tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956782281799850382024-02-19T10:08:04.840-06:00Simply MeLearning to do for myself.Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-43042384182143600092018-11-02T13:57:00.000-05:002018-11-05T21:21:57.384-06:00Dandelion’s SecretsThe secret of the dandelion is that they
really aren’t a weed, they are actually a very useful herbal remedy supporting
everything from digestion to water retention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are also extremely resilient and adaptable, even to mowing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you ever noticed, that if you mow them,
they just grow shorter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve even seen
flowers growing just on top of the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: small;">The Miracle Herb:</span></h2>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The dandelion is nothing short of a miracle
herb, usable from top to bottom, and one of the most diverse “weeds” in your
yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlE5HIYUfMWQ8gSO8rlH61tshRndZjFgMOhzduP3SouSDmYzkDhbSbYtGmN-BzZcP44oMD1wkgVtAjTVdKgIwkLSnJms0Pq8C7MLuZ4Urgded39nNjyxndO0jQHgTYlH7pZrjJ1xOl_VOf/s1600/Dandelion+plant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="522" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlE5HIYUfMWQ8gSO8rlH61tshRndZjFgMOhzduP3SouSDmYzkDhbSbYtGmN-BzZcP44oMD1wkgVtAjTVdKgIwkLSnJms0Pq8C7MLuZ4Urgded39nNjyxndO0jQHgTYlH7pZrjJ1xOl_VOf/s320/Dandelion+plant.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h2>
<span style="font-size: small;">The Lore:</span></h2>
Dandelions have been referred to as the
“Shephard’s clock” because the flowers always open around sunrise and then
shut around dusk. It’s also been known
to predict weather as well. Once a flower
has gone to seed, if it’s going to be sunny, that seed pod will open up into
the fluffy ball we are so familiar with.
But, if it’s going to rain, the pod will close up and will remain shut
while it rains, only opening when the rain stops.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h2>
<span style="font-size: small;">Precaution:</span></h2>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One thing to remember is to always choose your
plants carefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never want to pick
or use any plants that have been sprayed with anything for at least three (3)
years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make sure when you pick a plant,
that it is far enough away from any area that may have been sprayed by any weed
or bug killers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t want to ingest
anything that may have been sprayed on them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To top it off, dandelions are highly
nutritious and they just taste good. You
really can use every part of this plant and for far more than just an herbal
tea. Here’s just a couple of uses for
each part of the plant.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h2>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: small;">Dandelion Flowers:</span></b></h2>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">You have to say that the flowers are sunny, bright and beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> You can p</span>ull the petals and sprinkle them over your salad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a beautiful addition to your food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can also add them to cookies and
breads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJWO40REbXHjqe6ScUxfCaJvltZQt5W2H82oInIgYVqCePaiVaauYSTMiYUfanYAjiYNnfCp3vMhit2_9Jrp2lzqNl5qQlWH4dC4AIbhnpnzEFvBxH4XF661i7Ts83F5dMCiIk8Wy53f5/s1600/Dandeion+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1201" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJWO40REbXHjqe6ScUxfCaJvltZQt5W2H82oInIgYVqCePaiVaauYSTMiYUfanYAjiYNnfCp3vMhit2_9Jrp2lzqNl5qQlWH4dC4AIbhnpnzEFvBxH4XF661i7Ts83F5dMCiIk8Wy53f5/s320/Dandeion+flower.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">They also make a delicious jelly that
looks like honey and sunshine all rolled up in one jar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The jelly is so pretty, it makes a
marvelous gift for anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">I’ve read
they make a great wine as well, but I haven’t yet had a chance to try
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Dandelion flowers also have constituents that
support your eyes, which is only fitting, really.</span><br />
<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h2>
<b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: small;">Dandelion leaves:</span></b></h2>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">The leaves contain several minerals including
iron and calcium, rivaling other beloved greens like spinach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have a slightly bitter taste and this is
what triggers the digestive process to begin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The younger the leaves the better tasting they are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The larger and older the leaves, the more
bitter they become.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Many people turn them into pesto just as you
would basil, or cook them as you would spinach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They can also be made into a tea as a great after dinner drink.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBloNrKs-CNIrHHeT8geIfENyaKnFyG6nfJycOS9EkuYwKMV1Wz9mzD9iXq0OeGcb4QFOh5SIn-VaCUozjxTtzFKE4q1_wvSlrjzt1RpFL9ZVzlNZB6lI5RMOjhYxFUkZkvUl1zCWppzLO/s1600/Dandelion+leaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="696" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBloNrKs-CNIrHHeT8geIfENyaKnFyG6nfJycOS9EkuYwKMV1Wz9mzD9iXq0OeGcb4QFOh5SIn-VaCUozjxTtzFKE4q1_wvSlrjzt1RpFL9ZVzlNZB6lI5RMOjhYxFUkZkvUl1zCWppzLO/s320/Dandelion+leaf.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Have you ever wondered why salads were served
before your main meal?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The salad got
your gut ready for the main course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
can help to eliminate indigestion and incomplete digestion, which can cause stomach gas and can sometimes be accompanied by pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">The salads of yesteryear were not the salads
of today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back in the day, salad greens
had a much more bitter taste than our various greens of today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today we have worked to grow the bitter
taste out of our greens losing some of the benefits that bitter tasted offered us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">The leaves are also a strong diuretic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are used most commonly to address
swelling, and symptoms of high blood pressure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">While the name “dandelion” comes from the French words “dent de lion”,
meaning “teeth of a lion”, referring to the leaves, the French actually most
commonly call a dandelion “piss-en-lit”, pronounced peace-on-lee, which
literally translates to “pee the bed”.</span><br />
<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h2>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: small;">Dandelion Roots: </span></b></h2>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Dandelion roots are considered a liver tonic,
supporting liver function in eliminating toxins from our body. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inefficient liver function that can’t
adequately get rid of the toxins in the body will generally show up in your
skin first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if you are having skin
problems, that’s always a good place to start.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Roasted roots are also considered a good
replacement for coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A dandelion, as
a general rule, has one large tap root that grows straight down and they can be
hard to pull without breaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Use a
weed puller or a screwdriver and run it down beside the root and wiggle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will help loosen the root.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you do break the root, no worries, another
dandelion will grow again next year!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Wash it, slice it and spread it out evenly on
a cookie sheet then roast in an oven on a very low heat for 3-5 hours with the
door open to dry it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then turn your heat
up to about 350 deg. And roast it for about 40 min.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once it’s good and roasted, let it cool, then
ground it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t had an occasion to
try this yet, but it is on my list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
hear as it’s roasting it smells like mocha.</span><br />
<span lang="EN"><br /></span>
<h2>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: small;">Not Just Tea:</span></h2>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My husband is not a tea drinker and not much
of a salad eater either, so I like to make a tincture with it as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those who aren’t thrilled with the taste
of teas or just don’t drink teas, tinctures are always a good choice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">I hope this makes you want to try using the
dandelion and begin to think of it as an ally, rather than just a weed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The internet is full of information and there
are many websites that have recipes and other uses for dandelions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you do some research and find a cool
way to use the dandelions from your yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Share in the comments any
recipes or uses you come up with, I'd love to hear them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-21792039837155378432018-10-15T13:27:00.000-05:002018-11-08T10:03:41.200-06:00Easy Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I’ve made my own apple
cider vinegar long enough I really don’t know how much it costs per quart at
the store anymore. But, I’m pretty sure homemade costs less and taste better
than store bought. If you are using apples for any apple dish, you can make
your own apple cider vinegar.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The first time I made
it, I couldn’t believe there wasn’t more to it. I kept thinking I was
leaving something out, but it really is that easy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: center;">
<h4>
<b><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Putting It Together</span></b></h4>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-outline-level: 3; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Any time you use apples
for a pie, apple crunch, applesauce or apple butter, or a batch of anything
else apple, save all your scraps, including cores, seeds, peals, everything,
then stuff them tight into a quart jar or 2 if you need to. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">In a separate container
mix 1 TBLP of sugar to every 1 Cup of water. Stir to dissolve the sugar and pour
over the apples in the quart jar. The end result you’re looking for is to cover
the scraps in the jar with the sugar water.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">At this point you don’t
want to cover it tightly. The sugar water mixed with the apple scraps
will make the apples begin to ferment. The fermentation process, creates
a gas which needs to be released. So you don’t want to cover the jar with a
solid lid. I use ball canning jars and instead of using solid lids, I use
coffee filters and fit them down with the canning rings. This keeps any
little critters out of the mix and still allows the gasses created from the
fermentation to pass through and escape.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCK7vulFHD1PqIAIL-HqwcaOgKq9-RWWQ7b4BKV1avjffWBukY8aS-ffOfa2g3x-lqRjmeggKZCbUSZ-wX85YLsM4sfbKgNZfXWejgRLeNYpHwgTheIOuB4zzxgvAgNGXNhZ1sy7RoPST/s1600/September+23%252C+2018+vinegar.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="1277" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCK7vulFHD1PqIAIL-HqwcaOgKq9-RWWQ7b4BKV1avjffWBukY8aS-ffOfa2g3x-lqRjmeggKZCbUSZ-wX85YLsM4sfbKgNZfXWejgRLeNYpHwgTheIOuB4zzxgvAgNGXNhZ1sy7RoPST/s320/September+23%252C+2018+vinegar.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture was taken September 23, 2018.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">When you finish putting it together it will look
something like this.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">So now all that’s left
is to let it sit in a dark, warm place for several weeks. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Depending on how
strong you want your vinegar, it can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">During
that time check the jars occasionally to make sure the apple pieces are below
the liquid and that any white scummy foam that shows up is spooned off. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">After your 2 to 4 weeks,
strain it and jar it up. I’m telling ya, it smells awesome when you’re
done. Drop the strained pieces in the compost pile and now you have….Easy
Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLw-VEYYWVxiydKEWyVQVAfoFV7dKfThLUecbONzkFnic_WpIDLeHD8reoofdcGbvq84P45S4NBTjGnOtVne3KdqqnPW8-JE5trPtgvR5NRUbQARpGI3S3xsVrvoPxUGW8KClwHabb2Rpv/s1600/October+14%252C+2018+vinegar.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1166" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLw-VEYYWVxiydKEWyVQVAfoFV7dKfThLUecbONzkFnic_WpIDLeHD8reoofdcGbvq84P45S4NBTjGnOtVne3KdqqnPW8-JE5trPtgvR5NRUbQARpGI3S3xsVrvoPxUGW8KClwHabb2Rpv/s320/October+14%252C+2018+vinegar.jpeg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was taken Oct. 14, 2108. I think it still<br />
needs another week, for my taste.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: center;"><br />I never would have thought of apple cider vinegar as smelling good. But the difference in what you make at home compared to what you buy in the store is huge. Homemade smells and tastes so very good.</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">I’m still learning how
to cook with ACV. I know the amount of flavor this adds to a dish from
experience, but I’m still learning to just remember to use it. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">There are so many things
that I don’t try because I’m afraid “it can’t be that easy”. So don’t let
yourself overthink it so that it scare you, because it really is that easy.
