As one more year draws to a close, millions of Americans will be writing a list of resolutions; things they want to change, quit, or begin at the start of the New Year. Some will resolve to lose weight, many will resolve to start an exercise program, the lists are varied with one thing most have in common, the resolutions almost always have to do with some kind of physical self-improvement. That's a good thing but misses the point of what resolutions should be about. Instead of concentrating the same old resolutions, perhaps for 2011 some of us can find other, more important ways to change.
We could resolve to be more open minded. Doing so might bring a better understanding of those who look different, worship in a way we consider unusual, or speak some other language. After all, we are all unique. Remember, the view of a mountain is not the same on all sides, nor is it identical at various elevations. Each person or village will describe the mountain as it looks from their perspective, yet they are all verbally depicting the same mountain.
As we being this new year, each of us has a chance to take the first step toward understanding that as different as we may be, we all live on the same planet. It it up to each of us to learn how to live together in harmony.
While you are considering what changes you want to make, if any, you could prepare a hearty pot of soup to have later in the day. You may want to invite a neighbor or two you would not normally associate with because of the different ways you view the world, religion, or politics. Set those things aside, share a hearty bowl of savory soup and listen to what each one is saying. Pay attention to the many ways we are all alike; family problems, concern over the economy, and most especially the small everyday blessings each of us has.
Have a wonderful 2011 and may the year be filled with a new awareness of how we can help others with more need and love life to the fullest.
Sausage Lentil Soup
½ pound sweet Italian turkey sausage
1 large onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 (16 ounce) package dry lentils, rinsed
1 cup sliced carrot
8 cups water
1 quart chicken broth
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon non-salt seasoning (Mrs. Dash is a great brand)
1 tablespoon salt, or to taste
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Place sausage in a large pot. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Add onion, celery and chopped garlic, and sauté until tender and translucent. Stir in lentils, carrot, water, chicken broth and tomatoes. Season with non-salt seasoning and pepper. Bring to a boil, and then reduce heat. Cover, and simmer for 2 ½ to 3 hours, or until lentils are tender. If soup is not as thick as you want, add about ½ cup organic instant potatoes during the last fifteen minutes of cooking.
Serve with hearty bread or baguette slices.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Being Thankful
As we enter the Christmas season, or Ramadan, Hanukah, whatever it may be called for various religions, it is important we recognize the blessings we have. One way to do just that is read and practice a quote from a wise elder many years ago. "The greatest thief of human happiness and abundance is ungratefulness. Any lack in our lives - whether in money, health, or relationships - is simply the evidence of a lack of gratitude. If you focus on lack you are not being grateful, and that will bring more lack into your life. Yet the simple state of radiating gratitude summons everything to you."
It sounds simple, and it is, however making gratitude a part of our lives takes practice. Anything we do, be it building muscle or endurance, or learning a new task has to be done multiple times before we are able to do it easily. Just remember learning to drive your first car, the rearview mirror, side mirrors, gas pedal, speed, and on and on and you will know what I mean. The first time you got behind the wheel of a car you could not ease into traffic, follow all the rules of the road, and arrive safely at your destination. It took hours of practice and, perhaps, a few mishaps before driving was as easy as inhaling.
In this season of giving and sharing, why not bake a pumpkin cake or two? With two you can give one to an elderly neighbor or have one to share with friends or family when they stop in for a visit. Here is the recipe I promised in my last post. It is simple to prepare, takes few ingredients, and tastes wonderful. I have two of these in the oven along with three loaves of banana bread. Remember to use organic products in your baking. Your body will thank you.
Pumpkin Cake
½ cup applesauce
2 cups sugar
2 cups canned pumpkin
2 cups raisins (optional)
1 cup softened butter
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons soda
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon allspice
1½ cups chopped nuts
Mix shortening and sugar, add applesauce and pumpkin. Stir in flour, salt, soda, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. If your family is not fond of strong cinnamon taste, reduce the amount to 2 tablespoons. Add nuts and raisins. Mix well. Pour into greased tube pan or three small loaf pans.* Place in cold oven and turn temperature to 300° F. Bake about 1 hour. (Should be golden brown and inserted toothpick should come out clean.) If the center is not fully cooked, return to the oven and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes, and then check with a clean toothpick. Cool about 15 minutes before removing from pan. Cool on a wire rack to room temperature. Place cake on plate, frost with cream cheese frosting. This cake should be kept in a tin, saran type wrap, or foil. It will keep in the refrigerator for about 2 to 3 weeks and freezes well.
