tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35112047221829610252023-11-16T05:21:58.344-08:00Daily EnduranceA little lift to help get through the day!Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-22797893791505039322012-09-15T09:59:00.002-07:002012-09-15T10:02:26.886-07:00Honey Whole Wheat Apple Cinnamon Pancakes!<i><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wanted to find a new, fiber-rich, yummy breakfast item, and this is what I came up with! Very tasty, and very filling! Enjoy!!! :)</span></i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 cups whole-wheat flour</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups oatmeal</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 tablespoon baking powder</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 teaspoons baking soda</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 teaspoons cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 1/2 cups milk (can use buttermilk, too!)</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3 tablespoons applesauce</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 eggs</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3 tablespoons honey</span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whisk dry ingredients together. Add wet ingredients. Mix well. Let sit 10 minutes while you heat the griddle. Spray the griddle with non-stick cooking spray. Cook the first side until they start to look set, flip, cook the other side to a golden brown. They are big, fluffy, and FILLING! Top with fruit compote or cinnamon-applesauce, or use your favorite syrups. Enjoy!!!</span>Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-85409368688615357812012-06-23T22:25:00.000-07:002012-06-23T22:25:20.680-07:00Summer Fun!!!<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now that summer is upon us in full swing, I decided I would share my tricks and tips that I use with my kids to make the best of the warm weather and extra time!</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">First, on days that it's just too scorching hot to go outside, my kids go stir-crazy! Once chores are done and "electronic box" time is exhausted, I break out this fun little recipe! Enjoy!</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<i><u><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Edible Play Dough</b></span></u></i><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 cup powdered milk</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 cup powdered sugar</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 cup Karo syrup</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 cup peanut butter</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mix well. Play with it like regular play dough, and enjoy eating your creations! To store, just put it in a zip-lock bag! SO quick, so easy, so fun!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On my days off (weekends---YAY!!!), I always try to find something fun to do outside the house for the kids. Just playing outside, like running through the sprinklers, is reserved for weekdays. So here are my tricks to finding fun things to do that won't break the family budget!</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">* Find out if your community has any free events, discount programs, etc. My county has a list of free activities every Saturday! I have taken my kids to an aquatic center and the dinosaur park for free so far! My old community offered scholarships to children who qualified financially, and I was able to use these for swimming lessons, baseball, and dance lessons! </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">* Do some research on places in your community that are fun and cost little to nothing. We have an air force museum here that is free and always a lot of fun, and a historical fort located in a park where admission is only $1, and you can add canoeing for not much more! This will always provide you with a quick "I'm bored" solution.</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">* Do not discount your local park! A picnic lunch with playing on the equipment for an hour afterwards is always a sure kid-pleaser! As a bonus, many parks host activities for kids in the summer afternoons!</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One of my favorite things to do is also to just look in my son's Boy Scouts handbook to see what he needs to pass off. Often, there are ideas in there that the whole family can enjoy, and it carries the added bonus of counting towards his requirements!</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I hope these ideas help other parents who are facing that age-old cry of summer, "I'm bored!" If you have any other ideas, please feel free to share them in your comments! Best of luck with your imps in the heat!!! </span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<br />Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-17568413368241832182011-11-24T09:26:00.001-08:002011-11-24T09:31:45.460-08:00Red Mush!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;">This was one of my grandmother's recipes. It's a super-yummy Danish dessert that my cousins and I all grew up on and all still love and make for our own families. It's a MUST on my Thanksgiving table. Enjoy!!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span><br />
<u><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">Red Mush (ie Grape Tapioca Pudding):</span></i></b></u><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b45f06;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">2 qts. (8 cups) grape juice</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">3/4 cup tapioca beads</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">Half & Half (or milk for a healthier version)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">Pour juice into a pot. (You can add sugar to the juice if you want it sweeter.) Sprinkle tapioca beads over juice. Let sit for 5 minutes. Cook over medium heat until boiling, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Cool 20 minutes. Stir. To serve, dish into a bowl and top with a little bit of Half & Half. </span>Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-6156278874621867482011-11-11T17:47:00.001-08:002011-11-11T18:31:35.036-08:00Ex RecipesOne of the best things I got out of over a decade of failed marriage was a small collection of recipes that my ex-husband's mother and grandmother gave me. I decided to share the best of them on here for everyone to enjoy. :)<br />
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<b><i>YAKISOBA</i></b><br />
1/2 pound round steak<br />
1 small cabbage, shredded<br />
1 small green pepper cut in thin, small wedges<br />
1 onion, cut in small wedges<br />
1 large carrot, cut in thin strips<br />
1 pkg. Yakisoba or Chukasoba stir fry noodles<br />
1 bottle Ikari Tonkatsu cutlet sauce<br />
<br />
In small amount of oil in bottom of a wok, cook the round steak until the steak loses its color. Add all of the vegetables and cook to desired doneness. Stir often. While vegetables are cooking, place noodles in strainer and rinse with hot water. Let drain. Add noodles to cooked vegetables and meat. Stir well. Add cutlet sauce to taste. (Stir often, will burn on bottom.) Serve with rice.<br />
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<b><i>FAVORITE BEEF STROGANOFF</i></b><br />
1 pound round steak, cut in thin pieces about 1" (type and amount of meat can be varied, according to taste)<br />
1 medium onion, sliced thin<br />
Schilling minced garlic (equal to 1 clove)<br />
1 can cream of mushroom soup<br />
8 oz. sour cream<br />
1 large can mushroom bits-do not drain<br />
2 T ketchup<br />
2 t Worcestershire sauce<br />
<br />
Brown steak in small amount of cooking oil. Add onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic. In bowl, mix soup, sour cream, mushrooms including juice, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Add to meat and onions. Heat well. Serve over noodles.<br />
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<b><i>GERMAN PANCAKES</i></b>
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6 eggs<br />
1 cup milk<br />
1 cup flour<br />
1 tsp salt<br />
1/4 cup butter<br />
<br />
Melt the butter in a glass pan in a 350* oven. Mix the eggs and milk, then add the flour and salt, mixing in well. Pour the egg mixture over the hot melted butter and bake for 20 minutes. Serve hot out of the oven.<br />
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<b><i>CHEESE POTATO SOUP</i></b><br />
6-7 large potatoes<br />
1 can evaporated milk<br />
1 carrot<br />
2 cups salted water<br />
4 tsp chicken bouillon<br />
3-4 cups cheese<br />
1 cup water<br />
<br />
Peel and grate potatoes and carrot, then put into pot. Grate cheese and set aside. Prepare chicken broth in water and set aside. Add salted water to potatoes and carrot, and cook on high heat until potatoes are thick (about 15 minutes), stirring constantly. Add bouillon, canned milk, and cheese. Continue cooking until cheese is melted, then turn down heat and simmer for two hours, stirring occasionally.<br />
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<b><i>TURKEY ENCHILADAS</i></b><br />
2 cans cream of chicken soup, undiluted<br />
1 cup grated Mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese<br />
1 cup sour cream<br />
3 cups chicken or turkey, cooked and chopped<br />
Garlic salt to taste<br />
Onion powder to taste<br />
Salt and pepper to taste<br />
1 cup sliced black olives<br />
12 flour tortillas<br />
1/2 cup grated Mozzarella cheese<br />
<br />
Make a sauce by mixing soup, cheese, and sour cream. Pour 1/3 of sauce into bottom of 9x13 baking dish. Mix turkey, seasonings, olives, and 1/3 of the sauce together. Put a small amount of turkey mixture in each tortilla. Roll and place on top of the sauce in the baking dish. Pour the remaining sauce on top. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Bake 350* for 20-30 minutes or until slightly browned.<br />
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<b><i>WON TONS</i></b><br />
1/2 pound ground beef or leftover roast<br />
Chopped green onions with tops<br />
Finely grated carrot<br />
Chopped water chestnuts<br />
1 egg, beaten<br />
Chopped bean sprouts<br />
1 tsp soy sauce<br />
chopped mushrooms<br />
won ton skins<br />
<br />
Mix ingredients all together and put in won ton skins. Deep fry in oil until brown. Serve with seafood sauce.<br />
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<b><i>SEAFOOD SAUCE</i></b><br />
1 cup ketchup<br />
1 teaspoon lemon juice<br />
2 teaspoons horseradish<br />
<br />
Stir together.<br />
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<b><i>RICE KRISPIE ICE CREAM DESSERT</i></b><br />
1/2 cup brown sugar<br />
1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream<br />
1/2 cup margarine or butter<br />
1 bag frozen sliced strawberries<br />
1 cup shredded coconut<br />
1/2 cup finely chopped nuts<br />
1 pkg. Danish Dessert<br />
6 cups rice crispies<br />
<br />
Mix together coconut, nuts, and rice crispies. Heat brown sugar and margarine until melted and well blended. Mix with rice crispies. Press half of mixture into a 9x13 baking pan. Top with sliced ice cream. Cover with the other half of rice crispie mixture. Freeze. Cut into serving-size pieces and serve individually with a topping of frozen sliced strawberries in Danish Dessert sauce.Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-15376052105868676392011-09-08T13:37:00.000-07:002011-09-08T13:37:57.012-07:00My Fun, Unsavory HeritageI was discussing with someone today our fun, unsavory ancestries. His are quieter, and probably a bit more unsavory than mine, but mine are fun and interesting nonetheless, so I figured I'd share some of them. It might shed a little light on the less fun aspects (read stubborn) parts of my own personality. ;)
I am the descendant of members of the James gang for one (yes, the gang who rode and wrought havoc with the notorious Jesse James). My ancestors were fond of guns...and disobedience. They didn't often do as told. Another less-famous ancestor was hanged for being a horse thief. Apparently he was good at the disobedience, but a little less handy with the gun. And he got greedy...that's always a bad thing. I had one who was thrown in jail because he wanted to play cards on Sunday. Scratch that, not wanted...did. He was told to stop, and I imagine he just laughed...all the way to his cell. Not sure why he didn't just use the dang gun. Maybe he lost it in a hand?
