Low Cost Health Care Options

So maybe you are like the guy and I? We make too much money to receive state assisted health care, but not enough money to buy health insurance. We live in limbo, not able to receive real diagnostic or urgent care, waiting for an emergency that may also bring forth needed testing. Seriously. We have thought about me joining a baseball team in hopes I get smacked in the head with a ball and rushed in for an MRI, which I have now 6 expired orders for. I suggested standing in front a shooting range dressed as a deer, then I read the story about the poor woman in MI who shot herself in the shoulder, in hope they would fix it while taking the bullet out. Nope. They just took the bullet out and left her shredded rotator cuff in place. So, how does the working poor and uninsured populous of America survive beside kitchen table podiatry and bathroom mirror oral surgery??

This was a helpful GOV link. It lists low cost or sliding scale clinics in your zip code in the USA. There is no such thing as a free clinic here. When people say this to me, I tend to turn purple and walk away. On a sliding scale, we still had to pay $99.00 per visit, which closed the regular health care door for us. You may have better luck, and surely will if you have minor children...which lowers your scale payment.


This link, lists the state by state assisted programs, also known as 'Medicaid'. Most states, provide free medical care to children of any income level and have an income tier based levels of coverage for adults. Notice I say 'most' states? This one does not.


This link lists Certified Nurse Midwives. CNM's can provide primary medical care and write prescriptions in most states. Mine, is only $45.00 for a full 30-45 minute appointment, labs extra. She is my angel of mercy, has close to 40 years experience in traditional and alternative medicine, and is very informed about food sensitivities and Fibro. We swap gluten free recipes, too.


This is CVS's link. CVS has Minute Clinics. Have a sore throat, need a booster shot or medication refill? You can go here for a quick visit with an RN. Prices vary from state to state, but evens out around $50-75.00 per visit.


Or, Walgreen's. Same deal. RN, about $50-75.00.


Most local health departments also offer limited medical care, including free Pap smears and breast exams for low income women, and vaccinations for those who vaccinate.


Alternative care at a low cost? Why yes! Community acupuncture clinics all over the US offer sliding scales.  I honestly only can pay $15.00 per visit, and that is fine with them. I offer more when I have it, but that's only happened once so far.


Check here for massage schools and their student run clinics, where you can receive free or next to free 1 hour massages.


Are to too squeamish for bathroom mirror oral surgery? Many dental schools offer low cost or free cleaning and some discounted work by final year students. They have been the only way for us to afford to have our teeth in semi working condition. Find the one near you and ask if they have a clinic.


Mental health is very important. Those of you also dealing with chronic pain, know there is a fine line between OK and totally in need of mental health care. You can find options here.


I know this sounds really odd, but many large grocery store chains now offer mobile labs... where I get my updated autoimmune blood drawn ever 6 months for less than half the cost if I walked into the actual lab. I had a full Rheumatoid Arthritis/chronic inflammation panel of 8 tubes drawn for less than $100.00. This is my only access to diagnostics. They offer everything from cholesterol screenings, allergy tests to hormone levels, and bone density scans. Many friends have actually reported it is less expensive to use one of these mobile labs then it is to pay their co-pay. Check your local listings!

Remember. The best health care, and highest of quality, is the one you have access to. Sometimes that means caring for yourself even more thoughtfully than the person next door. You have to live healthy, despite insurance or not. Fresh air, exercise, living with joy and intention, researching and taking supplements as needed, drinking lots of water and eating like you want to live... helps :)

Tucson Tamale Company

The holiday season means one thing here in the Southwest...tamales. Yes, I do make my own, but it's a giant pain in the butt, and probably better to be left to professionals or groups of dedicated people. Enter the Tucson Tamale Company. They hand make the BEST tamales I have ever eaten, and oh...their menu is  gluten free, down to the sides and brownies. They also make killer salsa verde, which I am a huge fan of. And they mail order. I'd love to send tamales to everyone I know in New England!

