To begin, let's break down what calcium is and why your body needs it. Calcium is a chemical element with the symbol Ca. It is the most plentiful metal and the fifth-most abundant element in the human body. As electrolytes, calcium ions play a vital role in organisms' and cells' physiological and biochemical processes. In short, calcium is good for your cells and bones and is crucial in maintaining the immune system. Calcium also makes up teeth and bones. Calcium...

Before we begin, may I just say these are DELICIOUS!!!! I love the cherry season and all of the fresh recipes I get to create and try when it arrives. If you don't have cherry trees, no problem, find out someone who does or buy them fresh from your local farmers market or store. Everything you bake and or make like these cream cheese cherry scones ALWAYS taste better when you have fresh ingredients—your egg, cream, and, of course, your cherries. What if I can't...

In this article we are going to talk about Mirror Neurons, what they are and how they work. Wikipedia describes Mirror Neurons as this: A mirror neuron is a neuron that fires both when an animal acts and when the animal observes the same action performed by another.  Thus, the neuron "mirrors" the behavior of the other, as though the observer were itself acting. Such neurons have been directly observed in primate species.  Birds have been shown to have imitative resonance...

Hey Everyone! Well, it has been an up and down week between weather, getting the garden cleaned out, and driving kids to practice/work. But finally, today I got to stay home ALL day, and it was fantastic. Running around is more unusual for me as the farm needs attention, but sometimes life throws you curve balls that you have to roll with. That being said, when you get out of a routine, you also appreciate the little things more, like waking up to a rooster...

Dancing to me is such a part of everything I think about, do and who I am.  I dance in the kitchen, at home with the kids, the car, airport, and even while I write my manuscripts;  which character will end up on the dance floor, moving to the music?:) Dancing brings out emotions that could never be expressed or explained with words.  You feel, therefore you dance.  To me it's that simple. I can escape in a Bourrée or pretend I'm on top of a mountain in a field of flowers,...

The windows are open, and a cool fall breeze is blowing the curtains back and forth. The chickens are clucking, and the cow is starting to bellar as it is close to milking time. On our farm we have several fruit trees, apples being one of them. It's kind of funny because every time I mow with my daughter she points to the trees and depending on the season we eat cherries, crandall currents, apricots, plums, or apples. What a treat and blessing it is to pick fresh fruit...

Top of the morning to you! Well, it has been about three weeks since we’ve pulled the onions from the garden and laid them on our wagon to dry. Now comes the fun part. However, dehydrating onions is not a job for the weak. Even after I give you a few tips to reduce the smell, in the end, it still stinks. Some batches are better than others but if you make it out without crying, you are a stronger person than me. With that being said, if you have your tissue box, we are...

The weather has been so incredible lately. It’s still warm but with a little breeze. I checked the garden yesterday, and the little sugar pumpkins are a beautiful orange, so I picked one. Since I had my little daughter with me, we also picked some large zucchini and fed them to the milk cows, calves, and our little pony, Sylvia. It was just like a sweet story playing out. After a while, however, the sun was going down, which meant it was getting chilly, and Chai was on my mind....

Hey book lovers, I’m back again. You’ve made it through the first round and to give you a little refresher, this is what we discussed in Part 1 of how to Prepare your Book/Files/Manuscript: Traditional publishingSelf-PublishingIndie PublishingAnd a mixture of Indie and Self-Publishing We also went through how to: Prepare your book/files/manuscriptWhat to do after you've finished your manuscript like,Making a checklist,Writing a query letter,Researching, companies and...

Hello, gardeners, and Herb 'N Wisdom™fans. Well, it's another gorgeous day on the farm. It's also that time of the year where the garden is producing all kinds of golden delicious splendor. Speaking of golden, today we are learning how to make and freeze sweet corn. As with canning and freezing most produce, it's not difficult it just takes a little time. Although freezing sweet corn goes pretty quickly the batch size will determine how long it takes. Here is a list of...

Hello Book Lovers, Authors, dreamers, and those of you interested in taking the next step to learn about getting a book published. I live on a sustainable farm with my husband and four children for those of you who don't know me. I'm an established author of inspiration, fiction, children's books, a journalist, a stay-at-home mother, and an advocate for healthy living. I publish a weekly blog and podcast (Herb' N Wisdom™) and am a Print Specialist for Pufferprint.  If you're...

By Rachel Castro Delicious and bursting with flavor, Asian lettuce wraps are a great idea for entertaining or a family-style meal. Each person can build their own fresh, delicious wrap. Just be sure to have plates or napkins available since the mixture can sometimes drip a little. To serve the Asian Lettuce Wrap, allow each person to spoon a portion of the meat into a lettuce leaf. Wrap the lettuce around the meat like a burrito and enjoy! This recipe...

