Saint Nicholas' 1822

A newspaper in Troy, New York, publishes an anonymous poem with the memorable opening line, "Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro' the house…" Literature professor Clement Clarke Moore will later be identified as the author of the poem that will help define the modern Santa Claus.

MERRY- STRESS_MAS

Ahh, the holidays! Time for many to celebrate their faith. For others, to reflect on the accomplishments of yet another year gone by, and to plan for an even better one ahead. It is also a time to be with family, give thanks, serve others, and enjoy a break from the normal routines of life. Enter stress – the end of happy holidays for so many!

The holidays bring on an increasingly high level of undue stress for more reasons than there are days in the season. Financial struggles, health concerns, passing of a loved one, work deadlines, shopping, travel, and family squabbles are but a few that can spark fear, worry, sadness, anxiety, and depression. If you are not prepared for it, that is!

Christmas on the Farm

The winter holiday season has arrived, and with it, a bevy of social events. Similar to swimsuit season, many of us are planning ahead to look our best for the occasion. Whether you’re glamming it up or sticking with a more natural look, with radiant skin and a slim trim, a healthy physique will help you shine, throughout the holiday season and into the new year.

Fairy tales often end with the words, “And they lived happily ever after.” But … if we could see the epilogue to those rides off into the sunset, we’d most likely find daily struggles, potentially divisive decisions and angry arguments sprinkled throughout.

Fairy tales stop short of telling us about tension over whose turn it is to wash the dishes, pay the bills or put the kids to bed. They leave out the part about stress over holidays with in-laws, frequency of intimacy and who gets to spend what, when. We naively repeat the words, “for better or for worse,” and then are shocked when the first hint of “worse” rears its ugly head.

If you’ve been married for more than a few days, you’ve likely figured out that blessed unions need work to stay blessed.

And I dare say, the most important “work” we can do as wives is on our knees before God in prayer. Only God can truly protect our marriages and our men. And He invites us to participate in the unleashing of His power by praying for our husbands and turning the key to the storehouse of heaven’s door for blessings outpoured.

We’ve got to remember: The real struggle in marriage is a spiritual one. Our husbands are not our enemy; the devil is (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

The holidays are here, and for many of us, they are filled with pleasant thoughts of mealtimes shared with friends, and family. We have a tradition in our family that starts on Christmas Eve. We all meet at Rafferty's Restaurant, and have a wonderful meal followed by a beautiful Christmas Eve service and then back to our house for treats and the opening of 1 gift...  This tradition has been in our family for over 15 years. We top it off on Christmas going to our daughters house for presents and good cheer.

There’s a simple, yet incredibly dangerous little script many of us play in our minds. It might even be one of the biggest things that holds us back from feeling fulfilled in our relationship with God. It’s a script tangled in a lie that typically goes something like this: I could really be happy and fulfilled if only I had …

… a skinnier body.
… a husband.
… a husband who was more tender and romantic.
… more money.
… a better personality.
… a baby.

I don’t know what your “If only I had” statements are, but I do know this: None of them will bring fulfillment. They might bring temporary moments of happiness … but not true fulfillment. Apart from a thriving relationship with God, even if we got everything on our list, there would still be a hollow gap in our soul.

So instead of saying, “If only I had” and filling in the blank with some person, possession or position, we must make the choice to replace that statement with God’s truth. John 8:32 confirms just how powerful truth is: “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

If you often find yourself suffering from neck and back pain, you may have blamed your pillow or even your bed for the discomfort, but the problem might have nothing to do with your furniture and everything to do with the way you carry yourself.

Many of us spend a lot of time hunched over our computers, looking down at our phones or keeping our heads down while walking to avoid making eye contact with strangers, and this is having an adverse effect on our energy levels. A downward gaze serves to contract flexor muscles in the front of your body, and we need to counteract this by activating the extensor muscles in our backs to remain upright.

While it's not surprising that having the correct posture can help to diminish headaches, muscle pain and joint strain, few people are aware of the connection between your posture and your emotional health.

I know personally, that since I have been going to yoga, my posture has improved greatly.

Clove is one of the highly prized spices, native to the Maluku islands in Indonesia. The spice actually is dried aromatic flower buds of an evergreen rainforest tree.

It is available throughout the year and commercially harvested primarily in Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Zanzibar. It is widely recognized all over the world for its medicinal properties and culinary qualities.

The spice is widely used in Asian, Middle-East, and African cuisines in the preparation of curries, gravy items, and marinades. It is used along with other spices, including cinnamon, cardamom, and black pepper in the cooking of Biryani (spiced rice).

