Sometimes they cuddle, sometimes they fight...

Sometimes they crash, after making messes, in their toy box!

(click pics for a closer view of these 2 QT's)
Penny and Abby

Masa flour --Pancakes!

The kids said these were great-- and very filling! They were not able to eat the same quantity as they normally do if DH fixes pancakes with white flour! These are dense, yet fluffy and moist and as you know per N.T., masa flour has been pre-soaked in lime water! Double yummy!

And remember to half my recipe if you have a normal-sized family, unless you want to freeze up the extras! :-)

4 cups masa flour

1 1/2 T baking powder

1 t salt

1 t baking soda

1/2 cup cane sugar (or 3/4 cup if you plan to serve with just fruit)

3 eggs

1/2 cup olive oil (or other fat)

4 cups milk

2 1/2 cups water

(you could use all water to keep this more frugal and/or milk powder and water or even go half and half/ also this flour soaks up the liquid so you may find that you have to whisk in a little more to keep it thin enough)

Scoop onto medium temp griddle and cook like pancakes!

Serve with syrup or fruit or other!

WFMW...31 cent ice cream!

This just MIGHT work for me Wednesday! :-)

It's that time of year again, when Baskin Robbins has their special night... Ice Cream is only 31 cents a scoop!

They do this as a special way to raise funds for the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC)National Junior Firefighter Program.

These programs and your local Volunteer Fire Dept run primarily on donations. (I didn't know that until recently when my oldest son began to be a volunteer.)

Here's a link to their site if you'd like more info.

But, at 31 cents a scoop- its a great frugal family outing!

Maple-Walnut Muffin-Cakes

These are so sweet and good, my kids just loved them!

I have been looking for places to sneak in some masa flour and this is a great place!

If you are a N.T. fan, you will know that masa flour is corn flour that has been pre-soaked in lime water. You can also sub milk for buttermilk and pre-soak the wheat, but I didn't.; but I did use crisp walnuts as per N.T. as well.

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup masa flour (can sub this for whole wheat, white, etc)

1 scant t salt

1 T baking powder

1 cup cane sugar

1/3 cup Real Maple Syrup

2 eggs well beaten

1/2 cup applesauce

1 3/4 cup milk (this will depend on the flour that you choose, so you may need a little more)

1 1/2 cups crispy walnuts

Mix well and add more milk if necessary to get muffin-batter consistency.

Bake at 375 approx. 15 minutes.

Oh so good!

-great for snacks, desserts, or breakfast!

**********************

Muffins are a great way to "fill up" a crew frugally and nutritionally!

You can use all sorts of flours, develop a "basic" muffin recipe and switch out ingredients to make different flavors! You can smuggle leftover fruits in and even some types of veggies in! (I have leftover sweet potatoes for my next smuggling!) And, as in this recipe, you can use nuts!

This recipe is linked at the following:

Tammy's Recipes/Kitchen Tip Tuesdays

MENU PLAN MONDAY....

Hasn't it been a beautiful weekend????
We got lots of work done and my family was so blessed this weekend by my voiceless mouth!!
(Yeppers! My yearly voice loss, aka laryngitis, acting up!)

-With our garden now in the ground-
Its soooo exciting to know that fresh, home-grown fruits and veggies are on the way!

Here's what we'll eat, this week!

SUNDAY:
-whole grain waffles
-burgers, leftover no-bake cookies
-Lemon-pepper chicken wraps, black beans, Coconut-Blueberry-Cherry Smoothies
*snacks: salsa and blue corn chips, frozen yogurt pops, bananas
MONDAY:
-soaked millet, grape juice
-Creamy Chicken Spaghetti, sweet potatoes, green peas
-Steak Casserole, corn
*snacks: blue chips and salsa, carrot and celery sticks and dip
TUESDAY:
-soaked oatmeal
-Sausage-Cabbage Dish, mixed veggies
-fish and shrimp, hushpuppies, fries
*snacks: Raisin Bran Muffins, pretzels, popcorn
WEDNESDAY:
-Coconut Brown Rice
-Split Pea Soup, Amish Bread
-Turkey Patties, potatoes, purple hull peas
THURSDAY:
-Bulgar Cereal
-salmon loaf, potatoes, green peas
-Sausage Meatloaf, pasta salad, mixed veggies
*snacks: Blueberry-Blackberry Smoothie, muffins
FRIDAY:
-soaked grits
-Red Beans and Rice, applesauce muffins
-Creamy Chicken Enchiladas, Black beans
*snacks: Donut Muffins, cheese sticks, popcorn
SATURDAY:
-Bug Oats
-Sausage Gravy and Biscuits, Eggs, Blueberry Crisp
-Beans

TO SEE OTHER MENU PLANS, VISIT ORGJUNKIE!

Leftovers=

I keep a bucket in the freezer for leftover dark-colored beans, tomato sauces, etc. The other day I had lots of leftover taco meat, so I used my handy dandy freezer bucket to make just enough chili for Chili Cheese Fries! A big hit with the kiddies for sure! The chili ingredients were leftovers that typically would have been thrown out, the fries were .99 for the whole bag, and the cheese was a bit pricey as it was raw cheese, but all in all, still another frugal lunch, under $5!

