Catch The Fire Conference - Session D

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Listening for free

There is something magical.....no perhaps that is not the right word....miraculous would be a better word.
There is something miraculous that happens when a human being hears the spoken word of God.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.(romans 10:17)

Therefore when I come across an audio version of the bible, I take note of it.
Therefore I wanted to mention to you that Max Maclean has offered a free audio copy of
the book of John from the Bible.
here is the link:
http://www.listenersbible.com/free-download?utm_source=IBGGC&utm_medium=website&utm_content=bgaudioplayermore&utm_campaign=IBGGC

If you are looking for other options, you can also browse the audio bible section on biblegateway.com
and click on the 6th link on the left hand side menu entitled "Audio Bibles".

Be blessed and empowered to love the Lord.
Peace.

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Dividend Mantra: Interview With Derek Foster, The "Idiot Millionair...

This is one blogger's interview with the Canuck investor Derek Foster. Enjoy!

Dividend Mantra: Interview With Derek Foster, The "Idiot Millionair...: While some of you may not have heard of Derek Foster before, he's fairly well known in Canadian circles as someone who escaped the r...

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Toronto Spirit-Led Prayer Conference (playlist)

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Tim Hortons Now Carries Gluten Free Macaroons!

Woohoo! Fait Accompli! Not sure if I spelled that right...my french needs a tuneup.

But I am delighted to let my blog-ees know that Tim Hortons in Ontario Canada has just begun as of the last few weeks ago, to carry GLUTEN FREE coconut macaroon cookies!
And the big bonus? Yes, they taste great. No seriously, I'm not lying... they do actually taste normal and delish!
If my memory serves correctly, the price was 1.49 for two in a sealed plastic pack.
So I want to send out my congrats to Timmies' for listening to us finally and adjusting their mindset to this most urgent quest for a gluten free lifestyle.
Praise God.

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So You Gotta Write?

So you have the yearning desire to write....everywhere and virtually all the time.
I have good news for you.
There are oooodles of places online in which you can hone your craft.
Get more exposure and utilize that gift that keeps you up at night.

Here' a few ways in which you can just start writing, without a lot of
hoops to jump through before it gets published.

Start a free blog.
Blogs such as this one are published using a "free" blogging template called Blogger.
There is also a similar blogging template under the brand of Wordpress.
Some people prefer Blogger and some people prefer Wordpress. My impression has been that businesses prefer to use Wordpress for blogging and regular folks who make personal blogs prefer Blogger.
You could always try both and see which system you prefer.

Then there is Squidoo. Seth Godin raves about Squidoo.
Apparently you are supposed to create "lenses" which are  little pieces of written work that you
create and publish as a "lense" on Squidoo". I don't know if there is any monetization strategy to use with Squidoo or if it is soley an opportunity to get your voice heard and build your readership.

There there are writing contests. Some have an entry fee and some are totally free to enter.
You can find a  long list of active writing contests through a website called http://winningwriters.com/index.php#.UdtcSTu-rBo\

Let me know how it goes for you creative ones.
C.

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Corn Tortillas

There they were sitting there quietly on the shelves of a local Carribean food shop.
Another answer to my gluten free quest.
The bonus was the price....only $3 and change!
A huge stack of corn tortillas read for the taking.

Have you had similar discoveries in the gluten free world? Have you stumbled upon a reasonably priced gluten free item in an unexpected place?

The corn tortillas are best used when either lightly fried or even microwaved...
If you fry them just right they even puff up nicely with huge air bubbles, that make eating them even more fun.

Share with us your best gluten free discoveries in taste and price in the comments. I will be glad to publish them!
Peace.

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The Gluten Free Minefield

Ok, so you are a human being that has decided to attempt to live a "gluten free" lifestyle.
Here's the basics of what you may need to know:

Gluten free foods don't taste the same as your usual foods that contained gluten. Foods made without gluten often contain rice/corn/arrowroot flour, tapioca starch, potato flour etc.

Many food that you perhaps wouldn't suspect of containing gluten may contain LOADS of it....such as soups, gravies, and chocolate bars.

Expect to pay much more to buy a gluten free product...., even more than double what you would normally spend. Note, that the Canadian government has some kind of tax incentive for people who can medically prove that they are "celiac" . Therefore, if you are interested in that kind of tax incentive, you should save your store receipts for anything you buy that is gluten free. Contact your tax professional or the Canada Revenue Agency for details.

