Natural Beauty

Here are some of the natural products I use to look acceptable:

Moisturizer- Organic coconut oil- this is my current favorite. I have also used olive oil and jojoba. All the oils work well, but I read that the antioxidants in coconut oil help to prevent wrinkles and sun damage. Ok, so some of the damage is already done, but future damage must fight through my layer of coconut oil. HA!



Cleanser- Currently, I am back to Cetephil due to the winter turning me into an alligator. Cetephil can be used without water and it leaves a light layer of moisture on your skin. Usually, I use something more natural like Dr. Bronner's.



Toner & Re-fresher- Rose water- Awwwwww Yaaaaahhh. I spray it on my face when I need a little uplift or just a fresh feeling face. I get it at Vitacost or I have bought rose water in the ethnic food section at Publix. I will attach a picture from Amazon just so you can get an idea of what I am talking about.



Toothpaste- Tom's or Trader Joes- I like the fluoride free Propolis & Myrrh. Trader Joes has it for half the price of Tom's. I have used just about every flavor that Tom's has and they are all great. I also use baking soda once a week to clean any stains that my excessive coffee drinking may have caused.



Deodorant- Tom's or Nature's Gate- Currently, I am loving Nature's Gate. I can not use anti-perspirant due to allergies. Tom's and Nature's Gate are great long lasting deodorants. I have been using them for a very, very long time, but if I remember right it was an adjustment. The lack of anti-perspirant means when you sweat; you get a little damp. That IS the way it is supposed to be, but it is uncomfortable at first.



So, let us not ponder our beauty in excess, but maintain the natural beauty we have and focus our attention on something higher.

"Beauty isn't worth thinking about; what's important is your mind. You don't want a fifty-dollar haircut on a fifty-cent head." ~Garrison Keillor

Green Clean

I have been using green cleaning products for several years now. Here are some of my favorites:

Vinegar and water is a great cleaner for mirrors, windows, wood floors and counter tops. It is pretty much my go to cleaner for general cleaning.

For wood furniture and general bathroom cleaning; I like to use Sal Suds by Dr. Bronner. I use Sal Suds to mop bathroom floors, clean bathroom counters, dust wood, toliets and really clean anything that needs a little more than vinegar and water. Sal Suds can used as laundry detergent (but I am addicted to Charlie's), dishwashing detergent and for pretty much anything and everything. Sal Suds is diluted with water so a bottle literally lasts forever! I can not say enough good things about it.

For grout, I use a paste of baking soda and water.

For hand washing, we use Dr. Bronners soaps diluted in water. I have used the Peppermint, Almond, Lavendar and Tea Tree. Currently, I am totally hooked on Tea Tree. Dr. B's soaps are also great for the face, body and hair. Although, when used as shampoo it can make your hair tangle. Be sure to follow with a Apple Cider vinegar rinse or conditioner.


I have also tried making my own laundry soap and dishwasher detergent. Neither one worked very well for me. The dishwasher detergent caused my Tervis to become very foggy. The laundry detergent seemed to clean fairly well, but did not remove strong odors like deodorant or perfume. The recipe I used for the laundry detergent contained borax, washing soda and castile soap. I can not remember the dishwasher recipe.

Happy Cleaning!

Cheap Vegan Ice Cream - Happy, Happy Dance :)

Ingredient: Frozen Bananas - No way, not possible, right? Ha!

Slice a ripe banana, place circles in a single layer in freezer. I used a pie dish. Freeze.

Place slices in blender, blend, blend, blend... I added a bit of soy milk to get things moving. My blender has suffered alot of abuse from my food experiments :) After a while, the bananas will turn into creamy, yummy ice cream. I added some peanut butter and vanilla into my ice cream mix. It was super yummy!!! I used 1 1/2 bananas, so it cost about $.30 a bowl! The peanut butter added a little extra. Once done, I refroze the ice cream.

After the ice cream was nice and hard, I topped it with melted peanut butter. Oh no, she didn't!!! Yes, yes, I did! Oh, and a few vegan chocolate chips. Holy cow, that girl has a sweet tooth. Yummy to my tummy.

Cheap Vegan Ice Cream

Ok, I admit it, one of my biggest grocery expenses is vegan ice cream. I have to have it. The cheapest place I have found it is Trader Joes. It is $3.49 a quart at Joes vs. $3.49 a pint on sale at Kroger. Either way, this is a lot of money when you have a tiny, tiny grocery budget and a big ice cream appetite.

