Ginger Tea

Eddie is at home (sick) today.  His immune system gets more challenged than ours, probably because he gets exposed to more sickness at school,  and  I think because we have a little more discipline in eating healthier than he does (in the past there were many things he would not eat, and he's has had to overcome many food phobias... I talked a little about those issues here and here).  He has gotten more open minded about food and he does like, "Ginger Tea", Lemon and Honey and Umka Cold Care.  So when he is sick, I pump him with those and vitamin C, Vitamin D, .  He pops back to feeling better pretty quick that way.   Here's how we like to make our ginger tea:

 Cut a nice piece of ginger.

Grate it with the small side of a cheese grater.  Some people like to slice it, and that is a good option, but I like to get more juice and flavor out of it, so I grate it.

Put it in a mesh tea infuser.

Fill it according to how much ginger you want to infuse.

 Put it in the tea pot with anything else you like... I like it with black tea... some of you may like to steep it with cinnamon,  mint,  green tea, or camomile.. etc.  Pour hot water in and Cover with a tea cozy to steep about 10 minutes (the longer it steeps, the stronger the ginger).

I like mine unsweetened, but if we have a little bug like Eddie does today, I will add lemon and honey....This is a little of that Honey and Lemon "Cold Remedy" I made a couple of weeks ago; it is perfect for adding to tea... you can add just the lemon flavored honey,

or a few chunks of lemon with the honey.

Mmmmm

If I don't happen to have any fresh ginger on hand... these are good too.

Enjoy

Valentines Dinner

Steve and I are "Home Alone" tonight, (not like the Christmas movie of the same name... more like "Romeo and Juliet"... well, not like that either...I am having a hard time coming up with a good romantic movie that is like us... Brian Keith and Doris Day in "With 6 you Get Eggroll" comes to mind, yes, that one best describes us). Steve proposed to me on Valentines Day 34 years ago.  You could say that today is an anniversary to us.  It is nice to have sweet, intimate, moments, and to take pleasure in those moments when you can find them.  I loved what my friend Roxy said about intimacy today, in her post titled "The Kiss".  Check it out,  its very sweet.  Tonight I have planned a nice, intimate Valentine Dinner for Steve and I.  I have set the table, and put the chicken on, done the potatoes, and baked a couple of things, and I have enjoyed an unusually quiet and peaceful day putting it together.  In a few minutes, I am going to "pretty" myself up, and put on some nice music, and we will be ready.  I hope you all have a wonderful Valentines Day, whether its is enjoyed with your precious kids, or watching a sweet movie and  a little box of chocolates, or whether it is a quiet evening with the one you love.  Here's our Menu

Roast Chicken

My friend Amy put this recipe on her blog a little while back, and I loved how she cooked it in a cast iron skillet.

Valentine Potatoes

Steamed Cauliflower and Broccoli with Cheese Sauce

Apple Sauce Raisin Muffins

Fresh Garden Salad

Lavender Shortbread Cookies   

Coffee

Valentines Potatoes

Cooked until done...

Or extra crispy.

Applesauce Raisin Muffins

Lavender Shortbread

Valentine Potatoes

Peel and slice potatoes lengthwise (so there is extra room for your cookie cutter).
Lay out your slices and cut the shapes out with a cookie cutter.
Chop up remaining edges into cubes.
Place potatoes in a bowl (I do the hearts first and then the leftover cubes).
Drizzle with olive oil, and mix until coated.
Add Parmesan Cheese, and toss and coat again.
Lay potato cutouts onto baking sheet side by side (for the extra cubed edges pour into pan and spread thin.. I kept them a little to the side, to keep the hearts free from the other pieces).
Sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder...and more Parmesan if you want.

Bake at 350 uncovered for about 30 minutes... this will vary depending on the thickness of your potatoes.
Serve them up to your Valentines.

Valentine Sachets

These Little  Sachets are made with Plaster of Paris and are a fun and easy craft that we used to make often on Valentines Day.  I have happy memories of making them with the kids when they were little.  Plaster of Paris is great fun for kids; something about mixing up something messy, and pouring it into a mold and watching it transform into something nice; its a sure hit.  These smell wonderful and look pretty, and are a great little present to make for someone.  

