Grapefruits Delicious Fruit of The Month

 

The pink grapefruit was a prize found in 1929 by a farm in south Texas. Grapefruits prior to this time had been a yellowish color. Somehow these grapefruits had mutated into a pink. Grapefruits prior to this time tasted a bit of sour and tart. But the red grapefruits were sweet and tangy. Grapefruits have been around for many years, but the Ruby Red has become the favorite since it was discovered. 

Grapefruits have been given the name miracle fat burner by many. Grapefruits have low calories and are packed with vitamins. Just 1/2 of a grapefruit will supply an adult with needed vitamin C. Grapefruits also contain flavonoids.  Antioxidants that contain anti inflammatory properties making them good for all those that have swelling like with arthritis grapefruit can help make your day better.  In addition, grapefruits have fiber that the body requires as well 

Fiber is found in all grapefruits. Fiber is often required to have healthy bowel movements. Once again though the ruby red grapefruit passes the regular grapefruit as it offers great more amount of vitamin A. Vitamin A is important to help battle skin issues including acne. While the red offers more vitamin A either type of grapefruit is rich in vitamin C and can help the eaters immune system and fight cold infections. Thus we can see why grapefruits are important to eat during the cold winter months when illness abounds. 

Try eating a 1/2 of a grapefruit before each meal as it has shown to help burn fat. An average of 3 lbs. every 3 months has been tested and shown to prove that grapefruits help burn fat. Eating grapefruits can help improve gums as well. Preventing gum disease and bleeding is important and thus another reason to enjoy grapefruits.  In addition, grapefruit can help reverse the damage caused by gum disease as well as help decrease the risk in cancer. 

**** WARNING*** grapefruit can interfere with activity of some medicines.  You may want to check with your physician

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MIssissippi Pot ROast

This recipe for Mississippi Pot Roast has been shared many times but was originally a recipe of Robin Chapman. It originally belonged to her aunt and was originally less spicy. The roast earned its place as a regular meal of Robin's as her family loved it. Later the recipe was included in a recipe book the Church of Christ put together. Now, you to can enjoy this delicious roast. 

Ingredients you will need for this recipe are:

3 to 4 lb chuck roast

stick of unsalted butter

1 pkt of au jus gravy mix

1 pkt ranch powder

10 plus whole pepperoncini

1/2 cup pepperoncini juice

This recipe will be prepared in the crockpot. Start by placing all ingredients cook on low for 8-10 hours Remove meat from crockpot when done and discard fat. Shred the meat using a couple forks or the meat can be left in large chunks.

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Cowboy Poetry

 Cowboy poetry grew out of tradition of telling stories after cattle drives and ranch work was done. Cowboys would gather around a campfire and tell tall tales and sing folk songs to be company to each other.

Can you imagine being a cowboy and being out on the range working taking care of the cattle and horses and staying with the other cowboys. The western lifestyle was different than the lives of others. While we all can imagine how rugged it was going over the landscape of America and that of Canada as well. In addition they had their values, made friends and participated in daily practices that could easily be turned into stories. While many of the poems had a bit of fun and happiness in them others were closely related to hard times as well. Loneliness often went into these poems as well missing others that used to be near as well as times that have gone by. If you were to write poetry today what would your poem be like would it hold happiness or a bit of sadness or maybe both. 

Would you write in a proud moment of the riders that rode with you. Would you wander into the future hoping that there are cowboys and horses in heaven?? Both of these questions are ones that are poetic cowboys may have wondered. 

Beautiful cowboy poetry the words are awe supporting and reflect the way of life. I hope you enjoyed the cowboy poetry. 

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Celebrate Carrot Cake Day (recipe included)

 One of my dad's favorite treats to enjoy was a slice of carrot cake with that yummy white cream cheese icing. February 3rd is carrot day but how did that occur?? It seems as if carrot cake may have been here a long time perhaps dating back to medieval times. As it has been suggested before when sugar was nonexistent, and the sweet tooth was many would turn to sweet veggies to enjoy a treat. Europeans had developed during the Middle Ages a carrot soup that was very much like stuffed peppers that offered a sweet taste. In fact, it is suggested that prior to George Washington becoming president he may have enjoyed his own carrot soup. However, time goes by and as we all know things change this time the recipe of carrot cake would appear in a French cookbook. 

But how and where did the carrot come from in the beginning?? Ancient carrots were available in a great range of colors including black, white, red and purple. The orange carrot was not an original and came about only as a tribute to the ruling family the House of Orange. 

Ancient carrots ranged from black, white, red and purple but it was only in the 17th century that the orange carrot was cultivated - as a tribute to the ruling House of Orange. The orange carrot did gain popularity vote across Europe and would soon become the one that all wanted. The carrot would gain popularity in America only after our soldiers returned from WWI and with them some carrots. 

Perhaps the carrot cake offers a bit more nutrition to the eater as it is truly a veggie. The sugar and other ingredients are still there so who knows may be it is better but maybe not The best thing to do is try your own. Here is an easy carrot cake recipe that you can enjoy and share with others as well. 

2 cups white sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 ½ cups vegetable oil

4 eggs

3 cups grated carrots

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese

¼ cup heavy whipping cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ½ cups sifted confectioners' sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9 or 10 inch tube pan.

2. Combine the sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, soda, oil. With an electric mixer beat in the eggs one at a time. Stir in the carrots and the walnuts. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.

3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour 20 minutes. Note: this cake can be made in two 9 inch layer cake pans just change the baking time to 40 minutes.

4. To Make Frosting: With an electric mixer blend the cream cheese and cream. Add the vanilla and confectioners' sugar. Frosting can be spread and a still warm cake.

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Winter TIme Help FOr The Birds

Many of us love to watch the wild birds. This is not a new sensation as wild bird watching has been around for centuries. The birds often have beautiful colors, their own characteristics and we all wonder how they can stay out there in the harsh weather. Wild birds are survivalists that endure often but they all could and would never refuse a helping hand. So how could we help these winged friends of ours?? In the hard winter when snow covers the ground and the birds natural source of food can not be found we can offer them a chance for some other type of food. 

You will need 

Bird seed mix,

Gelatine,

Boiling water, 

Mixing bowl and spoon, 

Cookie cutters,

Tray covered in foil,

Ribbon,

These are great for kids to make as well but adult should closely supervise. Start making the bird feeder by pouring boiling water into a bowl. The amount of water should equal the amount of bird seed you want to use. Into the bowl of water pour 2 sachets of gelatine and stir til the gelatine has dissolved. Pour the birdseed into the mix in the bowl and stir. Ensure that all the bird seed is indeed wet as this will ensure it sticking to the feeder. Using cookie cutters that are mold like pout the bird seed mixture in and poke a hole at the top so when dry they can hang. Now let them dry. When dried push the figure out. PLace string into the hole make a hoop to tie so the birdseed can hang. 

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Happy Birthday To Elmo and Reasons to Take YOur Child TO Library

Did you know that tomorrow February 3rd will be Elmo's from Sesame Street birthday??? Elmo appears on Sesame Street a show that has been created to educate children. Elmo first appeared on the tv show in 1980 in the song "We are Monsters" Since his first appearance Elmo has became a popular character on Sesame Street as well as having his own time known as "Elmo's World" He has also been invited to the Rosie O'Donnell show, Martha Stewarts show and on the T.V show "the View" 

Elmo stands exactly 24 inches tall and is a boy. Elmo's birthday is a celebration of kindness as all Elmo wants to do is love the world. Today is another great day as it is take your child to the library day. Elmo would love to see your child at the library. There are so many great reasons to take your child. Libraries offer your child a chance to be surrounded by books and learning to take care of books will help aide in their maturing as well. Thus libraries allow your child to choose the type of book they want without your input like you would have if you was paying for the book. 

Children that are read to or read will show behaviors such as:Empathy for others       better communication skills ---- improved language and that is just a few reasons why we should have our child enjoy books. The most important issue may be that they will learn to enjoy books and grow to be avid readers. In addition, libraries also often have centers and ways to entertain children on the cheap. 

