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://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2009/09/spiced-apple-muffins-gluten-grain-and-dairy-free.html

Spiced Apple Muffins (Gluten, Grain, and Dairy Free)

by KimiHarris on September 18, 2009

ng_applemuffins
These muffins speak Fall to me. Stuffed full of fresh apples, gently spiced, and sweetened with honey, they are warming on a chilly Fall morning….or a warm Fall morning as many of ours has been!

I made these with coconut flour. If you haven’t tried coconut flour before, it makes wonderful baked goods. With the use of eggs to bind it together, it’s both high in nutrients and fiber, as well as moist.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Spiced Apple Muffins Makes Ten Muffins
The first time I made these I used a scant 1/2 of a cup of apples. It didn’t have enough apple flavor, nor was it moist enough. The second time I made it, I went a little overboard and used a heaping full cup of apples. The taste was great and it was really moist, but it was almost a little too moist and it got stuck on the muffin papers. For that reason, I am suggesting the middle ground, 3/4 cup.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Prep the muffin tins. I suggest using muffin papers (baking cups), otherwise you can grease it.

Dry Ingredients:

1/2 cup of coconut flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon medium grind sea salt (if you use fine, use 1/4 teaspoon)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

In a medium size bowl combine the dry ingredient and briskly whisk until all lumps are removed.

Add:

1/3 cup of coconut oil
1/4 cup of honey

Melt together on the stove top, just until melted (don’t get it hot, otherwise it could cook your eggs prematurely).

And:

3 eggs, lightly whisked.

Whisk until everything is well combined, and then add:

3/4 cup of shredded apples (wash, and core the apples, and then shred, peel and all)*see note above*

Divide between ten muffin tins, and bake for about 25 minutes or until the tops are lightly browned and a toothpick comes out clean when poked in the middle of the muffin.

Allow to cool for a few minutes and take out of the muffin tins and serve!

*To make these Gaps Friendly, add a bit of lemon juice or vinegar and baking soda in place of the baking powder.

http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2009/09/tulsi-immune-booster.html

[Has hidden urls and interesting comments...]

Tulsi: Immune Booster for Flu Season

by KimiHarris on September 15, 2009

mg_tulsi

A very kind friend has been helping with my feedburner issues. They aren’t completely fixed yet, but there is a temporary fix on it now. Are you all getting the updates yet? So sorry for all of the technological difficulties lately! We are trying to resolve them. When it rains, it pours!

I recently read Dr. Mercola’s advice to drink tulsi (or holy basil) tea to boost the immune system to fight against the swine flu-or just the normal flu’s and colds that come this time of year. I was intrigued. Going to Mercola’s source I found these quotes.

“The anti-flu property of Tulsi has been discovered by medical experts across the world quite recently. Tulsi improves the body’s overall defence mechanism including its ability to fight viral diseases. It was successfully used in combating Japanese Encephalitis and the same theory applies to swine flu,” Dr U K Tiwari, a herbal medicine practitioner says.

Apart from acting as a preventive medicine in case of swine flu, Tulsi can help the patient recover faster.

“Even when a person has already contracted swine flu, Tulsi can help in speeding up the recovery process and also help in strengthening the immune system of the body,” he claims.

Dr Bhupesh Patel, a lecturer at Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar is also of the view that Tulsi can play an important role in controlling swine flu.

“Tulsi can control swine flu and it should be taken in fresh form. Juice or paste of at least 20-25 medium sized leaves should be consumed twice a day on an empty stomach.” This increases the resistance of the body and, thereby, reduces the chances of inviting swine flu,” believes Patel.

Yahoo News, Aug 12th

To read more of Mercola’s thoughts on Tulsi and other recommendations for the Swine Flu, go here.

In an article in Better Nutrition, I found a partial list of some of the traditional uses for tulsi.

“Known as tulsi in Ayurvedic medicine, holy basil has been used in India since before 1000 BC for numerous ailments, including fever, inflammation, malaria, dysentery, diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, arthritis, insect bites, skin conditions and painful eye diseases.”1

Interesting

This same article also mentioned that it helps decrease blood sugar, helps you adapt to stresses, and bolsters the immune system (like what Mercola mentioned)).

The only caution is unfortunately for those trying to get pregnant, pregnant, or nursing. Several places mentioned a possible anti-fertility effect or a (though untested) hypothesis that is could play around with your hormonal balance.

But for the rest of us, tulsi seems to be a very safe choice as it has been used for a very long time in India in every household!

How to take:

You can find this in capsule form, but I prefer more traditional methods of consuming it.

Fresh leaves: As you may have noticed the in the first quote, Dr Patel recommended fresh leaves. For that, you are most likely going to have to grow your own plants. I definitely want to try this next year! It would be great to have my own. I might consider growing some in an indoor pot this Fall too. Any gardeners have advice for me?

Teas: There is a great brand, Organic India, that has a wide variety of flavors of tulsi tea. I am a tea lover, and I’ve loved the flavors I’ve tried. A pretty painless way to get your tulsi down! This is also the brand that Mercola recommends (I’ve found it at local stores and on Amazon, see below).

But you don’t have to get premade teas, as you can also buy this herb in bulk and make your own tea combinations, or just use it plain. This is a cheaper way to go. I bought half a pound of it, and am planning on mixing it with other different teas for flavoring.

Last night, I simply scooped a spoonful of tulsi and spoonful of rooibos into a teapot, poured hot water over it and let it seep for about ten minutes. We really liked it! It has a very mild, gentle flavor.

I think that boosting my immune system with a cup of tea is an easy way to go. And I am glad that I’ve found a more frugal way to do it!

What about you? Ever tried tulsi tea before?

http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2009/07/delicious-honey-nut-bars-dairy-sugar-gluten-and-grain-free.html

Delicious Honey Nut Bars (dairy, sugar, gluten, and grain free)

by KimiHarris on July 13, 2009

ng_honeynutsFirst, I grind nuts and seeds together to form a hearty, coarse nut “flour”. To this I stir in some whole seeds, raisins, salt and a touch of cinnamon. Honey and melted coconut oil are poured over it, and the mixture is then baked in the oven. Once cooled and cut, these delicious nut bars are devoured quickly if you aren’t careful! They are in that “almost too good” category, where it’s hard to eat just one.

My husband has been traveling this summer just a bit, so I have been trying to come up with some new portable recipes. I think this one fits the bill nicely! I think it will also work great for the school year. It’s the perfect bar to replace those mostly nasty granola bars (full of bad ingredients) or those super expensive health food bars.

And thanks everyone, for participating in another week of Pennywise Platter Thursday! I’ve just been loving the great ideas and tips!

Delicious Honey Nut Bars
You will need a food processor for this recipe (or a powerful blender). I am sure that you can play around with what nuts you use, though the following combination is delicious! I started with raw nuts, as toasting nuts is supposed to remove enzyme inhibitors in nuts and I hoped that they would be toasted enough to accomplish the job. Though you are welcome to start with soaked and dehydrated nuts!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease (with coconut oil) a 9 x 13 casserole dish. Grind the following nuts into a coarse nut flour. Don’t let it turn into nut butter!

