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The Benefits of Organic Beef Over Traditional Beef

Posted by html404 on August 4, 2014
in Animals, Farm Stuff, Food and Treats, Health, Health and Nutrition, Health and Wellness, Organic, Uncategorized

This is a partnered post.

Lately more and more food related articles can be seen in the headlines and on social media, which I think is great because consumers are becoming more aware of what they are eating and what they are putting into their bodies. From old news of mad cow disease to pink slime to buying all organic food and pastured meats, we are seeing an increase in interest and buying of organic, grassfed, NON-GMO products.

We use to buy traditional beef in the stores but stopped, finally, and ordered grassfed organic beef online from a farm which comes to the Green Market we sell at once a month. We order online and pick up on market day. It makes for very convenient ordering and buying.

So what are the benefits of organic beef over traditional beef?

The Benefits of Organic Beef Over Traditional Beef

1. No fillers (such as pink slime).

2. More Omegas-3 and much more nutritious. “In B-vitamins, beta-carotene (look for yellow fat), vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), vitamin K, and trace minerals like magnesium, calcium, and selenium. Studies show grass feeding results in higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid, the “good” naturally occurring trans fat.” (Source: marksdailyapple.com)

3. No pesticides or chemicals. Generally speaking, organic and grassfed farms do not use pesticides or any other chemicals.

4. Cattle are happier and healthier. There are less diseases and illness among grassfed beef, if raised correctly. The cows get plenty of sunshine, fresh air and pasture. Only if a cow is not performing well or does not possess the breeding qualities a farmer wants to continue putting into his or her herd, will he or she cull (kill) or sell the cow.

5. NON-GMO. Most organic farmers do not use GMO products. Take us for example, when we planted our pasture we used NON-GMO seeds. Our grain that we feed our cows is organic, NON-GMO.

6. Less fat content. Organic, grassfed beef is typically lower in fat than traditional beef. That is why it has to be cooked slightly differently than traditional beef. (see #2).

If you would like to buy organic beef, visit
http://www.americanfarmersnetwork.com/beef.html

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How to Choose a Baby Stroller

Posted by html404 on July 29, 2014
in Baby Products, Children's Health, Parenting, Safety, Uncategorized

This is a partnered post.

It’s hard to believe I am out of the stroller stage in my parenting journey. I am actually looking to sell our remaining strollers. As I end this chapter in our life I thought it would be fun to do a post about how to choose a baby stroller.

How to Choose a Baby Stroller

1. Determine your budget. Strollers can run anywhere from $10 for an umbrella stroller and upwards of thousands for top of the line strollers.

2. Durability. Durability is pretty important to us because I knew our stroller would have to hold up to numerous children.

3. Safety. Any baby product needs to be safe and free from defects.

4. Features. What features do you want your stroller to have? Cup holders, bottom basket, tall handle if you are taller, snack tray, umbrella for shade, etc.?

5. Function. Do you need a jogging stroller, a double stroller, single or single with a step for another child?

6. Storage. Is it easy to store? Do you need it to fold up easily when you are one handed? Is weight important?

Jané strollers is a new brand to me on the medium to higher end price wise – $250-$790. “The first Jané stroller was born in 1932 in Barcelona, Spain when Manuel Jané Vidal proudly created a stroller for his new born son, Ramon.” They have four different styles: Nanuq, Rider, Trider Extreme and a new PowerTwin Pro coming soon. Safety is an important issue to Jané and their products are created with babies health and safety in mind.

You can learn more about Jané here: http://www.jane-usa.com

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The Big Book of Symptoms: A-Z Guide To Your Child’s Health

Posted by html404 on July 28, 2014
in Books, Children's Health, Health, Health and Wellness, Kids Stuff, Parenting, Products for Dad, Products for Mom, Reviews, Uncategorized

The Big Book of Symptoms: A-Z Guide to Your Child’s Health

Reviewed by B, my 15 year old daughter.

I thought The Big Book of Symptoms: A-Z Guide to Your Child’s Health
was very informative. I liked the fact that it had both natural and traditional preventives and treatments. I wish it hadn’t had so much of the “take your child to the pediatrician if he/she has such and such a symptom.” I completely understand taking them to the doctor for what you think could become/be life threatening i.e. Leukemia, A Brain tumor, TSS and others like these, but I would have liked to have known what to do in the meantime to ease my child’s symptom(s).

