Ouch!

After going to the chiropractor the last 2 days I am now sitting in the lobby at Med Express. My parents are going away for the weekend and I want to give them some piece of mind. My chiro thinks my intense back pain could be from my right kidney so we're just checking here. Oh, my turn gotta go

Jodi

Words

Since my cutie pie here isn't talking much at 20 months I decided to put together a list of the words he does say to get some perspective. I also need to remember none of them talked much then they jumped into complete sentences.
He says-
Mama- this is a new one...finally
Dada
Poop- and pats his diaper
Cooka- for cookie and most foods
Doggy
Ouch-as he scratches or pinches
Shoe
Woah
Tea-for drinks
Bubble
Cues-for Blues Clues
He dances whenever he hears something that resembles a beat so I know he can hear fine He's just not forming his words so good yet and that wouldn't bother me such but it os infuriating him. Poor Lil guy.

No Poo video

I'm going no poo... Shampoo that is

I have thin oily hair that holds no style so I'm giving this a try plus it's really cheap and healthy.  I didn't do the exact method below I mixed my water and baking soda in an empty Biokleen dishwashing liquid container.  I did 1 tablespoon per 1 cup water.  I saw that  on another blog and I will try to send a link to it later.  I'll let ya know how it goes 

Basics on the no poo method from naturemoms.com

How to No 'Poo

Dissolve about 1 tablespoon of baking soda in just enough water to make a paste. Apply this to your roots only; work it in and let it sit for a minute. 

In order to stimulate blood flow, clean your pores and get off built up grime, use your finger tips to scrub your scalp. Start by making a circle on the top of your head in the area you'd wear a crown. Focus on the back of this circle to begin with. Next, fill in the circle. This is where your part will be; grease here affects the way your hair looks. Trace while still scrubbing with your fingertips around the bottom edge of the circle. Keep making scrubbing circles underneath each one, drawing lines in circles around your head.

Lastly, scrub the back of your skull and your temples/sideburns. This will result in less grease and more growth. After doing this, your scalp will feel alive. Many women swear their hair grows faster after a visit to the salon — it does, and this massage method is why. 

When scrubbing, you're actually rubbing your fingers back and forth in short movements. Be gentle; you don't want to break your hair. Next, pour about 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into a cup and add water. (I keep two plastic 12-ounce cups in my shower and just mix when I get in.) After you rinse the baking soda out, pour the apple cider vinegar over the ends of your hair, let it sit for a minute and then rinse it out. That's all there is to it!

No 'Poo Troubleshooting

Remember, there is a transition period from two weeks to two months depending on the person. Here are a few tips:

• If your hair becomes frizzy, try using less baking soda or leaving it on for a shorter period of time. Adding honey may also help. 
• If your hair becomes greasy, try using less apple cider vinegar, switching to lemon or lime juice, leaving out the honey, and/or using a comb instead of a brush. Also, make sure you're applying the apple cider vinegar just to the ends of your hair. 
• If your scalp itches, try the following essential oils; tea tree, lavender, rosemary. If your hair becomes dry, try a tiny bit of oil (any oil, I use olive) smoothed on bottom of hair.

Ready to make the change? Sure! Don't be afraid to go no 'poo. You know how to do it! Enjoy the journey – you're on your way to a healthier you!

 

Today's readings

The Scripture Readings

Romans 8:2-13
Matthew 10:16-22

Troparion

Holy Hieromartyr & Wonderworker Tychon of Amathus, Troparion, in Tone I —
A desert dweller, an angel in the flesh,/ and a wonderworker wast thou shown to be,/ O our God-bearing father Tychon,/ for having acquired heavenly gifts through fasting, vigilance, and prayer,/ thou dost heal the infirm,/ and the souls of those who have recourse to thee with faith./ Glory to Him Who hath given thee strength!/ Glory to Him Who hath crowned thee!// Glory to Him Who worketh healings for all through thee!

