Sweet Cheap Banana Cake

  Sweet Cheap Banana Cake!

Every once in a while, it behooves me to create something out of something else. So I took a basic cake recipe and tweaked it a bit to suit some CHEAPSKATE appetites out in the world.

There seems to be an insatiable appetite for frugality....now that gas and meat prices have gone up so much....and in such a short period of time.

So, without further ado.....here is a very simple, very basic low cost frugal BANANA CAKE recipe.

Ingredients:

Throw all the following in a mixing bowl.:

2 peeled overripe bananas (it's ok if the bananas have begun to brown)

2 cups all purpose white flour

1 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 eggs

a dash of veggie oil or canola oil : ( if you need to measure....I'd estimate 1 tablespoon)

1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon 

Blend all of the above with a high speed blender until thick and creamy.

Coat a medium size caserole or baking dish with a thin layer of veggie oil or canola oil.

Pour/scrape all the batter into your baking dish.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

Bake the cake for 25 minutes and then leave it in the oven after you turn it off to let it settle and the crust to get a little bit more crisp. 

(oven  temperatures can vary by oven style and other factors..... use your common sense and adjust the temperature or length of baking time to suit your own particular oven)

One of the things that's cool about this recipe is that it doesn't take any additional liquids...such as milk or water. All the liquid that the cake requires is provided by the over ripe bananas!

That's it! Easy Peasy eh?

Enjoy once it cools a bit and serve with butter or margarine or all by itself.

Delicious and frugal!

No need to throw away browning bananas any more.... Just peel em and throw them into a zip lock bag and freeze them for these delightfully frugal banana cakes.

Bon Appetit!

Carla.

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Review of Flash Food App

So, If any of y'all are bargain hunters...you are definitely going to want to check out the "Flash Food" app. It is easy to download and very user friendly. You don't even have to handle payments in the grocery store....it is all done online.

So, what is "Flash Food" ? It is a way for grocery stores in Ontario to offer products at steep discounts rather than tossing them in their dumpsters when they are trying to reorganize their merchandising or getting rid of foods that are near their expiry dates.( i am sure that it operates in other provinces too....and maybe even the USA)

Above are all the items I was able to get  this week, for just under 20 Canadian dollars. I know that the choices are heavy on dairy...but that is just the way it is.....Dairy products are most sensitive to expiry dates...and stores have more dairy products near expiry than they know what to do with. It saves the store money to be able to sell these items instead of letting them be disposed of. It is also an environmental and social benefit for stores to be able to claim that they reducing their "land fill" items and offering lower cost food options for those who may need it.

I like that there was a broad assortment....including even some meat and high value cheeses. The yogurts are easy to freeze and kids like them for snacks. 

Do you have Flash Food app operating in your locality? Do you like it? Does it freak you out to buy foods near expiry? Do tell.

I thought those frugal friends of mine would appreciate a glimpse into what a Flash food order can be. Well, that's all for now. Be well....and take advantage of those blessings that God provides. Be well and prosper "biggly"!

Peace,

Carla.

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High Risk Covered Calls or Low Risk Covered Call Options

Are you an option trader ? Do you sell covered calls?

Today I just wanted to discuss how you can influence your levels of risk by several key factors when and if you sell covered calls.

For brevity, I am going to assume that you all know how to ¨sell to open¨ covered calls. If you do not know what  a covered call option is.....then this post may not be helpful.

What raises risk in a covered call scenario?

permit me to draft a list:

• Selling covered call options way out into the future...such as 6 months or even 2 years into the future. The future is unknown and the more we try to predict long term results....the more risk we may encounter....due to unexpected market movements.
• Using leverage to finance the purchase of the underlying asset. Using margin debt to finance your purchases of the underlying asset adds more risk to your portfolio. Not only must you prepare for interest payments on the money you borrow in your margin account, but you must prepare to prevent a margin call on your account, when/if your buying power becomes challenged by negative market forces or poor investing choices.
• Selling covered calls on equities that have an unproven financial record can/may add more risk to your accounts. When investors choose to sell covered calls on publicly traded companies that have no positive financial reports, they add unintended risk to their holdings.

There are several ways to minimize risk when selling covered calls on your stock portfolio. 

Permit me to draft another list:

• Sell covered calls on stock that you have paid for in full....(without leverage)
• Sell covered calls on companies with proven sound financial management, that produce healthy price to earning ratios(p/e ratio) and have a good reputation. Have a healthy respect for positive earnings. What is trendy is not always a ¨good bet¨.
• When you want to withdraw money from the premiums you have collected by selling covered calls, only do so after the contract has expired or been closed or assigned. This simple tactic will prevent unnecessary stress if/when a covered call position runs in a direction that you did not expect.
• Last but not least...do not lower the strike below your cost. This is very important, so that you do not risk losing money on the difference between your net cost of stock and the potential inflow of cash if/when a covered call that you have sold gets ¨assigned¨. To be fair, it is important to note, that there may not always be a strike price available at the correct price point to make your trade profitable. Therefore you may have to just ẅait and hold onto stock that needs time to recover from a market dip. This is another reason why it is prudent to eliminate the use of debt/margin/leverage when purchasing equities....so that you will be able to weather market ups and downs..... while maintaining a stress free and dignified investing experience.

Well.... that is all friends, for today. If you are an option trader or investor, I am sure you have discovered a plethora of methods you can use to control and/or define your risk. There is nothing more important in investing than controlling risk.

May God bless your trading and investing as well as your learning journey.

Peace,

Carla.

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Knitting is for Old Ladies She said

I was aghast that day. It was the wife of someone close to our family. She stated rather loudly that knitting was for "old ladies." 

Well, let it be said that this woman is not known for elegant comments. And so, after all these years, I have learned to just ignore ignorant comments and pursue whatever I wanna do....no matter what anyone says.

Life is too long and life is too short to really give a rip about what anyone says anyway. Do you agree?

