Need Your Pictures From The Holiday Party?

Email Mary Hildebrand at ohpiffle@gmail.com.  Request must be made via email so that Mary can send them to you electronically.

Thanks!

Do You Do The 12 Days Of Christmas??

If you like sneaking around making your family and friends happy, this 12 day Christmas gift idea list will make your mission possible! 
Though many people celebrate the twelve days of Christmas starting on the 13th or 14th of December (depending on whether they want to deliver the last gift on Christmas Eve or Christmas day), the 12 Days of Christmas actually start with Christmas Day and finish  on 5th January. I guess I would like getting gifts no matter when they came!

Whichever you choose, you should drop off the first 12 day Christmas gift idea with a letter or poem explaining the operation and how you plan to carry it out. You can do things a couple of ways:

• During a time when you don't think you will be noticed (check for anyone following you), drop off each daily gift on the recipient's porch or doorstep. In your first note, inform them that they should under no circumstances try to find you out. If they do, they risk the whole mission being called off. Your identity will be revealed on the 12th day of Christmas cheer.
• If you will be unable to get the gifts to them each day, hide the gifts inside their home or with an insider (family member/room mate). Each day, enlist the help of one stranger to help you call the recipient and inform them of that day's gift location. One lady says, "Bank tellers, librarians, receptionists, local business owners and literally a stranger near a payphone were all willing to call for me to keep my identity a secret until the last day."

Here is my 12 Day Christmas Gift Idea List:
1. A Partridge in a Pear Tree - Can of pears, basket of fresh pears, or just a single pear with a Partridge Family Christmas CD or a small bird ornament
2. Two Turtle Doves - Turtle candies and Dove chocolates or Dove soap
3. Three French Hens - Gift certificate to KFC or another chicken restaurant, video of Chicken Run, cornish game hens, a hen plush toy with a little beret and French flag you make out of felt, homemade chicken dinner with French bread
4. Four Calling Birds - Cell phone cases, candy cell phones, phone book, clock that makes bird noises
5. Five Golden Rings - Gold napkin rings with winter napkins, donuts, can of pineapple rings, butterscotch lifesavers, gift certificate for onion rings
6. Six Geese a-Laying - Filled plastic eggs, chocolate cream-filled eggs, six eggs in a basket plus ingredients for omelets
7. Seven Swans a-Swimming - Origami swans made out of gift certificates, swan soaps, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake CD, bubble bath and a rubber duckie with a note attached explaining "this swan was in his ugly ducking stage"
8. Eight Maids a-Milking - Merry Maids gift certificate, jug of chocolate milk, eight different milk products, milk maid caramels, bath milk bubble bath
9. Nine Ladies Dancing - nine pairs of socks for their tired feet, ladyfinger cookies, Nutcracker book or video, Pirouette wafer cookies
10. Ten Lords a-Leaping - Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance CD or DVD, something with frogs, jar of hoppin' John soup mix,
11. Eleven Pipers Piping - Christmas CD with bagpipes, bubble pipes and bubble solution,
12. Twelve Drummers Drumming - Ice cream called Drumsticks, drum of popcorn, drum ornament, CD of bandmusic

How to Avoid Weight Gain During the Yummy Holidays

Yummy, decadent food is all around this time of year. For 5 weeks we struggle to keep our weight down. Here are some tips to help keep the pounds off:

• Don't try to lose weight till the New Year, instead focus on not gaining weight
• Don't go to a party or gathering with food if you're hungry. Saving up all day will lead to overeating
• Plan ahead for food gatherings-decide beforehand what you will and won't eat
• Eat a healthy breakfast! 
• Delay having a treat until after you've eaten a meal
• Drink a glass of water before having another treat-it will help fill you up
• Choose hot chocolate over eggnog, preferably sugar-free hot chocolate. Add some light cream if you like
• If you love your eggnog, thin it by adding low-fat milk
• Don't stop exercising. If you don't exercise, take walks, play sports, Wii Fit, or something active with your family especially on days when there will be lots of food
• Don't stand by the food table, you will be tempted to snack, rather make yourself a plate and include some healthier options along with the treats
• Cook with low fat milks, soups, sour creams, and cream cheeses
• When confronted with a plate of treats, choose 3 and make them small bites
• Make sure you get enough sleep. Not getting enough sleep is related to unhealthy eating/snacking

Are You Participating In The Angel Tree This Year?

