Do We Really Know What We're Eating?

      Sometimes, I think it might be better NOT to know. when you actually take time to think about it, it can make you sick to your stomach. Every once in awhile I will hear of some strange ingredient that the FDA allows in our food. Thats the key word..."ALLOWS"!  It is absolutely shocking and appalling to think about what we are putting in our mouths. Be warned though, you may want to stop reading now, while you still have an appetite.
       Many....many years ago, while I was in high school, I read that red dye Carmine was derived from beetles. I quit eating red jello. admittedly tho, as I got older, I forgot about it.......mostly. Sometimes its one of those things you just try NOT to think about.  However, its one of those truths that we are not told about. Carmine,and Cochineal are made from ground beetles! It is used as a dye in many red juices, candies, cosmetics and more. You might want to start reading your labels.
                      check this out: http://www.snopes.com/food/ingredient/bugjuice.asp
       Just this morning, I found this article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/26/fda-approved-rat-hairs-an_n_773608.html#s165326title=Pizza_Sauce_30 . I know its by Huffington Post. Not my favorite read. They like to lead off with misleading titles to draw you into a vague or stupid article, but this one has links to the FDA's website. Check it out.
        Yesterday, I read that L-cysteine is used in many bread doughs as a dough conditioner. L-Cysteine is derived from human hair, hog hair,and avian feathers. I dont know about you, but I never have to sweep my floor after a haircut to make my homemade bread.....yuck! Check out this post below and be sure and read some more on your own.
               http://www.vrg.org/blog/2013/04/22/information-about-l-cysteine/
               http://www.vrg.org/blog/2011/03/09/l-cysteine-in-bread-products-still-mostly-sourced-from-human-hair-duck-feathers-hog-hair/
              http://www.eatlikenoone.com/l-cysteine-a-dough-softener-made-from-feathers-and-hair.htm
I checked my bag of sunbeam bread and thank God, I didnt see it listed, but who knows what else is "allowed" in there that is NOT listed.
         Grandma did it right. almost everything was made from scratch at home. Some used to and still do, grind their own flour. Milked their own cows. Canned their own produce, and sat back and enjoyed their meals without a second thought.
        As I am researching and writing this article, my thoughts keep drifting to a 70's movie called "Soylent Green", starring Charleton Heston. A futuristic movie about how  food is in short supply, and the people find out the high protein green wafer they have been eating is made from HUMAN REMAINS.  Then you remember when you watched old movies about people traveling to space, and how we thought THAT would NEVER happen.

                           
     

New Apron, and I Am Ready To Cook!

     Today, I put together my first apron. I have been wanting one for some time, but I never seem to find time to sew for myself. a few days ago, I was frying something and ended up with grease spots on my shirt. Admittedly, a little Dawn got the out, but thats beside the point. After thinking I ruined my top, I decided it had to be done. This time I didnt even look for my least favorite scraps as I sometimes tend to do for crafting for my personal use,lol. Does anyone else do this? Save your nice fabrics for everyone else?
     Anyway, I started a pin board with a few aprons that I liked. This time, I used the free pattern and tutorial from here: http://thecraftsdept.marthastewart.com/2010/06/apron-tutorial.html
next time, I am going to draft my own that will have an oval bottom that curves upwards towards the back, and a nice pretty ruffle.

The embroidery frame around my name is my own digitized design.

My tiny, little 24 yo daughter is being gracious enough to model it for me.

Huge Harvest For August

     I have gotten  two small tomato pickings that got me 11 pints of tomato sauce each. Barely enough to bother canning. Today, a large amount became ready at once. These baskets are (I believe) half bushel each. Today I picked almost two very full baskets of tomatoes. About a bushel. I also picked some onion, and a cucumber and some hot peppers. The hot peppers are Big Thai. This is my first yr with these, and I dont know if they get bigger or not. Probably should have left them awhile longer but I want to make a few jars of salsa too. Oh and my Golden galia melon finally dropped, but I am sick with bronchitis and didnt notice when it dropped, and one side cracked open and had some bugs. the good side is soooo sweet and juicy. Delicious!

The large one is Omar's Lebanese

Do you think it's a BOY?

