**UPDATE #2** My Personal Food Revolution (and Good Chop)

UPDATE #2 I'm just going to let this sit here and amaze everyone...

This is the SOURCE LINK

**UPDATE**

First, I have to say that I am not the only one feeling revolutionary over here! LOL. I just discovered a site called Food Revolution. As it happens, it is not my cup of tea since it seems to be profit-driven. However, it's nice to know there are other Hueys out there...

Not too many days after writing this post the first time, I came across a couple of videos that I want to share. I'd seen one a while back and had forgotten. Both of these videos help strengthen my resolve to eat better.

I can only show trailer cuts for this one. 

You can see more on the YouTube channel here. The full video can be found at conspryre.TV.

Watching that one makes me wonder if I didn't develop my sarcoidosis because of the foods I was eating. I also wonder if changing my diet will help my condition. I am slowly working toward better/cleaner eating habits so I can't wait to see!

This is the one I'd seen a while back. I watch the creators' channel all the time. 

That one also made me mad. The creators have content over at Conspyre also and I saw this video. Had to add to my list of rant-worthy things...

So if I was on a path before - to eat better, even if doing so means eating less because of budget constraints - I am even more determined. I have been feeling too sick, too fat, too unhealthy for too long. As Fannie Lou Hamer put it: I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.

*********

I posted not long ago that "We Need a Food Revolution". The truth is, every man is his own revolutionary. I believe I need to be more careful about what I eat and drink and put on my hair and skin. I believe that my health has been much more impacted by past decisions than I realized. 

Sometimes, when I think about this weird autoimmune disease I struggle with, I wonder if it came from things I was eating and drinking. I wonder if years of eating processed foods and drinking beverages with substitute sugars, artificial flavorings, and food coloring just caught up with me. Maybe. Probably.

I am pretty sure that if my lifelong dietary habits were not the cause of the sarcoidosis, it certainly didn't help. Maybe if I'd had a better diet all along, my body could handle the sarcoidosis better.

At any rate, I decided that it's never too late to start doing better. So I started a few months back. My biggest frustration for me has been researching ingredients. The sarcoidosis stilts my brain power sometimes so researching anything is a huge challenge. 

I started with the most common things I tend to consume: meat, eggs, bread, coffee, and juice.

Meat:

I am almost ready to give up on all meat. Everything has antibiotics, or are GMO, or are... maybe not even meat at all...

I decided to stick mainly with seafood and eggs for protein. That doesn't mean I gave up bacon or pork sausage, but I do limit those things and I do try to be more careful about sourcing. This is why I am so glad that I found Good Chop (which, my health insurance offers a discount for).

Good Chop is where I can get meat and seafood that is safer and healthier. I don't have to worry about the ingredients. This is what I love about the meat and seafood:

• wild-caught or US-farm-raised seafood
• US-born/bred meat
• no additives, hormones, antibiotics
• grass-fed beef
• pork that is "fed a 100% vegetarian diet (aside from milk protein)"
• chicken that is fed a vegetarian diet
• seafood that is "MSC- or ASC-certified"

In other words, this is meat and seafood the way it should be. When you think about the fact that it is a bit more expensive (not really), it's better to think about what healthcare costs. At least, that's my attitude.

Bread, desserts, beverages:

Bread is my lifelong love. When I was younger, I could live on a bag of Wonderbread and peanut butter. That's when I had a working metabolism! In recent years, I started baking my own bread to control the ingredients. That was great until I started having slight issues. Suddenly, I would bloat if I ate more than a slice of bread. I'd bloat and put on 10 pounds (or so it seemed!). So, I was ready to dang near give it up. But then...

... I randomly heard about bread made with French flour. What I heard was that Americans found it to be less problematic for their diet. Apparently, it didn't cause the uncomfortable bloating. Better yet, it didn't cause as much weight gain. WHAT?

Of course, I needed to see if this was true. I scoured the internet for more information. Then I tried to find some of this flour to use in my own baking. At some point, I will do a post about French flour and its use. For now, just know that there is truth (for me) in the rumors about the bloating and weight gain.

(When I do the post about my trial runs baking with French flour, I'll go into more detail. For now, let me just say that I do prefer the taste and texture of the bread I baked using the flour.)

I'm not as big on dessert as I used to be. I do love the occasional Rhodes cinnamon roll (I am learning to make my own version using French flour), and I like some plain vanilla bean ice cream every now and then. Mostly, these days, I stick to Greek yogurt with honey. I can't wait to learn to make the cinnamon rolls though!

When I want ice cream and don't want to drag out the Ninja Creami, I will buy the Premium vanilla ice cream from Aldi. It has really good ingredients, is affordable, and tastes like sweet clouds of joy.

As for beverages, I do like water and sometimes, I jazz it up by drinking a cold Pellegrino water. When I want a soda - which happens about once or twice every couple of months, I will opt for a "Mexican Coke" (made with cane sugar) or one of the other sodas that use cane sugar and not high fructose corn syrup or some other "bad" sweetener. There is a brand I can find at my corner store called Spring Grove. The brand is from Minnesota (don't ya know?) and is pretty tasty. They are not as expensive as some cane sugar sodas. 

The one thing I am still in pursuit of is a coffee creamer that is healthier than the sweet types I love... I will have to keep working on that!

In General:

When I shop now, my goal is to avoid GMOs, antibiotics, lab-grown products, and basically anything unnatural. This is a time when even vegetarians will have to watch where their plant-based foods come from.

