Anyone who knows me, knows I have a strange sense of humor that can change by the minute! Although I am very opinionated, I do try to be reasonable and listen to other opinions even if I don't agree. So, for the sake of my opinion, I have ventured into exploring and researching other blogs/facebook for other like minded and not-so-like-minded families. It is so amazing to me who technology has changed everything so much. When I graduated high school(19 yrs ago) computers were a specialty item and very expensive. We thought we were on top of the world when we finally got one! Now, it seems that everyone has at least one computer. Everyone is on facebook, twitter, or any number of other "social" media outlets. Myself, I have been on Myspace, then went on to Facebook, and just recently ventured into Twitter. It's changed the way we view people, the way we research, and the very way we operate our lives. How many of us panic when the internet isn't working, or we can't find our cell phones, and the first time my son asked me what a rotary phone was...I almost choked! I am not old by any fashion, but technology has expanded so fast that the 25 yr difference in ages has not allowed the younger generation to experience such things as the rotary phone, the cassette tapes, let alone those huge bulky original video cameras that weighed upwards of 30 lbs. : )
So, as I was researching this morning looking for new blogs, new facebook fan pages, and new web sites for areas that interest me; I came across so many that I finally had to just stop. There is a wealth of information online. Many times I find it overwhelming and then my brain goes into this crazy warped thought game. I wonder how and why some people write/share some things that are just too personal for my likings. Then I look at another site and am wanting more information. It's crazy I know. Then you find websites like Pinterest that seems to always have the simplest ideas, that you never thought of, but they seem so "common sense." It's fun to read other blogs about gardening, other moms/wives and their daily routines/struggles, or for me other Moms that home school, or work a business from home.
While I was exploring this morning, I found a few blogs with interesting titles and clicked around. They were fun, informational, somewhat too religious for me, but all in all were just other moms doing what they feel is best for their families. It made me decide to write again. Writing has always been the easiest way for me to express myself, and many times that's made for a lot of miscommunication. Since communication is such a huge part of any relationship, not being able to voice my thoughts properly has caused its share of problems. For many years, I would sit down and write out my feelings and thoughts, then my husband would read them. Yes, he ALWAYS dreaded those "journals." That was the easiest way for me to say what I felt without feeling so vulnerable. Sticking to this subject, our son has found he likes some of the older shows that my husband and I used to watch. Last night it was Family Ties. Alex and his girlfriend were arguing over communication and repression of emotions. At the end he said that letting his walls down allowed him to be vulnerable. He finally opened up to her and said his walls were down. Personally, I built walls as a young person, that even to this day are up. As my husband and I were talking about this episode and kind of laughing about the 80's styles, it made me realize that many of the walls I built as a young person are still fully intact. And honestly, I know why, I know they aren't healthy, but they are still there none-the-less. I have always kept people at arms length to protect myself.
So, as I get older and find that the brain-to-mouth filter that many people have....is mostly non-existant for me. Many times I speak my mind and my thoughts and typically it upsets people. I have matured enough to really not place much value on what other people think....but sometimes I get angry that people aren't more open minded. Just because something has done one way for a long time, doesn't necessarily mean it's the only way. One lesson I learned during high school, was that there are always two sides to every story. Regardless if you agree with it or not...there's always two sides. I try to listen to both sides of a story before making an opinion, even if I don't completely agree with one or the other. So, as i continue my search for others that harbor the same interests as I do, it also allows me to grow intellectually and physically.
So, even for some of the sites I've found today that have...um, interesting names, more religion than I'm prepared for, or even those that have very similar thoughts as I have.....I can't wait to read through them more. I can't wait to grow and learn.
Happy growing and learning!
This crazy but wonderful life we live. Home education, self-sufficient living, learning, growing, and finding our way on our farm and in life. Teaching frugality, logic, and common sense. Grab some coffee and enjoy my regular writings on current subjects and interests.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Sick and tired of being sick & tired!
Friends, I am really struggling to understand why people are so fast to judge a natural lifestyle, but they are able to justify killing themselves with fast food, and prescription drugs. I have heard so many excuses why people "can't afford" to live more natural. Although it is nearly impossible to live a lifestyle that is 100% natural, making just a few small changes daily can make a world of difference!
