Affirmation Book

This year, a few of my friends and I decided to each do an affirmation book for 2012.  I used to do them all the time, but somehow with the hustle and bustle of daily life I just forgot about it.  If you aren't familar with what an affirmation book is, it's a book that you put positive quotes, thoughts, and pictures.  The ones we make are kinda like a calendar of things we want to do or wish to accomplish/affirmation book/journal/scrapbook.  You only put positive and uplifting things in it.  The thought process behind it is that we often dwell on all the bad things we encounter, but have to be reminded of the good things around us. With this journal, you actively have to consider the awesome things that are going on around you, or are coming your way.  It keeps us grounded, hopeful, and content.

It's kind of a throw back to the things we did as young girls.  There is nothing like cutting, pasting, and coloring to make a woman feel youthful and hopeful. I try to work in it every day and I find it very therapeutic. Especially if I have had a bad day, this kind of task seems to soothe me and make me slow down and remember the simple things in life.

I challenge you to make one for yourselves.  I find that actively taking part in the balance and harmony in my life, helps me to focus on all the great things in my life and to better deal with those things that aren't so great.  It's a reminder that the days aren't always so dark and no mater what, if you search hard enough, there is always a glimmer of light out there.

Happy 2012!

I wasn't able to blog this past year, but that is going to change! In an effort to become less wired, I have turned off my Internet. What is it they say, you make a void and something else will fill it? Well I have filled this void with things I love. Reading, writing, cooking, and spending times with friends.

In a bid to lose weight and become overall healthier, I have completely changed my eating habits. Along with doing the local, natural thing, I was doing before, I have also gone gluten free for a couple of months, to see I feel better. Last year someone questioned if I might not have a dairy allergy, but a gluten intolerance. We shall see!

It's one week gluten free and so far it's not been too bad. I am already making these wonderful meals and this just makes it a little more challenging, but the meals are never the less still wonderful.

The above picture is an example of one of my meals this past week. Rotisserie chicken, quinoa and brown rice pilaf with fire roasted peppers, and a salad made with walnuts, cranberries, feta and raspberry vinaigrette. I also created a wonderful pan seared steak fillet, sweet, caramelized onions. As side dishes I made an arugula, green olive red onions, almonds, and herbed feta salad with homemade Dijon vinaigrette. I also oven baked some sweet potato fries, that was spiced up with a little Cajun love. The dinner was a huge hit with my son. He informed me it is a definite do again. Unfortunately I didn't remember to take a picture, before I dived in, so you are going to have to take my word that it was gorgeous and delectable.

I am becoming a big fan of quinoa and hope to find many more yummy recipes for it's use. I am also having a ball coming up with delicious, yet health dishes. I spend hours researching and so far the results have been spectacular. Even my son has become a fan of my healthier menus. I'll continue to post pics of the meals, along with some recipes. Hopefully the picture quality will improve.

Don't forget to mark your calendars for when to start your seedlings. I have charted my schedule by using the Farmers Almanac. Last year's results were very good, but I am aiming higher for this next year. Can anyone say canning??!! I can't believe I'm actually excited about canning my own food, but I really can't wait to start. I thinking it's a natural move in my choice to be more organic, less processed.

Sun Chips: Frito Lay Discontinues Use of Biodegradable Bags

I was stunned as I read the news report online. Apparently so many people complained about the noise of the new bags and the sales dropped by 11 %, that Frito Lay decided to switch back to their old bags until they could find a quieter alternative. Really people?????!!!! Was the sound really that bad? I agree they were a bit more noisy, but since when did the packaging represent the quality of of the product inside?

Now before you start throwing out Marketing 101,(It's all about the packaging) I will remind you that Sun Chips has been around since 1991. It's not like they were new on the market and trying to edge in for their piece of the snack chip pie. They already had a customer/fan base. When I heard that they were switching to these new, environmentally friendly bags, I rejoiced and purchased even more than my normal share. Evidently, others did not jump on the bandwagon and to that I say...........shame on you. Shame on your need for convenience to override positive solutions to detrimental effects on our environment. Are you people really that self absorbed, that a little noise outweighs the benefits for our planet's health?

