Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Asparagus Soup

I wanted a lighter, healthier version of Aspargus soup than what I found online. The all used a ton of butter and cream which tastes delicious but was unnecessary. As always, my recipes use all organic ingredients unless otherwise noted. 


Ingredients

1lb asparagus (1 bunch of thin asparagus, no more than 2 lbs). 

3 cups chicken broth

1/4 cup of whipping cream

1 tbsp of butter

2 tsp corn starch dissolved in 1/2 cup of water

Directions

Chop asparagus, discard tough ends, reserve 12-16 tips for garnish. 

Melt butter in a 5qt pot and sauté asparagus for about 5mins. Stir frequently. 

Do not brown. 

Asparagus should be bright green, tender yet crisp. 

Add chicken broth and boil for about 5 mins more. Spoon off any foam. 

Using your preferred method, purée the soup. (I use a regular blender). 

Optional: strain the soup back into the same pot to catch any stringy pieces. 

Bring the soup to a low boil on medium high heat. 

Stir in. the cornstarch mixture and cream.

Optional: I didn't add salt or pepper to my soup but you can do so at this point. 

For the garnish, I sautéed chopped thick-cut bacon, the leftover asparagus tips, and about 4 sliced mushrooms in a tablespoon of butter. 

Ladle soup into bowls and top with garnish and optional Parmesan cheese. 



Tuesday, January 27, 2015

AdoreMe Review



Every order arrives in a box and tissue paper.
I have been a customer since 2013. I am reviewing the service and the concept of AdoreMe in this post. For reviews of actual purchases, stay tuned on Instagram for photos and comments.

When I first heard about AdoreMe through Facebook I was leery. Most ads I have clicked on in Facebook have turned out to be scams or genuine companies with poor service. AdoreMe was advertised as a monthly lingerie service with no membership fee. If you are familiar with JustFab.com then you are familiar with this sort of service. I was extremely unhappy with JustFab.com (all stripper shoes, no class), so I wasn't too excited about AdoreMe. The basics are: You can purchase only one set of lingerie at a time and have no commitment. Or, you can become a VIP. As a VIP you are required to make a purchase every month. But that was supposed to come with some perks. You are given a discount, you can skip a month, and you get access to special gifts that non-VIP users are not offered.

The deciding factors for my first purchase were the fact that all of the bras and panties came as a matching set. I hate mismatched lingerie. I also liked the free shipping on orders and returns. In 2013, the first order came in a nice box and every order thereafter came in a pack envelope. I didn't like that but whatever keeps the cost down. In 2014, every order came in a box. It's petty, but it really makes receiving lingerie in the mail nice.

Rosalind - Would you pay $39.95 for this shirt?
The prices weren't bad either. When I joined as a VIP in 2013, the non-VIP price was $39.95 per set. The VIP price was $29.95 per set. By January of 2014, non-VIP was $49.95 per set, and VIP was $39.95 per set. That was a drawback for me but I still enjoyed the matching sets. Based on the prices at Victoria's Secret and Frederick's of Hollywood, this is still comparable. However, there are times when the prices are ridiculous. There are short robes for $49.95, Pantyhose for $39.95, and an AdoreMe sleepshirt for $39.95. Remember Macklemore? "Yo, that's $50 for a t-shirt." But if you purchase 5 items, you get one free. This is not, place five orders, this is five items. You can earn a free set on your first purchase like I did. They attempted to change this feature a few months ago and switch to a points system. They made a wise decision to switch back. I use my free set to purchase items like the sleep shirts and robes and costumes. Anything that I feel is ridiculously overpriced, I use my free set on.

I liked the VIP perks. There were IPhone covers, lingerie bags, masks, and free panties that supposedly only VIP customers had access to. My friend is not a VIP customer and received all of the same gifts I did. Dishonest and disappointing.