I like that it was written by a mom and a pediatrician.

I found this book to be really informative and easy to read. The illustrations were handy and easy to understand (especially to a non-picture reader like me :)) I loved the 3-in-1 First Aid, Choking, and CPR chart you can take out and hang up, I thought that was a nice touch.

About the Authors

Edited by two esteemed members of AAP, Steven P. Shelov, MD, FAAP, and Shelly V. Flais, MD, FAAP, The Big Book of Symptoms is an A-Z directory and ultimate guide to over 100 of the most common childhood symptoms from infancy to adolescence. From bee bites and colic to fever, sleep and skin problems, the new guide is designed to help parents evaluate their child’s symptoms and distinguish minor every day concerns from more serious conditions. It also includes an illustrated first aid manual, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) chart, and age-specific safety and injury prevention tips.

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Non-GMO Artisan Oils

Posted by html404 on July 25, 2014
in Food and Treats, Health, Health and Nutrition, Organic, Reviews, Uncategorized

We try really hard to eat healthy, and as I always say, we are a work in progress. As organic farmers, I think the difficult part is walking our talk, which means avoiding GMO products as much as humanly possible when there are no labeling laws in the state of Illinois or much of the United States for that matter. Here is an interesting article that includes a map graphic of how many states have labeling, which ones are reviewing it and which ones have done nothing: http://onforb.es/1ls9AUE). Walking the organic talk also means eating organic, which we do but we are not at 100% yet.

We love learning about companies committed to offering us organic, Non-GMO products. That’s why I was interested in working with Emile Noel Non-GMO Artisan Oils.

About Emile Noel

Emile Noel is a family run business, started by Emile Noël in Southern France. Their website states, “The Emile Noël oil mill offers only organic products – farmed without chemical fertilizers, synthetic pesticides or GMOs. In 1972, we were the first oil millers in France to press organically-farmed seeds.”

Emile Noel Non-GMO Artisan Oils offers a variety of organic, virgin-pressed oils including: mild olive, robust olive, sesame, toasted sesame, sunflower oil, sunflower spray, pumpkin seed, hazelnut, walnut, and sweet almond.

Review of Emile Noel Non-GMO Artisan Oils

We were sent a bottle of Sweet Almond oil. I have never used almond oil so at first I was at a loss as to how to use it. Then I decided I would substitute it for the oil we usually cook with.

We made egg muffins and used the Sweet Almond oil to cook the eggs in:

There wasn’t any difference in how the oil cooked the eggs and I don’t think we noticed anything different about the taste of the eggs either.

However, when I made homemade bread we definitely tasted a slightly nutty flavor and I don’t know if it was the oil or perfect weather but the bread turned out great, if I do say so myself! I just made regular bread with unbleached white flour.

For not having used almond oil before, I’d say that it was a good experience and you can expect us to purchase it in the future. I mean what was there not to like about the Sweet Almond oil? Nothing. My only concern would be finding a large enough bottle. I used the whole bottle making these two items. We usually buy most oils in a gallon size. But that isn’t going to be most families dilemma is it?

Visit http://usa.emilenoel.com/oils/seed/ for more information on these tasty non-GMO artisan oils.

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Sundown Naturals – Smiley 360

Posted by Brande on July 1, 2014
in Health, Men's Health, Products for Dad, Products for Mom, Reviews, Uncategorized, Women's Health

“I received this product for free from Smiley360 in exchange for my honest review. You can join Smiley360 here!”

Don’t forget to take your vitamins!

Sundown Naturals have made your vitamins easier to take by introducing Gummies for Adults. These gummies are gluten free! The Vitamin C gummies I was sent are a vegetarian formula also. There are no artificial flavors in these dietary supplements.

Sundown Naturals Gummies are shaped like tiny orange slices! They are chewy similar to a gummy bear. They taste good too!

Sundown Naturals has 10 different vitamin gummies to choose from including Vitamin C, B12, Fiber, Fish Oil, Calcium, and Multivitamin just to name a few. If you click here you can print off at coupon for $2.00 off your next purchase.