Sausage Meat Cups

Instead of Sloppy Joe Cups, I decided to use some sausage that I had found on sale!

I simply pressed the canned biscuits out in sprayed muffin tins, topped with browned, drained spicy sausage, drizzled with ketchup (Denai, I found some without HFCS!;-), then topped with shredded mozzarella cheese- Baked at 400 for approx.11 minutes.

*Served here with a Root Veggie Soup= parsnips, carrots, onions, potatoes, garlic and herbs; with leftover chicken stock as the base.
**Another meal for around $5!

When do I sit down?

When Penny sits on me and holds me down! :-)Here's my girls together- Penny lookin' all sassy and proper and Abby lookin' all Garfield-ish!

Judge Not....O'2BAfly on the wall

We all know this verse and I'm not gonna give you a sermonette on it, I promise!

But I wanted to talk a little about being frugal, some stories that I've heard and read, and how others judged wrongly.

I read a story to the kids the other day that is in a story book that we have around here and it got me to thinking on this issue. In the story, the mother didn't take her kids to church because she could not afford proper clothing for them to wear. She KNEW that she would be judged and so would her children, so she taught them at home and came as much as she could without them. ...Can you imagine how she must have been talked about for not bringing her children to church with her? Or better still, can you imagine the assumptions that were made about why she didn't bring them? Oh, to have been a fly on the wall!

Another story I heard was about a young family who skipped out on one of the 3 weekly church services, not to avoid assembling with other believers because, in the quiet of their home, they still had church with their children during that time! But it was so that the husband would have enough gas to get back and forth to work. You see their budget was set; there was only so much gas money, and church was their only outing= place to cut anything. They felt it unwise to go in debt to go to church a set number of times when it was not commanded. They didn't want to sin or go against the Word of God in any way, and they prayed, studied, worked the budget and re-worked the budget, cried, prayed more, and finally settled that they would give the time to the Lord regardless of money or gas! But- they would not go in debt and just as soon as an extra $10 for gas was available, they would return to normal services. (And it did, almost a year later, the wife was able to babysit and they kept their word and used the extra for gas!) But oh, can you imagine the chatter that went on? Do you think others assumed they weren't coming because of 'small children' needing to be in bed? Do you think they assumed they were on the lake? Ah, to be a fly on the wall!

These were huge and grievous decisions for these families, they were not taken lightly, nor were they made half-heartily in either case.

I can think of another young family that made frugal, well, in some cases- downright cheap! decisions about their $$ just so they could give! I made the bright assumption that the wife was using cloth diapers one day because she "had to''. Well, she informed me that the X amount of dollars that she was saving on diapers was going to a child they were sponsoring through Feed the Children. Oh foot- in mouth- oh crowbar, where are you, I need your help! ..Oh, to have been the fly on the wall and not the yapper! -gulp-

There are more stories that I could tell...but its not the stories that I want you to think about.

We just never know what a family is going through! We just never know the struggles or needs in a home or in other's private lives. It is unfair to judge or assume. And frankly, its not our business! This is what the Bible talks about as "being a busybody in other men's matters" 1 Pet 4:15.

I've been amazed, touched, and convicted- as I've seen other people struggle to live within frugal means and still be faithful to the Lord. Who am I to judge that? Who am I to say what is sin- if the Bible doesn't say it is? Who am I to say 'that's too frugal'? ;-)

Frugal Gardening.....

Brandy from The Prudent Homemaker has posted a great article dealing with Frugal Gardening.
Thought you gals may love all of the great information that she's put together!

Gratituesday...a little relief

I know most of you frugal gals will understand this one!

For weeks- well months, not weeks! -we've been on a pretty strict budget. Everything had a 'place' if you know what I mean ;-). Nothing came in that didn't have a designation! But finally - some relief came and some much needed items were able to be replaced this past couple of weeks!

Several things had broken, others had worn out, some were new needs,- but many were taken care of! Waiting on the Lord is hard, but He is faithful!

I'm so thankful for His mercy and kindness!

Rom 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice

For more about Gratituesday, visit Heavenly Homemakers!

MENU PLAN MONDAY...

SUNDAY:
-fried farm eggs and Ezekiel toast with butter
-snack lunch
-chicken, slaw, green beans
*snacks: cheesy popcorn, crispy almonds

MONDAY:
-kids choice
-leftover chicken. slaw, green beans
-fried shrimp, potato wedges, slaw
*snacks: raw cheese sticks, carrot sticks, homemade yogurt dip, mandarin oranges

TUESDAY:
- soaked oats
-soup and grilled cheese
-Tilapia, seasoned brown rice,
*snacks: homemade granola, sliced apples, banana pudding

WEDNESDAY:
-English Muffins with bacon,eggs, and cheese
-chicken, quinoa, sweet potatoes
-Steak Casserole
*snacks: salsa and chips, coconut chocolate chip muffins, celery sticks with dip

