You Can Thank The Irish!

People have been making jack o'lanterns at Halloween for centuries, but have you ever wondered why? The practice originated from an Irish myth about a man nicknamed "Stingy Jack."

The legend goes something like this...

Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink with him. True to his name, Stingy Jack didn't want to pay for his drink, so he convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin that Jack could use to buy their drinks. Once the Devil did so, Jack decided to keep the money and put it into his pocket next to a silver cross, which prevented the Devil from changing back into his original form.

Jack eventually freed the Devil, under the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year and that, should Jack die, he would not claim his soul. The next year, Jack again tricked the Devil into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit. While he was up in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the tree's bark so that the Devil could not come down until the Devil promised Jack not to bother him for ten more years.

Soon after, Jack died. As the legend goes, God would not allow such an unsavory figure into heaven. The Devil, upset by the trick Jack had played on him and keeping his word not to claim his soul, would not allow Jack into hell. He sent Jack off into the dark night with only a burning coal to light his way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the Earth with ever since. The Irish began to refer to this ghostly figure as "Jack of the Lantern," and then, simply "Jack O'Lantern."

In Ireland and Scotland, people began to make their own versions of Jack's lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes and placing them into windows or near doors to frighten away Stingy Jack and other wandering evil spirits. In England, large beets are used. Immigrants from these countries brought the jack o'lantern tradition with them when they came to the United States. They soon found that pumpkins, a fruit native to America, make perfect jack o'lanterns.

There you have it! Another frightening superstition by the Irish!

It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!

Being the time of year that it is, I thought I should get some fallish things posted.

The first order of business being pumpkins. I love seeing them in the store because for me its one of the first indications that "the holidays" are just around the corner. And, as most of you know, I am a Christmas freak.

I, also, enjoy carving them, and I especially love the seeds.

Growing up, however, the only pumpkins I consumed were the ones I dug out of the Harvest Mix. Like, most things I hate and don't eat...I have a story about why. Basically, I was forced to eat a piece of pumpkin pie at a very young age by a friend of my parents. First of all, I hate pie. Not just pumpkin pie, but all pie. Secondly, I think pie in general, and especially pumpkin pie, is a pretty adult dessert. At any rate, the whole experience was a bad one, and it set the tone for the next 20 years or so.

Even though I still hate pie, I have grown to savor the flavor of pumpkins. And, they just happen to be super good for you. Not only is pumpkin loaded with vitamin A and antioxidant carotenoids, particularly alpha and beta-carotenes, it’s a good source of vitamins C, K, and E, and lots of minerals, including magnesium, potassium, and iron. Half a cup of canned pumpkin has 3.5 grams of fiber. All this, AND zero cholesterol! Which is great news for your immune system and can also help prevent heart disease and cancer!

GO PUMPKINS!

The seeds are also worth snackin' on. Pumpkin seeds, also called pepitas, are loaded with minerals and omega-3 fatty acids. They seem to have an anti-inflammatory effect, and may even help protect against prostate cancer and osteoporosis. A quarter cup has 1.5 grams of fiber.

FACTS:

• Pumpkins are the largest fruit in the world, and are 90% water.


• The name pumpkin originated from the Greek word for "large melon" which is "pepon." "Pepon" was changed by the French into "pompon." The English changed "pompon" to "Pumpion." American colonists changed "pumpion" into "pumpkin."


• The ‘Pumpkin Capital of the World’ is Morton, Illinois. Home of Libby’s pumpkin industry.


• Although pumpkins are usually orange or yellow, some are dark green, pale green, orange-yellow, white, red and gray.

Bean Brownies?!?!?!?!!?

First of all, I have not tried this recipe. This recipe was suggested to me by someone I will call an acquaintance.

I was told it makes the brownies healthier because it adds protein and fiber and eliminates some of the cholesterol and fat.

But, wait....BEANS?

Beans?

Beans in the brownies?!?!?!

Allegedly, I am told you cannot taste the beans after they have cooled. And, the after they have cooled part was stressed, so I assume that's important.

So...the recipe.

You will need a box of regular brownie mix, meaning no addition goodness such as caramel, nuts, chocolate chips, etc. and a can a black beans.

