REVIEW ~ 101 Easy Homemade Products for your Skin, Health and Home

I was recently asked to review a brand new book on some of my favorite subjects: homemade skin care, health care and home care. And I need to tell you if EVER there were a great "what-book-would-you-recommend-for-newbies" book, THIS IS IT!

101 Easy Homemade Products for your Skin, Health and Home by Jan Berry, founder and blogger at The Nerdy Farm Wife.

It has EVERYTHING you are looking for in a book chock-full of information . . . 

~Right from the start, it has a sweet homey cover that just draws you to it

~Even the Table of Contents is exciting  to read: Getting Started . . . , Nontoxic Herbal Skin Care, Naturally Soothing Salves and Balms, Exotic Body Butters and Lotion Bars (oooo, ahhh), Easy, All-Natural Cream and Lotions, Garden-Fresh Bath Soaks and Salts, Beautiful Bath Melts and Scrubs, DIY Lip Care, Luscious Hair Care, Simple Homemade Soaps (any kind your little heart desires), Herbal Home Remedies, Nontoxic Solutions for the Home. And even All-Natural Pet Care!

~The book, itself, is made in such a way that all you have to do is lay it open . . . anywhere, on any page . . . and it will lay open. No laying something heavy on top, no bending or breaking the spine, it simply lays open so that you may read your recipes while your hands are busy.

~The photography is simply beautifully done and all photos were taken by Jan, herself.

~Jan has added a very detailed Resource List of some of her favorite websites.

~Something I don't believe I've ever seen anyone else do, in many of her recipes, Jan has included substitute ingredients and adjustments for using fresh or dried herbs.

~One of my favorite parts is her extensive listing of various herbs, their benefits and a list of recipes she has used them in along with the page number so that you can go right to the recipe.

Jan and her family live in rural Virginia in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and as mentioned above, is a writer and photographer for the popular blog: The Nerdy Farm Wife. She write for HobbyFarms.com and Natural Herbal Living Magazine and has been featured in many other publications.

You may follow Jan at these links:
https://thenerdyfarmwife
https://www.facebook.com/TheNerdyFarmWife/
https://instagram.com/nerdyfarmwife
https://pinterest.com/nerdyfarmwife/

I am SO very excited to recommend this book to you. If you know someone who is thinking about growing herbs and making their own homemade skin, health and home care THIS is the book you need to gift them with. And if you purchase a copy for yourself, BE SURE to let me know how much you LOVE this book! 

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Word-Filled Wednesday ~136~ Godly Attributes

"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; His greatness no one can fathom." ~Psalm 145:3

"Being infinite, God is inexhaustibly interesting. It is therefore impossible that God be boring." ~John Piper

"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." ~A. W. Tozer

THE Man and some other men at our church are going through the Bible study: "Behold Your God ~ Rethinking God Biblically" by John Snyder. I am looking forward to doing the study when he has finished. Why? Because any Bible study that can bring my dear Man to tears while he is reading a section to me, peaks my attention. 

This, below, is part of the reading, on the attributes of God, that had him in such awe of our limitless God that he drawn to tears . . . 

"God is who He is. Whatever is true of God's character is part of who He is. For example, think about His omnipotence (the possession of all-power). He never has to start the day by trying to make Himself all-powerful. He does not have to work at remaining all-powerful even after the passing of 10,000 years. It is who He is. He is God Almighty. This is one of His attributes. It is one aspect essential to his deity. If He were not all-powerful, He would not be who He is - He would not be the person that the Bible reveals to us as God . . . 

"God, unlike us, is not divided. He is perfect unity. There can be no division or conflict within God. Every attribute is in perfect harmony with every other attribute. His love is never at odds with His wrath. His justice and His mercy walk together. Furthermore, every attribute of God influences all other attributes. If He is all-powerful, then His wrath is all-powerful . . . No matter how we turn these truths in front of our mind's eye, there is always more splendor to behold . . . God has revealed that He is essentially incomprehensible. He is beyond our understanding. In short, this teaches us that though God can be known in a personal way, he can never be figured out. In fact, no angel, no saint in heaven, and no seminary professor on earth can ever full grasp the boundlessness of God. Being incomprehensible is just part of who He is. He knows Himself perfectly, but He is the only one who possesses this ability . . . Every atribute is infinitely, immeasurably, limitlessly full."
 [from pages 6 and 7]

Wow! A study that STARTS like that, must be worth doing!

