Sunny Shabat was perfect for a hiking trip to Ramot Menashe Park in Carmel, Haifa. The 1.5 hour drive to Zikron Yakov thru Road 6 was smooth except for the bumpy road that leads to Kenyon Svarim. As usual we arrived on time and ahead of our friends at 10am. Waiting for our friends to arrive gave us the chance to explore the place. Hiking to the Zorea Forest was approximately 45 mins.
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We were lucky to walk around empty river banks of the Hashofet at 10:15am because at 12 noon it was a totally different story. Take note at the packed lanes after. We totally found it even difficult to search for our children in the crowd.
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Most sections of this wonderful path are paved with asphalt and wooden boards. Hiking won't be difficult with small children or toddlers.
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The park trail continues to a 3 hrs trip to the Kibbutzim Junction and down to the Ruins of Beit Rosh, Ein Far, Cyclamen Forest and Taninim River. It's a shame we didn't take this exploration but next time we commit to do this trip without the small children.
Shavua tov everyone!

We were lucky to walk around empty river banks of the Hashofet at 10:15am because at 12 noon it was a totally different story. Take note at the packed lanes after. We totally found it even difficult to search for our children in the crowd.
Most sections of this wonderful path are paved with asphalt and wooden boards. Hiking won't be difficult with small children or toddlers.
Shavua tov everyone!
This is the best of Lady Gaga (so far) in my opinion.
Hair (Lyrics)
Whenever I'm dressed cool my parents put up a fightAnd if I'm hot shot, mom will cut my hair at nightAnd in the morning I'm short of my identityI scream, "Mom and dad, why can't I be who I wanna be, to be?"
I just wanna be myself and I want you to loveMe for who I amI just wanna be myself and I want you to knowI am my hair
I've had enough, this is my prayerThat I'll die livin' just as free as my hairI've had enough, this is my prayerThat I'll die livin' just as free as my hair
I've had enough, I'm not a freakI just keep fightin' to stay cool on the streetsI've had enough, enough, enoughAnd this is my prayer, I swear
I'm as free as my hairI'm as free as my hairI am my hairI am my hair
Free as my hai-ai-airHai-ai-air, hairFree as my hai-ai-airHai-ai-air, hai-ai-air
Sometimes I want some raccoon or red highlightsJust because I want my friends to think I'm dynamiteAnd on Friday, Rock City High School danceI've got my bangs to hide that I don't stand a chance, a chance
I just wanna be myself and I want you to loveMe for who I amI just wanna be myself and I want you to knowI am my hair
I've had enough, this is my prayerThat I'll die livin' just as free as my hairI've had enough, this is my prayerThat I'll die livin' just as free as my hair
I've had enough, I'm not a freakI just keep fightin' to stay cool on the streetsI've had enough, enough, enoughAnd this is my prayer, I swear
I'm as free as my hairI'm as free as my hairI am my hairI am my hair
Free as my hai-ai-airHai-ai-air, hairFree as my hai-ai-airHai-ai-air, hai-ai-airr
I just want to be free, I just want to be meAnd I want lots of friends that invite me to their partiesDon't want to change and I don't want to be ashamedI'm the spirit of my hair, it's all the glory that I bear
I'm my hair, I am my hairI'm my hair, I am my hairI am my hair, I am my hair, I am my hairIt's all the glory that I bear
I'm my hair, I am my hairIt's all the glory that I bearI'm my hair, I am my hairI'm my hair, yeah, yeah
It's all the glory that I bearI'm my hair, yeah, yeahIt's all the glory that I bearI'm my hair, yeah, yeahIt's all the glory that I bearI'm my hair, yeah, yeah
I've had enough, this is my prayerThat I'll die livin' just as free as my hairI've had enough, this is my prayerThat I'll die livin' just as free as my hair
I've had enough, I'm not a freakI just keep fightin' to stay cool on the streetsI've had enough, enough, enoughAnd this is my prayer, I swear
I'm as free as my hairI'm as free as my hairI am my hair, I am my hairOoh, I'm my hair, I'm my hair
The lyrics of the song had said it all, "I am free as my hair."
Just the way you strip during the summer, it’s bundle time for winter. Getting fully wrapped up in this season
doesn’t mean you can’t look hot. It’s time to stock our closets with the
chicest and warmest accessories.
