NO GRAIN!! NO PAIN!!

Hey ya'll! been missin me???

Yeah I bet ya'll have; well what can I say country life it DEMANDING!!!!! heck life is demanding.

I have begun a new journey in my little ole country life and thought, hey I blog, why don't I share a little. So, here I am again blogging, don't know how long it will last, don't know who will do it, but today, yes today you will get to read some.

About a year or two ago, I started noticing some trouble with my hands, more like in my finger's knuckle area, ya know where you whole finger bends down from your palm not the tippy part of your fanger.

There started to be some swelling and some pain, what no NOT some pain a lot of pain, and stop if I hit my knuckles on anything yeah ya know what I mean, it was fall down on the floor sobbing with snot and tears. The pain was excruciating (had to spell check that word). Funny isn't it you can say them but heaven to besty if I know how to spell half the stuff I say. Thank you Jesus for spell check!!

OOps bunny trail.

okay back to the pain. Yes it was so bad. Finally my hubby who says he loves to till death suggested/commanded (which ever verb you like) that I should go to the doc. and find out exactly what is going on..

TEST after TEST after TEST---blood work and x-rays all turned up nothing. I was furious after all that blood they took, they could have at least compensated me for it!!! NO I should have charged them 8.00 a vile. Man, I could have been going out the lunch.

Okay so time has past I quit the doc, dealt with the pain, started taking some home remedies, like ginger root, ginger vitamins, turmeric, well really anything I though would help holistically.

NOTHING WAS HAPPENING!!!   This was getting depressing. I couldn't open water bottle, milk jugs, I couldn't even hardly pick up a milk jug. I felt defeated.

A friend suggested GAPS-not the clothing store, and I just couldn't wrap my head around it. I talked with my hubby about it, told him a little about how it would and well, frankly it would be difficult.
I like simple, simple people, the last thing I really wanted to do what have difficult food!!!

So, NO GAPS for me.... again the pain and swelling just kept getting worse. So, I called up my friend and say okay I wanna do GAPS, and she was like get started on your broth and kraut. Asked if I had the book?

Well I am cheap so I haven't bought the book!!  ---yet--

But she did suggest that I go grain free and see how that did. Now mind you that was about, well some months back.

So last week, a very busy week, I decided to quit ALL grain (corn, rice, wheat, pasta) yeah I know crazy. CRAZY HARD!!!!

I won't go into much of the terrible details, but it was hard. I literally felt like I had the flu. I was sick for several days. I had to stay in bed several days, and really guys I may be a little dramatic here but I felt like I would going to DIE!!! No joke like the grim reaper was standing over me just waiting for me to croc! Scary stuff.

The whole time I am doing this, I am thinking to myself  WHY am I doing this????

And here is why I went though all of that sickness.

Because TODAY ya'll I can open my own water bottle, I can pick up a gallon of milk, I can bend my finger more than I have been able to in the last year or two.

Because, the swelling has gone down so much I actually look like I have normal knuckles.

So, when I say NO WHEAT FOR ME!!  I SAY IT WITH A SMILE.

until someone rubs a Olive Gard*n bread stick in your face, and try to tell you it tastes like crap!!  Lies, Lies I say. But I love them anyway--you know who you are!!!!!

 

Macaroon Mania!!!

A few months ago, during my UNFI shopping expedition, I came across some delightful, chocolate, coconut brownie looking things.

I knew the moment I bit into one I just had to have them. I craved them, longed for them, dreamed about them (okay, I know it's a little weird, but that is who I am)!!!
Every month when the order was due, I would search and search to see if anyone else had them ordered so I could split the case, because they could get rather pricey-if ya know what I mean!

Then on tragic day, I couldn't find any on the order page, what I am I suppose to do now????? I have ruined my family, ruined I say, they expected them, wanted them, NEEDED THEM, however, I don't think they were dreaming about them like I was!

So, I broke down and ordered an entire case just for them, us, ME!!! In days, they were gone, depleted I can't express my true sorrow in words, you just had to be there, but there was a lot of comforting and hugging rubbing of the back with the kind words it is going to be okay..... then a long sigh, because really what do you say next??????

I decided at the moment I couldn't afford (money or emotionally) to keep these marvelous macaroons in my home. Then one day out of the blue, a friend of mine comes to me with a sheet of paper with two recipes on it.

