We Need to Talk About Suicide!

Today as my memories came on Facebook, I was flooded with pictures of my brother Jason. 1 year ago today he ended his own life. We need to talk about this. #stopsuicide #bethevoice #youmatter#lifeisbeautiful #thereishelp

Suicide is a serious problem in our homes, schools, churches, and communities. It does not spare people of any race, religion, age group, gender, sexual orientation, or marital status. It is a complicated issue that we don’t fully comprehend. There is seldom a single cause or a simple solution. #morehelpformentalillness #breakthestigma#outofthedarkness

Suicide is now the most common cause of death for Utah children between the ages of 10 and 17. Your child is more likely to commit suicide than to drown or die in a car accident or any other way one might lose a child.
Some suggestions:

1. Know the warning signs of depression and suicide. They can be different for males and females. They can be different in adults than in children. They can be small and easy to chalk up to other factors. Talk to your children. Get them help. Get yourself help. #bipolar #depression#suicideawareness #mentalhealthmatters

2. Put the SafeUT app (or a similar app) on your phone and your kids' phones. Kids are unlikely to call a hotline. An app is more approachable to them.

3. Don't have firearms in your home. Yes, I know this is an offensive thought to many. 45% of youth suicides are by firearm and over 54% for adults. Keeping them locked up is a good first step. If you think a determined teenager can't figure out how to access your locked firearms you might want to think again. Could your kid commit suicide by another means? Yes. Youth are naturally impulsive. Impulsiveness + depression/a triggering event + access to firearms = deadly

4. Don't be afraid to say something. Don't be afraid to ask someone if they are thinking of hurting themselves. You won't be giving them the idea. #preventsuicide #mentalhealth #suicide

5. Be kind. To yourself and others.

As for Jason, I know he is at peace and is no longer in pain. I am so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life, I know I will see him again. #loveoneanother #familiesareforever#tillwemeetagain #LDS #missionarymomma #mybrother #suicideawarnessmonth

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 1-800-273-8255
Available 24 hours everyday

I Am Clear!!

The news is in: I am clear!! No Cancer, no further treatments will be needed. I am healing well and I am starting HRT today. Thank you for your messages and notes of love and prayers for me and my family. I marvel at the Lords hand that has been involved and the love shown to me.
My care at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital was top notch. They care about the whole person with any and all my questions and concerns answered. I feel so blessed. 

A Fight for My Health

I first want Thank everyone for your expressions of concern and your prayers for me. To give an update, Yes, I have cancer markers in my blood and benign and malignant cysts on both my ovaries and a tumor in my uterus. I am scheduled for a full hysterectomy on Feb 18th at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital.  The hope is that all will be contained and no further treatment will be necessary. If not, a round of chemotherapy and/or radiation might be needed.

We really won’t know more until after the surgery and things have been sent through pathology.  I am doing alright, still weak and sick but content that I can have surgery and start to feel better soon.

I know this will not be easy, but I find this news good news. I know that might sound strange, but I needed to know and now we can go forward from here.

With all my Love,

Christi

Dangers of Food Additives and Preservatives

About Additives and Preservatives 

The period of time post World War II marked an era of change for the food industry. During this time, manufacturers began to investigate and employ all sorts of chemical substances into food products in order to increase shelf life, flavor and consistency. However, limited studies were performed during this time regarding the actual safety of these additives. Naturally, the bulk of these chemicals underwent laboratory testing, typically on animals, and if they passed a certain amount of surveillance, they were deemed fit for consumption. Some of these chemicals were deemed appropriate for human consumption but only in specified amounts.

The trouble with such tests at the time was that they were not conclusive regarding long term safety of certain substances. Some additives are not always excreted by the body and, instead, are stored in small amounts which over time can cause toxicity within the human system. Sometimes, as decades would pass and more information became available about the long term effects of certain preservatives and additives, some of these substances lost their stamp of approval and were banned from the food industry.

The Dangers of Food Additives and Preservatives

The additives and preservatives in commercial foods today have typically received the Food and Drug Administration's approval. However, consumers are catching on to the inconsistencies of the FDA's surveillance. It is not an uncommon occurence whereby the FDA will approve a substance that will later become is removed due to the outcry of medical professionals. The FDA will also approve substances said to be safe, but only in very small amounts. This means that studies exist which indicate larger amounts of the substance in question are not safe. Moreover, there is little done to control the consumption of these foods within the human population. The average American who lives on a processed and fast food diet may be consuming undetermined amounts of a chemical substance that simply hasn't been tested proficiently at certain levels for long periods of time.

The rise in cancer since the 1940s has been used as an indicator for many alternative health professionals to deem the condition of most processed commercial food to be adulterated, unnatural and unsafe. So, what exactly are the dangers of food additives and preservatives? Again, this question lies in an ambiguous field. Certain preservatives such as BHT are very prominent in packaged foods as they are an excellent preservative agent for fats. BHT is an antioxidant and many consumers will hear the word "antioxidant" and feel this chemical must be a good thing. However, scientific studies have yielded information regarding BHT's negative effects on human behavior and health. These studies are not fully conclusive because some individuals metabolize the agent differently than others.

