Modern Wife

Author: Modern Wife

  • Essential Vitamins and Minerals in Foods

    Essential Vitamins and Minerals in Foods

    Essential Vitamins and Minerals in FoodSometimes I find myself in a rut, buying the same fruits and vegetables week by week. Not only is this boring to eat, it also provides a limited range of vitamins and minerals for me and my family. It might be easier to take a multivitamin pill, but so much more effective and enjoyable to eat nutritious foods. So I did some research on essential vitamins and minerals our bodies need to be healthy, as well as the best food sources for these.

    Vitamin A promotes vision in dim light, mucous membranes, bones, teeth and skin. Carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, spinach, butternut squash, cantaloupe, mangoes, apricots, broccoli, watermelon, tuna.

    (Vitamins B)

    Thiamin keeps carbohydrate metabolism and nervous system in good condition. Pasta, peanuts, legumes, watermelon, oranges, brown rice, oatmeal, eggs.

    Riboflavin takes care of the skin, and fat / protein / carbohydrate metabolism. Milk, avocadoes, tangerines, prunes, asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms, salmon, turkey.

    Niacin promotes effective use of oxygen by our cells, fat / protein / carbohydrate metabolism, and the nervous system. Peanut butter, legumes, soybeans, whole-grain cereals, broccoli, asparagus, baked potatoes, fish.

    Vitamin B6 is for protein metabolism. Soybeans, avocadoes, lima beans, bananas, cauliflower, green peppers, potatoes, spinach, raisins, fish.

    Folate is the same as folic acid, which is good for red blood cell tissue growth and repair. Legumes, mushrooms, oranges, asparagus, broccoli, spinach, bananas, strawberries, cantaloupe, tuna.

    Vitamin B12 promotes new tissue growth, red blood cells, the nervous system and the skin. Eggs, salmon, swordfish, tuna, clams, crab, mussels, oysters.

    Biotin metabolizes fat, protein and carbohydrates. Peanut butter, oatmeal, nuts, cauliflower, legumes, eggs.

    Pantothenic Acid aids in the metabolism of fat, protein and carbohydrates. Whole-grain cereals, mushrooms, avocadoes, broccoli, peanuts, cashews, lentils, soybeans, eggs, fish.

    Vitamin C builds collagen, healthy gums, teeth and blood vessels. Oranges, grapefruit, bell peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, spinach, cabbage, melons, broccoli, kiwi, raspberries, blueberries.

    Vitamin D is good for calcium absorption, bones and teeth. Sunlight, cereals, eggs, milk, butter, tuna and salmon.

    Vitamin E protects cells from damage. Nut and vegetable oils, mangoes, blackberries, apples, broccoli, peanuts, spinach.

    Vitamin K prevents blood clotting. Spinach, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, parsley, carrots, avocadoes, tomatoes, eggs, dairy.

    Calcium builds strong bones and teeth, muscles and nerves, and prevents blood from clotting. Broccoli, green beans, almonds, turnip greens, orange juice, milk, cheese, yogurt, salmon and sardines with bones.

    Chloride aids in digestion. It works with sodium to maintain fluid balance. Salt.

    Chromium assists in metabolism of carbohydrates. Whole grains, broccoli, grape juice, orange juice, black pepper.

    Copper is good for the blood cells and connective tissues. Nuts, cherries, cocoa, mushrooms, gelatin, legumes, oysters, shellfish, fish, eggs.

    Flouride protects the tooth enamel. Tea, fish.

    Iodine promotes thyroid function. Spinach, iodized salt, lobster, shrimp, oysters, milk.

    Iron brings oxygen in blood and is good for metabolizing energy. Asparagus, spinach, pumpkin seeds, soybeans, tofu, clams.

    Magnesium protects the bones, nerve and muscle function. Molasses, nuts, spinach, pumpkin seeds, baked potatoes, broccoli, bananas, seafood, dairy.

    Manganese is good for the bones, connective tissues and fat / carbohydrate metabolism. Nuts, legumes, tea, dried fruits, spinach, green leafy vegetables.

    Molybdenum helps in nitrogen metabolism. Legumes, whole-grain cereals, dairy.

    Phosphorus metabolizes energy. It works with Calcium for healthy bones and teeth. Cereals, fish, eggs, dairy.

    Potassium keeps acids balanced. It also works with Sodium to maintain fluid balance. Baked potatoes, avocadoes, dried fruit, yogurt, cantaloupe, spinach, bananas, mushrooms, tomatoes.

    Selenium works with Vitamin E to protect cells and body tissue. Whole grain cereals, mushrooms, Brazil nuts, dairy, fish and shellfish.

    Sodium keeps the fluid balanced and the nervous system in good condition. Salt, soy sauce, seasonings.

    Zinc aids in wound healing, growth, appetite and sperm production. Lima beans, legumes, nuts, oysters, seafood, dairy.

  • My Home Birth Story

    My Home Birth Story

    October 31 at 9 a.m. my water broke. My midwife, Kristen, came about an hour later to check on me. She suggested going on our daily walk, to help the baby descend lower and bring on the contractions.

    So hubby and I went to take a walk, which was the longest walk we’ve ever taken, because I was going so slow. Passing trick-or-treaters on our walk, we rescued a stray dog who almost got run over by a car. Jay whistled to the dog to keep it off the road, until the dog found his way home. We also ate some Mexican food and bought Knudsen’s Recharge, an energy drink that has real fruit juice instead of sugar, for the labor we were anticipating. At the grocery store the cashier asked when I was due, and nearly flipped out when I answered, “Tonight.”

    At home, we hung out and every 10 or so minutes I had contractions, which felt like severe menstrual cramps. We went to bed early, Jay massaged my lower back and buttocks everytime I had a contraction. I found it helped me to vocalize while I had a contraction. It helped me breathe through it, and it signaled my husband to massage me. I instructed him to massage my cheeks outward, to help me visualize my body opening up to let the baby out.

    By 2 in the morning on November 1, I began feeling more intense contractions, the kind that actually makes me feel like pushing. I fought the urge to push by breathing through it, moaning and vocalizing all the way. I told my husband to call the midwife NOW.

    Kristen arrived 2:15 a.m. She set up quickly in our bedroom, and called the other two midwives who will assist her. By that time I was on my hands and knees, the only position I felt comfortable in. Everytime I moaned with my contraction, I remembered the old creation myth about the goddess singing the world into creation, calling each creature by name in a song uniquely its own. The vibration of my voice in my belly helped me get through the pain. In between contractions, I felt delirious, almost like I was in deep dreamy sleep. (Thank you, endorphins!!!)

    By 4 a.m. I was getting tired, anxious, and worried that nothing was happening. Kristen and the other midwives kept me hydrated with Recharge and some water, kept encouraging me by saying I’m doing a good job. In between contractions, Kristen checked the baby’s heartbeat through her handheld Doppler, and also checked my cervix. When she felt that the cervix was fully dilated and out of the way, she instructed me to push.

    By then my arms were so tired of holding my body on all fours. I had pillows piled up in front of me, to rest my head in between contractions, but my arms and thighs were shaking in exhaustion. Kristen suggested I change position.

