As some of you may know, I have been battling a sever sinus infection for quite awhile now. Prescription antibiotics seem to have done nothing for it. Plus, my body is absolutely tired of taking them and letting me know it. So I have been intently searching for any home/natural remedy I could find to help relieve the pressure of my extreme sinus infection (and, hopefully, cure it).
Recently I read that eating pineapple will relieve a sinus infection. Yes, you read that right, PINEAPPLE! It turns out that fresh pineapples are very high in an enzyme called Bromelain, which has anti-inflammatory properties and breaks down mucus. Eating pineapples can reduce the swelling in the nasal passages, relieving the symptoms of a sinus infection. It sure is a lot tastier than sinus medications, too!
Some say that bromelain fights bacterial and viral infections, thus it could greatly help in a variety of types of sinus infections. It is definitely helping with mine, I am just having a hard time eating so much of it every day And I sure wish it didn't cost so much!
As stated in a recent post, Dave and I ate a fresh pineapple for dinner one day, and had even grilled part of it. I don't mean to be gross, but the next morning, we both got up coughing up loads of 'yucky' stuff . . . . stuff that was desperately needing to come up. I felt better, slacked off, and stuffed back up. So, guess what is for breakfast, today . . . . pineapple!
Here are some good links discussing eating pineapples to relieve your sinuses > > > >
Foods That Help a Sinus Infection
Diet to Decrease Sinus Infections
Food For Thought Thursday - be sure and check out the video!
Remember, FRESH PINEAPPLE works best!
Two People, Two Lives, Two Farms . . . . United Into ONE Healthier, Happy, Self-Sustaining, Homesteading, Recycling, Re-purposing, Natural, Self Reliant, Self Sufficient, Off-Grid Lifestyle. Come follow our journey.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Thursday, April 5, 2012
(DF) WHAT ARE YOU PREPPING FOR???
Seriously, just what ARE you prepping for? I know that sounds like a silly question, with the obvious answer being ..... a DISASTER. In reality, if you are prepping, you are most likely prepping for a disaster of some kind. Question is, just what kind.
I have known people through the years who were prepping for all kinds of things ranging from economic collapse to invasions from governments (foreign or domestic) or even space aliens, to natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes and asteroid strikes, and anything else imaginable. The prepping goals of some of these folks ranged from storing enough food and water to last at least a century, to building an arsenal that would make most small countries jealous, and almost everything between (and that is not an exaggeration).
Most of the above mentioned people were not wild eyed loons, they were just convinced that there would be a major disaster, and they intended to be prepared.. That is not to say I agree with their plans or what they believed was likely to happen. Narrow focus is the main thing I disagreed with in most cases. In fact, I think almost any of the scenarios they prepped for could happen and some probably will, but there is a consideration that if one disaster occurs, it could easily include several others. The trick is to make preparations that cross over to as many situations as possible. Lets face it, a good assault rifle may be great for keeping looters at bay, but it won't keep you warm, dry or fed on a regular basis (though it can be used for hunting).
By the same token, lots of stored food and water won't keep you safe from looters.
Whatever the disaster, there are some things that don't change. Food and drinking water are a must in any situation (disaster or not), as are shelter, warmth and some measure of defense. Whether that defense is accomplished with weapons, fortifications, diplomacy or simply hiding out until the danger passes, we all have to, in some way, protect ourselves, our families and our means of survival.
I grew up in a farm family and honestly can't remember when I started prepping. Being prepared was just a way of life on the farm because our livelihood was so tied to the forces of nature. A late freeze, hot dry summer, hail storm or heavy rain at the wrong time (just to name a few) could change the whole outlook. Growing up, we ate fresh produce from the garden in season, and home canned produce through the winter. There are plenty of references as to how much should be stored per person for the winter, but there was always the push to put up more, especially in a good year. The rule of thumb was to have enough at the end of the season to last three years, simply because some years things just don't produce as expected, so when they do, you put up enough for when they don't. This is a concept that has followed me through life, and to good benefit. Though the garden and orchard are not yet producing enough to store for long term, when there is plenty of money for food, I buy more than needed and store it. Staples like beans, rice, flour, corn meal and canned goods store well and I always try to keep some stocked up.