When I look at ingredients in consumables, I am really trying to avoid fake sugar, "bad" sugars, colorings, and weird flavorings. 

As for my personal budget, when I looked at what the GoodChop box cost me, I realized that because I only get one every 8 weeks (and can skip when I want or need to), I am not spending any more than I was at the grocery stores. Here's what one order looked like.  

This is under $110 including S&H 
(with the discount)

That box will last me for-ever - or at least almost forever. I do know that I am going to need longer than 8 weeks in between boxes.

At any rate, I know that we can't change everything in life all at once, but we have to start somewhere. If you are interested, I suggest you research ingredients. Also, shop around when you do find products you like. Here are some tips from my personal experience:

• I got my T55 French flour from Amazon but I do plan to visit the supplier's store (they are a state over from me) to buy some in bulk since the flour there is sometimes up to 40% cheaper that way. See if you have a store near you. I have been using the Francine brand. The T45 flour is a bit cheaper (and I can add some wheat gluten to raise the protein levels).  Someone told me that Italian flour is just as good, but I find it costs more than the French brands. BTW, I will explain the different numbers of flour when I do the post on French flour.
• Aldi's Simply Nature brand has non-GMO juice that is 100% juice not from concentrate. Best of all, they were affordable - under $5 for 34-ounce bottles. Walmart (and sometimes elsewhere but for a higher price) carries the Antioxidant Solutions brand juice that is as good as the Simply Nature brand. I got a quart of blueberry juice for about $5. Both brands have various flavors or flavor combos.
• For condiments, I use Simply Ketchup and recently found a sweet and sour sauce that I like. It has no HFCS, artificial flavors, or dyes. And it's affordable.
• Some sodas that don't use HFCS are Stewarts, Spring Grove, "Mexican" Coke, and Pepsi, this Malta beverage (?), Jarrito tends to have a lot of colorants but this one is a bit better, IBC Black Cherry Cola (if you like that) isn't awful-sounding, and Reed's ginger beer sounds amazing...  BTW, Jones soda used to be all cane sugar but now they use "invert cane sugar" and I am avoiding that until I know more. I don't like that Jones shows "Cane Sugar" in big letters but the fine print shows invert sugar. and it also has a "modified food starch". Again, what???
• If you can't find a product to your liking, look for copycat recipes with healthier ingredients. That's what I did with aioli sauce when I was making pizza. 
• Just read the ingredients. If you don't know what an ingredient is, look for a definition.
• Find a list of sneaky names for ingredients. Salt and sugar have all kinds of names for them. 
• Watch for your personal health. What's "healthy" for one person might not be for another. For instance, there are many healthy things that I have to watch out for. One example is greens (collards and spinach for two). I can't have all the collards or spinach I want because I have CKD.

This is my first loaf of bread made with T55 flour:

My SIL says it was "like manna"

Anyway, I hope this was somewhat interesting and perhaps helpful. I am NOT a professional and have no training in diet, nutrition, or medicine of any kind. Do your own research. Talk with your care team. And just try to be a little healthier today than you were yesterday.

Peace

--Free

P.S.: Forgive any sloppiness with grammar or typing. It's been a rough week and I threw this post together as quick as I could before I get too tired. - Peace

DISCLAIMER: I was not and will not be compensated in any way for anything mentioned in this post. I have no medical trainer nor am I qualified in any way to advise on diet and nutrition. This post is about my personal experiences.

**UPDATE** Ojon Oil vs Batana Oil (vs Palm Kernel). Sheesh!

**UPDATE** (My "verdict"):

If you want to, buy the Ojon oil, but (in my opinion) it's frivolous. I have tried the Ojon (which would have cost me $25 for an ounce), Batana (which cost $10.30 per ounce), and red palm oil ($0.44 per ounce). The only benefit that the Ojon has over the palm oil is that it smells slightly better and doesn't stain as much. The Batana oil smelled lovely but is still kind of pricey. 

I'm not saying that people aren't seeing results with the Ojon oil. I have no idea if it lives up to the hype or not. I do know that using anything consistently is bound to show some results. Ojon, Batana and palm oils are very similar in their origins. Since my goals are to nourish and moisturize my hair, the palm oil is what I choose. 

If you are undecided about whether or not Ojon (or even Batana) is worth the price. I challenge you to try to research the differences in origin. Ojon does apparently have some properties that Batana and palm oil lack but how much difference does that make? I don't know but I'm not going to spend the extra dollars to find out!

There was something else I noticed when I was looking into this. A few years back (before the Ojon/Batana craze), I bought 2 jars of Nutivia palm oil. I don't remember what I paid (I believe I bought them at Walmart) but I am pretty sure I didn't pay more than 12 or o13 dollars. Currently, 2 jars of Nutivia is between $27 and $30-plus on Amazon. Walmart's prices are not much cheaper. The Juka brand is (on Walmart) a bit more affordable. Apparently, sellers know something...

I guess all I'm saying is not to follow hype or emotion when choosing products. Get what you can afford and get what works. Personally, I'm going to stick with "affordable".

(BTW - I almost didn't want to add this part because I can't remember the forum I found it in, but... In a discussion about Ojon vs Batana vs palm, one woman from Belize who mocked the Ojon craze. In her opinion, red palm oil is just as good.  In my own opinion, I think the Ojon hype started (most likely) with TikTok. TikTok drives a lot of trends these days. Take that for what it's worth - just my humble opinion.)

