These are a few of my favorite things......

I have been absent for far too long..... and even now I sit typing at a computer that is not my own. I have had several brilliant blogging ideas about food/recipes, etc but currently have no internet at my house! It's a looong story, but all that to say -- I haven't forgotten about my blog. I quite miss my blog actually, the urge to just post a little something as it comes to mind. ANYHOW, the long absence all started with one yucky word - sickness. I got a nasty cold, I can say with full confidence it was the worst cold I've ever had in my life. It wasn't so much of the common "cold" things that were annoying, it was that I literally felt as if I had a sumo wrestler sitting on top of my head. I hope none of you reading this get sick this winter season, but if you do, here's what to reach for in your "natural" medicine cabinet.

ACV - my friend apple cider vinegar. Gargle with it like you would salt. 1/2 tsp in about 1/2 cup warm water. Be careful not to swallow any of it by accident as it extracts the yuckies from your throat. Can also be taken internally to help normalize your pH levels. Go to www.apple-cider-vinegar-benefits.com for more information on this golden liquid. It's next in line behind breast milk with it's natural healing abilities as far as I'm concerned.

SambuGaurd - a herbal mixture that is highly effective against the cold & flu. Main component is elderberry. The SambuGaurd makes a whole line of products, which has a child's version too.

Astralagus and/or Echinachea - in a liquid form as a tincture. Put two droppers fulls into juice and slam it. Down the hatch, tastes yucky but is good for you.

"Man" Tea- this is a favorite around the Gildea household and we drink it all the time.
Mix organic cayenne, organic ginger (I like it in the liquid form) and honey in hot water. It got it's name from Garrett, he used it help his stomach when he was having ulcer-like symptoms.

Also, I'd like to give some love to two new products I've discovered that I LOVE.



1) No "Pudge" Brownie Mix - all you do is add low fat vanilla yogurt (Stoneyfield Farms is my fav) Trust me, it's really yummy and comes without the partially hydrogenated oils that are in all other non-organic brownie mixes. It's sad, but true...check your box. Bye bye Ghirardelli brownie mix.....



2) Hazelnut Madhava Agave - this flavored agave is scrumptious. I've been enjoying this jewel in my morning coffee. Again, what you've got here is a "natural" version of hazelnut syrup. Sans the corn syrup that is that base for most coffee syrup flavorings.



I also apologize for the lack of photos, my camera has run it's course I'm afraid. What can I say? When it rains, it pours.



That's all for now. Until next time......which may be a week or so until I can get interet up and going again at home.