Not sure which Sundown Natural vitamin would be good for you. Click here to take a quiz and find out! Don’t forget to like Sundown Naturals on Facebook also!

#SundownNaturalsGummies

Please consult your physician before taking any supplements and keep out of the reach of children.

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Crest – Smiley 360

Posted by Brande on June 24, 2014
in Children's Health, Family Stuff, Health, Health and Fitness, Health and Nutrition, Men's Health, Parenting, Personal Care Products, Uncategorized, Women's Health

“I received this product for free from Smiley360 in exchange for my honest review. You can join Smiley360 here!”

Smile! Crest has some fabulous products out there. I was lucky to be able to test out Crest Pro-Health Tartar Protection with Fluoride Rise and Crest Pro-Health Clinical Plaque Control Toothpaste.

I’m usually on the hunt for the best deal with coupons and sometimes buying substandard toothpastes and rinses. After trying these Crest products my attitude has changed, I will no longer be buying cheaper toothpaste. I really enjoyed the flavor of each of these and how my teeth and mouth felt so much cleaner!

Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste says that it provides benefits to control cavities, gingivitis, plaque, sensitivity, tartar, whitening, and freshen your breath. That’s sounds like a lot of great benefits. Crest also reminds us to brush regularly to achieve the full effectiveness.

Crest Pro-Health Rinse claims many of the similar outcomes of the toothpaste with regular usage. The bottle also states that protects surface stains and rebuilds enamel. That sounds great for a coffee drink like myself.

I’ve been using both products regularly for about a week and my teeth and mouth have felt much better and fresher! I will continue to be using Crest products!

Make sure to head over to Crest’s Facebook Page for upcoming offers and promotions. To learn more about Crest Products click here to be taken to their website! #TartarRinse

Happy Brushing!

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Food Choices Documentary

Posted by html404 on May 29, 2014
in Food and Treats, Health, Health and Wellness, Movies, Uncategorized

Michal Siewierski is an Emmy nominated TV commercial producer and Filmmaker. He is making a new documentary film called, Food Choices, after experiencing the amazing effects that a plant based diet had in his own life and health. He lost over 45 pounds. Food Choices is a film about food that connects all the dots – health, environment and animal rights – topics often controversial. This film should empower you, the viewer, with explosive and ground breaking information that could be truly life changing!

Food Choices Documentary Trailer

Michal has been running a popular Indiegogo campaign which can be seen here:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/food-choices-documentary/x/7308429

The film is scheduled to be released in March 2015 in Chicago.

To learn more, please visit:

www.foodchoicesmovie.com
www.michalsiewierski.com

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25 Refreshing Summer Salads

Posted by html404 on May 27, 2014
in Food and Treats, Health, Recipes, Uncategorized

I don’t know about you but now that the hot weather is here my body is craving salads. I cannot wait to have fresh lettuce from our garden! We’ve already had a feed of spinach that we planted in our raised bed in the fall and it came up in the spring. Can’t wait to try many of these summer salads recipes!

What one would be your favorite?

1. Strawberry Black Bean Salad
2. Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
3. Chicken and Strawberry Salad with Strawberry Dressing and Walnuts
4. Bok Choy and Chicken Salad with a Sweet Almond Topping
5. Easy Chopped Vegetable Salad
6. Leafy Green Salad with Fresh Fruit
7. Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas and Avocados
8. Tomato and Ricotta Salata Salad
9. Fresh Plum Caprese
10. Apple and Manchego Salad
11. Santorini Salad with Cucumber Basil Yogurt Dressing
12. Green and White Salad
13. Avocado Salad with Strawberry Sauce
14. A Very Green Gluten-Free Salad
15. Broccoli Craisin Salad
16. Strawberry Cucumber Salad
17. Chipotle Chickpea Salad
18. Vegetable Nicoise Salad
19. Carrot Pineapple Salad
20. Arugula Smoked Salmon Avocado Salad
21. Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Pecans
22. Quinoa Salad with Feta and Chia Seeds
23. Chinese Chicken Salad
24. Beet, Orange, and Kumquat Salad
25. Citrus Avocado Salmon Salad

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ZonePerfect Blog Forward Challenge #2

Posted by Bobbie Gould on May 23, 2014
in All Natural Products, Blog Stuff, Family Stuff, Food and Treats, Gardening, Health, Health and Nutrition, Organization, Uncategorized

I am a part the 2014 ZonePerfect Blog Forward Challenge and received complimentary product and ZonePerfect promotional items. All opinions are my own.

