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Ode to My Chickens
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Love Story, Gals & Guys & Gardens
Spring is upon me in the AZ desert and I've struggled with the tension in writing the two specific subjects of the heart: my personal love story and giving not yet married women understanding to a guy's mind who is just not into you and what to do about it. 
I also want to continue with the next part of my story in how I've been developing my year long pantry.
With all that said, this is my tension - my garden needs some serious attention.
If I don't attend and garden now, I'll miss this little window to grow the vegges and herbs I need for the next season so I know you'll be patient while I take a little bloggy break until next week Thanks for understanding.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
3 Key Elements in Nurturing Your Children
Training children is something a mom never gets a break from. It's often from sun up until sun down and one of the aspects very important to training your children is to nurture them.
I believe there are three key elements important for a mom to do when she nurtures her children.
# 1. Food
A very important element in nurturing your children is to feed them well. Children need nutritious and regular meal and snack times to keep them happy and healthy. If your child seems extra cranky or incorrigible it could be because he's hungry or because he's had too much sugar?
# 2 Sleep
Everyone needs the right amount of sleep and children need more than we think. Making sleep and those "quiet times" important are a key way to nurture your children. Not putting little ones to bed at the same time (as best as possible) and early enough (to provide the ten plus hours of sleep needed each night) is simply asking for trouble during the day.
Poor sleep habits for adults and children are hard to break but oh so necessary to do. Nurture your little one by being the authority over them and give them sleep. I like to recommend that little ones be in bed by 7:30 each night.
Their bedrooms should have all stimulus removed except perhaps for some soft "night night" music. There be no TV and in my opinion there should not be any light left on IN the room. If you've done that, take steps to change that. If night fears are an issue, then try putting a light on in a hallway. And always pray with your child before putting them to bed.
For "night night" music all of our grand kids have used soft and soothing music to fall asleep with. Twila Paris had a great one called Bedtime Lullabies and Prayers.
Not only those regular sleep time habits need to be established, but also daily nap times and daily quiet times.
Quiet times are those scheduled alone room times. All my grand kids love their room time. It makes for some creative play – alone. It’s good for kids to learn to share with others and it’s equally good for them to learn how to play and be creative while being alone. A starting place for toddlers could be a good fifteen minutes. Set a timer so they know when the time is up.
# 3 Training
A child left to himself will be shame to his mother. A mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child. (Proverbs 29:15) Sensible children bring joy to their father: foolish children despise their mother (Proverbs 15: 20)
Like all of us, we need correction and children need a lot of that. Children are desperate to be trained. They're miserable and make everyone around them miserable without being trained.
When you think of training, don't think of it as simply addressing the outward behavior but think of it in regards to your little one's heart.
You're training their heart - to be obedient, respect authority, learn to care for and serve others and learn to be thankful. We were born with NONE OF THIS. It is a training process - a process of being pruned.
As a Nana, one thing I love to do is bring my little grandkiddo munchkins in the garden with me. There's lots of training and education that goes on there.
Moms - Be Encouraged
It's easy for moms to become overwhelmed, weary and discouraged in the constant and consistent training of children. Think of training as pruning and taking care of a little garden. Sometimes you pull the weeds, other times you plant seeds and on some days you simply water. And other days you simply stand back and enjoy the fruit.
What does a mom prune and train?
One of the first thing a mom prunes are bad attitudes. When a mom gently (not with an angry or a volume 3 voice) instructs her little one to do something – the command should be obeyed with a HAPPY attitude - IMMEDIATELY - and ALL THE WAY.
If a little one takes their sweet little ol' time to respond and obey it means they are deciding if what you've just said is to be obeyed.
Believe it or not - there's an attitude brewing and that's a bad one. If obedience isn't immediate with a happy heart and all the way, then a heart issue needs to be addressed.
Jesus addressed the Pharisees by saying that they all the right things on the outside but their hearts were evil.