Clove essential oil is used as an active ingredient in cosmetic products and the healing of many disorders. In the Middle East, it is added to beverages, at times along with cardamom and peppermint.

Clove has been used for thousands of years in India, China, and South East Asia, not only as a spice and condiment but also as a remedial herb for many ailments. Ayurvedic practitioners, for instance, use clove for tooth decay, halitosis, and bad breath, among others. In Traditional Chinese medicine, clove is considered an aphrodisiac.


Health Benefits 

Digestive: Clove aids digestion by stimulating the secretion of digestive enzymes. It is also used to alleviate flatulence, gastric irritability, dyspepsia, and nausea. Roasted powdered clove is usually taken with honey as a remedy to relief digestive disorders.
Antibacterial: Clove found to have 29 phytochemicals with antibacterial properties against a number of pathogens including specific bacteria that spreads cholera.

Having healthy eating habits is not that difficult as people imagine it to be. It is beneficial for both your physical body as well as an emotional state. Your diet helps you to maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Even if you have a healthy weight, your negligence to provide your body a healthy diet will cause health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and also different types of cancer. They will also cause mental health problems such as Alzheimer’s disease and the risk of suicide in young people.

But if you focus on eating healthy meals you will be feeding your body the nutrients it needs to stay strong, healthy and active.

Eating healthy does not mean that you eliminate the food you eat completely. Start by small changes in your eating habits. As your eating habits change you add healthier choices to your diet.

You’d think I’d be a faster learner.

But there I go again. In a dressing room. Under those unforgiving florescent lights. Trying on that cut, this style, that fad that looks so cute on so-and-so.

And not so cute on me.

On these hips. At this age. With this coloring.

Trying to copy what I’ve perceived as darling, cool, elegant, hip, effective on someone else. Trying to push it onto the confines of me.

Pretending again that cookie-cutter approaches will yield a custom fit. Ignoring the individual nuances of my complexion, my build, my budget.

It happens in dressing rooms. It happens when I’m trolling online message boards and blog feeds. More significantly, it happens relationally. In my faith. In my marriage. In my work and home life.

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Confusing inspiration with impersonation.

From the conversations I have with women, I realize many of us share the same conundrum. Whose life am I living? The one God destined for me? Or one that I’ve built from a pile of comparison? t to walk in wisdom. We seek great examples. We want to learn.

But then something shifts. And we veer into a forgery, attempting to live a life that’s not our own. The line between gathering and applying wisdom versus falling into retrograde copycatting is a fragile one.

Veterans Day

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as “the Great War.” Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.

My Grandmothers House In Newport KY

 

Take a deep breath. No matter how hard you try, moving will be one of the most stressful experiences of your life. Though it will help to be organized and to have the support of your friends, be prepared to shed a few tears. Many people walk into a move and are surprised by how hard it is, so adjust your expectations in advance to protect your sanity. Just remind yourself that things will get better. The initial move will be stressful, but think of how amazing you'll feel when you set up your new home!
We are finally moved in. Things are going good. Jason is here putting tile in the bathrooms, laundry room and pantry. I have Quartz countertops going in hopefully by the end of the month. Painting needs to be done in all rooms. I have the new appliances in place. I am feeling more comfortable about our new home. With time and new memories I am sure I will learn to love this abode.
I am still missing my chickens. I will give it some time and see what happens. Good to be back!

I am totally impressed with Craig's list. I put my Chicken house and Bees on their site, and in 2 days sold everything. Lock, stock and barrel. I am missing my chickens terribly. Hopefully when we get moved I will be over it. (MAYBE) I hope so. Did you see that word? Move! Yes we are moving. By the end of this month we will have a new home. We have been here 13 years. So it is quite an adjustment. We will have more land, but 4 acres of it is in woods. It is beautiful. Solitude! I will be off and on my blog. Lots to do. See you later friends.

 David cleaning up where the chickens were. 

 Where the bees were.

Chickens on their way to Litchfield TN.

Olive Oil - Not only do the monounsaturated fats contained in olive oil support healthy arteries and a healthy heart, but olive oil also contains polyphenols, a potent anti-oxidant that may help prevent a number of age-related diseases.  We recommend organic extra virgin olive oil for the most anti-aging bang for your buck.

Red Wine - That's right, a glass of wine daily may indeed have a positive effect on your health due to its resveratrol content, a unique anti-oxidant that can help fight against diabetes, heart disease, and age-related memory loss.

