A Funny Video about What is in the Vaccine?

click on the above site from Dr. Mercola to watch the video. Have a great day!!! Barbara

Cheese & Kefir Making Workshop in New Orleans

Cheese & Kefir Making Workshop in New Orleans
by Karron on October 12, 2009
in Cheese, Kefir, New Orleans

Delicious Homemade Cheese
I recently had the pleasure of attending a delightful Cheese & Kefir Making Workshop that was sponsored by the Latino Farmers Cooperative of Louisiana, the Canal Blvd Baptist Deaf Church, and the Weston A. Price Foundation. It was held at the Canal Blvd Baptist Deaf Church in Lakeview. I learned about the workshop from Barbara Lovas who graciously invited me to her home last year and taught me how to make kefir. I made delicious dairy and aqua (water) kefir for months until the hot summer temperatures became too high in my drafty old kitchen. Now, with cooler fall weather not too far away, I was more than happy for the opportunity to start up my kefir-making ways again. The cost of the two-hour workshop was $10 per person, a bargain by any standard.

Barbara Lovas
Barbara Lovas led the kefir portion of the workshop and Kathia Duran, executive director of the Latino Farmers Coop of Louisiana, taught us about cheese making. The workshop was originally targeted for 20 people but 52 people signed up and over 30 people showed up. The goal of the workshop was to share the techniques of making homemade yogurt, kefir, creme fraiche, and creole cream cheese using store bought cow milk.

Workshop attendees were invited to bring the following items if they wanted to make some cheese rather than just listening and learning about how it’s made. Almost everyone chose to make cheese and glass jars were available for a nominal fee for those who needed them.
four one-quart glass Mason jars (or equivalent)one gallon of whole milktwo pints of heavy cream
We filled each of our four, one-quart jars with the necessary ingredients for the dairy products as instructed by Barbara and Kathia. As it turns out, the cultures needed to make yogurt and creole cream cheese are readily available in any local grocery store. The cultures for the creme fraiche were given to us by Kathia along with information about where to obtain them online. Barbara provided everyone with the live active kefir grains, as they’re known, that are needed to make fresh kefir. Kefir grains aren’t always easy to obtain and the most common way to get some is to have them gifted by someone who makes kefir on a regular basis. I can only imagine how long it took Barbara to cultivate and maintain enough grains to share with each participant! Both teachers exhibited generosity of spirit by sharing their skills, personal resources, and enthusiasm with us. They are clearly invested in empowering people with quick, easy, and inexpensive ways to produce quality dairy products at home. I’ve provided information about where to buy Kathia’s dairy products at the end of this post if you’d prefer to do that.

Kathia Duran
While the afternoon workshop was instructional and fun, it was the next 24 hours after the workshop that were truly rewarding. I took my four jars home from the workshop and left them out on the countertop, as instructed, for the cultures to work their magic. Creme fraiche only takes 12 hours to ferment so the next morning when I woke up I had one quart of creme fraiche ready to eat. What a treat – rich and creamy and luxurious! By early evening I had one quart each of homemade yogurt, creole cream cheese, and kefir. In just 24 hours I was enjoying and sharing a smorgasbord of delicious cheeses and kefir – a very joyous and bountiful experience! I highly recommend this workshop to anyone interested in making kefir and simple cheeses at home. I’ll keep you posted about when it will be presented again.

Word to Barbara, just today someone asked me when the Aqua (Water) Kefir Workshop you’re planning might take place?

Marlon Calero and Pam Girod also assisted in the workshop. Photos taken by John Lovas and Marlon Calero.

Click Here To Contact Barbara Via Email

Click Here To Contact Kathia Via Email or visit the the Latino Farmers Coop of Louisiana website

You can find the Latino Farmers Cooperative of Louisiana’s products including Cotija and Quesillo cheeses, fresh vegetables, Mexican style tamales and backyard double-yolk eggs at the following markets in New Orleans:

Broad Street Flea MarketEvery Second Saturday11am – 4pm300 North Broad – Broad at BienvilleOld Robert’s Grocery Parking Lot

Holy Angel Convent (Bywater)Every Tuesday and Thursday3pm until3500 Saint Claude Ave at Gallier Street

Treme Under the Bridge MarketplaceEvery Third Saturday11am – 3pmI-10 Bridge at Esplanade Ave and N. Claiborne Ave

All proceeds go to the programs and services in urban agriculture and human services.

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Flax Seed Benefits: Kitchen Secrets

Every morning I eat freshly ground flaxseeds in homemade cottage cheese w/ flaxseed oil (whipped up) with a pinch of honey and fresh fruit. It is called FOCC. The benefits of flaxseed oil and freshly ground flaxseeds for lignens are endless.

IMPORTANT TIP: don't just eat the seeds whole. They will pretty much come out looking the same way they went in. It is very important that you grind up the flaxseeds before consuming them. You can just throw them in a coffee grinder like I do. It is really easy! Preferably, you want to eat them less than an hour after grinding them in order to get the most nutritional benifits.

If you are interested in learning more about the benifits of flax, I would be glad to send you the resources I have gathered. Also, you should be able to find my recipe for my FOCC in the archives .
Have a great day!!!
Barbara

Flax Seed Benefits: Kitchen Secrets
9/17/2009 3:39:18 PM
by Ariel Tilson
Tags: Baking, Tips, flax, Flaxseed, Egg Substitutes, Ground Flaxseed

No matter how many times I check my cupboard before I bake, it seems I’m always missing an ingredient. However, next time I’m out of eggs I won’t have to worry because I’ve found an even healthier substitute: flaxseed. You only need to add 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed to 3 tablespoons of water (or 1 tablespoon of whole flaxseed to 4 tablespoons of water) to get the same baking benefits as you would with eggs.

