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Pet Promise
I get this great newsletter from
Care2.com:
Healthy & Green Living. It's filled with great ideas for, you guessed it, healthy and green living. There are natural remedies, cleaning ideas, and great recipes - among other things. I highly recommend it.
Friday's issue included a link to a fantastic site. If you're worried about the food that you're feeding your pet, worry no more!
Pet Promise has the answer to all of your questions. I was seriously impressed.
They promise (good word, eh?)
no animal byproducts,
no added growth hormones,
no antibiotic-fed meat sources,
no factory farm meats or poultry.
Pet Promise also promise natural meat, chicken, or ocean-caught fish; and they know where the meat comes from, because they only work with ranchers who can guarantee that their animals were raised without hormones and antibiotics.
What's even more impressive - to this niece and granddaughter of family farmers - is that
Pet Promise didn't intend to be a pet food company. The original goal of their work was to support
family farmers and ranchers; the people committed, for generations, to standards of quality and sustainability and humane treatment of animals. You just don't get that from corporate - grow everything with chemical-enhancements in a cage - farms.
I grew up watching my cousins show cattle at the local fairs and helping my aunt collect eggs from the chicken coop. (If you've ever collected eggs, you know that hens don't share well with others.) Not to mention, steak-and-eggs (or fried chicken) dinners that were the best on the planet. My uncle grew corn for the cattle, that lived in the barn and roamed at will. The chickens were in a large coop, with a nesting area that had more room than the bathroom of our old studio apartment.
This is something that means a lot to me - supporting family farmers, healthy foods for us and our pets, and reducing the market for products that flood our systems with growth-hormones and dangerous additives.
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Curb Chocolate Cravings
I saw this headline:
Brisk Walk Can Curb Chocolate Cravings today and my first thought was "Heaven Forbid!" A brisk walk - yuck!
Honestly, I don't eat chocolate (or any sweets) on a regular basis. It's a habit I developed years ago when I was having serious problems with my blood sugar levels. My pancreas works a bit too well and overcompensates for sugary foods. But brisk walks? Maybe for nicotine cravings, although . . .
First, I'd have to take a shower, which generally involves a 3 hour wait for hot water and a mad scramble to finish before the warm water does. This exercise in frustration is followed by 40 minutes detangling my hair, 30 minutes lotioning 6 feet of arms and legs, and . . .
aw hell! I just lit a cigarette!
Then, I have to dig through the closet to find something to wear - something that's clean (eliminate 50% of the closet), that fits (there goes another 40%), that suits the weather (kiss 8% goodbye). Now . . .
aw hell! I just lit a cigarette!
See? Brisk walks are just a bad idea! And I haven't even found my shoes, yet.
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Happy Halloween!
I love Halloween! As long as I can paint my face and not be me.
And get lots of candy!!
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Finding the Right Way to Lose Weight
Those of you who faithfully read my
musings know that I am battling a changed metabolism and reduced activity level - in other words, I've put on weight in the last few years.
I recently managed to lose a few pounds, which I am thrilled about. But I still need to shed a few more, as well as think about getting more (okay, some) regular exercise. Which leads me to the point of this post.....
Using
diet pills is not a - pardon the pun - magic pill to fix bad eating habits and inactivity. Or, even more importantly, to 'cure' physical problems that contribute to weight gain - such as thyroid or other metabolic issues.
Some of the
detox-type options are intriguing. I know that, being a smoker and living near 2 major roadways, my system is undoubtedly full of toxins. Ideally, I'd quit smoking and move to the country.
Realistically, I should quit smoking, eat organic foods, vacuum more often, bathe the cat, and keep my air filters cleaner. Oh, and exercise.
Where was that detox pill again?!
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
New Affiliate Partners
It has been a busy month.
Two (2) of our
Partners-in-Shopping have discontinued their programs. We will miss them very much. But, before we had a chance to mourn our missing associates, we acquired three (3) new Shopping Friends! Very Exciting!
You've read about
CurrentCatalog.com. Now let me introduce our two (2) newest shopping friends:
- Cheryl & Co. ~ "Fresh Baked Cookies, Desserts and Gifts"
From a single cookie store in 1981, Cheryl & Co's has grown to include gifts and desserts along with an expanded dessert line which now includes brownies, cheesecake, pies, and cakes.
- Just Because Baskets
~ "Baskets & Beyond" You decide what goes inside at Just Because Baskets. Build your own or choose from pre-assembled gift baskets; perfect for personal and corporate gifts.
Please stop by our new partners and see what they have to offer. I just know you'll find something to love. I did!
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Weight Loss Product
It's very easy to find a
weight loss product in the stores or on the Internet. But how do you know if the product works or, more importantly, if it's safe?
Well, that's an easier question to answer than you might think. There are websites that have taken all of the work out of choosing the best diet pill.
Simply go online and read the reviews. Learn what works, what is just hype, and what might be risky to your health. In my case, I have blood sugar and blood pressure issues that make it very important for me to know exactly what I'm putting in my system.
Thankfully, I don't have to take unnecessary chances anymore. And neither do you.
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Carcinogen in Potato Chips?!
No one would ever claim that deep-fried starch (potato chips and french fries) is good for you - but this one knocked me over.
Settlement will reduce carcinogens in potato chips?! Okay, I don't know about you - but this is news to me (pardon the pun).
Apparently, the process used by several major snack food companies (not to mention fast-food joints) creates
acrylamide in unacceptably high levels.