    I stood up, and in frustration, I cried, “Hold me” to Jay. We hugged, and as I got a contraction I found myself tiptoe-ing and hanging off Jay’s shoulder in one push. He took my weight and it felt really good. I felt the baby go even lower with the help of gravity. Jay and I had found our groove. We repeated this process every contraction. Later on Jay told me he could feel the baby kicking through my belly and onto his stomach as I hung my whole body weight off him – the three of us, father, mother and child moving to the rhythm of our own unique birthing dance. He said that before we labored, he was afraid he wouldn’t know what to do, that he might be in the way of the process, or worse, be like the stereotype “waiting room Dad.” When I hugged him he said he felt like a strong man, that he could support me, not just psychologically but in a very physical sense.

    As the baby got lower and lower, I kept crying, “It hurts!” My team encouraged me to keep pushing, make it hurt more, I wasn’t sure I could. I entertained fantasies of being magically transported to the hospital and being shot drugs to make the pain go away.

    Kristen brought me back to earth by saying that I was ready to deliver. She suggested I go back to my hands and knees. Jay got back to massaging me to open wide during the contractions. With the most painful pressure on my whole pelvic area, I delivered the head, and the baby got stuck right at the eyes. Jay stretched me wide open to help deliver the baby’s full head at the next contraction. Kristen then expertly repositioned the baby to deliver her shoulders and the rest of the body. At 5:27 a.m. November 1 Kristen placed my baby right underneath me and I looked into my baby’s face for the first time.

    It’s a girl! My beautiful baby girl!!!

    I hugged her and kissed her. She cried so loud and furiously! She also blew the fluid out of her own nose and mouth. She is so strong! Her APGARS is 9/10. She is 6 lbs 10 oz, 18 inches long.

    We were still connected through the umbilical cord, and the placenta was still inside me. I suddenly didn’t feel like I had any more strength to push the placenta out. The midwives encouraged me to breastfeed my baby immediately, to trigger one more contraction so I can deliver the placenta. My baby latched onto my breast immediately. She is so amazingly smart and knew what to do. Within minutes, I passed her on to my husband while I delivered the placenta. Once she was back in my arms, my husband cut the cord, and the midwives set to work inspecting the placenta to make sure there were no missing parts that could still be inside me.

    After that, the three midwives split up their afterbirth tasks. Shauna stayed with the baby to measure her weight, length, and reflexes. Kristen sat me in an herbal sitz bath and assisted me in a quick shower, while Colette made us all breakfast.

  • Midwifery Services vs. Obstetrics-Gynecology

    Midwifery Services vs. Obstetrics-Gynecology

    Soon after I found out that I was pregnant, I set out to find the health provider who will assist me throughout my pregnancy and deliver my baby. I knew I wanted to have my child at home. Although hospitals are equipped for any possible emergency, I worry about the stress of driving during labor and infection control in institutional settings. I wanted to be in the place where I’m most comfortable.

    Midwifery Services

    I started by requesting a list of midwives in my locale from the Midwives Alliance of North America. I called a few licensed professional midwives and conducted interviews over the phone.

    midwifery services at homeEach midwife is different. Some midwives conduct pre-natal visits in their homes or offices so that they can be in a central location in case any of their clients call for labor. Some midwives come to their clients’ homes all the way from pre- to post-natal visits. This situation was the most attractive to me, so I immediately filtered out the ones who were not willing to come to my home for all visits.

    HMO insurance does not cover midwifery services. PPO may reimburse part or all of the midwifery expenses. Most midwives charge on a sliding scale between $2800 to $5000 for comprehensive pre-natal visits, labor/delivery and post-partum visits. Each visit generally lasts for about an hour, consisting of monitoring urine, weight, blood pressure, pulse, baby’s heartbeat, palpation of the uterus, nutritional counseling and consultation regarding various issues that arise during pregnancy.

    Not all pregnancies qualify for a home birth. Hospital births are recommended in cases of gestational diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), Rh negative mom with a positive antibody screen, preterm premature rupture of membranes, multiple gestations (e.g. twins), breech presentation, active genital herpes, preeclampsia and preterm labor.

    Most midwives carry the following equipment, supplies and medication during home birth: oxygen, bag and mask for neonatal resuscitation, laryngoscope for neonatal resuscitation, IV therapy equipment, basic anti-hemorrhagic medication, suturing supplies (suture and lidocaine), fetoscope and hand-held Doppler, Rescu-Vac and/or DeLee catheter for deep suction of the newborn if necessary (as in the case with passage of meconium), urinary catheters, vitamin K for newborn blood clotting, and erythromycin ointment for newborn infection prophylaxis.

    Most midwives do not carry: pain medication including epidurals or narcotics, surgical equipment beyond that needed for basic suturing, forceps or vacuum, continuous fetal monitoring equipment, and blood for transfusions.

    Obstetrics-Gynecology

    I come from a medical family, so naturally my parents were very concerned about my decision to have my baby at home with the help of a midwife. As a compromise, I am also seeing a medical doctor, an obstetrician-gynecologist, in case of an emergency.

    Gone are the days when doctors made house calls, so obviously one must consider the trip to the doctor’s office for pre-natal visits and the ride to the hospital for labor/delivery when choosing an Ob-Gyn. I chose a doctor who practises very close to where I live, so I could avoid the freeway traffic or long drives during my pregnancy.

    HMO insurance generally require a copay for the first visit with the Ob-Gyn, then there is no more copay for the succeeding visits. Each visit is about 10 to 20 minutes long, consisting of monitoring urine, weight, blood pressure, pulse, baby’s heartbeat, palpation of the uterus and some consultation regarding various issues that arise during pregnancy.

    During the first visit, the Ob-Gyn may conduct a pap smear and prescribe a blood test. Often, pre-natal visits are attended by a nurse practitioner instead of the Ob-Gyn. There is hardly any consultation regarding nutrition. The most nutrition advice I have gotten from my doctor has been to eat small meals throughout the day instead of the regimented three square meals.

    As far as Ob-Gyn’s go, my doctor is better than most. She promises not to jump to C-sections, unless absolutely necessary. She also professes not to do episiotomies. There are less invasive techniques to preserving a woman’s perenium during childbirth. Episiotomies are not only extremely painful, it also takes a woman longer to heal than one who has not been subjected to it.

    Case by Case Comparison:
    Midwife vs. Obstetrician-Gynecologist

    Pre-natal Vitamins. The Ob-Gyn prescribed Natal Care Plus, which are large pink-colored pills that made me feel nauseous whenever I took them. I worried about the additives from the manufacturing process of these commercial pills. Later on I read in this article about Zinc, which states that Zinc supplements should not be taken with Iron and Calcium. So why are these three minerals together in prenatal vitamin pills?

    My midwife suggested that I make herbal tea for vitamin supplementation instead. She recommended: 1/4 cup nettles, 1/4 cup red raspberry leaves, 16 oz water combined in a glass jar. Cover and let it sit overnight. Sip this cold herbal infusion throughout the next day. Apparently nettles is rich in iron and calcium. Red raspberry leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly iron, in addition to being a uterine tonic.

    The cold herbal infusion was difficult for me to get down. So I added honey and/or lemon to the tea, and refrigerated it to make it taste more like iced tea. Steeping it hot like regular tea also helps with the taste.

