Examples of Real vs. Perfect

Yesterday I wrote about being ourselves instead of searching for that perfect way. So today I thought I would share a few examples of real vs "perfect".

Dishes in the sink because I chose to watch a movie after dinner with my family
........vs....... your sink should always be empty and sparkling

Blankets strewn across the living room this morning because of watching above said movie
......vs........ always tidy up the house before bedtime, nothing should be out of place

Frozen pizza for lunch because I didn't want to cook after grocery shopping
......vs......... if you feed your family processed foods, you are poisoning them.

Ponytail, no makeup and yoga pants on when my hubby walks in the door
......vs....... you should always freshen your makeup and fix your hair just before your husband arrives home.

Writing my name in the dust on my coffee table
......vs........ today is Tuesday, let's dust the entire house.

Talking to God while washing the dishes
.....vs........we should rise an hour before our family and spend quiet time with God.

Come on in, make yourself at home, oh let me move that blanket out of your way
......vs...... I can't have people over unless my house is spotless.

Taking my neighbor a tater tot casserole when they had a bad day
.....vs...... I must fix a three course meal in order to bless someone.

Pepsi, a bag of chips and some french onion dip while cleaning my house because that is a real thing
.......vs........ I must never put junk in my mouth if I want to be healthy and a good fitness example to others.

Saying I'm sorry when I lose my temper and yell at my children
..........vs........We must be perfect examples of Christ, maintaining self control in all areas at all times.

Popcorn, blankets and movies all day with my family - maybe even ordering pizza so I don't have to cook
.......vs........We must never be lazy, always busy with our hands.

These are just a few examples of my real life. Yep, they've all happened at one time or another. I tried to use some extreme perfects just to make a point, but please know that if you do any of the "perfect" things because that is how you like it, GREAT!! I just don't want us believing we are any less of a wife, mother or person because we don't do them. Remember, it is all about finding what works for us and our own families, not trying to live up to some standard "they" set for us - whoever "they" are.

I want us to live in grace and freedom. I want us to relax and enjoy life, to love others and let go of trying to be perfect. Just. be. you.  If that means having a spotless house, awesome - just don't expect that if you come visit me. ;)

Blessings my friends,
Rashel

To read the post that inspired this post, click here.

Increasing My Running Speed and Endurance

When I started running I used the Couch to 5K app and I really enjoyed it- for awhile. However, once I reached a certain point it was moving too fast for me and I couldn't keep up with the daily goals. I kept running, sometimes using previous days on the app and sometimes just making up my own goal that day. But I wasn't seeing much improvement in my 5k times and knew I needed to do something different.

That is when I really started researching what others do to increase their speed and endurance and I found out there is a vast amount of information on the internet about the subject. I read and read, then I asked questions on the THM runners facebook group. (They are so supportive and helpful!)

I learned enough to come up with my own plan and it has helped me tremendously! I thought I would share what I do each week, but then I highly encourage you to do some reading on your own and find out what works for you. Just because this works for me, it may not be the best for you. Also remember that I am not a professional, I am just sharing what I do.

It IS Important

I'll start tomorrow. It's only one donut. We're all going to die anyway.

Yeah, I here people say these things all the time as excuses as to why they aren't taking care of their health. There are always excuses. Tons of them. There always will be. Be let me just say this...

IT IS IMPORTANT!

God created our bodies to be awesome, functioning machines, but we must put the right fuel into a machine for it to operate correctly. You don't put kool aid in a gas motor and expect it to run. So why would you think your body is any different? Yes, you will still live awhile, you will still breathe and be able to move - for awhile. Eventually, you will start slowing down, you will blame it on aging but is that really the reason. Maybe, just maybe, it's because you haven't been taking care of your machine properly.

Sometimes you don't even realize how sluggish your machine is running because it has become normal to you. Until I cleaned my system out I had no idea how bad I really felt. I was tired a lot, I had headaches often and my tummy was always rumbling. It was life, that was just how I was and I had gotten accustomed to it. Thank God He didn't allow me to stay like that. He nudged me and encouraged me to get healthy and I cannot tell you how thankful I am for that. I feel like a new person. I have energy I never had before. My headaches are few and far between, and quite honestly only when I eat poorly. My stomach is much quieter and I sleep SOOO much better.

