Chicken nipples are DONE!

So I finally received my chicken nipples, and put together a watering system for them today!! They caught on REAL fast and were lapping up the water like  it was nobody's business!!!  LOVE that I don't have to worry about crappy water dishes anymore!!!

Darn this rain!

So...I've made VERY little progress on my pallet building projects!  We keep getting more and more rain...and quite frankly, I'm a little tired of it! LOL  I keep telling myself it could be worse!  My heart goes out to all those lost in tornados this past week!

The chickies are all growing super fast...and stinking super much!  It's only been 11 days, and I seriously do not remember them stinking THIS bad!  I've changed out the litter, but I still smell poo!!!  I'll have to do SOMETHING real soon, as we're having Easter dinner here, and my super "clean freak" sister will have a conniption if there's even a faint sniff of chicken!!  I'm hoping that this next weekend, I can move the chicks (at least the meaties) out to the run outside!

I did score a used shed for $100!!!  I'd planned on making it into the new chicken coop, but some friends of mine are selling me a milking goat and a new kid whether, so I'm thinking that the shed will have to be shelter for the goats!  I'm going to meet the goats tomorrow and watch my friend Susan milk her!  Apparently she's a great milker, and I'm looking forward to having my own goat milk! (...cheese...yogurt...cream...soaps...lotions...)  My hubby doesn't know it yet, so I'm sure I'll face some big argument with him...but I'll win! ;)

Well...that's all that's pretty much been happening here...the rain has really put a damper on my plans!
  So till then...toodles!

Let the pallet building begin!

Began work on the garden shed today...and I gotta tell ya, building with pallets is NOT as easy as it looks!!! Maybe it wouldn't have been so bad if we didn't have gale force winds out here!!! Hopefully we'll be able to work a little everyday between our sons baseball games! Not sure what I'm going to side it with? I suppose it'll be whatever I can find for free or cheap on Craigslist! Lol but it WAS a beautiful day outside! Went from chilly and rainy to over 80, so yea...I'm a little sunburnt! Heres pictures of what we accomplished today! Mostly it was me and one son at different times, (whoever was home to help!) and then when my hubby got home, we finally had a third set of hands!

The Chickies have arrived!!!

My first batch of chickies arrived on Tuesday!  35 Meaties and 7 Rhode Island Reds (5 hens-2 cockerels)  They're just the cutest little things!!!  I spent the day preparing by building and modifying 2 broody boxes since you can't broody the two breed together.  Yes...I'm SURE it's been done before by someone...but I chose not to!!!  I've already lost 1 meatie chick on the 3rd day. Not really sure why??  I figured I'd lose about 5 total based on the mortality rate of the Cornish crosses, so I didn't get too upset this time! lol

Here are the two broody boxes.  The smaller one on the left is for the RIR's, and the larger one for the meaties!  I built hinged lids covered with chicken fence to keep out my cat Cutie, and Rockey.  I had to invest in a second heat lamp, feeder and waterer...but they're items that'll come in handy again I'm sure!

and here's Rockey, babysitting all the little chicks! He's so sweet!!!  He paces back and forth crying, like he's so worried about them!!!  I've found Cutie sitting on top of the smaller one just watching them!  I'm SURE out of appetite more than concern! LOL  I'll continue to post more pics as they grow!  Toodles!

Pallets!!!

Here's the first load of pallets me, Deb and Tammy loaded up!!!  All FREE!!!

and here's the awesome 12 footers Deb scored from Craigslist!!  I kept 6 (for a 12x12 yard shed) and she'll use the rest!  Unfortunately, our weather up here hasn't afforded me the luxury of trying out my pallet building skills...but hopefully this weekend we'll have better weather!  The place we got the 12 footers is suppose to call us when/if they get any more!!!  Can't wait to finally have some outbuildings!!!  I'll post some  pics as the structures go up!! ;)

Going "Pallet Collecting" tomorrow!!!

So me and my friends Deb and Tammy are hooking up the trailer tomorrow and headed out to pick up a boatload of pallets!  We're well on our way to building some structures on the homestead!  Deb's really taken to the idea for her homestead too!  We swap ideas like it's going out of style!  Love it!  So stay tuned for some pictures of our motherload tomorrow! ;)

So when we were clearing the trailer of all the wood, my daughter found this and fondly named him "Smiley Face Freddy"  Not sure what we're going to do with him yet though???  Enjoy!

I'm IN LOVE!!!!

Ok..so...doing some research on pallet building, and I'm blow away at the creativity of people and how they've taken pallets that would otherwise be disposed of...and build something amazing!  I KNOW I might have set my sites high with this first one, but I SOOOOOOOOOOOO want to build this!  Time to start scouring Craigslist for free pallets and castoffs!!!  Take a look at these babies!

