This month I’ve cut my food budget to five dollars a week. This is totally going to change the way I eat. Already I’m running out of things I’m used to eating. The Clif Bars, at $1.50/day, went first. Also the hard candies I was buying to entertain myself with – they’re gone, which is a good thing because I realized they were made with corn syrup which is one of the greatest blights on humanity.

I ‘m getting to the point where I may soon be able to see real life. By this I mean that by having bad food habits I’ve been in a deep canyon all my life. By eliminating certain foods I will be able to emerge from that canyon into a better environment which will include clearer consciousness, greater insights, and other spiritual gifts which at this time I have no knowledge of.

It is a tragedy of this century that food manufacturers have placed most of humanity – especially Americans – into this canyon of ignorance because of two main influences. (1) Bad eating habits based on processed and poisoned foods, and (2) Learned helplessness. By that I mean we have learned to be dependent on large manufacturing industries for our food and jobs and without them we would be helpless – and the jobs are just about gone. What will happen if the economy pulls the food off our grocery shelves too? How many of us will be able to adjust and find ways to get enough food to live on?

I’m just guessing – but if 10% of Americans know how to garden and preserve food and are prepared and ready to do so, and the other 90% are dependent on food manufacturers for processed foods including breakfast bars and cereals, canned foods, imported coffee and tea, potato chips, mayonnaise and other condiments, store bought bread and pasta, etc, not to forget the incredible bottled beverage industry… if 90% of Americans are dependent on all this JUNK FOOD then what will happen if your NWO overlords decide to pull all that off the grocery store shelves – or if/when the dollar is devalued to the point where you can’t afford to buy a can of beans because it costs $100 and your unemployment check was just spent on rent? And those who eat meat – who are still convinced they can’t live without it – if you can’t get that, are you prepared to go out and kill something – a rat perhaps – then skin it and eat it? I mean, bletch! I personally cannot stand the thought of eating meat and have realized that the myth that we need high protein levels to thrive is just plain wrong. That could be propaganda from the meat industry!

The point here is that if you are not able and ready for a self-sustaining lifestyle you’re likely to suffer including watching your children starve to death before you do – like those families in Africa. Do you really think the world didn’t have enough food to feed them? I think they could have been saved if it were not for greed of food barons in other lands. Surely there’s a better way to manage the food resources of this planet.

All this to say – I hope you are ready to be part of the small percentage of Americans capable of being self-sufficient and able to eat during the recession years. Are you ready? I’m not, but I’m working on it.

These days of spending only five dollars a week on food have opened my eyes to some amazing revelations. For example, food addiction. I am actually having withdrawal symptoms as I wean myself of first one food then another. It distresses me to think that the economy could get so bad that entire families would be deprived and going through the same thing I’m going through now.

Now keep in mind, my challenge here is to buy no more than $5.00 worth of new food weekly, but I still have my stored food to eat. I also have a devoted boyfriend who gifted me with three items in the past two weeks. (1) Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, (2) tortillas worth over $6.00, and (3) a bunch of bananas. I must have pigged out on the tortillas because they are gone already, and this was a big thick bag. I will not replace them. I’ve decided to eat the filling alone —- or maybe make tortillas once a week as I still have flour.

The ice cream comes in a very small pint container. I decided to eat only ½ scoop daily. The last few days I’ve combined that with strawberries that I took from my freezer. So, I have plenty to eat – but I’m not eating what I’m used to, and there’s where withdrawals come in as I’m forced to make little dietary changes. Last night I did EFT for “food addictions” and it helped me feel a lot better.

So that’s the report for now. I’ve allowed myself one $5.00 shopping trip so far and that was spent on an onion, tomatoes, green pepper, candy and … I think that was all. The candy is gone now and won’t be replaced. This week I’ll resist tortillas and go for fresh veggies … especially potatoes and carrots as I’ve now run out of all that was in my garden except for one stray carrot I found in the garden today that I’ve now pulled with glee. It is in my kitchen veggie box. Next time I make steamed rice and lentils and veggies I’ll use it.

Onward toward the light and toward freedom from dependence on food manufacturers. Wish me luck and prepare yourselves for hard times ahead, because they are coming . The American dollar is worth less all the time. Please watch this video and stay informed.

Movie produced by George at Inflation US

What do Bigfoot eat?

You may think this a trite question, but for me it isn’t. That’s because I’m a Bigfoot researcher. You may be shocked at this revelation about the character of this old hippie with a cooking blog, but please try to understand where I’m coming from. I live in a cabin surrounded by many miles of forest on all sides. There’s a little town nearby, about 1200 people, but I’m in the forest, surrounded by trees. There have been quite a few Bigfoot sightings within a mile of my little dwelling place. So I think wondering what Bigfoot would like to eat is a fair question.