IT IS IMPORTANT!  And what is more - IT IS WORTH IT!

You are worth the effort it takes to eat healthy! Your family is worth it, they deserve the best you that you can give them. God is worth it.

Yes, God!

How can you serve Him to the best of your abilities if you aren't the best you that you can be?

Your body is not your own, it is His. He bought it with a very high price. He is just letting you take care of it. So, how good of a job are you doing at that?

This might seem a little blunt, but sometimes that is exactly what it takes for some of us to see the truth.

Your health is important to God because you are important to God!

I'm running this same race with you and I know it can be really hard, but sister, it is so worth it. I pray that you start this journey, restart this journey or continue this journey - wherever you are right now, I am here with you. You are not alone. God is here too, always!

THM Honesty Time and Advice

My advice to anyone starting, or restarting, Trim Healthy Mama is to not give up. I know it can be hard and sometimes you wonder if it is worth it. It is! Your health is worth the effort.

I'm going to be completely honest with you - I've been off plan for a few months now. I made excuses why I couldn't do it, even posted about why I wasn't doing it but to be totally honest, I was just being lazy. I didn't exercise self control or will power. Then it was just easier to justify why I was off plan with excuses, which I did believe at the time - but I was wrong.

Yeah, my family did start eating junk but that was my fault, not THM's. I got lazy and slacked when it came to fixing them healthy food. It was just easier to let them buy the junk.

Yes when I fix off plan baked goods or meals, it takes a lot of self control not to eat them or at least not to eat TOO MUCH of them. But I SHOULD use self control in all things. It is a fruit of the Spirit that I must use and train at all times.

I could go on with all my excuses, but that is all they are, excuses. And boy did I sell myself on them for awhile. I know that Trim Healthy Mama is the best way for me to eat. I feel so much better when I stay on plan- more energy, no headaches and just overall feeling good. Yes, it takes self discipline to stay on plan, but it does for any healthy eating plan and that is a character trait we should all strive to strenghten in our lives.

I wish that I wouldn't have wasted those months eating off plan, my body has more healing to do now, but I will just learn from it and move on.

I started back on plan last week, consistently and do you know what? When I am committed to the plan, I actually enjoy it! I enjoy finding new healthy recipes. I enjoy knowing that what I am eating is nourishing my body instead of poisoning it. It is totally a mind thing with me. When I am committed and excited about it, it is fun and doable, but when I let negative thoughts about it come into my mind, it becomes drudgery. When I start allowing negative thoughts in, then I start finding excuses not to do it.

The bible tells me to think on the good things, the praise worthy things, the true things - THM is good for my health in so many ways. That is the good, praise worthy truth! I will think on that and I will continue to enjoy my journey.

I also recommend finding an accountability buddy, it helps so much! If you don't have someone you can count on, join Two Grand. There are so many THMers on there that will gladly help you.  My username is RashelTHM, look me up, I'll help you!

I pray that at least one person has been encouraged by my honesty in my struggles. May you be blessed and strengthened in your journey.

Rashel

Preparing for Christmas All Year

This year for Christmas I did very little planning ahead, perhaps none at all. I want to do better next year. 

I think I could put more thought and effort into each gift if I started much earlier. I think I could save money by watching sales or making more presents. I think my husband would be happy if I didn't spend so much money all at once. I think I would enjoy more of the Christmas season if I had most of the shopping done ahead of time. I think I would have more time to bake cookies and candy with my children to take to our neighbors. I just think it's a good idea to start much, MUCH earlier.

There's one problem. Okay two.

One, it kind of overwhelms me trying to figure out exactly how to start planning for Christmas in January.

Two, I'm a procrastinator.

I can overcome number two, I am getting better in this area.

About number one, you can help me.

How do you plan ahead? 

How do you plan gifts yet make it something that person won't buy between now and Christmas?

How do you handle the people you draw names for when your family doesn't draw names until thanksgiving?

How do you keep track of what you have for whom?

I would love to hear your ideas for planning ahead.

 I really am determined to do something each month, starting in January, to prepare for Christmas next year. I've already been pinning ideas for crafts and Christmas ideas.

I'm looking forward to hearing your suggestions!

 I plan to do posts sharing how I'm planning ahead each month, so that, maybe, I can encourage others to make the most of their Christmas as well.

