COOKING UNDER PRESSURE – Save time, save energy, save nutrition Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Pressure Cookers http://www.urbanhomemaker.com/ProductCart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=145 $30 instant rebate – use coupon code duromaticrebate
RECIPES for Spring and summer!
INVENTORY REDUCTION SALE – while supplies last
COMPLIMENTARY COPIES OF Spring 2009 THE OLD SCHOOLHOUSE MAGAZINE - with an order of $25.00 or more by request. Please request this item in the comments section when checking out.
ON MY HEART by Marilyn Moll
I looked at the calendar earlier this week as I was planning a trip for Mary and I, and realized it is less than three weeks until Memorial Day. My daughter's last day of school is in two weeks!
As I look forward to our summer schedule, I am reminded that searingly hot summer days are ahead and I need to start planning meals that minimize indoor cooking.
I have two strategies for keeping the heat out of the kitchen. One strategy is to use my pressure cookers to drastically reduce cooking times. Most items cook in 1/3 the amount of time as conventional cooking.
The second strategy is to shift the summertime menus to rely on salad making. In fact that is the whole reason I wrote Sensational Summer Salads. For lots of salad recipes Click Here.
I used to be afraid of pressure cookers, after my old style cooker “blew-up” after cooking beets, and beet juice got all over everything. That was the end of pressure cooking for me. That unreliable pressure cooker resided in a back, hard to reach corner of my kitchen never to be used again.
Then about 15 years ago I discovered there are “second generation” pressure cookers with at least six built in safety features and a ten year warranty. I'll admit I was skeptical and I was scared until I watched a convincing demonstration of how quick, easy, and Reliable Kuhn Rikon Pressure Cookers are.
Finally I took that plunge and I have discovered some other advantages to cooking with a Duromatic including the ability to make:
* Quick Nutritious Meals - not only do you save time and effort but less cooking time means more nutrient retention. * Great Taste And Flavor - flavor retention that gives fast food timing without the fast food taste. * Energy Efficient - Less cooking time means less energy use and less energy consumed. Not only that, but your kitchen will stay cooler due to decreased cooking times. * Other Savings - low cost meats can be cooked in a fraction of the time necessary to get that prized tenderness.
Consider these short cooking times for things you prepare all the time:
* Grains cook twice as fast as conventional cooking. * Beans (soaked) cook in less than 10 minutes. * Soup Stocks prepared 4 times faster. * Whole chicken cooked 5 times faster. *Potatoes cooked in less than five minutes:
Try out some of favorite Spring and Summer recipes! (All these recipes can be cooked conventionally by using longer/traditional cooking methods:
=============================================== INVENTORY REDUCTION SALE while supplies last. Use Coupon Code: 30%Discount First come First Served! ===============================================
Ed Note: Sadly readers, it is time for me to simplify my inventory. I am closing out some of my favorite items at 30% off while supplies. Everything is in new condition. Act quickly as these items will not last. I will be updating the website as quickly as possible, so if we run out of an item, we will notify you if the item(s) you ordered are out of stock. Act quickly as these items will go quickly. First come First Served.
Lap Top Lunches http://www.urbanhomemaker.com/productcart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=380 Basic Set 8450 Complete Set 8451 Insulated Case and Bottle 8455
Life Sprouts Sprouters http://www.urbanhomemaker.com/productcart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=213 Single Sprouter 3300 Double Sprouter 3305 Triple Sprouter 3310 Mini Triple Sprouter 3325
The KRONA brand cookware features Tri-Ply encapsulated bottoms: an aluminum core sandwiched between two layers of 18/10 stainless steel to ensure even heat distribution. Stock Pot – 8 Qt 3408 Stock Pot – 10 Qt 3410 Stock Pot – 12 Qt 3412 Stock Pot – 16 Qt 3416
Stainless Steel Bakeware http://www.urbanhomemaker.com/ProductCart/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=90 Round Cake Pan – Stainless Steel 3560 Square Cake Pan – Stainless Steel 3561 Muffin Pans – 12 Hole 3563 Cookie Sheet-12x14-Stainless Steel 3565 Lasagna Pan – 11x16 3573 Pie Pan – Stainless Steel 3567 Jelly Roll Pan 3568 Cookie Sheet-12x16-Stainless Steel 3570 Pizza Pan – 14” 3581 Pizza Pan – 16” 3582 Stainless Steel Muffin Pans 3551
Miscellaneous Items - If you put the item number in the search engine at my home page you can find this item easily.
Copyright 2009 by Marilyn Moll and Laura Coble. All rights reserved. Please contact us for reprint permissions.
From the Heart of the Urban Homemaker is a complimentary newsletter published bi-weekly. Sign up at http://www.urbanhomemaker.com/subscriptions and obtain a complimentary copy of my free report Soups and Stews for Busy Moms.
All mother's know that Sunday, May 10, 2009 is Mother's Day. When my husband was living, he always made sure I had a special “breakfast in bed”, with the Sunday paper, and occasionally some fresh flowers. Later in the day, I could expect a delicious three course dinner prepared with the help of the children and I didn't even have to do the dishes.
Seasons of life change. It wasn't that many years ago, I was 14 days past due my delivery date of my first baby. I had expected to be celebrating that Mother's Day with a sweet baby in my arms. Tearfully, I received a gorgeous potted plant from my wonderful husband, but I the truth is I really wanted a baby to have and to hold instead.
Most readers know that this will be my second Mother's Day as a widow. Thanks to the countless prayers of many readers and the mercy of God, I can look forward to Mother's Day this year much more confidently and comfortably that it is OK to be a widow and celebrate with my daughter Mary, a very simple, uneventful Mother's Day.
One of the lessons of being a widow thas been to learn to be grateful and to give thanks in all things. (1 Thess 5:18) Since I have learned that life will send many curve balls, I have been practicing to choose gratefulness instead of bitterness in all circumstances.
