March Fourth

Is there something that you need to get done but you keep putting it off?? Is it a project, housework chore, call you need to make or something else?? Whatever it is today is a good day to do it.

“I must do something” always solves more problems than ‘Something must be done.’  – Author Unknown

Today, is the day to get whatever it is that you have been putting off done. Keep a good attitude and know after it is done that it will be done and not on the to do list no more.

Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.  – William James, letter to Carl Stumpf, 1886 January 1st

Stop procrastinating and get it done no matter what it is. It can be done 

Keep an optimistic mood and a day to move forward and onward. Keep a positive attitude and a smile on your face. Hard things may need to be done but when done it is done and you will feel so better. Keep on March(ing) fourth. 

March On

Here is some great fun marching music for March One of my favorite all time fun childhood songs

Hug A G.I.

I find it a great pleasure to meet the young men and women who serve our country. It were not for them where would we be?? Yes, there are those that make the laws and debate and so on but it is those that serve in the military that deserve our thank-you's. I am proud to be able to tell you that on both sides of the family there are those in our family that are serving the great country that we all love.

GI's risk their lives for our freedom. They keep us safe and if a simple pat on the back or hug for ding vital service is what is needed I can say that they deserve it. Whether it was someone who loves a GI, someone who loves our great country or a GI him or herself I do not know I can only say that I agree with them and say they deserve i.


so today if you are out and about say hi to a GI and offer them a pat on the back, a hug and a big thank you as well.

March 4th on National Grammar Day

I can recall as a young college student my professors would have a field day with the way that I talked and wrote. They suggested that I spoke with southern verb usage and you should have seen the papers and all the critique marks. I got help and achieved in getting better at both. Now when I see others with the same mistakes I used to make I recall my professors and try to help others rather than be appalled by it. When I saw that March 4th was National Grammar Day I had to create a post just for it.

National Grammar Day first occurred in 2008. It was created by Martha Brockenbrough the founder of the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar. If you are looking to improve your grammar then you will find this great list of grammar errors very useful.

Women In History ++++ Julia Child

Julia Carolyn Child was born August 15th 1912. She was an outstanding woman, American chef, author and television personality. The cuisine that she was most famous for was French. It was French cooking and the cookbooks that she wrote that made her world renowned. 

Julia Child's father was a graduate from Princeton University and well known land manager. Julia's mother was a heiress of a paper - company as well as the daughter of the former lieutenant governor of Massachusetts Byron Weston. Julia would spend a few years at a boarding school where she played tennis, golf, and basketball. Julia was a tall six feet two inches tall lady who continued to play sports in college. 

Julia grew up in a family who was served by a cook. She never observed or was inspired by the family chef. Julia's grandmother lived in Illinois and would make doughnuts for her. But yet it was not her grandmother that taught her to cook either. It was in fact not until she met her husband that food became an interest to her. 

Julia Child desired to join the military but because of her height she was too tall to enlist. She did join the Office of Straight Services as a typist at the Washington headquarters. She was soon given a more responsible job of top researcher working for the head of OSS. She would also work as a file clerk and helped to develop shark repellent . The job would be the path to meeting her husband as well and the two would wed on September 1, 1946. 

Julia Child would find fame in the 1970's and 1980's. She would star on numerous television programs including Julia Child and Company, Julia Child & More Company and Dinner at Julia's She would win a book award for her book in 1979. She would author a book and create an instructional video series entitled The Way to Cook in 1989. 

In the 1990s Julia would star in a series of shows featuring guest chefs. Jacques Pepin and Julia Child worked together on a show many times as well as cookbooks. Food critics have long questions the use of butter and cream in Julia Child's cooking. She would insist that too much on nutrition would take pleasure from enjoying food. 

Julia Child would leave a legacy for the future to come. In 1995 she would establish The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and Culinary Arts. This private charitable foundation would make grants to further her life's work. 

