The Holiday Season - Christmas

As I write this post it’s the Christmas season and my family is celebrating the joy of this season by spending time together.  We read the Bible and stories about the African American life and culture in days gone by.  Also having weekend family home cook meals together at the table; where we of our share our adventures of the past week and plans for the new week ahead.  Later we listen to gospel, Motown music and dance like David dance celebrating our love for the Lord and for each other. Let's not forget making cookies and coco together.   The main event the Christmas dinner all hands are needed here!  For the past few years I have begun having the grown adults help out with the cooking of the main holiday meal, and to my surprise this has worked out well!

As I have begun to change to a healthier diet and share these new dishes with my family they have also begun to change their eating habits too.  The same is true with their spiritual life. There is a verse in the Bible that I have taken to heart it tells Mothers and Fathers to share God's Word with your children in all that we do with them. By God's grace they will do the same with their own families. I always include my adult children and my granddaughter in my prayers as Job did with his family. The prayers of a mother are a powerful and I know our Lord hears and answer a mother's prayers.

This evening after closing the Sabbath, I made Mango Smoothies for everyone as we listen to music and talked. This recipe makes about 3 to 4small glasses.

Here is my easy Mango Smoothie recipe:

1 cup of Almond milk  (can get at Wal-Mart for about $2 half gallon)
1 teaspoon of brown sugar
1 banana
1 small bag of frozen mango ( you can get this at Dollar Store)

Place all the items listed above in the blender or Ninja and blend until smooth, serve and enjoy!


I hope that you will take time out to enjoy the season and family!

Thanksgiving and Black Friday

Hey!  Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and that you got some really good deal on Black Friday!

This is year I had a quite Thanksgiving with my closest family members.  Both of my adult children help-out with the cooking and set-up for the feast. By not have my own wheels was not able to get out on Thursday evening to get some of the door busters.  Early on Friday, I was able to get out to Ollie's, Big Lot!  I was able to get some really good deals!

My strategy is for Black Friday shopping is to prepare my wish list at the same time I open the Christmas account last year.  My wish list for are for items I would like to have but are not a necessity that I have.  So with that list I check out the adds and decide if I will buy directly from the store or go online. I must say some of the online deals beat out what you will find in the store.

While most folks went to the big name discount and box stores I try to shop at the less popular spots that may not have a line 2 to 3 blocks long to get into the store such as Ollie's, Big Lot, Home Depot, Lowes, Sears.  There was also some good pre-Black Friday sales that I was able to get a few things. 
I also keep my receipts in case I need for return as stores are not so willing to take returns with out receipts but also to gauge how much I should save in my Christmas club for next year.  

Saving Money on Your Monthly Food Bill - Part 2

In this post we will continue to look at ways to save money on our monthly food bill.  How are you doing?  Are you making lists of what you need and then taking it with you to the market?  I like to also use the sales papers as my shopping list.  Reviewing the sale papers and circling items in the paper I plan to purchase.  Then figuring out how much all the items will cost. Another thing I do is keep labels or packaging of items that I don't buy on a regular bases along with any coupons in a Ziploc and items at my next visit to the market.

I have also notice that when Family Dollar, Ollie's, Big Lots have a sale you can't way around otherwise you may not get the sale item you want! The Dollar Store and Wal-Mart allow you to shop and pay for items online then pick it up at the store closest to you. Many times the items you will find online is cheaper than in the store. Let’s not forget about Sam Club, BJs for bulk items that you use all the time.

Also consider using the free information provided by many stores like Giant, ALDI's and discount stores such as Wal-Mart, Target and IKEA and other store magazines that offer coupons, recipes, and tips on how to displace food items, set a beautiful table.

The Comforts of Home

 

 

 

Well it has been a little while sent my last post.  With my life keeping me busy I just couldn't seem to find a quiet moment were I could sit and get all of my thoughts down on paper.  I know that you can write post from your Smart phone, tablet and the new lite weight laptop, but I enjoy using my old Dell laptop with my wireless mouse.  It’s a comfort thing.

I have decided that this will be a Pajama day.  This doesn’t mean you walk around the house with smelly and in old pajamas- it’s a time to pamper yourself.  Taking a nice candle light bubble bath using your favorite scented soaps.  Then slip into a nice caftan style lounge dress and don’t forget to put on a dash of your favor perfume and comfortable slippers.  Now you are ready for a cup of herbal tea and to plan out your day of what you will do around the house or you just may wish to catch up on some reading. 