I am so angry about this. They were not THAT loud. I've had other products that made as much noise or had difficult packaging, but it never stopped me from purchasing a product I really liked. (Anybody ever buy something in clamshell packaging? It's a nightmare to get into. How about yogurt or individual salsa cups with foil lids? Ever open one and not get back splash?) I am usually very laid back in my promotion of green living, but this has riled me so much that I will step outside my comfort zone. I propose that all my friends, green or otherwise, join me in a boycott of all Frito Lay/PepsiCo products. If the company can be swayed by a selfish group that complained about the noisy bags, I say they be sway back by people like us, to rethink their decision. It's sad to say, but the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Become a giant, squeaky, GREEN wheel with me! I also ask that you join me in emailing a complaint directly to Frito Lay. http://www.fritolay.com/about-us/contact-us.html . You can also call them at 1-800-352-4477 Mon-Fri, 9am -4:30pm CST.

If you aren't sure what products part of the Frito Lay/PepsiCo company, here's a list:


Pepsi, Caffeine-Free Pepsi, Diet Pepsi/Pepsi Light, Caffeine-Free Diet Pepsi, Caffeine-Free Pepsi Light, Wild Cherry Pepsi, Pepsi Lime, Pepsi Max, Pepsi Twist and Pepsi ONE.
Other U.S. carbonated soft drinks, including Mountain Dew, Crush, Mug Root Beer, Sierra Mist, Tropicana Twister Soda and Frawg,
7 Up (Globally, outside the USA)
Other U.S. beverages, including Aquafina (Flavor Splash, Alive, and Twist/Burst), Tava, Dole, Gatorade, Izze, AMP Energy, Propel Fitness Water, SoBe, Quaker Milk Chillers, and Tropicana
Beverages marketed outside the U.S.: Alvalle, Concordia, Copella, Evervess, Fiesta, Frui'Vita, Fruko, H2OH!, Ivi, Junkanoo, Kas, Loóza, Manzana Corona, Manzanita Sol, Mirinda, Paso de los Toros (drink), Radical Fruit, San Carlos, Schwip Schwap, Shani, Teem, Triple Kola, and Yedigun
Frito-Lay brands: Baken-ets, Barcel, Bocabits, Cheese Tris, Cheetos, Chester's, Chizitos, Churrumais, Cracker Jack, Crujitos, Doritos, Fandangos, Fritos, Funyuns, Gamesa, Go Snacks, James' Grandma's Cookies, Hamka's, Lay's, Miss Vickie's, Munchies, Munchos, Nik Naks, Ollie's Meat Snacks, Quavers, Rold Gold, Ruffles, Rustler's Meat Sticks, Sabritas, Sabritones, Sandora, Santitas, Smartfood, The Smith's Snackfood Company, Sonric's, Stacy's Pita Chips, Sun Chips, Tor-tees, Kurkure, Tostitos, Walkers, and Wotsits
Quaker Oats brands: Aunt Jemima, Cap'n Crunch, Chewy Granola bars, Coqueiro, Crisp'ums, Cruesli, FrescAvena, King Vitaman, Life, Oatso Simple, Quake, Quisp, Rice-A-Roni, and Spudz


I realize a boycott will take some effort, but things that are worth our while often do. I think as a green nation, we can continue to make a difference, by standing up for what is right. I'm most certainly going to do my part. It ain't easy being green, but it's always the right thing to do!

Simple and Fun Fall Grilling

With Autumn approaching we start to get that little pep in our step. The crisp morning air fills our lungs and a smile slowly spreads across our faces. We survived Summer! We can pat ourselves on the back, because we actually made it through the hottest summer in most of our memories.

