Sunday, December 23, 2012

Gluten Free at Starbucks

Ok, so in my quest for all things "gluten free" I contacted the  canadian head office of Starbucks.
Basically I got a long but friendly email back stating the following:



We're delighted you took the time to contact us!

Starbucks is unable to guarantee a "gluten-free" environment in our retail locations due to the potential for cross contamination with gluten-containing products. The open environment and operating procedures of our store locations may present additional risk for gluten-sensitive customers aside from the gluten-containing ingredients themselves. "Gluten-free" is a claim with specific requirements defined by government agencies and industry standards. We are unable to make this claim on a product unless the item is specifically formulated and manufactured to meet the definition of the claim.

Thanks again for writing us.  If you ever have any questions or concerns in the future, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

So that was the main gist of the email. Kinda stinks that a prosperous company would care so little for those who are struggling daily with gluten intolerance. Even Rice Crispies has come up with a "Gluten Free" brand  of rice crispies in order to meet the demand. If you want to inquire about the Starbucks locations in your neighbourhood contact their head office yourself either through their website or by snail mail:

http://www.starbucks.ca/customer-service

Note to their credit. The local Starbucks does carry some prepackaged snack bars under the brand called
"Kind" which are labelled gluten free. However, that seems to be the limit to their gluten free food options.


Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Winter Wellness!

The following KEY points to think about to maintain wellness during the winter months may assist you and your family:

Chewable Vitamin C tablets-- readily available at pharmacies and grocery stores--follow the instructions on the label.Vitamin C is said to boost the immune system and prevent vulnerability to colds and flus.
Raw Ginger-- peel a raw chunk smaller than a dice and swallow it with water like a supplement. Take care to chop it small enough that you can comfortably swallow it easily.
Raw Garlic-- One raw peeled clove of garlic taken at night, chopped into small size pieces that you can easily swallow with your favorite beverage. Raw garlic has been praised in numerous books and articles and is also being studies for it's effects on prevention of cancerous tumors.
Sunlight-- even though there isn't much sun these days in the winter time, your mood will lift if you are able to get outside even for a ten minute walk in cloudy weather. Even through the clouds, there are small amounts of sunshine that seep through, that can help you maintain a joyful mood and help infuse your body with small amounts of Vitamin D, aka, the sunshine vitamin. Of course, you must observe your own doctor recommended forms of sunscreen through the use of sun screen, sun block, proper protective clothing and hats. Sunlight that reflects off of objects around you outside will still impact you under any hat you may be wearing.
Probiotics- Doctors have finally come to the conclusion that our digestive tract may occasionally needs some support with the assistance of supplemental probiotics. Talk to your doctor about taking probiotics to assist your digestive system. Some individuals find that taking probiotics regularly helps them prevent cravings, gas, bloating, and constipation. Winter months can be more sedentary for many people, and therefore some people find that they are tempted to eat more food during the winter. Probiotics are sometimes helpful in curbing those uncontrollable cravings for carbohydrates.
Iron supplements for Women-- Seek your licensed medical practitioner to have regular testing of your iron levels, especially if you are in your years of menstruation. Women battling fatigue often discover that they have been low in iron, which is easily fixed with proper doctor recommended levels of iron supplementation.
Oregano Oil-- These pure oils are VERY VERY potent and should always be used sparingly. Just one or two drops of oregano oil in your coffee or tea can help build up your immune system against winter time colds.Most health food stores and some pharmacies carry these kind of oils. If you can, try to get the organic form.
Simplicity-- Keeping your food regimen simple and fresh. Perhaps this is obvious, but note that even though there really isn't much seasonal fruits and veggies locally available in the winter, that you don't necessarily need to neglect your good fresh food habits. You can gain great benefit from simple winter wonders like
homemade chili made from whole canned tomatoes, canned kidney beans, onions and garlic and bits of your favorite proteins such as meats, cheeses, or tofu.Season generously with rich chili powder and kosher salt. Serve your chili with a spoon of fresh sour cream, for that finishing touch.
Other fresh wonderful winter comfort foods include Homemade Chicken stew made with your
favorite seasonings such as parsely and curry powder. Basic healthy items are hopefully available year round in your grocery store, such as carrots, potatoes, apples and bananas. Keeping those items around will help you have fresh items available to nibble on when you or your family get the munchies. Oatmeal is available as a great breakfast food to have with your favorite natural sweetener and/or frozen/canned berries.

May you be blessed with the info you need at the right season in your life to learn what works well for you and your family in maintaining a happy life with more than enough energy and zest to accomplish all that God has called you to do.
Peace.
Carla
Disclaimer: This list is intended for conversational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, and is not intended to replace medical advice. This blog post is not intended to suggest treatments, cures, diagnosis, or prevention of any disease. Always consult your licensed medical professional for medical advice. The author and publisher of this blog post hold absolutely no liability for any ideas discussed in this post

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Garlic is natural medicine for treating high blood pressure

Garlic is natural medicine for treating high blood pressure
Wow, I just had to blog about this article.
This article claims that "the Japanese government officially recognizes garlic as a blood-pressure depressor."

Isn't that worth reading about? If you or someone you care about is struggling with high blood pressure, it may be very interesting to read this article. You can access it be clicking on the 
Garlic is natural medicine for treating high blood pressure


God bless. Peace, Carla.
Disclaimer: This blog post is written for conversational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice or cures or prevention of any disease. Always consult your licensed medical practitioner for medical advice. This blog  and it's author and publisher accepts no liability for the ideas discussed in this post or any other post on this blog .

