Everyday Simplicity

TLC Book Tour: Book Review of New: Understanding Our Need for Novelty and Change

2012-02-01T01:00:00.000-06:00

At the get-go, Dear Reader, let me get this business out of the way: I was given a free copy of Winifred Gallagher's latest book, entitled New: Understanding Our Need for Novelty and Change by TLC Book Tours in exchange for my agreement to read and review the book here on Everyday Simplicity. Disclosure done, here's my opinion:

This is another book coming out of publishing houses these days where journalists attempt to provide perspective, if not answers, to why things are the way they are right now. Think Malcomb Gladwell. Think Stephen Dubner. Maybe Chris Anderson.

Here we have a journalist who has written extensively in the area of behavioral science, Winifred Gallagher, who offers her take on things. From its publisher (Penguin Press):

[i]n today's fast-paced world, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the mind-boggling number of new things-whether products, ideas, or bits of data-bombarding us daily. But adapting to new circumstance is so crucial to our survival that "love of the new," or neophilia, is hardwired into our brains at the deepest levels. Navigating between our innate love of novelty and the astonishingly new world around us is the task of New: helping us adapt to, learn about, and create new things that matter, while dismissing the rest as distractions.With wit and clarity, acclaimed behavioral science writer Winifred Gallagher takes us to the archaeological sites and neuroscience laboratories exploring our species' special affinity for novelty. ... As individuals, however, we vary in how we balance the sometimes conflicting needs to avoid risk and approach rewards.Some 15 percent of us are die-hard "neophiliacs" who are biologically predisposed to passionately pursue new experiences, and another 15 percent are "neophobes" who adamantly resist change.Most of us fall squarely in the spectrum's roomy middle range. Whether we love change, avoid change, or take the middle path, neophilia plays a crucial role in all of our lives. No matter where we sit on neophilia's continuum, New shows us how to use it more skillfully to improve our lives.... This big-picture perspective has long been missing, and New will jump-start that discussion by offering the tools we need to control our love of the new-rather than letting it control us.

If you like this sort of thing, then you'll probably like this book. It's receiving mostly good reviews (if you don't count NPR); moreover, it's got lots of fun facts and delves into all sorts of areas of interest: anthropology, archaeology, psychology, sociology, economics -- you can even find a reference to Charles Dickens here (Bleak House, which was interesting to discover since I'm reading Bleak House now).

Gallagher also provides suggestions on how to do things differently so life is better. In her lingo, she's giving guidance on how to cope with all this new so that you control it and it doesn't control you.

Again, if you read these kind of books then you'll like this one.

Energy Saving Curtains – I’m Loving Mine So Far

2012-01-13T12:34:00.001-06:00

This week, the temperatures here in San Antonio dropped from a pleasant low 70s/high 50s range to yesterday, where the high was something like 48 and the lows got into the 20s. Which means this week was my first chance to really test out how my new Energy Saving curtains really worked.

I love them.

Not only do these things block noise, which gives me a better night’s sleep, but the heater isn’t coming on nearly as much. I haven’t got my new utility bill yet, but I know it’s going to be less – it’s that obvious.

There are negatives, of course. In the bedroom, I replaced some very pretty Battenburg Lace curtains with these babies, and the new ones are not as pretty and there’s a lot less light now. I didn’t buy full blackout curtains, but these “energy savers” do make the room lots darker.

This can be solved by a tie-back or two, so I’m not that concerned with this issue. Truth be told, at night the thicker curtains make the room much cozier for sleeping than the lace curtains did. I’m losing the beauty of the sunlight coming through the lace to get this, but right now I’m okay with it.

I’ll keep you posted on what the utility bill does this month and next month, too. I’ve been these curtains in most of the house now, so there should be a big difference.

Students Offered Some Good Bargains Today at Kindle Daily Deal

2012-01-10T11:00:00.000-06:00

For today only, Amazon has a Daily Deal that looks to be pretty darn good for students (and book lovers and those who love to learn).

Seems that the Kindle Daily Deal for January 10th is an offer of 80% off Kindle books for students. This works best if you have a Kindle, of course, but you don't have to have one of their e-readers to read their books (which are published in a proprietary fashion so you need an Amazon product to read an Amazon product).

You can download free software to read Kindle Books on your PC, Mac, or phone. Just visit Amazon.com. I do use Amazon for PC occasionally, it works fine.

As for the student bargains today, Amazon is also promoting its Amazon Student membership for college students. It's free. And for the first six month, members get free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime shipping benefits. Other stuff, too.

I like Amazon. Good prices, good customer service, and I tend to believe their reviews. Okay, yes. I admit, there are some reviews that seem phony for some stuff. Nothing's perfect.

Cheap Phone 4 U: $10 Tracfone Package With Unlimited Double Minutes

2012-01-09T12:16:00.001-06:00

I’m in the minority, I suppose: I don’t like to use a cell phone, I don’t think it’s worth the time investment to spend lots of time on apps in a smartphone, and I avoid the phone for hours at a time, in order to write. I do have one, though. And I’m always trustworthy to carry my little, old school flip phone with me when I hit the trails with the dogs or walk around the neighborhood.

Which means that all too often, I forget my phone at the house when I zip off somewhere in the car.

I know that I’m not the only one that does this. I have a friend with two small children who seems to be in search of her phone on a weekly basis, especially since her 4 year old has discovered how fun that phone can be. Doesn’t do her much good on the road if the phone is at the house, and that happens a lot.

Maybe if you have OnStar, this isn’t a big deal. Maybe not having the phone in the car isn’t a big deal to you – it’s a relief. However, for me (and for several others I know), one of the places that a phone is important is when you are away from home.

Not that I’m condoning talking on the phone in the car. I’m not. I’m pondering having a phone with you when you’re toodling around in case you’re running late, you’re lost, you’re trying to meet up with someone, or heck, you’ve got car trouble.

Tracfone in My Car - $10 Dollar Package Got Me a Lot of Bang for My Bucks

Which brings me to this great package I found at WalMart for $10 from Tracfone. That’s right: ten bucks. It’s a throwaway phone, with a charger for the outlet and the car lighter, a carrying case, and a Bluetooth so you hook up your ear to the thing if you’d like. Double minutes, unlimited. And all sorts of coupons and while I have to read this carefully, I’m thinking it’s got rollover minutes as long as you re-up before the end of your “service days.” There’s also a $10/month plan. None of this stuff is on a contract.

So, I bought one and set it up in my car. I’m not giving the number out and I’m not planning on chatting with it. However, the next time I’m driving off for the day and discover I’ve left my phone on the charger, on the desk, in my jacket pocket, etc. – well, I won’t be out and about without the security and the convenience of a cell phone in the car.

Thought you might think a good idea for you or your mom or your teenager, too.

Have a great week, Dear Reader.

Television Benefit: Melissa D’Arabian and Her Ten Dollar Dinners – Great Food Fast and Cheap

2012-01-06T11:43:00.000-06:00

Television. It can be so good or so bad, depending upon how you use it. I suppose this is true for most things, now that I think about it. One of the great things about TV for me, at least, are the cooking shows. I have truly learned how to cook from watching PBS shows like America’s Test Kitchen and other channel shows (I like Mad Hungry but I don’t follow it regularly).

However, there is one cooking show that I think stands head and shoulders above the rest, from a simplicity perspective. It delivers on a promise to feed four a complete dinner for ten bucks and with good, tasty food to boot.

It’s Ten Dollar Dinners with cook Melissa D’Arabian on the Food Network.

What’s the big deal?

Well, the recipes don’t taste good, they taste great. And they don’t take many ingredients. (Good for time and for money.) And they are easy to put together. It’s simple living in a kitchen.

Now, you can follow the recipes online or in Melissa D’Arabian’s cookbook and that’s fine. That will get you there. There’s an added benefit of watching her TV shows, though. Maybe more than one.

In her show, where she’s cooking a $10 Dinner on the TV screen, Melissa D’Arabian adds tips and tricks that are great and that you don’t get in the books or recipes. Thinks like buy up Italian sausage when it’s on sale and freeze it. Buy milk that’s about to hit its expiration date by going to the grocery store early in the morning (she goes around nine o’clock) – if your family drinks dairy.

You get the idea, Dear Reader.

I am a big, big fan of Ten Dollar Dinners and Melissa D’Arabian and I think, Dear Reader, you might like what she’s doing, too.

Tax Problems for Americans Overseas: Expats Seeking a Simple Life Finding Complicated Mess in New Tax Laws – FATCA and FBAR

2012-01-05T09:15:00.000-06:00

It’s beyond the scope of this blog to go into all the intricate details of the new tax legislation passed by Congress that is reeking havoc around the world for Americans living abroad. Besides, the idea of going into all the tax law details just gives me a headache, how about you Dear Reader?

However, for those of us that are living overseas already or who ponder and daydream about living in a foreign land with beautiful vistas, fresh fruit to be picked off the trees, and a cheaper cost of living (especially medical and dental care) … and I suppose for every fan of House Hunters International, there’s big stuff happening now that’s hurting American expats.

It began as an attempt to collect unpaid taxes by the federal government, where officials were concerned with fighting tax evasion. Laws were passed. Yes, they are already on the books. Now, the IRS is implementing those laws through IRS regulations and there’s the rub.

What’s going on with FATCA, FBAR, and the American Expatriate?

Okay first there are two laws involved here: the Foreign Accounts Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) and the Bank Secrecy Act. The Bank Secrecy Act requires American citizens living overseas to report their overseas bank account details each year to the Internal Revenue Service by filing Form TD F 90-22.1, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR).

FATCA requires foreign banks to report account information to the U.S. government on all their American customers and if the banks don’t do this, then the federal government imposes huge fees upon these foreign banks for failing to comply. Nevermind that they aren’t American institutions and have their own set of privacy laws, financial regulations, etc.

The banks are reacting by doing things like ditching their American customers rather than mess with the whole FATCA deal. Some countries are insulted and are ignoring FATCA (like China).

Meanwhile, FBAR requirements are causing nightmare situations for expats all over the place. One good article with lots of real life stories appeared this week in The Atlantic. Entitled, “The FATCA Chronicles: Tales from China, Canada and Estonia,” this is the third in a series of articles by James Fallows discussing the expat situation and the new laws trying to thwart perceived tax evasion by the feds.

Problems include American expats who are signatories on foreign business accounts that have no American income following through them; same thing with foreign accounts held by foreign-citizen spouses; and those with dual citizenship.

For details on what this means to expats, check out GlobalTaxHelp’s FATCA and FBAR summary and follow the blog posts at US Expatriate, written by a CPA whose practice focuses on expatriate tax issues.

Poached Eggs: Cheap, Fast, and Easy to Cook

2012-01-04T07:24:00.000-06:00

First things first, eggs have their critics but ignore them right now because poached eggs are a good thing to know how to cook. And poached eggs are a great thing to have in your family menu plan.

They are cheap. They are easy. And poached eggs can be used in so many ways: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Here’s the thing: they can be hard to do. Some say. I haven’t had a big problem – but I do a couple of things that help. First, I never think I am so clever at cooking that I can just dump an egg into the water. I always use a little cup to gently lower the egg into the pool. One at a time. Slowly.

Also, I don’t let the water boil … I let the water get just … about … to boiling, then the eggs go into the bath.

And, I’ve done it without vinegar. It will work if you don’t have vinegar handy. (I’ve also used rice vinegar, balsamic vinegar, whatever was in the pantry, and things turned out fine. You so have a taste difference, but that’s not a bad thing.)

Here’s the deal. Eggs are cheap. Poaching means no fat to cook them. And the runny centers are KEY to how these things can spark up a salad or a sandwich.

For more:

Here’s step by step instructions on poaching.

Here’s a recipe for a great salad using poached eggs.

As for sandwiches, I like a runny sandwich (wet, to coin a famous author of murder mysteries). I like to take great bread, homegrown tomatoes, thinly sliced cheese, some dijon mustard or yes some Miracle Whip or both, lotsa romaine lettuce, and get all that ready for a poached egg to set on top. Smush together. The egg oozes. It’s hot, it’s oh so good. And doesn’t cost much.

Yum.

Is Candy Spelling The Ultimate Simplifier? Maybe. Sorta. Kinda.

2012-01-03T06:15:00.000-06:00

I don’t watch reality television much, but I surfed by this show yesterday – a repeat of HGTV’s Selling Spelling Manor.

Wow. Aaron Spelling’s monster mansion – Spelling Manor – has been sold by his widow and she’s moving to a Century City condo and getting rid of an amazing amount of stuff. Anyone downsizing or who has downsized can find something with which to identify here.

Admittedly, there’s much to be said that all of this is the Anti-Simplicity lifestyle. True, so true.

However, this woman has undertaken a major life change and she’s gone through all those same pangs other simplifiers have: letting go of the vase that has memories but needs to be tossed; boxing stuff for donation; giving away things that you’ve discovered in the attic stash to someone who’ll love them.

Look, this country is in a depression and we all know it even if so many are too afraid to use the word. Is it the Greater Depression? I don’t think we know yet.

However, when so many are having to scale back and scale down, maybe knowing that Aaron Spelling’s widow Candy has vacated Spelling Manor to live in a condo the size of her former attic may help them feel they are not alone.

Just don’t ask about the slabs of pink Italian onyx going into the kitchen or the private swimming pool being built on the 42nd floor.

Happy week, Dear Reader!

Happy 2012: Where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light….

2012-01-02T17:56:00.000-06:00

Dear Reader, welcome to a blog that I’ve been writing since January 2005, some years with more dedication than others. I’m hoping that I’ll keep to a better writing schedule here this year than last, fingers crossed. Did I make this as a New Year’s Resolution? Not really.

I did take the time to count my many blessings as one year passed into another, and thanked God for them. The big and the small. One of the things that I thanked God for blessing me with was this blog and the ability to write it, the simple life I’m living, and you, Dear Reader, who sometimes leave comments or sending emails to me. The internet is amazing, isn’t it? People connecting who would otherwise never meet.

I’m not Catholic. However, I do appreciate a lot about the Catholic Church and one of those things is the Catholic observance of the New Year. Here’s a discussion of how Catholic families all over the world celebrated New Year’s Day yesterday. Thought I’d share this prayer from St. Francis of Assisi, which I find particularly beautiful.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

R. Amen. —St. Francis of Assisi

God bless you and yours, Dear Reader.

Book Review: Shiny Objects by James A. Roberts

2011-12-01T17:57:00.000-06:00

There are those that will shelve Jim Roberts' new book Shiny Objects next to Levitt and Dubner's Freakonomics or Malcolm Gladwell's Tipping Point, and they wouldn't be wrong -- Roberts is also contributing to a growing number of books being published these days that are looking around at the state of things in America and asking what the heck is going on here.

I think it's good to see these books getting published. I like the idea that people are buying books to read and consider reevaluating where our society is today, how we got here, and where we're going.

So why bother with this one? What Shiny Objects brings to the table is something that seems almost like a whistleblower at work: Roberts, as a marketing expert (and professor of consumer behavior at Baylor University), brings a marketing perspective to the table.

The promise of the book's subtitle: to explain "why we spend money we don't have in search of happiness we can't buy." Roberts does this in a series of chapters that range from consideration of the Christian Megachurches (e.g., Joel Osteen's Lakewood) to the impact of our increasingly cashless society (i.e., using credit or debit cards) and psychological discussions of self-worth and self-control.

It's a fascinating read, and you'll learn a lot here. I don't know that we'll all learn the same thing, though.

Dr. Roberts covers a lot of territory and asks a lot of hard questions: why are we so materialistic? What amount of responsibility do home owners have to bear for the housing crisis (as opposed to big banks, mortgage servicers, or slippery appraisers)? Things like that.

His book has lots of quizzes, fun ones too, and I always consider it as a sign of excellence when a problem is not only identified but a solution (or two) are offered. Roberts does this. Roberts guides the reader into contemplating personal goals and implementing change.

For this reason alone, this book is worth your time and I recommend that you read it.

However, I don't know that consumer behavior alone is sufficient to explain what has happened to America today. We need to read and understand what Professor Roberts provides us in Shiny Objects, but it's not the whole answer here.

Recognizing the irony of participating in his Word of Mouth marketing campaign in providing this review on a simplicity blog (I did get the book for free, see my earlier post), I don't know that marketing alone gives us the entire answer.

Reminds me of the old poem, one of my favorites, by John Godfrey Saxe about The Blind Men and the Elephant. Roberts gives us important information here, if we as a country are to change and recover; however, while Shiny Objects reads as if it alone can provide all the change that each of us needs, I don't think this is possible.

As a Christian, I would suggest that only the Holy Bible can do that job. That's one book too few people are pondering today.
.

Plastic and Food Safety: Is It Dangerous to Store Food in Plastic Containers? Are Plastics Poisoning Our Food?

2011-11-14T12:51:00.001-06:00

Putting your food in plastic containers to store in the fridge, or to heat (or cook) in the microwave: is it safe? What about buying food that has been packaged in plastic - has that food been compromised? Does plastic poison food and make the food toxic or carcinogenic?

1. Answer: No One Knows - But Some Are Worried

It's pretty much a given among those in both the food and packaging industries that any food that is put into plastic (wrapped, boxed, whatever) will have some of that plastic "leach" or "migrate" into the food. It's even got a name: "inevitable transfer."

Doesn't that make you feel safe already?

In a quote on WebMD, a researcher from Tufts University is quoted, explaining that "virtually all" food that is put into plastic will have trace amounts of plastic leach or migrate into the food. Heat the food, and this increases. Also, put certain types of food in plastic and there will be more transfer than with other types of food: fats, acids, and salts boost the transfer dance.

When asked how much gets from the plastic to the food to our bodies, the Tufts researcher replied that no one really knows -- no research exists to give us an answer to that question.

It gets better. According to the senior scientist with the EnvironmentalWorking Group, also quoted by WebMD, when food containers are considered "safe" these days, it's not because they have been proved to be safe, but because they have not been proven to be dangerous. That's a big difference.

BPA Is Scary

BPA is found in lots and lots of plastic food packaging, and (surprise) it was considered safe until some folk looked a little deeper into the issue and decided that maybe BPA isn't so safe after all.

Scientists are already warning that BPA may be toxic to humans - and while lots of warnings have gone out about water bottles made with BPA, the bigger issue is the BPA that is found in canned foods. These days, lots of cans are lined with plastic and then food is put in them. The BPA in that plastic can lining is already known to leach into the food AND into the human body. What happens then? No one knows the whole story yet but it is known that BPA will mess with human hormones, particularly estrogen.

Phthalates Are Scary, Too

Phthalates is a name given to a bunch of chemicals used in all sorts of stuff, and today it's sad but true that these phthalates ("THAL-ates") float around in the indoor dust we breathe. Already, most Americans have phthalates in their bodies according to research studies by the Center for Disease Control, and they are serious even that they've been banned in Europe for several years now.

How does this stuff get into our bodies? Get this: it's not clear. Some think it comes through what we eat, from plastic packaging for example.

What is known is that phthalates also mess with human hormones, in this case, testosterone.

Oh, and cooking in Teflon? While I was reading up on this, I ran across a warning on WebMD that warns to never cook on non-stick cookware with a pet bird in the kitchen, because the fumes from overheated non-stick cookware can kill the bird "in seconds."

Oh, that makes me feel safe.

