Healthy, Healthy, Healthy...
How did we ever survive as a species? How much chicken can a person ACTUALLY eat? Me? I am a PROUD Beef Eater! And I LOVE SEAFOOD!
One of my favorites is Roast and Pototatoes. It's almost impossible to screw it up, almost. Ever taste that stuff in a can? Uck!
My "Nannie" (grandmother), cooked her roast on top of the stove and cooked it till it fell apart. So, once I started cooking, that was my goal. After a few, what I thought, failures...I got it!
The trick is to keep cooking past the tough stage. Who knew?
I usually start with 1 large onion, chopped...the saute in my 5QT Dutch Oven.
Then I add my roast seasoned on both sides with garlic & pepper seasoning.
I brown it on both sides, then add water to cover roast. Cover and cook on Medium heat.
Catalina Roast
This tangy roast will melt in your mouth and comfort the soul . Serve with warm bread or rolls and a simple salad.
Ingredients
1 5lb Beef roast
1 large bottle catalina dressing
1 pkg onion soup mix
2 c water
1 lb bag baby carrots
2 lb yukon gold potatoes cubed (or any potato you choose)
Directions
Brown roast in dutch oven on both sides. Pour soup mix on top and 1/2 bottle of dressing. Cook on Medium heat till roast falls apart (about 2 1/2 hours in my kitchen, but will vary by pot and oven) . Add vegetables and rest of dressing. Cook 1 hr longer, or until vegetables are tender. Shred meat and serve with some of the dressing (from slow cooker) on the side.* Can be cooked in the oven as well. Only takes 3 hrs for the meat, cook on 350*. Cook Time: 5 Hrs on Hight in Slow Cookers. Servings: 7
As you know cook time will vary depending on your definition of Medium heat, weither you use an aluminum pot or stainless or even a cast iron pot. You should have an idea of how your "kitchen" works. I have come home after work and prepared a roast. That's me getting home around 5pm and serving around 7/7:30pm. Like I said, I like my roast to fall apart and to do that you have to let it get tough first and keep cooking.
I love a good yeast roll and I am not above cheating! Parkerhouse Rolls! YES! You have plenty of time to let these babies rise before the roast is ready...go get some. Let them rise on the countertop by the stove. Pop them in the oven after the roast is ready. Remove the lid from your dutch oven and let the pot roast cool while the rolls are in the oven. Ta Da! Dinner!
This is just one of the simple recipes I use for roast. I like to change it up, to use other recipes, perhaps I'll share another...next time.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
June 29 - Tuesday
Hurricane Season...
Floods, wind damage, power outages. Ah....to live on the Gulf Coast.
Hurricane Alex is somewhere down around our beloved Padre Island, reeking havoc and it's not even made landfall. Vacations and Fourth of July plans will be dampened. And chances are we in the Houston area will see some street flooding.
Like that's an anomally.
I saw on the news that Harris County is cleaning debris out of the bayous. Why isn't that done on a regular schedule? Why is there 6ft grass growing in the Patrick Bayou flood control ditch that runs behind my parents home? Why did no one open the flood gates 2 years ago when my home flooded? Why?
Anyway.
Did you remember to prepare?
Batteries, flashlights, lanterns, grill, charcoal or propane, drinking water, plywood for your windows, tarps (just in case), laundry all caught up?
Keep your freezer not to full, not to empty. Throw a few water bottles in there to keep things cold (just in case). The frozen water bottle will help keep food from thawing faster than you can grill!
Do you have an emergency radio/tv. Usually you can keep your cellphone charged with these as well.
Keep your gas cans filled. You may not have a generator, but a neighbor may. You will want to do your part if you hope to cool off at their house!
Dig out your cards, dominos, board games, volleyball net, horseshoes could be a few weeks before power is back on.
If you enjoy your coffee, better stock up on instant. And don't keep too many parishables in the frig. Make sure you have food for the pets and that your meds have been refilled.
Find your home owners insurance policy and flood policy, put them in a ziplock bag, keep them handy. Same with your health insurance cards, make copies and make sure each family member has a copy. You don't plan on being separated...but neither did those families in New Orleans.