***************

 In a previous post, I spoke about Batana oil as if it were the same as Ojon oil. As I look deeper, I realize there are some differences. At first, the differences seem minor but I do think I should point them out. Since I opened my big mouth in the first place.

As much as I worry about AI taking over the world, I have to admit that it was by using ChatGPT that I learned about the difference between these oils. This is the "conversation" I had with ChatGPT.

I wanted to know what Ojon oil is (since it's not the exact same as Batana oil). The answer:

Ojon oil is derived from the nut of the American palm tree, scientifically known as Elaeis oleifera. Similar to batana oil, it originates from Central America, particularly the rainforests of Honduras. The oil has been traditionally used by the indigenous people, including the Miskito Indians of Honduras, for its moisturizing and hair-strengthening properties.

Ojon oil is rich in essential fatty acids, such as oleic acid and linoleic acid, as well as antioxidants like vitamin E. These nutrients make it beneficial for nourishing and hydrating both the hair and skin. In hair care, it's prized for its ability to moisturize dry, damaged hair, promote shine, and reduce frizz. It's also believed to strengthen hair strands and protect against environmental damage.

In recent years, ojon oil has gained popularity in the beauty industry and is often used as a key ingredient in hair care products such as shampoos, conditioners, and hair treatments. Its rich, emollient properties make it a favorite among those seeking natural solutions for hair and scalp health.

In answer to my next question, "So it is not the same as Batana oil?", I got:

Correct, ojon oil and batana oil are not the same, although they are similar in some ways. Both oils are derived from the nuts of palm trees native to Central America, specifically the American palm tree (Elaeis oleifera). However, they come from different palm tree species within the same geographical region.

Batana oil comes from the nut of the American palm tree and has been traditionally used by indigenous groups like the Garifuna people for hair and skin care. It's known for its moisturizing and nourishing properties.

Ojon oil, on the other hand, also comes from the nut of the American palm tree but is derived from a different species. Like batana oil, it's known for its moisturizing and hair-strengthening properties and has been traditionally used by indigenous groups in Central America.

While they share some similarities due to their origins and composition, they are distinct oils with their own unique properties and benefits.

Now I wanted to know more about the differences between the 2 oils "as far as their properties and benefits". The answer (I've added blue text to Batana and orange to Ojon):

Batana oil and ojon oil, though derived from similar sources, have some differences in their properties and benefits:

Geographical Origin: Batana oil primarily comes from Honduras, where it has been used for generations by indigenous groups like the Garifuna people. Ojon oil is often associated with the Miskito Indians of Honduras and other Central American regions like Nicaragua.

Botanical Species: Batana oil typically comes from the nut of the American palm tree (Elaeis oleifera), while ojon oil also originates from a species within the same genus, but potentially from a different palm species.

Composition: While both oils contain beneficial fatty acids and antioxidants, the exact composition may vary. Batana oil is known for its high levels of oleic acid, which is a moisturizing fatty acid, while ojon oil is also rich in similar nutrients like oleic acid and vitamin E.

Traditional Use: Both oils have been traditionally used by indigenous communities for hair and skin care. Batana oil is often used to moisturize and nourish dry, damaged hair, promote hair growth, and improve scalp health. Ojon oil is prized for its ability to strengthen hair, add shine, and reduce frizz.

Availability: Batana oil may be more widely available from specific regions in Honduras where it's traditionally produced. Ojon oil, on the other hand, has gained popularity in the beauty industry and may be found in various hair care products marketed globally.

In summary, while both batana oil and ojon oil share similarities due to their origins and traditional uses, there may be slight differences in their composition and specific benefits. Ultimately, the choice between the two may depend on personal preference and individual hair or skin needs.

To make things even more fun, both of these oils are related to the cheaper and more available palm kernel oil. When you look at the botanical names for all three, you start to wonder... Good heavens!

So there are differences - subtle but there - and I think that has something to do with the pricing I've seen. Ojon typically seems to cost quite a bit more than Batana. 

In my previous post, when I talked about all the hype around Batana oil, I didn't know about these differences. I am thinking that people heard about the expensive Ojon oil treatments (there are a lot of shampoos, conditioners, and "special" applications) and realized that Batana is cheaper. I still don't know if either of these oils lives up to the hype. I have a price alert up on Amazon and eBay for some Ojon oil. If I get my hands on any, I will update this.

For now, I think it's best to stick to what you can afford. If palm kernel or Batana works for you, go for it. There are other really good oils that work as well or better (IMO), regardless of price. The beauty industry (including haircare) is driven by trends. Once people get used to Batana and Ojon, they will be on to the next hot "it" product. 

Peace

--Free

**CORRECTION** The Batana (Ojon) Oil Trend & the Hype

I included some bad information here. Ojon oil is not the same as Batana oil. They are similar and come from the nuts of palm trees, Ojon is derived from a different species of tree. So they are different oils. And this doesn't seem to be a minor difference. 

When searching anywhere for Ojon oil, results almost always include those for Batana oil (and that's where I got confused), so make sure of what you are getting. Also, Ojon oil is apparently (from what I'm seeing) quite a bit more expensive than Batana oil. I typically see prices of about $40 per half ounce - even on eBay. I am trying to get my hands on some (even if just a sample) and when I do, I will update this post.

*******

 I did not know that Batana (aka Ojon) oil was a TikTok trend. I heard about it on a hair forum a while back. 

