Monday, 26 January 2015

Updated 2016-04-13

This post has been redacted because of personal conviction. I would appreciate if you say a prayer for me. 

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. 
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. 
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, 
O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, 
thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, 
who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. 
Amen.


Saturday, 24 January 2015

Basic Mixed Juice

Basic Mixed Juice:

Nice basic juice can enjoy any time of day, or on any day. 

Ingredients:

3 Carrots
1/2 Cucumber
2 inch piece of Fresh Ginger
1 Bartlett Pear

Directions:
Wash all and juice. This one was good can see using this frequently as a nice light juice.




I will continue to post new recipes from time to time on Saturday as I experiment with Smoothie and Juice recipes. And I collect mine and favourites from around the web you can find them shared here in a OneNote notebook, there are subsections for Juices, Smoothies, Gluten Free Options and Other. 

Tuesday, 20 January 2015

Updated 2016-04-13


This post has been redacted because of personal conviction. I would appreciate if you say a prayer for me. 

Oh, Saint Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires.
Oh, Saint Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most Loving of Fathers.
Oh, Saint Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss his fine head for me and ask him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath.
Saint Joseph, Patron of departed souls – pray for me. 
Amen


Monday, 19 January 2015

The Blood Gospel - James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell - The Order of Sanguines Book 1.0

The Blood Gospel
Sanguines Book 1.0
James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell
William Morrow an imprint of
Harper Collins
ISBN 9780062247872


It has been a long time since a new author or series has seized me as much as these authors and this series. In the matter of a few days while travelling for work I read the prequel, first novel and short story between the first and second novel. These are riving stories that were very hard to put down. Now to be honest they are not the sort of thing I usually read any more. These were the sort of novels I read about 15-20 years ago when Anne Rice was at her peak and I was just a university student looking for distractions from studies. But there is something about the way these stories are written, especially this first novel in the trilogy, The Blood Gospel, which grabbed my attention and would not let it go.

The basic story is that an earth quake centered in Masada, Israel, unleashes a gas that kills hundreds. Sergeant Jordan Stone is there to investigate the compound used and trace it's source and eliminate the threat. Father Rhun Korza is there to run his own investigation. And Dr. Erin Granger is called in as an archeologist against her will, to investigate a tomb found hidden in the mountain. The three are the only survivors of a brutal attack that wipes out Stone's team of highly trained military men. The three flee, and are now on the run chasing clues that should lead them to The Blood Gospel a book supposedly written in Christ's own blood. The three must explore the past in order to try and save the future. But there are many hands at play.

The Order of Sanguines is a secret society within the Catholic church, they are sworn to fight the Strigoi, vampires, but they also have other secrets. The Belial are a group who work with the srigoi.

The three main characters are wonderfully written. You really appreciate the strengths and weaknesses each brings to the team. The story is face paced and high addictive. It is like a cross between Dan Brown and Anne Rice but better than either. It is a great novel and should prove to be an awesome trilogy!

Books by James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell:
The Order of the Sanguines Trilogy

0.5 City of Screams
1.0 The Blood Gospel
1.5 Blood Brothers
2.0 Innocent Blood
3.0 Blood Infernal
...

Tucker Wayne Series with Grant Blackwood:
The Kill Switch
War Hawk
...

Books by James Rollins:
SIGMA Force Series:

1. Sandstorm
2. Map of Bones
3. Black Order
4. The Judas Strain
5. The Last Oracle
6. The Doomsday Key
6.5 The Skeleton Key
7. The Devil Colony
7.5 Tracker
8. Bloodline
9. The Eye of God
10. The Sixth Extinction
11. The Bone Labyrinth
...

Kids & Adult Series
Jake Ransom and the Skull King's Shadow
Jake Ransom and the Howling Sphinx
...

Stand-alone Novels:
Subterranean
Excavation
Deep Fathom
Amazonia
Ice Hunt
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Altar of Eden
...

Written as James Clemens:
The Banned and the Banished Series:

Wit'ch Fire
Wit'ch Storm
Wit'ch War
Wit'ch Gate
Wit'ch Star
...

The Godslayer Series:
Shadowfall
Hinterland

...

