All Roads Lead to Probiotics

Beneficial microflora inhabiting our intestines have played a very crucial role in human health for thousands of years. You could make the same statement for all other animals living on this planet as well. Yes, even chickens, fish and insects have an "inner ecosystem" teeming with microflora pretty much like ours.

One of Body Ecology's "missions" is to help you understand that eating a probiotic diet (one rich in fermented foods) is extremely essential if you wish to live a long and healthy life. Unfortunately, common misconceptions have led the public to believe that bacteria are bad guys that they make us sick and can even kill us. In fact, our current medical system has been at war with bacteria for over fifty years (when the first antibiotic was developed) and we still haven't really won the war yet. It looked like we were winning for awhile, but bacteria are really intelligent beings and have evolved to outsmart us so that even the strongest of antibiotics are no longer working. What do we do now? Body Ecology has the solution. We've been a leader in teaching the world about the importance of these beneficial microflora. In this issue we want to clarify common myths and misconceptions.

We are always happy to see any focus on probiotics. In the April 2004 issue of Natural Health Magazine, they state that fermented foods are the new stars of a wholesome diet". This is an excellent article worth reading.

Another article was recently written in the Chicago Daily Herald called Friendly bacteria can help gastrointestinal health (November 8,2004). We would like to thank Susan Stevens for her research on this topic, but some of the statements made in the article are perfect examples of public misconceptions. This is where we begin our in depth look at the world of probiotics.

Chicago Daily Herald misconception: " When something goes wrong...an infection, a virus, even antibiotics the bacteria go AWOL and we end up in misery. Read the entire article HERE

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Homemade Lemonade Full of Probiotics Recipe

I 12.5 ounce jar Lakewood Lemon Juice NOT from Concentrate

2 pouches Body Ecology Culture Starter

1 Cup Raw Honey

Add the above ingredients to a gallon glass jar. Fill jar with pure water, stir and cover. Keep in warm place (70-80 degrees) for about 48-60 hours. At this point it will be complete and you can take out 1 Cup of it to start the next batch. Do the same as above except do not add the pouches of culture starter as your 1 C. lemonade is now your culture for about the next 5-6 batches. At which point you begin all over using the pouches of culture.

Links to the pure lemon juice and culture

Marvelous Monday

I am still trying to keep a "Marvelous Monday" attitude. I decided about a month ago that's what I needed to do. Waking up on a Monday after a long, playful, getting nothing done weekend can get old fast. So in keeping with my new tradition of MM here is my post. This morning Mary woke up in happy smiles. (unusual for her) So I had the opportunity to lay with her for a while caressing her sweet forehead, soft little arms and cheeks while she would occasionally reach up to touch my face and smile. THESE moments with her made my Monday Marvelous. I don't think there is anything in the whole wide world sweeter than holding and loving a precious little baby. (okay she's 3 but still my baby).

NOT a Chocolate Lover

But, this cup of hot chocolate just changed my mind. And for a plus, the ingredients are all natural and good for you. Even the whipping cream can't be beat. I have included the recipes under the picture.

5 T. unsweetened cocoa--(but I only used 4 to be on the safe side)

1/2 teas. cinnamon

1/8 teas. ground nutmeg

Pinch of salt

1/3 C. of honey

1/2 C. hot water

4 C. milk

1 teas. vanilla

Combine the cocoa, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and honey in saucepan and mix well. Stir in the hot water. Heat until it just begins to boil. Quickly turn down the heat so the mixture barely simmers for about 30 seconds. Add milk to the saucepan. Stir constantly over medium heat for 1-2 minutes just to heat it.

Stir in vanilla. Use a wire wisk to beat the got chocolate until is is frothy. Top with whipped cream and enjoy.

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Whipped Cream

1 C. Real Cream

couple T. maple syrup

1 teas. vanilla

Beat the cream until thick and add syrup and vanilla and mix well.

What a Delightful Face

I was looking through some of our recent photos and saw this one of my little niece Denise. This was the happy look we got when we first arrived at her house on our CO trip a few weeks ago. I am so glad I had my camera in hand to see this happy girl so excited to see her cousins.

Homemade DONUTS are the Best

This morning I made up a batch of donuts. The kids loved them. Pretty much the first time for making these. They were really good and frosting wasn't even needed. We did sprinkle with a bit of powdered sugar just to make them look nice. The guys were off cutting wood and were thrilled for the girls and I to drive up with a bowl of homemade donuts. Just in time for their little break. Here is the recipe I used.

