Are capsules a good choice for supplements?

I was curious so I emtpied out my capsules to see how many would be the equivilant to 1 TBSP.

It took 29 capsules and my TBSP was not completely filled and my guess is 2 more capsules would have filled it.


I have 3 different oil filled capsule bottles and here are the directions

Evening primrose-take 1 soft gel 3-6 times per day....that is not even a tsp

Vitamin a from fish liver oil
take 1 daily

Cod Liver Oil 1-3 caps daily with a meal

But here is plain cod liver oil in a bottle that you take in tsp
Amazon.com: Twinlab Norwegian Cod Liver Oil, Unflavored, 12 Ounces (Pack of 3): Health & Personal Care

They recommend 1-3 tsp daily.
3 tsp is close to that TBSP whcih took 30 capsules.

Herbal supplements are the same way. You get so little of herb for your money adn the dose is way too low.

So my thoughts upon this experiment is that if to try to get your supplements or herbs in teh most whole way possible. If you need capsules remember this experiement and ask your doctor is you should up your dosage. The doc may not know if they are not trained in supplements, but really 1 cap compared to 1 tsp is a huge difference and probably a waste of money on some of these products.

The Baby Shower For Rachel, Brian and Megan Rayne

Iola was so gracious to do the cake for us. Rachel was surrounded with friends, family, and our dear elder women who have walked the birthing path before us ina time where things were so hidden and conservative. A different time indeed, but so blessed to have them present.
Jenny Miroballi was our game coordinator and did a great job spreading out the time we spent together. Melonie, Rachels mother in law adn I kept busy making food and trying to keep the flow going.



There were 20 people in my tiny living room. It was amazing we all fit...lol




We made a special centerpece for them


See the resemblance? lol


I made a scrapbook for them with some special pages inside


Here is Melonie (Brians Mom) and some of Brians family that were there.


It was a great time. Rachel had 2 great showers. Robyn organized both to which I am so proud of her for stepping up to do that for Rachel. I am so blessed with wonderful daughters.
Melonie, the Miroballi's and my mother in law Marie were all very helpful in makign this special day happen.

I think Megan's first year of life will be worry free~ I think all Rachels needs have been taken care of by so many generous people. What a blessing! the best is yet to come

Ode to the basil beds

My apprecticeship with FF is coming to a close. Patrice said this coming week would close out there year as farmers markets begin to lay down for their winters nap.

Patrice has asked us to come to his classes in Bentonville and we are excited to do so and learn more -I know it will take years to understand by doing for me, but the classes will help when he dives into money invested and all.
Patrice is a very smart man with a degree in Finances. He gave it all up for farming. So Amazing and yet as an herbalist, I totally get it.

Some crops are still thriving in the cool fall weather. The carrots and lettuce grow together.

While the tomato beds and pepper beds have been put to rest.

My last days at the farm will be performed with Norma, a 61 year old creole/Italian who is really fun to work with


Pierce adn Liz will probably be there along with the farm dogs, Roux and Billy and Clyde and Perry.


This years work at the farm has created a deep appreciation for life...all life. I cultivated life all summer, not only my own and my family's, but plants for others to survive on.
The quality of food this summer was amazing. One of the benefits of the work at FF. Patrice was always very generous.
I will miss Patrice and sure Ray and I will go see their family this winter in Eureka when we can.

Thank you Foundation Farm, the land on which a new aspect of life and gardening has been birthed within me. A chance to help work the farm and be educated on the no till method of organic farming. I have made new friends on the farm, including a new relationship with the plants themselves. I am truly blessed!

Homeade bars-a healthy choice for a great sweet snack

I am C/P a post from local homeschooler Terrabeth. I made these the last time she and I were togehter and discussed them with Staci, another homeschooler.

I placed dates, coconut, desert honey, walnuts and oats in the food processor, let it mix together and them rolled up into littel balls. Awesome

So here is TB's post.