Monday, December 3, 2012

12 Miracles

Hi Friends,
On your right you will see a new photo I took recently, depicting what I describe as
"12 Miracles" ... Why do I call them miracles? Because they are simple straight forward blessings that God has provided for us, to help us maintain great health. This list did not float down to me from heaven. But it is a hard won list, that has been accumulated over years of trial and error.Most of these items are available at low cost and the only ones that are a little more expensive are still available for less than 20 dollars per bottle in most cities.
Here's my blessed, my very precious and carefully carved list as well as a

description of some of their potential benefits and uses:

  1. Cranberry juicecranberry juice has been used to work with those who are trying to prevent or deal with bladder infections. Try to get the bottled cranberry juices that contain only cranberry juice and not other added mixtures. Most brands will sell for under $6 per bottle.
  2.  Epsom salt—Epsom salt is available at a very low cost in most bulk stores, pharmacies, grocery stores and even dollar stores.Epsom salts can help draw out toxins out of the body through the skin. 

Having Epsom salts on hand for soaking feet in warm water
is quite valuable. Some add Epsom salts to their bath
water for over all body maintenance. Do not take Epsom salt
internally, it is intended only for external use. Epsom salts can help draw out toxins out of the body through the skin. You can also soak your
arms or hands in a warm bath of dissolved Epsom salts and find
relief for weary muscles or aches and pains.
3.Olive oil—The famous “Mediterranean diet” includes this staple,
often referred to as the “healthy oil”. Olive oil has so many
benefits, I can’t even begin to complete such a list, but a few
benefits are as follows: olive oil is an unsaturated fat and is great
added to pasta sauces, to stir fries, salads and any fried item.
Olive oil can be used freely on the skin and hair to add moisture,
shine and a healthy glow. Olive oil can be used with a cotton ball,
to remove makeup. Olive oil can be used to massage tired joints
and stiff muscles.

4.Coconut oil--- coconut oil is a saturated fat, but is considered a
healthy alternative to butter. Coconut oil can be used as a hair
treatment to restore shine and relieve dryness of the scalp. Just a
small pea sized amount of olive oil will treat an entire head of
hair. Coconut oil can be used freely in the kitchen for frying. It is a
solid and will become a liquid at warmer temperatures. Many
cosmetic companies and hair product designers add coconut oil to
their preparations, as it is proven to be so helpful for the
treatment of dry skin, hair and nails. You will enjoy coconut oil
immensely if you use it sparingly. It is a  heavy oil, so just a little
bit goes a long way.

5.Ginger—Ginger is one of my favorite items to have on hand in the
kitchen. Just peeling and chopping three “dice” sized chunks and
boiling in 2 cups of water with a bit of your favorite natural
sweetener, is a great inexpensive health tonic. You can also use
fresh ginger as a supplement, by peeling and chopping
just bits of raw ginger and swallowing with some
water. Be sure to chop it small enough that you can swallow it
easily without discomfort. Ginger can stimulate a sluggish
digestive system and bring about a boost in energy. Raw ginger
revs up the immune system and re-energizes the skin.

6.Garlic --- So many articles and books have been written about the
beneficial qualities of garlic.  If you find the scent of raw garlic to
be too overpowering, you can use deodorized garlic supplements purchased from your favorite health store. Fans of garlic consume it in its
raw state by peeling it down to a small enough size to be able to
swallow it like a vitamin with water. Garlic is known as a natural
antibiotic and helpful for the strengthening of the immune system
and cleansing of the blood. It seems to assist humans in fighting
off many forms of viruses, and bacteria.

7.Echinacea. This herb is made from a popular perennial flower also
known as the cone flower. People consume it in vitamin pill form
or in a liquid tincture. It works with your immune system to
prevent the spread of colds and flu’s and shortens the duration
for those already battling a cold.

8.Water—don’t chuckle. It’s often the simplest of remedies that are
the most effective. Just forcing yourself to drink at least 500 ml of
room temperature clean tap water per day can help heal a tired
digestive system and assist your body in flushing out any toxins
that need to be expelled from the body. Those who regularly
drink water, find almost instant improvement in the texture and
vitality of their skin.


9.Carrots. Yes the humble carrot. Readily available in most grocery
stores and priced well within most people’s budgets, we would do
well to consume carrots more often. The orange hue of carrots
reveals that they contain an ingredient that has been
reported to improve vision and overall improved health. It is great
to consume carrots raw as well as cooked or in stir fries.

10.Apples- One does not need to spend a lot of money to benefit
from the wonders of apples. Particularly when apples are at their
peak harvest time, one can find apples for sale for even less than
one dollar per pound. Apples, when eaten raw, stimulate the
metabolism and energize.
11.Parsley- The wonder of this little green specimen is manifold.
Parsley has been show to be a natural deodorizer to freshen
breath and body scent. Add fresh or bits of frozen parsley to
smoothies or other raw drinks to maximize the benefits. Parsley is
easily added to soups, stews and stir fries with great taste and
added health benefits.
12.Vitamin B complex. This supplement is highly recommended for
women, particularly during their years of menstruation. Vitamin B
complex has been reported to calm the nerves and prevent the
incidence of yeast infections. Take only as directed by a licensed
medical professional and always read and follow the labels.

Well, that’s it  my friends. You have had the opportunity to see my
precious list of 12 miraculous simple items that can 
improve your life. The great thing is that each item is usually
readily available and sells for twenty dollars or much less per
item. You don’t know what benefit you may reap from using these
simple and healthy items as part of your total health routine.
Don’t just take my advice. Talk about these items with your loved
ones and friends, and most importantly, with your licensed health
professional. 
May God bless you with accurate knowledge and the ability to
achieve great health..

