Just a Little County

No matter if it is in the kitchen or the great outdoors, it's time to put a little country in our lives.

Monday, September 30, 2013

Laughter Is The Best Medicine





Good Morning, Crafters!  It’s a beautiful Monday morning.  We had a great weekend.  Got the Halloween display all set up now.  Nothing more to do to it.  And it looks amazing!  Our 5 year old niece came over yesterday and refused to even look at it saying, “It’s too scary!!!”  We have done our jobs! 
  
I have been thinking about what to write for October’s health part of the blog. And, I am posting this a day early because I have a super busy month ahead of me.  James and I will celebrate our wedding anniversary and our son will celebrate his 18th birthday.  So, lots of celebrating for October.     I have decided to share a little more info about myself with you all.  And maybe it will help you in your struggles for a healthy life. 

Please keep in mind, this is not something I talk about daily.  So in sharing this, I'm putting myself out on the 'chopping block' so to speak. :)
Five years ago, I decided to go back to college and obtain a degree in Elementary Education.  I was focused, determined and….obsessed.  I took online classes, and basically, what you would learn in a semester at a ‘regular’ college, I was learning in 7-8 weeks.  There was a huge amount of pressure to learn it all.  I was a student, a wife, a mom, a daughter, and a sister.  My life, my thoughts all revolved around school.  My wedding was scheduled around my classes.  Everything was determined around my classes.  I tried hard to not obsess about school and assignments, but it was hard when you had assignments to do and only a certain amount of time in which to do them.  We didn’t get normal breaks like in ‘regular’ colleges…we went straight through summer, holidays, and weekends.  

Eventually, the pressure to excel got to me and I snapped!  I literally had a mental and emotional break down; during my internship, no less!  With less than five weeks left until I completed my education, I lost it!  Not only was the college putting pressure on me, but the school where I was doing my internship was, how do I say it without getting sued…I didn’t meet their view of what a teacher should look or act like.  My clothes were ‘not appropriate’, even though I had spent over 300.00 at JCPenny’s on new clothes.  My hair was not ‘styled right’.  I didn’t have the ‘look’ they wanted.  My ‘teaching style’ was wrong.  Nothing I did was right.  I wasn’t allowed to do the things the college required of me.  I was not ‘invited’ to attend the weekly meetings the teachers had, therefore, I had no clue what was happening.  And, to the college, that was my fault. 


 On top of the internship, I also had assignments to turn in to my teacher supervisor, and I had to attend class every day.  The pressure was just too much. I was tired.  I was angry.  I was ready to be done.  

When I received my first evaluation and things I had shared in private to my teacher supervisor and mentor teacher were in it, I snapped.  I lost it.  I have little memory of most of the last month of my college career.  After all was said and done, I spent a few weeks examining my emotional and mental state of mind.  I honestly was happy to not have the pressure on me.  I was relieved to not have to ‘attend’ class.   I was thankful I didn’t have to show up every day at a school that really did everything to bring me down.  I laughed for the first time in years.  Granted, it was an insane, crazy kind of laughter, but, I laughed.  And, I cried a lot.




Three months later, I had a heart attack.   And, I survived!  Since then, I have had to learn to live again.  My family reminds me of a time when I wasn’t so ‘wound up’ and when I enjoyed life.  I’m not knocking online colleges.  They are a great way to work, be a mom, wife, and employee and still get the education you desire.  The pressure, however, is huge!   I realized I forgot how to enjoy life.  So I had to rethink, relearn how to see the world again.  I have tried, but the experience of college has changed me.  


I found myself laughing this weekend.  I mean, really laughing.  A true, hearty, joyful laughter.  I haven’t done that in a very long time.  Oh yes, there were a few stressful moments, but I-laughed!  And, it felt great!


And that is when it hit me on what this month’s topic should be.  Laughing has so many health benefits.  Laughter relaxes your entire body!  It boosts and improves your immune system. It releases endorphins, which provide an overall sense of well-being.  It can temporarily relieve pain (which is why hubby laughs when he is in pain).    Laughing protects your heart by improving the function of blood vessels, increases blood flow, which could prevent heart disease. 