    Urinary Tract Infection. My first blood test revealed a bladder infection, so my Ob-Gyn immediately put me on Nitrofurantoin. Kudos to the doctor for her diagnosis. It made me really glad that I have a medical doctor overseeing my care. However I was hesitant to take antibiotics, knowing how much they can wreak havoc in my system.

    I consulted my midwife and she said that since I hadn’t been abusing antibiotics in any way pre-pregnancy (4 years earlier was the last time I’ve had any in my system) she was confident that this dose will take care of my problem quickly, without any concern for resistant bacteria. She also suggested:

    • Echinacea and Goldenseal – the kind that contains ONLY echinacea and goldenseal. Don’t take the chance with other herbal ingredients that could complicate things for pregnant women;
    • Vitamin C – no more than 500 mg a day;
    • Cranberry juice – contains substances that inhibit the growth of bacteria in the bladder. Remember to buy UNSWEETENED cranberry juice. Refined sugars foster the growth of bacteria, and will be defeating the whole purpose of drinking cranberry juice.
    • Water – drink 2 liters (equivalent to 64 oz. = 8 pint-size glasses) a day.

    When I consulted my nurse practitioner about my fears of complications arising from the use of antibiotics, such as yeast infections, the only recommendation she had was anti-fungal cream over the counter at the
    drug store. In comparison, my midwife had suggestions on how to prevent yeast infections through good nutrition (plain yogurt).

    Sciatica. In the case of sciatica, my midwife recommended the relatively invasive approach of acupuncture, while my doctor simply suggested taking a hot bath.

    Related Links:
    Baby Center
    Pregnancy Nutrition
    Pregnancy Myths
    Herbs for Pregnancy
    Herbs During Pregnancy
    Citizens for Midwifery
    Midwives Alliance of North America
    Midwife Info
    Midwifery Links
    Ob-Gyn Predicament
    Unassisted Childbirth
    Unhindered Childbirth

  • Marriage

    she was pretending to be a bird
    and i was letting her pretend.
    i lay down beside her and remained still,
    waiting to see how the bird would react
    to my stillness.
    i pretended i was lying under a single tree
    in an open field
    and imagined the hypnotic motion
    of leafy shadows moving in the warm sun.
    the bird lay curled to my flank
    and after a while she poked me
    with a finger (or a beak?)
    to see who or what i was.
    then she whispered this in my ear:
    "put your hand on your breast,
    and become a tree."
    i did not know how to do that
    but i did not question her
    and her whispered words moved me
    to put my hand on my breast.
    then my hand rose from my breast,
    and settled back down.
    it rose again and continued to rise
    and my curled body began to lengthen
    my legs began to straighten
    until i felt the floor beneath me.
    my torso was carried toward the ceiling (or the sky?)
    lifted by the power of the bird’s will.
    and as i felt the strength of a tree enter my body,
    and as i rose upwards
    she leaped onto my back
    and threw her arms around my neck
    and her weight was beautiful
    because for the rest of my life
    i knew i could support it.
    and she had helped me to be strong
    to be her home
    and in that moment,
    the breath of happiness moved through me
    so that i cried.
    and she untangled herself from my limbs
    and placed her warm lips on mine.
    and we kissed.

    Jack Rose

  • Recipes for Household Cleaning

    Recipes for Household Cleaning

    excerpt from The Cure For All Diseases
    © 1995 by Hulda Regehr Clark, Ph.D. N.D.

    “For Laundry

    Borax (1/2 cup per load). It is the main ingredient of non-chlorine bleach and has excellent cleaning power without fading colors. Your regular laundry soap may contain PCBs, aluminum, cobalt and other chemicals. These get rubbed into your skin constantly as you wear your clothing. For bleaching (only do this occasionally) use original chlorine bleach (not “new improved” or “with special brighteners” and so forth). Don’t use chlorine if there is an ill person in the house. For getting out stubborn dirt at collars, scrub with homemade bar soap first; for stains, try grain alcohol, vinegar, baking soda.

    For Dishes

    Don’t believe your eyes when you see the commercials where the smiling person pulls a shining dish out of greasy suds. Any dish soap that you use should be safe enough to eat because nothing rinses off clean. Regular dish detergents, including health brands, are now polluted with PCBs. They also contain harmful chemicals. Use borax for your dishes. Or use paper plates and plastic (not styrofoam) cups.

    In The Dishwasher

    Use 2 tsp. borax powder pre-dissolved in water. If you use too much it will leave a film on your dishes. Use vinegar in the rinse cycle.

    In The Sink

    Use a dishpan in the sink. Use 1/4 cup borax and add a minimum of water. Also keep a bit of dry borax in a saucer by the sink for scouring. Don’t use any soap at all for dishes that aren’t greasy and can be washed under the faucet with nothing but running water. Throw away your old sponge or brush or cloth because it may be PCB contaminated. Start each day by sterilizing your sponge (it harbors Salmonella) or with a new one while the used one dries for three full days. Clean greasy pots and pans with a paper towel first. Then use homemade bar soap.”

    “Floor Cleaner

    Use washing soda from the grocery store. You may add borax and boric acid (to deter insects except ants). Use white distilled vinegar in your rinse water for a natural shine and ant repellent. Do not add bleach to this. For the bathroom floor use plain bleach water – follow the label. Never use chlorine bleach if anyone at home is ill or suffers from depression. Use grain alcohol (1 pint to 3 quarts water) for germ killing action instead of chlorine.

    Furniture Duster and Window Cleaner

    Mix equal parts white distilled vinegar and water. Put it in a spray bottle.

    Furniture Polish

    A few drops of olive oil on a dampened cloth. Use filtered water to dampen.

    Insect Killer

    Boric acid powder (not borax). Throw liberal amounts behind stove, refrigerator, under carpets and in carpets. Since boric acid is white, you must be careful not to mistake it for sugar accidentally. Keep it far away from food and out of children’s reach. Buy it at a farm supply or garden store. It will not kill ants.

    Ant Repellent

    Spray 50% white distilled vinegar on counter tops, window sills and shelves and wipe, leaving residue. Start early in spring before they arrive, because it takes a few weeks to rid yourself of them once they are established. If you want immediate action, get some lemons, cut the yellow outer peel off and cover with grain alcohol in a tightly closed jar. Let stand at least one hour. Use 1 part of this concentrate with 9 parts water in a spray bottle. Mix only as much as you will use because the diluted form loses potency. Spray walls, floors, carpets wherever you see them. The lemon solution even leaves a shine on your counters. Use both vinegar and lemon approaches to rid yourself of ants

    To treat the whole house, pour vinegar all around your foundation, close to the wall, using one gallon for every five feet. Expect to damage any foliage it touches. Reapply every six months.

    Flower and Foliage Spray

    Food-grade hydrogen peroxide. See instructions on bottle

    Moth balls

    I found this recipe in an old recipe book. Mix the following and scatter in trunks and bags containing furs and woolens: 1/2 lb. each rosemary and mint, 1/4 lb each tansy and thyme, 2 tbs. powdered cloves.

