tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29295993998786092992024-02-07T23:42:02.340-05:00Hearthside GatheringsOur suburban homestead! A blog about life, love, family, and faith in God, all in my little corner of the world.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger246125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-54350410406400075182018-09-29T09:00:00.000-04:002018-09-29T09:00:01.057-04:00Somewhere In Time: Historic Waterville, OhioIn a seemingly never-ending quest to find a cure for my health problems that have, to this point, baffled traditional medical doctors, I found myself waiting to see a naturopathic doctor in Waterville, Ohio, a while ago--a quaint, sleepy canal town outside of Toledo. The town, laid out in 1831 but inhabited by settlers about 15 years earlier, is still somewhat unaffected by the metro Toledo suburbs that are slowly but steadily encroaching on the area, a fact that is evidenced by the lack of chain stores and restaurants, as well as the abundance of historic storefronts and homes that can be found all over the village of about 5,000. Many of the homes along the river date back to the early to mid-1830s. It makes one feel as though they've stepped back to another time, a simpler time. I'll go into more detail about my appointment with the naturopath in another post, but after the appointment, I drove around and took some photos before heading back home, a little over an hour away. I also made a stop at a grist mill owned by the Toledo Metroparks and open to the public, free of charge, and took more photos. Here is a photo tour of my little day trip...enjoy! P.S. If you want more info about the Grist Mill, click <a href="https://metroparkstoledo.com/features-and-rentals/canal-experience/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-47983627523907409872018-09-25T08:32:00.004-04:002018-09-25T08:38:46.112-04:00Drying and Saving Herbs, Part 2A while ago, I <a href="http://hearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com/2018/07/drying-and-saving-herbs-part-1.html" target="_blank">posted</a> about how to prep your fresh garden herbs for drying. This is the second part of that post--what to do when the herbs are dried out. It's super easy!<br />
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Once your herbs are dry and crunchy, like this, they are ready to be ground up! <br />
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You'll want to get some supplies: bowl, herb scissors, a stem stripper, and an herb grinder (all pictured) or mortar and pestle, funnel, and glass jars. The one pictured was a gift from my mother-in-law that she found from Pampered Chef, but you can also find them on Amazon. <br />
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Once the herb leaves are crunchy and dry, you'll want to remove them from their stems using an herb stripper tool. Parsley is easiest, because the leaves are just at the top of the stems. If you don't have a stripper tool, you can just pick the leaves off by hand or strip the stems by running your finger and thumb down the stem (for woody herbs).<br />
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Remove the leaves and keep them together. I put them in a bowl as I'm plucking. Once you have enough to run them through your grinder of choice, go ahead and do so!<br />
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Once the leaves are ground, I keep them in a labeled glass jar. I just keep adding to the jar as I continue to dry herbs all summer.<br />
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Voila! You have just made your own dried herbs! And you know exactly where they came from and how they were grown. Another bonus is that they are fresh, and the smell and taste so much better than the bottles you buy at the store! <div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com%2F" class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-3988728436555857372018-07-10T15:04:00.001-04:002018-09-25T08:33:37.980-04:00Drying and Saving Herbs, Part 1In between trips to Michigan, I tend to my 5,000 square foot garden. It's one of my passions, and lately, a huge stress reliever. I returned home last week to a garden bursting with fresh herbs; a nice surprise, to be sure! The herbs have been doing well so far this year. It's been great! It's funny, though, I rarely think to go out to the garden and get fresh herbs for cooking. I'd love to use fresh basil in Italian dishes, if only I could eat Italian food! I'd make myself a tomato, basil, and mozzarella pizza...add fresh basil to chicken pasta...throw basil into spaghetti sauce...but alas, it's not to be right now. I'm focusing on the next best thing, though: drying fresh herbs! Think about how often you use oregano, thyme, sage, parsley, et cetera for your cooking every day. Now, think of how awesome it would be to have a whole jar full whenever you need it, and think of how great it would be to know exactly where those dried herbs came from. If I can do this, YOU can do this! It's so easy. I'll show you just how easy it is! Follow me!<br />
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So, here's what you'll need:<br />
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Twine<br />
Sharp scissors (these are the special herb-cutting scissors I use, click <a href="https://www.botanicalinterests.com/product/Herb-scissors/Tools-and-Supplies" target="_blank">here</a> for a link, and no, I don't get any money for the link)<br />
Herbs cut from your garden or patio pots<br />
Ornament hooks or clothes pins <br />
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First things first: cut your herbs. Try to do it when there isn't much dew on the plants.<br />
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Next, bring them inside. Here I have three kinds of herbs: flat-leaf parsley, oregano, and basil.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcIVyIlHcxHJhB81fggW3t0TZpU-ckeUGQkEZ4kjk6KfPRdGCi-MzIfEZdgEhyphenhyphenqqyiAxSw1nBS3cYYnfUSZBWx34flVv01xdVKm_fhIsMCM7yqC9SAOYLsHLB3qLNc8Zk0htCkTaYfw/s1600/Box+of+herbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="799" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDcIVyIlHcxHJhB81fggW3t0TZpU-ckeUGQkEZ4kjk6KfPRdGCi-MzIfEZdgEhyphenhyphenqqyiAxSw1nBS3cYYnfUSZBWx34flVv01xdVKm_fhIsMCM7yqC9SAOYLsHLB3qLNc8Zk0htCkTaYfw/s320/Box+of+herbs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freshly cut from the garden.</td></tr>
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Work with one type of herb at a time. Check each stem for bugs. Trust me. I found a snail and a green worm in my herbs. Remove said bugs by whatever means pleases you.<br />
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Arrange in bundles of about the same length. Rinse with water to remove dirt. Place on a cloth or paper towel in a single layer and pat dry as best you can.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdLqQhvVcp9h1-UK8bQErKks1daJpntTrhIe-YCbdil50jKk3eoDO2TzvATIIh52Q0ryOsPzgpZZVGwQ_gcnJdM7IKp04QQWiD9u4kIkGZcDp0ieYqWYHJJ0zFUEsLwTqAP1LWShO5Q/s1600/Oregano+trimming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="799" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdLqQhvVcp9h1-UK8bQErKks1daJpntTrhIe-YCbdil50jKk3eoDO2TzvATIIh52Q0ryOsPzgpZZVGwQ_gcnJdM7IKp04QQWiD9u4kIkGZcDp0ieYqWYHJJ0zFUEsLwTqAP1LWShO5Q/s320/Oregano+trimming.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oregano--these were really tall, so I cut them in half before washing and bundling them.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pat excess water with towels, as best you can. They won't be completely dry.</td></tr>
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Bundle and tie with a long piece of twine. Be sure to tie tightly, because as the herbs dry, they will shrink. Do not bundle too many sprigs together--it'll take longer to dry out if the bundle is too large. Tie a hanging loop on one end of the twine.<br />
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Lather, rinse, repeat (metaphorically speaking), until all herbs have been washed, patted dry, and tied together.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All tied up and ready to be dried</td></tr>
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Find a good place to hang your herbs. I hang mine in the basement on the same shelves that I use to start my seedlings, near a dehumidifier, but you could hang them in a barn or garage, someplace airy but not too dusty. Hang them with plenty of space for air to circulate around them and allow them to dry.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhseuDz_nc-jfGuNGDyK-WVbP-utBoRDEOrulFkA-9B0zc6iptiwukMg3YvtHWcSbySP2t7yD4kaLHwWdKfqs-RdmLW4_0Lmg7ymIxZt-ri9wzu9S4ia4ApDpG2Be8ryyDyK9AH3QMiaQ/s1600/Herbs+hanging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="799" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhseuDz_nc-jfGuNGDyK-WVbP-utBoRDEOrulFkA-9B0zc6iptiwukMg3YvtHWcSbySP2t7yD4kaLHwWdKfqs-RdmLW4_0Lmg7ymIxZt-ri9wzu9S4ia4ApDpG2Be8ryyDyK9AH3QMiaQ/s320/Herbs+hanging.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZllGIUYbVxoPSOWqccfCW4h_o-qo7h7_HljpXHy2RFZeuAsVQlWYOhXFcA7qWJDDjm18jSaeiuiiWQ1aeVlvJQikAgzq-yPOl19tvh5oE0EnNzvnU7MphHzoHCClKtH4yex-JHz_6w/s1600/Hanging+parsley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="647" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZllGIUYbVxoPSOWqccfCW4h_o-qo7h7_HljpXHy2RFZeuAsVQlWYOhXFcA7qWJDDjm18jSaeiuiiWQ1aeVlvJQikAgzq-yPOl19tvh5oE0EnNzvnU7MphHzoHCClKtH4yex-JHz_6w/s320/Hanging+parsley.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>
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Leave them be for a month or two. No need to do anything to them. I've seen that there are some people who have success drying herbs in their ovens, but I haven't tried that...yet.<br />
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Once they are dry, you'll crush them. We'll cover that in part 2...click <a href="http://hearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com/2018/09/drying-and-saving-herbs-part-2.html" target="_blank">here</a>!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com%2F" class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-36419210604193635762018-07-03T08:30:00.000-04:002018-07-03T16:19:08.699-04:00Memories with DadI love summer. I think I always have; it was my favorite time of year as a kid in small-town America. Once school was out, it seemed like the days were endless, hot, and full of fun. I'd play with all of the neighborhood kids until after dark and our parents tracked us down and brought us in for the night (grudgingly), and then we'd start all over the next morning--riding our bikes, roller skating, swimming in our pools, playing tee-ball and softball, drawing with chalk, swinging on the swing sets...there was so much to do and it felt like never enough time to do it all. I relished every second of those hot, air-conditionless days, and when school started again in the fall, I counted down until the last day of school for the next summer break. These days brought so much fun and enjoyment for me, a feeling that generally lessens with every year of age for most, but that we still long for as adults, I think, if just in the back of our minds. For me, summer brings back memories of simpler days and old friends. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOg9DVNM446_UaPGxFgpnYHWfHHzdIskJy8fmXdMyf8e6AHA7i8awrpSZtKRZI6vN0ewPiAQoL0YijPmnNwdH7qunyYz0Bu1qUPbo6n-VkdEBHjIeeltuvKTDLvpjvi2U5qRZAv-4a6g/s1600/Danny09-052418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1274" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOg9DVNM446_UaPGxFgpnYHWfHHzdIskJy8fmXdMyf8e6AHA7i8awrpSZtKRZI6vN0ewPiAQoL0YijPmnNwdH7qunyYz0Bu1qUPbo6n-VkdEBHjIeeltuvKTDLvpjvi2U5qRZAv-4a6g/s320/Danny09-052418.jpg" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our dad, probably taken mid to late 1950s</td></tr>
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My sister and I lost our father on May 18 of this year. As we continue to grieve and try to think of the good times through our sadness, I feel compelled to share a summer memory that involved our dad: The Fireworks. These were not just your average, run-of-the-mill fireworks. This was the state of Michigan famous Bay City 4th of July Fireworks 3-day extravaganza. People would come from all over the state, and many would come from out of state, with campers, RVs, and tents, and camp out in the park or rent a hotel room in the area for several nights to watch the three-day show that our hometown put on. Sometimes we as a family would drive downtown to watch the short shows during the first two nights: a fifteen or twenty minute
display of fireworks each night. However, on the final day, when the
show was forty-five minutes to an hour long, we spent the day at the
park. We, living in town, would simply stake out a spot in the park on the west bank of the river and spend the day there. Usually, our dad would go with other neighborhood dads and take coolers full of drinks (both kid and adult beverages), along with lawn chairs and blankets, and find the perfect spot to watch the fireworks that would be fired from a floating platform in the middle of the Saginaw River and from the banks along the river. They always picked a good spot. Later in the day, the moms would pack up all of the food that they spent the morning preparing, and all of us kids, and usually more chairs, and they would meet with their husbands at the park. We'd then spend the rest of the usually blazing hot afternoon walking around <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJuBtYg_9SN7juqIyMsYQgfWY_RSfEj_4t7S7w8U4JmgH3WdRfYYjU60qMRIzqSJLHvPAMRuNeOtHyK5Rwh5xueu29yQ1pMmRowj1iy4oxid9hnbURz3p8sEfQXqlnAN-Z26zmQfS8A/s1600/Carnival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1600" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJuBtYg_9SN7juqIyMsYQgfWY_RSfEj_4t7S7w8U4JmgH3WdRfYYjU60qMRIzqSJLHvPAMRuNeOtHyK5Rwh5xueu29yQ1pMmRowj1iy4oxid9hnbURz3p8sEfQXqlnAN-Z26zmQfS8A/s320/Carnival.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
the park, asking to go on rides at the carnival that still sets up every year, asking for ice cream from the nearby concession stand, or playing on the ball diamonds if there were no official games being played. We picnicked and munched, and generally had a great time waiting for the fireworks to start--they always started around 10 p.m., dusk in that part of the world. When they started, the entire park full of a hundred thousand people on both sides of the river (a huge number for a town of less than 50,000 people) fell into an awed quiet, though--everyone knew that something awesome was starting. The show would always start with a playing of The Star-Spangled Banner, and then there would be an incredible, deafening thunder of explosions and shells, and the show would begin! The fireworks would always be choreographed to a patriotic score of music that played on the PA system that stretched across the park, so every firework that went off was in time to music. It was an incredible feat of planning and timing on the part of all involved in putting on the show, and it never disappointed. Our dad loved it. Every year he'd say that it was the best show yet, and he wasn't wrong. Every year it got better. Back in 2012, they celebrated the show's 50th anniversary, and I took my husband to see it. No one had staked out a spot at the park, as that tradition had long since faded when we kids grew up and moved away, but the show was still the same, and our dad once again said that it was the best show ever (and it was!). We don't go up for the fireworks shows now, <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lH4FuPWN_ysfKazS4KbdfmncNr97zk2bDgNmucUbdvzvDHJ2MmRlZHnO45av1lFiIBgiEeRLbcUVjkSKDTtzpeJa5pJLndPPAPRCa5kKiPW42Pd6iDa2PB1xa3YKLOCkgXM10sefXA/s1600/DSCN4430-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="799" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lH4FuPWN_ysfKazS4KbdfmncNr97zk2bDgNmucUbdvzvDHJ2MmRlZHnO45av1lFiIBgiEeRLbcUVjkSKDTtzpeJa5pJLndPPAPRCa5kKiPW42Pd6iDa2PB1xa3YKLOCkgXM10sefXA/s320/DSCN4430-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
