How to make EASY Corn Chowder

And I mean easy.  This is not homemade.  This is semi-homemade-which is how I cook.  Semi.  I don't like to cook.  I never have.  I only do so because eating out every day is too dang expensive!! And when my kids were little, they made me feed them.  They were funny that way:)

Anyway, here it is:

For this recipe (if that's what you want to call it) , I use AUGASON Farms Creamy Potato Soup mix.  It comes in bulk and can be found at some supermarkets, online, and at Walmart.  I like it because it is for food storage and lasts a really long time.  It also is simple to make--only add water.  And a big bonus here--it tastes good!!!






EASY CORN CHOWDER

Augason soup mix OR Potato soup--ready made, or 1 pkg of any potato soup mix.  (I make enough soup to feed a family of four).

1 15 oz can sweet kernel corn

chopped celery or dried celery bits

1/4 cup bacon bits

sour cream

shredded cheddar cheese


Directions:  Make the soup as directed on the package or can.  Add corn, celery ,and bacon bits. Cook until done--about 15 minutes. Add 1 or 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.  Dish up and add a dallop of sour cream on top.  This soup is NOT low calorie so just enjoy!!!

Politically Correct words

So today on one of the facebook pages I follow, Chicks on the right, there was a discussion on the use of the word "TARD". It is the new acronym for the protesters and rioters of Trump. Apparently these ladies are the ones who coined it. And they were defending it. Even though it is offensive to some. One of the women even has a mentally challenged son. I pointed out to them why it is offensive. I grew up in the 60s and 70s. My brother had Down's Syndrome and the mental capacity of a 6 month old. During that era, he was denied access to school, denied access to doctors, called names including "retard", and generally disregarded as a person. It was a hurtful time and that word was meant to hurt not describe a condition. I pointed this out to the chicks on the right blogger. She never did get it. She said it was wrong to call them that but okay to use the word. It's not. Why do I know? Because it is disrespectful towards all disabled people. Whether they hear you say the word or not. It hurts them. I couldn't get that through the blogger's head. How sad that such ignorance still exists today. My son has not faced half of the ignorance my brother faced. Thank God. We have come far in that respect. School services and the requirement to serve ALL people including the disabled--we can thank John F Kennedy and the democrats after him. As for that facebook page, I think I will unfollow. They won't miss me but I will feel better for not reading about such ignorance.

How to make Scalloped and Au-Gratin Potatoes using dehydrated potatoes

Several years ago, I started to stock food and water.  I am NOT a prepper by any means but having extra food on hand just seems like a smart move to me.  You never know what event might come your way and keep you from going to the store.  Last year I had knee replacement surgery and was down for the count for several months.  Then in November, my father died unexpectedly (I will blog about that later) and I was tied up with his estate for several months.  I did NOT have time to shop or coupon.  Thank goodness I had plenty of food on hand. 

One product I really like is Augason Farms.  They sell a vast variety of foods for storage.  Walmart carries them.  Amazon carries them.  And Auguson.com carries them.  They last for years unopened.  I know this past winter was particularly tough on many--especially back East.  Many were without power.  Having food supplies on hand along with water will keep you and your family from starving!!  Also an emergency cooking kit is a great tool to have on hand.  I have this little gem stored with my food storage  

http://www.amazon.com/QuickStove-Emergency-Portable-Preparedness-Activity/dp/B00C7CE35W

Anyway, I wanted to share with you a recipe I found for dehydrated potato slices.  Yummy and easy to make.  Enjoy!!  Please share any recipes you have found for Auguson farms products or for dehydrated products.  I would love to see them!

