Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts

Monday, August 31, 2009

National Rice Month

by Miss Alyssa

Rice has always been a staple in our house. Growing up, I have always eaten rice. It was not until I was older that I found out this fact: Not all families in America eat rice! Mom explained that some families eat potatoes or pasta or bread instead. We also eat those, just not regularly like rice.

There are many different types of rice. In fact, there are about 40,000 varieties of rice in the world. Rice is either short grained, medium grained, or long grained. There is rough rice, brown rice, white rice, parboiled rice, and precooked (or instant) rice. Some unique types of rice made in the U.S. include: sweet rice, black japonica rice, arborio rice, jasmine rice, basmati rice, aromatic red rice, and della, delrose, and delmont rice. We normally eat white Jasmine rice and occasionally eat brown rice.

Rice is nutritious. It is a major source of carbohydrates which give us energy. It is also a good source of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D, thiamine, niacin, iron, riboflavin, calcium, and fiber. You can do a lot of different things with rice. It can be made into fried rice, sushi, rice pudding, flour, noodles, rice cakes, etc. Serve warm rice with a protein dish (meat, fish, beans, eggs, or tofu) plus vegetables and you are set for a healthy, inexpensive meal. It is great served with stir-fries or curries as well. The possibilities are unlimited.

Here are some interesting facts:

-Rice is the primary dietary staple for more than 50% of the people in the world.

-More than 90 percent of the world's rice is grown and eaten in Asia, where rice is often eaten two to three times every day.

-Asia is home to 250 million rice farms; most of them are quite small.

-In several Asian cultures, the word for cooked rice is the same as the word for meal.

-Rather than saying "How are you?" or "Have you had dinner?", a Chinese person or a Thai person often greets each other, "Have you had rice yet?"

-Almost eighty-five percent of the rice eaten in the U.S. is grown here.

-Americans eat around 24 pounds of rice per year.

-Rice has a low amount of sugar, sodium, and fat. It also contains no gluten, cholesterol, or additives and preservatives.

-Millions and millions of poor people spend half to three fourths of their incomes on rice.

Free rice is a free educational website where you can actually help feed people! For every answer you get right, they donate ten grains of rice to help end world hunger. They have different subjects you can choose from such as art, chemistry, English, geography, languages, and math. Here is the link: http://www.freerice.com/


Miss Alyssa, a 15 year old homeschooler, is interested in writing and film-making for the glory of God and the furtherance of His Kingdom. She is passionate about reaching the unreached with the Gospel. She blogs at One Nation Under GOD.




Friday, July 31, 2009

Braces: awesome or horrible – your choice

by Miss Jessica


I rubbed my jaw and sighed. The panadol I had taken several hours before for my poor, agonized mouth had worn off, so I walked to the kitchen to take some more. It was October, 2007. For a whole week I had taken life relatively easy. Having braces put on hurt a lot, and it was, understandably, taking my mouth a long time to become accustomed to having bits of metal and plastic plastered to my teeth and wire cruelly pulling my mouth’s structure into another position. Even eating tomatoes was excruciating! Let us just say that mealtimes became interesting excursions, and panadol grew to be my faithful companion.

Fourteen months down the track, having my braces tightened hardly bothers me. I lie down in the dentist chair, confident that I won’t go through the same agonizing progress I went through the first few months. In fact, I can walk out of the dentist clinic and eat a steak for dinner and my mouth will feel as fine as if I had eaten marshmallows.

Braces can be seen as worse than worse, shameful, excruciating, and humiliating, but reality is, braces become as natural as without them. All you need is a positive, grateful and contented outlook to get you through the short time you have to wear them.

10 great things about braces:

1. They change the way you speak and chew.
2. If you have them, a qualified, professionally trained orthodontist obviously thinks it is worth having them on.
3. You are given the continual opportunity to ‘live’ with pain and show endurance, joy and patience.
4. The orthodontist takes pains to make them as ‘fun’ as they can, by letting you choose colours for your braces and bands.
5. The orthodontists are relatively chirpy and want to get to know you and will talk to you. (even if they have their hands in your mouth!)
6. You are given another thing to look forward to… having your braces taken off!
7. Taking the pains to clean them well is very rewarding, and the orthodontist will be extremely impressed with you.
8. People notice when you have a good attitude about having braces on; it pays off.
9.It’s different!
10.You are left with a wonderful smile!



Why do we need them and how do they work?

From time to time jaws aren’t shaped right. While some upper jaws are bigger than the lower jaws, called an overbite, sometimes the lower jaw is bigger than the upper jaw, which is called an underbite.

The most common reason for it though is that the adult teeth just don’t grow evenly. In a nutshell, braces work by applying steady pressure to your mouth for a certain amount of time, forcing your teeth to move into the perfect position. To help the jaws move, sometimes the orthodontist makes you wear rubber bands which are stretched from the back of your lower jaw to the front of your upper jaw on both sides. Generally, braces stay on for 18months to two years, although sometimes it is more – my Dad had them on for three and a half years!