So here is a link. Try not drool too much on your keyboard, and order the Vegan Blue Corn Calabacita tamales, and for the love of all that is right in the world, order some DOGMALES. Dogmales are gluten free Sonoran hot dogs. If you watched Man VS Food, Tucson, then you saw him go get a Sonoran hot dog. Your mouth watered as he bit into the soft bakery roll, stuffed with a bacon wrapped all beef hot dog, covered in green salsa, pinto beans, and condimentia...I know it did. I know mine did, just as I know I had 2 favorite street vendors for these delights until the sick years and becoming gluten free. Their Dogmales are all of the goodness, wrapped in masa, not bread! I know that this is the closest I will ever have to a Sonoran hot dog again and I am really ok with this. Yes, they are that good!

I'm not being paid to write this, but I would take a case of Dogmales if offered ;)

The Elimination Diet Results: The List 2010

I'm not so sure if this is the best post, post Thanksgiving. I honestly apologize for using digestive upset words today, but this is the end of my epic journey I began in September, so I'm sharing.

Certified organic, non GMO corn, is safe. I repeat. Corn is safe. Can't believe it, but it is true. Gluten free oats, are NOT safe for me. Grass fed and finished beef, is safe. Yesterday I was planing on dairy in the form of whole milk organic plain yogurt. I was still processing the half of an English walnut pie I ate Thursday night, so I didn't think it was the best idea and put it off for tonight. This morning, I blindly poured cow milk into my coffee. It was a really, really bad mistake. Not just the lactose intolerance symptoms of gas, abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea, but vomiting. Milk, does NOT do this body good. It clearly makes me sick, so I'm not even testing it. This diet...is DONE.

The idea that the well informed natural foods cook, has been walking around so sick for so long and having no idea why, makes my head hurt and did make me cry a few times. I've been a buyer for natural food stores, cooked for numerous restaurants, for unique clients from all over the world, on a movie set, music festivals all over the country, metaphysical and nutritional retreats of all kinds, for huge busy families w/ mixed allergies and 3 main dish requests a night...and I had no idea I was partially so sick because of food. D'OH!

BAKER'S YEAST: severe abdominal bloating, pain, and general intestinal explosion
WINE YEAST: see above
WINE VINEGAR:see above
BREWER'S YEAST: see above
EGG WHITES: itchy mouth and face, chronic rash trigger
TOMATOES: major inflammation and migraine trigger, acne like rash on face, fatigue
SOME POTATOES: headaches, fatigue
PEACHES: itchy mouth and face, some burning where juice dripped on wrists
STRAWBERRIES: itchy, swollen lips and mouth
MANGO: raw cut feeling on roof of mouth, digestive discomfort
BANANA: see above, less acute if cooked.
PECANS: raw cut feeling on roof of mouth, digestive discomfort
MACADAMIA NUTS: see above
GF OATS: digestive discomfort, eliminations issues... just like gluten was in me
DAIRY: severe abdominal bloating, pain, vomiting, gas, and diarrhea

So many basic foods that I have to rewrite more than 2/3rd's of my cookbook, though I am leaving my now forbidden recipes here on my blog, for people who may not have as many restrictions and are just looking for plain old good gluten free food.

Aho Mitakuye Oyasin

Aho Mitakuye Oyasin....All my relations. I honor you in this circle of life with me today. I am grateful for this opportunity to acknowledge you in this prayer....

To the Creator, for the ultimate gift of life, I thank you.

To the mineral nation that has built and maintained my bones and all foundations of life experience, I thank you.

To the plant nation that sustains my organs and body and gives me healing herbs for sickness, I thank you.

To the animal nation that feeds me from your own flesh and offers your loyal companionship in this walk of life, I thank you.

To the human nation that shares my path as a soul upon the sacred wheel of Earthly life, I thank you.

To the Spirit nation that guides me invisibly through the ups and downs of life and for carrying the torch of light through the Ages, I thank you.

To the Four Winds of Change and Growth, I thank you.

You are all my relations, my relatives, without whom I would not live. We are in the circle of life together, co-existing, co-dependent, co-creating our destiny. One, not more important than the other. One nation evolving from the other and yet each dependent upon the one above and the one below. All of us a part of the Great Mystery.

