Thursday, January 31, 2013

Radon Gas. Please Test For It.

My husband got news today that one of his dear friends was just diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma.

First, please pray for the man, his family, and his doctors.

UPDATE:  My husband's friend has since passed away.  Please keep the family in your prayers.

Second, my blog today will be about radon testing.

Adenocarcinoma is mainly caused by smoking (he nor his wife smoke).  The other main cause is Radon gas.

His wife also had lung cancer and had one lung removed.

As far as I know they haven't had their house tested for Radon.  Radon was what came to my mind.

I know we blog about "no poo", "DIY deodorants", "starting seed", "off the grind living", etc.

But Radon Testing is simple and kinda inexpensive- of course that definition depends on your budget.  :)

Radon testing kits can be found at hardware stores like Lowes and Home Depot.  I would imagine most hardware stores have them.  Call first and check out prices.  Keep in mind there is also a $30 lab fee.


The article below is from the EPA's guide to Radon.

EPA Radon Guide

1. Why Do You Need to Test for Radon?

a. Radon Has Been Found In Homes All Over the U.S.
Why should I test for Radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas that has been found in homes all over the United States. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Radon can also enter your home through well water. Your home can trap radon inside.
Any home can have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. In fact, you and your family are most likely to get your greatest radiation exposure at home. That is where you spend most of your time.
Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have an elevated radon level (4 pCi/L or more). Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in homes in your state. Contact your state radon office for information about radon in your area.
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Please test especially if you have a basement or a root cellar.  
Well it's not a normal blog for these circles- but it is so important. 

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Fight the Good Fight

What a day.

I feel I have been sucker punched.  I'm not feeling the love, I'll tell you that.

But- here's what I know.  I serve a good God.  He loves me.  He is my redeemer.

When the 'world' or 'enemy' through meany people come against me-

He is my strong tower that I can run into...

Even if I cry and whine and lick my wounds....

He is faithful.  He is righteous.  He's my big Daddy that's gonna whoop (and has whooped up) on the enemy!

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world!

If He is for me- who can be against me!

Nana nana boo boo!

Whoo Hoo!  I feel better!!!!!

Love you Lord!!!!  You are awesome!!

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Final Expense... Memories or Bills?

I love reading Blogs.  Blogs about the Christian life, being a wife and a mother, DIY natural cleaners, homesteading, raising chickens and on and on....

I've seen posts about managing money and being frugal, meal planning and buying in bulk.

Here's my question......

Are your's and your family's final expenses covered?  I know many talk about 'green' burials.  I've looked into those and there aren't many approved 'green' burial sites.  I'm not talking about 'green' burials.

I'm talking about having the 'green' to pay for whatever type of burial you chose.

There are term life insurance policies and whole life policies.  Yes, there are others but I'm going to keep this blog simple. :)

Term life ends.  Some are 20 years, 30 years or longer.  Some may be through an employer.  At the end of the 'term'... it ends.  All those premiums paid... gone.

Whole Life policies are basically for one's 'whole life' or the 'life' of the policy usually paid up at age 95 or 100.

If you have life insurance- be sure you know what kind it is and how much it is for... make sure it will cover costs now or in the future.

Talk to some local funerals homes and preplan your burial.  Or get prices on the type of burial you want before contacting a local insurance agent in your area.   Don't let a commission hungry insurance agent talk you into more than you need or can afford.

The Proverbs 31 woman planned ahead.  She was a business woman as well as a godly wife and mother.  The Bible tells us to be good stewards of our finances.

Preplanning and/or having a life insurance policy is a good thing.

Linked to .....




Guard Your Heart (Emotions)

Yesterday I talked about our thought life and how important it is to guard our minds.  Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”.  Today I’ll talk about guarding our emotions.

Even as I write this there were two issues that happened.  I was confronted by two different people over icky situations.  I could feel my emotions turning toward the negative.  I had to preach to myself to forgive those involved and I prayed for wisdom on how to handle each situation.

The enemy wants to rob us of our joy and peace - all the time- but especially during hard times.

When STUFF happens- of course we’ll have emotions (we’re humans)- just don’t let the emotions have you.  Be the one in control of your thoughts and emotions.  Pray.  Find a scripture (or more) that speaks to the situation.  Speak those scriptures over the situation.  Believe that God has a plan and can handle the tough times.  He loves you.

Remember speak TO the mountain - not about it.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Chicken Korma Florentine

I combined an Indian dish with a French dish.  Saves time and is yummy.

Serve with Naan bread over Basmati rice.

2 TBS Olive Oil
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp turmeric
sea salt and pepper to taste

1 can (BPA free) tomatoes (with the juice)
2 local organic 'healthy'* chicken breasts cubed
1/4 cup chicken bone broth
1/4 cup cream (or raw cream)
1/4 cup coconut milk
1 cup or more of frozen spinach

Heat oil in large skillet.  Put in spices.  Stir in tomatoes, chicken broth and chicken.  Cook until chicken is done (10 minutes or more).   Remove from heat.  Add cream.  Heat and drain spinach.  Add spinach to chicken.  Heat on low for 3 to 5 minutes until warmed.  Taste.  Add more spices to your liking.

Serve over rice and with Naan bread.

Try to use local veggies and local and/or *healthy (no antibiotics nor steroids,  vegetarian and grass fed) meats whenever possible.  Robin at  Thank Your Body  has a wonderful bone broth recipe.

Yes you can substitute brown rice for the Basmati.  See The Healthy Home Economist for an interesting article about white over brown rice. Hhmmmm.  (And she has info on how to soak grains).

This article is linked to . . .







Thought Life- What'cha Thinking?

WOW! Look how much time has lapsed since the first post. Yikes. I'm a recovering procrastinator. :)

This is my first real post for this blog.  I chose this story because it is a perfect example of how we can be deceived by the enemy.   I’m a natural airhead.  So maybe I’m easily duped than most. I’m real smart but it takes me awhile to “get it”.  

Here’s the story for today’s post.  I was recovery from having a hysterectomy.  I was into my second week of recovery when a situation happened with a person close to me.  The person didn't know it- but they hurt my feelings (I’m real ‘touchy feely’).  I allowed those hurt feelings to turn into anger and I had quite a lot to ‘say’ in my head about what had happened.  

My negative thinking went on for quite awhile before I finally stopped my ‘stinking thinking’.  

I normally wake up in a good mood. Peaceful. Joyful.  Ready for a new day.  But a couple of days after the above incident, I woke up in a bad mood (go figure).  As I was getting ready I was analyzing the reason for my mood.  (I had forgotten about what had happened).  I did the normal mind/body reviews- am I sick? Etc.  Then the thought occurred to me.... “I’m just PMSing”.  “I’m about to start”.  Yea! That was it. I was just PMSing.  Then I moved.  And the pain from my incisions from my HYSTERECTOMY (meaning- no more PMS.  NO more periods!!) reminded me- nope that can’t be it.

Hhmm... then if I’m not about to start.... why the bad mood?  Holy Spirit reminded me of my emotional fit I pitched after the above incident.  Even though it was in my head.... and no one knew about.  It had affected my body and my spirit and me receiving peace and joy from the Lord.

I believe that the enemy can ‘drop’ thoughts into our minds.  I believe the thoughts are mostly in the first person, “I’m just PMSing”.  It’s when we take those ‘dropped’ thoughts as our own and we start thinking on them and acting on them.... that’s where the danger comes.  

Start thinking about what you are thinking about.  Refuse the thoughts of the enemy.  Instead, “think on whatever is whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8


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