Maybe each family member should have an emergency backback.
Water, snackbar, insurance card (copy), flashlight, waterproof matches, jerky, emergency contact numbers, waterproof disposable camera, pocket radio w/batteries (yes, you can still get these), small firstaid kit, and anything else that gives you comfort. A change of clothes, a blanket...could be anything.
Well, be safe, be prepared...
Floods, wind damage, power outages. Ah....to live on the Gulf Coast.
Hurricane Alex is somewhere down around our beloved Padre Island, reeking havoc and it's not even made landfall. Vacations and Fourth of July plans will be dampened. And chances are we in the Houston area will see some street flooding.
Like that's an anomally.
I saw on the news that Harris County is cleaning debris out of the bayous. Why isn't that done on a regular schedule? Why is there 6ft grass growing in the Patrick Bayou flood control ditch that runs behind my parents home? Why did no one open the flood gates 2 years ago when my home flooded? Why?
Anyway.
Did you remember to prepare?
Batteries, flashlights, lanterns, grill, charcoal or propane, drinking water, plywood for your windows, tarps (just in case), laundry all caught up?
Keep your freezer not to full, not to empty. Throw a few water bottles in there to keep things cold (just in case). The frozen water bottle will help keep food from thawing faster than you can grill!
Do you have an emergency radio/tv. Usually you can keep your cellphone charged with these as well.
Keep your gas cans filled. You may not have a generator, but a neighbor may. You will want to do your part if you hope to cool off at their house!
Dig out your cards, dominos, board games, volleyball net, horseshoes could be a few weeks before power is back on.
If you enjoy your coffee, better stock up on instant. And don't keep too many parishables in the frig. Make sure you have food for the pets and that your meds have been refilled.
Find your home owners insurance policy and flood policy, put them in a ziplock bag, keep them handy. Same with your health insurance cards, make copies and make sure each family member has a copy. You don't plan on being separated...but neither did those families in New Orleans.
Maybe each family member should have an emergency backback.
Water, snackbar, insurance card (copy), flashlight, waterproof matches, jerky, emergency contact numbers, waterproof disposable camera, pocket radio w/batteries (yes, you can still get these), small firstaid kit, and anything else that gives you comfort. A change of clothes, a blanket...could be anything.
Well, be safe, be prepared...
Sunday, June 27, 2010
June 27 - Sunday
Well, sorry about yesterday. I was tired. Still not sleeping well.
But, I was inspired yesterday. Yesterday evening. DJ is back home, I missed his ego!
I started watching HBO's "Treme". I watched season one on Video On Demand. And with DJ's return, I decided to share Sunday Dinner with Mom & Dad.
On the menu, Red Beans and Rice, Sausage, Homemade Mac & Cheese, Fried Chicken Gizzards and Cheesey Garlic Biscuits.
I am using a variation of Louis Armstrong's Recipe and Emril Lagasse's Red Beans and Rice.
Did you know there is a difference between Red Beans and Red Kidney Beans? Me neither. Red Beans are from the Caribbean, they are smaller and smoother than Red Kidney Beans. I did find Red Beans and that's we are having today.
So anyway, the recipe I have concocted includes adding a small pork butt roast, but all I could find was the pork sirloin and shoulder roast. So I chose the sirloin.
I soaked the red beans overnight in cold water, and cooked the roast last night. I cooked the roast with a large onion and a garlic clove till it was tender. About an 2 hours in my 5 qt cast iron dutch oven on top of the stove, medium heat. Let it cool and then left it in the frig over night (in a refrigerator bowl with lid).
This morning I drained and washed the beans, put them in my 7qt cast iron dutch oven, and boiled for 1 and half hours with a 1/2 pound of sliced salted pork (I removed the rind).
After the 1 and half hours I added the pork roast, cooked another half hour and added 1 chopped stalk of celery, 1 cup of chopped green onions, 1 serrano pepper (deseeded) chopped finely, 1 glove of finely chopped garlic. After another 1/2 hour I added 1 and half tablespoons of Tony's Cajun Seasoning.
