Seize the Day

2012-01-11T11:34:00.000-08:00

Vote for Simply Organic HD for Best Cooking App

Breath of Heaven Video

2011-12-04T21:03:00.000-08:00

Remember to keep Christ in Christmas!!!
http://youtube.com/w/?v=lpOqm-Y0LZ4

Love,
Barbara

Kombucha Workshop

2011-11-08T18:49:00.000-08:00

This has been a long time coming ... and finally here!!! Learn how to make your own kombucha. I will give everyone a scoby that will produce kombucha for a lifetime. Homemade kombucha is more potent, tasty and costs pennies to make. Compare that to the bottled kombucha you buy at the health food store!

Get healthy and save a lot of money!!!

Instructor: Barbara Lovas, ThD
Date: Monday, November 14, 2011
Time: 5:45pm -- 6:45pm
Cost: $10/person

Location: TBA

(location will be given w/ confirmation of attendance -- due to limited space)

What will this hour long workshop include?

I will provide you with all the instructions, ingredients and the recipe needed to make your first batch. So, you will go home with your first batch started and all the resources you will need. As always, I don't sell my grains or scobies, but will give them away.

Please bring a regular quart canning jar to the workshop

-- NOTE --
If you want milk kefir, water kefir or a kombucha scoby, remember those are available according to my supply. That being said; If you ask in advance, I should have some milk kefir grains and water kefir grains ready to give away on the day of the workshop.

If you are interested in attending this workshop, please reply to this e-mail and let me know you plan to go. Due to limited space at this workshop, I will give you the meeting place location/address with your confirmation. Feel free to invite your friends, just make sure you inform me, so they are added into my headcount.:)

ASL Study Group is on summer vacation!

2011-05-30T14:22:00.001-07:00

A reminder: ASL Study Group on Monday nights is on summer vacation. Be watching the DEAF NEWS updates. We probably will have a few get-togethers during the summer. If you need anything during the summer, I am an email or phone call away.

Have a great summer!!!

Barbara:)

Water Kefir Workshop

2011-05-02T11:59:00.000-07:00

It is time to stop drinking soda (which is bad for you) and opt for something that tastes a million times better, is healthy ... and is much more affordable!!!

Instructor: Barbara Lovas, ThD

Date: Saturday, May 7, 2011
Time: 3pm
Cost: $10/person

Location: TBA (location will be given w/ confirmation of attendance -- due to limited space)

Ok, it is time for a last minute water kefir workshop. Why??? Again, my water kefir is very happy ... and is growing so fast that I need to give some away.

Again, the weather is perfect for growing kefir!

What will this hour long workshop include?

Those who attend will be given some grains and instruction on how to make water kefir. I will include a recipe and resources. Please bring to the workshop a regular canning jar (pint or quart).

I will provide you with all the instructions, ingredients and the recipe needed to make your first batch. So, you will go home with your first batch started. As always, I don't sell my grains or scobies, but will give them away.

If you want milk kefir, water kefir or a kombucha scoby, remember those are available according to my supply. That being said; If you ask in advance, I should have some milk kefir grains and maybe some kombucha ready to give away on the day of the workshop.

If you are interested in attending this workshop, please reply to this e-mail and let me know you plan to go. Due to limited space at this workshop, I will give you the meeting place location/address with your confirmation. Feel free to invite your friends, just make sure you inform me, so they are added into my headcount.:)

also ...

Coming Soon...

HEALTHY COOKING CLASSES
(also, I am selling bulk herbs)

I have been hesitant in "selling" things, because I would never want anyone to think that the sharing of my concern for healthy eating and the value of probiotics was motivated by making a profit. Anyone who knows me, knows that I always give everything away. But as the economy continues to become more complicated and prices are rising at the pumps and at the local grocery stores ... and w/ the constant threat of our food sources becoming contaminated, I feel an urgency to share with everyone the importance of having good quality herbs in your kitchen at all times (which not only taste great, but have great nutritional value). For example: with the right herbs, a simple bowl of rice can become Spanish rice, Mexican rice, jambalaya, asian fried rice, herbs and rice, sweet rice, rice pudding ... OR, the right mixture of herbs as a tea can calm an upset stomach or help you sleep at night. Can you imagine how nice it would be to be able to whip up a cake or a treat at whim w/out having to go to the store to buy an expensive pre-mixed boxes or mixes. You can keep your kitchen up with all of the healthy staples you would need to make just about anything ... w/out any dangerous (AND w/out expensive additives and pre-packaged mixes.)

I am going to start teaching healthy cooking classes again. I will also offer you the opportunity to buy high quality herbs and seasonings at a very low price. Of course, kefir, kombucha are always given-away for free. In fact, if I could afford to stock all of your cabinets with wonderful herbs and staples for free, I would!

I would also be glad to order any rare herbs, or spices that you cannot find other places; including other things like cleansers, personal hygeine products or on things you would buy regularly at your health food store at probably a lower cost than you could find anyhwere else.

Also, for those of you who live too far away to attend my workshops or the cost of me shipping things to you would defeat the discount of getting products through me, I would be glad to give you resources via websites and information on how to order items yourselves at co-op prices. After many years of searching for good places to buy my staples, I have found these companies are very honest and follow high standards. The prices won't be a low as what I get, but will still be much less than the cost you would pay in your local stores.

Seize the day!!!
Barbara
seizethedayz.blogspot.com
http://rawmilknola.ning.com/profile/barbara

To see a video of what kefir looks like while u are making it, go to my Youtube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3UXqd9R4R8&feature=player_embedded .

Should You be Using Hand Sanitizer???

2010-10-27T09:13:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone! Regardless to the fact that sanitizers have been found to be dangerous, many are still are unaware of this fact. I stopped buying hand sanitizers about 5 years ago. In fact, for the same reasons, I don't buy household cleaners anymore either. No longer am I needing to be concerned about the dangers posed by such cleaners and antibacterials, and I have enjoyed a large unexpected savings on my household expenses. After you read the article below, you might want to consider my recommendations: I buy alcohol in bulk from the local wholesale club and sprayer bottles from the local drug store. I was also fortunate once to buy a lot of spray bottle tops for a very reasonable price. The spray bottle tops are re-usable, and I found that for the most part they tend to be universal. I can take the alcohol I bought from the wholesale club and simply replace the tops with my sprayer tops, and I am ready to go. Really simple and cheap! I have an alcohol bottle in my bedroom, each of the bathrooms, the kitchen, my car and in my lunch bag. It can be used to clean almost any surface including your bathtubs and sinks (just spray it on and leave it for a few mins, then wipe it off with a rag or a scrubby). The one in my car has come in handy for quick hand cleaning and unexpected spills/stains on my clothes. If you would prefer to use vinegar, that works just as well, but a little stinky. There is no need to be obsessive compulsive about cleaning your hands, as some would have you to believe is the ideal. Instead, be wise. Clean your hands when they need to be cleaned... and stop wasting your money on expensive and dangerous anti-bacterials. Have a great day!!! Barbara:)

