Glenn Beck, American T-shirts in Public Schools, and Moving to Mexico...I Feel a Rant Coming On

How is it that, IN AMERICA, a few teens were made to leave school ~ of which their parents pay the taxes that support the school & pay the liberal teachers ~ b/c they were wearing AMERICA/USA t-shirts on the day of a FAKE so-called "Mexican holiday"? Are you aware that Cinco de Mayo is NOT a real 'holiday'? It was invented by the Corona Beer Company!!

Now, I appreciate heritage...I'm very proud of my Scottish-to-Cherokee heritage & enjoy aspects of all of it. But once you CHOOSE to come to a country to live & make the best of your life for your family & your faith...once you CHOOSE to become a citizen of that country...to be a LEGAL immigrant...do you then expect that country to cater to the unique qualities, customs & language of the country you CHOSE to leave b/c it couldn't meet your needs & THIS one could?

Pardon me, while I vent here...

America USED to be a "Melting Pot." Silly me, I had always assumed that meant that no matter where you came from ~ or where your ancestors came from ~ once you were here, you found your niche & you 'melted in' & blended into the society. You BECAME American! Certainly, everyone kept bits & pieces of their heritage ~ that's why we have cities w/their own China Towns, our area has a Germantown...that's even why we have awesome ethnic restaurants & festivals to celebrate the differences that are just enough to bring us all together. But in their everyday lives, these people are Americans.

No one wants to take away the parts of our past or heritage that make us special, but if we cater to one nationality then where does it stop ~ why stop at having labels & job applications printed in English AND Spanish? Doesn't that offend people who come here from Israel, or Greece, or France, or Africa, or Egypt, or Japan, or China, or Russia, or Germany, or...? If I visit another country that doesn't have English as a primary language, I expect to either have a translator close at hand OR I learn that language. If I CHOOSE to LIVE in that country, I AM EXPECTED TO learn that language. Why is that not expected here...anymore?

Oh, I'm so sorry to burden you w/my rant...but I'm tired of how hard SO MANY are working to make America UN-American!

Below is a transcript from the Glenn Beck Show about the farce of a school that sent a few teens home for wearing America/USA t-shirts on Cinco de Mayo...SENT HOME! Oh...Homeschool, people!! (Sorry...another rant!) Below that, is a related e-mail ditty that my DH sent me.

So, thanks for letting me rant. I hope no one was offended. I, for one, happen to be glad that the Lord blessed me w/ancestors who came to America & WANTED to be Americans!

Blessings from Ohio...USA...Kim<><

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May 6, 2010 - 11:26 ET
Related Story: California Students Sent Home for Wearing U.S. Flags on Cinco de Mayo

GLENN: From the Bay Area, California. On any other day at Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill, Daniel and his four friends would not even be noticed for wearing T shirts with the American flag on them. But Cinco de Mayo is not any typical day on this campus. Galley says he and his friends were sitting at a table during brunch break when — brunch break? Well, there's step — there's problem number one. Brunch break? When the vice principal asked two of the boys to remove their American flag bandanas and that wearing — that they were wearing on their heads and for others to turn their American flag T shirts inside out. When they refused, the boys were ordered to go to the principal's office. "They said we could wear it on any other day but today was sensitive to Mexican Americans." Why would it be sensitive to Mexican Americans, the American flag? If you were a Mexican American, you wouldn't have a problem with the American flag, would you?

PAT: Wouldn't think so.

GLENN: But it was offensive to Mexican Americans because it is their holiday. I'm — excuse me? Then maybe Mexicans should celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Mexico because technically it is their holiday. It is their Fourth of July. Our Fourth of July in America happens on... the Fourth of July. Do they celebrate the Fourth of July and ask their students in Mexico to remove Mexican shirts? The boys said the administrators called their shirts incendiary, the American flag. They said if we tried to go back to class with our American T shirts not taken off, it would be defiance and we would get suspended. The boys saw really no choice. They went home to avoid suspension. They say they are angry that they weren't allowed to express their American pride. How about freedom of speech? How about the d*mn American flag? Their parents are upset, calling what happened to their children total nonsense.

Excuse me. Should we elevate total nonsense maybe just a bit? Do you think it's a little more as a parent than total nonsense? It's absolutely ridiculous, said one of the mothers. All they were doing was displaying their patriotic nature; they're expressing their individuality. But to many Mexican American students at Live Oak, this was a big deal. They said they were offended by the five boys and others for wearing American colors in America on a Mexican holiday, end quote. "I think they should apologize," says one Live Oak student. It's a Mexican heritage day. We don't deserve to be disrespected like that. As for the apologies, the families say fat chance. "I'm not going to explode, I'm not going to apologize, I did nothing wrong — I'm going to explode." I went along with my normal day, said one of the students. I might have worn an American flag, but I'm an American and I'm proud to be an American. The five boys and their families met with Morgan Hill unified school district. The district released a statement saying it does not agree with how Live Oak administrators handled the incident. As for the boys, they will not be suspended and they will be going back to school later today. They may even wear their red, white and blue colors again, but there won't be any controversy because today is not a Mexican holiday.