PERFECT!
The rest is cooking as usual. I will leave the Red Beans on low until time to eat. Cook the rice ( I use Jasmine Rice) about 11:30.
Chicken Gizzards! Love 'em or hate 'em...doesn't seem to be an inbetween. I clean an trim mine up to bite size pieces, soak in an egg and milk (evaporated) and then shake in a flour and Tony's mixture. Then fry in oil. Ta Da! I use the drippings to make a cream gravy, for dunking and rice.
My Mac & Cheese recipe comes from the 1961ed of The Modern Family Cookbook by Meta Given. My mother has the 1942ed that belonged to my great grandmother (Big Momma), Emma Rabun McCullough. Good food is timeless! The Cheese Biscuit recipe is in there too, I just add the garlic powder to the flour.
Now, chances are my Dad won't try the beans, nor will he eat the gizzards. So, I got him covered with the sausage. I like the Holmes Smokehouse brand and today it's Pecan Smoked Jalapeno Sausage.
Gotta get back to the kitchen....
3:04pm...I am soooo full! I have leftovers for a couple of days and sent Mom & Dad home with leftovers. We never even made it to the Mac & Cheese! Dad loved the sausage, so I sent him home with a fresh package all his very own. I have lunch for a couple of days and will probably make cornbread for tomorrow night's leftovers. I imagine DJ will have some Mac & Cheese for lunch tomorow.
Don't forget! True Blood tonight on HBO!
Friday, June 25, 2010
June 25 - Friday (TGIF)
Ooooooo just found this . . .
Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes with Raspberry Sauce
Serves: 10-12 Pancakes
PANCAKES:
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup milk
3 eggs, separated
1/4 cup sugar
zest and juice of 1 lemon
1-1/2 cups flour
1 Tbs. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
SAUCE:
2-1/2 cups frozen raspberries, thawed
1/2 cup sugar
In a large bowl, whisk together the ricotta, milk, egg yolks, sugar, lemon zest and juice until smooth.
Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt over the ricotta mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until just combined. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Using rubber spatula, fold egg whites into ricotta mixture.
Cook pancakes on a lightly oiled griddle or skillet over medium heat until golden, 1-2 minutes per side.
For the sauce, combine raspberries and sugar in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth.
Add up to 1/4 cup water to achieve desired consistency. Serve pancakes warm with raspberry sauce or fresh fruit and whipped cream. Makes 12 standard sized pancakes. Enjoy!
_____________________________________________
I know, you think my world revolves around food. Maybe. Some of my favorite memories include food, or at least thats how my brain has marked those times.
Homemade cheese biscuits at Big Moma's...Sunday's after church.
Homemade peach and apple tarts, again at Big Moma's...Birthday dinners during the summer.
Fried Catfish and hushpuppies...weekends at the lake.
Grilled chicken, corn on the cob and homemade ice cream...weekend BBQ's at home.
Kentucky Fried Chicken...Mom cheated, repacked everything in tupperware and said she fried the chicken!
...I guess all of the BEST TIMES are FAMILY TIMES, and Family Times always include a little homemade something! Nannie's Coconut Cream Cake, Kelley's Spaghetti, Grandma's Christmas Cookies, our favorite quilt made by Gramma, it's always the little things that mean so much.
When was the last time you stopped and created a special moment for someone special? Did you add the shredded cheese to your nephews scrambled eggs? Did you take the time to sign that birthday card, did you write something other than "Love Me"? Did you take the afternoon off work and go get your parents? Did you take them to lunch and a movie? How about an impromptu photo session in the photo booth at the mall? You know your Mom, Spouse or Child would use that crazy strip of photos as bookmark for the next 50 years!
How about a game of Twister Trivia! Mix the two games together tonight, and spend all day tomorrow picking pockcorn out of each others hair. Go on, you know you want to do it. No excuses, cut circles out of leftover construction paper, tape them to the carpet in the den and start playing!
