Good morning, readers. I hope you had a great weekend. As I write this we're recovering from our daughter's birthday slumber party with 5 friends — yikes! It was actually fun playing Uno (I love Uno) and watching movies, except for how I hurt all over from the couch I slept on…
- Local readers: Last week's Weston Price chapter meeting had to be rescheduled due to a snowstorm, SO our first meeting of 2012 is now tomorrow night in downtown Grand Rapids, and we’ll learn about the top ten superfoods! Chapter meetings are a great way to meet other Real Foodie weirdos like us and not feel like such a weirdo when you're there! All the logistics are on our Meetup page. Let me know if you’re coming and be sure to say hi.
Did you enter the first of my new Kitchen Kop giveaways yet? You could win a $100 Le Creuset cast iron pan!- Do any of you with Reverse Osmosis water use these [easyazon-link asin=”B003C6BMKQ” locale=”us”]ConcenTrace[/easyazon-link] drops to replace minerals? I just bought some and I'm curious if you put them right in your drinking water or in recipes and if it has a taste? Read about why I wouldn't buy another water filter system like we have now and here's what I wish we had instead.
- Did you see this post from a young farming couple and feel discouraged, too? Why we farm, the final chapter. There must be ways to make this work as many are doing it and growing, especially as the Real Food movement explodes…right?
At the Weston Price conference in Dallas last fall I was given this book from Radiant Life about Earthing. Of course it's still in my pile to crack open, but the more I hear about it the more fascinated I am by the whole topic. You can check out their Earthing products here, and please let me know if any of you have had experience using any of them?.
Last week Robin on my Facebook page asked a question about how I learned to like wine. I thought I'd mention it here in case any of you had more tips for her. Pictured on the right is my latest fav, I love that it is a local wine. Kent & I want to go to TC for a wine tasting trip one of these days.- A reader, Diane, told me about the workout program called, T-Tapp and I'm curious if anyone has tried it and what you think? Diane says, “Tapp's exercise doesn't take long but really is effective in shaping the body as well as raising the heart rate. It also helps to maintain bone strength. She says most people will lose at least one dress size. I only started today to actually do the exercises. You do not lose inches by WATCHING it, I have found!“
Did you 
At the Weston Price conference in Dallas last fall I was given this book from Radiant Life about 
Last week Robin on my Facebook page askedHave a great day!
Dorsey says
I wanted to add more about the T-Tapp and encourage people to check this program out.
I received an email that there was a new comment from Beth but couldn’t find it on the list so just adding this information.
I originally heard about T-Tapp and sent for the Basic workout. I received it on Monday and did the 15 minute work out that day. I did it again on Tuesday and Wednesday. I worked on Thursdays so couldn’t do it that AM.
I went to get dressed and choose a pair of pinstripe capris which were very tight at the waist and the pockets gaped a lot but figured the top would cover the pockets and the waist would keep me from eating too much. LOL Well, I was shocked to find that with just those 3 workouts, the waist closed comfortably and the pockets gaped only a little. I kept up the program and for the first time in my life, I got nice looking legs.
Sadly, I got busy and let the program dwindle until I reached the point that I wasn’t doing it anymore. After laying a bank in brick, I developed serious pain in my left hip and after 10 months of trying to “fix” it found that my hip was shot completely and already beginning to fuse. I had the surgery i n Sept and recovery was going quickly and smoothly for 2 weeks and then a PT guy had me do exercises that my body was not ready for and trouble began again. The surgeon said that everything about the surgery looked great and that it was a muscle problem. My chiropractor got my lower lumbar back in line but with bad muscles, it was hard to keep it in line. Now there seems to be a problem with the sacroilliac joints. I realized that these problems were indeed coming because I didn’t have the stronger muscles to support the areas so I had the one T-Tapp program in their rehab series that is all done from a chair. Since I can’t stand on my left leg unsupported, I figured that was the best choice. I only did them for a week and I have been able to walk during the day without the use of a cane. I still have problems at night due to sitting longer and problems in the AM when I first get up but there is serious improvement in only one week. I want to encourage anyone who is reading this and has physical limitations to seriously consider this program. It works wonders……..and for busy people or people who really don’t like to take the time to exercise, check out the 15 minute workout. It really does work and it was the only program that I did faithfully for a couple of years. Due to my husbands health problems and having to run a house inside and out all by myself while being full time nurse, I let it slide but I think I now realize that this is something I must give high priority to if I want to continue to function well in these my “golden” years.