Peanut Butter Cheesecake Smoothie With Sweet & Salty Pretzel Crumble

Peanut Butter Cheesecake Smoothie with 

Sweet & Salty Pretzel Crumble:

{Print Recipe}

For the crumble:

1/2 cup broken up pretzels

1 tablespoon rolled oats

pinch of salt

1 teaspoon coconut oil

1 teaspoon honey

For the smoothie:

1/2 cup Danon Lowfat Vanilla Yogurt

2 tablespoons Jif Creamy Peanut Butter

1/4 cup almond milk

1/2 banana

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 tablespoon Sugar-free Cheesecake flavored pudding mix

2 ounces Neufchatel Cheese

2 teaspoons honey

12 ice cubes

*Extra peanut butter to decorate your cup, if desired

Preheat oven to 275 degrees.

Heat coconut oil and honey in a small, microwave-safe bowl for 20-30 seconds or until completely melted. Mix in pretzels, oats and salt and spread on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Place in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until oats are golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

In your blender, place yogurt, peanut butter, almond milk, banana, vanilla, Cheesecake pudding mix, Neufchatel cheese, honey and ice cubes. Blend until smooth and no chunks remain. 

Spread peanut butter on the inside of your cup or mason jar, if desired. Pour in your smoothie and top with a sprinkling of the pretzel crumble. Enjoy!

Makes 2 smoothies.

Spicy Cranberry Chutney

1 bag fresh cranberries
1-2 jalapeno peppers, seeds and stems removed, finely diced
½ red bell pepper, finely diced
1 cup brown sugar
1 orange, juice and zest
½ cinnamon stick
½ cup water

In a medium size pot, bring all ingredients to a boil. Reduce heat to very low and let simmer, about 30 minutes. Chill before serving.

Irish Mint Brownies

Irish Mint Brownies (taste of home recipe)

1 cup butter, cubed
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup (6 ounces) dark chocolate chips or semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
FILLING:
4 ounces white baking chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup refrigerated Irish creme nondairy creamer
1 cup heavy whipping cream
15 mint Andes candies, chopped
ICING:
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons butter
Mint Andes candies, halved, optional

In a microwave, melt butter and bittersweet chocolate; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar and vanilla. Stir in chocolate mixture. Gradually add flour until blended. Stir in chips and walnuts.
Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean (do not overbake). Cool on a wire rack.
In a microwave, melt white chocolate with creamer; stir until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl. Refrigerate for 30-40 minutes or until chilled.
In another small bowl, beat cream until soft peaks form; fold into white chocolate mixture. Beat on medium speed until stiff peaks form, about 4 minutes. Fold in chopped candies. Spread over brownies. Cover and refrigerate.
In a small saucepan, combine bittersweet chocolate and cream. Cook and stir over low heat until chocolate is melted and smooth; remove from the heat. Stir in butter until melted. Cool to room temperature. Carefully spread over filling. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until icing is set. Cut into bars. Garnish with additional candies if desired. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 2-1/2 dozen.

Kiymali Pide

Dough:

3 cups whole wheat flour
1 tbsp instant yeast
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 cup lukewarm water
¼ cup olive oil
2 tbsp extra olive oil to brush pides

Filling:
3 tbsp olive oil
400g ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp cumin (crushed)
1 tomato, chopped
1 tbsp tomato paste
A handful of parsley, chopped

For Coating
2 egg yolks
2 tbsp water
  Direction:

 In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ingredients of the dough. Knead the dough until nice, elastic, and soft.
Cover it and wait to rise for an hour.
To make meat filling,

in a medium skillet, cook mince in 3 tbsp oil until meat release and absorb all the juice back.
Add onion and green peppers and sauté until lightly browned. Add chopped tomato and tomato paste.
Cook until tomatoes tender. Add salt, peppers and cumin seeds .
Turn the heat off. Let it cool down a little.
Preheat oven at 180C.
Dust a little flour on the counter Make 16-18 equal balls.
Dust the counter again and roll one of the balls out thin giving it an oval shape.
Place baking paper in an oven tray and put this oval shaped thin dough on it.
Put some filling in it and stick the edges of pide.
Repeat the same steps until you finish all balls.At last, in a small bowl, whisk 2 egg yolks and 2 tbsp water evenly. Brush them with egg wash and bake until golden brown and crispy. (I omit that step that’s why the color is not as brown as it should be).