Laughter also lessens stressful situations.  It helps you relax so you are able to see the situation more clearly.  It helps you to not become overwhelmed by stressful situations.  Laughter allows you to be spontaneous. Laughter takes you away from your troubles; forget judgments, criticisms and doubt.  Laughter releases you from fear and allows you to express your true feelings.

So, how do you start to laugh again?  Smile, count your blessings, move toward those who laugh, spend time with people who laugh, bring humor and laughter into the conversation.  Laugh at yourself, try to laugh at situations, don’t bemoan them.  Surround yourself with items that make you laugh; a toy, a picture, a quote.  Deal with your stress.  Play with children and do what they do; play hop-scotch, red rover, tag, color.  

The four years I spent so wound up has taken its toll on me and my family.  Things I use to just ‘let go’ I now worry over.  I’ve had to make myself do things I once enjoyed.  I’m still learning how to be fun and spontaneous. But, I have changed.  And I find myself trying new things.  This is not a bad thing.  I guess you could say I’m finding myself again.  

 Do I regret my four years of college?  No, not in any way, shape, form or fashion.  In fact, I push my son to further his own education.  I encourage others thinking about going back to college.  But, I also tell them to not forget to live.  Don’t forget to laugh, have fun and if you find yourself under pressure, take a break.  Looking back, yes, I would do things a lot differently.  But I do not nor will I ever regret the education I received.  Not just in my chosen field, but what I learned in life and about myself.  I know what I can and cannot handle now.  I know how far I can go before breaking.  No, I am not a teacher.  No, I do not have my own classroom.  Having spent over 365 days searching and exploring the four years I spent obtaining an education, the only thing I regret is I forgot how to live, how to enjoy life, how to laugh.


So find something to laugh about this month.  It may take some effort on your part, but find it.  Embrace it, and never let it go.  Life should be fun, enjoyed, and lived.  Live it, love it, and laugh it up.  You might find yourself actually having fun, enjoying the moment, feeling relaxed.  You might just see the world in a different light.  Your emotional, mental and physical state will thank you...and so will your family.

Friday, September 27, 2013

Salt Dough Angels

I know it's not even Halloween yet, but I've been working on some Christmas angels to hang on my tree.  I used salt dough to create these beauties.  And it wasn't all that easy.  Sure, making the dough, rolling it out and using cookie cutters are a snap.  When you want to get a bit creative and do sculptures, there is a bit more involved.  I used THIS how to video to help me out.  I couldn't find a website to go to for it.  But this video is very easy to follow.  (IF you know the person in this video and her website, please, PLEASE let me know and she will get the credit for it).

To get the wings to look like this, all I did is I painted the wings a metallic silver and let that dry.  Then I dried brush black over it, took a wet paper towel and rubbed the black off. Beautiful!

To do the mouth, I used a safety pin.  I think using a bobby pin would do a better job.
The hardest part is getting the dough thin enough to allow it to bake within a time frame that they do not burn and become hard, but not so thin it breaks or is brittle.  I am still working on that part.  You can get 3 angels out of one recipe, at this size.  If you made them smaller, you could probably get 6.  I wanted them rather large, so I only got three.



All that is left to do is to varnish them and add the hangers...and wait for Christmas to get here so I can put them on my tree!

I've also made some Christmas gifts to give to family members.  That post will have to wait until after Christmas. :)



Monday, September 23, 2013

Halloween Decor

I should be cleaning my house.  I have managed to get the living room and kitchen cleaned this morning without my back going out on me.  I have yet to mop my floors and they may have to wait.

This weekend we decided to put out our Fall/Halloween decorations.  It was so much FUN!  Still need a few more things to put out, but so far, so good.  Enjoy the photos.









Have a wonderful week!

Thursday, September 19, 2013

A Simple Christmas and A Conversation




I can not understand why stores put out Christmas decorations in September, but, they do.  It makes me sick.  It makes me hate the holidays and I hate hating the holidays! 

Last year when the clock struck midnight on Christmas Eve, I began having a heart attack.  At the time, I had no clue that was what was happening.  I waited until 6pm Christmas Eve to go to the hospital.  That's when I realized I was having a heart attack!  I spent Christmas Day in ICU doing a LOT of thinking and praying.  I laid in the bed watching it snow and thanking God I was still alive to see it snow, to enjoy my family, my life. 

