A Doctors Visit

Again I have been missing from my own blog. I have cooked a few times and I have been doing a few other things that hopefully I will get updated soon.

Just a small update on my Health issues:

I did finally go back to the Doctor..After waiting almost a year because I was in so much pain after I went for a few sessions last year with my normal Doctor. I went back to the same office but to the Doctor who bought the office from the Doctor I normally see. Both of them are Spine Manipulator/ GPs. The Newest Doctor is younger, really nice and seemed interested in not only finding out what I did to my back over a year ago, but finding out why I have EN and determining a few other personal things that go along with it. He was astonished that no one had taken X-rays of my back or done testing on some other issues that I have had for a long time. He took 6 or 7  X-Rays of my Mid spine and sent for the chest X-rays & one blood test that was done a few years ago. So I am waiting on my X-ray results and to see what he thinks of the Chest X-rays and Blood work.  Then he will let me know what we are doing next. I would be more specific with my health issues but I would rather get the results first before I decide if I would like to share it with everyone.

I am excited to work with this Doctor. He actually sat down and talked with me about everything that everyone else had blown off. He said that he can work with me since I have no insurance and find me lower cost places to have some tests ran after he finds out which ones he wants to per sue. So I hope my expectations are met and I don't get my hopes dashed by another Doctor.  I am a little worried to see the test results, it has been a long time since some of my health issues started.  Fingers crossed that he can get my back to feeling better and he can figure out my other health issues and that its not anything bad. But it is better to know then not to know so things can be done....

One the upside.... For the last two years I have not had a cold or the Flu.... Knock of wood... lol... I used to get atleast 2 colds a year, One at the beginning of winter and one at the end and normally another somewhere in the middle. But since becoming vegan I haven't had this issue.... I don't know exactly why since I haven't ate the best since I have hurt my back... But I guess I am eating healthy enough that the colds by pass me... Thank God... and I don't take any Vitamins or Medications at all either... So Its not like Pilled Vitamins are taking up for my slack... I do however still have allergies..hmmmm. wish they would go away...

Blah...

Well I have again been missing for the last month... missing from not only the blog but it feels like I have been missing from life.

My back is killing me again. I wish I could figure out what I did last January to kill it and I wish I could figure out how to fix it... I am so afraid to go back to the Chiropractor after he finished demolishing me last year and put me in more pain then ever. So I am thinking about going to a Chiropractor that works with him? Is that stupid of me... ? I haven't decided yet. I just think I shouldn't judge his partner just because he killed me last time. I have been to the first Chiropractor, actually he is a manipulator, not in the devious kind of way.. But in the manipulating your back kinda way... many of times before and he did great, fixed me every time. But I went many times last year each time was worse then the one before it. I would be in even more pain afterwards for days. So I swore off Doctors and decided hopefully it would fix its self with time and hanging upside down on an inversion table... well here I am and no it hasn't healed...

Some times I have very little pain and I am afraid to move because I don't know what exactly I do that makes the pain come back with in a flash of a second... Sometimes I am just in a ton of pain... and I sleep the day or two or week away...  This month has been awful again... I have done barely anything around the house only doing dishes when I run out of spoons... and I know that sounds gross but its the truth I am in pain and I don't know what to do. I don't want to take medication... I can't live on medication that could give me cancer once it builds up in my system in ten years.... Or a stomach ulcer now... I am not going to live on  pain meds... But what do I do to manage the pain.... Better yet what do I do to fix the problem that I feel is never going to go away...?

I have had lower back pain for years.. since gymnastics when I was 13 or so.... I have had my top rib out of place several times and wasn't even able to sit up on my own, but at least the Manipulator was able to fix that..  But just above the center of my back... which is the support structure... with a dull, ache, pressure pain constantly and half the time radiating pains... I don't know what makes that so hard to get fixed but it really sucks. I am just so tired of being in pain and missing out on my life. I want to get my house clean, get ready to plant the garden, make summer plans, get all the projects done that need donw... but how can I plan if I am in pain all the time?

I sure hope my appointment on the 7th helps me... Maybe he will decide to do X-rays to see whats going on.. If this doesn't work I don't know what to do...

ABC News Finding on our Faith & Cola

Religious competition in America ....

Pentecostals up150,000 well known Pentecostals' :Sarah Palin  (hack hack barf)
Protestant down 2.7million since 1998 to 17 million members
Jehovah's Witnesses up 4.4% this year which is the largest growth.. Famous New Witnesses:  Venus and Serena Williams
Total church membership continues to decline...
15% of people now have no religion...