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

Give-a-Way at Homestead Revival!!!

Amy, at Homestead Revival, is having a give-a-way. She's giving away "Home Dairy" by Ashley English!!! You can enter HERE!

I would LOVE to win this so that I can learn to make different cheeses & yogurts. Yummmm.

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

REVIEW: Sergeant York & the Great War

Originally edited by Tom Skeyhill, 1930; Edited by Richard "Little Bear" Weaver, 1998

When I was homeschooling, I had a terrible time finding books & videos/DVDs about World War I. Resources about WWII abound, but hardly anything other than a paragraph in a book could be found on "The War to End All Wars." I was really getting discouraged until I had the opportunity to read Sergeant York and the Great War.

Whether you like to teach from Living Books or would like to combine a little WWI history w/some family reading time (even for girls!!), your whole family will enjoy & learn from this book.

This book is a combination of letters, interviews & historical outline. The letters & the wording are written exactly as Alvin York's Tennessee dialect warranted. In his Preface for the book, Richard "Little Bear" Weaver says it perfectly: "For a grammarian, the reading is a nightmare, w/inconsistent spelling & punctuation errors throughout the diary. For the historian like myself, it is wonderful, & draws the reader into the life of Sergeant York." And "drawn in" you surely will be!

Here we find a young Smokey Mountain man who takes his faith in God & his incredible shooting talent all the way across the world to defend his loved ones from evil...& the internal struggle his faced as a Christian going to war, knowing that part of his duty would be to kill the enemy. He tells his story w/the seeming innocence of a sheltered mountain life, but he grew up into a faithful man & a faithful Christian during that time. The unfolding of his adventures will keep your family riveted w/every page & ~ whether you read this for homeschool, for family reading or for your own personal reading ~ you will laugh, you will cry & you will close the book feeling that you have made a dear friend.

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

P.S...Top off the reading of the book by watching "Sergeant York" starring Gary Cooper.

Homestead Blessings DVD Give-a-Way!!!

The wonderful West ladies are having agive-a-way!!!

They're giving away their BRAND NEW DVD on "Crafting"!

Go to their blog & read the directions & leave a comment.

Their DVDs are ALWAYS awesome.

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

REVIEW: Of Plymouth Plantation ~ Bradford's History of the Plymouth Settlement 1608-1650

Timely reading for Thanksgiving!!!

(Original review written in May 2004 for The Old Schoolhouse magazine)

I have to tell you that I had to re-write this review after I saw the PBS "reality show" Colonial House. While watching nearly every show (out of 6 parts) with my daughters, after the narrator would make her comments I would have to say to them, "Of course, you realize that that's not what they believed...how that happened...why they did that..." Having read Of Plymouth Plantation, I was sorely disappointed in their revisionist history...even while trying to re-live it!!

One of the myths that was supported by the show is that the Pilgrims really didn't come here for freedom of religion, but for money making ventures. Apparently, the producers/"historians" hadn't gotten hands on this real, honest-to-goodness diary of someone who was there! A truly original source! Not only did the Pilgrims come to America for their religious freedom, but after having left England and spending 12 years in Holland and Leyden they wanted to protect their children from the negative peer pressure and the effects that they saw the culture having on them. Sound familiar?

This diary not only covers the reasons they came here, but what happened to them for over 40 years afterwards. These entries include such things as the trip over on the Mayflower, the settlement at New Plymouth, marriages, births, deaths, their friendships with the Indians, hardships, victories, new arrivals, disappointments, trials and triumphs...all the while giving God the glory for having provided and led.

This is an outstanding way to teach our children the truth of God's providence in the settling of our great country.

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

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

REVIEW: The World of Little House

By: Carolyn Strom Collins and Christina Wyss Eriksson

When my girls were working on the unit study Prairie Primer, I happened to find a great book: The World of Little House. This book is a “must have” when working on the Prairie Primer. This is the most complete history of the Ingalls family other than the Little House books, themselves.