Although I've been cutting back on hair and skincare products, I decided to use my Amazon Shopper Panel gift card to get some. Actually, I got 2 - one is a liquid and the other is a solid.

This is Morstar brand liquid

This is the AIPILER cream

more paste than cream

liquid vs cream

Of course, once something becomes trendy, you have to be wary of imposter products. When I looked further into the brands of the 2 products I tried, I felt okay about one but had questions about the other. More on that later. 

Here are some of the supposed and hyped benefits of Batana oil (and I see it described as "Batana" more often than I do "Ojon"):

• Helps stimulate hair growth
• Prevent hair loss & reverse hair loss
• Nourishes the hair, skin, and scalp
• Improve elasticity of the hair

Now, people... We all know that when something starts trending online, exaggerations begin to pop up all over. As my mother used to say, "People start bucking their eyes and flapping their lips." What I learned from reading user reviews and articles is that you have to first make sure you are getting an authentic product. Even then, only some of the hype is worthy and none of the hype is exclusive to Batana oil.

I listed some of the hype, but here are some of my criticisms:

• It's difficult for the novice user to know if they are getting the authentic oil. Going by look or smell, the results are all over the place.
• I've seen various pricing and claims for products that look completely different from each other.
• There doesn't seem to be a lot of (or any) science-backed evidence for the claims being made.
• It's too hard to weed out reliable and trustworthy sellers. Right now, everybody and their first cousin is promoting their Batana oil.
• Finally, it's trending because of TikTok. I don't have a problem with TikTok but I've seen some of the other trends that originated there...

As I said, I feel better about one of the products I got than I do about the other. The Morstar product (which smells too good)  comes from their Amazon storefront and is from a distributor with a track record of sorts. The Aipiler product (which has the strong coffee scent associated with Batana oil) is from a "brand" that seems to sell only massage guns when I look anywhere but Amazon. On the Amazon site, they don't have a storefront but sell a few beauty-related items at inflated prices.

So, basically, I'm just hoping I have products with at least some Batana oil in them. Personally, I also prefer the Morstar product because it's a fractionated oil that is easier to apply to my skin and hair.

I won't be able to say anything about the hyped benefits for hair until I've given both products a fair trial. I can say that, for now, I like them both for how they make my skin feel. 

The Aipiler brand is too strong for my face but I have used it to moisturize the dry patches of psoriasis on my feet. It does seem to help keep the area moisturized for longer than regular lotions and oils. 

The Morstar brand works beautifully to supplement my face cream. It absorbs really well without leaving an oily feel and it makes my skin feel really supple. Honestly, though, I can't tell if it's any better than some of the other oils I've used in the past, such as Marula, sweet almond, or especially emu oil or black castor oil. I am using this on my scalp a few times a week both as a pre-poo and a leave-in to moisturize my hair. However, I have a problem with this brand because of their odd pricing. This one (labeled as "pure Batana oil") today costs $7.35 per ounce. They have a solid form that sells for over $20 per ounce. By the way, that one has a lower review rating on Amazon, if that means anything. One review claims the seller said this one was the "rawest" form. I wonder what raw or rawest has to do with it being the "pure" product. So, yeah.

In General...

My opinion as a regular person is that unless time shows differently, this is just another oil that could be beneficial. It is quite moisturizing to my damp hair and works well as a sealer. My skin loves it but my skin also loves Abyssinian oil, marula oil, pumpkin seed oil, and at least 5 others. Oh, and those all also work well on my hair and scalp.

Batana oil is good and it is the trending favorite for a lot of people. Next month, there will be some other "hot" product - an oil, cream, or lotion that trends. People may be seeing results in their hair and skin because of their consistent use. At least, that is my humble opinion. Using anything consistently can bring about some improvement. 

My Takeaway?

If you notice, because Batana is trending, prices are all over the place. I think the lower price is around $5 per ounce. Also, there are a ton of brands and sellers popping up every day. 

I will finish using the Batana oils I have and, if there are any amazing results, I will update this post. For now, I go back to my opinion that people are seeing results mostly because of consistency in their routines. If I stay on a good routine of haircare of any kind, my hair responds by growing and looking better. I don't have high expectations for this Batana oil. And, again, maybe I just don't have the right brands...

Peace

--Free

We Need a Food Revolution

 When I started thinking about food ingredients and how to be healthier, I was kind of half-stepping. That was when I learned that there was such a difference in what's allowed in our (American) foods vs what's allowed (or rather not allowed) in European foods. I was a little mad about that. However, when I learned the other day that a large amount of the chicken sold to me as a consumer is bleached... That just left me stunned.

... And speaking of foods and the differences in ingredients, I will be sharing some of the pics. The trend started with Food Babe, and how I appreciate her!

Go check out the rest of the pics on her page

That's not true, so let me back up and say that when I first heard that chicken was bleached, I thought that was a lie. The info came via a reaction to a TikTok video. I'm not a huge TikTok fan because too many of the users I've seen come across as annoying know-it-alls with zero credentials. However, I wondered enough about the chlorinated chicken enough to dig a bit deeper. And here is what is from the FDA's "Guidance for Industry" PDF :

And, that's when I got mad. 

I've already been upset that I can find a high fructose corn syrup-free ketchup at the local stores - right next to the ketchup with HFCS. That really frustrates me because the producer is basically saying that they can make a healthier version of ketchup but, hey, let's leave the unhealthier version out there. 