Just a quick reminder that if you grabbed an angel from the angel tree, please bring your gifts to the church no later than Sunday, Dec. 18.  You are welcome to give your gifts to a member of the Relief Society Presidency or the Elders Quorum Presidency.  If possible, please bring your gifts in gift bags.  If you are unable to bring them in gift bags, please bring them unwrapped and they will be wrapped for you.  Thank you again to everyone who is participating.  What a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit!!

Looking for Stocking Stuffer Ideas For Men?

Try some of these!!

1. Cologne – samples work best because they are smaller and cheaper
2. Soap – manly soap is nice
3. Undies
4. Socks
5. chocolate or other candy
6. chocolate covered bacon, pretzels, or other food items
7. Beanie/knit hat
8. Gloves
9. Holiday ornament
10. Key Chain
11. Phone case
12. Money clip
13. Wallet
14. A cheesy movie from the clearance bin (hello Chuck Norris)
15. Mini lego kits (like race cars, lego men, key chains, etc.)
16. Deck of cards or other card games (like Uno)
17. Silly toys – parachute men, poppers, wind up animals, sticky hands, mini etch-a-sketch, etc.
18. Key covers
19. Ear buds
20. Ties
21. Cufflinks – if your guy wears them, there are some awesome ones on Etsy
22. Manly bath products or bath favorites
23. Pocket knife
24. Mini tools or weapons – what male doesn’t love a Nerf gun?
25. Batteries
26. A book, graphic novel, or magazine
27. $5 giftcards – one of my favorites, fast food works great
28. Gum or mints
29. Chapstick – my husband always steals mine or complains about chapped lips
30. Hand or boot warmers
31. Hand or cuticle cream
32. Computer decals
33. Car air fresheners
34. For the love of your life: Massage oil
35. Patches, stickers, or pins of a sports team, band, or company, etc.
36. Hot Coco cup or mug
37. Nail clippers and tweezers
38. Razors and other shaving accessories
39. Boot or hat cleaning or weathering spray
40. Pens or pencils

Looking for a personalized gift idea???

How about making book covers?  These aren't the plain boring book cover from when we were back in school...  These are fabulous!!!  Check it out!  http://www.thedatingdivas.com/kiirsten/blessings-wrapped-in-vinyl/

Thanksgiving Is Getting Close!

A few things to remember....

• Start thawing your turkeys!
• No scouts or activity days this week
• If you don't have a place to eat on Thanksgiving, please contact the Bishop.

If you have any fabulous Thanksgiving recipes (or what the heck to do with all the leftovers!) you would like to share, please do!!  Email them to mostlysweetwithafewnuts@gmail.com

A Few Holiday Fitness Tips...

For most families, life turns even topsy-turvier than usual during November and December. We squeeze extra entertaining, baking, shopping, errands, concerts, and parties into our already busy schedules, and that means holiday fitness takes a back seat. Combine that with all the tempting treats: Ho-ho-uh oh! It's essential to find ways to fit in some family holiday fitness... So here is a quick tip for you!

Shop 'til You Drop?

Turn a leisurely cruise around the mall into a power-walk and you reap the same fitness benefits you would out on a hiking trail. Hit stores at off hours to avoid crowds (or else treat that zigging and zagging you're doing as extra aerobic output). And don't forget to take the stairs and park in the far end of the lot. Those extra steps add up too. How about walking a lap around the parking lot before you go home? Extra points if you're carrying heavy bags!

Didn't Make It To The RS Activity This Month?

Here are some of the DIY Tips that we loved!  For a full handout, please see the table outside the RS room!

