Misty Zaugg's Blog - Posts Tagged "tip"

Hi friends,

First a big thanks to everyone for helping our book 2, Deadly Escape get a fancy #1 New Release banner in the Infectious Disease category.

And special thanks to the eight people who gave us the crucial reviews a brand-new book needs, like:

Scott: "The intensity is ramped up in this entry, as the non-stop action makes for one exciting story. All while building up the suspense as the plots continue to unfold. With the authors doing a great job on the characters (both good and bad) as well. I can’t wait for the finale to hit."



Deadly Escape: Book 2 in Escaping the Virus

But what about my broken toe? And how am I fixing it?

I gotta say that comfrey is one of my top ten favorite herbs. Nicknamed 'Knitbone' for it's ability to heal broken bones, it contains allantoin, a substance that supercharges the healing process so injuries can heal much faster - and it can even help minimize scarring.

It grows via root propagation and if you can get a start, it's hardy enough to come back year after year.

The root is medicinally stronger than the leaf, but either works. Both fresh and dried can be used.

So, how do you use it for an injury?

Simple: Make tea. Soak the owie. :D

Here are a few pics and a bit more explanation:

Step 1: Broken Toe (hint - the purple one next to the pinkie)



Step 2: Chop up a bunch of prickly comfrey leaves (root works well, too):



Step 3: Cover with water, bring to a boil, cover and turn down to simmer for 10-20 mins or just leave to steep and cool on its own if you're not in a hurry.



Step 4: Strain off the 'tea' or extract. Keep refrigerated and heat a portion when it's time to soak



Step 5: Soak the injury 2 - 4 times a day and watch how fast you heal. It's amazing! For hard to soak injuries like a rib or shoulder, warm the extract, dip a cloth or paper towel and drape over the injury. You can reuse the clothes by bagging them and refrigerating them for next time.


This is my foot right now as I'm sitting at my desk typing this up. :D

Note: Comfrey has been painted as dangerous for internal use (still fine for external) because of a substance that can damage the liver. But the data is questionable, ie. isolating the dangerous substance instead of using the whole herb, rat studies, using excessive quantities, etc. Check out the studies and decide for yourself. (Or compare the number of deaths due to liver damage by correctly prescribed Tylenol vs comfrey.)

Have any of you ever used comfrey? I'd love to hear your experiences.

And thanks for the well wishes for my trip - we're driving cross country and will be visiting family and friends for the next few weeks. Road Trip!! :D

Thanks again for all your support!
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Misty's Writing Update:

Here's a sample of what I've been doing this week:
• Changing the oil and rotating tires on the van
• mountains of laundry
• buying lots of snacks - healthy and not-so-healthy
• loading phones and tablets with audiobooks, ebooks and movies
• buying new shoes for a teen boy who insisted just 2 weeks ago that his were "perfectly fine!"
• buying shorts for a different teen boy who found only one pair when it came time to pack.
• repacking the suitcase the 6-year-old girl packed 2 months ago when she found out about the road trip. It was full of clothes that didn't fit and others she didn't like. LOL. But, hey, at least she tried.

Yep, we’re going on a big road trip. Two days of driving out West to visit family and friends and then the same drive back two weeks later.

So, not much writing going on here, I know (except for this newsletter). But this is the last big trip of the summer, and then my son (the third child) will be leaving to serve a two-year mission for our church. With him leaving the nest, only three will still be living at home when fall comes.

Such a happy and sad moment. When they're adults stepping out on their own with confidence, but you still miss them.

Wish us luck on our two-day drive out West! The middle teen will be helping with some of the driving to get hours before he tests for his license in the fall. Eeek!!

If you don't hear from me after this, it was nice knowing all of you! :D

Happy reading this week!

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Hi friends,

First thing - you have one more day to grab Deadly Lockdown for 99c if you were excited about the deal, but forgot about it, like I often do:



And second, check out the awesome #1 best-seller tags! Even Deadly Rescue got one, thanks to all of you!

Even better, we got a few great reviews like this one from Scott:

"Fantastic Read! Deadly Rescue was an exciting end to this series. The twists and suspense all built to a thrilling finale; the story being so hard to put down I read it in one day.

