Best of Mother Earth

Do People in Michigan Eat Salads?

Karen Hanrahan — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:17:06 GMT

For those of you in Michigan who eat salads this post is not for you. However if you think a salad is iceberg lettuce, than maybe you might want to read further.

I remember when salads became the perk to a meal. Get such and such dinner and the salad is included. I think this was a way to have you feel you were getting more for your restraunt dollar. I find most house salads terribly ordinary. Ordinary to me means iceberg lettuce, sometimes you might get some wilted "other" greens, croutons from a box, a moment of purple onion and those awful dried shredded carrots from a bag. UGH

A foodie like me will define a restraunt by it's house salad. Fail in that category and you lose points.

I adore salads. I adore making them at home. My salads are fantastic. Yet sometimes I just like to go out. Perhaps you can you relate ?

I have become a bit more clever and creative about getting the type of house salad I prefer when dining out. I am continually surprised at a server's interpretation of my requests and even more surprised at what comes out of the kitchen.

I will ask a server to give me 2 house salads on a dinner plate. A house dressing on the side. Then I will ask them to add an entire shredded carrot, some sliced purple cabbage, sliced raw red peppers, and some chopped parsley. Please. Seemingly these raw ingredients shouldn't be stretch for most establishments. In my area, outside Chicago this has worked in some places, but not all. Sometimes I will get 3 thin slices of carrot and some slimey jarred roasted peppers. How that passes for one entire shredded carrot or raw red pepper is beyond me.

While in Michigan this past week I requested my idea of a salad at 4 different restraunts. Some told me they don't have carrots. Restraunts that don't have carrots. Does that shock you as much as me? What kindof restraunt that actually cooks something doesn't have a carrot? One restraunt said the only fresh vegetable they had was green pepper, and they'd have to charge me for it. ( I think these folks perhaps thought I wanted these extra vegetables for free?!) The rest of the vegetables they had were from a can. Ewwwww. From a can.

The finest of these restraunts, supposedly the one that served fresh fish. Had a really pathetic looking house salad. So I asked for a double spinach instead. You know 2 of those on one plate topped with veggies please. I got 3 of those little puny jarred roasted red peppers on the spinach. That's it. I was furious. Turns out their fish isn't fresh at all. It's frozen. They didn't have asparagus either . No fresh in season michigan asparagus. NOT good.

It felt to me like maybe folks from Michigan don't really care about a fresh salad? Maybe the abundance of vegetables isn't important ? We might grow them but we don't eat them ?

I found one pretty OK salad. It had lots of chopped hothouse cucumbers, tomatoes and clean fresh chopped romaine - with the " green " parts! They have a house dressing that had dried mint in it. Nice actually. She was the one who charged to add the green pepper. For .53 cents she added a teaspoon of green pepper. Ummm I was looking for some anti-oxidants and some fiber please. Not sure a teaspoon of green pepper will get me there

My daughter tells me I am a snob and too demanding. Am I ?

Its a pretty dismal thought to think that if I ever decide to relocate, perhaps even to Michigan that I might be deprived of the salad I crave. Gosh I might have to resort to BYO salad fixins! I'm OK with bringing my own wine but I draw the line at lugging arugala.

If that's the case I should just never leave home and expand on my teeny tiny garden. Or perhaps follow the trend to turn lawns into food to eat.

I wish that excited me a bit more.

My friend, author and president of an award winning marketing and communications boutique has recently added me to her list of Culture Scouts.

Can I just say how positively cool I think that is ?

Patricia Martin's book The Renaissance Generation - The Rise of the Cultural Consumer - predicts the next Renaissance. It has to fall she says. It has to get really bad before we can rebuild it.

The typical house salad is definitely a decline. The Cultural Consumer - food snobs like me ( ha!) will be part of who rebuild the future, one lawn garden and one house salad at a time.

She didn't really say that.

It just sounds funny for this post.

awesome example of salad toppings flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean

Digestive Enzymes

Karen Hanrahan — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:11:21 GMT

Do you have a certain food that you've stopped eating because it's upsetting to digest? About 50 million Americans ( 50 million! ) have a lactose intolerance. This is a major population not eating dairy, simply because they can't digest it. When you eliminate foods from your diet you are eliminating much needed nutrition.

Try rebuilding your digestive function instead.

If you are lactose intolerant, flatulant, belchy, burpy, have stomach pain or cramping, diarrhea, bloating or indigestion, feel stuffed after eating or frequently use antacids you may be a perfect candidate for digestive enzymes

Not all digestive enzymes are equal. Most are animal based enzymes and offer only a single enzyme.

The product I recommend to my clients is plant sourced and offers a multi-action solution. It contains Lactase, Alpha- Galactosidase, Protease, Amylase and Lipase.

Taking our comprehensive digestive enzyme product will help alleviate discomfort from gas and bloating, help digest problem foods such as dairy, beans and broccoli. It will support digestion of fats, proteins and carbohydrates in all foods. It enables nutrients to be absorbed into the blood stream.