PAT: Can you imagine being sent home for wearing an American flag on St. Patrick's Day? I can't, I can't fathom it. I can't — how did we get to this point?

GLENN: You know how we got to this point. Again, the story comes from the Bay Area. I'm going to — you know, we love immigrants in America. We're not France. We're not France. We're not Germany. We're not England. We're America. We were built by Americans. But immigrants that want to be here because they want to be Americans. We've gone from a country that people used to — they loved it so much, they wanted to blend in so much, they would change their name from Jorge to George. They would change their name so they would sound more American. Now, I don't think we need to change people's names, but I don't think that we should be celebrating Mexican holidays at the expense of America. We used to be something called a melting pot. Melt in! You don't melt in by being offended by people who are wearing the American flag. If you want to be an American, it's your flag now, too, not the Mexican flag. You want Mexico? Go back to Mexico! You want Germany? Go back to Germany! You want Sweden? Go back to Sweden! Canada? Go back to Canada!

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Dear President Obama:

I'm planning to move my family and extended family into Mexico for my health, and I would like to ask you to assist me.

We're planning to simply walk across the border from the U.S. into Mexico , and we'll need your help to make a few arrangements. We plan to skip all the legal stuff like visas, passports, immigration quotas and laws. I'm sure they handle those things the same way you do here. So, would you mind telling your buddy, President Calderon, that I'm on my way over?

Please let him know that I will be expecting the following:

1. Free medical care for my entire family.

2. English-speaking government bureaucrats for all services I might need, whether I use them or not.

3. Please print all Mexican Government forms in English.

4. I want my grandkids to be taught Spanish by English-speaking (bi-lingual) teachers.

5. Tell their schools they need to include classes on American culture and history.

6. I want my grandkids to see the American flag on one of the flag poles at their school.

7. Please plan to feed my grandkids at school for both breakfast and lunch.

8. I will need a local Mexican driver's license so I can get easy access to government services.

9. I do plan to get a car and drive in Mexico , but I don't plan to purchase car insurance, and I probably won't make any special effort to learn local traffic laws.

10. In case one of the Mexican police officers does not get the memo from their president to leave me alone, please be sure that every patrol car has at least one English-speaking officer.

11. I plan to fly the U.S. flag from my housetop, put U S. flag decals on my car, and have a gigantic celebration on July 4th. I do not want any complaints or negative comments from the locals.

12. I would also like to have a nice job without paying any taxes, or have any labor or tax laws enforced on any business I may start.

13. Please have the president tell all the Mexican people to be extremely nice and never say critical things about me or my family, or about the strain we might place on their economy.

14. I want to receive free food stamps.

15. Naturally, I'll expect free rent subsidies.

16. I'll need income tax credits so that although I don't pay Mexican taxes, I'll receive money from the government.

17. Please arrange it so that the Mexican Government pays $4,500.00 to help me buy a new car.

18. Oh yes, I almost forgot, please enroll me free into the Mexican Social Security program so that I'll get a monthly income in retirement.

I know this is an easy request because you already do all these things for all his people who walk over to the U.S. from Mexico . I am sure that President Calderon won't mind returning the favor if you ask him nicely.

Thank you so much for your kind help.

Avoiding HRT ~ Progesterone Cream

As promised, I am concluding the posts about what I have done to help me through 'The Change' naturally. I want to avoid medical HRT at all costs. As mentioned before, I found a great book by Ann Louise Gittleman & her advice has been of tremendous benefit to me, personally, w/the use of Flaxseed Oil, Evening Primrose Oil & Progesterone Cream. Another great souce of information on the use of Progesterone came from Dr. John R. Lee, M. D.; especially from a free CD I had gotten from the health food store that I work at, even before I worked there, on which he is giving a presentation about the benefits of using Progesterone Cream.

Below, are Q & A's from from Dr. Lee's website. I thought it was better to give you information 'from the horse's mouth' than to muttle through it myself. As I clarified in a comment to my last post (on using Evening Primrose Oil), talk to your Dr about any personal health issues you have before starting any new regimen...also take into consideration that MOST M.D.'s are only trained to use the practice of MEDICINE & no natural/herbal/holistic practices at all. It seems that everything is 'fixed' w/either surgery or a pill. My personal opinion is that: 1) we can benefit from BOTH; 2) we are ALL different, one size does NOT fit all! 3) I personally fear the changes coming to our health-care system & want to try to avoid using it as long as possible.