I am a woman who replaces her lingerie every six months like clockwork. I am a large busted woman. My figure is often described as a figure 8. My bra size was always out of stock at the mall. When I first joined AdoreMe, my size 38FF was always in stock. That is no longer the case. I lost some weight over the last 6-8 months. I am now down to a 38DD. This has made things worse. Apparently, all AdoreMe customers are 38DD. So my size is rarely in stock. When your size is rarely in stock in the style you want, it's easier to choose not to purchase anything at all. This is disappointing because their style collection is actually better than what you see in the mall. But I kept my membership because I regularly replace my lingerie, keeping the subscription makes this easier.

Matilda - fits great, bursts open easily.
The sleepwear is high quality. On the months where the bra and panty sets are not available in my size, I order sleepwear. But there is a problem. AdoreMe is inclusive of full figured women. The sleepwear fits everywhere except the bust. I am literally bursting out of some of the sleepwear. This is not a size issue but a "heavy breast" issue. Lace babydolls collapse under my breasts. Button front tops burst open without warning. But they are very, very comfortable. Aside from the poor quality of the lace, my pajamas from 2013 are as new as the day I bought them. If only they sold shoes to go with the pajamas. 

Initially, I loved that AdoreMe had a great selection of plus size lingerie. In fact, the same lingerie for the A cup woman was available for the II cup woman. That has not changed. There is no size shaming by only making styles available to smaller women. However, depending on the style, the bras and the pajamas cannot hold up the weight of a larger busted woman. Larger breasts aren't just bigger, they're heavier. I have found that their lace is not well suited for busty women. Nothing made of lace is for anyone above a C cup. The lace lingerie easily tears and bursts at the seams, even in the correct size. Corsets and corset top bras have acrylic boning which collapses and digs into your skin. I have several black bruises from my corset tops. Needless to say, I don't purchase them anymore.

Then there is the customer service. I have a serious issue with customer service. If you don't make a purchase by the 5th of every month, as a VIP, your bank account will be charged. They don't tell you that this has happened or send an alert that your deadline to make a purchase is expiring. So, for months I was receiving emails telling me that I had a store credit. But what was really happening is that I was shopping the day after the deadline and being issued store credit for the $49.95 that had been charged to my account. I let the store credit role over thinking it was just a free credit in appreciation for my business. On average I spent $150 per order. When I finally used my store credit, I realized, I was spending my own money. I also noticed unauthorized charges to my account. True it was only a penny or a dollar, but an unauthorized charge is an unauthorized charge. The service rep says that they do this to verify my account is still open so they can charge it again. But I have never received those pennies or dollars back. That adds up. I have since switched my account over to another card and reverse any unauthorized charges, even if it is a penny. The reps are not polite when you call. They seem irritated that you are calling them in the first place. However, if you call and ask for style advice, they are quite pleasant. If you attempt to review their products on their Facebook page and they don't like your review, they will harass you by email and not post your response.

Overall, I would keep my subscription to AdoreMe because of the following: the prices are still better than the mall, the styles are unique and better than the mall, my size is available more often than not, I will always have a matching set, my 6th set is free, and I can cancel at anytime. But if another company provides the same with better customer service, I will dump AdoreMe with the quickness. There is no one else out there that can compete...yet.

For photos and individual lingerie reviews follow me on Instagram.




Valentine's Day Weekend With No Sitter

Valentine's day is on a Saturday. This not only means you are more inclined to romance but also it means that your sitter is also planning a hot and steamy night. Your children are not invited to either event. Those are the breaks when you become a parent. Here's what my family and I have planned. Maybe you can come up with your own version of our plan to still get the best out of your night. 

The Night Before

Lucky for you, Valentine's day is after Friday the 13th. This date is an unofficial holiday for horror fans like my family. We will be spending the night having a horror movie marathon complete with chocolate, skull shaped lava cakes, with cherry filling. My children are awesome little troopers who happen to love Edgar Allan Poe. So their bedtime story will be The Tell Tale Heart. If we don't find any horror movies we want to see, we will make it a "bloody valentine" night by filling our water guns with red, Crayola, washable paint and water mix and letting off some steam. If it's too cold, which it may be, we will gather around the fireplace and tell ghost stories. Everyone gets a chance to tell a scary story.