One woman I talked to had a sighting a mile or two from where I live. She said it came into her yard so she set out apples and other fruit for it. This creature apparently ate what she left out. One day it came to her kitchen window and looked in. She said it had a kind and grateful face, and yellow eyes.

Now I’m not asking a Bigfoot to come look into my window though I think that would be cool. What I need to know is what is best to feed it. An acquaintance in Santa Cruz area says they won’t eat bananas unless you demonstrate how to peel and eat them while they’re watching. You see, often Bigfoot watch quietly and undetected from behind trees. They blend in with tree trunks and sometimes imitate tree stumps by crouching down when they think they might be detected and there’s no trees to hide behind.

You might think I’m wacko… I know most people don’t read Bigfoot literature. But there’s a lot of new anecdotal evidence on the internet and in Bigfoot books these days that make it almost impossible not to believe once you’ve allowed yourself to learn more. Many of the sightings are by very credible people, like this Bigfoot Sighting at Oregon Caves National Monument.

Add to that the books by scientists about Bigfoot, and it is a certainty. Right now I’m about to read a book called Bigfoot Sasquatch Evidence by Dr. Grover Krantz. I’m nearly finished reading Tribal Bigfoot by David Paulides.

Superb book, that one.

Did you know there’s a new hobby called “squatching”? It means that people go out into the forest where there have been Bigfoot sightings, and do things to try to attract Bigfoot into the area so that they will hopefully have a Bigfoot sighting or at the very least, find some footprints, or hear vocalizations, or tree knocks. The closest I’ve gotten so far is to hear vocalizations and to get that weird feeling of someone watching and telling me mentally to go away.

Part of squatching is to go into the forest to set up an area where the dirt is cleared enough to bear footprints. Soft raked dirt is needed because often ground is packed too tightly to show any footprints at all. In the morning after raking a baiting site, hopefully you’ll find footprint tracks if you’ve done it right.

I’m thinking… watermelon. I have a bunch of little watermelon in my garden that might do. But would a Bigfoot know what to do with it? And if I put this bait out, would a bear get it instead, or a raccoon? More than likely.

I know a place where the dirt is already soft and mainly dusty… all I’d need to do is take a rake and some food, then camp nearby … I definitely want to try that soon… but first want to figure out what to offer Sasquatch, and rig a way to hang food in a tree in such a way that a Sasquatch could reach it but a bear or raccoon couldn’t.

Strange desires we have here in the forest, no?

I know many Bigfoot researchers say that Bigfoot eats meat. No doubt they need lots of food to sustain the growth of such a large, strong body. But they’re also into berries and roots. Maybe they’d like potatoes and strawberries!

A few days ago I watched Sean Penn’s 2007 movie about Chris McCandless, Into The Wild. A true story that I was already familiar with, the film is about an idealistic 24-year-old college graduate from a wealthy family who gave away his life savings and hiked alone into the Alaskan wilderness, where he starved to death after about 112 days. The film gave a shocking look at the deterioration of the human body and mind as the actor apparently lost weight, taking in his belt by cutting new notches several times. Eventually he was totally emaciated and mentally disoriented.

Other symptoms of starvation are anemia, decreased ability to digest food, swelling under the skin, and shrinking vital organs such as the heart and lungs as they lose their ability to function. Mentally it causes irritability and an inability to concentrate. It takes only two to three months of severe malnutrition to die of starvation.

I’m writing about starvation because I’ve been shocked by the specter of high food prices and lack of availability of certain staples. In Asia people have been rioting because they can’t buy rice. Here in America some large stores are restricting the amount of rice people can buy. In Mexico people rioted because they couldn’t afford the new high price of corn tortillas. And in Africa, the wheat crop is ruined by Ug99, the fungus that threatens to destroy wheat crops around the world. I wrote about that a few days ago in Ug99, the Destruction of Wheat Crops, and Prices In Our Local Supermarkets.

Scientists predict that millions will starve because of Ug99.

So, out of concern for my fellow human beings I am asking you to consider the issue of food storage. I believe most Americans are so accustomed to having our needs provided for, we’re not prepared for the fact that everything could change overnight. If gasoline becomes unavailable, which could happen, trucking companies will not be able to supply supermarkets and our food supplies will be cut off. My significant other, who is pretty good at analyzing news and predicting the future based on what he reads, believes this could happen very quickly if war is declared against Iran.

There’s a way to prepare your family. Food storage. This means buying as much food as you can afford to, and keeping your cabinets fully stocked at all times. Of course when you prepare meals you should use the oldest foods first, and rotate the supplies you store. Food, even canned food, loses some of it’s nutritive value after a while.

