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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Benefits of Honey and Cinnamon

As I have recently blogged, lately, I have been trying to get into a more healthy and all-natural lifestyle. Two things that I have always found to be fun and yummy home remedies are honey and cinnamon, and below is a list of health problems that honey and cinnamon help!  Enjoy!




1) HEART DISEASES: Apply honey and cinnamon powder on bread instead of using jam or butter and eat it regularly for breakfast.

2) ARTHRITIS: Apply a paste made of the two ingredients on the affected part of the body and massage slowly.

3) HAIR LOSS: Apply a paste of hot olive oil, a tablespoon of honey, a teaspoon of cinnamon powder before bath, leave it for 15 min and wash.

4) BLADDER INFECTIONS: Mix cinnamon powder and honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink.

5) TOOTHACHE: Apply a paste of cinnamon powder and honey and on the aching tooth.

6) CHOLESTEROL: Mix cinnamon powder and honey in boiled water or green tea and drink.

7) COLDS: Make a glass of lukewarm honey water mixed with cinnamon powder to help boost your immune system during the cold season. It may also help to clear your sinuses.

8) INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on a spoonful of honey taken before food relieves acidity.

9) LONGEVITY: Regularly take tea made with honey and a little cinnamon powder.

10) PIMPLES: Mix honey with cinnamon powder and apply paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash away the next morning.

11) OBESITY: To reduce weight, daily drink a mixture of a teaspoon of honey with half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder boiled in water with an empty stomach in the morning about half an hour before breakfast.  Cinnamon has an insulin boosting property (water soluble compounds called polyphenol type A polymers)which have the ability to boost insulin activity about 20 fold and can benefit people who have high sugar levels (obese people, pre-diabetics and diabetics ). Also, read the honey hibernation diet theory to find out how honey contributes to the metabolizing of undesirable cholesterol and fatty acid, provides a fuelling mechanism for the body, keep blood sugar levels balanced, and let our recovery hormones get on with burning body fat stores.

12) BAD BREATH: Gargle with honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water so that breath stays fresh throughout the day.


Honey plus cinnamon together besides being a amazing potential cure for so many illnesses, their total fragrant, sweet and warm taste is also a perfect match for the palate. The combination adds a magic effect to the taste of cakes, breads, biscuits and rolls and is known to make many winning recipes in the world of delicious food, such as the famous, easy-to-make, kids' favourite classic - honey and cinnamon butter toast!


Thursday, August 26, 2010

Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide

Currently, all I have inserted in my household notebook are my daily/weekly routines and reminders with cleaning tips, but I am wanting to expand it and make it the "book for all household needs" type of thing. I am currently typing up home remedies that I will eventually print and add to my notebook for quick, easy access. And along with that, I will include the following.

Since I am in my first trimester of pregnancy, my sense of smell is enormous! Also, being the one who is in charge of cleaning the house, I know that many cleaning supplies that are sold in stores are actually harmful for me to inhale. So, a friend of mine showed me a list of natural uses for things like Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide. Below are two lists of things which those two items can be used! Taken from 1 Green Generation, I hope it is helpful to you!






BAKING SODA







1. Shampoo Replacement. A Non-Toxic, Frugal Way To Wash Your Hair Without Buying Shampoo explains it all in detail. Try it!

2. Deodorant. How To Make Your Own Deodorant (A Very Simple Recipe). I encourage you to try that as well – so simple!

3. Air Freshener & Deodorizer. Brilliantly easy, all you need to do is open up a box of baking soda, or dump a pile of it into a bowl, and leave it in an offensively smelling area – your fridge, your closet, your pet area, you car, wherever! (Change it out every 3-6 months.)

4. Carpet and Garment Deodorizer. Just sprinkle a bit over the offensive area and let it sit. A little while later, you can vacuum or shake it out.

5. Counter, sink, and tub Cleaner. Just like using Bon Ami or some other powdered cleaner, sprinkle it onto the surface and rub with a wet cloth. Be careful on delicate surfaces – test it out first to make sure it won’t scratch, though it’s more delicate than most powdered cleaners. To shine the surface afterward, you can spray a bit of vinegar and wipe clean.

6. Jewelry and Silverware Cleaner. You can use a paste of a baking soda mixed with a bit of water (3:1 or so), or if that doesn’t work well enough you can try replacing the water with hydrogen peroxide.