Amazing huh?  You can find more pictures here:
Pallet Houses

I'll probably start with something easy like this...

I can just see these springing up all over my beloved acres!  I LOVE IT!  The guy that built this one has a whole page of descriptions and such....Here's his link:
Butch Bridges

Ordered my Chickens today!

Just got off the phone with our feed center and have placed my order for my spring batch of meaties!  I ordered 70 this time of the Cornish Cross meaties, (yes...I know...they're not freedom rangers!)  The first 35 will arrive on April 5th, and the last 35 will arrive on May 24th.  Nicely spaced apart, but close enough to have them finished by fall!

I also ordered 5 Rhode Island Red little lady chickies, and 2 RRI cockerels.  I'm hoping to establish my own breeding flock so I won't have to keep buying chicks!  I love my ISA's but the fact they never go broody is a downer for me!

I'm also planning my new chicken coop and wood shed!  After a lot of research, I THINK I'm going to be building them out of free pallets!  Wowzers...this should be interesting! ;)

Also received my meal replacement powders today!  Can't wait to get my GREENS too...hopefully tomorrow!  Gotta run for now!  Peace!

Amazing GRASS...No...REALLY!

So I've decided that I'm going to try powdered Wheat Grass and see if it has the same benefits as growing my own!  Even though I loved growing my own...I encountered issues with mold, no matter how hard I tried, and did everything right!  So I just placed an order through Amazing Grass for their COMBO pack of Wheat Grass and Green Super Food!  I can't wait to get back on the "Green" wagon and get my nutrients!  Here's their link:

Amazing Grass

Along with that, I also placed an order for some "meal replacement" whey protein. I spent my evening devouring every bit of information about meal replacement powders.  I'm happy with my choice, as here's what they say...

"Our whey protein comes from grass-fed cows who are disease free, pesticide free, chemical free, hormone-treatment free and GMO free" 

 I ordered a container of the Vanilla and a container of the Chocolate.  Not only was the price per serving lower than others, I liked that they are more "organic" than the others.

Lifesource Nutrition 

Check it out!  I'll keep a update to how I'm feeling/looking and report back here!

Now for some daily HUMOR...The most amazing thing happened today!  I was getting around in my bathroom, and my kitty "Cutie" (yes..that's her name) jumped up to the toilet, where I THOUGHT she was going to try to drink (I know...GROSS) ...then she positioned herself and actually went #1 into the toilet!  I even heard it and saw it for myself!  So yes..with absolutely NO training, I now have a kitty who uses the toilet!  Now I just need to teach her how to flush!  TOODLES!

And now for some PICTURES!

These are the square foot gardens that I built last spring!  I filled them with 1/3 Vermiculite, 1/3 composted manure, and 1/3 professional garden soil.  They did SOOOO well!!!  But, were still not big enough for my family or for me to have anything left to can or freeze.  I planted several different lettuces, onions, cantelope, beans, peas (fail), tomatoes, green peppers and cucumbers.  I'll be expanding them this next growing season!

This is the living quarters kitchen and den.  I stained the concrete a beautiful "terra cotta" and absolutely LOVE not having carpet out here!  With the amount of dirt we track in, I can't imagine all of it just settling to the bottom of carpet!

 This is my daughters room!  I built her loft bed from reclaimed 2x4 from a wall I took out of my storefront when I had my business up town!  didn't cost me a penny!

This is "Rockey", our wonderful Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie) The ONLY breed I will ever have!! (unless I get a BIG outside dog for protection! lol)  Best chicken herder ever!

And HERE's my sweet ISA's!!!  I let them free range...but in the next couple pictures, you'll see why I'm going to be fencing them in this next summer!  LOL

But...here comes my rewards!

Yes...that's 2 back to back double yolkers!

These are my meatie chicks in the first "tote" broody box.

second broody box.  I later took them outside into their covered chicken run where they lived out the rest of their lives grazing fresh grasses as I moved the chicken tractor around the yard!

and here's what they looked like after!  Yum!!!  I pieced out most of the chickens and bagged the breasts and legs in separate bags for easy access!  Boiled the rest for shredded chicken and stock!

And just for FUN...here's a pic of my gorgeous foot.  sorry for the distortion...but I was on pain meds! LOL The second one is of my daughter (on the left) and her Amish friend Rose.  Rose's Mom dressed up my daughter as "Amish" for trick or treating!  I think she fit the part pretty good!!! 

