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September 1, 2010

Sunshine is not Enough– Vitamin D3 Supplements Needed Here!

Earlier this summer my husband's neice and her doctor-husband came with their adorable little kids and stayed with us for a couple of days. We love Mike, but since I'm sort of a radical flake around health and healing, we don't always agree on everything. One morning he asked me if I took Vitamin D supplements. I can't remember how I replied, but I do recall him saying something to the effect that "everyone should be taking Vitamin D." The fact is that ALL my esteemed internet health gurus are promoting the supplemental use of Vitamin D: Frederic Patenaude, Kevin Gianni, Dr. Ben Kim, Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo, Dr. Joe Mercola, and Mike Adams, Editor of Natural Health. It's doubtful that all of these guys can be wrong-- even though like our nephew, Mike, and I, they sometimes disagree on the topic of needing Vitamin D supplication they all agree. I invite you to check out what they have to say (click on the  underlined names above and that will take you to material about their individual stances on the subject) or just go ahead and google Vitamin D supplementation if you want. See how important Vitamin D is in affecting depression, fatigue, weight issues, autoimmune diseases, even the Big-C in its many different forms. Kevin Gianni's email this morning talks a little more about how you can test for Vitamin D deficiency and analyze the results of those tests (because doctors generally don't get into those finer points). Here is that email:
Kevin Gianni Renegade Health
It's getting hotter (in the RV and in my inbox)... We're traveling east to Phoenix right now and I swear the temperature rises a degree every mile. We'll be in Phoenix then Sedona, so if you're in the area next week, I'm sure we'll be at Chocalatree more than once. LOL! :-) Before I start with today's newsletter, I want to share with you the program that is scorching hot right now. (I'm glad it is digital, 'cause we would be out of stock a day and a half ago!) The program is called "How to Read your Blood Tests" and is a course that puts your health freedom back into your own hands. The program will teach you how to read your own blood tests, how to choose what tests you need and how to decipher the real levels for those who want optimal health. (I know that's you!) It's over 4 hours of education and contains a complete worksheet that will show you Dr. Williams' optimal levels for almost 100 markers of health - everything from Vitamin D, B12, cholesterol, DHEA, homocysteine, c-reactive protein and more. The program is on special (almost 50% off) until September 6th, so be sure to read more and get a copy now while we have it at a great price. The worksheet with all the testing levels is worth the entire cost, I promise you. Here's where to go... http://www.renegadehealth.com/bloodtests On to the newsletter: Yesterday, I wrote about Annmarie and my Vitamin D levels. A bunch of people wrote in sharing similar stories. A few more wrote in saying they were angry at us, because sun CAN raise Vitamin D levels. I want to clarify this in a few ways. I did not say that the sun can't raise Vitamin D levels. I said after our sun experiment, our vitamin D levels were still super low. My message was a warning to those who think that their Vitamin D levels are OK, just because they're in the sun a lot. This was an assumption that Ann and I both made and it was dead wrong. I don't want you to make that same mistake. I don't want you to assume anything just because you heard it. You need to take an approach that identifies YOUR truth - not anyone else's. In this case, take a Vitamin D test and see what your results are. It's as simple as that. If what you're doing is working for you then that's knowledge you have. If it's not, then you have to change your mindset a bit to accept what you've been told may not be exactly true. (Possibly partially, but not set in stone... maybe just almond butter.) In this health world, we rely way too much on other people's opinions... including mine. So it's up to you to confirm or prove what is right for you. And if it is working for you, please send me the results, I'd like to know about them! Other viewers wrote in speaking about the article Joe Mercola wrote about a year ago. This article explained that you can't wash the oils off your body for maximum vitamin D absorption. Yes, I have read that article and agree with Joe's premise. I did a video on it around the same time the article came out. I, myself haven't used soap (besides for particular areas) in over 3 years. So this is not an issue with my own low levels at the time I found out about my deficiency. Annmarie does use soap, so this may have given her a slightly lower number, but this is only supposition. I don't have any concrete proof on this. (Side Note: My levels are over 50 now with supplementation and rising steadily.) Bottom line is this... I want to thank you for sending in your comments and I want you to know that I care about your health. That's why I want you to use testing as a way to gauge what's working and what is not. I for many years assumed everything was OK until I learned about using testing as a health tool. When I started getting tested, everything was not OK. It woke me up, big time. And, of course, if you want to learn more about what tests to take, how to get them done and what the optimal levels are based on Dr. Williams' 30 years of experience, then please check out our new program here... http://www.renegadehealth.com/bloodtests The program is on special until Sept. 6th so be sure to get it at almost 50% off now! http://www.renegadehealth.com/bloodtests I'm melting in Palm Springs now... just a few more hours. Live Awesome! Kev


