Shana Mosby is the WINNER of my favorite can opener!
Congratulations Shana!
Thanks to all who entered the contest by signing up for my blog posts and sharing my articles.
An Interview with Sarah from China!
Happy Birthday, Sarah! In honor of Sarah’s birthday, I thought it might be nice to ask her a few questions about her experience in China (so far).
Here are the questions and her responses.
What do you miss the most? Family and friends
What do you wish you had taken with you? More towels because all the towels are very small and strange here.
What do you like the best about teaching English in China? The students and how friendly everyone is.
What is the most surprising thing you have discovered about the Chinese people? Chinese people really care about social status. Also, babies poop in the street until they are seven.
What is the most surprising thing you have discovered about yourself on this trip? I am more Chinese than American. haha.
What makes you happy there? My husband and teaching a really good lesson.
What makes you sad? Not having many women to talk to. Also, how discarded some people are from society. Like the street sweepers.
What is your favorite food so far?Jiaozi or pot stickers.
What size are your classes? 20-25 students
What age are your students? 18-21 although I have one business English class with older men.
What do you want to bring home with you?A fan, a Chinese dress, and nunchucks
What do you enjoy the most? We enjoy going out to the track at about 8:30 pm and running with the community and practicing nunchucks, playing Kungfu or TaiChi, and doing acrobats. The community is wonderful here. The nightlife is especially interesting.
What has made you say WOW? Children walking across busy traffic by themselves and masterfully navigating through the cars is pretty amazing. They are much more brave and skilled than I.
If you have questions you would like answers to leave them in the comment box below and I will see what I can do!
If you would like you can send her birthday wishes at sarahnseth@yahoo.com or leave a comment on here as she is able to read this blog.
Also, remember to share one of my blog posts today or sign up to receive notifications when I make a new post. You will be entered into a drawing to take place in TWO days for the BEST CAN OPENER!!!
Tiffany’s Birthday Creations
Tiffany’s Birthday Creations and Pineapple Upside Down Cake
My daughter-in-law Tiffany does make some beautiful creations for special days! She made the Minion cupcake and the pineapple flower cupcakes. Here is the link to how she made the pineapple flowers.
www.kitchn.com/how-to-make-dried-pineapple-flowers-241754
I made the upside down cake tweaked from a recipe Esther sent me for banana upside down cake. She and I discussed it and decided to add some dried coconut, pineapples, and cherries. I was surprised to find out the bananas remained firm. For the cake, I used a recipe from the old Joy of Cooking cookbook I grew up with. I baked the cake in my iron skillet. This cake definitely took me back to my childhood! It tasted just like it did in the 60’s.
Skillet or Upside-Down Cake
Topping:
20 oz. can pineapple slices
Maraschino Cherries (small jar)
1/2 cup coconut ( I used dried unsweetened)
1 firm banana
1 stick butter +
1 cup brown sugar
Cake:
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring
1 Tablespoon melted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
Instructions:
In a 9 or 10-inch skillet melt 1/2 cup butter, add 1 cup of packed brown sugar and cook gently until dissolved.
Place the slices of pineapple over the butter mixture. Place a cherry in the middle of each pineapple. Around the edge of the cake put a small slice of banana in between the pineapple and in the middle. Sprinkle it all with the coconut. Set aside and mix the cake in a separate bowl. Beat the eggs, sugar, melted 1 Tablespoon butter, and the vanilla flavoring. Add the flour on top of that and then gently stir the baking powder into the flour and then mixed it gently until smooth. Pour the cake mixture on top and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and reverse the cake onto the serving plate. Let the skillet remain on top briefly for the brown sugar mixture to coat the cake. Remove the pan and serve.
One of the very positive things about Pineapple Upside Down Cake is that it is very quick to make. I made this because Esther requested it and it was good. However, I prefer the regular cake with the pineapples and cherries!
Interviews with Ember and Esther
Ember (7) and Esther (14) have had birthdays in the last few days. I wanted to share their answers to a few questions I asked.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Esther -Midwife
Ember – Policewoman
What is your favorite thing to study?