I think I've said this to my readers before, but I'm a fall kinda girl. This is the time of the year I look most forward to. The cooler days, that make me feel like getting outside and being active. The colder nights, where I can snuggle up in a quilt, with a good book and a great hot of cup of tea. There's football '(college and high school), bonfires, Halloween, freshly baked bread and pies, the burning of leaves, clear starlit nights. chili and sweaters. This is, for me, is the best time of the year.

I have a few ideas of activies you can enjoy this fall. I'll post them in a series of blogs to come, but the first idea is to have cookouts. Yes you heard me right, cookouts. Most think that the best time for cook outs are during the late spring and early summer, but no, late summer and early fall are excellent times to get together and fire up that grill. The weather is crisp, the air has that great smell to it, and people, like animals, tend to get frisky when the air turns cooler. So invite your friends over for a friendly game of kickball or touch football. Plan a simple menu, pull out the hoodies, and enjoy visiting with your guests in your backyard or patio. When becomes dark outside , which it does earlier this time of year, you can fire up the firepit or bonfire for warmth and light. Light candles, pull out the lawn chairs, make smores, and talk. In our wired up world I don't think we take enough time to talk face to face. I find this very sad. You can do as a friend recently suggested. Place a basket at your front door and request all your guest, adults and children alike, to deposit phones, ipods, and electronic devices until it's time to go home. This will make it easier for your guest to interact with one another, without the diversion of texting, mp3's or phone calls. Great idea, huh? You can also play card or board games. Contraire to common belief, board games are not boring and when played with good friends, can be the source of great amusement.

One of my favorite grilled meals I got to experience just recently. It's something my friends call kabab sandwiches, although most the time we omit the skewers. We grilled this great yogurt marinated beef and chicken and placed into pitas and naan bread, along with a cool yogurt sauce and fresh veggies. Serve with kalamata olives, hummus, and tzatziki to make a very tasty addition to your grilled repertoire. YUM! I's insanely easy and a great change of pace. You can use chicken, beef, turkey or lamb.

Spicy Yogurt Marinade

http://www.achefshelp.com/recipe/5268/spicy-yogurt-marinade-rubs-and-marinades-barbecue-recipes


Tzatziki
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=365792051340341954

Hummus
http://www.familyoven.com/offsite?r_id=199214&u=http://www.recipezaar.com/143488

Smore Alternative:Instead of chocolate, use Nutella. It spreads evenly and it so wonderful! If you are looking for a gourmet type of smore, try using Ghirardelli Filled Squares.


Now, you can buy hummus from a store, but in my opinion, it's not as flavorful as the one you make fresh. Besides, it's very simple and something that's as easy to throw together as that cheese dip you make often.


You can grill your veggies ( tomato, onion and peppers, eggplant), but we like our veggies fresh and crisp. Slice lettuce , onion, cucumber, green peppers and add a splash of lemon. Grill your pita or naan, but remember to coat the bread with oil, before placing on the grill. Don't forget pita chips for the great hummus.


I promise the smells and the taste of this simple meal will delight your senses and sate your hunger. Enjoy on a cool autumn evening and don't forget to pair with a great wine, good friends, and great conversation. To add to the ambiance , you can always play Greek folk music and serve ouzo. OPA!!

Struggling, But Still Surviving

The oppressive heat is not friends with my few remaining plants, however, they are hearty things. I'm still getting a steady production of yellow pear tomatoes, as well as banana peppers and the welcome addition of hot chilies.

Every morning, before dawn, I go out and give them all a much needed drink. They aren't the full plants of a few weeks before, but somewhat limp and a little wilted, still, they live on. The fact they are still producing is more a testament to their resilience, than my skill.

I think I have enough tomatoes and peppers to make up a chunky salsa to go with dinner tonight, which of course, will be a light one, because who is crazy enough to cook in this heat? Stay cool guys and remember to keep hydrated.