August 26, 2010

In Search of the Perfect Peach

mmm peaches! As a little girl on the prairies the height of the summer was the arrival of fruit from the Okanagan. My mother didn't can or otherwise preserve, but fortunately, my best friend's mother did, and I was often fortunate to get in on the bounty or plums, pears, peaches, apricots and cherries when they arrived with their relatives who came to visit every summer bearing fruity gifts (wow-- actually lived in the heart of such abundance! lol) Peaches were a pretty close tie with cherries and apricots as my favourite fresh tree fruit.
The years passed-- lots of years-- and I searched every year to re-discover that mouth-charging experience of the perfect peach of my memory. I lived in BC a couple of times. I ate peaches near orchards. I bought bushels of peaches from "Okanagan Fruit" stands. Something like half a century later-- this summer-- I actually found and fell in love with the perfect peach of my childhood summers past: it's called the Red Haven variety, a pretty much fuzz-less semi-cling variety (meaning you still have to dig the pit out a bit, but it's relatively easy). The sweet, juicy, umm....peachy taste is just what I've been looking for all these years! My husband cringed a little at the price ($50 for 20 pounds, organic) probably because we have been picking blackberries for free for the past few weeks, but I think they are worth every cent. We ordered them from OK Fruit, a company that picks them up in the Okanagan from the orchards about a day or two after they have been picked and delivers them to various locations around BC (and maybe Alberta?). We order them by email and pick them up at our local Mall on an early Sunday afternoon. Perfect! Peachy! Here is a great simple and delicious green smoothie recipe from Victoria Boutenko, the Green Smoothie instigator:
  • 6 Peaches, cut up, pits removed
  • 2 handfuls of Spinach (or Romaine) leaves
  • 2 C. Water


  • August 10, 2010

    Raw Dining Giveaway!

    This Giveaway winner is S. Henderson... Congratulations!  Thanks to Sean and CSN Stores and everyone who took part!  If you are interested, there is another Giveaway coming up at http://coming-up-mushrooms.blogspot.com that you might want to take part in!  Party on in your Kitchen!http://www.diningroomsdirect.com/

    Stainless Steel Kitchen Island

    Wow, you know how you see into all the glitteratti's kitchens and dining rooms when they do the raw food prep shows? Well, I'm not at that level (not a guru lol) but I am so thrilled to be able to offer a giveaway that will allow you (if you win) towards your purchase of something posh for your dining room from a huge selection of dining furnishings and accessories offered by CSN Stores online.If you have gone raw (or high raw), you might be looking for extra storage space for your various gadgets and machines-- go ahead and click here to see all the islands and sidetables and buffets, etc.-- enough to make a raw vegan drool! And look at the cool breakfast nooks! Whatever you might be thinking about purchasing for your dining pleasure you can find on here, including some CSN Local Marketplace offers that you won't find anywhere else (yes, I mean offers in your own community).
    So, to win a $40 gift certificate towards a purchase from any of the online CSN stores, all you have to do is comment here-- tell me what your dream at-home dining experience would be for you right now-- special new furnishings? a special gathering of people you'd love to serve in your home? a TV show shot from your kitchen while you whirl up a fantastic raw creation?-- let your imagination rollclick here and tell me in the comment section what it is that you desire (you do NOT have to use those silly tags and code-- just type up your comments in plain English-- your Name, Email Address and Comments!). Get your comments in by Sunday, August 22nd at Midnight PST. The giveaway winner will be chosen from all the commenters and notified by email (so PLEASE include your email address-- it will not be shared with anyone else). Have a lot of fun "shopping" at Dining Rooms Direct and click to make your comments here or below! (This is so much fun!) **I'm sorry-- giveaway only available in CANADA and the UNITED STATES and shipping costs will be the purchaser's responsibility where applicable. ~Cynthia


    July 30, 2010

    Sunshine, Shopping, Smoothie– What Could Be Better?

    Vitamix Whole Foods Recipes

    Who would throw this away?

    Enjoying a terrific day here-- went shopping at the Sally Anne and came home with a stack of great fitness and gardening mags and a great & recent Vita-Mix Whole Foods Recipes book<-- for 99 cents. Then we had probably my all-time favourite green smoothie to now... tasted like 'summer in a glass'--
    • 4 ripe organic apricots,
    • huge handful of fresh-from-the-garden Cilantro,
    • 1 Cup+ Frozen Blueberries,
    • 3 frozen bananas,
    • Liquid from a Young Coconut, Meat from a young Coconut,
    • about a half-glass of water,
    • 2 T. of flaxseed (grind in advance if you don't have a VitaMix).
    It provided each of us with about 20+ ounces of pure ambrosia. Aren't Green Smoothies just the bomb? ~Cynthia http://blog.rawgenesis.com/2010/07/13/hey-my-fellow-canadians-meet-the-new-vitamix-for-you/