Mrs. Collins and Mrs. Eriksson actually visited many of the places where the Ingalls and Wilders traveled and lived. There are many family pictures, not only of the Ingalls’ but of Almonzo’s family and Rose Wilder Lane, as well. There is a U.S. map that notes all the places the Ingalls’ and Wilders’ lived; a family tree with pictures of the Ingalls, Quiner (Ma’s family) and Wilder families; a very detailed timeline from February 1, 1860 when Charles (Pa) and Caroline (Ma) were married to February 10, 1957 when Laura died and all the many historical things in between. Seeing all the history that happened during Laura’s lifetime is staggering. There’s even a section for all the tourist spots around the country where Laura lived that can be visited.

You can make the same crafts and cook the same foods (recipes modified for today’s methods) that the Ingalls and Wilder families enjoyed…along with Laura’s famous gingerbread and Almonzo’s favorite dish: fried apples ‘n’ onions!

My favorite part of the book is that there are scale floor plans of EVERY home that the Ingalls and Wilders lived in…including the dugout house! There always seemed to be a new home in each of the Little House books and as Laura would describe it we would turn to the page that particular house was on in The World of Little House and find all the little personal, family things that she would mention. Things like: Pa’s what-not shelf and Ma’s red checked table cloth. Even we felt at home finding all those lovely familiar things.

This book is a “must” while you are working through the Prairie Primer, but even if you aren’t, this is a book that any Laura Ingalls Wilder fan should own. It is fascinating reading all by itself!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

Lesson Planner: How Firm a Foundation (Bible Curriculums)

{Originally printed in the Summer 2008 issue of The Old Schoolhouse magazine}

2 Timothy 3:16 ~ “All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

As most TOS readers are Christian homeschoolers, most of us understand that the very foundation of all our subjects is God’s Word – the Bible.

As such, we are constantly on the look-out for a ways to cultivate in our family a love for the Lord and His Word; to instill the habit of Bible reading and study and creative ways to help them hide the Word in their hearts. Unfortunately and admittedly, there are times when our children and teens may find learning the finer points of the Bible a little…shall we say…dry.

How do we keep the momentum going and feed their love of the Word? My concerns were: 1) I wanted to stay away from introducing ‘extra’ cartoon characters used to make the Bible seem more “story-bookish” and possibly cause them to associate the Bible with fairy tales as they grew and not as truth, or 2) that in order to keep their attention I may unintentionally use something disrespectful to God’s Word.

Over our 16 years of homeschooling, I have used a multitude of studies…some successful, some not…some interesting, some not…some worthy, some not. In this issue I’ll let you in on a couple that fit all of our criteria.

The More Traditional Route

As our children grew and the longer we homeschooled, we became very eclectic. But there are always a few traditional curriculums that everyone works well with. One of those has been Alpha Omega Publications’ Lifepacs. One of the things I liked the best about the Lifepacs, particularly since we are so eclectic, is that AOP offers the purchase options of either buying a whole set (10 Lifepacs plus the Teacher’s Guide) or you may purchase only the Lifepacs or you may simply purchase only the Lifepacs that cover topics you specifically wish to study! Great options!

AOP’s Bible Lifepacs cover all grades, first through twelfth, and using the King James Version, include the themes of theology, attributes of God, Biblical literature, Biblical background, Christian growth, Christian evidences and other special themes, all at the student’s grade level. Different grades cover different scope and sequence objectives:

First – God and You
Second through fifth – Seven Major Themes
~ Christian Growth
~ Theology Themes
~ Christian Evidences
~ Special Themes
~ Bible Literature
~ Attributes of God
~ Bible Geography and Archaeology
Sixth – O.T. and N.T. Bible Survey
Seventh and Eighth – Seven Major Themes (continued on a deeper, more comprehensive level)
Ninth – N.T. Survey; Sharing Christ; God’s Will
Tenth – O.T. Survey
Eleventh & Twelfth – Seven Major Themes (again, at a deeper level)

To whet your appetite even more, here’s a sampling of just some of the Lifepac subjects according to grade:

~1st – God Created All Things; Jesus, Our Savior
~2nd – God & the Family; God, His Word & You
~3rd – Living for God; Oh Joseph! What Was God’s Plan for You?
~4th – God’s Knowledge; Old Testament Geography
~5th – Angels; Proving What We Believe
~6th – From Creation to Moses; The Life of Jesus
~7th – Worship; The Life of Christ - Parts One, Two and Three
~8th – Prayer; Sin & Salvation
~ 9th – The Gospels; Job & Suffering
~10th – Exodus & Wanderings; The Divided Kingdom
~11th – The Faithfulness of God; Friendship, Dating and Marriage
~12th – Knowing Yourself; Comparative Religions

Since the Lifepacs are in workbook form – and cover all other school subjects, by the way - many children and teens enjoy actually seeing their work completed; closing a completed workbook to move on to another and watching that stack of workbooks pile up can really be an incentive to a child or teen who likes to have some tangible “evidence” of a job well done.

The Road Less Traveled

Now, if you’re looking for something a little more creative, a little more innovative and artistic, and a little more fun without being disrespectful to God’s Word, here’s a really easy, really creative way to keep your students – from K through 12 – interested in their Bible studies. Grapevine Studies – Stick Figuring Through the Bible by Dianna Wiebe.

“Grapevine Studies teaches the Bible as if it were a puzzle, doing the frame first.” That framework is the timeline and individual pieces; those pieces are: Bible passages, characters and events which make the whole Word of God easier to understand.

There are five different levels of Old Testament and New Testament volumes; these may be done together with multi-aged children just like unit studies:

~BEGINNER: 5-6 year olds
~LEVEL 1: 1st and 2nd grades
~LEVEL 2: 3rd and 4th grades
~LEVEL 3: 5th through 8th grades
~LEVEL 4: 9th through 12th grades

Each level has a timeline review/lesson. The student will read the Bible lesson which allows the child to have an understanding of the context of the character or event and where it fits on the timeline. After the reading the student draws using stick figures (who can’t do that!), symbols, colors, charts and words to illustrate the Bible passage. The lessons end with review questions.

Beginning with Level 3, the lessons include map assignments to help the student with Biblical geography. Application is determined by the teacher and each lesson ends with a Bible memory verse.

By the end of the year-long study the student should be able to complete an entire Bible timeline – SOLO! It’s a GREAT year-end project.

Grapevine Studies correctly understands that most students, of all ages, have a higher retention rate when they are taught using reading, hearing and drawing (hands-on) instead of merely being lectured to.

Contacts

~ Alpha Omega Publications. 1-800-622-3070 or www.aophomeschooling.com.

~ Grapevine Studies/Stick Figuring Through the Bible: www.grapevinestudies.com.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim<><

CONTEST!! Enter to Win!!

Dear Carrie @ Farming on Faith is having an awesome contest!! Especially for those of us who need a little help while reading or doing our cross-stitch or any close-up work...

Carrie is giving us the opportunity to win a $20 pair of readers from Reading Glasses Shopper!!

Simply click HERE & go to her blog & enter. And if you've never been to her blog before, you WILL be blessed.

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

REVIEW: Prairie Primer by Margie Gray

Have you ever felt like you may have been born in the wrong century? I always wanted to be a pioneer girl. When I was growing up my favorite books were the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Then, in my early teens I was able to watch the Little House on the Prairie TV show.

When my daughters were in Kindergarten and third grade I found the Prairie Primer unit study by Margie Gray. I don’t know who was more excited to dig into it, myself or my girls!

In one year we traveled through all 9 of the Little House books…from the Big Woods of Wisconsin to De Smet, South Dakota…from about the time Laura was 4 years old to the First Four Years of Laura and Almonzo’s marriage. And all the joys and tears in between.

Margie has done a great job in incorporating all the things we love about unit studies into one of the most enjoyable, fascinating studies our family has ever done. The topics are interesting and varied. They range from: Bible Concepts and Building Character (Comparing Ourselves, God’s Umbrella of Protection, Struggle with Sin Nature…), Bible Memory (various verses), Crafts (Candle Making, Moccasin Making…), Health (Causes of Diseases, Effects of Tobacco and Alcohol, Food Groups, Rabies…), History, Government, Social Studies and Geography (American Folk Songs, Family History, Geographical Terms, Indians, Louisiana Purchase, Presidents, States and Capitals, Woman’s Suffrage…), History – Biographies (Clara Barton, Abraham Lincoln, Noah Webster…), Literature and Language Arts (Composition, Foreshadowing, Vocabulary…), Living (Cooking, Guns and Gun Safety…), Science (Bacteria and Viruses, Electricity, Simple Machines…), Science – Animal Kingdom (Animal Classification, Leeches, Grasshoppers…), Science – Human Body (Blood, Eyes, Genetics…). It’s a very full year!