Me? I'm picking up the popcorn on the way home!
Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes with Raspberry Sauce
Serves: 10-12 Pancakes
PANCAKES:
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup milk
3 eggs, separated
1/4 cup sugar
zest and juice of 1 lemon
1-1/2 cups flour
1 Tbs. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
SAUCE:
2-1/2 cups frozen raspberries, thawed
1/2 cup sugar
In a large bowl, whisk together the ricotta, milk, egg yolks, sugar, lemon zest and juice until smooth.
Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt over the ricotta mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until just combined. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Using rubber spatula, fold egg whites into ricotta mixture.
Cook pancakes on a lightly oiled griddle or skillet over medium heat until golden, 1-2 minutes per side.
For the sauce, combine raspberries and sugar in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth.
Add up to 1/4 cup water to achieve desired consistency. Serve pancakes warm with raspberry sauce or fresh fruit and whipped cream. Makes 12 standard sized pancakes. Enjoy!
_____________________________________________
I know, you think my world revolves around food. Maybe. Some of my favorite memories include food, or at least thats how my brain has marked those times.
Homemade cheese biscuits at Big Moma's...Sunday's after church.
Homemade peach and apple tarts, again at Big Moma's...Birthday dinners during the summer.
Fried Catfish and hushpuppies...weekends at the lake.
Grilled chicken, corn on the cob and homemade ice cream...weekend BBQ's at home.
Kentucky Fried Chicken...Mom cheated, repacked everything in tupperware and said she fried the chicken!
...I guess all of the BEST TIMES are FAMILY TIMES, and Family Times always include a little homemade something! Nannie's Coconut Cream Cake, Kelley's Spaghetti, Grandma's Christmas Cookies, our favorite quilt made by Gramma, it's always the little things that mean so much.
When was the last time you stopped and created a special moment for someone special? Did you add the shredded cheese to your nephews scrambled eggs? Did you take the time to sign that birthday card, did you write something other than "Love Me"? Did you take the afternoon off work and go get your parents? Did you take them to lunch and a movie? How about an impromptu photo session in the photo booth at the mall? You know your Mom, Spouse or Child would use that crazy strip of photos as bookmark for the next 50 years!
How about a game of Twister Trivia! Mix the two games together tonight, and spend all day tomorrow picking pockcorn out of each others hair. Go on, you know you want to do it. No excuses, cut circles out of leftover construction paper, tape them to the carpet in the den and start playing!
Me? I'm picking up the popcorn on the way home!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Sharing Facts about Cinnamon & Honey!
Cinnamon and Honey Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot. It will do what some call turning to sugar. In reality honey is always honey. However, when left in a cool dark place for a long time it will do what I rather call "crystallizing". When this happens I loosen the lid, boil some water, and sit the honey container in the hot water,turn off the heat and let it liquefy. It is then as good as it ever was. Never boil honey or put it in a microwave. To do so will kill the enzymes in the honey. Cinnamon and Honey Bet the drug companies won't like this one getting around.
Facts on Honey and Cinnamon: It is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a 'Ram Ban' (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases. Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients.
Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada , in its issue dated 17 January,1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists:
HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also, those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack.. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada , various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins.
ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.
BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm waterand drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.
CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.
COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.
UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root. GAS: According to the studies done in India and Japan , it is revealed that if Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.
IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial andviral diseases.
INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.
INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ' Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.
LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increase and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old..
PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.
SKIN INFECTIONS: Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.
WEIGHT LOSS: Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.
CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day.
FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible.
Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.
BAD BREATH: People of South America , first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.
HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing.
Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!
Facts on Honey and Cinnamon: It is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a 'Ram Ban' (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases. Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients.
Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada , in its issue dated 17 January,1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists:
HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also, those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack.. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada , various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins.
ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.
BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm waterand drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.
CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.
COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.
UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root. GAS: According to the studies done in India and Japan , it is revealed that if Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.
IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial andviral diseases.
INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.
INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ' Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.
LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increase and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old..
PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.
SKIN INFECTIONS: Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.
