Tuesday, July 7, 2015

The Importance of Having Termite Inspections Done Yearly

The importance of a regular termite inspection is necessary when suspicious of these timber pest are present within a living or working area. Termites cause tremendous damage to building structures, anything constructed from wood, and dead matter in short time. An inspection can help catch a termite infestation before it becomes worse or before everything, that matters most crumbles into a pile of dust and debris. 

Some of the areas a termite inspector will look when they come out to inspect a suspected termite infestation are the walls of a home or building, beneath the sub floors, within garden areas, carports and garages, tool sheds, around fence lines, window and door frames and along the roof lines. Inspectors will also explore the outdoor areas as well for any termite nest within trees and beneath the ground. Full inspections take between 1 to 2-hours, but this depends on how invasive the client desires the inspection to be. 

However, termite inspectors will always tell clients the importance of regular termite inspections that are thorough and done with patience than quick ones done within a matter of minutes. After all, termite inspectors want to help their clients find the root of their timber pest problem so they can properly treat the infested area and exterminate the insects properly. 

Although, a termite inspection will still be necessary each year to insure the insects do not come back and make a home within the living or working area again. After all, termites can creates channels underneath the grounds of an infested area that go for miles and miles. If those channels of nests underground are never destroyed the insects have a greater chance of coming back each year to make your living and working areas their home again. 
Yearly termite inspections also help save you tons of money. 

This is because a termite inspector has the ability to spot even the slightest termite damage before it becomes a costly mess. Keep in mind that termites are known to chew down entire building structures within little time, which can leave homeowners and contract workers having to come up with extra cash to not only exterminate the timber bugs, but also repair building structures. This is why yearly termite inspections are necessary and of great importance. Your pockets will thank you and so will your living and working areas. After all, termite infestations and damage is not laughing matter.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

The Benefits of Window Film

There are areas of a home where privacy becomes a priority. There are a handful of ways to provide privacy inside a home using drapes, curtains, blinds and shades over windows, but those who do not want to use these types of privacy décor items have another option. That option is using window film.

What is window film? 

Window film helps provide privacy to any room of your home such as the bathroom and bedrooms where the most privacy is desired. The way window film works is by having a naturally static clinging effect that sticks to the window while providing a tint that blocks out views in and out of a window, but still allows some form of light in through the window to help allow you too see. Best of all window film does not collect dust and dirt like curtain, blinds, drapes and shades do on windows. Window films are easy to wipe down and wash as well, which makes them perfect for any home where allergy sufferers live.

What types of window films can you find for the windows? 

One of the greatest things about window films is they come in several different designs so finding one to match your homes décor is possible. Some of the different types of designed widow films you can get for your windows are:


  • Allure Leaded 
  • Amsterdam Privacy 
  • Austin 
  • Bamboo
  • Caree
  • Chateau
  • Eden 
  • Frosted
  • Everleaf 
  • Orleans
  • Pebbles
  • Tropical Oasis 
  • Tudor 
  • Atlantis
  • Biscayne 
  • Stained Glass
  • Brushstrokes
  • Cambridge 
  • Dogwood 
  • Brushstrokes 
  • Floral 
  • Grace
  • Grapevines 
  • Odyssey
  • Peacock 
  • Savannah 


Where you can find window films? 

If you decide, window films are exactly what you are looking for to add some privacy to your home the best places to purchase them are companies that specially design window films online, hardware stores, home good department stores and window specialty shops. Window films are typically less expensive than other forms of window treatments that provide privacy, but it all depends on the type, length and size you get for your windows.

End Notes 

Adding privacy to your home is as simple as placing up a decorative tinted window film, which does not require any sort of tools or large amounts of time to do. Once the window films are up, you can enjoy your privacy in your own home along with just the right amount of lighting. Best of all, in the summertime window tinting films have the ability to keep your home cooler and cut down on energy cost. All you have to do is pick out the right films for your window and put them up.

Simple Methods for Unclogging a Bathroom Drain

Clogs in bathroom sinks occur for various reasons. Some of those reasons are due to hair debris buildup, hard water slim, little ones sticking unnecessary objects down the drain, or simple residue build up that occurs overtime when drains do not receive regular cleansing. Thankfully, with the helpful tips below unclogging the sink can happen with ease. 

Let us start with a basic homemade drain cleaning solution that helps with getting rid of residue, water slim and hair build up. To make the solution all that is necessary is a bottle of hydrogen peroxide with a few drops of essential oil such as tea tree or lavender. Not only will this gently blast the clog away, but it will deodorize the drain too. If you need an extra strength drain cleanser simply use the hydrogen peroxide solution and dump that down the drain. Immediately after, pour a cup of baking soda down it. The baking soda and hydrogen peroxide mixture will scrub the drain clean. 

With that said, if the drain has an object lodged in it the only way to unclog the drain is by undoing the drains piping underneath the sink carefully with the proper tools and physically removing the object. If the object is lodged further down the drain calling a professional might be necessary so the clog can be carefully taken care off properly. 

To prevent clogs from occurring from residue build up from toothpastes, hair particles, hard water and slim, creating and using a daily drain cleanser that is gentle can help. All that is necessary is a half cup of sea salt, two cups of baking soda and twenty drops of lemon oil. The ingredients are combine together and a few tablespoons are added to the drains of the bathroom daily to prevent clogs.

Friday, May 22, 2015

Yummy Earth Organic Lollipops for Easing My Morning Sickness

Discovering I was pregnant was not exactly an easy thing to settle in my mind. My relationship and family life was rocky and unsettling. In the deepest parts of my heart, I wanted to be excited and happy, but all I felt was nervous, fearful, unprepared and extremely sad. The emotions created so much stress inside of me; it made the morning sickness so much worse. The only way I could ease my anxieties, nausea and vomiting away was with the Yummy Earth Organic Lollipops. Thankfully, these pops are made with organic ingredients that nourish the body and cure a sweet tooth.