While we are on the subject of comforts of home, have you ever gone on away for home for few days and missed some of your “creature comforts”.  The time to get these items together is not when you about to go away, but now when you have time to plan and be in a rush.  Frist, find a toiletry case my choice is the vintage skyway train case luggage suitcase make-up case for trips long trips.  You can find these vintage cases at thrift stores and online.  I also have a Vera Bradley toiletry bag that I can easily fit into my overnight bag.  When packing your toiletry bag think about your favor products you really enjoy using, make a list of these items and the next time you are in
Wal-Mart or CVS/Rite-Aide pick up the travel size items.  Also at the Dollar Store or Dollar Deals you can pick up toiletry bottles, soap dish and toothbrush holders. In a small Ziplocs bag place the softest face towel you can find and a the softest bath towel to wrap yourself in after a nice shower or bath.  I know that hotels and BB’s supplies towels, but it’s about comfort.  Travel Slippers the flat fold up kind you can get from just about anywhere pack those away too. 

Now in the age of Smart phones and all the technology all around us I still like to having my travel clock and portable CD/radio headphones and soon to be added is a Bose speaker.  Lastly, a suite case, overnight bags I should reflex your style.

 

 

   

 

 

Count Your Blessing Every Evening Before You Go To Sleep....

 

 

Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer.  And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.

Maya Angelou
Celebrations: Rituals of Peace and Prayer

Saving Money on Your Monthly Food Bill

 

 

 

 

I am looking for ways to save money by cutting my food budget by $10 to $20 a month. At the same time it is also important to eat healthy.  In this post and the next few posts I will share tips for saving money. Hope you find this information useful.

What are my monthly spending habits?

• Keep all receipts for food purchase to find the cost.
• This include the food that I eat at work and home for breakfast, lunch and snack.

After gathering the above information then analyze it to find out what are items can be cut out or substitute a least expensive?

• Create menus to use for weekly meals and what you will need for each meal. The menu is a guide for your convenience as you make out the shopping list.  It is important to stick to the list and don’t leave home without it.

What to look out for at the food store?

o      When shopping at your local food stores to buy staple items such as bread, fresh/frozen fruits, and vegetables are usually stocked around the outer perimeter of a store. The inner aisles mostly have more package goods that are less healthy. Many time the local foods stores are not always the cost effective place to get your grocery.  Shopping for food at the Dollar, drug stores, local retailers such as Target and Kmart, ethnic outlets inexpensively; and local farm market, CSA, local community garden or start your own small garden.  

o       Keep a price book to use as a tool for tracking prices, products and sales in your area. From this information you will notice three month cycle. Prepare food yourself rather than buying prepared foods that are less healthy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Better Than Ice Cream

As I strive to eat healthier, I have found substitutes for one of my favor treat - "ice cream"!

Try these two easy recipe.  Enjoy!

 



Treat for One!

Here is what you need:

1 Banana
2 Scoops of Non-Dairy Whipped Topping
   Handful of Nuts

Here is what you do:

Cut up the banana and place in a bowl. Next added  the 2 scoops of Non-Dairy Whipped Topping.  Then add a handful of nuts.  Your treat is ready to eat.




Banana/Strawberry Ice Cream

Here is what you need:

3 Bananas
1 8oz Blow of Non- Whipped Topping
1 Small bag of Strawberry

Here is what you do:

Cut-up the bananas and place in the blender. Next add the non-whipped topping, strawberry and mix all in the blender until smooth.  At this point you can spoon it out place in a dish and place in the freezer for 1 hour. Serve cold. 

Country Sojourn: Living Simply and Enjoying Life!

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Country Sojourn: The Last Frontier Just maybe Kitsault, BC: Few realize the importance of shunning, so far as possible, all associations unfriendly to religious life. In choosing their surroundings...

Country Sojourn: So What’s In That Store Brand Peanut Butter?

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Home Made Papaya Juice!

My church gave out some fruits and veggies this past Sabbath and one of the fruits was a Papaya. I have had Papaya in fruits salads and as a drink that came from the food store, so these items were process with way too much sugar.  I'm learning process foods are not good for a healthy body.
My investigation began with an online search to see how I could to make own Papaya juice. It was easier than I thought! The recipe below was adapted from “Taste of Tanzania.com”.


