Whole Wheat

Many of us like the IDEA of baking with whole wheat flour for health purposes.  Sadly we have found that with the exception of bread making, using whole wheat flour makes most of our baked goods dry. 

I have found the PERFECT solution.  White whole wheat flour.  The brand is King Aurthur (which I love anyway) and I found it at Food 4 Less so it's not expensive.  The whole wheat flour we are accustomed to purchasing is called 'hard red wheat'.  This new flour is made with 'hard white wheat'.  The color is lighter and the texture is softer. 

I have used it for cookies, banana bread and muffins so far and I LOVE it!  You should give it a try!

Lace Cookies

Lace Cookies
a.k.a Flourless Oatmeal Cookies

Any of the following people will REALLY enjoy this recipe:

1.  People who like oats and/or chocolate chips
2.  People who like cookies
3.  People who THINK they MIGHT like cookies
4.  People who normally don't like to bake
5.  People who need to eat Gluten Free
6.  People who will want to try these cookies just because the word 'lace' is in the title.  ; )

This recipe is WAY simple to mix and cook.  Most of the ingredients you probably already have on hand.  There are lots of words in the instructions, not because there is lots to do...but because I want to make this as simple as possible.  Even if you don't normally like to bake because your baked goods never come out the way you intend for them to, this recipe is EASY PEASY!  Trust me!

Here goes:
1/3 cup butter
1 1/2 cup rolled oats (not the quick cook kind, get the 'old fashioned' kind)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/8 tsp salt (or a pinch...whatever)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
2/3 cup mini chocolate chips (don't go for broke and get the grown up chocolate chips, this dough is not substantial enough to support the big guys)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt the butter and set aside to cool slightly.  Place oats in a medium-sized bowl.  Stir in both sugars and the salt and blend to break up any lumps.

In another medium-sized bowl, whisk together the melted butter, vanilla extract and egg.  Stir this egg mixture into the oat mixture and add mini chocolate chips, mixing with your hands or a large wooden spoon to work in the ingredients.

Place a sheet of parchment paper on your cookie sheet.  Form the dough into 1 inch balls or lumps (don't get perfectionist on me here) and tamp them down with the back of a spoon to make the cookie flat.

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are nicely browned and the tops of the cookies are medium golden brown in color.

Cool well on the cookie sheet (about 10 minutes) before attempting to remove, using a spatula.

ENJOY!!

Mexican Pot Roast

I am trying a new recipe for dinner tonight.  It's called "Mexican Pot Roast".  It is a crockpot recipe and I LOVE crockpot recipes!!  I'll let you know if it's as tasty as I think it's going to be.  Here is the recipe:


Mexican Pot Roast

2 cups dried Pinto beans
2 cans Cream of Mushroom Soup (I make my own because canned Cream of Mushroom Soup has MSG in it.  The recipe for the homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup is below)
2 lbs Chuck Roast
1 can of Rotel
1 small can of chopped green chilis
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp oregano (I used Mexican oregano)

Spray crock pot with Pam (I used olive oil).  Put the dried pinto beans in the crockpot and cover with water.*
Add 1 can of soup, the roast, the other can of soup, Rotel, chilis and spices.  Cook on low for 16-20 hours or on high all day.  You can also add potatoes and/or carrots if you prefer.  Once completely cooked, break meat apart, cool to thicken.  Serve on tortillas or over rice.

*I soaked the beans overnight to speed up the cooking process.  You can do it either way.

Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup
Compliments of my friend Denise Highfill

1/4 cup sliced (I dice them) mushrooms
2 Tbsp butter
1/2 cup flour
4 cups milk
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp parsley flakes


Saute the mushrooms in the butter.  Mix the flour with 1 1/2 cups of milk until smooth.  Slowly add this mixture to the mushrooms, whisking constantly.  Slowly add the remainder 2 1/2 cups of milk.  Whisk until smooth and bubbly.  Add salt, pepper and parsley flakes.  Remove from heat.  Soup will thicken as it cools.  Feel free to add more milk to reach desired consistency.  Makes the equivalent of 3 cans of condensed soup.

Update:  My family loved the recipe!  We will be making this again in the future for sure!

The Importance of Your Appearance at Home

I received the following in an email from my cousin Cindy.  It was so appreciated!  I needed the reminder.
 

The View From Childhood:  The Importance of Your Appearance at Home
 
by Charlotte Siems
 
Girly.  What does that word mean to you?  Pink feather boas and
flaming red high heels come to mind.  Bling, sparkles and lace.  Tea
parties and coffee with girlfriends.
 