Thanks for listening and I hope it helps someone else to see there is a fast and effective way to “make things better”. 🙂
KitchenKop says
Wow, what a great testimony!!!!!!! I’m ordering now, you’ve all convinced me!
Christy says
I commented on your post at AnnMaries and then read all the other comments – I so wish I had read them first. I think the advice you gave her was good. I really believe a child needs to know their parents are in charge. That what they say goes. I think the most important part of what you told her was to be consistent and to stick to what she says. Once a child knows that you mean what you say, well then they “choose” to obey with a lot less testing. And that is helpful for everyone!
JCF says
I thought your parenting post was great–we also don’t tiptoe around our kids. Our goals as parents are to show our kids God’s love and grace in our relationships with them and others AND to teach them that God is the ultimate authority who has put us in authority over them. We learned very quickly that it looks a little different for each kid, and it also looks different from family to family. I think people throw around the words “child abuse” and “violence” far too easily, when they’re talking about parenting styles and personalities.
Emily says
I love T-Tapp, very easy and effective!
Marci Chandler says
When I saw “T-Tapp” I had to respond. I love it! It’s my favorite workout. I’ve done it off and on for 2 1/2 years–mostly on though because it makes me feel great. I get a better sense of well-being after T-Tapping than any other workout I do. I wrote that to the maker once and she said it has to do with the lymphatic pumping that she designed her workout to do. I believe it! I’m an avid excerciser and this is my “go-to” workout. But be warned: it’s much tougher than it looks. If you’re doing it and it’s easy for you–then you’re doing it wrong. You must follow each of her directions and focus on your form at all times. I take LOTS of breaks, but that’s okay. It works your muscles, your heart, your mind, and your balance–all at once. Thank goodness she has a 15-minute “mini” routine! Try it!
Tami says
I whole heartedly agree with everything Marci says. It is very deceptive when you “watch” it. You are actually using 4 -6 muscle groups at a time and it is truly rehabilitative. I had severe plantar fasciitis in both feet and within a month of doing the 15 minute workout 5 days a week, the pain was gone. My arches are rehabbed and the pain has never returned. I have not experienced the extreme size loss that others do, but my body is reshaping, I actually WANT to exercise, including trying new types of workouts, and my mind has a clarity I haven’t had in years. Give it a chance, you’ll be shocked!
Megan says
I am sorry you got so many negative comments on that post. It can be hard to take, but I’m glad you were honest and shared what works for your family. I just became a contributing writer at Christian Mommy Blogger. My first post was on scheduling. I had a comment that used the words “child abuse.” This phrase was not necessary in my opinion. I love my son more than words can express. Anyway, I’m going to head on over and read your post now, but I wanted to thank you for taking the steps to put your post out there. There will always be differing opinions, but I don’t understand the need to be unkind when offering them!
KitchenKop says
Megan, yes, scheduling is another good example of a parenting style that is very individual. Some parents LOVE it and it works great for their families, and others thrive on NO schedule. But it does draw out those crazies who insist *their* way is the *right* way. Frustrating.
Megan says
Yep, I completely support parents choosing their own way. I even said that in the post, but people hear/read what they want to, I guess!
Amy G. says
I really want to get a water filter to attach to our shower head and bathtub spout to get the chlorine out, but every one I’ve seen is white and ugly! Our fixtures are dark bronze. Does anyone know where to get an attachment that is bronze?
Thanks!
KitchenKop says
Did you try Googling? Or go ask at Lowes or Home Depot, maybe they could order you one? Or even better, your local hardware. I love supporting them.
Amy G. says
Hi –
I tried to put a couple of drops of minerals in each glass of reverse osmosis water I drank, but I didn’t like the salty taste, so instead I just drink a squirt of minerals all at once a couple of times a day, followed by water, so as not to “ruin” each delicious glass of pure water I drink.
