Paying Tribute on Independence Day

• By FRANK L. VANDERSLOOT 
Today,  Americans celebrate the birth of our nation, pay tribute to our nation's founders and honor the sacrifices made by our veterans, soldiers and their families.
And it is a sacred time of reflection for the many lives that have been given to protect the freedoms that we now enjoy.Unfortunately, some are condemning the founders of our great nation for their flaws and their mistakes. There seems to be a movement to vilify our beloved nation's history because of its blemishes. I am shocked by the many reports of vandalism occurring at historic sites.
Absolutely, without question, we must make it clear in this country that hateful acts that deprive anyone of their basic freedoms, their dignity and their equal rights will simply not be tolerated. Every human being deserves the respect and basic freedoms afforded by the Constitution of the United States. There can be no tolerance for racial prejudice.
But now is not the time to erase history. Now is the time to learn from history — to focus on the greatest ideals ever conceived, to appreciate the sacred freedoms that we enjoy and, as a country, to move forward together and to be better because of it.
In 1776, 56 brave men solemnly put pen to parchment, signing the Declaration of Independence, which raised the curtain for the United States of America. In doing so, they pledged everything — their "lives, fortune, and sacred honor" — to open the greatest epoch of liberty that the world has ever seen.
And just like every one of us, every one of them had flaws and failings. Yet, despite this, the founders rose to the ultimate occasion to bring forth the Declaration of Independence and usher in history's most impactful document: the Constitution of the United States.
Those brilliant men who framed the Constitution and who labored and argued over every word endowed all future citizens with rights never before experienced in any society. And those freedoms and rights have endured the test of time. The result is the most prosperous and the freest nation in the world.
Although brilliant and well-intended, these men were not perfect. They had many flaws, but their contribution to hundreds of millions of future Americans should cause us to defend their honor and defend the Constitution that they created and the great nation that is the result of their work and sacrifices.


The signers of the Declaration of Independence knew they would be relentlessly pursued by the crown, and, if the war was lost, they would be hanged as traitors. And they were right. Many of them paid a horrible price.
So yes, today we honor our founders, flaws, mistakes and all, whose courage and devotion sparked a mighty revolution. Those brave men and women fought for independence, for justice and for a world free from tyranny. They fought with words and ideas, with pen and parchment, with powder and musket. They fought for their homes, for their children and for future generations.
Let us also pay tribute to the countless American heroes who have answered the sacred call of duty to protect our homeland, liberate oppressed nations and eliminate global terror. We not only honor the 1.2 million Americans who have laid down their lives on our behalf during wartime but also all who have returned home having been wounded in combat.
Our freedom was paid by their total dedication to a greater cause as well as their actual blood, sweat and tears. Let us all be united in our responsibility to ensure the sacred torch of freedom is passed to the next generation. We do exactly that as we celebrate them on the day we know as the Fourth of July.
https://www.postregister.com/opinion/guest_column/paying-tribute-on-independence-day/article_ae1bcb89-08d4-5d9e-8d3f-aa5dc67f68db.html?fbclid=IwAR3LMgC63oI9y9qT_wqObtB3kHAmRPCesXS0mbMJKaf37m_yCZgsUh0r--8

Medicine Cabinet in a Bottle

Tea tree oil, explains the UWA Tea Tree Oil Research Group, is the essential oil steam distilled from the Australian plant Melaleuca alternifolia (unique to Australia and native to Northern New South Wales).

Kathi Keville of HowStuffWorks.com says this oil is often called a “medicine cabinet in a bottle” and is “effective against bacteria, fungi, and viruses and stimulates the immune system.” Here are 16 ways to use Tea Tree Oil for health and for the home.

*Make sure it comes in a dark glass bottle with a dropper. This will prevent light from shining in and reducing the oil’s potency.  *Editor’s Note: This article does not replace medical advise.

Great Ways to Use Tea Tree Oil

For Health

1. Use a dab to treat acne or a fever blister.
2. An anti-fungal for treating Athlete’s Foot, eczema, various yeast infections, etc.
3. An antiseptic to be used on cuts and burns.
4. An anti-viral: it may lessen the symptoms of colds and flu. Try using a few drops in the bath.
5. Add to a vaporizer to loosen chest congestion.
6. Add a small amount to shampoo to destroy head lice. (I have a chemical free recipe -- email a request to PeggyCortez@yahoo.com).
7. A small amount added to your bath can help with persistent body odor. 
8. Treating sinus infection.
9. For dandruff and dry scalp.
10. New research suggests possibilities in cancer treatment. See Anti-Cancer Activity of Tea Tree Oil

For Cleaning

1. A few drops added to each load of laundry leave your clothes smelling cleaner.
2. Control mold with a tea tree oil/water spray.  
3. Remove mustiness with that same tea tree oil/water spray.
4. To keep germs at bay, spray it on high chairs, car seats, and other high traffic spots.
5. 15 drops in a quart of water can be an effective insect repellent.
6. Be sure to take some with you when traveling, hiking or camping to put directly on insect bites or blisters.