The Gray Zone

There are many naturally derived preservatives and additives that still have a negative effect on human health. Oftentimes it is difficult to truly test these agents in a realistic medium because, as mentioned previously, various individuals metabolize these substances differently than others in their test group. Some chemicals are outright toxic, while others fall into a gray area where only a small percentage of consumers experience detrimental effects.

The safest approach regarding additives and preservatives is to avoid them in favor of whole foods and a healthy diet that steers away from processed food products. The live active enzymes found in raw plant based foods not only avoid the additives issue, but they promote a healthy body as well. Unfortunately, if you aren't buying organic, you may find yourself dealing with issues like pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics in your produce, meat and dairy foods. It is very difficult for the average consumer to fight the additives craze that currently affects a gigantic portion of the food industry.

Researching any suspicious ingredients on nutritional labels is the second line of defense. The Internet contains a wealth of information regarding additives such as caramel color, maltodextrin, and modified food starch. Some ingredients can secretly harbor substances like MSG and gluten which can be highly problematic for sensitive individuals. Diligence and knowledge are the most effective weapons of a wary consumer.

post from LoveToKnow

You are More than Enough

The following is a guest post by Courtney Carver of Be More with Less.

When I first wrote Living in the Land of Enough as a guest post on this blog, I had no idea it would become a 7-part series on my blog, or translated into Italian, but the more I wrote about The Land of Enough, the more time I wanted to spend there. Today, as the series comes to a close, I thought it would be exciting to share the conclusion on the same blog where it started.

 In the very first post about the Land of Enough, I wrote about seven topics. Subsequently, each topic became its own chapter in the series. Here is a quick recap:

Visiting the Land of Enough

1. Save Your Money. There is no need for credit cards or therapeutic shopping in the land of enough. There are also no overdraft fees or ATM charges. Just put your cards away for 10 days. Then, keep a list of purchases you would have made if you were using your credit card, or if you were shopping for sport, and take note of the money that you didn't spend.
2. Take Your Time. In the land of enough, you have time to breathe. Stop trying to squeeze so much in. If you are always running late, falling behind, or trying to catch up, try slowing down. Cancel a few unnecessary appointments and don't schedule any new ones if you can help it. Then, make a little time everyday for solitude.
3. Disconnect. Set a specific time to disconnect each day. In the land of enough, there is less need to be plugged in. If you can, commit to not using a computer after dinner or before lunch time. Be mindful of how much time you spend online and are virtually available. Protect your time and your mind.
4. Eat Real Food. Only eat food that you prepare. Summertime is the perfect time to eat fresh food – fruits and veggies are often fresh, local, and less expensive than buying them in winter. Do not eat anything from a box, restaurant or drive-thru. While you may choose to eat less by eliminating processed foods, you may find that you naturally eat just enough.
5. Make Space. Clear out some space in your house. You don't need to take on big purging projects during this time to make space. Simplify one room (or even just the corner of one room) and keep it as clean and clutter free as possible. Even if the rest of your house is cluttered, this area can be a great reminder of how you might feel living with less.
6. Entertain Yourself. Unplug your TV and plan to enjoy your friends, family, the great outdoors, or a book you have been meaning to read. Do not spend time and money on expensive shows, travel or recreational activities. While the land of plenty calls you to spend more money for entertainment, you already have enough right where you are.
7. Say Thank You. As you go through these steps, you will find enough time and space to be grateful. Through prayer, thank you cards, or a kind gesture, share your gratitude every day.

I love the Land of Enough, but the challenging part for me is being there, and attending to my everyday life at the same time. Some of you commented that living this way all the time is not realistic, and I agree.
If you think that living this life is appealing, but impractical on a daily basis, don't give up all together. Instead, set aside one day a week, or month to live according to the recommendations above. Choose your favorite ideas and make them part of your life.

When you begin to spend even a few minutes a day in the Land of Enough, you will quickly realize that the experience starts in your heart and begins to change it. But even before you start to make changes, know that you are enough. Sometimes we think we have so far to go to get to where we want to be, that we don't even try. We think we don't deserve better because of our current situation. Regardless of your current habits or circumstances, you are enough. You've always been enough.There is one thing about The Land of Enough that I forgot to tell you. Because everyone there is living more authentically and simply, and because they don't live under a burden of constant stress, they are loving. Simply put, it is easier to love more deeply when you realize you have enough… that you are enough.

The transition from regular life to the Land of Enough takes time. Instead of trying to incorporate all of the changes at once, slowly and deliberately transition the best parts to your life.
What is one change you would like to adopt from the Land of Enough?
***
Read the entire Land of Enough series or visit Courtney's blog. She writes about simplifying and living life on purpose at Be More with Less. You can also follow her on Twitter.

40 Ways to Use Baking Soda

Most of us know that baking soda can be used for more than just making homemade cookies and other dough rise. It's not uncommon to see an open box of this leavening agent deodorizing refrigerators, for example. But did you know that there are at least 40 different ways to use baking soda?

Baking soda makes a perfect stand-in for many personal care, cleaning, and deodorizing products. The list of benefits is long: It is inexpensive, free of toxic chemicals, versatile, and effective.

