Guest Post: HEALTH BENEFITS OF GARLIC

When discussing the aromatic personality of garlic, the question remains, would you be willing to smell a little like this potent herb if you knew that it has gobs of health benefits?  Many would answer yes when they consider what this miracle food does.

Photo: Home of Homemade Treasures

For centuries, garlic has been prized around the globe for its distinct culinary taste and the wonderful flavor it adds to many sophisticated dishes.  Additionally, because of its sustainability, garlic has been shipped and traded across long distances.

Now scientists from several countries, including France, Italy and the U.S., are confirming the plethora of health benefits gained from garlic, specifically because this herb helps to facilitate detoxification and acts as a powerful antioxidant, stimulating immune responses and reducing inflammation.

Studies are finding that the components in garlic, called Allyl Sulfides and Bioflavonoids, may be key to lowering incidences of heart disease and cancer in those who consume large amounts of it.

Many of our modern-day cancers are thought to be caused by damage to DNA, often induced by environmental toxins. A study conducted at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle found that eating a teaspoon of fresh garlic a day increases the levels of a key enzyme for removing toxins in the blood cells.

Clinical experiments have shown that regular consumption of garlic decreases calcium deposits and the size of arterial plaque in coronary arteries, prevented unhealthy blood clotting and improved the circulation of the subjects who were studied.   

What's the Magic Behind Garlic

Garlic produces a chemical called Allicin, which is what seems to make garlic work. Allicin also makes garlic smell. There is a lot of variation among garlic products sold for medicinal purposes. The amount of Allicin, the active ingredient and the source of garlic’s distinctive odor, depends on the method of preparation.  

Garlic also has germanium in it. Germanium is an anti-cancer agent, and garlic has more of it than any other herb. In lab tests, mice who were fed garlic showed no cancer development, whereas mice that weren't fed garlic showed at least some. In fact, garlic has been shown to retard tumor growth in human subjects in some parts of the world.

Taking Garlic for Health Reasons

Current research has shown that garlic not only has major impact on cancer prevention, but it also reduces the risk of other major maladies. Not surprisingly the presence of all these antioxidants in garlic have a very positive effect on the immune system in general and can therefore protect the body against all types of bacterial and viral attacks. Allicin has been shown to not only lower blood pressure, insulin and triglyceride levels in laboratory animals fed a sugar rich diet, but also to prevent weight gain.   

Garlic is an invaluable medicine for coughs, difficulty of breathing, asthma, hoarseness and other disorders of the lungs because this herb promotes expectoration.  The positive effect of garlic on your circulatory system is extremely well documented and it has been proven to decrease platelet aggregation,plus it stimulates the production of nitric oxide in the lining of blood vessel walls, a substance that helps them to relax. As a result, garlic helps to prevent arteriosclerosis and thereby reduces the risk of heart attack and strokes.  Finally, because garlic is famous for reducing inflammation, the herb is an excellent natural remedy for those suffering from arthritis.

Garlic is one of the most valuable and versatile foods on the planet. Known as one of the oldest medicinal plants, garlic is a widely recognized health enhancing supplement, and if you can stand the odor, is considered one of the best foods around to promote your well-being.

David Novak is a international syndicated newspaper columnist, appearing in newspapers, magazines, radio and TV around the world. His byline has appeared in GQ, National Geographic, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, Reader's Digest, USA Today, among others, and he has appeared on The Today Show, the CBS Morning Show and Paul Harvey Radio. David is a specialist at consumer technology, health and fitness, and he also owns a PR firm and a consulting company where he and his staff focus on these industries.  He is a regular contributing editor for Healthline.com.  For more information, visit here.   

GUEST POST: Tips for Easy Appliqué

Today's author is Bridget Sandorford. She is a freelance food and culinary writer, where recently she’s been researching baker pastry chef jobs. In her spare time, she enjoys biking, painting and working on her first cookbook.

Tips for Easy Appliqué

Appliqué is a great way to dress up t-shirts, onesies, and other pieces of clothing. You can personalize them or add a little bit of flair. It's also a great way to cover up stains or to patch over holes. Of course, appliqué is also a great way to make beautiful and unique quilts.