Disclaimer: This list is intended for conversational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, and is not intended to replace medical advice. This blog post is not intended to suggest treatments, cures, diagnosis, or prevention of any disease. Always consult your licensed medical professional for medical advice. The author and publisher of this blog post hold absolutely no liability for any ideas discussed in this post

Friday, November 23, 2012

10 Quick ways to reduce your Bills:


10 Quick ways to reduce your Bills:

1/ save at least 14% off your hydro bill by hanging your laundry up to air dry instead of using your electric clothes dryer. Use clotheslines or hang your clothes on hangers first so that they keep the right shape while air drying inside around your home or outside on a clothes line.

2/ When you order drive thru food, ask for tap water or soda  water which most fast food chains will provide with your food order at no cost.

3/ Stop visiting the malls. Reserve your visits to shopping  malls for those times that you have something specific that you have consciously chosen to buy based on your own planned decision, not based on advertising or peer pressure or wistful window shopping.

4/ Start taking small chunks of peeled raw garlic and/or peeled raw ginger as part of your health regimen. These raw ingredients when used as supplements, can radically improve your body’s natural ability to fight off viruses and other bacteria. Garlic breath will be gone by morning if you swallow it the night before. Raw ginger can be used during the day anytime, as there is no offensive odor from taking it at anytime.( Always seek out medical advice from licensed medical professionals. This blog is intended for conversational purposes and accepts no liability for any ideas discussed in this blog post or any other part of this blog)

5/ Instead of spending big money on over the counter stomach remedies like antacids or heartburn soothers, try just drinking more room temperature water. Tap water, as long as it is safe and clean is very effective at improving your body’s ability to naturally regulate healthy digestion. A lot of antacids simply mask symptoms of unhealthy eating which are easily fixed by simply drinking more regular clean tap water at room temperature.( Always seek out medical advice from licensed medical professionals. This blog is intended for conversational purposes and accepts no liability for any ideas discussed in this blog post or any other part of this blog)

6/ Use inner means to improve the texture of your skin instead of buying expensive skin care products. You can easily save hundreds or thousands of dollars each year just by addressing an internalized method of healthy skin care.( always seek out medical advice from licensed medical professionals. This blog is intended for conversational purposes and accepts no liability for any ideas discussed in this blog post or any other part of this blog)
First of all, drink at least 500 ml of room temperature clean water per day. If you want to drink more, go for it!
Maintain your body’s supply of Vitamins C and D. Ask your licensed medical professional for the correct dosage and type of supplements he/she recommends for both Vitamins C and D. Both vitamins C and D are now usually available also in a chewable form.
  
Regularly eat basic simple fresh produce such as apples and carrots and locally grown cucumbers, which are usually not very expensive. No reason to buy exotic pricey brands! Basic apples in season should be well priced and at a healthy ripeness.

Clean your skin daily with basic skin cleansers such as natural soap bars from the Bulk Barn or simple bottled cleansers such as hydrogen peroxide solutions. Those kind of bottled cleansers can be used with simple balls of cotton. Always be sure to read the labels and follow the instructions posted on the bottle.

Maintain clean facial sleeping arrangements by washing pillows and pillowcases regularly. This habit ensures that your pillow cases are absorbing excess oil from your skin while you sleep instead of spreading dirt or germs.

Perhaps this point is obvious….but always wash your face with fresh clean washcloths and towels. Germs and dirt are easily bleached away if you use and wash with white towels and washcloths. Keep your skin healthy by keeping all your towels and linens clean and fresh.

7/ When it comes to pricey shampoo and conditioners from hair salons, it definitely pays to shop around. The Bulk Barn carries a shampoo and conditioner bar of hardened soap that has no wasteful packaging and is made from pure and simple ingredients. It is gentle on coloured hair and easy on sensitive skin types. It is priced under $3 per bar.

8/ Natural and low priced simple moisturizers. There are several basic moisturizers which last a very long time and are usually priced well below brand name moisturizers. Natural moisturizers like coconut oil or olive oil are simple and healthy and good for your environment. They can be used sparingly for both skin and hair nourishment to add shine and smoothness. Coconut oil is the higher priced choice of the list, but a little bit goes a long way.

  Basic items from the dollar store such as white petroleum jelly and/or bottled mineral oil can also be used to moisturize the skin, but again, they need to be used sparingly and kept safely away from children.

9/ Realize the big time power available for free from the Bible. Yes, it really IS that simple. Save the hundreds of dollars you may be spending on the latest guru or yoga class and start respecting the simple power of the written words of the bible.  Reading the bible aloud on a regular basis will help motivate you, comfort, heal, direct and refresh you mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

10/ Stay away from “friends” who love debt. Stop hanging around with friends with “out of control” spending habits. Control your wallet with your conscious choices. You can’t control other people’s choices, but you can most certainly control your own spending by choosing your friends carefully.

Blessings and Peace.
Carla


Friday, November 16, 2012

More GLUTEN FREE "ON THE GO!"

Just because I am gluten intolerant doesn't mean I am going to sit indoors bemoaning the days when I could quickly grab a hamburger at any fast food joint on the go....No way! I refuse to feel sorry for myself or restrict my lifestyle in any way in order to accommodate my attempt to live a "gluten free" life.
Now mind you, I am not so severely affected by gluten that I have the same symptoms as an official celiac, however the symptoms are still painful and an absolute inconvenience.

Therefore, since I refuse to sit still or slow down, I have been trying to find fast places that will provide me with the gluten free snacks that I can grab and go. I am not a professional 'brown bagger" and therefore prefer to have my lunch or snacks prepared by someone else.

Hence the importance of FAST gluten free food made available to me at a reasonable price is ESSENTIAL. Therefore I have become somewhat of a gluten free detective of sorts, sniffing out
all worthy gluten free snacks available at major chain fast food outlets.