Every single day, I hear people complaining of being sick, tired, worn out and lacking energy. The hard part for me, is not telling people to pull their heads out of the sand and look at their lifestyle to see exactly why they are feeling so pathetic. All the processed foods in existence today is THE CAUSE! I understand that everyone is busy, but how busy are you going to be when you are either obese, hospitalized, or dead?! I try to be as tactful as possible, but in doing so, people seem to continue to make excuses for not taking care of themselves. I know it's real easy to go out to eat, grab that box of hamburger helper, or that loaf of bread. It takes so much less time to prepare and the convinience of having a "meal" ready in 30 minutes. Do you know how many chemicals are in that box, the loaf, or that fast food meal? Not to mention the pesticide in that diet soda, all the bleached sugars and flours...yes, BLEACH! I am not so niave to say to stop eating it all and only eat the healthy stuff. I am however, saying if you eat 5 meals a week that are processed....start with knocking out 1 or 2 to start. Start to filter in fresh, local or healthy meals in for that meal or two every week. Substitute those bleached sugars and flours for raw sugar, whole wheat flour or unbleached flour. Put a container or 2 on in your yard, on your deck or balcony of fresh fruits or veggies. It takes minimal work to grow a few fresh fruits and veggies on your own, it takes minimal investment to get them started, and saves you a lot of money during the summer months on fresh produce. That fresh produce is better for you and honestly is a lot cheaper. If you really want to take advantage of that fresh produce you can learn to can or freeze it for later use.
I work for a company that offers a great nutritional option to add to your diet. I agree that nutritional options help you gain your health and necessary nutrients when your lifestyle lacks healthy choices. I am glad to be apart of this amazing company. However, making a life style change to include healthy food options, will help you overcome most health issues. With simple, and minimal changes you can make a world of difference in your health.
I am also struggling with the issue so many seem to be having with their finances. Yet, the majority would rather complain about it than actually do something to fix it. I know the job market isn't what it used to be and "good jobs" are harder to find, but at what point are people willing to look beyond the traditional sources of income to achieve something more than they've ever had? I have never been a traditionalist, in the sense that I've always believed that there had to be more than a 9-5 job, with someone telling me what my time was worth, and when I could or couldn't be a mom or wife. For the past 12 years, I have spent the majority of my time working for myself. I have seen some great companies, with some great ideas...but many lacked direction and proper leadership. The ones that were good, were not a good fit for me. I have spent a lot investing in myself and investing in knowledge. I do not do anything without gaining a lot of knowledge about it first. I encourage this with everything you do, and are interested in. Although there are a lot of questionable business opportunities out there, there are just as many good and honest companies out there. Most of the true opportunities available offer a great commission rate, if you are willing to work at it. Some offer multiple ways to earn an income, and NOT A SINGLE ONE OF THESE COMPANIES CARES IF YOU ARE 18 OR 100! Your income will be dependent upon how much work you are willing to put into it, and if you are willing to step out of your comfort zone to make an honest living!
As with living a healthy lifestyle, there are several people that will criticize that you don't go get a "real job." The problem with that theory is this: Do those people have EVERYTHING they want, do those people pay your bills, and at what point are you going to do what YOU have to do to get what YOU want/need? Is your job going to give the security and the income you want/need to have EVERY SINGLE THING you've ever dreamed of? Probably not. Have you given up your dreams because you've been told to quit daydreaming or your goals are just too big? Why????? I personally believe if you can dream it, you can achieve it! It may take some time, it may take a lot of work, and more than likely....you will run into several obsticles. Let me ask this: Has your current situation gone smoothly? Has your current situation had obsticles? Have your dreams/goals changed because you wanted them to or because you have listened to the negative/sick/exhausted in your life? More than likely, the answers are no, yes, and yes. What would your goals/dreams be if you listened to YOU? If you completely disregarded what everyone else was saying and listened instead to yourself, and yourself alone, what would you dream, what would your goals be, and how would you feel?
I love to help people. My heart has a compassion for this. It breaks my heart to see so many sick, tired, exhausted, and miserable. Especially when it's all unnecessary. If you are ready to take responsibility for yourself, your family, your finances, your health, and your future....I would be happy to help in any way possible. However, if you are not willing to drop your excuses and confront your fears, you will have many more obsticles. Please feel free to email or call me.
