Garden update 5/29/13

My garden isn't doing as well as I'd hoped:( I hadn't been by it for almost a week because it's been raining nonstop so I figured they were doing great...however I didn't let them get used to the outside by taking them outside a few hours a day for about a week before transplant...and some plain shrivled and died:( Like my 4 Zucchini, which I thought would be too many! but now there are none...aww

 Lettuces...some didn't make it

 chamomile seeds from last year coming up nicely

 about half the spinach in this row are coming up

 a majority of these spinach plants are coming up

 my poor poor zucchinis that didn't make it...they totally dried up! Regardless of the constant non-stop rain

 the Michihili cabbage are doing great!

 As are the bok choi...doing very well...better than last year because I covered them...last year they got eaten up when small, but still did great!

 The collard greens seem to be doing ok

 The Red Russian kale are doing ok too, at least this one....the other kales not so much:(

 The first row...with the michihili cabbage and bok choi and collard greens...this row is doing well

The others...not so much...but still will have a great season!

Plants update 5/29/13

 5/29/2013 - Cherry tomato getting super tall! Contemplating pruning it like last year or not...

 5/29/2013 - Cilantro ready to eat...

 5/29/2013 - Holy basil growing well ^_^

5/29/2013 - lots of marigold seeds

5/29/2013 - If anyone would like some just let me know...

Garden Plan 2014

My 2014 Garden plan:) I love the Garden planner on territorial seed company website.  It assures you can have a successful garden! It helped make my 1st garden last year a huge success, as well as this year. Allowing me to know where to, and where not to plant the same crops, how far to space them etc. Check out the site here... http://gardenplanner.territorialseed.com
Marked the crops with brown lines where I've planted so far...

Body Ecology Diet

Body Ecology Diet

Donna Gates had struggled with food allergies for a long time.Had a massive candida infection due to long term use of antibiotics for acne. Developed this diet to address the issue of systemic fungal infections mostly of candida albcians
Main purpose of Body Ecology Diet

• Our bodies have a natural balance of helpful bacteria and cultures that work to eliminate the harmful toxins and other chemicals


• Processed food, high carbohydrates and high sugar create an imbalance and kills the ecosystem


• Body Ecology Diet(BED) focuses on healing the digestive tract with fermented foods that are rich in beneficial organisms

Who should implement this diet

• Immune Disorders
• Candida related imbalances
• General lack well-being
• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn’s diseases

BED : For Autism A Theory
Autism : a cascade of events. Starts with a fungal infection in the gut. The pathogenic organisms escape the intestines to invade rest of the body. Autism: Infected Gut and Infected Brain. When the gut is wounded, it is unable to properly absorb nutrients. Over an extended period of time, many of the organs of the body can become malnourished and stop functioning properly approximately 85% of the immune system is located in the gut, and the microflora are an integral part of keeping the gut healthy and the immune system strong. If the microflora are not properly established, the immune system is weakened.

Basic principles

•  Addition of cultured foods to your diet
  
•  Changing the quality of fats and oils you consume
  
• Drastically reducing your intake of carbohydrates and sugars

Rules of the Diet

1. Expantion and Contraction. Your body wants to be at a balance. Too much sugar makes your body expanded and makes you crave salt. Too much refined salt and your body is too contracted, making you thirsty and making you crave sugar. This diet helps you get off that roller coaster.
   
2. Alkaline and Acidity. Your body is optimally healthy at a slightly alkaline state. Eat foods that balance you out.
   
3. Uniqueness. Each person is different and sometimes modifications are necessary for individual needs.
   
4. Respect your body's cleansing. Try to avoid drugs that interfere with your body's natural detoxing processes. Help it along if you can.
   
5. Food Combining: Eat Vegetables with Protein OR starchy vegetables and grains. This improves digestion, prevents acid-reflux and gas. It also prevents your food from fermenting in your digestive tract and causing disease.
   
6. Principle of 80/20: Make 80% of your meal Vegetables and the other 20% either protein or starchy vegetables and grains. Also, eat only until you are 80% full, leaving 20% as room for digestion to function optimally.
   
7. Step-by-step: Don't try to make too many changes all at once. It takes time for you to get back to your ideal health and weight. For long-term health and success, add each principle one at a time.

Implementing the diet

• Eat or drink probiotics with every meal. These include Kefir, Apple-cider vinegar, home-cultured vegetables and other probiotic drinks. This helps your digestion and heals your body making it easier for you to fight off cravings.
  