Children won't automatically be happy with an instruction you give them. They have to be trained with love and gentleness and all throughout the day. Don't be alarmed or get too discouraged when it takes time to give that instruction, correction and subsequent consequences over and over in any given day. Little ones are known to have rebellious hearts (just like big people) and need to learn the joy of making good choices to receive a more delightful consequence.
What are other ways you nurture your children? What books do you read to your children? What does your "play time" look like with your child?
Related Posts
1. Plan and Prepare Well - Understand Your Margins
2. What Fathers Teach Their Children
3. Moms and Sleep Deprivation
4. My Garden Helper
5. Little Garden Girl & Her Mom
Related Helps
I love this book!
Save Money - Cook with a Solar Oven
I'm diligently looking every where that I can to keep money in my pocket. One of the ways I'm thinking I can do this is to cook as much as I can without using electricity, but rather than energy of the sun. I live in Arizona - which is prime for solar cooking. Michael and I have been researching solar ovens and the benefit of them.
With a solar oven I can:
#1 Save Money.
I plan to cook a lot with my solar oven. I'm excited for the long term benefits - saving money on electricity and I think that will quickly pay for itself and then the saving will start. To me, these benefits (saving or NOT spending money for cooking/baking) outweighs the little inconvenience (maybe 10-15 minutes) of a bit more cooking time.
# 2 Have a back up if electricity is not available.
Whether for a short time or an extended period of time, if I don't have electricity, I can still provide a meal for my family using my solar oven. As long as the sun doesn't refuse to shine, I'll be able to continue cooking/baking even if the electricity refuses to flow.
This low-cost, high-performance solar oven can produce cooking temperatures within an hour in full sun and be used for up to six hours; perfect for baked goods or slow-cooking stews. The Hot Pot Simple Solar Cooker includes a 5.3 quart enameled steel pot. The aluminum reflector sides fold down for easy storage. The oven can reach temperatures up to 350-400 degrees. This solar pot runs around $99.00
This unique solar oven cooks no matter what the weather. In sunshine, its rugged onepiece reflector panel combines with a double- paned window, double rubber seals and included booster panels to cook at temperatures up to 300°. Or just plug it into a 120V outlet to cook using 75% less power than a conventional oven. In changeable conditions, sensor controls can even be set to cycle between solar and electric heat as needed. This oven runs for around $299.00
This lightweight solar oven concentrates the renewable heat of the sun to effortlessly (and deliciously!) roast meats, steam vegetables, bake breads and cookies, and prepare rice, soups and stews. Ideal for backyard use, camping, boating and picnicking. Requires only minimal sun aiming to cook most foods in two to four hours. Our complete kit includes two pots, solar reflector (for an increase in temperature on cold or cloudy days), oven thermometer, water pasteurization indicator and recipe book. This oven runs around between $150 & $229.
This Sun Oven is the one that Michael and I are deciding to buy and to possibly become distributors of. The Sun Oven is a great, portable solar cooker weighing only 21 lbs. It's ruggedly built with a strong, insulated fiberglass case and tempered glass door. The reflector folds up and secures for easy portability on picnics, etc. It's completely adjustable, and comes with a built-in thermometer. The cost just a little over $200.
Related Posts
1. Steps to Develop a Year Long Pantry
2. Saving Money in the Kitchen
3. Cooking with Beans
4. Seven Mistakes with Food Storage
5. Food Storage Chart - So You Don't Waste Money
Common questions about the Sun Oven
This unique solar oven cooks no matter what the weather. In sunshine, its rugged onepiece reflector panel combines with a double- paned window, double rubber seals and included booster panels to cook at temperatures up to 300°. Or just plug it into a 120V outlet to cook using 75% less power than a conventional oven. In changeable conditions, sensor controls can even be set to cycle between solar and electric heat as needed. This oven runs for around $299.00
Solar Sport Oven with Reflector
This lightweight solar oven concentrates the renewable heat of the sun to effortlessly (and deliciously!) roast meats, steam vegetables, bake breads and cookies, and prepare rice, soups and stews. Ideal for backyard use, camping, boating and picnicking. Requires only minimal sun aiming to cook most foods in two to four hours. Our complete kit includes two pots, solar reflector (for an increase in temperature on cold or cloudy days), oven thermometer, water pasteurization indicator and recipe book. This oven runs around between $150 & $229.