Salli
salli_bowen@yahoo.com
Every single day, I hear people complaining of being sick, tired, worn out and lacking energy. The hard part for me, is not telling people to pull their heads out of the sand and look at their lifestyle to see exactly why they are feeling so pathetic. All the processed foods in existence today is THE CAUSE! I understand that everyone is busy, but how busy are you going to be when you are either obese, hospitalized, or dead?! I try to be as tactful as possible, but in doing so, people seem to continue to make excuses for not taking care of themselves. I know it's real easy to go out to eat, grab that box of hamburger helper, or that loaf of bread. It takes so much less time to prepare and the convinience of having a "meal" ready in 30 minutes. Do you know how many chemicals are in that box, the loaf, or that fast food meal? Not to mention the pesticide in that diet soda, all the bleached sugars and flours...yes, BLEACH! I am not so niave to say to stop eating it all and only eat the healthy stuff. I am however, saying if you eat 5 meals a week that are processed....start with knocking out 1 or 2 to start. Start to filter in fresh, local or healthy meals in for that meal or two every week. Substitute those bleached sugars and flours for raw sugar, whole wheat flour or unbleached flour. Put a container or 2 on in your yard, on your deck or balcony of fresh fruits or veggies. It takes minimal work to grow a few fresh fruits and veggies on your own, it takes minimal investment to get them started, and saves you a lot of money during the summer months on fresh produce. That fresh produce is better for you and honestly is a lot cheaper. If you really want to take advantage of that fresh produce you can learn to can or freeze it for later use.
I work for a company that offers a great nutritional option to add to your diet. I agree that nutritional options help you gain your health and necessary nutrients when your lifestyle lacks healthy choices. I am glad to be apart of this amazing company. However, making a life style change to include healthy food options, will help you overcome most health issues. With simple, and minimal changes you can make a world of difference in your health.
I am also struggling with the issue so many seem to be having with their finances. Yet, the majority would rather complain about it than actually do something to fix it. I know the job market isn't what it used to be and "good jobs" are harder to find, but at what point are people willing to look beyond the traditional sources of income to achieve something more than they've ever had? I have never been a traditionalist, in the sense that I've always believed that there had to be more than a 9-5 job, with someone telling me what my time was worth, and when I could or couldn't be a mom or wife. For the past 12 years, I have spent the majority of my time working for myself. I have seen some great companies, with some great ideas...but many lacked direction and proper leadership. The ones that were good, were not a good fit for me. I have spent a lot investing in myself and investing in knowledge. I do not do anything without gaining a lot of knowledge about it first. I encourage this with everything you do, and are interested in. Although there are a lot of questionable business opportunities out there, there are just as many good and honest companies out there. Most of the true opportunities available offer a great commission rate, if you are willing to work at it. Some offer multiple ways to earn an income, and NOT A SINGLE ONE OF THESE COMPANIES CARES IF YOU ARE 18 OR 100! Your income will be dependent upon how much work you are willing to put into it, and if you are willing to step out of your comfort zone to make an honest living!
As with living a healthy lifestyle, there are several people that will criticize that you don't go get a "real job." The problem with that theory is this: Do those people have EVERYTHING they want, do those people pay your bills, and at what point are you going to do what YOU have to do to get what YOU want/need? Is your job going to give the security and the income you want/need to have EVERY SINGLE THING you've ever dreamed of? Probably not. Have you given up your dreams because you've been told to quit daydreaming or your goals are just too big? Why????? I personally believe if you can dream it, you can achieve it! It may take some time, it may take a lot of work, and more than likely....you will run into several obsticles. Let me ask this: Has your current situation gone smoothly? Has your current situation had obsticles? Have your dreams/goals changed because you wanted them to or because you have listened to the negative/sick/exhausted in your life? More than likely, the answers are no, yes, and yes. What would your goals/dreams be if you listened to YOU? If you completely disregarded what everyone else was saying and listened instead to yourself, and yourself alone, what would you dream, what would your goals be, and how would you feel?
I love to help people. My heart has a compassion for this. It breaks my heart to see so many sick, tired, exhausted, and miserable. Especially when it's all unnecessary. If you are ready to take responsibility for yourself, your family, your finances, your health, and your future....I would be happy to help in any way possible. However, if you are not willing to drop your excuses and confront your fears, you will have many more obsticles. Please feel free to email or call me.
Salli
salli_bowen@yahoo.com
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Being frugal is not being cheap.
As I watch more and more people trying to be frugal, and wanting a more natural, less toxic life style...I have to smile. I began our switch to a natural lifestyle years ago(10 to be exact!). I still learn new tricks and have learned how to adjust recipes to fit what I want. Plus I still learn new recipes all the time. So, for today's blog...I want to share a few tricks I've learned, a few recipes, and hopefully it will help someone else wanting to "go natural!"
Recipes:
Laundry Soap - 1 to 2 cups borax 20 mule team, 1-2 cups washing soda, and 1 bar of fels-naptha. Grate the bar of fals-naptha into a pan(not aluminum). Pour 3-4 cups of water over the grated soap. Heat on medium stirring frequently until all the soap has liquified. In a 5-6 gallon container, mix the borax and washing soda. After the soap has liquified, pour it over the borax and washing soda. Once you have mixed all the ingredients together, you will add about 5 gallons of warm water. You will want to stir the mix really well. This mix will need to sit overnight. The next morning stir well, and you are ready to use it! I use about a 1/2 cup of this mix per load of laundry. This recipe makes about 5-6 gallons.
Fabric Softner Sheets - You will need coffee filters, a liquid fabric softner(or a homemade version), a container that is sealable and leak proof. Use 2 TBS of fabric softner, and 1 cup of warm water, I mix these in a paper cup. In your container, fold the coffee filters in half and stack as many as your container will hold. Once you have done this, pour your mixture over the filters. Once you put the lid on and let them sit for about 2 hours, the liquid will soak into the coffee filters. Use 1 filter per load. These filters can be reused 3-5 times before they are worn out.
Window Cleaner - You will need a clean spray bottle, vinegar, and peroxide. In the spray bottle, mix equal parts of vinegar and peroxide. That's all there is to it!
All purpose cleaner - In a spray bottle, mix 1 cup of vinegar, 1 cup of water, and about 5-8 drops of your favorite essential oil. This will work for all your cleaning needs!
Dishwasher Soap - 1 TBS Borax, 1 TBS washing soda, and 1 TBS vinegar. Mix the borax and washing soda in your soap dispenser, add the vinegar to your rinse aid or prewash.
I've learned some tips and tricks for flavoring food as well. One of my favorite spice combinations is onion, green pepper, dried garlic flakes, parsley, chives, course ground pepper, sea salt, and extra virgin olive oil. I start these in a pan sauteeing before I'm ready to start the meat cooking. The flavors are so much more vibrant and abundant.
I have also learned to cook with turmeric. Although a staple in places such as Thailand and China, it's fairly new to the cooking world. I personally add 1 tsp of turmeric to any of the dishes I cook once I add the meat to the previous mixture.
Another trick for those that have diabetes....add 1/4 tsp to every meal and over time it will help regulate your sugar levels.
Although I do work with a company offering a heath challenge, I am a firm believer in changing your diets, your lifestyles, and you will change your life! I use the healthy challenge, but I also take vitamins to improve my overall health.
Vitamins I recommend:
ZINC - 50 mg
D3 - 35 IU's per pound of body weight
CoQ10 - 200-400 mg twice a day (I personally use Ubiquinal 300)
These are the vitamins and doses I take daily. In addition to these, I use the health challenge and make a smoothie. The recipes vary for my smoothie, but here's my favorite:
2 big handfuls of raw baby spinach, 1 full banana, 1/4 blueberries, 1/2 green apple, 2 scoops of Vi shake mix and 1 tsp raw honey, and t tbs of golden flax seed. Liquify in blender, usually takes about 5 minutes. Pour in your glass and enjoy!
I have several great and healthy smoothie recipes, and can't wait to try them all!
I have also learned to shop and be frugal in that task. I have a meal schedule that allows me to have 30 different meals, for an entire month of groceries. When I shop, I try to do it for a month at a time. Naturally, some of the groceries can not be bought like that, but those products are bought in 2 week intervals. Although I try to plan my meals for certain days...it doesn't always work. So, I also try to be flexable with easy meal option for busy days and can play around with the meals.
I have the convience of a local store that offers bulk spices, bulk flours and sugars, and many times they are substantially cheaper than buying them at the retail level. I also recommend growing your own fresh produce! When you grow it yourself, you know exactly what you are getting. You don't have to have a huge yard area to grow your own produce. For example...a single tomato plant can produce several dozen tomatoes. A single pepper plant can produce 20 plus peppers. You can grow your own herbs in containers on your deck/porch. You can grow green onions in a pint jar with the root end of a store bought green onion, and you can do the same with the root end of celery.
I hope this information will help everyone in one way or another. Being frugal does not mean your cheap. It simple means that you are willing to take care of your family naturally, financial security, and using common sense over big retail toxicity.
