Monday Moments

Don't forget our Coconut Oil Give-Away  CLICK HERE!

Making Your Own Gluten-Free Vanilla

According to Vanilla Review, "Quality vanilla is a tasty and essential cooking ingredient. It’s also very expensive. By making our own extraction we get the highest possible quality product made from the absolute best vanilla beans. Considering that the FDA regulates vanilla extract by bean weight and not bean quality, you never know what you might be getting with manufactured products. Your vanilla will be free of the artificial colors and vile corn sweeteners found in even high-quality vanilla extracts. Hand crafted vanilla extract is a great gift that will last a lifetime — like a fine wine, vanilla extract matures with age."

Wow, the ingredients are expensive!!!  Have you price Vanilla Beans lately?  Actually the beans have gone down in price.  Remember to get only the best quality beans and they should be fresh and soft.  We think that dollar for dollar and quality of product you will find that making your own Vanilla will actually save you money in the long run!

We found an excellant tutorial for you HERE.  We love our homemade vanilla and if you are Gluten-Intollerant or Celiac then you will be glad you made your own too!

Making your own vanilla does require liquor, as does making some of your own herbal extracts.  The following is for us gluten-free folks:

Gluten-Free Vodka BrandsChopin (potato based) - http://www.chopinvodka.com/
Ciroc (grape based) - http://www.cirocvodka.com/
Ciroc now features flavored vodkas!

Gluten-Free Rum
Most Rum is naturally gluten-free, including Bacardi & Cruzan. Beware Rums with fancy "natural flavors" that could be hiding wheat, barley or malt.


The Gift of Hospitality
Our Hospitality Hint of the Week

Today we are going to begin a series of ideas on things you can to to Bless others in the name of Jesus Christ.

Many people are homebound for one reason or another and often forgotten. This Hospitality Hint is great for the homebound or just ANYONE for that matter.  There are many lonely people in this world often surrounded by thousands.

Call or Text

Check in every once in awhile allows others know your are thinking of them.  A phone call is more personal, but a quick text message can be equally appreciated by most people.  Even Facebook messages or emails can be encouraging.

Reading Through the Bible In a Year

We are again attempting to read through the Bible this year. Just joining us or did you get behind? No matter and no need to play catch-up. Start where you are today and go forward.

Monday: Luke 4:1-12, Ephesians 5:22-33, Psalms 119:81-88, 1 Kings 17-18

Tuesday: Luke 4:13-30, Ephesians 6:1-9, Psalms 119:89-96, 1 Kings 19-20

Wednesday: Luke 4:31-37, Ephesians 6:10-24, Psalms 119:97-104, 1 Kings 21-22

Thursday: Luke 4:38-44, Phillippians 1:1-11, Psalms 119:105-112, 2 Kings 1-3

Friday: Luke 5:1-11, Phillippians 1:12-20, Psalms 119:113-120, 2 Kings 4-5
Saturday: Luke 5:12-16, Pillippians 1:21-30, Psalms 119:121-128, 2 Kings 6-7

Sunday: Luke 5:17-26, Phillippians 2:1-11, Psalms 119:129-136, 2 Kings 8-9

We also like to read a Proverb a Day corresponding to the day of the month. This month I am memorizing Psalms 20, could you memorize a Psalm?

Genealogy or Family History

Ever wondered who your grandparents were or where they came from? I have been finding out some interesting things, solving some medical mysteries and just having some fun with genealogy (family history) explorations!  If you want to find out how to search your family history or see what fun I'm having visit my other BLOG  http://footstepsbehindme.blogspot.com

101 Herbs That Heal

Below is the First 10 in my list of the 101 Plants/shrubs/Trees on our property that have healing qualities.

1. Aloe
2. Apple Trees
3. Aronia
4. Basil
5. Blackberry
6. Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
7. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
8. Catnip
9. Cayenne
10. Chaomile

Cayenne

This rather ambiguous little pepper has so many uses and health benefits that I decided just to link you to them.

The plant itself is rather easy to grow and like hot weather so if you'd like to grow a pepper that has a little bite without burning your face off, Cayenne peppers are probably the way to go. They have a medium heat and are used in many Cajun and Mexican dishes. Here are a few steps to growing your own supply of this versatile and hot, but not too hot, pepper.

Check out the Chili Man

or this UTube Video

http://youtu.be/i2LX59Z2pU0


Chaomile

Why Do People Use Chamomile?

Chamomile has a long history of use in Europe for digestive ailments. The active constiuents of chamomile have anti-inflammatory properties, and ease spasm and discomfort in the digestive tract.

• Indigestion
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Canker sores
• Colic
• Conjunctivitis, eye irritations
• Crohn's disease
• Diarrhea
• Eczema
• Gingivitis
• Hemorrhoids
• Menstrual disorders
• Migraine
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Peptic ulcer
• Skin irritations
• Ulcerative colitis
• Minor wounds

Safety
Chamomile is part of the Asteraceae plant family, which includes ragweed and chrysanthemum, so people with allergies may react when they use chamomile either internally or topically. Call your doctor if you experience vomiting, skin irritation, allergic reactions (chest tightness, wheezing, hives, rash, itching) after chamomile use.
Chamomile should not be taken during pregnancy or breast-feeding.
Chamomile contains coumarin, a naturally-occurring compound with anticoagulant or blood-thinning effects. It should not be combined with warfarin or other medications or supplements that have the same effect or be used by people with bleeding disorders. It shouldn't be used two weeks before or after surgery.

Here's a great UTube Video on how to grow Chamomile

http://youtu.be/gtqyUhSZxi0