All of this information I'm giving you on my personal regimen is meant for information & opinion ONLY...this is not meant to be medical advice to you, personally. I'm sure you all understand that this must be stated. This has been of great benefit for me.




Now, before I post Dr. Lee's information, you must know that there will be a few personal issues discussed, below. I happen to believe that hard things must be discussed or else...how will we know? How will we know that what we are feeling/experiencing is 'normal'? How will we know that there are ways to ease one problem w/o increasing another? How will be know that there might be a better way? Personally, sadly, I know very few women who are facing the physical changes in their lives, that come w/age, naturally. I have had practically no one to go to for answers &/or reassurance; that's a huge reason why I want to share the advice I've been given & research I have found - that has worked for me. I want to encourage you to do your own research.


With that, I will leave you w/the Q & A's from Dr. Lee's website. I hope it helps you, too.


Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><


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FAQ's About Progesterone Cream
by John R. Lee, M.D. and Virginia Hopkins

Q: What is progesterone?

A: Progesterone is a steroid hormone made by the corpus luteum of the ovary at ovulation, and in smaller amounts by the adrenal glands. Progesterone is manufactured in the body from the steroid hormone pregnenolone, and is a precursor to most of the other steroid hormones, including cortisol, androstenedione, the estrogens and testosterone.
In a normally cycling female, the corpus luteum produces 20 to 30 mg of progesterone daily during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.

Q: Why do women need progesterone?

A: Progesterone is needed in hormone replacement therapy for menopausal women for many reasons, but one of its most important roles is to balance or oppose the effects of estrogen. Unopposed estrogen creates a strong risk for breast cancer and reproductive cancers.

Estrogen levels drop only 40-60% at menopause, which is just enough to stop the menstrual cycle. But progesterone levels may drop to near zero in some women. Because progesterone is the precursor to so many other steroid hormones, its use can greatly enhance overall hormone balance after menopause. Progesterone also stimulates bone-building and thus helps protect against osteoporosis.

Q: Why not just use the progestin Provera as prescribed by most doctors?

A: Progesterone is preferable to the synthetic progestins such as Provera, because it is natural to the body and has no undesirable side effects when used as directed.
If you have any doubts about how different progesterone is from the progestins, remember that the placenta produces 300-400 mg of progesterone daily during the last few months of pregnancy, so we know that such levels are safe for the developing baby. But progestins, even at fractions of this dose, can cause birth defects. The progestins also cause many other side effects, including partial loss of vision, breast cancer in test dogs, an increased risk of strokes, fluid retention, migraine headaches, asthma, cardiac irregularities and depression.

Q: What is estrogen dominance?

A: Dr. Lee has coined the term "estrogen dominance," to describe what happens when the normal ratio or balance of estrogen to progesterone is changed by excess estrogen or inadequate progesterone. Estrogen is a potent and potentially dangerous hormone when not balanced by adequate progesterone.
Both women who have suffered from PMS and women who have suffered from menopausal symptoms, will recognize the hallmark symptoms of estrogen dominance: weight gain, bloating, mood swings, irritability, tender breasts, headaches, fatigue, depression, hypoglycemia, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and fibrocystic breasts. Estrogen dominance is known to cause and/or contribute to cancer of the breast, ovary, endometrium (uterus), and prostate.

Q: Why would a premenopausal woman need progesterone cream?

A: In the ten to fifteen years before menopause, many women regularly have anovulatory cycles in which they make enough estrogen to create menstruation, but they don't make any progesterone, thus setting the stage for estrogen dominance. Using progesterone cream during anovulatory months can help prevent the symptoms of PMS.

We now know that PMS can occur despite normal progesterone levels when stress is present. Stress increases cortisol production; cortisol blockades (or competes for) progesterone receptors. Additional progesterone is required to overcome this blockade, and stress management is important.

Q: What is progesterone made from?

A: The USP progeterone used for hormone replacement comes from plant fats and oils, usually a substance called diosgenin which is extracted from a very specific type of wild yam that grows in Mexico, or from soybeans. In the laboratory diosgenin is chemically synthesized into real human progesterone. The other human steroid hormones, including estrogen, testosterone, progesterone and the cortisones are also nearly always synthesized from diosgenin.

Some companies are trying to sell diosgenin, which they label "wild yam extract" as a medicine or supplement, claiming that the body will then convert it into hormones as needed. While we know this can be done in the laboratory, there is no evidence that this conversion takes place in the human body.

Q: Where should I put the progesterone cream?

