Category Archives: Fantastic Foods

These are the most recognized cancer fighting foods. Including them in your diet is a must.

The Olde Pink House Restaurant and Himalayan Dinner

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So, have you seen the Olde Pink House Restaurant in Savannah, Georgia?  It is a child’s and any adult who remains young at heart’s dream-come-true restaurant…!

Yesterday was my birthday… and if I had been able to choose where to go with no limit on distance, The Olde Pink would have been up there on my list.  Forget the fact that I probably can’t eat a thing on their menu.  :)

olde pink house restaurnat, savannah, GA

This is what I thought was the Olde Pink House restaurant, per a website I read…

Below is the actual Pink House Restaurant!!  Disappointing but, pretty in it’s own down to earth way. :)

The Olde Pink House

Well, I opted for the one and only organic Thai food restaurant.. which happens to be in Berkeley.

We hopped in the car and drove to this little place that serves wild caught salmon, brown rice, organic chicken and organic veggies on a special menu.

As we walked  to the restaurant, after parking, we passed by the Himalayan restaurant, which is usually busy.  On a whim we took a look at the posted menu. We all love Indian food but don’t go any more since I can’t eat fatty foods and white rice.

Well, guess what!  They had an organic greens salad and an organic chicken Tandoor!!  You guessed it, we skipped Thai to try this out.  After all, Curry is super full of antioxidants, thanks to Turmeric, garlic, and all the other wonderful spices.

J ordered a Himalayan a Bhutan spicy chicken and veggie dish and the Basil Naan, my son had the Goat Curry, J’s daughter had the Tikka Masala and I had the Tandoor and Salad.  All came with a garlicky Lentil Soup.

My salad had just the right amount of a lovely light balsamic dressing.  You can see the Mango Lassi that J had.Mixed greens and Veg salad_Himalayas

To my utter surprise and pleasure, the Tandoori Chicken did NOT have the usual red coloring on it.  No guilt at all having this meal.  My brown rice was not as fibrous as I would have liked, but I only had a little.  That’s the Tikka Masala and white rice in the background.

organic chicken Tandoori, tikka masala

A good time was had by all.

~ In Good Health! ♥

Quick Saturday Lunch : Lentil ‘n Rice Mash, Raw Veggies and Egg Salad

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I actually enjoy the challenge of finding ingredients to quickly toss together a healthy lunch when I’m on the go on weekends.  Today was one of those days.

My son has a cooking assignment for his Japanese Class making Okonomiyaki – it’s like a pancake with chopped cabbage, green onion, shrimp and pickled ginger which is sautéed till crispy and topped with cooked crisp bacon then drizzled with Tonkatsu sauce!  NOT on my list of foods to promote good health… but at 17 I have to cut him some slack.  It’s one of his teacher’s favorite recipes.

Japanese Okonomiyaki Recipe

Japanese Okonomiyaki _ allrecipes

So I ran to the grocery store  after a morning visit from one of my 30-something nephews, then back before my son’s cooking buddy showed up.  I have a list of things I’d like to accomplish today, one of which is to spend an hour writing (novel in progress for too many years!) and another is to make GF Cinnamon Rolls before I have to start dinner.

Since the kitchen had two 17-year-old boys with all the recipe ingredients spread out, I grabbed a few things from the fridge almost randomly and put them on the corner counter to see what I could make of them.

What I grabbed:

  • a tiny bowl of egg salad
  • a tiny bowl of Mjaddara (lentil and rice mash)
  • an avocado
  • a few carrots
  • a slice of papaya
  • an heirloom tomato (hidden under the other vegs.)
  • a radish
  • Vegenaise!

Well, here’s what it looked like.  Colorful, flavorful and good for me.  :)

Quick lunch mjaddara, veg, egg salad

Fiber and vegetable protein in the lentil mash; antioxidant power in papaya, radish and avocado; a little more protein and good omega-3 fat in egg salad.

