We are what we eat

A recent study that looks at cancer rates in the United States.  The study concluded that the cancer incidence rates of Gen X (born between 1965 - 1980) and Millennials (born 1981-1996) were 2 to 3 times higher than baby boomers (born 1946-1964).    Not only are they more likely to get cancer, but they are more likely to develop 17 types of cancer.  Okay -- that's crazy!! The researcher's said major contributing factors included environmental toxins, diet, and obesity. 

But what has changed from 1955 to the 1980's? And even more so today?  Our diet.  Things were made from scratch.  Real ingredients.  Then, we had 2 income families, so frozen dinners took off.  Convivence food became a big part of our grocery stores.  Now, fast food is a part of our culture.  I work at a school. Those kids will eat pizza and chicken nuggets daily without thinking twice.  Our diets have changed so much and it allows toxins into our bodies daily.  Which will sooner or later will effect you.  There is SO many fake foods out there.  So many foods with cancer causing agents.  

A friend of mine told me about an app called Yuka.  It's a free app and you scan barcodes on items and it will list the good, bad, and ugly about the item.  I will tell you that there were several things that I was eating regularly that had cancer causing ingredients.  "Good for you" items.  High fiber, low carb. All those key words. Ya'll -- its not real food. It's engineered stuff that your body doesn't know what to do with.  There are some things that will come up "bad" or "poor" on the app.  That's when you can click on the ingredients and make that decision for yourself.  Sometimes it is just because the sodium is too high. But at least you have the power to look and make an educated decision. 

Food has the power to heal.  It also has the power to destroy your health.  The average American diet eats 60% of their calories from processed foods.  In the United States there are over 10,000 substances have found their way into our processed food.  Either from the food itself or the packaging it comes in.  Most of the chemical substances fall in the 2,500-3,000 range that are intentionally added to processed foods for color, shelf life, texture, and cost. 

We will never be able to live a toxic free life here on Earth.  We can only do our best.  Lower some of our risks.  Choose YOU!  Your health is worth the effort.  You are worth it!  Taking prescription medications mess with your whole system.  My husband was on over 10 medications several times a day just to live.  He felt terrible all of the time.  I'm not anti-prescriptions.  Sometimes we have to have them.  But, health starts with the foods that we eat.  Just take a look at what you eat regularly.  What choices can you need to change?

Thanksgiving BAKE SALE fundraiser

Can you believe that it is already this time of year??  I looked at the calendar and it is hard to believe that next week is Thanksgiving.  This Thursday will be my first of the Thanksgiving meals that I'll prepare.  It's turkey and dressing day at school, so I'll have over 400 servings to prepare.  Geez!!

Of course in the midst of the holidays, we still must fund-raise!  So, we figured that we could help you out as well.  :)  So, we are once again doing our fall fundraising bake sale.  Joey will be baking once again!! You get to enjoy!  I know that everyone wants something homemade for Thanksgiving, just let Joey do the cooking.  

Two Layer Chocolate Cake:  $20

Snickerdoodle Bunt Cake:  $15

Two Layer Red Velvet Cake:  $20

24 Butter Croissants:  $15

Homemade Pumpkin Pie:  $15


Please let me know what we can help you with.  Thank you for supporting our fundraising efforts! 

Spring Contest 2013

Summer is her!! Luckily, summer temps have not made it here yet!  I know that most people are ready for summer and enjoy the heat.  I enjoy the time with my kids and the chance to get things done.  The weather is my least favorite of all seasons.  BUT, I do think we should celebrate a bit with a giveaway!

One of last yrs basket winners!

I am thinking...hummmm...  maybe a breakfast basket.  Like some scones and muffins.   Oh, cannot forget a sweet bread like maybe strawberry or banana bread.  Of course, there are always some cinnamon biscuits or cinnamon rolls too.  I'm making myself hungry this morning!  :)

Its been a long time since we've had a drawing. In fact, I just looked and it was last spring.  So sorry about that guys! And because it has been so long, I'll be making up two baskets!  So, two chances to win!!

Please remember the rules: 1)  Just hit the comment button and leave your name  2)  Must be able to meet me in locally.  (NWA area)  3) Drawing will be Friday June 7th. 

Good Luck Everyone!

Time Saver Menu Board Idea

This weekend, I finally finished my menu board.  I know that doesn't sound very excited reading that but let me share with you how really cool it is!! :)  I found the idea on Pinterest.  The link to here for the original.  This is what mine turned out like:

Let me kind of explain what you are looking at.  On the left are clothespins with Monday through Sunday on them.  On the right side are my card holders with weeks 1-2 and weeks 3-4 on them.  My husband gets paid every two weeks, so that is why I separated the month that way. (that is when I go grocery shopping)

The first thing I had to do was to figure out a month's worth of menus.  I, personally, try not to repeat my menus for the month.  That may sound a bit intimidating.  Just break it down into small steps.  For example, for my own family I try to have an Italian dish once a week.  We also have an Asian menu and Mexican once a week.  I have soup once a week as well.  So, looking at a month's worth, I need four different soups, Asian dishes, Mexican dishes, and Italian dishes; as well as throwing in some American ones as well.

