Moments With Mary is dedicated to improving the quality of life to those who have been touched by cancer or other life threatening illnesses.

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Mary Johnson, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Mary Johnson and her own personal experiences. Mary Johnson encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. None of the above is meant to diagnose, treat, prescribe or claim to cure any disease. Readers are always advised that they should consult with their own medical practitioners and medical professionals for the diagnoses, care, treatment or cure of any health condition.

February 2007

There was once a blind girl who hated herself for no other reason except that she was blind.  She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend. One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her and then she could see everything, including her boyfriend. Her boyfriend asked her, "Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?" The girl was shocked when she saw that her boyfriend was blind. Not wanting to be burdened by a 'blind' person, she refused to marry him her loving, devoted and understanding boyfriend walked away in tears. His heart obviously broken. The girl who had been so fortunate to have the world opened up to her, continued enjoying it; day in and day out.... trying to never miss a single pleasure life had to offer. A while later she received a letter from her  ex-boy friend which stated simply . . "I sincerely hope you enjoy your life. Your happiness was all that ever mattered to me. I am so happy that you are enjoying life as I always hoped you could.I would like to ask one parting favor of you my dear. Just take care of my eyes."

(Why Me)

I have written a series of articles since my breast cancer twenty seven years ago. Each subject I write on is from my own experiences. I don’t want to be your doctor, advisor, or counselor. I just want to share some of my personal experiences with you and maybe touch your life in some way. Having had cancer myself I can relate to your fears, thoughts, decisions, and treatments. So many times people who have cancer look for someone else who might have a similar diagnosis as ours. When we find that special someone who has experienced what we have a common bond and new friendship is then formed.

One of the first questions many cancer patients ask is “ Why” or "Why Me”. I did the same thing. There is no certain age for this illness; you could be a child of eight or a grandparent of eighty eight. All it takes is one wild cell. The one word that all cancer patients face is the new sound of the biggest six letter word, Cancer. Sometimes saying the word out loud made me feel like the word grew and got bigger. But once I could say the word cancer out loud and began talking about my cancer to my family and friends the tension and the power of the word seemed to lighten.

The first thing I did was to ask God to help me handle whatever was ahead of me and my family. The next step was to learn all I could about my cancer. I went to the public library and checked out every book there was on my type of cancer. Later that evening I started reading the books I had checked out, but after several hours I felt confused and upset. I didn’t feel like reading anymore there was too much heavy information in my head. My body was on over load, the night seemed long, and I got very little sleep. Several days passed before I decided to pick up the books again, but this time I told myself to keep an open mind about what I was reading.

Although, the books helped to explain a lot of my questions I still felt the need to relate with another human-being, someone who had been through what I had. I wanted to see for myself how someone looked and acted after loosing a breast. In my own mind I wonderedhow a woman could ever look normal again, or if my regular clothes would fit me the same as before the surgery. I was having trouble facing reality, because I couldn’t accept what had happened to me. Not knowing anyone who had lost a breast to cancer, I felt confused about the future asking myself questions I couldn’t begin to answer. I wanted to meet a woman who had lost a breast; I wanted to hear her say she felt somewhat normal again.

I was 30 years old when I had my radical mastectomy; I was looking for someone who could encourage me and share in the experiences I had just went through. Then my prayers come true, about a month after my surgery an elderly lady came to visit me. She too had her breast removed and was doing very well at that given time. I remember her asking me if I wanted to talk about anything, or did I have any questions I wanted to ask her, or could she do anything for me in any way at this time that could or would help ease my pain or fearful thoughts.

The biggest thing had already taken place I was talking to another woman who had been through the same cancer surgery as me. We didn’t have to choose certain words to understand how each of us felt or dance around the subject before we could talk about what was in our hearts or minds. We both had breast cancer and though the surgeries were both a little different we still faced the same concerns, thoughts, treatments, and body appearances. That day is one I will never forget. This lady and I developed a strong bond for one another and in helping each other we helped ourselves. I now could see me, on a road to a healthy recovery. We as humans have to be shown and taught by example from time to time. Believing and knowing I wasn’t the only woman out there with this problem helped me to pick up the pieces and move forward with my life. From that day on, I never looked back or asked myself the question, “Why Me”. I found myself again and knew what my real purpose, it was to work and help others. That was one of God's plans for me.

