14-GRAIN CEREAL AND MISCELLANEOUS

It seems that when one does very well in a desired area, she fails in another…sigh. I don’t know if this is by design so that we should never be perfect, perhaps…? (I really do not think this to be the case).

Contrarily speaking, when I am excelling in one area, it is like inertia…The success keeps happening…So, I am perplexed a bit.

I did not get my exercise in today, and the budget is in a very sore state…

But…

I nourished my body QUITE well for the day. This morning started out with my yummy 14-grain cereal. Oh, it is so delightful. The recipe was given to me by an old gentleman years ago. He in turn had received it from a man whose wife had been blessed with some extra healthy years while in cancer remission.

My current blend is probably more like 10-grain, I suppose, as I cannot seem to track down a few of the grains.

I thought it quite funny to see this recipe box for sale online listed as a “Vintage Recipe Tin”. Ha! It is the very one I use and have used since I received it as a wedding gift. And I KNOW I’m not THAT old as to be vintage. I suppose that it’s all subjective. ;)



BREAKFAST

14-GRAIN CEREAL FORMULA

One pound each of the following grains and seeds:

Barley
Rye
Sunflower seed
Alfalfa seed
Sesame seed
Lentils
Mung beans
Millet
Buckwheat
Flax seed
Brown rice
Oats
Wheat

Almonds—Eight raw per serving

Mix all together and divide into 12 one-pound packages. Store in a cool place or freeze. Wheat should be 12% protein or better.

ALTERATION NOTES: I have changed my preparation methods a bit from his.

I mix the grains in smaller amounts than the one-pound quantities. It really doesn’t matter just as long as you have all of the grains in equal quantities.

Also, his recipe calls for leaving the wheat separate and adding ¼ cup of it to 1 heaping tablespoon of the multigrain mixture. I would rather have just as much of the other grains, so I add everything together. I cook up about ½ cup at a time. You can prepare more if you are feeding more than just yourself.

The recipe calls for grinding the grains in a blender. I prefer mine whole.

Soak grains in pure water over night. (I don’t currently have a water filter so use tap water). The whole point behind the recipe is maximum nutrition and purity.

Drain off water, rinse, and put into pan along with your almonds. Use a heavy stainless steel, cast iron, or glass pan. Do NOT use aluminum. Add water to cover. Bring to a boil then turn to medium low and simmer covered until crunchy tender. It is healthier to keep your grains as intact as possible.

Serve with cream and brown sugar. Oh, it is so delightful.



OPTIONS

Fruit such as peaches or berries may be added or any dried fruits as well.

You may use raw honey instead of the brown sugar.

I really haven’t eaten this regularly in a very long time but will be definitely adding it to my diet now.

On a side note, I visited the naturopath last week for my first visit. She recommended that I eat more fiber and whole grains and handed me a recipe. It is almost identical to my 14-grain with the exception of adding lecithin granules and raisins and containing less than half the grains. It suggests to add fresh fruit and live culture yogurt to the cereal.

LUNCH

For lunch, I met Dad at a local healthfood store/café. Oh, I had the most delightful Gardener. It is a vegetarian sandwich with humus as the spread. The humus tasted as though it had turmeric or some such similar spice added. Cucumber slices, carrot shavings, sprouts, and other goodies were loaded onto sprouted wheat bread. To die for! It was served with citrus slaw, and I ordered a cup of their nummy clam chowder as well.



DINNER

This morning before work, I put to cook some boneless skinless chicken breasts and potatoes in the crock pot. With a little salt, pepper, and chicken bouillon, it was made for quite a tasty and juicy dinner dish. I LOVE a crockpot. It is so nice to walk into your home in the evening with the aroma of dinner greeting you at the door!



Though chicken is a lean meat served this way, I do always worry about the preservatives, growth hormones, and antibiotics that I am ingesting. I KNOW that these things cause tumors and other bodily dis-ease.

For dessert, I had granola cereal and milk. I have quite a sweet tooth, and this satisfied the craving. I did also have a large muffin late evening.

Morning chores, which at this time are miniscule...

DAILY

Morning

Carry soiled clothing to the hamper. Hang up other clothing. Put away any personal possessions out of place in the bedroom.

Make bed.