I can honestly say I am grateful to celebrate Mother's Day this year as a single mom of three, even though two of my children no longer live at home.
Again this week, the preciousness of life has been underscored for me as I received a letter from a grieving mom who lost her newborn in March. Sandra writes:
“ I remember telling my husband after I read your e-mail saying that your husband passed away, that I just couldn't imagine losing someone you love so much. Little did I know that on March 15, 2009 I too would lose someone that I loved so very much. Our 6 day old son, Cole David, passed away suddenly without any warning there was anything wrong. It was such a traumatic event.”
So this Mother's Day, I am asking you and your family to consider praying for Sandra, her husband, the other children in her family, and anyone else you know that has suffered the loss of someone they love, that God would heal their hurting, broken hearts with his love and his hope.
To celebrate Mother's Day and encourage moms everywhere, I'm offering two complimentary gifts to all readers.
On a much lighter note, Laura Coble entertains us with ideas for distracting ourselves from the monotony of our everyday routines of work, school, housekeeping, cooking, laundry, shopping, etc. Please read Laura Coble's thoughts on spontanaity, Fast Food Frenzy.
I'm offering a $30.00 rebate on Kuhn Rikon Duromatics (and free shipping) while supplies last plus free shipping. My friend Belinda says "I love, love,love, love, love, love my new pressure cooker, it is so quick and easy to use!" The coupon code is duromaticrebate. Just in time for Mother's Day, this is the last week for the Grain Mill Promotion and the instant rebate on Bosch Universal Plus. Details follow. =============================================== TEABREAKCONNECTION – Fast Food Frenzy by Laura Coble www.teabreakconnection.wordpress.com or email her at daybyday366@gmail.com
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The other day I was just feeling like I needed a good spontaneous moment, just something different to mix up the daily routine a bit. As I considered different options, a picnic in the park, watching the sunset, reading a new book, I was suddenly inspired with sheer brilliance.
I suggested to my husband, Brandon, that we go on a fast food treasure hunt. We would glean greasy globs off of the dollar menus at four different restaurant; McDonald’s, Sonic, Taco Bell, and Burger King. You are probably thinking “that sounded like fun to them?” Yes it did, thank you, it was my spontaneous moment of genius, and growing up depraved of fast food, there is a certain awe-inspiring mystery that envelops these coves of calories we call fast food restaurants.
At Sonic we ordered two ice creams, 99 cents each. At McDonald's he got a cheeseburger, 99 cents, and I got fries, 99 cents. At Taco Bell my husband craved the 7 layer nachos (also knows as 7 layers of digestive death), 97 cents, and I ordered a soft shell taco and a small nachos, both of which were somewhere around 80 cents. And finally, at Burger King, Brandon ordered fries at another 99 cents, and I finished off the bill with a spicy chicken sandwich and chicken fingers, both 99 cents.
Yes, I realize that we could have saved a lot of money if we had just gone to the park and eaten dirt. In Brandon’s words, “besides all the things that aren’t healthy for you, fast food is really healthy.” We had fun along the way though.
There is nothing like a good spontaneous moment to lighten the stress of any day. We made up silly stories about ice cream boats and maidens in distress, talked about the events of our day, and just plain enjoyed each other’s company. With a merry distraction, the stressful events of the day melted away. We arrived back home with a tummy ache and gratefully marked “Dining at Four Different Fast Food Restaurants in a Night” off of our list of future goals and ambitions.
While I hardly recommend a fast food restaurant for your dining pleasure, just for the record, Burger King's dollar menu is far superior to any of the other restaurants we visited, and their fries are slightly more edible than McDonald's.
Perhaps a feeding frenzy is not on your menu for merry moments, but I do encourage you and your family to have a spontaneous moment this weekend. Sometimes a moment of complete abandon is necessary for keeping one's sanity. The Bible says that a merry heart is like medicine (Prov. 17:22). It seems that too often our days are filled with more “stress” moments than “merry” moments. Often after a long day, no one feels like trying to make merry. Let me encourage you to try a “spontaneous” moment as a way to increase merry moments. My example of a spontaneous moment may not be very inspiring, but there are a number of activities that are far cheaper than my escapade, and are sure to bring a smile to faces all around.
Ideas: (remember, a spontaneous moment can’t be planned, but when you need such a moment, here are some ideas to keep in the back of your mind)
Swing in the park
Admire the stars from a rooftop, design your own constellation
Find a product for every letter of the alphabet at Wal-Mart
Play a round of hide and go seek in the dark
Name all the fish in a tank at a pet store
Read a Dr. Seuss story
Make wishes for each other
Please email Laura at email her at daybyday366@gmail.com or post other ideas for spontaneous moments at www.teabreakconnection.blogspot.com ================================================== GRAIN MILL PROMOTION THROUGH MAY 10 (Mother's Day) Invest in a Kitchen Mill, Nutrimill or Wonder Mill and Receive A Beginner's Guide to Baking Bread (Spiral bound), Breakfasts for Busy Moms ebook, and FREE SHIPPING! ($45.00 value) ===================================================
Copyright 2009 by Marilyn Moll and Laura Coble. All rights reserved. Please contact us for reprint permissions.
From the Heart of the Urban Homemaker is a complimentary newsletter published bi-weekly. Sign up at http://www.urbanhomemaker.com/subscriptions and obtain a complimentary copy of my free report Soups and Stews for Busy Moms.
Invest in a Kitchen Mill, Nutrimill or Wonder Mill and ReceiveA Beginner's Guide to Baking Bread (Spiral bound), Breakfasts for Busy Moms ebook, and FREE SHIPPING! ($45.00 value)
(Ed Note: While I'm out of town this week, my daughter Laura has stepped in to write my regular column, On My Heart, for me.
For me, this year has been the "Year of the Wedding". My own wedding was on January 3rd, and I have 6 more friends marching up the aisle sometime during this year.