I already knew that flaxseed had a myriad of benefits, from protecting your colon to preventing heart disease, but I wasn’t sure whether I'd like how it tasted until last night. Eggs have always seemed like a baking staple to me, so I decided to do a taste test and see if my picky taste-buds could really enjoy egg-less baking.

I started with a small batch of traditional chocolate chip cookies and for the next batch I substituted my flaxseed replacement for the water. Amazingly, I actually liked the flaxseed batch better! The flaxseed chocolate chip cookies had a softer, chewier texture and a richer, nutty flavor. In fact next time I decide to bake I’m going to use flaxseed, even if my fridge is full of eggs.

How to Stay Safe During Flu Season

Barbara Lovas, ThD

During the flu season you will need to make sure you are taking mega amounts of vitamin C, D, and magnesium, your amino acids, enzymes, antioxidants, probiotics, healthy oils and lots of distilled water.
... so here is my quick list of things you should be eating/doing during the flu season:

• lots of fresh dark veggies
• fresh (cut it yourself) pineapple for extra enzymes
• lots of cilantro/parsley for antioxidants (if you accesss to wheat grass, drink an ounce at least daily)
• no less than a minimum of 4000 mg of vitamin C daily -- you can make your own for cheap, if you can't find instructions in my archives, ask me how to make it (it's really easy).
• drink your kefirs (milk and water kefir) and yogurt for your B's, amino acids and probiotics
• drink kombucha daily (look in my archives for recipe, I can give you a scoby to make it)
• eat fermented foods daily: Kim Chi or sauerkraut are great (you can make it and store once every week or so and store it in your fridge).
• cod liver oil daily (during cold seasons) for vitamins D, A and omega/fatty acids
• lots of distilled water and teas (NO SUGAR! but you can do honey or stevia) for hydration and antioxidants.
• bathe in sea salt and Epsom salt regularly (soak for a good while and try not to use soaps if you can). They can clog your pores and also mess up your skin's natural flora. Soak long enough til you get a good sweat.
• Get out in the sun (when you can) at least 15 to 20 mins daily. No sunscreen or sunglasses ... enjoy the sun.
• take honey (and pollen from a radius of 50 miles or less, if you suffer from allergies)
• add celtic sea salt to your foods (lots of minerals!)

All the above things are just basics. I didn't include every nutrient, vitamin and benifit for each "to do" item. I only wrote the most important reasons to support each suggestion.

Enjoy your Fall Season!!!
Barbara

More Organic Ways to Combat Dandruff

Dr. Mercola suggests sleeping all night with Selsun Blue or Head and Shoulders wrapped in a towel will get rid of dandruff. In fact I have suggested that to others (not over-night, but leaving it on the scalp for 30 mins to an hour). It does work, but it leaves your hair pretty dried out and it does have some added ingredients that are pretty harsh. Soaking all night in them can't be too good -- but let me stress, as Dr. Mercola stated, I would prefer to do that over using some of the dangerous medicines some would recommend.

Here is my suggestion as to an more organic alternative to the above method (but I would have to admit, doesn't smell as good). I have seen great success for severe cradle cap for a 5 year old child and also severe dandruff with this method: leave kombucha on the scalp at least 15mins to 30mins (it is best to be in a hot bath in order to open the pores) ... after soaking, lightly rinse with clean water, then saturate scalp w/ coconut oil and leave the coconut oil on the scalp over night. Use a comb to carefully comb away the dry skin flakes. With severe cradle cap you might feel tempted to pick at the large flakes. Don't pick at the skin. Instead saturate the head with the coconut oil and massage the oil in well. It will eventually all comb out after a few time of doing this process. You can use apple cider vinegar, kefir or kefir whey also in the same way.

You may also use a very small amount of oregano, myrhh, or geranium oil mixed with your coconut oil. Some suggest tea tree oil. I find that it can be too harsh for some people. One person even suggested using sesame seed oil. It seems like it might be a good suggestion. I know some people have found great success using the oil pulling method with sesame seed oil for bad gums.
I don't know anything about it, but I am interested in learning more about the use of sesame seed oil in fighting dandruff.

Something worth considering: If you show signs of fungus in your body in any way, I would suggest that you tackle it internally. I think it is very important that you realize the urgency of cutting out all white sugar, sugar substitutes and food additives. Drink and eat foods that are full of probiotics (friendly bacteria) and foods that will balance your PH levels. There is a high chance that your body is very acidic. Try to eat foods that cause your body to become more alkaline. Fixing your PH balance can improve your general all-over health, including skin and fungal issues.

