It was one of those windy Autumn days and I was out with the kids pretending to rake. I noticed on our rock wall that something was blooming out of a crevice between the rocks. Hidden inside there was a plant.This plant had been uprooted from the bed above about two years prior; it found itself a little spot between the rocks and now  sat dangling with four fuchsia blooms all a fury of color  in the wind. All around it were the signs of Fall. I called over to Primera and told her to come see this hidden mystery. I pointed to the blooms and said “everything is dying and drying up for Fall but look at these bright flowers in bloom!” She looked and commented on their beauty and then said “That is what Jesus does Ma, he shows you things to remind you that all will be alive again; all the people that are dead will come to life again.” Speechless, all I could do was nod.

I hope your Easter is filled with seeing those hidden mysteries full of life. Happy Easter family and friends.

I Did That

The kids sat at the table finishing their lunch after being reprimanded to not make uncivilized sounds at the table (farting and blowing sounds if you must know). I was washing some dishes at the sink with my back to them. Suddenly I heard giggling, then laughter, then uncontrollable cackles of laughter by turns, first Segundo then Primera and so forth. I confess that I kept doing dishes; I knew I would have to turn around and put an end to the laughs and the fun, but I too wanted to enjoy the laughter; it was unfettered, free, joyful and innocent. I imagined food was involved and so I better turn around to save myself a bigger mess.  As I turned around I saw Primera pushing her eyes up until they looked like smiles and Segundo having fits of laughter, then Segundo did the same, while Primera cackled uncontrollably.  Thankfully no food was injured during the making of this episode.

Matthew 18:20 “Where two or three have are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

Television Free Kid

As it is now we do not allow any television watching by the kids. The only unfortunate thing about it is that you cannot then ground them from television. In addition when you send a kid to their room to think about what they have done, they are likely to become very involved in something else. There really is no punishment in being sent to your room. It is like sending a television watching kid to his room to watch television. Oi!

Movie Time

As Craig and I sat watching a movie, we heard Primera’s loud cackling laughter from her room. Then all was quiet again. The next morning Dad asked her what was so funny the previous night. She explained that she was watching a movie “Bee’s and Bubbles” and it was so funny, especially Winnie the Pooh. Since then, she tells us that she watched this or that at night, and talks about events from her imaginary films. If you have imagination you can watch movies before bed, even without a dvd player!

Pipes and Smoking

There are examples in Primera’s books of smoking. Have you run into this? Curious George’s friend with the yellow hat allows him to smoke a pipe before bed. Also in the book Everyone Poops the dad has a pipe while sitting on the toilet. So Primera says to me, Mom I want to try a pipe, see what that’s like. What would you say? geez! I said well smoking is not good for your body, in fact it damages it, it wrecks it, it is a bad choice to make. Then as luck would have it we go to the store and park next to someone who just has to have a cigarrette and smokes it out in the parking lot before going into the store. Primera stood on the sidewalk and stared at the lady the whole time I was getting Segundo out of the car. I thought yikes! I don’t think I could have a smoke with a kid staring at me like that.

On the Bright Side

Yesterday Craig snagged his t-shirt sleeve on the doorway. As he said, “Oh shoot, I snagged my sleeve and got a hole on it!” Primera replied, “Good thing it wasn’t your underwear Dad!”

Enjoy Life!

Mom, Why did God make insects? so that spiders could eat. Mom, Why did God make spiders? so that they could eat the insects.

Last month Segundo got a bite on his little wrist. I thought it was a spider bite; a little white bump. He had it for about two weeks, then it flattened out and formed a bullseye shape ring around where the initial bite was.

The doctor prescribed Amoxicillin because she concluded it may be a tick bite. The bite completely disappeared by day two of the medicine.

On day eight, Segundo developed a rash. Red bumps on his torso and face, they spread to his arms and legs and were itchy. He got several blottings of calamine per day. He was the fiercest aborigine to walkabout these parts.

