Poet's Corner: The Rainbow

The Rainbow

God's covenant for you and me,
Is His own wonderful design,
The rainbow, a colorful array,
Of a continuous arc of lives,
A promise, set in the sky,
To bring to our minds,
That we will never again see,
Like in Moses' time,
The land covered by sea,
The rainbow's our sign,
Of God's covenant for eternity.

Banana Berry Caribbean Twist Smoothie:

I made this smoothie as a fluke. I had the ingredients for one of the ones in the book but also wanted it to be more icy since it is so hot. Therefore, I made a few changes to it and voila I got a fabulous tasting smoothie out of it.

Banana Berry Caribbean Twist

1/2 cup soy milk
2 ice cubes
1 kiwi; peeled & diced
1/2 papaya; peeled and diced
12-14 frozen blackberries
1/2 banana; peeled and diced

Place all ingredients into blender. Blend 45 seconds on low. Increase speed to medium; blend 30 seconds. Increase speed to high then puree for another 30-45 seconds until ice cubes & frozen fruit gone and smoothie is smooth and lump free.

Enjoy!

The Smoothies Bible: review

The Smoothies Bible written by Pat Crocker is an excellent book about smoothies. It has a great variety of smoothies. They vary from soy based, juice based, frozen yogurt or ice cream based. The book includes smoothies that range from fruit and vegetable to those including fiber additives such as grains and nuts.

It also has smoothies and information for the following medical/health conditions: Aids/Hiv, Aging, Allergies, Alopecia, Alzheimer's/Dementia, Anemia, Anxiety, Arthritis, ADD/ADHD, Breastfeeding, Bronchitis, Cancer Prevention, Candida, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Common Cold, Constipation, Depression, Diabetes, Diarrhea, Diverticular Disease, Endrometriosis, Eye Problems (Cataracts, Glaucoma & Macular Degeneration), Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Flatulence, Gallstones, Gout, Hangover, Headaches (non-migraine), Heart Problems (High Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, Cardiovascular disease, Heart Failure & Stroke), Heartburn, Herpes Simplex (cold sores and genital herpes), Hypoglycemia, Immune Deficiency, Impotence, Indigestion, Infertility (male and female), Influenza, Insomnia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Kidney Stones, Laryngitis, Liver Problems, Low Libido, Lupus, Menopause, Menstrual disorders, Migraines, Multiple Sclerosis, Osteoporosis, Overweight, Parkinson's, Peptic Ulcers, Pregnancy, Prostate Enlargement Benign, Sinusitis, Skin Conditions (Acne, Dry skin, Psoriasis & Rosacea, Quit Smoking, Urinary Tract Infection, Uterine Fibroids, Varicose Veins & Hemorrhoids, & Water Retention.

This book by no means replaces your doctor's advice. The smoothies help you better your health by acknowledging the foods that are good for you to consume for your particular disorder. It also tells you which foods can aggravate it so you can eliminate or avoid them in your diet.

The smoothies in this book range from simple thin based ones to thick creamy or icy ones that are nice and cool. I have enjoyed making several smoothies so far from this book and they all taste great.

I have also changed one or two items in some of the smoothies for a different taste or texture. Like in the soy based ones they are thin unless you reduce the soy milk to half cup (instead of three quarter cup) and add 2 ice cubes and add some frozen fruit. I learned this technique by trying several of the smoothies in this book. I recommend the book just for the great smoothies. If you want to use it for one of the disorders go ahead. You will learn what foods may disagree with your disorder so you can eat better to control it.

Pat Crocker put a lot of information in this book and went to a lot of trouble to research the disorders and what foods are compatible. I believe this is a very good book to have in your recipe book collection, especially if you are wanting to drink smoothies.

Update on Nerve Block/Trigger Point Injections:

Well, I would generally say it worked like a charm. However, the trigger point injection didn't seem to work so well. That kink in my neck only got worse. So bad that my cervical neck bones were in so much pain. Also, my entire right side of my neck, where the trigger point injection went, was swollen and very painful. I went to the Emergency Room thinking I had an infection or something like that going on. They made me comfortable with pain and anti-inflammatory medications then told me I must now do physical therapy to help recover.

