My Clients know (most of them) that I live in the country. So far out as a matter of fact that there is not a grocery store with in 10 miles of my house and no one delivers any kind of food to our door.
Because of this remote location I have experiences that my coworkers laugh at and sometimes find a little difficult to believe. For instance there are a four donkeys living next door. There should be 5 but Jasper was locked up for Love Crimes.
You see, out were I live everyone has at least 10 acres. The fellow that owns the land to my North does not live there. There is no house. In order to keep his taxes low he adopted a pair of donkeys (one Gray and one red) and moved them onto the property so that he could use an agricultural tax rate. My older daughter named them Dumb (male) and Jaq (female, short for Jaqueline).
Anyway, one morning I am driving up my rather long driveway on my way to work when I am cut off and have to lock'em up throwing gravel and cussing up a storm because a brown male donkey is running across my drive...and dragging an impressive length of rope behind him. Once a quick check reassured me that nothing had spilled in my car and I had not hit anything, I laughed. I mean, how often does this happen in Collin County, Tx do ya figure? I waited for him to get his rope out of my way and left watching him get all nosey with the pair already in residence to my North.
Later that Day I spoke to my husband and he said that a nice lady had come around and gathered up the escape artist donkey (I was calling him Houdini) and taken him home. She introduced herself and the donkey (his given name is Jasper) and apologized over and over for any trouble. She also mumbled that if he ran away again, he could just stay gone.
About a week later Jasper was back, only this time he was in the fence with the pair next door. I called my husband and let him know since I was going off to work on a Saturday and he was home, that Jasper's lady friend might be around.
My hubby told me later that he waited and no lady came but he did see a couple of Mexican fellas driving real slow and carrying a lot of rope so he asked them if they were looking for a donkey. They nodded and smiled and Hubby directed them to the property next door at which point Jasper saw his would-be bounty hunters and CLIMBED THE BARBED WIRE to get away. (Didn't know they could climb...)
Hubby caught a hold of a hunk of the rope dragging behind Jasper and tried to slow him down never thinking about getting dragged down the street. My daughter later chuckled as she told me about her dad running (being dragged) behind that donkey and the Mexican fellas trying to stop Jasper, and all of them failing until one of them got the end of Jasper's rope tied to the cargo loop on the truck. That stopped him and he followed the truck home unbowed. As they were leaving, one of the fellas told my hubby that Jasper'd been running away a lot and they were getting real tired of chasing him and if he ran away again, we could have him. Apparently that's how they got him from the nice lady who was his previous owner.
Well, He did and they left him.
One day my neighbor comes over to mow his pasture and is staring confused at three donkeys and one of them pregnant! Hubby went out to talk to him and got him all caught up on the events of the last month. The neighbor allowed that he'd been gone a while and as Jasper (nicknamed Smart by my eldest) was now apparently a Daddy-to-be, he could stay.
a few weeks later, a bouncing baby donkey (named Baby) was born. Really cute!
The next Spring Jaq was preggers again, but before Blanca (the new little white donkey) could be born, Jasper disappeared.
It was some time before I discovered that he'd grown tired of being semi-domesticated and climbed the fence again, this time heading further up the road to a ranch owned by another neighbor and, um...Knocked up his mare! This landed Jasper in Collin County Animal Control holding in McKinney. Locked up for Love Crimes!
I have no idea where he is now, Baby is almost two and Blanca is one. Jaq and Dumb seem to be a couple again and no one is climbing any fences that I know of. Yup they appear for all the world to be one big happy family.
I do wonder though...Did Jasper's new owner get him fixed, do ya think? Did they even think they'd have to? Do people actually rescue donkey's? Assuming that they don't keep donkey's with the dogs, where do they keep escaped livestock? Do they keep escaped livestock?
Oh! well! Not my Circus, Not my Monkeys...
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Inflammation gets a Bad Wrap!
You hear it all the time now. "Inflammation is bad, it causes diseases like diabetes and cancer". We must fight Inflammation...
