Blessings…
Posted on May 19, 2011I do realize that doing dishes isn’t normally considered a blessing, but I also realize that being able to do dishes is…
As most of you know, I have been “under the weather”, so to speak for a couple of months now. It all started with slip and fall in the tub and kinda went south from there, unfortunately.
At one point doctor’s were saying there seemed to be evidence of an old stroke or possibly seizure activity according to some results of a CT scan. Well, that ended up not being the case , Praise The Lord! But they did determine that I have a cyst (app. 1″ x 1″) on my brain. It does not appear to be causing any problems, so they are going to leave it be.
But now we are left to wonder what the problem actually is…
I continue to have major migraines (which isn’t a new thing) and passing out occasionally (which is new since the slip and fall). We are told that IF the passing out is from the concussion I go when I fell, it will stop on it’s own eventually.
If it’s not from that then we will have to figure out what it is from and try to treat it accordingly. The Dr. didn’t really say how long we should wait, so I’m not sure what to do there, but I will be checking with my regular soon to see.
At one point, my regular Dr. was going to have me do a cardiac monitor and I think that’s probably my next step.
So back to my original thoughts…I have been having good days and bad (seems mostly bad lately, unfortunately) and some days it’s a struggle just to be up and out of bed. And, some days I can get simple things done like cleaning toilets, folding laundry and doing dishes. Today started out rough with a migraine, but has gotten better so, as I was washing dishes today, I looked up and saw this out my window…
…and thought “What a blessing to be here and be able to do my dishes today”.
Spring is my favorite time of year, to me, it represents a rebirth of things and a new start…which we can all use now and then…
Home…
Posted on May 18, 2011For those of you who haven’t figured it out yet, it takes a lot more than having the biggest, bestest, most high tech house on the block to make a house a home. It takes a lot more than fancy shower curtains and pretty nick knacks too!!
Some people just don’t get it. It doesn’t matter if you have all the latest home furnishings and high tech gadgets like the ones you see on Home Makeover and other shows on TV, but if you don’t have love and security, you’ve got nothing!!!
You can have the biggest house on the block with the fanciest things in it and if you don’t have love and commitment and trust, you may as well have a cardboard box. When will people learn this important fact?
“Things” are not evil or bad in and of themselves, but when we place the importance on these that we should have on our relationships with our families and with God, we are setting ourselves up for major disappointment!!
Just had to get that off my chest…
My Sister…
Posted on May 15, 2011I love my sister dearly…I think she tolerates me. She gets frustrated because I think she needs to get out more and not spend so much time alone. I try to keep in contact with her as much as I can, but hey, life gets busy for all of us.
Well, not so much for her, she doesn’t have a job. She collects social security disability. I probably could , too, if I really wanted to. I don’t do well in a traditional job situation. I’m not sure why, I don’t really have a problem working for someone, as far as being under someone else’s authority, I just have a problem with stressing out about being accountable to someone else and doing a good enough job.
I have never held a job for more than 6 months. One that I had to do outside my home, anyway. The work I do here at camp doesn’t really count as an “outside” job. Not as in outdoors, but out of the home. It’s more like working at home to me…since I live here on the property and it’s not a traditional work environment, though it is a little fast paced sometimes and it does stress me now and again…
But, since I can work here at camp with little to no problem and the hubby and I do get some support and God has been faithful to provide, I don’t see a reason to even apply for disability.
What do you think? What would you do?
Randomness…
Posted on May 12, 2011**I am not receiving any compensation for this post**
I have a couple different recipes that call for canned chicken. I must say, I am not a fan of canned chicken. So much so that I went to cooking chicken breast tenders, letting them cool and cutting them up all just to make chicken salad. Sad, I know…
So, the other day I’m in the store and I’m thinking, if I could only find a canned chicken that I liked, it would make my life SO.MUCH.EASIER.
So, I pick up a couple cans of Tyson Brand canned chicken. The label says “Premium White Chicken”, so it’s gotta be good, right??
IT IS DELICIOUS!!! I kid you not, it’s so yummy, I can’t stop eating it!!!
So, if you are as frustrated as I was with canned chicken, be frustrated no more!!! Pick yourself up some Tyson brand canned chicken and you won’t be disappointed!
You’re Welcome!!
Confusion…
Posted on May 09, 2011I have to admit when I heard that tv was all going to be digital, I had no idea what that meant. Whoever made that decision to switch everyone from analog signal to digital really had me shaking my head. Really, what was the point???
I think I have more problems now with my tv reception than I ever did before. Was it supposed to help that??? Then I thought that antennas for tv would become obsolete, which was wrong (big surprise, NOT).
I had no idea you could get digital antennas…
These are the things I sit around and think about when I am not allowed to do anything because my head hurts so bad I could cry and the room insists on spinning whenever I get off the couch!!! 
Home Improvements…
Posted on May 06, 2011I am a HUGE fan of hardwood floors. I am not, however, a fan of the upkeep of hardwood floors!!!
Love the look and the fact that it is a “clean” floor, meaning it doesn’t hold dust and dander like carpet does. You also don’t have the worry of spills that will stain or soak in and leave odors!!
I have always dreamt of beautiful cherry or oak floors with those big oriental rugs…aahhhh…that would be awesome!!! Maybe someday I will get my “hardwood” floors…
For those of us who like the look of hardwood but not the “work” that goes with them, they make laminate flooring. It looks like hardwood (or can) but it doesn’t have the upkeep that goes with it.
Isn’t it gorgeous?? LOVE IT!!!!
White Chili (chicken)
Posted on April 30, 2011I had this for dinner last night (2 soup mugs full) around 5:30 PM, and I WAS NOT HUNGRY again til 12:00 PM today!! It was so filling and so yummy!! This recipe is great for LDL because it doesn’t have any wheat or added sugar in it. Everything in it is LDL approved!! 
