Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Reduce & Save

Many deals have been found searching the classifieds, garage sales, yard sales & kijiji.

While people feel the need to upgrade items that make our lives more convenient & pretty, they always discard sooner or later. It's completely true the saying that another mans trash is another mans treasure. New appliances get made & the old models become replaced, sometimes within months of making that initial purchase.

Question I have is, what to do with the items you no longer have a need for?

You could donate to an organization, place it on the side of the road for pick-up, give away to someone in need? For example, Goodwill CEO & owner profits over 2 Million a year by people donating items to his stores & selling them back to us for profit.
Think before you donate!

Stumbled across an online website which is available to us because of volunteers & donations. There mission statement is:

"To build a worldwide gifting movement that reduces waste, saves precious resources & eases the burden on our landfills while enabling our members to benefit from the strength of a larger community."

After checking into THE FREE CYCLE NETWORK, it's available everywhere. check out the list below. Guess what, the name doesn't lie, it's a free service! Do you know anyone that has heard of the website freecycle.org ? But now that I have, I love going on and seeing what's available & what I could use.

After getting used to the website, you can search by two categories; Offers & Wanted with the opportunity to search by typing in items.

I highly recommend checking out this site, FREE CYCLE. You could help out someone who could use a new treasure that's your trash. Make a post, put it out front of your home when you receive an email confirming pick-up & gone. Never have to have a stranger in your home but the good we can do for many by providing this service instead of discarding. Everyone can make a difference.

Keep Smiling & Happy Searching :)

The Freecycle Network is active in these countries:

Check out yours today!

Monday, November 11, 2013

Life & Lemons

Life gave us lemons ...

We did so much more than make lemonade :)

They contain many substances including citric acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, bioflavonoids, pectin, and limonene.

This season eat & drink your citrus to promote immunity and fight infection.

Check out some uses and if you have others please share below.

Water with Lemon:
Stress buster, reduce phlegm, antioxidant, reduced toothaches, headaches,energy boost.
We prefer to gargle with lemon water over salt water; a great alternative.

Skin Care:
Wash your face to tighten skin & cleanse, be careful of the eyes. With a cotton ball, apply fresh lemon juice on acne and leave it overnight. Wash with water the following morning & it will disappear. For canker sores: rinse with lemon juice and water more than twice daily.

Highlights:
Rinse your hair with approx. 1/4 cup lemon juice with 1 cup water and enjoy the sun.

Laundry:
Ignore harsh chemicals to brighten the whites. Try using lemon juice to clean, leave a fresh scent & remove stains. Directly apply lemon juice to the spot before washing or soak the clothing in a 50/50 mixture of baking soda and lemon juice

Cleaning Scrub:
Make a paste with lemon juice & salt. Scrub on faucets, grout, dish sinks, grills, grates

Remove Odours:
Refrigerator: Cut a lemon into half & place on a saucer. Change once a week.
Cutting boards: Rub half a lemon onto clean & sanitize especially when cutting onions & garlic.

Fresh Food:

Add a teaspoon or so to the water when boiling potatoes, and sprinkle just a little bit on fruit, or guacamole to stay fresh while cut. No more browning.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Food Remedies - Carpal Tunnel

I've been working behind a computer typing for many years. Finally repetition had won over my hands & arms. Tingly, numbness, & aching was here to stay. Well at least for a little bit ...

Someone who dislikes visiting health care buildings, finally decided to book an appointment with a Practitioner. The Dr recommended that I ice my hands after work & take some over the counter pharmaceuticals. I am not one to cover pain with a pill, so it continued as I took the advice of using ice. I started to wear wraps to keep the swelling down while I slept. Tossing & turning from the pain & not sleeping as well as I could be. Over time this resulted in an irritable, short tempered, abnormal self.

So I started to do some research on natural healing properties of the food I was consuming, especially Carpal Tunnel destroyers. Was on my way to find an "out of the bottle" answer, not just a remedy to cover the problem. I found the Vitamix Blender & a bond formed right away. This was my answer to cure myself with colorful fruits & vegetables.

Today I still work inputting information 40 hrs a week on the computer & my pain has subsided with NO medications being used! This has worked in my case but may not be the same for yourself. Results may be different but it's worth a glass.