I was talking to Dr. Laura the other day and we discussed the fact that in general, the public has gotten a wrong idea of what inflammation is and what it can do.
You see inflammation is the process your body uses to heal damage. Yes HEAL! The inflammation itself is NOT (usually) the problem. Whatever is causing the inflammation is the real problem.
It goes like this:
Then there is systemic inflammation. We have seen a rise in the last two decades in food allergies and sensitivities. This and the high carb, high Stress lifestyle of your average American has led to lots of inflammation throughout the body.
This means that we are doing damage to tissues (cells) all over our bodies! It is not the inflammation that is the issue as much as what we are doing to cause the inflammation. The damage we are causing...everyday....all over our bodies....OMG! The link below goes to the University of Iowa website and defines the inflammatory response a little more in depth.
http://www.siumed.edu/~dking2/intro/inflam.htm
According to Time Magazine these are the signs of chronic inflammation:
http://scdlifestyle.com/2012/10/chronic-inflammation-signs-symptoms-and-testing/
So I ask you...Do you get headaches?
Do your muscles and/or joints hurt?
Are your eyes red? How's your digestion?
Are your allergies getting worse?
Hmmm....How's your inflammation..
If you suspect that inflammation may be a problem. Please see your healthcare professional! She/He will probably work with you to change your diet and exercise.
I was talking to Dr. Laura the other day and we discussed the fact that in general, the public has gotten a wrong idea of what inflammation is and what it can do.
You see inflammation is the process your body uses to heal damage. Yes HEAL! The inflammation itself is NOT (usually) the problem. Whatever is causing the inflammation is the real problem.
It goes like this:
- damage occurs in the tissues, caused by physical trauma, pathogens (germs), or toxins (poisons),
- When cells are damages they release chemical signals into surrounding tissues letting the body know that they are damaged,
- This causes the inflammatory response
- blood vessels become hyper-permeable letting immune cells, clotting agents and lymph into the area,
- Immune cells flood the area to fight infection,
- Clotting agents stop bleeding,
- Lymph flow takes away broken pieces of cells and foreign matter (dirt, toxins, germs, etc)
- The body begins to rebuild cells in the area and make scar tissue
Then there is systemic inflammation. We have seen a rise in the last two decades in food allergies and sensitivities. This and the high carb, high Stress lifestyle of your average American has led to lots of inflammation throughout the body.
This means that we are doing damage to tissues (cells) all over our bodies! It is not the inflammation that is the issue as much as what we are doing to cause the inflammation. The damage we are causing...everyday....all over our bodies....OMG! The link below goes to the University of Iowa website and defines the inflammatory response a little more in depth.
http://www.siumed.edu/~dking2/intro/inflam.htm
According to Time Magazine these are the signs of chronic inflammation:
http://scdlifestyle.com/2012/10/chronic-inflammation-signs-symptoms-and-testing/
- Ongoing, irritating pain in the body (like the joints or muscles)
- Allergies or asthma (especially when they keep getting worse)
- High blood pressure or blood sugar problems
- Ulcers and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (constipation or diarrhea)
- Constant fatigue or lethargy
- Skin problems or red, bloodshot eyes
So I ask you...Do you get headaches?
Do your muscles and/or joints hurt?
Are your eyes red? How's your digestion?
Are your allergies getting worse?
Hmmm....How's your inflammation..
If you suspect that inflammation may be a problem. Please see your healthcare professional! She/He will probably work with you to change your diet and exercise.
Tomatican
Recipe By :
Moosewood
Serving Size : 6
Preparation Time :0:00
Amount
Measure Ingredient --
Preparation Method
-------- ------------
--------------------------------
2 cans lima beans -- drained
28
ounces tomatoes, canned
1
medium onion
3
ounces spinach leaves -- chopped
2
medium avocado -- cubed
1
tablespoon Grape seed oil
Saute onions with
oil
add all but
avacados and simmer on low
garnish with
avacado cubes
Description:
"Moosewood"
Per Serving
(excluding unknown items): 362 Calories; 13g Fat (31.0% calories from fat); 16g
Protein; 50g Carbohydrate; 15g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 222mg
Sodium. Exchanges: 2 1/2 Grain(Starch);
1/2 Lean Meat; 1 1/2 Vegetable; 1/2 Fruit; 2 Fat.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Dr. Oz describes Leaky Gut!