I've had to do a lot of changing, but change doesn't happen over night.  Some changes take years.  Wished I could get my Cardiologist to understand that. :)  I've had to make some hard decisions this year and some people aren't too happy about those decisions.  I am still being asked to explain my reason's for those decisions.  I've stopped doing that. 

My favorite time of the year is approaching; October, November and December.  These are my most favorite months.  The heat of Summer has ended.  The air is cooler and there is a feeling of excitement of what lies ahead.

Last night, I turned to my wonderful hubby and said to him, "I think for Christmas this year, I want to do less.  I want a simple Christmas.  I don't want the big tree, the baking, the stress.  I just want to be with the people I love, making memories.  And I do not want another heart attack!"  Hubby looked at me and said, "Babe, if that is what you want, then that's what we'll do.  What did you have in mind?"
Isn't he wonderful??  I so love him.

This is what I told him; 
1. Let's do a small table top tree.  We have one, so no hunting down one.
2. I still want to bake my cookies, but I think picking 3-4 of our favorites will be enough.
3. Let's just do a couple of turkey breast, with green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy and some rolls.
4. As for gifts, let's just buy for the little ones and for the grown ups, I have a few ideas, but haven't decided yet.
5. As for the outside decorations, I'm not going to stress over it.  If we put up the inflatables and nothing else, that is fine with me.
6. Frozen pies work for me...how about you?
7. Most importantly, I want to spend it with the ones I love, you, Jacob, Jess, Lyla, dad, brother's and sister's and that's it.  I don't want to be with people that causes me to have any stress.  I want to sit and watch Christmas movies, listen to Christmas music, laugh, be happy.

Hubby asked me why the change.  So, I told him, "Christmas has just become a hassle.  It's too stressful.  Having to pick the perfect gift, putting up the perfect decorations, finding the perfect tree, and the perfect place to put it, people have forgotten what Christmas is about.  There is no fun in it anymore.  Christmas should be fun, it should be a happy time, and it's not.  I want happy.  If I do decorate, I want to put on some Christmas music, play it loud, laugh, giggle, make memories.  When I get old and look back on my life, I want to remember the times we loved, laughed, and lived!"  He smiled, teared up and said, "Well, I can't argue with that."

Take a moment and think about what is important to you as we get into the holiday season.  Is it the presents?  The food?  Understand why you have the traditions you have.  Is it because it's what you have always done?  Is it fun?  Do you enjoy it? Or...do you dread it?  Do you have to go to every party you're invited to?  Attend every Christmas play or concert that is in town?  Are there ways you can find more joy, happiness and less stress this holiday season?  It's okay to do less to get more. 

I'm realizing what is important to me, what I enjoy doing, and who I enjoy being around.  It's not easy to realize these things. But sometimes in order to live, we must give up some of the things we hold on too.  I am hoping this holiday season is a LOT better than last years, and I plan on doing whatever I can to see that is it the best holiday season we have ever had.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Salt Dough Fall Ornaments

Most everyone is familiar with salt dough.  It's amazing!  There is not much you can't do with salt dough.  I decided to make a few Fall leaves and acorn's to hang on my front porch this Fall season.  I ended up making more than I few.

Salt Dough Acorns before baking!
It's really simple to make salt dough, just don't eat it!!  It's horrible.  You can pretty much make anything your imagination comes up with.  Have fun.  Don't stress over it.  Make it a family affair.

Salt Dough Pumpkins









Pumpkin Patch and Acorn after baking, painting, and two coats of varnish.
 

Salt Dough Recipe

2 cups of all purpose flour
1 cup of table salt
3/4 cup warm water
Large bowl


Measure out and combine flour and salt.  Add in the water and mix until a soft dough forms.  If it is too sticky, add more flour, if too dry, add more water a few drops at a time.  Turn dough out onto a very lightly floured surface and kneed for a few minutes.  Be sure to not over kneed the dough as this will make it crack when drying.
Roll dough out with a rolling pin and using cookie cutters, cut out shapes.