As I listen to my soon-to-be-married friends talk with fervor and frenzy about their upcoming weddings, I canât help but to breathe a sigh of relief that my own wedding has been successfully completed. While I loved playing princess for a day, my blood pressure still jumps when I look at my leftover wedding decorations and remember the panic of searching Michael's for the prettiest, loveliest, cutest, dreamiest, and of course, cheapest decorations that would create a winter wonderland for a winsome wedding.
Most of my panic came from price tags. Thank goodness for Michael's Sunday paper coupon for 50% off ANY product in the store. Perhaps some of you are feeling a bit of that panic that accompanies the price tag for weddings. It's not just decorations it is the cake, the caterer, the dress, the photographer, the jewelry, the reception halls ¦and it is not just paying for the sundry essentials of a wedding, it is choosing which dress, which caterer, which cake, which song to play for the bridesmaids.
While I can't say as I have had a lot of experience with weddings, I did plan my own wedding, and for any of you who are planning a wedding, will be planning a wedding, or are friends of a panicked bride, here are some of the lessons I learned along the way.
1. Pick a budget. A wedding can be planned on ANY budget. My budget was pretty tiny compared to some people who spend $10,000 plus on a wedding. Rest assured, it is possible to have a lovely wedding on less, even if it is just $1000. As you pick your budget, pray and ask God to stretch each dollar.
2. Be flexible. A lot of girls are determined to have the perfect dress, the most inspiring cake, the dreamiest location. But many of these things come at a significant expense. When I was picking out my dress, I looked on the $200 dollar sale rack at a wedding dress store and said, "This rack may not have the dress I always dreamed of, but I can find a dress that I like". This thought process saved me many tears when what I wanted wasn't available for a reasonable price.
3. Plan Ahead. Many brides get lost in the decision making process. While they have dreamt about their wedding all their lives, few have actually thought about what they would like to have in a wedding (other than a prince charming). If you start gathering ideas now, you will save a lot of brain cells when it comes to making decision over which song to walk down the aisle to or what to do during the reception.
Don't despair! Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but the one thought that encouraged me along the way was that ultimately, all that mattered was for Brandon and I to say our vows, even if everything else fell apart, if we walked away married, then we were successful.
For more advice and encouragement on wedding planning, please visit my blog at www.teabreakconnection.wordpress.com or email me at daybyday366@gmail.com.
================================================== GRAIN MILL PROMOTION THROUGH MAY 10 (Mother's Day) Invest in a Kitchen Mill, Nutrimill or Wonder Mill and Receive A Beginner's Guide to Baking Bread (Spiral bound), Breakfasts for Busy Moms ebook, and FREE SHIPPING! ($45.00 value) =================================================== Dear Marilyn,
I love my grain mill I ordered from you! My husband and I both did a search on the benefits of grinding your own wheat. The mill will pay for itself in 6 months. With the economy as it is we decided to try to cut expenses in all ways we could. We were also very pleased and cared about the wonderful health benefit we would get by milling our grains.
The incredible bonus to all of this is the bread is FANTASTIC! I have never been able to make 100% whole wheat bread that is as wonderful and soft as my bread is now. My other attempts made great door stops the next day.
The Beginners Guide to Baking Bread is worth it's weight in gold. I made the multi grain bread the other day and served some to our friends who stopped by. They could not say enough about how wonderful it was, I sent the rest of the loaf home with them! I am so thankful for all I have learned from you! Thank you very much! ~ Crystal Zecher (reprinted by permission)
Invest in a Kitchen Mill, Nutrimill or Wonder Mill and Receive A Beginner's Guide to Baking Bread (Spiral bound), Breakfasts for Busy Moms ebook, and FREE SHIPPING! ($45.00 value)
SPRING CLEANING FLING – Complimentary Shipping on Norwex Microfiber Cleaning Products Use this coupon code when ordering: norfree ($50.00 minimum order required.) ********************************************************** ON MY HEART by Marilyn Moll
Today I am very excited to be introducing a new writer for From The Heart of The Urban Homemaker Newsletter. It is my hope that Tea Break Connection will offer fresh perspectives to appeal to all women, but the younger women in particular, who have not yet achieved perfection in their high calling as homemakers.
The focus of Tea Break Connection by Laura Coble will be an insightful, and often humorous glimpse into the life of a twenty-something fellow homemaker (pilgrim) on the path to a building a God honoring home. Laura won't be discussing how to or instructional articles nor will she have any products to sell, but speaking from the heart.
If you would like to correspond with or encourage Laura, she maybe contacted at daybyday366@gmail.com.
Secondly, the month of March reminds me it is time to get started with Spring Cleaning without chemicals as much as possible!
Antibacterial microfiber Norwex Enviro cloths can be used on windows, textured, and dark colored kitchen appliances, spot clean upholstery and carpet, lamps, plants, computers, stainless steel, walls, white boards, counters, bath tubs and sinks, toilets, fixtures, stovetops, baseboards, mirrors, cars, shelves, shower doors, ceiling fans, light switches and plates, telephones, remotes, sticky price tag residues, shines shoes - and anything else you have that needs cleaning. Just use water!
Read this simple guide entitled Fast, Easy, Economical Spring Cleaning Room by RoomClick Here to get started: =================================================== INTRODUCTING TEA BREAK CONNECTION by Laura Coble
My mom honored me with the request that I write a column to be included in her newsletter. I feel a bit unworthy in this endeavor as many of you have been married a long time (like more than two months), and many of you are hard at work in raising the next generation (probably some of you have kids my age). However, it is my hope that this column can be a friendly chat, rather than an instructional how-to on love, life, and happiness.
I grew up “Urban Homemakerized,” indoctrinated in the mantra of “return oh ye woman to the arts of thine former ways.” So I should be well versed in the art of raising chickens, gardening, and knitting sweaters. At least you would think. I am familiar enough with chickens to know that I like to eat them, my gardening skill level has produced three dead African Violet plants in the last month, and I gave up knitting in despair of too many dropped stitches and converted to crocheting. I salute any woman who can juggle four knitting needles to create a mitten or slipper.
