tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64225339066294691742024-02-08T02:27:45.378-08:00ME, MYSELF and WHO?Have you ever wondered who you really are? Is it the nice girl, loving mother and grandmother or someone wild and adventurous, wanting more of what life has to offer. This is a 'time for truth' people. Let 'er rip!Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-44013115838847145172011-11-07T13:48:00.000-08:002011-11-07T13:57:07.112-08:00THANKSGIVINGDINNER ON A DIME. . .<br /><br />Thanksgiving dinner is about overindulgence, but that doesn't mean your wallet has to pay the price. Here are some sensible ways to spend less without skimping on the meal. . .<br /><br />* Plan the menu early<br /><br />* Clip coupons and watch for sales<br /><br />* Buy the right size bird - estimate one pound per person, more if you want leftovers<br /><br />* Stick with simple side dishes<br /><br />* Ask your guests to bring desserts <br /><br /><br />HAPPY THENKSGIVING TO ONE AND ALL!!!Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-66486302332982766552011-10-14T16:32:00.000-07:002011-10-14T16:47:46.183-07:00PUMPKINS<span style="color:#ff6600;">ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR GOURD????</span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">No, I don't mean crazy. . .I'm referring to having access to some real gourds! In October the gourd of choice is most likely Pumpkin (well it's actually a squash). Here are some pumpkin facts:</span><br /><br />* Pumpkins are a fruit, in fact they are the state fruit of New Hampshire.<br /><br />* Pumpkin seeds provide protein and zinc. They are believed to lower cholesterol and lessen<br />the inflammation of arthritis.<br /><br />* The self-proclaimed pumpkin capital of the world is Morton, Illinois, where 85 percent of<br />the worlds canned pumpkin is produced.<br /><br />* A 1,689 pound pumpkin believed to be the largest ever, was grown in 2007.<br /><br />TRICK or TREAT will soon be upon us. . <span style="color:#ff6600;">. TIME TO CARVE THAT PUMPKIN SOON!!!! </span>Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-83396632888165209372011-07-23T16:06:00.000-07:002011-07-24T18:10:24.519-07:00GROWING OLDGetting OLD has been on my mind now for months but not until a mysterios illiness struck me down did I decide to take it seriously.<br /><br />So many of my school chums have passed away in the last few years it has left far too few of us around. I never thought much about OLD age and guess I never realized how different our life gets as we age. We look different, we act different, we think different, and we become different.<br /><br />I always figured I could accomplish whatever I wanted to. I remember saying "hey I'm just 32 and can do that (whatever it was??) next year." Then one day I looked around and wasn't 30 something anymore, I was 50 something. Even that didn't hit home because I felf good, full of life, oh, maybe a mild pain somewhere but nothing I paid attention to. Plus my mother, bless her heart was in her 80's and going strong. My only problem was I worked behind a desk many many hours everyday of the week for at least 20 some years. The only exercise I got was walking from my office in my bedroom, into the kitchen for a snack or the living room to watch TV before turning in for the night.<br /><br />I won't say I didn't notice a change because I did but once again put it on the back burner in my brain. But then as the weeks, months, years went by gradually I noticed not being able to take a bath cause I couldn't get out of the tub. I figured I was getting older so just took showers. I had other very mild signs that something was happening but still I ignored them...my mistake!!!<br /><br />Then finally a couple weeks ago I got up from a good nights sleep and walked into the living room to sit in my lounge chair and FELL! I still don't know how or why but I hit the floor like a stone. That wasn't the bad part even, the bad part was that I couldn't get up. I tried everything for hours (9 to be exact) but couldn't life myself off the floor. I can attest to what happened during that time to be the worst ever spent in my life. Finally I made it to the bedroom crawling, got onto the bed and fell asleep. Since the fall I can walk okay, thank God! But can't sit on a regular chair, too low, so I have to use my office chair which is nce and high and has arms to help me lift myself. I had to buy a higher toilet seat with arms to be able to get off once on. I can't go to a doctor because I don't know how I'd manage their office chairs plus even getting out of my own car. I am trapped in my own home for the time being. Luckily my ex has been here helping me in every way possible and has been a Godsend!<br /><br />Anyway I've ordered a special sit down exercycle that I'm told will strenghten my thighs and hip muscles as it is made just for when they begin to atrophy, or lose strength from lack of use.<br /><br />So anyway that's what has been going on with me and I blame myself, I knew something was going on and just ignored it because I never thought of myself as OLD and able to break down.<br /><br />I would appreciate a prayer if you happen to think of me!Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-91179340649128816382011-06-17T14:36:00.000-07:002011-06-17T14:38:12.765-07:00For Men Only!Here is wishing a very HAPPY FATHERS DAY to all the fathers and grandfathers out there. I hope you all have a wonderful day surrounded by your loved ones.Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-22262927661994092452011-05-14T17:50:00.000-07:002011-05-14T18:26:31.972-07:00MYSTICAL, MAGICAL FULL MOONThe next time you find yourself gazing longingly at the perfect wonder of the moon try and appreciate your cosmic connection to people of ancient cultures who did more than stare in wonder. . .They gave meaningful NAMES to each months full moon.<br /><br />North American moon names come mainly from Native American Algonquin tribes whose settlements ranged from from New England to Lake Superior Although full moon names can vary, heres a version of how the Algonquin people saw it.<br /><br /><strong>January: </strong>Wolf Moon, for hungry packs that howled at night.<br /><br /><strong>February</strong>: Snow Moon, for massive winter storms.<br /><br /><strong>March</strong>: Worm Moon, when earthworms and robins reappear.<br /><br /><strong>April</strong>: Pink Moon, for widespread phiox flowers.<br /><br /><strong>May:</strong> Flower Moon, for springs proliferation of blooms.<br /><br /><strong>June</strong>: Strawberry Moon, for the berries peek season.<br /><br /><strong>July</strong>: Buck Moon, when bucks that have shed their antlers sprout soft, velvety new growth.<br /><br /><strong>August: </strong>Sturgeon Moon, for the late summer abundance of this fish.<br /><br /><strong>September: </strong>Harvest Moon, for staple crops of corn, pumpkins, squash and beans.<br /><br /><strong>October: </strong>Hunters Moon, prime season for deer, fox and other game.<br /><br /><strong>November: </strong>Beaver Moon, time to set winter traps.<br /><br /><strong>December</strong>: Cold Moon, for the seasons icy blasts.<br /><br />It seems these Indians knew how to use the full moons to their advantage, kind of like a huge clock for all seasons. They say today that a full moon brings with it strange and bizzare behavior, I wonder if it was the same back in those days?Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-72390827873742822192011-05-08T03:49:00.000-07:002011-05-08T03:52:40.335-07:00Wishes from my Heart<span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff99ff;">Wishing all my women friends a</span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff99ff;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff99ff;">HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! </span>Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-60907773235563283942011-04-29T18:27:00.000-07:002011-04-29T18:54:55.181-07:00ROYAL WEDDINGI took a short nap yesterday so I would be wide eyed and bushy tailed for the ROYAL WEDDING. It started here in Nevada at 1:00 a.m., Pacific time on Channel 13. It was covered by Barbara Walters and Dianne Sawyer. I have to say I was pleased with their coverage of the event. They seemed to know when to talk and when to shut the hell up. I saw everything from Prince William and Prince Harry leave the residence headed for the Cathedral. I saw everyone arrive and go inside the church. I was amazed in a good way mostly by all the ladies hats. Then the long awaited arrival of Kate soon to be Princess. Her gown was gorgeous, stunning, and she looked regal and Queen like already with her diamond tiara. Kates family are all quite handsome, her dad, her mother a beauty in her own right. Kates sister and brother could both be movie stars. And I have to admit Prince Charles never looked handsomer. They say his marriage to his one true love Camilla, changed him for the better, and he, she, and the two sons are great friends. I stayed up untril nearly 5:00 a.m. fascinated by the whole affair. Everyone was off to a luncheon given of canipays and champagne hosted by the Queen before going to their places of residence to rest before changing for a dinner party given that night by the Prince and his new bride. The Queen would not be in attendance because the palace was being turned into a sort of nightclub for the young people to have fun.<br /><br />By the way I have to comment on how lovely the Queen looked all in yellow. For an 85 year old woman she looked amazing. "Long Live The Queen!"<br /><br />Today when I got up I tuned into Oprah who was dressed to the nines, hat and all, and so was her entire audience. She had Carson Daily or something or other in Kates hometown where she grew up, he was interviewing the towns people. It was interesting. Then Oprah gave out Kates favorite candies to the audience, and Prince Williams favorite chocolate cake while interviewing his childhood chef.<br /><br />I don't believe much in fairytale lives but if this wedding is any example of the lives these two young Royals will be living, they may have made a believer out of me!<br /><br />I ask Gods blessings for them both. . .Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-56703735000096533942011-04-24T15:19:00.000-07:002011-04-25T15:29:50.353-07:00WHEN IT RAINS - IT POURSFirst of all HAPPY EASTER to all who read this blog...<br /><br />Just when things seem to be going well you find out your grandson who is just new in the Marine Corp. (raindrop one) and only 20 years old has met someone on Match. com with a child and after only several months goes to the court house and the next call from him he says, "I'm married." (raindrops two.) The kids come home to meet our family. Then head back to Arkansas where he is stationed and she lives. He'd met her relatives at their small wedding. My poor daughter-in-law was beside herself as were we all. Jason has been the baby of our family for all his life to date, and was now married with a stepson of his own, (raindrops three.)<br /><br />Things seemed to be quieting down and we hoped the raindrops in our lives had stopped, but oh no!!! The thunder began rumbling across the cloudy sky. Jason informed us he was being transferred from stateside to Japan, (raindrops four.)<br />We all thought well at least it was 'peaceful Japan' where he was going and not Afganistan or Irac. We all told him the many wonderful strories we had heard about the country and even had other service people in the family who had been stationed there and loved it.<br /><br />So our Jason left for Japan, and NO he couldn't take his new family which wasn't popular with her I'm sure. They got married to be together and the transfer was a 'big' surprise. He would have to send for her later on when he got permission. Plus they added on one year to the end of his enlistment as discipline because he got married without their permission.(raindrops five.)<br /><br />Jason was in Japan a little better than one week when the 9.0 earthquake and tsunami hit. Luckily Jason is on an island 1800 miles from Tokyo, so he was not affected by either of the disasters at first but he and his unit have had to be in Tokyo for clean up, and he has had to have a painful OC wash treatment for radiation, (raindrops six and seven.) All our kids are given to wear from the Marines as protective gear are gloves, what's with that Marines? <span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#330033;"></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#330033;"></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color:#330033;">Jason sent us his picture on Facebook and it showed his terribly swollen, red face, nose and eyes. He was blind for hours afterwards. He looked awful and was in pain from the OC shower. What I don't get is why our kids only get a dam pair of gloves to wear when cleaning up radiation. Again I ask, what's with that Marines??? </span></span></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;">Last night my grandson came home on an emergency leave to be with his mom who in the meantime of all this going on, has to have her hip replaced. Her leg is literally hanging by tendons. (raindrops eight, nine and growing.) We will all be with her tomorrow, Monday, when she has her third hip operation. Her sons will help take care of her during what could be a lenghty recoverey period. Plus she has "fantastic friends" who love her, and will all lend a hand.</span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;">The rain is still falling but now it has turned from drops to a flood, and as my 91 year old wonderfully bright mother always says:</span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><span style="font-size:180%;">When it rains - It pours!!!</span></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;"></span></strong><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#330033;"></span>Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-57800090252970088222011-04-08T18:11:00.000-07:002011-04-08T19:00:37.771-07:00TIPS YOU WON'T BELIEVE<strong>AUNT JEMIMA TO THE RESCUE...</strong> Not to long ago a friend was hard boiling some eggs. Just as she reached into the pot to remove one with a spoon, her doorbell rang. She looked away just long enough to dip her hand into the boiling water, she let out a blood curdling scream and dropped the spoon. Her neighbor hearing the scream ran inside and saw her standing there. She saw the steaming hot water and figured out what happened. She shouted; do you have any flour? Crying, she answered back, "yes up in that cabinet." Her neighbor grabbed the flour and placed her hand inside the bag and said, keep it there as she tried comforting her. She began to explain that when her brother was in Viet Nam and got burned they used this method and it worked very well, no pain, no blisters or redness and after just ten minutes. Once they removed her hand it was not red, no blisters or pain. From that day forward she's kept an easy to open container of flour in her refrigerator, it seems cold flour feels even better than room temperature does. The two shared this miracle with us at our next Bunco game and we all keep flour handy now just in case. You can even put a dab on your tongue after having tasted something too hot. Try it next time you or someone you know gets a burn. It's a ten minute miracle. .. > > >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> <strong>COKE-A-COLA CONTROLA...