Happiness is the Truth

IAT = I am thankful

a heated home
fuzzy socks
slippers
warm blankets
sweats

It's obvious today that I'm all cuddled up against the freezing Arizona temps. Wait. What? It's 58 degrees. But my toes have been cold all morning.

Recently I contacted the leader of a local group and offered to speak to them. So I am spending time today prioritizing what is the most important message I could give for their purposes. Just for fun, I asked my missionary boy, what was something I taught him that has contributed to his success so far.

Here is what he said.

"I think the best thing you taught me to succeed is positivity. I don't know if you realize it but I'm a pretty happy kid. I personally have come to realize how much more I can do when I control my attitude. You've taught me that win or lose, we can be happy. I love being happy, so much so that I don't allow myself to be anything else. I really like the poem (I don't know if you would call it a poem) by Charles Swindoll call "Attitude" imagine that! :)"

One of my favorite little B movies was one I used to teach principles to my children. My younger ones more than my older because I was just learning these things as my older kids were heading out the door. Facing the Giants. A little on the corny side, but so many great principles! My favorite scene is the death crawl, but I love this one too. It's become a theme in our family. When we win, we praise Him, when we lose, we praise Him.

The same thing applies with our emotions. It's why over and over and over again, I go back to gratitude. WHEN we are grateful; WHEN we recognize our blessings in every situation; we realize we have the key that unlocks the way to HAPPINESS. The reason Pharrell Williams is asking you to clap along, is because he knows the secret to happiness. He sees the sunshine, and you can't waste his time talking about bad news. Happiness IS his truth. It can be yours too.

Later in his family letter, Elder Norton 4 wrote:

"Well this morning I was studying in the Bible and Book of Mormon. One thing I find interesting is how often the Lord says to "Be of good cheer". So much so that I would even consider it a commandment. He wants us to be happy. If not happy than at least cheerful. Is that too much to ask? No. He knows we can be no matter what situation we are in. I love that. No matter what people say to us or what people do or what happens to us we can choose and decide to be happy. We have that agency. That is why we were sent here. To choose. We are given the option to choose life or death. Good or evil. Liberty or bondage. Happiness or Unhappiness. I believe there is no grey area. There is no fence. If there is a fence Satan owns the fence. We have to choose one or the other. Why not choose good? Why not choose to be happy. I try to be super happy here all the time. So much so it probably gets annoying lol I've caught myself laughing as I walk away from slammed doors and colorful language. I have decided in my own life that I want to be happy. I love it."

Start counting your blessings. If you live in America, you have about a million. If not, there are still a lot. Choose gratitude, choose a happy attitude.

Wow! I forgot. What does it Mean?

IAT = I am thankful

for healing hurts
for conversations with friends
for miracles that come out of messes
for plenty to do
for the ability to do it

I've spent the last few months pondering a lot of things. That's not what this post is about. The pondering led to some new decisions which have led to a pile of work the last few weeks. I could blame "it" on that. That's not it. What is "it?"

October 20. Twenty nine years ago, my mother took her life. Worst day of my life obviously. It's rare that I forget that day. And typically if I do, I remember it within a day or two. October hits and I know it's coming and I wake up that day nearly every year and think about what it marks and the what ifs. Of course, 6 or so years ago, I had my healing moment and October has had less and less power over me.

I do usually remember the day, but it has become more and more to me, just a date. A date that something difficult happened. That's about it. Next day.

Today it's November 13. It was a very long day and I was hoping to go to bed early. I remembered a baby shower I wanted to go to. I went and enjoyed being out and visiting and seeing the new mom open gifts. I came home and checked my messages. There was one from a friend asking for some thoughts about a friend who's soon to be daughter in law lost her mother to suicide last year. I told her I would ponder and give her an answer. So, I was thinking about it.

Then IT HIT ME! It's November. It never even crossed my mind!!! I wondered about that. How could that be? The single worst day of my life has become just another day. There is peace in my life and I literally didn't even think about it. I didn't even think about it, when the last week of October I was trying to remember whether my dad's birthday was on the 23rd or 29th. You'd think that would trigger the memory. Nope.

I think I know what it is. Well, it is peace, but it's what Paul said.

I like the wording, STRAINING forward. Many things have changed for me this year. I haven't written about them. Maybe I will. My striving or straining this year has been to let all drop off of me that is not of eternal worth. It does take CONCERTED effort. It's not something you can be casual about and really see progress. I had not thought about it in terms of straining FORWARD and I like that. I have a long way to go, but the prize is ahead and my eyes are on it.

My mother is not BEHIND. She is behind in my memories. My mother is FORWARD. I want to strain forward for the day when she comes into view. I know she's there. Looking back will not help me find her and who know's if it actually BLINDS me to her? Looking back for things DOES blind us to the life going on all around us. I don't want that. I want to embrace the now with my eye on the future.

I have tasted of the peace that passes all understanding. And I LOVE IT!!! It's always been with me, but I just did not pay as much attention to it as I certainly should have. So now, I do because I want to! My desire is so great to finish the race well. I pray for courage and strength every day to face whatever comes. I forgot. It's a new day. Tears of gratitude in my eyes, because THAT horrible day, no longer has power over me. #thankFUL

Annual Fall Bulk Food Buy

IAT = I am thankful

Annual Fall Group Bulk Food Order

Woohoo! I wait all year for this buy in, because it has some basic foods I can't get anywhere else for the price. Please join me if you are local (Graham or Greenlee County). If you live near these counties or in Az and you want to coordinate an order with me, let me know and I'll work with you. If we order 1000 pounds, there is no shipping.  SHIPPING WILL BE CALCULATED BEFORE I TAKE MONEY. I have to "place" the order before I know what it will be, so when we get close to the deadline, I will guesstimate the shipping and recalculate each of your orders and refund or request more when the order arrives. If you live outside of Arizona and are just dying for one or more of these products, contact me and I can make arrangements for you.