WEIGHT LOSS: Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.
CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day.
FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible.
Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.
BAD BREATH: People of South America , first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.
HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing.
Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!
June 24 - Thursday
A very informed and politically charged friend of mine posted and article from this website . . .
http://healthcareforamericanow.org/ and then posted this comment :
Republicans in Congress are continuing to call for the repeal of the health care law. They want to take away the new rights and protections we all have. Repeal would mean it's OK for insurance companies to dump you when you're sick and deny you the care you've paid for.
And then I replied:
Texas has an Insurance Commission, their website is http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/
If you have problems, questions, concerns, need to file a complaint...visit this website. I have had problems with health, auto and home insurance providers and have had 100% resolution by going through the proper channels. Often times, just a threat to call the commission will clear things up immediately.
Problems with Public Utilities? (Water, Phone, Cable, Gas, Electricity) Call the TXPUC, Teaxs Public Utilities Commssion. Again, just a threat to call will solve the problem.Theese commissions regulate these industries, here in Texas. The number of complaints DIRECTLY Effect their (the industries) bottom lines. Too many complaints and their application to raise rates is denied. Too many complaints and the State will deny their reapplication to do business in our State.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!
Do NOT give the Federal Government your Rights. You can affect more change locally (STATE), than you can on a Federal level.
Sorry (name removed) ...I DO NOT want the FEDERAL Government making decisions for me.
--------------------------------------------------
Now, I FIRMLY believe that our Federal Government and MOST of our local government is as corrupt, as corrupt can get. It's all about the power and the misuse of power. Our government thinks of us as sheep and that it is their right (God Given Right) to fleece us at EVERY opportunity.
We have given them the power. On a whole we are uninformed, uninterested and ignorant.
Wake up folks! Get involved, you need to pay attention. YOU are being robbed and you are helping the theives load up the truck!
You also need to understand...insurance companies are in business to make money, not help you out in times of trouble. They are NOT charities, BUT there are "watchdog" organizations that are in place and DO work. But, it is up to YOU to be informed, you have to stand up for yourselves.
Here's one...have you ever received a collection notice for a debt that was not yours?
File a complaint with the Post Master General (FEDERAL) and The Attorney General's Office in your state and the state from which the bill was mailed. It is a FEDERAL OFFENSE to mail fraudulent debt collection notices. It's called MAIL FRAUD. All of this can be done ONLINE.
OK, I stepping down from my soap box... nope I got more!
Doctors and Healthcare Workers.
I changed doctors several years ago because mine was retiring. So I set up several appointment with doctors that friends and family memebers had referred me too.
I called these referrals to up appointments.
I explained to the appointment setter that I would like to schedule an appointment to meet the doctor, ask some questions, get the general feel for his/her style of patient interaction. I needed to know if I would be comfortable with this new doctor. I needed to know if I could be confident that I was getting the best care for me, from this particular doctor and his/her staff.
So anyway, I start dialing for new doctor, a General Practictioner, a GP.
The first appointment setter immediately says "We don't do that" . . . . . OK.
The second says "Sure, No problem. Just stop by when it's convenient, ask for me. I'll walk you through the office, answer your question and the let you speak with the doctor".
...and mostly, that's how it goes for the next four doctors on my list.
So, I "drop in" on the five doctors. One has an uncomfortable feel when I walk in. I sit a "spell", listen to those waiting in the office, and decide...NOPE. Two down.
Another has a decidely, over all RUDE staff. More interested in talking about last night at the bar than assissting those who need care. Three down.
Number Four never looked me in the eye.
Number Five was never available and a I ended up speaking with a new associate, who had just moved to Texas from Quebec. JACKPOT!
Not even on my list! He and his wife, both GP's, have no love for insurance companies, don't prescribe meds unless you need them, don't push new expensive drugs if the old $4 generic works just as well! KaChing! They ALWAYS review your electronic file, in front of you, before they ask "what's been going on with you since your last visit?" They look you in the eye...ALWAYS! They always ask what over the counter meds you have taken, any job changes, personal changes.
