• Tomato Rice Soup With Garlic and Cannelini Beans
•  
• 1 tablespoon EVOO (extra virgin Olive Oil )
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried marjoram
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cup long grain rice (brown or Basmati)
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• 7 cups water or broth
• 2 cups cauliflower florets
• 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 6 fresh garlic cloves, diced

 

Melt the butter in a stock pot over medium head and add the onion. Saute for about 5 minutes and then add the herbs, salt, bay leaves and rice. Saute for 2 minutes.

Add the tomatoes and water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

After 20 minutes add the cauliflower and cook until just tender, about 5 minutes.

Add the beans and the garlic and continue cooking for about 5-8 minutes or until the cauliflower is tender and the garlic has lost its rawness.

The "financial" woes of our nation are on the hearts and minds of many in our nation right now. 

I am not surpised in any way by the economic crisis we face. What did Americans think would happen when it has lived on a steady diet of debt and allowed our government for decades to get deeper and deeper into national debt? It does not take a rocket scientist to understand that our nation's economic crisis is due to poor financial management. We can't point a finger at our nation and it's leaders without taking a good look at our own lives. Americans are addicted to debt. YES, I say addicted.  Pretty strong words, ya think? Americans want everything and they want it right now. They want their government programs and don't realize that everything comes with a price tag. They want their new cars, new homes and fancy electronic gadgets and don't think twice about putting down plastic to pay for it.

Then there is the concern over the upcoming election. Most of my loved ones and friends are very concerned about things. They are concered about the moral and social demise of our nation.  They are concerned and rightfully so.

So now what?

I was talking the other day to a good friend. She was expressing her family's reponse to our economic woes....... there was concern in her voice...... she was worried...... her response is to stockpile food and get a gun.

Now I want to say that I think it's great to have a full pantry, anytime of year and under any enconomic state we may find ourselves in.  But, I do not believe our trust should be in what  "we are doing" or "what we can do" or what our "government" plans to do or will do. I believe , whole heartedly that our trust is to be in the Lord. The Word of God tells us that the Lord watches over the sparrow and even the lilly of the field is dressed beautifully!   When times get tough, we need to earnestly place our trust in the ONLY safe harbor of  security  --- the Lord!

" Trust in the Lord with all your heart , and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."  ~~ Proverbs 3: 5 & 6

Too many Americans have forgotten this proverb.

Many have invested heavily in the stock market. My husband was a broker for a few years. He could tell stories about what goes on in the stock market.  It's really just a more polished way of gambling.  I am sorry if that offends some of you.  Many are seeing their retirement funds disintegrate before their very eyes.  In the news the past few days there have been reports of some committing suicide because of their financial woes.

What is happening here?

Friends, let us not dispair! Let us not put our trust in our stocks, our savings account, our food storage or even our guns! 

May I gently encourage you to place your trust in the ONLY SAFE SECURITY we have -- and that is the Lord God!

" It is the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is His faithfulness."  ~~ Lamentations 3: 22 & 23

Great is His faithfulness! He will not fail us !!   Let us not turn to "man made" answers to our problems. Let us seek His face, humble ourselves and He has promised us that He will heal our land. 

My prayer is that all of us will seek His face, seek a closer walk with Him ..... and trust, trust, trust that He will provide, protect and continue to shield us!

~ gloria ~

 

 

 

I assigned categories for the pieces of health information that I plan to write about.  These categories focus mainly on the acronym NEWSTART.  I have added a couple other categories which really do not relate to the NEWSTART acronym, and may continue to add a category or two as necessary. 

The NEWSTART acronym is described below:

N- Nutrition

E - Exercise

W - Water

S - Sunshine

T - Temperance

A - Air

R - Rest

T - Trust in God

Remembering the different parts of NEWSTART can help one to remind themselves of the areas that can improve one's health.  We hardly ever fall apart because of ONE problem, but rather it is usually a combination of health struggles.  Making changes in one area may show improvement, but it likely is not going to be a lifelong answer to our struggles.  NEWSTART can help us towards a healthier lifestyle.  It isn't about diet to lose weight, or sleeping pills to get our rest, but simply getting back to what we were designed to live by. 

