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

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AYearOfCrockPotting/~3/UBbCNlGoUgE/slow-cooker-vegetarian-stuffed-bell.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe

Posted: 13 Oct 2010 04:00 AM PDT

Look! It’s another vegetarian (could easily be vegan) main course! Woo hoo!

and just to be inclusive the carnivores could easily throw in some meat when no one’s looking...

The Ingredients.
serves 6

6 bell peppers (your choice of colors)
1/2 cup prepared or premade pasta sauce
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (8-ounce ) can corn (there’s a picture of a 16-ounce can; I only used half)
1 small onion, diced
2 cups cooked long grain rice
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup water

The Directions.

Use a 6-quart slow cooker. Cut the tops off of the peppers and remove the seeds and membranes from the inside of each. In a mixing bowl, combine the pasta sauce, beans, corn, onion, rice, spices, and cheese. Mix well to combine——it will be quite gloppy. Shove as much of this concoction as you can into each of your cored peppers. Carefully nestle the peppers into the pot. Pour 1/3 cup water around the pepper bases.

Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4. The pepper will wilt a bit, but still be intact. Carefully remove them with serving spoons.

The Verdict.

They’re delicious! My kids were cranky from soccer practice (it’s been super hot lately) and each ate a few bites just to be polite, but mostly filled up on quesadillas while we watched last week’s Project Runway. Adam ate leftover sausage. My mom, grandma, and I all loved them though!

I have an announcement! (does anyone else get the “Announcement” song they sing at girl scouts stuck in their heads any time the word Announcement is announced?
one of the lines is: a horrible death to be talked to death, a horrible way to die.
a bit intense, huh?)

anyway. Will you do me a favor and click on over to the Smithfield.com site and say “hi?” I have accepted a freelance writing gig for the Smithfield pork company, and the introduction post just went live. I KNOW! I used to be allergic to pork, and am now getting paid to write about it. The irony is not lost, I promise.

life is something else, I tell you.

Happy Crocktober the 13th!!
Stephanie O’Dea is the NYT best-selling author of Make it Fast, Cook it Slow: The Big Book of Everyday Slow Cooking and More Make it Fast, Cook it Slow: 200 Brand New Recipes for Slow Cooking on a Budget.

1. SLOW COOKER ITALIAN POT ROAST
Posted by: “angelkisses51

Slow Cooker Italian Pot Roast

8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms
1 large onion, cut in half and sliced
1 (2 1/2- to 3-pound) boneless beef chuck roast, trimmed
- 1 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 (1-ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix
1 (14-ounce) can beef broth
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
Hot cooked egg noodles
Place mushrooms and onion in the bottom of a 5 1/2-quart slow cooker.
Sprinkle roast evenly with pepper. Brown roast on all sides in hot oil
in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Place roast on top of
mushrooms and onion in slow cooker. Sprinkle onion soup mix evenly over
roast. Pour beef broth and tomato sauce over roast. Cover and cook on
HIGH 5 to 6 hours or until meat shreds easily with a fork.
Remove roast from slow cooker, and cut into large chunks; keep warm.
Skim fat from juices in slow cooker; stir in dried Italian seasoning and
tomato paste. Stir together cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water in a
small bowl until smooth; add to juices in slow cooker, stirring until
blended. Cover and cook on HIGH 20 to 30 more minutes or until mixture
is thickened. Add roast pieces back to slow cooker. Cover and cook until
thoroughly heated. Serve over hot cooked egg noodles. Serves 6.

________________________________________________________________________
2. RICHARD’S ZUCHINI CASSEROLE
Posted by: “angelkisses51

Richard’s Zucchini Casserole

2 to 3 medium Zucchini (cut in chunks)
2/3 cup diced onions
1-1/2 cup shedded cheese (Colby Jack or mild chedder)
1 cup cheese for topping.
2 eggs (beaten)
1/3 cup milk
(option - salt & pepper)
NOTE: Zucchini can be subsituted with Califlower or Broccoli or Summer
Sqash.. Or can add Califlower with Zucchini...

Preheat oven at 350 degrees.
You will be layering the ingredients in a casserole dish. 3 layers so
divide up in 1/3 parts...
First layer: add 1/3 of the zucchini... Then add 1/3 of the diced
onions... Then add 1/2 of cheese..
Second layer: add 1/3 of the zucchini... Then add 1/3 of the diced
onions... Then add 1/2 of cheese..
Top layer: add 1/3 of the zucchini... Then add 1/3 of the diced
onions... Then spread the topping 1 cup of cheese..
Spread eaten egg over top. Spread milk over top... They will sink down
into the mixture...
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes. Depends on gas oven or
electric oven. BEST check at 30 minutes to see if cheese is turning a
nice golden brown.
Provided By: Richard’s Creations

________________________________________________________________________
3. TURKEY MEATBALLS MARSALA
Posted by: “angelkisses51

Turkey Meatballs Marsala

2 tablespoons sweet breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons chopped green onions
1 teaspoon sweet Marsala wine
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound ground turkey
1 garlic clove, minced
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped leek
1 cup water
1/2 cup 2% reduced-fat milk
2 tablespoons golden raisins
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 cup sweet Marsala wine
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups hot cooked linguine (about 6 ounces uncooked pasta)
Combine first 7 ingredients in a bowl; shape mixture into 24 (1-inch)
meatballs. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
Add meatballs; cook 10 minutes or until done. Remove meatballs from pan;
set aside.
Add leek to pan, and sauté 3 minutes or until tender. Stir in water
and next 4 ingredients (water through thyme), and bring to a boil.
Combine 1/2 cup Marsala, cornstarch, and 1/4 teaspoon salt, stirring
with a whisk. Add Marsala mixture to leek mixture, and cook over medium
heat for 6 minutes or until slightly thick. Return meatballs to pan;
cook 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Serve over linguine. Serves
4.
CALORIES 416 (29% from fat); FAT 13.2g (sat 3.4g,mono 5.5g,poly 2.8g);
IRON 4.1mg; CHOLESTEROL 92mg; CALCIUM 89mg; CARBOHYDRATE 45.5g; SODIUM
454mg; PROTEIN 27.2g; FIBER 1.6g

________________________________________________________________________
4. CP BROCCOLI, RICE & CHICKEN
Posted by: “angelkisses51

Broccoli, Rice and Chicken in Crockpot

2 pounds chicken tenders
1 1/4 cups uncooked converted rice
1 package Knorr’s cream of broccoli soup mix
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
pepper, to taste
Place rice in a lightly greased crockpot. Sprinkle with parsley and
pepper. Top with chicken pieces. Mix together the soup mix and broth.
Pour over chicken and rice. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.

________________________________________________________________________
5. BAKED EGGPLANT WITH CASHEWS
Posted by: “angelkisses51

Baked Eggplant With Cashews

Hearty eggplant casserole is perfect comfort food. Recipe is enough to
feed 8 hungry people. Eggplant mixed with breadcrumbs and brown sugar,
is layered with tomatoes, onions, celery, bell pepper, olives, and
topped with cashews. Baked until golden brown and crispy.

