Liberal or Conservative
In this election year we tend to look at others as being liberal or conservative. If someone would ask me which am I, my response will always be, "I am ultra-conservative." But this very statement got me thinking. Are not we all just a mixture of both?
The answer is yes! Most definitely.
I am liberal in the sense that I get bored with common. I never follow the crowd or assume anything. My analytical mind forces me to assess all possible views or options. I look for ways to be unusual, creative, different, and unique.
I am conservative in the fact that I live by a specific set of standards, values, and virtues. I hold to logic and reason.
Do these two opposites collide? No, never. There are endless ways to express my individualism and ideas all within the bounds of my core beliefs and philosophy. True happiness can only be attained by living in a way that honors our own personal philosophy.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Bacon Egg Breakfast Cups
After a few weeks on juicing, I was ready for the pleasure of creating something special in kitchen. I love to cook and love to bake. I was grateful for the opportunity to bring these wonderful little bacon egg cups to a breakfast meeting this morning. Everyone loved them. I received many compliments as they disappeared quickly. They were so very simple to make.
Bacon Egg Breakfast Cups
6 slices Bacon
1/4 cup chopped Green Pepper
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 tube Crescent Rolls
1/2 cup shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese
2 Tablespoons Chives
4 Eggs
2 Tablespoons Milk
Cook bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towel, cool, and crumble.
Saute green pepper in butter until tender.
Cut crescent roll dough in to 24 squares. Line each cup of 24 cup mini muffin pan with dough, shaping dough to fit inside cup.
Sprinkle each cup evenly with cheese, green pepper, bacon, and chives.
Whisk together eggs and milk. Spoon egg mixture evenly into cups.
Bake 350 degrees 10-12 minutes.
They are delicious warm from the oven or at room temperature.
These can be assembled the night before, refrigerated, and baked the next morning.
Or they can be baked ahead of time and refrigerated (1-2 days) or frozen until needed. Simply wrap in foil and heat in the oven until warm.
Total time it took this morning to make these wonderful little tidbits was about 1 hour and 15 minutes. The most time consuming part is lining each muffin cup with the dough.
Enjoy. Yum!
Bacon Egg Breakfast Cups
6 slices Bacon
1/4 cup chopped Green Pepper
1 Tablespoon Butter
1 tube Crescent Rolls
1/2 cup shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese
2 Tablespoons Chives
4 Eggs
2 Tablespoons Milk
Cook bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towel, cool, and crumble.
Saute green pepper in butter until tender.
Cut crescent roll dough in to 24 squares. Line each cup of 24 cup mini muffin pan with dough, shaping dough to fit inside cup.
Sprinkle each cup evenly with cheese, green pepper, bacon, and chives.
Whisk together eggs and milk. Spoon egg mixture evenly into cups.
Bake 350 degrees 10-12 minutes.
They are delicious warm from the oven or at room temperature.
These can be assembled the night before, refrigerated, and baked the next morning.
Or they can be baked ahead of time and refrigerated (1-2 days) or frozen until needed. Simply wrap in foil and heat in the oven until warm.
Total time it took this morning to make these wonderful little tidbits was about 1 hour and 15 minutes. The most time consuming part is lining each muffin cup with the dough.
Enjoy. Yum!
Friday, April 27, 2012
Dr. Schulze Incurables Program
Next week I am beginning Dr. Schulze Incurables Program. I am really tired of being ill. Chronic diseases have a way of wearing a person down. The weakness and struggle each day can sometimes be too much to handle. On those days all I want to do is go to bed. But life must go on. I have responsibilities. I have things I must do and be involved in to keep my emotional and spiritual sanity. I hope this program will bring relief from my many ailments, especially my debilitating conditions: Pericardial Effusion, Peripheral Neuropathy, Fibromyalgia, and Narcolepsy. I need to heal my heart, my nervous system, and my digestive system.
Experiencing this program firsthand will help me learn more about whole body healing. Being an Herbalist and an Iridologist is not enough. Herbs and eyes are only part of what I need to learn. Whole Body Healing is the area I need to concentrate on most to help myself and others. It encompasses diet, herbs, exercise, hydrotherapy, reflexology, massage, sun/air therapy, and more.
Some areas of the Incurables program are better administered by someone else. But since I will be going through this program alone, I will do the best I can with hydrotherapy, reflexology, and massage. I do believe something is always better than nothing. What I can do will be well worth it. If I do nothing, my health will continue to decline.
I am excited about becoming well. I have been doing a few of the things in the program already, but I will jump in full force next week. I still have a few days of planning and shopping before I begin.