I have noticed that some canadian grocery chains are finally noticing the market for gluten free items and have developed their own store brands of gluten free grocery products. Two stores that seem to be doing a pretty good job of it are  Zehrs and Food Basics. Food Basics even has a whole section devoted entirely to their new gluten free product line.

Lots of gluten free items are made with rice......rice breads, rice crackers, and yes, even rice pizza dough. Note, though, that foods made with rice won't make you feel as full as your old glutenish products did.....but at least you won't activate an unwanted response.

People who can't eat gluten respond to any ingestion of gluten in a HUGE variety of ways. Some people are very extremely reactive to gluten and can become seriously ill from ingesting even the smallest amount of gluten. Other folks who consider themselves "gluten intolerant" can handle tiny amounts of gluten, but may have reactions to gluten that are more inconvenient and not life-altering.
These reactions may include bloating, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, moodiness and
emotional upsets. The gluten may affect their levels of energy and their ability to fight off common colds and flu viruses. They may feel uncertain about traveling because they may not be convinced that they will be able to find gluten free food in their destination of choice.

So what to do? Do your best, my friends, and listen to your doctors. If you aren't having any success with your current "modus operandi", then, go and get a second opinion from another doctor.
You don't have to suffer unnecessarily. Strive to create a lifestyle that you can handle, that is productive and functional. If you are having trouble coping with it, seek some help.

If you are finding the lifestyle very difficult to handle, there are supports around in some communities for gluten free living. There are ooodles of websites to browse . If you are unable to figure out what to do, maybe your local librarian can help you find the support you need.
My point is, that the gluten free lifestyle can be a formidable endeavor, and if you are serious about sticking to it, you may need to get some outside support.
i want to encourage you not to give up, but to figure out ways to make it work for you.
Peace,
Carla

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ONE goal, not 100

Some years ago, I realized, that due to some popular yuppy mom theology I was expected to be or become a multi-tasker.
To all those who paved THAT path..... I say....what were you thinking ladies?
Have you ever become an expert at ONE skill or task by doing it while doing 5 other tasks simultaneously?
Have you ever driven your car really well while applying makeup, correcting your child's grammar, drinking green tea and prioritizing your appointments for the week? I doubt it! ..
 For the record, please DON'T DO THAT! It's dangerous and the odds are pretty good that you won't do any of them really well because you are splintering your concentration into 5 fractions of what used to be your perfectly whole brain.!

It's about focus, girls. Don't become a "Jane of all trades", unless you want to be scattered throughout your life. If you do one thousand different tasks in one week while holding one very specific job title/position, you are probably NOT  getting any credit for most of the myriad of tasks that you perform.

Note, that my life experience has taught me, that although it is fun and ego flattering to be someone who can do a lot of different things, it doesn't necessarily help me in progressing to my next step.

We must, at some point in our lives, give ourselves permission to do ONE thing well, with 100% focus and concentration. I'm not saying that you need to become a one dimensional person. It is a beautiful thing to have varied interests in a wide variety of subject matter.

I am talking about how to accomplish a very specific predetermined goal.
Any of the great female success stories were usually not involved in 100 different projects at the same time.
These women protected their right to focus, to pursue ONE goal at a time. They used what support staff that they could, to support their RIGHT TO FOCUS. What kind of support staff could you use? A cleaning service? A bookkeeper? a professional babysitter?

It isn't always about what you are "capable" of doing. We all, CAN do a myriad of different tasks. Just because we know how to do them, doesn't mean we NEED to do that task repeatedly for time immemorial.
You can and must write down your own set of goals that is precious to your heart. No need to write a list of 200 goals. Your list can be ten items or even two or three. You may find that the shorter your list, the more likely you are to actually accomplish that written goal.

Moms too often allow their own ideas to fade because they ignore their own gifts in order to focus on the needs of their families. However, a decade or two may pass before they realize that they aren't teaching their children by example how to value their own gifts. Please moms, don't ignore yourself.

Value who and what you are. Get to know which tasks you enjoy and which you deplore. Try different things and see which ones you are good at. Figure out which tasks in life cause you the most frustration. Maybe your hubby can take over one of those tasks and free you up a little space. Or maybe you have a friend who can take over one of your dreaded responsibilities so that you can write that next great novel, or sing that next great song.