THURSDAY:
-soaked millet
-Enchilada Bake
-Picnic ham, potato salad, green peas, Whole Wheat Rolls
*snacks: Blueberry-Cherry Slushes, homemade ice cream

FRIDAY:
-soaked 'bug' oats
- Veggie Soup, Sloppy Joe Cups
-chicken fajitas on homemade flatbread, leftover frozen ice cream
*snacks: raw cheese slices and whole grain crackers, pretzels, applesauce

SATURDAY:
-leftover bug oats
-turkey patties, potato wedges, sweet carrots
-beans, corn, cornbread, onions, greens potatoes
*snacks:(N.T.) Almond Cookies, surprise muffins, boiled eggs

Go here for more MENU PLAN MONDAY!
Happy Eating!

You might be a right-wing radical if.....

"The government considers you a terrorist threat if you oppose abortion, own a gun or are a returning war veteran."

There is so much to say, but I'll sit out on this one. BUT, if you would like to read the rest of the article and how some have asked the Obama Administration to retract those statements, click here!

Giving....

After my last post- I wanted to switch to the brighter side! :-)

Giving is such an important part of the Christian's life. It is also a very exciting thing, to be able to give to God's work! (2 Cor 9:7) It is a joyful thing, to give!

I wanted to share a few ministries that I personally have been so blessed by, after learning of their work.

I'm sure most of you have heard of them but just in case you haven't or in case you may have forgotten about them, I wanted to take a few minutes and share about them.

The first is The Voice of the Martyrs. You can visit their site and get a free copy of Brother Richard Wurmbrand's book; Tortured for Christ. Or click here to go directly to that page.

One of my favorite areas of their ministry is their PastorSupport.com. You can give monthly or make a one time gift to help pastors in various areas of the world. What an honor! What an awesome privilege to be able to assist others in reaching the lost- on the other side of the world!

There are so many other areas of ministry, please click their logo below to visit their site!

******************

This is another ministry that I've grown fond of as well.
They likewise offer a free materials written by K.P. Yohannan. You can find them here.
One thing that I've always loved about them is this:
"One hundred percent of all contributions designated for use on the mission field are sent to the mission field."
Here you can find some of their stories from the mission field.
And here you can find some of the obstacles that they see in Asia.
***********
Another great place to give, is your local Rescue Mission.
***********
And what's frugal about it?
Well, you can give online now- and save a stamp! ;-)

The State of the Church...

This is not working for me on Wednesday, so I likely won't link it and if you don't want to read this, you don't have to! ;-)

But I am a bit aggravated this day, as some prepare to go to church, while others try to plan a lesson to have 'church at home''.

Here's some things that have my feathers ruffled today:

-A lady goes to an Easter dinner at a church and discovers a man in a wheelchair just sitting. She ask was anyone helping him and was told that another lady was going to. Upon scanning the room, she finds that lady, eating and making merry! While the man sits in the wheelchair. I guess Mat 25:40 doesn't apply anymore or perhaps their preacher has never taught that?

-A church has $50,000 in their bank account and they helped ONE family in their community. A total of like $300 was spent in one year for their "benevolence fund". Guess (Mat 19:21) and giving to the poor is out to?

-A woman rededicates her life to the Lord. She becomes a true soul-winner and has gotten nearly 2 dozen people saved. (How many has your preacher gotten saved in the last 5 years?) and she asks her church if she can use the church to have a Bible study with them. They refuse.
Guess Mat 28:19-20 just doesn't really apply today?

-A lady shares a song and there are words in the song about "being saved". The hearer has never heard nor understands what "being saved" means. Does anyone ever here this text preached anymore; John 4:35-38?

-Another lady desires to share the Gospel more but doesn't feel like she can welcome them to her church. Perhaps she needs to think about this verse James 2:3, and consider that her church may feel the opposite is really true?

-A family prayerfully considers where to send a large offering. 2 Tim 4:2-5 is studied through. They desire to make sure what they have will go towards REAL ministry, but will they be able to find a place that follows those guidelines in 2Tim?

ARE YOUR FEATHERS RUFFLED TODAY?
WHERE ARE YOU AND WHAT IS THE STATE OF THE CHURCH IN YOUR AREA?

Cranberry Salad....

Mix:

1 lb cranberries, chopped finely

11/4 cup sugar ( I used cane sugar)

2T citrus zest ( I used orange)

In small bowl, dissolve;

1/2 cup cold water

2 packs plain gelatin

Stir in:

1 cup warmed , preferable fresh, citrus juice(orange is good)

Mix altogether and pour into serving dish.

Top with (or place on bottom of dish before pouring fruit in)

1/2 cup chopped nuts (Pecans are good but I used a mix of walnut and pecans here)

Chill until set.

Please see the following :

TEMPT MY TUMMY TUESDAYS

TASTY TUESDAY

BLISSFULLY DOMESTIC

Gratituesday....

