Andrea

(By the way, Sharknado was AWESOME! We were in hysterics the entire movie! )

 

Andrea - can you tell me what lemon balm is. Is it an essential oil or drops and where would I get it?

 

(((Denise))) Been there, done that. Not sure if it's the same thing as you had, but it sure sounds familiar. Mine was definitely brought on by stress and poor eating habits because I was so busy and stressed out. I cured it by only eating whole foods - no meat or dairy (eggs are fine) - and limiting sugar. I started with a juice fast - mainly vegies - and getting my system cleaned up of the crap I had been putting into it. I kept the affected areas clean and dry (under the breasts and in the groin area, and yes, I'm overweight) and I found that cortisone creams helped a LOT, as in cleared up affected areas within a week.

 

Because of your diabetes, I would keep a close eye on the area because of potential complications. BUT, I've dealt with a skin disorder for years and when I treat it from the inside out (by eating mostly vegetables and unprocessed foods) it clears up almost miraculously. I would also suggest drinking chamomile tea - it's a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-viral and when coupled with a bit of lemon balm, a wonderful mood enhancer and relaxant.

 

Prayers and Hugs headed your way.

 

Lemon balm is a member of the mint family, which means it grows like a weed! I don't know how cold it gets in the winter where you are at, but depending on your zone, I would be happy to send you some baby plants once the weather is cooler. Or, you could just go to a nursery/hardware store. Most places carry it in their garden section. Or, you can go to any health food store and buy either a tincture or capsules. I used to buy these:

http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Way-Melissa-Capsules-100-Count/dp/B00020HQU0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1403890220&sr=8-2&keywords=lemon+balm but now I'm experimenting with making my own. Lemon balm is very aggressive in the yard so I am able to harvest more than enough for my needs! I also make my own tincture.

My favorite herbal tea is a mixture of chamomile flowers, dried raspberry leaves, and dried lemon balm. It's very calming and soothing. You know, you might also try making a super concentrated cup of chamomile tea and cool it in the fridge. Then, lightly dab it on your inflamed areas, but be careful about trying to many things on the area.

Good luck!

P.S. I almost forgot, chamomile can also help regulate your blood sugar levels. It might be worth experimenting with drinking a cup of chamomile tea (straight, no sugar! ) with your meals. http://www.naturalnews.com/025330_chamomile_sugar_blood.html#

Andrea, I freeze zucchini and use it in smoothies along with other veg/mostly fruit too.

*Headsmack* Duh, why didn't I think of that?!?! I also have a juicer which I use at least once a week and I haven't juiced a single zucchini yet this season. Where is my head?!?

Thank you for the suggestion!

(((Denise))) Been there, done that. Not sure if it's the same thing as you had, but it sure sounds familiar. Mine was definitely brought on by stress and poor eating habits because I was so busy and stressed out. I cured it by only eating whole foods - no meat or dairy (eggs are fine) - and limiting sugar. I started with a juice fast - mainly vegies - and getting my system cleaned up of the crap I had been putting into it. I kept the affected areas clean and dry (under the breasts and in the groin area, and yes, I'm overweight) and I found that cortisone creams helped a LOT, as in cleared up affected areas within a week.

Because of your diabetes, I would keep a close eye on the area because of potential complications. BUT, I've dealt with a skin disorder for years and when I treat it from the inside out (by eating mostly vegetables and unprocessed foods) it clears up almost miraculously. I would also suggest drinking chamomile tea - it's a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-viral and when coupled with a bit of lemon balm, a wonderful mood enhancer and relaxant.

Prayers and Hugs headed your way.

My elderberry plants which I grew from seed a few years ago (they are not native to my area), are growing like MAD! I'm actually getting quantities of berries that I can do things with now!