~ To Your Health ♥

Top 7 Reasons Apple Cider Vinegar Should Be a Part of Your Diet

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Most people in the U.S. associate Apple Cider Vinegar with “Dr. Bragg”, and that’s as it should be.  Dr. Paul Bragg has done more to promote and raise awareness of the numerous health benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar over the past few decades than any other company or individual. I actually buy his Organic Apple Cider Vinegar by the Gallon!  I fill small jars to give to family members with a quick list of benefits.

Dr. Paul Bragg

Born around 1895, Bragg grew up in Washington, D.C. with his parents. In 1921 Bragg and his family, now also including two young daughters, moved to California, where Paul was employed by the YMCA. Around 1926, Paul left his job and became an entrepreneur in the health field, by opening  the “Health Center of Los Angeles” and then, in 1928, “Bragg Health Center”.

Crippled by TB as a teenager, Bragg developed his own deep breathing, water fasts, consumption of organic foods, drinking distilled water, juicing, and exercise to rebuild his body into an ageless, tireless, pain-free citadel of glowing good health.  He was the first to import Juicers to the US, and the first to introduce Pineapple juice to consumers.

Bragg was the inspiration and personal health and fitness advisor to top Olympic stars.  He lived to the age of 85.

Here is a WANT AD from his book on Apple Cider Vinegar that I thought was cute:

 

I love the flavor of Cider Vinegar. I pour a little over steamed greens, dip my fish filets in it, and love salad dressings the include this amazing food.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Bragg’s Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

According to Dr. Bragg and others here are …

 7 Reasons to Include Organic Apple Cider Vinegar in Your Diet:

       1. Apple Cider Vinegar is a great source of Potassium:

Potassium is to our soft tissue what Calcium is to our bones. Potassium is a mineral that has electrical properties when it dissolves in  the blood and so is classified as an electrolyte. It is critical to life as is required for the proper functioning of our cells, including the cells of the heart muscle.

Diets high in potassium may help to protect against hypertension, strokes, and cardiovascular disease.

Tell tale signs of Potassium Deficiency are:

  • Aches and pains in lower back, both muscle and bone
  • Dizziness when straighten up after leaning over
  • Dull morning headache upon rising
  • Hair feels dry and is unmanageable
  • Eyes itch and feel sore at times
  • Extreme loss of mental alertness, forgetting names or places that are on the tip of your tongue
  • Impatience and irritability
  • Nervousness, perhaps periods of depression
  • Insomnia
  • Insatiable Thirst
  • Chills
  • Hands and feet get cold, even in warm weather
  • High Cholesterol Levels
  • Glucose Intolerance
  • Impaired Growth
  • Edema
  • In extreme cases, cardiac arrest

2. Helping Your Body Get Rid of Toxins:

Apple Cider Vinegar helps cells move normal waste from our body. Toxins that are not flushed from the body lodge in the joints and organs.  This protective action of AC Vinegar is called “Acetolysis”.  Waste products are broken down, then made inert.  The organs responsible for eliminating waste are your kidneys, bowel, lungs, and skin… and sometimes they can use a little help.

HOW?  Add 2 tsp. AC Vinegar to 6 ounces of Tomato Juice, and drink between meals once or twice a day.

3.   Relieve Headaches: Headache

HOW?  Add equal parts water and AC Vinegar in a small pot.  Heat until it comes to a slow rolling boil. Remove the pot from stove and placing a towel over your head, lean over just until the fumes are tolerable but strong.  Inhale for about 60 – 80 breaths.

It may take up to 30 minutes of warming the mixture and inhaling to get rid of a Chronic headache.

4. Relieves Dandruff, Itchy Scalp and Dry Hair:

The Malic acid and powerful enzymes in AC Vinegar kill the germs responsible for many scalp and hair problems. These little germs clog our hair follicle openings causing scales.  The result is itching and dandruff.

HOW?  Pour 2 Tbs. of vinegar in a cup. Moisten a cotton ball with water and then soak it in the vinegar. Part your hair in sections and apply the solution directly to the scalp. Leave on for 15 – 30 minutes before shampooing.  This process restores proper pH balance to the scalp.  May need to repeat daily for acute cases.
For maintenance… after shampooing, add a little vinegar to water for the last hair rinse.