What you need to know.

The order starts immediately and goes until November 20th. I'm a little late, it's been going for two weeks. I need money and orders BY THE 20th So the deadline is Monday, November 20th. If after shipping adjustment, you will have the option of cancelling. This is a problem for me every year, trying to calculate without overcharging or shorting. The order will not ship to me until after DEC 1. I cannot guarantee shipment by Christmas although USUALLY, that happens. I'm sorry I cannot split orders. Find a friend to share. See products and pricing below. (I'd love orders to come in earlier than the 20th to meet my deadlines comfortably, since the next week is Thanksgiving.)

Summary--See details below

Raw Almonds – 25 lbs, $179.00

Cashews pieces – 25 lbs, $249.00

Raw walnuts – 25 lbs, $199

Sunflower Seeds – 25 lbs, $79.00

Flax Seed – 25 lbs, $49.00

Chia Seed – 25 lbs, $109.00

Pumpkin Seeds – 27.5 lbs, $179.00

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil – 4 gal, $169.00

Coconut Oil – 3 gal-25lbs, $169

Organic Raw Coconut Sugar – 15 lbs, $89

Coconut Shreds – 25 lbs, $119.00

Raw Honey – 30 lbs, $115.00

Organic Raw Dark Agave – 30 lbs, $125

Date Pieces, 30 lbs, $145

Rolled Oats – 25 lbs (NEW), $37.00

Green Lentils – 25 lbs (NEW), $49.00

Palm Oil – 1 gal (NEW), $25.00

Einkorn Wheat – 25 lbs (NEW), $69.00

Quinoa – 25 lbs (NEW), $99.00

Vanilla – 64 oz (NEW), $69.00

 

Raw Almonds – 25 lbs

$179.00

25 lb. Box

Unpasteurized raw almonds are nearly impossible to come by, unless you import from Spain, in which case they are $8-$13/lb. Almonds are an incredibly versatile food. They’re great as high-nutrition, high-fiber, relatively low fat, high-protein snacks.

You can soak almonds overnight to germinate them and then dehydrate them till they’re crunchy, eliminating more possibility of chemical residue. California passed a law in 2007 that ranchers must pasteurize their crop. This destroys live enzymes in this perfect food that are highly beneficial and that give your body a rest from having to produce its own enzymes to digest food.

California produces over 85 percent of the world’s almonds. Since you can no longer obtain raw almonds from retailers, This group buy allows individuals to obtain up to 100 pounds unpasteurized from a rancher. 

Nuts are high in fat, but almonds have less fat than most. They are extremely high in fiber and protein. A handful of almonds with a quart green smoothie is one of my favorite power lunches for days when I’m in a hurry. And almonds slow the absorption of the sugars from the fruit in the smoothie into the bloodstream. Almonds are rich in Vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium, and will help lower cholesterol and protect against heart disease.

Almonds last up to a year in your pantry at room temperature. Keep them in jars or freezer bags in the fridge for 2 years, and indefinitely in the freezer. Nuts can still germinate (sprout) after they are frozen, so freezing is a good way to preserve almonds and other nuts. The freshest almonds you can buy! These are the latest crop from sunny California, unpasteurized!

Cashews pieces – 25 lbs

$249.00

Cashews are a raw foodist’s best friend for making creamy sauces and desserts, and they’re lower in fat and calories than most other nuts. The fat they do contain is heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, and eating nuts daily has been linked in research to weight loss.

At room temperature, they’ll be good for only 6-12 months, so I recommend keeping them in your freezer indefinitely, or vacuum seal them in quart jars for 1-2 years in storage.

Raw walnuts – 25 lbs

$199 (price went down, WOOT)

25 lb Box

Walnuts are a delicious addition to salads. They’re an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, protective nutrients that your body must receive from outside sources. These and other nutrients in walnuts prevent cancer, support immune function, improve cognitive abilities, and prevent inflammatory conditions like asthma and arthritis.

Walnuts do not last particularly long on the shelf, so buy only enough for a few months unless you have freezer space (they will keep frozen indefinitely, and a long time refrigerated as well). These are not organic only because there is a non toxic pesticide used that does not harm bees.

Sunflower Seeds – Organic, Raw – 25 lbs

$79.00 (significant increase, boo)

25 lbs

Sunflower seeds are packed with Vitamin E and B vitamins, and many minerals that promote a healthy heart and prevent cancer. These sunflower seeds are organic and fresh with no shell and no salt. Keep sunflower seeds for years in the freezer.  They sprout easily when soaked and drained.  Soak them in a jar for one to two days, drain and rinse twice a day.  Their nutrition is maximized when the end of the seed just barely begins to grow a tail. Refrigerate sprouted seeds immediately so growth slows and they are usable for a week.

You can  fill a pint jar half full of sunflower seeds about once a week.  Then drain it after letting it soak overnight.  Add a large spoonful to granola to provide live enzymes and spectacular nutrition.

Flax Seed – Organic – 25 lbs

$49.00 (great price, again!)

25 lbs

Flax is a powerful nutritional supplement. 

Flax has been cultivated since ancient times but has gained new popularity and been heavily studied in recent years.  It is one of the most perfect foods available in nature.  I can’t think of a food that, by itself, provides as many benefits.  When you soak flax a few hours so that it germinates, it is absolutely unparalleled, nutritionally.  The American Cancer Institute has acknowledged 27 different compounds in flax that are anti-carcinogenic!