Our high quality digestive enzyme product is more complete and more effective than enzyme products like Lactaid and Beano

info sourced from the 2008 catalog and nutrition and you

More products for digestive health

smiley face pizza in a stomach flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean

Bountiful Garden

Karen Hanrahan — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 09:10:47 GMT

My garden is teeny-tiny.

3 boxed tomato cages and a few containers of which I planted a few annuals and some basil. I planted lettuce seeds too but the rain washed the seeds away. I am going to have to try something different with the next sowing.

My ex always planted several plants per cage. This year I planted one of each kind.

A cherry tomato kind for summer salads.
A plum kind for bruschetta,
and a slicing kind for cabrese salad, or sandwiches

The cages are a handy martha creation, made from steel grid wire that is used to pave the streets with. Astounding in that they provide hearty support. They are quite tall and roomy around

Wonderful for your eye as they look rather marvelous, as Martha's creations often do. My ex made these for me a few springtimes ago.

Speaking of martha, she had an advertising presence at a local and very nice farmers market this past week a few suburbs away. I had a friend join me thinking it was going to be a martha siting, but no she must be recoverying from the guests she had at her farm. We got a spiffy bag with her magazine in it. It was pretty darn silly of me to think that Martha would have come to this little market. I'll tell you though their market sure beat the one we have in our town.

This is a really fun and unusual recipe for cherry tomatoes

I am really digging my new camera

This is the slicing variety

The cherries are grow in these wonderful clusters

the cherry tomatoes ripen in clusters, just enough for our dinner salad

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean

Dryer Sheets Made From Vegetables

Karen Hanrahan — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:32:02 GMT

Below is my very first blog post ever from last June. I was trying very hard to learn text wrapping. I found the formatting maddening and decided it wasn't worth the effort! I was also learning how to hyper link and share resources. Which as you know is part of what blogging is all about.

A little tidbit about these dryer sheets. I have purchased ONE box. It's over a year now, and instead of recycling the sheets I keep re-using them. When they reach a point of no return I then recycle them. It's pretty darn amazing how valid they still are even when using them over and over. One of my pet peeves about dryers is static cling. These solve that issue remarkably well.

These feel a bit like rice paper and they have absolutely NO scent. I love that!

One of my biggest you've got to be kidding can't we please save the environment instead wishes is when the entire neighborhood smells like bounce or snuggles ( or whatever the heck that product is called ) Dryer vents are spewing this stuff into the hemisphere. Don't other folks smell that ? Am I alone in how repulsive that is?

What about when a person smells like their brand of washing detergent?  Ahhhhh you use Tide and Bleach. Nice to meet you.

Did you know that in the emergency room there is an actual term for the rash caused by typical dryer sheets known as "Bounce Blush"?

( this just horrifies me )

Natural Health Magazine featured a small blurb on dryer sheets it said:

"Conventional dryer sheets coat clothes with wax and perfumes and are very slow to break down once they're discarded."

Consider a 100% veggie-derived dryer sheet that is completely fragrance free, biodegradable and recyclable.

Another hazard that many folks are not aware of is that the waxy build up from conventional dryer sheets leaves a residue on the lint screen that can actually cause fires! When was the last time you cleaned your dryer's lint screen?

Check out these comments from our local home inspector.

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean

25 Friday Words

Karen Hanrahan — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:16:13 GMT

A writing project with Liz Strauss over at successful blog had me think of this:

Friday has a feeling that speaks to a freedom from all things rigid, it parallels swinging on a swing, seeing fluffy clouds between your feet

man oh man does this flickr image capture my 25 friday words - thank you

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean

Irritable Bowel Diseases and Natural Approaches

Karen Hanrahan — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:50:03 GMT

Diseases that fall under the Irritable Bowel category include : Chrohn's, Diaverticulitis, Colitis, and Spastic Colon.

Thank you to nutritionist Barbara Lagoni ( and my mentor ) for this information

Below are specific nutrients that bring relief, reduce inflammation and foster healing to the above mentioned Digestive Issues:

Calcium Magnesium - Often referred to as natural muscle relaxants, these minerals may help prevent the spasming of the muscles that comprise the walls of the intestinal tract...and thus reduce the diarrhea and cramping usually associated with IBS. (2 per meal)

B Complex - Because most intestinal problems are often associated with stress, B vitamins are essential for restoring the nutrients that stress depletes. Regulates digestive hormone production. Enhances energy production and nervous system function in cells.

Vitamin E - (ours contains Grapeseed extract a powerful antioxidant) - Vitamin E has long been considered to be a nutrient that promotes healing ... both of inflamed tender tissue as well as sear tissue, often formed as a result of IBS.

Gamma Linolenic Acid - Many IBS conditions are aggravated by inflammation in the tissues in the lower intestines. CLA (gamma linolenic acid) is an essential fatty acid that has properties of being a natural anti-inflammatory. May be used alone or in combination with the omega-3 fatty acid EPA (in 3-to- I ratio of EPA to GLA) if the inflammation persists.

Vitamin C - To strengthen the immune system and promote healing of the tissues. Powerful immune stimulant as well as an anti-oxidant. Virtually every body function benefits from an adequate level of vitamin C.