Organic Ingredients in the Pops

  • Organic Evaporated Cane Juice
  • Organic Brown Rice Syrup
  • Beet Sugars
  • Organic Black Carrots
  • Organic Black Currant
  • Organic Apple
  • Organic Pumpkin
  • Fruit Juices
  • Dose of Vitamin C

How the Yummy Earth Organic Lollipops Helped Ease My Morning Sickness

The first trimester is hard enough with the chemical and body changes, but toss in all the extra emotions and morning sickness on top of it and you turn into a complete train wreck. The toilet bowl and toothbrush literally become your best friends. For me, it was toilet bowl, toothbrush, hurry, and run for the lollipops before I puke again. I am not sure why the lollipops helped me so much, but I am guessing it was the little bit of sugar and vitamin C they contained that help bring my blood sugar levels up to a more stable level while giving my immune system a boost of strength to stay strong. It seemed every time I felt extremely hungry and my blood sugar levels were low even with eating regular meals and snacking I would get extremely nauseous and start vomiting my head off.

Morning sickness for me lasted from the morning until about eight at night. Then, all night long, I would be snacking and munching on all kinds of foods from pickles to spaghetti and ketchup. The strangest combinations of foods during the first trimester of pregnancy will freak you out and strangely enough calm your stomach down.

Unfortunately, for me things like salty crackers, breads and anything starchy were not helpful. However, sweet thing foods like lollipops, hard candies, Italian ice and anything super fruity and ice cold were of great help when it came to making me feel better.

If you are going through your first trimester of pregnancy hang in there and know what you read on the internet about the remedies and tricks that are suppose to calm nausea down may not work for you. What works for you will be what your body is craving and telling you what it needs. You will also find the foods you use to like you do not anymore. For me, I didn’t like hard candies or lollipops because I hated the textures of them and the way they stick to your teeth, but strangely enough the sugar and texture of these candies are what truly helped ease my nausea while providing me with a little sugar boost to keep on charging away.

After all, when you are pregnant you become sluggish and exhausted all the time and sugar for me was a great little pick me up. This is especially true when you throw up all day long and your blood sugar levels drop down so low you feel like a zombie walking around the home and workplace. Some people love pregnancy, but after the first trimester all I have to say is I do not like it. However, I do think it is a blessing that humans can create other human beings, but that still does not stop me from wish there was some other way to go through this process. The symptoms throughout the first trimester are dreadful. If you are one of the few people who experienced no symptoms during your first trimester you are one lucky woman.

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Places to get a Massage in Greenwood Village, Colorado

Pure relaxation can occur through massage therapy. If you are living in or visiting the Greenwood Village, Colorado area and need to know where the best spas or massage therapy locations are to help ease your tensions and stresses away mentally and physically so you can be a better you than the guide below will help show you the best spots to go to get a massage in Greenwood Village, Colorado.

Places to get a Massage in Greenwood Village, Colorado


Located on 6570 South Yosemite Street #B-2 in Greenwood Village in Colorado is Massage Envy Spa.  Massage Envy Spa offers a wide variety of different massages such as: 

  • Aroma Therapy Massage
  • Deep Tissue Massage 
  • Sports Massage

You can request massages to last between one and two hours depending on how much massage therapy you feel is necessary to help calm your mind and body down completely. The hours of operation at Massage Envy Spa are 8:00 AM until 10:00 PM Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM until 8:00 PM Saturday, and 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM on Sundays. You can call to set up a massage therapy appointment by calling 303-220-3689, or by setting up an appointment online through their contact page. 


If you are looking to have a private a professional massage done on a regular basis, one of the best places to visit is Massage by Thaise. Here it is believed that healing is possible through human touch. If you are suffering from chronic body pains, tension, stress, insomnia, anxiety and other health conditions Massage by Thaise is the place to visit for massages that range anywhere between one and two hours depending on the length and type of  massage you choice. The types of massages and therapies offered here are: 

  • Reiki Massage 
  • Shiatsu Massage
  • Hot and Cold Massage Treatments
  • Hot Stone Massage 
  • Aromatherapy Massage 

You can set up an appointment here by calling 720-276-0246. The office is open Monday through Friday from 10 AM until 7 PM and Sunday appointments are available if you make them 24 hours in advance. You can find this massage therapy place on 5650 Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Ste 221-I in Greenwood Village, Colorado. 


With Spavia Spa located on 4930 South Yosemite Street in Ste D2 in Greenwood Village, Colorado you can receive massages that not only help calm the mind while relieving stress from the body, but also massages that help improve the skin too. The types of healing massages offered here are: 

  • Spavia Signature Massage
  • Couple’s Massage
  • Maternity Massage 
  • Sports Massage
  • Hot Stone Therapy 
  • Deep Tissue Therapeutic Massage 
  • Signature Four Hand Massage
  • Traveling Chair Massage

You can book an appointment here by calling 303-221-0068. Their hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM, Saturday from 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM and Sunday from 11:00 AM until 6 PM. 


Located on 5669 Greenwood Plaza Blvd in Ste 506 in Greenwood Village, Colorado is Massage Now. Massage Now offers all kinds of massages for all kinds of purposes. Those types of massages are: 

  • Chair Massage
  • Deep Tissue Massage
  • Hot Stone Therapy Massage
  • Integrative Massage
  • Orthopedic Massage
  • Pre-Natural Massage
  • Pregnancy Massage
  • Relaxation Massage
  • Sports Massage
  • Therapeutic Massage
  • Trauma Touch Massage
You can set up an appointment with Massage now by calling their friendly customer service staff at 303-886-2964. You can also fill out a client form online and set up an appointment that way if you wish by visiting their Client Forms. 

Monday, April 20, 2015

The Potential Health Risks of Eating Instant Ramen Noodles

 Ramen noodles began their journey into the world in the countries of Japan and China. In these areas of the world, ramen noodles are handmade fresh daily with homemade pasta, meat broths, herbs, vegetables and tofu. However, the instant ramen noodles you purchase from the grocery store and make up at home with boiling water and instant seasoning packs are unhealthy. In fact, eating these on a regular basis could in fact shorten your life. Therefore, all you collage students eaten ramen for a quick affordable meal might change your mind about eating them after reading this article.