That Caramel Color in your soda (and Mine)...

4-me chemical when sugar and ammonia make caramel color and produces cancer in mice...

More research to be done... hmmm... I drink a good bit of soda. I have been thinking about stopping for years... Maybe it is time to get serious...

New Years Resolutions 2010- Progress

Here is the update

1. Be a more outspoken and reliable vegan... not doing so great on this one. Well to tell you the truth. I really haven't been to any family gatherings and the ones I have gone to I have taken food with us. But if it does come up I do plan to be tactful & kind in whatever I say. I still don't want to come across as a "Bitchy" Vegan. I would rather people have a good outlook of veganisim instead of bringing their preconceived notions to life. :)
2. Pay off atleast $6,000 of debt. we are moving towards this goal for the year. As of April we are about $2100.00 down. But Johns job has shortened hours for the last couple months. The only credit card we have used is the Lowes card, for some gardening stuff..oops & The Care credit card for some vet bills. So even with the hour loss we have been staying away from credit cards. But our savings account is feeling the stretch. So I really hope his work picks up.
3. Cook at least 3 Times a week. Well this happens some weeks but not all weeks. My back had me in bed for a month so I really didn't cook at all that months. Maybe once of twice. I have been cooking more lately now that the weather is nice. I have been baking and trying some new recipes for desserts at my parents weekly cookouts. Plus I have been looking for some light dishes for the summer. So we can make it quick and sit out in the gorgeous sun and enjoy evening, the companionship, and the food.
   
4. Keep the house cleaner than last year, and more organized. This is such a battle for me. With all three dogs and a couple cats under my feet where ever I turn. It makes it difficult. We have taken on some projects around the house aswell. Like building a walk in closet into our bedroom. So I have everything displaced into the animal room (the 2nd bedroom), and our living room. For some reason The husband is at a stand still with progress. and has been for months. I have cut drywall and wood laying in the already crowded hall way along with the four bookshelves that need put into the 2nd bedroom. I am going to put a sewing table & book shelves into the 2nd bedroom as soon as the junk can be moved. Then the back porch that we built on a few years ago will be the "animal room". I am going to hang up some shelves and build a cat House for it. But John is also thinking about putting his weight bench out there. We have has it for 5 years and it is still in the box. For both of our sake I hope we can get it up sooner or later. The house is just on on going project because we just have to much stuff to fit into this house. In 3 to 5 years. Hopefully 3 we plan on finding a piece of land and moving.
5. Read more than 15 books. We are 5 months into the year. I have made a book list of 15 books. But I have only finished 1. And I am reading 2 others at this time. So I hope to meet this goal.
6. Be a more consistent blogger. Hey I think I have been keeping up with this one. I haven't been doing alot of cooking blogs so Vegannatura.blogspot.com has been paying the price with 1 blog in the last probably 3 months. But this blog I have been adding a good amount to. Probably could put in more. But sometimes I get to busy and forget. But like I said this one is a go!!! :)
7. Take better care of my health. I will say since I have become vegan I don't know if I have had one cold which is awesome! Normally at the beginning and end of winter I always get a sore throat and head cold and I didn't this year! awesome awesome awesome. and that has ALWAYS happened in the past with the colds. But I have yet to start 1 consistent exercise program and I should really eat a better balanced diet. But when your back hurts and your not feeling well because of it you just don't feel like doing either. Today I feel really good though and have been trying to get stuff done. So hopefully I feel feel good the rest of the week and I can get into some exercise and good eats. On the mental prospective I have been doing really well this year. Atleast I think. I am learning as I go. To stay a calmer person. To try to take life as it comes at me instead of always worrying. I mean I do still have things I worry about on a daily, hourly, minutely, secondly basis, but these things have dwindled down to just a few things and I am trying to live a slower, less stress, life. I love to chill out an listen to Mishka which always seems to give me a calm feeling even when I have had a pretty crappy day. So things though still send me over the top. Like Chloe escaping from my parents yard and my neighbor calling me to tell me she can't catch her when I am 2 hours away. Luckily she did catch her but I was inconsolable! But I am a work in progress. and I think I like where I am going.
8. Learn more about amino acids. Haven't really hit on this one yet. I know a few things but not enough.
9. Donate to atleast 3 charities. we have donated a small amount to 2 charities. A dog rescue & the Harrison county humane society. But I do plan on making 3 Bigger contributions to Probably Farm Sanctuary, maybe an overseas village water program, not sure which one yet, and probably another animal case.
10. Takeout no more than 2 times a week. Sometimes we have it once, sometimes twice, and yes if we are out a third time sometimes 3 times. But The husband has been eating alot of takeout for work lunch and that kinda annoys me... We could be saving some money if we just made his lunch here... But thats a man for you..lol

I have also added some.