What is this? I ask

Why Arica it is recipes for macaroons!!!  Said my friend

WHAT?!?!?!?!  You mean to tell me I can make these at home! (imagine a very shocked, jaw dropped, wide eyed, smiling face with a little doubt- beautiful huh?)

Great I say, challenge excepted. I was in fear, because homemade is sometimes better and sometimes not. I mean, I don't very offend duplicate what I buy in stores or co-op. Do ya feel me???

But, these, Man were game on...

No wait..... Dare I say........EVEN BETTER!!!!!!!

All you need!!

1 heaping c. of shredded coconut (sweet or unsweet) we use unsweet/not sweet (grammar fanatics)
1/4 c coconut oil
5 T of cocoa powder
1/8 c of maple syrup ---NOT honey
1/2 t of vanilla


Place the coconut in a food processor and chop down to a finer shred
then add everything else and go to town-meaning mix well
Working quickly putting into balls because the oil melts real fast, or you can do what I do and put them in the fridge for a little bit then make the balls.

Keep refrigerated to prevent melting...

Eat all day long and ENJOY!!!!

Food for thought!!

Does it ever make you wonder what is really in your food at the grocery store??

Check out this video and tell me what you think?

 

 

 

 

Brings about good discussion?

 

 

The Meatloaf!!

I know from my past childhood that meatloaf was nasty!!  I hated it when my mom would announce through the whole house that we would be having meatloaf!

To me meatloaf was bland, it had no flavor, and well even the smell of it cooking in the oven made me want to barf.

Yes that's right I said barf. Not that I was trying to disrespectful to my  mom, but for pete's sake women QUIT MAKING MEATLOAF, for the long of humanity!!

Then one day while perusing through Pintrest I found this recipe for meatloaf and it intrigued me. I read through the ingredients and thought well this can't be bad at all.

Parmesan Meatloaf

2 lbs Ground beef
2 Eggs
1/2 c bread crumbs
1/2 t of dried basil
1/2 t  of  Thyme
1/2 t of dried Oregano
1-2 minced garlic
1 small grated onion or chopped fine
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1/2 c of Grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 c of Marinara sauce ( I made my own)
1/2 c of shredded cheese

Mix all the ingredients expect the sauce and the cheese

Make into a loaf, place on pan, preheat 350. lightly cover with sauce, but leave some sauce for the cheese blend.
Bake for 45 min to 1 hour

About 7-5 min before done cove the rest of the sauce mixed with the cheese over the meatloaf and place back in for the remainder of time.

Menu for March 17-23

I know I haven't posted my menus in quite a while, but I have still been making them.

I really love this menu making thing. I never have to worry about what I am going to make because it is already laid out on the paper on the fridge.

Monday: Muffins

Cheesy beef and rice with mixed veggies

Leftovers

Tuesday: Grits, Eggs, and Bacon

Salmon Patties, Veggies, and Nuts

Parmesan Meatloaf, Broccoli

Wednesday:(Co-op) Crockpot Casserole-new recipe

Sandwiches, Fruit, and Veggies

Pizza, Salad

Thursday: Pancakes

Stuffed shells, Garlic Bread

Leftovers

Friday: Bacon Cheddar grits -new recipe

Philly steak and cheese sandwiches

Leftovers

Saturday: Biscuits and gravy

Chicken pot pie

leftovers

Sunday: Cereal and Toast

Nana's

Hamburger quinoa and veggies (T & S)

 

Because I have two new recipes that I will be making this week I will also do a recipe Thursday. So, that you too can enjoy the new recipes that my family I will be eating!

 

What are some of your favorite recipes that you and your family love ??

 

Enough with Store bought Cereal

I have had it store bought cereal, even when you think it is good for you, read the ingredients. It is totally frustrating. I want to give my family good real food, but sometimes convenient is the way to go, not that I always want to resort to that.

Each week I prepare a menu and for breakfast I try to just keep it simple.

Mon-muffins
Tue-Grits, Eggs, and Bacon
Wed-Cereal and Toast
Th-Pancakes
Fri- It varies
Sat- Egg Casserole
Su-Cereal

So, as you can see we eat cereal at least twice a week. It is a simple meal that can be prepared in just a matter of, well however long it takes you to get a bowl and some milk. Nothing really on my end either except maybe getting the bowl out of the cabinet.