This is not to imply that because I am not a master gardener I have somehow failed in my womanliness or in my ability to cultivate the arts in her life. For each of us have our strengths and talents. Perhaps that talent may be to kill African Violets, but let me ask you, if there were not women like me, then what would the African Violet company do?
Of course I don’t truly see my lack of green thumb as a special asset to my life. But I think that sometimes we elevate various skills or abilities above the rest and those of us who cannot cross stitch the 10 commandments have somehow failed.
I can make a mean batch of cinnamon rolls, but I can’t seem to figure out how to make gravy. I am a woman just like every other woman, and have perhaps succeeded in refining a few talents, but am overwhelmed by the immense amount of skills I have yet to acquire. I am a woman like you in that I fear abandonment, I desire to be able to nurture, and I find joy in an “I love you”.
I have had 24 years of practice at being a woman, two months practice at being married, and high school babysitting experience at being a mom. I see this column as an opportunity to discuss the complexities of making our womanly way in a harsh world, to laugh over things such as husband and wife communication, and perhaps share a tear or two along the way. I hope that each of you can find some encouragement and refreshment in this column knowing that I have yet to “arrive”, that I am a woman like you, trying to make my way through the journey of life.
Ed note: If you would like to correspond with or encourage Laura, she maybe contacted at daybyday366@gmail.com. ====================================== SPRING CLEANING FLING – Complimentary Shipping on Norwex Cleaning Products Use this coupon code when ordering: norfree ($50.00 minimum order required.)
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Yesterday my son, Stephen, did a bang up job of raking up the yard of a huge pile of sticks and twigs blown down by recent windstorms. No sooner had he completed burning up this trash heap, but a new onslaught of vicious windy weather commenced rendering my tidy yard back into it's original condition of being covered with twigs and sticks. In Colorado the frequent windstorms are a distinct sign that Spring has arrived.
Maintaining a clean and tidy home for most busy families is the same thing, no sooner is is it picked up cleaned, mopped and made tidy and it is time to start over again.
Spring is here so it is time to gets started with Spring Cleaning. This is also known as an opportunity to clean a little deeper, open the windows to fresh air, and re-organize closets and cupboards that have fallen in disarray before the busy outdoor and gardening work interferes.
Using Microfiber cleaning products which just use water enables you to maintain healthy air quality and save substantially on questionable and expensive commercial cleaning products.
Now through March 30, 2009 you may order $50.00 or more or Norwex items and obtain complimentary shipping. Use this coupon code when ordering: norfree
Would you like to earn a free Superior mop by holding an in home demonstration? Please contact me at marilyn@urbanhomemaker.com for details.
Copyright 2009 by Marilyn Moll and Laura Coble. All rights reserved. Please contact us for reprint permissions.
From the Heart of the Urban Homemaker is a complimentary newsletter published bi-weekly. Sign up at http://www.urbanhomemaker.com/subscriptions and obtain a complimentary copy of my free report Soups and Stews for Busy Moms.
IN THIS ISSUE:
ON MY HEART by Marilyn Moll
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS - Can you help these homemakers?
WONDERMILL Price Increase - Save with Coupon code: wondermillsavings - expires February 16, 2009 http://www.urbanhomemaker.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=1227
Introducing - Breakfasts for Busy Moms - Spiral Bound with Plastic Splash Cover http://www.urbanhomemaker.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=2223 or Complimentary with orders of $75.00 or more (Use item #6061.2)
VALENTINE'S DAY- Saturday February 14, 2009 http://www.livingonadime.com/ebooks/valentines-ebook-promo.html
Note: Hyperlinks (automatic click on links) are not working. You must cut and paste links into your browser to see pages referenced. ******************************************************************* On My Heart by Marilyn Moll
Today is a cold, snowy, dreary, overcast day, a day that I would normally want to take advantage of for baking whole grain bread and, or a hearty soup or stew. However, the weather reflects how I have been feeling since my daughter's wedding and father-in-law's death just over a month ago. I have missed keeping up with my weekly newsletter, but simply unable to even express my thoughts on paper.
Psalm 42 summarizes the conversations I have been having with God lately. This is how it has been going for me:
I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?" My bones suffer mortal agony, as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, 'where is your God'?" Why am I downcast, why so disturbed within me?
The answer: "Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."
Yes, I have been choosing, by an act of my will, to put my hope in God, but it has been a struggle, and I believe God is asking me to wait on him.
Hence, I haven't been sending my weekly newsletters, and I miss it.
Today, I am going to use the newsletter and my blog to post some questions that I don't have the answers for. If you have some experience to answer these readers, I'm asking you to post the answers at my blog or by emailing me so the answers can be posted and everyone can benefit and be encouraged.
Valentine's Day is coming up this Saturday. If you need some ideas, recipes, or inspiration, please check the article links below for free resources.
My newest book, Breakfasts for Busy Moms, is now available in a spiral bound print edition. It is complimentary with any order of $75.00 or more.Use item # 6061.2 when placing an order.
If you want to purchase the book alone at $14.95, (shipping is free) order item #6061.1.
Lastly, if you are ready to invest in a the Wondermill grain mill (my personal favorite), the $20.00 wondermillsavings coupon will expire Feb 16.
======================================================================== READER QUESTIONS Please post answers at marilynmoll.com or email your insights to marilyn@urbanhomemaker.com ==========================================================================
Dear Marilyn,
I had a question about using yellow corn to make grits. We live in GA and love grits. I tried grinding them on the coarse grind in the Nutrimill I recently bought from you and it turned out still like flour. My family was not impressed. I also have the Bosch with the blender and I thought about using Sue Gregg's cornbread method in there for the 2 stage process just not blending it as long. I tried this and it was ok but a little too "husky" for my little ones. Do you have a better suggestion?