Teaching our kids how to value themselves is something we will teach them by living our own example. Becoming a martyr with no goals or aspirations is probably not the kind of thing you want to model..... especially to your daughters, who depend on you to model what it means to be a woman.

Peace, friends and blog-ees, have a wonderful week.
C

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Top 10 Natural Digestion Aids

Top 10 Natural Digestion Aids

1. A good strong cup o' Coffee
2. I liter of clean water per day minimum. ( room temp or cold is ok)
3. Walk round the block.
4. Chewable Vitamin C ( ask your licensed medical practitioner for recommended amount)
5. Raw Garlic ( peel and finely chop one clove per day.( take in the evenings before bed..if you can handle swallowing the small bits with liquids.)
6. Fresh Homemade Carrot Juice
7. Probiotics... in capsule form or in foods that have been enhanced with probiotics such as yogurt.
8. Berries and grapes
9. Vitamin D--ask your licensed medical practitioner for recommended portions.
10. Some form of healthy fats/oils such as first cold pressed extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil used normally with cooking

Note : Disclaimer: The above list is not intended to treat, cure or prevent illness and is intended for conversational purposes only. The producer of this blog as well as it's author take absolutely no liability for any ideas presented in this post and the entirety of this blog. Medical advice should always be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner.
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Bio Fuels here we come!

Since I was a wee  one, I've had an interest in sources of energy. My highschool had me touring a nuclear plant....yes, a real one. It was most compelling and educational.
Now, I take it upon myself to learn about the new forms of sustainable energy that are being created at a heightened speed.
I just recently learned about Jatropha oil. It is a large plant that will grow easily in even poor soil, and it produces very large seeds that contain up to 40% oil! That large oil percentage is what can be readily turned into bio-diesel and mixed half and half with regular diesel can be utilized  easily in a high perfomance diesel engine.
Then, there is the interesting new technique of taking discarded fallen coconuts from the ground of a tropical zone  and expelling oil from the coconut's to produce environmentally friendly coconut oil. It is a beautiful sight to see. I recommend an introductory entry level documentary entitled
 "Green MATTERS, what in the world is going on? BIO FUELS" created  by www.filmideas.com

Then there are the modern mavericks who rig up an old bus that has a diesel engine and travel across North America using only recycled restaurant grease to power their bus. They mastered the technique of purifying
a variety of  "used" cooking oils such as Soy, fish oil, and palm oil and simply pour the filtered oils into their bus's diesel tank.

How wonderful. Wouldn't it be great if some day we will drive up to our local fueling center, and similar to a drive-thru, be able to choose our "favorite" fuel flavor for the day as easily as choosing our favorite ice cream cone?

Then there is the idea of hydrogen fuel cells that have zero emissions and can create fuel out of simply air and water. Biomass is also a compelling idea, with the availability of using almost any waste product as a fuel source with which to produce electricity for the masses.

It is truly an awesome time and season to be alive. Inventors and scientists, I salute you, and encourage you.... we are soooo close to a radical paradigm shift in the society of modern man.
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Indoor Food Gardens using Repurposed and Compostable Items

This photo is of my first successful indoor food experiment and contains healthy young green beans hanging from the plant.

 Dryer lint is an untapped recyclable material available in plenty in many households. Add one layer of lint
to the bottom of your planter/seed nursery before you add soil on top.
Cardboard egg cartons are a great tool for starting seedlings. Cardboard can easily
assimilate into the garden soil if/when you choose to replant your plants outdoors. Cardboard is easily cut with scissors and soaks up the water well while helping to keep the seedlings hydrated.

 The re-purposed soil has been added on top of the dryer lint and seeds planted
into each pocket of soil. Water added after planting seeds.

Collect lint
every time you use your clothes dryer and save it in a coffee can or zipper bag

It has become an interest of mine to see what kind of food plants will grow successfully indoors. And so, I tried to grow some green beans indoors this winter and have had some success. I also made of point of using compostable and re-purposed items to set up these plant nurseries. Growing things needn't be costly other than the time and tlc required to nurture them to health and full bloom.