This program could be a bit rough at times, therefore I intend to remain calm by grounding myself in prayer and study. Chronicling my journey through this program will help keep me focused on healing and learning.
Dr. Schulze Incurables Program takes determination and dedication. I am ready.
Experiencing this program firsthand will help me learn more about whole body healing. Being an Herbalist and an Iridologist is not enough. Herbs and eyes are only part of what I need to learn. Whole Body Healing is the area I need to concentrate on most to help myself and others. It encompasses diet, herbs, exercise, hydrotherapy, reflexology, massage, sun/air therapy, and more.
Some areas of the Incurables program are better administered by someone else. But since I will be going through this program alone, I will do the best I can with hydrotherapy, reflexology, and massage. I do believe something is always better than nothing. What I can do will be well worth it. If I do nothing, my health will continue to decline.
I am excited about becoming well. I have been doing a few of the things in the program already, but I will jump in full force next week. I still have a few days of planning and shopping before I begin.
This program could be a bit rough at times, therefore I intend to remain calm by grounding myself in prayer and study. Chronicling my journey through this program will help keep me focused on healing and learning.
Dr. Schulze Incurables Program takes determination and dedication. I am ready.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
The Transition from Spring Garden Beds to Summer Garden Beds
I love this time of year! Yummy things coming out of the garden making room for all the yummy new things going into the garden. The spring vegetables are almost finished growing, while the summer vegetables are impatiently waiting for their spot in the garden.
This transition time seems to be the busiest for me. I enjoy bringing the harvest in and putting it up to dry or in the freezer. I enjoy fluffing my raised beds and adding new soil. It is such a pretty picture to see a raised bed all cleaned out and ready to accept new plants. Unfortunately that does not last long for there is always new seedlings on the back deck waiting to go into that bed, like the lima beans and yard long beans that quickly filled the place that used to house the potatoes.
A few weeks ago we had a very cold night. My potatoes and grapes did not survive. So when I harvested my potatoes the other day, I only got a few pounds of small, round, yet very beautiful red and gold potatoes. I will get several meals from these, but no where near the amount the harvest should have been. That is part of gardening, sometimes there will be a crop failure. We learn and our garden continues.
On to a brighter note, I harvested a good amount of turnips and green onions. And lots of turnip greens for the bunnies! The green peas only ripen a few at a time as the vines continue to climb higher and higher. From my ten feet of peas I only get a couple servings each time I harvest. But they are definitely worth the wait. I do love peas. Other than zucchini, peas are my favorite thing from the garden. Peas do give the smallest return for the space and time they require, but I try to grow them anyhow.
The chives have a couple buds and the parsleys are a beautiful round domes again, so in a week or so they will both be harvested for the second time. But for the roses, no. We have had too much wind to keep any petals on the blossoms. I have to wait for the flowers to completely open before harvesting. By that time this strong wind has blown them off the plants. Hopefully this wind will calm and I will be able to get some rose petals soon. I have many red knock-out roses, a beautiful pastel pink tea rose with huge blossoms, and some wild deep red small blossom roses. I will make rose water and other skin formulas from them becuase roses are very good for the skin.
This transition time seems to be the busiest for me. I enjoy bringing the harvest in and putting it up to dry or in the freezer. I enjoy fluffing my raised beds and adding new soil. It is such a pretty picture to see a raised bed all cleaned out and ready to accept new plants. Unfortunately that does not last long for there is always new seedlings on the back deck waiting to go into that bed, like the lima beans and yard long beans that quickly filled the place that used to house the potatoes.
A few weeks ago we had a very cold night. My potatoes and grapes did not survive. So when I harvested my potatoes the other day, I only got a few pounds of small, round, yet very beautiful red and gold potatoes. I will get several meals from these, but no where near the amount the harvest should have been. That is part of gardening, sometimes there will be a crop failure. We learn and our garden continues.
On to a brighter note, I harvested a good amount of turnips and green onions. And lots of turnip greens for the bunnies! The green peas only ripen a few at a time as the vines continue to climb higher and higher. From my ten feet of peas I only get a couple servings each time I harvest. But they are definitely worth the wait. I do love peas. Other than zucchini, peas are my favorite thing from the garden. Peas do give the smallest return for the space and time they require, but I try to grow them anyhow.
