I am joining Barn Charm at Bluff Area Daily, today. Please visit the blog for more amazing barns.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Old Barn
I am joining Barn Charm at Bluff Area Daily, today. Please visit the blog for more amazing barns.
Healthy Tea Day!
I had written a "poem" the other day and quickly filed it away. I remembered it a few days later and was going to take a look at it again, but could not find it. I contacted my dear friend Marianne, to help me pray for this written piece, that God would bring it to mind where I had filed it. After I asked her to pray I ended up not having any time to search for it again. She contacted me yesterday to let me know that she was praying. (She is such a great friend and I can always count on her.) I told her yesterday that I ended up not having time to search for it, but I hoped that when I really needed it that it will just show up. I found it this morning (filed away in my pictures and not in my writings) and thought that I would share it with you for today's tea time.
Although it starts out "It was a dark, chilly morning," it's not. Our days are now humid and hot. Can you believe that in March it is in the 80's here? But when I wrote this piece, it was a dark, chilly morning and raining.
Although it starts out "It was a dark, chilly morning," it's not. Our days are now humid and hot. Can you believe that in March it is in the 80's here? But when I wrote this piece, it was a dark, chilly morning and raining.
Beating the Chill
It was a dark, chilly morning, but I hurried over to a good friend's house.
A hot cup of tea will sooth the chill inside my soul
and bless my heart for health.
Now the chill of the day can be good or it can be bad.
A bad chill will consume you and make you feel like
you will never be warm again.
It can shiver your bones, sending you to bed
without a delight in your heart.
If you let it consume you, it will take over your day.
A good chill can be a reminder that you need
to be uplifted with a good cup of hot tea
and maybe some morsels of treats
to delight your whole being,
giving strength to your shivering body.
A good chill can remind you to put more kindling
on the fire to douse that cold feeling.
A cozy fire eases the chill and calms your soul
giving peace to a tiring mind.
Visiting with a good friend will also warm that chill in your heart.
It will give you a new way to review your day
and send you off with lots of happiness.
Whatever it takes, the chill should not have the last say.
Be thankful for the many ways to beat the chill.
As you can see, the chill that I speak of does not just speak of feeling cold.
The chill is in reference to our choices, or having bad emotions.
Whether good or bad, each choice or emotion has an outcome.
So make good choices for yourself, and keep your emotions intact.
Let us make the choice that keeps peace between us and God.
Jesus said to Peter in Luke 22:32, "But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
God did not stop Peter from being chilled. Instead Jesus prayed that Peter's faith would not fail and his victory would be a testimony for others. In the same way we are to pray more and to ask God to help us so our faith will not fail or be chilled.
I would like to join Martha at Martha's Favorites for tea today.
I would like to join Martha at Martha's Favorites for tea today.
Here's to your health!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Photo Challenge with Fat Mum Slim-March 2012
I have decided to join Chantelle at Fat Mum Slim's in her March 2012 Photo Challenge. Chantelle is a fabulous lady and I enjoy this challenge. I sometimes find it difficult to post these day to day photos, so I am going to try my best to post each week. So here we go:
.JPG)
a.JPG)
1. Up
He was so close we could hold a conversation. You can also see how humid the day was.
.JPG)
2. Fruit
My father-in-law's orange tree a couple of years ago. They are called Blood Orange.
3. Your Neighborhood
A good day for balloons!
a.JPG)
4. Bedside
Note to self: replace with items easier to dust...
5. A Smile
When my now 20 year old was about 4 years old, he use to draw
these happy faces. My husband, still to this day, have these hanging
in his once-upon-a-time office. My son use to leave these all
over the house. He was a happy little boy.
6. 5 PM
I'm back in my neighborhood. I made this one to look like a painting.
7. Something you wore
I use to wear this dress during the time I first met my wonderful husband.
I was very petite and this dress was my favorite. It looked very feminine.
Notice all the details. It is handmade in Indonesia.
This is the back view. Notice how low it goes.
OK, I'm getting carried away with beautiful memories with this dress. ah-hum...
8. Window
My kitchen window, of course!
The frame looks green in this picture, but it's actually white.
Note to self: learn how to use better lighting.
9. Red
A favorite spoon dish.
Well, that challenge was fun. Take time to visit Chantelle
at Fat Mum Slim and join in the challenge. You still have time!
The best part is getting to view the photos that others took!
Here's to your health!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Super Tuesday Tea!
Let's start this post off with some beautiful cup cakes.
Nicely round with creamy white icing and a lovely candy on top.
My friend's daughter made these creamy delights, for my
friend had a birthday. Don't you know that I
devoured one of these beauties.
"And I ate the little candy, too," she said in the voice
of the wicked witch. LOL!
The party was quite fun!
Do you know what these cupcakes would look good on?
You guessed it! An Aynsley footed cake plate!
This pattern is called the Cottage Garden,
under the description of Butterfly and Flowers.
A nice cup of hot green tea (or any tea)
would be great in this cup. I love
the Spring feeling of this beauty.
This cup and saucer has curves!
This Cottage Garden teapot reflects sweetness and charm.
