Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Tuesday Recipe: Primal Eggnog


I love eggnog this time of year. It is one of the times of the season, you know it is Thanksgiving and Christmas when the eggnog comes out. However, I am not a fan of what is in the commercial eggnog. Lucky for me, Mark from marksdailyapple.com, posted this recipe last year for eggnog. It is easy to make, but you do need a little patience and time. Enjoy.

Saving the world one stick of butter at a time.
Peace, joy and happiness,
Jenn 

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Wednesday Doggie Day: Taking Medicine


I do not know about you, but I really hat to give my two boys medicine, for multiple reasons. One being the side effects and another, trying to get them to take it. I have tried several methods unsuccessfully. I found the perfect method the other day, resulting in this post.

I was giving Otto some medicine for a hurt leg. He hurt it running up and down a steep mountain this fall and it flared up again. I took out the peanut butter, an all natural peanut butter of course. Both of mine love peanut butter. I scooped some out, put it on my finger and gave it to Otto. As he was licking, I quickly shoved the medicine into his mouth and down the hatch it went. No fuss, no spitting it out, finding it hidden in food, just easy licking and medicine taken.

The next time you have to give your dog some medicine give it a try. I hope it works as well for you as it does me!

Saving the world one stick of butter at a time.
God' peace and joy,
Jenn

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Tuesday Recipe: Unstuffed Enchilada


I was short on time, had not gone grocery shopping for the week and needed something for dinner. Sometimes that is when delicious recipes are borne, like this one. Take several things you have in your fridge and make something.

What you need:
Chicken breasts, once for each person
Onion, 1 medium size
Bell Peppers, I used the small the ones, but 1 big one would be fine
Garlic, 4 cloves
Butter or some other oil for cooking
Cumin 1tsp
Coriander 1tsp
Paprika 1/2 tsp
Lime juice 1-2 limes
Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese, optional

Method:
Slice the chicken breasts in half length wise so they are all about the same thickness. Use a malt and pound the chicken, this will help make it moist. Rub the seasonings, cumin, coriander, paprika, salt and pepper all over the chicken, set aside. Slice the onion into medium sizes strips, dice the garlic and cut the bell pepper into bite size peaces. Put the onion and garlic into a skillet with butter/oil of choice and some salt and pepper, stir occasionally so they do not burn or stick to the bottom of the pan. Allow to cook until the onion begins to carmalize. This does take about 30 minutes. Once the onions begin to turn clear in color, add the bell peppers so they can cook while the onions are finishing carmalizing, stir occasionally. Heat another pan and add butter. Once melted, add the chicken. Cook for several minutes, 3-5 minutes depending on the size, then turn over. If needed add more butter. The chicken is cooked once it is firm to the touch, the juice run clear or cut into it and check for doneness. This should take about 10 minutes. By this time, the onions should be carmalized and the peppers tender. Add the lime juice and zest, if you would like, to the onion, pepper mixture, toss to coat. Place chicken onto a plate and scope the onion pepper mixture over the top. If you would like, sprinkle a little cheese over the top, I used pepper jack. Serve and enjoy!

Saving the world one stick of butter at a time.
Peace, love and joy this blessed time of year.
Jenn











Monday, December 10, 2012

Christmas Joy


I love the Christmas season, the peace, joy, happiness, love, the nip in the air, the smells, time with family and friends and most importantly, the Gift of Christ's Birth.

However, for many, Christmas is not any of this. It is stressful, frustrating, irritating, overwhelming and they cannot wait for Christmas to be over. This makes me very sad. If you are in this category, lets see if we change your attitude and you can also love this amazing season.

First and foremost, let us remember the reason for the season: it is the Birth of Christ. Along with most everything else in the world today, we have tried to take God out of everything. This is destroying us. Instead of Christmas being about Christ, it is a holiday season, gift giving and the more gifts the better, parties, anything but Christ. If you remember the real reason for the season, you will find peace and joy.

Second, there are financial stresses. Thinking you have to give your children more and bigger gifts, family and friends gifts, all these gifts must be bigger and better. Everything is more expensive these days, we all feel the financial strain. Why do we put this strain on our selves? Falling into the traps of the world. How about teaching our children and family about the real gift of the season, Christ's Birth and what we receive from His Birth. There is always the gift of time, being together and making memories together. Remembering those who are less fortunate than ourselves and helping them out. Teaching your children this gift of giving, maybe an organization such as Toys for Tots with the Marines. This season is not all about others giving us gifts, it is also about the gifts we give others.

Third, all the parties to attend. Do you have many parties to attend and not enough time? Instead of going to them all, pick the two or three, what is best for you and your stress levels, go to these and graciously decline the rest. Remember, there is no reason you have to go to them all. For a thought, the Christmas season is that, a season. It is not over the day after Christmas, in fact, it is just beginning! Maybe instead of having all your parties before Christmas, think about having some of them after.

Last, what are your stressers for this time of year? Take some time to think about them and how you will overcome them. Do not allow them to continue and ruin this most Blessed Time of Year for you.

Saving the world one stick of butter at a time.

Peace, love and joy to you this Blessed season.
Jenn