| | Home | | About Us | | Videos | | Supply Co | | Archives | | Catalog | | Contact Us | | Bookmark Us | Bookstore | |
Cleaning, Fragrance and Commodities
|
|
|
|
Commodities to Watch: Bee Talk |
||
|
Pet Food ReCall: Menu Foods |
|
Allergy Management. Update: Member's Mark Loratadine (Sam's Club) is FAR less expensive than Claritin and just as effective for daytime relief and their version of Benedryl for night. Yep, this subject got thrown in the last minute. Over 35 million people suffer with allergies. Many people make their own bath and body products because they are hypersensitive to commercial skin care preparations. I understand that--but I never truly appreciated it until I recently succumbed to acute allergic responses myself. I have not been an allergy sufferer since I was 7 years old and hospitalized. No one ever figured out what set me off--but I could not breath on my own back then and for a good 3 weeks I was swollen like a baby piglet. At age 7 I had also had a rash that equaled second degree burns. I never forgot lotions with scent would burn my skin and have to be washed off, as much as my skin was painfully dry. If the lotions contained no scent, alcohol or cheap fillers--I could have benefited greatly and found relief. Titanium Dioxide powder is greatly calming, better than calamine I think-- and I drop a few ounces (dispersed well) in my warm bath water. Hot water is never good for skin conditions. A constant fan kept my skin cool back then. Years passed with no event. Age 44, I got hammered with tree pollen, of all things. About three weeks ago-I thought I had pink eye, but not sure where I caught it. Both eyes were itchy and burning--day and night. This came and went several times a day, starting on a Friday, so the Doctor was on hold for a few days. Pink eye usually stays until it is treated. I also had skin rashes that came and disappeared through out the day. Almost impossible to focus--it became clear after the lawn guy mowed my lawn on Sunday, two smoke detectors went off--on the second floor of my home. They were responding to a dry smoke from cut grass and so was my body as I found. Florida had little humidity and all time record pollen in the air in March. Average wind blows the microscopic dusty pollen around. It can be assaulting to an allergic person. I would have never figured it out if this did not happen. Many people don't. Assault on the body is how it feels and immune system is under siege. Benedryl helps some 80% but keeps me tired. My personality went from boisterous to bea-ach of the century. I said some mean things--and I was not sorry at all. I have been mean, and scared. Unable to wear contacts and eyes hurting from so much rubbing, the bath seemed my only relief. Depression soon followed. Severe allergies can make a person feel discouraged. Good thing I do not have a real job--or I would have been canned, trust that. I do feel bad for those who must work through it. This is very hard to do. Readers I shared this with said "SEE what we go through?" and were exceptionally sympathetic. One reader asking "Allergies are worse than what non-sufferers think, aren't they?" Yes, they sure are. Now that I understand it, I need to manage it. From my position I am able to talk with people and see what works for them. Frustrating, I am one of the two un-insured Americans, so I need to isolate what is wrong quicker than insured people. I cannot afford a series of tests to have tests. And the meds are expensive. So far I hear the script Zurtech is very good. Claritin OTC, containing Loratadine is outrageous, like $20 for ten pills. A friend told me Sam's Club sells some 300 pills for just over $10. They sell it under the name Member's Mark Loratadine and that has helped greatly and it is non drowsy. I still use Benedryl at night because it also helps sleep. This April will be all about reclaiming energy. Even after the pollen has subsided, I will keep allergy solutions as a Mabel priority. The only good news about this--allergies are not contagious.