    July 29, 2010

    Sun-pumpkin-seed-mixed-greens Pesto Recipe

    My husband is off with the car and I find myself in the rare predicament of not having ingredients for pesto... not that we eat pesto very often, but we usually have quite an array of raw fixings, including lemons, olive oil, young coconuts, etc. Well, I had none of the preceding items. What I DID have was a couple of containers full of the most beautiful glossy dark purple basil you could ever want to see in the sunshine, and some lovely stately Pineapple Sage, also in a container, as well as a lot of other greens here and there, not so glossy or stately, but usable. So, grabbing inspiration and tips from Bee at her blog site, this is what I put together with what I had in the kitchen: *Pick about 10 Cups (loose packed) leaves of choice: I chose about 4 C. of the splendid African Basil, about 2 C. of Pineapple Sage, about a cup of Mint leaves and the rest made up of the bitter tops of pretty but almost-bolted leaf Lettuce (so about 3 Cups). Go ahead and pick the leaves you like the taste of -- experiment. *Put about 1 Cup of nuts or seeds of choice into your blender or food processor and chop until crumbly I used mostly sunflower and pumpkin seeds, previously soaked and dried in the sun on a really sunny, hot day *Add the other ingredients to the blender:
  • 3 T. Lemon Juice (which I didn't have, so used Apple Cider Vinegar)
  • 1 T. Miso (adds exceedingly yummy and intense flavour)
  • 3 T. Olive Oil (which again, me no have-- so I used-- ta dah-- Organic Sesame Oil)
  • the 10 Cups of Leaves
  • 1 chopped clove of garlic
  • Celtic Sea Salt and whatever other herbal seasoning to taste Whir up to the creaminess that you prefer-- more nuts mean more fatty, creamy texture (which means more calories and fats-- I just take a multi-enzyme cap with the meal : ) We are eating it on rice fettucini, but I bet it makes a fab dip for fresh garden veggies or over some veggie pasta. Now, I happen to really like the sort of bitter, sour notes of this particular medley, but if you find it too much of that, I would suggest you might throw a lot more baby spinach in (in lieu of the bolted lettuce and maybe the Pineapple Sage)-- spinach will also give it a lovely green colour, according to Bee. Because this pesto took a sort of Asian twist (with the Miso and Sesame Oil) I'm going to sign off with mànmàn chī! (in Mandarin, roughly equivalent to 'Bon Appetit')


  • July 19, 2010

    Fred Answers Questions about Coffee & BMs, Cancer & Fruit Sugar, etc.