From strong character work to action to science, this series is easy to recommend. I can say the same for the authors’ other works as well. Well done!"

And this one from Lanfear - our awesome UK fan:

"A must read! This book has everything from action and adventure to love and loss and much more. Fast paced with a great story line that delves into every facet of what it is too be human from the very worst, to the very best. It has two great female leads who've grown in themselves as the series progressed, facing their past head on. This can be read as a stand alone but far better as part of the series."

Keep them coming! You guys are awesome!

***
Ginger isn't just a spice - Herbal Tip #2



If you like spicy, but not the long-lasting burn of cayenne, you might already enjoy the tingling flavor of ginger in recipes.

It also had two really awesome medicinal effects you might not know about:

1. Anti-nausea: Going on a plane or boat ride? Know someone with morning sickness? Ginger is an excellent remedy for mild nausea, and it's tasty too!
2. Anti-inflammatory: Instead of reaching for the ibuprofen, try a cup of ginger tea instead. Studies on osteoarthritis show a reduction in pain and inflammation and you can even use it topically on the swollen joint.

How to use it:
1. Ginger chews or crystallized ginger: These are sugary pieces of ginger candy that are easy to keep in a purse, which makes them great for nausea sufferers.
2. Ginger capsules: To control your dose and try to replicate the amounts used in studies, these are readily available where herbal capsules are sold.
3. Ginger tea: Fresh is always awesome. Grab some ginger root at the store, peel and chop, and then bring to a simmer before putting a lid on it and letting it steep. Yummy! You can also dip a cloth in warm ginger tea and use as a compress to wrap around painful joints. Or simply dunk the hurting finger or toe into a container of tea.

How about you? Do you use ginger medicinally and have a story to share?

I'd love to hear about it.
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Misty's Writing Update:

So my husband, an engineer and avid sci-fi reader, is my best sounding board as I'm designing a story and hammering out the plot.

I had rewritten the first two chapters of this new book multiple times and finally had him give it a read through . . .

. . . and he said I should just cut off the first half of chapter 1 because I'd packed too much info into the start and made it a slow read.

Sure enough, when I looked at it again, I realized that during the rewriting, I'd kept shoving more and more information about the world and the characters into every paragraph . . . over and over again until it was bursting with information and not enough of the fun action. LOL.

So, lesson for me: stick to one draft and one rewrite and then move on. Or force myself to chop out some stuff as I edit instead of keep stuffing more in. :D

Enjoy reading this week and I'd love to hear what you think about Deadly Rescue if you have a chance to read it!

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Hi friends,

I could use a little help, and I just have to say hearing from you guys is like a breath of fresh air.

Sam took the time to give me a tip about chewing a chunk of raw ginger for stomach pain and cramps after last weeks tip on the herb.

And Chelsea, an awesome new fan, wrote me a friendly note after what she called "rude people" left mean comments on my Facebook ad.

I'm wondering if you're noticing them being more vocal lately, or is it just me?

I call them "sand castle kickers".

You know, after a kid spends hours of work and creativity building a beautiful sand castle. Many kind passersby comment on how much they like it, or even just walk past without a word if it doesn't appeal to them.

Then comes the kid who kicks and destroys all the work as if it personally offends them and then yells out to warn the world about the "stupid sand castle!"

How do you handle people, adults even, who act like this? I generally ignore them and move on.

However, lately they're attacking my books and ads with nasty words and low reviews that are as destructive as those kicks to ratings and sales.

I'll interject that I'm fine with a well-written critical review. I don't expect everyone to love my writing. But these are not that.

Like this recent one:

Kat2009: "Couldn't finish it. Was stupid. Characters weak. Storyline ridiculous. Waste of time. Don't waste yours. I didn't get past 6th chapter although I tried."

These are generic and mean enough that some authors think they are targeted "review bombs", or attacks to hurt successful books.

Want to help me counter this kind of stuff? Here are two easy ways:

. . . and I understand time is always tight, so no pressure at all! :)

1. Scroll down to the reviews on Deadly Lockdown's page and find a few of the positive reviews that you like. Click the "Helpful" button under them which helps them move to the top of the page ahead of the nasty ones.

