FRIDAY FUN DAY!!

RECIPES FOR RELAXATION (FOR ANYBODY-MALE AND FEMALE)

I'll tell you a little story about one of my daughters and then I'll follow up with recipes of things you can concoct to relax as much as she likes to. Little Missy (we'll call her because of how she acts about certain things) thinks that you can't take a bath without milk and floating dried herbs or flowers. Well, she used to think that anyway. She's a little better at handling reality now that she's a little older. I guess I "messed her up" early on when I introduced her at age 2 1/2 or so to "milk baths." We didn't do just any old milk bath either; we're talking quality milk, honey, and herbs and flowers ("botanicals" as she might call them). Now Little Missy takes showers 99% of the time, but occasionally, she will ask me to get her a milk bath going or at least help her gather the ingredients so that she can take her own, and you guys, it's all I can do to pull this child out of the bathtub. Our hot water heater goes on overkill just trying to accomodate her constant need to re-warm and refresh the water. Needless to say, we don't encourage these baths that often anymore, not if we ever want to get into the upstairs bathroom anyway. Otherwise, on those rare occasions, we resolve to trek downstairs and use the other one. This might be my fault:). I love to create natural bath products, I introduced her to this world early on in her life, and these things are easy and usually inexpensive to make. Oh yeah, and I enjoy them on occasion too and I'm assuming she picked the enthusiasm up from me (you think?:) Anyhooty, since spring is coming you can get your creative juices flowing and make some cool stuff and...RELAX!!

First up, My Goat's Milk Bath recipe:

1 cup of powdered goat's milk (you can usually find it in your grocery store, but if you can't, go to a natural foods store or specialty grocery store)

1/2 cup epsom salts (if you're diabetic, you may not be able to use this milk bath because of the epsom salts. Check with your doctor.)

1 Tbs. of baking soda

1 tsp. of cornstarch

Essential oil of your choice. I like 5 drops of lavender and 4 drops of rose

Mix dry ingredients together, add essential oils, mix again, store in airtight container, use within 3 months, enjoy! Use 2-3 Tbs. or 1/4 cup directly in the bath or in a tea bag or tied cheesecloth. Play around with this recipe by using your choice of dried botanicals. It's pretty floating around in the tub, and it's fragrant. We like to throw in dried lavender blossoms and rose petals.

Next up, body powder--when it gets hot and you sweat, stay cool and keep moisture absorbed with this great mix:

For medium fine- 1/4 cup arrowroot powder

1/4 cup cornstarch

3 Tbs. rice flour (leave out if you want fine powder)

Essential oils of your choice. I like 6 drops of rose, 4 jasmine, 3 violet, and

3 pikaki (the only artificial fragrance I use)

Run thru a sifter, store in a pretty, airtight container (up to 2 years). Use a powder puff to apply. If you'd like to use this on your boys, just change the essential oil scents. For a baby, leave out essential oils, especially if you're not sure if this will irritate baby's skin.

Try this cooling and refreshing foot spray:

1/2 cup of distilled water

1/2 cup of liquid witch hazel (you can find this on the shelf next to or near the alcohol and peroxide at the store--Wal-Mart, whatever)

4 drops of tea tree oil

4 drops of peppermint

blend well and store in a spray bottle. Shake well before using each time. This can be a coolant and a deodorizer. This can last for the whole summer and after. Another alternative is to use 4-6 drops of eucalyptus oil only (no other essential oils). My family really liked this cooling spray.

I'll share more recipes with you another time. Your essential oils will last you a long time. I use pure essential oils instead of the fragrance oils, but it's your choice. Once you make the investment, you will get your money's worth because you only have to use a few drops at a time. The other ingredients listed above are pretty inexpensive too. Use these recipes for home and for family and friend gifts. If you find cute jars and containers, and find the right ribbon, twine, etc., throw on a cute homemade tag, you've got yourself a pretty neat gift to give. The recipient will be quite happy. Have a fun Friday!

