Chipotle Life Is Burritoful

Chipotle is 100% natural. That is why I love that restaurant. Unfortunately, we don't have one in BG. The closest restaurant to us is Nashville. So, what crops are genetically modified? Eight that I know of. Alfalfa, canola, corn, cotton, papaya, soybean, sugar beets, zucchini and summer squash. Where am I likely to encounter them in my food? Just about everywhere. Eighty percent of the processed foods consumed in the US are genetically modified. Soft drinks, fast foods, cereal, meat, snack foods, packaged foods and breads.  Isn't it a shame that we have come to this?  

Yours Truly On The Farm

Sure. Homemaking is about the daily skills of running a household, but its also about a home for your family. Our children are raised now, but they come back and share time with us. Its about helping your family feel loved and comforted. Its about celebrating and caring for each other, and making your friends, extended family, and even the occasional stranger feel like they have a home away from home. Sometimes, I  looked around my house back then, and wondered how things got so out of hand. In the craziness of life with kids, growing and selling at farmers market, David working long hours etc. It almost seemed like the inmates were running the asylum!  I wanted my home to be a refuge. A boo-boo fixit station. A safe place with love. You can do it attitude. And then real life happened... Never ending meal prep. Money concerns, home work, children sick, laundry piling up. You know what I am talking about out there.

Look At This!

Our daughter and her husband are great runners. As you can see, they have a collection. Marathon and half marathon medals are on the top. Half marathon medals are on the second row. And 10k and 5k are on the bottom. Quite a collage  huh? From the horses mouths,"its a work in progress"! I just have to brag on these two.

Looks Like Spring Has Arrived

One swallow does not make a spring.
Bluebirds are a sign of spring; warm weather and gentle south breezes they bring.
In spring, no one thinks of the snow that fell last year.
Don’t say that spring has come until you can put your foot on nine daisies.
Spring-time sweet!
The whole Earth smiles, thy coming to greet.





 

 

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust’" (Psalm 91:1-2, NIV

Here are my Bluebells in full bloom. Aren't they beautiful! These are the Bluebells that Shaleen gave me before her tragic death. I often think of her this time of year. She was a special friend. She loved nature just as I do. We were definitely kindred spirits.

Bluebell flowers are dainty bulbous perennials that provide a profusion of color ranging from deep purple to pinks, whites and blues from April to mid May. Although some confusion may arrive from various English and Latin names, most bluebells are also known as wood hyacinths.

As I am sitting here on a Monday with my delicious hot chocolate, I am watching out the window as the rain keeps falling. I hear in the next forty days that rain will fall twenty seven of them. O' my what's a Gardner to do? I planted potatoes, beets, spinach, and carrots two weeks ago, with no sightings of even a green leaf. 

1. 

Considered a veggie but technically a fruit related to melons, the cucumber is often an afterthought or garnish for most. Too bad. It's not only a tasty addition to many foods and very hydrating with it's 90-plus percent water content; cucumbers are packed with a load of health-benefiting nutrients too.

Reduce cancer risk: Cucumbers' polyphenol lignin's and phytonutrients have anti-cancer properties that have been isolated by some studies.

 Prevent brain health decline: Cucumber's anti-inflammatory flavonol, fisetin, plays an important role in brain health. Fisetin protects against progressive memory loss and cognitive decline according to animal testing.

 Support digestion: Cucumber skins contain insoluble fiber, which helps add bulk to your stool. This helps food to move through your digestive tract more quickly for healthy elimination. Ayurveda recommends cucumbers to release excess stomach heat and resolve bad breath.

 High in antioxidants: Cucumbers contain vitamin C and beta-carotene. They also contain antioxidant flavonoids, such as quercetin, apigenin, luteolin and kaempferol, which provide additional benefits.

 Resist inflammation: Animal studies with cucumber extract have demonstrated their ability to inhibit pro-inflammatory enzymes.

 Manage stress: Cucumbers are high in vitamin B, especially B1 (thiamine), B5 (pantothenic acid) and B7 (biotin). These are water-soluble vitamins in a waterlogged fruit/veggie that support the nervous system.