Acidophilus/ Bifidus - An excellent source of the essential friendly bacteria that are supposed to inhabit the lower intestines. Virtually the only acidophilus/bifidus product that guarantees delivery of 500,000 live microorganisms to the intestines, without being destroyed by the highly acidic environment of the stomach. Restores the natural balance that must exist in the lower intestines to choke out the cancer-causing bacteria as well as Candida yeast overgrowths. None of the products available at health food stores guarantee live delivery of microflora to the intestine. Tests show that many of them do not make it live to your door, much less to your colon. Most of the microflora alive in these products at the time of manufacture are killed off long before they reach the intestine.

Fiber - When the tissues have healed and swelling has been reduced, then slowly reintroduce fiber with any of these gentle, convenient fiber sources. Mix or Tablets

High Quality Multi-vitamin and Multi-mineral Supplement - When diarrhea occurs, food passes through the body so rapidly that it is difficult to absorb nutrients. A multiple vitamin/mineral supplement contains cofactors and coenzymes that enhance protein utilization.

Meal Replacement Product - Lactose Free - Soy or Whey based ProteinMeal Replacement Product - Lactose Free - Soy or Whey based Protein Needed for energy building and repairing damage to cells. Help in blood sugar stabilizing. Provides building blocks for rapid recovery. Prevents irritation from allergens for those with certain forms of colitis.

Digestive health issues respond beautifully to natural approaches. Guidance and high quality products are highly encouraged. I work by phone appointment.

Testimony: I hesitate to tell this story for two reasons - I feel sometimes testimonies can be a little hokey. I don't want to represent alternative solutions as "miracles". Then I appear to be hokey, ya know? Secondly, this particular testimony is a tad graphic. Yet this was a major health issue that was helped by nutritional supplementation, the recovery of which was truly remarkable. It's a story worth sharing. An example:

A friend recommended that this twenty something male friend of hers contact me. He was stressed, working 3 jobs, newly engaged and very sick. He had not had a solid bowel in years, he bled rectally. He slept in a fetal position from cramping. He lived on pop. He navigated his day from bathroom to bathroom. He was diagnosed with colitis and they were recommending surgery. The surgery where you end up with a poop bag on the outside of your body for the rest of your life.

With the help of my mentor, we recommended a rather aggressive high quality digestive health nutritional protocol. We included nutrients that were healing, that reduced inflammation naturally, eventually we added nutrients to help him rebuild his health. He was eager to be well, and so compliance wasn't an issue. He weaned from pop. We guided him to healthier eating. He did this with such enthusiasm. The kindof of client who says tell me what to do and does it! Weeks later he called me and openly wept, he had his first solid bowel movement in a decade. 10 years. WOW. This young man went on to completely recover and avoid surgery.

If you appreciate testimonies in my writings please let me know. There are many more that I can share!

Sheila dear, I truly appreciate your encouragement to share testimonies.

colons are fun flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean

Tums Antacid or Chewable Calcium for Heartburn

Karen Hanrahan — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:12:26 GMT

I will never forget when I first heard a client tell me they were sourcing their daily calcium from Tums.

Hello!? Tums is an antacid for heartburn!!

I then found out that chewable calcium is actually a way to neutralize stomach acid. I didn't know that.

The problem with Tums is it markets itself as an antacid with a bit of a calcium supplement on the side. It touts itself as an antacid and then says multi-vitamins don't have enough calcium in them so use this antacid as an inexpensive way to get your calcium too. Talk about ploy.

Here's the deal:

If you have heartburn you have a digestive issue - not a calcium deficiency.

Multi-vitamins don't have enough calcium in them simply because it's too bulky of a mineral to tablet. If multi-vitamins put enough calcium into their products they would be horse pills compressed so tight they would not dissolve. ( Which just so you know that's alot of what's on the market out there now!)

Tums in addition to having only one source of calcium, is also loaded with sucrose ( first ingredient on the label), has talc in it- some sources of which are carcinagenic, artificial flavors, way too many food dyes, sorbitol and aspartame.

I have no idea how many folks actually take Tums as their source of calcium but we are an osteoporotic nation. I'd say the Tum's isn't helping.

In addition if I wanted to take calcium I'd prefer to take it without the sugars, chemicals, talc and food dyes -- thank you very much.

It is said that it's best to use a calcium supplement that utilizes a variety of sources of calcium. Best calcium sources are a combination of concentrated and absorbable calcium carbonate, calium citrate, and calcium citratemalate. If you are taking a calcium supplement that does not include Vitamin D, Magnesium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese or Boron then you have nothing toactually assist the calcium into the bones. These minerals are the matrix that pullscalcium where you need it most. Nature never works single handedly. Calcium alone is not enough.

Calcium with the junk found in Tums is simply preposterous.

I have an absolutely lovely high quality chewable calcium. By design it is simply that. Chewable Calcium. Naturally flavored with raspberries, includes all the matrix minerals to assist the variety of sources of elemental calcium into the bones AND it also works as a natural antacid.

Which would you prefer to take ?

I also have nutritional solutions to many digestive issues. I'd love to be of assistance.