Essential Oil

Plaster of Paris

Candy or soap molds

 Mix the Plaster of Paris with Water according to the instructions on the box. I did 2 parts Plaster of Paris to 1 part water.   I added  about 35 drops of essential oil, per 1 cup of Plaster of Paris powder.

Mix thoroughly.

 With a spoon, fill candy molds, allow to set about 30 minutes.

 When plaster has hardened,  flip the mold over onto a paper towel.

 Break off extra plaster from edges.

Using an old nail file, lightly file the edges smooth.

 I didn't add ribbon to these, but I put them into cupcake papers instead, which I thought was a pretty way to display them.  I have often put a ribbon on the back and  you can do this as follows: Cut pieces of ribbon and put them on the backside of the sachets (to clarify; one ribbon per sachet) while the plaster is wet; simply put the two ends of the ribbon on the top back of the wet plaster, and insert it into the plaster enough to anchor it in, but don't let it show through the other side; You will be forming a loop.  You can use them to hang the sachets like ornaments.

If the scent of your sachets gets a little weak as time goes by, merely drip essential oil on them, and they will absorb the scent again.



Supplies
 Bowl and Spoon
Plaster of Paris Mix
Essential oils or liquid fragrance
Water
Candy Molds

Instructions

1. Mix Plaster of Paris, water and fragrance.  The directions on my box were 2 parts Plaster of Paris, to 1 part water.  Use 30-40 drops of essential oil to each cup of plaster (a little more or less is okay), you can adjust according to the size of batch you wish to mix up. ( If after you have finished, you find that your sachets aren't as strongly scented as you would like them to be or if after several months, the scent has faded, you may drip more fragrance on the sachet; it will absorb quickly into the plaster, and appear completely dry, yet retain the smell.)

2. Work quickly once the water is added and mix, then spoon mixture into the molds.   I used Valentines molds, but you can use any variety of molds, Mother's Day, Christmas Etc.; kids might like animals, or for boys, you could get boyish molds, and add a little more masculine scent,  (although heart and flower molds are a nice project for them to make for the girls in their lives...so what ever works).

3.  Once the molds are filled, gently drop the molds onto the table (hold an inch or two above the table and drop) or tap them underneath to help release any air bubbles; this also causes the plaster to flatten out and be smooth.

4.  Allow to dry and harden about 30 minutes.

5.  Turn them over onto a paper towel; tap and twist until they come out.   

6.  Break off excess, rough edges with your fingers.

7.  File with a nail file to smooth edges.

8.  May be placed in drawers, or  cupcake holders and then in drawers or cabinets to bring a lovely scent for weeks.

Tips:
1. Your volume of plaster powder may vary somewhat as you put it into a measuring cup, therefore, when I add the water, I measure it out first, but I stir and mix until I get a loose, but not too thin consistency, that way I adapt its volume as I see I am getting the right consistency. 

2.  I have found that there is grace when working with the plaster, water and oil, so no need to get fussy about exacts.. but I will tell a "funny one" on myself; I had the bright idea of adding cocoa to my mixture on one batch, thinking it would smell and look like chocolate that way.  Well, I think there was sugar added in this particular cocoa, so whether the cocoa or whether the sugar, I don't know which, but one or both of them was a bad idea.  Here's what happened; it took several hours to dry and harden, after which it was crumbly when I removed it.  It did smell and look like chocolate though, and I had a fearful moment that someone would come and snatch a little bite of it before I could throw it out.  So there you have it; if you love experimenting then I say all power to you, because I love experimenting too, as you can see, but that is one experiment you can cross off of your list if you ever get any bright ideas like I had hehehe.

3. One cup of plaster powder makes up about  1 1/2 candy mold trays (depending on the size of the mold of course), so you can figure 2 cups of plaster powder for about 3 trays of candy molds... I hope that is helpful.

4.  For Clean up, wipe the bowl and spoon with a paper towel and clean it up without dumping extra plaster in the sink; you wouldn't want to plaster your drain up if you know what I mean. 