The Day 

My husband has Valentine's day off from work. My children will already be at a friend's house that day because of a combination of karate, boy scouts and school projects that are due that Monday. My husband and I will take advantage of that free time and celebrate during the day as if it were the night. We're having lunch instead of dinner, plenty of roses and wine, and maybe some romance before he has to go pick up the kids. Celebrating during the day, may not be your cup of tea, but it will certainly prove the old adage to be true. Foreplay can last all day.

The Night

There are four of us in our family, not including the dog. We will be exchanging valentines, candy and one gift per person. It will be a lot like Christmas in February. A big rich dinner sure to give the kids "itis", and send them to bed early. This is when all of that foreplay pays off. Once the kids are out cold, close all the bedroom doors and turn up the heat. Break out the lingerie and Valentine's day playlist. Don't forget the candle wax and more wine.

Sunday, January 25, 2015

7 Men Who Should've Been Mr. Grey

50 Shades of Grey hits theaters February 13, 2015. It is based on a book that awakened the sex drives of millions of housewives whom have apparently never read a book by Zane. I was largely unimpressed with the trilogy but was interested in seeing Charlie Hunnam play Mr. Grey. But when that dream was shattered , they replaced him, and I was once again unimpressed. Here are seven actors that would have brought me to the theaters to see Mr. Grey. 


Jon Hamm

This, to me, was the most obvious choice from day one. His years as Don Draper should have been convincing enough. Perhaps he didn't want to be the sexy man in the suit anymore. But I certainly would have purchased tickets in advance to see him do it one more time. 


Shemar Moore

Rumor has it that men turned down the role of Mr. Grey because they didn't want to be type-cast as the sex symbol. But here is an actor that hasn't seemed to suffer from his sex symbol status. From soap operas to crime dramas and even a  Madea movie, he never disappoints. The only disappointment is his absence from the role of Mr. Grey. 


Sasha Roiz

Admit it, he is one of the main reasons you tune in to watch Grimm on Friday nights. With his chiseled body, deep voice, and dangerous glare, he is the embodiment of tall, dark, and handsome.  


Ryan Hurst

He will always go down in history as the only death on Sons of Anarchy that brought viewers to tears. The great thing about making movies from books is taking artistic license to change a few details. Who says Mr. Grey can't have a groomed beard and long hair?


Jason Mamoa

Those eyes, that voice, that body, nothing more needs to be said. Game of Thrones fans know he is no stranger to passion. Red Road fans are waiting for him to demonstrate more of that passion this spring. With a shave and a hair cut, he would have breathed red hot fire into Mr. Grey. 


Morris Chestnut

Always a winner in a suit, he would have had no trouble filling Mr. Grey's shoes. He's charming, stoic, fit, and oh so lickable. 


David Giuntoli

While reading 50 Shades of Grey, there were moments I pictured him as Mr. Grey. His presence is so unassuming that he could easily be the professional by day, freak by night commonly known as Mr. Grey. These last two seasons of Grimm have certainly reinforced that fantasy. 

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Cowboy Caviar Recipe

As always, my recipes use organic ingredients, including spices, unless otherwise stated. This is not mandatory for the same results. 


There are dozens of recipes for this salsa. Here is one more. I am also using a mobile device to post. We'll see how this goes. 

Ingredients

1 16oz can EACH of sweet corn, black beans, and kidney beans

1-2 large diced tomatoes 

1 small, finely chopped red onion 

2 cloves of minced garlic or 1 tbs of garlic powder

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Juice of 1 lime

1 tsp of salt and pepper

(This recipe is made entirely to taste. You may adjust the amount of onion or tomato, salt and pepper. I made mine salt-free because my chips are already salted. )

Directions

Combine ingredients in a large serving bowl. Stir with a large spoon to combine ingredients well. 

Salsa is ready to eat but you can also let it sit to allow the flavors to combine better. 

I served mine with homemade tortilla chips. 