    One of my long-time favourite raw foodist-educators is Frederic Patenaude. Recently Fred married Veronica in Costa Rica and they have embarked on a trip around the world. They are, at the time of this post, in Montreal and preparing to meet with enthusiastic raw foodists in key cities throughout Europe, Asia and Pacific island stops. Frederic answered some questions about health and raw foods in his latest email that I would like to share with you below. If you have any comments or questions you would like to make, you click here to do that. -- Can’t wait to get started on the raw food diet? Check out my Raw Health Starter Kit at: http://www.fredericpatenaude.com/starterkit.html -- Grains and Honey Q: Frederic, what about grains and honey? ANSWER: As I’ve explained in my book the Raw Secrets, fruit, vegetables and roots are superior to grains in many ways. Most fruits and vegetables (including roots like carrots or sweet potatoes) are alkaline-forming, while most grains are acid-forming. There is also a growing concern with gluten-containing grains, as a good portion of the population is either intolerant or sensitive (often without even knowing it). If grains are consumed, better to choose gluten-free grains such as amaranth, rice, buckwheat, and quinoa, if you choose to have any grains at all. I’m especially against the sprouted-grain craze. Raw starch in those grains is particularly indigestible. This is one special case where it would be better to cook your food than eat it raw. In any case, fruit is superior to grains. About honey: I’m not a big fan of honey, but occasionally (usually less than once a month) I might use some in a recipe, and rarely more than 1 tablespoon. Honey is quite acidic, and the sugars are too concentrated for regular consumption. I also do not subscribe to the concept of using honey as a medicine. Some people put honey on their teeth to heal them, which is complete insanity since the sugar will only feed the bacteria and cause even more decay, in spite of the mild anti-microbial properties of some honey. Honey is also often used to treat colds and sore throat, but it should be viewed as a remedy that masks symptoms rather than something that actually goes at the root of the problem. -- Are You 100% Raw? Q: I enjoy your presentation and believe you are the most open and balanced of the raw food folks out there. You speak from hard experience, which I appreciate. Are you 100% raw? If so, How long have you been 100%? Do you eat any "SAD" at all, at social functions, etc.? If not, how do you respond when asked, while not wanting to "up the ante"? Sometimes people still take offense at my politest, "it doesn't work for me." A lot of raw food folks I've met become zealots, are rigid, and look joyless and unhappy. What do you attribute this to? Do you think some people substitute a raw food program for an emotional void in their lives? I find that raw foods are no substitute for the emotional work I need to do, yet it gives me the energy in which to pursue the work, if that makes any sense. thanks again. Dave Meeks ANSWER: Thank you Dave! I’ve been following a raw-food program since 1996. I have been 100% raw at times — the longest period was 3-4 years. I eat mostly fruits and vegetables, but not always 100% raw. I avoid all animal products, and aim at following a strict low-fat diet, with no added oil. I might add foods such as steamed vegetables, potatoes and brown rice to my diet — more or less depending on the period of the year or whether I’m traveling or not. I always find something to eat at a restaurant or social function and never feel it’s necessary to eat SAD! Socially, the best approach is to be non confrontational. Interested people will come to you and ask questions. Stay cool and don’t be a food nazi! But also promote the right message or demystify some myths when it’s appropriate. Some raw food people are indeed very uptight, but keep in mind the saying that “There’s nothing like the zeal of the newly converted”. When I first became a vegetarian at 18, I wanted to convert everybody! Raw foods or any diet are not a magic potion. They will not change your personality fundamentally, or replace psychological growth and maturity. -- The Perfect Stimulant Q: Just watched your videos on YouTube. As usual, your answers were simple and clear. I have dubbed you "Common Sense Fred" and share your info with anyone who will listen. Thanks for using your mind on behalf of all of us for better health. I do want to say that agreeing that "coffee is a stimulant" in your video will tend to support, for many people, their reason for drinking coffee in the morning - they think it is the only effective way to have a bowel movement. I drink two tall glasses of room temperature water every morning and it works beautifully - no need for 'stimulants.' I've been about 80% raw now for almost a year and look and feel great - finally reached a natural weight at age 60! Again, thank you for all you do. ANSWER: Way to go! Water with lime is a great “stimulant” :) -- Blood Pressure Changes COMMENT: I appreciate your video responding to hate-mail, especially what you said about sugar and cancer, and that the real thing to avoid is high blood sugar. Once I caught on to the concept of low fat, high fruit diet, and adhered to it, my blood sugar went from averaging between 110-140 to an average of 85-90. I know this is because my cells are getting most of it, and it shows in my musculature. Thank you for promoting the truth. -- Fruit and Sugar Q: Do cancer cells thrive in a more high fruit environment? Hippocrates Institute does not advocate high fruit ANSWER: There’s no such thing as a “high-fruit environment”. What matters is your blood sugar, and level of antioxidants. A constantly elevated blood sugar may be a risk factor for cancer. However, eating a lot of fruit does not necessarily cause high-blood sugar. What matters is insulin sensitivity, which is mainly affected by your fitness levels (get your exercise!), body fat (lose that tire!), and most importantly, the fat content in your diet. A low fat diet has positive effects on insulin sensitivity, and it’s very important to lower the fat content in the diet so that healthy foods like fruit don’t affect your blood sugar. ~Frederic ** Green Apple image courtesy of Inumaro9 at http://www.sxc.hu/profile/Inumaru9