Wondering how baking soda, aka sodium bicarbonate, works its magic? It helps regulate pH — keeping a substance neither too acidic nor too alkaline. When baking soda comes in contact with either an acidic or an alkaline substance, its natural effect is to neutralize that pH. Beyond that, baking soda has the ability to retard further changes in the pH balance, known as buffering.

This dual capability of neutralizing and buffering allows baking soda to do things such as neutralize acidic odors (like in the refrigerator) as well as maintain neutral pH (like in your laundry water, which helps boost your detergent's power). It's a simple reaction, but one that has far-reaching effects for a number of cleaning and deodorizing tasks.

Here are some very creative ways you can use baking soda.

Personal Care

1. Make toothpaste
A paste made from baking soda and a 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution can be used as an alternative to commercial non-fluoride toothpastes. (Or here's a formula for a minty version.) You can also just dip your toothbrush with toothpaste into baking soda for an extra boost.

2. Freshen your mouth
Put one teaspoon in half a glass of water, swish, spit, and rinse. Odors are neutralized, not just covered up.

3. Soak oral appliance
Soak oral appliances (like retainers, mouthpieces, and dentures) in a solution of 2 teaspoons baking soda dissolved in a glass or small bowl of warm water. The baking soda loosens food particles and neutralizes odors to keep appliances fresh. You can also brush appliances clean using baking soda.

4. Use as a facial scrub and body exfoliate
Give yourself an invigorating facial and body scrub. Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub in a gentle circular motion to exfoliate the skin. Rinse clean. This is gentle enough for daily use.

5. Skip harsh deodorant
Pat baking soda onto your underarms to neutralize body odor.

6. Use as an antacid
Baking soda is a safe and effective antacid to relieve heartburn, sour stomach, and/or acid indigestion. Refer to baking soda package for instructions.

7. Treat insect bites and itchy skin
For insect bites, make a paste out of baking soda and water, and apply as a salve onto affected skin. To ease the itch, shake some baking soda into your hand and rub it into damp skin after bath or shower.

8. Make a hand cleanser and softener
Skip harsh soaps and gently scrub away ground-in dirt and neutralize odors on hands with a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water or 3 parts baking soda with gentle liquid hand soap. Then rinse clean.

9. Help your hair
Vinegar is amazing for your hair, but baking soda has its place in the shower too. Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda into your palm along with your favorite shampoo. Shampoo as usual and rinse thoroughly — baking soda helps remove the residue that styling products leave behind so your hair is cleaner and more manageable.

10. Clean brushes and combs
For lustrous hair with more shine, keep brushes and combs clean. Remove natural oil build-up and hair product residue by soaking combs and brushes in a solution of 1 teaspoon of baking soda in a small basin of warm water. Rinse and allow to dry.

11. Make a bath soak
Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your bath to neutralize acids on the skin and help wash away oil and perspiration. It also makes your skin feel very soft. Or just focus on soothing your feet. Dissolve 3 tablespoons of baking soda in a tub of warm water and soak feet. Gently scrub.

Cleaning

12. Make a surface soft scrub
For safe, effective cleaning of bathroom tubs, tile, and sinks — even fiberglass and glossy tiles — sprinkle baking soda lightly on a clean damp sponge and scrub as usual. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry. For extra cleaning power, make a paste with baking soda, coarse salt, and liquid dish soap — let it sit then scour off.

13. Hand-wash dishes and pots and pans
Add 2 heaping tablespoons baking soda (along with your regular dish detergent) to the dish water to help cut grease and foods left on dishes, pots, and pans. For cooked-on foods, let them soak in the baking soda and detergent with water first, then use dry baking soda on a clean damp sponge or cloth as a scratch-less scouring powder.

14. Freshen sponges
Soak stale-smelling sponges in a strong baking soda solution to get rid of the mess (4 tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in 1 quart of warm water). For more thorough disinfecting, use the microwave.

15. Clean the microwave
Baking soda on a clean damp sponge cleans gently inside and outside the microwave and never leaves a harsh chemical smell. Rinse well with water.

16. Polish silver flatware
Use a baking soda paste made with 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Rub onto the silver with a clean cloth or sponge. Rinse thoroughly and dry for shining sterling and silver-plate serving pieces.

17. Clean coffee and tea pots
Remove coffee and tea stains and eliminate bitter off-tastes by washing mugs and coffee makers in a solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. For stubborn stains, try soaking overnight in the baking soda solution and detergent or scrubbing with baking soda on a clean damp sponge.

18. Clean the oven
Sprinkle baking soda onto the bottom of the oven. Spray with water to dampen the baking soda. Let sit overnight. In the morning, scrub, scoop the baking soda and grime out with a sponge, or vacuum, and rinse.

19. Clean floors
Remove dirt and grime (without unwanted scratch marks) from no-wax and tile floors using 1/2 cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water — mop and rinse clean for a sparkling floor. For scuff marks, use baking soda on a clean damp sponge, then rinse.

20. Clean furniture
Clean and remove marks (even crayon) from walls and painted furniture by applying baking soda to a damp sponge and rubbing lightly. Wipe off with a clean, dry cloth.

21. Clean shower curtains
Clean and deodorize your vinyl shower curtain by sprinkling baking soda directly on a clean damp sponge or brush. Scrub the shower curtain and rinse clean. Hang it up to dry.