Beans - The unique proteins in beans thicken and strengthen your hair cells, so you can enjoy a full head of hair as you lengthen your years. :)

Brazil Nuts - Brazil nuts are rich in selenium, a mineral which aids in the production of the anti-oxidant glutathione to help slow down the skin aging process.  Just 2 nuts a day will provide you with enough selenium to reap its anti-aging benefits.

Tomatoes - Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, which has been shown to support heart health and healthy cholesterol levels as you age.  Lycopene also acts as a natural sun block to keep skin youthful and protected from harmful UV rays.

Raspberries & Blueberries - These two berries contain important anti-oxidants to help offset inflammation and oxidative stress that contribute to skin aging and wrinkles.  Just one serving of either or these berries contains more anti-oxidants than 10 servings of most other fruits and vegetables!

Organic Eggs - Despite the bad rap eggs get because of their cholesterol content, which is based on completely erroneous science, eggs are rich in biotin and iron which help to promote healthy, youthful skin and hair.

Safe Harbor

QUINO

Humans have been consuming quinoa for thousand of years, but just recently, this superfood is becoming one of the planet’s most popular superfoods. Its cultivation dates back over 5,000 years ago. The Incas called it “the mother of all grains.”

It contains a tremendous amount of fiber and protein with all nine essential amino acids, which is unusual for plant-based protein sources. It is a major source of minerals and vitamins and it also contain compounds like polyphenols, phytosterols, and flavonoids.

Botanically speaking, quinoa is not a true grain; it is a seed and a relative of spinach and beets. The leaves are also edible, but the part we usually eat are the seeds which you can sprout for added benefits. You can prepare quinoa in as a little as 15 minutes.

33 Packard Lemo

I have been busy lately. I totally forgot September 29th as National Coffee Day! My next post will explain what has been going on here.

Author Charles Dickens' classic, A Tale of Two Cities, begins this way: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness ... ."

You have those who believe the Obama administration and the president when they lie and say that the economy is doing great, even though actual economic growth is nearly zero, and a record number of Americans are out of the workforce.

But then you have those Americans who have been hard-hit by the Great Recession that supposedly ended some years ago, who are chronically unemployed or underemployed, reeling under higher costs for practically everything (especially their healthcare, which wasn't supposed to happen after Obamacare became law). They know what kind of economy we really have. And they know that the GMO folks are exactly right to be worried about a crash.

Alaska

As we know, the population in the world grows, the strain on habitats and ecologies increases and the demand for food rises, so the food we consume has a bad impact on the global environment. The problems around food supply, production, and consumption are very complex, but there are a few considerations that could help to reduce the environmental effect of what you eat. Meanwhile, this also gives a healthy lifestyle. You can follow some tips below:

– If you eat meat, decrease the number of meals having meat you eat weekly.

– If you eat fish, select sustainably-sourced species as well as fishing methods.

– It is advisable to choose seasonal, local produce.

– Try avoiding fish contaminated with mercury

– Try avoiding food with unnecessary packaging, because this just leads to unnecessary, additional rubbish for your bin.

– You also should look for fair-trade, sustainable, environmentally-friendly food because this helps the economy.

2. Save Water

Another way to lower the environmental effect of your lifestyle is saving water around your home. Reducing energy usage can help you to save plenty of money. Follow some simple tips to save water below:

–  Making sure no leaks exist in the plumbing system – including taps, pipes, toilet cisterns – helps to prevent unnecessary water wastage.

–  When you brush your teeth, turn off the tap.

–  Take short showers

– Boil only as much water as needed

– Use short cycles to wash clothes

How to Wear a Classic White Shirt

 

Knowing how to wear a classic white shirt can help you have a more minimal wardrobe. I’m all about classic styles. While we all want a closet full of clothes, it’s important to know how to wear the basics and accessorize to make the most of your outfit.  With a little planning, you can make a classic white shirt look either casual or dressy which will help you create a range of styles from a few favorite pieces. I’ve been working on creating a capsule wardrobe and classic shirts are going to play a big part.

For a casual look when I run errands or meet friends for coffee, I add a lightweight jacket or sweater to the outfit for extra warmth.  I often use contrasting colors to bring out the white in the shirt.

To me, casual means jeans and a nice pair of jeans goes great with a classic white shirt.  You can always add in a belt for a little extra style.  A necklace or bracelet will probably be hidden if you’re wearing a hoodie but if you’re not adding a layer on top of your classic white shirt, you can always dress it up with some casual jewelry.

