Thursday, February 20, 2014

Self-Reliance Tip of the Week - More Honey Please!!!...and Wringer Round the Rosie! February 20, 2014


I received a question about raw honey and thought I'd share the discussion:

I have a question....does the honey need to be raw?  Will it work with the store bought honey?  I read an article that the honey on the shelves are from China and it has been processed so that the pollen has been taken out of it. Many suppliers buy it in bulk and then package it with their name. This is the article I read.

Here was my answer:

Raw honey has all of its enzymes, pollen and other precious lovelies intact. Yes, the FDA requires commercial honey to be pasteurized. They claim it kills bacteria that would cause illness...(which I have NEVER experienced).

NCE Security sells raw local honey.  It is a bit pricey, but I keep it for my "natural first aid kit" as well as cooking, so I justify the cost. If I had more land, I would love to raise my own bees...but that is a bit down the road. 

In a book I read, there was a man who had his hands burnt completely to the bone. So the author of the book, Peter helped him heal with honey. They soaked his hands in raw honey for a few days, but it was so painful because the raw was healing too fast. So they pasteurized they honey and it healed slower and less painful. His skin grew back and within a few weeks to a month (I don't remember specifically), all the skin was brand new and you couldn't tell. So to answer your question, I think pasteurized honey will still work, just not as well as the raw.

Since I read the article she (my question asker)  provided, I would slightly change my answer. I really would avoid commercial honey.

You can find quality honey at the following places (out of town):
- Trader Joes 
- PCC
- B&B Citrus Farms (in Mesa)  ph# (480) 924-6282 Addy: 3404 N Val Vista Dr. Mesa (they do honey seasonally...once its gone, its gone)

&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%

Have you ever washed your clothes...the old fashioned way? I went to an antique store once and bought a washboard. I was so excited! I wanted to try it because it sounded...fun? Don't ask me...I only live here.

I was reading about one of my Great-great-great aunts and I found out that doing laundry the old fashioned way was no fun. Part of her trial was that her mother passed away from complications of an accident and at the tender age of 14, she began to be the mother of her 8 siblings and to take care of her father. I can't imagine how much laundry that would be (I'm sure sister Tami has an idea :) ). 

At this point in my life, I don't know how much work that is. I do (mostly) good in keeping up with the laundry I have. Since the demise of my dryer, I've been hanging out my clothes and I've lived. But if I had to do all of it by hand, my life would be a little easier with these two tools. 

The Washer (I tried a regular clean plunger once...this one works so much better!!) : 

The Wringer: 

I have seen these wringers, but there have been some bad reviews...AND they are way over priced (in my opinion), but they are available:

http://www.amazon.com/GetPreparedStuff-Best-Clothes-Wringer-Hand/dp/B002QSXK60/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1392914529&sr=1-1&keywords=clothes+wringer

Did you know that all across the world many countries don't have washing machines or dryers? They wash them by hand and hang them out to dry. The top two are really inexpensive and would be an excellent addition to your self-reliance tool box. 

Here is a "how to" video to give you an idea how to use some of these tools: 

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Self-Reliance Tip of the Week - A Little Bit of Noah and Happy Day for Honey! February 13, 2014


Oh mylanta! This looks like such a good way to use freeze dried raspberries!!! IN A BROWNIE!! Check this out!!


+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+

This was just emailed to me...I think it is COMPLETELY fitting!

Noah's Ark :
Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah's Ark.

ONE: Don't miss the boat.
TWO: Remember that we are all in the same boat! 
THREE: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark . 
FOURStay fit. When you're 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big. 
FIVE: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done. 
SIX: Build your future on high ground. 
SEVEN: For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
EIGHT: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs. 
NINE: When you're stressed, float awhile. 
TEN: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
ELEVEN: No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

So...I have a little secret to share with you...but don't tell ANYONE!!!

My secret is a little thing called raw honey. Yes, it is a sweet little secret...but it can do so much more than taste good! 

Did you know that raw honey can help heal cuts?

Once upon a time...my 5 year old REFUSED to keep his boots on when we were doing a family activity in the desert. I kept telling him to keep them on, but his feet were "soooOOOoooo tired" of the boots. So he chose not to listen. Sometimes it doesn't matter how good of a parent you are...some kids seem to ALWAYS have to learn the hard way. After he took off his boots, he screamed in pain. He had stepped on glass and had shredded his foot. I didn't stress...because I had a secret weapon. We quickly left for home. When we got there I gathered a few items:

1 paper towel (folded in quarters)
1 plastic grocery bag
1 Tablespoon of honey
1 Ace bandage
1 big sock

I did not wash the wound. I put the honey on the paper towel, and squished it on his heel. I took the plastic bag and wrapped it gently around his foot (like a bandage so we could see his little piggies). I wrapped the whole mess with the  Ace bandage. Lastly I covered it all with an over sized sock (from one of my older sons).  I did this twice a day for two days. In that time a grey matter started to form over his several cuts - but I didn't touch them because I knew it was brand spankin' new baby skin. After the two days, I let it air out for an hour or so before wrapping it one more time in the same manner. It was AMAZING! Some may wonder "Why a plastic bag?" - honey is sticky...it helps keep the laundry to a minimum :).