2. If you've read Deadly Lockdown or even the opening chapter, post a positive, honest review or rating. It can be just a sentence or two, nothing long or complicated.

That's it. And you can smile knowing you've done a small part countering some of the bitterness out there with a touch of positive.

I just want to thank you in advance for being such supportive fans that encourage me to continue writing even when I run into a handful of angry sand castle kickers. :)

Hopefully you also have more supporters than kickers in your life!

You're the best!

______________________

Misty's Writing Update:

I'm in the groove again!

I just wrapped up chapter five in my new litRPG novel and Pax, our teenage street kid, has just been rounded up for the annual Awakening, where the powerful mages from the capital use magic to unlock the classes and talents of the youth of the city . . . whether they want to or not.

Pax has some mysterious backstory, including the ever-popular missing parents, along with an unusual spark of power that's been a secret he's kept since childhood.

The question, now, is how that spark will interact with the magic of the Awakening ceremony . . . :)

Yes, I'm having a blast writing this. The whole magic, coming-of-age fantasy story has always been a favorite of mine since I curled up in sun-warmed nooks as a child with Anne McCaffrey's Dragonsong series and Ender's Game.

I was thinking of giving Pax a disability or weakness that sets him apart and that he can later overcome. What do you think? Or is being an orphaned street kid already enough?

Enjoy reading this week and thanks again to anyone who helps me fight the sand castle kickers with positivity!

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Hi friends,

So Covid finally hit us, but thankfully only a mild version!

While I was in Utah, my teenage son had two friends over for his birthday, only to find out that one boy's father felt bad that evening and eventually both the father, the son and then one of my sons tested positive.

Thankfully, my 13-year-old only had a mild fever, cough, sore throat and a few sniffles. So, if we hadn't know it was covid, we'd have thought it was a mild cold.

And since I'm planning on going to this awesome author's conference: 20Books Vegas next week, I decided to cancel my flight home and go directly to Vegas on Monday.

I'm pretty bummed not to get a few days with my family, since this is the longest I've ever been away from them - 4 1/2 weeks by the time I get home, but I definitely wouldn't want to take a chance with covid before going to a large conference like that.

So, I'm at my brother's house for a couple of days instead, catching up on my sleep and missing my little granddaughter resting on my chest.
***
Herbal Tip #3
Lemon Balm heals Cold Sores!

Cold sores aren't a major illness, but for anyone who's had them, they can be a big annoyance - painful, unsightly and slow to heal.

The good news is that there is an effective herb that can speed that process up: lemon balm.

Lemon balm is in the mint family, which means it is super easy to grow, so much so that it will spread out into your yard and garden if you let it. But it gives off a fresh lemony scent when mowed down, so it's all good. :)

How to use it? Don't worry, it's super easy.

This is a fresh herb extract, since making lemon balm tincture from dried herb isn't as effective. (With the extra water being pulled out of the fresh herb, stronger alcohol is better)

1. Cut fresh lemon balm, rinse and let air dry before chopping coarsely - just enough to make it easy to put into a jar.
2. Pack it tightly to fill an 8 oz. or pint glass jar, depending on how much you have.
3. Buy the cheapest 100 proof Vodka (50% alcohol) or if you want stronger but pricier, Everclear is 190 proof (95% alcohol).
4. Pour alcohol over the fresh cut herb. Fill right up to the top and put on a lid, trying to leave as little air in the jar as possible.
5. Put in a dark cupboard and shake as often as you remember for the next six weeks - daily is awesome, but don't worry if you forget. (You can use it earlier if needed)
6. Dab a little on your cold sore throughout the day, starting as soon as you feel it emerging and it can heal in half the time.

That's it! Not much harder than making a cup of tea. :)

I like to keep some in a glass, brown dropper bottle in the bathroom or any container with some Q-tips will also work. Seeing it in the bathroom helps me remember to place a drop or two on my finger and then dab on the cold sore throughout the day. (fyi - it works for all types of herpes sores).

