The Grace of Chocolate

Well, we knew it, didn't we? Monday, Monday, we can't trust it, but here is some good news from our colleague Nurse Nancy: This information is from the wonderful people at the Iowa Public Health Department. In order to put a more flavorful light on the subject of eating chocolate after Valentine’s Day, some research actually shows benefits for eating real chocolate. Nonfat cocoa solids in chocolate have high levels of “antioxidant flavonoids”, two words that even SOUND healthy. Benefits of eating chocolate may include: *Reduced heart disease *Decreased blood pressure *Increased insulin resistance *Improved arterial blood flow Just make sure it’s the good stuff. For more information, visit; www.webmd.com/diet/features/health-by-chocolate?page=2

From my Green Blog, and thoughts on Jane Cleveland

As I age, I find myself becoming more like Jane of Jane and Prudence. I wear my worn coats, albeit colorful ones, and I don't worry as much about getting wrinkled. I pull back my hair, and go, sometimes without make up. I still love fashion, but in this bitter cold, wear my mother's old SAS moccasins, even though one needs repair, and my old, beat up mary janes, still comfortable and capable of being polished, but missing parts. I clean up nicely, and probably still look more presentable than many, but I used to have everything perfect. I think I'm becoming something called "living vintage." How about you? Oh, to be Spring! We are being inundated with more snow mixed with freezing rain. It was an amuseument park ride from hell this morning just driving from point A to B, with all sorts of wonderful hills and ice-covered bridges. Thank goodness Starbucks was there! I have a mixed bag today; started as the expert guide for about.com at the Doll Collecting site. Take a look, and share ideas, especially for handmade dolls and folk dolls. Doll making is all about recycling; just read about the dolls Ma made in The Little House books. Crafts, in general, are wonderful ways to recycle and use scraps, especially in assemblage and reclaimed art. On the health front, I have beeen drinking RAAW juices this week, and I notice a definite improvement with sinusitis symptoms, which I call Sylvia Plath's disease, since she sufferred terribly from it, too. Also, it helps with the gag reflex brought on by asthma, as does coffee. So far, I have tried Cranberry Ginger, Strawberry Purple Carrot, and Very Berry Wheatgrass. I am not a spokesperson for this product; I also drink many other juices, some homemade, some concentrate, Naked, some Aldi or Save a Lot brands, nectars, etc. I still love Hi-C Cherry when I can get it, too. But, this juice is 100%, and the fusion is similar to V-8, but more organic with no persevatives. The juice in Cranberry Ginger is made from 1 1/2 c. cranberries and 1 c. ginger root. At our local health food store, Greatest Grains, the juices are .30 less than at our local supermarket. They run about 2.50-3.29 for a 12 fl. oz bottle. There is zero fat and 1% sodium, and 110 calories. I picked up some free brochures and newsletters at Greatest Grains as well, including one for Dermale products for skincare, and a first issue for Women Sense: healthy women create a healthier world. Articles in this new paper include articles about low thyroid, a study that shows women aged 25-65 are the most stressed [really?} and studies about the risk of too much sitting. Common sense, and obvious, but they get your attention about things we know but take for granted and ignore. Also, an article in "Memory Pause" and weight loss tips, and finding peace for a good night's sleep. More original 49 tips will also be posted. So far, some of my articles on About.com include "Lincoln Dolls," "Estate Dolls," "Sherman Smith Doll Maker and Whittler," "A Doll Collector's Calendar," "Hinges and Hearts: Metal Dolls," "Automata" and "A Tribute to Shirley Temple." We had a reading on our metal doll project and exhibit which went very well yesterday with members of loca writing groups joining me. Be well, deal with the climate changes, and know spring is coming. My little seeds are sprouting, some in Kleenex filled plastic cups in my office :)

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