    Carpet Cleaner

    Whether you rent a machine or have a cleaning service, don’t use the carpet shampoo they want to sell, even if they “guarantee” that it is all natural and safe. Instead add these to a bucket (about four gallons) of water and use it as the cleaning solution:

    Wash water
    1/3 cup borax

    Rinse water
    1/4 cup grain alcohol
    2 tsp. boric acid
    1/4 cup white distilled vinegar
    or 4 tsp. citric acid

    Borax does the cleaning; alcohol disinfects, boric acid leaves a pesticide residue, and the vinegar or citric acid give luster. If you are just making one pass on your carpet, use the borax, alcohol, and boric acid. Remember to test everything you use on an unnoticed piece of carpet first.”

  • Recipes for Natural Cosmetics

    Recipes for Natural Cosmetics

    excerpt from The Cure For All Diseases
    © 1995 by Hulda Regehr Clark, Ph.D. N.D.

    Eye liner and Eyebrow Pencil

    Get a pure charcoal pencil (black only) at an art supply store. Try several on yourself (bring a small mirror) in the store to see what hardness suits you. You may need to wet it with water or a Vitamin E perle first. Don’t put any chemicals on your eyelids, since this penetrates into your eye. To check this out for yourself, close your eye tightly and then dab lemon juice on your eyelid. It will soon burn! Everything that is put on skin penetrates. Otherwise the nicotine patch and estrogen patch wouldn’t work. Not even soap belongs on your eyelids! Charcoal pencils are cheap. Get yourself half a dozen different kinds so you can do different things.

    You could also use a capsule of activated charcoal. Empty it into a saucer. Mix glycerin and water, half and half, and add it to the charcoal powder until you get the consistency you like. Use a brush for eyelashes; use a finger for eyebrows.

    Lipstick

    Beet root powder
    100% vegetable glycerin

    Combine 1 tsp. vegetable glycerin and 1 tsp. beet root powder in a saucer. Stir until perfectly smooth. Then add 1/2 tsp. of vitamin E oil. Snip open vitamin E capsules or buy vitamin E oil. Very thick olive oil can be substituted. Apply liberally with your finger or a lipstick brush. Do not purse or rub your lips together after application. To make the lipstick stay on longer, apply 1 layer of lipstick, then dab some cornstarch over the lips, then apply another layer of lipstick. Store in a small glass or plastic container in the refrigerator, tightly covered in a plastic bag.

    Face Powder

    Use cornstarch from the original box. You may also try arrow root starch or potato starch. Use your fingers or a tissue to apply because applicators can carry bacteria.

    Blush (face powder in a cake form)

    Add 50% glycerin to cornstarch in a saucer to make paste. Slowly add beet root powder to the desired color. Use part of a charcoal capsule to darken it, if desired. A drop of food grade alcohol will also darken it. To make 50% glycerin, add equal parts of glycerin and water. Try to make the consistency the same as your brand name product, and you can even put it back in your brand name container.

  • Recipes for Healthy Food and Beverages

    Recipes for Healthy Food and Beverages

    excerpt from The Cure For All Diseases
    © 1995 by Hulda Regehr Clark, Ph.D. N.D.

    “Read old recipe books for the fun and savings of making your own nutritious food. Change the recipes to avoid processed ingredients. Here are some I found:

    Beverage Recipes

    Anything made in your own juicer is fine. Experiment with new combinations to create different flavorful fruit and vegetable juices. Consider the luxury of preparing gourmet juices which satisfy your own individual palate instead of the mass-produced, polluted varieties sold at grocery stores. Remember to wash all fruit, including citrus before juicing. This removes the ever-present pesticides and common fruit mold.

    Lemonade

    1 cup fresh lemon juice, 1 cup honey, 1 1/2 quarts water. Bring honey and water to a boil if you plan to keep it several days. Then add lemon juice and store in refrigerator.

    All honey and maple syrup should have vitamin C added to it as soon as it arrives from the supermarket. Warm it first; then stir in 1/4 tsp. per pint.

    Fresh Tomato Juice

    Simmer for 1/2 hour: 12 medium-sized raw, ripe tomatoes, 1/2 cup water, 1 slice onion, 2 ribs celery with leaves, 1/2 bay leaf, 3 sprigs parsley. Strain these ingredients. Season with: 1 tsp. salt (aluminum-free), 1/4 tsp. paprika, 1/2 tsp. honey. Serve thoroughly chilled. Makes about 4 servings.

    Fresh Pineapple Juice

    Peel a pineapple. Remove all soft spots. Cut it into cubes. Extract the juice by putting the pineapple through a food grinder or a blender. There will be very little pulp. Strain the juice and serve it on ice with sprigs of mint. Makes about 1 1/2 cups of juice. Mix the pulp with an equal amount of clover honey and use as a topping (kept in freezer) for homemade ice cream (below), pancakes, or yogurt.

    Maple Milk Shake

    For each milk shake, blend or shake together: 1 glass of milk and 2 tablespoons maple syrup.

    Remember, all milk gets boiled.

    Yankee Drink

    Mix together 1 gal. water, 3 cups honey, 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice or distilled white vinegar, and 1 tsp. ginger.

    Hot Vanilla Milk

    Add one inch of vanilla bean and one tsp. honey to a glass of milk and bring to a near boil. You may add a pinch of cinnamon or other pure spice. You may even use vanilla extract.

    Red Milk

    Equal parts fresh carrot juice (use a juicer) and sterilized milk. Save the carrot pulp for salads and soups.

    C-Milk

    Milk can absorb a surprising amount of vitamin C powder without curdling or changing its flavor. Try 1/2 tsp. in
    a glass of cold milk.

    My Own Soda Pop

    Excellent for stomach distress. Put 1 tsp. citric acid , 2 tbs. honey, and 1 lemon, juiced by hand, into a quart jar and fill with cold water. Refrigerate until ready to use. Then add 1 tsp. baking soda (chemically pure only) and shake a few times, keeping the lid tight. Pour over a few ice cubes. Many variations are possible: other fruit concentrates, made in the blender, can be used along with some lemon juice; for example, 2 blended whole apples (peeled), blended pineapple, orange or grapefruit. Always add a bit of lemon to give it zip. You may add a pinch of ginger or other pure spice.

    Note: The amount of sodium in 1/2 tsp. baking soda is .476 grams. If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, or edema, use potassium bicarbonate instead. Ask your doctor what an acceptable amount of sodium or potassium bicarbonate is. I would suggest limiting yourself to one glass of soda pop a day, even if you do not have heart disease.

    Another Note: the citric acid kills bacteria, while the carbonation brings relief.

    My Own Super C-Pop

    An excellent way to get lots of vitamin C into a child and relieve stomach distress at the same time. Squeeze 1 slice of lemon and 1 whole orange into an 8 ounce bottle that has a tight lid. Add 1 tsp. vitamin
    C powder (ascorbic acid), 1/4 tsp. citric acid, and 2 tbs. vegetable glycerin (you may also experiment with honey for sweetness). Fill the bottle to the top with cold water. Then add 1/2 tsp. chemically pure baking soda and close tightly. Shake briefly and serve immediately.

    Half And Half

    Mix equal parts whipping cream and milk or water. Boil and chill.

    Buttermilk-C

    Stir 1 tsp. vitamin C powder into a glass of milk. Add a pinch of potassium chloride. Additional seasoning may be pepper and herbs. Stir and enjoy.”

    Food Recipes

    “Daily Foods

    Dairy products should contain at least 2% fat to enable you to absorb the calcium in them.