Dorsey says
I very much recommend the earthing products. I have the “sheet” on my bed and I have the small mat under my desk that holds my computer so I can rest my feet on it while I work at the computer. It has made a big difference. My husband and I sleep better at night for sure. Also I have a problem with my lower back since my surgery and I can come in here to type really aching but by resting my feet on the mat while I work here, I am in much better shape when I get up.
It really is doing something as sometimes if my back is bad enough, I can actually feel a little “pinching” feel in the beginning. It is really an interesting concept and it really does help.
KitchenKop says
As much as I’m on the computer, I’m *really* thinking of getting one of those mats. I want to read the book first, though…
Jami says
Kelly, T-Tapp has been the best workout I’ve ever done. I am still in disbelief how effective it is. Though Theresa explains the science behind it all, I still find it amazing. My body never got this toned dancing (back when I was a dancer), weight training (back when I was a personal trainer), or running. Keep it up for several weeks and you’ll be hooked like I am. I normally despise tape workouts and not going outdoors, but it’s so worth it when you get results.
KitchenKop says
Hmmmm, I might just have to try this out. It’s nice to have a variety of things to do in the winter when going out to walk or run doesn’t appeal to me much!
Dorsey says
I too use T-Tapp and it is the greatest. Right now I am doing the Rehab program from a chair to build the muscles back up that were seriously compromised during a hip replacement. Once I started this, progress began to really happen.
Beth says
I’ve been wanting to try T-Tapp since last Spring. Thanks for reminding me to put it on my amazon wishlist. I still have a lot of rehabbing and rebuilding to do from my long journey with Lyme but from what I’ve read and talked with people (and reading your experience with the rehab program) I think this will really help me.
Megan says
Jami, I was a dancer too and have heard good things about T-Tapp. What specific video would you recommend starting with to see if I like it. I exercise 6 days/week, so I want to be challenged. Thanks! ; )
Maryjane says
About farming — have you ever heard of the Urban Farming Guys? (https://theurbanfarmingguys.com/about) A group of families who are farming small lots in a high-crime area of Kansas City! Awesome concept.
About parenting — Kelly, I couldn’t believe how much psycho-babble I read in those comments to your post on Cheeseslave. No wonder employers can’t find any good employees who don’t expect to be applauded for showing up to work every day! I totally appreciated your approach. In fact, I think I would be even “stricter”. I raised three children to a happy, productive adulthood, and I even *spanked* them when they were small (“Horrors!!”).
KitchenKop says
I’m glad I’m not the only one that thought a lot of that advice was “off”!!
I keep thinking of how Kent was raised. His parents (who I absolutely LOVE, they are the best in-laws EVER) raised 5 boys on their farm. If they were acting like brats… Oh, sorry… If they “chose not to cooperate in the manner suggested”, then they got the paddle. If you knew the remarkable men all 5 boys turned out to be, you’d be amazed. I can’t believe how blessed I am to have married one. They are solid husbands and Dads with great jobs (3 are in management, one is a police officer, and the other is a chemist), they have huge hearts, and they even help a lot around the house! I tell Mary Ellen all the time what a great job she and Ron did and I pray we can do as well with our kids. (My parents also raised us to mind, and I’m thankful for what they taught us about parenting, too.)
We don’t paddle our kids, but I certainly don’t think that an appropriate reward or consequence for their behavior is bad!
Kelly
Pak says
I am repeating myself (I commented on Anne Marie’s post). I have used so many forms of parenting through the years on my three children. They are all different personalities and require different methods. What worked for one does not work on the other. They are always changing, and my methods changed with their age. My mother spanked us (notice I did not say “beat us”) and believe me, we deserved it when it happened. She always said that it hurt her more than it hurt us, and being a mother now, I know what she means. She said later in life that if she had it to do over, she wouldn’t have spanked us. However, I want to state that it did not do ANY of us any harm. The best advice my mother gave me was “Just love them”. I think that is the most important. Be fair, be consistent, BE A PARENT and just love those children!
KitchenKop says
I love your common sense approach of doing what works for each child!
Dr. Dobson talks about how for some kids, just *looking* at them with a disappointed face is all it takes, and quite the opposite for others!