The chives have a couple buds and the parsleys are a beautiful round domes again, so in a week or so they will both be harvested for the second time. But for the roses, no. We have had too much wind to keep any petals on the blossoms. I have to wait for the flowers to completely open before harvesting. By that time this strong wind has blown them off the plants. Hopefully this wind will calm and I will be able to get some rose petals soon. I have many red knock-out roses, a beautiful pastel pink tea rose with huge blossoms, and some wild deep red small blossom roses. I will make rose water and other skin formulas from them becuase roses are very good for the skin.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Preserving the First Harvests of Chives, Parsley, and Roses
Oh I really do need a camera.
I have been preserving a few things from my garden recently.
I love chives. So in my freezer are a few small bags of sliced chives. But the best part about chives are the flowers. They are yum! I harvest my chives when just a few pretty purple flowers begin to bloom. I think the best flavor of the chives is before they bloom. But if I harvest them then, I do not get any of these delicious flowers. So I wait for just a few blossoms and then I cut everything all the way back to the ground. Simply put the chive blossoms in a mess bag and hang to dry. The great thing about chives is the more often you harvest them the better quality your chives will be.
Also I had my first cutting of parsley last week. I have nine beautiful bunches of parsley hanging up to dry. I also cut these all the way back to the ground, except I left the tough outside circle of stems on the plant.
This morning I harvested my first petals from my knock out roses. Knock out roses are perfect for a continuous supply of fresh rose petals from spring through fall. Cut the nicest blossoms that are fully open to dry. Around here in my little wannabe homestead I make due with what I have on hand. There is always another purpose for every item. This being the case with old or unused window screens. I simply pulled the petals from the rose blossom centers and spread the petals out on a screen. Set a second screen on top and bind the two screens together. Perfect. My petals are secured and will not blow away or move around. They should dry very nicely.
Harvesting rose blossoms was the perfect way to begin my day. Their loveliness will remain with me make me smile.
I have been preserving a few things from my garden recently.
I love chives. So in my freezer are a few small bags of sliced chives. But the best part about chives are the flowers. They are yum! I harvest my chives when just a few pretty purple flowers begin to bloom. I think the best flavor of the chives is before they bloom. But if I harvest them then, I do not get any of these delicious flowers. So I wait for just a few blossoms and then I cut everything all the way back to the ground. Simply put the chive blossoms in a mess bag and hang to dry. The great thing about chives is the more often you harvest them the better quality your chives will be.
Also I had my first cutting of parsley last week. I have nine beautiful bunches of parsley hanging up to dry. I also cut these all the way back to the ground, except I left the tough outside circle of stems on the plant.
This morning I harvested my first petals from my knock out roses. Knock out roses are perfect for a continuous supply of fresh rose petals from spring through fall. Cut the nicest blossoms that are fully open to dry. Around here in my little wannabe homestead I make due with what I have on hand. There is always another purpose for every item. This being the case with old or unused window screens. I simply pulled the petals from the rose blossom centers and spread the petals out on a screen. Set a second screen on top and bind the two screens together. Perfect. My petals are secured and will not blow away or move around. They should dry very nicely.
Harvesting rose blossoms was the perfect way to begin my day. Their loveliness will remain with me make me smile.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Special Luncheon
I planned a special luncheon meeting yesterday for the sisters at church. The food was delicious and the program very enjoyable.
Menu
Grilled Chicken Salad
Seasoned Roasted Potatoes
Fruit Platter
Mini Croissants and Garlic Bread Sticks
Punch
Cake
I prepared the chicken tenders the night before. Simply marinade tenders in Lawry's marinade for 1 hour. I made three different flavors, Hawaiian, Mesquite, Herb and Garlic. I chose to broil the tenders instead of grill. Broil for a total of 14 minutes, turning twice. They came out beautiful. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
To plate these salads start with about 1-1/2 cups of lettuce on each plate. Next place the four add-ons separately on four different sides of plate. Sprinkle with cheese. Slice two chicken tenders and lay on top. Finally sprinkle crunch item over everything. Serve dressing on the side.
Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Salad
Lettuce Butterhead
Add Red/Green Pepper Strips
Sweet Onion Rings
Pineapple Rings
Dried Banana Chips
Cheese Mozzarella
Crunch Macadamia Nuts
Dressing Hawaiian
Hawaiian Dressing
1/2 cup Lawry's Hawaiian Marinade
2 Tablespoon oil
2 Tablespoon honey
Combine marinade, oil, and honey, mix well.
Makes about 3/4 cup
Grilled Mesquite Chicken Salad
Lettuce Mix with Carrots and Cabbage
Add Cherry Tomatoes
Red/Green Pepper Strips
Sweet Onion Rings
Corn
Cheese Colby Jack
Crunch Red, White, and Blue Tortilla Strips
Dressing Ranch
Grilled Herb and Garlic Chicken Salad
Lettuce Mix with Carrots and Cabbage
Add Cherry Tomatoes
Sweet Onion Rings
Cucumber Slices
Peas
Cheese Medium Cheddar
Crunch Herb Seasoned Croutons
Dressing Creamy Herb
Creamy Herb Dressing - very delicious, fresh taste, and light texture.