1/2 cup cashews
1 cup of pumpkin seeds
1 cup of almonds

Put into a medium size bowl and stir in the following.

1/2 cup of sunflower seeds
1/2 cup pf pumpkin seeds
1 cup of raisins
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Melt in a small saucepan:

1/2 cup of honey
1/4 cup high quality coconut oil

Pour honey/oil over the nut mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated with it. Press evenly into the prepared casserole dish and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until it is lightly browned on top.

Allow to cool for 20 minutes, then very gently cut and remove bars and allow to cool on a plate. They will be crumbly at this stage, but I found that if they started to fall apart, I could gently mold them back together (the honey acts like a glue). As they cool they will harden. Once cool, place in an airtight container and enjoy!

http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2009/05/cooking-to-heal-review-coconut-orange-white-fudge.html

Dairy Free, GAPS Friendly, Gluten Free, Grain Free,

Cooking to Heal Review: Coconut Orange “White Fudge”

by KimiHarris on May 27, 2009

ng_orangefudge

These little “white fudge” pieces are full of orange and coconut flavor and sweetened with a mild honey. My two year old daughter loves them! Because they aren’t overly sweet, I feel that they are a great treat to give her.

The other great thing about them is that they are a wonderful treat for kids (or adults!) on special diets. And that’s what the Cooking to Heal DVD set it all about it.

Julie Mathews, who blogs at Nourishing Hope, is a autism diet and nutrition specialist and Defeat Autism Now! practitioner. She’s put together a DVD and workbook set for those interested in learning how to cook to heal. Topics included: Explanation of different healing diets (SCD, Body Ecology, Low Oxalate Diet etc) Nutrient Dense Foods, Soaking and Fermenting Seeds, Desserts, Fermented Foods, plus tips on everything from how to hide liver into ground beef, and what to feed a vegetable adverse child.

I think that this set would be of great help to someone who needed an intro to healing food as it gives a great overview. She also wrote a book discussing the different healing diets, for those who need to get a picture of what the different diets are like without having to buy all of the books.

Special diet or not, we all enjoyed this white fudge!

Coconut Orange White Fudge

1 cup coconut butter (I used Wilderness Family Natural’s Coconut Spread)
1 teaspoon coconut oil
1-2 tablespoons honey
If desired, baking extract such as orange extract vanilla extract or citrus oils. Orange or lemon rind (for fruit extracts). (I used a tablespoon of orange zest).

Add coconut butter to food processor and chop up into fine chunks. Melt coconut oil (not too hot) and add to food processor while spinning. Slowly add honey and extract/rind. Taste as you go to achieve desired sweetness.

Place waxed paper on cookie sheet. Scoop mixture onto paper and spread thinly )1/3 -1/2 inch) and put pan in refrigerator to chill. Take out and cut into small 1/2 inch squares. Peel off paper and store in airtight container in the refrigerator.

*Recipe used with permission Special thanks for the review copy of Cooking to Heal.

http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2009/05/lemon-curd-bars.html

Lemon Curd Bars

by KimiHarris on May 12, 2009

ng_lemoncurdbarI have been having fun with my tangy lemon curd! It inspired this recipe, Lemon Curd Bars! I love the contrast between the nutty, slightly salty base, and the zippy lemon curd on top. It’s a wonderful combination.

This is a bit of a cross between a power bar-because the base is high in protein as it’s made from nourishing nuts and eggs-and a lemon bar, because it has a delectable lemony topping. Not only is the bar, dairy and gluten free, it’s also grain free! High in nutrients and flavor, low in allergens.

Lightly sweetened with honey, I can easily imagine it acting as a power bar after a workout, but we eat it as dessert around here.

This last Saturday my older sister and her toddler came with our little family to a large farmer’s market in the city. We had a wonderful time buying vegetables, fighting the crowds and eating wonderful food. But we were still a bit hungry on the way home, so we brought out some of these lemon curd bars and snacked on them on the way home. It was the perfect way to end our trip.

And we hope you enjoy them too.

Lemon Curd Bars

Nuts are best when soaked and dehydrated, but I’ve used both raw and soaked nuts with good success in this recipe.
Makes 16
1 recipe of tangy lemon curd (Save extra zest for the the cookie base).

1 cup of raw almonds
1 cup of raw cashews
1/4 cup honey (These are very lightly sweetened. If you want the bars sweeter, you could up this amount)
1/2 cup of melted virgin coconut oil
2-4 teaspoons lemon zest
2 eggs
1 teaspoon sea salt

1-Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and make the lemon curd. Place the curd in the refrigerator to cool.

2- Place the almonds and the cashews in a food processor. Grind them into a medium fine “flour”. You don’t want to turn it into a nut paste, so don’t over do it. There will still be little chunks here and there.

3-Add the rest of the ingredients and pulse until combined.

4-Evenly spread the nut batter into a greased 8 by 8 pan. Place in the middle of the hot oven. It will take between 15 to 18 minutes to cook. It may puff up as it cooks, but don’t worry, it won’t stay that way once you take it out of the oven. When the top is lightly brown, and a toothpick comes out clean when stuck in the middle, it’s done.

4-Cool completely, then spread one recipes of lemon curd on top. Let set in the refrigerator for at least several hours. The curd will continue to set, and we liked it even better the next day. When ready to serve, take them out and cut into squares (16 bars worked well for us), and serve.

Enjoy!

http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/2009/05/tangy-lemon-curd-honey-sweetened-and-dairy-free.html

Tangy Lemon Curd (Honey Sweetened and Dairy Free)

by KimiHarris on May 6, 2009

ng_lemoncurd

Lemon curd is one of those special treats that is so simple to make. Eggs, lemon juice and zest, honey, and coconut oil (or butter or ghee) magically cooks into a thick, tangy, rich curd, just perfect for a warm day.

Who says you have to spend a lot of money and time to make a nourishing sweet treat? This is my contribution to the Simple and Nourishing Carnival!

This lemon curd is strictly for a lemon lover, like myself. This recipe really allows the lemon to play the dominate role, with just enough sweetener to take the edge off of the sourness of the lemon without dulling it’s tang. It’s the perfect pairing for a sweet cake.

You can serve it simply by dolloping it over sweet fresh berries and toasted nuts, or you can use it as part of a fancy layer cake, in tarts and thumb print cookies, or spread between flaky scones. Oh yes, there are a lot of uses for lemon curd! Simple and fancy!

Tangy Lemon Curd
This is a more frugal version of curd, because, like the Joy of Cooking’s version, I use whole eggs instead of just the egg yolks. However, you could substitute 6 egg yolks for the whole eggs for a super rich curd.

3 large eggs
1/4 -1/3 cup of honey
Grated zest of one lemon (I used about 1 tablespoon)
1/2 cup of lemon juice
6 tablespoons virgin coconut oil (or you could use ghee or butter).

1-In a medium stainless steel or enamel saucepan, whisk together the first three ingredients until light colored.

2-Add the the coconut oil, breaking it into small clumps as you drop it into the pot for even melting. Then add the lemon juice.