and the show has decreased in length, but I'm glad we made the trip for that special show. Every time I see fireworks, regardless of where they are, I'm reminded of the times in my youth that were spent eagerly and anxiously awaiting that spectacular show that came once a year to celebrate our nation's independence. The world changes, and Dad's now gone, but for the rest of my life, I'll never see fireworks without remembering how much he loved them--and how much he loved spending the day with family and friends. Happy Independence Day, and thanks for the memories, Dad. We love you and miss you!<br />
<br />
And for anyone who might be interested in more information and seeing a video clip from the 50th anniversary show, here's the link: <a href="https://baycityfireworksfestival.com/" target="_blank">Bay City Fireworks Festival</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com%2F" class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-32080772952237510952018-06-28T18:47:00.001-04:002018-06-28T18:47:58.181-04:00A Garden In PicturesThe garden here is in full swing. We had a huge amount of rain last weekend--four inches--and a little more during the week. I took the Mantis out and did some roto-tilling when the soil was dry enough earlier this week, but the weeds are already coming back again. The tomatoes are getting big, the beans are getting tall, our peas are about done for the year, the corn is slowly getting tall, the sunflowers are coming along, potatoes will be ready to dig up soon. Flowers are beautiful after the rain. Enjoy a photo tour of a garden in the middle of a great growing season!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIQ3Ees-Zi6_t7UEooO5AnyxAN4ijzxA46f2p_AGb6dWGQUXAiY1yEd9XwIM_Mb2GDC2K-LTPF1eSZkFd55nyI3Dl-vRzfNF8vaLKVZgwf6oe6ntdFVr9j_pVDzTa4Roky5k_M4RKPQ/s1600/Beeeee+happy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="799" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEIQ3Ees-Zi6_t7UEooO5AnyxAN4ijzxA46f2p_AGb6dWGQUXAiY1yEd9XwIM_Mb2GDC2K-LTPF1eSZkFd55nyI3Dl-vRzfNF8vaLKVZgwf6oe6ntdFVr9j_pVDzTa4Roky5k_M4RKPQ/s320/Beeeee+happy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A yard full of clover is the perfect home for honey bees!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuk4EIyOKA_lhc7RDMRtjIBD7w3M2xmW4Yolff-Y1PpxYeoaZuH84k_2LRQzasN7W7pW7kYRlFDwW0MMI5bR_MwAd-uNQU-h-ctw1NTcNW3ApXKJKd5WGyTBbxE8wBeEFUIepwLmWFQ/s1600/Lavender+in+the+sunlight+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="799" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuk4EIyOKA_lhc7RDMRtjIBD7w3M2xmW4Yolff-Y1PpxYeoaZuH84k_2LRQzasN7W7pW7kYRlFDwW0MMI5bR_MwAd-uNQU-h-ctw1NTcNW3ApXKJKd5WGyTBbxE8wBeEFUIepwLmWFQ/s320/Lavender+in+the+sunlight+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lavender in the morning light.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GHFrCxOwJ391uSMCGfDg8YqQ2UN4nNqtaE0whWYN0q2tUVilQzw2XvCNFduWz-H2esJ5hV9ho6pa1WhONG9BP-zNjKt8rMCZTtNeYywhLjoKKttDIappNxUAdgAv34jge4Prt_Whhw/s1600/Herb+bed+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="799" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GHFrCxOwJ391uSMCGfDg8YqQ2UN4nNqtaE0whWYN0q2tUVilQzw2XvCNFduWz-H2esJ5hV9ho6pa1WhONG9BP-zNjKt8rMCZTtNeYywhLjoKKttDIappNxUAdgAv34jge4Prt_Whhw/s320/Herb+bed+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basil, thyme, oregano, sage...tastes like summer!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8uH4Nus8PK2mklwUakGypa3AwBzhSwS68f5W4Anp2_KHQ_cw-UguCSi34pnGiaveu_47wKnq6xzKjjkQl6XaFa9Ts5RH3JMcQSUtx-hUVb0DXwgbHhWAtb3bxZgQAES0SMMVrOj25g/s1600/Pea+pod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="655" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8uH4Nus8PK2mklwUakGypa3AwBzhSwS68f5W4Anp2_KHQ_cw-UguCSi34pnGiaveu_47wKnq6xzKjjkQl6XaFa9Ts5RH3JMcQSUtx-hUVb0DXwgbHhWAtb3bxZgQAES0SMMVrOj25g/s320/Pea+pod.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snap peas...these were so sweet and delicious!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEAA48J6NQLZfrL6_Wl2wb5NjkJD4_qfKIYQ1kGYknGjNs6tHI4etkglUq1ehcJShQZe9WCPTEqsseFbQkSNKYGUeRc21Ht1_iZ_KA0K7GkqtigoBX6xgFu00D5GoWfuKS5ttDPESWA/s1600/Pumpkin2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="799" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEAA48J6NQLZfrL6_Wl2wb5NjkJD4_qfKIYQ1kGYknGjNs6tHI4etkglUq1ehcJShQZe9WCPTEqsseFbQkSNKYGUeRc21Ht1_iZ_KA0K7GkqtigoBX6xgFu00D5GoWfuKS5ttDPESWA/s320/Pumpkin2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin plant flowering.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEf-sRL-_i0d0yiDSU6XVCuL1kFZ0Wb2496kpqWzYc6iT4ysszQsuU82TeGzYVCtW5Jhi4XAE5fP0rh7pq4CNqTiLXYxn_9IICsWva5G3JiMyI7y0EruYfhNd2pQETG469emykohmqjQ/s1600/Pumpkin+on+a+stick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="798" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEf-sRL-_i0d0yiDSU6XVCuL1kFZ0Wb2496kpqWzYc6iT4ysszQsuU82TeGzYVCtW5Jhi4XAE5fP0rh7pq4CNqTiLXYxn_9IICsWva5G3JiMyI7y0EruYfhNd2pQETG469emykohmqjQ/s320/Pumpkin+on+a+stick.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin on a stick, AKA ornamental eggplant. I'll let these dry on the plant and then use them for decorations.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXxaa9p8PDxXCvLgTsiYEY-tBLPglXAc0KOnko80zZTb9xgVE1SpVRn32rQnfGY158aXUkmZcsU08i4OzbTbLFmHH0PpWbmi1pkayAYQfnEXhtc3KeHcOU25mJpnZ2ajsn7PzkKPnIw/s1600/Pumpkin+on+a+stick+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="799" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXxaa9p8PDxXCvLgTsiYEY-tBLPglXAc0KOnko80zZTb9xgVE1SpVRn32rQnfGY158aXUkmZcsU08i4OzbTbLFmHH0PpWbmi1pkayAYQfnEXhtc3KeHcOU25mJpnZ2ajsn7PzkKPnIw/s320/Pumpkin+on+a+stick+close+up.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up of the pumpkin on a stick leaf. These little spikes are on each leaf, and they are sharp!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHqgRt28oezHfTfQww5TlkAwdtKfaUmcaKOsjNGpjzehDxuC4xJfqmwC0Gd1Y6EZqzYzYRCKnYFG_VnDAMhbAf5CTnCzru7CZbwd1YdiUbN7KGB6xks7v2DbixGqeK1tPpXSj_lbNjA/s1600/Nasturtium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="799" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHqgRt28oezHfTfQww5TlkAwdtKfaUmcaKOsjNGpjzehDxuC4xJfqmwC0Gd1Y6EZqzYzYRCKnYFG_VnDAMhbAf5CTnCzru7CZbwd1YdiUbN7KGB6xks7v2DbixGqeK1tPpXSj_lbNjA/s320/Nasturtium.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful nasturtium.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuGpLED6oU3Fm8mWKCnRVZGHSfQSBIQb6_FexQAA5muK4FtzqRTwOhNIQswCbzsvOnyOc4q-_xOYvcsnkLLMPSt9V9Yj93H-1zTrf6UZ-8hOpVQCpfQmw9VW4Aclnj286mY_FjbrPKA/s1600/Viola2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="799" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuGpLED6oU3Fm8mWKCnRVZGHSfQSBIQb6_FexQAA5muK4FtzqRTwOhNIQswCbzsvOnyOc4q-_xOYvcsnkLLMPSt9V9Yj93H-1zTrf6UZ-8hOpVQCpfQmw9VW4Aclnj286mY_FjbrPKA/s320/Viola2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viola in the morning sunlight.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64DoE1AYQpqc25DdACIq9ootZOpxE5WqAtgLYTMxt7g6pYvjBRMPVdd19O9XdHfbEl_2SaK67kcyIhScfBCzIKkGwtRicQxZGaMS_w9ok_M9RcAV5UGt8T52mMYymYReAXzoF9ZLcjA/s1600/Strawberries2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="678" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64DoE1AYQpqc25DdACIq9ootZOpxE5WqAtgLYTMxt7g6pYvjBRMPVdd19O9XdHfbEl_2SaK67kcyIhScfBCzIKkGwtRicQxZGaMS_w9ok_M9RcAV5UGt8T52mMYymYReAXzoF9ZLcjA/s320/Strawberries2.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are few things better in life than a bowl of sun-drenched strawberries picked fresh from the garden after a long day!</td></tr>
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<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-12257121758810740082018-06-19T09:21:00.001-04:002018-06-19T09:21:26.366-04:00It's Been a While!Wow, where to start? I've been off of here for quite a while. So much has happened. Things that I want to talk about, and things that I don't want to talk about. I've lost a parent, quit my job, my health issues have gotten worse, and my dog has a rare disease. I've started my garden again this year, started and transplanted my seedlings, and continue to work on finishing a room in the basement that I'm confident will, one day, be a studio/craft room. I'm working on opening a new shop on Etsy, but in light of all that's been going on, it's on the back burner right now. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflfVmTcmFIqQrkiH6kb4BG4d7LDSCW1QXEk1WjdzgiDljef1LDHR02ye4FRk7jw4-lSrUiuNISWynKCBcLPsdSaQU3trCdl_U-kFFLS-mTHVb7SzhtpeY9djFIc-bdRbjqnB2MmL9-g/s1600/Herb+bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="799" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflfVmTcmFIqQrkiH6kb4BG4d7LDSCW1QXEk1WjdzgiDljef1LDHR02ye4FRk7jw4-lSrUiuNISWynKCBcLPsdSaQU3trCdl_U-kFFLS-mTHVb7SzhtpeY9djFIc-bdRbjqnB2MmL9-g/s320/Herb+bed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herb bed on the left, asparagus bed on the right</td></tr>
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My main goal with the garden this year is preservation! My garden last year was experimental. I tried several types of plants to see what grew well and what struggled. Here in northwest Ohio, we have very clay-ey soil. I wanted to know what could grow without amending the soil at all--it was once farmland--and I learned a lot. I learned that tomatoes and green beans grow well here (but I believe they grow well anywhere!). I learned that growing a sweet corn variety next to an Indian corn variety will result in cross-pollination and some seriously unappetizing corn. Haha, once my hubby found out how I planted the corn, he found it hilarious, because he would have told me not to do it! I learned that there was no need for more than one plant each of zucchini, yellow squash, and winter squashes, although my abundance of winter squash kept very well in the basement for most of the winter. I learned that potato plants should be planted in a different area of the garden on account of how wet certain areas of the garden become after heavy rains. I had great success with carrots last year! A five-gallon pail was overflowing with the harvest. I processed and froze them in slices. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1qroDqmXPEKNLrp6kBNoa4oDvpjmm2SLPKGToFS85z8AzT6ne6kcOHUJTjWKi8esSO4VG-9wqpazeuSSQIkmxAAHuZHG-k0SVYVN99YdYw8V8bUDPp_ephYn672qdfQ-WzVDuKdETQ/s1600/Carrots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="799" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1qroDqmXPEKNLrp6kBNoa4oDvpjmm2SLPKGToFS85z8AzT6ne6kcOHUJTjWKi8esSO4VG-9wqpazeuSSQIkmxAAHuZHG-k0SVYVN99YdYw8V8bUDPp_ephYn672qdfQ-WzVDuKdETQ/s320/Carrots.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rainbow of carrot varieties</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zf6323kk_CRudgjohpAsVDxP-3yLYyFFXnpz3-a7sFkBC1Q-ITYqeLOzHi9NfOud4b0pbwLZYuLMM8jXwk8xrJpNTxcgm_iGFcxzMJuKA3xATwqJGLMeno9Xsnb6DiyzjK3BS5yWCw/s1600/Melon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="799" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zf6323kk_CRudgjohpAsVDxP-3yLYyFFXnpz3-a7sFkBC1Q-ITYqeLOzHi9NfOud4b0pbwLZYuLMM8jXwk8xrJpNTxcgm_iGFcxzMJuKA3xATwqJGLMeno9Xsnb6DiyzjK3BS5yWCw/s320/Melon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sugar Baby Watermelon</td></tr>
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Melons seemed to like the growing environment, and I ate some of the sweetest cantaloupe I've ever had from the garden. I learned that garlic just doesn't like my soil. Vidalia onions seemed to do well, even though I don't like to eat onions. Home-grown strawberries are delicious, but hard to maintain and keep de-weeded, and when it's time to replant the patch, there will be a raised bed with weed block underneath. I started an herb garden directly in the soil last year, but moved everything to a raised bed after the herbs struggled to get established in the clay. I've tried to start a lavender patch, and some lavender came back and some didn't. This year, we started an asparagus patch that should yield a harvest, even if only a light harvest, next year. I dried and preserved herbs at the end of last year, and plan to dry and preserve much more this year (more about that in another post). I dealt with insect issues and other plant diseases. I fought a losing battle with weeds that continues this year. So I say all of that to say that this year, I've planted an abundance of tomatoes, herbs, green beans, potatoes, corn, and melons, with the plan of preserving as much as I can this summer and fall. <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFMRe2sXJBYStUGfKUH8MHn_-BNwZSUiNYWmkR2XlPLQgMmwVKwsx7aVKhcTerk-ELaVU5LmcXWoBFa3lIXgdWOE0Mx9FQralC9PQabc_d9IPxcd_Hg4DPyDdtxaZmJtBoUoFuseFbA/s1600/Strawberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="799" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFMRe2sXJBYStUGfKUH8MHn_-BNwZSUiNYWmkR2XlPLQgMmwVKwsx7aVKhcTerk-ELaVU5LmcXWoBFa3lIXgdWOE0Mx9FQralC9PQabc_d9IPxcd_Hg4DPyDdtxaZmJtBoUoFuseFbA/s320/Strawberry.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberry, before the weeds invaded</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHjHnN0PgYZoBJyih52nuB2-N0HKCUMG8wLMVgMOoT69LpIcMkaKPSUexIz61sFaHJ6lSmV09Z6s3cduNhFN5womtOoIglhVK2_Vt1iyT3XOlA76eKYHS1JoDA4oQN2qqB2NuGtzsbA/s1600/Herbs+drying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="799" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHjHnN0PgYZoBJyih52nuB2-N0HKCUMG8wLMVgMOoT69LpIcMkaKPSUexIz61sFaHJ6lSmV09Z6s3cduNhFN5womtOoIglhVK2_Vt1iyT3XOlA76eKYHS1JoDA4oQN2qqB2NuGtzsbA/s320/Herbs+drying.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herbs drying on a rack in the basement</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I love the education that this garden has provided. Having a large garden space has been a dream of mine for years. Thankfully now, I have it and can continue to learn. And maybe even pass a few tips along to others who read this! :)<br />
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<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-54994194499865608102017-12-13T20:40:00.000-05:002017-12-13T20:40:52.309-05:00A Simple Christmas ProjectI was in a crafty mood recently, and as I often do, I took to Pinterest to find inspiration for a project. My birthday was a few weeks ago, and I decided that as a gift to myself, I wanted to make this for my birthday:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTC08WEgPC6ZDqkwWxOG4y7EikLhOlo9Q9_3i82rFQTFqisCV_wIBIrA61FMWwT5GohJ4dv2XSZIeoGny6QTB8iOPlDLEUw1MLt2LVt6Y1sj3SRdLZ4y-1tIsQ0KPP9KPFHz8kin-auQ/s1600/61dabf803f7302bc3572c380154f77c3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="935" data-original-width="564" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTC08WEgPC6ZDqkwWxOG4y7EikLhOlo9Q9_3i82rFQTFqisCV_wIBIrA61FMWwT5GohJ4dv2XSZIeoGny6QTB8iOPlDLEUw1MLt2LVt6Y1sj3SRdLZ4y-1tIsQ0KPP9KPFHz8kin-auQ/s640/61dabf803f7302bc3572c380154f77c3.jpg" title="" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Project by CraftyMorning.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I went to Hobby Lobby and found all of the items except the lights, which I eventually found at Menard's. I made some changes to the snowman to fit my personal tastes, and I think he came out pretty cute!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgp_3whimm0yTzJMb_OzAXT-06DTrth18BmhSOa_3LIK-sFl29NDASXe7pwaUvWvNZF6ClTu7EDQMPgCrFrkWwb0_e_BvvKqsBnGTVv_cDuzm4qhQcl_VlDXmGE741VERxrf6IrojwKA/s1600/Snowman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="599" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgp_3whimm0yTzJMb_OzAXT-06DTrth18BmhSOa_3LIK-sFl29NDASXe7pwaUvWvNZF6ClTu7EDQMPgCrFrkWwb0_e_BvvKqsBnGTVv_cDuzm4qhQcl_VlDXmGE741VERxrf6IrojwKA/s400/Snowman.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