So last week I discovered the following: The biscotti at Second Cup is gluten free!
The snack bars labelled "KIND'" in colorful colors at Starbucks are gluten free! Wooohoo!
Be sure to double check and do your homework. "Ingredient lists can change at the drop of a hat, and you are therefore highly encouraged to always ask before you start eating something that you have assumed to be gluten free.
This is especially important if you get really strong symptoms and painful experiences from ingesting
even the smallest amounts of gluten.

You can get more information about living gluten free from the following website.http://www.celiac.ca/

Always double check with your doctor before making medical decisions that involve your gluten intolerance or sensitivity or allergy to gluten. It is very important that you don't try to diagnose yourself, but get the support and professional advice you need from licensed medical and nutritional professionals.

God bless you with reliable information and the steps to move forward to good things.
C.

Disclaimer: This blog is not intended to provide or replace medical advice in any way. This blog and it's author do not accept any liability for any ideas obtained from this blog. This blog is intended for conversation purposes only to provide inspiration and empowerment by linking people to resources and like-minded people. Always see a licensed medical doctor for professional advice and treatment.



Sunday, November 11, 2012

Gluten Free Heaven

Every once in a while I wind up at the right place at the right time. At a recommendation from a new acquaintance, I found my way to the most beautiful and huge gluten free store I have ever seen.
Ok, technically the whole store is not gluten free, but I honestly have never before seen that much gluten free food for sale in one location. The person who recommended the store to me mentioned that often people drive in from hours away just to shop there.
Well, If any of you out there in cyberspace are looking for a better supply of gluten free foods, I would highly recommend you check out this store in Newmarket, even if you have to drive a ways to get there. It is definitely worth the drive. Even if you are not especially gluten intolerant, you will find such a huge selection of amazing natural and pure foods that you will be sure to find something that fascinate you.
Just be sure not to overspend!
For more info here's their website http://www.naturesemporium.ca/
It is called Nature's Emporium and it is located in Newmarket, just north of Toronto.

God Bless and have a great Sunday evening.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Gluten Free Pasta

Yup, I have been trying to stay gluten free, but it really is hard sometimes when
gluten free items just don't do the trick.
Take pasta for example, I find that rice pasta doesn't cook up very nicely and isn't filling.

However, I did discover a wonderful little corn pasta from the Bulk Barn by the name of
"Prairie Harvest" San Zenone Fusilli. It comes in 340 gram bags of organic corn pasta. If my memory serves correctly....the price was about $3.69 per bag cdn.

This is the literally the first gluten free pasta that actually cooked up normally and tasted filling and
I could see myself using it for a pasta salad or to throw in some minestrone soup.

For all you out there who are struggling with a gluten free lifestyle, hang in there, occasionally you will find something that makes life easier. God bless.
sister Carla

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Gluten Free at Country Style

I may have posted this before, but I thought I would post it just in case it was overlooked.
Note that you can always contact the head offices of any major fast food chain  to determine which items on their menu are currently gluten free. Note that their menu's are always changing and as such, so can the gluten free status of any of their products.  If you are currently dealing with gluten intolerance or celiac conditions, then don't be shy in asking restaurants about the presence of gluten in their foods. It is their duty to be polite and courteous in accommodating your request to the best of their ability.

On that note here is the response I received from Country Style's head office with regard to their menu


"Good Morning Carla
I have had our procurement department check with the supplier regarding our soups and currently, cream of mushroom, cream of broccoli, broccoli and cheddar, french onion and garden vegetable are gluten free.
Carla our chili is not gluten free."

Restaurant & Customer Support 
Direct 905-762-4715 
Head Office 905-764-7066 x290


May you be blessed by God in your search for a good lifestyle that is convenient and allows you to explore God's great and wonderful world. Don't let foods become your obsession. Life is about so much more.
Peace.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Which Staples Carry you through?

After reading a book by newbie millionaire Alan Corey entitled "A million bucks by 30"
I found it interesting to read about the specific food staples that the author relied upon when he had decided to radically reduce his cost of living. According to Alan's own recollection he lived virtually on about $2 per day for food costs which appeared to included the following basics:

  • day old bagels bought at half price 
  • industrial peanut butter( what is that?)
  • oatmeal with milk and raisins
  • ramen noodles
  • water.


I'm not sure what other items he consumed to supplement that rather simple diet, but he did succeed in radically cutting down his grocery and restaurant bill. It was his drastic discipline that allowed him to take calculated risks in entering the real estate market . He kept his goal clear and concise, namely to be able to own at least $1 million in assets by the age of 30.  And yes, little quirky Alan Corey accomplished his goal.

I know I repeat this often, but what precisely are your goals? Have you written them or it down? Maybe it is just one simple goal. Maybe it is a goal that you have made with regard to your children's education. Maybe you have made a goal that you want to accomplish spiritually with regard to helping and blessing others.
I have read repeatedly that  a human being is infinitely more likely to accomplish a set goal only if they have written down that goal on paper.

Feel most welcome and invited to share your thoughts about this process in the comment section. I treasure your time and appreciate your input.
Peace, Carla.


Tuesday, September 11, 2012

George Washington Carver

"You have shown me the one race, the human race. Color of skin, or form of hair mean nothing to me now, but length, and width, and bredth (sic) of soul and loving kindness mean everything"
Quote obtained from Page 214 of book entitled George Washington Carver-Scientist and Symbol written by
Linda O. McMurray.

The above quote was written by one of the young men that George Washington Carver mentored.
Carver lived at a testy time in US history....when opportunity and prejudice both abounded. When discovery and ingenuity were paramount to financially survive.

I sense from these books about  Professor Carver, that he understood that he had to rise above the hostile feelings of others towards him, and focus on what he was good at,...namely discovering creative products from everyday agricultural items and from the earth.

Carver's focus was on helping the poor sharecroppers take advantage of inexpensive seed crops and use them to promote their own economic well being. He promoted better nutrition through advising poor farming families how to take advantage of good sources of protein that were less expensive than meat.