• 80/20 rule of food combining. Make 80% of your plate vegetables and the other 20% of your plate either meat or starchy vegetables and grains. Only eat until you are 80% full, leaving 20% as room for digestion.
  
• Eliminate all sugars, wheat products and caffeine. Replace sugar with natural herb sweetener, Stevia. It helps regulate blood sugar levels. Replace common grains with highly nutritional grains: Quinoa, Millet, Buckwheat and Amaranth.
  
• Drink plenty of water and herbal teas sweetened with Stevia. Add lemon juice to your water to help cleanse the liver.
  
• Respect your uniqueness and make changes gradually. Respect your body's cleansing process.
  
• If you eat sugar, do not eat any fats, proteins or carbohydrates with it. It feeds candida so it is not recommened until you have re-balanced your health.
  

Cultured Vegetables

• Kefir is a cultured, enzyme-rich food filled with friendly micro-organisms that help balance your "inner ecosystem." More nutritious and therapeutic than yogurt, it supplies complete protein, essential minerals, and valuable B vitamins.
• Apple cider Vinegar
  
• Home Made cultured vegetables
  
• Kombucha
  
• Probiotic drinks

pH Balancing:

• pH :Human blood pH should be slightly alkaline ( 7.35 - 7.45 ). Below or above means symptoms  and diseases
  
• An acidic pH can occur from, an acid forming diet, emotional stress, toxic overload, and/or immune reactions or any process that deprives the cells of oxygen and other nutrients.  The body will try to compensate for acidic pH by using alkaline minerals.  If the diet does not contain enough minerals to compensate, a build up of acids in the cells will occur.
  
• An acidic balance will:  decrease the body's ability to absorb minerals and other nutrients, decrease the energy production in the cells, decrease it's ability to repair damaged cells, decrease it's ability to detoxify heavy metals, make tumor cells thrive, and make it more susceptible to fatigue and illness.  A blood pH of 6.9, which is only slightly acidic, can induce coma and death.
  
• To maintain health, the diet should consist of 60% alkaline forming foods and 40% acid forming foods.  To restore health, the diet should consist of 80% alkaline forming foods and 20% acid forming foods.

Food Combining Rules

• Meat and Starchy Vegetables
  
• Grains and starchy vegetables

Fermented foods such as cultured vegetables aid digestion, get rid of toxins, eliminate yeast, and restore and maintain a healthy internal environment in our bodies. 
Cultured vegetables are crucial in alkalizing the body, making it a less hospitable environment for diseases, including cancer.

Raw Cultured Vegges

• Raw Cultured Vegetables:  are unheated , cultured (fermented) vegetables that have either been cut , ground, shredded and left in a sanitary container for a about a 7 day period at a temp 59 deg- 70 deg.
  
• Fermentation allows the bacteria, yeasts and molds to "predigest" and therefore break down the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins to create "Probiotics" which offer friendly bacteria into our digestive tract.
  
• They improve digestion, increase longevity, control cravings, relieves constipation
  
• ¼ cup of cultured vegetables with your morning meals
  
• Be  Creative
  
• Try different vegetable combinations, and include dark green leafy vegetables like kale and collards. Soak, drain, and chop up some ocean vegetables like dulse, wakame, hijiki, and arame. Add your favorite herbs (dried or fresh), seeds (dill or caraway), and juniper berries. Even lemon juice can be added to the "brine
  
• Raw cultured vegetables and commercially available heated saurekrauts is that in a heated saurekraut the bacteria and enzymes have  been destroyed.

Nutritional yeast - protein/ B-vitamins

Nutritional yeast is an excellent vegetarian source of protein and B-vitamins 

 

Nutritional yeast is a heat-deactivated yeast that is typically sourced from beet molasses and sugarcane. It has a nutty, cheese-like flavor, and can be incorporated into pizzas, creamed vegetables, mashed potatoes, pasta, and various soups and salads. It is loved by vegetarians and vegans because it is a dairy and gluten-free source of numerous trace nutrients; indeed, the nutritional yeast found in health food stores is just as likely to be used as a health supplement as a cooking ingredient. Let's take a closer look at its nutritional value.

Rich in protein

Perhaps the biggest appeal of nutritional yeast, at least to people who avoid eating meat, is its incredibly high protein content. One 100 gram serving of it contains a whopping 50 grams of protein - more than 100 percent of an adult woman's recommended daily intake (46 grams), and almost as much as an adult man's RDI (56 grams). Moreover, this protein contains all eight essential amino acids, making it a 'complete' protein. We need protein, of course, to build our muscles and cells and to produce hormones and enzymes.