And for the record, if I become old while still knitting the way I love to...then hallelujah...I will be a grateful camper.

And so, on that epic note, I bring to you my 3 hour slippers, which I knit without a pattern.

I don't know why I hate knitting patterns...Hmmmm....maybe it's for the same reason that I hate aerobics classes. I hate being told what to do by an instructor. I also hate being told what to do by a pattern. Lol....kinda amateur on my part...but I is what I is ")

I want to encourage those of you who, like me, have trouble following or even looking at a pattern. Just because you don't like knitting patterns, doesn't mean you shouldn't knit. You may be more creative than everyone else combined, simply because you want to do things your own way.....you prolly should!

Being creative and using what I have has allowed me to make things in a "logical" way as it pertains to my own style of doing things. I am not aiming for a pair of slippers to wear to the Met gala....I am aiming for something that fits my foot and doesn't cost too much to make. I want to be able to make it in a day or two...and I want the idea to be so simple and do-able that I could teach almost anyone on the spot to make them too. And so above, are the photos of my 3 hours slippers. Enjoy.

P.S.

Just because you don't like maps, doesn't mean you hate driving. I love driving!

Just because you don't like aerobics classes doesn't mean you hate aerobics! I love dancing!

Just because you don't follow recipes,doesn't mean you can't cook! Got it? Good :)

Peace out,

Carla.

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Networth and Comparing Celebs

As soon as you hear the sound of the word  "million" you might be tempted to be think that someone's loaded. Nah.....think again.

According to Zolo   the average Toronto single family home is a cool 1 million Canadian bucks. That's nothing to sniff at...but at the same time, it is a helpful mathematical tool to help you wrap your head around net worth stats.

(https://www.zolo.ca/toronto-real-estate/trends)

For example,  if you happen to watch any kind of reality tv, and you search up net worth estimates for some of the celebrities you might be surprised at the numbers.  Looks can be deceiving.

The reality real estate show "Selling Sunset" features lots of overdressed ladies whose net worth, for most of them is only 1-2 million. When you compare that to a Toronto home....that means most of them could only afford one home in Toronto without debt. And that doesn't include the financing of their supposedly lavish lifestyles.

For many of these reality shows, the glamour is funded by the producers of the show and therefore the clothes, shoes, hair, makeup, travel and even the cars and homes are funded by the show producers, with the express intent of making your jaw drop. Anyone can be featured in a fancy home and driving a fancy car.         It isn't rocket science.  These celebs personally juggle debt just like you might...but perhaps on a more epic scale. Letting the "show" pay for everything is par for the course....that's just how Hollywood works.

They get dolled up by professionals to make them look like billionaires....when they are just barely millionaires. Many of them are just getting started on their financial journey. 

A million dollar net worth is just not that impressive anymore.

With regard to high fashion clothes....remember that designers are usually quite delighted to loan or give their garments to celebrities in order to garner  "free" publicity for their labels. Celebrities love freebies too ")

 Enjoy the show....catch a few design or fashion ideas of your own, But don't ever believe for a minute that these celebs can afford such lavish luxury without the glitzy sham of the highly financed entertainment industry.  Entertainment is a business....a hard core industry that knows how to get eyeballs glued to the screen. It's just entertainment....it's eye candy with an end goal to make you a faithful fan.

Looking the part....is not the same as "owning the part". One plus one still equals two....and sound financial management is still your best friend.

 Be well and prosper friends. 

 The world is your oyster.

Peace,

Carla.

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When My Dream is Fulfilled....

When my dream is fulfilled ....this is what it will look like.

I will have instructed more ladies how to trade online for income from the comfort of their home or at the park or wherever they happen to be. Why? 

Because  a woman should be able to create income from exactly where she is.

I want for any Mom at home with her kids to know confidently that yes, she can do this, and that not only is it possible to thrive as a trader, but to prosper extravagantly....not only to meet her own financial needs but the needs of her children as well.

I want to leave a legacy of empowerment for women all around the globe. I want  every woman to know that this "trading/investing" livelihood is a viable option for women, young and old. There is no glass ceiling in trading ...I am happy to report.

Your only limits are your own capacity for seeking knowledge, gobbling it up, and retaining it ....and then using it in the real world. Focus is power. Accurate knowledge will feed your power.

It is not my style to tell anyone how to live or what they should do with their lives. It is simply my desire to embody and teach those chunks of knowledge, strategy and inspiration which have allowed me to prosper as a trader/investor. To show to others that women need not cower in ignorance or conformity to some antiquated idea of what it means to be a woman or a wife or a mother.

Be blessed, my friends, with what you are putting your hand to. May your choices coincide with God's will for your life and your family.

Peace,

Carla.

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Retail Respect

There is one action .....a concrete example of excellent customer service i have noticed lately.

I have experienced this numerous times from a certain financial services company. I won't mention their name because that is not my purpose today. Whenever i call this company with a question or request ...i notice that when the conversation is over...they wait for me to hang up the phone first. They literally never end the call first. That may sound like a very small gesture...

but it speaks volumes of  respect for their clientelle. 

Does your business serve the public? Are your staff closing the door hastily when the sale is complete? Or is there a more gracious exit that says to a person that you respect them as a person and not just their wallet?

peace out, 

Carla.

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God Makes It Better

Too many things now a days have artificial colors and dyes...The above was made by God. Fresh raw juice made from raw beets carrots and apples...that's it. No water added. 

Frugal side notes. The jar is upcycled and the juicer i use often was granted to me by someone who couldn't sell it to anyone at their yard sale. Free does not always mean low quality. Sometimes it just really rocks:)

Peace out, 

C.

The Podium

Where is the podium in your house? To which books are given "royal assent" by the authority figures in your home.

For me, it is the bible, of the Judeo Christian heritage, which is given that place of reverence. When a bible is read aloud, there floats about the house a bit of holy hush...a quiet thoughtfulness and pleasant absorption.