Now I can get pretty easily find (and afford) healthier condiments, cereals, bread, and beverages, but when it comes to meat, that's tricky.

By the way,  I do understand the FDA wanting to combat instances of salmonella and other bacterial problems in the meat industry. My anger comes from the fact that greed is apparently getting in the way of other measures to combat the problem. For one thing, having safer ways of raising chickens (and cows, and pigs) in the first place would be better for all of us. For another thing, educating consumers (who don't already know) about the safe prep and cooking of foods should be standard. I was taught to cook foods to a safe temperature.

I also realize that implementing these changes might raise the cost of groceries. I'm okay with that. And I'm not sure how much the costs would go up. Apparently, back in the day, cola producers started using HFCS in place of cane sugar to cut costs. Is that still necessary? And, as with cigarettes (and other "luxury" or non-vital items) shouldn't we consumers be willing to pay the higher price? People are still buying cigarettes and liquor...

Back to the main topic. When talking with my family and friends about alternatives to buying what I call "bleached chicken", a few ideas came up - but just a few:

• Raising your own chickens. That way you get chickens and eggs. (I live in an apartment so that's not an option.) We do have friends who have chickens and are thinking about working with them.
• Checking with local butchers and meat shops. We do have a local butcher and I plan to see what their situation is.
• Finding a coop.

When I was looking around online, I learned of a process where chicken is air-chilled rather than chlorinated. Several suppliers use the method. So far, I found that these places or meat producers that do:

• Whole Foods Market
• D'Artagnan Foods 
• Bell & Evans
• Mary's Organic
• The Family Cow (they actually ship to my location)

Luckily, I live in the Midwest. There are some places that are nearby where I can find farm-to-table meat. To find places near your location, do a search on farm-to-table food suppliers. 

I am not sure how current it is but this article on some worthy brands is, well, worth checking out.

Of course, cost is important but so is my health. I am thinking that I can go in on a package of meat with my family to save on shipping costs. And we can get some eggs from our friend. Until there are some changes made, I guess we have to be our own advocates. And to encourage you, here is yet another look at the problem. You can see from the images I've posted here, that Food Babe and others have been all over this issue for a while...

By the way, when looking up info for this post, I saw that the FDA is/was requiring changes to food labeling - as long ago as 2016 (?) but there have been updates such as this one. I didn't dive too deep but I recommend you do. I am going to start with the following:

• This from Smart Food Scale re: U.S. FDA’s 2024 Draft Guidance on Food Labeling: Overview & Insights  (SFS has other resources worth checking out)
• Harvard Health has this up about the new labeling.
• To be fair, the FDA has information that I have failed to look for until now. This is a how-to for reading food labels.

And in the interest of sharing as much info as possible, I found these links that should be of interest:

• Processed & ultra-processed foods.
• Examples of processed foods (from a cancer center...). Make sure to look up the "5-ingredient rule" when it comes to foods.
• Repeating the link in the post about HFCS.
• Doctors on ultra-processed foods.
• Finally, these tips for eating healthier - from NPR and from the CDC.

Peace

--Free 

NOTE: This has been a shaky week for me. Forgive any glaring typing or editing errors.

Combatting My Hair Problems (UPDATE)

UPDATE: After all the talk about limiting my hair products, I am back to admit to trying something new. In addition to the products I mentioned previously, I will be trying out some Ojon (or Batana) oil. Apparently, it's hot among the TikTik squad but I found it by looking at lists of herbal remedies for hair loss. I will, of course, follow up with results when I've had time to let this work. I have an oil version (that I will use for my scalp daily) and a solid version (that I will use as a pre-poo rinse-out).

I'd like to be able to say that, with maturity, I have become less vain. I'd like to say that, but I prefer being honest. It's my hair, folks. I'm only vain about my hair but that's because I've lost my once beautiful smile and Lord knows, this body is not in its best shape. Even my skin color has started to dull with the years.

                                                                       🤷🏾‍♀️

However, I'm not a tenth as vain and silly as I was in my younger days, and I do love growing older. Still, the medications I am on have been like a wrecking crew. One issue is bone loss - which includes the jaw. I am going to have to have all my teeth replaced. I don't mind that. I always had a pretty smile but now I just want to be able to eat and to talk to people in public without looking like a meth addict. In the meantime, I wish masks were still mandatory.

So, while I am fine about getting my teeth replaced (when I can find a dentist who will treat me and not charge me like I'm wealthy), and having to be careful not to fall and break any bones, I have had trouble dealing with the hair situation. I can't comb my hair without running a vacuum for the next 2 days. So much of it comes out that I wonder how I still have so much on my head. And when I say it comes out, I don't mean just when combing it. Every time I walk into the bathroom, I have to sweep the floor. Anytime I look into the mirror, I find not just strands but tufts that are hanging loose. I no longer go into the kitchen or near food without either wearing one of my scarves or checking to make sure no hairs are falling loose...

And this is all because of the fact that one of my meds (the same one that messes with my bones) hates my hair. For years, I have had to work hard to keep my tresses healthy. With age, that started to get more difficult. Yay. However, I think I have found a care routine that is working very well. I'm not recommending this because I am not a professional. I will just tell you what's working for me.