A white shirt works just as well in a dressy outfit as it does in a casual outfit.  Replace the jeans with a nice pair of black slacks.  Leave the hoodie at home and try wearing an undershirt below the shirt for added warmth and style. I love the way layers look.  You can contrast the black slacks and white shirt with a gray undershirt or if you’d rather, you can choose a white or black undershirt and let it blend in. Now is the perfect time to add in some bling! 

If you’re off on a night on the town, add in something bold and vibrant with lots of color. If you are off on a night on the town, add in something bold and vibrant with lots of color. If your are wearing your classic white t shirt to work, you may want to think quiet and understated like a chain or tennis bracelet or even a watch depending on your style.

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101 Dalmatians

 

When was the last time you took a cold shower? Chances are it was not by choice, but you were forced by circumstances. Well, taking cold showers will soon become a choice once you discover the amazing benefits. In fact, I’ve been taking cold showers for over a year.

Some athletes even take ice baths to reduce inflammation and muscle soreness. But it’s worth noting that drastic temperature shocks can be harmful to people with heart conditions. That said, regularly cold showers won’t do you any harm. Here are  benefits of cold showers.

1. You’ll become emotionally stronger

You’ll be able to deal with stress better when you take cold showers. Research shows that cold showers cause oxidative stress in the nervous system. So being exposed to cold showers frequently will eventually harden you and make you calmer.

2. Your willpower will increase

It takes willpower to turn off the heat and take a cold shower. The willpower will benefit you in other aspects of life like exercise, work, and fighting cravings.

3. You’ll burn more fat

Research shows that exposer to cold temperatures increases metabolism of brown fat, and can help you lose up to 9 pounds a year.

4. You’ll recover faster

For years athletes have been using ice baths to recovery faster after workouts. Take a cold shower after an intense workout or a long run.

5. They’ll put you in better mood

Cold showers will get rid of the cranky feeling you have in the morning. It’ll increase your heart rate and improve flow of blood to the brain.

6. Your skin will become more attractive

Unlike hot showers which cause skin dryness, cold showers tighten the skin and get rid of acne.

Big Boy Picture At Frisch's In Louisville

Phew! It was good to get that off my chest! I feel like a loner in a world of fall lovers (my husband being the most militant of all), but the fact is, I don't  like it.  Don't get me wrong, fall is a beautiful time of year.  But, because Winter is right around the corner it sort of takes the fun out of it.

Maybe it's because I grew up in the Ohio Valley where fall means the sun is about to hide behind a thick blanket of cloud cover for 6 months, or maybe it's because the hope of spring sowing has faded to the reality of the harvest (anyone else feel shell-shocked like they've been through war with the pests this year?!), but it could be as simple as I love warmth and going outdoors and feeling it without 10 restrictive layers of clothes.

David's Painting Of A Water Mill

What will the outcomes of this coming election make our world look like? What will it be like when they are trying to live as Christians in a culture so determined to dismantle our Biblical values? Have I taught them enough? Equipped them for the battles they’ll face? Will they withstand the pressures and policy changes and political shifts?

I’m not even sure I understand all the complicated political realities, but I do know when I watch the news or read discussions about the upcoming election, I don’t get a good feeling.

What I thought we’d have to navigate one day, seems to be a reality this day.

And it can leave this simple mom’s heart feeling afraid.

Do you ever feel this way? We crave safety and certainty and simplicity to raise our families, serve God, and live out our Christian beliefs in both private and public. But so many things feel threatening to those desires.

How do we navigate both our fears and our faith?

There’s a wonderful truth I turn to time and again when I get afraid. It’s in 2 Kings chapter 6 verse 16, “‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’”

We Miss The Mark Of Love When We Judge Others

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. Which standard are we using to judge? When it comes to us being judge, what measure would we like to be used? This is how we are to determine what standards we are to use when we must evaluate what we see.
We want mercy and grace! Followers of Jesus who have been radically changed by grace and mercy should be the first to extend radical grace and mercy. Recipients of forgiveness should always be the dispensers of forgiveness. Those who received much should always be the people who give much.
Evaluation of self is what enables us to properly evaluate the attitudes and actions of others.

Presidents In Uniform.

Hi Friends! I hope your week is off to a great start.

Most of us know about the benefits of pomegranates, but, very few are aware of the benefits of its peel. We often discard the peel of pomegranates. But this peel is blessed with numerous health and beauty benefits. It is an excellent remedy for stomach infections, throat tonsils, heart disease, acne, wrinkles, mouth odor, hemorrhoids and cough.