Do you know of a better way to grind the grits using the Nutrimill or blender? I was afraid to try the corn dry in the blender. April L. in Georgia
Dear Marilyn,
I am using your recipe for whole wheat bread, and I am a beginner baker, so THANKS A LOT for your help!! I am also using the Beginner's Guide to Baking Bread- I LOVE it!!!!
First- what kind of oil should I use?
Debbie,
I use olive oil. But be sure to use expeller pressed oil, oil that needs to be refrigerated and hasn't been heat processed. I think coconut oil might be good, but I would like to know what others are using. Marilyn
Dear Marilyn,
I feel like I should come back and tell you that I am not being vain in wanting to lose weight. I could just cry. My husband has had 4 surgeries on one leg and his weight is really causing problems. I know I can't make him lose weight but if I provide better meals and choices then I know that it will be easier for him. I am having problems with my feet and knees and I know I HAVE to do something. I am only 34!!!!!!
But, worst of all is seeing my children. Our oldest is probably 30-40 lbs overweight and really I am the one to blame. I have allowed the bad choices as well as making the foods. But, now my 10 yr old who has ALWAYS been a bean pole has a pooch hanging over his pants. This has only happened in the last 4 months.
I need help!! I need guidance. Shanna
Dear Shanna,
Here is a place to start: 10 (+1) Steps To Getting Started with a Lifestyle of Health http://articles.urbanhomemaker.com/index.php?article=88
Readers, I don't have all the answers, won't you please post some ideas and encouragement for Shanna at my blog? Thanks in advance. Marilyn
What is the best way to store the dough enhancer and wheat gluten? I am keeping the yeast in the fridge and the wheat in the freezer. THANK YOU, and have a wonderful day!!
============================ Celebrate Valentine's Day - Saturday - February 14 =============================
Ed Note: I met my late husband 27 years ago on Valentine's Day. Several years ago, we needed to celebrate Valentine's Day at home to economize. My two younger children cooked for us. It was a romantic dinner and remains a very special memory to me.
Valentine's on a Dime - Complimentary Promo http://www.livingonadime.com/ebooks/valentines-ebook-promo.html
Valentine's Mother Daughter Tea http://articles.urbanhomemaker.com/index.php?article=137 June 13, 2008 Update
IN THIS ISSUE:
ON MY HEART by Marilyn Moll
SAVING WITH KIDS – Everything you need to know about raising children by Living on a Dime
So many readers have written to me to say they are praying for us and requesting an update on our family grieving process that I wanted to use my ON MY HEART column for the purpose of expressing gratitude to each and every person who has been praying for myself and my family and to update you about how our family is doing.
Last week, on June 4, my son Stephen and I got away for a day to a near-by town Ouray, Colorado, also known as the Switzerland of Colorado to observe what would have been my twenty-fifth anniversay. The spectacular scenery and natural hots springs of this scenic valley allowed my heart time to rest and reminisce about my wedding day and to continue to grieve the loss of my husband Duane.
Tuesday night was all about deep grief for me, but God's mercy was very evident in the morning. I actually felt strong and pain-free the entire day as Stephen and I took a short hike, toured an old mine, and soaked in the Hot Springs Pool before returning home.
Our stay in Ouray was punctuated with a surprise room upgrade to a suite, a vase of dozen yellow roses with orange tips in our room, and a bottle of non-alcoholic champagne from a VERY dear friend making our stay a little more special. In reality their thoughtfulness enabled the tears to flow a little more freely, another part of the grieving/healing process, whether I liked it or not.
Some pictures and other thoughts from our overnight to Ouray are posted on my blog marilynmoll.com.
Last Saturday I decided to buy Father's Day cards for my Dad and father-in-law. As my eyes scanned the card selections, I found it difficult to fight back tears when viewing all the “For my Husband” cards for Father's Day. I hadn't even anticipated that challenge! Those few moments were a reminder that grief can unexpectedly strike when least expected.
Later Saturday, since all the children were gone for the day, I started to sort pictures of Duane for a memory album. I had already selected the pictures and purchased the scrapbooking supplies. But the process of sorting pictures for the pages overwhelmed me that day and I had to put the project aside. Being OK with grief and fatigue are two of my biggest challenges.
My children and I decided early in the week we better plan a new way of observing Father's Day. We have settled on each of us writing a letter/card to Duane/Dad and sharing them together around the dinner table.
Cherishing our memories of husband and dad offers both the bittersweet opportunity to be comforted while grieving. Griefshare.com sends me a daily email to help me understand the grieving process. Earlier this week the author talked about our choice is to live in the past, live in the present, or move to the future. Despite the difficulties, I am determined to move to the future with my heavenly husband's help.
I have been told I am strong, doing well, and moving in the right direction, but I still easily tire of the stress and strain of new responsibilities and grieving the losses. Again, your ongoing prayers are so much appreciated. This Father's Day, I hope everyone who still has a husband and/or dad with you will remember to be extra grateful for this gift and those who have also experienced loss, let us cherish our special memories.
My children and I have ALWAYS looked forward to our summer breaks, flexible schedules, and a short vacation. However, when they were younger, it didn't take long to discover that if I didn't have a summer schedule of activities, bored children could make my life miserable.
Just in time, now that school is out, Tawra Kellam from Living on a Dime, has assembled a wealth of practical and useful information called "Saving With Kids" 5 e-book series (valued at $47.75) for only $19.95 PLUS 14 bonus items free! I think this kit would be better titled “A Mother's Life-Saver”.
Regardless of your point of view, here is a partial list of what you will get:
Teaching Kids About Money e-book - stop the "gimmees" every time you go to the store!
Organizing Kids' Bedrooms e-book - gives you lots of useful tips to help you clear out the clutter and find the floor. Summer is a great time to purge and organize.
The Kids Recipes e-book - provides you with useful recipes for food and craft items to keep your kids busy through the summer, my favorite!
Getting Kids To Help - includes lots of strategies to get kids involved in taking care of the home and their things. Age appropriate chore lists and more.