What exactly are instant ramen noodles bad for your health? 

Instant ramen noodles are bad for your health because they contain high amounts of sodium. Consuming a diet high in sodium each day contributes to a variety of different health conditions such as:


  • Heart Disease
  • Respiratory Issues 
  • Inflammation 
  • Water Retention 
  • Chronic Allergies
  • Heart Attack
  • Stroke
  • High Blood Pressure 
  • Excessive Weight Gain 
  • Extreme Nausea 
  • Seizures
  • Cancer
  • Extreme Thirst 
  • Digestive Issues 


Instant ramen also contains monosodium glutamate, which you may know as MSG. This ingredient acts as a flavor enhancer and causes you to crave the food. If eaten often it can actually become addicting. Overtime, as it builds up into your body it can cause behavioral issues such as depression, hypertension, anxiety and panic attacks and confusion. It also has the ability to cause obesity, nausea and vomiting in some people. One of the most common health conditions people suffer from by eating MSG rich foods on a daily basis is migraine headaches, which become so severe medical treatment from a doctor is required.

Along with high amounts of sodium and MSG, the noodles contain unhealthy fats and can actually cause many digestive issues such as chronic constipation, stomach ulcers, digestive diseases and stomach cancers. The noodles alone cause obesity as well when eaten daily. Preventing obesity is essential for preventing diseases such as diabetes and colon cancer.

End Notes for Thought 

Knowing all these health risks about instant ramen noodles hopefully has changed your opinion about eating them on a regular basis as an affordable meal. Just because a meal is affordable does not mean you should eat it. This is especially true if that meal is eaten daily and causes potential health risks for you in the future, which will causes you to have more medical bills and more expenses in the future that you could have avoided by making healthier meal choices. If you love ramen noodles that much and cannot live without them in your diet, you should make the dish homemade using nourishing ingredients that actually provide nourishment to your body.

Friday, April 17, 2015

Ramen Noodles Origin and Health Benefits

Ramen noodles are a typical budget friendly meal almost everyone has heard of and eaten. This is because it contains nourishing wheat noodles served in a meat broth and topped with tofu, seaweed, vegetables, herbs, eggs, or whatever is on hand. The comforting meal not only provides nourishment to the body, but it brings comfort while you eat it.

Where did ramen noodles originate? 

The origin of ramen noodles is not clear, but the places it was made from scratch and served the most was in Japan and China. In fact, the first ramen shop open in Yokohama, China in 1910. Then, throughout areas of Japan and China, ramen was made and served up at cuisine restaurants and even on the side of roads in food stalls to provide nourishing warm food to works during their mealtime. Now, ramen is served all over the world in restaurants, cafes and grocery store soup bars.

Heck, you can even find prepackaged ramen noodles to make at home in the grocery store that you can add your own flavors, meats and vegetables too. However, the prepackaged kind of ramen noodles is not as healthy or as tasty as homemade ones served in homemade broths.

There are even vending machines within the Japan and China areas that you can purchase prepackaged ramen at so you can grab it, take it back to the work break room or home, add water and microwave it until the broth and noodles are cooked, warm and tender.

How is traditional ramen noodles made? 

Traditional ramen noodles are made with homemade wheat noodles that contain wheat flour, salt, water and mineral water that contains sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate. Once the noodles are made, they are placed in a homemade hot meat broth that is made from either chicken broth, fish broth or a beef broth. In rare cases, vegetable broths are used for vegetarian ramen. Then, the noodles are cooked until tender and served up in the broth with tofu, steamed or raw vegetables, slowly roasted meat chunks, marrowbones,  pork bones, herbs, spices, roots or whatever is fresh and in season.

What nourishing nutrients are in ramen noodles? 

The nutrients founds in ramen noodles are antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, protein, fiber, enzymes and carbohydrates. These nutrients provide energy to the body and help keep the organs and systems of the body functioning properly. Due to all the nutrients in ramen noodles it makes the perfect remedy for easing cold and flu symptoms as well as easing nausea and vomiting in some individuals. Pregnant women can also benefit from eating homemade ramen noodles since it provides a good source of protein and many nutrients that can nourish the fetus. So, if you are feeling under the weather or your body needs something affordable and nourishing, yet homemade and comforting ramen noodles is the meal to turn too.

End Thoughts for Ramen Noodles 

If you truly want to experience the art of homemade ramen noodles visit Japan or China and visit a cuisine restaurant or ramen noodle stall the serves them up. You will not be disappoint when you go to eat a homemade bowl that is full of fresh flavor. However, if you cannot get to Japan or China, look up a recipe and make it yourself. It will taste and nourish your body so much better than the prepackaged kind.

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

What is Your Best Quality as a Good Friend?

When I think of my best quality when it comes to being a good friend I think about my sense of humor. My sense of humor is one of my best qualities in a friendship because it keeps it exciting, full of laughter and light-hearted, which for me has given me some of the best friendships that I have now. Without my sense of humor, I might not have any friends. 


For example, the other day my friend came to school balling her eyes out. I always being prepared for everything pull out a small package of travel tissues, but these tissues were not just any kind of tissues. My tissues have these funny sayings on them just because when someone is crying out of sadness you do not want to hand them just any kind of tissue. Oh no, you want to hand them a tissue that says, “Wipe here, blow there!” As soon as I handed her the tissue, she stopped crying and starred at it with a blank face. Then, laughter came unexpectedly and she could not stop giggling. She asked where I had gotten them and I said from the oddball store in the mall. She thought those tissues were the funniest, but then again they came from me and even in the most serious of moments I cannot be too serious. 


My humor doesn’t just stop there in a friendship. Oh no, when you need something and cannot find it anywhere I will make it my mission to find it. When I do find it, I grab as many as I can. For example, my friend had been looking for those silly bingo ink stamps for a poster project for the science fair. He couldn’t find them anywhere so I went looking myself. Of coarse me, I find a boat load of them at a reasonable price at the local discount department store and grab like the entire box. I go to school the next day and place them all inside his locker before he got there. As soon as he got to school and open his locker all the bingo ink stamps fell out everywhere and he started laughing. 


