HEALTH - Diabetes Information for the uninformed

In 1993, I caught a rare disease and ended up with a Kidney Transplant by 1996.

Those first few years of acclimating myself to the life of a transplant recipient were a little scary at first, but over time, I learned how to live within the constraints given to me and I was able to do almost anything I wanted.

But, the medications that I had to take so that my body would not reject my new kidney had long term side effects that required me to become even more watchful of my body and my overall health.

In fact one of the things I had to adjust to was the fact that after a few years, actually 9 years for me, you have a high probability of developing Diabetes; and true to form, I am now a Type-II Diabetic.

But, I knew I had to adjust my lifestyle once again, and I have, but the adjustments took me several years as I had to teach myself again just what the most important thing were for me to do with my diet and exercise regimen to live well.

To help others new to being a Type-II Diabetic, I wrote an article of facts about being a Diabetic and  on my HubPages site that has been read by thousands of "newbie" Diabetics.

You can click on the link below to read this article;

Learn how to live well as a Diabetic

OFF GRID - Basic Foraging Tips for the Novice

Wild Blackberries on the bush

Unless you reside in the middle of a large city, you can usually find areas in the nearby countryside where you can forage for certain foods and herbs.

By foraging, you get the advantage of having natural grown foods, without any added chemicals, that are free for you to collect and use at home.

Click on the link below to read a very good article by Beth Eaglescliffe a fellow HubPages writer. You will find a wealth of excellent information to help you get started in foraging.

Forage for wild plants and herbs.

OFF GRID - How to safely use water from wild sources like streams and rivers

As the concerned survivalist moves their lifestyle further and further away from "civilization" they will eventually get to the point where they must consider using nature's wild water sources.

But, the first thing you need to realize is that the typical stream, river, or pond will often contain contaminants that must be filtered and removed before the water is safe.

OFF GRID - Food Preservation facts for the beginner Survivalist

Regardless of whether you are a hard core Survivalist, or just want to change your lifestyle to where you are more in charge of such things as your food supply; we all need to be knowledgeable of just how long some of your foods can be stored and still be useful.

A fellow writer on HubPages, Cynthia Hoover, has written an excellent article, aimed at the beginner survivalist, that explains these basics of food preservation.

Health Benefits of Green Tea

Green Tea

I switched over to drinking Green Tea instead of Sodas several years ago.

When I am out and about, and I can't get Green Tea, I can usually find your standard American blends offered, and I just order what they have for my beverage.

I'm not sure if any miracles have happened with my health but at least I took the step of no longer drinking sodas.

HEALTH TIP - Ingrown Toenails, Natural Treatments

Essential Oils have many medicinal uses
that can take care of common problems
and save you money.

Ingrown Toenails can be very painful and the condition is more common than you might think.

It even has a fancy name, onychocryptosis.

Here are some good natural treatments to try yourself.

• Soak your feet to make the nail itself and the skin around it softer and thus easier to manipulate and treat. 
• After a good soaking, place a small rolled up piece of a cotton ball between the nail and the skin in an effort to fore the nail to grow in a different direction. 
• Use an anti fungal oil such as Lavender or Eucalyptus by placing a drop or two onto the irritated area several times a day. 
• Mix and use a healing compound made of; Olive Oil, Lavender Oil, Tea Tree Oil, and Thyme Oil. Place on the infected area daily. 
• Place a slice of Lemon on the toenail and hold in place with a piece of tape overnight. 
• Rub Vicks Vapor Rub onto the toenail for its antibacterial and antiseptic ingredients. 

OFF GRID - How to Build a Solar Food Dryer, what a good food dehydrator must be.

The biggest problem with growing your own foods tends to be the amount of excess food you end up with when your crops start coming in.

Of course you will CAN as much of your excess foods as you are able to, but one other option that should be considered, is building and using your own solar dehydrator.

A Solar Dryer is a simple device actually that exists for one purpose, to use the heat of the sun to dry your foods for use in the off-season periods of the year.

Comparison of replacing your Roof, info from Mother Earth News

I have followed and I often read the Mother Earth News.

The magazine, their books, and their web site are all fantastic sources of solid information that I believe everyone should follow or at lest keep up with.

Because I live in Florida, a roof doesn't have nearly as long a lifespan as it might in less harsh climates, so even though my roof is only ten years old, I am watching and waiting for that day to come when I need to replace the roof on my house.

Food Additives that can Kill you.

Regardless of where we go, we eventually hear someone talking about the additives in the foods we eat.