101 Kid Tips is a collection of tips on traveling including tips for vacation planning and much more.
PLUS Free Bonus Items:
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I mentioned last week, that I was nearly nine months pregnant before I realized the importance of drinking filtered water and that chlorine disinfection by-products are harmful to health.
Just last week, I read an article that highlighted the following findings:
Drinking tap water while pregnant may double the risk of serious heart or brain defects in the unborn child, research suggests.
A study of almost 400,000 babies found a clear link between chemicals formed during chlorination and the occurrence of a trio of birth defects.
It is thought the chemicals may harm the unborn baby directly. Alternatively they may damage the woman's eggs.
If you are pregnant, nursing or mother of young children, I hope you will read the original article for yourself. You can also contact your local municipal water company to determine the levels of disinfection by-products in your water.
The MultiPure Company of products, including solid carbon block filters or R/O systems, has been in business for almost forty years and is certified to remove 99.9% of Disinfection by-products and many other harmful contaminants. The products are certified by NSF, Intl, a third party certifying organization, a consumer's only protection from false and misleading claims.
The Multipure solid carbon block filter is a top-of-the line system that costs eight cents per gallon per purified gallon of water, and has been designated the Consumer's Best Value by Consumer Digest.
For complete product information including a list of contaminants the systems are certified to remove go to my Multipure Website: http://www.multipureusa.com/urbanhomemaker
============================= REWARDS FOR REFERRALS =============================May 15, 2008 Update
BOSCH MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL EXTENDED- Bosch Universal Plus with Blender $419.99 ************************************************ ON MY HEART by Marilyn Moll
For the last ten years, customers and readers like you have been asking, “When are you going to publish a book containing all your bread recipes and other family favorite recipes and information that you have been publishing in your catalog over the years?” (Our 39th catalog was just printed two months ago.).
Until a year ago, a hard copy of my book Fast and Healthy Menus for Busy Moms was still a dream and an ambition. My husband, always my best cheer leader, encouraged and sacrificed his time to format my ebook into a printable format for the first edition, a step of faith for us. This edition sold out in less than a year.
Let me tell you a little more about how The Urban Homemaker evolved from my hobby to a family business. Nearly 18 years ago, my late husband and I were praying about whether we should continue with my small hobby-business, The Urban Homemaker. At that time we just offered mills, mixers and related accessories.
During our prayer time, the phone rang and we decided to answer it. The caller was inquiring as to whether of not I would be available to do a whole wheat/Bosch bread baking demonstration for their support group.
We took that phone call as an affirmative “Yes” answer to our prayer. We have continued with The Urban Homemaker as a family business for seventeen years, fifteen of which Duane devoted full-time to the undertaking. In fact, The Urban Homemaker has always been the Lord's business and a business built and guided on faith in God Almighty despite the peaks and valleys; and twists and turns in the road we have experienced over the years.
In another step of financial faith, Duane had just completed the necessary revisions, formating, and arrangements with a printer for the second edition of Fast and Healthy Menus just days before he passed away suddenly and unexpectedly.
Starting today, we are taking pre-publication orders for Fast and Healthy Recipes for Busy Moms – Second Edition, which is dedicated to the memory of my late husband Duane, and includes eight bonuses worth over $70.00 retail altogether.
The eight bonuses are as follows:
BONUS # 1 – Pre-school Activities in a Bag – ebook Sampler by Paula Reetz and Sherri MacLean. $7.95 retail value.
BONUS # 2: The Get Organized Combo Set from Homeschooling with Index Cards. $7.95 retail value.
BONUS #3: Secrets of Successful Homeschooling by Paul and Gena Suarez, publishers of the The Old Schoohouse Magazine. $12.45 retail value.
BONUS #4: Steps to the Best Bread by Marilyn Moll. $7.95 retail value.
BONUS #5: Simple Tips for Successful Home Management - Volume 1 by Crystal Paine. $5.95 retail value.
BONUS #6: The Joy of the LORD is my strength AND , Keeping Young Ones Happy and Occupied During School Time MP3 audios. $5.00 retail value.
The pre-publication book price with bonuses is $12.95. This offer, including bonuses, is worth over $70.00. This limited time, steal of a deal offer, will only go through May 26. We will begin shipping the books the week of May 27.
This basic cookbook makes perfect gifts for yourself, friends, wedding gifts, shower gifts and your investment in this book will certainly be a tangible way of telling me and my family whether The Urban Homemaker should continue with it's mission to “teach old-fashioned skills for contemporary people” in the future.
This week end, my daughter Laura, receives her bachelor's degree in English from Mesa State College and my son Stephen receives his associates degree in Entrepreneurship from Johnson and Wales University in Denver. Unfortunately both graduations occur at the same time. I will be attending Laura's graduation and then driving with my daughters to Denver to visit special friends, pick up Stephen and his belongings and bringing him home for the summer. Prayers for traveling mercies and for my strength would be greatly appreciated.
Did you know that the Multi-Pure Drinking Water System has always been a “green product” in addition to being a superior drinking water filter?
That's right, the solid carbon filter is made of coconut carbon, a renewable resource and this top-of-the-line NSF certified system removes more contaminants of health concern than any other system on the market.
In addition, discarded Multi-pure carbon filters actually benefit to land fills as the carbon continues to absorb contaminants and pollutants in the landfill long after you are finished with using it to filter your drinking water.
The Multi-pure filter housing is made of stainless steel. Compare the Multi-Pure System with many other popular and widely distributed filters like Pur and Brita that include lots of plastics and require much more frequent filter replacement and disposal of used up filters. For example the Pur system recommends filter changes every 100 gallons. The Multipure system filters 750 gallons and serves the average family for a whole year before needing replacement.
Lastly, Multi-pure is now the only system on the market that has a lifetime warranty!
