Lavender Farm

Lavender Farm is probably my favorite farm in Utah. I could spend hours there, just ask my hubby and Soph. The first time we visited this farm was last July when Soph's Aunt Christel and cousin Catherine came over to visit from Belgium.  And today marks our 4th visit. 

Even though it was scorching hot this afternoon, I still enjoyed it immensely.  I guess all that lavender aroma diffused all over the place does a good job stimulating my feel good senses.

Actual harvesting will take place the first week in July

Sophie

Sophie waiting on Daddy to clip a bundle of lavender to take home with us

This farm is located in Mona, UT, about an hour from where we live in Draper.  With over 1400 acres of fragrant herbs, the Young Living Lavender Farm is the largest natural herb farm for the production of theraputic-grade essential oils.  Not only is lavender used for cleaning and cosmetics, you can also cook with lavender.  

Mirror Lake and Provo River Waterfall

With hubby being home the week of 4th of July, it feels like a little mini vacation.  Sunday we finally explored Mirror Lake, elevation 10,687 ft.  Seeing remnants of snow scattered on the ground was a good indication we were much higher than where we live, elevation 6,000+ ft.  

It was about a 1.5 to 2 hour drive.  Once we arrived, it was quite obvious Mirror Lake is a favorite fishing spot; the lake is plenty stocked with trout.  We walked around the lake admiring the carpet of wildflowers, enjoying the cool brisk air and watching fish jump out of the water.

It took us about 2 hours to walk around the lake

Me and Sophie (Mirror Lake)

On our way back down Uinta Mountain, we also visited Provo River Waterfall.  With all the snow melt runoff, the roaring waterfall and gushing river was quite spectacular.  It made me feel like going white water rafting.

 Sophie presenting the waterfall

Later that evening, guess what I had for dinner?  

Yes, Trout :o)

Grilled Chicken and Avocado Salad

Here's a tasty, healthy and satisyfing summer salad I absolutely love, love, love.

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients:
Vegetable oil, for grill pan (I prefer coconut oil)
3 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 cup chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
1 - 2 fresh Poblano peppers, seeded, deribbed, and finely chopped
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1 - 2 ripe, firm avocados, peeled, pitted and diced
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette (see below)

Instructions:
Oil pan and place over high heat until hot. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Place chicken in hot pan. Cook approximately 4 minutes. Turn, and cook until just cooked through, about 2 minutes more. Set chicken aside on platter. When chicken is cool enough to handle, cut into medium dice, and transfer to a large bowl.

Add chickpeas, peppers, onion, and vinaigrette. Toss to combine. Gently fold in avocado.

Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette

Makes about 1 1/2 cups.  You may not need all the vinaigrette, but I like a liberal amount on my salad.

Ingredients:
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, stems trimmed and discarded
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (approx. 2 limes)
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Instructions:
Place cilantro in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. With machine running, add lime juice, then olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

Original Recipe: Courtesy of www.marthastewart.com

Migun Jade Thermal Massage Bed

It has been almost 2 weeks since I began using the Migun acupressure massage bed.  It is a combination of acupressure with jade, far infrared heat and massage.  Supposedly, utilizing all three principle elements yields a compounding effect that speeds up overall wellness.   Sounds good to me !!

Hubby has Sophie to walk on his back; I prefer this amazing bed. Although, I have a sneaking suspicion he might like this bed more than he realizes especially because he does occasionally suffer from lower back pain, feels more the aches and pain of aging, AND it totally makes you feel good, calm and energized after a 35 minute session.  Well, at least it does for me  :o)

Since I don't suffer from back pain, initially I was wondering how I might benefit from this massage bed.  After doing a little research and testing out the bed, I must admit I'm totally hooked.  Regular sessions of 35 minutes on the Migun Jade Thermal Massage Bed strengthens your circulatory system which in turn strengthens your immune system.  If you think about it our circulatory system of nerves, blood vessels and lymph nodes are connected through the spine and having a healthy and strong spine equates to good health.  

Here are a few benefits one might experience (this list is not all-inclusive):

• Since blood vessels are warmed, an improved circulation, aid in reducing cholesterol
• Accelerates the recovery process of a damaged or misaligned spine
  
• Eases pain throughout the body
• Reduces stress and improves memory
  
• Releases toxins
  
• Strengthens the immune system
  

This massage bed is actually good for people who don't want to exercise, or aren't able to exercise.  You can burn anywhere between 600 - 2400 calories with each session.  And realize the same health benefit as if you had exercised.

