Monday Mentionables - 11-19 to 11-25

Another great week! Here are but a few of my favorite posts this week:

Sneaky High Salt Foods

Everyday Health brings us this info.

No Matter Their Style: 15 Gifts to Knit & Crochet

Lion Brand Notebook brings us some lovely gift ideas and patterns.

Get the Most Out of Oatmeal

South Beach Diet brings us the skinny on this fab food!

Pretty Patterned Gift Bags

Next to Nicx brings us patterns for adorable gift bags we can make!

How to Make Clove Oranges

ifood.tv tells us how to make these wonderful seasonal pomanders!

Survival Bread

The Reliant Self brings us the recipe for this survival bread.

Quick Vegetable Frittata

South Beach Diet brings us this delicious breakfast or brunch for two!

DIY Lampshade

Ohoh Blog gives us the instructions for making our own lampshade for a hanging light. Wonderful!

Pot Potato Success

Natural Suburbia brings us her story of success with this tuber plant!

Monday Mentionables

Here are a few of the many blogs which posted some very interesting material this past week:

Oprah considering an organic food brand

LifeInc brings us this update.

 Excessive Gas and The Foods You Eat

Everyday Health brings us this information.

How To: Charlie Brown Christmas Ornaments

a little gray Shows us how to do this!

Peppermint Candy Cane Sugar Scrub

The Idea Room brings us this recipe; great gift idea for the holidays!

Mistletoe Kissing Ball

Apartment Therapy brings us the details on how to make this holiday tradition for our home!

Christmas Tree Circle Ornament

Spoonful brings us this great idea for a new family tradition, and we’re starting this one this year!

A Quick Guide to Beans and Legumes

South Beach Diet tells us the ins and outs of beans!

Tiny Doors

Design Sponge brings us the how to on tiny fairy doors for your home!

How to Make: Unique Outdoor Christmas Decorations

Christmas Lights Etc brings us the how to on making large lighted Christmas balls!

All About Alpaca

Lion Brand Blog brings us the skinny on this warm and inviting woolly yarn!

Planting Tulips for Spring Enjoyment

Martha Stewart Blog brings us the lowdown of planting tulips this time of year.

Homemade Ding Dongs

A Cozy Kitchen brings us my dh’s favorite food recipe! These are at the top of my “to make” list!

Free Thanksgiving Printables!

Amanda’s Parties TO GO gives us this FREE download for making your Thanksgiving more decorative and fun!

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Ornament #3

Michelle Made Me brings us this how to for an adorable, folksy tree ornament.

Make a Christmas Tree For Every Room!

Hot Pepper and Your Heart

Hot Pepper Compound Capsaicin Helps Maintain Healthy Hearts

Capsaicin, The Compound Naturally

Present In Hot Peppers Such As

Cayenne, Helps Maintain Healthy Hearts

Scientists have reported the latest evidence that
chili peppers are a heart-healthy food with potential
to protect against the No. 1 cause of death in the world. The report was presented at the National Meeting and Exposition of the American
Chemical Society (ACS) held in San Diego.

The study focused on capsaicin and its fiery-hot constituents, substances called "capsaicinoids." These are the natural substances that give
cayennes, jalapenos, habaneros and other chili peppers their intemse heat. Capsaicin already has an established role in medicine in topical ointments, rub-on-the-skin creams to treat arthritis and pain.

Previous research suggested that spicing food
with chilies can lower blood pressure in people, reduce blood cholesterol and ease the tendency
for dangerous blood clots to form.

"Our research has reinforced and expanded knowledge about how these substances in chilies work in improving heart health," said researchers "We now have a clearer and more detailed portrait
of their innermost effects on genes and other mechanisms that influence cholesterol and the
health of blood vessels. It is among the first
research to provide that information."

The team of scientists found that capsaicin substances boosts heart health in two ways. They lower cholesterol levels by reducing accumulation
of cholesterol in the body and increasing its breakdown and excretion in the feces. They also block action of the gene that makes arteries
contract, restricting the flow of blood to the heart
and other organs. The blocking action allows
more blood to flow through blood vessels.

"We concluded that capsaicinoids were beneficial
in improving a range of factors related to heart
and blood vessel health," said the food and
nutritional scientists at the Chinese University
of Hong Kong and emphasized "But we certainly
do not recommend that people start consuming chilies to an excess. A good diet is a matter of balance. And remember, chilies are no
substitute for the prescription medications
proven to be beneficial."

The researchers fed laboratory subjects high-cholesterol diets, divided them into groups,
and supplemented each group's food with either
no capsaicinoids (the control group) or various amounts of capsaicinoids. The scientists then analyzed the effects.

In addition to reducing total cholesterol levels
in the blood, capsaicinoids reduced levels of the so-called "bad" cholesterol (which deposits into blood vessels), but did not affect levels of the
so-called "good" cholesterol. The team found indications that capsaicinoids may reduce the
size of deposits that already have formed in
blood vessels, narrowing arteries in ways
that can lead to heart attacks or strokes.

Capsaicinoids also blocked the activity of a
gene that produces cyclooxygenase-2,
a substance that makes the muscles around
blood vessels constrict. By effectively blocking
the gene, muscles can relax and widen,
allowing more blood to flow.

Story Source:
Chinese University of Hong Kong

Journal Reference:
American Chemical Society (ACS) (2012)
Hot pepper compound could help hearts.

This article is for informational and educational

purposes only; It is not intended to provide

medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Consult your doctor or healthcare professional.