Thank you for this Life.

Something besides Calgon, take me away!

I am a water sign, living in the desert, deprived of ocean, lakes, streams, and ponds...not to mention, puddles for most of the year. My refuge if the bathtub. I can't live without one...oh wait, I am! As luck would have it, I have access to a deep claw foot tub 1-2 times a week. I do make use out of it.


It's Autumn going into Winter, we'll start with these seasonal bath delights!


Cinnamon Apple or Pumpkin Body and Hair Mask
2 pounds of cut and cored apples 
3/4 cup of water
or 1, 16 ounce can of pumpkin
1/4 cup of water
1-2 cinnamon sticks, broken
1/2 cup of coconut oil, apricot oil, or untoasted sesame oil
1 lemon, juiced and zested



Place apples or the pumpkin, cinnamon sticks, lemon juice, and water in a large pot. Cook until you can mash the apples or the pumpkin is bubbly. Strain through a mesh colander to remove the liquids (You can drink the liquid!) Place the strained mix back into the pan, add the oil and lemon zest. Use while still warm: sit in the empty tub, wet your body, slather your whole body (keep away from eyes) and your hair in the mix. Fill the tub just a bit and lie back and relax for 10 minutes. Place a face cloth over the drain to catch pulp, then turn the shower on and rinse well. Rinse your hair, but shampoo the next day. Let the oil work some magic overnight. Your skin will love the fruit acids, you and your hair be thoroughly moisturized by the oil, and you will feel renewed by the essential oils in the lemon zest.


Chai Body Tea
2-3 cinnamon sticks, broken
1 tablespoon of whole cloves
1 tablespoon cardamom pods
1 teaspoon of whole black peppercorns
2 inch piece of smashed ginger, or 1/4 cup sliced dry ginger
green tea bags or loose green tea
1/4 cup of baking soda
If you are not sensitive to dairy, 1/2 cup of dried milk powder.


Place all ingredients, except baking soda and milk powder, in a tea sack, or clean, thin, cotton sock. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the sack or sock, turn the heat low, and let simmer covered for 15-20 minutes. Turn off the heat, add the baking soda and stir to dissolve. Bring the pan into the bathroom. Start your hot tub and the contents of the pan: both the sack/sock and the liquid, and the milk powder if using. Immerse yourself into a hot cup of tea! Keep away from eyes and give yourself a quick rinse after you have turned into a prune. Not only does this smell amazing, your skin loves the antioxidant green tea, the energizing spices, the moisturizing milk powder, and the PH balancing baking soda. Why not make a huge batch using the dry ginger? Buy some tea sacks online, and a make the most unique holiday gift anyone has ever heard of! Packing it in a recycled jar or tin will please the most au natural friend you have.



 Spice Bazaar Bath and Body Oil
1/2 cup of untoasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons of sandalwood chips or 6 drops of sandalwood oil
1 tablespoon dried patchouli leaves or 3 drops of patchouli oil
3 cinnamon sticks, broken
1 tablespoon whole cloves
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg

Place all ingredients into a glass jar. Let seep for 1-2 weeks, shaking the jar 2x daily. Strain through a mesh strainer or cheesecloth, and store in the 'fridge.
To use in bath, add to hot running water, and rinse well after using, or use after your bath for a long lasting scented body moisturizer or massage oil. Keep away from eyes, and avoid direct contact with 'tender skin below the waist' if using as a body or massage oil. Sesame oil absorbs UV rays, soothes wind and sunburned skin, and is a wonderful moisturizer. This sensual, earthy spiced oil is pleasing to men and women. Another unique gift idea!