These last ones are of my recently finished bathroom!  Well..ALMOST finished!  I still have to put in the toilet and hook up the sink plumbing...but I'm getting there!  That's it for now folks!  Hope you enjoyed!~  Like I said, I'll be keeping up a lot better in the future!  Have a great day!

HEY STRANGERS!! lol

First and foremost, I'd like to apologize for not updating this blog in quite some time...ok, so maybe it's been a LONG time, BUT...I DO have a lot of GREAT reasons why! LOL

Shortly after my last post, I ended up having major surgery (of the female kind!) that came with some pretty serious complications.  That set me back for quite a few months.  After that, when I started to feel better, I DID get my beloved chickens that I've wanted for soooo long!  AND...one beautiful fall morning, I was headed out to hang a corn cob from a string to the chicken coop, and was more concerned with the corn cob than I was about WHERE I was going!  A few steps before the chicken coop, I found myself laying on the ground after falling into a hole.  And yes...I broke my ankle in 2 places!  So that set me back another 2 months!  It's still not quite right, but I'm getting around.  The Dr. suggested surgery, but I really didn't want to have another one! LOL  So I'll deal with it until I can't stand it anymore!

BUT, I'm back..and ready to completely tackle my ongoing homesteading project!  We've come pretty far since I updated last time.  I'll give a quick summary:

We moved into our living quarters the first of September, and quickly found out that 800 sq. ft. was a TAD bit too small for 5 of us! LOL And when I have a 2400 sq ft building, built entirely with the intention of housing my photography business just sitting there, well...it became obvious that expanding our living area was the wise choice.  I haven't been shooting much, considering that MY income depends on the disposable income of others (since I'm a "WANT" based business and not a "NEEDS" based business) and our community has been hit very hard by the DEPRESSION (yes...you heard me right!) it just didn't make sense to have this huge building and not use 3/4's of it!  Don't get me wrong, I still shoot and have stayed busy enough to keep going, but it's just more like when I first started many years ago and worked out of my home!

The HUGE camera room is now our main FAMILY room! Still big enough for me to set up my equipment and shoot when needed!  The Lobby is now the master bedroom, (which makes the boys happy that they get their own room!)  I still need to build a wall in the master bedroom that makes a hallway that will enter into the living room, but yea...for now...when you come here, you enter into our bedroom! LOL  too funny! 



And as for my chickens...well...I love them!  They're my babies!  I chose the "ISA" egg layers, and they have been so wonderful!  I'll even yell for them, and they just come running to me!  I hand feed them, and actually have been known to "fork feed" them (yes...with a plastic fork!) lol  They really are such great girls!  My friend gave me a little black Banty Rooster, who we affectionately named, *hithead...lol and he's a great little rooster and takes care of the girls quite well!  Rockey, our beloved little Sheltie is very fond of our little hens too!  He's been the BEST little farmhand and watchdog I could have ever hoped for!  When he's outside...he's with the chickens!  I'll post some pics of the little ladies in a bit!



I also successfully raised 21 Meat Birds last fall which have been so wonderful on our dinner plates!  I got them as day old chicks, and me, my hubby and a couple friends butchered them ourselves!  Wish I would have gotten more pictures of THAT, but I'm placing an order for some more shortly, so I'll track that progress a little better this time!  I'd already placed my order before breaking my ankle, so it was all I could do to get by!

The last update, is that we installed a wood burner in the camera room/living room.  Even though we have the piping in the slab for the heated floors, the LP costs were killing us!  We didn't have enough money to put in an outside wood boiler, so I got to looking through Craigslist, and was able to score and AWESOME fairly large woodburner with built in blowers for only $200! Granted...we did have to install the chimney and all that pipe, which cost us around $600...BUT, it's been the BEST decision we've made so far!  LP was literally DRAINING our finances to the tune of $400-$600 a MONTH, (because we were trying to use a normal LP gas water heater to heat 2400 sq ft of floor!)  and we've successfully  been heating this whole place with that one woodburner for almost $65-$75 a month...yes...you heard right!!!!  under $100 IN OHIO!  We get our wood from an Amish neighbor in long log form, and we all take turns cutting and splitting!  We'll definitely be continuing that throughout the spring and summer to gather us a large amount to season.  Yes...it's a LOT of work, and I'm very fortunate to be here all day to stoke it, clean it, feed it...but it's been the BEST thing! 

Well, I think that's enough for now...and if you made it through the entire update, then congrats!~ :)  I'll post some images that I have been able to take throughout last year, and promise to keep better tabs on the blog!

Whoa...Where the green grass grows!!!