Sun Oven
Related Posts
1. Steps to Develop a Year Long Pantry
2. Saving Money in the Kitchen
3. Cooking with Beans
4. Seven Mistakes with Food Storage
5. Food Storage Chart - So You Don't Waste Money
Common questions about the Sun Oven
What can I cook in a GLOBAL SUN OVEN®?
Anything you can cook in a conventional electric or gas oven can be cooked in a GLOBAL SUN OVEN®. You can bake, boil and steam using any of your favorite recipes.
What is the cooking temperature range?
The GLOBAL SUN OVEN® will reach temperatures of 360 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The oven will generally reach its maximum temperature as it is being preheated. The temperature will drop when food is placed in the c hamber. [note: this has a built-in thermometer]
Will food prepared in a GLOBAL SUN OVEN® taste the same as food prepared in my conventional oven?
The food tastes much better! Solar cooking allows many of the natural flavors of food, which get baked out in conventional ovens, to remain. The slow, even rise in temperatures in a GLOBAL SUN OVEN® gives the complex carbohydrates time to break down into simple sugars allowing subtle natural flavors to emerge. Sun baked foods stay moist, the natural internal juices do not bake out, resulting in a superior, moist taste and much less shrinkage.
How long does it take?
Cooking times are close to the same as those in a conventional oven. Because the sun is often trying to run away and hide behind clouds, cooking times can vary. At times it may take a little longer. The factors that affect the cooking time are: the quality of the sunlight at the time you are cooking, the types and quantities of the food being cooked, and how often the oven is being refocused.
Does a GLOBAL SUN OVEN® require special pots and pans?
No, but dark, thin-walled pots with lids work best. Dark pots change the light from the sun into heat energy. Lids are important because they hold steam in the pot. If a lid is not used=2 0the steam will dissipate much of the heat. Shiny aluminum pots and pans cause light to be reflected out thereby reducing the oven's temperature. Glass casserole dishes with lids also work well. For baking cakes, breads, cookies, and pies, dark cookie sheets and baking tins work best.
Does food need to be stirred?
No. Stirring to prevent scorching is not required when cooking in a GLOBAL SUN OVEN® due to the fact that there are no hot spots. The temperature of the food rises evenly. It is almost impossible to burn food in a GLOBAL SUN OVEN®.
How difficult is it to focus a GLOBAL SUN OVEN®?
Focusing a GLOBAL SUN OVEN® is very easy. All that is required is to watch the shadows created by the oven. When the shadows are even on all sides, the cooker is directly focused. The built-in leveling leg on the back of the oven allows for easy tracking.
How often must a GLOBAL SUN OVEN® be refocused?
The need to refocus depends a great deal on what you are cooking, the time of day, and the temperature you wish to maintain. A good rule of thumb is to plan to readjust every 30 minutes to maintain maximum heat. At noon the sun is high in the sky and moves quickly past the maximum focus point, creating the need to refocus more often.=2 0Later in the day you will not need to refocus as often. The GLOBAL SUN OVEN® is equipped with a built in Levelator, which keeps food level and avoids spills while being refocused.
Many meals can be cooked without refocusing. GLOBAL SUN OVEN® users often will put their ovens outside, focused for the mid-day sun, with their dinner in it when they leave for work in the morning. As the sun moves overhead, the temperature in the Global Sun Ovenâ chamber slowly rises to a cooking level. As the sun passes, the food is kept warm and when they return from work they have a warm, sun-cooked dinner.
(Keep in mind food will not burn in a GLOBAL SUN OVEN® and that the chamber is extremely well insulated, allowing food to stay warm for hours.)