I’d like to explore this idea further and will prepare some lists of things that should be stored for an emergency. I don’t want to sound paranoid or fatalistic, but I truly believe this American nation is going through hard times and that things are likely to get worse before they get better. I don’t want to see people starving. I hope with passion that my words will touch someone’s heart so that they’ll get a good supply of food stored and save themselves and their babies from hunger.

All the best to all of you…

Eczema hit me during my first pregnancy. I went from having wonderful, clear skin to having dry scaly itchy patches all over my arms and legs. My obstetrician told me, “Pregnancy brings on all sorts of unexpected changes.” Fortunately this dreadful skin condition went away and didn’t return again until my next pregnancy, six years later. After that, it never quite went away completely until recently.

I believe my recovery is mainly due to taking high quality multi-vitamins and a hair and skin supplement. This is a great start toward better skin health, but in the meantime an essential oil blend may help ease the discomfort of itchy, dry skin.

To make an essential oil blend for eczema skin care start with a nourishing carrier oil such as:

Avocado Oil

Evening Primrose Oil

Hazelnut Oil

Jojoba Oil

Wheatgerm Oil

If these aren’t available, you could try Almond Oil, or even Olive Oil.

The carrier oil should be 97% of the solution, at least.

Add a few drops of one of the oils listed below. You may have to experiment to see what works well for you.

Balsam Oil

*Bergamot Oil

Cade Oil

Carrot Seed Oil

Cedarwood Oil

*Chamomile Oil (German Chamomile or Roman Chamomile)

Geranium Oil

*Helichrysum Oil

Hyssop Oil

Juniper Oil

*Lavender Oil

Lavandin Oil

Marigold Oil

Myrrh Oil

*Patchouli Oil

*Rose Oil (Damask Rose or Cabbage Rose)

Rosemary Oil

Spanish Sage Oil

Thyme Oil

Violet Oil

White Birch Oil

Yarrow Oil

*considered most effective

…

Sources:

Personal experience with this problem.

Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to The Use of Aromatic Oils In Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health and Well Being by Julia Lawless

Aromatherapy For Women by Maggie Tisserand

[Note: There are creams that doctors can prescribe to alleviate eczema symptoms. Nothing in this article is meant to discourage treatment by a qualified medical doctor. I am not a doctor - I'm a self-trained herbal practitioner.]

Herbs have been an important part of my life for a long time. When I lived in California’s Central Valley, in Tulare, I had my first herb garden in my backyard. Everything grew abundantly and easily, and the variety of plants thrilled me. Perhaps I was spoiled because I had the best soil possible, and everywhere I’ve lived since then has been progressively worse for my herb growing hobby.

Now I live in a remote mountain river valley where my home is built on a hill made from the tailings of an old gold mine. The ground is very inhospitable to many types of plants and it seems I can’t grow anything without imported dirt. Still I’ve had a bit of success with a few herbs, especially sage.

Fortunately there are herbs that grow abundantly in the wild near here such as Klamath Weed - a pretty plant with yellow flowers, better known as St. John’s Wort. The scientific name is Hypericum Perforatum. Other names it is known by are Tipton Weed, Johnswort, St. Johnswort, Amber, and Goatweed.

“Wort” is an Anglo Saxon word meaning “plant” or “herb”.

St. John’ s Wort is said to be:

Analgesic: Used to reduce pain. (3)

Antispasmodic: Used to relieve spasms and cramps. (1)

Astringent: Used to contract tissues, reducing discharges and secretions. (1)

Diuretic: Causing increased secretion of urine. (1)

Expectorant: Used to expel mucus from the respiratory system. (1)

Nervine: Used to soothe the nerves. (1)

Vermifuge: Used to expel and destroy intestinal worms. (1)

Vulnerary: Used topically to heal wounds. (1)

To make an oil extract, put fresh St. John’ s Wort leaves and flowers in a jar and cover with olive oil. Close the jar and leave it in a sunny place for six weeks, shaking it often. The oil will turn red. Strain the oil with a cloth. If the oil develops a watery layer, siphon it off. The oil should keep for two years in a dark container. This oil can be applied to bruises, swellings, and wounds. (1, 2)

To make an infusion: Steep 1/2 teaspoon St. John’ s Wort leaf in 1/2 cup water for five minutes, covered. Take warm, 1/2 cup before breakfast, and 1/2 cup before bedtime. (1)

For anemia: Mix St. John’ s Wort and European Centaury in equal parts. Steep 1 teaspoonful in 1/2 cup boiled water, and sweeten with 1/2 teaspoon honey. Drink 1 cup to 1 +1/2 cups daily, by mouthfuls. (1)