Check out this:
http://www.naturalnews.com/030193_hand_sanitizers_germs.html

Think hand sanitizers protect you against germs? Think again
Wednesday, October 27, 2010 by: Jonathan Benson, staff writer

(NaturalNews)According to "germ experts", alcohol-based hand sanitizers only kill certain germs for up to two minutes before drying up and becoming useless...
NaturalNews covered the UV study back in September (http://www.naturalnews.com/029786_h...), but a new survey conducted by Healthpoint found that most Americans still believe hand sanitizers are effective anyway...U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) admits that that hand sanitizers "will not kill all germs", but the agency still recommends...UV study, there was little difference in the number of rhinovirus and influenza infections...Many hand sanitizers are also loaded with toxic chemicals that get absorbed in the skin and cause other health problems...
Sources for this story include:

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyl...
http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll...
Articles Related to This Article:
• Hand sanitizers do nothing to prevent viruses, flu
• FDA Warns Proctor and Gamble about Unlawful Marketing Claims over Hand Sanitizer for Kids
• FDA Warns Proctor and Gamble about Unlawful Marketing Claims with Hand Sanitizer for Kids
• EO Introduces America’s First Organic Hand Sanitizer (press release)
• Vaccination Programs Under Scrutiny (Part 2)
• Is Modern Medicine Founded on Error?

The Dangers of Soy Warning: Please Avoid Feeding This to Your Child

2010-10-18T10:15:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone! This is a very important article, even if you don't have babies or children presently. I cannot stress enough that soy is not a food, but if anything, more on the lines of suppliment (for women only!) It should not be eaten unless it has been fermented. I have deep concerns about the mass consumption of soy among our general population. I feel strongly that we are already witnessing many negative affects, and are medicating w/out going back to the source. A lot is at risk here. There is only not the immediate risk of blowing out our thyroids and all systems involved (including the immune system and digestive system), but even more concern w/congnative and developmental functions. Please read the below articles, and share them with friends and family. We are not only poisoning ourselves, but are facing the risk of our children being malnourished, and fertilizing the next generation ... do the research! Have a great day!!! Barbara

Go the this link to read the articles by Dr Mercola:
Warning: Please Avoid Feeding This to Your Child
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/10/18/manganese-can-adversely-affect-childrens-intelligence.aspx

Related Links:
Finally Infant Soy Formula Under Investigation
Experts Dispute JAMA Soy Infant Formula Study
Healthy Alternative to Conventional Infant Formula

"Poetry in Motion"

2010-07-01T08:16:00.000-07:00

Saturday, July 17, 2010
9am - 3pm
5324 Canal Blvd, NOLA 70124
(enter the door on the 1st floor facing Hawthorne Place )

Cost: $10 Interpreters often have a hard time interpreting poetry and songs. Different techniques and skills will be discussed and put into practice during this hands-on interactive workshop.

Proper use of classifiers, handshapes, non-manuals and rhythm will be covered; with a main focus on properly interpreting the artistic feel of the poetry or song while maintaining the integrity of the poetry or song’s message.

Participants are encouraged to bring a printed copy (double spaced) of their favorite song or poem.

Presenter: Barbara Lovas, ThDCI, CT, NAD IV, LCD V

CEUs/CMPs Applied for - LRID is an approved sponsor OF CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS for RID
For more info contact Barbara Lovas -- bblovas1@yahoo, 504-722-2967 txt/cell

Sponsored by New Orleans Sign Language Services, LLC
"The New Orleans Deaf Church " Canal Blvd Baptist Deaf Church

Water Kefir Workshop

2010-06-07T10:59:00.000-07:00

WATER KEFIR WORKSHOP

It is time to stop drinking soda (which is bad for you) and opt for something that tastes a million times better, is healthy ... and is much more affordable!!!

Instructor: Barbara Lovas, ThD

Date: Sunday, June 13, 2010

Time: 3pmCost: $10/person

Location: TBA (location will be given w/ confirmation of attendance -- due to limited space)

Ok, it is time for a last minute water kefir workshop. Why??? Again, my water kefir is very happy ... and is growing so fast that I need to give some away. The weather is perfect for growing kefir!

What will this hour long workshop include?

Those who attend will be given some grains and instruction on how to make water kefir. I will include a recipe and resources. Please bring to the workshop a regular size canning jar (pint). I will provide you with all the instructions, ingredients and the recipe needed to make your first batch. So, you will go home with your first batch started.

As always, I don't sell my grains or scobies, but will give them away. If you want milk kefir, water kefir or a kombucha scoby, remember those are available according to my supply. That being said; If you ask in advance, I should have some milk kefir grains and maybe some kombucha ready to give away on the day of the workshop.

If you are interested in attending this workshop, please reply to this e-mail and let me know you plan to go.

Due to limited space at this workshop, I will give you the meeting place location/address with your confirmation. Feel free to invite your friends, just make sure you inform me, so they are added into my headcount.:)

NOTE: I was intending on this workshop being a kombucha workshop, but I am still making scobies for everyone that will attend, thank you for your patience. We will have our kombucha workshop this summer for sure!!!

Seize the day!!!

Barbara

The Dangers of Farmville

2010-03-19T11:08:00.000-07:00

by Barbara Lovas, ThD

This article below, "The Dangers of Online Escapism" by Mark Earley is sad. A real child died of malnutrition while her parents played virtual video games all day long.

Before you say to yourself,"Well, I would never! What kind of parents could do such a thing?" Let's look at this issue from a deeper perspective.

First of all, we can all thank God that none of us have accidentally starved our children to death because we were playing video games all day long ... BUT, before we fold our hands and tell ourselves, "all is well," let's look at this from another perspective: God's perspective. How many times have we neglected to feed the spirit of the people we love the most because we were sucked into a virtual computer world??? How many days have our children, family or friends gone to bed spiritually starved due to our neglect?

God desires to use YOU to show His love. You, as a Christian, are God's hands, His voice ... His feet. In fact, you might be the only chance your family has to ever SEE Jesus. If you could understand the true depths of your calling, you wouldn't take it so lightly.

Have you often been sucked into playing virtual games online? Or perhaps spent too much time "surfin' the net?" Ask yourself this question: Who has tricked you into believing that your life was so mundane that you now feel there is nothing better for you to do than to sit in front of a computer screen all day? Is it that you feel that insignificant? Is it that you have become just too lazy? Or is it that you don't want to face reality? No matter what the reason, God has something He wants you to know: you are special, a 'one of a kind' creation. There is no one exactly like you AND there is no one else who can do specifically what only you have been called to do. Did you know that the people in your life are not there by accident? They have all been purposely placed there by God. It is His providence that has set your course. That means, that the spouse you married or will marry (in-laws included), your children, your co-workers, your boss, the woman you pass at the grocery store and even the bill collector that may call your house on occasion are all there for a purpose and NOT by accident.