Decoding the Pad

I found out the other day that an older friend of mine had reached menopause without every fully understanding ovulation or which pad to use. That inspired this post. I had a very difficult time finding images of each pad so that my readers could recognize them on the shelves. I am not too brand specific, but one could read the packaging on their choice brand and find the same information.

Pantyliners

Pantyliners (panty liners) are about the thickness of a folded facial tissue. The packaging will typically list "light days" as their intended purpose. This is usually the first day of your period. If your period is due tomorrow, you will want to wear a panty liner tonight to be safe, for example. But they are also intended for no-flow days. This is where your knowledge of your ovulation cycle becomes relevant. You can learn about your ovulation cycle here. Immediately after your period, your vagina continues to cleanse itself. If you don't douche, you will need a pantyliner to save the crotch of your underwear and to prevent odor. Also, during certain times of your ovulation cycle, you will have discharge that is similar to an egg white. This will cause moisture in your panties which can lead to odor. A panty liner will absorb that. If you wear tampons instead of pads, use a pantyliner as a back up for leaks. My preferred brand if odor is your concern is Carefree scented. If preserving your lingerie is your priority and odor isn't an issue, my preferred brand is Target Up and Up because of the price. If they are sold out, I buy Kotex.

Regular

Regular flow pads are intended for flow that is too heavy for a pantyliner but not heavy enough to flood a regular pad. These are typically days 1to 3 and 5 to 7. If you have a 3 or 4 day period, this is the first and last day. 




Heavy or Super

These are typically longer and thicker than regular pads. They almost always come with "wings". They are most often needed in the middle of your period, when you may find blood clots. On your heavy flow days, you will need to change your pads more frequently that with regular pads. If you wear a regular pad to work. You can go 4-6 hours before changing it. But when wearing a heavy or super, you will need to wait no longer than 4 hours. You may not "fill" the pad but in and instant it can overflow or release odor.

Overnight

This one is pretty much self explanatory. These pads are thicker, wider and longer. They almost always come with "wings". They are meant to protect you from spills as you toss and turn at night. Many women wait until they have a heavy flow to use these,  but they can be used at any time during your period. The point is to prevent leaks at night. 



Wings

The point of the wings is to provide leak protection on the sides of your panties. They are available on all flow pads except panty liners. Leaks can happen do to overflow or due to activity. If you remove your regular pad and find that the wings are saturated, you need to choose the heavy / super pad. If you are already using the heavy / super, then you need to change your pad more frequently. If you have already done both then the issue may be the size of your pad. Consider switching to a pad for plus sized women. 

Plus Sized and Tween

Larger women have more to cover. So they need a wider pad. Think about it. When you were a tween using your first pad, you had to use your mothers. It probably felt like a pillow, even if it was an ultra-thin. That is because the pad was too big. There are now pads for tweens. The same is true for plus sized women. Can you imagine running out of pad and having to use a tween's pad? The plus sized pads are longer and wider with the same varying levels of absorbancy. I discovered these after my first pregnancy. 


Ultra thin

I have never liked the ultra thin pads. They are intended for the woman who would like to be able to forget they are wearing a pad. It's thinner and flatter. However, leaks and overflows are more common with these. Ultra thin pads should be changed every 2 to 3 hours and by women with lighter flows even on their heavy days. Ultra thins focus more on comfort and less on odor absorption and dryness.

Netting vs Cotton

Always pads are know for their netting. The claim is that they keep you dryer. The blood goes into the pad, hardens and can therefore not keep you wet. Unfortunately, once the hardening core has been activated, it cannot take on more moisture. It is easier to flood an Always pad than a pad without netting. There is also the issue of sweat. My readers have reported that the plastic material that makes up the netting, causes sweating which causes vaginal pimples and ingrown hairs. The cotton based pads or cotton netting continue to absorb both blood and sweat. 

Cloth vs Disposable

Cloth pads are shaped the same as all of the pads above. The advantages include customization of size and style if you make your own, saving money by washing and reusing, organic options, preserving the environment, and snaps and or velcro for the most security. The disadvantages are similar to those of a cloth diaper. If you are in public, where are you going to put the pad until you get home? What happens if you run out before you can do your laundry? Disposables are certainly more convenient and bad for the environment. There are organic and rapid biodegradable options as well. I am on the fence about which is better. For now, the thought of carrying a soiled pad in my purse until I get home is enough for me stick with a disposable. 

