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Chocolate, Lead & Cadmium 

I have had chocolate once since the mid 90's. I had terrible reactions to it. Emotional, mental, biochemical. Thanks to a dear friend who figured it out before I did (Adrienne)... I figured it was some kind of allergy, so I stopped eating it in 1995. I did try it once in the early 2000's and that brownie left me feeling suicidal! So, no chocolate for me. People try to convince me to eat 100% cacoa but I don't have the nerve. Too risky, as I see it. But maybe the mystery has been solved, to the reason for my chocolate induced insanity! Check out the link below to an article that says there is both lead and cadmium in most major brands of chocolate! Wow. Go here:
 

LEAD & CADMIUM FOUND IN CHOCOLATE – Is it in your favorite brand? Check here!

http://nutritionallywealthy.com/lead-cadmium-found-in-chocolate/

Choking! 



Has anyone ever swallowed something sharp, like a fish bone or a piece of shell? I have swallowed many fish bones growing up with a father who loved fishing, and who I joined on many many occasions. It was kind of our father-daughter activity. It's one of my favorite memories with Dad. Anyhow, getting one of those sharp bones stuck in your throat can be scary, but nothing like what I experienced yesterday at a local restaurant. I was eating some pretty dang yummy scallops and I am guessing there was a shell that I didn't see in the dark lighting. When I swallowed I knew I was in trouble, as it felt like a knife going across my throat and I knew I couldn't swallow without lodging it in further and creating a very bad situation for myself. So, I remembered my aunt choking on a fish bone, during a holiday gathering. She came frantically into the kitchen where I was, and she was looking around with incredible urgency. She saw a loaf of bread and tore it open with fervor! Pieces flew onto the counter and floor. She grabbed some and swallowed a mouthful. I could see the relief in her face and, eventually she told me she was choking. I didn't realize it because she was so intentional and focused. I think this memory may have saved me from a most unfortunate experience. Barely able to speak, I calmly asked Eleanor for the bread and ate a large piece. It forced the sharp edge out of my throat and I felt it scraping it's way down through my esophagus. It was painful and quite scary. I'm o.k. today, but my throat was raw for many hrs. I'm grateful that I did not panic and that I ordered that second round of bread!!! I'm sure a medical professional would not suggest our putting anything else in our mouths when we are choking, and honestly I probably would not have if i had not had that experience with my aunt. In this case, it helped. Be careful out there. And no matter what, stay calm! Mother Turtle

Nourishment 

It's been 6 long weeks since my nephews’ beautiful spirit left this physical plane. I think about him every day. It's also been 6 long weeks since I prepared a good meal for myself. I just haven’t felt like it so, I have eaten “quick” foods. Fruit, toast, lots of popcorn, some take out but not much at all. Even that felt tiresome, being that I live on the top of a hill in the middle of nowhere. It takes at least 25 minutes to get anywhere around here. Long story short, I have not been nourished. Last week a friend made me some collards and stir fry rice (thanks Seal). When I took that first bite of collards, my body literally reacted and I found myself vocalizing its yumminess with, “Mmmm” after “Mmmm” after “Mmmm.” It was then that I realized that I hadn’t had any greens in weeks. My body rejoiced and I knew I had to start cooking again. It makes me happy to be in the kitchen, but maybe that was the problem. How could I be happy, after what happened to Matt?  

It has taken me over a week, but today, finally, I prepared and am now eating, what my body thinks is the most delicious soup ever made! lol! It’s full of kale and collards, lentils, oyster AND shiitake mushrooms, onions, carrots, celery, basil, tumeric, cumin, smoked sea salt, Thai red pepper, Italian sausage, and nearly a cup of the freshest purple garlic. Oh, and since it had a spicy kick to it, I finished it with a dollop of plain yogurt and even more red pepper. This soup is off the charts good. I am satisfied and feeling nourished after eating 2 bowls of this deliciousness. Thankfully, I was smart enough to make enough to last me several days. Yay! Deep breath.

Yes, it’s been a long 6 weeks. We have had Matt and his twin sister Morgans’ birthday, as well as (my sisters’) their mothers’ birthday, and I had a birthday too. It honestly was the worst ever for me (I woke up crying and had a rough morning). Even my own mother forgot it was my day. She never has in 53 years. Mattman is gone, and there are no more birthdays here for him. I wish I had spent more time with him. Who knew his life would be so short. Time is a funny thing and a great teacher. Some say Matt is forever young. I say, Matt is free.   

Be nourished everyone. 
With Love,  

Marsia