</strong> Do you or someone you know have one of those grease/oil stained driveways that makes your home look like a redneck lives there? Or when the cars not parked in it people step on the stain and track the gunk into your lovely home? Does it make you want to scream because even Tide and boiling water won't get it out? Well, I have the answer and it's easy and cheap. It's coke-a-cola. Simply buy some coke, don't drink it cause if it does what I am about to tell you I don't believe it should be drunk! Open can of coke and dump it out onto the spot, use as many cans as it takes, scrubbing after each can sits there for five minutes. Depending on how bad your spots are, it should take about 1/2 hour per stain. Before using the coke if there is a wet spot, dump some cheap kitty litter onto the spot to soak up the liquid. In fact once clean if the problem leaker is still going to be parked there, keep kitty litter on the spot to catch the leakage.... This really works well!Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-87026519385852193532011-03-25T18:01:00.000-07:002011-03-25T18:29:31.865-07:00Put Some SPRING In Your Step<span style="color:#330033;">Well the time is drawing near when the sun will shine upon us nearly all day long. I LOVE Springt!!! Spring's warmer days are perfect for starting an outdoor walking program. Walking is an ideal exercise. It's weight-bearing, so it strengthens bones. It's aerobic, so it improves heart and lung function. And other than the price of a good pair of walking shoes, it's free! So if your doctor says it's okay, it's time to hit the ground walking. Having a walking partner is great but if you don't have one simply change where you walk often to make it more interesting, seeing different scenery and people.</span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>How Far? </strong>A good beginners goal is to head out the door, walk 5 to 10 minutes, then head back. The next time walk 10 to 15 minutes increasing the time by 5 minute increments. Focus on how you feel not how far you're walking.</span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>How Fast?</strong> Aim to walk a bit faster than normal, as if you were late to an appointment. But slow down if you feel winded. You should have enough breath to be able to keep up a conversation. </span><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#330033;">How Often?</span></strong> Walking 5 days a week is ideal, but any amount of exercise is beneficial.<br /><br /><strong>Be SAFE! </strong>In two ways, first wait until you've walked awhile before stretching so as not to injure muscles. Second, and most importantly; don't walk alone on secluded trails, and always carry a cell phone fully charged. Protect your skin with sunscreen. Wear reflective clothing if you're walking at dawn or dusk. Make sure you kinow where you are and what's around you. And if the weather is uncooperative you can always find a Mall to walk in.<br /><br />Here's is hoping Spring is good to you. . .Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-69440089038018474152011-03-15T16:39:00.000-07:002011-03-16T18:19:16.366-07:00Special post for SAMMIE SUESammie Sue is an African grey parrot that is one of the smartest and most vocal birds I know but she sometimes isn't kind to her loving owners Dianne and David Schwartz. Recently she was in a foul mood for some reason, no one knows why because she is a spoiled princess in her home. Anyway when Dianne tried to pick her up on this particular day she acted out and bit poor Diannes fingers. When reading about this on Sammies Facebook and then on her website I wrote her a comment. I told her she was very bad, and I had a joke that might work to teach her a lesson. I didn't want to take up too much space, but leave room for other comments, so I decided to write it here for Sammie to come and read... Here goes!<br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">A lovely older woman on her way to work passed the same Pet Shop daily. One day there was a huge cage sitting out in the shade and inside was a beautiful parrot. She stopped and told the parrot how beautiful he was. With that the bird squaked and out of his mouth came a dozen swear words <a href="mailto:#@$%">#@$%</a>(*& and then told the woman she was an ugly, fat cow. "Well," said the woman and hurried on by. By the time she arrived at work she had cooled off and began to feel sorry for the bird wondering who had taught it such language.</span><br /><br />The same thing happened three days in a row, same bird behavior and same rushing by, by the woman. For a week the woman got a ride from a friend so didn't see the parrot. Once her friend wasn't going in her direction she again had to walk. As she approached the Pet Store, no cage or parrot. She went inside to inquire as to the situation. The owner said, "oh, dam bird insulted so many folks I had to remove it, I'll never be able to sell it anyway with that filthy mouth."<br />The woman said, "maybe I could buy it and retrain it to speak pleasantly."<br />The man said, "lady if you want it you can have it and I'll throw in the cage and deliver it too." They shook on it...<br />The following Saturday the Pet Shop owner delivered the bird and cage to the womans home.<br /><br />Three months passed and everyday the poor woman would try for hours to get the parrot to speak kindly to her, and each day he swore and called her names. When she had friends over they had to sit out on the front stoop or the parrot cursed them too. Finally even the kind woman was losing her patience and on a Sunday after she returned home from church she tried singing a lovely hymm to the bird who began swearing up a storm. That being the last straw the woman reachecd into the the cage, grabbed the startled bird, opened up the freezer door and tossed the parrot inside among the other meats. After about 5 minutes the woman heard pitiful squaking and muffled words coming from her freezer. She opened the door to find the parrot shivering as he pleaded with her to get him out of here, and promising to never swear or call her names again.<br />She reached inside and took him out setting him on the kitchen table, saying sternly, "if you ever do; right back into the freezer you'll go, and maybe for good!" The bird climbed onto her arm as she walked into the living room and put him into his cage. She said, "remember what you promised bird!"<br /><br />Later on that evening as she was covering the parrots cage he said, beautiful, kind lady may I ask one question that has been bothering me?"<br />She answered, "yes of course, what is it that has been bothering you?"<br />The parrot replied, could you please tell me. . . . . . .<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">What did that chicken do???</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></strong><br />- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -<br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">By the way to everyone who follows my blog, a THANK YOU you, and wish for a:</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33cc00;"><strong>Happy St. Patricks Day </strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33cc00;">and may the wind always be at your back!!</span>Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-65652625502212728612011-03-04T13:25:00.000-08:002011-03-04T14:33:22.001-08:00All About SHAMROCKS<span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">In March, shamrocks seem to pop up everywhere. The three-leaved token of Irish luck has roots in both Druid and Christian traditions, but in Irish lawns, the plant is considered to be a weed. Here are some other facts about shamrocks...