from me » Health Helps

Category Archives: Health Helps

Announcing! It will blend!

By | | ,
Comments Off on Announcing! It will blend!

Me and My House ministries is now an authorized affiliate for Blendtec® super blenders.


Because we emphasize that the Vitamix® (another popular high performance blender in the same class as the Blendtec®) is NOT a juicer – AND because we very highly recommend juicing, and purchasing a good juicer as the #1 needed kitchen appliance – some get the false idea that we are against super blenders, such as the Vitamix® and Blendtec®.

As noted on our Juicer page of our Recommended Resources, we believe these super blenders are great machines – just not juicers. And we don’t believe they take the place of juicers or produce a food product of higher quality than juice extractors. (Therefore we aren’t too thrilled with their promotions of blending food being better than juicing. We don’t believe it.)

But, we do believe they can be a great addition to the Good for You-Naturally!™ kitchen, especially for those desiring to eat a high percentage of G.O.D. foods. These super blenders can do in short order what your normal blender cannot do well, or cannot do for very long without burning out.

Why Blendtec®? Blendtec® and Vitamix® are both great high performance blenders. I think most would be happy with either one. There are a few differences, and those led me to go with Blendtec®. This is nothing against Vitamix®, just our choice at this time for Blendtec®.

Both are super blenders that operate at well over 200 miles per hour (29000+ RPM) and have high (2-3+) horsepower. (The Vitamix® is 11.5 amps and 1200 watts and the Blendtec® is 13 amps and 1560 watts. Regular blenders may have 300-500 watts.) These super blenders get the job done – and do it quickly – whether you are wanting a truly smooth smoothie or great almond milk. This high performance blending breaks down cellular walls in foods, allowing us to get greater nutrient quantity out of them. Both can make everything from frozen ice cream to hot soup. Both have 64 oz. BPA-free jars. Both are used in juice bars, coffee shops and restaurants, such as Jamba Juice, Starbucks, and Panera Bread. (There’s growing competition as some switch from Vitamix® to Blendtec®. I believe all those listed now use Blendtec®.)

Here are my reasons for going with Blendtec®.

1) The Blendtec® is shorter. It fits on your counter under your upper cupboards. The Vitamix® is about 5″ taller and doesn’t fit under standard cupboards.

2) The Blendtec® has an electronic “keypad” operation, rather than knobs and switches. Makes for easier clean up. It also is “programed” with 6 different cycles that automatically shut off, in addition to 10 manual speeds and Pulse.

3) The Blendtec® has a square jar design, and a 2-winged blade, making it easier to clean out. Get every last bit of that expensive food out easily. The blade design (curved up at the tips) also creates a vortex pulling food down into the blades better. The Vitamix® blender is small at the bottom, and has a 4-winged blade, making it harder to clean out, and uses a tamper to push the food into the blades.

4) The Blendtec® has a bit smaller footprint and is a lighter in weight (7# vs. 11#.) The first is important to me in my horribly undersized kitchen for our large family that prepares all food from scratch. The second is important for taking it along with me when traveling. (This is also a plus for having a blender separate from my kitchen center.)

5) The price of these super blenders is usually pretty comparable, but the Blendtec® is generally a bit cheaper (about $50 less.) (I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Vitamix® cheaper than the Blendtec®.) It also doesn’t need a second container for dry blending, which the Vitamix® does – and costs extra.

6) I have owned and sold the Blendtec® predecessors and was very happy with them. We used to use and sell the K-Tec® flour mill and the Champ® kitchen center, with blender. That blender was a workhorse that I never had any problems with. I remember our youngest daughter at the time being so impressed by the video. She said, “Get one of those mama!” If you want to be impressed by videos too, go to Will It Blend and watch Tom, the CEO of Blendtec®, blend all sorts of things you shouldn’t try at home.

7) Just to round things out, but not a really good reason. I like the looks of the Blendtec® better. Not so industrial looking. AND the red goes great in my kitchen!