To Clean Glass and Windows:
2 tablespoons white vinegar
2 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup isopropyl rubbing alcohol

Home Made Powdered Laundry Soap

1   Fels-Naptha soap bar

1  Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*

½  Cup Borax
Grate soap or break into pieces and process in a food processor until powdered. Mix all ingredients. For light load, use 1 Tablespoon. For heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 Tablespoons.

Yields: 3 Cups detergent. (Approx. 40 loads)

Home Made "Dryer Sheets"

1  Container of Name Brand Fabric Softener

4  Inexpensive sponges, cut in half

Pour entire container of softener into a 5 gallon bucket. Fill empty softener container with water twice. (2 parts water to 1 part softener) Add sponges to softener/water mixture. When ready to use wring out extra mixture from one sponge and add to the dryer as you would a dryer sheet.

Wondering What You Can Do With Your Garden As It Gets Colder??

Start preparing your soil for next spring! You may want to take a soil sample and mail it off to see what the extension service says that your piece of ground needs.  Some substances have to be applied now so they can work next year. You can also plant a winter garden of onion, lettuce, carrots etc now.

Thanks for that advice Desi!

Primary Program This Sunday!

Hi Everyone!  The primary program is this Sunday!  We are so excited to show you what we have been learning in primary so far this year, we know you will really enjoy it.  If you have a child that is participating in the program, please try to be a few minutes early so that we can get seated.  If you need a copy of your child's part, please contact someone in the primary presidency.  Thanks!

Any Old Lysol Wipe Containers Laying Around?? Try Using Them This Way!

Old Lysol wipe containers turn into grocery bag dispensers!  Click on the link to find out how! http://www.infarrantlycreative.net/2011/08/wipes-container-reuse-and-a-giveaway.html

From Emily's Kitchen... Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole!

 

I love green bean casserole around the holidays, but I am usually running a little low on oven space :).  This is a really great casserole using your crock pot.  As an added bonus, it can be made a day or two before the holiday as well.  

Slow-Cooker Green Bean Casserole 

Servings: Serves 10 |

Ingredients:

• 1 cup canned fried onions
• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• Salt and pepper
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
• 2 pounds green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 slices hearty white sandwich bread, torn into pieces
• 2 tablespoons salted butter, melted
• 2 cups canned fried onions

Directions:

1. MAKE SAUCE Pulse canned fried onions in food processor until finely ground; set aside. Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, ¾ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper and cook until mushrooms release their liquid, about 5 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high and cook until liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add flour and ground onions and cook until golden, about 1 minute. Stir in broth and cream and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce is very thick and creamy, about 10 minutes.
2. SLOW-COOK Combine sauce and green beans in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low until beans are tender, 4 to 5 hours.
3. TOAST TOPPING Meanwhile, pulse bread and butter in food processor until coarsely ground. Toast bread crumbs and onions in clean skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Top green beans with bread-crumb mixture. Serve.
MAKE AHEAD: Sauce and topping can be refrigerated in separate airtight containers for 2 days. To finish, microwave sauce, covered, for 1 minute before proceeding with step 2. Crisp bread-crumb mixture in skillet before topping beans.

Primary Program, October 23rd!

We are excited to announce that there will be a Primary program on October 23rd!  All of the primary children will receive their parts by this Sunday, please contact a member of the Primary presidency if you don't have one by then.  Please encourage your children to practice their parts!

From Emily's Kitchen... Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies!

 

Everyone has a favorite pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe, this is ours :).  

To make forming the cookies easier, I use a 1 1/2 T cookie scoop (http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Medium-Cookie-Scoop/dp/B0000CDVD2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317596485&sr=8-1).  

Cookie scoops are also nice to have when filling muffin tins, forming meatballs, or scooping out round pieces of watermelon. 

Pumpkin Cookies

Ingredients:

• ½ c butter softened
• 1 ½ c sugar
• 1 c pumpkin
• 1 egg
• 1 t vanilla
• 2 ½ c flour
• 1 t baking powder
• 1 t baking soda
• ½ t salt
• 2 t cinnamon
• 1 1/2 c Chocolate chips

Directions:

Cream butter and sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and vanilla. Beat until creamy. Mix in dry ingredients. Drop by spoonful on greased cookie sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes at 350.