A: Because progesterone is very fat-soluble, it is easily absorbed through the skin. From subcutaneous fat, progesterone is absorbed into capillary blood. Thus absorption is best at all the skin sites where people blush: face, neck, chest, breasts, inner arms and palms of the hands.

Q: What is the recommended dosage of progesterone?

A: For premenopausal women the usual dose is 15-24 mg/day for 14 days before expected menses, stopping the day or so before menses.

For postmenopausal women, the dose that often works well is 15 mg/day for 25 days of the calendar month.

Q: What amount of progesterone do you recommend in a cream?

A: Dr. Lee recommends the creams that contain 450-500 mg of progesterone per ounce, which is 1.6% by weight or 3% by volume. This means that about ¼ teaspoon daily would provide about 20 mg/day.

Q: How safe is progesterone cream?

A: During the third trimester of pregnancy, the placenta produces about 300 mg of progesterone daily, so we know that a one-time overdose of the cream is virtually impossible. If you used a whole jar at once it might make you sleepy. However, Dr. Lee recommends that women avoid using higher than the recommended dosage to avoid hormone imbalances. More is not better when it comes to hormone balance.

Q: Wouldn't it be easier to just take a progesterone pill?

A: Dr. Lee recommends the transdermal cream rather than oral progesterone, because some 80% to 90% of the oral dose is lost through the liver. Thus, at least 200 to 400 mg daily is needed orally to achieve a physiologic dose of 15 to 24 mg daily. Such high doses create undesirable metabolites and unnecessarily overload the liver.


{Q & A from www.johnleemd.com}

The Simple Woman's Daybook ~#76~ 5/4/10

For Today...

Outside my window...Lovely sunshine! After the terrible storm we had last night...the sky is washed clean & new.

I am thinking...off all I have to do & that w/my schedule this month, I will only get to see my husband TWO DAYS a week! Not good.

I am thankful for...how the Lord, consistantly supplies our needs. He is SO faithful & I am so undeserving.

From the kitchen...DD#2 will be fixing supper tonight after she gets off work. Bless her, Lord!

I am wearing...jeans, beige & sage shirt, zip-up hoodie.

I am remembering…all the have to do! YIKES! So little time these days.

I am going…to work later this afternoon.

I am reading...Bible: Ezekiel.

I am hoping...that work goes well & that I am a blessing to all I come in contact with.

On my mind…my head is trying to absorb all the info I need to learn for my new job & feel like my brain is turning to mush! lol

I am creating...a peaceful, Christ-centered home.

I am hearing...the radio, typing fingers, birds out of the windows.

Noticing that…I think my DH gets better w/age. '-)

Pondering these words…"Children [& most people] learn more from what is caught than taught." Whether life is good or bad, God IS w/me through it all; these are opportunities to glorify God so that others may see! (from Sunday's sermon)

Around the house...made the laundry detergent I meant to make yesterday, made more foaming hand soap...did some of the never-ending laundry.

One of my favorite things...that my grown daughters love & trust me enough to bare their hearts to me.

A Scripture thought...Proverbs 30:7-9 ~ "Two things I ask of You, O LORD, do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood & lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much & disown You & say, "Who is the LORD?" Or I may become poor & steal, & so dishonor the Name of my God."

A few plans for the rest of the week...Work, squeezing in as much family time as possible, praying for a dear friend under-going surgery later in the week, Mother's Day!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

My mom is the 'baby' of 14 children, there are 32 yrs between her & her oldest sister/sibling. Her 2nd-oldest sister never left the beautiful hills of KY. She didn't have elctricity until around 1980 & didn't have indoor plumbing unitl the mid-80's. She also cooked on a huge coal/wood-burning stove just like this one (this is NOT her in the photo). Her biscuits were legendary & were meals in themselves! I LOVED every visit on their farm.

Enjoy other Daybooks at: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Evening Primrose Oil ~ Every Woman's Friend

Originally, I was simply going to tell you about how using Evening Primrose Oil has helped me & add a few little informative, beneficial ditties about how helpful it is to most all women along the way. Then, I came upon some great websites like HerbWisdom.com, among others, & they had some incredible detail concerning it's uses & benefits that I had no idea about. Even better! So, I'll just let the experts speak for themselves, below.

As for the plant, itself: Evening primrose oil comes from a wildflower native to America. Its name comes from the fact that its sweet little flowers bloom in the late afternoon.

If you decide to try Evening Primrose Oil, I can only hope that you benefit from it as much as I have.