5.  I often use second hand or worn out bowls and pans when I am doing these kinds of things, and then I put them in the craft cupboard when I'm done for the same use the next time; then I don't have to worry about ruining my good bowls and pans.

Have Fun 

A New Granddaughter

We are grandparents again!!!.  Elyse,  Adelaide was born on January 14 to our son Nathan and daughter in law Himilce.  She is our first granddaughter (with 5  wonderful grandsons leading the way).  We can't wait to get our hands and lips on her. I waited a while to announce her birth, only because the timing hasn't opened up and I haven't really got any pictures of her yet.   Himilce says she looks like Elon.    We do have a picture from the hospital, taken from cell phone, but will wait to post a picture when you can really see little Elyse clearly.  It has been a month of  "go, go go" for everyone; particularly Nathan and Himilce and Jon and Marie, and Elizabeth and Benjamin.  They have all been moving, and interestingly enough, everyone moved the same week.  Nathan and Himilce closed on their house the week before the baby was born, and then began painting and then... along came baby.  I can't imagine trying to move and settle in after all the work of having baby, but , they have done it with a little help from Himilce's parents.  Elizabeth and Benjamin, and Jon and Marie and babies closed on their property the same week, and have moved in.  They bought a little acreage with two houses and a pond. It is fun to hear their stories.  Everyone is excited to begin gardens and goats and chickens to what ever degree they will be able to do that.    One little "fly in the ointment" in all these happenings, is that everyone has been without internet (by everyone, I mean the 3 above mentioned of our  kids and their families and even Luke) , it's funny you don't realize how you get used to the internet as a life line connection to the kids when they are so far away, and lately we have not been able to do Skype or Face Time with them; we are hungry to lay our eyes on kids, grandkids, new grand baby, and new homes; thank you Lord for cell phones at this time.  I would hate to  be in the pioneer days under these circumstances, and have to wait to hear via letter/wagon train or pony express; so I guess I can say that I do really appreciate many aspects of today's technology.

We got some snow at the beginning of the week, and are finally feeling a little bit of true Colorado Wintertime, (which has been quite scarce this year).  It is melting fast, and the sun is shining again, (I never protest that),  but hopefully we will get quite a few more snows and enough moisture to  turn this drought around, otherwise I am afraid we are going to have another "Dust Bowl" around here this year.  

As I was talking to my girls this week, they were planning gardens and talking about vegetable seeds and so on, and I realized that I ought to be thinking along that line myself.  Perhaps I will start my tomato seeds soon.  I am having a hard time getting into that mode....didn't we just finish with the fall harvest?  I am starting to get back into a some what normal routine this last week, after a very busy 2 and a half months; Starting with a visit to Florida, and ending with a visit from our friend Sue, we realized that every day has been chock full, with only a few moments here and there to catch breath.  Not complaining, "just saying".  Hope you all have a great week.  May it be filled with "His Peace".

         Behold, children are a gift of the LORD,

         The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,

         So are the children of one’s youth.

                How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;

         They will not be ashamed

         When they speak with their enemies in the gate.

Psalm 127:3

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Honey and Cinnamon for Colds and Flu

Honey and Cinnamon Cough, Cold and Flu Remedy

Stir together:

1 part Cinnamon (try to get the Ceylon Variety)

2 parts Honey (Raw unfiltered)

These can be adapted to taste; if it seems like too much Cinnamon for you, tone it down.

Wonderful in tea, coffee, on bread or crackers.

Honey and Lemon for Coughs and Colds

God's creation is amazing; in it He gave us some wonderful remedies that don't cost very much and don't need to be choked down in pill form, and, I might add, without the side effects. The Honey and Lemon remedy  is an oldie and a goodie. My Mom used to give it to me, and I give it to our kids.  We  don't always realize why something works, we just do it because our Mom's did it, or because someone suggested it, but I love to read studies or testimonials about healthy natural things, and I love to know the details of how they help us.  Here is some of the scoop that I learned about Lemons and Honey:

Lemons:
1.      Detoxify
2.      Alkalinize (though outside your body they are acidic, inside your body they restore a    proper PH balance.         
3.      Cleanse the Liver
4.      Aid Digestion
5.      Contain: Citric Acid, Calcium,  Magnesium, Vitamin C, Bioflavonoids, pectin, 
6.      Promote immunity
7.      Fight infection
8.      Provide anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties
9.      Contains Limonene*

*Studies have shown that limonene has anti- cancer effects. Limonene increase the levels of liver enzymes involved in detoxifying carcinogens.  Animal studies demonstrated that dietary limonene reduced mammary tumor growth. 