</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><em><span style="color:#009900;">Sham shamrocks? </span></em><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Scholars, botanists and florists argue over the species of the Irish shamrock of lore. The shamrock is often counted as part of the clover family, but in drawings of the plant, the typically heart shaped leaves indicate wood sorrel, a member of the oxalis family.</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"><em>Badge of rebellion.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="color:#009900;">In the 18th and 19th centuries, some Irish wore shamrocks to display their dissatisfaction with British rule. Thus the phrase "the wearing o' the green," is said to have originated during this period.</span></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"><em>Snake stopper<span style="color:#009900;">?</span></em></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">The shamrock was believed to be a remedy for snake and scorpion bites. Tradition holds snakes are never seen near shamrocks.</span><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#009900;">A wee bit of protection.</span></em><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Shamrocks are thought to ward off any mischief a leprechaun might cause.</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"><em>Here comes the luck!</em></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;">To encourage a fortuitous union, shamrocks are sometimes placed in a brides bouquet or worn on a grooms lapel.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;"><span style="color:#cc6600;">Note</span>: To wet the appetite of its customers, McDonalds created in 1970 a seasonal specialty beverage called a Minty Green Shamrock Shake which they say is still as popular as ever.</span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;"><strong>A Mark of Ireland</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#009900;"></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#009900;">While the Celtic harp is the official emblem of Ireland, the shamrock is a popular symbol too. The Irish airline Aer Lingus uses the shamrock in its logo, and the flag of Montreal features a shamrock to represent the Canadian city's Irish population. <strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><br /><em></em><br /><em><span style="color:#009900;"></span></em><br /><em></em><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#009900;"></span></em>Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-12118482878137515002011-03-03T03:06:00.000-08:002011-03-03T03:34:06.506-08:00EATING GREENIt's easy eating <span style="color:#33ff33;">GREEN</span>. . .<br /><br />We've all heard we should try to live a greener lifestyle by reducing, reusing and recycling. But what about our diets? Making enviromentally conscious choices can be better for our waistlines, our wallets and our planet.<br /><br /><span style="color:#33ff33;">BUY LOCAL:</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">When you purchase locally produced fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, and dairy products, you're supporting area farmers and cutting back on the fuel it takes to truck food across the country.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#33ff33;">GO ORGANIC:</span><br /><span style="color:#333333;">Treating soil with pesticides can pollute the soil, groundwater and possibly us. If you're budget conscious, at least aim for organic when buying produce with thin, edible skins such as grapes, berries, bell peppers, and radishes.</span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#33ff33;">EAT LOWER ON THE FOOD CHAIN:</span></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#330033;">Producing a pound of meat takes much more water and energy than producing a pound of grain or vegetables.</span></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#330033;"><span style="color:#33ff33;">DITCH THE DRIVE-THROUGH:</span></span></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#330033;">Idiling in line in a fast-food restaurant waates gas. Park the car and order inside if you must frequent these restaurants. Better to whip up a quick meal at home. You'll save packaging waste and money too. </span></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#330033;"><span style="color:#33ff33;">BANISH BOTTLED WATER:</span></span></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#330033;"><span style="color:#330033;">Even if you recycle those plastic bottles, it's still taking energy to produce, transport and recycle them.</span> </span></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#330033;"><span style="color:#33ff33;">TAKE BABY STEPS:</span></span></span><br /><span style="color:#333333;"><span style="color:#330033;"><span style="color:#330033;">You don't have to go cold turkey on cheeseburgers. Even small changes, such as eating one meatless meal a week can make a big difference over time. . . </span> </span> </span>Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-15326422421339159372011-02-04T16:11:00.000-08:002011-02-04T16:41:19.672-08:00CHARITABLE WORKSWAYS TO MAXIMIZE CHARITABLE GIVING<br /><br />Due to the recession, many people are cutting back their spending, including giving to their favorite charities. Here are some ways to make your donations have more of an impact.<br /><br />Give to the neediest. Charities such as food banks, homeless shelters and utility assitance programs are getting hit with the double whammy of decreased donations and increased demand. If you want to make a real impact, give to one of these groups.<br /><br />Check charity finances. Use charity evaluation sites like<span style="color:#3366ff;">: </span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">CharityNavigator.com</span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">GuideStar.org </span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#330033;">to see how nonprofits are spending your money. Ideally, at least 75 percent of a donation should go toward programs.</span> </span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#330033;">Concentrate your giving; if you can't give much, focus on just one or two charities that are important to you so your cash has a bigger impact. </span></span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#330033;"></span></span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#330033;">You can also donate more than just cash. Volunteering your time and skills or donating items such as canned food or gently used clothing can help as much as opening your wallet. </span></span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#330033;">Oh, and skip the middleman! If you're going to donate money, write a check directly to the charity. If you pay with a credit card, the charity loses a 2 or 3 percent processing fee to the card issuer.</span></span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#330033;">Give as you shop is also a good idea, use the free portal; </span></span><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#3333ff;">iGive.com </span></span><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#330033;">to link to and buy from your favorite retailers</span></span><span style="color:#330033;">. A percentage of each purchase goes to a charity, without adding to your tab at checkout. </span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;">They say it is better to give than receive, and charities so need us to keep them in mind especially in times like these. They need us now more than ever. . . </span>Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-38807749921910268232011-01-22T01:05:00.000-08:002011-01-22T01:34:48.920-08:00QUICKIES to make you chuckle...These are some short funnies to make you laugh no matter what kind of day you are having.