Description:It is believed that the Greeks probably named asparagus, which means “young shoots”. British settlers brought the veggie to North America during the 1600s in the form of “crowns”. Crowns are the first year growth of the underground stem and roots from which the asparagus is usually grown. The crowns are used to start the plants to cut down an extra year if plants from seeds are used. Asparagus (female plant) has red berries, which birds like to eat and then carry to other fields or parts of the garden so that asparagus can be non-cultivated. Asparagus is a perennial and in the first year is not harvested and looks much like a fern. After three or four years, the asparagus plant can produce crops for about 15 years. Generally speaking, European consumers prefer the white asparagus because of its tenderness and sweetness. Rule of thumb on whether to use a knife or fork when eating It’s okay to eat asparagus with your fingers as long as the stalks are not dripping with a sauce or butter.

Nutrient content According to Meredith Sayles Hughes in Stinky and Stringy Stem and Bulb Vegetables, “asparagus provides an amazingly well-balanced range of substances. Included are potassium, which keeps our water levels in balance; fiber, which keeps our digestive systems running smoothly; vitamin B6, which helps make the best use of our food; and thiamin, important for daily energy. Of all vegetables, asparagus has the highest content of folic acid, the key component necessary for blood cell formation. Asparagus has no fat and very few calories, about four per spear.” Also, it neutralizes poisonous chemicals. The green variety has more vitamin C than the white.

Peak season: Peaks in March and April. Can be available all year round. In the U.S., California, New Jersey, Washington, and Michigan are the chief sources of asparagus.

Selection: Look for spears that are uniform in appearance and deep green color, which indicates higher quality. Buy stalks that have compact buds and taut skin. Select stalks about the same size for even cooking. How to tell if stalks are firm? Hold a stalk from the bottom and it should stand up straight no matter how thin the stalk.

Storage: Can store several days wrapped in a damp towel in the refrigerator or wrap stalks in a damp paper towel with foil around the paper towel.

Preparation: Spears that are larger than your pinkie finger will need to be peeled. Break off the woody or tough part. When serving cold, place cooked asparagus in an ice bath or run under cold water. For cooking, find the tender part by bending the spear several times until you find the most flexible place and snap it off at that point. Then you can make an even cut with your knife.

Granted, not everyone likes pumpkin. In fact, its popularity has declined over the centuries since it was first discovered in the Andes mountains in 3000BC. It used to be a staple in every kitchen before refrigeration was invented. The tough outer shell of pumpkins kept it fresh for many months after harvest. But today that’s not a worry for most of us, so the need to grow it as all but vanished.

Then there’s the yuk factor. Some people may be turned off by pumpkin’s texture and taste. But we’re sure that’s just because the pumpkin wasn’t cooked properly or seasoned properly. That’s truly a shame because it’s one of the most versatile and nutritious veggies today.

Nutritionally, an average serving includes less than one gram of fat, just 49 calories, no cholesterol and 310 percent of your daily adult requirement of vitamin A.

How do you tell the difference between a pumpkin and a squash?
Throw a pumpkin into the air, and when it hits the ground it becomes squash. (Ouch) Okay, enough joking around. Let’s see what recipes we have for you:

Pumpkin peanut butter spread
We did say these recipes would make portable foods, didn’t we?

1 medium apple, quartered but not peeled
1 cup pumpkin, chopped
1 tablespoons Tang or 1/4 cup orange juice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup dried cranberries (optional
1 cup peanut butter

Prepare the pumpkin by cutting a whole pumpkin in half, scoop out the seeds and sprinkle halves with cinnamon. Place the halves, flesh side down on an oiled/sprayed cookie sheet. This allows the moisture to drain out of the flesh as it bakes. Pop it into a 350F (180 C) oven for about 1 hour, or microwave for 5 to 6 minutes or until just tender.

Let cool for 5 minutes before scooping cooked flesh into blender or food processor along with apples, cranberries; puree until smooth (Remove any large fibrous threads). In a small bowl, combine peanut butter and Tang, then add to blender and pulse until combined well. Cover and refrigerate, use as spread for sandwiches. Makes about 2 and half cups.