2 What to Do? Avoid Plastic as Much as Possible, Of Course.

Here are some 15 tips to get Plastics Out of Your Food:

1. cook in cast iron
2. avoid a microwave
3. if you must use a microwave, then wrap your food in paper towels when heating and place on a real plate, not a plastic one
4. use wax paper to wrap food for storing in the fridge (get some rubber bands, it helps)
5. save glass jars and reuse them for food storage
6. eat off of glass plates
7. drink out of glassware not plastic
8. use metal forks, knives, and spoons (or wooden ones for cooking)
9. throw out your plastic stuff
10. don't use parchment paper -- it's covered with a "Non-Stick"coating and that is silicon and it's sometimes got some sulfuric acid, too. It's not just paper.
11. buy fresh food as much as possible
12. observe how food is packaged and avoid plastic packaging as much as possible, especially plastic bottles
13. once home, store all food in non-plastic containers
14. do not cook with plastic stuff (microwave plates, plastic spoons, nonstick ware)
15. do not eat with plastic stuff (plastic plates, glasses, etc.) - get paper plates if you don't want to wash dishes!

Sources (in addition to the above hyperlinks):

WebMD (and links therein)
FDA
Harvard.edu (and links therein)
Univ of Houston (and links therein)
NIH

Ufollow - Cool New Site and I'm Honored to have Everyday Simplicity Included as a "Leading Blog" in their Chosen Reading Library

2011-11-08T14:00:00.000-06:00

UFollow is a cool, new site that is getting favorable reviews as a free service that helps folk surfing the web to cull through content and locate articles based upon a single topic or a single author.

UFollow is free,"indexing more than 100,000 bloggers and columnists from over 4,500 leading blogs, magazines, and newspapers on the web." Sign up and uFollow sends you a stream of content organized by your chosen sources, favorite authors, etc.

It's looking to be a popular site. For example, HackStacks found uFollow to be helpful, describing uFollow back in August 2011 as one of the best sites on the web for organizing and providing content to the reader according to the readers' likes.

I discovered uFollow when I noticed folk were coming to visit Everyday Simplicity via UFollow. When I went to uFollow to investigate, I was delighted to find that Everyday Simplicity is a publication listed among such notables as The New York Times, Huffington Post, and the Christian Science Monitor, and that my name is listed as one of the top authors, in the area of "simplicity."

I'm second, first place going to Merlin Mann of 43 Folders and third place to Darren Murph of Engadget. That's some nice company. Of course, ranking will change as uFollow grows -- but it's a nice thing to think about today.

I'm honored to be included by the folk at uFollow and I'm happy to think that this means that living a simple life is something that more people are interested in investigating, even if they aren't ready to make a big lifestyle change.

Thought I'd share this with you, Dear Reader (and Fellow Simplifier).

Blog Tour for Baylor Prof Jim Roberts New Book, Shiny Objects

2011-11-07T18:20:00.000-06:00

I was recently invited to join a blog tour for a new book that has just been published by HarperOne this fall entitled Shiny Objects: Why We Spend Money We Don’t Have in Search of Happiness We Can’t Buy.
Written by James A. Roberts, professor of marketing at Baylor University (which is about three hours due north from me on Interstate 35, up in Waco, Texas), it sounds like a great read from someone who has been studying consumerism and consumer behavior for awhile now. (Check out his online bio here.)

I agreed to read and review the book because I liked the idea of learning what a noted academic with a reputation for studying the "dark side" of American consumerism / marketing had found. Will Dr. Roberts have anything nice to say about voluntary simplicity? Will he have any interesting facts and figures about all that ridiculous excess we see everyday (yes, Kim Kardashian was in the news again).

My review will be posted here on December 1, 2011. It's part of the November 2011 TLC Blog Tour.

Meanwhile, Dr. Roberts has a blog too, if you're interested ....

Really Easy, Really Cheap, Really Fast, and Really Good Recipes - No. 1: Cheese Dip

2011-11-02T12:25:00.000-06:00

Easy, fast, cheap, and good food. That you make at home. It's possible. Here, my first in a series of recipes with instructions for those on a budget, who hate to cook but are tired of fast food:

Chili con Queso

This isn't very healthy in its simplest form but there are lots of ways to make it better for you. It's never going to make Dr. Mercola really happy, but it will sure make everyone around the TV happy on movie night, or game time, etc.

Basic version (and the one that my ex-husband swore made him fall for me):

1 box of Velvetta (the box about the size of a textbook cut in half lengthwise)
1 can of Rotel tomatoes (canned diced tomatoes with hot chili peppers)
chips of some sort

Cut the Velvetta into little squares so it heats up faster and easier. Throw in the canned tomatoes. Heat until the cheese melts (in the microwave, in a pot, on a campfire, wherever) and stir. Serve with tortilla chips or Fritos, whatever you like.

Other ways to eat this stuff:

You can add cilantro to this.
Take away the canned tomatoes and use fresh Pico de Gallo instead (cut up tomatoes, onion, and chili peppers, usually jalapeno or serano)
Use real cheese instead of the Velvetta, add a little milk as needed as it melts
Add beans and use less cheese
Add chili and use less cheese
Pour this stuff over lettuce and eat cheesy salad
Pour over grilled chicken
Pour over sliced avocado

The Sweet Story of the 89 Year Old Bride

2011-11-01T15:51:00.001-06:00

Here's a sweet story: Miss Laura Odenbaugh married her sweetheart, Melvin Martin, last month up in Dallas. He was 91, she was 89. It was his third marriage and her first.

The story is covered here and in the Dallas Morning News. Made me smile, thought I would share it with you, Dear Reader.

Angel Food Ministries Is No More - And There's No Ready Replacement

2011-10-31T15:50:00.001-06:00

Angel Food Ministries did a great service for a lot of people all over the country, and it's sad to learn that Angel Food has stopped operations. They provided great, restaurant-quality food to folk at a very reasonable price, no questions asked.

I personally saw Angel Food make a difference in the holiday meals of several families when I worked with abused and neglected kids at the local CPS Children's Court. Single moms were particularly happy with the chicken nuggets, as I recall -- the kids loved them. Loved them. And, another great thing about Angel Food is that distribution routed all around town, via local churches and a network of volunteers, so it was never that difficult for the moms to get to the monthly pickup with their baskets and Styrofoam coolers.

There was a pride thing, too. Angel Food didn't ask for income information or stuff like that -- if you wanted to participate, then you were welcome to do so. For example, I knew of several school teachers that took advantage of the Angel Food packages as times got tight and tighter, especially their holiday packages.

I swayed more than one CPS teen mom to try Angel Food after sharing that they wouldn't be asked money questions and that they might be in line next to a teacher. No, not all these CPS parents are strung-out druggies: some are just young, uneducated, alone, and overwhelmed, and with some pride to protect. Angel Food was top of the line stuff, at about half the price of retail.

So, today, I'm sad to hear that Angel Food is no more and I'm hopeful that something just like it will pop up to serve the community; Angel Food wasn't the same as the food bank, it would have been much more difficult to get those teen moms to go to the food bank than to the local church for Angel Food.

There's talk of another organization filling this gap: One Harvest Food Ministeries. They are planning on starting food distribution akin to Angel Food next month (November 19th) and hope to go national within the year.

Let's hope and pray that One Harvest Food has great success.

Great List of 20 Healthiest Foods - Why They're Great, How To Prepare Them

2011-10-09T15:13:00.001-06:00

Getting my feet wet over at Stumble Upon, and this article just popped up (I supposed I have "stumbled upon" it): "The 29 Healthiest Foods on the Planet," and boy is it a handy little list. It gives you, in alpha order, lists of foods that you can find in your local grocery as well as why they're so great for you, and a hint or two about how to eat them.

Not the only list out there, of course. What I like about this list is that it is so short and sweet, and still stuffed with great info. Worth a looksie, Dear Reader.

food, health, vitamins, cooking

99 Money Saving Tips Featured by Time Magazine: Frugal is So Trendy

2011-10-07T12:46:00.001-06:00

Today you can read an article online entitled, "99 Money Tips: Save on Concerts, Smartphone Plans, Auto Expenses, DIY Projects, and Debt Collector Confrontations," written by Brad Tuttle for Time Magazine. It's got some good stuff in it, such as:

a higher price doesn't mean better quality, so research at places like Consumer Reports
never get cash advances on your credit card (that money is too expensive)
fix things that break (if you can), don't just dump them and run to the store
get the cheapest phone service you can

Another thing altogether -- this article is a part of Time's Smart Spending section. So, frugal really is trendy. Sure, the bad economy has a lot to do with this, but it's nice to think that Americans are being more frugal with their money because, from a simplifier's point of view, there's a lot of good stuff that comes from this. Like:

Cook at home, it's relaxing.
Family meal time, good for all.
Family game night, even better.
Walk instead of drive, great.
Borrow books at the library, you discover treasures.
Discover free adventures: geocaching, free museum nights, nearby trails and all that wildlife ....

These are a few examples of all the good good stuff that no one will ever find, shopping at the mall or eating at their local restaurant (or driving in between).

There's a lot of good to be found in this bad economy.

WSJ Writes of "Forever Frugal" Trend - But Misses the Point That Many Choose Frugal as a Better Lifestyle

2011-10-06T11:30:00.001-06:00

In the Wall Street Journal today, there's an article written by Ann Zimmerman entitled, "Frontier of Frugality: Retailers Face Reality That Many People Can't Trade Back Up," and it's filled with information from the American retailers' perspective. WalMart is experiencing lots of shopping tied to when folk get their paychecks; retailers are seeing lots of shopping with coupons; people aren't jumping to buy premium labels like they used to do.

I find it interesting that there's something missing here (though they tip their hat to this at the end of the piece): the reality that living simply is a lifestyle choice for many. For others that have had to change their lifestyles because of unemployment, illness, or just fear that their stock prices are going to crater, it can come as a very nice surprise that living differently is not so bad. There are people in this country who were forced into frugality by a sudden change in circumstances and are sold on not going back to their old ways, even when they can do so.

Couponing feels good for those who do it. It's a rush to save a buck - today on Coupon Mom's email, for example, I saw free Colgate toothpaste and free Cover Girl cosmetics at Target; 6 freebies worth $41 at RiteAid; and 5 freebies worth $52 at Walgreens (she's got lots more deals if you're interested).

Heck, I want my free Colgate toothpaste at Target -- and it's not because I'm scrimping pennies here, it's because it's FREE. It's like a little gift, a little treat. To Reba, From Target. I like this.

I like free. You probably do, too.

I also like the idea of saving money on my food budget. But I'm not doing this because of the money. Long ago, I would spend a shocking amount of my disposable income on fast food or restaurant fare. It was not good for my pocketbook. More importantly, it was not good for my BODY. Now, I shop with a list and a menu planned out -- and I save lots of dough. Bigger deal: I know what I'm eating. I'm eating organic, I'm not cooking in aluminum, and I'm washing my lettuce.

If I do this near a payday, are retailers thinking that I'm cutting back because of the economy? Maybe. And, sure, some folk are. Times are tough, and there are lots of people in financial distress in this country.

I don't know that they are all setting around, depressed that they can't buy retail, though. Which is part of the tone that I read in the retailers' discussion.

I have changed the way that I spend money because I have found a higher quality of life by doing so. I am not alone. My grocery bill is less, not because I'm money-motivated, but because I'm eating fresh food, I'm cooking at home, and I'm not falling prey to advertising siren songs.

Does this make me "forever frugal"? Yes, I think so. Does this mean that maybe Americans are sick and tired of being endoctrinated into materialism? We'll see.

William Shatner Sings Iron Man - He's 80. What Are You Doing Today?

2011-10-03T09:42:00.001-06:00

Simplifying your life means changing the way you live. That's not easy, if you are doing it right. No matter who you are, what your age, or why you've decided to simplify. So, here's some encouragement for you.

Whenever you get bummed or think you're too old for something, or think it's too late to pursue your dream, or change your life: think on this ....

Go to YouTube to watch a video of William Shatner, 80 years old, in a studio, recording Iron Man by Black Sabbath. 80. Born, according to IMDb, on March 22, 1931.

If you haven't read Shatner's biography, then maybe you don't know about how he has been down for the count more than once and picked himself back up again. With a smile on his face. He's been homeless, living out of a pickup truck. He's come home to find his wife has drown in their swimming pool. Serious stuff - and yet, here he is.

I find this encouraging and it puts a smile on my face. Hope it encourages you, too, Dear Reader.

Amazon's Top 100 Free EBooks - There are Some Great Bargains Here

2011-10-02T12:08:00.000-06:00

You don't have to own a Kindle to read an electronic book: you can download the free Kindle software and read the books on your phone or computer (which I prefer at times, actually). This is great news for those living simple or frugal lives because ebooks cost less than paper books, hardback or softback: however, it's even better when the book is free.

Over at Amazon, you can check out free ebooks that have been vetted by readers already, in case you are worried about "free ebook" translating into, well, "horrible." Go here and surf through the top 100 in sales at any given time: Amazon Best Sellers: Best Kindle eBooks.

Look through the list and you'll find cookbooks -- like Stonybrook's Dinners Made Easy and Circle of Friends' 25 Burger Recipes along with classics, like The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Pride and Prejudice as well as some great reads that don't cost you a dime.

Heck, you can get the English Standard Version of the Holy Bible for free (it's no 14 on the top 100 today). That's amazing. Especially when you consider that it's searchable once you download it. Wow, that's great when you're studying.

The free books at Amazon bring new author discoveries, as well. For example, it was through freebies at Amazon that I learned of Chickens, Mules and Two Old Fools by Victoria Twead (a hilarious true story of a couple expatriating from England to Spain). It's a great book: charming, funny -- and I'm excited to read Twead's new book once it's released, giving another blow by blow account of her adventures: this time, about the year that she and her husband spent teaching in Bahrain and got themselves into predicaments like sandstorms and house arrest.

Which brings up another tip: there are authors that promote their work by temporarily placing it as a free ebook on Amazon, to generate interest. Like Twead did. The book that I got for free costs you money now. So, it's a good idea to surf the Amazon Top 100 Free periodically, to see what gems you may find there.

Free books on Kindle: a great deal any time, but especially these days. I think you'll like what you find, Dear Reader.

books, ebooks, reading, kindle, freebies

Molly the Dog Cries as Reunited with Mom, Back from Afghanistan

2011-09-12T08:42:00.000-06:00

Thank God for dogs! Have a great week, Dear Reader!

Four New Blog Finds That I Really Like, Think You Will, Too

2011-09-10T15:00:00.000-06:00

You'd think I never get anything done, what with walking the dogs; doing my own writing; helping others with their writing; reading and going to the book store and the library and Amazon.com for more books; meeting up with friends for tacos or coffee; piddling my way to a clean house; or debating whether or not I'm right (I am) that the mole on The Closer is Chief Pope.

I surf the web, too. And today I thought I would share with you some blogs that I think are wonderful and unique and powerful in what they have to share with us, each in their own individual way:

Long Hollow -- a pretty blog with substance by fellow Texan Barbara Shallue. (Thanks to Barbara's sister for the heads up on this great find!) Nice pix, honest and forthright in her words, and she's a reader, too.

The Pioneer Woman -- kinda famous now, Ree Drumond's blog on her transition to life on a Montana cattle ranch. The food photos are so wonderful, always make me want to go cook something. And for some reason, reading the stuff here always reminds me of my mother's family and all their tall tales: Mama's cousins Mary Beth and Nummies, along with Spider and Pie (Pie was known for her, well, pies ... can't remember how Spider got that nickname).

The Daily Coyote -- Shreve Stockton posts daily photos of the coyote she adopted as a baby, sharing much more than that on her blog about living in rural Wyoming. She has been disciplined about these daily posts for a long time now. Charlie the coyote makes me smile, and my pups like this blog a lot because it always warms my heart, reminds me how beloved my dogs are, and makes me go to the Treat Jar for them. It's like clockwork. And they talk about Pavlov's dog ....

Adventures in Writing on the Road -- Natasha Fondren sold her stuff and bought a jeep and an RV and headed out into a new life; she's got a bigger RV now, but she's still living very simply and she shares how she's doing and where she's going on her blog.

She's doing what lots of people just dream about. Like me. Did you ever read Travels With Charlie by John Steinbeck?

William J. Dawson's The Quest for a Simple Life is a Free Read

2011-09-08T19:06:00.000-06:00

Right now, you can get a free copy of William J. Dawson's The Quest for a Simple Life as an e-book over at Amazon.com -- I took advantage of this freebie, and I enjoyed his story. It's also available online for free to read on your screen at Project Gutenberg.

This isn't a new book.

William J. Dawson wrote this book long ago; it was originally published in 1907, and some of the language as well as his attitudes may seem well, ... dated. (Feminists, take note.)

However, it's a small book and an interesting read, the language alone is entrancing (sometimes, Dawson can be a real hoot) -- and it's a nice thing to think about: back in London, over a hundred years ago, human beings were pondering how to make life simpler.

Well, I guess people like Thoreau were too, come to think about it.

Okay, this isn't Walden but it's a good read nevertheless. I liked it, thought I'd share it with you, Dear Reader.

Simplifying Your Thoughts: Simple Living Means Fighting Against Stress and the Thoughts that Cause It

2011-09-07T16:26:00.000-06:00

Tonight, there's the big Republican debate between the presidential candidates and tomorrow, President Obama is going to address the nation on the unemployment crisis - and media rumors are that this will include spending more money. Lots more money.

Next week, we honor the 10 year anniversary of 9-11. Last week, we had hurricanes on the East Coast and earthquakes on the West Coast, and even as I type this, hundreds of thousands of areas of beautiful, piney hillsides near Bastrop, Texas (not that far from me, as the crow flies) are burning in an uncontrolled fire. Was it caused by the drought? By arson? What about all the wildlife and the homes and the families?


The Scream - Edvard Munch

It's all cause for stress.

Stress, big stress. And that's before you take it down a notch and start wondering about your own circumstances. Finances, health, relationships, savings, investments, rising prices, what the future might hold.

There is a lot to think about, and lots of people are swirling those thoughts around in their minds without realizing that you have the power to decide what you will think about -- and that you need to do this.

It's accepted by most everyone these days that stress will make you sick. Keep it up, and it can kill you. (For details, check out lots about acute stress and chronic stress at WebMD.)

And what is stress? It's your body reacting to what you are thinking.

Simplifying your life involves more than being frugal with your purchases or going green with your environment or becoming vegetarian in your diet ... simple living means having peace and joy and strength in your attitude.

How do you do that? You become proactive about what you are thinking about and you stop letting your mind run willy-nilly over whatever scary things it wants to ponder. Yes, you can do this and it doesn't mean that you become brainwashed or live a zombie's existence.

Simple Living Between Your Ears: How to Fight Stress With Simplicity

I don't do this as well as I'd like, but I'm much better at it than I was long ago. Here are some of the things that have worked for me:

1. I stop myself every so often, and pay attention to the thoughts that have been bouncing around in my head. Am I worrying about something? Am I angry about something? Am I afraid? Then, I take hold of those thoughts and resolve them.

2. I speak out loud to myself if this is needed. For example, I forgot to mail in my car registration and here it was, September, and I've suddenly got an expired tag on my windshield. My thoughts just baked themselves into a big pie of pressure, and once I realized that I was fretting about this in my head, it all stopped when I said to myself, "I will not get a ticket on the way to getting my car sticker, and if I do, then I'll just pay it. This isn't worth getting upset over, I'll just deal with it - whatever happens."

3. I don't watch TV news, I read my news online. Maybe it's still inflated and spun, but it's less stressful for me than all those talking heads who seem to vie for who can be more thrilling, for lack of a better word, as they ramble on about the latest horrific event.