7. Coffee, Tea, Rust, and Hard Water Stain Remover. Scrub with the same 3:1 (baking soda: water) paste, and it should do the trick!

8. Pot and Pan Cleaner. Sprinkle some baking soda onto your rag or sponge, and clean your pots – it will take off many stains.

9. Drain Unclogger. If water hasn’t yet backed up, pour 1 cup of baking soda down, followed by 3 cups boiling water. Repeat if the drain doesn’t clear. If the drain still doesn’t clear, follow with 1 cup of vinegar. This makes it bubble, fizz and usually that does the trick! If this does not work, we usually buy enzymes from the local health food store.

10. Cat Litter Extender. If your cat is persnickety about clean litter, in addition to cleaning the litter daily, you can shake a light layer of baking soda onto the litter and mix it up.

11. Garlic Smell Eliminator. Cutting boards and other surfaces can be cleaned with a thick paste of vinegar and baking soda. Apply this paste and let it sit for 10-15 minutes – it will both clean and deodorize.

12. Bath Softener. If you want to feel extra soft and silky, dissolve 2 cups of baking soda in your bath water. This works well if you have itchy skin from bites or hives also.

13. Exfoliator. I use the same mixture for my hair (above) as a light exfoliator on my face every couple of weeks. It’s quite rejuvenating.

14. Homemade Toothpaste. You can make your own toothpaste by using two tablespoons of baking soda and one tablespoon of peroxide. I don’t do this regularly, but I have done it in a pinch.

15. Denture or Retainer Soak. You can soak these overnight in a glass with water and baking soda. It will leave them clean and deodorized.

16. Fill small holes in Drywall. Sometimes you find yourself without spackle. Ah, just mix a bit of white toothpaste with some baking soda and fill the holes! Let it dry completely before you paint or anything – but you might find you don’t need to paint!

17. Fire Extinguisher. Great for a grease fire in the kitchen, a car fire, or another small fire. Just sprinkle it over the fire until the fire goes out. Keep it in your kitchen for sure!

18. Shoe Deodorizer. Sprinkle a small amount in your shoe, or put some in an old sock and tie the sock – then stuff it in your shoe overnight.

19. Ant, Roach, and Flea Deterrent. If you have ants or roaches, sprinkle baking soda in the areas where they are coming in the house. If you have fleas on the lawn, sprinkle baking soda around the areas where you and your pets walk by. This helps. I’ve written other tips for organic ant control here. You can try it with snails and rabbits, too!

20. Cook with it. Lots of yummy things. Like pancakes!








HYDROGEN PEROXIDE







1. Whiten Your Whites and Brighten Your Brights. Works fabulously as a bleach alternative that you can also use on colors. Just put the hydrogen peroxide in the bleach receptacle in washer.

2. Stain Remover. Works very well on blood, if you get to it fairly quickly – I learned this from Matt’s mom who is a nurse! Just pour a bit on a cloth and dab at your clothing; if it has sat for a while, pour some on and let it sit for a couple of hours. Also, some people just have a chemical difference in their sweat that leaves yellow underarm stains on white clothing. Or wine stains on a white blouse? Again, pour some hydrogen peroxide on the stain and let it sit a couple hours. Then wash as you would normally – this works for me every time!

3. Antiseptic. Works great to help kill germs and prevent infection on cuts and scrapes. Make sure it bubbles up first before dabbing it off.

4. Mouthwash. You can use it straight or mix 1 to 1, water to hydrogen peroxide. Gargle, Swoosh, Spit, and Rinse. This works well if you have canker sores or other mouth sores.

5. Toothpaste. You can make your own toothpaste by using two tablespoons of baking soda and one tablespoon of peroxide. I don’t do this regularly, but I have done it in a pinch.

6. Cutting Board and Countertop Sanitizer. Vinegar kills most germs, and hydrogen peroxide kills most of the rest. The two kill more germs and bacteria than bleach alone, if you do this: have the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide in two different spray bottles, spray on one first, then the other. Then rinse clean.

7. Watering Your Plants. If you tend to over-water your plants, this is for you. Mix 1 oz of hydrogen peroxide with 1 quart of water, and water your plants normally. This adds oxygen to your soil, helping stave off root rot and enhances root development. I do this particularly with plants whose soil is overly dense and more prone to water-logging.