Kontakion, Tone III, "Today the virgin..." —
Persevering in the struggle of the love of God, O holy one,/ from on high thou didst receive the power of the Comforter/ to cast down the idols of falsehood,/ to save men, to cast out demons and to heal sickness.// Wherefore, we honor thee as a friend of God, O blessed Tychon.

Jodi

Blessed Mother .....

Has a new home with us. We found her in someones trash.

First Zucchini

Blueberries and Strawberries

First Tomato

Cuties!

The Kursk Znamenie (Sign) Icon of the Mother of God

Commemorated on on the 9th Friday of Pascha, September 8, November 27, March 8

      The Kursk Znamenie (Sign) Icon of the Mother of God – is one of the most ancient icons of the Russian Church. In the XIII Century during the time of the Tatar invasion, when all the Russian realm was put to the extremest tribulation, the city of Kursk, ravaged by the Horde of Batu, fell into desolation. One day in the environs of the city an hunter noticed the ancient icon, lying on a root face downwards to the ground. The hunter lifted it and saw that the image of the icon was similar to the Novgorod "Znamenie" Icon. With the appearance of this icon immediately there appeared its first miracle. Just as the hunter lifted up the holy icon from the earth, right then, at that place where the icon lay, gushed up strongly a spring of pure water. This occurred on 8 September 1259. The hunter decided not to leave the icon in the forest and settled on as a resting place an ancient small chapel, in which he put the newly-appeared image of the Mother of God. Soon inhabitants of the city of Ryl'a heard about this, and being in location not far away, they began to visit the place of the appearance for venerating the new holy image.

      They transferred the icon to Ryl'a and put it in a new church in honour of the Nativity of the MostHoly Mother of God. But the icon did not long remain there. It disappeared and returned to its former place of appearance. The inhabitants of Ryl'a repeatedly took it and carried it to the city, but the icon incomprehensibly returned to its former place. Everyone then realised, that the Mother of God preferred the place of appearance of Her Image. The especial help granted by the Mother of God through this icon is bound up with important events in Russian history: with the war of liberation of the Russian nation during the time of the Polish-Lithuanian incursion in 1612, and the 1812 Fatherland war. From the icon several copies were made, which also were glorified.

© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.

Playing before surgery

Me and the girls waiting for the show to start

The girls at the concert

We has an awesome time at the Taylor Swift concert. I'm so happy I got to experience my girls First concert with them and our best friends since they were just tiny little girls. They are all growing up to be beautiful young ladies. We love you Ruffings!

Upon the "Seven-Arrow" ("Semistrel'na") Icon of the Mother of God

      Upon the "Seven-Arrow" ("Semistrel'na") Icon of the Mother of God is depicted a piercing by seven arrows. For a long time the icon was situated at the bell-tower stairway entrance of a church in honour of the Apostle John the Theologian (near Vologda). Turned face downwards, they mistook the icon for an ordinary board along which they walked, until a cripple in the city of Kadnikova had a vision; that he would receive healing after a prayer before this icon. They served a molieben before the discovered icon, after which the sick one became well. The icon was especially glorified in 1830 during the time of a cholera epidemic at Vologda.

 

© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.

The Igorevsk Icon of the Mother of God

Commemorated on June 5

      The Igorevsk Icon of the Mother of God, in front of which was praying, during the last moments of his life, the holy Passion-Bearer GreatPrince of Kiev Igor Ol'govich (+ 19 September 1147), was situated in the chapel of Saint John the Theologian in the Uspensk-Dormition cathedral of the Kievo-Pechersk Lavra. This icon was of old Greek origin, and had an inscription that it belonged to Saint Igor.

We're at the Taylor Swift concert!

Today's readings

The Scripture Readings

Romans 1:18-27
Matthew 5:20-26

The readings for the last two days have been pretty tough.   Very strong worded about how to behave and what is acceptable behavior.   I know a lot of people don't want to hear the part about divorce.  I have been praying for my children and their future spouses since they were conceived.   For our future grandchildren too!