4. I pray and I read my Bible, renewing my mind with scripture. There's a reason why so many have read this book for so long, there is true comfort and strength in its pages. I think even non-believers can find good counsel in words like these: "[a]nd now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (Phil 4:8 NLT).

5. I read about stress and thoughts to learn more about how thoughts do impact my physical health. There's lots on this: medical research (see this UCLA study); books on brain function and stress (see Who Switched off My Brain by Dr. Carolyn Leaf); and books on how diet and exercise are powerful tools against stress, promoting clear thinking and proper hormone balance (see the Hormone Diet by Natasha Turner ND).

One of the great things about living simply is knowing that you can control your lifestyle - even if there are others that don't understand why you are choosing that different drummer. A big part of that change is internal, becoming a person of independent thought.

Some Days Will Eat You, Some Days You'll Eat the Bear.

As Jane Armatrading once sang (listen here), some days the bear will eat you, some days you'll eat the bear. We're all a work in process.

Hang in there, fight that stress, and if you need to see it on the screen, remember this:

Everything is going to be alright.

(image from Wikimedia Commons, public domain)

Homemade Dog Food Tip - Sneaking Veggies Into Their Diet

2011-07-08T12:00:00.000-06:00

I've already posted about homemade dog food recipes (here) so I won't go into recipes here ... though from the number of hits that post has received since it was published, it's clear that a whole lotta people prefer to make their own dog food rather than buy the stuff in cans or bags at the local store (no matter how organic or natural or nutritious it claims to be).

I prepare homemade dog food for these reasons:

I know exactly what my dogs are getting in their food, no corn byproducts or rancid meat that the producers okay for pets but would not legally be allowed to serve to humans;
I can combat against the bad food allergies for one of my pets, keeping my pup happier and healthier and lessening those trips to the vet; and
I pay less for dog food this way - a lot less.

Of course, this all sounds great until you deal with the reality of the Picky Pup. I have one. I've seen Mr. Finicky Eater turn his nose up to white chicken breast just as much as avocado or green peas. Very, very frustrating.

However, I've found the secret to getting all the good things that he wants to avoid into his bowl and down the hatch, so to speak.

It's the Food Processor.

Yes, call my dogs spoiled if you want - I don't care. I think I have healthier dogs for it, and I know I'm paying less in food costs and vet bills. You cannot imagine unless you've been there how fast vet bills can climb when your dog has severe allergies.

Rant over.

Here's what I do. I take the fiber left from the juicer (carrots, apples, beets, spinach) and I freeze it until Dog Food Day. If I don't have this readily available, or I want to add veggies that I haven't juiced - say green beans or peas - then I just use fresh. Whatever is at the Farmer's Market - I just get a couple more handfuls while I'm there, thinking of the Dog Mash.

Once I have my veggies collected, I grab a huge pot (some might call it a cauldron of sorts) and throw those raw veggies in there with what I like to call "stinky meat." These are cheap meats at the grocery - our local store serves a pretty big Asian community as well as an Hispanic one, so browsing around the meat department, I can find interesting meat -- Chicken Hearts, Beef Liver, Sweetmeats -- that's going to be tough and strong. With big flavor and aroma, this is key.

Not for every human palate, these choices, and something that needs to cook for awhile at a low heat to get tender. (I saw chicken feet last week, but I couldn't go that far. Too VooDoo-ey for me, and besides - not much meat there, right?)

Whatever looks good and has a good price, that's what I go with - and usually this stuff is free range, organic to boot. (Reading that last phrase, fine. At this point, I'm not going to be offended if you tell me that my dogs are spoiled. LOL. I love them, and I'm making no excuses here. I think what I'm doing here is wise, not silly.)

This stuff goes into the pot with the fresh veggies. No salt. No pepper. No spices. Slow, slow boil. Covered. (No to the slow cooker, unless you like this meaty aroma wafting through your home.)

Once it's done, you're not.

Next step: let it cool (or not, it's just easier on your hands if it's cooled off), and then throw this stuff into the Food Processor. Let it rumble until you've got a puree that looks similar in consistency to the dog food they sell in cans. You may need to do several batches, depends upon the size of the machine.

Store this stuff in an airtight container in the fridge -- it's really convenient for feeding the dogs during the week, and they don't know all those veggies are in there.

Extra tip: if your finicky dog doesn't fall for this, then here's your secret weapon: bacon. Not a lot - but take a couple of strips and bake them till the bacon is soft, not crispy. You want some of that fat on there. Then, cut it into little bits and stir it thru the Dog Mash. That ought to do it - and yes, it is a balance of bad old bacon versus good veggies....

More on Sitting All Day Being Harmful for Your Health

2011-06-27T15:11:00.000-06:00

Just read a great article with lots of information on research done regarding the dangers of sitting all day rather than standing or moving. Written by Dr. James A. Levine of the Mayo Clinic, the article is entitled, "The Extreme Dangers of Sitting," and it's worth the read.

One big thing that stuck with me: you will spend THREE times the energy standing instead of sitting. So, using that standing desk without anything more means you're tripling your energy output.

So, even if you're not into a standing desk because it's fun or it's cool (remember, Ernest Hemingway wrote from a standing desk), think about this: you might just lose some lbs and never have to go to the gym, never have to break a sweat.

Now, that's a scoop, right?

Oh, and one other thing from this study that stuck with me: a nice evening constitutional for an hour, where you walk to enjoy the scenery and let the dog sniff the tree trunks, will expend the same amount of calories as if you were to take a ramped-up 30 minute power walk. Sweet.

I'm off to walk the dog!

Alice's Bucket List - You Need to Follow This Blog

2011-06-20T18:10:00.000-06:00

Alice is 15 years old and dying from cancer, and it's not a fake story or something from LifetimeTV.

It's real, it's happening, and to read the posts from this optimistic, courageous, and wonderful child is something from which we can all benefit.

And her mom is pretty darn impressive, too.

Alice's Bucket List.

The Dangers of Sitting Too Much - It Can Kill You

2011-06-17T10:58:00.000-06:00


This graphic demonstrates the dangers of sitting at your desk too much and too long.

I've started using a standing desk for a least a part of my work day, and I really enjoy it. A friend told me that Ernest Hemingway always used as standing desk and I found this photo of Hemingway posing next to his standing desk (here) - cool, right?

Me, I wasn't influenced by Ernest Hemingway. It was much more basic: I got the standing desk because I didn't like sitting at the keyboard for long periods of time (in the words of author Robin Lee Hatcher, I was getting "numb butt").

I also appreciate the warnings that are now coming out like this one at Boing Boing: sitting without getting up for breaks is bad for your body. As in, sitting for many hours at a time, as a routine practice, is extremely bad for you and causes all sorts of problems with your gastrointestinal system, your heart, and other things. Beware.

So, standing desk or not, get up if you're at a computer right now and move - or at least, stand.

Juicing for Health: Carrot Beet Apple Spinach Juice Tastes Good. Really.

2011-06-14T15:34:00.001-06:00

I've had a great juicer for years - high powered motor, easy to clean - but I had stored it in a cabinet awhile back and just forgotten about it. And juicing.

Then, I was surfing around and there was this discussion about the nutrients that are available in raw vegetables and fruits, things that get lost by the time they get into bottles or cartons or cans or bags. That's right, I remembered: I own a really nice juicer - why aren't I using that thing? (Slap of forehead.)

So, this week I pulled that puppy out and went to the store and bought organic beets, carrots, Fuji apples, and baby spinach. Some cilantro, too - but I also made pico de gallo, and the cilantro escaped the juice machine.

Today, I'm back in a routine of juicing daily and I feel the better for it. I've posted on this before (Food as Medicine: Juicing) and you can find links for lots of detailed information there. Right now, I just want to share how easy and fun this is, and here's my recipe (and a couple of tips):

Reba's Daily Raw Carrot Apple Beet Spinach Juice

8 small carrots or 6 regular/medium size
2 big handfuls of baby spinach leaves (don't skimp)
2 medium sized Fuji apples
1 medium sized beet (about the same size as one of the apples)

Wrap the spinach around the carrots to juice, it works better (the leaves can be hard to juice). Keep your working area clear and clean as you go: that beet juice will stain stuff (including your tee shirt).

I drink this over ice and with a straw. It's a pretty purple color.

For more on what this provides, read the links given with the ingredients above.

Great Non-Dairy, Natural Sweetener Banana Smoothie (Stevia Recipe)

2011-06-08T17:34:00.000-06:00

This is a fast and cheap recipe for a smoothie that tastes great. Really great. Doesn't cost much, doesn't take much time, and it uses up all those bananas before they go bad. Bananas are so cheap, I like finding different ways of using them (like this post).

Reba's Banana n Stevia Smoothie

Night before:
Break up bananas into chunks, about the size of a water bottle cap, and freeze them (a Ziploc works well here, because they tend to freeze into a blob, and you can bang that freezer bag on the counter to break the pieces apart). These will last awhile in the freezer, so I have started storing a big bag of banana bits - just for this smoothie recipe.

Ready to go:
Take your Magic Bullet (or blender, whatever machine you prefer) and for a single serving put about 1/2 a banana's worth of frozen banana pieces into the container - it's best to put in the bananas first
Next, fill up the container with Unsweetened Almond Milk
Add a generous helping of Pumpkin Pie Spice (I always buy too much of this stuff, so it's great to find ways to use it up)
Add stevia to taste (I always use the KAL Organic brand).

Whirrrrr that thing until you've got pure liquid.

Drink up! It's just soooo good, the almond and the banana and the spices. No sugar, no dairy, just good stuff.

The Refrigerator List : Birds, Bats, and the Occasional Beast

2011-05-25T09:04:00.000-06:00

The old man next door, so old that his skin is almost translucent and his hands look like gnarled twigs, loves his back yard. When he's not sitting outside on his porch, you can see his long white head watching things as he sits, drinking forbidden coffee, at his kitchen table. An Albert Einstein haircut, a quiet smile.

A great neighbor.

It's nice to see him roaming around early each morning, refilling his hummingbird bottles and squirrel feeders and putting out food for the feral cats. Yes, even though we all know that that feral cat food also attracts our neighborhood raccoons and possums - when they're not dining on finds in the alley garbage cans. (I've heard that mice and rats like this stuff, but our herd of wild Tom Cats keeps us from having that problem.)

It's because of our neighbor that our family has found another fun experience in simple living. We've become aware of nature in a new way. Not from growing our own little veggies or waiting for rain, but from all the creatures that routinely come to visit our white-haired neighbor.

We've created a Refrigerator List. Rules are you have to see something at least three times before it gets to go on the List; however, you can note sightings of which you're keeping track. (Right now, we've seen a black bird with a yellow beak, but we're not sure what it is.)

It's got the kids on alert in the evenings after dinner and it's fun to researching some strange birds and things we've spotted (escapees from the zoo?); and we're listening in the quiet to all the small sounds that are really there in the dusk. It's not really all that quiet, if you take the time to listen.

May 24, 2011 List

Red-shouldered Hawk (we see this guy so often we've named him Harry)
Mockingbird
White-winged Dove
Pigeon
Sparrow
Cardinal
Blue Jay
Grackel
Bell's Vireo songbird
Raccoon
Yellow-headed Verdin
Scissortail
Hummingbird
Mexican Freetail Bat
Thrasher
Squirrel
Robin
Western Kingbird
Feral Cat
Ladder-Backed Woodpecker

looking at: black bird with yellow beak, white birds (big) that fly overhead in pairs, brown noisy squirrel-like animal - chipmunk?

How Much is Too Much for a Purse? $280,000 Comes to Mind

2011-04-12T08:55:00.000-06:00

Hermes Birkin Handbag
in Pink Leather
(not the blue croc w/diamonds
model described in the ad)
source: Wikimedia Commons
public domain

It's been a long, long time since I've posted anything under the category "examples of excess," and that's been intentional. After posting a couple of times on things I found to be the total opposite of voluntary simplicity and simple living, I thought it brought a negative vibe to things. Simple living is about positive, happy, peaceful, quality living. No time for a negative attitude.

However, there's always an exception to the rule -- and today, while doing research for an article, I stumbled upon the following and just had to share this. Not as criticism - it goes past that. Really.

This is just laughable: an online ad for a special deal (that's right, it's a bargain) on a Hermes bag, made of crocodile dyed blue and lots of little diamonds -- the "Queen of all Handbags," the reader is informed.

It's being sold for Two Hundred Eighty Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($280,000.00). I have written this sum in the way that we always did in our legal documentation back in my lawyer days just to make it clear that I really do mean 280,000 smackeroos.

Check out the ad here for the "Hermes Birkin Handbag 35cm Blue Sahphire Diamond Porosous Crocodile," which is available for shipping the next business day after purchase!!!

Example of Excess. Sure.

Good laugh, too. The next time I'm debating with myself whether or not to spend cash on a purse (because I am a sucker for purses and shoes), I may still be questioning the price. One thing's for sure, though: $280,000 is definitely too much for a purse.

What kind of person thinks this is acceptable? I really really wonder about that. Betcha Hermes doesn't ask too many questions, though. Hee Hee.

I'm still laughing.

Food Packaging Gets Tricky: Smaller Packaging for the Same Price

2011-03-30T13:26:00.000-06:00

Food packages
Wikimedia Commons
Public Domain

A couple of weeks ago, I roamed around my local grocery with a list of items that I had purchased in January 2008 and compared what the prices were today, in 2011.

You can read that comparison for yourself here.

At the time, I thought "tricky, tricky" when I discovered the can of diced tomatoes and the box of pasta were both packaged in smaller amounts. Not a huge difference, but it would add up fast enough if you were the manufacturer/supplier.

Today, while surfing the web, I discovered that I'm not the only one wondering about this little trick. At the New York Times, Stephanie Clifford and Catherine Rampell have written an article published today, "Food Inflation Kept Hidden in Tinier Bags," where they've investigated this national trend -- something that isn't new, they've been doing this for decades -- and its current guises: companies are going green, offering more portability, etc.

No company wants to flat out admit that they're trying to keep that price on the can or box or bag from rising, and they'll just change that container before they'll up the price -- because maybe you'll choose not to buy their goods if you see that number rise.

Maybe you will, maybe you won't. Truth is, food is food - and if you're needing two cups of tomato sauce for your recipe, you'll buy accordingly. Some folk will be fooled by this trick. Savvy shoppers won't.

Here's the reality. The dollar is worth less, and things are costing more. We're impacted by things like the rising cost of oil much more than in our gas tank. (See my earlier post listing lots of products made by petroleum to get an idea.)

Times are tough, and getting tougher. Which just makes living a life of voluntary simplicity that much smarter, IMHO. The fun, peace, quality of life -- that's just an added bonus or three ....

Preventing Alzheimer's Disease: Five Things You Can Do Right Now to Stop Alzheimer's

2011-03-21T13:07:00.001-06:00

Double Whammy:
one cup of green tea each day can help
fight against getting Alzheimer's Disease
in two ways.
pix: Public Domain Photos

This weekend, a friend of mine talked with me for a long time about how hard it was to watch a friend of hers suffer from Alzheimer's Disease, and now that the disease had progressed to a certain point, her friend's husband was forced to face the fact that his wife would be safer in a 24/7 nursing facility than at home with him.

So this Saturday, my friend supported her two friends, this husband and wife, as they separated after living together for many, many years. She'll sleep near nurses who can lift her. He'll make his morning coffee for himself.

My friend cried and cried after leaving them. Alone in her car. It's something with which we can all empathize.

Avoiding Alzheimer's Disease: Can We Do It? It's Worth a Try, Right?

Perhaps a failing brain is something that some of us must face because it's in our genes. It's a tragic destiny that cannot be avoided. Maybe.

However, many argue that there are ways to stop Alzheimer's Disease - or at least delay it. In fact, more and more research is being done on ways to prevent this horrific disease, fueled in no small part due to the aging Baby Boomer generation and the skyrocketing care costs that the American economy will face if a cure or prevention isn't found.

Is this a global threat? Not really. In India, for example, Alzheimer's Disease is rarely seen. Many believe this is because turmeric is the national spice of India -- as prevalent as salt or black pepper is here in the United States.

Five Ways to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease - Supported by Research Studies, Easy to Implement

You aren't doomed. There are a great many easy things that you can do right now - things that research studies have confirmed, that will fight against Alzheimer's Disease in your future, including:

1. Caffeine. I've already written about the studies on one cup of coffee each day. Really, it's a daily dose of caffeine that is key here.

2. Red Wine. There's also a post about having one glass of red wine every week. Seems research shows that this will cut the chance of dementia in women by 70%. That's a big deal, and so easy to do, right?

3. Exercise. A little bit of exercise will fight against dementia in your old age, too. Fifteen minutes of exercise, just three times a week, will do the trick of lowering your risk by 30%. That's nothing. Walking the dog regularly gets you there.

Other things that you can incorporate into your lifestyle, if you aren't doing this already:

4. Green Tea. Every day, drink green tea. New research is revealing that green tea prevents Alzheimer's disease from developing. Drink it without the caffeine taken out, and you've also covered the first tip on this list, as well.

5. Turmeric. Eat lots of curry spiced with turmeric. (Or tons of yellow mustard -- turmeric is what makes hot dog mustard so yellow.) Seems this yellow spice contains a chemical that may block a necessary component of Alzheimer's Disease -- studies continue to be done here, based in part upon the reality that India has 400 times less incidence of Alzheimer's disease than the United States. You can check out the top 20 recipes using turmeric at AllRecipes.com, or maybe take it in a pill form.

There's still more. At the Alzheimer's Research & Prevention Foundation, they offer a three pillar fight against getting this terrible disease (their fourth pillar, medicines, deals with treatment after onset):

Raw Kale in a Salad? Yep. Tastes Great.

2011-03-15T18:37:00.000-06:00

Kale is great for you. Kale ranks as one of the "world's healthiest foods" primarily because it lowers cholesterol, fights cancer, and helps the body to detox. Among other things.

I've always had kale steamed or well, ... steamed. It's cabbage and I've always had it cooked the same way that I grew up with cabbage being cooked. Which meant throw it in a pot or pan and basically boil it with some salt pork or bacon or something akin thrown into the pot for flavor. Sometimes, some onion and garlic got in there.

As I typed this, a light went off in my brain and I do recall using kale in a chinese-y sort of chicken soup awhile back.  Worked well, looked pretty.

Raw Kale in a Salad Works Great

However, once again I was watching one of those televised cooking shows, and I stumbled upon someone using raw kale in a salad. Now, they had to chop it into small shreds and then shruch it with their hands awhile to help break the cabbage down ... but it worked.

Now, a new and delicious way to make a salad, eat some kale. Thought I'd share it with you:

1. The recipe that got me started on this road: Food Network Star Aarti Sequiera's Massaged Kale Salad.
(As of this post, this recipe has over 460 reviews and it's got a five star rating. Guess other folk like this recipe as much as I do.)

2. I also liked this raw kale salad from Epicurious, maybe it's the pine nuts -- and maybe it's the dried cranberries that I substituted for the currants b/c I didn't have any currants at the time.

3. Finally, I tried my own.  Did the marinade with lemon juice and EVOO like Aarti's recipe and the hands-on schmuching of the kale (julianned this time), then I added a touch of honey, along with a perfectly ripe avocado, a bit of red bell pepper, chopped in some scallions too.  Thru in some chopped walnuts because I had them. This was addicting it was so good.

Kale is really great stuff, I must admit. It's colorful, it's good for you, it's cheap.

Grocery Prices Going Up: What I Found Out Here in San Antonio About Food Costs

2011-03-09T10:49:00.000-06:00

In January 2008, I wrote about how much I paid for certain items here in San Antonio (you can read that post here).