Now to the point of my question. As you probably know, I finally found a job about a month ago. This was after a prolonged period of searching and not finding, which had left finances almost completely depleted. By almost completely, I mean to the point that bills were behind and I had to count change for gas to get back and forth to work until my first full paycheck. There was not money for food and gas so I had to choose one. Not being able to buy food is a disaster in any body's book, or at least should be. However, thanks to prepping, there was no disaster simply because I had enough food stored to eat well for that period of time and beyond. Had I not prepped for such a disaster, I would have been much thinner after three weeks, or I would have bought food and lost my new job. Either way, I am glad I did not have to make that choice.
The bottom line is that whatever monstrous disaster you are prepping for, don't neglect the lesser, more personal disasters that can happen at any time and just as suddenly as the big ones.
I have known people through the years who were prepping for all kinds of things ranging from economic collapse to invasions from governments (foreign or domestic) or even space aliens, to natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes and asteroid strikes, and anything else imaginable. The prepping goals of some of these folks ranged from storing enough food and water to last at least a century, to building an arsenal that would make most small countries jealous, and almost everything between (and that is not an exaggeration).
Most of the above mentioned people were not wild eyed loons, they were just convinced that there would be a major disaster, and they intended to be prepared.. That is not to say I agree with their plans or what they believed was likely to happen. Narrow focus is the main thing I disagreed with in most cases. In fact, I think almost any of the scenarios they prepped for could happen and some probably will, but there is a consideration that if one disaster occurs, it could easily include several others. The trick is to make preparations that cross over to as many situations as possible. Lets face it, a good assault rifle may be great for keeping looters at bay, but it won't keep you warm, dry or fed on a regular basis (though it can be used for hunting).
By the same token, lots of stored food and water won't keep you safe from looters.
Whatever the disaster, there are some things that don't change. Food and drinking water are a must in any situation (disaster or not), as are shelter, warmth and some measure of defense. Whether that defense is accomplished with weapons, fortifications, diplomacy or simply hiding out until the danger passes, we all have to, in some way, protect ourselves, our families and our means of survival.
I grew up in a farm family and honestly can't remember when I started prepping. Being prepared was just a way of life on the farm because our livelihood was so tied to the forces of nature. A late freeze, hot dry summer, hail storm or heavy rain at the wrong time (just to name a few) could change the whole outlook. Growing up, we ate fresh produce from the garden in season, and home canned produce through the winter. There are plenty of references as to how much should be stored per person for the winter, but there was always the push to put up more, especially in a good year. The rule of thumb was to have enough at the end of the season to last three years, simply because some years things just don't produce as expected, so when they do, you put up enough for when they don't. This is a concept that has followed me through life, and to good benefit. Though the garden and orchard are not yet producing enough to store for long term, when there is plenty of money for food, I buy more than needed and store it. Staples like beans, rice, flour, corn meal and canned goods store well and I always try to keep some stocked up.
Now to the point of my question. As you probably know, I finally found a job about a month ago. This was after a prolonged period of searching and not finding, which had left finances almost completely depleted. By almost completely, I mean to the point that bills were behind and I had to count change for gas to get back and forth to work until my first full paycheck. There was not money for food and gas so I had to choose one. Not being able to buy food is a disaster in any body's book, or at least should be. However, thanks to prepping, there was no disaster simply because I had enough food stored to eat well for that period of time and beyond. Had I not prepped for such a disaster, I would have been much thinner after three weeks, or I would have bought food and lost my new job. Either way, I am glad I did not have to make that choice.
