Substance of Living

Last night, DH and I were talking about cruises, retreats, bed & breakfasts, presidential suites, and how we can take those wonderful places and make them a part of our new home.  It's not like we have a staff of employees or a personal chef to provide us with turn-down sheets and specially made meals or to pack a picnic basket but we should be able to make the ordinary extraordinary. We started bouncing around words and ideas that conjure up feelings of contentment: Aromatherapy, plush bedding, chocolates, fancy soap, luxurious towels, colors on the walls, bird feeders, sounds of the ocean.  Hey!  These are all things we can have at home - and at reasonable prices. A retreat is a place where we go to be pampered, relax and to forget life's stresses.  Why not make our home our retreat?  We can start small by incorporating a few things at a time.  We will find ways around obstacles such as wanting a fireplace when we don't have one or have the space to bring in an e

Tofu.  You've seen it in the grocery store.  Read about the benefits.  Now you find yourself with a tub of tofu in your refrigerator and wondering what on earth you're going to do with it. Here are 10 delicious recipes that ought to get you started.  Who knows, tofu might become your favorite "meat".   Spice Seared Tofu from the Gourmet Guy at Men's Health Crispy Breaded Tofu by Angela Liddon at Oh She Glows Baked Tofu by Kalyn at Kalyn's Kitchen Tofu Walnut Meat Balls by Helen Fried at What's Cooking America Quick Easy Vegan Tofu Vegetable Quiche at the Savvy Vegetarian provided by Lonica Lee Eisenbraun of The Organic Company Tofu Scramble with Spinach by Jolinda Hackett at About.com Tofu, Lettuce, Tomato Sandwich by Eating Well Macaroni and Cheesy Tofu by Strollingtroll at Recipes with Tofu Grilled Herbed Tofu with Avocado Cream provided by chef and TV host Giada de Laurentiis at The Food Network Tofu Cacciatore by Kozmic Blues

Doesn't this look yummy?  Is your mouth watering yet?  Are you thinking hot fudge sundae brownie?  Or are you a little more practical and imagining sitting down with a delicious cup of coffee and indulging in this moist brownie? Any way you can imagine enjoying this little piece of bliss, King Arthur's Gluten-Free Brownie Mix will not fail. Believe it or not, I typically follow the recipe exactly like it is on the box.  Although, I am thinking about changing it up a bit and making blueberry muffin brownies.  I think the small bite-sized muffin pan would be perfect.  Oh, wait a minute!  What about mini brownies with fresh raspberries?!  How decadent is that?!!! This is a must-have item in our pantry.  It only takes a couple minutes to prepare, bake while enjoying an impromptu dinner with friends, and by the time you're ready for a drink and dessert, you have BROWNIES. P.S., What is your go-to, must-have dessert for company?  Have you made this recip

I received this story through email and had to share it with you.  This is a terrific tale about a dream (or bet) that turned into a goal and eventually a reality.  Read about Art Lacey's adventures, obstacles, and other hurdles he had to overcome. Art Lacey's Bomber Station Photographer and Initial posting unknown Shortly after WWII a guy named Art Lacey went to Kansas (actually, it was Oklahoma) to buy a surplus B-17.  His idea was to fly it back to Oregon, jack it up in the air and make a gas station out of it.  He borrowed $15,000 from a friend for it.  He asked which one was his and they said take whichever you want because there were miles of them.  He didn't know how to fly a 4-engine airplane so he read the manual while he taxied around by himself.  They said he couldn't take off alone s

Running late and no time for breakfast?   It has been said time and time again that breakfast is the most important meal of the day to jump-start our metabolism and in order to maintain our optimum energy level we should not skip a meal. This smoothie is definitely a meal packed with protein.  According to the Health Food Guide , the Chinese have known about the benefits of peaches for many years and Popeye should have rethought his food of choice.  In fact, Andrea Cespedes of Livestrong.com says that peaches include vitamins A, C, E, K, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and that doesn't include the rest of the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, or fiber benefits. Ingredients: 1 whole sliced peach or 1 cup frozen peaches 1/8 cup soy protein 1 T flax seed 2 cups orange juice 1 1/2 cups milk (soy, almond, rice, coconut) cinnamon or apple pie spice to taste Save time, money, and your waistline.  This delicious drink is filling and makes enough for a meal now and one t

After reading Yahoo’s article Tuesday, March 27, 2012 titled Miss Universe Canada Disqualifies Transsexual Contestant: She was Born a Boy I’m really not sure where I stand on the issue.  Some comments stated that since the pageant is privately owned then they should be able to have the right to state the rules.  Then others commented that not only should the participant be born a female she should also not be allowed to have any plastic surgery. Are beauty pageants a thing of the past? How do you feel about a contestant having a sex change or plastic surgery?  Does this compare with steroid usage in other competitions?  