So, in my research, I thought I'd post some of the more useful links I've found here and then come back and give reviews of some of the recipes/techniques I try!

http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/elderberry-recipes-zmaz73jazraw.aspx?PageId=2#ArticleContent

http://extension.usu.edu/files/publications/publication/FN_252.pdf

http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/homemade-cough-syrup-zbcz1311.aspx#axzz35mSsG2yr

I just harvested, cleaned & de-stemmed 6 cups of elderberries (while streaming Dr. Who on my Kindle ) Now, to figure out what to do with them. Since I originally planted them for medicinal purposes, I'm thinking about making them into syrup (like Sambucol) and freezing it in one dose portions in ice cube trays, since the syrup shouldn't be stored for more than 2 weeks in the fridge. I'm thinking of using this recipe:

On the other hand, elderberry jam would be a safe way to can them up and would provide a shelf-stable product with plenty of antioxidant properties. Any thoughts?

Or, I may just toss them all into the dehydrator and store them in the freezer. (The bugs really liked the ones I dehydrated last year that I stored in a canning jar.)

In the meantime, I've got several zucchini that need to be picked. I'll probably saute them and then throw them cold into my daily salad.

Speaking of salad, I've got the indoor lettuce project off and running! If it turns out, I'll post some pictures. Keep your fingers crossed for me! I'm super excited for this to work.

Thanks, lovinit! I'm going to give it a try.

THANKS!

Looking forward to the recipes for inflammation book. I feel so much better when I mainly stick with anti-inflammatory foods!

How is Violet? I haven't seen her post in a long time. Hope she's okay . . . (I'm off to send her a pm)

Way to go everyone! I've been bad about posting here, but I did get my purple potatoes dug up. I'm guestimating that I got 20-24 lbs out of my 3lbs of seed potatoes. Not a great haul, but considering I mostly container garden, I was happy. The little fingerling potatoes aren't ready yet.

Lots of stir-fries for us. I've been picking yellow and green summer squash, onions, celery, and lots and lots of new zealand spinach. (If anyone would like some seeds, send me a pm.) My tomato plants are loaded but no red ones yet, I'm anxiously awaiting them! My elderberries are also about ready to be picked. I think I'm going to turn them into elderberry jelly - those little stems are such a pain to separate!

I also need to keep moving on dehydrating my herbs and spices. I've been a slacker in the dehydrator department lately.

Happy growing!

I've been behaving and have been averaging a mile/day on the elliptical and four to six miles a day on the exercise bike.

Can you build raised beds and fill them with purchased top soil and compost? Not the cheapest way to go, but it might give you a fighting chance!

Last week was a looooooong time ago, am I really supposed to remember that far back?!?

I was somewhat bad last week but I'm making up for it this week! Lots of time on the elliptical, exercise bike, and garden. I'm guessing last week was no more than 10 miles, if that. This week is definitely better!

Go to the Dollar Store. Buy a Sympathy card, preferably one for "loss of a sister." Write a little note that goes something like, "My condolences on the loss of your family. According to the affidavit you signed for the State of Florida, you have no siblings. Have a nice life. - Momo" Before you seal the envelope, visualize putting all the grievances, hurts, slights you've experienced from this woman inside the envelope. Seal it well, put it in the mail, and say your final GOODBYE. Put it as far behind you as you can. If it creeps into the edge of your consciousness, say a prayer, pull weeds, go for a walk, do anything constructive to put it out of your mind. You've said your farewells, now do your best to keep them in the past. I know, easier said than done. Sigh . . . .

((((Momo)))) I should have started out my first post with a hug, sorry!

Do you know the insurance agency? Contact them and let them know that your sister is not an only child and that you would like to send them a copy of your birth certificate. Ask your brother to do the same. And ask them when they will be sending you your portion of the insurance money.

If the insurance company wants to press charges, let them but don't have any more contact with your sister. You're right, it isn't about the money, it's about your sister's complete and total lack of respect for you, your brother, and your Mother.

Some would say that you should just let the money and your sister go. I get that, I've done that. But, just know that if she gets away with it with you, she's going to attempt it with others. Maybe it's time someone called her on it? It doesn't have to be you but maybe it should be you?

(Believe me, I understand. My own family relationship is currently torn apart because of my sister. There are no more family gatherings for any of us. My brother is actually thinking about filing a lawsuit against her. And yes, it's kind of about money ($10,000) but it's more about her refusing to acknowledge that she owes him anything and her constant conniving to get the rest of our extended family against him and his wife. It's horrible, horrible, horrible the way she treats him and the things she has said about him. I'm so glad I live 400 miles away. And yes, she owes me several thousand as well.)