February 2007

Due to a power outage, only one paramedic responded to the call for a woman in labor. The house was very dark so the paramedic asked Kathleen, a 3-yr old girl, to hold a flashlight high over her mommy so he could see while he helped deliver the baby. Very diligently, Kathleen did as she was asked. Mother Heidi pushed and pushed and after a little while, Connor was born. The paramedic lifted him by his little feet and spanked him on his bottom. Connor began to cry. The paramedic then thanked Kathleen for her help and asked the wide-eyed 3-yr old what she thought about what she had just witnessed. Kathleen quickly responded, "He shouldn't have crawled in there in the first place .....Spank him again!"

February 2007

Ever had a broken heart, one that aches and aches, the pain just doesn't go away but settles in for days.

A broken heart feels heavy, the soul limp and sick, your memory clouded, no good words to say or pick.

Asking yourself why, more than a thousand times a day, knowing that nothing is going to change or make you feel okay.

Some time has past and the hurt you felt is less than the days before, but your still mad and dislike what happened to you even more and more.

Months have come and gone, time has helped to heal your broken heart, but the reasons for hurting, crying and caring have changed, for now you find yourself stronger and looking to make a fresh new start.

Growing from this experience your heart has mended well, its time to find that special someone who cares and wants to be a friend a pal. The words LOVE and UNDERSTANDING mean something different to you today, for you have changed, you’re wiser, and you no longer believe everything that lovers say.

Take a deep breath, get ready, jump right in, take another chance at love, but don't forget to thank the Lord for giving you his strength and everlasting love.

Having had a broken heart you will surely find, this is just another stepping stone to a better tomorrow and a new healthy heart in life, with time.

Written By: Mary D. Johnson

Drinking warm water could be very important to you and your health?

Ladies drinking warm water with and after your meals could be important. This makes sense.... the Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals...not cold water... maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating!!! Nothing to lose, everything to gain... For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this "sludge" reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

A serious note about heart attacks: Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line. You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive...

February 2007

Absolutely one of the best charts I have seen in years. 