As I do have a fondness for "success" literature and "motivational gurus", I notice that every single one of them has a profound reverence for the act of reading. Every single big time billionaire places a high value on the simple and yet profound activity of reading.

Some folks prefer to listen to audio versions of their fave books, but that is still "almost" the same as reading, other than that it is more difficult to pause and reflect and/or take notes in the midst of an audio recording.

Having a physical copy of a book in your hand just lends itself to thoughtful pauses and reflection. The art of pondering, the ability to hover over an idea until one can see it from every possible angle.

So, in summary I would like to ask you gently, my good friends, relatives and associates and colleagues....who has the podium in your home?

Peace,

Carla

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Coke Pepsi Gates and Buffett

Sometimes it's interesting just to attempt to process and think through the different relationships
and allegiances that influence Wall St.

So, Mr. Bill Gates and Mr. Warren Buffett are best friends. Berkshire, Buffett's creation, owns a lot of Coca Cola shares.

In March of this year, Mr. Gates announced that he is withdrawing from the board of both Microsoft and Berkshire. Is it possible that Mr. Gates' withdrawal from these boards will help him not to feel conflicted as he moves ahead with a greater focus on his foundation?

Microsoft, this month of July 2020, announced a 5 year deal with Pepsi co, to have all it's employees use certain Microsoft products and have access to Microsoft teams. ( I'm assuming these are support personnel)

Remember that the Gates Foundation, which is run by Mr. Bill Gates and his wife Mrs. Melinda Gates, is set to receive billions of dollars from Mr. Buffett's Berkshire holdings over the coming years, as Mr. Buffett fulfills his giving pledge to donate much of his wealth to charity.

So what does this all mean? Will there be any tension because Microsoft has linked up with Pepsi, even though the Gates foundation will benefit from the heavy amount of Coca Cola shares that Berkshire holds?

Or, at the end of the day, does it not matter at all?  Maybe there are no passionate loyalties to consumer brands in the C-suites or billion dollar philanthropic powerhouses?

Just thinking aloud today.

Peace, and think on,

Carla.


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It's Frothy Earthy and Raw

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Frothy ....earthy and raw. Ahhh....the best things in life come straight from the earth. This wee sample of the raw juicing I've been doing lately just hits the spot. Contains raw beets, celery, apples, carrots and mini cucumbers....the blend tastes a bit like the store bought V8 juice that my mama used to use to make her famous homemade soup.

It's funny, that when you take things like this straight by drinking it right after you makeit...., it doesn't even seem to matter if it feels like a fruit or a veggie concoction. It just doesn't matter....

Why? Because it simply makes you feel good. Energizes and clarifies. The beets add an earthy grounding to the beverage. I hear that beets are good for your blood.

Well, that's all for now. Hope you are all able to face the new realities in your current locations, whether you are in a lockdown situation or a more "open for business" type of work climate. I pray that God will give you the patience to make your way through these times. He is still God....still good and cares about you, your needs and your household.
Peace,

sister C.

Let's Not Oversimplify the Answers to the Virus

I watch a lot of news....ok ok....maybe a little bit too much news😝. But sometimes having a bead on the news of the week gives you a unique window into where people's minds are at. ( I should add that the liberal biased media doesn't necessarily reflect the common citizen....but that's another rant for another day...)

I wanted to talk today briefly about what i see as a rather childish reaction to the virus. 

The notion that just one simple answer is going to "stop or kill the virus" is a bit naive in my humble opinion.

I see politicians and all manner of "experts" and laymen saying loudly and with "great authority" that 

if we all "just wore masks" then we would be back in Neverland. Yes, wearing a mask does appear to slow the spread....but a mask in and of itself is not going to kill anything.

I see a lot of puffed up people looking down on folks who strut through town without a mask on....as if wearing a mask is the new great Messiah. Please children, can we think a little more comprehensively than that?

There is a lot that a person can do to "fight" the virus or as I would prefer to say... "prevent illness".

Number one, we can take care of our own health by eating healthy and consuming what is my own "personal magical " potion (lol) namely....tons of raw juices and yes, my ole fave ....raw garlic.

I also want to personally say that those who are defiant to the virus in their words and lifestyle may have something good going for them. They have a defiant attitude towards sickness. They believe in their own life and that they are not going to get sick no matter what. Who are you to disagree with a person's bold faith in their own strength and life?

Now you could say, that those defiant folks are living in denial....and you might be right. But there is a LOT to be said for people who are confident in their own life force and their ability to fight disease. The mind is a VERY POWERFUL instrument in the fight for good health. You can say all you want about petri dishes and lab grown antibiotics, but good common sense supports the notion that those who love life and enjoy life to the fullest don't usually get as sick as those who hide under a rock and wait for science to rescue them.

Oh, and just so that I don't sound too much like a self help paperback....let me say for the record, that there is a God in heaven who is very much alive and able to preserve and restore life. Those who seek God usually find Him and His assistance. Secular scientists can roll their eyes now...I'm not asking for your approval.

If you are a scientist, don't worry....you'll still keep your funding, and I might just read one of your text books or soak up one of your M.I.T videos, but I will always retain my own filters and maintain that wonderfully mystical process by which christians always wind up holding onto their faith in God, in Jesus and His love for us.

We are not alone. We are not stuck. Mankind, with God's help will find our way through this. I pray that those "therapies" and "preventative" measures which don't fit into the popular medical journals will also come to light as the powerful potions that they are.

For a long time, the fields of science in North America turned their noses down on people of faith, even though it was the Christian churches that founded the biggest Ivy League schools in  the world. If we can get over our own pomp and circumstance, we just might discover that the worlds of faith, the Bible and science are perfectly good friends and can cooperate to accomplish what will become a blessing to mankind for generations to come.

Peace, my friends, stay you...and and stay well.

Carla.