Pumpkin cookies
No silly, they aren’t the size of pumpkins!

1 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup cooked (see recipe above) pumpkin, fibrous strings removed or canned pumpkin
1 egg
2 cups flour
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup molasses
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 375F or 200C. Blend shortening and sugar, mix in molasses, pumpkin and egg. Stir in dry ingredients, spices and raisins. Drop by the tablespoonful onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes. Makes 12 to 14 large cookies.

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes
12 ginger snaps
2 and half cups ricotta cheese
1 cup canned pumpkin or squash puree
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 and half teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger or minced ginger
3/4 cup non-dairy whipped topping, thawed
1/2 cup mixed dried fruit

Place one ginger snap in bottom of each of 12 cupcake papers. Beat ricotta cheese until smooth. Add remaining ingredients except topping and dried fruit, mix well to combine. Pour into cups and bake at 350F or 180C until lightly set. Turn off heat. Let stand in oven for 1 hour. Cool on rack and chill overnight in fridge. Top each mini cheesecake with one tablespoon of topping with a sprinkling of dried fruit. Makes 12 servings.

Pumpkin or Squash Candies

1 medium-sized non-stringy squash such acorn squash (should be a little bigger than your hand)or pumpkin
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 cups pure maple syrup
pinch of cinnamon
1 cup puffed whole wheat or 2 cups Rice Krispies

Cut squash in half lengthways, scoop out seeds. Put one tablespoon butter, sugar and syrup in each half. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Bake at 350F or 180C until tender about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on size of squash. Or, microwave for 15 minutes on High. Pour juices into bowl and let cool. Mix with 1 cup maple syrup before pouring into an ice cube molds. Add shishkabob sticks cut to quarters as ‘popsicle sticks’ after 1 hour in freezer, then refreeze for 1 more hour. Makes 12 popsicles.

Meanwhile, scoop squash/pumpkin flesh into blender once it has cooled slightly. Add 1 cup maple syrup and blend till smooth. Roll in puffed whole wheat or Rice Krispies, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour, uncovered. Makes 12 ‘crunchy outside, chewy inside’ squash or pumpkin candies.

Did you know? Most commercially-made pumpkin pies aren’t made with pumpkin. They’re a mixture of squash, rice flour and starch. So don’t despair if your made-from-scratch pumpkin pie is a little stringy!

Everybody wants big and/or shapely arms, but a key to a good physique is well-developed shoulders. Fortunately, it’s not too hard to have both.

There are three parts to the deltoid—the muscle that caps the shoulder. The front, or anterior, deltoid gets a lot of work in bench presses, so if you do presses, you may not need to work the anterior deltoid separately. A classic exercise that works the whole shoulder, while emphasizing the anterior deltoid, is the military press. Stand with your knees slightly flexed, holding a barbell at shoulder level with your elbows bent, palms forward, and hands outside your shoulders. Press the barbell straight overhead, without leaning backward, until your arms are straight but not locked out, and return to start. Do not do the version behind the head, as this can strain the shoulders. The same exercise, although called a shoulder press or overhead press, can be done seated, or with dumbbells either standing or seated. Try some variations when it comes time to change exercises. Many weight training machines have a shoulder press station.

The side raise is a good way to develop the middle deltoid, and also work the supraspinatus, part of the rotator cuff. Stand holding dumbbells at your sides. Keeping a slight bend in your elbows and your knuckles pointed up, raise your arms out to the sides until your hands are even with your shoulders, then return. You can also work the middle deltoid, plus biceps and trapezius, with an upright row. Although the classic way is to use a barbell, dumbbells are easier on your shoulders. Stand with your dumbbells at arms length, in front of your thighs, palms facing back. Raise the dumbbells up until they are at your collarbone, keeping your elbows as high as you can comfortably, with the dumbbells close to your body throughout.

The reverse fly will develop the rear, or posterior, deltoid. Sit leaning forward until your chest is on or near your thighs. Let your dumbbells hang straight down, then lift them until your hands are even with your shoulders, keeping just a slight bend in your elbows.

