What kind of person are you?

I heard a long time ago that

there are two kinds of people. 

Those that collect stuff and those

that collect experiences. 

I have always been a stuff kinda gal. 

I don't collect anything in particular
but I do like to decorate. 

I am not your typical shop-aholic. 

I like a bargin and my weekness is anything painted white and chippy, especially if it's French or old. 

My stuff mentality was working until
I adopted the mantra "Simplify"

My life was anything but simple and all
that stuff has not made simplifying any easier. 

I started by decluttering my home and promising not to buy

anything unless it was both beautiful and useful.  

I no longer feel the need for more stuff.  

My new mantra is

"More Experiences and Less Stuff" 

I am sure this has been brought on by the never ending
recession and not by my new simplified life.  

Whatever the reason,

 I am happy to give up the
stuff for more experiences

with my children and husband. 

Are you collecting stuff or experiences?

To Do:

1.  Have Fun!

2.  Grow a garden

3.  Take time to smell the roses!

What to do with all that pulp from juicing???

If you have been juicing then I know you have been wondering what to do with all the left over pulp.  My solution is to make Veggie Burgers!


Save that pulp from all those veggies you juice – I like carrot, celery and red bell peppers. Add some ground flax seeds to the mix as a binder. Season with salt and finely chopped onions. Form into patties and place in your dehydrator at 105 degrees for about 4-5 hours. Smother with chipotle mayo and top it with avocado, tomato and homegrown sprouts.



Chipotle “Mayo”

1 C pine nuts
2 Tbsp olive oil
juice of 1 lemon
1 clove garlic
1/4 C filtered water
1/2 C young coconut meat
3 tsp chipotle seasoning




Once you eat delicious burgers that aren't really cooked and are made of only vegetables and other healthy natural ingredients, you may never go back to the traditional hamburger. And if you already enjoy raw and mostly raw food then this veggie burger recipe can be just another healthy recipe to add to your already healthy lifestyle.





*If you do not have a dehydrator, then you can put your oven on the lowest possible setting.  Just make sure to open the door and release the heat often. 

*Flax seeds in raw veggie burger recipes act as a binding agent (keeps the food together so that it’s not just a big mess)   You can’t leave them out of recipes.

Another great recipe using left over carrot pulp is Cranberry Scones!



2 cups apples, grated
2 cups carrots, pulp (leftover from making carrot juice)
2 cups raisins (or chopped dates)
1 cup cranberries (fresh or dry)
2 cups almonds, ground
1 cup flax seed (blended with 1 cup water)
2 tablespoons agave nectar (raw)
3 tablespoons olive oil



Mix ingredients with hands. Drop by spoonfuls onto dehydrator sheets.
Dehydrate at 105-115 degrees for several hours (approximately 4 hours on one side, then flip and dry for 3 hours on the other side.).


Takes about 10 minutes to make and another 7 hours to dehydrate.  I like to make them before bed so when I get up the next morning I can have warm scones right out of the dehydrator.  Yum!



*You can use fresh blueberries instead of cranberries

 

Happy Valentines Day

My Daily Green Juice

Juicing is the best way to increase your life force energy. When we juice fruits and vegetables (using a juicer not blender) we separate the fiber, leaving the liquid containing live enzymes, chlorophyll, and vitamins and minerals. Removing the fibers, allows the nutrients to be released immediately into your cells and bloodstream in a form that is easy to assimilate.

Try juicing and you won’t turn back! It will help your body heal; it’s a great tool for weight loss, detoxification and maintaining a healthier lifestyle!

Love this combination! So refreshing that I make it every day!

2 bunches of  kale
1 bunch of celery
1 apple
6 carrots
1 cucumber


Let me know what you think!!!

*If you do not own a juicer, then blend in a high speed blender and pour into a nut milk bag to strain it.  You only want the juice.  Nut milk bag can be found at most health food store.

When to Buy Organic

I try to buy organic when possible, but buying all organic gets very expensive. 

 Like most people, I am always looking to save money where ever I can.  

Here is two list showing the produce that you should always buy organic

and then another list where you can save a little by buying non organic.   

Spend/ Always go Organic with these foods:

Imported grapes, celery, strawberries, blueberries, bell peppers, cherries, peaches, apples, nectarines, kale, spinach and potatoes.



Save Money/ Non organic considered clean:

Honeydew melon, onions, avocado, sweet corn, mangoes, pineapple, sweet peas, kiwifruit, asparagus, cabbage, eggplant, sweet potato, cantaloupe, watermelon and grapefruit.


*The non organic list is considered clean foods, they absorb lower levels of pesticides. 

*Always scrub the outside of your produce to remove as much as possible of  the pesticide residue. 

This study was published in the Prevention Magazine July 2010

Healthy New Year

"Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see."