Acrylamide forms naturally when starchy foods are baked or fried. Studies have shown the chemical, which also has industrial uses, causes cancer in lab animals and nerve damage to workers who are exposed to high levels. The Food and Drug Administration is researching whether acrylamide in food poses a health risk.
From: Associated Press Article
In order to avoid court proceedings in the state of California, the companies in question (H.J. Heinz Co., Frito-Lay, Kettle Foods Inc., and Lance Inc.) agreed to a settlement, reducing the levels of carcinogens in their products -
Over Three Years!. Not all that comforting, is it? Their other option was to label products as
Contains Carcinogens.
This creates a number of serious concerns for me:
- How long have I been eating high levels of carcinogens? Chips and french fries are some of my favorite comfort foods. (The article doesn't say.)
- Am I at risk when baking and frying potatoes at home? We eat a lot of potatoes. (The article doesn't say.)
- What affect has this had on Mark's health? He doesn't eat as many chips and fries as I do, but he has a suppressed immune system. (The article doesn't say.)
- Will there be a nationwide reduction in acrylamide in these companies' products? How do we know that the products distributed to, for example, Arizona or Michigan, will be the same as California? The suit was brought by the state of California.
- Is there any reason to derive comfort from the fact that the FDA is looking into the situation? This one is easy - NO! Given their track record, there is no reason to believe that they will accomplish anything except further taxpayer expense.
Frankly, this is a frightening story! And I do not intend to purchase any of these products - for the foreseeable future. If ever again.
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
My Recipes
One of the worst things about cooking dinner every night is getting into a recipe rut. We find ourselves making the same things over and over again. Boring!
So, when I find a site with a bunch of new
recipes, it's something I have to share with everyone. Just be warned - don't surf this site if you're hungry! The recipes are mouth-watering, believe me.
I can't wait to try
Baked-Potato Eggs,
Green Chile-Chicken Casserole, and
Last-Minute Lasagna. And I can save my favorites, or new recipes that I'm dying to try, right online. Or, even better, print them out in whatever size I need.
If you're in a recipe-rut - or just like to try new things - you should check out this site.
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Greater Good Network
I have a great interest in protecting the environment, helping animals, and just trying to do the right thing. Sadly, I don't have a bank account that allows me to financially support all of the causes in which I believe.
Thanks to the
Greater Good Network, and their sponsors, I don't have to be the Sultan of Brunei in order to help.
One of the easiest ways to help is by resetting the home page on your browser. Simply pick one of the websites in the network - I chose
The Animal Rescue Site - and every time you visit the Internet, simply click on the "Click Here to Give" button on the main page. It doesn't cost you a dime, but the sponsors will take that 'click' and donate to the cause that you've chosen.
Every time I visit my homepage, I give .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. And I am not alone! Yesterday, July 10, 2008,
303,764 clicks contributed
182,258 bowls of food; in 2007, actions at The Animal Rescue Site funded the value of 42,724,313 bowls of food for animals in need.
I know that I couldn't, personally, contribute enough to make a drop in the bucket. But, working with The Greater Good Network, I - and you - can do wonders.
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Posted by
JMarkAfghans at
12:37.22 AM |
Categories:
Beliefs,
Causes,
Environment,
Food,
Great_Ideas,
Health,
Internet,
Kids,
Reading,
Shopping,
World
More Sick With Salmonella
The story just keeps getting worse and worse. First, they couldn't determine which produce might be the problem, but were leaning toward tomatoes. Then, they couldn't determine from where - exactly - the tomatoes might have come. Now - this!
Salmonella infects over 1,000; peppers now eyed
What does the FDA do, precisely? I know that there is a lot of money involved in the daily operation of this government agency. But - seriously - what
are they doing?
I told Mark today - we're all going to starve to death. The only food we can afford these days is tainted.
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Kroger Ground Beef Recall
Here's a story that, somehow, I missed this week.
Kroger has announced a voluntary
ground beef recall after several people in Michigan and Ohio became ill and more than half of them reported purchasing ground beef at Kroger. Ohio Departments of Health and Agriculture said a sample of raw ground beef was found to contain E. coli O157:H7 bacteria, a particularly toxic strain that caused outbreaks in Ohio and Michigan.
The
sell-by dates on the contaminated ground beef are
between May 21 and June 8. If you live in either of these states, check your freezers for ground beef products with those sell-by dates. Stores are, obviously, accepting returns for a full refund or product replacement.
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Contaminated Tomatoes
Have you ever seen
Threshold?
THRESHOLD is a suspenseful drama about a team of experts who are assembled when the U.S. Navy makes a chilling discovery: an extra terrestrial craft has landed in the mid-Atlantic ocean. Together, they decipher the intention of the craft, the fate of the ship's crew and begin preparations for the possibility of a crisis situation--an alien invasion.
We're watching an interesting episode right now, where the aliens are using tomatoes to 'turn' humans. Mark and I immediately made a humorous connection between the story that the Feds put out on the TV show with the latest reports of contaminated tomatoes in the 'real world'.
I'm just sayin' . . .
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
Muscle Growth
I have been lucky throughout my life - when I want to build muscle, I
simply exercise a little bit. Because I've never carried much body fat, it
was easy for me to build visible muscle. Of course, as everyone now knows,
I'm lazy so I don't consistently work out.
For those who are really
looking for
muscle
growth, there are a lot of options out there. The really good ones
explain that you can't pop a couple of pills, sit back, and watch muscles
grow. There has to be a personal commitment and a great deal of effort.
Before
you commit to gaining muscle mass, do some research and choose a product
or company that will really help.
Don't forget to visit
JMark Afghans and
My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on
Squidoo that supports the
Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your
Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!
Jules