Day 13 showed the rash much improved and today, day 14 although it has not disappeared completely, he is much better. Hardly any show up on his face now. Apparently this is common and 3-10% of kids develop said rash from Amoxicillin. We prayerfully watch him improve and I for one am very glad he is almost over it. You know how we are about drugs/medicine.

Primera also had a bite incident, but the culprit was one overzealous gnat which bit her twice beside her right eye. I squashed it between my fingers as it plotted its getaway; it got tangled on her t-shirt after she had swatted it off her face. I saw the plump and dizzy gnat and executed my swift vengeance upon it. I showed Primera my bloody fingertips to prove the aggressor had indeed met its well deserved end. Primera’s eye swelled up for  two days. She is also recovered.

Look Ma No Hands!

Primera is riding her bike without training wheels. She is very good at it now, and even does some standing pedaling and zig zagging. Yikes!

Segundo was making animal sounds with Dad today, and named bananas and avocados at the store yesterday. By the way, what do you bribe Segundo with to drink his shake/smoothie? with peas, avocado or BANANAS!

School’s In Session

Primera and Segundo had their first day of school last week; our school meets in the front lawn right now. We read books(and books, and books), painted, counted, sang and played. Today we built an ark out of cardboard. Did you know Noah had to wait seven days inside the ark with all the animals loaded before it rained?

Another Week Without Meat

I can’t believe it myself but yes it is true, I have not defrosted meat now for 3 weeks. Racking my brain right now to see if we consumed any otherwise…today we had some dumplings that had cabbage and chicken in them, yesterday we had eggs (I am not cutting those out yet!), and oh my gosh, no cheese this week!!! unbelievable! (patting my back)

I hope you are all doing great enjoying the last hurrah of summer before fall.

Enjoy life!

I have been using the Bryton Pick reusable pick for the last two weeks. I like that I can keep it in my pocket in its convenient pouch. I also like that it can fit easily and quickly between my front teeth to get a clean and good looking smile. Broccoli is not pretty on teeth.

It is somehow treated so that it can be used over and over up to 30 days. I like that because it is more durable and has to be replaced less often.

It is very discreet and better than floss on the go because you don’t have to find somewhere to throw it away; just put it back in the pouch and back in your pocket or purse.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

I just finished reading a new book by Dr. Esselstyn titled Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease: The Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven, Nutrition-Based Cure

In it the doctor describes the cases of 24 terminal patients who came back to life on a plant based diet. Keep in mind these were not people that had minor heart disease; these were people that had been to the rodeo a couple of times, and who surgeons would no longer operate on.

The main tenet of this eating plan is to consume no animal products.  This means, no chicken, no turkey, no eggs, no milk, no cheese. Saying yes to green leafy vegetables, legumes, and fruits and roots. Those who followed Dr. Esselstyn plan have survived and thrived beyond their expected years when they first started. I urge anyone with a history of heart disease to take a serious look at this plan, and indeed new way of life.

This started me thinking about what we eat and especially what my children eat and more precisely their milk. I found that I am so mentally stuck on “children have to have their milk”. I realize that the nutritional needs of developing children and adults are different. My assumption is that children require more fat, but what kind of fat should be coming into their bodies?  I know walnuts and fish oils are exceptional for the brain and brain function but what about dairy fat? is it any good for them? does it just build up in their tiny vessels just like in ours?

That led me to find Dr. Attwood’s Low-Fat Prescription Diet for Kids. From this book I have learned that cow’s milk protein is a main contributor to allergies, asthma and eczema. It increases the chances of a child who is allergic to the cow’s milk protein to develop type I diabetes.  Also countries where the most milk is consumed have the highest rates of osteoporosis. It doesn’t make sense.

Dr. Rashid Buttar describes in The 9 Steps to Keep the Doctor Away: Simple Actions to Shift Your Body and Mind to Optimum Health for Greater Longevity
that there has been a mutation in the cow’s milk protein beta-casein  causing it to produce a peptide called BCM7 which is inflammatory in the body, and has been linked to chronic diseases like heart disease, autism, schizophrenia, and other autoimmune and neurological disorders.