 Support heart health: Cucumbers contain potassium. As a vital electrolyte, it is associated with a healthy heart. A proper balance of potassium and sodium is essential to good overall health.

Weight watcher compatible: Besides creating soft gel in the stomach with its insoluble fiber to feel full faster, cucumbers are incredibly low in calories. A cup of sliced cucumbers weighs in at 16 calories.

So pick up two or three organic "cukes" soon and see how often you can include some cucumber in your daily diet.


  

Planning A Garden

The best gardens come about from lots and lots of planning. The location and design are very important, but there is still room for personal taste and expression as well. That's the fun part! A nice garden will help you enjoy your yard more and spend peaceful relaxing hours outside in the fresh air. Once you have an idea of what you like you can really start planning. Make a list of the material you'll need. Stuff like fencing to go around your garden to protect it from rabbits and the chickens. Some chickens love to pick and scratch on your baby plants! So I keep my hens out of my garden until the plants are big. If you want a stone or brick path through your garden you can start looking for used brick or scrap stone that you can get cheap or barter for. You can also use a wooden frame with some sun fabric on top to filter the sun for more sensitive plants. Think of your garden like a little house, you'll need walls, a floor, and the roof. Then start to gather all this stuff up. You can find it used; second hand material is fun, resouceful, and will save you a lot of money

Rite Aid

I am so excited. Not excited we both have colds. But excited, because I found the cough drops that I used to take as a child. That's right! Luden's honey  licorice. They are superb. Soothing to the throat. Pine Brothers! Where have you been? A gummy cough drop. My childhood cough drops. I am happy!
And of course, Fisherman's Friend. David didn't even think they were made anymore. What a find..

Look at our Grandson. Isn't He a Cutie! He is now 7 months old.

"And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’" Matthew 25:40 (ESV) She’s a name-dropper. The kind of woman who always needs the world to know what famous person tweeted at her, liked her post or followed her on Instagram. She’s always at the important meetings, the ones where the people in charge see her. And she schedules lunches and coffee dates with people who can take her career further. We all know this woman. She’s our neighbor. Our co-worker. Our ministry leader. She’s everywhere. And maybe, at times, there’s a little bit of this woman in each of us. The world tells us in order to go higher we must surround ourselves with people who will take us higher. Our mommas taught us at a young age we will become like those we keep close. And in high school we grouped together with people who were like-minded. While I understand the importance of keeping company with the right kind of people, I see Jesus taking a different approach at times as I study His life in the Bible. It’s true Jesus had good friends like His disciples, Mary, Martha and Lazarus. But as I look closely at the steps of Jesus, I see He invested a lot of His time into the "least of these:" the poor, the hungry, the broken, the weak and the people who had absolutely nothing to offer Him. Jesus always had a genuine concern and focus on people in need. If we are always surrounding ourselves with the "best of these," how will we ever truly learn to love the least of these? It’s an honest question to reflect on as we go about our days, make our schedules and choose where to invest our energy. But I don’t really know if in Jesus’ eyes this concept of serving the least of these is optional. Do I always get this right? Goodness no. My excuses for a lack of service to those in need are shameful: I’m too busy. I already give so much. I don’t have what they need. I forgot. God blesses us so that we may bless others. May we be compelled to take our eyes off ourselves and turn our heads to the right and to the left. Let us see those around us in need and give whatever we have to bless them. Here are three ways to do this right now: Spend time with someone who has nothing to give back to you.   Ask God if there’s anything you have in your possession that could bless someone else. Maybe it’s a coat, a pair of shoes, a purse, jewelry … what can you give up to bless another?   Write a note of encouragement to someone who is down, sick or weary. Tell her specific things you are praying over her life. We don’t always need to be with the "best of the best." There is life, love and opportunities to expand our souls if we will humble ourselves and become just a little bit more like Jesus today and serve the least of these. God, help us to see those in need today. Help our lives ring loudly as we take steps to serve others more than ourselves. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. TRUTH FOR TODAY: Hebrews 6:10, "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." (NIV) 1 John 3:18, "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." (NIV)   .

