A few months ago, I had the beginnings of a good idea. I found a great recipe that needed garlic salt. I had both salt and garlic powder. But no garlic salt. I wasn't about to run to the store and get some. I knew I could make my own, so with some quick googling I found the ratios. The ratios provided a bit more than I needed, so I decided to just save the extra in one of those fancy spice rack jars that had been empty for years.
A few days later I was making burritos and finishing of a packet of taco seasoning and thought the same thing. It smelled like a combo of all the spices I already had. I found a "recipe" for the seasoning via pinterest, and it was exactly the same. And then, of course, why not make some cinnamon sugar topping just because.
I've been using each for months and finally decided to put labels on them. (My husband didn't know what is what and I'm not sure he liked my "open and smell" technique to tell them apart from some other spices I had unlabeled. I whipped up some labels on address labels via Photoshop/Microsoft word, and now they are complete.
Ratios/Recipes are below. And yes I need to make more garlic salt and cinnamon sugar. And just a little confession or two....I don't measure my taco seasoning in the beef - I just shake til it looks/smells good. And I gave the "normal" cinnamon sugar ratio, but I totally just go by taste - lots of sampling needed that way. I think I prefer a bit more cinnamon then it suggests. Hope they work for you. Let me know any other ideas for spice/seasoning mixes if you have any. (Always needing a great Italian one).
Finally a great use for my spice rack set's empty jars
I have no idea who Lynn is...I found her via Pinterest. All I know is that she has the BEST recipe for Mexican Rice I have ever found. My hubbie signed me up to make rice for a meeting we were having and he didn't know my fear of making rice. I've always messed up on rice and avoided making it for him until that point. For some reason, it was the one thing I couldn't ever get right.
But then I found this recipe. It is easier than a boxed rice from the grocery store and it's been a hit every time I have made it. I actually started using enchilada sauce instead of tomato sauce the past few times because that is what I had on hand (usually make it with some yummy enchiladas - I'll post the recipe for those later) Both methods create amazing rice. Every time I've made it for guest, I've been asked for the recipe. So, Lynn, whomever you are, I'm sharing your recipe with the world. Hope you don't mind...it needs to be shared!
Mexican Rice
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 cup tomato sauce (or Enchilada sauce)
2 cups chicken broth
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and add rice. Cook, stirring constantly, until puffed and golden. While rice is cooking, sprinkle with salt and cumin. Stir in tomato (or enchilada) sauce and chicken broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes.
That is all there is to it. And this is my own photo, not hers. Hopefully you can see how tasty it looks.
Tagging this as a PKU recipe as well because it's not that high in protein, and I'm sure you can even make the same recipe with low-pro rice substitute. (I haven't tried it, but in theory it would taste great!)
PKU post
I was really excited to try the recipes that came with my new formula, but I wasn't a big smoothie fan. However, when Cambrooke posted a hot chocolate recipe idea on Facebook I got motivated. I love hot chocolate on a cold winter evening (or a 60 degree winter evening like we've had lately)
So I gave it a try. I should have known as soon as I smelled the warm BetterMilk it would not be a success. I have always been a snob about needing my formula to be very cold before I'll drink it. Room-temperature formula has always been gross to me. Hot formula with chocolate in it was even worse. Loved the idea of it, but it really had the worst aftertaste. If you or your PKU child doesn't mind the aftertaste, give it a try. But for now I'll save up my PHE and have a "normal" dairy free hot chocolate every now and then.
Lately, the topic of "selling" Jesus has come up a lot.
I was helping with a youth retreat a few weeks back, and they had us ask the kids why someone should become a Christian. Instantly they listed of things like happiness and that it makes things easier. Now don't get me wrong, these things can be true. But I couldn't help but think about all the people in my life that had been "sold" on the idea of happiness and then their faith was completely shaken when things didn't go well. One teenager in my group had just experienced the death of her best friend. Was she happy? I asked her if being a Christian meant she was happy in the midst of this. Instantly she shook her head. So does this mean she is not a Christian? I challenged the rest of the group. Of course it didn't mean that. She is struggling so much, but she has a peace that God is in control and is still trusting Him, even on the difficult days.