Were finally accomplished! The tidying of the bedroom before work is second nature to most, I am sure. This night owl, however, is doing good if she can get herself out of bed and out the door in the mornings!

It felt so very good to walk into a beautifully tidied and clean bedroom this evening (for some reason, my schedule got mixed up, and I cleaned it last night rather than its scheduled night).



Tonight’s chores are post poned. DD and family came for a visit, and by the time all was said and done, I didn’t summon up the energy to clean. While this is o.k. once in a while, I do not want to do it on an on-going basis, as this will just lead me straight back to procrastination and disorganization.

It was so wonderful to see my grandbabies. Oh, it just does my heart so good!

Tomorrow (Saturday) is up in the air. I have much work to do for work and then my house work, of course, etc. I also see that the snow has begun to melt enough that doggie’s doo-doos are showing up. I may be going out of town for a few hours with DD, grandbabies, and Mom to see Gramma. But, DS also has a marshal art’s tournament tomorrow. It is a rather small one so not extremely important that I be there. Nonetheless, I would probably like to be. So, we’ll see. It seems crazy to only have a day to fit everything into, for Sunday is the Sabbath, and then Monday is work again. Such is life.

Have a happy Saturday whatever YOU choose to do!

THE END OF WEEK ONE

Well, last night (Tuesday) marked the end of week one of my new schedule and goals…

As I ponder my successes and failures (I really dislike that word and will have to think of an alternative), here is what I have come up with…



BE MORE ORGANIZED…

At work, this took a nose-dive. However, my goal for organization is at home, so that is what I will be grading.

I never did attend to any of the morning chores that I had set for myself. So, 7/7 were not accomplished—0%.

Six out of the seven days, though, I DID accomplish my night-time chores. Thus, I achieved a 6/7 or 86%.

Weekly short-term goals were both erased due to circumstances beyond my control, so they are nullified.

CONTINUE TO IMPROVE MY HEALTH WITH...BODILY
NOURISHMENT…

I failed miserably here this week. My eating skydived down to oblivion. I would give myself a 0/7 here or 0%.

As far as exercise, I only made 2 out of my normal 4 days a week. So, that is 2/4 or 50%.

QUIT WHINING AND JUST DO!...

I flat out got an F here! Oh boy! A combination of a multitude of stresses and hormones raging put me in the woe-is-me category for the week. So this category received a 0% for the week.

MY REVIEW…

As I review this past week, I see two areas that need to really get some attention next week, the Health—both food and exercise—and complaining departments.

What is exciting, however, is that the area that I really excelled in was the one in which I needed the most improvement—that of being more organized!

WEEKLY TOTALS

BE MORE ORGANIZED…

Morning Chores 0%

Weekly Short-Term Goals NA

Night-time Chores 86%

CONTINUE TO IMPROVE MY HEALTH WITH...BODILY
NOURISHMENT…

Nourishment—Healthy Food 0%

Nourishment—Exercise 50%

QUIT WHINING AND JUST DO!...

Quit Whining 0%

So, I now look forward to the beginning of the new week’s accomplishments…I started off well this evening by getting my bedroom cleaned…

This was the chore that did not get done last week, the room I most wanted to be clean, and the room I least wanted to clean!

So, with two great successes for me this week, I look forward to next!

Happy Friday to you all!

ORGANIZED ? TUESDAY

This Organized Tuesday was…



Well…



OVERWHELMING!



Work, where I am usually quite organized, has been having issues. Well…The issues have festered, and the culminating has done culminated! Putting out fires and surviving is the mode I am in…

NOT GOOD!

I am trying to make my life run more smoothly-not have it continue in the horrid din that it has been. This is quite trying, as I am not sure quite what to do. Nonetheless, doing nothing solves nothing!

My car…Well, that’s the other large boil in my life…Not too bad considering the trouble I could have…But still, I get in it, and it makes me want to throw up…It’s not organized, and it’s not clean…So subsequently, I feel the same.



The good news, as there always is some :0) …

Is that after my festering boil of a day…When I got into my mess of a vehicle…I came home. Ahhh…Home…

The bathroom was clean (thanks to me)…

The living room was clean (thanks to me)…

My son, at my request…(thanks to me)…Brought me chocolate! Mmmmmm…Chocolate is ALWAYS good.