3-Cook, whisking over medium heat until the coconut oil is melted. Continue to cook until the mixture thickens and you start to see a few bubbles popping at the surface.

4-Remove from heat, and scrape into a fine sieve set over a bowl. Strain the curd, gently stirring if needed.

5-Refrigerate for several hours to thicken. Will keep about one week in the refrigerator.

Amazing Health Benefits of Epsom Salt Baths

By Melissa Breyer, Senior Editor, Healthy & Green Living

Many of us are deficient in magnesium, and by simply soaking in a relaxing bath with magnesium-rich Epsom salt we can boost our levels of this important element. “Magnesium,” you might wonder, “what’s the big deal?” Find out the importance of magnesium and discover the many surprising health benefits of using Epsom salt in your bath.
We all know about the importance of iron and calcium, but what about magnesium? It is the second-most abundant element in human cells and the fourth-most important positively charged ion in the body. Surprisingly, it helps the body regulate over 325 enzymes and plays an important role in organizing many bodily functions, like muscle control, electrical impulses, energy production and the elimination of harmful toxins.

According to the National Academy of Sciences, most Americans are magnesium deficient, which the academy says helps to account for high rates of heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, arthritis and joint pain, digestive maladies, stress-related illnesses, chronic fatigue and a number of other ailments. Who knew?!

Americans’ magnesium levels have dropped by half in the last century due to changes in agriculture and diet. Industrial farming has depleted magnesium from soil and the typical American diet contains much less magnesium than that of our forefathers. And in fact, the modern American diet with its fat, sugar, salt and protein actually works to speed up the depletion of magnesium from our bodies.

Interestingly, our focus on getting enough calcium is another factor in decreased magnesium levels. In a delicate dance of balance, calcium depletes magnesium yet calcium functions best when enough magnesium is present. Studies indicate that taking a calcium supplement without enough magnesium can increase the shortage of both nutrients.

Researchers have found that many Americans have five times as much calcium as magnesium in their bodies, although the proper ratio for optimum absorption of both minerals is two to one.

With such widespread magnesium deficiency one might think that magnesium supplements would be called upon, but studies show that magnesium is not easily absorbed through the digestive tract. The presence of specific foods or drugs, certain medical conditions, and the chemistry of a person’s stomach acid can render magnesium supplements ineffective.

This brings us to Epsom salt. Known scientifically as hydrated magnesium sulfate, Epsom salt is rich in both magnesium and sulfate. While both magnesium and sulfate can be poorly absorbed through the stomach, studies show increased magnesium levels from soaking in a bath enriched with Epsom salt! Magnesium and sulfate are both easily absorbed through the skin. Sulfates play an important role in the formation of brain tissue, joint proteins and the proteins that line the walls of the digestive tract. They stimulate the pancreas to generate digestive enzymes and are thought to help detoxify the body of medicines and environmental contaminants.

Researchers and physicians suggest these health benefits from proper magnesium and sulfate levels, as listed on the web site of the Epsom Salt Industry Council:

Improved heart and circulatory health, reducing irregular heartbeats, preventing hardening of the arteries, reducing blood clots and lowering blood pressure.
Improved ability for the body to use insulin, reducing the incidence or severity of diabetes.

Flushed toxins and heavy metals from the cells, easing muscle pain and helping the body to eliminate harmful substances.

Improved nerve function by electrolyte regulation. Also, calcium is the main conductor for electrical current in the body, and magnesium is necessary to maintain proper calcium levels in the blood.

Relieved stress. Excess adrenaline and stress are believed to drain magnesium, a natural stress reliever, from the body. Magnesium is necessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of well being and relaxation.
Reduced inflammation to relieve pain and muscle cramps.
Improved oxygen use.

Improved absorption of nutrients.
Improved formation of joint proteins, brain tissue and mucin proteins.

Prevention or easing of migraine headaches.

All this from a bath, hurray! While there are many different brands of Epsom salt, they are all the same product chemically, and can be found at most drug stores. Add two cups of Epsom salt and soak for at least 12 minutes. Do this three times weekly.

If you are pregnant or have any health concerns, check with your doctor before using Epsom salts.

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

Hot ‘n Spicy Blend
Posted by: “~*Piper*~”

Hot ‘n Spicy Blend

2 tablespoons savory, crushed
1 tablespoon powdered mustard
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 1/4 teaspoons ground pepper
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/4 teaspoons garlic powder

Combine all ingredients and mix well.
Spoon into a shaker with large holes or store in a small dish with a plastic lid.

Makes about 1/3 Cup.
Use on vegetables, soups or salads.

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2. Southwestern Shepherd’s Pie
Posted by: “~*Piper*~”

Southwestern Shepherd’s Pie

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 small green bell pepper, diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon chopped green jalapeño
1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 cups tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup cooked corn
1/2 cup black beans, rinsed
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut in chunks
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup milk

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; cook,
stirring, for 10 minutes. Add garlic and jalapeño; cook for 2 minutes. Raise heat to medium-high; add beef and brown for 5 minutes.

Add tomato paste and spices; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add tomatoes; simmer until liquid reduces, 15 minutes. Add corn, beans, and 4 tablespoons cilantro. Spoon into a 9x9-inch baking dish.

Place sweet potatoes in a saucepan with water to cover. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Drain; mash with butter and milk. Spread mash over the meat mixture. Bake in a 400°F oven until brown, 30 minutes. Garnish with more cilantro.

yield: Makes 4 servings

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3. Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
Posted by: “~*Piper*~”

Roasted Tomatillo Salsa

1 lb. tomatillos, husked, washed
8 garlic cloves, peeled
2 jalapeno chiles, stemmed and seeded if desired
1 large bunch cilantro, leaves only
3/4 cup water
1 tsp. salt
pinch freshly ground pepper

Preheat the broiler. Place the tomatillos, garlic and jalapenos on a baking
tray and broil, turning frequently, until evenly charred, 15 minutes. (The
trick to keeping the garlic from burning is to tuck it under the tomatoes.)
Set aside to cool.
Transfer the roasted ingredients to a food processor fitted with the metal
blade.
Add the cilantro and water and puree until smooth.
Season with the salt and pepper and serve.

Makes 2 1/2 cups.
Store in the refrigerator 3 to 5 days or in the freezer for weeks.

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4. Aji Molido (Chile Paste - Yellow)
Posted by: “*~Tamara~*”

Aji Molido (Chile Paste - Yellow)

20 each chiles, aji, yellow, chopped, substitue yellow wax hot, chiles or jalapenos
1/4 cup oil, olive
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 teaspoons salt

Remove seeds and stems. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and puree to a fine paste. This is a HOT condiment.

This South American chile paste can be used as a substitute whenever fresh chiles are called for.

It will keep for two weeks or more in the
refrigerator. For longer storage, increase the vinegar and reduce the amount of olive oil.

