M-J's Mini-Blog

Natto products, derived from soybeans and fermented to create beneficial bacilli, are available in some health-food stores. Read about this fantastic Japanese dietary supplement HERE.

Natto cheese is an acquired taste, but can be utilised in pleasant-tasting dishes.

Natto Research Papers on Record Include:

Determination of the Thrombolytic Activity of Natto Extract Masahiro Msada (Laboratory of Biochemistry, Department of Bioproduction Science, Faculty of Horticulture, Chiba University)

Improvement of Blood Fluidity using NKCP, a Dried Culture Filtrate of Bacillus Subtilis TetsuyaHayashi (Daiwa Pharm), Chie Takahashi (Microchannel Array TechnologyTeam), and Yuji Kikuchi (Microchannel Array Techology Team). Journal of Hemorheology Research 5 (1), 2002

The Best Handmade Ties for the Price: Mountain & Sackett

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:13:00 -0500

Classic, elegant neckties made in Manhattan, New York City, since 1957 by Mountain & Sackett

Prognosticator Gerald Celente on 2010

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:11:00 -0500

"The American Nostradamus" Gerald Celente, who appears on George Noory show often, made these predictions for 2010. Note his mention of affordable elegance and sophistication, which has been the theme here at Elegant Survival since 2006, and numerous other things relevant to this website:

Following are Gerald Celente's Forecasts for 2010: · The Crash of 2010: The Bailout Bubble is about to burst. Be prepared for the onset of the Greatest Depression. · Depression Uplift: The pursuit of elegance and affordable sophistication will raise spirits and profits. · Terrorism 2010: Years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq and now Pakistan have intensified anti-American sentiment. 2010 will be the year of the lone-wolf, self-radicalized gunman. · Neo-Survivalism: A new breed of survivalist is devising ingenious stratagems to beat the crumbling system. And, they're not all heading for the hills with AK-47's and pork & beans. · Not Welcome Here: Fueled by fear and resentment, a global anti-immigration trend will gather force and serve as a major plank in building a new political party in the US. · TB or Not TB: With two-thirds of Americans Too Big (TB) for their own good (and everyone else's), 2010 will mark the outbreak of a "War on Fat," providing a ton of business opportunities. · Mothers of Invention: Taking off with the speed of the Internet revolution, "Technology for the Poor" will be a major trend in 2010, providing products and services for newly downscaled Western consumers and impoverished consumers everywhere. · Not Made In China: A "Buy Local," "My Country First" protectionist backlash will deliver a big "No" to unrestrained globalism and open solid niches for local and domestic manufacturers. · The Next Big Thing: Just as the traditional print media (newspapers/magazines) were scooped by Internet competition, so too will new communication technologies herald the end of the TV networks as we know them.

Elegant Shoes for Women

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:21:00 -0500

Clarks Diamond Sparkle Shoes, M-J's Recommendation for Elegant Dressing in 2010

Count Hubert de Givenchy

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:59:00 -0500

Count Hubert de Givenchy

See M-J's tribute on Classic, Elegant Dressing

Hair style is the final tip-off whether or not a woman really knows herself.

~~Hubert de Givenchy

For the Elegant Cowboy

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:41:00 -0500

Available at Schnee's of Bozeman, Montana, the "Wild Rag" is 36" X 36" of pure, heavy silk.

Conserve Vegetables in Your Refrigerator

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:39:00 -0500

Instead of throwing out vegetables that you cannot use, learn how to make refrigerator pickles with them. It's easy; all you need is vinegar, salt, sugar and a sterile glass jar with a lid.

Coconut Oil and Lavender

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:13:00 -0500

Pure white coconut oil mixed with a couple drops of lavender oil makes a wonderful, natural emollient for lips and fingernails. The mixture is also antibacterial. I store this home-made cream in antique porcelain miniature jars with lids. The jar on the left is by Heinrich of Bavaria, and the right one is Chinese.

Elegant, Inexpensive French Wine

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:42:00 -0500

Parallèle "45"

Don't Wear what "What Not to Wear" Hosts Wear

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:18:00 -0500

The wretchedly dressed pair on American television's "What Not to Wear" are brainwashed fashion-victims themselves. It's a classic case of "the pot calling the kettle black." The pair recently turned a middle-aged woman into a granny-wigged sofa, and a pretty blonde into a plain brunette. Not only do they give ridiculous hairdos to unsuspecting women, but their own hairstyles are both ugly and age-inappropriate. She needs her hair cut shorter, and he needs to comb his. People in glass houses ought not to throw stones!

Elegant, Economical Soup

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:12:00 -0500

This soup was cooked for less than ten minutes; it was made from water and dry ingredients from the pantry: Minute Rice, chicken bouillon powder, paprika and dried parsley.

Miniature Washcloths

Sat, 06 Feb 2010 10:15:00 -0500

Quick-drying and small, these miniature washcloths are very efficient scrubbers and dust-cloths. They may be indispensable for your survival kit. Look for "Baby" brand.

Elegant Diet Dish

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:49:00 -0500