    July 16, 2010

    How to Balance Your Hormones without Big Bucks or Big Pharma

    For a while I have been following the teachings passed along by Wise Woman/Chiropractor/Nutritionist, Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo. Dr. Loscalzo has a way of getting even the most scientifically-unsure person (me) excited about my body's care and how it can be nourished in a natural way to overcome all matter of dis-ease and dis-function that we used to think we needed to pop pharmaceuticals to manage. Recently Dr. Ritamarie has focused in on the significance of hormone imbalance as one of the most common causes of feeling "less than good". Sister, when your hormones are properly functioning-- are in balance-- you can feel on top of the world-- energetic, clear-headed, joyful, strong. This is all dependent on the orchestration of a number of key lifestyle factors. But, when your hormones get out of balance, the opposite is true, You just don't feel quite right. Dr. Loscalzo has provided the following simple assessment below to determine how well balanced YOUR hormones are: Mark each one you experience. 1. Fatigue/lack of energy? 2. Distractibility or lack of focus? 3. Memory loss? 4. Anger or irritability? 5. Anxiety? 6. Depression? 7. Mood swings? 8. Headaches? 9. Muscle Aches? 10. Joint pain? 11. PMS? 12. Painful periods? 13. Breast tenderness or swelling? 14. Accumulation of weight around your midline? 15. Weight loss resistance? 16. Acne or oily skin? 17. Dry or thinning hair? 18. Dry or itchy skin? 19. Increased facial hair? 20. Urinary incontinence? 21. Decrease in sex drive? 22. Vaginal dryness, itching or pain? 23. Painful intercourse? 24. Difficult achieving orgasm? 25. Hot flashes/or night sweats? 26. Insomnia or night time awakenings? 27. Osteopenia or osteoporosis? 28. Elevated cholesterol? 29. Constipation? 30. Bloating, gas or indigestion? Score one point for each positive answer. Score an additional point for each symptom that's moderate to severe in intensity or you experience it frequently. **If your score is 20 or higher, you most likely have a hormone imbalance that needs to be addressed ASAP. **If you scored between 10 and 20, you are likely suffering from a hormone imbalance that's interfering with your quality of life. **If you scored between 5 and 10, your hormone imbalance is mild and should be addressed to prevent it from getting worse. **If you scored less than 5, take measures to protect and nourish your hormones to prevent imbalances.
    For a free video series on balancing your hormones to keep you young, sexy and vibrant at ANY age, sign-up at www.vibranthormones.com
    Dr. Ritamarie teamed up with internationally acclaimed hormone expert Dr. Lindsey Berkson, author of "Safe Hormones, Smart Women", "Hormone Deception","Natural Answers to Women's Health Questions", "Healthy Digestion the Natural Way" and 8 other books to create these videos that share the best kept secrets about nourishing and protecting your hormones. www.vibranthormones.com This video series covers the following topics and more: * How your hormones are like email messages – and what factors affect their delivery? * Why is testosterone important for keeping women’s hormones safe? * What are the important vitamins that balance your mood, energy and libido? * What is intimate connection between food and hormones? * How does sleep protects you from cancer? * How could synthetic vitamins be hurting you? You can get started with this FREE video series here: www.vibranthormones.com This information is not to be missed if you'd like to be vibrantly healthy, happy, and sexy throughout the years to come. I will definitely be taking in this free video series myself! If you have any support questions you would like Dr. Ritamarie to respond to, please go to this address to ask the questions: www.drritamarie.com/faq/help Her regular website is www.drritamarie.com
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    July 13, 2010