I fished around for some different idea about homemade cereal and found none that sounded good to me. But, I remembered long time ago I asked a dear friend from Blooming with Blessings for her granola recipe.

Here it is.

1/2 c butter
1/2 c honey
4 c rolled oats
Nuts, raisins, coconut as desired

Melt the honey and butter. Pour over oats and other goodies. Mix well. Bake at 400 for 10. Stir and bake for an additional 5 if you want too.

The extras that I add in are dried cranberries, chopped almonds, and flax seed.

However, there are 3 other smaller people in the home that do not like this for cereal. I had to improvise. So, I replaced the butter with peanut butter, and left out the cranberries.

Made like the recipe instructed and poof I now have a peanut butter cereal that is well liked.

But, let me tell ya granola cereal can get a little old and so again the search continued and low and behold I found one that my two oldest just love. Grape nuts (homemade) This was perfect.

I found the recipe at Heavenly Homemakers. I just love Laura. She has great recipes that I make very often. However sometime I must tweak them to make the my family friendly .

On the Grape nut recipe I add a 1 T of nutmeg. I and my older two feel it gives it that something special.

There ya have it. It is super possible to get rid of all the Store bought cereal in your home. It just takes time to make.

What are some wonderful homemade breakfast foods you like to eat???

One more project!!

Ever since I can remember, I have always had a bed without a headboard. It would always be just a box spring, mattress, and rails... forever..

I am a fan of dark cherry color wood, well both my hubby and I are both huge fans.

So, not long after my hubby got through with our stove corner I asked if he could make me a head board. Now the plans begin.

He asked me what I had in mind. That alone is one dangerous question, but I gave it some thought. Something simple. I think simple is elegant, classy, and timeless. Simple is what we went with.

He called up our cousin and got some tongue and groove pine and a few pieces of trim. I bought the stain and the polyurethane and, away I went.

Bed without the head board..

Bed with the head board....

Voilà!!! Now isn't that beautiful?!!?!?!?!?

Renovations Done!!!!

Well this little project really ended up being a family event (all except me). My hubby had all the kids involved some way or another. Which is great! From the wise words of Gil Bates ( a family I adore) "The kids need to have a skill." And, I totally agree with that, so any opportunity that my hubby and I have we want to teach our children a new skill to acquire.

So, without farther Ado......

Before!!!! 

The in-between!!!!!

 

So as you can see all the kiddos got to lend a helping hand!!! 

After!!!!!!

So, I am going to just take a moment to say I have a very talented hubby. I believe that God has given this wonderful man a great talent to do ANYTHING he puts his mind to.

Home Renovations

A few months ago my hubby and I began looking into wood burning stoves. I wasn't so sure this was a road I was willing to go down until he pulled the specs for me on several different models that we liked.

We did have a fire place in our home, that was installed by the factory when they built it, but we soon realized that it was primarily just for looks cause it didn't heat up a stinking thing!!!!!!

See how pretty???  All that beautiful stone work and the cute family portrait above the mantel.
It will soon all come DOWN!!

With a little help from my 15 year old Ty and my handy dandy wonderful hubby it only took a few hours and the wall, stone, fireplace were all gone.

And the work begins!!!!

HEY HEY!!!!

 

LIFT!!!

 

The wall is almost gone!!

 

GOING

 GOING

 

 

GONE GONE GONE GONE GONE !!!!!!!!

 

 

Silly Chickens

In light of the past few post I have written, I felt a little comic relief was in order.

In the beginning when we first got chickens I really didn't know what to expect. I kinda thought that they were self trained and just by shear instinct they knew what to do and where to go to lay eggs. Where they should lay and perch.

However, over time I am learning they are just silly animals that will bring a smile to my or anyone else's face if you watch them long enough.

When I first saw Goldie laying down like this I thought she was dead!!!  I began to panic. So, I swung the door open and she jumped up, liked to of made me pee myself. I jumped on line to find out why they do this. It is called dusting.

My "little" red chickens are subject to bullying, and so they will perch almost anywhere to get away from the older. more wise, and self-controlled chickens.