This vegan blog author gives the ratio of 1TB date to 3 TB other dry
ingredients like nuts, dried fruit, and spices, with a few specific
combinations and ratios to try:
http://bunnyfoot.blogspot.com/2006/02/homemade-lara-type-bars.html

You can see the Larabar product listings with ingredients at:
https://www.larabar.com/secure/index_.php
Below, since I was already typing them up for myself, I'm sharing the
ingredients lists from that link, in case any of you who are
interested would like to experiment with ratios, flavors, and textures
that taste good to you. If you haven't tried them already, I recommend
picking up a few Larabars at ONF, to see what you're aiming for and
which flavors you may like best.

Banana Cookie:
Almonds, dates, unsweetened bananas

Apple Pie:
Dates, Walnuts, Unsweetened Apples, Almonds, Raisins, Cinnamon

Cashew Cookie:
Cashews, Dates

Chocolate Coconut:
Dates, Almonds, Walnuts, Coconut, Cocoa Powder

Cinnamon Roll:
Dates, Almonds, Walnuts, Raisins, Cashews, Cinnamon

Lemon Bar:
Dates, Cashews, Almonds, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Natural Lemon Flavor

Key Lime Pie:
Dates, Cashews, Almonds, Coconut, Lime Juice Concentrate

Pistachio:
Dates, Pistachios, Almonds

Pecan Pie:
Ingredients: Dates, pecans, almonds

Gingersnap
Ingredients: Dates, almonds, pecans, ginger, cinnamon, cloves

Maya Chocolate Mint
Ingredients: Organic dates, organic almonds, organic cocoa, organic
cocoa nibs, organic peppermint flavor, organic vanilla flavor

Cherry Pie:
Dates, Almonds, Unsweetened Cherries

Cocoa Mole:
Dates, Almonds, Walnuts, Cocoa Powder, Cinnamon, Chili

Tooth Powders

This was posted this summer by Suzen at oils and herbs list on yahoo.
Decided to c/p here for to archive it for anyone that reads my blog. It could help someone.
Mint soap can work too or using soap, tea tree eo, and baking soda

Old Fashioned Tooth Powder
2 Tbsp dried lemon or orange rind
1/4 cup baking soda
2 Tsp salt
Place rinds in food processor, grind until peel
becomes a fine powder.Add
baking soda and salt then process a few seconds more
until you have a fine
powder. Store in an airtight tin or jar. Dip moistened
toothbrush into
mixture, brush as usual.

Basic Toothpaste
1 Tsp of the Old Fashioned Tooth Powder
1/4 Tsp Hydrogen peroxide
Mix into a paste and brush as usual.

Loretta's Toothpaste
1 Tsp baking soda
1/4 Tsp hydrogen peroxide
1 drop oil of peppermint
Mix to make a paste, dip toothbrush into mixture,
brush as usual.



Toothpaste Recipe
by Carla Geovanis
February 3, 2001

2 tablespoons vegetable glycerine (I use NOW brand)
1/4 cup of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon peppermint flavoring oil

Mix these together, and if you prefer a thinner
consistency, feel free to add more glycerine. The
easiest way to dispense your toothpaste is from a
plastic frosting bag--I keep mine in a teacup in my
medicine cabinet. If your grocery store doesn't carry
frosting
bags you can use any small plastic bag--just snip off
a corner. If you use essential oil of peppermint you
may need less flavoring. By the way, do not use
essential oil of wintergreen
in this (or any other!) recipe. Essential oil of
wintergreen is toxic, and should never be used either
on the skin or internally.



Easy Fizzing Toothpaste

1 Tsp baking soda
1/4 Tsp hydrogen peroxide
1 drop oil of peppermint

Mix to make a paste, dip toothbrush into mixture, brush as usual.

The herb freak returns...with good news:)

Today, I decided to take Liv out to our backyard and spend time watching our elder tree which has been weed whacked aobut 3 times and comes back strong thank goodness.
I grabbed scissors and a basket and we would also harvest some dandelion greens for already cooking kale and mustards.

So we walk down our hill and sit by the elder. We lay on the weeds around us and watched the clouds go by. Leaves that have turned golden brown would flutter in the air above and drift down to the cool ground near where we lay.
I spent time thinking of my children...Oh how I worry about them all. Marriage and grandbabies only leaves more room in my heart and mind to pray and worry. I need to get over this worry I feel!