1. Scarf
Trends go from overtone, print and oversized scarves in 2012. It is a
must to choose scarves that has lightweight and non-itchy material.
3. Sexy Boots
From comfy, fur-lined options and show-stopping, thigh-high numbers, to
snow-defying stiletto heels, sexy boots abound in winter. Call it the silver
lining of the season, a chic boots makes the best accessory choice for the cold
weather.
Patent leather boots are very popular this year but the heels and
stilettos give you some added height and sexy look. Mid-height heels are
perfect with tights and dress.
4. Beanie
As a yearly fashion favourite the simple beanie
hat cannot be beaten. A well loved classic among a huge variety of trendy types
from skaters to sports enthusiasts, preppy guys and uber-fashionable girls
beanies have really made an impact. The good news about it, beanie hats are
affordable. You don’t have to spend a lot to find some really cool and sexy
beanie, in fact you could buy a sizeable amount to blend the colour of your
clothes.
5. Tights
Thanks to the leggings and tights, we have the excuse to wear those
summer and fall skirts, and tunics for
the winter season. Who says you have to look like a bundled elephant, it’s time
to flaunt some legs and body contours. Sheer types are trendy now, so are the
printed designs.
SPANX Tight-End Tights
($28-$42) are the perfect stocking stuffers this winter season. Fashionable and functional, these tights are
twice as nice and will give you a slim silhouette all season long.
6. Vests
A faux fur vest is a necessity in every winter wardrobe. It can be
paired with skinny jeans, leggings, slim pants, or a flirty dress. Earth and
grey tones are trendy now. Stay away from leopard and zebra prints; it does
overpower design and style. Fur coats may come outdated, but vests, though
minimalistic in style, is reassuring and dominant.
(A Continuation...)
A month ago, agonizing stomach pains prompted me to seek medical
assistance in Tel Hashomer (ER). Diagnosis was colic pain due to gall bladder
stones. That was the assumption, and the next day I knew, I was summoned to a
heap of diagnostic tests including an imperative abdominal ultrasound. Should I
thank Israel’s health bureaucracy for extending my ultrasound and doctor’s
appointment 2 weeks after my brief visit to the emergency room, that I was able
to undergo a somewhat non-toxic gall bladder and liver cleansing? There is so
much I’ve learned in this journey, let me share it with you.
The knowledge I did acquire from Andreas Moritz, author of the book, "The Amazing Liver and Gall Bladder Flush, " was truly overwhelming. So are the hundreds of
comments and support of many individuals, who had undergone the same program, I
thank them for the valuable knowledge and experiences they shared. The courage
I embodied are all from these wonderful people, God bless you all!
A day after my colic attack, I started my apple juice therapy. Gulping a
glass of apple juice before meals three times a day didn’t bring an issue but
the feeling of bloatness in the abdomen and loose bowel movement did. It’s not something you can’t live with but
it’s tolerable. I could literally drink apple juice for the rest of my life.
Preparation had to be 6 days but I decided that shortening this phase
wouldn’t make any difference. Some people succeeded on expelling gall bladder
and liver stones on the 4th day, I was determined to follow such
suit.
On the 3rd day, I drank the last glass of apple juice at 8am.
I hardly ate anything during the day except for some fruits and intake of
water. At 2pm, I prepared my magnesium
sulphate solution. Since Epsom salt was not available here in Tel-Aviv, I bought "melach angli" in the Superpharm. It’s the only place where you
could purchase this item, just don’t ever make the mistake of asking magnesium
sulphate because most Israeli pharmacists don’t know what is it. Well, it
actually took me 3 visits to the pharmacy, carrying printed photos of Epsom
salt and magnesium citrate, before I procured 4 small bottles of this mineral.
The prescription of Mr. Moritz was 4 tbsp Epsom salt dissolved in 3 glasses of water but I
deliberately changed it to 3 tbsp Epsom salt + 1 cup apple juice + 2 glasses of
water. You could blame it on my stubbornness for not following directions, but
I succeeded masking the appalling taste. The next time I knew it, I was ready
for the second dose after 2 hours.
Excitement filled me after ingesting the 2 doses of
magnesium sulphate solution. After some gurgling in my stomach, I anticipated
an early visit to the bathroom. It must have been just a wishful thinking
because it never happened until 6am the next morning.