TLB 2010

Homemade All Natural Garden Pest Repellant (Tam's Aphid Be Gone)

So it is Mid Term Election day here in the USA. Perfect day to talk about pest control, I think. I know it's Fall and chilly in most of the Northern hemisphere, but it's not here. I am writing this, sitting outside in 80 degree shade. (Global what??) Anyway. My garden is growing at a Spring like rate since it's so warm. I am on my FOURTH planting of greens. Normally, my Fall-Winter gardens are free of most pests and I worry more about cold than hot. I have a bumper crop of collards, lettuce, bok choy, and cabbage right now... and it's warm. One word. APHIDS. Again. This time without their farmer ants. Aphids are feasting on my cole crops. Not happening. We have the garden factored into our food budget and our holiday menus. We need this garden to eat well through the Winter. This is not a hobby garden...it's about actual nutritional health and survival for us.

Since greens don't require pollinators, I went out and washed the aphids off in soapy water. They came back. I soaped again. There they were again. My inner herbalist/ mad scientist thought long and hard and I came up with what has proven to be the only non-toxic, organic thing I have yet to find that makes them really go away. I remembered my Gram's neighbor spraying her cole garden in garlic and cayenne tea to repel pests, and then the memory of dipping aphid infested leaves in peppermint tea came back to me. Ah- ha!

1 cup of dried mint or lots of mint tea bags
1 head of garlic, peeled and pureed
1/4 cup of hot sauce
3 tablespoons of veg oil
1/2 gallon of water


Heat the water to boil. Add the herb or tea bags, turn the pot off and cover. Let seep for 1/2 an hour. Add the pureed garlic and mix well to combine. Pour through a mesh strainer, then add the  veg oil and hot sauce, and pour into a spray bottle. Shake well before using.


Spray the heck out of your cole crops, being sure to coat the under side of leaves and any tender young bunching leaves in the center of the plant. Remove any living aphids or eggs with your fingernail or a Q-Tip for the bug phobic. Spray daily until all signs of aphids are gone, then spray once a week. If the spray wilts your leaves, wash well with water. They'll pop right back up. 


This will burn the heck out of your eyes and sensitive skin...use caution and keep away from kiddos and pets! The dog won't go near the garden now, which is nice. He's been eating all sorts of sprouts and baby peas. Always wash your hands well after handling aphids or the spray. Aphids do like houseplants, so you can use this inside, too.
I sprinkled dried mint between the plants and planted garlic chives between rows, in hope of stopping future infestations. The aphids... are gone and our food garden is safe for now. 


I am buying ladybugs from a local company this Spring, and I have planted several pererinals that attract butterflies. Adding these benifical aphid eaters to my yard and garden makes me feel better than scraping bugs off and killing them. The ladbugs and butterflies will take care of the aphids and other pests as part of their survival and life cycle.

Homemade Automatic Dishwasher and Kitchen Scouring Powder

I am grateful simply for having hot water that now comes out of my tap to wash dishes in. We had to boil water for dishes, for months, until we figured out how to repair the hot water heater without money. A dishwasher seems like a far away dream and not really a necessity for a family of two w/ occasional guests. The Kid, has one in her apartment and uses it as a time saver. She's always in need of dish powder and her college kid budget is tight. I now make it for her at 1/2 the price or less, and she reports adding plain white vinegar to the rinsing agent dispenser clears any white spots that may occur.

She was out of cleaning supplies, so I suggested using some of the dish powder to clean a stained counter top and found it makes a great cleaning powder, though not on easily scratched surfaces. Her sink, toilet, tub, formica counters and the backsplash tiles, sure like it though. Crafty, huh?

MAKES JUST OVER ONE QUART

2 cups of borax powder
2 cups of baking soda
1/2 cup of salt. I bought cheap store brand salt.
Citric acid
I can buy citric acid in bulk locally.  I've also seen it in hardware stores near the caning equipment. It's Vitamin C, so if you can't find it in bulk or package, we have used the powder from 2 Vit. C capsules or 2 EmergenC Lemon-Lime packets. The Kid likes the scent of the EmergenC.


Whisk ingredients together. Store in a glass jar, plastic bag, or plastic container of choice. Use just like store bought, and don't forget to add the plain, white distilled vinegar to the rinse to help disolve spots. Use the powder like store- bought scouring powder and rinse well.


I found this recipe online last year but I can't find it again to credit it. Please, if this is yours, thanks!