As far as the Nerve Block injection I would say it has made about a sixty to seventy percent decrease in my neck pain. However, it hasn't done anything for the rest of the muscle pains in the other parts of my body. The doctor told me it wouldn't though. Therefore, the doctors still have no clue as to what I have yet.

Short Story: Destination Freedom

She watched the tall man with the black beard and big black stovepipe hat. He wore a black suit and stood very straight. He was the President her grand-daddy told her. Her daddy wasn’t here today because he had gone to fight the war. He never came back. Her grand-daddy said that her daddy was a hero who helped win the war. Still she wanted her daddy. Also, he was nice to everyone including the colored folks. That’s why daddy went to fight the war. He believed in this man here and the things he said.
The President had a deep voice "that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain; that the nation shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people by the people for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

"Ireland serves neither King nor Kaiser. We need to fight for our own freedom. They are recruiting women to fight alongside the men. We can carry pistols and dispatches for our countrymen. Who will go with me?" The other five women in the small room looked about and three looked to the floor.
One with red pigtails of twenty years jumped to her feet "I’ll go with you Helena" she declared "I believe in freedom for our people." "Me too." said the fifth woman, though not as enthusiastically.

Sitting beside her new husband she tugged at her white gloves anxiously. She had not enough time to be prepared for attending the Presidential State of the Union Address. He should have given me more notice she mused as she smoothed out her dress. She felt a bit slighted that their honeymoon had been cut short for this.
She returned her attention to President Roosevelt and his speech about the Four Freedoms. "The fourth is freedom from the fear-which, translated into world terms, means a world wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor-anywhere in the world."

The attic was cramped with about a dozen of them. Here they hid like animals trying to survive. Outside they heard planes drone above them. In the deepest recesses of the night they would hear the sirens braying loudly warning of incoming bombers on their way. Then they’d feel the ground shake as bombs fell far away. When their ears would literally pop from the shrills they knew they were nearby. Then the house, whose attic they hid in, would shake. As did their bones and teeth from fear and the cold, not just from the bomb’s aftermath. What’s that now? God no! Hands grabbing at everyone, yanking them from the attic. "No! Let go! Ow!"
"Run!" a woman’s voice shouted.

"..that freedom can be the future of every nation." Click.
"Hey Steve, I was watching that."
"Bush is full of shit." I don’t want him on my t.v. If you want to watch him go somewhere else."
"Fine!" She grabbed her dark woolen coat and red scarf and bundled herself up. Grabbed her purse and keys, slamming the door behind her. Walking the half block in the chilly November air, tears threatened to spill from her eyes. Opening the pub door she was greeted by the odor of cigarette smoke.
"A Bud" she told the bartender as she sat upon the stool and watched the Presidential Address continue. She slid him a couple of one dollar bills before he could say a word. "The advance of freedom is the calling of our time; it is the calling of our country. From the Fourteen Points to the Four Freedoms, to the Speech at Westminster, America has put our power at the service of principle." "Another?" the bartender asked as she guzzled the Bud down. She nodded and pushed a few more singles out for him as he placed another in front of her.
She turned her attention back to the t.v."...we believe that freedom -- the freedom we prize -- is not for us alone, it is the right and the capacity of all mankind. (Applause.) Working for the spread of freedom can be hard. Yet, America has accomplished hard tasks before. Our nation is strong; we're strong of heart. And we're not alone. Freedom is finding allies in every country; freedom finds allies in every culture. And as we meet the terror and violence of the world, we can be certain the author of freedom is not indifferent to the fate of freedom."

She felt something warm and sticky upon her cheek. She wiped at it with her sleeve. Finding it to be blood. Smoke stung at her eyes. Someone grabbed her arm and helped her to her feet. She looked back and saw the Paratrooper. Using his ray gun he pointed to the right. Above the din she heard him shout "Run to-"

"Free---dom!" Tess turned looking around cautiously into the graying dimness of the stark room. Did someone say the word or had the word crept through her own mind? No, she couldn't allow it. He would see her thoughts. He always could tell. She wasn't good at hiding anything from him. That's why he could control her so well. She placed her hands over her ears and slid her back down the wall. Dropping to the cold concrete floor. Tears trickled down her face. No! She mustn't! No tears, no emotion. He played on all that. He used it all against her. No more, no more. She slumped over in total exhaustion and slept.