I am a descendant of the Booth family. Who comes to mind there? My infamous cousin, ole John Wilkes Booth, who was a little bit pissed off, used the gun, and shot Abraham Lincoln. Oops. I should also mention that my family has always been a little quick to temper, too. ;)
I come from good stock, too, mind you. I had some very well-to-do ancestors who were plantation owners in Virginia...oh, yeah, they were slave owners, too...but I'm sure they treated their guys well!
And me? Well, I learned a long time ago that I like guns, too, and that if needed, I will pull the trigger. There's a reason I don't keep one on me all the time, although I would love a job where I could just shoot someone if they piss me off. It must be in my blood. I have done stupid things, too, just out of stubbornness and disobedience. I was arrested for trespassing and breaking & entering, until it was discovered that I just had the wrong address. Oops. I double-check now before I forcefully enter a house. ;) I was only armed with a flashlight that time, though! It should have been a good tip-off, except the police out there also seem to enjoy the thought of shooting someone at random. Hey, we must be related!Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-290547462459777292011-07-26T23:40:00.000-07:002011-07-26T23:40:01.489-07:00Matters of the Heart"I love you." Seems a simple enough phrase, no? I've been giving some thought to those three little words, and their meanings that they hold for different individuals in my life. I decided to collect my thoughts here.<br />
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From the moment my children were born, I knew that I loved them, although to be honest, sometimes it took a few days to really feel the connection with the little stranger sleeping on me. I never doubted my full devotion to them, and knew that the overwhelming feeling I had to be near them and to care for and protect them was love. I understood then just why someone would give up their own life for someone else. It is a very pure form of love. Now, with my children at ages 8, 5, and 2, I tell them often that I love them, and never forget that those words mean that I will always be there for them, and that I will forever be willing to sacrifice anything and everything for their well-being.<br />
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For my parents and siblings, "I love you" coming from me is a reminder that I am grateful that despite our differences, we remain family, and that our bond is that of blood. We have survived fights, divorce, death, estrangements...and through it all, when one of us reaches out for help, the others immediately throw out any and all available resources to pull through together. I would have been homeless during my divorce if my mother, whom I had not spoken to in nearly 4 1/2 years prior to my reaching out for help, hadn't realized this deep bond and opened her door to me and my children. I share that same drive to assist when my siblings come to me in need of food to help them get to their next paycheck. It's just what family does. No questions asked; no request refused.<br />
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I tell my closest friends that I love them, too, and that is my seal of my devotion to our friendship. There is nothing I would not do for those friends. Some friends in my life have come and gone, others have been fair-weather friends, but some are true friends, and those are the ones to whom I profess a love. Those are they who know my strengths and my weaknesses, and still accept me unconditionally. They are the ones I know I can turn to in my times of need and they will do everything in their power to help me, and they know that they can reach out to me, as well, and I will do anything to help them. They are they with whom hours fly and feel like only minutes when we are together. They are they who can pick up a conversation after a long period of time right where we left off and we are totally comfortable talking about everything, as well as with a silence that sometimes speaks more than words. My love for them is a platonic, unbreakable love.<br />
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Of course, these words generally bring straight to mind a romantic love. I have spoken them to a few different men in my life, but not every boyfriend I ever had was worthy of hearing those words from me, so some did not. As a teenager, I felt compelled to speak them as a way to make sure that my boyfriend knew I was wanting to be there with him. I learned quickly that such a thing does not work (the one time I tried it, I was dumped the same day). Next, I felt that I should use the phrase to solidify a sexual relationship (also does not work, especially when the heart simply isn't in it). After that, I became far more discretionary, and used it only with the man I married, and that didn't work out so well, either. Although I meant it at the time, circumstances changed my life path and also altered my emotions to where, although I "like" him as a friend and the father of my children, I do not love him in the romantic sense. I have since discussed this with someone with whom I entered a romantic relationship, and realized that I now am in tune with my emotions enough to realize when that emotion is present (and when it's not), and then am quick to voice it, while he disclosed to me that with him, love is something that must develop gradually and make him realize that he would do anything for the person that he professes it to before he could utter the words. Difference between male and female? Perhaps, but I think it is more a difference of background. I want always to have my romantic partners know where I stand in a relationship, so when I recognize that I am at that point, I voice it. He had been in situations where it was voiced, but not shown, so he must make sure he really feels it prior to voicing it.<br />
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In short, those are the four versions of love that my heart beats for: parental love, love for my family of origin, friendly (platonic) love, and romantic love. The same three words profess one of these four versions of the love that I feel toward certain individuals. I really enjoy the movie "Made of Honor" where the leading male character tells the leading female character, "You're an 'I love you' slut...you say it to everyone!" That about sums me up, too. I say it to many, but now when I say it, it is because it is true, and there is real meaning and emotion behind the words, even if the meanings and emotions vary slightly depending on the person to whom I profess the love. :)Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-55788071980898465502011-07-10T09:34:00.000-07:002011-07-10T09:34:29.586-07:00Summer StormsLast night I had the privilege of being out in one of nature's most perfect creations--the summer storm. Summer storms are a complete sensory experience, and combine the 4 elements perfectly. To understand the value of something we tend to take for granted, we need to explore our senses and the elements and how they all come into play in this grand display of the power of nature.<br />
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The four elements are air, fire, water, and earth. Air comes into play first, using a breeze or wind to usher in the storm and to keep it moving along. As the cooler air of the storm meets the warm stagnant air, fire makes its entrance, sending dazzling whips of lightning across the sky and to the ground, where it combines with earth to make the sound of thunder. Water pours from the sky as rain, and combines with earth to sustain it. All four elements are completely in harmony for the short duration of the storm.<br />
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But how do we fully experience the storm and all its wonders? It requires the use of every one of our senses. Smell--Close your eyes and breathe deeply the smell of the warm, damp earth. This is one of life's greatest simple pleasures. Sight--Open your eyes up again and watch as sheets of rain come to the ground and lightning dances across the sky. Simply take in the wondrous sights. Hearing--Listen to the rhythmic pattering of the rain on the earth, interrupted here and there by the boom of the power of nature made manifest in thunder. Taste--Turn your face up to the rain. Allow it to pour over your face. Either catch raindrops on your tongue, or lick them off your lips. Savor the flavor of the storm. Touch--Feel the cool wetness of the rain on your warm skin, and then notice the feel of the breeze as it glides over the water, cooling your body. <br />
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Allow yourself to experience all of your senses on alert and in harmony with the elements in the storm. Be a part of nature while you simply experience the storm. Done correctly, it is akin to a state of nirvana, or enlightenment. A total calm, a total peace, a reconnect with nature.Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-62972239605245426122011-06-06T15:29:00.000-07:002011-06-06T15:29:03.286-07:00A Little Paganism is a Good Thing!I have given much consideration to religion over the past 6 months (in the time since I left my ex-husband). I have decided that I am a neo-Pagan more than anything. I feel the same quiet peace just sitting out in the middle of the mountains that I did sitting in the Celestial Room of the LDS temple. So what, you may ask, is a neo-Pagan? Well, that encompasses many things. There is a basic belief in karma, that what goes around comes around, and threefold, nonetheless. There is also the belief in magick. Now, I used to place my belief in the priesthood, and have found it to not be a far leap to go to magick. The spells are very much like prayers, only you call upon the elements in addition to any gods/goddesses you'd like to appeal to. The one time I have done a spell, it was a protection spell for a friend who was thrown in jail under false allegations. For the duration of the spell, the power was knocked out in the house. Once I was done, it came back on. And my friend? Released the following day.<br />
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If you are still here and reading this, you must have an open mind. Thanks! That brings me to what I actually wanted to blog about. I have been learning about the powers of stones when they are used in healing. I'm experimenting on myself. I have been feeling the draw of the moonstone for a couple of months now. As I researched what the power of the moonstone is, it made sense to me. The moonstone is a woman's stone. When worn on a waxing moon, it is said to help bring love to the wearer, and when worn on a waning moon, it is said to assist in divination. It helps to even out emotions, and aids in regulation of the female menstrual cycle. Having gone through several job changes, a move, an eviction, another move, a separation, and a divorce in the past year, well...you can imagine how my emotions and my cycle were behaving! I was a mess! I am currently wearing the moonstone, and really, I feel a difference in my calm state of mind now, and those around me have noticed a difference. I plan to take my moonstone out under the Honey Moon (the full moon on June 15th this year) and cleanse it in mineral water under the full moon to restore it. It is really helping so far! I'm thrilled!<br />