<br /><br />1.) I dialed a number today and got the following recorded message:<br /> <br />"I am not available right now, but thank you for caring enough to call. I am making some changes in my life. Please leave a message after the beep. If I do not return your call,<br />you are one of those changes."<br /><br />2.) Aspire to inspire before you expire!!!<br /><br />3.) My wife and I had words, but I didn't get to use mine...<br /><br />4.) Frustration is trying to find your glasses, without your glasses...<br /><br />5.) The irony of life is that by the time y0u're old enough to know your way around,<br />you're not going anywhere!<br /><br />6.) God made man before woman to give man time to think of an answer for her first question!<br /><br />7.) I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder and harder to find one.<br /><br />8.) Man comes home, finds his wife in bed with his friend, he shoots his friend and kills him.<br />Wife says; "If you behave like this, you will lose ALL your friends!"<br /><br />9.) What's the difference between, stress, tension and panic?<br />Stress is when the wife is pregnant...<br />Tension is when the girlfriend is pregnant...<br />Panic is when both are pregnant at the same time...<br /><br />10.) Teacher asks: Do you know the importance of a period?<br />Kid raises his hand and says;<br />"Yeah, once my sister missed one, my mom fainted, dad got a heart attack, and our neighbors father ran away.<br /><br />11.) A woman asks a man she see's traveling with six children;<br />"Are all these kids yours?" <br />The man replied; "No, I work in a condom factory and these are customer complaints."<br /><br />12.) A young boy asks his dad; "What is the difference between confident and confidential?"<br />Dad answers; "You are my son, I am confident about that. Your friend over there, is also my son, but that's confidential."<br /><br /><em>Nominated as the best email joke of last year...</em><br /><em></em><br />A three-year old boy was examining his testicles while taking a bath.<br />"Mom," he asked. "are these my brains?"<br />"NOT YET!" she replied...Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-26511661091749030512010-12-31T02:56:00.000-08:002010-12-31T03:30:15.924-08:00DIP to EAT during FOOTBALLWell it's Friday at 2:36 a.m. on New Years Eve morning. I and my neighbor have been making my 'famous dip.' She is havin g a big New Years Eve bash tonight and many of the Vegas entertainers who take tonight off will be there. I am having a small group in as well, some very close friends. I am lucky enough to be known for my cooking and baking and so many come to me for different recipes. So I have decided to give you all my recipe for "ha-cha-cha dip." I serve it with flour tortilla chips, or you can use corn chips as well.<br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">INGREDIENTS:</span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">2 cans refried beans</span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">2 nice size tomatoes</span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">1 bunch of green onions</span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">1 package Hidden Valley Ranch mix </span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">1 container sour cream</span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">1 can pit free black olives</span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">2 tbls. hot sauce (optional)</span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">1/2 cup shredded mexican cheese mix</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">DIRECTIONS:</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">In a 6x9 pan smear refried beans on the bottom</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">In a bowl mix sour cream & ranch mix. Mix thoroughly, then spread onto the refried beans. Set aside!</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Finely chop tomatoes, olives and onions in a separate bowl make sure to use the green of the onions. Mix well with hot sauce if using it.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Once mixture of veges is well mixed spread it evenly on top of Ranch mix.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Now sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of veges.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Wrap with clear wrap and place pan in fridge until cold, usually an hour or two.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Serve with Tortilla chips...</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">This is a pretty easy recipe and tastes so good there is never any left. </span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br />The police in Vegas are already patroling the streets on and around the strip and some won't get off shift until 6.00 a.m. New Years Day. I don't envy them or their familys. The men who set off the fireworks have been here for weeks on the rooftops where the displays are shot from, and it promises to be quite a show as usual. I can see the strip which is 5 miles uphill from my driveway and get a good show without any of the crowds piled in like sardines.<br /><br />Well the new year is nearly upon us and I hope it is a better year for us all than 2010 was. I wish you all a very HAPPY NEW YEAR. I hope to see you all still following my blog next year!Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-71893935786981791882010-12-24T18:33:00.000-08:002010-12-24T18:36:04.936-08:00My wish is for a. . .<strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">A very <span style="color:#33cc00;">MERRY CHRISTMAS and </span><span style="color:#ff0000;">HAPPY NEW YEAR</span></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ffcc66;">to all of my BLOG readers and followers. . .</span></strong>Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-64039932398812544932010-12-17T18:32:00.000-08:002010-12-18T04:15:36.288-08:00<span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#3333ff;">MOTHERS QUESTION TO ME. . .</span></span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">Those of you who read my blog and know me well know that my mother is still very much alive, 90 years old , lives in Indiana in a lovely Senior Community. Mother still drives, cooks, bakes for her friends, shops, goes out socially, and even babysits my Aunt, her 91 year old sister that lives with her son & DIL, when they go somewhere too hard to take her. The two sisters have a pajama party of sorts, make cookies, eat and play Bunco. It does the heart good to know they have such fun together still.</span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">My Aunt, now a widow had three children, one daughter and two sons. Her family always seemed quite close and never moved from Indiana. After my Uncle passed away one son took his mother in where she is treated with the greatest respect and love. They all meet every Christmas Eve at one brothers home and celebrate together with all the other relatives in town.</span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">My mother's question to me was: <strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">why don't my children get along with one another?