DISCLAIMER:

A disclaimer that I want to add is that some of us have bodies that are far along in disease processes.  Changing late in the game is likely not going to cure us, however, we may see decreased symptoms by making healthy lifestyle changes.  A diabetic may still be a diabetic, but their blood sugar levels  are easier to control.  Also because of sin,  our bodies have become run down after generations of misuse.  That means our children can have problems like allergies or other horrible diseases that are not caused by how they are living, but rather a compilation of problems in our own genetics that we have passed down to them, or problems caused while growing in the womb...not to mention the exposure of so many things that are just considered normal these days... (chemicals, pesticides, immunizations, pollution, etc.) that can adversely affect one even though many others can take those exposures without much of a symptom at all.  So, do be realistic in making changes, they won't cure us overnight and they may not cure us at all.  Some changes may relieve us of some symptoms, but some changes could be detrimental to our specific medical condition.     

What does that mean?  If you have a medical condition or your children are sick, please read for guidance of where to go for information, not to substitute for medical treatment.  Making changes without your medical doctor's knowledge can cause big problems.  Medications you may be on may become too strong when making changes to a healthier lifestyle and without some guidance from your doctor on how to wean from your medications, you may end up sicker trying to live healthier than when you just lived "as is" with your medications.  Also, if you are ever feeling concerned or overwhelmed with a situation, do not try to do it on your own, just because it is healthier.  Our gut feelings are there for us to seek help.  And sometimes we do not notice something going terribly wrong because we are untrained in knowing what to look for. 

Now, I do not want this to deter you from trying natural remedies or lifestyle changes.  Just when you do it, make wise choices and if under medical care, take it to your doctor to explain what you are wanting to try.  Some doctors are not supportive of healthy lifestyle/home remedies... in that case, find one who is and one who knows what you are talking about because not all doctors know what home remedies even are as many are not trained in that area or they have seen disasterous cases from one trying to cure themselves on their own.  Often a person will misdiagnose a problem and the "cure" they are using will never work, but only cause the problem to continue without restraint. 

 Many medical missionaries treat others with home remedies and teach unschooled mothers and fathers in treatments where medical facilities are too far away or too expensive.  These treatments are taught and used all over the world and have improved lives.  Why we don't use them here in America boggles my mind.  With medical care so expensive and drug treatments sometimes noneffective or the side effects so damaging, we need to go back to some simple ways of healing. 

In summary, I do not feel anyone should be afraid of remedies or lifestyle changes.  Many changes are as simple as not eating cheetos and eating a whole grain cracker instead.  Some home remedies you can practice even while on medications and see increased results above what just the medication alone will do.  As your skill improves, you will feel more confident.  As time goes by, you will understand how our bodies work and see why something will or will not work in a situation.   Be wise in your decisions; pray and ask for guidance. 

Warmly, ~Melissa

 

I wish for us all to join together to pray for our country.  Each day I will have a new prayer from the website in the previous post.  Go there to see on join me here - whatever you do, please pray for God's will.

My posts keep getting blocked and messed up but I am trying to stay diligent and so here goes...

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

For Members of the Media to Remain Open, Forthcoming and Truthful

 

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
--Ephesians 4:25

Loving Lord, You are the God of all Truth, and there is nothing impure or false in You.  You bring all things to light, and nothing is hidden from Your sight.  Before You all things are laid bare and every detail, whether large or small is known.  All praise and glory to You, O Mighty God! 