I saw it last week. A very simplified explanation of how foods we can not digest damage our digestive tract and leak into places they are not supposed to be in, eventually crossing the blood brain barrier causing mental fog, crankiness and other mental/emotional symptoms. (Alzheimer's anyone?)
http://www.doctoroz.com/episode/disease-your-doctor-cant-diagnose
All I could say was,"It's about time"!
My clients and I have spent years debating the existence of this very condition.
them: "Dr. XXX says I have leaky gut and need to never eat (Wheat, Corn, Soy, Dairy...) again! How do you live with out _____?
me: "Easy! Lean protein, fruits and vegetables are all you need and there are many gluten free snacks and substitutes these days."
Them: "but I've eaten ____ for years. How can I possibly be allergic to it? I grew up eating it.
Me: There are theories about that...
You see long about the 1990's corporations began introducing Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) into our food supply without our knowledge. Many think that in making wheat, corn and soy that are pesticide resistant (Roundup Ready), or contain the pesticides them selves (Pest Resistant) that the scientists are changing the molecular structure of the food enough that our bodies no longer recognize it(footnotes 1, 2). This maybe the reason for the huge increase in food allergies especially to the foods that are GMO.
I get it! It just ain't right that someone has messed with our food so that it is no longer safe. We can face it and fight it or we can submit and succumb to the illnesses that GMO's are causing. It is fairly easy to avoid GMO's...Buy Organic! Organic fruit is usually sweeter, and last longer in the fridge. It has more nutrients and fewer toxins (duh footnote 3). If you've been told to go without, try that for a while then ask your doctor if organic is okay. Sometimes when you take the pot off the burner and let thing cool so to speak the body will be more flexible in what it will accept.
The reason you feel like you just can't do without your bread and pasta (or whatever your allergen) is because your addicted to the cortisol rush your body gets when your eat it. Allergy=stress and stress means cortisol. You remember that stuff. Cortisol has been all over the news. It's the stress hormone that causes you to gain weight around your middle. It also keeps you from sleeping well. An inability to lose weight is one of the symptoms of a food allergy, so is craving that food.
If you have these symptoms but don't want to do the testing, then try the elimination diet. For two weeks eliminate wheat, dairy, soy, corn, sugar and processed foods from your diet. After cleaning out (and probably losing a few pounds) add them one at a time back into your diet. Only one of the forbidden foods per week and watch your body. When you find what bothers your (and it may well be more than one) then you know what not to eat. Easy peasy, Right!
Good luck and Great Health!
scroll down for this posts recipe (I've had a few requests)
Footnotes
Basically the rats fed GMO corn showed abnormal cells in Testes and pancreas but the study did not look at other organs.
or this article..
In which effects are seen in the heart, spleen and adrenal glands.
Basically organic food=more good stuff and less bad stuff!
Note: I have substituted lima beans for chickpeas and it is still wonderful!
http://www.doctoroz.com/episode/disease-your-doctor-cant-diagnose
All I could say was,"It's about time"!
My clients and I have spent years debating the existence of this very condition.
them: "Dr. XXX says I have leaky gut and need to never eat (Wheat, Corn, Soy, Dairy...) again! How do you live with out _____?
me: "Easy! Lean protein, fruits and vegetables are all you need and there are many gluten free snacks and substitutes these days."
Them: "but I've eaten ____ for years. How can I possibly be allergic to it? I grew up eating it.
Me: There are theories about that...
You see long about the 1990's corporations began introducing Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) into our food supply without our knowledge. Many think that in making wheat, corn and soy that are pesticide resistant (Roundup Ready), or contain the pesticides them selves (Pest Resistant) that the scientists are changing the molecular structure of the food enough that our bodies no longer recognize it(footnotes 1, 2). This maybe the reason for the huge increase in food allergies especially to the foods that are GMO.