The items I have used in creating these planters is lint (yes the stuff from your clothes dryer) as the
first layer which will help retain moisture and provide a cushy bottom for the seedlings to grow in.
Secondly I used cardboard egg cartons as planters and place them into my own glass and plastic shallow containers so that they would not leak water.
On top of the lint I placed soil that I repurposed from wilted Pointsettia plants given to us at Christmas time.
Whenever you receive a flowering potted plant as a gift, if you find that the flowers have wilted and you are tempted to throw the whole pot, plant and soil into your garbage....think first. The soil is recyclable and you can either add it to your planters and indoor or outdoor gardens. ( be careful not to reuse soils that you suspect has contained a sick or diseased plant, as you don't want to spread the plant disease through the soil)

Enjoy this thrify "Green" experiment. Children also love to see things grow and will watch enthusiastically as
their indoor garden matures.

Peace.


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Burger King Canada- Gluten Free

Hello Friends,

So I did a bit of research again and found the link to the ingredient listing for the Burger King restaurants in Canada posted as of today March 20 2013.
Find the information for yourself here at this link :

http://www.burgerking.ca/cms/en/ca/cms_out/digital_assets/files/pages/MenuNutritionInformation_December2012.pdf

Or you can surf their website at burgerking.ca

Note that right at the end of the long PDF file there is a list of the shortforms or abbreviations representing the different allergens that are present in each menu item. Note also their disclaimers and warnings. Seeking out gluten free foods is a bit of a science and research project, and each individual needs to seek out proper medical advice to figure out what is a healthy and practical approach. God bless y'all and enjoy this day that the Lord has made.
Peace.





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14 foods under a buck in Canada

OK, Ok, I know I've been watching too many episodes of "Extreme Cheapskates", but hey, at least I am learning somethin' :)

So here's the list of 14 foods that you could currently find in canada for under one dollar to stock up your fridge or cupboards. Bon appetito!( fresh foods are listed only if available for under one dollar per LB)

Canned whole tomatoes ( or diced )
Canned kidney beans ( white or red)
Canned Chick peas ( a.k.a garbanzo beans )
Canned Chunk Tuna packed in water
fresh garlic bulbs in a pack of three
fresh potatoes with the peels on
fresh carrots with the peel on
fresh apples with the peel on
fresh onions with the peel on
fresh bananas
fresh navel oranges
bulk white rice
bulk red split lentils
frozen Minute maid juice punches

Be blessed my friends and live in health and wealth!

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Almost Like a Double Fudge Cookie

So, in the world of "Gluten Free" ya gotta give credit when one particular gluten free item does a pretty good imitation of the "real thing". So, today I bring you the "KinniToos Fudge Sandwich Creme cookie.
I bought the package at the Bulk Barn for just under 5 dollars. Now there is a bit of a gritty texture, which unfortunately is quite common for gluten free products, however, the pleasure is to be had certainly if you are someone who likes to dunk their cookies in their coffee or tea. These Kinni Toos Fudge Sandwich Creme cookies dunk superbly and taste about as close to a "normal" cookie as a GF cookie can get. ( by the way, these cookies are also Dairy Free, Lactose free, Casein Free, Peanut free, and Tree Nut free!)
Enjoy:)
Good Job Kinnikinnick Foods...keep em coming!
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The Gluten Free Customer

This is for all of my readers who are trying to live GLUTEN FREE. You may be celiac, or gluten intolerant, or just have chosen to utilize a gluten free lifestyle in order to enhance your health and wellness.
I want to get your feedback on what you are experiencing as a "Gluten Free Consumer". It is my prayer that
the companies that are developing the next wave of fast foods, will discover the great need for gluten free convenience foods that are certified gluten free and also reasonable in cost.

It has been often an unpleasant experience to meet a salesclerk or fast food worker who displayed a confused or irritated expression when I have requested their foods "without the bun" or asked them simply if they had any food on their menu that was gluten free. It can be quite embarrassing to deal with staff who don't even know what gluten is and don't have a clue that ordinary bread and pasta contains loads of it.

It is difficult enough, just to have the self discipline to conduct a gluten free lifestyle....let alone having to deal with very exclusively high priced gluten free foods sold at specialty health food stores or health departments in grocery stores. I don't appreciate being charged more than double to buy one loaf of gluten free bread compared to a regular loaf of wheat bread.

I am curious as to how you all are doing in this regard? Are you finding low cost and efficient ways to manoever your way through your week while avoiding gluten? Do you find that people are helpful and understanding to your quest, or are you facing insensitive workers who make you feel embarrassed about
your food choices?