One of the favorite things for my family this time of year, is when our baby chicks arrive in the mail. It's like Easter and Christmas, all tied into one. Previously we spent time picking out different breeds to add color and class to our coop, and now they are here. This year we have beautiful reds, speckled, and black chicks. And, of course, they were all given names. As with each year, we choose themes for our animals that are born. This year the theme is rock bands....

You can't always get what you want, but you don't have to accept defeat. Whether the store doesn’t carry it, they’re out, or you are in a time crunch and need a particular item, there are ways to substitute. Here are some cleaning hacks and tips to keep things moving along. Get Rid Of Soap Scrum Spritz that gunk with cooking spray and let it sit for a couple of minutes. The scum will come off with just a swipe of a towel. Then wash the surface with soap and...

Have you ever run out of something or thrown away a food item because it didn't get used? Well, hopefully, with these food and cooking tips, you can save a little time and money by substituting or preserving.  Ready to start? Me too! Here we go... Substitute For Yeast:  Are you looking to make a loaf of bread? Mix one teaspoon each of powdered vitamin C (or citric acid) and baking soda. What's more, the dough you add it to won't have to rise before...

I love when something makes my life easier or more efficient. With these life hacks, I can do just that even if I don't have what I would call the right product for the job. Substituting isn't a bad thing as long as the job gets done in the proper way. So read on for these simple health and beauty hacks. Disinfect A Cut No rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide? An alcohol-based mouthwash can clean a shallow cut and disinfect your skin. Alternatively, you can dab a few...

Taking time to enjoy the things around you is good for the soul. Everyone has work to do and only so much time to do it, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take time to enjoy those around us or events that are happening in our hometowns. A community takes people coming together. Local business owners need support from their patrons to keep their doors open. This allows everyone to enjoy their services, including visitors. Whether you’re single or have a family...

As I was looking for something to add a little oomph to my skin, I ran across this recipe by Kendle Moon of Mountain Rose Herbs that I think you will enjoy. Green-tea skin-care formulations can offer gentle yet stimulating hydration support for skin that requires a little extra nourishment and moisture.  This hydrating green tea face/skin-serum recipe infuses the benefits of green tea leaves into organic olive oil and brings in the goodness of select essential oils for a...

picture from mitzyathome.com I am a true believer that homemade gifts are the best kind. I also believe that gifts for self are a must. Everyone needs spoiled, even if it's in the smallest of ways. Just imagine closing your eyes and rubbing on this aromatic cinnamon and orange body scrub. The coconut oil moisturizes, creating a spa-type experience. The ingredients are few, but the feeling is powerful. Cinnamon and Orange Body Scrub by Alice...

photos by: Kim Henry -Eric Pare  "Be proactive. Take a stand. Be a light. And in everything you do, spread Hope!" -Christopher Gambino. Why are we here? Are we here to fulfill the desires of the body? To look beautiful or handsome? Are we here to have the highest number of followers on social media? There is a common theme with the list above. All of them relate to the smallness of oneself, and therefore none of them are the valid reason. To give light is to be a light or...

The birds are singing, the ground is thawed, which means it's time to prepare your soil for planting. In different areas of the country, you can start preparing your soil earlier. For instance, down south, the weather becomes warmer earlier, but up here in the north, a person needs to wait a while longer as our weather is bipolar at times (especially this year). Nevertheless, when the ground is thawed and the freezing temperature is behind you, it's time to prepare the soil for...

A hot topic of conversation at the school board meeting this last week was the rise in popularity of Juul smoking cartridges.  Juul smoking is a growing problem among young people nationwide to include the small schools and communities such as Wishek and Ashley. Juul smoking is when a cartridge (or pod) is filled with liquid. “The liquid typically contains nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. When you puff on the mouthpiece of the device, it activates a heating element....

In Butte, Montana, which was once a mining hub, several restaurants boast of their dedication to pasty and pesties on their menus. According to Wikipedia, "a pasty (pass-tee) is a British baked pastry, a traditional variety of which is particularly associated with Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is made by placing an uncooked filling on one half of a flat shortcrust pastry circle, folding the pastry in half to wrap the filling in a semicircle, and crimping the curved edge to form a seal...

There is nothing wrong with light-colored or milky-toned skin. In fact, you are saving your skin and youth when you keep harmful rays and tanning beds away. The sun is not a bad element, as we get natural vitamin D from the sun, but overexposure is. However, people become tempted as a tan is considered beautiful or sexy. Well, what if you could have both worlds; a natural glow using a natural bronzing lotion? This product is for Men, Woman, and is also safe for...