Making Chicken Stock

Recently I have been getting really inexpensive chicken in bulk and freezing it. It so happens whenever I cook either a whole chicken or chicken parts, there are always bones, fat and gristle that can't be eaten, and therefore are often thrown away and wasted. I have been saving them and making really good stock with them.

Stock is made of the juices from the bones and cartilage of an animal, while broth is made just from the juices from the meat of an animal. To me, stock has a better flavor and is better for a person than broth becuase it contains minerals and gelatin that can only be obtained from the bones of an animal.

Making chicken stock is simple to do: 

1. Cook the bird or bird parts in any desired method and serve.

2. When the all the desired meat has been picked off the bones dump the remains from the bird in a large pot I don't bother to pick the bones clean-or remove fat or anything. Simply anything from the bird that I would ordinarily toss goes into the pot.

3. Cover the contents of the pot with warm water.

4. Simmer uncovered on low on the stove for a day (if I start simmering the bones after an evening meal, I will put the whole pot in the fridge overnight, and continue simmering the next day).

5. After the water has receded to about half of it's original height, removed pot from the stove and cool for an hour.

6. Pour the  contents of the pot through a sieve into a plastic storage container and refridge for up to two weeks or freeze up to a year. 

• A layer of fat will surface on the stock which acts as a good preserver of the flavor and barrier against harmful bacteria while the stock is frozen or refrigerated. I usually pick off the fat before using the stock, which actually makes the stock fat free.

It makes my home smell like comfort-if comfort had a smell.

-I have about 2 gallons of stock frozen as a result of cooking my bird bones, and it is great to have on hand for soups, sick folks, casseroles, or gravy. My next step is to consolidate all the broth I have stored in the freezer and can it, so I can save room in my freezer for other things. 

Saving On Diapers

In my home, it is the season of diapers. I seriously considered using cloth diapers, but without a washing machine in my home, I figured the time and expense cleaning them was not worth it for me, so I am using disposable. The Lord knew I would need my time for other things anyway. The problem with disposable diapers is the constant expense. I have found couponing a very helpful method of saving money on purchasing diapers.


I was told Sam's club was the cheapest place to buy baby diapers, but they do not accept coupons, so after going there and figuring the cost per diaper compared to Target or CVS with my coupons, I found I could still purchase diapers much cheaper elsewhere.

The Two Cheapest stores to buy diapers:
Target
CVS




Target:


Target will accept two coupons per item-one manufactures coupon and one Target coupon. I registered for baby things at target, so often will get a baby coupon booklet in the mail from them. Sometimes, I get a coupon when I make a purchase. They also have coupons in the paper from time-to-time. So, I save up the coupons and use them along with a manufactures coupon. Saving up to $6 a box of name brand diapers such as Pampers or Huggies. The key is to watch for their adds. This week for instance, they are offering a $10 gift card for the purchase of 2 $29 128 count box of Huggies or Pampers. That is $58-$10-$8 worth of coupons bringing my total to $40 ($20 a box, .16 a diaper). That is not bad, but CVS is often even better.


CVS:


CVS gives you a free pkg of diapers for every 6 purchased. Because I purchased diapers from them, I received Pampers, Luvs, and Huggies coupons from their coupon kiosk regularly. I can combine a CVS coupon with a manufacturers coupon. For instance, this week, the jumbo packs of 38cnt Pampers were on sale for 8.99, of which I purchased two. I also purchased $17 worth of Nature Made vitamins to qualify for the $10 gift card. My total rang up at $34, of which I had a combined total of $8 vitamin coupons and $7 diapers ($4 off CVS and $3 manufactures). My total was $19.99, then I received the $10 gift card. So in reality, I paid $9.99 for a $34 purchased. I estimate it is about .12-.13 a diaper, plus I have 2 more packages to buy before I get a free one.


Some of the couponing websites I frequent typically purchase name brand diapers online for around .03 cents a diaper. Every time I tried to get them that way the deal had ended or I didn't have the right coupons. 


In any case, diapers never need to be purchased at full cost and I am grateful for the amount of money I have saved by using coupons and looking for store deals.

Hot Dog Truth

Hot dogs have long been know to be an unhealthy American food. The hot dog industry has tried hard in the recent years to improve their product and their image. Now many hot dogs are actually made of good materials for human consumption. 


Hot dogs are basically a form of sausage. They are made up of various types of ground meats, seasoning, and salt. The mashed meat is squeezed into casings which are removed before the meat is packaged. If a hot dog is not infused with nitrites or made of meat by-products, it is little different in nutritive value if compared to a Jimmy Dean sausage link. 