The second challenge came when I ingested the
mixture of olive oil and grapefruit. If there is someone who would tell me that
he liked this concoction, that person must be from outer space. This is the
most disgusting drink I have taken in my entire life. Only desperate people
would have the conviction to ingest such repulsive potion. It is a sad truth, I
am one of them. My full intent was to save my gall bladder.
And the waiting period came. As I lie on bed, I
imagined stones traveling along the
bile ducts like marbles, expelling out into the intestines. I rush to the
bathroom and belched fifty brown calcified stones. They were small and the size
of a pea. I was jumping from joy. Jumping…wake up, it’s only a dream.
The
urgency to rush to the bathroom was heightened at 6am the next morning. This
was the final moment and judgement time whether I would undergo cholesystectomy
(removal of the gall bladder) or not. The water I expelled must have been a liter, I
felt so light after that flux. That was not bad at all, I did survive. The sad
part was no stones were found in my feces. I was optimistic, there were still 2 glasses
left from the magnesium sulfate solution and that gives me ¾ times the luck I
was waiting for.
At
11am, I had headache, total body weakness and sore buttocks from excessive
visit to the bathroom. All my hope had finally abandoned me. Zero stones meant
only one thing, a pending surgery awaits my future.
Conclusion:
A
scheduled operation for the removal of my gall bladder had been set on December
18 (2012). The long wait had been
interrupted with a series of antibiotic treatments for the gall bladder
infection. Given no evidence that infection was caused by the gall bladder and
liver flushing, still a possibility must not be discounted. In that case, one
must assume a healthy pre-state condition of the gall bladder and liver before
undergoing such cleansing procedure. Otherwise, be prepared to face the
consequences of complications, such as infections.
If
you’d ask me if I’d go through the cleansing process again in the future, my
answer would definitely be YES. By eliminating harmful materials in the body, detoxification
could boost the immune system, improve digestion, eliminate the cause of many
chronic conditions and stimulate good health, energy, optimism, mobility and
stamina. With this, it does prove that benefits outweigh the means.
This
cleansing journey led me to a consequential change on my view about healthy
diet. Am I prepared to a low fat diet for the rest of my life? It’s not like
I’m given a choice, I was forced to it. How do I survive without a gall
bladder? Learning how to cope may be effortless for some; but I am certainly
not taking this lightly. This is the biggest challenge of my life. (bla,bla,
bla) Just bring it on….healthy diet, healthy lifestyle, here I come!
Talking
about the worst days of our lives, last Saturday (Oct 13), could be comprised
as hell day. It started at 10pm, Friday night, when I felt unbearable stomach
pains, back shoulder pains, heavy perspiration, and laboured breathing, which
prompted me to vomit at 11pm. No doubt, my
stomach was bloated, and hardening: bending was next to impossible. A resolute
trip to the ER was inevitable, allowing me to stay there until 7 am of
Saturday, Shabat. The ER experience was extremely frustrating, but it’s another
story to be retold in my blog.
My diagnosis was colic pain, assumed but not confirmed, due to accumulation of gall bladder stones. An ultrasound was recommended to affirm findings and could be submitted to surgery if necessary. These findings could say many things but for me it’s illuminated WAKE UP call.
It’s not about losing weight anymore, just like my other health articles but now it is about taking care of our own bodies. All my sign and symptoms are indicators that I have been neglecting my body for a long time. My instincts say it’s not too late for a total body transformation, so I’m burning my butt to search ways on how to salvage my indisposed intrahepatic organs.
The most popular gall bladder and liver cleanses I found was the procedure of Andreas Moritz. This man was born in Germany (1954) and because he was inflicted with several severe illnesses from an early age, he was compelled to study diet, nutrition and various methods of natural healing while still a child. Since then, he dedicated his life’s work in understanding and treating the root causes of illnesses. One of the greatest contributions he did was writing the book, "The Amazing Liver and Gall Bladder Flush. "
The enormous amount of clientele and patrons attesting success of Mr. Moritz liver and gall bladder cleanse was amazing. This achievement couldn’t be disregarded, and yet I am here to appraise it’s effectuality by undergoing the cleanse itself (I need it, by the way, anyway).