If you want to make a snowman wreath of your own, here's what you'll need:<br />
<ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrF_uhuTsX2l0Hb4MaRmka79jOZ81kMQfR9YcXMISlFYk4-6r9d49_rnSE8KUFGJJubwpqK16Xc2w2mr9xXs_FDQRB2-TMkn2ffBl97JxGcEvIFuKLo0UWTHgKc7jp5IeCt2ghF2lxw/s1600/Paint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="599" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrF_uhuTsX2l0Hb4MaRmka79jOZ81kMQfR9YcXMISlFYk4-6r9d49_rnSE8KUFGJJubwpqK16Xc2w2mr9xXs_FDQRB2-TMkn2ffBl97JxGcEvIFuKLo0UWTHgKc7jp5IeCt2ghF2lxw/s320/Paint.jpg" width="239" /></a>
<li>One larger and one smaller grapevine wreath</li>
<li>Spray paint of your choice (the original used white, I used an opaque, shimmery sparkle paint--see picture to the right)</li>
<li>Floral picks of your choice (you won't need many)</li>
<li>Lights--mine are battery operated, and the original was a white string that plugged in. I didn't have an outlet nearby, so I opted for battery lights.</li>
<li>Roll of burlap for the scarf</li>
<li>Small Santa hat</li>
<li>Floral wire</li>
<li>Hot glue gun and sticks</li>
</ul>
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The first thing to do is attach the smaller and larger wreath using the floral wire. I simply wrapped it around both wreaths until it wouldn't move any more.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26z2ergT86r7cBA9WtTxUKtuRt_7zQHvmiOCiv2nml4tuv3vIB8uI4KuylFOProsh00hCSomx1-Fh8gUWddq82jq5AuuUJbPJ9jmj_lW-ZKdEzxN6Dozk6rBJLSJyZA8-sFhYEognyw/s1600/Tied+together.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="799" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26z2ergT86r7cBA9WtTxUKtuRt_7zQHvmiOCiv2nml4tuv3vIB8uI4KuylFOProsh00hCSomx1-Fh8gUWddq82jq5AuuUJbPJ9jmj_lW-ZKdEzxN6Dozk6rBJLSJyZA8-sFhYEognyw/s320/Tied+together.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Next, I put some painter's plastic down and sprayed the wreaths. It took the full can of paint to give it the shimmery white-ish look, but I liked it. It looks like the wreath has frost on it. You'll want to leave it to dry for a few hours. I left it overnight.<br />
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Now it's time to assemble everything! <br />
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The next thing I did was wrap the strand of lights around the wreaths. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6m_Lczn1F06yoUCPgcDKp0ls-SSICVDhC56Wr4uH01g1KJYkO3TcVP0bUU3LPwLhXR2uPx2fmyDgN_DMD2I6bMp842sM3Y-VxD1NQY_FMBrmQbaBXcZ799_lpEYYwleMS6W7Nd6oacA/s1600/Lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="599" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6m_Lczn1F06yoUCPgcDKp0ls-SSICVDhC56Wr4uH01g1KJYkO3TcVP0bUU3LPwLhXR2uPx2fmyDgN_DMD2I6bMp842sM3Y-VxD1NQY_FMBrmQbaBXcZ799_lpEYYwleMS6W7Nd6oacA/s320/Lights.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I purchased these at Menards. They look cute, but a warning: the acrylic snowflakes kept popping off of the wire strand and I had to re-glue them back on.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAW4FOQqzOJe4P-wF4L3mTFYdYfbxxYahOrMkLj0A57g3CcrOR8xPm_93sKqmv2mQ8Gv9wk2h10lEPg8UqHIHkS-tl52eZc5mogypbcbt58w2X0XMGHZZy3xA1sdnSwASdKjjaEWxMZQ/s1600/Wreath+lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="599" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAW4FOQqzOJe4P-wF4L3mTFYdYfbxxYahOrMkLj0A57g3CcrOR8xPm_93sKqmv2mQ8Gv9wk2h10lEPg8UqHIHkS-tl52eZc5mogypbcbt58w2X0XMGHZZy3xA1sdnSwASdKjjaEWxMZQ/s320/Wreath+lights.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
I wrapped them around, trying to space the snowflakes evenly. After I had them where I wanted them, I tied them to the wreaths on the back with more floral wire.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRb3qMX45Y2Y3DicHh7XoxNoGXsXQ0Y-dIUbL1lUhqa6e0-izBe5-17_lyj3mJdFf1mPA0fz0BiUHWFkP61vhxCyh9hj0BXJXhcdw9svpF65nOfwJpqvfZtfUSXnlD2ALSfWK8T5L9bQ/s1600/Tied+lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="799" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRb3qMX45Y2Y3DicHh7XoxNoGXsXQ0Y-dIUbL1lUhqa6e0-izBe5-17_lyj3mJdFf1mPA0fz0BiUHWFkP61vhxCyh9hj0BXJXhcdw9svpF65nOfwJpqvfZtfUSXnlD2ALSfWK8T5L9bQ/s320/Tied+lights.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
After that, I tied the scarf on. I cut a long piece of burlap ribbon--probably about a 5' length-and laid it under the wreaths. I tied it off-center and let it hang down.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11R0OPxsyzkn6R8GRyTpTZJLWrJ7Z1s-0ewlU5IJphMcY3flw2dX3xg-z5wVGy6fPBLD6r7uVnVC7-Lus3FxHekLpXKB4q1M2g0eELkcOK-sUFDDr8IcmF1_iC4wVS5CWfv6t-ovJZQ/s1600/Wreath+scarf+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="799" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11R0OPxsyzkn6R8GRyTpTZJLWrJ7Z1s-0ewlU5IJphMcY3flw2dX3xg-z5wVGy6fPBLD6r7uVnVC7-Lus3FxHekLpXKB4q1M2g0eELkcOK-sUFDDr8IcmF1_iC4wVS5CWfv6t-ovJZQ/s320/Wreath+scarf+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then, I added the floral picks:<br />
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I tucked them in to the wreath, weaving them through when I could. Once I had them arranged the way I liked, I hot-glued them into place on the back. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lastly, I added the Santa hat and hot-glued it in place. All that was left to do was hang it up!<br />
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With the exception of the paint drying, it really only took between one and two hours to put it all together, and I think it turned out pretty cute! If you give it a try, let me know how it turns out! <br />
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Merry Christmas!<br />
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<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-61371665506942307332016-05-01T14:39:00.001-04:002016-05-01T14:39:45.196-04:00Our New Family Member!It's been a while since I've had the opportunity to post on here. We've been busy! In the last few months, I've started a new job (more on that another time) and we've welcomed a new family member. These are only two things, but they are BIG deals! <br />
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Before you get too excited, no, I was not pregnant and we don't have a new baby. <br />
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Our new family member is...a...labradoodle! And he's a cutie!<br />
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We got him from a local breeder, and he has been growing like a weed. We've had him for about a month now, and he's more than doubled in size since we picked him up. He's a lot of work, but he's been so much fun to have around, aside from the occasional house training accidents. He's doing well and I'm excited for you to meet him! So, without further ado, meet Mr. Shiloh Barkington!<br />
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<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-58650696855220502072016-02-12T09:00:00.000-05:002016-02-12T09:00:06.051-05:00Birds of a FeatherThe other day while working in the kitchen, I looked out the window to see a large white bird flying low above the field across the road. <br />
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It swooped, flew in figure eights, dove, landed, flew again, circled the field...you get the idea. At first, I thought I might be seeing a snowy owl hunting in the field...<br />
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but I realized that this bird had black wing tips, which wasn't normal for a snowy owl. It flew close to the road, then back to the back of the field; any time that it came close to the road I ran out the front door with my camera in hopes of getting a good photo. <br />
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I got some, but no really good pics of the bird's head. It was moving quite fast, and was hard to keep in the frame. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXeDIJvPZFWdMPFmEhJqbehGC3Cra_cWHoTzi-z6cB1rQO7RjhMErjHDO4CdpQtAWGmJlC5wXeKOJeJSkYHZx5HHIZILNPNQoTuVQV99y8tUrJ9d07ux7X41tYp9cuXHpiqRmobYgLw/s1600/DSCN0857-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXeDIJvPZFWdMPFmEhJqbehGC3Cra_cWHoTzi-z6cB1rQO7RjhMErjHDO4CdpQtAWGmJlC5wXeKOJeJSkYHZx5HHIZILNPNQoTuVQV99y8tUrJ9d07ux7X41tYp9cuXHpiqRmobYgLw/s320/DSCN0857-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
But based on the photos I did get, I think I figured that this is a Northern Harrier. I looked it up and here are some fun facts, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology:<br />
<ul>
<li>These are the most owl-like bird of this family (so I wasn't that wrong by first thinking it was an owl of some sort). They are considered part of the hawk family.</li>
<li>Their eye color changes from green (young males) and brown (young females) to yellow as they mature.</li>
<li>They hunt small animals and critters, including mice, voles, and birds, but have been known to attack larger prey as well like rabbits and ducks, subduing them by drowning the prey. Kind of mean.</li>
<li>The adult males are white and black, and the adult females are brown, black, and white. </li>
</ul>
I love living out in the country. So far, we've seen fox, deer, pheasants, hawks, and falcons, and I might be forgetting some things! I just love seeing the wildlife. But I'm always reminded that they are indeed wild, and it's a great reminder as I plan for future expansion, like chickens who will need protection and gardens that will need fences. <br />
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What do you see most in your yard?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com%2F" class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-53667627059478427172016-02-07T21:05:00.000-05:002016-02-07T21:05:58.330-05:00Seed CatalogsWe have internet this weekend (long story--still don't have a provider for internet or cable), so I wanted to post about my current obsession:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzpTlIb6Afs8HscIsI18vJA_aAUwQdEQx2u4tKFh0tur5P2pJMlkkpAHdzDmqluYvOSeo-qmin_Nezb2Mk9WZSMwbOra66DDeS28xspA4OGEs_-86jG2x4M0xUj1uJSd-OYBF7D8iwA/s1600/DSCN0884-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzpTlIb6Afs8HscIsI18vJA_aAUwQdEQx2u4tKFh0tur5P2pJMlkkpAHdzDmqluYvOSeo-qmin_Nezb2Mk9WZSMwbOra66DDeS28xspA4OGEs_-86jG2x4M0xUj1uJSd-OYBF7D8iwA/s200/DSCN0884-1.jpg" width="200" /></a>Seed catalogs. Every gardener gets them each winter. Every photo of every vegetable, fruit, flower, and herb looks incredible, and conjures images of warm summer sunshine, eating at a picnic table, working the dirt...it's like an escape from the gray, dreary landscape of winter. At least, it is for me!<br />
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This is my first year of requesting and receiving seed catalogs on a large scale. This is also the first <br />
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year that we are planning out our new, much larger garden and establishing perennial beds that will provide for years to come. I can't tell you how excited I am to be able to really plan, not just imagine or daydream about this, and with the warm-ish winter we've had in northwest Ohio, it's even harder to wait for spring. There have only been two snows this year to date--although I realize it's only the first part of February, so there are bound to be some more snow before all is said and done. But I digress.<br />
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I've placed and received one order for seeds from <a href="https://www.botanicalinterests.com/" target="_blank">Botanical Interests</a>, and just placed a second order for more seeds from <a href="http://www.highmowingseeds.com/" target="_blank">High Mowing Seeds</a>. I chose these two companies for several reasons: they offer a large selection of organic and heirloom seeds, they are both part of the safe seed pledge, they each had some really unique plants that I hadn't seen before, and very importantly, they both offered free shipping. Plus, I absolutely <i>love</i> the packages of seed from Botanical Interests--an artist draws each plant for the packet, and they are just beautiful; I think I'll keep the packets to display after planting! I still have more plants and seeds to purchase, but the rest can be found locally, so I think I'm done with mail orders.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren't these beautiful? I love the illustrations!</td></tr>
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My growing space will be in our basement, which stays relatively warm, but probably not quite warm enough for seedlings, and definitely not enough light for small plants. Because of this, I've purchased seedling heat mats, plastic pellet greenhouses, a shoplight that will shine growing fluorescent lights, and seedling potting soil. I also purchased a little metal greenhouse rack that was brand-new in the box from a rummage sale a few years ago, and finally have the chance to use it for my seedlings.<br />
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So, I'm ready to go! All we need is some warmer weather. Are you starting to plan for your garden yet? Comment below!</div>
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<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-49038808652629319012015-09-01T07:02:00.000-04:002015-09-01T07:02:36.956-04:00Hello!Howdy! It's been a while since I've been on here. Hard to believe September has arrived! We still don't have internet access, so this is just a quick post from my phone. Not ideal, but it'll do right now. We've moved into our homestead and when we do have internet, I'll post pictures. We're really excited to have done this, and looking forward to the things we plan to do here. <br />
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Hopefully we'll be back online soon. Until then, I'll just have to be content with pictureless posts. :). <br /><br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com%2F" class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-43454054392607551472015-06-11T08:50:00.000-04:002015-06-11T08:50:29.676-04:00Almost ThereIt has been a busy, trying time. We are in the process of simultaneously selling our house and buying a house out in the country, and we've had several setbacks. However, we continue to inch toward a closing date and, a few weeks after that, a possession date. Excitement is creeping in...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Gm9niFWklI8RFc-661Q65a3D35_eCpQwOO7gL_Nc6BF3_N3m03gJjJ7dLz9XHRNcGX5hqK10sJVFh6RYMI9h230F0LhO1LP4HfKM1HncZZzeaKsj8ePO_LeW95lstUI1ke1wOfN4uw/s1600/Backyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Gm9niFWklI8RFc-661Q65a3D35_eCpQwOO7gL_Nc6BF3_N3m03gJjJ7dLz9XHRNcGX5hqK10sJVFh6RYMI9h230F0LhO1LP4HfKM1HncZZzeaKsj8ePO_LeW95lstUI1ke1wOfN4uw/s320/Backyard.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A portion of our soon-to-be back yard. This will eventually become gardens. Look at all that sky!!</td></tr>
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I am so excited to have wide open spaces! To see the vast expanse of blue skies that stretch for miles! To inhale the sweet smell of corn fields in the warm summer evenings! To watch fireflies dance in the dusk! To walk among the rows of garden plants and harvest an incredible bounty! To hear my chickens cheer when they lay eggs! <i>To have two toilets!! </i><br />