Be Safe While Cheering

Rah!!! Yeah!!!

Remember the old days of school cheerleaders as they flared their pom poms?? They stood on the sidelines of the football and basketball games and cheered on the team and supported the fans as they enjoyed the game. Today, the world of cheer leading has changed. It is a more competitive and demanding sport that requires as much and sometimes more athletic ability and intricate skills as any other high school or college sport.

Cheer leading is a sport just like any other. It is a great way to stay fit but it has its own risks as well. Injuries from falls, twisting and turning can occur and the pressure that cheer leaders face to stay thin can lead to body image problems that affect gymnastics and dancers. Cheer leading has been called "the world's most dangerous sport" Perhaps that is a bit over board but cheer leading can cause sports injuries to feet, ankles, arms and legs. These injuries are not normally serious.

The risk of cheerleaders hurting this backs is very popular. The number of injuries has increased as population of cheer leading has increased. Until recently cheer leading was not looked at as a sport but thank goodness that has changed. Before your daughter joins the cheerleading group ensure that they have a safe place to practice and an educated coach.

Ensure that the girls follow all rules and here some more to think about as well:

Follow all of the rules on posted signage, membership agreement forms, or given verbally by a trainer or staff member.


Return equipment to its designated storage space after use. If you see equipment that was not put back where it belongs, take a moment to return it yourself to help keep the facility safe for everyone.


If you use exercise equipment, use the facility-provided sanitation formula to wipe down seats, handle bars and other places that come in contact with your skin.


Use a spotter if you are lifting or doing tumbling or stunts.


Do not eat or chew gum during training, or bring snacks or open drink containers (like a pop can) to the gym. Instead, use a water bottle that can be capped and sealed. This will prevent water from spilling on electric equipment or creating puddles that others could slip on.


Wear appropriate cheerleading practice wear and indoor shoes. Your shirts and shorts or pants should not be baggy. Baggy clothing could result in the fabric getting caught on a spotter or on equipment. You should also remove all jewelry.


Bring a lock to secure your belongings in the locker room. If there are no locker rooms available, try to wear your training apparel to the gym, and leave your other clothing, personal property and valuables in your car or at home.


Do not goof off in the locker room or around training equipment. Goofing off includes horseplay and also the use of cell phones, computers or other distracting electronics. You need to stay focused on training and aware of your surroundings.


Report all injuries, your own and also your teammate's, to your coach, trainer or spotter immediately.

Happy Birthday Alexander Graham Bell

Alexander Graham Bell was born March 3rd 1847. He would prove to be an amazing scientist, inventor, engineer and innovator. His work led him to patenting the first practical telephone.
His father, grandfather and brother all were associated with work on elocution and speech. His mother and wife were both deaf.

Alexander Bell was born to Alexander Melville and Eliza Symonds Bell in Edinburgh Scotland. He was the middle child sandwiched between 2 brothers. So if his name was Alexander Bell where did the Graham come from. No it was not his middle name rather it came from a friend that he admired. He adopted the name Graham and became Alexander Graham Bell.

In 1862 when Alexander was 15 he would travel to London to visit with his grandfather. In 1863 after staying with his grandfather for a year he would travel back to Elgin Scotland where he would teach music and elocution at Weston House Academy. Bell would be involved in education for many years either teaching or taking classes.