Brands

There are more brands than I am aware. When it comes to price, I choose Target Up and Up. If they are sold out, I go to Kotex for price and quality. I never use Always. I haven't used them since I was a teenager. They are the most expensive and are no better than the Kotex which are 50% cheaper. Stayfree was my go to brand when I first became "plus sized". But this specific type of Stayfree is not as widely available and is more expensive when I do find it. I have had to make due with Kotex.







Treatments For Dark Circles.


Under eye dark circles is the most common thing that can be seen in almost every individual. Around nine out of ten people have dark circles under the eyes.




 
 
 
The various causes of the dark circles under eyes are:
  • Age: With the preceding age the skin becomes thinner and the veins under the eyes become more prominent.
  • Fatigue / Lack of Sleep
  • Stress or depression
  • Nutrient deficiency – lack of balanced diet can cause various deficiencies in the body and ultimately the under eye circles
  • Hyper pigmentation
  • Sun exposure
  • Excess use of drugs and medicines

Home Remedies for Dark Circles


Apply a paste made from a teaspoon of tomato juice, half teaspoon lemon juice, a pinch of turmeric powder and a pinch of gramflour. Keep it for 10 minutes. This is very effective and one of the famous home remedies for dark circles under eyes.


Eight hours of sleep is necessary and recommended for all.


Apply cucumber or potato juice on the eyes with cotton balls. This is a very useful dark circles remedy.


Apply a mixture of lemon and tomato juice on the dark circles twice a day.


Application of used cold tea bag will soothe the eyes and cure dark circles of the eyes. As will cold coffee grinds.

Drink tomato juice with some mint leaves, lemon juice and salt. This is a good diet for dark circles.

Make a mixture of lemon juice, cucumber juice and lanolin cream, apply under the eyes and keep for 10-15 minutes.

Use sunglasses when going out in sun to protect the eyes from the harmful rays.


Drinking good amount of water also helps in lightening the dark circles under the eyes.


Apply a paste of turmeric powder with pineapple juice for treatment of dark circles under the eyes.

To reduce the puffiness and dark circles of the eyes apply frozen cucumber juice.


Dark circles remedy - Almond oil is considered best in removing the dark circles. Massage the area with the oil at night before going to bed.


Application of cream with vitamin E and C also helps.


Apply crushed mint leaves under the eyes for 20 minutes.


Sarvangasana is the best yoga posture to reduce puffiness and dark circles of the eyes and it should be performed daily. Among yogic kriyas Jal Neti is the most beneficial and should be done 5 times a week.


Massage with almond oil under and around eyes at bed time daily for 3 weeks.


Keep cotton balls dipped in rose water under the eyes for 10 minutes daily.


Diet for dark circles - Eat vegetables and fruits that are rich in vitamin E for healthy eyes.


The cream applied under the eyes should not be left for longer time.


Vitamin C and Iron: Vitamin C and iron together help to reduce the dark circles under your eyes. Eat skinless chicken and red, yellow and orange peppers. These are rich in both and will help in reducing dark circles.


Make a mixture of crushed almonds with a few drops of milk to form a paste. apply under eyes every morning for ten minutes.


Everyone needs a different amount of time for sleep, there are average times for men women and children, however you will need to gage your own time. Once you have When you sleep this amount of time you won' have dark circles

Chili's Electric Lemonade Recipe

This is one of my favorite drinks ever and for awhile, Chili's stopped making it. I went to a bartender friend of mine and he taught me how to make it myself. I like mine blended but it tastes the same either way.