"I may have found the common thread in her time travels lately, Sir."
"Well, Lieutenant Xin What is it? Don’t keep me waiting. You know what happens to men who do!"
"Sorry Sir. I believe that they all have to do with Freedom."
"Freedom? Freedom? What are you trying to tell me Lieutenant?"
"Sir, Freedom means the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints. It also means immunity from an obligation or duty."
"Where would she get this idea about Freedom and why? She’s a time-traveler!" Lord Cappalla slammed his fist into the table’s console and stormed out. The silver doors slid open then shut upon his exit.

Lieutenant Xin looked around the table at Corporal Pierre and 2nd Lieutenant Venne. "We need to destroy her. She is no longer of any use."
"Excuse me Sir. But wouldn’t it be easier to just send her off without a retrieval to someplace?" asked Corporal Pierre.
"Excellent idea Corporal. Do it, but don’t forget to remove her chip first."
The Corporal and 2nd Lieutenant stood gave nods toward Lieutenant Xin then left for their assignment. "Do we remove the chip tonight or in the morning then?" asked Venne
"Let’s wait till morning. She’s asleep now anyways." replied Pierre.
"Dinner then at my place?" smiled Venne
"Not till this is over." answered Pierre
"Oh, right." Venne replied flatly not showing her dejection.

The next morning, in the lab, Pierre and Venne oversaw as Dr. Zaghn removed the chip from Tesszalda.
"She’s ready for deportation" the Dr. stated as he went about closing the incision with the laser. "She’ll sleep for another two hours. So you have time now if you wish to finish with the business." He turned back to putting away his instruments.
Pierre and Venne transported Tesszalda from the lab in a portable cubicle to the transport room.
"Where to?" Venne asked Pierre.
"Who cares. Just turn the dial and zap her out into space somewhere. Then she’s no longer any of our worries." He replied brusquely.
"As you wish." Venne did as instructed.
Whirl.....whoooosh.

"Grandma, what year was it? How did they fall into the Ohio River?"
"Henry, my turn. My turn Grandma. What did President Lincoln say again? That’s my favorite part. What did he say about your book when he met you? Please tell it again. Please. Oh pleeeze" Mary pleaded.
"One at a time, my dears" she clucked at her two grand-children. Henry, it was the year Nineteen-hundred-and-thirty-eight Eliza fell into the Ohio River because it cracked beneath them. The water drenched her and the baby in it’s icy fingers. Mary dear, don’t you ever tire of hearing that story?" She looked upon the child’s black pigtails swaying back and forth as she shook her head no.

Sighing she continued. "It was around the beginning of the Civil War when I met President Abraham Lincoln. He was a big figure of a man, tall and lean with a big black stovepipe hat. My son Charles claimed that President Lincoln looked down at me with his coal nugget eyes and said, "so this is the lady who started the great war!" I don't recall the incident,but Charles was with me. If it was said, it is a terrible accusation to put on anyone. True, my book, Uncle Tom's Cabin, did stir up the hornet's nest, but the seeds of unrest were planted and a nation had been the harvest before it had been written."

"Grandma, one more question. What do you think was the secret password for the Underground Railroad?" asked Mary.
"It was a secret. It also changed frequently." Harriet looked upon her two grandchildren with loving pride. "I will tell you though that those who worked the Underground Railroad had a belief. Actually two words that summed up what they wanted for all people and that’s---destination, freedom."

Smoothie Recipe: Caribbean Crush

I just started making smoothies for one of my meals for weight loss and also for nutritional value needed. I also may be lactose intolerant. Therefore, this smoothie is made with soy milk.

I found it to taste more like the kiwi in it; so you'll have to like kiwi (like me). I enjoyed this one so much I am going to make an alternative by changing one of the fruits for more variety.

