Insurance

Are you Insured?
Ever consider how much money you put towards your insurance premiums monthly or even yearly? Let's see.... Homeowner's Insurance, Health Insurance, Car insurance, Life insurance, Disability insurance etc.....
$10,000, $15,000, or $20,000 or more!




Why do you purchase these insurances?

Peace of mind, protection, "just in case"...



At the end of the year, if you have not needed these insurances, what do you get back in return?
Ummm... $0.00 Dollars


What if you purchased FOOD as an insurance?
Just a little bit goes a long way.... how about starting with $100/month.



What would you get at the end of the year if you didn't need to use this insurance?

.......FOOD!




Wow!! This is an insurance that actually gives you something in return!

After faith and love, the only thing that will save you and your family is food and water! What is more important than that!?!



Go to www.thrivefoodstore.shelfreliance.com to sign up for a monthly Q at a budget you are comfortable with and get your food insurance today!

Remember... you don't lose a thing with food insurance!!

Sickies

Well, so far we have had 1 severe kidney infection, 2 cases of croup, and 1 flu virus thing...I'm hoping it's all done for the month. Nate is still traveling some of his upcoming trips will include Germany and Pennsylvania. We are excited about an upcoming camping trip with the family to Yosemite and lots of summer fun. Nate and I are also trying to get our online business up and running and are really excited about that too.

I'm excited for summer, although that means that time is flying by and my kids are growing way too fast, and hopefully next post will be more interesting... :-)

Interesting...

How I try to blog about family and funny stories and I just never do it faithfully! It makes me laugh to think that I would actually stick with it but nevertheless...I will try again!

Nate and I, wait, Nate's not really doing this, I am trying my hand at heirloom gardening this year so that I can save my own seeds...So far I have only killed 2 radish plants...but this is day 1...so we will see. I'm honestly praying over them!

So here's to gardening success this year!! I planted: Pink Caspian tomatoes, Black Krim tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, roma tomatoes and Thessaloniki tomatoes, crookneck squash, zucchini, 4 different varieties of watermelon, 3 different colors of bell peppers, strawberries, green beans, white icicle radishes, and then all the herbs which are: rosemary, marjoram, thyme, dill, parsley, and sage. We'll see how it goes!!! Oh, we are also composting...

The Nutrition of Freeze Dried Strawberries

Nutrition of Freeze Dried Strawberries by Andrea Cespedes

FD STRAWBERRIES on sale at SR this month only!
#10 Can $20.02, 25% off!
Case (6 - #10 cans) $102.98, 30% off!

E-mail us to get on the Q and get this deal!

Nutrition of Freeze Dried Strawberries
by Andrea Cespedes

http://www.livestrong.com/article/280942-freeze-dried-strawberries-nutrition/
Overview
Freeze-dried strawberries are sliced strawberries that have had most of the water removed. This concentrates their flavor and nutrients while extending their shelf life. They may be rehydrated in water, tossed into cereal or baked goods, or eaten on their own as a snack.

Calories and Macronutrients
One oz. of freeze-dried strawberries, about 1 1/4 cups, contains about 90 calories. Of the 24 g of carbohydrates, 12 g are from natural fruit sugar. Freeze-dried strawberries contain no fat and 2 g of protein.

One oz. provides 316 percent of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Recommended Daily Allowance, or RDA of vitamin C, based on a 2,000-calorie-per-day diet. As noted by the USDA, values may be higher or lower depending on total calorie intake. In addition, an ounce of freeze-dried strawberries contains 4 percent of calcium needs and 8 percent of iron.
Flavonoids
Compounds in strawberries called flavonoids have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors. In the "Journal of Nutrition" issue from September 28, 2009, researchers from Oklahoma State University tested freeze-dried strawberry powder's effects on cholesterol and markers of stress and inflammation. After four weeks, women with metabolic syndrome who consumed 25 g of the freeze-dried strawberries two times a day experienced significant decreases in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol -- the bad kind.

Method
Unlike conventional dehydration methods that allow the texture, flavor and appearance of fruits deteriorate, freeze-drying maintains fruits' appearance and flavor. The method of freeze drying strawberries begins with partially freezing the strawberries at a temperature that breaks down their cellular structure and freezes 25 to 45 percent of water within the fruit. The strawberries are then sliced and frozen completely. They are dehydrated in a vacuum, resulting in a product with a moisture content of approximately 3 percent.

Considerations
Freeze drying does not affect the nutrition content of strawberries as do other preservation methods like microwave drying notes a study in an issue of "Food Science and Technology International" published in February 2006. Many companies sell bags or cans of freeze dried strawberries. They are also found in packaged cereals listing "with real strawberries."

About the Author
Andrea Cespedes is a professionally trained chef who has focused studies in nutrition. With more than 20 years of experience in the fitness industry, she coaches cycling and running and teaches Pilates and yoga. She is an American Council on Exercise-certified personal trainer and has degrees from Princeton and Columbia University.



http://www.livestrong.com/article/280942-freeze-dried-strawberries-nutrition/

Taking the Plunge!

