Making fudge with Grammie

I love making and creating. It calms my spirit and my husband says I've got a none stop amazing smile when I'm creating things. That is truly the most amazing part of it that I'm oozing so much joy that my husband notices. "insert goose bumps here!"

This past weekend two of my lil charmed ones and I had the joy of making fudge. What fun to teach them something my grandmothers and mother taught me. Passing down traditions is probably something through my life I've learned are so very important.

We chose my sister Julie's Never Fail fudge recipe. So easy and works every time. That is a must in wet ol' Washington State.

This recipe is very simple. Use Chocolate chips of your choice, marshmallows, butter, sugars, salt, evaporated milk, vanilla and walnuts. The great thing about this recipe it's so easy to add different goodies to it such as crushed candy canes, additional marshmallows, or more chips such as ande's chocolate chips. Pretzels. You name it it will blend in there perfectly. For this batch the girls and I decided on additional marshmallows.

                                               

                                                   "hmmmm what should we add?"

                           

                        "Ewwwww Grammie that's gross!!!!" ( I think I said bugars LOL}

Now the cooking process begins. This recipe is more of a timed recipe so the next batch of fudge we make I will begin teaching them first the cold water method and later how to read a thermometer.

The girls wanted to dig right in and of course could hardly wait to get at the pot and spoon.

.Jade wants to tell everyone she's very

excited to share our blog with you. She wanted

to take Grammie's picture too and I let her

but we just aren't posting it ha ha

Ruby sends her love to all our future fans.

Drummmmmmmm rolllll...

Here is our creation!

WAIT!!! We have to stir in the marshmallows.....



Now drum roll!

Stay tuned for this weekends project!

In the mean time grammy will be posting some of her own goodies here too. I'm in the process of making some things for our "Naturally Whimsical" store and some 2013 pricing and specials for Whimsical Moments Photography. Very excited about this journey with my grandbabies.

Lotsa Love,
Grammie, Jade and Ruby

To be or not to be just what makes a person a vegetarian?

I've been doing lots of research over the years as to what exactly does it mean to be a vegetarian or not. As well as looking at varying degrees of the subject.
I've found myself frustrated because I hate labels. Being a mother that has a child who has a disability would be the strongest part of it, as well as being a person who defines who I am by my own beliefs and standards of life.
So I've decided to share some of my thoughts and findings with others with the hope that maybe it will help someone have an easier time deciding if this is the lifestyle for them.
To be or not to be?
What things are essential to make sure you have in your system to remain healthy.
Many times choosing this lifestyle that they lack protein or are anemic. Do not presume that just because you eat meat that you to do not need to worry about staying healthy. This is an important factor to anyones eating habits.
Each meal should contain a lean protein, complex carbs and at least 1 portion of fruit or vegetable. More doesn't hurt on the fruit veggies. =)
What is a Lean protein?
This could be found in Cottage cheese, Tofu/ bean curd or Soy based products. If your watching your glutton as well
Lean protein:
Cottage cheese
Tofu/beancurd
Soya based products
Other proteins:
Dairy
Beans & legumes (must be consumed with carbs to allow the body to absorb amino acids)
Nuts
Complex carbs:
Wholewheat/wholemeal bread/pasta/rice
Sweet potato
Green leafy veg will provide you with iron, and folic acid amongst other things!.
Good snacks include:
Nuts, seeds and dried fruit!. The nuts should be unsalted and unroasted and the best nuts to eat are; almonds, brazil, walnuts, hazelnuts!. Seeds and nuts provide you with EFA's (essential fatty acids)!. Flaxseed/linseed are a great source of EFA's but also pumpkin and sunflower are also good for you!. Unsweetened dried fruits such as cranberries, apricots and prunes are also nutritional!.
Yoghurts and fresh fruit also make good snacks to keep energy levels up and provide calcium and various vits!. (Just realize I never finished this but I'm going to post it and may add to it or start a new one soon enough.)

Going into week 3 of being a vegitarian

I only thought I'd being a practicing Vegan for 2 weeks it is rolling into 3 weeks. No meat. I did try a piece of chicken 1 night and honestly it made me sick to my stomach. Tasted awesome but was just to much on my tummy.
I've really enjoyed the process for the most part though I do feel a bit alone. My husband seems very supportive and understanding but then the next moment not so much. I've learned an interesting outlook on that however. Human nature doesn't always know how to behave when something is out of the norm and as to which one of us is struggling more is left up for discussion.
Right now I'm soaking lentils so I can make some textured vegetable protein from scratch. If it works well I'll have another option that is so much more of a budget pincer leaving more for fruits and veggies. this is from 2011