Caribbean Crush Smoothie
1 serving

3/4 cup plain soy milk
1/8 cup of lime juice
Half Mango; peeled, pitted and chopped
1 Kiwi, peeled and chopped

In blender combine soy milk, lime juice, mango and kiwi. Blend on low for thirty seconds; blend on high for an additional thirty seconds or until smooth. Enjoy.

I am going to substitute the Mango with a Papaya next.

Followup On Neck Nerve Injections:

Went back on the 18th of June for my second injection. This time I also needed a trigger point injection in the side of my neck. Somehow I had tweaked my neck according to the Specialist.

The trigger point injection was the same kind of Cortisone and Marcain mixture as the Specialist put into my neck between my vertebraes. However, with the trigger point injection it is not necessary to have to go to the Surgery Center in order to have them. The specialist told me I could get them at his office easily enough. They don't need x-rays taken like the nerve block injections. They palpate the site where the knot from your pulled muscle, or strain or whatever is and then they place the shot mixture into the site. There is no premedication of Marcain it is mixed into the shot. Therefore, it is a bit painful when injected. Then the site is massaged with pressure. This was uncomfortable yes. However, I noticed relief in the area within twenty-four hours. So it is a great way to get relief when it can be done.

As for the first Nerve Block Injection I had not noticed much pain relief, except for one week after the shot. After that my pain returned. The nurse who called me, to remind me of the Injection, stated that most people find the greatest relief after the second part of the shot is administered. Therefore, with great trepidation and hesitation I went forward with the second injection.

I still got a migraine as I did last time, however it only lasted about forty-two hours instead of seventy-seven hours as the last time. I also had a lot of aching and need for the Vicodin and heating pad for the first forty-five hours. The first time it lasted closer to seventy-four hours. Therefore, the side-effects for the second shot did not last as long as the first one. I am, at this moment, fairly comfortable with less aching in my neck and shoulders than I have been yet. I am hoping this feeling of relief continues.

I am to call and schedule an appointment with the Specialist anytime in two to four weeks. At the appointment we will determine whether or not to continue this therapy. It will depend on the amount of relief I seem to be getting. I will keep you posted.

Check Out My Stuff On EBAY:

I just began selling on EBAY. I have a variety of things available and will still be adding more items as the days continue to go by. There's computer related materials, clothing and sports cards at the moment. I'll be adding more articles too, so check me out whenever you can. You can find me under Pamel1959. Hope you stop by.

Poet's Corner: Voyage Of The Ark

Behind the old man and his staff,
They entered the ark, two by two,
First came the antelope to giraffe,
Then came the birds of many hues.

Behind the hippo they did trail,
With the zebra being the last,
Now aboard it was time to sail,
They closed the door, raised the mast.

From the Heavens the rain just poured,
For forty days and forty nights,
Outside the wind whistled and roared,
Causing man and beast much fright.

From above, they heard the rain cease,
Looking outside, land was in sight,
Anxiously awaiting their release,
So ended their forty day plight.

Houstan Death From Salmonellosis:

The CDC is currently investigating the death of a Houston woman, Wednesday, to determine if it is related to current raw tomato outbreak of Salmonella. The woman had an immuno-suppressed system as she had lymphoma.

There have been approximately, to date, one hundred and forty nine people infected from the Salmonella outbreak.

The Texas Board Of Health has determined that the source of the raw tomato outbreak is not from any tomatoes found in Texas. The Whole Foods grocery chain in Texas has however pulled the tomatoes off the shelves for the public's safety.

The CDC states the safest way to deal with tomatoes is not to buy the roma, round or pear-shaped tomatoes. The safe ones are homegrown, ones attached to the vine, grape and cherry tomatoes. However, if you already have the others don't eat them raw. If you cook them at one hundred and forty five degrees this will kill off the Salmonella germs. Also, please be careful in washing your hands before and after handling tomatoes. Keep tomatoes separate from all raw meat/seafood. Wash all cutting boards/utensils/countertops, that you use for cutting tomatoes, with hot soapy water, rinsing well afterwards. Also before cutting any other food.

Using can tomatoes is one of the safest options; some restaurants are beginning to use this option for the public's safety. One such restaurant includes Jack In The Box in California. To date only one person in California has been infected, it is believed she contracted it on a recent trip to Houstan though.