    How to Make Free Fertilizer from your Weedy Garden

    Filed under: 2010,Farm in the Backyard,Organic,biodynamic methods,compost,compost break down,econesting do-it-yourself,gardening,herbs,how to make free weed tea,how to mulch with weeds,natural plant enzymes,natural plant stimulant,solar power,stinging nettles,tea brew alfalfa nettles yellow dock burdock comfrey chickweed horsetail,vegan,vegetarian,wild weeds — HealthiaCynthia @ 9:32 pm
    In our area we are not allowed to use chemical herbicides and pesticides in our gardens. I have noticed that the cloying, toxic odours emanating from the fertilizer aisles in the big stores have diminished somewhat, but surprisingly, they are still selling some stuff. To whom I wonder? People who live further afield, in the more pristine areas of our community perchance? ick.
    Several years ago our bio-dynamic son introduced me to the idea of making my own fertilizers by soaking the vital rejected plants in my garden, the weeds. Imagine harnessing the power from these pernicious little flora freaks... some of them (like bindweed) are almost impossible to stamp out entirely. What is their secret? It certainly seems that they have a desire to have Plant World Dominance. I have a big pail of weed tea brewing out in my backyard and my husband found some great paint strainer bags so that I will (in a week or so) just strain off the fermenting weedy brew and apply to my various hungry plants. Here is a great article worth reading: How to Make Free Fertilizer From Weeds Supercharge your plants and save money by making one of nature's best free fertilizers: weed tea! When you recycle your weeds into fertilizer, you return to the soil a powerful array of nutrients that will give your garden a kind of naturally superior boost that can't be had with most commercial fertilizers. You will also notice a dramatic improvement in the flavor of garden vegetables that have been given doses of this 'green gold' weed tea during the growing season. As a bonus, it has been noted that plants given weed tea seem to have more disease and insect resistance than plants that were fertilized with chemicals. Weeds spend their entire lives mining valuable minerals and many other kinds of vital nutrients from the soil. You can tap into this large reservoir of free fertilizer by making a tea of chopped weeds and water. This simple brew serves as an excellent liquid fertilizer for root or foliar feeding. As a bonus, some weeds even offer insect repellent protection! You might be surprised to learn that some weeds have more nutritional value than the average green leafy vegetable, such as spinach or kale. For instance, a common weed called Lamb's Quarter contains triple the amount of calcium, almost double the amount of beta-carotene, more than double of minerals as kale or spinach. (By the way, Lamb's Quarter is delicious to eat, but you'll probably never find it in a supermarket. Because it is so delicate, it can't easily stand up to the rigors of the commercial food chain.) There are three easy ways to extract nature's goodness from weeds: 1) as a liquid fertilizer (either as a cooked or cold brewed tea), 2) or as a mulch, or 3) buried into the soil. If the weeds are in the seed stage, you may want to consider making liquid fertilizer (see the next heading), rather than using them as mulch to prevent unwanted weeds from sprouting in your garden. MULCHING WITH WEEDS When you pull or cut weeds that have not yet gone to seed, you can simply lay them on top of the ground to serve as a mulch that will provide a small but steady trickle of nutrients. Mulches are a valuable addition to your garden because they will add nutrients to the soil and help conserve ground moisture. At the end of the growing season, mulches can be turned into the soil, to act as a powerful soil conditioner. In just a few seasons, repeated applications of mulch can help turn the poorest soil into 'black gold' that will outperform anything you can buy for your garden. HOW TO MAKE WEED TEA Recipe A - Regular strength This is a quick stovetop recipe that does not smell bad, and can be made indoors. (The other recipes smell kind of barn-yardy, and should be made outside.) You can use either fresh or dried weeds. 'Suntea' directions: For every big handful of weeds add 2 or 3 cups of water in a glass jar and set out into the sun for a day or two (use more water if making it from fresh, less if making it from dried.) Stovetop directions: Bring the weeds and water barely to a boil. Remove from heat and cover. Allow to cool, and to soak for a few hours, then strain. To use: Dilute one part tea to four parts of water. If using as a foliar spray, add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon genuine soap (not dish detergent!). A few thin shavings off Ivory soap bar, dissolved in a bit of water will work. This will help the liquid to stay on the leaves better. A little goes a long way; more is not better. This stickum is not needed if using the brew as a root fertilizer. Recipe B - Super concentrated fertilizer This brew is super concentrated and should be diluted at the rate of 1 part weed juice to 10 parts water. For a stronger fertilizer, try a dilution rate of 1/3 bucket of weed juice to 2/3 bucket of water. Pour as needed over the root zone of your growing plants, then water as usual to assist in bringing the nutrients to the roots. For foliar (leaf) feeding, make sure that the color of the solution is no darker than weak tea, and do not apply it to vegetables about to be harvested. Although weed tea can be made at any time of the year, the best time to harvest weeds for fertilizer is in in the springtime, or just before the plants go into full flower. This is when the nutritional content is at its peak. For roughly each pound of fresh weeds, add 8 cups of water into a container with a lid, such as a bucket. Allow to sit outside for about two to four weeks (longer in colder weather). About once a week, stir well. Hold yer nose, 'cause fermenting weeds can be quite smelly. Do not touch this concentrated liquid fertilizer with your hands! Wear gloves. This concentrate will stain, and is difficult to remove from skin and clothing. Don't wait too long to use your liquid fertilizer. After a time, the green brew will begin to change color to grey, brown, black and maybe even white. When it has changed color, it has been too decomposed to use as high powered fertilizer, but it will make an excellent addition to the compost pile. If you brew this from nettles, you can make a good aphid spray if dilute it at double strength: 1 cup nettle juice to 5 cups water. Recipe C - Perpetual supply of fertilizer This brew is a perpetual, ongoing one. Once made it can be renewed so that it is always available, without having to wait for the brew to 'finish'. Dilute at the rate given for Recipe B. Put your greens in a sack, with a strong cord tied around the closed neck. Drop it into a bucket of water. Allow to ferment as outlined in Recipe B. After some of this liquid fertilizer has been used up, add more water and another fresh sack of greens. Repeating this process ensures you'll have a continuous supply of 'green gold'. WHICH WEEDS AND PLANTS MAKE THE BEST FERTILIZERS? It is best that you include a variety of plants in the brew, if you can. This way you create a broad spectrum of nutrients for your garden. Too much of one nutrient can create a deficiency in another, just like with 'people vitamins'. Although any plant will work well in making your own fertilizers, there are some plants that really shine as particularly nutrient-rich boosters. Here are a few of my personal favorites. In another post, I'll tell you why these plants deserve a closer look!
    Nettles Comfrey Yellow Dock Burdock Horsetail Chickweed Alfalfa (not a weed, but one of the most nutrient rich plants I know of)
    This article may be reprinted by you for noncommercial use, if the following credit is given: This article is an excerpt from Mrs. Tightwad's Handbook #5: QUICK SUBSTITUTES and EASY FORMULAS FOR OVER 100 "CAN'T-DO-WITHOUT" ITEMS. For more information, see the left sidebar on this site: http://purecajunsunshine.blogspot.com/ *garden image courtesy of Alpinegirl at StockXching
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    Hey my fellow Canadians– meet the NEW VITAMIX for you!