Ingredients
- 2 Large Eggplants, sliced
Salt, to taste
1 cup Dry Whole-Wheat Bread Crumbs
1/2 teaspoon Brown Sugar
1 Onion, finely chopped
1 Roma (Plum) Tomato, seeded and chopped
1 Celery stalk, diced
1/2 cup Red Bell Pepper, finely chopped
5 Pimento-Stuffed Green Olives, sliced
2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 teaspoon Dried Oregano
1/2 teaspoon Powdered Saffron
1/2 cup Soy Milk
1/2 cup Heavy Cream
1/2 cup Cashews Preparation:1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. Grease a medium size casserole dish.
3. Arrange ½ the slices of eggplant on the bottom of the casserole
dish.
4. Season eggplant with salt.
5. Add breadcrumbs and brown sugar to medium mixing bowl. Stir to
combine.
6. Sprinkle ¼ of brown sugar over layer of eggplant slices.
7. In large bowl, combine ½ cup breadcrumb mixture, onion, tomato,
celery, red bell pepper, olives, and olive oil.
8. Season mixture with dried oregano and saffron.
9. Spoon mixture over layer of eggplant.
10. Top with remaining eggplant slices.
11. Top with remaining breadcrumb mixture.
12. Add soy milk, heavy cream and cashews to blender. Blend until
smooth.
13. Pour milk mixture over eggplant.
14. Bake 30 minutes until crisp and golden brown.

Cooking Tip
EggplantA medium size eggplant will weigh in around one pound, provides
4 cups chopped eggplant, and will serve 3 people.
Cooking Tip
Whole-Wheat BreadcrumbsYou can substitute your favorite breadcrumb
flavor for the whole-wheat breadcrumbs in this recipe.

________________________________________________________________________
6. HOME MADE HAMBURGER HELPER/GOULASH
Posted by: “angelkisses51

Homemade Hamburger Helper or Goulash

1 pound ground beef
1/2 onion, chopped fine
1/2 green pepper, chopped fine
1- 15 oz. can plain tomato sauce
1 cup water
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried parsley
2 tablespoon sugar
1 cup uncooked gluten free elbow pasta
salt and pepper to taste

Brown ground beef with onions and green pepper until cooked through.
Drain off the fat. Add remaining ingredients, stir well, cover and
cook on low heat till the pasta is done. Donâ€™t forget to
occasionally stir so the pasta wonâ€™t burn on the bottom of the
pan! Serve with a salad or green vegetable.

________________________________________________________________________
7. ITALIAN SAUSAGE, PEPPERS & ONIONS
Posted by: “angelkisses51

Italian Sausage, Peppers, Onions Recipe

Ingredients

1 Tbs. - Olive Oil
2 Lbs. - Italian Sausage
2 - Large White Onions sliced in 8ths top to bottom.
4 - Large Green Bell Peppers sliced in 8ths top to bottom

Heat a skillet over medium heat and slick it with the Olive Oil. Brown
the sausages all over for about 10 minutes. Add the Onions and
Peppers.

Cook until onions start to transluce and brown at the edges and peppers
just start to wilt. Serve immediately — hot.

________________________________________________________________________
8. SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE WITH ZUCCHINI AND TOMATOES
Posted by: “angelkisses51

Sweet Italian Sausage with Zucchini and Tomatoes

Serves 6
Garnish this delicious combination of summer vegetables and Italian
sausage with sprigs of fresh basil and lemon wedges to squeeze over the
top, if you like.

Ingredients
6 links Sweet Italian sausage*
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil*
4 to 6 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
3 tablespoons fresh oregano, finely chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried
oregano)
1 pound zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3/4 pound mixed red and yellow cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
Salt and pepper

Method
Prepare sausages according to package directions, either in a sauté
pan or on the grill. While they are cooking, heat olive oil in a large
heavy sauté pan over medium high heat. Add garlic and oregano, stir
for a few seconds, then add zucchini and cook 3 to 5 minutes.
When sausages are cooked, cut into large bite-sized pieces and add to
pan along with tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper. Continue to sauté
until tomatoes are just softened, about 1 minute more. Transfer to a
large platter and serve.

This is another great group owned by *~Tamara~*

——————————————————————————————————— To visit your group on the web, go to:
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Make A Soft & Cuddly Teddy Bear: {Sewing}

Posted By TipNut On October 13, 2010 @ 1:07 pm In Sewing | No Comments

Today’s feature is from How Joyful with this adorable HowJoyful Bear: Tutorial and Pattern [1]:

Make This Adorable Teddy Bear With Free Pattern And Tutorial By howjoyful.com

Remember you can use normal hairy fur fabric too, I used fleece because these are for little boys, and I wanted it to be as soft as possible =)

NOTE: The finish Teddi Bear is about 16 inches Tall (From his buttom to his ears)

Hope you enjoy this project! it’s very fun!

Now how cute is that! I love fleece softies since they’re so fuss-free and easy to take care of…and lovely to snuggle with too! This sweetie isn’t that difficult to make and you’ll find the tutorial offers plenty of pictures and details to help you along. Notice there’s a free pdf to download that is loaded with pattern pieces to print off.

Please visit the site listed above to review the tutorial, so adorable! Also check out this big list of free patterns for softies and toys [2].

{Good to Know}
Remember to use the word “tipnut” when searching online to find the good stuff fast!
See Conquer The Net With Tipnut [3] for more options.
Don’t Miss These Tips:

* Pretty Pedicure/Toiletries Kit Tutorial: {Sewing} [4]
* Land of Nod Inspired Floor Cushions: {Sewing How-To} [5]
* Easy Lunch Tote: {Sewing} [6]

Love This Tip? Share It!
Email [7] ~ Facebook [8]
Tweet It [9] ~ Delicious [10]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/cuddly-teddy-bear/

URLs in this post:

[1] HowJoyful Bear: Tutorial and Pattern: http://www.howjoyful.com/2010/05/howjoyful-bear-tutorial-and-pattern/

[2] this big list of free patterns for softies and toys: http://tipnut.com/sweet-softies/

[3] Conquer The Net With Tipnut: http://tipnut.com/conquer-the-net/

[4] Pretty Pedicure/Toiletries Kit Tutorial: {Sewing}: http://tipnut.com/diy-pedicure-kit/

[5] Land of Nod Inspired Floor Cushions: {Sewing How-To}: http://tipnut.com/floor-cushion-sewing/

[6] Easy Lunch Tote: {Sewing}: http://tipnut.com/easy-lunch-tote-sewing/

[7] Email: mailto:?subject=Easy Lunch Tote: {Sewing}&body=http://tipnut.com/easy-lunch-tote-sewing/

[8] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://tipnut.com/easy-lunch-tote-sewing/&t=Easy Lunch Tote: {Sewing}

[9] Tweet It: http://twitter.com/home?status=See http://tipnut.com/easy-lunch-tote-sewing/

[10] Delicious: http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://tipnut.com/easy-lunch-tote-sewing/&title=Easy Lunch Tote: {Sewing} : Tipnut.com

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20 Sweet Softies: Free Patterns & Tutorials

Posted By TipNut On October 25, 2008 @ 6:26 am In Sewing | 2 Comments

These softies are so cute, perfect for gift giving and stocking stuffers. They’re each sewn in fabric or felt, all patterns and tutorials are available free online (a few at the bottom have already been featured on Tipnut).

I had no idea how difficult it was to find free tutorials for non-monster-alien-ish stuffies! Several Easter themed softies available too, but I decided to keep the list from being overrun with rabbits, only one is included in the list below. Check out the Free Bunny Pattern Roundup [1] if you’re looking for bunnies.

Here’s what I found…

20 Sweet Softies: Free Patterns & Tutorials
Molly Monkey [2]
mmmcrafts

Ruby Doll [3]
One Red Robin

Angel Doll [4]
Heart of Mary

Lucy Goosey [5]
The Long Thread

Alpaca Stuffie [6]
The Shishi Girl

Elefante Stuffie [7]
The Shishi Girl

Duck Plushy [8]
Mariska Design

Fabric Remnant Mouse [9]
Esprit Cabane

Plattie The Platypus [10]
CraftBits

Calico Kitty [11]
Cherryskin

Stuffed Pig [12]
Doll Making by Runo

Terry Cat [13]
Doll Making by Runo

Pointy Kitty [14]
WeeWonderfuls

Lucky Ducky [15]
Nosey Nest

Stripe-y Cat [16]
Green Kitchen

Mouse Pattern [17]
Sewing Stars

Scotty Softy [18]
Allsorts

Fat Rabbit [19]
Fripereen

Fabric Lamb [20]
Pattern Bee

Purl Frog [21]
The Purl Bee

This Retro Doll Pajama Bag Pattern [22] isn’t a softie, but it’s for youths and it’s very retro-cool! Also see this Sock Monkey & Sock Elephant [23] Tipnut pattern freebie.