Sodium nitrite is a chemical that is found in a lot of processed meats such as deli meats, ham, corned beef, bacon, pepperoni, and hot dogs. It is what makes the meat so pink. Sodium nitrite is also used as a food preservative, preventing botulism from growing in meats.


Although sodium nitrate is said to be safe for human consumption, there are studies that have shown the sodium nitrite to be toxic to animals if given in large amounts. Sodium nitrite has also been shown to cause migraine headaches, cancer, and instigate lung disease. Pregnant and nursing moms are told to avoid eating nitrates, simply to be on the safe side.


Meat by-products or variety meats are used in some hot-dogs, however it is possible to purchase hot-dogs without those products. The variety meats used are perfectly safe for human consumption, but to name what part of the animal they are is enough to churn my stomach... brains, heart, livers, etc. Mechanically separated meats are may also be found in some hot-dogs. Mechanically separated meats are made by forcing bones and meat through a machine that forced the meat off the bones, turning the meat into mush in the process. Mechanically seperated beef is no longer allowed in American foods due to mad cow diease, but poultry can still be used.

The last ingreadient to watch out for in hot-dogs is MSG.
Monosodium glutamate is actually a naturally occuring acid in much of the food we eat. However, science has found a way to extract it and add it in larger amounts. In most cases is it derived from type of seaweed found in the Orient. Often Chinese food is known to contain it in large amounts. MSG can also be found in canned soups and broths, processed meats, and many prepared and canned meals. In any case, its health risks are still be studied, but many people do have side affects such as dizziness, headaches, tiredness, or stomach cramps, after ingesting foods containing MSG, so it does seem to have an averse affect on the human body. 


Hot dogs can be purchased without those ingredients added. Name brand hot dogs-Oscar Meyer in particular has some nice selections. I have also purchased kosher and organic hot dogs from various markets. Some people really love their hot-dogs, and if I can still serve them with a clean conscience, I will do my best to do that. 

Precious Time at Home

In order to silence all those who wonder what a homemaker does with all her time, let me share a typical day at my home. Every evening, I jot down a list of must-dos and want to dos for the next day. Before I had a baby, I actually would finish my to-do list, now by the end of the day, it has actually grown longer. Funny how one little soul can zap time out of existence. Time has become so precious to me.


This is how a typical day at home may go...


After sleeping off an on through the night, I hope Emma will sleep just a little longer on the one morning I can sleep a little longer. The moment the clock strikes 6:30, I start to hear little noises from her room. She is awake and my day has begun.


Since I am home 2 full days a week, I decided to to the laundry on those days. I don't have machines in my apartment, so I use the complex facilities-3 washer and 3 dryers which can get pretty busy. I try to get the wash in first thing in the morning, so I am not waiting on other people to do their loads. Today I had 6 loads to do. Thankfully the machines were empty and I got the first 3 loads in the wash by 7:30. I set the timer to remind me to swap loads in half an hour then fed and burped Emma.


I put the next loads in at 8:30 and set the timer for an hour, when the dryers would finish. Then I made the beds, and picked up the house, and cleaned the bathroom, and fed Emma.


Then at 9:45 I got the loads swapped, brought up the dry laundry and folded and put that away. Between entertaining Emma, putting her down for nap, then putting the clothes away...an hour was gone.


So I went back down at 10:45 and got the last three loads of laundry. Some were not quite dry, but I wasn't going to spend another dollar to get the dampness out, so I brought them up and hung them around the house-on the doors, furniture, and closets so they would dry. I put away the things that were dry.


By then it was 11:30, and I jumped in the shower before Emma woke up from her nap. By the time I was done, she was throwing a fit in her crib. It was time to feed her again. I fed her, read her books, and played peek-a-boo. By then it was 12:30-My morning was gone.


I spend some time writing notes and doing paperwork my husband asked me to do for him, then realize Emma is fussing. She has a blow-out. I changer her and wash her up. Then I play with her a bit and put her down for a nap--1:30.


I have 2 hours before my husband comes home, so I put up my hair, put on make-up, and pick up the laundry from about the house. I make sweet toe for him and some cereal bars, then wash the dishes in the sink and wipe down the counters-2:30


One more hour-Emma awakes from her nap. I feed her, burp her, and talk to her. Then I check for coupons on the websites I visit, then I go through my coupons and trash the dated ones and file away the new ones. 