Alexander Graham Bell's big invention would be that of the telephone. He would find this invention while building an automation head that would simulate human voice. His interest in the transmission of sound stemmed from his concern regarding his mother's gradual deafness. His teaching would continue along side his experiments as well.

For all those looking for hidden treasure they can thank Alexander Graham Bell as well. In 1881 Bell invented the metal detector. In all Bell was awarded 14 patents as follows:

14 patents pertain to Telephone and Telegraph
4 patents pertain to Photophone
1 patent pertains to Phonograph
2 patents pertain to Selenium Cells
4 patents pertain to Hydro Airplanes
5 patents pertain to Aerial Vehicles

Thanks to the Caregivers

There are over 25 million Americans that provide unpaid, long term care to loved ones. My hat is off to these individuals with all the hard work that they possess. To you my friend I say thank-you. I am a professionally paid care giver but have also played the role of unpaid care giver as well. I understand how it changes lives and at times is hard to do. To you all I say Thank You

When called upon to help will you be one to accept the challenge?

Hummingbird Solution

DIY Hummingbird Solution

1/2 cup sugar
2 cups water

Mix sugar into water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Take off the heat and set aside until completely cool. Fill feeders. If there is any left store in the refrigerator and use within a week.

I always double this recipe for 2 feeders and I never have any leftover.

Speech Class

For just a few moments let me take you back to high school speech class. Do you remember the fundamentals?? For some reason to me they are similar to creating a new blog post. You start with brainstorming the type of post that you will create, writing an informative eye catching introduction to help draw audience in, create the body of the speech by filling in dates and useful information to get your reader to the point you are sharing, and finally a well thought out conclusion once again re-enforcing the information you shared.

The best way to do this is to focus on one theme or idea Do not overload the audience by throwing lots of information at them, take your time and focus on one idea. This will invite others to think about this one idea and form their own opinion. This one idea can be chopped down into simpler pieces which takes a closer look at what you are sharing. Your goal is to persuade your audience to see things how you see them

I am in hopes that you took the time to sit back and recall an earlier time with me. A time when you took speech class or had to give your first public speech. Did these tips help you recall?? Could you see a connection between blogging and the early days of speech class??

Perfect Time for Tartar Sauce

You will never see purchased tartar sauce in my fridge or cabinet. It is something that is very quick to make and uses common ingredients. Today March 3rd is tartar sauce day and no better than today to eat some tartar sauce than with you fish for lent. This is special day is scheduled to take place every Friday after Lent begins. 

So why not try your hand at making your own. 

You will need:

mayonnaise                     pickles

pimentos                         parsley

parsley                            pickle juice 

onion 

Add all of the above to the mayo.  Add 1-2 tablespoons of pickle juice.  Season with Creole seasoning if you feel like it.  Mix it all up.

Make this well before you need it...the day before if you can. The flavors really come together over night in the fridge.  Use to dress Fish Po'Boys or as a condiment for fried seafood.

On to the recipe...
* This makes about 1 cup of tartar sauce.
* Ingredient amounts can easily be adjusted to personal tastes (for example, I usually add 3 Tbsp of chopped pickles)

Homemade Tartar Sauce1 cup (good quality) mayonnaise (NOT Miracle Whip)

2-3 Tbsp finely chopped dill pickles
1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 tsp diced pimento
1-2 tsp grated onion (or finely chopped)
1-2 Tbsp pickle juice

(Chopped green onion can be used instead of yellow onion.  Creole seasoning can be added to taste for kicks.)Combine all ingredients and refrigerate for at least 1/2 hour before using.  Overnight is best.

shared at sugar and spice party
inspiration monday

Early Spring Soup

As I recall my grandmother would have soup and sandwich every night for supper. She was also one to keep leftovers and if not served on the table again they may just end up in the soup. Here is a early spring soup recipe that you may enjoy. 