White Chicken Chili
Ingredients:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each), chopped
- 2 cans (14 ounces each) chicken broth
- 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1-1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) great northern beans, drained, divided
- 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Chopped jalapeno pepper, optional
- Sour Cream, optional (only FF would be LDL approved)
- Tortilla/Corn Chips, optional (these would not be LDL approved)
Instructions:
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook onion in oil for 10 minutes or until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add the chicken, chicken broth, green chilies, cumin, oregano and cayenne pepper; bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low. With a potato masher, mash one can of beans until smooth. Add to saucepan. Add remaining beans to saucepan. Simmer for 20-30 minutes or until heated thoroughly.
- Top each serving with cheese and jalapeno pepper if desired. Yield: 10 servings (2-1/2 quarts).
You’re Welcome!!!
Dreams and Aspirations…
Posted on April 28, 2011
Crustless Pumpkin Pie!!!
Posted on April 26, 2011- 1 15 0z. can pure pumpkin (this is the small can)
- 1 12 oz. can fat free evaporated milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 t. vanilla
- 1/4-1/2 c. (to taste) splenda (this is the sweetener I use, use what you like)
- 1/4 c. mashed banana (2/3 or so of a small banana)
- 1 1/2 t. cinnamon
- 3/4 t. ginger
- 1/4 t. cloves
- 1/4 t. nutmeg
- 1/4 t. allspice
- 1/2 t. salt
- Combine pumpkin, milk, eggs, vanilla, splenda and banana in bowl. Stir til smooth.
- Add in all the spices and the salt.
- Spray 8×8 or 9×9 baking pan with non-stick spray. Pour in the pumpkin mixture. Bake 50-60 minutes at 325º. When it’s done a toothpick stuck into the center will come out clean. May require a little more than time stated.
PIZZA SOUP!!!!
Posted on April 22, 2011So, I have shared with you the awesome Taco Soup recipe…
Today I shall share the Pizza Soup recipe!!
They are both part of the LDL “diet”, which really isn’t a diet it’s what we (the members of LDL) call a lifelong WOE (Way Of Eating)…
I also like to say (I got this off somone else) It’s not a “die”t, it’s a “live”t!!!
Anywho…this is a MUST HAVE recipe, even if you aren’t doing LDL!!!!
PIZZA SOUP
Ingredients:
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 c.)
2 cloves garlic, crushed (or 1/2 tsp. garlic powder)
1 small green bell pepper, chopped (about 1 c.)
1/2-1 lb. ground lean meat (turkey, venison, sirloin)
1 c. sliced button mushrooms (fresh or canned)
3/4 tsp. paprika
1 tbsp. basil
1 tbsp. oregano
1/2 t. salt
1 large (1 lb., 12 oz. can) diced tomatoes
1 large (1lb., 13 oz. can) tomato sauce
1/2 c. sliced black olives ( I use MORE)
1/2 c. green olives (not in original recipe, I use MORE)
1 can refried beans (or pinto beans, undrained, put through blender or food processer)
Directions:
Heat olive oil on med/high in a large, deep saucepan with a lid. When it is heated, add the onion, garlic, peppers, turkey and paprika. Saute, stirring for 5 minutes until onion and meat are cooked. Add mushrooms and cook for another minute.
Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt and herbs. Cover and bring to a boil. While it’s cooking, if you are using pinto’s, puree beans in blender. Add bean puree or refried beans and 1- 1 1/2 cups of water to the pot. Simmer on med/low heat 10-15 minutes. Add olives and gently stir. If soup is too thick for your liking, you can add another 1/2 c. water.
Top with Veggie Mozzarella, 2% Mozzarella, or whatever you prefer. I use 2% shredded Mozzarella on mine. You can also add pepperoni, sausage, ham, or any other “pizza” toppings you enjoy. I have used those listed here with great results. BUT if you are going to the LDL healthy version, stick to the recipe on top!!!
Sweet Tooth…
Posted on April 21, 2011Buster and I have been doing the LDL eating program on and off since September of last year. On this plan, you are encouraged to not eat any refined sugar or any flour. That means no cookies, cake, donuts, pie, etc. So when I needed something to satisfy my sweet tooth, I went searching on their message boards for something I could have. The recipe to follow is one of the many I found and I love it. I also have a variation for you that I enjoyed this morning and will add to my LDL menu!!!
LDL Blueberry Pie
Large RIPE Banana, mash with a fork
Frozen Blueberries (about 2 c.)
Stevia or Splenda to taste
Cinnamon to taste
The original recipe had you put it all in a large bowl and heat in the microwave until warm and bubbly, but i don’t use the microwave to cook unless I have to, so I just heat it til hot and bubbly in a pan on the stove top…you can do it however you want…
To change this up a bit substitute Frozen Strawberries (instead of Blueberries) and Ginger (instead of Cinnamon).
Either way, this satisfies my sweet tooth and I don’t have to be mad or upset with myself after eating it!! Win/Win!!!
Chicken Salad…
Posted on April 20, 2011Thought I would share this yummy and LDL approved recipe with ya’ll. It is so quick and easy, you will want to make it all the time!!!
Easy Chicken Salad
* 8-10 chicken tenders (seasoned, cooked in EVOO, cooled and cut into small pieces. you could also used canned chicken)
* red onion, to taste (or any kind you like, that’s what I had)
* red grapes, to taste
* mayonnaise or miracle whip, whichever you prefer, just enough to hold it all together
Buster and I eat ours on Wasa Light Rye Crisps because we can have them on our eating plan, serve this on/with bread, crackers, tortilla chips, whatever you like would be great!
You’re Welcome!!! 