So see, you can be informed and choose a doctor you like, one you trust. If you have questions ask. A good doctor will answer, a bad one won't. FIND a new doctor!
Have a complaint? Need information on a doctor? Call the AMA or visit their website http://www.ama-assn.org/ for Dentist http://www.ada.org/ .
Go LEARN something today!
http://healthcareforamericanow.org/ and then posted this comment :
Republicans in Congress are continuing to call for the repeal of the health care law. They want to take away the new rights and protections we all have. Repeal would mean it's OK for insurance companies to dump you when you're sick and deny you the care you've paid for.
And then I replied:
Texas has an Insurance Commission, their website is http://www.tdi.state.tx.us/
If you have problems, questions, concerns, need to file a complaint...visit this website. I have had problems with health, auto and home insurance providers and have had 100% resolution by going through the proper channels. Often times, just a threat to call the commission will clear things up immediately.
Problems with Public Utilities? (Water, Phone, Cable, Gas, Electricity) Call the TXPUC, Teaxs Public Utilities Commssion. Again, just a threat to call will solve the problem.Theese commissions regulate these industries, here in Texas. The number of complaints DIRECTLY Effect their (the industries) bottom lines. Too many complaints and their application to raise rates is denied. Too many complaints and the State will deny their reapplication to do business in our State.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!
Do NOT give the Federal Government your Rights. You can affect more change locally (STATE), than you can on a Federal level.
Sorry (name removed) ...I DO NOT want the FEDERAL Government making decisions for me.
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Now, I FIRMLY believe that our Federal Government and MOST of our local government is as corrupt, as corrupt can get. It's all about the power and the misuse of power. Our government thinks of us as sheep and that it is their right (God Given Right) to fleece us at EVERY opportunity.
We have given them the power. On a whole we are uninformed, uninterested and ignorant.
Wake up folks! Get involved, you need to pay attention. YOU are being robbed and you are helping the theives load up the truck!
You also need to understand...insurance companies are in business to make money, not help you out in times of trouble. They are NOT charities, BUT there are "watchdog" organizations that are in place and DO work. But, it is up to YOU to be informed, you have to stand up for yourselves.
Here's one...have you ever received a collection notice for a debt that was not yours?
File a complaint with the Post Master General (FEDERAL) and The Attorney General's Office in your state and the state from which the bill was mailed. It is a FEDERAL OFFENSE to mail fraudulent debt collection notices. It's called MAIL FRAUD. All of this can be done ONLINE.
OK, I stepping down from my soap box... nope I got more!
Doctors and Healthcare Workers.
I changed doctors several years ago because mine was retiring. So I set up several appointment with doctors that friends and family memebers had referred me too.
I called these referrals to up appointments.
I explained to the appointment setter that I would like to schedule an appointment to meet the doctor, ask some questions, get the general feel for his/her style of patient interaction. I needed to know if I would be comfortable with this new doctor. I needed to know if I could be confident that I was getting the best care for me, from this particular doctor and his/her staff.
So anyway, I start dialing for new doctor, a General Practictioner, a GP.
The first appointment setter immediately says "We don't do that" . . . . . OK.
The second says "Sure, No problem. Just stop by when it's convenient, ask for me. I'll walk you through the office, answer your question and the let you speak with the doctor".
...and mostly, that's how it goes for the next four doctors on my list.
So, I "drop in" on the five doctors. One has an uncomfortable feel when I walk in. I sit a "spell", listen to those waiting in the office, and decide...NOPE. Two down.
Another has a decidely, over all RUDE staff. More interested in talking about last night at the bar than assissting those who need care. Three down.
Number Four never looked me in the eye.
Number Five was never available and a I ended up speaking with a new associate, who had just moved to Texas from Quebec. JACKPOT!
Not even on my list! He and his wife, both GP's, have no love for insurance companies, don't prescribe meds unless you need them, don't push new expensive drugs if the old $4 generic works just as well! KaChing! They ALWAYS review your electronic file, in front of you, before they ask "what's been going on with you since your last visit?" They look you in the eye...ALWAYS! They always ask what over the counter meds you have taken, any job changes, personal changes.