1. Do some art projects, sewing, knitting, painting. It doesn't matter but do something from the heart. I have been doing this. I have painting a few times this year and sewed. I am getting ready to make some 4- 4th of july dog collar bandannas, a couple dogs beds, & a purse. I have some other plans too that have to do with balsa wood wall hangings.
   
2. Take better care of the garden this year. Instead of like in the past . Plant it and walk away. Actually try to keep it nice, weed free, tired up. and nice. I have been working on this we will see how it pans out later on this summer.

What the heck is up with the words that want to stay red. It won't let me change their color for some reason.... evil thing..lol

Michael Markarian: Animals

Michael Markarian: Animals & Politics: A Free Pass for Factory Farms?

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WOW.... blocking the EPA from Measuring Green house gasses coming from large Factory Farms.. What are they afraid of. If representatives that are closely aligned with Huge Agri- Businesses are trying to hide stuff then maybe we should be worried.. HELLO people again open your eyes.So many businesses, like the USDA, are so closely aligned with the government law makers it is very scary. Large industrial factory farms have so much money they can basically pay off any one and that is what they do. So when it comes to your health and the health of our nation how do you come out on top when you listen to people... who are being paid off? Because your health and your family, & friends health are all on the line.

SAW VI Review & Extended Rant :)

Went and seen it the other night and thought I would leave this.

All the Saw movies of course pretty much have the same premise. He is showing people that they should not take life for granted in anyway. And although I feel a couple of the films including this one doesn't really stay true to John Kramers original motivation and "justice" it was a pretty good movie and of course it stayed true to all the nifty gadgets. Although some have parts that have been used before. I would have liked to have seen some better traps. Like in some of the past movies....

But Saw brings up some weird issues for my husband and I. We were on our way home that evening talking about the traps in the movie and just kinda listing them one by one and discussing weird things like do you actually think that trap will kill him that fast? Do you think it would have punctured his lung and he would have suffocated on his own blood or do you things both lungs would have just exploded or his heart would have exploded or that a rib would picture his heart.. stuff like that. If you haven't seen the movie don't worry I'm not going to say what the trap does that I am talking about but you might get the point. If you have seen the movie you probably already know which one I am talking about. Because if I'm not mistaken it was the first trap in the movie. Anyways.

That went on for a little while. But then I kinda got the idea..

What if someone made a spoof of the Saw movies or Premise of the movie. But made it based around animal agriculture.

Instead of people being taught a lesson for taking their own lives or the lives of just other humans for granted, they could learn what its like to be in all the different animal processing plants, growing, breeding, etc. Learning how the animals they eat daily are being taken for granted. And I am not talking about animals being CG slaughtered. I am speaking of People. In "traps" like per say the chicken kill hangers. And they would have to try to maneuver and fall out before they hit the neck cutters or scold tank...

I know that sounds sick and I am in no way meaning for it to happen in real life. But if people would just put 1 and 2 together maybe they would have more empathy for all these creatures. Being able to see that as an action and not just the food on their plate when its done. And yes it would be very grotesque and traumatizing. But maybe it would open some peoples eyes to what it would actually mean if they themselves were those animals. And in so showing how their lives would be nothing but pain, stress, disrespect, fear. endless torture, and then death.

My idea now that I think about it more kinda runs on the same lines of the some King Rat, by Modest Mouse. The video is about Whaling. And the Whales are on the ship and where do you think that leaves the humans. Check it out if you haven't seen it. It was directed by Heath Ledger ( My Favorite actor ever!). But back on to the subject.....

It also brought up several other topics. Like money, government, religion and how none of them are supposed to be run with the other but they are all intertwined. And how our whole country is just a huge pot ran by conflicting interests... Nothing in this country is ran without conflicting interests because everything is ran by money that our government can't even back up. I think It is very sad. That our moto is we are "Free" and I'm not even going to give you the Tired" But nothings free it all comes at a cost".. But our country is in no way shape or form Free. People are afraid that the government is getting to big and if they dive into health care if will just be one thing after another. And then we will have no freedoms. But hey we don't already. Money is to important in our country for us just to enjoy life. yeah we are ot ran by a dictator... and we can have as many kids as we want. We can purchase and eat anything that our heart desires... And we are deffinalty paying for it with our health. Because Americans top priority is not health or family, or safety... Its money... very sad. Then we are a "Christian based" society. Meaning most people in America are Christians. But being in a "free" country this shouldn't matter. Right and Wrong matters. Not weather your Christian, wiccian, Jewish, Buddist, Athiest, etc... OK. Killling is wrong! Hurting others is wrong! Stealing...wrong! Rape... wrong! You can't go into Government and run our country based around one Religion while getting paid by big corporations to get their stupid ear marks placed in bills and call it FREE. Its BOUGHT! Its wrong on so many levels. Our country is in a horrible state. Its so annoying.