Spring's A Weird Season

Spring time is a roller coaster. Some days, its warm and I am tempted to throw on shorts and get some sun. Other days it's cloudy and drizzly as the last bits of winter sneak in to make sure there's enough weeks left before I need to actually shave my legs. But regardless of the state of my leg hair, on these cold days, I always make soup. I love soup because it's perfect for those in-between parts of Spring. It's practically designed to bring the life back into you on a cold day.

 American families are under the gun.  Whether you are employed, unemployed, or underemployed you’re not alone, because millions of families are struggling in the U.S. With the cost of basic goods and services rising  at an alarming rate many households struggle to supply the basic necessities some of us take for granted.
Under the Obama Administration taxes are increasing faster than anytime in history, with Americans  paying more in taxes than on food, clothing  and housing combined.  Hard working middle class families will continue to evaporate and essentially be extinct if this cycle continues. 

Whether you realize it or not we have all been affected by the California drought in one way or another. Watching your food and water prices increase, and in some case double due to lack of rainfall, is taking a toll on American families.  With increased costs forcing tough decisions at the dinner table many consumers have been forced to make unhealthy eating choices, essentially doing their grocery shopping at dollar stores where healthy selections are far and few.

How to Easily Peel Farm-Fresh Hard-Boiled Eggs

You will need:

• Fresh eggs
• A metal colander or steamer basket
• A pot with lid
• Water

Instructions:
So technically, we are steaming the eggs, not boiling them. I don’t have a vegetable steamer basket, so I just used my metal colander to hold the eggs instead. Feel free to use whatever you have.
Fill the bottom of the pot with water–the exact amount isn’t important, just make sure you aren’t submerging the eggs. And also make sure that there is enough water to keep the pot from boiling dry.
Place the eggs in the colander, and the colander in the pot. Bring the water to a boil, and place the lid on top.
Allow the eggs to steam for 20-22 minutes. Remove the colander (or steamer basket) from the pot and rinse the eggs with cold water to halt the cooking process.

And now… Relish in the experience of peeling a farm-fresh egg without strife, frustration, or bad words. Life is good.

The end of March ushered in the official first day of spring, so in April we should like to celebrate the spring honey harvest with some fun, bright and a light recipe that will help you shake off the chill and gloom of winter and prepare yourself for the sunshine of spring.

From a savory leg of lamb in honor of Passover, to refreshing sparkling drinks perfect for an afternoon on the porch, these delicious delicacies will have you in high spirits for the upcoming season. What better way to ring in the season of renewal and new life? It’s also not a bad time to make good on those New Year’s resolutions with marathon season around the corner.

Oh how delicious this spring will bee, honey!

Crunchy Honey-Yogurt Breakfast Parfait

• 1 large - banana, sliced, divided
• 1/3 cup - honey, divided
• 1/2 cup - plain yogurt, divided
• 1/2 cup - crunchy granola, divided

Reserve several slices of banana for garnish. Layer 1 Tablespoon honey, 1/4 of the pre-sliced banana, 2 Tablespoons yogurt, 2 Tablespoons granola, 1/4 of the sliced banana, 2 Tablespoons yogurt, 1 Tablespoon honey and 2 Tablespoons granola in parfait glass. Repeat for second parfait. Garnish with reserved banana

Natural Teeth Whitener

Coffee, tea, soda, red wine, and soy sauce are some of the most commonly consumed substances that can stain your teeth. There are several options for removing tooth stains and they range in cost from pennies to nearly a thousand dollars. Methods used include gels, trays, pens, strips, and plasma light. Effectiveness varies widely and thee methods have the downside of cost and side effects (such as sensitivity). One of the most effective ways to naturally whiten your teeth is to brush them with activated charcoal.

 As a natural teeth whitener by brushing with it on a weekly basis. To do this, (using the encapsulated form) open one capsule and pour it into a small container. Add just enough water to the powder to make a paste. Spread the paste onto your toothbrush and brush your teeth like you would with toothpaste. It's not necessary to scrub as long a you would with toothpaste. The main goal is to have it cover the entire surface of the teeth. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes to allow it to adhere to surface stains. Once the time is up, rinse it away and brush your teeth as your would normally.