22. Boost your liquid laundry detergent
Give your laundry a boost by adding 1/2 cup of baking soda to your laundry to make liquid detergent work harder. A better balance of pH in the wash gets clothes cleaner, fresher, and brighter. Or you can add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle for fresher sheets and towels or to neutralize gym clothes and odoriferous clothing.

23. Clean and freshen sports gear
Use a baking soda solution (4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart warm water) to clean and deodorize smelly sports equipment. Sprinkle baking soda into golf bags and gym bags to deodorize and clean golf irons (without scratching them!) with a baking soda paste (3 parts baking soda to 1 part water) and a brush. Rinse thoroughly.

24. Remove oil and grease stains
Use baking soda to clean up light-duty oil and grease spills on your garage floor or in your driveway. Sprinkle baking soda on the spot and scrub with a wet brush.

25. Clean batteries
Baking soda can be used to neutralize battery acid corrosion on cars, mowers, etc., because its a mild alkali. Be sure to disconnect the battery terminals before cleaning. Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water and apply with a damp cloth to scrub corrosion from the battery terminal. After cleaning and reconnecting the terminals, wipe them with petroleum jelly to prevent future corrosion. Please be careful when working around a battery — they contain a strong acid.

26. Clean cars
Use baking soda to clean your car lights, chrome, windows, tires, vinyl seats, and floor mats without worrying about unwanted scratch marks. Use a baking soda solution of 1/4 cup baking soda in 1 quart of warm water. Apply with a sponge or soft cloth to remove road grime, tree sap, bugs, and tar. For stubborn stains use baking soda sprinkled on a damp sponge or soft brush. Eliminate odors by sprinkling baking soda directly on fabric car seats and carpets. Wait 15 minutes (or longer for strong odors) and vacuum up the baking soda.

Deodorizing

27. Deodorize your refrigerator
Place an open box in the back of the fridge to neutralize odors.

28. Deodorize trashcans and recyclables
Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of your trashcan to keep stinky trash smells at bay. Clean your recyclables container periodically by sprinkling baking soda on a damp sponge. Wipe clean and rinse. Also, sprinkle baking soda on top as you add recyclables to the bin.

29. Deodorize drains and garbage disposals
To deodorize your sink and tub drains and garbage disposal and keep lingering odors from resurfacing, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain while running warm tap water — it will neutralize both acid and basic odors for a fresh drain. (This a good way to dispose of baking soda that is being retired from your refrigerator.)

30. Deodorize and clean dishwashers
Use baking soda to deodorize before you run the dishwasher and then as a gentle cleanser in the wash cycle.

31. Deodorize lunch boxes
Between uses, place a spill-proof box of baking soda in everyone's lunch box to absorb lingering odors.

32. Remove odor from carpets
Liberally sprinkle baking soda on the carpet. Let set overnight or as long as possible (the longer it sets the better it works). Sweep up the larger amounts of baking soda, and vacuum up the rest. (Note that your vacuum cleaner bag will get full and heavy.) An added bonus: You'll also deodorize your vacuum cleaner.

33. Freshen closets
Place a box on the shelf to keep the closet smelling fresh.

34. Deodorize pet items
Cover the bottom of your cat box with baking soda, then fill as usual with litter. To freshen between changes, sprinkle baking soda on top of the litter after a thorough cleaning. Eliminate odors from your pet's bedding by sprinkling liberally with baking soda, wait 15 minutes (or longer for stronger odors), then vacuum up.

35. Deodorize sneakers
Keep odors from spreading in smelly sneakers by shaking baking soda into them when not in use. Shake out before wearing.

36. Freshen stuffed animals
Keep favorite cuddly toys fresh with a dry shower of baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda on and let it sit for 15 minutes before brushing off.

Miscellaneous

37. Cure all camping needs
Baking soda is a must-have for your next camping trip. It's a dish-washer, pot-scrubber, hand-cleanser, deodorant, toothpaste, and fire extinguisher, and has many other uses.

38. Extinguish fires
Baking soda can help in the initial handling of minor grease or electrical kitchen fires, because when baking soda is heated, it gives off carbon dioxide, which helps to smother the flames. For small cooking fires (frying pans, broilers, ovens, grills), turn off the gas or electricity if you can safely do so. Stand back and throw handfuls of baking soda at the base of the flame to help put out the fire — and call the fire department just to be safe.

39. Care for the septic system
Regular use of baking soda in your drains can help keep your septic system flowing freely. One cup of baking soda per week will help maintain a favorable pH in your septic tank.

40. Scrub fruits and vegetables
Baking soda is the food safe way to clean dirt and residue off fresh fruit and vegetables. Just sprinkle a little on a clean damp sponge, scrub and rinse. Here's another way to clean your vegetables as well.

OK, so there are my 40 suggestions (with a little help from the Arm & Hammond baking soda site, thank you).

Show Your True Colors

With the new trend in parties and receptions, the grand candy buffets and treat tables full of darling cupcakes. What a sight to behold, I love them but the problem I have is the amount of artificial colors involved.

I am so happy that there has been a new awareness. We are paying closer attention to what we are eating and products we are using. For so long we went along without regard to what we were putting in our bodies and the bodies of our children.

inspiration board by The Party Dress
Check out her great blog!