I glean great encouragement from reading about George Washington Carver, because he chose to help people where they were at. He saw people in their poverty and didn't admonish them, but rather helped them to see the opportunity right in front of them. He helped them provide better meals for their families without incurring more expense.
There is something to be said for a motivational speaker who accepts people right where they are at.
The world is full of people who want to change you into something bigger or richer. But the humble professor Carver, addressed people right in the midst of their humble circumstances and gave them simple ways to improve their health and their economic well being.
May we be less eager to renovate the lives of others and more willing to start with simple small steps of improvement of our own.
Peace.


Friday, September 7, 2012

Gluten Free Survival Skills

Hey Gluten Intolerants and Celiacs,

Let's Talk! Just wondering out of those who read my blog who are gluten intolerant or completely diagnosed as "celiac", I would like to know how it is going for you. How do you survive?
How do you handle snack time at work? Where do you go for snacks? Where do you go for
fast food or nice dinners without having to handle awkward questions about why you can't eat 
the fresh baked bread set out on your table?

Do you survive on scrambled eggs and apple sauce? Have you stopped going out to some social events because you are tired of explaining your gluten intolerance?
What are the best gluten free survival tips that have helped you enjoy life again?
I would love to hear your input, feelings and best gluten free survival tips in the comments!
Let's publish some great helps, k?


Sunday, September 2, 2012

Montreal Gluten Free

New Gluten Free Restaurant/ Store in Quebec...
Check out the blog which features a post about this
new gluten free venue.
\Bon Appetit!!!

http://torontoceliac.blogspot.ca/2011/10/new-gf-store-in-montreal-real-pearl.html#links

Toronto Celiac

Thursday, August 23, 2012

the spoken Word brings joy

Hi Bloggees. How are you all today? Thank you for all your comments. They are helpful and will
assuredly help someone else in formulating accurate information that they can apply to their lives.

It came to my attention again this week, that there is incredible power in the spoken word of God.
Now for those readers who don't know what the "word of God' is,
I refer to it as the Holy Bible. The holy Bible, from Genesis to Revelations is the most powerful book I have ever owned. If you right now possess a copy of the bible, I want you to know that you are truly blessed and fortunate.
Many humans all across the globe would benefit greatly from having their own copy of God's word, but they must rely on the scriptures that they hear spoken by other christians on the tv, radio, computer or in church.
Some Christians must stay in hiding and worship secretly in homes and basements. There are christians right now praying for strength to forbear the pressure they feel from people in their lives to push them to renounce Jesus.
I pray that you will indeed have the strength to say it proudly that you love Jesus, that He is Lord.

For those of you who have access to a written bible, I would encourage you to read it aloud on a regular basis. You see, the spoken Word of God has miracle working power in it. It will reawaken you from the inside out and begin to change the atmosphere in your home, car, apartment, or workplace. Anywhere you read the bible aloud, will begin to impacted by the burst of God's power that is activated by you vocalizing God's Word aloud.
Maybe right now you are tired and struggling through the day, I want you to know that you can just start reading the Psalms in the bible and God's power will start to break through to you today.
Don't rush it. You can read very slowly. You don't have to yell. You don't have to raise your voice at all.
But I want to know most assuredly that the time you spend reading God's book aloud is time very well spent. I believe also that the angels that are unseen turn their ears towards you when they hear the voice of God's word spoken from your lips and that they gather round to hear again those wonderful words of truth.
Take advantage of that bible you have. Take full advantage of it's every word.
Peace.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Gluten Free at Taco Bell

Ok, by popular demand, here's a post about gluten free foods at Taco Bell.
According to their website
see for yourself:   http://www.tacobell.ca/#Nutrition
You can click on the DOWNLOAD button on their allergen listing and receive the list at no charge.
You will note that ALL but one of their foods contain gluten. It appears from the above noted webpage that their only menu item that does not contain gluten is their nachos and cheese dish.
This does NOT include their Nacho supreme dish which DOES contain gluten.

Therefore think twice about what you are ordering if you are sensitive to gluten or completely allergic to gluten. Read the fine print and up to date notices on the above noted website.
Ingredients in restaurant foods can change over time, and companies should, in good faith, update their websites frequently to accurately reflect the presence or absence of gluten in their product menu.

Be well, sisters and brothers in the Lord. Remember to seek out professional medical advice ONLY from licensed medical professionals.
Best in Christ,
Carla.


Saturday, August 11, 2012

Using Food like Medicine

Ok ok, before I blog, a great big fat disclaimer: This blog is not intended as medical advice. Any ideas or products or foods discussed in this blog should not be considered as medical advice.  This blog and it's author Carla Omoruyi are not liable for any ideas discussed or presented in this blog. For medical advice seek out the services of a licensed medical practitioner.

So now that that's taken care of .....
What I want to discuss is the simple use of two raw foods which have been touted as both great and powerful "natural" healing foods.
They are simply this: raw ginger and raw garlic.
So Carla, what kind of things can these two items do in a human body besides cause garlic breath or to be used to make homemade gingerale?

Raw garlic has been associated with a host of benefits when consumed in a raw state.
It has been said that raw garlic has natural antibiotic properties and therefore helps your body resist and fight off many viruses and bacteria that could potentially cause illness.
So one could potentially use raw garlic to gradually strengthen the human immune system without the high financial cost and potential side effects of traditional medicines/drugs.
What other benefits have people experienced with consuming raw garlic? Some people have noticed
an improvement in their body's capacity to process sugar, increasing the effectiveness of the pancreas and the proper balance of insulin naturally used by the body. Raw garlic has helped prevent the worsening of symptoms involved in the common cold and flu. Raw garlic has been considered a "blood purifier". So garlic apparently detoxes the blood to a certain degree and releases some kind of mysterious substance in the blood that strengthens the blood's immunity to illness.