This past weekend, three years and one month later, I went back to the same store and priced the same list of items. Here is what I found in what admittedly is based only on my curiosity and isn't any formal statistical analysis at all:

[Prices that rose in red; prices that fell in blue.]

1. Dole Yellow Bananas .39/lb in 2008; in 2011, .38/lb.
2. Small Limes - 5/$1.00 in 2008; in 2011, 4/$1.00
3. Store Brand Cage Free Brown Eggs - 1 Dozen $1.99 in 2008; in 2011, $4.10
4. Silk Unsweetened SoyMilk 1/2 Gallon - $2.79 in 2008; in 2011,$2.76
5. Store Brand 98% Fat Free Cream of Mushroom Soup - $0.75 in 2008; in 2011, $0.72
6. Store Brand Diced Tomatoes Canned 15 oz. - $.59 in 2008; in 2011, for a 14.50 oz., $.75
7. Regular Ground Beef Chuck 70/30 16 oz. - $2.08 in 2008; in 2011, $2.38
8. Suave Invisible Solid Powder Deodorant - $1.48 in 2008; in 2011, $1.72
9. Store Brand Frozen Green Sweet Peas 16 oz. - $0.92 in 2008; in 2011, $1.07
10. Barilla Plus MultiGrain Rotini Pasta 16 oz. box - $1.65. in 2008; in 2011, for a 14.50 oz box, $1.98

Of note:

1. some of the packaging had changed: both the pasta and the tomatoes were in smaller packaging.
2. none of the items were on sale - either back in 2008 or this week - when I did my little survey.

Expatriating to Mexico: Is It Safe to Go?

2011-03-02T19:17:00.000-06:00

Combine a scary U.S. economy with a cheaper one in Mexico, which has the largest American expatriate population in the world, and it's no surprise that many are considering picking up and moving south of the border in the near future - for a least part of the time. The health care is so much cheaper; it doesn't snow there; it's got all those beautiful beaches and tasty tropical drinks.

However, the news these days is filled with beheadings, kidnappings, and Mexican police being gunned down on what seems like a daily basis. Names of Mexican drug cartels are known to us now: the Gulf Cartel, the Sinaloa Cartel, the Zetas.

Is Mexico safe for Americans now?

The State of Texas' Department of Public Safety has just issued a warning that no one should plan on taking their Spring Break in Mexico this year - it's just too dangerous, the state officials warn, what with all those drug cartels running amuk.

Over at the U.S. Department of State, there is a long list of instructions and advice for students considering a vacation in Mexico, even giving information on various sites (Cancun, etc.).

Earlier this year, a similar release was issued by Texas against "Winter Texans" going to Mexico in 2011. (Read the full release here.) This warning was issued shortly after drug cartel gunfire killed a 59 year old Texas missionary, Nancy Davis, as she and her husband attempted to circumvent the cartel's road block on a Northern Mexico roadway not far from the Texas border.

Review the U.S. Department of State website, and you will discover that there are "travel alerts" and "travel warnings." Warnings are more serious:

Travel alerts "... disseminate information about short-term conditions, either transnational or within a particular country, that pose significant risks to the security of U.S. citizens. Natural disasters, terrorist attacks, coups, anniversaries of terrorist events, election-related demonstrations or violence, and high-profile events such as international conferences or regional sports events are examples of conditions that might generate a Travel Alert."
Travel warnings advise of "... long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable lead the State Department to recommend that Americans avoid or consider the risk of travel to that country. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff."

Mexico got a State Department travel warning back in September 2010.

So, both federal and state officials are warning Americans that traveling is Mexico is dangerous - so dangerous, in fact, that it's not worth the risk. However, this isn't the same information that you will find if you investigate the forums and blogs that deal with Mexico expatriating.

What the Mexico Expats Are Reporting About Being an American Traveling in Mexico

The Ajijic Real Estate News covers the region surrounding Mexico's Lake Chapala, where the largest American expatriate community in Mexico resides. According to Daniel Steele in his post dated January 26, 2011, "Safety in Lake Chapala and Ajijic Mexico," everything is fine - Mexico has its "pockets" that you need to avoid, just like other countries do. Of course, most of his post is suspect: he's trying to sell you Mexican real estate.

There is a website dedicated to tracking criminal activity in this area: the Lake Chapala Crime Watch. Read it today, and you'll find that burglary and to some extent, robbery (where you're there when the criminal wants to take your stuff - burglary means he waits till you've gone), seems pretty high in the area. Homes, cars. The most serious thing I found there: a recent report of a man shooting a rifle with a silencer from a rooftop - not at any living thing, apparently.

Barbie, who is responsible for RetireInLuxury.com, has a fact sheet for her fellow expats in Mexico, filled with tips and references. She discusses the difference between tourist spots and other locations, as well as the US-Mexico border as a hotspot for cartel activity. Barbie advises lots of common sense things, like don't throw money around so everyone knows you've got some; don't wear lots of bling; and don't drive on roads that aren't tourist-friendly - and don't drive at night. You can follow Barbie's blog and contact her directly at MoneySavingMexico.com.

So, bottom line: is Mexico safe? Not entirely. It's not the same as living in San Antonio, that's for sure. We don't have men shooting rifles from (yet). I'm not worried about running up to the grocery store late in the evening here - but I do notice there are signs on the lampposts warning me not to leave my valuables in my car.

Crime is everywhere. You have to evaluate the risk for yourself. However, if my teenager were pondering where to spend Spring Break 2011, I'd be pushing for the Texas Gulf Coast, anywhere from Corpus to Galveston and steering clear of South Padre Island and its temptation to cross the border into Mexico.

Life Lesson: Look for Quality No Matter the Price

2011-03-01T06:27:00.001-06:00

One lesson I've learned during my 5+ years of living simply is that free or cheap sounds great at first -- recycle, reuse, etc. -- but this is not always true.

There's something to be said for quality.

When I first began this lifestyle, it was all about keeping a budget and appreciating things that I had ignored in the past. Smell the roses sort of thing.

I learned some great life lessons from this. The beauty of the sun rising over my back yard as the birds begin to sing. DollarTree is a great place to buy onion powder, hair clips, and gift bags. You can bring coffee into the San Antonio Public Library.

I also learned from some mistakes. Buying a cheap bookcase may seem like a great idea - but those cheapo bookshelves can't take the weight, and they'll break after a year or two. Flip flops are fun and don't cost much: but I loved them into plantar facsiitis, a very painful (very) foot problem.

Over time, I've learned to balance being frugal and living simply with being wise about what I buy or make or use. This takes many forms.

I only have so much time given to me by God, so I'm not wasting it on bad writing. I read quality books or magazines or newspapers - covering a wide gamut of genres, etc.
I have researched and learned a great appreciation for older products, when things were made to last or to be refurbished and reused. Buying old kitchenware at a garage sale doesn't bring just a great bargain, it also provides you with a better quality mixing bowl/garlic press/ pastry cutter than what you can buy new. Just pick your sale carefully, and estate sales are better for this sort of thing.
Ditto for older furniture. If it's really funky, then spray it white and call it Shabby Chic. It's amazing how something sprayed solid white (or I suppose black would work as well) blends into your room. Take a piece of sandpaper to it, and get that distressed look if you want.
Don't use coupons just for the sake of coupons. Buy quality food for your family. Too often, coupons offer you a great deal on something that you would never have bought in the first place -- and it's something filled with chemicals. Ewww.
I also look for quality in relationships. Life is short, and living a simple life means being observant and appreciative of those around you. I like to think of the people I know as all being part of a big zoo: some are giraffes, some are chimps, some are puppies. I try and avoid the snakes, of course. All of us with gifts and talents, flaws and faults. Living a simple life may mean a small social circle but it's a better quality of living now.

Book to Read: The 100 Thing Challenge by Dave Bruno

2011-02-28T18:27:00.000-06:00

There are more and more books becoming available that deal with aspects of simplifying one's life, and here's one that is worth your time to read: The 100 Thing Challenge: How I Got Rid of Almost Everything, Remade My Life, and Regained My Soul by Dave Bruno - less than ten bucks as a paperback or via Kindle, or borrow it for free, like I did, from your local library.

Here's how the publisher describes it:

In 2008, average American family man Dave Bruno decided to unhook himself from the intravenous drip of consumerism that fueled his life by winnowing all his personal possessions down to just 100 things. Little did he realize that he would be igniting a grassroots movement—soon after Dave embarked on his journey, media around the world took notice and others started to follow his lead.

A cause for pause, The 100 Thing Challenge is a response to the culture of materialism in America, one that has filled our lives with the constant and unsatisfactory desire for "more." Dave Bruno offers compelling anecdotes and practical advice to help readers live more meaningfully, simply by casting off the unnecessary "stuff" that clutters their lives. The 100 Thing Challenge is a golden opportunity to experience the positive changes that occur as you defiantly hop off the treadmill of consumerism.

Here's Why I Recommend This Book:

If you want to simplify, there are lots of books out there with tips and tricks to get there - but following one man's personal experience really brings the message home. Dave Bruno takes you through his process of changing his lifestyle and in doing so, challenges you to do the same.

As someone who's been living a simple life for several years now, more power to him. And to you.

Protecting Your EMail from Hackers - Free Sometimes Comes With a Price

2011-02-21T18:51:00.000-06:00

More and more, I'm communicating online. You are, too. Even those holding on with clinched fists to old school ways -- snail mail, faxes, land line phones -- are recognizing the ease of some web tools. Especially when they are FREE ....

At the top of this list, email. Yahoo!, Gmail, Hotmail ... all are free. In this day and age, you probably need to have a least one email account, right? Then comes the next question, how to be safe online.

Earlier this month, a nice and easy to follow synopsis of what you can do to protect your email from being hacked was published by WikiHow - it's worth your read.

However, maybe one of the best bits of advice to keep your email safe (and other online accounts, as well) is to use really strong passwords and then change them on a routine basis. Remember to use letters and numbers, lower case and upper case, and to see how tough your new password is against a hacker, get it checked online.

For more help, check out the advice given by TheGeekStuff. For those that understand that many of us need not only strong passwords, but ones that are easy to remember - read what LifeHack suggests.

Got a new password ready to go? There are lots of free password checkers online (and your security software may provide this service, too). One you'll recognize: Microsoft's Password Checker.

In Search of the Best Ever Chicken Salad Recipe: What I've Found

2011-02-16T12:29:00.000-06:00

Chicken salad sandwich for lunch
Source: Wikimedia - public domain.

I love Chicken Salad, and unlike some of my friends, I'm not committed to a single version (with grapes vs never with grapes; only white meat; chopped vs. torn; etc.) in my dedication to Chicken Salad as one of the best sandwich fixings on the planet. However, there are some truly horrible versions of Chicken Salad out there. You know; you've had that muck, too.

So, I've begun my search for the Best Ever Chicken Salad Recipe (or five).

1. The first one that I've decided must be on the list is Ina Garten's Curried Chicken Salad. It's high in calories, and it's got chutney in it. This, good bread, chilled white wine. Wonderful stuff.

2. Another that I've found to be addicting is this mock restaurant chicken salad recipe from Real Restaurant Recipes. Maybe part of the reason for this is its revelation of a bit of whipped cream getting thrown in the bowl -- but this tastes exactly like the stuff that I pay way-too-much for at the Ladies Who Lunch place downtown. You know the place, you've got one near you. Nice little breads in linen napkins appear as soon as you set down. Mint leaves in your iced tea. Lots of floral prints in the decor. Clashing scents of expensive perfumes in the ladies' room. This chicken salad is easy to make, and tastes great after it has had a chance to set awhile in the fridge. I want some right now, just thinking about it.

That's it for now. As my search continues, I'll update this post till I have five recipes to share.

pH Balance in Your Body: Should You Care About Your Internal Acid - Base Balance?

2011-02-12T18:10:00.000-06:00

I'm hearing more and more about the pH balance of the human body and how maintaining a proper pH balance is important to your health.

What is pH balance?

It's the balance between acid and alkaline. Water is neutral. When your pH balance goes wacky, then you have physical consequences. Things like acidosis can occur. After that, really bad things can happen: cancer, kidney disease, things like that. Turns out, pH balance is really, really important.

What's acidosis?

Acidosis results when your body is too acidic and therefore internally promotes the growth of bacteria, viruses, mold, and other bad things that can make you sick.

Acidosis is a state where your body lacks sufficient calcium and oxygen to keep an internal balance that keeps these nasty things in check. It's not like you don't always have bacteria, mold, etc., inside your body. It's just that when you get out of balance, then they have an environment conducive to their growth.

Not only does this mean that you can suffer from gas, bloating, headaches, and other rather minor symptoms, but as these things continue to thrive, things get more serious. Intestinal disorders -- and get this, I learned that osteoporosis is the result of chronic acidosis. In order to grab the calcium it needs to fight off the pH imbalance, the body will suck out calcium from its own bones and teeth to try and get a better alkaline level - and win the war against the bacterial growth. Less bone mass, that's osteoporosis.

You can monitor your pH balance by buying cute color-coded gauges at your nearby health food store, or online at places like The Wolfe Clinic.

How to get yourself back in a balanced pH state?

First of all, there's no magic pill here. Simply put, you have to eat right - the same kind of thing that you are supposed to be doing anyway. Avoid sugar, fast foods, caffeine. Eat lots of raw veggies and fresh fruit. Drink water. (Here's a nice chart for you.) Apple cider vinegar is supposed to be helpful, too. Get calcium inside of you, along with water and potassium.

For more information, check out these articles:

Garlic: A Natural Antibiotic That's Powerful and Respected

2010-12-06T11:48:00.000-06:00

Over three years ago (wow, I've been blogging here a long time!), I wrote about olive leaf extract as a natural antibiotic. However, I've discovered that as a natural antibiotic, fresh garlic works so much better for me, and I thought I'd share my discovery with you.

Here's the backstory. Friday morning, I woke up feeling yucky and just didn't have time for it -- and didn't want to go to the doctor where I would either be told: (1) it's a virus, thanks for your office visit; or (2) it's a bacterial infection, here's some antibiotics for you. What did my ancestors do before Doc in the Boxes? I went online to find out, and learned about garlic.

Garlic Is a Natural Antibiotic that Has Been Used for Thousands of Years

I learned that Louis Pasteur studied the antibacterial properties of garlic. I learned that Hippocrates dispensed it.

Additionally, I learned that modern researchers found garlic to have (go to link for citations)"...the broadest spectrum of any antimicrobial substance that we know of — it is antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiprotozoan and antiviral.” I also found out that unlike modern medicine's antibiotics, which are failing to conquer the new "superbugs," garlic remains a powerhouse against them.

What's in raw garlic?

Two things: Crushed, raw garlic has (1) allicin, a powerful antibiotic and(2) phytoncide, an antifungal compound. Other stuff, too, if you want to go read those medical studies (click the links). It has the stuff to get rid of what's ailing me, as well as having all sorts of amazing health benefits, like fighting against heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Wow.

So, garlic sounds like something I'm willing to try before I go see a medical health care provider.

Garlic in a Tonic - What I Did

Last spring, I wrote about tonics -- which were pretty standard stuff until Modern Medicine introduced us to pills and tablets. Personally, I think tonics are great. You know what's going into them, and you really do feel the benefits.

In that March 2010 post, I shared tonic recipes for Tonic Tea and Apple Cidar Vinegar Tonic as well as lots of links to long lists of tonic recipes. Today, I'm sharing my new Garlic Tonic recipe - and while it may not make you kissably-sweet, heck: it worked for me. I'm amazed and thrilled about this!!!!

Here's what I put together that got me back to 100% within three days time:

Reba's Garlic Tonic

In a Magic Bullet-type blender, I put the following:

8 peeled garlic cloves
Equal amount of fresh cubed ginger ( for pain, read about this tip here)
Big squirt of organic, local raw honey
Filled it 1/3 with Bragg's Apple Cidar Vinegar (read about ACV here)
Filled the rest with water

Pulverized the stuff. Then, I drank 2T in a cup of water or orange juice every 6 hours. With crackers, to keep that garlic from making me nauseous.

Friday, I felt bad. Sore throat, sinus headache, runny nose, swollen glands in my neck, watery eyes, fever, ear popping, grumpy, tired.

I adhered to this tonic regimen together with drinking Emerg-C four times a day (not at the same time).

Monday morning, popped up feeling FABULOUS. No symptoms. None.

Cost in time and money? Less than $10 and no lost time at a doctor's office. Folk remedy? Sure. But it worked like a charm for me, and I don't have any antibiotics in my system to worry about, thankyewverymuch.

Have a great day!!

Hallelujah Flash Mob 2010 - Wonderful Thing to See

2010-12-05T17:46:00.000-06:00

Video: How to Cook Turkey Breast and Gravy in a CrockPot by Betty's Kitchen

2010-11-05T12:34:00.005-06:00

This is a great video and I love Betty! I'm going to be watching lots of her other 700+instructional videos on YouTube at Betty's Kitchen. She gives lots of good tips as she goes along, great stuff. Here's Betty teaching us how to cook turkey and gravy in a crock pot. Love this:

Five Tips for Breaking the Fast Food Habit

2010-11-04T01:47:00.000-06:00

Fast food, as general rule, is bad for you and yours - we all know it, and still you drive by any fast-food joint, and there is at least one car there at the drive through window. Not to mention those cars setting in the parking lot, with families inside eat bad stuff. Again.

Simplifying your life means changing your life style, to live more abundantly at less expense in time and money. One way to do that is to cut that fast food habit. Here are five tips to help you do that:

1. Limit Where You Will Buy Fast Food

Some fast food is healthier than others. El Pollo Loco, Bill Miller BBQ, Luby's Cafeteria are three local options that include healthy and fresh items on their menus.

Avoid the golden arches and their progeny -- which reminds me, check out this May 2010 Happy Meal Rotting Experiment by a Chinese college student, where the meat did succumb to mold but the french fries simply hardened into something akin to petrified wood? Check out how the fry is holding up the free weight, wow.

2. Declare Fast Food to be a Weekly Treat, Give It a Theme

Make Friday night family time, lotsa folks do this already. It's the end of the week, the beginning of the weekend. Perfect time to have fast food for dinner: but return it to its origins of yesteryear.

In decades past, fast food was not part of the daily menu; instead, families looked at fast food as a special time. Mom didn't have to cook that meal, kids got to get little toys or play in the playyard.

Get the pizza. Extra thin crust and lots of veggies, you aren't going to be doing too badly nutrition-wise. Get Chinese, ask that they skip the MSG. You get the idea.

Add a movie or a game, and presto, it's Family Movie Night, the Gang's Game Night: a good family tradition and you've put fast food back in a corner. (Though it's like bamboo, you gotta keep cutting it back, because it will always want to take over.)

3. If you gotta buy fast food, skip the drinks. And the fries.

If you gotta have your burger / taco / chicken fix, then don't let them push the combo (much less the super-sizing of the darn thing) upon you. You can buy just the sandwich, just the tacos, just the chicken. The fries and the soda aren't mandatory. Skip them. There's nothing good in there for you. Get bottled water, take the food home and drink the tea you've made and stored in the fridge.

4. Cook at Home, But Use Paper Plates, Plastic Silverware, Disposable Glassware

No, this isn't the greenest idea - but it's a good tip for transitioning away from a fast food habit. Breaking down the fast food dependency sometimes means that avoiding clean up after a long day is just as enticing as the idea that you're avoiding cooking.