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

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Evening Primrose Oil (Oenothera biennis)

Evening Primrose Benefits

Evening Primrose Oil has been called the most sensational preventive discovery since vitamin C. It contains the pain relieving compound phenylalanine and is increasingly being used to treat chronic headaches. It is currently being studied all over the world as a treatment for aging problems, alcoholism, acne, heart disease, hyperactivity in children, multiple sclerosis, weight control, obesity, PMS and schizophrenia. It has so many preventive and therapeutic qualities that it has become a standard part of recommendations of many herbalist for maintaining youth and preventing disease.

Evening Primrose Oil contains a high concentration of a fatty acid called GLA and it is this fatty acid that is largely responsible for the remarkable healing properties of the plant. In fact, Evening Primrose contains one of the highest concentrations known of this important substance and only a few other plants contain it at all. This makes Evening Primrose an important medicinal herb, and as studies continue, the list of benefits will likely become much longer. The gamma-linoleic acid, linoleic acid and other nutrients in this oil are essential for cell structure and improve the elasticity of the skin. These fatty acids also help to regulate hormones and improve nerve function aiding problems ranging from PMS to migraine headaches. The hormone balancing effect contributes to healthy breast tissue.

Specifically, evening primrose oil may help to:

Relieve the discomforts of PMS, menstruation, endometriosis and fibrocystic breasts: By interfering with the production of inflammatory prostaglandins released during menstruation, the GLA in evening primrose oil can help to lessen menstrual cramps. It may also minimise premenstrual breast tenderness, irritable bowel flare-ups, and carbohydrate cravings, and help to control endometriosis-associated inflammation. Many PMS sufferers are found to have unusually low levels of GLA in their systems, which is why supplements might help so much. In women with fibrocystic breasts, the oil's essential fatty acids can minimise breast inflammation and promote the absorption of iodine, a mineral that can be present in abnormally low levels in women with this condition.

Ease the joint pain and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis: Supplementation with evening primrose oil and other sources of GLA has been shown to lessen the joint pain and swelling of this crippling disease. A six-month study reported fewer signs of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis sufferers taking capsules containing GLA than in those taking a placebo. In another trial, the number of tender joints and swollen joints dropped significantly with GLA but not with a placebo.

Prevent diabetes-associated nerve damage: Research indicates that the GLA in evening primrose oil can help prevent, and in some cases even reverse, the nerve damage (neuropathy) so commonly seen with diabetes. In a year-long study, such symptoms as numbness, tingling, and loss of sensation in participants with mild diabetic neuropathy were less marked in those who took evening primrose oil than in those who took a placebo.

Reduce the symptoms of eczema: In some cases, eczema develops when the body has problems converting dietary fats into GLA. Getting supplemental GLA from evening primrose oil may therefore be helpful.

Some studies indicate that this oil can outperform a placebo in relieving eczema-related inflammation, as well as the itching, oozing, and flaking associated with this condition. By taking GLA, eczema sufferers may tolerate reduced doses of steroid creams and drugs, many of which cause unpleasant side effects.

Help treat acne and rosacea: By working to dilute sebum, a thick oily substance that is oversecreted in some people with acne, the essential fatty acids in evening primrose oil may reduce the risk of pores becoming clogged and lesions developing. The oil's EFAs help treat rosacea by reducing inflammation, controlling cells' use of nutrients and by producing prostaglandins, which stimulate the contraction of blood vessels.

Combat damage from multiple sclerosis: The abundant supply of essential fatty acids in evening primrose oil may be valuable in minimizing the inflammation associated with this progressive nerve disorder. The fatty acids may also contribute to healthy nerve development when taken over time.

Treat Alzheimer's-related memory deficiencies: By boosting the transmission of nerve impulses, evening primrose oil may be valuable in treating this progressive brain disorder.

Counter impotence and female infertility: By promoting blood flow, the GLA in evening primrose oil can help treat a primary cause of male impotence; compromised circulation leading to impaired penile blood flow. The oil is often taken with vitamin C and ginkgo biloba for this purpose. In addition, when the oil is taken long term, GLA can help prevent blood vessel narrowing, often a consequence of plaque buildup from high cholesterol. By improving uterine function, GLA may also help those who are unable to conceive.

Nourish nails, scalp, and hair: The rich stores of essential fatty acids in evening primrose oil not only prevent nails from cracking but also help to keep them generally healthy. In addition, the essential fatty acids nourish the scalp, making the supplement potentially valuable in treating a variety of hair problems.

Prevent alcohol withdrawal symptoms: GLA prompts the brain to produce a specific type of prostaglandin called prostaglandin E, which works to prevent withdrawal symptoms such as depression and seizures by indirectly protecting the liver and nervous system.

**Note: Consult a doctor first if you suffer from epilepsy, are taking anticoagulants, blood pressure medicine, blood cholesterol medicine or estrogen or other hormonal therapies. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should not use this herb.