FOR TODAY'S POST, CHECK FEBRUARY's

Don't think I'm crazier than usual. I did post for today, but this blog program posted today's post in my February posts, so you'll have to look to your left, click on older posts or posts from February, and then scroll down to the post called "SISTER SECRETS." Sorry you have to go through so much to get there. I meant for it to be seen as a new post on the front page today. I hope you go there because the picture and the post are worth seeing:)!!

WEDNESDAY WISDOM (#4)

Let me just say from the onset that I was truly going to write about where our hearts and priorities are and whether God was on the center seat of our lives or not, or are we there, and God is on the outskirts somewhere. This would still be a great topic for today, but, I was just lead to share something directly from Proverbs-THE BOOK FILLED WITH WISDOM in the Bible. I'll leave you with this thought concerning this particular topic though: Check yourself and make sure that your days and life isn't filled with everything except your time with God and family. Take this blog of mine for instance. I hesitated to do it initially because I didn't want to spend much time on the computer and away from other priority things, and I'm just not a big computer person. I actually prayed about whether God would be okay with me doing a blog as an outlet for my writing and interests and other things. I asked Him to convict me however He wanted to in making sure that nothing came before HIm and family, and if this blog was going to do it, then I wouldn't have a blog. It was that simple. I also asked Him to help me make sure that I was a wise steward of my time if He did allow me to do it. You see, once I committed even this to Him, I was on the path to making sure that I was doing what was pleasing to Him, not just me. I think through (sometimes:)) what I want to write and share, and how much time it will take me. I prepare (sometimes:)) ahead of time so that I don't waste time when I get on here to type. I commit to only a few minutes a day doing this and I make sure that I'm not robbing my homeschooled girls of any time I need to be with them, or run errands, or do housework (yea, how fun:( , etc. They are usually doing independent work or taking a break when I do this. I feel better about this. Well, you can apply these same principles to things you like to spend time doing. Just make sure that you're honoring God with your time and you're not robbing your family, etc. of what they need. And, obviously, make sure God approves of what you've chosen to do. That might seem obvious, but you know how we like to just go off and do our own thing without consulting Him. I know I've done it. Anyway, I'd like to share a Proverb with you for today's wisdom. In fact, it's titled GOOD THINGS COME FROM WISDOM (Proverbs 2:1-6 NIrV--This is the wisdom of a father to a son, but it can apply to either gender)


My son, accept my words.
Store up my commands inside you.
Let your ears listen to wisdom.
Apply your heart to understanding.
Call out for the ability to be wise.
Cry out for understanding.
Look for it as you would look for silver.
Search for it as you would search for hidden treasure.
Then you will understand how to have respect for the Lord.
You will find out how to know God.
The Lord gives wisdom.
Knowledge and understanding come from His mouth.


Have a wiser Wednesday today than you had last Wednesday:)!!!!

TO THE TUNE OF TEA TUESDAYS (#4)

SUPPOSED HEALTH BENEFITS OF TEA

I believe, of course, that there are definite health benefits to drinking tea, some that I think have been proven, BUT, so that we don't get into any trouble here with claims, I will stick with the above title. You can read more about the health benefits, drink the tea, and watch for yourself. So, let's talk about those supposed benefits. I hope if you don't or can't find any health benefits at all, that you start or continue drinking tea just for the pure pleasure and flavor. It certainly doesn't seem to hurt you, that's for sure:)!

Oh yeah, before we get going on our tea lesson today, I need to interrupt "this regularly scheduled program for an annoncement from our sponsor...ME." Last week I told you that there would be another tea-giveaway contest for March, and that it would probably be an organic tea that was sent to me by accident in my last shipment. Well, "by accident," I opened that bag instead of one that was similar to it, and now I'm having to consume it myself. It really was an accident guys. BUT, never fear!! I have the one similar to it unopened, brand spanking new, in the package, and FRESH, waiting to be consumed by YOU!! The new tea for giveaway is called Genmaicha-Matcha iri (sencha tea leaves mixed with puffed and popped brown rice, lightly coated with matcha (powdered green tea), having a very obvious roasted grain flavor--great for a starter in the morning). Anyway, the way to enter the contest is to leave me a comment at the end of this post, letting me know you want to enter and any other comments you might have about this or any previous tea posts, and you will be entered. It's that simple. Hope to hear from you soon! On with the lesson!!