I complained once to a popular fast food chain, about their lack of gluten free foods, and they wrote me back saying that it is impossible for them to prevent "cross contamination" with gluten containing foods, so therefore they don't even bother to try. I beg to differ. It is called the miracle of plastic packaging. A gluten free food can be prepared in a certified gluten free factory and shipped to shops and restaurants around the globe in presealed plastic wrap/small sealed plastic bags. It isn't that complicated..

Fast food outlets have been most accommodating to those who are seeking "low fat" or "sugar free" menu items. Why is it that "gluten free" seems to be such a difficult hurdle? If you agree, I would encourage you, as a powerful gluten free consumer, to start to make a little noise. Write an email or make a phone call to the head office of your favourite coffee shop or restaurant chain, and tell them that you, as a valued customer would really appreciate it if they would carry more gluten free items on their menu. As is often the case, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Corporations are looking for ways to attract and hold on to loyal customers, and they would be well advised to listen to your request.

God bless you my friends and readers. Peace.

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Stuck Under A Dollar

Want to go on an adventure? I would like to dare you to try, just for one day or hour of grocery shopping to only buy items that you can find for one dollar or less. And yes that would include bulk or fruit or veggies that you can buy for under one dollar per pound.

It can be quite challenging and liberating all at the same time. If you have watched Jeff Yeager...a.k.a the Ultimate Cheapskate hunt down the best bargains, he uses this little general rule, which is to always try to seek out items that are either priced at one dollar each or less or priced loose/bulk at 1 dollar per pound or less.

Are you ready to try? Even if you don't NEED to try this kind of experiment for financial reasons, I would like to challenge you to give it a try just for fun, just for the purpose of learning something new and interesting.

I guarantee that you will never look at grocery shopping in the same light again, once you realize all the great things that you purchase for a buck or less.

Ready to try?
Here's a few that I find are sometimes/often selling for dollar or less:

Tins of chunk tuna
bananas
fresh garlic still in the bulb
carrots
red grapefruits
crackers
red lentils
apples (at box stores/wholesale clubs)
fresh white potatoes
packages of pasta
large cans of diced/whole tomatoes
regular sized cans of black beans
regular sized cans of red/white kidney beans
garbanzo beans/chick peas
dry packages of quicky soups
cans of quicky soups
bulk all purpose flour
TVP (texturized Vegetable protein)
6 pk of bagels


I'd love to hear what sorts of items you can find at your country's equivalent of one Canadian or U.S. dollar.
Your comments are most welcome in the comment section!
 A Smart shopper is a happy shopper!



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The Humble Lentil

So I 've become a fan of the humble red Lentil. My dutch relatives would be pleased with the purchase price too which I found at a wholesale club for $6.99 for a 5 kg bag.
The nutritionists would be impressed too with the protein boost
 contained within as it is a whopping 22 grams of protein in only100 grams/1/2 cup red lentils!
What else is so cool about the lowly lentil is that  it is uber easy to prepare and throw into any soup or stew. If you want a pure lentil soup you need only add red lentils,water,a boullion cube, an onion and parsely and your extra fresh veggies chopped up and you have a wonderful hearty soup that will feed an army....ok maybe not an army but a BIG family. Our favorite flavoring to add to this soup other than salt and pepper is soy sauce.
Dig in!


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What Products Do Frugal People have in Common?

Yes, I've been scouring the web again, hunting up some morsels of information that may assist.
Frugal people often fall into lifestyle and consumer habits that are held in common amongst large swaths of people across continents and maybe even across the globe. So therefore I'd like to share a list of some of the items that I have discovered to be favorites among those who enjoy frugality. Note that many of these frugal folks are actually quite wealthy and live debt free lifestyles. Therefore remove from your thoughts, the idea that frugality is a necessity for "poor" people. In fact, if you have read Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko's book entitled "The Millionaire Next Door", you will have discovered that many families and individuals with large net worths, actually have some VERY frugal habits. In fact, I would suggest that frugality may be one of the stepping stones towards acquiring and retaining REAL assets.