Weight loss properties

One-hundred grams of nutritional yeast provide us with 25 grams of fiber, which is 100 percent of our RDI. Since fiber helps us absorb water from the large intestine, it makes us feel full for longer, which prevents us from overeating. This fact, combined with the yeast's low calories content (281 calories per 100 grams) and minimal fat content, makes nutritional yeast a good supplement for people trying to lose weight.

Defense from free radicals

Nutritional yeast contains glutathione and selenium, two antioxidants that form glutathione peroxidase when combined, an enzyme that is a powerful scavenger of free radicals. A free radical is an oxygen molecule that has lost an electron, so it tries to stabilize itself by stealing electrons from neighboring molecules; this creates havoc in the body and, if left unchecked, can lead to cancer and other serious degenerative diseases. Glutathione peroxidase can neutralize free radicals, thereby guarding us from their damage.

Anti-aging properties

Nutritional yeast is a good source of nucleotides, which are the building blocks of DNA and RNA. DNA is the genetic blueprint for all living organisms, and RNA is what carries the DNA instructions to our body's cells. Consequently, the yeast provides us with many benefits associated with healthy cells, including improved energy and skin, protection from hair loss and macular degeneration, reversal of heart disease, and the elimination of brain fog.

B-vitamin complex

Nutritional yeast contains absolutely unbeatable levels of B-vitamins (in fact, it is riboflavin that gives the yeast its yellow color). One-hundred grams of it contain 60 milligrams of thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamin B6 (or 4000 percent, 3563 percent, and 3000 percent of our RDI of each, respectively), 350 milligrams of niacin (1750 percent), 1500 micrograms of folate (375 percent), 48.7 micrograms of vitamin B12 (812 percent), and 6.3 milligrams of pantothenic acid (63 percent). All of these vitamins play an important role in cell metabolism.

Immune-boosting properties

Research into the immune-stimulating properties of beta-glucans, a natural compound derived from the broken cell walls of oats, barley, fungus, and yeast, has been ongoing since the 1940s. Scientists have concluded that beta-glucans - found in nutritional yeast - activate macrophages, which are white blood cells that are our immune system's initial line of defense against infections and tumor growth. This is another reason why nutritional yeast is so good at guarding us from cancer and other serious diseases.

6 Fears preventing Happiness

 By John Kim

Our fears keep us locked in our head, and ultimately limit our potential. We can not be happy when our potential is limited. These are our six basic fears: 

1. Fear of poverty.
2. Fear of criticism.
3. Fear of ill health.
4. Fear of loss of love or not finding love.
5. Fear of old age.
6. Fear of death.

Here are some symptoms of having these fears:

INDIFFERENCE, INDECISON, DOUBT, WORRY, OVERCAUTION, PROCRASTINATION, NOT FULLY LOVING, SEEKING APPROVAL, LOW MOTIVATION, DEPRESSION...

These are just a few of the symptoms. As you can see, they're all negative traits that can prevent us from our potential and being happy.

Now, everyone has these fears to a certain extent. We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t. But these fears become a problem when they consume us, take over our thoughts, drive our behavior, and eventually hinder our quality of life. 

Let's take a closer look.

Fear of poverty.

If we measure our worth by our income, we'll always have a fear of poverty. Since we have tied them together in our head, poor means worth less. In order to overcome this fear, we must believe that our worth and our ability are separate. We will always have the ability to make money. And that has nothing to do with who we are. Unfortunately, because of the world we live in that may be difficult to believe. Also, sometimes how much we make is beyond our control—The economy, circumstances, etc. can prevent us from making what we normally make or would like to make. At the end of the day, money will come and go. I don’t care how rich you are: You will make money and you will lose money. The focus should not be fear of poverty. The focus should be fear of not reaching potential.

Of course there are people who grew up in poverty and their childhood is the fire that gets them working 70 hours a week. Correction—it’s their fear of poverty that turn them into machines. One can argue this is a good thing because it drives them. But it also forces their life to be unbalanced. 

Fear of criticism.

Remember this: it's not always about you. Criticism is mostly about the other person. I think this is what many people don’t realize. When we get criticized, we instantly question our value. Usually, we believe other peoples’ opinions of us and concave without realizing that their opinions are only their version of our story. And since their story is not perfect, they are only seeing things through their own lens. When we fear what others think of us, we seek their validation. We bury our truth and again, limit our potential.