So, what is a frugal, vegan mom to do? Find a way to make it at home. I found a few recipes for vegan ice cream using bananas. That is tonight's yummy fun! If it turns out tasty, then I will post it here on Monday. Wish me luck!

Homemade Tortilla Chips

Aldi had 30 corn tortillas on sale for $.49 each pack. I had to buy two packs because it was such a good deal! So, what to do with 60 corn tortillas? Make chips!!!!!!

Spray each tortilla front and back with cooking spray. Slice corn tortillas into triangles using a pizza cutter. Place on cookie sheet without overlap. Sprinkle with salt and an other seasoning you like. Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes until crunchy and lightly browned.

I think next I am going to make these into cinnamon sugar triangles!

The Miracle of Mercy Land by River Jordan

From the backwoods little town of Bittersweet to the small town of Bay City, Mercy Land is a young women who is just beginning to spread her wings. She works for the town’s newspaper as the assistant to the well-respected editor in chief, Doc. Doc and Mercy are great friends and depend on each other for friendly companionship and trust. One seemingly normal day, a strange book arrives on Doc’s desk. The supernatural origin of the book and its sender are unknown. The arrival of the book brings about a string of events that will change their lives forever.

This book has a wonderful plot that I feel was somewhat underdeveloped. The origin and meaning behind the arrival of the book were not examined in depth. The book had the power to show its reader the lives of people and their choices and missed opportunities. It was explained that the book shows that we are all connected and our choices affect each other in this time and the future. This is a great concept that was not developed entirely.

The arrival of the book prompted Doc to summon John Quincy to town. John Quincy is a mysterious man with a difficult past. His true identity and nature are eventually revealed to Mercy. John has two faces as a result of his painful childhood. Mercy is drawn to him and cautious of him at the same time. The reason for his arrival is somewhat confusing. Doc states that he is trying to give John a second chance to change his past; however it is Doc’s guilt that is the driving force. It is never really explained why Doc would conclude that the book can change events of the past.

In summary, this book is really about the struggle between good and evil and the interconnectedness of all humanity. The book had its highs and lows as far as captivating the audience. The book is an enjoyable read for the feel good aspect, but the depth is lacking.

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"

Georgia and Flora's Quick and Easy Vegan Burritos

2 Onions- thinly sliced
3-4 Garlic Cloves- thinly sliced
Bell Peppers: Assorted colors- thinly sliced
1/2 can Corn Niblets
1/2 can Red Kidney Beans
Taco Seasoning
4 Tortillas
Lettuce

"In a large skillet, pour a bit of olive oil and heat. Saute 2 thinly sliced onions. Two minutes later add 3 or 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves. Two minutes later add thinly sliced strips from 3 bell peppers (we use a mixture of yellow, red and orange). Two minutes later add half a can of corn niblets and half a can of red kidney beans. Add a packet of taco seasoning. Stir periodically and let cook for ten minutes. Heat a flour tortilla in a separate skillet. Put it on a plate and place one or two large lettuce leaves in the center. Place two scoops of the bean mixture on the lettuce. Add a spoonful of salsa and roll up. Delicious! This is a great meal in a pinch. In 30 minutes you can go from start to finish."

Thank you to Georgia and Flora for saving me from my daily diet of hummus and peanut butter!

Money Smoothie

Collard Greens- about 1/2 to 3/4 blender full
2 Dates
1/2 Bananna
3/4 cup Frozen Mixed Fruit- peaches, melon, strawberries
Water

Combine in blender. Add water to desired consistancy. If you like it thicker, add a few ice cubes.

Drink these every day and you are sure to be rich in health and money in the new year!!

Everything Christmas by David Bordon and Tom Winters

Everything Christmas is a unique and appropriately titled journey through stories, recipes, gift ideas, songs, poems and even Christmas humor! This book could easily become your go to Christmas handbook. There is a chapter for each day of December leading up to Christmas day. The author typically starts each day with a Christmas story or poem followed by recipes and interesting Christmas facts. Each chapter then includes a mixture of craft ideas, gift ideas, carols, etc. One very interesting benefit of this book compared to other Christmas books is its focus on multicultural Christmas traditions. The author covers traditions from Argentina, Bulgaria, Denmark, Greece and many more. As a reader of many Christmas books, I have never read one that includes such diverse information. I found it really exciting and informative. One additional note, this book would be extremely handy for Christmas party games. There is a wealth of Christmas trivia that could easily be the source for hours of fun.

