Love deeply. Laugh. Cry. Talk to God. Be realistic about the to-do list. Stay in touch. Hug. Dream. Smile. Break Bread often with Family. Spend Time with your Girlfriends. Shop til you Drop! Extend Grace. Be Quick to Forgive and Slow to Anger. Walk. Breathe. Sing. Dance. Read. Eat Chocolate. Savor a Good Glass of Wine. Wiggle your Toes. Sleep well. Life is Good!

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

GUACAMOLE'






I may have entirely lost my mind!  I was outside a little while ago, watering my newly planted fall garden and replanting my lettuce boxes, which my two dogs dug out yesterday and made themselves a couple of nice cool beds.  Even though everything had a nice cool drink of water earlier this morning, the sweet peas were wilting, as well as the squash and zucchini.  Looking across the yard to the deck, spotting the patio umbrella, I thought "I am not gonna let these young transplants suffocate in this heat" and promptly relocated it to the hottest place in my garden, sheltering my garden babies ... at least until they get a good grip in the soil and start climbing and put on some new leaves ... a sure sign they are gonna survive this end-of-summer heatwave.  Whew!  How's that for a run-on sentence?!   After giving everything a mid-day splash, including the eggplant, collards, cucumbers, daylilies and irises, I walked around to the other back porch to water a few things in the side yard.  Thinking my dear husband had replaced the worn out hose, I promptly cranked up the water nozzle and let 'er rip .... all over me. The hose exploded with rusty, muddy red water, all over my white pants!  Even the fence 16 feet away was soaked from it.  I gave up my gardening efforts for little while.  I've been chilling, reading a great book, while my grandbaby naps.  Suddenly, the thought occurred to me .... 'I need to get up from here and plant my lettuce.'   What?  Nope!  I didn't replant the lettuce boxes.  I refilled them with soil and put them in high enough spots the dogs couldn't reach .. the cat's another issue.  Then I layed eyes on the wilting transplants and forgot about the lettuce.  Good grief!  Thank you Garden Angels for reminding me!  But, the end-to-all-ends isn't forgetting to plant the lettuce, it's got to be the umbrella.  I can already see my husband's eyes rolling back in his head when he pulls into the driveway this evening!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

I am super excited to see one of my favorite blogs coming to life on television!!!  I have been following The Pioneer Woman for awhile!  I was "introduced" to Ree in an issue of Where Women Cook, a magazine I came across at the bookstore, earlier this year, while picking up my newest issue of Somerset Studios.  Before I finished the article, I was looking for her blog!  I suppose she tapped the country girl in me!  We do afterall share a love for mason jars and iron skillets!   She often reminds me of summers I spent with my grandparents.  Sweet memories!  Tune in to the Food Network Saturday, August 27th @ 10:30 a.m. for the premier!




Monday, August 22, 2011


Getting Ready for Fall Gardening!

I've been reading one of my "end of summer reads"
about square foot gardening and am intrigued!
My husband built me a 4'x4'x12" box this past weekend.
I already have an 8'x8' raised bed garden
with eggplant and bell peppers still going strong.
This weekend I will fill it with the SFG recommended soil mix.
Hoping Fall garden transplants are at the garden center soon!

I can't remember where I found this photo of a SFG.... oops!


Hoping to plant:

spinach
mesculan
carrots
broccoli
strawberries
sugar snaps peas
fingerling potatoes

Friday, August 19, 2011


Amazon Order Arrrived!
My End of Summer Reading List!


Thursday, August 18, 2011


THE SOUTHERN TEN COMMANDMENTS
This is much easier to remember...

(1) Just one God.
(2) Put nothin' before God.
(3) Watch yer mouth.
(4) Git yourself to Sunday meetin'.
(5) Honor yer Ma & Pa.
(6) No killin'.
(7) No foolin' around with another feller's gal
(or 'nother gal's feller).
(8) Don't take what ain't yorn.
(9) No tellin' tales or gossipin'.
(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff.

Now that's plain an' simple.
And, Bless your little cotton pickin' heart.



A FB friend posted this today!  Couldn't resist sharing!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

A Healthy New Pyramid!
Check out the Nutratarian site!  Great Info!



Sunday, August 14, 2011


"If one gains control of ones appetite - they can then control all other aspects [of their life] whether physical, emotional and spiritual, and be in complete domain of themselves.  I truly understand now why Jesus went into the wilderness and fasted so that He could fully communicate with Himself, His master and His creation."

-author unknown

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Still Juicing! 
Moving my juicing posts to a "page" format. 
Click on the "JUICING" tab at the top to follow the
Juicing Adventure!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

JUICING DAY #


It's gonna be a long day!
I didn't take my Ambien last night because I wanted to see
how the inflammation/pain was panning out on the juicing. 
I can report I had NO pain during the night.  None!  Zero!  Zilch!
The anti-inflammatory benefits of juicing have kicked in!
Hoping the chronic insomnia will soon be a thing of the past.
Is there a juice for insomnia?  : )

I'm thrilled!  I will try some of the more natural sleep aids again.
The only reason they haven't worked in the past is 
because I woke up with pain during the night.
We'll see!  I'll report back with progress - after a good night's sleep!