Latin Name: Oenothera biennis Common Names: Fever Plant, OEP, Sun Drop

Properties: Anti-aggregatory, anti-atherogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-proliferative, anti-thrombotic, vasodilator

Indicated for: Acne, allergies, arteriosclerosis, asthma, cholesterol regulation, chronic headaches, diabetic nerve damage. dermatitis, eczema, hyperactivity in children, high cholesterol, impotence and female infertility, inflammation, lupus, multiple sclerosis, prostate health, psoriasis, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, rosacea, scleroderma, treat, Alzheimer's-related memory deficiencies, upset stomach. Nourish nails, scalp, and hair. Prevent alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Relieve the discomforts of PMS (premenstrual syndrome), menstruation, endometriosis and fibrocystic breasts. Minimise premenstrual breast tenderness, irritable bowel flare-ups, and carbohydrate cravings, and help to control endometriosis-associated inflammation.

{This is NOT meant to be medical advice. I am only relaying what has worked for my family & myself. ~KW<><}

Everyone Benefits from Flaxseed!

As I arrived into my mid-40's, I noticed some changes in myself that I didn't like...and usually my family had to put up w/them more than I did. If you know what I mean. :-/ "The Change" was upon me. I had never realized before how many women I know who have had hysterectomies and who are NOT going through natural menopause! I can't even go to my own mother and ask advice ("Is what I'm going through normal?!") because even SHE has had one! So, I decided that, since I do NOT want to go the medical HR route, as that has been directly related to breast cancer, I needed to do some real research on dealing w/these issues.

Around that time, I was looking through the book section of my trusty Urban Homemaker (Marilyn Moll) catalogue. There, I found a great book that was one of the most helpful recommendations I've ever gotten.

In the catalogue, Before the Change ~ Taking Charge of Your Perimenopause by Ann Louise Gittleman, MS., C.N.S., was reviewed as "The author writes some of the clearest, most common sense better-health books available, & this new title [at that time] is no exception. She explains the symptoms of perimenopause & offers a self-diagnosis quiz, details safe & natural alternatives to hormone therapy, including healing vitamins, minerals, herbs & natural hormones. I like the ways she uses nutritional information to address the many various symptoms associated w/perimenopause. Highly recommended." If Marilyn highly recommended it, I had to see it!

In many cases, Gittleman said that her 1st recommendation is often flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil & progesterone cream. I tried this cocktail & it was one of the best choices I've ever made! In the next few posts, I'll fill you in on some of the benefits of each...

The 1st part of this experiment is flaxseed oil. Most people have heard of flaxseeds, many even sprinkle them on their hot cereal or cottage cheese - did you know that the whole seeds do your body no good? Our bodies cannot digest or assimilate them - we need to either take the oil (by the tablespoon or in soft-gel capsules) or use the flaxseed meal (like I use in my bread).

Not only does flaxseed benefit women, but it's good for everyone ~ but particularly women in the child-bearing years & ESPECIALLY women in the change of life years. Some people will take fish oil for the Omega 3's & some 6's, but flaxseed oils have 3's, 6's, 9's AND lignons! Lignons are cancer fighters, many plants have some lignans, but flaxseed has at least 75 times more than almost any other plant. They not only fight existing cancers can but were shown to fight off even on-coming new tumors in animal studies. They help w/fighting hot flashes & night sweats. And, get this: They are also antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral!

Flaxseed has been shown to help with: Heart disease, heart arrhythmia, high cholesterol, angina, breast cancer, colon cancer, diabetes, stroke, lupus-related kidney damage, low immunity, irritable bowel syndrome, high blood pressure, fingernail problems, constipation, diarrhea, hot flashes, gout, migraines, asthma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatitis, sunburn, arthritis and sciatica. It has also been shown to help w/hair, skin, nails & even eye health.

So, you can see why I say that flaxseed (oil or meal) benefits everyone! My husband & I take a TB of the oil everyday. My DD's don't like the oily feel, so that's when I began putting flaxseed meal in my bread, so that they would get the benefits, too.

Next time, I will give you some info on Evening Primrose Oil ~ Every woman's friend. '-)

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

[This is not meant to be taken as medical adice; simply what has worked for my family & why we use it.]

Ear Candling

Since I now work in a health food store (nope...haven't given up on the dream of my own bulk food store), I've happily been put in charge of the health & beauty dept. I have watched as an old remedy has come back into popularity...ear candling. I have heard of it for years but had never, that I knew of, met anyone recently who had done this. I just remember older relatives talking about having done it years ago. I live in a part of Ohio that has been rated as #3 in the country in pollen count. People w/allergies & sinus problems are suffering & MANY are coming back to this old tried & true remedy. They swear by it!