 Daniel 1:12-13.

This is the scripture that came to my husband the first time I shared that I wanted to go on a raw food diet.  This is my confirmation that I am doing the right thing for me and my family. 

Changing my family's health for generations to come.

I grew up in a family where eating out several times a day was the normal.  We would only have a sit down meal on Sunday mornings.  This was eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits with chocolate gravy.  The breakfast choice the other six days of the week was a snickers and a Pepsi.  A home cooked dinner would be pot pies, hot dogs, steaks, potatoes or anything that could be microwaved. 
We always had chips, cookies and cokes. 

No wonder I never learned to cook.  

Then the teen years hit.  I didn't learn to eat better,
I just learned how to eat less of the bad
and starve myself to be thin. 
Again, very unhealthy and guaranteed to fail.  

As an adult who now makes the food choices for the family,
I am guilty of raising my kids on McDonald's.  That was until December 1st. 

Now we are a Raw Family.

I wish I knew then what I know now.  Both of my parents have had open heart surgery.  My mother has diabetes, thyroid issues, cushion's disease, sleep apnea and depression.  My father has had several skin cancers removed, yearly suffers from bronchitis and recently found a spot on his lung.   Both take tons of prescription drugs.   My parents seldom visit their grandchildren.
 They are often to ill or afraid to get to far from their doctors.
On the flip side is my grandparents who are in their eighties.  They are in better health than my parents.  They have always ate fruit and veggies that they grow on their farm.  They also eat meat that they have killed.  Seldom do they eat out.  I remember my granny saying white bread was junk food. 
They enjoy gardening, hunting, fishing and going to church.

I can't help but think that there is a definite
correlation between health and food. 

My Ah Ha, Wake Up moment came December 1, 2010
when I was desperate to feel better.   I pulled out my juicer
and got online to learn some new recipes. 
That is when I learned about Raw Food. 

WOW!  My life will never be the same. 

A raw diet is just what is says, raw food.  No processed foods or sugars allowed.  Just fresh organic fruits, veggies,nuts and seeds....Nothing Cooked. 
No Meat or Dairy. 

I never liked to cook anyways. 

I found that when I juiced veggies I had tons of energy.   I  bought several raw recipe books and have made some of the freshest desserts and meals.  I have lost 16lbs in the first month.  Never hungry and full of energy.  My skin and hair has never looked better.  I can't imagine going back to my old SAD diet (standard American diet).  My hubby has lost 15lbs in two weeks.  We do not count calories. 

We eat as much as we want and never go hungry.  

Eating organic is expensive.  How much is your health worth.  It has taken me 37yrs to learn that not everyone suffers from health issues and that most things can be controlled or reversed by what we eat.   

I am happy to say that I am changing the health future of my family. 

Here's to 2011.... it is already looking good.   

If you would like to learn more about raw food here are two of my favorite sites

 

Rawfoodrehab.com

Rawradianthealth.com

My favorite book is The Raw Food Detox Diet by Natalia Rose

My favorite recipe book is

Raw Food A Complete Guide for Every Meal of the Day by Erica Palmcrantz


I acknowledge that everyone is at a different point along their health journey and
I will respect that this diet may not be for you.   
I hope to be a blessing and encouragement to you to find and make the changes
that work to make you and your family healthy today and in the years to come.

Happy New Year!

A Very Blessed Christmas

Christmas 2010

A very Merry and Blessed year!

We woke up to a White Christmas. 

This has not happen in 17 years.

Santa brought everything on my list. 

I must have been really good this year.  :)



I would post a pic of me,

but I don't wanna scare any new readers...

 Didn't get out of my jammies all day on Christmas.

Merry Christmas! 

May your family be Blessed today

and thru out the New Year!

 

 

The economic downturn has effected everyone,

especially small businesses.  

Take a moment to think of three stores you would miss if they disappeared, then remember to return there.

We have become so rooted in thinking about the essentials that we have forgotten about the little gift store on the corner whose owner remembers our name.

The 3/50 Project supports independent, locally owned businesses by inspiring consumer loyalty to the storefronts that directly fund their communities.

Fifty comes from the idea that if even half the employed population spent a mere $50 per month in locally owned retail stores, those purchases would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue.

Sixty-eight dollars remains in a communityʼs economy for every $100 spent in locally owned stores. $43 per one hundred remains local when spent in national chains; little or no revenue results from online purchases.

Please stop in your favorite
hometown stores. 

They would love to see you.

While you are there please pick up a little

something that makes you smile.

That's what keeps them around, after all.

Pick 3. Spend $50. Save your local economy.