Here's the jar of tincture I just helped my sister-in-law make (it's missing a bit at the top, because we poured some off today):



I'd love to hear how it goes if you try making some. :)
***
I hope all of you and your families are safe and doing well!
______________________

Misty's Writing Update:

I finally had to make some decisions on the game mechanics in my new litrpg book.

I've been running through the world-building in my mind for a while, but I finally got to a chapter where Pax is involved in a battle with a huge lava lizard that he helps kill.

Now what?

For those of you who like playing fantasy-based games, you know that killing monsters is a big part of advancing in levels, acquiring loot and increasing your skills and abilities.

I had to decide what kind of rewards Pax and the other characters in my new world would get from killing a monster.

I decided to go with a more natural game logic - the skills, spells and attributes like strength and intelligence increase when they are used, with increased gains from extra practice or using them in new and more difficult situations.

And my characters will get 'loot' from killing monsters, but more in the form of valuable parts that can be harvested/butchered from the monsters themselves, instead of a fancy new sword suddenly appearing above the corpse.

For example, skin from a lava monster can be crafted into fire-resistant leather armor, or feathers from an air-based monster can add a speed or decreased weight bonus to a crafted item. And the biggest form of loot is the monster's core containing elemental magic that can be used to power magical devices in the fantasy world.

It's definitely a fun exercise that is stretching both my creativity and logic - because it still has to make sense, right? :)

If you're an avid gamer, feel free to offer suggestions!

And enjoy your reading this week.

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Eat and run - an effective diabetes tip? Health Tip #5: March 4, 2022
Hi friends,

I know many of us are still so worried and concerned for all the people who are struggling amidst so much turmoil in the world. They are all in our prayers and we hope things can quickly reach a peaceful resolution.

It's been a while since I had a health tip, and as I was considering the topic, I thought about my diabetes and how many others are also handling this chronic illness.

Also, our bodies are all different and will often react to various foods, medicines and treatments differently, so consult with a doctor before making any significant changes.

I thought I'd share one of the simpler things that has helped me with my diabetes and hope that it might help one of you, too

Eat and Run!

Unlike the saying that means you have to leave right after finishing your meal, I have found that a literal interpretation of the saying is very effective for diabetes.

As your body digests the carbohydrates in your meal, your blood sugar naturally goes up, and the systems of those with diabetes allow the blood sugar to rise and sometimes stay at dangerously high levels.

But what if you exercise right after you eat? Does it help? What kind of exercise works best? How long do you need to work-out?

Here are general guidelines:
• A Cleveland Clinic study showed exercising about 30 minutes after the start of your meal will help keep post-meal glucose within acceptable levels.
• During aerobic exercise (walking briskly, running, swimming, etc.) your muscles will start using up glucose at as much as fifty times the normal rate.
• This can continue for up to two hours after exercising.
• Insulin sensitivity (a good thing, that means your body is responding to insulin better) can also stay high for up to 24 hours after exercising.
• Anaerobic exercise (ex. lifting weights) may actually increase blood sugar due to using glycogen inside the muscle for fuel and a not as significant decrease in insulin levels. Bottom line: Aerobic will control glucose better in the short term. However, more muscle mass can be beneficial in the long run.
• Early evening is the time to exercise instead of morning. A study with pre-diabetic men showed a better overnight glucose control when exercising in the early evening versus morning.
• Short is still great! Another study had seniors with diabetes take a 15-minute walk after each meal and it significantly helped their glucose control - on par with a longer 45 minute exercise session. Plus, the walk after dinner really helped overnight glucose levels.

So, if you've got diabetes, start small. Maybe just a 10-minute walk after you get up from the dinner table to start and go from there.

Good luck and stay safe out there!
_____________________

Misty's Writing Update:

Yay! I'm actually writing the final battle scene. It is going to last a few chapters at least. I have what happens for the finale in mind, but I'm currently brainstorming a fun twist I can weave in somewhere, something that will also add an interesting side-plot or hook to the series or flesh out a side character.

What about you? Do you like surprise twists?