Over time, maybe you will wean yourself from the disposable option; until that happens, buy the biodegradable stuff and forgidaboutit. And don't ponder that you're spending a little more here that is unnecessary since you've got glasses and plates and things. Sure you do; but this isn't a recommendation to swear off your pretty stuff.

I'm recommending using disposable stuff as something you tell yourself you get to use when you're driving home and you're tired, and the drive-thru is oh so tempting. Plus, if you keep on hand the plates and things with your kid's favorite movie theme or cartoon character (bargains here at DollarTree and PartyCity) then you may get your picky eater to eat a bit more veggies if he's got a special plate.

5. Have 2-3 Meals That are Five Minutes or Less to Get on the Table Always Ready to Go

Know in advance that you are gonna want to buy fast food, and prepare for battle. If you're buying fast food because you don't want to cook, and well, it's just plain FAST, then there's the key.

You need a few fast and easy at home meals ready to go. Here's a couple of suggestions - all from stuff you should keep on hand, once you go to the grocery in preparation for your Fast Food Fight:

a. Breakfast at Dinner - I have a friend who is a single mom and this is one of her standbys. She scambles some eggs, pops toast in the toaster, lets the kids slam their own jam on the toast (big deal for these little ones), and she has dinner on the table in five minutes. Literally. Almond milk to drink, and she's done.

b. The Tray - The goal of a meal is to get nutrition - FUEL - into your body. No one says that it has to be a formal June Cleaver dinner every time. Get a platter and remember the Italians are so, so smart. Have your own version of antipasto (cheese, meat, bread or crackers, olives, pickles, etc.) as your meal. Or have a fruit and cheese selection. Throw some nuts in there, and you're all set.

c. The Smoothie - Forget forks and go for the liquid meal. Juice stuff together. Blend protein powder and whatever. Yogurt, fruit, whatever. You've probably got stuff in your kitchen that you can pulverize into a nice frothy drink right now. Fast, tasty, and good for you.

NetFlix - Real Bargain is Its Online Anytime Library

2010-11-03T11:58:00.001-06:00

NetFlix seems to have put another of our local brick and mortar movie rental stores out of business, and it makes sense. I've been using NetFlix for several months now, and they're as reliable as clockwork. Mail it off, get a new one back. Zip, zip, zip.

However, I noticed that a couple of the oldies but goodies that I wanted to watch were also available online for the viewing, 24/7. Sure, this option has always been there - but I don't have (or want) a Wee, so I didn't bother with the "Instant' alternatives.

Now, I am. Seems with a couple of wires, I can hook my netbook to the television, and voila: instant movies as well as old television shows, etc. I'm technically watching the movie via the netbook, using the HDTV as a monitor (I think). It's supposed to work, I'll keep you posted.

Lots more bang for my $9.95/month Netflix membership. I love saving money.

Please VOTE Today!

2010-11-02T01:54:00.002-06:00

Fizzy Vitamins like Airborne, Emergen-C: Are They Good for You?

2010-11-01T10:48:00.000-06:00

Airborne are fizzy tablets in several tasty fruit flavors that come packaged in a cool cylinder similar in size to a roll of quarters. The tablets provide about the same fizziness of Alka Seltzer, and they've been promoted in the past as a way to fight off colds and flu.  Competitor Emergen-C comes as a powder, in small individual envelopes: pour the powder into water and fun fizzyness occurs.

Airborne and Emergen-C are similar in their high dose delivery of Vitamin C, and they're comparable in price (Airborne is a bit more pricey) but they have different vitamin combinations: these aren't identical products. But, aside from their ingredient lists, are these fizzy vitamins good for you?

The Fizzy Vitamin Reviews

Most online reviews of Airborne or Emergen-C discuss their ingredients. How much Vitamin C is too much? If you take five Airborne tablets a day, then are you overdosing on something? Should we trust Airborne when it's a creation of an elementary school teacher, not a research scientist? Which version of Emergen-C is best for you, if any, and does it have enough (or too much) of the B vitamins?

Read through these reviews, and you'll learn nothing more than what you'll find from other vitamin reviews: some like them, some don't. Vitamin C has its own group of proponents and detractors, and lots of what you read about the fizzy vitamins delve into the controversy of whether or not mega-doses of Vitamin C actually prevent or reduce colds and flu, cancer, etc.

Back in 2008, Airborne gained some notoriety for its $7 million settlement with 32 states and the District of Columbia, where these states had asserted that Airborne had made false claims about its benefits -- Airborne agreed to stop promoting its product as being helpful in preventing or treating illnesses. This, after Airborne had already agreed to pay the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) around $30 million in settlement of allegations regarding false advertising claims.

Whether or not you buy that these settlements were anything more than Airborne ultimately fighting against Big Pharma and those who are against lifestyle medicine, well, that's another issue. Proper nutrition - including regularly taking vitamins and minerals - as a means to fight against illness is a huge topic, more than what we're pondering today. Today, it's all about the fizz factor.

Fizzy Vitamins and Your Teeth

I found little if any discussion about the administration of vitamins through fizzy water. Is this better or worse than vitamin tablets?  How do they compare against liquid vitamins? I still don't know, and I'm assuming that this widespread absence of warning may well mean that taking vitamins through fizzy powder or fizzy tablets doesn't lessen their potency or worth.

I did, however, find an interesting British news report about fizzy vitamins and your teeth. Apparently, according to the Daily Mail, there are some that warn daily intake of these fizzy vitamins will harm teeth enamel.   Easy answer: use a straw.

After three weeks, I'm still happy with fizzy vitamins. And eating less - who knew?

Personally, I've been drinking a fizzy vitamin drink first thing in the morning for about three weeks now. First two weeks, Airborne and now I'm trying out Emergen-C. I'm still taking my regular vitamins, and I'm drinking my green tea with ginger, eating organic, etc. and I'm not trying to stave off a cold or flu. Maybe some allergy symptoms (fall in San Antonio is notoriously bad for allergies) have been helped - watery eyes, headache, fatigue.

However, one thing I've definitely noticed: I'm not as hungry. I'm eating less, without consciously dieting. Just not interested, and nope - I'm not sick or getting sick. Wondering if getting enough vitamins and minerals into your system means you eat less. Or, looking at it another way, was I eating more because my body was craving vitamins it lacked?  Are fizzy vitamins a diet aid? Yikes.  Imagine the horrific reaction of the FDA to that premise.

Walking 6 Miles a Week Keeps Your Brain Healthy

2010-10-26T10:16:00.000-06:00

In today's Natural News, there is a great article summarizing the latest studies on walking and its impact on memory function (and aging, and preventing Alzheimer's Disease or dementia). Great thing to learn from it: walking 6 miles a week is a major health benefit. That's not that much, is it?

Of course, they report that 9 is even better than 6, and there's discussion of "brisk" walking - is it "brisk" walking when my dogs are pulling me along at a semi-run, because they've got a scent on the trail? Sure feels brisk, lemme tell ya.

How to keep track of that mileage? I use a fabulous pedometer: the Omron HJ-112. It's not that costly, but it is pricer than the $5 pedometers at WalMart. I keep it in my pocket and if it's not accurate enough for NASA, it's accurate enough for me - I think it comes darn close, based on the trail markers.

How many steps equal 6 miles? I've always heard that while each person is different, it's a safe estimate that 2000 steps equals one mile of walking. So, 6 miles? 12,000 steps a week.

You can do that. Yes, you can. No one says it has to be 6 miles at a time, you could do half a mile in the morning, half in the evening every day but Sunday and get this done. Maybe park farther away from the office? store entrance?

Or, take a morning and evening constitutional. Doesn't that sound sophisticated - "I'm taking my morning constitutional" just means more than "I'm off for a walk." You're almost British, maybe Bostonian. You might start wanting to wear tweed.

Seriously. Boost up your walking during the day if you're not hitting this target already. Your brain will thank you for it -- and walking is great, especially in pretty places.

Ginger Tea Recipe - Natural Pain Relief that WORKS

2010-10-25T13:21:00.000-06:00

I'm still drinking my homemade Ginger Tea - and it's still proving to be very effective as a pain reliever. Once again this weekend, I skipped it and my foot (tendon injury) woke me up with a sharp pain on Saturday night as I tried to move it against the sheets. Yesterday and today, I'm drinking my Ginger Tea and no pain. Just like I'm taking a pain pill - but I'm not.

For those of you that might like to try my Ginger Tea recipe for yourself, here it is:

Get yourself one big, fat hand of fresh organic Ginger Root. Fat fingers, because you will want lots of meat left after you take off the bark. Cut away the bark, and then cube the flesh of the root - maximizing the surface area that will be exposed to the water as it brews.

Boil yourself a big tea kettle of water and then brew (I use a cute tea pot that reminds me of the English countryside) three organic green tea bags together with the cubed fresh ginger. Let it steep a long time. Me, I let it go several hours because I want all that ginger to free itself into the liquid.

Grab a pitcher that has a cover/lid. Blend your steeped ginger/green tea with cold water in the pitcher, stevia to sweeten it to your taste. Use all the steeped ginger from the teapot, or if it's too strong for you, then save some in a glass jar in the fridge - a handy second batch when you're ready.

I think the green tea helps with the flavor, as does the stevia. Plus, they both are helpful in their own right (antioxidants, etc.) and that can't hurt when you're healing.

For those of you interested in learning more about Ginger as a natural alternative to aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen, check out these sites:

University of Maryland Medical Center
(where the med school reports that ginger is "commonly" recommended for nausea and vomiting caused by motion sickness, pregnancy, and chemotherapy, as well as a "digestive aid for mild stomach upset," (whatever that means) and as a help for "inflammatory conditions such as arthritis" along with heart disease or cancer.

Consumer Affairs
The consumer site references studies published in the Journal of Pain (as well as research done by several American universities), where ginger is recognized as a pain reliever in either its raw or heat-treated forms. It also points to ginger as being a big pain remedy in Chinese medicine, and reports that ginger has both anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties similar to non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Dr. Andrew Weil
Dr. Weil, the recognized alternative medicine practitioner who periodically shows up on PBS, also recommends ginger for pain relief. All for the same sorts of things that the University of Maryland does -- nausea, muscle/arthritis pain, etc.

Vertical Farming: Have You Heard About This Yet?

2010-10-20T16:27:00.000-06:00

Over at The Vertical Farm, they've got some very interesting info for you. For instance, these folk are advising that within the next 40 years, we'll be facing the basic need of feeding around 3,000,000,000 (three billion) mouths.

We can't do it with the farmland we've got now. Problem. Unless we get creative and farm differently. One solution: vertical farming.

Which, yes, is something a lot more complicated that the Baker's Rack Vegetable Garden I tried to grow long ago on the apartment balcony -- but at least I got that footprint idea right ....

It sounds pretty darn smart - especially the recycling aspects, and the idea of safe water and safe food.

For more info, watch this:

Where's The Note? Facing Foreclosure, You May Want to Check Out this Site ASAP - or NOT

2010-10-19T17:36:00.000-06:00

Where's the Note? is a website published by a group of organizations (see their logos at the bottom of the page, you'll have to search for their actual sites -- they don't link to this new web site) that's getting lots of media attention.

Go to Where's the Note and you'll get background information on foreclosure issues (things like the definition of a mortgage note) as well as lots of direction on how to fight your impending foreclosure due to the apparent idiocy involved in fast-tracked foreclosure processes by financial institutions across the country. Better known at this point as "foreclosuregate," in case you haven't been reading the news lately.

Of course, there are those that are arguing that even if there's a paperwork mess resulting in a title nightmare, if the borrower could not pay the note, then legally Where's the Note gives them action, but morally nothing's changed. Folk like Mike Konczai are writing about this twist on the growing news story, and I'm happy to see it.

Because while there are those (including at least one member of Congress) that have advised homeowners to squat, staying put in their homes until the paperwork mess gets sorted out, I gotta wonder if that's best for the home owner.

It's far from a peaceful life, squatting. Waiting for the shoe to drop - and unless you get a windfall, then you're setting there knowing you can't pay what you owe, so eventually that's a bell that is gonna ring. Squatting is not a guaranteed winning Lotto ticket.

Plus, it keeps you from pulling up stakes and moving forward. And forward is good. So you join the millions of Americans negatively impacted by this ~~depression~~, ahem, recession? So you move to a rental, a forced downsizing of your life? Is this really and truly so horrible?

Maybe not, Dear Reader.

Many folk are scared of the simpler life, only to be very pleasantly surprised. Because a simpler life is a better one. Whether you voluntarily pursue it or it's thrust upon you, either way -- it's freeing not to be burdened with so much material stuff. A new chapter in life may mean a second chance to pursue a dream, move to another location, get rid of that dining room set you hate and never use.

So, while Where's the Note? sounds awfully friendly, I gotta wonder if it's worth all that angst to avoid the eventual New Chapter in Life. Second chances are sweet, no matter how you come by them.

Top Online Banks - Forget the Brick and Mortar if You Dare

2010-10-14T17:46:00.000-06:00

It's not new, really - the idea of online banking. No drive through tellers, no big brick building with security guards and alarms and cameras high up in the corners. These online bank alternatives are still protected by the FDIC (I know, I know - for whatever that's really worth these days), and some have been around for several years now.

Bargaineering has a nice list of the top online banks in their opinion. Checking, savings, minimum deposit, fees.

MSN has created a best online bank list as well -- they give lots of details about online banks versus traditional institutions, including features that may make internet-only banks more palatable for you than your mother's store down the street.

Consumer Search reviews the service of online banking, without distinguishing online-only from brick and mortar. The results? Bank of America comes in first, but an online-only bank, ING Direct, comes in second. They've also compiled a list of their best internet-only banks (after ING comes Ally, if you're interested).

Anti-Inflammatory Herbs - Natural Relief for Inflammation

2010-10-13T13:25:00.001-06:00

Yesterday, I posted about inflammation - acute vs chronic - and ways to fight it. Herbs, pills, diet. Stuff I've learned after hurting my foot and having to deal with a painful hurt tendon. Owee.

Today, thought I'd list the various herbal and natural anti-inflammatories I learned about during my research, as well as sharing links that proved helpful to me.

Personally, I'm drinking green tea made with fresh ginger, sweetened with stevia, and I really think it's helping on the pain front. But ginger is far from the only anti-inflammatory that's all natural (read: not a pill) - here's a partial list:

Avoid the NSAIDs: Find a Natural Anti-Inflammatory (Herb, Food, Spice) That Works for You

Herbs and Spices

Arnica
Basil
Boswellia
Bromelain
Cayenne Pepper (Capsaicin)
Chondroitin
Cinnamon
Devils Claw
Garlic
Ginger
Glucosamine sulfate
Glucosamine - chondroitin sulfate combo
Licorice root
SAMe (S-adenosyl methionine)
St. John's Wort
Tea Tree Oil
Turmeric
White Willow Bark

Foods

Green Tea
Apple Cider Vinegar
Acerola (West Indian) Cherries
Apples
Avocados
Bell Peppers
Black Currants
Blueberries
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts
Cabbage
Collard Greens
Guavas
Kiwifruit
Kumquats
Leeks
Lemons
Limes
Mulberries
Onions
Oranges
Papaya
Raspberries
Rhubarb
Spinach
Strawberries
Tomatoes
Turnip Greens

For more information, check out:

Natural Holistic Health

All 4 Natural Health

Metabolism Advice

Natural News

Natural Anti-Inflammatories: What is Inflammation? Do You Have to Take a Pill for It? (Yes, Fine. I Hurt My Foot.)

2010-10-12T14:04:00.001-06:00

Inflammation is your body's reaction to an injury -- it's the protection implemented by your own internal system to thwart whatever is hurting it and thereafter to initiate healing. It can be internal or external.

Inflammation moves blood to the injury site, and there's usually swelling. And for acute inflammation, there's pain -- which isn't necessarily bad: pain keeps you from moving the injury, giving the body time to heal the site. Only problem is that pain, well, hurts.

Inflammation is needed for any wound (or infection) to heal. However, when it turns into chronic inflammation then it can become a problem, inviting disease (from hay fever allegies and heart disease to rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer's). Things like diet are a consideration when fighting against chronic inflammation (more below).

Popping Pills for Inflammation

The common practice for inflammation is to pop a pill - take an aspirin, or one of the newer anti-inflammatories, the NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). You may know them as aspirin (Bayer, etc.), naproxin (Aleve), or ibuprofin (Advil, Motrin, or Tylenol). NSAIDs are used to treat inflammation, as well as combat pain and lower fever.

There's lots of talk about these pills causing lots of problems on their own, things like a bleeding stomach and ulcers. So, how to avoid them when you're fighting inflammation? Can you?

Natural Anti-Infammatories

Sure. There are several natural alternatives to NSAIDs that are proven anti-inflammatories. They include (for a much longer list of herbs, spices, and foods that are natural antiinflammatories, go here):

Cayenne Pepper (Capsaicin)

You can find these creams alongside BenGay, IcyHot, and the other tubes of pain relief next to the Ace Bandage display at your local drug store. These have a small amount of cayenne pepper in them, and it's been proven that rubbing capsaicin into sore muscles and joints can stop pain.

Ginger

Again, studies have shown that ginger is a very effective anti-inflammatory. In fact, some have found ginger to be more effective than aspirin (wow). Make ginger tea, buy an organic hand of fresh ginger, take a finger and peel it, then drop the peeled ginger into a pot of boiling water to steep.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Your entire diet can be targeted toward fighting inflammation. Dr. Andrew Weil outlines an anti-inflammatory diet on his web site.

Over at WebMD, Russell Greenfield, MD, a clinical assistant professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, discusses the impact of chronic (or constant) inflammation and how it's known to be a big contributor to certain diseases, including arthritis, as well as some cancers, as well as heart disease and possible Alzheimer's Disease. An out-of-balance diet, with too few omega-3 fatty acids, and too much omega-6 fatty acids (in other words, the processed food and fast food diet of most Americans) can cause chronic inflamation - and the person will not even know it. Eww, right?

Don't Forget RICE!

Additionally, for injuries (acute inflammation) consider the practical aspects of RICE -- you don't injest a thing. Instead, you Rest (R) the injured arm, leg, foot, whatever; you put Ice on it (I); you wrap or bandage the site, called Compression (C) and you keep the injured limb immobilized and elevated, Elevation(E).

What Happened? I Hurt My Foot on the Trail.

Okay, what brought this on? Well, fine. While on the trails with the pups, I injured my foot. While being all foot-proud about my new bouncey help-you-butt shoes, the official name of which I won't be providing but you know what I'm talking about, right?

Tendon pulled, not torn. Gonna take weeks to heal, and at first this hurt like a big dog. Now, I know all about tendons and the importance of wearing good shoes.

And I've discovered that I love ginger tea (I add an organic green tea bag to the pot, so I suppose it's really green tea with ginger). And yes, I think that the ginger has helped. Quite a bit, actually.

Caretaker Services - Ever Thought of Being a House Sitter or Caretaker in Some Faraway Place?

2010-10-08T11:46:00.000-06:00

For 28 years, The Caretaker Gazette has provided a nice service (for a small fee, of course): putting together responsible individuals interested in protecting the property of another as either a sitter or caretaker, with those who need help with their real estate or vacation homes. Other similar sites include Caretaker Jobs and Indeed.

Now some of you may have learned of caretakers in a bodice-ripping romance novel or paperback spy thriller, but others may have become acquainted with the idea of staying in someone else's house - or ranch, or beachside home, etc - from actual success stories. It's an arrangement that can be very beneficial for everyone concerned.