3:45-Jim comes home. I chat with him while he gets ready to head out again. Thankfully this week he is working in our apartment complex, so he doesn't have far to go.


Jim leaves at 4 and I am starved by then so I raid the refrigerator and eat some cold fried chicken. Yum. 


I put Emma down and look at flight prices for a possible visit to the East coast the first of the year. 
Blog
Play with Emma


It is 6:20 as I am publishing this article and the day is yet incomplete. This is about how I would expect the evening to go...


6:30-I take Emma to go visit Jim at work.
7:00-Emma gets a bath and nighttime feed.
8:00-Emma is in bed asleep and I have time for my personal devotions and Sunday School preparation.
9:00-I make Jim's lunch for the next day, and get our clothes, car-seat, and diaper bag ready for 6:00 the next morning. 
10:00-Jim comes home-we chat-he showers
11:00-Sweet Sleep until Emma wakes up to eat.


The day in a nutshell, it seems like I did nothing much, yet the day is over and my list of to-do's remains, with only the bare necessities accomplished. I am only one mother among thousands, yet I feel that I speak for all stay-at-home-mom's when I say that there is no time for long chats on the phone, watching TV or movies, or anything other than the bare necessities of life. I know as children grow, the  business remains, but changes. Am I complaining? Absolutely not! I love being a wife and mother, and am so very, very thankful that it is the life the Lord has allowed me to have. To me, I am living the ideal life that some women only dream about.

25 Ways to Wear a Scarf

http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/10/25-ways-to-wear-a-scarf-video.html

My Favorite Places to Print Coupons

Vitamins:
One a Day-prints 2 $1 coupons
http://www.oneaday.com
Nature Made -prints 2 $1 coupons ea. for 6 diff. vitamin supplements-totaling 12, $1 coupons
http://www.naturemade.com
Nature's Bounty-gives a 1$ off coupon for signing up
http://www.naturesbounty.com


Store Coupons:
Target-updates every week-can use 1 manufacture coupon and one Target coupon per product
http://coupons.target.com


Cleaning Products:
Lysol-various Lysol coupons
http://www.lysol.com/cleaning-products
Pine-Sol-coupons available after completion of a short survey per each
http://www.pinesol.com
Clorox-various coupons available
http://www.clorox.com
Home Solutions-various cleaning product coiupons availble
http://www.homesolutionsnews.us/offers.shtml
PG Brand coupons-must register-they send out coupon booklets upon request
http://www.pgeverydaysolutions.com/pgeds/index.jsp

Food:
Kelloggs (Prints various coupons - updates about once a month)
http://www2.kelloggs.com/
Roberts Dairy -prints as many as needed milk, yogurt, and sour cream coupons
http://www.robertsdairy.com
Old Orchard Juice: Various printable juice coupons
http://oldorchard.com/promotions/#/show/offers/juice-coupons/
Kraft-special offers become available for joining and filling our surveys
http://www.kraftfirsttaste.com



Variety Coupons:
These Websites offer a variety of printible coupons as well as coupons that can be sent to a store card.

http://shortcuts.com
http://www.couponsuzy.com
http://www.freecoupons.com
http://www.redplum.com/
http://smartsource.com/smartsource


For Cell Phone and Store Loyalty Card Users:
Neither of these are available in me area, but a lot of store loyalty cards allow coupons to be downloaded to the card and this is the website to do that from
http://www.cellfire.com


Facebook Offers:
http://www.freecouponalerts.com/


A Great Couponing Database:
http://www.freecoupons.com/coupon-database/?pg=60&ipp=30&dir=&sort=&bl=&src=all&cat=all&exp=not&txtsrch=Description...&search=search#topresults

Music and Children

The best time to introduce music to your children is even before they are born. There is significant research showing that classical music improves a baby's brain development. It doesn't increase overall intelligence as some people like to believe, but it does help babies develop certain pathways in their brain that are related to spatial cognition. Now, it is not that a child will be an Einstein or a Beethoven if he or she is indoctrinated with classical music even in the womb. However, music will help develop the way a child thinks. Spatial reasoning is a persons ability to solve problems and puzzles. Children who listen to classical music while trying to solve a puzzle usually are able to do it faster than those who are not exposed to the music. Music lessons improve this cognitive ability even in older children. A child who has had piano lessons for even 6 months shows an increased ability to solve puzzles. Now any kind of music builds pathways in a baby's brain, research has not yet shown what kinds of pathways are created by forms of music other than classical, or if they are further develop spatial reasoning. Many parents assume that that their baby is unaffected by music. 1-3 month infants usually show no signs of recognizing various types of music, however, research has shown that even in their sleep, babies' brainwaves show recognition of different rhythms and pitches. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090226082517.htm 