This study is most appropriate for grades 3 – 6; but our family has done it twice…as mentioned above, our girls were in K and 3 the first year we did the study and in 4 and 7 the last time. It was quite easily adapted to lower or upper grades. Very easy to work with. When our girls were in the upper grades there was so much time that had passed, and since the subjects were covered more deeply, it seemed like a whole new study.

The Prairie Primer was by far one of our favorite studies.

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

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<><


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





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}

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<><

~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.]

REVIEW: Beloved Bride (The Letters of Stonewall Jackson to His Wife)

By Bill Potter; distributed by Vision Forum.

Not too many things are better than receiving a letter from a loved-one who is far away. Maybe a letter of love and encouragement from a soldier or a missionary in a place of danger. A simple piece of paper, yes, but your loved-one actually touched that paper and they were thinking of only you when they wrote it.

Such is what you will hold in your hands as your read Beloved Bride. Bill Potter has not only given us a glimpse into this loving couple's relationship but he also, where needed, updates the circumstances surrounding these letters before and during the Civil War.

As an Ohio Yankee, I must say that I have never heard or even read the occurrences of the Civil War completely from the Southern view-point. This is not the side we read about in our History textbooks. Now, I can't feel badly that the Union was preserved, but I can now recognize why many Southerners still refer to the Civil War as "The War of Northern Aggression."

Always giving God the credit, it seems that no matter what, Stonewall constantly reminded his loving wife, Anna, that "God does all things well." It is humbling to read these letters from husband to wife and find that, even while readying for or having survived great battles, he never shirked the opportunity to encourage his wife with how God was working in their lives or to endear his loving esposa with words of devotion from a loving, Christian husband.

Maybe when you have finished this book, like me, you will come away with a new respect for a war hero who was truly devoted both to his Savior and his wife.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim<><

Non-Ficton Amish Book GIVE-A-WAY!!

Wife, mother, former Amish & blogger at A Joyful Chaos is giving away a book written about the Amish. If SHE says it's good & authenticly portrays the Amish life-style...I'd believe her! :-)

Here's what she has to say about the book & how YOU can enter her give-a-way:

Books that accurately portray the Amish are hard to find, but I have found another one "Success Made Simple" written by Erik Wesner.

In this book Erik has interviewed many Amish people and made many friends. Not only does he share the Amish views of the business world and how they successfully navigate it but he also shares many other facts about the Amish.

If anyone is curious and would like to learn more about the culture I would recommend reading this book. If you would like to have the chance to win a copy for your own leave a comment telling me what is your favorite thing about spring.

To be entered twice put a link to this giveaway on your blog. I will draw the winner on Saturday April 3rd using Random generator.

New Bible!!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above , coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, Who does not change like shifting shadows." ~ James 1:17.

I'm so excited! I just received an early birthday gift from the Lord!! Zondervan has just released their new "Busy Mom's Bible" & was gifted with one!

Now, I am a person who, once I get a Bible, I keep it for YEARS...and it shows. '-) Since becoming a Christian in 1982 I've had 4 Bibles, all NIV. The 1st one, I gave away to someone who was searching; the 2nd one was a Thompson Chain Reference that my dear husband gave me when he proposed to me ... when I walked into the room my ring was laying on the open Bible! I used that Bible for 12 years. The 3rd was a Christmas gift, also from my husband, & it was an NIV Study Bible which is now held together by LOTS of tape, the 1st 10 pages are unattached & I'm always afraid I'll lose 1 or 2. But...that's what happens when you read your Bible nearly everyday & carry it with you so often for 14 years. Now I have my 4th Bible...

In the nearly 28 years that I've been a Christian, I've never had a leather-bound Bible. This medium-sized Bible is beautifully bound in duo-tone Italian leather...pink/hot pink with a brown line down the middle. It's soft, supple & fits nicely into my hands.

