Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts

Saturday, June 5, 2010

A WARM AND HAPPY TOMORROW



HEALTHY TO THE BODY…

A nice and colorful BUTTERNUT squash…



A POT OF POTATOES boiling…



To make a warm-to-the-tummy ROSEMARY stew on a cold and drizzly day…



HEALTHY TO THE SOUL…

A yummy-SCENTED YELLOW-CAKE candle…



HEALTHY TO THE BODY AND THE SOUL…

A hot cup of Postum on a rainy afternoon…



Have a WARM AND HAPPY tomorrow.

Monday, February 1, 2010

SNOW FUN AND MONDAY'S CHORES



NOURISHMENT—FOOD INTAKE

Two Outta Three Ain’t Bad…

BREAKFAST…

Egg McMuffin
Hashbrown patty

From…

Well…You know where…


LUNCH

Green Salad

Mixed greens
Pear slices
Purple grapes—Halve
Bleu Cheese crumbled
Pecan bits (Roasted in oven then sprinkled on top)
Poppy seed dressing

From…Dear Daughter's House


DINNER

Acorn Squash—Oven cooked topped with real butter and pepper
Carrots—Steamed with butter and brown sugar

From…Me own house!


NOURISHMENT—KEEPING FIT

Dog and I went for a fun walk…I TRIED to park alongside a park…Well, I for CERTAIN would have gotten stuck…Once a day is enough!



So…I parked by one of my favorite stores...Went in and asked if I could park and

walk…

And, of course…They said “Yes”…

So…We walked...Or I walked...And he ran…

Ran through belly-high snow...

In and out of the drifts...

And across the road for even bigger banks…

He had so much fun!



That snow gives a great work-out!

One nice benny of parking at one of my favorite stores…Well…I wasn’t going to…But, I did…

I bought me a WONDERFULLY INTENSELY-FRAGRANCED Salt City candle…

Mountain Vineyard…It’s burning now and beautifully filling the room with its aroma…



MONDAY’S CHORES

Early Morning

Washing

The washing is now done…

Evening

Fold and put away wash. Prep ironing.

Let the folding begin!



So…Speaking of getting stuck…(As I was earlier)...



Yes...Once again...We got more last night...



As I was trying to make room for another car in the driveway…

I tried to park on the street…I KNEW I shouldn’t try it…Because of the last time(s)I parked there...Well...That didn't turn out so well!

But I had too…And…

Well…I’m back in the driveway! Ha! I’m tired of getting stuck, so that’s where I’m stayin’ for now.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

14-GRAIN CEREAL AND MISCELLANEOUS



It seems that when one does very well in a desired area, she fails in another…sigh. I don’t know if this is by design so that we should never be perfect, perhaps…? (I really do not think this to be the case).

Contrarily speaking, when I am excelling in one area, it is like inertia…The success keeps happening…So, I am perplexed a bit.

I did not get my exercise in today, and the budget is in a very sore state…

But…

I nourished my body QUITE well for the day. This morning started out with my yummy 14-grain cereal. Oh, it is so delightful. The recipe was given to me by an old gentleman years ago. He in turn had received it from a man whose wife had been blessed with some extra healthy years while in cancer remission.

My current blend is probably more like 10-grain, I suppose, as I cannot seem to track down a few of the grains.

I thought it quite funny to see this recipe box for sale online listed as a “Vintage Recipe Tin”. Ha! It is the very one I use and have used since I received it as a wedding gift. And I KNOW I’m not THAT old as to be vintage. I suppose that it’s all subjective. ;)



BREAKFAST

14-GRAIN CEREAL FORMULA

One pound each of the following grains and seeds:

Barley
Rye
Sunflower seed
Alfalfa seed
Sesame seed
Lentils
Mung beans
Millet
Buckwheat
Flax seed
Brown rice
Oats
Wheat

Almonds—Eight raw per serving

Mix all together and divide into 12 one-pound packages. Store in a cool place or freeze. Wheat should be 12% protein or better.

ALTERATION NOTES: I have changed my preparation methods a bit from his.

I mix the grains in smaller amounts than the one-pound quantities. It really doesn’t matter just as long as you have all of the grains in equal quantities.