I get it! It just ain't right that someone has messed with our food so that it is no longer safe. We can face it and fight it or we can submit and succumb to the illnesses that GMO's are causing. It is fairly easy to avoid GMO's...Buy Organic! Organic fruit is usually sweeter, and last longer in the fridge. It has more nutrients and fewer toxins (duh footnote 3). If you've been told to go without, try that for a while then ask your doctor if organic is okay. Sometimes when you take the pot off the burner and let thing cool so to speak the body will be more flexible in what it will accept.
The reason you feel like you just can't do without your bread and pasta (or whatever your allergen) is because your addicted to the cortisol rush your body gets when your eat it. Allergy=stress and stress means cortisol. You remember that stuff. Cortisol has been all over the news. It's the stress hormone that causes you to gain weight around your middle. It also keeps you from sleeping well. An inability to lose weight is one of the symptoms of a food allergy, so is craving that food.
If you have these symptoms but don't want to do the testing, then try the elimination diet. For two weeks eliminate wheat, dairy, soy, corn, sugar and processed foods from your diet. After cleaning out (and probably losing a few pounds) add them one at a time back into your diet. Only one of the forbidden foods per week and watch your body. When you find what bothers your (and it may well be more than one) then you know what not to eat. Easy peasy, Right!
Good luck and Great Health!
scroll down for this posts recipe (I've had a few requests)
Footnotes
1. New Analysis of a Rat Feeding Study with a Genetically Modified Maize Reveals Signs of Hepatorenal Toxicity
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00244-006-0149-5Basically the rats fed GMO corn showed abnormal cells in Testes and pancreas but the study did not look at other organs.
or this article..
2. A Comparison of the Effects of Three GM Corn Varieties on Mammalian Health
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2793308/In which effects are seen in the heart, spleen and adrenal glands.
3. Nutritional quality and safety of organic food. A review
http://www.agronomy-journal.org/articles/agro/abs/2010/01/a8202/a8202.htmlBasically organic food=more good stuff and less bad stuff!
Indian-Spiced
Cauliflower, Chickpeas, Potatoes and Kale
Recipe By :
Serving Size : 8
Categories :
Amount
Measure Ingredient --
Preparation Method
-------- ------------
--------------------------------
1/4 cup
coconut oil
2
teaspoons cumin seed -- Whole
2
tablespoons coriander -- Seeds
ground
1
teaspoon Turmeric -- ground
1/2
teaspoon Cayenne pepper
1 head cauliflower -- chopped
2
medium potato -- Cut to 1 inch
pieces
28
ounces chickpeas, canned
15
ounces Crushed tomatoes --
preferably fire roasted
1 cup water
4 cups kale -- shredded
1/4 cup cilantro leaves, whole -- chopped
salt -- to taste
heat coconut oil
in large pot on med-high heat. Add cumin
seeds and fry til brown (20 seconds).
add ground cumin,
coriander, turmeric and cayenne pepper. Stir then immediately add cauliflower and
potatoes. Stir constantly for 5 min.
add chickpeas and
crushed tomatoes. stir scraping brown bits off bottom til starts to thicken
add water, kale
and up to 2 teaspoons salt.
reduce heat and
simmer covered until tender (about 15 min.)
serve hot
sprinkled with cilantro
Description:
"From The Healthy Hedonist"
- - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
Per Serving
(excluding unknown items): 241 Calories; 9g Fat (30.3% calories from fat); 8g
Protein; 36g Carbohydrate; 7g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 389mg
Sodium. Exchanges: 2 Grain(Starch); 0
Lean Meat; 1 1/2 Vegetable; 1 1/2 Fat.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Flu season
I have two daughters, one out on her own and one teenager (Libby) who brought home the flu a few weeks ago. It hit very quickly. She came home from school on a Monday complaining about fellow students coughing and sneezing without covering their mouths and on Tuesday morning complained of a sore throat. She had no fever, congestion, joint pain or ugly throat. I put her on the bus with orders to see the nurse if the pain continued or got worse.