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I have also researched amethyst, and have learned that it is a great stone for healing. A dear friend of mine is suffering severe and frequent migraines, and I am making her an amethyst necklace to help heal her. I am looking forward to seeing how it works for her!<br />
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As I learn more about the powers of nature around us (such as in the gemstones mentioned) I will add them to this blog so that others may see how they have worked for me, and will hopefully be able to use them to benefit themselves as well. :) Until then, may all of my readers enjoy good health and peace in their souls!Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-81971657136166709272011-03-16T16:11:00.000-07:002011-03-16T16:11:25.139-07:00Irish Soda Bread for St. Patrick's Day<div style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">Here's a good, authentic Irish recipe for St. Patrick's Day! It is great served with a hearty beef stew. I got this particular one off food.com.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;"><i><u><b>Irish Soda Bread</b></u></i></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">4 cups flour</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">1 1/2 teaspoons salt</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">1 teaspoon baking soda</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">2 cups buttermilk</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease a baking sheet or round pan.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">Mix the flour, salt, and baking soda; add the buttermilk and stir briskly with a fork until the dough holds together in a rough mass.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">Knead on a lightly floured board for about 30 seconds, then form into an 8-inch round, about 1 1/2 inches thick.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">Slash a large about 1/4 inch deep X across the top, and bake for 45-50 minutes, until browned and the X has spread open.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;"><br />
</div><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f;">Cool on a rack, and then wrap in a slightly damp towel and let rest on the rack for at least 8 hours.</span>Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-69595369170536077782011-03-11T00:58:00.000-08:002011-03-11T00:58:38.262-08:00Story of Irish Endurance<span style="color: #38761d;">With St. Patrick's Day just around the corner, I thought I'd share a story of endurance from my own Irish ancestry. My ancestress Mary Rennie was born and raised in Ireland. She married James Laird of Scotland, and they were early members of the LDS church. They decided to come to America to join the other members of the church in Utah. They packed up what little they could bring. Mary's treasures were a new suit for James, a beautiful green gown for herself, and a precious baby's layette. Their son, my ancestor Joseph Smith Laird, was only 7 years old at the time of this voyage. They came to America by boat, then began the trek overland. They had joined the ill-fated Willie Handcart Company, which started out too late in the year. One of the jobs James was given during the trek was to help bury the dead. Unfortunately, the going was so slow that rations were very scarce, and one morning James felt unable to carry out this duty. Captain Willie gave James a handful of corn and requested that he eat, then come help bury those who had died during the night. James looked at his family--his wife Mary, oldest son Joseph, and the other children (the youngest of whom was still an infant who was breastfeeding). He knew they were hungry, too, so he gave them the corn and went to help. He recorded in his journal that he was not unbearably hungry for the rest of the journey. At one of the stops along the way, Mary knew she needed to buy a sugar teat for the baby, since her own milk supply had dried up from lack of nutrition. To do this, she traded her precious baby's layette for a sugar teat from a captain's wife at the fort. Treasure #1 of 3 gone. After the ill-fated group arrived in Utah (and surprisingly, all of the family arrived alive), they settled in the valley. Not too long afterward, one of the neighboring farmers decided to go on a mission, but didn't have clothes worthy of such a thing, so the Lairds gave him James' suit that brought from Ireland. They were never repaid. Treasure #2 of 3 gone. As the saints built the Salt Lake Endowment House, the request went out among the members for help getting temple clothes. Mary cut up her beautiful green gown to make temple aprons. Her final treasure brought with her from Ireland was gone. She had sacrificed all of her Earthly treasures, but did so without complaint. More babies were born to the family, but sickness was very unkind in the valley, robbing the Lairds of nearly all of their children. Mary eventually could no longer handle all of the deaths of her children, and her broken heart succumbed to the desire to join them in death. Because of the family's endurance of unthinkable trials, however, a part of Tooele and a part of Box Elder County were settled by their descendants. The LDS population in Utah would not be what it is now without these courageous souls who found their faith in Ireland and followed it to an unknown land, risking, and eventually losing, everything. Their strong Irish blood runs hotly in my veins, and I am grateful for my Irish heritage, not just on March 17th, but every day.</span>Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-4653507734795091922011-01-01T10:46:00.000-08:002011-01-01T10:46:42.397-08:00New Year's Prayer<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody">Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep </span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody">I Pray The Lord My Shape To Keep. </span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody">Please No Wrinkles, Please No Bags </span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody">And Lift My Butt Before It Sags. </span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody">Please No Age Spots, Please No Grays </span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody">And as For My Belly, Please Take It Away. </span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody">Please Keep Me Healthy, </span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody">Please Keep Me Young, </span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody">And Thank You Lord </span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody">For All That You Have Done..</span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody"><span style="color: #674ea7;">~Author Unknown </span></span></span></h6>Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-13997524437238139792010-12-21T17:03:00.000-08:002010-12-21T17:03:16.468-08:00Muddy Buddies!<div style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>This is my 18-year-old brother's favorite Christmas treat. :) The recipe is adapted from chex.com, where there are LOTS of yummy things to do with that versatile little cereal!</i></div><br />
<div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You need:</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">9 cups rice or corn Chex cereal</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 cup semisweet chocolate chips</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/2 cup peanut butter</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/4 cup butter</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 teaspoon vanilla</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups powdered sugar</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Measure cereal into large bowl and set aside.</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In microwaveable mixing bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter uncovered on HIGH one minute. Stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer until mixture can be stirred smooth. Add vanilla. Stir. Pour over cereal. Stir until evenly coated. Add powdered sugar. Toss to coat. Allow to cool. Store in an airtight container.</span>Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-77213925891936947432010-11-15T12:08:00.000-08:002010-11-15T19:03:53.300-08:00Thanksgiving Kids' Craft<div style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We all know the old stand-by that mommies around the country treasure--the hand print turkey! I have expanded on that idea so Mom can have both the precious little hand print AND the sweet little foot print and finger prints to go with it!</div><div style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u>You will need:</u></div><div style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Construction paper of a light fall color (yellow/gold or light green works great!)</div><div style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Paint</div><div style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Smock to keep your little one *fairly* clean</div><div style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">SOAP! </div><div style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Markers</div><div style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Put smocks on all participating children. To <b>make the turkey,</b> slather your little turkey's hand with a good "turkey" color (brown or red both look fantastic). Help your child press his/her hand on the left side of the construction paper without too much smudging. Head to the bathroom right away to wash off the paint before you wind up with a wall mural. Next, it's time to <b>make a cornucopia!</b> Without too much tickling <i>(resist the urge!)</i> slather a good cornucopia color (brown, red, orange) on the bottom of your little tickle-bug's foot. Help your child press the right side of the construction paper to his/her foot (sideways) to transfer the foot print. Carry the child in to wash off the foot right away to avoid perma-footprints on your floor. Next, let your child dip one fingertip in a good fruit color (orange, red, green, yellow, etc) and press the finger print onto the construction paper just outside of the cornucopia where the toes side (opening of cornucopia) is. Make a few finger print fruits of different colors. Wash up again! Put the construction paper up to dry. When dry, your child can draw an eye, a beak, and feet on the turkey hand print and sign his/her name along with the year at the bottom. Display the masterpiece for Thanksgiving and then put away with the baby book or in another safe place as a keepsake that will be "oooh"ed and "ahhhh"ed over for years to come.</span>Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-35660794687793324742010-11-08T15:54:00.000-08:002010-11-15T11:44:13.626-08:00Healthier Thanksgiving Recipes!<i style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I LOVE Thanksgiving! The food, the memories, the sitting and eating with family until we're as stuffed as the turkey was! However, with being a Prediabetic and trying to lose weight, I can't indulge the way I have in the past, so I've been looking for good, healthy versions of my favorite Thanksgiving foods. Here are three of the yummy made-over recipes I've found. All recipes are taken from EatingWell.com. Happy Cooking!</span></i><br />
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<div style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Green Bean Casserole</span></b></u></div><br />
<div class="span-16 headinggroup2" style="color: #274e13;"><div class="span-9 border"><h3>Ingredients</h3><ul><li>3 tablespoons canola oil, divided</li>
<li>1 medium sweet <a class="iAs" href="http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/green_bean_casserole.html_0#" style="background-color: transparent ! important; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0.075em solid blue ! important; font-size: 100% ! important; font-weight: normal ! important; padding-bottom: 1px ! important; padding-left: 0pt; padding-right: 0pt; padding-top: 0pt; text-decoration: underline ! important;" target="_blank"></a>onion (half diced, half thinly sliced), divided</li>
<li>8 ounces mushrooms, chopped</li>
<li>1 tablespoon onion powder</li>
<li>1 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon dried thyme</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper</li>
<li>2/3 cup all-purpose flour, divided</li>
<li>1 cup low-fat milk</li>
<li>3 tablespoons dry sherry, (see Ingredient Note)</li>
<li>1 pound frozen French-cut green beans, (about 4 cups)</li>
<li>1/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream</li>
<li>3 tablespoons buttermilk powder, (see Ingredient Note)</li>
<li>1 teaspoon paprika</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon garlic powder</li>
</ul></div></div><h3 style="color: #274e13;">Preparation</h3><ol itemprop="instructions" style="color: #274e13;"><li>Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a 2 1/2-quart baking dish with cooking spray.</li>
<li>Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook, stirring often, until softened and slightly translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in mushrooms, onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, thyme and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the mushroom juices are almost evaporated, 3 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle 1/3 cup flour over the vegetables; stir to coat. Add milk and sherry and bring to a simmer, stirring often. Stir in green beans and return to a simmer. Cook, stirring, until heated through, about 1 minute. Stir in sour cream and buttermilk powder. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.</li>
<li>Whisk the remaining 1/3 cup flour, paprika, garlic powder and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a shallow dish. Add sliced onion; toss to coat. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion along with any remaining flour mixture and cook, turning once or twice, until golden and crispy, 4 to 5 minutes. Spread the onion topping over the casserole.</li>
<li>Bake the casserole until bubbling, about 15 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.</li>
</ol><h3 style="color: #274e13;">Tips & Notes</h3><ul style="color: #274e13;"><li> <b>Ingredient notes:</b> </li>
<li> Don't use the high-sodium “cooking sherry” sold in many supermarkets. Instead, purchase dry sherry sold with other fortified wines. </li>
<li> Look for buttermilk powder, such as Saco Buttermilk Blend, in the baking section or with the powdered milk in most supermarkets. </li>
</ul><h3 style="color: #274e13;">Nutrition</h3><span itemprop="nutrition" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/Nutrition" style="color: #274e13;"> <b><span itemprop="servingSize">Per serving</span>:</b> <span itemprop="calories">212</span> calories; <span itemprop="fat">10</span> g fat (<span itemprop="saturatedFat">2</span> g sat, 5 g mono); <span itemprop="cholesterol">10</span> mg cholesterol; <span itemprop="carbohydrates">23</span> g carbohydrates; <span itemprop="protein">7</span> g protein; <span itemprop="fiber">3</span> g fiber; 533 mg sodium; 259 mg potassium.<br />
</span> <br />
<div style="color: #274e13;"><b>Nutrition Bonus</b>: Calcium (16% daily value).</div><div style="color: #274e13;">1 1/2 Carbohydrate Serving</div><div style="color: #274e13;"><b>Exchanges:</b> 1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 2 fat</div><div style="color: #274e13;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Maple-Roasted Sweet Potatoes</span></b></u></div><br />
<div class="span-16 headinggroup2" style="color: #b45f06;"><div class="span-9 border"><h3>Ingredients</h3><ul><li>2 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces (about 8 cups)</li>
<li>1/3 cup pure maple syrup</li>
<li>2 tablespoons butter, melted</li>
<li>1 tablespoon lemon juice</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon salt</li>
<li>Freshly ground pepper, to taste</li>
</ul></div><div class="span-7 last"></div></div><h3 style="color: #b45f06;">Preparation</h3><ol itemprop="instructions" style="color: #b45f06;"><li>Preheat oven to 400°F.</li>
<li>Arrange sweet potatoes in an even layer in a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish. Combine maple syrup, butter, lemon juice, salt and pepper in small bowl. Pour the mixture over the sweet potatoes; toss to coat.</li>
<li>Cover and bake the sweet potatoes for 15 minutes. Uncover, stir and cook, stirring every 15 minutes, until tender and starting to brown, 45 to 50 minutes more.</li>
</ol><h3 style="color: #b45f06;">Tips & Notes</h3><ul style="color: #b45f06;"><li><b>Make Ahead Tip</b>: Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Just before serving, reheat at 350°F until hot, about 15 minutes.</li>
</ul><h3 style="color: #b45f06;">Nutrition</h3><span itemprop="nutrition" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/Nutrition" style="color: #b45f06;"> <b><span itemprop="servingSize">Per serving</span>:</b> <span itemprop="calories">96</span> calories; <span itemprop="fat">2</span> g fat (<span itemprop="saturatedFat">1</span> g sat, 0 g mono); <span itemprop="cholesterol">5</span> mg cholesterol; <span itemprop="carbohydrates">19</span> g carbohydrates; <span itemprop="protein">1</span> g protein; <span itemprop="fiber">2</span> g fiber; 118 mg sodium; 189 mg potassium.<br />
</span> <br />
<div style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Nutrition Bonus</b>: Vitamin A (230% daily value), Vitamin C (15% dv)</div><div style="color: #b45f06;">1 1/2 Carbohydrate Serving</div><div style="color: #b45f06;"><b>Exchanges:</b> 1 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat</div><div style="color: #b45f06;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">And, of course, the TURKEY!</span></b></u></div><div style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Herb-Roasted Turkey</span></b></u></div><br />
<div class="span-16 headinggroup2" style="color: #990000;"><div class="span-9 border"><h3>Ingredients</h3><ul><li>1 10-12-pound turkey</li>
<li>1/4 cup fresh herbs, plus 20 whole sprigs, such as thyme, rosemary, sage, oregano and/or marjoram, divided</li>
<li>2 tablespoons canola oil</li>
<li>1 teaspoon salt</li>
<li>1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper</li>
<li>Aromatics, onion, apple, lemon and/or orange, cut into 2-inch pieces</li>
<li>3 cups water, plus more as needed</li>
</ul></div><div class="span-7 last"></div></div><h3 style="color: #990000;">Preparation</h3><ol itemprop="instructions" style="color: #990000;"><li>Position a rack in the lower third of the oven; preheat to 475°F.</li>
<li>Remove giblets and neck from turkey cavities and reserve for making gravy. Place the turkey, breast-side up, on a rack in a large roasting pan; pat dry with paper towels. Mix minced herbs, oil, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Rub the herb mixture all over the turkey, under the skin and onto the breast meat. Place aromatics and 10 of the herb sprigs in the cavity. Tuck the wing tips under the turkey. Tie the legs together with kitchen string. Add 3 cups water and the remaining 10 herb sprigs to the pan.</li>
<li>Roast the turkey until the skin is golden brown, 45 minutes. Remove the turkey from the oven. If using a remote digital thermometer, insert it into the deepest part of the thigh, close to the joint. Cover the breast with a double layer of foil, cutting as necessary to conform to the breast. Reduce oven temperature to 350° and continue roasting for 11/4 to 13/4 hours more. If the pan dries out, tilt the turkey to let juices run out of the cavity into the pan and add 1 cup water. The turkey is done when the thermometer (or an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh without touching bone) registers 165°F.</li>
<li>Transfer the turkey to a serving platter and cover with foil. Let the turkey rest for 20 minutes. Remove string and carve.</li>
</ol><h3 style="color: #990000;">Tips & Notes</h3><ul style="color: #990000;"><li><b>Make Ahead Tip</b>: Equipment: Large roasting pan, roasting rack, kitchen string, thermometer</li>
</ul><h3 style="color: #990000;">Nutrition</h3><span itemprop="nutrition" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/Nutrition" style="color: #990000;"> <b><span itemprop="servingSize">Per serving (without skin)</span>:</b> <span itemprop="calories">155</span> calories; <span itemprop="fat">5</span> g fat (<span itemprop="saturatedFat">1</span> g sat, 2 g mono); <span itemprop="cholesterol">63</span> mg cholesterol; <span itemprop="sugar">0</span> g added sugars; <span itemprop="protein">25</span> g protein; <span itemprop="fiber">0</span> g fiber; 175 mg sodium; 258 mg potassium.<br />
</span> <br />
<div style="color: #990000;"><b>Exchanges:</b> 3 1/2 lean meat</div>Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-6675335065784773062010-11-05T10:03:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:03:56.886-07:00Perception is Reality<div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">While I was in college, I had a professor whose mantra was <u><i><b>"perception is reality."</b></i></u> Nearly all of the lessons he taught us came back to this simple truth. I had a recent run-in with this idea in my own reality that I thought I should share in case someone else has the same problem I had. </div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Over the past year, I have dealt with many hardships. My husband has lost his job 4 (yes, <i><b>FOUR</b></i>) times in the past 12 months, and now is working for only $9 per hour to support our family of 5, so finances have been front and center in my mind for a year now. In addition to that, I was cited in October for driving without proof of insurance, and was sentenced to a $900 fine, 40 days in jail, and a suspended driver's license. My only break was that the judge suspended $500 of the fine and the jail time upon my meeting all the conditions of my 1-year probation. This left me feeling helpless and picked on since my only crime was in being too poor to pay the car insurance bill. Add to this unresolved issues from a year ago where my mother-in-law came to my home, accused my husband of unspeakable (and untrue) atrocities, and then proceeded to attack me about it online, going so far as to threaten us with having the police take away our children (for which I consulted a lawyer, who said she didn't have a leg to stand on), and you can imagine the negative feelings that were building up inside of me.</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Yesterday I hit a low point. I was in the shower, thinking about Thanksgiving, and all of the negativity finally boiled over. I found myself in tears, unable to function, believing all of those voices that I've heard from others over the past year who have told me that I'm a no-good, lazy, indecent, stupid, heathen criminal who is going to Hell, who is unworthy of time or help, and who basically doesn't deserve the air that I breathe. I perceived all of these to be correct. How could they not be? They had been spoken by bishops, by family, and by the criminal justice system.</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I put out an unusual status message (for me) on Facebook relating my perception, and the response was overwhelming in the other direction. I was reminded that I am a strong, loved, supported individual with a good education and a loving family, and that while I've been going through some hard times, they do not reflect on who I am and have no bearing on my reality. I was counseled to look deep within myself, to where my own reality resides, and when I did so, I found that inner strength that they were assuring me was there.</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Deep within myself, I am a warrior--a defender of family and self who has thick armor and a just heart. I am supremely compassionate and will nearly always put others before myself. I am a wise sage, both by learned knowledge from my educational background and by acquired knowledge from my (not always pleasant) life experiences. I love deeply, serve selflessly, and defend what I know to be right and true. This is my reality.</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It was an eye-opener to see just how perception can cloud reality and how the two can be so entirely different. I am so grateful to have family and friends who can see beyond the fog and remind me that my inner vision is so perfectly clear that the reality can overcome the perception.</span>Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-24917344822297075852010-10-23T20:39:00.000-07:002010-10-23T20:40:32.527-07:00Soft Autumn Sugar Cookies<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uqH8FAI310J6Ey3pW2w-RAn95_6BfIaEUzKPlUIa0idQy2Zxj4_nSbAwaFQsrylGZnczcsKSg6l8dPvhx0WjltiGJTdwPeuvFjdkwQmRSJi8ZYS0LscORYrXNfRb3q-4Ij8YPB-Pm-Es/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0uqH8FAI310J6Ey3pW2w-RAn95_6BfIaEUzKPlUIa0idQy2Zxj4_nSbAwaFQsrylGZnczcsKSg6l8dPvhx0WjltiGJTdwPeuvFjdkwQmRSJi8ZYS0LscORYrXNfRb3q-4Ij8YPB-Pm-Es/s320/002.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 cup butter</span><br />
<div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups sugar</div><div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 eggs</div><div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 teaspoons vanilla</div><div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">4 cups flour</div><div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 teaspoon baking powder</div><div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 teaspoon baking soda</div><div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3/4 teaspoon salt</div><div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice</div><div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3/4 cup sour cream</div><div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 400*F. Beat butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Mix the dry ingredients together. Add dry ingredients to sugar mixture, alternating with sour cream. Chill 2-3 hours. Roll out and cut into desired shapes. Bake 10 minutes. Cool on wire racks.</div><div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For frosting:</div><div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/2 cup butter</div><div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Dash of salt</div><div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">5 teaspoons milk</div><div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">4 cups powdered sugar</div><div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 teaspoon vanilla</div><div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Mix together and spread on cooled cookies.</span>Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-27702707039037127662010-10-18T17:29:00.000-07:002010-10-18T17:30:26.254-07:00Ghoulishly Fun Recipes<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Witches' Brew</span></b></div><div style="background-color: orange; color: black;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: orange; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>You need:</u></span></div><div style="background-color: orange; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 envelope grape cool-aid mix</span></div><div style="background-color: orange; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 envelope orange cool-aid mix</span></div><div style="background-color: orange; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2 cups sugar</span></div><div style="background-color: orange; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3 quarts cold water</span></div><div style="background-color: orange; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 liter ginger ale</span></div><div style="background-color: orange; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 disposable glove</span></div><div style="background-color: orange; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Red food coloring</span></div><div style="background-color: orange; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rubber band </span></div><div style="background-color: orange; color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #b45f06; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">1. To make a frozen bloody hand, wash a disposable glove, fill with water, add a few drops of red food coloring, and seal with a rubber band. Freeze until hard.</span><br style="background-color: orange; color: black;" /><br style="background-color: orange; color: black;" /><span style="background-color: orange; color: black;">2. Stir together grape cool-aid mix, orange cool-aid mix, sugar and water until solids are dissolved. Combine with chilled ginger ale just before serving. Dip the frozen hand briefly in warm water, then peel off the glove. Float the prepared hand in the punch bowl for a ghastly effect.</span></span></div><br />
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Dirt Trifle</span></b></div><br />
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<div style="background-color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>You need:</u></span></div><div style="background-color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 pkg. brownie mix plus ingredients to make brownies</span></div><div style="background-color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 3/4 cups milk (1% for lower-fat dessert)</span></div><div style="background-color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2 small boxes chocolate instant pudding (sugar-free has fewer calories)</span></div><div style="background-color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">8-oz. tub cool-whip (try sugar-free or low-fat for a healthier treat)</span></div><div style="background-color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Oreos</span></div><div style="background-color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gummy worms</span></div><div style="background-color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="background-color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. Prepare brownies according to package directions. Cool thoroughly.</span></div><div style="background-color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="background-color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. In a bowl, mix pudding mix into milk until mixture begins to thicken. Fold in cool-whip.</span></div><div style="background-color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="background-color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Cut brownies into 1-inch cubes. Place cubes in bottom of trifle bowl. Top with half of the pudding mix. Crush oreos over pudding mix. Sprinkle gummy worms over oreos. Crush more oreos over gummy worms. Top with other half of the pudding mix. Crush more oreos over the top. Chill 30 minutes before serving.</span></div><br />
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<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Hot Spiced Cider</span></b></div><br />
