Christmas Celebrations Around The World!

                            Celebrate Christmas! 

If you're from the U.S. your idea of Christmas may be waking up at 6:00 am to open gifts,
a nice meal at 2:00 pm. and then a big dinner with more friends and family at 6:00 pm. 
But what about those who live in say...Russia, Scotland or France?
How do they celebrate? Continue reading to find out.
a) France-
Let them eat cake. In some parts of France, a cake is baked and a trinket
is hidden inside. Find the trinket in the piece of cake served to you and 
you're crowned King or Queen for a day.
b) China-
Some Christians in China celebrate like we Americans do, and they also
decorate the halls with bright paper chains to symbolize happiness and represent
eternity  at their family's never-ending bond.
c) Germany-
Christmas trees and advent calendars originated in Germany, but there's one
tradition that's different than ours (Americans) they the Germans hide a pickle.
As in a glass pickle and the folks in Germany hide it in the tree.
And the child lucky enough to find this pickle will get an extra present.
d) Spain-
Play a game. What type of game? It's called "Um of Fate" and it's simply
a game where each person's name is written on card, which is put in a bowl called
the "Um of Fate" The cards are then drawn 2 at a time--and each pair is fated
to be each other's special protector, friend and confidante in the new year.
e) Scotland-
Burn, baby burn.. No, there's not a big bonfire. Simply put, the people burn a twig
as they release any grudges they've been holding toward others. They do this on
 "Sowans Nicht" or Christmas Eve.
f) Russia-
Become unified.
In Russia,  where most Christians belong to the Eastern Orthodox Church, the
centerpiece of Christmas eve dinner is a porridge called Kutya that symbolizes
unity.
g) Finland-
Feed the birds.
People in Finland tie together some oats, wheat and other grains to a pole or tree 
on Christmas morning. And get this, Finnish people don't eat until the birds
have eaten.
h) Sweden- 
Drink up. More specifically- Glogg. A mulled wine flavored with sugar and spices and 
served piping hot.  Reread our post on the benefits of Mulled wine. 
i) Norway-
Open your presents. 
No ripping apart all of the gifts like they do in the U.S.
In Norway, it's pick up one gift and pass it to another child and ( ho or she) opens it
and then waits until that one's been opened and enjoyed to pick out and pass another--
and so on.
That's it--
And don't forget to look for our new E-Document, see title to the right. Learn how the whole tree (the pine cones,
the needles, the nuts, the bark and the scent)  can bolster
your health. Boost heart health,, lose weight, 
conquer cravings, ease aches and pain
and boost happiness all courtesy of the pine (tree).
Head to Amazon.com/the kindle store to learn more.
Thank-You!

Good Luck and Merry Christmas!
JGIb~~
NRFATW!

The Scandinavian Rx To Prevent Winter Illness!

                           Help For That Sore Throat! 

Like a lot of people, you probably enjoy the Winter months. 
The snow, the holidays, the endless array of food, warm fireplaces,
skiing, skating, family gatherings, etc.
And if you're like most (normal) people, you probably hate driving
in the snow, the weight gain from all of that good food and getting sick. 
And by getting sick, we mean the beginning of a cold, the sore throat. 

And if you're one who likes to use only natural methods to try and conquer
sore throats, colds and flu, then you may want to use the following recipe,
a recipe that can shut down and even prevent sore throats.
And something even better, the vegetables in this recipe
are now being recognized as one of the main contributing factors to
longevity records that the people of Denmark, Norway, Finland,
Iceland and Sweden currently enjoy.

And what is the contributing factor?
Root vegetables.
That's right, the women of Denmark, Finland and Norway take great pleasure
in growing and cooking onions, cabbage, turnips and parsnips
and these root vegetables are allowing the women (and men) to live well into
their 80's and 90's, trailing right behind the Japanese, (in terms of longevity).

So, if you're a vegetable lover, and you want to prevent sore throats and
hopefully live well into your 90's, just copy the recipe listed below.

Root Vegetable Medley!
Ingredients:
1 lb. onions
1 lb. carrots
1 lb. parsnips
1/2 lb. turnips 
3 Tbs. butter
1/2 cup pine nuts
1 1/2 Tbs. minced garlic
4 to 6 wedges of lemon
1 Tbs. fresh minced parsley
--------------------------------------------
Directions:
Trim and peel onions, cut into thick wedges.
Trim and peel the carrots and parsnips, cut into thick
diagonal slices. Clean the turnips, peel them and then dice them. 
Combine the veggies with a 1/2 cup of water and place in 3 to 3-1/2
qt. microwave safe baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap, microwave on
high until all of the veggies are tender, (about 10 to 12 mins.)
Stir the veggies while they're in the microwave.
In the meantime, take out a skillet, turn on the heat, (medium-high)
and melt the butter. Add the pine nuts, watching them so they don't burn,
add the minced garlic, until lightly browned. Drain the vegetables, 
move them to a platter and top them with the garlic, pine nuts and minced parsley.
And lastly, squeeze the lemon juice over the vegetables, or
give a slice (or 2) of lemon to family (or guests) and let them
put their own lemon juice on.
That's it, this should serve 5 to 6 people. 

And if you want more great info like this, 
head on over to Amazon.com/the kindle store
and type-- The Nordic Rxs For Perfect Health,
or Never Get Sick Again, The World's Best Immunity Secrets, 
in the search bar. Learn how people from other countries
prevent illnesses and stay hale and hearty. Consider it a Christmas gift to yourself.

Good Luck! 
JGib~~
NRFATW!