And before people whine to me not to put down our country.. Our Men & Women and giving all they can in the military for it. I know My husband was in the Military and was deployed for 18 months in Iraq.

I don't understand how a country as "rich" as ours... Not only in money ( that we are in debt now) But we are a great nation in so many ways but we are letting it go down the drain because right and wrong is no longer what is important to us. Its money and our wants.

So next time you want a peice of steak think about the grain that it took to grow that animal and think how many starving people that could have fed. It takes over 16 pounds of grain to make one pound of meat on a factory farm. And over 2500 gallons of water... Open your eyes America!

What happens when our population keeps growing and there isn't enough food to support all that factory farming?

I know SAW IV to this.. wow... I can tell I am up to late, slept in to long yesterday, and had to much caffeine.

Beckley Reunion 09'

This year John, myself, My mom, dad, and sister went to my dads family Reunion in Beckley WV. It went pretty good. It was really nice to see everyone. I really miss our family.

When I was younger like 5 we went down all the time. The family was really close and we did alot together. We spent alot of time at my Uncle Rogers house with bond fires & the horses. Everyone would set around the fire and talk. During the day we would spend time around the barns and horses. Or just set around and talk. We would stay long weekends at my Grandmothers. I can still remember the way her house looked. The order of the rooms. The kitchen appliances and the morning food. The apple tree in her yard which we would collect apples from and make all kinds of apple stuff. The blackberries we would collect and make cobbler. There was a field of tall grass barbed wired off next to her home. And a long front yard with a gas station across the road. Atleast I think so.. It has been so long who knows what that could have been. I had so many great times there and still hold a few awesome memories of my Grandmother. I miss her very much. She past away when I was about 7 or 8.

I so miss the time I had with the family then. My Grandmother was diagnosed with cancer and died a few months later. We was there through alot of it. We traveled back and forth through all her kemo and other treatments. I would spend days in the hospital room. It was a really hard time for everyone. When she passed away the whole family just kind of dispelled. And nothing was the same. Everyone went there own direction and as far as I know not many look back. It is really a sad happening. I can't believe that something like this could happen to our family. So every time we go to the reunion its bitter sweet. I always get back in my car to cry and reminisce. I truly miss the way our family was.
But for the most part. The reunion went well. Alot of people were missing this year. I did get to see most of my uncles and aunts. But one of my uncles & some of my cousins were not there do to their own family issues. Which is a whole other story. But definitely a bitter sweet event. But I hope we go next year. All of them are getting older now and I just wish they would open their eyes to what is right in front of them and how important it is. Family should mean alot. Not bickering behind each others backs. I really wish they would all learn that. It pains me to see them let time and other things get in their way. But then again. That said the bricks keep stacking between them. And life moves on from day to day.

The reunion was held at another park this year. It has become part of the New river gorge viewing places. It had spectacular views of the gorge.

There was also an Avian rehabilitation talk happening. We did go and set through it. It was really informative. About the state raptors and what has happen to their population so to DDT and people interfering with garbage, cars, changing from wood to medal fence post. I had no clue that between the fence post and DDT the post little screech owls were almost wiped out totally. They told us how they are rehabilitating animals and releasing them into the wild. Like the Golden eagle, halks, falcons, and great horned owls. They did a really great job telling us about all of them.

They also had some birds with them that can not be released due to various injuries. They had 2 halks, 2 falcon, 2 owls, and a gold egle that streetched and screamed the entire time they were talking. The picture is of the Gold Eagle. He had a huge wing span! But it was a nice bonus to add to the family reunion.

Then as we were leaving the park we stopped to look at the overview which was gorgeous. We seen a 3 or 4 lizards running around on the rock cliffs.

After the views we went to leave and seen 2 fawns and a mother deer grazing right outside of the trees edge.

Food for that day.. Well what can I say. we took burger roles with us which were really good to snack on. We snacked a little on fruit and stuff while we were there and then ate after we left. Pretty much what we always do. MY Plate ...