So why do we try to "sell" Jesus as a great way for fire insurance, blessings and happiness. There are tons of places in the New Testament where it says trials and tribulation WILL come in our lives. Yes, scripture has mentions of blessing and happiness for the Christian, but it never promises these things on this side of heaven.
As a young child, I was "sold" on the idea of Jesus. I didn't want to burn in hell (who does?) and I wanted all the "good stuff" people told me about, so I prayed a prayer. I may have even walked an aisle. I honestly don't even remember the details, I was too young. When I became a teenager, I was surrounded with trials and felt hopeless many times. I realized that I had not made Christ Lord of my life, I just "bought into" the idea of Jesus. In my eyes, I was "saved" but had none of the peace that came with knowing Christ. And even worse, I didn't have the happiness and great blessings people wrongly promised came with being a Christian. It wasn't until I decided to begin a relationship with Christ that I really began to understand (as in start seeking Him for all my choices/attitude/actions instead of myself).
I've been growing in my relationship with God ever since, but I've noticed in my own sharing of my faith and in so many others we often try to "sell" Jesus as things we think people want. I shared with people who believed in Heaven and wanted to go. I told them how great my life has been since becoming a Christian (which is true, but I often left out the trials and struggles with sin) They wanted things to go well for them, so they make a choice to be "saved". Some of them to this day call themselves Christians but think nothing of their faith (after all, they are "saved") unless something bad happens. What would happen instead of approaching people with "be like me because you can have (fill in blanks)" we really explained our emptiness and selfishness without Christ. Being "saved" wasn't about my prayer I prayed, it was about realizing that I cannot and should not try to live my life for myself. I fail on my own and I need Him as my Savior AND my Lord (as in DAILY, not just at the pearly gates).
It's humility and repentance that brings us into a relationship with Christ. That is the entire reason for the cross to begin with. Jesus didn't die on the the cross just because He wanted us to feel comfortable in eternity. (Essentially, that is an effect, but not the real reason). He sacrificed Himself because we are sinners and had no way of making things right on our own. We were separated from God and He made a way. His death and resurrection is so much greater than "fire insurance" or blessings that may or may not come. He didn't want to sell "insurance"packages for a bargain of praying a prayer and walking an aisle - He wanted us to turn from our sin and seek Him daily. "Selling" people the message that they are sinners and fail on their own doesn't sound as good as "selling" Heaven. But it's the Truth. Praise God that we aren't the ones who are responsible for their belief. It is the Spirit that convicts, not us. And amazingly, the Gospel "sells" itself to those who He has convicted and called because bottom line is that it's the only Truth and the only way. We don't have to be the "salesman". We are just the mouthpieces.
What an incredible disservice we do the Gospel by leaving out the hard parts and/or trying to add our own sales pitch "act now and get this and this" type approach. Yes, a believer will be blessed, but we can't even pretend to know the ways God may work in their lives, be it trials or blessings galore. The blessings may not ever be seen on this side of Heaven.
One of my favorite songs for over a year now is Jimmy Needham's "Part the Clouds". Needham says it much more poetic than I ever could. It's time for me to stop "dressing up" the Gospel and start sharing the Truth.
Part the Clouds Lyrics:
I like, like to be liked And no one likes to hear the truth And I've seen what the truth can do So I tried, tried to downsize The part of you that's hard to tell But the layoff didn't go so well I beat around the burning bush 'Til that fire went away God was once so palpable Before the shades of grey
We might as well just fold our hands If we can't call a spade a spade 'Cause we will miss the heart each time If we won't ever shoot them straight These pleasantries have shaded me And you too long Let's part the clouds and show the world the Son
We think, think we're helping By giving you a little flare But it doesn't matter what you wear 'Cause runways aren't your forte You prefer the narrow road Even though it's not en vogue The Gospel looked so very cold one night as I passed by So I gave it my best sugar coat and dressed it in a lie
This living water will not quench us if it's watered down It's not our place to hide again this treasure that we've found
This phase of my life includes no job. I'm looking, but living in a small town makes it difficult. However, it has been a hidden blessing learning how to make things from scratch to save money. I've made lots of recipes so far, but the one I was the most afraid of attempting was bread.
After much research online and delay for fear of how it might fail - I created this:
It looks like actual bread!
No holes in the bread!
