Mom's AWESOME Salad Dressing - Altered

My mother always made the best vinegrette/oil salad dressing - people rave about it. When she shared it with me, I immediately changed it up a bit - substituting balsamic vinegar for the white, and extra virgin olive oil for the canola. Yes, I feel I have improved upon my mother's famous dressing. A number of friends have asked me for the recipe, and today I thought I would share it.

The recipe is pretty basic:

- 2 parts Balsamic vinegar to one part...

- extra virgin olive oil (get a good brand – the generic brand of olive oil, especially, made a notable difference in my dressing when Jesse bought the local grocery store brand olive oil)

- Pampered Cheff Sun Dried Tomato spice blend

- Honey dijon mustard squirt or two

- Natural sweetener (honey, raw sugar, Stevia or other natural sweetener to taste)

Keep in mind that once the dressing is on greens, etc., it is not so sour – I caution not to overdose on sugar/sweetener.  

The dressing keeps well – if you refrigerate it set it out an hour or so before planning to use it so the olive oil can liquify again.  It is an awesome marinade over grilled chicken, in my opinion.

Right now my favorite salad mix is:

Organic spinach greens

Chunks of grilled, organic chicken

Fresh sliced strawberries, or Craisins

Almond slivers

Sunflower seeds – roasted, unsalted
A bit of fresh Parmesan or Feta cheese
Vinegar/oil dressing



Sometimes I add tomatoes and mushrooms if we have them – but is amazing how great that salad combo tastes on its own. The nuts and seeds really add to the flavor, as does the fruit... OR I will give it a southwestern flare and use black beans and grilled bell pepper slices in lieu of the nuts, almonds and parmesan, with a few crushed, baked, organic corn chips sprinkled on top.

Happy green eating!
Rita S.

Parabens in the news...

Thought I would quickly post some links that safecosmetics.org had up on facebook, in case you missed it...and addition links from the links - lots of interesting reading here - for your health!!

Parabens and breast cancer

cancer survivor encourages wise shopping

THIS may be a great breast cancer research study to fund

The Washingtong Post - article on harmful chemicals kept secret

Cosmetic chemicals affect men, too!

"Dirty Dozen" Toxic Chemicals

If you check any of these out, let me know what you think!

Seeking to live purely,
Rita

Must Know Health News Releases

Hi everyone - I had a chance to edit my "Focus on Prevention" powerpoint presentation yesterday. For those of you who attended last Tuesday evening, when we had to speed through it, I will be sending it to you shortly. I decided I should remove my first person comments from the notes as it may be confusing, since I am not actually presenting the talk to you in person.

One person asked if I would be publishing the information on my blog - I have considered this. It would require me posting it in sections, and I would have to post successively for it to be most helpful to readers. It will take some time to get this worked out, so it reads well in blog format and makes sense. I may not get to it until after Christmas.

Meanwhile - please keep educating yourself. Here is a link to several new health watch articles released today - one by Dr. Zava that helps those confused by the claim that progesterone causes cancer - when in fact it is the synthetic progestin. Today I was on the Susan G Komen site and from some of the information I read on the science and research link - I am not sure they are even aware of the media mixing up progestin with natural progesterone. This concerns me. 
Komen also do not seem to be concerned, or aware of, xenoestrogens...found in our hygiene products. The article states parabens do not cause cancer. Perhaps, in itself, parabens, petro-chemicals and other chemicals in our skin care products do not - but they are endocrine disruptors, and all are xenoestrogens according to Dr. Lee which means they are estrogen hormone imposters...and the body can't tell the difference between the imposters and the real thing...they come together inside a cell and it spells trouble!  I pray that Komen for the Cure is putting some of their cancer research donations into hormone imbalance as a cancer cause....oh wait, that's been done - so I hope they communicate with all the research and case studies already cited in Dr. John Lee's book, and come up to date. Cancer cure IS already available.
The foundation is receiving money from our events, and I plan to include a letter in this regard.  I would like to think that they are not funding research solely being conducted by those that produce drugs and make lots of money doing so. I have some issues with that. I was very glad to hear that Susan G Komen helps women who cannot afford screening or treatment receive aid for the services - and in my donation envelope I would like to designate the funds be used for that purpose. I wonder if one can do that....

Please take time to read some of these latest articles...I have to go back and read the one on the elderly and medicine, since I saw the word diabetes mentioned, and it affects my mother and therefore my family.

Focus on purely living,
Rita

Celebrating Women - Thank You Ladies!!!

Wow...what an amazing evening meeting amazing women. Thank you to the women who came to the first "Celebrating Women" Susan G Komen fundraiser. I also want to thank those that donated items to the silent auction - which I never planned for at the beginning of my venture to organize this event. I love living in Cross Plains - people in this community took notice of the upcoming event and asked if they could donate for the cause - remarkable!! I must say - there were some great bargains had tonight!!

I especially want to thank the wonderful women I met this past spring through Arbonne - who came alongside me to help provide this evening of pampering and education to share with the women. My dear, dear friend Brenda Bunbury Carlson, a survivor herself, who has first hand knowledge of what cancer and the treatments can do to you, and how Arbonne's amazing products can help alleviate and repair the body from the effects of cancer treatments.  To Rene Huston, for her willingness to share her knowledge which allowed me to mingle more than I thought I would have time for - this is what allowed me to get to know some women more that I had previously seen at Crossroads Coffeehouse, but had not had a chance to really meet.