There are many ways to appliqué, and this blog has already covered one of the most popular methods, which involves fusible webbing. Here are a couple of other tips to create easy appliqué so you can personalize your clothes or make your own onesies for wedding gifts:

Fabric Glue

Appliqué simply requires that you attach one piece of fabric to another, and one of the easiest ways to do that is to use fabric glue. Fabric glue is flexible enough so that when it dries, the fabric is still supple, not hard. You can dot fabric glue around the edges of your piece, and attach it to the surface. You don't need a lot -- just a small edging to hold it in place while you sew it down. You can use a blanket stitch or use your machine to do an overcast or zigzag stitch.

Sturdy fabrics like felt or microfiber do best with this technique. If you are using a fabric that will fray, treat it will fray check first and allow it to dry before you glue it and sew it.

Freezer Paper

Freezer paper is a great option that works in much the same way as fusible webbing. You simply draw your pattern onto your freezer paper and then iron it onto your fabric with the shiny side down. Cut out your fabric, leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Then either spray starch onto the hem line or dab it on with a paintbrush. Fold over the edge and iron it back all the way around the hem.

When the fabric is dried and the hemline is ironed back, you can remove the freezer paper. It will peel off quite easily and your hemline should stay intact. Then just sew your appliqué in place as usual. You can pin it down or add a bit of fabric glue to hold it in place.

This method is best for thinner fabrics that are prone to fraying and need tidier edges in order to maintain their shape. It would not work for thicker fabrics like felt or wool.

Sewing Two Pieces Together

Getting a good appliqué is largely about preserving the hemlines. You can do this easily by sewing together two pieces of fabric to create a closed edge. You would cut two pieces of fabric for each shape and then sew them together face to face. Complete the edge all the way around, and then make a slit in the middle of one of the pieces. Use that opening to turn the pieces out to the right side, and then iron the seams flat. You'll have a nice shape that you can then sew in place on your fabric.

There's more than one way to appliqué. Use the technique that is easiest for you and that best accommodates the fabric you are using and the kind of shape you are trying to create.

What techniques do you use to create appliqué? Share your tips in the comments!

GUEST POST: Sewing on a Budget

Here is another valuable contribution from another guest blogger, Toni. She has lots of great ideas, tips and experience on how to sew on a budget. Enjoy!

Update: She now has her own blog, addressed sewjereli.blogspot.com, where she shares lots of great tips and tutorials. I love her blog and you will be missing out on heaps if you don't check it out for yourself!

***

Hi all, my name is Toni and I live in Western Sydney, as far west as you can get before calling it the Blue Mountains. I started sewing over a year ago. I borrowed my mum's Brother BM2600 and couldn't get enough. I sew for my two little boys and some friends' children also :)

This post is all about your sewing budget. Personally, my budget for sewing is pretty small. Sometimes I really want that beautiful new fabric, all those patterns, a new fancy overlocker.. But I have to deal with the reality that it isn't going to happen for me while my children are small. I love being a stay at home mum and I'm not ready to give that up just yet. But that doesn't mean I can't sew!  So here's how we finance my favourite hobby.

I heard someone say once, they were "too poor to be cheap". Huh? This was the first lesson I learnt while sewing.

I sewed up a beautiful Oliver + S Sketchbook shirt. I loved it. The pattern cost me $22, so I went with a cheaper option $6pm fabric from a shop with no content labels etc. I was trying to save money! I thought that if I just kept using the same pattern I would save money on buying nice button up shirts for the boys.  But what happened? The fabric pilled and went funny looking. Ruined! My sewjo also took a beating with that one, and I haven't sewn the pattern again. So I am too poor to be cheap, because I should have bought quality material, then my project would not have become a waste of money.

Good quality material will wash and wear for years. So now I endeavour to buy quality, when I can. 

Each month spotlight has a $10 voucher in thier Get Creative magazine and I use that to bring down the costs of my purchases. I watch for sales on things I know I will use.  You can also save a lot with bulk orders at the online store, fabric.com, and that's where I will go when I can justify spending >$100.

But... The absolute best way to find good quality material at a bargain price, is to UPCYCLE!

Upcycling basically means that you take an old item of clothing, cut it up and make it into something new.

Blank Tank from a thrifted 50c tee!

