.

Other Applications

Making your own mixes is also ideal for camping, unexpected company, emergencies, or gifts. Useful homemade gift baskets are always appreciated for bridal showers, birthdays, Christmas, and more.

Try It, You’ll Like It!

Go ahead, try a mix and see for yourself how easy it really is. Then let the kids try and have some fun shaking everything together! Once you understand the proper ratios for using the basic dry ingredients, you can convert many of your regular recipes into mix recipes for great taste and convenience. Here’s a fun Cheese Sauce for nacho chips, macaroni and cheese, cheese and broccoli or topping for a potato bar.

Cheese Sauce Mix

* 4 1/2 cups dehydrated cheese sauce
* 2 2/3 cups powdered milk
* 2 2/3 cups dehydrated butter powder or margarine powder
* 2 2/3 cups flour
* 2 teaspoons onion powder

If you want to try a smaller mix first to see how you like it try a Mini-Mix instead:

Cheese Sauce Mini-Mix

* 1/3 cups dehydrated cheese powder
* 3 Tablespoons powdered milk
* 3 Tablespoons dehydrated butter powder or margarine powder
* 3 Tablespoons flour
* 1/8 teaspoons onion powder

Cheese Sauce

Combine:

* 1 cup hot tap water
* 1/2 cup Cheese Sauce Mix (above)

Bring to a boil stirring with a wire whisk — it only takes a minute! For a touch of color add a few parsley flakes (optional).

Mix-A-Meal Cookbook, by Deanna Bean and Lorna Shute, p. 46.

more information...

Mindy learned from firsthand experience many skills of self reliance as the fourth of ten children. B.A. Public Relations. Founder of Mix-A-Meal Company, publisher of Mix-A-Meal Cookbook, founder of Preparedness Plus.
Contact Information:

Mix-A-Meal Company
PO Box 971662
Orem, UT 84097-1662

info@mixameal.com
www.mixameal.com
800-588-5412

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/aicr_powertreats.html

Healthy Whole-Grain “Power” Treats - Makes 12 servings.

* 3 cups (half 10-ounce bag) miniature marshmallows
* 1 1/2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
* 2 cups puffed whole-grain cereal
* 1/2 cup whole grain flake cereal
* 1/2 cup pecans, chopped, or salted roasted soynuts
* 1/2 cup raisins

Coat a 9-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. Line pan with plastic wrap, letting edges hang over sides of pan. Coat plastic with cooking spray. Coat a wooden mixing spoon with cooking spray and set aside, close to stove.

In large saucepan over medium heat, cook marshmallows and butter until they are melted and start to color, about 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Take pot off heat.

Using coated spatula, stir in two cereals, nuts and raisins until dry ingredients are well coated with marshmallow mixture.

Turn mixture into prepared pan. Using wet hands, smooth and press mixture into an even layer. (You can also lightly spray your hands with cooking spray to do this.). Set aside to cool. Invert pan over cutting board. Lift off plastic. Using serrated knife, cut into squares, or rectangles about the size of a small candy or power bar.

Per serving: 128 calories, 5 g. total fat (1 g. saturated fat), 21 g. carbohydrate, 2 g. protein, 2 g. dietary fiber, 27 mg. sodium.

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/aicr_greenpotatoes.html

Green Mashed Potatoes - Makes 4 servings or 2 cups.

* 1 1/2 lightly-packed cups baby spinach leaves
* 3/4 lb. small potatoes, preferably yellow-fleshed
* 1 large garlic clove, peeled
* 1/4 cup finely chopped scallions, green part only
* 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
* Salt and freshly-ground black pepper

Place the spinach in a food processor. Whirl, stopping as needed to scrape down the sides of the bowl, until the spinach is finely chopped and moist but not pureed. (This step can also be done with a large, sharp knife.) Set aside.

Place the potatoes and garlic in a saucepan. Add cold water until the level is 2-inches above the potatoes. Set over medium-high heat until the water boils, then reduce the heat and cook until the potatoes are very soft, 20 to 25 minutes, depending on their size.

Drain the potatoes and garlic in a colander, then immediately return them to the hot pot, shaking the pot until the potatoes look dry. With a fork, roughly mash the potatoes to break them up. Add the spinach, scallions and oil. Mash until the potatoes are fluffy and bright green, with the skins well mixed in. The spinach will be wilted rather than soft. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

Per serving: 103 calories, 4 g. total fat (less than 1 g. saturated fat), 16 g. carbohydrate, 2 g. protein, 3 g. dietary fiber, 22 mg. sodium.

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/aicr_lebanesesalad.html

Lebanese Cabbage Salad - Makes 4 servings (4 1/2 cups).

* 1 lb. green cabbage (1/2 medium head)
* 2 ripe large plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
* 1/3 cup finely-chopped flat-leaf parsley
* 1/3 cup diced scallions, white and green parts
* 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
* 1 tsp. minced garlic
* 1/2 tsp. salt
* 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
* Freshly-ground black pepper

Cut the cabbage in half. Cut away the hard core and slice the cabbage crosswise into 1/2-inch strips, then crosswise into 3/4-inch pieces. There should be 4 cups; if there is extra, set it aside to add to soup or another salad. Place the cabbage in a mixing bowl. Add the tomatoes, parsley and scallions, and toss with a fork to combine.

In a small bowl, whisk the lemon juice, garlic and salt until the salt dissolves. Mix in the oil. Season the dressing to taste with pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad, toss for 1 minute to coat it well, then let sit 10 minutes for flavors to meld. Serve immediately.

Per serving: 80 calories, 4 g. total fat (less than 1 g. saturated fat), 10 g. carbohydrate, 2 g. protein, 4 g. dietary fiber, 327 mg. sodium.

http://www.pioneerthinking.com/aicr_polenta.html

Must Ethentic Be Authentic

BY DANA JACOBI FOR THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH

I used to be an ethnic food snob. Before making a recipe, I would travel clear across town to get ingredients imported from the country where the dish originated. Any amount of preparation was acceptable. I stirred polenta as patiently as an Italian “nonna,” tolerant of how it splattered all over the stove. I gently simmered oxtails to make rich broth for Vietnamese pho, and I even ground dried soybeans to make tofu from scratch. What finally cured me was a food experience that was memorable, but not in a positive way.

African cooking has always attracted me. I once persuaded the mother of an Ethiopian acquaintance to spend an entire day teaching me to make “injera,” the big, limp sheets of bread that serve as much as a plate as a national staple, plus several intensely-spiced stews and “niter kibbe,” the spiced clarified butter essential to many Ethiopian dishes.

Exploring food stores where African immigrants shopped, I discovered millet imported from West Africa. Familiar with millet that is light yellow and looks like bird-seed, I was startled to see this kind had round, quinoa-size grains the color of gravel, in an assortment of blue and greenish grays. When I followed the shopkeeper’s instructions for boiling millet, my apartment smelled like fish was cooking. I will never know if the final, mush-soft result was authentic, but it tasted oddly earthy and strange to my palate.

This cured me of achieving the most authentic dishes. Now I use ethnic ingredients more casually. One I rely on is the cooked polenta sold in a plastic tube (like sausage, but shelved unrefrigerated), an especially easy way to enjoy a whole grain. I layer thin slices with cheese and tomato sauce to make lasagne almost instantly, or sauté inch-thick slices in a skillet until golden brown, then top them with garlic-sautéed spinach and grated pecorino. Going fusion, I sometimes cook up tomatoes and bell peppers, then crumble in the polenta. Broken up, it resembles scrambled eggs and makes a complete dish perfect for breakfast or dinner.

Scrambled Polenta - Makes 4 cups or 4 servings.

1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium green bell pepper, seeded and diced
2 medium plum tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
2 tsp. butter
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. dried oregano
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
One tube (16-18 oz.) prepared polenta, cut in 1/2” slices
1/2 cup chopped scallions, white and green parts
1/2 cup crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese, about 2 oz.
1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1/4 cup cilantro leaves, chopped

In a medium skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the green pepper, tomatoes and jalapeno, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the peppers are bright green, 2 minutes. Mix in the garlic, cumin and oregano. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the tomatoes start to soften, 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

A few slices at a time, crumble the polenta into the pan in chunks. Cook, stirring, until the polenta is heated through. Off the heat, mix in the scallions, cheese and lime juice. Check seasoning and add salt and pepper if desired. Divide the polenta among 4 plates.

Garnish with the cilantro, and serve.

Per serving: 174 calories, 5 g. total fat (5 g. saturated fat), 26 g. carbohydrate, 7 g. protein, 4 g. dietary fiber, 630 mg. sodium.

AUTHOR:
The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) is the cancer charity that fosters research on diet and cancer and educates the public about the results. It has contributed more than $82 million for innovative research conducted at universities, hospitals and research centers across the country. AICR also provides a wide range of educational programs to help millions of Americans learn to make dietary changes for lower cancer risk. Its award-winning New American Plate program is presented in brochures, seminars and on its Web site, http://www.aicr.org. AICR is a member of the World Cancer Research Fund International.
RECIPE POSTED APRIL 09, 2007

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/cr_spiritualhealing.html

Discover Different Ways of Using Spiritual Energy Healing for Health and Well-Being

by Conrad Raw

A woman lay in the emergency room after being taken in unconscious from a sudden pain in her shoulder and upper chest. Her transport from the small rural community took 20 minutes and the time seemed too great for the aneurysm that burst on her aorta. The doctors watched the monitor for a sign of life. The heart monitor registered a flatline heart pattern and they covered her body as they pronounced her dead. For some reason, no one disconnected the heart monitor but they left her lay as they went to tell the family that she passed.

Within ten minutes after the ambulance took her, a dear family friend heard of the emergency and ran home to telephone friends in her church prayer group. By the time they began, another 15 minutes elapsed. At the time the prayer started, the family physician, on duty at the hospital, walked past the body and saw a blip on the heart monitor screen. He called for nurses and doctors and ultimately the woman lived. The aneurysm burst and bled into the heart sack slowing the heart’s rhythm to a deadly slow rate. What caused the physician to be there, at her bedside at that instant? Was the prayer group responsible for the one last beat of her dying heart? No one knows for sure but her family believes this miracle of body and circumstance came from the prayer.

Prayer, an age old method of healing has been studied for years. Most of the study’s are too personal and anecdotal to be of any use. Just like the woman in the emergency room, too many times coincidence, the possibility of spontaneous healing or the power of suggestion could explain the healing phenomena. One study, however, followed remote healing of strangers. The people that received the prayer had no idea that they were involved and those sending their prayers did not know those patients. A second almost identical group of patients were used as a control group and received no prayer. There was a significant difference in the recovery time of those that received prayer and more in the group prayed for had a complete recovery with no complications.