You might find this article of interest: Acid Reflux and Gerd linked to esophageal cancer

flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean

Gatorade verses PineSol

Karen Hanrahan — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:38:21 GMT

This picture is sourced from somewhere in google images. I got it in an email from a peer. Thank you!

This post got a bit of attention this past April and I felt it deserved a re-post, sortof in the spirit of blog post recycling and all!

Don't know about you, but the image above really horrifies me. Perhaps this has been passed around already or seen on TV or in a magazine somewhere, but this is the first time I've ever seen it.

I have not been in a main stream grocery store cleaning aisle in a really long time. I had no idea cleaning products went neon. I have seen the neon artificially colored Gatorade. Why this appeals to anyone is completely beyond me. Why a company thinks adding harmful colorant makes their products sell more is also beyond me. I admit to having a strong aversion to all things artificially and brightly colored foods. Including sno-cones, flavo-pops, m&ms, just to name a few things that come to mind. Why would I want to eat or drink something like that?

Neon Colored and Artificially Scented Cleaning Products? Does having purple Pine Sol make cleaning more fun? Is Orange Scent really going to make it any less toxic?

I remember when my son was born, and before cleaning green how someone said they kept their cleaning products up high, above the kitchen sink, instead of below. I grew up with my mom keeping everything under the kitchen sink, she used the toxic stuff, and for awhile so did I. I never knew anything else. The idea of a child drinking cleaning products just floored me - would a kid really do that? Oh yes indeed they would. Adopting the practice of keeping things out of harms way made sense. I started keeping cleaning products above the sink.

Of course years later when I switched products all together and didn't have that toxic stuff around I didn't have to be concerned.

Some statistics:

90 % of suspected poisonings occur at home from household products - excuse me this says POISONINGS!! NINETY Percent??

How about this one...

According to a 15-year study presented at the Toronto Indoor Air Conference, women who work at home have a 54% higher death rate from cancer than those who work away from home. The study concluded that this was a direct result of the increased exposure to toxic chemicals, many of which are found in common household products.

Death from working from home. Lovely.

Read a very comprehensive toxic household chemical facts and statistics commentary here.

What's Under Your Kitchen Sink?

Carpet Cleaners are extremely toxic to children. The fumes given off by carpet cleaners can cause cancer and liver damage.

Chlorine is the Chemical most frequently involved in household poisonings and a potent pollutant. May cause reproductive, endocrine and immune system disorders.

Degreasers may contain petroleum distillates and butylcelosolve, which can damage lung tissues and dissolve fatty tissue surrounding nerve cells.

Drain Cleaners one of the most hazardous products in the home. Can contain lye, which is a strong caustic substance that causes severe corrosive damage to eyes, skin mouth, and stomach. Can be fatal if swallowed.

Glass Cleaners may contain ammonia. Fumes from ammonia can irritate skin, eyes, and respiratory system.

Mold & Mildew Removers are often an acute respiratory irritant. May damage lungs, eyes and skin.

Oven Cleaners are one of the most dangerous cleaning products. Can cause severe damage to eyes, skin, mouth, throat.

Scouring Cleansers may contain butyl cellosolve, a petroleum-based solvent that can irritate mucous membranes and cause liver and kidney damage.

Toilet Bowl Cleaners are one of the most dangerous cleaning products. Can contain chlorine and hydrochloric acid. Harmful to health simply by breathing during use.

Tub & Tile Cleaners can contain chlorine and may contribute to the formation of organocholorines, a dangerous class of compounds that can cause reproductive, endocrine and immune system disorders.

Want to learn more ? Click here and take the survey. These are just a few of the typical poisons found under most kitchen sinks.

Want a fabulous alternative to Gatorade ?

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Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean

If you're not cleaning green - what's stopping you? Could you celebrate Earth Day everyday?

Travel Constipation

Karen Hanrahan — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:59:36 GMT

Keeping with this month's theme theme about The Urpy Burpies, Too Much Travel or Too Much BBQ Blues ---- let's talk about constipation.

I know --- not your typical thing to chat about.

Specifically, lets talk about constipation while traveling.

If you put me in a car, train or plane for any length of time, have me drink strange water, or eat foods I normally don't eat. It's going to have an affect on my bowel.

Perhaps that happens to you too?

Why do we have a digestive system?   The reason we digest the way we do was stated best by a wonderful nutritionist from Toronto who said, "we have a digestive system simply to sort the good, the bad, and the ugly!"

I love that description!

She said:    the good goes to our blood stream, the bad goes to our liver and the ugly just has to go - thus the reason for the bowel movement. Many feel accomplished in moving their bowel once a day.  Doing at least that is still a good thing, however if you eat more than once we have to process or digest more than once - therefor eliminating the ugly more than once daily is actually very important. Just a detail. Something to strive for.

If you are constipated while traveling it's really no fun. Consider having on hand, a natural laxative. I choose a signature product that has a wonderful traditional herb called Senna in it. Typically when one thinks of a laxative, it's usually paired with the thought of an emergency "gotta go" , this is not the case with what I use. This product promises and delivers nothing more than a gentle prompting.

In my natural medicine cabinet and or in my travel bag I keep a natural laxative on hand to help keep me
"going " especially when I travel.