Several months back, my DH bought me a gift that I had wanted for years. It was a little Bible that snapped and could be tucked in my purse. There's almost always been a Bible in our van- but who could find it quickly in a van where six kids ride (and there's Barbie's and army men and really weird things that were once called 'food')?

But last week, we were grocery shopping and there was a car in the lot with this on it "2 Chr 7:14". My kids wanted it looked up 'right then' and wanted to know , word for word, what it said.

I'm so thankful for that little Bible, but not just for that Bible, but for the freedom that I have to carry it! -and it beats my other one which must weigh 15 pounds!

Oh and this was the verse:
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

FOR MORE ABOUT GRATITUESDAY, VISIT LAURA'S!

Coffee Grinders....

Coffee grinders are not just for coffee! They have multiple uses!

Can't afford a wheat/grain mill?
Well, I used one of these handy dandy little gadgets for a while before I was able to get a mill.

(Some 13 years ago.)

You can also whirl oats to make oat flour! A nice and sweet flour!
My favorite use is for flax seeds! Oh how I love flax! I smuggle it in wherever I can too. Whirling it in this little gadget makes it quick too! (and the oils in flax are not good for most, if not all, mills)
And these are soooo frugal!

They can be bought in Walmart for around $20 or less. Online, they are around $10 to $15!

A great resource for the frugal kitchen!

FOR MORE KITCHEN TIP TUESDAYS, VISIT TAMMY'S RECIPES!

My Kids Favorite Kind of Oats...

Pinhead or Steel Cut Oats!

They are better known around here as "Bug Oats"- Cuz they kinda feel like a bug in your teeth- at least that's what some boys think! ;-)

But these can be soaked as you would rolled oats and they really are tasty and nicely textured!
**********
You use 3/4 cup of water per 1/4 cup oats.
You can soak overnight with a little lemon juice, whey, yogurt, or buttermilk added.
My kids don't like the sour of the dairy as well so I usually use lemon juice.

Monday's Menu............

SUNDAY:
-cereal and milk
-Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, shells and cheese, carrot cake, pecan pie
-the above, reheated
MONDAY:
-oatmeal
-Sherried (leftover) Turkey, potatoes, green peas
-Soft tacos, black bean salsa, blue corn chips
TUESDAY:
-millet
-Root-Veggie Soup, bread, Coconut-Chocolate Chip Muffins
-Steak Casserole with veggies, bread
WEDNESDAY:
-homemade cream of wheat, turkey sausage
-Cheesy Tuna Noodles, peas, corn on the cob
-meatloaf, cabbage, sweet potatoes
THURSDAY:
-kids choice
-Chicken Chapattis
-Lil Roasted Chickens
FRIDAY:
-coconut millet (with coconut milk)
-Breaded Fish, cole slaw, potato salad
-Spaghetti
SATURDAY:
-oatmeal
-Leftover Spaghetti Sandwiches
-Creamy Chicken Enchiladas, blue chips and salsa

Visit OrgJunkie for more Menu Plan Monday!

A string of sweets....remakes!

Remember all of those strawberries that I bought the other day? Well I had to figure out ways to use them, and some ripe bananas! Wanna see what I came up with?

Well, first I made my Choco-Wheat Cake:

Then some homemade whipped topping, and from there, made these:

Then I was really, really enticed to try Tammy's Vanilla Pudding and made this Banana Pudding:

I used some of the hot pudding to top another slice of the Choco-wheat Cake ( a little later in the day ;-):

And here you see a slice of the Choco-wheat Cake with sliced bananas and strawberries with drizzled Real Maple Syrup:

And more strawberries tossed in with a can of peaches (dug out from the back of the cupboard!):

A fun product to try....

I've always liked black licorice...I'm just sort of weird that way.

But this licorice takes it to a whole new level!

Real licorice is good for you!

It is said to be an expectorant, helps the adrenals, and is antispasmodic in the bowels so its good for people with bowel disease!

*You can buy licorice root from Bulk Herb Store to make tea from!

Another neat find....

So, wanna guess what's so neat about it?

No, its not just that its Quinoa.

No, its not just that its Inca Red, a rare find however.

No, its not that its wheat/gluten free.

Nope, its not just that its organic either.

Give up?

See the little purple colored label in the lower right?

See what it says?

Its an "Heirloom Variety"!

That is almost unheard of in 'normal' stores around here!

Well, to go a step further, I don't know if I've ever seen that on any labels, including in the health food stores!

Pretty neat, huh?

I had fun explaining this to the kids! :-)

Oh for the love of strawberries!

I don't know who is worse, the children or me, when it comes to NOT being able to pass up a good deal!

We found these for .99 a carton and they piled them in the buggy until we had a whole flat and me being the victim of my own desires for strawberries (it was THE craved food during most of my pregnancies); I just couldn't tell them no!! (the strawberries that is, not the kids- I can tell them no- just ask them!)

So if I seem a little scattered, its because I am trying to keep strawberry juice from my keyboard on my computer! :-)

Merry Christmas to me, Merry Christmas to me...

Ok, I know its not really Christmas but when I get these.....

Its like Christmas to me!!!