I know, because I am often one of those people.
My wife and I try very hard to minimize our exposure to foods with unhealthy additives.
But honestly, we still purchase some items with additives that we know are at least questionable, if not known to be bad for our health.

How to build your own ADOBE OVEN in your Backyard baking great Breads

Pic by Phyllis Doyle Burns

The Adobe Oven is a very simple thing that anyone can build and use.

Typically, once you have one of these ovens, you can bake some very good breads and cakes just like the Adobe Indians did hundreds of years ago.

The link below is to a great article written by a fellow Hub writer, Phyllis Doyle Burns.

It details her families process for building their own Adobe Oven, as well as including some good information on using one properly.

It also includes some good baking tips for the user.

FOOD SAVINGS TIP - Lemons - Save Your Lemons by giving them a good Soaking

Lemons soaking in water, Pic by Don Bobbitt

FOOD TIP

This is something we can all do.

I try to use at least one Lemon a day, either in my cooking or just sliced and dropped into my drinking water.

Well, if you haven't noticed our American grown Lemons are costing more than ever.

The main reason is that European and Asian countries, especially in China are buying up our American fresh fruits and vegetables so our supermarket suppliers have to purchase the lower quality replacements to sell to us.

Aromatherapy Essentials for the Novice, Understanding the advantages

Essential Oils, source: Public Domain

Aromatherapy has been used by people for literally thousands of years.

For some people it is a highly effective way to relieve stress and relax yourself.

For others aromatherapy can be used to ease pains.

Click on the link below to read a very good article by fellow Hub writer, Kathleen Odenthal.

Aromatherapy Essentials for the Novice

by Don Bobbitt, 2015

Food Preservation Guide for the Survivalist

Source: Pixabay.com Free domain

One of the basic things a person needs to consider, if they want to set up a Survival plan for themselves and their family, is how will they get and preserve food for their immediate future.

One thing we all need to establish a plan for is so simple, yet so important. If there were some catastrophe strike, where will you get your oh so necessary item, WATER.

Homemade Laundry Detergent, Make your own and save money.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

How to Make a Homemade Laundry Detergent

Laundry detergents an be very expensive when purchased in Supermarkets.

But, for the money-conscious, there are many simple formulas available for use in making very good laundry detergents that you can start using right now.

In reality, if you are a good shopper, you can accumulate the ingredients for a good laundry detergent that will wash up to 100 loads of clothes for less than $2.00.

Raise your Own URBAN PIGS, get cheap Pork with very little work, and right in your backyard.

Pot-Bellied Pig

Many people do not realize that they can raise a pig or two on their property, often even in the city, with very little effort and at a relatively low expense.

Of course, before you get too excited about having your own supply of pork, you need to check the local laws on raising pigs and also make sure you are aware of any restrictions or special requirements.

Once you are satisfied that the legal restrictions are on your side you can then get into the process of preparation for raising your own pigs at home.

Want to Raise your own CHICKENS? Here's what you need to know.

Free Range Chicken

Chickens are a great source of Eggs, of course, but they are also a good source of meat for the family when they eventually stop producing eggs..

Raising your own Chickens, in an urban environment, is actually much simpler than you might think.

But many people balk at actually getting into raising their own Chickens, mostly because they have no idea how to start.

A fellow writer friend of mine on HubPages, Billybuc, has written a wonderful article on what you need to know to start out raising your own Chickens.

Make your own LIP BALM, easy steps for making three great Lip Balms yourself.

Typical Chapped Lips

Lip Balm! At one time or another we will all have cracked lips or even cold sores that are painful and irritating.

Many of us will end up at the local Drug Store or Supermarket and just grab one of the many colored and flavored commercial varieties available. Then we use them and often misplace them within a few days.

Natural Insect Repellants for your Garden - Control Pests without using dangerous chemicals.

Grasshopper, Insect Pest

Probably the most popular insect repellant used today is the one called DEET, for short.
It is a chemical combination that was first used during the Vietnam War as a strong mosquito repellant, for the prevention of malaria in the troops.

Once it is sprayed, it works for up to twelve hours before it breaks down into harmless components. But, this spray is in itself toxic, if not used properly.

For those of us who want to avoid using harsh chemicals, there are other methods used to control certain insects that do not call for using toxic chemicals, more natural ways.

Recommended Crop Foods for your Home Garden, plant the basics for sure-fire success.

Green Peppers

Growing a garden is a personal thing and as such, you need to select crops that suit your personal tastes.

For instance, I mention Beets below. Some people love Beets, even whole nations consume Beets in large quantities.

I, on the other hand, detest beets, regardless of the way you cook or spice them up, and you will not find me planting these in my garden.