Prayer is not the only technique that uses the human essence to transfer wellness. Other methods include reiki, quantum touch, qigong, aura cleansing and the age old laying on of hands. All of these techniques use the transfer of energy or unblock the energy of the body. While those involved in religion attribute the healing from prayer to God, labeling the phenomena to the life force of those praying does not detract from that belief but simply studies the mechanics.

Quantum touch is a modern laying-on of hands, the use of one person’s chi to start the flow of another’s. Because of the use stimulation to the life force, it resembles the healing of yogis and qigong practitioners. It uses the energy of the healer amplified with breathing exercises to create energy fields around the individual and unblock the life force by synchronizing it with theirs.

Reiki also uses intervention techniques to unblock the life force of the recipient. The difference in reiki is that instead of the healer inputting energy, the individual receiving the healing draws the energy from the healer and participates in the process.

Aura cleansing is the first step in aura healing. It doesn’t need the touch of the healer but may take place in salt water, in the sun or with the aid of a healer to remove the debris from the aura after the patient is grounded. The healers often use stones of various colors to unblock charkas and improve the flow of energy to major chakra areas.

There is still limited study on the benefits of any of the techniques, but the fact that they all use a form of energy transference and come from many different areas of the globe, speaks volumes about the potential man has to perform miracles with the energy they have inside.
The Author:

“Conrad Raw is an expert on practical techniques for personal and spiritual development. He is a bestselling co-author with Wayne Dyer and Brian Tracy and is the author of “The Zensation Manual: Forbidden Secrets of Personal and Spiritual Development”. Spiritual Healing Course Visit his website to get your free video course on how to activate your true potential. Learn How To Meditate”

Article Source: Sustainable Living Articles

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/cp_energyhealing.html

Dr. Doom vs. Energy Healing
What Doctors don’t understand about Energy Healing
by Carole Provenzale

I call him Dr. Doom. He’s my neurologist and every time I go to see him I dread it for weeks before; and I used to leave his office completely depressed. Mind you, I don’t call him that to his name and I do think his intentions are truly to help people although it appears only if he can help them the way HE thinks they should be helped. His prognosis for me did not include getting well. And the methods he wanted to use to “help” me were invasive and irreversible. Clearly, not for me but, as he said, I had no options.

Wait a minute, I thought. Slow down. I WORK with Energy, the power of Intention, I count by blessings and I can help myself; working in wholistic health for so long and being a part of the wonderful but impossible cures I have seen, I can certainly heal on my own with other forms of healing that are not invasive or harmful.

I have a lot of respect for the medical profession, please don’t get me wrong. I just don’t think they always know what’s best for you. And they sometimes seem rather let down when you are healing on your own, without listening to their recommendations or taking their advice.

Since most of my clients are fully aware of the power of the Energy we all run on, we are more inclined to seek an Energy Healer then turn to some of the medications prescribed, that are often accompanied by terrible, irreversible side effects. We have come to understand the power of the Mind, Our Intentions, Our Thoughts and the Laws of Attraction. Can we actually think ourselves WELL? Not according to Dr. Doom, although I have seen it more times in my life then I myself can believe.

Natural forms of healing like Chinese Herbs, Acupuncture, Amma Therapy, Energy “Treatments” by someone qualified to give you the insights into why you got yourself sick to begin with all have the ability to make you well again. Just as we created out illness, so we can create our own
healing.

How? It’s not that difficult if you can keep a positive attitude, count your blessings and actually visualize yourself well. We are creating our futures by what we send out and we can heal ourselves. This is a new theory to some but I have been aware of the Power of Intention for a very long time. It’s one of the very first things you learn in Feng Shui Studies, it is not so much the actual changes you are making as it is the Intention as to WHY you are making them. And it makes sense to me; perfect sense.

Our surroundings have a deep and profound impact on every area of our lives and that includes our Health as well; if you’re facing Health issues or someone in your family is, look to the center of your home. Do you have clutter or dirt or perhaps a picture that doesn’t represent joy or good feelings? Feng Shui was perhaps a step ahead and I couldn’t be more grateful to have learned this ancient art when I did. I have been fortunate enough to live a “Feng Shui Life” for a decade now and have found it to be one of blessings, love and joy. And yes, challenges; ones that I have been able to overcome.

Except to dear old Dr. Doom. I am not listening to him and really, who am I not to follow a doctor’s advice? Particularly one that was rated as one of the Five Best Specialists in the state? Worse, I am not progressing in my “dis-ease” and further, he has somehow refused to make the acknowledgement that somehow, someway I have been healing. I can’t help but wonder how long he will be able to say that; after all, my test results are much improved and I am much improved.

My clients often ask and have much more of an interest in different methods of natural healing then ever before. And I tell them my story, not to deter any physician’s advice but to give them another perspective on ways to look at healing. After all, that’s exactly what Feng Shui is all about, a new perspective to see how your surroundings are affecting you and your life. Sometimes it still seems like magic, but it sure does work!

I have done a lot of intense work on myself in the last year including my thoughts and intentions of what I “send” out there. I have worked hard to discover things about myself that I had not realized, learned different applications of healing and how to use my instincts to realize the best ones for myself. I have also explored actually learning to help and heal others in their transformations so they will have positive results as well.

And the result of my visit to Dr. Doom? Well, I’m going to have to change his name; when I walked into his office, I’m not sure what he was expecting, but it wasn’t ME as I am now. His draw dropped to the floor (well, almost) and he blurted out “you look wonderful”! Clearly not what I was expecting to hear nor him to see. After reviewing my notes over and over again, he shook his head; no scientific reason to be found here on this healing he had encountered. I’m not quite sure yet, but I think the Doctor is rethinking things, especially about Energy and the power of the mind in healing. Perhaps we can start to help heal ourselves and just maybe we can rename all the Doctor “Dooms” of the world into Doctors that will believe, participate and encourage us in our own methods of healthcare and natural healing-—one doctor at a time. Feng Shui Long Island
The Author:

Carole Provenzale
Feng Shui Long Island
Certified Feng Shui Consultant
http://www.FengShuiLI.com

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/jc_foodpain.html

Are The Foods You Are Eating Keeping You In Pain?
By: Jesse Cannone, CFT, CPRS

Try An Anti-Inflammatory Diet: It Could Be The Answer To Eliminating Your Pain.

When I say “Inflammation”, thoughts of painful joints, muscles, swelling and loss of mobility probably comes to mind. But did you know that recent research shows that chronic inflammation in your body can lead to serious disease such as diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, and Alzheimer’s disease, to name just a few?

The amount of inflammation in our body varies and is dependent on may circumstances like activity level, amount of sleep or stress in our lives and even the foods we eat. Now what you have to realize is that these factors are all accumulative and as the levels increase the risk for disease increases.

Now early in life these levels can be so low that you would not even know that you have any inflammation in your body and that is because our bodies do a fair job at controlling the inflammation at least for a while, and than one day you wake up and you are in your 40’s and something is just not right and then the fear sets in and you think to yourself what did I do?, what did I do wrong?, or what can I do right now to help myself?

Well, the first step is to get your C-Reactive Protein levels tested, you will need to ask you Doctor and may even demand to have the test done, all it takes is a blood sample and then have your levels evaluated by your Doctor and even by a registered dietician to help you formulate a plan of care because our diets can play a large part in achieving optimal health.

If you have pain from inflammation you may choose to take the traditional “medical” path for inflammation such as, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s), steroids and even joint replacement surgery in severe cases. The good news is that there are more natural ways to fight inflammation, and they do not have the undesirable side effects caused by most typical medical treatments.

What You Eat Makes All The Difference

The food we eat is a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to controlling inflammation. The average American diet consists of high fat, high sugar, loads of red meat and a frightening amount of processed foods. These are all likely to increase inflammation, not to mention contributing to obesity, yet another high-inflammatory culprit. By switching to an anti-inflammatory diet plan made up of healthy, whole foods, you can actually decrease inflammation and in turn ease the pain and discomfort associated with it.

The first step is to avoid processed foods, foods high in sugar and junk food whenever possible. Instead choose fresh, whole foods including anti-inflammatory varieties like lean proteins, fruits and vegetables. But choose carefully, in fact even some vegetables and pre-packaged “health” foods can work against you.

Use this quick list of the best and worst foods in controlling inflammation:

Anti-inflammatory foods

Atlantic Salmon- (wild)
Fresh whole fruits, vegetables
Bright multi-colored vegetables
Green tea
Water
Olive oil
Lean poultry
Nuts, legumes and seeds
Dark green leafy vegetables
Old fashioned oatmeal
Spices, especially Turmeric and Ginger
Pro-inflammatory foods

Sugar, from any source
Processed foods
French Fries
Fast Foods
White bread
Pasta
Ice Cream
Cheddar Cheeses
Snack Foods
Oils such as vegetable and corn
Soda, caffeine and alcohol
In addition to these dietary changes it is also recommended that you:

- Maintain a healthy weight - There is no question that “Eating Healthy” is not easy these days, either at home or at a restaurant. But you must at least start to do these three things. Decrease your sugars, decrease your hydrogenated oils and increase your daily intake of fiber to 35 grams, that is a ton of fiber but just try, you may hit it, you may not, the point is try to.

- Get better sleep – 7 to 9 hour is mandatory for optimal health and the one thing that most people do not know is that quality sleep is the key to controlling systemic inflammation.

- Relax more often to lower stress levels – Find time for yourself, morning, noon and night and focus on your breathing and clear the clutter in your mind, learn to stay focused on the most important tasks in your life.

- Exercise on a regular basis – Everyone always asks me what is the best exercise to do and all I can say is “Do something you like to do, granted you can tolerate it, shoot for 15 to 20 minutes 3 times a week.

- Demand to have you CRP levels tested – This simple blood test is the best indicator of the level of systemic inflammation in your body, it is recommended that you have the levels evaluated by an certified health care provider to take the most appropriate action for you and your condition.

So if you are in pain and you are going to make a conscious choice to help yourself get better then…

Making these changes to your diet and lifestyle will most certainly improve your overall health and help reduce the pain from inflammation. If you would like more information about reducing inflammation naturally and effectively click the link below to learn more. http://www.losethebackpain.com/
The Author

Jesse Cannone
CFT, CPRS

The Healthy Back Institute
http://www.losethebackpain.com

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/arthritis.html

Old Folk-Home Remedies To Relieve Arthritis And Rheumatism

Arthritis, one of the oldest disease known to mankind, is the inflammation of one or more joints. It occurs in all races at all times. Decline in joint function generally begins at age 30. No one really knows the exact cause of this painful and disabling disease. However, there are two theories:

1. Infection
2. Body’s own defenses go out of line and attack its own tissues

Also experts believe that emotional stress plays a very important role in the cause of arthritis.

