Memories of Logos Hope Part 1

Logos Hope was an experience I will remember. It's the closest I've come to being on a cruise. We slept on board the ship for 6 nights total - both weekends. The first weekend we actually sailed with them as they moved from one port to the next.

Here's the view outside the cabin window that first Saturday morning as the ship changed ports:

Here we are outside on deck 8 where our cabin was located, looking as the ship sailed:

The boys and I:

The whole family:

My hair blowing in the wind. LOL!

Approaching the next port:

Port orientation 745am Saturday morning.  Hubby's sister in front. I am behind her.

Other members of the OM Committee coming on board for the Official Opening Ceremony:

More pictures coming soon.

Related posts

• Logos Hope Memories Part 2
• Logos Hope Memories Part 3
• Logos Hope Memories Part 4

Ease Your Headaches & 24 Plus Health Benefits of Cherries

Cherries!  Yummy cherries!!!

Hubby got to cleaning the cherry tree next door.  After snipping and snipping and snipping the dead branches off, he was blessed with an awesome harvest.  He shared with the family downstairs and the rest are in my freezer.

Did you know that cherries are good for reducing headaches?  I don't normally get headaches but it's good to know these things so that I can help others reduce their chemical intake.  Cherries also helps prevent hair loss and dental problems and so much more.  No wonder it's been labeled a 'super food'.  Below is a massive list of 24 plus benefits of cherries followed by the vitamins, minerals and nutrients found in the mighty cherry.

Health Benefits of Acerola Cherries

1. Immune enhancing
2. Helps the growth and repair of tissue,
3. Aids in the production of anti-stress hormones
4. Important role in the human metabolism
5. Protects against the harmful effects of pollution
6. Helps to prevent cancer
7. Helps to protect against infection
8. Increases the absorption of iron
9. May reduce cholesterol levels
10. Helps high blood pressure
11. Helps to prevent arthrosclerosis.
12. Essential to aid collagen formation
13. Protects against blood clotting and bruising
14. Promotes the healing of wounds and burns
15. Elevates the mood
16. Regulates heart function
17. Strengthen the liver
18. Improve the skin
19. Prevents abnormal growth
20. Fights cellular aging
21. Helps with dysentery
22. Helps with diarrhea
23. Improves vision
24. Reduces the risk of cataracts and other eye problems
25. Protects newborns against developement of mental retardation and debilitating diseases
26. Low in calories and therefore good for the weight conscious
27. Prevents skin discoloration and wrinkles
28. Reduces blood sugar levels

Those 27 plus what I mentioned before makes cherries an overall power packed food.  Makes you want to eat nothing else.  But of course we strive for balance in everything that's why the good Lord placed all the other foods on earth for us to enjoy.

Vitamin & Minerals in Acerola Cherries

The amounts below are for 1 cup.

Key: Vitamin/Mineral - Quantity - %RDA

Vitamin A - 752IU - 15%
Vitamin C - 1644mg - 2740%
Thiamin - 0.0mg - 1%
Riboflavin - 0.1mg - 3%
Niacin - 0.4mg - 2%
Vitamin B - 60.0mg - 0%
Folate - 13.7mcg - 3%
Pantothenic Acid - 0.3mg - 3%
Calcium - 11.8mg - 1%
Iron - 0.2mg - 1%
Magnesium - 17.6mg - 4%
Phosphorus - 10.8mg - 1%
Potassium - 143mg - 4%
Sodium - 6.9mg - 0%
Zinc - 0.1mg - 1%
Copper - 0.1mg - 4%
Selenium - 0.6mcg - 1%

Look out for some amazing raw cherry recipes on Thursday God willing.
healthmad.com, antioxidant-fruits.com, associatedcontent.com, regenerativenutrition.com, nutritiondata.com




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Raw Food & Other Recipes using Plantains

Some time ago I shared this recipe for Seasoned Plantain Raw Food Snack. Here is another recipe I've done recently:

Plantain & Cucumber Salad

4 very ripe plantains

1 large cucumber(or 2 small ones)

1 clove garlic(grated finely)

1 tbsp coconut oil/olive oil

Sea salt

Method

Peel ripe plantains and slice thinly.  Cut off ends of cucumber and slice thinly as well.  Add garlic, sea salt and oil of your choice.  Toss together.  Enjoy!