This Bible has Jesus Christ's words in RED & is written in a very pleasing font. Scattered through-out the Bible are 52 THOUGHT STARTERS on nicely colored pages so that you can find them easily. They cover such topics as: God is..., Raising Your Kids..., A Woman of Character..., Heathy Living..., Your Spiritual Life..., Your Emotions..., Overcoming Obstacles..., just to name a few. Each one of these pages has 4 Thought Starters to choose from and are designed for you to do one a week. They are designed for the Busy Mom because each one takes only about 16 minutes to do! 1 minute for the Scripture reading/study, 5 minutes to Reflect & Pray, 10 minutes for the Study, & a Word to Take with You Today. Of course, you can take as long as you need ~ and for that reason, they have also included extra Bible verses to read relating to the day's topic AND the page number to find it on; no searching when you are rushed. REMEMBER: the studies in this Bible are geared toward BUSY women, so it's up to you how much or little you have time to do.

And when you DO have those days when you have more time to dig deeper into the day's Study topic, you can go to the back of the Bible, in the Study Index, & find other related Scriptures. You will also find an expanded Relect & Pray section. And beyond that, are great study prompts on "5 Minutes Reading About Jesus" and "5 Minutes Reading About the Women of the Bible." Again, it's up to you how much you do or don't do.

The only things I would change about it is: 1) a slightly larger Concordance & 2) a little more room in the margins for notes. But, as so many medium & small sized Bibles do not have a Concordance, or information on weights/measures or maps, I'm very glad that they are included in this Bible.

So...on those days when it seems the only "alone time" you have is in the bathroom (yes, I've had those days, too!), The Busy Mom's Bible is an effective resource to have with you. Small enough to fit in a "mom-syle" purse, diaper bag or carry-all bag, you can read it & use it's study resoureces wherever your busy schedule may have you.

You can't win a war without your sword! {Eph. 6:17}

If you are interested in learning more you may go to www.zondervan.com.

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

REVIEW: Miserly Meals

Miserly Meals

Healthy, Tasty Recipes Under $.75 Per Serving

By: Jonni McCoy ~ Bethany House Publishers

Boy, what a timely book for this season of our lives, huh? These days, families need to s-t-r-e-t-c-h those pennies. And homeschool mom, Jonni McCoy of Colorado, is right in there with us!

Unlike other cookbooks I've read, Jonni has included tips on such things as: high-altitude adjustments, basic staples that every well-stocked pantry should have (GREAT for newlyweds or homeschool home ec!), and explanations of the various types of cooking oils. THEN...comes the FUN part! Jonni has VERY EASY, VERY TASTY recipes for everything from appetizers to beverages, soups to sauces and dressings. Plus, at least 16 recipes for every busy mom's favorite kitchen helper: the crockpot!! How about some Crock Lasagna? Serves 8; prep time: 20 minutes! Or Mock Pizza! Whoever thought you could make PIZZA in a crock pot? Serves 6; prep time: 10 minutes! Hungry yet?

Not only does she also cover desserts, main dishes, breads and muffins, but she also includes great information on food storage (length of time and how to store), measuring and weighing foods, and those ALWAYS necessary emergency food substitutions.

So much in a great little book. This would work well in any kitchen...the frugal kitchen, the working mom's kitchen, the new bride's kitchen or the homeschool home ec class.

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

REVIEW: Mother

By: Kathleen Norris

This book is the book that you want to recommend to the teenage daughter who might be tempted away from home as her ministry. A daughter who might be tempted into thinking that home-life (being housewife and mother) is a drudgery and not the "noble" choice to make in her life.

This fine little book was originally printed in 1911, rediscovered by Jennie Chancey and reprinted through Vision Forum. Like Mrs. Chancey writes in her forward, I too, read this in one night. Just couldn't put it down. Why aren't books like this written anymore...no curse words, the Bible as our guide, family and home-life seen as the best decision a woman can make?

As the book opens we find Margaret Paget tired of her young life as a school teacher and wondering what else this big world has to offer. Certainly, there is more to life than this or the drudgery and slavery her sweet mother chose in raising her children and caring for her home. Margaret accidentally meets a woman whose high societal position allows her to hire Margaret as her assistant. Through a series of events, over-heard conversations disdaining home-life and as time passes, Margaret realizes that her mother really did make the noble choice: knowing the joy of being in God's will, being a keeper of the home and raising her children to be productive Christians.