I ask You to move and work among the members of the media this day, O Lord, keeping them from any form of falsehood.  Let them lift up only what is true in these campaigns, Lord, that as a nation we may be discerning as we consider those whom we will elect to the offices of our government.  In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

http://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/site/PageServer?pagename=40days_dayx&JServSessionIdr001=af95btjs72.app26a

 Join me as I pray with many across this great nation for our President and the elections - Not my will be done Lord, but yours!!!

40 Days to Pray the Vote

Day Sixteen: October 10, 2008 24 days, 16 hours and 47 minutes left until election day.

Good Morning! I hope you are all having a lovely start to your Friday!  I am excited for the day.
On Tuesday, we worked in the root cellar... or what my children are insisting we call the Hobbit Hole for a long while.  My Dad came and helped show Shannon how to build some sturdy shelves to store our stockpile.
My boys wanted in on the action.  And since you can 'work' in nothing less than overalls, that was the choice of attire for the day. :)
The littlest one lest be left out...
He even came equipped with his own saw and hard hat. ;)
Shelves were built across the back and down both sides. 
It is SO wonderful!!! I am so happy to have this finished and ready for use.
Have a terrific weekend. Fill it with your family,  laughter, smiles, hugs and kisses, snuggles, sips of hot cider, cozy quilts and love.
With much love from me to you...

I started a new blog called Health and Healing.  In this blog, I hope to encourage myself towards better health by writing about health topics.  Putting down into words these things I have read about or learned along the way.   I am a registered nurse, however, I put my license to inactive status to homeschool and be a stay at home mom.  I have always loved the aspect of preventive health, yet my day job when I worked focused on healing, usually by means of drugs or surgical methods.  That did not always have the best of results. 

Doctors and nurses both on the field are so busy that they have little time to teach their patients about true health.  They become specialists in drugs or surgical procedures.  Working on many floors, I knew the routines for post surgical heart surgeries, for hip and knee replacements, for same-day surgeries, for medical problems such as COPD, pneumonia, and strokes.  I also knew nursing treatments for many mental disorders as directed by our psychiatric ward.  But when it came to teaching someone the way to better health using means of nutrients and natural remedies and water treatments... I had little to offer.  I knew a few, but that wasn't a priority in the school where I was taught, nor is it a priority in many nursing schools or even medical schools. 

I have done alot of reading.  I have attended alot of health seminars.  I am intrigued by how wonderful God has created our bodies and how within the Bible many health topics are touched on.  It is interesting to read in Genesis how he created our bodies for work, for rest, and even the foods we should eat.  Oh, how we have strayed from those instructions the Lord has given us.  Granted there aren't too many specific do's and don'ts in the Bible to where one can say without a doubt we shouldn't use tobacco, but there are principles that can apply to many health questions today.  My focus on my continuing education has been on preventive health and on the natural processes that we were created with. 

Now, having said all that, I have to admit that I am human.  I may have read all this good stuff and I may understand that it is good to follow, but to actually change my life so that I am living within these principles has not always been easy.  I need reminders.  I need encouragment.  I need continuing education.  I imagine that many have those same desires... to be healthy, but how?  ...to not have to depend on doctors or drugs for simple health ailments, but how?  ...to raise up healthy kids, but how? 

I won't have all the answers, but I hope to share some things as I recall, as they are pertinent to my life, and as I am planning programs at my church.  Maybe the bits that I share will be the encouragement that others need to face their day or a struggle they have.  May God use this blog to encourage others.  For it is not my wisdom, it is God's. 

Warmly, ~Melissa

Please share with me your favorite camera.  I am planning to purchase a small one that will fit in my purse.  I want one that takes good pictures.  I am not concerned with the video, although, it could come in handy???  My main hopes is to find a small camera that takes very nice close-up photos.  Our current camera is a large canon and it used to take nice close-ups, but recently in the past 6 months, all the close-up photos have been blurry, it will not focus on items closer than about 2 feet and if I am further, will not zoom in to get a nice close-up...like getting a picture of a caterpillar or a flower.   