Fresh recipes to be posted soon plus

photos of my journey into the juicing world.

TO BE ENJOYED:
Packed with antioxidants and nutrients...
Avocado, chile peppers, basil, turmeric, flax seed, pineapple, spinach, kale, blueberries, cherries, squash, bell peppers, whole grains, beans, fish, banana

MADE THINGS WORSE:
Refined & Processed foods for example: white breads, pastas, sugar, red meat, margarine & salt

I enjoy handfuls of fruits & veggies every day & never felt better! Thanks Momma Nature :)

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Tomatillo Salsa

The Last Harvest of 2013 :)

Was out in the garden yesterday and picked the remaining tomatillo(s), pronounced toe-mah-TEE-yo. So here we go canning our fresh produce to enjoy all year round!

The tomatillos resemble paper lanterns while growing & the coating keeps them protected from pests & frost. Remove the paper before consuming as this is not edible.

We grew a purple & green variety this year & produced the fruit the size of a cherry to a plum. Just dug a new hole in the yard & voila, the tomato bush/tree was born! The fruit taste sour while being sweet. You have most likely had "tomate verde" while visiting Mexico or the Latin section in the grocery store; it's the green salsa. Most of the time it's the less spicy of all salsas.

Will be starting these seeds again in the new year.
Enjoy the freshness & the recipe!

Tomatillo Salsa - Canning Recipe

Ingredients:

6 cups chopped tomatillos

3 cups chopped onion

2 chopped jalapeno peppers

6 chopped garlic cloves

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

1/2 cup lemon juice

2 teaspoons cumin

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp dried hot peppers (optional)

Options: More kick add more cumin &/or jalapenos

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot & stir often over medium to high heat until boiling.

2. Reduce heat & simmer 20 minutes.

3. Ladle into jars & leave 1/2" head space.

4. Adjust lids, process in a hot water bath for 20 minutes.

5. Remove from water bath & place on a towel while cooling down. Listen for the 'ping' musical to begin.

After these have set for at least 24 hours, you can remove the metal bands from the jars. If at any time in storage the top unseals, this is a sign that the food is unsafe to consume. I also remove the bands making it easier to get the top off, no rust or fight required to open the jar.

Feedback is always appreciated. Sharing is caring.

Let me know of any adjustments you made.

Keep smiling as it looks great on you:)

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Homemade Granola Bars

GRAB & GO SNACKS

I have always loved a great granola bar but purchasing from the grocery store is far too expensive for what you receive in return. Plus the quality vs price doesn't add up. Grocery store bars are like junk food but dressed up to be consumed as a healthy alternative. The main ingredient is sugar! A "good for you" granola bar has the same amount of calories as some chocolate bars with high sodium, sugars, corn syrup & fructose added. Check out those labels.

So I decided to make my own which turned our fantastic! Usually have enough to get us through a work week for snacks & if not it takes no time at all to make more.

If you would like to share with friends & family please share this link :)
ENJOY this non baked granola bar & look forward to hearing some feedback. Let me know the twists you made to make them your own!

CRANBERRY ALMOND HONEY BAR

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cup old fashion rolled oats
1/2 cup whole almonds coarsely chopped
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup dried cranberries coarsely chopped
1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp mini chocolate chips
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

2. Line bottom of 9" square pan with parchment paper.

3. Toast oats, almonds & coconut on a baking sheet for 5 minutes. Stir & bake for another 5 minutes. Until lightly toasted. You will start to smell something wonderful. Transfer to bowl.

4. Combine butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla in a small sauce pan on medium heat. Stir occasionally until butter melts & is bubbly.

5. Pour mixture into oats, nut & coconut mixture. Once completely mixed let sit for 4-6 minutes. Add dried berries & 1/4 cup chocolate chips. Stir until combined.

6. Firmly press mixture into the 9" pan with spatula. Sprinkle 1 tbsp chocolate chips & press.

7. Cover & fridge for 3 hrs. Cut into 12 bars & store in fridge.

Hint:
*Make sure to use old fashion rolled oats instead of quick cooking oats
*For a softer granola bar leave them out of the fridge or if you like them hard keep them cool.
* Bars will keep over a week in the fridge.