Seek medical attention if you suspect Salmonella poisoning. The symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, headache, stomach pain and occasional vomiting.

Update Of Tomatoes And Salmonella:

With all the testing that has been so far they have found three varieties of tomatoes are linked to Salmonella poisoning. These are the the roma/plum tomatoe and the round red variety.

The salmonella seems to be linked to the skin of the tomatoes and once sliced/cut the salmonella enters the inside of the tomatoe making it easier to get sick from it. The varieties, at this time, that seem safest are homegrown, cherry and grape tomatoes and the varieties that still have the vine attatched. If you are going to eat tomatoes than remember to wash them well before slicing them, then wash your hands with an anitbacterial soap. The best way to do this is to use a vegetable and fruit wash.

There is a great fruit and vegetable wash that is know to be economically safe for the enviroment too. It is known as CleanGreens. It cleans off pesticides, animal waste, organic fertilizers, toxic residues from other chemicals from produce that's not organic. It's great for both organic and non-organic produce. Another wash that's great for cleaning produce without harming the enviroment and is biodegradable is Vegiwash. It cleans the dirt, pesticides, fungicide, waxes, oil, and herbicide residues. There are many other fruit and vegetable washes available also. I have put their links below.

What it boils down to is that many growers still use pesticides, eventhough they rinse them prior to sending them to market, many times the rinse water is not emptied and often enough thus it is just not cleaning off the produce that goes to restaurants and consumers. Thus, we continue to get produce like tomatoes now, and spinach last year that is causing us to get ill. The only protection we have is at home when we implement the use of a fruit and vegetable wash into our daily routine. This reduces our risk of contracting diseases and illnesses due to the produce industry.

Even organic produce can become infected by the use of organic fertilizer, because the fertilizer is a by-product of worm or cricket poop and some are even a by-product of fish meal. All this is exposure to animal by-products. It doesn't mean that organic fertilizer isn't much safer than commercial brands that include herbicides, pesticides and fungicides. All it means is that for your health all your produce whether organic or non-organic should be rinsed in a fruit and vegetable rinse. This is your family's best protection against possible illness such as Salmonella. Let's give our families the best and safest fruit and vegetables. The recent Salmonella outbreak in tomatoes should wake us up to the fact that we need to better rinse the produce we eat. Happy eating.

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Tomatoes Cause Salmonella Poisoning

About nine states so far have had Salmonella outbreaks. These nine states are: New Mexico, Texas, Idaho, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Illinois, Kansas, and Indiana. The common thread of the patients seem to be consumption of fresh tomatoes either at restaurants or grocery stores. Which type of tomato has yet to be determined. Neither has it been determined yet as to where the source is from. Thus leaving us to wonder if the red juicy beefsteak or roma tomato may possibly make us ill. Or if it is another culprit altogether.

It is known that after the ingestion of whatever unknown type of tomato. That if you have gotten a bad tomato; a Salmonella carrier, that you can begin to see signs of illness anytime between twelve to seventy-two hours. The symptoms are: diarrhea, cramping, and fever. Salmonella lasts from four to seven days.

People infected with Salmonella can actually get better without any type of medical intervention. However, some elderly, children and those with immuno-suppressed systems need to seek medical treatment. Due to the fact that those people are at a higher risk of complications like infections; in some of these cases there is a possible increase of hospitalization. Death can occur, however, at this time nobody has died. So be wary before you consider that tomato. If you do go ahead and eat tomatoes than by all means watch your health vigilantly. In the event you get any of the symptoms above please seek medical attention.

Celebrating Dad On Father's Day:

Celebrating Dad

Father's Day is about remembering Dad and all the sacrifices he made for the family. Remember all those hours he worked overtime when you were young? You missed him and didn't understand. Yet, when Christmas came around we had a fresh cut pine standing in the living room. The house was warm as the family decorated the tree. Then come Christmas morning we'd at least receive one or two of our most coveted gifts. Dad/Father/Padre whatever you call him (the man who raised you) made some of your wishes come true. Remember the evening horseback rides or wrestling with him? The times your family would cram into the family vehicle and go for a Sunday ride without knowing where you'd end up. Sometimes he'd even get you lost, if you were going somewhere special, however even then you'd discover something new or some exciting new place to eat. The picnics, camping trips, fishing and learning to swim in the lake all spent/supervised by good ole Dad. These were all made possible by his hard work and overtime pay.