3 Medium Carrots
3 Celery Stalks
2 Large Potatoes
1 Cup Frozen/Fresh Peas
1 Small Onion
Salt to taste
1 Vegetable Stock Cube
2 Tablespoons Sunflower Oil


Peel and dice the onion. Sauté it on a low-medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Wash, peel and slice carrots, celery & potatoes. Add them to the pot as well as the peas and sauté for about 2 minutes before adding 1.5 liter of water. Season with salt (about 2 teaspoons) and bring to the boil.
Throw in the vegetable stock cube and reduce the heat to low-medium.
Cook for 30 minutes or until the vegetables are soft.
Spoon into bowls and serve! (Don’t forget to taste it one more time to see if it’s seasoned enough).
TIP: If you have homemade vegetable stock, use this instead of water (and omit adding stock cube)!

recipe source here

Texas Independence

Happy Independence Day to Texas!!! March 2nd 1836 Texas officially declared independence from Mexico and created the Republic of Texas. This was the day that the Texas Declaration of Independence was adopted. So why not celebrate with a delicious bowl of Texas chilli

5 lbs chuck shoulder, trimmed of all fat
peanut oil, lard or bacon fat for browning meat
32 oz beef broth
1 cup chicken stock
1 16 oz can tomato sauce
6 tbsp, heaping, chili powder
3 tbsp, heaping, sweet paprika
1 tbsp, heaping, cayenne
16 oz spring water
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tbsp cumin, divided
2 tsp oregano, divided
1/2 can tomato paste
2 jalapenos, cut a slit in the flesh but do not chop
3 bay leaves
1 packet Goya Sazon (cilantro and tomato) (found with other Mexican staples or alongside bouillon)
salt and pepper
1 tbsp butter, softened
1 tbsp flour

Trim all fat from the chuck shoulder roast and cube the beef into bite-sized pieces-not too small or they will fall apart during cooking.
Heat oil or fat in a cast iron skillet and brown beef in several batches.  Add to crock pot.
Add the beef broth, chicken stock, tomato sauce, chili powder, paprika, cayenne, water, onion powder, garlic powder, 1 tbsp of the cumin, 1 tsp of the oregano, tomato paste, jalapenos, bay leaves and Goya seasoning packet) to the crock pot.
Cook on high for 4 hours.
Taste, add the remaining 1/2 tbsp cumin and 1 tsp oregano, salt and pepper as desired.
Remove peppers and bay leaves.
If chili needs to be thickened mash 1 tbsp butter with 1 tbsp flour, stir into the chili until combined.
Serve with cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, crackers or cornbread.

Chunky Apple Sauce Muffins

• Cream together:
• • 1 stick (1/2 cup) softened unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar

• Add & cream thoroughly:
• • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 egg

• Set aside.

• Blend together:
• • 1 cup (120 grams.) whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup (80 grams) organic whole grain quick oats
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp ground allspice
  • (adjust spices to taste)
  
  
• Set aside.

• Prepare chunks:
• • 1/2 cup (60 grams) slivered or chopped almonds
  • 1/4 cup (30 grams) currants
  • 1/4 cup (40 grams) sultanas (golden raisins)

• This would be a good time to go ahead and preheat oven to 350F.
• Turn wet mixture into dry mixture and blend together well, making sure everything is moistened.
• Dump in all the nuts and fruits, stirring together till chunks are evenly distributed throughout batter.
• Prepare a 12 cavity muffin tin. You can grease/butter if you want, spray with non-stick cooking spray…or simply line with recycled baking papers. This time, I used silicone shamrock shaped muffin bakers from A.C. Moore, and sprayed each cavity lightly with canola based non-stick cooking spray.
• Pour batter in muffin cavities about 2/3 full…or until all the batter is used up.
• Make sure oven is preheated to 350F before baking. I always use an oven thermometer too.
• Bake for 17 minutes, turn half way round and bake another 17 minutes.  Oven temps and times may vary, of course, allow for some flexibility.
• Remove from oven and check multiple muffins (especially the biggest ones) with a toothpick.  If it comes out clean & dry…they’re done!
• Place muffins on cooling rack (I always use paper towels under the muffins too) until completely cooled.