The most severe case of this crippling disease is RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. Factors relating to it are fatigue, shock, injury, and exposure to cold and dampness. At times nodules may show up under the skin, around the elbows, wrists and fingers, and occasionally on the ankles. The control of this particular type of arthritis may require the cooperation of a physician, a physical therapist, an orthopedic surgeon, and often the physician who specializes in psychosomatic diseases. Rest is considered one of the most essential factors in treatment which includes emotional rest. Diet need not be too restrictive, but should be rich in animal proteins, calcium and iron adequate in vitamins.

At present, many arthritic patients have been taking aspirins as a temporary pain-reliever with good results in some cases. Some patients also are given physical treatments with heat and water (bathing and whirlpools), finger-tip massaging, and other methods which an expert physiotherapist may use.

Remember this - PEOPLE DO NOT DIE OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS BUT RATHER WITH IT!

Since so many people in this country (over 150,000 a year) are afflicted with this excruciating, deforming disease, many HOME REMEDIES have been tested and used with some degree of effectiveness. Listed below are OLD-HOME-FOLK REMEDIES that have been tried by various people for treating arthritis in general and rheumatism.

- Mrs. G. had arthritis for years until she found relief taking alfalfa tea twice a day.

- Mrs. O. got relief by taking therapeutic doses of vitamins.

- Mrs. B. found relief by taking a tablespoon of fruit pectin in a small glass of cranberry juice every morning.

- Another lady found relief by gently exercising the afflicted joints in tub full of hot water.

- After learning self-control and how to avoid emotional upsets, Mrs. L. found that her pain had greatly lessened.

- Mrs. J.G. was greatly relieved when she eliminated sugar,white flour, macaroni, pie, cake, and sweet drinks from her diet.

- Mrs. H.B. prepared a drink which helped her and consisted of four raw finely sliced beets soaked in a quart of berry wine for one day. She drinks one small glass before meals, three times a day.

- Mrs. G. W. recommends dissolving 4 teaspoons of blackstrap molasses in one quart of cranberry juice and drinking one glass everyday. She also says 100 aspirins dissolved in a pint of rubbing alcohol will relieve sore joints when rubbed on three times a day.

- Mrs. P. takes equal parts of epsom salts, cream of tartar and ground rhubarb root, mixes, fills gelatin capsules, and takes one after each meal.

- Mrs. E.M. says two parts pure olive oil and one part kerosene makes a wonderful liniment to bathe afflicted joints.

- Add one tablespoon cod liver oil to the juice of one orange, whip and drink before retiring.

- Another says rub the aching joints with hot vinegar before going to bed.

- Mr. L. gives this poultice for swollen joints: 2 tablespoons mullein, 3 of granulated slippery elm bark, one of lobelia, 1 teaspoon cayenne. Mix thoroughly. Use boiling water to make paste. Spread on cloth and place on swollen joints. He also recommends oil of origanum, oil of lobelia, oil of capsicum, mixed with coconut oil for a good rub.

- Two teaspoons apple cider vinegar and 2 teaspoons of honey dissolved in a small glass of warm water taken once or twice a day brings relief.

Next Page
This article is not prescribing medicine or treatments, but simply passing on to you information (as provided above) describing how other arthritic and rheumatic

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/infections.html

Protect Your Health From Infections
BY Linda Patterson, R.N., M.S.N.

An infection is the growth of unwanted bacteria, viruses, or other one-celled organisms in the body. Infections interfere with the normal body functions. Once an infection becomes established, you should contact a physician about possible medical treatment.

Viruses and bacteria are everywhere, but they do not always cause infections. An infection happens when a disease-causing organism enters a body system (e.g., respiratory, reproductive, or digestive system) where conditions allow it to live and multiply. Whether or not this happens depends on how the organism enters the body, what kind and how many viruses and bacteria are contacted, and the health of the person involved.

Reduce Infections

Since viruses and bacteria that cause infections cannot be seen, you may ignore them or fear the illnesses they can cause. A more effective approach is to try to increase the ability of your body to resist infection, avoid the activities that make infection more likely, and reduce the contact with bacteria and viruses, whenever possible, by using common sense precautions.

Maximize Your Body’s Resistance To Viruses And Bacteria

Regularly review your immunizations with a health-care provider. You do not need to be an expert on immunizations... you do need to ask for a review of your immunizations regularly, even if your health provider doesn’t mention it. Never assume you or any dependent family member have had all the shots.

Carefully use antibiotics and only after asking your doctor about alternative treatments. Find out what the likelihood is that you will heal without antibiotics. If you reach a mutual decision to use antibiotics, be sure you find out how to take them correctly. Frequent or ineffective use of antibiotics can reduce your body’s defenses against later infection.

Take care of your body defenses by eating a well-balanced diet rich in vitamins, getting adequate rest and relaxation, and exercising moderately on a regular basis. Prompt attention to skin irritations, cuts, and scrapes will also maintain your most effective barrier against viruses and bacteria.

Avoid Activities That Make Infections More Likely

Avoid sharing personal items, such as razors, drinking glasses, cosmetics, manicure equipment, pierced earrings, medical equipment or needles, combs, brushes, towels and washcloths, hats, and toothbrushes. Sharing these items may also share lice, fungus infections, and assorted bacteria and viruses.

Develop habits that discourage the spread of bacteria and viruses. For example:

Avoid touching the face, especially the eyes, nose, and mouth, with dirty hands.

Use tissues carefully, and dispose of them in the trash after a single use.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or clean hands when you sneeze or cough...the velocity of a cough can be 60 miles or more per hour.

Use effective housekeeping to avoid infection. Focus housekeeping on your laundry, kitchen, and bathroom. Use the cleaning solutions described in the section on Common Sense Precautions. Keep toothbrushes away from the toilet, and disinfect or replace toothbrushes regularly. To disinfect a toothbrush, run it through a dishwasher cycle or soak it in a mild solution of 1 tablespoon bleach solution in 2 gallons of water, and rinse well. Also use this mild solution of bleach to disinfect kitchen counters, sinks, and cutting boards in the kitchen. Eating utensils can be rinsed in hot water or washed in the dishwasher. If you want to avoid the chances of infections even more, change towels, pillowcases, washcloths, socks, and underwear frequently, and wash them with a disinfectant for laundry.

Avoid risky sexual and drug use behaviors that expose you to deadly diseases. If you are not sure if your behaviors are risky, refer to Extension Publication 1951, HIV: Plain Talk, or ask for information from your health provider, the local department of health, or a substance abuse/chemical dependency treatment center. You can also call the Mississippi State University Extension Service in your county, or the U.S. Public Service AIDS Hotline at 1-800-342-2437, 1-800-344-7432 (Spanish) or 1-800-343-7889 (hearing impaired).

Use Common Sense Precautions

Body fluids that may be infected with bacteria or viruses include blood, male and female sexual fluids, saliva, vomit, urine, and feces. There is a high risk of infection with HIV (AIDS virus) and Hepatitis B, when infected body fluids enter the body through sexual contact or shared drug equipment. Although the risk is remote with other types of contact with these infected body fluids, experts do recommend some precautions. Some of these precautions are easily adapted for daily life and make good sense because they also protect you from other viruses and bacteria.

Wear gloves during cleaning of body fluids or dirty items; bandage any cuts or scrapes before putting on gloves. Remove the gloves without touching the dirty side, and wash hands after removing the gloves. Disposable latex gloves are best; reusable gloves may spread infection.

Take care with trash; never push down the trash with hands or feet, or reach into the trash. Empty the trash onto a newspaper to search for missing items with eyes instead of hands. Dispose of sharp items in a puncture-resistant container.

Clean up body fluids and bathrooms with an EPA-approved germicide labeled “tuberculocidal,” or use a 1:100 solution of bleach (1 tablespoon bleach per cup of water or 1/4 cup bleach to a gallon of water) after using disposable gloves and towels to clean any body fluids that can be seen. Dispose of the towels and gloves in a plastic bag, and soak mops in a bleach solution for 10 minutes after use. Be alert to the hazards of bleach or other chemicals.

Wash and dry hands thoroughly after using the toilet, cleaning jobs, and before eating or preparing food. Excessive hand washing may be harmful if skin irritation occurs, but regular washing with a mild soap is helpful. The use of an anti-bacterial soap can reduce bacteria and viruses, but the decision must be balanced against the risk of skin irritation.

Protecting your health and the health of those around you depends on many factors that may seem overwhelming when they are discussed at the same time. Chances are that most of these precautions are a routine part of your life. Other strategies may be new. As with most life changes, practice will make it all seem simple. If you avoid even an occasional illness by using the tips mentioned, life will seem that much nicer.
The Author

Linda Patterson, R.N., M.S.N., Extension Health Education Specialist . Extension Service of Mississippi State University. For further information visit http://msucares.com/health/health04/index.html

http://www.pioneerthinking.com/aromaa-c.html

Read our guide to using essential oils

A
Apple - Pyrus malus ....... Cheers you up

B
Basil - Ocimum basilicum - Promotes peace and happiness

* Scent: Sweet, spicy
* Color: Yellow or pale-green
* Extracted From: Flowering tops and leaves
* Aromatherapy Properties: Upset stomachs, depressed appetite, flatulence, aids concentration, skin abrasions, headaches, sinus congestion, muscular aches and pains, migraine, bronchitis, gout.

Avoid Basil use if pregnant, nursing or if subject to seizures.

Bay Leaf - Laurus nobilis.......Increases psychic awareness

* Scent: Pleasant and spicy
* Extracted From: leaves
* Aromatherapy Properties: cuts, scrapes, indigestion, antiseptic, decongestant, tonic, colds, flus, sprains.

Do not use Bay Leaf during pregnancy.

Benzoin ....... Promotes energy

* Scent: Warm, sweet, balsamic, slight vanilla
* Color: Reddish-brown, orange-brown, grayish-brown
* Extracted From: Directly from the tree
* Aromatherapy Properties: Excellent for respiratory problems. Soothing on nervous systems. Cuts and chapped skin, sedative, arthritis.