Ingredients
  • 1 1/4 oz. vodka (citron)
  • 1/2 oz. blue curacao
  • 2 oz. sweet and sour mix
  • 7 up
  • lemon wedge to garnish
  • ice
Directions
  • Fill cocktail glass with ice
  • Add vodka, blue curacao, and sweet and sour mix
  • Stir and add splash of 7 up
  • Garnish with lemon wedge

Sunday, January 18, 2015

Imbolc Incense Recipe

I usually post more than one recipe but this happens to be my favorite. I have seen others add bay leaves and rose petals. You can alter this any way you wish. I sprinkle my incense on a charcoal and let burn. If it is still cold out, I will toss a hand full of it on the fire.

Imbolc Incense Recipe

  • 3 parts Frankincense
  • 2 parts Dragon's blood
  • ½ part Red Sandalwood
  • 1 part Cinnamon
  • 1 part First Bloomed Flower *
  • a few drops Merlot wine 
* In my home my first bloomed flowers are always Paper Whites or Peace Lilies. I dry out an entire Paper White bloom and add it. But the Peace Lilly only has two blooms so I use the pollen from one of the blooms. If you can get ahold of Snowdrop Flower use that instead. Some of my followers also use jasmine or sweet peas.

History of Imbolc

The following is a re-post of an article by Patti Wigington. You can find the original here.

Spring is Coming!
Imbolc is a holiday with a variety of names, depending on which culture and location you’re looking at. In the Irish Gaelic, it’s called Oimelc, which translates to “ewe’s milk.” It’s a precursor to the end of winter when the ewes are nursing their newly born lambs. Spring and the planting season are right around the corner.

The Romans Celebrate:

To the Romans, this time of year halfway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox was the season of the Lupercalia. For them, it was a purification ritual held on February 15, in which a goat was sacrificed and a scourge made of its hide. Thong-clad men ran through the city, whacking people with bits of goat hide. Those who were struck considered themselves fortunate indeed. This is one of the few Roman celebrations that is not associated with a particular temple or deity. Instead, it focuses on the founding of the city of Rome, by twins Romulus and Remus, who were suckled by a she-wolf -- in a cave known as the "Lupercale".

The Feast of Nut:

The ancient Egyptians celebrated this time of year as the Feast of Nut, whose birthday falls on February 2 (Gregorian calendar). According to the Book of the Dead, Nut was seen as a mother-figure to the sun god Ra, who at sunrise was known as Khepera and took the form of a scarab beetle.

Christian Conversion of a Pagan Celebration:

When Ireland converted to Christianity, it was hard to convince people to get rid of their old gods, so the church allowed them to worship the goddess Brighid as a saint -- thus the creation of St. Brigid's Day. Today, there are many churches around the world which bear her name.

Purification and Light:

For many Christians, February 2nd continues to be celebrated as Candelmas, the feast of purification of the Virgin. By Jewish law, it took forty days after a birth for a woman to be cleansed following the birth of a son. Forty days after Christmas – the birth of Jesus – is February 2nd. Candles were blessed, there was much feasting to be had, and the drab days of February suddenly seemed a little brighter. In Catholic churches, the focus of this celebration is St. Brighid.

Love & Courtship:

February is known as a month when love begins anew, in part to to the widespread celebration of Valentine's Day. In some parts of Europe, there was a belief that February 14th was the day that birds and animals began their annual hunt for a mate. Valentine's Day is named for the Christian priest who defied Emperor Claudius II's edict banning young soldiers from marrying. In secret, Valentine "tied the knot" for many young couples. Eventually, he was captured and executed on Feb. 14, 269 C.E. Before his death, he smuggled a message to a girl he had befriended while imprisoned -- the first Valentine's Day card.

Serpents in the Spring

Although Imbolc isn't even mentioned in non-Gaelic Celtic traditions, it's still a time rich in folklore and history. According to the Carmina Gadelica, the Celts celebrated an early version of Groundhog Day on Imbolc too – only with a serpent, singing this poem:

Thig an nathair as an toll
(The serpent will come from the hole)
la donn Bride
(on the brown day of Bride (Brighid)
Ged robh tri traighean dh’an
(though there may be three feet of snow)
Air leachd an lair
(On the surface of the ground.)