To improve general energy and vitality, mix Balm with St. John’ s Wort in equal amounts. Steep 1 teaspoonful in 1/2 cup boiled water, and sweeten with 1/2 teaspoon honey. Drink 1 cup to 1 +1/2 cups daily, by mouthfuls. Continue to use daily for an extended period of time. (1)

For insomnia: Mix 1 part Fragrant Valerian, 2 parts St. John’ s Wort, 3 parts Hops, 5 parts Lavender flowers, 10 parts Primrose flowers. Steep 1+1/2 teaspoon in 1/2 cup of boiled water for ten minutes. Add 1/2 teaspoon honey and drink before going to bed. (1)

For insomnia: Mix Fragrant Valerian root, St. John’ s Wort, Primrose flowers and Lavender flowers in equal parts. Steep 1 heaping tablespoonful in 1/2 cup of boiled water and drink before bedtime, a mouthful at a time. (1)

For menstrual cramps: Mix St. John’ s Wort with European mistletoe (NOT American mistletoe!) in equal parts. Parboil 1 teaspoon in 1/2 cup water, then steep, covered, for five minutes. Take by teaspoonfuls. (1)

You can use the yellow flowers of St. John’ s Wort to dye wool; set with alum as a mordant. (1)

During the middle ages, St. John’ s Wort was one of several herbs traditionally added to fires on St. John’s Eve (June 23) to eliminate evil spirits. This tradition may have originated with the ancient Gauls. These fires were lit on hills and other high places to protect people living in the area, their animals, and their crops. Other herbs used include Mugwort, Ivy, Milfoil, Vervain, Elder, Figwort, Fennel, Melilot, Camomile, Plantain, Hawthorne, Lavender, and Male Fern. (1)

Hang the plant in your window on St. John’s Day (June 24) to keep away ghosts, spirits, and familiars all year long. (2)

To dream of your future husband, pick the plant on St. John’s Day Eve and hang it on your bedroom wall. (2)

A bit more about St. John’s Wort and St. John the Baptist: St. John’s Wort was believed to be most potent if harvested on St. John’s Day, that it is the day it first blooms, and it was said that the flowers bleed red on the day St. John the Baptist was beheaded in August. (3) I can tell you, around here St. John’s Wort blooms in June, but not necessarily starting on St. John’s Day. I do agree, however, that June 23-24 is an ideal time to harvest St. John’s Wort.

To control vomiting and spitting of blood, combine St. John’s Wort with Knot Grass. (2)

St. John’ s Wort has been smoked (burned, to create smoke, not inhaled) inside a home, and in copying this ancient tradition we could add it to smudge sticks. (1)

St. John’ s Wort was also carried or hung around the neck as an amulet to ward off evil spirits. (1)

St. John’ s Wort has been added to brandy and wine, and drunk to alleviate insanity or melancholy. (2)

Of course, these days it is common for people to use St. John’s Wort for depression. The main known side effect is an increased sensitivity to light.

For coughs, clearing lungs: A decoction can be made of the entire plant. To make a decoction boil 1 part plant to 20 parts water for twenty minutes in a closed, enamel container. Add roots first as they take the longest to extract medicinal value from. (2)

Welsh health test: At one time sprigs of St. John’s Wort were hung overnight by Welsh families from the rafters, after naming a sprig for each family member. The degree to which each sprig shriveled by morning was believed to be indicative of the health of that family member. (3)

The scientific name, “Hypericaceae” means “above an icon” - and in the past, St. John’s Wort was placed above icons and pictures to ward off evil. (3)

When pinched the yellow flower petals bleed red. (3)

According to John Cole, a 17th century herbalist who believed in the Doctrine of Signatures, the fact that the plant has pores means that it is good for all types of skin problems. The Doctrine of Signatures says that a plant’s appearance indicates its uses. (3)

One herbal states that St. John’s Wort has been used for bedwetting and urinary complaints. (3) It makes no sense that a plant that is a diuretic would be used for bedwetting, since that would increase it, not decrease the problem. The only way that I could see this as a possible solution is if the tea were given in the morning to induce elimination of fluids before night comes.

Diuretics are prescribed for control of high blood pressure, or for alleviating swelling of the feet and lower legs.

Other maladies cited as helped by St. John’s Wort: digestive upsets, ulcers, gastritis, diarrhea, nausea, bruises, hemorrhoids, nerve damage, trauma. (3)

If you’re at all interested in using St. John’s Wort, please read this St. John’s Wort Information which discusses contraindications and types of prescribed drugs it should not be used with.

Sources:

(1) The Herb Book by John Lust

(2) Herbs and Things by Jeanne Rose

(3) Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs

…

Submitted to the Carnival of Healing.