The clock is ticking! Don't overlook the opportunity you have been given to impact someones life forever. If you are a parent, don't miss: one hug, one sloppy chocolate kiss, one "I love you," because you just so happen to be too busy milking a virtual cow or planting a virtual garden or cleaning your virtual dishes! It is time to get off the computer and get out there and do the real things!!! Go clean your own REAL dishes, do your own real laundry, plant a real garden with your own real family ... get real dirt under your real fingernails! Don't let ONE MOMENT pass you by without purposing to appreciating the value of it.

My oldest child will be 30 years old this year. I home schooled my children. We planted gardens, read stories together, went bug hunting and all that fun stuff. I did purpose to do whatever I could do to enhance their lives. But, as I look at my babies, who are now adults (taller than me, and with their own families' and lives), I can't help but to remember when they were so small and fragile... when I could hold their little bodies with the strength of only one of my arms. 'IF', I could just go back in time and rock that precious crying baby of mine ONE MORE TIME, kiss my sticky faced child ONE MORE TIME, give another BIG hug to my unsure adolescent ... "IF"I could ... I am sure, time would stand still for me. How I wish I could have had the hindsight I have now to know HOW PRECIOUS those times were ... And ohhhhhhhh how I wish I had recorded more of my memories, just jotted them down, 'cuz memories fade, just as time goes by way too fast.

Live in the moment, and hold to the hope that God has given you for your future. Instill in your family and those you come in contact with day-to-day the hope you have been given. Live in the REAL WORLD, because eternity is right around the corner. A real eternity! You will never be able to take back the time you have wasted, but you can start again now. Get out of Farmville, and plant REAL seeds. The ones that REALLY count!!!

God help us to organize our time wisely. Help us to put away the things that get us off-track, and help us to start focusing on real life. Help us not to take ONE MOMENT for granted. My prayer for us all is that we seize the day!!! Carpe diem, Barbara

The Dangers of Online Escapism
by Mark Earley

The irony could not possibly be crueler. A South Korean couple let their 3-month-old baby starve to death at home while they spent all their time at Internet cafes-raising a virtual child.

The British Telegraph reports, "Leaving their real daughter at their home in a suburb of Seoul to fend for herself, the pair, who were unemployed, spent hours role-playing in [a] virtual reality game, which allows users to choose a career and friends, granting them offspring as a reward for passing a certain level."

Kim Yoo-chul and Choi Mi-Sun would go home once a day to give their real baby powdered milk, and then go back to lavish care and attention on their online child. The virtual daughter was named Anima; the real daughter was never given a name.

Finally, they came home one day after a 12-hour session to find their baby dead. They were arrested after an autopsy showed that the unnamed little girl had died of prolonged malnutrition.

Tragically, on the other hand, the virtual girl is probably doing just fine.
Like me, you're probably feeling a little sick to your stomach and outraged, and wondering what on earth could possess parents to do such a crazy thing. It's tempting to write them off as just plain crazy, or some kind of extreme example of Internet addiction or other mental illness. But the disturbing fact is that every one of us who has ever indulged in any kind of prolonged escape from reality carries the seeds of this kind of addiction inside us.
William Saletan puts it this way in the online magazine, Slate: "Look in the mirror. Every time you answer your cell phone in traffic, squander your work day on YouTube, text a colleague during dinner, or turn on the TV to escape your kids, you're leaving this world. You're neglecting the people around you, sometimes at the risk of killing them."

Saletan explains that gaming websites aren't just games, they're worlds-and those worlds "are becoming ever more compelling." When real life gets to be too much to take, we can now log on to a world where everything goes smoothly and circumstances are easy to control. So we become more and more susceptible to being lured out of the real world into the artificial ones.

And this latest story isn't the only example of the tragic results of that kind of escapism. Saletan notes, "At least two Korean men have died of exhaustion after round-the-clock video-game marathons. Another man, nagged by his real-world mother, allegedly resolved the dilemma by killing her. The dead baby is just another casualty of this war between the worlds."

Virtual community is no substitute for real community-the kind of community we're called on to help create in our families, churches, and neighborhoods.

These examples just show how dangerous it can be when we forget that responsibility. If it's true that we're facing a war of the worlds, Christians must take a stand for real life and real community. Reality may be messy and uncontrollable, but it's a priceless gift given to us by our Creator-and so much more fulfilling than any fake world, or fake family, ever could be.

Water Kefir Workshop

2010-03-17T13:35:00.000-07:00

It is time to stop drinking soda (which is bad for you) and opt for something that tastes a million times better, is better for you ... and is much more affordable!!!

Instructor: Barbara Lovas

Date: Sunday, March 21, 2010
Time: 3pm
Cost: $10/person

Location: TBA (location will be given w/ confirmation of attendance -- due to limited space)

Ok, it is time for a last minute water kefir workshop. Why??? Again, my water kefir is very happy ... and is growing so fast that I need to give some away. The weather is perfect for growing kefir!

What will the workshop include?

Those who attend will be given some grains and instruction on how to make water kefir. I will include a recipe and resources. Please bring to the workshop a regular size canning jar (pint).

I will provide you with all the instructions, ingredients and the recipe needed to make your first batch. So, you will go home with your first batch started. As always, I don't sell my grains or scobies, but will give them away.

If you want milk kefir, water kefir or a kombucha scoby, remember those are available according to my supply. That being said; If you ask in advance, I should have some milk kefir grains and maybe some kombucha ready to give away on the day of the workshop.

If you are interested in attending this workshop, please reply to this e-mail and let me know you plan to go. Due to limited space at this workshop, I will give you the meeting place location/address with your confirmation. Feel free to invite your friends, just make sure you inform me, so they are added into my headcount.:)

NOTE: The next workshop will be kombucha making.

Have a great day!!!
Barbara

To Mardi Gras or not to Mardi Gras, that is the Question

2010-02-12T17:20:00.000-08:00

by Barbara Lovas, ThD

Someone asked me if the ritualistic significance of Mardi Gras is still relevant and in practice today's contemporary celebration of Mardi Gras. My answer to that question in short: Yes, I DO find that the practices are still for the most part represented and practiced in our modern day Mardi Gras celebrations today. Here is my explanation:

Here is a quick explanation of the origin of Mardi Gras: Mardi Gras is pagan celebration, that honors mythological gods, with ties to superstition and witchcraft. Mardi Gras was adopted by the Catholic church as a celebration of overindulgence. Mardi Gras is also called Fat Tuesday. It is followed by Ash Wednesday, then 40 days of Lent. Those who observe Lent, practice acts of penitence and selective fasting. Fasting from eating meats on Fridays is something many look forward to. Since they can't eat meat on Friday, they feast on seafood and fish instead.