Its my herbs!! Yippeeee!

I've been out of several things for many months now and it was soooo exciting to find my box on the porch this morning!

I think I've showed you before how I take the labels from those thick plastic bags and place them on jars to store the ones that I will be using.
The jars are just easier to get in and out of than those bags!
Wanna know what I ordered?
:-)
I got more Passionflower-Oh, how I love this herb!!! It makes for really sweet dreams!
I also got Butcher's Broom, Ginkgo, Peppermint, Alfalfa, my beloved Rose Hips, and a new thing, Kelp! (I've got to figure out some places to smuggle that in!)


Here's some of the others that I already had;
Olive Leaves, Yarrow, Hops, Oatstraw, Horsetail, and some hidden Bilberry. (and a teeny bit of Ginseng)
**
Now, what's frugal about the herbs?
Well, they are cheaper than pop! And you can use your choice of sweeteners- like honey, cane sugar, etc. Which will add to your health (rather than take away :-).

AND, these are nourishing your health, which is very frugal in the long run! How frugal? Well, there is one herb that I know of that helps with irregular heart beat and you can get a 3 month supply for under ten dollars- one of the drugs prescribed for that is $100 a month and on top of that, it has some very unfavorable side effects!
(you will find a link at the bottom of my page for the Bulk Herb Store where I order from and there is also a large amount of information on their site about herbs and remedies)

FOR MORE FRUGAL FRIDAY TIPS, CLICK HERE!
And if any of you are feeling chatty, I would love to hear about herbs that you've found useful!
HAPPY EASTER!

Don't Wait, Weight...get lost!

Okee dokee... I posted last week, or was it week before? hmmm They all run together sometimes, but anyway, I posted about finding weight, because I am indeed very good at that, especially of a late. (uhmm hmm, excuse me..) Sorry, its very hard for me to confess it but the truth is, through this winter, the "scales have not looked favorably on me"!

Now, I am NOT gonna tell you how much weight I have found-- my husband could read this!!! But I will say, that I've had 6 children and before the first was born I weighed around 150 and I kept my weight there fairly easily through many years after having babies. (In high school, I weighed around 140 just FYI. ;-) ...After the fourth baby was born, I had a crazy few years. During part of that time, I lost about 35 pounds and I looked really bad. Yucky! My face looked sunken. But during that time I found that I really, really enjoyed being somewhere around 128! I could wear the kind of clothes that I wanted, without looking dumpy! I will always have a belly, but my belly was more tolerable to me. ....I had two more babies, got the weight right back off and life went on.

Well, about 2 years ago, I got up to 140 and believe it or not, DH was happier about that! ..Said my face looked more plump or something. (I said, of course it does, its stuffed with chocolate!!!) But anyway, this winter, I've blown it...just blown it! And I'm quite aggravated about it! And - I'm not 140 and I'm certainly not my preferred 128! (I feel like flopping on the floor! But I won't -but it would burn a few calories! ;-)

So,
I'm having to discipline myself, my eating, and my thinking-again!
Because, extra weight is just way too emotional, and really unhealthy for me. (I have ulcerative colitis, my chances for cancer are double the average person since I've had this for over 15 years now and the more fat I pack in my belly, the greater the risk! I've had polyps before as well, not good.)

It is hard, it is tough, but I can do it! With me though, I must confess, that I just have to get mad about it! I have to admit that I'm a little weak that way. I have to get my emotions charged.

Now,
Onto some things that I have found helpful in the past, besides my point in the last statement. (emotions must be charged=determination)