Fear of ill health.

Nothing puts things into perspective faster than when someone you love becomes ill. We realize that our problems are not as big as we thought. Many have anxiety because we are afraid we will get hurt or physically ill. We think twice before doing anything that involves physical risk. This is another fear that keeps us in a shell, away from the world, trapped in our own mind and in this case, house.

A reputable physician estimated that 75% of all people who visit physicians for professional service are suffering with hypochondria (imaginary illness). It has been shown most convincingly that the fear of disease, even where there is not the slightest cause for fear, often produces the physical symptoms of the disease feared. 

Powerful and mighty is the human mind, it builds or it destroys.

Fear of loss of love of someone.

When we're afraid we are going to lose someone, we either end or sabotage the relationship or we lose ourselves in it. This fear is harmful. Fear of loss of love is very similar to jealousy in that it suffocates the other person, so to speak. It makes him or her feel that tremendous pressure of being the most important thing in your life and being the “gauge” of your happiness. Ironically, then, the more afraid you are to lose your lover, the more your actions will push him or her away from you.

Fear of old age & fear of death.

Simply put, our fear of dying keeps us from living. We will all die. That's fact. We must not focus on the ticking clock, but rather the moments. The more control we have over these fears, the closer we will be to happiness.

Fear is created in your head. They stem from thoughts.  These thoughts were formed from experience and imagination.  To over come a fear, we must face it.

“We have nothing to fear but fear itself.”

- Franklin Roosevelt

Gluten Free and Casein Free Diet

Gluten Free and Casein Free Diet

Gluten

Gluten and gluten-like proteins are found in wheat and other grains, including oats, rye, barley, bulgar, durum, kamut and spelt, and foods made from those grains. They are also found in food starches, semolina, couscous, malt, some vinegars, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, flavorings, artificial colors and hydrolyzed vegetable proteins.

Casein

Casein is a protein found in milk and foods containing milk, such as cheese, cream, butter, yogurt, ice cream, whey and even some brands of margarine. It also may be added to non-milk products such as soy cheese and hot dogs in the form of caseinate.

Gluten In The Diet May Be The Cause Of Recurring Headaches

ScienceDaily (Feb. 14, 2001) — ST. Paul, MN – It may be worthwhile to consider how much wheat you eat if you suffer from headaches or lack of coordination and have gluten sensitivity.  Read More

Combining Diabetes and Gluten-Free Dietary Management Guidelines

By  Cynthia Kupper, Laurie A. Higgins

The association of celiac disease and type 1 diabetes is well documented in the literature.Type 1 diabetes, celiac and thyroid diseases are a triad of autoimmune conditions with a significant co-morbidity. However, very little is written about the management of celiac disease and type 1 diabetes and clear guidelines are not available. This article reviews nutrition recommendations for diabetes management by the American

Diabetes Association (ADA) for healthy meal planning, carbohydrate counting, and potential use of glycemic index/glycemic load, as well as practical tips and suggestions for transitioning to a gluten-free, diabetes meal plan.  Read More

Gluten Free Superfoods for Maintaining Blood Sugar

The following is a list of "superfoods" or foods that are full of nutrients, that are minimally processed, and that provide essential macro-nutrients to maintain blood sugar:

• Legumes - Beans, peanuts, soybeans are great sources of fiber and a modicum of protein. Peanuts also include healthy fats. Pairing hummus and carrots, apples and peanut butter, or dried fruit and nuts in trail mix are all examples of how legumes are great choices for the gluten-free. Many recipes can be altered to use a blend of bean flours, which adds a little protein and fiber to homemade baked goods.
• Quinoa and other ancient grains (amaranth, millet, gluten-free oats etc.) - Quinoa contains fiber, protein and is chock full of nutrition. These great gluten-free alternative grains are great in casseroles or in slow-cooked batches for breakfast. There are gluten free pastas on the market that incorporate quinoa that have roughly the same nutritional value as whole wheat pasta.
• Vegetables - While fruit does include fiber, and is vastly preferable over fruit juice, it should still be paired with additional protein and fat to maintain blood sugar. Veggies, on the other hand, can be eaten on their own any time. They are full of fiber, vitamin A, iron, and many other important minerals and nutrients, too!
• Coconut milk - there are several vendors who sell coconut milk products such as ice cream, yogurt, etc. Coconut milk contains both fat and fiber, and is a great way to have a sweet treat without overdoing carbohydrates.
• Avocado - Creamy, healthy fat that can act as a replacement for mayonnaise in a surprising number of recipes, avocado is full of nutrients, fiber and flavor.
• Meat, Poultry, Eggs and Fish - Getting enough protein is absolutely essential for the insulin resistant, and it is difficult to get enough protein without eating animal products. Many gluten-sensitive individuals must avoid soy, which is generally the only significant source of vegetable protein   Read More