Green tea is filled with nutrients and other natural elements. It would be hard for scientists to pick this plant apart and find that there is little to no nutritional value. Different countries have used this as the top choice of beverage for regular consumption for many many centuries, and we would know by now if this was bad for your health or simply no good at all. There are countries, like Japan, that drink this beverage all day long. Places in England may not drink as much during the day, but don't or usually won't go all day without drinking a few cups. There are countries all over the world that enjoy tea, for pleasure and for medicinal purposes.

Green tea has catechin (also called tannin). Catechin is a bioflavonoid that is said to have both antiviral and antioxidant qualities. It is said that catechins can prevent cancer by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. Some other supposed benefits of catechins are removing free radicals, reducing cholesterol, reducing fat, being antibacterial, antiviral, moderating allergies, aids in oral care by killing the germs that cause bad breath (good to drink a cup after you eat), and helps prevent some cavities. Sounds like it might be good to me!!

Green tea also has theanine (also called teanin). Theanine stimulates alpha brain waves, which is associated with a relaxed but alert mental state. It helps you relax but focus on the task at hand. Catechin is bitter and theanine is sweet, creating a perfect balance in the beverage. If you wonder how a beverage that contains some caffeine could be calming, the answer is the theanine. It balances out the effects of caffeine, leaving you not overly relaxed and not jittery, but perfectly balanced.

This great drink also contains vitamin c. This vitamin is water soluble in tea and the heat for brewing tea doesn't reduce its potency.

It is said that the caffeine in tea has been found to increase cognitive performance, alertness, and boost energy. It may also be able to help with weight loss through its stimulating effects and diuretic effects. I know personally of its diuretic effects. Tea can also take the place of some of your necessary water consumption during the day.

Tea is rich in minerals. Some of the minerals found in tea are manganese, potassium, and calcium, which helps to alkalinize the blood, regulate the heartbeat, and build strong teeth and bones.

I hope this has been good information for you today. The internet is full of information about tea health benefits. You might even want to explore some of the lab tests and results that have been found, proving some of the health benefits of tea. I'm off now, again, brewing myself a "cuppa." Make whatever tea or tisane you enjoy a part of your daily routine or lifestyle. I think you'll be glad you did.

SOAP POLL ANSWERS

My peops are so smart! You did know after all, which brand names the FDA considered soap, by their definition. There was a 50% vote for Dial and a 50% vote for Ivory. Both are considered true soaps by the FDA's definition. The one that surprised me after I read the ingredients on the package was Tone. It would be considered a true soap too. I guess everyone knew that Dove (the moisturizing beauty bar) and Oil of Olay, which I'm sure feels great on the skin, (but that doesn't even sound like a "true" soap), would not factor in. They are "bars," not soaps. One day, I will tell you what ingredients a true soap has to have and why to be considered that. I'm sure that's not on the top of your priority or interest list of reading right now. You're probably asking yourself, what kind of time does this lady have on her hands and why does she know such trivial things (and 'who cares?'). I actually don't have a lot of time on my hands and the reason you get these things from me is because over the years, I've had my hands in doing a lot of things (apparently that I think are still interesting--now that ought to tell you what kind of person I am:)) and I also have a tendency (I guess you can call it that) to remember or retain interesting and apparently uninteresting little facts about stuff I read a long time ago; stuff that probably doesn't matter 90% of the time in our lives except that small 10% when somebody needs to know something out of the ordinary or unusual, and then here comes WEIRDO TO THE RESCUE. Oh well, if you're my friend, family member, or reader, you're weird right along with me:), or you think weird is okay:)! (or you just put up with me...whatever!)

MOMMY (Caregiver/Mentor) MONDAYS (#4)

HOW CAN WE HELP OTHER PARENTS WITH THEIR CHILDREN?