Honey:
1.     Helps prevent cancer and heart disease

2.    Is anti-bacterial, anti viral and anti-fungal:

3.    Reduces cough and throat irritation:

4.    Heals wounds and burns and nourishes skin:

5.    Is probiotic:

6.    Promotes digestive health

7.    Is a powerful anti-oxidant

8.    Strengthens the immune system

9.    Eliminates allergies.     

For cold or cough, we add lemon and honey  to tea, or add  a tablespoon to a cup of warm water, or for a bad cough or sore throat  a teaspoon  or tablespoon of both straight from the spoon.   It is wonderful added to Ginger tea which we drink a lot of and even Eddie likes that.  I want to do a post a little later on ginger and will show you how we make ours, but here's a to link you to another blogging friend from Knights and Maidens Gathering who makes a tea of ginger and cinnamon for a good cold remedy.

Cinnamon:
The benfits of cinnamon are all very similar to those listed above, so I won't reprint them, but it is good to know that these common ingredients are ususally right in our cupboards are wonderful remedies right at our fingertips.


Here are a couple of remedies that I put together in jars for when we need them.  I got this particular Honey and Lemon Remedy idea from Pinterest, and couldn't resist trying it; click here for the link I used.  I also, made up a cinnamon and honey mixture, which calls for 1 part cinnamon, and two parts honey... that was a little strong on the cinnamon for me, so I did reduce the cinnamon a little. I say  mix it up in proportions that you can best use it and enjoy it. These are wonderful and tasty cough medicines, sore throat medicines, immune builders and sickness fighters.  

Honey and Cinnamon Cough and Cold and Flu Remedy

Stir together:

1 part Cinnamon

2 parts Honey

These can be adapted to taste; if it seems like too much Cinnamon for you, tone it down.

Wonderful in tea, coffee, on bread or crackers or by the spoonful.

Honey and Lemon Cough Medicine

 I haven't tried this recipe before,today, but it makes sense to me, and now that I have made it up, I look forward to seeing how it develops and can't wait to taste it.  I think I might post an up-date in a week or two.

Cut up 1-2 lemons, put them in a jar and pour raw honey over them until it fills up about 1/3 of the jar (I actually just poured the honey on until it covered the lemons). You will  see the juice from the lemon being drawn out by the honey. Let me quote the blogger whose pin  inspired me; she writes " Let it sit in the fridge, over the next few weeks, the lemon will darken and the mixture will thicken. The peels and pulp will break down as well and leave behind a golden, lumpy marmalade that you can scoop into a cup and pour piping hot water over"  And, I would like to add that, to my thinking, it would be good for the many remedies listed above and delightful in a cup of tea.  She adds ginger to hers, and I think that is an awesome idea too.

When I knew I wanted to make up some Honey and Lemon Cold Remedies,  I starting thinking and looking at "everything honey" ( it is just so beautiful and amazing to me), so  I splurged and bought a honeycomb as well.  I have always enjoyed honey comb, and loved to chew on the wax as if it were gum.  I remember being intrigued with it as a kid, and always thinking it was some sort of wondrous luxury to buy.  I looked up a little info on the honeycomb part of the honey and here is an interesting link you might want to read.  

After taking pictures today of all this honey, I again, could not get over how awesome God is.  He causes a little bee to create such a beautiful, tasty, healthful elixir to be a blessing to us all.  Wow.  

The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.

Psalm 19:9-11

Up Date:

Two weeks have gone by, and my remedy is doing fine.  It hasn't actually  broken down the lemon much (as was predicted in the blog link I got it from), but it has broken it down somewhat.  It may take several months for that to happen, and I think it will be all gone by then.  Never the less, it is a wonderful remedy and I use it for cold remedy and with tea to add a pleasant healthful benefit... hope you enjoy it.