November 26, 2008
My uncle came by yesterday afternoon with a cooler full of venison for me. I don’t usually have venison, but it’s so nutritious, I’m going to […]
March 24, 2007
Here’s an informative chart about the value of various wholesome foods, which arrived by email from my mother this week. Personally, I’d recommend using organic versions […]
August 17, 2006
Many of my family and friends don't understand why I pay more for organic foods. I just don't want all those extra chemicals in my body. The entire family was organic for awhile, but my husband and the children didn't want to be JUST organic, so they have re-joined the mainstream. I have not. I avoid food that isn't chemical free, and when I find myself in a situation where I must eat what's not organic, I select those items which involve the fewest pesticides, additives and other chemicals.
People who have been to the store with me are often amazed that I'll spend so much for a dozen eggs in order to get free-range, cage free, no antibiotic-laden eggs. They also don't understand why I pay so much per pound for the small amount of meat that I do still consume. I only buy from farmers dedicated to animal well-being and those who don't use preventative antibiotics and chemical laden food supplies for their herds, flocks, etc. I prefer grass-fed and free-range. I'm not a zealot. I love meat. But I believe that quality of life should be a priority and the end of life -- all life -- should be as humane as possible. Period.
I just found a video on the meat industry that helps me to explain my views -- not only from a health standpoint, but also from a humane standpoint. If you want to view the video, be forewarned that it's graphic and unsettling. With that said...
People who have been to the store with me are often amazed that I'll spend so much for a dozen eggs in order to get free-range, cage free, no antibiotic-laden eggs. They also don't understand why I pay so much per pound for the small amount of meat that I do still consume. I only buy from farmers dedicated to animal well-being and those who don't use preventative antibiotics and chemical laden food supplies for their herds, flocks, etc. I prefer grass-fed and free-range. I'm not a zealot. I love meat. But I believe that quality of life should be a priority and the end of life -- all life -- should be as humane as possible. Period.
I just found a video on the meat industry that helps me to explain my views -- not only from a health standpoint, but also from a humane standpoint. If you want to view the video, be forewarned that it's graphic and unsettling. With that said...
August 5, 2006
I've decided to post my recipe for food for pet sugar gliders. I developed
the recipe when I was suspect of the artificially colored options, and
worried that the little guys were not getting what they needed,
nutritionally, from the commercial varieties available.
I supplement this easy to make, at-home version of glider food with fresh (non-chlorinated, non-chemical) water, and a variety of fresh fruits (organic varieties), and some seeds and nuts. Apparently they are doing well with it... and they seem to really enjoy it (they wipe it out!)...
I supplement this easy to make, at-home version of glider food with fresh (non-chlorinated, non-chemical) water, and a variety of fresh fruits (organic varieties), and some seeds and nuts. Apparently they are doing well with it... and they seem to really enjoy it (they wipe it out!)...
November 26, 2005
Yesterday, we went to my sister-in-laws for the holiday meal. We took a broccoli and beef dish, zucchini with pepper jack cheese, a vegetable muffin with cashews and Hubby's famous pasta salad (a regular recipe and an organic one he made for us).
Alex and I ate only the organic versions, as usual. Hubby (also as usual) sampled some of the typical fare. He usually eats organic with us, but occasionally eats regular food when he's out. He doesn't go nuts, though. Since we have started eating organic, he says he only really misses two things -- bread and ham. I bake bread occasionally, but he's SOL on the ham (simply out of luck, that is). So he ate ham at dinner.
He and Alex hated missing out on ice cream, so we got a machine and I make vanilla from organic cream and milk with organic vanilla and local honey.
We pack Alex's lunch so she doesn't eat the crap at school -- have you SEEN the lunch menus lately?!?! And my seven-year-old reads the labels on her food herself and if she can't pronounce it, or if she doesn't know what it is, she doesn't eat it. It's pretty amazing.
Anyway, there's the background and after Thanksgiving dinner, we went to visit my friend, Daphne. A member of her family was seriously ill and in the hospital in Lexington. Alex wanted to stay with Daphne and I said no. So she (*being a 7-yea-old girl who had not had dessert on Thanksgiving*) said she wanted to stay and eat the food she really wanted with Daphne, not the old organic junk I made her eat...
October 29, 2005
Cold weather makes me take a moment to think about life. Life is good. This morning, when I got up (from a toasty-warm bed), it was cold in the cabin. Quite a chill hung in the air.
Then my husband got up and said "Want a fire? Are you cold?" and immediately began the wood-burning stove ritual to get a blazing fire roaring.
Life is good.
August 29, 2005
I've been doing the natural foods/organic deal for quite a few weeks now. And the hardest thing has been the "snacks" to tuck away near my desk for that 3:00-4:00 p.m. "slump" that I hit.
I think I've finally found what will work -- a little organic combination of goodies!
August 10, 2005
I scheduled my bus route to go through Dallas, with a four hour layover, so I could have a long, leisurely lunch and visit with my friend Christine Whitman of Synodyne.com
It had been nearly two years since I had seen her, although I talk with her by phone, email and IM several times a week.
July 5, 2005
I've gone organic. After substantial health issues, it only makes sense to "cleanse" my system and go with products that are less toxic than the mainstream.
It's harder than one might imagine, but it has its own rewards.
I'm eating more deliberately. And, I'm even looking at such items as household cleaners, cosmetics, bath and body care with a more critical eye.
[more]
June 19, 2005
The reason I've been rather quiet (relatively speaking) for the last few months has been due to several health issues that surfaced. I don�t like to blog about bad stuff that�s personal � especially not when I�m in the throes of a personal battle.
With that said, I'm feeling MUCH better now, I'm back to work full-force and I'm not feeling guilty for feeling like crap and being unable to do much. NOW I can finally blog about it.
My husband was awesome, as were my kids, and even my clients were understanding (I never thought anything would ever slow down my work!)
With all that said, the Doctors and the over $5K of tests and exams, blood analysis, CT scans, X-rays, EKG's, ultrasounds, ad nauseum were unable to find anything. The solution was to put me on medications, and then more medications.
Now, I don't believe in medications, never have. I don't even take ASPRIN! I'm not accustomed to being "sick" and I firmly believe that most people get SICKER, not better, when they use medications.
During this bout where I was desperate to feel better, to quit having the dizzy spells, to get rid of the swelling, the joint pain, and all the other many symptoms, I agreed to go on meds. Mistake. HUGE mistake.
[more]
October 7, 2001
Alex’s new puppy, Wizard, has contracted parvo. I knew nothing about this virus until it happened. NOTHING – except it was in the vaccine for puppies. […]