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5. Bean Curd with a Spicy Sauce
Posted by: “*~Tamara~*”

Bean Curd with a Spicy Sauce

SAUCE
2 ts Cornstarch
1/2 c Stock
1 ts Chili paste with garlic
2 tb Soy sauce
1 tb Vegetable oil
Salt to taste 1/2 ts Sugar

BEAN CURD
2 tb Oil
3 Garlic cloves
1 ts Fresh ginger
3 Scallions
1 lb Bean curd - cut into 1-inch cubes

Whisk together the sauce ingredients & set aside. In a wok, saute garlic & ginger. Add scallions, followed by the tofu. Cook for a few minutes. Pour suace over the sauted ingredients. Mix gently & simmer carefully. Let the sauce thicken, stirring gently every now & then. Serve over rice.

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6. Broiled Salmon with Spicy Sauce Verde
Posted by: “*~Tamara~*”

Broiled Salmon with Spicy Sauce Verde

4 Green New Mexican chilies
or: 1/2 sm Green bell pepper plus: 2 Jalapenos
2 ts Chopped scallions, including -green tops 2 ts Vegetable oil
3 tb Green peppercorns in brine, -drained 2 ts All-purpose white flour
1/2 c Dry white wine
1/4 c Skim milk
1 tb Hot-pepper sauce, preferably -habanero chili sauce
1 tb Chopped fresh dill
4 Salmon steaks, 6 oz each

Note: In place of the fresh chilies, you can use canned green ones, which do not need to be roasted and peeled. Drain them well.

Preheat broiler. On a foil-lined baking sheet, broil peppers for 7 to 8 minutes, or until blackened, turning once. Place in a paper bag and set aside until cooled. Remove skin, stems and seeds. Chop finely. In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, saute scallions in oil for 2 minutes until softened. Add green peppercorns and saute for 2 minutes more. Add flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in wine and milk and blend well. Add chilies, hot-pepper sauce and dill. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer about 5 minutes, or until the sauce has been reduced and thickened. Broil salmon for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until fish flesh is opaque. Remove the skin from the steaks before serving. Place some of the sauce on a plate and place the salmon on top of it.

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7. SLOW COOKER JAZZY JAMBALAYA
Posted by: “*~Tamara~*”

SLOW COOKER JAZZY JAMBALAYA
Servings: 8 servings

4 lbs. meaty chicken parts, skinned
1 lb. smoked sausage, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 cup each chopped onion, green bell pepper and celery
1 tbsp. minced garlic
1 1/2 cups uncooked regular rice
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup FRANK’S® REDHOT® Cayenne Pepper Sauce

PLACE chicken and sausage into greased 6 quart slow cooker insert.
STIR remaining ingredients into slow cooker. Cover.
COOK on HIGH heat setting for 4 to 4 1/2 hours, or LOW heat setting for 8 to 9 hours until rice is tender and chicken is no longer pink near bone.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/casseroles_and_crockpots/
Looking for some new crockpot recipes? Casseroles?

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

To visit group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Simply-Spicy/

20 DIY & Craft Projects: {Pets}

Posted By TipNut On September 5, 2009 @ 6:49 am In DIY Projects, Pets | No Comments

Pet Pillow Project By bhg.com

1. Lucky Dog! Wrap Pillow [1]: (as seen in picture) Create a homemade pillow for your favorite four-legged friend.

2. How to Make a Raised Dog Feeder [2]: A glue gun, wooden shadow box picture frame, napkin rings and voila! nice little station for your pet’s eating area.

3. Weekend Warriors: Mr. Sambolini’s Solution for a Messy Litter Box [3]: A litter-box enclosure that contains the mess and looks more like “an attractive storage chest” than a sandy mess. Also see more unique ideas for cat litter boxes here [4] (scroll down a bit).

4. DIY Project: Gumball Machine Fish Bowl [5]: This Gumball Machine Fish Bowl is sure to get some compliments in your home! It’s a fun and quirky addition to a living room or child’s room, and it’s very easy to make.

5. Pet Pouches [6]: Here’s how to make a little “wallet” to store a plastic baggie right on your dog’s collar (so handy when going for walks!).

6. How to Convert an Old TV Into a Fish Tank [7]: Have you discovered a dinosaur of a TV set in your attic? It sure can’t compete with today’s flat-panel units, but it doesn’t have to head straight for the junk pile — if you’re creative. Here’s how to make it do something those plasmas will never pull off: turn it into a fish tank!

7. Crochet a Candy Corn Pet Sweater! [8]: Making this sweater is really easy and only requires a little crochet knowledge. This particular pattern fits a 12 to 20 pounder, but is easily adapted to any size four-legged animal.

8. Recycled Skirt Into 2 Piece Dog Bed [9]: Clever & cozy bed for your pet.

9. Recyled Dog Collar Tutorial [10]: It’s easy to make a new dog collar from your old one!

10. Felted Kitty Balls [11]: Felt is an attractive material for kitty play: its toughness is necessary for what is after all play-murder, and its chewy but giving texture is satisfactorily similar to that of a well-fed mouse.

11. Collapsible Dog Bowl [12]: This collapsible dog bowl is perfect for traveling pet owners.

12. Baby Sock Cat Toy [13]: This simple and inexpensive mouse-size toy, filled with catnip and sewn by hand, will provide your cat with hours of entertainment. Check out how to grow your own catnip here: Grow Your Own Catnip [14].

13. Raised Dog Bed [15]: Raised pet beds help with both fleas (they live on the floor, and can only jump so high) and warmth.

14. Dog Dining Station [16]: This easy-to-build dog feeding station raises your pet’s food and water to a more comfortable level and keeps your floor neat.

15. Catnip Fish Toy [17]: This whimsical fish-shaped toy is sure to become one of your cat’s favorite playthings. Although available in any pet store, catnip (Nepeta cataria) can be grown in a range of soils, dried, and used to make this project (downloadable fish toy template available via pdf).

16. Cardboard Cat Playhouse [18]: Your cat will love to meander through her very own playhouse, which you can construct from three cardboard boxes in just a few simple steps.

17. Cat Bed Junk Project [19]: Turn an old wood end-table into a charming cat (or dog) bed.

18. DIY Aviary From An Old Wardrobe [20]: Not a detailed how-to, but easy enough to figure out (it’s gorgeous!).

19. How to Make a Collapsible Travel Dish for Your Pet [21]: This project modifies a basic origami fold to create a pet bowl that holds water with no leaks.

20. How to Make a Pet Bed from Recycled Sweaters [22]: Crochet a pet bed from old sweaters using the same technique as crocheting rag rugs.

Bonus: Also see this list of 22 different ideas for pet storage projects: Smart Storage For Pet Stuff [23].