</span></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">All except my son have moved away from Indiana to far away places. She wishes just once before she dies we could all be together in a loving way. Unfortunately my mother worked from the time I can remember. She worked from 3:00 in the afternoon until 10:00 p.m. at night. I would get home from school to serve dinner to my two sibblings that mother had pretty much prepared before she went to work. My dad worked three shifts in the Steel Mill, so was there only a part of the time. As trhe eldest, I became babysitter, missed after school activities and resented my sibblings because of it. They in turn resented me for being able to boss them around as they put it. But even worse; my parents hated one another, my mother was verbally abused, and my father was sick in the head with jealously, for no reason. We kids grew up with few expressions of love. None ever between our parents. I believe most children learn from what they are shown by their parents. Coldness breeds coldness, and then my other two sibblings (sisters) came so late in life. One nine years after the three of us, (brother, me & my sister) then another when I was married and pregnant. My baby sister was born four months after my own son. I never really knew her and we are basically still strangers. I moved away to Illinois then Las Vegas, my two younger sisters married and moved to Colorado. My one sister stayed in Indiana but passed away early in her life from complications from MS. My brother has Epilepsy and lived all his life with my mother until he recently got his own apartment in a building next to my mother. They have their own places but she still has to drive him everywhere and keeps a close eye on him. So my answer to my mother is that children mostly imitate what they see, and feel growing up. I longed to be closer to my mother like my girlfriends were with their moms but my mother <strong>H</strong><strong>AD TO WORK. . .</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">The strange thing is I did exactly the same thing to my own two sons, work, work and work even more and now I am reeping what I have sewn, alone on the holidays; my sons in the same town but busy elsewhere. So you see history repeats itself and that is not always a good thing. Would my sons or sibblings be any different if circumstances had been different? I don't know, and guess I never will. . .</span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#33cc00;">Wishing you all a </span></span><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>MERRY CHRISTMAS </strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">and</span><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"> </span><span style="color:#33cc00;">HAPPY NEW YEAR. </span></strong></span><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span></strong>Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-59860133507040776512010-12-10T07:16:00.000-08:002010-12-10T07:45:25.562-08:00GET TO KNOW MISTLETOEHere are some <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Surprising Facts</span></strong> about <strong><span style="color:#33cc00;">MISTLETOE</span></strong>. . .<br /><br />I'm sure at one time or another in your life you either kissed someone or were kissed under the mistletoe! Well just so you know Mistletoe is much more than a cluster of berries that inspires the courage to kiss. Mistletoe is actually a parasite, yep it's true! It steals the nutrients it needs from the tree it grows on. It's berries can cause illiness, so be sure to treat real mistletoe you come in contact with with caution. Here are some other little known facts about mistletoe:<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">There are two types of mistletoe. The one we see most often around the holidays is native to North America and grows on trees in many parts of the U.S. The other type is of European origin.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;">A mistletoe infestation can kill the host tree. Some tree species though, seem to be resistant to the so-called charisma of this partial parasite. Bradford flowering pears, sycamores, redwoods, and cedar trees are rarely infested.</span><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Druids used mistletoe as a charm. It was believed to offer protection from evil and was used to create cures called potions. In modern times midtletoe has been promoted as a folk cure for cancer. However, numerous studies have found no support for its efficacy against the disease.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#33cc00;">The tradition of kissing beneath the mistletoe may arise from Norse mythology. Count your kisses because legend has it, you can steal only so many kisses beneath the mistletoe. For every smooch, you're suppose to remove one berry. Once all berries are gone so is the opportunity to pucker up. . .</span></span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="color:#33cc00;"> </span> </span><br /><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span>Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-70012303421516398002010-12-04T02:52:00.001-08:002010-12-04T03:26:43.644-08:00NEW BEGINNING IN NEW YEARThe New Year is right around the corner. Sure you could resolve to lose a few pounds or be better about saving money, or starting an exercise regime. This year though, why not try something completely different, something out of the ordinary for you. Here are some alternative resolutions:<br /><br /><span style="color:#00cccc;">EXPLORE YOUR SURROUNDINGS. . .</span><br /><span style="color:#330033;">Check out restaurants, parks, museums and other attractions in your area you've never visited.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">BRANCH OUT WITH BOOKS . . .</span><br /><span style="color:#330033;">Can't afford a trip to a far off locale? Read a book set in the country of your dreams. Always read the same type of books? Change, be different, if you love romance novels, try a good mystery. If you usually read fiction check out a best selling novel.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">BROADEN YOUR PALATE. . .</span><br />Get out and sample new unusual cuisines or vow to cook one new recipe each week.<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;">MAKE TIME TO HELP OTHERS. . .</span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="color:#330033;">Seasoned volunteers say their work is even more beneficial to them than the recipients of their time and labor.</span></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="color:#33cc00;">MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF. . .</span></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="color:#330033;">Taking time to relax isn't lazy - you're merely recharging ytour battery.</span></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="color:#993300;">GET IN FRONT OF YOUR FRIENDS. . .</span></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="color:#330033;">Phones and social networking sites are great for connecting with friends far and wide, but nothing can replace a face to face conversation</span></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="color:#3333ff;">GAIN SOME KNOWLEDGE - LEARN SOMETHING NEW. . .</span></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="color:#330033;">Whether it's a foreign language or dance steps or computer skills, and you'll end the new year mentally richer.</span> </span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="color:#993399;">Next week I am going to offer a quiz on Mistletoe. Lets see how much we actually know!!!</span> </span>Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-53726111004918372092010-11-27T01:36:00.000-08:002010-11-27T01:59:19.000-08:00SHOP SAFELY - ONLINE AND OFFThieves are poised to take advantage of any misques that frantic shoppers make. Help keep your holiday season theft free by following these simple tips:<br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Protect your purse and wallet: </span><br /><span style="color:#330033;">Your handbag sitting in the shopping cart makes it easy game for a quick criminal if you look away for even a minute. The same goes for hanging it on back of your chair at a food court. Wallets should be carried in a front pocket.