Tea tree oil is usually clear to very pale golden in color and it exudes a fresh, camphor-like scent.be sure to purchase it from a reputable company. I prefer Melaleuca's Tea Tree Oil because it it pharmaceutical grade, the company is reputable, green and they revenue share with customers.
More info here.

I have to include just a touch of history (because that's the way I roll! & Yes, I am a geek!)

On his first voyage to Australia, Captain Cook made a sharp-tasting tea from tea tree leaves and later used them in brewing beer. Eventually the leaves and then the essential oil were used to purify water. Australian soldiers and sailors used this essential oil as an all-purpose healing agent during World War II.

SOURCES:Author Mickey Z., Planet Green

HowStuffWorks & Discovery Health

TreeHugger.com

Editor Peggy Cortez, FourPointGroup

16 Emergency Essentials

Natural disasters, power outages, and even financially hard times demand preparation if we are to survive. What are the bare essentials?

Here are my TOP 16  (most of which can be found in your pantry). . . . . 


1.    Let’s talk PROTEIN. Canned tuna & peanut butter are ready to eat. Other choices would be things easily heated with a fire or wood stove like canned chicken soups, chili, and canned beans.

2.    Crackers, to go with your protein. Snack crackers are a good idea, too.

3.    Dried/canned fruits and nuts are great because they can be stored for long periods of time.

4.    Powdered milk can, also, be stored for long periods of time.  If you have a financially demanding week, powdered milk can fill the gaps.

5.    ENERGY BARS: Melaleuca Meal Replacement/Protein Bars (Attain), FiberWise and Access bars are recommended
Did you know candy bars were first developed to give soldiers a quick energy boost? If you are in a disaster, you will need energy for sure! Have the good stuff (Melaleuca) rather than the pure sugar on hand!

6.    Water: You need at least a 5 day supply of water, more if you are so inclined.  One gallon of water per person per day is the standard. Of course, we can survive on much less, but who would want to?

7.    Instant Drink Mixes - especially Sustain Sports Drink (w/ more electrolytes than Pedialyte) Other choices are coffee, cocoa, and tea - no electrolytes but tasty!

8.    Starches - pasta, boxed macaroni and cheese & instant potatoes: They are easy to prepare and can be prepared on a fire or wood stove. Every college student knows that, in a pinch, mac 'n cheese can be made with hot water only.

9.    Salt: Sodium is needed especially if you are working hard and sweating.

10.    Manual Can Opener: A screwdriver and hammer make a real mess of things!

11.    Baby Items: Baby food, formula, diapers and wipes must not be over-looked.

12.    Cereals and Oatmeal: You have milk, so why not?

13.    Melaleuca Vitamins: If you are in a catastrophe, balanced meals will be the least of your worries.

14.    Batteries, Radio and Flashlights: These may not be normal pantry items, but they will be needed if something bad happens.  The wind-up style radio and flashlights can be good for emergencies but can also be very hard to keep energized.

15.   Melaleuca First Aid Kit. A well-stocked first aid kit is a must. Gauze, tape, bandages, antibiotic ointment, and a variety of medications are necessary; depending on your family’s needs.

16. Last but not least - Bible, notepads and pens, a few favorite books. If you have to "grab and go" you will be prepared for the duration.

Keep in mind that you'll probably want to rotate the foods every 6 months to a year.
Remember to change out the baby items as needed because little ones grow quickly!

Now, here is how we step-it-up for full emergency set-up . . . . This is better than keeping an emergency stock in your pantry.

4 Step-It-Up Plan

1. Get several "Xerox paper" size boxes.  I am a frugal gal so I really do use Xerox boxes because they are sturdy, the right size and free.
2. Fill each one with a 1 to 3 day supply of emergency stock.
3. One box is just for the First Aid Kit, Radio, Batteries, Flashlights, Bible and other non-consumables. Label it CLEARLY - perhaps wrap it in a big, wide red ribbon. My kids decoupaged our Non-Consumables Box. It is easy to locate among the rest!
4. Stack the boxes in a place that is easily accessible. Depending on climate it could be the garage, basement, laundry or mudroom or if space is limited try a labeled box in each closet.  Mark them appropriately. For example: If you have 10 boxes: 1of10,  2of10,  3of10,  etc.