What is the nature of garlic and how do you consume it raw? Well, the nature of garlic is a rather warming savoury food item and is better suited to night time consumption than during the day. Consuming garlic raw can be done very simply in at least two ways. First, one can simply peel one small clove of garlic, and chop off any ends or bumps on it, and then cut it into a size that they could easily swallow with a glass of water or other beverage.
Secondly, if you find it too difficult to swallow a raw piece of garlic, you can buy clear and empty gelatin capsules at most health food stores and fill them with little pieces of raw garlic that you have chopped yourself. Once you have filled one gelatin capsule with little bits of raw garlic you can swallow it
the same as you would any other supplement with your favourite beverage.
I have been told that one can chase the consumption of raw garlic with a bit of olive oil or lemon juice and that you will radically reduce the chance of having "garlic breath".
Carla, do you need to use any special garlic for using it as a nutritional supplement? No. You can use any fresh garlic that you can buy whole in the store with the peel still on. You want to buy it as fresh as possible and if you have access to organic garlic, that would be even better.  The rather inexpensive cost of fresh garlic in Canada makes it an ideal recommendation for those who want to try something affordable with the great potential for good results.

Raw Ginger. Ginger has a very different nature than garlic. It has a cooling nature and can be taken during the day. Ginger has a bedazzling effect on the palate. The substance in natural garlic seems to rev up the digestive system and start detoxing the gut. It is believed that raw ginger can help to eliminate bad bacteria from the gut and cleanse the skin.
How do you eat raw ginger? Simply buy a lump of fresh ginger root at the grocery store. Make sure it is a whole piece and that the skin is covering the whole lump. When you are ready to try to take some raw ginger, just peel a chunk of the ginger ( even a small piece one inch in length will suffice) Then from the freshly peeled ginger carve out a piece that you personally are capable of swallowing with a bit of water or your favouriet beverage. The ginger will quickly start to do its thing on your digestive system. You may feel like you have just swallowed something very spicey. Just drink more water to dilute that spicey feeling.Therefore, don't swallow a very large piece. Take only small bits until you have had some experience in how your body will react to the raw ginger.

Some people experince a loosening of the bowels after consuming raw ginger, but that may just be the body's reaction to ginger's detoxification process. Ginger has a sweet and cool and daytime nature whereas garlic has a dark savoury and night time nature.

Once you have managed to consume small bits of either raw ginger or raw garlic, take personal note of it's effect on your body. Do you feel more energy? Does your bowel feel more active? Or is this raw food too strong for your body to handle comfortably?
Remember that when your body starts to detox it can produce unwelcome indications in your body, such as acne, loose stools, and fatigue. Sometimes our bodies carry around huge amounts of clutter in our guts, and
these raw foods can activate a long overdue personal digestive cleanse.

The nice thing about both ginger and garlic is that they are inexpensive and readily available in most grocery stores. They are strong and yet you can experiment with their effect on your body to achieve your best
feeling of wholeness.

Remember, that foods in their natural state can not at this point in time be
"patented" and therefore the drug companies don't promote their use in healing our bodies. Doctors are taught to promote the use of pharmaceuticals being created by the big drug companies. Doctors are often not taught to use "folk remedies" to help us heal ourselves. Sometimes the best remedies are the most simple.....

Simple folk remedies like:
1/ drinking more water
2/ eating raw foods like garlic or ginger upon occasion.
3/ using foods like parsely to cleanse and renew .
4/ eating raw apples to stimulate metabolism.

I believe that God is going to help many of his people to take better care of their bodies using natural and inexpensive means in the coming years. With the economic  challenges so many christians have been experiencing in North America and abroad, it only serves as an encouragement to experiment and spread the news about natural foods and simple remedies that we can prepare in our homes.

Remember that medical advice should always be obtained from a licensed professional. The above commentary is intended for conversational purposes only.
God bless you with long life and wellness.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Functional Gluten Free Snacking

Ok, so you're trying to stick to a gluten free lifestyle but you got the munchies....big time. What to do, what to do.
Fruit, ya, tons of it....apples, baby carrots and as many berries in season as time and money can afford.
What else do you snack on ? If you are a celiac or just a wee bit sensitive to gluten in foods, how do you deal with the munchies?
I was chatting with a gluten intolerant lady who works in a restaurant. She said she eats eggs at least twice a day..... hmmmm. So am I stuck with eggs and apple sauce for meal upon meal?
Is it just me, or do you find gluten free breads to be horrible tasting and ridiculously expensive?
How do you cope easily with the gluten free lifestyle? What are your tips to keeping it EASY and STRESS FREE?!!!!
Leave your ideas and comments please, I am eager to hear what you have to say.
Best In Christ,
Carla

Monday, July 23, 2012

Gluten Free At Country Style

I contacted Country Style ( which is a fast food coffee and donut chain in Canada) and asked them if any of their items are considered gluten free. They advised me, that as of current information from their soup suppliers ( as of July 2012)
the following soups are considered gluten free:
cream of mushroom, cream of broccoli, broccoli and cheddar, french onion and garden vegetable are gluten free.

For more up to date information about their menu and it's ingredients, contact Country Style's corporate head office by looking at their corporate website. The contact info is listed near the bottom of the first home webpage.
http://www.countrystyle.com/

Best of Health to you and your families in Christ.

(Note that any of the above information is not considered health or medical advice and any up to date 
information about potential allergens should be confirmed with professional medical advice. This blog and it's author accepts no liability for any ideas discussed in this blog. Medical advice should be obtained from a licensed medical professional.)