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Just by using "Preview Order" you might be Swinging the Market

Quite an intriquing book....Michael Lewis' book entitled "Flash Boys: A Wall Street Revolt".

I had wondered in my own life, when it was in the order of me placing a trade, that my trade would become visible to other traders on the market. According to this book, even if you don't complete the trade by hitting "enter", and simply by using the "preview order" process offered by your broker, this trade, or rather your "intention" to place a trade has already become visible to other traders. These traders then may, if they so choose, use that knowledge to bet "ahead" of your proposed trade, thereby using a process commonly called "front running".

What do you feel about these ideas? Do they may you squirm...? Or do they just confirm what you have felt has been going on in the markets for a decade?

hmmm....much to digest.

Peace,
Carla.


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Berkshire Hathaway....Simple or Complex...You Decide

 Having spent much time reading and listening to much written and spoken about the brilliance of Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway holdings and investment style...I thought I'd prattle on a bit of musings.

Derek Foster, who is known in North America as "The Lazy Investor" is a great fan of Warren Buffet's investment style especially because Mr. Buffet seems to invest in companies with "simple" products..... products such as Dairy Queen softserve cones, Duracell Batteries and Kraft Ketchup.

But then again, that is only one part of the picture.

CNBC has an interesting Berkshire Hathaway portfolio tracker...
for an example...here's a recent posting update from their site :                      https://www.cnbc.com/berkshire-hathaway-portfolio/

One can see that Mr. Buffet's company also invests heavily in financial companies, banks and three major credit card companies. It also has stakes in media companies, entertainment, and a credit ratings agency.

Such a large swath of the American economy is represented by the various stakes Mr. Buffett's company holds. Many of the companies are linked in the financial markets ....either intentionally or unintentionally....I don't know.

I would encourage you, before you jump to conclusions about the legendary Mr. Buffett, that you do more reading and thinking...and then do MORE reading and more thinking.

By the way, that is what Mr. Buffett is best known for...his utmost respect for those two major occupiers of his time.....reading and thinking.

Peace,
Carla.






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That Bird's Got Her Worm

Across the way....there's a house. At the tip of the rooftop..... birds like to rest for a moment and have a lookout.

Today, that robin commanded attention at that rooftop. She was holding the prize.... a long chubby worm dangling from her beak. That worm will feed her and her young gangly spring babes.

She is right to stand proud...to be downright cocky holding her prize up high. She could have been a snap shot from a Rocky film, like Sylvestor Stallone, after a winning match, holding his fist in the air. She has won her right to fight....and win.

And so, it is  that we must push on...until we find that thing...which we will at once, or perhaps gradually realize over time....is our own worm....our own fight worth winning.

It's feeding time. It's time to lay claim of what you can do....that will produce that livelihood.

What a great word...."livelihood". It has a much better ring to it than money.

May you find your "livelihood" soon, my dear friends. Because when you recognize the worm, and do whatever it takes to dig it up and take it home to feed your babes, it has become yours. It's not just about paying the bills...it's about a delicious livelihood.

Press on, brothers and sisters, your livelihood awaits...It may already be in your sights, awaiting your target, your perseverance, your study. You are not hallucinating. You are not living in a dream world. This is real.

That which you enjoy....can really actually become your livelihood.

Peace out,
Carla.





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This is only a test?

You can go ahead and label me a conspiracy theorist.....feel free to browse elsewhere on the net today then ok?

But, based on what I have seen occur in my beloved country of Canada, I must say...it has a lot of heads shaking in disbelief.

How can seemingly peaceful pencil pushing politicians suddenly wield such all consuming power so as to be able to tell folks, good decent hard working Canadians, that they may not earn a living?

I still can not get my head around it.Since when, did my fellow peace loving Canadian leaders suddenly become such power hungry dictators??? i am at a loss for words.

I do understand, to the best degree that I can, that the virus currently called "covid19" is a messy beast. But why did a fight against a virus transform and warp itself into a fight against the working man/woman? Isn't it a constitutional right to conduct business and provide for yourself and your family?

Isn't it always a good thing to have a "great work ethic"????

Isn't it always a good thing to go to church?

But no, the politicians  and law enforcement agencies are/have reprimanded, ticketed, fined and/or threatened people for doing just those simple two things....working and going to church.

Yes, yes, it is  May 22 , 2020, and before I blow a gasket, I must admit that things are slowly starting to re-open up in Ontario. But the opening is slow and painful. I still find myself avoiding grocery shopping because i hate the thought of being forced to wait outside in lineups just for the mere privilege of buying food.

I wonder, indulge me for a moment, if the powers that be, are just doing some kind of social experiment to see how asleep we are? Are "they" testing us to see how much of our freedom we will peacefully give up, all in the pretense of "protecting health"???

Is it a coincidence that those who are forcing the lockdowns upon us, are the ones whose paycheques have not been torn up during the lock down. Perhaps they are even getting a "pandemic pay bump" to deal with the extra stress of leadership during a national/global pandemic.

To say that our leaders are out of touch with the average working Canadian is an understatement. This season is a test of martial law....a test of a police state in our beautiful peaceful country.
We shall not allow this to occur without proper response. Take notes my friends and speak to your friends and family about this situation. It must not go on without discussion and prompt and very verbal public discussion. We do live in a democratic country do we not?
These massive sweeping public changes which are dramatically affecting all aspects of life in Canada must be held up to public scrutiny. Some of these issues should have been put up to a public vote before they were so aggressively rolled out upon us like a steam roller. Every Canadian has a vote and a voice. Remember this. Use your voice....and use your vote.

Please, my fellow Canadians, do not forget this season, even when things get back to more "normalcy".
The freedoms that we calmly let go of now.... under the "excuse of a virus", will not be easily regained back to their former glory.

And while I am on a roll, permit me to mention that the new "app" that will be enforced upon our cell phones for the purported purpose of "contact tracing" are going to become a new "spying" tool by which the government can glean all kinds of personal data about us.