Personally, I love them, especially if there were clues left earlier that I missed or dismissed as insignificant. The twists I hate, however, are the ones where a main or important side character is killed.

I know. I know. It is more realistic. But I don't read fiction for realism. I read to enjoy escaping from the hard, sometimes tragic sides of realism in my real life. I figure it's called fantasy for a reason! :)

So, it is only with great reluctance (and the urging of my co-writer Steph and now my husband) that I will even consider killing someone. And even then, I negotiate. "Who is the least important character so far who has an actual name that I can sacrifice as a martyr in the coming battle?"

How about you? Would you rather everyone important is still alive at the end of a book (battered, but alive)? Or do you think a small dish of tragedy, as long as it's not the main character, is alright and even adds more depth to the book?

Come on - if you all vote for no death, maybe I can get away with it as I finish this book. Tell me soon, though, because the scene will be written in a day or two.

. . . what do you think I'll do? :)

Enjoy reading this week!

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Hi friends,

I had some nice feedback about an earlier newsletter explaining an idea to buy basic medicine in bulk and then to make kits with friends or in a group activity.

Then Scott, one of our awesome fans, asked about vacuum packing the medications to help them last longer. That sparked a memory of another fun idea I ran across years ago.

First of all, yes, vacuum packing will help most anything last longer, including medicines. Also, they will last long if kept dry and cool (but not frozen).

And the fun vacuum sealing hack?

I read a DIY post about a guy who dehydrated full meals at home and then assembled the components of each meal into gallon bags that he then vacuum sealed and shipped to the closest post office to his long camping trips.

With the smaller Ziplocs that were nested in the bigger bag, he inserted a thin piece of paper towel at the edge of the closure, leaving a small gap for air.

This made the magic happen.

When he vacuumed out the air of the larger bag, the air in all the smaller inner bags was sucked out through the gap where the paper towel had been inserted.

This would be a great way to handle a larger bag that you filled with multiple smaller Ziplocs, each containing a different medicine.

Obviously, this would be for a medicine kit that won't be opened and closed very often, perhaps something in your bugout bag or stored in a medical kit for emergencies.

Don't bother with the one you keep in your purse or waist pack as you'll be in and out for ibuprofen regularly once your friends realize you're always prepared. :)

Any tips that have worked for you when storing medicines and medications?

Good luck and stay safe out there!

____________________

Misty's Writing Update:
Well, life seems to occasionally jump up and scramble all carefully laid plans. I'm sure you've had that happen, too.

Nothing really bad or anything happened, but we needed to find new renters for a house we own.

Little did I know that our area is currently experiencing a drought of decent rental homes. So, instead of the occasional call during the day, I was inundated by calls, emails and FB marketplace messages from morning to late at night.

I also worked to arrange for cleaning and carpet replacement estimates followed by getting those finished so the home was ready to rent again.

I did open my book file and start adding new story only to be interrupted over and over. By the end of the week, I just gave up on trying to write.

It turns out I enjoy writing a lot better than I like doing the rental thing, especially when I had to tell two awesome families that I was renting to a third. Ugh. I do NOT like being the bearer of bad news.

So, finally, I sat down on Wednesday and got back to creating a life-and-death battle with an over-powered, scary fantasy beast. Woohoo!

SOOOO much more fun than real life stuff!

Yes, it takes work and effort, but creating is something I love doing.

Closing in on the end of this book soon!

Enjoy reading this week!

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Hi friends,

I really enjoy getting emails from you. A couple of you had some great suggestions in response to my newsletter about depression last week.

Sam suggested something that might sound counter-intuitive: Say, "I want to be depressed" over and over. Give it a try. Usually after a few repetitions, you start laughing at how silly and ridiculous the idea is and it can improve your mood. Simple enough to give this reverse psychology trick a try.

Sk suggested turning your worries over to God and trusting that help will come. And for those who have other beliefs, trusting a good friend or therapist can help share your burdens so you don't feel so alone carrying them.

I hope you're all finding ways to enjoy life and handle the difficulties that show up occasionally. :)

For today's tip, I picked a very easy, but effective, one.