My friend Bernie...she played beautifully on her Native American flutes this evening. It was not until I finished the prayer and remembrance to honor the survivors and those who have died, that I was able sit down, close my eyes and listen. What a peaceful journey!!! Her music took me on a journey - I saw a path with a light and felt a huge sense of peace come about me.

Thanks to Mary Devitt for allowing her place to be the host site for this event. Julie Schultz, an amazing cancer survivor. She shared how Susan G Komen funds are used - such as giving financial aid to women who cannot afford mammograms or receive treatment. How wonderful that this organization is in place so that all women can receive healthcare.

Especially I want to thank my family who has put up with my hours and hours of research and work on the "Focus on Prevention" seminar, which I will be giving this coming Tuesday evening at Coach's Club. I have to thank Dr. John Lee, Dr. David Zava and Virginia Hopkins for all their many hours of research and compilation to publish the "What your doctor may not tell you about..." book series. I am passionate about sharing what I have learned about our bodies and how they work inside, so more women can understand how our bodies rely on us to take care of the temple God has provided. My family put up with a week of having our living room buried in papers, catalogs, product, ribbons and wrapping papers. Jesse helped carry the heavy box of education materials out to the van and into the venue this evening - what a blessing.

The entire evening was a blessing, and I pray the funds we raised will bless the women they are able to help someday. If you missed tonights event please come to Coach's Club Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m.  The information we will be sharing can save your life.

October 22 Fundraiser - More Excitement!

For friends who are planning on attending the Friday, October 22 "Celebrating Women" event at Crossroads Coffeehouse in Cross Plains - I want to share more exciting news.  Coffeehouse clients have noted the fundraiser we are having (many are business people) and are graciously donating items for a raffle/silent auction. I love this community and how people come together for a great cause.

Also, a massage therapist friend of mine has decided she wants to bring her massage chair and give 5 minute chair massages. If you plan to enjoy one of these you may want to layer your clothes, or wear a button down shirt. We are going to try and find a more remote area of the building for her to give the massages...probably out in a corner of the building central entrance, and a privacy screen will be put up.

I still plan to have door prizes... and very nices ones, that people will have a chance to win just for coming to the event.  Fundraising is important, but seriously, a key goal for me on this night is to educate and empower women to take control of their own health.
Six days to Celebrating Women - see you there!

For all my local friends I encourage you to save two dates, or at least one. I have had a strong calling to share what I have learned about hormone imbalance as it relates to the cause of breast cancer with my friends. I have spent the past few months reading, reading, reading... the information is astounding. It certainly has encouraged me to focus on a lifestyle change so that I can become more healthy and aware of how my body reacts to the products and environment I am exposed to each day.

On Friday, October 22 at 6:30 Crossroads Coffeehouse is the location for the first event. On this night myself and a couple of friends will share about how we have been affected by breast cancer in our lives. I will specifically address hormone imbalance and how it affects our bodies in a hugely negative way, and give attendees information on steps they can take to prevent cancer cell growth. The talking portion for this event will be kept brief, to ensure plenty of time for guests to listen to the wonderful sounds of my friend Bernie Harrington on her Native American flutes. Friends will be assisting me in giving hand massages, and I do believe a massage therapist friend of mine is planning to make it to give out neck massages. "Prevent Stations" will be set up in which guests can visit each station, get a massage, try out a lotion or gelee', and pick up a cancer prevention card. Mary Devitt, owner of Crossroads will be serving up sweets and wonderful teas, which have anti-oxidant benefits.

On Tuesday, October 26 we will gather in the upper level of Coach's Sports Bar & Restaurant at 6:30 p.m. Here I will present a very informative PowerPoint presentation that will last 20-25 minutes. My goal is to teach everyone present the definition of "estrogen dominance" and "xenoestrogens" and why it is so important to be aware of these two terms in regards to our overall health and well-being, as well as that of our children.

Again there will be hand massages, as well as a chance to purchase Arbonne heatlh and well being products, and Silpada jewelry to benefit cancer research. $10 for each Pampermint Gift Set purchased will go directly towards the Susan G Komen Foundation. For all other purchases, a percentage of sales will benefit cancer research. Jennifer, the owner of Coach's, has also arranged for red wine tasting.

Everyone will be encouraged to light a votive candle in memory or in honor of someone in your life that has been affected by cancer. We will recognize these individuals prior to closing our evening at around 8:30 p.m.

It is my desire that each person will experience an evening of fellowship, unity for a cause, relaxation, and empowerment to ask their doctors informed questions, and a desire to be a part of their own health care.

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, October 22 - come to Crossroads Coffeehouse at 6:30 pm. I am hosting a Susan G Komen fundraiser and I am excited to spend the evening educating and pampering women. I will be sharing what I have learned about estrogen dominance and xenoestrogens as related to cancer, my AB team and myself will be pampering with hand massages and other forms of "spoil"ness.  My friend Bernadette Harrington agreed to play her soothing Native American Indian Flutes, and we will honor those we miss, and the cancer survivors we admire.
The following Tuesday, Oct. 26th, we're planning to meet at 6:30 p.m. upstairs of Coaches where I can educate with aid of a PowerPoint presentation I have spent hours and hours on - the information is so very important and every woman deserves to know.  I do believe there will be wine tasting, as well as more pampering with Arbonne lotions.
Proceeds from both evenings benefit the Susa G Komen foundation - my goal is to raise $1000 for breast cancer research. I will share more information, but for now, please mark your calendars. If you cannot make it I will be happy to travel with my laptop and meet you for a one on one educational time.