The FDA has estimated that between 47,000 and 94,000 Americans are sensitive to food dye Yellow No. 5, one of the most commonly used dyes for one. It can cause asthma, hives, headache, and is linked to behavioral changes. In a double-blind study reported in the Journal of Pediatrics, the study clearly demonstrated a relation between ingestion of Yellow No. 5 and behavioral changes in children who are allergic to it.

Recent studies have linked artificial food colorings to cancer and brain tumors as well as links to hyperactivity ADD, ADHD, and other disruptive behaviors in children. Artificial colors are made up of tar derivatives, long chain hydrocarbons, and other petrochemicals and are of no use to your body.

In effort to safeguard our children the FDA is now requiring a warning label on foods with artificial dyes or colors and is considering, under the advisory of advocacy groups, banning the sale of the following commonly used colors: Yellow #5 and #6, Red #40 and #3, Blue #1 and #2, and Green #3, and Orange B

What's the solution? Nature's Solution Nature's Flavors was the first company to come up with a full array of Natural & Organic Colors and Flavors and has always been committed to bringing our customers the best possible products. These colors are made using only all natural and organic plant extracts which have been shown to be high in bioflavonoids, polyphenols, and antioxidants all of which are active, beneficial, additives to you and your children's daily diet.

Nature's Flavors

100% all Natural Food Colors

Nature's Flavors Food Color is a Liquid Food Coloring made from all Natural Ingredients. It is Vegan Friendly, Kosher Certified, and Gluten Free. Our Blue Food Color is the natural alternative to artificial food dyes, and is packed full of powerful anti-oxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. This natural food coloring is also heat and freeze stable.

Applications

These colors work well in ice cream mixes, baking, beverages, sauces, snow cones, candy formulas, frostings, coloring milk, cottage cheese, or yogurt.

Shop Online : Nature's Flavors Home - Best Flavors Natural Food Coloring

                                        Seelecttea.com

India Tree Food Coloring Natural Decorating Colors

India Tree Food Coloring Natural Decorating Colors are made from highly concentrated vegetable colorants and contain absolutely no synthetic dyes or corn syrup. Just 3 simple colors – red, yellow, and blue - can be combined to produce icings in soft beautiful pastels and the rich jewel tones found only in nature, naturally! The full spectrum of colors you can create from India Tree natural food colors includes periwinkle, lavender, orange, violet, terra cotta, and green, in a lush, delicious, and natural variety of shades. Set of 3: red, yellow, and blue. 75 oz each, for a total of 2.25 oz of color in the set.

Ingredients: BLUE: glycerin, deionized water, red cabbage. RED: beet juice, citric acid. YELLOW: glycerin, deionized water, turmeric, sodium hydroxide.

India Tree Nature's Colors Decorating Sugar

India Tree Nature's Colors Decorating Sugar is subtly delicious. Made from FDA and EU approved vegetable colorants, with absolutely no artificial ingredients, Nature's Colors Decorating Sugar from India Tree are an exciting alternative to sugars made with artificial dyes. Contains sugar crystals, natural vegetable coloring and food grade carnauba wax. 3.3-ounce.

India Tree Nature's Colors  Nonpareils, 3 oz

India Tree Nature's Colors Lavender Nonpareils Party Decoratifs add a playful note to cookies, cupcakes, and ice cream. India Tree Nature's Colors Party Decoratifs come in festive colors created with all natural vegetable colorants approved by the EU and the FDA. 3-ounce jar.

Nature's Colors

• Frost White Decorating Sugar 3.3 oz.

• Raspberry Red Decorating Sugar 3.3 oz.

• Spring Green Decorating Sugar 3.3 oz.

• Sunflower Yellow Decorating Sugar 3.3 oz.

• Strawberry Pink Decorating Sugar 3.3 oz.

• Periwinkle Blue Decorating Sugar 3.3 oz.

• Marigold Orange Decorating Sugar 3.3 oz.

• Decorating Dye Set 2.25 oz.

• String of Pearls Party Decoratifs 3.5 oz.

• Snowflakes Party Decoratifs 1.7 oz.

• Pink Nonpareils Party Decoratifs 3 oz.

• Yellow Nonpareils Party Decoratifs 3 oz.

• Lavender Nonpareils Party Decoratifs 3 oz.

• White Nonpareils Party Decoratifs 3 oz.

• Peppermint Crunch Party Decoratifs 2.3 oz.

• Butterscotch Crunch Party Decoratifs 2.4 oz.

Shop Online: You can shop for India Tree products online at the following web sites. Please note that the sites might not offer the full line of India Tree products.

Amazon.com
ChefTools.com

Natural Food Coloring by Chefmaster

 

This all natural  food coloring by chefmaster is really an all natural food coloring that you can use to color your cake icing with or anything else you need an all natural food coloring for. Each order is 1 oz

Chefmaster Natural Coloring



Chefmaster is an internationally known maker of decorating food colors has a line of natural coloring for food. While you may think it can only be used for icings, it can easily be use for any kind of food coloring.

Some Available Colors:

Green

Blue

Brown

Pink

Purple

Yellow

Orange

You can shop for these online at Bakers Nook

                                                 Amazon.com

What Are They Made Of?