I have always reasoned that we as adults like certain kinds of music to create certain moods. We like perkier music during the day, and calm music at night. It is logical to assume our babies like the same. I liked to play Emma music before she was born. I used a Lullabelly belt and played my Ipod for her. I don't know whether or not it helped in her mental development, but hopefully she found comfort in hearing it. I also learned that babies show recognition to voices, stories, and music that they hear in the womb. I hope to have familiar sounds around her when she made her entrance into the world. 


Music is also vital for toddlers and older children. However the best age to learn a musical instrument is before late teens. Most anything is learned easier as a child, while the brain paths are still developing. Music is helpful to aid in how a child reasons and it is good to start teaching music to children as soon as possible. A lot of child development centers offer Kindermusik for children. It is a program to help teach children rhythm, harmony, melody, and other basic principles of music. If such a program is unreasonable, a mother can teach her child music, by getting soundtracks of fun nursery rhymes or folk songs and singing along with her child. She can intorduce noisemakers  rattles, or colored children's bells to her little ones and encourage them to keep rhythm or tune. 


I have enjoyed observing my daughter starting to notice music. If she is fussy in the car, often she will enjoy a music CD geared for children with children singing simple songs. The current favorite we listen to is one I listened to as a child called "Music Machine." It is about a machine that sings and plays whatever object is put into it. For instance if fruit is put in, it will sing and play songs about the fruit of the spirit. It is a lot of fun. 


Other children's music recommendations:

Storing Water

Water is the basic necessity of all life. Without it, plants, animals, and humans will die. It is used for cleaning, cooking, and of course drinking. Growing up in the northern part of the U.S., my family lost power often due to winter storms. We had a well, but the well required electricity to pump up water. On occasion, my mother would boil snow to use for our baths. However, snow is not safe to drink, neither is river or spring water. In fact, if tap-water is not safe if stored for a lengthy amount of time, it too is unsafe for drinking. So, in case of emergency, it is always good to have a few extra gallons of water on hand. Experts estimate that at least one gallon of water is needed per person, per day. That would include use of water for drinking, cleaning, and laundry. 


Purify drinking water:
Add 2 t. of chlorine bleach to 1 gallon of water
Purchase pre-packaged water


Rotate
Water doesn't store for more than 6 months, so it is good to rotate water and use the most recent gallons


Containers
Although water can be purchased in milk gallon containers, it is not a good idea to re-use empty milk containers to store water (unless that water will not be used for drinking), because the caps on those containers are not leak and air resistant, the water will not last as long in them. Large pop bottles work well, as do commercially produced, food grade water containers as pictured below.

Personal Perspectives on Stockpiling

As our economy becomes more and more unstable, a lot of people are purchasing gold and silver and stocking up on food, guns, and emergency supplies. I have found that a lot of people stockpile out of fear of not having food should a large crisis arise. To me such motivation is completely unbiblical. It is arrogant to assume that we can in some way have control over our circumstances by preparing ourselves physically. This world is not our home, and to act like it is displays a lack of trust in the Lord’s care. Also, it is very prideful to assume that we can control the future, we do not know that gold and silver will be of value should food be scarce. It is very much inedible. Food can get stolen easily and who is to say that the government won’t give food rations and confiscate personal property and food should such a crisis arise?

Matthew 6:19-21

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

As a Christian, I would also have a hard time stockpiling and having plenty to eat, while my neighbors starved, yet my space and budget is insufficient to provide for the whole neighborhood for an extended period of time. So, it is a very difficult place to be in. Obviously, my number one priority should be to care for the family the Lord has entrusted me to care for, but I should never deny anyone food, shelter, or clothing should they ask for it.

Proverbs 3:27

“Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.”

What I find most troubling is that some Christians are even purchasing guns in order to defend their stockpiles and property. I would expect such behavior from those who do not know the Lord and consider life on earth very dear, but as a Christian is it right for us to shoot another person to defend our food? Is a life worth food? Is my life of more importance than that thief who comes in my door? Is it my place to decide who should live and who should die? If I die, my eternity is secure, but should I feel the liberty to take another person's life in self defense only tells me that I believe my life is more important than theirs and it is very likely that person is unsaved and will spend eternity in hell. Personally, that is something I could not live with.