Fight for your freedom to go to church and to go to work...whether you are self employed or otherwise. Also, fight for protections for your privacy, even if the government "enforces" contact tracing. The government does not belong in your cell phone.

Not peaceful today,
Carla.


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Encouragement for You

I just want to send a few brief words of encouragement to you today...my readers. Even if this is the first time you are visiting my blog...you are welcome. If you've been reading my blurbs for years...thank you quite hugely for your loyalty :)

So, today, is May 16, 2020 and Ontario is starting it's phase 1 of re-opening after having virtually everything grounded and halted since approximately March 15 2020.

I don't know about you....but the seclusion has been exhausting. Although much of my day is spent quietly, I didn't realize that I am much more sociable than I give myself credit for.
Maybe you too, have begun to realize how much you appreciate folks, like your barber, hair salon, nail salon, or the schools that educate your children. Maybe you have a newfound appreciation for the gift of a full fridge and the ability to pay your bills.

This modest first step in re-opening is a sign. It is a sign that better things are on the horizon. We must never allow depression or the struggles of life to squash us down. You must be your own best friend....your own cheer leader....your own spiritual guru.

Do you have someone around you who encourages you? Someone you can talk to who can speak life and hope and encouragement into your thinking?

I am not talking about blind encouragement.  I am not talking about encouraging people to do ridiculous or dangerous or illegal things. I am talking about....simple encouragement that will help you accomplish whatever you want to do with your life.

You life was given to you by God. He will help you embrace it.

I feel like Spring has finally sprung in our neck of the woods, with the trees starting to pop out their new buds and frills.

So, if you have been struggling with a lack of "zest" during this season of challenges, I want to give you a boost of hope today. I want to give you a friendly boost in the arm, to let you know that it's ok to believe in your dreams again. Don't let anyone or anything discourage you.

with kindness,

Carla





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Lock Down or Liberty...

The issues are so weighty...i hesitate to discuss them openly online....
One never knows how my thoughts in black and white will be understood or categorized. The data miners and "little grey men" are indeed watching what we type...and post and like and share.

If we stretch too far in endorsing "liberty" we may be labelled as a rebel and enemy of the state. If we endorse the lockdown for months and months, we may be labelled as fascist.

But yet, we are human, and if we don't get our words out...whether in chat rooms or other social media, we begin to whither. If we can not speak our minds, whether out loud or in type, we become less human.

Some things are so cut and dried for me.... The longer the lockdown in north America, the more our society will become an entrenched welfare state. We can pretend to be a free market, but if a simple individual who leads our province or county can force us to stop working, and accept and eventually become dependent on government handouts....are we really free? Isn't the constitution supposed to protect my personal liberties...my right to thrive?

A Person's own individual choices seem to be an afterthought right now. Those who are "gung ho" about lockdowns are publicly shaming those who simply want to get out and about, get some sunshine and fresh air. I spoke yesterday with someone who wouldn't even accept takeout food delivered to her because she was so afraid that the food was "contagious". Sigh. Fear can be toxic too. Extremism is indeed a disease of the heart and mind....and that in and of itself is something that we need to fight against.

I applaud the province of Quebec for giving parents their own choice as to whether to send their children back to school or not.

Choice rocks.

All of us have different risk tolerances, as well as different tolerances for suffering the consequences of our personal choices.
Some of us are willing to risk exposure to viruses because we have done our homework and figured out how to strengthen our own immune systems. We may be willing to take "calculated risk" based on study and facts and research.

What do you feel? Stay expressive of what you are feeling and noticing right now. Start a private "lockdown" diary, so that you can have a permanent record of what you are experiencing in your corner of the world right now. If you are afraid to share it online, you may have good reason to be very worried about the consequences of what you type. Therefore, you may want to write it in an old fashioned paper diary, with a pen or a pencil. I know it's not as fun as typing....but still you need to be able to express yourself and record a private and honest record of what you are experiencing right now.

The policies that are being crafted and put into practice right now will have implications for your family for years to come. There are freedoms that we have taken for granted for decades that are being "played with" as "negotiable".

My personal freedom is not negotiable. It is not optional. It is my right.

I see how this pandemic era and the government's response to it, has unleashed situations that I have never faced in my life time. I was born in the 60's and I have never before felt like my personal liberties were under attack. I always had the law on my side when it came to my right to go where I wanted to and when.

Now, all those personal rights and freedoms are under scrutiny and subject to negotiation or interpretation. Those who fall on the side of "extra cautious"  are bedecked in hazmat suits just to go to the grocery store. They will not go for a walk by the waterfront. They will not order take out food. They live in fear and feel that everyone should be forced to live with the same level of fear as they do.

I say that we must make our own choices based on what we each know and understand to be true. We must not be swayed by panic and overzealous politicians who relish their newfound power to control and dictate life as we know it. We knew how to live before the pandemic. We will know how to live after it. Give us choice.

Peace,
Carla


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Self Employed or Employee...C'est Ton Choix

Have you ever thought about how completely "opposite" are the mindsets of self employed folks vs those who work for a company or corporation that they do not own?

I think the lines only get blurred when employees are given or earn stock options that, in fact, make them into partial "owners" of the company for which they are also employed. Employees, then empowered by their stock ownership begin to act more like owners/managers because their future net worth will be influenced by their job performance.

Self employed people realize in their heart of hearts....that

" If It's to Be....it's Up to Me!". 

They are usually independent folks, and if they are not independent folks, they find out soon that someone else in their circle will try to run their business for them....take them out of a position of control or influence.

Being an employee is relaxing and stressful all at the same time. It is relaxing....because at the end of the day....the buck does not stop with you. The big decisions are made by management. The bills are paid by the company, not from your own pocket. In addition the direction and mission statement of the company is crafted by management....not you.

But then again ....the stressful part is the flip side. It can be stressful to be a part of a company whose mission statement does not reflect your own values or direction in life. It can be stressful to be a follower, when you have a lot to say and would prefer to be "in charge" to a certain degree.