Have You Cleaned Out Your Medicine Cabinet Lately?

Take a moment this week to go through your medicine cabinet.  Not only do you need to organize your medicine, but be sure to check for expiration dates. Be sure to check your first aid kits and make sure that you are fully stocked....  just in case :)

Here is what to do with your expired medications:

Take-Back Programs

Does your pharmacy have a take-back program? Find out by consulting your pharmacist. 

 

Flushing

If you don’t have access to a take-back program but there is a danger of the medication being used by another person, the FDA recommends flushing. Their site provides a list of medicines recommended for this kind of disposal. (You can also read more about stated environmental risks.)

Household Trash Disposal

FDA recommends the following:

• Mix medicines (do NOT crush tablets or capsules) with an unpalatable substance such as kitty litter or used coffee grounds;
• Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag; and
• Throw the container in your household trash.

Have A Bunch Of Old Sweaters Laying Around?

Why not turn them into adorable scarves?  Click on the link below to find out how!

http://blog.hgtv.com/design/2011/09/13/hgtv-how-to-make-a-new-scarf-out-of-old-sweaters/?nl=HGIdeas_v460_Blog2&sni_mid=18029&sni_rid=18029.324.142973

Shower Time!

Just a Reminder about Tallie Bell's Shower Saturday, September 17th 3pm at the Church. She's having a little boy. Here is her "registry", but of course she is grateful for all she may receive!

bumbo 

diapers/wipes

onesies

jammies/sleepers

clothes

burp cloths (just a few in boy colors)

binkies and bottles (just need a few)

boy toys

just everyday baby needs like shampoo, wash cloths, diaper rash ointment, etc.

Don't Have Time To Dig Through Your Jewelery Box For Your Necklaces?

Try this!  A cute, easy, and cheap way to make sure that you can always see each of your necklaces!

DIY Flower Vases!

 

1) Start collecting cans, all different sizes, tell your friends and family to save them for you as well. This one was made from a used Trader’s Joe’s Coffee.

2) Find some beautiful, inspiring paper that fits your event motif. This pattern I found at Michael’s, while just browsing the paper section! 

3) Cover the can with the paper, measure and cut the bottom to fit the can perfectly. 

4) Attach the paper to the can buy using a hot glue, glue or tape! If the paper doesn’t fit all the way around, use two sheets or get creative and use buttons, lace or whatever else you want to cover the gap! 

5) Fill the can with simple, elegant flowers and let the vase be the focus! I used fifteen white roses to fill this can. So simple, but very charming and easy to do!

Mmmmm! A Fall Recipe!!

 

 

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese Filling

Makes 12-14

3 cups AP Flour

1 Tablespoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground ginger

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

¼ teaspoon ground cloves

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup Splenda (use could white sugar if you like)

1 cup vegetable oil

1 - 15 oz. can of pumpkin

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Beat together brown sugar, Splenda, oil and pumpkin. Add eggs one at time, mixing well after each addition, followed by the vanilla. In a separate bowl, shift together the dry ingredients. Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined. 

Using a pastry bag with a round tip, or a big zip top plastic bag with one corner snipped, squeeze out concentric circles of batter, starting from the middle and working outward until the circles are about 2 inches in diameter. Bake for 11 minutes and cool on a rack.

Cream Cheese Filling

1 - 8 oz. package of cream cheese, softened

1 stick of unsalted butter, room temperature

1 - 16 oz. package of powdered sugar

about a capful of vanilla extract

a pinch of cinnamon (to taste)

Beat together cream cheese and butter. Add powdered sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. Frost flat side of half the pies and top with another piece. 

Enjoy right away or chill overnight.

Time to Clean.... The Spice Cabinet!