Don’t Miss These Tips:

* DIY Craft Station: Crate Style [24]
* DIY Craft & Tool Station: Repurposing [25]
* How To Build A Raised Garden Bed – Cheap [26]

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

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/projects-pets/

URLs in this post:

[1] Lucky Dog! Wrap Pillow: http://www.bhg.com/crafts/sewing/accessories/lucky-dog-wrap-pillow/

[2] How to Make a Raised Dog Feeder: http://condo-blues.blogspot.com/2008/06/how-to-make-raised-pet-feeder.html

[3] Weekend Warriors: Mr. Sambolini’s Solution for a Messy Litter Box: http://www.readymade.com/blogs/readymade/2009/07/31/weekend-warriors-mr-sambolinis-kitty-litter-castle/

[4] unique ideas for cat litter boxes here: http://tipnut.com/how-to-clean-a-cat-litter-box/

[5] DIY Project: Gumball Machine Fish Bowl: http://www.addicted2decorating.com/diy-project-accessories-gumball-machine-fish-bowl.html

[6] Pet Pouches: http://theb-line.blogspot.com/2009/06/lets-make-pet-pouches.html

[7] How to Convert an Old TV Into a Fish Tank: http://www.wikihow.com/Convert-an-Old-TV-Into-a-Fish-Tank

[8] Crochet a Candy Corn Pet Sweater!: http://www.curbly.com/DIY-Maven/posts/2877-Crochet-a-Candy-Corn-Pet-Sweater-

[9] Recycled Skirt Into 2 Piece Dog Bed: http://unusuallyunusualfarmchick.blogspot.com/2007/12/recycled-skirt-into-2-piece-dog-bed.html

[10] Recyled Dog Collar Tutorial: http://keyka.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/05/recyled-dog-col.html

[11] Felted Kitty Balls: http://www.fuzzygalore.biz/patterns/kittyballs.shtml

[12] Collapsible Dog Bowl: http://www.marthastewart.com/article/collapsible-dog-bowl

[13] Baby Sock Cat Toy: http://www.marthastewart.com/article/baby-sock-cat-toy

[14] Grow Your Own Catnip: http://tipnut.com/grow-your-own-catnip/

[15] Raised Dog Bed: http://jezzeblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/dog-bed.html

[16] Dog Dining Station: http://www.marthastewart.com/article/dog-dining-station

[17] Catnip Fish Toy: http://www.marthastewart.com/article/catnip-toy

[18] Cardboard Cat Playhouse: http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/cardboard-cat-playhouse

[19] Cat Bed Junk Project: http://junkcamp.blogspot.com/2009/05/here-kitty-kitty-cat-bed-junk-project.html

[20] DIY Aviary From An Old Wardrobe: http://empressofcreativity.blogspot.com/2007/09/my-diy-aviary-and-its-new-residents.html

[21] How to Make a Collapsible Travel Dish for Your Pet: http://www.craftstylish.com/item/41093/how-to-make-a-collapsible-travel-dish-for-your-pet

[22] How to Make a Pet Bed from Recycled Sweaters: http://www.craftstylish.com/item/41168/how-to-make-a-pet-bed-from-recycled-sweaters

[23] Smart Storage For Pet Stuff: http://www.diyideas.com/roombyroom/StorageSpaces/pet-projects_ss1.html

[24] DIY Craft Station: Crate Style: http://tipnut.com/craft-crate/

[25] DIY Craft & Tool Station: Repurposing: http://tipnut.com/craft-station/

[26] How To Build A Raised Garden Bed – Cheap: http://tipnut.com/how-to-build-a-raised-garden-bed-cheap/

Homemade Sea Salt Scrub Recipes

Posted By TipNut On September 18, 2009 @ 6:23 am In Beauty & Health | No Comments

Sea salt is rich in natural minerals and regularly exfoliating your skin with salt scrubs is a pampering treat that can renew and condition your skin. Making your own homemade scrubs couldn’t be easier and the supplies are very basic. Here are a handful of different recipes to try, feel free to adjust amounts and try different essential oils.
Homemade Sea Salt Scrub Recipes

Just A Few Simple Ingredients Are Needed For Homemade Salt Scrubs

Exfoliating Salt Body Scrub

1/2 cup fine sea salt
1/4 cup oatmeal (ground, uncooked)
1/4 cup flaxseed oil
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
8 drops geranium oil

* Mix ingredients then massage over your body to exfoliate skin, it’s best to do this in the tub after a bath or shower.

Lavender Sea Salt Scrub

1/4 cup fine sea salt
1/4 cup olive oil
3 to 5 drops lavender essential oil

* Mix ingredients together then use to exfoliate body. Add a bit of water or liquid soap as you scrub.

Favorite Scent Sea Salt Body Scrub

3 cups fine sea salt
3/4 cup olive oil
3/4 cup sweet almond oil
your choice of essential oils

* Mix ingredients together then store in a sealed glass jar. Use to exfoliate and scrub body after showering.

Peppermint Salt Foot Scrub

1 1/2 cups fine sea salt
1/3 cup olive oil
3 drops peppermint essential oil

* Exfoliate your soles and heels with this mixture after a bath or foot soak.

Tips

* Mix and store ingredients in glass bowls and jars to prevent reactions with other materials.
* For something different, try adding a bit of gentle liquid soap to your homemade scrubs before using.
* Use a loofah or bristle brush when applying the salt scrub, will give you a nice massage while exfoliating.
* Regular sea salts will work with these recipes but some believe that the Dead Sea salts are the most therapeutic, helps relieve pain from arthritis and achieves the “salt glow” to your skin.
* Sugar scrubs are also nice, see Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipes [1] for recipe ideas. For more homemade spa ideas, check out 30 Pampering Beauty & Spa Gifts To Make [2].

Don’t Miss These Tips:

* Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipes [1]
* Homemade Foot Therapy Scrub [3]
* Rosemary Herbal Hand Scrub: Recipe [4]

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

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/salt-scrub/

URLs in this post:

[1] Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-sugar-scrub-recipes/

[2] 30 Pampering Beauty & Spa Gifts To Make: http://tipnut.com/beauty-spa-gifts/

[3] Homemade Foot Therapy Scrub: http://tipnut.com/homemade-foot-therapy-scrub/

[4] Rosemary Herbal Hand Scrub: Recipe: http://tipnut.com/herbal-hand-scrub/

Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipes

Posted By TipNut On January 11, 2007 @ 7:16 am In Beauty & Health, Popular Tips | 6 Comments

Recipe #1 – Brown Sugar Scrub

1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/4 cup of almond oil
1/4 cup of liquid Ivory hand soap
1/4 tsp of vanilla

Recipe #2 – Lemon Sugar Scrub

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 TBS lemon zest (grated)

Recipe #3 – Lavender & Rosewood Scrub

1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup almond oil
1/2 tsp vitamin E
6 drops rosewood essential oil
4 drops lavender essential oil

Recipe #4 – Coffee & Brown Sugar Scrub

1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
3 TBS fresh coffee grounds
5 tsp almond oil
5 tsp jojoba oil
2 tsp honey
1 tsp vitamin E
1 tsp vanilla

Recipe #5 – Tea Sugar Scrub

2 cups white sugar
1 cup honey
2 TBS tea
5 drops vanilla

Recipe #6 – Yogurt Sugar Scrub

3 TBS baby oil
1 TBS yogurt
1 TBS white sugar

Directions:

* Mix ingredients and use as a body scrub/exfoliator.

Update: If you’d like the scrubs to have a shelf life suitable for gift giving, please see this article–Using Preservatives to Extend the Shelf Life of Your Products [1].