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(For the record, we've never had two toilets at any house we've lived in. It'll be glorious.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJlAvML9olMmH8Y1qdZMP4BSezGp47tuV8ITX2-7G-1gkCC0R4Vb25iL0T5nRaQpKEyHvrQUfqcV3DLbBQNZv0gcGmUrHCXN6FBwm2OeTdRSRcZy_j0egT_HKPhqf8fyzDJx75-MTnw/s1600/Corn+fields.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaJlAvML9olMmH8Y1qdZMP4BSezGp47tuV8ITX2-7G-1gkCC0R4Vb25iL0T5nRaQpKEyHvrQUfqcV3DLbBQNZv0gcGmUrHCXN6FBwm2OeTdRSRcZy_j0egT_HKPhqf8fyzDJx75-MTnw/s320/Corn+fields.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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To finally see our dream realized! To see a new chapter of our lives started!!<br />
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As our little farm grows, I'll post updates--and it <i>will</i> grow! Over time, we plan to have gardens (vegetable, herb, and butterfly/bee/cut flower), a small fruit & nut orchard, maybe some grapevines, a pond, chickens, a dog, barn cats...and who knows what else! All of it will keep us busy for sure. I'll share victories and mistakes, and hope that others can learn from both. This is entirely new for us, but we're both very excited about the possibilities that this home will open for us. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13pPb19U4qNfieinl63sk4AVtHZoso8wie6dpXF5ck7JcLm78h3t8jC4LFCfHdk-OmWrJbU8yhDyxWRGI5GEqjNcQu3DSOpwjyyv-Nei5KOtebVjd-zdMlBM7rowNysVK9kbrdcIWVg/s1600/Chickens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13pPb19U4qNfieinl63sk4AVtHZoso8wie6dpXF5ck7JcLm78h3t8jC4LFCfHdk-OmWrJbU8yhDyxWRGI5GEqjNcQu3DSOpwjyyv-Nei5KOtebVjd-zdMlBM7rowNysVK9kbrdcIWVg/s320/Chickens.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not my chickens. I occasionally see these guys (ladies?) on the way to work in the mornings, so I took a picture one day.</td></tr>
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Praise the Lord! He continues to surprise us and bless us, even in times when it doesn't feel like a blessing. And oh my gosh, what a learning experience this has been!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com%2F" class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-24901142471242384732015-05-17T16:33:00.001-04:002015-05-17T20:54:21.062-04:00Spring Busyness and Test ResultsLots going on right now! We are in the process of selling our current home and have an offer on another home...it's out in the country with four acres! It's all so exciting right now. Everything is still pending inspections, but so far, we're moving forward. I'll keep you updated as things progress.<br />
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In a <a href="http://hearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com/2015/04/exciting-news.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>, I mentioned that I started seeing a chiropractor/wellness practitioner. At our initial visit back in March, he recommended three tests, all of which I took and finally received results. I went back to get the results at the beginning of the week, and learned some interesting things--things that make sense now.<br />
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1) I DO have leaky gut. After seeing the results of the blood test, the practitioner knew what was going on:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRRPrYoD-pDfYCt0QyGrLPywDogxnVbureHireLBST7FaF-djIdcyMHBguSXXJG2AkPe3jmD0IPBnWf_mOMKHaIS1N7t0McgChJVsj-oEhXgSw97SMM6cf2tAWVkL4gH0sx1eUOxaSw/s1600/Food+Sensitivity+Results.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRRPrYoD-pDfYCt0QyGrLPywDogxnVbureHireLBST7FaF-djIdcyMHBguSXXJG2AkPe3jmD0IPBnWf_mOMKHaIS1N7t0McgChJVsj-oEhXgSw97SMM6cf2tAWVkL4gH0sx1eUOxaSw/s320/Food+Sensitivity+Results.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
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Every food tested is rated from 0-4 on a sensitivity scale. 0s and 1s are still okay to eat (1s need to be eaten only occasionally), but I was advised to avoid 2s and 3s for the next month. As you can see, there are some pretty healthy foods on the do-not-eat list, which was disappointing, because I was enjoying the healthier diet. The results of this test actually confused me. Notice how dairy and eggs show no reaction, even though I know they don't sit well with me? I'm not sure why, but I'm still avoiding them. And how is white sugar just fine, and soda is perfectly acceptable, but broccoli, carrots, green beans, lemons, garlic, tomatoes, etc. all bad for me?? Well...I don't know, but because of the fact that all of these items are present in the blood test, it means that particles from the foods are permeating the intestinal wall and entering the blood stream = not good = leaky gut and inflammation of the body. This is a result of stress and medications that I have taken over the course of my life (antibiotics being the biggest contributor). Going out to eat will be nearly impossible, but at least I have some direction now, and it explains why I was still having a lot of problems on GAPS. Turns out, GAPS is not for everyone, and I guess I'm one of them.<br />
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2) My adrenal glands are functioning at VERY low levels as the day progresses, which explains my constant fatigue: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDlzPHz3kDedNIRKfBWc0nbzMKrQ5x-rw5uyuO4AeT0mYEJFMcKiBKdLY90k4btkxnBmbOdN-miWYOjro5YCQIIqv6Z7sgLDggnDFqFsUWU-SF5MaD-41cczlh0n6Q28Kvng5Hwew0w/s1600/Cortisol+Adrenal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDlzPHz3kDedNIRKfBWc0nbzMKrQ5x-rw5uyuO4AeT0mYEJFMcKiBKdLY90k4btkxnBmbOdN-miWYOjro5YCQIIqv6Z7sgLDggnDFqFsUWU-SF5MaD-41cczlh0n6Q28Kvng5Hwew0w/s320/Cortisol+Adrenal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I can get through the morning fairly well, but by the afternoon, I get really tired and feel that way for the rest of the night. The adrenal glands are responsible for a multitude of functions in the body, including blocking inflammatory responses by producing cortisol, stabilizing blood sugar levels, and dealing with stress levels in the body, among other things. When you have adrenal glands that aren't working the way they're supposed to, the body really struggles to maintain status quo. The inflammatory responses are a result of the permeable intestines (or vice versa). I've always had blood sugar issues, as has my mother, and get really shaky when blood sugar levels plummet, which happened frequently before I changed my diet. It's not as common now, but still does happen. Stress...well, that's been a life-long issue for me. People are probably my biggest source of stress, and a close second is my job and the jobs I've had in the past. I've also struggled with handling stress well, and now it's all come to a head. I'll be learning how to deal with stress in a more healthy manner in the coming weeks. Want to know a little more about adrenals? A simple explanation of the function of these little glands with a big job can be found <a href="https://www.adrenalfatigue.org/adrenal-function">here</a>.<br />
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3) Thankfully, I don't appear to have a candida (yeast) overgrowth, nor do I have any evidence of parasites in my digestive system. Yes, it was tested for, and yes, both of those issues can cause the same symptoms that I have been experiencing, so I was happy to take the test to rule those out. It also means that there is no need for additional medical treatment before starting the healing protocol. The test did reveal an imbalance in my good and bad digestive bacteria, though, and that will have to be remedied. The cause of this would also go back to overused antibiotic prescriptions (I'll be a lot more cautious about prescription meds from now own). I'm not against prescription medications--there are some good, helpful medications available in this day. However, I'll be more inclined to pursue natural remedies for what ails me before I try medication if it's something simple.<br />
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If you are experiencing the problems I've had, I urge you to seek out a doctor who has experience with these symptoms. It's not always easy, and probably not cheap, but it was worth it to me to just get these test results back--tests that none of the traditional medicine docs felt were necessary to order. Find someone who is familiar with your symptoms and has treated others with the same problems. I know that not many people out there right now have experienced or are experiencing what I've been going through, but if my experience can help at least one other person find answers, then it's worth it. <br />
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*If you are interested in the tests I took, send me a message or leave a comment. I'll be happy to share the names of the tests that were prescribed so that you can go to your doc and request them. <div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com%2F" class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-49601949609173973452015-04-27T19:22:00.002-04:002015-04-27T19:22:34.387-04:00Exciting News!I realize I've been quiet on here for a while now, over a month! What gives, right?<br />
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Honestly, there just hasn't been a great deal of anything going on to discuss. We've been working hard, cleaning up after another winter, and now, we have decided that it's time to finally start looking for our dream "forever" home out in the country. Yes, it's time to put our little suburban house up for sale!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEUU7bk_EdU5t5XDp3XvPWl-WUHoTrLRXIDa33724ZJgEFkfQOPgb8cUENX__ABnD0soANde5JDQKwzi0H5vp3g_DoR_yx7IxkelFJK8f1t1jQaNCo1Y5CdLj-LFC4Yi_sbDcCd-pYw/s1600/DSCN9321-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEUU7bk_EdU5t5XDp3XvPWl-WUHoTrLRXIDa33724ZJgEFkfQOPgb8cUENX__ABnD0soANde5JDQKwzi0H5vp3g_DoR_yx7IxkelFJK8f1t1jQaNCo1Y5CdLj-LFC4Yi_sbDcCd-pYw/s1600/DSCN9321-1.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
A while ago, <a href="http://hearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com/2013/06/whats-important.html">I wrote a post</a> about what was important in my life, and how those priorities have changed over the past several years. Now is our chance to make some of those things happen! Hard to believe, really. We've been here for over seven years. When we moved here, we thought it would only be for a few years, but the Lord works in ways that we can't understand and sometimes don't even realize. We've had great neighbors (for a change) in this little neighborhood. There have been some negatives, but overall it's been a good seven years. But now, it's time to get out in the country, start our little hobby farm, and get away from the noise and concrete of the city. Start another chapter of our lives, really.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxM0SqMn-6T75tkfOQNiyTRH9hQAXQHWGZzvOE55MTcDekvmTZjs5koI7FUB-brbrwZTczyeno72e823VxMz2xieAChkKa08wuYo6rrWnI3YiJL5TCilZirWqIOgmdLvqq9YFqGTXsA/s1600/DSCN9318-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxM0SqMn-6T75tkfOQNiyTRH9hQAXQHWGZzvOE55MTcDekvmTZjs5koI7FUB-brbrwZTczyeno72e823VxMz2xieAChkKa08wuYo6rrWnI3YiJL5TCilZirWqIOgmdLvqq9YFqGTXsA/s1600/DSCN9318-1.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm so very excited!! This is going to be an interesting adventure, for sure!<br />
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For the time being, though, posts will most likely be sporadic and short. I'm looking forward to seeing how the Lord works all of this out for us, and hopefully soon, I'll be able to share the news of our new home.<br />
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An update on GAPS: I'm not really following it right now. I got to the end of my rope with it last month and was finally able to find a wellness practitioner here in our city, and have started seeing him. He is very familiar with my problems and knows about GAPS but is not a GAPS practitioner, so I'm not likely to go back on it. I have lost 15-20 lbs. so far on GAPS and it has taught me how to eat better, which I'm happy with, but it was too stressful for me. I am looking forward to seeing what this practitioner has to say once additional test results come in. <div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com%2F" class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-15331223237033416382015-02-27T20:40:00.001-05:002015-02-27T20:40:47.561-05:00The Shattering of the Ball JarsWell, eight weeks into GAPS and I still don't have spare time to do anything else! I should have known better. I did, however, purchase a starter online to try making sour cream (creme fraiche) over the weekend. I'm going to try introducing dairy. I have been praying for enough healing to have taken place that I'll be able to tolerate it. We'll see what happens.<br />
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I love collecting old jars. I love the colors, I love the old style of writing, I love the history behind them, and it reminds me of just how much work women did to preserve food and provide for their families. While these jars at one time functioned as a mundane, utilitarian vessel for food, now they are being used in all sorts of creative situations. Personally, I usually use my antique canning jars to hold flowers, both fresh and dried. A pretty ribbon around the top makes them look so cute! I do, however, purchase new jars for kitchen and food storage, which leads me to the topic of this post.<br />
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<a href="http://hearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com/2015/01/gaps-stage-4-summary.html">A while back</a>, I mentioned that I kept finding shattered Ball jars in my upright freezer when I was getting stock out. I ended up with somewhere around a dozen shattered jars before I just gave up and ordered plastic deli containers specifically made for freezing. I didn't want to use plastic, but I was left with no other option. I was so confused about why my jars were breaking--I'd seen so many blogs from others who talked about freezing their broth in glass jars--that I took to scouring the internet for explanations and others who had experienced the same thing. And that's exactly what I found.<br />
<br />
Turns out, many others had made the same mistakes as me. Someone, in one blog's comments, politely pointed out that the regular mouth jars seem to be most prone to breaking, but that NONE of the quart Ball jars are freezer safe. Sure enough, I went into the pantry and pulled down an old Ball jar box that I had kept, and it did state that the quart jars (all types) <b><u><i>are not freezer safe</i></u></b>.<br />
<br />
Hmm.<br />
<br />
Why on earth not?? You mean in all of our technology, we cannot engineer a freezer-safe glass canning jar? On GAPS, broths are too valuable to lose to broken jars, and I just can't chance drinking broth and finding a shard of glass when I try to swallow. Glass canning jars can withstand extremely <i>high</i> temperatures when canning, but they apparently become too brittle when frozen. Turns out, the shape of the jar might have everything to do with it.<br />
<br />
Anyone who knows about jars (which is probably a group of about ten people on Earth and includes me) will understand that the <i>shoulders</i> of the jars are likely the culprit. Shoulders of jars are the curved or sloped shape of the top of the jar, at the spot where the jar opening narrows to accommodate the size of the lid. <br />