When it comes to my friends my sense of humor is the most important quality. It keeps us all laughing and having a good time. Most importantly, they can count on me for a good smile all the time.

Monday, April 6, 2015

What are The Causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome can occur in anyone of any age. You can develop the disorder by over using your wrist improperly doing repeated activities or from a medical condition that prevents proper blood flow through the wrist such as arthritis, gout, thyroid disorder, diabetes, lupus or bone spur. With that said, it is more common for carpal tunnel to develop in individuals that commonly use their wrist and hands in the same repetitive motions each day such as knitting, painting, drawing, typing, writing, working vibrating machinery and using hand tools. In fact, developing carpal tunnel because of a particular health condition is rare, but it can occur.

What exactly is carpal tunnel syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that involves too much pressure on top of the nerves within your wrist. When these nerves are under pressure, your hands will experience tingling sensations and even numbness. Sometimes even weakness and pain are present in severe cases of carpal tunnel syndrome. Thankfully, several treatments are available to help correct syndrome so you do not have to suffer from it if you do have it. However, you will not know you have it unless you visit your doctor for an exam so he or she can properly diagnoses your condition.

What are the treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome? 

Carpal tunnel syndrome is treated based on the severity of the condition. For example, for minor carpal tunnel syndrome home treatments are useful and for more severe cases surgery is sometimes necessary. To help provide you with more insight take a look at the treatment options below.


  1. Home Treatment: Sometimes simply changing up how you use your wrist movement can aid in the healing of the condition. Your doctor might even recommend that you wear a wrist splint while working or doing tasks. 
  2. Medicines: In mild to moderate cases, doctors will often prescribe to you no steroidal anti-inflammatory medications to help relieve the pain, inflammation and discomfort that comes with the syndrome. In rare cases doctors will inject or prescribe corticosteroid medication to help relieve the symptoms of carpel tunnel.  However, medications do not cure carpal tunnel. 
  3. Surgery: In severe cases where the nerves no longer function properly surgery is necessary in order to relieve carpal tunnel syndrome. 


End Notes to Keep in Mind 

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of carpel tunnel syndrome such as numbness, painful discomforts, lack of mobility or tingling sensations in your wrist or hands it is wise to set up an appointment with your doctor for an exam. Your doctor will be able to help diagnose the condition and provide you with proper treatment so you do not have to suffer.

Is Bad Posture Causing Your Headaches?

“Sit up straight!” is a phrase you often heard from your parents, grandparents or Old Aunt Lucy as you were slouching away in the old classic dinner booth, chicken table or resting upon the sofa, but this phrases was often said for good reason. If you do not know already, your parents were trying to prevent you from having future health issues. Slouching is one of the main causes of not only neck, back and shoulder pains, but also those gnarly headaches too. In fact, the good old slouching position you so love sitting in has this fancy medical term known as, “Upper Crossed Syndrome,” which merely means, “Bad Headache.”

So why does bad posture cause headaches? 

Bad posture causes headaches because tension forms along the spine from not sitting up straight. It also causes pressure on the nerves, which leads to neck and shoulder, discomforts. When there is tension on the neck and shoulders there is usually pressure along the crown of the head due to poor circulation around the nerves. Poor circulation around the crown of the head leads to headaches. Some of the worst types of headaches you can get from sitting in a slouching potion for an entire day every day or even just a short period are:


  1. Migraines: This type of headache causes blurry vision, nausea and severe pain all over the head.
  2. Tension Headaches: This headache causes aches at the crown of your head into your neck and shoulders. 
  3. Cluster Headaches: These headaches go away and come back often causing at least two to five headaches each day. 
  4. Rebound Headaches: This form occurs daily from sitting in poor posture and taking medication to ease the pain you are feeling in your neck, shoulders and back instead of simply correcting your posture. 


What are the best ways to correct bad posture? 

In order to remedy the headaches you have been receiving from sitting in bad postures you must correct the bad posture by:


  • Sitting on a ball at the office desk instead of a computer chair
  • Laying straight on the floor for 20-minutes each day
  • Exercising and training your muscles through body building workouts or yoga postures so your spine can align properly and hold you up the way it was design to while you are in a sitting position
  • Visit your chiropractic for an alignment so you can sit up properly 
  • Practice sitting and standing straight up in front of a mirror often
  • Practice walking with good posture 
  • Sleep on a firmer mattress or floor for a couple of nights until your spine aligns 
  • Sit at an office desk and chair that forces you to sit up straight

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Healthy Recipe: Wild Rice Stuffed Red Bell Peppers