Biceps development calls for a variety of biceps curls. You can use a barbell or dumbbells. You can alternate dumbbells or do them together with palms facing out, or do a twisting curl where you start with your palm facing your body at the side, then turn it forward as you begin the curl. The key to biceps work is to keep your elbow close to your side and not move at the shoulder or lean back. Machines sometimes have a variety of preacher curl, where your upper arms are angled out. You can use this if you have it, but if you don’t, don’t bother to rig one up. You will get a good workout from a seated dumbbell curl, either upright or at a slight incline, where you start the curl with your hands a little bit behind you. A hammer curl, like a dumbbell curl but with your palm facing your body, works both the biceps and brachioradialis, which runs from your upper arm into your forearm. Do the curl with your palm facing down, and you will shift the emphasis to your forearm. This can be done with dumbbell or barbell.

The triceps, at the back of the upper arm, takes up more of the arm than the biceps, so if you want big arms, you need to develop the triceps. Women, who tend to carry excess fat at the back of the arm, also want to work the triceps, but the result is most likely to be firming, not size.

The most common way of doing triceps exercises on a machine is to put a slanted handle on your lat pulldown station and do pressdowns, keeping your elbows at your sides and straightening your arm downward by moving at the elbow. With dumbbells, the French press behind the head is a good one. Point your elbow straight up and, starting with the dumbbell between your shoulders, straighten your arm out, finishing with the dumbbell overhead. You can hold your upper arm with the other hand to keep it from moving. For a kickback, lean over from the waist, either with your hand and knee on the opposite side from the one with the dumbbell on a bench or bracing that arm on a counter or other solid surface, and keep your elbow next to your side while you move the dumbbell from your shoulder to straight out parallel to the floor behind you. Move only at the elbow. You can also do a pressout. Lie on a bench with your elbows pointed up, start with the dumbbells by your ears and straighten your arms so the dumbbells are overhead. The barbell version of this exercise is called a “skull crusher” and should only be done when you have a spotter. A multi-joint exercise that emphasizes triceps is the close-grip bench press, where you do your benching with your hands about 18 inches apart and your elbows close to your body.

The only downside to developing or toning your arms and shoulders is that you may have to buy some new shirts.

Most of these people that are equally right-brained and left-brained have a daily battle for control going on in their heads. Part of them wants to do the normal and expected thing- the logical one. The other part longs to just let it all hang out and do a much more unconventional and creative thing. Many whole-brained people are plagued by this, because their thinking is so very split.

You see the majority of people are either primarily left-brained or primarily right-brained. Many times people that are ambidextrous or were as a child are wired this way. Each decision is a fight. The right side of our brain wants us to brainstorm and just flow, but the left side of our brain is urging us to get the facts and stay focused.

By learning to detect which mode your brain is in on a particular day, you can get much accomplished. If you are just having many random thoughts with no rhyme or reason, the right side of your brain is dictating to you. If you are hung up on details or maybe frustration, usually your left side is to blame. How do you get a good combo of both? Learn to recognize the two different modes of your writing.

Once you notice the difference and stop trying to fight it, but embrace it, you will find the middle road. On a right-brained day you may muse and daydream, planning things for the future. On other days you will get so much accomplished, because the left-brain side is in charge. Always remember to ask yourself what mode you are in on a given day. I bet that you’ve also had those days when you couldn’t even manage to cook dinner let alone organize your tax documents. (These usually occur right at tax time.) When you know what side of the brain you are using on a given day, you will be more in touch with your current mode of thinking.

Set yourself a goal and then go achieve it. This is so rewarding for anyone, but especially a writer. This is one of the best ways to become a disciplined writer. Set yourself a deadline and then meet it. Write-offs help so much with this. If you are curious about write-offs sponsored by various groups at Themestream, you may email me by using the link at the bottom of the page. Setting goals can push you that extra little bit that you need. Obtaining my writing goals is one of my best assets. When I want to achieve a goal, I make a detailed plan, and then I do my best to accomplish it. Like an experienced sailor, I stay steadily on course, only deviating from my plan when a stumbling block hinders my path.