8. Kill Shower Mold and Mildew. Spray on the surface and let sit, then wipe clean. Or spray after your shower to prevent mold from forming.

9. Toilet Bowl Cleaner. Pour 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide into the bowl, let stand for 20 minutes, and scrub clean.You can do the same thing with vinegar.

10. For Faster Germination When Soaking Seeds. This is a new one to me – I just read about it and haven’t tried it yet. Apparently if you soak your seeds in 1 cup of water mixed with 1.5 t hydrogen peroxide, the seeds will germinate faster. Has anyone tried this yet?




So there you go!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Baby "LEE" Update -- SIX WEEKS!

A baby in the womb, at 6 weeks.


Amazing, isn't it? The more I read about what is going on inside of me, the more I am in awe of God and creation. I am rendered speechless over and over again by the intricate design of humanity. And along with being amazed, I am also heartbroken when I think of the 42 million abortions that were performed last year, and the 115,000 performed - today! My little baby's heart is beating! He or she is growing arms and legs. It is no protoplasm in my womb - it is a life!

At this moment, baby "Lee" is now the size of a sweet pea! He/she is starting to grow eyes, ears, nose, cheeks, and chin! The baby's heart is beating almost twice as fast as mine! Blood is starting to circulate. By the end of the week, his or her little hands and feet might wiggle! WOW! Amazed again.

I now fully understand what David truly meant when he said, "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." - Psalm 139:14



Sunday, August 22, 2010

Children Are a Heritage of the LORD

Exactly 10 days ago, I was given the most surprising, exciting, shocking, overwhelming, and thrilling news of my life!


I am pregnant!!


Yes, that is correct. Almighty God has seen fit to touch me intimately and physically and has blessed my womb with a life! And not just a life - but a SOUL!

I came from a big family and I watched my Mother carry and bear five children.... but I never came close to fathoming the joy that she felt. I never fully understood how exciting it truly was for her and my Dad.... until now. Now that I hold a new life in my body, I understand - more than ever before - the sacredness of life, the beauty of life, and the absolute thrilling joy of a child! I literally cannot wait!!!

Grant and I felt convicted immediately into our marriage that we would let God have full control of every aspect of our lives. We knew that God is fully able to help us, lead us, guide us, provide for us, and keep us and so we decided to surrender everything, even the matter of children, into His hands. So the Lord, obviously thinks that we ready for the wild and exciting ride of parenthood. And He touched us! I cannot tell you how honored I feel, how humbled I feel, and how overwhelmed by His goodness I am.

Currently, I am 6 weeks into my pregnancy. I am tired and fatigued, but watching the mirror every day for a baby bump.... even though I know it will be weeks more! I am already browsing through the baby section in stores and making lists of what I will need. I am praying over the child countless times throughout the day and talking to him/her like he/she can already hear me. My husband and I are praying, more than anything, for a child who will come to know Jesus early in life. We are praying for a healthy baby who will grow up to be a hero of the faith, a missionary or minister, a spiritual world changer! We are praying - even now - for the Lord to fill this tiny life with His Spirit. Please join us in prayer.

So, in closing, all I can say is:


Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!










Psalm 127:3-5
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.




Saturday, August 21, 2010

Pretty Peppers

Here are my pretty peppers that are sitting outside on my front porch. Now, I haven't dared eat them, but my husband and cousin said they are HOT. As for me, I just like looking at them and I thought you would too! :)







Saturday, August 14, 2010

We Cannot Wait

James 1:27
"Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this:
to visit the widows and the fatherless in their affliction."




“How many there are … who imagine that because Jesus paid it all, they need pay nothing, forgetting that the prime object of their salvation was that they should follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in bringing back a lost world to God.”

– Lottie Moon

Friday, August 13, 2010

Tomato and Parmesan Pasta

This afternoon, I got really hungry. Since I normally don't eat breakfast, but nibble off and on throughout the day, lunch came around 1:30 p.m. for me this afternoon. So I went into the kitchen, opened up the fridge and saw pasta noodles from a couple of days ago. Pasta sounds nice! Now for the topping...

After a few minutes, I whipped up this quick and easy pasta topping.