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Many folks are of the opinion that the liquid, which expands when it freezes, pushes against the curves of the top of the jar, creating too much pressure and not enough expansion room, thereby causing the liquid to push against the weakest part of the jars--the shoulders. There might be less chance of that happening with wide-mouth jars due to a less-pronounced shoulder, but I can say from experience that both the regular-mouth and wide-mouth jars will shatter. The only jars that are freezer-safe, according to the Ball jar box, are the jars with straight sides, like the jelly jars and half pint wide mouth jars.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2F5hI-htcIlztRPxtGkzY9dOvMil3kNJa29af2lNc2RBINwDubRXAUN8FZVo55DxHbsnB_3WFJ21GWxl3CuQAeJ54EqizwtAthHERu5qocEWAE3Zt6UmFYMJ_4YVqY75mbAKdaMQEA/s1600/DSCN9804-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2F5hI-htcIlztRPxtGkzY9dOvMil3kNJa29af2lNc2RBINwDubRXAUN8FZVo55DxHbsnB_3WFJ21GWxl3CuQAeJ54EqizwtAthHERu5qocEWAE3Zt6UmFYMJ_4YVqY75mbAKdaMQEA/s1600/DSCN9804-1.jpg" height="320" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No shoulders on this jar!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Don't they know how much room all of those wide-mouth half pint jars would take up in my freezer??<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYfV-yyyL1-dfY0Ky-ieZwUmq6mzUtvqP2GN_neuhrm7DjYCSQOQAvj5_a0A4uk7wAG8WYQDkNz53J4lqPLBUmiiQiPdHfB-l5dBbZ2iC0VRk7OlLL6tSsI-y6U6BSL1TJ0YIe-2NgA/s1600/Half+pint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYfV-yyyL1-dfY0Ky-ieZwUmq6mzUtvqP2GN_neuhrm7DjYCSQOQAvj5_a0A4uk7wAG8WYQDkNz53J4lqPLBUmiiQiPdHfB-l5dBbZ2iC0VRk7OlLL6tSsI-y6U6BSL1TJ0YIe-2NgA/s1600/Half+pint.jpg" height="320" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>You guys. I made this picture. It took for-e-ver. And it's not even good, because I'm novice at best with Photoshop and had to copy and paste every...single...little...jar into the rows. And the rows are all crooked, because the program froze on me halfway through the first attempt and I lost the file, so I had to start alllll over again. And then it was past my bedtime and I didn't care if the rows were straight. But it's a great illustration of how many jars it would take to fill up my freezer shelf with half-pints of broth, if I actually knew how many jars it would really take. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Lesson learned: always be sure to check the box of glass jars for confirmation of being freezer safe! Oh well. Hopefully this will help you to not make the same mistake I made. Like I said, I finally settled on freezer-specific quart containers for my broth, and they are doing a great job so far. The sad part is thinking about how many dozen Ball jars I purchased in anticipation of starting GAPS. Frowny face. On the upside, I love using Ball jars for all sorts of other storage, so I'm sure I'll find a use for at least some of them. Plus, I guess I'm ready to try canning when I get a gas stove! <div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com%2F" class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-50328399508576801742015-02-08T11:52:00.000-05:002015-02-08T11:55:11.625-05:00GAPS Stage 6 Summary, And GAPS Peanut Butter Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Goodbye, Intro!! I've been waiting a loooong time to say that. <br />
<br />
I've decided that it's time to move us to the full GAPS diet now. I really haven't had problems with introducing anything in Stage 6, so I said to myself, 'Self, it's time to move on!' I'm hoping that this diet becomes less labor-intensive now. I simply can't keep up this pace of constant food prep, storing, and freezing. We have had no life on the weekends, as I've been stuck in the kitchen making food and stocks to prepare for the upcoming workweek. I have come to the conclusion that once my intolerances are gone, I will start adding foods in that aren't GAPS-legal, and move away from the diet somewhat. However, I believe that the diet is healthy for us, so I don't want to completely abandon it--I just need a break, and I miss regular things like potatoes. Hubby and I are happy with our results to this point, although my results are far less measurable than his. We also decided that this is a great way to cleanse/purge the body of things that are bad for us, so we've decided to do this every January, to restore our bodies after the binges of the holiday season.<br />
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<b>My summary of Stage 6, and the Intro Diet as a whole: </b><br />
<br />
<i>What I've Learned:</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOS8Wa7_AIe-G3KmYQcxkTWnxVreUBOnt16jZy_GAR240bStdWJDe0bodTsa1gMO1orKnrXurXVVbD_6VtVZB1lTkKruvLcG_kXtYH5dAjKOudri4cZ1FfyR0_Jk1t1iG1pItys7ozQ/s1600/DSCN9778-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOS8Wa7_AIe-G3KmYQcxkTWnxVreUBOnt16jZy_GAR240bStdWJDe0bodTsa1gMO1orKnrXurXVVbD_6VtVZB1lTkKruvLcG_kXtYH5dAjKOudri4cZ1FfyR0_Jk1t1iG1pItys7ozQ/s1600/DSCN9778-1.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a>I've learned that willpower plays a huge role in this diet. Having determination and a goal helps <span id="goog_311062243"></span>greatly with the willpower (my goal was to heal my food intolerances). It's <i>really</i> hard to not go out to eat, and to know that I can't have things I like, but to me, the probable end result makes everything I've had to give up seem worth it. I have realized just how much we socialize over food, and I've missed that, because it's just been easier to navigate this diet by staying home and not even being tempted. My husband has gone out for lunch at work a few times, and just ate salad (which was ahead of where he was in the Intro, but necessary to do). I continue to hope and wait for the day that I can eat an egg and cheese omelet or join others for an ice cream cone again. I'll continue to give occasional updates on our progress, and will rejoice in the day when I can say that dairy and eggs are no longer my enemies!<br />
<span id="goog_311062242"></span><br />
<br />
<i>Tips for the Intro Diet:</i><br />
If you plan to start this diet, prep for it well ahead of time. Give yourself a month to start stocking up the freezer with broth and soup veggies. Mentally prepare yourself for a lot of work in the kitchen, and enlist help as needed from the family. Build a support system, because it will be hard, and if you're a Christian, remember this: <i><u>I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me</u> (Phil. 4:13)</i>! Be very committed to sticking to a strict diet and not allowing cheating, especially with kids (get rid of tempting food if you think it'll be a problem). Eating something that is GAPS-legal but only allowed on a stage ahead of where you currently are is one thing; eating something GAPS-illegal is very different, and could cause significant setbacks, depending on your situation. Be sure to read through the GAPS diet book by Natasha Campbell-McBride, and consider signing up for the GAPS support group on Yahoo, as well as the group on Facebook. A really good site for frequently asked questions and advice is <a href="http://www.badenlashkov.com/">badenlashkov.com</a>. You can look up so many topics on that site! I also purchased an e-book that I had printed at Staples called <span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.healthhomeandhappiness.com/grain-free-2/30-days-on-gaps-intro-e-book" target="_blank"><i>What Can I Eat Now? 30 Days of recipes and tips for the GAPS™ Intro Diet</i></a>, by Health, Home and Happiness. Finally, look over the GAPS faq page located at <a href="http://www.gaps.me/preview/?page_id=32">GAPS.me</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">All that being said, it <i>does</i> get easier as you get farther into the Intro. In fact, by Stage 6, you will begin to introduce more comforting foods, like increasing your honey amounts and sweet fruits. By then, you'll be so glad to have this variety! Every food introduced tastes really good. You'll have developed a new-found respect for foods that you probably didn't give much thought to before the diet. :) And with that, I give you a cookie recipe for you to enjoy! I don't know why, but these cookies really lifted my spirits once I was able to figure out the recipe. The ingredients aren't anything that we hadn't already been eating, but just knowing that these are <i>cookies</i> makes all of the difference!</span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKS9FugUEGh6ksm3PMN-rIDePQyHU7B2B43kjshqgXG27n5Mr2ZQFfPkVzI81DvfXCyLPLWW3dGOzoFpbhFZGcC9EKXx0TANGbQzWhNVe5ERJf1W-Le5O3Pov1uAfu3NsCvI777Z4fQ/s1600/DSCN9790-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKS9FugUEGh6ksm3PMN-rIDePQyHU7B2B43kjshqgXG27n5Mr2ZQFfPkVzI81DvfXCyLPLWW3dGOzoFpbhFZGcC9EKXx0TANGbQzWhNVe5ERJf1W-Le5O3Pov1uAfu3NsCvI777Z4fQ/s1600/DSCN9790-1.jpg" height="190" width="320" /></a><i><b>GAPS-Legal Peanut Butter Cookies!!</b> (DF, CF, GF, Egg-Free, Vegetarian, Tasty!)<b> </b></i><br />
<b>Ingredients:</b><br />
1 C all-natural peanut butter (make your own, or buy from the store--nothing but peanuts and salt)
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
1/2 C raw honey</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 TBSP homemade vanilla</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 TBSP flax meal dissolved in 6 TBSP water, allowed to sit
and gel for 10 minutes (or two eggs)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Instructions: </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl
until smooth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drop by rounded teaspoon
onto a parchment-paper lined cookie pan, and bake at 350 degrees for 12-15
minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Allow to sit on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before removing them to a
cooling rack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will be slightly
gooey in the middle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Best eaten warm! Makes about 20
cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>GAPS Stage 6 legal.</div>
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<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-90167285727898150102015-02-01T16:21:00.000-05:002016-01-04T14:41:29.448-05:00GAPS Stage 5 SummaryUgh, I've struggled this week! It seems that I have had little time or energy to try and get ahead during the weeknights. I have been moderately successful with keeping up and getting ahead up to this point. During Stage 5, we are expected to introduce applesauce, raw veggies, and some fruit juices. I did get applesauce made, but didn't have time until the end of the week to make a salad and more juice. I also need to make some more broth, because my Ball jars keep shattering in the freezer (a separate post to come on that topic). I introduced crispy bacon during this stage, and I made a BLT salad this weekend for dinner. I still cannot tolerate eggs--when am I going to start seeing healing?? I've read other blogs by people who've said that their food intolerances were gone by the fourth or sixth week, and that's what I was hoping for! I'll just keep going until I see those results in myself, but I'm growing impatient.<br />
<br />
<b>Stage 5 Summary:</b><br />
One more stage to go before the full diet! That will be nice. It'll also be nice to maybe have time to write about things besides GAPS for a change. This diet takes up all of my time, and I've missed being able to do other things. I'm hoping that gets better after the intro. I've had some annoying side effects so far, but nothing too bad. I'm pretty sure that I've experienced bouts of ketosis (not eating enough carbohydrates) and have really struggled with fatigue. I find that I'm not a big fan of plain squash, which has plenty of carbohydrates--I grew up eating it mashed with butter and brown sugar, and I find that it REALLY needs those components to make it tasty for me. I've combated it by introducing apples and almonds early, and it seemed to work fairly well to bring me out of those tired spells. I've also had some insomnia, headaches, and <i>strong </i>comfort food cravings. But thankfully, those are the worst side effects that I've experienced, and I haven't had any more setbacks as far as reactions to food.<br />
<br />
Note: I really think I should get an award of some sort for going for an entire month (and counting) without chocolate of any sort. <br />
<br />
We are enjoying still more variety in our meals. In searching for recipes to add to our meal repertoire, I came across a recipe for a vegetarian tomato and basil casserole. It sounded intriguing, so I tweaked it to our tastes, added some meat, and voila! We <i>really</i> liked this! This would be a good, healthy, and relatively low-cal meal for anyone, not just GAPS folks. It satisfies a craving for pasta, and surprisingly, the spaghetti squash does not taste like squash--it tastes like slightly crunchy spaghetti! Try it; I think you'll like it!<br />
<br />
<u><b>Recipe for GAPS-friendly Spaghetti Squash Casserole (GF, optional DF)</b></u><br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Ingredients:</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMe4u1rPnwhyjdBkvArh8cVSkj8H68gidUYhQDhYCn6__DAhljhZ3cBj17jpkodAYLAIVhFNzTq8DmVhOS5fRFeXMLDtswv6JtFu4GvxKfYQZxxFFe9myveNZqH933bGkAZ4wreUf3A/s1600/DSCN9773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMe4u1rPnwhyjdBkvArh8cVSkj8H68gidUYhQDhYCn6__DAhljhZ3cBj17jpkodAYLAIVhFNzTq8DmVhOS5fRFeXMLDtswv6JtFu4GvxKfYQZxxFFe9myveNZqH933bGkAZ4wreUf3A/s1600/DSCN9773.JPG" width="320" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1 medium
spaghetti squash</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1 pint
cherry or grape tomatoes</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
4 cloves of
garlic, grated</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
2-3 TBSP
cold-pressed olive oil</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
2 TBSP
butter or ghee (optional if dairy-free)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
15-20 leaves
fresh basil, roughly chopped</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1 lb.
hamburger, cooked</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Salt &
pepper to taste</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Parmesan
cheese (optional if dairy-free)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Directions:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cook spaghetti squash by cutting it in half lengthwise and
placing cut sides down in a 9 x 13 baking dish filled with about an inch of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roast at 375 degrees for 30-35 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Remove from the oven and let cool (if possible, do this early in the day
and let it rest until meal time).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
needs to be cool enough to hold. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pour olive oil into the bottom of a 9 x 9 baking dish or 3-quart
casserole dish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Place tomatoes and
garlic in the baking dish, toss to coat in oil and distribute garlic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roast for 10 minutes, or until tomatoes begin
to burst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Meanwhile, if your hamburger is not already cooked, brown it
(but do not burn or create dark saute marks!) your hamburger in a skillet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chop your basil and scrape out the spaghetti
by running a fork from side to side, not top to bottom, of the squash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll get longer strands doing it side to
side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Take the tomatoes and garlic out of the oven, and carefully
mash them with a fork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mix in the hamburger,
basil, and spaghetti squash, and carefully toss all to combine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Place back in the oven to warm through, 5-10
minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watch carefully to prevent the
squash from burning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">*Serves 4.