Bergamot - Citrus bergamai .....Promotes a restful sleep

* Scent: Fruity, tangy, zesty
* Color: Light greenish-yellow
* Extracted From: Peel of nearly ripe fruit
* Aromatherapy Properties: Combats fatigue due to stress, tension and anxiety. Is reputed to strengthen the immune system. Used especially for mouth, skin, respiratory and urinary tract infections, wounds, fevers, acne.

Never apply Bergamot to skin that will be exposed to the sun.

Bergamot mint..... Increases energy

Black pepper - Piper nigrum..... Increases alertness

* Scent: Warm, spicy, peppery
* Color: Colorless or pale olive
* Extracted From: Black peppercorns ( dried and crushed ).
* Aromatherapy Properties: muscle treatments, poor circulation, arthritis and rheumatism, sprains, stiffness. Also colds, flu, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, rheumatism.

Broom.... Promotes tranquility

C
Calendula - Calendula officinalis..... Promotes good health

* Extracted From: flowers
* Aromatherapy Properties: stomach ulcers, skin conditions, throat infections, abdominal cramps.

Avoid Calendula during pregnancy.

Camphor - Cinnamomum camphora.....Increases energy

* Scent: Sharp, cool, menthol
* Color: brownish
* Extracted From: Wood, roots,leaves, branches
* Aromatherapy Properties: Inhalant, nervous tension, bruises, burns, spots, ulcers, wounds, muscular aches, colds, fever, flu. Good insect repellent.

Do not ingest camphor oil or any camphor products.

Caraway - Carum carvi ..... Increases energy

* Scent: Stimulating

Cardomon..... Promotes feelings of love and desire for sex

* Scent: Spicy and warm

Carnation..... Increases energy

* Scent: Spicy and floral.

Catnip - Nepeta cataria.....Calms you down

* Extracted From: flowing tops, dried leaves
* Aromatherapy Properties: anxiety, fever, gas, infant colic

Cedarwood - Juniperus virginina.....Increases spirituality

* Scent: Sweet, woody and spicy.
* Color: pale yellow or orange
* Extracted From: Wood
* Aromatherapy Properties: Arthritis and rheumatism, eczema, acne, catarrh.

Avoid Cedarwood during pregnancy.
Celery - Apium graveolens.....Promotes a restful sleep

* Scent: Warm & spicy

Chamomile - Chamaemelum nobile (Roman Chamomile) Matricaria recutita (German Chamomile) Promotes sleep and tranquility

* Scent: Sweet, fruity, floral.
* Color: Roman : pale blue going brown-yellow with age
* Extracted From: Flower heads
* Aromatherapy Properties: Indigestion, peptic ulcers, nervousness, menstrual cramps, sore throat, burns and skin inflammations, vaginal infections, insomnia, sunburn, hay fever, sprains.

Cinnamon.....Increases energy and awareness

* Scent: Warm and spicy.
* Extracted From: leaves, roots, stems, bark, flowers
* Aromatherapy Properties: mild cramping, flatulence, cuts and abrasions, gastrointestinal disorders, digestive, circulatory, warts.

Clary Sage - Salvia sclarea

* Scent: Sweet herbaceous, light.
* Color: Roman : pale yellow-green
* Extracted From: Flowering tops and leaves
* Aromatherapy Properties: Depression, throat infections, high blood pressure.

Clove - Syzygium aromaticum.....Promotes healing, and positivity

* Scent: Strong, spicy and sweet
* Extracted From: flower bud
* Aromatherapy Properties: toothaches, sore throats, mouth inflammations

Avoid Clove during pregnancy. Do not use on children and babies.
Coffee..... Enhances the conscious mind
Coriander.....Improves memory

* Scent: Warm and spicy

Cumin..... Immune booster

* Scent: Warm and spicy

Cypress - Cupressus sempervirens.....Promotes healing

* Scent: Pine, grass, wood, sweet
* Color: Pale yellow or greenish olive
* Extracted From: Needles and twigs
* Aromatherapy Properties: asthma, bronchitis, colds, flu, nervous tension, oily skin, excessive perspiration, insect repellent, varicose veins, wounds, swollen ankles. Very powerful astringent - helps to stem blood flow.

Avoid Cypress if you have high blood pressure or are pregnant. Can bring on premature birth.

Essential oils and their meanings

[continues, good source of information]

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/bs_applecidervinegar.html

The Medicinal Uses of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
By: Brenda Skidmore

Honestly, natural apple cider vinegar is one of nature’s own, true miracle health elixirs. The long history of its use demonstrates, rather clearly, that using vinegar was once highly revered as a practical medical application long before Johnny Appleseed graced North America by planting apple trees.

The healing powers of vinegar has been traced back as far as 3000 BC, Hippocrates, Babylonia, and to 15th century England as a means to ward off dangerous and infectious diseases, to keep one’s general health fit and strong, and used as a simple antiseptic/disinfectant.

When deciding to use ACV for medicinal purposes, be sure to select only a raw, non-distilled vinegar. You may be able to find this type of vinegar in your regular grocery store. But more likely than not, you will probably need to look for it at a local health food store.

Clear distilled vinegar is easy to find in any food store and is relatively inexpensive. This type of vinegar is great for regular household cleaning chores, but it is not so wonderful for your internal health. Non-distilled vinegars are definitely going to be more expensive and nutritionally potent than the distilled varieties, but isn’t your health worth the price difference? Plus, you are going to have the satisfaction of knowing that you have chosen the right mixture that will work hard to enhance your health.

Most commercial brands (whether white or brown) have been pasteurized, filtered, and refined or distilled in order to make the final product look more attractive to please the consumer. The manufacturers are only giving the consumer what they apparently seem to want. Unfortunately, unbeknown to the average consumer, this extra processing actually destroys much of the natural health restorative properties of the end product.

Look for ACVs that have been cold pressed and made from whole, organically grown apples, with no added chemical preservatives, and in which the ‘mother’ of vinegar liquid has been retained. This ‘mother’ substance, as it is lovingly known, is the gelatinous liqueur that is naturally formed during the final fermentation process.

This milky, cloudy, and stringy looking stuff at the bottom of the container is what contains the healthiest part of the mixture. It also lets you know that the important vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and naturally occurring good bacteria have not been compromised due to over processing, filtration, or excessive heating. Before consuming, shake the the bottle gently to thoroughly distribute all of the nutrients, pour, and serve.

An energy boosting way to drink ACV, without it taking your breath away, is to mix about 2 teaspoons with an equal amount of raw honey in a small glass of warm water. Stir to dissolve the honey and drink one to three times a day. You can sip on this drink during a meal for extra digestive power, or you can drink this ahead of a meal. Refrain from drinking to much water or any other beverage during your meal, and for up to an hour afterward. Give your gastric stomach juices enough time to fully break down the food you just ate, on its own, without weakening their effects with added liquids.

Why use apple cider vinegar? Because, when it is used medicinally it helps the body rid itself of harmful toxins, has wonderful disinfecting properties as a natural bad germ fighter, and is a very biodegradable substance that does not pollute the environment.

With regular and continued use, this wonderful liquid helps restore and balance the body’s pH, taking it from acidic to neutral in a short amount of time. Normally, it would be hard to believe that such an acidic substance could normalize, or lower our pH so easily. As far as I know, this only applies to vinegar, as our digestive system will naturally convert it to an alkaline based substance.

An acidic internal system is directly caused from eating excessive amounts of meat, grains, and sugar by eating and drinking too many processed foods and beverages. This will provide an invitation, internally, for unwanted illness or disease to set up house. Otherwise, a neutral or more alkaline system will promote an enhanced emotional and physical health state.

Raw, ACV contains over 40 different naturally occurring substances from vitamins and minerals, to enzymes and beneficial bacteria. It has been used for generations to treat a variety of different human health conditions such as, 1.arthritis 2.high blood pressure 3.all types of skin problems 4.chronic fatigue and insomnia 5.heartburn and other digestive abnormalities 6.high cholesterol and blood sugar 7.maintaining normal body weight

This is not exhaustive list, by far, of common health maladies that ACV has been known to eliminate. As with any new diet addition, your expectations may be too high in the healing effects of vinegar. Keep in mind that it is not to be considered a panacea for all ill health evils.

Although many individuals have achieved a more improved physical state by using vinegar, without modifying their daily dietary habits, serious diet modifications need to be considered in some hard-core cases. Doing so would further enhance a partial response when combined with a healthier diet.

This is, especially, a key factor when using vinegar for serious weight loss. You simply must reduce or eliminate your consumption of over processed foods, eat more raw plant foods, eat smaller meals more often, and step up your effort in getting regular and moderate physical exertion. These strategies combined with ACV will take you a long way in seeing the results you are hoping for, and quicker. It is possible to lose up to one to three pounds a week.

Remember too...that diet modifications include increasing daily liquid intake. Apple cider vinegar works best when adequate liquids are supplied to help carry out the toxins we ingest and are exposed to every day.

Not just any liquids, but read this to mean WATER exclusively. Start reducing the amounts of other beverages you may be drinking instead, such as soft drinks, coffee, tea, fruit juices, and alcohol. Moderation, in occasionally consuming these, is absolutely crucial in maintaining a healthy body weight (even if your underweight), or if you are trying to lose weight.

When used as a flavor seasoning, or drinking as a healthy tonic, ACV could have your current health issue becoming a thing of the past. As with any type of natural or conventional health treatment, be realistic. Expect a reasonable amount of time for vinegar to take affect. This may be only a few days, a week, or it could be longer. If you are really committed to giving it a real chance, you may look forward to a much different health reality sooner than you think
The Author

Brenda Skidmore has spent over the last five years actively researching natural health care alternatives. She can attest to the many positive results natural practical cures and preventive strategies bring to human health. Along with the many medical professionals whose published works she has studied, it is her sincere desire to empower others by sharing this important information. To improve your life visit: http://www.mywater4life.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/ks_lavender.html

Essential Lavender Oil: What Are Its Benefits?
by Kerris Samson

Many people are now finding the use of essential lavender oil whilst at work, helps them to handle the stress of the workplace as well as helping them to relax under pressure and also making them focus better on the tasks at hand.

In studies undertaken it was found that participants relaxed considerably better when using lavender aromatherapy and were able to focus better on problems which needed solving. However, although they seemed to be slower in carry out a math’s calculation, there were fewer errors in the answers provided.

By placing a sprig of lavender or a bowl of potpourri on even a few drops of essential lavender oil when placed near a heat source will help the person to relax, become focused and thus more productive at their job. So if you should happen to work in a hectic office environment then either a lavender body mist or a small vial of lavender essential oil that you are able to keep close by may just help you.