All natural food colorings are made from natural products that are safe to ingest. In the past, this was done by adding herbs, vegetables, and fruit to foods to change their color. For example, grated carrot was added to cream when it was being churned to give the butter a golden flavor. Making your own dyes can be a hit or miss operation. It is hard to know when you have an intense enough dye to give good color.

Commercial, natural dyes are not always organic. If you want the food coloring to be all natural as well as organic, be sure that both of these things are stated on the label or box. Read the ingredient list carefully, especially if someone in your family has allergies. Chamomile can set off an allergic reaction in people that have pollen allergies or are allergic to grass. If you are unsure call or email the company to get the answers you need.


Some of the colors available and what they are made from are:

Blue – often made from blueberry skins or red cabbage
Green - usually made from vegetable extracts, like spinach
Orange - made from a pulp which surrounds the annatto seed
Purple - made from a purple colored carrot
Brown - made from caramelized or burnt sugar, but may add flavor to some products
Red - often made of hibiscus
Yellow – made form turmeric
Blue – sometimes made from red cabbage

Pink – often made from beet

All Natural Food Coloring - LoveToKnow Organic

Am I going Nuts?

Last week as my sister and I were visiting our parents in Nova Scotia, we had a wonderful time enjoying the sights. I don't know what I expected but area is so green and wooded, there are lakes and bays everywhere, it's truly beautiful. Our Friday plan was off to see Prince Edward Island. We traveled from Dartmouth to catch the ferry; we landed on the southeast side of the island, Cavendish where the Green Gables House is was on the northwest side. As we traveled the scenery around us was breath taking.

Fields of green, darling farm houses many with wrap around porches and laundry drying on the cloths lines. I could see how this place inspires so many. As we drove we came upon a field of yellow, my sister squealed stop! I want to take a picture. So we got out of the car, trampled through some weeds to get into the field of mustard. We continued on, we had great time with the all Anne stuff (I will be posting about that in another post). Returning back home I found myself getting itchy on my hands and the backs of my legs. Not bad, but enough that it bothered me. The next morning when I woke up I had a rash and welts on my arms, hands, legs and back. Not wanting to miss out on any of the fun I just pushed forward. We went to Eastern Passage a quaint fishing village, but as the day went on I could feel my lips and hands swelling. I had no idea what was going on.

Christi and Lisa's in the fields of mustard. Prince Edward Island. 7/9/10

~ 

We enjoyed a great dinner at Wharf Wraps and walked down the board walk to the rocky shore of the Atlanta. By now things were getting pretty bad. We stopped at store and got some Benadryl and anti-itch cream. Maybe I gotten into some poison Ivy, or a bug bite? This was our last night there, it was a long night as Mom, Dad and my sister Lisa check on me through out the night, I had a fever and I was having a hard time breathing. The swelling was getting worse and I was itching everywhere. I needed medical help but going to a hospital in another country didn't sound like a great idea. Mom had a plan, she was going to fly with us to DC and take me to a hospital there. I said no Mom; I just want to make it home, I told her I would be okay. I made through customs and boarded the first plane and sat in a window seat and went to sleep, that was a blessing when I was asleep I didn't feel the itching. After a good amount of time I woke up to my sister saying "Oh Christi", now the left side of my lips were swelling. We changed planes in DC, I kept my head down and boarded the next plane this one to Denver. This was a longer flight but again I was able to fall asleep. When I woke up my lips and face were even bigger and now my ears were swollen too. All I knew is I had to make it through the next flight. It wasn't a long one to Salt Lake City I could do it.

Lisa's husband Steve picked us up at the airport. The look on his face was shock, my face now quit contorted. But we still had about a 50 min ride to Provo. We went straight to the hospital; my husband Donny met us there. When he saw me he started to cry, he never imagined I was as bad as I was. I was put through pretty quick, now asking me a number of questions the Dr asked if I had started any new medications or had eaten anything new, "what about nuts, raw nuts". That was it; I had been eating raw pecans in my breakfast two of the mornings and just as a snack on the way home from Price Edward Island. So he started treatment, I received Benadryl (H1 blocker) and Pepcid (H2 blocker) through an IV, two shots of Epinephrine and 60 mgs of Prednisone. Wow, I had no idea that could happen, I love nuts, I always have. As the Dr struggled with either to admit me or let me go home, I said I just wanted to go home. It has taken some time but I am feeling much better. Now as I have been learning more about this kind of allergic reaction I am very concerned. I wasn't even aware of how many things have some kind of tree nut in them. I will have to be very careful from this point forward. 

 

This was just the beginning

Don't Wait to Get Help!!!

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Tree nut allergies are common potentially life-threatening food allergies. They are often lifelong. Tree nuts may belong to different food families which are unrelated to each other and tree nuts are not related to peanut. Peanut allergic people can often eat tree nuts and tree nut allergic allergic people can often take peanuts. However, some allergic individuals may be allergic to both peanut and tree nuts. In addition, you can be allergic to some but not all tree nuts. Almond seems to cause the least problems of all common tree nuts.