Now it's time to remember Dad by showing him appreciation for all he did/does do. That's the real meaning of Father's Day. To celebrate Dad for all those memories, gifts, his help in completing a school science fair project/or with your math homework. The times you needed him when your dog got run over by a car or you broke-down in your car and he came to your rescue. Dad's are known to be our heroes; silent heroes who never ask for nothing in return. So don't forget this is how Dads show love in their own special way. Most Dads aren't too sentimental in their early years, however they become a little more so as time ages them.

If you are wondering what to get for him on Father's Day here are a few suggestions:

1) Gift Cards to his favorite store; Sportsman's Warehouse, Home Depot, Lowe's, Ace Hardware, Sears (for those Craftsman tools many men love). Or even to his favorite restaurant; after all what man doesn't like to eat. Also, giving a gift card is easier than mailing a package at today's shipping costs (and what if he doesn't like what you picked out?-he'll keep it anyways in his closet; never using it. What a shame). You can make it even more special by making his Father's Day card yourself. Therefore, you are giving him two gifts.

2) You can have a family barbecue in his honor. Just let him sit back and relax in the sunshine and fresh air; while you do all the grilling and cooking. More than likely, if there are grandkids that's where you'll find him; playing games or entertaining them. Don't forget to make "his favorite foods" for this special day.

3) If you want to really give a gift with a package and bow then most Dads have a need for new tools. Tools are different in everybody's hobbies/careers. There are tools for drafting, mechanics, woodworking, cabinetry, sculpting, model shipbuilding, gardening, and home remodeling. You see where I'm coming from? Be sure that whatever career or hobby your Father has that he doesn't already have that particular tool. Unless it is a better one than he has already. Be sure to fit the tool to your Father and to make it one he will use. Or if you Dad is a sports enthusiast or goes golfing, fishing, hunting, roller-blading, biking, ect.; you can get him something related to that sport. Try and use the concept of something he needs/wants in this area. It could be an autographed football by Brett Favre, tickets to the next basketball game, a special edition autographed copy of a book by Sports Celebrity he really likes.

4) If you are an only child or your siblings live faraway, and can't spend Father's Day with Dad, then just the two of you do something together. This can range from going to the golf course, fishing, playing billiards, to a rodeo/car show/races or other sporting event. Make it special, take a few pictures to record the event. Later put these pictures in a photo frame and give it to him as a reminder of the day you spent together.

5) Photos of grandchildren are a definite hit with Dad's. You could design a collage by making a tree with branches leading to each child's photograph. Remember to put the name, birth date and date of picture either below it or next to it. If you have siblings with kids be sure to get photos of them as well. This way you could include pictures of all Dad's grandchildren; thus, creating a piece of family history he will treasure. Maybe your siblings could help make it too so it can be from all of you.

6) Handmade cards; you can add little treasures from special outings with Dad as you were growing up. Which could be anything from a seashell collected in the family trip to Hawaii to ticket stubs from a Yankee game, or even a concert program in which Dad came to see you in.

Most of all, remember to honor your Dad with showing him you love him and appreciate all he did for you. If you have a problem with communicating with him than this may be the right time to reach out and either forgive him or tell him you're sorry. He is only human and he loves you even if he doesn't say it. He speaks it with his heart when he worked hard to get the things you needed/wanted (even if you didn't get everything you wanted he did try). Dads are that way; they are warriors and heroes who don't show as much emotion as Moms. That's what makes him your hero; did you know that? It's because he was fearless in the face of all those monsters under your bed, held unto you during a tornado and calmed your fears after your nightmare. Celebrate him with love, even if you are faraway at least call. If your Dad is passed away then remember all those times you had with him on this day; honor his memory and toast him for the man he was/what he did and accomplished. Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there.