Heat oven to 180 degrees.  Place shapes on a cookie sheet and place sheet in oven.  Let the dough bake for 2-4 hours.  If the dough is soft to touch, let them bake longer.  Once they are baked and are hard to the touch, place on a wire rake to cool.  Let them cool at least 4 hours, or over night is best.
Paint as desired.  Once dry, using a clear, oil based varnish, apply one or two coats, allowing to dry completely between coats. 

I am now in the process of making a mini grave yard out of salt dough.  Making memories with the family.  Can't get much better than that!!

Monday, September 16, 2013

Under the Dome



http://fansided.com/2013/06/25/stephen-king-under-the-dome-tv-show-adaptation/
I don't normally blog about television shows.  This is mainly for crafts, cooking, remodeling, DIYing, and the like.  However, as summer is coming to an end and the first hints of Fall are in the air, the summer television shows are coming to an end and the new season of last years shows begin. 

One show that has had huge ratings is the adaptation of Stephen King's book, "Under the Dome".  I LOVE Mr. King. I've read a LOT of his books and seen a LOT of his movies and even own a few of them.  I've read the book, "Under the Dome", so I was looking forward to seeing the summer series.  Boy, was I disappointed!!!  And even more surprised to read that Mr. King approved the writing and even had a hand in writing some of the episodes.

I watched the first three shows and was like, "This is NOT in the book!!"  I became interested in where, exactly, this was going.  The more episodes that showed, the further away from the book it became.  That had me hooked.  And, mad!  But I could not stop watching it.  Every Monday night (except for one, and I was at the hospital with the hubby) at 9pm I was ready and set to see what would happen, if it would venture back to the book and continued to ask, "WHY?  Why would Mr. King allow THIS to happen to his book?"

So tonight is the last show.  And guess what?  According to Huffington Post, it has been renewed for NEXT SUMMER!  You can read the article HERE  Really?  They are gonna wait an entire year to bring the show back?  Not sure if that is a wise move or not.  By that time, people will have forgotten about the show and new shows will come out for the summer.  Shows that (I hope) will be a lot better than this one.  And, Mr. King will be involved in the writings of Season 2, as well. 

This is reminding of the show, "Lost" which went on forever and ever and ended (finally) with most people standing there scratching their heads and asking, "What the heck?"  I hope "Under the Dome" isn't planning on being another "Lost".  And, not sure I'll be watching next summer, either. 

What has been YOUR favorite, can't miss summer show?  What were your thoughts about it?  Share with us. 

Thursday, September 12, 2013

I Have Not Forgotten

Good Morning!  I wanted to let you all know I am not neglecting the blog.  I have been under the weather, and of course, working on some Fall craft projects.  I haven't forgotten about you all!  My doctor put me on some antibiotic for an infection and I had a really bad reaction to it.  Apparently, it doesn't play well with my heart medications.   And, from my understanding, it's not been reported enough to the FDA for a doctor or pharmacist to catch it.  Well, now we know.  I am feeling some better today.  I'll spare you the details, but I will say, I'm able to drink hot coffee this morning, so that in and of itself is an improvement!

I took this photo this morning to give you guys a sneak peak into what I've been working on all week.  I'm out of a few things so I can finish this up, so it's just sitting on my dinning room table for now.  Look for a post sometime next week to see how I did all this and what exactly all this is.

Hope you are having a great week, and I raise my coffee cup to you on having a great(er) weekend!! 


Monday, September 9, 2013

Apple Spice Cake




Have you ever had an idea, tried that idea and it completely come out wrong?  Yeah, me too!  I had this great (I thought so) idea on a apple spice cake.  I love to use whatever short cut I can.  My idea would be great had I made this from scratch.  I didn't.  I used a boxed spice cake mix and it went horrible!!!!

Let me tell you what I did.  I mixed the cake according to package directions, omitting the oil.  I melt some butter in a skillet, added white and brown sugar to the butter and then added diced tart apples.  I cooked this mixture for a bit then let it cool.  I then added it too the cake mix, put in loaf pans and baked them.  Once done, and cooled, I proceeded to take the cakes out of the loaf pans and this is where it went bad.  I picked up the loaf pan, and turned it upside down to allow the cake to come out and it did....it pieces!