A while back, I did some research & copied it to my documents (I believe it came from a Canadian lady's blog...The Noble Touch?), copied a couple of pics off of Google (so I'd know what they looked like & how they work) & have been trying to convince my DH & DD#2 to do this. This spring has been so hard on them, so if you have tried this, I'd be interested in your experience & results.

But, for your own information, here's what I found out about ear candling...

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

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WHAT IS EAR CANDLING?

Ear candling dates back to Egyptian times over 4000 years ago. The candle is made of natural beeswax and unbleached cotton muslin. You lay on your side on a massage table. After lighting the top, the bottom is inserted into the ear canal. The spiral of the candle causes the smoke to be pulled down into the ear canal causing the wax to warm and soften. As it heats, a horseshoe effect happens, causing suction, pulling out old wax and debris. As the candle burns, you feel a drawing or gentle pulling and hear a crackling or hissing noise. The heat feels very soothing.

WHO BENEFITS?

All ages can benefit!

WHY HAVE IT DONE?

DO NOT CANDLE IF YOU HAVE HAD EAR SURGERY OR A PERFORATED EARDRUM!

Many people prefer ear candling instead of the ears being "flushed out" by a medical doctor because of the gush of water causing pressure on the eardrum. Some of the benefits are:

1) clearing the sinuses (allergies);

2) helps stop ear itching (flaky fungus);

3) improves hearing (wax build up);

4) improves balance;

5) relieves headaches;

6) helps stop ringing in the ears;

7) helps with swimmer's ear; and

8) helps with that plugged feeling, before and after flying.

FREE Healing Herbs E-Book!!

LearningHerbs.com is having an amazing give-a-way!! They are giving away their Healing Herbs e-book ~ FOR FREE ~ just by going to their website & registering. They will send it to your e-mail.

THANKS, Learning Herbs! We appreciate your generousity & your knowledge.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim<><

Focaccia Bread & Brechetta Topping

FOCACCIA BREAD

1-1/2 ts. OR 1-1/4 oz. pkg. of active dry yeast

2 ts. sugar

1-1/2 to 2 c. very warm water

2-1/2 c. all-purpose flour OR organic bread flour

1 c. whole wheat flour

2-1/2 ts. coarse sea salt OR Kosher salt

3 TB. extra virgin olive oil

Asiago OR parmesean cheese, freshly grated

Rosemary &/or other favorite herbs

~In your mixer or large bowl, place yeast & sugar with 1/2 c. of very warm water. Let stand unitl foamy - several minutes.

~Stir in the flours, salt & then add the olive oil & remaining warm water. Blend or mix until well combined.

~Turn onto a lightly floured work surface & knead until smooth & elastic.

~Transfer to an oiled bowl & coat all sides of the dough. Cover & let stand in a draft-free spot until doubled in size - about an hour.

~When doubled in size, pre-heat oven to 425*, then punch down dough & transfer to a lightly oiled or sprayed baking sheet, pat dough to fill sheet. Take handle end of wooden spoon or use your fingers, to push down on dough to make crevices that will be filled w/oil & toppings.

~Sprinkle w/salt, freshly grated Asiao or Parmesean cheese, rosemary &/or your favorite herbs. Let stand 15 minutes & then bake for 15-20 minutes.

~Cool on wire rack.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

BRUSHETTA TOPPING

In a large bowl, take as many Roma tomates as you need, seed them, chop well. And a few chopped garlic cloves, chopped parsley, 8-10 fresh Basil leaves. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil on top, sprinkle w/sea salt & papper. Let stand in frig for one hour. Serve on warm focaccia.

**optional: also top w/goat cheese!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

Another Threat to Farmers...

Grrr! Those of you who have read my blog(s) for any length of time KNOW that I love my farm-fresh brown eggs & milk. Well, once again, our more & more intrusive gov't is trying to limit our healthy choices by threats to our much-cherished farm sellers.

Read this & take warning...and do what you can to protect our freedoms!!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim<><

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By Bob Unruh© 2010

WorldNetDaily

Federal agents invaded an Amish farm in Pennsylvania at 5 a.m. to inspect cow-milking facilities then followed up the next day with a written notice that the farmer was engaged in interstate sale of raw milk in violation of the Public Health Services Act.

A failure to correct the situation could result in "seizure and/or injunction," the warning letter from Kirk Sooter, district director of the Philadelphia office of the Department of Health and Human Services, told farmer Dan Allgyer of Kinzer, Pa., on Wednesday.

The farm invaded Tuesday is the one agents visited in February, driving past "Private Property" signs to demand Allgyer open his property for their inspection, saying, "You have cows. You produce food for human consumption."