With the GLOBAL SUN OVEN® getting so hot, what is the risk of getting burned when using it?
The only parts that get hot are the oven chamber, the cooking pan, and the glass door. Proper care must be taken to use hot pads when opening the door and removing food. The entire exterior of the oven, including the reflectors, remains safe to touch.
How long will a GLOBAL SUN OVEN® last?
The estimated life of a GLOBAL SUN OVEN®is 20 + years. With proper care it should last a lifetime.
Do I need special recipes to cook in a GLOBAL SUN OVEN®?
The GLOBAL SUN OVEN® reaches temperatures comparable to that of conventional ovens, therefore no special recipes are required. A good rule of thumb is to add 10 to 15 minutes of cooking time for each time the oven door is opened.
What are the dimensions of the GLOBAL SUN OVEN®?
The size of the GLOBAL SUN OVEN® is 19'' x 19'' with an average depth of 11''. The total weight is only 21 pounds.
Can I use a GLOBAL SUN OVEN® in the winter?
Yes. The most important factor in using a GLOBAL SUN OVEN®is the brightness of the day, NOT the outside air temperature. Often, a 40-degree, clear, low-humidity day will allow food to cook faster than a 100-degree day with high humidity. The GLOBAL SUN OVEN®has been used very successfully at the base camp of a Mt. Everest expedition where the temperatures are often well below zero. There are, however, more cooking hours available in the summer than in the winter. In the early summer, it is not unusual to cook from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, whereas during the early winter, effective cooking is limited20to 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
How does it work?
The black surfaces on the inside of the oven captures and transforms the sun's energy into a form that cannot escape the oven chamber. When a GLOBAL SUN OVEN® is focused in the sun, the interior of the oven is heated by the sun's energy. Direct and reflected sunlight enters the oven chamber through the glass door. It then turns to heat energy when it is absorbed by the black inner-shell and Levelator. This heat input causes the temperature inside the oven to rise until the heat loss of the oven is equal to the solar heat gain. The light energy absorbed by dark pots and the oven's dark interior is converted into longer wavelength heat energy. Most of this longer-wavelength radiant energy can not pass back out through the glass, ensuring more efficient cooking.
Are GLOBAL SUN OVEN® used in countries outside of the United States?
Yes. Currently they are being used in 126 countries around the world. In many of these countries, they purchase unassembled GLOBAL SUN OVENS® and complete the final assembly on location. This reduces the overall cost of the ovens and shipping while creating jobs locally. The demands of massive population growth, and inefficient conversion of wood to charcoal, have outstripped the third world's forests ability to regenerate. The ecological effect of wood fuel is b urdensome and has a far-reaching negative global impact. These global trends will lead to environmental destabilization leading to deforestation and global warming [my note: "whatever!"] Science strongly supports the fact that deforestation for agricultural and fuel use is changing weather patterns, causing soil erosion, and depleting plant and animal life. SUN OVENS® offer a powerful solution to the effects of deforestation, and can have an enormous positive impact on the everyday life of millions of people in underdeveloped countries by improving their nutrition, health, and quality of life.
Anything you can cook in a conventional electric or gas oven can be cooked in a GLOBAL SUN OVEN®. You can bake, boil and steam using any of your favorite recipes.
What is the cooking temperature range?
The GLOBAL SUN OVEN® will reach temperatures of 360 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The oven will generally reach its maximum temperature as it is being preheated. The temperature will drop when food is placed in the c hamber. [note: this has a built-in thermometer]
Will food prepared in a GLOBAL SUN OVEN® taste the same as food prepared in my conventional oven?
The food tastes much better! Solar cooking allows many of the natural flavors of food, which get baked out in conventional ovens, to remain. The slow, even rise in temperatures in a GLOBAL SUN OVEN® gives the complex carbohydrates time to break down into simple sugars allowing subtle natural flavors to emerge. Sun baked foods stay moist, the natural internal juices do not bake out, resulting in a superior, moist taste and much less shrinkage.