WHEATGRASS...I'm not going to lie...It's the most nastiest, yacky tasting yuck I've ever had to gulp down and swallow!!! BUT I can honestly say I CAN feel the difference and I'm SOLD on juicing wheatgrass!!! So forget that my front living room has been turned into a grass growing greenhouse and the stuff is NASTY, I'm in this 100% and completely endorse wheatgrass!

I start by rinsing and soaking my berries, and have quite the system worked out.  I'm planting about every 3 days to keep an ongoing supply...BUT I am having great luck with the grass growing a second time (second cutting) so far...so I'm taking a few days off from starting new flats to make sure I dont' have too much.

Here are a few shots of my wheatgrass in different stages.  Sorry for the bad quality...cell phone again!  LOL

Growing...Growing...Growing!!!

Hey all!!! Well, my first flat of wheatgrass is growing very well!!! I would say it'll be done in about 3-4 days! BUT, I may have to borrow my friend's wheatgrass juicer till mine get's here! I purchased the Healthy Juicer from Amazon.com. I REALLY wanted the stainless steel one, but money played a huge part, so the Healthy Juicer it is!

 

 I also purchased some hydrogen peroxide and a spray bottle.  Apparently you can help not get mold by misting the grass with peroxide!  We'll see if it works!  So far, I see no signs of mold on the grass!  

The next thing I need to purchase when I go to town, is a few black trays without holes in the bottom!  I want to create a little "hydroponic" watering system so the roots are watered from the bottom up.  I'd also heard that this helps with the mold issue also.  Oh, and another thing I've been doing, is having a fan blow on the grass about half the day!  I'm getting excited to finally try my grass!!!  It looks so beautiful and green...and alive!!  YEA!!!  My second flat is still in it's "sprouting stage" and just starting to grow...it's about at 1/2 inch.  And my third batch is soaking.  I have them spaced about 3-4 days apart! We'll see how that goes!!!

I've also been juicing regular vegy's everyday!  I bought a Juiceman centrifugal juicer.  We juice carrots, apples, celery, kiwi, etc... and I haven't juiced a juice I don't like!

Now for the BAD news!  Had quite the spat with the Hubby the other day!  He bought WHITE BREAD, SUGAR CEREALS, AND FROZEN PIZZAS!  Gasp!!!!  OH NO HE DIDN'T!!!!  I had to show him all the horrible stuff on the labels!!!  I mean...COME ON!!!  I also purged the cabinets of taco seasonings with MSG in them!  I told him to take them to work and give them to one of  his employee's that he doesn't like! HEHEHE!!!  Ok...I know..that was BAD!  LOL   

The Grass is here!!! The Grass here!!!!!

Well...I received my package from wheatgrasskits.com yesterday!!! I'd also ordered 5 pounds of flaxseed (as directed by the The Gabriel Method). It also bought the book ""Wheatgrass Nature's Finest Medicine" by Steve Meyerowitz" so that came with it too! There were five trays and 15 pounds of wheatgrass berries!

I spent all evening and morning reading that book! It WAS a good book...as far as information on the discoveries of wheatgrass juicing, but I don't think it'd be a book I'd read again! It's basically a synopsis of people/scientists/dr's etc... who have discovered the benefits of wheatgrass throughout the past 100 years. There was a lot of information about the benefits of grass being included in several passages of the dead sea scrolls which were interesting. The biological make up and nutrient makeup of grass and a lot of information like that...but quite frankly...a real hard read, and nothing that I wouldn't (or haven't) found on the internet in my searches anyhow! So sadly, I'd have to say...save your money and put it towards your wheatgrass juicer!! hehehe

Tonight I will start the seeds soaking, which will take approx. 8-12 hours, and plant my first batch tomorrow! I'll try to take pics of it as it grows! I THINK that I'll have to start new flats every two days or so, so that I have a continuous stock of wheatgrass! I'm soooooooo excited!!! I can't wait! One thing that I DID get from that book, is that I might want to get some powdered wheatgrass concentrate to supplement with. It won't contain the "live force" that my homegrown wheatgrass does...but according to that book, it DOES contain the majority of the nutrients and benefits as homegrown! We'll see!

Here comes the GRASS

Ok...so I finally got the internet hooked up at the new studio, so I'm trying to get caught up on everything! I've ordered my wheatgrass stuff and I did get a shipping notice, so I'm expecting it any time! I'll try to take some pics as I grow it over the next week or so! I'm not sure how many pallets of grass to grow...or if I'm suppose to plant a new one every two days so I have a continual supply?? Not sure? So I guess we'll find out! :)

The only thing I haven't ordered yet is my wheatgrass juicer. I THOUGHT I was sold on which one I was going to use...but now I'm rethinking my choice! I'll have to get back to you on that!