Ok, my Mom and I have been trying to help people prepare by getting some food into peoples houses and the food that we have fallen in love with are in the Thrive line from Shelf Reliance. We have been getting some food from them and now are trying to get it into other peoples homes. It's the BEST food we have found. Nate and I are taking the plunge as well! Super excited and LOVE the food! The quality is the best we have tasted and they also have a monthly program called the Q that lets you pick what you want to get and how much you want to spend monthly. From that monthly amount you get points to get more food free and they also send you the new products, recipes, sometimes you get free shipping, coupons, etc. It's a great deal and no contracts! Plus they deliver it straight to your home. They have also gone direct sales and do home demonstrations so that everyone can taste what they are buying before they buy! Fabulous idea right?! Anyway, I love it. :-) We will keep you posted about different specials, recipes and other fun things! If you haven't tasted it and you want to I'll send you samples!! Woohoo for yummy food storage and convenience in everyday cooking! Their chicken and cheeses are already chopped, cooked, grated etc. They taste really good and it's super easy and convenient to use! Plus the shelf life is 25 to 30 years unopened and opened it's good for 6 months to 1 year. It's so great!! Gonna try to post the specials here... :-)

Memories of my Father-in-law

Glenn Goodman, my Father-in-law passed away on Monday January 3rd early in the morning after a noble fight with ALS aka Lou Gherig's Disease. This day was also my sweet daughters birthday. He will be sorely missed.

My first memory of him is at the dinner table when Nate and I were dating in high school at the age of 16. We were eating and no one was saying a word. It was quiet but for the sound of the silverware against the plates. This is unusual for me, in my house you have to practically yell. The only time there was any noise was when the two youngest siblings were fighting about one of them being too close to the other. Even then Glenn just looked at them for a second and went back to eating. It made me laugh actually.

My Father-in-law was an exactly honest man in his speech and in his thoughts and actions. In conversation he demanded the same. Not by being rude or by request but by his quiet example. He was a man of few words but they were often wise and probing. He was practical and a man of integrity and he was also funny. Watching him laugh was contagious because of his smile.

Growing up I HATED playing games. I think this is because I didn't like it when people, especially myself had to lose and they felt bad. We didn't play many games in my house growing up. Dating Nate we would play games for family Home Evening from time-to-time. I was able to watch one game and played most of the time after that. One game Glenn was about to score a point and the game was a game involving the people around you. He was laughing so hard that he started to cry, turn bright red and started to drool. We were all laughing because he was laughing, and he hadn't even taken his turn yet! It was so fun and a memory I will carry with me forever! Games weren't so bad after that! Not many people saw that side of Glenn and it's too bad. He is so much fun.

Glenn wasn't afraid of saying what needed to be said or doing what needed to be done. He was a courageous man and a very hard worker and taught that to his children. Because of him my husband is one of the hardest working men I know, and enjoys it because he has very fond memories of working side-by-side with his Father. He owned 2 El Caminos and I remember him working on those a lot in his garage. He was good at fixing just about everything.

Later on when grandchildren starting coming, he always brought his camera with him and was always taking pictures of them. He really loved them and enjoyed them! He would play with them and tickle them and I know it made him sad when he could no longer do those things with them. So, rather than feel sad he did other things that he COULD do with them. He put them on his lap and took them for rides outside in his wheelchair. They laughed and smiled and had a great time!

He was very healthy and was very contientious about the subject. He would make "green smoothies" for breakfast and after having tried some my husband affectionately referred to them as Dirt smoothies. :-) Some of the things that went into these smoothies included: kale, swiss chard, celery, blueberries, carrots, flaxseed, spinach, collard greens, and anything else that was healthy really. I admire him just for being able to drink them!!! :-) If you started a conversation about his subject you could get him talking for quite a while! One time I asked him something about milk, and he went on for a while. When he was done there was complete silence. After a minute he said, "I take it you guys don't agree." It was hilarious and we all had a good laugh about it, including Glenn!

I have so many other memories of him, and will try to post some more. I am blessed to be able to be a part of the family that he helped create and will miss his wit, wisdom, smile and quiet ways. His love and testimony will be survived by the way he lived his life and taught his children. His fight with the horrendous illness that he had gave me and my husband the honor of serving him for just a short time before he passed. Though the only contribution I was able to make was to make my husband, his son available at any point of need. I wish it could have been more. I am grateful for the honor it was to share in his life and to be part of his noble family! We'll miss you Glenn!!!

Day 1

Well, I told myself that as soon as I got my materials for my cleanse in the mail, I would start the next day. Of course that day was New Year's Eve...not the most fun!! BUT...I did it! We went to some friends house and they had Cheesecake, quiches, chips and dip, hot dogs, taquitoes, did I mention cheesecake? Anyway, I didn't have anything but my water. It was complete torture!! I enjoy eating...a lot! But, I did it. I can't say honestly if I feel any different yet because, we stayed up way too late and I'm exhausted. I can say that the smoothies are yummier than I thought they would be. My kids love them too. I have made, vanilla smoothie with a few strawberries, spinach, carrots, and more spinach. And a chocolate one with spinach, a couple grapes, cauliflower, carrots, and a little bit of broccoli. They were great!! The detox tea, I don't like....at all...but I'm told that that starts to taste better after a few days and you get rid of a bunch of the toxins. I hope so. It's got a bitter aftertaste and that's what I'm told is gone in a few days. We'll see. It's not a lot so it's drinkable. As far as my meals it isn't hard to stay away from dairy and bread...we can't really have bread anyway. It's the sugar that's killing me. I would really, really like a big candy bar right now!!!