I stood there for what seemed like forever, starring at my plate of cake crumbs. I had to walk away.  I had to think about this.


I said in the beginning, I love to use shortcuts.  This was more than a shortcut, this was a disaster!!!  So, I went ahead and mixed up my glazed and poured it on the cakes.  The boys would eat it no matter how it looked.  And they did.



After spending a few days thinking about this, I tried again.  This time, however, I did things a bit differently.  Instead of adding butter, and sugars, I mixed up the cake mix according to the directions, diced up a couple of tart apples, tossed them in the batter, folded gently, poured into loaf pans and baked.



This time, they turned out perfectly!  I was happy.  Sometimes using shortcuts can be a great help to us.  Sometimes, we add more than we should and end up with a mess.  Funny how life is a little like baking, isn't it.

Friday, September 6, 2013

Do You Journal?





Do you journal?  I use to do it all the time.  A few years back, I found a box of notebooks I used as journals.  I sat for hours reading those notebooks.  After reading each and everyone of them, I burned them.  Why?  That was my past.  I had 'got over it'.  I didn't want to remember those times.  I had come to terms with that time in my life.  It was over and done with.  I had no need or desires to relive the past.  So, I burned it.

Keeping a journal, or keeping a diary, is wonderful on so many levels.   It reduces your stress levels.  It helps you to see things in a different light.  It allows you to 'get things off your chest'.  I have a blog and a new page of Facebook.  But that is not the same thing.  I share ideas, some my own, some, belong to other people and/or friends.  Keeping a journal allows you to put your deepest thoughts onto paper.  Thoughts you wouldn't tell anyone.  It is private.  It is your feelings.  Some things are best kept private, but still needs to 'come out'.

I've been thinking about starting a journal again.  Not because of any unspoken thoughts or feelings, but because I liked doing it.  It gave me a different, if not new perspective on things going on within my life.  I think I was keeping a journal when it wasn't cool. 

Now, it seems, keeping a journal is good for you!  Keeping a journal strengthens immune cells, decreases the symptoms of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, clarify your thoughts and feelings, helps you know yourself better, reduces stress, helps you solve problems more efficiently, and helps you to resolve disagreements with others.  If this isn't reason enough to start keeping a jounral, keeping a journal allows you to track patterns, trends and improvement and growth over time.
Source

It is so easy to get started.  Yes, at first it may seem a little strange writing down your thoughts.  But, after a while, it becomes easier.  It doesn't have to cost much, if any at all.  A spiral notebook will do.  And a nice pen.  When you journal, there is no editing.  No crossing out words.  It is pure.  Honest.  Unbiased.  Find a comfortable and quiet place to write.  Go to your bedroom, or outside (if it's nice out), go to a park, a lake or stream.  Anywhere that relaxes you.  If you must journal at home, unplug the phone, turn off the TV.  Pick a time when you won't be disrupted.  Have something nice to drink; wine, a hot cup of tea or coffee.    Close your eyes.  Take a few deep breaths.  And just begin to write.  You may be surprised at first to see your thoughts and feelings on paper.  That is okay.  That is what is suppose to happen.  And, it's normal.  I remember the very first time I wrote my thoughts and feelings down.  I almost felt ashamed of them, but over time, I realized, this is how I truly feel.  And it is okay to feel these things.  Whether it is happiness, anger, disappointment, or any other feeling you have, it's honesty at it's finest.

Start a journal this weekend.  Write everyday.  Write two or three times a day.  Don't edit out anything.  Spelling doesn't count against you.  Have fun with it.  Draw, doodle, write poetry, whatever you want.  You will see in a very short time the benefits of keeping a journal.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Healthy Choice~Baked Chicken Legs with Garlic and Butter Pasta


Last month, we decided to buy a few meat bundles.  We thought it would be a good idea, save some money.  And, overall it was a good idea.  Only problem is, we ended up with more chicken than we wanted.  And even that wasn't a big problem, if you like chicken every night.  We do not.  I could only find so many recipes to make that we all enjoy.  After a while, chicken got old.