I Peter 2:11-17

   Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.  Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
      Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,  or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.  For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.  Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.  Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

The most common argument I hear in favor of creating a stockpile is that it is biblically wise and when we see evil days approaching, we should prepare. A lot of Christians strive to prepare physically, which may not be incorrect, but I wonder if we consider spiritual preparation is far more important. We should be using these days to learn how we can minister to others who will be in need physically and spiritually. We should be making friends of our neighbors and seeking to evangelize them. We should be studying and memorizing the Scriptures to strengthen our own hearts in difficult times. Above all, we should be committing ourselves in prayer for the souls of men. The Lord has often used desperate times to draw men to himself, but prayer has always led the way. Has not the Lord promised to provide for us? We have become so accustomed to having our needs met, that it makes Christians very insecure and uncomfortable to have to rely on the Lord for a simple thing like food. Ironically, we find it easier to trust Him for forgiving our sins and saving our souls, than providing for our simplest everyday needs.

I simply desire to challenge myself in the upcoming months to consider my motivations for what I do. The thought of my little girl going hungry breaks my heart, but it should not exceed the painful thought of her living a life without Christ. As a housewife, I should be wise in seeing to the needs of my family. Before the supermarket existed, women canned and put up food in preparation for the winter. It would have been foolish not to anything. I consider it my responsibility as the one who does the marketing in our home, to purchase adequate amounts of nutritious food for those in my care. I would like to add to my pantry in case of a job loss, extended illness, or crisis, however, my motivation should not be out of fear or self preservation, but merely how I can best equip my family for service and ministry to others. I may not be able to store enough food for our neighbors, but I will not deny them food should they knock on my door. Perhaps a stockpile of Bibles would not be a bad idea… In any case, a Christian’s way of life should be marked by love and service for others. Our life is temporary, our home is heaven. Our purpose is to glorify God by loving and serving others.

Mt. 25:31-46
       “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.  “All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;  and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.

       “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;  naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’  “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?  ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?  ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’  “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

       “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;  for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink;  I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’  “Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’  “Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Mt. 6:33

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Tis the Season of Apples

Well, apples are in season, and there are many more variations that apples can be used for in cooking. Creativity and versatility abound in the wonderful, healthy fruit we know as the apple. For instance, my sister recently said she put a whole apple in the microwave for about 3 minutes and it sort of made it soft and warm-lake applesauce in the apple. 

Apple Facts:

• Fresh apples are best eaten sliced. My husband's dentist told him that it is a shock to the teeth to bite into an fresh apple, and it is hard on the teeth. Probably should slice those caramel apples too, many a tooth has been lost in one.

• Apple seeds contain a chemical we know as cyanide. The seeds are harmless if eaten without breaking, but the gasses can be released if the seed is bitten into. A few seeds won't hurt, but cyanide is will cause illness or death if taken in large amounts, so eating seeds is probably not in the best interest of most consumers.

• Two thirds of and apple's fiber and antioxidants are found in the peel. So peeled apples have 1/4 of the nutrients of an apple with a peel.

This past week I made some yummy apple pies. I am still perfecting pie crusts, but the filling was superb. I learned on a cooking show that it is a good idea to use various kinds of apples to a fair amount of sweet and tart to the filling. Also, not to overload the spices and let the apples be the main flavor. In fact, a lot of experts suggest not using any spices at all, but simply adding a little sugar. 

Uses of Apples

Apple Pie

Apple Crisp

Apple Dumplings

Apple Turnovers

Apple Cake

Apple Bread

Applesauce

Apple butter

Apple Jelly

Baked Apples

Apple Salad

Apple Chicken Salad

Apple uses courtesy of Ohio State University

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1402.html

Apples for Specific Use

Apples are a favorite fruit of many people for eating out of hand or in fresh salads. The fruit of many apple varieties are also excellent for making a wide variety of cooked products. Apples best suited to particular uses are indicated below.