Dump the beans into a blender or food processor or what have you...including the syrupy bean goo they are packaged in. Blend until the beans are very clearly no longer beans. I am told this will resemble Hersey's Syrup.

Mix the bean syrup with the brownie mix and bake per the package directions.

And, ....enjoy?

I admit I have not yet had the courage to try these, but...

BEANS!

A Billion Trees

http://www.plantabillion.org/

OR

http://arborday.org/getinvolved/

This is a pretty cool campaign. I like that its so affordable...$1 = 1 tree! What a great way to celebrate life...when its just beginning or has ended.

I think a lot of people don't realize all that trees do for us...how important they are. We, as a society...a world in general...don't take time to appreciate nature anymore. We should be so grateful, but instead we chop away at it and destroy it.

Why?

TREES ARE IMPORTANT!

Interesting Facts About Trees:

Trees are the longest living organisms on the planet and one of the earth's greatest natural resources. They keep our air supply clean, reduce noise pollution, improve water quality, help prevent erosion, provide food and building materials, create shade, and help make our landscapes look beautiful. Here are some more thought-provoking facts and figures about our oldest citizens and living treasures...trees!

• The shade and wind buffering provided by trees reduces annual heating and cooling costs by 2.1 billion dollars.


• Each average-sized tree provides an estimated $7 savings in annual environmental benefits, including energy conservation and reduced pollution.


• A single tree produces approximately 260 pounds of oxygen per year. That means two mature trees can supply enough oxygen annually to support a family of four!


• Water originating in our national forests provide drinking water for over 3400 communities, and approximately 60 million individuals.


• One tree can absorb as much carbon in a year as a car produces while driving 26,000 miles.
  Over the course its life, a single tree can absorb one ton of carbon dioxide.


• An average American uses about 750 pounds of paper every year, and 95% of homes are built using wood. That means each person uses the equivalent of one 100 foot tall, 16 inch diameter, tree every year for their paper and wood product needs.


• About one third of the United States of America is covered by forests.


• According to the last forest inventory, there are almost 247 billion trees over 1 inch in diameter in the U.S.


• The average tree in an urban/city area has a life expectancy of only 8 years.


• The tallest tree in the country is a Coast Redwood growing in northern California's Redwood National Park. It is 369 feet tall and over 2000 years old!

Mrs. K's Caramel Apple Cake

This is a great fall dessert even if you're dieting. Check it out!

Ingredients:

2 Eggs
2/3 cup of milk
1/4 cup of oil
1 can of caramal apple pie filling
1 box of Fiber One Apple Muffin Mix

Preheat oven to 425. Spray a clear 9x14 baking pan with non stick spray.

Spread the apple pie filling in the bottom of the pan.

Prepare muffin mix according to directions and spread out over the pie filling.

Bake until the top is golden brown, about 20 minutes or so.

Allow to cool and cut into 12 squares.

I topped mine with cool whip and caramel syrup.

The National Honor Society

I got a letter today inviteing me to join the National Honor Society.

I am really excited because I needed some good news with everything that has happened lately.

...And Away We Go!

If you don't know, I am turning 30 on Sunday. Many people have asked me "if I am ready" or how I feel about it". The truth is, I am glad. My 20's were ridiculous (especially the 1st half!), and I am glad they are coming to an end.

I do acknowledge, however, that this is my 1st BIG birthday in the grand scheme of things. So, I wanted to do something a little bigger than I normally would. I decided, since I am on a bit of a spiritual quest as of late, that we would go to Sedona.

Sedona, if you don't know, is a small town in Arizona that has a strong reputation for natural beauty and spirituality. We are leaving this morning, after we drop the dogs off at camp. It is about a 5 hour drive. Thankfully Mark and I get along well enough to survive these things. We will drive back Sunday (my birthday).

Unlike my normal self, I have not planned out every detail of the trip. It's part of my transformation to be less strict and less controlling. I do want to get to Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village. I am not a huge crafts person, but it looks like a really cool place. Also, I have scheduled a holistic pedicure. You can read more about that here. I am, also, planning a 1 hour meditation session near one of the famed vortexes. Lastly, I am on the lookout for a kyanite pendant or ring.

Have a wonderful weekend, and thank you for all my birthday wishes!!!

Where Were You?

Here is MY 9/11 experience...