Anyways...here's the website I ordered my wheat grass stuff from. At this point, I'm not necessarily endorsing this website...but it's just where I bought mine from. I'll review the website later, and after I've had a chance to use their product. I also ordered 5 pounds of whole flax seed too! (John Gabriel et al. The Gabriel Method). I'm very excited to get started on all of it!!! YEA!!! Keep on checking back for updates!

This video makes it REAL easy to eat healthy foods!

WARNING- GRAPHIC VIDEO...

It's knowledge like this...that makes it easy for me to adopt a healthier lifestyle of eating. Now...I'm not going vegetarian or vegan, but growing/raising my own food and livestock, at least I KNOW that my animals are treated in a humane manner! You'd have to be heartless to purchase pork from a supermarket after watching this!

Another GREAT book to read!!!!

Last year...I read a book that completely blew me away....It's called Animal Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingslover. This book, is not only a diary, but a cookbook, research book, and information on local eating....it provides a lot of facts concerning the America Food Industry and issues surrounding Monsanto Seed and GMO's. It's an easy read, and her style of writing is humorous and enjoyable!!! Not only did it have QUALITY VALID information, she wrote with a great deal of realism and entertainment!!! I loved this so much that I sent copies of it to several people in my family for gifts!!!! I highly suggest sitting down with a few cups of coffee (fair trade...of course!) and enjoying this jem of a book!!!

FYI Out of Office Notice... hehehe

Hey Everyone!!! I just wanted to let ya'll know that I will be OFFLINE for approximately ONE WEEK while I'm moving my office out to the new studio!! YEA!!! I'm so excited to finally see this day come!!! I think I'll go nuts without the internet...but hey...it's worth it!

Food Inc.

Hey Dude...pass the grass...CONTINUED!

I thought that I should post some BENEFITS of juicing wheatgrass. I'll also be posting information on how to purchase these kits and where I'm getting them from! So keep an eye out for that information! For now...here's some benefits of wheatgrass!

What's so great about wheatgrass?
40 Points about Wheatgrass and its Nutritional Values

1 Wheatgrass Juice is one of the best sources of living chlorophyll available.

2 Chlorophyll is the first product of light and, therefore, contains more light energy than any other element.

3 Wheatgrass juice is a crude chlorophyll and can be taken orally and as a colon implant without toxic side effects.

4 Chlorophyll is the basis of all plant life.

5 Wheatgrass is high in oxygen like all green plants that contain chlorophyll. The brain and all body tissues function at an optimal level in a highly-oxygenated environment.

6 Chlorophyll is anti-bacterial and can be used inside and outside the body as a healer.

7 Dr. Bernard Jensen says that it only takes minutes to digest wheatgrass juice and uses up very little body energy.

8 Science has proven that chlorophyll arrests growth and development of unfriendly bacteria.

9 Chlorophyll (wheatgrass) rebuilds the bloodstream. Studies of various animals have shown chlorophyll to be free of any toxic reaction. The red cell count was returned to normal within 4 to 5 days of the administration of chlorophyll, even in those animals which were known to be extremely anemic or low in red cell count.

10 Farmers in the Midwest who have sterile cows and bulls put them on wheatgrass to restore fertility. (The high magnesium content in chlorophyll builds enzymes that restore the sex hormones.)

11 Chlorophyll can be extracted from many plants, but wheatgrass is superior because it has been found to have over 100 elements needed by man. If grown in organic soil, it absorbs 92 of the known 102 minerals from the soil.

12 Wheatgrass has what is called the grass-juice factor, which has been shown to keep herbivorous animals alive indefinitely.

13 Dr. Ann Wigmore and institutes based on her teachings has been helping people get well from chronic disorders for 30 years using wheatgrass.

14 Liquid chlorophyll gets into the tissues, refines them and makes them over.

15 Wheatgrass Juice is a superior detoxification agent compared to carrot juice and other fruits and vegetables. Dr Earp-Thomas, associate of Ann Wigmore, says that 15 pounds of Wheatgrass is the equivalent of 350 pounds of carrot, lettuce, celery, and so forth.

16 Liquid chlorophyll washes drug deposits from the body.

17 Chlorophyll neutralizes toxins in the body.

18 Chlorophyll helps purify the liver.

19 Chlorophyll improves blood sugar problems.

20 In the American Journal of Surgery (1940), Benjamin Gruskin, M.D. recommends chlorophyll for its antiseptic benefits. The article suggests the following clinical uses for chlorophyll: to clear up foul smelling odors, neutralize Strep infections, heal wounds, hasten skin grafting, cure chronic sinusitis, overcome chronic inner-ear inflammation and infection, reduce varicose veins and heal leg ulcers, eliminate impetigo and other scabby eruptions, heal rectal sores, successfully treat inflammation of the uterine cervix, get rid of parasitic vaginal infections, reduce typhoid fever, and cure advanced pyorrhea in many cases.21 Wheatgrass Juice cures acne and even help to remove scars after it has been ingested for seven to eight months. The diet must be improved at the same time.