Although lavender is not a cure or even an effective treatment for depression, it has been discovered that pain, poor sleep, anxiety and often chronic pain which are often associated with depression can be relieved by the use of this plant. As lavender helps to bring on a natural relaxed state it helps people to cope better with the aggravations that life often throws at us. In a study it was shown that in a normal healthy person the aroma of the lavender oil often has the ability to gently elevate their moods.

It does not matter whether you are either currently suffering from depression or just feeling down; remember that the person to discuss about your treatment of your depression is your doctor.

Although by taking herbal tea baths and burning lavender candles is part of the regime of taking care of yourself which does not require a prescription, or even cost a great deal of money, a lavender infused bath or lavender body products are able to provide a natural stress reducer, which can not only lift mild depression and clear the mind, which enable us to work through the problems we are experiencing more effectively.

Another good use for lavender is to help fight against insomnia. Many people find that if they suffer from insomnia or are frequently awake during the night, that they have difficulty coping with the following day to day matters. Lavender scent not only helps to promote relaxation in a person, but it also helps them to sleep better. In studies carried out at hospitals and nursing homes it was that patients who were exposed to the smell of lavender fell asleep, not only quicker but stayed asleep for longer and slept much more deeply.

Certainly, it is know that poor sleep is one of the causes that many people wake up with a headache in the morning and in some cases can even initiate a migraine attack. You will find that the common causes related to a morning headache are the grinding of teeth and the muscles tensing around the face and neck. By keeping a small bowl of lavender in your bedroom and a light misting on your pillow, you find that this will help you to relax easier before you fall asleep each night.

Another suitable use for lavender is to help relieve anxiety which many people are now suffering from. Anxiety is usually found to express itself as racing thoughts and a pounding heartbeat, but one of the first signs of any form of anxiety is for the person not to be able to think clearly. The mental stress that many people are feeling now days inevitably causes the mind to become cloudy and people find it difficult to solve life’s little problems, which in turn only increases the anxiety the person is feeling. A by using essential lavender oil, you are helping yourself to relax and take away the pressures that you are feeling and thus alleviating the feeling of anxiety.

Finally you can use essential lavender oil to help alleviate the causes that trigger such things as headaches or even chronic pain, which usually are caused by poor sleep, muscle tension, depression, dehydration, poor nutrition, imbalance of hormones, immune deficiency or even just poor coping skills with every day life.

The Author

Kerris Samson a work from home mum now residing in Spain and who has spent a vast amount of researching the different ways for relieving pain. If you would like to know more please visit http://www.relievepainfast.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/mrc_antiviraleos.html

Anti-Viral Properties of Essential Oils
By Misty Rae Cech, ND

Antiviral Activity of Essential Oils

The body of evidence regarding the effectiveness of natural botanicals against a great variety of viruses is growing. Over twenty years ago, German scientists found extracts of more than 100 species of the Lamiaceae family to have antiviral effects. This discovery lead to an increase in the examination of essential oils in Europe for the treatment of viral infections.

Essential oils from many plant families have now been demonstrated to have antiviral properties. Interestingly, different plant families exhibit varying degrees of effectiveness depending on the virus strain. This is due to the particular molecular structures found in each type of oil, which penetrate physical entities to varying degrees (different tissues, cell walls, mucous membranes, etc). The effect on each virus strain depends also on the virus structure (enveloped, non-enveloped, molecular symmetry, etc.)

Certainly, one of the reasons for oils’ effectiveness en vivo is their lipophillic character - essential oils are easily absorbed into mammalian tissues, where they may produce the greatest results. In fact, when studying the anti-viral effects of essential oils, researchers found that normal cells seemed to acquire a special resistance to viral penetration, though the mechanism for this effect is not yet known.

Melissa and the Herpes Virus

One of the Lamiaceae plants studied, Melissa (Melissa officinalis - also known as Lemon Balm), was shown particularly efficacious against the herpes virus (HSV). Doctor Dietrich Wabner, a professor at the Technical University of Munich, has even reported that a one-time application of Melissa oil led to a complete remission of HSV lesions. A cream medication for Herpes outbreaks, who’s active ingredient is an extract of Melissa, is now sold in Germany under the name Lomaherpan. Use of Melissa essential oil itself may be just as effective - the oil can be applied directly to the lesions (or diluted to 10% in carrier if sensitivity is noted) to speed healing. Further occurrences can be prevented by applying oil to the area when sensations signal an eminent outbreak - repeating this protocol 3 or 4 times has been reported to cause total remission in some individuals.

Other essential oils found effective against the Herpes virus include bergamot, eucalyptus, lemongrass and tea tree. Related to HSV is Herpes Zoster or ‘Shingles’, another common virus-mediated skin condition. Application of a 50/50 blend of Ravensara essential oil and Tamanu nut oil has been found extremely effective for reducing symptoms by many people.

Antiviral Components of Oils

The list of essential oils exhibiting antiviral effects is extensive: Melissa (as above), tea tree, juniper, eucalyptus, thyme, palmarosa, lavender, rosemary, clove, laurel, cinnamon bark, anise, rose, lemongrass, geranium, neroli, bergamot, clary sage, and dill. The antiviral effect of an essential oil is due to particular components of the oil - some oils will work just as effectively on a particular infection as another, because they contain similar amounts of a certain component. The components of essential oils showing antiviral activity, and the oils in which they can be found, are as follows (from K. Schnaubelt, Ph.D. - Advanced Aromatherapy, p. 36):

Anethol - found in Anise
Alpha-Sabines - found in Tea Tree, Laurel, and other oils
Beta-Caryophyllene - found in Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme Linalool, and other oils
Carvone - found in Dill
Cinnamic aldehyde - found in Cinnamon Bark
Citral - found in Melissa, Lemongrass and other oils
Citronellol - found in Rose and Geranium
Eugenol - found in Clove
Gamma-Terpinene - Found in Juniper, Eucalyptus, Niaouli, Tea Tree and other oils
Linalol - found in Lavender and Neroli
Linalyl acetate - found in Clary Sage, Lavender, Bergamot and other oils

Limited In-Vivo Data

Good studies of application of these essential oils in cases of illness are difficult to come by, as infecting people with viruses in the laboratory to subsequently be treated with aromatics would be a difficult process at best. The oils and components above have mostly shown effectiveness in-vitro, though tests also indicate that the anti-viral effect should occur in-vivo as well. As with Melissa, it has been HSV that has been most thoroughly examined, because of the relative simplicity of doing so. But there is nothing particularly special about the herpes virus, and proper oil/pathogen paring should prove as effective.

There are some noted case studies by professional aromatherapists. Of importance in these studies is the oil/symptom relationship. Essential oils from plants of the Myrtaceae family - notably Eucalyptus Radiata and Tea Tree - and Ravensara (also high in Eucalyptol) seem to have helped in cases with respiratory symptoms. For the lower respiratory tract, Hyssop decumbens (from the same plant family as Melissa) has been of interest. Essential oils for such cases may be used either in a diffuser, being taken at regular intervals, or through massage, diluted in a carrier oil.

Conclusion

Because of the difficulty in many cases of illness in determining the exact virus type involved, more specific application cannot be given. Certainly, in cases of HSV, Melissa has been shown effective in a number of studies. For respiratory infections, Eucalyptus and Ravensara have been used with success, and can be safely used as an adjunct to regular medical care. These oils may support one’s recovery on a physiologic level - essential oils also play a part in uplifting emotions, which may also speed healing, or at least improve mental outlook during the healing process. For such instances, one may simply find the essential oil or combination that one finds pleasant, calming, and/or uplifting.

PLEASE NOTE: In no cases, however, should self-treatment with essential oils be used in place of professional medical care where signs/symptoms of infectious illness are present.

The Author

Misty is a naturopath and yoga teacher practicing in Boulder, Colorado, regularly employing aromatherapy with her clients. She is the owner of the Ananda Apothecary, http://www.anandaapothecary.com, with a collection of essential oil resources at http://www.anandaapothecary.com/essential-oils.html

Source: www.isnare.com

More Aromatheraphy Articles

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/kb_eopets.html

Essential Oils and Our Pets
by Kim Bloomer

Before we talk about using the essential oils, we first should define what is an essential oil in the first place.

An essential oil is a bioavailable nutritive liquid. This liquid is derived from flowers, plants, trees, etc., through a special distillation process. Essential oils (when left in their purest, non-diluted state with no synthetics added) have a 100% kill factor on harmful viruses, bacteria, funguses, mold and tumors.*

The key to using an essential oil in the ways I will describe here though is to make sure you 1) know your source 2) because you’ll want the oils derived from certified organic plants not grown with pesticides in order to have the full effect of the oil.

Aromatherapy is often a word you’ll find associated with the essential oils. The phrase was first “coined” by French chemist Dr. Rene-Maurice Gattefosse, Ph.D., in 1920. One day while he was working in his laboratory he had an accident that caused a third-degree thermal burn to his arm and hand. His immediate reaction was to plunge his arm into what he thought was a vat of water but rather it was a vat of lavender oil. So, he continued to use the lavender oil to treat his burn which eventually healed completely and left absolutely no scar!

Now please keep in mind that most of the essential oils on the market today have synthetics added to them as they’re basically made for the cosmetic industry and are not nutritional. However, there are some excellent therapeutic grade oils on the market that are pure, unadulterated oils that can be used internally, topically and inhaled as powerful immune system builders.

While these essential oils for the most part have been created with humans in mind, many people are using these essential oils in their pet care successfully, and I’m one of them.

The essential oils work synergistically with the body to maintain, help, repair, and renew it right down to our DNA. The “oil” from the plants is similar to our blood and immune system so they work very harmoniously within our bodies. They go in and oxygenate and detoxify our blood simulatenously and create an environment where pathogens cannot live! Even more exciting is when the oils are either directly inhaled or diffused (using a cold air diffuser) they will cross the blood-brain barrier and clean out the petrochemicals. Due to their adaptagenic qualities they go into our blood streams, cells, etc., and seek out where they are needed like little therapeutic agents.

You might be thinking, well but I don’t have any petrochemicals in my brain or blood and even if I do, my pets don’t. Think again. Dr. David Stewart, PhD, wrote in his article Essential Oils for Things That Bug You Around the House the following “Among the many chemicals in our industrial environment that get into our systems and make us sick are the pesticides we use in our homes. We use them because we they are toxic to the creatures that bug us, but they are also toxic to us. Sometimes the toxicity is immediately apparent: we get a headache, get sick or feel nausea from the fumes or other contact.