Chocolate Banana Cream Pie Bars

1 1/4 cups crushed vanilla wafers
1 heaping tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 stick butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 oz semi-sweet chocolate
3 tablespoons whipping cream
4 large egg yolks
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons Irish Whiskey
2-3 ripe bananas, sliced
Whipped cream, for topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine crushed cookies, brown sugar, melted butter and cinnamon. Press mixture into an  8 x 8 -inch baking pan. Bake 7-10 minutes, until the edges begin to brown.

Over a double boiler or in the microwave, melt chocolate and cream, stirring until it has a smooth, shiny consistency. Pour/spread over baked crust and place in the freezer while you prepare the next steps.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Each year in March a special birthday is observed. No it is not mine it is for a much more familiar individual. The character is Dr. Seuss who was also known as Theodor Seuss Geisel. He was born in 1904 and passed away in 1991. During his lifetime Dr. Seuss authored more than 60 children books. Geisel would change the world of Children's literature forever. 

Children all over the world know Dr. Seuss. The many books have been translated into 20 languages. For the past 50 + years Dr. Seuss books have been inspiring children to read. Kids have learned about important things in life. From taking responsibility, caring for others and the environment, and standing up for others the world has became a better place.

The amazing wonderful stories that Dr. Seuss shared have provided many hours of zany humor, silly rhymes and amazing characters. Dr Seuss celebrates his 113th birthday. So to celebrate make up some green eggs and ham and have a great time reading.

• 6 large eggs
• green GEL food coloring {Americolor’s Leaf Green is my fave}
• 1/4 cup mayo
• 1 t mustard {I used spicy brown, but yellow works just fine}
• salt, pepper, paprika, tarragon {you can just use salt & pepper if you like}

First, we need to hard boil the eggs.  Turn the egg carton on its side and let the eggs sit out of the refrigerator for 30 minutes.  Letting the eggs come up to temp helps them not to crack and turning them on their side helps the yolk slide to the middle of the egg  so they are not off center. Put the eggs in a pan and fill with cold water, covering completely with about an inch of water over the top of the eggs.  Do not crowd the eggs or they can crack!  Put on high heat allowing the eggs to come to a rolling boil. Turn the stove off, cover tightly, and remove from heat.  Allow to sit in the pot, covered for exactly 17 minutes.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer from the pan into a bowl of cold water and ice cubes.  This will stop the cooking process and prevent the egg yolks from turning greenish.  Leave them in the ice water for 15 – 20 minutes.

Peel the eggs under running water, if you follow the above steps, they should peel easily.  

Pop the yolks out and mash lightly.  Add salt, pepper, paprika, and tarragon {or any combination of these that you like} to taste.  Add the mayo and mustard.  Stir until mostly combined.

Then, add two small squirts of the gel food coloring.  Do not use the liquid food coloring from the store.  It is too runny for these purposes and will make the egg mixture really loose.  Stir them until all of the food coloring is incorporated and put into a piping bag.  If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a plastic Ziploc and just snip the tip off for piping.

You can store in the fridge separately until ready to eat.  Pipe into the egg whites and enjoy!  It’s a great way to celebrate Dr Seuss’ Birthday!

Colectoral cancer awareness

What does my mother in law Frances L Krug, Audrey Hepburn, and Charles Schulz all have in common?? The sad fact that they all died of colorectal cancer. Knowing this fact I have a few other names to share with you. What does Darryl Strawberry, Sharon Osborne, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and many other individuals have in common? They are all survivors because of early detection and preventative testing.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. An individual may have colon cancer and not have any signs or symptoms. A colonscopy is the only way to know when it finds pre-cancerous polyps. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the US. These deaths are not warranted and with proper testing and precautions it is 90% curable. If every individual would take advantage of regular screenings the death rate from colon cancer could be cut in half. While some cancer screenings can only detect whether or not there is a problem colonoscopies can actually prevent colorectal cancer this is because any precancerous polyps found are removed during the exam.