In summary, I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. I believe you will be pleasantly surprised by the depth and diversity of Christmas information contained in this great book. Happy reading!

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review"

So, What is Advent?

Merriam-Webster defines Advent as 1: the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas and observed by some Christians as a season of prayer and fasting 2a: the coming of Christ at the Incarnation b: second coming 3: a coming into being or use. Hmmm... this definition does not seem to capture the glow and joy expressed when Christians talk about Advent.

Here is my attempt at defining Advent from what I have learned thus far:

Advent is a celebration of the coming birth of Christ. Advent started on Sunday, November 28 and concludes on Sunday, January 2nd. November 28 would also mark the "New Year" for the church calendar. I was not aware that church had a different calendar, so this was news to me. Advent celebrates the coming of Christ first by his birth, second by his desire to be in our lives and lastly by his impending return as judge. Preparation is the permeating theme of Advent. This is my best definition and I may be completely wrong. I am not a scholar in this area.

Now, I will tell you what Advent means to me. For me, this time is about taking stock of where I am and where I am going. This has always happened around this time of year for me, even before I knew about Advent. Thinking about it... this is my preparation. I have a long way to go in understanding and preparing, but at the end of the tunnel is God and I am on my way.

"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." from C.S. Lewis, Weight of Glory, "Is Theology Poetry?"

Advent For a Newbie

I have recently started attending a Methodist church with the short, cute Johnson boy bears. Oops, sorry mommy talk momment. Anyway, we love the church. The people are very friendly, the bible study class uses a guidebook and they tolerate questions really well. Thank you again to C.S. Lewis for talking to me about Christianity in a way that I can understand. I truly believe that God had a hand in the selection of that book. I really must stop digressing...

So, back to the point. The Methodists talk about Advent in a very serious and thought provoking way. I have been nodding and looking really reflective during every mention of Advent. The fact is, I had no idea what they were talking about. I mean no clue. How embarrassing!

I was raised in a nice, conservative, southern baptist church; how can it be that I have never heard of Advent? This reminds me of the first time I saw someone wearing ash on their forehead during Ash Wednesday. I believe the scenerio went something like this- (me) "Hey, you got a little somethin' on your head" (poor other person) "Huh?" (me) "Yep, come closer, let me get that for you". Well, it was all down hill from there. Anyway, I did not want a repeat of that little situation at my new church, so I done educated myself.

Tune in tomorrow for what I learned about Advent and my plans for sharing it with the little fellas.

Thanksgiving Pie

The other day, I was searching for something to feed the starving husband and my two mini men. I was feeling particularly adventurous and sooooooo the Thanksgiving pie was born.

One frozen pie crust, thawed
Leftover Turkey or Chicken, cubed
Leftover Stuffing
Bag of frozen veggie mix, cooked
Velveeta, cubed
Cream of Chicken soup- 1 to 2 cans?
Ritz Crackers
Butter
Salt and Pepper

Ok, so mix meat, stuffing, veggie mix, Velveeta, Cream of Chicken soup and salt and pepper. Pour into pie crust. Cover with foil and bake for about 30 minutes at 350ish.

Melt about 3 Tbsp butter and crush crackers. Combine crushed crackers and butter. After about 30 minutes, uncover pie and add topping until lightly browned.

Sorry for the vague instructions. I will start writing recipes down when I make them.

Anyway, the boys loved the pie! Since I am a vegetarian, I can't speak for the recipe. It smelled yummy.

Meditations on Life in "The Hall"

If logic did not prevail, I would swear that C.S. Lewis was talking directly about me when he discussed "The Hall" in his work Mere Christianity. Those who are not familar with this topic; I will provide a crude overview. C.S Lewis discusses the process of accepting Christianity as entering "The Hall", once in there are many doors to choose from representing specific beliefs and denominations. Let me let him do the talking...

C.S. Lewis- On what Mere Christianity means:
"It is more like a hall out of which doors open into several rooms... But it is in the rooms, not the hall, that there are fires and chairs and meals. The hall is a place to wait in, a place from which to try the various doors, not a place to live in. For that purpose the worst of the rooms (whichever that may be) is, I think preferable. It is true that some people may find they have to wait in the hall for a considerable time, while others feel certain almost at once which door they must knock at. I do not know why there is this difference, but I am sure God keeps no one waiting unless He sees that it is good for him to wait. When you do get into the room you will find that the long wait has done some kind of good which you would not have had otherwise. But you must regard it as waiting, not as camping. You must keep on praying for light: and, of course, even in the hall, you must begin trying to obey the rules which are common to the whole house. And above all you must be asking which door is the true one; not which pleases you best by its paint and paneling."