Also, his recipe calls for leaving the wheat separate and adding ¼ cup of it to 1 heaping tablespoon of the multigrain mixture. I would rather have just as much of the other grains, so I add everything together. I cook up about ½ cup at a time. You can prepare more if you are feeding more than just yourself.

The recipe calls for grinding the grains in a blender. I prefer mine whole.


Soak grains in pure water over night. (I don’t currently have a water filter so use tap water). The whole point behind the recipe is maximum nutrition and purity.

Drain off water, rinse, and put into pan along with your almonds. Use a heavy stainless steel, cast iron, or glass pan. Do NOT use aluminum. Add water to cover. Bring to a boil then turn to medium low and simmer covered until crunchy tender. It is healthier to keep your grains as intact as possible.

Serve with cream and brown sugar. Oh, it is so delightful.



OPTIONS

Fruit such as peaches or berries may be added or any dried fruits as well.

You may use raw honey instead of the brown sugar.

I really haven’t eaten this regularly in a very long time but will be definitely adding it to my diet now.

On a side note, I visited the naturopath last week for my first visit. She recommended that I eat more fiber and whole grains and handed me a recipe. It is almost identical to my 14-grain with the exception of adding lecithin granules and raisins and containing less than half the grains. It suggests to add fresh fruit and live culture yogurt to the cereal.

LUNCH

For lunch, I met Dad at a local healthfood store/café. Oh, I had the most delightful Gardener. It is a vegetarian sandwich with humus as the spread. The humus tasted as though it had turmeric or some such similar spice added. Cucumber slices, carrot shavings, sprouts, and other goodies were loaded onto sprouted wheat bread. To die for! It was served with citrus slaw, and I ordered a cup of their nummy clam chowder as well.



DINNER

This morning before work, I put to cook some boneless skinless chicken breasts and potatoes in the crock pot. With a little salt, pepper, and chicken bouillon, it was made for quite a tasty and juicy dinner dish. I LOVE a crockpot. It is so nice to walk into your home in the evening with the aroma of dinner greeting you at the door!



Though chicken is a lean meat served this way, I do always worry about the preservatives, growth hormones, and antibiotics that I am ingesting. I KNOW that these things cause tumors and other bodily dis-ease.

For dessert, I had granola cereal and milk. I have quite a sweet tooth, and this satisfied the craving. I did also have a large muffin late evening.

Morning chores, which at this time are miniscule...

DAILY

Morning

Carry soiled clothing to the hamper. Hang up other clothing. Put away any personal possessions out of place in the bedroom.

Make bed.

Were finally accomplished! The tidying of the bedroom before work is second nature to most, I am sure. This night owl, however, is doing good if she can get herself out of bed and out the door in the mornings!

It felt so very good to walk into a beautifully tidied and clean bedroom this evening (for some reason, my schedule got mixed up, and I cleaned it last night rather than its scheduled night).



Tonight’s chores are post poned. DD and family came for a visit, and by the time all was said and done, I didn’t summon up the energy to clean. While this is o.k. once in a while, I do not want to do it on an on-going basis, as this will just lead me straight back to procrastination and disorganization.

It was so wonderful to see my grandbabies. Oh, it just does my heart so good!

Tomorrow (Saturday) is up in the air. I have much work to do for work and then my house work, of course, etc. I also see that the snow has begun to melt enough that doggie’s doo-doos are showing up. I may be going out of town for a few hours with DD, grandbabies, and Mom to see Gramma. But, DS also has a marshal art’s tournament tomorrow. It is a rather small one so not extremely important that I be there. Nonetheless, I would probably like to be. So, we’ll see. It seems crazy to only have a day to fit everything into, for Sunday is the Sabbath, and then Monday is work again. Such is life.

Have a happy Saturday whatever YOU choose to do!

Monday, January 18, 2010



A SHORT-TERM GOAL…And I guess one that is actually part of my long-term Organizational goal…Is to finish putting my Serengeti room back together.

BE MORE ORGANIZED

Two or three years ago, DD #1 and I…as a surprise for DD #2…Redid her bedroom while she was out of state. We thrifted, we self-made, we used discounts…And…We came up with a pretty awesome room. I wish that I had taken before pictures but didn’t. At any rate, the room had been painted an ugly light turquoise, by the previous owners, which I am sure was decades old and just gross.