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<div style="background-color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>You need:</u></span></div><div style="background-color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3 1/2 quarts apple cider</span></div><div style="background-color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2 cinnamon sticks</span></div><div style="background-color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 package (3 ounces) cherry-flavored gelatin</span></div><div style="background-color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="background-color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In a 4-6-quart slow cooker, add cinnamon sticks to apple cider and stir. Heat on high heat 3 hours. Stir in gelatin. Leave on high heat 1 more hour, until gelatin dissolves, stirring once or twice. Turn on low heat to keep warm. Remove cinnamon sticks before serving. Makes 10-15 servings. For a more intense cherry flavor, add an additional package of gelatin.</span></div><div style="background-color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span> </div><span style="background-color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Recipe taken from <u>101 Things To Do With A Slow Cooker</u> by Stephanie Ashcroft and Janet Eyring, page 18.</i></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 42pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #ff6600;"></span></div>Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-54046691877857555782010-09-14T16:04:00.000-07:002010-09-14T16:04:07.060-07:00My New Healthy Lifestyle!<div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A year ago, I was at a lower weight, but had just come out of an extremely Diabetic pregnancy, and my blood pressure peaked at 170/120. I was drinking about 32-44 ounces of diet caffeinated soda per day and not exercising at all. Every chance we got, we were eating fast food or buying sugary treats to enjoy. What happened after that is no surprise. I gained about 30 pounds, went on an awful blood pressure medication, and started to feel the effects of high blood sugars again (although I didn't check my levels). I was dehydrated and stressed out.</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Now I'm off my blood pressure medication with normal blood pressure levels. I'm starting to make a dent in my weight loss, and I look better and feel better. What did I do to make the difference? Here's the step-by-step changes I made to my lifestyle. I feel so much better and don't ever want to go back to my old destructive habits.</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u><i><b>April, 2010</b></i></u>--Joined the local aquatic center for its gym membership benefits. Started spinning once or twice a week for 20-30 minutes. Stopped blood pressure medication, although the levels were still a little bit high.</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u><i><b>May, 2010</b></i></u>--Tried Zumba classes at the aquatic center. LOVED it. Started taking Propel fitness water to drink for a healthier drink option. Invested in some good workout clothes.</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u><i><b>June, 2010</b></i></u>--Made Zumba a weekly habit. Worked out once a week for an hour. Stopped the weight gain.</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u><i><b>July, 2010</b></i></u>--Switched to water instead of Propel. No calories, healthier option. Switched all our grains to whole grains. Blood pressure levels nearing normal.</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u><i><b>August, 2010</b></i></u>--Increased Zumba to 4 times per week for an hour each time. Increased fresh fruits & veggies, decreased fatty meat and sugar.</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><u><i><b>September, 2010</b></i></u>--Gave up soda. Blood pressure levels are normal. Weight is going down. Going in to the doctor for annual Diabetes screening and weight management consultation.</div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So, basically, it's been little steps over 5 months that are starting to yield awesome results. Now I love discovering healthy new recipes and I look forward to (and really enjoy) exercising. :)</span>Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-18902995545166952442010-08-24T19:15:00.000-07:002010-08-24T19:15:26.435-07:00Kraft's Chicken Vegetable Marinara<div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i><b>I subscribe to the Kraft Food & Fun magazine, and when I got this Fall's issue, I found this little gem of a recipe. It's under 500 calories per serving, and it smells so wonderfully fragrant while cooking! </b></i></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Prep: 15 minutes</i></div><div style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Total: 55 minutes</i></div><div style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Makes: 4 servings, 1 3/4 cups each</i></div><br />
<div style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u><b>What you need:</b></u></div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 slices Oscar Mayer bacon, chopped</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 tsp. dried oregano leaves</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3 large carrots (1/2 lb.), diagonally sliced</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">3 cups fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1 jar (14 oz.) marinara sauce</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 cups multigrain rotini pasta, uncooked</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">2 zucchini, quartered lengthwise, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">1/2 cup Kraft 2% Milk Shredded Italian Three Cheese Blend</div><br />
<div style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u><b>Make it:</b></u></div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Cook and stir bacon in large saucepan on medium heat 4 min. or until crisp. Use slotted spoon to transfer bacon to medium bowl, reserving 2 tsp. drippings in pan. Add chicken and oregano to drippings; cook and stir 4 min. or until chicken is no longer pink. Add to bacon; set aside.</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Add carrots to saucepan; cook and stir 2 min. Add broth, marinara sauce and pasta; stir. Bring to boil on high heat; simmer on medium-low heat 12 min. Stir in zucchini and chicken mixture; simmer 8 to 10 min. or until pasta and vegetables are tender and chicken is done.</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #38761d; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Top with cheese.</div><br />
<div style="color: magenta; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Calories 490, fat 11g (sat 3.5g), chol 80mg, sodium 1140mg, carb 51g, fiber 9g, sugars 13g, protein 47g, vit A 250%DV, vit C 50%DV, iron 20%DV</div><br />
<div style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>Recipe taken from Kraft Foods Food & Family magazine, Fall '10 issue, page 11.</i></div><div style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <i><br />
</i></div><i style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You can find more awesome recipes from Kraft on </span></i><a href="http://www.kraftrecipes.com/">http://www.kraftrecipes.com</a>Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-35797117134029965112010-08-16T13:05:00.000-07:002010-08-16T13:05:51.198-07:00Quick Healthy Breakfasts!<div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i>With back-to-school time here, it's important to get our families good, healthy breakfasts in record time. This is a daunting task for the unprepared, but with a little preparation, it's really quite easy and rewarding! Here's a sample list for an entire week's breakfasts, with shopping list! This is what I do with my family.</i></div><div style="color: red;"></div><br />
<u style="color: lime;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Buy (on Saturday before the week begins):</span></b></u><br />
<div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Healthy, whole-grain cereal (ie Multigrain Cheerios)</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Gallon of milk</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Old-fashioned (NOT INSTANT) oatmeal</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Raisins</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Craisins</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Light Margarine</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sugar-free preserves (your favorite flavor)</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2 Dozen Eggs</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Whole-wheat flour (PANTRY STAPLE)</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All-purpose flour (PANTRY STAPLE)</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Applesauce</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Pancake mix (buckwheat is healthier)</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ground turkey breast</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Pure Maple Syrup</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Poultry Seasoning</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (PANTRY STAPLE)</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sugar (PANTRY STAPLE)</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Salt (PANTRY STAPLE)</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Black Pepper (PANTRY STAPLE)</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Whole Wheat English Muffins</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Shredded Cheddar Cheese</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cinnamon (PANTRY STAPLE)</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">8 McIntosh Apples</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Baking Powder (PANTRY STAPLE)</div><br />
<div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u><b>SATURDAY NIGHT (Prepare Make-Ahead Waffles & Oatmeal):</b></u></div><b style="color: lime;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">WAFFLES: </span></b><br />
<div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Whisk together in a large bowl:</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 1 cup whole-wheat flour</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 3/4 cup all-purpose flour</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 1 tablespoon baking powder</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 1 tablespoon sugar</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 1/2 teaspoon salt</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Whisk together in another bowl:</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 3 eggs, well beaten</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 1 cup applesauce</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 1 1/2 cups milk</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 1 tablespoon cinnamon</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, and pour in the wet ingredients. Gently whisk together until batter looks pebbled. Spoon 1/2 cup batter onto well-greased hot waffle iron. Spread evenly, and cook (closed) until waffle is golden brown. Repeat with rest of batter. Let waffles cool, and seal in freezer-safe ziploc bags (the big ones).</div><div style="color: lime; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b>OATMEAL:</b></div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 3 cups old-fashioned oatmeal (NOT INSTANT)</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 3 cups milk</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 4 cups water </div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 1/2 cup brown sugar</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 1/2 cup raisins</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 1/2 cup craisins</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 1/2 teaspoon salt</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Instructions:</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Combine the oatmeal, milk, and water in a large, deep saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. When it boils, quickly turn the heat down to very low. Stir in the brown sugar, dried fruits, and salt and cook at a low simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until very thick and creamy. Stir often to prevent the bottom from scorching. Cool completely and refrigerate in individual re-sealable containers to reheat on Tuesday.</div><br />