This safe herbal product is also part of a comprehensive detoxification program.

flickr image titled constipated cat - too funny

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean

Wind Farms

Karen Hanrahan — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:06:15 GMT

near mendota, il ....

I am completely fascinated with this technology. Driving in the Illinois countryside, these just appeared. Odd as can be - at least to me. This is the second time I have seen them.

What a contrast to the farmscape. The turbines are absolutely huge, looming, rather haunting actually - yet their movement, at least on that day was amazingly gentle. Not a sound. No noise. I thought what if it's a really windy day. Do these blades propel faster? Would that make a noise or are they always so mysteriously quiet?

I wonder how do I take advantage of this technology ? How does this work? Can I have some? Why can't these be on top of our houses ? Wouldn't that look completely wild?

Seemingly the government doesn't support this technology- why does that not surprise me.

Trade Wind Energy offers these resources:

Why Wind?

Wind Energy Maps

Wind Research

FAQ's

What do you think about wind technology?

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean

Buttermilk Salad Dressing

Karen Hanrahan — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 09:26:16 GMT

When I began this blog, part of my message and hope was to share recipes with stories - daily. It seemed to me that everything I prepared had some tale to tell. I love telling both. I am always cooking, why not share? What I discovered in my cooking anyway is that once I shared my tried and true recipes I didn't have all that much more to share. I tend to cook alot of the same things. This category "recipes from the heart" certainly has the most posts and plenty for someone to poke around in and have some culinary fun. I just find a year later it's different than what I expected.

When I was a kid my parents sometimes had a summer garden. I remember plowing my hands into the dirt, the wonderful smell of it. I remember eating the efforts of homegrown. I just don't remember it consistently

One such summer treasure and memory was fresh picked buttery lettuce drizzled with something white and fresh black pepper. I only recently started making buttermilk salad dressings but man oh man the first time I did I was definitely taken back to that white stuff from summer salad days gone by.

This is adapted from the Better Homes and Gardens NEW Cookbook, given to me by my mom - forever ago.

Combine in blender 1/2 C mayo ( I use safflower by Hains), 1/2 C sour cream ( I use yogurt), 1/2 C buttermilk. Add 2 T parmesan cheese, 1/2 teas dry mustard, 1/4 teas paprika, 1/4 teas celery salt, 1 clove fresh garlic, lots of white pepper. For a very interesting twist add grated jalapeno. Onion for a very adult flavor would also be excellant. Once blended, store in a glass jar. This keeps very well. This is a very versatile dressing.

one can make a lower fat soured milk by taking a cup of skim milk and adding a T of cider vinegar - let it sit for 20 minutes - it will be curdled, thus sour and fine for dressings and or baking.

A word on salad dressings. A long time ago I was taught that you are "allowed" 1 T of salad dressing. I have always applied that philosophy. I will either pour my dressing into a ramekin and fork dip it per bite OR pour a tablespoon on the side of my plate and work it in that way. Occasionally I might pour over a salad, but very meagerly always being mindful of the tablespoon rule. A little goes a very long way. This keeps the calories low.

garden red leaf lettuce flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean

Dear Karen by Jon Swanson

Karen Hanrahan — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:10:33 GMT

another blogger I know mentioned that Jon Swanson of Levite Chronicles was a dear, and after reading his writings I definitely agreed. His ponderings include his ministry, his thoughtfulness and his everyday life; he truly loves his work, his family - he writes with a care and a level of exploration that is en"dear"ing. I appreciate his insight, his perspectives and he has a truly rich and warm smile. Which I got to experience when I met him this past May.

In seeking summer guest authors Jon graciously agreed and sent this after a friendly reminder. It's a dear jon letter or a bit of a " please don't make me write a guest author post for you" post. Certainly not what I expected and yet coming from him ...it's positively perfect - I adore him for it.

Dear Karen,

I'm supposed to write a guest post for you.

"Supposed to" is an interesting phrase use. You invited people to write. I offered. You graciously accepted.

So when I say "I'm supposed", it is a self-inflicted supposition. It isn't like it's your fault, it isn't a choiceless obligation, an other-inflicted burden. I volunteered.

And when I add "for you", it further distances me from my willingness. "I have to do this to make you happy, to get you off my back."

And when I phrase it as obligation, it can create sympathy in conversations in which I want people to pity me for my busy schedule and excuse what I'm not getting done. And it's not like I haven't known about the deadline for weeks. I have had lots of time to write lots of things.

Wow.

See, writing for me is an opportunity to discover something of what is going on in my head and heart. I sit with a blank screen and then learn. One learning style instrument tells me that I'm an intrapersonal learner. So writing helps me learn, helps me figure out what I know. The very process of ordering words teaches. Teaches me, I mean. It might help others, too, I suppose, but the first audience always is me.

And so, here I am, blaming you for an obligation that isn't your fault, which isn't an obligation at all, which is an opportunity, which could teach me what I don't yet know, which isn't for you anyway, which was freely entered into.

I don't know, Karen. I'll have to get back to you on whether I can get anything written in time. And I'm sorry for blaming you for my choices. And thanks for the opportunity to talk.