At the Caretaker Gazette, you can scan lists of prospective properties as a potential caretaker or house sitter, or alternatively, review profiles of those interested in being placed in a caretaking role. Caretaker Jobs offers analogous information. Indeed expands to include other types of employment, including things like animal caretaking with the National Parks Service, etc.

Savvy Way to Financial Recovery?

True, this isn't for everyone -- but for some folk, and you may be one of them Dear Reader, it may be a great way to travel economically or to recover from a financial downturn.

After all, there are positions (consider the "estate manager" ad shown on the home page of the Gazette) where not only do you live rent-free, you get a small monthly stipend. If you've got a spouse that works, or you can earn addition money somehow while fulfilling your caretaking duties, then this might be a simple, savvy way to recoup some losses.

Something to think about, right?

Toaster Ovens: I Love Them and I Have to Buy a New One Today (darn)

2010-10-06T11:32:00.000-06:00

For a couple of years now, I've used my trusty Black & Decker Toaster Oven on a regular basis. It's been great: saves energy, keeps the kitchen lots cooler than using the oven, and it's easy to use.

However, just as I was placing a batch of Crescent Rolls in Old Faithful, my handy-dandy toaster oven died. Yes, I admit it: I was baking up a batch of the totally bad-for-you bop on the counter tube kind. The kids love them, and I'm weak. Fine, fine: I love them too. We don't eat them all the time!!!!

So, I went on the hunt via the web, of course, for a replacement. And today, I'll be replacing my small kitchen appliance with a GE Convection Toaster Oven from Walmart that will cost me less than $50, has literally hundreds of glowing reviews at both the Walmart site as well as Amazon.com, and get this: it has a rotisserie included!

That's right. I'm gonna be able to have rotisserie chicken, roast, or turkey breast made here at home. From a product that cost less that fifty bucks!! Wowser. Happy Dance.

Now, there's a catch. It can't be a BIG rotisserie chicken or roast or whatever. I've got a 5 pound limit. But that's okay. That's doable.

So, folks, here I go -- off to Walmart for my new gizmo. Simple life, simple excitement.

And guess what I'm making for dinner?

Great Multi Grain Pasta Salad Recipe

2010-09-25T02:07:00.008-06:00

That good-for-you brown pasta isn't the same in recipes as the yellow kind. I still like the basic pasta (yes, even the traditional elbows) for a standard pasta salad, but I did monkey around and find a combo of stuff that seems to work pretty well with the hardy whole grain noodles. Thought I'd share it with you, Dear Reader.

What You Need (Double This if You Want a Big Bowl of Stuff):

6-7 oz of whole-wheat pasta - e.g., 1/2 box of Ronzoni Healthy Heart 7 Grain Fusilli (the corkscrew kind)
1/2 cup good mayo (I like Hellman's Mayo for this)
1/2 container of plain yogurt
2 T extra-virgin olive oil
1- 2 T balsamic vinegar (I like this stuff, so I go for 2 tablespoons, you might not want that much)
stevia powder (I use KAL brand, it's just so much better than the rest) unless you have to use sugar (then 1 t of table sugar)
salt
pepper
garlic powder (shake in, stir, test it -- see if you need more. I like garlic, so I put in more than most)
parm cheese -- grated (put it what tastes good to you, I like a lot of this stuff)
1 bell pepper (red, green, orange -- whatever is cheapest and looks the freshest, get a big one)
4 green onions - chop them all (green leaves n little white orbs)
handful (around 10) black olives, sliced into little circles
3 chopped hard boiled eggs
1 cup chopped grilled chicken or turkey -- great way to use up the leftover roto chicken you brought home from the store
celery if you've got it -- couple of stalks

Here's what you do:
Cook the pasta in boiling water, salting the water before you add the pasta but after it's boiling (saves your pot). I add oil 2 the water here because I think it helps keep the noodles from clumping, but others will disagree with me.

Drain the pasta, and get it to room temp. (In a hurry, throw it into the freezer while you are getting the other ingredients together) You don't want to add hot pasta to the mayo, etc. -- messes things up.

In your big bowl, stir together the mayo, yogurt, oil, vinegar, and the powders (stevia/sugar, garlic powder, salt, pepper), shaking them in a bit at a time until you get the combo of spices the way you like it. Stir this around till it's a smooth dressing for your salad (i.e., if you used sugar, you want it to dissolve).

Chop up the veggies and the meat. Bite size. Throw them into the dressing, coat them all up and then add the pasta, stir things around.

Fridge this puppy until it's nice and chilled.

Tip: I like to add the parm cheese to the hot pasta, and then the cheese sorta melts and coats the pasta. This keeps that pasta from soaking up all the dressing later, which is great. I hate to pop the top the next day, and see that the pasta has drank all the dressing/sauce/etc. I do this all the time, assorted recipes. Works like a charm.

Tom's of Maine 24 Hr Crystal Confidence Deodorant: All Natural Deodorant that WORKS

2010-09-24T01:26:00.009-06:00

This may be getting close to TMI for you, Dear Reader, but I just have to share this great personal find. I've been wanting to avoid standard antiperspirants for years now, for all those bad juju reasons we've all heard about -- and because rolling aluminum bits into my body on a daily basis just seems stupid, quite frankly. (For what that does, read the postscript.)

However, this posed a big, big problem because while I can deal with the transition from anti-perspirant to deodorant okay, I just did not want to ... well ... stink. There I said it: stink. Smell. Clear a room smell-bad. This is a big deal for me, and I bet it's a big deal for you. Sweat is one thing. Stink is another.

So, imagine how thrilled I was after all this trial and error to find Tom's of Maine's 24 Hour Crystal Confidence Roll On Deodorant. I like the Citrus Zest version, because the scent is so nice. I also like that it works.

Not to say that other natural deodorants didn't work -- they just didn't work for me after around 3 -4 hours. Working from home, this is easier to accommodate than my past life in the Office. I had gotten into the habit of using some of the other versions periodically during the day, because forewarned was forearmed. Better to be a little nuts and add a little more here and there, than have a Deodorant Failure. Funk is bad.

No need with Tom's of Maine's 24 Hour Crystal Confidence. Now, it doesn't last me for 24 hours. But it'll go a good 12 or more. And that, to me, is just fine.

Try it -- see what you think.

PS - Potassium alum vs aluminum in anti-perspirants

Tom's of Maine Crystal Confidence does contain potassium alum, but this is different from commercial antiperspirant's aluminum component. Potassium alum has a different chemical composition; you can buy it in solid, crystal form as Thai Sticks if you prefer that to Tom's version, and from what I've read, it's not absorbed into the skin. It's too big, cellwise.

Potassium alum lies on your skin and kills baceria; in the commercial anti-perspirants, some form of aluminum ( aluminum chloride; aluminum zirconium tricholorohydrex glycine; aluminum chlorohydrate; aluminum hydroxybromide; aluminum hydroxide) actually goes into your body to chemically block the sweat glands from releasing their liquid. Apparently, the sweat glands just swell up with sweat that's not allowed to escape naturally. Ewww.

FDA Warning Letter to Lipton's: Green Tea is a Drug and Lipton's is in Violation of Federal Law. Wow.

2010-09-23T01:07:00.002-06:00

I buy Lipton Green Tea 100% Natural Naturally Decaffeinated - I bet you do, too. It's the little yellow and green box, and sometimes the price is right. Who knew I was buying a drug from a criminal?

However, that's apparently the case, because in August 2010, the FDA sent an official warning letter to Unilever, Inc., the company that provides us all with Lipton Green Tea 100% Natural Naturally Decaffeinated - and the letter's online for us all to read at the FDA website.

Here's some juicy tidbits for you:

"Based on our review, we have concluded that this product is in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act) ...

"Your website, www.liptont.com. also promotes your Lipton Green Tea 100% Natural Naturally Decaffeinated product for conditions that cause it to be a drug under section 201(g)(1)(B) of the Act [21 U.S.C. § 321(g)(1)(B)].

"For example, your webpage entitled "Tea and Health," subtitled "Heart Health Research" and further subtitled "Cholesterol Research" bears the following claim: "[F]our recent studies in people at risk for coronary disease have shown a significant cholesterol lowering effect from tea or tea flavonoids ... One of these studies, on post-menopausal women, found that total cholesterol was lowered by 8% after drinking 8 cups of green tea daily for 12 weeks ...."

"The therapeutic claims on your website establish that the product is a drug because it is intended for use in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease. Your Lipton Green Tea 100% Natural Naturally Decaffeinated product is not generally recognized as safe and effective for the above referenced uses and, therefore, the product is a "new drug" under section 201(p) of the Act [21 U.S.C. § 321(p)]. New drugs may not be legally marketed in the U.S. without prior approval from FDA as described in section 505(a) of the Act [21 U.S.C. § 355(a)]. FDA approves a new drug on the basis of scientific data submitted by a drug sponsor to demonstrate that the drug is safe and effective.

"Your Lipton Green Tea 100% Natural Naturally Decaffeinated product is offered for conditions that are not amenable to self-diagnosis and treatment by individuals who are not medical practitioners; therefore, adequate directions for use cannot be written so that a layperson can use this drug safely for its intended purposes. Thus, your Lipton Green Tea 100% Natural Naturally Decaffeinated product is misbranded under section 502(f)(1) of the Act in that the labeling for this drug fails to bear adequate directions for use [21 U.S.C. § 352(f)(1)] ."

I could add more, but you're more than able to go read the whole thing for yourself.

As for me, Lipton's Decaf Green Tea may not be my preferred brand, but you can bet I'm gonna be buying an extra box or two -- just because this FDA action makes me mad.

Hoarding: a Lifestyle in Opposition to Simple Living

2010-09-21T19:31:00.005-06:00

I admit it, I do catch the occaional episode of Hoarding: Buried Alive on TLC TV. I couldn't tell you when it airs, but I can tell you that everytime I watch the show, it makes me get up and dust or vacuum or do a load of laundry. Something. Maybe part of this is because (personal revelation, dear reader!) my mother, looking back, was obviously a hoarder. So was my first husband's mother. Wow, there's some food for thought.

Me? I don't hoard. Maybe living this lifestyle of voluntary simplicity in some way is reacting to that background - that's sounding plausible. All I know is that organizing and simplifying seems smart and wise and it's a peaceful, joyful life.

Hoarding - The Reasons for It

As a result of the show, and as I pondered this personal connection with hoarders, I did go surfing around investigating hoarding. I learned hoarding is a compulsion, with both psychological and physical components. I learned that lots of professionals discuss anger and anxiety as emotions felt by haorders when faced with the idea of throwing anything away.

I'm not arguing with any of that -- from my experience, this all sounds true. However, from my experience, there's something that isn't being discussed here. From what I know of hoarding, it's a twisted way of dealing with a major loss. It's a grief thing. It's got a depression component and a thread of denial runs through it, but at its core - its a strange way of fighting against loss.

Why share this with you, Dear Reader? Because There's Simplifying Lesson Here for Us All

In the process of simplifying your life - be it downsizing, going green, living frugally or living slowly or moving to a one-income household, or expatriating - and there are lots of varieties of simple living, some of those hoarder reactions seem familiar.

There's the stuff. Stuff you don't want to get rid of, even if you don't need it and will never use it. There are all those boxes of memories - the kid's school papers, your old college textbooks - that need to be culled.

Letting go of stuff is hard. It involves loss. Simplifying is hard. There's an emotional component to the process. It's worth it, but in no way is it easy. Simplifying your life may not be simple at all.

God bless you, Dear Reader.

Doctor Mark Hyman Decries Conventional Medicine in HuffPo: The Rising Awareness of Lifestyle Medicine

2010-09-21T15:14:00.000-06:00

Dr. Mark Hyman (M.D.) practices medicine and writes bestselling books (he's made the New York Times Bestsellers list four times so far). Dr. Hyman also founded The Ultra Wellness Center, and is considered to be a world-wide leader in "functional medicine" - so when he writes an article for the Huffington Post (the top blog in the country per Technorati), people pay attention.

The article is entitled, "Millions Die Due to Withheld Medical Treatment" and if you can't read it at the link (it will be archived at some point), feel free to check Dr. Hyman's website or contact me -- I've saved a copy in OneNote because I don't want to lose it.)

Practicing Physician Claims Conventional Medicine Corrupted by Greed

You should, too. Why? Because Dr. Hyman is standing up against a huge contingent of his peers when he writes that conventional medicine today is corrupt: that by its co-dependence upon the big pharmaceutical companies, the true cures for such major diseases as diabetes and heart disease lies in lifestyle medicine.

What is Lifestyle Medicine?

Since lifestyle medicine isn't as profitable as conventional methods, it's being ignored according to Dr. Hyman and the result is akin to the Tuskegee Experiments of the 1920s (and if you don't know about this horror, it's worth your time to stop and read what Dr. Hyman's written - just to learn about this).

Dr. Hyman's providing lots of information on the web to help people - his website is great, so is the UltraWellness Center. For example, check out his free series of articles online, "7 Keys to Ultrawellness." Great stuff in here.

Lifestyle Medicine Incorporates Simple Living. Wow.

Dr. Hyman promotes many of the things that simplifiers value. Things like eating whole, fresh, organic foods. Foods that you cook yourself in ovens and on stovetops. Avoiding bad stuff like high fructose corn syrup and mercury. Exercising. Getting enough rest. Avoiding stress. Drinking lots of good water. Taking vitamins. Taking herbs, too. Understanding detoxification. (Did you know that internalized stress can make you fat? Wow.)

Want to Learn More About Lifestyle Medicine?

To learn more, check out his personal site or Dr. Hyman's UltraWellness website (where he offers a free ebook and lotsa free videos), follow him on Twitter (http://twitter.com/markhymanmd), or surf around for "lifestyle medicine" where you'll find good sites to learn from, including:

American College of Lifestyle Medicine
Harvard Medical School's Lifestyle Medicine Institute
The Institute of Lifestyle Medicine

The Changing Value of a Dollar: What a 2010 Dollar Converts to in Past Years

2010-09-20T07:43:00.003-06:00

Okay, I was watching a rerun of the Andy Griffith Show this week, and it was the episode where Helen Crump gets a children's book published - and Andy worries about being put on the back burner what with Helen becoming a rich and famous author. Of course it works out, Andy apologizes in the end - but not before there's some tension between him and the nice schoolteacher. (To watch Helen the Authoress, episode 213, go here.)

What is a 1967 Dollar Worth in 2010?

Here's the thing: as I was watching the show, I got curious about the $1000 advance that Helen received for the book -- all of Mayberry was very, very impressed. Now, today, that's not that much money. Not that any of us would turn it aside, but it's not the stuff of "rich and famous," right?

So, I went and checked on the web and found this Inflation Converter at DollarTimes.com. According to their site, Helen's retainer amounts to around $6500 today. That's nicer, but still not the big fat number that the Mayberry awe was suggesting to me.

Still, it's interesting to ponder how a dollar has changed so much in so little time, right?

Bless the Animals Day is Here

2010-09-19T02:04:00.002-06:00

For Catholics, St. Francis of Assisi is remembered each year in October, and as part of that remembrance, there is a traditional blessing of the animals. However, over the years the idea of having one's animals, especially beloved pets, blessed has spread across the world, and across the denominations.

October 4th is Feast Day for St. Francis of Assisi

The Catholic blessing of the animals occurs on the feast day for St. Francis, and is accompanied by this blessing by the priest:

“Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures. You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air and animals on the land. You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters. We ask you to bless this pet. By the power of your love, enable it to live according to your plan. May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation. Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures! Amen.”

October 2 - 3 Other Blessings of the Animals Will Take Place

Non-Catholic events that provide a blessing of the animals - particularly pets - will be happening across the globe over this weekend. For example, yesterday in Long Beach, California, there was the 9th Annual Interfaith Blessing of the Animals. Another was held here in San Antonio, at a local United Methodist Church -- and because we like to be different, this year the 25th Annual Blessing of the Animals and Pets will occur in Market Square on December 11, 2010.

Prayer Available for Animals Anytime at God, Bless the Animals Site

Of course, you can pray for your pets anytime, anywhere. However, there's also a site with written prayers and the opportunity to send it prayer requests as well as ask for emergency prayers at the internet prayer ministry, God, Bless the Animals.

Getting Rid of Online Advertising 1 - Opt Out at the Network

2010-09-18T13:36:00.000-06:00

Network Advertising Initiative is an organization devoted to finding answers to the growing problem of spam, spyware, and other evil things used to monitor your web use for marketing purposes.

Yep, there are "advertising networks" out there keeping track of where you surf through small programs (e.g., cookies) silently placed upon your computer. No one asks your permission, they ride along the internet and grab hold unless you've blocked them somehow. These networks use the data sent by the software to their main hub to compile your preferences. All for the purpose of gearing advertising especially for you, lucky you.

That's why when you surf for netbooks, you suddenly get ads for netbooks showing up on the magazine sites you visit for example. Targeted online advertising.

There's no single magic button to stop this Big Brother type of tactic. However, there are ways to minimize it, and one of them is to Opt Out at the network site.

For example, you can Opt-Out at the NetworkAdvertising site fast and easy. Just follow the steps.

Does it mean that they'll never put a cookie back on your machine? Nope. However, with some other tools that I've already implemented, I'm happy to report that I only had one cookie from this network on my machine - made me all Security Proud.

More on that later.

FOXBusiness Offers 7 Steps to a Single Income Family: Is Downsizing Becoming Acceptable?

2010-09-01T14:00:00.000-06:00

Today, FoxBusiness has a great article entitled, "7 Steps to Becoming a One-Income Family" that really does give substantive help in moving from a two-income household to a one-income family.

What I like best is the end of the article, where the expert points out that American society predominates with instant gratification and a pressure to spend - but that the ability to simplify things is doable, and he appears to say there is power in it.

Which those of us who have been simplifying voluntarily for years know - and have been sharing with anyone who cares to listen, for years now.

Power. And freedom.

Maybe if the main stream media is writing articles like this, frugal living and voluntary simplicity won't suffer such a stigma in the future. Downsizing is cool now? Wow. That's great.

Tea as a Stress Reducer - It Works

2010-07-28T15:53:00.001-06:00

Black tea has been studied in Great Britain (of course), and found to be a proven stress reducer. Actually, it doesn't relax you so much as it prevents those nasty stress hormones (like cortisol) from skyrocketing and it is also able to fight against the formation of blood clots.

Chamomile Tea is a Powerhouse

Herbalists for centuries have been reporting that chamomile tea reduces stress. Personally, I love the taste of chamomile tea. So I was very excited to learn that it's somewhat amazing in all its benefits. For example, WebMD reports on studies that show chamomile tea to have the additional benefits of blocking complications from Type 2 diabetes including loss of vision as well as nerve and kidney damage.

Additionally, one research study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that chamomile tea heals inflammation along with assorted skin diseases, open wounds/ulcers and even gout. WebMD also reports that recent studies have found that simple little old chamomile tea can stunt growing human cancer cells.

Green tea and ginseng tea also not only provide great health benefits, but also to fight stress well.

Nice to know a no-calorie, inexpensive, easy-to-find beverage can do so much for you, right? Add that to a real, traditional English tea time and you've really got yourself a stress-break.

So You Think Your Life is Over? You're Past 30, 40, 50? You're Over the Hill? THINK AGAIN.

2010-07-23T15:34:00.001-06:00

Last night, I was reading the updated version of Billy Graham's book Storm Warning, and it hit me. The Reverend is still out there, writing best sellers -- and how old is he again? And, what about Betty White? She's on a hit TV show, and she's busy with a new clothing line aimed at helping her beloved animal shelter ....