For as little as $20/month (an incidental cost), I intend to incorporate the Migun bed and exercise more as part of my overall health and wellness "therapeutic" program.  The Migun bed  will fill in for those days I don't have time to get all sweaty and bothered.  How lovely is that?

Excited about Exercising

So the other day, Soph and I checked out the new TriActive Fitness equipment in Draper Parks as part of the community recreation program.  I was so impressed with the equipment and Soph liked it a lot too.  This just might work out for when I want to work out.  Sophie can either exercise with me or go next door and play in the real playground.  

My favorite exercise equipment is the row machine.  I can remember when I used to go canoeing regularly, it was the only time I ever liked my arms.  So, hopefully I can regain some of that back.  

They also have the perfect running/bike trail I've been looking for for quite some time.  I'm so excited, I can start running again ;o) 

FIJI Water

Since I have a water ionizer machine, it's very rare I drink bottled water.  But on those rare occasions when I am out and about without my bottle of alkaline water, I tend to look for bottled water that have an acceptable pH, neutral is 7.0.  

Over a year ago, I did some research to determine which bottled water is acceptable and which aren't.  That is, water that's actually acidic!!   I won't go into the details of which bottled water are acidic, but I do know after testing the alkalinity of FIJI water that it does in fact have an optimal pH of 7.5.  It also includes beneficial minerals silica, magnesium and calcium.  

FIJI is definitely a high quality bottle of water.  So the next time you're looking to drink "healthy" water, go with something like FIJI.  

Typically, you'll find the better quality bottled water in the health section of your local grocery store.  

Here's a short video from Life Ionizer:  Bottled Water Test

Fruit Spritzers

Ever since I've stopped drinking sodas, I've been searching for a healthier substitute.  I found a drink that still offers that bubbly sensation without all the unhealthy stuff sodas are known to have, especially diet sodas.  

One of my favorite "fruit soda" is R.W. Knudsen Spritzer.  It comes in several different flavors, all 100% fruit juice with the fizz (i.e. sparkling water)..... AND no high fructose corn syrup that's ubiquitous from your drinks to your food.

About this Blog

This blog is dedicated to Sophie in hopes I can offer her the best on every level. Every parent wants the best for their children. And with luck, I'll be able to encourage her true potential so that she will have the confidence and hope for a future that is authentically her own with greater happiness and fulfillment later in her life (including the fact she maintains she wants to be painter :o/).

My name is MaryAnne, referred to as Momma, Mommy, Honey, Sweetie by my 5 year old. Yes, "Honey" and "Sweetie" are other names she calls me.

I've been a stay-at-home Mom since 2003 to my one and only little girl who appears diffident, but is quite the contrary.

This blog was created due to the fact I am so proud of my daughter and simply cannot resist showing her off. This website is actually an offshoot of another blog I had; I'm sure some of you may remember. I've decided to incorporate almost everything from the last several years and rebrand it to not only include Sophie and of our family, but other areas I felt the need to share, hence the subtitle of this blog, "Sharing is Caring."

You will find many articles related to Sophie, our family, health matters, nutrition, recipes, tips and life in general. Stuff I wish I knew when I was young.

This will be a WIP for the next several months (6/09).

The new "Joy" look

Yes, it was just a matter of time before I felt the need to update my template.  If I can't update the interior decor of my house as often as I would like, at least I can update the look of my Blog for nothing.  

I thought it was going to be fairly easy to implement....little did I know ;o/  My hubby suggested I take an HTML class.  He doesn't understand, the last time I took a True Basic's class, I barely escaped with a  "C."

I still have a lot of tweaking to do, so bear with me as I make changes here and there.

Finally, please take a moment to vote, to the right, if you're in favor of this new look (or not).  Thank You!

Virgin Coconut Oil

So, yesterday I received a 32 oz / 960 ML sample of Virgin Coconut Oil from Tropical Traditions.  I had bought other coconut oil in the past and was not that impressed.  But here again it's knowing what to look for as there's good and bad in everything, to include water, sugar, salt, oil, protein, cholesterol, food, etc.  

I'm so glad  I've become a Twitterer (if there is such a word), as this is where I started to learn about the benefits of organic coconut oil.  If you have a blogsite and/or are very popular with a respectable amount of "followers" and "friends" on Twitter and Facebook, or any other social network, I highly recommend requesting a free sample of this amazing oil.