If you have been searching through all kinds of healthy recipes, but still cannot find a healthy stuff pepper recipe you have come to the right place. Most stuffed pepper recipes ask for ground beef, salted broths, butter, heavy cheeses, process tomato sauces and basic white rice. These particular ingredients contain high amounts of sodium, fats, preservatives, hormones and sugars that can cause health conditions such as autoimmune diseases, cancers and allergies in most people. Instead, try making your stuffed peppers with this healthy alternative recipe.
Healthy Recipe: Wild Rice Stuffed Red Bell Peppers
Nourishing Ingredients Necessary
  • 4 Large Organic Red Bell Peppers: Red peppers contain fiber, vitamins A, K, E, B and C, calcium, iron and protein. The peppers also have naturals sugars that help make this dish sweet without adding in extra calories. In addition, they help support the immune system. 
  • 2 Pounds of Cooked Scrambled Organic Ground Chicken: Chicken contains 21 grams of protein, 12-grams of fat, natural amounts of sodium and low amounts of vitamin A and calcium. This makes this a great alternative to high fat beefs with high cholesterol and sodium levels. Replacing ground beef with ground chicken will keep your body lean and your muscles strong. 
  • 4 Cups of Organic Wild Rice Cooked: Wild rice is high in fiber, B complex vitamins, minerals of iron, potassium, phosphorus, zinc and magnesium and lean protein. These reasons alone make this a better alternative to white rice, which contains minimum nourishment and acts more as filler. 
  • 4 Cups of Sliced Up Organic Cherry Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes contain fiber, carbohydrates, natural sodium and sugar, protein, high amounts of vitamins C, E, K, B and A and minerals of calcium and iron. Cherry tomatoes will also add some sweetness to the dish, but also will help replace heavy tomato sauces with added in high amounts of sodium and sugar, which is not necessary. 
  • Cup of Organic Yellow Onion Finely Chopped Up: Yellow onion contains potent antioxidants in it that help lower your chances of developing cancer. In addition, they contain fiber, which is essential for keeping the digestive system functioning healthily. 
  • 5 Cloves of Organic Minced Garlic: Garlic contains potent antioxidants that help protect the heart, immune system and respiratory system. It works wonders for preventing all types of cancers and autoimmune diseases within the body. Some people even find it effective for trying allergies. 
  • 4 Cups of Raw Cottage Cheese: Cottage cheese contains essential fatty acids, healthy gut supporting bacteria, protein, vitamins A and B as well as minerals of phosphors and selenium. Cottage cheese is high in sodium, but replaces regular table salt in the recipe and heavy cheeses that contain even higher amounts of sodium and saturated fats, which are unhealthy for the body. 
  • Freshly Chopped Basil: Freshly chopped basil contains fiber and antioxidants, which protect the body against illness. Basil also acts as a natural stress reducer. 
  • 4 Tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil contains essential fatty acids, which are necessary to keep you looking and feeling youthful and beauty naturally. In addition, olive oil contains antioxidants that help reduce inflammation within the body.
Directions for Making the Wild Rice Stuff Bell Peppers
  1. Heat the oven to 350--degrees, take out a large deep casserole dish and rub it down with a thin layer of olive oil. 
  2. Slice the tops of the red bell peppers and scoop the seeds and bitter white edges out of them. You want to end up with 4 hallow bell peppers that are easy to stuff. 
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked scrambled ground chicken, wild rice, cherry tomato slices, chopped yellow onion, minced garlic and cottage cheese together until you have a creamy thick stuffing filling. 
  4. Take the stuffing and stuff each red bell pepper full of it. 
  5. Place the stuffed bell peppers into the deep casserole dish and sprinkle on the basil and drizzle some olive oil over the top of them. 
  6. Bake the stuff peppers in the oven at 350-degrees for an hour, or until the red bell peppers are fork tender with a bit of a charred appearance. 
  7. Once the stuffed peppers are ready to eat, remove the casserole dish from the oven and allow them to cool for 10-minutes before serving them up for a hearty healthy version of stuff peppers.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Helping Manatees off the Endangered Species List

Majestic and beautiful, manatees are some of the most amazing creatures belonging to the sea of creatures living deep within the warm bodies of water surrounding the globe. Also known as, sea cows measuring up to 13 feet long and weight nearly over 1,000 pounds with flipper like paddle fins and tails with a brownish gray body consisting of wrinkled skin and coarse hairy spots known as whiskers are sadly on the endangered list.

The gentle freshwater herbivores were hunted for their beautiful hides to make war shields, canoes and shoes by the Native Americans in past times, but are now being hunted more often particularly for their meat, bones and hide even though hunting has been banned since 1893.

Thankfully, these intelligent mammals are being seen in record numbers off the coast of Florida. In fact, there were over 6,000 this year, which is a good sign for them coming off the endangered species list. However, in other areas of the world where their habitat is such as the Caribbean Sea, the Amazon Basin and West African numbers are still low.

The reasons for the numbers being so low is possibly due to climate change and the bodies of water they are use to living in being colder than usual. Unfortunately, manatees cannot survive in water that is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Another possible reason for the creatures being seen in minimum amounts could be due to the horrible Red Tide seasons that have been occurring within bodies of water. It is also possible that the seawater swimmers are still being hunted in large numbers in particular locations where protective laws are not in place for the endangered species. Other reason for the loss of manatee life is their habitat constantly being destroyed, large ships are hitting them carelessly and more diseases are plaguing the areas the live in.

With help from human beings, and more protective services put into action,  the slow reproducing mammals that are only capable of having one calf every two years, can live freely and abundantly within their warm waters again, and most importantly be remove from the endangered species list. After all, each being upon this planet has a purpose and a place. Without all the beings within the ecosystem, it suffers which means some day we as humans will to if we are not more careful about how we treat the other living beings surrounding us on this planet called home.

Monday, February 23, 2015

Homemade Mold and Mildew Cleaning Spray

Mold and mildew are bound to happen in a bathroom, even with proper ventilation. This is especially true for the bathtub and shower areas in our homes. Mold and mildew has a sneaky way of growing on shower curtains and on the floors and walls of bathing areas. I know this is true in my bathroom, which is why I use a homemade rosemary lavender mold and mildew cleaner daily in the bath and shower areas. It helps prevent mold and mildew from growing, but also helps clean it up and rid it from surfaces if it does occur. 

Although, you should be warn that some molds and mildews can be dangerous such as black mold, which you can test for using a home testing mold kit. If black mold is found in your home a train mold removing specialist should be called for help. You should never try to rid black mold yourself because you can become very sick. 

Creating the Rosemary Lavender Mold and Mildew Cleaning Spray 

The rosemary lavender mold and mildew cleaner is a spray form. To make this powerful cleaner I use two cups of vodka, twenty drops of lavender essential oil and ten drops of rosemary essential oil and that is it for ingredients. It is a very basic formula and that is because the vodka contains high amounts of alcohol, which kills the mold and mildew. 

In addition, lavender and rosemary oils contain anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, which help sanitize and cleanse the mold and mildew away nicely. After all, mold and mildew are caused by fungus. 

To store the spray in you will need a clean spray bottle of medium size. Once you have the bottle take a funnel, place it into the bottle, and pour the vodka and essential oils into it. As soon as the bottle is filled up with these basic ingredients, place the sprayer cap on and give the bottle a gentle shake. After, you will have your rosemary lavender mold and mildew cleaning spray to begin cleansing away the mold and mildew in your bathroom.