The bottom line is that whatever monstrous disaster you are prepping for, don't neglect the lesser, more personal disasters that can happen at any time and just as suddenly as the big ones.
(AF) Getting Prettier Each Day
My Valentine Rose from Dave is opening up even prettier today!
 |
| Climbing Don Juan |
I can't wait for the bush to get BIG and be covered in these lovely blooms! And it has such a wonderful, old rose fragrance.
HAVE A ROSEY DAY!
HAVE A ROSEY DAY!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
(D♥A) My Beautiful Flowers!
Remember the beautiful flowers I was telling you about in the last post? ... the ones that Dave picked for me from his yard. Well, even though they are missing a few of the white lilacs from wilting in the heat (yes, I said heat! It has been very unseasonably warm here, lately. And it was awhile that day before we were indoors anywhere), they are still so beautiful I absolutely have to share them with you. I set them outside in the light rain yesterday where they were semi sheltered, but still got a good drizzle, and it really perked them up.
Also, the rose bush he gave me for Valentine's Day is already blooming. Isn't it beautiful!
HAVE A ROSEY DAY!!
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
TIGHTWAD TUESDAY - Intro & A Cookout
Dave and I both work hard at stretching our dollars as far as they will stretch while still meeting our needs, and with good quality at that. I think it is good that we are both Penny Pinchers; otherwise, it could be the grounds for some good fights, and we certainly don't want that! (although the making up could be nice, lol)
We have both been thrifty, penny pinchers, scrimpers, scrapers, tightwads, etc. for so long (our whole lives I would guess to say) that it just seems to come naturally. It comes so natural and automatic, in fact, that we often don't even realize that choices we are automatically making are that of a scrimper's and not the average person's. To us, it just seems to be to be the thing to do, the right way, the 'normal' way (although I am not saying that people that aren't tight are wrong).
My mom has always said that she never saw anyone stretch a dollar as far as I could. To this day, her mouth still drops and her head shakes in amazement at some of my thrifty purchases (or lack of needing to make a purchase). And I have always joked and said that my middle name is "clearance." When I say that (my middle name is Clearance), I just mean I am ultra thrifty. But some people actually look at me with gullible bewildered amazement and ask, "Really?" That cracks me up!
Dave is always saying that he is a Confirmed Tightwad. But he isn't a Tightwad like so many other men are, in that he won't spend a penny on anything, but in a very practical sense, and I sooo love that about him! He does an excellent job at acquiring the necessities, and some frills, so inexpensively at times it would make your jaw drop. It was just Saturday he presented me with the most beautiful bouquet of flowers (looking every bit professional) that he had picked out of his yard.
So we have decided to devote a weekly segment of our blog to sharing with you, many of our thrifty finds and ways. We really toyed with what to call this segment, but I really liked Dave's term of "tightwad" so, Tightwad Tuesday it is. Tightwad Tuesday will cover a very wide range of our money saving techniques, from the common place to the odd and unusual.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
We will kick off this segment with the wonderful dinner we had yesterday. Yesterday marked eight months together for us. And unlike so many men that would think those little one month 'anniversaries' were silly, Dave is definitely a romantic at heart and looks as forward to those milestones as I do. But we are both extremely short on funds at the moment and had very little to work with. But we didn't let that stop us. And, after not getting to see each other in person for the past few weeks (sometimes I do enjoy having a cell phone), just being together was the most important part, anyway.
As I said earlier, Dave surprised me on Sunday by bringing me the most beautiful bouquet of flowers he had picked out of his yard. They were as beautiful as anything he could have ever purchased at a florist. Sorry there isn't a picture. His camera is needing batteries and the card in mine was full. I didn't make it to clearing any pics out before the flowers began to wilt a little in the heat. They are still absolutely beautiful, but definitely fading by the time I cleared some pics. And I want the image of them I remember to be the one in my head, of what they looked like the moment he surprised me with them. So, no pic of them.