It can be actually quite painful to be forced into a "sheep like" status when you have leadership qualities and can not fill your potential as an employee of the company.

Have you ever felt torn between these two lifestyles? Employee or self employed..... C'est Ton Choix!


Peace,
Carla




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Appetite for learning

living in this modern age, we have billions of books and blogs and vids and theories about how to control and manipulate our appetite for food. It's a bit rather over done don't you think?

There is so much more to life than food. And yes, we all have an appetite for learning....for more knowledge geared towards our interests and goals.

Sometimes we have to tolerate knowledge that bores us because we have a more pressing goal that requires the assimilation of mountains of boring material. That's why I believe that it is a also a misnomer to suggest that we should only do that which "makes us happy".

Even when people have found their passion, they still will require the discipline and emotional maturity to endure studies or activities which are boring and dull.

Tony Robbins talks often about how "Progress means happiness"....and I would tend to agree. But for me ....that progress must be definitely and indisputably linked to my main life goals.

I am willing to endure much unpleasantry, whether that be tedious paperwork or mindless dry reading.... in order to accomplish my written life goals. It is a sacrifice that I am willing to make.

What are you doing to feed your learning curve? Which audio or print books have you bought or borrowed lately to help you get even closer to your written goals?

Feed that appetite....it is a precious thing.\

Peace,

Carla

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Now you Have a Good Reason to be Suspicious of Rewards Cards

So, "they".....(sorry I can't be more specific) are considering using rewards cards to track how many family members are shopping in the grocery stores per week. The proposed limit  "they" prefer...is one family member shopping once in a grocery store per week. "They" say this would limit the potential for transmission of the virus.

Hmmm....I know when rewards cards first started gaining popularity, I was all gung ho about the potential freebies. But as time passed, I became aware as to how much data collection goes on with these rewards cards. "They" know where and when you shop, and what specifically you buy.
"They" can come to all kinds of conclusions about your discretionary income based on the data they scrape from your shopping habits. Now it appears that it may become a tool in the hands of "they".


Now the pandemic has given good reason for folks to give up on cash. But this is also a hay day for big brotherish type of activities. The more of our shopping is tracked by debit/credit cards and rewards cards, the less privacy we all have.

What would it take for you or your family to give up rewards cards cart blanche? Or are the rewards simply too tantalizing?

Peacefully alert,
Carla



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Liz Abunaw of Forty Acres Fresh Market | Bootstrapping in America

Hunting for a female mentor? She's well educated, ambitious and thoughtful..



 
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Marshall Law in Canada

Since when is it illegal to walk in the park? to walk along the water front of a lake?

Since when do municipal governments set up snitch lines to "encourage" citizens to report their fellow Canadian for walking down the street?

Do we not see how ridiculous and very "UN-Canadian" this is?

Please do not fall for this fascism. Do not relinquish your love and appreciation for the Canadian constitution...equality and freedom for every Canadian must be protected....even in the midst of a pandemic.

I don't have all the answers. But I do believe that there MUST be a way to protect human rights and freedoms while at the same time protecting public health. Do you agree?



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Are our Civil Liberties At Risk?

I thought I was one of the only ones worried about losing liberty....but apparently I am not alone.

Folks across Canada are wondering if the different levels of government, municipal, provincial or federal are crossing any lines that should never be crossed in a democratic beautiful country such as Canada.

Yes, there is a virus. Yes, much about it is still unknown. However, the learning curve is flattening and as time goes on, the medical profession should have a much better understanding how to best fight the spread and symptoms of this virus, without hurting our national economic machine and our personal liberty.

But in the mean time, what do we do if we feel certain government mandates are going too far?

Is it constitutional for a country to prevent adults from going to work to provide for their family?

And if it is constitutionally "ok" to temporarily restrict work places and individuals from functioning in a "normal" manner....how long is "long enough"??? Remember that once you allow certain governmental powers to control your every move.....you have opened the door to this kind of power usage to becoming accepted as "normal"....THEN it becomes harder over time to label it as fascist or illegal.

Be not afraid....the legal profession and the watchdog organizations are on high alert. If we feel that there is "abuse of power" or "overreach"....there will be a reckoning. Don't allow your democratically elected officials run willy nilly with your civil liberty....they work for you.                                   THEY are ACCOUNTABLE to you!  All levels of government must respect the laws of our land that men and women fought hard to uphold in peace and war time. We are not going to allow a virus to destroy our precious rights and freedoms.

I stumbled across this article from March in the Globe and Mail. I am sure you can find even more current blurbs along the same lines...but here  it is https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-how-measures-to-contain-covid-19-may-clash-with-canadians-charter/


Yes, trust God, but don't let down your guard when it comes to your individual human rights. Take notes about this time period. If you feel that your rights are being trampled....take as many notes and record your thoughts about what has occurred for you and your family personally. If you feel that your workplace has been unfairly shuttered, write it all down, complete with details of the shut down you are experiencing and even note potential credible witnesses who can verify your story. You may at some point want to seek legal advice.

Why? Because we are still a democratic country that is ruled by law. The politicians and "experts" that are calling the shots right now in my province of Ontario and the whole nation must abide by Canadian and provincial law as well as our Constitution.

If there are some areas of civil liberty that you don't feel that you know enough about, feel free to contact a lawyer or law professor from a local college or university who can advise you further as to whether what we are experiencing right now is appropriate or an abuse of governmental authority.

And yes, for the record, I am not really taking pleasure in being a **it disturber....but rather, I am adamant about upholding our democracy and my individual human rights. I love my country. Personal liberty is an ideal that I hold close to my heart. Do you?


Peace....but keeping my eyes open,

Carla.




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I Would Trust Them More if They DID THIS

yes, yes, I was ranting a bit yesterday....but hey ...it's my blog and I can rant if I want to.