Using the Mold and Mildew Cleaning Spray 

The way I use the spray daily to prevent mold and mildew build up is by spraying the plastic shower curtains and bathtub and shower walls down with it well. I do not rinse the spray away after it has been sprayed on because it will defeat the purpose of keeping mold and mildew away. 

However, to remove mold and mildew with the spray all you have to do is spray the surface that is infected down with the spray and scrub it away with a cleaning brush. After, spray the surface down again and wipe it away with eco friendly paper towel to in sure the area is cleansed well. Once the area is clean, direct a fan in the area that was infected by the mold and mildew and allow it to dry out. Then, you should be free and clear of any fungus. 

Those of you who are allergic to these two types of fungi should wear masks over your mouth and nose to prevent yourself from having allergic reaction during the cleaning process. Mold and mildew can make some people really sick so those of you with weakened immune systems should not clean areas where fungus is growing yourself. 

Other areas you can use this spray to clean mold and mildew away is your ceilings, toilets, sinks, doors and floors. However, mold usually found on the ceiling is usually embedded deeper into the drywall material, which means the ceiling and any walls infected with the fungus should be removed right away. 

Bottom Line 

Mold and Mildew are not fungi to be messed with, but to be prevented. The homemade rosemary lavender spray can definitely help keep these types of fungus at bay or away. Best of all, the cleaner is eco friendly and the scent of the spray is calming to the mind, which helps reduce stress during the cleaning process.

Homemade Fruit Fly Traps

I love keeping fresh fruits on hand in my hanging baskets so I can grab a quick healthy snack when I am hungry instead of reaching for junk food. Although lately, I have not wanted too bring any fresh fruit into the house because I have a mad case of fruit fleas.

However, once I get rid of them I will fill my hanging baskets back up with some of the freshest fruit possible that is not overly ripened. Ripe fruit is what fruit flies tend to go after.

On a more positive note I do make fantastic little fruit fly traps that capture the little pesky buggers effectively so I can get rid of them fast so I can go back to eating healthy foods again.

Materials I find Useful for Making the Fruit Fly Traps

The materials I find useful for making the fruit fly traps are pint sized mason jars, packing tape, a needle and Mason jar lid rings. These materials, I find work the best for making fruit fly traps and trapping the fruit flies. If you do not have these ingredients on hand, you can easily find them at hardware stores, grocery stores and kitchen shops in your local area. I typically always have these materials on hand because I do canning

Ingredients Needed

The ingredients I use in the fruit fly traps to attract the fruit flies are cheap wines, fruit juices, apple ciders, or apple cider vinegar. You do not need all the ingredients just mentioned. All you need is one of the ingredients, but all work excellent for attracting fruit flies wonderfully. My favorite to use is apple cider vinegar or banana juice because they seem drawn to these ingredients a bit more. These ingredients most everyone has on hand, but if you do not, the grocery store in your local area will definitely have the ingredients available for purchasing.

Making the Fruit Fly Traps

To begin making the fruit fly traps, I find it is easiest to lay six jars out in a row on my counter top. Then, I fill each jar up with a half cup of fruity liquid such as the ones just mentioned in the above paragraph. Again, my favorite fruity liquids too use to attract the fruit flies are apple cider vinegar and banana juice.

Next, I take my clear packing tape and seal the top of the Mason jars shut with it so the sticky size is facing inside the jars. This will help keep the fruit flies from crawling back up out of the jars.

After, I place the Mason jar rings onto the jars over the tape to make sure the tape is secured on tightly.

The next step of making the fruit fly traps is simple. All I do is take a sharp needle and poke four to five holes into the taped off part of the fruit fly traps so they can smell the fruity liquid, crawl into the jars and stay trapped.

Best Placed to Put the Fruit Fly Traps

My favorite places to put the fruit fly traps are near my kitchen sink, on top of my kitchen counter tops and any place the fruit fleas seem to be drawn to and hanging out the most. Each fruit fly trap should be effective for at least two days. After the two days is up, it is best to refresh the fruity liquid in the fruit fly traps to keep them working effectively at trapping those fruit flies until they are completely gone.

Tips

Once you get rid of the fruit flies, do not bring fruit back into the house for at least a week to in sure they are truly gone for good. Then, when you do bring some fresh fruit into your home, make sure you wash it down good and place it into a fruit basket or bowl with some freshly dried herbs that repel the flies away naturally such as lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus or dried cloves.

Although, I must say I find placing aromatherapy citronella or lavender diffusers in my kitchen goes a long ways to repelling those flies away naturally. However, you use whatever you find works best in your home for repelling the fruit flies.

Lemon Grinder Cleaner

In this home, I use blenders, grinders and puree machines often to make all sorts of whole food snacks and beverages. However, getting the blades inside these machines clean can be a difficult task with just hot soapy water and a good sponge. To get the blades clean in the machines I make and use a homemade lemon grinder cleaner. It helps polish the blades in the kitchen appliance machines so they stay sharp and clean instead of dirty and clogged up with old food particles.

Useful Ingredients for Making the Lemon Grinder Cleaner


The ingredients I use to make my lemon grinder cleaner are two cups of coarse sea salt, a cup of baking soda, fifteen drops of lemon essential oil, cup of mineral oil and a forth cup of liquid castile soap. The reason I use these ingredients is that the baking soda and sea salt are gritty and can grip and scrub the blades of these machines while the oil and soap helps cleanse and polish them. Now, you can find these ingredients at the grocery store or even hardware store if you do decide you want to make this cleaner.

Making the Cleaner

To make the lemon grinder cleaner I simply carefully measure out all the ingredients and pour them into a large wide mouth mason jar. After, I take a spoon and combine the ingredients together well until I have a thick gritty lemony scented grinder cleaner. Then, I go ahead and use some of it to clean my blenders, puree machines and grinders. If you do not want to use the cleaner right away, just put a lid on the jar and store the cleaner in a cool dry place until you are ready to do so.