Give it a try and let me know in the comments below your results or any
other recipes you have used. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<h2>
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Easy Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar</span></b></h2>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Use any and all scraps from any
apple dish you may make, including apple pies, applesauce, apple butter,
an apple crisp or any other version thereof. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Put all scraps, packed tightly
into quart or pint jars. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Mix 1 TBP of sugar per every
cup of water in a separate container and pour over the apple scraps in the
jars to just cover the scraps. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Cover with a coffee filter or
something similar, sufficient to allow the gasses produced by the fermentation
process to escape. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Set in a warm, dark spot for
2-4 weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Check every few days, to ensure
all apple parts are submerged in the sugar water. And to ensure any
foam or scummy looking foam is spooned off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">After the first few weeks,
every time you check it, just give it a smell. This is more personal
preference than science.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
like a little stronger taste, then let it sit a week or so more. If
you like a lighter taste, then maybe 2 weeks is all you need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Once it’s set to your desired
taste, strain all the apple parts out and compost. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Bottle your apple cider vinegar
and label with the date you made it.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">This can be used for any
cooking you would regularly use apple cider vinegar for. </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Enjoy</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-35280303838480887212018-09-28T15:56:00.000-05:002018-11-08T07:26:28.035-06:00Chamomile, A Flower or a Weed<br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
Is Chamomile a flower or a weed? I guess that depends on who you ask. Even some in the herbal community will call it a weed. I never thought of it that way, although my husband does.<br />
<br />
When I first planted Chamomile, I thought it was so pretty and it smelled remarkable. On top of that it's full of uses, the best of which is drinking Chamomile tea. At that time, I had no idea how it spread. Even so, I think it's great, BUT, you have to learn to control it.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XressZNWVr45_4Z5u6LQNxXm0NNMNjuOSSMuzYaGPggJbgvolme_MhZaS78UffhWd36jOhUZyXyTCeo5hVoK0AIdLJkL1NO-LX77yQY652IPYdhB858VmQ4wyMJZwrRTkv6D-TqE_JhmfPmzMJ119gjyHE66YRoIqooDvjWhhrebroAeP7Kg_XHFpJ7iPLRGgio_GCsDJA0KfYhfPothABJ_20uPexFGSvsuEiChahvOZlD2Fdb7TuNDVxYgR-2AHCGs0osffo0c6COcfwytQ6AtGtZAJGSiA0XeYN02V_yyZllH_1fspLA1MoDyAEosggtYEsxVfh5eYyDHP2zad6gR-8YcVzAzR8E4qWI5FmdqaDvRcMLPidChSfrT4XsSrpJ64v6LLoXRKvKe5CYOrLI6fVHo_vHZ5tau5Ot0_nllhnBUXR1BkLrtNi9D8DKr23cHSxpd5dy8El-GkV9_ZvBjXV2jaghMy7U1sYCAFzP12Pu9K5UPW6OZ4sYthHLGCqV3JBd2IK-PpMca1aEVhblamjuagQZ_rKa0YQr6_KaUpyIXR6YYHfmTHZQ5kD2WY1fXruEh4v3uv8nYu124guIs3PbmO6PhpUKIVoAYxC_gwiY55aKzEMu4deOY1G0=w439-h779-no" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XressZNWVr45_4Z5u6LQNxXm0NNMNjuOSSMuzYaGPggJbgvolme_MhZaS78UffhWd36jOhUZyXyTCeo5hVoK0AIdLJkL1NO-LX77yQY652IPYdhB858VmQ4wyMJZwrRTkv6D-TqE_JhmfPmzMJ119gjyHE66YRoIqooDvjWhhrebroAeP7Kg_XHFpJ7iPLRGgio_GCsDJA0KfYhfPothABJ_20uPexFGSvsuEiChahvOZlD2Fdb7TuNDVxYgR-2AHCGs0osffo0c6COcfwytQ6AtGtZAJGSiA0XeYN02V_yyZllH_1fspLA1MoDyAEosggtYEsxVfh5eYyDHP2zad6gR-8YcVzAzR8E4qWI5FmdqaDvRcMLPidChSfrT4XsSrpJ64v6LLoXRKvKe5CYOrLI6fVHo_vHZ5tau5Ot0_nllhnBUXR1BkLrtNi9D8DKr23cHSxpd5dy8El-GkV9_ZvBjXV2jaghMy7U1sYCAFzP12Pu9K5UPW6OZ4sYthHLGCqV3JBd2IK-PpMca1aEVhblamjuagQZ_rKa0YQr6_KaUpyIXR6YYHfmTHZQ5kD2WY1fXruEh4v3uv8nYu124guIs3PbmO6PhpUKIVoAYxC_gwiY55aKzEMu4deOY1G0=w439-h779-no" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From my garden.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
<span style="font-size: small;">Chamomile, the first year</span></h2>
<br />
Years ago I planted Chamomile in a raised bed. It was a circle bed about a foot & a half round. It grew so pretty and made so many flowers.<br />
<br />
I picked and picked and dried the flowers and used them for many different things. At the end of that year, we had to move the bed. I was going to lose my Chamomile, but I knew I could always plant some more.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: small;">Chamomile, the second year</span></h2>
The following year, I found little plants along the driveway and the patio. I was so excited, I really didn't lose all my Chamomile!!<br />
<br />
So I protected them by not letting my husband mow them down and I picked and picked the flowers again. I was happy.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: small;">Chamomile, the third year</span></h2>
Then came the next year. I found Chamomile in every corner of my yard. The leaves are so feathery, the flowers are so pretty and smell so good and it makes magnificent tea, so no worries.<br />
<br />
This time I had to really work to convince my husband to leave various patches alone so they could grow. I even had to make a deal with him that he could cut that area down, if he would leave this area alone. And I continued to pick flowers.<br />
<br />
Some people may say that makes for a nuisance weed, I just think it makes the yard look nice.<br />
<br />
There are so many things you can use Chamomile for, that I just can't imagine ever thinking of this plant as a nuisance. Besides the fact that it smells divine, it taste great as a tea. For those teas that don't taste so good, but are good for you, all you have to do is add a bit of Chamomile to make it palatable, to help the medicine go down, as they say.<br />
<br />
Comment below and let me know what you use chamomile for. I'd love to hear!!<br />
<br />
<br />Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-12530298831826732012018-09-27T14:44:00.001-05:002018-11-08T07:23:50.706-06:00Natural Weed Killer<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">It wasn’t until I had grandkids that “organic” and “natural”
even became a thing to me. I
actually felt bad enough for not thinking of it while my own son was young,
that I apologized to him.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">When the thought of having a grandchild actually became a reality,
I couldn’t imagine bringing her around anything that was so full
of chemicals. The more I read the labels the more I didn’t want any of
that stuff around my grandkids or us, for that matter. I decided
then and there, that there had to be a better way or at least a more chemical-free
way.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">We live in the country and have a very large driveway made of rock. My husband wanted to keep it as weed free as possible since we
can’t mow it. When the kids come out
and play on that driveway, so I wouldn’t let him spray any of that poison on it. I had to come up with a better solution.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I searched the internet and found several different recipes and ideas, some worked okay and some not at all. The more I read the more I started
noticing common ingredients in a lot of them and decided I could make my own. When I finally put it together, it
WORKED!!! I was so happy. Sadly it only kills the top of the plant, the
part that the solution touches. I can live with that.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It actually impressed both of us. This recipe is too
easy not to try. So I had to share.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<h2>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">Natural Weed Killer:</span></b></span></h2>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Add 1 cup of salt to a quart
jar.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fill the jar with water
and let it sit for a week to dissolve as much of the salt as you can.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Put 1 gallon white vinegar
in a 2 gallon sprayer</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Add the quart of salt solution. Rinse
and get as much of the salt as you can out of the </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">quart jar. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Continue to let it sit for a short while
longer to melt as much more of the salt as you </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">can. </span>You want to melt as you can, so it won’t clog your sprayer.<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">(Don’t ask me how I </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">know that.)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Add a few tablespoons of dish soap to the
sprayer (or actually I use the soap I make </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">dish soap with)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Shake it up completely (or as best you can in a 2 gallon
sprayer container).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Soak the plants with a sprayer on a day that
you have lots of sun. I’m not positive, but I </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">think the sun helps kill the plant.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">I’ll have to test that sometime.</span></span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">Within hours you will
begin to notice weeds turning brown. With large clumps of grass it may
only kill the outside of the clump. You may have to spray those more than
once, but apparently, from what my husband tells me about the old “store