Jon

I write at levite.wordpress.com. And watch lent2008.wordpress.com.

taken exclusively for me by Jon - see the great smile?

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean

Scour it Clean Naturally.

Karen Hanrahan — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:45:47 GMT

Got something really tough to scour off ?

Want to do it with something non-toxic?

Try a non-toxic scouring paste that smells a little like something you can eat; sortof like something between bubble gum and cherry Kool-Aid.

Something you can naturally scour off just about anything with. Something that is wonderfully gentle in that it won't scratch, but alrighty mighty in that it works really well !!

An itty bitty small amount is enough to get the job done.

Pick your very toughest stain and let this totally green alternative scouring paste take it on!!

It even cleans burnt-on food in your oven. And doesn’t burn off your nose hairs in the process.

the state of many a kitchen flickr drawing image

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher 708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean

Turkish Coffee

Karen Hanrahan — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:24:28 GMT

A Middle Eastern restraunt that I enjoy tremendously serves fabulous turkish coffee.

It comes in a teeny tiny cup and saucer, remarkably dark and extremely aromatic. Each sip is rich with espresso and the smell of cardamom. The grinds sit at the bottom of the cup. I personally can't drink the stuff as it's like rocket fuel in my body - makes my chemistry go pitter-patter. They serve the leaded full power caffeinated stuff. It took me quite some time to embrace coffee and how intoxicating it is. I marvel at how different it is from country to country. Interestingly a Thai coffee also uses cardamom

One could definitely make turkish coffee on their own and have it be a little less physically dramatic. The owner of this restraunt gave my son some of the coffee to take home as he had never tasted anything quite like it and loved it.

Part of the beauty of turkish coffee is the ceremony of it's triple boil in these very cute boiling pots

This was the recipe I sent my son so he could make it once he got home:

The original recipe is for 4-6 people ( the product he gave my son had the sugar and spice already in it )

2 cups cold water

3 T finely ground espresso beans - using decaf will decrease that rocket fuel feeling

plus cardamom seeds ( 3 seeds crushed ) and sugar ( 2 T )

Bring water, sugar and cardamom to a boil - stir in espresso and bring to first boil.

For one person and with the mixture given to you try these proportions and see what you think. Experiment from there

take 1/2 cup COLD water and bring to a boil

add 1 teas of espresso and return to a boil, when the coffee foams to the rim remove pan from heat and let cool until the grounds settle, repeat boiling and settling one more time, then bring to a boil over low heat one more time. Remove pan from heat and when foam settles spoon coffee into small espresso cups - darn I forgot to give you a cup

if it's bitter then the mixture isn't sweetened, so you need to add sugar - for this dilution 1 teas should be fine

if it's weak than add another teas of espresso

if it's muddy - mirky - start with more water

make sense ???

Turks drink this out of shot glasses, have no idea how they do that when it's hot :)

turkish coffee pot flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean

Peppermint-Ginger for Motion Sickness

Karen Hanrahan — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:15:39 GMT

Do you travel? Does the motion of the car, plane, boat or train leave you a little queezy?

Peppermint-Ginger, is a medicinal herbal alternative that helps indigestion, stomach aches, ulcers, heartburn, food poisoning, intestinal ailments, digestive disorders and motion sickness.

Historically peppermint and ginger are mentioned in the very first recorded texts of many early cultures.

Our high quality herbal product combines peppermint, a source of menthol, and ginger for their soothing properties, anise and fennel provide additional soothing support.

For those who use Dramamine, a drug for motion sickness, Peppermint-Ginger is a highly regarded and effective natural alternative without harming the liver or other side effects

Not all herbal medicines are created equal. My favorite company story has to do with tainted ginseng root ( an herb known for promoting energy and vitality) coming from china. Due to the floods that season the roots were rotting. They were being sprayed with Quintizine to prevent further rotting as they were being shipped overseas. My company tested raw ginseng product during pre-production and found that it was tainted. Over and over each batch was showing this chemical. This did not meet our companies standards of excellance. As a company they halted producing it's 3rd top selling herb until they could find clean raw materials. This took YEARS. Worst part - no other company stopped producing. During this extended time period anyone taking Ginsng supplements made by other companies were also ingesting this chemical. True story.

ocean liner flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean

Ten Things I Loved About My Road Trip

Karen Hanrahan — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 07:13:44 GMT

10 things I loved about my recent road trip

1. Horizon to horizon fluffy white clouds – special ordered for me

2. Temperate and perfect climate

3. Not having to think

5. Just being, just being relaxed

6. Good company, good food, good laughs

7. Reading

8. Curmudgeon librarians

9. Antigues

10. NEW digital camera– LOVE it!

the reprive

the view

the journey

the shadow

You may recall I visited this place, Walnut Grove Farm this past winter and this past spring

Paradise Unpaved by Franke James

Karen Hanrahan — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:05:13 GMT

The honor of sharing this guest author and her newest post is HUGE for me. Franke James is an artist and a journalist. Her environmental essays, a wonderfully creative bloggy expression completely unique to her, speak to me.