Here is a link to Dr. Mercola's article, which was the catalyst to my response:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/06/30/Whats-Your-Best-Advice-for-Dandruff-Heres-Mine.aspx

Though I haven't tried this one myself, I would recommend this suggestion written by nutritionmomof2, taken from comments to Dr. Mercola's posted on his site in response to his article. Read below:

I know lot of people with severe dandruff from all races and ages and this works
every time for very little money. Leave organic apple cider vinegar on the scalp
for 10 minutes. Wash hair using Dr. Bronner's unscented liquid castile soap + 2
drops myrrh oil + 3 drops rosemary oil for non-ethnic hair. For natural or
relaxed ethnic hair, wash using Dr. Bronner's liquid unscented castile soap + an
equal amount of organic olive oil and 2 drops myrrh oil + 3 drops rosemary oil.
With repeated use, the vinegar tends to leave natural ethnic hair dull, but the
rosemary oil returns the shine. Condition hair using a recipe of 1/4 cup organic
coconut milk + 1 egg + 1 tsp olive oil. Between washings, use of a small amount
of organic coconut oil on the scalp to prevent dandruff return. I agree about
the hair implements and I clean mine every time I wash with vinegar for 10
minutes, then rinse with water. I have more natural recipes at http://www.thetakebacktour%20.com/
nutritionmomof2

I hope the above information is helpful. If you are interested in finding out more about kefir, kombucha or aklaline foods; feel free to go through my archives and follow the links I have provided.

The Brain Functions Even after Death / My commentary

This article proves AGAIN that there is life after death ...read this whole article, especially towards the end of it. This is written from a secular perspective. Notice: these scientists don't understand why or how it works, as far as being able to see what is going from the vantage point of looking from the ceiling -- down towards the body; even though the patient's eyes and ears have been sealed closed and the blood has been drained out of their brain... and the brain had NO sign of activity at all!

We are "fearfully and wonderfully made," as the scriptures say! Each of us will choose our eternity, either in Heaven or Hell. None of us knows when we will breathe our last breath. The bible says, "it is appointed to every man to die once and after that is judgement." How many people who say there is no God will face the truth of this scripture in Luke 12:20 NIV?
"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you." Sad, but true!

Let's continue to pray for those who say there is no God, that they see the light before it is too late.

Love in Christ, Barbara

Brain Functions Even After Death: Health Blog

Posted By: Jon Barron | May 28, 2009 7:19 AM

According to the American Medical Association and the American Bar Association, death is legally defined as the "irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem." So how, then, do we explain the fact that up to 20 percent of those who die and then are brought back to life report that they retained consciousness even during the near-death experience? How do we explain the common phenomenon of seeing the black tunnel with the light at the end and the gathered dead relatives? Is consciousness a function of the seemingly inert brain, or does it reside somewhere outside of the "vital functions of the organism"?
For many years, scientists have been trying to resolve these questions through research into the physiology of near-death experiences (NDEs). While some attribute the reports of NDEs to the overly active imaginations of the subjects or to mystical origins, most in the medical establishment believe the experiences can be explained by simple physiology. These theories typically center on the idea that physiological changes occur in the brain as it begins to shut down -- only to reverse before actual death. For instance, a 2006 study published in the journal Neurology concluded that the near-death experience is most likely the result of an "REM intrusion" into waking consciousness. In other words, the experience is akin to moving to the zone we occupy between the sleeping and waking states, where aspects of the REM-sleep state spill over into awareness.
Other researchers have asserted that the system emits certain psychoactive chemicals upon death, and that these bring about the NDE "symptoms." Dr. Richard Strassman of the University of New Mexico, School of Medicine, for instance, contends that the pineal gland releases the chemical Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), which brings on hallucinations, though he wasn't able to reproduce the effect in most of his test subjects when he administered DMT to them. But then again, lack of evidence should never get in the way of a good theory. Another expert, Dr. Birk Engmann, argues that the near-death experience is simply the manifestation of psychopathological symptoms triggered by brain malfunction, which comes about because of the lack of blood supply to the brain. And Dr. Gerald Woerlee, an Australian researcher, says that experiences of waking consciousness during the NDE actually are the result of the patient being jolted back into consciousness for a few seconds. He does agree that the experience changes the brains of NDE survivors, but his perspective differs dramatically from that of those who believe there's a spiritual explanation.
"The brain function of many of these people who have undergone a near-death experience is altered," Woerlee says. "That's correct. It is altered. Extreme oxygen starvation does change brain function -- because it causes brain damage to the larger cells in the brain."
All of these theories presuppose that though the brain is shutting down -- although it's undergoing physiological changes -- it still has some viability, that it still functions at some level. But new research flushes this idea down the toilet, because at least one subject retained total recall of what happened to her on the operating table when she had absolutely zero measurable brain activity.
According to a report on National Public Radio, the subject, music producer Pam Reynold, "died" of a brain aneurysm, and the only way to save her was to perform an outrageously risky surgery. The physicians chilled her body and then "drained the blood out of her head like oil from a car engine." According to her physician, Dr. Robert Spetzler, she was "as deeply comatose as you can be and still be alive."
In spite of the fact that her brain was completely drained and non-functional (she was effectively brain dead for the entire operation), Ms. Reynold says she "floated to the ceiling" and witnessed 20 people working on her in surgery. Later, she was able to describe, in detail, the surgical instruments used during her operation and comments made by the medical team. Oh by the way, she was able to observe this even though her ears and eyes were covered with impenetrable barriers -- in addition to being brain dead. And, of course, she also had the typical near-death experience of seeing a tunnel with bright light and long-dead relatives.
When Ms. Reynold reported her after-death experience to Dr. Spetzler, he was startled. "From a scientific perspective," he says, "I have absolutely no explanation about how it could have happened."
Neuroscientist Mario Beauregard of the University of Montreal, on the other hand, does have a theory based on his recent study of 15 people who had near-death experiences that might offer an explanation. Dr. Beauregard contends that the mind lives outside the physiology of the brain, so that even when the brain dies, the mind (as opposed to the brain) has the ability to remain aware. In his study, he asked subjects to recall what happened to them when they died as he measured their brain-wave activity via 32 electrodes. According to his findings, the NDE changes brain wave patterns permanently, conferring the individual with an ability to move into a delta state similar to that experienced by monks, yogis, and long-time meditators. And Dr. Beauregard says, "...the near-death experience triggers something at a neural level in the brain. And perhaps this change, in terms of brain activity, is sort of permanent." Taking his ideas to the next step, this would mean that the mind alters the brain.
Does Ms. Reynold's experience mean that there's life after death, that the "mind" survives the body? Not necessarily. All it means is that all of the "scientific" explanations for the NDE phenomenon proffered so far don't hold up, that we have no rational explanation at all for reports of consciousness after death. We do know from existing research that most people who come back from dying have a greater capacity to deal with stress, that many report feeling spiritually awakened by the experience, and that a significant number report nearly identical experiences of seeing light, meeting deceased dear ones, and of observing and hearing things they shouldn't have been able to perceive given that they were dead. But everything science thought true about death being defined by the absence of brain activity is thrown into question -- as is the advisability, I must say, of harvesting organs when brain activity ceases. Based on this new evidence, the implications of what brain dead-people might be experiencing when their organs are removed, as Hamlet said, "Must give us pause."
P.S. A new large-scale scientific study of the near-death experience was launched this past year. The study, headed by Dr. Sam Parnia and colleagues at the Cornell Medical Center, is a three-year project involving 25 major medical centers and 1500 patients who survived cardiac arrest. Stay tuned!
:hc