Gluten-Free Diet Reduces Bone Problems In Children With Celiac Disease, Study Finds

ScienceDaily (Oct. 10, 2009) — Celiac disease (CD) is an inherited intestinal disorder characterized by life-long intolerance to the ingestion of gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Although CD can be diagnosed at any age, it commonly occurs during early childhood (between 9 and 24 months). Reduced bone mineral density is often found in individuals with CD.  Read More

Virus Infections May Be Contributing Factor in Onset of Gluten Intolerance

ScienceDaily (Mar. 7, 2010) — Recent research findings indicate a possible connection between virus infections, the immune system and the onset of gluten intolerance, also known as celiac disease Read More

Gluten Free and Casein Free Diet for Autism:

ARI Survey: 65% of the ASD kids benefit. Eliminating gluten and casein has been documented in both clinical settings and research to benefit a significant number of children with autism.

See if the child has any of these symptoms

• Child craves milk

• If the child eats only wheat and dairy foods

• Child has constipation

• Child seems spacey after consuming gluten and casein, and agitated before

• Picky-eater

• Self-injurious behaviors

source- http://www.nutrition-healing.com

Plants update 5/22/2013

 5/22/13 - Updated greenhouse

   5/22/13 -tomatoes getting very tall...I raised the lights as high as I could get them

  5/22/13 -Black Beauty Zucchini

  5/22/13 -Black Beauty Zucchini

 5/22/13 -  Chocolate Cherry tomato

 5/22/2013 - Marketmore Cucumber

 5/22/2013 - Cilantro

 5/22/2013 - Parsley, and mystery sprout that I transplanted to the open space where the spearmint didn't grow ( I think when I planted the spearmint the teeny tiny seeds all washed away)

5/22/2013 - Chamomile

5/23/13 - My little helpers...transplanted my Rainbow Swiss Chard

5/23/13 - Transplanted my Black Beauty Zucchini

Simple Organic Gluten-Free Banana Bread

Simple Organic Gluten-Free Banana Bread

This bread turned out delicious! I purchased this from Earth Shift Products and just received it today

  I didn't have a vegan alternative for eggs, so I did use the 2 eggs it asks for, and the only other ingredients were water and bananas. It asked for 2 but I had 3 very ripe and ready bananas, so I used all 3.

 Took 50 minutes in the oven at 350 degrees

 Kid approved....she loved it warm with a little bit of melted butter...had 1 1/2 pieces

 I added the delicious raw chocolate spread that I also received today from Earth Shift Products

LoveBean Essentially Raw

 It's delicious!

 Enjoy!

EarthShiftProducts products

 All products in this shipment - treats! 
from http://earthshiftproducts.com

SWEET! CHEMICAL FREE DEODORANT $8.46

 LOVEBEAN - RAW ORGANIC VEGAN FUDGE CREAM - 8 FL OZ $13.99

 An Amazing raw chocolate spread

  The smell alone made my knees weak! This stuff is deeelicious!!

 PROTEIN BITES - GLAZED DONUT - 4 OZ $4.65

 I've purchased these several times... I love them!

SQUAREBAR - COCOA COCONUT $2.89

 CUZN AQUA MATE WATER FILTER (FOR LAUNDRY, RV, & GA $45.25

I lost my garden hose filter that I bought last year...so bought another one...very important when using Mycorrhiza with your plants 

 COCO-ROONS BROWNIE - ORGANIC - 6 OZ $9.99

 ONEEARTH - BLUEBERRY AMARANTH BLONDE BROWNIE MIX - $6.99

 ONEEARTH - SWEET POTATO & CINNAMON MUFFIN MIX - 13 $6.99

 PL ORGANIC/RAW/UNPASTEURIZED ALMONDS 16 OZ $9.68

SIMPLY ORGANIC BANANA BREAD MIX - ORGANIC/GLUTEN $5.99

SIMPLY ORGANIC COCOA BROWNIE MIX - ORGANIC/GLUTEN $5.99