TIME IS SHORT, SO SHE PRAYS . . .

HERE IS A LINK TO AN INTERESTING BLOG ABOUT PRAYER. OUR TIME IS SHORT, SO THIS IS ESPECIALLY RELEVANT.

Peace with God

Peace with God

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Tropical Traditions Coconut Recipes Blog: Homemade Coconut Milk

Tropical Traditions Coconut Recipes Blog: Homemade Coconut Milk

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Tropical Traditions Coconut Recipes Blog: Coconut Mashed Potatoes

Tropical Traditions Coconut Recipes Blog: Coconut Mashed Potatoes

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We all suffer with symptoms of anxiety at one time or another. I just came across a great website that contains all sorts of information on home and natural remedies.
Click here for a link to a page containing an explanation of anxiety along with some natural remedies.
Don't forget about chamomile tea. It can really help to calm your nerves and help you to sleep.

When all else fails, a product called Hyland's Nerve Tonic may be the answer. It is an over the counter product made only of natural ingredients.

Quick, Easy & Light Pasta Sauce

Ever wonder what you can prepare as a quick, easy & light lunch or dinner? Here's a recipe that incorporates all of the above. First, prepare your pasta according to package directions. Wheat pasta tastes great and is much healthier than regular pasta.

Next, prepare your sauce as follows:

Ingredients:

*2 cloves of garlic, very thinly sliced
*2 tablespoons of butter
*chopped onion (optional)
*Chopped red or bell pepper (optional)
*olive oil
*Seasoning, such as Mrs. Dash Garlic

Preparation instructions:

Melt butter in saucepan & saute garlic (& onion/pepper, if so desired). Toss cooked pasta with olive oil. Once garlic is well done, pour sauce over pasta and toss well. You can add fresh or dried parsley to the pasta. You can also grate romano or parmesan cheese onto pasta to give it additional flavor. Serve with broiled or baked grilled chicken breast or sauteed shrimp or crawfish.

This is a light, delicious sauce that takes little time to prepare and makes a great last minute meal.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint Oil has numerous health benefits. To read an article from the Plants and Oils blog, CLICK HERE.

Pralines: Louisiana's Decadent Confection

While sugary confections may not be entirely healthy, pralines taste heavenly and make a great gift, especially during the holidays. Here is an excerpt from one of my articles - ENJOY!

A Perfect Recipe for Louisiana's Most Popular Candy

Louisiana is famous for a lot of things, but it is best known for its cuisine. As a native and lifelong resident, I must say that is truly a double edged sword. While it is wonderful living here, one must be careful not to overindulge!

Growing up, our neighbor across the street used to make pralines to give to the neighborhood children as Christmas gifts. I remember that being one of my favorite gifts, because her recipe was rich and creamy. There really is no other way to enjoy pralines.

One of the staples of our sinful diet, is pralines, a confection also commonly known as “pecan candy”. Over two hundred years ago, the candy was made in France, before being introduced to New Orleans. Upon its arrival in the Crescent City, the praline quickly became one of the most popular items of indulgence.

Below is a relatively simple recipe for pralines:

Ingredients

* 1½ cup of granulated sugar

* ¾ cup of light brown sugar (packed)

* ½ cup of Half & Half

* 1½ cups of pecans

* ½ stick of butter

* 1 teaspoon of vanilla

Mix all ingredients, except for the pecans and vanilla, together in a pot with a wooden spoon. I find the mixture works best when brought to a boil in a Magnalite pot. After bringing to a boil, turn down to a low boil. You should constantly stir the thick mixture, but be careful not to get any on yourself. Using a candy thermometer, repeat until the mixture reaches 239 degrees. Remove the pot from the heat and swiftly stir in the pecans and vanilla. Begin dropping spoonfuls onto cookie sheets covered in wax paper and allow them to cool there until hardened. You will want to make sure that the last step is done with a swiftness, as if you do not time it correctly, the confections will not properly harden.

Chamomile: Nature's Ingredient To Healing Elixirs

Chamomile has been used for thousands of years in the treatment of various conditions. Ancient Egyptians extolled its healing properties.