Somehow femininity has gotten a bad rap.  Those who scoff and think it
means weakness don't understand the true strength of a woman who knows
who she is and isn't afraid to live it.
 
Busy women can get in a rut of "sensible" clothing and plain,
serviceable shoes.  Or worse yet, a daily uniform of t-shirt, jeans
and flip flops.  After all, we're going to get fingerprinted with
peanut butter and we've got that shower to scrub.  Who cares what you
wear at home, right?
 
Ahem.  If your memorial service were held next week, what would be
your family's memories of you?  What photos of you would show up in
the slide show?  "I remember Mom always wore that Eskimo Joe's t-shirt
and the jeans with the ripped back pocket."  (Sorry, I just attended a
funeral and it got me to thinking).
 
What childhood impressions do you want to leave?  It's worth thinking about.
 
Do your young children know the swish of a skirt?  Do they ever see
you in a fresh color with pretty touches of lace?  When you put on
makeup and fix your hair do they ask where you're going?
 
Yes, I know it's not realistic to wear pearls and heels to do
housework.  But how about a cheerful apron and some earrings?
 
You are building memories every single day, memories for your marriage
and your family.  Those little touches do matter.  For instance,
fragrance:  perfume, scented lotion, or clean soap smell.  A pleasant
whiff when Mom walks by.  Our sense of smell is keenly tied to memory.
 
When's the last time you bought something really girly?  Something
sparkly or lacy and definitely not practical.  Whether you wear it in
the kitchen or the bedroom, it might just put a spring in your step as
you feel pretty and feminine.
 
Let's get down to the nitty gritty.  What condition are your
underthings in? Cotton underwear with stretched out elastic strings
hanging down, or smooth microfiber unmentionables in a delicious
color?  Undergarments that used to be white but are now a grayish
unknown color or a peachy-pink lace-trimmed little something?  Maybe
no one but you and your husband see them, but uh, I rest my case.
 
Don't underestimate the effect of your clothing and grooming on your
day.  On the days when you fix your hair, put on makeup and dress
pretty, you feel better about yourself.  You know you do.
 
Just a friendly little neighborhood reminder that your family is
watching you.  Make the view a little more pleasant.
 
"Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from
little things - I am tempted to think there are no little things."  ~
Bruce Barton
 
 
****************
 
Charlotte Siems
is a home-maker, home manager, T-Tapp Trainer, teacher, speaker and
author.  Her story of losing over 100 pounds with T-Tapp has
encouraged thousands of people all over the world.  She specializes in
making home management and T-Tapp "doable" for real people and real
life.  She is happy to be a wife and mother of twelve children whom
she has successfully taught at home for 25 years.

Created to be his Help Meet by Debi Pearl

So I am not usually one to do 'book reviews' as they remind me all too much of my school days.  During those days, I often only read a couple pages in the front, middle and end of the book and the back of the book.  After completing this, I would then write a satisfactory book review and receive my passing grade.  Embarrassing, but true.

But, I am all grown up now and actually read the WHOLE book.  How very progressive of me!  ; )

This book is not for the faint of heart.  It is not for a woman who wants to be 'right' more than she wants to be 'happy'.  It is not for the woman who views her husband as an annoyance or a child to be chided and trained.  This book is for women who are serious about having a heavenly marriage and doing it God's way.  Regardless of how much pride will need to be swallowed in doing so.

I purchased this book for the first time shortly after Darren and I were married 6 years ago.  I got through, I don't know, about 1/4 of the book before I literally threw it across the room mumbling an expletive.  True story.  There was NO WAY I was going to 'belittle' myself in such a manner.  My man should be happy with me, in love with me, giving, caring and turning a blind eye to ALL other women just because that's what he is supposed to do.  Well, lets face it ladies, if any of us were doing what we are supposed to do and doing it all the time, we wouldn't need counselors, anti-depressants and/or self help books now would we? 

This book gets down and dirty with how to keep your marriage happy, healthy and vibrant.  It's how to affair proof your marriage and how to find contentment and share it with your family.  This is a book of what women are supposed to do to and for men to keep the marriage alive.  This is NOT a book outlining what God says a man is supposed to do for a woman.  Don't get all caught up in the fact that the book never outlines what the MAN is supposed to do.  That is for our HUSBANDS to worry about.  Not us.  WE need to worry about what WE are supposed to do.  God will work on our husbands...just you wait and see.