Most of the patterns and tutorials listed above were found digging through the massive archives at Craftzine [24] and Whipup [25].

{Good to Know}
Remember to use the word “tipnut” when searching online to find the good stuff fast!
See Conquer The Net With Tipnut [26] for more options.
Don’t Miss These Tips:

* 25+ Free Apron Patterns & Tutorials [27]
* 40+ Free Apron Patterns & Tutorials [28]
* Red Heel Sock Monkey Pattern [23]

Love This Tip? Share It!
Email [29] ~ Facebook [30]
Tweet It [31] ~ Delicious [32]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/sweet-softies/

URLs in this post:

[1] Free Bunny Pattern Roundup: http://tipnut.com/free-bunny-pattern-roundup/

[2] Molly Monkey: http://mmmcrafts.blogspot.com/2008/07/drum-roll-pleasemolly-monkey-pattern.html

[3] Ruby Doll: http://oneredrobin.com/2007/03/28/how-to-make-a-simple-versatile-soft-doll/

[4] Angel Doll: http://pinoyinoz.blogspot.com/2008/09/more-free-stuff.html

[5] Lucy Goosey: http://thelongthread.com/?p=173

[6] Alpaca Stuffie: http://shishigirl.blogspot.com/2008/08/barack-alpaca.html

[7] Elefante Stuffie: http://shishigirl.blogspot.com/2008/06/elefante.html

[8] Duck Plushy: http://mariskavos.nl/blog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=21&blogId=1

[9] Fabric Remnant Mouse: http://en.espritcabane.com/sewing/cloth-mouse.php

[10] Plattie The Platypus: http://www.craftbits.com/project/plattie-the-platypus

[11] Calico Kitty: http://cherryskin.blogspot.com/2008/05/free-softie-pattern-calico-kitty.html

[12] Stuffed Pig: http://dollmaker.nunodoll.com/pig/pig.html

[13] Terry Cat: http://dollmaker.nunodoll.com/cat/terrycat.html

[14] Pointy Kitty: http://weewonderfuls.typepad.com/wee_wonderfuls/store/pointykitty.html

[15] Lucky Ducky: http://noseynest.blogspot.com/2008/06/lucky-ducky-freebie.html

[16] Stripe-y Cat: http://www.greenkitchen.com/blog/2007/06/stripe-y-patchwork-cat-front.html

[17] Mouse Pattern: http://www.sewingstars.com/mousepattern.htm

[18] Scotty Softy: http://allsorts.typepad.com/allsorts/2006/05/softie_scotty_d.html

[19] Fat Rabbit: http://fripperee.wordpress.com/2007/03/29/hes-free/

[20] Fabric Lamb: http://www.patternbee.com/FREELAMBKIN.html

[21] Purl Frog: http://www.purlbee.com/purl-frog/

[22] Retro Doll Pajama Bag Pattern: http://tipnut.com/retro-doll-pajama-bag-pattern/

[23] Sock Monkey & Sock Elephant: http://tipnut.com/red-heel-sock-monkey-pattern/

[24] Craftzine: http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/amigurumi_and_toys/

[25] Whipup: http://whipup.net/category/toys-plush-fun/

[26] Conquer The Net With Tipnut: http://tipnut.com/conquer-the-net/

[27] 25+ Free Apron Patterns & Tutorials: http://tipnut.com/free-apron-patterns/

[28] 40+ Free Apron Patterns & Tutorials: http://tipnut.com/free-apron-patterns-tutorials/

[29] Email: mailto:?subject=Red Heel Sock Monkey Pattern&body=http://tipnut.com/red-heel-sock-monkey-pattern/

[30] Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http://tipnut.com/red-heel-sock-monkey-pattern/&t=Red Heel Sock Monkey Pattern

[31] Tweet It: http://twitter.com/home?status=See http://tipnut.com/red-heel-sock-monkey-pattern/

[32] Delicious: http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://tipnut.com/red-heel-sock-monkey-pattern/&title=Red Heel Sock Monkey Pattern : Tipnut.com

1a. Crockpot Frito Pie
Posted by: “MomsRecipes”

Crockpot Frito Pie

“This cross between a taco salad and chili dip will deliver a cook-once-eat-twice meal or a convenient potluck dish for the backyard picnic crowd.”

1 large onion, chopped
3 pounds lean meat
3 cloves garlic
3/4 cup dry beans (or 15 ounce can pinto beans)
4 cups water (reduce to 1 1/2 to 2 cups if using canned beans)
1 teaspoon salt
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 (15 ounce) package corn chips
3 cups shredded Monterey jack and Cheddar cheese
2 tomatoes, diced
16 ounces salsa
16 ounces sour cream
Sliced olives

NOTE: Meat may be ground, stew meat or a roast. Try using beef, pork, lamb or even game. If using a roast, cut the meat into 3-4 chunks. This will allow for easier shredding later.

Combine chopped onion, beef, garlic, beans, water, salt and taco seasoning in crockpot. Stir well. Cover and cook on HIGH for 8 to 10 hours.

Before serving, shred meat by pulling apart with two forks and mix with juices.

Serve on a bed of chips. Top with chopped tomatoes, shredded cheese, salsa, a dollop of sour cream and sliced olives.

NOTES: If using this recipe as a cook-once-eat-twice, divide meat into convenient meal portions and refrigerate or freeze for up to 3-4 months. When ready to use, heat in microwave.

Try this recipe in tacos, burritos, and enchiladas or as a taco salad.

Recipe serves 10 to 12.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

________________________________________________________________________
2a. Re: Mouth-Watering Super-Easy Pot Roast
Posted by: “Gadgetgal”

I’ve always thought adding Coke to my pot roast was, well, weird. Well, after reading more positive remarks about it, I tried this recipe and wow, talk about tender and tasty! I used a 3 1/2 lb roast and followed the recipe but decided to add half a package of ranch dressing mix that i just had on hand (may just omit this and add a teaspoon or so of italian seasoning next time) and it turned out so tender. The roast was even half frozen - cooked it on high for 2 hours then 4 hours on low just in case. May play around with spices next time but the Coke and onion soup mix will be a staple! Thank you for this recipe.

-— In crockpot-recipes@yahoogroups.com, “MomsRecipes” wrote:
>
> Mouth-Watering Super-Easy Pot Roast
>
>
> 1 pot roast that fits your slow-cooker
> 1 can Coke “classic”
> 1 envelope of Lipton Onion Soup Mix
>
> Place a 3-4 lb pot roast in slow-cooker (or large enough to fit the size of slow cooker you will be using).
>
> Pour half an envelope of Lipton Onion Soup mix over the roast.
>
> Pour the entire can of Cola over roast, and then top with remainder of soup mix.
>
> Cook 4-5 hrs. on HIGH.

PLEASE NOTE: If you see a recipe on this site that you would like to share
on your own list or another list, we simply ask that you add “Found on
crockpot-recipes@yahoogroups.com“.