Billy Graham was born in 1918. Betty White was born in 1922.

Which means that ....

Billy was 30 in 1948.
Betty was 30 in 1952.

Billy was 40 in 1958.
Betty was 40 in 1962.

Billy was 50 in 1968.
Betty was 50 in 1972.

Think about this -- and where you were back then (if you were even alive yet). Compare yourself to where you were in 1968, when Billy turned 50, and where you are today. Me? I was in elementary school.

When I look at that -- Billy Graham was already 50 when I was eating out of a lunch box and watching cartoons on Saturday morning -- it makes me realize how much more of Life is ahead of me.

Did Billy Graham at 50 think he'd have another best seller in 2010? I dunno. But it sure is amazing to ponder, isn't it?

So, yes, Dear Reader -- you've got a lot of living to do!!!! Don't settle! Don't become passive or scared. Press on toward that abundant life. Start today.

Help Families Keep Their Pets After the BP Oil Spill

2010-07-22T11:52:00.000-06:00

It's just heartbreaking to think that family pets are being taken to Louisiana shelters because their owners simply can't afford to feed them. I can't imagine how horrible that must feel, and what those parents experience having to explain this to their kids.

You can help.

The Eastern Louisiana SPCA has organized a special relief effort, just for this situation. Get the details at their website.

Bread from the Grocery: How to Tell How Fresh a Loaf of Bread is Before You Buy It

2010-07-21T11:27:00.000-06:00

Image via Wikipedia

Buying a loaf of bread at the grocery shouldn't have to include a prayer that the loaf isn't already a week old and ready to start gathering mold the minute you get it home.

That's where those little plastic twistee ties or U-shaped tabs come into play. They are color-coded to help the stores know how old the bread is on their shelves. Know the code, and you know how old the bread is, too.

Yesterday, I picked up a loaf of 12 grain bread at WalMart - out of convenience. I prefer to buy a specialty bread at another store, but you know how that goes. Pepperidge Farm. It looked pretty good, and past the squeeze test.

Came home, and looked up the color coding for the bread ties. I found this at Snopes.Com:

Monday = Blue

Tuesday = Green

Wednesday = Red

Thursday = White

Friday = Yellow

I found this same information duplicated at several sites, so it should be the industry standard, right? Wrong.

I checked my bread loaf, and the twist tab was TAN. That's right, Dear Reader. A color that is not on the code list. Tan. Was it made on a Saturday?

So, I surfed more and learned that those tricky manufacturing companies (no, I can't call them bakeries, I just can't) have caught on that we are learning the coding system, so each bread company has adopted its own color code.

Who knows what the tan code means? I better hurry and finish this loaf.

What They Signed on July 4th: Have You Read the Declaration of Independence?

2010-07-04T09:08:00.000-06:00

Here, on the Fourth of July, as we prepare picnics and barbeques and await the fireworks display, let's ponder the reason for this holiday: the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence 234 years ago. Those choosing a simplicity lifestyle appreciate freedom and taking action for positive change. We're independent in thought and deed: qualities that are truly American. Happy Fourth of July to us all!

Full text of the Declaration of Independence follows:

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. (continues after "read more)

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

(For the signatures, check out the National Archives.)

Google Voice - Free and Great or Free and Scary?

2010-06-23T10:31:00.001-06:00

ZNet's Dana Blankenhom thinks Google Voice is great, and while there's the power to do evil we have no evidence that Google has taken done bad things to privacy (yet).

ZNet's Christopher Dawson also thinks Google Voice is great, but he's kinda skeered about what this might mean to our privacy -- and what power this might give to Big Brother.

And, Google Voice sure does look fabulous.

[Update: I've removed the Google Voice introductory video from this post because of loading problems with it. To see the video, check it out on the Google Voice page.]

June is National Safety Month

2010-06-16T10:36:00.000-06:00

The National Safety Council is hosting events across the country as part of June being National Safety Month. This year, they are focusing on five specific areas of safety concern:

June 1-6 = Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention
Death caused by taking drugs in unintentional overdoses, many involving chronic pain medications, e.g., oxycodone and hydrocodone.

June 7-13 = Teen Driving Safety
According to the NSC, 17 teens die each day in car crashes in this country.

June 14-20 = Preventing Overexertion at Work & at Home
Pushing yourself past your limits means injury; the NSC reports 40% of injuries at work and at home are due to overexertion.

June 21-27 = Dangers of Cell Phone Use While Driving
Taking and texting while driving remains a serious problem - though Oprah is doing her part to stop it.

June 28-30 = Summer Safety
Here in Texas, we are all too aware of how heat can become life-threatening for children and seniors.

For more information about how you or your organization can get involved in National Safety Month events, check out the National Safety Month page or contact Julie Ford, NSC Development Manager, at julie.ford@nsc.org or 630-775-2104.

Easy Easy Slow Cooker Crockpot Chicken Recipe - Basic and Variations

2010-06-15T05:11:00.000-06:00

It's hot and getting hotter here in San Antonio, so the time came to pull out the Slow Cooker once again. Cooking in the Slow Cooker means the kitchen doesn't get hot. Plus, it's easy clean up -- a one pot convenience, from table to fridge.

Here's my basic Chicken and Rice recipe, that I mess with to get different kinds of dishes. It may not be Food Network, but when people rave about it and ask how the heck you made something, then that's good enough for me. Figure I'd share this with you, Dear Reader.

I take chicken breasts (boneless) (a friend used pork chops here, he liked it) - 6-8 large.
Thawed or frozen.
Put them into the Slow Cooker.
Add brown rice or wild rice, 1 or 2 cups.

I add I can green beans (or peas and carrots, whatever you've got) and I use the water here as part of the water to make up the 2 to 4 cups of liquid I need to go with the dry rice I just put it (1:2 ratio, rice:water)

I add spices. These depend upon the veggies I have around.

Always salt and pepper.

The Variations ....

If you have mushrooms and onions, add them in and then spice it up with dijon mustard and a touch of cayenne.
If you have bell pepper and tomatoes, then add them in and spice it up with Mexican spices: chili powder, comino, add fresh cilantro at the end.
You get the idea.

Put it on the lowest cooking setting you've got. Leave it alone for half the time. Then check it. If the meat is looking 3/4 done, then change to the highest setting (this will finish up the rice). (My Cooker has six settings, Low (2,8, 0 hours) and High (2,8,10) hours; I start at Low for 10 and then change to High for 2).

Add any hot peppers you might like about an hour before it's done. If you put them in too soon, they can take over.

When the rice is done, then turn the setting to warm. Take a wooden spoon and break apart the chicken pieces into bite sized chunks.

Add lots of cheese and stir till melted. Again, this will coordinate with your veggies and spices. Swiss goes well with the mushroom and onions. Cheddar is nice with the Mexican combo.

You get the idea.

Now. Make a nice salad. Serve with some good bread and real butter. Tea.

Fabulous.

Happy Flag Day 2010

2010-06-14T09:29:00.000-06:00

Today is Flag Day - a day when our country celebrates the adoption of the Flag of the United States (by the Second Continental Congress in 1777). Today was proclaimed Flag Day in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson, and Congress established National Flag Day by an official Act of Congress in 1949.

For more information on the holiday or events in your area, check out the National Flag Day Foundation.

Image: Wikimedia Commons, public domain

End Times - Are They Really Here? Books to Read

2010-06-13T10:40:00.000-06:00

Apocalypse by
Ludwig Schnorr von Carolsfeld
public domain

Jesus warned that the end of things as we know it would come at a time to which even He was not privy -- only God the Father knows the exact time and date. (Matthew 24:36) However, He did let us know that there would be signs, hints if you prefer, that things were getting close. (Matthew 24:33)

Given that today our country is in two wars, we've got the Oil Spill, a second Great Depression (even if they don't like to use that term), and a red-hot printing press for the U.S. Dollar with an accompanying, incomprehensible level of debt, ... I could go on but you get the idea ... perhaps reading a bit about the End Times Prophecies from reputable authors isn't a bad idea.

Remember, though, that Jesus warned that there would be those we should most assuredly avoid.(Matthew 24: 24-25) If you decide to learn more about the End Times, then recognize that you're gonna find some false prophets out there.

Here are three places to start your study:

I'm not recommending these as the best of the best, just as a good starting point if you're interested in eschatology -- which actually has four different schools, or perspectives, on the Book of Revelation and the End Times themselves: the preterist, historicist, futurist and idealist schools of interpretation.

There are, of course, the more popular (best seller) reads available for you, too. You may recognize them, both for their popularity as books and because each was made into a movie:

Whatever you do, remember fear is your enemy. Don't study this stuff to fuel fear.

Study this stuff to become stronger, wiser, and more confident in your faith. God is in control, and everything really is going to be okay.

Free: The Future of a Radical Price - Freebies Are as Good for Business as for the Consumer According to Chris Anderson

2010-06-08T11:06:00.001-06:00

Free is the best price, right? At least when you're buying. If you're running a business, then giving away products or services for free spells doom, right? Not necessarily.

Why Giving Away Stuff is Good for Business

In Free: The Future of a Radical Price, author Chris Anderson posits the argument that in today's marketplace, the savvy thing to do is figure out how to combine free things -- sometimes known in other circles as GIFTS -- with products or services that are being sold.

And Chris Anderson doesn't just pontificate about this: instead, he provides lots of examples on how this is working. And by working, I mean helping businesses grow and expand in the current tight economic times.

(Yes, this does explain why I got that free $5 gift card from Walmart a couple of months back.)

Free: The Future of a Radical Price includes real life stories of innovative marketing techniques like:

cross-subsidies, where a cable company gives away a DVR to those who buy its cable service; and
freemiums, where a company offers a basic service for free and then sells its better (or premium) products at a fee. Think QuickBook's SimpleStart, its free version of its bookkeeping software with assorted premium versions. QuickBooks is my example, there are so many freemiums out there I'm sure you can think - or use - some of them right now.

The Central Question: Lots of people are making money charging nothing. How can this be?

Free: The Future of a Radical Price provides a history of pricing in America and elsewhere, as well as the psychological background on how prices impact our thinking. Pricing impacts a consumer in many ways.

For example, in today's market, there are many under the age of 30 with money to spend that aren't going to pay for a product -- particularly information -- when they know that, given enough time and with some effort, they can find it free on the web. For many other buyers, the idea that a product or service is being offered at $0.00 automatically gives that product or service certain characteristics that it would not have if it were priced at anything other than zero.

What Does This Mean for You and Me?

With rapidly expanding technology and almost unlimited access to the Internet (in more and more instances, access for the web is free), the idea of offering freebies in order to build a customer base is proving to be a valid and vital component to businesses in almost every industry out there.

Obviously, getting a freebie from a business that's trying to sell you something is a good thing to a provider. I was happy to get my Gift Card from WalMart. It pleased me. It made me feel appreciated in some way. I saw it as a gift. A little treat. I liked WalMart a little better because of it.

Free, a Price of Zero, seems to be a no-brainer for the consumer. However, the key to Chris Anderson's work is pointing out how this is also a good thing for the provider.

Have I shopped more at WalMart as a result of the gift card? Maybe so. However, I have not jumped the bar at QuickBooks to buy an upgrade of their bookkeeping software after trying out their free edition of SimpleStart.

Which may give credence to the critics of Chris Anderson's freebie idea, including Malcolm Gladwell (read Gladwell's review of the book in the New Yorker - for free) and James Ledbetter (read Ledbetter's take on things at the Slate blog "The Big Money" - also for free).

Free Audio Version of Free: The Future of a Radical Price

Yes: the unabridged audio version of Free: The Future of a Radical Price is FREE. For awhile, it was being offered for free on Kindle, but that window of opportunity has closed.

Apparently, Chris Anderson practices what he preaches.

Jean-Michel Cousteau Explains the Oil Spill. It's very scary. (Video, too.)

2010-06-07T16:58:00.000-06:00

Thanks to FoxNews.com for sharing this video with us.

McDonalds' Frappe vs Starbucks' Frappuccino

2010-06-07T14:51:00.001-06:00

I've tried both the Frappe and the Frappuchino and you know what? Driving thru McDonalds and getting a treat for half the price as what Starbucks offers me - well, I'm sold. I'm buying the medium Frappe these days instead of the Grande Mocha Frappuccino at Starbuck's. Unless it's time for a special treat, where I'm gonna spend some time at the coffee house -- then I'm gonna go with the Frappuccino.

For atmosphere, I imagine you'll agree: Starbuck's has McDonalds beat hands down, assuming that you're over 7 years old. Of course, last week I saw an elderly gentleman carrying his Tom Clancy hardback into the McDonalds on Broadway and I had to wonder. Maybe things are changing inside the Mickey D's more than I realize.

Here's what I'm thinking:

Price. It's a factor. McDonalds is cheaper, by around half. Sometimes, you need a treat. Paying around three bucks for one is a good thing.

Taste. If I'm really wanting something special, then Starbuck's is the place. They've got the new campaign "however you want it," and that means tons more selection than the Caramel or Mocha options at McDonalds. There's Tazo Green Tea Creme Frappuccino Blended Beverage. There's Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino Blended Beverage. You can pick soy or skim milk, whatever you want.

Container. Unless you're a snoot about carrying around a "McCafe" label, there's no real diff here.

Decide for yourself.

For more on Frappuccinos, check out:

5 Tips for Getting Work Done at Starbucks
Fake Out Recipe No. 1: Bottled Starbucks Fraps

John Wooden Wisdom: The Seven Point Creed and Wooden's Two Sets of Threes

2010-06-05T12:35:00.001-06:00

John Wooden (1910 -2010)
Shown at his 96th Birthday Celebration
Wikipedia public doman

Renowned basketball coach John Wooden died yesterday (1910 - 2010). Here is his Seven Point Creed, which Coach Wooden's father wrote, and gave to his young son when he graduated from grammar school:

Be true to yourself.
Make each day your masterpiece.
Help others.
Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.
Make friendship a fine art.
Build a shelter against a rainy day.
Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.

Coach Wooden kept the original card where his father had written this message in his wallet, until the paper crumbled away; then, Wooden replaced it with a new card that contained the exact same seven life lessons.

According to John Wooden, he never met a greater man than his dad. What a wonderful thing for this accomplished leader to say, right?

In an interview that John Wooden gave back in 1996, he gave some other pearls of wisdom he learned from his dad, that he called the "Two Sets of Threes":

"Never lie, never cheat and never steal."

"Don't whine, don't complain and don't alibi."

Rest in Peace, Coach Wooden.

Recipes for Homemade Toothpaste - It's Good for You

2010-05-26T13:18:00.000-06:00

Why use homemade toothpaste? Some do so because it's cheaper. Some, because they want to avoid the flouride that's in most commercial toothpastes. Others, because it's been shown to work extremely well (in combination with proper diet) in resolving gum disease (gingivitis, peridonteal disease).

I did find one site where a dentist reports that using baking soda is bad and recommends Crest Original Toothpaste. You decide, Dear Reader.

Here are some sites with several interesting recipes on how to make homemade toothpaste and tooth powder:

Tammy's Recipes - Toothpaste
(including cool flavors like cinnamon and peppermint)

Passionate Homemaking - Toothpaste
(using Castile soap in several versions)

The Organic Sister - Toothpaste
(she includes aloe vera in her recipe)

Idea Queen - Toothpaste and Tooth Powder
(orange rind, sage, even powdered chalk are ingredients here)

Green Eco Services - Toothpaste and Tooth Powder
(hydrogen peroxide, salt, goldenseal, and lots of other interesting stuff in these recipes)

WalMart Cuts Price of Apple iPhone to $97

2010-05-25T13:08:00.000-06:00

Apple 16GB 3 GS iPhone
image from Walmart.com

If you're absolutely in need of a SmartPhone and the pay-as-you-go phones just won't do the trick, then good news for you: WalMart just slashed the price of the iPhone to $97.00 -- but it's coming along with a two year contract commitment to AT&T for your phone service.

Specifically, the model that is being sold at this new low price is the Apple 16GB 3GS iPhone. And, if you go to BestBuy, the Apple store, or anywhere else, you'll still pay $199 for the same exact gizmo.

What's the catch, you're wondering? Well, there's speculation that these phones are being rapidly sold to get rid of the current inventory, making room for the upgrade that Apple is preparing to launch. Seems Apple and Google are busy duking it out for market share of the smart phone market.

As for your options, remember: you've got pay-as-you-go plans that aren't going to commit you to a contract, if you can live without all the fun stuff that the smart phone brings with it.

Related Posts:

No Contract Cell Phones Rise in Popularity: Sprint Enters the Pre-Paid Market
Good Phone Deals - Pay As You Go Plans
CellPhone Spies - 5 Sinister Uses for Your Cellphone

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No Contract Cell Phones Rise In Popularity: Sprint Enters the Pre-Paid Market

2010-05-19T10:20:00.000-06:00

Sagem cell phone,
Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Four years ago, I wrote about the advantages of a pre-paid cell phone over entering into a long-term contract with a phone company. As the economy has declined, it appears that the market for these pay-as-you-go plans has skyrocketed.

This month, Sprint has entered the marketplace with a package that offers seven (7) cents a minute and seven (7) cents per text message. The gimmick to get you to pick Sprint? Their phone minutes round down, and not up. Talk for 1'34" and you'll get billed for 1', while other providers will charge you for 2'.

As for the phones themselves, there's not any contract, of course. Cheapest version is right at $20.00, and Sprint is offering a range of phones with the highest gizmo costing around 100 bucks. Not exactly an IPhone, but it'll getter done.

Marketing under the name "Common Cents," Sprint Nextel has partnered with WalMart as it rolls out this new entry into the telephone service provider marketplace. You'll only be able to buy the Common Cents products and services at a WalMart store (or presumably, Walmart.com) as well as the CommonCentsMobile site.

Related posts of interest:

Skype - Is It 4 U?
CellPhone Spies: Five Sinister Uses for Your Cellphone

The Great Depression 2010 - Are We There Yet?

2010-05-17T09:46:00.003-06:00

Image: "Migrant Mother" by D. Lange,
(colorized version)
Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain

In London's TimesOnline yesterday, columnist Minette Martin warned that England must prepare to live once again as it did during the years surrounding World War Two - she labels it as "austerity chic." Her column, "Waste Not, Want Not: here comes the new austerity chic," is worth the read.

Ms. Martin discusses how those of the 1930s and 1940s kept their frugal habits through the remainder of their lives, and how the realities of debt and unemployment in Great Britian today will be forcing its citizens into a new area of "austerity." She encourages her readers to "embrace the new thrift," and how this can actually be a good thing.

But here's the clincher: this well-respected journalist in an internationally renowned publication actually uses the word "poor" -- which is, of course, the terror striking the hearts of so many right now.

The Great Depression - Is It Here Already?

There's actually a website that is devoted to "The Great Depression 2010." It describes itself as a "chronicle" of those events that mark the United States' descent into another Great Depresssion. In 2008, experts were already discussing another Great Depression by 2011. Heck, Wikipedia has an article entitled, "the Financial Crisis of 2007-2010," and it's pretty detailed and worth your time, if you're into the economic aspects of this thing.

However, in answer to my question, it the depression here already, I am looking not at discussions of the evil that is Goldman Sachs, or bubbles, or the impact of Japan or China or India or Mexico upon our country.

Are We Doomed to be (gasp) Poor?

Instead, I'm looking around me at what I see in my world - as I've done before. And, I don't think we're there yet, at least in San Antonio, Texas. Depressed, maybe, but it's not "Great" -- yet. But I think we're gonna see it, and maybe that means within the next 6 months.

