Monday, August 25, 2008

Off to Ohio

Well, I'm leaving for Ohio in the norning to await the arrival of Kandra's baby and stay a while to help out. I'm really excited to go but I'm kind of sad that when I come home, our yard, which has benefitted from the wonderful rains this summer, will most likely have had frosts and won't be lovely like now. So in order that I don't have withdrawals while I'm away, I'm posting more pictures that I can look at and remember. .

Pretty Pennstemon

Fragrant Phlox

Bold Black-eyed Susan

Perennial pansies

Dazzling Daylily
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Saturday, August 23, 2008

I am working toward a whole foood, plant based diet, eliminating animal protein, as recommended by Dr. Campbell in the book, The China Study (see below). It is very satisfying and has taken away my cravings for sweets. Its amazing to me that what he advocates in his book is basically exactly what we find in the Word of Wisdom.

I have gone on the internet to look for recipes that don't contain any and they are very plentiful. Just do a search for 'vegetarian recipes' or 'vegan recipes'. Lots of them contain ingredients that are kinda hard to come by in Heber, such as Tofu Cream Cheese, etc. There are still many things available even in our little Heber Country Store that make satisfying and nutritious meals.

When we were coming home from Utah, we stopped at a Sizzler to eat and I got a big green salad with all the trimmings, including peas, garbanza beans, beets, sunflower seeds, etc. and then had a plate of fruit. It was really good and I certainly didn't miss the meat, cheese, ice cream, etc.

Yesterday I tried this recipe for muffins which I have had for years, but which was originally for a cake. I decreased the sugar by half but I think if I make it again I would decrease it by half again because it is pretty sweet. You could also substitute raw apple, pineapple, carrots, zucchini or any thing you want instead of the applesauce.

Eggless, Butterless, Milkless Muffins
1 c brown sugar
1 c applesauce
2 c. seedless raisins
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1 tsp salt

Boil together 5 minutes. Let cool; when completely cold, add:
3 c whole wheat flour
3 tsp baking soda
1/2-1 c nuts if desired


Pour into 9x13 pan or muffin cups.
Bake in 325 oven till done.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Return from Utah

Today we got back from Utah where we helped Kristal & family move from St George to SLC where Jason is enrolled in the Architecture school at the University of Utah. I spent days putting things in boxes, at first trying to keep everything organized with objects that all would be put in the same room. As time went on, it was an accomplishment to just fill a box, regardless of where it would go. Jason's family was so helpful with taking care of the little girls while we packed, with loading, with cleaning and with getting them up to SL. It'll be hard not to have that support system nearby. We wish Kristal and Jason well on their new adventure.

Lately I have been trying to find information on what to do about painful arthritis besides popping a stronger pain pill, which is about all that doctors recommend, without any thought of cure. I've been reading a couple of books that have been helpful, especially one called "The China Study" by T. Colin Campbell that has a lot of very valuable information about how diet is a key to preventing and overcoming not only arthritis but cancer, heart disease, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, autoimmune disorders and about anything else you might be suffering from. Its amazing how much of this information has been known for 50 years or more but has been suppressed by the very ones who should be helping people find the truth--doctors, scientists, etc., primarily because of financial reasons. Anyway I am planning to totally change my eating habits and will try to post my successes, failures as I learn what to do.

This Doctor, a biochemist and nutritionist, recommends a whole food, plant based diet with no animal protein (including dairy products and eggs) and no refined, processed foods. His book gives details of nearly 50 years of research to verify his findings.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Garden Mini-class

Recently I was asked to teach a Relief Society mini-class at home about gardening, since I've had a few years experience. I had about a dozen ladies attend and we met by the south patio and little pond. They had a lot of questions which hopefully I answered. I love this time of year in Heber--especially after we've had good rains and everything is green and blooming.


Our south patio and little pond with flowerbed of daylilies, phlox and mint. The frogs are happy!


This is our flower bed which Dave (Wendy's husband) thinks looks like a good spot for our final resting place!




Our large pond with goldfish, surrounded by a huge white fir tree, wild grape vines, vinca, columbine, lilies and other plants and an occasional snake (ick!) which likes the goldfish :(







View of our new north patio, a shady cool spot to relax in or barbeque.





Another view of pond, a magnetic attraction to all the neighborhood kids.


Looking south from patio


Looking out toward pond from new north patio


Gorgeous daylilies blooming in their best frocks