Did you know that honey can help heal burns?

One time my niece (about  age 2 1/2 at the time) put five little finger tips on the stove pipe at Grandpa's house. How did we know...we heard her...so I quickly went into action. It was time once again to gather a few items:

1 table spoon of raw honey
2 drops lavender essential oil
1 table spoon aloe vera gel (the real stuff...not the green goo found near sunblock)
1 paper towel (folded in quarters)
1 plastic grocery bag
1 kitchen towel (we didn't have an ace bandage)

I mixed the honey together with the lavender oil and aloe vera and gave it a good stir.  I put about 1/3 of the mixture on the paper towel (it was kind of runny - but it was liquid gold!). Then I wrapped her hand in the plastic bag, followed by the kitchen towel. Within a few minutes she stopped crying. We kept it wrapped for a few hours. Then I saw her in the bathroom with the towel off and licking her fingers, "Its all better now...it tastes good." In not too long, she was crying again. So we re-wrapped it and tried to keep a closer eye on her :). The next morning, when we took the wrap off, her blisters were thicker...almost like skin had grown underneath. They didn't hurt anymore, but we still kept it wrapped to prevent her from breaking her blisters (to prevent any kind of infection). After a week or so, you wouldn't have even known she had been burned. They didn't scar.

These two tricks I learned from a friend. Before these things happened, I experimented and found it to work AMAZINGLY well. I would definitely be using honey again in case these situations presented themselves again. That is how I knew what to do. Heavenly Father is good to us. Do you suppose these may have been some of the reasons that the Brother of Jared took honey with them across the ocean?

Earlier I said "Don't tell ANYONE!" I meant...tell EVERYONE :).

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Self Reliance Tip of the Week - Why Not to Thumb Twiddle...and Shirt Skirts? Feb 6, 2014


How would Captain Moroni feel if his life had been threatened? Would he sit on the couch and say, "Well, gosh...I guess I'll just twiddle my thumbs because...it is too dangerous..." ? Highly unlikely. How do we know? Alma Chapter 43.

Lemme' set the stage a little. Moroni is the newly appointed chief captain of the Nephite Army strapping 25 year old fella (I think I had a crush on him in Seminary... :) ). They were at war with the Lamanites (yes...again). Their lives were at stake, their freedom was at stake, and it was his responsibility to prepare his men for battle so they could protect their families. 

"And when the armies of the Lamanites saw that the people of Nephi, or that Moroni, had prepared his people with breastplates and with armshields, yea, and also shields to defend their heads, and also they were dressed with thick clothing --

"Now, the army of Zerehemnah was not prepared with any such thing; they had only their swords, and their ciimeters, their bows and their arrows,their stones and their slings; and they were naked, save it were a skin which was girded about their loins..."

So the battle begins...

"And the work of death commenced on both sides, but it was more dreadful on the part of the Lamanites, for their nakedness was exposed to the heavy blows of the Nephites with their swords and their cimeters, which brought death almost at every stroke."

Why would I bring this up? 

I recently received an email from a friend. She explained that where she lives there have been sisters just as "enthusiastic" as I am about self-reliance. These sisters were giving classes and explaining to some members not of our faith the importance of learning how to survive in emergencies. The husbands said, "Why would I store food when I can just take yours? I would kill you if I had to feed my family."

"So our Sisters who were once just as enthusiastic as yourself have become more aware and quiet about who they tell." My friend told me.

Well gosh...I guess I should just sit on the couch and twiddle my thumbs huh...

I know she meant well, and we should be aware without being afraid. 

Sometimes circumstances like hunger, shelter, thirst, and illness can change ethics/ values. These may be/ have been good men. 
"If ye are prepared, ye shall NOT fear." Fear is one of the adversary's tools. He wants to use fear to deter us from our goals, to lose sight of the path and let go of the iron rod.

I am reminded of many of our ancestors who were pioneers. The Handcart Song says, "When pioneers moved to the west with courage strong they met the test..." 

Their lives were filled with uncertainty..."What will we do once we get to the desert?" Their lives were also filled with faith..."The Lord will direct us." What wonderful examples! 

I forgot to mention one powerful tool Moroni had that their enemies did not... Alma (the spiritual leader). Moroni would ask Alma to pray to find out where their enemies would be (sorry folks, you can't find any GPS that can tell you WHERE someone is going to be... :) ). The Nephites were also CONSTANTLY reminded to repent and keep themselves in check. There is no armor in the world that can protect you if you are not on the Lord's side of the battle. 

When we obey, we are blessed...period. :)

+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=

Another thought...

We all know that learning anything new can be frustrating. When it comes to sewing that can certainly be true. We have been counseled by church leaders for decades to learn sewing among other home crafts. When times are tight and you can turn an old t-shirt into a skirt

or make something from scratch, you can have that under your belt. Not only will it bless your family, but you can serve others as well. 

Here are a few places online to get fabric. If sewing isn't your thing, and you feel like "you can't teach an old dog new tricks", store fabric anyway. It will be a good trading item. 


Don't forget about wool!!! 

Wool and wool blends