Week Three Cheeseburger

This week I noticed the condiments inside the cheeseburger are starting to mold.  The meat is still in tact, the bread is much harder.  The odor is still there.  It's quite disguisting actually.

Cheeseburger week 2

The cheeseburger is a realtively still in tact with surprised me.  There doesn't appear to be change in the size.  The bread is hard and a little mold has started to appear on the outside.

cheese burger week 1

The cheesbuger I purchased is a junior bacon cheesburger from Wendy's.  In 28 days I would expect a cheese burger with no preservatives to be quite moldy, smaller in size, have an odor, and appear to be covered in mold.

Blog Bio

Tiffany Lafferty is an artist, musician, and Holistic Practitioner living in Tempe, AZ.  Her words and hands touch people, and inspiring change and providing comfort.  She specializes in Thai Yoga Massage, Reiki, Yoga, Neuromuscular Massage, and Life Coaching.  A musician, Lafferty writes songs inspired by spirituality, yoga, and understanding our beautiful earth.  Finding peace and silence in the midst of chaos is a reoccuring theme in her music.  She uses her art and intuition in every aspect of life. 

News Release

1. News Release: Write and post a news release on a topic of your choice.

Yoga and Anxiety

A Holistic movement is sweeping through our country.  Yoga!  People are seeking out this beneficial activity for a variety of reasons including health, vitality, increased flexibility, inner peace, and finally coping with anxiety.

People with anxiety expereince an array of symptoms, varying in severity.  Some may experience feelings of anxiousness, while others have symptoms so severe they experience sweating, increase in blood pressure, heart rate- in some cases leading to cardiac arrest.  While the medical community has acknowledged this disorder as mental illness and treat it with a variety of drugs such as xanx, there are holistic alternatives that don't come with the unfavorable side effects that xanx includes.

Often times anxiety is self induced by sounds, chatter of the mind, interpretation of outside sensations.  Yoga is focused on centering, journeying within the mind and body, and quieting the chaos with peace and breath.  Many people report improvements after as little as one yoga class, and feelings of being balanced and centered.

One may experience a yoga class at your local gym, a yoga studio, or even in the comfort of your own home with an instructional DVD or private instructor.

Creating Writing Sample

2. Creative Writing Sample: Choose an inanimate object in your workspace. This could be a chair, desk, plant, pencil, or whatever catches your eye. In a blog, write about the following

It's so empty in here.  I hope the baby arrives soon.  I'm Randy the Rocking Chair.  This is my second home.  I spend the first years of my life with the Owen Family, holding Clara and she rocked Adam to sleep.  I get it... Kids get older, they don't need rocked anymore.  Not that they don't need it, they just don't think they do.    This is when it's hard for me.  I go into the garage.  The cold and dusty garage.  Sometimes the family cat would curl up on me which was nice, but other than that I had little connection with things.

Now thanks to Craigslist, a new family has brought me home.  I belong to a little girl, two little girls actually.  The mother is so young and beautiful, a ripe 19 years old.  I hope she will sit in me and together we can rock her new baby to sleep.  They say the baby arrives any day now.  For now, I'm just taking it all in.  The walls are green and pink.  There are other toys, cribs, accessories waiting to be used.  The relationship I will have with the girls will be quite different.  They love me.  I provide them comfort, peace, centering, sleep.

I hope little momma loves this child... Sits in the comfort of my arms while she comforts her little one.  I have come to understand that babies are the closest I have ever felt to god.  Newly arrived straight from the source, bringing light and love to the world.  If I could tell little momma one thing to make sure of, it would be... Let little one know your love her.  No matter what... Touch her little face and sing her sweet lullabies as I rock you and support you in my arms.
• What is its story?

• Imagine it sitting next to another object of its kind but of much better of much worse quality. What is it thinking about that other object? How does it feel being compared to it?

• Now, what advice would this object give you if it could talk?

Creative Writing Sample

• 1.  Creative Writing Sample: Where do you seek inspiration in your daily life? How can you apply that inspiration to your writing? Does your inspiration guide your writing style? Does your writing style block your inspiration?

Most of my writing goes hand in hand with my music.  I seek inspiration from honesty, human emotion, the universe, and people and situations that I encounter on a day to day basis.  Most of my music is uplifting, happy, inspiring- but I do honor those songs that are less up beat that also tell the story of the human experience.  It's all part of the journey!  8-)  

I only feel blocked when I'm trying too hard.  Most of the time I sit down to write a song, I finish it in those moments.  When I try to force creativity, my inner muse has a temper tantrum and won't cooperate. 

Chlorella part 2

In my research, I found the following benefits to Chlorella.