My big guy off to camp

So Cute

I miss you!

I miss my girl. She's at camp for the first time. I hope she's having a really good time cause I really miss her. A lot!

Today's Lunch

It was really yummy.
Homemade sauce and grassfeed meatballs with steamed organic broccoli for me instead of noodles. I think I actually liked it better than with noodles. I didnt feel bloated after eating. I did use alittle breadcrumbs in the meatballs but only like a scant 1/4 cup to 1lb of beef.

Today's Readings

John 20:19-23 (Matins Gospel)
Acts 2:1-11
John 7:37-52; 8:12

Make sure to read about the Pentecost Icon in the previous post....

Pentecost

Pentecost Icon Explanation. King Cosmos Day of the Holy Spirit

 

 

The icon of Pentecost teaches us much more than the fact that the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles in tongues of fire. 

Archpriest David Moser[1] explains:

 

"This icon not only visually tells the story of the descent of the Holy Spirit in tongues of flame upon the apostles, but it also teaches us the greater meaning of this event in God's provision for the salvation of the world. See how the circle of the Apostles is not closed but is open both at the top toward heaven – from which they receive the Holy Spirit – and also at the bottom where we see a crowned figure holding a cloth filled with many blank scrolls.^[2]"

 

Priest Josiah^[3] explains this crowned figure:

 

"The salvation of the world as rooted in Pentecost is shown on the Pentecost icon by the "King" at the bottom of the icon beneath the apostles.  This King is not a historical one.  He is "King Cosmos^[4]"- He is the world, which the anointed disciples are about to harvest. "

 

Fr David further explains the meaning of the scrolls "King Cosmos" holds:

 

"In this we see that the Holy Spirit descended first upon the Apostles for they had been prepared by our Lord Jesus Christ to receive this divine indwelling. But the outpouring of the Holy Spirit does not stop there for the crowned man at the bottom and in the center of the Apostles represents all the kingdoms and nations of the earth. Having received the Holy Spirit, the Apostles began to speak and preach the Gospel in a multitude of tongues which were the languages of the nations of the earth. Shortly after this the Apostles divided up the whole of the known world between themselves and began to preach the Gospel to all nations. The scrolls represent the various nations, each of which would be taken up by one or the other of the Apostles. There he would go to proclaim the Resurrection and the defeat of sin, death and the devil and the freedom of all men from their captivity."

I Love Sauerkraut!

Sauerkraut Recipes

By Nathan Poell

Simple Sauerkraut

2 large heads of cabbage (about 5 pounds)
2 to 3 tbsp noniodized salt

Grate 1 cabbage and place in a crock or plastic bucket. Sprinkle half the salt over the cabbage. Grate the second cabbage, then add it to the crock along with the rest of the salt. Crush the mixture with your hands until liquid comes out of the cabbage freely. Place a plate on top of the cabbage, then a weight on top of the plate. Cover the container and check after 2 days. Scoop the scum off the top, repack and check every 3 days. After 2 weeks, sample the kraut to see if it tastes ready to eat. The flavor will continue to mature for the next several weeks. Canning or refrigerating the sauerkraut will extend its shelf life. Yields about 2 quarts.

From Mother Earth News

When I get my next gallon of raw milk I'm going to use some of the whey in it to help the process along.