My pup licked me and wagged his tail…The cats purred and meowed their “Hello”…Life isn’t so bad after all!

Here is a WONDERFUL quote given by 50sgal over at

www.my50syear.blogspot.com

“It was a great discovery that there is no 'secret' or 'magic pill' that allows you to do and get things done, just responsibility to yourself and the task at hand and MAKE yourself follow through.”

It’s one of those I’ve-heard-it-before deals that this time goes “Ah haaaaaaaa!” That makes sense!

I REALLY didn’t want to iron tonight, but I DID make myself, and as the poem goes…”That made all the difference”…I didn’t do a lot, but I didn’t not do any, so that makes me a success…And, I LOVE being a success!



Have a WONDERFUL Wednesday!

MISSING KEYS, QUIT WHINING, AND MORE SNOW!

The day was a bit average and a bit frustrating. I really do suffer from the I-used-to-be-a-full-time-home-maker-and-want-to-do-it-again syndrome. Have you ever heard of that? Or, maybe you haven’t. It is rather passé, I’m afraid. Nonetheless, perhaps I am a bit passé. No matter. I don’t really care!

Some ladies…And maybe you are one of them…WANT to go back to work or enjoy working out of their homes. Never did quite understand that…Part-time maybe, but full-time all the time? No way!



I YEARN to be back in my home…Not just want to be…I YEARN to be in my little nest that I make for my family and me. It’s as if once you have had that luxury, it is all the worse when you can no longer have it. Indeed, it is. SOOOOO hard…so very very hard. It is almost like having once been a smoker and then quitting. You either really crave cigarettes, or you really despise them. Whichever it is, you are deeply affected one way or the other. It is the same with me having gone from full-time home-maker to full-time cog in somebody else’s dirty wheel of life. Yuck!



And constantly bouncin’ between the two leaves NO sense of self, organization, goals, or really any idea of where you were going or where you came from!



So…I really think that my BIGGEST challenge/goal of the year is to “Quit whining and just do!”. Hmmmmmmm…Not an easy one indeed, and I am NOT setting aside my goal of coming home and being self-sufficient enough to do so. That may just have to be thought over a bit more and planned out a bit more, but it’s there!

My struggle (and then I’ll get off the negatives) is that there is always so much to get done at home, and it is rewarding to do it and to do a good job of it as well. But, when so many hours of the day HAVE to be given to someone else for a silly paycheck, which you in turn give to someone else, it all seems rather worthless. A smidge of time here…A smidge of time there…That is all the home REALLY receives when only so much time can be devoted to it.

There are issues surrounding the whole situation that really disturb me…Yes, “disturb” is not too harsh of a word. For, I think that things could change…at least to a degree…But…Alas, until I find a solution…



Now on to some positives!

While morning once again slipped by without a chore being done, I again was quite successful with my night-time ones. My laundry—that was my chore for the day—is all but done save one basket of towels to be folded and put away. And…I did come up with a special load of this-and-thats that I will tend to tomorrow.

MONDAY

Early Morning

Washing

It felt quite good to get it all done at once. Generally, I do a load a day or so, which isn’t a bad way of doing it either. I rather like this way, however.

Evening

Fold and put away wash. Prep ironing.

Late Evening

Put living room in order.

I got my ironing set out for tomorrow’s duties.

And, my living room is tidied and set for another day…

One little mishap today was losing my keys. That is one thing that I almost NEVER misplace. So, when it happened, I was caught with an “Oh No!” type of a feeling. I had been walking the dog, and they must have fallen out of my pocket when I bent over. One would think that I could have heard them fall, but with his tags jangling, it must have masked my keys jingling.

So…we drove back and then retraced our steps. I used him as my sniffer, and I was the eyes. Well, as good as we looked, and as good as he sniffed…No keys…So, I shall have to do some calling around tomorrow and maybe place an ad. In the paper.



On the drive back home, as I was adjusting the car to shine the lights about, I nearly got stuck…Not once, but twice! One time, I thought I was stuck for good. But…we made it.

Last night, upon trying to park…Same thing. I was just about stuck SEVERAL times. Thank goodness, I was able to pull out of it each time, though, as it’s built up pretty high along the curb. Another gal wasn’t so lucky, however. As I was on my way home pretty late tonight, a car was nosed right into somewhat of a bank along side the road. She had apparently turned the corner, slid on the ice, and just kept on going!



