Home on the Range

Welcome Stumblers and all newcomers! If you want to lose weight, gain muscle, increase energy levels, reduce stress or just generally look and feel healthier you've come to the right place.

Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter for tips, advice and special insider-only information.

Learn more about the Primal Lifestyle by visiting the Primal Blueprint 101 page. Thanks for visiting!

Sara here. I have a little issue with the high prices and low quality of eggs at the supermarket. At least, I do now, because when Junior Apple Janet wrote in with the following, I had to spread the word:

“Home with my parents for the holidays, I was a bit confused when Dad came home with 88 cent eggs. Yes, 88 cents. More confusing still was the rainbow of colors and sizes of the eggs – not sure I’ve ever eaten green eggs before. I don’t know when my parents started doing this, but I am a convert. In fact, I ate nothing but eggs the whole time. My folks humored me until I insisted on serving omelets for the third day in a row. I couldn’t get over how much better farm eggs are! Why isn’t everyone doing this?”

Farm-fresh eggs are a good thing. They’re fresher, tastier, more nutritious, and cost less than your average parking meter. Who would bother with the thin-shelled, bland, pale store variety of eggs when real farm eggs are available?

What’s going on, Apples? If you are lucky enough to be living in or near a rural area, I recommend that you check out the egg situation.

The purpose of this post (yes, there is a point) is to highlight some of the better-egg tips in case you, like myself, aren’t within easy access of a farm.

Egg-Buying Advice:
- Go organic, of course.
- Give each egg in the carton a quick feel to make sure it’s not cracked and stuck to the carton.
- Choose Omega-3-enhanced eggs for an easy fatty acid boost every day.
- Look for eggs that are a little bit chalky or matte. The shinier the shell, the older the egg.
- Try to pick eggs that don’t have a lot of irregularities and bumps – an older chicken giveaway. Older chicken = inferior eggs.
- Don’t worry about cholesterol.

And, while we’re on the topic of eggs, did you know that egg foo yung (an American Chinese invention) is a surprisingly healthy restaurant food? Fried rice, egg rolls and the endless procession of cornstarch-based sauces in many American Chinese restaurants aren’t exactly your best bet for nutrition. But egg foo yung is typically sauce-free, high in protein, low in fat and sugar, and usually has a few veggies thrown in. It’s really not much different from an omelet. Speaking of omelets…

Technorati Tags: organic, eggs, egg buying tips, egg health benefits, egg foo yung, free-range

Posted By: Sara

1

The Buckler Brief

EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT: Milk Thistle

WHAT IT IS: Milk Thistle, or silybum marianum

Milk thistle is a hardy, prickly plant of the thistle family. It grows easily around the world. It is edible and its leaves are often eaten in a manner similar to artichokes. It can also be made into a potent beverage not unlike coffee. Used for more than 2,000 years, milk thistle was once thought to activate lactation (hence the name).

Milk thistle contains a substance, silymarin, which is a uniquely powerful antioxidant. It stores itself in the liver and can prevent and even reverse damage from toxins like alcohol and painkillers.

STUDIES SHOW: Milk thistle is one of the most thoroughly documented nutrients. Numerous studies support the claim that milk thistle can combat toxic damage in the liver from metals, poisons, alcohol, painkillers, pollution and other contaminants. Importantly, milk thistle has been shown to fight free radical damage – in fact, it appears that milk thistle may actually reverse some signs of oxidation in the liver.

Additionally, dozens of studies show that milk thistle can reduce cholesterol as well as inflammation in the liver. Milk thistle has the ability to fight lipid peroxidation, the process which creates cholesterol in the liver.

WHY WE LIKE IT: We like milk thistle because of its unique potential for benefitting the liver. Though known for being susceptible to damage from excess alcohol, the liver is also easily stressed by today’s diet and lifestyle trends (high in sugar, trans fats, free radicals and drugs). Maintaining liver health is crucial for cholesterol production and metabolism, the body’s inflammatory response, and overall health.

Milk thistle can help to reduce cholesterol and fight free radicals in the liver. This humble leaf also offers broad health benefits: helping to heal tissues, protect against further oxidation, and diminish inflammation.

Because we are inundated with free radicals – as Mark says, it’s a free radical minefield out there – it’s vital to supplement the liver with protective nutrients. And milk thistle is among the best sources for supporting liver health.

Technorati Tags: milk thistle, silybum marianum, liver health, reduce inflammation, cholesterol, herbal medicine

Posted By: Elliott

0

Take 2 Bites & We’ll See You in the Morning

Worker Bees’ Daily Bites

1. Ririan Rocks
We love how the posts over at Ririan make life so much easier and more productive. Check out the essential tips for good sleep – and we’ll add one to the list…

Spend 5 or 10 minutes before bed doing one of the following:

- Journaling (write your thoughts, your to-do list, your worries, whatever!)

- Prayer or meditation (concentrate on the positive – focus on appreciation)

- Light a candle, take 10 deep breaths, and decide to get a great night’s sleep. You’ll be amazed at how the decision to rack out will really work! (Work up to 20, 30 or more deep breaths before going to sleep.)

2. Allergic? Pour It On

We’ve been noticing a particular allergy hypothesis begining to take hold in the scientific community. Well, actually, Mark has been noticing and pointed it out. Scientists are finding that, in some cases, increased exposure to an allergen seems to be the best way to cure the allergy. Of course, this is not a “do it yourself” experiment; so far, studies have been strictly controlled in labs. The latest study could make a big difference for children’s food allergies. Check it out by jumpin’ on this clickativity.

Technorati Tags: sleep tips, improve sleep, allergies

Posted By: Worker Bee

1

The Fuming Fuji Says No to Children’s Restaurant Menus

The Fuming Fuji is outraged at the marketing of toxic food, especially when it’s aimed at the small fry. This week, the Fuming Fuji has decided to have a serious problem with children’s restaurant menus.

But, Fuming Fuji, you ask, kids are so picky – restaurants have to offer what kids will eat, right?

The Fuming Fuji says no!

The claim: Many restaurants offer children’s menus full of deep-fried garbage, with hopes for junior’s imminent obesity.

The comeback: Come on, Fuji! Kids aren’t going to eat chicken parmesan. Food has to be fun for them. Besides, the kids’ menu is cheaper. I don’t want to pay for filet mignon for someone who can’t even spell it.

The conclusion: Fuming Fuji says you should not eat chicken parmesan, either. Yes, food should be fun. So should hospitals, but they are not, especially when you are there for a triple bypass. Fuming Fuji says no price is too high for your child’s health. Also, children learn French spelling quite easily. What restaurant doesn’t offer sides like a small salad, fruit, or steamed veggies? No restaurant you should be in. Kids like these foods and they are healthier than fried cholesterol tenders. Oh, excuse me, fried chicken tenders.

The catchphrase: Tiny tots are not trash compactors.

Disclaimer: Mark Sisson and the Worker Bees do not necessarily endorse the views of the Fuming Fuji. He’s an angry, angry little apple.

Technorati Tags: kids’ menus, restaurants, fast food alternatives, children’s health

Posted By: Worker Bee

0

Fun Clicks

WORKER BEES’ DAILY BITES

1) Mistletoe Won’t Cure Anything…But It Still Breaks the Ice

The holiday version of snake oil?

2) Baby Einstein or Go Fish?

Fish oil is superior to both olive oil and annoying videos when it comes to raising smart kids.

Technorati Tags: Baby Einstein, fish oil, snake oil, mistletoe

Posted By: Worker Bee

0