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apples	Protects your heart	prevents constipation	Blocks diarrhea	Improves lung capacity	Cushions joints
apricots	Combats cancer	Controls blood pressure	Saves your eyesight	Shields against Alzheimer's	Slows aging process
artichokes	Aids digestion	Lowers cholesterol	Protects your heart	Stabilizes blood sugar	Guards against liver disease
avocados	Battles diabetes	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin
bananas	Protects your heart	Quiets a cough	Strengthens bones	Controls blood pressure	Blocks diarrhea
beans	Prevents constipation	Helps hemorrhoids	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Stabilizes blood sugar
beets	Controls blood pressure	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones	Protects your heart	Aids weight loss
blueberries	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Stabilizes blood sugar	Boosts memory	Prevents constipation
broccoli	Strengthens bones	Saves eyesight	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure
cabbage	Combats cancer	Prevents constipation	Promotes weight loss	Protects your heart	Helps hemorrhoids
cantaloupe	Saves eyesight	Controls blood pressure	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Supports immune system
carrots	Saves eyesight	Protects your heart	Prevents constipation	Combats cancer	Promotes weight loss
cauliflower	Protects against Prostate Cancer	Combats Breast Cancer	Strengthens bones	Banishes bruises	Guards against heart disease
cherries	Protects your heart	Combats Cancer	Ends insomnia	Slows aging process	Shields against Alzheimer's
chestnuts	Promotes weight loss	Protects your heart	Lowers cholesterol	Combats Cancer	Controls blood pressure
chili peppers	Aids digestion	Soothes sore throat	Clears sinuses	Combats Cancer	Boosts immune system
figs	Promotes weight loss	Helps stops strokes	Lowers cholesterol	Combats Cancer	Controls blood pressure
fish	Protects your heart	Boosts memory	Protects your heart	Combats Cancer	Supports immune system
flax	Aids digestion	Battles diabetes	Protects your heart	Improves mental health	Boosts immune system
garlic	Lowers cholesterol	Controls blood pressure	Combats cancer	kills bacteria	Fights fungus
grapefruit	Protects against heart attacks	Promotes Weight loss	Helps stops strokes	Combats Prostate Cancer	Lowers cholesterol
grapes	saves eyesight	Conquers kidney stones	Combats cancer	Enhances blood flow	Protects your heart
green tea	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Helps stops strokes	Promotes Weight loss	Kills bacteria
honey	Heals wounds	Aids digestion	Guards against ulcers	Increases energy	Fights allergies
lemons	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin	Stops scurvy
limes	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin	Stops scurvy
mangoes	Combats cancer	Boosts memory	Regulates thyroid	aids digestion	Shields against Alzheimer's
mushrooms	Controls blood pressure	Lowers cholesterol	Kills bacteria	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones
oats	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Battles diabetes	prevents constipation	Smoothes skin
olive oil	Protects your heart	Promotes Weight loss	Combats cancer	Battles diabetes	Smoothes skin
onions	Reduce risk of heart attack	Combats cancer	Kills bacteria	Lowers cholesterol	Fights fungus
oranges	Supports immune systems	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Straightens respiration
peaches	prevents constipation	Combats cancer	Helps stops strokes	aids digestion	Helps hemorrhoids
peanuts	Protects against heart disease	Promotes Weight loss	Combats Prostate Cancer	Lowers cholesterol	Aggravates diverticulitis
pineapple	Strengthens bones	Relieves colds	Aids digestion	Dissolves warts	Blocks diarrhea
prunes	Slows aging process	prevents constipation	boosts memory	Lowers cholesterol	Protects against heart disease
rice	Protects your heart	Battles diabetes	Conquers kidney stones	Combats cancer	Helps stops strokes
strawberries	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	boosts memory	Calms stress
sweet potatoes	Saves your eyesight	Lifts mood	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones
tomatoes	Protects prostate	Combats cancer	Lowers cholesterol	Protects your heart
walnuts	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	boosts memory	Lifts mood	Protects against heart disease
water	Promotes Weight loss	Combats cancer	Conquers kidney stones	Smoothes skin
watermelon	Protects prostate	Promotes Weight loss	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	Controls blood pressure
wheat germ	Combats Colon Cancer	prevents constipation	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	improves digestion
wheat bran	Combats Colon Cancer	prevents constipation	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	improves digestion
yogurt	Guards against ulcers	Strengthens bones	Lowers cholesterol	Supports immune systems	Aids digestion

February 2007

Enzymes

During my bout with cancer years ago, I studied and read everything I could to see how I might help myself. I found that my pH and my enzymes were two very important things I needed to watch and monitor in my body. I have talked and written about pH in many of my articles and still to this very day believe it is important to keep my bodies pH at 7.2 Sometimes this is hard to do. There are so many things that can change our body’s pH, but being aware of certain things have helped me to make better decisions on what my family and I decide to drink or eat. Enzymes also play a very important role in our body and affects how well our body functions. In this article I have only scratched the surface on the subject of enzymes; I can’t begin to cover all the information needed in this one article, but it’s a start.

Enzymes are the workers in our body that make everything function, by enabling chemical reactions. All living cells contain enzymes. They are hard to visualize, since they are not something tangible, but our lives depend on them.

Enzymes are proteins that facilitate chemical reactions in living organisms. Enzymes are required for every single chemical action that takes place in our body. All of our tissues, muscles, bones, organs and cells are run by enzymes. They regulate everything from liver function to the immune system. Enzymes are essential to life in all organisms, whether animal or plant, whether microscopic or the most complex human being. Why are Enzymes so important?