How could we look at braces in a positive and enthusiastic way? Is it even humanly possible? What does the Bible say?

For starters, the Bible reminds us in Psalm 118:24, "this is the day that the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." God ordained the day you would have braces; he is still in control even if the pain in your mouth isn’t!

In Philippians 4:11, Paul shares with the Philippians that "…in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Although braces wasn’t on Paul’s mind at that time, he was in an even worse situation than we are, and yet he was as cool as a cucumber about it! Why not give this a go – thank God for your braces. Thank him for the orthodontists and thank him for the investment being invested into your mouth. Truly, we are blessed by the Lord!

For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall, declares David in Psalm 18:29. With God’s help you can do all things – including enduring the pain of braces, not eating certain foods, and keeping on smiling day in and day out!

These are just some ways to remind myself to look on the bright side of having braces, and what God actually says about it! What can you think of that the Bible says about having a positive outlook regardless of the difficulties you face?

Honestly, braces aren’t that bad. Wearing braces can become much less of a deal when we choose to not make it one. What attitude are you going to have today?

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Miss Jessica is a 14year old homeschool girl who lives in Australia. She loves the Lord and enjoys music, reading, history, computers and sewing. Jessica has a warped sense of humour and is always ready for a giggle. She helps her mum around the home and participates in the local church music team. You can find out more about Jess at her blog Little Miss Giggle.




Eye Exam Month

by Miss Alyssa

August is eye exam month. It is a good idea to get your eyes checked by an optometrist at least once a year. The optometrist can tell you if you are nearsighted or farsighted or have astigmatism. He can also let you know if you have an eye disease such as glaucoma or cataracts. Ophthalmologists are eye surgeons. If you needed an eye operation, they would be the ones to do it. Opticians are the ones who make prescription glasses. All three: optometrists, ophthalmologists, and opticians help people with vision problems.
20/20 vision means that the focal point is exactly on the retina. It also means you can clearly see things that are 20 feet away.

Nearsightedness or myopia
happens when an eyeball is too long which makes the focal point fall in front of the retina. It may also be caused by a focusing power that is too strong. Nearsighted people see close up objects more clearly than faraway objects. (I am so terribly nearsighted that I would have to be a few inches away from the screen to type if it were not for my glasses.) Lenses for myopia have a concave surface. The middle is thinner than the edges so the lens will bend light inward which moves the focal point backward onto the retina.

Farsightedness or hyperopia
happens when an eyeball is too short which makes the focal point fall behind the retina. It may also be caused by a focusing power that is too weak. Farsighted people see faraway objects more clearly than close up objects. Lenses for hyperopia have a convex surface. The middle is thicker than the edges so the lens will bend light inward which moves the focal point forward onto the retina.

Most of the time, astigmatism is caused by a cornea that is not perfectly round. Therefore, two different focal points are produced in the same eye! Part of an object may be in focus while another part of it may be out of focus. People with astigmatism have eyestrain and blurred vision at all distances. Lenses for astigmatism have a specially shaped lens which bends light into a single focal point directly on the retina.
There are many ways to solve vision problems. Normally, glasses or contact lens will be all that is needed. Sometimes medicine or vision therapy can help a condition. For eye diseases such as glaucoma or cataracts, surgery may be necessary.

Glaucoma
is often caused by high inner eye pressure. The pressure becomes too high because the proper amount of fluid cannot drain out of the eye so it just builds up. This is what happens in primary open angle glaucoma which is the most common type. The high pressure can damage the optic nerve resulting in blindness. Therefore, the pressure must be lessened. If the glaucoma is caught in time, regularly taking eye drops will keep the pressure within normal levels. In serious cases, laser surgery may correct it. Other types of glaucoma include angle closure glaucoma, normal tension glaucoma (NTG), secondary glaucoma, and pediatric glaucoma. Not all of them are caused by high eye pressure. Some signs that you may have glaucoma are: hard eyes, loss of peripheral vision, and/or high eye pressure. However, you can have high eye pressure without having glaucoma. Unfortunately, only around half of the people in America who have glaucoma know it. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in the world. This is another good reason you should have your vision checked periodically.

Cataracts
is a condition in which your lens becomes clouded. The cure is surgery. The surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens.

Eye care tips:

  • Do not look at the sun. Sunglasses with UV protection are helpful.
  • Hold sharp objects with the point sticking down and do not run while holding them.
  • Wear safety goggles when appropriate.
  • Eat healthy foods. Vitamins A, C, and E are supposed to help your eyes.. Vitamin C helps prevent cataracts and glaucoma and helps reduce eye pressure in those who already have glaucoma. Without enough Vitamin A, you can experience night blindness, dry eyes, swollen eyelids, and more. It can even cause permanent blindness eventually! Vitamin E is believed to help prevent cataracts.