Blessings,

Rashel

My Makeshift Pantry

My weekend project was to declutter and organize my pantry. Have I ever mentioned we live in a small home? Well, we do, a 900 sq. ft. home to be exact. It is a pretty open floor plan which helps but there is not one built in closet in our home - NOT ONE! I use a lot of shelves: homemade, pre-made and bookshelves - everywhere.

I decided a while back to use three of my shelves to make a pantry in my kitchen. 

Are you too busy making your life "better" that you're forgetting to live?

I was rereading some of my older posts and I was really convicted by this timely reminder. I decided to re-post it today and I pray that you are as encouraged as I was.

I realized some things this week while on a mini spur of the moment vacation. I love it when God takes ordinary opportunities and teaches me a lesson through them.

Skirts Made From Old Pairs of Jeans

This week for Modest Monday I thought I would feature some skirts that I've made using a pair of jeans and either extra fabric or another pair of jeans. 

This skirt is super comfortable and it is a lighter weight denim, which is great on warmer days. Aren't the flowers pretty? My daughter bought these for me for Valentine's Day, using her own birthday money. She is such a sweetie!

30 ways to save money

 I know things can get tight sometimes, especially the way government is right now and I wanted to share some of the ways we save money. We are a family of six living on a single income and have managed to become debt free, praise the Lord - He receives all glory for that. Now before you start thinking my husband has some high paying job, let me assure you he does not. He is a manager at a farm and home store, a small one. We have learned how to budget our money over the years and are blessed to be able to put some in savings along the way as well.

Here are just some of the things we do or have done to save money:

Choosing God's Path

Over the last few years God has really been teaching me some things and I would really like to share them with you. I believe we all have many seasons in our lives that God brings us through, some to teach us things and some for our discipline because of choices we have made. I know for me personally that through these seasons, God always draws me nearer to Him. My goal is always to walk closer to Him, but I know full well that sometimes I get off course, even when I think at the time that it is the right way.

(photo from www.123rf.com)

I've gotten off course in the area of food. In my search for the best for my family, I let it become an obsession. I became obsessed with what was the "best" way to prepare food for my family, what was the "best" kind of food and then the "best" way to eat that food. The problem with that is not that I wanted the best for my family but that everyone has a different idea what the "best" is. Then I finally remembered that I am to look to God and His word and what do you know, it talks about food. God's word says much about foods and I strongly encourage you to do your own study if you are struggling in this area like I was. So what  did God show me? I believe that my family is to eat foods as close to the state that God made them as possible (read that unprocessed). I believe that He showed us all things are clean under the new covenant and I don't have to live by old testament laws regarding clean foods (bacon is yummy!). He also mentions a land flowing with milk and honey numerous times and always as a wonderful place, so to me that means those foods are good foods. He also reminded me that nothing is to become an idol and when I become obsessed with food in any way (even trying to be healthy), it is wrong. When I am constantly thinking I need to soak this, ferment that, or not eat this with that, it isn't healthy. When it is always forefront on my mind or taking away from other things, it has become an idol and is wrong. When my food choices take away from fellowship with others because I "can't eat" what they are serving or fix my family the foods they love, it is wrong. I have to find the balance in food just like in all areas of life. So in a nutshell, I have chosen to eat healthy, natural foods as much as possible but not to worry when I can't. I also will have bad foods once in awhile and that is okay too, moderation and balance are key. I will not consume myself with things like soaking, fermenting, organic, or even proper combinations (which I have promoted before) but instead just do my best. I'm not saying any of those things are wrong, I am saying that for me, it became an obsession and was taking away from just living my life and enjoying my family.That is wrong.

Another area God has been teaching me is in my home keeping. I guess I have issues with caring what others think of how my home is kept (cleaned). I know part of that is how I was raised, our home was always clean and never cluttered, ever, that I can recall. Anyway, I've come to realize that I am okay with the way our home is, even when there is dust on the shelves and dirt on the floor (which is almost always). However, I always felt embarrassed if someone would stop by when the house was a mess, but you know what? It shouldn't matter! It is our home and we take care of it the way we want to, what is comfortable for us. Yes, my floors almost always need swept, we live on a farm and I have four children! Yes, there is dust on almost every flat surface, again, we live on a farm. Yes, sometimes there are blankets and pillows all over the living room, did I mention I have four children? Yep, my kitchen table is bound to have stuff on it, maybe school books, maybe mail, at the moment a VCR my husband was working on last night - our home is lived in. I have finally come to realize that it is okay, I don't have to impress anyone. This is our home and we will clean it when we have time, we will leave things out sometimes but as long as we are taking care of what God has given us, it is okay. 