How long does it take?
Cooking times are close to the same as those in a conventional oven. Because the sun is often trying to run away and hide behind clouds, cooking times can vary. At times it may take a little longer. The factors that affect the cooking time are: the quality of the sunlight at the time you are cooking, the types and quantities of the food being cooked, and how often the oven is being refocused.
Does a GLOBAL SUN OVEN® require special pots and pans?
No, but dark, thin-walled pots with lids work best. Dark pots change the light from the sun into heat energy. Lids are important because they hold steam in the pot. If a lid is not used=2 0the steam will dissipate much of the heat. Shiny aluminum pots and pans cause light to be reflected out thereby reducing the oven's temperature. Glass casserole dishes with lids also work well. For baking cakes, breads, cookies, and pies, dark cookie sheets and baking tins work best.
Does food need to be stirred?
No. Stirring to prevent scorching is not required when cooking in a GLOBAL SUN OVEN® due to the fact that there are no hot spots. The temperature of the food rises evenly. It is almost impossible to burn food in a GLOBAL SUN OVEN®.
How difficult is it to focus a GLOBAL SUN OVEN®?
Focusing a GLOBAL SUN OVEN® is very easy. All that is required is to watch the shadows created by the oven. When the shadows are even on all sides, the cooker is directly focused. The built-in leveling leg on the back of the oven allows for easy tracking.
How often must a GLOBAL SUN OVEN® be refocused?
The need to refocus depends a great deal on what you are cooking, the time of day, and the temperature you wish to maintain. A good rule of thumb is to plan to readjust every 30 minutes to maintain maximum heat. At noon the sun is high in the sky and moves quickly past the maximum focus point, creating the need to refocus more often.=2 0Later in the day you will not need to refocus as often. The GLOBAL SUN OVEN® is equipped with a built in Levelator, which keeps food level and avoids spills while being refocused.
Many meals can be cooked without refocusing. GLOBAL SUN OVEN® users often will put their ovens outside, focused for the mid-day sun, with their dinner in it when they leave for work in the morning. As the sun moves overhead, the temperature in the Global Sun Ovenâ chamber slowly rises to a cooking level. As the sun passes, the food is kept warm and when they return from work they have a warm, sun-cooked dinner.
(Keep in mind food will not burn in a GLOBAL SUN OVEN® and that the chamber is extremely well insulated, allowing food to stay warm for hours.)
With the GLOBAL SUN OVEN® getting so hot, what is the risk of getting burned when using it?
The only parts that get hot are the oven chamber, the cooking pan, and the glass door. Proper care must be taken to use hot pads when opening the door and removing food. The entire exterior of the oven, including the reflectors, remains safe to touch.
How long will a GLOBAL SUN OVEN® last?
The estimated life of a GLOBAL SUN OVEN®is 20 + years. With proper care it should last a lifetime.
Do I need special recipes to cook in a GLOBAL SUN OVEN®?
The GLOBAL SUN OVEN® reaches temperatures comparable to that of conventional ovens, therefore no special recipes are required. A good rule of thumb is to add 10 to 15 minutes of cooking time for each time the oven door is opened.
What are the dimensions of the GLOBAL SUN OVEN®?
The size of the GLOBAL SUN OVEN® is 19'' x 19'' with an average depth of 11''. The total weight is only 21 pounds.
Can I use a GLOBAL SUN OVEN® in the winter?
Yes. The most important factor in using a GLOBAL SUN OVEN®is the brightness of the day, NOT the outside air temperature. Often, a 40-degree, clear, low-humidity day will allow food to cook faster than a 100-degree day with high humidity. The GLOBAL SUN OVEN®has been used very successfully at the base camp of a Mt. Everest expedition where the temperatures are often well below zero. There are, however, more cooking hours available in the summer than in the winter. In the early summer, it is not unusual to cook from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, whereas during the early winter, effective cooking is limited20to 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
How does it work?
