Well, as I say,”Follow the money.” It didn’t take very long for the TV advertising to start on the “new” natural sweetener. Truvia is now on TV. It can be purchased at the local Fred Meyer and Safeway stores. They have a website that’s fairly informative and there are recipes listed, also. Not bad for something that was prohibited only a few months ago. Cargill makes it and I think it will be a better sweetener than other manufactured artificial, sweeteners. Side effects should be minimal and it shouldn’t bother anyone with diabetes.
On another note, my Sister gave me a book for Christmas named “Nourishing Traditions”. It is most informative and interesting. It has introductions to the basic skills needed for mastering the making of traditional foods. I’ve already started making some of the food and am noticing some differences. I will report more as I use more recipes and notice more changes. Talk about a “learning curve”. Hope all of you have had a wonderful Christmas!
As Always, Healthy Days to You, Your Smiling Maven
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Christmas and Sweeteners
It’s been awhile since I posted. Lot’s of Christmas things to do. Well they are finally done. All presents are purchased and wrapped, I’m listening to Christmas Music, and there is snow on the ground. Very "Currier and Ives". It’s been very “wintry” here in the NW. Nice for a change. I think we (local North Westerners) are ready for all of the snow to be gone, even if that means Christmas won’t be white. I don’t think that I’m really ready for the soggy though. That’s sure to come. But…we just passed the shortest day of the year!!! Hip, Hip, Hooray!! The days are going to get longer. Could spring be just around the corner?
I found time to read, even with all the extra things to do. Just didn’t have time to put my thoughts into a post. Today a newsletter came in that was interesting. The FDA has approved Stevia as a GRAS (generally regarded as safe) natural sweetener. They have not “technically approved” of it, they just won’t object to it. Stevia is an herb that grows in south America whose leaf produces a sweetener that is very good because it does not cause any adverse side effects when consumed. We readers of Natural Health blogs, newsletters, and books have been expecting this. We have been told, by the Government agencies that “protect” us from all things harmful, that Stevia sweetener needed "more study" to make sure that "we" wouldn't be hurt. The fact that the people of S.America have been using it for untold years and Japan has used it for a sweetener since around the 1970's, with no adverse effects was of no consequence. Why you ask? Well, some feel that politics and $$ is the real driving force behind FDA decisions. Seems as though an all natural sweetener would compete with artificial sweeteners and the sugar industry of this country.
Well, to make a long story short, there have been Natural Health advocates that have waged a war against Coke and Pepsi about their use of artificial sugar and regular sugars. So, apparently the “Big Boys” got the FDA to approve Stevia as a sweetener to be used in the U.S. However, when you read the label on the cans, Stevia will not be listed, Truvia will. Somewhere in here, I understand, is Cargill. A natural product cannot be patented, therefore no $$ can be made off of it. So, at least one molecule has had to be changed. So, the new product is not completely natural. They (those in the natural food industry) think this will be an improvement over Aspartame. I’m guessing this is so.
Hopefully, we will start to see products appear on grocery shelves with Stevia. It does not promote tooth decay, diabetes, headaches, or any of the other adverse things that have been associated with sugars, natural or artificial. I have been using it for awhile. Cooking with it is a "learning curve" because so little of it is used. Taste is good, slightly different than we are used to, but tasty when the right amount is used. As I said, a learning curve. In my opinion, a step in the right direction.
Healthy Days to you and Remember the "reason for the season"...Your Smiling Maven
I found time to read, even with all the extra things to do. Just didn’t have time to put my thoughts into a post. Today a newsletter came in that was interesting. The FDA has approved Stevia as a GRAS (generally regarded as safe) natural sweetener. They have not “technically approved” of it, they just won’t object to it. Stevia is an herb that grows in south America whose leaf produces a sweetener that is very good because it does not cause any adverse side effects when consumed. We readers of Natural Health blogs, newsletters, and books have been expecting this. We have been told, by the Government agencies that “protect” us from all things harmful, that Stevia sweetener needed "more study" to make sure that "we" wouldn't be hurt. The fact that the people of S.America have been using it for untold years and Japan has used it for a sweetener since around the 1970's, with no adverse effects was of no consequence. Why you ask? Well, some feel that politics and $$ is the real driving force behind FDA decisions. Seems as though an all natural sweetener would compete with artificial sweeteners and the sugar industry of this country.