He also brought me a little bit of fresh, ice cold goat's milk that he managed to swipe from his nanny goat before her kids begin to drink it all. Oh, what a treat that was!!! I was getting so hot out at the flea market Sunday, then he brought out this little ice chest (which I had picked up for him awhile back at the flea market) with icy cold, fresh, raw milk. Oh, did it ever hit the spot! But I did have to save just enough to later make me a cup of hot chocolate with it. Best hot chocolate you will ever drink!
Then we went shopping for something to cook for dinner (lunch) the next day. We ended up with a 10-lb bag of chicken leg quarters (49 cents a pound - total $4.90), some wonderful BBQ sauce we got on clearance and some all natural Honey Crisp Apple Cider that was also on clearance for .99 for a half a gallon (still well within date, just out of season now). Plus, I had on hand, a fresh pineapple we thought would go good with it all.
I had planned on bar-b-quing the chicken for Dave, but as many of you know, I am still battling an acute sinus infection and I just wasn't able to stand in the smoke of my grill. So Dave ended up doing the cooking with me helping with what I could. And it was some wonderful, quality time spent together .... much better than sitting in a stuffy restaurant waiting on someone else to cook our food for us. The day was absolutely beautiful with all of Spring's colorful beauty surrounding us, temperature prefect, sun shining, breeze ever so slight, and spending all that time together and outside, enjoying a cookout and a picnic, was absolutely the best!! We couldn't have asked for a better day and a better way to have our little celebration.
And, of course, the food tasted FANTASTIC! I will admit though, the BBQ Sauce wasn't totally natural, but it was within reason, and for 50 cents, you couldn't beat the price! We do hope to eventually make all of our own natural sauces, but until then, that Apple Maple from World Harbors is some of the best I have ever eaten (you can visit them here They have great recipe ideas, too.) So the final total for our most fabulous celebration dinner was approximately $12.00. Yes, the pineapple was a little pricey, but it was huge and I had the excuse that I had gotten it to help clear up my sinuses (more on that Friday). And all that food ended up making about 3, very filling meals! So when you actually divide all that out, and consider the quality of the meal, times 2 people, that was some pretty cheap, scrumptiously delicious eating! (well, the pineapple only made it through 2 meals)
And as you can guess, it was some pretty messy eating. But no, we didn't go through, and waste, a roll of paper towels. We wet and used old dish cloths to clean our messy fingers with (what we didn't lick off, of course). We do hope you enjoy our new Tightwad Tuesday segment. And we truly look forward to hearing your comments, suggestions and tips! So please, don't hesitate to jump right in and give us your thoughts. Have a great and thrifty week!
We have both been thrifty, penny pinchers, scrimpers, scrapers, tightwads, etc. for so long (our whole lives I would guess to say) that it just seems to come naturally. It comes so natural and automatic, in fact, that we often don't even realize that choices we are automatically making are that of a scrimper's and not the average person's. To us, it just seems to be to be the thing to do, the right way, the 'normal' way (although I am not saying that people that aren't tight are wrong).
My mom has always said that she never saw anyone stretch a dollar as far as I could. To this day, her mouth still drops and her head shakes in amazement at some of my thrifty purchases (or lack of needing to make a purchase). And I have always joked and said that my middle name is "clearance." When I say that (my middle name is Clearance), I just mean I am ultra thrifty. But some people actually look at me with gullible bewildered amazement and ask, "Really?" That cracks me up!
Dave is always saying that he is a Confirmed Tightwad. But he isn't a Tightwad like so many other men are, in that he won't spend a penny on anything, but in a very practical sense, and I sooo love that about him! He does an excellent job at acquiring the necessities, and some frills, so inexpensively at times it would make your jaw drop. It was just Saturday he presented me with the most beautiful bouquet of flowers (looking every bit professional) that he had picked out of his yard.