Fresh

• McIntosh
• Cortland
• Jonathan
• Red Delicious
• Golden Delicious
• Stayman Winesap
• Melrose
• Franklin
• Prima

Applesauce

• Golden Delicious
• Melrose
• Yellow Transparent
• McIntosh
• Cortland
• Jonathan
• Grimes Golden
• Stayman Winesap
• Rome Beauty
• Lodi

Pies

• Cortland
• Jonathan
• Grimes Golden
• Melrose
• Rome Beauty
• Yellow Transparent
• McIntosh
• Golden Delicious
• Stayman Winesap
• Lodi

Baking

• Jonathan
• Golden Delicious
• Stayman Winesap
• Rome Beauty
• McIntosh
• Cortland
• Grimes Golden
• Melrose
• Stayman Winesap

Freezing for Slicing

• Jonathan
• Golden Delicious
• Stayman Winesap
• Red Delicious
• Grimes Golden
• McIntosh

Freezing for Sauce

• Yellow Transparent
• Wealthy
• Cortland
• McIntosh

Freezing for Baking

• Baldwin
• Northern Spy

Cider

The best cider is usually made from a blend of different varieties of apples. Varieties are grouped into four groups according to their suitability as cider material.

Sweet Subacid*

• Rome Beauty
• Delicious
• Grimes Golden
• Cortland

Astringent (Crab apples)

• Florence Hibernal
• Red Siberian
• Transcendent
• Martha

Aromatic

• Red Delicious
• Golden Delicious
• McIntosh

Mildly Acid to Slightly Tart

• Stayman Winesap
• Jonathan

General Use

• Jonathan
• Golden Delicious
• Stayman Winesap
• Melrose

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/1000/1402.html

Saturday Evening

Sundays are often the hardest days of the week to be prepared. We rise early for church but there are many last minute preparations that need to be taken care of. I have found it easier to deal with Sunday by preparing everything I can ahead of time. Usually I prepare my Sunday School lesson sometime during the week before in case I need to purchase or make anything by Sunday morning. There are plenty of other things that can be done Saturday evening. 


I usually go through Sunday in my mind sometime Saturday evening and ask myself a series questions...


?What will the weather be like tomorrow and what type of clothing would be best for church?
?Are we having company after morning or evening service?
?What are we having for dinner?
?Is there any food I can prepare ahead?
?Are we ministering in any way-music, speaking, nursery, etc.?


I need to know what the next day will bring so I know how to adequately prepare the night before for instance...


If I am in nursery I try to choose clothing I can move around on the floor with.
If the weather is cold, I will plan warmer clothing for the family.
If we are having company, I may set the table ahead of time.


Then I tackle preparing the clothing for the morning-pressing, pulling out clothes and making sure I have all the parts to all of our outfits, so I am not scrounging around in the morning looking for a shoe or something. I also may try on my own outfit. Since I have had baby, things don't fit like they used to fit, so I want to make sure my clothes fit properly and are modest. 
Then I prepare all I can for dinner the following day-thawing and marinating meat, setting up the crock-pot with a browned roast (I use a timer so it comes on around 1 in the morning to start cooking). 
The final step in my preparation is to gather all the things we need to take to church in the morning and set them out on the kitchen table-diaper bag, car seat, Sunday School Curriculum, offertory music, Bibles, tithe money, dishes or vases to return to people at church, cards to deliver to people at church, and anything else I can think of. Saturday evening, Emma gets a bath-and we hope she stays reasonably clean until after church. 


Sunday morning is nice because all I have to worry about is feeding and dressing Emma and myself. My husband takes care of himself, and we are off to church. It really eliminates any stress Sunday mornings and helps keep the day more set-apart and restful.

Eggs

Recently eggs have become one of my best friends. Not only are they dirt cheap estimating between .10-.05 cents an egg, but they are a complete food-meaning that there are sufficient minerals, vitamins, and proteins in an egg to be a complete meal.

• The yolks contain the vitamins and minerals
• The whites contain the proteins

Health benefits of eggs:

1. Other than fish oils, eggs are one of the only sources that contain edible vitamin D

2. Eggs contain vitamins and sulfur that help in hair, skin, and nail growth-they are a beauty pill

3. Eggs have been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer and heart disease

4. Eggs contain a high quality protein with all essential amino acids present (Proteins sustain the body and prevent hunger longer than carbs)

5. Because of carotenoids in the yolk, eggs fight against eye degeneration

6. For women who are pregnant or wanting to get pregnant, eggs contain a high source of Folic Acid which has been proven to prevent birth defects.

7. Eggs are also a brain food. They provide essential nutrients for brain function and memory.

Not every egg is equal in nutritional value however. Stress and poor environment on a hen actually reduced the hen’s immunity and therefore produce eggs with less nutritive value. “Cage-Free” or “Free Range” hens have been allowed to absorb nutrients more naturally from their environment and have less stress. Interestingly, that produced a more nutrient rich egg. Of course-nothing beats the eggs from one’s own hens or from a nearby farm.