I have been living in "The Hall" since I was old enough to question the beliefs instilled in me by my religion of birth; Southern Baptist. I have always had more questions than faith. A character flaw truly frowned upon by the Baptist church as I understand it. I have opened and closed doors while running thorough "The Hall". I have sat in "The Hall" and cried, screamed and pondered. I have tried on religions with record speed and have accumulated a small well of knowledge regarding most religions. Of course, all the academic knowledge in the world will not solve a problem of faith. I have lived in "The Hall" for so long that it no longer resembles a hall to me. I have decorated, hung curtains, installed cable.

C.S. Lewis states that living in the hall in the least desirable choice. That choosing any door is preferable. Although, he does go on to say that those of us dwelling in "The Hall" for extended periods of time are there due to God's will. I believe that C.S. Lewis must be absolutely right on this point. Why would God give us the ability to question if he did not want us to use it? Dear God, I have not let my questioning nature sit idle. I have used it to anaylze, philosophize and theorize. Am I any closer now then I was at the begining of this rather lengthy journey? I like to believe that every day my vision improves and truth becomes clearer.

Why did I share this rambling with you? Well, because I know there are others living in "The Hall" and I wanted you to know that I am there too. "The Hall" is a very lonely place. Keep the faith my friends and if you see me in "The Hall", open a door, shove me in there and lock it behind me.

Green Laundry Tips

Green Laundry Tips


1. Choose a natural, yuck free detergent.

My personal favorite is Charlies Soap.
Charlie's has a nice fresh smell, but no scent. I hope that makes sense. Your clothes will smell clean, but not like roses or any other yucky, fake smells. Charlie's is suitable for HE washers. It requires only a tablespoon for a large load. Charlie provides the measuring device in the bag. I like to buy my Charlie's from Amazon because it is like a dollar cheaper. You can also find it at Whole Foods.

I have tried making my own detergent with Borax, washing soda, and castile soap. It works pretty well, but Charlie's seems to have more stain removing power. An important feature when you have boys.

2. Consider Line Drying

There are many benefits to drying your clothes on a clothes line. It saves energy and gives you the opportunity to get some fresh air. It also reduces the wear on your clothes so that they last longer, thereby reducing the need to buy new. See, line drying is awesome! I have been line drying everything (including undies) for the past month. I am anxious to see how it effects our electric bill. I will let you know in a later post.

I will warn you that clothes are a little stiffer. Towels are a lot stiffer, but it is a small price to pay.

3. Wear something more than once.

This one is hard for me. I practically rip the clothes of our children to wash. I follow my husband around waiting for clothing to drop and I like a nice, fresh crisp outfit each day. However, this is really silly. If you are not running marathons or living in 100 degree Nashville, then wearing an outfit twice is a good idea.

4. If you really must use your dryer, when there is a perfectly hot sun outside then please nix the dryer sheet.

Dryer sheets are gross. I know, they smell "nice". All you need to soften your clothes is a bit of white vinegar in the softener section of your washer. Your clothes will not smell like vinegar, I promise.

Vegan Pudding

Tofu Pudding- Vegan

14 oz Silken Tofu
1/3 cup cocoa
1/3 cup agave
1 Tbsp vanilla

Blend in blender.

Warning: Michael thinks this tastes really gross. Me, I love it.

Granola Bars

Granola Bars- Not Vegan

2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup wheat bran
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1 cup all-purpose or whole wheat flour
3/4 cup goodies (chocolate chips, PB chips, raisens) I usually reduce this ingredient to 1/2 cup at most
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup agave nectar or honey
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup canola oil - I often reduce this if I add PB
2 tsp vanilla

Variations:
For Michael:
1/2 cup brown sugar
Whole wheat flour
1/2 cup PB chips
1/2 agave
1/4 canola
Big ol' spoon of PB

For Boys:
All purpose flour - Connor turns his nose up at whole wheat
1/2 cup ground flax instead of wheat bran
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat to 350. Grease 9x13 glass pan. Mix oats, sugar, wheat bran, cinnamon, flour, goodies, salt. Make a well in center, pour in honey or agave, egg, oil and vanilla. Mix well. Pat in to pan. Bake 18 minutesish.