Don’t Miss These Tips:

* Homemade Sea Salt Scrub Recipes [2]
* Homemade Foot Therapy Scrub [3]
* Homemade Lavender Sugar Recipes [4]

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

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/homemade-sugar-scrub-recipes/

URLs in this post:

[1] Using Preservatives to Extend the Shelf Life of Your Products: http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/library/preservatives.asp

[2] Homemade Sea Salt Scrub Recipes: http://tipnut.com/salt-scrub/

[3] Homemade Foot Therapy Scrub: http://tipnut.com/homemade-foot-therapy-scrub/

[4] Homemade Lavender Sugar Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-lavender-sugar-recipes/

Homemade Foot Therapy Scrub

Posted By TipNut On December 5, 2007 @ 6:33 am In Beauty & Health | No Comments

Do you have dry, rough patches on your feet?

Here’s a simple treat that you can pamper yourself with while giving your tootsies some TLC.

Homemade Foot Therapy Scrub

Ingredients:

3 TBS used coffee grounds (fine)
1 TBS flour
1 TBS heavy cream (whipping)
1 tsp cornmeal
1 to 2 tsp olive oil (extra-virgin)
2 drops lavender essential oil
2 drops tea tree oil

Directions:

* In a small glass bowl, mix the coffee grounds, cornmeal and olive oil.
* Next add the cream and flour to make a thin paste. Add the essential oils and blend well.
* Gently scrub on your feet, making sure to focus on dry or rough areas. Rinse off completely, pat feet dry then apply your favorite moisturizer.

If you have sore, tired feet regularly, please do try Homemade Foot Soaks [1]–they really do help and it feels divine!

Don’t Miss These Tips:

* Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipes [2]
* 5 Homemade Foot Soak Recipes [1]
* Homemade Foot Powder Recipes [3]

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

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/homemade-foot-therapy-scrub/

URLs in this post:

[1] Homemade Foot Soaks: http://tipnut.com/5-homemade-foot-soak-recipes/

[2] Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-sugar-scrub-recipes/

[3] Homemade Foot Powder Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-foot-powder-recipes/

Rosemary Herbal Hand Scrub: Recipe

Posted By TipNut On April 28, 2009 @ 10:09 am In Beauty & Health | 3 Comments

Fresh Rosemary Sprigs
Herbal Exfoliating Hand Scrub

2 teaspoons chopped rosemary
1/8 cup olive oil
4 teaspoons almond oil
1 teaspoon lemon oil
raw sugar*

Directions:

* Mix chopped rosemary with the oils; add sugar to make a paste.
* Apply scrub to skin and gently rub, using the sugar to slough dry skin while allowing the oils to nourish and moisturize. Rinse off scrub and pat dry.
* Good for hand care but can also be used on elbows, heels of feet and any place that suffers from dry skin. Great for all over body care at bath time too.
* Keep unused portion sealed airtight and in the refrigerator.

*Raw sugar can be replaced by brown sugar

Don’t miss this All-Natural Moisturizing Kitchen Hand Scrub [1] and this handy pile of sugar scrub recipes too: Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipes [2].

Don’t Miss These Tips:

* Homemade Kitchen Hand Scrub: Recipe [1]
* Homemade Sea Salt Scrub Recipes [3]
* Candy Cane Sugar Scrub – Recipe [4]

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

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/herbal-hand-scrub/

URLs in this post:

[1] All-Natural Moisturizing Kitchen Hand Scrub: http://tipnut.com/kitchen-hand-scrub/

[2] Homemade Sugar Scrub Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-sugar-scrub-recipes/

[3] Homemade Sea Salt Scrub Recipes: http://tipnut.com/salt-scrub/

[4] Candy Cane Sugar Scrub – Recipe: http://tipnut.com/candy-cane-sugar-scrub-recipe/

http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/garden_usage_tips.htm

simple. effective. EPSOM SALT.
Garden Benefits

* Houseplants: 2 tablespoons per gallon of water; feed plants monthly.

* Tomatoes: 1 tablespoon per foot of plant height per plant; apply every two weeks.

* Roses: 1 tablespoon per foot of plant height per plant; apply every two weeks. Also scratch 1/2 cup into soil at base to encourage flowering canes and healthy new basal cane growth. Soak unplanted bushes in 1/2 cup of Epsom Salt per gallon of water to help roots recover. Add a tablespoon of Epsom Salt to each hole at planting time. Spray with Epsom Salt solution weekly to discourage pests.

* Shrubs (evergreens, azaleas, rhododendron): 1 tablespoon per 9 square feet. Apply over root zone every 2-4 weeks.

* Lawns: Apply 3 pounds for every 1,250 square feet with a spreader, or dilute in water and apply with a sprayer.

* Trees: Apply 2 tablespoons per 9 square feet. Apply over the root zone 3 times annually.

* Garden Startup: Sprinkle 1 cup per 100 square feet. Mix into soil before planting.

* Sage: Do not apply! This herb is one of the few plants that doesn’t like Epsom Salt.

Why it works:

Magnesium and sulfur are the two major components of Epsom Salt. Crop researchers have determined that magnesium is:

* A critical mineral for seed germination.
* Vital to the production of chlorophyll, which plants use to transform sunlight into food.
* An aid in the absorption of phosphorus and nitrogen, two of the most important fertilizer components.

Sulfur, the other major component of Epsom Salt, is also an important plant nutrient. Sulfer may:

* Contribute to chlorophyll production.
* Make the primary nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) found in most fertilizers more effective.

Although magnesium and sulfur occur naturally in soil, they can be depleted by various conditions, including heavy agricultural use over time. But unlike most commercial fertilizers, which build up in the soil over time, Epsom Salt is not persistent so you can’t overuse it. Tests by the National Gardening Association confirm - roses fertilized with Epsom Salt grow bushier and produce more flowers, while the compound makes pepper plants grow larger than those treated with commercial fertilizer alone.

http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/garden_why_it_works.htm

http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/beauty_benefits.htm

* May soften skin and exfoliate
* Provides magnesium, which has been shown to:
o Ease stress
o Lower blood pressure
o Create a happy, relaxed feeling
o Raise energy levels

http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/beauty_usage_tips.htm

* For a relaxing soak: Add two cups of Epsom Salt to the water in a standard-sized bathtub; soak for at least 12 minutes, three times weekly. For an extra treat, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil for a refreshing scent.

* To exfoliate: Mix 2 cups of Epsom Salt with 1/4 cup of petroleum jelly and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Use the mixture to gently scrub away dry skin patches.

* Facial: Mix 1/2 TSP of Epsom Salt into cleansing cream for a deep-pore cleansing. Massage on skin. Rinse with cool water. Pat dry.

* Spa treatment: After showering, massage handfuls of Epsom Salt over wet skin to exfoliate the body. It’s the same treatment many upscale spas use, without the upscale price!