Option 1: Receive 2 – H20 On the Go Stainless Steel Water Bottles. These attractive new insulated 17 oz stainless steel bottles to transport hot or cold liquids. $39.00 value.
Option 2: Multi-Pure Shower Filter (Showerhead not included) The Multi-Pure shower filter is an indispensable part of reducing exposure to chlorine. $49.95 value.
Several months ago I discussed the use of the Bosch Universal and the many ways I use the unaccessorized Bosch. Here is my list of the uses I could think of how I use my Bosch:
* Make your own healthy salad dressings * Puree tomatoes * Make cookies ( use batter whips, cookie paddles, or dough hook) * Mash potatoes * Puree cooked beans, lentils and split peas for soups, sauces, and dips. * Make bread crumbs * Crack Grain * Chop up nuts * Mix meat loaves (use batter whips or cookie paddles) * Prepare pesto * Prepare hummus * Prepare salsa * Mix cakes and quick breads * Whip cream fast and easy *Beat egg whites to the stiff peaks stage for meringues, etc. (Quick and easy) *and of course make your own homemaker bread!
I challenged my blog readers to post original ways they use their Bosch each day and awarded ten people a complimentary copy of my ebook Breakfasts for Busy Moms for participating in the contest. I was amazed that their were 29 more uses for the Bosch posted at my blog in addition my ideas above.
The Mother's Day Special has been extended through Friday. Buy the Bosch with blender for just $419.99.
Visit my blog, http://www.marilynmoll.com, to read some of my favorite cards of encouragement since Duane's passing.
============================================================= REWARDS FOR REFERRALS ============================================================= Just a reminder to let you know that if you like the products you purchase from us and refer a friend or neighbor to us, our way of saying "THANK YOU FOR REFERRAL BUSINESS" is to offer a $10.00 off coupon to all who refer a friend who makes an initial purchase of over $50.00 worth of products from us. Be sure to have your friend tell us who referred them to us and we will send you a $10.00 coupon for Urban Homemaker products. ============================================================ COPYRIGHT 2008 - Permission to reprint articles in full is granted as long as complete credit given as follows: You may subscribe to From the Heart of The Urban Homemaker at http://www.urbanhomemaker.com/subscriptions or call us at 1-800-552-7323.
Dr Denmark Said It! - Audio and written transcripts
Versatile Pressure Cooking
Top Tips for Busy Homemakers – Blog Contest Winners ************************************************* ON MY HEART by Marilyn Moll
Last week I talked about news headlines regarding higher food prices, sharply higher gas prices, and how the media profits by selling fear and mass hysteria. I also talked about scriptures that have reassured me during difficult times, that remind me that God did not give us a spirit of fear, particularly speculative fear.
It probably doesn't hurt to remind you and myself that whether your family is facing difficult times or not, our hope must always be centered in Him. God is the source of our provision, not we ourselves. Having said that, for some families, an effective strategy to dealing with higher food prices is learning to cook more foods from scratch.
Sometimes tremendous savings in the food budget can be made by cooking from scratch, compared to using pre-packaged, pre-processed convenience foods. In some cases, though, you may need to invest in suitable equipment such as bread baking equipment, quality stainless steel cookware and bakeware, water purification product, etc.
Not surprisingly, this week it is my turn to announce some new, unanticipated price changes. None of us like price increases, but when a supplier notifies us of price changes we often are required and obligated by the manufacturer to pass on the new pricing in order to maintain a distributorship with the company.
When we reprint our catalog we check with suppliers for price changes, however, this week we were just notified of some upcoming changes that we will be passing on very soon.
Duromatic pressure pans by Kuhn Rikon are one way I believe I really save time and money with my food and energy bill. In Europe, I'm told, most households have up to three pressure cookers to save energy as energy is more costly in Europe than America.
With ever increasing energy costs, homemakers are looking for ways to save energy and be “green” even in their cooking. A pressure cooker will save considerable cooking time for typical everyday cooking. For example, I cook broccoli for two minutes at full pressure. I cook quartered potatoes in five minutes.
Brown rice takes in 20 minutes. Pot roasts and meat loaves take about 15 minutes per pound to cook. Dry beans such as kidney beans and limas are done in 8-10 minutes when soaked ahead.
Pressure cooking enables you to cook less expensive foods like beans, grains, and legumes, as well as less tender cuts of meats very quickly with better taste and concentrated flavors.
Usually each spring we offer a special 5 liter Duromatic for a bargain price. My allotment of the special pans are usually sold in a few days or even less.
This year, Kuhn Rikon has discontinued this promotion. Instead they are raising prices April 1 an average of 10% or about $20.00 per pan.
So this year, what I am offering is the old (current) pricing for Duromatics while my supplies last.
Please read excerpts below from a recent issue of New Harvest Homestead Newsletter. Several homemakers shared their thoughts on the versatile pressure cooker.
============================================ BLOG CONTEST WINNERS TOP TIPS FOR BUSY HOMEMAKERS http://www.marilynmoll.com/?p=66 ============================================ ED NOTE: Each prize winner received complimentary copies of my best selling ebook, Fast & Healthy Menus for Busy Moms, along with my more recent ebook, A Beginner’s Guide to Baking Bread. This is a $19.93 retail value! Congratulations to the winners. Your ideas have blessed me immensely.
Winners were: Jody Courtney, Sharon Clark, Christine Jones, Jill Farris, and Carly from AL
This posting from Jill Farris fits in with our theme of cooking more frugally with grains and beans within the context of trusting God. I was so encouraged after reading Jill's comments, I hope you will be too!
Dear Marilyn,
Many years ago when I was worrying about how to eat healthily on a very very limited budget I met a young mother who was raised in a poor family (12 children) who told me what they ate growing up.
Basically, they ate cooked dried beans, cornbread and some sort of cooked greens (like turnip greens) for at least two meals a day all year long. She said they got ice cream once a year for Christmas or Fourth of July. That was it.