Flax is comprised of 35 percent essential fatty acids (EFAs), the ones your body cannot manufacture on its own and must be provided by diet.  More than half of those EFAs are omega 3s, critical for heart health and hard to find in other foods.  No other food has higher omega 3s than flax does.

The flax seed also is high in protein, vitamins, and phytonutrients, and contains a massive dose of fiber—both soluble and insoluble.  In a flax cracker with ¼ cup of seeds, you get 10 grams of fiber.  Little-known but critically important compounds that are garnering more interest from researchers are lignans, which are important in immune function and help neutralize estrogens and metabolize phytoestrogens.  Flax has 75-800 times more lignans than any other plant foods.  Flax has also been linked to preventing depression, and it’s the first food I recommend when someone tells me they’ve been battling a mood disorder.

These benefits yield immune support, healthy digestion and cholesterol levels, positive mood, and even glossy hair and dewy skin.  Flax oxidizes quickly when ground, so use them right away after grinding (in your blender or a coffee grinder).  I freeze gallon bags of flax for use in granola and crackers.

Chia Seed – 25 lbs

$109.00

Trying again. The last time, there was a drought. Fiasco.

Organic Chia seed is a superfood because of the Omega-3 fatty acids, protein, minerals, and fiber it contains. One ounce of chia seed contains 9% of the recommended amount of protein based on a 2000-calorie diet, and has more Vitamin C than orange juice, and more calcium than sesame seeds! Grind the seeds to use in breads and porridges, or sprout them for delicious microgreens.

Organic, Non-GMO, Allergens: Stored and/or processed in the same facility as soybean and tree nut products

Chia is a wonderful food for storage, because its crunchy exterior protects it from oxidation and keeps years without rancidity.  Buy up to a five-year supply, and keep it in a cool place if possible.  (Vacuum sealing it with a Food Saver in quart jars is a good way to keep it on the shelf for years.)
Chia seed may be eaten raw as a dietary fiber and omega-3 supplement. Ground chia seed is sometimes added to pinole, a coarse flour made from toasted maize kernels. Chia seeds soaked in water or fruit juice is also often consumed and is known in Mexico as chia fresca. The soaked seeds are gelatinous in texture and are used in gruels, porridges and puddings. Ground chia seed is used in baked goods including breads, cakes and biscuits. Chia sprouts are used in a similar manner as alfalfa sprouts in salads, sandwiches and other dishes. Chia sprouts are sometimes grown on porous clay figurines which has led to the popular U.S. cultural icon of the Chia Pet.

With so much focus on essential fatty acids (EFAs) and omega fats, the chia seed is a standout because it is 40 percent omega 3 oil.  So many people are taking EFA supplements that this whole food is very attractive with its high omega 6:3 ratio.  The seeds have seven times more iron than spinach and are a complete protein.Chia seeds absorb ten times their weight in water, so they are good thickeners when soaked.  They also give you a sense of fullness, a great aid in weight loss. 

Hungry after dinner? You can eat a big spoonful and chase it with a large glass of water—very filling with hardly any calories.  Some think they absorb some food calories as well, making them a diet helper in more ways than one.  They slow the conversion of carbohydrates into sugars and therefore help maintain stable blood sugar levels, great for everyone but especially diabetics.  And they are mucilaginous, absorbing toxins well for evacuation from the body.

You can sprinkle chia seeds on anything, as they have a neutral flavor, and unlike flaxseed, it is digestible without needing to be ground. And you can use 1 Tbsp. chia and 2 Tbsp. water as replacement for one egg.

Chia is a phenomenal food and, unlike flax, it keeps for many years because its hard shell protects the oils inside. The price is going up DRAMATICALLY, and demand is rising. We were able to get an excellent deal this year but expect that next year the price will be dramatically higher. Aztec warriors lived extended periods on a few tablespoons a day of chia seed, alone. It’s a TOP THREE food to store against emergencies because of its powerful nutritional profile, long-term storage ability, relatively low expense, and how easy it is to soak, and eat sprouted with living enzymes.

Pumpkin Seeds – 27.5 lbs

$179.00

Raw, Shelled, Organic Pumpkin Seeds (or Pepitas). Pumpkin Seeds make a healthy snack or salad topping.

Pumpkin seeds are full of omega-3 fats and high in minerals, protein, and fiber. Store pumpkin seeds in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for them to last up to 18 months, or freeze them indefinitely. They will remain fresh only a couple of months at room temperature, or 1-2 years vacuum-sealed in quart jars.

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil – 4 gal

$169.00

4 Gallons (four 1-gallon jugs) organic

This Olive Oil is not only inexpensive, it is 100% expeller-grade, cold-pressed, extra virgin olive oil.
Organic, Non-GMO,Producer-specified Shelf Life: 24 months in cool, dry conditions. Due to minimal processing, slight cloudiness or sedimentation is normal.

Olive oil has been consumed in abundance (often 35 percent of calories) in some of the healthiest populations of the world for thousands of years. Studies have documented that those eating a Mediterranean diet with olive oil, raw vegetables, and poultry had a huge advantage—50% lower mortality risk!—over those eating lots of pasta, meat, bread and wine.

Greek research published in Clinical Cardiology found that those using only olive oil (forgoing other fats) had 47 percent less heart disease than the control group, whereas those using other, refined fats as well had no protection against heart disease.¹ At least one very large study (20,000 subjects) even isolated the factor making the biggest difference in the Mediterranean diet’s exceptional effect in lowering blood pressure: virgin olive oil.

Olive oil is a monounsaturated fat that leads to breaking down stored fats in the body, and published research shows both animals and humans losing weight when other oils are replaced in the diet with olive oil, even with caloric intake remaining constant.

