Yet Another Benefit of the Bi-Lingual Life

I just got back from a little shopping excursion with my mom-in-law in Chico, California. We had a great time -- went to Costco again. I didn't see the Vitamix guy this time, so I managed to keep my longing for over-priced kitchen gadgets in check.

Christmas decorations are out. What's up with that???

Anyway, we also stopped in at my favorite herb and natural food store -- it's very "Chico": Lot's of tie-dye, lots of hemp. While Mom picked up her stuff, I meandered over to the herbal book section. I thought I might find something interesting in the reduced section.

GOOOOOOOOOOAL!

All the Spanish books were on sale 50% off! WOOT! WOOT!

I bought them all. Well, not ALL of them. Only four.

I'm so excited to share with my friend Luz! I've been translating stuff for her, but this will be so much nicer. At least one of them is written from a Christian perspective (rather rare in the herbal sub-culture), which makes me very happy, too!

While I'm not Mrs. Organic, I do see a lot of value in healthy eating. And while I'm also not anti-doctor, (I honestly haven't set foot in a doctor's office in years...unless you count when we took Andrew to see the local doctor, but that wasn't his "office"; it was his front porch.) I see a lot of value in understanding disease, medicine and how doctors arrive at their diagnosis. To that end, I read a lot about herbal remedies and healthy living. Can't hurt, right?

There has been very little that has come our way, in matters of health, that I haven't been able to handle with prayer, my herb books (and the herbs that go along with them) and some common sense. I can't wait to dig into my new books and see what else I can learn. In fact, I think that's what I'm going to do right now.

Just for fun: What's your favorite herbal or home remedy? What's the first thing you do when you start to feel like you're catching a cold?

Wordless Wednesday -- All Natural Ingredients

Disclaimer: Contrary to what my kids may think and regardless of the taste, none of my herbal remedies contain horny toad.

Not Really a Hairstylist

Alright, gotta share this.

I've had long hair all of my adult life -- and throughout much of my youth -- and I have never French braided my own hair...until last week. I taught Sarah how to braid ages ago and she learned to do her own hair, but I just figured that was something I'd never achieve. Somewhat like skateboarding or playing drums. Caleb makes both of those look easy; they're not.

Living in a perpetual sauna encourages a woman with long, thick hair to search for new and cooler ways to adjust her "do". I was pretty proud of myself and just felt like sharing. Shallow and superficial, I know. Not much eternal value in a new hairstyle. I'll post something with more depth later on. Probably not today. ;^)

Be blessed and stay cool today!

A Little Health Is a Good Thing

After posting about how sick I've been -- and then disappearing off the net for a week -- I thought it good to share that we are all once again healthy. Hurrah!!!

The day after I posted about antibiotics, my good friend Rachel emailed me and reminded me about the healing powers of garlic. So, instead of buying a round of antibiotics for each member of the family, I bought about 8 heads of garlic.

Our family has had some pretty strong breath this past week, but we all feel better! For Doug's sore throat, I made a syrup of garlic and honey. Personally, I prefer to just eat the garlic plain, but we wanted to try this recipe, so...

All the kids actually wanted to taste it once they heard/saw Doug's reaction.

What did it taste like? Sarah's face says it all!

One neat thing about this past couple of weeks is that since no one really felt much like doing schoolwork (especially not the teacher), we did a few fun things we haven't done in a long time.

Evie, Andrew and I put together several puzzles, everyone else took turns playing 4 or 5 handed Pinochle, Killer Bunnies, Risk, Rummikub...it was, even though most of the house was sniffling and had a sore throat, a pretty fun week. Add to it that all events for the week were cancelled because of the "swine flu epidemic" and it also became pretty relaxing.

But, all good things must come to an end! Now we're all healthy and whole and church services and activities have resumed. Life has restarted, and it's back to busyness as usual. At least we're all refreshed and ready to face life now!!!

Sometimes we all need just a few days vacation, eh?!

Bendiciones!!!!

One More Round of Antibiotics

Ugh. Here I am on my 4th round of antibiotics for yet another sinus infection. Double ugh. After my boasting in January about the wonders of goldenseal root powder for staving off sinus infections, here I am. Chewing morosely on my words.

I'm so sick of being sick. Since we returned from our furlough in March, I don't think we've had everyone healthy at the same time. I could be exaggerating. I probably am. In fact I'm pretty sure that I am, but when I have a headache the universal statements just fly. The boys always slam the door. I always have to cook. I never get to take a nap in peace. I'm just a whiner today!

Well, as my dear friend Kay from Oregon used to say, "It's ok to sit on your pitty potty once in a while. Just don't forget to flush when you're through!"

So, I flush now. All better. Grumpiness gone. Headache still a bummer, but I think another quart of strong tea will help. Maybe some mustard plaster. Yummy.

So here's a question for you ladies (gentlemen too, although I would imagine that most men don't really give it much thought unless they happen to run out.)...

What is your personal opninion about antiperspirant?

I'm actually very curious to know what others think about antiperspirant (as opposed to deodorant) and whether I really am as psycho as my oldest daughter thinks I am. Well, I probably am, but that's ok. I have some pretty radical, hippy, conspiracy-theory opinions on antiperspirants and sunscreens. Am I the only one???

So, share! If you've never even given your Arid Extra Dry a second thought, share that, too. The curiousity is killing me! Wait. That's my headache...