22 Wheatgrass juice acts as a detergent in the body and is used as a body deodorant.

23 A small amount of wheatgrass juice in the human diet helps prevents tooth decay.

24 Wheatgrass juice held in the mouth for 5 minutes will help eliminate toothaches. It pulls poisons from the gums.

25 Gargle Wheatgrass Juice for a sore throat.

26 Drink Wheatgrass Juice for skin problems such as eczema or psoriasis.

27 Wheatgrass Juice keeps the hair from graying.

28 Pyorrhea of the mouth: lay pulp of wheatgrass soaked in juice on diseased area in mouth or chew wheatgrass, spitting out the pulp.

29 By taking Wheatgrass Juice, one may feel a difference in strength, endurance, health, and spirituality, and experience a sense of well-being.

30 Wheatgrass juice improves the digestion.

31 Wheatgrass juice is high in enzymes.

32 Wheatgrass juice is an excellent skin cleanser and can be absorbed through the skin for nutrition. Pour green juice over your body in a tub of warm water and soak for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse off with cold water.

33 Wheatgrass implants (enemas) are great for healing and detoxifying the colon walls. The implants also heal and cleanse the internal organs. After an enema, wait 20 minutes, then implant 4 ounces of wheatgrass juice. Retain for 20 minutes.

34 Wheatgrass juice is great for constipation and keeping the bowels open. It is high in magnesium.

35 Dr. Birscher, a research scientist, called chlorophyll "concentrated sun power." He said, "chlorophyll increases the function of the heart, affects the vascular system, the intestines, the uterus, and the lungs."

36 According to Dr. Birscher, nature uses chlorophyll (wheatgrass) as a body cleanser, rebuilder, and neutralizer of toxins.

37 Wheatgrass juice can dissolve the scars that are formed in the lungs from breathing acid gasses. The effect of carbon monoxide is minimized since chlorophyll increases hemoglobin production.

38 Wheatgrass Juice reduces high blood pressure and enhances the capillaries.

39 Wheatgrass Juice can remove heavy metals from the body.

40 Wheatgrass juice is great for blood disorders of all kinds

(TO GET THE FULL BENEFIT OF CHLOROPHYLL IT MUST BE FROM A LIVING PLANT)

Medical References

Hey Dude...pass the grass!

LOL hehehehehehe Ok, so today I'm going to talk about the benefits of wheatgrass juicing. Well...at least the benefits as I have researched. I haven't started wheatgrass juicing YET, but will start my crop of wheatgrass in about two weeks.

I'd actually never really thought much about wheatgrass, or it's benefits...but ran across a reference to it when searching out "smoothie" recipes! Well...several hours of googling and reading research, video testimonials, etc...I decided that even if wheatgrass provided only HALF of what it claims, it's still VERY good for you! So once I decided I would try my hand at wheatgrass, I started searching for information on HOW to grow it, what kind of juicers, (cause not every juicer will juice wheatgrass) etc... So next Friday (payday) I'll be ordering my wheatgrass berries (seeds) and my wheatgrass juicer. So stay tuned for pictures/posts of me growing my wheatgrass...my first juicing (I hope I won't gag!) And the links to the places where I'm going to purchase my supplies from.



Here is "The Grassman" video! This guy looks AWESOME for his age...and has a great testimony. Oh...and by the way...I'm still SMOKE FREE! Day 10 today! Not even a puff! Yea me! BUT...I found out yesterday that I need to find SOMETHING as a substitute for "destressing" or when something goes wrong! I found out I wasn't getting paid for a HUGE job I did last week until next Friday...when I was told, and was looking forward to that money yesterday...ANYWAYS... Instead of lighting up to "deal with it", I called a friend and literally SOBBED...not just "teared up", but whole heartedly SOBBED. I can't tell you the last time I CRIED~ GEESH~ I totally lost it! Cried like a baby! I pride myself on being a strong person...able to handle ANYTHING, persevere through problems, keep on plowing through...well, not yesterday! Sooooooooooooooooo, I need an outlet for my frustrations now! Any advice? LOL

The Gabriel Method

Today I'm going to talk about an AWESOME book/website that I found late last year! This book has literally changed my life! Yes...initially, you'd think it was a diet book...but it's SOOOOOO much more than that!