Cheese & Butter making Workshop

Sunday, June 14th from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. at the Holy Angel Convent (3500 Saint Claude Ave -Bywater neighborhood). Unavailable to find traditional dairy products at stores around your neighborhood! Kathia Duran and Barbara Lovas will walk you through the techniques of making yogurt, Kefir, cream fraiche, Creole Cream Cheese and European-style butter at home. Cost $10 per person. You must reserve spot by contacting kathia@LatinoFarmersCoop.org. Workshop is limited to 20 people.

To Teach Sign Language to Babies or Not

Published by bblovas1

I never cease to be amazed that often the same people who will say that it is a wonderful thing to teach hearing babies sign language are the same people who will discourage the use of sign language with deaf or hard of hearing babies.
Parents of deaf and hard of hearing children have told me horror stories of their experiences of being told to ignore their child’s gestures. The most heart wrenching illustration given to me was where a parent was instructed to actually turn away their gaze from their child signing the word, “milk”… to ignore the child’s prodding and pulling, to ignore the child’s pulling the parent to the fridge… to IGNORE the child until the child said the word ”milk.” I once spoke to a mother whose daughter was in an oral program for the deaf and hard of hearing. The mother was totally distraught and in tears because her deaf daughter was disciplined for signing the “I love you” sign that she had learned during the weekend while playing with one of her neighborhood hearing friends.

On the other hand, parents of hearing children will tell you that it is the “IN” thing to do: to teach your baby sign language. It is applauded by doctors and parents alike. Why is sign language good for one and not for the other?
First of all, as parents, it is not easy to accept the idea that our child might be “imperfect.” Whether we, as the parent, want to admit it or not; we live vicariously through our children. Any deficiency in our children is often believed (if perhaps only on a subconscious level) to be a direct reflection on us and our deficiencies as parents, or as human beings.

All of us also know very well what it feels like “wanting to fit in” or wanting to be “normal.” Keeping this in mind, let’s go back to my topic: why would we applaud teaching a hearing child sign language and discourage the deaf child from learning sign language? I would suggest that this rationale has more founding in relationship to our own fears than any scientific reasoning:

Science has proven that once a second language is introduced, language comprehension is expanded exponentially. Consequently, each additional language is learned with that much more ease. Spoken language, such as English, is a linear language. American Sign Language is a spacial language. Most don’t realize it, but sign language is a language; with all the markers of a true language. Teaching a baby sign language ignites neuro-pathways of language at an early age; thus, enhances the ability to attain language in general. That is why parents of hearing children are so hyped with the thought of teaching their babies sign language. They see the results!

Before a child can talk, they gesture. Gesturing is a natural transition into language. Babies not only can recognize and learn signed words easily, but also show the ability to group words together in sentence-like structures in order to make known their desires — before they are able to express their desires in spoken language. It is a fact that a child can hear instruction and understand it, before they can speak.

A deaf or hard of hearing baby has the same natural instinct to gesture. They have the same ability to sign as a hearing child would. Again, it is a natural transition. Yet, we take away their first language and expect them to speak — though they have not heard! We expect them to read our lips, when the most skilled adult lip readers, at best, catches less than 10% of what is spoken. You are probably asking is, “If they understand less than 10% of what is lip-read, how do they actually know what is being said?” The answer is, they use natural closure skills … which a baby or child has not yet fully developed. Closure and reasoning skills are developed via repetitive exposure and access to the stimulus of everyday experiences and communication norms. How dare we cut off the first language of a child, and expect that child to experience anything less than frustration and feelings of inadequacy?

We must focus on the need of the child, instead of our own need to fix the child to LOOK normal. The child’s need for fundamental language must be met. Anything less than that is neglect.

Focus on providing “total communication.” Give them language and you will open up the world to them. They can learn sign language, go to speech therapy and even study English composition, literature and other foreign languages… the sky is the limit!!!