Cream Cheese Frosting
1 pound powdered sugar
3 ounces cream cheese
½ teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons milk
Let cream cheese soften at room temperature. With mixer on medium speed, blend in powdered sugar and liquids. If is a bit thick, add more milk, 1 teaspoon at a time to spreadable form. If not quite thick enough, add more powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon at a time, until thick enough to spread.
* I use two small tube pans rather than one large one.
It sounds simple, and it is, however making gratitude a part of our lives takes practice. Anything we do, be it building muscle or endurance, or learning a new task has to be done multiple times before we are able to do it easily. Just remember learning to drive your first car, the rearview mirror, side mirrors, gas pedal, speed, and on and on and you will know what I mean. The first time you got behind the wheel of a car you could not ease into traffic, follow all the rules of the road, and arrive safely at your destination. It took hours of practice and, perhaps, a few mishaps before driving was as easy as inhaling.
In this season of giving and sharing, why not bake a pumpkin cake or two? With two you can give one to an elderly neighbor or have one to share with friends or family when they stop in for a visit. Here is the recipe I promised in my last post. It is simple to prepare, takes few ingredients, and tastes wonderful. I have two of these in the oven along with three loaves of banana bread. Remember to use organic products in your baking. Your body will thank you.
Pumpkin Cake
½ cup applesauce
2 cups sugar
2 cups canned pumpkin
2 cups raisins (optional)
1 cup softened butter
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons soda
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon allspice
1½ cups chopped nuts
Mix shortening and sugar, add applesauce and pumpkin. Stir in flour, salt, soda, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. If your family is not fond of strong cinnamon taste, reduce the amount to 2 tablespoons. Add nuts and raisins. Mix well. Pour into greased tube pan or three small loaf pans.* Place in cold oven and turn temperature to 300° F. Bake about 1 hour. (Should be golden brown and inserted toothpick should come out clean.) If the center is not fully cooked, return to the oven and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes, and then check with a clean toothpick. Cool about 15 minutes before removing from pan. Cool on a wire rack to room temperature. Place cake on plate, frost with cream cheese frosting. This cake should be kept in a tin, saran type wrap, or foil. It will keep in the refrigerator for about 2 to 3 weeks and freezes well.
Cream Cheese Frosting
1 pound powdered sugar
3 ounces cream cheese
½ teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons milk
Let cream cheese soften at room temperature. With mixer on medium speed, blend in powdered sugar and liquids. If is a bit thick, add more milk, 1 teaspoon at a time to spreadable form. If not quite thick enough, add more powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon at a time, until thick enough to spread.
* I use two small tube pans rather than one large one.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Winter Joy
When the weather turns bitterly cold, finding joy can be difficult. This is especially true if one has little or no experience in such activities. Where and how can you find during difficult times? The answer, of course, depends on what you consider joyful and fulfilling. Those in the habit of spending hard earned funds on the latest gadget, closet full of shoes and clothes, eating in expensive restaurants and other wallet draining activities will find it difficult to find true joy in their lives. One thing they have not learned is the difference between frugality and miserliness.
The miser resents any expenditure, saving always for 'someday' and never enjoying life to the fullest. Some misers have unlimited funds, others have very little. Their outlook on life, however, is the same. What about those who are frugal, yet find joy on a regular basis? Those individual do not believe in waste. They live fully in each day and every activity. Expensive meals in restaurants are replaced with meals prepared at home, shared with family and friends, savoring each moment and sharing with others. Frugal living means recognizing that a house or closet full of stuff weighs a person down. They purchase what they need and regularly give away anything not worn or used on a regular basis. There is something freeing about reducing unneeded or unwanted items from our lives. It feels like a heavy weight is lifted from our shoulders and we can breathe deeply.