Turn sideways to protect yourself - Self-defense Tip #22

This doesn't require much explanation and once you understand the concept, you'll be amazed at how effective it is.

First, stand in front of a mirror straight on, hands down, and notice all the areas that are vulnerable to an attacker: face, eyes, throat, solar plexus, groin, front of the knee, top of feet.

Now, step back with one foot, turn your body to about a 45 deg angle from the mirror.

Suddenly, your vulnerable front is now further from the attacker, plus your lead shoulder and arm are shielding them. Your groin area is protected by your hip. And only one knee or foot is accessible. Plus if you bend your legs slightly, it protects your knees even more. Your face is still vulnerable, but it is also a bit further away, which is good.

Now lift your front arm, like you're reaching up to scratch your chin while bringing your rear arm across the front of your torso.

You're now in a basic martial arts stance.

Look in the mirror again and search for vulnerable areas an attacker could strike. Most of them are further from the mirror and have a less vulnerable body part protecting them now.

Pretty cool, huh?

Even better, by having one leg back, you're a lot more stable.

Imagine someone shoving you while you were in your original position. You'd likely stumble backwards and maybe even fall down.

What about the sideways position with one foot back? Feel free to test it out and have a friend give you a controlled push. You're much more stable and can keep your balance against an attack better.

Plus, anything that makes you stable against a push, will also add a strong base to any of your own attacks, making them more powerful.

And all this by taking a step back, turning sideways and raising your hands, a simple set of moves you can do in less that a second.

Next time you feel worried or unsafe in a situation, positioning yourself like this should be your first move . . . if you don't just leave right away, which is even better!

Stay safe out there!

____________________

Misty's Writing Update:

Sherry sent me a great idea for an ability for my 'ninja' star-nosed mole pet to have: being able to project 3-D images of himself to more safely travel about when in danger.

Such a cool idea!

I'm thinking of calling it something like "Afterimage" and it would be an ability the pet could activate if he's ever spotted. What do you think? Any other cool ideas or ability names?

Plus, it's the perfect ability, since Pax, my main character, is under a lot of suspicion during book 2 as his enemies do their best to catch him breaking rules so they can sabotage his career at the academy. He's going to need all the intel his pet can get while sneaking around for him.

And I finally sat down with a stack of blank paper on a clipboard and a mechanical pencil, my favorite way to brainstorm! I jot down different plot lines, underline them, and then add any ideas that come to me underneath.

It's funny, because I love my tech in most other endeavors. However, despite trying out different brainstorming computer programs, I still keep coming back to blank paper and jotting plot notes all over them.

Once it's time to outline the chapters, I'm right back to the computer, fast and comfortable. Just not at the brainstorming stage.

What about you? Are there things you just have to do in an "old-school" way too?

Enjoy reading this week!

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Hi friends,

Remember my adult daughter returning from her mission trip?

Well, she is also the cover artist for the 2nd and 3rd book in our Escaping the Virus series.

So, after a way too long delay in getting the paperback versions of the books online, she came to the rescue.

Our breaking news today is that all three books can now be ordered in PRINT for those of you who enjoy holding a book in your hands instead of squinting at an e-reader like me. (I keep having to increase the font as I get older - lol)



Deadly Lockdown Paperback


I hope you enjoy them!

Use your Five Senses to Distract from Anxiety:

Have you ever distracted a distraught toddler by pointing out the color of a bird flying by or asking them about their favorite food?

It turns out distraction is a great tool for anxiety in all ages.

Try this simple technique next time you have racing thoughts or an overwhelming sense of worry or panic.

Pause and turn your attention to your surroundings.

1. Notice five things you can see around you.
2. Pay attention to four things you can touch or feel.
3. Listen for three things you can hear.
4. Inhale and find two things you can smell.
5. Pause and notice one thing you can taste.

This exercise engages different parts of your brain in a concrete fashion that allows the anxious, worrying parts to turn off and relax for a bit.

This is a great technique to know even if you aren't the one with anxiety. Next time you're trying to calm someone close to you, ask if you can help them by trying this with them.

And don't worry if you can't remember the exact number and order of the senses listed above. Just go through each one you can remember and come up with one or two of each.