 


 Au-Gratin Potatoes (using dehydrated potatoes) (by James Parrish)

3 cups diced dehydrated potatoes

6 tablespoons of butter

3 tablespoons of flour

1 1/2 cups of milk

1 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese

Salt and pepper to taste


Preparation of recipe:
1. Place potatoes in a shallow baking dish.
2. In a small saucepan over a low heat melt 6 tablespoons of butter.
3. Take the butter and add the flour to it. Stir well in order to blend together.
4. Gradually add the milk.
5. Continue cooking and stirring continuously until a thick sauce is formed.
6. Add the cheese and stir until the cheese melts.
7. Pour the sauce over the potatoes that are in the baking dish and mix them gently.
8. Bake potatoes at 400° for 30 to 40 minutes. Final product should be golden brown.
Source:  http://www.recipezaar.com/bb/viewtopic.zsp?t=295606





SCALLOPED DEHYDRATED POTATOES

3 cups dehydrated potato slices


1/2 cup nonfat powdered milk

2 Tbsp. flour

2 Tbsp. cornstarch

1 tsp. onion powder

pinch of salt and black pepper

1 Tbsp. dried parsley or chives (optional)

3 Tbsp. butter or margarine

2 3/4 cups boiling water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place potato slices into a medium casserole dish. Combine remaining dry ingredients and sprinkle on top of the potato slices. Dot with butter. Pour boiling water over all and stir gently to combine.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. You can broil it for the last 1-2 minutes if you prefer the top to be a little more browned.

Source:  http://tennzen.blogspot.com/2009/08/ask-tennzen-dehydrated-scalloped.html Posted by The Little Red Hen at 11:15 AM

On Friday, May 15, 2015, a jury sentenced the Boston Bomber, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, to die. Many of the victims felt vindicated.  Many said he got what he deserved.   At least one family , though, did not want the death penalty for him.

Over the years, I have struggled with the issue of capital punishment.  What IS its real purpose?  Supposedly it is to deter crime.  However, does it?  I doubt it.  How many criminals think about dying when they are committing a crime?  I would guess very few.  I am not going to spout a bunch of statistics.  You can google those yourself.

So if capital punishment isn't a deterrent, then what is its purpose?  That's where the struggle is.  Many in this case, and most capital punishment cases, tout justice needs to be served.  One family of the bombing, said now they can now move on. Unfortunately, this case is going to haggle on in the media for years to come so I am skeptical about their ability to leave this case behind.

So if it's not for a deterrent, and not for justice, then isn't the death penalty really just for revenge? If it were my family members that were harmed, wouldn't revenge be what I would want?  I understand how the families would want the perpetrator to suffer as their families have suffered.  I get that.  Especially if it were my child that was hurt or killed.  But what does the Bible say about revenge?

Deuteronomy 32:35 "It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them." 
 Romans 12:19 "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
Genesis 4:15 "So the Lord said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold."And the Lord appointed a sign for Cain, So that no one finding him would kill him.

So the LORD said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold " And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Revenge,-And-Retaliation#sthash.oGi8Wf1J.dpuf

So the LORD said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold " And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Revenge,-And-Retaliation#sthash.oGi8Wf1J.dpuf

So the LORD said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold " And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Revenge,-And-Retaliation#sthash.oGi8Wf1J.dpuf

So the LORD said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold " And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Revenge,-And-Retaliation#sthash.oGi8Wf1J.dpuf

So the LORD said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold " And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Revenge,-And-Retaliation#sthash.oGi8Wf1J.dpuf

So the LORD said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold " And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Revenge,-And-Retaliation#sthash.oGi8Wf1J.dpuf

So the LORD said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold " And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Revenge,-And-Retaliation#sthash.oGi8Wf1J.dpuf

So the LORD said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold " And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Revenge,-And-Retaliation#sthash.oGi8Wf1J.dpuf

So the LORD said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold " And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Revenge,-And-Retaliation#sthash.oGi8Wf1J.dpuf

So the LORD said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold " And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Revenge,-And-Retaliation#sthash.oGi8Wf1J.dpuf

So the LORD said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold " And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Revenge,-And-Retaliation#sthash.oGi8Wf1J.dpuf

So the LORD said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold " And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Revenge,-And-Retaliation#sthash.oGi8Wf1J.dpuf

Proverbs 24:29 " Do not say Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."

