Still more from Iran...

I have not finished posting a selection of my photos from our last trip to Iran, 7 months ago now. These are from Shiraz, mostly taken in a HUGE, and I mean HUGE bazaar. This is place is so big and meandering that we actually started to get nervous...about ever finding our way back. Our taxi drive never left us for a second, and as it turned out he could be trusted; no reason not to think otherwise other than we had never laid eyes on him before! In the bazaar I found this little spice shop. I have an amazing pic of Mano negotiating for the spices, but he has threatened me with the his eternal wrath if he ever catches a photo of him on the internet...so I am complying:)

Smoothies and VitaMix

Hah, so I have been eying this blender for a while, waiting for it to show up at Costco which it did this last week, and I've been experimenting with it for the last few days. Here is what I whipped up just now:

frozen blueberries

frozen strawberries

1/2 frozen banana (I prefer the smoothie not to be overpowering banana!)

drizzle Manuka™ honey

dash flax seed

1/4 tomato

almond milk

heaping spoon of plain yoghurt.

Blend...yum.

Yesterday:

frozen banana (1/2)

frozen grapes

frozen mango

1/4 carrot

5-7 spinach leaves

lots of ice

water

Blend...makes 'ice cream'.

Confused about whether Mormons are Christians?

Here is a website that will help you to understand that Jesus Christ is at the center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Here is the link:

http://jesuschrist.lds.org/SonOfGod/eng/?cid=wpats2

Here is another website that has everything that a person with a sincere heart would need to find out what Mormon's actually believe.

www.lds.org

These are websites with accurate details on the church (official websites). There are plenty of sites where those that don't want to live the gospel, have found 'reasons' not to...but the gospel is beautiful, and it's true. If you are Christian now, you will find that not only is our church Christian, but it's based on the Bible and the Book of Mormon, and supports what you already know in an expanded way. The gospel is deep, rich, spiritual, and even intellectually stimulating. There is a feast for anyone wanting to sup. I pray that you will want to!

Lastly, here is a cool YouTube video on God as the Father of us all.

http://lds.org/pages/god-is-our-father?lang=eng

Busyness!!

I haven't posted in so long - but it's been busy with family visits, a fun vacation, and special times with grandkids...most notably Charlie had his special time with Grammie two weeks ago. Here are the incredible traits that I love about Charlie:

He is incredibly optimistic and is interested in everything...it doesn't matter what it is (it could be your new handbag, or a star, or a bearded dragon, or a new tree in the yard); it's a trait he shares with his Uncle Mark. Charlie is also fun, and cheerful. He is sensitive to others, and notices everything...so he won't be hurting your feelings ever. He has a keen sense of fairness, so you have to be fair, or he will let you know. He is honest, and pure, loves his family, gives so many kisses and hugs...he is game for any activity and for any kind of food. At the Space and Science center, he literally bounced with joy at a ball display that had in front - the joy reached from the top of his head to the bottoms of his shoes. He was vibrating happiness and curiosity! I can't say enough awesome things about Charlie, and I can't wait for his next visit, after Scarlet, Janie and Jacob that is...to be fair:)

Charlie, thanks for coming to stay with me buddy! man shoma ducet daram!!

Orbitz

When you are looking for an online travel company, check out orbitz.com first! They have stood up to Media Matters 'DropFox' smear campaign by NOT being intimidated ...here was their response:

(Orbitz spokesman) "describing Media Matters as “a political organization that has been funded pretty extensively to go after one network, and we aren’t going to engage in that fight,” Orbitz spokesman Brian Hoyt told The Hollywood Reporter:


“We have a strict policy of tolerance and non-discrimination, and that means we don’t favor one political side over another. Tolerance is a two-way street,” he said. “We’re going to advertise on conservative TV stations, liberal TV stations and — if there are any out there — unbiased news broadcasts.”

Other companies being pressured are being pressured: Netflix, Best Western, Priceline, Delta Airlines, Ocean Spray and others. It remains to be seen whether they can be swayed.

As for me, I will be tilting my travel business towards Orbitz.com.

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Heartsy!