Each parade is run by a krewe. The krewes are private organizations,that keep the parade's themes and floats in secret until the day of the parade. The floats, for the most part, are named after mythological gods or goddesses (if you run a quick search on the names of each of those parades, you will find that they range from gods/goddesses of revelry, drunkenness, lust, fertility, harvest to the god of one thousand eyes).

Deuteronomy 27:15 NIV
"Cursed is the man who carves an image or casts an
idol--a thing detestable to the Lord, the work of the craftsman's hands--and
sets it up in secret." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"

Here is a quick snapshot of a typical French Quarter Mardi Gras ...

People start to line the streets of the parade route before the sun comes out. Many people are drunk before the parades even start. Uncensored music blares. Unbridled words are shouted. The crowd can get wild at times.

The krewe's king first blesses the event, and then uses a scepter to bless all the people who line the streets. The parade goers stand with raised hands, chanting, "Throw me something mister." In exchange, masked people on the floats throw to them: beads, doubloons (with images of gods), and various trinkets. Throws can also include thong underwear, cups and trinkets offered by sponsors such as beer and sometimes cigarette companies.

The parade goers are often in costumes or barely dressed (some costumes are too nasty for children to see). Sometimes the costume is nothing more than body paint. It is not out of the ordinary for people to openly engage in sexual activities in public. Woman 'flash' their breast to get beads, and recently men have started to flash their genitals for beads (and when caught, the men do get arrested). It is not uncommon for a crowd to gather as women are carried on others' shoulders or stand on balconies to be seen while they flash. Sometimes beads are exchanged for a kiss.

If you are in an area that is very crowded with revelers, the smell of alcohol, vomit and urine may become prominent. In some areas, the ground becomes literally so wet that muddy smelly puddles develop and the ground actually becomes sticky.

Isn't Mardi Gras more family friendly in the suburbs?

It is true, there are some areas that tend to have a more "family friendly" feel. In fact, many people look at Mardi Gras as a family event and a good opportunity to get to know your community. Families and friends sometimes stake out their piece of land to view the parades days in advance. The 'camping out,' tail-gating, barbecuing, the food and friends can be a great bonding experience.

My OPINION

There is nothing I love more than being with family. I absolutely love watching a New Orleans marching band ... but I am forced to weigh it out. What am I willing to trade-off for that one day of "family fun" and bonding?

Let's start with the Mardi Gras atmosphere. I have experienced both the pros and cons of Mardi Gras. I was raised in New Orleans, and attended Mardi Gras every year of my childhood ... and into my adult life. I experienced the good family friendly areas as well as the some of the nastiest areas of the parade routes. I found that I always came away from the experience a bit more worldly and more disillusioned than I came in to it. The family environment didn't protect me from the exposure to drunk obnoxious behaviors. Nor did it protect my ears from hearing or my eyes from seeing things I should have never seen. Understand, I was not raised in a Christian atmosphere. So, my parents weren't necessarily being cautious to shield me from those things. BUT, in all honesty, I don't think any parent can truly protect their child from experiencing things of that sort in that environment. You have no way to filter that kind of stuff.

Here is the biggest problem: once it is seen, heard or experienced; it can't be taken back. Innocence is stolen.

Now, let's talk about the intent and the spirit of the Mardi Gras celebration

When Moses went on the mountain to talk to God, the people of God got together and made a golden cow and worshiped it and joined in revelry. Not only was Moses angered, but God was too. God has said that He is a jealous God, and he will accept no other gods before Him (and rightfully so!). He also gave us direct instruction not to make images of heavenly things or idols, and definitely not to worship foreign gods or idols.

The bible also gives account of a situation where all the citizens were ordered to bow down in reverence to an idol and three men of God refused to bow down before any idol, even if it cost them their life.

Being that the whole idea of Mardi Gras is that people stand with raised hands, while floats in images of gods and goddesses pass by to receive valueless trinkets, being that the people in attendance, for the most part, indulge themselves in unbridled drunkenness, revelry and lewd behavior; I cannot find a good justification to join in the fellowship of this celebration. I fear I will offend God. I cannot reason my way out of the obvious: those floats fit into the category of making idols, that God states so clearly He despises.

Party Today: Repent Tomorrow

The philosophy behind the idea of 'partying it up' with total uninhibited indulgence for one day in, with the intent to "repent" the next day is in total conflict with our Christian walk. We are told to walk rightly, live above reproach and to be of sober mind. For us to even give the smallest hint of an inclination that we approve of purposing to sin for a day, knowing that tomorrow we can do penance not only is a disgrace, but can be a stumbling block to our children and to others watching us. In Paul's words, "Should we just sin more, that more grace abound? God forbid!!!" God tells us where there is no true repentance, there is no forgiveness. We know that! But does our neighbor know that? Certainly the mobster who regularly kills for a living and goes back to the priest for forgiveness the next day does not get it. What do kind of a philosophy do our actions proclaim?

1 Peter 2: 11.Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the
world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.12. Live such
good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they
may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Romans 13: 13.Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and
drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and
jealousy.14.Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not
think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Is there any possible reason that we as Christians should be at Mardi Gras?

The surprising answer to that is, YES. We might be called by God to be there as a witness."A light in the darkness!"

Some of us will be called to go to Mardi Gras, not to join in the revelry, but to carry the gospel!

You have to answer these questions: Have you been called by God to go? Are you REALLY going with a mission to reach the lost? OR are you going under the guise of being on a mission, but really going to have a fun time and to FELLOWSHIP with the world?

We are called to be a light in the darkness (a city on a hill). But we are not called to FELLOWSHIP with the world. We must recognize the difference, or we will suffer loss.

If you are not called to go, and your children are too young to process such a mission, you have no protection for what they will experience; NOR the impact it may have on their lives. We as adults must provide protection for our children. We are the gatekeepers to what enters into the gates of their senses until they are old enough to make those decisions for themselves.

I guess it all boils down to this: if God has called you and your family to do this, God will not only direct your paths to be where you are supposed to be, and see what you are supposed to see; but everyone in your family will be mature enough to understand the mission at hand and will be able to handle what they see and hear without being scarred.

"What fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has
light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a
believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with
idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will dwell
in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.'
"Therefore 'Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not
touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and
you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.' Therefore, having
these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the
flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians
6:14–18; 7:1).

When we have children, we are accountable to God as to what we do with them. In a more real sense, our kids are not our own, but ultimately belong to God. We just have them "on-loan." The scriptures, "I will set no wicked thing before my eyes." and "Raise a child in the way of the Lord. When they get older, they will not depart." come to mind. In the old testament, God directed us to teach our children as we carry out our day to day activities, and to keep the word of God in our conversation to them all the time. We have to be sure that we don't cause more confusion to our children by saying one thing and doing another. When we read the bible to our children about how God despises idolatry and the casting of any idols or foreign Gods, and then bring them to a parade named after gods/goddesses; with floats cast in images of those gods/goddesses (with, in some cases, giant sized bare breasted goddesses), to share in the fellowship of an environment where there is such blatant drunkenness and indulgence, how can we expect them to come away from that any less than confused at the least OR scarred at the most?