Among agricultural societies, this time of year was marked by the preparation for the spring lambing, after which the ewes would lactate (hence the term "ewe's milk" as "Oimelc"). At Neolithic sites in Ireland, underground chambers align perfectly with the rising sun on Imbolc.

The Goddess Brighid

Like many Pagan holidays, Imbolc has a Celtic connection as well, although it wasn’t celebrated in non-Gaelic Celtic societies. The Irish goddess Brighid is the keeper of the sacred flame, the guardian of home and hearth. To honor her, purification and cleaning are a wonderful way to get ready for the coming of Spring. In addition to fire, she is a goddess connected to inspiration and creativity.
Brighid is known as one of the Celtic "triune" goddesses -- meaning that she is one and three simultaneously. The early Celts celebrated a purification festival by honoring Brighid, or Brid, whose name meant "bright one." In some parts of the Scottish Highlands, Brighid was viewed in her aspect as crone as Cailleach Bheur, a woman with mystical powers who was older than the land itself. Brighid was also a warlike figure, Brigantia, in the Brigantes tribe near Yorkshire, England. The Christian St. Brigid was the daughter of a Pictish slave who was baptized by St. Patrick, and founded a community of nuns at Kildare, Ireland.
In modern Paganism, Brighid is viewed as part of the maiden/mother/crone cycle. She walks the earth on the eve of her day, and before going to bed each member of the household should leave a piece of clothing outside for Brighid to bless. Smoor your fire as the last thing you do that night, and rake the ashes smooth. When you get up in the morning, look for a mark on the ashes, a sign that Brighid has passed that way in the night or morning. The clothes are brought inside, and now have powers of healing and protection thanks to Brighid.

Saturday, January 17, 2015

Organic Vegetable Penne Recipe

Not a photo of my actual meal. It was eaten too fast.
Organic Vegetable Penne Recipe

I came up with this meal in an attempt to get my children to eat more vegetables. Each service of the vegetable penne noodles was equal to a serving of vegetables. I added a few more vegetables and made a quick, light dinner.



Ingredients

* All ingredients are organic unless otherwise stated. You may substitute at will.
  • 1 12 oz box of veggie penne (Use Sunny Select if you can't find organic)
  • 1 16 oz can of Kirkland diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup of sliced white mushrooms
  • 1/4 cup of chopped spinach.
  • 1/4 cup of fresh, grated parmesean cheese. 
  • 1/4 tsp each of oregano and marjoram (you can substitute italian seasoning)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
This entire recipe is to taste. If you don't want as many mushrooms or want to alter the amount of the other ingredients, it won't harm the recipe. 

Directions

1. In a 5-qt pot, boil pasta according to the package. Do not overcook the penne.
2. Drain the water and reduce heat to low. Add tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, and seasonings to taste.
3. Allow to cook for 5-10 minutes or until mushrooms are done and tomatoes are heated through. Use a pasta spoon and carefully turn the pasta every so often to warm evenly.
4. Sprinkle parmesean on each serving after plating.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Organic Butternut Squash Soup

 Organic Butternut Squash Soup

  • Prep time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 30 minutes
  • Serves 4-6.
This recipe has no cream, which I love. It is quick and easy. It can be served as a main course or as a starter. It is very flavorful and rich. My children loved it and were full after eating one serving. Serve it with bread and a fruit based salad and your meal is complete. 

 

Ingredients

  • 1 cup yellow onion, chopped 
  • 1 celery stalk, chopped
  • 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 small to medium butternut squash, peeled and chopped, seeded. (it should be no bigger than your forearm in length. (3 cups)
  • 1 green apple, peeled, cored, chopped (1 cup)
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 Tsp COMBINED of nutmeg, cinnamon, cayenne, salt and pepper
  • Parsely or sweet basil for garnish (optional)
*I used all organic ingredients. This doesn't change the taste but it is a preference of mine.