Try it next time your emotions are feeling a bit out of control and let me know how it works. I'd love to hear. :)

May your week be full of peace and contentment - all the best!

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Hi friends,

Quick update: My latest book, Awakening Horde, has had an amazing first week on Royal Road!

Thanks a ton to those of you who went over and left a rating, review or comment. It's still new enough that each one makes a big splash.

It even made it on the top 50 "Rising Star" stories list. Can you tell I've got a big grin here? :D

Top 50 Rising Stars on Royal Road

If you missed it last week - here's the cover and link:



Awakening Horde - Shieldwall Academy Book 1

But lets move on from fantasy novels to real life.

Have you ever planted kale in the spring, intending to eat a little healthier, only to have a bumper crop you don't know what to do with?

I have a super easy way to not only save it all, but to make it painless to include in your diet.

Check out these pics and instructions:

Step 1: Pick it all and rinse it off. (you can leave the small center leaves on the plants, if you want more to grow)
Step 2: Pack it into the dehydrator and turn on low. It will shrink a lot.
Step 3: Once dry, crumble on a clean counter and remove any long stems. Hint: Should look like peppermint tea.
Step 4: Pack into a mason jar and store somewhere dark and cool

Step 5: Add a tablespoon or two to your next smoothie or a 1/4 - 1/2 c to your next pot of soup, stew or curry. (Here's a yummy vegan Garbanzo coconut milk curry I made this week)


There are a couple awesome points to this process:
1. You get all your leafy greens harvested and preserved in a day or two - depending on drying time.
2. Very easy to grab and add to dishes = easy nutritional boost.
3. YOU CAN HARDLY TASTE IT!!

Ok, I had to put that in all caps.

As long as you drink your smoothie relatively soon after blending it, the kale doesn't have enough time to completely rehydrate = no bitterness and very little "green" taste. The kids are very happy, once they get past the look of pepper-sized green flakes in the drink.

And while it has more time to rehydrate in soups and curries, it still is a much milder green flavor than when chopped and added fresh.

If you try this, I'd love to hear how it turned out.

Maybe try a green smoothie this week with your next enjoyable book.

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website

Hi friends,

A bit of sad news hit our family this week. My husband's father passed away. He was an amazing man, father of nine who worked hard and always had time to help out when someone needed him.

I'm writing this early as we'll be headed to the funeral this weekend where we will celebrate his life with the rest of the family.

So, maybe take an extra moment today to show a little love to the important people in your life. :)

I also have a short writing: My new book is going crazy on Royal Road and already bringing in a nice chunk of income to support further writing:

First, thanks to any of you who popped over to check out my new book on Royal Road and leave a kind review.

So far, there are 550+ people following the story and 52,000+ views of all the chapters! Not only that, since last week I climbed up from the #40 slot to #10 on the Rising Stars list.



Awakening Horde - Shieldwall Academy Book 1

It's so fun to see readers commenting, giving me feedback and encouragement. Some are helping me find typos. Others are dissecting the magic system and giving me suggestions. I don't even mind the small number of critical comments because they all give me a peek into what readers want in their stories.

And the money, you ask? Is this going to be worth it from a business viewpoint?

Well, as of today, Wednesday, 42 generous readers have already pledged a monthly amount (the majority $10 each) on my Patreon Page to support my writing.

In return, they can read twenty chapters ahead of the free Royal Road website and have fun helping an author continue to write the story they're enjoying. Win-win!
Minus fees and Patreon's cut, it's already a very healthy income for a single book, and it doesn't look like it's going to slow down any time soon.

Ratings make the biggest impact on Royal Road, so feel free to hop over, binge read a few chapters for free, and share with others what you think of the story. I’m send you a virtual high-five! :D

I'll be back early next week, and I appreciate your condolences and kind words. Family is very important to all of us and it is always sad to lose someone who's had such a great influence.

However, I’m comforted by my belief that families can be together after this life and look forward to seeing my father-in-law again someday.

I hope you and your families are doing well!

All the best,

— Misty :)
Misty Zaugg Website