Partial list of Commonly held household items by Frugal Folks:

Vinegar
Bleach
Liquid Dish Soap
Olive Oil
Rubbing Alcohol
Garlic for medicinal use
Cotton cloths-- ( often cut from old clothing/towels)
Hydrogen Peroxide
Baking Soda
Microfiber cloths- used for cleaning and washed and re-used repeatedly

Partial List of Common Activities/Habit of Frugal Folks:

1. Composting --- using vegetable peelings and egg shells in your home composting system to create your  own   nutrient rich soil for use in outdoor gardens.
2. Re-using elastics from  newspapers delivered to your home
3. Washing, drying and re-using clear plastic milk bags for freezing foods
4. Washing and re-using marjarine/yogurt containers for storing small household items
5. Using water that collects indoors in dehumidifiers/ other appliances for watering indoor/outdoor plants
6. Collecting and using rain water run-off from eavestroughs and rain barrels for watering outdoor gardens.
7. Washing clothing in cold water
8. Hanging Clothes inside or outside on racks or clothes lines instead of using electric clothes dryers
9. A love for chopping, stacking and using free firewood and  using woodstoves/fireplaces/chimineas and/or other appliances that consume wood and turn out "free" heat
10. Using cold leftover tea in the tea pot to water plants.

 I invite you to add your own favorites to this list by sending in your comments through the comment section.
Peace and Prosperity.
C.
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Old Fashioned phones...NO BATTERIES!

I was looking into the availability of old fashioned CORDED phones. Yes, I did say "Corded"!
Oh the horror!
But seriously, in the event of a power outage it makes sense to have an old fashioned phone available to plug into your regular home phone line, that does NOT require electricity or batteries to function.
Yes it will be ugly, and yes it won't be cool, but it just may save the day when your batteries die or you have an electrical outage in your area.

Walmart in Canada carries these kind of simple phones from between $12.99- 17.99.
If you are tired of spending too much money on rechargeable batteries, or tired of searching endlessly for a misplaced cordless phone, I'd suggest considering the old fashioned route. Note of course, that without batteries you won't have call display and other fancy features , but it will give you communication with the outside world in an emergency.
The manufacturers of the phones I looked at on the Walmart websites state that these phones will run well during a power outage because they utilize the limited power that runs through normal phone lines. How cool!
Uniden makes a very affordable one that was selling through Walmart stores.

Sometimes there is peace and joy in simplicity and cost control :)


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Gluten Free Five Dollar Chili

This is my great big "Throw in the crock Pot O Chili".

The bonus is that I estimate it's cost to be only 5 dollars or less and its GLUTEN FREE!
It serves at least 6 people.

• 2 large cans of diced tomatoes
• 2 large cloves of fresh garlic peeled and diced
• 1 small can of black beans
• 1 small can of red Kidney beans
• 3 tablespoons of chili powder ( if you like it spicy!)
• 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
• one half teaspoon up to 1 teaspoon of sea salt
• one small onion peeled and diced.
• Water -- add 2 cups up to 5 cups according to your desired chili thickness and if you have unexpected company :)

Rinse and drain the cans of beans and add to crock pot. Set the crock pot onto high for up to 3 hours.
Keep adding in all the other ingredients in no special order. The negotiable amounts are the water and the salt and the quantity of chili powder that your palate can handle") You'll know the chili is done when the onions lose their crispness and start looking more translucent. Keep stirring it every 15 minutes.

EXTRAS: if you want to add some extras such as ground beef, just make sure you brown the ground beef thoroughly first and drain off the fat, before you add it to the crock pot. You can also serve it with one dollop of sour cream or plain greek yoghurt....one dollop per bowl of chili, plopped right on top of the hot chili. Serve with toasted gluten free bread or gluten free crusty rolls.

LOWER COST-- if you want to further reduce the cost of this chili, you can avoid buying canned beans by using dried* beans and soaking them overnight in your refrigerator.* dried black beans and dried kidney beans you can buy in prepacked bags at most grocery stores, or in bulk at your fave bulk food store/dept.  You can also use fresh diced tomatoes, garlic and onions if they are cheaper in season in your region or from local farmers. ( right now where I live in Canada we have zero local produce available other than eggs")

Bon Appetit mes amis! Please share this with your budget conscious friends or with those struggling to find gluten free food options.
Peace.


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Alternatives to Traditional Toothpaste

Hi Folks. today I wanted to mention just a few products that you can use on those days that you don't feel like using traditional toothpaste.