-k, gotta say it again, I personally have to get mad about it. Sick of it and sick about it. (Else nothing will happen, except perhaps 'finding' more.)
-Watch what I'm eating. I have a big problem with never fixing a plate for myself (after I fix 7 plates and refill them - I don't wanna see another one! ;-). But in doing this, or rather not doing this, I nibble allllll dayyyyy longgggg! I actually think I can get by with this and forget what all I have eaten ;and forget that I'M NOT EVEN HUNGRY! -Nibbling is good for me however, IF I don't go hog wild and pig crazy!
-Eating when I'm hungry! not all day long nibbling (Can I really expect my body to burn what it didn't even ask for?)
-If I do fix a plate- no seconds.
-If I want a sweet after I eat, only eat half the normal amount at that meal.
-You can actually get by on half a sandwich almost as good as a whole one! And by that, you can guess what I mean I suppose- I actually feel better when I eat until I'm no longer hungry rather than 'til I'm full =stuffed. AND, often, especially if I get used to this, I'm no hungrier any sooner than if I eat the whole sandwich.
-I must- MUST- know that I CANNOT eat every little thing that everyone else in this house eats. They could have a box of donuts a couple of times a week and be fine, but not me! Once every couple of months, maybe, but I can't eat like them. For example, I NEVER EVER eat anything from McD's ...if IF IF we do get to order from the dollar menu that is! (For many reasons; ONE, I get sick- every time. TWO, I don't know what's in there and I don't want it; but I won't argue about it, I just won't eat it. THIRD, it is loaded with weird fats and that I do know.) But if I'm really hungry, I'll eat a yogurt parfait.
-For like reasons, there's many foods that I have just 'written off'. I near never buy them and if someone else does, I still don't eat them. I consider them treats for the kids and I don't think about it anymore. Things like boxed cakes and chips. They are only bought every few months and I won't eat them. I've just decided that those are off my list=they're not even food in my book! :-) That thinking helps me!
-Discouragement must be conquered! Being a female can be quite tough when it comes to emotions. But just like we expect those of the opposite gender to ignore certain 'notions' we can likewise learn to 'die' to some of ours. Basing what I eat and how I eat on how I feel, is UNACCEPTABLE! If I have bad 'feelings' the I have to change them, by choice or by actions; period! It is my personal responsibility to control my thoughts and feelings. Likewise, it is my responsibility to deal with my weight.
-Excuses are excuses. And boy can I have them! Wanna hear mine? Ok, here goes starting from the fall: exercise machine broke, garden time was over, winter which means indoors all the time, I cook 3 meals a day and I HAVE to taste them!, puppies equals being somewhat bound for potty-training purposes, Dh works at home and I am NOT gonna bounce around in front of him and on top of that he wants me to taste this or that all of the time;-), and you know I have six kids that have to be watched all of the time, right? There they are! I know 'em, now you know 'em- now I have to just lump it and fight to work around those things that 'so easily beset' me!
-Now for my final point and it is the one that I most often have to rely on. It is going to shock some of you, I am sure, because we live in a land of (a great big bunch of) plenty. But Paavo Airola said it best when he said something like: Most people find it easier not to eat at all rather than to reduce what they eat. (I'm in that number!)

Now I know you may think I'm nutty and that's okay if you do, but it HAS worked for me and worked very very well with the fastest results which kept me motivated AND it did help me spiritually as well. What am I talking about? Oh, :-) ..fasting.

Now hold on...there are different ways to do it and some of you may need to consult with your doctor first but- it does work.

You can do it the way Laura did from Canada. She's lost 70 pounds in just a few months, 27 weeks to be exact. She lost 33 1/2 pounds in right at 2 months! I think she is doing optifast which I think is a little like Slimfast? I will see if she will post a little here to tell us more in the comments!!

But anyway, Paavo Airola wrote about "Fasting to Lose''. This link is like what he taught, dealing with juice (fruit and veggie) fasting and the like. This link from that page is especially good, dealing with weight loss and detox specifically.

But as you can see, I'm not dealing with a total fast. I'm dealing with liquid fasts. My personal results have been a pound a day, after the first day. I've also noticed that the hunger, headaches, etc. get better after the third day. The less caffeine, sugars, processed foods, that you are on, the less the headaches will be, however, I have allowed some caffeine in some of my fasts in the beginning, to help with this and because I really love them so! But several of Airola's books can be found in my A-store if you happen to be interested.

But, now you know a little more about me (gulp!) and a little about what has worked for me when I've gotten lucky enough to lose some weight, rather than find it! :-)

Ok, who wants to try these?

My kids and I get a big kick out of trying really weird and wacky stuff from time to time. Sometimes I will take them (yeah, all of them....all six of them) to the store and I will stop in front of a food or foods, that they haven't tried before, or something they haven't had in a while that maybe only one of them liked.

-

Well, this time...wanna guess what's in the picture? Ok, you don't have to, I'll just tell ya! It's oysters! I know, I know...they are really weird looking AND they smell really wacky, but the kids said that they are almost like tuna or salmon! Huh? Me? No, no I didn't try them. Huh? Oh, no, no, I was full! ;-)

-

Now while this is lots and lots of fun....with five boys and one girl-- its not just fun, its a hoot!

(One of the boys got grossed out, one didn't try them at all, and the girl, well she ate more than her brothers! 'magine that?! She loved them with crackers!)

-

It also serves some other purposes. .... we get to try new foods -and hey, you never know where God might place them some day! They could end up in Africa getting served the head of the goat or something?!?!! ...This makes for good practice! :-)

-

I also think it will help them to be more open to trying different things throughout their lives. You never know, what if they visit France one day? They might actually love escargot!?!??

-

Anyway, this is WHAT WORKS FOR ME WEDNESDAY!

...just a reminder, compost time!

My kitchen tip this week is a friendly reminder to start those compost buckets back up!!! That is if you stopped for winter! ;-)

I've been saving milk jugs for about a month and cutting the top out, while leaving the handle. I keep one or two beside the trash can for convenience. I have the boys go dig a little hole in the garden and bury it, a few buckets at a time. It's gone before they get back to the same area!

All of my fruit and veggie scraps are being tucked in there along with all of my egg shells, coffee grounds, and used tea and tea bags.

I read that tea bags are good for certain berry bushes and grape vines because it adds acidity?!?!

Now, to figure out how to keep puppies out of them!!!

For more Kitchen Tip Tuesdays, visit Tammy'sRecipes!

Gratituesday...little books and little boys!