• Depression
• Severe liver damage and liver disorders
• Intestinal ulcers
• Hemorrhoids
• Asthma
• High blood pressure
• Constipation
• Bleeding gums
• Infections
• Inflammation of joints and tissues
• Body odor / breath odor
• Various degenerative diseases
• Essential fatty acid deficiencies
• Mineral deficiencies (magnesium is a common deficiency)

Both chlorella and spirulina are particularly useful for:

• People with poor digestion and assimilation (these micro-algae are easy to digest and absorb)
• People with poor vitality and anemia
• Individuals who consumer large quantities of animal protein (the micro-algae protein, in contrast, is easier to digest and offers a far healthier balance of minerals)
• People who eat refined or processed foods
• People who take prescription drugs (spirulina protects the kidneys and liver)
• People who are overweight or obese
• People who engage in physical exercise and / or strength training
• People with low energy levels (feeling depleted, exhausted, etc.)

In fact, both chlorella and spirulina have been described as "the perfect food:"




I am mostly excited to experience increase in energy, I have low energy levels at times.  i'm also excited to see how my body feels after having the toxins cleaned out that have been there for YEARS.

Chlorella part 1

Choose between one and three supplements you discussed in week one. Answer the following questions about them: What time of day should they be taken? Should it be taken with or without food? What are you hoping to achieve or experience with these supplements? What is the therapeutic dose of the supplement? For the next two weeks, write a new blog post answering these questions, and documenting your experiences with these supplements for each week.

• Chlorella can be taken at any time of the day. It can be taken all at once or it can be taken in small dosages throughout the day, which is preferable. It is best taken 20-30 minutes before mealtime so it can help with digestion and intake of nutrients. Morning is also a good time to take Chlorella, but never just before or after drinking coffee or a soft drinks since caffeine is extremely detrimental to the digestive process
• Three to four grams per day is a good maintenance dosage of Chlorella for a person to take. With this amount, you will not notice significant changes, and your body will get many of the nutrients it must have to function properly such amino acids (protein), vital minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates and enzymes. However, a person taking 5-7 grams per day is quite common and at this level you will notice significant changes in digestion, energy and overall health. At higher dosages such as 10-12 grams per day, a person could stop eating meat and feel confident that they were getting an adequate amount of protein and other necessary nutrients that meat provides.

Supplements

• For your first blog entry, explain what your experience has been with supplements. Do you take them? Why or why not? 

I currently do not take any sort of supplements.  I have taken 'gym' supplements when I was working with a personal trainer.  I am interested in taking supplements and learning more about them, up until now I haven't taken them because I didn't know what to take.  The more educated I become on this subject the more I will immerse myself and try new supplements.

blackberries

Blackberries are one of the most anti-oxidant rich foods you can consume.  This week I added them to my shopping list.  They are not a regular for me, I eat more veggies than I do fruits- but this week I went blackberry crazy.  I included information I found from a website on the nutritional benefits of blackberries for your enjoyment!  8-)

Not only do blackberries pack a powerful nutritional punch, they are also low in calories, carbohydrates, and fat, making blackberries one of the most beneficial fruits to include in a balanced diet.

Antioxidants

Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant in blackberries, and one cup of blackberries contains 50% of the daily recommendation of vitamin C. The body uses vitamin C for protection from immune system deficiencies, and vitamin C may lower the risk of developing heart disease, certain types of cancer, and macular degeneration. Vitamin C aids wound healing, and studies show vitamin C may actually lessen the appearance of wrinkles.

Like all berries, blackberries contain ellagic acid, an antioxidant that has been shown to protect the skin from ultraviolet damage. New research is finding that ellagic acid may not only protect the skin from damage, but also repair skin damaged by the sun. Also, according to the American Cancer Society, laboratory research has shown that ellagic acid may have anti-cancer properties.

Anthocyanins are what gives blackberries their dark color and have been shown to reduce inflammation. As an antioxidant, anthocyanins help fight free radicals in the body that destroy cells and lead to diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

Phytoestrogens

Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring plant estrogens that may help relieve the common symptoms of PMS including bloating, food cravings, and may even provide relief for menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes. Phytoestrogens may also contribute to brain and immune functioning and heart health.

Read more at Suite101: Health Benefits of Blackberries: A Small Berry with Big Nutritional Benefit http://food-facts.suite101.com/article.cfm/health_benefits_of_blackberries#ixzz0ivWZPKke

Millet Muffins

Millet your asking?  What is a millet?  Millet is highly nutritious, non-glutinous and like buckwheat and quinoa, is not an acid forming food so is soothing and easy to digest. In fact, it is considered to be one of the least allergenic and most digestible grains available and it is a warming grain so will help to heat the body in cold or rainy seasons and climates.  I recently made millet muffins with the recipe, and they were amazing.