Esther – Biology
Ember- Math
What is your favorite book?
Esther – Ten Kids and No Pets
Ember – Corduroy
What is your favorite color?
Esther – Dark Royal Blue
Ember – Teal
What is your favorite food?
Esther – Shrimp
Ember – Masala Chicken
What is your favorite dessert?
Esther – Coconut gelato
Ember – Ice Cream (Cherry)
What is your favorite game to play?
Esther – Catan
Ember – Solitaire
What do you want when you feel bad?
Esther – Give me a hug
Ember – Leave me alone
What is your favorite pet?
Esther – I would more likely want a cat than a dog.
Ember – Cat
What is your favorite thing to do with the family?
Esther – When we are all together like on holidays – games and singing and stuff. When it is just the girls – funny movies or tell funny stories
Ember – Go to the YMCA
What kind of clothes do you like best?
Esther – Classy
Ember – Shorts and T-shirts
What makes you sad?
Esther – People that are hard to help. Like if they are sick or in a bad situation.
Ember – Sad movies
What makes you happy?
Esther – When I get answers to something I didn’t know. Or when I know what to do in a situation that I didn’t know what to do before.
Ember – Birthday Parties
If you could go anywhere – Where would it be?
Esther – New York City, Africa, Switzerland, Paris, France, Egypt, Jerusalem, Middle of the Ocean and Greece, +
Ember – Eiffel Tower
REMEMBER TO SIGN UP FOR BLOG UPDATES OR SHARE ONE OF MY BLOG POSTS TO BE ENTERED INTO THE CONTEST! DRAWING MAY 17TH.
I Have the BEST Can Opener! Contest too!
For years I thought that someone needed to invent a better can opener. I have endured a lot of frustrations with can openers. Can openers that have all kinds of issues from partially opening the cans to leaving chewed up pieces of metal in my food. There is also the issue of what it does to my hands and wrists. I have tried can openers that operate from the top of the can and leave no sharp edges to can openers that remove the lid for you. I was still not satisfied.
Did I need a heavy duty can opener or higher quality? So I bought a more expensive one. Did I clean it properly? I researched how to clean a can opener. Did you know you are really NOT supposed to wash can openers according to some sources? Others suggest soaking the can opener in vinegar water all night. For a while, I thought maybe it was my fault that I have so much trouble with can openers! I have been UNHAPPY with can openers.
I suggested to my kids that they invent a better can opener. They’ve invented a lot of things through the years so why not a can opener? I told them they could make a lot of money if they invented one that worked! So far they have not taken me up on the offer.
I have come to realize that I am not the only one in the world who has frustrations with can openers. Recently an acquaintance brought up the subject on Facebook. He too has a large family and he has gone through numerous can openers in his quest. The problem has become frustrating and expensive. He asked for recommendations. There were a lot of responses to his problem with can openers and many sympathizers.
Several years ago I walked into a restaurant supply store in Olympia, Washington and saw a new style can opener. I wasn’t shopping for can openers but I decided to give this one a try. It looked different than the others I had tried, in that it had a longer arm. I found out that it is easier on the wrist too. I love it and I have shared it with others who also love it! I have been using it successfully for several years now and it is still going strong. This is a record for me! I recently found it again online and ordered some for gifts and to share with my family and friends.
So drum rolls, please…….. My all time favorite can opener is the Swing-A-Way Easy Crank Can Opener. And this month I am going to give one away. Everyone who shares this blog post or signs up on my blog to receive updates will get an entry into the contest. If you choose to do both you will receive two entries! I will run this contest for 14 days since my Esther is 14 today! Have fun!
Easy Red Chicken Curry with Vegetables
I have really been craving curry. I really wanted to run out to the store and get all my favorites to make it. That is not usually the most economical way for me to cook or shop! My Esther challenged me to make it with what I had at home! I searched through my cabinet, fridge, and freezer and this is what I came up with. I must say that I have a new found love for coconut milk and I’ve been looking for yummy reasons to use it. My husband is gluten-free so this is something he too can eat. So using what I had on hand this is the recipe I created. It was so easy and yummy that I will definitely do this again. This could easily be a great way to experiment and use up leftovers from your fridge and create something totally new.