Well, to make a long story short, there have been Natural Health advocates that have waged a war against Coke and Pepsi about their use of artificial sugar and regular sugars. So, apparently the “Big Boys” got the FDA to approve Stevia as a sweetener to be used in the U.S. However, when you read the label on the cans, Stevia will not be listed, Truvia will. Somewhere in here, I understand, is Cargill. A natural product cannot be patented, therefore no $$ can be made off of it. So, at least one molecule has had to be changed. So, the new product is not completely natural. They (those in the natural food industry) think this will be an improvement over Aspartame. I’m guessing this is so.
Hopefully, we will start to see products appear on grocery shelves with Stevia. It does not promote tooth decay, diabetes, headaches, or any of the other adverse things that have been associated with sugars, natural or artificial. I have been using it for awhile. Cooking with it is a "learning curve" because so little of it is used. Taste is good, slightly different than we are used to, but tasty when the right amount is used. As I said, a learning curve. In my opinion, a step in the right direction.
Healthy Days to you and Remember the "reason for the season"...Your Smiling Maven
Monday, December 8, 2008
Could this be Genes?
The ones in your body, I mean. My son told me something very interesting yesterday. His little 5 year old has started to ask, at the end of the day, “What are we doing tomorrow?” What ?? That’s what he used to do! We always thought that this little character trait was just something that was peculiar to him. Now his daughter is doing it. Amazing!!
So, I’ve been thinking. What is my M.O. As a child of the late `40’s and `50’s, I didn’t have the option of choice for tomorrow. There were chores to do and one day was pretty much like the last one. Getting in the car and having choices of where we were going or what we were going to do was unthinkable. Milk was delivered and grocery shopping was usually limited to 1 day a week. Going to the “Big” town was a bi-monthly or monthly thing. So, asking about tomorrow never crossed my mind, I don’t think. When something special was going to happen, I know my mother either kept it from me or braced herself for non-stop questions and excitement. Yep, Yep, Yep. A pest needing much feedback.
Even today, I need to have, in my mind, before retiring for the day, what I’m going to fix for dinner the next day. So, I suppose that’s kind of like “what am I doing, tomorrow?”
It appears now, as I have thought about it, quite possibly my son got this trait from me and of course he has passed it on to his daughter. Lucky him. Oh well. It’s not so bad, once you get used to the child’s concerns. It just gets so repetitive. But that’s raising children; it is a constant thing, day in and day out. At least she is a healthy, inquisitive child and full of life. I’ll take that any day.
Healthy Days to You...Your Smiling Maven
So, I’ve been thinking. What is my M.O. As a child of the late `40’s and `50’s, I didn’t have the option of choice for tomorrow. There were chores to do and one day was pretty much like the last one. Getting in the car and having choices of where we were going or what we were going to do was unthinkable. Milk was delivered and grocery shopping was usually limited to 1 day a week. Going to the “Big” town was a bi-monthly or monthly thing. So, asking about tomorrow never crossed my mind, I don’t think. When something special was going to happen, I know my mother either kept it from me or braced herself for non-stop questions and excitement. Yep, Yep, Yep. A pest needing much feedback.
Even today, I need to have, in my mind, before retiring for the day, what I’m going to fix for dinner the next day. So, I suppose that’s kind of like “what am I doing, tomorrow?”
It appears now, as I have thought about it, quite possibly my son got this trait from me and of course he has passed it on to his daughter. Lucky him. Oh well. It’s not so bad, once you get used to the child’s concerns. It just gets so repetitive. But that’s raising children; it is a constant thing, day in and day out. At least she is a healthy, inquisitive child and full of life. I’ll take that any day.
Healthy Days to You...Your Smiling Maven
Sunday, December 7, 2008
It Doesn't Get Much Better Than This!!
Today was a wonderful day. Sunshine for the most part, a good sermon by one of my favorite pastors, a delicious dinner with family, and most important of all, celebrating one of our Granddaughter’s Birthdays!!! Wow!!! such a full day. We’re tired, but very happy and contented. The kids are doing so well. All the girls are healthy and happy and Growing!!