8 Cups flour-I used 3 whole wheat and 5 unbleached white

2 tsp. soda

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1 teas. salt

1/2 cup shortening-I used coconut oil instead

2 C. sugar or 1 C. honey

4 eggs

1/4 C. vinegar and enough milk to make 2 cups

Cream shortening, with sugar and add eggs, beat well. Add dry ingredients along with milk only until well blended. At this point I just dropped by rounded spoonfuls into hot coconut oil. Try to have the temp. around 365. Turn over in the oil when halfway finished. They cook fast so make sure you attend them. Drain on paper towels and EAT.

Who's to Blame: Christie or Gregg!!

Here's the story.  Last night we pretty much had everyone off to bed with a few stray ones needing water and whatever else they could think of to be up.  Meanwhile the 3 older ones were trying to decide to watch a movie.  While they were "hanging" out with each other Christie is messing around with her key chain upon which she has a bottle of pepper spray.  Gregg tempted her to spray it once and Christie was afraid to so she said, "No, you do it!"  Come on, that kind of dare given to a 13 year old boy is NOT good.  So he gave it a quick, short squeeze.  HA, that short blast of pepper spray got all 10 of us hacking our heads off and rushing for water.  NOT FUNNY!  Even children in different rooms were affected.  So not only were they all coughing and trying to suppress it with water they were up all night making potty stops for all the water they had to drink.  My advice to you all, DON'T ever do anything to warrant getting sprayed with that stuff.  Just getting it second hand was a killer.

Hide and Seek in the Kitchen (again)

So I have this little child who loves to hide things.  Most of the time she stashes away her little finds into an unused purse she has found lying around.  And with as many girls as I have in one home finding a spare handbag is NOT hard to do.  It's amazing what I find in her latest handbag. Here it is a Monday and we were wanting to make crepes for breakfast.  But we were completely out of flour which means we whip out the wheat grinder a make some flour.  But where in the world could my funnel be to pour the wheat into?  Of course the first thing I thought of was Mary but how was that going to fit in a handbag.  Nevertheless, I tracked her down because I KNEW she had it.  Well, here it is, and what do you know, here's Mary too.  What a surprise!!  Oh see?  After I posted this and was looking at it I noticed her purse right next to her.  Hmm, I should check to see what's she's got in there!!

Two Democrats 'Stuck' on an Escalator--Help-Anyone-Obama

Beautiful Rendition of Ave Maria

Marvelous Monday

I have determined to have a different 'normal' Monday today. We all know about Mondays. Today is NOT going to be a "mundane Monday" but a marvelous Monday. Okay everyone, it's time to whip out the smiles:)

It was only a scrubby bush that Moses saw in the desert, and yet it gleamed with splendour, as if burning. No wonder the old shepherd turned aside to look at the strange sight. He wanted to solve the mystery; but a voice halted him. God was in the bush. Mrs. Browning, referring to this singular incident, says:–

“Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God;
But only he who sees takes off his shoes:
The rest sit round and pluck blackberries.”

The poet’s thought is that the glory of God is in everything – in every tree, in every flower, in every lowly bush, and that almost nobody sees the glory. Most people see only the burning bush or the plant. Only now and then one sees the flame, the splendour of God, and takes off his shoes. Glory of the Common Life

Religious Education in the Family

No nobler social work, no deeper religious work, no higher educational work is done anywhere than that of the men and women, high or humble, who set themselves to the fitting of their children for life's business, equipping them with principles and habits upon which they may fall back in trying hours, and making of home the sweetest, strongest, holiest, happiest place on earth. Henry F. Cope

Girls, Girls, Everywhere!!

One of the many highlights of our trip out west was the trip back home. We had the wonderful opportunity to stop off in Iowa to visit some "blogger" friends. The girls hit it off great and so did the boys I hear but of course they were not going to pose for a picture with all these girls. We had a wonderful meal and great conversation with Cinnamon and her family. My sister lives a couple hours away from Cinnamon and my girls keep dropping hints that we should; as they say it---quick run down to Iowa to see Aunt Bridie and then we can stop by and see our friends!!

My Drink of the Day

Yes, I did say 'drink!' It goes like this. Most of the time.

First grab a few apples and pears and juice them in the juicer. Take the juice from this and pour into blender, then add the following fruits in desired amounts and whirl. Normally 3 apples, 2 pears, and the fruit shown will equal 1/2 gallon of pulpy, down right good for you smoothie. Any soft fruit can be blended. Be creative. I try to have this 4-5 days a week.