The case is being publicized by the National Independent Consumers and Farmers Association, which promotes traditional methods of linking farmers with consumers.

Spokeswoman Deborah Stockton told WND Allgyer "is the type of farmer who exemplifies what we are trying to restore." On her organization's website is the commitment "to promote and preserve unregulated direct farmer-to-consumer trade that fosters availability of locally grown or home-produced food products."

She reported she got details directly from Allgyer of Tuesday's early morning inspection, which highlights the growing conflict between farmers who want to provide health food locally and federal regulators.

Allgyer could not be reached immediately for comment.

The farmer told NICFA he came out of his house about 4:30 a.m. for his milking routine and noticed a lot of traffic on Kinzer Road.

Shortly later, the cars were coming up his lane.

"I stood back in the dark barn to see what they were going to do. They drove past my two 'Private Property' signs, up to where my coolers were, with their headlights shining right on them," Allgyer reported.

He called to the five men as they were preparing to knock on his home, where his wife and family remained asleep.

"Two were from the FDA, agent Joshua C. Schafer who had been there in February and another. They showed me identification, but I was too flustered to ask for their cards. I remember being told that two were deputy U.S. marshals and one a state trooper. They started asking me questions right away. They handed me a paper, and I didn't realize what it was," he said.

"Schafer told me they were there to do a 'routine inspection.' At 5:00 in the morning, I wondered to myself? 'Do you have a warrant?' I asked, and one of them, a marshal or the state policeman, said, 'You've got in your hand buddy.' I asked, 'What is the warrant about?' Schafer responded, 'We have credible evidence that you are involved in interstate commerce,'" the farmer reported.

WND telephone calls and e-mails to the FDA requesting comment did not generate a response.

Allgyer said he confirmed his identification but then said he wouldn't answer anything further.

He said he questioned their arrival at his farm at 5 a.m. when the warrant clearly stated it was valid during "reasonable times during ordinary business hours," but one of the agents said "ordinary business hours for agriculture start at 5 a.m.

"The agents spent their time "rooting around, like a couple of pigs, in the freezer and cooler area and took many pictures," Allgyer reported.

"They came in the dark, shining bright flashlights while my family was asleep, keeping me from milking my cows, from my family, from breakfast with my family and from our morning devotions, and alarming my children enough so that the first question they asked my wife was, 'Is Daddy going to jail?'" Allgyer said.

The subsequent warning letter was an all-inclusive notice that federal regulations prohibit "the delivery into interstate commerce of milk and milk products in final package form for direct human consumption unless they have been pasteurized."

"It is your responsibility to ensure adherence with all requirements. … Failure to make prompt corrections could result in regulatory action without further notice," the letter said.

The letter directed Allgyer to notify Compliance Officer Richard Cherry of the corrections.

Stockton warned the requirement now is for federal agents to claim they have "credible evidence" regarding a case, but a proposed federal change would strike those words in the law and replace them with "reason to believe."

"The phrase 'reason to believe' would be inserted 14 times into the code with S 510," she said. "If this bill goes through, the FDA will have control of farms. They will not need 'credible evidence' to act. They will essentially be given a free hand to act as they want. And look at how they already act, even with the existing constraints in place."

Allgyer previously had told the officers that as a private farmer, he does not sell to the public.

Advocates say raw milk is healthier.

According to natural-foods blogger Kimberly Hartke, Kevin Trudeau touts raw milk in his New York Times best-seller "Natural Cures They Don't Want You to Know About," and Sally Fallon Morell's cookbook, "Nourishing Traditions," which has sold 350,000 copies.

On a forum page at Chronwatch-America.com, a participant concluded, "The food produced on that farm is probably far safer than anything you get at the grocery store."

That opinion was endorsed on the Food Freedom blog, where one participant wrote, "Factory foods are the ones making people sick & getting recalled."

The Weston A. Price Foundation, which is among the nonprofits that educate consumers about more natural food-production methods, said demand for such products is growing.

"Raw milk … is a supremely healthy food that should be available to those who want it," said Morell, the foundation's president.

In January, Canadian farmer Michael Schmidt won a court victory when he was found not guilty of selling raw milk to members of a cow-sharing consortium.

In a previous U.S. case, Mennonite farmer Mark Nolt of Maryland had his farm raided by SWAT-type agents. He was fined more than $4,000 and had his equipment confiscated for providing unpasteurized milk to participants in his program.

The History of Aprons

My aunt sent me this in an e-mail and I thought it was so sweet I just had to share it with you. Having come from a loooong line of counrty folks ~ farmers & incredible country cooks ~ this brings back so many memories.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The History of Aprons

The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms. Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. Af ter th e peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

REMEMBER: Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool.

Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.

They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron--except love.