My grandparents were getting ready to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on 9/9/01. I was living in Portland, OR at the time and Kathy had called and asked if I could come home for the occasion. Of course I said yes. I was going to be a surprise.

My trip was supposed to be from the 8th to the 12th. Just a long weekend. My roommate dropped me off at the airport on the morning of the 8th. It was a typical gray drizzly Portland morning. I remember this VERY clearly because while we were getting my bags out of the trunk there was a man running (literally) around and people were sort of stopped in the area waiting to see where he was going or what he was doing. He ended up running out of sight and I found my curbside check in and got in line with my bags.

A few minutes later I got shoved forward and into the person in front of me. I was instantly pissed off and whipped around. It was that same guy that had been running around moments earlier. The guy I got shoved into told him to watch it and the guy, of Middle Eastern descent, didn't seem to understand.

When I got to the front of the line, the man checking me in asked if we were travelling together (meaning the guy behind me who had shoved me). I explained that I didn't know who he was or why he was standing so close, but that we were definitely NOT travelling together. the man checking me in then yelled at the guy to back up and give people some space. I checked in and I was on my way to the gate.

I boarded, got to my seat, and we took off for Boston. You know after the plane takes off and then goes from facing skyward to being level again? Well, at that exact moment the shover from earlier stands up a few rows in front of me and on the opposite side!!!! OMG. The guy was acting so weird prior to this, and now he's heading to the bathrooms and he's all sweaty. I swear on my soul...this is a direct quote from that exact moment..."God, if this guy is going to hijack my plane please let him do it on the way back to Portland so I can see my family one last time." And then I said Hail Marys for the next 7 hours until we landed in Boston.

I will remind you, this happened to me on the 8th! We went about the weekend and my grandparents' anniversary. Then, it happened. I was sleeping in on the morning of the 11th, and my grandmother came into my old bedroom. I was still half asleep, but I will never forget her words. "Jessica! You need to get up! We are at war!" I got up at went into the living room where she was watching TV. She was crying and had her hand over her mouth...just shaking her head in disbelief. She kept saying "Who would do this to us?" And, the day went on and got worse and worse.

Like most of us, I can't really say what I was feeling then. Anger and sadness, of course...fear, vulnerable...patriotic. But, most of all, I do remember feeling so grateful that God had answered my prayer on the plane a few days earlier. He got me home safely so I could see my family. And, there was no place else on Earth I would rather have been at those moments in history.

Mrs. K's Creamy Fruit Salad

You know those teeny tiny fruit and walnut salads at McDonald's?

I love them.

BUT, they are super tiny and a little pricey for what you actually get. And, just an FYI on that teeny tiny "snack size" fruit salad...210 calories and 8 grams of fat. YIKES!

So...I made my own. Its fresher, healthier, and organic.

Here is the recipe.

Mix:

1 cup of walnuts (candied or plain)

1 cup of grapes

1 apple, diced

1 cup of vanilla yogurt

It is so delish!!!

Grapefruits Are Greeeeat!

I recently bought a holistic healing book. I like the way it's laid out...you look up what's wrong with you and it tells you what to use.

So here are 10 things grapefruits can do for you:

1.) Grapefruits are excellent cleanser for the digestive and urinary systems as well as rich in potassium and vitamin C.

2.) A regular consumption of grapefruits will also promote healthy skin. They are frequently used in the treatment of acne.

3.) For those who would like to reduce their weight, grapefruit is good because it reduces appetite

4.) Grapefruits will balances the nervous systems, relieves flu and will help the respiratory system

5. ) Grapefruits could help in treating osteoarthritis.

6.) The juices is also an excellent source of iron.

7.) Grapefruit essential oil is very popular for massaging because of the energizing and uplifting scent.

8.) The rich pink and red colors of grapefruit are due to lycopene. Lycopene appears to have anti-tumor activity.

9.) Both blond and red grapefruit can reduce blood levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and red grapefruit lowers triglycerides as well.

10.) Want to reduce your risk of calcium oxalate kidney stones? Drink grapefruit juice. A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that when women drank ½ to 1 liter of grapefruit, apple or orange juice daily, their urinary pH value and citric acid excretion increased, significantly dropping their risk of forming calcium oxalate stones.