The weather forecast for the next week, here in the N.W., is for rain and clouds with some clearing. Hope it’s more clearing than not. Last week, when we had a beautiful day, I was able to get outside and actually get some fresh air and a bit of exercise. I swept the deck and worked a bit in the greenhouse, and lifted a pot that was too heavy for me. I just can’t believe that there are some things that I am not able to or shouldn’t do any longer. So I did it anyway and paid for it by barely getting back into the house and being very stiff and sore the next day. I drank 2 bottles of “perfect water” and felt much better by noon and MDH didn’t notice my stiffness and frailty. He's always telling me to stay out of trouble when he's gone. Can't imagine why he should worry. Good stuff, that water.
After this very wet and cloudy fall weather that we’ve had here, I’ve come to the conclusion that I would never make it in Alaska. I would be stuck in front of one of those S.A.D. lights 24/7. This darkness didn’t use to bother me, but this year it has. But the good news is, we’re getting closer to the shortest day of the year, then it’s a steady march to longer and longer days!! Yippee!! Spring is just around the corner!!!
I’m doing some reading, but I need to get my cards done, so I don’t know when I’ll be able to think clearly enough to post a health related topic. Thinking is not near as much fun as birthday parties, don’t you know.
Healthy Days to You...Your Maven
The weather forecast for the next week, here in the N.W., is for rain and clouds with some clearing. Hope it’s more clearing than not. Last week, when we had a beautiful day, I was able to get outside and actually get some fresh air and a bit of exercise. I swept the deck and worked a bit in the greenhouse, and lifted a pot that was too heavy for me. I just can’t believe that there are some things that I am not able to or shouldn’t do any longer. So I did it anyway and paid for it by barely getting back into the house and being very stiff and sore the next day. I drank 2 bottles of “perfect water” and felt much better by noon and MDH didn’t notice my stiffness and frailty. He's always telling me to stay out of trouble when he's gone. Can't imagine why he should worry. Good stuff, that water.
After this very wet and cloudy fall weather that we’ve had here, I’ve come to the conclusion that I would never make it in Alaska. I would be stuck in front of one of those S.A.D. lights 24/7. This darkness didn’t use to bother me, but this year it has. But the good news is, we’re getting closer to the shortest day of the year, then it’s a steady march to longer and longer days!! Yippee!! Spring is just around the corner!!!
I’m doing some reading, but I need to get my cards done, so I don’t know when I’ll be able to think clearly enough to post a health related topic. Thinking is not near as much fun as birthday parties, don’t you know.
Healthy Days to You...Your Maven
Friday, November 28, 2008
What are we thinking???
Maybe we don’t anymore. We (people in this country) are very big on being “green”. That means everything natural and non-polluting, i.e. no chemicals. But what do we do to our children? The very first day of their lives, we shoot them full of a pharmaceutical vaccine. This vaccine, I understand, is not effective after 12 years. Seriously, are most American children going to be exposed to dirty needles and drugs before age 12? Mine weren’t. But this is a mandated thing. (Follow the money!!) Then we fill them up with more vaccines on a periodic basis that many other countries will not give as often or as soon. Again, follow the money. Then we feed them food that is full of chemicals and/or is nutritionally void. Then we put them on more drugs because they are “out of control”. And we wonder why!!! We also wonder why they are obese, have asthma, have diabetes, have a tendency to be depressed and want to commit suicide. What have we allowed into that precious little body?? Now I read that children as young as 8 years old are being considered for a cholesterol lowering drug. The side effects are not discussed. But that’s a whole lot of $$$ if a child gets on a pharmaceutical for life.
However, we’re “Going Green!” Good for us.
This doesn't make me smile...You're Maven
However, we’re “Going Green!” Good for us.
This doesn't make me smile...You're Maven
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Eclectic Post
That’s been my day, which is nice. No boredom at any rate! A little of this, a little of that. That has been RAIN!!! There’s been a lot of that, lately, in my wonderful northwest. It’s been so dark and cloudy that my Christmas cactus if blooming now instead of starting around Dec. 10th. Hopefully it won’t be all bloomed out by then.