The Law of Reciprocity (something our grandfathers understood)

published by bblovas1

Just as we witness the natural laws of physics everyday and take them for granted. We even more overlook the simple law of reciprocity.

Everyday we see a affect of gravity at work. We know that if we throw a ball up in the air it, will fall back to the ground. We are not stupid enough to throw an anvil up and hope it will float away: we know it will fall straight down, and perhaps land on our head if we don’t move out the way fast.

Likewise, we see the affects of the law of reciprocity daily, yet by our action we prove that we don’t get it! Reciprocity isn’t a word we use everyday, but we do experience it everyday. Every time you eat a salad or enjoy the beauty of a flower you are benefiting from reciprocity.

Reciprocity is the return of like kind of offering. A plant gives up a seed and in return it makes a whole new plant. I am sure as you were growing up you heard the saying,” What goes around, comes around.” That is a true principle. If you are willing to cheat a friend, you will most likely choose the same type of friends as yourself, who will ultimately cheat you. If you are willing to have an affair with a married person, and they leave their spouse for you. You will undoubtedly have the fear that they will leave you too. Even if they never leave you, the guilt alone or the fear of it possibly happening can be crippling and enough steal the closeness of the relationship you thought you had. It is a matter of reaping what you have sown.

Another saying you probably heard is, “One good shake deserves another.” Apparently our grandparents had a grasp of reciprocity. Back then, a handshake or a verbal contract meant something. Our grandfathers understood that a good name was better than riches; and that going to bed with a clear conscience was reward enough for a hard day’s work. Apparently they understood much better than us what the bible meant by, ” Do unto others as you would have done unto you” … in layman’s terms, “treat others the way you want them to treat you.” Why? Because they understood reciprocity.

The Bible says, Give and it shall be given to you, pressed down shaken together and running over shall man give unto you.” It also says, ” If you have done [a good thing] for the least of your brethren, you have done it unto ME [God]. In the Bible, in Malachi, chapter 3, God talks about how people rob HIM by not giving Him the tithes and offerings that He has required. He challenges us to “test him to see if He will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing too big for us to receive. ” God has set certain laws into place: some physical and some spiritual.

Jesus said that true religion is demonstrated by us taking care of the widows and the orphans. God has told us several times to give to others and to take care of the needy, yet we hold back our money from God and ignore the needs of our fellow man … and wonder why we struggle to pay our own bills. It is time we woke up and realized the law of reciprocity is at work, whether we like it or not.

Some have built personal empires using those principles: the founder of Wendy’s, the founder of Walmart, Bill Gates … and one you might not have thought of as being rich: Mother Theresa. She was spiritually rich.

Reciprocity is at work among us everyday. Reciprocity is a principle that is applies to all — just as gravity is applies to us all. Knowing this should help you in making better decisions in what you choose to do today. Learn to give, learn to love, learn to lend to those who can’t repay you and be honest when no one else is looking … you will reap a good return!

Salt May Be An Addictive Natural Antidepressant (comments on this article)

This article is talking specifically about table salt (I call "table poison"). I would suggest that if you find you have an addiction to table salt, stop using it. Deficiencies of minerals and nutrients have been proven to cause depression and other mental and physical maladies. Do realize that you probably crave it because you need the minerals found in natural salt. Change out your table to sea salt. The best sea salts are Himalayan or Celtic sea salts. They have the most minerals. Sea salt is not bad for you... and tends to taste more salty than table salt. Watching out for table salt includes watching for salt in prepackaged foods and avoiding them. There is a good chance that this simple change could help stop the cravings and help your health, all at the same time. Barbara

Newsmax Health
Salt May Be An Addictive Natural Antidepressant

Most Americans eat too much salt, and a new study may explain why we grab a bag of chips when we feel blue—salt may be a natural antidepressant.

University of Iowa researchers found that when rats were deficient in sodium chloride, common table salt, they didn’t participate in activities they had previously found pleasurable, such as pressing a bar that stimulated a pleasure center in their brains.

“Things that normally would be pleasurable for rats didn’t elicit the same degree of relish, which leads us to believe that a salt deficit and the craving associated with it can induce one of the key symptoms associated with depression,” said UI psychologist Kim Johnson.
The theory that salt creates a natural “high” could help explain why we eat so much of it, even when we know it is associated with health problems, including high blood pressure and heart disease.

Average daily salt intake worldwide is about 10 grams a day, six grams greater than the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommendation, and as much as eight grams above the amount the body actually needs.

Experts believe evolution may play a part in our love of salt. Early creatures lived in salty oceans, but after man moved inland and away from easy access to salt, his body still needed it to help fluids pass in and out of cells and to help nerves transfer information.
“Most of our biological systems require sodium to function properly, but as a species that didn’t have ready access to it, our kidneys evolved to become salt misers,” Johnson said. Human beings, like other animals, have an innate system that remembers the location of salt sources, and a pleasure mechanism is activated when salt is eaten.
Now scientists are finding that salt is an additive substance that is abused almost like a drug. Those who eat too much salt do so knowing it is harmful to their bodies – a hallmark of addiction. Another aspect of addiction, cravings when drugs are withheld, also applies to animals that become deficient in salt. Experiments have shown the same areas of the brain are involved.
“This suggests that salt need and cravings may be liked to the same brain pathways as those related to drug addiction and abuse,” Johnson said.
Editor's Note:
Table Salt Linked to Exhaustion and Immune Disorders

25 Random Thing about Me

Okay, Betsie!!! I did it ... here is my list (smile)

1. I am concerned about the way Americans are willingly being stripped of their freedoms, and that the mention of God's name and His values are systematically being taken out of our school books and recorded history.