Papaya Juice
Here is what you need:
1 ½ Papaya cut into chucks
2-3 cups of water
1/4 cup white sugar or honey (optional)
Here is how you do it:

1. Peel the papaya, remove all Seeds and cut into chucks.
2. Blender papaya, water and sugar until smooth. Note: It is better to start with only one cup of water first, then add the rest.
3. If you wish to make a smoothie on use one cup of water. If still to heavy add more water and blend again.
4. Add ice and place in the fridge to chill.
5. Serve cold and it’s better to drink the juice within 12 hours, but you can keep for a few more days.

Variations: The first time you try the recipe above follow the directions as listed and see how you like it. Then try my variation instead of using 2 to 3 cups of water, white sugar or honey, I used pineapple juice. By adjusting the amount of Papaya chucks uses and water or pineapple juice, the papaya juice will be either heavy or thin. The choice is up to you. Remember a recipe is a guide. Once you understand the recipe then you can add your own variations to make a dish to your liking and taste. The above recipe made more than enough for just me to last a week. The extra juice can be frozen to make a wonderful treat, again don’t keep it too long.
What a wonderful way to start the day with a cold glass of Papaya juice in the morning before heading out for the day.

 

The Last Frontier Just maybe Kitsault, BC

Few realize the importance of shunning, so far as possible, all associations unfriendly

to religious life. In choosing their surroundings, few make their spiritual prosperity the

first consideration. {Country Living by Ellen G. White}

Have you ever wanted to live the country life to be in a place where the air is fresh and you can have a small home, nice garden and a few dogs to keep the homestead safe?  A place where there is not so much of the worldliness and madness we find in many of our urban areas?  Then the town of Kitsault in British Columbia, Canada may just be the place for you! I found out about Kitsault as I was searching for possible places to live.  When I read about this town it reminded me of the TV show called Eureka (2006-2012).  It’s funny how something that's labeled science fiction one day can become reality later on.  The press release describes the town as:

Kitsault is a purpose-built resource community with complete community infrastructure and housing for more than 1000 residents. With nearly 350 acres land of industrial land, full BC Hydro service, and a deep water port, Kitsault makes both economic and environmental sense as the preferred location to be the LNG terminal site for the export of natural gas from North East British Columbia to Asia and other markets. Other LNG pipeline routing to Kitsault has already been proposed.

The well maintained Kitsault town site features over 90 occupant-ready family homes, and approximately 150 two and three bedroom condominium units. The community facilities include a complete community complex with an aquatic center, community recreation rooms, an indoor arena for basketball, a curling ring and racquetball courts and much more. The town’s well maintained amenities include restaurant facilities, a shopping center, a post office, a bank, a supermarket, a medical center, as well as numerous outdoor amenities.

Kitsault Energy is in the process of consulting First Nations communities about training, education and employment opportunities. The Kitsault LNG terminal will result in job training and permanent well-paying careers for First Nations’ youth.  Kitsault Energy has also begun the process of consulting with LNG energy partners, as well as local, provincial and federal governments.

Check out the web site for more information http://www.kitsault.com/.  There’s publications that can be can download learn more about the area and contact information as well.   If this town is not for you keep searching there are several others out there! 

Do you remember Jiffy Popcorn?

Do you remember Jiffy popcorn? The popcorn came in a small
foil pan, that was cooked on the stove top. When I was a little girl my parents would makeJiffy popcorn as a special treat for me.  I enjoyed watching their parents popcorn pop until it would burst out the foil package.

For our family night I made stove popcorn in a oversized frying pan.  The family love it!  It only takes a few minutes to do!

Home Made Brown Sugar Popçorn


Here is what you need:

Popcorn
Vegetables Oil
Brown sugar
Butter

Here

In a large frying pan pour enough vegetable oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Next pour just enough popcorn to also cover the bottom of pan. Cover frying pan with foil. You can cover with a lid on top the foil, to ensure the popcorn will not fly out. Now turn on the stove top on low heat and move the frying pan back and forth over the heat until the popcorn pops. Remove pan from heat after all kernel have popped.


Note there may be some poping still going.  In a small bowl add about 1/2 cup of brown surgar and little melt butter. Mix together. Pour the popcorn into serving blow and dizzle the brown sugar mixture over the popcorn. Mix popcorn with a wooden spoon so it coats all the popcorn.  Now its time to eat! So sweet so good!

Carolyn's Punch

Just wanted to add this recipe for a refreshing punch to serve at your next social event! 

Here's what you need:

1 medium can of frozen orange juice & 1 can water

1 medium can of frozen lemon aid & 1 can water

1 medium can of frozen lime aide & 1 can water

1 can of Doyle pineapple juice (not concentrated)

2, 2 liters of ginger ale

¼ cup of sugar or sweeten to taste
 

 Here is what you do:

Mix all ingredients together and serve. 