If you have a girl's book club, you or someone you know loves old books, or you want to very gently steer your daughter back to the nobility of home-life, you will thoroughly enjoy this book.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim W<><

REVIEW: Be Fruitful and Multiply

Be Fruitful and Multiply
What the Bible Says About Having Children
~By Nancy Campbell, Distributed by Vision Forum

This is an interesting book with study questions at the end of each chapter. I’m sure it would stir up a little controversy in nearly any women’s group or Bible study. The topic? Let the Lord choose your family size.

Admittedly, I’m quite confident in my opinion that most Christian couples do trust the Lord with regard to the size of their families. Mrs. Campbell’s stand is that even well-meaning, sincere Christians have conformed so much to the world that we have lost our desire to fulfill God’s first command to Be Fruitful and Multiply. This certainly is a matter for prayer for each and every family of faith.

I must say here that I agreed with some things, such as: children ARE a gift from God, we must obey God rather than man, etc. I also agreed with her stance that many women ignorantly choose their birth control without educating themselves as to how it works. But, I confess that there were some things that I had questions about that I felt were not answered…

I, myself, would have loved to have had a large family; 5 children was my dream. Our first beautiful daughter died of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome – Crib Death) at three months, I then had two miscarriages before our other two daughters were born. Apparently, that’s where God wanted our family numbers to end. I figure that, yes, God did give me those 5 children…although I only have two remaining on earth, I will have all 5 for eternity! But, Mrs. Campbell doesn’t address the difficulties that many of us face. My concern is that some may feel somewhat condemned by that by the time they finish this book.

But, fear not! I do leave you with a quote from the book containing some hope and grace: “The fact of the matter is this: It is not a matter of our deciding how many children we should have, or should not have, but having a vision of God’s plan for marriage and family – a vision to bring forth godly seed for God’s glory.”

Amen. No matter how many children we are blessed with.

Blessings from Ohio...Kim W<><

REVIEW: The Encyclopedia of Country Living

By Carla Emery~

I have this wonderful dream. My dream is to live out in the country on a small parcel of land where we can have a couple of horses for our girls, raise my own herbs and a few veggies…maybe even a couple of dairy goats or alpacas. If it were to happen, I would really like to go into this with as few surprises as possible. I think one way I can knock off many of those surprises is to read The Encyclopedia of Country Living by Carla Emery.

This incredible book has just been updated for the 9th time! I just can’t imagine anything about country living that isn’t in here. The newest edition now has websites and mail-order information.

One the best parts of the book is the very first chapter: Oddments. This chapter is a primer on living self-sufficiently and simply. There are things in here that I’m sure many of us have NEVER thought of: how climate can effect how you build, there are actually schools of country living, giving birth by yourself and…did you know that it’s legal in 41 states to care for your own dead?! :-/

But this book is also absolutely full of useful and entertaining information that anyone from the city slicker who just wants to grow window herbs, to the back-woods camper, to those who really want to live a primitive, simple life-style can use in daily living. Carla Emery has thought of everything, assembled it in a very readable format and writes in such a personal, inviting way. You will find it so hard to put this massive, nearly 900 page volume down.

New farm families and interested homeschoolers will benefit immensely from her information on animal breeding, cleaning fish, selecting the best laying hens, questions to ask yourself before buying a goat, slaughtering/butchering cows and pigs, milking cows and goats, making cheeses, raising and drying herbs, home businesses, bee keeping, rabbit breeding, animal housing and fencing, homemade cosmetics, gardening for everyone from the beginner to the pro. This list doesn’t even scratch the surface!

I do, however, recommend that a parent monitor while youngsters are reading this. Carla is not rude or immodest, but she is very frank in dealing with reproductive issues in the animal world. You need to judge how mature your own children are regarding what they do and don’t know (and what you do and don’t want them to know) about subjects that could effect their modesty.

This is one of the most interesting books I have in my home library. I cant’ think of anything anyone might want to know about country living that wouldn’t be in this book!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim W<><