We should also examine and guard our eyes in a different way. We should stay away from things that we should not be seeing (i.e. immoral things on TV, bad pictures in magazines) or reading (i.e. bad words, bad books), etc. "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes" Psalm 101:3a.

All of us see through a type of invisible lens: our worldview. What we believe about God, the formation of the world, men and women, life, and so much more will influence the way we see the things around us. By praying and studying God’s Word, we will be able to have the right Biblical worldview. Only God gives people true wisdom. "For the Lord gives wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:6 "Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil." Proverbs 3:7

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Miss Alyssa, a 15 year old homeschooler, is interested in writing and film-making for the glory of God and the furtherance of His Kingdom. She is passionate about reaching the unreached with the Gospel. She blogs at One Nation Under GOD.



10 Methods to Stop the Bedtime Madness

by Sisterlisa

Many of us may have heard that term 'counting sheep' and it's used when you just can't seem to fall asleep. There are several reasons why you may not be falling asleep at night. This bedtime madness has got to stop! Each person needs to find out what their best sleepy time routine in order to know what helps you get into the mode of relaxation that works for you. Here are a few ideas to help when counting sheep just doesn't cut it anymore.

1. Make sure you have ample time to have physical exercise during the day.

2. Limit caffeine after 2pm.

3. Tale to our Lord about everything that happened that day. When we take time to decompress from the things that crowd our minds each day it helps us to not think about them at bed time. This is especially true for children. If you take time to sit next to them when tucking them in they may begin to ramble on about everything that happened that day, I suggest you let them. Bedtime tends to be scary for small children. Many times they will have nighmares about their day and it gets all jumbled up in their little heads.

4. Make a list of the things you didn't get done so it is off your mind and you can pick it back up in the morning.

5. Have white noise in your room. If you have an ocean sounds CD or fan to run it may help drown out the other night time sounds that tend to keep you awake.

6. Have a bed time routine of things you do every night.
-Lock all doors
-turn off all lights
-plug in cell phone
-hang up cordless phone on base.
-set coffee maker
- pick up items from the floor. (laundry, toys, etc.)
-turn off computers.

7. Get to bed around the same time every night and wake up around the same time every day. Our bodies do well with a routine that is easy to follow.

8. Don't fall asleep with the television on. Commercials are louder than the programming and it can startle you once you have drifted off then your heart is racing again.

9. Don't eat after 6 pm and limit late night liquids so you will have less or no trips to the restoom in the middle of the night.

10. Settle all household arguments with your family. No one should go to sleep with an angry heart.

Sisterlisa is the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Growing in Grace Magazine and owner of AGMinistries, a devotion blog for women. She is married and homeschools her four children while remaining active in serving the Lord in her community.





Tuesday, July 28, 2009

5 Ways to Rehydrate!

by Sisterlisa

The summer months are especially dry and hot which leads to a higher chance of becoming dehydrated. When your body needs water you may suffer from one or more of the following symptoms:

-dry skin
-dry mouth/thirst
-headaches
-dry itchy eyes
-drowsiness
-cheeks flushing (red cheeks)



1. These are just some of the beginning symptoms and must be taken care of immediately. Just because you feel a thirst come upon you doesn't mean you should grab a soda pop or other beverage, water is the best! If you have been outdoors and are not drinking enough water you can drink an electrolyte water such as Propel, which comes in different flavors.

2. Something that Lady Jess' dad likes to do is take a water bottle and drink some of the water out, then add ice cubes and he takes hat with him during the day. Most fast food places and mini-mart gas stations will allow you to refill with water and ice for free or for a small charge.

3. If you have a refillable sports bottle for water you can fill it with ice cubes and by the time you need to drink it, it would be half melted and still half full with ice cubes, iced water instantly to grab and use to hydrate your thirst.


4. We need to learn to keep our bodies hydrated throughout the day, but we should really get started first thing in the morning. If you're a morning coffee or tea drinker it would be wise to begin with a glass of water while your drink is brewing. This gives your fasting kidneys a chance to begin afresh with what is natural to them, water. If you sit at a computer most of the day you can keep a cup of water handy and refill as necessary. I enjoy sipping coffee in the mornings, but when I keep a mug for water in it's place I can stay hydrated by sipping water all day instead.

5. If water is boring for you as it is, try adding a spritz of lemon or orange to your water and toss a small slice of the citrus into the glass.


Sisterlisa is the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Growing in Grace Magazine and owner of AGMinistries, a devotion blog for women. She is married and homeschools her four children while remaining active in serving the Lord in her community.






Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Firework Safety

This very week most Americans will be celebrating Independence Day, commonly known as The Fourth of July. Some counties allow fireworks in your personal yard, while others do not. In my town they are not allowed and we have two choices of where we can see a fireworks performance. One is the local state university and the other is the fairgrounds. We enjoy the one at the university.