Weston Price Breakfast Ideas

SIDEBAR: CREATIVE BREAKFAST IDEAS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY COCONUT GRANOLA 4-5 tablespoons soft butter or coconut oil  4-5 tablespoons honey  3 cups large coconut flakes  1 cup halved crispy cashews  1 cup chopped or ground crispy almonds  1 to 2 cups halved crispy pecans or crispy walnuts Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Mix butter or coconut oil, honey and coconut flakes together in large bowl. Add crispy nuts and stir together until well coated. Spread evenly on cookie sheet in one layer. Bake in oven for approximately 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Beware of overcooking! When the granola is a golden brown, pull out and allow it to cool completely, which is when it will get crispy. Good snack or on yogurt or fruit. This is a variation of a recipe created by Deb Millard. (Note: SeeNourishing Traditions on how to make crispy nuts.) STRAWBERRY BREAKFAST ICE CREAM 1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries  1 cup thick yogurt or ricotta cheese  1 tablespoon honey  1 avocado  2 tablespoons strawberry fruit spread (optional) Blend all together in a food processor or blender and serve immediately. BREAKFAST BARS 1 1/4 cup almond flour (soaked, dehydrated nuts ground to a flour)  1/4 teaspoon sea salt  1/4 teaspoon baking soda  1/4 cup coconut oil  1/4 cup maple syrup (organic, grade B)  1/8 cup filtered water *  1 teaspoon vanilla extract  1/2 cup shredded coconut  1/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries  2 1/4 cups any combination of pumpkin seeds, chopped almonds or walnuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flax seeds, etc. (soaked and dehydrated first) In a large bowl, combine almond flour, salt and baking soda. Add coconut oil, maple syrup, water, and vanilla. Stir dry ingredients into wet. Mix in shredded coconut, seeds, and dried fruit. Grease an 8x8 baking dish with coconut oil. Press the dough into the baking dish, wetting your hands with water to help pat the dough down evenly. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Cut and serve. Cool before cutting; these bars are crumbly. Very tasty topped with a dollop of yogurt or crème fraîche. *Option: For another variation of grain-free granola, leave out the water and prepare as usual. Once the bars have cooled, break into small pieces and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes, or until crisp and golden. Recipe created by Anne Fischer Silva, Clinical Nutritionist. Meffins Makes about 1 dozen 1 pound ground pastured pork (other ground meats work too)  12 pastured eggs, beaten Salt and pepper to taste  about 1 cup cheese, shredded or crumbled  1 cup cottage cheese  1 cup chopped veggies of choice (onion, garlic, peppers, carrots, green onions, are all good)  Herbs and spices of choice (sage, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, onion, powder, chili powder, etc.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 12 muffin cups. Brown sausage in skillet on medium heat and transfer to bowl. Use the leftover grease to sauté chopped veggies (adding extra fat if necessary; butter, ghee, coconut oil, lard or tallow). In a large bowl, beat eggs then add sausage, cottage cheese, sautéed veggies, onion, garlic powder, salt, pepper and other herbs or spices of your choosing. Spoon approximately 1/4 cup of egg/sausage/veggie mixture into each muffin cup, sprinkle with cheese and cook between 15 to 20 minutes, until egg has set.

This is Beautiful

John 16:21-22

A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.
22	Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.

Marlee and the cow

Breakfast at Chick-fil-A

Lil Raw Cookies

My candied walnuts from yesterday got a bit tacky since I forgot to put the lid on them lastnight and it's so darn humid so i decided to try and turn them in to raw cookies. They used to sell A brand at Wholefoods that I loved but as with most things I really like they were discontinued.
These turned out pretty good for a first experiment. I just dumped some of the walnuts, organic creamy peanutbutter, chopped dates and organic shredded coconut into the food processor and pulsed it then rolled it into balls and rolled them in more coconut. It's amazing bow good REAL food can taste. Going wheat and gluten free is going good so far. The only to time it really hurt is when I made cheesecake pancakes for the fam lastnight and couldn't have any. I'm gonna have to try them with the gluten free mix.

Bananas Foster Over Ice Cream

This came out good but too sweet for me! Next time I will use less sugar for sure!

Todays reading

The Scripture Readings

Acts 21:8-14
John 14:27-15:7

Troparion

St. Symeon of the Wondrous Mountain, Troparion, in Tone I —
A desert dweller, an angel in the flesh,/ and a wonderworker wast thou shown to be,/ O our God-bearing father Symeon,/for having acquired heavenly gifts through fasting, vigilance, and prayer,/ thou dost heal the infirm,/ and the souls of those who have recourse to thee with faith./ Glory to Him Who hath given thee strength!/ Glory to Him Who hath crowned thee!// Glory to Him Who worketh healings for all through thee!