The joy you discover is up to you; you decide what brings you that feeling of contentment and happiness. Some things I find joyful when weather makes it difficult to be outside include watching the birds from my office window, reading a good book in front of the fire, preparing a pot of hearty soup to share with family and friends, and baking special treats for loved ones. You may find joy in reading to a child or visiting a Senior Center to serve meals, organize a sing along, or driving an elderly neighbor to the grocery store. There is no right or wrong in frugal joy. Do those things you like and share with others. You might be amazed at how little you have to spend in dollars and the amount of joy you find.
If you want to bake a batch of cookies to share at work or with a neighbor, yet find yourself short of time, here is a recipe you and prepare that is both simple and delicious. The cost is minimal but you will be rewarded with joy and love. I seldom use cake mixes and when I do, they are always Dr. Oetker organic, not those full of chemicals. If you are not an organic eater, use your favorite mix.
Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
1 (8-ounce) brick cream cheese, room temperature
1 stick butter, at room temperature
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (18-ounce) box Dr. Oetker chocolate cake mix
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in the egg. Then beat in the vanilla extract. Beat in the cake mix. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours to firm up so that you can roll the batter into balls. Roll the chilled batter into tablespoon sized balls and then roll them in confectioner's sugar. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake 12 minutes. The cookies will remain soft and "gooey." Cool completely and sprinkle with more confectioners' sugar, if desired.
Makes 2 dozen
One of my favorite items to bake is Pumpkin Cake. I promise to post that recipe soon. If you have some favorite dish you enjoy preparing, please send it along and I will do my best to add it at some future date.
Have a wonderful, joy filled, and frugal week.
The miser resents any expenditure, saving always for 'someday' and never enjoying life to the fullest. Some misers have unlimited funds, others have very little. Their outlook on life, however, is the same. What about those who are frugal, yet find joy on a regular basis? Those individual do not believe in waste. They live fully in each day and every activity. Expensive meals in restaurants are replaced with meals prepared at home, shared with family and friends, savoring each moment and sharing with others. Frugal living means recognizing that a house or closet full of stuff weighs a person down. They purchase what they need and regularly give away anything not worn or used on a regular basis. There is something freeing about reducing unneeded or unwanted items from our lives. It feels like a heavy weight is lifted from our shoulders and we can breathe deeply.
The joy you discover is up to you; you decide what brings you that feeling of contentment and happiness. Some things I find joyful when weather makes it difficult to be outside include watching the birds from my office window, reading a good book in front of the fire, preparing a pot of hearty soup to share with family and friends, and baking special treats for loved ones. You may find joy in reading to a child or visiting a Senior Center to serve meals, organize a sing along, or driving an elderly neighbor to the grocery store. There is no right or wrong in frugal joy. Do those things you like and share with others. You might be amazed at how little you have to spend in dollars and the amount of joy you find.
If you want to bake a batch of cookies to share at work or with a neighbor, yet find yourself short of time, here is a recipe you and prepare that is both simple and delicious. The cost is minimal but you will be rewarded with joy and love. I seldom use cake mixes and when I do, they are always Dr. Oetker organic, not those full of chemicals. If you are not an organic eater, use your favorite mix.
Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
1 (8-ounce) brick cream cheese, room temperature
1 stick butter, at room temperature
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (18-ounce) box Dr. Oetker chocolate cake mix
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in the egg. Then beat in the vanilla extract. Beat in the cake mix. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours to firm up so that you can roll the batter into balls. Roll the chilled batter into tablespoon sized balls and then roll them in confectioner's sugar. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake 12 minutes. The cookies will remain soft and "gooey." Cool completely and sprinkle with more confectioners' sugar, if desired.
Makes 2 dozen
One of my favorite items to bake is Pumpkin Cake. I promise to post that recipe soon. If you have some favorite dish you enjoy preparing, please send it along and I will do my best to add it at some future date.
Have a wonderful, joy filled, and frugal week.
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