2. I LOVE science and believe that science DOES prove God exists ... I can give the names of many TOP world renowned scientists who believe in God, who themselves were not believers at one time ... who later began to believe in God because their studies in science led them to realize there HAS TO BE a creator. I can disprove the religion of Evolution with scientific fact.

3. I was an apprentice mid-wife in the 80's... and one of the biggest influences in my life was and STILL IS Jane Even... she taught me how to be a godly mother, to not overlook and to appreciate the simple things in life, and about eating healthy.

4. I don't believe in taking prescription drugs, but DO believe that good foods, herbs, homemade probiotics and laughter and good food ARE our medicine.

5. I love history, but hated it in school.

6. I cry almost every day ... most times 'cuz I am happy, sometimes 'cuz I am sad. I didn't realize that until I was sent another questionnaire by my niece and one of the questions was,"when was the last time you cried?"

7. My mother wanted to name me Barbeth (after her best friend). My father wouldn't let her. So, she named me Barbara. I always disliked my name: Bar-bar-a ... a blahhhh name. BUT my name means odd, peculiar and strange -- hahaha! I guess it is fitting.:)

8. My favorite place on earth to be -- is with my family.

9. I love being a grandma, music, art, animals and the way the sun feels

10. I use the computer alllllll day long, and depend on it for communication -- BUT I hate the computer!

11. I know a lot about the computer and can often fix or can even clean a computer, but struggle with a simple camera.

12. I hate talking on the phone.

13. I am a night person. I was always told that as I became older I would start to like waking up in the mornings. I am almost 50, and I still don't want to get out of my cozy bed. I find it hard to get to bed before midnight.

14. I like being alone. I don't have opportunity to be alone much, though. I keep pretty busy. I wish I was home more often!

15. I don't believe in putting anything on your skin that you wouldn't be willing to eat. Our skin is our largest organ, and it absorbs everything we put on it ... and what we absorb in our skin goes into our blood and other organs and affects us.

16. I avoid eating wheat, white foods (bleached foods, including table salt!), sugar, sugar substitutes, artificial flavors and colors, MSG, sodas, alcohol, boxed or canned foods.

17. I feel that the FDA has failed us, big time! Splenda, Sweet & Lo ... all those kind of sugar subs are poison. Genetically modified foods (GMO) are poison. Almost every food on the shelves today has high fructose corn syrup (another GMO poison) ... Monsanto has been allowed to make our food supply Round-Up Ready and patent it (contaminating our food supply even more) ... and the FDA sits back and allows Americans to consume genetically modified poisons and prescription drugs gal lore (like guinea pigs) -- but won't allow us to buy raw milk? Go figure!

18. I tell my friends who use artificial sweeteners to use stevia instead, it is actually good for the body. It is too sweet for me. I use honey or coconut oil for a sweetener if needed.

19. I try to eat raw foods, make everything from scratch, prefer using: organic foods, sea salt. honey and make my own kefir milk, kefir water, kombucha, wheatgrass, distilled water and sauerkraut juice for drinking.

20. I never put ice in my beverages

21. I had always planned to go to school to become an MD after my children had grown up -- I would love to practice medicine as a missionary in a third world country... BUT there is a BIG problem: I disagree with most of the stuff they are teaching medical doctors today (especially related to prescription drugs and surgery) that I feel I would be thrown-out my first semester of school for disagreeing with everything.

22. I am proud that I worked hard to get my ThD, but I have to admit ... I have learned more in my life from reading thru the bible many times and through life experience ... It is true, I have had a lot of bad things happen in my life, but they have helped me to appreciate life so much more.

23. I believe that being a mother is the hardest job in the world, and that mothers deserve a lot more recognition. Secondly, teachers should be paid a lot more money!!!

24. I home schooled my children.

25. When I die, I don't want to have a funeral. I want a party! REALLY! I want the song by Rick Mullens played, "When I Leave I want to Go Out Like Elijah." ... "when I look back on the stars, it will be like the candle lights in Central Park and it won't break my heart to say goodbye."

My Favorite Yahoo Groups!

If you have never been a member of a Yahoo Group, you are missing out on a wealth of shared information. You will meet the most wonderful people with like interests, experience or training. I cannot count the times that I have had to rely on the expertise of my fellow Yahoo Group members to find resources and information that I could find no where else. Check out these groups: they are my favorites!!! If you don't want to be bombarded with each e-mail as they come in from each member, sign up to receive the daily log instead of individual e-mails.

http://us.mc656.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=EnzymesandAutism@yahoogroups.com
http://us.mc656.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=Kefir_making@yahoogroups.com
http://us.mc656.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=FlaxSeedOil2@yahoogroups.com
Real_Kefir_Making@yahoogroups.com
http://us.mc656.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=GFCFNN@yahoogroups.com
candidasupport@yahoogroups.com
http://us.mc656.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=holihome@yahoogroups.com
http://us.mc656.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=discussingnt@yahoogroups.com

RE-CYCLING UNWANTED ITEMS
http://us.mc656.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=freecycleneworleans@yahoogroups.com -- a wonderful group of people (been a member for abt 5 or 6yrs) ... we exchange unwanted items, instead of throwing them into landfills. There is probably a freecycle in the area where you live. Make a YahooGroup Search for the word "freecycle" to find a group in your area.

What's the Deal with Acidic and Alkaline Foods?