For more information check out their site the350project.net

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one that has opened for us. —-Alexander Graham Bell

This week I found out that the antique store I have been renting a booth from is closing.   The closing is almost a year to the day that I started there.  I have enjoyed every moment of the experience.  I have made new friends with several of the women who rent booths, as well as the two wonderful ladies that own the store.   I wish the best to each of them....

This door may be closing....

Patiently waiting for my open door

Can't wait to see what wonderful opportunities it brings.   

Antique Booth

Antique glass bird bookends, owl, blue vase,

small urn perfect for a candle.

French Garden Crown

Small writing desk with beautiful glass knobs

Several pieces of furniture, shabby chic dresser,

solid oak antique church pew, desk and

small dresser with glass pulls

Solid wood vintage doll house

Lots of new items in for Fall. 

Addicted to Decorating

You know who you are

Stand up and be proud

If you're addicted to decorating

Shout your name out real loud.

You wait for the mailman

In hopes he'll come soon.

Please bring a new magazine

With gorgeous new rooms.

Your evening's complete;

"Let me just read in peace".

Lock the door to the bedroom.

Don't let THEM find the keys.

You watch HGTV

From morning till night.

Do we need all those channels?

When that ONE seems just right.

You rearrange furniture

All day in your head.

And you can't seem to stop it;

Not even in bed.

Your magazines date back...

10 years and some longer;

Cause you've dog-eared a page;

To read again in the future.

You carry your paint chips,

Tape measure & swatches

So you'll always be ready

To create special touches.

Your ultimate vacation...

Where shopping's a must.

Who needs sandy beaches?

If it rains.that's a plus.

If one of these statements

Sound familiar to you.

You're addicted to decorating;

That's ok...we are too.

So take the inspiration

You've been collecting for years:

Let's apply it to your home

And erase all your fears.

Poem by Christine @ Rooms Revealed

10 Reasons 2 Buy Antiques

1. Save money. Really live better.

Antiques are often reasonably priced and can be found in any price range.

2. Buying local does not just apply to tomatoes and kohlrabi.

When you buy an antique, you are supporting a small, locally owned business.

3. George Washington did not sit in your La-Z-Boy.

Antiques are tangible pieces of history.

4. There is no such thing as a McBlanket Chest.

Antiques are unique and offer nearly endless variety.

5. 100% post-consumer content.

Antiques are the most environmentally responsible choice for home decorating.

6. There are enough ten-year-old futons on Craig’s List.

Antiques retain significant resale value.

7. No allen wrench required.

Antiques offer solid, quality construction, and durability.

8. Industrial cable spools and pilfered milk crates do not

constitute a living room suite.

Antiques are stylish, and can accommodate anyone’s decorating tastes.

9. Forty cents per hour was a fair wage in 1940, not 2010.

Antiques are socially responsible—none are made in sweatshops.

10. If it’s not French, it’s crap!

Antiques can be a source of ancestral or regional pride.

 

 

 

Please visit your local Antique Store

 

 

Good-Bye Summer 

 
 

 

Hello AUTUMN!

 

 

 

I love the changing of Seasons...

Homemade Granola

One of my favorite things to make is homemade granola.  It is sooo easy and yummy.  I thought I would share my recipe.  

 Mix together 4 1/2 cups uncooked rolled oats, 1 1/2 cups almonds, 1 cup unsalted sunflower seeds, 1 cup ground flax seed, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 3/4 tsp ground nutmeg and 3/4 tsp ground allspice.  In a separate bowl mix 4 tbsp molasses, 4 tbsp canola oil, 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp apple juice, 5 tsp pure vanilla extract.   Drizzle over the dry mixture.  Stir to coat mixture evenly.   Bake 300 degrees for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

When completely cooled stir in 2 cups of dried cherries.  I like to store mine in a glass jar.

Enjoy this granola  as a cold cereal or as a topping for fruits salad, yogurt, or fruit parfaits.

*  Makes a wonderful hostess gift. 

All you need is a vintage jar, tie it up with  a beautiful ribbon and a homemade tag and you are ready for the party!   

  

Be Inspired

We all have different styles that make us swoon....mine just happens to be anything White, Old, Chippy or French.  

    

Most Charming Place Ever

I took a road trip to a little town called Springfield, TN. Super charming. I went there to buy an Antique French Daybed from a local artist named Wanda Choate. She had it in her art studio, located behind her house. I had to share a pic of her art studio also known as True North....my dream studio would look just like it.

The most charming little place I've ever seen. Outside was a beautiful garden, koi pond, bronze statues, fountains and an aviary for her chickens.... I could go on forever. She also told us about Burdett's Tea Shop where we had the best lunch and tea. Please check out Wanda's website http://wandachoate.com/ she is an amazing artist.

Oh ya....and the best part of the trip was getting to take a little piece of her charming home with me.... Sorry, the bed is not going in the Antique booth. I can't part with it just yet!