So we have decided to devote a weekly segment of our blog to sharing with you, many of our thrifty finds and ways. We really toyed with what to call this segment, but I really liked Dave's term of "tightwad" so, Tightwad Tuesday it is. Tightwad Tuesday will cover a very wide range of our money saving techniques, from the common place to the odd and unusual.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
We will kick off this segment with the wonderful dinner we had yesterday. Yesterday marked eight months together for us. And unlike so many men that would think those little one month 'anniversaries' were silly, Dave is definitely a romantic at heart and looks as forward to those milestones as I do. But we are both extremely short on funds at the moment and had very little to work with. But we didn't let that stop us. And, after not getting to see each other in person for the past few weeks (sometimes I do enjoy having a cell phone), just being together was the most important part, anyway.
As I said earlier, Dave surprised me on Sunday by bringing me the most beautiful bouquet of flowers he had picked out of his yard. They were as beautiful as anything he could have ever purchased at a florist. Sorry there isn't a picture. His camera is needing batteries and the card in mine was full. I didn't make it to clearing any pics out before the flowers began to wilt a little in the heat. They are still absolutely beautiful, but definitely fading by the time I cleared some pics. And I want the image of them I remember to be the one in my head, of what they looked like the moment he surprised me with them. So, no pic of them.
He also brought me a little bit of fresh, ice cold goat's milk that he managed to swipe from his nanny goat before her kids begin to drink it all. Oh, what a treat that was!!! I was getting so hot out at the flea market Sunday, then he brought out this little ice chest (which I had picked up for him awhile back at the flea market) with icy cold, fresh, raw milk. Oh, did it ever hit the spot! But I did have to save just enough to later make me a cup of hot chocolate with it. Best hot chocolate you will ever drink!
Then we went shopping for something to cook for dinner (lunch) the next day. We ended up with a 10-lb bag of chicken leg quarters (49 cents a pound - total $4.90), some wonderful BBQ sauce we got on clearance and some all natural Honey Crisp Apple Cider that was also on clearance for .99 for a half a gallon (still well within date, just out of season now). Plus, I had on hand, a fresh pineapple we thought would go good with it all.
I had planned on bar-b-quing the chicken for Dave, but as many of you know, I am still battling an acute sinus infection and I just wasn't able to stand in the smoke of my grill. So Dave ended up doing the cooking with me helping with what I could. And it was some wonderful, quality time spent together .... much better than sitting in a stuffy restaurant waiting on someone else to cook our food for us. The day was absolutely beautiful with all of Spring's colorful beauty surrounding us, temperature prefect, sun shining, breeze ever so slight, and spending all that time together and outside, enjoying a cookout and a picnic, was absolutely the best!! We couldn't have asked for a better day and a better way to have our little celebration.
And, of course, the food tasted FANTASTIC! I will admit though, the BBQ Sauce wasn't totally natural, but it was within reason, and for 50 cents, you couldn't beat the price! We do hope to eventually make all of our own natural sauces, but until then, that Apple Maple from World Harbors is some of the best I have ever eaten (you can visit them here They have great recipe ideas, too.) So the final total for our most fabulous celebration dinner was approximately $12.00. Yes, the pineapple was a little pricey, but it was huge and I had the excuse that I had gotten it to help clear up my sinuses (more on that Friday). And all that food ended up making about 3, very filling meals! So when you actually divide all that out, and consider the quality of the meal, times 2 people, that was some pretty cheap, scrumptiously delicious eating! (well, the pineapple only made it through 2 meals)
 |
| It was all so tender and juicy! |
And as you can guess, it was some pretty messy eating. But no, we didn't go through, and waste, a roll of paper towels. We wet and used old dish cloths to clean our messy fingers with (what we didn't lick off, of course). We do hope you enjoy our new Tightwad Tuesday segment. And we truly look forward to hearing your comments, suggestions and tips! So please, don't hesitate to jump right in and give us your thoughts. Have a great and thrifty week!
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