This is COOL! Thanks, I'm off to research this . . .

:rofl: A big thanks to all you "enablers"You know who you are!

It's good to see you again!

Sorry you haven't been feeling well. Have you explored "anti-inflammatory" foods? Things like onions, broccolli, cabbage, and beans aren't budget busters and they may help. If at all possible, try to stay away from anything processed. I fight low energy and achy joints but I'm able to control it pretty well if I watch what I eat. In fact, I hurt all over today because I was an idiot and ate Chinese food yesterday.

As for the housing situation, have you considered meeting in the middle? Keeping your house but renting it out and moving to a trailer on your in-laws property? Check the rental house market in your area. I know it's not fun living near/with in-laws, but it can be a great benefit to you financially. We combined households with my elderly mother-in-law 10 years ago. It hasn't always been easy but financially, it was the smartest thing we could have done. We kept our first house and it's been rented out all but 2 months of the past 10 years. That house has pretty much paid for the new house.

Hope things start looking up for you. Pop in when you have time! (((TheCG)))

Thanks!

In honor of Westbrook, I'm going to take this thread where she would have taken it a few posts back:

There is a cockroach cookbook download available for free here: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Cook-Cockroaches-a-Solution-to-the-Global/

Bon Appetite!

Seriously, apparently this exists:

http://gardenrant.com/?guest_post=the-joys-of-cockroach-composting-seriously

But that's the joy of a "harvest" thread, MtRider. Not everything we harvest nourishes the body! The mind and soul must be nourished as well!

Thread Drifts Welcomed!

Ann - have you tried composting directly into your ground? I did this when we first moved to this house because of the heavy clay soil. I would dig a hole about a foot deep and toss in compostibles (vegie trimmings, egg shells, tea bags, coffee grounds) and cover them up. It worked out well in those sections of the yard that weren't impacted by tree roots. Sometimes I'll come across an uncomposted tea bag or vegetable label, but it's all good! At least I never experienced this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-16374283

That sounds goooood! I wish I could grow rhubarb here. I've tried but it just can't handle too many triple digit days in a row. But, my parents in Northern California grow rhubarb like there's no tomorrow. Maybe I'll raid their beds next time I'm up there . . . lovinit - would you mind posting your recipe? Maybe I'll forward the recipe to my mom and have her can it for me! LOL

I ate leftover stir-fry - great use for New Zealand Spinach that is attempting to take over the world! And I also ate several figs and raspberries as I puttered around the yard. I currently have horehound in the dehydrator. Not my favorite herbal tea, but it is good for chest colds and my horehound plant is battling it out with the New Zealand Spinach and Lemon Balm for the title of "Yard Dominator!" But I'm cool with it. I'm a lazy gardener so plants that grow themselves are perfect for me!

Hopefully, I'll get the rest of the potatoes dug up tomorrow. I should have done it today, but have I mentioned yet what a lazy gardener I am?!? I might toss in some zucchini seeds into those beds but I may just let them sit until September when I begin my Fall plantings.

Oh, and I have the seldom used half bath in the laundry room cleaned out and ready to set-up for my indoor lettuce/kale garden. Keep your fingers crossed for me! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to be able to produce my own lettuce. I grow lots of things to toss on my daily salads (sprouts, onions, purslane, herbs, tomatoes, grilled vegies) but I FAIL when it comes to the lettuce part of the salad. I just hope the neighbors don't notice the grow light and turn me in! Did you see that youtube episode of "Grow Your Greens" where the host had his house raided because the neighbors suspected him of growing pot? Turns out he had a grow light set-up in his bathroom for his collard trees, but they still searched his house.

Collard trees, that's a future project! I had them on order from Bountiful Gardens but they were unable to ship them out until June this year. That is too late for me. I got them in May last year, they flourished for about six weeks and then the heat did them in. If I can get my indoor set-up working, maybe I'll try them out as well.

Hmmmm, how many vegies can I grow in a tiny half-bath?!?

(P.S. here's the link to the youtube show: