Fruit “Smashes”(Balls) – #Gluten Free #DairyFree #Vegan

Here is one of my age-old recipes which I’ve made for 30 years.  I find sometimes the best recipes are ones you do by hand.  Rather than measure – it’s experience that counts. The best recipes are often the made up ones.

Here are my FRUIT BALLS:  (Well they have always been a Fruit Smash “hit” when I serve them!)

I did a quick roll up for this set of Fruit Balls.  Don’t you just love my Lazy Susan board.  A gift from my husband – beautiful colours!

1 cup of Sultanas    1/2 cup Dates    SIMMER both in 1/2 to 3/4 cup of water

When they have had a short simmer – let them sit for about an hour till soft. Check this by mashing them with a potato masher. (If you are short of time – simmer till water is absorbed)

Blend till fine a good handful Almonds (which have previously been soaked overnight to render them more nutritious). I also put mine in the dehydrator which makes nuts sweeter after soaking also.

Put by the teaspoon full into dried coconut, sesame seed or ground nuts and roll into balls. You can do this by hand if you don’t mind getting “gooey” fingers.  Another way is to use wet hands – helps a bit.

Okay – so that’s the basic. Oh, and it keeps nicely in the fridge and firms just lovely.

Here’s what I normally do –

Double the recipe – it makes about 40 Fruit Balls and takes 25 minutes to do with the adding of extras and rolling.  To the above double recipe besides nuts I add:

2 dessertspoons of Carob powder

2 dessertspoons freshly ground flaxseed

1 tablespoon Nutritional yeast.

In with the almonds I put in hazelnuts, cashews, pecans or similar.

I also have many home grown lemons (the only kind!) and can grate the zest in for a little bit of spice.  You don’t need much – but the lemon skin is chock full of goodies too.

And to make it your recipe – start experimenting – add dried apricots, apples, figs, currants, or sunflower seeds, etc.

My husband will eat the first 20 and then be cautious with the next 10 in case he is feeling greedy and wants to leave me some.  I have a few and the last 10 stay there so I know I have something on hand that is sweet.

Happy Eating!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making a week’s income last 2 weeks

Want to make a week’s income spread to two weeks of spending? Amy Daczyn put it as “living on one income in a two income world”.    You can make a week’s work of income spread to two weeks if you learn tips and ideas and store them away in your mind, in your journal. (Bullet Journal) or on a typed list to go back to  – to remind yourself.

• Assess all the advantages you have where you are.  Your advantages will be different from someone else’s. i.e Maybe you have chooks. You have a vegetable garden. You can swap produce.  You can sew.  Where you live has a lemon tree. You have a skill you can swap for needs. If you are not in a productive situation – be patient and work towards change. Educate yourself – particularly in physical skills. Don’t worry if you do make mistakes – that is how you learn.
• Keep a list called your “Wish list” and see how long you can last before buying an item.  Unless of course it is an item that will earn income i.e. sewing machine, electrical tool. Or it  saves you a great deal of time and gives good health.  Leave it on your wish list for awhile anyway. At least until you find something just at a good at a good value price. Don’t rush in to buy. And lastly research the item well – so you can know as much about it before making an informed decision.
• Make things from scratch.  I’ve even made my bread from scratch – even grinding the wheat.  But do factor in your time.  Do educate  yourself to be more organised. Being organised in itself is an income saver. Income can mean other people’s items and produce  – not just money. And remember sometimes what you spend time making can be swapped for other’s items.
• Start a vegetable garden. It’s a boon to your health –  gardening can exercise every muscle in your body.  Sunshine is said to increase the quantities of minerals in your blood (for one!). And you get produce.  Like great and fresh ingredients. Start small and increase in knowledge and what you can grow. Build your soil up with lots of prunings, grass, leaves and anything green as well as household scraps. Start with easy things like tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber, radish, zucchini, green beans or beetroot. Container gardening is possible if you don’t have “land” space. Join produce exchange groups in your local area so you can swap seedlings or manure.
• Never think that you can make a good product from cheap ingredients.  I was taught  in an Aged care course that how you look after your body in one decade will be how it responds in the next.  So think quality.  It’s less expensive and so much better for your health.
• Join a co-op.  Organic fruit and vegetables are more economical The co-0p near me is cheaper than standard fare at the supermarket!  And they have other items available such as grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and other sundry items. Network and get others on board and they can pick up your order and likewise you save them trips. And organic is healthier too.
• Think twice before taking children shopping unless you have educated them in “cost effective” buying. Make it fun.

• If you shop the Supermarket/s consider the outside aisles the major part of your budget and the inside aisles a place you visit for items on your “list”.
• Learn how to cook vegetarian.  It is a science – so learn it bit by bit as you substitute items.  I have been one since I was 17 – so it’s 40 years this year and you are always learning.  Did you know soaking well, actually allows more nutrients available to your body.  This is for grains, legumes, nuts, seeds. And more nutritious food adds up to more vitamins and minerals.
• Understand the notion than Fast Food is not cheap and Slow Food is much better for you. Consider your home better than a business and become a wise CEO or steward.
• Consider investing in a Slow Cooker.  New isn’t necessary and you will find taste is better because things are cooked at a lower, slower more budget friendly temperature. Make a Slow Cooker your new “best friend” and pre-plan to use it.
• Pay off all debts – as quickly and methodically as you are able.
• When debts are paid – put a little away from your income no matter how small even 1/2 or 1%.
• Don’t go into shops.  Ignore catalogues unless you need to stick photos of appliances/items you are selling at a garage sale and want to show what a new price item is worth.
• Build yourself a capsule wardrobe of quality garments.  That is basics that can mix and match. Quality is counted by how many wears you can get from a garment.  Consider classic and do consider pre-loved. Your whole wardrobe can be made up of pre-loved – you are a CEO who is on the search for good and wearable “stock”.  Look not only at Thrift (2nd hand stores) but Garage Sales (cheapest) and online in lots of Groups on Facebook.

• Don’t necessarily have a meal plan as you can learn to shop “your pantry” and make up new meals.  But do have a list of meals that are options and have a list in your journal – so it reminds you of what ingredients to have on hand. So write down all potential everyday meals that you can ever have and look at this list for inspiration. Don’t forget to trial a new meal once a fortnight.
• When doing Supermarket shopping consider waiting more than a week (particularly if you have a garden).  Even adding an extra day each time can mean you have in hand over 5 to 6 weeks – one lot of food spending money.
• Not only use warmer clothing in winter consider a flat heater you can double as a clothing dryer.  Consider timing it so as the chill comes off in your room turn it off. Set a timer also so that you get up every 20 minutes to “do something” – it helps with your health and helps your body to keep warm.
• Consider shopping with cash – it helps keep you focused on what to spend within that week.
• Consider planning to see how many days straight you do not spend a thing.
• Shop your fridge for mystery meals.  Educate yourself on cooking simply and not grocery shopping until your fridge’s supply is getting lower. There are ideas to put in left overs i.e. salad leftovers – such as baby spinach & rocket, tomato, sweet potato on Pita bread for quick pizza. Vegies for soup or stew.  Or vegies grated into a noodles – with more emphasis on the vegies and less on the noodles.
• Eat slightly less and stop when nearly full and chew slower.  Both are better for your health particularly if you have weight issues. You will also find that chewing slower can help if you have bowel issues as the start of digestion is in your mouth.
• Consider down-loading a short-term free online expense list so you can see where your money is going.  It can be an eye-opener. Please don’t be obsessive – but do consider the benefits of seeing a 12 month spread of where you actually spent your money.  It does help you stay focused.
• Consider going on picnics – less expensive and healthier.  Also doing movies and documentaries at home with some home-made healthy treats.
• Put small amounts of coin in a jar for a savings goal.
• For hard times start building up a library of such things as the book “The Tightwad Gazette” Amy Daczyn or if things get really tight consider Extreme Cheapskates (On YouTube) which you can watch at the library if you don’t have large download inter-net options.  All can inspire you with ideas or at least make you think you don’t have it so hard!
• Educate yourself on making your own cleaning, beauty, household and useful products with simple ingredients. These are healthier and cost effective. And you may also be able to swap for other items. Win/win.
• Consider re-purposing items you already have from the smallest to the largest. There are a myriad of ideas out there. In our society today – we have a lot of wants in items rather than needs.  Simplify.
• Don’t stress too much if suddenly you lose your job – Trust.  It will work out. I will do a future post on what to do if you suddenly have a different amount of money coming in. And remember there is a God out there who likes to take on board your trials.
• Consider giving to others – it’s good for your health.  And it’s not just money.  Your time, that quick note or email, some item you have produced or made. Good health – now that’s a good payback. And remember being a good manager is payment within itself.