Review- Granola

Trader Joes.
Just the Clusters
Maple Pecan
This is good stuff
My daughters like it cause it actually has clusters and pecans.
Most say they have nuts but if you dump out the whole bag you might count 8-10 pecans but not this one. We like that a lot!

This smells so good

Today's breakfast

This was yummy!
Fried potatoes topped with
Wilted spinach from the garden
Trader Joes three cheese blend
Wellshire Farms bacon bits
And an organic egg yolk

Bananas Foster

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup banana liqueur
• 4 bananas, cut in half lengthwise, then halved
• 1/4 cup dark rum
• 4 scoops vanilla ice cream

Directions:

• Combine the butter, sugar, and cinnamon in a flambé pan or skillet.
• Place the pan over low heat either on an alcohol burner or on top of the stove, and cook, stirring, until the sugar dissolves.
• Stir in the banana liqueur, then place the bananas in the pan.
• When the banana sections soften and begin to brown, carefully add the rum.
• Continue to cook the sauce until the rum is hot, then tip the pan slightly to ignite the rum.
• When the flames subside, lift the bananas out of the pan and place four pieces over each portion of ice cream.
• Generously spoon warm sauce over the top of the ice cream and serve immediately.

I hope to make this today minus the banana liquor.   I'm going to try and go gluten free this week and see how I feel.   I'm gonna to have this with candied walnuts on top for a crunch.  

Recipe from-

neworleansrestaurants.com

Today's readings

The Scripture Readings

Acts 20:7-12
John 14:10-21

The Holy Emperor Constantine (306-337)

Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God

Jodi

Daily Readings

Ascension 

The Scripture Readings

Mark 16:9-20
Acts 1:1-12
Luke 24:36-53

Troparion

Ascension of the Lord, Troparion, Tone IV —
Thou didst ascend into glory, O Christ our God, having gladdened Thy disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit. And this blessing convinced them that Thou art the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world.

Kontakion, Tone VI —
Having accomplished for us Thy mission and united things on earth with things in heaven, Thou didst ascend into glory, O Christ our God, being nowhere separated from those who love Thee, but remaining everpresent with us and calling: I am with you and no one is against you.

Quick run up to Kooser State Park

Today's readings

The Scripture Readings

Matthew 11:27-30 Matins Gospel
Acts 18:22-28
John 12:36-47
Galatians 5:22-6:2 St. Demetrius Donskoy
Luke 6:17-23 St. Demetrius 

The finished product

Oh how I wish I could cut into this baby. This is torture!

Berry Cobbler

Have you ever wondered what you use self-rising flour for? I always did. Now I know. It's for this absolutely wonderful berry cobbler. I'm not joking it melts in your mouth.
Again thank you Pioneer Woman for expanding my picky eaters horizons with you witty and wonderful cookbook
My children are sad that this on is for my husband to take into work for breakfast for his team tomorrow. We downed 2 of these babies this weekend!
Here is her recipe.

Homemade Gyros

You have no idea how good these were.

Marinated lamb
Lettuce
Tomato
Naan bread from Trader Joes
And homemade Cucumber sauce
Oh my!

Cucumber sauce-
Cup of sour cream
1/3rd graded cucumber
Dill, salt, garlic, parsley to taste

A little swim break

Mason on the turtle

Marinated Leg of Lamb and Peppers

Oh it's been a busy day in the kitchen!

Stuffed Pepper Poppers

This if our own variation....I will try to add recipe soon.
Here is her version.  For ours I just used mini sweet peppers and baked them.  We all loved them with the sweet peppers, the jal. peppers, not so much.  I also used Sweet Baby Rays Honey BBQ sauce.  Much more kid friendly.

Prune Cake

Madison and I made The Pioneer Womans Prune Cake.....yummy.