Nutrients are also lost or changed during the cooking process. As yummy as scrambled eggs are, that method of cooking the eggs at a very high temperature actually is harmful to some of the nutrients in the egg. So it is good to eat eggs in a variety of ways.

Of course it is always good to be mindful of Salmonella. It is a harmful bacteria that is found on the shell of an egg. Eggs that have been cracked and set out for a while are the most susceptible. Those eggs can still be used, but should be reserved for baked goods where they will be cooked completely at a high temperature to kill the bacteria. In general, it is safe and even nutritious to eat raw eggs in food products, but it doesn't hurt to wash the outside of the egg before doing so and to choose rather fresh eggs to use. If using raw eggs is disturbing, dry egg products may often be substituted.

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/food-nutrition/facts/health-benefits-of-eggs.htm

Home and Haven

The word “house” suggests a place where one lives or dwells-nothing more, but the word “home” has a much richer meaning suggesting a place of refuge, a sanctuary, haven, fortress, or a shelter. “Home” is not just the place where one lives, but also a place where one is loved, secure, and at peace. As I look toward heaven as my final home, no place on earth can compare to the complete peace and sanctuary I know I have there. But here on earth, despite my faults, I strive to make my house more than a dwelling place. I desire it to be a home-a place where my husband can come home after a busy day at work and be at peace. It is also the place where my children will feel safe, loved, and provided for.

                                

I will admit there have been times when Jim walked in the door and the home was not at peace. In fact, this past summer during a rather hot spell, Jim came home from work to find the air conditioner had gone out and the house was hot and icky, Emma was screaming and fussing endlessly and my nerves were agitated from the heat and hearing her fuss all day long. Plus I had been sewing and had sewing supplies strewn all about the house. And dinner was far from ready. Not the best of circumstances. In general, that is not the situation I aim for in our home. I feel that as the keeper of the home, it is my primary responsibility to keep the atmosphere of my home calm, so that when someone walks in I can almost hear them sigh in relaxation and comfort.

During my days as a single woman, I often would hang out with friends. It was during those days of my life, that one of my close friends invited me to spend the weekend with her out in the country with some of her friends. It so happened that they were an elderly Mennonite coupIe. I will never forget the atmosphere that hit me when I stepped into their home. There was no rushing about here and there and stress to get to the next thing. It was like stepping into a world of steady calm. I must admit that I never slept better or felt more rested than I did that weekend away in their home. Their home simply put my heart at ease. I have spent some time since then, pondering what made that home such a sanctuary. And concluded that it was not the simple décor of the house, or the lack of TV, or even the food or hospitality we were showed. What made that home was the fact that couple was at complete peace with the Lord and with each other. Their rightness with the Lord and each other made their home a haven to anyone who entered.  Instantly the key was clear to me. If there is peace and love between the members of the household, everyone who enters that home is going to know and feel it. That is the atmosphere I wanted to recreate in my home.

Steps I am taking to create a home and resting place for the weary:

1. My Attitude-keeping it gentle and loving and keeping peace with the members of my family

2. Smile-Being positive and encouraging

3. Music-listen to uplifting music throughout the day

4. Candles-add a warming effect during colder evenings

5. Pick up clutter and toys-making a habit of picking up stuff when we are done using it

6. Good smells-paying attention to the smells of the home-taking out trash when needed

7. Personal appearance-keeping myself presentable

Green Potatoes

Recently my local supermarket had a sale on baking potatoes, so I snatched up a 10# bag on my shopping trip. When I got home, I noticed the majority of the potatoes had a side that was completely green. I had heard rumors that green on potatoes is a bad thing and can cause cancer, but shrugged it off as an old wives tale and didn't worry about it. I had seen potato chips that had a little bit of green on them and also assumed that the grocery store wouldn't sell the potatoes if there was anything harmful about them. However, I baked a potato for dinner one night, and it tasted a little bitter. So, I decided to look into the matter of green potatoes.

In my research, I discovered that the green on potatoes is actually chlorophyll that develops when the potatoes are exposed to light at extremely cold or hot temperatures. In general, one would assume that chlorophyll would be harmless-after all-all green plants have it and we eat those. Not so with potatoes. The green chlorophyll I saw on the potatoes actually is a warning to me that there is a chemical called solanine in the potato as a result of the light at cold temperatures. Solanine is actually a poison to the human body and can cause food-poisoning symptoms like vomiting, stomach cramps, headaches, and even paralysis. It is especially harmful to children because their immune systems are not as fortified as adults. I could probably eat one or two green potatoes with no ill effects, but in general it is not a good idea. In fact, most of the articles I read said that even cutting away the green on the potatoes and eating the rest of the potato was not good because the Solanine is actually not the green, but it is the green that simply indicates that solanine is present. It is in higher concentration in the green part on the potato, but is in general throughout the whole potato.