Although we don't have personal fireworks we still have some safety precautions that we need to practice in order to have a safe holiday. Since we enjoy the performance in the dark, in a large empty field, far from the parking lot, we need to wear light colored clothing to be able to find each other easily. Once the sun goes down we see other families selling the glow in the dark necklaces, which we always buy.

Some other tips are:
-Wear comfortable shoes for walking
-Bring a light weight hoodie in case the temperature drops suddenly.
-Bring water so you don't dehydrate.
-Bring snacks.
-Bring folding chairs
-A small bag of toys such as frisbees, softballs and mits, or hoolahoops for fun before the sun goes down.

When it's time to walk back to the car, stay close to one another. Be sure to look both ways when crossing streets and drive home safely. Choose the streets that are less traveled to avoid traffic.

If you live in a county that allows fireworks, check with the county office to find ut if there are specific laws concerning fireworks in their county. Some do not allow certain types such as sparklers and m-80's.

-Keep your hair back in a pony tail to avoid catching on fire.
-Do not wear lose clothing that drgas or hangs, or could get blown in the wind.
-Do NOT light your own fireworks. Parents only!
-Have a bucket of water handy to be sure they are completely out before tossing in the garbage. (Parents be sure it has colled substantially before tossing it in the water to avoid burns.)
-Have a pair of long tongs near by to avoid burns to hands.
-Wear closed toe shoes.
-Have plenty of ice available in case someone gets burned. Do not place ice directly on the burn, but place the ice into a container of water and immerse burned hand or foot into the water.
-See e-How for more info on handling a firework burn.


Sisterlisa is the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Growing in Grace Magazine and owner of AGMinistries, a devotion blog for women. She is married and homeschools her four children while remaining active in serving the Lord in her community.




Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Healthy Steps: Allergies

by Lady Jess


*Aaaaaaaa-choooooo!*
Excuse me, it's allergy season and I thought it would be a good idea to talk about sinus health in this Healthy Steps. To start off, here are some ideas for prevention and/or fixer uppers.

Chamomile Tea is considered as a natural anti-histamine. This is very popular drink throughout the world. Having one or two cups, sweetened with your local honey, in the day gives you immunity towards the allergens. Keep in mind that you should not consume it if allergic to ragweed.

Fresh garlic is one of the best immunity builders against any type of the allergens. Garlic has proven its efficacy as decongestant and hence also used in many different types of coughs and colds. Try to have fresh garlic rather than going for powdered or dried or readymade paste. *Remember that garlic may worsen the case if you have severe acid-reflux. You need to keep the original raw garlic juice intact. It is a natural anti-biotic.

Simple and plain local honey will work. This gives fight towards the allergens and also helps you become resistant to certain pollens. Keep in mind that all the beneficial properties are lost once the honey is cooked.You can most likely find local honey at a Farmer's Market near you.

Peppermint tea is used to help relieve congestion from the nose and the respiratory tract. On the other hand, in summer, it is refreshing when icy and helps in preventing coughs and sinus problems related to the allergy.

Ginger is sufficient enough to cover up all the causative factors to allergies. This not only builds immunity but also reduces the over secretion of histamine from the body which is most uncomfortable factor during allergy attacks.

Green tea or the common table tea has natural capacity to block the over secretion of histamine. You can have one to two cups a day with honey. Instead of the green tea, you can replace that by having black tea. It is not reported as effective as green tea, but sometimes this can be used as substitute.(Side note: drinking green tea may also help you lose weight
;)

Thyme is wonderful for congestion. This tea is also used for cough, stuffy nose and sinus problems. You can prepare the tea using one teaspoon of the dried herb for each cup of water. The precaution includes the dosage should not exceed more than one cup a day.

Dilute vinegar by adding a little water and apply it with a cotton ball on the bug-bites. This prevents the allergic reaction towards the toxins secreted in a bite. You can also put some vinegar in your bath-tub.

Some have taken a dose of 400 mg of Vitamin E regularly at least for 3-4 weeks. This is known to possesses anti-allergic property.

Go for half cup of the vegetable or fruit juice or take simple plain water and add about 5 drops of castor oil. This drink should be taken on empty stomach in the morning.

Limejuice is most popular remedy for allergies. Lukewarm water is mixed with one teaspoon of honey and ½ tsp of limejuice is taken on regular basis early in the morning. This should be continued for couple of months. Taking this builds immunity towards the allergic conditions. Be careful if you are one of those people who are allergic to citrus fruits.

Oatmeal: If your allergies give you hives, oatmeal can be really useful. Pour one cup of boiling water over one tablespoon oatmeal. Let it steep for thirty minutes. Strain it, and then apply the liquid on your hives with a cotton ball. This also works to relive bug bites. Refrigerate the solution and use it in a few days. You can also make this in larger amounts and put it in your bathwater (about four cups of water and four tablespoons of oatmeal).

Apple cider vinegar: Many grandmothers used to put apple cider vinegar on any bug bites or hives to cut down on the itching. Just dilute the vinegar down with a little water and apply it with a cotton ball.

Another good idea is Jamba Juice. If you like it, order your drink then make sure that you get a free immunity boost!


Lady Jess is a teen lady who is homeschooled along with her siblings. She assists her mother in teaching her younger siblings, is an interpreter in her church's deaf ministry, sings in two local choirs, and is in training to be a homeschooling parent herself one day.


Saturday, January 31, 2009

Fact of the Matter: Eating Yourself Out of a Pit

by Sisterlisa

I grew up in the world as an unsaved person, in the public school and very much consumed by how the actresses looked on television. I inherited my hips from the females on my side of the family and when I would compare myself to the other girls at school, I felt big. My self-esteem was as close as being completely delinquent. My family was not health conscious and all my friends seemed to be able to eat anything they wanted and not gain weight. I joined an aerobics class and although I could feel myself becoming stronger, I was not slimming down at all. I figured I must be a reject. It didn't take long before I started forcing my food up after a meal.

Several years of binging and I could no longer control it. Any time I would eat, my body would automatically follow the pattern I had set. I was not losing weight. I was afraid I'd get caught. After I got married, I was able to stop during the time I carried my first child, but as soon as she was born my body got right back to it. I was determined to lose the pounds I had gained during my pregnancy, but what I wasn't prepared for was the amount of control this eating disorder was taking in my life.

I began going to church and attending a weekly prayer meeting with some other people from the church I was in at the time. Week after week we were asked to pray for a girl. We were told it was an unspoken prayer request regarding her health. We weren't sure if it was cancer or a broken limb, we just didn't know. After praying for her for several months she came one Wednesday night to thank us. She stood before us and began to share how an eating disorder had taken over her life and that she was hospitalized. She explained the details of how God delivered her from this 'ugly beast that controlled her'. What she was describing was exactly what I was beginning to go through. It was evident that she had been battling a personal demon and I knew I was headed straight for destruction. Her testimony changed my heart and I immediately stopped! I am thankful that by her testimony I was able to cease from abusing my body like that. however there are thousands of young ladies who do get caught up in their eating disorder that they need to get medical help.

Anorexia-Nervosa and Bulimia are two very serious eating disorders. Your body was not created to starve or vomit up it's food after eating. God created our bodies to process food and use the calories as energy to live each day. When we stop feeding ourselves healthy foods, our body thinks it needs to hold onto the fat that it has in order to survive. So while you 'think' you are losing weight, you are actually stopping yourself from shedding those extra pounds and depriving your body of the energy it needs to function each day. When you find ways to vomit your meals, the acid from your stomach flushes through your esophagus and teeth, eroding tissue from your throat and enamel from your teeth. Tooth decay sets in and you increase you risk of cavities. These are just a few side effects of these two eating disorders.

Anorexia also causes shrunken bones, mineral loss, low body temperature, irregular heartbeat, permanent failure of normal growth, development of osteoporosis. Using laxatives as a form of weight loss wears out the bowel muscle and causes it to decrease in function. Some laxatives contain harsh substances that may be reabsorbed into your system. One percent of teenage girls in the U.S. develop anorexia nervosa and up to 10% of those may die as a result.

The best thing you can do if you feel your health is at risk by being overweight is to talk to your parents and they can help you talk to your physician. Our bodies need essential things in order to remain healthy. Depriving ourselves of nutritional foods is not going to help us become strong healthy ladies. If you believe you are overweight and struggle with high calorie temptations there are things you can do to help.

1. Talk to your parents about your temptations.
2. If you're an adult find an accountability partner, who does not struggle in this area, to support you.
3. Read God's Word and study the topic of gluttony and temperance.
4. Pray for God to help you have the victory.
5. Exercise! Just get up and go outside for a 30 minute walk every day until you can increase your stamina to do more.
6. Refuse to buy high calorie goodies.
7. Avoid soda pop.
8. Drink plenty of water.
9. Eat fresh veggies. In the cooking process of veggies you can lose valuable vitamins you need in order to lose those extra calories you body is holding onto.
10. Eat whole grain breads and grains. White grains have been processed and the nutrition has been removed.

These are just ten tips that I have used in the past and I was able to lose the extra pounds and gain the strength I needed in order to increase my physical stamina to burn more calories. If you think you need serious intervention talk to your parents and your family physician.


Sisterlisa is the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Growing in Grace Magazine and owner of AGMinistries, a devotion blog for women. She is married and homeschools her four children while remaining active in community service and leads the deaf ministry at her church.

Healthy Steps: Grapefruit Health Benefits

by Mrs. Brown


Grapefruit!