I also found some recipes online for you.  Ifoodtv.com has quite a bit of plantain recipes.  The first page has a lot of fried recipes but if you scroll through the pages you will find more recipes that are not like plantains in milk and baked plantains. The How To Make Cuban Lasagna recipe looked interesting because I've never heard of lasagna using plantains.  

This video shows how to make a vegan Ripe Plantain Casserole. Great Latin music to cook along with. Enjoy!

Here is a raw plantain recipe called Plantain Date Cream.  It's like ice cream according to the site.  I am definitely going to try that one.  I was not able to find many raw plantain recipes.  I guess that just means I have to develop my own repertoire.  :)

Do you have any raw plantain recipes to share?  Please do so in the comments or email me.  Thanks in advance.

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Treating Wrinkles With Plantains & Other Health Benefits

Plantains are in abundance here.  It is cultivated year round.  This means that in our home we eat raw ripe plantains just about daily unless we have none.  Plantains are similar to banana with the exception that when cooked they remain firm whereas ripe bananas are mushy when cooked.  Plantains can be eaten green as a starchy food or ripe.  As I continue to explore raw foods I found that ripe plantains are delicious when eaten raw.  I asked around and found that many of the islanders expecially those in the country areas have been eating them raw.  Talk about another lightbulb moment.  In fact I've even included them in my Insanely Simple Salads Ebook with more recipes to come in the future.

As regular readers of my blog know, I love finding out what nutrients are in the foods we consume and what their health benefits are.  I was stunned to find out that one can treat wrinkles with a paste made using plantains.  I don't have any wrinkles to try it out on but that was an interesting find.  Click on the link in the list of benefits below to get the recipe and be sure to come back and share if it works.  As a matter of fact you can click any of the links to get more information or recipes dealing with that particular thing.  God's natural foods are so potent!  Alleluia!!!  So without any further ado here are my findings on the health benefits of plantains:

• Plantains boosts kidney health, sexual functions in men
• Plantains are excellent at promoting digestion.
• Plantains will help your body retain more calcium, phosphorous and nitrogen … which will help rejuvenate your healthy tissues.
• The sugar in plantains can easily be metabolized and digested by your body.
• Plantain skin can aid in healing warts, poison ivy and bruises
• Plantains contain high levels of vitamin A, potassium, calcium, iron and fiber.
• Plantains will do wonders at keeping you regular and will relieve you from constipation.
• Plantains are low in sodium.
• Plantains can help alleviate skin allergies
• Plantains don’t contain ANY cholesterol!
• Plantains (and yellow bananas) are an essential food for anyone suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) because they contain natural mood enhancers … so eat more plantains during winter months when the daylight is shorter and shorter.
• Plantains can be used to treat wrinkles

Vitamins

Vitamin A - 1818 I.U.
Vitamin C - 21.8 mg
Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol) - 0.3 mg
Vitamin K - 1.4 mcg
Niacin - 1.5 mg
Vitamin B6 - 0.5 mg
Folate - 52.0 mcg
Pantothenic Acid - 0.5 mg
Choline - 25.4 mg

Minerals

Calcium - 4.0 mg
Iron - 1.2 mg
Magnesium - 64.0 mg
Phosphorus - 56.0 mg
Potassium - 930 mg
Zinc - 0.3 mg
Copper - 0.1 mg
Selenium - 2.8 mcg

Amazing isn't it?  Please do share any other uses you've found for plantains.  I would love to know.  Look out tomorrow God willing for raw and other plantain recipes.

mybeautymatch.com, lifestyle.iloveindia.com, ehow.com, trendyafrica.com


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My Light Bulb Moment with Chinese Cabbage(Bok Choy)

Many months ago I went to the market to purchase some cabbage. At that time it was a scarce vegetable and so the prices were too high for my budget. One of the vendors introduced me to Chinese Cabbage and gave me hints on preparing it.

Then just recently we received a gift of Chinese cabbage from our new church. As usual I like to research the benefits of whatever the Lord blesses us with. I firmly believe that He gives us all we need when we need it. And of course when I find out I like to share. So here goes. But before I share I want to tell you about a light bulb moment I had about this Chinese cabbage.