Several weeks ago, I entered a neat little drawing over at StretchMarkMama's for some super fun children's readers. Well, we received that neat little "We All Sleep" book in the mail yesterday and my little, formerly-discouraged boy, was able to read almost the entire book all by himself! He was sooo excited (and I was soooooo proud!).

It was a wonderful prize for him and encouraged him sooo much that he toted it around most of the day! That's a pretty big deal to get a book in the mail, ya know? Aren't we all little kids when it comes to that??!!!???

But I'm soooo grateful for that little book this week.
If you have more than one child, you know how the baby of the bunch can really get bummed out when he can't read as well as everyone else, magically, overnight! This little book seemed to do just the trick for him- it showed him that he COULD DO IT! :-) .....something his momma knew all along!!! ....It's wonderful to see that little spark in his eyes as he is now realizing that he can! HE CAN READ! WOO HOO!

For more about Gratituesday, visit Laura's!

A yummy yogurt idea!

This is a great treat to make with homemade and/or plain yogurt.

Simply mix in your favorite flavor of concentrated juice with approx. 32 oz yogurt.

If it's too tart, stir in 1/4 cup cane sugar. Serve or freeze for a great popsicle!

(**And this juice has no high fructose corn syrup! or added sugar)

Yesterday....

Yesterday, it got so warm, like almost 80!

So we had iced tea!

....Today, it's snowing!

Guess we should have hot chocolate?!!?!!

Monday, Monday..Menu Plan

After shopping on Saturday and rendering fat, I'm ready to plan my menu!

SUNDAY:
-french toast
-leftover "That's Italian" (my homemade ziti dish), yogurt, carrot sticks and spinach dip
-homemade hamburgers, yogurt

MONDAY:
-sausage, egg, and cheese English muffins
-open-face turkey and cheese sandwiches, spinach salad with wheat sprouts, Rugelach
-Roast Potatoes Carrots, cornbread, masa cakes with honey

TUESDAY:
-steel cut oats, bagels w/cream cheese
-Eggs In Ham, spinach salad, peaches
-Chicken Parmigiana, green beans, corn

WEDNESDAY:
-millet, bagels w/ cream cheese
-Breaded Fish, Amish Bread, green beans, sweet potatoes
-Steak Casserole, whole wheat dinner rolls, green peas

THURSDAY:
-oatmeal, boiled eggs
-salmon loaf, potatoes, speckled butter beans,, cranberry slushes
-Creamy Chicken Spaghetti, broccoli, cornbread

FRIDAY:
-kids' choice
-Enchilada Bake, salsa, guacamole, blue corn chips, choco-wheat cake
-turkey patties, potato wedges, lima beans

SATURDAY:
-kid's choice
-seasoned white beans, cornbread, corn on the cob, greens. fruit
-maybe lamb!

To see what else is cookin' this week, check out MENU PLAN MONDAY!

Butterscotch Brownies....

1 stick of softened butter

2 T black strap molasses

1 1/4 c cane sugar

4 eggs

1 T vanilla

1 cup milk powder

1 t (aluminum free) baking powder

1/2 t sea salt

Fold in;

2 cups wheat germ (or 1 cup wheat germ and 1 cup wheat flour)

1 1/2 c chopped pecans

Bake at 350 for 35 to 40 minutes until set and golden.

Yummy!

-wish I could go sneak and get one right now!-

(adapted from MWL)

Orange-Pineapple Cheesecake....

8 oz cream cheese

creamed with

2 eggs

Add in;
1/4 c milk
1 t vanilla
1/3 c cane sugar
1 T orange zest
Pour in;
-graham pie shell
Bake at 375 for 25 to 30 minutes.
Cool, chill.
Mix:


1 c yogurt
1/8 c cane sugar
1t vanilla
Pour over cheesecake, chill.

Before serving top with;
1 can of chunk pineapple, drained (or fresh)

**Kid friendly.

Carob Candy

This 'good for you' candy is a real treat and its really easy to make!

It's the next best thing to chocolate and my kids never notice a difference!

(this is from an old Airola book!)

My kids really like it, but soon discovered that you can't eat too much of it! Its just too rich!

1/2-honey

1/2C butter

1 t-vanilla

1/4C -carob powder (or cocoa)

3/4C-milk powder

1/2C-sesame seeds

Cream butter and honey. Blend in vanilla, carob powder, milk powder. Roll into balls and coat in the sesame seeds. Place in the refrigerator.

(NT suggests sprouting seeds before use. I am not sure how that would work, but I hope to try to soak, sprout, dry, and see if I could make it work!)

**There are numerous variations to this recipe: add cinnamon, roll in coconut or crushed graham crackers, add or roll in crushed nuts, add a good quality peanut butter, etc

For more Frugal Friday tips, visit Life as Mom!

And for more Finer Things Friday, visit HERE!

email has been on the Fritz!

If you are having trouble contacting me or I have responded to an email from you, please forgive me! It seems the weird computer worm that was going around has caused some internet and email providers to reject some other email/service providers! My provider has informed me that this should end within 2 days. So please contact me again and/or I will be able to respond to you within another day or so.
Much of my mail is getting kicked back at present!
Gotta love technology! ;-)
Thank you for your patience and understanding!