Click the image above for the link to the nutritional printables!

It’s been a few months since I posted my ZonePerfect Challenge #1. I had to re-read my post to see what my 2014 resolutions were and here they are, as well as my update on how I am doing in accomplishing them:

~~1. Increase our income. (I *think* God is well on His way to answering this prayer…need a bit more time to be sure.)~~ This is definitely happening, but we still have a ways to go yet. I am grateful for the improvement so far.

~~2. Nutrition. Eat and grow more vegetables to we can freeze and can our winter supply.~~ This is in the works as we have 20-30 50 foot beds tilled and ready to plant veggies in for our family and our CSA members. This makes me very happy, but I am a little anxious because I want everything to grow beautifully!

3. Take our children on more field trips. This one…..needs more work! We haven’t gone on any field trips yet this year. However, we did go mini golfing! It was hilarious and lots of fun!

4. Get more organized as a whole family – mostly the house as it is an ongoing battle, that and getting the children to stay on task. Errr….this one is ongoing, challenging and seems like a never-ending task! I think it’s also the most frustrating.

As a part of this challenge, we received a complimentary box of ZonePerfect bars, which we thoroughly enjoyed. ZonePerfect wants me to let you in on a little something:

“Become A ZonePerfect® VIP & Save up to $10*

Your first coupon will be emailed to you. Join Now <<

*$10 in savings relates to savings spread across a one year period and may vary.*”

Have you accomplished any of your 2014 goals or resolutions?

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VTech Phone System for Seniors & Giveaway

Posted by html404 on May 15, 2014
in Family Stuff, Gift Ideas, Health, Reviews, Safety, Technology/Electronics, Uncategorized

A year or two ago my mother-in-law was going about her usual morning, however, one normal routine proved disastrous for her. She used her dresser to pull herself up from her bed and she inadvertently caused the dresser to fall on her, trapping her. My husband worked five minutes from her home. That one day he called her before he left work instead of dropping by but the phone was busy. He thought nothing of it and decided she was talking to his aunt and left for home instead of going over to her house. My mother-in-law in the meantime tried to use her cane to get her bedside phone but only knocked it off the hook. Fast forward 24 hours later, my brother-in-law discovers her with the dresser STILL on top of her. A bit of her history: she’s a diabetic with a history of leg and foot clots. Talk about scary! After recovering, she was suppose to get an emergency bracelet but I don’t think the home nurse ever followed through and to be honest we allowed it to fall through the cracks as well. Enter the VTech Phone System for Seniors.

The VTech Phone System for Seniors

My mother-in-law is nearing 82 years old and still lives on her own. Yes, even after the above incident. “VTech’s new CareLine home telephone system supports independent living, featuring a wearable pendant that allows seniors to conveniently make and receive calls, listen to voicemail messages, review missed calls or receive programmed reminders for medication, appointments or other events.” This seems like the perfect phone for my mother-in-law!

We have been testing it out before taking it to my mother-in-law’s house. It has large numbers, it has a bright display and it calls out the numbers as you dial as well as announces a call. We love that it has the pendant to go around her neck so she can just push the button if she finds herself in a situation where she needs help. We are looking forward to installing this phone in her home. Hoping she likes it too!

The best part – No fees!

VTech CareLine – Want to stay socially connected? Seniors are empowered to maintain active lifestyles and close relationships with this home telephone and personal communication system. This product was designed to answer your daily communications needs and support hearing, dexterity or vision challenges. Features include large displays, photo speed dial, reminder capabilities, volume boost and a wearable pendant with one-button dialing that directly calls those pre-selected people who you communicate with most or for emergencies.

The VTech CareLine home telephone retails for $119.95 and may be purchased at VTech.

Do you have a loved one who could use a phone system like this? Enter to win below!