Benefits of the Gall Bladder and Liver Cleanse
Benefits of the gallbladder and liver cleanse varies depending on how many times you do the flush. It's recommended by some to perform the flush 7-10 different times to get the full benefits listed below:
Detoxifies
your organs
Lowers your
chance to have a gallstone attack
No acid
reflex
Chronic acne
prevention
Hormonal
acne prevention
Improves
digestion/ indigestion
Release of
lower back pain
Helps some
with Psoriasis, Eczema/ Excema/ Contact Dermatitis, Bloating, Constipation, Fatigue,
Cholesterol
Reduces
strain on your organs
Reversal of
the aging process
Improves
overall health
Helps our
body run smoothly and efficiently
With all the
toxins that surround us every day with the processed foods, hormone enhanced
foods, fried foods, fatty foods, stress from work or life in general, it's
important to clean out your body so you can enjoy a healthy long life free of
sickness and any other conditions that may occur with a toxic body.
Cleansing
Procedure:
I am quoting the actual cleanse method from the book (The Amazing Liver and Gall Bladder Flush) of Mr. Moritz:
" The liver cleanse requires 6 days of preparation, followed by 16 to 20 hours of actual cleansing. To remove gallstones you need the following items:
six
1-liter (32 oz,) containers of apple juice
4
tablespoons of Epsom salts dissolved in three 8-oz. (230ml) glasses
of water
1/2 cup
(4 oz.) of cold-pressed, virgin olive oil
2/3 glass
of fresh grapefruit juice (pink is best), or fresh lemon and orange combined
2 pint jars,
one with a lid
Preparation
Drink 32
oz. of packaged apple juice per day for a period of six days: (You may drink
more than that if it feels comfortable to do so.) The malic acid in the apple
juice softens the gallstones and makes their passage through the bile ducts smooth
and easy. The apple juice has a strong cleansing effect.
Some
sensitive people may experience bloating and, occasionally, diarrhea during the
first few days. Much of the diarrhea is actually stagnant bile, released by the
liver and gallbladder (indicated by a brownish-yellow color). The fermenting
effect of the juice helps widen the bile ducts. If this becomes somewhat
uncomfortable, you can dilute the apple juice with any amount of water. Drink
the apple juice slowly throughout the day, between meals (avoid drinking the
juice during, just before, and in the first two hours after meals, and in the
evening). This is in addition to your normal water intake of six to eight
glasses.
Note: Preferably, use organic apple juice, although for the purpose of the cleanse, any good brand of commercial apple juice, apple concentrate, or apple cider works just as well. It may be useful to rinse your mouth out with baking soda and/or brush your teeth several times per day to prevent the acid from damaging your teeth.
Dietary
recommendations: During the entire week of preparation and cleansing, avoid foods or
beverages that are cold or chilled; they chill the liver and, thereby, reduce
the effectiveness of the cleanse. All foods or beverages should be warm or at
least room temperature.
To help the liver prepare for the main part of the cleanse, try to avoid foods from animal sources, dairy products, and fried food items. Otherwise, eat normal meals, but avoid overeating.
The best times for cleansing:
The main and final part of the liver cleanse is best done over a weekend, when you are not under any pressure and have enough time to rest. Although the liver cleanse is effective at any time of the month, it should preferably coincide with a day between full moon and new moon. Try to avoid doing the actual cleanse on full moon day (the body tends to hold more fluids in the brain and tissues on this day than on others). The day of new moon is the most conducive for cleansing and healing.'
If you take any medication:
While on the liver cleanse regimen, avoid taking any medication, vitamins, or supplements that are not absolutely necessary. It is important not to give the liver any extra work that could interfere with its cleansing efforts. Make sure that you cleanse your colon before and after you do a liver cleanse. Having regular bowel movements is not necessarily an indication that your bowel is unobstructed. Colon cleansing, done either a few days before or, ideally, on the sixth day of preparation, helps to avoid or minimize any discomfort or nausea that may arise during the actual liver cleanse. It prevents back-flushing of the oil mixture or waste products from the intestinal tract into the stomach. It also assists the body in swiftly eliminating the gallstones.