• The first step is to not over-wash and dry out my hair. I was never bad about this but I did sometimes wash my hair three or four times in a month. That was to get rid of product buildup. Now I try to limit the products I use so that I don't have to wash as often - maybe twice a month.
• I have started using 100% cotton flour sack towels for drying my hair. (At least I never use a hair dryer but my towels probably weren't the best for my hair.)
• Next, as I said, I have stopped using so many products. At one point, I was using a leave-in conditioner, a curl cream, a secondary moisturizer, and some kind of glossing product. That's a lot. These days, I am down to the 3 products I will talk about in a moment.
• For months, I had been wearing a protective style a lot of the time, but I do so now almost 90% of the time. I really only leave my hair loose when I'm in the mood to girl it up. (I will tell you why I want to keep my hair if I don't wear it down!)
• I am more careful these days about what I eat and drink. You might know from the blog that I am limiting or avoiding certain ingredients. 

Now, as to why I care about saving hair that I don't wear down. One reason is that I see my hair as a sign of my femininity. I love being a woman and I do see my hair as a "crown". That's no shade on women who have lost their hair or like to wear it short. For me, it's just a very personal thing. If I lose it, I lose it, but I want whatever is left of it to be healthy.

One good thing about changing my haircare routine is that I am saving money. This is a box of just some of the products I am giving to someone else in the family. I won't be buying these anymore.

And this is not the only box...

And when I say that it is only some of the products, I am not kidding. Remember, I am doing the Great Cabinet Cleanup...

Here are the 3 products I am down to these days - 4 if I include water:

They have Dax & Murray's beeswax products in clear. Kocatah is always black

Actually, I lied. I do sometimes use Blue Magic for my scalp if I am out of the Kocatah. And I still use shea butter for additional moisture.  Also, I really only use the Murray's when I am wearing my hair down since it's great for controlling the edges and loose hair.

So I use the Kocatah on my scalp, the Dax beeswax on my hair, and the Murray's for taming and controlling. Murray's is very stiff and can be used to "wave" the hair.

The 4th ingredient - water - is the base for everything else. I always apply the Dax beeswax to damp hair. This has replaced the leave-in conditioners I once used because the Dax not only seals the moisture in but also softens my hair. If I am wearing a protective style (usually twists), I don't need to worry about my hair drying out in between washes. If I am wearing my hair down, the moisture lasts for at least 4 days.

(By the way, Dax products are varied and not just for "afro" hair types. Murray's is too thick for use on fine hair - except as an edge hold. Though all are black in color, they are not opaque enough to notice on darker hair colors. The Murrays and the Dax beeswax products do come in lighter/clear shades.)

Of course, neither Dax nor Murray's are pure beeswax. The first ingredient in both products is petrolatum and the second is beeswax (cera alba). Here are the labels for all the products in my routine:

☝🏾

Dax magnified

Kokatah

                ☝🏾

Kocatah magnified

You can see how similar the ingredients are (for all three) but the Murray's has a thicker and a really stiff texture. That's why I say it works best as an edge cream or for the very ends of twists to lock them in.

Once I wash my hair and moisturize it, then twist it for protection, I'm pretty much done. 

As for the flour sack towels, I started out using one from my kitchen that had gotten lightly stained. I heard about using the towels from women back in the day but was recently reminded when reading something in a hair forum. Then Walmart had a sale on some of the large-sized Aunt Martha's towels (I love the towels from Aunt Martha or Utopia).  It's not often you see good towels at such a deep discount (I paid $6.22 instead of $15.28 for a set of 2).  It's so much larger than my old kitchen towel.

I do suggest doing a wash and dry on the towels before the first use. They will soften up a bit and who knows what chemicals are on them fresh out of the wrapping...

When I've been on this routine for a while, I hope to remember to do an update post. I have plenty of pics of my hair in all stages of damage and health to compare to.

Peace

--Free

DISCLAIMER - I was not compensated in any way for this post. I wish...

Baby Did a Bad-Good Thing (the Solution)

Remember how I tore up my kitchen trying to reorganize things? What nightmare. I'm still not done, but... I have made huge progress. It's all because of a neighbor. When she came by and saw I was so upset about the mess my kitchen was in, she mentioned the over-the-door organizer she'd bought. (And because she is a sweetheart, she offered to stay and help me reign in some of the mess I'd made!) 

Thankfully, I didn't need help. My life changed once I took the neighbor's advice and got one of the organizers. This is the MayDiary 10-basket version - before and after I loaded it up:

fits right inside my entry closet door

They have a 12-basket version but it goes up another $10. Besides, I'm not yet using all 10 of the baskets I have.

It might not seem like it, but that organizer is holding a lot of stuff. I was able to free up the top 2 shelves of a cabinet where I have now started storing my baking bowls and tools. 

still have room for more!

My spice cabinet was so packed that I couldn't see everything. Now I am going to be able to spread things out:

I can't wait to set this up...

Other things that were taking up space on and around my countertops and in the larger pantry: coffee, tea, jars of honey, my big jars of Old Bay and Liquid Smoke, the immersion blender and accessories, the rolls of vacuum sealing plastic, rolling pins, baking molds, and a few other random things.

My tiny kitchen went from the chaos you saw in the other post to a nice, tidy, cleaner-looking space. As a matter of fact, this is the messiest it's been since I got the organizer - and this is after I'd cooked my dinner.

Not much left to tidy up!

Now, this might not seem like a big deal but these are some of the other options I considered - you know, if I had a couple hundred dollars to spare:

Am I glad that I ran into that neighbor when I did! These storage ideas are cute and all, but they kind of add to the problem of not having enough space in my place. My plan was to rearrange some things in my entryway and park the buffet against the wall. Still... that's 200 bucks and more lost space. The over-the-door solution is really just genius - and I didn't pay over $40 for it.