    All milk should be sterilized by boiling it for 10 seconds. If it makes mucous, you already have a chronic respiratory infection. Try to clear this up.

    Change brands every time you shop to prevent the same pollutants from building up in your body.

    If frying or cooking with fat, use only olive oil, butter or lard (the BHT and BHA preservatives in lard are ok except for seizure sufferers). Mix them for added flavor in your dishes. Never use margarine, Crisco TM, or other hydrogenated fats. Do not cook over flames or grill, even when electric.

    Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Wash them off only with cold tap water, not commercial food “wash.” Scrub hard with a stiff bristled brush. Then cut away blemishes. Always peel potatoes, apples, and carrots. Modern dirt is full of chemicals and is toxic to you.

    Be sure to drink plenty of plain water from your cold faucet throughout the day, especially if it is difficult for you to drink it with your meals. If you don’t like the taste of your own tap water, try to get it from a friend with newer plumbing. Use a polyethylene (opaque) water jug from a grocery store to transport it. Never drink water that has been run through a water softener or copper plumbing or has traveled through a long plastic hose. Don’t drink water that has stood in a container for a day. Dump it and sterilize the container. To further improve flavor and to dechlorinate attach a small faucet filter made of carbon only. Or buy a filter pitcher. Don’t drink water that has stood in the filter pitcher very long, either.

    Because commercial cold cereals are very convenient, but have solvents, here are two replacements.

    Two Granolas

    7 cups rolled oats (old fashioned, not quick)
    1 tsp. salt
    1 cup wheat germ (fresh, not defatted)
    1/2 cup honey
    1/2 cup sunflower seeds, immaculate quality
    1/2 cup milk (no need to sterilize, it is being baked)
    1/2 cup melted butter
    1 cup raisins, rinsed in vitamin C water

    Mix dry ingredients together. Mix liquid ingredients and add gradually, while tossing until thoroughly mixed. Place in large un-greased pans and bake in slow (250F) oven. Stir occasionally, baking until brown and dry, usually 1-2 hours. Store in airtight container in freezer.

    6 cups rolled oats
    1/2 cup raw wheat germ
    1 cup sesame seeds
    1 cup sunflower seeds (raw, unsalted)
    1 tsp. cinnamon
    1/2 cup melted butter
    1/2 cup honey
    Preheat oven to 250F. Toss all ingredients in mixing bowl. Spread thinly on a baking sheet and bake 20-25 minutes. Stir often in order to brown evenly. When golden, remove and let cool. Makes 12 cups.

    If you would like to add nuts to your granola recipes, rinse them in cold tap water first, to which vitamin C powder has been added (1/4 tsp. per pint). This removes aflatoxins.

    Peanut Butter

    Use fresh unsalted roasted peanuts – they will be white on the first day they arrive at the health food store from the distributor. (Ask when they will arrive.) Or shell fresh roasted peanuts yourself, throwing away all shriveled or darkened nuts. Grind adding salt and vitamin C (1/4 tsp. per pint) as you go. For spreadability, especially for children, grind an equal volume of cold butter along with the peanuts. This improves spreadability and digestability of the hard nut particles. This will probably be the most heavenly peanut butter your mouth has ever experienced.

    Sweetening and Flavoring

    Brown sugar. Although I am prejudiced against all sugar from a health standpoint, my testing revealed no benzene, propyl alcohol, wood alcohol. However it does contain sorghum mold and must be treated with vitamin C to detoxify it. Add 1/4 tsp. to a 1 pound package; knead until well mixed.

    Maple Syrup. Add vitamin C to newly opened bottle, 1/4 tsp. to retard mold. Keep refrigerated and use promptly.

    Flavoring. Use maple, vanilla (both natural and artificial), and any pure spice. They are free of molds and solvents.

    Honeys. Get at least 4 flavors for variety: linden blossom, orange blossom, plain clover and local or wild flower honey. Add vitamin C to newly opened jar to detoxify ergot mold (1/4 tsp. per pint).

    Jams and jellies. They are not safe unless homemade.

    Fruit syrup. Use one package of frozen fruit, such as cherries, blueberries or raspberries. Let thaw and measure the amount in cups (it might say on the package). Add an equal amount of clover honey to the fruit. Also add 1/4 tsp. vitamin C powder. Mix it all in a quart canning jar and store in the refrigerator. Use this on pancakes, cereal, plain yogurt and homemade ice cream too. Use to make your own flavored beverages in a seltzer maker or to make soda pop. If you wish to use fresh fruit, bring it to a boil to sterilize. Use it up in a few days or boil to sterilize it again.

    Note for diabetics
    Diabetics must not use artificial sweeteners. Nor can they use all the sweeteners listed. Try stevia powder instead.

    Preserves

    Keep 3 or 4 kinds on hand, such as peach, pineapple, and pear. Peel and chop the fruit. It should not have any bruises. If you use a metal knife, rinse the fruit lightly afterwards. Add just enough water to keep the fruit from sticking as it is cooked (usually a few tablespoons). Then add an equal amount of honey, or to taste and heat again to boiling. Put in sterile jars in refrigerator. Make marmalade the same way, slicing the fruit and peel thinly. Always add vitamin C powder to a partly used jar to inhibit mold. Never use up partly molded fruit by making preserves out of it. Throw it out.

    C Dressing

    1/2 cup olive oil
    1/4 cup fresh lemon juice or white distilled vinegar
    1 tsp. thyme, fenugreek or both (capsules are freshest)
    1 tsp. vitamin C powder
    1/2 tsp. brown sugar

    Combine the ingredients in a clean salad dressing bottle. Shake. Refrigerate. The basic recipe is the oil and vinegar in a 2:1 ratio. After mixing these, add any pure spice desired. Or add fresh tomato chunks for creaminess.

    Cheese Sauce

    Add milk to cheese in equal amounts. Gradually heat to boiling while stirring. Add more of either to obtain the desired consistency. Boil 10 seconds. Use immediately.

    Sour Cream-C

    2 cups heavy whipping cream, previously boiled
    1/4 tsp. citric acid
    1/4 tsp. vitamin C powder
    1 tsp. fresh onion juice or other seasoning (optional)

    Stir until smooth, refrigerate 2 hours.

    Yogurt

    Buy a yogurt maker. Be sure and use boiled milk.

    Soups

    All homemade soups are nutritious and safe, provided you use no processed ingredients (like bouillon), or make them in metal pots. Use herbs and aluminum-free salt to season. Always add a dash of vitamin C or tomato juice or vinegar to draw out calcium from soup bones for you to absorb.

    Fish and Seafood Recipe

    Any kind of fish or seafood is acceptable, provided it is well-cooked. Don’t buy food that is already in batter. The simplest way to cook fish is to poach it in milk. It can be taken straight from the freezer, rinsed, and placed in 1/4 inch of milk (unboiled is fine) in the frying pan. Heat until it is cooked. Turn over and repeat. Throw away the milk. Serve with fresh lemon and herbs.

    Baked Apples

    Peel and core carefully. Remove all bruises (this is where the patulin is). Cut in bite-sized pieces, add a minimum of water and cook or bake minimally. Add a squirt of lemon juice when done. Serve with cinnamon, whipping cream and honey.