No, I don't mean how can we step in and help raise someone else's children or tell parents what to do for their children. I'm not talking about the helpful advice we give each other as parents either, nothing like that. What I'm talking about could be the difference between whether a parent can go to work or not or whether parents border on "burnout" or not, in their marriages and at home. How can we help them in those cases then? What can we do? Look or ask for opportunities to be a major blessing!! Here's what I mean:

Last week, I had friends whose family was trying to pull together and do what was necessary to take care of a sick family member. One member of the family, who is not the sick one, has a baby and the ill family member was the caregiver of this baby a couple of days a week. Now that the ill family member is hospitalized, the baby was in need of a new caregiver for a while. I had already told this family early on, that if I could help out in any way, to please let me know. Well, you or they never know how you'll be needed, but it sure is nice to know that someone is readily available to you when the time comes. When I was asked to keep the baby, I was more than willing and ready. God really had my schedule freed up on the days that I was to babysit her, and things worked out just fine. My babysitting this precious little girl allowed her grandmother to continue to work so that she could continue taking care of her family (along with her husband) and allowed the mother to continue pursuing her education at school so that some day she may be able to use her education to perhaps take care of her little one (along with her husband as well). I'm glad I was able to help, and I'm glad that when asked, not knowing what I was going to be asked to do, that I was able and willing to. I thank the Lord for His attitude in me, His arranging my schedule, His blessing on this family in meeting their needs, His using me to do it. Another lesson in this situation is that overall, we should stay as flexible as possible so that we can be used or called upon on a moment's notice. It's good to have warnings (they called me ahead of time), but when there is no time for that, how are we going to respond? How can we adjust our schedules or fit someone in on our schedules and time?

Another opportunity we had this weekend was to keep 3 sisters so that the parents could "get away." How necessary is that?!!! Everybody needs to get away, but working couples (especially ones with children), whether it's full-time ministry, full-time civilian jobs, or whatever, NEED to take some time out to refresh, re-focus and get close again. A very kind and generous friend of our friends gave them the means to get away and spend time with each other. This couple (the friends of ours) runs a ministry full time, and there is little time for rest and relaxation. They raise 4 girls, but 3 of them are underage, so cannot stay home alone, and the oldest one works. My how God solved that problem! They asked us to babysit this weekend (well, just Saturday afternoon until Sunday afternoon) and we were again, willing and able to accomodate, even with a couple of things on our own personal schedule. Well, we could help out, as God would have it, and this couple reported to us that they really needed the getaway, and they really enjoyed themselves. Because my husband and I really understand the need for couples to get away, we were thrilled to see how God would allow us to help. He can really work things out, if you're willing to be open and flexible to be used. We know that our keeping kids this past week and weekend was a blessing to the families because they told us so, but they may not know how much of a blessing it was to us. We thank God for showing us His will for the week and weekend, allowing us to be in on His plans, and freeing up our schedules to do what He ordained. What a privilege!!

Now I think back on my sister's wedding anniversary that just passed in February. I sure wish I could have been in her city to keep her kids and mine so that they could get away, but God worked it our for her. She has a couple of older kids in the home that could stay with the younger ones. She and her husband were able to get away for a little while that night, for a date. Oh well, I guess I can't be everywhere, but I've learned that God can and will use you wherever you are, and He can take care of that while He takes care of a whole other need in another city, at the same time! Look at God, the Great I AM!!

BE WILLING AND READY (if you're able) TO BLESS SOMEONE THIS WEEK. LET GOD DO WHAT ONLY HE CAN DO IN AND THROUGH YOU. IF YOU DON'T, SOMEONE ELSE WILL, BUT THE BLESSINGS YOU'LL MISS ARE TREMENDOUS!!

SATURDAY SHOPPING AND STUFF

The best month to buy the following is our new month, March:

air conditioners
china
corned beef (don't know why, but it's true. We just bought some on sale at Aldi.)
dryers (we are going to need a new one of these)
frozen foods
garden supplies
glassware
houses
luggage
spring clothing and shoe sales
storm window clearances
washers
winter outdoor recreation equipment

Happy shopping today and SAVE, SAVE, SAVE.