On with my day!  I see a nap in it!



Tuesday, August 9, 2011

JUICING DAY


Day Seven has arrived. 
I'm feeling a bit lethargic today.   Very sleepy.
It's likely I'm going thru another detox phase. 
It's not all roses and balloons.
It's work.  It takes patience, expecially with your body
and the different phases of detox.
The whole point is to feel better and I know
I will again on the otherside of this round.
This is proof my body is responding.

FYI:  Stages of Detox:



The last couple of evenings I've had some light muscle cramps in my hand and foot.
I've experienced this before when I missed my daily potassium.
I know I'm flushing my body with a lot of fluids.  Likely the reason.
Supplementing with a banana and skipping the mild diuretic
my doc prescribed nearly two years ago.  I haven't had any bp issues
since I started taking it but when it was prescribed,
is the during the same time my mom was dying.  There was a lot going on. 

Ciao, for now!

Monday, August 8, 2011

JUICING DAY #6 !
Down 9 lbs!




Sunday, August 7, 2011

DAY 5!


Everything went well today! 
Finally found a couple of "Green" juices I like!
Tomorrow morning I step on the scale ....

I have felt great today!  Back in the studio!
Finished two paintings! 

Since I made it through my first goal today,
I'm shooting for 12 days now!
It does get easier!

After coming this far, when faced with temptations
(which are nearly non-existent),
the desire not to backtrack is stronger!

For those beginning to gain interest, two of today's recipes follow!

Morning Juice:  3 peaches, 2 oranges, squeeze of lemon juice
Note: leave the pith on the oranges for a creamier blend!)
Serve over ice!

Green Juice:  10 kale leaves, 1 orange, 6 carrots
(Again! Leave the pith on the orange!)
Serve over ice!

ENJOY!

Saturday, August 6, 2011

          DAY


I can report the headaches are gone!  Three days of horrendous headaches.  Gone!
Energy is thru the roof!  I actually walked up a flight of stairs today without being winded!
Better yet .... I walked down them like a normal person,
instead of  the same leg going down each time, holding on to the rail!
I haven't been hungry!  No cravings!

I admit, because of my schedule away from home today, I ate solid food!
Peaches, strawberries and cantaloupe.  All raw!  Not so bad.

I found a fabulous book at the bookstore yesterday!
It not only includes recipes, but lots of tips.
The index is categorized by fruits and veggies
so you can use what you have on hand!
There is also a section that tells you what nutrients
you need for certain chronic illnesses AND
the kind of juice to make to able your body to heal itself!




You could not have convinced me a week ago.
I am hooked now!
My body is responding!

Friday, August 5, 2011

Day Three!


Continuing with the juice fast.  This takes a lot of discipline.  A lot!  I've had a couple of nasty headaches and had one blood sugar drop.  The upside is I feel more energetic and less bloated.  I don't feel as stiff during the day either.  My husband is asking how much longer til I eat solid food.  He misses my cooking, I think!  If I continue to experience shakiness, I may have to go back to my original plan of a modified juice fast.  I'll still be juicing and blending ..... digesting the pulp, which should keep things in check.  Weight loss was not my motivation for starting, as you will have noted in previous posts, however, I am tempted to check out the numbers on the scale.  I will wait til Monday morning, five days after starting.  That's gonna take extreme discipline ... waiting! 

I'm chilling what I juiced this morning because a cold juice is more palatable than a room temp one.  The morning beverage consists of cantaloupe, honeydew, peaches and black grapes!   I'm gonna peruse a few juice recipes for a lunch idea.  Later!



So, I napped thru lunch with my granbaby, trying to sleep a headache off.  Headaches have been the only side effect I've experienced with this juice fast.  I understand it is the body's way of letting you know you are eliminating toxins and withdrawing from stimulants.  This is good!  I was a coke/sweet tea/coffee gal three days ago.  Haven't craved either!  I did have a salt craving two days ago, but today while at Fresh Market, I sampled the dried veggies.  Ugh!  I had to spit it out!  Too salty!   Wow!  

Tomorrow a couple of friends are coming for a visit at the island .... bringing shrimp.  Oh my.  I think I'll be fine.  I'm gonna do a modified juicing over the weekend, because I don't want to haul that heavy juicer down there.  Smoothies and raw veggies. 

Thursday, August 4, 2011


Is Anybody out There?


Scarves!  That's what I've been up to lately!
Along with the other art projects!
And building towers with a two year old!


Check out my art blog for more goodies!

Day Two!


Starting out the day with a fruit smoothie!
Technically a juice ... but adding a naval orange,
peeled but left the pith .... made it ultra creamy!
I only drank half because I don't want my blood sugar to spike
with all the fruit.  I'll have the other half this afternoon
when I'm craving something sinful!!



