Giveaways

Go to womansday.com and sign up for a vacation in places like Costa Rica, Jamaica, St. Martin, New York, Niagara Falls, Lake Las Vegas and more. Also, there are other giveaways besides trips. You can usually enter once each day until the deadline. I think you have to pay your own air fare on the trips but some of the meals may be included. Click on giveaways at the top of the page.

Troubles

We all have some form of troubles even on a daily basis. Some are worse than others. Jesus says in John 16 that we will have trouble. In Jesus there is peace but not as the world gives peace. Peace with Jesus is one that surpasses all comprehension and guards our hearts and minds. Let not your heart be troubled or fearful. The Bible says to be content with weaknesses, insults, distresses, persecutions, difficulties for Christ's sake for when we are weak we are strong. In our times of weakness we turn to God and let His power fill us making us strong. Turn to God in the best of times also and so that He will be filling us constantly with His ways. Jesus said for the weary and heavy-laden to come to Him and He will give them rest.
In God's hand are our life breath and our ways. What a blessing that is!
John 16:33; 14:27; Philippians 4:6-7; 2 Corinthians 12:10; Matthew 11:28; Daniel 5:23

Hand Sanitizer

Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld who is a contributor to Fox News reported on Sunday that we need to watch children when we give them sanitizer to clean their hands. It has a good bit of alcohol and if you have a child that licks his hands he can actually get a bit of intoxication. It is best to use plain soap and water in this case. Keep an eye on the little ones. Dr. Rosenfeld always has wise advice.

"Health Food" Caution

Some foods that are presented as healthy still may not be the best choices.

Yogurt - the flavored and custard style are high in sugar. The best way to eat yogurt is to buy plain and add vanilla extract, stevia (a natural sweetener) and berries.
Granola bars - another form of a cookie. One of the best know brands has 5 types of sugar. Be sure to check the labels.
Wheat bread - "wheat flour" and "unbleached flour" are refined. The really soft bread contains corn syrup and/or hydrogenated oil. Read the labels! I saw a label that says 100% whole wheat with some other grains and more than one sweetener. The label should say 100% WHOLE GRAIN.
Fruit juices - a refined food. The fiber is removed. Without fiber sugar will be quickly absorbed causing a blood sugar rush.
Chocolate milk - has sugar and caffeine but is a better choice than an energy drink after workout or sports. It has the proper ratio of carbs to proteins and the lactose sugars are better absorbed than sugars in energy drinks.
Peanut Butter - a good source of monounsaturated fat for heart health but no need to buy the reduced fat jar because the added sugar keeps the calories at the same level or higher. Check for sodium content (can range from 40 - 250 mg) and sugars. The natural brands have about 1/2 the sugar as the more commercial.

Tips for Mosquitos and other Summer Bugs

1. For mosquitoes try taking a B1 vitamin (thiamine) - 200 milligrams a day for adults and 100 milligrams for children. This was recommended by one US doctor back in 1943 and is still recommended today. Some of the vitamin is excreted through the skin and it is suppose to be enough to repel mosquitoes.
2. If a bug gets in the ear turn your head toward bright light immediately. Bugs are attracted to light and it should come out unless it is stuck in ear wax. In that case you may need medical attention.
3. To remove an embedded tick from your skin, let 2 drops of clear fingernail polish fall onto the tick to cover it completely. Within seconds it will release and back out.
4. If you live near woods or a natural area try sprinkling moth crystals around the edge of your yard. It is suppose to repel ticks and chiggers and it is certainly better than using chemical pesticides.

Strawberry Ice Cream Treat

Very easy and refreshing strawberry ice cream!
1 envelope of Knox unflavored gelatine
3/4 cup of sugar
2 cups of milk
1 - 10oz pkg. of frozen strawberries in heavy syrup, thawed & chopped
2 cups (1 pint) whipping cream, whipped
In medium saucepan combine gelatine, sugar and milk.
Let stand 1 minute. Then stir over low heat until gelatine is
completely dissolved - about 5 minutes.
Remove from heat; stir in strawberries.
Chill; stirring occasionally until mixture mounds slightly when
dropped from spoon.
Fold whipped cream into gelatine mixture. Pour into 9 x 9" baking pan
and freeze until firm. Makes about 1 & 1/2 quarts

Sunscreen Research

We certainly are exposed to a lot of chemicals in our lives. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) tested 1606 sunscreens and 3 of 5 were inadequate protection from the sun and/or contained toxic ingredients.
42% of the tested sunscreens contained oxybenzone which is shown in tests to disrupt the endocrine system and release reactive oxygen species that could contribute to skin cancer.
Only 5% of the sunscreens tested met the EWG guidelines.
The FDA does not hold the manufacturers responsible so it is up to us to educate ourselves.
Go to EWG.org for a list of approved sunscreens.