After preparing the cabbage I wondered to myself if the Chinese cabbage that we received and the bok choy I had heard about and read about on the internet were related. I had never seen a picture of the bok choy before so it couldn't click before. I did a search for bok choy and lo and behold the picture that wikipedia had was the very same Chinese cabbage I had in my kitchen. I was like Wow! The very same thing. So I've been eating bok choy without knowing it. That was my light bulb moment.  Don't laugh - it felt good making that discovery. :)

Nutrition & Health Benefits Of Eating Bok Choy(Chinese Cabbage)

* Contains excellent amounts of beta-carotene which aids the body to reduce risk of certain cancers and cataracts.
* It is a rich source of vitamin D. Vitamin D helps the body to absorb calcium and phosphorus with the indirect result being that it helps in building stronger teeth and bones.
* It contains little fat, little carbs and is low in calories which makes it great for those seeking to lose weight or maintain a low carb, low fat or low calorie diet.
* The potassium in bok choy helps the body in its various functions, like regulating heart function, maintaining blood pressure and maintaining electrolyte balance.
* Rich in vitamin C, a natural antioxidant that saves the body from free radicals and removes toxic substances from the body as well.
* The great amounts of calcium resident in bok choy aids in building stronger and healthy bones and teeth.
* It is rich in vitamin A which is essential for maintaining healthy teeth, mucous membranes, skeletal and soft tissues, and skin.
* Bok choy also contains vitamin K which helps the body to coagulate the blood, maintain body density and make the absorption of calcium easier.

Minerals & Vitamins in Chinese Cabbage(Bok Choy)

Potassium - 631 mg
Phosphorus - 49 mg
Magnesium - 19 mg
Calcium - 158 mg
Iron - 1.77 mg
Zinc - 0.29 mg
Copper - 0.032 mg
Manganese - 0.245 mg
Selenium - 0.7 mcg
Sodium - 58 mg
Also contains small amounts of other minerals.


Vitamin C - 44.2 mg
Niacin - 0.728 mg
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - 0.054 mg
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - 0.107 mg
Pantothenic Acid - 0.134 mg
Vitamin B6 - 0.282 mg
Folate - 70 mcg
Vitamin A - 7223 IU
Vitamin E - 0.15 mg
Vitamin K - 57.8 mcg
Contains some other vitamins in small amounts.

I am continually amazed at the wonders of God's natural foods. Tomorrow God willing, I will share a couple of ways I used the chinese cabbage and recipes I've found.

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healthalternatives2000.com,lifestyle.iloveindia.com

Welcoming Logos Hope With A Bang!!!

The Logos Hope is here in Dominica. What is the Logos Hope? Well I'm glad you asked? (smile) The Logos Hope is a brand new ship in the fleet that Operation Mobilization uses to spread the gospel and sell books around the world. It is an exciting time right now for us Dominicans. We've been waiting for the ship to come for a number of years.

The ship sailed in on Tuesday afternoon about 3pm. For those of you who are my facebook friends you may have seen my status reflecting the grand time we had welcoming them. The children blew whistles, we shouted, waved balloons, waved flags, jumped, yelled, waved hands, played music and welcomed them on loud speakers. We all wore the colors of the flag, or national costume or something reflecting Dominica. Wanna see some pictures to at least feel like you were there? Here you go:

Can you see the small shadow on the horizon?  That's the ship coming in.

Our boys and their 8yr old cousin standing at the shore line looking at the ship sail in.

 

Me waving balloons

Can you see the Dominican flag headtie on my head?  Here is a closer view of it:

My hubby shouting, waving and wearing his flag in his sunglasses. He's so much fun! :)

We had a welcome sign as well.  Behind the welcome sign you will notice some colored sheets in plain green and stripes, stars etc., we painted a great big Dominican flag on poster board,

and then the flip side of the flag had a heart to reflect the Logos Hope vision for this island's visit -
The Heart of God at the Heart of the Nation. 

Hope you enjoyed being part of the welcome committee virtually. :)  There are many activities planned by the ship starting tomorrow.  I'll post a copy of the flyer in tomorrow's post, God willing.  If you can be there plan on being there.  If you can't please pray for us and the missionaries on board the ship as they minister in their various ways.

My Menu Plan

On Saturday as I sat to do my menu planning I sent out a plea for help on Facebook.

I got some very helpful responses and links and a request to share. When we have cooked meals I attempt to sneak a little raw in as in the case of this morning's breakfast(I added raisins and shredded coconut) or I make the snacks raw.  With lunch generally half of the plate will have the salad of the day which brings the percent of that meal to about 50% raw.  I am working on increasing our raw intake as I mentioned before to about 75-85%.  Some days have little raw and other days have more raw and others have about 50% raw.  I am not running a race or in a competition so I steadily work on my ultimate goal and don't beat myself up if the raw is little on any given day. 