Funny thing is...My car looked a bit worse than this one just two nights ago (see previous post)!

Luckily, I wasn’t far from home, so I told her that I would run and get my son and we would be right back. As we returned, another guy had come across the street, and with some shoveling, kicking, and pushing we got her out. It always feels so good to help someone, don’t you think? It was a small thing, really, but it still feels so good. That is one of the main reasons that we are here on Earth for…To help others along.



So…Back home it was…Watched DS's kata…His performance never ceases to amaze me…and then I did a head stand. Yes, a headstand. Why, I let him talk me into it…I don’t know. He kept persisting…”Why do you want me to do a headstand?” I asked him. “Because, I want to see you do a headstand.” “You don’t need to see me,” I replied. “Anyway, it makes me feel yucky now—the loss of equilibrium—it didn’t use to.” “Just for 3 seconds,” he pleaded.

Before this, as his feet were in the air and almost to the ceiling, I had told him that I used to time myself to see how long I could stand on my head. So, of course, he used that on me…”I’ll bet you used to stay up for 3 minutes or longer, didn’t you?” “Oh, yeah; a lot longer than that” I gloated. Well, this will be just for 3 seconds!” All RIGHT…(I caved)…

“I’ll hold your feet”, he offered. “Move out of the way! I don’t need my feet held! What do you think I am some old cachectic has-been?!” “Just keep the dog outta my way!” (O.K., I didn’t really say ALL that, and I didn’t really yell—not a yeller, but I felt like it!). I did tell him, however, to keep the dog out of the way.



One…Two…Three…And, up in the air was I! Just like ridin’ a bike, really. My form was as straight and divine as always, pointed toes and everything. And…I didn’t even feel yucky!

The reality of life…THAT is my reality…Family and time together…Usually being silly makes it all the better. ;)

So...Tomorrow is Organized Tuesday! I’m looking forward to all of the organization that I will have!

I have my outfit laid out, my lesson ALMOST (ahem) prepared, and SOME (ahem again) of my papers corrected. So, it’s not starting out TOTALLY perfect, but who likes to be totally perfect anyway?

Oh yeah…I know someone who does. Eeewww…Well, we’ll stop there.

Have a Happy and Organized Tuesday All!

KEEPING THE SABBATH DAY HOLY

Besides my listed goals for the year of being more organized, continuing to improve my health through exercise and nourishment, and to quit whining and just do, I have additional unlisted goals. One of those is to better observe the Sabbath Day.

In Genesis 2:2-3, it says,

“And on the seventh day God ended his work which he made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.”

“And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”

We have gotten so far away from any sanctity in the world. There is much that is irreverent and unholy making it that much more important to take this day that the Lord has sanctified and retreat from the world.



Exodus 20:8-10

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord they God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within they gates:”

Exodus 31:17 especially spoke out to me…Italics are mine…

“It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.”

He said that it was a sign between He and the children of Israel FOREVER…



A current exhortation comes from For the Strength of Youth; Fulfilling Our Duty to God, a booklet put out for the youth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints…

Taking reference from Exodus 20:8…Page 32…

The Lord has given the Sabbath day for your benefit and has commanded you to keep it holy. Observing the Sabbath will bring you closer to the Lord and to your family. it will give you needed rest and rejuvenation.

Many uplifting activities are appropriate for the Sabbath. Worship the Lord, attend church, spend quiet time with your family, study the gospel, write letters, write in your journal, do family history work, and visit the sick or homebound. Your dress before, during, and after church meetings should show respect for the Sabbath.

When seeking a job, share with your potential employer your desire to attend your Sunday meetings and keep the Sabbath day holy. Many employers value employees with these personal convictions. Whenever possible, choose a job that does not require you to work on Sundays.

Sunday is not a holiday or a day for recreation or athletic events. Do not seek entertainment or spend money on this day. Let your friends know what your standards are so they will not try to persuade you to participate in activities that are not appropriate for the Sabbath.

The new year is a refreshing time to try anew…Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy may indeed be my most important goal.

Kitchen Cleaning and SNOW!