Easy Red Chicken Curry with Vegetables
3 cooked and chopped chicken breast
1 bag of frozen cauliflower, broccoli, carrot blend (steam in bag) steamed for 4 minutes
1 red onion chopped
3 cloves of garlic
1/2 cup chopped colorful bell peppers
1 can of coconut milk (13.6 oz.) or more if you like
Red curry paste 2-3 Tablespoons
1 Tablespoon of chopped jalapenos
Cilantro – Chop a few sprigs and sprinkle on top or stir in
In a skillet saute the onions, garlic, and peppers in a bit of olive oil. Add your veggies and chopped chicken. In a small pan heat, your coconut milk with the curry paste added to it. After it is heated pour the coconut milk mixture over the chicken veggie mixture. Heat through. Serve hot in bowls!
Now I’m challenging you to create something from what you have on hand! Share with me what you create!
Take Your Children to the Grocery Store
Many people go to great lengths to avoid taking their children to the grocery store. You may think I have lost my mind when I say that I think you SHOULD take your children to the grocery store and that I think you should start while they are very young. This doesn’t mean I think you should never shop alone but I feel I have some very good reasons for you to take them.
First, let me deal with your objections.
You do not know how my children behave. Your children really are not that different than most other kids. I have taken many children to the grocery store. I have witnessed many children in the grocery store. I have worked in a grocery store and seen the daily behavior of parents and children. I have seen children it would be a joy to shop with and children that would be every parent’s nightmare to take shopping. So I have witnessed many behaviors. So I probably have a little bit of an idea.
I spend more money when I take my children. Maybe you do. Is that really your children’s fault? Are you reinforcing bad behaviors? Are you in charge of this mission or are they? Do they control your behavior?
It takes me more time to shop when I take my children. This may very well be true at the beginning. It doesn’t have to always be this way though. Soon it will save you more time, money, and make your life a whole lot easier. Soon you may have teenagers who can take your shopping list and shop for you because they will know how! It is worth the sacrifice! Learn to enjoy this time with your children!
Maybe you have a choice to take your children or not. I didn’t have a choice for many years. My husband worked long days. It wasn’t easy. There were times my children filled the cart and it didn’t leave me much room to add the food! Or I would get stopped so often by curious people to tell me how cute my children were, or to ask, “are they all yours?” It isn’t easy but teaching them to help and to obey makes it a whole lot easier. Soon though I had built in babysitters which will happen eventually to all moms who have 11 children. I actually had a choice. I quit taking my younger children to the store with me. One day I realized they really had not been trained to behave properly in the grocery store or taught how to do smart shopping. I had to change my behavior! Sometimes I would take just one and enjoy some one on one time with them. Other times I would take them all! By this time each one could take a part of the list and go and get the needed items. We needed at least two shopping carts anyway!
I would like to share some of my thoughts about taking your children to the grocery store.
Training
The grocery store is a great training ground. If you have previously had bad experiences in taking your children to the grocery store then plan more time for this shopping trip and maybe the next few trips. You are going to invest in the future of your children and in your own future. Before you go into the grocery store get your shopping list ready (If your children are usually really out of control then take a short list!).
Before you go in the store tell your children what behavior you expect. Do you know what you expect? If not think about it. I expect my children to listen to me, to walk beside me or ride in the cart if they are younger. I expect them to help if possible. They can help by reading the list or getting three cans of tomatoes. Most children like to help. I do not allow them to ask for things unless I ask their opinion about which item we should buy. I do not allow them to run. I do not allow them to scream or raise their voices. I do not allow them to demand anything! They may ask questions and carry on a conversation. If you’ve had bad experiences you may feel a little apprehension but act with complete confidence. Do not threaten your children. Do not tell them some great and wonderful thing you will do for them IF they behave. Do not take toys or electronics to entertain your children. They will listen and behave better if you leave those behind.