Pomegranate peels have more powerful antioxidants such as flavonoids, phenolics, and proanythocyanidins than what the pulp yields.

Health Benefits of Drinking Pomegranate Peel Tea

Prevents Wrinkles & Signs of Ageing

Drinking its tea prevents breakdown of collagen in your skin, in turn promoting cell growth, which helps delay signs of ageing and wrinkles effectively.

Improves Dental Hygiene

Pomegranate peels tea might help cope with a number of dental issues just like avoiding foul breath, gingivitis, carries as well as mouth ulcers.

Remedy for Sore Throat

If you are having sore throat or are suffering from tonsil pain drink pomegranate peel tea, it help you soothe your troubled throat and give immediate relief.

Improve Gut-Health

The peels have got tannis within them which help decrease inflammation of the intestine, swelling of hemorrhoids, tighten up intestinal lining, prevent bleeding throughout diarrhea and improve digestion.

Heart Health

Pomegranate peels tea good for heart disease. It reduces stress and lowers the blood pressure. Mix the sun-dried pomegranate peel powder with warm water and drink it daily or in alternate days to improve your heart health.

Prevent Skin Cancer

Many study show that pomegranate extracts contain a preventive agent that fights against the onset of skin cancer.

Good Moisturizing Agent

Pomegranate contains pelagic acid. This is a very good moisturizer and is rally effective in trapping the moisture in your skin. It ensures that the moisture in your skin cells does not dry out. Your skin is kept well hydrated.

Yellow Sky

 

Ten Commandments Of Food

Eat food grown as close as possible to where you live.

Give thanks for the food you eat.

Strive for all people to have knowledge about and access to affordable, nutritious food.

Eat mindfully and in moderation.

Do not waste food.

Be grateful to those who grow and prepare food for your table.

Support fair wages for farm workers, farmers and food workers.

Reduce environmental damage of land, water and air from food production and the food system.

Protect the biodiversity of seeds, soils, ecosystems and the cultures of food producers.

Rejoice and share the sacred gift of food with others.

A Winters Evening

 

Sleep is a vital health determinant. It is the time when the body relaxes from all the strains of daily activities and gets a chance to attend to itself. This is also the time for repair, healing, and recovery.

The body greatly benefits from a good night’s sleep. Recent studies have uncovered more benefits of sleeping in the cold.

Brown fat and sleeping in the cold

Research has shown that sleeping in a cold environment stimulates the formation of more brown fats. This is the healthiest type of fat in the body, unlike the more abundant white fats.

Brown fat is considered as metabolically active. That means the body has more use for it. The transformation of brown fats leads to more energy consumption and increased metabolic rates that last throughout the day.

Brown fat is previously believed to be only present in babies. Recent research found that there is a small amount present in adults. There is about 1 teaspoon-sized brown fat in the upper back and neck area. According to studies, this amount of brown fat can be increased.

Having more brown fat is more advantageous than having white fat. It aids with better weight management and better health. Brown fats promote burning more calories and more efficient use of energy. This fat also helps in better regulation of the metabolic process that can lead to better insulin and blood sugar controls.

Sleeping in a cold environment has been shown to encourage the formation and storage of brown fats.

Better sleep quality

The body is continually regulating its own temperature. During an entire 24-hour period, body temperature fluctuates. It typically reaches its highest level around the early afternoon. The lowest is around 5 AM.

During sleep, body temperature tends to go down as the body cools off and becomes less active. As the body cools down, it relaxes and soon, sleep comes. When the environment is cooler, the body can relax sooner and sleep quality improves.

In a cooler environment, the body is not required to keep regulating temperatures. This will significantly reduce tossing and turning at night looking for a comfortable position and stable temperature. This will promote a more restorative, deeper kind of sleep.

Recent studies also found that a cold sleeping environment is beneficial in managing insomnia. People tend to sleep sooner and longer in a cold environment compared to sleeping in a warm environment.

Other benefits of sleeping in the cold

Aside from better fat profile and sleep quality, here are a few more reasons for sleeping in a cold environment:

• Look younger

More melatonin is released during sleep when in a cold environment. Melatonin is an important anti-aging hormone that helps achieve a more youthful appearance.

• Reduce risks for metabolic diseases

Brown fat formation has been demonstrated to promote better energy usage and calorie burning. This can help in better insulin response and reduction in the risk for diabetes and other metabolic diseases.

Try sleeping in a cold room tonight and see the benefits. In a few days, health benefits like better energy will be observed.