My health is going through some funky time I have not experienced previous and I am trying to be observant to how my body feels and how I can prevent it in the future.

So I feel the ground I lay upon so cooling andfirm and watch the clouds go by. Thinking of my friends that are going through difficult times. So much suffering in the world. I wish I could make it all go away somehow.

The wind blows and the sun peeks from behind a cloud. High in the sky is a v of birds flying south.
I breathe in the air the plants give me and breathe out the air I give them upon the cool ground.
Oh yes, I was coming out here to visit with my elder. But wait, is this chickweed I am resting upon?
I pick a stalk and chew....mmm it tasts like chickweed.
Its leaves are larger than usual so I am suspicious. Examining closely I see the hairs on one side of the plant only and my excitement builds as I cut a handful and stuff the plant into my mouth. I know this is chickweed....I know it is if I can just find a flower I think to myself.
I wander around my tiny peice of land in search of a clear sign and there she was! A stand of Stellaria Media with flowers atop!
My, this fall chickweed is larger than the spring, tasty and cooling as she always is. I gather with excitement and am here to announce

RED CLOVER CHICKWEED SALVE WILL BE AVAILABLE BEFORE CHRISTMAS for the winter needs. Thank goodness I am almost out! WOO HOO

__________________

The Pungent Powerful Medicine of Garlic

Garlic-
Most of us have heard of garlic and majority have eaten it at some
point in our lives I am sure.
Garlic proves not only to liven up foods with its pungent flavor, but
also to add its medicine to prevent illness.
Garlic is antibiotic, antimicrobial antioxidant, antifungal,
antiparasitic and probably several other ANTI's. (maybe anti social
for those opposed to the aroma which is excreted throught eh breath
and skin)
Harvard describes an antimicrobial as an agent that acts against
bacteria, fungi, and parasites in the body.

MD Anderson describes it as a substance that kills microorganisms
such as bacteria or mold, or stops them from growing and causing
disease.

Who would have thought this culinary herb to be so powerful?

Garlic also acts on the circulatory system and has been used
traditionally for cholesterol regulation.

Other ailments that have been trated with garlic are
acne, allergies, asthma, tumors, candida and vaginitis, urinary tract
complaints, chronic fatigue, hemmorhoids, HIV/Aids, hypoglycemia,
impotence, liver problems, and respiratory issues.
It has been reported that some midwives have treated their clients
with garlic to fight strep b in pregnant mothers.

If a cold begins to creep on you, eating a raw clove of garlic can do
wonders for many people, pretty much wiping the cold out immediately.
Eating huge amounts of garlic may cause stomach upset or sore rectum
upon elimination so small amounts are recommended until you are aware
of how much your body can take at one sitting.

My husband typically craves Italian food when he begins feeling bad.
Once we read the research on garlic, we both agree that it must have
been a natural craving for some germ killing needs in the body.
Pretty cool I'd say.

If eating raw garlic does not appeal to you, you can create pesto or
hummus. I sometimes chop mine up small and swallow like a pill,
although some disagree on the potency of doing it that way.

I would like to leave you with a simple rememdy any of us can make at
home to help ourselves or our children.

Garlic Foot Application
I was recently reminded of this simple remedy by John Gallagher of
learningherbs.com

Crush a few cloves of garlic in a mason jar or even a small bowl and
cover with olive oil (or whatever food or skin grade oil you have at
home)
Allow the garlic to macerate in the oil for at least a half hour, or
warm on the stove for 20 minutes or so. The goal is to extract the
medicinal constiuents from the garlic into the oil.

At that time, you can apply the garlic oil to your feet and apply
socks on your feet after application.
(this helps keep the oil on your feet as well as prevents slips)
Rest and relax while the garlic is absorbed through the pores of the
feet and circulates through the body. Of course, it will go to the
lungs since it has that affinity to do so, and you will probably have
garlic breath not long after application or the next day.

This might be a good time to have pizza delivered for the family
since you probably will not feel like cooking anyway. You will all
have the same garlic smell and you wont feel like you stick out like
a sore thumb.

Well wishes and Green Blessings
Kristena Roder
http://www.dreamseeds.org