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http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm229531.htm

Excelsior Medical Recall of 5 ml Fill in 6 cc Prefilled Saline Flush Syringes Classified as a Class I Recall

Contact:
John Linfante Vice President RA/QA
Tel. (732) 643-6088
jlinfante@excelsiormedical.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 14, 2010 - NEPTUNE, N.J. — Excelsior Medical Corporation issued the following update regarding their previously disclosed nationwide recall of Excelsior Disposable 5ml fill in 6 cc Prefilled Saline Flush Syringe W/Normal Saline (0.9 % Sodium Chloride). The FDA has classified this action as a Class I recall. A Class I recall is a situation in which there is a reasonable probability that the use or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.

The Excelsior Disposable 5ml fill in 6 cc prefilled saline flush syringes are intended for the flushing of venous access devices and IV tubing.

On September 2, 2010, the company sent an urgent Medical Device Recall Notification to customers of its Excelsior Disposable 5ml fill in 6 cc prefilled saline flush syringe product stating that routine internal testing conducted on this product found that some of these syringes may leak and lose sterility. This recall pertains only to the 5ml fill in 6 cc pre-filled saline flush syringes with the following product code numbers: E0100-50, 10056-1000, 10056-240, 14056-240, 910056-1000, and S5. The product code number can be found in the barcode on each syringe as well as on the carton label. Exposure to syringes with a leaking and sterility issue could result in systemic infection, which may lead to serious injury and/or death. All product affected by this recall had passed all release testing including sterility testing. The company decided to undertake this recall as a precautionary measure.

No other Excelsior Medical pre-filled saline syringe product codes are affected by this recall.
Instructions to Customers

Consumers who have 5ml fill in 6 cc saline pre-filled syringes, manufactured by Excelsior Medical, should immediately discontinue using these syringes and return them to the point of purchase. Excelsior Medical Corporation has notified its distributors and customers by letter and is arranging for return/destruction and reimbursement of any products that are returned as a result of this recall. For more information, consumers may contact the company at 1-800-487-4276, by fax at 1-866-688-3185 or e-mail at recall10@excelsiormedical.com.

The affected products are distributed to hospitals and home health care agencies by Excelsior Medical’s network of med-surge, pharmacy and independent medical distributors. This product is available by prescription only and is not sold over the counter. This recall covers certain products (as outlined above) distributed within the United States, Canada and Brazil.

Any adverse reactions experienced with the use of this product, and/or quality problems should also be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Program: by mail at MedWatch, HF-2, FDA 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787; by phone at 1-800-332-1088; by Fax at 1-800.FDA.0178 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch9.
About Excelsior Medical Corporation

Excelsior Medical Corp. is a privately held company with a primary focus on innovative catheter maintenance products that may reduce infection, medication errors and healthcare costs. Excelsior makes SwabCap for disinfection and protection of IV luer access valves. Formed in 1989, Excelsior is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of pre-filled catheter flush syringes. The company manufactures, markets and sells pre-filled saline flush syringes, pre-filled heparin flush and lock syringes, syringe pump systems and valve disinfection caps. For more information, call toll-free 800-487-4276 or access www.excelsiormedical.com10.

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Page Last Updated: 10/15/2010

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2010
Release #11-011

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (877) 875-2557
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Additional Injuries Prompt JAKKS Pacific(r) to Reannounce Recall of Spa Factory(tm) Aromatherapy Kits Due to Explosion and Projectile Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with JAKKS Pacific(r), is reannouncing the recall of 516,000 Spa Factory(tm) Aromatherapy Fountain & Bath Benefits Kits. Consumers should immediately take the toy’s jars and caps away from children and dispose of any jar lids without vent holes. Only use jars that have lids with vent holes.

This children’s product was originally recalled in January 2009. Since that time, there have been additional injuries caused by the Spa Factory(tm) Spa Fantasy Aromatherapy Fountain & Bath Benefits Kits. Pressure from the buildup of carbon dioxide in the jars of Bath Bombs/Balls or Bath Fizzies that come with the kits can cause the unvented lids to blow off, posing explosion and projectile hazards. The flying pieces also can cause property damage. Additionally, the mixture of water with the Bath Bombs/Balls or Bath Fizzies can create citric acid. This acid can get into consumers’ eyes when the jars explode, posing a risk of eye irritation.

As of January 2009, CPSC had received 88 reports of exploding jars, including 13 injuries to children. Since that time, CPSC has received 12 additional reports of exploding unvented jars of JAKKS’ Bath Bombs/Balls or Bath Fizzies, including 13 additional reported injuries. The new injuries include irritated eyes, irritated skin and one eye injury from projectile jar lids.

JAKKS Pacific(r) Spa Factory(tm) Spa Fantasy Aromatherapy Fountain & Bath Benefits Kits were sold at Sam’s Club, Walmart, Target and other stores nationwide from August 2008 through August 2010. They sold for between $13 and $50 and continue to be available in some stores.

Consumers should immediately take the toy’s jars and caps without vent holes away from children, dispose of any jar lids without vent holes and contact JAKKS Pacific to receive free jar lids with vent holes. Contact JAKKS toll-free at (877) 875-2557 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, visit the firm’s website at www.myspafactory.com or email the firm at caps@jakks.net

Model Item / Number / UPC Bar Code
Spa Factory(tm) Bath Benefits(tm) Kit / 37836 / 22876-37836-6
Spa Factory(tm) Deluxe Spa Fantasy Aromatherapy Fountain / 37908 / 22876-37908-0
Spa Factory(tm) Spa Fantasy Aromatherapy Fountain / 37837 / 22876-37837-3
Spa Factory(tm) Spa Fantasy Aromatherapy Fountain / 54892 / 22876-54892-9
Spa Factory(tm) Spa Fantasy Aromatherapy Fountain / 54857 / 22876-54857-8

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11011.html

The 2010 Great California ShakeOut on October 21 is less than a week away!
More than 7.1 million Californians are now registered to participate, over
200,000 more than last year. We expect many more will register between now
next Thursday, including those you make sure know about the drill!

Is your ShakeOut profile correct?
We’re compiling a list of all the types of activities happening on October
21, and may highlight many of them on the website and in documentation about
the ShakeOut. Does the description on your ShakeOut registration need
updating? Did you skip this field but can complete it now? If so, please
login at http://www.shakeout.org/loginto update your information. Also,
please review your other information. Thank you!

Is your drill a potential ShakeOut Media Venue?
Will your drill on October 21 include interesting visuals or activities of
potential interest to the news media, and is not on our list of ShakeOut
Media Venues at http://www.shakeout.org/venues, please email
info@shakeout.org. Include your current plans for your drill, and describe
any media outreach you have done or plan to do.

Have you seen these resources?
* New 60-second ShakeOut Drill Broadcast audio and video
recordings are now available (in English and Spanish) at
http://ShakeOut.org/drill/broadcast. Download the recordings (or view on
YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/californiashakeout#p/u/3/ijKGH3WKo3Q)
to play over your PA system, closed-circuit television system, or on
individual computers. Or tune to a radio or TV station that will play
the recording (http://www.shakeout.org/drill/broadcasters.html)

* Schools: Extensive resources on the http://www.shakeout.org/schools page,
including a new set of curricular resources, as well as drill planning
documents and checklists, and take-home materials.

* Simple instructions for how to participate, for a variety of ShakeOut
participant categories, are at http://www.ShakeOut.org/howtoparticipate,
including custom preparedness information and suggestions for how you
can share the ShakeOut with others.

* To help organizations plan their drill, we have created drill manuals
for K-12 Schools, Businesses, Non Profits and Other Organizations, and
for Government Agencies and Facilities. These can be adapted for use by
other organizations as well. Each manual has instructions for multiple
levels of drills, from a very basic Drop, Cover, and Hold On drill
to a more comprehensive exercise of your disaster plan. Download the
manuals from the ShakeOut Resources page
(http://www.shakeout.org/resources), where you can also download posters,
flyers, and other materials.