Using the Cleaner
Whenever I need to clean the blades inside my blender, coffee grinder or puree machine, I scoop a forth cup of the cleaner into the machine with a few tablespoons of water and turn them on high speed for thirty second to help clean the blades well. After, I rinse the machine and blades out with warm water and set them on a towel to dry. Once that is done, I simply put the clean machines and cleaner away until I need to use them again. You can use the cleaner as much as you need too in order to help keep your blenders, grinders and puree kitchen appliances clean.

Now, you can also use the lemon grinder cleaner on stainless steal sinks to get them clean and shiny and in toilet bowls to help scrub them clean. I even like using the cleaner to help clean the tile in my showering area. It also works well for polishing silverware too.

End Lines


The next time you are looking for a naturally green way to clean the blades inside your kitchen appliances just make up some of the lemon grinder cleaner and try it. I know it works for the members in my family and me when we want to get out blenders, grinders and puree machines squeaky clean naturally.

Lavender Oil Wood Surface Cleaner

When I need to clean the wood surfaces in my home I like to make my own homemade wood surface cleanser. The wood surface cleanse that I like to make is the lavender oil wood cleanser. It is very simple to make and really helps clean up wood surface and makes them all shiny and new appearing.

Ingredients Needed

The ingredients you will need to make my homemade lavender oil wood cleaner are 10 drops of lavender oil, 1 cup of water, and 2 cups of olive oil. All of these ingredients can be found in your local health food stores and grocery stores. I know sometimes I am able to buy all my ingredients from my local dollar store, which is awesome because I end up spending only 3 dollars on ingredients.

Materials Needed

The materials you will need are measuring cups, a mixing bowl with a spout on it so the cleaner is easy to pour, and a plastic squeezable bottle. Now if you do not have these ingredients in your kitchen you can also get these materials in your local grocery store or even dollar store for cheap money.

Making the Cleaner 

Now the way you make my lavender oil wood cleaner is by combining the lavender oil, olive oil, and water together in your mixing bowl with a spoon. After you should have a nice lavender scented wood cleaner. Than all you will do is simply pour all of these ingredients into your squirt bottle until you are ready to use it as a nice natural wood cleaner.

Using the Wood Cleaner Properly

The way I personally like to use my homemade lavender oil wood cleaner is by simply squirt some of the wood cleaner dirty onto a rag and than I like to wipe down the wood surface I need to have cleaned. You will notice when you use my homemade lavender oil wood cleaner that it is very gentle on your wood and helps get it shiny. The olive oil in my homemade wood cleaner also helps protect your wood surfaces from water damage and mold which is nice as well.

End Notes

I do hope those of you who end up making my homemade lavender oil wood cleaner have a very easy time making it, and I hope those of you who use it to clean up the wood in your home like how it cleans. I wish you all the best of luck at cleaning all that wood in you home!

Homemade Tea Tree Toilet Scrub Cleaner

When my toilet is dirty and I need to clean it I hate to use chemical filled toilet cleaners to clean it out. I like to make my own homemade tea tree toilet scrub cleaner using natural and safe ingredients that will help disinfect my toilet and loosen up the waste and hard water stains instead my toilet.

Ingredients

The ingredients you will need to make my homemade tea tree toilet scrub cleaner are 1 cup of baking soda, ½ a cup of salt, 1 tablespoon of castile soap, and 10 to 15 drops of tea tree oil.

These ingredients can be found in your local grocery stores and drugstores if you do not have them in your home. The reason I use these natural ingredients is because the tea tree oil acts as a disinfectant and kills harmful bacteria, the baking soda deodorizes, the castile soap acts as a foaming agent to help loosen waste particles, and the salt helps scrub the toilet clean.

Materials Needed

The materials you will need to make my homemade tea tree toilet scrub cleaner are measuring cups and spoons, a mixing bowl, a mixing spoon, and a 16 ounce container with a cover to store the cleaner in. If you do not have these materials on hand you should be able to find them at your local kitchen store.

Making the Scrub 
The way you make my homemade tea tree toilet scrub cleaner is by measuring out the are 1 cup of baking soda, ½ a cup of salt, 1 tablespoon of castile soap, and 10 to 15 drops of tea tree oil and place them into your large mixing bowl. Next take your mixing spoon and combined the ingredients together until you get a moist gritty powdery toilet scrub with a strong tea tree oil scent to it. Once the toilet cleaner is made you will want to place it into your container to store away until you are ready to use it to cleaner your toilet with.

Using the Toilet Scrub 

When you are ready to clean your toilet with the homemade tea tree toilet scrub cleaner you will take ½ a cup of the toilet scrub cleaner and pour it into your toilet bowl and allow it to sit in there for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes take your toilet brush and scrub your toilet squeaky clean. After you should be left with a clean disinfected toilet.

End Notes

So, there you have it! Homemade tea tree toilet scrub cleaner that is natural and safe and can get your toilet clean and disinfected in no time. I wish you all the best with your toilet scrubbing and cleaning, and hope you get squeaky clean sparkling toilets.

Ribwort and Thyme Infusion for Treating Bladder and Kidney Disorders


My bladder and kidneys were weak due to my autoimmune disease and all the medications I had to take to help keep the disease under control. One of the remedies I used daily to help keep my bladder and kidneys healthy and functioning properly is a ribwort and thyme infusion. An infusion is a strong medicinal tea that helps provide the body with a potent dose of the antioxidants and nutrients it needs to repair itself naturally. 

The reason I used ribwort and thyme to make the infusion is that both herbs contain diuretic, cleansing, detoxifying and inflammatory properties. Not only do these herbs treat and help heal bladder and kidney disorders, but they also cleanse and strengthen the blood naturally. 

What is Ribwort? 

Ribwort is an herb also known as, "Black Plantain." The lovely herb is commonly known as a weed with white tiny blossoms and spiny like leaves. You can find it growing in fields and surprisingly on your lawns. I know in the spring in summer I have the herb growing everywhere. Its usually ready to harvest in mid summer. However, those allergic to the herb should not use this remedy or go anywhere need this herb. 

What is Thyme? 