The grapefruit, a relatively new fruit, is a naturally occurring hybrid from the pomelo and the sweet orange. It was first called the shaddock or the shattuck because it was introduced to many people by Captain Shaddock. It was popularized in the 19th Century after being “discovered” in Barbados in the late 18th Century. It was later called “the forbidden fruit” before becoming commonly known as the grapefruit due to its growth in clusters like grapes.

The grapefruit has been successfully used in diets and cleanses for many, many years. Scientific research has found multiple advantages as well!

NUTRIENTS:

The grapefruit is rich in beneficial nutrients including fiber, minerals, enzymes, fatty acids and amino acids. Grapefruits are teeming with vitamins A, B complex, E, and K and are especially well-known for their high Vitamin C content! Less well-known are its phytonutrients called limonoids, antioxidants, lycopene and naringenin. Did you know that not only bananas are able to boast high levels of potassium? This wonder fruit, which is most commonly found in the white or pink varieties, also abounds in folate, citric acid, flavonoids, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and glucarates.

Okay, so grapefruit have all of these fantastic ingredients… so what? What does this actually DO for the consumer?

HEALTH BENEFITS:

The LOW GLYCEMIC INDEX aids in stabilizing blood sugars and even prevents diabetes.

STIMULATES LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

RELIEVES SORE THROATS AND COUGHS

IMPROVES CIRCULATION

METABOLIZES FAT

LOWERS CHOLESTEROL

STRENGTHENS ARTERIES

IMPROVES DIGESTION

The REMOVAL OF EXCESS ESTROGEN prevents breast cancer.

REDUCES AND CAN EVEN AID IN THE REMOVAL OF KIDNEY AND GALL STONES

PROMOTES COLON HEALTH

BOOSTS LIVER ENZYMES

NARINGENIN REPAIRS DNA


The detoxifying properties clear carcinogens from the body.

PRODUCTS:

Besides the fleshy fruit that we typically eat the grapefruit yields a tangy citrus juice. There are also many benefits from the peel, pulp and seeds. Essential oils such as limonene, citral and pinene can be extracted from the peels to be used in aromatherapy. The peel also contains large amounts of dietary fiber. The seed and pulp are used in cattle feed as well as in many human applications.

GRAPEFRUIT SEED EXTRACT/GSE:

Grapefruit Seed Extract is a bitter liquid with sweet rewards. It is purported to aid in the healing of wounds, candidiasis, throat infections, stomach ailments and more. It is hypo-allergenic with few (if any) side-effects. It is inexpensive and can be used daily for long periods of time. It raises the pH, which is helpful since many degenerative diseases effect the patient by lowering or causing an imbalance of the pH.

While GSE is ineffective against some feline diseases, it is a strong anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitical for humans and most pets. It also is great at killing “bad” bacteria, while promoting the health and growth of “good” bacteria/flora in the intestinal tract and stomach.

GSE USES:

DISINFECTANT

HOUSEHOLD CLEANER

PREVENTS WATER and FOOD-BORNE ILLNESSES (particularly good when travelling)

USEFUL AS A NATURAL INSECTICIDE

A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE VEGGIE WASH

WOUND CARE (EVEN SCARS)

REMOVES SKIN BACTERIA (ACNE WASH)


CAUTIONS:

If you are taking medications, make sure they do not adversely interact with grapefruits. Never take meds with a glass of grapefruit juice and make sure to read up on your meds and discuss any possible concerns with a doctor or pharmacist. Some medications, such as Blood Pressure meds, have been found to have IMPROVED absorption while in taking grapefruit products, but some medications are made ineffective by the same products.

Additionally, according to juicing-for-health.com “Excessive consumption of any citrus juices can leach calcium from the body system, causing decay of the bones and teeth.”

PREPARATION IDEAS:

Even if you are not intending to use the grapefruit peel, you should still wash the fruit in cool water before cutting to prevent anything on the peel from entering the flesh of the fruit. This is true of all fruit and vegetable preparation.

Grapefruit can be peeled and eaten like an orange or cut in half and cut into wedges and eaten with a spoon. You can even purchase spoons with serrated edges made just for eating grapefruit! You might want to beware of being squirted in the eye though! This popular method of eating grapefruit has often resulted in a juicy surprise!

In asking friends how they like to eat grapefruit quite a few were in the practice of sprinkling them with one of the following toppings:

Sugar

Brown sugar

Cinnamon-sugar

Powdered sugar

I’ve been told that if you drizzle honey on the cut fruit and broil it or warm it in a toaster oven for 2-4 minutes it makes a delicious dessert and can be served warm with a fresh sprig of mint! Doesn’t that sound just divine? I’ve also been told that if you let the sweetener soak into the fruit for 5 minutes or more before eating that improves the flavor even more!

