kbarnes 
I planted a couple of elderberry bushes in my yard more than a decade ago, every year I harvest a crop of delicious sweet purple berries that are powerful immune system boosters. I just have to fight off the birds or net the bushes so I get my share to put up for next winter’s … Read more
My mother died of Alzheimer’s disease 12 years ago, although I have to say that the mom I knew died several years earlier when her cognitive function faltered, she was unable to perform the simplest tasks, her personality changed and the light went out in her eyes. Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease. It is devastating to … Read more
If the news has got you down, undoubtedly you’re having trouble sleeping. I know I am. These are stressful times. Tired of being tired? You’re not alone — 82 million American have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep and 40% of the adult population reports having insomnia at least once a week. We all need … Read more
My regular readers know that my husband and I recently returned from a delightful trip to Spain and France. Among the challenges was dealing with language. My husband speaks a smattering of Spanish and I speak a smattering of French, so basic communication was possible. Actually, I took several years of French in elementary school, … Read more
All of a sudden, CBD oil is everywhere. It’s being touted as a panacea, curing everything from cancer to hangnails. The oil, formally named cannabadiol, is a product of cannabis plants, primarily marijuana and hemp. Marijuana-based CBD oils are only legal in states that have legalized medical and/or recreational marijuana because they contain THC (tetrahydrocanabinol), … Read more
In the beginning of the Covid pandemic, I got an unexplained craving for garlic. I mean, my friends, this was serious. I’ve always thought garlic was fine and added great flavor to a variety of dishes. But suddenly, I could eat an entire clove of roasted garlic without thinking twice and even consider a second … Read more
The idea of juicing seems to make the rounds in popularity and unpopularity, much like another other “health” regimens. On the surface, it seems like a good idea. It’s a way of getting a lot of nutrients all at once, perhaps taking care of your fruit and veggies intake for the day in one glass. … Read more
“Home-grown tomatoes, home-grown tomatoes, what would life be without home-grown tomatoes? Only two things that money can’t buy, that’s true love and home-grown tomatoes…” I hummed this favorite John Denver song to myself throughout the spring when I planted my seeds indoors, tenderly transplanted those little plants into my garden in May after the danger … Read more
A whiff of lemon oil can be an instant energizer. A deep breath of sweet lavender oil can lower your blood pressure. A few drops of tea tree oil can stop an infection in its tracks. And try a whiff of eucalyptus to stop an allergic reaction. Essential oils are not magic or folklore. There … Read more
Most of us have heard of iodine, but we’d be hard-pressed to recite what it does. If you’re of a certain age, you probably remember your mother dabbing the yellow-brown liquid on a scraped knee and the vicious sting that followed! Maybe you remember that iodine is added to salt. Maybe you can identify iodine … Read more