You hear that it is not good for your body to be too acidic... that cancer and all kinds of bad stuff love to live in an acidic environment... then, you hear that Kombucha and lemons are good to eat. Go figure! This explanation might help you: Kombucha can be found in both ACID and ALKALINE lists... because sometimes an acidic food can act as an alkaline and visa versa. For example, lemons are acidic and are actually alkaline forming in the body; therefore, good for you.There are several lists of alkaline and acid forming foods. Here is my favorite list, it is the most concise I have found, PLUS it has lots of explanations for everything in the lists. I copied and pasted the list from the ALKALINE/ACID FORMING FOODS. Please take the time to go to this website and read more about this. There is no reason to re-create the wheel -- the info is there ... it is reader friendly, and has been very well put-together. So, let me make my intro short and sweet, so you can get to the real meat of my message here:

The below list has been copied from their chart information. More info is available at http://www.rense. com/1.mpicons/ acidalka. htm

ALKALINE FORMING FOODS

VEGETABLES
GarlicAsparagusFermented VeggiesWatercressBeetsBroccoliBrussel sproutsCabbageCarrotCauliflowerCeleryChardChlorellaCollard GreensCucumberEggplantKaleKohlrabiLettuceMushroomsMustard GreensDulceDandelionsEdible FlowersOnionsParsnips (high glycemic)PeasPeppersPumpkinRutabagaSea VeggiesSpirulinaSproutsSquashesAlfalfaBarley GrassWheat GrassWild GreensNightshade Veggies

FRUITS
AppleApricotAvocadoBanana (high glycemic)CantaloupeCherriesCurrantsDates/FigsGrapesGrapefruitLimeHoneydew MelonNectarineOrangeLemonPeachPearPineappleAll BerriesTangerineTomatoTropical FruitsWatermelon

PROTEIN
Eggs (poached)Whey Protein PowderCottage CheeseChicken BreastYogurtAlmondsChestnutsTofu (fermented)Flax SeedsPumpkin SeedsTempeh (fermented)Squash SeedsSunflower SeedsMilletSprouted SeedsNuts

OTHER
Apple Cider VinegarBee PollenLecithin GranulesProbiotic CulturesGreen JuicesVeggies JuicesFresh Fruit JuiceOrganic Milk(unpasteurized)Mineral WaterAlkaline Antioxidant WaterGreen TeaHerbal TeaDandelion TeaGinseng TeaBanchi TeaKombucha

SWEETENERS
SteviaKi Sweet

SPICES/SEASONINGS
CinnamonCurryGingerMustardChili PepperSea SaltMisoTamariAll Herbs

ORIENTAL VEGETABLES
MaitakeDaikonDandelion RootShitakeKombuReishiNoriUmeboshiWakameSea Veggies

ACID FORMING FOODS

FATS & OILS
Avocado OilCanola OilCorn OilHemp Seed OilFlax OilLardOlive OilSafflower OilSesame OilSunflower Oil

FRUITS
Cranberries

GRAINS
Rice CakesWheat CakesAmaranthBarleyBuckwheatCornOats (rolled)QuinoaRice (all)RyeSpeltKamutWheatHemp Seed FlourDAIRYCheese, CowCheese, GoatCheese, ProcessedCheese, SheepMilkButter

NUTS & BUTTERS
CashewsBrazil NutsPeanutsPeanut ButterPecansTahiniWalnuts

ANIMALPROTEIN
BeefCarpClamsFishLambLobsterMusselsOysterPorkRabbitSalmonShrimpScallopsTunaTurkeyVenison

PASTA (WHITE)
NoodlesMacaroniSpaghettiOTHERDistilled VinegarWheat GermPotatoes

DRUGS & CHEMICALS
AspartameChemicalsDrugs, MedicinalDrugs, PsychedelicPesticidesHerbicides

ALCOHOLBeerSpiritsHard LiquorWine

BEANS & LEGUMES
Black BeansChick PeasGreen PeasKidney BeansLentilsLima BeansPinto BeansRed BeansSoy BeansSoy MilkWhite BeansRice MilkAlmond Milk

FOCC for Breakfast

• (Flax / Oil and Cottage Cheese) for Breakfast
  
  It is very important to start your day with a big breakfast. Breakfast should be large, lunch -- medium portions, dinner -- small portions. If you are like me, breakfast is easy to neglect. I am not really hungry for breakfast... nonetheless, it is the most important meal of the day. It is the meal following the breaking of a long night's fast (break fast). Soooooooo, I force myself to eat breakfast.
  
  That aside...lets talk about the best breakfast I have found.
  
  If you are already making milk kefir, you are one step ahead of others; because this recipe requires active culture cottage cheese... and if you are a milk kefir maker, you can make your own cottage cheese from your kefir curds. If you don't make your own milk kefir yet, that should be something you should consider doing -- kefir is just amazing stuff!
  
  There is a good chance you have never tasted active culture cottage cheese. Live culture cottage cheese is a totally different thing than regular cottage cheese you buy in the store. You can buy active/live culture cottage cheese in many health food stores. When I do buy it instead of making it, I buy Nancy's ... it is so delicious! You can mix it with any fruit, raisins or kimchee (for a spicy variation) or just plain.
  