Applying the traits outlined in this book (and found in the Bible) is a full time, every minute of everyday task.  But I surmise it is well worth it.  In just the few short days I have started applying some of these valued lessons, my husband has responded in kind and didn't even know he was doing anything different!?!?!  It works, ladies.  Who knew, the creator of all things (including marriage) outlined the key to a happy, healthy and loving marriage and all we have to do is read what He said and do it?  What a concept!!!

I highly recommend this book, but don't be upset with me if you get angry when you read it.  It's a lot to stomach and I am warning you right now.

Ready. Set. Mop! Er...I mean MOPS!!!

Ladies!  The 2011 year of MOPS will be starting Thursday, September 1st.  Our monthly meetings are on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month.  The meetings are from 9:00am - 11:30am and held in the main auditorium of Faith Community Church on Kettleman Lane (by Target).

You are invited to a fun filled year with other Moms in the Lodi area.  We are all going through the same things you are going through.  It's a time to get together with friends, rejuvenate, take advantage of free childcare for 2 and a half hours and relax!

The MOPS Book Club is also starting back up.  The next Book Club meeting will be Monday, August 22nd at 7:00pm at Panera Bread.  The meetings will be held at the same time, same place, on the 4th Monday of every month.  Not a good reader?  No problem.  You can come to hear about the book that was read and sit and chat with the other moms.  ALL Moms are welcome!

Mom's Night Out will also be kicking back into gear on the 4th Thursday night of every month.  The next one will be on Thursday, September 22nd at 7:00pm at Panera Bread.  Come and kick up your feet, eat some yummy carbs, or just enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and revel in a night of female adult conversation!

For more MOPS 'get together' information, log on to our meetup site:  www.meetup.com/mopslodi

We hope to see you there!!

Assumptions

I am a new member of an organization called 'Homeschool Association of California'.  This association puts on a statewide conference every year for it's members and anyone else who is interested in homeschooling.  The conference has many purposes, some of which are:  rally California homeschoolers together in one building for camaraderie, to give classes on common homeschooling topics of interest or concern, introduce homeschoolers to the theories and practicalities of the practice, etc.  The children of school age are welcomed and encouraged to attend.  They have many activities and learning experiences set up for them throughout the day.  I was so excited to get to go this year!

I had made an assumption, based on my personal experience, that most of the homeschooling community are conservative.  I even secretly wished I would see a "Duggar style" family.  Oh my!  I could not have been more wrong if I had tried!  I had a heck of a time FINDING any conservatives at this conference!

I don't WANT to sound like I am stereotyping here...but it's going to come across that way, so here goes:  Most of the adults were hippies, most of the highschool boys were goth and most of the highschool girls were, well, very inappropriate (in my personal opinion).  There, I said it.  **sigh**  It was like I had mistakenly walked into a mysticism conference.  I kept looking over my shoulder to ensure the big banner outside said "Homeschooling Conference".

I can appreciate that these parents are concerned enough for their children to take their education into their own hands to ensure it is done well.  Outside of that, I would be hard-pressed to find much in common with most of these people. (With the exception of my eating habits which usually lends me to meeting some very interesting and generally very nice hippies).  It was weird.  Again, just not what I was expecting.

I DID learn about 2 teaching styles that I like and would like to emulate.  Outside of that...it was just surreal to be surrounded by people I would typically have no other cause to associate with.  They were nice people, don't get me wrong.  I just...I don't know...I just typically don't find myself surrounded by hundred of hippies, goth boys and little seductresses.  It was...well, odd.

This conference takes place at the Radisson Hotel in Sacramento in their conference rooms.  One of the classes I went to was to teach us about the 'Waldorf' teaching style.  This very hippie looking older lady walks in.  No problem, the place is full of them and being a hippie does not make you unintelligent or bad.  She proceeds to hang a bunch of butcher paper on the walls filled with hand written information.  Again, not a big deal...teachers do that kind of stuff in public school all the time.  She then asks all of us in the audience to move all the chairs to the outside walls.  She says that education requires movement and we need to be standing.  Ok, I am still with her at this point...she then proceeds to pull out a recorder, stand just outside the door and starts to play it while all us would-be children are moving the chairs for her.  It was at that point I realized, this probably was not the teaching style for me.  Ha!

I wish I had taken some pictures...it was one of those 'you have to see it to believe it' kind of things.