Continue to stir the punch as you serve to ensure it’s well mixed.

 

George W. Carver and Dr. Joh H. Kellogg

From all of the bios I have read about George W. Carver, even though the times were not the best for people of color he seem to put that a side and focus on his faith in God, reaching providing alternative crop to cotton.  Mr. Carver also wrote a book call "How to Grow The Peanut and 105 Ways of Preparing it for Human Consumption" http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/fruit-nut/carver-peanut/.   Reading Mr. Carver's will give you inside in how to grow, care for the peanut, nutritional value and Peanut recipes. The recipe for Peanut Soup is similar to the one I have seen in the Cherokee cookery.  All of the recipes are easy to adapt to modern day cookery.








Dr John H. Kellogg patented a "Process of Preparing Nut Meal" in 1895.  Nut Meal is made by grinding Almonds, Walnuts, Pistachios, and Peanuts to the consistency of corn-meal.  Dr. Kellogg served the nut meal at his Battle Creek Sanitarium.
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So What’s In That Store Brand Peanut Butter?

In this post we will discuss the ingredients add to our food that we buy from our local grocery store. The next time you go shopping check the label for nutritional information as well as the ingredients. The example we will use is our local store brand Peanut Butter; ingredients listed are Peanuts, Dextrose, Full Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils (Rapeseed, cottonseed and Soybean) Salt and Corn Syrup.

The problem with some store bought Peanut Butter is the ingredients that are used to extend shelf life and to make us crave, and consume more of a food product can have harmful effects to our overall health.  These same ingredients can also be found in ice cream, jellies, juices, cookies, pies and luncheon meats and the list goes on. Below is a brief description of Dextrose: is a commercial name for glucose - the same glucose that is present in fruits or in the sucrose (table sugar) molecule. Dextrose placed in sugar included in a variety of foods, such as breads, cakes, cookies and crackers.
Corn Syrup or High-Fructose: is a common sweetener in sodas and fruit-flavored drinks. The use of use of high-fructose corn syrup is linked to obesity and other related health problems. This is a good reason not to buy sodas and fruit-flavored juices it is better for you to make your own as you can control how much sugar is add. I really enjoy package hot coca. I did realize that there was so much sugar in one small package, so I began buying the unsweet hot coco and it taste great! I like ice and buy in from the store to have at work and guess what it too have high fructose – That why it taste so good. When I make tea at home I use the tea bag, and fresh lemons. Then here too I control the sugar. So when you think about it all the sodas and fruit-flavored drink aisle is a wasted.
Please take some time out to read what the Mayo-Clinic has to say about Corn syrup or High Fructose. From the Mayo-Clinic (See link for more information: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/high-fructose-corn-syrup/faq-20058201)
 Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils (Grapeseed, cottonseed and Soybean): The Hydrogenate Vegetable oils are made from grapeseed, cottonseed, soybean are also known as trans-fat these oils help to the peanut butter or other food items looking good and to extend the self-life of the product but these trans fats is also link to obesity. For more detail of the just what Trans fats are and what they do to the body please check out the link from the Mayo-Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/trans-fat/ART-2004611
In an upcoming post we try out making out own Peanut Butter.

Viewing A Movie To Gather Information.....

GOODBYE WORLD

Warning:  This movie has adult content!         
From the jacket cover:                          
“When a mysterious cyber-attack cripples civilization, James and his old college friends retreat to a remote country home. Together, they must cope with an uncertain future while defending themselves against desperate outsiders who will do anything to survive.”
I picked-up this movie from Sam’s Club, recommend this movie for adult viewing only as it has some crude language, sexual and drug content.  After you watch the movie the first time, then replay the movie, mute the sound and study the movies visual information. I will share two of these scenes with you, the first takes place in the front of the house as the friends re-unite. Do you see how they had a small garden in the front of the house? The second scene is the country dinner, notice there is no meat on the plate. There are many things to think about when planning your country home…. Enjoy the movie.

Living Simply and Enjoying Life!

The first step is: "Living a traditional life by following the leading of the Lord Christ Jesus. To do this by reading the Word of God Daily, His Word will provide you with guidance and wisdom in your sojourn."

How Did The Bread Turn Out?

The bread turn out ok, but I will need to work on this skill. I want my bread to be a little sweeter and softer.  Maybe, I could  add a little more honey and knead the bread a little more.  In the mean time, I will check out some other bread recipes I have.
Lesson learned about making bread is that you really have to follow directions step by step!