So without a little further ado here's my menu plan.  I will not be posting the whole plan for the week at once but one day at a time.  Why?  Because it's my blog and I can if I want to. LOL!  The real reason is that I am still working on the later days of the week and also I like spontaneity in the kitchen so the plan might change depending on what food comes into the house that may need to be consumed right away.

Here's today's menu.  I might add pictures if I get the opportunity to take pictures.

Breakfast

Cooked cornmeal porridge with raisins & shredded coconut

Snack

Banana/Walnut/Coconut Mix

Lunch

Leftover yellow rice

Baked potatoes

Baked christophene(recipe courtesy Mary via Facebook)

Lettuce, avocado & bell pepper salad

Lentils

Supper

Whole wheat bread with raw plantain spread

Banana oat smoothie

Not sure if I'll do this every week but enjoy this peek into our eating plan while it lasts. :) 

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Vegetarian Recipe: Carrot Rice

This one is very simple and takes very little preparation time. You know how I like simple.

Carrot Rice

Carrot Rice

2 cups cooked rice

1 cup grated/shredded carrots

2 cloves grated garlic

1/2 onion (grated)

3 tbsp coconut oil/olive oil

Method

Stir in the carrots, garlic and onion.  Add oil of your choice and mix well. Enjoy!

And voila! There you have it - carrot rice.  Very simple. This one can be called a 50% raw dish.  If you increase the amount of carrot it will be even more.

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Papaya Seeds For Healing & Detoxification

In my research on the health benefits of papaya, I found out that the seed were edible. Surprise, surprise. Of course this helped with my desire not to throw anything of value away so I continued the research and found out that the papaya (pawpaw)seeds are antihelmintic which means they are great for expelling worms and they are given with honey. It was said that you have to chew and swallow two teaspoonfuls of seeds after each principal meal (three times a day).

Now in my personal experience and what I've read also, the pawpaw(papaya) seeds are a bit bitter so we just decided to swallow them whole instead as we ate the pawpaw. Then I found out that since it tastes a bit like black pepper it can be blended with other ingredients and used as a dressing on salads. Interesting.

According to wikipedia, papaya seeds could be used as an antibacterial agent for Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, although further research is needed before advocating large-scale therapy.  Wikipedia also stated that papaya seed extract may be nephroprotective (protect the kidneys) in toxicity-induced kidney failure.  Even more interesting.

According to healthdiaries.com here are 4 more health benefits of papaya seeds:

Antibacterial Properties
Research has found that papaya seeds are effective against E. coli, Salmonella, and Staph infections.

Kidney Protection
Research has found that papaya seed extract may protect the kidneys from toxin-induced kidney failure.

Eliminates Intestinal Parasites
There is evidence that papaya seeds eradicate intestinal parasites. In a study done on Nigerian children with intestinal parasites, 76.7% of the children were parasite-free after seven days of treatment with papaya seeds compared to only 16.7% of the children who received a placebo.

Liver Detoxifier
In Chinese medicine, it is believed that a teaspoon of papaya seeds will help detoxify the liver. Papaya seeds are often recommended by natural doctors in the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver.

So please, don't throw away the papaya(pawpaw) seeds next time you eat a papaya.  It is extremely beneficial to the healing of our bodies and prevention of ailments. 

hubspot.com, wikipedia.com, healthdiaries.com

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Raw Food Recipe: Papaya Salad

This dish is a fusion of sweet and savoury that will kick your taste-buds into high gear providing an experience that you will remember.  It can be served as a snack or lunch.

Papaya Salad

1 very ripe papaya

1/2 tbsp coconut oil

1/4 tsp sea salt

2 tbsp parsley

1 clove garlic (finely grated/minced)

1 tbsp grated/minced onion

sweetener(optional)

Method

Peel and cut papaya into cubes. Do not remove seeds(post on benefits of papaya seeds coming tomorrow God willing). Mix in the rest of the ingredients gently so as not to crush the papaya.  Serve at room temperature or chilled. Enjoy!

75% Raw Food Recipe: Rainbow Rice

This recipe is a favorite of our family. As sometimes happens I used what I had in the fridge and came up with this dish.  I love that it is high raw.

Rainbow Rice

2 cups rice cooked

1 cup tomato diced

1 cup carrot grated

1 cup cucumber diced

1 cup pumpkin grated

3 cloves garlic

1/2 cup onion grated

sea salt

Method

Mix all ingredients well. Adjust seasonings to taste. Enjoy!  Very simple, just how I love it.

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