Focus and determination can give a writer an advantage while attempting any writing assignment. I believe that recognizing our weaknesses and then overcoming them is the key to any writer’s success. You will soon find that you’re getting much more done in any given day. This will mean much less frustration and a better sense of accomplishment in all facets of your life, especially for a writer. Now quit thinking and start writing!

What types of foods are you eating? Are you eating fast food regularly? Many chemicals and preservatives are included in processed fast food and over time, they will build up to toxic levels in your body. Do you regularly purchase potato chips, soda (regular or diet), or frozen foods? All these items that we consume include chemicals and preservatives that accumulate in our bodies over time.

The sticky issue is that our lifestyles result in toxic build up that takes place over a long time period. Actually, over the course of our entire life. Pollution occurs slowly. Our bodies tolerate the toxins up to a certain point, but eventually they break down and when the damage is done, and sometimes it cannot be repaired.

Many products are available to assist with body cleansing; there are also a variety of diets that claim that toxins can be eliminated from your body if you consume a particular food — whatever the latest dietary cleansing fad is. This is not to criticize those diets and items that do not do what they claim. Most likely they are supported by good data, scientific studies and results.

What steps do you take after the toxins are out of your body? Do you start using alcohol and tobacco and consuming soda, chips and fast food again? If that is the case, you only clean up your system to mess it up all over again. You must begin consuming unprocessed food.

You need to stop or at least cut back on smoking and drinking. And you must stop consuming soda and chips. You will want to cook your own food. It may require learning how to cook. Or find a person to do your cooking.

You will come to understand that our bodies are marvelously designed. By starting healthy habits, your body is able to take out the toxins in its own natural way. Begin living a healthier life today.

Previously, it was believed that this increased level of suicidal thoughts or actions was mainly a concern for those under the age of 19. However, current research has shown that this effect can also be seen in adults. It’s difficult to think about the fact that untreated depression can directly lead to suicidal thoughts or behaviors, but that there is also a chance the medication to treat the disorder may cause similar thoughts or actions. Is there a solution being worked out?

Warnings are provided to those who begin a regimen of anti-depressants in order to inform them of the possibility of this side effect. These warnings are a current topic of debate, as some individuals feel that more emphasis should be placed on the warnings, providing the patient a better chance to become more well informed on the risks involved.

A different course available is to search out alternative therapies that are available, such as vitamin supplements or psychotherapy. Even daily living choices, such as food choices and activity level, can play a role in a person’s overall emotional health, as well as their physical well being. Any type of alternative therapy should be covered adequately with your physician, and if you have concerns over the negative side effects associated with anti-depressants, it may be in your best interest to ask your physician about other available treatment options.

One way or another, serious and long-lasting bouts with depression need to be addressed with some type of treatment. Medication, unfortunately, is the only treatment that has been shown to be effective, in particular, for depression disorders that are serious.

It is extremely important that an individual taking an antidepressant has an open line of communication with their physician, so that any side effects can be easily reported. You can be assisted in the switching to a medication that is different and works better, if your medication does not work.

One relatively new drug on the market is Lexapro, which treats a range of psychological disorders, including the more common depression and anxiety, as well as more specific phobic disorders. It is one of a group of medications, or SSRIs, that have the action of increasing Serotonin uptake in the levels in the brain.

Once you’ve consulted with your physician, he or she may prescribe a drug of this type.

Those taking Lexapro can also benefit from a supplemental Vitamin B dose, which can help during the creation of serotonin and is quickly depleted under stressful circumstances. Your body will not store Vitamin B, so taking a supplement is a great idea.

Lexapro has many benefits, including the treatment of several serious mental disorders. This drug can cause an array of side effects, so the benefits and costs of treatment should be thoroughly investigated prior to its use.

Container

Begin with a heavy-duty container that is waterproof. I chose a plastic tub designed for craft storage. A small tackle box is another option. If money is a problem, try using a big Ziplock bag.

Bandages

You will need adhesive bandages in various shapes and dimensions. Special bandages made for blisters, knuckles and fingers are a smart addition as well. I have a bottle of liquid bandage too for treating hard to reach or hard to bandage areas. If you have little kids, you could add bandages which have their favorite cartoons on them. ACE bandages are important to include. It isn’t just helpful for sprains and strains, it can be used to apply pressure to a bleeding wound.