They are the principal components of our defense systems, immune system, and of the cellular maintenance and tissue repair mechanisms of our bodies. Every function of the body is dependent upon enzymes. Enzymes help us digest food, making it small enough to pass through the intestinal walls to our blood and throughout the body. Enzymes break up cholesterol, eat up toxins, and build nutrients into muscles, nerves, blood, and glands. Vitamins and minerals cannot be used by the body without enzymes. Enzymes help build phosphorous into strong bones and nerve tissue; enable the sperm to gain entrance into the ovum; attack cancerous cells and carry them out of the body; helps to clean up the blood and tissue, dissolving foreign substances; and slow the aging process by maintaining the body's health at the cellular level. The white blood cells that protect the body from diseases are merely shells enclosing enzymes that do all the work of attacking bad bacteria. Our ability to think, breathe, see, and hear is dependent upon our reserve of enzymes. Our knowledge of basic enzyme energy is important in enzyme analysis in order both to understand the basic enzymatic mechanism and to select a method for enzyme analysis. The conditions selected to measure the activity of an enzyme would not be the same as those selected to measure the concentration of its substance. Did you know that several factors can affect the rate at which enzymatic reactions proceed –they are temperature, pH, enzyme concentration, substrate concentration, and the presence of any inhibitors or activators? Enzymes are indeed the spark plug of life, yet it is important to understand that the average American diet is enzyme-deficient. Did you also know that refined and processed foods, as well as cooking at high temperatures, destroy enzymes? And that a diet that consists primarily of cooked food is undoubtedly seriously lacking in enzymes. Raw, uncooked foods are loaded with enzymes. They are present to help digest the very food they are found in. Unfortunately, most of the enzymes in our food are destroyed when the food is cooked, steamed, micro waved or baked.

When enzyme reserves become depleted, we place large amounts of unnecessary stress on body organs like the pancreas, liver and lymph system. Enzyme deficiency contributes greatly to acidification of the body. Without sufficient enzymes, foods and proteins go undigested, and eventually ferment in the body, causing toxicity and acid overload. Research studies strongly suggest that significant numbers of people with liver disease, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, tuberculosis and even obesity have low tissue enzyme levels.

Even if your body has a sufficient quantity of enzymes to operate, these enzymes require specific pH environments in order to function. When the pH of the environment is too acidic, vital enzymes lose their structure and function and electrons cannot circulate, making them unavailable for the chemical reactions required for nutrient digestion and absorption. Without the proper pH, enzymatic reactions fail and the metabolism of cells stops. Digestive enzymes are complex proteins involved in digestion that stimulate chemical changes in other substances. Enzymes do work satisfactory however at specific temperature and pH. Digestive enzymes include pancreatic enzymes, plant-derived enzymes, and fungal-derived enzymes. There are three classes of digestive enzymes: proteolytic enzymes needed to digest protein, lipases needed to digest fat, and amylases needed to digest carbohydrates.

February 2007

History about raisins

Do you know the history about raisins?
It is believed that humans discovered raisins when they happened upon grapes drying on a vine. History books note that raisins were sun-dried from grapes as long ago as 1490 B.C. But several hundred years passed before it was determined which grape variety would make the best raisin.

1490 B.C. - History books first note raisins were sun-dried grapes. Between 120 and 900 B.C., the first vineyards were developed. Muscat raisins, which are oversized with seeds and full of flavor, was grown in southern Spain . Farmers of Greece grew tiny, seedless, tangy raisins called currants.

11th century - Crusader knights first introduced raisins to Europe when they returned home from the Mediterranean . Packaging and shipping techniques were good enough to ship raisins throughout northern Europe .

14th century - Raisins became an important part of European cuisine. Spaniards perfected viticulture, or grape growing. Roman physicians prescribed raisins to cure anything from mushroom poisoning to old age. Eventually, they became so valuable that two jars of raisins could be traded for one slave!

18th century - Spanish missionaries in Mexico moved into California and helped farmers grow grapes for wine.

1851 - A marketable Muscat for raisins, the Egyptian Muscat , was grown near San Diego . Since the area didn't have sufficient water supply, farmers moved to the San Joaquin (wah keen) Valley which has a mild climate and extensive irrigation system perfect for the art of viticulture.

1873 - Legend says California 's first raisin crop was grown by nature, not farmers. A massive heat wave hit the valley before harvest, and most of the grapes dried on the vine before farmers could pick them.

1876 - Scottish immigrant William Thompson grew a seedless grape variety that was thin-skinned, seedless, sweet and tasty. Today 95 percent of California raisins are made from Thompson seedless grapes.

Late 1800s - Armenians descended from the first founders of vineyards in Persia began settling in the San Joaquin Valley . The area now supplies raisins for nearly half the world, making it the largest producer anywhere.