So, today is a new day and I am still processing this new "reality" that is afoot in my beloved country.

Is capitalism going to die in Ontario for the next 18 months?

Are all kids in Ontario going to learn online for the next 18 months?

Are all government and health care workers going to get paid even if the institutions they work for are shut down for the same 18 months?

I notice that most, if not all Ontario local parks and national parks are closing. Are all those parks and rec employees going to be paid while the parks are shut down?

Is the government going to turn all these fine hard working Ontarians into               "government handout beggars"?

The conclusion I came to yesterday, is that I would profoundly trust the politicians and health "experts" who are shutting down workers and businesses in this province if they Offered to do this one thing....WHAT ONE THING?  If they offered to go without out pay until every single business was allowed to reopen in Ontario. Why? Because only then would they begin to feel the same sense of dread that the rest of Ontarians feel when faced with this wacky provincial shut down that is being forced upon us.

Yes, that is ALL that it would take to even out the playing field. You wanna shut down capitalism in Ontario for the next 18 months?? Well, go right ahead, BUT then you must surrender your government and/or health "expert" paychque until we as a whole province re-open for business.

You politicians and health "experts" can live off your investments and savings or wind up accepting government handouts in the same manner that you are telling the rest of Ontario to do.

The CERB pays 2000 cdn dollars per month to those who lost their employment due to the virus.
 That money is not a gift. It is an apology.

Why do people apologize? Because they know that they are doing something that is going to hurt....a lot of people.

Peace,
C.








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Another Word on Garlic

Those who are wary of garlic will for sure not even bother to continue to investigate it's properties and heroic powers. But those who find it's simplicity and strength compelling....please do read on.

Today I was reading once again from Stephen Fulder PhD's and John Blackwood's book entitled
"Garlic.... Nature's Original Remedy".

Specifically I am going to quote directly word for word from Pg 30 the first paragraph:

"Yet, if one examines them carefully, a pattern does emerge. Firstly, garlic helps digestion and elimination. Edema and swellings are caused by poor functioning of the kidneys, or by poor blood circulation, which garlic also helps ("it clears the arteries"). It acts against various kinds of inflammations and infections, including ciughs, respiratory problems, and even tuberculosis ("spitting of blood or pus"). It is an anti-toxin for poisonous bites and stings and it kills internal parasites. It gives energy; we have already seen that the Greeks and Romans regarded it as a general tonic. "

Soooo... there you have my friends and colleagues. Written from the lips of a doctor.

I highly recommend his little book "Garlic.... Nature's Original Remedy"    so that you can explore the different thoughts the two authors have and all the vast research they divulge in such a tiny book.

As I've mentioned before, it was easy to order online....just google it.
Kind Regards,
Carla



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This Works For Me

Big Fat Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. I am not qualified in any way to give any kind of medical advice. Please get medical advice from licensed medical professionals. This blog post is just for conversational purposes and is not intended as any kind of advice or recommendation.


Now you understand that I am not liable for speaking what works for me:)
 Permit me to share what has always, for the past ten years, worked for me in strengthening my immune response to illnesses that were trying to slow me down. The simple item that I take often, is just one raw clove of garlic, taken after socializing (yes the scent is unpleasant)  with water.                ( of course I peel the skin from the clove first before chewing it). Truth be told, sometimes swallowing the garlic is so unpleasant that I shudder grimacing from the "ick" factor, and gulping cool water as quickly as i can.
By the next morning, the scent of the garlic will have abated and the raw garlic will have done some work. It seems to strengthen me, reduce puffiness in my face, and help me combat whatever illnesses are stalking me at the moment. I have also noticed that certain skin blemishes have healed over several weeks or even months of regular raw garlic intake.  The energy boost is quite quick for me, but the blemishes heal gradually over time.
I can not count how many times I have used this simple trick. And yes, raw garlic is a feisty item. If I get a piece of raw garlic trapped in my teeth, it can actually feel like it is burning the inner cheek. But, since I am not allergic to garlic and can handle the somewhat unpleasant experience of chewing one raw clove of garlic at night, I can handle this method. It works for me.

The bonus, is that the cost of raw garlic is currently between one to three Canadian dollars at any local grocery store. If I want to spend a bit more then I splurge on some organic garlic bulbs.

From what I have read, there are certain chemicals that are released when garlic is chewed or crushed, that are NOT available in cooked or fried garlic.

I have also taken to talking to my relatives about my experience with it and even bought a book about garlic to give a fresh"outsider's" perspective on it. It is named "Garlic ...Nature's Original Remedy" written by Stephen Fulder, PhD and John Blackwood.
You can find that book for sale online.

Well, that's all for now, have a good day,
Peace,
Carla




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Falling Asleep to revelation

There's nothing like the old rugged version...the king james version of the holy bible, spoken by

the legendary Alexander Scourby ...speaking gently the book of revelation.

Even the frugal beagles among us, can appreciate these free youtube vids...



Peace,

carla.

More Time Indoors

yes, i do believe this season of virus is temporary....but in the mean time, what to do when
you or your family is cocooning indoors?

• Books,
• audio books,
• Scrabble anyone?
• painting the interior of your home....a clean coat of paint lifts everyone's spirits eh.
• talking to one another
• more laundry then you ever thought possible
• youtube has a huge volume of valuable sources of information which can be selected based upon  your field of interest. M.I,T has free online courseware with top notch professors and classes.

Wishing you a blessed productive time while you may be in seclusion.

Peace,

Carla.

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Corona Sites

For the past few days I have been hunting for the best websites to determine what is currently updating in the "corona virus" world.

Here are the links to the two that I have viewed most recently.

I hope you that you all will do your own due diligence to find those sources of factual intelligence and updates that are most relevant for your particular location.

worldwide:

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/85320e2ea5424dfaaa75ae62e5c06e61


For Ontario, Canada only:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus#section-0

Wishing you wisdom and grace as we humans make our way through this global health struggle with God's help.