But enough of that--today was beautiful with sunshine all day long. I was able to spend some time in my greenhouse. It was so wonderful. There was some rosemary that had rooted and needed to be potted. Got that done and then I just puttered around. Picked leaves and faded blooms and moved plants around and watered as needed. Just so nice to work with the plants again. I don’t realize how much I miss working with my plants. Wish my body would allow me to spend more time out there, maybe tomorrow. I picked some lovely pink geranium blooms and brought them in for a nice fresh flower arrangement. Not very fall looking, but they are fresh!
Also, I had some time for reading. Always so much that is interesting. I didn’t know that November is Diabetes Awareness Month and that it is a global problem. There doesn’t seem to be any consensus as to why type 2 diabetes is on the rise, nationally or worldwide. There will probably need to be more education on risks, signs and symptoms. One of the natural treatments that can be used, is cinnamon. It doesn’t take too many mg a day to make a difference. We have a relative who has used this and he is amazed at the difference it made in how his body reacted…very favorably for him. There is info on the web. Goggle diabetes and cinnamon.
Then I read an article about the “expensive urine” myth. We’ve probably all heard that before. I’ve been told that is what I am doing. Well, there is more and more nutritional research being done all the time. Tests have been done showing that the more vitamins consumed, the more that is absorbed or utilized by our bodies. Think of it like a sponge. If there are a few drops of liquid on a counter and you use a dry sponge to wipe up the liquid, the sponge is still mostly dry. But if you put a lot of liquid on the counter and use the same sponge, chances are it will be soaked and possibly dripping. It has absorbed a lot more liquid because it was there. Good health is not about the vitamins you excrete, it’s about the vitamins you retain.
And still more!! Orthomolecular Medicine News Service released this article, “Rigged Trials: Drug Studies Favor The Manufacturer”. I’ve read articles like this one before. Numbers can be presented in many different ways, it just depends on what outcome is desired. (That last sentence is my understanding of the article.) Also, our institutions of higher learning do not complain because they are getting money from the pharmaceutical companies to do the research. It is clearly not in their best interest to report that something else is better when the gravy train is elsewhere. “The result? Bias is now rampant in drug trials.” And do we really think that our government will do anything about this? It’s called “Follow the Money” and follow the men's careers. There seems to be a merry-go-round from Congress, the FDA, the Pharmaceutical Companies, the CDC, and I don’t know where else. All of these “businesses” have very generous salaries. So, I’ll just keep taking my vitamins and try to stay away from high priced drugs with side effects.
And then I needed to do some house work and tomorrow is garbage day, so it’s time to round up some things that need to be gone. We are trying to get rid of some of this extra “stuff”. I am finally able to throw out things that previously I just couldn’t toss. My daughter told me that she didn’t want to do it after I’m gone. I’ve got news for her, I’ll always have junk. It’s the nature of the beast!!!
I had a great day…as always,
Your Smiling Maven
But enough of that--today was beautiful with sunshine all day long. I was able to spend some time in my greenhouse. It was so wonderful. There was some rosemary that had rooted and needed to be potted. Got that done and then I just puttered around. Picked leaves and faded blooms and moved plants around and watered as needed. Just so nice to work with the plants again. I don’t realize how much I miss working with my plants. Wish my body would allow me to spend more time out there, maybe tomorrow. I picked some lovely pink geranium blooms and brought them in for a nice fresh flower arrangement. Not very fall looking, but they are fresh!
Also, I had some time for reading. Always so much that is interesting. I didn’t know that November is Diabetes Awareness Month and that it is a global problem. There doesn’t seem to be any consensus as to why type 2 diabetes is on the rise, nationally or worldwide. There will probably need to be more education on risks, signs and symptoms. One of the natural treatments that can be used, is cinnamon. It doesn’t take too many mg a day to make a difference. We have a relative who has used this and he is amazed at the difference it made in how his body reacted…very favorably for him. There is info on the web. Goggle diabetes and cinnamon.
Then I read an article about the “expensive urine” myth. We’ve probably all heard that before. I’ve been told that is what I am doing. Well, there is more and more nutritional research being done all the time. Tests have been done showing that the more vitamins consumed, the more that is absorbed or utilized by our bodies. Think of it like a sponge. If there are a few drops of liquid on a counter and you use a dry sponge to wipe up the liquid, the sponge is still mostly dry. But if you put a lot of liquid on the counter and use the same sponge, chances are it will be soaked and possibly dripping. It has absorbed a lot more liquid because it was there. Good health is not about the vitamins you excrete, it’s about the vitamins you retain.