  Okay, here what I eat in the morning:
  
• when I wake up I drink a glass of water kefir OR homemade sauerkraut juice (these are made in bulk in advance, all ready and sitting in the fridge)
  then put 2 drops of wild oregano under my tongue and let it dissolve. Here is the kind I buy: http://www.bioinnovations.net/products.asp?dept=1046
  
• then I drink around 2 oz. of orange juice w/ 1/4 tsp of vitamin c powder. (you can make the vitamin C powder yourself, or just buy it already made -- I do both) ... and a full tsp of cod liver oil.
  

then I eat my FOCC. It is important to eat the FOCC within the hour. The lignens are most powerful immediately after they are ground.

INGREDIENTS FOR FOCC

• coffee grinder
• wand/hand blender

1/4 cup flax seeds (freshly ground in a coffee grinder)
3 Tbsp flax oil (I buy B w/out lignens)
6 Tbsp cottage cheese
pinch of raw unprocessed honey
banana
blueberries (small handful)
1/8 - 1/4 cup shredded coconut (natural kind -- without sugar or additives!)
uncooked organic oats (small handful)
(I add other fresh fruit at whim)

Click here to see a video of Sandy making FOCC http://www.budwigvideos.com/ . It is vital that you whip the cottage cheese with the flax seed oil until all the oil is absorbed.

After approx. an hour after I have eaten my FOCC, I take a sublingual B complex (a small tablet under the tongue). Here is the kind I use. They are the best:
http://www.trivita.com/sublingualb12/sublingualb12.com/order/us/?SOURCE=goog&KEYWORD=trivita&gclid=CJ3c1dz3-JcCFQRhswodYlU-Dw&sid=854&mid=24SOURCE=goog&KEYWORD=trivita&gclid=CJ3c1dz3-JcCFQRhswodYlU-Dw&sid=854&mid=24

That is my breakfast! During the day I drink hot organic green tea, herbal mint tea, organic hot black coffee, organic hot chai, kefir water or kombucha and distilled water. If I feel hungry between meals I eat raw almonds.

FOCC is great for people who are suffering with almost anything, including cancer. I actually know of some people who have been sent home to die and started following the Budwig Protocol and are living and doing well today. If you are interested in learning more, here is the group's website FlaxSeedOil2@yahoogroups.com . Also, follow the links suggested by Sandy's video above. There is much more to the Budwig Protocol than FOCC ... I have learned a lot from Dr. Budwig's writings.

How to Get Rid of a Headache

I used to have horrible migraines regularly. My husband could always tell me when I was starting to get a migraine, he would notice my right eye turning in -- sort of like a lazy eye kind of a thing. I haven't needed to take a migraine medicine (over the counter or prescription) in probably 6 years or more years, because I don't get migraine headaches anymore. Here is what I use now:

• Oil of Wild Oregano (Oreganol is a good brand -- and is sold in most health food stores)
  
• Sublingual Vitamin B Complex (look online for TriVita -- that is the best. It costs a little more, but it is worth it!)

2 other very important things that you may consider is getting rid of all forms of MSG and sugar (especially fake sugar).

If you MUST eat sugar, eat natural forms of it: honey, molasses, blue agave or sweet herbs like stevia (stevia is not only a very sweet herb, but is good for you). Try to avoid any white foods (bleached foods). Better forms of sugar are raw organic cane or brown types ... last option white. On the other hand, let me STRESS this point, you are better-off eating white sugar than eating any sugar substitutes. AVOID alllllllllll sugar substitutes like as if your life depends on it. They are soooooo dangerous. On that same note: avoid high fructose corn syrup like the plague!

There is one more IMPORTANT and easy change that you can make right away, stop using white table salt "table poison." Use only natural sea salt; Himalayan and Mediterranean sea salts are the best. They are packed with minerals you need and will not cause all the problems that white processed salt will cause. You can pretty much eat as much sea salt as you want. Our body needs salt. That goes back to that whole electrolyte thing that you probably have heard about, especially when dealing with children with high fever or diarrhea. We all need a balance of salt, potassium and iodine to sustain life.

NOTE: Maintaining a good sugar and salt balance is important. It is how we get the salt and sugars that often will determine our health. For example: an imbalance of our body's sugar will directly affect our hormone secretion, visa versa; hormones secretion regulates our sugars. Get sugars and salts from natural resources.

Also, if after trying the above suggestions you find none of the above things help you, I would advise you to stop eating all forms of gluten (that includes wheat) and corn. If there is still no change, cut out milk (unless in fermented forms, such as kefir and/or yogurt) and peanuts... your headaches might be the result of common allergies.

What about coffee? I would not immediately cut out caffeine as some suggest, unless you are drinking large amounts of caffeine (that in itself will give you withdrawal headaches). One cup of black organic coffee per day is fine in most cases. If after you have tried all the above and you still have headaches, cut out coffee and caffeine.

The best way to figure out your triggers is to isolate the irritants/possible triggers, and see which when eaten or not eaten cause notable differences. In other words, cut-out or add things to your diet one at a time, until you figure out what works best for you. Keeping a journal or log of all you are eating and how you are feeling during that time might be a helpful tool in helping you notice patterns that you might otherwise overlook.

If you think about it, it is really a miracle that we are still alive; considering all the junk we shovel in our mouths. Imagine if we were cars and we substituted gas for junk: what would happen? If God would have made us as well as one of the best engineered cars as you could find, we would be broken-down on the side of the road somewhere for sure! We are for sure, wonderfully and fearfully made by the hand of God. Only God could engineer such a resilient amazing machine.

You can go to my blog and read more info about things in general: I have been trying to gather all my old e-mails and re-format them and any previous written articles and post them on my blog site for easy access.