bought” weed spray, it still worked faster and better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="392" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WXWV4vXd3bihaBi08cIfWoFljgPtPmBESWbkiGRIKbXYEFDeQjtG36y9OBr5XsFibbmO9UIR_rMkFMryNOBf9DUUGvhBX9xF-C2eVc9vqJdNxb2oSZFp_LG1iziQXFRPvYTg7NsY" style="border: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saturday 1 pm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/imOEdL_VGFTaIeYaUI-uXmJBmQ6xsWMiGlcP9jnLyABSWQRNLsuOSUr8xy3lXq7QsUgmAcR5_2tVMAIaHPesY1jf1ZpF1vWCGlO4LkHxXZ0yVqKPpKL6KuuIecYKbxG8z5XCpPrx" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/imOEdL_VGFTaIeYaUI-uXmJBmQ6xsWMiGlcP9jnLyABSWQRNLsuOSUr8xy3lXq7QsUgmAcR5_2tVMAIaHPesY1jf1ZpF1vWCGlO4LkHxXZ0yVqKPpKL6KuuIecYKbxG8z5XCpPrx" style="border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="366" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday 8am</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br />This plant continued to
die off until it became dust and blew away!!! YAY!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"> If you have some weeds
to get rid of, you might give this a try. If you do, let me know how it
works for you. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 11pt;">We were highly impressed
with how fast the weeds died. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Do you have a recipe that you use that works
great? If so, please put it in the comments. The more ideas the better, in my humble
opinion.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-5869261882132652142017-05-02T21:19:00.000-05:002017-05-02T21:19:52.478-05:00Essential OilsI've just recently REALLY discovered essential oils. I mean, I've always known about them and used them occasionally. But recently, I've discovered how good they REALLY are and have started using them daily. I didn't realize how handy they are. <br />
<br />
Since our grand-daughter was born our lifestyle has moved to a more and more organic and natural one, making most of our household products and using less and less store bought cleaning supplies and personal products. The oils just fit in perfectly.<br />
<br />
I began seeing <a href="https://www.mydoterra.com/teresareed7/#/" target="_blank">Doterra </a>Oils a lot. What I first liked about them is they are delivered through the mail!!! I love that I can have them delivered because I really hate shopping. Then I found out how to get discounted oils. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7guA9EjJu8Wfc8dqzT1yucyhN1XxGGuArrObCOE_8xODE8q_RqkSdfTl9F0NEb48GbsQgogKFU2nJrlZpN2ZqVijOTjHRwOLPrjyPOhU_cT_T2WKSdlaBGQvlH0TR3uFueGHG7yMd9Gn/s1600/IMG_20170330_211550764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7guA9EjJu8Wfc8dqzT1yucyhN1XxGGuArrObCOE_8xODE8q_RqkSdfTl9F0NEb48GbsQgogKFU2nJrlZpN2ZqVijOTjHRwOLPrjyPOhU_cT_T2WKSdlaBGQvlH0TR3uFueGHG7yMd9Gn/s320/IMG_20170330_211550764.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.mydoterra.com/teresareed7/#/" target="_blank">Doterra</a> allows you to pay a fee (kind of like Costco) and you get wholesale pricing. Nothing minimum to buy, just buy what you use, if you want. You can go on to sell them if you want, but it's not necessary. From what I read there are a lot of people who are making a really good living. I like the mixtures they sell, and their oils are first rate and I'm happy with that, so they are worth the fee. And considering how much we use them that discount way out does the fee. If I go on to sell some, that's a bonus.<br />
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As time goes on I'll learn more and more. I'm so happy with what I've learned and experienced so far I can't wait to share. It's the easiest "help yourself" I've ever run across. Besides, they smell awesome, make the house smell great and I can even use them for perfume. If you'd like to look it over yourself and read some great information on your own, you can visit <a href="https://www.mydoterra.com/teresareed7/#/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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I hope you come back for more as I hope to post some more information on oils. I hope others can get as much out of them as we have. And I'd love to know what you've discovered about essential oils and their uses. Leave me a note on how you use them.Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-41156148115677197622017-04-30T20:32:00.001-05:002017-04-30T20:34:03.552-05:00The End of the Weekend<p dir="ltr">Tis true, Sunday evening and the weekend is almost over. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Ah well, a hot bath, candles, the right essential oils, a glass of wine and a homemade face mask will make tomorrow morning okay again.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Have a great evening and I hope your weekend was a great one.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLe6Tn9a-N2Ybbvmir90A8JAfG-mxUq_8tO8aBm_37h-XJN-tUnNxP_dYgkHAKq4sVwILc_jopGvb_To4dnUWQ3jQkWKBJUx5S3kePlFyiGFOCBufw8_5EYL9hWfbEchXM_QrXgDNcBqJD/s1600/1493601971033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLe6Tn9a-N2Ybbvmir90A8JAfG-mxUq_8tO8aBm_37h-XJN-tUnNxP_dYgkHAKq4sVwILc_jopGvb_To4dnUWQ3jQkWKBJUx5S3kePlFyiGFOCBufw8_5EYL9hWfbEchXM_QrXgDNcBqJD/s640/1493601971033.jpg"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Good Night.</div>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-11903456996412520792017-04-02T15:51:00.000-05:002017-04-02T16:20:05.891-05:00Practicing to RelaxDo you ever feel like you need to work at relaxation? Sounds like an oxy-moron, doesn't it? But nonetheless, it's true. For most of us relaxation actually is close to impossible. In our day in age, relaxation has become an art...a hard earned art and only if you practice it. <br />
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I have to remind myself several times a day to relax. It's not something I remember to do naturally. If I don't my shoulders and neck start to hurt and I can get a headache before I even realize it's starting.<br />
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I've learned to relax in a number of different ways, depending on where I am and what I'm doing. <br />
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If I'm at work, I have to be able to use a quick method and is pretty low key as to what I'm doing. <br />
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I sit at a desk all day and in some cases I can sit there for several hours at a time using a computer so I try to stop every hour or so. I'll put my hands in my lap, sit up straight, feet flat on the floor and take several deep breaths with my eyes closed. While doing this I visualize a white/yellow light above my head and as I exhale, that light rains down on and through my head and body. With each breath my shoulders and/or neck will feel just a little more relaxed. After about 4 or 5 breaths, I'm ready again.<br />
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Or, I'll take a deep breath and lift and tighten my shoulders, hold both for a count of 4 or 5 and then release my breath and relax and roll my shoulders slowly, again to a count of 4 or 5. Repeating this for 4 or 5 times.<br />
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While I'm at home I can use longer methods that are a bit more involved and more fun.<br />
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Sometimes a hot bath with epsom salts, or maybe some bubble bath always with essential oils and of course candles. <br />
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A bit of music maybe a mask made of crushed oats, yogurt and honey. <br />
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Listening to music and just watching the flame dance on the candle can be magic.<br />
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Maybe take a walk and enjoy nature. <br />
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As the saying goes, stop and smell the roses (so to speak), enjoy the view, listen to the birds and even the wind blowing through the trees.<br />
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The point is instead of thinking of all the things that need done, just listen to what's around you, enjoy what you see. Look for the simple things and fill your head with paying attention to those things.</div>
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Whatever works for you, use it. We don't do it enough and it makes all the difference in dealing with stress and strain in our full everyday lives.Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-83856996410465446392017-01-22T19:31:00.000-06:002017-01-22T19:31:42.823-06:00Keeping a 3 year old EntertainedEarly last month my grandson was born. It was SO VERY AWESOME!!! He was born on a Wednesday, so that afternoon and the rest of the week I kept my 3 year old granddaughter. I have her overnight about every other weekend regularly, so I didn't think this would be a big deal. Obviously, I was wrong. It's been 34 years since my son was born and I am WAY out of practice, even after 3 years. My granddaughter isn't a bad girl but her attention span is about a quarter inch long. OMG, that lovely little girl wore this old lady OUT!!<br />
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She was so excited for her new "baby brother". As far as she's concerned he belongs to her. It was really cute to watch. First thing I heard every morning was "Is it time to go see my baby brother?" and again every 10 minutes after that. Just an FYI, that's a 25 mile drive.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguT9p02tckXbxhFIsCqKOvtpxmJlOU-HKo_lEesCZ4B54-GHm_epRZVptOQ1g9z5q5bvnroRAmR66rOd4IswMhukuxeWTTAdk6wOfw_jQPnTwd_br7BDugABiLdCeQis6XLg-9nHhMEPG9/s1600/IMG_20170122_100232390_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguT9p02tckXbxhFIsCqKOvtpxmJlOU-HKo_lEesCZ4B54-GHm_epRZVptOQ1g9z5q5bvnroRAmR66rOd4IswMhukuxeWTTAdk6wOfw_jQPnTwd_br7BDugABiLdCeQis6XLg-9nHhMEPG9/s320/IMG_20170122_100232390_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a>It was so hard to keep her attention after coming home from the hospital. We tried everything. We made Yule/Christmas presents with glitter, glue, paint and crayons. <br />
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What 3 year old doesn't love that stuff. She did love it, but only about about 30 min at a time and then she was ready for something else. I truly thought glitter would last a lot longer than that. Glue and glitter should have had an hour life, at least, I thought. Man, was I wrong....try 20-30 minutes and then she was actually ready for bed so it would be morning and she could go see her baby brother again. <br />