The one my neighbor has is cute also but the 6 baskets are fixed in place (my 10 are adjustable). I did pay $10 more than she did, but I believe. Both Walmart and Amazon are charging the same for both right now.

Don't forget that, not only did I save money by finding a much cheaper solution to my storage problem, but I also am saving money on shopping. I think in my last post I talked about how I'd unnecessarily purchase things (usually spices) because I didn't notice I still had some left. You know what it's like to hunt through a 4- or 5-deep line of jars and bottles... I really did often lose track of what I had on hand.

The other thing I like is that I just cleared away so much clutter. That was really stressing me out. I am loving the fact that, when baking or cooking, I can find what I need and everything is so organized. I had taken a break from baking my own bread because it was such a hassle to gather the bowls and tools from all over the place. When I finish organizing that one cabinet, everything I need to bake will be within a 3-foot reach. When I cooked last night, it was so awesome to work in such a cleaner, tidier space. Not that my kitchen was always messy but it was very unorganized. I just didn't have the space to keep things arranged in a useful way.

I hope that this might give someone else more affordable ideas for storage. It's been a godsend for me. By the way, even for folks with bigger living quarters, these over-door organizers are real clutter-killers. My SIL is getting one for the guest bedroom the grandkids use when they visit. The organizer will be a place to keep their toys and books. 

Peace

--Free

DISCLAIMER: I have not and will not be compensated in any way for products mentioned in this post.

Baby Did a Bad-Good Thing

 After feeling like crap for months with this "flu-monia" turned "broncho-cough" thing, I had a couple of good days. I was so excited to feel well that I decided to clean out and reorganize my kitchen pantries.

Oh boy.

That was such a great idea in my head. And so dang doable! In my head, I would take everything out, one cabinet at a time, make a giveaway throwaway pile, and reorganize what was left. My goal? To be able to reach into a pantry and get what I need when I need it without having to hunt around for it.

Yeah. Right.

What happened was... this:

this is the best-looking part of the mess. The BEST, people.

The only cabinet finished is the one just above that mess. All my appliances are stacked off to the side of the entryway. 

can't make coffee, cook or even toast bread

The problem is, I had that great idea and instead of starting small, my mania kicked in. The result is that on Day 2 of the project, I am drinking instant coffee for energy and eating cereal or popcorn for meals. I have no other choices. All my appliances are sitting on the floor (while I scrub down the counters) and I still don't know how I want to arrange them when I'm ready.

That was the Bad Thing. The Good Thing is that I feel great about the pantry I have finished. And I was out of bed and moving around almost all day for the first time in ages.  The other not-good thing is that, the more I clean, the more I want to clean and change around. ~sigh~

I would be panicked but why should I be? I live alone. I don't have to explain the temporary mess to anyone except the UPS man when he delivers my meds and toiletries in a couple of days. Maybe I will be done by then. It could happen.

I was going to go on and on about what I found in the cabinets but, I really better get back to it. Besides, I can't even begin to explain some of the crap I found... But I am thankful to feel good for as long as this lasts. Pray for me, people, pray for me! LOL

Peace

--Free

Good Friday 2024

 I love this poem and think it's perfect for today.

**CROSSPOST** Um, Guys? What About AI Bible Study?

 AI tools

I can't decide how I feel about this but I found a YouTube channel that tells Bible Stories using AI. Of course, I had lots of questions but when I did a search for "AI Bible Sagas" (the name of that channel), the rabbit hole expanded. Here are some things that came up:

• An actual AI Bible version called, well, the AIV Bible.
• A Bible study tool called Bible AI described on the About page as "An AI (artificially intelligent program) that can accurately answer factual questions about the Bible and provide pastoral advice based on biblical principles." It is made by Everprise which has other programs.
• Bibly is like ChatGPT for the Bible. This is what came  up on the search info: "Tailor your Bible study sessions with AI that understands your learning style and spiritual goals, offering verses and insights that resonate with your personal journey." I was thrown a bit by a typo on the main page.

Did they use AI to proof the page?

What's so weird to me is that I'm just now noticing all this AI-for-the-Bible stuff. Remember I mentioned that Everprise has other apps shown on the page? Here is one for notetaking and I'm relieved to see it seems to be created by an actual human. There is one called Church Stats that is "to help 'grow' healthy churches". The words 'grow' and church, in my opinion, should not be highlighted. Church is about sharing the gospel, not 'growing' the congregations. ~shrug~

I do know that AI can be useful and I'm not bothered by combining the capabilities of AI with Bible study. What worries me is what AI thinks of the Bible. Sounds weird to be talking about AI as if it is a person but... There are too many "baby" Christians and Christians who are not as discerning as they should be. If AI starts to twist the teachings of the Bible, will some people know?

Some things to like. A lot.

In scanning the AIV Bible, I found some things I liked. The layout is nice and navigation is easy. Also, the AI-generated art - what I saw of it - looks great.

The layout of each book of the Bible is useful and the other page elements are nice.

Notice the left-side navigation choices

This was okay, IMO

Nice the way the books are grouped

And some things not to like. At all.

First, let me say that I think this project was made for wide acceptance. That's already a huge problem because Christianity is not made for wide acceptance - at least not on the terms many people would like. To follow Christ is, after all, the "narrow way".