So see, you can be informed and choose a doctor you like, one you trust. If you have questions ask. A good doctor will answer, a bad one won't. FIND a new doctor!
Have a complaint? Need information on a doctor? Call the AMA or visit their website http://www.ama-assn.org/ for Dentist http://www.ada.org/ .
Go LEARN something today!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
June 23 - Wednesday
WOW! Hot Flashes, who knew they could make you dizzy? Dizzy, not ditzy!
I am pretty sure women get the short end of the stick, in most things.
The whole monthly cycle thing, 9 months for each pregnancy (you should get the option of shorter pregnancies with each additional child - like a coupon or, I know, optional tummy tuck!), breast feeding. And there's prom planning, wedding planning, housework and car pools. As well as, lower paying jobs, constant worrying about our families and then . . . menopause. Which we later learn, can last for 10 years. REALLY!? Come on! Give me a BREAK!
Oh well, at least my cheeks are pink.
I am pretty sure women get the short end of the stick, in most things.
The whole monthly cycle thing, 9 months for each pregnancy (you should get the option of shorter pregnancies with each additional child - like a coupon or, I know, optional tummy tuck!), breast feeding. And there's prom planning, wedding planning, housework and car pools. As well as, lower paying jobs, constant worrying about our families and then . . . menopause. Which we later learn, can last for 10 years. REALLY!? Come on! Give me a BREAK!
Oh well, at least my cheeks are pink.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
June 22, 2010 - Tuesday
So, I was thinking...I might try this blogging thing again. MAYBE I can remember my login and password this time!
Like I said, I was thinking...I like to cook, and I like a new recipe as much as the next individual with a fork and a microwaveable plate, so...let's share.
These little beauties are Strawberry Shortcake Cookies and the recipe is from Martha Stewart. She sent me the link in an email.
Lovely woman, she shares ALL kinds of niffty little ideas. Only problem is, I know very few appreciative individuals. Oh, don't get me wrong, THEY LOVE the free food. They just don't want me telling them how to organize their closets, nor would THEY really understand the "place card " on the dining table.
But I digress, the cookies were time consuming and tasty. Not sure I would go to all that effort again for cookies that have a 24 hour shelf live.
I LOVE checking the mailbox and finding the lastest copy of Taste Of Home Magazine!
I also purchase them at the checkout in WalMart & Krogers...guilty little pleasure.
Anyway, the last issue had a recipe for Enchilada Lasagna. I made three, one for Kelley, one for Mom and one for myself. Mom still has hers in the frig, says it's too hot to turn on the oven. Kelley is supposed to cook hers for dinner tonight. Mine? I had some Sunday night, Monday night, and some today for lunch...my guess, I'll have some for dinner tonight as well.
It was a very quick and easy recipe, and it tastes pretty darn good too.
Enchilada Lasagna
Prep: 45 min. Bake: 30 min. + standing
Ingredients
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 can (10 ounces) enchilada sauce
1 to 2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 egg, beaten
1-1/2 cups (12 ounces) 4% cottage cheese
3 cups (12 ounces) shredded Mexican cheese blend
8 flour tortillas (8 inches), cut in half
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
In a large skillet, cook the beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomatoes, enchilada sauce and cumin. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
In a small bowl, combine egg and cottage cheese; set aside. Spread a third of the meat sauce into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Layer with half of the cheese blend, tortillas, cottage cheese mixture and remaining meat sauce. Repeat layers. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
Cover and bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake 10 minutes longer or until bubbly. Let stand for 15 minutes before cutting. Yield: 12 servings.
...and while I have you captive, I made mini pecan pies last night. Nope, not sharing the recipe today, maybe next time.
FYI... Kohl's has their kitchen towels marked down, I just ordered me some with my 30% off coupon! I prefer the Kohl's kitchen towels, but Walmart has a better bath towel. Kohl's has a better beach towel. Listen to your friends, they often know what they are talking about. Just don't let them know you know!
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