Something else I learned through these things, it is such freedom to live as God wants us to instead of how others think we should. It was easy to say I didn't care what the world thought, but the real truth is that I did. Praise God that He is working on me in that area and setting me free from that burden, a burden He never intended me to carry.

(photo from www.123rf.com)

I pray that if you are carrying any burdens, especially those similar to mine, that you would lay them at the feet of Jesus. Cry out to Him and allow Him to break those chains so that you may experience the freedom that comes only from Him.

Blessings my friends,

Rashel

  

Flaky homemade biscuits

I have been on a search for awhile for a really good, flaky homemade biscuit recipe. I had two favorite recipes but neither was just what I was looking for, so I decided to experiment and come up with a new recipe based on those two recipes. They turned out wonderful! They rose beautifully and were so flaky and yummy! I was so glad we had some left after breakfast because they made a heavenly snack later with some butter and honey!! So, if you are looking for a good, easy biscuit recipe, give this one a try. I hope you like them as much as I do! If you do try them, please come back and leave me a comment to let me know what you thought.

Flaky Homemade Biscuits

(makes approximately 20-24 biscuits)

4 cups flour (I used unbleached white flour)

2 Tbsp sugar ( I used raw sugar)

8 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 cup butter- cold 

1 ½ cup milk (I use raw)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In large mixing bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. It is okay to have some bigger pieces of butter.  Add milk and stir until combined as well as you can, then turn onto floured surface and knead only until dough is manageable, do not over knead. The more you handle the dough, the less flaky the biscuits will be. The dough may seem just slightly dry and actually flake apart, this is good.  Roll out to about ½ to ¾ inch thickness and cut into biscuits, I used a 2 ½ in biscuit cutter.  Bake until golden brown on top, it is approximately 10-15 minutes but will depend on the size of your biscuits. I usually bake until browned, then take them out, pull one apart and make sure they are done in the middle. 

Blessings my friends,

Rashel



          

My priorities are straight

 Since I haven't been posting much lately, I just wanted to take a minute and let you know I am doing well, as is my family.  My blog isn't the only place I have been MIA, I haven't been online much at all lately. It just isn't my priority right now. I am so thankful that God has helped me to get my priorities straight. I know for many of you that blogging or reading blogs isn't really an issue and I am so thankful for that, but for me it was. I would think I was just going to sit down and write a quick post or read just a few blogs, but it inevitably turned into hours on the computer. Those were hours I should have been taking care of my home and family. Oh, I always had the excuse in the back of my mind that I was learning important things I could do around my own home or being encouraged by someone in my faith, and while that might have been true, it was still wrong. I was spending all the time reading about new skills instead of doing those skills, or reading about being a Proverbs 31 woman instead of just being one.
  I know that I have written about this before and I could link to those other posts so you could read more about it, but I don't want to be your reason for spending too much time online. So my advice, turn off your internet and go DO something. You know what needs done, a game played with a little one, some towels folded that are piled on your couch or maybe you need to start supper. Whatever is waiting for you, go do it. Then when all else is done, you can get a cup of coffee, get back online and read a FEW blogs, but please don't let the blog world keep you from what is really important, the real world.

Blessings my friends,
Rashel

My Azure order for the month

I have just recently started ordering from Azure Standard and have learned that it is not nearly as complicated as I used to think it was. I wonder why I do that, why do I let myself get so caught up in the details of everything and thinking I have to do it perfectly before just trying something new? Ok, so I don't do that with everything, but I did do it with Azure and I have done it in the past with other things. I just get intimidated with big, new things sometimes when really, it isn't a big deal at all.

*Note to self, my son is very much like this and extremely dislikes trying new things, even to the point of tears at times, now I understand where he gets it. I really hadn't realized I was behaving this way until I started thinking about/writing this post. By the way, I am certain that my grammar in this post is horrific! I hope you will forgive me and love me anyway.