You get the picture.  There are more verses in the Bible that speak to vengeance . God will deal with them in do time.  The Bible also says,  Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.  Isn't that what we do when we sentence someone to die.  Yes, they killed someone.  Possibly alot of people.  But I see no where in the Bible where it says, well okay you can kill someone if they killed someone else.  Isn't that the Lord's job of judgement?

I am not saying the perpetrator should not be punished.  He/she should.  But death?  What exactly does that accomplish?

I know, many if not most of you will disagree with this.  It is okay.  I have struggled for a long time with it.

Does Tsarnaev deserve death?  Of course he does.  But what about us? In God's eyes, don't we all deserve death?   Romans 6:23 " For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  And yet we have been extended grace.  Psalm 103:10 "He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve."   Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God".

These are just my thoughts.  Please feel free to comment and leave your own.

Proverbs 24:29

Verse Concepts

Do not say, "Thus I shall do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work."
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Revenge,-And-Retaliation#sthash.oGi8Wf1J.dpuf

So the LORD said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold " And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Revenge,-And-Retaliation#sthash.oGi8Wf1J.dpuf

So the LORD said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold " And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Revenge,-And-Retaliation#sthash.oGi8Wf1J.dpuf

So the LORD said to him, "Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold " And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him. - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Revenge,-And-Retaliation#sthash.oGi8Wf1J.dpuf

Day 2 after cortisone shot.

Yikes-they told me my blood sugar would be higher from the shot.  I am diabetic and it runs around 110 in the mornings on an empty stomach.  This morning it is 181.  I sure don't like that!  Knee is still very stiff from shot .  My hand are still sore but not as much.  Symptoms had already been subsiding for 3 days anyway.

Later in the day:  right now my face is flushed and I am having hot flashes with sweating--worse than I ever had during menopause. I have terrible nausea, and my indigestion (which I never get).  From what I've read these are side effects of the cortisone shot.  The jury is out on whether this shot was worth it.  The pain in my knee has subsided but these side effects are very unpleasant.


Update:  I decided not to make a new post. The date is April 21.  It's been almost 2 weeks since the shot.  The first four days after were not fun.  I had flu like symptoms for a full four days.  The upside is that for a full week I had no knee pain at all.  But then after 7 or 8 days it began to return and now hurts again.  I am still experiencing "sweats" or hot flashes from the shot.  I know this because I haven't had hot flashes in well over a year!  At this point, the shot did not work.  If the effects don't last several months, it didn't work.  You are only allowed one shot every 3 months.  I can now see why.

Take a journey with me--Rheumatoid Arthritis and pain

Four years ago, before this blog, I started to develop severe knee pain.  It came out of the blue and was so intense in my right knee, I could no longer walk without crutches.  I ended up having knee arthroscopic surgery.  The recovery from that was much slower than it was supposed to be and unfortunately the pain never really went away.  It lessened but it never left.

My orthopedist said I had slight tearing of the meniscus but mostly just osteoarthritis in my knee.  Now, I live in a small town and our options of doctors and surgeons are limited.  This doctor did not follow up with me.  He did prescribe Mobic but it made me terribly sick and he did not do anymore follow up.

I've never liked going to doctors.  And unfortunately when I have an unpleasant experience with one , it only heightens my displeasure with them.

Fast forward to the present time.  For anyone who has read past blogs, they will know that I have had an extremely stressful period in my life for the past 1 1/2 years.  I started noticing periods of "flare-ups" of pain in my knee.  On top of that, I began to have pain in other joints.  My hands especially would also hurt during painful knee flare ups. I would hurt for several weeks and then it would just disappear and not return for several months.  This has been happening on and off for over a year now.   

I have done some research on Rheumatoid Arthritis .  Here is some of what I have found:


"Rheumatoid arthritis can make your joints feel stiff and can leave you feeling generally unwell and tired. It is most common after the age of 40, but it can affect people of any age. It generally affects more women than men.Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Your immune system, which usually fights infection, attacks the lining of your joints, causing them to become inflamed. Over time your joints may become permanently damaged and stop working properly.