The nurse called my husband at about noon. Post-nasal drip caused by congestion had made Libby nauseous. Hubby took her home and gave her a dose of Airborne. When I got home the congestion was really bad. Nasal wash with a few drops of Colloidal Silver added helped her to sleep.
First thing Wednesday Morning I took her to see the Chiropractor that I work with, Dr. Laura Shwaluk at NTC Health and Fitness. Dr. Laura confirmed "Flu" and gave us some herbs and Homeopathic drops (Virex) for Libby and another bottle of immune support herbs for Hubby and Me. I made chicken soup and gave everyone a dose of Oscillococcinum in the morning and another that night. By Thursday night Libby was feeling pretty good, but still tired. I kept her home Friday for the rest.
Neither Hubby nor I ever got more than a sore throat and that did not last the day.
Great Stuff Virex (available only from a health care professional) and Oscillococcinum (available at most any pharmacy), and of coarse the chicken soup!
She then contracted Strep throat and an ear infection, but that's another story!
chicken soup:
Boil one (free range) whole chicken with one onion, 1 tablespoon fresh garlic a table spoon of sage and 1.5 teaspoons thyme. Fill a tea ball with fresh rosemary and throw that in too.
debone the chicken when it is falling off the bones and discard skin and bones. put it all back in the pot with a teaspoon of turmeric and a 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. I often add some chopped baby spinach, celery, carrots (sliced) and a dash of white pepper. Make sure there is enough water to cover the chicken and all and bring back to a boil. Add noodles if you wish. serves lots!
The nurse called my husband at about noon. Post-nasal drip caused by congestion had made Libby nauseous. Hubby took her home and gave her a dose of Airborne. When I got home the congestion was really bad. Nasal wash with a few drops of Colloidal Silver added helped her to sleep.
First thing Wednesday Morning I took her to see the Chiropractor that I work with, Dr. Laura Shwaluk at NTC Health and Fitness. Dr. Laura confirmed "Flu" and gave us some herbs and Homeopathic drops (Virex) for Libby and another bottle of immune support herbs for Hubby and Me. I made chicken soup and gave everyone a dose of Oscillococcinum in the morning and another that night. By Thursday night Libby was feeling pretty good, but still tired. I kept her home Friday for the rest.
Neither Hubby nor I ever got more than a sore throat and that did not last the day.
Great Stuff Virex (available only from a health care professional) and Oscillococcinum (available at most any pharmacy), and of coarse the chicken soup!
She then contracted Strep throat and an ear infection, but that's another story!
chicken soup:
Boil one (free range) whole chicken with one onion, 1 tablespoon fresh garlic a table spoon of sage and 1.5 teaspoons thyme. Fill a tea ball with fresh rosemary and throw that in too.
debone the chicken when it is falling off the bones and discard skin and bones. put it all back in the pot with a teaspoon of turmeric and a 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. I often add some chopped baby spinach, celery, carrots (sliced) and a dash of white pepper. Make sure there is enough water to cover the chicken and all and bring back to a boil. Add noodles if you wish. serves lots!
Monday, January 27, 2014
Welcome to my World
I have been in the Massage business for a decade and have found myself in possession of several helpful tidbits which I share daily with clients. I have written them all down several times. You will also find included TV series, Movies and Book references. My brain runs in circles, strange ones sometimes. Thanks for Checking it out.
Feel free to ask about any of the topics I post on. I will try to get information if I can.
Healthy is Beautiful!
A. Jewel Bushland, LMT, NMT, MTI, and Approved CEU Provider for the State of Texas in Massage Therapy.
Feel free to ask about any of the topics I post on. I will try to get information if I can.
Healthy is Beautiful!
A. Jewel Bushland, LMT, NMT, MTI, and Approved CEU Provider for the State of Texas in Massage Therapy.
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