* A calendar of events is now at http://www.ShakeOut.Org/calendar, and more
events are being added daily. Use the “contact us” form to describe
other events that should be listed:
http://www.earthquakecountry.info/contact_us.php?site=shakeout

* Information in multiple languages about the ShakeOut and earthquake
preparedness is at http://www.shakeout.org/otherlanguages and a full
version of the website is in Spanish at http://www.shakeout.org/espanol.

* If you have recently registered, you can read past editions of emailed
participant updates like this email at http://www.shakeout.org/updates

Share the ShakeOut
It’s not too late for people to join you in the ShakeOut! Please forward
this email to colleagues, friends, family, and others to make sure they are
aware of the ShakeOut and know about these resources. You can also follow
the ShakeOut on twitter (ttp://twitter.com/shakeout) and on Facebook
(http://www.facebook.com/GreatShakeOut), and invite your followers/friends
to participate. Additional social media links are below. With six days still
to go, and with your help, how many more will register?

Heart Palpitations

An Overlooked Cause and Treatment

“Many disorders of heart rhythm are related to an insufficient level of magnesium in the heart muscle. Magnesium was first shown to be of value in the treatment of cardiac arrythmias in 1935.”

Excerpt from Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine

(italics added for emphasis)

Overview

Until I changed my diet to get more magnesium, I had heart palpitations for most of my life. I’d be sitting in a chair or resting quietly and then all of a sudden, for no obvious reason, I could start to feel my heart beat really fast. After a few minutes it would go back to normal, and then, maybe a day later or even a few hours later, it would happen again. Often it would happen when I was lying in bed at night.

I had especially bad heart palpitations when I was pregnant with my first son. I was treated by a cardiologist for my condition at that time, including wearing a heart monitor for a day to record my heart beats. I had a lot of episodes during the day I wore the monitor where I could hear and feel my own heart beating erratically for about 30 seconds every hour or so. The results of the tests were that I was told that this was “normal” - that a lot of people had these problems and no treatment was needed. (Using this unusual type of logic, I guess you could say breast cancer and obesity are also “normal”, because lots of people have those conditions, as well.) I realized even then that having your heart start to beat wildly while you are sitting quietly watching a movie is not normal, but at the time I didn’t know where else to turn. So I just did nothing, as I was advised.

Magnesium as Treatment

Oddly enough, I read about magnesium for MVP and heart palpitations in a book I bought at the grocery store check out stand. Once I added a lot of magnesium rich foods to my diet, my MVP symptoms went away. No more heart “phoomphs”, no more heart palpitations, no more heart murmur. I had these problems in varying degrees all of my life, and in a few months after buying that book they were all gone. I don’t understand why my cardiologists, who label themselves as experts in the field of heart care, weren’t aware of studies on MVP that were so well publicized you could literally find them in a book at the corner grocery store. It still seems very puzzling to me. However, based upon my email I believe that a lack of knowledge regarding mineral and vitamin deficiency problems among doctors is still a wide spread problem in America today.
Poor functioning heart tissues can develop from refined demineralized foods.
Bernard Jensen, writing in You Can Master Disease

In a study at the Grand Forks Human Nutrition Center, a part of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, found that in women past menopause, a low magnesium diet resulted in heart rhythm changes, which were halted by a diet providing about 300 mg of magnesium a day. The RDA for magnesium, as set by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, for women thrity-one, who are not pregnant or breast feeding, is 320 mg a day. Unfortunately, a number of studies show that many Americans do not consume the recommended amounts of magnesium each day, which may explain why heart palpitations are such a common problem.

Reader Tips

One of my web site readers decreased heart palpitations by cutting out coffee (which lowers magnesium levels) and eating more bananas, a magnesium rich food.

Another web site reader wrote that her palpitations stopped when she added raw broccoli and bananas to her diet.

Associated Conditions

Other conditions that may be caused by a deficiency of magnesium include migraines, mitral valve prolapse, noise sensitivity, anxiety and depression, muscle cramps, insomnia, TMJ and fibromyalgia. Magnesium is a trace mineral needed for hundreds of different functions within the body, so a deficiency of this one important mineral can cause a wide range of adverse seemingly unrelated health conditions. Muscle and autonomic nervous system relaxation depend upon adequate magnesium levels, so if magnesium is lacking people will often be tense both physically and emotionally. Heart palpitations are often associated with stress, however, I suspect it would be more logical to think along the lines that palpitations and stress are inter-related because both conditions may be symptoms of a magnesium deficiency.

Heart Palpitations and Pregnancy

The diets of Americans of all ages are likely to be deficient in magnesium, which is especially needed during pregnancy.

Adelle Davis, writing in Let’s Have Healthy Children

I wish I knew back when I was pregnant what I know now about heart palpitations. The studies linking my condition to magnesium deficiencies were around at that time before my first son was born, but that was in the pre-Internet era and I didn’t know back then where to to seek out this information. I just trusted my doctors to know what was best for me instead of doing my own research. I will never, ever make that mistake again.

My son ended up being fairly healthy, but he does have hypermobile joints, the long Marfan limbs like me, difficulty gaining weight, gets easily injured and has had a fair bit of problems with allergies. I do wonder if I had had more magnesium when I was pregnant if he would have been a healthier child than he is today.

Vegetable Broth for Palpitations?

One of my children deveopled heart palpitations one evening after having the flu. He had been throwing up and not taking in a lot of food. I made a magnesium rich vegetable broth for him with whatever veggies I had in the house at the time. Within a few minutes of having the broth his palpitations stopped.

I don’t remember exactly which vegetable were in the broth, but I ‘m pretty sure I added artichoke hearts (the frozen kind) and fresh celery. I also probably added fresh carrots, green beans, yellow zquash, romaine lettuce leaves and zucchini. I don’t know if this broth would help anyone else, but since most people in Western societies do not consume either enough magnesium or enough vegetables on a daily basis, it might be worth a try. (For more on this topic see my page on how to have a magnesium rich diet. )

To make the broth I cut the vegetables up into small pieces. With the harder vegetables, like the zucchini and carrots, I shredded them to get more of the nutrients to leach into the water. I then added water to cover the mixture, brought it to a boil on the stove (not microwave) and let it simmer for 20 minutes. Then I strained out the vegetables and had him drink the broth. The rationale for this is that, being a liquid, the broth was easy for him to digest and should have been rich with magnesium and other nutrients that leached into the water during the simmering process. The broth was also an alkaline substance, which may have helped with his pH balance. Some health experts believe that an an acid load in the body may contribute to magnesium deficiencies in some people.

Caffeine

Heart palpitations are linked to caffeine consumption. I suspect at least a partial reason for this is because caffeine is known to deplete magnesium levels.

Summary

I can’t turn back the clock, but from here on in I’ve learned that it is vitally important to do my own research to find the most current treatments for my family’s health problems. We still see conventional medical doctors for many of our health problems in my family, but I always take what they say with a grain of salt, and I always compare what they tell me to what I find out from my own nutrition and alternative health books, Internet research and visits to holistic doctors, too.

Mitral Valve Prolapse - the links to magnesium deficiency

Magnesium - many health condition can result from a shortage of this vital mineral.

Low Magnesium Levels - more common in women?

Links Between Low Magnesium Levels and Migraines

Noise Sensitivity - diet changes can sometimes help.

Insomnia - Natural Treatments

Diet Changes for Dry Mouth, Anxiety, Migraines, Palpitations and Nausea

Related Sites:

Magnesium Lowers Heart, Diabetes Risks - “People in the study who ate magnesium-rich diets seemed to be protected against developing metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors linked to cardiovascular disease and diabetes. “

Stop by my connective tissue disorder home page complete with a site map, search feature for more information on bone health and connective tissue disorders.