If your list is on your phone use it for that. On this occasion, however, do not answer calls or texts while you are shopping. Give your focus to your mission and your children. Many times if we are on the phone we get so distracted that we forget what we have come for and take a lot longer to shop or we let our children get totally out of control. So turn off your ringer and interact with your children.
If your children grumble and complain while you are shopping or doing errands ask them to stop. If they continue to complain, scream, or in some way act up you may have to remove them from the store and discipline them in the car or take them home if necessary. Or come up with a strategy to enforce at the appropriate time depending on how badly this is going. You must win this battle. Perhaps there is a favorite toy they will want to play with later or a favorite game or movie or a friend they want to visit. Something they DO care about, maybe more than obeying you at the moment. When the subject comes up or they run asking if they can play, visit, watch that movie, etc. tell them NO. Let them know this is because of their behavior and stick with your decision. Do not give in to the temptation to reward them for promising to behave next time. You probably have an idea of what discipline will work best. Whether it is spanking, taking away privileges, or giving chores, etc. If you do not know what will work best then watch your child and think about what will work best.
You have a very important lesson to teach perhaps one of the most important in their young childhood. They must learn to obey! If they do not obey, there are consequences. I was told by a very wise lady to “take great pains with your children while they are young and you won’t have much trouble when they are older.” I believe most children will need spanking at some point in their early years. They do not understand reasoning when they are very young. You cannot explain and reason well enough to keep a two-year-old from running in the parking lot or running in front of moving cars. Physical pain is the best teacher in some circumstances. They need to learn early to obey and that there are consequences when we do not obey. There will always be rules and there are reasons for those rules. Plan to stick with your mission. Your mission is to train your children to obey you in the grocery store and anywhere else you take them and get your grocery shopping done.
Education
Not only will this be behavior training but it will teach your children life skills. Grocery shopping is a very basic skill. Most of us eat at least 3 meals a day. Teach your children the cost of food, the value of food and how to select food. You can also use it for math lessons. You can let your children weigh the vegetables and calculate the cost. Your children will be surprised at the cost of food. Teach your children how to compare shop. What is cheapest by the package? What is cheapest by the ounce? This will save your children money down the road. Teach them how to read labels and why to read labels. This will teach them nutrition. There are so many things they can learn in the grocery store.
Other Benefits
You meet all kinds of people in the grocery store. Older, younger, rich, poor, etc. Kids find people interesting. And people especially older people enjoy seeing children out doing everyday things. Being enjoyed by others is esteem boosting. Learning to obey your parents and behave will also have inner rewards for your children. Once they learn to behave they may be appalled at the behavior of other children. It is humiliating for the parents and the children and others who witness misbehaving children. Young children will feel secure knowing they are not in charge.
A trip to the grocery store can open a world of opportunities. Your children will help you and learn to help others.
I would love to hear your comments.
Low Carb Gluten-free Birthday Cake
This last week my husband Lawrence celebrated a birthday! (If you are curious, scroll to the bottom to see his AMAZING gift!) He is gluten-free and low-carb. This creates a situation when it comes to birthdays. I’ve gotten pretty good at making gluten-free biscuits, scone, and cornbread. Throw in the low carb thing and it really makes it hard! So I searched online for recipes and after looking through several I found this one on www.wholesomeyum.com. As usual, I took this recipe and adapted it a bit. I did not change much. Mainly I added coconut on top of the cream cheese frosting between the layers and on top. I also put the pecans on the side instead of on top.
Gluten-free, sugar-free, low carb, keto cake!
Cake:
1 cup erythritol
1 cup granulated erythritol (Swerve)
3/4 cup butter (softened)
8 large eggs
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
3 cups almond flour
1/2 cup coconut flour
1 1/2 Tablespoons of gluten-free baking powder
Cream Cheese Frosting:
32 oz. cream cheese (softened)
1/3 cup butter (softened)
2/3 powdered erythritol (Swerve)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
*approximately 1 cup of pecan pieces
*1 small bag of unsweetened coconut (used about 4 oz.)