GAPS Stage 5/6 or fu<span style="font-family: inherit;">ll GAPS.</span></span></span></span></i><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com%2F" class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-70030967940577129452015-01-24T21:17:00.000-05:002015-01-24T21:17:37.702-05:00GAPS Stage 4 Summary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhlbDbYO6ujDi657NgxvVHe5HsPcFr-xalnow8650UH7Y56B8b-UXb0id-NxEj4AMhoT8xoSIwBqGYBt2AuuZFyu2P7tz5lzxjh8aVrLl_Z55NMrGftURdJ9d-M2AwHi7FH_09ChNfA/s1600/DSCN9767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhlbDbYO6ujDi657NgxvVHe5HsPcFr-xalnow8650UH7Y56B8b-UXb0id-NxEj4AMhoT8xoSIwBqGYBt2AuuZFyu2P7tz5lzxjh8aVrLl_Z55NMrGftURdJ9d-M2AwHi7FH_09ChNfA/s1600/DSCN9767.JPG" height="149" width="200" /></a>Stage 4! Two weeks in, and we moved all the way through to Stage 4. It feels good to have made it this far! We're enjoying even more of a range of foods. The other night, I made baked salmon with roasted asparagus, both drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper. Mighty tasty! We both greatly enjoyed that meal. In fact, hubby said it needed to be a once-a-week meal! If it's hubby approved, then you <i>know</i> it's good.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVoMuSPu1qbBzimXfrbNRslb4N0wXENDXgT7IeUbnuRe-a9B8dHNKNcA5W5tfYLIym4CW3dDmz-SvHgnJ-G2F6U8v_oYx7fUyc1103BhzgQfLS59D4LQW271RoaTLtWDGtDz56qLqxg/s1600/DSCN9765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVoMuSPu1qbBzimXfrbNRslb4N0wXENDXgT7IeUbnuRe-a9B8dHNKNcA5W5tfYLIym4CW3dDmz-SvHgnJ-G2F6U8v_oYx7fUyc1103BhzgQfLS59D4LQW271RoaTLtWDGtDz56qLqxg/s1600/DSCN9765.JPG" height="200" width="118" /></a></div>
I tried out my juicer! Holy cow, does that thing <i>work</i>. This is my first experience with any juicing, but I'm actually kind of excited to have purchased it now! I admit that I really don't know what I'm doing, but I made a pint jar full of carrot juice, and honestly, it was fun! It has an incredible motor on it--I put the carrots in, turned it on, and <i>whirrrrrr, buzzzz,</i> the carrots were gone and juice was running! I can't wait to try other things in there. I was tempted to go root around the fridge and just see what else I could find to put through it, but I didn't. I'm really looking forward to introducing fresh orange juice in the mornings (which I've missed soooo much) and making my own concoctions for beverages. Apple juice will be especially good, I'm sure! I'm not sure about whether to keep the pulp or not, but there are some recipes in the GAPS book that call for pulp. I'll have to investigate further. If you're interested, it's a Hamilton Beach 67601A Big Mouth Juicer.<br />
<br />
<br />
I'm still having soup for my lunch every day. I'm doing my best to make sure I drink all of the broth with the soup, but I think I need to be drinking more broth. If I just do an 8 oz. cup with each meal, and plug my nose and chug it, I might be okay. For some reason, I can't stand to just drink the broth on its own--if it's in soup, no problem. I just don't find it appealing as a beverage AT ALL. I just need to find a way around that.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJX3CAjwgeDtSmm98h3qmAGcxsDoKto_BwDVp1BnE_FMmSAzi4Q1L4_hgJKE3yLsJ0qzNnxQQAXZ17YiWU-MC-4-YRqX8o8HNU46HLvH21O_vMHpf9hhyphenhyphenC2UP8JHnGx_QFDVVfS0rIWg/s1600/DSCN9743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJX3CAjwgeDtSmm98h3qmAGcxsDoKto_BwDVp1BnE_FMmSAzi4Q1L4_hgJKE3yLsJ0qzNnxQQAXZ17YiWU-MC-4-YRqX8o8HNU46HLvH21O_vMHpf9hhyphenhyphenC2UP8JHnGx_QFDVVfS0rIWg/s1600/DSCN9743.JPG" height="144" width="200" /></a>I found that three (and later, two more) jars of broth cracked in the freezer! I didn't know that they would do that. Hubby thinks I filled the jars too full, and they expanded too much when they froze. I think he's right. Considering how stout Ball jars are, it was a big surprise when I pulled these out. Needless to say, I didn't keep the jars or the broth, in case there were some little shards that had become embedded in the frozen liquid. Not good to find in soups!<br />
<br />
<br />
However, soup is always improved with crackers! I mentioned in my Stage 3 summary that I had a cracker recipe that I was going to share. I found the original recipe on Pinterest, but altered it to omit the eggs because it seems that I have a sensitivity to eggs, too. Here's the recipe:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1w4m13035Ofr0G2HUhLUvGj6iGNQdKtZSOomekd_G1UzNepEqzG7Ww3XTvFbJkfF2k1-9Oq505i6avRSHGgSLw1rWGEM2CqPtEZcKIHckW6VIbbBBDW1xXR7gpG-m3cWX9FrB2iQMg/s1600/DSCN9745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1w4m13035Ofr0G2HUhLUvGj6iGNQdKtZSOomekd_G1UzNepEqzG7Ww3XTvFbJkfF2k1-9Oq505i6avRSHGgSLw1rWGEM2CqPtEZcKIHckW6VIbbBBDW1xXR7gpG-m3cWX9FrB2iQMg/s1600/DSCN9745.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a><b>Almond Crackers</b> (original recipe can be found <a href="http://comfybelly.com/2010/07/almond-saltine-cracker/#.VLxhyy5UWRg" target="_blank">here</a>)<br />
2 C almond meal/flour<br />
1/2 tsp sea salt<br />
1 large egg (or sub flax meal, like I did--see flax meal package for egg substitution directions)<br />
1 TBSP olive oil<br />
(Optional) Extra sea salt, for sprinkling on top of crackers<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour and salt in bowl. If using flax meal, prepare that and set aside to soak according to package directions. Combine egg (or flax mix) and olive oil with dry ingredients to form a ball--dough should hold together and not be crumbly. Divide the mixture into two balls, and place one ball on a Silpat mat or parchment paper. Place a second piece of parchment on top of dough, and roll to very thin (the thinner, the crunchier). Score crackers into squares with a knife or pizza cutter, and move baking mat to a cookie sheet, and sprinkle with extra sea salt. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until crackers start to brown lightly around the edges. Allow to cool before breaking apart. Store in a glass jar or airtight container.<br />
<br />
<b>Summary of Stage 4:</b><br />
Continues to get easier. I really like being able to add almond meal to the ingredient list. I also like roasting meats and having that other option--boiled meats get so old! Dinners now are consisting of roasted meats and roasted or boiled veggies, and either an addition of cold-pressed olive oil or coconut oil. I'm hoping that my insides are very happy with me! We ended up staying on Stage 4 longer than anticipated not because of any setbacks, but rather because I used all of my grocery money buying food for Stage 3, and had to wait until we got paid again to get groceries for Stages 5 & 6. I feel that we spend as much on groceries now as we did on groceries <i>and</i> eating out before, so that's probably a wash in cost. However, our electric bill came, and it was higher than normal, and we wonder if it's because of how much we're using the stove now. On the weekends, it's in constant use, especially if I'm making bone broth. I think our water bill will be higher too, because I'm constantly washing dishes and running the dishwasher. Just another expense, but if it's really helping, it will be worth it!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com%2F" class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-18759703314739608372015-01-21T08:00:00.000-05:002015-01-21T08:00:00.541-05:00Scripture for GAPS Encouragement<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Because this diet is a bit of a struggle to get through, at least during the Intro Stages, someone suggested to me to find Scripture verses to think about and meditate on during the frustrating days<span style="font-family: inherit;">--</span> when things don't go right, food doesn't taste good, and I just want to quit. I thought I'd share them with you, and hope that they speak to you and give you encouragement in whatever you're trying to get through!</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>*All <span style="font-family: inherit;">p</span>hotos taken at the Creation Museum <span style="font-family: inherit;">gardens<span style="font-family: inherit;">, Burlington, KY</span>*</span></i></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Romans 12:1-2:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="text Rom-12-1">Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. </span><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.</span></i></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">Psalm 150:1-2</span><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">:</span></b><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Praise
the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty expanse. Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him
according to His excellent greatness.</span></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">Colossians 3:17:</span></b><i><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248"><span class="text Col-3-17" id="en-NASB-29535"> </span></span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248"><span class="text Col-3-17" id="en-NASB-29535">Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.</span></span></i><b><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248"> </span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">Joshua 1:9:</span></b><i><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248"><span class="text Josh-1-9" id="en-NASB-5861"> </span></span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248"><span class="text Josh-1-9" id="en-NASB-5861">Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your God is with you wherever you go.</span> </span></i></span></span><br />
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">Proverbs 3:5-8:</span></b><i> </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on
your own understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all your ways
acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the
Lord and turn away from evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be
healing to your body <span class="text">and refreshment to your bones.</span></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="text"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6uySiLxbBVKv8QRD63mXcY2sMhu7oCsnnnDXbEz8_EM1U17ClxFtj4WzF7PbLd8j3OdZxxKHm9KDMOD08oa1fmAK2gcezXm65cIp6peWDcpNoVxtC5lftEL1hTxNbyBRKp2eEnQyQg/s1600/DSCN3931-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ6uySiLxbBVKv8QRD63mXcY2sMhu7oCsnnnDXbEz8_EM1U17ClxFtj4WzF7PbLd8j3OdZxxKHm9KDMOD08oa1fmAK2gcezXm65cIp6peWDcpNoVxtC5lftEL1hTxNbyBRKp2eEnQyQg/s1600/DSCN3931-1.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></span></i></span></span></div>
<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248">Isaiah 40:29-31: </span></b></span></span><br />
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{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
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<![endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">He
gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases
power. Though youths grow weary and
tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord
will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will
run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.</span></span></i><b><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248"> </span></b></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLd_0tn6l_nloz__cwoxD1mQIuL6Bczi1aAA4_UktVd0dtPqq-fcw6Qbkjoq5AmRvlEBPu9Ua0Ur4JPjltAv4YCPQ3QyeI2GvSM9Rro77ncquOE82TzM5depCtnhScNVASBGyXZxmMw/s1600/DSCN3914-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLd_0tn6l_nloz__cwoxD1mQIuL6Bczi1aAA4_UktVd0dtPqq-fcw6Qbkjoq5AmRvlEBPu9Ua0Ur4JPjltAv4YCPQ3QyeI2GvSM9Rro77ncquOE82TzM5depCtnhScNVASBGyXZxmMw/s1600/DSCN3914-2.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248"><br /></span></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248"><b>Philippians 4:13:</b></span><i> </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.</i></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoG2D61-pQHZrGzB_3J3O09K0vRDG_XO6OaZwAuHLiIW_L5zet1FVACeiObXJHRJ2qA1d09O5Ed29is9dP3kWkLMZM7zK6uL1BWSMKCIWGOm15LbKP8b42wk3sGMTBv98pxvdK3qRoMA/s1600/DSCN3945-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoG2D61-pQHZrGzB_3J3O09K0vRDG_XO6OaZwAuHLiIW_L5zet1FVACeiObXJHRJ2qA1d09O5Ed29is9dP3kWkLMZM7zK6uL1BWSMKCIWGOm15LbKP8b42wk3sGMTBv98pxvdK3qRoMA/s1600/DSCN3945-1.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></i></span></span></div>
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<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-31595867945104034142015-01-18T20:00:00.000-05:002015-01-18T20:00:14.022-05:00GAPS, Stage 3 SummaryWe entered into Stage 3 around seven days into our diet. It was a nice change--Stage 3 of GAPS brings some new flavors to the equation, which is wonderful. Made some interesting discoveries here, such as:<br />
<br />
Avocado--I like avocado! I have never had it before. If you haven't either, it has a creamy texture, kind of like smooth mashed potatoes. It has a lingering butter aftertaste. Definitely a pleasant surprise! I don't like how quickly they go bad, though, and if I only eat half of one, the other half usually goes to waste. I did find a suggestion online that someone put a slice of onion in the same container as some uneaten peeled avocado, and it supposedly kept the rest of the avocado from going bad. I'll have to try it.<br />
<br />
GAPS pancakes--these were a bit dry, but better than nothing. I think I might tweak the recipe a bit, and will probably make them completely differently once fruit is involved (I'm thinking banana).<br />
<br />
Scrambled
eggs--I was so excited to add these. I've been wanting scrambled eggs so badly, so I was very disappointed to have nausea a few hours after I ate the eggs. I must have a sensitivity to egg protein as well as a dairy issue, but that's how it goes, I guess. Thinking that maybe something just didn't sit right, I tried again a few days later. While I didn't feel bad a few hours after I ate them that time, I did find myself fairly nauseous again the next morning when I woke up. I'll have to remove them and wait a few weeks, then try to introduce them again. Kind of threw a wrench into things. <br />
<br />
Sauerkraut--I was happy to have a successful batch of sauerkraut! I got the juice out of the first ferment, and had instructions on how to re-ferment to get more juice out of the cabbage, which I did. However, after that second brine, I found the sauerkraut too salty to eat, so I'll be starting over to make a fresh batch for eating. We have plenty of juice right now!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfjtJTOhur2qaNmXEOeiqsRieKZmFnOm9uysEYg-DSlhXHbgw5cDf3del-mWDTNS2XdFGLehJoZaq2X2DzkBFZ8JrfF5-RH5Vjvbh_BpS-rfnJnXOn6Q1wRkplojjwQdPS3aDeXewyA/s1600/DSCN9751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfjtJTOhur2qaNmXEOeiqsRieKZmFnOm9uysEYg-DSlhXHbgw5cDf3del-mWDTNS2XdFGLehJoZaq2X2DzkBFZ8JrfF5-RH5Vjvbh_BpS-rfnJnXOn6Q1wRkplojjwQdPS3aDeXewyA/s1600/DSCN9751.JPG" height="144" width="200" /></a>Nut butters--I can't tell you how excited I was to add nut butters to the food list! The thing is, I'm <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dFkhEV4-c90G20RBeQ_c57zu_dqvu0rz6BEB464uDpIWOMG2q8LE0rTEE0OLGFPK200eid640NfqPIHXjDeM1TcFL8SJ1GcaKUc0uuTiWlCDWuhmc_evr4LWxgQP7xLs-R3D6z-bQw/s1600/DSCN9749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dFkhEV4-c90G20RBeQ_c57zu_dqvu0rz6BEB464uDpIWOMG2q8LE0rTEE0OLGFPK200eid640NfqPIHXjDeM1TcFL8SJ1GcaKUc0uuTiWlCDWuhmc_evr4LWxgQP7xLs-R3D6z-bQw/s1600/DSCN9749.JPG" height="200" width="109" /></a>short on time as it is--when would I find time to make my own peanut butter? So when I went to the grocery store, I checked out all of the peanut butter in the aisle, and what did I find? Smucker's natural creamy peanut butter, with the only ingredients listed being peanuts and less than 1% salt. I bought two jars! Hey, I have to save time where I can, plus it's good! It actually needs to be refrigerated once it's opened. I didn't buy any almond butter, and I might attempt to make that one day myself, but for now, jarred peanut butter has been a blessing.<br />
<br />
Purchased a juicer--what a great contraption! It seems to have an incredible motor in it. It made carrots disappear faster than a rabbit! I made a small jar of carrot juice with it so far, and look forward to the option of having juices with breakfast soon.<br />
<br />
I have a confession: I made crackers to go with my soups. I borrowed a
little from Stage 4 and made almond meal crackers for soups--a Godsend!
