I talked about antioxidants in a previous post and one of the most tasty ways to ingest them is by blending smoothies. My blender is, like, 40 years old, so I'm trying to win a free one.

There's a giveaway for a Living Well HealthMaster on The Dirty Shirt. There's more about the HealthMasteron plus yummy receips at Living Well Montel

Golden Heart Award

I received a Golden Heart award from Polly of Angels in my Garden the other day. I'm honored, of course and proud to display the award. Now it's my turn to give back. I have picked five blogs I enjoy and feel deserve some recognition. I don't care if they don't want to display the award, it's not about that. I just want them to know, I think them worthy.

1. Mysteries and Miricles is a very touching blog about a woman's extreme love for her children, of which has Asperger's Disorder.


2. Daily Dish Recipes
   Good advice, good food, and fun chocolate.


3. Motherly Advice
   Some really sound advice about raising kids


4. Frances WritesFrances has a thoughtful blog and is a science Fiction Romance writer


5. My life, My storiesA blog with wonderful, touching short stories

I made the broccoli salad I posted about earlier and it fulfilled two of my previous blogs. One, it's delicious, but I wish I'd added raisins, and, two, the broccoli is a wonderful source of antioxidants. Also full of fiber and for you guys out there, broccoli helps to prevent prostate cancer, so eat your broccoli, boys.

You are what you injest

My mom is suffering from Dementia. It's been coming on for awhile, but last Thanksgiving was the beginning of a noticeable decline. She fell, went into the hospital with a fractured back, and is now in assisted living.

I had my yearly physical and asked the doctor if Dementia is hereditary. She reassured me it wasn't, her words were, "You own it."

How to avoid Dementia.

1. DO NOT SMOKE!!!! Let me say that again--DO NOT SMOKE!!!!!



My mother smoked most of her life. But quit many years ago. So I don't think her dementia was the sole cause of smoking. I don't blame her for smoking. Back then everyone did. They were just discovering the ill affects of smoking cigarettes. It's taken all these years later to realize there isn't an inch of your body, smoking doesn't hurt, the neurological system included.




At this point I have to offer a disclaimer. I used to smoke. I'm your worse kind of ex-smoker, the kind smokers hate.



2. Can you say "Antioxidants?"

Antioxidants are "free agent scaventers." This in an article, Written by Gloria Tsang, RD
Published in Dec 2005; Updated in Aug 2007. Free radicals are byproducts of used oxygen. The oxidative damage causes a plethora of diseases, such as heart trouble, macular degenration, diabetes, cancer. Antioxidants may reduce these as well as boost the immune system.



3. What foods have Antioxidants?


• Carrots


• squash


• broccoli


• sweet potatoes


• tomatoes (especially tomatoes)


• kale


• collards


• cantaloupe


• peaches and apricots


• bright-colored fruits and vegetables!

The list goes on and on.

I don't suppose I'd be as interested in this if I hadn't been watching my mother go through her ordeal, though I think it's more an ordeal for her loved ones watching her slip. She's eighty-eight-years old. She lived happily and normally for about eighty-six of those years. So it's not so, so bad.

I didn't mean to preach. It's not my style, but this is so interesting to me. I may occasionally talk some more about health issues. I know I'm not doing everything I should to stay healthy, but according to my doctor, I'm in great health. Thank God. He's blessed me so much, but that's another subject and this blog is getting too long.

Yummy Broccoli Salad

This recepe comes from at "Life Is Sweet"

2 bunches raw broccoli, cut in small pieces
1 medium onion (red or sweet) chopped
10-12 slices bacon, fried and crumbled
1 cup shredded cheddar

Dressing:
1 cup mayonaisse
2 Tbsp wine vinegar
1/2 cup sugar

Mix everything together and let it marinate in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours.

*Note: I never made any promises about helping you lose weight. ;) This salad stays yummy for left overs the next day.

An Old Bag

Do you have an old purse you've been yawning over and are just about on the verge of throwing it out. DON'T DO IT!

Here's and old purse



Here's what you need

I've got some sew on jewels. I didn't know they were sew on, but, hey, who cares, they're pretty. They cost three plus bucks for six. You can get them cheaper, I'm sure. But I'm wealthy, price is no object for me. Yeah.

You'll need two colors and two shapes of jewels. I've chosen, blue, round, and red oblong.

You'll need some tacky glue, too.



Master piece:



Now you have a fun purse that the other gals will love.

Or you could try the appliques. These are iron on, but I suggest you don't try to iron them onto leather or vinyl or plastic. This purse is probably plastic. Maybe it's leather. But the tacky glue should work.



I can't decide what one to use. I like them both, but the possibilities are endless with just a bit of imagination.

This young man was my dad. His name was Alva William Deos. He was in the Navy, fought in WWII, raised a family of proud Americans, Worked, hard, in a sawmill most of his adult life, lived through the Depression, knew how to have a good time. He died in 1984, August 11th.

You never think about your parents dying, not when you're just starting your own life. When my father walked me down the isle on my wedding day, he had tears in his eyes. I'd never seen my father cry before or after. They are suppose to be there, always, our parents. It was an impossible day the day he died. It wasn't suppose to happen, not ever.

Today is Memorial day and I wanted to remember this great man. I miss him so much, just remembering him here, now, brings tears to my eyes.

Here's to all the veteran of all the wars that have gone before. These are scary days when our leader should be supporting our troops. When parents should remember to teach their children to stand and put their hands over their hearts when they see a flag in a parade.

In case you can't read the caption on this picture, is says, "The only man standing, is the man in the wheelchair." It makes you want to cry, doesn't it? It should.

The man in the wheelchair, like my father and all veteran who fought and won the freedom that allows those around them to disrespect the flag, should be honored. That's freedom, let it ring.