For a list of books that helped my connective tissue disorder symptoms, including my fibromyalgia, TMJ, MVP and scoliosis, please see my recommended book list.

Disclaimer: Statements and information regarding any products mentioned within this site have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Any information on this site should be considered as general information only and should not be used to diagnose or treat any health condition.

See your health care provider for a diagnosis and treatment of any medical concerns you may have, and before implementing any diet, supplement, exercise or other lifestyle changes. This site may contain errors. Use it at your own risk. Read the rest of our disclaimer and terms of use.

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http://www.ctds.info/heart-palpitations.html

How to Have a Magnesium (Mg) Rich Diet
Posted by: “surpriseshan2
Date: Fri Oct 15, 2010 10:14 am ((PDT))

My note: some foods that will also deplete magnesium are sugars & white
flours, as well as processed food & those that contain MSG, aspartame, other
chemicals including chemical perservatives, colours, etc

How to Have a Magnesium (Mg) Rich Diet
_http://www.ctds.info/magdiet.html_ (http://www.ctds.info/magdiet.html)

Overview

Magnesium (Mg) is one of the forgotten minerals. Unlike calcium, which we
hear advertisements about relentlessly, magnesium is not often publicized.
However, many common ailments including heart palpitations, high blood
pressure, diabetes, fibromyalgia, anxiety, insomnia, _tics and twitches_
(http://www.ctds.info/tics.html) , migraines and many more health conditions may
be caused by magnesium deficiencies. A number of recent studies have shown
that many people on modern diets do not get the minimum RDA for magnesium.
As such, it would be logical to conclude that higher Mg intakes across the
population may result in significant improvements in many of the common
health maladies associated with Mg deficiency.

I get a lot of emails from parents on how to increase Mg in their
children’s diets. Some high Mg foods kids often like include baked potatoes,
smoothies that include bananas and coconut milk, banana baby food (serve for
dessert instead of pudding), bean burritos, bean tostadoes, baked beans, peas,
peanut butter and honey cashews. (Of course, avoid any foods your child may
be allergic to.) Visit this page for more info on _children’s diets and Mg_
(http://www.ctds.info/mgchild.html) .

Below are some tips I’ve found over the years to get more magnesium into
my family’s diet.

General Tips for Increasing Magnesium Levels

— The first step, of course, is to basically just eat more magnesium rich
foods, especially beans, nuts and vegetables. Vegetables are especially
good if you are watching your weight because you can ingest a lot of
magnesium for a relatively small number of calories. Almost every morning I make a
big batch of soup with lots of beans, meat and vegetables and then let it
simmer in the crock pot all day. Then for lunch or whenever I’m hungry I have
the soup all made up and ready to eat.

— While too much fat in the diet can be unhealthy, eating at least some
fat along with your meals may help improve nutrient absorption. In a 2004
study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers
reported that, **Essentially no absorption of carotenoids was observed when
salads with fat-free salad dressing were consumed. A substantially greater
absorption of carotenoids was observed when salads were consumed with
full-fat than with reduced-fat salad dressing.** 1 If you are trying to lose
weight but are low in magnesium, you may be better off cutting down on calories
and especially high glycemic, empty calorie foods like white bread, cake
and cookies rather than fat. I developed many of my major Mg deficiency
symptoms (twitches, fibromyalgia, muscle cramps, etc.) as an adult when I went
on a low fat diet to lose weight, though at the time I didn’t realize that a
lack of fat may have been a factor in all of my health issues.

— Limit empty calorie foods such as chips, sodas, cookies and refined
grains because they provide a lot of calories yet tend to be low in nutrients,
especially magnesium. A big bowl of vegetable beef soup may have around
the same amount of calories as a couple of slices of white bread, but the
soup will most likely contain much higher levels of magnesium and other vital
nutrients. Also see my section on _information on how to increase Mg levels
in children without using supplements._ (http://www.ctds.info/mgchild.html)

— Calcium is a magnesium antagonist. As such, drinking too much milk or
eating too many other calcium rich foods in relation to Mg containing foods
may lower magnesium levels. A recent study found that _older women who took
calcium supplements had an increased risk of heart attack_
(http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20080115/calcium-heart-risk-for-older-women) .
Logically, it would make sense that a known magnesium antagonist like calcium,
taken in too high of a dosage, may hurt the heart since numerous studies
have shown that _magnesium is vital for proper heart functioning_
(http://www.ars.usda.gov/News/docs.htm?docid=10874) .

— According to the NutritionData.com web site, one tablespoon of molasses
has 48.4 mg of magnesium for only 58 calories. For a person on a 2,000
daily calorie diet, this is 12% of the FDA’s recommended daily values for Mg.
So for 2.9% of your daily calories, you can get 12% of your recommended MG
intake - a pretty good deal. Molasses is also a good source of iron,
calcium, Vitamin B6 and manganese.

Are Your Getting Too Much Calcium?

**Another risk factor for low magnesium status in older women is the use
of calcium supplements without magnesium for bone health. High calcium
intakes can make magnesium deficiency worse.**

From
_Do you have trouble sleeping? More magnesium might help_
(http://www.ars.usda.gov/News/docs.htm?docid=15617) , By Forrest Nielsen, USDA’s
Agricultural Research Service

— I think it is better to get _magnesium from your diet than to take
supplements_ (http://www.ctds.info/magnesium-faq.html#two) . . Magnesium is an
alkaline mineral and a common ingredients in antacids. We’ve noticed in my
family that taking magnesium supplements for more than a day or two can
sometimes cause cramping and diarrhea. Taking magnesium supplements too often
can be like overdosing on antacids, which can lower your stomach acid, which
in turn may prevent you from absorbing nutrients properly. Plus magnesium
needs other vitamins and minerals as co-factors for proper utilization, so
taking magnesium supplements alone may not be enough to really correct a
deficiency.

— Also consider that your body’s pH may be too acid or too alkaline to
maintain optimal magnesium levels. In my personal experience, I suspect that
either condition may negatively impact magnesium levels. For more on this,
read my section on _Mg and Acid-Base Balance_
(http://www.ctds.info/mgacidbase.html) . . I believe an over acid body is one of the reasons that many
people suffer from both heartburn and migraines.

— Alcohol may cause a loss of Mg. Many of the symptoms of hangovers
(headache, noise sensitivity, light sensitivity) are identical to the symptoms
of Mg deficiency.

— A variety of prescription drugs, including some commonly prescribed
antibiotics, may cause a Mg deficiencies. One of my sons, who happens to not
be a big vegetable fan, developed _ringing in his ears_
(http://www.ctds.info/ringingears.html) while being on penicillin for an illness. He said the
ringing lessened appreciably after eating a bean, rice and and cheese
burrito for dinner one night. We think this may have been because of the high
magnesium content and absorbability of the mashed beans in the burrito.

— Caffeine can cause a magnesium loss. Foods with caffeine include
include coffee, tea, some energy drinks and bars, and some types of soda.

— Be aware that many multivitamin pills do not contain any appreciable
levels of magnesium, yet may contain many magnesium antagonists. (Magnesium
is not often found in multivitamin pills because adding Mg makes the pill
too big to swallow, so the manufacturers just leave it out!) If you or
members of your family feel you need nutritional supplements, consider products
larger than multivitamins, such as nutrition bars or powdered supplements.
These types of products are more likely to contain an appreciable percent of
the RDA for magnesium, but you still have to check the labels to make
sure.

— Be aware that many fortified foods do not include magnesium but may
contain Mg antagonists.