1. Are raisins good for you?
Yes! Not only are raisins a good source of fiber, potassium, iron, calcium, and certain B vitamins, but they are also fat free and cholesterol free. Raisins are also a very rich source of antioxidants. They contain only Natural sugar for Natural Energy. No preservatives are used to keep them fresh.
2. What is the best way to store raisins?
Cool storage is the best way to keep raisins. After the package has been opened they should be put in a sealed container and refrigerated. Raisins will retain their flavor, color, and nutritive value if stored in the refrigerator. They can be kept even longer if frozen. Raisins will thaw quickly at room temperature.

3. How and when are the grapes dried?
In late August, grapes are hand picked, laid on rows of poly paper trays in the vineyard, and allowed to dry naturally in the sun. After two to three weeks, a fresh grape becomes a sun-dried raisin.

4. How many grapes does it take to make a pound of raisins?
Four pounds of fresh Grapes yield one pound of raisins.

BUYING THAT FIRST BREAST FORM

I will never forget the very first breast form I bought for myself. My husband decided to go with me that day since I had to drive over 60 miles away and the weather was very cold and the roads were wet from the snow the night before. We had no idea what we would be looking for or what the cost might be. Back then (twenty six years ago) people didn’t really talk about things like that. It was a very private affair and silence was golden.

There were very few places that carried the breast forms, or had them in stock. When we arrived at the store that day I was uneasy about walking into a place that seemed a little hesitate to really talk to me about the products they sold and the item I was going to be purchasing. However, this January day was very cold and being nervous made me shake more than usual. I was trying to get warm before going into the dressing room with a woman who was a stranger and didn’t seem very pleasant in the first place. Nobody except my husband had seen me since the surgery and I still felt very protective of my appearance. When in the dressing room the lady asked me several questions as she showed me several pictures of some breast forms. They were all the same color all I had to do was pick the shape I liked. The lady did no measurements, nor was the breast forms in stock so you couldn’t feel or look at them in real life form. I asked the sales lady if the form I picked would fit my kind of surgery, she said, “I have no way of knowing that until the day you try it on.” I picked the biggest form to fill in the large hole in my chest cavity. She told me it was a good choice and that she would order it that day, and when the form came in she would give me a call. I paid for the breast form that I had chosen and was hoping that I had made the right choice, since it had to be paid in full before she placed the order.

Two weeks later the phone rang and it was the call I had been waiting for, my new breast form was in and I could pick it up anytime. Later that week my husband and I drove up to the store where I had purchased the breast form. When we arrived, I had to wait for there were customers lined up for all kinds of purchases and I was sure they were not there buying what I had come for. I stood to the side waiting for my turn and finally after 25 minutes I asked the lady at the counter if I could try my new breast form on. She told me she was sorry, but she was there by herself that day and she was sure it would be fine, if not just call or come back. I thought to myself how does one of these fit? What if it is too big or too small or what if something is wrong with it how would I know? Once the sales lady had my money it was like here it is, take it, wear it, and enjoy it. Have a nice day. We walked out of the store with one of the biggest purchases in a sack not knowing how it looked or felt or if it fit.

When we got in the car my husband said,” Let’s look at the breast form and feel it, see if it looks okay.” When we opened the box it was wrapped in a soft cloth but the color seemed so dark, almost black. We felt the form it seemed soft but the color bothered us. We both thought it should be a lighter color. Sitting in the car we decided to hold it up to the window so the sun light could shine on it. Thinking maybe once it got warm the color would change. No that didn’t help finally my husband said, “Maybe you got someone else’s breast form.” Oh how I hated to go back in that store to tell the lady it was the wrong color. I didn’t want her opening the box and talking about it out loud. I didn’t want other customers to know what I had in the box. My husband said, “This can’t be yours you are too fair, I will go back in with you.” Walking up to the counter there stood a very attractive black lady. The sales person was trying to explain how things like this just happen. The sales person was explaining, “Who ever got your breast form won’t want it either. Just be patient Maybe the warehouse shipped me the wrong one.” My stomach was in knots as I said, “Are you looking for a certain item?” The black lady said, “Yes, I am.” “I am sure you know nothing about what I am looking for since you are not very old and don’t have the problems that I have.” “Well, I do know that the item I just took from the store is not mine it belongs to someone else, who might be a little darker than me.” “The saleslady took the box from me and said here it is this is yours Betty, not hers.” The boxes must have gotten mixed up.” The sales lady then took my breast form that she had given to Betty and said, “Here this is yours Mary Johnson, now both of you run along and wear them in good health. That day both Betty and I faced an awkward situation. We both had needs for a product that was the same size, for the same problem, just the wrong color. Through this mix up, a new friendship developed. Betty and I had a lot in common the only difference was our color, which we never again seemed to notice. We remained good friends calling and writing each other for many years, sharing stories about our lives, our families, and our cancer that we lived with daily. Betty passed away a few years ago and I miss Betty’s stories, her laughter and her wisdom about life, but I treasure the time we shared together for so many years.