Sausage Meatloaf...

1 lb turkey sausage (or beef, etc)

1 lb pork sausage (I happened to find some organic the other day! Woo hoo!)

1/2 cup plain, uncooked white rice (I want to figure out how to do this with brown!)

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1/2 cup finely chopped bell peppers

2 T onion powder

1/3 cup tomato sauce (the recipe this was based on called for BBQsauce)

Mix all ingredients and press into baking dish.

Bake at 450 for 25 minutes, reduce heat to 325 and bake for 25 more minutes.

During the final 10 minutes(carefully drain grease), top with 8oz tomato sauce and lightly sprinkle with garlic powder.

**This dish could be used at breakfast, lunch, or supper as we say in the South!

**Tip: If your kids are a little fickled about sausage because of 'tough spots', process your meat for a few seconds in the food processor before using in recipe.

(*Served here with cauliflower salad, green beans, and Tammy's Amish Bread.)

Another way I cook this:
Sometimes I make this "Italian Meatloaf" using 1lb beef, 1 lb sausage, plus 1 t rosemary, 1 t oregano, 1/2 t basil, and some minced garlic.

1 Hour Loaves....

Oh how I love these little football shaped loaves!

And they are perfect when you are pinched for time!
****************
Mix and set aside:
1/2 cup warm water
1 T yeast
Heat:
1 cup of milk
1cup yogurt
on stove top just until the chill is off and just warmed.
Add to yeast/water:
1 1/2 T honey
2 T olive oil
2 t salt
Blend in yogurt/milk and add:
3 cups wheat flour
To one cup plain flour add 1 t baking powder and 1 t baking soda and add to dough.
Gradually stir in approx 2 more cups of plain flour.
Be careful not to add too much flour. If you are using a mixer, add just until dough begins to pull from bowl and continue to mix. Dough will remain soft and stretchy.
Preheat oven to 425.
Turn dough out on lightly floured surface and knead only slightly adding the least amount of flour possible. Divide in half. Shape into 2 football shaped loaves and place on baking sheet, lightly sprinkled with cornmeal. Score with a jagged-edged knife. Brush with one beaten egg white that has 1T water beaten in. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
Bake for 30 minutes. Bread will get nice and dark. Allow to cool for 20 to 30 minutes before slicing. Great for sandwiches and honey!
(*Served here with Pan-fried Flounder, fries, and Lina beans.)

Excerpt form Ben Franklin..provisions..

(from The Autobiography of Ben Franklin)

"....the stores arrived at the camp as soon as the wagons. They consisted of twenty parcels, each containing:

6lbs loaf sugar
6 lbs good Muscovada do (dark sugar, likely a cane sugar from what I understand)
1 lb good green tea
1 lb good bohea do (this was an extravagant tea, I believe the kind dumped in the Boston Tea Party)
6 lbs good ground coffee
6 lbs chocolate
1-2cwt. best white biscuit (I understand a cwt to be a unit of measurement of 100 lbs)
1-2lb pepper
1 quart best white wine vinegar
1 Gloucester cheese
1 kegg containing 20lbs good butter
2 doz. old Madeira wine
2 gallons Jamaica spirits
1 bottle flour of mustard
2 well-cur'd hams
1-2 dozen dry'd tongues
6 lbs rice
6 lbs raisins

These twenty parcels, well pack'd, were placed on as many horses, each parcel, with the horse, being intended as a present for one officer."

Snapping turtle?!!?

I'll admit it; having pets is not the most frugal thing in the world, however, they can have benefits!

My outside dogs, 2 Beagles- Hal and Missy, not only provide lots of love and licks; they also make excellent guard dogs!

Any strange goings on outside- and we'll know about it!

Their latest stir was over this little fellow, a snapping turtle, trying to find his way through our yard to a pond area. He could not figure how to get through the fence being driven only by ''water''! So we had the privilege of going out and re-routing him around the fence so he could mosey on along!
He seemed happy enough with that, never even bothering to 'snap'!

WFMW---- yorkie questions!

Okay, it's backwards WFMW!

Questions about dry skin on yorkie!

I have two but one has the wire type hair and prone to extremely dry skin. She has been seen by a vet and he just labeled it 'dry skin' and tried to sell me a teeny weeny bottle of stuff for a small fortune!

I bought several products for this; oatmeal shampoo and conditioning spray.

I scrubbed and scrubbed her last time I gave her a bath and it seemed to help getting the dry skin loosened up and she didn't do the normal yipping, biting, yelping, etc that she usually does after her bath! (whew!)

I'm trying to wait to bathe her for 2 weeks or more. They suggested 4 weeks but.....

Any suggestions for dry skin products??? Any frugal home remedies???

Conditioning suggestions for her hair and skin type?

Also she is on a good food, not O'roy ;-)

Thanks for any advice! Have a great WFMW!

For more Backwards Works for Me Wednesday, visit We Are That Family!