— Estrogen helps the body’s uptake and utilization of magnesium. When my
muscles are tight or I’m _having trouble sleeping_
(http://www.ctds.info/insomnia_treatment.html) , conditions that are both possible signs of
magnesium deficiency, often a little soy milk will help me to relax. Soy milk is
high in phytoestrogens as well as magnesium. However, I don’t think soy is a
healthy food to eat in large quantities because it may raise estrogen
levels too much, which isn’t healthy. _A high intake of soy foods may also
cause thyroid problems_
(http://www.ehponline.org/members/2002/suppl-3/349-353doerge/doerge-full.html) , so for me soy is something I consume only in
limited quantities.

My Personal Experiences with Magnesium

One of my children used to develop _signs of sensitive hearing_
(http://www.ctds.info/noise-sensitivity.html) , a symptom associated with magnesium
deficiency, when we would go on vacation and he was eating more restaurant
and fast food meals than he normally would at home. When that would happen we
would take him to a Mexican restaurant and order a dish with refried
beans, such as a burrito. That would usually help to return his hearing to
normal. I think this is because beans are high in magnesium and also because
refried beans are rather well cooked and rather mushy, which may make them
more easily digestible.

If you want to get more magnesium in your diet but circumstances require
you to eat fast food now and then, trying having Mexican fast food with bean
dishes, or look for places that serve baked potatoes as a side dish
option.

Magnesium rich foods that are cooked and diluted with liquid seem to be
easier to absorb for my family than raw foods. Good liquid or semiliquid
sources of magnesium include mashed potatoes, banana smoothies, soy milk, and
home made vegetable broth. _One of my sons developed heart palpitations_
(http://www.ctds.info/heart-palpitations.html) , a condition that may be caused
by a lack of magnesium, one night when he was sick, dehydrated and had not
been eating much food. I made him a broth of simmered and strained mixed
vegetables of whatever I had in the house. I think it was some lettuce,
frozen okra, squash, celery, green beans and carrots. A few minutes after
drinking the broth he felt better and his heart beat returned to normal. On
another occasion I had my husband make a similar broth for me when I developed
vertigo. The veggie broth, a diet of more magnesium rich, alkaline foods
for a few days and yoga _helped the vertigo go away_
(http://www.ctds.info/vert-treat.html) Personally, I am a firm believer in the restorative powers
of vegetable soups and broths for their easily absorbable, high nutrient
content.

For feelings of **hyperness**, _anxiety from magnesium deficiency_
(http://www.ctds.info/anxiety_depression.html) , deficiency, and tight muscles, one
member of my family has found eating peanuts to be helpful. Peanuts are
high in both Mg and fat, so I think the fat may help make the Mg more
absorbable. I have found that cashews and pistachios seem to make me feel calmer
whenever I feel a bit edgy. (Of course if you are allergic to nuts this
option won’t work for you.)

Contrary to conventional medical dogma, I think it is best to follow more
of a _caveman diet_ (http://www.paleodiet.com/) and eat less grain foods,
especially whole grains. Whole grains are _high in both phytates and
fiber_ (http://www.ctds.info/fiberfoods.html) which can reduce absorption of
magnesium and other minerals. Every time some family members or I eat most
types of whole grain foods, especially oats, bran and whole wheat, we
develop magnesium deficiency symptoms, especially tight muscles and insomnia.

Selected References

1.Brown, M. J., Ferruzzi, M. G., Nguyen, M. L., Cooper, D. A., Eldridge,
A. L., Schwartz, S. J., White, W. S. “Carotenoid bioavailability is higher
from salads ingested with full-fat than with fat-reduced salad dressings as
measured with electrochemical detection.” American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition, Vol. 80, No. 2, 396-403, August 2004. [_Full text_
(http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/80/2/396) ]

Layman’s version: _A Little Fat Helps the Vegetables Go Down Eating Salads
With Fat-Free Dressings May Rob the Body of Nutrients_
(http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20040727/fat-helps-vegetables-go-down)

Related Pages in This Site:

_Magnesium Status and Acid-Base Balance_
(http://www.ctds.info/mgacidbase.html)

_Acid and Alkaline Food Chart_ (http://www.ctds.info/chart.html)

_pH Test Strips for Testing Urine _
(http://www.ctds.info/ph-test-strips.html)

_Alkaline and Acidic Foods_ (http://www.ctds.info/acidic-foods.html)

_Children and Magnesium_ (http://www.ctds.info/mgchild.html)

_Cause of Migraines_ (http://www.ctds.info/cause-migraines.html) — my
hypothesis that ties together many of the seemingly unrelated conditions -
TMJ, fibromyalgia, numbness in arms, nausea, eye pain and more.

_Noise Sensitivity / Sensitive Hearing_
(http://www.ctds.info/noise-sensitivity.html) - Explores the links between a lack of magnesium in the diet
and noise sensitivity.

Magnesium Deficiency - _Part I_ (http://www.ctds.info/5_13_magnesium.html)
- covers allergies, chemical sensitivities, anxiety and psychiatric
disorders, aorta strength, asthma, attention deficit disorder and calcification
of soft tissue. -
_Part II_ (http://www.ctds.info/magnesium.html) — covers fibromyalgia,
hearing loss, hypercalciuria, keratoconus, migraines, mitral valve prolapse,
muscle contractions and cramps, myopia, nystagmus, osteoporosis and
osteopenia, premature birth, skeletal deformities, scar formation, seizures, and
TMJ.
Other - Premature ejaculation,Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)*, Muscle
weakness
Leg movements-related insomnia, Apnea

_Food and Other Factors Associated With Migraines _
(http://www.ctds.info/migtrig.html) - loud noises, stress, certain foods can lead to migraines
and these triggers are all very similar, if not identical, to the factors
that can cause a magnesium deficiency.

_Magnesium Deficits_ (http://www.ctds.info/magdef.html) - more common in
women?

The Importance of Magnesium to Human Nutrition
by Michael B. Schachter M.D., F.A.C.A.M.
_http://www.mbschachter.com/importance_of_magnesium_to_human.htm_
(http://www.mbschachter.com/importance_of_magnesium_to_human.htm)

To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/soilandhealth/

Re: food
Posted by: “m_astera”

And your point is what? That folk wisdom is better because it has been around longer?

This world has a very, very long history of depleted farmland leading to deserts. And of depleted farmland leading to malnutrition and disease. Ten thousand years of that, wars fought and whole populations slaughtered or enslaved by those needing a new place to grow food because their soils had been depleted. Folk wisdom didn’t do a whole lot to remedy that and I seriously doubt that gathering a mulch of wild weeds from a soil that contains no Boron, Selenium, or Iodine is going to correct a deficiency of those elements. Nor is it likely to be practiced on a scale sufficient to feed more than a few people. But it sounds good, because no one has to learn anything about science to do it.

Analytical chemistry is a NEW discovery, discovered by brilliant caring people less than two hundred years ago and only coming into common use within the last fifty years. It is technology, as are things like distillation and the generation of electricity. These technologies can be and have been misused. Does that mean we should stop using them, that folk wisdom is superior?

Here is what I know. Flat out know. The science of soil mineralization and balance, with a focus on nutrition and the wise application of analytical chemistry, is the future of agriculture and human evolution. It is the foundation of a new world. Without it, nothing will change. With it is the possibility of everything changing, permanently.

I believe that so strongly that I have spent the last eleven years of my life studying it in order to bring it to the average farmer and gardener, and I will continue doing that until it is widely recognized and adopted or until I draw my last breath. Nothing is more important, not in politics, religion, finance, medicine or science. Well fed is health, intelligence, peace, vision, and a bright future, and it all starts with the mineral elements in the soil. It always has and always will.