Each week we will try to offer you a variety of quick, healthy, easy meals and a grocery list to accompany each night. Using a menu helps with the never ending quest for "What's for dinner?" even if you change the order. Shopping with a list and visiting the grocery store once a week has also been proven to save time and money. Time and money are precious commodities today. If you make a little extra, it can also save on extra spending at lunch. Not only will you save money and time you will also know what ingredients are in your food and enjoy the health benefits May 27, 2012 - June 2, 2012 Day Menu Item Shopping Sunday Stuffed Peppers 6 large Sweet Peppers 3 small Tomatoes Frozen Corn 1 small Sweet Onion 1 can Red Beans 1 can Black Beans 1 can Chopped Ripe Black Olives Monterey Jack Cheese Fresh Basil 3 Garlic Cloves Spaghetti Sauce Parmesan Cheese Monday Black Bean & Tomato Quinoa   1 Lime U nsalted Butter Quinoa 1 (14- to 15

The last Monday in May is Memorial Day providing many Americans with a three-day weekend unofficially kicking off  the beginning of summer.  Memorial Day is the remembrance of those who have died during war protecting our freedom.  It's a funny holiday because while we are mourning, it is also a day for celebration.  Celebration for the lives of those who have died, celebration of summer, celebration of the school break, in essence - FREEDOM. What if we started a tradition of our own?  Why not celebrate life, remember those who have passed, and group many of the spring and summer festivities into one?  Think of the traditions golf tournaments, races, and other sports have and combine the best. Mimicking some of the traditions of our favorite sporting events, we too can celebrate our winners in like fashion: The Sports we LOVE! Racing = Three-legged Race, Potato Sack Race Football = Water Balloon Toss, Flag Football Tennis = Ping Pong, Badminton, Volley Ball G

It will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking..   Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.. Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats

For those of you who have been gluten-free for some time probably know about these products but for those of you who are new it may seem that there isn’t anything out there.  There are new products being introduced practically daily.  Mainstream brands are also beginning to understand that they need to provide alternatives.  For example, Bisquick and Betty Crocker now have gluten-free products.  There is a HUGE expense to this diet and that it seems our items are 3X the price.  Then again, the price at the cash register is so much LESS than what a doctor visit, medication, and the overall suffering of not eating properly causes. Aleia * BetterBatter * Bob’s Red Mill (Flours, Oats) – This item can be found in most grocery stores in the baking or health food aisle. Chebe (Pizza Dough Mix, Bread Dough Mix, Cinnamon Rolls Mix) Deboles (Pasta) -- This item can be found in most grocery stores in the pasta or health food aisle. Dr Schar (Pasta) -- This item can be foun

One of the greatest satisfactions in life is feeling the relief of paying off a debt.  We all know that debt causes stress, and don't we already have enough of that in our life? Financial freedom is not necessarily having the finances to purchase whatever you want.  Financial freedom is having the knowledge and the wisdom to create a plan that allows you to live within your means. Each month's challenges will help us attain our Financial Freedom in the Money Matters Monday series. Throughout this series we will look into the management of our expenses.  We need to know where and when we are spending our money. We will then learn to categorize our spending. Then we will talk long term about some financial planning choices and where to start searching out the questions and answers. This month's Money Matters Monday challenge is to collect receipts .  That's right, it's as simple as collecting receipts for everything you purchase throug

2 – 15 oz cans of Black Beans, rinsed and drained (separated) 1/2 Cup Flour 1/4 Cup Cornmeal 1/2 Cup Salsa 2 t Ground Cumin 1 t Garlic Powder 1 T Nutritional Yeast 1 T Italian Seasoning 1/4 Cup Water In the food processor add 1 can black beans and all the rest of the ingredients.  Blend until a nice and thick paste (kind of like bean dip).  Add the second can of black beans to the mixture in a bowl.  Cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator for 1-4 hours before cooking. You can cook individual patties and refrigerate the rest for up to about four days.  I like to prepare the ingredients one day, cook up a few burgers for lunch or dinner and then cook up all the burgers the next day.  The burgers cooked the second day seem to be a bit stronger in flavor (similar to spaghetti sauce) since the flavors have melded. Another way to enjoy these burgers is to cook or grill them all up and freeze.  Wrap each burger individually and place them all in

Ever think that your contribution doesn't really matter since you are only one person?  One vote?  Think of all the changes one person at a time has made over the years.  One person sat in front of a building, one person took public transportation, one person had a dream, one person fought for gorillas, one person has made the difference. Although organizations are made up of many people, it is each person being involved that makes the collective voice.  Here are five of my favorite websites that are changing the world one person at a time. ASPCA Change.org Caring.com PETA American Sewing Guild What are your favorite charitable websites?  What cause are you passionate about?  Do you think schools should offer gluten-free lunches?  Should companies pay for your parking or subsidize your public transportation to help alleviate the strain on the rising price of gasoline or reduce the amount of cars on the road every day? Leave your comment below and let your voic