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It's been more than a month and she still is highly enamored with him. She loves touching him and staring at him, which is so cute. I must say there was nothing more exciting than seeing her baby brother. I can only hope that continues as they grow up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxjtICJf8HTh6d86WhccoRSw7IJWUSwbBoiIjS44r9X_qqbxy_YU8IiBPXQq54YTdRTi7nykAVEs0Nn4Lpyas4d6acHWC9n5iBCQVRbCFLInuDGs9-Ig4vizIeKOWGMAjlheNLUPn-Iod/s1600/kane+quiet.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxjtICJf8HTh6d86WhccoRSw7IJWUSwbBoiIjS44r9X_qqbxy_YU8IiBPXQq54YTdRTi7nykAVEs0Nn4Lpyas4d6acHWC9n5iBCQVRbCFLInuDGs9-Ig4vizIeKOWGMAjlheNLUPn-Iod/s320/kane+quiet.jpeg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cute "Baby Brother"</td></tr>
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By Friday afternoon mom and baby brother got to go home and she wanted to go home with them. Grandma's place is cool, but can't compare to her new baby brother. Oh well, that's okay, I can't blame her. He's pretty cute and I was ready for the rest too.<br />
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She loves to come to grandma's place now, but after an overnight stay and all day, she's ready to go home to "mommy, daddy and her little brother". Next I think we'll work on teaching her his actual name. She knows it, but I think she may forever call him "my baby brother".Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-28889676978143119052017-01-18T21:18:00.000-06:002017-01-19T13:46:46.449-06:00Meditation Is EasyI have a friend who has been having anxiety issues. She's had them for a while and was on medication, then she quit taking it for about a year, started taking it again and recently the anxiety has gotten worse and they have almost doubled her meds. This has all been over about a five year period. She told me she doesn't want to be on all these meds and asked my opinion. My idea was exercise and meditation.<br />
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She knew both of these answers but like most of us, it's more effort than we want to put out. I told <br />
<a name='more'></a>her that meditation isn't all that hard. People make it sound so mysterious and for those that have never done it, it would complicated and hard. Trust me it doesn't have to be.<br />
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I'm no expert, by any means, but in my many years of experience you can meditate in many different ways. You can do it the way every one talks about by sitting and trying to empty your mind. If you are new to meditation, this can be hard and frustrating. I suggested three different, much easier options.<br />
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1. Count your breathing. Count your inhale 1-4 or 5 whichever fits you best and again, count your exhale 1-4 or 5. You concentrate on your counting and keeping your breath equal, keeping your mind busy and not wondering from subject to subject.<br />
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2. Think of a scene which relaxes you and paint it in your mind. Just as if you were painting your favorite scene, only in words and thoughts. Decide the subject and the entire environment surrounding it in detail. Picture it as you go.<br />
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3. Create a mantra. Doesn't matter what it is. It should probably be something that pertains to you and your goal. If you are wanting to relax, pick something like "I am calm and relaxed". Very short and/or a bit of a rhyme makes it easier to repeat without having to work at it. Use whatever works and feels good to you.<br />
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Before you start get comfortable. That can be laying down, but if it's night be ready to fall asleep. It can be sitting in a chair or on the couch or the floor. Just make sure you can be comfortable for anywhere from 10 minutes to half an hour. If you feel fidgety, then do some exercises first. Do 10 push-ups, or go for a walk or lift some weights. You are trying to expend some energy before you get started, so you can choose what works best for you. <br />
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You don't need any kind of ritual to get started. Sometimes people will have a ritual but this is only to get your body and mind into what you are doing. Just like anything else, if you do the same thing over and over, when you start a certain set of actions, your body will see where you are heading and get itself ready and you can relax easier once your body/mind knows what you are doing. But this isn't necessary.<br />
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When you're finished, breath deep several times, open your eyes and sit there for a bit slowly moving around. You probably won't sit there very long when you start. But after you've done it a while, 30 minutes will pass before you know it. Getting up may take a few more seconds than it did before. There shouldn't be a rush. Then drink some water if you've not fallen asleep. I don't know that this is a necessary thing medically, but it just always tasted very good and seemed the the right thing to do.<br />
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As times goes on you'll find other ways to meditate. In my opinion, meditation is anytime you put all your thought and energy into doing something that is relaxing and enjoyable. That leaves the door open for a LOT of things we can do throughout the day.<br />
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Let me know all the different ways you meditate. Learning something new in a day, makes it a good day.Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-64429722622099805232016-12-27T13:28:00.000-06:002016-12-27T13:28:25.602-06:00Holiday Season BlessingsThis year stands out to me as one of the best in a very long time. I lost my dad in 2011 and my mom in 2015. In between that time there was turmoil among family members which just made get-togethers somewhat uncomfortable and tense We've also had 2 new grand kids during this time. These last several years have had so much change.<br />
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Since then, we've, or at least I, have been trying to build some new traditions. Something that is solid to look forward to every year in getting ready for such a hectic time of year. From Thanksgiving through January we have many birthdays along with the holidays. It's almost constant.<br />
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This year I feel we achieved the new traditions I craved and found a happy medium that everyone can enjoy. It makes this time of year so much more enjoyable and I'm so glad we've finally got to this point.<br />
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Although I miss mom and dad terribly and the holidays will always <br />
<a name='more'></a>be missing something with them gone, I know they are still with us in the only way they can be. I'm okay with that and it brings me peace to know they can watch and see the family having a lovely time, with no tension or strife. I can picture them laughing right along with us as we have the family party in the same house that they lived in and that dad built. I know they will always be there with us.<br />
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My grand-daughter is slowly learning the differences between Yule and Christmas and we celebrate both. It's a beautiful thing to see. Soon my grand-son will learn the same thing. I want them to learn that we can celebrate together peacefully and enjoy the season for many different reasons.<br />
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I'm terrible with taking pictures, as generally I just want to sit back and take it all in. I really must get better at making those memories printable. That's one thing I will work hard to change starting with my Grand-daughter's birthday next month.<br />
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I'd love to hear of other traditions, how others combine differing holidays and family in harmony and how you manage the holidays. I'd love to learn new and more ideas.Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-20458823905579868362016-12-06T17:17:00.000-06:002017-01-19T13:47:34.812-06:00ShoppingI really hate going to the store to go shopping. Anybody else with me here? Just something about all those people, loud kids and adults, lack of manners, traffic and waiting in line. I'm just not real good with any of it. I've discovered shopping online is SOOOO much easier and makes me so much happier. <br />
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Did you know you can even buy groceries online? Apparently, I'm a slow learner, but as long as I <br />
<a name='more'></a>eventually figure it out. When I need to shop, I've always been one to shop at Goodwill or garage sales. I hate paying full price for things and enjoy re-purposing things as much as possible. I've also discovered my grand-daughter LOVES garage sales. Let me tell you, that is some fun.<br />
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In the last month or so I discovered a website called <a href="http://www.thredup.com/r/BUNIWD" target="_blank">thredUP</a>. This place sells used clothes at decent prices, not garage sale prices, but still decent prices. AND, you can clean your closet out and sell your stuff there too. While I enjoy going to garage sales, I really don't like having them. It's a pretty cool site. Check them out <a href="http://www.thredup.com/r/BUNIWD" target="_blank">here </a>if you get a chance.Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-45507559640867844352016-07-28T21:25:00.000-05:002016-07-28T21:25:17.603-05:00Tomorrow will last FOREVER!!My vacation starts Monday, so tomorrow will likely last FOREVER!!! <br />
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I get to pick up my grand-daughter, Z, tomorrow, so that will be fun. We'll have a great time and laugh and it will be a great start for my vacation. Her smiling face always makes it all good. She's growing up so very fast and I haven't seen her in 2 weeks. Each time I see her, she's just that much more grown up. I don't remember it going so fast when my son was little. <br />
