March 1, 2019

March is Kidney Awareness month. In honor of my husband, Rick McCoy. All it takes is a simple blood test to find out how healthy (or not) your kidneys are. If your kidneys are not healthy, and caught early - the kidney diet/nutrition program is awesome at helping to repair and rebuild your kidneys. Rick received the diagnosis of Acute Kidney Disease with Renal Failure in January of 2012. His kidneys were functioning only at 21%. We were told that he could possibly live another 20 years without dialysis if he followed the diet/nutrition/exercise program. He was doing so good ... his kidneys improved to 27% in less than 6 months. Then, he got hurt at work, had to have surgery ... and his kidneys failed to less than 15%. Had we known about this simple blood test, we could have had him on the program for a lot longer, and the surgery would not have done what it did. Please - ask your doctor for the blood test that will tell you the BUN. I love you Rick - we tried, didn't we Sweetheart? I miss you. 

Today is your day Blaine!
National Peanut Butter Lover's Day
Ah, peanut butter. One day is not enough to recognize peanut butter. March 1st was made for National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day. The goober has been paired, blended and added with many tasty results!
The creamy, nutty goodness that is peanut butter is so amazingly delicious that when we pair it with creamy and dreamy chocolate, we almost have bacon.
Peanut Butter Trivia:
*It takes about 540 peanuts to make a 12-ounce jar of peanut butter.
*C.H. Sumner first sold peanut butter in the United States at the Universal Exposition in St. Louis. He sold $705.11 of the “new treat” at his concession stand.
*Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup was introduced to America in 1928.
*The oldest operating manufacturer and seller of peanut butter has been selling peanut butter since 1898.
*Mr. Ed TV’s used peanut butter as a secret ingredient to get a horse talking.
*Americans spend almost $800 million a year on peanut butter.
*January 24th is National Peanut Butter Day.

“I want to introduce you to a great young man. #TaquariusWair, (TQ) high school football player, is in his senior year. Burned 55% of his body some places to the bone at age 4. His mother pulled him from the fire, but he ran back in trying to save his oldest sister. She didn't survive, but his hero heart holds her with every stride. He almost didn't play this year because he thought no disabled person will ever go pro. That was until the Seattle Seahawks drafted a one handed player, Shaquem Griffin, in the 5th round. Good thing he didn't quit, because he now will play college football at Mesabi Range College.
My point.... you have no idea who you can inspire by chasing your God given dreams. Get up and chase down your greatness!“

Randy Culp on Native Texans on Facebook:
183 years ago, today, March 1, 1836, at dawn, the last reinforcements rode through the Mexican ranks and entered the Alamo. John Henry Brown, historian, who moved to Texas in 1837 at age 17, can describe them better than I:
At dawn on the first of March [1836], Capt. Albert Martin, with 32 men (himself included) from Gonzales and DeWitt's Colony, passed the lines of Santa Anna and entered the walls of the Alamo, never more to leave them. These men, chiefly husbands and fathers, owning their own homes, voluntarily organized and passed through the lines of an enemy four to six thousand strong, to join 150 of their countrymen and neighbors, in a fortress doomed to destruction. Does American history, or any history, ancient or modern, furnish a parallel to such heroism? ......They willingly entered the beleaguered walls of the Alamo, to swell the little band under Travis, resolved "never to surrender or retreat." In after many years it was my privilege to personally know and live near many of their widows and little ones and to see the latter grow into sterling manhood and pure womanhood. I never met or passed one without involuntarily asking upon him or her the blessings of that God who gave the final victory to Texas--John Henry Brown in History of Texas.
One of this band, who have been referred to as The Immortal 32 Gonzales Rangers, rode with the Gonzales Flag, bearing the image of the Lone Star, the Gonzales cannon and the legend "Come and Take It" waving from his horse.
This story gives me chills.
God bless men such as these! God bless Texas! 💓