Sooo – if you already have a good juicer (Champion or Green Star) and you are planning to up your percentage of raw G.O.D. foods, a Blendtec® high performance blender may be next appliance you want to look at getting (or a good dehydrator.) It would make a great Christmas present for your family, so you can get started in the New Year with your new Good for You-Naturally!™ way of eating.

And there is a GREAT sale going on right now, until Dec. 21st (2009.) Get the Blendtec® with 2 containers for the price of 1. Get the regular 64 oz. jar and also the new 3 qt. jar with 4″ blade for even better blending!

Order (or just learn more about) BlendTec blenders here.

New Online Course – FREE Preview

By | | ,
Comments Off on New Online Course – FREE Preview

Most people are looking for 3 things in their physical life, to feel better, look better (lose weight), and live longer. I’ve got great news! These are attainable goals. They are within your reach. Your body was designed for health. You can feel better, look better, live longer – (without any costly “magic pill” supplements.)

Beginning this week we are going to come alongside you, as a helper of your joy, in reaching for these goals, through the Good for You-Naturally!™ for Life online courses. For the next 2 weeks we are offering a FREE Preview to our very affordable full course that begins in January. We invite you to join us, for FREE, beginning TODAY!

Tea Time

By | | ,
Comments Off on Tea Time
My favorite tea steeping mug! Special order yours today $20.

My favorite tea steeping mug! Special order yours today $20.

Teas are becoming much the rage now as a “healthy” beverage. I suppose as compared to coffee. I don’t buy it when it comes to true teas – Camellia Sinensis – black, green, oolong, white, etc. I’m not completely denying the claims of certain constituents in tea that are health promoting, but there are enough other properties – such as caffeine and tannins – that aren’t. So I don’t drink or recommend them.

We all know caffeine is a powerful stimulant. Some may like the temporary effects, but the effects on our health are also powerful – powerfully negative. Tannins too are destructive. They interfere with digestion and inhibit mineral absorption, such as calcium and iron, and have astringent constricting effects on your mucous membranes. Tannins negatively affect proteins, in your body and food.

So … if true teas (as well as coffee) are not really good choices, what is?

Herb teas have been my flavored Good for You-Naturally!™ drink of choice for many years. There are so many plants that make great tasting infusions for drinking, “tisanes”, and have many healthful properties without the negatives. You can enjoy great variety and choose according to your mood or need of the moment. In addition to avoiding the above negative components of true teas (and coffee) you also avoid all the added ingredients, calories and health destroyers present in them.

Good for You-Naturally!™ Simply Beverages has a whole section on herb teas, featuring some of our favorites. But here today I want to highlight one of the latest rages.

Rooibos tea has become very popular in recent years. It is also called red (bush) tea. Like herb teas, it is not a true tea. It is a tisane made from a plant, this one the a legume-family shrub in South Africa. Like other herb teas it is naturally has no caffeine. It does have trace amounts of tannins though.

The health benefits of Rooibos are:

It is calming and soothing, containing anti-spasmotic properties, good for colic or stomach cramping;

It contains anti-oxidents, boosts the immune system.

It has anti-allergic properties, is good for allergies, such as hay fever, asthma, and eczema.

It aids in health problems such as headaches, irritability,  nervous tension, insomnia, fevers, and hypertension.

Recent studies show it may have cardiovascular benefits*.

It also has anti-carcinogenic and anti-mutagenic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Honeybush tea is another South African herb tea, very similar in taste to Rooibos but sweeter. It also is caffeine-free and low in tannins, has anti-oxidants, blood sugar lowering properties, phytoestrogens, and is good for coughs.*

To make a Holiday Rooibos (or Honeybush) Chai –

Pour 1 cup boiling pure water over 1 Tbl. Rooibos.

Steep approx. 5 minutes.

Add non-milk and a bit of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves.*

Can also serve over ice as a Chilled Chai.

(When brewing regular Rooibos – not for Chai – use 1 tsp. per cup.)

.