Olive oil is rich in the antioxidant classes polyphenols and carotenoids, and in chlorophyll and Vitamin E.  Many studies over several decades have documented that those who eat olive oil regularly (instead of other fats) have dramatically lower rates of diabetes, colon cancer, asthma, and heart disease.  Olive-oil-rich diets lower blood sugar, and prevent diseases as diverse as atherosclerosis, inflammation, and bone loss.  So significant were the findings of a French study on olive oil’s effect on bone health that a Brazilian company is now developing patented olive polyphenol supplements and teas for anti-osteoporosis effects.  More than one group of researchers has documented a much lower risk of breast cancer in populations eating olive oil daily.

Even small amounts of olive oil have been found to kill helicobacter pylori, an antibiotic-resistant bacteria that causes chronic inflammation, peptic ulcers, and gastric cancer, because it contains antimicrobial properties.

Always use extra-virgin olive oil, which comes from the first pressing of the olives, as it is unrefined and highest in polyphenols.  It is a longer-chain fatty acid, and while 2 Tbsp. daily has been studied as a good amount to reduce heart disease risk, large amounts of this oil (more than 2 Tbsp. per meal) can lead to weight gain.  Instead of sauteing food in oil, dress vegetables or grains in olive oil immediately after steaming  or sauteing in vegetable broth.  This preserves the compounds mentioned above that are found in the raw oil.

You need no more than 1-2 Tbsp. of olive oil daily.  And that’s instead of, not in addition to, the bad fats in animal flesh and processed foods.

Coconut Oil – 3 gal-25lbs

Organic extra virgin

$169

Certified Organic and Kosher, No artificial or chemical additives, Non-GMO, No Cross-Contamination/Allergens, Raw, BPA-free

This coconut oil is pressed out of the fresh flesh of the coconut palm fruit (cocos nucifera). The fresh coconuts are shelled and pared and the white meat is ground and then quick dried. The dried meat is then processed through an expeller and press where the oil is separated from the meat. The oil is then filtered and packaged. Food Grade and non-hydrogenated.

This coconut oil comes in white plastic (food grade, BPA-free) buckets so the oil is protected from air and light. It is a saturated and therefore highly stable fat, and goes rancid much more slowly than other fats and therefore stores well. Plan on rotating it within a 12 months, and buy no more than a 5-year supply for your freezer for baking, cooking, and beauty regimen needs (see last paragraph below for ideas for your skin and hair). If you don’t have a cool area to store the oil in, I recommend buying only a one-year supply.

The oil is liquid above 76 degrees, and solidifies at cooler temperatures.  If you want a liquid oil, just put the bucket in a sinkful of hot water until enough melts for you to use.  (Don’t microwave the oil or you destroy many of its nutritional properties, including enzymes.)

A very successful political campaign in the 80’s and 90’s by the soy industry effectively blacklisted tropical oils (coconut and palm) and made “saturated fat” a swear word in nutrition.  We were told instead to use canola or corn oils when we couldn’t avoid oil in a recipe.  Unfortunately, refined and nutritionally inferior vegetable oils that replaced coconut oil increased health problems, rather than decreasing them.

Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) are necessary in our diet and lead to silky skin and hair, as well as healthy cellular function buffered by lipids (fats) everywhere in the body. Organic, virgin coconut oil has the highest levels of MCFAs (58 percent) and has provided some of the healthiest and most beautiful people on the planet with excellent nutrition for thousands of years.  Dr. Bruce Fife has documented in The Coconut Oil Miracle how indigenous Pacific Islanders who are relatively unaffected by Westernization have virtually no heart disease and cancer, with ideal height/weight ratios.  Their diet is up to 60 percent fat, most of it saturated fat from coconut!¹

MCFAs supply quick energy because they are metabolized in the liver like carbs rather than being stored in the adipose tissue or as belly fat.  MCFAs enhance our immune system with critical nutrients.  Coconut oil is antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antifungal—shown to kill strep, staph, fungus, the virus that causes leukemia, and much more.

A friend's teenaged son once had a fungal infection on his face that wouldn’t go away all summer.  They tried everything on it, including colloidal silver and even over-the-counter topical drugs.  Nothing worked, and the spot was growing bigger and becoming a social liability.  Finally I had the idea to apply some virgin coconut oil.  The quarter-sized fungal infection disappeared in 36 hours!  

The good and bad fat debate centered on saturation for many years, obscuring other factors.  Not all saturated fats are bad.  Lauric acid (the immune-boosting compound in mother’s milk) is found abundantly in coconut oil, as well as in smaller amounts in butter.  Many supplement makers isolate lauric acid or make it in synthetic form and sell it as an immune system aid.  Coconut oil has lauric acid in the whole-food form, which is always utilized better by the body than an isolate or synthetic.

Unlike other oils, coconut oil does not produce dangerous trans fatty acids, even when cooked at high temperatures.  (Even olive oil produces some TFAs.)  For this reason, coconut oil is ideal for sauteeing.  If you don’t like the coconut flavor imparted to fried foods, I would recommend non-virgin coconut oil–for this purpose only–since cooking with high heat would kill many of the enzymes and nutrients anyway.  The non-virgin oils tend to be without the coconut flavor.

Although coconut oil is low in Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), it increases the utilization of EFAs by up to 100 percent.  It also nourishes the thyroid and increases metabolic rate for up to 24 hours.  You may know that proteins and carbs have 4 calories per gram, and fats have 9 calories per gram.  But you may be surprised to learn that the MCFAs in coconut oil actually have only 6.9 calories per gram, making coconut oil a slightly lower-calorie fat!

Again, eat coconut oil, but don’t go crazy with it.  With fats, small amounts are all you need, and 10 percent of your diet is enough.