Monday, July 16, 2012

Renewable Energy

Just saw a documentary from "Modern Marvels" produced by A&E Television Networks in 2006. entitled
"Renewable Energy". Ok, so it's not quite as current as I would prefer, but it sure boosted my optimism towards renewable and sustainable forms of energy.
It was only 50 minutes long and was available at the local public library.
It's ISBN is 1-4229-1581-6

It describes in simple common terms the most basic forms of renewable energy that
modern man is exploring and currently utilizing successfully.
Some of the energy forms discussed in this documentary are:
Wind Energy, Solar Energy ( including photo voltaic forms as well as solar thermal power,
geothermal energy, biomass energy from crops such as Switch grass, bio diesel, ocean wave energy, ocean current energy, and I'm sure there's a few more that I can't recall at the moment.

In particular, I found the discussion of using biomass quite intriguing. Those who are working in the field and research of biomass were trying to figure out which crop would produce more power with as little effort and expense to grow. Their discovery was an easy-to-grow grass called "Switch grass". Apparently this type of grass is easy to grow in a variety of climates and produces a much higher yield than is retained from using biomass sources like corn or sugar cane.

There was quite a long section about wind energy. I find the wind turbines to be amazingly powerful, but wonder if it isn't a bit of an eyesore to be putting up more than a modest amount of these wind turbines in public places. But I am sure that smaller wind turbines could be added in smaller versions for smaller uses even on top of our homes and they wouldn't have to reach unsightly heights to be effective in a windy city like mine.
Perhaps we need to stop insisting on energy "superheroes" and accept smaller helps, such as personal home sized solar power water heaters, such as are now mandatory in Israel.
I learned earlier this week that Israel has also issued a  very progressive water saving toilet design for all it's households. Apparently each household toilet has two buttons for flushing. Therefore the user can choose one button for liquid flushes (urination only) and another button for larger flushing (feces ). This change in toilet choices saves gallons and gallons of water consumption in only one week and could so easily be adapted for use in Canada and elsewhere and save our nations millions of dollars in water costs.

If any of my wonderful blog readers have some input on these matters I would greatly enjoy your comments which you can leave by pressing the comments tab.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
blessings.
Carla

Monday, June 25, 2012

Gluten Free At KFC

When I contacted KFC to find out if anything on their menu is gluten free this is the link that they
sent me.

http://kfc.ca/en/assets/pdf/KFC11834_AllergenChart_Eng.pdf

Therefore, from my quick check of their listing there are only about four items that would not usually contain gluten and that would be their potato salad, coleslaw, sweet potatoe fries, and mashed potatoes. That's it.
Please note that there is much written in fine print on their allergen notice, so read the fine print  for their full disclosure and disclaimer. Bon appetit!

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Shave 14% off your Electricity Bill

Good Afternoon All!
I read a statistic somewhere (sorry I can't quote the source) that drying your clothes in the clothes dryer makes up at least 14% of your electricity bill.
I also read that if everyone in the USA stopped using clothes dryers completely that there would be no need for nuclear power.... Hmmm how interesting.

Well, perhaps you have nannies, butlers, housekeepers and maids and you don't actually touch your own laundry any more. You could still instruct your household helpers to hang some of your laundry out to dry.
The things that don't fluff up well when hung dry could be put into the dryer after being hung up to dry and then added to the electric clothes dryer just for 10 minutes to add fluffiness..
( such as towels)

Perhaps you don't have an official clothes line, complete with wheels and pulleys. No problem, a simple
rope/string made of some sort of plastic will suffice. you can tie it up between two fence posts and have a diagonal clothesline hanging across one corner of your backyard.

Some housing communities forbid the use of clotheslines, as they think they are an eyesore. So, you may have to find out if there are rules like that in your community. But I find that a really high hydro bill is more of an eyesore than a few lines of string hanging in my own backyard :)

Perhaps you detest manual labor and the lugging of wet clothes from the washing machine to your outdoor clotheslines. Well, I do understand, but I do find that sometimes a little old fashioned manual labour soothes the soul and refreshes the spirit, much like gardening.
God bless y'all. I treasure your presence. Feel free to publish your input on the comments section.Caio.




Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Carla's Top Eleven Coupon Sites

Good Morning Friends.
I realize that most of these sites listed below will probably only be relevant to canadians but I thought
I would post them anyway. They are basically a list of the most popular sites where you can request free coupons or where you can print them up yourself. Remember that not all stores will accept home printed coupons, but stores like Walmart will.
Happy Savings and Freebies....!

http://coupons.clorox.ca/?lang=en
http://www.challengershop.com/?p=8
https://websaver.ca/en_ca/coupons/
http://sunlightlaundry.ca/en/coupons/
http://www.smartsource.ca/smartsource/index.jsp?Link=VV3BTXLWNQYWS&locale=en_CA
http://save.ca/?ext=html
http://www.brandsaver.ca/en_ca/
http://www.livingwell.ca/coupons
http://www.gocoupons.ca/cart.html
http://www.extremecouponingmom.ca/web/
http://smartcanucks.ca/

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Gluten Free at Dairy Queen

I received a very polite and helpful response from Dairy Queen headquarters in Canada in response to my
request for any gluten free items in their menu. Find pasted below the letter they sent to me:

Dear Ms. ,

Thank you for contacting Dairy Queen Canada Inc. with your request for
gluten information.

We know dealing with gluten intolerance can be very difficult and Dairy
Queen would like to help you enjoy your favorite DQ® treats while still
following a safe diet. We hope the following information will be of
assistance to you. If you are looking for something other than the
products listed, please check out our nutrition calculator at one of the
links below.

http://dairyqueen.com/ca-en/eats-and-treats/nutrition-calculator/
or
http://dairyqueen.com/ca-fr/eats-and-treats/nutrition-calculator/

Our nutrition calculator offers nutrition, ingredients, and allergen
information for approved menu items within the DQ system. The nutrition
calculator is updated on an on-going basis with the newest information on
products and promotions, as we strive to provide the most accurate,
up-to-date information.