Special Order Organic Rooibos (1#/$19 – 1.5 oz. $6), Honeybush (1#/$16.50) and Tea Spot Steeping Mug ($20 – 16 oz. red, black, blue, or lime) or Steeping Cup ($16 – 8 oz. no handle) – contact us for invoice (address needed for shipping cost.)

Other brands that I haven’t tried, so I’m not endorsing – Rooibos at Amazon.com

New Freedom & Simplicity™ Guide

By | | ,
Comments Off on New Freedom & Simplicity™ Guide

Our newest Freedom & Simplicity™ guide is up and available! And just in time to go with our Holiday Special on the Champion Juicer! Drinking Your Vitamins! is a Freedom & Simplicity™ Guide to Juicing. Have you ever wondered why fresh fruit and vegetables juices? Why not just take vitamin supplements? What kind of juicer to buy? What to do when you can’t juice? Where you can find juice recipes?

These are all covered in this inexpensive, quick introduction to juicing.

Order yours today! Or get it FREE when you purchase the Champion Juicer, with our Special Holiday Pricing.

When the holidays get here, you’ll be glad you did.

Swine Flu again

By | | ,
1 Comment

What’s your best defense against Swine (or any) flu or disease? My answer is always having a healthy/uncompromised immune system that can fight it off. That requires taking in the proper nutrients in a form easy to assimulate, and avoiding toxins/nutrient robbers.

.

Sugar and caffeine are 2 of the worst (although certainly not the only) and should be completely avoided if you want to have a healthy immune system. (Alcohol, tobacco, and drugs – illegal or prescription – shouldn’t even have to be mentioned.) Other refined/chemically processed foods and additives, including colors, preservatives, and flavoring – including all the forms of MSG – should also be avoided. And even too many cooked foods, especially meats, can lead to a less than healthy immune system. Yep, if you want a healthy immune system and just health in general eat G.O.D. foods that are Good for You-Naturally!™

.

Here’s a bit from a Dr. Mercola article last week.

So far we know that, of the 36 children who died from H1N1 between April and August of this year, 30 had some form of chronic health condition, and all of them had a co-occurring bacterial infection.

Clearly, having a robust, well-functioning immune system is the best way to ensure your body’s innate ability to fight off this mild flu virus, and not succumb to secondary infections such as staphylococcus aureus.

.

Update: Also read this article and watch the video at Mercola’s site today, with Dr. Blaylock, neuro-surgeon and researcher.

Subscribe to this blog from the link below or the RSS link in the footer.

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter here.

BPA – not the Biblical Principles kind

By | |
Comments Off on BPA – not the Biblical Principles kind

from Dr. Mercola:

I’m sure you’ve heard a lot about Bisphenol-A, or BPA, if you’ve paid attention during the past year. It’s been getting a lot of press for good reason.

BPA is an estrogen-mimicking chemical, invented nearly 120 years ago, that is used to make hard plastics and epoxy resins. It can be found in numerous products that most people use on a daily basis, including baby bottles, canned foods, water bottles, and microwaveable plastic dishes and containers.

The Environmental Working Group has published an interesting review of BPA, showing the timeline of BPA’s use over the years. It offers a glimpse of the reality behind nearly all chemical dangers, showing just how long it can take to get something dangerous off the market, despite the evidence of harm.

Industry uses more than 6 billion pounds of BPA a year. As a result, scientists have found that 95 percent of people tested have dangerous levels of BPA in their bodies.

This is one valid reason why you should not tolerate the suggestion that “trace amounts” of toxins are okay.

The cumulative effect of being exposed to minuscule amounts of BPA from cans, bottles, plates and all other sources over the years can eventually spell serious trouble for your health.

read the rest of the article

.

Subscribe to this blog, with link below or RSS link in footer – and our email newsletter here.

My Weekly Yogurt Post

By | | , ,
Comments Off on My Weekly Yogurt Post

🙂 Yep, I’m posting on yogurt again. I told you last week I’d let you know how the raw goat milk yogurt comes out. Delicious! (Click here for more traditional yogurt making instructions.)

.