They're quite tasty. I'll try to post the recipe in my Stage 4 summary.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeA4Vn9R6VOLamNxoeIohVsKq5O-jFmyx1n5tpdcfJD6qdrjZY-7kv81TvMfe_7_286-xScJLqn5VXkN7KDdJ2QnUSKu9X_qDq2-ZCbfwMIhWmmGuEKlpyTlYBmKAeAWDfaMHUmfzJg/s1600/DSCN9746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeA4Vn9R6VOLamNxoeIohVsKq5O-jFmyx1n5tpdcfJD6qdrjZY-7kv81TvMfe_7_286-xScJLqn5VXkN7KDdJ2QnUSKu9X_qDq2-ZCbfwMIhWmmGuEKlpyTlYBmKAeAWDfaMHUmfzJg/s1600/DSCN9746.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a><b>Summary: </b>Despite being able to vary the foods we're eating now, I'm finding it harder as the time goes by to fight cravings, not for sweet foods or bread, but for comfort foods. It seems like my cravings for things I can't have are increasing, and I don't know if that's normal or not--I haven't found any answers online. At times I'm fixated on things I would rather have, but can't. Little Caesar's commercials do not help at all, and it seems like they are on constantly (I'm guessing in preparation for the upcoming Super Bowl). I think I'm starting to get my appetite back now that I don't have to eat just soup, so that's a plus. I have
noticed that I tend to be hungrier during the day when I'm working. I
think it's stress-related. However, I'm enjoying not feeling bloated and uncomfortable after eating meals, which happened quite frequently before we started. That's certainly an improvement! It is getting easier to follow this plan, though. I stand by the first two stages being the hardest, and if you can make it through those, you can make it through Intro!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com%2F" class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-3668360646628738822015-01-13T07:30:00.000-05:002015-01-13T08:31:09.020-05:00GAPS Diet, Stage 1 & 2The GAPS diet is supposed to be a really good diet for healing and sealing your digestive system, especially if you have (or have developed) problems like I have. I believe that I have leaky gut, which has led to an inability to eat anything dairy-related (a good description of leaky gut can be found <a href="http://draxe.com/4-steps-to-heal-leaky-gut-and-autoimmune-disease/" target="_blank">here</a>). I needed to heal my dairy allergy and prevent new ones from developing, so we started the Intro Diet on January 1. I have to say, I thought I was somewhat prepared, but I knew that it was going to be a lot of work.<br />
<br />
That was the understatement of the year (so far).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8vX_wa_c2prC7eWUrigxvBsIv9PQiJiN7O668YLjdzZ2tkgtmmFhbbEMsfhcvSyFZ3DbCoh1IJWUIb_fJky5HrWqk1RscE1QGmjLc9h7VWYOr2FjZyrQs5H5rswPWQpmOGjm8QqTxg/s1600/DSCN9722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8vX_wa_c2prC7eWUrigxvBsIv9PQiJiN7O668YLjdzZ2tkgtmmFhbbEMsfhcvSyFZ3DbCoh1IJWUIb_fJky5HrWqk1RscE1QGmjLc9h7VWYOr2FjZyrQs5H5rswPWQpmOGjm8QqTxg/s1600/DSCN9722.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meatball soup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The first stage might be considered the hardest; however, there's little difference between the first and second stages, so maybe they should just all be one looong stage. But it seems to be the foundation for healing, so I won't complain. We spent a total of 3 days on the first stage, and then four days on the second stage, which consists of eating lots of homemade broth, soups made from the broth, meat, certain veggies, and a lot of fat. In the second stage you can also add egg yolk to the soups for more protein and nutrients. I ended up ordering leaf lard online from Tendergrass Farms, and have been using it faithfully to add fat to the already fatty soup stocks--you're supposed to have a large amount of animal fat along with the homemade broth, as both are supposed to contain a lot of healing minerals and nutrients essential for the intestinal lining. The high fat content also helps to keep you feeling full after you've eaten, and it really did seem to do that for both of us. In fact, we really had little appetite when we started! We've come up with several recipes for soup, all of which contain meat, carrots, zucchini, squash, yellow squash, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, and leeks. Soups do get old when you have to use the same ingredients over and over again, but we did come up with one that we really liked: meatball soup! Recipe at the bottom. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9k2OJSpjfWVBhfcYxYTJ5PCBc6kcraa3rCjyQcecyhApFYhY0gjiGwckckl0X8JspF-9W1WyZzFh_GPoP3wP7dFcHXBD6YW3AbGyrUP18312dWLhyphenhyphenRULcEEYGdJYRC4ZuNGmF1FGpg/s1600/DSCN9709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9k2OJSpjfWVBhfcYxYTJ5PCBc6kcraa3rCjyQcecyhApFYhY0gjiGwckckl0X8JspF-9W1WyZzFh_GPoP3wP7dFcHXBD6YW3AbGyrUP18312dWLhyphenhyphenRULcEEYGdJYRC4ZuNGmF1FGpg/s1600/DSCN9709.JPG" height="200" width="149" /></a></div>
We experienced some die-off symptoms over the first three days, but they seem to have leveled out. We're both ready for "real food" instead of soup for every meal, but it's so important to remember that this is good for us. I've had success making sauerkraut, and will be adding the juice to our diet to up the probiotics. Thanks to my sister for an Amazon gift card and to a friend for recommending the Picklemeister (left)! It's a great invention, and I had sauerkraut on my first attempt using it.<br />
<br />
My summary of Stage 1 & 2:<br />
It's very tough. It's especially hard when you are completely changing your eating to reflect this healing mindset. I don't know how families do it together, because it's also incredibly expensive (and we've only been doing what we can, so not 100% following the guidelines), it's time consuming, and the food really isn't that great. However, my hubby and I have already lost some weight, and and I think I've felt a little better. Dairy still doesn't agree with me, though, as I found out when I thought it'd be fun to try and add some clarified butter to a bowl of soup one morning. Oh well. I think that if you can make it through the first and second stage, you'll be okay. <br />
<br />
Okay, running out of time. Here's the recipe for the meatball soup:<br />
<b><br /></b>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnXRDISSSfwhCU39UTf2mjVQSDZQlSt_3uhdfIOQPNW03_oY4tl403tNOtQTsvpLnlRFybRqz9y3Q_GYDhUzqzX9B5aKBgtWaLtL0sFW-yl3CqG0q5sGyZLofHz66m7Sr7IKjeUYakA/s1600/DSCN9723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnXRDISSSfwhCU39UTf2mjVQSDZQlSt_3uhdfIOQPNW03_oY4tl403tNOtQTsvpLnlRFybRqz9y3Q_GYDhUzqzX9B5aKBgtWaLtL0sFW-yl3CqG0q5sGyZLofHz66m7Sr7IKjeUYakA/s1600/DSCN9723.JPG" height="238" width="320" /></a><b>GAPS-friendly Meatball Soup (still good if you're not on GAPS)</b><br />
Ingredients:<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">1 lb. ground beef</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">1 medium onion, cut into large
chunks</span></div>
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broccoli, cauliflower, and onion in a large (7 qt) pot and cook veggies until
soft. While veggies cook, combine ground
beef and pork in a bowl with plenty of salt and pepper. Form into one inch balls and set on a
plate. When veggies are semi-soft, add
meatballs, one at a time, to boiling stock.
Allow to continue to cook for another 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through. Add salt, pepper, herbs and garlic and cook
for another 10-15 minutes. Yields
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<![endif]--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com%2F" class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-12043833392110046392015-01-11T17:03:00.001-05:002015-01-11T17:03:32.576-05:00GAPS: The Good and The BadThis is the post that I naively started on January 1, 2015, the first day on the <a href="http://gapsdiet.com/INTRODUCTION_DIET.html" target="_blank">GAPS Intro diet</a>:<br />
<br />
<i>"Happy New Year! 2015 is officially here. We spent New Year's Eve eating lots of things that we were going to have to give up, which was fun and tasty. Say goodbye to old habits (brownies and cookie dough) and hello to the new ones (soups, fresh meats, veggies)!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Along with ushering in the new year comes our GAPS diet. I will admit that I still feel overwhelmed with all of the work and prepping that goes into preparing our meals now, even with all that I did beforehand to be ready. I got up this morning with determination and a loose plan:</i><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOJ7q1hzOgXUfKz1i3KhpoAhJNgyCHPI0ON34k19ZB5UzkEpsZmnC3kdaTOR0-dvEp9LKQ1vrSZRot8S5fuxfffHSV-McFPkZBZqtq47IDOavfk_ZmclwufngFrrOID_tzii0-iXXIQ/s1600/DSCN9707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOJ7q1hzOgXUfKz1i3KhpoAhJNgyCHPI0ON34k19ZB5UzkEpsZmnC3kdaTOR0-dvEp9LKQ1vrSZRot8S5fuxfffHSV-McFPkZBZqtq47IDOavfk_ZmclwufngFrrOID_tzii0-iXXIQ/s1600/DSCN9707.JPG" height="200" width="178" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast carrot-squash soup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>Drink my mineral water</i><br />
<i>Make breakfast soup:</i><br />
<i>Assemble ingredients for other soups and get those started</i><br />
<i>Make coconut honey bites--a mix of 1 C unrefined solid coconut oil and 2 TBSP raw honey</i><br />
<i>Attempt a new batch of sauerkraut--Picklemeister</i><br />
<i>Clean the kitchen as needed, keep washing dishes as used</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Whew! On top of that, I also needed to clean up the kitchen, take out the trash from last night, rearrange the pantry to make some more room for things that were going away for a while, get down our Vitamix that my in-laws gave us, and try to find a place to store the microwave, which is now on the do-not-use list. I'll miss that convenience. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Veggies prepped for the freezer, for using in soups</td></tr>
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<i>I probably won't post daily on this, because time just won't allow it. I'm keeping a journal, and I might post a once-a-week update and summary of how things are going, along with recipes from the week. I can honestly say that if it wasn't for this dairy intolerance, I wouldn't embark on this lifestyle change. But I need to heal it, so here we are. I truly appreciate my husband's willingness to go through this with me, and I know that we'll feel better. The first step (and first day) is always the hardest when trying something new and completely unfamiliar, so patience and planning will be essential to our success. It's not that the food isn't good; I thought my breakfast soup was tasty! I'm just used to toast and orange juice or cereal for breakfast, and I'll miss those things, at least until the bad bacteria is gone. I'm looking forward to the good things that we'll be able to eat soon, and I think the coconut honey bites will be a necessary snack for right now."</i><br />
<br />
Oh, that's so cute. <br />
<br />
Since I started that post, I've had literally no time to do much of anything besides sleep, work, cook, eat, shop for more food, and do dishes. I have had no time at all to post anything here, which I correctly predicted 11 days ago. I have kept a journal, though, and tracked not only the foods we've eaten, but also our transitions through the first phases and the probiotic dosages that we've been having. I won't lie, it's been tough. I'll probably never want to eat soup again when this is all over. But we're starting to introduce other foods now, which is helpful. <br />
<br />
I'll try to post a few updates for the stages (we're currently in Phase 3) in a few days, just to give anyone new/unfamiliar with all of this an idea of what it's like. But for now, I have to go make dinner!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com%2F" class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-29885294589143160532014-12-11T21:15:00.000-05:002014-12-11T21:15:32.349-05:00Preparing for GAPS<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stock! Lots of stock!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Last weekend was quite a weekend! The last several weekends have been so busy. In the midst of the holiday prepping and planning, I'm also trying to prepare for our upcoming foray into the <a href="http://www.gapsdiet.com/" target="_blank">GAPS diet</a> to help me overcome my recently-developed intolerance to all dairy great and small. Part of prepping has been to try my hand at making bone broth. It's quite easy--just takes time. It seems like <i>everything</i> takes time...but I'm believing more and more that good things truly are worth the wait. I'm gaining more appreciation for making things like this! I've always liked to make things from scratch, but I don't always have time to do so. However, I know that much of the diet relies on homemade broth, and I imagine that it will go quickly, so the more I can make, the better! I now have accumulated 14 quarts of chicken broth and 8 quarts of beef broth, which should get us going. One things I'm having trouble with is getting the gel consistency in my broth, but it has a good flavor. I'm thinking that I need to boil it down more to get the gel.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsbFe1d448cI3TQJcmkoRH8wjTnLoMYtIC1DZ0OuPvNGgWnn_DKZMxP9qRSoSn6e71TgPSzERr6LZeT3ZPrV8Eex-GAOf9tMpq9_jiEL4bumAsvWlOFfiRY3NvwN2aY2MgM5Qnrdldw/s1600/DSCN9671-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsbFe1d448cI3TQJcmkoRH8wjTnLoMYtIC1DZ0OuPvNGgWnn_DKZMxP9qRSoSn6e71TgPSzERr6LZeT3ZPrV8Eex-GAOf9tMpq9_jiEL4bumAsvWlOFfiRY3NvwN2aY2MgM5Qnrdldw/s1600/DSCN9671-1.jpg" height="135" width="200" /></a>I was able to buy some grass-fed beef bones from a local farm, <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rjEVmtGq3SdVG2kP7B9fIm_gh004fxMtfd9xuhA3YIbzPeuk3kou6mhyKh6ZuMp1pQtt_TL4Akz5LVFGYwkYRofOjqRYqdT-xlg9V0nH7wvuql-6ZgykYLcj-_xmbsJndzw7nsPxpQ/s1600/DSCN9679-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rjEVmtGq3SdVG2kP7B9fIm_gh004fxMtfd9xuhA3YIbzPeuk3kou6mhyKh6ZuMp1pQtt_TL4Akz5LVFGYwkYRofOjqRYqdT-xlg9V0nH7wvuql-6ZgykYLcj-_xmbsJndzw7nsPxpQ/s1600/DSCN9679-1.jpg" height="168" width="200" /></a>along with some grass-fed chicken feet (never thought I'd say that!) to add to the chicken broth. I have to admit, I felt like I was buying my first voodoo kit when I ordered two pounds of chicken feet over the phone. I'm told they add a lot of gelatin to the broth, which is great for the intestinal lining. The look a little ghoulish floating around in the pan, though!<br />
<br />
<br />
As well as preparing for the diet, we've also been trying to eat all of the food in the house not allowed on the diet, so I took the opportunity to create a chicken soup using a quart of homemade broth (not a GAPS-friendly recipe, but pretty tasty):<br />
<ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4cA-anWTWjZ3O0xYbQDjtmMrDe-65x6GEorl2FQkmy4BvnJQa_XhDMNtwLbGT0xLyClNkHuiXEoYp728FIVm8_WcvvHadszAGJiV2DWCT0R-Xcve9zY8uMGWmbxs2U5HMmqMymVqiA/s1600/Chicken+potato+soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4cA-anWTWjZ3O0xYbQDjtmMrDe-65x6GEorl2FQkmy4BvnJQa_XhDMNtwLbGT0xLyClNkHuiXEoYp728FIVm8_WcvvHadszAGJiV2DWCT0R-Xcve9zY8uMGWmbxs2U5HMmqMymVqiA/s1600/Chicken+potato+soup.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a>
<li>Two potatoes, cubed and boiled to fork-tender and drained</li>
<li>Two cups frozen peas</li>
<li>Two cups cubed cooked chicken, dark and white meat</li>
<li>One quart (4 C) chicken broth</li>
<li>Two tablespoons corn starch dissolved in two tablespoons cold water</li>
<li>Oregano, basil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, chicken base, and other seasonings, to taste</li>
</ul>
<br />