Since everyone can get colorectal cancer everyone should be screened. Smokers, people overweight or obese, inactive people, people who consume large amounts of alcohol, people over 50 and those with a family history of colon cancer should be examined. Those who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes or irritable bowel disease such as colitis or Chrons have an increased risk.

Many think of a colonoscopy in a bad manner. It is done in the privacy of a doctors office by a physician. Patient will be placed on a liquid diet the day before the procedure. The diet will consist of water, clear broth, soda, tea, coffee, clear juice, Jell-O, and Popsicle The patient will take a laxative to empty the bowels so that the colon can be viewed during the procedure. During the procedure the patient will be semi sedated while a colon-scope (a think flexible tube) is inserted. The scope can show the doctors the inner lining of the large intestine, the rectum and colon. The colonscopy screens for cancer, precancerous polyps, ulcers, tumors and inflammation or bleeding

Colorectal cancer is dramatically affecting life as we know it. Rectal cancer affects more than 1.4 million people all over the world. This cancer has rates of mortality and the number is growing. One of the leading forms of cancer in the whole world. Colorectal cancer is "Preventable, Treatable and Beatable."

But let's look at the possibilities. We know that colon cancer is caused by polyps in our colon. But what sort of signs and symptoms should we be aware of if we do have colon cancer

One special lady, my mother in law the lady that I very much considered my mom lived with  and eventually died from colon cancer. She lived with a colostomy for many years before the cancer returned. She fought a hard battle and I loved the fact she was able to know so much of my life. So please if you are in line to and are frightened do not fret for it may save your life. Go get that colonoscopy.

Keep Music in our Schools

For many years now schools have been cutting music from their budget. The truth is that this is a grave mistake. Music not only needs to be taught for the quality of music but it helps teach so many other lessons as well. Subjects such as language development, history, and math. Music has also been show to lead to higher test scores and raise IQ's.

Language is aided through music education because children can advance their own language skills in sounds. The repetition of songs offers practice that will lead to the natural ability to speech. Studies have also indicated that musical training can help physically develop the left side of the brain. This side of the brain is known to be involved with processing language. The connection between music and language is also a social advantage to young children.

The lessons learned while teaching folk songs and songs throughout historical times to school children. It may light a fire to where other students want to learn more leading to the desire to learn history. Songs not only are great to teach history but also folk stories and the life styles of the past. TO me music was all this and so much more. 

Look at the math concepts in music. In both band and choir knowing how to count and keep a beat are very important. The memorization skills needed to play an instrument are also very important. 

Please support music in schools as I think there will be much lost if it disappeared. 

Celebrate the Day with Fruit Compote

Fruit Compote a mixture of fruit and other ingredients is a tasty creation. It has long been loved by many but on March 1st it gains extra attention. The dish originated in France in 17th century. The French's belief that fruit cooked in sugar syrup balanced the effects of humidity on the body led to their invention of compote. Fruit compote may be made with either fresh or dried fruits.

Fruit Compote is a dish that all can afford. It is easy to prepare an inexpensive ingredients can be used. This dish is also a well known in Jewish cuisine. Make some up to serve your family and see what they think as well.

2 cans (15-1/4 ounces each) sliced pears, drained

1 can (29 ounces) sliced peaches, drained

1 can (20 ounces) unsweetened pineapple chunks, drained

1 package (20 ounces) pitted dried plums

1 jar (16 ounces) unsweetened applesauce

1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1. In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Pour into a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Spread pie filling over fruit mixture; sprinkle with brown sugar.

2. Cover and bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until bubbly. Serve warm. Yield: 20 servings.

taste of home recipe 

shared at 
Plant Based Potluck Party