Patience, Patience, Patience

I realize it seems that I have abandoned my post lately. But I ask that you bear with me during this brief absence. I should have an answer in a day or so, and can then reveal what will be coming.

I continue to ask for your prayers. God knows the need, and I will report to you all when I have a complete answer. And I should know soon.

In the meantime, here are a few blog posts from the past week which I found interesting:

Make A Googly Eye Christmas Ornamanet

Dollar Store Crafts tells us how!

Thanksgiving Printable

Over the Big Moon gives us a great printable for our décor!

Snowflake Monday

Snowcatcher brings us the Mermaid Snowflake. Beautiful!

Girl’s Day Out

Healthy Stride takes on her fabulous day out. The consultant’s  comment should become our motto! “…health and wellness isn't just about eating right and exercising. It's about taking care of you, as a person.”

A Look At The Different Properties of Wool Yarn

Lion Brand Yarn brings us the details.

10 Projects to Learn New Skills: Colorwork

Lion Brand Yarn brings us great patterns to try new skills!

As I write this, the smell of my personal Mexican blend of spices along with three different kinds of beans [pinto, black and chick-pea] with onion and garlic simmering in the slow cooker is making my home smell like heaven! At dinner time this evening, we’ll put this over rice for our “Meatless Monday One Dish Wonder”. I absolutely love it! Any leftovers will be mashed and used in corn tortillas for lunches. Yum!

I also got my hair cut!

What do you think??? It feels fabulous and is so easy to care for! I can dry it, and even curl it some with the iron if I want to, or simply wash and comb! [Sorry these pics aren't the best....took them myself, and I really need a camera upgrade!]

So, I can’t promise when I will next post, but I will promise it will be soon!

Have a great day everyone!!!

I'm Still Here!

I had hoped to be back at writing daily posts by Monday. Unfortunately, life got in the way!

While I may be gone for a couple of days still, be praying for me!

My cold is over now. And I am working on something exciting!

See ya in a couple of days!
~~Texicanwife~~~

Monday Mentionables - October 29 - November 4, 2012

Sorry this post is brief, but I spent part of this week off the grid, and the rest fighting off a terrible cold. [Still fighting off the last of it!]

However, here a few articles I felt were worth a second look.

Enjoy!

A Mad Tea Party

Lilacs and Lace brings us this enchanting Alice in Wonderland costume! I absolutely loved this!

Easiest Chicken Stock Ever!

Health, Home & Happiness tells us how!

Hurricane Socks

Chrissy Gardiner on Ravelry is offering her hurricane sock pattern for $6. And through November 30^th, 100% of the sales will be donated to the Red Cross to assist hurricane victim relief. Awesome work Chrissy!

Woolly Toons Mini Stockings

Woolly Toons  brings us this great pattern!

Germany Knits Again

Frankfurt Allegiance Economy brings us a great story on the increased knitting hobby in Germany. [Use Google translate to read in English.]

Return - On the Day of the Dead!

Beautiful dia de los muertos mask available on Etsy here.

 

How befitting that we return to blogging on the 'Day of the Dead'. [Perhaps we are like the legendary phoenix? Rising from the ashes???]

 

Wikipedia gives us this description of this  holiday:

 

"Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and around the world in other cultures. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it is a national holiday, and all banks are closed. The celebration takes place on November 1 and 2, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts. They also leave possessions of the deceased.
Scholars trace the origins of the modern Mexican holiday to indigenous observances dating back hundreds of years and to an Aztec festival dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl. The holiday has spread throughout the world: In Brazil, Dia de Finados is a public holiday that many Brazilians celebrate by visiting cemeteries and churches. In Spain, there are festivals and parades, and, at the end of the day, people gather at cemeteries and pray for their dead loved ones. Similar observances occur elsewhere in Europe, and similarly themed celebrations appear in many Asian and African cultures."

As you can see....we are once more back on a computer. This time on our own computer, and not a borrowed one! A full-size keyboard, and with enough speed and RAM to keep us going for quite some time!

Are we happy?

Yes we are!!!

[Anybody else just get that 'Bob the Builder' feeling????]

Although we haven't been keeping track of our eats [intake, or weight], we haven't gone overboard either. [How did I slip into the third person? I hate reading when someone else does that, so why did I? I have no idea!!!]

For the next two days, we will be talking about things we are doing. Crafts. Writing, etc. And on Sunday, we will once more get back into journaling our food. [Don't expect me to begin Sunday's food journaling with a bang however! I'm still a kid at heart, and Sunday is my birthday! I'm having a birthday meal and cake!!! - Even if I have to make it all myself! LOL]

After all, folks, we are all about LIVING. And living isn't always about diets, and walking the line. Sometimes we have to eat to enjoy ourselves. And sometimes we have to get away from the norm to simply enjoy our lives!

It's been fun not getting on the computer as much for a week. Simply relaxing and crafting. Reading. I've got a lot of things worked on!

How about you????

Before I go, I simply have to do three little things for the day........

I'm sending out three HUGE HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES!!!

Happy Birthday to our beautiful granddaughter, Amber!

We love you sweetie!

 

 

Happy Birthday to our son, David!

[Seeing my kids at this age.... I feel so old!!!]

I miss you so much David!!!!!

I hope your day is perfect!

 

And to David's beautiful twin, our daughter, Debbie!

I miss you, sweet girl!!!!

I hope you can get home soon for another visit!!!

 

 

Let's meet back here tomorrow, my friends. Where we will discuss, of all things....crocheted icicles for your Christmas tree!

 

Have a good day everyone!