Okay, back to my order, because I know you are just dying to know what I ordered. I mean really that is the whole reason you even started reading this post in the first place isn't it? And it's the reason you are reading through all of my rambling, to know what I ordered and how simple it is, right?  Well, I won't make you wait any longer, here it is...........

(please don't look at the mess behind, focus on the products, thank you - I appreciate your cooperation)

So, the biggest brown bag is a 50lb sack of organic potatoes (22.50), isn't that just cool! The other brown sack is a 50lb bag of wheat berries (32.40). Yay, I was completely out. There are two 3-lb bags of organic apples (3.00 each), I ate one as soon as I got home and boy, was it delicious. Also, a gallon of coconut oil (40.55), a gallon of raw ACV (8.80),  1 lb. of chicken broth powder (4.75),  1 lb. of ceylon cinnamon (14.80), 5 lbs of sea salt (2.35),  39 oz organic small white beans (3.85), lettuce seeds (1.80) and roastaroma tea (3.65). 

 I discovered this morning I absolutely love the roastaroma  and didn't order nearly enough. I am trying to get away from so much coffee, but I honestly just love my coffee. This seems to be the perfect solution. The ceylon cinnamon is supposed to be a much healthier cinnamon and has many more health benefits than regular cinnamon. I recommend researching the different kinds of cinnamon for yourself, it's very interesting. One kind can actually be harmful if taken too frequently, but not ceylon. My husband is actually the one that researched it, started mixing it with honey to treat colds and recommended it to coworkers. We ordered three extra bags because his coworkers wanted to order some too! I ordered the lettuce seeds because I'm anxious to get my garden going, although it is too early yet. So, my plan is to try my hand at some indoor plants. I know the coconut oil seems expensive if you aren't familiar with it, but it is actually a very good price. If you aren't aware of the health benefits of coconut oil, I also suggest you research that. I no longer use shortening or lard, I use coconut oil. It tastes great and is SOOO much healthier for you. As for the produce, I can't always buy organic, so I have decided to focus on the dirty dozen and try my best to buy those items organic. Azure Standard helps me do that because they have great prices. We have been eating a lot of potatoes lately: potato soup, mashed potatoes, fried potatoes, etc. Now, I can feel even better about  fixing them because they are organic! 

I better run, I need to go grind some wheat and make some bread now that I have more berries!

Blessings my friends,

Rashel

P.S. If you are like me and sitting on the fence about ordering from Azure, bite the bullet and do it. It is super easy and you will love it. They have people to help you with your first order and they are super nice. I didn't have any trouble finding a drop location near me and I even get reminders of my cut off and pick up dates. To be real honest, I actually think it is fun to go pick up my order, help unload everyone's boxes off the semi and meet the other families ordering as well!  If you have other questions about ordering, just ask me and I will try to help. :)

Out with the old.............

I really want to streamline things to make it easier to maintain our home. The first thing I have to do is declutter, MAJOR declutter! I had big plans of decluttering every room over the weekend because I thought dh was going to have to work, turns out he was off Friday and Saturday. (I'm not complaining at all, I would much rather he be home, I can declutter anytime). Anywho, all that to say that I only made it through one room, my kitchen. I did manage to make it through the entire kitchen, every nook and cranny. I emptied almost every cupboard and got rid of what we didn't need or use. I also reorganized/rearranged several of the cupboards to make things more efficient. When my children were younger, we put all of our plates/bowls in a lower cabinet so they were easily accessible for them to set the table, put dishes away, etc. Well, they are all a little older (taller) now and I was ready to put the dishes back in an upper cabinet. I am really happy with how things are now, although it does take some getting used to. 

I also searched online for some new organizing ideas and found a couple I really wanted to try. One of them I finished, but the other I can't find the right tools for yet. Here is the one I finished (with hubby's help).

 Here is a view a little farther a way to get the big picture.

My main goal was to free up counter space and make it easier to clean my counters. Mission accomplished. I found the idea here.

The other project I plan to do- if I can find the right tools is here. I can't find the right kind of broom/mop holders. I will keep looking but for now my spices are all in the drawer that used to house our silverware.

I took two totes of things to my shed for a garage sale in the spring and I gave away a grocery sack of food that my family was not eating. 

I'm not sure which room I will tackle next, but this time I will try to take before and after pictures. I didn't think of it until I was half way through and trust me, nobody wanted to see that chaos!