And still more!! Orthomolecular Medicine News Service released this article, “Rigged Trials: Drug Studies Favor The Manufacturer”. I’ve read articles like this one before. Numbers can be presented in many different ways, it just depends on what outcome is desired. (That last sentence is my understanding of the article.) Also, our institutions of higher learning do not complain because they are getting money from the pharmaceutical companies to do the research. It is clearly not in their best interest to report that something else is better when the gravy train is elsewhere. “The result? Bias is now rampant in drug trials.” And do we really think that our government will do anything about this? It’s called “Follow the Money” and follow the men's careers. There seems to be a merry-go-round from Congress, the FDA, the Pharmaceutical Companies, the CDC, and I don’t know where else. All of these “businesses” have very generous salaries. So, I’ll just keep taking my vitamins and try to stay away from high priced drugs with side effects.
And then I needed to do some house work and tomorrow is garbage day, so it’s time to round up some things that need to be gone. We are trying to get rid of some of this extra “stuff”. I am finally able to throw out things that previously I just couldn’t toss. My daughter told me that she didn’t want to do it after I’m gone. I’ve got news for her, I’ll always have junk. It’s the nature of the beast!!!
I had a great day…as always,
Your Smiling Maven
Monday, November 3, 2008
Illness or Ageing..Seems like I care about both!!
In my reading this week, the vitamin emphasis seems to be on Vitamin C. It's not just for keeping colds and the flu at bay. Research is showing that cancer is slowed or removed with high doses of Vitamin C, also osteoporosis, or bone loss, can be reduced with Vitamin C. And we know that Vitamin C is utilized by the body better with the addition of Vitamin D. Some of the C needs to be in high doses of injectable ascorbate, some of it needs to come in the form of fresh fruits and vegetables, some in the form of supplements. One thing is for certain; our bodies work better and longer, with lots of vitamins and minerals from many different sources. Also, we’ll all be happier this winter with fewer viruses, as we keep our Vitamin intake at the “maximum” level. It’s very nice to know also, that even if I do start to get a virus, I can take an extra amount of Vitamin C and that will reduce the severity of the “bug.”
Also as a personal observation…MDH and I were out this weekend and from a distance he saw an old acquaintance and his wife. He barely recognized the husband and only recognized the wife because of the husband’s presence. It’s been over thirty years since we’ve even seen these people. I didn’t see the husband and only saw the woman briefly, in passing. She looked tired and unhealthy and much older than me. Since I didn’t recognize her, we kept walking. My thought as we passed this woman was, “I’m sorry that you don’t feel well. You look so unhappy.” Then my husband told me who we had just passed. Wow!! This woman is quite a bit younger than I and even with my disabilities, I look a whole lot better than that!!! As I age, it is becoming more and more apparent, that optimal cellular nutrition has been a good strategy, both internally and externally. On my “bad” days, I feel like she looked…miserable! Apparently, they didn’t recognize us either. Maybe we looked too young! Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha!!!
Keep taking your Vitamins, especially for the winter!
Healthy Days to You, Your Smiling Maven
Also as a personal observation…MDH and I were out this weekend and from a distance he saw an old acquaintance and his wife. He barely recognized the husband and only recognized the wife because of the husband’s presence. It’s been over thirty years since we’ve even seen these people. I didn’t see the husband and only saw the woman briefly, in passing. She looked tired and unhealthy and much older than me. Since I didn’t recognize her, we kept walking. My thought as we passed this woman was, “I’m sorry that you don’t feel well. You look so unhappy.” Then my husband told me who we had just passed. Wow!! This woman is quite a bit younger than I and even with my disabilities, I look a whole lot better than that!!! As I age, it is becoming more and more apparent, that optimal cellular nutrition has been a good strategy, both internally and externally. On my “bad” days, I feel like she looked…miserable! Apparently, they didn’t recognize us either. Maybe we looked too young! Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha!!!
Keep taking your Vitamins, especially for the winter!
Healthy Days to You, Your Smiling Maven
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