Random Acts of Kindness From the heart

I saw a story on tv about a man who is blogging about his quest to perform a random act of kindness every day of this year—366 days (remember it’s Leap year).  

He has taped a dollar to a vending machine to pay for a snack, given away tickets to a basketball game, paid for an ex coworkers bus pass for 3 months, and many other things that cost him little or no money.

What makes this more special is that he is not a rich man. He works 5 days a week and has his own family.  He is just an average Joe. He only hopes that others pay random acts of kindness forward!

His generosity made a big impression on me. Wouldn’t the world be a much better place if everyone did a little something extra for a fellow human being?

I am going to do a random act of kindness daily. It doesn’t have to cost anything; A compliment to a stranger on her clothes, or a hug for a family member for no reason, or helping a neighbor with her groceries.  Little things mean so much!  Can you make someone’s day a little better with a little Random Act of Kindness given straight from the heart?  I am going to try!

Blessings,

Lisa

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my Mother’s 73^rd birthday. She has been the best Mother any girl could ask for. If I need anything she helps out without a word.  She has been so strong  dealing with losses that would flatten most.  She has lost her parents, 2 husbands, a son, and 7 brothers and sisters. Even though she is the baby girl of her family, her siblings always ask her opinions on most everything. She is the caretaker, mediator, and  pillar of strength to her family.

One of the most important things I have learned from her is to tell the people I love that I do love them.  She has set the example of this all of my life.  I have never doubted her love and I have let my loved ones know how much I love them also.  My Mom can do anything she sets her mind to.  She is so talented in so many ways and has taught me that I can do anything if I set my mind to it.  My Mom is the best!

So Happy Birthday to one of the most important people in my life—Love you Mom!

Blessings,

Lisa

Quote of the Week

If you want to be loved, be lovable.
                                      --Ovid

Herb Chart

If any of you are like me, you wonder which herbs can be used for what foods.  I did a little research and found an herb chart. 

Beans (dried)	cumin, cayenne, chili, parsley, pepper, sage, savory, thyme
Beef	basil, bay, chili, cilantro, curry, cumin, garlic, marjoram, mustard, oregano, parsley, pepper, rosemary, sage, savory, tarragon, thyme
Breads	anise, basil, caraway, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, dill, garlic, lemon peel, orange peel, oregano, poppy seeds, rosemary, saffron, sage, thyme
Cheese	basil, caraway, celery seed, chervil, chili, chives, coriander, cumin, dill, garlic, horseradish, lemon peel, marjoram, mint, mustard, nutmeg, paprika, parsley, pepper, sage, tarragon, thyme
Chicken	allspice, basil, bay, cinnamon, curry, dill, fennel, garlic, ginger lemongrass, mustard, paprika, rosemary, saffron, sage, savory, tarragon, thyme
Corn	chili, curry, dill, marjoram, parsley, savory, thyme
Eggs	basil, chervil, chili, chives, curry, dill, fennel, ginger, lemon peel, marjoram, oregano, paprika, parsley, pepper, sage, tarragon, thyme
Fish	anise, basil, bay, cayenne, celery seed, chives, curry, dill fennel, garlic, ginger, lemon peel, mustard, oregano, parsley, rosemary, thyme, saffron, sage, savory, tarragon, marjoram
Fruits	allspice, anise, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, ginger, mint
Lamb	basil, bay, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, curry, dill, garlic, marjoram, mint, mustard, oregano, parsley, rosemary, savory, tarragon, thyme
Potatoes	basil, caraway, celery seed, chervil, chives, coriander, dill, marjoram, oregano, paprika, parsley, poppy seed, rosemary, tarragon, thyme
Salad Dressings	basil, celery seed, chives, dill, fennel, garlic, horseradish, marjoram, mustard, oregano, paprika, parsley, pepper, rosemary, saffron, tarragon, thyme
Salads	basil, caraway, chives, dill, garlic, lemon peel, lovage, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, tarragon, thyme
Soups	basil, bay, chervil, chili, chives, cumin, dill, fennel, garlic, marjoram, parsley, pepper, rosemary, sage, savory, thyme
Sweets	allspice, angelica, anise, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, fennel, ginger, lemon peel, mace, nutmeg, mint, orange peel, rosemary
Tomatoes	basil, bay , celery seed, cinnamon, chili, curry, dill, fennel, garlic, ginger, gumbo file, lemongrass, marjoram, oregano, parsley, rosemary, savory, tarragon, thyme

 
This is an invaluable tool for me!  Hope it helps you as well!
Blessings,
Lisa

Making Yogurt

Yogurt making is not very difficult at all. It just takes milk and  yogurt starter or a 1/2 cup of plain yogurt with active cultures.  You can then add sweetner and flavor or fruit after the yogurt is completed.

