Safe, Natural Steroid Free Eczema Treatment

 I've struggled with eczema for years. I'm lucky. I only get it behind and in my ears. I know people who have it all over their bodies. It's horribly itchy and uncomfortable. Children are especially vulnerable as it's harder for them to follow treatment protocol and avoid scratching.  Got Eczema? Try This Steroid Free Treatment

How to Plan a Drama-Free Christmas Gift Exchange

I just wrote about how I dislike holiday gift exchanges among students, coworkers and extended family.  I know I sound more like Scrooge than Santa. But it's motivated by love. And gou're probably thinking--Easy for you to say. I'm stuck and have to get a gift. Well, here are some Christmas present exchange tips.
  How to Plan a Fun Drama-Free Christmas Gift Exchange

Why We Don't Get Flu Shot

We don't get flu shots. Never have. Here's why.

* Albumen allergy. I have one and you're not supposed to get flu shot if you have one. But beyond that....

* Ironically, I write this as husband came home sick. He has stomach flu which flu vaccines don't address. But it brings up a bone of contention with the pro-flu-vaccine crowd. They say we who don't get inoculated make them sick. But random vaccine and antibiotic dousing CREATES resistant superbugs. So it could be said that pro-shot folks make us sick.   Why We Do Not Get Flu Shot 

Do Not Forget Younkers Community Days Coupons Nov 15-16

If you bought Younkers Community Days coupon fundraiser coupon books, this weekend, November 15-16 are the days (the ONLY days) to use them. Remember, your book has a $10 off anything coupon. Use that one at least. And you can't use online, but you can purchase in-store day of sale and designate which school program you want the money to go to. Read one Remember Younkers Community Days Coupons Nov 15-16 

My Cat is Not Carrying His Weight

Our cat Scooter came to us malnourished. Now he is slightly...avoir du pois (cough, fat). But for all the girth, he's not carrying his weight around here. Whilst my husband and I slave away, to earn his daily salmon, mind, he does precisely nothing. Okay, he has rid the house of a few bats, but he is handsomely rewarded for every tiny deed. One catch and he expects a smorgasbord of treats, hours of petting. Here's a diary of his day compared to mine.  My Cat is Not Carrying His Weight

Catmeister Scooter--Lord of all he surveys (and doesn't)

I am not one of those crazy cat ladies (I am NOT), but I fear my husband is becoming one. You've heard the expression "dogs have owners but cats have staff?" My husband calls himself our cat Scooter's bit--, um servant. He buys the litter, changes the box, buys the cat food (only a certain kind will do for His Nibs). Hubs (Albert) informs me there's a certain ritual (bonding, not mating) for feeding. Scooter must have a "full body, nose to tail tip" massage (yes, Alb describes it like that). That's the dry cat food part. For the moist, I must feed it (minced on a small glass plate, please). Then dad must give the cat milk (I know, not good for kitties, yada yada--try telling that to Catmeister and his love slave). So we compromise. Dad gives him a small splash of lowfat.   Catmeister Scooter--Lord of all he surveys (and stuff he doesn't)

Diet Recipe Root Veggie Leftover Use Up Soup

I'm working to get the last 12 pounds off from 100 gained over the last nine years. I hit a plateau in weight loss after losing nearly 90 pounds. Every day I write a diet recipe of the day post and a diet tip to share how I lost weight. Today's tip is: mix it up. So I'm sharing an unconventional recipe

Root Veggie Leftover Use Up Soup--ingredients will vary depending on what root vegetable leftovers you have to use up. First, collect any and all vegetable leftovers: squash, sweet potatoes, potatoes (any color), onions, scallions, carrots, parsnips, turnips, rutabagas. You know, those bags of chopped onions mouldering in the fridge. Those withered carrots and sweet potatoes, those cooked potatoes you need to use up. Then read on for recipes  Diet Recipe Root Veggie Leftover Use Up Soup

Washing Machine Maintenance Tips I Almost Overlooked

 I was doing a load of wash today. As I was putting the clothes in the machine, I noticed filth build up on the tank and agitator. I use liquid fabric softener which can create sticky residue if used with cold water. That collects dirt and clings to the basin. I regular clean that away, but today I looked a little deeper. I saw that same sticky dirt collected under the rim of the tank. Washing machine tanks are like toilet bowls, which also collect yuck just under the rim.Washing Machine Maintenance Tips I Almost Missed

Home Furnace and Appliance Maintenance Tips

We just discovered a problem with our furnace and so I wrote about getting a furnace tune-up before winter. The blower switch had gone out on ours and it's going to cost about $50 to fix. It's a do-it-yourself job for anyone who's relatively handy (luckily both sons and husband are). The tune-up we're leaving to HVAC professionals. That's a little more intensive job. But there's another DIY job you can and should do with your furnace, in fact all your appliances: clean or replace furnace filters. Dirty filters blow dust back into the air. This is not only messy, it's unhealthy and unsanitary. It wreaks havoc with allergies. Dirty filters pose fire hazards. Read moreDIY Furnace and Appliance Maintenance Tips

Harvest Superfood Recipes Indian Squash with Apples

I have lost 86 pounds and have been writing a series on How I lost weight. I write a diet recipe of the day. In honor of my favorite season, fall, here's a harvest favorite. It includes two of my favorite Michigan produce offerings: apples and squash. And features exotic Indian spices. It's low-calorie, kosher, vegan, halal and uses superfoods. Diet Recipe of the Day Squash Apple Masala Bake