Each one, like "giving birth" Franke says, lands in my heart with such impact. I feel this woman's words and art in every part of me. She is a vibrant green walk the talk lady who a year ago gave up her SUV, and planted a green driveway. I admire the heck out of her.

Besides being cool, connected and a brilliant writer. She's especially nice. Her generosity shines here with this post and her willingness to guest author here at Best of Mother Earth

Bloggy confession: when I first started blogging I wasn't frequenting other blogs. I actually had never seen a blog before. I had never read a blog. All I knew was that a blog would give me a stronger presence on the web. All I knew is that if I had something to say or write about that a blog would be a medium for me. As a creative spirit imagine how I felt when I first read Franke's work. You can see my over the top emotional gushy and very first blog comment ever at her post My SUV and Me Say Goodbye

Franke James is one amazing discovery for sure and one who I feel can move green mountains.

I'm titling the post "Paradise Unpaved", which connects with singer Joni Mitchell's old song -- see excerpt below:

Big Yellow Taxi

They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique
And a swinging hot spot

Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

They took all the trees
Put 'em in a tree museum
And they charged the people
A dollar and a half just to see 'em The song continues but that's the part that connects with my post.

Printed from the official Joni Mitchell website: JoniMitchell.com
Please respect the copyright owner by not profiting from this document.
http://jonimitchell.com/musician/print.cfm?id=BigYellowTaxi

i

See the rest of the story paradise unpaved ...

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean

Funnel Cake Karma

Karen Hanrahan — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:19:17 GMT

This is a slice of life story that reminds me that moments between mother and child are fleeting, especially as they become teenagers.

She didn't have to tell me this story, but she did.

It so warmed my heart.

My Kate went with friends to the local fireworks. She was a little late and when she arrived she found that her pals had just devoured a funnel cake. Mmmmmmmmm funnel cakes.

Funnel Cakes in my mind are the biggest yummiest rip off known to carnival mankind. Deep fried sweet dough dipped in more powdered sugar goodness. Total delicious fat and sugar insanity. The price for this sick treasure was a whopping $5.

Excuse me?

Kate had 2.65

Once you know my lovely Kate's determination you would have witnessed the gears inside her ingeneous youthful mind trying to figure out ways "to mooch the money I need" to get herself one of those funnel cakes.

Lo and behold she had brought paper and markers and devised a " drawing contest". Not sure how that brought her the bit of cash she needed, but apparently it did.

Off on an adventure to buy one of these discusting treats she encountered the never ending funnel cake line. Obviously the facilitators of this fireworks extravaganza did not know how to meet the needs of this particular community re: funnel cakes.

Kate made an executive ( hi I am a teenager) decision and cut in the front of the line, knowing that it probably wasn't the best thing to do, she did it anyway - determined and all.

A grown woman approached her with a look of utter desperation and an equally determined stance to get herself one of those greasy sugary things. She said to Kate " If you buy me mine - I'll treat you to yours AND a lemonade!!" Kate said, "Your on!"

She told me it was Funnel Cake Karma.

Classic.

May the 4th of July Carnival Karma be with you.

funnel cake flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean

Candida and Probiotics

Karen Hanrahan — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 07:10:07 GMT

I was personally diagnosed with Candida 12 yrs ago. Yeast infections, reduced immune function and a very hyper sensitivity to fragrances had me feeling ill all the time.

I was first introduced to the concept of Candida, it's pervasiveness and how most medical professionals do not address this health concern at a local lecture given by pediatrician Linda P. Rodriguez, M.D. The symptoms and personal health history she described had me fit the profile of someone who had Candida. My recovery took 4 months. I made changes, I stuck with the rigor of the diet restrictions and I used my supplements as was suggested. I got well.

In those days high quality probiotics (acidopholus/bifidus aka friendly bacteria) was unheard of. Products were expensive, required refrigeration, were often outdated and mishandled. No one could guarantee live beneficial bacteria past manufacturing, as a matter fact only one company today can make that claim. Many confused supplemental probiotics with the benefical enzymes found in yogurt. Yogurt companies forgot to tell you that these friendly bacteria were destroyed by the acids of the stomach. Not much good if your restorative friendly bacteria source was from eating yogurt. The goal once a high quality probiotic is encapsulated is that the beneficial enzymes have to withstand any heat, light, air and the acid of the stomach. Additionally it also has to go to the right place in the colon. Once there it has to deliver the good stuff- the good guys. The much needed friendly bacteria can then multiply and conquer the bad guys.

Introducing the most profound pearl of probiotics on the planet. This pearl uses a patented triple encapsulated technology. Three layers of which protect and deliver acidopholus/bifidus to the colon Guarunteed.

Not only does Candida benefit from this product/pearl so do many digestive health disorders. I believe all health starts with the colon, if it's toxic, congested or loaded with Candida - this effects the rest of our health.

*If you have a history of:

Antibiotic usage , especially broad spectrum drugs

Birth control pills or steroids

Mood swings or irritability

Cravings for sweets, breads and alchohol

Problems in moldy areas or on muggy days

Sensitivity to perfumes, chemical odors, etc.