Written by: Mary D. Johnson

   Interesting Information about Nuts

Nuts are good for you. How much do you know about the many different kinds of nuts?? In this article you will learn some surprising facts and information as well as the benefits nuts do have.

Nuts are a wholesome snack option.

One ounce of peanuts contains many of the vitamins and minerals necessary for the body’s growth and maintenance.

The beneficial fats in peanuts, which are about 81% unsaturated, can help lower cholesterol levels when they replace saturated fats in the diet.

Did you know that peanuts aren’t even nuts? They are legumes and a member of the pea family!

Peanuts are naturally 100% cholesterol-free!

The beneficial fats in peanuts, which are about 81% unsaturated, can help lower      cholesterol levels when they replace saturated fats in the diet.

Dr. George Washington Carver found over 300 uses for the peanut plant in the early 1900’s. He discovered hundreds of uses for the peanut in products such as soap, cheese and paint, earning him the name “Father of the Peanut Industry.”

Americans consume over 600 million pounds of peanuts and over 700 million pounds of peanut butter each year! That’s enough peanut butter to cover the floor of the entire Grand Canyon !

Cashews are actually related to poison ivy! The inside of their shell contains a poisonous resin related to the poison ivy family, known as cashew balm which must be carefully removed before the nut can be consumed.

California is an almond-growing powerhouse! The Golden State produces nearly 100% of the USA ’s almonds and over 75% of the worldwide supply!

Macadamias are one of the most expensive nuts in the world because it is so hard to crack open their shells without ruining what’s inside. It takes over 300 pounds per square inch to break their shell!

What nut was believed in medieval times to have healing properties for headaches? The walnut! Ancient Greeks believed the walnut and its shell resembled the human skull and brains.

Before they made a living as President of the United States , Thomas Jefferson and Jimmy Carter were peanut farmers!

It is believed the walnut was cultivated over 4,000 years ago and was once considered to be the food of royalty by ancient cultures.

Peanut consumption boomed during the U.S. Civil War when soldiers snacked on the treat.

     The pistachio nut differs from all other nuts because of its characteristic green color. It is also sometimes called the “smiling nut” because of its semi-open shell.

Pistachio nuts are the only edible nuts which don’t need to be shelled for roasting and salting. This is a nut I have always enjoyed.

 It takes a pistachio tree about seven years to bear its first fruit.

Almonds are the most widely-grown and eaten tree nut. They are finding that almonds have many good health benefits

The United States produces 80% of the world’s pecans! This is one nut you can do so much with and use in so many ways.

Peanuts grow in a fascinating manner. They actually start out as an above-ground flower but eventually make their way underground where the peanut matures. Try growing some peanuts with your children, they will be amazed and will talk about the experience for years to come.  I hope you found this article to be interesting. See you again next month with more, Moments with Mary. 

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Avocado Facts

 California avocados grow year-round.

Brazilians add avocados to ice cream.

Avocados are a fruit, not a vegetable.

About 43.6% of all U.S. households buy avocados.

California produces 95% of the nation's avocado crop.

Latin Americans wrap avocados up and give them as wedding gifts.

Avocados are a healthy food with 60% more potassium than bananas.

Avocados are sodium- and cholesterol-free and have only five grams of fat

per serving, most of it the good-for-you monounsaturated kind.

Avocados were once a luxury food reserved for the tables of royalty, but now

California avocados are enjoyed around the world by people from all walks of life.

So try an avocado today, see what you have been missing. Moments with Mary

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The Flaxseed story

(How one small change in your diet can make a big difference to your health?)