Good Food?

I look at the variety of food that is provided in different parts of my country here in Australia.  It can be anything from fried eggs and bacon, or steak to organic food including legumes, grains, nuts and seeds, fruit or vegetables.  So what is “good” anyway?

I re-call a few months back a T.V. show that often reports on “current affairs” saying that fresh produce for example had the same nutrients within it as did “organic” food with a “guru” as I often call “any” authority on food backing up the opinion.  But food purists would say – “but what about the extra ingredients?.  .. Ala chemicals.” Well that was adroitly missed by the media.

And the purists in other cases of getting “good” food might very well have missed another point – what about the chemicals going through animals in conditions of fear (i.e. I believe they know about impending death), the “squalor” of even the best “caged” conditions to name a few “extra” chemicals.  (I re-call cooking lamb chops for someone the first time and smelling the urine (or uric acid I think the correct term is) smell going through my kitchen.  Uric acid – the fear that goes through the animal when it knows death is at it’s door. I would have thought the babe of a sheep of any of the animals would be the last to know fear – being so very unaware compared to many other animals.

Then there are another batch of chemicals – which could be even worse if it were possible.  In yourself.  Thinking the food was “poison” or “not good” for you.

Then there are the nutrients – another topic I am waiting to appear more – where you eat from the bush, tree or stalk just now. I mean as you are standing in your garden.   These nutrients are gone within half an hour of picking – if that?  And the boost to the immune system – I would say are amazing.  Anecdotal evidence in one case for sure and another of injecting sick chickens with this source of nutrition with healthy results in another.

I myself am also highly interested in the soaking or sprouting of grains to reduce or remove phytic acid and to neutralise enzyme inhibitors which impedes absorption it is said of lots of nutrients.  The soaking or sprouting (two ways which I like the best) even it is said helps to break down gluten (still discovering more on this!).  This traditional way  shows that grain, legumes, nuts and (seeds themselves) are all seeds. Seed soaking is natural. Are we not gaining the benefit because we don’t properly prepare or are too busy? Simplifying has got a lot going for it.

Lastly eating with thanksgiving and gratefulness seems to be passe.  God has seemed to be missed with his Wisdom and and instruction on how to eat.  And that is even if you are not eating your usual fare.  Organic gardening or not, soaked or not – or eating fewer items if you can’t eat all on your plate.

And so it is easy to follow the court of public (human!) opinion – but I do remember this is the shallowest of opinion – going this way and that.  We after all find – the more we know – the less we know.

It seems if we cannot look at our opinion from the side of “we know nothing yet as we ought to know it” or approaching an opinion as if “we know nothing” we can easily go astray – rather like sheep.

May you eat gratefully is my prayer.

 

 

 

Staying on Track

Starting something? Seems easier often than keeping on track.  Life presents us all with many things –

• We need to do
• We would like to do
• Things we pretty much know we won’t do.

Having started a “BuJo” in June I am happy that it is keeping me on track with getting things done but also giving me a hands on look at what I am and am not accomplishing.Not to say that’s it’s perfect.  But there’s something about putting your hand’s on a journal and flipping through the pages to goals, lists and generally items to be accomplished that a computer can’t duplicate.

