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? Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
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. Monday, April 27, 2015
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.Thursday, April 23, 2015
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.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
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.
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.
Monday, April 20, 2015
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.
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.
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.
Friday, April 17, 2015
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
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Wednesday, April 15, 2015
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..
Monday, April 13, 2015
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:
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:
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)
.
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Sunday, April 12, 2015
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.Friday, April 10, 2015
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.
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.
Friday, April 3, 2015
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
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.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
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
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
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
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.
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