Grapefruit is delicious in a green salad with chicken and coconut for a tropical flair or gives a wonderful zip to any fruit salad or compote! Grapefruit chutney or salsa is a cool and refreshing dip and it was even suggested to me that grapefruit might be good frozen into popsicles or ice cubes to add flavor to a beverage. YUM! My mouth is watering just THINKING ABOUT it!

Toronja Rellena is a sweetened grapefruit stuffed with honey and dolce de leche is a snack usually sold along the roadside on weekends in Central America. I’d love to try that someday!

RECIPES:

Winter Fruit Bowl

"This fruit salad goes well with any meat dish. The blend of grapefruit and cranberries gives it a tangy flavor-- and a pretty holiday look."

Grapefruit Pie

This recipe was given to me by my friend, Elizabeth King!

2 cups graham crumbs

1/2 cup melted butter

2 teaspoons grated grapefruit rind

5 eggs

2/3 cup sugar

1 cup grapefruit juice

1/3 cup butter, chopped

2 1/2 cups whipping cream

2 tablespoons sugar

Mix graham crumbs, melted butter and rind. Press over the base of a spring form pan. Mix eggs and 2/3 cup sugar in the top of a double boiler. Whisk and cook until thick and creamy. Add juice and chopped butter. Whisk until slightly thickened. Cover. Cool to room temperature. Whip 1 1/4 cups cream and beat it into the mixture. Poor this filling over the crust. Bake at 350 for 1 hour, or until set. Cool to room temperature. Refrigerate several hours. Beat 1 1/4 cups cream and 2 tablespoons sugar. Spread over top. Decorate with sprinkles or toasted almonds, etc.
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Mrs. Brown is a GGM contributor and owner of a small custom crocheting business/ministry named Bundled In Prayer. She enjoys Bible study, writing, scrapbooking, sewing, reading and more. She is happily married to her best friend, Russ and is in her 12th year of homeschooling her five children.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

More with Baking Soda

by Miss Maria Pauline

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I use baking soda as a face scrub. Mix with water into a paste and rub in circular motions on oily spots. Removes oil effectively without nasty chemicals.

My face is usually spared from major breakouts. My secret is quite simple, I wash it with water twice a day. Once in a while, I will use some baking soda, but I have found that most soaps only make my skin dependent on them - by taking out necessary oils my skin feels the need to make more.

Baking soda is also good for nice teeth. Just add some to your regular toothpaste, that way you still get fluoride, but the baking soda makes teeth feel very clean and it whitens them.

This beauty planner tip was sent in by Miss Maria Pauline

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

National Eye Health Care Month

by SisterAngie

Perhaps you have heard your grandmother tell you to take care of your eyes because they are the only pair you have. During this month of national recognition for eye care, here are some tips that will help you keep your eyes healthy.

1. Eating orange and green foods are usually good for your eyes because they contain vitamin A, which is known to be good for eye health.
2. Wear UV protective sunglasses. Long exposure to UV rays can harm your eyesight.
3. Wear eye protection when working with chemicals or projects that would cause flying debris.
4. If you wear contact lenses, avoid wearing them for more than 12 hours. This can cause damage in addition to discomfort.
5. Be cautious using eye drops to reduce redness. Continued and daily usage can actually make the problem worse.
6. Press cold cucumber slices gently against eyes to prevent puffiness.
7. Too much time looking at a computer screen can cause eye strain.

On a personal note, about a year ago, I was experiencing blurry vision, recurring headaches, and eye twitching. These symptoms prompted me to see an optometrist. After a thorough examination, sure enough, the doctor could not believe I had gone so long without glasses.


I recall when she slipped the magical lens in front of my eyes how the letters before me came into focus. Even the white background behind the letters was illuminated, turning from gray to bright white. How had I endured this fuzzy focus for so many years? It seemed so normal to me.

On the way home from the clinic where I finally picked up my glasses, the best way I know to describe my new vision is to say that all of a sudden things had a high definition quality about them. There was a new depth to my eyesight. No longer did I see just a tree along side of the road. I could also see the detail of leaves.


This made me question. How are my spiritual eyes lacking? In what areas am I walking in darkness and do not even realize it?

Oh Lord, with the psalmist, I ask, open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law (Ps 119:18). I want to see the world through the lens of your word, my spiritual vision illuminated and magnified by faith!
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Sister Angie is her husband’s ' help meet' and mother of two wonderful children. Her life’s mission is to serve and help others by encouraging, exhorting with God’s truth, and interceding on behalf of the saints and the lost. She can be found at Sonflower and as a moderator/contributor at Growing in Grace.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Beauty Planner: The Winter Sun

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Did you know in the winter the sun is closer to the earth and air is drier as well? That means the sunrays are closer to your skin and more harmful. Be sure to drink plenty of water and add some kind of protecant to your skin. Some suggest using sunscreen, though I don't know that aloe lotion wouldn't work just as well.