Sometimes the toxicity is subtle and can accumulate resulting in chronic complaints and disorder (including allergies, cancer and miscarriages) that can be serious and even deadly over time. Sometimes we even put poisons on our pets to deal with ticks and fleas, not realizing that these substances are not healthy for us nor our animals.”

Pesticides normally include some kind of petrochemical. Meaning if we don’t take responsibilty for our health and the health of our pets, we can become sicker and sicker through the use of all these pesticides, herbacides, and chemical cleaning products in our homes. What affects us can affect our pets even faster and more readily because they are lying on our chemically cleaned floors and in our chemically treated and fertilized yards.

There is hope though! By using therapeutic grade essential oils, we can eliminate much (if not all) of the poisons from our homes and in our bodies -and that includes our pets too! While I can’t go into depth in one single article I can leave you with some links to follow up on and a few of the essential oils you may want to get immediately to start implementing the change in your lives and the lives in your pets.

When using therapeutic grade oils, you can use them “neat” (undiluted) on skin, inhaled, or even internally with some oils. To apply any to your pets, you may choose to diffuse them in a diffuser until your pets become more used to the oils. With cats it is always a good idea to err on the side of caution and either diffuse them or apply diluted to their hind feet (using more mixing oil than essential oil) or tips of their ears. I only use one brand of oil and do not use any others. I know my source and these oils and trust them. Do your homework before embarking on the oils for your pets, especially your cats.

Lavender oil has so many uses benefits including the one at the beginning of this article: for burns, cuts, scrapes, sunburns it is an all-purpose oil. Add to that the calming effect and wonderful smell, you can’t go wrong with this oil. It can be used on bee stings and insect bites also and is a good oil (when diluted with a organic mixing oil such as olive or almond) for cleaning your dog and cats ears (VERY diluted on a cat!). When you use any of the oils (neat or straight undiluted) the oils act an insect repellant. When you mix them with water they act as a natural pesticide. This oil is a good repellant to chiggers, fleas, flies, mosquitoes, and ticks!

Peppermint oil: this oil is great for relieving doggy flatulence (and human!), diarrhea, indigestion, as an anti-inflammatory, and can reduce fevers. You can also use it before or during a workout to boost your mood and reduce fatigue -I do daily! Oh and the best part -it can curb your appetite! This oil is also good at getting rid of the following bugs: Ants, aphids, beetles, catepillars, fleas, flies, lice, moths, plant lice, and spiders.

There are many many more oils to help you for nearly every single medical protocol for you and your pets. Here are some articles you can read along with Dr. Stewart’s above which can all be found on my dog’s blog Bark ‘N’ Blog (see bio):

“Aromatherapy Research and Education: What is AFNOR?”
“How Do Essential Oils Work?”
“The Healing Power of a Rose”
“Important Facts Regarding Toxins in our Environment”

*All information presented here is intended for educational purposes only. It is not provided in order to diagnose, prescribe or treat any disease, illness or injured condition of the body or pets and the author, publisher, and contributors accept no responsibility for such use. Anyone suffering or their pets from any disease, illness or injury should consult with their physician or veterinarian.

Originally published for Suite101.com Holistic Pet Care Topic

The Author

Kim Bloomer is a natural pet care educator helping pet owners learn to care for their pets through natural, holistic means. Disease prevention is her goal to help pet owners lower their pet care costs and extend the lives of their pets. Visit her website Aspenbloom Pet Care and her dog’s blog barkin’ about natural pet care from a canine perspective Bark ‘N’ Blog

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/ara_eolove.html

Love Potions: How Essential Oils Can Improve Your Love Life

(ARA) - Whether you’re in a brand new relationship or a marriage that has lasted for decades, you can use aromatherapy to enhance the romance. A selection of fragrant essential oils can help create a passionate connection between you and your partner.

How do the aromas of essential oils impact romance? The olfactory lobe - the part of the brain that processes scent - is part of the limbic system, which is associated with emotion and the formation of memory. Tom Havran, aromatherapy specialist at Aura Cacia, says essential oils can be used to facilitate a wide range of moods — including romantic ones.

“There are a number of oils that lovers and aspiring lovers might find useful,” Havran says. “Depending on the situation, you might want to create a relaxing atmosphere, or a stimulating or sensual one — and essential oils are the perfect starting point.”

Essential oils have the potential to elicit romance on four different levels. Some oils offer calming effects that reduce anxiety and self-consciousness, thereby opening the path to intimacy. Other oils are known for their stimulating and inspiring properties and can impact the hormonal system directly, increasing sexual desire. Some oils have been used throughout history as sexual attractants — it’s said that Cleopatra, one of the most well known seductresses in history, used a variety of scents and essential oils to create an atmosphere of passion for her relationship with Marc Antony.

Here is Havran’s rundown of the most popular essential oils in each of these romantic categories:

Calming: geranium, clary sage, lavender, sweet marjoram
Stimulating: cardamom, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon bark
Arousing: neroli, rose otto, ylang ylang, rose absolute
Attracting: sandalwood, patchouli, jasmine, cedarwood

A good candidate for the “ultimate love oil” is vanilla essential oil — especially in combination with cocoa butter. “The vanilla and cocoa combination has a tradition as an irresistibly arousing scent that goes back at least to the Aztecs,” Havran says. “And, it has a strong appeal for both men and women.”

Whichever essential oils you choose, they will work best if you create an environment where emotional and sensual closeness can thrive. If you have children, for example, make arrangements with friends or grandparents to take them for the evening, so that you’ll have uninterrupted time to focus on one another. Draw a hot bath for your partner, adding a few drops of essential oil to the water, and light some candles around the tub. Pour a couple of glasses of wine, give your partner a heartfelt massage, and your evening of romance will be under way.

Preserve the romantic feelings with essential oils as the night progresses. Keep the scents fresh by using an essential oil diffuser or placing a few drops on your pillows, your bed clothes, or on top of the light bulbs in your bedroom lamps. Or create your own special massage oil by combining a seductive essential oil like jasmine with a carrier oil such as almond oil.

Because essential oils are very concentrated, it takes only a few drops per tablespoon of carrier oil to derive their benefits. However, you should never apply essential oils directly to the skin - always dilute them first in water or a carrier oil such as almond, grapeseed, or jojoba. Some oils such as cinnamon bark and clove have the potential to be irritants and should not be used on the skin at all.

If you’d like more information on creating your own love potions and how to inspire or rekindle the spirit of love with essential oils, visit Aura Cacia’s archived on-line chat from February 6, 2008. For more information on aromatherapy and a complete selection of pure, high-quality essential oils, visit www.auracacia.com.
The Author:

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/ms_lavendereo.html

Lavender Essential Oil – Recipe Ideas For The Handmade Cosmetic Crafter
by Mindy Schwartz

When it comes to manufacturing handmade cosmetics one ingredient no crafter should be without is lavender essential oil. Lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia) posses antibacterial proprieties, is gentle to both dry and oily skin, and has the ability to relieve such conditions as muscle pain, insomnia, headaches, burns, bug bites, eczema, psoriasis, and acne making it the most versatile of essential oils. It is also one of the few essential oils that can be used as a middle or top note in perfume due to its fresh, floral smell and affordable price.

Here are a few recipe ideas for using lavender in handmade cosmetics:

Salves, Ointments, and Balms: Lavender blended with neem seed oil or comfrey root powder produces a salve that soothes itching caused by insect bites, bruises, burns, and even diaper rash. Add cinnamon and clove for a pain relieving muscle rub ointment. Use lavender by itself as a gardener’s salve to help chapped hands or as a temple balm to aid in falling asleep and to quell headaches.

Hair Care Products: Blend lavender with apple cider vinegar and nettle herbs for a normal-to-dry hair rinse. You can also try combing rosemary, peppermint, and lavender essential oils along with jojoba and oat extract, which produce a very effective scalp oil treatment.

Bath and Body Care Products: Add lavender to toners, facial creams, and body lotions to combat acne or dry skin conditions. Lavender essential oil combined with dried lavender buds, dead sea salt, Epsom salt, and powdered milk make for a lovely bath salt recipe. Blend jojoba with rose geranium, lavender, sandalwood, and vanilla for a sweet and sexy feminine perfume oil.

Soaps: Try adding tea tree and lavender essential oils to opaque melt and pour soap base along with pumice (sprinkled at the bottom of your soap mold) for a deodorizing and exfoliating soap bar.

A word of caution, due to their volatility, research any essential oil, and always do a skin patch test before use.
The Author

Mindy Schwartz is a writer for the handmade beauty industry, as well as, the owner of a handmade bath and body business called Grayson’s Apothecary of Beauty. For more information, go online to www.graysonsco.com.

Source: www.isnare.com

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/aicr_pasta.html

Whole-Wheat Pasta with Arugula - Makes 4 servings.

1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 large bunches arugula, stemmed and washed, about 12 cups
1/2 cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 cup chopped dill
1/2 cup low-fat ricotta cheese
2 Tbsp. grated pecorino cheese
8 oz. whole-wheat or farro linguini
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

In a medium non-stick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Sauté onion and garlic until onion is translucent, about 4 minutes.

Coarsely chop arugula. Add it to pan, stirring with wooden spoon until arugula wilts. Stir in broth. Cook until arugula is dark green but still chewy to the bite, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in dill and cook 1 minute. Remove pan from heat.

Stir ricotta and pecorino into hot greens. Set aside.

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and place pasta in deep serving bowl. Season greens to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon them on top of pasta and serve.

Per serving: 293 calories, 8 g. total fat (3 g. saturated fat), 46 g. carbohydrate, 15 g. protein, 6 g. dietary fiber, 180 mg. sodium.

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/aicr_parsnips.html

Honey-Roasted Parsnips with Sweet Potatoes and Apples - Makes 6 servings.

* Canola oil spray
* 1 1/2 cups peeled and chopped parsnips
* 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into bite-size chunks
* 2 crisp red apples, peeled, cored and cut into bite-size chunks
* 1 Tbsp. canola oil
* 1 Tbsp. honey
* 2 Tbsp. reduced-sodium (”lite”) soy sauce
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a baking pan or casserole dish with oil spray and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, place parsnips, sweet potato and apples. Set aside.

In a microwave-safe bowl, mix oil and honey. Warm in the microwave, about 10 seconds, to thin. Stir in soy sauce. Pour sauce onto vegetables and apples. Toss to coat well. Transfer to the baking pan and cover with foil.

Bake until very tender, about 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Add salt and pepper to taste, then serve.