Gauze and Gauze Tape

May be employed to put pressure on a bleeding wound or for a temporary bandage in an emergency. I stocked six or ten gauze pads plus a roll of gauze in my first aid kit. Choose a size of first aid tape that you like. Select one which can be ripped off instead of cut.

Ointments, Salves and Wipes

Alcohol prepared pads or germ-killing wipes are necessary for cleansing wounds. You should also include an antibiotic ointment to protect a wound from infection. If you have kids who won’t let you put salves on them, get a spray antibiotic like Neosporin’s Neo to Go. My little girl will carry on like crazy if I try to apply triple antibiotic cream, but she’ll allow me to spray the wound with Neo to Go with no trouble at all. Anti-itch cream plus burn salve should also be included in your outdoor first aid kit.

Medications

Individual dose packets of pain reliever, antihistamines (Benadryl) and anti-diarrhea medicines are great selections to include. Include kid’s versions if you have children. Make certain to stay current with the expiration dates. If you have a deadly allergy and need an Epi-pen, it’s very smart to have a spare in your first aid kit. Also, diabetics must pack insulin, an injection needle, and liquid glucose.

Other Must-Haves

An instant cold pack is a great item for your trips first aid kit. It reduces swelling in case of an ankle or wrist sprain. An emergency blanket can warm you in case you get stuck out in the woods. Flashlights are great choices. Be certain to check the battery status prior to embarking and have a few extras with you. Don’t forget tweezers for taking out stingers.

If you are going to be hiking, you may wish to put in some water purification tablets. Although water in a creek or stream might seem harmless, it could contain dangerous germs. Water purification tablets will  make the water all right for you drink.

Although the majority of the first aid treatment you do will be on a family member or a friend, there’s always a chance you may encounter a stranger who needs assistance. Keep throw-away gloves and a CPR mask with you for protection. If a family member is allergic to latex, use care when selecting gloves.

It is always nice to include a first aid guide. In the midst of a crisis, you might not be at your sharpest, mentally, so having a guidebook with written instructions can be crucial. You can generally get pocket guides by the first aid supplies in stores and you can also download and print guides form various websites.

Are antidepressants helpful to those who suffer from fibromyalgia? Studies have indicated that the fatigue and general ache of fibromyalgia can be improved when they are taken, even for those who do not exhibit symptoms related to depression. According to one study, fibromyalgia sufferers who took an antidepressant were four times more likely to note amelioration of their symptoms.

The Journal of the American Medical Association has presented a new study that confirms that antidepressants are helpful in treating those who have fibromyalgia. The data from eighteen, high-quality clinical trials were examined by German researchers and they indicated that antidepressants definitely were helpful in treating fibromyalgia. An older group of antidepressants, in use for over 50 years, tricyclic antidepressants appear to be most helpful in reducing general aches and sleep disturbances. SSRIs, which are newer medications and used more frequently these days, were not as effective as other groups of antidepressants.

This study indicates that tricyclics are the most effective kind of prescription medication in the treatment of fibromyalgia, and may be especially helpful in combating the moodiness and sleep issues that often plague fibromyalgia patients. Even though they are helpful, tricyclic medications should only be utilized after lifestyle changes have been made, since they can produce a variety of side effects.

Many fibromyalgia patients find that doing at least a half hour of aerobic exercise daily helps alleviate symptoms and improves their quality of sleep at night. Eating foods that are not processed and have little sugar may help. Caffeine should not be consumed, particularly if sleep problems are an issue. Meditation and massage therapy can be helpful to some people in relieving pain and fatigue, in addition to enhancing mood. Drug therapy, along with its side effects. can sometimes be eliminated when these more conservative treatments are used.

While it is best to use a natural approach, if lifestyle changes do not reduce symptoms, those with fibromyalgia may find some relief by using tricyclic antidepressants.

About 18% to 19% of the population suffers from migraine pain, a debilitating condition that can have a profound negative impact on American society. For people who suffer from migraine pain, the impact is devastating, affecting work performance, everyday activities, as well as relationships with others.