What I notice is that this Bible project (I don't know what else to call it) does try to offer a variety of viewpoints. That sounds like a positive thing, however, just by doing that, it's veering away from the truth of Christ. There are not many ways, opinions, realities, etc. when it comes to following Christ. There is the way the Bible teaches. Of course people do interpret the Bible in different (and oftentimes wrong) ways but that is why it's important to let Scripture guides us on interpreting Scripture.

The biggest fault I found

Here is where I really got worried. When I was perusing the pages, I glanced down at the very bottom and saw links to 

• Christian Answers, and
• (steel yourselves) What Jesus Thinks

Wait. What? 

The Christian Answers section poses some interesting questions to start a user off. Looking at the answer page for the first question I saw, I was still worried but again I could see the effort made. The answers come from various viewpoints - giving voice to reps from different denominations. 

What do I really think?

If someone is studying to see what other denoms think or to get a very wide overview of thoughts on or about Christianity, this is a decent resource. If someone is not familiar with Bible doctrines, they need to start their Christian journey under sound teaching - not an AI project.

I think of myself as discerning enough to spot dangerous doctrine (most of the time). I will probably peruse this AIV project a bit more. As I said, it's a good resource/study tool. It's just not a tool for a new Christian to on which to base a foundation of study. Think of the Christian as a driver and the Bible as a car. Someone whose never driven a car wouldn't want to learn how on a busy road in, say, Seattle or Dallas. Put me in that analogy and I will say that I am really good in small towns but not on busy highways during rush hour. And I will never drive the Autobahn!

Finally

I applaud the idea of tech delving into providing Bibles and Bible study tools. However, something like this (AI, I mean) isn't meant to be specific to the doctrines of Christianity. AI is meant to be helpful to all people or all persuasions. 

Since I've pushed my brain too far tonight and might be getting a little foggy, I will let another photo "speak" to what I mean. This is one of the questions and it's an excellent one:

So you can see the answer better, here:

To the Bible-believing Christian, that answer sounds nice and friendly but it's not correct. Not according to the Bible itself. This is what the Bible teaches:

According to this verse in the Bible, no one - not us, our friends, the nice neighbors, the kind strangers - no one unless they come to the Father through the Son. When I asked Bibly what John 14:6 had to say, it didn't just respond by quoting the passage, it gave me this:

Maybe the AIV app needs to talk with its cousin Bibly.

While I appreciate that Bibly seems to base its answers from a biblical viewpoint, I still prefer using GotQuestions as my starting point when researching topics.

Bottom line, people, use AI if you like but don't let AI manipulate you. Study your Bible for yourself and find some good teachers. Have group study sessions with other believers. And, of course, search the Scriptures for answers. 

Peace

--Free

P.S.: Forgot to mention that, as I worked on this post, not all of the books of the Bible were available (linked) in the AIV.

Asurion Is… Not Worth It. At All.

 For years, I've been cautious when buying appliances - small and large. If I get them from Amazon, I always buy an Asurion plan. I figured, why not? It's a few dollars (usually) for peace of mind. For example, when I bought a food sealer, the Asurion plan was under 6 bucks. And how reassuring does it sound that they make replacements and repairs seem so easy and convenient? Well, notice my input (in bold):

• No Additional Cost: You pay $0 for repairs – parts, labor, and shipping included. (But I will have to find a UPS store and get the item there to send. NOTE: I don't drive. BTW - you have to print your own shipping label.)
• Coverage: Plan starts on the date of purchase. Drops, spills and cracked screens due to normal use covered for portable products and power surges covered from day one. Malfunctions covered after the manufacturer's warranty. (My problem was a broken minor part. I asked for a part replacement but they want the entire item back.)
• Easy Claims Process: File a claim anytime online at www.Asurion.com/Amazon or by phone. Most claims approved within minutes. We will send you an Amazon.com Gift Card for the purchase price of your covered product. (Not so fast! You don't get that refund UNTIL they get the item shipped back to them.) In some instances, we will replace or repair it. (Yeah, right.)
• Product Eligibility: Plan must be purchased with a product or within 30 days of the product purchase. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
• Terms & Details: More information about this protection plan is available within the “Product guides and documents” section. Simply click “User Guide” for more info. Terms & Conditions will be available in Your Orders on Amazon. Asurion will also email your plan confirmation with Terms & Conditions to the address associated with your Amazon account within 24 hours of purchase.

Most insulting of all, I'm pretty sure I might have been chatting with an AI when I was starting a claim. If not, the "humans" were easily confused with basic conversation and questions.

I can't really even be mad. People did warn me about buying these plans. Now that I have gone and bumped my hard head against the wall of reality, I will go a safer route. From now on, I will make sure to use a credit card so that I get some reassurance at least. And at no additional cost.

The item I was trying to get a part for cost under 35 bucks. The plan was under 6 bucks. Trying to get the replacement would cost, gas, wear and tear on a vehicle and the hassle of finding a UPS store. Not to mention, the original box and packing has been disposed of - because I have the item for almost a year. I suppose I was going to have to purchase the "bubblewrap and boxing" for the return.

So, yeah. No more Asurion for this gal. It would be easier to just replace the items in most cases. 

I'm not telling anyone not to bother buying an Asurion plan; I'm just telling you how that worked out for me! And this is the one and only time I've ever tried making a claim. 

I have to go now. I'm off to see if my credit card can help me out with this situation...

Peace

--Free