Here is the Tweet from Tropical Traditions:

"troptraditionsHave a blog? A following on Twitter, Facebook, etc? We sponsor product giveaways. Get your FREE sample here: http://short.to/ence"

In addition you get a free book that does a great job of explaining what coconut oil is, it's numerous health benefits, and countless testimonies.  I consider it to be more of a reference book as you don't have to read it in chronological order.  You can jump to whatever chapter is of interest to you.  The one that jumped out at me was the chapter about the benefits of using coconut oil for "thyroid health," especially because I tend to have cold hands and feet all the time.  You see I use my hubby all the time as a health gauge.  He is so remarkably in balance with his health after being a smoker for 30+ years.  (I believe all those years of smoking were compensated by the fact he ate a ton of fruit.)  Anyway, if he isn't cold, then I know something is up with me, which in this case is my low thyroid.  The book also contains over 85 recipes where you can incorporate this healthy oil in lieu of your conventional oil in your diet. 

Furthermore, if you slather it on your skin, you'll benefit from this oil, not only externally but internally.  Your skin is the largest organ and so I suggest being cognizant of everything that comes in contact with your skin.  Or you can be like my hubby and don't use anything, especially mineral oil, a common ingredient found in many lotions and creams.  Albeit he's 12 years older than me, if you were to look at the texture, elasticity, and firmness of his skin, it's remarkably in good condition compared to mine :o/

Anyway, when I first opened the jar, I was pleasantly surprised by the fresh, light-smelling, pure even, aroma of coconut.  (You see the other coconut oil I purchased a year ago smelled like nothing.)  This Virgin Coconut Oil smelled so good, I actually took a tablespoon and scooped some out to try.  And it actually tasted pretty good.   While I was at it, I also applied the oil all over my body and my face.  Later that evening, Soph told me my skin felt very soft, almost as soft as Vivika's baby soft skin.  She was right, I couldn't stop touching myself (especially my hands... just to clarify :o/) AND Sophie's skin was a lot smoother and satiny; she tends to have very dry skin on her legs and arms, like me.

I still have a lot to learn about this incredible oil.  I can only imagine it's going to be another good thing that will REPLACE all my other oils I use for cooking.  

I subscribe to Dr. Mercola's newsletters; here's an interesting and educational video about coconut oil.  

Me, the Upholsterer

Well, I'm not too sure about the new look of the stools.  I will probably have them professionally revamped one day.  But for now, this will suffice.

Yes, I couldn't stand it any longer and decided to take it upon myself to re-upholster the cushions.

The whole project cost me less than $10 for four stools, so if for some reason it does not hold up because of Humpty Dumpty's (aka Sophie) wiggly butt, it was still money well spent; at least it doesn't look tattered anymore.

Being "Pro"active with Biotics

About 20 years ago, I recall learning about replacing your bad bacteria with good bacteria. And having good "flora and fauna" in your digestive tract was a good thing. However, I never knew "WHY." It just sounded cool and that was it.

As my hubby always reminds me, "it's always easy when you know the answer." My immune system got off-kilter when I was young, resulting in allergies, hives, unexplained rashes, etc. Although, genetics does play a role, I wish I would have implemented back then things I now know to manage/control my allergies. And the best part, there are no side-effects.

Most of us already know having a healthy digestive system is central to good health as 70% of your immune system is located in your digestive tract. Aside from incorporating essential fatty acids, digestive enzymes, fiber.... probiotics is a pre-requisite for optimal digestion.

Probiotics otherwise known as friendly bacteria inhabit our digestive tract from top to bottom. They help re-populate all the good bacteria that may have been destroyed while on antibiotics and medication, for example. These friendly bacteria also:

• fight disease-causing bacteria throughout the entire digestive tract
• they manufacture B vitamins
• strengthen and promote the immune function and response
• improve bone health
• lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels while increasing HDL (good) levels
• help prevent and treat arthritis
• help prevent type I diabetes
• protect against colon cancer
• speed healing and prevent the infection of injuries
• improve the body's ability to make a protective (mucin) coat, which prevents the inside of our digestive tract from being damaged by enzymes, acid, abrasion, and bad bacteria
• produce enzymes that help digest our foods.
  
• help heal the gut lining when damaged

Know that 70% of your immune system is in the stomach and digestive tract and when it isn't working properly, you are open to all kinds of health related issues. When those systems are healthy and full of natural digestive enzymes and probiotics, Salmonella, E. Coli and other intestinal problems are almost 100% sure to not affect you.