    Ice creams from the grocery store are loaded with benzene and other solvents. Fortunately there are ice cream makers that do everything (no cranking)! Or try our recipe which uses a blender. Be sure not to add store bought flavors, except vanilla or maple.

    5 Minute Ice Cream

    (Strawberry) Use 2 half pints of whipping cream, previously boiled, 1 package of frozen strawberries (about 10 oz.), and 1/2 cup clover honey. Pour frozen strawberries into blender. Pour whipping cream and honey over them. Blend briefly (about 10 seconds), not long enough to make butter! Pour it all into a large plastic bowl. Cover with a close fitting plastic bag and place in freezer. Prepare it a day ahead. Try using other frozen fruits, such as blueberries and cherries. Keep a few berries out of the blender and stir them in quickly with a non-metal spoon before setting the bowl in the freezer. There are many ice cream recipes to be found in old cook books. Avoid those with raw eggs or processed foods as ingredients. You may add nuts if you rinse them with vitamin C water.

    Cookies, cakes and pies

    Bake them from scratch, using unprocessed ingredients. Use simple recipes from old cook books.

  • Recipes for Natural Body Products

    Recipes for Natural Body Products

    excerpt from The Cure For All Diseases
    © 1995 by Hulda Regehr Clark, Ph.D. N.D.

    “You can use just borax (like 20 Mule Team Borax TM) and washing soda (like Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda TM for all types of cleaning including your body, laundry, dishes and your house! You don’t need all of those products you see in commercials for each special task!

    Even if you have dry skin, difficult hair or some other unique requirement, just pure borax will satisfy these needs. A part of every skin problem is due to the toxic elements found in the soaps themselves. For instance aluminum is commonly added as a “skin moisturizer.” It does this by impregnating the skin and attracting water, giving the illusion of moist skin. In fact you simply have moist aluminum stuck in your skin which your immune system must remove. While borax won’t directly heal your skin or complexion, it does replace the agents that are causing damage, so that healing can occur.

    Borax Liquid Soap

    Empty 1 gallon jug

    1/8 cup borax powder

    Plastic funnel

    Funnel the borax into the jug, fill with cold tap water. Shake a few times. Let settle. In a few minutes you can pour off the clear part into dispenser bottles. This is the soap!

    Easier way: use any bottle, pour borax powder to a depth of a 1/2 inch or so. Add water. Shake. When you have used it down to the undissolved granules, add more water and shake again. Add more borax when the undissolved granules get low.

    Keep a dispenser by the kitchen sink, bathroom sink, and shower. It does not contain aluminum as regular detergents and soaps do, and which probably contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. It does not contain PCBs as many commercial and health food varieties do. It does not contain cobalt (the blue or green granules) which causes heart disease and draws cancer parasites to the skin. Commercial detergents and non-soaps are simply not safe. Switch to homemade bar soap and borax for all your tasks! Borax inhibits the bacterial enzyme urease and is therefore antibacterial. It may even clear your skin of blemishes and stop your scalp from itching.

    For Laundry

    Borax (1/2 cup per load). It is the main ingredient of non-chlorine bleach and has excellent cleaning power without fading colors. Your regular laundry soap may contain PCBs, aluminum, cobalt and other chemicals. These get rubbed into your skin constantly as you wear your clothing. For bleaching (only do this occasionally) use original chlorine bleach (not “new improved” or “with special brighteners,” and so forth). Don’t use chlorine if there is an ill person in the house. For getting out stubborn dirt at collars, scrub with homemade
    bar soap first; for stains, try grain alcohol, vinegar, baking
    soda.”

    “Shampoo

    Borax liquid is ready to use as shampoo, too. It does not lather but goes right to work removing sweat and soil without stripping your color or natural oils. It inhibits scalp bacteria and stops flaking and itching. Hair gets squeaky clean so quick;ly (just a few squirts does it) that you might think nothing has happened! You will soon be accustomed to non-lathery soap. Rinse very thoroughly because you should leave your scalp slightly acidic. Take a pint container to the shower with you. Put 1/4 tsp. citric (not ascorbic) acid crystals in it. For long hair use a quart of rinse. Only citric acid is strong enough to get the borax out, lemon juice and vinegar are not. After shampooing, fill the container with water and rinse. Rinse your whole body, too, since citric acid is also anti-bacterial. All hair shampoo penetrates the eye lids and gets into the eyes although you do not feel it. It is important to use this natural rinse to neutralize the shampoo in your eyes. (Some people have stated that citric acid makes their hair curlier or reddens it. If this is undesirable, use only half as much citric acid.) Citric acid also conditions and gives body and sheen to hair.

    Hair Spray

    I don’t have a recipe that holds your hair as well as the bottle of chemicals you can buy at the store. Remarkably a little lemon juice (not from a bottle) has some holding power and no odor! Buy a 1 cup spray bottle. Squeeze part of a lemon, letting only the clear juice run into bottle. Fill with water. Keep it in the refrigerator. Make it fresh every week. Spraying with just plain water is nearly as good! For shinier hair, drop a bit of lemon peel into the bottle.

    Homemade Soap

    A small plastic dishpan, about 10″ x 12″

    A glass or enamel 2-quart saucepan

    1 can of lye (sodium hydroxide), 12 ounces

    3 pounds of lard (BHT and BHA are ok here)

    Plastic gloves

    Water

    • Pour 3 cups of very cold water (refrigerate water overnight first) into the 2-quart saucepan.
    • Slowly and carefully add the lye, a little bit at a time, stirring it with a wooden or plastic utensil. (Use plastic gloves for this; test them for holes first.) Do not breathe the vapor or lean over the container or have children nearby. Above all use no metal. The mixture will get very hot. In olden days, a sassafras branch was used to stir. imparting a fragrance and insect deterrent for mosquitos, lice, fleas, ticks.
    • Let cool at least one hour in a safe place. Meanwhile, the unwrapped lard should be warming up to room temperature in the plastic dishpan.
    • Slowly and carefully, pour the lye solution into the dishpan with the lard. The lard will melt. Mix thoroughly, at least 15 minutes, until it looks like thick pudding.
    • Let it set until the next morning; then cut it into bars. It will get harder after a few days. Then package.

    If you wish to make soap based on olive oil, use about 48 ounces. It may need to harden for a week.

    Liquid Soap

    Make chips from your homemade soap cake. Add enough hot water to dissolve. Add citric acid to balance the pH (7 to 8). If you do not, this soap may be too harsh for your skin.

    Skin Sanitizer

    Make up a 5 to 10% solution of food grade alcohol. Food grade alcohols are grain (ethyl) alcohol or vodka. Find a suitable dispenser bottle. Mark it with a pen at about one tenth of the way up from the bottom. Pour 95% grain alcohol (190 proof) to this mark (for the 50% grain alcohol or vodka make your mark one fifth of the way up). Add water to the top. Keep shut. You may add a chip of lemon peel for fragrance.

    Use this for general sanitizing purposes: bathroom fixtures, knobs, handles, canes, walkers, and for personal cleanliness (but use chlorine bleach for the toilet bowl once a week). Always clean up after a bowel movement with wet toilet paper. This is not clean enough, though. Follow with a stronger damp paper towel. This is still not clean enough; use a final damp paper towel with skin sanitizer added. After washing hands, sanitize them too, pouring a bit on one palm and put finger tips of the other hand in it, scratch to get under nails, repeat on other hand. Rinse with water.