I used the recipe on the back of my bag of whole wheat flour. (Gold Medal)
I read stories about how loaves turn out odd shaped and/or have holes in the final product. With some quick online research while my dough was in its first rise, I found this tip page. I rolled the bread just like she said and it turned out pretty normal looking. It was a little lopsided, but who cares.
It tastes great. It definitely tasted the best the first day. But it still tastes better than store bread even on day 4. Yes, it took a while to make, but time is something I have plenty of these days. Now that I've given it a try, it actually would not be hard at all to make some loafs on weekend for the entire week (assuming and hoping I have a job someday soon).
This is a PKU post, so if you don't know what that is, you can skip reading this.
The past year I kept getting offers and bribes (win an iPad in a raffle) to convince me to try BetterMilk.
It claimed to be better for many reasons and it was "milk-like". I know for most PKU parents reading this, the "milk-like" sold them on getting a sample, but personally I think milk is disgusting. When I've grown up unable to drink milk for 30 years, a few accidental sips then and now were disgusting to me. No thanks.
But I love my Apple products, so at the chance of an iPad I agreed to try it.
I HATE change when it comes to anything in my diet/formula. Only a few years ago I changed to CaminoPro Fruit Punch and it took forever to get used to it. I managed to drink it only while chewing gum...but it worked for me just fine. Even after the samples were sent, I avoided them like the plague for months. Finally, my hubbie convinced me to try (I think he wanted the iPad too).
PROS: Easy to make. Easy on stomach. (I think because the GMP Protein is better for me- other stuff gave me stomachaches). Less smelly. Cheaper than CaminoProFruit Punch. Easier to travel with than pre-made liquids at the airport and full cans of powder. And I've noticed that the ProBiotics help like Jamie Lee Curtis always claims they do (much better than other formula for "digestion"in my opinion)
CONS: Still kinda smelly. Powder can be messy when I've been spoiled by pre-mixed pouches. Still has after taste (I still chew gum with it)
The bottom line: It tastes a little less like formula, but it still has a formula after taste (they all claim they don't). It mixes easier than any powder I've tried before. Other than the after-taste, the taste is creamy and mostly neutral. It needs a bit more than 4oz. water like it says- I use between 6-8oz. So far I've tried it with one recipe...but I'll post more about that later.
After a short battle with insurance and going through my 3 month supply of the old stuff first, I have finally officially switched over to BetterMilk.
But I didn't win the iPad :(
Coming soon - Reviews on BetterMilk Hot Chocolate and BetterMilk Fudgesicle Pops
This isn't really an original post at all. I found a DIY blog post and followed the steps. But I did want to share this post because there are so many DIY blogs that DO NOT work well, and this one did. We saved tons of money, but it also took a lot of time.
Tulle (we chose champagne color to match my blush dress)
An embroidery machine and simple design
Matching embroidery thread
Ultra Solvy to make the tulle stiff
Beading or other embellishments
Clip of some sort (mine was a comb)
We followed this blog pretty exactly, and things turned out great. We actually had a rough draft veil and a final veil - practice on tulle first before the final.
Here are the pictures of my finished product, made entirely by my grooms aunt and mother.
EDGE
COMB
FULL VEIL HANGING
so you can see shape/length
(ignore living room in background)
And of course on the wedding day
photo from Goode Photography- they're awesome. If your in the DFW area, use them!
Anyone of you who actually knows me knows I have crazy thick hair, wavy - not curly, not straight. It's been a struggle my entire life to tame my crazy mane. I have tried so many different products throughout the years and finally settled on the amazing. I found S Factor smoothing lusterizer for my straight hair. Now here is the problem...$$$$$$$$$$
Living in a small town I have found quickly that its hard to find my hair stuff and good deals. I used to buy via Ulta buy one get one free sales. Walmart has no such deals. Not to mention our budget has changed a lot, so pricey products are no longer an option. I went on a hunt for the perfect CHEAP product, a scary adventure considering the many bad hair days and wasted partly-used bottles these trials to. But it was all worth it.
Pantene Medium-Thick Straighten and Smooth Creme
Pros: price is a lot less and tames frizz well, doesn't leave glittery-looking stuff on your hands like S Factor does Cons: Does not smell nearly as wonderful as S Factor (but it doesn't smell bad either)