Yesterday morning didn’t see my chores done…Those mornings are just the tough ones for me…



Last night, however, saw much production. I got my kitchen cleaning done plus the china hutch cleaned out, china packed and put away up in the attic, and new décor put up. That felt really good, and walking into a clean kitchen today was wonderful.

FRIDAY

Early Morning... (Nothing listed so available spot if needed)

Noon

Walk 30 minutes

Evening

Weekly cleaning of the kitchen:



Open windows top and bottom for free circulation of air, or open kitchen ventilator.

Rinse and stack dishes, pots and pans.

Check and reorganize foods; put away.



Collect all refuse and put in garbage can.

Wipe off top of refrigerator and all work surfaces in need of cleaning.



Brush crumbs from crumb tray of toaster. Clean outside with soap and water.

Wash dishes. Dry and put away, if not room to rinse with hot water and leave to dry.



Wipe off surface of range. Clean spilled food from drip pan or oven.

Dry damp work surfaces.



Dust radiator or register.

Take out garbage; put clean lining in garbage can.



Sweep floor. Gather up dust in pan.

Clean sink. Rinse dishcloth or mop; hang outdoors if possible.

Collect soiled towels; wash. Hang fresh towels.



My two week’s short-term goals were wiped away…certainly not to finished this week! We got so much snow that I couldn’t find the dog messes if I wanted to…



And...Because it snowed...Vacuuming and washing it is out…No, we do not have a usable garage.

I guess there is another form of clean…



Someone thought it would be funny to TOALLY bury my car in snow…The only thing visible is the side mirror on the passenger side...

And they made sure that it was packed down but good!



Have a blessed Sunday!

GIVE IT ANOTHER SHOT!

Yesterday's plan... wasn’t real successful, but I tried, and that’s what counts…

If at first you don't succeed...

Give it another shot!



My mom invited me to dinner for my sister’s birthday…It was a fun girls’ night out…My sister…My niece…And my mom.

When I got home, my daughter came over to visit and show us her martial-arts’ moves…Then, she and my son, who is a high brown belt, sparred a bit. It was fun to watch…Makes a mama proud…

I put Mr. Dog outside while there was activity in the house, and he ended up being out there for quite awhile while the kids played around…

Well, apparently it was too long for him, as he chose to dig a large hole in the flower bed and kick the dirt all over the sidewalk…Needless to say, his paws and nose were very muddy and had to washed and dried…Grrrrrrrrrrr



So, by the time all was said and done, it WAS 11:00 p.m., and I still had my bedroom to clean. Of course I didn’t feel like doing it, and it was pretty late. I didn’t want, however, to not do anything…That just leads to a sense of failure.



So, I just tidied up and then put on some nice clean sheets…

By the day’s end, I had had some time with family, which is the most important thing that there is…And nice fresh clean sheets to crawl into…Ahhhhhh.



As far as my short-term goal of putting the Serengeti room back in order...I decided to postpone. The yard is in horrible shape what with the snow melting and dog messes showing themselves all over the place. So, that is my revised short-term goal for the week, along with cleaning my car.

Today’s plan... met with more success. While I didn’t get my night clothes hung up or...*blush*…my bed made (gramma would have a fit!), I did get my night-time chores done.

THURSDAY

Early Morning (Nothing listed so available spot if needed)

Noon

Walk 30 minutes

Evening

Weekly cleaning of the living room:

Bring in cleaning equipment: hearth broom (if not kept at fireplace), carpet sweeper or vacuum cleaner (according to need), dust mop, cleaning basket.

In season, clean out fireplace, lay fire, sweep hearth.

Dust high objects if necessary: mantels, high shelves, window frames and sills, tops of bookcases, secretary, highboys, etc.

Dust radiator covers if necessary.

Brush upholstery if necessary. Straighten covers. Plump up pillows.

Dust furniture and low objects if necessary. Treat stains or blemishes as they occur.

Dust exposed wood flooring with dust mop if necessary. Use carpet sweeper or vacuum cleaner on rugs or carpets.

Final touches: Straighten draperies, shades, curtains, etc. Take out cleaning equipment and waste basket. Return clean ash trays, accessories, flowers and waste basket. Close windows if desired.

So...All was accomplished, including the lamp shade washed and a little Valentine decorating…

Happy Friday All!