This beauty planner tip was sent in by Miss Elizabeth


Sunday, November 30, 2008

The World's First Heart Transplant...Or Was It?

by SisterAngie

The world’s first heart transplant was performed by a doctor named Christiaan Barnard of South Africa. Interestingly enough, Barnard grew up in a home of meager resources. His dad was a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church. After having a brother die from heart problems at the age of five, he was determined to become South Africa’s leading cardiac surgeons.
He eventually performed South Africa’s first kidney transplant and later experimented with heart transplants in animals. Over fifty dogs received new hearts!

Finally, on December 3, 1967, the world’s first successful heart transplant was performed for a man who had incurable heart disease. Can you imagine being in the position of that first person to undergo such a surgery? Barnard was quoted as saying, "For a dying man it is not a difficult decision because he knows he is at the end. If a lion chases you to the bank of a river filled with crocodiles, you will leap into the water, convinced you have a chance to swim to the other side."

When I first heard of this special date in history, I could not help but think about our amazing God, the master heart surgeon. In Ezekiel, He promises, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh." He sure did that for me!

Before I knew Jesus, I had no problem telling lies and had many idols in my life. My heart was hard indeed. I desperately needed a new one. Praise God, I did not have to wait in a long list of potential recipients and qualify through rigorous guidelines and criteria, not to mention the over $200,000 cost for such a major surgery!

The sword of the Spirit, God’s word, was the perfectly sterilized implement that was used in my supernatural heart transplant. One night I laid my husband’s Bible on my lap and asked God that if Jesus was real, to show himself to me. As my eyes fell on Isaiah 41:10, Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. These were the words of hope I had been looking for all of my life. I realized God was not far away, but close and personal, an answer to all the fears I felt in living so many years on my own without Him.

As with any recipient of a new physical heart, I had a fresh lease on life filled with hope, joy, and a promise that when my actual heart sounds its last beat, I will live beyond this natural life! Until then, we must endeavor to “Keep thy heart with all diligence…” both spiritually and


Tuesday, September 30, 2008

National Vegetarian Month



October is National Vegetarian Month
Vegetarianism
is the practice of a diet that excludes meat (including game and slaughter by-products), fish (including shellfish and other sea animals) and poultry. There are several variants of the diet, some of which also exclude eggs and/or some products produced from animal labour such as dairy products and honey.

The first kind is called Lacto-Vegetarianism. This is a vegetarian diet that includes dairy products, but excludes eggs.

The second is called Ovo-Vegetarianism. This is a vegetarian diet that includes eggs, but excludes dairy products.

The third is called Lacto-Ovo-Vegetarianism. This is a vegetarian diet that includes dairy products and eggs in their diet.

The fourth is called a Pesco-vegetarianism. This is a vegetarian diet that includes fish.

The fifth is a veganism. It is a form of vegetarianism which excludes all animal products from the diet, such as meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, eggs and honey. Strict veganism also excludes the use of animal products such as wool, silk, leather, and fur for attire and adornment, even though some of these do not directly involve the death or slaughter of an animal.

Different fruits and vegetables have different vitamins in them. Therefore I thought that I would tell you what kinds of foods have which vitamins in them.

Vitamin A
  • orange fruits and vegetables (like cantaloupe, carrots, sweet potatoes)
  • dark green leafy vegetables (like kale, collards, spinach)
Vitamin B
  • leafy green vegetables
  • beans and peas
Vitamin C
  • citrus fruits, like oranges
  • cantaloupe
  • strawberries
  • tomatoes
  • broccoli
  • cabbage
  • kiwi fruit
  • sweet red peppers
Vitamin E
  • whole grains, such as wheat and oats
  • wheat germ
  • leafy green vegetables
  • nuts and seeds
Vitamin K
  • leafy green vegetables
  • broccoli
  • soybean oil
Leafy green vegetables means dark green. This is all to just name a few of the many, many vitamins that are in all of the fruits and vegetables that you eat.

The Bible says in
1 Timothy 4:1-5, "1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer."


Remember, God gave us meat to eat. It is o.k. to abstain from eating meat for what ever health reasons or whatever, but remember that the Lord gave us meat as a blessing to us.

**CAUTION**
If you do decide to take this sort of a step in your life, I would caution you. Cutting out meat in your diet is cutting out the vitamin B12. This vitamin is important to keep your health. Also, if you do not get the proper nutrients you could become very sluggish and tired all of the time. But, you can take vitamin supplements and the like to make up for the loss of that particular vitamin. If you become a vegetarian, people might ask you if you eat fish. The first thought that will probably come to your head is "No, it's meat. Duh." But, the reason they are asking is because fish includes the vitamin called omega-3, also important to your health. But you can also take vitamins to get this. If you decide to take this step for any reason at all. If it be related to morality, religion, culture, ethics, aesthetics, environment, society, economy, politics, taste, or health; just remember be safe. :)


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