NUT FAMILIES:
Walnut: walnut, pecan
Birch: hazelnut, filbert, hickory nut
Mango: pistachio, cashews Plum: almond
Legythis: brazil Macadamia
Beech: beechnut, chestnut

Nuts may be found as a hidden, unlabelled part of a food because of accidental cross-contamination during manufacturing. Allergic reactions are often caused by eating unlabelled foods, by not checking food labels properly for presence of nuts, or from foods which contain hidden unlabelled nuts. Nuts may be used in many of the foods that people like to eat. The most common types of foods causing allergic reaction due to nuts are chocolates, cookies, candies, granola bars, ice cream.

Special occasions such as Easter, Halloween, Christmas and birthday parties are more dangerous for children with nut allergies because there is much more likely to be nut containing foods eaten, and because it is more difficult to supervise children properly. In addition, usual common sense precautions may be forgotten in the excitement. At school, allergic reactions to nuts can happen if children share foods or a parent sends foods containing nuts, e.g., muffins, as a treat for the whole class.

What may contain tree nut?
- chocolate, candies, cookies, desserts, sweets, almond paste, donuts, sundaes, cereal, milkshakes, granola bars, trail mixes, pesto sauce, European chocolates, muesli
- suntan lotion, shampoo, nut shells, bath oils
- popcorn and speciality cheese spreads
- gianduja (chocolate and chopped toasted nuts)
- speciality coffees, liqueurs
- small animal food e.g., hamster, gerbil

What contains walnut (grenoble, noix royal) / pecan (pecan)?
- pecan pie, walnut containing muffins
- Crosse & Blackwell Worchestershire sauce
- AIM herbal fiber blend, pesto sauce, pralines, walnut oil, "Turtles" chocolates

What contains hazelnut / filbert (noisette)?
- Nutella, nougat, Toblerone chocolate bars, hazlenut liqueur, Frangelico liqueur, hazelnut coffee

What contains pistachio (pistache) / cashew (cajou)?
- cashew butter, pistachio ice cream, chicken with cashews

What contains almonds (amande)?
- marzipan, almond mocha, almond paste, almond guy ding, trout almondine, pure almond extract (artificial is okay), amaretto

raw pecans

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Our Journey began's to Halifax Canada...

After waiting for months, being at Lake Powell and getting the news about my dad, I really didn't know if Lisa and I were going to be able to make our trip to Canada to see Mom and Michael,(they are serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada) they have been out about 10 months. Lisa and I really struggled with knowing what we should do.

So when the news came of  Dad's progress we made the decision to still go. Lisa and her family had driven up from Phoenix to Orem so they could attend a family reunion on Steve's side of the family. Lisa and I  flew out from Salt lake City together, bright and early on Wednesday morning July 7th. Little did we know this was just the started of a fun but crazy trip.

Sisters

Christi and Lisa

Getting the Bad News on the Boat.

My Dad Ben suffered a stroke Thurs evening on July1st, but I didn't hear about until Friday evening. At that time I was on the lake, Lisa was in Orem, Jared was in Flagstaff camping with his kids and Jason was in Utah, Really none of were where we belonged. And with most of us were traveling, we were in and out of cell range.

So my Dad went into surgery Sunday morning, his carotid artery was 80% block. Dad had a hard time coming out of the anesthesia , he was not able to talk and could not move his right arm. Sandy kept all of us updated on how Dad was doing. After spending 5 days in the ICU, he is home and is making progress, he is talking and can move his arm again. But it will be a long recovery. I felt so helpless being so far away.Thank goodness for great medical care. 

Bubble Gum flavored cough syrup – Really?

I have a few children that have been suffering from a cold. You know the kind when your nose is runny and it is running down the back of your throat and it's killing you with a never ending cough so you feel like you going to die, kind of cold. It is awful it feel that sick.

Trying to relive their symptoms I gave them some cold medicine. It tastes like bubblegum but I found myself having to beg them to take it. With whining and fussing "I hate this kind of medicine" I told them you have NO idea how good this tastes compared to what I use to take.

Does anyone remember taking this yummy hot brown goo??

Post-It Note Tuesday #1

Real is Best

This has been my message, my soap box for years. The problems artificial colors, flavors & preservatives are doing to our bodies and our children's bodies!

Re-post of "What are they eating?"

Okay, let me set the scene for you. (this can be any place at any time) You have made it to church, even on time. Good Job! You laid out the clothes the night before, even the socks and shoes (that is always the killer) Why can you only find one shoe when you really need to get out the door?

You have packed the diaper bag with toys, books and snacks. You wait until they have passed the bread and water, always waiting until the boys have sat down :-), and now you hand out the snacks. Within about 10 - 15 mins. your child is crying, hitting, biting she/he has lost all control and coping skills. What just happened?

When picking out, buying food and snacks many watch for fat and sugar content but overlook a very important thing. Artificial Colors and Flavors!! Our children are becoming so sensitive to these things. They lurk everywhere, in yogurt, cereal, Kool Aid, drinks, juices, candy, fruit snacks, otter pops, soda, condiments, ice cream, chips, lunch meats, crackers, soups, jellies, jams etc. Unfortunately they are everywhere. I find that they tend to be in items that are less expensive or in generic brands. Real is best.