Whole Wheat Pancakes - Vegan

Whole Wheat Pancakes- Vegan

1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 Tbsp baking power (Alum free of course!)
1 tsp of salt
1 cup almond or soy milk
1 Tbsp olive oil

Ok, so officially you are supposed to sift the flour, baking powder and salt. However, my sifter died the Christmas of 2008. The boss man has restricted my budget, so I don't sift. The results are heavier, but just as tasty to me.

So, sift or not the dry ingredients in a bowl. Add liquids and stir. Cook on a hot griddle.

Warning: These pancakes do not taste like light, fluffy, tasty white pancakes. But, if you are looking for a healthy alternative, these are great. Personally, I love these!

Dear Santa,

I know you are busy this time of year preparing for Christmas and I am sorry to bother you. I was wondering if for Christmas this year, you could send me a note to let me know how to stop thinking about the problems of the world. I am pretty sure that these thoughts were sent to me in error. They must have been intended for someone smart, powerful, wealthy and mentally stable. I am not really sure, but I know that simply thinking is not going to result in change.

Santa, please let me know how to remove these thoughts. I promise I will leave out extra cookies this year in return.

Your faithful believer,
Melanie Marie

"Get in the car, we're going to church!"

It's true, I dressed us up in our finest church clothes, lunch in tow and headed to church. Now, when I say fine church clothes, I am talking about worn out shorts and tee shirts. These clothes suit us fine for church. I have never been critized for dressing poorly or not paying the correct respect. In fact, I don't have to pay to visit my church at all. The church is solely funded by God. He asks for no tithe to attend. Many people avoid church for various reasons; guilt, feeling judged, not fitting in... I have never once felt any of these feelings in my church. Acceptance, oneness and awe are the only feelings that enter my heart in church. The best thing about my church is that no matter where you live, there is a church nearby.

I hope that you will consider visiting my church. It was created by God
himself and it is complete perfection. The church is called Nature and it reaches my soul more than any other church I have attended (and there have been many). I am deeply happy for those people that have found their salvation in churches created by man. In some ways I am jealous. They have community and cookouts. For me, God has always been in Nature. I have never been able to feel his presence in a church. So, if you are having problems of faith, please consider my church.

Salvation is waiting.

"A few minutes ago every tree was excited, bowing to the roaring storm, waving, swirling, tossing their branches in glorious enthusiasm like worship. But though to the outer ear these trees are now silent, their songs never cease. Every hidden cell is throbbing with music and life, every fiber thrilling like harp strings, while incense is ever flowing from the balsam bells and leaves. No wonder the hills and groves were God's first temples, and the more they are cut down and hewn into cathedrals and churches, the farther off and dimmer seems the Lord himself."
— John Muir

Thoughts on Excess and Cucumbers

Last night, in lieu of sleep, I was laying in bed contemplating excess. How much of our lives are lead in the pursuit of things? Things, which bring fleeting joy. We all know it is true, yet it does not deter our conceentrated pursuit of more. And, why are we not concerned with our excess? How much do we really need? Lately, I have been feeling like all those little extras are slowing drowning me.

So, how do we rid ourselves of excess? Personally, I would like to start with my tupperware cabinet. Everytime I open that cabinet tupperware falls out all over the floor. I can't find lids that match bottoms; I can't find anything in that cabinet. So, what do I do? I use a baggie or plastic wrap. A whole cabinet filled with things that I cannot use nor part with. Why can't I part with my overabundance of tupperware? Do I have some genetic flaw? Well, that is a good question.

No, I will tell you why. The reason is that my husband and I disagree on excess. I would like to rid our house of all that is useless and joy depleting. However, my husband is a conservationist and believes that all should be saved for some greater purpose down the road.

So, what does this have to do with cucumbers? Well, I planted cucumbers this year and the plant is thriving. Each day I am blessed with more cucumbers. I am not sure what I will do with all the cucumbers. I will probably can them. Anyway, my point is that each cucumber is a gift from that plant. Each cucumber brings me joy, because my family and I cared for and nutured that plant. We dedicated our time to caring for nature/life and we have been rewarded with abundance.

If we must have excess, should we not try to achieve an excess of cucumbers...