Groupon for Etsy! That's what Heartsy is...at www.heartsy.me. Check it out:)

Mother's Day

Mother's Day started out a little rocky as I sat in church by myself and missed everyone - my husband and children all elsewhere...but by the end of church I was much cheered. I had a good chat at church with a sweet, darling friend. Then I went home to my sweet granddaughter, son, daughter-in-law and other son, and then other son, and girlfriend, and phone calls from my daughter and son-in-law and grandchildren...so by the end of the day, I had plenty of company! We had such a fun time, and they had thoughtful and sweet gifts for me. Honestly, their presence was the gift!

...flowers from Jared and a sweet Abraham Lincoln print that I love, gift card for Greenland from Mark, Sarra and Eli & Jen, an amazing necklace from Manochehr (and Mariah whom this mission would not have had lift off - picture of this cute necklace is coming!), who remembered even though I am not his mother:)

I Would Like This in a King Please

I am going to have to buy this beauty for my bed...actually it needs to be custom made from neutral shades of vintage chenille, quilted with 'Warm & Natural' and backed with something sumptuous - flannel or muslin. I think it's so lovely.

Grandmothering

I am going to be a grandmother for the 6th time...did I say that I love to be a grandma? I love the way these little ones smell, express themselves, and happily chat your ear off. I love the freckles across their noses, their toothless smiles, their worries, and concerns, their happy stories, and their dreams. I even love their drool, diapers, whining and crying. I love the way they spell, their poems, their animals, their tears, their sweaty cheeks, and their hugs. I love their pure faith, and their unconditional love. I love everything about them. Everything.

4 Anti-Aging Food Groups

Taken from Paula Begoun's website www.cosmeticscop.com -there were actually 5, but I left off the green tea/wine option:)

http://www.cosmeticscop.com/BULLETIN/051011-full.htm?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Read+More+%C2%BB&utm_content=5+Wrinkle-Fighting+Foods+to+Add+to+Your+Grocery+List&utm_campaign=05.10.11+Beauty+Exclusives

4 Anti-Aging Superfoods for Younger-Looking Skin

Scientific research makes it abundantly clear that a healthy diet wards off disease and helps maintain a healthy body. Less well known, however, is that diet also affects our appearance as we age! When it comes to looking younger, there are certain foods that actually slow down the outward signs of aging—wrinkles, sagging, dull skin and more!

The latest research clearly shows how a skin-friendly diet can help your skin build healthy new collagen, improve its elasticity, make your skin look radiant, and even reduce breakouts. Without question the foods we list below, along with exercise, a good skin-care routine, and staying out of the sun, will make a HUGE difference in your appearance!

Here is your recipe for younger-looking skin. Bon appetit!

1) Berries
Berries play an important role in your appearance because they are full of antioxidants, which protect your skin from the free radicals that contribute to aging. The darker the berry, the better: blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, raspberries, acai, and strawberries are known to have high concentrations of antioxidants. Fresh is best, but frozen berries are good, too!

2) Salmon
Salmon is loaded with omega-3 essential fatty acids and antioxidants, such as astaxanthin. Eating salmon can reduce sun damage, reduce inflammation that leads to collagen breakdown, and help skin look young, plump, and radiant.

If you're not a fan of fish, there are other sources of potent essential fatty acids that benefit skin, including flaxseed, avocadoes, and walnuts. You can also take omega-3 fish oil supplements (but check with your doctor first).

3) Sweet Potatoes, Fruits, and Leafy Greens
Foods rich in beta carotene have anti-aging benefit because they slow the damage caused by sun exposure. Think sweet potatoes; orange, red, or yellow fruits; vegetables such as carrots, bell peppers, and butternut squash; and leafy greens, including kale, spinach, and broccoli. Another great source of antioxidants which most of us eat regularly? Tomatoes!

4) Spices
Why not throw in some flavor to help keep your skin wrinkle-free and younger looking? Add spices like cardamom, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, coriander, fenugreek, ginger, licorice powder, tamarind, and turmeric to your favorite recipes. These spices have a variety of amazing benefits for skin, including fighting sun damage, and some have antibacterial properties. They're also a brilliant way to make mundane meals like grilled chicken sizzle with flavor!

We all nkow most of these, but I didn't know about turmeric! When I read about turmeric, bells went off...maybe this is what is saving me...I probably eat more turmeric than the average north american...Mano's been plying me with turmeric our whole life! I can thank Sarra for the blueberry habit...I hope there are no downsides to blueberries, b/c I consume them every day pretty well.