Before I had children, I would go to Mardi Gras with the purpose to evangelize. I didn't go to join in the celebration. I didn't stand with the crowd and wait for floats to pass by to get beads. In fact, I didn't get any beads or trinkets. I spent the whole time talking to those as God directed me. I had opportunity to pray with many and lead some to salvation. In fact, some of those stories are some of the most memorable testimonies to me still today.

Do we act like we really believe that God is a jealous God? How many times did he tell us to not make idols??? I counted 172 references to His anger against the worship of idols.

OBEY what you know God is telling your heart,"to obey is better than sacrifice." "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge the Lord in all of your ways, and He will guide your steps."

A Funny Video about What is in the Vaccine?

2009-11-10T11:25:00.000-08:00

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

Cheese & Kefir Making Workshop in New Orleans

2009-10-23T00:45:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-30T06:49:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-23T11:10:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-30T14:50:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-24T08:14:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-30T23:06:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-29T08:01:00.000-07:00

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)

2009-04-23T06:31:00.000-07:00

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)

2009-03-28T15:45:00.000-07:00

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

2009-02-04T18:31:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-01-14T18:42:00.000-08:00

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?

2009-01-07T09:37:00.000-08:00

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

2009-01-05T20:54:00.000-08:00

(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=24 SOURCE=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

2009-01-03T13:20:00.000-08:00

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.

Broken Resolve: Why setting goals for 2009 is better than making “New Year’s Resolutions”

2008-12-31T10:32:00.000-08:00

By Ashley Chin, PhD, MPH, MA

Each year about this time, people ask me, “So, what are your New Year’s Resolutions?” As I have been considering this lately, I’ve decided I’m not making any resolutions this year. Instead, I am developing “Goals for 2009”. What’s the difference you ask? It’s the difference between being disappointed sometime in mid-February and achieving lasting change throughout the year. Turns out, there’s a big difference between resolutions and goals.

Resolutions

Usually time bound to January 1
They are often all or nothing, once they’re “broken” they’re over
Not always specific or measurable
New Year’s resolutions tend to be huge, lofty goals that don’t always include the intermediate steps

Goals

Can be made at any time and cover any time period (i.e. annual goals, monthly goals, weekly goals, daily goals)
Are less rigid and can be measured by the amount achieved
SMART: Specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound
Well written goals include objectives and action steps

Here’s an example of a typical New Year’s resolution:

2009 New Year’s Resolution: Get healthy.

Not very specific – what does “get healthy” really mean? How will you measure it? How do you know if you can achieve it? Is it really realistic for you to resolve to “get healthy? What is the deadline for this – February 1 or December 31?

Perhaps a better way to improve your health is to set goals for 2009. Here’s an example of one way to formulate goals:

Goal for 2009: Improve overall health by losing weight, controlling stress and improving eating habits.
Objective 1: Lose 10% of current body weight by June 1, 2009.
Action Steps:
1. Find out when Weight Watchers meetings are held and join one convenient to me.
2. Make list of non-food rewards.
3. Reward myself for each 5lb loss.
4. Buy new walking shoes.
5. Walk 20 minutes, 3 X per week.

Objective 2: Utilize stress management techniques at least twice per week, beginning March 1, 2009.
Action Steps:
1. Before March 1, learn about stress management techniques such as yoga, meditation, prayer, biofeedback, progressive muscle relaxation etc. by asking friends, calling local yoga/fitness facilities and reading books/internet.
2. Try at least three different techniques before March 1.
3. Beginning March 1, utilize a specific stress management technique at least twice per week.

Objective 3: Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day at least 5 days per week and limit alcohol/sweets to 2 days per week, beginning Jan.1.
Action Steps:
Make use of my cookbook collection and try a new vegetable recipe once per week.
Subscribe to the “Meatless Monday” internet newsletter for ideas on incorporating more fruits/veggies into diet.
Once per week, try one new fruit/vegetable I’ve never eaten before.
Invite girlfriends to come over for movie night (with healthy snacks) rather than meeting for drinks.

As you can see, the goals above are much SMARTer – specific, measureable, achievable, realistic and time-bound! Good luck with your goals for 2009.

Ashley is a personal trainer and group fitness instructor with over 15 years of experience. One of her goals for 2009 is to become a certified Wellness coach so that she can help others in their quest for total wellness. She can be contacted at ashleychinphd@gmail.com.

The Skinny on What to DO and What to BUY ... to get a started doing things holistically

2008-12-30T21:39:00.000-08:00

This is a VERY BASIC to do list to get you started on a holistic approach to good health...

MOST IMPORTANT:

Try to get sun at least 15 mins everyday. If you cannot get sun, take cod liver oil for vitamin D and A -- in the summer, when you are in lots of sun, take fish oil everyday instead.

HERE IS A BASIC SHOPPING LIST TO WORK TOWARDS:
(more herbs and supplements will be added per your personal needs)

raw milk (or organic WHOLE milk)
raw almonds
raw / unprocessed honey (best w/in a 50 mile radius)
garlic
vitamin c
vitamin b complex (sublingual --under the tongue)
oil of oregano-sublingual (for migraines, candida)
flax, flax oil
borage oil (for SKIN health)
coconut oil (for skin, organs, blood sugar and to fight candida)
fish oil or cod liver oil (depending on season)
ginger (fresh)
cayenne -- amazing stuff!!!
cinnamon -- lowers blood sugar!
turmeric
cranberry
milk thistle
enzymes -- fresh pineapple and other tropical fruits
aloe vera plant
various herb plants
probiotics -- milk/water kefir, yogurt (homemade)
sauerkraut or sauerkraut juice (homemade)
kombucha (homemade)
aloe vera juice
teas - green, black, chamomile (make teas w/ spring water)
1 black coffee daily - if you want (organic)
sea salt
fruits
dark veggies -- eggplants, greens
good quality proteins: egss, meats ... without hormones/antibiotics
a distiller (to make your own distilled water for drinking)
a water filter (that removes chlorine, but not minerals)
a regular juicer (I like the Jack LaLanne's best)
a masticating juicer (I use the manual kind -- It looks like an old fashioned meat grinder)
If you buy a masticating juicer you can make your own wheat grass juice. It is VERY good for you (but requires a lot dedication to grow) -- u can buy it directly from a grower (I used to buy a flat for $20 and divide it w/ a friend) OR in little baggies at wholefoods, but its a bit EXPENSIVE -- but if you are having health problems, I feel it is worth the expense.