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Don't load yourself down:</span><br /><span style="color:#330033;">By minimizing the number of packages you have to juggle, you can pay more attention to your surroundings and you reduce the risk of losing a package.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Dress comfortably and that includes shoes:</span><br /><span style="color:#330033;">Shopping in high heels not only leads to sore feet - it also marks you as a shopper that can't run very fast after a thief.</span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"></span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Don't advertise:</span> </span><br /><span style="color:#330033;">If you're traveling from store to store by car, hide all purchases in your trunk. Also, don't flash large wads of cash in public.</span><br /><span style="color:#330033;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Proof of purchase: </span><br /><span style="color:#330033;">Buying with a credit or debit card creates a paper trail in case you lose your receipt. Also, many credit card companies offer reimbursement if you're a victim of fraud.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">Be especially careful online:</span><br />It's safest to patronize familiar retailers on the web. As an extra precaution, consider shopping with a prepaid debit card (available at many retailers).Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-13139301473604948312010-11-19T12:56:00.000-08:002010-11-19T13:38:31.116-08:00WHAT THE HELL IS NEXT?????I am extremely ticked off and frightened at the same time. I was taught by my father and other men I respect that when our Government starts trying to grow larger than WE THE PEOPLE by controling the food, the guns and the jobs thats when we become a nation run by a dictator. Recently I received several petitions to sigh to try and stop this corrupt O'Bama government from making anyone owning firearms have to report it on their income tax returns from now on. This would have to be done in order to keep from being fined, have your guns consficated and even do some possible jail time. Also the bill stipulates, they, whoever they are, have the right to enter our homes uninvited to make sure we keep our guns child safe, and if not the same punishments apply. Reminds me of old Communist Russia with Big Brother watching...<br /><br />Now as bad as that is there is even a worse bill trying to be slid past the Congress/Senate by guess who??? Big ears, he lies alot? You got it!!!! This law seems to have been past recently in Europe but not to such a degree as ours would be. It is called <strong>"Criminalizing Gardening."</strong> If you go to my Facebook page under Charleen Micheles and click the picture under this topic the entire ridiculous/disgusting article can be read. It is another example of 'follow the money.' Todays supplements and natural healing have become frighteningly popular because they are inexpensive and work. The big drug companies are terrified because we aren't falling for their hipe and not depending on their dangerous/poisonous drugs. People wanting to eat healthier are gardening and growing organic, natural healthy vegetables. In this bill they even have a paragraph that if you should save seeds and get caught it is punishable the same as if you were selling drugs. Can you imagine that??? Anyhow read the article and sigh the petition if you can...<br /><br />Besides having to buy O'Bama Care where does that leave us if they decides we all need to ride bicycles, or live without air-conditioning, the examples are endless, and all things we in this country have earned and yes, take for granted.?? Sound ridiculous? Well think again. Dictators are some of the most dangerous people around and we don't need one in these United States. I can't believe what is in some of the bills he and his co-conspiritors are trying to sneak by us and our new representatives on Capitol hill. So please pay attention and if interested in our future read the article on Crimilinizing Gardening as an example of insanity run wild.Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-7211256968665890592010-10-29T16:57:00.000-07:002010-10-30T02:08:52.369-07:00Another day, another holiday!I want to wish all my blog followers a very<span style="color:#ff6600;"> HAPPY HALLOWEEN ..........</span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="color:#330000;">I was having a conversation with some folks in the resort I live in about a party we are having for Halloween on Saturday evening, all hallows eve. Many of our residents will be dressing up in costume and some will not. I usually go to the parties every year but haven't worn a costume in years. I usually take out my little black dress and wear an ample amount of gawdy jewelry and dance the night away. We are a gated community and have never in the 20 years I have lived here gotten trick ot treaters. I can't say that upsets me. I have two sons and two grandsons so I have done my share of trick or treating and passing out goodies at our door. </span></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="color:#330000;"></span></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"><span style="color:#330000;">We all agreed it seems Halloween has become more for the adults in these past years than for the kids. More parties, more costumes rented and more adult shinanigans. Where ever you go, if you go out, be safe, lots of drunken idiots roaming the streets not caring who they might hurt. Luckily I will be at one of our beautiful, safe clubhouses behind locked gates so no problem here. </span></span><br /><span style="color:#330000;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;">HAPPY HALLOWEEN my friends....</span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff6600;"> </span><br /><span style="color:#330000;">Here is a recipe I like to make on Halloween as a dessert after dinner. It's light, not fattening and so very tasty, also easy to make too...</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#330000;">1 envelope unflavored gelatin</span><br /><span style="color:#330000;">1/2 teaspoon salt</span><br /><span style="color:#330000;">1/2 teaspoon nutmeg</span><br /><span style="color:#330000;">1/2 teaspoon cinnamon</span><br /><span style="color:#330000;">1/4 teaspoon ginger</span><br /><span style="color:#330000;">1/2 cup cold water</span><br /><span style="color:#330000;">2 eggs yolks, lightly beaten</span><br /><span style="color:#330000;">1 cup heavy cream</span><br /><span style="color:#330000;">1 1/4 cups canned pumpkin</span><br /><span style="color:#330000;">8 packets sugar substitute</span><br /><span style="color:#330000;">2 egg whites</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#330000;">Combine gelatin, salt and spices. Add 1/4 water. Stir. </span><br /><span style="color:#330000;">Mix egg yolks with heavy cream, 1/4 cup water, and pumpkin in top of double boiler. Add gelatin mixture. Cook over boiling water for 10 minutes, stirring constantly.</span><br /><span style="color:#330000;">Refrigerate until thick as unbeaten egg whites. Stir occasionally. Add sugar substitute (taste for sweetness.)</span><br /><span style="color:#330000;">Beat the egg whites until stiff. Fold the chilled pumpkin mixture into egg whites. Be careful not to break down the volume of egg whites. Turn into a 1 1/2 quart souffle dish. Refrigerate.</span><br /><span style="color:#330000;">Serves 8 people... </span><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"> </span>Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-46034523572071879282010-10-21T15:57:00.000-07:002010-10-21T17:05:43.042-07:00DOGS EAT ANYTHING: But should they?<strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">DANGER</span></strong> to all dogs. . .