You can use it as a nighttime moisturizer. Coconut oil is absorbed quickly by the skin, and is useful for healing dry skin on heels, elbows, and lips.  Rub warm coconut oil into your hair (especially the ends) and leave it on overnight or for an hour or two before you shower, for silky hair.

Q: How long does coconut oil last?

A: Coconut oil is highly stable relative to other oils. Many estimates are 3-5 years, but if you aren’t keeping your oil in cold storage, plan on 2 years in the pantry. My coconut oil in cold storage (not heated in the winter, in the basement) is four years old and still tastes wonderful, no rancidity.

 

I LOVE popping my popcorn in coconut oil.

Organic Raw Coconut Sugar – 15 lbs

$89.00 (great price this year)

15 Pounds (Three 5-lb. Bags)

This was new last year and oh how I love it! It has a yummy brown sugar taste, kind of caramelly. Unlike Sucanat, it has a glycemic index of 35. And anything 55 or less is considered “Low Glycemic Index.” (56-69 is medium GI, and 70+ is high GI.) Low GI foods lower total cholesterol and LDL’s.

This sweetener is also the world’s most sustainable source of sugar, as coconut palms can grow in severely depleted soils (think sandy beach!) and use very little water. In fact, they improve soil structure, fertility, and water conservation, helping marginal lands become lush jungle, over time. They’re nearly twice as productive per hectare as sugarcane.

This sweetener is neutral flavored, perfect for baking and sweetening drinks, and it is surprisingly high in minerals, including nitrogen, phosophorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, and Vitamin C. It is far higher in nutrition than agave, honey, or maple syrup. Should be a staple in a whole-foods kitchen.

Coconut Shreds – 25 lbs

$119.00

How I love this stuff! I do the order for this and the almonds. I like using it to make my own coconut milk and coconut butter. YUM.

This coconut is organic with nothing added, and it’s perfect for adding to fruit salads, granola, and healthy desserts. It qualifies as a superfood because of its perfect balance of healthy fats, like lauric acid, well-known to prevent heart disease and boost the immune system, and many micronutrients like B vitamins and potassium. It’s most known for MCT’s (medium chain triglycerides) which nourish the neurological system and keep the brain firing into old age!

Coconut is a power food as indicated by dozens of studies documented well in Bruce Fife’s The Coconut Oil Miracle. It is anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial. It also is a wonderful ingredient in treats and desserts. If you eat oatmeal or cereal in the morning, add a spoonful of shredded coconut for texture, variety and nutrition.

This coconut is not what you get in the grocery store which has two dangerous ingredients, among (potentially) others: sugar, and propylene glycol. Propylene glycol is known by the FDA to cause liver and kidney damage, and they excuse it as a food additive by allowing food manufacturers to use the chemical in “food grade” form. Avoid buying the sweetened coconut in regular grocery stores. Our group buy coconut is pure and organic without additives.

You can store in jars for six months to a year on the shelf, or refrigerate or freeze it in gallon Ziploc bags.

Raw Honey – 30 lbs

$115.00

30 lb. Case

Honey literally keeps forever; never goes bad.  This is in part because it is a natural anti-bacterial.  You can put it on cuts and scrapes and burns for excellent healing properties.  My source is in Utah, and the bees range on alfalfa. The honey is completely raw.

Raw honey can decrease or eliminate seasonal allergies.  Some theorize that the cross-pollination done by local bees provides a type of homeopathic remedy.  I tried this myself when I first read about it and did not have seasonal allergies ever again after beginning to use small amounts of local, raw product.

It’s a good sweetener for green smoothies in small amounts (especially if you suffer from allergies).

Six 5-lb. Buckets.

Organic Raw Dark Agave – 30 lbs

6-5 lb bottles

$125.00

Agave will last for years on the shelf.  Keep the amount you want for long-term storage in a cool area if possible, and buy up to a five-year supply.

Use it in green smoothies, and as a replacement in desserts. The big advantage of using agave rather than other sweeteners is that it has one-third the glycemic index of sugar and honey.  A health care practitioner I know says that by doing nothing more than shifting her diabetic clients from sugar to agave, she has seen many diabetes remissions.  It is a light syrup with a pleasant, neutral flavor that you won’t notice, and it is sweeter than sugar.

Agave has gotten a bad rap lately, as allegations have been made that Mexican companies sometimes cut high-fructose corn syrup into agave.  Good brands, however, process their “raw” agave under 118 degrees.  Some brands that advertise to be raw probably are not.  So use a brand that clearly states its commitment to cold processing, since that is how enzymes are preserved.

Date Pieces, 30 lbs

$145 (ouch, increase)

Date pieces rolled in oat flour are moist and delicious. They add sweetness to baked goods and granola.

Dates are an ancient food very high in magnesium and calcium.  As a whole, raw food, they are an excellent sweetener, much better nutritionally than any concentrated sweetener, and will consequently have less impact on blood sugar with its fiber and non-reduced and non-altered sweet flavor.
I offer date pieces through group buy because they cost less than half of whole dates, and you can rinse the oat flour off if you wish.

Rolled Oats – 25 lbs (NEW) Organic

$37.00

Oats are the base of most great granola recipes, and they’re inexpensive, filling, and full of fiber. They take just 10 minutes to make in the morning. The special fiber known as beta-glucan found in one bowl of daily oatmeal has been shown to decrease cholesterol by 8 to 23%! Getting a serving of daily oatmeal is an excellent way to address high cholesterol or high blood pressure. If you don’t like oatmeal or granola, there are many treats you can make with oatmeal.