Millet Muffins
1-1/2 cups Millet flour
1/2 cup soy flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder (non-aluminum)
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/4 teaspoon orange flavoring
1 cup water or orange juice
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cups brown rice syrup or honey (or substitute Stevia)
Combine all dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Mix all liquid ingredients together, then add to dry ingredients. Put mixture in well-oiled muffin tins. Makes 12 muffins.
Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes or until done.

Zinc, Calcium, and Tofu...

• Visit the SCDiet website. Using the Mineral Wheel, show which minerals antagonize zinc in the body. Pick one mineral that you found interesting, what did you learn about it? What foods can the mineral be found in and what minerals antagonize this mineral? Report your findings in a blog entry.

Calcium, copper, and phosphorus antagonize zinc in the body.  The mineral that I will focus on is calcium.

Calcium is antagonized by phosphorous, and magnesium.  Calcium can be found in the following foods:

Food		Serving Size (average)		Calcium (mg)
	Milk
	Milk, semi-skimmed		glass, 200 ml		240
	Milk skimmed		glass, 200 ml		244
	Milk whole		glass, 200 ml		236
	Milkshake		takeaway, 300 ml		387
	Soy drink, calcium enriched		glass, 200 ml		178
	Yogurt and Cream
	Yogurt, low-fat, fruit		pot, 150 g		210
	Yogurt, low-fat, plain		pot, 150 g		243
	Cream, double, whipped		portion, 45 g		26
	Cream single		tablespoon, 15 g		13
	Cheeses
	Danish blue		portion, 40 g		195
	Edam		portion, 40 g		318
	Feta		portion, 40 g		144
	Camembert		portion, 40 g		94
	Cheddar		medium chunk, 40 g		296
	Cheese spread		portion, 30 g		149
	Cottage		small pot, 112 g		142
	Mozzarella, fresh		portion, 56 g		203
	Parmesan, fresh		portion, 30 g		308
	Vegetables
	Broccoli, boiled		serving, 85 g		34
	Watercress, raw		small bunch, 20 g		34
	Curly Kale		serving, 95 g		143
	Okra, stir fried		8 medium, 40 g		88
	Red kidney beans, canned		3 tablespoons, 105 g		75
	Chick peas, boiled		3 tablespoons, 90 g		41
	Green/French beans		serving, 90 g		50
	Baked beans		serving, 135 g		72
	Nuts
	Almonds		12 whole, 26 g		62
	Brazil Nuts		6 whole, 20 g		34
	Hazlenuts		20 whole, 20 g		28
	Sesame seeds		1 tablespoon, 12 g		80
	Walnuts		12 halves, 40 g		38
	Tahini Paste		1 heaped teaspoon, 19 g		129
	Desserts
	Cheesecake, fruit		average slice, 120 g		94
	Custard made with milk		average portion, 120 g		166
	Rice pudding, canned		average portion, 200 g		176
	Ice cream, dairy, vanilla		average serving, 75 g		75
	Fromage frais, fruit		small pot, 60 g		52
	Fish
	Sardines in oil, tinned		portion, 100 g		500
	Whitebait, fried		portion, 80 g		688
	Salmon, tinned		average portion, 100 g		91
	Fish paste		small jar, 35 g		98
	Breads and grains
	Pasta, plain, cooked		portion, 230 g		85
	Rice, white, boiled		portion, 180 g		32
	White bread		slice, 30 g		53
	Wholemeal bread		slice, 30 g		32
	Muesli, Swiss style		portion, 50 g		55
	Fruits
	Apricots, raw, no stone		4 fruit, 160 g		117
	Figs, ready to eat		4 fruit, 220 g		506
	Currants		2 tablespoons, 50 g		47
	Orange		peeled, 160 g		75
	Other foods
	Tofu, soy bean, steamed		100 g		510
	Omelette, cheese		2 eggs, 120 g		344
	Quiche, cheese & egg		average slice, 140 g		367
	Macaroni cheese		portion, 220 g		374
	Pizza, cheese & tomato		9" - 10" pizza, 410 g		873
	Lasagne		portion, 420 g		420

WOO HOO for TOFU!  Tofu contains even more calcium than milk- which was surprising to me!  We are always taught from the time we are children to drink our calcium rich milk, so our bones will be strong.  It's amazing to me that tofu contains even more calcium.  This is good to know because I have stopped drinking milk in the past few months.