Michael A
http://soilminerals.com

“The concern being how much P is depleted over time
in these various farming systems, but also, thinking
ahead, what kind of strategies should be explored
to address greatly limited reserves of mined P in the
near future, so thus there is interest in mycorrhizae
and legumes to help facilitate P availability under
lower soil test levels, etc.”

There is some very interesting work being done on efficient recovery of Phosphorus from waste water. A web search for Struvite will bring it up.

Michael A
http://soilminerals.com

Very interesting, deals with bladder stones and MORE:

http://www.google.com/search?q=Struvite&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/soilandhealth/

My interest in soil minerals goes back about 50 years, Rodale, the publisher of Organic Gardens also did a lot of research on the subject during his lifetime.

He thought that poor soil, was the cause of the then increase in mental illness and even our gov was testing the theory.

Listening to the police scanners, on nights that half or more of the calls deal with some form of mental illness, makes my thoughts of the dead/mineral-less soil a strong cause of mental illness.
granny

Urban Agriculture: A True WWII Story from Mannheim, Germany

My great grandfather said Hitler could just kiss his ass
My family here in Germany, where I’m visiting this week and next, has a favorite
story about my great grandfather, Karl Bader. After already fighting in World War
I, he stayed on the home front during the next war, taking care of his wife and
two daughters. He did the best he could with a cellar for bomb shelter and a garden
for what food they could raise there in the industrial city of Mannheim on the Rhine,
one of the most bombed parts of the country during WWII.

Brooklyn Urban Farms Devastated by Monday’s Hail Storm

On Monday night, as a line of powerful thunderstorms moved across Brooklyn, something
that rarely happens in these parts began to unfold. Updrafts in the storm front’s
giant cumulonimbus clouds pushed massive amounts of rain thousands of feet up into
the atmosphere, where the raindrops began to freeze and coagulate into marble-sized
balls of ice which quickly grew heavy enough to fall back onto our streets as hail.

Millions of Brooklynites gawked in disbelief as close to an inch of ice pellets
coated many neighborhoods in a matter of minutes, creating a fleeting (if unsettling)
wintery fantasy. For most, it was all over in a matter of minutes. But for some
of our urban farmers, it was a living nightmare and it was just beginning.

Dickson Despommier speaks about The Vertical Farm

“The time is at hand for us to learn how to safely grow our food inside environmentally
controlled multistory buildings within urban centers. If we do not, then in just
another 50 years, the next 3 billion people will surely go hungry, and the world
will become a much more unpleasant place in which to live.” - The Vertical Farm.

The Philippines - Where School Farms Aren’t Such a New Idea

Long before Alice Waters introduced the concept of students growing their own food
in Berkeley kids were putting hoe to soil at schools in the Philippines. School
farms in the island nation go back at least to World War II.

Many were, and still
are, born of necessity. Others are started not only to feed kids but to teach them
life skills and engender a respect for farming.

£669 ($1068 Canadian) worth of food grown on this patio, balcony and windowsill

Can you grow £500 worth of food without a garden or an allotment? That’s the target
Mark set himself on 1 May this year - all from his 9 x 6 foot north-west facing
balcony and six window sills in Tufnell Park, North London.

By 8 October he’d already
beaten his target by £169, growing food worth £669.
“Few people realise just how much you can grow in a tiny space” says Mark. “This
year my balcony and window sills have produced the equivalent of 100 bags of salad,
120 packets of herbs and 92 punnets of tomatoes - as well as runner beans, courgettes,
mange tout, carrots, potatoes, blueberries and strawberries. The harvest weighs
66 kilos or 145 pounds in total - and there is still more to come.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All stories here:
City Farmer News [http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=fclqmpbab&et=1103787532548&s=1304&e=001iYH7DT0Q0y3_YCaDuReS-MLDJdSzGbOLiFoyZp03jbaLRPSVEUueQ4zzaBVqBvbkxXV1ta6VmkPtHd7KeyuCpUn8kYUrs2M2Y9E_0FCkdQDKlB6J0mRTCQ==]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Michael Levenston
City Farmer - Canada’s Office of Urban Agriculture

Homemade Gift Series #5: Wine Jelly

Posted: 15 Oct 2010 01:00 PM PDT

“Not everyone will like the caramel apple jam,” Sarah commented to me after we made it. As much as I liked it, I knew she was right: it was very sweet and lacked the tartness that I often crave in my jellies and jams.

So we decided to make another jelly/jam, this time doing something decidedly different: wine jelly.

What’s “wine jelly”? It’s much like grape jelly, but instead of using grape juice, you use a bottle of wine of your choosing for the primary liquid in the jelly.

Ingredients

In this case, we chose to use a bottle of Celebrate, a 2007 wine from a local winery, White Oak Vineyards. It’s a ruby red semi-sweet wine made from a blend of grapes that has a tartness to it that’s almost like cranberries. We quite like it.

Thus, one fun way to make this jelly is to choose a bottle of wine from a local winery that you particularly like and use it as the backbone for your jelly. This enables the wine to have a bit of additional local flavor to it. You can, of course, use any wine of your choosing – for example, a bottle of Charles Shaw from Trader Joe’s will work quite well and only set you back $3 for the wine.

What ingredients will you need? Our recipe simply follows a very standard grape jelly recipe:

3 1/2 cups wine
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 package dry pectin (1.75 oz. or 2 oz. depending on the brand)
4 1/2 cups sugar

You’ll also, of course, need the usual stuff for canning: six jars with lids and rings, a pot to boil the stuff in, and some sort of mechanism for pulling the jars in and out of boiling water. In the pictures below, we’re using a plastic “bucket” we found for fifty cents at a sale recently.

A note on the wine: you’ll often need a bit more liquid than what a bottle of wine contains, as a bottle will often only give you three cups or a bit more. Feel free to add the remnants of a second wine or even a bit of grape juice to get yourself up to the total amount.

Boiling for sterility

The first step, of course, is to boil the jars, lids, and rings and make sure they’re as clean as possible. This way, you minimize the chance of unwanted bacteria inside of the jars, which would render the jelly unusable.

Cooking the jelly

After that, just mix the wine, lemon juice, and pectin in a large sauce pot (one that can easily hold 12 cups of liquid. Bring it to a boil while stirring it rapidly.

Once it’s boiling, add the sugar, then keep stirring rapidly to dissolve all of the sugar in the liquid. Bring it back to a rolling boil while stirring, then boil it for at least one minute while stirring (you can boil it a bit longer – if you do, the jelly will be just a bit thicker).

Boiling jars

Once the hot jelly is finished, ladle the jelly into the jars, leaving 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) at the tops of the jars for breathing room. Put the lids on them, then put the jars into a boiling water bath for five minutes (you can do this in shifts, of course).

You’ll find that you have enough jelly for six jars, with a bit left over. We used that “bit left over” on our morning toast for a few days – delicious!

Six jars

When you’re done, put the jars out on a towel and leave them untouched for 24 hours. Leave at least an inch of space between each of the jars.

After the 24 hours are up, check the lids and make sure none of them have popped up. If you’re unsure, press down a bit on the middle of a lid – if it “clicks” or “pops,” that’s a bad jar. Most likely, they’ll all be fine, but don’t keep a bad jar of anything that you can.

finished jelly

As you can see, our jelly turned out with a reddish-purple color. It’s a bit tart and, in my opinion, is almost perfect on toast in the morning.

Later, we’re going to make a second batch of this jelly, using one of our favorite white wines. This will result in a yellowish or nearly clear jelly.

http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2010/10/15/homemade-gift-series-5-wine-jelly/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thesimpledollar+%28The+Simple+Dollar%29&utm_content=Yahoo!+Mail

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