Kelly
Pak says
Oh, I have made many mistakes. I will continue to do so (I have no doubt about this). But like I said in my comment to Anne Marie-isn’t it interesting that so many people were raised so differently and they still turned out just fine? So maybe if you just love your child, let them know they are loved, and do the best you can – they will turn out just fine. Just for the record, I did not spank my children like my mother spanked us. I always ask my friends how my children behave at their homes. If they are respectful to people outside of our home, then I feel we are doing all right as parents.
Jeanmarie says
Hi Kelly,
I read the parenting post and was also surprised by some of the comments. Since I am not a parent, I suppose my opinions are immediately dismissible, but I always *intended* to become a parent, however, the right guy didn’t come along in time. That’s another story. THe point is, all human beings rightly have an interest in how children are raised. We live with the results of various parenting styles around us, and we were all once kids, raised by parents. And they all made mistakes.
I’m convinced that there is not just one, single correct parenting style that is right for everybody. There are multiple effective and positive styles that all work for some people, at least some of the time, but not for everyone. (Also, how do you define what “works”? Lack of rebellion? Kids always do exactly what they’re told? Is that success from the child’s point of view? From the grown-up child’s point of view? Lots of perspectives might have different definitions.)
I think part of the equation that’s not discussed much is that sometimes a parent/child combo is just a bad combination of personality types, through no one’s fault. Just some parents and some kids don’t mesh well. So parenting techniques that work with 4 out of 5 children may make the fifth child miserable and the parents moan, what’s wrong with him/her? Or, what’s wrong with us now? It doesn’t mean they’re bad or the kid is bad. You just can’t reach everybody through the same exact tactics. Maybe realization that sometimes there is just a mismatch would help both parents and kids in a difficult relationship to have more compassion for themselves and the other.
That said, I thought the advice you gave AnnMarie was very, very wise, respectful, and probably very effective! (I have been a babysitter, I have nieces and nephews, and I have been a child!) It seems to me your approach is one of teaching about choice and consequences of choice. Is that manipulative? Not in any unfair, emotionally manipulative way, no, I don’t think so. If you were saying “go to bed (or whatever) or Mommy won’t love you,” now THAT would be emotionally manipulative, damaging, and utterly unacceptable. I think you clearly were not advocating that.
Pak says
Well said, Jeanmarie!
Liz says
Sorry, I typed that comment on my phone and didn’t realize how many words it mangled…
Liz says
Kelly, those are the mineral drops I use. When I fill a large water bottle I use 3 to 5 drops, for a smaller water bottle I just use a couple. I put it incur coffee water, cooking water and even the dog’s water bowl. I still drink our ro water without the drops sometimes, but I try to remember.
I read the book on farthing last year. We sleep with the half sheet. It’s fascinating stuff, but not as life changing as I was hoping.
AmandaLP says
I am currently reading The Dirty Life, about the first year of creating a “whole diet CSA.”. I LOVE it! But, access to capital as well as access to knowledge are the two factors that will prevent people from farming (that, and it is a LOT of hard work.). The farmers in the book got the land free for the first year.
Also, a link in your link said that subsidizing fruits and vegetables is one way to help young farmers, New York State is 5th in the nation of fruit and vegetable productions, but 1) 31st in subsidies received, because we don’t grow lots of corn, wheat, and soybeans, and 2) the NYC Department of education buys Apples from China because they are cheaper.
aliye says
Hi!
We use the concentrace drops in our RO water. We use about 20 drops to about 1 gallon water. Much more than this and the taste is noticeable and unpleasant. I’ve started feeling so much better since remineralizing our water. So worth it!
KitchenKop says
This may be a dumb question… How do you get it into your water, by the glass or ???
Maryjane says
I used to use Concentrace before I got my Berkey for Christmas (which I love — thanks for pointing me to it, Kelly!). The Concentrace has a very salty and unpleasant taste if you use too much. I would put two or three drops in a glass of water to drink, or in any water I used from my R/O faucet.
KitchenKop says
So 2 or 3 drops per glass of water is just right?
(Thanks!)
Maryjane says
Yes.
aliye says
Not dumb at all. I bought a ceramic water crock online (lead free). I chose the gallon one because we have a small space. I fill it up every couple days and then just add the drops to there. That way I don’t have to remember to put drops in each glass, and all family members help themselves to that water.