For example two options come to mind:

Salt: using plain table salt to clean your teeth is an oldfashioned idea for those who are trying to cleanse their teeth and mouth with a simple and chemical free option. Just dip your clean tooth brush into some water and then dip into a small mound of table salt and brush as usual. Then, to make a simple mouth wash, you can add hot water with 1 teaspoon of table salt and stir until the salt dissolves and the salt solution cools enough to the point that you can use this as a great mouth wash. Swish the salt water between all your teeth and around your whole mouth. Salt water also helps in cleansing any small bumps or lumps you may have on your gums, tongue or lips. Some health practitioners advise using salt water rinses when you are battling a sore throat. ( this should not replace obtaining proper medical care from a licensed medical practitioner.)

Baking Soda-- This is an old but good one too. Just wet your tooth brush and touch the bristles of the tooth brush directly into a small mound of Baking soda, then proceed to use it to clean your teeth the same way you normally would brush your teeth. Sure, it doesn't taste great, but the gentle grittiness of
baking soda is a great teeth scrubber and will bring about a beautiful shine. Just  be sure to rinse your mouth with clean water when you are done brushing to rinse away the taste and any residue.

So, the two above options you can use when you want to simplify your consumerist lifestyle, or when you want to get back to living without the use of harsh chemicals. Some people may use these options when they are trying to save money. Both table salt and baking soda are both cheaper options than buying regular priced tooth pastes. Both Baking Soda as well as table salt are usually available at most discount and dollar stores. Other people use these options just when they find that they have forgotten to pack toothpaste when they go camping or travelling.

Take good care of your teeth, so they can last a lifetime :)
Peace.
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The Folly of Catch and Release

If someone walked up to you, and said "Ma'am, I would like to give to you one million dollars." What would you do? Would you accept it? I hope you would.

That is why it frustrates me when I watch people practice this strange gov't mandated theory of fishing
called "Catch and Release".  What an absurd practice! Why would someone go to all the trouble and expense of buying a boat and bait and fishing gear and go to their favorite fishing spot only to reel in the fish of their dreams and then once they have the fish on the hook, they simply remove the hook and put the fish back into the lake. Then you have a beautiful fish swimming back into the lake with a big hole in its cheek.

Perhaps my dutch roots are showing once again, but permit me to go further. Do you know how many
people there are in your town who will go to bed hungry tonight? If you had the capacity to feed them all, would you? So, it stands to reason, that if God blesses your fishing line with the 'Catch of the day' that you would take that fish home and serve it up to as many friends, family or neighbors as would want it.
Don't you dare return a blessing that God sends your way! If you are not hungry, I am sure there are food banks or friends or soup kitchens that would be grateful for your prize catch.

The only time I understand the concept of "Catch and Release" is if the fish is too small and still hasn't reached a proper adult stage. Sure, send the baby fish back into the lake to enjoy her growth. Also, if you happen to catch a fish that is poisonous for some reason, then by all means, don't bring it home for supper.
But I really don't understand any other reason.

I watched a tv show about an adventurous fisherman in Thailand who caught monstrous fish one after the other. Sometimes the fish were so big that he needed up to three men to pick up that fish. But did he allow any of those workers to take home those beautiful fish to feed their families? No way. He practiced the absurd....pulled the hooks from their cheeks and returned them back to the water. Huh, how rude.
 How insensitive to put fish back into the river when there are hungry men on the river bank watching.    Catch and Release seems to me to be a sadistic ritual for sport fishermen who don't know the concept of feeding people. Perhaps if all sport fishermen were forced to eat, sell or donate all they caught there wouldn't be so many hungry humans.

I'd be delighted to hear your response, if you feel you can or should educate me further in this regard. Please don't send me some lengthy fishing policy. Use your own words. I know you can.

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Garlic as an Appetite Suppressant

What are the benefits of consuming raw garlic? I have experienced one unusual benefit, which appears to be that of an appetite suppressant. How much did I consume? About 1-2 raw cloves chopped down to a size I could comfortably chew and swallow them with a cool drink.

If you have a great testimony or experience with raw garlic, please be encouraged to share your experience in the comment section. Your comments are an important dynamic in these discussions.

What are the benefits that you have experienced from consuming raw garlic? I have read some really incredible claims on the web from people who have experienced incredible recovery from tumors as well as other ailments. Garlic has been studied in laboratories as well, in order to bring some scientific credibility to
its use as a health enhancing supplement. I would encourage you to do your own research. Get some books out of your local bookstore or library, so you can see the great potential benefit of this humble food called garlic. Stephen Fulder has written extensively about the subject. Better yet, discuss it's use with a professional and licensed health care practitioner.
God bless.
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Disclaimer: This blog and all its contents are intended for conversational purposes only and are not intended to replace proper medical advice from a licensed medical practitioner. All ideas discussed are intended for conversational and discussion purposes. This blog and it's owner are not liable for any ideas discussed or presented in this blog in its entirety.