    Filed under: 2010,Green Smoothies,Hallelujah Diet,Health e-Affiliate,Healthy Home and Planet,Juicing,Living Foods,Power-packed Smoothies,Raw Food Cleanse,Raw Vegan Lifestyle,Recipes,Unique Gifts,Vita-Mix,VitaMix,VitaMix Trade-in,Whole Food,fruitarian,more nutritious than storebought,natural green juice,raw Christian,raw food?,vegan,vegetarian,weight loss — HealthiaCynthia @ 12:12 pm
    Vitamix announces the launch of "Total Nutrition Center" for Canadian customers. "Total Nutrition Center" is the same fabulous Vitamix machine as the Vitamix 5200 but with a new name and new look. The main difference is that this machine has been given a cosmetic update on the machine label, which includes the new Vitamix logo. Vitamix renamed the Vitamix machine sold in Canada to match the new Vitamix branding on other Vitamix machines sold outside of the U.S. I was personally surprised to read of the new name "Total Nutrition Center" (or should that be Centre? lol) since I have a Vitamix machine of vintage with just that name.  Brenda, my lovely contact at Vitamix (with whom I am an affiliate) explained to me that the name change is really a name-change-back and is a mesh with the various other international Vitamix labels... You will have seen it as Vitamix 5200.  It is the same machine, different name. If you are Canadian (with a Canadian IP I'm assuming) you will be redirected to the Canadian site whenever you go into Vitamix from your home computer, so don't be confused by the TOTAL NUTRITION CENTER ads if you are looking for a Vitamix 5200, okay?  Same animal...er...machine. Vitamix has had a Canadian outlet depot for many years in Ontario. What that means for us is that we don't have to pay in American funds and fuss with all the usual customs and shipping details.  It also means that if you have repairs to be made (I've never had that situation), then you would just ship to the Canadian office.  I like that.
    Healthy Whole Food Meals are Quick, Easy and Delicious! A whole food diet is the key to a long and healthy life.  New recommendations encourage consuming more  fruits, vegetables and whole grains every day. This is easily accomplished by eating terrific-tasting, nutrient-rich whole food meals made in the Vitamix machine. Start your 30-day no-risk in-home trial today and we'll give you FREE Standard Ground Shipping! To get started, Click Here--> https://secure.vitamix.com/redirect.aspx?index.aspx?COUPON=06-002685
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    July 12, 2010

    How To Vacation in your Own Backyard (Hammock)

    Filed under: 2010,backyard vacation,crafting,econesting do-it-yourself,hammock,relaxing outdoors — HealthiaCynthia @ 10:42 pm
    The past should be a springboard not a hammock. ~Irving Ball
    When I was a child my grandparents had a hammock on their front veranda of their farmhouse.  In the summer my grandfather had afternoon naps there. I remember trying it out as a swing but not being too interested in it as a place to nap, because, I suppose, I was not a napping child. But now is another thing entirely. I would love to have a hammock, and guess what? It is possible to make one quickly and out of something like an old sheet or bedspread. Here is a video that describes more than one way to do it, including how a more classic woven or twined hammock can be made. This is the quintessential summer lounger! Instant Hammock - More cool how to projects *Cool image of the kids, dog and hammock by Crissy Watkins whose work can be found at Dolcevita-Images.com
    *Instructional video by Ronnie Citron-'Fink at Care 2 Make A Difference
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    June 24, 2010

    Recipe for Raw Vegan Chocolate Cosmic Bliss Balls

    Filed under: 2010,Cacao,Carob,Cinnamon,Comfortably Raw,Dehydrater,How to make Raw Vegan Chocolate Cosmic Bliss Balls,Organic,Raisins,Recipes,Sunflower Lord,Vita-Mix,coconut,coconut oil,ebook,raw food?,sunflower seeds — HealthiaCynthia @ 6:32 pm
    We're going for an after-church picnic at Tofino Beach (west coast of Vancouver Island-- bring your surf board Baby) and I've got the Bliss Balls dehydrating away even as I type this... I have made them before and they are a huge hit... they pack a lot of power and are the perfect on-the-go snack for hikers, picnickers, etc.  The recipe is from Sunflower Lord's ebook Comfortably Raw: Chocolate. You can get your own copy of this scrumptious collection of raw chocolate recipes by clicking here.
  • 1/4 Cup plus 1 T. Cacao Powder
  • 1/4 Cup plus 1 T. Carob Powder
  • 1/4 Cup plus 3 T. Agave (or Raw Honey)
  • 1 T. Coconut Oil
  • FOR BLISS BALLS:Dry Ingredients: Wet Ingredients: DIRECTIONS:
    1. Start by making chocolate chunks, as they will require a few hours in the freezer to freeze solidly enough not to melt into the other ingredients.  Stir chocolate chunk ingredients together until thoroughly mixed
    2. Spread chocolate about 1/2 inch thick on a Teflex dehydrator sheet or parchment paper.  Freeze for a few hours until chocolate is thoroughly hardened, then remove Teflex sheet and cut with a knife.
    3. In a mixing bowl, mix all dry ingredients together.
    4. In a blender, blend all wet ingredients together.
    5. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix thoroughly
    6. Add chocolate chunks last and gently mix
    7. Roll into balls and place on a Teflex dehydrator sheet and dehydrate at 105 degrees F. for 3 to 5 hours
    Makes about 30 balls Delectable!
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    June 20, 2010