Here is what you will need to make your own yogurt:

Yogurt Maker, crock pot, or insulated cooler, milk, quart jar and lid, pan, thermometer, and yogurt starter or culture.  I  have the Salton Yogurt maker and I really like t.  It came with a plastic insert, but I like to use a quart jar because I store it in the same jar.

First, measure out a quart of milk and put into a pan and heat on medium until it reaches 185 degrees.

When it reaches 185 degrees, place pan in a cold water bath to cool it down to 110 degrees.  Once it cools to 110, add your yogurt or yogurt starter and stir well.  Put the lid on and place jar into your yoghurt maker, crock pot(on warm)or into a cooler with warm water and leave it sit for 8 hours.  It needs to stay as close to 110 degrees as possible for the 8 hours. For this reason, I like the Salton yogurt maker--no worries about temps.

After the yogurt has incubated for 8 hours, take about 3/4 cup out and save the plain yogurt for your next batch.  Now you can add your sweetener of choice--sugar, honey, splenda, or maple syrup.  Then you can add vanilla flavoring or add fruit.  I added Slenda and frozen raspberries to mine. You are only limited by your imagination!

Now refrigerate and enjoy the next day!  Thats it, easy peasy!  Mmmmm, I cannot wait to have my raspberry yogurt for breakfast in the morning!

Blessings,
Lisa

Garden Dreaming!

Went shopping Saturday and perused the seed counter for ages!  Garden dreaming has begun!
Have you started planning your garden yet?
Blessings,
Lisa

Valentines Day Garland

I made this garland to hang up for Valentines Day.  It is so easy!  I used my Cricut but you could just cut out 4 large hearts out of red, burgundy, or pink cardstock. Cut 4 smaller hearts out of white card stock.  Use a hole punch to put holes in the sides of the large hearts. Glue the smaller hearts onto the larger ones.  You can cut out letters, stamp, or write l-o-v-e on the hearts and then string them onto a piece of twine, rope, or ribbon and you have a great decoration for Valentines Day!
Blessings,
Lisa

Growing Sprouts

       A wonderful way of growing nutritious greens, in the winter, or anytime for that matter, is sprouting!
      You can order a sprouter, or use a canning jar with a piece of screen on top in place of a lid.  If you use a canning jar, just make sure the screen is tightened down with a canning ring. With the jar, you must must must ensure you drain the sprouts well.
       I ordered my Easysprout and seeds from The Sprout people. http://www.sproutpeople.com/
They offer a great selection of sprout products and seeds.

       Sprouting seeds is so easy. The most important thing to remember is to clean your sprouter or jar well and to rinse with a bleach water solution(1T bleach to a pint of water) between each use. 
                                            1. Rinse your seeds until the water runs clear.
                                            2. Soak seeds in your jar or sprouter for 12 hours

Day one-soaking



3. Drain well--very well and let sit out of sunlight



Day 2-rinsed 2 times

                                        4. Rinse every 8-12 hours and drain well for the next 4-6 days

                                                                   Day 6--All done!


That is it.  So easy!  If you want to get the hulls off, just soak sprouts in a bowl full of water.  Break up mass of sprouts and skim hulls off of top.  Drain and let dry before putting into fridge. Make sure they are very dry!  There you have it--a fresh nutritious green sprout in just 4-6 days.

Hope you are inspired to try this easy way of providing fresh greens for your family!
Blessings,

Lisa

                               http://homesteadrevival.blogspot.com/2012/02/barn-hop-48.html

Quote of the Week

We can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone.
                                                   -Ronald Reagan

Who can you help toaday?

Blessings,

Lisa