Being really bothered by tobacco smoke

Athletes foot, fungus infections of nails and skin

Repeated pregnancies

Are an infant with:

Diaper rash that is worse in the skin folds

Thrush or white patches on the inner cheeks of the mouth

A white coated tongue

Excessive genital touching

Frequent ear infections

Have children with:

Thickly – coated or patchy, white tongue

Red ring around anus or rectal area

Itchy genital area leading to frequent touching

A chronic hair or foot odor

Bloated abdomen and bowel complaints

Frequent infections particularly of the ears and tonsils

Muscle aches and weaknesses

Or are an adolescents or an adult with:

Frequent fatigue, lethargy and drowsiness

Frequent infections

Frequent feelings of "spaciness"

Poor memory

Inability to make decisions

Bloating, belching, or intestinal gas

Muscle aches and weakness

Recurrent skin problems

Pain and or swelling in joints

Depression

Abdominal pain

Loss of interest in sex

Endometriosis or infertility

Prostatis or impotance

Anxiety attacks or frequent crying

PMS

Mucus in stools

Rectal itching

Constipation and /or diarrhea

Excessive vaginal discharge or itching

Pelvic pain

Burning or white coated tongue

Rash or blisters in mouth

Dizziness/loss of balance /incoordination

Pain or tightness in your chest

Spots in front of your eyes

Blurred vision

You may have Candida.

Below is a very simple explanation of what Candida is, and how to treat it:

*Yeasts occur naturally on or in the skin, ears and nails and they flourish in moist, mucous membrane areas such as mouth, intestines, genitals or rectum.

We all have microorganisms or "friendly bacteria" called lactobacilli in our intestines that live along with the yeast.

They coexist in harmony unless the natural balance is upset by eating too much of certain foods, or by taking drugs such as antibiotics, hormones, and steroids.

These drugs destroy the friendly bacteria allowing the yeast ( candida albicans ) to multiply.

Toxins excreted by an overgrowth of yeast travel through the blood stream to many sites in the body.

These toxins cause a variety of respiratory, digestive and emotional symptoms and weaken the immune system.

Many people with Candida also develop adverse reactions to a wide variety of foods, chemicals and scents.

Simple Steps to Correct Yeast Overgrowth:

Decrease the amount of yeast in the body by using antifungal preparations.

Stop feeding the existing yeast by limiting the foods and drugs that cause the yeast to multiply.

Rebuild the immune system through a nutritional supplement program.

Create a non – toxic environment in your home to decrease Candida related symptoms.

*Resourced from the Candida Brochure by 1997 Gemma Gorham, M.P.H

Specific yeast reduction preparations, diet restrictions, supplement recommendations and tips on creating a non- – toxic environment are available by appointment. Please call 708.482.0678 to schedule a nutrition consultation.

floral clematis candida flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Publisher
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition, Weight Loss, and Green Clean

Vinegar vs Organic Green Cleaner

Karen Hanrahan — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:34:46 GMT

The days of green cleaning have many of us consider folklore solutions. While vinegar is a classic alternative, in my experience it had me working way too hard to get something clean, yes my elbow grease was my green determination. One had to suffer to be green and all. Hey - it just ain't easy being green.

Vinegar left my home smelling a lot like a salad, I happen to like the smell of a salad, but not as a part of my decor. I always thought to myself - there has to be a better way. In experimenting with cleaning products on the market , I found myself still applying way too much determination to my cleaning efforts, seemingly these products just didn't work very well either.

When I first discovered my organic cleaner, the signature product from a wonderful 52 year old wellness company. I felt I had finally found something that cleaned beautifully! As a matter of fact it simplified my cleaning tasks dramatically with its ease of use. I was just astounded by the mutiple ways this product could be used actually defining multi-use to a new level.

A discussion thread shared this very interesting information below. Thanks Sue! Sue's biochemist husband verified the difference between vinegar and this amazing organic green cleaner:

Vinegar is a dilute solution of acetic acid, added to water it's main effect is to lower the pH of water and make it more acid. As a cleaner, it is not particularly effective except as it dissolves soil, which by the way so does water, and /or makes the pH low enough to distress bacteria on surfaces.

The organic green cleaning product I adore is actually a surfactant, it performs like a detergent to break up soil of various kinds so that they can be washed away. In addition, because of it's surfactant properties it will dislodge bacteria trapped in residue on surfaces so they can be washed away. Also it disrupts the cell wall of bacteria ( which contains lipids ) and makes them very sick or dead. While we are not clear how it might do on virus's, it's fair to say that as effectively as it removes residue from surfaces it stands to say that more virus's would be washed away than with a less effective cleaner

Our green clean product does everything vinegar does plus WAY more. Without the smell. Without the elbow grease.

Regulations limit us to say that this product is a germicide, this is also true of vinegar, again it is utter folklore that make people believe that vinegar is an effective cleaner/germ killer. In fact, plain old soap will disrupt the germs of any surface. A reminder of the advertising ploy of anti - bacterial products on the market. Don't go there.

Note also that all green cleaners are not created equal. As a matter of fact some green cleaners are actually down right harmful

Looking for quality green clean ? Is cost savings important to you?

green beads of clean flickr image credit

Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean as seen on Oprah