So it's been decided to send Zora to the Minnesota Virtual Academy. That is an online school for grades K-12. I'm sure it going to be an unique and valuable experience I hope to be able to share with anyone interested in hearing about our progress. It is sure to be a learning experience for me as well as for the kids.
It nice to know that she is all enrolled and set to go once fall comes around.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Bug Repellent
In all my herbal research I've found a few plants/flowers that are supposed to be good at repelling bugs. So I have decided to do some home experimenting and try to make my own bug repellent. I hope to find something that doesn't smell bad and is good at keeping away those pesky mosquitos. I also am going to attempt to make some candles with something other than citronella in them to keep away the bugs. There is about a few essential oil proported to be insect repellers.
We will see how good these are. Hopefully I'll have something figured out by the end of this summer. So the following summers all I have to do is make a new batch and be done with it. If anyone would like to assist in the experiment phase let me know. I am going to need a few testers so that I can be sure it's not just a fluke that something worked.
We will see how good these are. Hopefully I'll have something figured out by the end of this summer. So the following summers all I have to do is make a new batch and be done with it. If anyone would like to assist in the experiment phase let me know. I am going to need a few testers so that I can be sure it's not just a fluke that something worked.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Help in Decluttering
Helpful questions to ask yourself about items:
Have I used this item in the past year?
Has anyone else in my home used it in the past year?
Do I have a definite use for this in the foreseeable future?
If its broken, is it worth fixing?
Does this item serve a worthwhile purpose in my life?
Do I need to keep it for legal or tax purpose?
Is it more important to me to keep this item than to have the space it occupies?
Do I love it?
Does someone in my household love it?
Would it be difficult or expensive to get another one if I/we needed it?
When your house has less items cluttering up your home its easier to clean, organize and to find things when you want them. You might be surprised to find you own multiple of an item because you couldn't find it so you bought a new one.
Have I used this item in the past year?
Has anyone else in my home used it in the past year?
Do I have a definite use for this in the foreseeable future?
If its broken, is it worth fixing?
Does this item serve a worthwhile purpose in my life?
Do I need to keep it for legal or tax purpose?
Is it more important to me to keep this item than to have the space it occupies?
Do I love it?
Does someone in my household love it?
Would it be difficult or expensive to get another one if I/we needed it?
When your house has less items cluttering up your home its easier to clean, organize and to find things when you want them. You might be surprised to find you own multiple of an item because you couldn't find it so you bought a new one.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
White Bean Chicken Chili
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1 small Onion, finely chopped
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 med. Red Bell Pepper, finely chopped
2 cans White Beans, drained & rinsed
4 oz. can diced Green Chilies
1/2 tsp Cumin, ground
1 tsp Chili Powder
2 cups Chicken Broth
3 Chicken Breasts
2 tbsp Lime Juice
1 tbsp Cilantro, crushed
1 tbsp Salsa per serving
Season Chicken Breast with salt & pepper. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Cool slightly then cube.
In a large pot heat the Olive Oil over med heat. Add the Onion, Garlic, & Red Pepper. Saute for 5 minutes. Stir the White Beans, Chilies, Cumin, Chili Powder & Chicken Broth. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat & simmer 10 minutes. Stir in the Chicken & simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in Cilantro wait 1 minute then stir in Lime Juice. Add 1 tbsp of Salsa on top of each serving of Chili for garnish.
*Navy Beans are the White Beans that work best.
*Tastes similiar to Don Pablos.
*Leftover roasted chicken can also be used. Roughly 1/2 to 1 pound of chicken needed.
1 small Onion, finely chopped
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 med. Red Bell Pepper, finely chopped
2 cans White Beans, drained & rinsed
4 oz. can diced Green Chilies
1/2 tsp Cumin, ground
1 tsp Chili Powder
2 cups Chicken Broth
3 Chicken Breasts
2 tbsp Lime Juice
1 tbsp Cilantro, crushed
1 tbsp Salsa per serving
Season Chicken Breast with salt & pepper. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Cool slightly then cube.
In a large pot heat the Olive Oil over med heat. Add the Onion, Garlic, & Red Pepper. Saute for 5 minutes. Stir the White Beans, Chilies, Cumin, Chili Powder & Chicken Broth. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat & simmer 10 minutes. Stir in the Chicken & simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in Cilantro wait 1 minute then stir in Lime Juice. Add 1 tbsp of Salsa on top of each serving of Chili for garnish.
*Navy Beans are the White Beans that work best.
*Tastes similiar to Don Pablos.
*Leftover roasted chicken can also be used. Roughly 1/2 to 1 pound of chicken needed.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Lori's Chili Recipe
1 pound Italian Sausage, Hot
1 Red Bell Pepper, chopped
1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
1 White Onion, diced
2 cloves Garlic, diced
2 Habenaro Peppers, diced
1 can Dark Red Kidney Beans (drained & rinsed)
1 can Chili Beans (drained)
1 15 oz can of Whole Tomatoes, cut up some
1 8 oz can Tomato Sauce
3 tsp Chili Powder
1/4 tsp Basil, crushed
1/2 tsp Black Pepper, ground
Brown sausage with peppers, onion, and garlic. Drain fat.
In large saucepan or slow cooker mix meat/veggie mixture, beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasonings.
Cook for 4-10 hours. (Depends on the level of heat.)
Hints:
1. wearing disposable gloves seems to be the best way to keep the habenaro juices from seeping into your hands. so wear the gloves the entire time your working with those peppers.
2. when all the ingredients are put together it will look rather thick, but dont worry during the cooking some moisture will release and it will be the perfect consistency.
3. we like to serve this is little bread bowls.
1 Red Bell Pepper, chopped
1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
1 White Onion, diced
2 cloves Garlic, diced
2 Habenaro Peppers, diced
1 can Dark Red Kidney Beans (drained & rinsed)
1 can Chili Beans (drained)
1 15 oz can of Whole Tomatoes, cut up some
1 8 oz can Tomato Sauce
3 tsp Chili Powder
1/4 tsp Basil, crushed
1/2 tsp Black Pepper, ground
Brown sausage with peppers, onion, and garlic. Drain fat.
In large saucepan or slow cooker mix meat/veggie mixture, beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasonings.
Cook for 4-10 hours. (Depends on the level of heat.)
Hints:
1. wearing disposable gloves seems to be the best way to keep the habenaro juices from seeping into your hands. so wear the gloves the entire time your working with those peppers.
2. when all the ingredients are put together it will look rather thick, but dont worry during the cooking some moisture will release and it will be the perfect consistency.
3. we like to serve this is little bread bowls.
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