    Do not use this recipe, nor keep any bottles of alcohol
    in the house of a recovering alcoholic.

    Deodorant

    Your sweat is odorless. It is the entrenched bacteria feeding on it that makes smells. You can never completely rid yourself of these bacteria, although they may temporarily be gone after zapping. The stratagy is to control their numbers. Here are several deodorants to try. Find one that works best for you:

    Vitamin C water. Mix 1/4 tsp. to a pint of water and dab it on. Then dab on cornstarch.

    Citric acid water. Mix 1/4 tsp. to a pint of water and dab it on. Then dab on cornstarch.

    Only a few drops of these acids under each armpit are necessary. If these acids burn the skin, dilute them more. Never apply anything to skin that has just been shaved!

    Corn starch. Many people need only this. Dab it on.

    Use only unpolluted cornstarch.

    Baking soda has been deleted as a deodorant because benzene was found in some boxes.

    Lemon juice. This acid is not as strong, use what you need.

    Pure alcohol (never rubbing alcohol). The food grade alcohols are grain alcohol and vodka. Dab a bit under each arm and/or on your shirt or blouse, then dab on cornstarch. If the alcohol burns, dilute it with water. Be very careful not to leave the bottle where a child or alcoholic person could find it. Pour it into a different bottle!

    Pure zinc oxide. You may ask your pharmacist to order this for you. She or he may wish to make it up for you too, but do not let them add anything else to it. It should be about 1 part zinc oxide powder to 3 parts water. It does not dissolve. Just shake it up to use it. After you get it home, you can add cornstarch to it to give it a creamy texture. Heat 3 tsp. cornstarch in 1 cup of water, to boiling, until dissolved and clear. Cool and add some to the zinc oxide mixture (about equal parts). Store unused starch mixture in the refrigerator. Only make up enough for a month.

    Alcohol and zinc oxide. This is the most powerful deodorant. Apply alcohol first, then the zinc oxide, then dab on cornstarch.

    Remember that you need to sweat! Sweating excretes toxic substances, especially from the upper body. Don’t use deodorant on weekends. Go to the sink and wipe clean the armpits like our grandparents did. Often, just plain cornstarch is enough! These homemade deodorants are not as powerful as the commercial varieties – this is to your advantage.

    Brushing Teeth

    Buy a new toothbrush. Your old one is soaked with toxins from your old toothpaste. Use only water or chemically pure baking soda if you have any metal fillings. Put a pinch in a glass, add water to dissolve it. Use food-grade hydrogen peroxide if you have only plastic fillings. Dilute it from 35% to 17 1/2 % by adding water (equal parts). Store hydrogen peroxide only in polyethylene or the original plastic bottle. Use 4 or 5 drops on your toothbrush. It should fizz nicely as oxygen is produced in your mouth. Your teeth will whiten noticeably in 6 months. Before brushing teeth, floss with 4 or 2 pound monofilament fish line. Double it and twist for extra strength. Rinse before use. Floss and brush only once a day. If this leaves you uncomfortable, brush the extra times with plain water and a second “water-only” toothbrush. Make sure that nothing solid, like powder, is on your toothbrush; it will scour the enamel and give you sensitive teeth, especially as you get older and the enamel softens. Salt is corrosive – don’t use it for brushing metal teeth. Plain water is just as good.

    For Dentures

    Use salt water. It kills all germs and is inexpensive. Salt water plus grain alcohol or food-grade hydrogen peroxide makes a good denture-soak.

    Mouthwash

    A few drops of food-grade hydrogen peroxide added to a little water in a glass should be enough to make your mouth foam and cleanse. Don’t use hydrogen peroxide, though, if you have metal fillings, because they react. Don’t use regular drug store variety hydrogen peroxide because it contains toxic additives. Health food store varieties contain solvents from the bottling process. Never purchase hydrogen peroxide in a bottle with a metal cap.

    For persons with metal tooth fillings, use chemically pure baking soda or just plain hot water. A healthy mouth has no odor! You shouldn’t need a mouthwash! If you have breath odor, search for a hidden tooth infection or cavitation.

    Contact Lens Solution

    A scant cup of cold tap water brought to a boil in a glass saucepan. After adding 1/4 tsp. aluminum-free salt and boiling again, pour into a sterile canning jar. Refrigerate. Freeze some of it.

    Lip Soother

    For dry burning lips. Heat 1 level tsp. sodium alginate plus 1 cup water until dissolved. After cooling, pour it into a small bottle to carry in your purse or pocket (refrigerate the remainder). Dab it on whenever needed. If the consistency isn’t right for you, add water and boil it down further. You can make a better lip soother by adding lysine from a crushed tablet, vitamin C powder, and a vitamin E capsule to the alginate mix. If you have a persistent problem with chapped lips, try going off citrus juice.

    Foot Powder

    Use a mixture of cornstarch and zinc oxide poured into a salt shaker with a lid. Add long rice grains to fight humidity. You may also try arrow root or potato starch. If you don’t have zinc oxide use plain cornstarch.

    Skin Healer Moisturizer Lotion

    1 tsp. sodium alginate

    1 cup water

    Make the base first by heating these together in a covered, non-metal pan until completely dissolved. Use low heat – it will take over an hour. Use a wooden spoon handle to stir. Set aside. Then make the following mixture.

    1/4 tsp. vitamin C (ascorbic acid) (You may crush tablets)

    1/4 tsp. lysine (crush tablets)

    2 tbs. pure vegetable glycerin

    2 vitamin E capsules (400 units or more,)

    1 tsp. apricot kernel oil (olive oil will do)

    1 tbs. lemon juice from a lemon or 1/4 tsp. citric acid (this is optional)

    1 cup water

    Heat the water to steaming in a non-metal pan. Add vitamin C and lysine first and then everything else. Pour into a pint jar and shake to mix. Then add the sodium alginate base to the desired thickness (about equal amounts) and shake. Pour some into a small bottle to use as a lip soother. Pour some into a larger bottle to dispense on skin. Store remainder in refrigerator.

    Other Skin Healers
    Vitamin C powder (ascorbic acid, not the same as citric acid). Put a large pinch into the palm of your hand. With your other hand pick up a few drops of water from the faucet. Rub hands together until all the powder is dissolved and dispense. It may sting briefly. Do this at bedtime, especially for cracked , chapped hands. Include lips if you need it.

    Vitamin E oil.Vitamin E oil from Now Foods was not polluted at the time of this writing, but for the future it would be safer to rely on capsules. Snip open a capsule and rub into skin.

    50% Glycerin. Dilute 100% vegetable glycerin with an equal amount of water. This is useful as an after-shave lotion.

    Vitamin C liquid. Mix 1/4 tsp. vitamin C powder in one pint water (crushed tablets will do). This is useful as an after shave lotion and general skin treatment.

    Apricot Kernel Oil. This is a very light oil, useful as an after-shave lotion and general skin treatment.

    Cornstarch. Use on rashes, fungus, moist or irritated areas and to prevent chafe.

    Combining several ones of these makes them more effective.

    Dry skin has several causes: too much water contact, too much soap contact (switch to borax), low body temperature, not enough fat in the diet, or parasites.