I took all these pictures of Penny sitting here and showed them to my hubby who in panic asked if she pooped in my truck. Forgetting that they will drop wherever I hurried out the door to make sure he had a clean seat.

Praise the Lord he did. Cause I prolly would have had to clean that mess up!!!

Turning over a new "LEAF"

I have been homeschooling for about a rough 5 years. And, in all the years I have been doing this I have had the public school method in my head.

Sit
work
sit
work

6 to 8 hours later we/he was finally getting through with school. I was about to pull my hair out. I threaten public school about 3 weeks ago.

We were starting our typical Monday morning routine. He got up looked at his assignment sheet and sighed "this is going to take me all day". And, he was telling the truth.

Frist let me tell you how I have his assignment sheet set up.

Bible

Memory Verse

Vocabulary

Spelling

English

Science

History

Reading

Math

May not be in that particular order, but that irrelevant. I would then look in my teachers guide and write down the assignments for that day. I thought by doing this I would be teaching some responsibility. I figured when he would get through with one subject, that didn't require me to help me through it, he could just pick another and work really at a steady pace.

However, this has proven to not work for either of us. Not only did he NOT pick another subject he would come and let me know each time he was through with the current subject. I felt in my heart that boy this kid just can't get it. I talked to him repeatedly about just moving on, that this is one way you can show me that you can do something's all on your own. I gave you the work now you should be able to choose what you can do independently. But, day after day after day, I was constantly telling him to pick something and get back to work.

At this point, which was 3 weeks ago, I lost it!!!!

Let me be transparent with you. Please don't judge me and think that I am some psycho crazy mom.

Back to the comment Bro made that "typical Monday morning". After breakfast he started on his work with this I don't give a crap attitude. And, I frankly had an attitude as well, because I just got into that mind frame Today we fight. And, that is exactly what we did.

He rebelled and I provoked. This is the struggle we did ever day for the last 5 years.

He was sitting in the recliner working/staring on his science reading. All he had to do was read 7 pages out of the book, and boom science would have been done. I walked by and noticed that he had only read 3 pages in the last 40 min.

~This is not one of my best moments!~

I asked him what was he doing. He gave me a blank stare and said reading. Off the deep end I jumped. No you were not or you would have been done 20 min ago.

I yanked the boy up and tore his butt up and screamed and hollered and well frankly made a fool of myself.  After, I let my flesh have its moment. I realized what I had just done. What I had just become. I realized that I just compromised my relationship with my son.
The son whom God, blessed me with. A child who needs a mom who will love him unconditionally. And, that day I was not that mom. I was ashamed. I needed to go before God and repent. There was no other way around that. I then called my hubby and told him of my selfish actions.

I was broken, he was broken, Bro was broken. Now what? This is the question my hubby asked. I had no idea. All I did know was that I was tired and weary. Thankfully Christ called all who are weary and worn. So, before God I go again.

Seeking how do I do this school thing. So, for the next two weeks I struggled.

I began talking to some other mothers/father who have been homeschooling for years. Their wisdom was just what I needed to hear. I knew the Lord was using them to teach me. (Thank you Jesus)

So, this week our new "leaf" began. I am learning that he doesn't have to sit there for hours writing sentences, working out math problems, reading book after book.

I am learning that school can be fun and joyous. All the while he and I are both learning to respect each other again.

I won't say we will never have another struggle again, I am saying that I will be a fruit of the Spirit mom.

I also learned that in the end, none of this matters when we are called home.

What does matter is that I teach my children to love the Lord their God with ALL their heart, soul, mind. Because when we obey Him and let His spirit live in us then we will be the prime examples our kids need to learn to live by.

Hello!!!

I my name is Arica and I am a blog slacker!!!! I have had a lot of time to mull things over here in Grinerville. I have debated with myself to keep the blog or to do away with it.  What to do...what to do?????????????????  Toooo many questions!!! 

I have asked ( not another question) myself over and over again, is this blog serving a purpose. I have given recipes and homemade posts. But, I just kept coming back to the same question, what is the purpose? (hint there's another one)

I have come up with one solution.

I want you, my wonderful readers, to tell me if you would like for me to continue blogging.

I would love to hear some ideas about post you may would like to read about.

I want to be an encouragement to you.