Colonic irrigation (colon hydrotherapy) is the fastest and easiest method to prepare the colon for the liver cleanse. Colema-board irrigation is the second most preferable method
What you need to do on the sixth day of drinking apple juice:
Drink all
the 32 ounces of apple juice in the morning. You may start drinking the juice
soon after awakening. If you feel hungry in the morning, eat a light breakfast,
such as a hot cereal; oatmeal would be an ideal choice. Avoid sugar or other
sweeteners, spices, milk, butter, oils, yogurt, cheese, ham, eggs, nuts,
pastries, cold cereals, and the like. Fruit or fruit juices are fine. For lunch
eat plain cooked or steamed vegetables with white rice (preferably basmati rice)
and flavor it with a little unrefined sea or rock salt. To repeat, do not eat any
protein foods, butter or you might feel ill during the actual cleanse. Do not
eat or drink anything (except water) after 1:30 p.m., otherwise you may have
difficulties passing stones! Follow the exact schedule
below.
The
Actual Cleanse
Evening
6:00
p.m.
Add 4
tablespoons of Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) to a total of 24 ounces (three
8-oz. glasses) of filtered water in ajar. This makes four 6-oz servings. Drink
your first portion glass) now. You may take a few sips of water afterward to
neutralize the bitter taste in your mouth, or may add a little lemon juice to
improve the taste.
Some people drink it with a large plastic straw to bypass the taste buds on the tongue. Closing the nostrils while drinking it works well for most people. It is also helpful to brush your teeth afterward or rinse out the mouth with baking soda. One of the main actions of Epsom salt is to dilate (widen) the bile ducts, making it easy for the stones to pass. Moreover, the salts clear out waste that may obstruct the release of the stones. (If you are allergic to Epsom salts or are just not able to get them down, you may instead use the second best choice, magnesium citrate the same dosage.) Set out the citrus fruit you will be using later, so that it can warm to room temperature.
8:00
p.m.
Drink
your second serving glass of Epsom salts.
9:30
p.m.
If you
have not had a bowel movement until now and have not done a colon cleanse
within the past 24 hours, take a water enema; this will trigger a series of
bowel movements.
9:45
p.m.
Thoroughly wash the grapefruits (or lemons and oranges). Squeeze them by hand
and remove the pulp. You will need glass of juice. Pour the juice and ½ glass
of olive oil into the pint jar. Close the jar tightly and shake hard, about 20
times or until the solution is watery. Ideally, you should drink this mixture
at 10:00 p.m., but if you feel you still need to visit the bathroom a few more
times, you may delay this step for up to 10 minutes.
10:00
p.m.
Stand
next to your bed (do not sit down) and drink the concoction, if possible,
without interruption. Some people prefer to drink it through a large plastic
straw. Drinking it while keeping the nostrils closed seems to work best. If
necessary, use a little honey between sips, which helps the mixture go down
more smoothly. Most people, though, have no problem drinking in one go. Do not
take more than 5 minutes for this (only elderly or weak people may take
longer).
PLFASE
LIE DOWN IMMEDIATELY!
This is
essential for helping to release the gallstones! Turn off the lights and lie
flat on your back with one or two pillows propping your head up. Your head
should be higher than your abdomen. If this is uncomfortable, lie on your right
side with your knees pulled toward your head. Lie perfectly still for at least
20 minutes, and try not to speak! Put your attention on your liver. Some people
find it beneficial to place a castor oil pack over the liver area.
You may
feel the stones traveling along the bile ducts like marbles. There won't be any
spasms or pain because the magnesium in the Epsom salts keeps the bile duct
valves wide open and relaxed, and the bile that is excreted along with the
stones keeps the bile ducts well lubricated. (This is very different than in
the case of a gallstone attack where magnesium and bile are not present.) Go to
sleep if you can.
If at any
time during the night you feel the urge to have a bowel movement, do so. Check
if there are already small gallstones (peagreen
or tan-colored ones) floating in the toilet. You may feel nauseated during the
night and/or in the early morning hours. This is mostly due to a strong, sudden
outpouring of gallstones and toxins from the liver and gallbladder, pushing the
oil mixture back into the stomach. The nausea will pass as the morning
progresses.
The
Following Morning
6:00-6:30
a.m.
Upon
awakening, but not before 6:00 a.m., drink your third 3/4 glass of Epsom salts
(if you feel very thirsty, drink a glass of warm water before taking the
salts). Rest, read, or meditate. If you are sleepy, you may go back to bed,
although it is best if the body stays in an upright position. Most people feel
fine and prefer to do some light exercises, such as yoga.