Chamomile was first used in Europe in the 1600s and has been known to ease insomnia, back pain, neuralgia, nervousness, and rheumatism. Today, we have numerous forms of it available, but what is behind all of the hype?

Chamomile grows all over the world. Blossoms from the plant are used in making tea. The blossoms resemble tiny daisies and its aroma is sweet and mild. Chamomile has a light, sweet taste and mixes well with honey, cinnamon or other flavorings.

When taken as a tea, chamomile is known to relax smooth muscle tissue, which can facilitate calming of a nervous stomach and relief of menstrual cramps. It may also promote relaxation and stress relief.

Chamomile can be used externally in products such as skin creams, shampoos and body wash. External uses of chamomile include reducing inflammation of the skin, soothing hemorrhoids, clarifying and conditioning hair and skin, and relieving toothache. When the herb is also added to shampoo, in is known to brighten light colored hair.

Combined with bittersweet, chamomile can be used as an ointment to be applied to the skin for treating a host of conditions that include sprains, bruises, corns, and callouses.

Though claims regarding health benefits of chamomile have not been evaluated by the FDA, people who use chamomile on a regular basis often report its healing properties. The following are some possible benefits in using chamomile:

* regulates menstrual periods.
* improves the health of kidneys and the spleen
* alleviates common cold symptoms
* promotes relaxation and alleviates stress
* help to get to sleep
* improves digestion
* calms nervous stomach
* relieves toothache
* soothes skin irritations, including inflamed scalp
* improves symptoms associated with bronchitis and other upper respiratory illnesses
* helps symptoms associated with bladder afflictions
* detoxifies the body, expelling parasites, improving liver function and relieving jaundice
* reduces inflammation in the body, reducing swelling and pain and symptoms associated with rheumatism and other inflammatory illnesses
* provides possible relief to sufferers of back, neck, knee, and joint pain given the above
* helps with migraine type headaches and TMJ pain
* helps prevent gangrene

If you are suffering with pain of an unknown origin or if you have tried just about every other available remedy and you still continue to have problems, give chamomile a try. You may be surprised at the positive results. It is recommended that you use a quality form of loose tea in order to achieve the best possible outcome.

Upton Tea in Massachusetts (USA) sells high quality, moderately-priced loose tea and the company has a great product called "Egyptian Chamomile". If you are unable to find higher quality, loose chamomile, you may purchase pre-bagged tea. Celestial Seasonings makes a quality chamomile tea and the products are usually readily available on store shelves.

Coconut oil: Nature's Miracle?

Ever wonder why people who live in tropical climates seem healthier and more trim than much of the western world?

The answer may lie in the type of food they are accustomed to consuming. Diets rich in coconuts and coconut by-products are thought to prevent or control numerous health conditions.

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

* Improves immunity
* Increases energy levels
* Stabilizes blood sugar
* Facilitates weight loss
* Improves thyroid function
* Increases mental clarity
* Improves mental & emotional stability
* Possesses anti-fungal, anti-microbial & anti-viral properties
* Detoxifies
* Promotes overall wellness

Many are under the mistaken impression that coconut oil is detrimental to health, but this is simply not the case. Coconut oil contains lauric acid and because of this miracle ingredient, is being used as an alternate method to treat numerous conditions. Some alternative health practitioners are even incorporating it into treatment, along with other natural substances, to alleviate symptoms of certain conditions, including influenza, yeast infections and HIV.

There are many ways to incorporate coconut oil into your diet. Here is a delicious recipe for coconut ice cream.
Coconut Ice Cream

Ingredients

* 1 pint of heavy cream or half & half
* 1 can of sweetened condensed milk
* ¼ cup of coconut cream concentrate
* 1 teaspoon of pure almond extract
* 1 tablespoon of local honey

If you are able to get any or all of the ingredients in an organic version, it is recommended that you do so.

Instructions

1. Mix ingredients together and blend until smooth.
2. Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer's instructions to make the ice cream. You can also use a blender or food processor.
3. After the mixture is blended, place the mixture in a container and freeze until ready to eat.