Heather, I think you raised such an interesting point! I think the same thing happened to me growing up-- it was whole grain everything, all the time. We were literally forbidden to eat white bread. To this day, my mother is still pretending that whole wheat bread tastes better than white bread (while, of course, eating white bread whenever she can find an excuse, because refined carbs tasting good when your blood sugar is low is just the way we're built!!) Eating always felt like an incredible chore. I think it was partly because some of the bulk of whole wheat bread is indigestible (fiber), which means, as a child, you may get full (or sick of eating tasteless food) before getting enough calories. We were also raised mostly vegetarian, and the fact is most vegetarian kids don't get as much protein as meat-eating kids. Beans and cheese and such are moderate protein sources, but they are not as protein-dense as meat. Same problem as whole grains, I think, you may be full or feel sick from the fat content before getting a decent amount of protein. As an adult, I think a lot about protein. If I have even one meal without a high protein food, I don't feel very good. If I have two meals in a row without protein, I feel unfocused, a little nauseous, and my head hurts. Some people go years without really getting enough protein! So many people live a high-carb, low-protein lifestyle. I think it's somehow self-perpetuating-- like people get on this blood sugar rollercoaster where they eat all carbs, then their blood sugar drops, and they crave more carbs, and don't want protein. I think a healthy lifestyle is somewhere in between the bad-carb blood sugar rollercoaster and the white-flour-is-the-devil mantra-- where you listen to your body-- drink juice or get another refined-carb fix when your blood sugar is low, but in general, eat a decent amount of whole grains, protein foods, and produce. I commend you for seeking out more information and being willing to change your ideas! I think your kids are lucky. I also think if you expose them to a good mix of foods-- like if you cook them a protein food, a nice fresh veggie, and a whole grain, and have stuff like juice and fruit easily available to them, they'll be in great shape.

In my garden, it would leave. If I had only a few plants and were 90, I'd probably patiently await warmer weather. In pruning, I'd be vigilant about sanitizing my pruners between cuts---not that anyone can prevent the spread of something the size of a strand of DNA, but that wouldn't stop me from trying until more is know about this virus. It was detected in virus-indexed roses. Most are symptomless, but R. multiflora seems especially vulnerable. Initial research shows that RSD may be transmitted by a couple of different species of aphids. Whether it can also be transmitted by root grafting is not known, but is a possibility, since the researchers found the incidence of RSD in adjacent rows of roses. Viruses are so small that highly specialized equipment and training is required to detect them. Viruses are now sometimes detected while a microbiologist is studying another virus. When we are dealing with...not even an organism...on that scale, I consider it prudent to recognize the limits of our knowledge. Here is a link that might be useful: Read about viruses

Floribundas like heat, why I suggested this and minis came through the heat better than any large rose I had excepting my floribundas:) When I read up on roses, I wanted to try something in addition to my minis I found out that they do better with heat than Hybrid Teas and I also found that the English Rose did pretty well that I had picked too. Something to mull over anyway. 3/4 of the minis I grow were hybridized here where I live, I figure they've already got a start on the heat and sun conditions from the mother plants and all the plants they sell from the tables out in the open:) I'm sorry about your Mums, I had read about that. Mine stayed lavenders but they're only a year old too. The small dahlias I picked did very well too out in full sun, but I also watered them daily. You were very sick for awhile and couldn't get out there, that had an impact I'm sure.

Hi suzieque, Thanks for the reply. I left my job to live with my mom and then shortly after my dad died I developed cancer and could not work. When I was done with treatment I did start working again and we did move to an apartment for a year but had a hard time making ends meet. The job I have now pays a lot less than my old job. So we moved back with my mom. I don't pay rent although I plan to when I get back on track with my bills. I have a lot of hospital bills. I'm in no position to buy a house now and I'm thinking that with everything that's happened in the market lately and I would not qualify for a loan. I really would love a place of my own though. We all sat down to dinner the other night and it was nice. I made pork and beans with rice. I offered dinner the following night but she said no thanks. I would not mind if we did this every night and every morning but I am adamant about not eating her food. I'm sorry if you don't understand that but I just can't because I can't afford to be sick. If her reaction the couple of times that I've talked to her about this, had been you know, maybe it's not a good idea to leave food out that many hours and then serve it up. I'm talking from noon to 7 pm. That's 7 hours on the kitchen counter. But both times she said I was being a total kook, so I know that she will continue with this. When I was growing up there were six of us so the food did not sit in the freezer for years. I don't honestly know if she left it out. I know that she put raw eggs in my milk. I found that out when I was a teenager and thought that might have been why my stomach was always so upset at school, so much so that I would skip lunch. I sold my house a long time ago and lived off of that money when I was unable to work. You are right, we would all be happier if me and my daughter moved out. I will work on saving some money and maybe that will be a possibility someday soon. In the meantime I will try to patch things up with my mom. I don't know what else to do. My daughter is 16 btw.