And now for my very favorite piece....
drum roll, please....bbbbbbrrrrrrmmmm.....
AN AYNSLEY AVOCADO DISH!
I just love the look of this piece. My heart sang when I saw it!
(I had to make this picture smaller, because it looked out of focus when
it was bigger.)
Well, that's my Aynsley list today. It is wonderful to enjoy
tea with you today. I will be joining these tea parties today:
Martha at Martha's Favorites
Now I would like to leave you with this thought...
John 1:3: Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
In the midst of God's own dream unraveling after the fall of Adam and Eve, God's plan to rescue His dream was in His Son. If Jesus is God's solution to repair His dreams, surely Jesus is sufficient for any dream God designs for you or me.
Here's to your health!
Monday, March 5, 2012
A Give-Away at Mary's Little Red House
Mary at Little Red House is having a give-away. The drawing will take place
Wednesday, March 7, 2012. She wanted to celebrate Leap Day with this Giveaway.
Her photos are so amazing and this is just one of the photos she will be giving away.
You will go to her esty shop and choose a photo, then make
a comment on her blog.
Go HERE for the details.
I posted the photo of my very favorite.
She has many to choose from.
Here's to your health!
Mosaic New Orleans
New Orleans is a fascinating city, with it's history influences from Europe, the Caribbean, Africa and beyond. Wonderful aromas of different cuisines fill the air. It is a tantalizing city, from the brimming bowls of gumbo, to late nights in jazz clubs, to strolling through historic neighborhoods.
The artists and performers are very entertaining!
New Orleans, the city that never sleeps.
I am joining Little Red House for Mosaic Monday.
Here's to your health!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
INFLAMMATION!
Inflammation in our bodies at some point can be good. Like when you get a cut on your finger; inflammation rushes to the scene with helpful white blood cells to repair the damage. You know that inflammation is working when your finger turns red and swells a little while the white blood cells takes on the dangerous bacteria. As the wound heals, the redness and swelling disappears, and the area starts looking normal again. In a case like this, inflammation solves a problem and goes away, as it should.
But what about long-term, whole-body inflammation? Did you know that this type of inflammation is brought on by many factors, including environmental toxins or a poor diet of processed foods and "bad" fats? Systemic inflammation can set up shop throughout your entire body and refuse to leave. It's the same response as when you cut your finger, but now it's occurring throughout your whole body, simmering quietly, damaging cells and tissues. You may not even be aware of it. (By the way, any disorder that ends in "-itis" -- prostatitis, gastritis, or arthritis, -- is inflammation related.)
Believe it or not, what you eat can make a tremendous difference in your body's inflammation levels. Sugar, refined flour, red and processed meat, and eggs create a perfect storm for inflammation. Replacing at least some of those foods with healthier fare -- especially fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, spices, and wild caught fish -- can make a big difference.
Start using more of the omega-3 oils found in fatty, deep water fish like herring, salmon, tuna, cod, and anchovies, as well as olive, grapeseed, and avocado oils. Omega-6s, such as safflower, sunflower, soy, corn, and canola, are not necessarily bad for you, but we use omega-6s far, far more than the omega-3s, that our intake is so unbalanced that our bodies are very much lacking in omega-3s. Most convenience foods are made with popular vegetable oils. So start by passing up your favorite fast food places. In an ideal diet, you could consume three times as many omega-3s as omega-6s.
So what are anti-inflammatory nutrients? Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is the highest priority, but you may want to add more of these safe and effective supplements:
Vitamin C: It is a great cold fighter! But more than this it's a hardworking antioxidant with two added bonuses: it helps the body deal with stress, and it boosts the activity of another outstanding anti-inflammatory, Vitamin E. Vitamin C should be taken several times throughout the day in order to maintain sufficient levels of the nutrient. (So say if you are going to take 2,000 mg, take 500 mg doses four times a day.) Fresh fruits, especially citrus, cantaloupe, berries, and mango, as well as many veggies, contain Vitamin C. Vitamin C is water-soluble, which means any excess is flushed from your body in the urine and there's no danger of overdosing. But please check with your doctor first to see what they suggest for you.
Curcumin: THIS is a powerhouse anti-inflammatory. It is the active ingredient in turmeric, the spice used in curries and other Indian foods. Research has shown that curcumin is as effective as cortisone for treating arthritis of all kinds. It also lowers cholesterol and improves circulation and digestion. Studies also show that people whose diets regularly include turmeric have lower rates of breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancer. Researchers point to repeated successes while using curcumin to treat arthritis, allergies, asthma, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other chronic conditions associated with aging. A dose of 500 mg is a good place to start. (Again, please check with your doctor.)
EFAs: Essential Fatty Acids are indeed essential to our health and we must get them from either food or supplements; our bodies cannot produce them. Today's typical diet is overloaded with omega-6 fatty acids, as I mentioned earlier. To correct the imbalance, you need to do three things -- eliminate as many unhealthy oil and foods made with them from your diet as possible, replace those oils with better omega-3 oils, and consume more omega-3s, like wild-caught fish or fish oil supplements that contain DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). The ratio for these nutrients is twice as much as DHA as EPA.