 

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How do you Enjoy your Hot Cocoa or Chocoale??? (recipe included)

 With winter here there are many of us that may be enjoying some hot cocoa. Did you know that enjoying hot cocoa goes a long way back in history?? Back to the Mayan and Aztec civilizations. These ancient civilizations also believed hot cocoa to be a gift from the gods. Therefore, it was not only enjoyed but it was used in ceremonies and the rich were more apt to enjoy it. 

Ancient recipes of hot cocoa would find that the recipes may include chili peppers and cornmeal. As the recipe changed thru the years the recipe came to include more familiar ingredients like sugar, cinnamon and spices. In the early 1800s a Dutch chemist started grinding cocoa beans into a powder that when mixed with water easily could be made into hot chocolate. Thus began the rush for the drink many enjoy. 

Hot cocoa is made with cocoa powder mixed with heated milk or water and sugar. Hot chocolate is melted chocolate combined with milk. A third way and much richer taste is to mix the chocolate with cocoa powder. One of my favorite hot chocolates is that made with peppermints. 

• 1 cup milk (I used almond milk, any kind of milk will do the job)
• 1 1/2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2–3 tablespoons liquid sweetener of choice (maple syrup, agave nectar, or honey all work well)
• 1 drop peppermint extract

1. In a small bowl, combine the cocoa powder and sweetener and stir until they are combined.  Set aside.
2.  Put the milk in a small saucepan over medium low heat.  Stir in the chocolate mixture and heat until steaming.  Add the drop of peppermint extract. Enjoy!

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Corn chip Day and Taco Salad Recipe

IN case you did not hear corn chip day is here. Corn chips are snack food made by frying or baking cornmeal into bite sized pieces. Normally sold in a bag and eaten with a dip or alone. Its a day that celebrates the eating of the chip and the fact that there are many ways to do just that. The story of the corn chip can be traced back to 1932. It was on a day that an individual named C.E. Doolin bought a bag of corn chips and fell in love with the taste. That was the story that led to the largest corn chip company in the United States Frito Lays. So go ahead and enjoy the snack and while you are at it try a delicious recipe as well 

1 pound

Lean Ground Beef

1 package

Taco Seasoning (or homemade)

6 cups

Iceberg Lettuce (chopped)

1 cup

Tomatoes (chopped)

1 cup

Cheddar Cheese (shredded)

2 cups

Frito Corn Chips

1/2 cup

Sauce

1/2 cup

Catalina Dressing (or to taste)

add 

Toppings (as desired, peppers, onions, jalapenos, sour cream)

• Brown beef over medium heat until no pink remains. Drain any fat.
• Add taco seasoning and ½ cup water. Simmer 5 minutes or until thickened.
• Place lettuce in a large bowl. Top with meat, tomatoes, cheese, 1 cup of Frito corn chips, salsa and desired toppings. Add dressing and toss well. Top with remaining corn chips. Serve at once 

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January 29th day for bubble wrap and carnations

 January 29th is a day that is full of beauty in many away and yet can keep individuals entertained in others. Today, is both the day that bubble wrap invention is celebrated as well as the day for the carnation flower. The last Monday of January is when the invention of bubble wrap is celebrated. While the carnation is remembered by those that loved President William McKinley fondly wearing a carnation on the lapel of his suit jacket. Following the presidents assignation in 1901 the holiday was created in 1903.

The carnation is said to represent many feelings and emotions including fascination, distinction and love. Carnations come in an array of colors. In the case you do not have the color of the carnation you want the color can be changed with dye. The only bad thing would have to be that some dogs can get diarrhea or skin irritation may occur.   

The invention of bubble wrap came about in 1957nwhen two engineers sealed 2 shower curtains together in an attempt to make textured wallpaper. The invention did not come to be and several other attempts to find use of what had been invented fell thru as well. It may have started to seem like two engineers had to much time on their hands and came up with an invention that was seemingly worthless. However, IBM would change that when in 1961 they found the material was very useful for protecting their products in shipping. 

There are a few other uses that could be added to the criteria if we wanted as well. Bubble wrap has known to help with stress. Popping those bubbles distracts one easily from life's issues and allows them to concentrate on popping bubbles. It is a great way to teach children and others about recycling as well. 

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