I wondered why the potatoes would be sold at my local supermarket if they were so harmful to eat. I read that there are no regulations to supermarkets for what they can and cannot sell concerning green potatoes. It is entirely up to the store manager as to what will be put out. So, from now on, I will be scrutinizing the potatoes that I purchase. No more green potatoes!

A Nurse at Home

My husband had his wisdom teeth pulled recently, which reminded me how a wife and mother is not only responsible to clean, cook, and tend to the needs of the home, but to have an basic knowledge of health, nutrition, and medicine. I have learned a lot from personal experience. Thankfully, we have internet so a world of resources is available at my fingertips. The key to being a nurturing nurse is a basic knowledge of ailments and cures mixed with a generous dose of gentle, thoughtful, compassion.

Nursing that every homemaker should know:

Common Cold: Symptoms: sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, possible slight fever, congestion, achy muscles, sneezing, watery eyes
Appropriate Medications: Zinc, Menthol in cough drops or rubs, Vitamin C, over the counter drugs
Home Remedies: Water, Tea with honey, Juice with high concentration of vitamin C, Chicken Soup, humidity
When to see a doctor: if congestion, fever, or sore throat lasts more than 10 days, a high fever (105F)

Flu: Symptoms: headache, chills and fever, aching muscles, (children will get runny nose), possible nausea, sore throat
Appropriate Medications: Zinc, Vitamin C, ginger soda, over the counter fever reducers
Home Remedies: Water, Juice with vitamin C, Soups, humidity, gargling saltwater, garlic, warm and cold showers, ice packs on the head
When to see a doctor: if there is a fever of 105F or more, if a fever goes, but comes again a few days later, can't stop vomiting, Fever lasts more than 3 days, wheezing while breathing

Food Allergies: Symptoms: itching mouth, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, possible shock, possible nausea
Appropriate Treatment: Antihistamines like Benadryl
Go to E.R.: difficulty breathing, shock, lightheaded or dizzy, rapid pulse, pass out

Fevers: Normal body temperature is 98.6F. A fever is a sign that the body is fighting off something. It could be a virus, infection, or something else.
Treat: If fever is 102F or above
When to call or see a doctor: If other symptoms accompany a fever
Babies-100.4F or above, adults 105F or above.

Food Poisoning: Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, fever (usually 24 hrs. after eating the offending food)
Appropriate Medications: Treat like flu
Home Remedies: Lots of fluids, Chicken soup, let it pass
When to see a doctor: If sickness lasts more than 2 days, if child is under 3, if nervous symptoms occur: inability to function and move, talk, blurred vision etc.

Choking:

Symptoms: Wheezing, gasping throat, enlarged eyes (it is good for parents to tell their children to give them a signal if they are choking. In my home it was if any of us raised our hands above our heads)
Treatment: CPR-Mother's should know basic CPR well:
http://depts.washington.edu/learncpr/

If a person cannot breathe for 3 minutes brain damage occurs, 5 minutes-death

Scrapes/Cuts: Symptoms: Bleeding, Pain
Appropriate Treatment: clean with warm water, cover with Neosporin, Vaseline, or a Bedamine product, use gauze or a Band-Aid to secure
When to see a doctor: If bleeding won't stop, if cut is deep and will need stitches, if infection occurs, if cut was caused by a metal object-a tetanus shot may be needed

Heat Burns: Symptoms: Pain, rash, blister
Appropriate Medications: aloe vera cream, pain medication, Silavdene
Home Remedies: instantly put ice on the burn the wrap a fresh slice of aloe plant strapped with gauze to the burn
When to see a doctor: If the burn gets infected, if the burn is over a large portion of a body or body part, if there is cracking and bleeding in the burn

A mother at home who is nursing a sick child or husband should put everything else as second priority. A sick person is extremely dependant and needs just about as much comfort and attention as he or she does rest and recuperation. Nursing takes first place-a wife or mother should cancel all other engagements and focus her complete attention on getting those dear ones in her home back to good health.

Courtesy note: People who are sick should not attend group functions where there is any risk of getting others sick. That is how germs are spread!