* Bath crystals: Mix two cups of Epsom Salt with a few drops of fragrance to create a custom bath crystal. Add a few drops of food coloring or 1/2 TSP of glycerin if you like. Store in an air-tight container.

http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/health_benefits.htm

Studies show these benefits from the major components of Epsom Salt may:

Magnesium:

* Ease stress and improves sleep and concentration
* Help muscles and nerves function properly
* Regulate activity of 325+ enzymes
* Help prevent artery hardening and blood clots
* Make insulin more effective
* Reduce inflammation to relieve pain and muscle cramps
* Improve oxygen use

Sulfates:

* Flush toxins
* Improve absorption of nutrients
* Help form joint proteins, brain tissue and mucin proteins
* Help prevent or ease migraine headaches

http://theranchersdaughter.com/?p=499

Epsom Salt as a Fertilizer
Posted on June 06th, 2009 in Tools, Fertilizers

I love the idea of organic gardening. I try as hard as possible to only garden organically. I love using organic fertilizer in my vegetable and flower gardens. I am no saint, and occasionally I find it necessary for some reason or other to use other products, but primarily I believe in using organic fertilizers whenever possible.

My normal mixture of plant fertilizer just did not seem to be helping my pepper plants. We’ve had an over abundance of rain here this past month, and that is not helping either because peppers like it hot and sunny. I try not to complain about the rain, though, because normally around here we are already into drought season. Some of our droughts are so bad here in the Sunny South that lakes and ponds dry up, and our water departments ban the use of water for plants and lawns. They even “patrol” the area and give out citations for violators. So we like rain and need rain, just not every single solitary day. This ain’t Seattle and it ain’t Liverpool.

After some research I discovered that some people claim that Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulfate) and Coffee Grounds work very well on their pepper plants. I tried it, and so far it is working very well! I take the used coffee grounds and toss them around the base of the plant, and it will soon get “watered in.” I am using the salt on my tomato plants as well.

I try to garden as organically as possible, so Epsom Salt as a fertilizer is a great organic solution for plant fertilization.

If I think it is about to rain, I’ll usually go out and toss some salts out around my plants so the rain will water it into the soil.

NOTE: Be careful to get the plants around the plant base, not on the leaves. I got some on the leaves of a few plants, and the sun came out and burned the salt and the leaves. So be sure to get the salt on the ground, not the plant leaves.

I sprinkle Epsom salt granules around the base of the plants, if it is going to rain I don’t water it in. If not, I water it into the soil. You can also mix the Epsom salt with water first and then apply, but I just toss it out around my plants. I don’t measure it, but here are some recommendations for application:

Tomatoes, Roses: one teaspoon per foot of plant height every two weeks

Pepper Plants: Sprinkle Two Tablespoons around the base of each plant once every week

Evergreens, Azaleas, Rhododendrons: one tablespoon per 3 x3 area over the root zone every 2-4 weeks

Lawns: Apply at a rate of 1/2 pound per one thousand square feet

Garden Plants and Shrubbery: Sprinkle two tablespoons around the base of each plant

Trees: Apply two tablespoons per 3’x3’ area over root zone once every 3 months

Garden Start Up: Sprinkle 1-2 cups per 10 ‘x10 ‘ area and mix into soil before planting

Houseplants: Mix one teaspoon per gallon of water and feed plants every 2-4 weeks

Epsom Salt also makes a very soothing soaking solution. Epsom Salt is great for soaking tired and aching feet, and also as an additive for a warm soaking bath. It is said that soaking in a warm bath with Epsom Salt is relaxing, soothes aching muscles, and helps relieve stress. (Please Note: Hot or warm soaks should not be used by diabetics except with the advice of a physician.)

The name “Epsom Salt” was derived when magnesium sulfate was discovered in Epsom, England in the 1500’s.

Happy Gardening and Happy Soaking!
The Ranchers Daughter
theranchersdaughter.com

http://theranchersdaughter.com/?p=8

The Rancher’s Daughter meets Mickey
Posted on May 20th, 2009 in Mickey

Little Mickey

Mickey. SOMEBODY slipped me a MICKEY when I wasn’t looking! Rescue a homeless dog today; these animals need us more than you know. They are amazing, loyal, innocent creatures…they need love and a home.

I ran to Petco 3 years ago on a Saturday morning, and there he was.

This dog needed rescuing in the worst way.

The tiniest little puppy. He was so sad, so depressed, looked like he had lost his last friend, if he ever had any.

I knew I was taking him home with me.

I asked the Humane Society to let me hold him.

We were instantly bonded.

Me and Mickey.

Not me and the Humane Society.

Those are great folks and I love what they do.

But the bonding was between Mickey and me.

I loved him, he loved me, and he was going home with me.

Now here is the humane society with several dogs with NO home.

You would not believe what they put you through to adopt a homeless puppy.

The cost was $95, that part was fine. I am happy to contribute to a worthy cause.

The paperwork was ridiculous. You would think I was adopting a child.

They called references, they verified information on my application. I would not put the dog down, he was not going back in that cage.

He was SO tiny.

I forgot what I came to Petco for. Oh well. While they processed his paperwork, me and Mickey shopped. (more bonding)

I picked up some food, a tiny collar, and about an hour later we were riding to his new home.

This tiny little puppy was so glad to be going home with me.

He had been found in a wooded area. He had a healed wound of some type on his back. There is still a scar there. We are talking about a puppy that weighed about 3 pounds. On his own, alone, and unloved. OMG! Till NOW!

We think maybe someone shut a door on him, or maybe another animal hurt him, but it is an actual “indention” on his back that barely has any hair.

I had two pugs at home already, was not sure how this was going to work out, but that was not what I was worried about.

What I was worried about was LB.

When I showed up with a new dog, there would be heck to pay.

But, as Scarlet O’Hara would say, “I won’t worry about that today. I’ll worry about that tomorrow.”

And that is how Mickey came to live here as my trusted and devoted friend.

But there’s more. A lot more.

He stuck to me like glue. I bathed him, took about 3 times the first day, I was trying to be so gentle with that little bitty dog. I finally got all the fleas off. Mickey was so little, I took a nice soft dry bath towel, and placed it by my mouse pad. He laid there, sleeping and so contented, so adorable.

He would not let anyone near him but me. Not LB and not Magpie. He would not leave my office.

My “office” is a work at home office just outside my bedroom door. So he was NEVER alone, he was just liking that SAFE feeling. We gave him TIME. I took a small Priority Mail Box and filled it with soft blankets, and he learned to jump in that and called that “his bed.”

When I went to cook, he’d cry. I’d pick him up, box and all, and put him in a warm spot with me in the kitchen while I’d cook.

Doors scared him to death. I think a door might be what hurt his back, not sure, I was not there. But if I HAD been there, and could get my hands on whoever abused him, well, we won’t go there.

Eventually, a “nose” would come out of my office door.

Then a leg, then a body. Eventually, he came to love LB and Magpie. When a dog has been abused, and he feels renewed, he regains trust. That trust should NOT be abused. The animal thinks of you as his rescuer; therefore he wants to forever rescue YOU in return. Not just “trust.” I’m talking about, “I’ll Protect You Trust.” He thinks he I am his love and his life, and that is ok; this little dog is in a place where he is pampered, fed, taken care of, and most of all: loved. LOVED. Dogs need love, love one; they will love you BACK one thousand fold. More than we deserve.