Blessings,

Rashel


linked with

Some goals for the new year

I don't really like "new year's resolutions" because I feel I make them on a whim and I never really stick to it and accomplish them, however, I do have some goals for this new year. These are just some things I would like to accomplish this year; in fact, I wanted to accomplish some of them last year! I decided to make two categories of goals, one for health and one for homestead. I did place them somewhat in order, but that is open for change as time goes on. My original plan was to work on one goal a month throughout the year, but  as I was making my lists I realized I really would like to accomplish some things sooner than that. Therefore, my plan now is to tackle one goal at a time and progress as I feel I am able. I don't want to take on too much at once but I also know I can work on some of these at the same time. So are you at all interested in what my goals are? Well, if not, you can quit reading now but I have a feeling if your weren't interested, you wouldn't have read this far! So here they are -

Health Goals

1.  Eliminate all processed sugar from my diet, this includes any food that contains processed sugars. I will allow myself honey, sucanat and raw sugars.
2. Drink my coffee black or use only stevia. 
3. Consistently drink 64oz of water daily.
4. Exercise two times a week. I know most people say three, but I am focusing on a doable goal right now.
5. Eat fruit at least two times a day. I have not been doing good at getting enough fruit in my diet.
6. Eat RAW vegetables at least twice a day.
7. Keep kombucha made.
8. Learn to make 2-3 fermented foods that we enjoy, using Nourishing Traditions.
9. Learn to make kefir.
10. Learn about 5 herbs and their uses.
11. Find a properly combined bread recipe. This is one of those I will work on throughout the months as I have time, I just hope to have come up with one by the end of the year.

Homestead Goals

1.  Follow my home management binder consistently. 
2. Work on Christmas presents throughout the year.
3. Keep track of all of our spending.
4. Increase my pantry/preparedness stock.
5. Declutter each room thoroughly.
6. Keep meals and bread in freezer at all times.
7. Keep up with my sewing.
8. Have a better garden this year and preserve more of the harvest.
9. Make a family favorites cookbook.
10. Make soap.

Well, there you have it. Those are the things I would really like to accomplish by the end of the year, hopefully sooner!

Have you set goals for the new year? I would love for you to share them with us.

Blessings,

Rashel

Crockpot yogurt

Before getting to the recipe, I have to say this: I am excited to report that I placed my first Azure Standard order yesterday. It was super easy and I even had the option to pay C.O.D. instead of using my debit/credit card. I needed to order wheat berries and instead of buying them from the lady I bought my grain mill from (an hour away), I decided to try Azure. The price was good, especially shipping and handling and I was able to get organic. I did order a few other things too. I will do another post when I actually get my order in and let you know how it went.

Okay onto my yogurt making. I have been needing to make yogurt for awhile because I have so much extra raw milk. We have a nearby family that sells us raw milk for $3 a gallon and I am so blessed and thankful for it. My problem is that we sometimes don't use all I buy and while I do use it even when it sours, I really wanted to make sure I wasn't wasting a drop. This crockpot recipe uses 2 qts at a time, which I love and it was super easy to do. My other recipes required a lot of precision and didn't make much at one time. This yogurt didn't turn out as thick as I would like but I can strain it. Next time I might let it stand just a little longer to see if that helps at all, but it is still good and makes wonderful smoothies!

Here is the recipe I used. I tried to find out where it came from and all I figured out is that this recipe is all over the internet, so I don't know who to give credit to.

--8 cups (half-gallon) of whole milk--pasteurized and homogenized is fine, but do NOT use ultra-pasteurized.

--1/2 cup store-bought natural, live/active culture plain yogurt (you need to have a starter. Once you have made your own, you can use that as a starter)

--frozen/fresh fruit for flavoring

--thick bath towel

The Directions.

This takes a while. Make your yogurt on a weekend day when you are home to monitor.

 Plug in your crockpot and turn to low. Add an entire half gallon of milk. Cover and cook on low for 2 1/2 hours.

Unplug your crockpot. Leave the cover on, and let it sit for 3 hours.

When 3 hours have passed, scoop out 2 cups of the warmish milk and put it in a bowl. Whisk in 1/2 cup of store-bought live/active culture yogurt. Then dump the bowl contents back into the crockpot. Stir to combine.

Put the lid back on your crockpot. Keep it unplugged, and wrap a heavy bath towel all the way around the crock for insulation.