I have started to accumulate quite a few of these lists or “collections” as they are called. This includes having a collection of things that catch my eye (I like sticking those things in or sketching/drawing).

My index (I even call it a collection of sorts) – This too needs work.  It’s on my monthly goals list. I find it’s something I need to easily locate pages I have now set up.  Here are a few of my lists or ahem – Collections.

• Blog Post ideas
• Notes on Bullet Journals
• Master List
• Asking list for my husband to do
• Wish list (I’m glad when things sit awhile)
• Meal ideas/plans
• A page of my thoughts – deep and meaningfuls
• Prayer (requests)
• (Things to) Be Grateful (for).

I’ve kept my supplies simple – since I think I’ve got a lot of goals “I would like to do” and over-decorating my BuJo just might hold me up.  But – there is one thing – my BuJo and previous Journals will be left for my daughter, Susannah when I’m not around and maybe it will be guidance, inspiration, comfort. I do however collect a fair few photos/pictures/cards, etc- clipped here and there and use that most of all for decoration and brightening up my “writing spot.” I am well aware that passing on samples of our thinking for our time period, how we write and other of our ideas are there for historical purposes.

Oh – and breaking from that thought –  I must add – washi tape!  (Some pictured below in rolls) I did go into a newsagent and they looked at me blankly when I mentioned the name.  I did find Washi Tape Australia  completely dedicated! But I found some at KMart – so I’m happy. Every so often I let loose with this printed tape – just to show a bit of flair outside of my writing.

Keeping the supplies Super Simple

The start of my “Meal Ideas” page – which I have since filled up. 

 

 

 

Grab! A Pen & Notebook…

I said to myself “Deborah that’s all you need to start. Bullet Journaling” You can make it as simple, artistic or as complex as you feel happy with. Bullet Journaling (BuJo) is one awesome avenue people use as a diary, planner, goal setter, note and task maker and a whole lot of things. All in an order than make it easy to see where you’ve been and where your going. I use it too for sketching, poetry, clothing styles, home and garden decor ideas to name a few.

To journalise is said to be good for mental  and emotional health, particularly with crisis. It helps with self-knowledge. Writing can engage the right brain to come up with solutions to problems. Cognitively it uses different parts of the brain from your laptop or tablet. Writing in your BuJo can help you see trends, patterns, accomplishments and your growth.You can put your thoughts and feelings, chronicle events and brainstorm You need only spend 10 to 20 minutes a day on your Journal or much more – your choice.  It’s therapeutic and it is economical!

You don’t need to put a set amount of allotted space for each day – that’s why a notebook is a great choice for your BuJo. IA5 or A4 – your choice.  There is so much online to get you better acquainted with Bullet Journaling  However you set it up – keep it simple and enjoyable! The creator Ryder Carroll’s site will get you started on the basics. http://bulletjournal.com/get-started/ – but as he says – once you are comfortable you can make your own changes ranging from Bullet Journal minimalism to Bullet Journal junkies.

My Start up set-out –

 

 

“Stuck” in a corner. Gaining more storage

Ever had trouble organising a small corner cupboard?  This problem to solve was with the tiniest corner two shelf cupboard I have “ever” seen.  There was no putting in a couple of revolving Lazy Susan’s or one of those expensive pull-out units (even if it suited – it didn’t). I wanted to use vertical space as well to fit in the most items since my cupboard space was at a premium.  It must be reasonably easy to access.   The smallest fold of the door (with the kitchen handle on it – pictured) measures a mere 116mm or 4 and half inches to those who speak that language. Here is the corner unit:

This was what the inside of my cupboard shelves look like (and that was after I tidied them up) – so difficult to reach in.  Though a lot of good things happen on our knees, kneeling  down on the lino which sat snugly over cold concrete wasn’t the nicest feeling I’ve ever felt. Especially when I had to reach or rather struggle to find what I was looking for.