5. Relieve Muscle Soreness and Aching Joints:hot stone massage 1

HOW?  Soak in a warm bath to which 1-2 cups of AC Vinegar have been added. Massage your body while in the water starting with your feet.  Continue up the torso, gently squeezing each part, always moving towards the heart.  Start with hands and work up arms and neck, again rubbing towards the heart.

Include your face and scalp in the massage.

6.  Fight Mucus with AC Vinegar:

Many of us suffer from allergies that cause mucus to collect around our sinus cavities, nose and throat.  The irritating nasal drip can be halted with the aid of this miraculous substance.  First, you should discontinue consuming dairy products to decrease mucus.

HOW? Each morning when you rise, drink a glass of water with 1 tsp. local honey and 2 tsp. AC Vinegar mixed in. Sip slowly to get the most benefit.  Repeat sometime during the day. Also use Cider Vinegar in your salad dressings.

7. Younger Looking Skin:Female portrait 3

Washing our face with soap has an alkaline result on the skin, which is not something we want. You want to keep your skin in an acid state for healthy glow. Your skin is made up of protein, water and other minor chemicals. Proteins are very complex chains of amino acids and they are very sensitive to the level of pH surrounding them. When the skin’s proteins react with an acid in a low pH coagulation occurs. The acid destroys the existing tissues so that they can be replaced with new cells.

HOW? Wash your face with very warm water (no soap). Wet a hand towel in very warm water and hold it to your face for 3-4 minutes.  Then soak a wash cloth in a bowl of tepid water that has 3 Tbs. of Cider Vinegar per cup of water, and apply that to your skin. Cover with the hand towel that you have soaked again in very warm water and wrung out. Wait 5 minutes.

Rinse your face with warm water and rub briskly with a clean dry towel.  This will remove the dry skin loosened by the vinegar.

Wow! And that was only half the benefits that Apple Cider Vinegar is known for.

For more information and to purchase Bragg’s AC Vinegar, click here.

~ Be Well! ♥

The Awesome Benefits of Barley Grass Powder

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I have long praised Barley Flour for the high fiber content it adds to baking Gluten Free, and now I have discovered that BARLEY GRASS is an AWESOME, powerful nutrient.

Barley Grass

Barley grass

(Hordeum vulgare) is the seedling of the barley plant. It is usually harvested about 200 days after germination.

Benefits

Barley contains eight essential amino acids. According to a recent study, eating whole-grain barley can regulate blood sugar (i.e. reduce blood glucose response to a meal) for up to 10 hours after consumption.

The antioxidant alpha-tocopherol succinate – the potent half of vitamin E, may be responsible for much of the plant’s anti-tumor action, according to Allan L. Goldstein, Ph.D., head of the biochemistry department at George Washington University’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C.

It seems to seems to inhibit several types of cancer, including leukemia, breast cancer, brain tumors, and prostate cancer.

In an experiment at GW University, Goldstein and his colleagues exposed leukemic cancer cells to dehydrated barley grass extract. The extract killed virtually all the cancer cells.  They then subjected brain cancer cells to the extract. It wiped out 30 to 50% of those cells. In a third trial, the extract inhibited the growth of three types of prostate cancer cells by 90 to 100%!

Nutrients

Barley grass contains rich amounts of vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids. The cereal grass is enveloped in chlorophyll, a disease-fighting substance which gives grass blades their emerald color.

BY WEIGHT, dehydrated barley grass has 11 times the calcium of cow’s milk, 5 times the iron of spinach, and more protein than sirloin steak.

The wealth of health benefits found in barley grass may be easily explored by drying the grass and grinding the blades until

barley flour

it becomes a fine powder. The powder maintains the original benefits of the grass with an added bonus of a nutty flavor can be easily utilized in teas or culinary dishes.

       Read article on this topic on Livestrong by clicking here.

How To Use Barely Powder

Barley grass  powder is best taken on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before or two hours after a meal.
Dr. Yoshihide Hagiwara, the creator of Barleygreen, looked at all green plants in Japan, and then narrowed his search down to 150 leafy green varieties. He found many plants with satisfactory nutrition, but none that covered as wide a spectrum of nutrients as green barley.
For disease prevention, Hagiwara advises taking 2 to 6 g of powder – dissolved in water or juice – two or three times a day.