Green Lentils – 25 lbs (NEW)

$49.00

Lentils are an inexpensive way to increase fiber, protein, and micronutrients in the diet, are well documented to be heart healthy, and are easy to prepare and digest. They help stabilize the blood sugar and are very low in fat and calories, while high in slow-burning energy and low glycemic index. The green variety retains its shape well after cooking.

Palm Oil – 1 gal (NEW)

$25.00

A tropical oil somewhat similar to coconut oil, palm oil from a “fatty fruit” is rich in medium chain fatty acids and may be a superior superfood to coconut oil! That’s because it also is loaded with carotenoid antioxidants (giving it an orange color), vitamin E, sterols and flavonoids. It has more vitamin A and E than any other oil! It does not promote or cause heart disease. Works well in baking, and is fabulous mixed half-and-half with olive oil for a great variety of healthy fats!

Throw away your hydrogenated oils, your processed vegetable oil, and replace it with this amazing superfood in your pantry.

100 Degree F melt point. Produces a hard bar of soap with stable lather. Works best when mixed with other oils, such as olive oil. Usually quick to trace. Food grade.

Einkorn Wheat – 25 lbs (NEW)

$69.00

The wheat we eat today isn’t what humans ate thousands of years ago. In nutrition sampling tests, Einkorn has been found to be a more nutritious grain. Einkorn contains higher levels of protein, essential fatty acids, phosphorous, potassium, pyridoxine (B6), lutein and beta-carotene (lutein).

Considering the fact that Einkorn is the most genetically primitive and ancient form of cultivated wheat, its very different from modern wheat. Many people say Einkorn is tastier than modern forms of wheat!

Einkorn wheat can be digested better than most foods. The low content of gluten in Einkorn makes it easier to digest than modern wheat. An improvement in digestion means that nutrients are better absorbed, ensuring that you have no tummy problems after consuming a delicious dish cooked with einkorn flour.

Einkorn flour is characterized by high protein, high ash, a very high carotene content, and small flour particle size when compared to the modern bread wheats.

Quinoa – 25 lbs (NEW)

$99.00

Quinoa is a Super Grain with nutritional superiority, nutty flavor, and interesting texture. It is a quick cooking substitute for rice, couscous, or bulgur Quinoa is a good source of complete proteins, essential amino acids, fiber, and many of the complex B vitamins. White Royal Organic.

Vanilla – 64 oz (NEW)

$69.00

Organic Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla is the finest quality vanilla in the world. Cultivated on the remote Isle of Bourbon in Madagascar, it has a sweet velvety flavor with floral undertones. Use in all your favorite recipes. Its delicate aroma adds a beautiful fragrance to homemade lotions, scrubs, and air fresheners, and is perfect for aromatherapy.

64 oz. (8 8-oz Bottles) perfect for splitting

Ingredients: Organic vanilla extract from whole vanilla bean seedpods and alcohol (35%). 35% is the amount of alcohol that is required in order for a company to label their product as vanilla extract. Less alcohol indicates you are buying vanilla flavoring, which likely has additives to make it taste more like vanilla. This vanilla has no sugar/high fructose corn syrup. Ounce-for-ounce, this extract is cheaper than grocery store extracts and is also organic.

That's it! Do ask friends to share or split orders. I'm sorry I can't do that for you. Email orders to azdmarie at gmail dot com. Include your name, number, email address, and any questions. I will reply or call you.

My THREE Chapter Walk

IAT = I am thankful

A paved road to walk on
Good shoes to walk in
Cooler temps to walk later in
A breeze on my walk
What I heard on my walk

A looooong time ago, a man named Joseph Smith made a pretty bold statement about the Book of Mormon. He said that "a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” Shocking right? Think about it. ANY other book? Today while I was walking I listened to 3 chapters from the book of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon.

As I listened, I was pretty amazed at what I was hearing. What was I hearing? A WHOLE LOT about Jesus Christ. I'd like to share what I learned in JUST these 3 chapters. It was pretty mind boggling.

In this chapter, we find Abinadi, standing before King Noah and his wicked priests, testifying. He has just told them, they'd better not touch him or God will smite them. That might give me pause too. Then he proceeds to give them the message the Lord sent him to deliver and the King had initially requested.

 After teaching them of the commandments that they should already understand, he begins to explain where salvation comes from. Here is what I learned. Chapter 13.

*Salvation comes through the law AND the Atonement "which God himself shall make"  or they would perish.

*The law had to be given to the children of Israel for a remembrance of God and their duty toward him.

*The law was a type of things to come.

*Because of the hardness of their hearts, they did not understand the law.

*No man can be saved except through the redemption of God.

*Moses and all prophets prophecied that God would redeem his people.

*He would take upon him the form of man and come among them in mighty power.

*He would bring to pass the resurrection of the dead. He himself would be oppressed and afflicted.

Coming up for air and leaving out all the verses previous to those 9, Chapter 14. Mosiah quotes Isaiah 53. We find out:

* He'd be a tender branch, no comeliness, no beauty that he would be desired.

*He would be despised, rejected, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief, not valued.

*He would bear our griefs, sorrows, he would be smitten.

*He was wounded for OUR transgressions. Bruised for OUR iniquities. OUR peace was UPON him. His stripes healed us.

*We've ALL gone astray, to our own way, and all of those iniquities were laid upon him.

*He was oppressed and afflicted. He didn't protest his lot but was led to the slaughter as a lamb, same with shearers.

*He was taken from prison and judgment, cut out of the land of the living, for the transgressions of the people.

*His grave was with the wicked and the rich. There was no evil or deceit in him.

*He was bruised, put to grief, his soul was an offering for sin, we shall be his seed.

*The Lord will see his travail and be satisfied, he shall bear iniquities.