The black surfaces on the inside of the oven captures and transforms the sun's energy into a form that cannot escape the oven chamber. When a GLOBAL SUN OVEN® is focused in the sun, the interior of the oven is heated by the sun's energy. Direct and reflected sunlight enters the oven chamber through the glass door. It then turns to heat energy when it is absorbed by the black inner-shell and Levelator. This heat input causes the temperature inside the oven to rise until the heat loss of the oven is equal to the solar heat gain. The light energy absorbed by dark pots and the oven's dark interior is converted into longer wavelength heat energy. Most of this longer-wavelength radiant energy can not pass back out through the glass, ensuring more efficient cooking.
Are GLOBAL SUN OVEN® used in countries outside of the United States?
Yes. Currently they are being used in 126 countries around the world. In many of these countries, they purchase unassembled GLOBAL SUN OVENS® and complete the final assembly on location. This reduces the overall cost of the ovens and shipping while creating jobs locally. The demands of massive population growth, and inefficient conversion of wood to charcoal, have outstripped the third world's forests ability to regenerate. The ecological effect of wood fuel is b urdensome and has a far-reaching negative global impact. These global trends will lead to environmental destabilization leading to deforestation and global warming [my note: "whatever!"] Science strongly supports the fact that deforestation for agricultural and fuel use is changing weather patterns, causing soil erosion, and depleting plant and animal life. SUN OVENS® offer a powerful solution to the effects of deforestation, and can have an enormous positive impact on the everyday life of millions of people in underdeveloped countries by improving their nutrition, health, and quality of life.
Monday, March 02, 2009
My Garden Helper
One of the ways I spend time with my grandchildren is to have them come along side me while I'm planting or digging in the garden baking bread or making breakfast in the kitchen. I always find a little "chore" for them to learn to do.
The other day I had two of my grandchildren "help" me in the garden. To be honest, they make more of a mess for me and it takes more time to "show" them what to do than it does for me to just "do it."
But, that's not the point. As a parent or grandparent, the whole idea is to teach and train and model and show them how to "do it" - rather than push them aside and "do it" yourself. How will they ever learn the value of work if we do it all for them? How will they learn how to "do it" if we don't teach them and let them try?
How cute is this hardworking little princess who helped me in the garden?
Related Posts
1. Teaching Kids to Work
2. Teaching Little Ones about Sanctuary
3. Keeping Kids Busy While Watching TV
4. Little Garden Girl's Tips for Kids in the Garden
5. Boys, Chickens & Cleaning DOO DOO
Loving My Husband
I'm so thankful for my husband and our marriage. We're good . . . (very good) for each other. We bring growth and character and joy into each others lives.
Without Michael, I wouldn't be the woman I am.
He challenges me, encourages me, (and yes, even frustrates me and I him) and yet, it's because of our intimate relationship of love, respect and commitment that we work through, press through and come out on the other side of those hard yet good places even more deeply in love - and crazy about each other.
What do I do to maintain my part of the deal?
I get it - the IT - is that my husband needs respect.
If you are experiencing some of your husband's flesh bursts of anger (whether it's outward or he's gotten silent), it's possible that he's not feeling respected by you or someone else.
Men who aren't being respected tend to knee jerk at anything that comes their way. They'll either express anger with an outburst or they'll shut down and get quiet and have a slow seethe that will come out one day - like an affair.
My husband needs me to admire him, honor him, care for him, speak to him with a gentle and graceful tone. He needs me to believe in him and to seek to understand his vision for our future. He needs me to be patient with him and to remember that he's in process just like I am.
Two Ways I Do This:
One of the key principles in marriage is to keep in mind that God sees my husband really differently than I often do, especially in the moment of frustration or disappointment.
The second principle is to NOT lock your husband into old patterns of the past. Believe the best of him and that he really wants to love you in the way that you need.
Related Posts
1. A Crisis in Masculinity
2. A Little Love Story - Part 1
3. The Power of the Bedroom - Sex Talk
4. Understanding Men - Part 8
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