The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis usually come and go. Sometimes symptoms only cause mild discomfort, but other times they can be very painful, making it difficult to move around and do everyday tasks. When symptoms become worse, this is known as a flare-up. A flare-up is impossible topredict, making rheumatoid arthritis difficult to live with.At present there is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis. However, with early diagnosis and treatment symptoms can be eased and the progression of the condition can be slowed down.

SYMPTOMS
The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis tend to develop gradually, with the first symptoms often being felt in small joints, such as your fingers and toes.
Flare-ups
The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis often tend to come and go and you will experience what are known as ‘flare ups’. This means that from time to time, your condition will worsen and your symptoms will be more intense and severe. You can experience a flare-up at any time of the day or night. However, it is likely that your symptoms will be more painful in the morning, when you first wake up. Usually, your symptoms will begin to ease as the day progresses, as you start using and flexing your joints.
Once rheumatoid arthritis progresses, it can spread to other joints, such as your shoulders, elbows, hips and jaw. The condition tends to affect several joints at the same time, usually on both sides of your body. For example, it often affects both knees or both hands.
The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are outlined below.

• Joint pain and swelling - this is usually worst in the morning and tends to improve as you move around.
• Joint stiffness - again, this often improves once you start moving around.
• Warmth and redness - the lining of the affected joint becomes inflamed, leaving the skin over the joint warm, red and swollen.
• Loss of appetite.
• Generally feeling unwell.
• Skin nodules - one in four people with rheumatoid arthritis develop lumps under their skin, known as rheumatoid nodules. These commonly occur on the skin over the elbows and forearms, and are usually painless
• .Anemia - this is a condition where the blood is unable to carry enough oxygen, due to a low number of red blood cells. It often leaves you feeling tired and lethargic. Eight out of ten people with rheumatoid arthritis are anemic. Unlike osteoarthritis, which only affects the bones and joints, rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation in other parts of your body. The condition can also cause inflammation of your tear glands, salivary glands, the lining of your heart and lungs, and your blood vessels."

Information taken directly from the following website-- http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing-practice/clinical-zones/rheumatology/rheumatoid-arthritis/5001797.article

I do not have all the symptoms.  I may not have RA.  There is a blood test for RA but from what I've read it is not always definitive. I do have the majority of the symptoms--just no anemia that I know of.

One of my bff's suffers from a very similar disorder.  She suggested I journal and keep track of my symptoms.  I plan on doing just that here. Take the ride with me.  I will try to also continue to post other things.  However, for me, this is the easiest way to journal and a good way to get feedback from others.   Please feel free to comment and to share your own journey.  So here's today.Thanks all!!

Today--April 9, 2014

For the last 3 weeks, the pain in my knee has been unbearable.  So much so that on our planned vacation to Palm Springs, my husband had to push me around in a wheelchair at any event that involved walking.  I could not go more than a few feet without intense pain.

Also hurting were my hands.  They burned and were stiff to move.  Two days ago, the pain in both my hands and my knee started to ease.  Doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason for the coming of the pain or the leaving.

I saw Dr. Meyers today--an orthopedic surgeon.  He did extensive x-rays and said that my knee was completely full of arthritis and that knee replacement was the only option left.  He also gave me a cortisone shot (which hurts like heck).  Hopefully this will ease the pain for awhile.  I'm to see him in a month but he said if this doesn't help it will be my decision when to have the knee replacement.  He does not do that and will refer me on to someone in  Salt Lake City, Utah.

Vanilla Pound Cake Recipe

How sweet it is -- pound cake from scratch in three simple steps! Busy times call for easy desserts, and this rich pound cake recipe hits the sweet spot. We've added vanilla to our recipe for an extra hint of flavor!

• prep: 15 mins
  total time: 1 hour 15 mins
• servings: 8 

• Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for pan
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  Directions

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 6-cup (8 1/2-by-4 1/2-inch) loaf pan; set aside.

• Step 2

  Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; add vanilla and salt. With mixer on low, gradually add flour, beating just until combined (do not overmix).

• Step 3

  Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, about 1 hour (tent with aluminum foil if browning too quickly). Let cool in pan 15 minutes. Invert onto a wire rack, and turn upright to cool completely.