This one can definitely be a challenge!  How can you display them so that you can actually see them?  One way you can do it is to buy "steps".  These are plastic mini steps to display your spice.  This way, you have several rows, but each is raised so that you can read them all. These can be found at Walmart, and probably many other places.  Another way to do this is buy a spice rack (depending on how many spices you have, this might not work).  No matter what you do, just make sure to check for expiration dates, multiple bottles of the same spice, and cracked bottles.  Have fun, and good luck!

Stake Primary Activity!! Saturday, September 10th!!

Just a reminder... 

There is a Stake Primary Activity on Saturday, September 10th.  If your daughter is 8 or older and plans on attending, please let someone in the primary presidency know, we need a rough count.  Thanks!!

Looking For A New Way To Serve Potatoes?

Hasselback Potatoes

Ingredients

6 Medium Size Potatoes
2 - 3 Cloves Garlic, thinly sliced
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
30 g Butter
Maldon Sea Salt
Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Method

Preheat the oven to 220˚C (425˚F). Put the potato on a chopping board, flat side down. Start from one end of the potato, cut almost all the way through, at about 3 to 4 mm intervals.

Arrange the potatoes in a baking tray and insert the garlic in between the slits. Scatter some butter on top of each potato. Then drizzle the olive oil and sprinkle some sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Bake the potatoes for about 40 minutes or until the potatoes turn crispy and the flesh is soft.

A Relaxed Holiday Season?? What's That???

Rhetorical question -- Do you want to have a relaxed holiday season, making sure you have gifts purchased and made, meals and treats at the ready, the house in perfect order?  Check out this website.  http://christmas.organizedhome.com/holiday-grand-plan

They have lists, plans and a weekly goal.  Lots of great forms that you can print out and make your very own "Grand Plan" binder! Very smart.  Very helpful, even if you just use a bit of it.  The actual "Christmas Countdown" starts on August 28th, right now they are just going through the house organizing specific areas each week.  If you follow this, you could actually be 99% ready for the holidays before Thanksgiving!  What a concept!

RS Activity This Thursday!!

Pamper Me!  This Thursday at 7:00 pm at the church!!  See you there!!

Giveaway Items!

• Several Finches Available!  Contact Desi Ellis if you are interested!!
• Sister Starks has a bunk bed and a day bed she is looking to give away!

Iron Deficiency

Are you often Iron Deficient when you go to the Doctor? Or is your child? Here are some more questions:

What is Iron?

Iron is a mineral found in our bodies that helps transport oxygen to your tissues. It is found in foods we eat in the heme and non-heme form. Our bodies absorb foods in the heme form more readily.

What is Iron Deficiency?

Iron Deficiency is when your body's stores of Iron have become too low because you are not eating enough iron containing foods. This can be either due to poor diet or you're body is going through rapid stages of growth and you can't keep up with your regular diet.

What is Iron Deficiency Anemia?

This is a result of iron deficiency; although it can be caused by different reasons. You should talk to your doctor if you think you have this. It can cause weakness, fatigue, and inability to perform at peak level.

If you have been told you are someone you care for has low iron or iron deficiency, below are lists of iron containing foods and some tips:

• Heme foods (absorbed more efficiently): beef liver, steak, chicken, pork, fish (see list)

• Non-heme foods: Fortified cereal, beans, spinach, wheat bran, whole wheat bread, egg, raisins, green beans, peanut butter, grapes (see list)

• Non-heme foods are better absorbed if eaten with Vitamin C or heme iron foods.

-Eat Iron fortified breakfast cereal with orange or orange juice

-Eat spinach with strawberries or spinach with sirloin strips

-Eat ham with eggs

• Cook your food in a cast iron skillet

• Read the label! Iron is included on food labels. If it's from a plant, it's non-heme and will absorb better with vitamin C or heme source. If it's from an animal, it's likely to absorb just fine by itself.

• If you're child has low iron, make sure they are only drinking 16-24 ounces of milk and not more since calcium competes with iron for absorption

**These recommendations are not for everyone. Talk to your doctor first and make sure these recommendations apply to you!

**Since there is a lot to say on this topic, feel free to ask me any questions you may have.

What's In Your Freezer??