<br /><br />Recently I have been doing research on foods not good for our dogs, in fact some have the ability to kill them. We have probably all heard the warnings against chocolate as it is possibly the worst of the foods a dog can ingest. Some people have said they only give their petS sugar free candy. There is a substance in many sugar free items such as candy, gum and cookies called:<br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">XYLITOL</span> and it can be a recipe for disaster, why you ask, because for diabetics it is considered natural and safe unless your a dog, then it causes potentially fatal hypoglycemia. And if that weren't enough it can also cause deadly liver necrosis. Many veternarians believe their should be warning labels on anything containing Xylitol for dog owners...<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"><span style="color:#cc0000;">GRAPES & RAISINS, </span></span><span style="color:#000000;">as healthy as they are for we humans have killed dogs after only seven grapes due to kidney failure. Vets believe a yet unnamed toxin to which we are immune works to kill our pets. Raisens are even worse, being smaller there is a more concentrated amount of this mystery substance which is more dangerous. The symptons are vomiting, dairrhea and lethargy.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">ONIONS & ONION POWDER</span><span style="color:#000000;">, one onion ring won't kill but a bunch could. Onions contain disulfides which inside a dogs body destroy red blood cells. Onion powder, like raisins is even worse because all the harmless water is removed. The powder tends to build up and cause startling results like labored breathing, upset stomach and lethargy</span><span style="color:#cc0000;">. </span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">GARLIC</span><span style="color:#000000;">, contains the same toxin but doesn't seem as dangerous for a reason yet unknown.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#cc0000;">PITTED FRUITS</span></span><span style="color:#000000;">, can cause serious choking in our pet but did you know that peach, plum, apricot, cherry, and persimmon pits all contain a cyanide derivative that builds up over time. So these delicious harmless fruits to us, are a serious danger to our pets.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">TREE NUTS</span><span style="color:#000000;">, especially Macadamias contain one or more unknown doggy neurotoxins that can result in weakness, stiffness, pain and severe shaking. All walnuts harbor a fungus deadly to dogs. Keep pets away from all nuts.</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#cc0000;">ANYTHING WITH CAFFEINE</span></span><span style="color:#000000;">, most dog owners know to keep caffeine away from your pets or they could become all twitchey, have possible seizures, kind of like a person on meth. </span><br /><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="color:#cc0000;">CHOCOLATE </span>is however ranked lower than some other substances mentioned here because it depends alot on the amount of chocolate ingested, the strength of the chocolate and weight/size of the dog. A 50 pound dog can tolerate 18 ounces of milk chocolate (usually?) 8 ounces of dark semi-sweetened or 2.6 ounces of baking or unsweetened chocolate, and 1.4 ounces of dry cocoa powder. If the dog weighs less than 15 pounds rush him to the vet if he eats anything besides milk chocolate. But if it's just one candy he should be okay, besides a few more trips potty!</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">FATTY FOODS,</span><span style="color:#000000;"> when your dogs beg for bacon and the fat trimmed from your steak, he's also begging for potential pancreatitis. Symptoms include vomiting, severe abdominal pain and shock.</span><br />These results can have a cumulative effect or result from a single fatty meal, and it can be fatal.<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">BONES & CORNCOBS</span><span style="color:#000000;">, any vet worth his salt will say the same thing my mothers vet told her when she adopted a stray that had been hanging around her bakery for weeks. She took it to the vet for a check up asking him, "what kind of bones can I feed my dog?" The vet smiled, then looked sternly at her and said</span><span style="color:#009900;">: </span><span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong>"ELEPHANT BONES!!!" </strong></span><span style="color:#000000;">So mothers dog Champ never got any bones except doggy milk bones... </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;"> </span>Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6422533906629469174.post-88150478461034777502010-10-09T18:05:00.000-07:002010-10-09T18:55:28.617-07:00HEALTH and EASY WEIGHT LOSSMEDITERRANIAN DIET and a HEALTHY HEART<br /><br />Ever since I can remember I have wanted and needed to lose 15 pounds. After I married and had two kids the weight became easier to gain and harder to lose. I did all the popoular diets and invented several of my own until finally realizing I simply had to eat less and move more. Sounds easy right? Well, it isn't. I love food! I never drank alcohol or smoked and eating was an adventure to me. I also love to cook and am an excellent cook. I would gain 20 pounds, and then lose it, and gain it back again, and lose it, it was a vicious circle always leaving me fat.<br /><br />All his young life my son had bouts with broncitis and suffered so. Every time the seasons in Chicago changed, he got sick. The horrid winters were a real problem. I was told that he needed to be in a hot, dry climate or he might not live through another bad cold season. So in the 1970's we moved to the desert here in Nevada. I am happy to report his lungs cleared nicely and with a proper diet and supplements he thrived...and still does today.<br /><br />The down side to all this is Vegas has more restaurants and fabulous chefs than you can count. In my job working on the strip I met many famous entertainers, and was always invited and going to parties where fantastic dishes were served, and I loved eating the foods. Plus I got comped at so many Casino restaurants I was always eating rich delicious foods, all for free. Thus my 20 extra pounds began to creep up way past 50...yikes!!!<br /><br />Enough about that but allow me to give you the answer to eating good, delicious foods and still eating to lose weight, and then how to maintain the pounds lost, like I have...<br /><br />Consider how the Mediterranian Eating Plan has been established to promote lifelong good health and lower the risk of both heart disease and cancer. It is far more than a diet, it is a lifestyle...<br /><br />Main ingredients of the Mediterranian diet include:<br />*Eating small portions of nuts, 'All' nuts but walnuts, almonds, pecans and brazil nuts are best (a handful only.)<br />*Consuming very little red meats.<br />*Eat fish or shellfish at least twice a week, (not fried.)<br />*Eating generous amounts of fruits and vegetables daily.<br />*Consuming healthy fats such as extra virgin olive oil and canola oil.<br />*Using herbs and spices to flavor foods instead of salt (we only need 1/2 tsp. of salt a day)<br />*Drinking wine in moderation.<br />*Enjoying yogurt and small portions of cheese daily.<br />* Eat a good 7 to 9 grain bread, 2 slices a day.<br /><br />Changing to a Mediterranian diet is much easier than you'd think, it takes just a few diet swaps.<br />*Regularily exercising ( I simply walk and bike ride. ) And as often as possible, enjoy meals with family and friends.<br />Good luck and bon' a petite!Chatty Ladyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506664510718862957noreply@blogger.com2