Happy Frugality! : )
Recipes:
Laundry Soap - 1 to 2 cups borax 20 mule team, 1-2 cups washing soda, and 1 bar of fels-naptha. Grate the bar of fals-naptha into a pan(not aluminum). Pour 3-4 cups of water over the grated soap. Heat on medium stirring frequently until all the soap has liquified. In a 5-6 gallon container, mix the borax and washing soda. After the soap has liquified, pour it over the borax and washing soda. Once you have mixed all the ingredients together, you will add about 5 gallons of warm water. You will want to stir the mix really well. This mix will need to sit overnight. The next morning stir well, and you are ready to use it! I use about a 1/2 cup of this mix per load of laundry. This recipe makes about 5-6 gallons.
Fabric Softner Sheets - You will need coffee filters, a liquid fabric softner(or a homemade version), a container that is sealable and leak proof. Use 2 TBS of fabric softner, and 1 cup of warm water, I mix these in a paper cup. In your container, fold the coffee filters in half and stack as many as your container will hold. Once you have done this, pour your mixture over the filters. Once you put the lid on and let them sit for about 2 hours, the liquid will soak into the coffee filters. Use 1 filter per load. These filters can be reused 3-5 times before they are worn out.
Window Cleaner - You will need a clean spray bottle, vinegar, and peroxide. In the spray bottle, mix equal parts of vinegar and peroxide. That's all there is to it!
All purpose cleaner - In a spray bottle, mix 1 cup of vinegar, 1 cup of water, and about 5-8 drops of your favorite essential oil. This will work for all your cleaning needs!
Dishwasher Soap - 1 TBS Borax, 1 TBS washing soda, and 1 TBS vinegar. Mix the borax and washing soda in your soap dispenser, add the vinegar to your rinse aid or prewash.
I've learned some tips and tricks for flavoring food as well. One of my favorite spice combinations is onion, green pepper, dried garlic flakes, parsley, chives, course ground pepper, sea salt, and extra virgin olive oil. I start these in a pan sauteeing before I'm ready to start the meat cooking. The flavors are so much more vibrant and abundant.
I have also learned to cook with turmeric. Although a staple in places such as Thailand and China, it's fairly new to the cooking world. I personally add 1 tsp of turmeric to any of the dishes I cook once I add the meat to the previous mixture.
Another trick for those that have diabetes....add 1/4 tsp to every meal and over time it will help regulate your sugar levels.
Although I do work with a company offering a heath challenge, I am a firm believer in changing your diets, your lifestyles, and you will change your life! I use the healthy challenge, but I also take vitamins to improve my overall health.
Vitamins I recommend:
ZINC - 50 mg
D3 - 35 IU's per pound of body weight
CoQ10 - 200-400 mg twice a day (I personally use Ubiquinal 300)
These are the vitamins and doses I take daily. In addition to these, I use the health challenge and make a smoothie. The recipes vary for my smoothie, but here's my favorite:
2 big handfuls of raw baby spinach, 1 full banana, 1/4 blueberries, 1/2 green apple, 2 scoops of Vi shake mix and 1 tsp raw honey, and t tbs of golden flax seed. Liquify in blender, usually takes about 5 minutes. Pour in your glass and enjoy!
I have several great and healthy smoothie recipes, and can't wait to try them all!
I have also learned to shop and be frugal in that task. I have a meal schedule that allows me to have 30 different meals, for an entire month of groceries. When I shop, I try to do it for a month at a time. Naturally, some of the groceries can not be bought like that, but those products are bought in 2 week intervals. Although I try to plan my meals for certain days...it doesn't always work. So, I also try to be flexable with easy meal option for busy days and can play around with the meals.
I have the convience of a local store that offers bulk spices, bulk flours and sugars, and many times they are substantially cheaper than buying them at the retail level. I also recommend growing your own fresh produce! When you grow it yourself, you know exactly what you are getting. You don't have to have a huge yard area to grow your own produce. For example...a single tomato plant can produce several dozen tomatoes. A single pepper plant can produce 20 plus peppers. You can grow your own herbs in containers on your deck/porch. You can grow green onions in a pint jar with the root end of a store bought green onion, and you can do the same with the root end of celery.
I hope this information will help everyone in one way or another. Being frugal does not mean your cheap. It simple means that you are willing to take care of your family naturally, financial security, and using common sense over big retail toxicity.
Happy Frugality! : )
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