Jon Gabriel used to weigh over 400 pounds! Now he's under 200 and RIPPED like a body builder with no signs of ever being obese! He did it all using the "mind-body" connection, and with his understanding of body chemistry and HOW the body listens to the mind...etc... And ALL THROUGH VISUALIZATION! There's SOOOO much information in this book that you'll have to check it out for yourself! It's life altering! It's not a diet, it's a mind transformation!! You DEAL with the emotion/mental/physical reason that are burried way deep! Ahhhh....you just have to read it!!! HONESTLY! And he has a meditative CD that you can download FOR FREE on his website, that you listen to right before you go to bed! I bought the book on Amazon for $10! But I'm also going to order his other CD's...I particularly want the "Living Goddess" one that you listen to first thing in the morning!

Right away I started noticing certain things...my thoughts were changing... I thought differently about WHAT I was putting in my body, etc... I'm pretty careful anyway, and since beginning homesteading, have tried to eat locally, organic, or grow my own. I'm not perfect...but I'm getting better! But anyways...the changes started happening almost without me even consciously thinking about it!

OK...so HERE'S THE BIGGEST THING TO CHANGE WITHIN ONE WEEK OF READING THE BOOK...DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

I just QUIT smoking...just like that! I hadn't planned on it...I hadn't particularly WANTED to quit, I actually ENJOYED smoking! Smoking was my "constant companion". Quitting smoking was the furthest thing from my mind! (Or so I thought!) I mean...I'd alwasy said that I wanted to quit, and KNEW that I should quit...but I never wanted it BAD enough to make any effort in quiting. Well..today is "DAY 7" of not smoking. JUST LIKE THAT! Cold turkey! I spent a whole day trying to smoke just ONE cigarette...LITERALLY...I'd light it and try to smoke it..and I couldn't. So I'd put it out. I'd try again...same thing. I did this actually TRYING to smoke!!!! And I couldn't! (It's actually WEIRD in a way?) So then I thought to myself...well..."I guess that's all for smoking! It's been a good run of 20 years, dear Misty Light 120's...you've been a good friend, and helped me through the good and the bad. Thank you...but I can take it from here on my own!"

So...I'm working on gathering all my supplements that Jon suggests, as well as adding all the "natural" "nearly RAW" foods that I'm finding myself leaning towards. So my next few posts will be about all the things I'm ADDING to my diet...NOT restricting my diet. Pretty much all the things I'm adding, I've wanted to/have been adding over this past year. I'll specifically list the things that I add that Jon Gabriel has in his book! Again, I HIGHLY recommend checking out his book, but for now..here's one of his videos as a teaser! Don't forget to check back and see all my follies with all my "HEALTHY FOOD STUFF". It's going to be a FUN RIDE! If you'd like to order the Gabriel Method. YOu can follow this link to order!!! I do get credit for you ordering through me!!! This is the first time I've ever endorsed a website...that's HOW MUCH I believe in this!!! CLICK HEERE TO ORDER!!!

MSG's...what they're labeled as, and what they cause!

These ALWAYS contain MSG:
Glutamate, Monosodium glutamate, Monopotassium glutamate, Glutamic acid, Calcium caseinate, Gelatin, Textured protein, Hydrolyzed protein (any protein that is hydrolyzed), Yeast extract, Yeast food, Autolyzed yeast, Yeast nutrient

These OFTEN contain MSG or create MSG during processing:
Flavor(s) & Flavoring(s), Natural flavor(s) & flavoring(s), Natural pork flavoring, Bouillon, Natural beef flavoring, Stock, Natural chicken flavoring, Broth, Malt flavoring, Barley malt, Malt extract, Seasonings (the word "seasonings"), Carrageenan, Soy sauce, Soy sauce extract, Soy protein, Soy protein concentrate, Soy protein isolate, Pectin, Maltodextrin, Whey protein, Whey protein isolate, Whey protein concentrate, anything Protein fortified, Protease, Protease enzymes, anything Enzyme modified, Enzymes, anything Ultra-pasteurized, anything Fermented (WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE IS AN AWESOME SUPPLIMENT WHEN TAKEN IN IT'S NATURAL FORM...NOT IN PROCESSED FOODS!)