Peace,
Carla
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Only For Self Led Learners

Self led learning has revolutionized how I look at learning. It took all the bitterness I picked up in formal schooling and transformed learning into something delicious and uniquely fulfilling.

When is the last time you did something that you taught yourself on your own terms?

How did you feel? If you have never learned anything new based on your OWN initiative, then you are really missing out on a personal gift to yourself.

It is a special and very powerful event to see that you can set a written goal for yourself and move toward that goal and then look in your rear view mirror and see that not only have you passed that goal for yourself, but that your life is gaining momentum and you are moving towards your dream life.

Anything really is possible when you believe in yourself and you come to understand that God's love and blessings are available to you.

Never be afraid to read a book you don't understand. Never be intimidated to watch videos that are "above and beyond" your current educational level. What you think is leading no where.....can lead somewhere splendid, when you allow your own personal curiosity to uncover new knowledge and skills you never knew you could develop.

When you have faith in you.....you come into agreement with God, who has had faith in you since your beginning.

Peace,
Carla


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The Markets are a Thing?

It irks me when folks regard and talk about the "stock market" as if it is an inanimate object.

The market is anything but a lump of "thing".

It is more of a lively beast, reactive, calculating, and at times manipulative and seductive.

Some people state that the market is simply a set of algorithms and that there isn't any human involvement in it anymore.

 In my own kwirky understanding of the market I'd like to say the following:

Yes, of course human beings are going to use artificial intelligence more and more and more as time goes on, to maintain a financial edge and semblance of "control" in markets. But that doesn't make the market "less human". No, using A.I. is akin to  using your sharpest knife in the kitchen when you are trying to carve up a steak.....it just works better than a dull butter knife.

Behind every A.I. program is a programmer. Those programmers don't just set an A.I. system loose on the markets and trust it's instinct. A.I. does not have instinct. A.I. does precisely what it is programmed to do, and not a tad more than that. Programmers and traders work in tandem to tweak and adjust their A.I. algorithms to maximize trends and take advantage of unpredictable market events. The programs maintain the priorities that are set into their systems, and stick to script, unlike humans who often lose their priorities when their emotions run hot.

So, yes, we don't see  many folks running around the trading pits with papers strewn all over the floor, and traders making weird hand signals to brokers to complete trades. ( however, that still does happen in certain circles) But, the market is still very reactive and lively. Behind the screens, laptops, mobile phones, rooms filled with processors and huge monitors across the globe..... are very real and very wonderfully emotional human beings...determined to make a buck. The more computerized are our interactions with the markets, the more that we can use these preset tools to overcome our emotional weaknesses. Computers can cross the gap that sometimes prevents us from doing what is logical and rational, because of our own stubbornness and hot-headed-ness.

The events over the past two days should show us once again, that the market is a lively beast being controlled by humans.....humans with strong opinions, beliefs and emotions.


Well, that's all for now. Just wanted to put that out there.

Have a peaceful day friends.

Carla.








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Thank you Readers!

It is now the second month of 2020 and I wanted just to take a brief moment to thank you.

Some of my readers I have met in person. Some of my readers are feisty independent folks who cherish self led learning as much as i do. Some of you have found my blog because something I wrote somewhere online upset you....so you went online in a tizzy to hunt down my blog to set me straight ") That's ok, I know I am not a "yes" person. I don't really care if I upset people. It happens.
 I take pride in taking an unpopular path if I feel strongly about something.

Some of you have found my blog because you are struggling to carve out a gluten free lifestyle and the search engines seem to like my gluten free posts...

Some of you have stumbled upon my blog by accident or because a friend or family member sent you a link to one of my posts.

I just want to say this. I value your readership. Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog. It's not a fancy blog....it doesn't yet garner millions of views. But it has a place in my heart. And yes, in an indirect and informal "internet-ish"kind of way...you too have a quiet place in my heart.

It's good to be a seeker. As that Bible verse says and Tony Robbins likes to quote,
 "Seek and ye shall find"......  Sometimes we just need to gather ourselves around others who think differently than we do, so we can glean something fresh and new outside of ourselves.

I hope that something I have written has sparked in you some new found courage....some ferocity to pursue your goals and believe in your own potential.

I hope too that you have felt encouraged to dabble in exploring the bible and sense who Jesus is from it's pages.

Have an awesome day....being you in this good earth.

Peace out,
Carla.



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Does your Neighbor Qualify?

We all have neighbors. They may live down the street, across the hall, across the fence, down the path or up the hill.

Near or far, we all have neighbors.

What I wanted to talk to you about today is this. If you have a life goal.... are you protecting what you are trying to do from the prying eyes and ears of unqualified neighbors? Do you feel the need to share with all your neighbors all current updates on your steps to accomplish your goals? Why?
Why do you feel obligated to tell folks anything that does not concern them?

Just because someone happens to live near you, does not mean that they are entitled to access a live stream of your life. You are in charge of your life. Your goals are set by you. You decide who has or gains access to your life.

 I hope that you test people before you give them the privilege of access. People need to qualify for your friendship. Being discerning about who you permit into your confidence is going to help you build a healthy fence around your life. Those kind of fences are necessary.....they keep the good in....and the bad out.

Please be careful and guard your heart, your ears, your mind....and yes, your mouth from those who do not qualify for access to your life.

I am not suggesting in any way, that you should be rude or unkind to your neighbors. No .
In fact, the bible advises us to live peacefully with our neighbors because they live near us.

But living peacefully with your neighbors does not mean you need to give them a key to your home or to your life. Protect your privacy. Protect your goals.

There may be seasons of life during which you need to withdraw from certain social circles, so that you can accomplish your self-set life goals. Don't lose your focus for any reason. If folks think you are a snob because of your extreme focus.....who cares? Focus is not something that you can afford to let go of.

You will only retain your focus if you protect your life from those who do not qualify to share it.

Peace out,
Carla


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