Per serving: 113 calories, 2 g. total fat (less than 1 g. saturated fat), 23 g. carbohydrate, 1 g. protein, 4 g. dietary fiber, 216 mg. sodium.

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/aicr_lemonbarley.html

Toasted Lemon Barley Pilaf with Walnuts - Makes 6 servings.

* 1 Tbsp. canola oil
* 2 Tbsp. finely chopped shallot
* 3/4 cup quick-cooking barley flakes
* 2 cups fat free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
* 1 bay leaf
* 8 parsley stems, tied with string
* 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
* 1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest plus extra for garnish
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots and cook, stirring often, until they are translucent, 5 minutes. Mix in barley and stir until it is lightly colored, 3 minutes.

Off the heat, add the broth, standing back as it will splatter. Add the bay leaf and parsley stems. Return to stovetop and reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the barley is almost tender, 15 minutes. Remove from heat, let sit, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove bay leaf and parsley.

Mix nuts and lemon zest into barley. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Top with grated lemon zest. Serve the barley hot or warm.

Per serving: 140 calories, 9 g total fat (1 g saturated fat), 13 g carbohydrate, 3 g protein, 3 g dietary fiber, 250 mg sodium.

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/aicr_barley.html

Barley Stir-Fry - Makes 4 servings.

* 1/2 cup pearl barley
* 2 tsp. canola oil
* 1 medium red onion, diced
* 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
* 2 ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and chopped
* 8 snow peas, cut lengthwise into thin strips
* 2 scallions, green and white parts, chopped
* 1/2-1 1/2 tsp. grated peeled ginger, according to taste
* 1/2 cup orange juice
* 1 Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce or teriyaki sauce
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Bring 2 cups water to boil in deep saucepan. Add barley. When liquid returns to boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer 30 to 40 minutes, or until barley is almost tender. Makes 2 cups cooked barley.

Heat the oil in a medium, non-stick skillet over high heat. Stir-fry onion and red pepper 1 minute. Add mushrooms and stir-fry until they look moist, about 1 minute. Add snow peas, scallions, ginger, and stir-fry 15 seconds.

Add cooked barley, orange juice, teriyaki sauce, and salt and pepper to taste, if desired. Cook until barley is heated through. Serve immediately.

Per serving: 158 calories, 3 g. total fat (0 g. saturated fat), 30 g. carbohydrate, 4 g. protein, 6 g. dietary fiber, 161 mg. sodium.

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/bulghur.html

Better With Bulghur
BY THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH

Before commercial grinders existed, women spent days threshing, pounding and grinding grains to prepare them for cooking. Today’s processed foods have reduced to minutes the time it takes to prepare a whole-grain dish. If you find you’re relying on just a few standbys, like rice and pasta, it’s time to expand your repertoire. A box of bulghur provides a whole-wheat dish in a flash – plus excellent sources of protein, carbohydrates, fiber and other substances that help fight cancer and other chronic diseases.

A nutty-flavored grain, bulghur has been a staple of Middle Eastern cooking for centuries and is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. Bulghur can be used in place of rice in any pilaf, stuffed pepper, or casserole dish. You can also toss this versatile grain into salads, soups and stir-fries, and serve it with any meal or snack.

Made from whole-wheat kernels that have been steamed, dried and crushed, bulghur can be found in most markets alongside the pasta and rice products, or perhaps in a specialty food section. Some bulghur products contain other ingredients as well, which helps create interesting dishes.

If you plan to make a bulghur salad, follow the directions for steaming the grain in boiling water. During the 20 to 30 minutes it is steaming, the rest of the meal can be prepared. If you plan to use bulghur in a casserole, follow the directions for cooking. With either treatment, fluff the cooked grains with a fork to lighten the texture.

Bulghur works well at any meal of the day. Start your day off with hot bulghur cereal mixed with some fresh fruit, skim milk and a touch of sugar or honey. Treat yourself to a tabouli salad and experience the flavorful aromas and tastes of traditional Middle Eastern fare. Top a steaming mound of bulghur with chili or your favorite stir-fry.

Warm Bulghur Salad - Makes 2 servings.

1/2 cup bulghur wheat
1 1/2 cups fresh broccoli florets
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup minced red onion
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint, cilantro, or flat-leaf parsley
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 skinless cooked chicken breast (6 oz.), cut into thin strips

In medium saucepan, cook bulghur according to package directions.

Meanwhile, microwave broccoli florets in bowl with small amount of water until just barely tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Carefully transfer broccoli to sieve or colander and let drain.

In small bowl, whisk together lemon juice and oil.

In large bowl, place cooked hot bulghur. Lightly toss with fork to separate kernels. With fork, mix in parsley, onion and mint (or other fresh herb). While tossing mixture lightly with fork, drizzle in juice-oil mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Divide salad between two plates. Top each with half the chicken.

Per serving: 274 calories, 9 g. fat (1.5 g. saturated fat), 31 g. carbohydrate, 19 g. protein, 8 g. dietary fiber, 57 mg. sodium.

AICR offers a Nutrition Hotline (1-800-843-8114). Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday, this free service allows you to ask a registered dietitian questions about diet, nutrition and cancer. The American Institute for Cancer Research is the only major cancer charity focusing exclusively on the link between diet, nutrition and cancer. The Institute provides a wide range of education programs that help millions of Americans learn to make changes for lower cancer risk. AICR also supports innovative research in cancer prevention and treatment at universities, hospitals and research centers across the U.S. The Institute has provided more than $57 million in funding for research in diet, nutrition and cancer. AICR’s Web address is www.aicr.org.

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/aicr_popcorn.html

Many people who are trying to eat more healthfully switched to popcorn for snack time. Then came reports that the popcorn sold at movie theaters can contain as much fat as three to five Big Macs. Confusion now reigns: “Is popcorn a health food, or is it as bad as chips and cookies? Will popcorn help me lose weight or make me gain it?”

Popcorn itself is a nutritious snack choice, containing more fiber than snacks made with refined flour. In the standard three-cup serving (the size of a small mixing bowl), air-popped popcorn contains just 93 calories and less than 1.5 grams of fat. But don’t be fooled by pre-popped products labeled “air-popped.” Although they aren’t cooked with fat, they may be sprayed with fat afterwards, bumping up a three-cup serving to about 170 calories and more than 10 grams of fat.

The confusion really begins when we look at the many kinds of microwave popcorn available. The brand popcorns lowest in fat, like Healthy Choice and Orville Redenbacher’s “Smart Pop” or “Light Natural,” have just 45 to 60 calories and one to two grams of fat in a three-cup serving. But if you choose the “theater style” or “ultimate butter” types, don’t try to convince yourself it’s health food. A three-cup serving (usually a third or less of the bag) of this type of popcorn has 120 to 135 calories and 8 to 12 grams of fat. And keep in mind that the saturated fat listed is not the only part of the fat that hurts your health. Trans fats raise blood cholesterol and may have other undesirable effects, but they are not specifically listed on the label.

If you eat three cups of sugar-coated popcorn or caramel corn, you’re getting about 400 calories. There may be more nutrition in those calories than in the same calorie equivalent of fat-free cookies, but 400 calories is probably more of a snack than most adults need.

Nutritional information is not widely available about the popcorn sold in movie theaters. A few years ago, one report said that the smallest portions (often six cups, or double the standard serving) contain about 20 grams of fat. The large buckets reportedly contain 80 grams of fat, or almost 130 grams if served with added butter. If true, the fat content in that snack would be comparable to three to five Big Macs or six to 10 candy bars.

Whether the popcorn is eaten in the theater or at home, the size of your portion is the major health issue. The nutrition information on boxes of microwave popcorn is often listed by the cup, or is based on a standard three-cup serving. If you eat the whole bag, equal to three to five of these standard servings, the lightest popcorns provide a moderately reasonable 145 to 300 calories. Eating the whole bag of high-fat versions makes the impact greater, of course: 400 to 500 calories and 35 grams of fat.

Make popcorn a healthy choice by choosing a low-fat version. Air-pop regular popcorn; if you can’t get used to it plain, spritz it with one or two sprays of a non-fat, butter-flavored cooking spray. If you prefer microwave products, sample different low-fat options to find the one you like best. Regardless of what you choose, limit your portions. Pour an appropriate amount in a bowl and seal up the rest if you’re not sharing. Or, look for the smaller packages that are sometimes available. When you go to the movies, get the smallest order and share it. Or, better yet, be kind to your wallet and your health by simply concentrating on the movie without snacking your way through it.

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/aicr_spice.html

Mediterranean Chickpea Stew with Toasted Noodles - Makes 8 servings.

1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1/2 Spanish onion, chopped
1 celery rib, diced
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
2 Tbsp. chili powder
1 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp. ground fennel
1 large bay leaf
1 can (28 oz.) whole tomatoes
1/4 lb. fideos or angel hair egg pasta
1 can (15 oz.) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
6 cups chopped fresh Swiss chard leaves (about 1 1/2 bunches), or 1 package (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and squeezed dry

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Over medium-high heat, heat the oil in a large pot that can be used stove-top and in the oven. Sauté the onion and celery until onion is translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic. Cook 1 minute. Stir in chili powder, cocoa, coriander, fennel and bay leaf. Add tomatoes with their liquid.

Add 4 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until celery is tender, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, on a non-stick baking sheet, break up pasta into 2-inch pieces. Spread evenly in pan. Bake 4 to 5 minutes, just until golden brown, watching carefully to avoid burning.

Mix toasted noodles, chickpeas and greens into the stew. Cook until the pasta is tender, about 10 minutes.

Ladle into shallow, wide bowls, and serve.

Per serving: 143 calories, 3g. total fat (less than 1 g. saturated fat), 25 g. carbohydrate, 5 g. protein, 4 g. dietary fiber, 368 mg. sodium.

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/ara-heartoils.html

Three Cheers for Heart Healthy Oils

(ARA) - You may have noticed an ever-expanding choice of oils at your local grocery store over the past few years. While once your options were limited to corn, canola, safflower and maybe olive oil, now your choices include walnut, almond, grapeseed and other types of oil as well. You may have even splurged on a bottle of fragrant truffle oil.

Each of these oils has its place in the kitchen and serves a specific function. Understanding which oil is suited for which use will help you to make the best choices for you and your family. Also, understanding the difference between the so-called “good” and “bad” fats will allow you to cook and eat more healthfully.

“For years, Americans were told to consume as little fat as possible. Now, experts recognize that while too much fat is bad for you, some fat is a necessary part of our diet; fats are a source of essential nutrition and flavor,”, Neil Blomquist CEO of Spectrum Naturals, a Petaluma, Calif.-based manufacturer of organic vegetable oils and healthy condiments.