2 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
2 tablespoon mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoon milk
Stir together mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, dill, and chives in a small bowl.
makes about 1 cup.
I made an equal number of each salad, but the Hawaiian Salad was by far everyone's favorite. It was gone before any had even taken an Herb and Garlic Salad. It must have been the dressing. Everyone loved the Hawaiian Dressing and wanted the recipe. Lesson learned.... make more Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Salad!
Springtime Punch
2 cups sugar
2-1/2 cups water
1 cup lemon juice
1 cup orange juice
6 ounce can pineapple juice concentrate
2 liters ginger ale
In a saucepan, boil sugar and water lightly until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat. Stir in juices. Refrigerate.
To serve, pour juice mixture into punch bowl, stir in ginger ale. Float lemon and orange slices.
I hope you try these salads for your next lunch or special luncheon. I received many compliments on them.
Menu
Grilled Chicken Salad
Seasoned Roasted Potatoes
Fruit Platter
Mini Croissants and Garlic Bread Sticks
Punch
Cake
I prepared the chicken tenders the night before. Simply marinade tenders in Lawry's marinade for 1 hour. I made three different flavors, Hawaiian, Mesquite, Herb and Garlic. I chose to broil the tenders instead of grill. Broil for a total of 14 minutes, turning twice. They came out beautiful. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
To plate these salads start with about 1-1/2 cups of lettuce on each plate. Next place the four add-ons separately on four different sides of plate. Sprinkle with cheese. Slice two chicken tenders and lay on top. Finally sprinkle crunch item over everything. Serve dressing on the side.
Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Salad
Lettuce Butterhead
Add Red/Green Pepper Strips
Sweet Onion Rings
Pineapple Rings
Dried Banana Chips
Cheese Mozzarella
Crunch Macadamia Nuts
Dressing Hawaiian
Hawaiian Dressing
1/2 cup Lawry's Hawaiian Marinade
2 Tablespoon oil
2 Tablespoon honey
Combine marinade, oil, and honey, mix well.
Makes about 3/4 cup
Grilled Mesquite Chicken Salad
Lettuce Mix with Carrots and Cabbage
Add Cherry Tomatoes
Red/Green Pepper Strips
Sweet Onion Rings
Corn
Cheese Colby Jack
Crunch Red, White, and Blue Tortilla Strips
Dressing Ranch
Grilled Herb and Garlic Chicken Salad
Lettuce Mix with Carrots and Cabbage
Add Cherry Tomatoes
Sweet Onion Rings
Cucumber Slices
Peas
Cheese Medium Cheddar
Crunch Herb Seasoned Croutons
Dressing Creamy Herb
Creamy Herb Dressing - very delicious, fresh taste, and light texture.
2 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
2 tablespoon mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoon milk
Stir together mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, dill, and chives in a small bowl.
makes about 1 cup.
I made an equal number of each salad, but the Hawaiian Salad was by far everyone's favorite. It was gone before any had even taken an Herb and Garlic Salad. It must have been the dressing. Everyone loved the Hawaiian Dressing and wanted the recipe. Lesson learned.... make more Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Salad!
Springtime Punch
2 cups sugar
2-1/2 cups water
1 cup lemon juice
1 cup orange juice
6 ounce can pineapple juice concentrate
2 liters ginger ale
In a saucepan, boil sugar and water lightly until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat. Stir in juices. Refrigerate.
To serve, pour juice mixture into punch bowl, stir in ginger ale. Float lemon and orange slices.
I hope you try these salads for your next lunch or special luncheon. I received many compliments on them.
First Radish Harvest Yum!
Today I harvested about half of my Champion Radishes and French Breakfast Radishes. The Sparkler Radishes are still quite small. I will harvest those in a few days. The Champions are mild with a good flavor. The French Breakfast are spicy hot. I do not think I will grow French Breakfast again. Everything else in the garden is doing very well.
Last week I added to my orchard with a Red Delicious Apple tree and a Bartlett Pear tree. This weekend I plan on putting in a strawberry patch.
The garden is so pleasant. I do so enjoy watching things grow.
Last week I added to my orchard with a Red Delicious Apple tree and a Bartlett Pear tree. This weekend I plan on putting in a strawberry patch.
The garden is so pleasant. I do so enjoy watching things grow.
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