Each week we will try to offer you a variety of quick, healthy, easy meals and a grocery list to accompany each night. Using a menu helps with the never ending quest for "What's for dinner?" even if you change the order. Shopping with a list and visiting the grocery store once a week has also been proven to save time and money. Time and money are precious commodities today. If you make a little extra, it can also save on extra spending at lunch. Not only will you save money and time you will also know what ingredients are in your food and enjoy the health benefits. May 20, 2012 - May 26, 2012 Day Menu Item Shopping Sunday Broccoli and Cheese Quiche Rice Cheddar Cheese 5 Eggs Milk Broccoli Floret Monday Lemon-Basil Pasta   L inguine or desired pasta 1 can White Kidney (Cannellini) Beans 1 Lemon Fresh Basil Leaves Tuesday Creamy Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup   O nion

"Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world." -- George Bernard Shaw Choose any five (5) days a week to do the following projects.  Try to do at least two items a day and to ensure that they are done, schedule them in your calendar.  Over a month's time, everything should have been done at least once, if not more often.  Some items won't be done at all due to the time of year. I have not scheduled the amount of time each task will take because the size of rooms, number of people in a house, etc.  The first time you do each task mark down how long it took so that you know approximately how long it will take next time.  You will probably find that each task will end up taking a little less time as you get better organized.  You might be able to complete a load of laundry in while you clean the tub, sink, toilet, and floor! Clean out the refrigerator while you're getting dinner ready or organize

Faux Souffle Preheat your oven to 350F and grease a 2-quart souffle or casserole dish. Mix together and place in the souffle dish: 8 Slices of wheat-free/gluten-free bread (cubed) 1/2 Cup grated Mixed Cheese 3 Tablespoon melted Butter Beat the eggs and mix additional ingredients: 3 Eggs 1/4 Cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 Teaspoon Liquid Aminos Salt and Pepper to taste Slowly add the scalded milk to the egg mixture: 2 Cups scalded Milk Pour the entire egg mixture over the bread cubes in the souffle dish.   Bake 45 minutes     and serve immediately. Makes: 3 1/2 cups or about 4 servings This recipe was adapted from Carol Gelles “1,000 Vegetarian Recipes” cookbook.

This very moist and airy French Bread was baked using the GLUTEN FREE PANTRY French Bread & Pizza Mix . I followed the directions with a couple exceptions: Instead of using 2 eggs and 1 egg white, I used 2 eggs + 1 T Ener-G Egg Replacer + 1 tablespoon water. Melted Butter was used instead of the vegetable oil. My bread pan is a little smaller than the 9x5 inch loaf pan called for on the box. The Oven Method was used rather than dragging out the bread machine.  (My machine was great in theory but pulling out the mixer from the bottom of the loaf of bread after baking is a mess.) Slightly greased the plastic wrap to allow the bread to rise. A few minutes before taking the bread out of the oven, I brushed some olive oil over the top instead of using an egg wash.  The egg wash was supposed to be brushed on the loaf prior to baking.  This is to aid in the browning of the top. Baked for 43 minutes which was half way between 40 and 45 minutes as stated on the box. We'

Did you read the Yahoo! article 10 Things You Should Always Buy in Bulk dated March 25, 2012?  It was a good article and also mentioned some great websites such as Hassle-Free Savings and Suddenly Frugal . I don’t know if all the things I purchase at wholesale clubs are considered “bulk” but some items I purchase using my wholesale membership include the following: Toilet Paper Paper Towels Gum Smart Balance tubs of butter Kitty Litter Toothbrushes Soap – Bath, Liquid Hand Laundry Detergent Dish Washer Soap Vitamins Frozen Fish (Wild Caught, not farmed raised) Razors Pasta Sauce (Gluten-Free) Cans of Tuna Fish Milk – Organic and Soy Milk Frozen Fruit (Organic) Canned Diced Tomatoes (Organic) Oatmeal Wine Computers This is not to say that I will only purchase them there.  For example, the vitamins can run me about the same when they are on sale at the drug store.  The kitty litter can also cost me the same at the pet store or a major discount store. The big

Aren't mothers the best?!  There are just some things in life that only mothers understand.  They know when to talk, when to remain silent, they are in our corner whether they agree with our decisions or not. This year, with the help of letterwhiz , I'd like to publicly write my mother a letter. Dear Mom, I wish you a Happy Mother's Day today, but also wish you many other happy days as well. You are the one person who has always been there for me, to support me when I needed a hand, to nudge me along when I needed to let go. You were there when I needed to cry, allowed me to yell when words failed me, and stayed up with me all night when I was sick. I love you, and appreciate everything you have ever done for me. A Happy Mother's Day is the very, very least I could begin to wish for you in return. Love, Marie                                                One of the many fun activities provided by the Disney Family Fun website.