Cleaning and MRSA: Super Bug- Super Mom
One of our top employees, Nebraska, has been getting all of the press. Let's see, just this month of February, 2007, Mollie and her baby, Isabella, have had a 6 page spread in Self Magazine, been on The Today Show with Matt Lauer, NBC, Your Health Today and the Montel show. Over 23 million viewers, not counting re-runs. Sometimes with Judea, (Grand Ma) and my total right hand. By the time they grabbed Judea too, I was like, "Montel, I need them back...." and "they better be paying you for all that!" I swear I am lost without Judea. They were treated very well and had travel paid for, but that was about it. Since that is the case, more interesting stuff in a book I am helping her co-write--Super Bug-Super Mom. I was hardly surprised, soon after these events, Reporters decided to "write a book" about MRSA and that is where I drew the line. I said "if their plane touches the Nebraska ground....." Thank God Bill, Judea's husband had the same sentiments by then. I am sure the Reporters were just going to pick up the dinner tab--if that. The story is of interest because 2 1/2 years ago, Mollie's baby was one of the first infants to survive MRSA, a super staph infection hard to knock out. Both Mother and infant were dealing with it, shortly after a wonderful birth with no expectation of any problems. What surprised me, is no one asked Mollie what helps her from getting re-infected. She went through many products over 2 1/2 years, to find what does work. Mollie felt she was not allowed to say much on national TV, only "what was asked" type of thing. She also had to sign waivers that she could be ridiculed and so on...need I say more? So, go to www.MollieLogan.com if you would like to talk with her or hear her story--(the full one due out soon.) You can bet she is getting a lot of Catalytic lamps from Joanne at Makes-Scents. They are actually working on an all natural blend for super duper air purification, for the lamps. Dealing with MRSA is a lifestyle, once exposed. She has to clean all of the time. Interestingly, her loving husband, Brian, never got it. Mollie is getting calls from all over the country. People wanting to vent--who simply got it from a gym, working out, or other normal places. So, as I said, check Mollie's site out if this is of interest to you or a loved one. They are good people.
About Acorn
Dot Org
 This is one of
Roseanne Barr's
favorite organizations. Because it takes time to really study a group--I
know she has spent a lot of time with Acorn.org and has been very
active in promoting it. In part they defend housing, which is
really important in this market and economy, as well as build housing. In her professional life-Roseanne is making
an awesome come back. Showing us Baby Boomers we can drop the weight
and we can look stunning--as she does. (Just when we became
complacent with a box of chocolates and ask ourselves, is, sex, after
all, over rated.) She looks great and reports she feels great.
She sets example to us now, and she set precedent when we were young and
trying to cope with our "teenagers," now adults. I loved her show
as I raised my kids, and it helped me feel "normal."
If you got to see her, recently, on Larry King
Live--you would recall--Roseanne could not say enough about
Acorn.org.
I watched the segment and got such a hoot on how she can handle
live interviews and dodge any "heated" question with her, "ya know," and
smile....He could not pin her down and that was funny--he is the best
and she took him to another level! He could only chuckle and move
on to the next question. (Like he thought he was ever going to get
a serious answer from her...) I guess he admitted he never used a
computer. She lives on one.
Seriously, Acorn.org does a lot and I have researched
it. We do need community reform and more support
systems for our youths. They are a commodity. These are the
same youths who will be caring for us when we are old! We need to
set example as adults. I think the most important point is that
Acorn is out busy "doing" and not "talking" as well as very active
within our own communities. If you want to study up more on what
Acorn.org
is doing in your area,
click here.
And yes, being from Utah, she really loves the Mabel
site. She said doing crafts is pretty much in the bloodlines if
you were born in Utah. In my spare time I will be glued to her new
HBO series.
To see more about Roseanne's Foundation in
association with Acorn, click here.
Click here to simply donate to her cause--on
her site via Pay Pal.
RoseanneWorld.com
 I
love her attitude, let's not talk, Let's Do It! Not to mention she
can get away with saying a lot of things I cannot. Her site is
a mix of philosophy, current affairs and the impacts of such on our
families. Some comments do require an open mind, but most bloggers
share a common goal, World Peace. The thing with
Roseanne, is you do not always have to agree with her to like her, and
vise versa.
She does speak up and has an opinion. She has always been a
platform to voice the working class, and still is.
RoseanneWorld.com
and her Blog
are really interesting. She is very active with her site and
causes, as well as open minded and determined to make a difference with
our youths and world.