*He will be given a portion with the great and will divide the spoil with the strong. His soul was poured out into death, he bore the sins of many (ALL) and intercession for the transgressors.

Whoa. And chapter 15.

*God himself will come down and redeem his people.

*He will dwell in flesh and be the Son of God, subjecting his will and becoming the Father and the Son.

*He is the Father because he was conceived through the power of God. The Son because of the flesh.

*Together, they are one. (Godhead) Together they are the Eternal Father of heaven.

*The flesh became subject to the Spirit, suffered temptation, yielded not. Suffered himself to be mocked, scourged, cast out, disowned by his own.

*After all of that, he'll be led like a sheep to the shearer and say nothing.

*He would be crucified, slain and subject to death. His will was swallowed up in the Father.

*He would break the bands of death, gain victory over it, giving him power to make intercession for all.

*He ascended, his bowels full of mercy, filled with compassion. He would stand between men and justice, breaking the bands of death, taking upon him iniquity and transgression, satisfying the demands of justice.

*When he makes the offering for sin, he will see his seed. Who are his seed?

*Whoever hears the words of the prophets, all who have prophesied of him, these are his seed, or the heirs of the kingdom of God.

*He has borne their sins, he died for them, redeemed them.

*All the holy prophets who have testified are his seed.

*They have published peace, good tidings of good, salvation, and said Thy God reigneth.

*How beautiful upon the mountains are their feet.

*And all those who publish peace from that time forward to forever.

*How beautiful is the founder of peace, the Lord, who has redeemed his people, granted them salvation.

*If it weren't for that redemption, ALL mankind MUST have perished.

*The bands of death were broken and the Son reigns and has power over the dead, he brings resurrection to pass.

*There will be a first resurrection from the beginning of time, up to the resurrection of Christ. (Which will be his name)

*All prophets, all those who believe, all who kept the commandments will come forth in that resurrection.

*That would be raised to dwell with God who redeemed them, they have eternal life through Christ who broke the bands.

*Others in the first resurrection are those who died in their ignorance, not having salvation declared unto them. They are restored and have part in that resurrection being redeemed by the Lord.

*LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.

*Tremble before God because he will not redeem those that rebel and die in their sins. From the beginning of the world, those who rebel against him, will have no part in the first resurrection.

*The Lord cannot redeem such, he cannot deny himself or justice when it has its claim.

*One day salvation will be declared to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.

*The watchmen will lift up their voices together and see eye to eye when the Lord brings Zion.

*Be joyful, sing, waste places of Jerusalem, for the comfort and redemption from the Lord.

*His holy arm is made bare in they eyes of all nations and all the ends of the earth SHALL see the salvation of our God.

And Abinadi went on for two more chapters!!!

I love this book!!! HIS name is on almost every single page. In another place it speaks of singing the song of redeeming love. That's how I feel when I read and hear all of these wonderous things. I want to sing the song of redeeming love.

BECOMING Charity

IAT = I am thankful

For learning
For becoming
For wise friends
For wise teachers
For grace

A week ago I attended a women's meeting at my church. It turned out to be a great meeting with much to ponder. One of my friends reminded me that going through the motions, is not what life is about. BECOMING, is what is meant to happen as we "go through the motions." That reminded me of a talk I love by Elder Oaks called The Challenge To Become. 

In it, he says, 

"...the Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become."

 This same friend taught me something about charity I had never thought of before. She was teaching a small group of moms about spiritual gifts. We all know charity is a spiritual gift. But she invited us to look at the individual aspects of charity as gifts in and of themselves. She also invited us to look for those sub-gifts in others. Immediately I recognized many of them in my husband and was so grateful for this new insight. 

A few weeks later, (last Sunday) I was teaching the chapters and verses in 1 Corinthians to my adult Sunday School class. As I pondered the chapters and verses and thought about what my friend had taught me, I had another insight. In Moroni 7 of the Book of Mormon, we are told that charity is the pure love of Christ and that we should:

^"...apray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true ^bfollowers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall ^cbe like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be ^dpurified even as he is pure."

I thought about that. Is praying really enough? That seems a little like a copout. I am one who believes that we should pray as if everything depends on the Lord, and work like everything depends on us. So if we are keeping the commandments and trying the best we can to live with His Spirit and follow Him, we should be-come better and better and begin to resemble Him, to be like Him. But then my friend's thought about the different aspects of charity came to mind. I realized that the DEFINITION of charity contains the FORMULA for developing charity or becoming charitable. 

Charity 
suffers long
is kind
doesn't envy
doesn't vaunt itself
isn't puffed up
behaves itself
seeks after others
doesn't provoke easily
thinks righteousness
doesn't rejoice in iniquity
bears all things
believes all things
hopes all things
endures all things
NEVER fails.

When I saw the definition, I saw that it also made a list. My Granny always said, "God helps those who help themselves." So, while we certainly DO want to pray with all the energy of our hearts, there is more we can do to obtain it. 

I remember many talks by Sheri Dew, but this one comes back to me often.  I like how she asked us to "...identify at least one thing we can do to come out of the world and come closer to Christ. And then next month, another. And then another." I can't think of a better way to do that, than trying to be-come the parts of charity listed above. I took a little leeway with them, but what if we decided to focus on being kinder, starting in our own homes and with people who we have a stewardship, with neighbors, and strangers, and everyone? When we got a little better at being kind, what if we decided to be happy and grateful with what we have and who we are instead of envying those who might seem to have more or are more than we are? And so on. 

I made a list and it's going on my mirror where I will see it daily. My plan is to do that very thing. To try to do a little better in each area. To ask for help as I am working on that area, and to know that my Heavenly Father will answer my prayer. I have a great example in my husband to gauge how well I am doing. There are also great examples in scripture and in our Savior Jesus Christ. We can all choose to do a little more; not more than we can, but a small and simple focus for a time. I'm going to. How about you?
 