The Nature of Genius

To my readers, I would like to start a discussion about genius. What is your impression of what comprises genius? What is it? What do you consider to be a mark of genius?
Is it someone who instinctively understands how to construct peace between two radically opposed parties?
Is it someone who crafts formulas and theories of the expansion of the universe?
Is is someone who can learn a new language in less than 6 months?

If someone in your immediate family were a bona fide genius, how would you treat him or her?
Would you make special allowances for his or her absentmindedness? Would you "sponsor" their livelihood because you knew in your gut that they were going to do something great with their life?

How would you nurture that genius? If you had a choice as to influence who that genius spent time with, would you advise that person who to befrieind and who to ignore? Or would you do the opposite and give them extra freedom to discover their own best friends and healthy relationships? Would you strongly encourage the genius to attend a miriad of extra curricular classes?

I would love to hear your thoughts and input.
Peace Carla


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Book Review on Garlic- Nature's Original Remedy

This is my book review of the book entitled "Garlic- Nature's Original Remedy " authored by Stephen Fulder   Ph.D. and John Blackwood. published by Healing Arts Press in 2000 and 1991 (original edition)

I think the word  "astounded" is the best word to describe how I feel after reading this book. It is absolutely amazing to me to see that a small under priced bulb of fresh garlic can be studied so thoroughly and have so many multiple health benefits.

What are some of the benefits of consuming raw uncooked garlic? This book describes the positive effects of raw garlic on conditions such as high blood pressure, tuberculosis, bacterial infections such as candidiasis, as well as high cholesterol. The use of garlic as a natural antibiotic is thoroughly discussed and compared scientifically to the use of traditional prescribed antibiotics.

The book also explores the folk lore behind the use of garlic and how different nations have snubbed their noses at garlic because of its notable pungent scent.
The authors calmly discuss how scientific studies have produced credible evidence of the positive effects of raw garlic on many many sick individuals who often find measurable positive results from taking raw garlic.

The best ways to consume garlic are also discussed as to their convenience factors, amounts and efficacy. The authors believe that raw garlic eaten fresh and chewed before swallowing releases the most potent and beneficial compounds. However they do also explore the benefits and drawbacks of consuming garlic oil in capsules and other garlic based tablets.

If you have any interest at all in improving your health and are looking for an informative exploration of all the dynamics of using garlic as a supplement, I highly recommend you try to find this book. It may be available at your local library or available to order online.
God bless and be well in 2013.
Carla


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Gluten Free at the Mandarin

And so my quest for all things gluten free led me to contact the Mandarin buffet restaurant head office in order to determine their perspective on the foods they offer at their buffet restaurants in Canada. I received a very friendly and helpful response which I will share with you below:

Thank you for your e-mail regarding our gluten free items. It is very difficult for me to answer your question as we do not have a detailed ingredient list available for our buffet items. There are many items that may contain gluten.

It may be helpful to let you know that we use canola oil when preparing most of our dishes. We also use corn starch in many of our soups and stir fries. Chicken base is also used in most of our hot buffet dishes and stir fries, and as far as I know, it is not gluten free. Our Garden Salad is prepared without dressing (You must select your own dressing for the salad), and our grilled items are marinated before they are cooked. Our Soy Sauce is not gluten free. Also, to my knowledge, our plain Steamed Rice and Peel and Eat Shrimp should not contain gluten.

We do have an à-la-carte menu available as an alternative to the buffet. Simply ask your hostess or server for our menu upon being seated. Our chefs may be willing to prepare a dish without chicken base or other ingredients containing gluten at your request. However, please be advised that it is almost impossible to say that any dish is gluten-free because there is a high risk of cross-contamination in our restaurants.

I hope that this information will help you, if you choose to dine at Mandarin. Thank you for contacting us with your question.

Sincerely,

Mandarin Restaurant Franchise Corporation

8 Clipper Court, Brampton ON L6W 4T9

T 905-451-4100

F 905-456-3411

E info@mandarinrestaurant.com

www.mandarinrestaurant.com

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