That's right, it's time for the next challenge!  Time to head to the freezer!  Check for expiration dates and opened packages that have freezer burn.  Try to decide where you need to place things so that you can have easy access to them.  Be sure to remove the shelves (if you can) and wipe everything down.  Good luck!!

Stake Primary Activity!! Saturday, September 10th!!

There is a Stake Primary Activity on Saturday, September 10th.  If your daughter is 8 or older and plans on attending, please let someone in the primary presidency know, we need a rough count.  Thanks!!

Desk Giveaway!

Please contact Mary Hildebrand if you are interested!  :)

Don't Forget! Stake Activity August 13!!

Join us at the stake center in Macon on August 13th from10 am-1 pm.  Hope to see you there!

Looking For A Little Consignment Shopping??

Check this out!! http://www.tykestotsteens.com/TTT_Perry_Home_UFAY.php Huge consignment sale August 12-14 at the Perry fairgrounds!!  See you there!

Looking For Writers!!

Are you dying to write for our blog??  We want you too!  We are looking for writers that are passionate about something....  and want to share! Please email us at mostlysweetwithafewnuts@gmail.com if you are interested!!

Want To Learn How To Make These Adorable Flowers?

Click here http://designeditor.typepad.com/design_editor/napkin-paper-flower-tutorial.html to learn how!!

Your Next Challenge!

The Laundry Room!!!!  For some of us, the laundry room may not be an actual room.  It may be a nook in the house, it may be a closet, or it may just be where you store dirty wash until you can make it to the cleaners :)  No matter what type of laundry room you have, it is time to attack it!!  One big problem in laundry rooms is the lint that seems to travel everywhere.  Find it and get rid of it.  While you are at it, take a look at the top of your washer and dryer.  Has lint managed to get up there?  How about the sides and in between the washer and dryer?  How are they looking?  If they are anything like mine, you are in trouble :)  Good luck!

Up For A Challenge??

It's been a while since our last challenge...  Have you kept up?  Today's challenge is a special one, just for mom's :)  When is the last time you cleaned....  your carseats??  Trust me, I know exactly how disgusting they can be!  To clean them, completely remove them from your car.  While they are out, take the opportunity to vacuum the seats of your car.  Wash the cover, lysol the plastic pieces, do whatever you need to do to sanitize it.... you know it needs it :)

Need Some Boy Bedding?

Katrina Gowen has 2 sets of boy bedding, one is Thomas The Train and the other is a sports theme.  Please contact Katrina Gowen at 478-825-7124 if you are interested :)

Far too many women spend hours trying to tighten that tummy (me included) only to see the same old pudgy pooch day after day.  Check out these top 10 for a leaner tummy… You may be surprised that the majority of these tips don’t have anything to do with exercise or tummy crunches.

1. Do not eat other people’s leftovers- Having the crusts from your toddler's peanut butter sandwich, a small handful of your co-workers m&m's, a few sips of coke, and a bite or two of your hubby's ice cream may seem harmless but these calories add up big time. Be careful about these seemingly small daily cheats. 

2. Chew your food- slow down so your tummy and intestines have time to send the message to the brain that you are getting full

3. Avoid eating fast food on the run

4. Exercise regularly- Three times a week, perform some type of aerobic conditioning or circuit training for 20 to 30 minutes. Exercising the ab muscles twice a week is plenty. For example, perform your ab exercises every Monday and Thursday. Muscles become stronger and more firm through the process of adaptation. We stress the muscle and then it recovers and comes back stronger and better. The muscles need time to recover. Another reasons for sagging tummy is, bad posture. More than often, women have their shoulders falling and with the posture is beginning to lean forward. Practice healthy posture with your shoulders up and back straight while walking, sitting at your desk and exercising. Doing this while exercising helps flatten the belly.