Childhood Asthma and How to Combat It

Childhood asthma is a debilitating disease that affects the lungs of young children and can last throughout adulthood.  Childhood asthma can be terrifying; it is also on the rise.

Childhood asthma is now the most common condition in the developed world, and things aren’t getting any better.

The problem is that the lungs are very sensitive organs that eagerly absorb inhaled air to pick up all the oxygen that they can. In the process, lungs also absorb any particles in the air straight into their tissues. You may not be surprised to learn that the air indoors is filled with all kinds of particles that can cause damage to the lung tissue.
High on the list are particles produced from (1)paint and (2)outgassing.
*VOCs and other fume particles are clearly bad news, causing a variety of illnesses throughout the body, but when a baby is raised in a home where there’s a lot of VOCs, its lungs can become permanently weakened.
 VOCs and other fume particles can come from paint, home cleaning products, laundry detergents, fabric softeners, bleach and ammonia (to name a few things).

You may have never heard of outgassing.  Here is some more detail . . . .  one way it happens is when particle board is used to build houses. They release particles (called" exhaling") from inside its fibers into the air. Unfortunately, particle board is put together with truly nasty chemicals like formaldehyde, which have been proven to cause lung damage when they are inhaled.

And before you start blaming these construction chemicals for all the asthma in the world, take a good look at the studies done in Australia and Europe that link childhood asthma to common household cleaners, especially bleach. Window cleaners, air fresheners, and disinfectants were also pinpointed.

If you are worried about your child developing an asthma condition or if they already have asthma you may feel a bit panicky. That is understandable and may be your call to action!

Fortunately there are things you can do to make your home safer and hopefully asthma-free.

First, be extra careful of what chemical cleaners, personal care products and cosmetics you use. When in doubt, always look at the labels. If there’s a warning sign, it’s there for a reason. Stay away from bleach and try using eco-friendly products, stain-fighting enzymes, and ionized water when possible.

Second, use green construction materials wherever possible. VOC-free paints and varnishes are a must. To get rid of the out-gassing effect, try using green particle board instead. This board uses recycled lumber materials and natural resins instead of formaldehyde and other nasty chemicals.

*VOCs  = Volatile Organic Compounds 
For more info on how to go greener and cleaner go here and then after you peruse the info . . . click on "request information" near the top. 

The Unique Vunerability of Children to Environmental Toxins

Children are not simply "little adults." Four fundamental differences between children and adults contribute to children's heightened susceptibility to environmental toxins.

This is a crucial reason to look at all sensible ways to de-tox their environments.  It is imperative to find solutions and these are just a few reasons why . . . .

    * Children have disproportionately heavy exposures to environmental toxicants due to their greater intake pound-for-pound of food, water, and air, coupled with their unique behaviors - in particular, hand-to-mouth behavior.
    * Children's metabolic pathways, especially in the first months after birth, are immature. In many instances, they are less able than adults to deal with toxic compounds.
    * Children are undergoing rapid growth and development. These developmental processes create windows of great vulnerability in which the course of development can be permanently disrupted by environmental toxins.
    * Because children have more future years of life than adults, they have more time to develop chronic diseases that may be initiated by early exposures.

*National Research Council. Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and Children. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2000.

Dr. Bill Wood's ProFlex Shake (& Diet Plan)

AM
2 scoops of Proflex drink mix with 12 oz liquid (water or skim milk)
add 1 scoop Fiberwise, if desired
add fruit (suggestions: 1 banana, 1/2 cup strawberries or 1/2 cup blueberries)
add ice, if desired, and blend

This provides 30 grams of protein and 13 grams of fiber (13 grams w/ Fiberwise, 8 grams w/o)

This can be part of a healthy day!

Drink the shake in the morning.

LUNCH: An Attain shake or meal replacement bar and some fruit or raw veggies on the side

PM: 1 scoop of Fiberwise in 8oz of water about 20 minutes before the meal This helps place gel coating around the stomach so that nutrients absorbed during the meal are absorbed slowly.

Then eat a regular meal with the family (be reasonable, of course)

Dr. Woods says using this regimen may help one lose 4 - 8 pounds per month . . . a healthy weight loss plan.