Bee Talk & Commodities to Watch: Honey Bee Colony Collapse Disorder
Deborah R. Dolen
Honey Bees are finally making national news and getting some press,
but not all of the press they deserve. Because 1/2 of the bees
in the United States have "not made it" and the other 1/2 is "not
known until the snow subsides..." it is my opinion you will see any
related product sky rocket by summer. My ego will be fine if I
am wrong, but better safe than sorry. I truly think this is
important. In 2006 I finished writing The Beekeeper's
Digest. I learned a wealth of information
on how important they are and how naturally antibiotic their
by-products. While trying to interview beekeepers last year, I
found a lot of beekeepers in the states were hanging up there hats
and changing careers. They just could not keep up with the
cost of infestations and other set backs, such as lower honey prices
from China and Argentina. And I noticed more and more honey
bees taking up residence in residential neighborhoods and being
exterminated by simple fear. Seeing that upset me quite a bit.
A true beekeeper can gather a honey bee swarm pretty quickly if
contacted.
People ask me why the bees are dying? I think the honey bees
are just tired or disoriented by pesticides. Perhaps the
reason for showing up in someone's garage and not heading home.
Honey bees have been through some 100 years of different
infestations, pesticides and pollution in general. Mexico and
Canada report "OK" bees. Interestingly, we do not allow them
to be imported--and the feeling has been mutual between countries.
"Wink" our bee expert, lives in Canada and just got back from
Washington, D.C. reporting it will be an issue for the States.
He complimented the head of my state, the Florida Department of
Agriculture, and said he was a smart man, asking all the right
questions and truly caring. "Wink" is really "Winkler"
named after Teddy Roosevelt and Winston Churchill. He had a
clever mom and we think he is a great man. Wink sent me this
chart of states reporting dead honey bees, so we could get an idea
of the scope: Click thumb nail to open...
It is Winks impression the States may lift the honeybee import ban,
and allow some honey bees in from other countries. He says it
is doable, just a matter of if they will do it, and if we will get
enough honey bees to replace the states needing them. Honey
bees pollinate strawberries, cucumbers, almond fields--just about
30% of our produce.
If you like bee products, I would be buying anything you like
related to bees. I suggest adding a little to your grocery
list each week. (It may be a rare treat by the holidays.)
This includes: a jar of honey, 100% Strawberry Fruit Jam and other
berry jams, and canned almonds. That is what I am adding each
week. I feel it cannot hurt. I am also securing beeswax,
because I use it so much. But I will be more prudent in use.
(Such as still making my lip balm but trying not to waste it on
candles--if truly in short supply.)
In the meantime, I do hope more people take up beekeeping as a
hobby--if they have the time and ability. I plan to do so--it
is a great way to help. The most interesting story I came across
when writing the Beekeeper's Digest was by a man who could not get
anything to grow on his property. Frustrated, he called his
Department of Agriculture, who came out and immediately identified
the problem. No bees in the area. So, he took up beekeeping as
a hobby, loved it, and his land flourished--as well as his
neighbors. Now that is the power of the honey bee!
And to support this effort of hobby, I am giving away my
Beekeeper's Digest PDF.
Click here to download that. It is a great read,
even if you do not plan to keep bees, it has my formula's and
everything.
Deb Roy's Face Cream
Formula, Vermont
I want to share my face cream with you.
It is so simple and I have left it in my bathroom
for months without growing mold. I call it
Lavender Moon Cream.
3/4 cup lavender infused oil, I use apricot oil.
1/2 oz. beeswax
1/3 cup coconut oil
1 cup aloe vera juice
1 teaspoon lavender essential oil
1/4 teaspoon vanilla essential oil
1/4 teaspoon patchouli essential oil
I also infused 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
with 4 oz. of fractionated coconut oil.
There was a little sent of cinnamon. I had
to heat it in my yogurt maker.
I has been so bloody cold up here it
didn't get much heat from the sun.
