The Healthy Journal

We live in a very different world today from when I grew up in the 50's and 60's. Even though there were issues with pollution and toxicity, it seemed nothing like the saturation point it appears we have reached today. We are surrounded by chemicals that cause cancer. Chemicals are in our food, clothing, furniture, water and air. Is it any wonder cancer is so pervasive today? It used to be few knew anyone with cancer. Today, we all have family, friends and neighbors confronted with the horrible diagnosis of cancer . In the Us vs. Them War on Cancer, clearly cancer has won. So what can we do? First, make the choice and act to go CLEAN. The foundation of a healthy lifestyle starts with living clean. Simply speaking, it means removing chemicals from every part of our lives that we control—in and around our homes, in our food, what we put on our bodies, furniture we buy... you get the picture. Start With Your Food Open your pantry and refrigerator and throw out anything that has a...

Last Christmas our son gave us a package of Madagascar Vanilla Beans he got at Costco. Since I used the last drop of homemade vanilla extract a friend gave us, I thought I'd better make more with the beans our son got us. This was the easiest thing I've made. We had everything on hand to make the extract: Re-used bottle from vanilla a friend gave us Vanilla beans from our son Vodka from friends who moved out of the country—they gifted us all their liquor Vodka is the liquor of choice because it has no flavor. But some like to use bourbon, brandy or rum, feeling that it enhances the flavor of the brewing vanilla. Vanilla Extract ingredients/supplies 8 oz glass bottle with stopper 7 vanilla beans (package contains about 30) 1 C Vodka, 70 proof/35% alcohol (bourbon, brandy or rum can also be used) directions 1. Slice the beans lenght-wise and drop into the bottle. 2. Pour the cup of vodka (or liquor of choice) into the bottle making sure the beans are fully submerged. 3. Secure t...