To treat skin or stomach ailments, you may need to take up to 12 g of powder two or three times a day. Expect improvements within three months.

CAUTION:  People with eczema or acne may notice some skin aggravation when they first take barley grass.
Also, barley grass may initially cause nausea, diarrhea, or constipation. If any of these symptoms occur, you may want to cut back to 1/2 g twice a day, then slowly increase your dosage until your body adjusts.  Always consult your Medical Practitioner before beginning any new regimen, to make sure there is no interaction with medications/supplements you may be currently taking, or a condition you are being treated for.

~ Be Well!  ♥

The Top 10 Anti-Cancer Vegetables – re-blogged

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I literally stumbled on this wonderful blog while I was doing a little research on the latest ‘foods that heal cancer’ information, and was very happy to read the following, well-written post, and Chris’ story.  His blog is titled Chris Beat Cancer.

I wanted to share it with you… I am attaching the opening paragraphs.  Click on the link at the end of the excerpt for the full article.

~ Be Well. ♥

~~~~~~~

The Top 10 Anti-Cancer Vegetables

If you haven’t noticed, we are constantly bombarded with pleas from charities for cancer research money.

“Race for the Cure, Stand Up to Cancer, Buy Pink products, grow a Movember mustache….”

This is often accompanied by the message  that “we are running out of funding for cancer research”.  And of course this is a problem, because “without funding for more research, we will never find a cure”.

Cue the shots of bald women and children poisoned by chemo, accompanied by dramatic music. Then insert a high-profile celebrity to say, “The cure is just around the corner.  Together we can make cancer history. Please give today.”

Here’s the reality. The mega billion dollar pharmaceutical industry has plenty of money to fund research, they would just prefer that you fund it with your donations instead of theirs.

Real problem #1  They are running out of your money.

Real problem #2 They are only interested in medicines they can patent.

Real problem #3  Research on nutrition and natural therapies is ignored.

There are literally thousands of published peer-reviewed studies demonstrating that the 100,000+ phytonutrients in plants have the ability to prevent and reverse cancer.  But because the pharmaceutical industry can’t figure out how to extract these compounds, synthesize them, and patent them for profit, they are ignored.

Doctors can’t even use this published information or they risk losing their license.

But you can!

One of my favorite studies was published in Food Chemistry, January 2009 called, “The Anti-proliferative and Antioxidant Activities of Common Vegetables: A comparative study”

The title is so boring I almost fell asleep typing it, but hold on, because the results are awesome.

Researchers studied the inhibitory (cancer-stopping) effects of 34 vegetable extracts on 8 different tumor cell lines.

They basically just ran vegetables through a juicer and then dripped the extracted juice on different cancer cells to see what would happen. Here’s what they found…

The #1 most powerful anti-cancer food was Garlic.garlic

Garlic stopped cancer growth COMPLETELY against these tumor cell lines:

Breast cancer, brain cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, childhood brain cancer, and stomach cancer.

~~~~  Read the rest of this post by clicking HERE.

Power Juicing 3

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Stand back! I’m armed with my Omega Juicer and a crazy mix of berries and vegetables!

It’s Sunday.. a good day to experiment with foods and flavors. Who says?  Why, me of course.  After all I am mistress of my kitchen, ruler of my diet, ex-cafe owner, ex-caterer, current mom and fighting cancer with food consultant, and of course… overall food combination testing nut.

So with those credentials we move on..

My Berry-Carrot-Ginger Juice with a Twist of Lime

(that has a ring to it.. yes?)

This recipe is anti-oxidant rich with an unlikely pairing of flavors.  Play around with quantities to arrive at one you like best.

Berry Carrot juice 2

Berry Carrot Ginger juice – CUTC

  • 2 medium organic Carrots, rinsed
  • 2 inch slice of organic Parsnip cut into quarters
  • 1 1/2 c. frozen organic Strawberries *
  • 1/2 c. fresh or frozen organic Blueberries *
  • 1 thin slice fresh organic Ginger, no larger than a 25 cent coin
  • 1 tsp. Kaffir Lime juice or 2 tsp. regular Lime juice

Juice all veggies, berries and ginger with your masticating Juicer, and add lime juice.

