Making your everyday staple items from scratch

Baking your own breads and cookies are very economical. The best part is the satisfaction of you and your family being able to say "we did this ourselves". Knowing the ingredients are simply sugar, flour, eggs, salt, leavening agent, not a list as long as my arm most of which are unpronounceable! If you can't say it don't eat it was the motto of Bryer's ice-cream and it is a good one. We have many great bulk food stores in our area that will help us to get our basics at a good cost. Pine Grove bulk foods in Howard, Oak Hill, Hill Crest bulk and natural foods and Crystal Valley in the Penn Yan area. There are many more out there, these are the ones that I am familiar with. The savings are huge especially for baked goods and making your own mayonnaise is so simple and much better tasting. Again knowing that there are not all of the chemicals and preservatives in your food gives you an upper hand on your families health. Find these recipes Food for Thought web page at www.fln.org. Enjoy yourself as you and your family experiment with some new and different taste treats. Bon Appetit'

Foods that heal!

Flax seed is the number one anti-inflammatory used in the ground form. Grinding the seeds with a coffee grinder releases the omega-3's to lubricate joints and reduce inflammation. Ginger is commonly used for bloating, nausea and motion sickness. Cinnamon is a sugar regulator, lowers cholesterol and the aroma helps your memory. Almonds alleviate food cravings, lower cholesterol are high in fiber and vitamin E. Garlic is a natural blood thinner and antibiotic. Honey is great for energy, helps allergies and boosts your immune system. Apples lower cholesterol, are good for weight loss and anti-cancer. Apple cider vinegar has a long list of uses. With all the digestion problems present today this is one of the best resources to settle stomach acid and help you to digest properly. Potatoes and avocados are high in potassium which helps fight cramping in your legs. These are just a few benefits from eating whole foods. Check it out for yourself by searching, health benefits of, and type in the food you are wanting more info on. You will be amazed at the many medicinal foods that are at your fingertips for much less than the cost of a prescription drug. The results may take more time but your patience and persistence will pay off with a healthy mind and body for you and your family.