The flax plant thrives on the long days and cool nights of North Dakota and western Canada. In July, the plant blooms. Vivid blue blossoms unfold each morning, only to drop from the plant by midday. In contrast to the beauty and elegance of the flowers, the seeds of the flax plant are tiny, brown, and plain. Without question, though, these seeds are the flax plant's real health treasure.

There are many delicious ways to use the flaxseed in your diet. Several interesting facts about the flaxseed are;

1. Flax is great for your digestion. The flax seed has a large amount of both insoluble and soluble fiber. One tablespoon of ground flaxseed contains roughly 2.3 grams of total fiber. Insoluble fiber eases the digestive process and may help prevent colon cancer, while sticky soluble fiber can lower cholesterol and regulate blood sugar.

2. Flax is great for your heart. With omega-3 levels higher than canola or soybean oil, flax is an excellent vegetable source of omega-3, the polyunsaturated fatty acids that make fish so healthy to eat.

3. Flax may help prevent cancer. Flaxseed is rich in lignins, which are powerful phytoestrogens (naturally occurring hormones from plants.) In fact, flaxseed's concentration of lignins is higher than of any other food source.

4. Flaxseeds have a light nutty flavor. Here are some examples of how I use flaxseed. I mix several teaspoons of the flaxseed into a pan of chili, blend it with the crunchy topping on apple crisp, put it into our sweet and sour meatballs, mix it into our yogurt, add it to our favorite pasta dish, or muffin recipe. Sometimes, I sprinkle a little on our salads. When making homemade bread in the winter, I always use flaxseed in the mixture, the bread rises quicker and everyone loves the taste. There are lots of wonderful recipes using flaxseed. Flaxseed is just one of those great common sense plant foods that have been on the plant for thousands of years and is really powerful. There are many benefits in this tiny seed. Flaxseed is very reasonable, and adding it to my family's diet years ago has been a real plus, for all of us.

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Interesting Facts about Papaya

The papaya is known as the Superman of fruits. Look, up in the sky! Growing on trees that typically reach 30 feet in height, papayas have been rated the number one fruit in overall healthfulness by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a Washington based consumer group that studies nutrition. Papayas contain more vitamin C than oranges, more vitamin A than carrots, a third more potassium than bananas, and three times the dietary fiber of apples. Besides being rich in folic acid, magnesium, and calcium, papayas contain papain, an enzyme that aids digestion and makes papaya useful as a meat tenderizer and is also a wonderful beauty aid. You might also like to know there is only 55 calories in one cup of diced papaya.

Papayas are grown in the tropics, from Brazil to Jamaica to Thailand , they are generally divided into two categories: The Hawaiian Kapohos, which are the pear-shaped, sweet ones that most Americans see, and the Mexican varieties, which are more savory in taste and can weigh up to 10 pounds each. Both are equally nutritious. The papaya has a gold-to-rose colored flesh; it tastes like a hint of banana, peach, and mango all in one. You can tell when the fruit is ripe their mostly green-to-yellow skin turns mostly yellow-to-green. As for the texture, choose papayas that give slightly to palm pressure. The flesh of a papaya is white before maturity, turning to a rich orange-yellow then a deep rose when fully ripe. Unless you're using the grayish black seeds to make a salad dressing or a garnish, you will probably want to discard them. If you purchase unripe papayas, they will ripen at room temperature. If you buy too many papayas, put them in the refrigerator to halt the ripening process, but be sure to serve them at room temperature Interesting papaya particulars.

1. Most Hawaiian papayas are called solos. That's because they serve one person.

2. In Australia and South Africa , papayas are called Papaws.

3. The Japanese like to serve papaya with ham as a first course.

4. Papaya trees have a short life span about three years.

5. Papayas are still hand picked. Pickers use poles with rubber cups on the ends Fruits are taken off the trees one by one with a twist of the pole.

6. Slightly under ripe papaya, which is not so sweet, can be cooked and served as a side dish like a vegetable.

7. Papain, a milky latex collected from unripe papayas, is dried and sold as a disinfectant, digestive aid, beer clarifier, and a meat tenderizer.

So take a chance, buy and try a papaya. Until next month stay healthy. Moments with Mary.

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