CAUSES

Cardiac

Arrhythmias
Extreme rise or drop in blood pressure
Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
Angina

Circulatory

Swelling Muscular
Flu-like achiness
Joint pain
Stiffness

Neurological

Depression
Dizziness, Light-headedness, Loss of balance
Disorientation, Mental confusion
Anxiety, Panic attacks
Hyperactivity, Behavioral problems in children
Lethargy, Sleepiness, Insomnia
Migraine headache
Numbness or paralysis
Seizures
Sciatica
Slurred speech

Gastrointestinal

Diarrhea
Nausea/vomiting
Stomach cramps
Irritable bowel
Bloating

Respiratory

Asthma, Shortness of breath
Chest pain, Tightness
Runny nose, Sneezing

Skin

Hives or rash
Mouth lesions
Temporary tightness or partial paralysis (numbness or tingling) of the skin Flushing Extreme dryness of the mouth

Urological

Swelling of prostate Nocturia
Visual Blurred vision Difficulty focusing

Part ONE, and more to come!!! MSG and ASPARTAME

I'll be posting several posts/articles/links etc... in the coming months. I've been sharing all this information with my sister lately, and I thought to myself...why keep it between us... PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THIS STUFF!!! I'll try to keep the posts separate with the title being the content. So check back often! I'll be posting a lot of "food warnings" and information, but will then post information about way's I'm implementing changes, and what I'm doing.

So the first issue I want to discuss is MSG! It would benefit you GREATLY to do a little research on MSG. Here's a great video which touches on all of MSG stuff...but please do your research and consider making changes yourself!

Off Subject Post...but with value!

So...thinking about NATURE...obviously it's what I love...it's probably WHY you're reading this blog...it's probably WHY a lot of us are passionate about sustainability. Now mind you...I'm not an "off grider"...YET, for me (us) it's a process, and a desire...but remember, this is a blog about my JOURNEY, not my "finished Product"! With that being said...I begin this post!

Very soon, we'll be ready to move into our new homestead...(can you say GLORIOUS!) And I think about how my "everyday tasks" of being a Mom, wife, etc.. will change the way I have to do some things. It won't be "imaging HOW" I'll do it...it'll be a forced matter of DOING IT! So, I felt no better time than the present to start experimenting with different products/tools/etc....and reporting my reviews as I go! You'll find a LOT of different things I'll try...some useful, some...well..maybe not so much!

One thing I think a lot about it HOW I look. Ok..ok...so I don't need anyone to tell me that "it doesn't matter how you look!" or "You're suppose to be a homesteader...throw on your overalls, put your hair in a ponytail, and get to work growing your greens and shoveling poo!" I'm sorry...I'm a GIRL, (Mature lady!) and I FEEL better when I look good! Sure..I don't mind lounging around in my pj's or oversized T-shirts, or even wearing my crocks to town!! But for ME...I LIKE TO LOOK NICE! So fooey on those of you that think those things don't matter! I like to look good because it makes me happy! So...there! Trust me...I can get just as diry/sweaty/nasty as any guy could...and love it! But there's still something to be said about cleaning myself up real fine! So...with that being said, I'm going to start my review of my first product!

Why I wanted to try it:
1. Because I want more natural products, and less GUNK in my hair!
2. Going from city water/city sewer to a well and septic...I'm concerned about all the SOAP products going into the ground.
3. If it's healthier for my hair, and will help me grow it back out (so I CAN do a nice ponytail) I'm all for it!



So here it is: HAIR ONE
Check out the link, and get the details so as to save time putting the information of it on here. For those that don't want to click on the link...basically, it's cleansing conditioner made with all natural products, contains NO sulfates, and no detergents. IT WILL NOT SUDS! It's just like WEN, but at a fraction of the cost! You can buy it at Sally's Beauty Supply for $10.99. They claim that the longer/more you use it...the better condition your hair will be! So...I'll begin on Day ONE, and maybe...so as not to appear redundant, will only post updates to the review on a monthly basis!

I bought the Jojoba for color treated hair...(oh COME ON!!! REALLY???) I may be a natural blonde...but geesh...show me a blonde that doesn't improve on her color??? Anyways...I tried it for the first time today! I followed the directions to a T! It wasn't long before the natural elixirs started tingling my head!!!! Kinda like when you put VICKS up your nose! hehehe BUT without the "nasty" smell! Very Sweet smelling! Left it on for the suggested time and longer, rinsed REAL well, towel dried, then blew it out with a large round brush!

Results? Wow...I am amazed! Hair has more shine, more body, and even the color looks BETTER! Very soft too! I'm loving this! BUT...as I always say...the proof is in the pudding...so ongoing testing will need to be done! So...with that being said. My first "product review" is complete! Short...sweet...and to the point! I'll put up some videos of products I'm trying...or want to try. Well...off I go!!! (as I exit the room swishing my "FULL OF BODY" hair from side to side and whip it to the side for a little "exit wink"! ;)