Your digestive tract contains 500+ types of bacteria and an estimated 100 trillion bacteria, most of which are beneficial. In fact, you have 10 times more bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract than you have cells in your entire body.

Almost every cultural group eats probiotic foods. Germans eat sauerkraut, Japanese enjoy miso and natto, and Koreans eat kimchee. If you're not into these type of fermented foods, yogurt is also rich in beneficial bacteria and is also a good source of iodine.

One of my favorite probiotic drink is GoodBelly (see picture above). Do you know the most vulnerable part of your digestive system? If you didn't guess it, that's okay. I didn't know this as well, but it's your mouth. Because, we can get infections on our tonsils, our sinuses, our ears, (specifically the inner canal), around and in our teeth, the lining of our mouth..... I like to swish a probiotic drink around in my mouth first before swallowing. That way, you benefit from the work of probiotics throughout your entire digestive tract. If you swallow capsules of probiotics, you benefit only in the lower part of your digestive tract and miss all of the important benefits they have in your mouth and esophagus. This is why I also like the probiotic lozenges and eating a good, quality yogurt. Two of my favorite, any Greek yogurt like Oikos Organic Greek yogurt and Brown Cow Cream Top yogurt.

As with everything, knowing what kind of probiotics to take is essential. I look for probiotics that are naturally present and therefore belong in the human gut. They're more resistant to acid and bile, and they implant in the lining of the gut, providing protection for up to two weeks. Whereas, dairy probiotics are weaker and more transient as they last only about 1 day in your gut.

Lastly, be sure take digestive enzyme before your meal and a probiotic after your meal when the stomach acid is lowest because it has been used up to digest your food.

Simple Strawberry Smoothie

For a quick breakfast or as a healthy snack, here's a delicious and nutritious smoothie.

Ingredients:

Strawberries (fresh or frozen)

Plain yogurt

Agave syrup or pure honey or any natural sweetener (I prefer Agave)

Sparkling water

Instructions:  

Mix everything in a blender. Done. You'll notice no measurements, just eyeball it and be adventurous and test taste it.

Note: Based on 100 grams (approximately a cup), fresh strawberries has an ORAC value (the ability to stabilize/neutralize free-radicals) of 1540.  If you're trying to estimate a foods antioxidant and ORAC levels, just remember the more colorful the better, the higher the ORAC.  Fruits with colorful skin, especially purples and blues for example, prunes, blueberries, figs, usually have a higher ORAC than other foods, followed by reds, pinks and oranges such as strawberries and oranges.  Dark green vegetables like spinach and kale tend to have a higher ORAC rank than lighter colors.

Sophie's Histrionic Outburst

Earlier this week, I was hoping Sophie could help me with transplanting some flowers in the backyard. But after spilling dirt everywhere, watering the wood chips and sitting on the flowers, I thought best she should wait until she's a little older.

She then dashed into the house, only to return a minute later to tell me she "went to her room and hid in the corner because she was sooo SAD."  I guess that gave her plenty of time to ponder my denial and sort out her feelings because she then elaborated on all the reasons you could imagine for a 5 y/o, why she was so sad I did not allow her to help "plant the garden."  I told her she could help by watching and learning for the next time.  That wasn't exactly what she had in mind.  

So the following is a fairly accurate, articulate speech I got from Sophie on how she felt....getting it all out in a very melodramatic, theatrical manner. 

Sophie:

"I'm hiding my eyes on my knees so you don't see me.  I'm going to be sad this whole week, the whole year and nothing is going to happen.  That's embarassing sad.  It's not fair because I didn't plant the garden.  I really want to because I'm a big girl.  I'm 5 years old you know.  When I was baby, I didn't get to plant the garden , now I'm a big girl....(pause) Let's pretend I'm 16 years old today so I can plant the flowers.  I have a tear in my eye...see, I'm wiping it off right now....do you see me doing it....ohhhh, I'm so absolutely sad I didn't get to plant the garden."

I just asked Sophie, "who said that?"  Her response, "That's me, read it again!"  I guess she's proud of herself as she successfully expressed her feelings and emotions with lots of drama and purpose.   I could tell she was wanting an emotional hug and acknowledgment.....and so, I spent lots of quality time with her, doing gymnastics with her and teaching her to read.   That made her soooo HAPPY!!