We decided upon an African theme, as DD #2 is very much into wild cats and animals and the out-reaches of the continent. We pulled together National Geographic’s pictures from thrift stores and other assortments, which we thought to be appropriate for our/her room.

It was so much fun! The little people played and amazingly stayed out of the wet paint!

The irony of the whole thing was that the paint that I picked out, simply because I thought that it represented Africa, was coincidentally named Serengeti! How apropos!





DD liked her room and stayed there until she moved away again. Back yet a third time, this time with her boyfriend, they moved in and stayed with us for over a year, and while here, it was her boyfriend’s room. When they left, I let her take her daybed and a few other things that she needed. So with the room sort of changing and losing some its original elements, I have wanted to put it back into the Serengeti room that it once was.

This is a Hindu picture that, although not African, just seemed to fit...



So…Slowly…And as I have had time…I have been dusting and organizing. Tonight, while I talked to Mom for 45 minutes, I dusted and washed off shelves, statues, masks, and candle holders. I smoothed the tall candles by rubbing the outsides with a soft cloth. I usually do something while I’m on the phone. Gramma was always that way, and I guess it just rubbed off on me. This way, I can kill two birds with one stone…Have a nice conversation with someone I love and also get to accomplish something worthwhile.



Are these inspiring or what...? Wow, I am simply amazed at this wonderful Earth...





In not too long, my room will be finished and ready once again…For relaxation with a nice hot cup of herbal tea…Ahhhh

CONTINUE TO IMPROVE MY HEALTH WITH...BODILY
NOURISHMENT


This doesn’t fall into bodily nourishment in the form of sustenance but rather exercise. My exercise is two-fold…

First fold…I turn many normal activities into exercise. In other words, I attempt to incorporate exercise into each day.

I almost ALWAYS take the stairs regardless of the number of flights it is. The times I don’t are if I am on a tight schedule and didn’t leave enough time for myself or if I have too much of a load to carry up or am with one of my grandbabies (they love those elevators you know).



I park a distance from the store when shopping, giving me extra healthy steps to take.

I tighten various muscles when doing regular activities…This helps to tone them.

Second fold…I try to walk at least four times a week. My excuse is that my pup REALLY needs exercise…He’s a devil to deal with if he doesn’t get it! So, if I have just a short break while working, or if time doesn’t allow for a long walk, we’ll do a 15-minute brisk walk. I try to shoot for at least 20, as this way your metabolism has actually had time to get pumped up. Other days, I get a good half-hour walk in, and still others, we are able to do 45 minutes. Regardless, some is better than none!



I’ll have some new organizational goals for this week…Hopefully to be posted soon!

Have a great Monday All!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

A JOLLY DECENT DAY



Today was fairly organized, though I didn’t get as much work done as I had wanted. That’s o.k., it wasn’t terribly bad, and tomorrow’s another day!



Next week classes start up again, and it is my goal is to be ahead of things. Tuesdays are my really hectic days going between places, and I tend to get discombobulated. So, I will have my lesson prepared sooner than I have previously and hopefully go in Monday to get things organized.



My nourishing-my-body goal was a success today. I ate well…getting back to a better norm feels good. Before the holidays, I had fallen a little off track, and then during the holidays, stress got the better of me. It’s not necessarily that the holidays made me do it. It was more that I was just stressed. Well, at any rate, today was nuts, organic bread and butter, bananas, frosted mini wheats (wholesome goodness with a little sweet!) and some homemade hamburger soup. I love homemade soup on a cold and wintry day!



This is not my soup but looks ironically similar. I didn’t have beans or cauliflower in mine. I had a horrid camera that was a ditzy thing to try to use. So, wonderful Hubby bought us a much better one. Well, it’s just high-tech enough to where we have to read the ¼ booklet that came with it (hate reading instructions) before we can figure out to use it…sigh. Just pushing the button and focusing doesn’t quite seem to work…yet. So, I bowed to the great world wide web and found this tasty little dish that I’m sure tasted a bit like mine, though I’m SURE that mine was better! ;)