2 Tbsp. butter
2-3 Tbsp. olive oil
3-4 Tbsp. parmesan cheese
a dash of garlic salt
1 slice of a tomato, chopped in tiny pieces

Throw it all in a skillet until butter is melted and everything is well mixed and hot. Pour over your choice of pasta! YUM. :)


Thursday, August 12, 2010

For Such Is The Kingdom



Lately, I have been pondering the phrase Jesus spoke 2,000 years ago.


"But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."   (Luke 18:16)

It is almost like Jesus is saying that the key to the kingdom of heaven is child-likeness, isn't it? In Matthew chapter 18, Jesus said to be as little children and if we come to Him like a child comes to their father, then we are made great in His kingdom.


"At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."  (Matthew 18:1-4)

These passages in Scripture have been on my mind heavily for quite a while now. Coming from a family of five younger siblings and quite a handful of young cousins, I can say that I know a bit about children.
 
Children are innocent. Children are trusting. Children have a spirit of adventure. Children dream, while adults force themselves to focus on the tough reality. Children believe the unbelievable. Children are teachable; easily able to mold.
 
For such is the kingdom....
 
The more I think about it, the more I realize that I need to be more childlike in my relationship with Jesus. I need to be constantly filled with pure innocence, dwelling on the holiness of God. I need to TRUST my Master in all things. I need to trust that He will never leave me, never do me harm, never stop loving me. He will provide. He will prosper. He will give peace. I need to forever have the spirit of joyful adventure as I walk each day in His will. I should be anxiously and eagerly waiting for Him to move and speak every moment of every day. While living in a sin-cursed world, I should not focus simply on my hardships, but on the beauty of the Christian life, while serving and living out His dreams for me. I need to believe He can do miracles. I need to believe that He will do the impossible. And probably most of all, I need to be teachable by Him. I need to be clay that will not fight the potter; accepting every squeeze, every painful shaping of life, knowing that He who hath begun a good work in me, WILL perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.  (Philippians 1:6)

Too often, I am hard and cold. Unteachable. Untouchable. Haughty. Unkind. When I should be welcoming whatever the Lord brings to me, may it be rain or shine, many times I reject the opportunity to be as a child. When I should be giving, I am often selfish. When I should be trusting, I am frequently doubtful.

How I need more of Jesus in my life! The walk of a Christian really is an endless school of learning how much we lack and how we need Him more and more. I NEED HIM like a child needs his/her father and mother. And even though I am a grown woman, I still need to be as a child for God to work mightily in me.
 
Many times throughout Scripture, Jesus speaks of children. Many times, we see Him healing a child, holding a child, and - best of all - calling US His children.

 
Matthew 18:5
And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.


Matthew 19:13
Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray:....

 
Mark 9:37
Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.


Luke 17:2
It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.


Ephesians 5:1
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;



Our Savior, Christ Jesus, said to be as a child...for such is the kingdom...and I can see why. May it be so.
 

Friday, August 6, 2010

Rain On Me



I am a dry and barren wasteland
I'm a desert inside
Lord, I need to be emptied of all my selfishness and pride
Lord, I need Your healing water
To descend and to remain
Open up the heavens and send the rain!

I am tired and I am wearyI'm panting for the flood
I need to be cleansed, to be washed in Your blood
Flow down from Heaven
Come and touch me with Your hand
I'm desperate for the rain to come
So let it fall onto this land!

Rain on me, pour out Your glory
Your touch is what I need
I'm thirsty! Rain on me
 
 
Hosea 10:12
"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you."



Father, break up the earth that is my heart. Rain hard upon me until I am tender ground. Pour out Your righteousness and mercy and glory. Let it thunder in my soul. Do not let it stop until I am filled with You; Your heart, Your spirit, and Your love. Rain on me.

My Daily/Weekly/Monthly Planner

For over a week now, I have been working on a Household Management Planner. I have been printing up pages like "Emergency Phone Numbers" and "Pantry Inventory Lists" and "Menu Plans" and writing out daily chore and "To Take Care Of" cards so I won't forget things. Today, I put together a one-page daily/weekly/monthly household schedule that I like very much and thought I would share. On the top, it has my morning to noon plan. Then it has a basic chore schedule for each day of the week. Next, I have a monthly schedule/list of things to take care of. And lastly, I have a seasonal chart. It is a pretty good start for me. Of course, I do not have errands or banking on the list because that is done at different times, but I would suggest everyone (especially list-makers!) make up a similar schedule to best fit their lifestyle. It is a great way to stay organized and neat!

(click on schedule to enlarge)