* If you are using frozen berries as I did .. a SURPRISE is in store for you!  Here is what you’re going to get:

Juicing frozen berries

Frozen Berries turn into Sorbet in juicer

No JUICE~ just frozen sorbet!  So BEFORE you put the berries through the juicer, place a clean cup under the spout that will eject pulp, and capture the berries.  Add this frozen mix to your juice and stir for a smoothie like consistency!

Berry Carrot juice 3

Berry Carrot Ginger Juice – CUTC

Don’t’ you just love kitchen surprises…

~ Enjoy! ♥

Power Juicing 2

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I decided to take up a morning juicing regimin again.  Lately my digestion has not been happy, so am cutting back on my usual protein/light carb and berry breakfast and alternating 3 juices.

Click here for more recipes.

Carrot-Celery-Parsnip Juice

This combination is a powerful one.  Adjust the amount of ginger to taste since it can be quite spicy. Read about the amazing benefits of these veggies by clicking on Complimentary Therapies→Diet and Nutrition→Fantastic Foods above.

Carrot_Celery juice1

I’ve mentioned that using a masticating juicer or one that does not use metal blades and a heat generating motor is essential.  Some types of juicers will break down the enzymes in food, so you are getting very little benefit.

juicer omega

See my post on Juicers by clicking here.

Recipe

  • 4 large organic Carrots
  • 4 stalks of organic Celery
  • 1 organic Parsnip (can use 1/4 of a Beet for instead)
  • 1/2 small red skinned organic Apple, seeds removed
  • 1 clove garlic – if you can tolerate smelling a bit garlicky for a while .. Garlic is one of THE MOST POTENT Anti-Cancer foods!
juicing

Use pulp for flavoring broths

Juice all. Pour into a glass and sip slowly with a straw. Don’t eat or take any supplements for about an hour for best results.

Save the pulp to use as a base when making Vegetable Broth.

This Juicer is easy to clean, just rinse all parts with hot water, and you’re done!

juicer cleaning2

Omega Masticating Juicer – easy to clean!

Cooking up the Cure

~ Be Well! ♥

More Juicing Recipes for Good Health

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One cannot stress enough the fact that if you are juicing for good health, or to hold disease at bay, it is imperative to use ORGANIC produce.

Not only is it free from toxic chemicals, but tests show that organic produce has higher nutritional value than conventionally grown produce. Chemicals are both harmful, but they also deplete antioxidants from your body… (they are used up neutralizing the chemicals side effects!)

Also, please read about the type of Juicer that will preserve the enzymes in foods.  If you use a cheap juicer that generates heat, it will break down the very nutrients you are juicing to consume!fruit

Click here for a review I wrote on the types of Juicers.

RECIPE #1

Posted on the American Cancer Society’s CSN page:fresh_veggies

  • 3 medium organic Carrots
  • 1 organic Granny Smith Apple
  • 1 stalk organic Celery
  • 1 handful organic Parsley
  • 2 organic Kale leaves
  • 3/4″ chunk of Ginger (or to taste)

After juicing, add:

  • 2 Tbs. freshly ground Flax seeds (FIBER!! to reduce glycemic load)
  • 1 Tbs. Barleans Greens (or any green powder)
  • 1 Tbs. Fermented Soy or Whey Protein Powder (beware of ones with added sugar or other unnecessary ingredients)

Stir well and enjoy!

RECIPE #2healthy_juice

This recipe is referred to as “The Colon Cleanser“:

  • 2 organic Granny Smith, McIntosh, or Golden Delicious apples
  • 1 bunch organic Spinach
  • 1 handful organic Parsley
  • 1/4 sm or med. organic Lemon (with peel)

Happy Juicing! ♥

Cranberry Juice – an Awesome Healer

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Cranberries grow on bushes up to 12 feet tall.  In the Spring the berries are preceded by lovely little white flowers.