Thyme is an herb that grows in must herbal gardens around the world and is commonly used to make remedies to help ease coughing. Many people use the lemony scented herb to flavor meats and vegetable dishes, but I use the small lemon scented leaves dried to make my infusion. There are many species of thyme you could dry and use in your infusion, but I prefer to use garden thyme. Garden thyme is a bush woody herb with small tiny greenish yellow leaves. 

Nourishing and Healing Herbs Needed for the Infusion Blend 

The nourishing and healing herbs needed for the infusion blend are two cups each of dried ribwort herb and thyme. The herbs I grow in my own garden, and harvest and dry myself. If you do not have them on hand, you can always find them in a whole food organic grocery store or herbal shop in your area. Just make sure the herbs are freshly dried and organic for them to contain the most medicinal healing properties possible. 

Creating and Storing the Loose Leaf Infusion Blend 

The way I create the loose-leaf infusion blend is by measuring out the herbs and pouring them into a clean sterile jar. Then I mix the herbs together until they are evenly blended. After, I take a lid, seal the jar up tightly, and store the loose-leaf infusion blend in a dark cool dried place so it stays fresh and does not mold. 

Making a Cup of the Ribwort and Thyme Infusion Blend for Bladder and Kidney Healthy

To make a lovely nourishing and healing cup of ribwort and thyme infusion, take a tablespoon of the dried infusion blend you made and place it into a tea steeping stone. You can find those at any kitchen or tea shop. After, place herb filled tea-steeping spoon into a mug that holds at least twelve ounces of water. Next, take some boiling water, pour it into the cup and allow the infusion to brew for twenty minutes. When the infusion is ready it will have a lovely golden yellow color and an earthy lemony grass like taste. To help sweeten up the infusion and make it more pleasant to drink add in some freshly squeezed lemon juice and honey. Once the infusion is ready, sip it down and enjoy the healing benefits you will receive from it after. 

However, the infusion will make you urinate a lot at first. It is only because again it contains diuretic and detoxifying properties that are cleansing and strengthening the bladder and kidneys. Drinking the tea daily may help improve and treat your bladder and kidney disorder, which will lessen the amount of times you have to use the restroom. I know for me it did, but I also keep in mind that everyone's body is different and reacts differently to different remedies. While this infusion may have helped and still helps, keep my bladder and kidneys strong and healthy, instead of weak and functioning poorly. It may not be the remedy that helps you strengthen and heal your kidneys and bladder depending on the severity of your disorders. However, I still think it is worth trying if you have tried other medications and remedies without successes, but only after speaking with a doctor first to make sure the infusion is safe and right for you to drink and use daily.

Ginger Balm for Aches and Pains

Joint pains are discomforting and can keep you from doing physical activities you love doing. I know this because I suffer from them often because I have an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and body aches and pains. However, I do not typically have problems with joint pains unless it is extremely cold or too hot. A home remedy I make and use is my ginger soothing balm for joint pain relief. 

Ingredients You Will Need for Creating the Ginger Soothing Balm 

The ingredients I use to create the ginger soothing balm are half cups each of coconut oil, raw shea butter, cocoa butter and melting beeswax pebbles, twenty drops of ginger root essential oil, forth teaspoon of dried ground cayenne pepper and two tablespoons of arnica oil. These ingredients are easy to find at an herbal shop if you do not have them on hand. You can also order them online from wholesale supply spa shops and bulk herbal stores. 

Important Reasons Why Ingredients Are Useful 

The ingredients that make up the ginger soothing balm contain powerful medicinal and healing properties. The coconut oil, shea butter and cocoa butter are useful because they contain anti-inflammatory properties, hydrate the skin and allow the balm to massage easily just in case you want to use the balm for massaging purposes. The beeswax in the balm is to bind the ingredients together so they do not separate. The wax also helps condition and protect the skin while allowing the potent healing ingredients being the ginger, arnica and cayenne to absorb into the skin deeply to bring relief to the joints, muscles and tissues of the body that are causing you discomforting pains and aches.

 Ginger, arnica and cayenne pepper are excellent for joint pain relief because they contain a medicinal property that relieve pain, act as a sedative, and reduces inflammation and swelling while bring an immediate warming sensation when the herbs are exposed to the skin, which brings immediately relief to your aches and pains. 

Making the Ginger Soothing Balm 

Anytime I need to make up a jar of the ginger soothing balm I get out my medium saucepan and pour all the ingredients into it. Then, I melt and infusion the ingredients together on low heat, which takes about ten minutes. Once the ingredients have melted and infused together, you should have an oily liquid substance with a warm spicy ginger scent that is very comforting and uplifting. After, pour the liquid balm into a wide mouth jar that you can easily get your hands in and out of for easy use of the balm. Then, place the balm into the refrigerator for an hour, or until it becomes a solid form. After, remove it from the refrigerator and store it in your medicine cabinet until you need to use if for joint relief.

However, if you want a hot and cold sensation from the balm on your achy muscles leave the balm in the refrigerator and take it out when you need it. Applying the balm fresh out of the refrigerator will provide you first with a cooling sensation to your joints for soothing relief and than with a warming sensation from the herbs about five minutes later. The sensation of hot and cold is similar to an icy hot patch you get from the drugstore. 

Applying the Balm Properly and Precautions

My favorite way to use the balm when I need relief from my achy muscles is right after a warm bath made with arnica bath oil and Epsom salts. After a bath my skin is warm and moist and my joints and muscles have relaxed a bit making it easier to massage the oil into my joints for relief of aches and pains. I have applied the oil without a bath and it still provides amazing relief, but I get best relief when I apply the balm after a bath or hot shower. You can decide the best time to apply the balm to your aching joints. 

To apply the balm, take a small handful of it and massage it well into the aches and pains. The balm is a bit greasy, but it is meant for massaging into the body so it is suppose to have that kind of texture. However, do not use this balm anywhere near your face or genital area because it will sting and burn and do not use it on open wounds ever. 

Otherwise, overall the balm is safe to use on a regular bases and does work well as a remedy for relieving joint aches and pains naturally.