To My Thatcher Friends

IAT = I am thankful

On home schooling.

This is a letter to my Thatcher friends. We had the blessing of living in Thatcher for almost 1 year. We were in a wonderful ward and we were warmly welcomed. We wanted very much to stay in that ward and find or build a home in the area, but it did not work out. The area did not have much to choose from, unfortunately. We miss the friends we made there, but hey, we're not that far!

So we moved to Central. Found some beautiful acreage with amazing views, and hope one day to build one more home. Until then, we are content and happy that we have a roof over our heads.

Recently, we made the decision to home school. So, why is this a letter to my Thatcher friends? Because people can be hesitant to ask and quick to assume. I just wanted to make it clear, that our/my decision to home school, had NOTHING to do with Thatcher schools. Thatcher schools were a welcome change for what our children needed. We enjoyed the increase in choices for them educationally, socially, and extracurricularly. I am SO HAPPY they had so many good children around them, that welcomed them in their circle. My biggest worry was how they would adjust from our move from Duncan.

I still haven't answered the question, but at least you know it wasn't Thatcher. :-) I found the administrators and board members mostly understanding and easy to talk to. The teachers were professional and friendly. I enjoyed the year that I substitute taught in Thatcher schools. All around Thatcher was a positive experience.

It's public education in general that I am leery of. The best place for the education of a child, is in the home. The end. I really feel that way. You don't have to be an expert. You just have to love your child, know where to find good resources, and be willing and able to partner with others where you fall short.

For me, as old fashioned as it sounds, the one room school house would be the next best place. Yep. Multiple grades in one room being taught by a teacher with help from older students for younger ones. I understand modern life has changed all that. So, we developed school districts and school boards, and so on and so forth. I am comfortable with being a community that hires my own teacher. Or electing a school board who hires teachers AND MAKES THE DECISIONS for my student.

Everything changed in 1980 when the Department of Education changed from a supervisory capacity to a cabinet level department with a mission "to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access." I'm not comfortable with the federal government "ensuring" anything locally for me.

Now we have federally mandated tests, classes, standards, and the like. But like the saying goes, "when you pick up one end of the stick, you pick up the other." With the mandates comes money. And once a district is used to the money, more mandates. But if you disagree with those mandates, no more money. We all know once we get used to a standard, it's hard to go back.

Common core had me really spooked. I attended board meetings and temporarily rested on the fact that my children were in a school district that for the time being, would likely not be a tremendous risk. But years ago, when an important social issue of our day became more prominent, I drew a line in the sand. I said, "when this happens, my kids come out of school."

Well, then there was the Arizona Merit test last Spring. The questions were so INSANELY stupid on the writing portion, that I wanted to bang my head against a wall. And one question was on my line in the sand topic as reported by other parents. So, I began thinking, and over a couple of months, decided to head back in the home school direction.

I decided to let my senior stay and graduate. Really? How could I do that to her senior year? I did ask her and of course, she said no. One of the 2 at home had some serious issues last year. I choose not to blame others. I think some things could have been done better, but what it boils down to is this child needs someone to be watching constantly and at home, I can do that better than a teacher with 30 other students.

So those are my main reasons. My line in the sand was confirmed in July with a Supreme Court decision and this. The day after the decision, this was the picture on the Dept of Ed FB site. I think it says it all. Since then, I've seen many articles confirming and affirming the minority choices, "rights," and belief of lifestyles I don't support, at the expense of those who simply want to live their life and faith. The federal government will now mandate things that go against my faith. THIS is the choice I make to combat the coming insanity.

My NOT so Pinterest Life

IAT = I am thankful

True confessions. I love Pinterest. Rarely have time for it, but....*I* thought it was a great place for bookmarks. But over time, I've seen how Pinterest has become a place that IF YOU LET IT, can make you feel less than. Ok, nothing can MAKE you feel less than, but YOU. But, everyone's posting their picture perfect lives and you're over there thinking, I can't even get breakfast on the table! Or whatever simple thing is overwhelming you that day.

So, I want to start a movement. Because if guilt is not inspiring you to change and to allow God to change you, then it is absolutely of no value! Recently I've realized that even some of the things I post on FB can make it seem like we live some kind of picture perfect life. Some days I DO feel that way, because I am working on gratitude in ALL THINGS and being content with what I have and not wishing for what I don't. But while I'm married with children, with a home, traveling often, there are others in pain. Divorce, childlessness, unmarried, ill health, and so forth. Now, I will NOT claim responsibility for anyone else's happiness, but I don't need to unnecessarily contribute either. We all need to know we're flawed. I think that was easier before the internet, and FB, and Pinterest, and twitterville.

So, I live in a trailer. I still struggle with that one, but I choose to be grateful for this manufactured home that shelters us. It's hard not to pine for the home I HAD, but that is not showing gratitude and we offend God in no greater way than by not acknowledging His hand in all things. (see verse 21)

Today my goal is to get my things unpacked and to get my living room in tip top shape. I COULD show you my simplified mantle, all cleaned and shined, and the moths out of the picture. And you COULD think that I have a perfectly clean home. But instead I want to show you my #notsopinterest life, so that every time you are tempted to think I have a perfect life, does anyone? You will KNOW that I don't.

So, here is my #notsopinterestlife today. I hope you will share how you are not perfect too, and then we can all appreciate that we are on a JOURNEY to a DESTINATION. We are learning and growing as we go. And the learning and growing is what it's all about!

Maybe I should have just started a new page, but I started a new blog, for these kinds of posts.

http://mynotsopinterestlife.blogspot.com