To make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line the bottom of a 9″ round pan with parchment paper. (She recommended a springform pan) I used my regular cake pans with the parchment)
Beat together the erythritol and butter until fluffy and beat in one egg at a time. Then add the almond milk and vanilla extract. Beat in the almond flour, coconut flour, and powder. Divide the dough into three parts. Bake each layer for 18-22 minutes until it is lightly golden and springy. Repeat until all layers are cooked.
While your cake is baking make your frosting. Beat together the cream cheese, butter, powdered erythritol and vanilla until smooth.
Cool the layers before stacking. Spread the first layer with the frosting and sprinkle with coconut. Stack the second layer and repeat and then the third layer. Now frost the rest of the cake and press the pecans on the side of the cake.
We are going on a hot air balloon ride for his birthday! Thanks to our crazy children.
http://www.tnballoon.com/
18 Midwives and Potato Bread
What do 18 midwives and potato bread have in common? Stay with me now.
Through my childbearing years, I had at least 18 midwives. There are many reasons I chose to have my children with midwives. The main one is that I believe childbirth is a natural process and not an illness. I appreciate the respect that midwives bring to their profession as well as to their patients.
There is no way that I could have had any better care. My midwives gave me personal and professional care. I have had Certified Nurse Midwives, Licensed Midwives, and Professional Midwives (some call lay midwives). My husband also delivered 4 of our children.
Three of our children were born in freestanding birth centers, seven at home, and one in the hospital. My children have weighed from 8 lbs. 5oz to 10 lbs. 4 oz. My children were born in West Virginia, Oregon, Washington, and Oklahoma. So there you have the stats! I have been blessed tremendously to have 11 healthy children. I praise God for the blessing of being called mom!
Seattle Home Maternity
So what do midwifery and food have in common? More than you think! Midwives encourage good nutrition but that is not the connection. In 1986 I had two wonderful midwives in Seattle, Washington, Suzy, and Marge, founders of Seattle Midwifery School and Seattle Home Maternity. They were so warm and welcoming when I came for my appointments.
On at least one occasion, they fixed me a cup of hot tea and gave a slice of onion potato bread. This was such a hospitable and lovely thing that it has long stayed in my memory even though it was 30 years ago. After trying for years to recreate that bread and I finally have something I think resembles that wonderful bread. Below I want to share that recipe with you.
Using my Charlie starter found here: http://www.redaredding.com/making-sourdough-starter/
Potato Onion Herb Bread
Charlie starter 1 cup
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup of vegetable oil
1 ½ teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups of warm water
6 cups of flour 2 whole wheat, 4 all-purpose unbleached
1 cup potato flakes
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 thyme powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 cup of finely chopped onions
Mix the first 5 ingredients in a large bowl and as you start to add the flour mix in the herbs and seasonings. Add the chopped onions last. On a floured surface knead your dough a bit until it is not sticky and it feels springy. Shape into two loaves. I like round ones even though they do not rise high. Let them rise on an oiled baking sheet or loaf pan, oil the tops of the dough.
The rising will take several hours. Possibly 3-4+ hours it can vary. Your dough will not completely double. You might want to let it rise in your oven or on your stovetop free from drafts. I leave mine uncovered. Bake 350° for 30-35 minutes and test for doneness. I will be honest I have baked for so long I can smell when most things are about done. I still set the timer and check on it after about 30 minutes. You can also use the thermometer. When your bread is done it will be golden brown and reach 190° in the center. Thumping it will produce a sort of hollow sound. This makes two round loaves.
This bread takes a while but it is so worth waiting for!
Thanks for reading my story!
Onion cubes
We were getting some veggies prepped for the next few days since we eat a lot of veggies. This is just a hint to have chopped onions, recipe ready. I have bought the frozen prechopped onions and peppers when I was in a hurry but they are a bit pricey. I chopped up one onion today and put a little water in the bottom of an ice cube tray and then filled each section with chopped onions. I froze them and then placed them in a storage bag. I can now take out one or two cubes or however many are needed for soups, stir fry, chili, etc. Let me know what you think!