 

Wondercide, All Natural Flea Killer

       My son recently purchased another flea killer for his two  maltese babies. When he got these dogs about 4 yrs ago,  he started using the stuff that just goes on the back of the neck. It worked very well then. He could apply once and get protection for most of the season. Then the next time he ordered, it didnt help at all. So he tried a different brand. Still no relief. His dogs were still getting fleas, even with flea shampoos. He has been concerned about using all these chemicals on them. The warning labels will say to be careful not to get it on your hands, and to wash your hand thoroughly after application , etc. Makes you wonder if you have to be so careful with your own safety, how safe is this for your pets.
       So he hit the web again. He happened upon a product called  "Evolv" by Wondercide. Don't confuse this with the "Evolve"  (notice the "e" on the end) a chemical product by Seargents Pet Care . That is NOT what you want. He researched the reviews. It seemed customers had only good things to say about the product. so he ordered.
       The product arrived yesterday. It was well packaged and arrived much sooner than expected.  We were all a little skeptical about how well it would perform. Since it was all natural, we expected it might take a little time for it ti kill the fleas. As even with the strong chemicals, he would it them with strong blasts and they would keep on trucking, doing their best to hide. I think I even saw one flea High Five his buddy, snickering while he ran away. Well......almost,lol.
        Anyway, he picked up the bottle and started spraying. To see how effective it was going to be, he looked for a flea and give it a quick light spray. Lo and behold, that little bugger stopped dead in its tracks. he continued spraying covering the dogs coat and rubbing it through the dog's coat, watching as they died on contact. Unbelievable! The directions say to spray every 2-3 days or as needed to kill and repel fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. It says it kills adults eggs, larvae, and pupae. It is a treatment AND a preventative.
        According to their flyer, Wondercide was formed in 2008 When their dog Luna (10 yrs old)  became deathly ill from pesticide poisoning. She was being treated monthly with flea and tick treatment. She started suffering from seizures and chronic skin issues.to liver and kidney failure. Luna's owner, determined to save her life,started extensive research and Wondercide was born. Today Luna is 14 and healthy.
       Evolv's ingredients are 90% hydrated silica. The active ingredient is said to " block the neurotransmitter octopamine killing and repelling insects instantly". It also states "octopamine is only found in insects, so it is safe for people and pets".
       I dont mean for this to sound like your typical commercials, because I am not receiving any compensation for this. I am doing it simply to share an amazing product.  I feel we are ALL exposed to too many chemicals in our lives. We are seeing dramatic increases in cancers, autism, etc. We have to start taking control of ours, and our loved ones health. The FDA and other chemical pushers are dropping the ball. All in the name of the all mighty dollar. So take a look at their website. Read the reviews. Do your research. I am sure you will be just as happy with their products as we are, and I am sure your pets will love you for it.

         You can check out Evolv and all the other great, safe products by Wondercide by going to:
                                                  http://www.wondercide.com/
                 UPDATE:  Great News for Simple Pleasures Readers!!!
Wondercide has generously offered my readers a 10% discount when they order using coupon code:
                                                                      simplelife
          Enjoy a start on a healthy new life for your family!

Hip Purse For My Grand-daughter

       My 7 year old grand daughter had been wanting me to me her a new purse for a little while. Finally the other day while we were shopping, I decided to look for the fabric. I had her pick out her favorites. She loves dogs so this was an easy decision fer her. Good thing she chose, because I would have been looking a lot longer trying to make a choice. I wanted to embroider her name on it before construction, but my embroidery hardware was acting up. She didnt want to wait, so I finished it promptly. Yesterday, I was able to figure out a work-around on that glitch. But since it was already constructed it would be too difficult to hoop on the machine. So instead her little applique bone with her name was made into a patch. I stitched it on water soluble stabilizer then hand stitched it onto her purse. I think it came out very well, but more importantly she is very happy, so i am happy too.

First Of The Tomato Harvest for 2013

     I have been getting a few wonderful tomatoes here and there. Today, things are different. I went out to check on my patch of newly planted bush beans (Lewis). When I got there, I saw bunches of bright red , beautiful globes. I also picked a couple of cucumbers. These got a late start.

I also went thru the garden giving all my hungry plants their dose of Mittlieder weekly feed.