Raw Goat Milk Yogurt - plain and strawberry

Raw Goat Milk Yogurt – plain and strawberry

Here’s how I did it.

Raw Goat Milk Yogurt

Prepare containers and utensils. Wash, rinse very well, pour boiling water over/into them.

1 qt. raw goat milk – heat gently on stove to 110°F. on candy or other food thermometer. (No more. You want it to remain raw.)

Whisk in: 3-4 Tbl. organic, natural plain yogurt with live cultures or recommended amount of dry yogurt culture.

Dump water out of yogurt containers and pour yogurt in. I used the containers that work in my dehydrator since that is where I cultured my yogurt this time. You can use a quart glass jar or smaller glass jars or a wide mouth glass or stainless steel thermos. Put lid(s) on.

Put in warm place to culture. You need a place that will keep a steady temp of 95-110°F. As I said, this time I used my dehydrator, that has a thermostat control on it. Culture 8-10 hours, until it sets up. Other ways you can culture yogurt are listed in a previous post on yogurt that has complete instructions and various uses.( I DO NOT find a crock pot, even on keep warm with the lid off to hold a low enough temp.) More yogurt posts here.

My additions for flavored yogurt per serving – all optional. Add 1 or more. (adjust amounts to your liking):

  • 1/2 tsp. raw organic agave nectar (or raw honey)
  • a couple drops of pure organic vanilla extract/flavoring
  • 2-3 fresh or frozen (thawed) strawberries, mashed up – or 1-2 Tbl. other fruit

Enjoy! I am.

OK,  you do need a source of raw goat’s milk for this. You can substitute raw cow’s milk if you have a source/use cow’s milk. (I recommend not, but raw IS SO MUCH better for you than pasteurized, homogenized, chemically, feed-lot raised, …)

Want more help for yogurt making? Get our dirt-cheap Freedom & Simplicity™ Guide to Yogurt Making.

GOCO Salve

By | | , ,
2 Comments

OK, this is really called GOOT* but in my book/house it is GOCO and it is good for what ails you. It has all the great health benefits of its ingredients – garlic, olive oil and VCO (organic extra virgin coconut oil). It is anti-infective, anti-viral, anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, anti-all those bad microbial things. 🙂

.

GOCO Salve - good for what ails you

GOCO Salve – good for what ails you

Basically it is equal amounts of the 3 ingredients, blended together in your blender/food processor. Rub it on chests, feet, sinuses, in noses, in ears. Great for colds, flu, athlete’s feet,  – “whatever ails you”!

.

The recipe is 3 Tbl. of each. Melt your VCO. Blend your garlic with the oils – blend it up good. Put it in a jar.

.

Here’s how I did it:

GOCO Salve

Measure 3 Tbl. VCO into a small glass jar with a wide mouth. (Thanks Angie for the baby food jars! They are coming in handy.)

Pour very hot water into a small bowl. Set jar of VCO in the bowl of hot water to melt the VCO. NEVER microwave VCO.

Mince fresh garlic with garlic mincer/press. It’ll take approx. 3-4 heads to get 3 Tbl. I got about 1 Tbl. per head of garlic.

Put melted VCO, minced garlic, and 3 Tbl. olive oil into food processor (or blender.) (3 ingredients, 3 Tbl. each – easy to remember recipe!) Process until garlic is very fine, and mixed in.

Pour into small jar. Cap.

Let set out on the counter for a few hours – to really infuse those oils with the garlic. I then refrigerated it (as I think you’re suppose to). But I keep it out of the fridge when actively using it – fridge makes it TOO hard, IMO.

.

More info at Jacque’s website, where I got the original recipe. [website no longer available] We’ve used fresh garlic, and garlic/olive oil for years, but are new to the addition of VCO and its great health benefits added to these. I’m glad to have this, but not hoping we get to try it out soon.

*Note: I haven’t figured out why it is called GOOT – Garlic, (Olive) Oil, (VC) Oil, ?? What am I missing here? Thus my name GOCO = Garlic – Olive – Coconut Oil.