Look in the local op shops/thrift stores for good quality items, check the brand label and care label for fabric content. You can find absolute bargains this way. For example, I purchased a 100% linen shirt in a size XL. That linen would have been costly to buy new, but I got it for 50c! It became some run around shorts for my son.

Just think how much fabric is in a woman's maxi skirt? Or a large pair of men's pants? More than enough for my two boys, and more than enough for most small projects.

As you are cutting up your bargain, don't forget to pick out zippers! Save yourself $2. Also, collect buttons! They can be an expensive part of a project. If you are browsing a second hand store, and you see an item with fabulous buttons for a couple of dollars, grab it! There is every chance that in Spotlight, similar buttons would be more than $1 each. 

Buy some older patterns for $1. With a bit of Google research you can modify any pattern to make it look more modern.

Also, warn your family members not to donate clothing without letting you pick through first! Try and adjust your eye to just see the fabric and not the shape or style, with a bit of creativity you can make something fabulous.

While you're in a thrifty mood, why not check your own wardrobe for things you don't fit in anymore or you never wear, and turn them into something your kids will love. Hmm and that handbag that's due to go in the trash? Well pick out the magnetic clasps and zip before you throw it away. You never know when you might need these things and I'm sure you could dream something up as you are doing it.

I want to add that your sewing machine budget, is a whole different matter. It is an investment. You want room to grow.  If you use good quality thread and regularly maintain your machine, it is a tool that can last for a long time.

When I think about a sewing budget, I also think about how I sew the item. What am I sewing to equal? Target? Myer? A boutique store?

Things such as fit, technique and seam finishes add value to your product.

Clean slate shorts, upcycled from thrifted pants

First of all, taking the  time to make design changes to make sure the pattern fits first. This automatically puts you above Kmart/Target because their clothes are designed to fit a wide range of bodies, not YOUR body or your child's body.

Then, what techniques do you employ? Do you try new things, or avoid the zipper or buttonhole you have always dreaded  in favour of something easier. Trust me the time you take to perfect technique really adds value to what you are making.

What seam finishes do you use?  Overlocking looks much more professional than pinked seams. But a French Seam can look better than overlocking.


The reason I think about these things is because they cost nothing, they just cost time. So, maybe you splurged a little and bought a fabric for more than say $20 p/m. Are you going to sew roughly so that your garment looks unprofessional? Or take the time to do things right? If you do things right, then your garment will save you money even though you did spend big on your fabric choice.

Example: Woman's Dress - Unlined

Material 3metres x $20 = $60
Matching Thread               $4
Buttons /Zip                       $5
Pattern                              $10

Investment = approximately $80

You didn't test fit, so it looks a bit funny in areas, maybe you sewed the zipper in a rush and it doesn't look quite right.  You can get a nice dress around the $60 - 80 mark at a big chain store, meaning you didn't save any money, really, you should have just bought one.

Now imagine the dress you sewed fits like a glove, seam finishes look clean and professional - that dress would cost $100 at the very least. So score, you saved $20. :) (If not more!)

Sketchbook shirt

Example:

I have sewed a few shirts for my sons. We attend regular Christian meetings and they need a few more styles. If I want a nice one from a suit shop, they start at minimum $40, which is too much for me. And to buy them anywhere else they are not made to be worn tucked in or sometimes not made to be worn with a tie. So if I get a pattern, lengthen and make fit adjustments, omit any details such as pockets, to make it look like a proper men's shirt. Then I am equalling the $40 shirt, therefore saving me money.

GUEST POST: Getting Started with Container Gardening

Container gardening is a great way for many to get started with gardening. You can start a container garden whether you have a big yard or no yard at all. You can start a container garden on your porch or patio. You can even start one in your living room.

Container gardens also offer convenience. You can control the quality of the soil entirely, so you don't have to spend a lot of time and effort trying to improve the soil in your yard if it is poor. Weeds are also not a problem in container gardens, requiring less maintenance than a traditional garden.

If you are considering trying a container garden, here's what you need to know about how to get started:

Choose What to Grow

You can grow pretty much any crop in your container garden. The key is to be sure that you have a container that can accommodate the full reach of the roots. Therefore, you need to determine what crops you would like to grow and study their root needs before deciding which ones will be best for the container garden you would like to have.