 

Needs some suggestions?  For our Mexican dishes, I have taco salads, enchiladas, Mexican chicken, and tacos.  One for each week of the month.   Soups?  I have potato soup, chicken and dumplings, taco soup, and chili or beef stew.  I also have fish twice a month.  (once during weeks 1-2 and once at the end of the month)  My side items change that go along with the fish, so it becomes a different meal.   Twice a month, we also have brunch for dinner.  One week it will be eggs, bacon, and french toast.  The next time, it will be eggs, sausage, and pancakes or waffles.   I also laminated a few blank cards for new recipes that I may want to try. I also have a card in each color that say's, "Holiday Menu."  Because I know my plans change for the holidays and I want my board to be flexible like that! :)

Once I got the menu figure out, I got out my recipes out and wrote down all of the ingredients for the menus.  I wrote those down on some of same colored paper as my cards.  For example,  on weeks 3-4, I need eight pounds of ground turkey.  That might sound like a lot, but that is for two weeks worth.  I put a hole in the corner of my ingredient lists, connected them, and hung them under my menu board.  So, when it is time to go to the grocery store, I have my base list.  Then I only have to add the other things like paper towels, TP, and oil.

I am really excited about the time I'll be saving trying to figure out what to cook.  As well as cutting down my trips to the grocery store.  With a family of five, I need to cut back where I can.  Hope this inspires you to make your own board. Let me know what you think!! :)

Beginning of Friendship

"When he calls to me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him."

Psalm 91:15

These are the words of a best friend.  These are speaking of Jesus, but they should also apply to us. 

In todays technology, when is the last time you spoke to a friend?  Honestly, one-on-one or on the phone spoke to a friend.  I'm guilty as everyone here.  It's so much easier to text really quick.  Maybe shoot out a quick e-mail.  Or even post something on Facebook.  But, with that we lose something important.  We lose that connection.

Our grandparents and parents had it right.  My husband tells me stories about growing up.  His parents had about three other couples/friends.  They would take turns going to each others house to play cards while the kids played and have supper together as family.  Grandparents would visit neighbors and friends while sharing a glass of sweet tea.  (hey, we are in the south) They would bring a covered dish over for a number of reasons from sickness or babies being born.   They would stop what they are doing and go out of the way to connect and be there for one another.

Some traditions from the past need to be brought back.  Incorporate those traditions into scheduled moments to connect with one another.  We need to take those moments and savor them.  Make them not just moments, but memories.  We need to take the time to build those relationships.  Sit down and sip some tea.  Invite each other into our homes and into our lives.  We must start there, in the little things.  That's where our friendships start.  The beginning.

Easter Baskets! =D

Just Call Me the Easter Bunny!

My basket winner, Angela Sullins, received her basket

today!  Filled with Coconut Macroons, Chocolate Chip

Shortbread, Frosted Sugar Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies,

and Hot Chocolate Cupcakes! Yumm!!

A few baskets for some sweet kid-o's.  Chocolate, cookies,

cupcakes, bubbles, and chalk.  Hope they bring smiles because

they make me smile! :)

No, I haven't forgotten my own three kids.  They are too

grown up for the baskets.  :(  They just want the candy! LOL

So, a bag full of goodies that I won't buy any other time a year!

My baskets are done for another year.  I hope the Easter Bunny

visits your home this year and leaves some treasures for you.

Happy Easter!





Contest Winner!

And our winner is......   Angela Sullins!  Just one of the sweetest people I know!  Congradulations Angela!  Thank you to everyone that entered.  I'll have to do it again soon so keep you eyes out.  Well, that's kinda gross.  Keep your eyes in but keep a look out for my next contest.  I'll post pictures when I am done.  I gotta start some Easter baking now! :)

Love From the Oven

The cookie tray is done! We got busy today and did some baking. Luke made his favorites: coconut macaroons and snickerdoodle. Faith made chocolate & peanut butter chip cookies and a new pinwheel recipe. Joey made banana and sweet potato bread. I finished up with some brownies and fudge. I hope the firemen are hungry because their tray is full!! :) I love getting the kids in the kitchen. I used to be able to get them all in there, but now it's one at a time. In a few years, they will be able to follow the recipes without any help. That's good, right? To make them self-sufficient? Hopefully, they will still want me in there even when they don't need me in there. Hopefully they are learning to reach out to others, even when it is not convenient to do so. To help even when it is not expected.

"Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,
for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Hebrews 13:1-2

A wonderful thought, isn't it? To be in the presence of angels without being aware. Christmas is a time of miracles. So, who knows? Maybe there are some angels walking around here! It is my prayer that you have a Christmas full of miracles, big and small.

And the Winner Is. . .

Woo-hoo!! Congratulations to Darla Anderson! Thank you to everyone who entered. I hope that you guys enjoy your desserts as much as I enjoy making them for you! There will another contest soon....maybe pie? Or cinnamon rolls? Or scones? We will have to see! For now, I'm going to dig out my carrot cake recipe, start shredding some carrots, and make a run to the store for cream cheese (for frosting). Delish! Have a wonderful Wednesday my friends.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their

labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity

anyone who falls and has no one to help them up."
~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Summer Contest

It has been a while since my last contest. So, I think it is time to have another one! I am thinking cake. Of course, behind cinnamon rolls, that is my favorite dessert! ;~D So before we go much further, you need to be thinking about what your favorite kind is. Let me give you some suggestions that I'm fond of:

• Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Cake is always good!!



• Then, there is Yellow Butter Cake with Chocolate Frosting (pick up on my theme? LOL)



• Oh, yes, my German Chocolate Cake is pictured ~ delish!



• There is always Hummingbird Cake (with bananas & pineapple)



• My Daddy's favorite was always Coconut Cake



• How about Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting? yummm....

I know, I know! There are SO many choices. Have you made a decision yet?? Well, I know that some of you regular contest entries are out on vacation. I'll have to do another one once everyone gets back and school starts. So, when you are ready, hit the comment button at the bottom. Give me your name and the type of cake you'd love to enjoy! I'll take names until Wednesday, August 3rd. Delivery must be local please!! Good Luck everyone!!

"Trust in the Lord, and do good; (so) shalt thou dwell in the land,
and verily thou shalt be fed." Psalms 37:3

Gone Bananas!

You might be looking at that picture and think for a moment...humm....I wonder if she has gone bananas?? I mean, seriously. Bananas? And the answer to that question is that I've always been there, just some days I hide it better than others! LOL :)

But ~ that is not what this post it about. We'll discuss my craziness some other time! This is about what those bananas can be turned into! The joy of baking! I have always loved to bake cakes and cookies. They are my favorite. uummmm.....warm cake from the oven without any frosting. Could there be anything better? only if they are cinnamon rolls warm and gooey -- okay, getting side tracked again.

My mom has been a diabetic since she had me. My husband is also a diabetic. My brother-in-law and my father-in-law are also diabetics. That would be the problem the cake. Even if I Splenda it up ~ the flour turns to sugar. Plus, the flour is not on Luke's diet anyway!! So, this summer, I've been determined to change my ways. I'm going to make pie that even me ~the cake lover ~ wants to eat!

I finally have a wonderful, flaky pie crust recipe from a lady I work with that has baked for 30 years! (thank you Nadine!) That was one of the reasons I didn't even want to make pie. The hard to make crust. I always heard if you handle it too much it won't be flaky and the other recipes I tried were not any good so buying a crust was SO much easier. But, not anymore!

Now, the good stuff. The fillings! I've made a blueberry with frozen berries, a raisin pie, a chocolate peanut butter torte, peach pie with canned peaches, and now I've even made a homemade banana cream pie. Oh, yeah. YUMM! I never liked that artificial banana flavor that is in the packages of pudding but homemade? Oh, yeah! You'll notice that the family agreed because all I have left are a few bananas! :)

Nadine's Crust
1 1/3 cup flour
1/2 cup Crisco (yeah, it's the only reason it's even in my house!)
1/4 cup cold water

Mix and roll out. I usually have to add a bit more water to make mine a dough. So, just add a little bit at a time till becomes a dough. (makes 1 crust)

Banana Pie Filling
3/4 cup sugar or Splenda
3 table. cornstarch
2 cups half and half (one of those small containers is perfect! no measuring needed!)
3 egg yolks
1 tea vanilla
4 bananas sliced thin

Cook Sugar, cornstarch, and half & half until bubbles. Cook 2 min
Add bananas and egg yolks. Cook 2 more min.
Take off heat and add vanilla. Let it cool for a bit. I actually just put my crust in the oven at this point (no filling) and bake crust for 12 min. (while filling cools for 12 min). Then, pour filling in (add meringue if you like at this point) and bake 12-15 min. I let it chill in fridge overnight then topped with cool whip (sugar free!) the next day before serving. ENJOY!