When she married and moved across the country she went to a doctor and dentist for the first time in her life and was told that she was the healthiest person they had ever seen. The dentist had never seen teeth as strong as hers!!
I thought about her parents and wondered if they worried all those years about not really “providing” for their family and wondered if they realized what wonderful health their children had because of growing up without refined foods!
Meeting her was reassuring to me. I realized that good nutrition can be very simple and very plain. It can be very very inexpensive. It, of course, must be balanced (the beans and the corn bread compliment each other and the greens are a wonderful food if not overcooked).
I realized that we could get very, very poor and still afford GOOD nutritious food!
So that’s my money saving tip! Relax, trust in God to provide what you need, ask Him to teach you simple ways to make nutritious foods (sprouting seeds is one of those ways; they are very cheap but highly nutritious!) and have the confidence to know that you are providing the BEST for your family!
To read the rest of the Top Tips for Busy Moms, Click Here:
===================================================== Dr Denmark Said It! with Madia Bowman, Mother of eleven http://articles.urbanhomemaker.com/index.php?article=897 ===================================================== Last Thursday it was my privilege to interview Madia Bowman, author of Dr Denmark Said It!, a book for moms with advice to mothers from 'America's Most Experienced Pediatrician'. Madia encouraged all the mothers listening, in the manner that Dr Denmark encouraged she and thousands and thousands of other mothers during her nearly 75 years of clinical practice.
Before the seminar, one mom wrote to me:
Dear Marilyn,
“When we had the opportunity to meet Dr. Denmark face-to-face in her old-fashioned farmhouse waiting room, my son was put on her old scale to be weighed, and we got pictures of the wonderful doctor.... oh, the memories!
I credit Dr. Denmark with the health of my 15 and 13 year old children. I can count on both hands how many times the two of them have been sick. Because I'd read up on, and had questioned my friend thoroughly, about Dr. Denmark before my son was born, I was extremely confident in all that I was going to do.”
Madia closed by encouraging Moms that they are doing the most important job in world.
She said, "The hand that rocks the cradle really does rule the world. You’re making people, never feel like that’s not important, what you're doing with your children is critically important. Don't let someone in the business world or in the political scene tell you any differently, it is a God-given vocation and a blessing.
I would encourage all moms to listen to the complimentary recording or read the transcript and order the book. Shipping is fre.e until the end of this week.
As parents, I believe we must expect that in this world we will receive plenty of conflicting advise regarding what is best for our children. I doubt any professional has a corner on the truth.
Hence, I suggest that since you are the mom of the children you have been entrusted with, I encourage you and your husband to always prayerfully consider counsel from books and well meaning professionals before you determine the best course of action for treating your children.
================================================== THE VERSATILE PRESSURE COOKER Excerpted from New Harvest Homestead Newsletter Reprinted by permission Lisa Vitello, Editor http://articles.urbanhomemaker.com/index.php?article=924 ================================================== Ed Note By Lisa Vitello: I am very thankful for the wonderfully knowledgeable ladies who wrote in to share their pressure cooker expertise. Lisa
Dear Lisa,
When I held my first Titus 2 Meeting, I showed the ladies how I make refried beans and shredded beef for burritos in my pressure cooker.
The beans are easy. First you soak the beans. I use the quick-soak method. This involves boiling the beans for a couple of minutes and then letting them sit in the water, covered, for about an hour. Drain the beans, add a few more cups of water, bring to pressure and cook for 8 to 10 minutes.
Sauté garlic and onions in oil, add the cooked beans and stir until creamy. Add enough chicken broth (homemade, of course!) to thin it out – otherwise it is like brick mortar…yes, I know this from experience.
For the shredded beef, I just throw in chunks of stew meat (about 1” cubes) with some salt, pepper, cumin and garlic and bring to pressure, lower the heat and cook for about 20 minutes. Let it cool and then shred. Sometimes after I shred it I mix in some canned red enchilada sauce. Karrie Nunes, Redding, CA
To read how Kerrie makes Hawaiian Pork, Beef Stew and Porcupine Meatballs, Click here:
Dear Lisa,
My pressure cooker has become my lifesaver! I have four children and we got rid of our microwave about a year ago. I’ve canned jam in it, made soup, rice, beans, roasts, chicken, sauce…anything! Mine is a very large one that was given to me, so I like it better than the crock pot as it is faster and holds more. I think everyone should have one! LOL! Mrs. Sue Gorecki
Dear Lisa,
The neat thing about my pressure cooker is, although I never thought I would use it, I actually use it all the time. I also use it as a regular pan, without the lid. It’s the best pot I have, with or without the pressure lid!
I have had a pressure cooker for about a year and what I do is not necessarily “fancy”. I cook basic ingredients that I can use in other dishes. My main trick is to steam rice in mine. It takes literally 8 minutes from start to finish!
I also just put a whole chicken in my pot, fresh or frozen, and let it pressure cook. It takes about 20 minutes. I have cheated about letting beans soak overnight. Once, when I wanted to make chili and I forgot until the last minute, I put all the ingredients in the pot and pressure cooked it and it turned out great!! We needed Beano on the table, since I didn’t soak the beans beforehand and pour out the water. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this, but it turned out fine for us. Brandie Longoria, Marietta, GA
To read how Brandie cooks rice and a whole chicken in her pressure cooker Click Here.
============================================================= REWARDS FOR REFERRALS ============================================================= Just a reminder to let you know that if you like the products you purchase from us and refer a friend or neighbor to us, our way of saying "THANK YOU FOR REFERRAL BUSINESS" is to offer a $10.00 off coupon to all who refer a friend who makes an initial purchase of over $50.00 worth of products from us. Be sure to have your friend tell us who referred them to us and we will send you a $10.00
================================================= COPYRIGHT 2008 - Permission to reprint articles in full is granted as long as complete credit given as follows: You may subscribe to From the Heart of The Urban Homemaker at http://www.urbanhomemaker.com/subscriptions or call us at 1-800-552-7323.
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