Health care providers do not have a consensus on which treatment is best for migraine pain, with prescription medications ranging from vasoconstrictors to anti-depressants and serotonin agonists. Because of this, people who suffer from migraines are using alternative remedies as a method for relief and to avoid getting migraine headache pain.

Acupuncture: In spite of not being too popular as a worldwide treatment for migraine pain, a lot of migraine sufferers experience the effects of acupuncture, in main nerve areas, and not only get relief from migraine pain but also get less migraines as well.

Vitamins and Supplements: Researchers have studied whether there is a connection between migraine pain and digestion. A fascinating piece of evidence supports the fact that poor digestive health may correlate with an increased incidence of migraine pain. Therefore, many who suffer from migraine pain have taken steps to improve their diets, including adding magnesium and Riboflavin supplements along with using the herb. Akeso Health Sciences offers a triple therapy approach in MigreLief, a product that you can purchase over the counter. It is recommended that to prevent migraine pain, you take it every day. Also, using Feverfew as a preventive herb, inhibits the function of platelets in the blood, decreases the release of serotonin and inflammation. Migraine pain can be effectively treated with these remedies.

Ice packs have long been known as a common palliative for migraine headaches. Curiously, the traditional method of putting ice on your forehead has become modern and innovative. Two over-the-counter products, Migracap and BeKool, also provide the cooling sensation of an ice pack. BeKool is gel like and can be placed either on the forehead or back of neck, MigraCap is something much different. A soft cap that is placed over the head during a migraine attack, MigraCap is available in a variety of colors. The MigraCap blocks light because it is lined in black and there are cool gel packs, strategically located in the cap, so that adequate cooling and pain relief can reach the places that have the most migraine pain.

You should not ignore the options for alternative medicine, no matter which choice in migraine therapy treatment you choose. While physicians offer various treatments, mostly prescription medicines, using these over-the-counter remedies may further enhance the use of prescription drugs and, in some cases, result in the migraine sufferer totally ceasing the use of prescription migraine medicines altogether. Whatever path you, as a migraine sufferer, choose to take, the end result could be mitigating migraine pain and improving your ability to enjoy daily life.

Very large problem - Yellow Teeth

Yellow stains on your teeth look very unattractive on a personal and professional level; this is the reason that the professionals you encounter all possess gleaming white smiles. How do stains get on your teeth? You can permanently stain your teeth by consuming colas, tea, and drinking coffee. You cannot remove these stains by brushing. You give the appearance that you do not take care of yourself if people see you with stained, yellow teeth, instead of attractive teeth that have been whitened. Even without conscious thought, they can be subconsciously deciding you don’t deserve the promotion or the date… all on account of your teeth!

It is even worse to have bad breath

Do you notice some people leaning away from you when you talk to them? You might have bad breath if you have noticed this. A problem that is serious and shows in your professional and personal life is bad breath. Your loved ones may try to avoid kissing you, while others may back away from you, or even avoid talking to you. Bad breath should always be prevented, regardless of what you have to do.

It costs a lot of money to go to the dentist

Your teeth may also have layers of plaque and tartar built up on them, this in addition to having stained teeth and bad breath. This results in cavities and toothaches, but a lot of folks would rather bear the pain than pay the exorbitant dental costs. Plaque and tartar have to be dealt with somehow.

What is the fix?

Miracle White Whitening Pen (with teeth whitening gel) - your quick, easy, cheap ticket to getting rid of stains on your teeth, halitosis, bad breath, plaque and tartar. They are really easy to use, but they work as a charm!

-Combat plaque and remove tartar
-Zap the bacterium responsible for halitosis
-Get rid of yellow stains
-The Miracle White Whitening Pen does all of the above, plus it is so simple to use at home.

The Miracle White Whitening Pen is much less expensive than paying a dentist hundreds of dollars to whiten your teeth. These are pain free and can be used at home. Now it is your turn to use Home Teeth Whitening Kits; many people have used them to make their teeth just as beautiful as ever.

Teeth Bleaching Planet