Sprout your own stuff: alfalfa, beans, almonds, wheat grass ... sprouting anything sproutable makes it that much better for you ... lots of good enzymes!!!

NO SUGAR (you can have honey, stevia, blue agave) -- though ingesting sugar is a no-no, you will need regular white sugar to make kefir and kombucha... don't worry, the kefir and kombucha eat the sugar, so you don't have to.:)

You can eat peanuts and peanut butter, but not much. I don't eat peanut butter as a general rule, but sometimes I do crave a little. Almond butter and other butters can be subbed or added to your peanut butter if you love eating large amounts and don't want to give it up.

No pre-made juices -- make your own. Pre-made juices are like peanut butter. They contain lots of junk. Juices are also too concentrated and too sugary (natural sugars should be taken in whole form)

TRY to avoid gluten: do not eat any wheat, corn or milk (unless keferized)... whenever in doubt, ferment! Wholefoods has a really good gluten free bread in the freezer.

Avoid soy -- it is to be used as a supplement for women's hormonal problems and not as a food. If you want to eat soy, eat it fermented -- you can buy wheat-free natural soy sauce at Wholefoods. No tofu.

If u are dying to eat something sweet, though kefir and kombucha often curb cravings for sweets -- a little dark dark choc w/ all natural ingredients (no flavorings, hydrogenated oils or other junk)
Coconut oil is naturally sweet and u can make cool things w/ it for a sweet tooth.

WHAT TO USE FOR SKIN PROBLEMS

TOPICALLY for rashes (while taking internally)
milk kefir -- for yeast/candida -- female yeast infection, thrush, acne
kombucha -- for fungus -- ringworm, fungus nails, athlete's foot, acne, cradle cap
vitamin C, tea tree oil -- Warts and some moles, acne
coconut oil -- yeast/candida, dry skin/hair conditions, cradle cap

blood root (old-fashioned Indian black salve) -- for serious problems (Be very careful about this: They do have people that sell very dangerous counterfeits -- use this under the close supervision of a holistic adviser)

TOPICAL

lanolin -- extremely dry skin, chapping from nursing, medium for homemade baby ointment
Puffy eyes -- a potato slice for about 10 mins or used green tea bag (or cold spoon)

GET RID OF...

GET RID OF white table salt. I call it "table poison."

GET RID OF toothpaste w/ fluoride, mouthwashes and pre-washes that have words that you cannot pronounce -- instead floss, Waterpik and scrub your tongue (and if you have bad breathe, you can use Waterpik to clean stones out of your tonsils) ... you can do oil pulling for serious gum problems. Oil of oregano and itty-little-bitty amount of food grade tea tree oil, OR my personal favorite is food grade peppermint oil on the tongue instead of mouthwash. The occasional baking soda OR lemon, strawberry or hydrogen peroxide cleaning is fine (DO NOT SWALLOW peroxide!).

GET RID OF "fat free" and "diet" foods -- eat fats (good fats!), eat everything WHOLE ... if you want to drink milk, at least drink it whole. Your body needs the whole product to use it properly. Eat butter, not margarine. Feel free to use as much good oils as you want (Do not cook olive oil to a high heat). Flax and Borage are best uncooked. You can heat coconut oil.

GET RID OF deodorants w/ aluminum or waxes (I just use salt -- I never ever stink, a good premade one is Lafes Natural and organic Deodorant spray.

GET RID OF Tums and antacids -- Drink milk kefir and/or aloe vera juice for an upset stomach (antacid prescriptions are, in my opinion, very dangerous -- if you are interested in learning more about the dangers of those and other prescriptions, I would be glad to forward you more information)

GET RID OF hair conditioners and that kind of stuff -- use coconut oil, lanolin (when needed) and essential oils mixed in the oil for smell (flax seed oil is good too, but more expensive and not any better than coconut)

GET RID OF perfumes and colognes -- If you can't go without them -- you can keep em, if u don't spray them on your skin. Spray them on your clothes instead if u really want to use them. Remember, you might be suffering from allergic reactions to those things and haven't realized it. Headaches, allergic reactions and sinus problems can be caused by lab formulated scents. Ask me to send you more info about this if you are interested in learning about the dangers of certain scents.

GET RID OF sunblock and bug repellent -- they have natural alternatives which are fine (but a bit expensive). Sunblock in general is poison. Cover up with cotton, just like they did in the old days. If you NEED a sunblock, make your own from broccoli or buy some from the Wholefoods Store OR Dr. Mercola has a real good one.

GET RID OF sunglasses -- let the sun get in your eyes everyday. NOTE: I am not telling you to stare at the sun, but allow the sun to get in your eyes. It is an important part of our optical process (the dilation and response to sun on the back of the eye is important) it is also needed for the brain's proper functioning and is a natural antidepressant. It is no coincidence that God placed a gigantic sun in the sky to shine on us while we work outside or commute to and from work... we were NOT born with sunglasses attached to our heads, but with eyelashes ... and common sense.

For easier reading, I have given only a limited amount of information per subject.If you found anything in this blog that you want more information on, feel free to ask me for resources.

Water Kefir Workshop

2008-12-17T08:35:00.000-08:00

I am becoming over-run by happy water kefir grains (curds) ... that means it is time for a workshop again. I have enough for you to bring your friends too!

I will have a water kefir workshop during the Christmas holidays. Sooooooo, if you are interested in learning how to make kefir; I will give you a starter and get you started!

Please reply to this blog and let me know if you are interested in attending and then we will all work out a time to meet together. I am thinking a Sunday afternoon is best for me.

Let me know if you are interested in attending:)

Barbara
in New Orleans

”How Do You Sign Wal Mart?”

2008-11-23T22:23:00.000-08:00

American Sign Language Proper Nouns

Presenter: Barbara Lovas, ThD
RID CI/CT, NAD IV, LCD V

Come join us for a fun filled interactive workshop. We will learn commonly used signs for various states, cities, famous/infamous people, places, businesses, holidays, countries, and several international proper nouns via helpful memorization tools and interactive games. We are gonna’ learn ‘em all ... and have fun doing it!!!

DATE: December 6, 2008
TIME: 9am – 3pm
PLACE: CBBDC (downstairs – enter the door facing Hawthorne Pl. )
5324 Canal Blvd. , NOLA, 70124

Price -- $10.00 at the door

CEUs applied for

More info contact: bblovas1@yahoo.com

Kombucha Recipe

2008-11-21T17:41:00.000-08:00

Here are my simple instructions for making kombucha. It is much more potent than what you can buy at a store. You will need to find a scoby. Join a kombucha Yahoo group or post your desire to find a scoby on a freecycle or your local health food store bulletin board. Most home kombucha makers are more than happy to share. Many have tried to make kombucha from store bought kombucha. To my knowledge, no one has ever been able to succesfully do it.