We have tried other milks. Goat milk was phenomenal for us but too spendy. Now we have almond milk on a regular basis. Segundo is the only one on whole milk and Primera is grudgingly having some almond milk but prefers whole milk.

My main reason for reading Dr. Attwood’s book was never a concern about my children’s outward appearance; those of you who know them have seen they are nowhere near chubby. What led me to this book was a concern raised by Dr. Esselstyn’s book. It got me thinking about what their arteries are like, and what genetic predispositions they may have. I have learned that children’s arteries collect fat just like grown ups do. If they are subsisting on a high fat diet, meaning saturated and unsaturated, they are collecting the stuff in their arteries.

Segundo has had no adverse reaction to cow’s milk. None visible anyway.  As our diet (our family) draws more protein and calcium from non-animal sources he will no longer need it. He may already not need it, but I don’t feel confident that I am well educated enough to manage his diet in a way that guarantees without doubt that he is getting enough calcium without it.

As for the rest of us I know we are meeting our nutritional needs without it. Now Primera just has to get used to the idea of almond milk!

I feel like I am preparing to go on a new adventure. In the last two weeks I have increased our whole grains, legume, vegetable and fruit intake. No doubt I will let you know how it goes, and maybe share some recipes too!

Let me know what you think and if you have any experience in diminishing your animal product intake (does not compute, does not compute), or if you think it is a bunch of bologna!

Enjoy life!

Gilda

Dear family and friends I have just finished reading Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease: The Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven, Nutrition-Based Cure
In it Dr. Caldwell Esseltstyn describes a scientific experiment aimed at eliminating existing heart disease. Among his experiment subjects were people who had experienced several cardiac events, bi-pass surgeries, strokes, stints, heart attacks, angina and impotence.

All subjects were at death’s door with a limited life expectancy. Some of them had been turned away by surgeons because they were not expected to survive any further surgery interventions.

I am sitting down to quickly urge anyone with heart disease, anyone taking statins, anyone who has had a cardiac event, stroke or suffers from impotence or if you love someone who has had any of these experiences to please read this book.

The first half of the book describes the “experiment”, the severe and strict guidelines of a plant based eating plan and the results complete with evidence pictures. I have learned so much from this small book and I really believe if taken seriously it has and will save lives.

Enjoy life!

Gilda

I got the gray one with hot pink and yellow monkey

The folks at tshirtprinting.net sent me a Funky Monkey T-Shirt to see if I liked it. It is super comfy high quality 90/10 cotton/poly blend. The neck fits perfectly, not too big, not too tight.  The monkey print is glossy and the colors are bright and beautiful. It is a very good quality t-shirt I know will last a long time.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Rabbit Stew

Primera and I were looking out the window commenting on all the damage and rabbit poop the rabbits managed to produce this winter.  I told her I needed to catch those rabbits and make a rabbit stew. I proceeded to take one of her play kitchen pots and prepare said stew. I announced that it was ready to eat. She looked outside and said “Okay rabbits your stew is ready, come and eat!”

Kill the Rabbits

Some time ago  Primera spotted a character’s face smiling brightly from a chicken nugget package in the frozen isle of the grocery store.  She said we should buy some and bring them home. I said the smiling face is very inviting and made me want to bring it home too but first we have to make sure they would be good for us.  I read the ingredients out loud. After white breast and rib meat, and the vitamins she said: “Good Mom,  those are good for us”. I agreed. I kept on reading. Chemical after chemical, after chemical, or synthetic, and synthetic preservative, whatever you prefer, she says: “Not so good Mom. Oh I know, let’s buy them and put them out for the rabbits to eat, that will kill ‘em.”

What Do Kids Eat Anyway?

Last night we went out to dinner to a Thai restaurant. The waitress was a very pleasant young lady. She started to give us suggestions as to what the children might eat. At home our kids eat what we eat so why not at a restaurant?  Primera had some Chicken Panang, rice and eggroll. Segundo brought his baby food, and cereal (he is still in training!) which he ate, along with some rice, red pepper and baby corn from my Chili Beef.  Success!  As a side note Primera’s favorite foods are Tacos, Chinese Food and Pizza; thus far Segundo’s are Cheese, avocado, tomatoes, oranges, and oh yeah rabbits: Annie’s Graham Cracker Bunnies.