8:00
-8:30 a.m.
Drink your fourth and last 3/4 glass of Epsom salts.
10:00-10:30
a.m.
You may
drink freshly pressed fruit juice at this time. One half-hour later, you may
eat one or two pieces of fresh fruit. One hour later you may eat regular (but
light) food. By the evening or the next morning you should be back to normal
and feel the first signs of improvement. Continue to eat light meals during the
following 2-3 days.
Remember,
your liver and gallbladder have undergone major "surgery," albeit without the
harmful side effects or the expense.
Note: Drink water whenever you are
thirsty, except right after drinking the Epsom salts and for the first two
hours after drinking the oil mixture. "
What to
expect after the cleanse
The whole
day after the cleanse, expect a number of watery bowel movements. Gallstones
could come out mixed with food residue, or with just water. Most of them are peagreen
and float in the toilet because they contain bile compounds. They can come in
many sizes, colors, and shapes. The lightcolored stones are the newest. Don’t
get alarmed when dozens or even hundreds comes out all at the same time.
Also, watch
for tan-colored and white stones. Some of the larger tan or white stones may
sink to the bottom with the stool. These are calcified gallstones that have
been released from the gallbladder. They contain heavier toxic substances, with
only small amounts of cholesterol.
It may
require at least 8 to 12 cleanses to remove the stones from the gall bladder
and liver, for which can be performed at three-week or monthly intervals, (Do
not cleanse more frequently than that!) cleanses.
To be
continued
Diet shakes may
be useful for jump-starting weight loss. As a reminder, this may not be
regarded as your ultimate and sole diet program, but may only be considered as
meal supplements to control daily excessive caloric intake yet still meet the
basic mineral and nutritional needs of the body.
If you think
you could live on diet shakes for the rest of your life then you are living a
dangerous lifestyle. They may be helpful in certain ways:
· when you lack
the time or motivation to shop for and prepare balanced meals
· if you are
consistently missing a certain meal, such as breakfast
· if there is a
need for extra protein, mineral supplements in the body
· if your goal is
to build muscles (Shakes can give your body a good dose of protein but with a
much lower amount of calories.)
· if you need a liquid diet due to dental issues,
surgery
The ultimate
goal should still be to lose weight in a healthy manner. And the key is a
balance with food intake, habits and exercise.
Recommended
Diet Shakes You Could Easily Prepare at Home
(Reminder:
Delicious, potent shakes and very addictive)
Whey
Powder Shakes
Ingredients:
2 scoops Chocolate Whey Powder
10 ice cubes
12 oz. fat free milk
2 tbsp fat free vanilla yogurt
1 tbsp reduced fat peanut butter
2 tbsp hazelnut coffee
1/8 cup caramel ice cream topping
Banana
Protein Shake
Ingredients:
1 scoop Vanilla Whey Powder
1 medium to large banana
8 oz. light Soy Milk
1 tbsp Linseed, Soy and Almond Mixture
1 tsp Golden Syrup
few drops vanilla essence/extract
3-4 cubes ice
1 tbsp low fat natural yoghurt
Oatmeal
Meal Replacement Shake
Ingredients:
1 cup dry measure oatmeal, cooked in water and
cooled
3 dashes
cinnamon
1/8 c sugar free maple syrup or equivalent
amount brown sugar replacement
1 tbsp chopped almonds (or flaxseed oil or
natural peanut butter)
12 oz. water or low-fat milk
Pineapple
Power
Ingredients:
1 cup of pineapple juice
3 strawberries
1 banana
1 teaspoon of yogurt
1 scoop of your choice of protein
Mango
Madness
1/2 to 1 cup
mango pieces frozen or freshly sliced natural mango
1 cup Brown Cow Vanilla cream top yogurt
1 Tbsp Flax seed oil
6-8 oz water
Egg-cellent
Shake
Ingredients:
3 eggs
1/2 cup milk or 3-4 scoops vanilla ice cream
Add all ingredients in blender. Blend and
enjoy.
Snickers®
Protein Shake
3 Snickers® Bars
4 eggs
3 cups milk
2 tablespoons evaporated milk
Chop the candy into cubes. Add the milk, eggs,
then mix; add the evaporated