Most important thing to remember while making kombucha is that it must be made and handled in a very clean environment. Take off all jewelry. Scrub under your nails with a nail brush. Also make sure that no chlorine or chlorinated water comesds into contact with your kombucha or scoby at any time. Here's the instructions:

12 cups spring water/ 1 cup sugar/ 5 tea bags (bring spring water to boil, pour in 1 cup of white sugar and boil 5 mins, turn off heat and let 5 bags of organic black tea simmer for at least 10 mins. Let the tea/sugar/water cool down before adding ur scoby and kombucha tea to it.) Add your scoby in smooth side-up -- if it flips, no problem. They have a mind of their own. Don't freak out and take me literally!

1 cup of kombucha tea (if u forget to save kombucha from ur last batch you can use apple cider vinegar instead -- I don't know how much, I never used vinegar before. You can look that info up on the kombucha website if u need to use vinegar)

1 or one large mother (SCOBY)
and can add a baby SCOBY on top (both SCOBY should be smooth side up)

Put in a dark quite place for around 8 days. Temp. around 70 to 75 degrees. Taste to your liking. 6 days is too sweet and 10 days starts to taste more vinegary if you mess up and it is too vinegary for u to appreciate, u can add a juice, water it down, use it as table vinegar for your salads or for shampoo or antifungal -- I keep some in my bathroom for my hair. Add strawberries or herbs to your tea after the scoby has been removed (they call that the first fermenting) add your stuff and then let it soak a day or two in the fridge or out of fridge for a few hours (that is the second fermenting). Remember to burp ur bottles every once in a while to prevent them from blowing up:)

Here is Beverly's instructions http://users.bestweb.net/~om/kmi/. Her instructions are far more detailed than mine. She is one of the few individuals who is most knowledgable in kombucha making. She is a member of one of the groups that I am a member of. In fact, I suggest that if you are not a member of the Original Kombucha Yahoo Group, it would be very helpful for you to join. If you have any questions you can always ask her for help too.

Rice Sock Heating Pad

2008-11-19T18:44:00.000-08:00

Instead of using an electric heating pad with dry heat, consider making your own heating pad with plain white rice and a white cotton sock.

First, you will need around 3 cups or so of plain white rice (NOTE: though I don't buy white rice to eat, I do use white rice to make my rice sock heating pad. A gigantic bag of white rice is very affordable. One bag will last you a year.)

Then, find a clean white cotton sock. I would suggest washing it well with a little soap and bleach, rinse it very very well. Another thing I would suggest is that you start saving all your odd mismatched cotton socks for such things as this in the future.

Fill your sock with between 2 to 3 cups of rice, according to your preference. Place it on a clean microwavable plate and heat it in a microwave on high for one minute. After one minute, take it out and turn it over and heat it another minute on high. A total of 2 minutes should be sufficient. If you want it warmer, you can add a few seconds at a time.

Wrap your rice sock heating pad in either a clean white cotton pillow case, towel or a recycled white t-shirt. This rice sock will stay warm for a very long time. It also produces a moist heat, instead of a harmful dry heat. It is safe enough to use with children. NOTE: If you use it for children, be careful not to make it too hot. Also, quickly knead the heated rice sock in your hands to evenly spread the heat before giving the sock to a child to use. This precaution will eliminate the danger of a child being burned by hot spots that might be hidden in one or more areas of the sock.

You can use the same sock indefinately. I use mine until the moisture is just about gone. After heating it up the first time, you will notice a smell simular to popcorn. As the moisture is taken out of the rice it will more and more resemble the smell of popcorn ... when it starts smelling more like burnt popcorn, it is time for a new rice sock.

HOW TO SPEED UP A SLOW COMPUTER

2008-11-18T19:07:00.000-08:00

BEFORE YOU BEGIN: It is always best to backup your harddrive before you do any removing; though honestly I don't do it for this simple cleaning. It might be a good idea for you to make a backup for the first few times you clean, until you get used to it -- if you follow these instructions FOR SURE everything you delete will be safe. The backup is more to protect you if you accidentally delete the wrong thing unintentionally. This is a very SAFE cleaning! I do it at least every 3 months.

CONSERVE ENERGY -- THIS SPEEDS UP YOUR COMPUTER A LOT!

Go into CONTROL PANEL > System > Advanced > Performance
You probably have selected "Best for computer",
Change to "Best for performance"

Go into CONTROL PANEL > System > Advanced > Virtual Memory
Is probably set to 480 - 960
Change to twice your ram,
for example: my ram is 256, so 256 X 2 = 512
I set both my min 512 and max 512

Go to Control Panel > Fonts > Delete all fonts that you don't use -- this will give u lots of speed back!

NOTE: If you need to find out how much RAM you have, let me know and I will tell you how to find it.Also, If you don't use your time stamp, you can turn it off -- it will save more energy. I would be glad to tell you how to do that too. Just reply to this blog.

~~~
QUICK / EASY CLEANING

START > Search > All files and folders > type in the box *.tmp then go to Edit at the top of the page > Select All > press Delete (on keyboard)
(if a pop-up says that you cannot delete a file(s) go ahead and highlight above that item(s) and delete manually. You can left click and drag across several together to group them and then click delete.)

START > Search > All files and folders > type in the box ~* then go to Edit at the top of the page > Select All > press Delete (on keyboard)

START > Computer > Local Disc C > Temp -- click on Temp to open > Select All > Delete

START > Computer > Local Disc C > Windows > Prefetch > click on Prefetch to open > Select All > Delete

~~~
TO SPEED UP EVEN MORE -- GET RID OF FANCY SCREEN SAVERS:
Right click on Desktop empty area
PROPERTIES . Theme > Classic (select)

Screen Saver > none (apply)
~~~
Last thing to do: which you should do regularly is go to:
INTERNET EXPLORER > top of the page click on TOOLS > Internet Options >
Delete COOKIES
Delete TEMPORARY FILES
Delete HISTORY
select OK or APPLY as directed to remove them all.

Shut down your computer and turn it back on -- it should be running much faster.
~~~

(John's added a message for you)
Be sure you are ready to chase the computer when it runs faster, it will run off your desk and chase your cats and dog! Just kidding!!!

HOW TO MAKE KEFIR WATER

2008-10-13T10:03:00.000-07:00

Drinking water kefir is a great way to fix just about any stomach problem you are dealing with. It is full of all kinds of friendly bacteria that can colonize in your intestines to help get your stomach's flora back in shape. Surprisingly many of our health problems are directly related to our ability to absorb and use nutrients via digestion. Digestion is large factor in determining our overall health. That is where kefir comes in. Let me steal a quote from Lucille Ball in her skit for the VitaMitaVegimin commercial, "and its so yummy too!"