Go to bed, or let it sit for 8 hours.

In the morning, the yogurt will have thickened---it's not as thick as store-bought yogurt, but has the consistency of low-fat plain yogurt. You can flavor with fruit as desired. 

Save 1/2 cup as a starter to make a new batch.

Blessings,
Rashel

Garage sale finds

This weekend a nearby city is having their citywide garage sale, it is a HUGE event. You can go all day Saturday and not nearly go to all of the sales, so, I started yesterday!  We actually went to town with hubby to eat lunch and between eating lunch and getting ice cream for dessert, we decided to let our bellies settle a little and kill some time looking for early garage sales. We found several! We went to some, got ice cream and then went to some more. It was so much fun.  Here is my favorite find from yesterday.

I found this at a sale for $20. It is a Cosco brand. I just love these chairs. I remember my Great Grandmother having one in her kitchen. I had seen another one earlier in the day but for some reason wasn't compelled to buy it like I was this one. 

I called my Mom this morning and was telling her about my find and she said she would love to have one and if I saw another for about that price, would I get it for her.  So this morning we went back to town to the garage sale I had seen the first one at to see if it was still there. 

Yep, it was still there. It was also $20. So I got it for my Mom and then sent her a picture of it from my phone. She loves it!

I am going back tomorrow with my Mom and sister, we go every year. My children went with me today but they will be staying with a friend tomorrow because they get way too worn out when we go ALL day.

Blessings,

Rashel

Time and Money Saving Tip

There are a lot of little things we do to save money around our homestead, doing our own haircuts is one of them. I am the only one in our family that pays to have their hair cut, and I only go about twice a year. It helps that we have very simple styles and are not overly concerned with the latest fad in hair styling.

 We use a pet grooming kit with an additional set of guards. We just choose the size we want and do the same length all over for the boys, dh has his a little longer on the top than the sides. It is really simple and saves us lots of time and money. Not only do we not have to pay for the haircut, we also don't have to take the time out of our day to load every one up and drive to the barber.

 Here is a picture of dh cutting one of the boys hair awhile ago, obviously not now because we are in the middle of winter and this picture is in the summer! I gave the boys haircuts yesterday, but didn't take any pictures, so I added this one. Enjoy.

Azure Standard - I'm totally overwhelmed

I know many bloggers that order from Azure and love it, so I have thought several times that I should check into it. I have to admit, every time I do, I get completely overwhelmed. It may sound silly and honestly, it probably it, but nonetheless, it happens. I am committed to saving money for my family while trying to buy the best food available. There are just so many choices on the website, and trying to figure the prices per oz or lb so I can compare with local costs, just totally boggles my mind. It also takes a lot of time. Does anyone who orders from them have any advice for me? I would truly LOVE to hear from anyone who has ordered and has had good success using them. I love the idea of it, I just have to figure out what is actually a good deal and how to go about it.

Thank you in advance!
Rashel

Monthly Grocery Shopping

I have been working this morning on getting my bedroom more organized. This is the catch all room (everything that doesn't have a home ends up here), it is also my office area, sewing area, scrapbook area. That all equals alot of clutter and not a very relaxing area for me. (or productive office area)  Anyway, I have been working on that and making some progress but at lunch I decided to sit down and read some blogs for a little bit and maybe find some encouragement in my organizing.

I came across a really encouraging blog post at Jabez Farms, although it has nothing to do with organizing my bedroom! She shares her struggles with spending too much at the grocery store and how she decided to start monthly grocery shopping. Her thoughts really encouraged me to reevaluate my own grocery shopping, I currently shop every two weeks and spend $250 for our family of 6. However, I must admit that I usually make a couple stops at a local dollar store in between and spend a little more there. I really need to stop that. I've decided to at least try monthly grocery shopping and see how it works for us. I have always gone every two weeks because that is how hubby gets paid, but I think I can make this work and it will save me a lot of time. I'm still in the early stages of planning this, but I will try to post my plans and my progress as I go. There are some things I still don't know when it comes to how I will do it, but one thing I know for sure, hubby will  love it if I can find another way to money and I will love gaining the hours I would normally spend shopping!

I will post more as I make my plans and I will follow up and let you know how it goes when I shop.  How often do you grocery shop?

Blessings,
Rashel