<div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><b>SUNDAY BREAKFAST (SUPER-SIZE HEALTHY BREAKFAST SANDWICHES):</b></i></div><div style="color: lime; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Sunday is usually a calmer morning around here, so I make a good breakfast then. This recipe is adapted from Rachael Ray's recipe.</i></div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ingredients:</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 2 tablespoons Extra-Virgin Olive Oil</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 1 pound ground turkey breast</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 1/4 cup pure maple syrup</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* Salt and Pepper</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 8 eggs (or use just the whites for a healthier meal)</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 1/4 cup milk</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 4 whole-wheat English muffins</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Optional Toppers:</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* Thinly sliced apple</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* Tomato slices</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* Sliced Dill pickles</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Instructions:</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Preheat the broiler. Preheat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, once around the pan. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, maple syrup, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper. Form 4 large, thin patties and cook 10-12 minutes, turning once. Remove and reserve. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Beat the eggs with milk, salt, and pepper. Pop the split English muffins under the broiler to toast when you add the eggs to the skillet. Scramble the eggs until they are done to your taste, and remove the muffins from the oven when nicely browned. Top each muffin bottom with a sausage patty, one fourth of the eggs, and 1/4 cup of the cheese. Place the sammies without their tops under the broiler for 1 minute to melt the cheese. Top with any toppers you would like, or just set the tops in place and serve. Serves 4.</div><br />
<div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><b>MONDAY BREAKFAST (CEREAL):</b></i></div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cereal is the quintessential go-to quick breakfast, and the whole grains give a great start to the day. Just watch your portion sizes!</div><br />
<div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><b>TUESDAY BREAKFAST (OATMEAL):</b></i></div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">For instant, healthy oatmeal quickly, get the pre-made oatmeal that has already been refrigerated in individual portions out of the fridge. Warm in the microwave, and serve with extra milk.</div><br />
<div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><b>WEDNESDAY BREAKFAST (WAFFLES):</b></i></div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Get the whole-wheat apple cinnamon waffles out of the freezer and toast them. Spread fruit preserves over them or drizzle with maple syrup to serve.</div><br />
<div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><b>THURSDAY BREAKFAST (EGGS):</b></i></div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Preheat skillet over medium-high heat with some light margarine to just coat the skillet. Beat as many eggs as your family will eat with some milk. Season with salt and pepper. Pour eggs into skillet, and scramble. Once eggs are almost set, sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese. Serve warm with ketchup or salsa.</div><br />
<div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><b>FRIDAY BREAKFAST (CEREAL):</b></i></div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's great to end the week the same way you began the week--with a quick, whole-grain breakfast of cereal.</div><br />
<div style="color: red; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><b>SATURDAY BREAKFAST (APPLE FLAPJACKS):</b></i></div><div style="color: lime; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>I grew up having pancakes for breakfast on Saturdays. I love the tradition, and found this healthier version from Rachael Ray, which I have adapted here.</i></div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ingredients:</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 8 medium McIntosh apples, peeled, cored, and diced</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 1/2 cup apple sauce</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 1/4 cup water</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* Cinnamon</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* 3/4 cup pure maple syrup</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* Nonstick cooking spray (as needed)</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">* Pancake Mix (Buckwheat is healthy and great here)</div><div style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Instructions:</div><span style="color: orange; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 150*. Combine the apples, applesauce, and water in a medium sauce pot. Add cinnamon to taste, and cook until the apples break down and become a chunky sauce, 12 to 15 minutes. Stir in the maple syrup and reserve over low heat. While the apples are simmering, preheat a griddle or large nonstick skillet and coat with cooking spray. Mix up the pancake batter and make 8 pancakes, keeping the finished pancakes warm in the oven. When the pancakes are ready to serve, layer two flapjacks with lots of homemade apple-maple sauce on each plate. Serves 4.</span>Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-28205299944459766122010-08-11T11:49:00.000-07:002010-08-11T13:00:45.809-07:00Good, Clean Fun<span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Soapmaking 101!</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">The easiest soap for beginners to make is <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">glycerin soap</span>. You'll need to make a trip to your local craft store to get glycerin soap base, color drops, and fragrance drops. If you don't have any flexible molds at home--plastic & silicone are both fabulous, and even ice trays work--then you may want to check out molds while you're there. Once home, microwave the glycerin blocks in a glass container to melt--<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">DO NOT BOIL THEM</span>! Then stir with a wooden spoon, add color & fragrance drops a little bit at a time until you get your desired color & scent strength, and pour into the molds. Refrigerate to set. Once set, pop them out and wrap in plastic wrap to store or gift. You can also line a bread pan with plastic wrap and pour your soap in, then once set you cut slices of soap to make the bars. Same technique would work with a brownie pan. For kids, try putting a little plastic toy in the soap before it sets so they have to remember to wash up in order to eventually get the toy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 51, 153); font-family: verdana;font-size:130%;" >Soapmaking 201!</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><br />To make <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">creamy lye soap</span> in a blender, you need: </span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">lye (RedDevil brand is excellent)</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">distilled water</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">liquid cooking oil (olive, canola, palm, coconut)</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">essential oils (for fragrance)</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">any additives you'd like (try oatmeal with vanilla-scented essential oil)</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">1/2-gallon bowl (Rubber-maid type)</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">sturdy plastic stirring spoon</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">molds</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Pam cooking spray</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">kitchen food scale</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">plastic wrap (if desired to line molds)</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">blender</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">towel </span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">For safety, you need rubber gloves, goggles, and long sleeves.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Grease your molds with Pam. Measure your water and lye. <span style="font-weight: bold;">POUR THE LYE SLOWLY INTO THE WATER, NOT THE WATER INTO THE LYE.</span> Stir until dissolved and let cool until clear (you started with cool water, but the chemical reaction will make it very hot very quickly). Measure oil and pour into blender. Slowly pour the lye solution into the oil. Lock blender into place and secure cover. Place towel over top for extra safety. Blend at lowest possible speed. Stop blender often to watch soap for when it just begins to thicken. For safety, each time you stop the blender, wait a few seconds before removing the cover to avoid "burps" as air rises to the surface. Once the soap has begun to thicken, check for "tracing" by stirring soap and taking a spoonful of soap to drizzle water across--if the water leaves a trace you're ready for the next step. Once the soap begins to thicken, add your essential oils and any other additives. Blend these in for a few seconds. Pour into the molds and cover with the blanket (or a towel) to avoid cooling too quickly. Let soap harden 1-2 days, then pop it out of the molds and let it age for 3 weeks before using it. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Try this recipe for <span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153); font-style: italic;">Oatmeal Cinnamon Soap</span>:</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">8 oz. palm oil</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">6 oz. coconut oil</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">2 oz. olive oil</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">1/3 cup regular oatmeal (well blended)</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">2.4 oz. lye</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">6.4 oz. water</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">1 tsp. cinnamon essential oil</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">(Mix lye into water--let cool. Mix oils in blender. Add lye mixture. Blend and check until begins to thicken. Add oatmeal and cinnamon essential oil. Blend a few seconds until thoroughly mixed. Pour into molds. Cover with blanket. Let set 2 days. Remove and let age 3 weeks.)