Juiced:
6 oz raspberries
2 peaches
1 naval orange
1 granny smith apple
1 banana


Amazingly, after the first day I woke up feeling energetic!
Normally it takes me til mid-morning to reach any resemblance of energy.
After doing my heat wrap on my neck, I was revving to go!
Today is my scheduled B12 shot ... usually I'm dragging really low by this time!

WOW!

Lunch:  Mock V8 Green Juice!

This afternoon I seeded a watermelon with thoughts of juicing. 
I didn't need to! By the time I finished I had 16oz of watermelon juice
which I just strained into a container.  I added some bruised mint leaves from my garden!
VOILA!

Wednesday, August 3, 2011



Here we go again!

DAY


I threw in the towel Monday because of the wretched kale!
Missed out yesterday because I was in too much physical pain all day
(neck/shoulder) to even want to try it again. 
Felt better towards end of day and prepped all the
fruits and veggies for today!
Today is my Official First Day of Reboot #1!
I juiced my green drink and my fruit drink this morning.
Will be drinking off and on all day, as needed.

Shooting for getting thru the first three days .... then seven
.... then, we'll see!




Mean Green Juice (mine!)

Kale - 6+ leaves
Spinach - 5-6 fistfuls
Celery - 3 stalks
1 Cucumber
1 Green Apple
1 Pear
1 Peach


Fruit Juice

Honeydew
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Peach
Black Grapes
Carrots x4
2 handfuls spinach


plus ..... lots of water (6 x 8 oz).  
Well, that's lots for me!

  8:30am -  8oz fruit/veg juice
10:20am -  8 oz green juice
12:10pm -  8 oz green juice
  2:00pm -  8 oz fruit/veg juice
  2:45pm -  headache.  ugh.  craving salt.
  3:45pm -  Is it really cheating if I have a 1" piece of banana?  :-/   What about 9 goldfish?
  4:00pm -  8 oz green juice
  5:15pm -  16 oz green juice
  8:00 pm - 16 oz green juice


I haven't been on a schedule with this today.  ie, breakfast/snack/lunch/snack/dinner/snack.  I can't drink a full 20oz at a time.  I thought it might be best to drink smaller amounts off and on because of  my hypocglycemia.  I've gotta make a dash to the market this evening!  Actually looking forward to perusing the produce!  Also learned, I can add Naked Juice (not the NJ smoothie) for a quickie if I'm on the run!  Wish I could use V8!  Maybe I can come up with a juice recipe for it and Orange Julius! 

Made a quick run to Jimmy Lowes for more veggies and fruit.  Found a recipe for V8 AND Orange Julius!!   Came back with a watermelon, Chilton County peaches, cucumbers (6 for $1.49), and some of same stuff I used today, along with some Naked Juice from Winn Dixie.  I had to get out of there quickly cause the deli and bakery smells were wafting around my head!

Monday, August 1, 2011

 JUICING!
My juicing plan is modified from the radical juicing agenda! 
When I'm on the run, I will either have juice or eat raw fruits and vegs.
Plus water intake.  Amazed at what I'm learning about dehydration!



I'm getting fruits, veggies and some dairy....for calcium requirements. 
Some would argue that's not necessary, but I'd only argue back!
~
Morning Smoothie (made in blender):
Strawberries, Peaches, Blueberries, 1/2 Banana
Greek Yogurt (plain), 1/4 c high pulp Orange Juice
1/4 Whole Leaf Aloe Vera
(hoping to heal potential damage from NSAIDs)
I like the idea of using the blender over the juicer when I can
because the fiber isn't removed and I still get the punch of micronutrients!

(advised later in day....smoothies are not "juicing" becaue of fiber -
organ cleansing is not as effective unless absolute juice)
well .... I like the "absolute" part!  Oh! Not that kind of absolute?  LOL!




Mid-Day (lunch?)

Mean Green Juice (made in Juicer)

1 bunch of Kale
4 stalks Celery
3 Granny Smith Apples
1 Cucumber
1/2 lemon
ginger root


=

I'm not gonna lie to you.  It's awful.  Just plain awful.  I'm not a fan of kale anyway.  I poured an 8 oz glass and drank 1/3 of it (with a straw).  I experienced a slight sting in my mouth.  I was nauseated for twenty minutes.  I couldn't drink it.  I'm sure it's an acquired taste.  I will try spinach next time.  I like spinach.  Maybe an extra apple.  Someone please tell me I can do this!  I made my breakfast smoothie last week and put two packed cups of spinach in it.  It was great!  Even my two year old grandbaby loved it!  Kale.  Bleeeeeeccchhhh.  Going Googling for juicing combos.  I CAN do this!

Late Day Update:  So.....advice received from my FB juicing site:  No blenders.  No fiber in cleanse (except for liquid fiber in juicing).  Limit fruits.  So far .... this is worse than a colonoscopy prep!  The Mean Green Juice went down the drain.  I caved for a piece of fruit, some cheese and couple of crackers.  I'll try again this afternoon or tomorrow morning.  Remind me!  Why am I doing this?

"One quarter of what you eat keeps you alive; 
the other three-quarters keeps your doctor alive."

Oh yeah.

Blog Archive