He never leaves my side. Thank you Lord that I work at home, and can be with him always. He sleeps with me, works with me, we are rarely apart. That is really hard sometimes? But if I even make moves like I am about to run to the grocery store? Like put on shoes, fix hair, etc.? He is nervous; lots of anxiety. He is afraid I will leave him. So I never do. How’s that for the Love of a Dog?

[The photo will not load for me, but he is adorable, for she thanks he is...LOL, granny]

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/lavender-salt-glow-bath-shower.html

Adapted from Serenity Garden, 7 Radical Weeds for Natural Stress Relief, by Jullian VanNostrand and Chrstie V. Sarles.

Lavender’s unmistakable, relaxing aroma may be the most familiar herbal fragrance of all.

Used for centuries, it has never gone out of favor as a gentle sedative and muscle relaxer. It also works as a painkiller, antidepressant, and tonic strengthener for the whole nervous system. To soothe stress and help you cope, turn to lavender.

Salt glows are complete rubdown/massages with Epsom salts followed by a warm water rinse, and they are ideal for exfoliating skin and renewing spirits. Here is an enhanced salt glow formula using relaxing lavender:

Lavender Salt Glow
Grind 1 cup dried lavender buds in a blender or food processor. Add 3 cups Epsom salts, grind until fine. Store in a glass jar, tightly capped. To use, rinse yourself off in the shower, then turn water off. Pour a handful of bath salts into your palm, and massage gently into your skin all over your body (not your face). Use more as needed. Rinse off, towel dry lightly, and moisturize.

MORE ABOUT EPSOM SALTS
Use epsom salts in a detox bath.
Use epsom salts in your body scrub.
13 uses of epsom salts.
More on Bath & Shower (95 articles available)
More from Annie B. Bond (3249 articles available)

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/detox-baths.html

60 comments

Baths are wonderfully healing, and it is easy to make your own homemade, detox baths.

Hot water draws toxins out of the body to the skin’s surface, and while the water cools it pulls toxins from the skin, according to Naturopath Dr. Hazel Parcells. Epsom salts augment this detoxification by causing you to sweat. Other salts—all highly alkaline and cleansing—used in baths include sea salt, baking soda, clay, and Dead Sea salts.

Basic Salt Soak Bath Formula
Minerals and salts make the bath water feel silky and leave your skin cleansed and soft.

1 cup sea salts
2 cups baking soda
1 cup Epsom salts
1 to 2 tablespoons glycerin per bath

Combine the sea salts, baking soda, and Epsom salts in a bowl. Stir to blend. Pour 1/4 cup or so into the bath while the tub is filling. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons glycerin to keep your skin from drying out (more for dry skin, less for oily skin) and essential oils of choice.

Preparation time: 2 to 3 minutes
Shelf life: Indefinite
Storage: Glass jar with a screw top

Caution: Do not take hot baths and salt baths (including Epsom salt baths) if you have heart trouble, high blood pressure, or are diabetic.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/herbs-for-the-mind.html

Herbs for the mind

When it comes to brain health and mental acuity, few people think of herbs. While Mother Nature’s herbal medicines humbly lay upon the earth in her rain forests, wilderness, and jungles devoid of any slick advertising campaigns, they show tremendous promise in the prevention of brain disease and in maintaining great brain health.Some of the most potent brain health herbs include: sage, turmeric, ginkgo biloba, and periwinkle. And remember: herbs are potent medicine so it is important to consult with your doctor before you start taking any herbs to prevent drug-herb interactions.

A Wise Sage
More than just seasoning for stuffing a turkey, recent research shows that sage is great brain food. A British research team conducted a study of sage’s therapeutic properties on a group of forty-four adults between the ages of eighteen and thirty-seven. Some participants were given capsules of sage oil while others were given a placebo of sunflower oil. Results showed that those who took the sage oil performed significantly better at memory tests than those who took the placebo. The people who were given sage as part of the study had improvements in both immediate and delayed word recall scores, as well as mood improvements.

Additional research by the same scientific team led them to conclude that sage may also be helpful for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Fresh sage is an excellent addition to soups, stews, and chicken dishes.

The Curry Factor
Here’s another reason to enjoy your favorite Indian curry dishes: they typically contain the spice turmeric, a powerful food that helps protect your brain from disease. Research conducted by Greg Cole, PhD, associate director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at the University of California in Los Angeles, showed that, curcumin, the yellow pigment in turmeric, is a potent weapon against inflammation and plaque build up in the brain. Inflammation and plaque have been linked to serious brain diseases like Alzheimer’s. Additional studies are having similar positive results.

The easiest way to enjoy the benefits of curcumin is by adding turmeric to your favorite curry dish.

Ginkgo Biloba to Boost Brain Power
Ginkgo biloba has developed a reputation as the brain herb thanks to its many beneficial effects on the brain, including: increasing blood flow to the brain, assisting with memory and in the treatment of dementia, as well as positive effects on depression. Ginkgo also helps improve the availability of energy to brain cells, which may improve feelings of mental alertness.

In Germany, ginkgo is approved as a treatment for Alzheimer’s. A study of forty patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, showed that 240 milligrams of ginkgo biloba extract taken daily for three months produced noticeable improvements in memory, mood, and attention. Since then numerous other studies have shown similar positive effects on early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
Opt for ginkgo biloba standardized extract that contains twenty-four percent ginkgoflavonglycosides, also called “flavone glycosides,” the active ingredient which has the capacity to increase blood flow to the brain and lessen symptoms like depression, memory loss, and dizziness, all of which can be the result of reduced blood flow to the brain. For ginkgo’s preventive effects, forty milligrams three times a day is ideal.

Periwinkle: The Blue Flower for Grey Matter
Not just for English gardens anymore, the lovely blue flowering plant, periwinkle may help boost memory. Research shows that vinpocetine, a natural compound in periwinkle, helps transport oxygen and glucose to the brain. Since the brain needs both to function optimally, periwinkle may be beneficial for assisting to ease brain disease.

With around one hundred studies conducted on vinpocetine’s effects on humans, mostly in Hungary, it is not surprising that it has been used by Hungarian doctors to treat senility and blood vessel disorders in the brain for twenty-five years. In these studies it appears to boost memory and cognition in healthy people and in those with mild to moderate forms of dementia.

A double-blind study in 1985 in the European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, researchers tested vinpocetine’s effect on the short-term memory of twelve healthy women. The women who took forty milligrams of vinpocetine three times per day for two days scored thirty percent higher on short-term memory tests than the women in the placebo group.

Vinpocetine also thins blood, boosts circulation to the brain, and improves the brain’s ability to absorb nutrients, all of which improve brain function. Experts typically suggest dosages of two milligrams daily, taken with food. Vinpocetine appears to be safe for short- or long-term use. The effects tend to be fast-acting, not cumulative.

Check with your doctor if you are taking blood-thinning medications or before taking any herbal medicines.

Copyright Michelle Schoffro Cook. Adapted with permission from The Brain Wash: A Powerful, All-Natural Program to Protect Your Brain Against Alzheimer’s, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Depression, Parkinson’s, and other Diseases.

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