I now have 2 pork loins, 20 lbs. of ground beef, 3 lbs. of pork steak, 5 packages of hot dogs, 2 packages of turkey sausage, 2 very large pizza's, 12 steak and cheese burritos, and 10 lbs of pre-made turkey burgers seasoned with tomato and basil in my freezer.  The chicken is at the very bottom.  If I don't see chicken again, my feelings won't be hurt!


With that said, we all know that chicken is very healthy.  And tasty, with the right seasonings.   Take this baked chicken leg, for instance.  It's a homemade version of shake and bake chicken legs.  It was very good, too.  Hubby loved it and ate two legs. 

It's very simple to make homemade shake and bake.  I save all my left over bread, mainly the ends.  No one likes the ends and no one eats them.  So instead of tossing them, I put them in a freezer bag and pop them in the freezer.  When I have time, I take the bread and in my trusty little Bullet, make bread crumbs.  Cheaper than buying.  Sometimes I leave them plain, sometimes I season them up, depending on what I am making.  I keep my bread crumbs in a bag in the freezer.


This was a easy dinner for me to make, and it was healthy.  That is the key, healthy. And, everyone liked it.

Bread Crumbs
3-5 slices of old bread
Seasoning of choice (garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, basil, salt, pepper, just whatever you want)

In a blender or Bullet, place bread and make crumbs.  Put crumbs in a bowl and season.  Place on a cookie sheet, spread out and place in a 300 degree oven.  Cook for 5 minutes or until light golden brown and toasted.  Keep in a freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. If keeping plain, just make the crumbs, put in a freezer bag and freeze.

Baked Chicken Legs
1 package of chicken legs (or thighs, or quarters)
Bread crumbs

Wash chicken and pat dry with paper towels.  Place about 1-1 1/2 cups of crumbs in a clean freezer bag (depending on how many pieces of chicken you have).  Take chicken and coat with the bread crumbs.  Spray a 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray.  Place chicken in pan, cover with foil and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.  Remove foil and finish cooking, about another 30-40 minutes (if using legs).

Garlic and Butter Pasta
1 lb. angle hair pasta
1-2 fresh tomatoes, or 1 large can of diced tomatoes, drained and rinsed.
1/2 sweet onion, diced
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
2-4 teaspoons basil

In a large pot, boil water, add pasta, 1/2 onion and 1 teaspoon garlic. and  cook according to package directions.  Dice tomatoes and set aside.  When pasta is cooked, drain and place in a large bowl.  Add the tomato, garlic, butter, olive oil and basil.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Mix and chill in fridge for 30 minutes.

Very light.  Very tasty.  Very healthy.  Enjoy!!!




Gershelda

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Heart Healthy Foods

A new month means a new health article.

Continuing on my year of heart healthy ideas, one thing I have to confess...I've fallen off the wagon.  In foods that are heart healthy, that is.  It's hard to break old habits.  It's harder when you have some really picky eaters.  For example, Jacob will not eat okra, squash, cooked mushrooms, and most any 'unnormal' veggie, like asparagus and cauliflower.  James will not eat fish or seafood of any kind, and most veggies.  When he and I first began to date, the most in veggies he would eat was corn, green beans and peas and carrots, not pea and then carrots, but they had to be mixed.  I've gotten him to eat broccoli, cauliflower and he still refuses to eat turnip or mustard greens.   He introduced me to black beans and I must admit, I was a bit nervous at first, but I LOVE them now.  They have become a staple in our pantry.

We buy groceries once a month.  Confession: I hate buying groceries.  We tried doing the making a menu and buying one time a week, but I found we were spending more money doing that because there were nights we just didn't want baked chicken and preferred pizza instead. And, did I mention, I hate buying groceries?   I don't do menu's and as it may work for some, for us, it just wasn't feasible.   It did help with the "what's for dinner" question, but when I said what was for dinner, I got some really bad looks. I've also stopped asking, "What do you want for dinner tonight" because I have yet to find a recipe for "I don't know" and "I don't care". 