Easy Homemade Whole Wheat Bread

I attended a "Cooking For Life" class given by  a good friend of mine were I learned how to make this wonderful bread.   The bread baking in the oven smells so good!   This bread will go nicely with the Sunday family breakfast!
I hope you will also enjoy making your own bread.
*****************************************************
This recipe makes 1 medium-size loaf.
Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 Cups whole wheat flour
• 1 Cup unbleached white flour
• 1 Tablespoon dry yeast (or 1 packet)
• 1 Tablespoon of 0il
• 1 Teaspoon salt
• 2 Tablespoons honey
• 1 Cup hot water
• 1 gallon plastic bag
• Clean Kitchen Towel
• Nonstick Vegetable Cooking Spray

Directions:

1. Measure the wheat flour, yeast, and salt.  Put into the 1 gallon plastic bag.
2. Seal the bag and shake gently.
3. Open bag and add the oil, honey, and water.
4. Squeeze the air out of the bag and seal it again.
5. Squeeze the bag with your hands until all the ingredients are mixed up.
6. Now add the rest of the white flour (seal the bag & follow step 4) and knead again until it is smooth and from dough into a ball.
7. Keep squeezing or kneading the dough for about 10 more minutes.
8. Place the bag in a warm place and cover with a clean kitchen towel.  Let it rise until it has double in size.
9. While the dough is rising, grease or spray the bread pan with nonstick vegetable cooking spray.
10. Punch the dough down with your fist and then take it out of the bag.
11. Put the dough into the bread pan.
12. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel.
13. Let it rise until it doubles again.
14. While it is rising, turn oven on and heat to 350F.
15. When the bread had risen, put the pan into the oven and bake it for 30-35 minutes or until it is golden brown.

A Good Book To Read: Three Acres and a House by Della Rhem

Della Rhem shares her family's simple prayer for literally three acres of land and a house in the country.  You can get a copy of this book online at Teach Services:  http://www.teachservices.com/three-acres-and-a-house-rhem-della/

This book showed me not only how important prayer is, but also the matter in which we go before the Lord.  We need to prepare ourselves - mind, body, and soul.  To search our self for sin and repent; fasting - to help bring our body in order and quiet our self so we can hear GOD when he speaks.  Lastly to have the morning watch- the reading of GOD's Word; spending 1 on1 x  with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit will change your life!

Shades of Autumn

The mornings are cooler, days are shorter.  Soon the trees will begin to change to the many shades of autumn.  The leaves fall to blanket the earth to become food for the soil for new flowers, plants in the spring.

It’s also time to put away the summer clothes and sort through the winter clothes.  Let’s see what to keep or give away or keep for scraps to make a patchwork quilt.  Mmm, I’m thinking about my Grandmother and how she use to take our old clothes to make us grandkids patchwork quilts by hand.  As I write this post I also recall going to the mountains in the fall with a good friend as we looked over the farm land below.  I was struck by how the land below looked just like one of grandmother’s patchwork quilts.  This may be a good fall time project – let me put this on my “to do list” made a “Shade of Autumn” patchwork quilt.

Ok – Back to the chores around the house; cleaning out the basement, donating items to Goodwill and/or Salvation Army.  I enjoy having a nice table laid out using the color of the seasons as my guide.  Try to keep my table set ready to break bread with family and friends when they stop by. This may sound costly, but you can get many nice things at thrift stores, yard sales, dollar store or make them yourself.  And it’s a must is to have cold sweet ice tea and lemon aide in the fridge too!  My family seems to drinks the tea and lemon aide as fast as I can make it.  Also it’s time to get the living room painted!  Mmm…. What color do I want??  Ok – let’s move that thought to the back burner for now.

There are some upcoming fall holidays such as Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day – both of these are on a Monday which means half price days at many of the thrift stores in my area. Thanksgiving is a time for families to come together to give glory to the Lord for all he has done for us and our family. Next is a personal holiday “Black Friday” Wait hold on - I can hear you Say - What?!  For me I have found this day to be one of the better days to buy items for your home at crazy cheap prices.  This takes a bet of planning, because we don’t always know just what items will be on sale.  Well I seem to have my lists together time to drop off the donations and take care of a few errands.  At the bottom of my “to do list”, I have don’t for get to take time out to take a walk to enjoy the seasons good weather while is last and to also enjoy the many shades of autumn.

Enjoy this time by God’s Grace and Love.