 

5. Eat smaller more balanced portions of food

6. Eat foods that are low in fat

7. Drink lots of water

8. Eat complex carbs and not simple sugars: Eating foods that make your blood sugar and insulin levels shoot up and then crash may contribute to weight gain. Such foods include white bread, white rice, and other highly processed grain products. As an alternative, choose complex carbohydrates that have a gentler effect on blood sugar. These include whole grains such as wheat berries, steel-cut oats, and whole-grain breads and pasta, as well as beans, nuts, fruits, and vegetables.

 

9. Eat moderate amounts of protein

              10. Get a regular check up- weight gain can also be caused by health conditions

Stuff, Stuff, Stuff!!!

We have more stuff to be given away!!  If you are interested in any of these items, please contact Mary Hildebrand at 478-987-0885.

 

Christmas Jar = 4x4x7 (never used)

Christmas Hanging = 23"long x 13"wide (fabric) x 19"(dowel)

Frames ceramic and for 4x6 photos (sisters - tan - one never used)

From Emily's Kitchen...

 

We spent 4 years living in San Antonio and absolutely loved the Tex Mex food!  I made a goal to learn as much about that style of cooking as I could while we lived there.  

Here is a recipe for authentic Crispy Beef Tacos.  It uses fresh tomatoes and requires a little extra work, but is very worth it to me :).  You can also use this meat as a topping for nachos with a cheese sauce or even use it in soft tacos if you prefer.  

**As a side note, coarse salt and table salt are not interchangeable.  If you only have table salt around the house, use 1/2 teaspoon instead of 1 teaspoon of coarse salt.  

Crispy Tacos Picadillo

Ingredients:

• ½ large onion, chopped ( 1 ½ c)
• 1 lb ground sirloin (90% fat)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 medium tomatoes, coarsely chopped
• 1 ½ t paprika
• 1 t chili powder
• 1 t dried oregano
• 1 t coarse salt​
• 1 t freshly ground pepper
• ¾ t ground cumin
• 1 c water
• 1 t white vinegar

Directions:

Cook meat, onion, garlic, and spices over medium-high heat until meat is cooked through. Using wooden spoon, break meat into small pieces. Do not drain liquid. Stir in tomatoes and 1 c of water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until thick and very little liquid remains (30-40 minutes). There should be no visible pieces of tomato at this point, just a thick sauce. Stir in vinegar.
Serve in hard shells with shredded cheddar cheese, shredded iceberg lettuce, and salsa.

Want To Make A Summer Wreath?

Go here http://jonesdesigncompany.com/tutorial/a-summer-wreath-tutorial/ to find out how!

How Long Will Products Last?

It is difficult to predict how long dry-pack products will last.  Storage life depends on the original quality of the product and the temperature of the storage room.

Dry-pack products will slowly lose nutritional value as they are stored, however, the products do not need to be discarded after they reach the "Best if Used By" date printed on the label.  Most products, if properly stored, will still be safe and have some nutritional value long after that date.  (Remember you can rotate food by using it yourself or by sharing it with others.

Rotation Suggestions for Properly Packaged Dry-Pack Foods

(when stored in a cool, dry place under ideal conditions)

Sugar 20+ years

Wheat 20+ years

Carrots 8-10 years

Fruit Drink Mix 8-10 years

Dry Pinto Beans 8 years

Dry Black Beans 6-8 years

Dry White Beans 6-8 years

Apple Slices 6-8 years

Spaghetti 6-8 years

Macaroni 8 years

Chopped Dry Onions 6-8 years

Hot Cocoa 3-4 years

Rolled Oats 5 years

Vanilla Pudding 5 years

Chocolate Pudding 5 years

White Flour 3-5 years

Soup Mix 4-5 years

Rice 5 years

Nonfat Dry Milk 5 years

Instant Potatoes 1-2 years

Refried Beans 4-5 years

Storage Suggestions

Store dry-pack items in a cool, dry location away from sunlight.  Store them on shelves or on raised platforms rather than directly in contact with concrete floors or walls.

Challenge Time Again!

Time to tackle the toys and/or cd and movie collection!  Decide what you need to keep accessible and what you don't.  Don't feel bad deciding to get rid of things, remember that anything you can't use, someone else can!  Good luck!