Easter Bunnies

What if when father Abraham came ambling down the mountain with the tablets in hand instead of a golden calf, he had found the people worshiping a golden bunny? Silly thought isn’t it?. Anyway, let us align our hearts toward home this Easter. God bless you as you remember the One we are all waiting for! Happy Easter.

(No rabbits were hurt or injured during the writing of this post. A few Arborvitae’s and a Firebush were indeed injured by the rabbits.  Yesterday I saw a hawk flying over my house and  I prayed that he would be successful on the hunt. Cue Lion King’s The Circle of Life music)

Welcome Spring! as I say this there are more than 5 fresh inches of snow outside. Husband and I came in sopping wet from “playing with the snow”.
My friend sent a recipe game out. All I can think about is soup! So since I already had this typed out, I thought hey, I should just post it on the blog. I hope you make it and enjoy it. Also my good friend Heating Guy does not like shrimp. I made it with chicken breasts. Simply boil the chicken with some spices the night before and chill it. Shred it, then add it to the soup at the end just like you would the shrimp.

Curry Peanut Soup (From Oxygen magazine) Oxygenmag.com with my changes in bold

2 tbsp soy sauce
1 onion chopped
1 potato diced (potato can be completely omitted)
1 large carrot cut into thick rounds
1 stalk of celery chopped
½ red pepper diced
½ lb. large raw shrimp
1 (15oz.) can crushed tomatoes
32 oz vegetable stock
1 (15oz.) can garbanzo, chick peas rinsed and drained
½ cup fresh cilantro
1/3 cup (or more) all natural peanut butter
2 tsp. curry powder
1/2 tsp. cumin
1 or 2 green onions chopped

Heat ½ cup of the stock and soy sauce in a large pot. Add onions and potatoes, cook 5 minutes on high, stirring occasionally

Add carrot, celery and pepper. Cook for 3 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Stir in tomatoes, stock reserving 1/3 cup, beans and cilantro

Blend peanut butter with the 1/3 cup of stock reserved, curry powder and cumin and add to soup.

Stir to mix well. Cover and simmer for 7 minutes, add shrimp and simmer for 5 minutes or until shrimp are pink and firm to the touch. Add the green onions on top when plating.

These are three brand spanking new things I have learned about in 2011 that I had no idea existed last year:

Groupon- do you know what this is? It is an online coupon source but unlike any I had ever used before. The deals are beyond the usual coupon deals; this is because the store/manufacturer makes a deal with Groupon that is unbelievable. The coupon can be purchased only that day to be redeemed at a certain time. There may be other variables involved so pay close attention to when the coupon is redeemable. You can find deals by city to stores in your own town and also for online shopping sites.

Tapping- Have you heard about this? this one I had never had a clue about. It has to do with gently tapping the meridian points in the body to release unwanted anxious energy or to increase positive energy. The goal is to access the subconscious through the meridian points and imprint your own desirable messages rather than what has been imprinted there willy nilly through experience and life in general. It can be used to clean out unwanted stuff which if it is ugly stuff one should seek a pro for help. It looks funny when you do it but I have found that it does help me release tension and anxiety plus if anyone is watching they laugh and thereby release their own tension and anxiety. If you are curious check YouTube for the Brad Yates “Tap of the Morning” video.

Sample Paint- Did you know about this? you can get a sample of the paint you want to try for around $3 at the Home Depot. I don’t know if any other stores do this. It is fantastic if you have a small painting project and don’t need a pint of paint (say that five times fast). The containers are 8 oz. and you can choose any of the zillion colors that the Home Depot carries. I painted some wooden hearts I found at the Thrift Store for Valentine’s Day and still had a bit of paint left over.

I hope all things are new and fresh in your neck of the woods. Spring is just around the corner and we can see the light at the end of the snow. Enjoy life anyway you can!