But what about "saving" money, at what cost in the long run? The health and well being of our children, we need to be aware, proactive, read the labels. You can find alternatives even small changes that will make huge differences.

Re-post of "Real Food"

If we lived in a perfect world we would grow and cook all of our own food and we would store everything in GLASS.

Every thing would be real, fresh, without pesticides, antibiotics or hormones

High Fructose Corn Syrup is another Bad Boy – That is another whole topic

Real Sugar is better than ANY artificial sweeter period!!

The word – "Natural" Flavor can be deceiving – Did you know that if a chemical tastes like a banana without changing it in anyway, can be called a "Natural" Flavor

We will pick our battles First – Colors
Just to give you an idea:
Oscar Mayer Deli Meats – Carmel Color
Kraft Mini (white) marshmallows – Blue #1
I put Yoplait yogurt cups on the okay list etc.
for Lime – Yellow #5 and Blue #1
Taco Bell Taco Shells – Yellow #5

You can great items at Good Earth Health Food Store, Whole Foods, Real Food Market, Harvest Fresh Market, Trader Joes,

Food Choices
Some good ideas:

Ice Cream – Breyers (still check your labels)
Popsicle does have a few okay choices – Natural Colors and Flavors with Fruit Juice – Orange, Cherry, Grape, Fudgsicles
Capri Sun – 100% Juice Boxes
Juicy Juice – 100% Juice Boxes
Brach's has put out a few good fruit snacks – Tree Top – All Natural Fruit Snacks (at Costco) and Motts - All Natural Fruit Snacks
Yoplait yogurt cups – (but it does have a lot of sugar!)


Snack Ideas:
Kix, Cheerios, Puffed Wheat & Rice,
Nuts, Seeds, Pretzels, Cracker Jacks, Raisins,
Air Popped Pop Corn, Cut Up Fruit, Dried Fruit
String Cheese, Baby Carrots

Daily Suffering - Excema

**I am going to share some pictures that might be hard to look at.

Eczema is a form of dermatitis, or inflammation of the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin). The term eczema is broadly applied to a range of persistent skin conditions. These include dryness and recurring skin rashes that are characterized by one or more of these symptoms: redness, skin edema (swelling), itching and dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing, or bleeding. Areas of temporary skin discoloration may appear and are sometimes due to healed lesions. Scratching open a healing lesion may result in scarring. The severity of the disease can vary. In mild forms the skin is dry, hot and itchy, whilst in more severe forms the skin can become broken, raw and bleeding. Although it can sometimes look unpleasant, Excema is not contagious. With treatment the inflammation of Excema can be reduced, though the skin will always be sensitive to flare-ups and need extra care.

Excema cannot be cured, but it can be controlled. It is especially distressing in children, but a large proportion do grow out of it. (I can only hope so for this child)

National Eczema Association

Eczema Report

There are a number of effective eczema treatments available, both medical and natural. Some eczema remedies are well proven, but some only work in a minority of cases.

Medical Treatments

There is a large variety of medical treatments available to eczema sufferers. Normally, the first line of eczema treatment is to use a moisturizer or eczema cream to reduce or prevent inflamation in the skin. The course of action varies depending on the type of eczema and the severity of the occurrence.

• Moisturizers are a great way to remoisturize dry skin. However, not all moisturizers work on eczema affected skin, infact some moisturizers can do more damage than good. Be sure to use a moisturizer that does not contain perfumes or dyes. Consult your doctor to find out the best moisturizers for people with eczema.

• Eczema creams (also known as anti-inflammatory creams) contain topical steroids, called corticosteroids, that work by reducing and preventing inflamation in the skin. Some anti-inflammatory creams are available over the counter, but some require a prescription.

• Oral antihistamines work by combating the bodies natural output of a substance called histamine, which causes inflamation in the skin. Histamines can cause rashes and alergic reactions, so using antihistamines can be a good choice for some. Some oral antihistamines are available over the counter, whereas some require a prescription and a medical consult.

• Phototherapy involves exposing the skin to light, particularly ultraviolet light and infared radiation. This is usually done in small doses, in a controlled environment. Over-exposure to ultraviolet light can cause skin cancer, so always go to an experienced professional for this type of treatment. Done properly, phototherapy can be completely safe.

Natural Treatments

Natural eczema treatments use natural ingredients such as vitamins and herbs in order to take a more natural approach to the treatment of eczema.

• Improving you diet by avoiding food which you are sensitive to (most likely some wheat and dairy products and sugar) is an easy and natural way to treat an outbreak of eczema.

• Vitamin B12 supplements may work to treat eczema since it is believed by some medical experts that eczema can occur in people that are deficient in vitamin B12.

• Herbs such as St. John's Wort and chamomile can be applied in ointment form directly to the skin.

• Evening primrose oil can promote healing in the skin.

• Zinc supplements, in small doses of less than 30mg a day, can be effective against eczema since it promotes healthy skin.

It is important to learn as much as you can about the natural remedies and treatments that you may want to try since they may not work or, if not taken correctly, may cause more harm than good.

This child has suffered since the age of one, and is not my only child that suffers from this. We have tried many things to ease the pain and heal the skin.

body

ankles

elbows and wrists

Back of the leg

These are just one day, sometimes it's better and sometimes it's worse!