Directions

1. Melt the butter in a 5qt. pot until it foams. Don't let it brown. Add the onion, carrot, and celery and sauté for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to prevent browning. 
2.  Add the squash, apple, broth and water, bring to a boil. Reduce to low heat and cover. Simmer for 30 minutes until the squash and carrots have softened.
3. Purée the soup. There's no wrong way to do this. I used a regular blender. My sister used a food processor. My neighbor used an immersion blender.
4. Return the soup to the pot and add the seasonings. Ladle about 1 cup per bowl for a single serving and add parsely or sweet basil as a garnish. I used parsley.

Sunday, January 4, 2015

15 Things I Don't Want To See On Facebook This Year

15. Your Ass

The only thing worst than seeing my revolutionary friends turn into hypocrites by posting photo after photo of women objectifying themselves is the endless number of women willing submitting themselves to this objectification. Once cannot protest rape culture while propagating it.
Facebook photo by Booty Factory














14. Your bathroom

Seriously, just stop it.  Buy a "Selfie Stick" and take the picture somewhere else if it's that deep.
Tonsofselfies.com


13. Memes with mismatched photos and quotes

I've seen them all, from quotes on a Marilyn Monroe photo that she never said, to internet observations on an Abraham Lincoln photo. Seriously, use logic before you make these.













12. Fights between you and another person on Facebook

If I see one more person bragging about "I took bae from you" or any other form of a verbal altercation between to people on Facebook, I'm going to snap. Either take it to the streets or shut the Hell up. 

11. People in your friends list with whom you don't even speak

He lied to you. She told you the truth. You're not speaking to either of them but you haven't deleted them from your friends list. But you're constantly shouting about, "New Year, new me!" Either grow up and start a conversation or delete them. 

10. Pictures of your food

I know you think you're the best cook or your significant other, or your family member. But to the rest of us, that food you posted looks like crap. We don't want to hurt your feelings, but take the fact that there are no likes on your food photos as a hint. 

9. Pictures of you smoking weed

There's more to life than getting high. I don't care whether or not you partake. I do care when you post pictures of yourself smoking like a dragon with your adult child in the background lighting the next blunt or spliff. Come on now. Do better. 

8. Dead bodies - This is just wrong and disrespectful on so many levels. I may be a horror fan but I don't need that level of gruesome exposure in my life. 

7. Anything at all about your relationship

I don't mind seeing pics of you together in a moment of bliss. But I don't want to see the constant posts about your relationship or the endless cupcaking. The reason being, it'll be awkward for all of us when you fight or break up. 










6. Pictures of you in ethnic costume

I don't care if you're a 1/4 Lakota Cherokee African American Geisha. If you're buying a costume from the Halloween store to show off that heritage or to be the life of the party, you have just failed.













5. Pictures that prove your false happiness

So you're posting pictures of your new house, car, kids, and dog. But when I see you, it turns out to be your mother's house, your neighbor's dog, a rental car and your kids you haven't seen since that picture was updated. Just be honest with me. I'm already your friend. You don't have to pretend. 














4. Religious posts from people violating religious commandments

I don't care what religion you choose. I really don't. There is no "but" to that sentence. I do care that you proclaim that religion to the highest, while drinking, smoking, tattooing, or fornicating your way into Hell. For whom are you perpetrating?













3. Fat and skinny people bashing each other

One word...hypocrisy.




















2. Porn

You can act like you don't watch it, but the moment that spam link you clicked on posts a copy of that porn video you attempted to watch, you're busted. I don't want to see it. Log off of Facebook before you watch it. 

1. The Revolution

This Facebook page should just be removed but the powers that be find no offense with the page. This page is littered with homophobic, racist, stereotypical, treacherous, riot baiting, and homicidal posts and followers. This page, among others should be removed from Facebook but there hasn't been enough outrage to coax Facebook into deleting the page.


Old Bay Copycat Recipe

Old Bay Copycat Recipe
  • 1 tablespoon bay leaf powder  
  • 2 tablespoons celery salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon mace
  • 1/4 teaspoon cardamom

Combine ingredients and store in an air tight container. Every year my local grocery stores run out of Old Bay seasoning during the holidays. Since I make my gumbo from scratch anyway, I decided it was easier just to make my own Old Bay. Let me know what you think.