The trick is to consume the right kind of fat in the appropriate amount. When it comes to calories, all oils are the same. They each contain 9 calories per gram — this includes oils labeled “light,” a term which refers only to the oil’s taste, not its nutritional makeup. But some oils are better for you than others.

Fats and oils are either saturated or unsaturated; unsaturated fats can be either monounsaturated or polyunsaturated. “No oil is completely made of one fat; they all are a combination of the three fats in different percentages, based on the nut, seed or fruit from which the oil is derived,” explains Blomquist.

Saturated fats, which come mainly from animal sources, increase cholesterol levels. Tropical oils such as coconut and palm are two non-animal examples of saturated fat. Hydrogenated oils such as margarine and vegetable shortening are saturated fats that have been chemically transformed from their normal liquid state into solids. During the hydrogenation procedure, extra hydrogen atoms are pumped into unsaturated fat. This creates trans fatty acids, the most unhealthy type of fat found to be the number one cause of heart disease.

Monounsaturated fats are known to help reduce the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol without lowering the good HDL cholesterol. The most widely used oils that are high in monounsaturates are olive oil, canola oil and peanut oil. Polyunsaturated fats, made up of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids are also considered relatively healthy and include corn, soybean, safflower, and grapeseed oil. . Oils high in omega-3 rich polyunsaturate fat such as walnut oil, flaxseed oil and canola oil are a good addition to the diet since our body require omega-3s for good health but cannot manufacturer them. New studies show incorporating omega-3s into your diet reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack and heart disease.

“The way the oil is extracted also plays a role in how healthy it is,” notes Blomquist. Oil is extracted using one of two methods — mechanical or chemical. Chemical extraction, often called solvent extraction, is the most common and cost efficient method. It employs high heat and a series of chemical processes, primarily exposure to hexane gas, to remove and refine the oil.

In mechanical extraction, called cold pressed or expeller pressed, oil is squeezed from the source, usually with hydraulic presses. This minimal exposure to heat preserves the natural flavor of the oil but limits the yield, making mechanically extracted oils more expensive than chemically extracted oils. “We use only mechanical extraction, to maintain the nutrients and health benefits of our oils,” says Blomquist.

Just as each oil has a unique nutritional makeup, they also have distinct flavor components and smoke points, making some oils more appropriate for certain uses than others.

Heating oil past its smoke point can cause it to have an off flavor, lose its nutritional value and turn the once healthy oil into a trans fat laden heart disease machine. Oils that can take high temperatures make good all purpose cooking oils. Choose from canola, sunflower and peanut for high-heat uses such as searing and frying. Medium-high heat oils are good for baking, sautéing and stir-frying; try grapeseed, safflower or sunflower oil. For sauces, lower-heat baking and pressure cooking, medium-high heat oils are best. Good choices are olive oil, corn oil, pumpkinseed oil and walnut oil.

“There are some oils that should never be heated,” Blomquist points out. Rather, These oils, found on the supermarket shelves in the nutritional supplement category in the refrigerator, can also be used as condiments.Use them in dips and dressings, or add to a dish after it has been removed from heat. For example, add walnut oil, with its nutty flavor, to your salad; or add sesame oil to your stir-fry after its done cooking to add extra flavor. Other oils to use unheated are Normally found in capsule form wouldn’t apply), flax, evening primrose, borage, black currant, hemp and wheat germ oils. This is also a good way to incorporate essential fatty acids into your diet.

To extend the shelf life and preserve the nutritional value of culinary oils, store them in the refrigerator once they’ve been opened. Oils rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids such as flax, walnut, pumpkin and other nutritional oils should be protected from heat and light whether or not they have been opened. For other types of oil, a dark, cool pantry is a good storage option.

Here is a tasty, healthy salad dressing recipe from Spectrum Naturals.

Mother’s Earth Essential Dressing

8 ounces Spectrum extra virgin organic olive oil
4 ounces Spectrum organic flaxseed oil
2 to 3 ounces Spectrum brown rice vinegar
3 to 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
4 tablespoons basil, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon Spike or other natural seasoning
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Dash of soy sauce
Tarragon, parsley, rosemary to taste

Mix all ingredients together in a blender. Serve on salads, sandwiches and more. Remember to shake well before serving. Keep in refrigerator up to 2 weeks. Yield — 2 cups.

Spectrum Naturals has provided consumers with high quality oils since 1986. Spectrum Naturals’ and Spectrum Essentials’ products can be found at natural food stores and fine grocery stores in the United States and Canada. For more information, visit www.spectrumorganic.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/aicr_jerkedveggie.html

Jerked Veggie Burgers - Makes 8 servings.

* 2 Tbsp. canola oil, divided
* 1 medium onion, finely chopped
* 1 small seeded green bell pepper diced
* 1/2 cup finely-chopped scallion, both white and green parts
* 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
* 1 tsp. grated fresh ginger
* 1/4 tsp. dried allspice or cloves
* 1/4 tsp. dried nutmeg
* 2 slices toasted whole-wheat bread, in 1” pieces (1/2 cup crumbs)
* 1 can (15-oz.) black beans, rinsed and drained
* 1 cup cooked rice, preferably brown
* 1 tsp. hot pepper sauce, or to taste
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
* 1 egg, optional

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Sauté the onion, pepper, scallions, garlic and ginger until very soft, about 5 minutes, but do not let them color. Add the spices.

Reduce the bread to crumbs using a food processor. Add the beans, cooked vegetables, rice, hot sauce and the egg white. Pulse until the mixture is just coarsely chopped. Do not over-process or the burgers will be mushy.

Transfer the mixture to a large plate or wide bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper. Form the mixture into 8 burger patties.

Heat half a tablespoon of the remaining canola oil over medium heat in the skillet. Brown 4 burger patties on one side for 2-3 minutes or until browned. Carefully flip and brown another 2-3 minutes. Place the cooked burgers on a plate. Cover with foil to keep hot. Add the remaining half tablespoon canola oil to the skillet and brown the remaining burger patties as above.

Serve the burgers on a toasted whole-grain bun with some lettuce, a tomato slice and usual toppings such as mustard, ketchup and relish.

Per serving: 144 calories, 5 g. total fat (<1 g. saturated fat), 20 g. carbohydrate, 6 g. protein, 5 g. dietary fiber, 250 mg. sodium.

The original page can be found on-line at http://www.pioneerthinking.com/dth_burger.html

Ten Tips to Building a Better Burger
By: Deborah Taylor-Hough

Summer’s almost here and if you’re anything like me, you’ve already made that annual trip to the store to refill the propane tank on your backyard grill.

One thing I often hear from guests is that my barbequed burgers actually taste good ... rather than just being hard and dry as hockey pucks like so many of those traditional family reunion barbequed hamburgers we’ve all endured from time to time.

In honor of the hallowed summertime tradition of outdoor cooking, here are some of my favorite tips for finding your way to Hamburger Heaven in your own backyard.

1) Don’t build your burger from low fat meat. Get a package of ground beef with an 80/20 or even a 70/30 ratio of meat to fat. The fat keeps it moist and flavorful and drains off during the cooking process so the calorie count ultimately isn’t much higher than the lower fat varieties ... but the flavor is so much better. Be aware, thought, that the higher the fat content in your meat, the more the patty will shrink while cooking. So plan accordingly.

2) For additional flavor, try mixing ground beef with other ground meats like pork, sausage or lamb. A good ratio is two parts beef to one part other meat. Also, if you use ground turkey to save money, keep in mind that turkey is probably one of the least stable burger materials you can find, so mix it 50/50 with ground beef to keep those burgers in one piece on the grill.

3) When forming burgers, mix the ingredients together gently, handle your burger patties as little as possible, and don’t fully compress the meat ... remember, you’re not making meatloaf or meatballs. If you form the raw beef into patties with wet hands, the grease won’t stick to your skin nearly as much.

4) If you like adding extra things to your ground beef before making patties, make sure to keep the pieces small. Large chunks of onion or garlic make the patty unstable and more apt to fall apart while cooking. Be sure to finely chop or grate all added veggies.

5) Some particularly tasty additions to the burger mix are: freshly ground pepper, minced garlic, finely chopped onion, Worcestershire sauce, grated carrot, crushed vinegar & salt potato chips, or soy sauce. I’ve discovered that burger purists tend to insist on top-of-the-line ground beef (Sirloin) with nothing added but salt and pepper (after grilling). Honestly, I love a good, pure burger ... but sometimes it’s fun to add the extras for variety. Also, if you add steak sauce or applesauce to your burger patties, try mixing in some dry bread crumbs, quick-cooking oats, or beaten eggs to help stabilize the burgers.

6) Cook over a medium flame rather than a high one. You want to cook the patties just slow enough to cook all the way through. You don’t want them charred on the outside and a raw mess on the inside.

7) Don’t press down on the cooking burger patties with your spatula or flip the burger using tongs that squeeze the burger. You’ll just be squeezing out all the delicious juiciness and leaving behind a much dryer and tougher finished product. Make an indentation with your thumb in the center of each burger before cooking to help keep them flat without squishing them under the spatula.

8) Never — I repeat, “Never!” — poke your cooking burger patties with a fork or other pointy object. It’s a guaranteed trip to Hockey Puck Hamburger Land when all those delicious juices pour out through that hole.

9) The less you move the burgers around on the grill, the better looking the grill marks. Ideally, you only want to turn the burger once, but be sure to focus on safety and full cooking more than making the prettiest burgers on the block. You’ll hear mixed messages from burger aficionados about what temperature to cook the burgers and how often to flip them, but I tend to not worry about the perfect grill marks and have found that frequent flipping tends to keep the juices in the burger a bit better.

10) Let the burgers rest for a minute or two before serving to give a chance for the juices to settle. Serving too soon may cause the burgers to dry out. Rather than melting cheese onto the burgers during the grilling process, I like to set the cheese slices on top of the finished burgers while they’re “resting.” The cheese melts without dripping off the burger onto the grill. When the cheese is done melting, the burgers are done resting and ready to serve.

Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

—Deborah Taylor-Hough is the author of the bestselling Frozen Assets series, Frugal Living For Dummies(R), Mix-and-Match Recipes, and A Simple Choice: A Practical Guide for Saving Your Time, Money and Sanity. Debi’s also edits the Simple Times, Solo Parents, and Bright-Kids e-zines. http://thesimplemom.wordpress.com/

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