Friday, July 25, 2008

I am Emma Woodhouse!


Take the Quiz here!

Food Storage Fridays

With the economy the way it is, I think many people--LDS or not, are beginning to understand more and more how useful a food storage could be. Tom and I dont really have a GREAT food storage established yet, I figured--I'll have a nice one when we have a bigger family and I have more space....but Im coming to realize thats not the best way too think about it. After reading the Food Storage chapter of my latest summer read: "A Family Raised on Sunshine", I decided to dedicate Friday's to any useful food storage tips I could gather up. Hopefully throughout the year we will be able to establish a much better storage!


Why establish a Food Storage in your home?

1. We have been counseled by the Lord, through a prophet
2. The scriptures tell us in 1 Timothy 5:8

But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house,
he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.


3. It's a known fact that foods "have their season" Every few years fruit trees
dont bear, shortages occur, and the economy has its ups and downs.

Remember, our bodies are the temples of our spirits, and we want to feed them properly. We also want to be able to eat nutritiously during times of need when we use our food storage. It is only feasible, then, to "Store what you eat and eat what you store!"


First step in starting your food storage:

Sit down with your family and make a list of the basic foods you use in a week. This is easy to do, taking the three meals a day, and its not so overwhelming to comprehend. As you get your weekly list figured, multiply each item by 52 and you'lll have your needs met for the year. Remember: these are the BASICS!

Second Step:

Prepare a place to keep your supply. Ideally, this should have a stable temperature of 55-60 degrees. The storage area should be dry and dark. Never store anything directly on a concrete floor.
When storing, always rotate and keep track of what you have. In weeks to come I plan on posting an organized system to help with that!

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we nearly all store wheat...so next week I want to post information on Wheat. (Because that's one thing that scared me the most about food storage!)

I hope someone out there will benefit from my food storage exploration! :)

Monday, July 21, 2008

The perfect summer drink!

Its been almost FOUR years since I had myself a cup of coffee....and four years of experimentation with herbal teas. There are SO many great herbal teas out there....but my most favorite by far is the Rooibos Tea "Red Tea" it is SOOOO good for you and tastes delicious! I just found this recipe and I am so excited to give it a whirl this week. If you are anything like my Peter Priesthood Husband you've always associated TEA with being against the Word of Wisdom. He knows better, but he still teases me when I make myself a mug of this "evil" drink. The fact is Rooibos is the perfect latter day saint beverage!



Why you should give Rooibos Tea a try:

Beneficial in the treatment of diabetes, high blood pressure, irritability, headaches, stomach cramps, disturbed sleeping patterns, insomnia, nervous tension, mild depression or hypertension, liver diseases, allergies, cataracts, skin irritations and other conditions (especially when applied directly to the affect area), mellitus, atherosclerosis, and colic and feeding problems in infants. The list continues: nausea and vomiting, constipation, stomach ulcers, heartburn.
Low tannin content. (only 1 to 4 percent)
Acts as a powerful antioxidant. Replenishes iron levels, which is especially helpful to breast-feeding or pregnant women.
No negative side effects ever reported.
Fresh from nature, meaning it is 100% organic, with no additives, preservatives, or colourants.
Completely caffeine-free!
Free from any harmful stimulants.
Boosts the immune system.
Can be mixed with milk, unlike other teas.
Has a natural hint of sweetness, but also tastes great with honey, lemon, and many others!
Contains no oxalic acid, allowing those suffering from kidney stones to drink it freely.
Aids your body's natural schedule, relaxing you at night and stimulating you in the day.
Delicious flavor!
It's also Kosher!




Rooiboos & Lime Iced Tea
4 bags of rooiboos (red bush) tea
4 c boiling water
4 c cold water
1/3 c (more or less depending on taste) simple syrup
juice of 1 lime

In a large pitcher, add the 4 tea bags to the 4 cups of boiling water. Steep for several minutes until all the flavour has been sucked out of those bags. Remove tea bags and add cold water, simple syrup and lime juice. Stir and refrigerate. Serve with lots of ice and slices of lime or sprigs of mint.

While Im at it....here are some more red tea recipes!


Rooibos Shake
2 cups Hot, strong Rooibos tea
2 1/2 cups Vanilla ice cream
1 Tablespoon of Lemon juice
1 1/4 cups of sparkling lemon juice

Combine tea and ice cream and beat well
Stir in lemon juice
Pour into glasses and fill with sparkling lemon juice




South African Punch

Rooibos tea (loose or bag)
1 3/4 cup Sugar
4 cups Orange juice
4 cups Apple juice
3 cups Spring water
4 cups Ginger ale

Prepare 4 1/2 cups of strong Rooibos tea
While tea is still hot, add sugar and stir until dissolved
Combine the remaining liquids
Garnish with mint leaves, cherries or apple and lemon slices


Classic Bubble Tea
1/2 cup Chilled, cooked large Chinese tapioca pearls
1 cup Crushed ice
1 cup Very strong, chilled Rooibos tea
1 cup Milk, or to taste
1 cup Honey or sugar to taste

Place the pearls in a large parfait glass
Combine all remaining ingredients in a cocktail shaker
Shake vigorously until the mixture is frothy
Pour into the glass, and serve with extra-thick straws




South African Fruit Cooler

1 tsp Loose Rooibos tea (or one tea bag)
1/2 Fresh orange
1 tsp Sugar, if needed for sweetening
1 Glass of ice

Boil water
Pour water over Rooibos tea and steep for 2-5 minutes
Pour tea into ice-filled glass
Add juice from squeezed 1/2 orange
Stir and enjoy

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Pioneer Remembrance FHE lesson 7/20





I found a website with a pioneer game. I thought I'd be able to make a direct link, but for some reason I cant figure that out! sorry about that! here is the entire site:
http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway.dll/Magazines/Friend/2004.htm/friend%20july%202004.htm/pioneer%20puzzle%20game.htm

I Think of Pioneers
By Sandy Halvorson
Friend, July 1983, 24


Sometimes when I must walk to school, it seems a long, long way.
I get to feeling tired and would like to stop and play.
But then I think of pioneers who walked by sun and star;
And suddenly my little walk doesn’t seem so far.

Sometimes on cold, dark winter nights I crawl beneath the sheet
And wish I had a cozy place to warm my chilly feet.
But then I think of pioneers who camped outside all night
And only had a fire’s glow to give them warmth and light.

Sometimes when I am hungry and want something good to eat,
My mother gives me carrots when I’d rather have a sweet.
But then I think of pioneers who thanked God and were glad
For anything at all to eat—my carrots aren’t so bad.

Sometimes when I have chores to do and I would rather play,
I think of pioneers and know they worked most all the day.
And so I guess I can’t complain about things that I must do,
For when I think of pioneers, I’m very blessed—aren’t you?

Yummy Treat!

Pioneer Honey Candy
2 cups honey
1 cup sugar
1 cup cream

Combine all ingredients and cook slowly to a hard-ball stage. Pour onto buttered platter. When cool enough to handle, grease hands and pull until a golden color. Cut into pieces.