"Digest"ing Enzymes

Here's where I wish I would have paid more attention in my biology classes concerning enzymes.  The only thing specific I recall about digestion are "chymes"....which is basically a mixture of partially digested food along with other digestive secretions formed in the stomach and intestine.  

It's only been about the last 2 years where I've begun to understand the importance of incorporating digestive enzymes into your daily nutritional routine.  Even if you eat healthy every day, if you don't digest it properly, the undigested food can seep from the small intestine into the bloodstream creating a backlash with your immune system.

Generally, most people are able to create enough enzymes, however, after age 30 our digestive system actually stops making certain enzymes and slows down with aging, which in turn leads to "speeding up the aging process".  I remember I could drink milk without a problem until I hit my early 30's, then I became lactose intolerant.  Genetically, I never had the enzymes to break down alcohol.   Each type of food, such as proteins, sugars, starches and fats require a specific type of enzyme. 

So, in order for your body to create additional enzymes, you would have to eat predominantly a raw food diet (fruits and vegetables) and chew very, very, very well.  Although enzymes are found naturally in raw foods, once cooked, processed or pasteurized, its enzymes are completely destroyed by heat.  

Though you may not suffer directly with digestion problems... with heartburn, gas, indigestion or burping after meals and other digestive discomfort being among the first and most apparent symptoms, there are not so obvious health issues associated to having poor digestion such as:  craving certain foods to weight gain, lack of energy, thyroid problems, bloating, constipation or diarrhea, thinning or falling out, dull hair and skin, weak or cracked nails, depression, ADHD, rashes, hives, eczema, fertility problems, etc.

By taking digestive enzymes, it helps break down food completely, so that what you eat will ensure more nutrition from the foods you eat and gets absorbed sufficiently in your body.  In the end, "poor digestion leads to deficiency or malnutrition."  Additionally, undigested food, especially proteins, can produce inflammation, trigger an immune response, allergies, autoimmune conditions and decreased resistance to infections.

When choosing digestive enzymes, I look for a comprehensive blend, plant-based enzyme that covers all the bases to include most of the following essential enzymes:  

In ( ) what the enzyme breaks down *digest* and how utilized.

• Alpha-galactosidase:  (carbohydrates in legumes that cause flatulence)
  
• Amylase:  (starches)
  
• Cellulase:  (cellulose - fiber, in fruits, vegetables, grains, and seeds)
  
• Glucoamylase:  (maltose, the sugar in grains)
  
• Invertase:  (sucrose - sugar)
  
• Lactase:  (lactose - milk sugar)
  
• Lipase:  (fats)
  
• Malt diastase:  (carbohydrates)
  
• Protease:  (proteins - can be used as a separate supplement for automimmune and inflammatory conditions and pain)
  
• Peptidase:  (casein - in milk, and gluten - in grains)
  

(Note:  one of my preferred brand is from Enzymedica.  I purchase this product at a 20% discount from Vitacost).

Lastly, here's something my hubby has done for as long as I've known him.....in order to preserve your existing enzymes, drink most of your drink/fluids between meals and little during your meals or after, so that you do not dilute your existing digestive enzymes.  

Truly, if you start optimizing the way you digest your food your body will be getting nutrients it never got and you will feel a difference, and more in balance :o)

A few of my tips

I like to read about other people's tips as you can always glean and synthesize something useful.

Here's a sample of my personal tips based on the fact that I'm actually selectively lazy by nature (of course everything is relative as I have been told I am not lazy) and having a sense of safety is always a good thing in my book.

Tips for lazy and safety conscious people:

• I tend to park in parking lots where the median is located (if any).  This way, I don't have to worry about a car backing out and not seeing me, AND especially Sophie.  The median is great, you don't have to worry about wayward traffic, just a few scattered carts.

• To clean artificial plants, I spray them off with water either with the sprayer from the sink or with an outside hose for larger plants.  Allow plants to air dry in the sun.  It's swift and efficient.

• When I use aluminum foil, I like to layer parchment paper on top to prevent contact with food.  Aluminum like fluoride is everywhere.  So I try to minimize the exposure with aluminum as much as possible.

• Lemon essential oil is great for stubborn stains, gummy, scuff marks, removing mineral build-up, etc.  It's really a "good thing" if you want to avoid cumulative exposure to toxic chemicals found in common commercial products; I find that lemon essential oil actually does a better job and smells a lot better too :o)