Of course, I also drank my health tea throughout the day along with my vinegar and honey in the morning, and now some warm milk and turmeric. Last night’s turmeric tea was awful! I don’t know why it tasted so bad, but it did, and I can eat and drink some pretty odd tasting stuff in the name of health. I am wondering if it wasn’t the straight skim milk that did it. The night before, I used the skim that we always drink and added half cream. Turmeric is supposed to assimilate better with fat (don’t know if that is true or not). So, in a few minutes, we’ll be trying the milk-cream version and see how it is……….Fast forward 15 minutes…….I am now trying the original version of half skim milk and half cream with a teaspoon of turmeric….Delightful! It is really rather creamy and soothing for a nighttime drink, though they say that turmeric keeps one up at night, so I may be moving this little cup o’ goodness to say…an afternoon tea?

Heat up your milk and cream...



Add about a teaspoon of your turmeric...Stir and enjoy



Exercise tonight consisted of what it usually does…walking the dog. It’s a great opportunity for me to get my exercise in while getting some of his energy out! I clip along at a pretty good pace while walking and take any inclines or hills that may be around, so it’s a pretty good little bit of exercise. Tonight, we went up to the temple to walk. Oh, how peaceful it was up there. The air was cold…-10…The sky was beautiful…The air was serene.



Now, if I can just get rid of this night owl in me…Hmmmm…He’s been with me for oh so many years. Would that the world would revolve around my circadian rhythm. But, alas, it does not. So until later, 'au revoir!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

HEALTH & FOURTEEN-GRAIN CEREAL



There is much talk of health and a search for the cure…of cancer, and Parkinson’s, and Multiple Sclerosis, and…

Dr. Oz was on Oprah talking of the positive possibilities of living up to 150 years old. I have no desire to live that long, but living in such a way that will enhance the body—the very cells of the body—is something that is so appealing to me. Our bodies, a gift from our Heavenly Father, are so amazing and are very capable of healing themselves if we give them the right nutrients! We are now able to grow organs and body parts from our own cells. Hyperbaric chambers, calorie restriction (much better than it sounds), and other ways of enhancing our bodies were discussed on the show.



David Murdock, and 85-year-old gentleman, was also interviewed. He doesn’t take any pills—even aspirin. He eats mainly or all fruits and vegetables. The whole show was astounding in what and how we can and should treat these wonderful temples, which God gave us.

I have so very far to go…so very far. Nonetheless, it is a passion of mine to do so, and I am gaining if every so slowly.

For dinner tonight, I made a recipe which I have had for years. It is a 14-grain cereal. Because grains are so very important and other substances so very harmful we, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, were given what is called the Word of Wisdom.



“As a consequence of the early brethren using tobacco in their meetings, the Prophet was led to ponder upon the matter; consequently he inquired of the Lord concerning it. This revelation, known as the Word of Wisdom, was the result.”


The Word of Wisdom talks about avoiding strong drink and alcohol. Following are some of the verses, which speak of the foods that we should eat.



10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—
11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving.
14 All agrain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;
16 All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—
16 All grain is good for the food of man; as also the fruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—
18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;
19 And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;
20 And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.
21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.


This speaks of grains—wonderful grains…

BARLEY





RYE





SUNFLOWER SEEDS





ALFALFA





SESAME





LENTILS





MUNG BEANS





MILLET





BUCKWHEAT




FLAX





BROWN RICE





OATS





WHEAT





ALMONDS





Though I didn’t have all of the grains needed—another trip to the health food store is in order—I used what grains I had to make my cereal.

FOURTEEN-GRAIN CEREAL FORMULA

1 c. of each of the following grains and seeds:

Barley
Rye
Sunflower seeds
Alfalfa seeds
Sesame seeds
Lentils
Mung beans
Millet
Buckwheat
Flax seed
Brown rice
Oats
Wheat
Almonds





1 c. filtered pure water



Mix all together except almonds and water.

Blend ½ c. grain mixture on high speed for several seconds.



Add this mixture to water in cast iron, stainless steel, or glass sauce pan (do not use aluminum). Add 8 almonds.



Heat and stir until mixture comes to a boil.

Turn heat down to simmer, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes, stirring frequently.





Serve with milk or cream...



And brown sugar...



Raw honey and fruit may be added if desired...



Yield: Two servings

Store grain mixture in cool place. I freeze mine.





Mmmm, Mmmm, Good!