The packing of my plastics, glassware, thermos and sundries still didn’t go all the way back. The space was also wasted both horizontally and vertically. So I came up with the idea of buying large pull out cartons (these had a canvas cover) which were 185mm or 7 1/3 inches wide and 380mm or 1foot 3inches tall. Pictured were the first four of them – I got an extra two later once I had tried them and found that they worked.

I stacked in things with like things and put to the front those things I use the most.  I had more than enough room with the stacking upwards and not difficult to get out either.

And now not only have I fitted much more in the cupboard – I have more empty space and so much easier access. I could put labels on them – but with constant use I do know what is kept where. Do you find any problems with storage space in a small kitchen?

How a fish changed my thinking!

My thoughts were captivated by a story about a fish. Not just any kind of fish. Well,  let’s just say  at least not one that has a real bearing on this story.  This fish was viewed by a class of students.

From my memory bank from around 20 years ago this is how the story went.  It has my embellishments of course – since I do love to write and to help you understand the setting.

The writer was a student in a scientific class of students. Of what type? I do not know. It has no significance here, nor what my title is about. They were newish students that were with the writer. A professor of this class came and “slapped” a big, cold fish on the laboratory bench.  My description of the fish will end here as you will see why.

The professor’s instructions were short and brief.

“Write down everything you can see or understand about this fish. You have half an hour.’

The writer of this story – went  about writing with consideration to the time period. And also with his assumption that he could easily complete the task within that time frame. Towards the end of the half hour he had slowed a little. He had an academic scrawl and  had learned to write quickly and concisely.

The professor arrived precisely (or so it seemed to the student) on the half hour to the front of that class.

He peered at them with no readability in his expression.  He now had another instruction imminent.

“You now have another half hour to write down everything you can see or understand about this fish.”

The writer student was for a moment perplexed. He was sure that he had done well and had prepared himself to be commended on his long list of attributes.  It seemed – he noted the fellow students mirrored  almost similar thoughts.  He spent the next half hour digging deep into his thinking about this immobile part of nature on the bench. He felt that this time he had more than covered anything or everything that one could want to wish or know about this fish.

Once more the professor showed up.

“You have now – one hour to look upon this fish.”

He abruptly left the room.

The student had a spark of what the professor was getting at – but that was after the incredulous thought of:  “What?? Another hour of observation of this fish?”

The writer learned more in that hour about thinking, observation and missing things than he ever had in his entire life. That lesson came up before him.  He had come up with so many observations in that hour with this fish that he particularly noted his poor sight.  They were vital things (by his own admission) of which he had become keenly aware.

So reader, it comes to me that many of us are weak at observing and seeing and great at missing things.  What have you been missing in your life?  D.H.

“Seeing the world through different eyes.  What is your frame of reference?”

So you want work??

Try any work that presents itself – even simple work

So — What are you good at?

Be prepared to go outside of your usual circle of work and do simpler things – they can easily open up better opportunities.

Remember when looking for work around 80% is never advertised.  It’s so much easier to follow the 80%.

1. Write down  what you are good at, what makes you feel inspired.
2. Put what you do even in everyday life  even though it may not make you feel inspired.  Still put it down.  We can often do uninspiring things for reward even if the reward is not monetary.
3. Look at all the areas whether manual, trade, academic, etc – it is helpful for seeing it concise to get ideas together for your advertisement. i.e. Supermarket stacker, cleaner, ironer, typist, waitress, phone worker, gardener, market stall holder, typist.

NEXT:

• Find pin boards (locally is better) and put up your typed or written page  itemised  with the skills you have.  You are selling your skills. Make it neat – even have some embellishment. I use a stamp on mine! Have typed duplicate tags at the bottom with your phone & name & job skills. Contact me if you don’t know what this looks like.  (I’ve had past typing jobs this way as well as ironing and got a recent job for a tradesman’s book work this way)
• Advertise in the newspaper.
• Find popular free (if possible) sites to advertise for work. Keep advertising for what you are after – at least weekly.  Take the ad down and re-do.  Include your photo.
• Consider Linked in – for ideas and see who you can touch base with.
• If you have a blog or social media with followers consider asking for ideas or if any one has heard of anything going.  There is Facebook with attached community chat pages as well. There are also Facebook pages possibly for jobs dedicated to your local area.
• Approach businesses you would like to work for in person.  Be neat, clean – you know the drill and ask something like “How do you find it working in your business here?” Ask a question – get the other person talking.  You are selling your skills again and one of those is talking.  I have had a two hour chat with a business owner recently (best if you can talk to an owner) who had said first up “I can’t employ you – I don’t have the funds.” and by the time 2 hours was up she had changed her mind.  And yes I also believe in a Higher Power.
• Offer to do a project for someone for free.  Gain experience beforehand.  I.E. Helping someone prepare for a Garage Sale.  Put in your best effort whatever your project and research to find out beforehand so you can be as skilled as possible.  If who you have done this for are happy – ask if they could do one or two things.  Give you a reference and/or referral to anyone else that might need help in the same way.  Giving your time even for little payment -does pay dividends.  Be patient.
• After finding businesses you would like to work for – approach them even if no jobs are advertised.  Let them know your interest in their company.  With a cover letter – a 1 or 2 page resume – put in an excellent written/typed reference.  (I’ve done this to 5 businesses and got called from 3 of them  for an interview.  3 out of 5 isn’t bad)
• Don’t over-look friends and family – these can be a strong lead. (I got one job through a friend’s business – stacking bread – early morning. simple – but I was willing to try my hand at anything).
• Do simple things like walking dogs, ironing, cleaning – this can open up the opportunity for bigger things.  For example once it is found you are  reliable, responsible, honest, diligent, punctual and have a good attitude – the people you do these small things for will be often willing to refer you.

Overall one of the best things to be is persistent – don’t let up on advertising your need – check those pin up boards to see that they are still there, re-advertise on free sites, let friends and family know you are still looking, advertise again on social media.  Go back a second time to the businesses you make an upfront personal approach to and this time take your resume and see if they remember you.

Once I got a job when I happened to go to to an Agency business to get  my resume photo copied. There was a paper jam and they kept the  copy mangled by the copier.  They contacted me later and asked if I would work for them and apologised as they said they normally didn’t read private copies but saw that it was a resume.  That job lasted 5 years.  All because of a jammed photo copier.  Sometimes opportunities come up outside your control.  Make the most of it or go onto other things by always being on the look-out. The work will come – persevere.

A Skinny Budget?

There are many things you can check on the net, your library and other people about what to do to cut your living expenses – exchange products, do without etc and/or increase your income. Some you have to research the pros and cons diligently and see what others have to say in a well researched and practiced manner.  Also to consider is what you have in your local environment, your health, your lifestyle, your income.  I will present what I have found and will continue to practice as I am on a low income while looking after a long term sick husband.

Some Bathroom budget basic Tips:

• With shampoo try the “No poo” method – but be gentle with your hair. If the suggestion of bi-carb soda, vinegar or lemon are used, these can be drying over time.  But there is the suggestion to after awhile using only water and friction of the scalp.  Apparently once the hair has become “de-shampooed” (my word!) it starts to produce it’s usual natural shine. .  Consider also using aloe vera for your hair as apparently the American Indians did. (Read it in a fiction romance book – I of course only read it for it’s historical and factual value!  Of course! 🙂 )
• If you use shampoo – consider washing your hair in rain water.  I don’t have it on my property – but people next door are happy to give of theirs and I know two family members with some. Your hair will feel lovely and soft.  Luxury and natural.
• We pay dearly for water where I am – so using water for your hair and to drink – saves and to me “small things” count! Water is the ultimate luxury or your body – give it as often and the best you can.  It is rather like having a shower on the inside to drink. I will even have the occasional warm water with lemons from friends as a health and beauty benefit.  If you have to have supplements for whatever reason and maybe also medicines be aware that it may negate what you are taking.
• I use only shampoo. No conditioner. I had never been taught to use conditioner in our large family.  Later I read for the need of conditioner to “close the cuticles in the hair strand”. Tepid to cool water apparently does the same thing.  So that’s what I rinse my hair with. I feel it’s healthier on my hair than using another product even though said to be “natural”. With winter months the water I use is more tepid than cool!  I have aloe plants and do a treatment and go to bed with my hair in a cap occasionally.
• To make blades of your razors last longer for you or your hubby consider blotting it dry after use and not storing in the bathroom or at least in an air tight bag.  Apparently micro-amounts of rust form which cause them to become blunt.  Info on drying razors
• Stick small bits of soap on top of that new bar.  Waste not want not.
• IF you use liquid soap for hygiene reasons – consider adding water.  It’s good for many reasons – including the environment and your hands.  I use boiled rain water (of course!)
•  I choose either lipstick or lipbalm which is local to me and use a lipbrush (if you have one) or a cotton bud.. I don’t wear any other make-up.  The site for me is Vegan online
• I also choose nail polish and topcoat from Vegan Online I treat what I pay for carefully and limit my choices.  Sometimes having less works better if it serves more than one purpose.  I rarely do my finger nails – but will often do my toe nails. A little goes a long way. If you ever feel deprived – things go a long way when you pay attention to your self-care. There is also the option of not using nail polish and instead having a polisher which buffs and shines your nail to look just as if you have put the shine of nail polish on them.
• For my face – I often rinse and use a face washer and often apply aloe vera.  In a health magazine there was some evidence that aloe vera could be used as a natural sunscreen.
• I’m not a perfume person, preferring essential oils. Jasmine is a favourite and I have on hand a base (carrier) oil if ever used on my skin.  It can be applied to your hair or on the inside of your collar or sleeve.  Oils can go off easily – so it is wise to limit the number you have.
• For dry skin I use both coconut oil, my base (carrier) oil, or aloe vera.  Keep hydrated.
• A friendly acquaintance told me – after I was having a few reactions to under-arm deodorant it would take 3 or 4 months to become “un-addicted” to the product.  It worked. Took me 4 months and I no longer needed it.  Ah – one thing – better to do it in winter.  I had a habit of having 2 extra quick showers a day.  I happen to spend my first summer in a sub tropical area and it was their worst summer on record.  (Laughing here).  If you have been working out in the sun and have been perspiring a lot more than normal – refresh yourself and just have an extra under-arm wash. If you do happen to be going out into a hot climate use a little Essential oil.  Not necessary to put it on your skin. Put it on the inside of your sleeve. Doubles up as a lovely scent!

 

 

Worrying? Please Stop!

This is one subject I have knowledge on.  Worrying.  But then everyone else has too!  We all have had a bit of practice at it.  I would be hesitant to say that only females have the problem – but I will say we “girls” are pretty good at it.  Not that it solved one single, little problem.  Unless of course it motivated someone else to solve the problem for us.

So what if it takes over a major part of your life?  What do you do?

The first thing I tell someone who has a furrowed brow, a down look, and stressed in their  speech is one thing.  Stop!  Right there. And start worrying as hard as you possibly can.  They start to get a glint in their eye over the advice.  I still say – don’t stop – I want you to start worrying as hard as you can and now tell me something.  They look at me – of course at this strange advice.  I say “Now did that change the situation at all?” They have a bit of a smile on their face – as they come to the futility of it all.

Next – we move on to “solution” mode – not “problem” mode. There are probably a myriad of ways to solve a problem. (and I never forget a higher power that gives us Wisdom and experience)  It is a whole lot better way of working through it.

Now if the problem is seemingly unsolveable – at least in the way of something that can’t change.  The lost job,  a broken dream.  So the next thing is to “let it go”.  With practice this gets better.  But we want – what we want and sometimes that is not possible in all things. Sadly.  So we grieve over change that may be coming and out of our control – but acceptance of “what will be” is another learning curve for us.

And last but not least – there is always, always, always – “someone” worse off than we.  Be happy – that though change may come and go – you can be happy “with an attitude of gratitude” for what you have right now.  And don’t forget to smile.  Worrying brings about those forehead wrinkles!

 

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