We are happy to inform you that the following DQ products do not contain
gluten:

• Vanilla and chocolate soft serve
• Arctic Rush® slush (all flavors)
• These toppings for Shakes and Sundaes: Chocolate, Caramel, Hot Fudge,
Marshmallow, and Strawberry
• MooLatté® frozen blended coffee drinks in vanilla or mocha without
whipped topping
• These manufactured novelties: DQ Fudge Bar and DQ Vanilla Orange Bar
• These Blizzard® Treat Flavors: Reese’s® Peanut Butter Cup, Banana Split,
Skor and Strawberry (note that Blizzard cakes often have additional
ingredients and Blizzard cakes made with these flavors may contain
gluten )
• From our food line, I would recommend trying a plain original or
GrillBurger™ hamburger patty, grilled chicken patty, or hot dog, prepared
without a bun.

Many of our Blizzard candies and toppings contain wheat, rye, oats, and/or
barley that would not be safe for a customer with gluten intolerance.
Please note that the Blizzard mixing machine is used for all flavors and
so cross-contact may occur on any Blizzard flavor treat. As DQ stores and
restaurants are very busy, there is always a chance of cross contact of
gluten in any DQ product.

For your safety, we recommend you notify the staff at the DQ location of
your allergy or intolerance before placing your order and request they
thoroughly clean the Blizzard machine before blending your Blizzard to
reduce the risk of cross-contact.

Additionally, please double check all of this information regarding food
and treats with your local restaurant.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to contact us. We hope the
information we have supplied will be helpful to you!

Kind regards,



Dairy Queen Customer Feedback Program
Dairy Queen Canada

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Michelle Duggar battles Overpopulation theory


So the feisty Mrs. Michelle Duggar, the mom with the 19 kids and a TLC reality tv show, went head to head with an interviewer who presented to her the idea of overpopulation. Michelle responded politely with one of
Dr. Kent Hovind's teachings about the entire human population being able to fit inside the city limits of Jacksonville Florida. I tend to lean in agreement with Michelle in this regard. What are your thoughts? Do you think Christians should believe in any kind of "population control" ? Do government imposed limits on the number of children you may have, make you squirm, as I do?


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/29/duggars-overpopulation_n_1387640.html

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

More Gluten Free snacks

Ok, you asked for it... more gluten free food choices.
I discovered KIND snack bars at a health food store in a tiny town.
They actually don't disappoint. Give one a try if you are trying
to reduce or eliminate gluten from your diet.
If my memory serves correctly, I believe i have seen these kind of "KIND" snack bars
at a Starbucks shop.
Bon appetito folks!   The more often you ask for gluten free products, the more often retailers and restaurant developers will start filling in that niche market for gluten free foods.
Ask your fave stores and restaurants to start carrying them.....

http://www.kindsnacks.com/

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Gluten Free at Harvey's

Harvey's is a burger chain in Canada that  many frequent. I noticed on their website that they do specify which of their foods contain gluten. If you are interested in finding out which foods are gluten free check out their webpage:

HARVEYS

You'll notice on the second last column on the right side of the webpage that it is labelled
"Wheat and Gluten sources". Therefore if there is a star indicated by those foods in that particular column you will know that they contain gluten or wheat and that you should avoid these items if you are trying to reduce or avoid gluten altogether. Contact them for further information if you want more details.

God bless and may you live long and healthy in the land that God gives you.

RELATEDGluten Free at Swiss Chalet


Saturday, March 3, 2012

Gluten Free Cereals

Gotta love it when you can find a cereal that's a big brand name, normal taste and still Gluten Free!
Yeehoo!
check out the following Chex cereals that are all gluten free at this website:
http://www.chex.com/Recipes/GlutenFree.aspx

Rice Krispies also come in a gluten free flavour called
"Rice Krispies Gluten Free with Brown Rice"
http://www.ricekrispies.com/en_US/products/gluten-free-brown-rice-krispies-cereal.html#/en_US/products/gluten-free-brown-rice-krispies-cereal

If you have tasted any of the above products let me know what you think of them in the comments.
Blessings.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Svalbard Global Seed Vault

A big welcome to the blog toTaiwan and the Phillipines!

One of the absolute coolest inventions of modern man is the ability to freeze things for future use. In fact it was all over the news this past week or two that a "prehistoric" flower was grown in a laboratory after it's seeds were found in a frozen state for supposedly thousands of years. Growing things is not a hit or miss science any more. Mankind's knowledge, as confirmed by biblical prophecy, has truly increased.

Hence the creation of the gigantic frozen seed vault in Norway in 2008, (not too far from the north pole) which contains umpteen number of food crop seeds. In case of global catastrophe mankind would be able to restart it's food chain by replanting seeds for its main food sources.

Some of the funding for this seed vault has been paid for by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. How intriguing.

check out some websites describing more details about it
 http://www.croptrust.org/main/arcticseedvault.php?itemid=211

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svalbard_Global_Seed_Vault

Friday, February 10, 2012

Gluten Free at Wendy's


Trying to eliminate or restrict the amount of gluten in your diet? In my search for more answers, I found this detailed information from Wendy's which is a fast food restaurant in North America. Check out their gluten free items as described in the site below. Blessings!

 https://www.wendys.com/en-us/living-without-gluten

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Riceworks.ca

Looking for more Gluten Free snacks?
Recently tried Rice Works bag of Gourmet Brown and White Rice Crisps.
Something that was totally gluten free and still tasted NORMAL! Whoohoo!
I highly recommend them.
Their website is riceworks.ca
Bon appetito!