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My brakes have gone out too. So my husband and brother are so kind as to change those for me tomorrow. That will cost me a bit, but at least there's no labor (besides lunch and ice cream). Can't complain, haven't had too much problem with that car and next month is my last payment. YAY!!! <br />
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There's so many things I want to get done next week. My list includes deep cleaning, you know, like windows, and Z's toy box, my closet:-). I also want to get a mess of cooking done, to be frozen for supper and breakfast later. And strangely I'd like to get some vacation type stuff done too (reading, web surfing and maybe a movie), how dare I, right?. I'll see, I may pick and choose to get a little bit of everything in.<br />
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We aren't getting a lot of stuff bought for our little homestead, BUT....we are getting some of the necessary property work done which needs to be done first anyway, AND our biggest upcoming accomplishment is getting things paid off. We are very close to being debt-free which, in my humble opinion, would be the important accomplishment in the long run. <br />
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I supposed I should get though the next week before I get into paying off everything over the next year or two. Baby steps:-) I guess I'll see what all I can get done over the next week then move on to bigger & better things. There's not enough days to get everything on my list done since I continue to add to it constantly, but I can try. Who knows...<br />
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Did you take your vacation yet? What did you do, where did you go?<br />
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Til later!!Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-86865998457196519602015-08-03T16:51:00.000-05:002015-08-03T16:51:04.868-05:00Peach ButterRecently I read a post regarding peach butter. It sounded so good, but I didn't have any peaches and by the time I got to the store, of course, I forgot about it. <br />
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2 weeks ago I went to the meat locker for some meat and the farmer's market was out front, and guess what I found!!!!! Peaches!!!!<br />
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So last week I got all motivated after work and made some peach butter. It's actually very easy and takes no time at all.<br />
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First, pit the peaches. I used about 7-8 peaches and cut them in fourths. <br />
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Add them to a saucepan with a little sugar or other sweetener, if necessary. I used about 1/8 of a cup of sugar, probably less, (I'm horrible about not measuring). <br />
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Cook them on a very low heat, (I used skins and all), stirring often and watching closely so they don't scorch You want them to cook just long enough to get soft, maybe 30 min or less. <br />
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Remove from heat and let them cool.<br />
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After they've had a chance to cool, use an <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/itsallnew-20/detail/B007V8PYFU" target="_blank">immersion blender (this is the one I have)</a> and mix them to an almost apple butter consistency. <br />
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I did cook mine a little longer to cook a bit more of the liquid out until I reached the consistency I was looking for. You have to watch them very carefully at this point.<br />
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That's it, that's all there is to it.<br />
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Then you have Peach Butter awesomeness....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyV4qB8AJDLhlLZgq0wJNUZEC5dlHJHXhAr5PFkhwXNJ2zWfIObcROsi28jXgdxFF-S2jg_lI-8hxKFhc8UTuzy9casRSoQHgQgTUMRVLPHSlRZgMcKdzpf_qrslYjGo7dvSOSKInfUew-/s1600/peach+butter+yogurt+cheese+toast.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyV4qB8AJDLhlLZgq0wJNUZEC5dlHJHXhAr5PFkhwXNJ2zWfIObcROsi28jXgdxFF-S2jg_lI-8hxKFhc8UTuzy9casRSoQHgQgTUMRVLPHSlRZgMcKdzpf_qrslYjGo7dvSOSKInfUew-/s320/peach+butter+yogurt+cheese+toast.JPG" title="Yogurt Cheese with Peach Butter toast" width="180" /></a></div>
I've read about peach butter for a number of years and hadn't tried it,
nor had I taken the time to make it. Man-o-man am I glad I did.
Recently the peach orchards near me have been selling peaches. The
trees are finally beginning to make fruit. I see many more peaches in
my future.<br />
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This weekend I got even more motivated and made some yogurt. From that yogurt, I made a cup or so into yogurt cheese. Then mixing some
yogurt cheese and peach butter I created breakfast. <br />
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Next, I think I'll try mixing yogurt cheese with some strawberries, then......who knows, I guess it depends on what I come across at the farmers market next.<br />
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What do you make with your seasonal fruit? Any good recipes out there?Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-84211717063785612432015-05-20T17:19:00.000-05:002015-08-03T10:35:50.749-05:00Tricks for Home Cooked Food Fast<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-bc22c62c-7366-6763-d362-cf71b7423ab6" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">During the weekdays I leave my house at about 7:30 in the morning and don’t get home until about 6:30 that evening. This doesn’t leave a lot of time to cook a meal when I get home. Here’s a few tricks I’ve learned to make home cooked food fast.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">On the weekends when I’m really motivated to cook, I’ll cook up a storm. I’ll make big batches of something, have some for supper and freeze the rest, in meal size. for later. Or I’ll make several meat loaves or hamburgers (sometimes both), have some for supper and freeze the rest for other nights. Maybe cook a large ham and use a small portion and freeze the rest in batches for quick ham and beans. I’m not always in the mood to cook, but when I am, I try to cook big. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In the last year I’ve learned to can meat. This is a great time saver because there’s no thaw time. </span></div>
<a name='more'></a> I’ve canned cubed ham, pulled chicken, ground deer, and cubed deer. My husband hunts, so I have a LOT of deer in the house. Canned meat lends itself to fast casseroles, stews or soups. I’ll make big batches of chili or ham and beans and can it too. I made some quick chili just last night with canned tomatoes and ground deer meat from last year. The hardest part was the dishes afterwards since I don’t have a dishwasher.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDRmP8zqbLI1ojM1Rrju8koc-iuo2eNBtMVm_amZnhAqoWbeac0I4Ga4l5zjBYMMoIlX3gPBfubNV1F6rQHJ8TZl_qi_ACJExSWt6ihFLnjXDxnAr9BF-FHz6S4ufWdUjJZZvPE3wVUSG/s1600/Canned+deer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDRmP8zqbLI1ojM1Rrju8koc-iuo2eNBtMVm_amZnhAqoWbeac0I4Ga4l5zjBYMMoIlX3gPBfubNV1F6rQHJ8TZl_qi_ACJExSWt6ihFLnjXDxnAr9BF-FHz6S4ufWdUjJZZvPE3wVUSG/s320/Canned+deer.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canned deer from last December (2014).</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Since I’m canning the meats I’ll go ahead and make the broth and can it too. The broth makes for a much richer soup or stew and it can be just as easy to can as the meats are. Here’s a recipe for </span><a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2012/12/how-to-can-homemade-stock-or-broth.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">homemade stock/broth</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> from </span><a href="http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">The Prairie Homestead</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> which even goes on with instructions on how to can it. That site has a little bit of everything.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Recently, I’ve discovered freeze dried foods. Probably not the most natural or organic way to cook, but it is quick. I can get freeze dried peas, carrots, corn, green onions, peppers, and all kinds of vegetables as well as all manner of things that can be easily added to any recipe. There are so many different types of freeze dried fruits and veggies available, you can make meals and dessert in no time. Some are even organic and non-GMO, and they are adding more and more to this category all the time. And I dry my own foods using a dehydrator. I’ll find it on sale and dehydrate it for later.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The freeze dried and dried foods category also has full meals that you can prepare and the ones I’ve tried have been pretty good. I like to add my own touches by adding additional veggies or meats, then add a salad or other side and you’re done. These are usually pretty basic which makes adding to them to suit your family’s tastes, pretty easy.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Well there’s just a few tricks to help make supper quicker. Hope there’s something here that will help you out on a busy week night. How do you speed up your evening meal?</span></div>
Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-38887831043699931662015-05-14T09:45:00.000-05:002015-08-03T10:25:05.793-05:005 Ideas That Have Helped Me Make Healthier Eating Choices<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-5df0b735-52dd-efa2-11f0-55f0b09323c2" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I’ve learned over time you don’t have to have a strict diet to make healthy eating choices. I most definitely don’t deprive myself because, for me, that only leads to binge eating. But I have found a few little tricks that help me make better choices and I’ve even lost a few pounds along the way. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I don’t bring bad choices home from the store. I don’t buy the high calorie or high sugar snacks. If they are in the house I know I’ll eat it. If it’s not there, I’m not so tempted.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I make healthier choices easy. I buy the already cleaned, baby carrots or I’ll get some bell peppers, wash them and cut them up and put them into snack size baggies so I can just grab one. I always have apples and/or bananas on the counter. Sometimes I’ll get grapes, then pull them off the stem, wash them and put them in snack sized bags for work or just in a bowl making them easy to eat at home. With all that done, it makes a healthy snack an easy choice.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ljNlQ3D2CHCaBlbmPZ5HFe_EQaLyVXRavgGZUsyy_K1yJXcfbgASmoL9Q6LaCZeVUlwrioAyKxR6XJz-OumUmO2LGBRFbeTk4_T7ocf2125U6N9PUaIgTfjetKvzGOFqL9lPMABGQZ2H/s1600/Vegetables.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ljNlQ3D2CHCaBlbmPZ5HFe_EQaLyVXRavgGZUsyy_K1yJXcfbgASmoL9Q6LaCZeVUlwrioAyKxR6XJz-OumUmO2LGBRFbeTk4_T7ocf2125U6N9PUaIgTfjetKvzGOFqL9lPMABGQZ2H/s320/Vegetables.jpg" title="veggie snacks" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I cut back on the sauces, dressings and gravy. I’ve never been a gravy fan, so that was easy for me. Sauces, spreads and dressings, however, were another matter altogether. I’ve always loved them. So, I learned to cut things down to the serving size. I read every label and will only use a serving size (usually 2 tablespoons), and in some cases, even a bit less is still plenty.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I never go to the store (any store) hungry. That’s a disaster waiting to happen. If I’m hungry I’ll always find myself wandering around a store looking for who-knows-what. And I will find it and “it” is usually something I don’t need.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I’ll tell people around me that I’m trying to be healthier. If I do that, I always feel bad if they catch me eating sweet stuff. And the people I know will say something to me, so I’ll “save face” and just not do it…….most of the time:)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Recently I read that, according to researchers at Cornell University, data from 112 studies focused on healthy eating behaviors showed that ““better” eaters made their choices thanks to health-conscious people in their lives who took charge of their surroundings” That means if I make better choices my family may do the same. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">So, these are 5 simple ideas I’ve found to help me make healthier eating choices and as a bonus possibly influence my family’s choices too, and none of them make me feel like I’m being deprived of anything. I hope you can use one or two of them too. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Do you have ideas for making healthier choices? I’d love to hear it. Every idea is another tool.</span>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-71781886197237007702015-05-10T08:24:00.000-05:002015-05-10T17:43:21.787-05:00Happy Mother's Day<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today is my first Mother’s Day without my mom. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">She was my best friend. I was able to tell her anything. We had breakfast almost every Saturday morning together for the last 30 years. In the last 10 years or so I began to take care of her and my dad and their finances. Then dad passed on 4 years ago. We moved mom to town and continued on. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">As she continued to age I helped her with groceries, and then later with laundry and shortly after the first of the year I hired a nurse 3 days a week to help. Everything happened so fast.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On March 21 we had her 90th Birthday party. Of her four kids, nine grandkids and 12 great-grandkid, only three couldn't make it. Even her brother and some of his family came. Some of these grandkids she hadn’t seen in years and some of the great - grandkids she had never even met before. It was huge success and she had a great time seeing everyone. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day, even the March weather was great. We were able to take tons of pictures just outside her apartment building, right on the city lake. She had so much fun and was so happy.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="IMG_0765.JPG" height="290px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LtIDoP0RBS06BLw1qVqi7cv1T9M0dIUCwUX8ai36zzxKxkn3lMXQ2suDzv06rKiH7x1JjRGkSU6gjHomkxN-NjqXTER5L4G7_peyEspWYQ89tqKEeQyHmsGzcdA3ZqDG21ZmRI" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" title="Family" width="436px;" /></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Three days later I went to pick her up to go to the doctor. I made her breakfast and coffee and the nurse came to visit for her regular check. Two and a half hours later she was in a comma and 10 hours after that she had passed on and my world turned upside down. It was all so sudden. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">While she was in the hospital, all of us living here were able to come be with her and I never left her side. Even though I knew the way things happened was just as she would have wanted it, I was completely devastated. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I guess like most kids we expect our parents to live forever. Mom lived her life for her family. I remember her regularly taking me and friends to the drive-in movie in our little town with fried chicken in a brown bag and popcorn for later because we didn’t have a lot of money for concessions and the movie tickets were fairly cheap. She entered the Publisher’s Clearing House sweepstakes for more than 20 years, just so she could win and give it to us kids. She always talked about how she would divide it among us kids and grandkids. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She didn't like getting flowers because she was no good at taking care of them, but after going through her stuff, I can tell you she kept every card she ever got. Every homemade picture or note we ever wrote her was in a box somewhere. After being orphaned at a young age with very little from her family, it was her mission to make sure it was different for us. She succeeded.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since the family had just been here for her birthday party, we had to wait to celebrate her life until earlier this month. We went through all the pictures, cards, letters and other stuff she had accumulated and saved all these years and then shared stories about her. It was a wonderful day full of memories of mom. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This year I will remember my mom and feel fortunate for all she passed on to me and that I had her for so long. But I’ll also miss her terribly. So, enjoy your mom every day while she’s here. Tell her how much you love her every chance you get. Some day, before you know it, that chance will be gone, so take advantage of every minute you get. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: black; float: left; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="IMG_0710.JPG" height="213" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/bRTm55Zk-zyCd7YAd0OU4PzBZ5l5u_XmLNyDFsqt0rMwCpo9_qg7daJLIHgdZA1cLfTTyV_5cJNNiBv_FV1kjkdQ2Xvxo9cFSmLmdkWdMyGI34ZOBZ4aRf7z8n-gLNC17Y8ZLn4" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="320" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks for letting me tell you about my mom. I’m so very proud of who and what she was and of what she left behind in each of us. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers out there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you have a story about your mom you would like to share?</span>Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-71140795735718571842015-05-04T14:36:00.000-05:002015-05-10T17:44:09.406-05:00Do you really want that cookie?<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Yeah, I do. I LOVE sweets, always have and always will. In my family, homemade ice was a food group, not just a dessert. After growing up with homemade ice cream, homemade cookies and cakes I figured out I have to find a way to curb the impulse to eat every sweet I see. After years of the yo-yo weight gain/loss and attempts at many different methods to avoid the sweets, I found a few things that helped me. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">They don’t always work, but these days about 90% of the time they do and I’m able to walk away.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uZLH33eaMBdv80e-F0wUH-rrzgtHpvqqSAENx6ShAlC6-HcsDTnm18VBdDdVGrZ_eujkcNGZN4DS45VKd2IuNF-t1FQaCI_BeDLi0XLpXDNhQ7xIl2K0RI9Voa09wM7umQr1v59DuSiv/s1600/Cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uZLH33eaMBdv80e-F0wUH-rrzgtHpvqqSAENx6ShAlC6-HcsDTnm18VBdDdVGrZ_eujkcNGZN4DS45VKd2IuNF-t1FQaCI_BeDLi0XLpXDNhQ7xIl2K0RI9Voa09wM7umQr1v59DuSiv/s200/Cookies.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Go do something else for about a half hour. I’ll go for a walk, go fold some clothes, run the vacuum, or play with the dog. Sometimes I even forget about it or decide it can wait till later. I tell myself I’ll have one after I have lunch/supper. When I can do that, not only will it taste better, but I feel better about myself too. Can’t beat that.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Try substituting with a glass of water, a cup of tea and/or maybe a veggie or a piece of fruit or some other low calorie alternative. If I’m really hungry this will get me by. If that doesn’t sound good then I know I just want something to munch on. If I can’t get past, it I’ll go ahead and drink something and eat a healthy snack. Then I’ll feel pretty good that I resisted again.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Look at myself in the mirror. I’m not a real big person, but I’ve never been that “ideal” body type either. I’ve always had a belly (especially after having my son) and if I was thin it was because I worked my butt off for it. Point is, impulse eating has always been one of my worst enemies. I’ve learned to think twice before taking that bite and most of the time I’ll win the battle.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">As I use these methods, I’ve found it gets easier and easier to walk away. But, I’ve learned not to deprive myself either, just try to leave sweets as a “dessert” and not just a snack food. I generally eat three meals and two snacks a day, so I’m really good about not being hungry and most of the time can talk myself out of something sweet. BUT, there are times when I just can’t do it. So, rather than say no, I’ll take a smaller piece, cut it in half or thirds but still get my bite. That way I don’t feel deprived, but I still got my taste.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I hope something here will help you too. How do you say no? I’d really like to more ideas I can use too.</span></div>
Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-45601264607616174432015-05-01T13:37:00.000-05:002018-11-05T13:52:45.506-06:00Store Brand Organic Food<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">When I first started moving towards organic food, I always bought from the local “Organic” or “Natural” stores in my areas. As time went on, I was happy to notice natural and organic store brands on the shelf in my local Dillons, Simple Truth and Simple Truth Organic brands. They were less expensive and most of the time just as good.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I like to save a few bucks where I can but still get the best I can afford. I’m not always able to eat organic, but I try when and where I can. What’s nice about the Simple Truth brand is they also </span></div>
have the natural option, which isn’t “organic” by definition but which still omits 101 artificial preservatives and ingredients, listed <a href="http://www.simpletruth.com/about-simple-truth/101-free/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. It’s different than the organic definition found on their website </span><a href="http://www.simpletruth.com/about-simple-truth/organic/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">here</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, but better than most the well known stuff off the shelf, in my opinion.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">On 10/22/14 Business Insider published a </span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/kroger-is-whole-foods-biggest-threat-2014-10" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">story </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">online stating JP Morgan had put out a report showing that within two years Kroger was expected to surpass Whole Foods as a seller of organic and natural foods. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I still occasionally shop at my local organic and natural stores mostly because one of them carries a number of local products from local producers within the state and I like to buy local when I can; and I can’t always find everything I want in my local Dillons. When I can, I get my produce from the local growers near my home or out of my own garden. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Where do you get your organic food? </span></div>
Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-22065407042740084962013-12-30T16:44:00.002-06:002013-12-30T16:45:38.008-06:00The Thrifty Homesteader: What's so bad about raw milk?<a href="http://www.homegrownandhandmadethebook.com/2011/12/whats-so-bad-about-raw-milk.html?spref=bl">The Thrifty Homesteader: What's so bad about raw milk?</a>: Maybe it's just coincidence or maybe it's just my imagination, but it seems that since Farmageddon was released, the heat has been...Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-76666530126947495692013-11-01T08:52:00.000-05:002018-11-05T13:45:46.336-06:00Fall Colors<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Y-vhDwTAEKAhXg_XOcSS0tClqT1j3cUr689ZN0V86jz_UwhEEUW0KX6cBOE47AVZDFaqZ_wY7u_01XZQH9XXFRylyg1D_gcQAfEZVqxZfVlBKIl0v0VPnX3XKs6jqiOshJL9c5vDGpHU/s1600/My+tree+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Y-vhDwTAEKAhXg_XOcSS0tClqT1j3cUr689ZN0V86jz_UwhEEUW0KX6cBOE47AVZDFaqZ_wY7u_01XZQH9XXFRylyg1D_gcQAfEZVqxZfVlBKIl0v0VPnX3XKs6jqiOshJL9c5vDGpHU/s1600/My+tree+1.jpg" width="191" /></a>I'm not real partial to the cold weather, specifically I hate being cold as the cold causes me pain these days, but after seeing the trees in this last week, I'm enjoying the change. (I guess I'll have to wear another layer of clothes this winter). In Kansas it's highly unusual that the trees even still have leaves <br />
at this time of year. Generally it gets cold, the leaves turn and in a day or so the wind blows so hard the trees lose their leaves. So really we usually only have fall colored leaves for about 1-2 days. This year, it's been different.<br />
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These are the leaves on the trees in our yard, the yellow one being a Mother's Day present from my son about 20 years ago and the red one being a gift from my mother also about 20 years ago, although the red one had a tough start and is a smaller tree to begin with, being what's called a Smoke Tree. I only have a few pretty ones, mostly what we have are hedge that aren't real colorful. They do look much prettier when the sun is shining especially in the morning, but I had to leave the house before the sun came up that far. So, when I am able in the next day or so to catch these trees in the sun I will retake these and post new pictures because they really are much prettier than these pictures show.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDHRYpW1mn-6euN2r-qmnG4Lo0lj2_jQnw226ihjtOOipMMxnUi7Impu0OQHbODQXa7U2n8CQDz3uLP4sHttqrYWGsQ_6rI76chSr1pvNJ-PK2TjguHzpb2uOD7nGaSBQqZuD_fjjG_0v/s1600/My+tree+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDHRYpW1mn-6euN2r-qmnG4Lo0lj2_jQnw226ihjtOOipMMxnUi7Impu0OQHbODQXa7U2n8CQDz3uLP4sHttqrYWGsQ_6rI76chSr1pvNJ-PK2TjguHzpb2uOD7nGaSBQqZuD_fjjG_0v/s1600/My+tree+2.jpg" width="191" /></a>I work on the 16th floor and have been looking over the city, noting there isn't a lot of red in our landscape, mostly dull yellows and oranges. As I look down closer to our building I note a number of red fall colored trees, and they're short, I'm thinking you just can't see most of them from my vantage point throughout the city. Now as I'm driving home from work, I find myself unconsciously looking for more and more tree color in the city. I don't see as much as I would think or like which is a shame, as the deep, bright and rich reds, yellows and oranges add such depth to the fall colors, they are so bold, bright, so pretty. We have yellows and oranges, but they just aren't the striking colors you can see in some trees.<br />
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However, in the mornings, when the sun comes up, the colors we do have seem bright, like they are alight, maybe even glowing and while on I'm on my way to work, that is what I would call a morning "Smile", making the morning worth the day ahead.<br />
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Tell me what you see, what you like in the fall when the trees begin to change. What are the colors like in your area? Drop a picture if you like and share.<br />
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Enjoy the colors while you can.Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-16279874913896711952013-10-30T09:26:00.000-05:002013-10-30T09:26:15.542-05:00Laughing at MyselfThis morning, on the way into work, instead of listening to my usual audio book or audio lecture series, I tuned into music. The ipod, after being charged last night, turned itself to music and rather than try to drive and find my place in the book I had started, I just left it as it was. <br />
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Even though today is dreary, gray and rainy the music gave me that morning smile I strive for, making the day seem better and the colors of the trees a bit brighter.<br />
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The music I was listening to ran from Celtic instrumental from Medwin
Goodall to rock-n-roll from Breaking Benjamin to Molly Hatchet and with
each song my foot just got heavier. I found that as I listened, turning the music up, my foot began to depress the accelerator more and more until I finally had to set the cruise control so I wouldn't get a ticket.<br />
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I've been completely lucky and blessed by every God there is while driving that road, with 5 warnings and no tickets, I try not to test fate where that's concerned. I had to laugh at myself that I couldn't keep my car at speed no matter how hard I tried. <br />
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Anyway, despite the weather, I had an enjoyable morning, laughing at myself and listening to some incredible music.<br />
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Smile and I hope you enjoy your day!!</h3>
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Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-69125153211305056022013-10-27T20:57:00.000-05:002018-11-05T13:41:11.127-06:00UPDATE: Homemade ApplesauceAt the end of last month I wrote about <a href="http://whatifitisme.blogspot.com/2013/09/homemade-applesauce.html" target="_blank">homemade applesauce</a>. Today I made some. I bought some apples from the store's discount rack, they were spotted and not perfect, so I got a good price and the bonus was most were organic. If you've read any of my blogs about cooking you know I don't do precise measuring much, but it usually works well, but I generally followed the recipe.<br />
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I quartered the apples, cut out the seeds and the core, and pealed them and then cut them in half again when I put them in the crockpot. I added about 3 small fingerfuls (as opposed to handfuls) of brown sugar and about 3 table spoons of lemon juice I had squeezed a few months before for use in cleaning liquids.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I cooked this on low for about 6 hours, using a potato masher to mash the apples about every 2 hours. Let me tell you how good this smelled while it cooked.<br />
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I didn't add any cinnamon because I wasn't really sure I wanted any and I figured I could add it later if I wanted it when I ate some.<br />