Subsidies On animal industries- Seeing Red!!!- A RANT

Can you say subsidies? It totally pisses me off that I pay taxes that go towards stuff like milk, egg, and meat industry subsidies! I don't eat or drink it! Why the hell do I have to pay for it??? Then pay full price for my soy milk? and soy ice cream? etc..etc..! Where the hell is the soy milk subsidies??? and boca subsidies??? and soy cheese subsidies.. for god sake you can get a 24 slice pack of dairy ridden crap for 2 something and for 8 slices of Galaxy's Vegan American Cheese its like 4 or 5 bucks! Come on... We need to really get into the political ballgame an do something about this. I am tired of paying for other people to screw over everything I believe in. I mean think of all the health problems associated with eating dairy, egg, and meat products.. I can't even afford health issuance because it keeps going up do to unhealthy people. Then they take out taxes to make the price of this dairy, egg, and meat crap to be lower in price!!! It just really makes me sick!!! It is sad that our country is pretty much ran by the Dairy, Meat, Egg, oil, & insurance industries!!! Our health has been left up to the people who get the money for our addictions to there products and the people who make money off of us being sick??? Where the hell is our country going? Down hill fast...! and no I am not blaming our president... They ok.... I might update this later because it really infuriates me!

Silk Soy Milk- No longer the Silk we once loved!

I have recently realized that Silk is now longer owned by the same company and has also changed from all organic to "Natural". All the Silk you find in the Milk section of the grocery store is now "Natural" the only organic silk I have found comes in the Tetra pack pantry style boxes. Which are very expensive. Now it would be over $8.00 for one gallon of organic silk and that is at Walmart. If you go to other stores and look at their prices it will be around $12 a gallon. That is outrageous. Have I mentioned who Dean foods is? They are a DAIRY company!!!!!!! Yes.. a DAIRY Company!!!! This has me out raged. I have stopped purchasing their product and have moved to a store brand Organic Label. I will not purchase from their company since they are a dairy company and plus it is no longer organic. So write the company. I did. Let them know how you feel about the "Natural" instead of Organic..and Silk used to use small organic farmers and now they are no longer supporting them. They have moved to bigger producers! So let them know that that is not ok. Click a link Below! Below the link is the generic response I received when I wrote asking why their product was not longer organic. I will be sending them a new letter about the price of there so called "available" organic products.. They are not available when they cost out the A$$..!!!

Dean Foods Website
Silk


"Thank you for your recent e-mail to Silk®. We appreciate your interest in our products. Offering a broader range of products to meet consumer demand. We know some consumers are more interested in the health benefits associated with adding soy in their diet (cholesterol-free, lactose-free, and may reduce the risk of heart disease) than with organic certification. Those interested in organic products, we still offer the plain, vanilla, and unsweetened In an organic option.

Thanks again for contacting the Consumer Affairs Department.

Sincerely,
Alberto Vasquez
Consumer Response Representative"

The Blue Zones

This is something I seen on Oprah originally but have looked into it a little further since then. The Blue zones are zones around the world where large numbers of people live to be centenarians. Centenarians are people who live to be 100 years and over.

So the 4 hot spots are:
1. Nicoya Peninsula, Coasta Rica
2. Sardinia, Italy
3. Loma Linda, CA- The home of the 7th day Adventist church
4. Okinawa, Japan
There are also other blue zones as well. This is the most recently updated list.

These places all have alot in common.

• Plant based diets...... Some do take in small abouts of meats and cheese but only as a side and very infrequently. Most of them also grow their own fruits & veggies. Which means no pesticides, herbicides, & insecticides. Legumes & beans are of huge benefit! And nuts are as well. Also make sure you eat a variety of color. Different colors mean different vitamins and minerals. Remember unsaturated fatty acids lower your LDLs..... Plus a glass of wine or two a day is good for you.... The alcohol & antioxidants help your arteries. But don't over do it.
  
• Also they all exercise.... not what you and I call exercise on a piece of equipment but they walk long distances daily, they tend there gardens daily, they live like we did 50 years ago. They do almost everything from scratch... So moderate intensity exercise through all ages.
  
• Being Spiritual- They have found their happiness. Their reason for living. They also find time to relax and find time for themselves.
• Family. They all have tight family and friend bonds. Family is more important then anything and they put it above all other.
  
• Being socially involved through all ages.
  
• Not putting extra chemicals into their bodies.. like smoking..

For more information on THE BLUE ZONES click this link. Or check out the book The Blue Zones. There are other informational pages as well.

The Oprah BLUE ZONE LINK