Lately, everyone is running to buy special yogurts with added friendly bacteria. Yogurt is great! But making it yourself is even better and a lot cheaper. We really should take advantage of all of the friendly bacteria found in such things as yogurts, milk/water kefirs and kombuchas. Each contains different benefits. Here is a basic, not exhaustive, list of the kinds of friendly bacteria found in Water Kefir:

* Lactobacillus brevis
* Streptococcus lactis
* Saccharomyces cerevisae
* Betabacterium vermiforme
* Saccharomyces pastorianus.

There are many variations of kefir water. My favorites are are made with Ginger/Figs and Ginger/Raisins. Before I begin to explain how to make kefir water, I first want to give credit to Dom, the man who taught me everything I know about it. He has helped me more times than I can count. If after reading this you become interested in making your own kefir water, I highly recommend that you check out Dom's website:
Dom's kefir info webpage http://users.chariot.net.au/~dna/kefirpage.html .

Here are the measurements I use for a quart size jar:

water kefir
3 cups spring water
3.5 - 4 TBS of grain
1/4 sugar
1/8 tsp sea salt (Celtic or Himalayan is best)
2 small ginger slices
slice of lemon
2 small or one large dried fig (or raisins)

mix (stir) water, salt and sugar well (until dissolved)
add grains
add lemon, figs and ginger
(carefully stir one more time)

-- Stir after 24 hours and ferment for another 24 hours -- when the temperature is warmer it ferment faster. Taste it to make sure it is ready. When the sweetness is gone, it is ready! Be sure to leave enough room in your container for it to grow... and burp it in the fridge from time to time. I have heard of exploding kefir bottles. So don't forget to burp your bottles!

Of course, I make mine in gigantic pickle jars. Which, for you, would just require multiplying the ingredients accordingly. If you are interested in learning more about making your own water kefir or finding out more about the benefits of drinking it, check out these websites:

How to make kefir http://users.chariot.net.au/~dna/Makekefir.html
Kefir FAQ http://users.chariot.net.au/~dna/kefir-faq.html

Some of you are now wondering about milk kefir. I will talk more about that later!

Washing My Hair with Kefir and Kombucha

2008-09-20T15:26:00.000-07:00

Since I had started washing my hair with Kefir Whey and Kombucha my hair has become noticeably thicker and shinier. I am almost 50 years old now, and prior to using the kefir and kombucha my hair had been starting to turn grey. My hair is now coming in healthy, shiny and back to it's original blonde color for the most part.

When I noticed that my hair was going back to my original color I was a bit embarrassed to tell anyone what I had noticed; because I was sure that people would think I was imagining things, so I said nothing. Ironically, within a day or so of my noticing this, someone in my kombucha group had noticed the same thing. Their experience was more evident than mine, because that person and their spouse's hair had changed from grey back to brown. I replied and shared my experience and so did others. So, I am not the only 'crazy' that says my hair has gone back to it's original color. Since that time, which has been at least a year ago now. Several people have commented on my hair. The ones who knew that my hair had been thin my whole life ... and that my hair had become dry, brittle and dull as I had become older have been even more shocked.

So, now are you wondering what I do to wash my hair? First of all, I haven't been able to go totally soapless on the hair yet. Though, I use so very little shampoo, that one large bottle of shampoo with essential oils lasts me forever ... I mean, FOREVER! I tried the "no poo" method with Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar. It was too drying for my hair. Though, I must mention that it does work very well for others.

Here is what I do: I soak my hair in the kombucha at least once a week. I also soak my hair in kefir at least once a week. When my hair needs washing between those times I use a pinch a good quality herbal shampoo with essential oils ONLY on my roots. As I rinse the shampoo out (rinsing it out very well!) the shampoo water runs down the remainder of my hair, though I don't intentionally 'wash' the rest of my hair or ends.

I used to pretty much just take a handful of shampoo and slap it on my wet hair/head and sort of scrub my hair around until it looked like a nest (which is the common practice of most), then rinse it out; followed by conditioner. My poor hair certainly needed the conditioner after that horrible abuse!

I no longer use conditioners or hair sprays. Thankfully, I don't need them anymore. Being that my hair used to be so thin, it used to quickly become oily. This is no longer the case. Now, I use a little bit of pure coconut oil in my hair after washing. It works great! Every once in a while I mix up some coconut oil and lanolin and use it on the tips of my hair.

Let me warn you! If you wash your hair too often in kombucha, your head will smell like vinegar when you sweat. That happened to me once. Not good! Which also reminds me, if you are a person who likes your hair to smell good you can do what I do. When you add the coconut oil to your hair add a drop of geranium oil, or any other essential oil that is safe for your skin. Your hair will smell great and look shiny. It also holds up well to humidity. I live in New Orleans, the capital of humidity, and my hair holds up great.

No More Soap?

2008-09-19T19:56:00.000-07:00

I never dreamed that I would see the day that I would bathe without soap. Nor, could I imagine ever being proud to tell someone such a thing. Well, that is the truth. I don't use soap to bathe anymore... and it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made!

Ever since I have thrown out the soap, my skin is softer and more clear than it has ever been. I am sure you are wondering if I stink now. Nope, that has not been a problem either. I don't use soap, but I do use sea salt, Epsom salt, kefir and kombucha:

Sea Salt -- works as a natural neutralizer. It kills bacteria and germs that can cause infection and softens the water.

Epsom Salt -- provides magnesium and sulfur that the body needs, with all of the added benefits of salt. As a perk, Epsom salt baths are great for relief of muscle pain and sprains.

Kefir and Kombucha -- are great astringents for fungus and any kind of skin condition. They are packed with probiotics (friendly bacteria). They are not only great for soaking in, but also can be used instead of shampoo.

I am sure that at first glance of this list most people would assume that this is too expensive of a venture to even think of trying. Let me tell you, since I have started doing this I have saved lots of money. I buy the salts by the bulk and make my own kombucha and kefir. I will be going into more detail in my next few blogs as to how to make kefir and kombucha. I will also add all of the links to the cool websites and to my mentors, so you can learn to make them for yourself.

The reason I started making kefir and kombucha is because I had stomach problems and I was looking for a way to straighten up my stomach's flora. It worked! My stomach problems are gone and the lagniappe perk is now I have found that there are more uses for them than I ever knew, including bathing in them. In fact, the kefir I use to wash my hair is made from my leftover whey. The kombucha I use is made from the kombucha that I make to drink that becomes over fermented. I could go on forever about using them to wash my hair ... but that is another blog too!

Why did I stop using soap? I know you were wondering. I was reading an article from Dr. Mercola and he had mentioned that we should not be using anything on our skin that we would not be willing to eat. It sounds bizarre, but think about it: our skin is our largest organ. Our skin absorbs everything that we put on it. If you think about all the junk we put on our skin; all the chemicals and toxins we take in on an average day with our soaps, lotions, colognes, laundry soaps and softeners ... then add in all the chemicals we come into contact with in the environment on a daily basis, it's too much to even begin to wrap our minds around. Maybe after reading this you might consider going soapless too!