I think this is a great formula--but more so for the hands and feet! And we would recommend the microwave for melting, but perhaps Ms. Roy prefers not to ruin the healing elements and that can happen when you heat any product too high. I know her well enough, to know this is her point by using a yogurt maker. Yogurt makers tend to stay under 108 degrees. In general, we advise adding the "good stuff" after the product has cooled down--but still liquid enough to introduce additives--such as any healing balms. DRD
Note to new people: This year we are seeing a slew of "new" people. They are just learning how easy it is to make your own bath products. If you are new, please read the Archives, you will learn a lot! Making lip balm and balm sticks is so easy, it is one of our first topics years ago. And I created Q&A here.
Pet Food Recall:
Menu Foods: Still Not Admitting All Brands: They Never Will
Pet Food recall: I am
getting a lot of mail on this issue because people want to know what
they can feed their pets (below.) I knew when Menu foods
announced a "few brands" and "some cans" affected, it
was going to be a lot more than the company initially admitted.
I also knew a "few deaths" was an understatement.
The dot com vet sites are reporting more like 461 cases of kidney
failure so far. True, a few were just cases of old age and
came at a bad time where it is easy to misconstrue.
Within 21
days they had to admit to some 53 brands of dog food and 40+ of cat
food--way later post note some dog biscuits. I
know animals died while the jerks at Menu Foods prepared that
list of pet food brands to be pulled.
It took them three weeks
to post the list from the time nine of their own corporate test cats
died at the start of March. Yes, they tested their bad
product on animals. They were hesitant to admit
just how many brands they had was the hold up, while at the
same time--more pets did die. And it took a good ten days
for them to come up with their public strategy. When they had
their 15 minutes they
tried to limit the issue to the northern states. That is, to make
like the CEO is angry also and hope the consumer can identify with
him and lead the consumer to believe the impact is limited to a few
northern states. Yeah, "act angry." He did not loose a
family pet because he would not feed them the corporate crap. At
first-they listed four brands and reported just a "few
deaths" at the onset. I think 9 of just their own cats is more
than "a few" and they did not need to test animals to find
out. Click here for the recalled
Dog
food brands and
Cat
food brands. They did say it was wet pet food
manufactured from pre Christmas 2006 to date, (now extending the
dates back farther) but failed to say it
was almost any gravy type can out there. Most reporting says
you cannot believe Menu Foods or the sector of dates they provided.
We did learn what they did not
want us to know. Most "upgraded" or "premium" food is
the same stuff--different wrapper. I think the brand rip off
over the years hurt everyone, including those people who could not
afford "premium" food and felt bad they could not. Bottom
line? The budget folks were not missing a thing. Those
who paid for premium food were ripped off over many years.
Menu Foods is hoping the
deaths minimize the other problem associated with this mess--which
is the obvious: most branding is a rip off. Menu Foods is done,
toast-a-munda, but they have an ethical and moral duty to clean up
the mess. They have to stick around to some extent because they are
a publicly traded company. I do not think they can withstand
the lawsuits--because future income won't be there to cover it. Diamond, Professional and Country Value were issues
Christmas 2005.
Menu has still not disclosed EVERY brand they
make! According to
Tammy Bruce, a few reporters called and asked about
brands not on the list. Although made by Menu Foods--Menu did
not have to admit any brands beyond the Cuts and Gravy products in
question. I think we know enough. They will not come
clean unless they are held above hot coals. They are hoping,
wrongly, to spare what brands or profit centers were not
affected--or they do not "think" is affected. The
fact is--they do not "think" and all they know is pet food is a huge
profit center. Their slowness to react has caused most of the
damage.
What to do? A lot of
people are tired of questionable canned food, and are cooking for
their pets. Your pet will have to adjust when taken off
commercial food. Do expect that. Chicken and yellow rice, or eggs, can be a
good meal on a dogs stomach until you have a better game plan.
Before this out break, we recommended cooking for your pet as a cure
for pet ailments--such as cancer. Ketcherside talked a lot
about it. Most people do not have time to cook whole foods for
their pets. We understand that. Dry food, high in
protein is another good step. We also are updating my
Animal Lover's Cookbook as that is getting a lot of interest and
Baby Let's Eat because some adults have to be on a baby food
diet. The updates should be done by April 1st and will be sent
to anyone who ordered the older versions. Many people are
ordering the e-book and want to get a head start.
|