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This was so easy it was unbelievable. I kept thinking there really should be something more to it. After the cooking I ran it though my food mill a few spoonfuls at a time with the largest mill grate. It was still hot when I tasted it, but it's so GOOD. <br />
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If you haven't yet, you really need to give this a try. The article I reference in my September blog says you can cook the apples on your stove on medium to medium-low and it will be done in about 3 hours. I was afraid of cooking it too fast this way, and ruining all those "on sale" apples. But next time I'll probably go ahead and do it on the stove, now that I know what they are supposed to look like.<br />
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If you were worried about making this because you thought it was too hard, go ahead and try it, it's easy.<br />
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Let me know what you think after you have a chance to give it a try.<br />
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By the way, the food mill I used at the end of this venture in the Simply Me Shopping Place. It's an OXO and it works great. Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-7987241397398246332013-10-24T21:15:00.001-05:002013-10-29T13:14:37.373-05:00Today's SmileMy major smile didn't come to me until I got home from work tonight. Not that I didn't find my morning smile, a beautiful golden glow from the morning sun on the trees and across the pastures along with watching the birds catching bugs in the morning sky. It really doesn't take too much to make me smile especially where nature is concerned. <br />
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When I got home tonight, like most nights, my girls are waiting for me at the door, usually making all kinds of noise. Cally has a "woo woo" kind of bark that just makes you smile when you hear it. My husband said he fed them early because they wouldn't leave him alone while he was cooking some stuff for his lunches. So we went ahead and went outside, I was hoping they would do their thing, <br />
<a name='more'></a>you know. They run down the driveway all the way to the gate at the road looking for the horses across the street. They hate those horses for some reason. They will stand there and bark themselves crazy. It's funny to watch the horses, watch the girls, like they're nuts.<br />
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By one of the fences in our yard is a stand of bamboo. It's gotten big enough and the season has gone far enough there are plumes at the top of the bamboo plants, that are very pretty actually. As we're standing there Kimber began to bark, like she found a critter, she's jumping at whatever it is and then jumping back. I thought she had a bug of some kind. As I walk up to her, she's looking at me and then back at what she's got, almost as if she doesn't want to take her eyes off of whatever it is. <br />
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As I approach Kimber, searching the ground in front of her, I find what's got her attention, a plume off the top of one of the bamboo plants. Now I'm laughing, I just can't help myself and Kimber is looking at me and still barking at that dangerous plume. I kind of moved it and she jumps back like it will get her, then I pick it up and she grabs it out of my hand and begins to shake it like she was going to kill it. At that point, Cally gets her nerve up and grabs it from Kimber and they rip it into and kill the plume, so it will never hurt anyone again.<br />
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These girls never cease to make me smile,.every morning as they cuddle with me when it's time to get up to all of their various antics in the evening before going to bed. We just don't know what we would do without these girls. They were strays my husband found in the middle of the road in the city, but it feels as though they have been with us for many years. They have implanted themselves firmly in our hearts.<br />
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Do you have a pet that makes you smile every time you see them? I'd love to hear about him/her, maybe even see a picture. Let me know.Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-50676115625454260182013-10-23T20:55:00.000-05:002013-10-25T19:49:57.465-05:00The Drive to WorkMy drive to work is generally 35-40 min long, 25 miles one way, about 7 miles of that being city miles. The first 7 miles is on a little 2-lane paved road to the 4-lane highway into the city. As I'm driving into work this morning about 3 miles from home, there's a thin and wispy fog above the road, looking like I'm just below the surface of water, rippled like someone dropped a pebble on a pond and I was looking up from underneath the surface. Was very cool to look at, not something you see very often, nothing I've seen anyway.<br />
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I also pass a nursery on the highway before I get into the city. They have a lot full of trees as well as all the landscaping plants. Today I see they have strategically placed a number of trees in different spots all around their entire lot, out front along the front of their fence and among the landscaping plants, whose leaves have turned a brilliant shade of red. They were beautiful, looking as if the trees were on fire and the red leaves were the flames.<br />
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These are the kinds of things which make driving to work not such a bad thing, things that will make you not think so much of the day to come, but help to make you see the day in a positive way and enjoy the morning regardless of what's coming. This morning I was lucky enough for 2 of these experiences, I try to find at lest one every morning, something to make me smile, something to feel good about, something to set the tone of the day.Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1895678228179985038.post-31555490352179896712013-10-13T10:37:00.001-05:002013-10-17T14:07:05.660-05:00Mother Earth FairYesterday my husband and I went to the Mother Earth Fair in Lawrence. We both had a great time. They had a lot of exhibitors and a ton of scheduled speakers for everything from dirt to making cheese. We weren't able to stay over night so we didn't listen to many of those, but did catch most of one about having bees, learning some good tidbits in the short time we listened.<br />
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First we just made a circle around the outside of the park to see what all was there. We saw people selling cheese making kits, seed companies, animal education booths, lots of books, growing systems and a group selling gluten-free soda pop. We even bought a bottle of root beer, my favorite, which was very good even though I rarely drink pop. <br />
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We came across a place selling soap stone items, among other things, which I thought was really cool. <a href="http://temperatureware.com/" target="_blank">Vermont Marble, Granite, Slate & Soapstone Company</a> is the name of the place. You can click their name and see their store. They were <br />
<a name='more'></a>passing out soap stone ice cubes, made to put in the freezer and then into your drink and which don't melt, but will keep your drink cool. They have a woodstove/oven combo with a soapstone surround that ROCKS!! The soapstone surround radiates heat and creates a consistent heating surface on the top. That will, one day, be in my kitchen/living room. They also carry some very cool cups and mugs (I see a Christmas/Yule gift here) and even bed warmers, along with a plethora of other items, as gifts for yourself or others. Check them out, they have some really great stuff.<br />
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I bought a CobraHead long handled weeder and cultivator. I watched the guy work with it and while planning raised garden beds, this seemed like the perfect weeder. The raised beds would be about 6 inches or so high, while in a few cases we may actually dig down a bit, this weeder keeping me from having to bend over so much, saving my back from un-necessary aches and pains. I think I wrote earlier about the aging thing and how much that's beginning to suck, or maybe I didn't. In any case, this aging thing sucks. I did bring it home and kind of played with it in our hard clay dirt and it worked well. I was impressed with what it does and how easily it does it. You can find them <a href="http://www.cobrahead.com/" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
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I've also been looking for dehydrated or freeze dried ingredients I can cook with. Dehydrated and freeze dried ingredients last much longer and I can stock up without them going bad. There's not a lot of organic freeze dried or dehydrated foods out there and finding another source was a benefit for me. They are called <a href="http://www.terryblack.thrivelife.com/" target="_blank">Thrive</a>, and the independent consultant, having samples you could taste was a huge selling point. The samples were not reconstituted or cooked, but you could still taste how good it was and I was impressed with the flavor. My hope is that as my garden grows:-) so will my own dehydrated foods and eventually I will grow most of this myself. But that's still someday away....<br />
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We found a ton of information on all-natural and organic feed for chicken, goats and rabbits, how to raise them and eventually breed them. Someone even had a few mules and a mess of pack goats there, some of the sweetest animals, and incredibly tolerant. But they were getting lots of petting and scratching, so some of them may have just been in nirvana for the day.<br />
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If you ever get a chance to attend one of these fairs, I hope you do. It was well worth the time we spent driving there and home. I do wish we would have had more time to see more of the speakers but by next year maybe I can figure out a way to be in 2 places at one time.Traceyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06977476616479463620noreply@blogger.com0