It's bad here, don't get me wrong. Lotsa empty store fronts and hungry people. However, this weekend as I drove past the North Star Mall, its parking lot was still full to the brim. People are still buying designer labels and fine jewelry (just watch HSN or QVC), and this morning I got an email from a new Mustang Island condo development telling me to get in now, before prices go up as the economy continues to recover!

Frogs in a Pot

Reminds me of that story of how to kill frogs. If you try to put them in a pot of boiling water, they'll fight you and try to avoid the plunge. However, if you put them in a pot of tepid water and then let the heat slowly rise, those frogs won't be smart enough to jump out of the pot. They'll literally sit there and get boiled alive.

What To Do About It

Living simply isn't stupid or lazy or crazy, although I've been called all three. It's smart. It's wise. And, it's fun and peaceful and really quite nice.

Which means that I agree with the conclusions of Minette Martin yesterday -- the New Poor may discover that they will be much happier living without all that Stuff though they're not willing it to consider just yet. Right now, Denial remains something that is much more than a river in Egypt.

The Lord's Prayer Sung by a Two Year Old

2010-05-16T11:26:00.001-06:00

Thanks to ZoeiToh for sharing this video with all of us on YouTube.

Then [Jesus] said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven."

-Matthew 18:3 NIV

ChefsBest is a Fun Site to Check Out Award Winning Food Items

2010-05-15T09:21:00.000-06:00

Making out the grocery list and planning the menu for next week usually means that I'm surfing the web at some point, trying to get hints on new recipes or figuring out cost-cutting measures - like how to use some of the stuff that's in the pantry.

Chef's Best Food Awards

Today, while in this process (I think I have everything for a great pasta salad, but I need to skim thru several different recipes just to make sure), I stumbled upon ChefsBest.

At their Award Winner's page, there's a huge list of food items (from Gummi Vitamins to ReddiWip - the winner of the "aerosol topping" category) which independent food experts have decided are the best on the market.

Professional Chefs Give You Their Opinion on the Best Food Products

According to the site, the awards are given not just by pro chefs, but chefs that are "sensory certified as Master Tasters(R)." What's a Master Taster? Not sure, but I discovered that there were Master Tasters for coffee, as well as ice cream, in a quick search on the web. Sounds sorta like a dream job, doesn't it?

Pro Chefs Also Tell You How To Pick the Best Fresh Foods

Even better is their page with a long list of fresh fruits and veggies, herbs, spices, and nuts, with pro advice on how to pick the best fresh stuff: Almonds, rice, shallots, and oodles more.

Oh! And the site also gives you lotsa recipes, nutritional info, cool facts on the origins of the food, and really handy for me today, substitutions that can be made for the food item.

Thanks to ChefsBest, I got confirmation that there just isn't a good substitute for a green bell pepper. Since I love these in my pasta salad, looks like I don't have everything here after all - and bell peppers are now on the Grocery List.

Can't tell you how much I love reading thru this site. Great find, hope you like it too, Dear Reader.

Image: Yellow and green Bell peppers, North End market, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Wikimedia Commons, public domain.

Google Editions - Google Selling Digital Books Without the Need for Kindle

2010-05-13T13:06:00.000-06:00

It's being reported that Google Editions will be up and running this summer - as soon as next month (June 2010). This means that you should be able to buy a book over the web, just like you can now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple. Except you won't need the Kindle, Nook, or IPad. Or any other special gizmo.

No Gizmo Required

Here's the plan. You go to Google Book Search. You find a book you want to buy. You buy it. If you've got a gizmo, you can buy a gizmo-version. If you don't, no biggie.

And, on other sites, you should be able to buy "Google Editions" too. Retailers and independents can expand their base of buyers with this option of a digital version of their product - although there's still something to be worked out here on pricing. As in, does Google set the price here or does the retailer? (Guess who I'm betting wins here?)

Two things to consider here:

1. what is the impact of the pending Author's Guild - Google Settlement? It's in limbo right now. Maybe Google Editions aren't going to be out as fast as we've been told.

2. boy, am I glad I didn't buy that Kindle.

Another Cute Dog Video - Made Me Laugh

2010-05-12T09:37:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Robin Lee Hatcher for this one.

Growing Plants to Clean The Air Inside Your Home

2010-05-11T10:29:00.000-06:00

Dr. Garrett Wdowin has written a great article for HealthierTalk.com where he not only discusses the impact of air quality on your health, but he provides a simple solution to combating the high levels of toxic fumes permeating our dwellings: houseplants.

That's right: a number of plants, grown indoors, act as automatic air purifiers. Wow.

In his article, Dr. Wdowin references studies done by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) on the impact of growing plants upon chemicals, and has included the NASA list of plants proven to remove toxic chemicals (formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene) from the air.

The NASA List of House Plants That Purify the Air: Natural Air Filters

To read the NASA research report, check out the pdf version available for download. According to the NASA report, the scientists studied the following plants - most of which are easy enough to find in your local nursery.

Their Common Names:

Bamboo palm
Chinese evergreen
English ivy
Ficus
Gerbera daisy
Janet Craig
Marginata
Mass cane/Corn cane
Mother-in-law's tongue
Peace lily
Pot mum
Warneckei

Their Scientific Names:
Chamaedorea seifritzii
Aglaonema modestum
Hedera helix
Ficus benjamina
Gerbera jamesonii
Dracaena deremensis "'Janet Craig"
Dracaena marginata
Dracaena massangeana
Sansevieria laurentii
Spathiphyllum "'Mauna Loa'"
Chrysanthemum morifolium
Dracaena deremensis "'Warneckei'"

If you're really interested in this - and want a longer list of air-cleaning house plants, check out B.C. Wolverton's book How to Grow Fresh Air: 50 House Plants That Purify Your Home.

NetFlix ROI - How Much Is NetFlix Saving (or Costing) You?

2010-05-10T10:06:00.001-06:00

FeedFliks is a free online service that reviews your past NetFlix use and breaks the information down for you quickly, and in a way that's easy to understand.

How much do you pay per movie, when you average things out?
How much money could you save if you took more advantage of the NetFlix free online movies?
How much time do you usually keep the movie?

Things like that. Definitely worth your time to check out, if you've got a NetFlix account.

Sunday Drive - Why Not Take One This Week?

2010-05-09T11:16:00.000-06:00

I can remember weekends when I was very little: my Dad would unfold his long, stork-like legs from the white formica kitchen table, stand and stretch, then announce to my mother and I that he thought it was "time for a little drive." This was always great, great news for me.

We'd rush (at least, I remember that I rushed) to get ready for this Big Adventure. Always on a Sunday afternoon (in lieu of the Sunday Nap). Hair brushed, shoes on, I always had to bring my doll with me - and sometimes, I got to bring along Sammy, our little dog, too. So exciting!!!

The three of us would pile into the car - a big, big 1960s Chevy - and since this was the time before car seats, I was free to play in the huge back seat - leaning over into the front to talk to my parents, sliding from one side to the other to look out the windows. Dancing with the dog when he wasn't claiming a window of his own, drool ribbons forming in the wind, on the outside of the car door ....

And we'd go to such fascinating places. Seguin. Floresville. New Braunfels. At some point, my dad would drive us through a Dairy Queen for ice cream, and I still think of him every time I drive past a DQ. He would've loved a Blizzard, I'm sure.

We'd bring back treats for dinner, too. Sausage from New Braunfels. In season, there would be watermelons from Luling or strawberries from Poteet. Pecans from somewhere. My mother would chat about the different ways she could prepare these treats that evening, as we rode along the Farm to Market roads.

She was happy. So was my dad. So was I. We were a family on a Sunday Drive.

It was the best of family times for us. It didn't cost much money, which may have been one of my dad's goals - though I never knew that. My dad was suffering from terminal cancer during many of those rides, and I never knew that either - though I did notice that he was losing his hair (chemo) and that we stopped getting ice cream (he couldn't tolerate dairy) after awhile.

Today, gas prices are high and schedules are tight. Still, there's so much to be said for the family piling into the car and driving down roads you've never seen before: talking and laughing and listening to music on the radio. Stopping at roadside stands to buy farmer's produce. Stopping to read those historical markers.

It's a simple thing, the Sunday Drive. Take one this week.

Today is Stamp Out Hunger Day for Letter Carriers Union

2010-05-08T09:12:00.001-06:00

Today is the day to leave non-perishable food items in that paper sack your mail carrier has already provided to you. Just put it near your mailbox, and if you don't have their bag then use one of you own, labelled "Stamp Out Hunger Donation."

The National Association of Letter Carriers has been doing this for 18 years - and this year, they hope to break their past records, with a goal to bring in 1 billion pounds of food.

Me? I'm so amazed that my mail carrier - a nice man who promptly brings my mail every afternoon, so dependable you could set a clock by this guy - will be adding all this weight to his already impressive workload.

Think about it. These mail carriers are voluntarily carting bags and bags and bags of canned goods as they walk mile after mile with that heavy mail bag on their shoulder. Wow.

Betty White Hosting SNL Tomorrow Night

2010-05-07T13:01:00.001-06:00

This may not be topical for simplifying life, but I gotta do this. I'm a big fan of Betty White -- have been for years. So much so, that I'm very hopeful and somewhat protective of her as she's sorta been drafted to appear live on SNL ... but from the sound of things, it's gonna be great.

Watch Betty White talk about her upcoming appearance as host of SNL tomorrow night:

Flip Flops Can Seriously Injure Your Feet - Beware!!!

2010-05-06T12:17:00.000-06:00

Flip flops are fun, and right now they're so popular. Creative spins on how to make a pair of very basic sandals unique abound - buy them, make them - and they're a great choice of summer foot wear for the whole family.

Except flip flops can seriously, seriously injure your feet and cause you major pain.

Dear Reader, it happened to me. I had a beloved and growing collection of flip flops. Different colors, shiny, sequined, bowed! Here in San Antonio, it's perfect flip flop weather -- for almost the entire year, these shoes are a footwear option. Heck, all year long when you're indoors.

And, they're so simple. Not expensive (tho you can pay a high price for some, if you choose to do so). Unique, creative. Fun. And, your pretty toenail polish gets to show itself off, to boot.

Until last year, when my excessive Flip Flop Fashion resulted in foot pain so intense that I had trouble standing - my mother would have diagnosed "fallen arches." You may recognize the condition as "plantar fascitis." I had torn ligaments in my right foot by walking for so long in poor footwear.

Choosing Summer Sandals - You Can Have Flip Flops, But You Must Be Picky

Recognizing the greatness of the Flip Flop, the American Podiatric Medical Association hasn't prescribed an outright ban of this type of shoe. Instead, they've issued a Tip Sheet on which Flip Flops to buy, and they even recommend a brand or two: SOLE and Orthaheel.

When I was in such pain (and I'm talking PAIN here, folks - Plantar Fascitis isn't for sillies), Birkenstocks were recommended to me. I was sold on them the minute I walked - make that hobbled - into the local Birki store, and tried on a pair. I could feel the support immediately. Amazing difference.

I've been sold on Birkenstocks ever since, just from the store experience, but I've gone on to learn much more about the brand. They originated in Germany back in the 1700s, and they've been around ever since.

Sure, some Birkenstocks are ... well ... ugly. I love them, but that Arizona model is just Not Cute. Have horrific foot pain, you don't care. Get to feeling better, and you miss those Glow-in-the-Dark Floral Flip Flops of old....

Luckily, Birkenstock has come out with a lot of variety, and I'm pleased with the newer versions. And, I found an online store where I can get Birkis for a great price -- Birkenstocksd.com. Such great deals that I almost stopped from sharing this link with you Dear Reader -- but that would be wrong. Right?

Image: Oasis Flip Flops, Wikimedia Commons, public domain.

Pepper - Is It Really Better to Grind Peppercorns Instead of Using Ground Pepper?

2010-05-04T11:28:00.000-06:00

Last week, I was watching a rerun of the Barefoot Contessa on Food Network and I heard Ina Garten explain that she grinds her peppercorns in a spice mill and then keeps them in a little bowl next to the salt on her counter. As she spoke, she took pinches of both salt and pepper from cute little white dishes and tossed them into whatever she was cooking.

Switch to last night. I had insomnia and pulled an old Josephine Tey off the shelf. There, toward the end, the detective is thwarted by his captive tossing the contents of an entire pepper pot into Inspector Grant's face, and making his getaway. Pepper pot?

English Pepper Pots

So, this morning I went and searched for pepper pots and discovered an adorable antique pepper pot on sale for $51.00, made of sterling silver, over at Tias.com. I also found antique condiment sets, where salt and pepper were joined by dry mustard on tables of the past.

Pepper Grinders

Of course, today we see grinders everywhere. They're even selling pepper in little throw-away plastic grinders at the grocery store. But is this better than having your pepper ground before you use it?

Grinding Peppercorns versus Buying Ground Pepper

I've done some web surfing on the subject of pepper this morning, and here's what I've learned. First, ground peppercorns are better than buying pepper that's already been ground for you. Freeze a peppercorn, and it'll last almost indefinitely. Ground pepper, just like any other spice, has a shelf life.

However, grinding peppercorns as you need better may not be the best thing, either. A stiff grinder doesn't produce that much pepper - and you may stop grinding before you've obtained all the spice that you need (or that the recipe calls for). Watch for this -- I know this is true for me. Grind onto a white cloth, and see how little is coming out despite all your elbow grease.

So, the Barefoot Contessa does it again.

Grinding peppercorns in a spice mill (me, I use a $20 coffee bean grinder with a handmade "Spices" label on the side) for a couple of weeks worht of ground pepper at a time, keeping the rest of the peppercorns frozen, is the best option.

Plus you get to go find yourself a really cool pepper pot.

Strokes Are Preventable Reports MainStream Medicine

2010-05-03T08:24:00.001-06:00

Yesterday, there was an article in USA Today that gathered information from several different sources to report that strokes are preventable, for the most part - and by the way, people living in 8 states have a 12% higher chance of getting a stroke than the rest of the country.

Those Southern states are Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Not much to report on why the populace of these select states are at higher risk. You'd think they'd be checking into diet, shared vegetation, and the like - but nothing was said (er, written) about that, and this struck me as interesting. Or suspect. Why not Kentucky or Florida here? Where's Texas, if you've got Arkansas and Louisiana?

The article goes on to give various tips to avoid a stroke. You've heard them. Don't smoke. Don't drink. Don't eat salt. Walk regularly. Don't get fat and lose it if you are.

There's lots more information regarding strokes over at the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the Stroke Association.

Diet and Exercise Keys to Preventing Stroke, Heart Disease, and all Degenerative Diseases

However, just a couple of months ago ABC News reported that following the Mediterranean Diet could prevent strokes - and dementia. This, from researchers at Columbia University - where they admit there's just not that much mainstream research into this sort of thing.

Meanwhile, on the alternative medicine front, Dr. Mercola has been telling folk for a long while that the key to preventing strokes (and all degenerative disease, including dementia) is to get physically fit and stay that way -- and to eat the right chemicals for your body.

Interestingly, Dr. Mercola also points to studies that show one of the biggest stroke factors is STRESS. The higher the stress level, the more at risk you are for a "brain attack."

Food is just a bunch of chemicals that you ingest in order to keep your body going, after all. And everything that you imbibe as well as put on your skin (think make-up and deodorant) impacts your health.

So, to prevent stroke:

Follow a good diet.
Get fit.
Walk every day.
Keep your stress level down.

In other words, follow the lifestyle that we talk about here!!!! Have a great week, Dear Reader!

Image: Edward Arthur Walton's A Morning Walk (1886), Wikimedia Commons public domain

Seeking Wisdom? Read a Chapter of Proverbs Every Day

2010-05-02T10:12:00.002-06:00

Reading a chapter from the book of Proverbs every day is an old-time tradition -- the fact that there are 32 chapters is such a nice overlap with the monthly calendar, after all. And, it's not hard to do -- the chapters are short (though there's a lot in them to ponder). In fact, BiblePlan.Org will email you a Proverbs chapter every day (whichever version you prefer) if you subscribe for free to their online service.

Today's chapter (May 2nd, so Proverbs 2) is a great example. I've cut and pasted a version of the chapter below (from the Bible Gateway), and I've also taken out the standard margins and individual verse references.

Why? Not only does it read easier this way, but it's closer to how the author wrote it. Those verse references throughout the Holy Bible are great for organization, but I find that they can be a stumbling block to me when I'm reading ... so I will often cut and paste portions into a document and take the numbers out. It's interesting to see what comes through when I do this, and I thought I'd share this learning tool with you, too, Dear Reader.

Reading Proverbs and Voluntary Simplicity

How does this help in living a simple life? Live a life of voluntary simplicity means going against the flow of today's modern American culture - and sad to say, there's a lot of foolishness out there. Probably not new, right?

For me, starting the day out with Proverbs helps keep me grounded. It helps me to remember that as I make choices during the day, that I need to ask myself "is this wise?" and to monitor what's influencing me. As dedicated to this lifestyle as I am -- and I walk this talk -- I'm only human and I can be influenced into purchasing stuff I don't need, or buying some fast food because I'm running late and there's so much left on the task list.

Reading Proverbs is a practical tool that really helps me. As amazing as that is, as I sit here on May 2, 2010, reading words written by King Solomon, son of David, ancestor of Jesus, around 2500 years ago.

Sidenote

What I find interesting as I write this is how I have come to take for granted how practical it is to live as a follower of Christ -- something that I think gets lost a lot, at least by me. Living a simple life is living a Christian life from my perspective. More on this pondering in another post, on another day.....

Here is Proverbs 2 (New Living Translation):

The Benefits of Wisdom

My child, listen to what I say,and treasure my commands.
Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.

Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.
Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.
Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.

For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.

Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy.

Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.
Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted.

These men turn from the right way to walk down dark paths.
They take pleasure in doing wrong, and they enjoy the twisted ways of evil.
Their actions are crooked, and their ways are wrong.

Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman.
She has abandoned her husband and ignores the covenant she made before God.
Entering her house leads to death; it is the road to the grave.
The man who visits her is doomed. He will never reach the paths of life.

Follow the steps of good men instead, and stay on the paths of the righteous.
For only the godly will live in the land, and those with integrity will remain in it.
But the wicked will be removed from the land, and the treacherous will be uprooted.

Image: The Wisdom of Solomon by James Joseph Tissot (1836-2902), public domain, Wikimedia Commons.

RECALL: Lots of Popular Children's Liquid Cold, Allergy Medicine Recalled Yesterday

2010-05-01T08:53:00.001-06:00

Stop what you're doing and go throw this stuff out of your medicine cabinet - there's been another recall.

The children's versions of Tylenol, Tylenol Plus, Motrin, Zyrtec and Benadryl have all been recalled by the manufacturer.

You can read the press release for details on particular products and the identification number shown on their container (the NDC number). For more questions, call McNeil Consumer HealthCare at 1-888-222-6036 or learn more at the company website, http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com./

Lots of Opinion That This Stuff Doesn't Work - So Maybe This Recall Isn't a Big Deal, After All

Of course, there's lots of talk that this stuff isn't effective anyway. For over three years now, the FDA (among other product researchers and children's health care professionals) has been warning that this stuff doesn't do much good. Still, if you're giving this stuff to your kids or grandkids, better stop and check on this recall information.

What To Do Instead?

There's a long article discussing alternative remedies for sick kids at WebMD - one that has been written apparently in response to the growing view that the OTC children's cold remedies are worthless. MotherNature.com has a nice bit of advice on alternatives, too.