Separated or Curdled Homemade Mayonnaise?

I know.  I should have taken a picture.  But I was in denial.

Last week, I made Caesar dressing with my homemade mayo.  And it curdled.  Separated.  Looked gross.  Probably tasted fine, but I couldn't get past the way it looked.

Well, I just so happen to have in my possession Julia Child's Volume One:  Mastering the Art of French Cooking.  And lo and behold... Mrs. Child discusses curdled homemade mayonnaise, and more importantly, a precaution to keep your beautiful mayo the way it should be.

Never Fail Fool Proof Homemade Mayonnaise

Homemade mayonnaise.  I know.  The title of this post is full of oxymorons.  I am sure that the words "never fail" and "fool-proof" have NEVER been linked to homemade mayonnaise before.  Just the thought of whipping up a batch of the stuff would nearly cause me to call my counselor.  (Oh ya...I don't have a counselor.)

Oh well.  I've tried to make mayonnaise before and have had, well let's just say, mixed results.  At various times, I've tried using a food processor, a hand mixer, and a stick blender and it's...not...been...good.  Mayonnaise is supposed to be smooth, creamy and glossy.  Mine usually ended up glossy...and gloppy.  Ick.

True Confessions: Falling off the Menu Planning Wagon and More

Sometimes I am soooooo organized.  Other times?  Not.  For the last few weeks, you've witnessed the "not".

It all started when I was doing a juice cleanse.  As a matter of fact, that's when I got behind in a lot of things.  Things just seemed to pile up...and up...and up.  When I was juicing, I was trying not to think too much about food.  Needless to say, my dear hubby and kiddos were glad when I stopped my cleanse.

In Turkey, Debating A Woman's Right To Bear Arms

You might find it odd that this article is being posted on a site that is primarily about simple, healthy living.  I find it kind of odd, too.  But we are all a sum of so many ideals, beliefs and preferences, aren't we?  And the safety of our families and ourselves is everything while we still draw breath in our lungs.

This article was sent to me by a dear man who happens to be a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel.  He and so many countless others have fought to protect and preserve our freedoms, one of which is our Second Amendment Right to keep and bear arms.

So, as a blogger, a wife, a mother, and a citizen of the United States of America, I am expressing my First Amendment Right of freedom of speech.  Please don't expect someone else to protect you.  Don't put your head in the sand and think that you will never be a victim of a violent crime.  Take steps...in advance...to learn how to defend yourself whether through martial arts, a self-defense course, and/or knowing how to use and lawfully carry a weapon.

Best Homemade Deodorant!

I was just reading on Dr. Mercola's site an alarming study finding that parabens and aluminum chloride, both found in antiperspirants, can raise your chance of breast cancer.  Not something new to many of us, but I figured it was high time I shared with you something you might be able to use.

First of all, let me say this.  Prior to using this deodorant recipe, I had tried a few other things to get away from the antiperspirant habit.  You see, I'm kinda ...particular... about this kind of stuff.  I'm highly sensitive to smells (particularly if it's emanating from me) and I would not be able to tolerate a me that wasn't, you know, up to par.

Crock Pot Baked Beans

Photo credit

These fabulous baked beans are so easy. We have not been huge baked beans-eaters, but my Dad
has never met a bean he didn't like.  So I'm always on the hunt for great baked bean recipes to serve at barbecues this time of year.

This recipe was a winner with the whole family.  Hope you like it, too!

Weston A. Price Foundation

About a year ago, I was introduced to the principles of Dr. Weston A. Price.  Dr. Price was a dentist (not a nutritionist or medical doctor) who in the 1920's went on a global search for the perfect way to eat.  Dr. Price found that in cultures where people still ate their traditional diets, they were healthy, had straight, cavity-free teeth among other things.  Once these people adopted a western diet with processed foods, sugar and the like, their health was compromised.