Large crops like watermelon may be prohibitive since you may not want to get a container that is big enough to hold the patch or you might not be able to afford it. Crops like corn or tomatoes may require multiple containers to accommodate the full amount you would like to grow.

Get the Right Containers

In most instances, any container that is big enough to hold the plant's roots and that has some drainage will be fine to use. You can use old tupperware, empty paint buckets, kiddie pools, or even old tires. However, some containers can make maintenance more challenging. For example, metal and ceramic containers can heat up and dry out your plants more quickly. Clay pots can soak up water and dry out plants, as well. Typically, plastic containers are the easiest to maintain.

Place Plants in the Right Location

Whether your plants are in a container or in the ground, they need to get the right amount of sunlight. The great thing about a container garden is that it can be moved to wherever you need it based on the seasons of the year and the sunlight patterns. However, it is worth taking the time to research how much sun each of your plants will need and to plan out the best place in your house or in your yard to get that much sun.

Plant in the Right Soil

Here's where you may need to do a bit of research. Each plant may require different growing conditions and soil. You may not be able to simply dig up some soil from your yard and plant your seeds. Soil has to be properly nourished and have the right balance of nutrients in order for your plants to grow and thrive. You can check in with your local cooperative extension office for testing or guidance if you want to use your own soil.

You can also start with potted soil that you buy from a local nursery or home improvement store. You can add compost or fertilizer, as well as plant food. Again, talk to an extension agent for guidance or do some of your own research at the library or online.

Give the Right Amount of Water

Most container gardens will only need to be watered once a day, but if you live in an especially hot climate, you may need to water twice a day. However, you must be careful not to overwater or you may drown your plants. The key is to keep your soil moist but not wet.

Container gardening is a great way to get started with gardening, and it makes growing your own produce easier if you don't have much experience or if you don't have much space to grow a garden. These tips can get you started so that you can have lots of fresh fruits and veggies or beautiful flowers for your enjoyment.

Do you have a container garden? Share your tips for success in the comments!

Kay Winders is presently the resident writer for badcreditloans.org, where she researches the best way for people to pay off their debts without damaging their credit. In her spare time, she enjoys freelance writing, the beach and gardening.

GUEST POST: Weet-bix Snack Balls

Today, we have Sabrina from Milk Me with one of her many mouth-watering and healthy recipes here. I have to mention that she has been such a pleasure to work with. Now, I am leaving you with her entry. If you too try her recipe, please feel free to share your variation and pictures on Milk Me's blog, facebook page, here on the comments section or on my facebook page. 

***

Hi! I’m Sabrina. I’m a mum, a wife and the business owner of Milk Me.  When I’m not working on Milk Me, I’m usually hanging out with my kids and hubby, picking up after them,  cooking for them, picking up more of their mess.... well you get the gist of it.... ;-)

If you want to read more about milk me read here http://milkmeorganic.blogspot.com.au

So when Home Of Home Made Treasures invited me to do a guest blog I jumped at the opportunity to share my home made healthy treats.  I LOVE food but unfortunately after 2 kids, “Calories” and I just don’t get along so well anymore.  We use to be good friends (days when a late night KFC pitstop was a normal end to a Saturday night) but now all it seems Calorie wants to do is leave traces of fat on my hips.  So to curb this issue I have with that nasty thing called “Calories” I create sugar free, guilt free healthy treats for my family and I.

This is a recipe I made up all because my son never wanted to finish up the crumbly bits at the end of the Weet-Bix cereal box.   And the results......... a Winner Healthy Treat!  Here’s the recipe if you want to try it.  Look... it’s no Chocolate truffle but it’s also not laden with any unwanted unhealthy calories

Weet-bix snack balls

Ingredients: 

1 cup of crumbled Weet-bix

1/4 cup dates (chopped finely)

1/4 cup almonds (chopped finely)

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/4 cup shredded coconut (to roll the balls)

1 tbsp honey or agave syrup

2-3 tbsp water

Method:

Mix all ingredients well.

 Roll into balls (wet hands make it easier to roll the balls) and roll in coconut.....

(hint: add more water if the balls are too dry. Alternative to dates put sultanas instead)

It’s never lasted more than 1 day in my household

If you want to see more sugar free healthy recipes visit me on www.facebook.com/milkmeorganic.

For details on Milk Me Organic products visit www.milkme.com.au