There is a great deal of research that show how beneficial omega-3s are for fighting inflammation, and capable of warding off diabetes and heart disease. I take two 1,000 mg doses once a day and my husband takes two 1,000 mg doses three times a day. (Check with your doctor for your recommend dose.)
Ginger: Ginger was used for medicinal purposes for fighting inflammation long before science began studying it. It's great for arthritis sufferers and is known to remedy motion sickness and other types of nausea.
It's benefits show through research studies that it decreases inflammatory substances linked to various cancers, including colorectal and ovarian. Now that's amazing.
Ginger can be used as an anti-inflammatory refreshing tea by using hot water and a few slices of ginger root. Add some raw honey to enhance the flavor. It's very relaxing and soothing. You can also purchase it already in teabag form. Heat the water and drop it in. The type I get says to steep for 10-15 minutes. I suppose that is to get the full medicinal use of ginger's nutrients.
Here's to your health!
Acknowledgment to Dr. Leigh Connealy.
But what about long-term, whole-body inflammation? Did you know that this type of inflammation is brought on by many factors, including environmental toxins or a poor diet of processed foods and "bad" fats? Systemic inflammation can set up shop throughout your entire body and refuse to leave. It's the same response as when you cut your finger, but now it's occurring throughout your whole body, simmering quietly, damaging cells and tissues. You may not even be aware of it. (By the way, any disorder that ends in "-itis" -- prostatitis, gastritis, or arthritis, -- is inflammation related.)
Believe it or not, what you eat can make a tremendous difference in your body's inflammation levels. Sugar, refined flour, red and processed meat, and eggs create a perfect storm for inflammation. Replacing at least some of those foods with healthier fare -- especially fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, spices, and wild caught fish -- can make a big difference.
Start using more of the omega-3 oils found in fatty, deep water fish like herring, salmon, tuna, cod, and anchovies, as well as olive, grapeseed, and avocado oils. Omega-6s, such as safflower, sunflower, soy, corn, and canola, are not necessarily bad for you, but we use omega-6s far, far more than the omega-3s, that our intake is so unbalanced that our bodies are very much lacking in omega-3s. Most convenience foods are made with popular vegetable oils. So start by passing up your favorite fast food places. In an ideal diet, you could consume three times as many omega-3s as omega-6s.
So what are anti-inflammatory nutrients? Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is the highest priority, but you may want to add more of these safe and effective supplements:
Vitamin C: It is a great cold fighter! But more than this it's a hardworking antioxidant with two added bonuses: it helps the body deal with stress, and it boosts the activity of another outstanding anti-inflammatory, Vitamin E. Vitamin C should be taken several times throughout the day in order to maintain sufficient levels of the nutrient. (So say if you are going to take 2,000 mg, take 500 mg doses four times a day.) Fresh fruits, especially citrus, cantaloupe, berries, and mango, as well as many veggies, contain Vitamin C. Vitamin C is water-soluble, which means any excess is flushed from your body in the urine and there's no danger of overdosing. But please check with your doctor first to see what they suggest for you.
Curcumin: THIS is a powerhouse anti-inflammatory. It is the active ingredient in turmeric, the spice used in curries and other Indian foods. Research has shown that curcumin is as effective as cortisone for treating arthritis of all kinds. It also lowers cholesterol and improves circulation and digestion. Studies also show that people whose diets regularly include turmeric have lower rates of breast, colon, lung, and prostate cancer. Researchers point to repeated successes while using curcumin to treat arthritis, allergies, asthma, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other chronic conditions associated with aging. A dose of 500 mg is a good place to start. (Again, please check with your doctor.)
EFAs: Essential Fatty Acids are indeed essential to our health and we must get them from either food or supplements; our bodies cannot produce them. Today's typical diet is overloaded with omega-6 fatty acids, as I mentioned earlier. To correct the imbalance, you need to do three things -- eliminate as many unhealthy oil and foods made with them from your diet as possible, replace those oils with better omega-3 oils, and consume more omega-3s, like wild-caught fish or fish oil supplements that contain DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). The ratio for these nutrients is twice as much as DHA as EPA.
There is a great deal of research that show how beneficial omega-3s are for fighting inflammation, and capable of warding off diabetes and heart disease. I take two 1,000 mg doses once a day and my husband takes two 1,000 mg doses three times a day. (Check with your doctor for your recommend dose.)
Ginger: Ginger was used for medicinal purposes for fighting inflammation long before science began studying it. It's great for arthritis sufferers and is known to remedy motion sickness and other types of nausea.
It's benefits show through research studies that it decreases inflammatory substances linked to various cancers, including colorectal and ovarian. Now that's amazing.
Ginger can be used as an anti-inflammatory refreshing tea by using hot water and a few slices of ginger root. Add some raw honey to enhance the flavor. It's very relaxing and soothing. You can also purchase it already in teabag form. Heat the water and drop it in. The type I get says to steep for 10-15 minutes. I suppose that is to get the full medicinal use of ginger's nutrients.
Here's to your health!
Acknowledgment to Dr. Leigh Connealy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)