Below is a link to Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, A Comparison of Primitive and Modern Diets and Their Effects written by Weston A. Price, MS., D.D.S., F.A.G.D. where you can read it for free.


http://journeytoforever.org/farm_library/price/pricetoc.html

Book Review: The Truth About Forgiveness

In "The Truth About Forgiveness", author John MacArthur doesn't mince words.

First of all, he concisely covers how many psychologists have purposely labelled sin as some type of disorder that cannot be "treated"  without professional help.  When we embrace secular psychology, we abandon any coherent concept of sin.  I appreciated how Mr. MacArthur reminds us that guilt is the spiritual pain that tells us something is wrong spiritually, just like physical pain tells us that something is physically wrong.

Mr. MacArthur goes on to illustrate his points with the story of the Prodigal Son as well as Joseph.

Finally, the author warns us that the gate to heaven is narrow and that we cannot enter it without the sincere desire for repentance.

I would recommend this book to anyone because it is a wake-up call.  Sometimes we get lulled into a false sense of right and wrong and like to explain away sin as a "disorder".  Although it was easy to read and understand, the topic covered is one that is heart-challenging. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided with a free copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.

FREE SHIPPING with Tropical Traditions!

FREE shipping is back through midnight on Monday, May 14th!  This is a great time to try the great products at Tropical Traditions or stock up on the ones you love.  Be sure to enter the code: 14512

Some of my personal favorites:

•  Expeller pressed coconut oil  Get the great benefits of coconut oil without the coconut taste or smell...and all without the use of chemicals.  I purchase it in the 5 gal. bucket making it only $3.38 for 16 oz. 
• Raw Honey
• Shredded coconut
• Coconut Peanut Butter
• So much more! 

Book Reviews Galore

First off, let me apologize.  I read three books a while ago and failed to post reviews.  So, I'm bombarding you with it all on one day.  I know.  Yikes.

With that said, be sure to come on back because I have some really killer stuff to post in the coming days.  Great stuff like an AWESOME homemade deodorant, moist and yummy Sprouted Whole Wheat Sour Cream Muffins, and an easy and crowd-pleasing Mexican dish that I haven't named yet, and more.

Book Review: From Blah to Awe

Being a thought-provoking author must run in the family at the Lucado house.

From Blah to Awe, written by Max Lucado's daughter, Jenna Lucado Bishop, is an honest look at her relationship with God.  The candidness was refreshing and her humanness was relatable.  While she is baring her heart, she asks the reader to do the same by asking some frank questions. 

While this book is definitely well-suited for high school and college aged girls, I believe women of all ages will find value by taking a truthful look at their relationship with God and going From Blah to Awe...

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided with a free copy of this book by Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.

Book Review: TJ and the Time Stumblers - Switched!

Although this is the first book my kids and I have read in this series, I'm sure it won't be the last.

This latest adventure of  TJ Finkelstein and her time-traveling buddies, Herby and Tuna, is really a fun little story.  TJ and her rival, Hesper Breakaheart, switch bodies all while Herby and Tuna are trying to get back home to the 23rd century.  And if you like Hesper's name, you'll love the cast of this book.  Bill Myers has included enough clever names to make anyone giggle.

Audience?  I think "tween" boys would enjoy it most.  My 9-year old son really liked this book a lot while my 11-year old daughter wasn't quite so drawn in.

The only negative about the book?   If you are planning to use this book as a read-aloud, it's kind of a challenge with the crazy characters' names and funky words, like "zibwaaaaa" and "wooozazazaza...", etc.  I almost felt like I was watching an old 1960's Batman episode!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided with a free copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion.

Book Review: Lazarus Awakening

Do you ever question God's love, timing, or the reason He does things the way he does?  Do you ever feel "stuck" or far way from God?  Joanna Weaver's latest book Lazarus Awakening, discusses those topics and more using Lazarus' story as her tool.  I found the 10-week companion bible study guide to be especially helpful and made the time invested in reading more valuable.

If you are looking for a book to use in individual bible study or in a group setting, I would highly recommend this book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided with a free copy of this book by Waterbrook/Multnomah in exchange for my honest opinion.