From these tiny lovely berries comes a host of healing power.  As with many brightly colored fruits, cranberries are rich in antioxidants which benefit the body in a number of ways. It is also an excellent source of vitamin C, a very good source of dietary fiber, and a good source of manganese and vitamin K.

For maximum health benefits, Cranberry juice should be consumed unsweetened. It’s a refreshing drink and can be added to your cold glass of green or mint tea.  Two ounces of cranberry juice diluted in eight (8) ounces of filtered water is recommended for medicinal purposes.

Below are some of the health benefits, many of which you’re most likely aware of.

Urinary Tract Infection:

Cranberry juice is very effective against urinary tract infections. Drinking one glass of 100% cranberry juice daily reduces the risk of infections and prevents cystitis.  Cranberry juice produces hippuric acid in the urine which acidifies the urine and prevents bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder. It also prevents kidney stone formation.

Cardiovascular Effects:

Cranberry juice contains powerful antioxidants that help to prevent or repair the damages caused by free radicals. It inhibits oxidation of LDL (Wilson et al., 1999). Drinking cranberry juice helps increase good cholesterol and the body’s antioxidant capacity (Pedersen et al., 200).

Respiratory Infections:

Cranberry juice helps inhibit certain strains of the Haemophilus influenza, which is a common cause of ear and respiratory infections in children.

Protection from Herpes Virus 

Studies have found that a substance extracted from the cranberries called proanthocyanidin, suppressed the genital herpes virus. Tests showed that this compound made it harder for the virus to penetrate cells.

Cranberry-juice glass

Dental Benefits

Some studies have shown that cranberry juice can reduce the growth of bacteria that causes plaque to stick to the teeth, preventing decay and gum disease.

Breast Cancer

Proanthocyanidin, the compound I mentioned under the Herpes heading, has potential anti carcinogenic activity (Bomser et al., 1996); cranberry products inhibited proliferation of estrogen receptor-negative and receptor-positive human breast cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner (Guthrie, 2000).

Stomach and Ulcers

Research shows that components found in cranberry may prevent bacteria, such as E. coli, from clinging to the cells along the walls of the urinary tract and causing infection. There is also preliminary evidence that cranberry may reduce the ability of H. pylori bacteria to live in the stomach and cause ulcers.

CAUTION: There are some indications that cranberry should be used cautiously by people who take blood-thinning drugs (such as warfarin), medications that affect the liver, or aspirin.

Here’s to Your Health

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Pick up one of these delicious nutritious drinks and give your body a huge boost this winter season.

Here are two no-fail concoctions to rev up your immune system and fight off the season’s attempt to make you sick!

1. A sure-fire way to start each day on the right foot, is to squeeze a lemon, grate some ginger, heat some water and shake some cinnamon… all this adds up to a hefty dose of antioxidants, vitamin C, and immune-boosting compounds.

Mug of Tea

Ginger-Lemon Cold BusterVegi Goodness - Lemons

Vegi Goodness - Ginger

  • Juice of 1 organic Lemon
  • 1 tsp. freshly Grated Ginger (or use 1/2 tsp. dry)
  • 8 oz. Hot Water
  • 1/2 tsp. organic Cinnamon

If you need a little sweetener, you can add a packet of Stevia, or no more than a 1/2 tsp. of organic honey.

Chia-Blueberry Smoothie

  • 2½ c. Almond, Coconut or Rice Milk
  • 1 c. organic Blueberries (fresh or frozen)
  • 6 organic Strawberries
  • 1 scoop of concentrated, non-denatured Whey Protein PowderWild blueberries 10
  • 1/4 c. soaked Chia seeds
  • 1/2 Banana, choose one with no brown spots
  • 1 oz. Coconut Kiefer
  • Dash of Cinnamon

    Mix all in blender just until smooth.  Can sprinkle more cinnamon on top.

    Strawberry Lassi

    Makes 2 generous servings.

    Tip: Soak the chia seeds in 1 1/2 cups 0f water overnight to get the maximum nutrients.  When that’s not possible even soaking for 15 minutes will make a difference.

~ To Your Health! ♥