I was looking at a samsung S860 and it had good reviews, but when I went to the store last night to get it (I got a raincheck)... I tried it out and I would take pictures of the sale tags and it wouldn't focus on the text (details).   I then got to trying different cameras and I realize I need to know how to set the camera up and this may affect some of the photo details, but on the portrait setting (close up), I only got a handful of cameras to work for showing details.  One was a Sanyo for $139.   I really liked the $79.99 price tag of the raincheck samsung, but now I am not so sure I want to spend that and still not be able to take those up close shots.  

Please share any cameras that are small, take nice close-up photos with all the details you want to see!, and are fairly affordable.  I would like to know if you have had luck with any cameras and are really happy with them. 

Thanks, ~Melissa

Last night for supper I made chick-pea pot pie and chicken pot pie.  I mixed up pie crust, steamed some onions, potatoes, and carrots and added them inside.  I actually made two dishes, one for real chicken and one with chick-peas.  So, I had two square pans and put pie crust inside.  Layered the potatoes/carrots/onions 2-3 cups, 1 cup of frozen corn, and either one chicken breast already cooked up or one can of chick-peas (garbonzos).  I then poured the cashew gravy over the top and then added some pepper to the chicken one (Dh likes pepper) and a little salt to both.  I then put another crust over the top and baked for about 35-40 minutes. 

It turned out really good.  The girls requested:  chop the onions up with the gravy next time, LOL.  They said adding green beans as well might be nice, too.  But flavor wise... it was good.  And they all asked... there's no dairy in this???  I said nope.  Then my one daughter says she likes this gravy much better.  I laughed and said it is the same gravy, but then I remembered I did not put the garlic into it. 

They all agreed they could handle having this dish more often... as a regular on the table.  So, I officially have my first meal approved by the entire family.  The garbonzo dish was good as well.  I really enjoyed it.  Though, no one else  was willing to try it with there being a real chicken pot pie right next to it.  I told them I would make it for potluck sometime and they agreed to try it there. 

My little one who needs the dairy free... didn't touch either dish.  She chowed down on pineapple banana salad and a noodle pasta salad.  Which was fine... I prefer light meals for supper and hope to have this little one learning it early on, rather than having to think you need a huge meal before plopping down for the night.  Anyways, she is also just three and she will learn to eat the food if we continue to eat it with her.  My hardest part is satisfying the older half of the family, a 3yo has time.  And, if we eat within her guidelines, then we all win.

Warmly, ~Melissa

 

Good Morning!
The other day we talked about making Apple Butter, and boy is it tasty. Yum-o!  Well, once you core and peel all those apples you had quite a lot of leftovers... being a frugal homesteader, you don't want anything to go to waste right? If you have pigs, I am sure nothing does, or goats even. ;)  But, if you are pig and goat deficient as we are... for now ;), here is a couple of different things you can do with all those wonderful peelings and cores.
First, you can make your own ACV=Apple Cider Vinegar.  My friend Kristin shared with me how she makes hers. 
Take all your cores and peelings, dump them into a large jar or a food grade bucket.  Cover them with water.  Cover the jar or bucket with a cloth so it will keep out any flies or pests.  Let sit in a dark corner.  The apple leftovers will ferment the water, wild yeast will eat up the sugars and in the end you will have vinegar... this process will take several weeks.  She says you will know when it is done because of the smell.  She posted on the Front Porch, so you can check that out also.
2ndly, you can take your apple peelings and cores and put them in a crockpot or a pot on your stove.  Give a generous shake of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, throw in some orange or lemon rinds if you have any... turn on low and let your house fill with the beautiful, rich smell of spiced apples. This can be used several times before it loses its fragrance. Just store in an airtight container in the fridge when not in use.
I had a couple of pictures to share with you for both of these projects, but photobucket is unavailable right now. 
I hope you have a terrific day and thanks to all of you who shared with me yesterday.
My Cup Runneth Over...