Odds and Ends

 Hi, hope you had a great Thanksgiving, no turkey overload. And if you shopped on Black Friday,  that you had a safe experience. Me, I went shopping the day before Thanksgiving and this week end am just staying put, making Boston Brown Bread. And listening to Christmas songs.
  This was a different Thanksgiving, helped the senior Center with Meals on Wheels. My time was mostly spent calling  about 140 people to be sure addresses were correct, and they would be home to get their dinners when delivered. I did go and help on Thanksgiving day too, what an amazing day it was. A lot of helpers were there by 6 am, sorting and marking the bags that would hold the dinner, and filling  to go dishes with dessert, cranberry sauce, rolls etc. About 9 am the turkey and mashed potatoes were put into the divided containers, and the bags were packed with information and booklets for the seniors. THen the delivery volunteers showed up and all the dinners were whisked off. By 11 am it was done, and a lot of food was left so that was sent to the city jail, and the police department. Nice to know so many got fed.
  Have a couple of ideas to add to you healthy living file. There is a new device that lets folk who don't like Neti pots still get the benefits, you put steaming salt water(be sure to use Himalayan Pink salt) in the device, suck it in to your mouth and exhale through your nose no liquid involved and it cleans out the nasal passages, thus helping your  immune system. The recipe is  one quart of boiled water, 1 teaspoon each of salt and soda, cool and use. Store in cool place,
  If you are having a bout with itching, brew up a good strong batch of mint tea and apply the cooled tea to the itchy areas.
 If you are wanting to cheat on your diet a bit during the holidays, these items could help.  Fiber One brownies are filling,  and artichoke pasta , I swear, tastes just like the real stuff. My grandsons have eaten large amounts of it and didn't know it wasn't the real stuff. Health Food Store has that. Try Blue corn chips instead of regular,  and for a treat, Kashi  Oatmeal Raisin Flax cookies, just don't eat the whole box.
  Last thought this week, if you overeat or need tummy help, try mixing  1 Tablesoon of ground candied ginger with 1 tablespoon of powdered orange peel, you can dry and grate your own,  and 3 tablespoons of crushed fennel seeds, mix and keep a container on the table, grab a small amount after a meal to soothe the tummy.
  Hope you are enjoying the end of fall, not rushing into the mad house of Christmas preparation, take care.