So, tomorrow morning, I will get up bright and early, have a pot of coffee, and go buy some food.  Wanting to get back on track, I have been researching heart healthy foods.  This is the tricky part.  Picky eaters.  Most fruits, James and Jacob will eat.  It's (again) the veggies.  Personally, there aren't too many veggies I won't eat.  I don't care for blueberries, eggplant or artichokes (to name a few).  I won't refuse to eat those foods if I'm at some one's home for dinner, but I just don't care for them.  As for meats, I get tired of chicken, pork and beef and would love some fish.  I save those moments for when James and I go out for dinner.  I eat all the fish I can hold (and then some).

Here are some heart healthy foods that we all need to eat.  
1. Salmon
2. Flax seed
3. Oatmeal
4. Black or Kidney Beans
5. Almonds
6. Walnuts
7. Red Wine
8. Tuna
9. Popcorn
10. Brown rice
11. Soy milk
12. Blueberries
13. Carrots
14. Spinach
15. Broccoli
16. Sweet potato
17. Red bell peppers
18. Asparagus
19. Oranges
20. Tomatoes
21. Bananas
22. Cantaloupe
23. Papaya
24. Dark chocolate
25. Tea
26. Yogurt (Live active cultures are best)
27. Lentils
28. Raisins
29. 100% whole wheat bread, tortillas, cereals, pastas, etc
30. Apples
(Source:  www.webmd.com, healthfinder.gov, eatingwell.com)

We all need to eat healthier.  And most of these will go on my grocery list for tomorrow.   Some ideas, bake, broil, grill your meats...whether it is chicken, fish, pork or beef.  If you have a slow cooker, USE IT!  I love mine and I use it year round.  Steam your veggies.  Leave the skins on potatoes, apples and most any other veggies or fruits you can eat the skins.  That is where all the vitamins are and they are healthy.  Just wash them good and enjoy. :)  Do not fry your foods and if you do, use olive or canola oils and very little of them.  We all needs oils/fats in our diets.  That is what keeps our skin from drying out and becoming flaky and yucky.  Go easy on the sugar.  Sugar raises your triglycerides, which increases your cholesterol.  Not a good thing. Also, go easy on the salt.  Most canned foods have more than enough salt to cover what our bodies need.  Learn to use herbs and spices to replace the salt.  Garlic, onion powder (not salt), rosemary, thyme, basil, ginger, paprika, to name a few can add a wonderful flavor to foods and you won't miss the salt.  Lemon, lime, orange juice and zest can add a whole new element to foods.

Whether you have heart disease or not, we can all learn to eat a little healthier.  Make it fun.  Food can be fun and healthy.  Try it, you might find you enjoy it.  And, don't be afraid to try new foods.  You may find you actually like it.

Monday, September 2, 2013

Welcome Fall

Welcome Fall!

Is Fall not the best time of the year?  To me it is.  The colors of the trees, the crispness of the air, football.  I love this time of year so much.  As the world prepares to sleep through the Winter, I awaken.  I get excited.  Something inside of me just comes alive.  Just thinking about Fall brings a sense of newness to me.

I love to bake.  Apple pie.  Bread. Muffins.  I love everything about Fall.  My son was born in October.  James and I were married in October.  I love sitting outside, around the fire pit, talking and spending time with James.  Fall is the best time to go camping...in a tent.  Fall is S'Mores.  Pumpkin carvings.  Halloween.

It's been insane around here.  It's been too hot to go outside.  I'm about to get a horrible case of 'cabin fever'.  The last few weeks I've been looking online at photo's of outdoor Fall photos.   Praying and begging for Fall to arrive.

Today, I decided to add a little Fall to my dining room table. I made a little center piece.  Sorry, no photos.  The batteries in my camera died. But, I've complied a few photo's for you to enjoy from around the world wide web, and maybe help with the 'cabin fever'.  Enjoy.

http://www.decor-medley.com/thanksgiving-decorations.html
http://www.homedit.com/how-to-decorate-your-home-for-thanksgiving/
http://www.shelterness.com/15-thanksgiving-front-porch-decorating-ideas/pictures/13994/
http://www.decoist.com/2012-09-17/6-home-decor-ideas-inspired-by-fall-fashion/
http://blissfullydomestic.com/home-bliss/waiting-for-fall-planning-an-autumn-porch/75144/
I can not wait until the temps begin to cool, the air is crisp, the sky is that Fall blue.  Until then, I will enjoy the last few days of summer and happily bid it farewell.