Books by Rebecca Cantrell:
The Man in the Attic
A Time of Night and Fog
Cigarette Boy and Other Stories
Caulbearer

Joe Tesla Series:
The World Beneath
The Tesla Legacy
The Chemistry of Death
The Steel Shark

Hannah Vogel Series:
A Trace of Smoke 
A Night of Long Knives 
A Game of Lies 
A City of Broken Glass 
Hannah Vogel Short Stories\Novella’s:
Cigarette Boy

As Bekka Black:
iMonster Series:
iDracula
iFrankenstein

Tucker Wayne Series with Grant Blackwood:
The Kill Switch
War Hawk

Malibu Mystery Series with Sean Black:
"A" is for Actress or "A" is for Asshat 
"B" is for Bad Girls 
"C" is for Coochy Coo 
"D" is for Drunk 
"E" is for Exposed 
"F" is for Fred 
"G" is for Groovy 

Saturday, 17 January 2015

Double Beet Juice


Double Beet Juice:

Nice flavor but could use some tweaking, maybe more ginger or apple. 

Ingredients:

2 Large Collard Green Leafs Stem and All
2 Carrots
2 Small Red Beets
1 Medium Golden Beet
2 Limes rind and all
1 Lemon with rind
1/2 cucumber
1/2 Red Apple
4 Stalks Celery
3 inch piece of Fresh Ginger
1 Finger length piece of Turmeric

Directions:
Wash all and juice. This one was pretty good, could be better will update if I get it better.






I will continue to post new recipes from time to time on Saturday as I experiment with Smoothie and Juice recipes. And I collect mine and favourites from around the web you can find them shared here in a OneNote notebook, there are subsections for Juices, Smoothies, Gluten Free Options and Other. 

Thursday, 15 January 2015

Product Review - Norwex Crystal Deodorant

Crystal Deodorant
Norwex


I know reviewing personal care products is a new for me. But when you encounter an amazing product you just want to share the word. The Product description is as follows:

"The Norwex Deodorant Stone is made from crystallized natural mineral salts which kill odour causing bacteria. It contains no harmful chemicals, oils, perfumes or emulsifiers.

The ammonium alum in this product cannot penetrate the skin, and therefore, does not enter the body or clog the pores. Your body is allowed to perspire naturally, yet the salt inhibits the growth of bacteria, therefore preventing body odour."

I gave it a try in part because I am trying to move to more natural products, eating healthier, and making lifestyle changes. I had heard about some of the benefits of crystal deodorants. And in part I was tired of build-up on t-shirts and dress shirts no matter what products I tried, gels, roll-ons, Axe … And finally my dad had switched and was using this product now also.

This product has completely surpassed all expectations. When I first got it my wife said if I started smelling the experiment would be over. It has now been more than a year and there have been no issues. I feel cleaner, I smell fresher, it lasts all day, sometimes even ½ hour lunch time workouts. But best of all no build up or other effect on clothing.

I have been using mine for more than a year. So price wise it has been great. I was given a tip to store it upside down so that it lasts longer. If you store it with the crystal down the water will erode it quicker. Upside down and the excess moisture runs off the crystal. One of the best health care products I have ever used and as stated amazing value!




Note: I have no affiliation with Norwex nor does any immediate family member. This is just an endorsement of a great product!

Wednesday, 14 January 2015

Product Review - Usana Sense - Natural Whitening Toothpaste

Natural Whitening Toothpaste
Usana


Over the last few years I have been trying to make some lifestyle changes; eating healthier, exercising more consistently; teaching fitness classes; choosing better products for personal grooming and care. Now I am not a tree hugger by any stretch of the imagination but I am slowly making changes. And I have a friend who writes really long Facebook posts praising great services or products and berating the opposite. So I decided to write some posts reviewing what I think are great products. This tooth paste is one of them.

I have read a fair bit about the controversy around fluoride, especially the type typically used in dental products. And reading a number of primal and paleo blogs, have read about making your own toothpaste with ingredients like coconut oil, baking soda, turmeric and more. But my mother in law sells Usana and she uses this tooth paste so I asked her if she could get me one to try.

I must be honest I loved it from the get go. It did take a bit of time to get conferrable with the concrete like appearance, but then it was not neon red, green or blue from artificial dyes and colors. The taste is light and mild. It is very effective and really is more whitening than either Crest or Colgate products I have used in the past. I love this toothpaste and the few times I ran out and was not restocked, with regret with each use returned to typical commercial products. The first time I had to use one I could not believe how unpleasant it was. This is a great product and believe it will be a benefit if you give it a try.

The description of the product on its website is:
"You deserve a healthier choice. That's why USANA's Natural Whitening Toothpaste is unique for what is doesn't have:
No artificial colors
No artificial sweeteners
No artificial flavors
No fluoride

Health Basics

Gentle, fluoride-free formula with natural ingredients
Removes plaque to clean teeth
Fights bacteria to control bad breath
Antioxidants and vitamins strengthen teeth and gums
Silica lifts stains without bleach or harsh abrasives
Vitamin E moisturizes and soothes irritated gums
Poly-C helps promote optimum oral health

Discover the natural way to a beautiful smile!"

And it lives up to that!