    How To Make Your Own Raw Nut Milk

    Filed under: 2010,Almond,GMO soy milk,Organic,Recipes,VitaMix,brasil nuts,cheaper than storebought,dates,how to make,more nutritious than storebought,nut and seed milks,nutmilk bag,raw food?,sunflower seeds — HealthiaCynthia @ 10:25 pm
    When we first started being seriously vegan we purchased alternative "milks" such as soy milk, rice milk and occasionally, almond milk. I never did much like the taste of soy milk so was quite happy to find out that soy is not a optimal food for healthy people, in fact, can be quite toxic, and that most of the commercial soy milks are made from non-organic, GMO soy beans. The other alternative milks were usually "okay" but came in packages with the ability to shelve the product for THREE YEARS-- hardly what you would call 'fresh' and not likely to have much redeeming nutrition after a length of time. Alternative milks also cost quite a bit more than fresh, home-made. Now I regularly make milks. All that is needed is a stash of good organic raw nuts or seeds (sometimes I use a combination-- sunflower and sesame are a good match; fresh made almond milk is luxury; brasil nut milk is decadently delicious), a blender (a VitaMix is nice, but isn't really necessary), water of course, some add-ins like vanilla and/or sweeteners: stevia, raw honey or soaked dates are great and a Nut Milk Bag to strain the blended product so that you end up with a creamy, milk-like smoothness. The left-over fiber can be incorporated into lots of raw dehydrated recipes, such as cookies and burgers. The two video links that follow provide additional clear, hands-on directions. As always, have fun and be blessed with the resulting good health! (See Brigitte Mars' recipe for Almond Milk at the bottom of this post for an idea of proportions of ingredients to use) Another great video can be found by clicking on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lePmAk1eSdM&feature=player_embedded#! Brigitte Mars' recipe for Almond Milk: 1 cup almonds, soaked overnight 1 quart water 1 tablespoon raw honey or 2 dates, soaked 20 minutes Rinse the nuts in a colander to remove enzyme inhibitors Combine all ingredients in a blender and liquefy. Then strain through a sprout bag or a paint strainer bag (available at paint or hardware stores). Pulp can be saved to add to casseroles, cookies or other dishes. Note: These same directions can be used for making cashew, hazelnut, pine nut, sesame, sunflower, walnut, or pumpkin seed milk. Makes 1 quart.
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    May 25, 2010

    Buy One Get One Free Tooth Soap®

    Filed under: 2010,50% off,Buy-1-Get-1-Free,Pet Teeth,Pet Toothpaste,ToothBrightener,Use Coupon Word FREE,antibacterial toothpaste,anticavity toothpaste,bad breath,bad gums,cavity prevention,chemical free oral care,chemical free toothpaste,clean teeth,dental health,fluoride free anticavity toothpaste,fluoride free tooth paste,gingivitis,gum disease,kosher toothpaste,natural mouthwash,natural oral care,natural tooth whitener,natural toothpaste,natural toothpaste for children,oral hygiene,organic tooth paste,periodontal disease,sensitive teeth,sls free toothpaste,tooth cleaner,tooth whitener,toothpaste with essential oils,whiten teeth — HealthiaCynthia @ 10:03 pm
    Karen Van Cleef of  Tooth Soap® writes: If you are like me you are looking forward to school being out so you can spend even more time with your children, right? :-) Kids are amazing and I learn from my girls daily. They are always showing me how impatient and demanding I am and how I need to improve myself. I don't just learn from my girls though.  I also learn from you too. What I learned recently is that all of you want a Tooth Soap® special because you just don't want to pay $25.95 for a bottle of Tooth Soap®. So, being the person who always works on improving things, I am going to give you what you want and I am even going to give you a coupon code that would never be offensive. Buy One Get One Free Tooth Soap®-- Click on Shop Online on Upper Menu and then Use Coupon Code: FREE Offer ends June 2, 2010. Make sure to put both bottles of Tooth Soap® into your cart, use coupon code FREE and click "apply", so that the discount will be taken before you check out. Please make sure to have a wonderful day and take advantage of this special. And remember that I am always trying to improve myself so keep sending all your comments and suggestions. :-) Love, Karen Small print: This offer is not valid on wholesale orders. This offer cannot be combined with other offers. This offer cannot be applied to previously placed orders. ToothSoap.com®
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