Add all ingredients except corn starch slurry into a 5 quart pot and heat to simmering. Add corn starch slurry to pot and allow to simmer until desired thickness is reached.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABOx08Hj3LrIwc3LlFQS_rKamyEM1aBqX2bUOCPSWqNFSL80J-RqQbqL2t2G52Lu_7LxaMsjzh3lz228GAeUPmkPUp-EYP7tgRBIj7k2jMjFeLz1LpFm6lHs9lMbEt4wsoXl_i8sWIw/s1600/DSCN9673-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgABOx08Hj3LrIwc3LlFQS_rKamyEM1aBqX2bUOCPSWqNFSL80J-RqQbqL2t2G52Lu_7LxaMsjzh3lz228GAeUPmkPUp-EYP7tgRBIj7k2jMjFeLz1LpFm6lHs9lMbEt4wsoXl_i8sWIw/s1600/DSCN9673-1.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>While I was at it, I also decided to try a bag of einkorn flour that I purchased online from <a href="https://jovialfoods.com/shop/einkorn/flour.html" target="_blank">Jovial Foods</a>. It's made from unaltered, non-GMO, non-hybridized wheat that is easy to digest and does not seem to affect people with gluten intolerance (not to be confused with Celiac). I used it to make some <a href="http://hearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com/2014/11/november-noms.html" target="_blank">dinner rolls</a> to go with my soup, and they turned out very nice--they browned well, had a good texture, and had a really nice, light flavor. Hubby liked it, too! Once we're done with GAPS, I'll be purchasing a larger quantity of this flour and using it as a regular flour staple in my pantry. It seems to corroborate the suggestion that the altered wheats available today to make our flour really <i>is</i> harder for our bodies to digest. I thought it was interesting. (P.S.--this isn't a sales pitch, and I wasn't compensated for mentioning this flour. I was just pleasantly surprised with the product!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkznk8Q6n0SuhTZqzWLR8QoV4p9mr-2t_5tyckHbNoHjsllrvtryj3zGA4A0hLqMgSPhhNLpd7agpdrld6xpYRp4NjQTFoBlZEpSLnJ7NRoejcLQa-DjqyyjVJEd3zg6winFnQkP-XLw/s1600/DSCN9686-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkznk8Q6n0SuhTZqzWLR8QoV4p9mr-2t_5tyckHbNoHjsllrvtryj3zGA4A0hLqMgSPhhNLpd7agpdrld6xpYRp4NjQTFoBlZEpSLnJ7NRoejcLQa-DjqyyjVJEd3zg6winFnQkP-XLw/s1600/DSCN9686-1.jpg" height="220" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
While I was at it, I came up with this fun Christmas decoration:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqErogQVw1iuPRLpesZW3iESZ8lVJwChyphenhyphen2rLcLUYy4EabFQZIpY41U01Wmavkx3Jt4T7PNut72kRsXKy9mYtg7l7WqTyrXNp6fXhaFpFAspoGOS_YWI9L-rXQ8BLsPe2PXnf524A08w/s1600/DSCN9683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqErogQVw1iuPRLpesZW3iESZ8lVJwChyphenhyphen2rLcLUYy4EabFQZIpY41U01Wmavkx3Jt4T7PNut72kRsXKy9mYtg7l7WqTyrXNp6fXhaFpFAspoGOS_YWI9L-rXQ8BLsPe2PXnf524A08w/s1600/DSCN9683.JPG" height="320" width="196" /></a></div>
I found a gallon Ball jar at Wal-Mart for $14, found the glittery balls at Hobby Lobby, three bags at half price for $10, and I had purchased the fun Christmas twigs on clearance last Christmas. The silver picks have battery-powered lights wrapped on them. I tried to make each color of the balls in the jar as individual layers, but as you can see, when I was arranging the picks, some of the different colors mixed layers. I still think it looks good! I might just shake it all up and mix them together.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure if I'll be back on here before the New Year. It's just so busy this time of year. So I'll wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, and hopefully be back at it at the beginning of 2015!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdqvBm7OVmYv7y4D3OrfgHbQQOZy3tH1rOHpu7uUy34mlxA4FjprLXQYlefiFx_OlDg29CqyujAunNqqFYZKv1qxYf3URBfqDUyQnIWHJXLmw_vb5YXvMGhCFV_cvVISCPPJ2vH03qw/s1600/lbb+baby+jesus+12.9.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdqvBm7OVmYv7y4D3OrfgHbQQOZy3tH1rOHpu7uUy34mlxA4FjprLXQYlefiFx_OlDg29CqyujAunNqqFYZKv1qxYf3URBfqDUyQnIWHJXLmw_vb5YXvMGhCFV_cvVISCPPJ2vH03qw/s1600/lbb+baby+jesus+12.9.11.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from <a href="http://littlebirdieblessings.blogspot.com/2011/12/lots-of-christmas-freebies.html" target="_blank">Little Birdie Blessings</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com%2F" class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929599399878609299.post-32581868178403184262014-11-20T07:57:00.001-05:002014-11-20T07:57:41.454-05:00November Noms<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1AmE-r6GanUCXLTgEttnsaOsAVNogTNlJpneEQ0FxUays9Abq2Qrq1nnYXo4ZgLqxry-IuXbetv0CgUvyayhNKnrVylhUfYdD4wb008x2TczleTbYAgN2si4RZp7C1EShavYZF4D1w/s1600/Turkeys!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm1AmE-r6GanUCXLTgEttnsaOsAVNogTNlJpneEQ0FxUays9Abq2Qrq1nnYXo4ZgLqxry-IuXbetv0CgUvyayhNKnrVylhUfYdD4wb008x2TczleTbYAgN2si4RZp7C1EShavYZF4D1w/s1600/Turkeys!.jpg" height="444" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This flock of turkeys crossed the road in front of me on the way to work this week. Seems appropriate, with Thanksgiving so close!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I can't believe how quickly time is moving! It seems like just last weekend that we were in our <a href="http://hearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-cabin-in-woods.html" target="_blank">cabin in the woods</a>, but it wasn't. We've had a steady stream of visitors during the weekends, and the weeks have been busy as well. It doesn't look like it's slowing down, either. Despite all of the activity, I thought I'd share a few dairy-free recipes that I plan to make for Thanksgiving this year.<br />
<br />
I've dreaded the approach of the holidays because of my food issues. I know that they will have to be worked around, and it's frustrating to need food specially prepared to avoid getting sick. Because of this, I've decided that I'll start the <a href="http://www.gapsdiet.com/" target="_blank">GAPS diet</a> protocol at the beginning of the year, and see if I can get this dairy allergy or intolerance cleared up and my body healed. I know others who have done it, and they have seen great improvement over the course of the diet. Best of all, it's not a long-term diet, per se: you do it for up to two years, but then can go back to normal life with a healthy, rebooted digestive system. Sounds exactly like what I need.<br />
<br />
And now, the recipes!<br />
<br />
<b>Dairy-Free Pumpkin Pie (original recipe from godairyfree.org--to see the recipe click <a href="http://www.godairyfree.org/ask-alisa/ask-alisa-do-you-have-a-good-pumpkin-pie-recipe-that-is-milk-free-and-soy-free" target="_blank">here</a>):</b><br />
<ul>
<li>1/2 Cup Brown Sugar, firmly packed</li>
<li>1/4 Cup White Sugar</li>
<li>1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon</li>
<li>1/2 Teaspoon Ground Ginger</li>
<li>1/4 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg or Allspice</li>
<li>1/4 Teaspoon Ground Cloves</li>
<li>1/2 Teaspoon Salt</li>
<li>2 Large Eggs</li>
<li>1 15-ounce Can Pumpkin Puree</li>
<li>1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract</li>
<li>1 Cup Regular Canned Coconut Milk</li>
<li>1 Unbaked Pie Shell</li>
</ul>
<br />
Preheat your oven to 425ºF.
<br />
Combine the sugars, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg or allspice, cloves and
salt in a small bowl. In a large bowl, beat the eggs. Beat in the sugar
mixture, pumpkin, and vanilla until smooth. Fold in the coconut milk.<br />
Pour the filling into the unbaked pie crust and bake for 15
minutes. Reduce the temperature to 350ºF and continue to bake for 50 to
60 minutes, or until a knife inserted comes out clean. Allow the pie to cool on a wire rack for 2 hours (be patient--this is important). Serve or refrigerate until ready to serve.<br />
<br />
I added a much larger amount of spices than are listed above, so feel free to adjust the spices to your taste. I also think I might bake this without a crust and see what happens! <br />
<br />
<b>Dairy-Free Mashed Potatoes:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>2-3 lb potatoes, peeled, cubed, and boiled to tender </li>
<li>1 stick Earth Balance dairy-free margarine</li>
<li>1 small can vegetable broth </li>
<li>Salt & pepper </li>
</ul>
<br />
Mash the cooked potatoes. Add the margarine and mix. Add enough vegetable stock to achieve the desired consistency of mashed potatoes. Add salt and pepper to taste.<br />
<br />
<b>Cloverleaf Dairy-Free Dinner Rolls (not gluten-free):</b><br />
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYTIVF9CUyYwW2KL4eet_5BG0d4wKDeBDIDYA31fi-mFJM3dD9c_AXkRnkJjypG-E8msxELSr5fjsPNXX96vXkh94k0djXocD184QuMw3kq0l0yTeR7sk1JtInZcpzIaRASUiSjxbrA/s1600/Cloverleaf+rolls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYTIVF9CUyYwW2KL4eet_5BG0d4wKDeBDIDYA31fi-mFJM3dD9c_AXkRnkJjypG-E8msxELSr5fjsPNXX96vXkh94k0djXocD184QuMw3kq0l0yTeR7sk1JtInZcpzIaRASUiSjxbrA/s1600/Cloverleaf+rolls.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></b></div>
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Ingredients:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkXONu-0oKXtQSm4Y3WpTsB27vTZclAHHUSxWZbyrzsrv6JG0NMBVzi77M0aD-DsYkq3G-YRtUWaydXk6cUlibu1hqVJp-JzLoZSYhdMm8_i5fkDY61ezD24XhzacICC4orTRxdCL3kI/s1600/DSCN2294.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkXONu-0oKXtQSm4Y3WpTsB27vTZclAHHUSxWZbyrzsrv6JG0NMBVzi77M0aD-DsYkq3G-YRtUWaydXk6cUlibu1hqVJp-JzLoZSYhdMm8_i5fkDY61ezD24XhzacICC4orTRxdCL3kI/s320/DSCN2294.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
1 package quick-acting active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp. or 7 grams)<br />
1 1/3 cup milk (105º to 115ºF degrees)<br />
3 to 3 1/2 cups flour or whole wheat flour<br />
3 tablespoons oil<br />
1 tablespoon sugar<br />
1 teaspoon salt<br />
1 tablespoon melted butter<br />
coarse salt (optional, I don't use it)<br />
<br />
Dissolve
yeast in warm milk in electric mixer bowl. Stir in 1 cup flour. Beat
until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour, oil, sugar and salt.
Mix on low electric speed until soft dough forms. Cover and let rise
in warm place until double, about 45 minutes.<br />
<br />
<b><b>Heat oven 400ºF degrees</b>. </b><br />
<br />
Prep a 12 cup muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray.<br />
Punch
down dough in center and fold over a few times. Pinch off 1 inch
balls of dough and quickly roll in palm of hands. Put 3 balls to one
muffin cup; brush with melted butter; sprinkle with coarse salt.<br />
<br />
<b>Bake 12 to 15 minutes, until crust is light golden brown</b>.<br />
<br />
Immediately remove from pan. Store loosely covered. - See more at:
http://hearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com/2012/12/twelve-days-of-christmas-recipes-day-4.html#sthash.EWGoojoY.dpuf</div>
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Ingredients:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkXONu-0oKXtQSm4Y3WpTsB27vTZclAHHUSxWZbyrzsrv6JG0NMBVzi77M0aD-DsYkq3G-YRtUWaydXk6cUlibu1hqVJp-JzLoZSYhdMm8_i5fkDY61ezD24XhzacICC4orTRxdCL3kI/s1600/DSCN2294.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkXONu-0oKXtQSm4Y3WpTsB27vTZclAHHUSxWZbyrzsrv6JG0NMBVzi77M0aD-DsYkq3G-YRtUWaydXk6cUlibu1hqVJp-JzLoZSYhdMm8_i5fkDY61ezD24XhzacICC4orTRxdCL3kI/s320/DSCN2294.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
1 package quick-acting active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp. or 7 grams)<br />
1 1/3 cup milk (105º to 115ºF degrees)<br />
3 to 3 1/2 cups flour or whole wheat flour<br />
3 tablespoons oil<br />
1 tablespoon sugar<br />
1 teaspoon salt<br />
1 tablespoon melted butter<br />
coarse salt (optional, I don't use it)<br />
<br />
Dissolve
yeast in warm milk in electric mixer bowl. Stir in 1 cup flour. Beat
until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour, oil, sugar and salt.
Mix on low electric speed until soft dough forms. Cover and let rise
in warm place until double, about 45 minutes.<br />
<br />
<b><b>Heat oven 400ºF degrees</b>. </b><br />
<br />
Prep a 12 cup muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray.<br />
Punch
down dough in center and fold over a few times. Pinch off 1 inch
balls of dough and quickly roll in palm of hands. Put 3 balls to one
muffin cup; brush with melted butter; sprinkle with coarse salt.<br />
<br />
<b>Bake 12 to 15 minutes, until crust is light golden brown</b>.<br />
<br />
Immediately remove from pan. Store loosely covered. - See more at:
http://hearthsidegatherings.blogspot.com/2012/12/twelve-days-of-christmas-recipes-day-4.html#sthash.EWGoojoY.dpuf</div>
<ul>
<li>1 package quick-acting active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp. or 7 grams)</li>
<li>1 1/3 cup dairy-free milk (105º to 115ºF degrees)--I used So Delicious Unsweetened Coconut Milk</li>
<li>3 to 3 1/2 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour</li>
<li>3 tablespoons oil</li>
<li>1 tablespoon sugar</li>
<li>1 teaspoon salt</li>
<li>1 tablespoon melted dairy-free margarine (optional)--I used Earth Balance Soy Free</li>
<li>coarse salt (optional, I don't use it)</li>
</ul>
<br />
Dissolve
yeast in warm milk in a stand mixer bowl. Mix in 1 cup flour using dough hook. Mix
until smooth. Mix in two cups of remaining flour, the oil, the sugar and the salt.
Mix on low electric speed until soft dough forms. Add up to 1/2 cup of flour if necessary to make a soft dough. Cover and let rise
in warm place until double, about 45 minutes. Heat oven 400ºF degrees.<b> </b>Prep a 12 cup muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray.<br />
<br />
Punch
down dough in center and fold over a few times. Pinch off 1 inch
balls of dough and quickly roll in palm of hands. Put 3 balls to one
muffin cup; brush with melted butter; sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, until crust is light golden brown. Immediately remove from pan. Store loosely covered.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!</b></span></div>
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It's that time of the year again...cold, ice, snow, and, well, colds! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMV1Ifh5QmeRmURmSsHUImmh0VoCr6vxDcv4jzsDUmb3-7a7dyEGPMbtxex6LzU7MNjGWXc-FZoE4UozSgBeBfqQnLn2he-l_9E6Ux6Vc8tKpo8v3Q7jzbCGhpX1Xn19ITBsO4LqinQ/s1600/Snow!%2B11-17-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyMV1Ifh5QmeRmURmSsHUImmh0VoCr6vxDcv4jzsDUmb3-7a7dyEGPMbtxex6LzU7MNjGWXc-FZoE4UozSgBeBfqQnLn2he-l_9E6Ux6Vc8tKpo8v3Q7jzbCGhpX1Xn19ITBsO4LqinQ/s1600/Snow!%2B11-17-14.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The hubs has been dealing with a sore throat for the past few days--a combination of the change of weather, dry air, and sinus drainage. Happens every year. I'd seen several different recipes for soothing throat drinks online, and I thought I'd take a stab at making my own concoction. The best part? The hubs liked it, <i>and</i> it really helped to sooth his raw throat! I thought I'd share it with you.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>For one mug:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
8-10 oz. hot water</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4-5 teaspoons of raw honey, to taste (and by teaspoon, I mean the kind you eat with at the dinner table, not the measuring teaspoon)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 1/2 measuring teaspoons lemon juice</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 measuring teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar (I used Bragg's)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 measuring teaspoon ground cinnamon (again, to taste)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/2 measuring teaspoon ground ginger</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mix everything together well. Heat in the microwave or use the hottest tap water. Continue to mix as you drink, or the ingredients will settle to the bottom of the mug. Drink every few hours as needed.</div>
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Raw honey, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and cinnamon all have antibacterial properties, and can help not only sooth, but also could aid in shortening a cold by giving your body a bit of an immunity boost. The honey also coats the throat, helping to alleviate the annoying sore throat. Ginger adds a little extra spice, and also relieves inflammation and irritation. Pretty sure that's a win-win-win-win-win! And the best part is that you don't need to be sick to drink it--have a warm mug on a cold mornings to start your day!</div>
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By the way, I'm no doctor. This is not medical advice. This is just what worked for us. Enjoy!</div>
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