</span>Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-19499587136241785292010-08-09T20:38:00.000-07:002010-08-09T21:33:27.586-07:00Better-for-You Mexican Chicken & Rice Burrito Dinner<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Simple swaps to whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and increased veggies make this a tasty better option!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Ingredients:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >1 tsp plus 1 tbsp olive oil, divided</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >1 can no-sugar-added supersweet corn</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast--any fat trimmed off</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >1 tbsp taco seasoning</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >2 cups uncooked instant brown rice</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >2 cups low-sodium chicken broth</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >1 1/2 cups chunky salsa</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Whole wheat tortillas</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Add 1 tsp of the olive oil to a large skillet; heat over medium-high heat 1-3 minutes (until shimmery). Meanwhile, drain corn. Add corn to skillet in a single layer. Cook without stirring 5 minutes or until caramelized on one side (this adds color and texture). Remove corn from skillet and set aside.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >While corn is cooking, cube chicken breast. Combine chicken and taco seasoning. When corn is out of the skillet, add chicken to the skillet. Cook until no longer pink (about 5-7 minutes), stirring occasionally. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Add remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add rice and stir until coated with oil. Add broth and salsa, bring to a simmer. Cover skillet and reduce heat to low. Simmer 5 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Spoon chicken over rice and sprinkle cheese and corn on top. Cover skillet. Turn off heat, and let stand 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >To serve, spoon into warm whole wheat tortillas and roll into burritos. Serve with your favorite veggie side (possibly a salad with low-fat Ranch dressing that has been mixed with additional taco seasoning). Enjoy!</span>Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-70517070544462312382010-07-08T20:55:00.000-07:002010-07-08T21:24:46.975-07:00Who ya gonna call? STRESSBUSTERS!!!<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">It's been a stressful year in my household, and I've learned to survive in this turbulent, stressful world, you need some excellent stress busters! I took a stress management class in college, and have combined what I learned there with what I've learned going through my own stress, and have put the best of the best (for me, at least) here. :)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Self-Hypnosis</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Go to a quiet place where you can sit, close your eyes, and concentrate on just your breathing. Slow it to a slow, calm rhythm. Envision a point of light in the darkness behind your eyelids. As you watch the point of light, let it grow, larger and larger, until you find yourself in your special place. For me, the special place is standing on a hillside opposite a mountain of pines. The wind through the pines brings a quiet whisper to me that all will be well. I listen to the breeze reassuring me, and give myself to the wind, leaning into it, and feeling it buoy me up. I stay in this place until I feel totally relaxed and calm, and then slowly retreat back into my conscious mind to "wake up."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Primal Scream</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">When all the stress is pent-up and ready for release, find a good pillow, put it over your mouth, and let it ALL out. Scream and scream until you feel exhausted. It's a great outlet for the stress. This is named for the theory that our first extremely stressful experience was our birth, and babies come out screaming. It's a very natural response to stress, and is really very helpful when used.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Exercise</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">I have two forms of exercise I love: spinning and Zumba. On the spin bike, I set the resistance to a comfortable level, pop in my earbuds, turn on my MP3 player, and start slow and then build up to as fast as I can go until I feel the endorphine rush and the ensuing release of pent-up stress. In Zumba, there are so many positive, happy people all dancing, laughing, and working out stress that you can't help but leave feeling much happier than you were when you arrived.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Cooking</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">When there is someone else causing my stress, I cook something that I can beat (like punching bread dough or slapping my food chopper repeatedly). I feel better after pulverizing the food, and then my family and I get to enjoy the end result--yummy food!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Music</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">This one has been awhile since I don't have access to a piano, but I used to choose a music selection that fit my mood (In the Hall of the Mountain King was a great one for stress) and pound it out on the piano, and then would move to either soothing or bouncy/happy tunes. I improved my piano skills and felt much better when done.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Selective Muscle Relaxation</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Lay on your back in a comfortable, darkened place. Tighten your toes, then relax them. Focusing on keeping them relaxed, tighten your other foot muscles, then relax them. Keeping your entire feet relaxed, tighten your ankle muscles, then relax them. Move up to tightening your calves, while keeping your feet and ankles relaxed. Continue to move all the way up to your face and ears, while keeping relaxed the muscles you've already released the stress from. Once your entire body is relaxed, just lay there for awhile enjoying being completely relaxed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Chocolate</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">Stimulates your happy center in your brain. Need I say more? ;)</span>Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-6775168898097227712010-06-13T20:46:00.000-07:002010-06-13T21:07:30.337-07:00Wisdom of a decade?<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">For our 10-year wedding anniversary, we opened up a time capsule of sorts in which we had put predictions and fun thoughts from our family as well as our own predictions, hopes, and promises for our first 10 years of marriage. Some of what we read through was humorous (one brother-in-law predicted we'd join the mile-high club) and some was wise (advice that marriage requires open communication and honesty). All of it has caused me to reflect on the past decade of marriage. Here are my thoughts.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">1. Arguments will happen. One or the other of us will occasionally be in a bad mood, and even in an antagonistic one. What we fight over will rarely matter. What will matter is how we conduct ourselves during and after the fight. It really does take two to fight. If the issue really doesn't much matter to me, I've learned to stand down. If the issue is actually important (which it rarely is) then I will stay and fight, but that is when I must be careful to fight in the right way--without put-downs or blame (and this can be hard at times).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">2. Humor really is the spice of life, and it has become the life of our marriage. We still make each other laugh and enjoy silliness even after 10 years of sharing the same stories and jokes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">3. Tough times can cause a great amount of stress and even threaten a marriage in the short-term, but when it is seen through, it ultimately strengthens the bond. Great people aren't born out of the good times, but out of trial and tribulation.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">4. Dreams of perfection are just that--dreams. It takes work to achieve anything near perfection, and even then, perfection is rarely perfect. Marriages aren't 50/50. I have learned that I have to give 100% all of the time.</span>Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3511204722182961025.post-86359195704607169292010-05-28T12:07:00.000-07:002010-05-28T12:15:00.113-07:00Healthier Calzones<span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">I LOVE my homemade calzones, and so does my hubby. The problem with them, though, is that they are high in fat, and hence high in calories, too! So while I was making them the other night, I was dreaming up ways to improve on them. Here's what I've come up with to keep all the flavor and lose some of the fat, and to improve the healthiness of the finished product!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Start with 1 pound of whole-wheat bread dough (instead of the white bread dough). Divide it into 4 portions. Turn each portion into a 4-inch-diameter circle.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Mix an 8-ounce package of low-fat (neufchatel) cream cheese (in place of regular cream cheese) with 1 cup low-fat shredded mozzarella cheese (in place of regular mozzarella cheese). Stir in Italian seasonings to taste. Divvy up into 4 portions and spread on dough rounds, leaving about 3/4" around the edges.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Top with low-fat ham, red bell peppers, and diced pineapple (in place of fattier meats like pepperoni or sausage).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Fold each round in half over the filling and seal the edges with a fork to make the calzone. Brush the top with extra-virgin olive oil (a healthy fat). Bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. Brush with more extra-virgin olive oil. Bake another 10 minutes or so until it is browned to your liking. Enjoy! (Makes 4 calzones)</span>Melanie Jensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00732133007166174536noreply@blogger.com0