    Massage Oil

    Use olive oil. It comes in very light to heavy textures. Pick the right one for your purpose. Alginate mixtures can be used instead of, or added to, oil. Starch solutions are good, too.

    Sunscreen Lotion
    Purchase PABA in 500 mg tablet form. Dissolve 1 tablet in grain alcohol or vodka. Grind the tablet first by putting it in a plastic bag and rolling over it with a glass jar. It will not completely dissolve even if you use a tablespoon of the alcohol. Pour the whole mixture into a 4 ounce bottle of homemade skin softener. Be careful not to get the lotion into your eyes when applying it. A better solution is to wear a hat or stay out of the sun. Remember to take PABA as a supplement, too (500 mg, one a day).

    Nose Salve
    (When the inside of the nose is dry, cracked and bleeding.)

    Pour 1/2 tsp. pure vegetable glycerin into a bottle cap. Add 1/2 tsp. of water.

    Applicator: use a plastic coffee stirrer or straw; cut a slit in the end to catch some cotton wool salvaged from a vitamin bottle and twist (cotton swabs, cotton balls and wooden toothpicks are sterilized with mercury which in turn is polluted with thalium). Dip it into the glycerin mixture and apply inside the nose with a rotating motion. Do each nostril with a new applicator.

    Quick Corn Starch Skin Softener

    4 tsp. corn starch

    1 cup water

    Boil starch and water until clear, about one minute.

    Cornstarch Skin Softener
    1 tsp. lysine powder or 8 tablets, 500 mg each
    1 tsp. vitamin C powder (ascorbic acid) or 8 tablets, 500 mg each
    3 tsp. cornstarch
    vitamin E, 1 capsule 400 mg
    1/4 tsp. apricot kernel oil (optional)
    1 cup water

    Boil starch and water until clear, about one minute. Add other ingredients and stir until dissolved. Cool. Pour into dispenser bottles. Keep refrigerated when not in use. apply after washing dishes and after showering.

    After Shaves

    Vitamin C. 1/4 tsp. vitamin C powder dissolved in 1 pint of water

    Apricot Kernel Oil.

    Vegetable glycerin. Equal parts glycerin and water or to suit your need.

    Baby Wipes

    Cut paper towels in quarters and stack in a closable plastic box. Run tap water over them, drain the excess. Add 1 tsp. grain alcohol and/or borax liquid on top. Close. Put a dab of the Quick Cornstarch Softener recipe on top of each wipe as you use it.

    People Wipes

    1/4 tsp. powdered lysine (you may crush tablets)
    1/4 tsp. Vitamin C powder (you may crush tablets)
    1/4 cup vegetable glycerin
    1 cup water

    Prepare wipes by cutting paper towels in quarters. Use white, unfragranced towels that are strong enough to hold up for this use. Fold each piece in quarters again and stack in a plastic zippered baggy. Pour the fluid mixture over the stack and zip. Store a bag full in the freezer to take on car trips. If you want to keep them a month or more, add 1 tbs. grain alcohol or vodka to this recipe.

    For bathroom use, dampen a roll of paper towels under the cold tap first. Then pour about 1/4 cup of the mixture over the towel roll around the middle. Store in plastic shopping bag or stand in plastic waste basket.”

  • Kitchen Tools and Appliances

    Kitchen Tools and Appliances

    The Steamer

    In my kitchen, the steamer is the appliance I use the most. I can steam a sweet potato, cut in two, two corn cobs and on the second level, chopped broccoli and carrots. Steam brings all the flavor out in these foods and doesn’t drain the vegetables of their nutrition value the way boiling or frying does. The best part of it all is that it is so easy. I chop up vegetables, set up the steamer and turn the timer on. I go off to play the piano or work on the computer for about twenty minutes, until the timer rings to let me know that dinner is ready.

    I have the Oster Model 4714, with helpful recipes contained in the manual. My father gave us our first Oster steamer as a wedding gift. After 7 years, it finally had to be retired. Luckily, my husband found the exact same brand and model on ebay.

    The Food Zappicator

    food zappicatorThe latest addition to our kitchen appliances is the food zappicator. It is an invention by Dr. Hulda Clark, designed to destroy micro-organisms and solvents in food and water through 1,000 Hz of frequency sent through a North Pole Speaker Box. I incorporate zappicating into my food preparation by putting foods or water (in a glass or plastic container – NO METAL) on top of the North Pole Speaker Box anytime the recipe calls for “setting aside.” After the food is prepared, I also give each dish a final zap before serving. Although I am not too strict with the amount of time I zappicate food and water (I usually zap longer than necessary), I generally adhere to the following: meats and dairy for at least 10 minutes; water, fruits and vegetables for at least 7 minutes.

    Stainless Steel Cookware

    As for cookware, we use either glass pots or stainless steel. The way to tell if your stainless steel pot or pan really IS stainless steel, is by putting a magnet on it. If the magnet sticks, then you’ve got quality stainless steel cookware. If the magnet does not stick, then your cookware is a combination of aluminum, nickel and other metals that erode into your food.

    end grain chopping blockEnd Grain Chopping Block

    Recently we bought a new chopping block. It is the best chopping block I have ever owned. What makes this chopping block special is that it is made of end grain wood. It is stronger, more durable against the chopping motion and does not harbor bacteria as much as chopping boards made of plastic. End grain wooden boards also keep knives sharper than side-grain wood, or wood cut with the grain. You can see that this chopping block is made up of small rectangles, instead of the typical full block with wood grain lines lengthwise. You won’t find knife marks on this kind of chopping board, and you’ll likely be able to pass this on to your grandchildren.

  • Ultrasound Sonogram for Pregnancy

    Ultrasound Sonogram for Pregnancy

    A sonogram or ultrasound uses sound waves between the frequencies of 10 Hz to 8 MHz (that’s 10 to 8 million Hz). These sound waves come from a transducer applied on the outer skin of a person, and is bounced off structures within the body, much like sonar waves are used by bats and whales to determine their distance and depth from structures ahead of them.

    For a pregnant woman, the sonogram provides a visual picture and video of the baby from within the womb. It causes no discomfort, and because it works through sound waves, there is no danger of radiation exposure.

    During a sonogram, the ultrasound technologist is able to measure the different parts of the unborn baby’s body. This is a more precise way of determining a fetus’ age, and setting a due date for the birth. An ultrasound can also determine a baby’s gender, with 99% accuracy.

    My Ultrasound Sonogram

    sonogram for pregnancyThe video above and photos are taken from my ultrasound on the 20th week
    of pregnancy. It was exciting to see our baby moving inside me, kicking, scratching the head, moving the fingers, turning over to the side. At this stage, when kicks are only felt as little flutters in my womb, it is comforting to see a full human being in there.

    I was not able to find out our baby’s gender at this time. Often it really is up to the baby whether s/he wants to reveal himself/herself. Our baby was shy, kept his/her legs close together and turned constantly to show his/her back. What matters to me the most is seeing that my baby has a strong spine, all the necessary body parts in the right places and a beautiful facial bone structure articulated on the screen monitor.

    Other parents are able to immediately see a penis if their baby is a boy. They say boys are generally not shy, and that they can sometimes be found playing with their penises as early as before they are born.