Booking It: July 2012

 

Reviews I wrote: 

*Bringing Up Girls

*Precedent

Recipe of the Week: Haystack Beans

I buy this HUGE bag of pinto beans, but I never know how to make them taste good until my friend, Lynn, shared this great recipe with me! Thanks, Lynn!

• Sort and rinse 2 lbs of dry pinto beans (4 cups) 
• Soak overnight in lots of cool water (I used the crockpot-unplugged)
• Drain and rinse.  Put in freezer for a few hours and then take out for a few hours to thaw.  This helps with digestion and makes the beans less gassy (I think!).
• Add to crockpot with about one inch of water and cook on high until soft (6-8 hrs) with bay leaf.
• Drain liquid off after cooking
• Saute 1 large onion in olive oil with 1 recipe Taco Seasoning (see below).
• Add onion, 1 small can tomato paste, 1 T brown sugar and sea salt to taste.
• Mix well!

Taco Seasoning:
1 T. chili powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp black pepper (used less)
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

You can make several batches with one bag of pinto beans and save a lot of money!

This recipe can be used for anything that you need refried beans for, but in a much healthier way!  We use it in burritos, salad (haystacks),  and mixing it with salsa for a yummy chip dip!  I also mixed these beans with avocado and fed it my little girl.  This freezes well.  Just heat up with a little liquid.  Enjoy!

Haystacks

Bringing Up Girls by James Dobson Book Review

Bringing Up Girls: Practical Advice and Encouragement for Those Shaping the Next Generation of Women by James Dobson is a book about the culture and the relationships that are shaping the future of our girls.  The bulk of this book covered topics that affect girls both internally (self-esteem, moral values) and externally (rebellion, early s*xual behavior).  The main issue that was threaded throughout and capitalized on in several chapters was the major role the father needs to take in the life of his daughter.  There were lots of stories, interviews and statistics that were definitely geared toward Christian conservative positions.  This book did cover many of the challenges in raising girls, but did not offer enough practical advice.

I was very overwhelmed and downright afraid of the raising my daughter with the issues that were addressed in this book.  I was hoping for more encouragement and practical advice, but I was loaded with devastating statistics and terrible culture trends that I will have to face with my daughter.  I do have to say that there were some positive chapters that gave me hope, but overall, with the emphasis on the father-daughter relationship, I felt very deflated.  If you want to know more about what cultural difficulties you will be facing in raising your daughter, this book is for you.

*This product was provided to me free of charge for purpose of this review. This is my honest opinion of this book and no monetary compensation was received for my opinion.*
 

Apple Valley Natural Soap Camping Giveaway!

I love all the giveaways from Apple Valley Natural Soap. Click here to enter the camping giveaway.

Our Camping Package Giveaway

Our giveaway package includes an All Natural Bug Repellent, a Boundary Waters Shampoo and Body Bar, and a jar of our best selling Organic Herbal Salve, to apply on any scratches, sunburns, and bug bites.  This package has a retail value of $24.  Giveaway runs July 9-11.

Locks of Love 2012

Two years ago I donated my hair to Locks of Love.  Why did I do it?  Read this heartbreaking story from my friend Melody.

From Melody Haase:

Hey everyone! I am still collecting hair. My plan is to do events every two years. Here is the updated letter of why I am doing it with all the rules. Mail it to me, or Locks of Love. Currently we have 165 braids that we collected in Monica's name. We've mailed off the bulk of them, but are still collecting. Thank you all for your love, support, and prayers. What an amazing legacy that Monica left. I can see her smiling in heaven right now, dancing with her sisters, and Jesus; rejoicing over this and our new little baby about to be born.

Our daughter Monica was a sweet, sweet girl that loved to donate hair. The first time she donated it, she was 5. When she turned 7, she said, “Mommy, I have pretty hair.” To which I responded, “Yes, Honey, you do.” She then said, “No, I mean, I have really beautiful, thick, curly, hair.” At that point I was thinking the vanity bug had bitten her and then she continued, “But I don’t need it. There are other kids that need hair more than I do, and they would love to have my hair. So, that’s what I am going to do the rest of my life. Grow it out and give it away.” So that weekend she donated her hair again. While traveling in July 2007, right after she turned 9, she had it cut again, but didn’t want to send her braid off quite yet as she wanted her Nana, Papa and Daddy see it when we stopped to see them. Her two younger sisters, Katie (age 5) and Sarah (age 4) wanted to as well but their hair wasn’t long enough, so they decided when Monica cut it again, they would also. July 8th was Monica’s sister Vanessa’s birthday (turned 11). Vanessa stayed back in Montana with family for a birthday celebration and the rest of us continued on to Washington. That afternoon we were in a terrible car accident and all three girls that were in the car were killed instantly. Monica’s braid was lost in the wreckage. While we are all struggling with the why’s and dealing with our grief, we would like to help others as Monica did. We sponsored a Locks of Love hair drive on Monica’s birthday July 3rd, 2008, and are sponsoring 3 more this summer 2010. Hair and monetary donations will be accepted. 100% of the proceeds will be going to Locks of Love.

God Bless You All,

Melody, Kenton, and Vanessa Haase

It is now 2 years later and I donated my hair again and I got to see Melody too. She is now pregnant with her 6th child and due in October! Consider donating your hair in honor of Monica.  She died 5 years ago today.

Before

After

He Loves Me DVD by Cindy Bultema

Several months ago I asked my readers to tell me about their blogs and I found Cindy Bultema's blog- She Sparkles.  I was immediately drawn to her gorgeous smile and thought that this woman has something awesome to share.  I read her testimony and cried!  It was heartbreaking, yet encouraging.  I was so excited when Cindy was going to film her testimony with Day of Discovery.  She gave away some free DVD's during the promotion and I received one.  I want to tell you that you NEED to watch this DVD.  Cindy has an amazing and powerful story to tell.  And you will love how she *sparkles* when she talks about God!

If you want to order the DVD contact Cindy at cindy.bultema@gmail.com.  DVD's are $10 + $3 S&H.

You can see the whole story at Day of Discovery- 26 minutes.

Precedent by Paula Wiseman Book Review

Precedent: Book Three: Covenant of Trust Series written by Paula Wiseman is the third book in  the Covenant of Trust Series.  In Contingency, Bobbi finds out that her husband had an affair and they piece back their marriage.  In Indemnity, the woman with whom Chuck had an affair appears back in his life with their son Jack.  In Precedent, the Molinsky family is faced with death, rebellion and life threatening illness.  Chuck is worried that because of his affair God has placed a curse on his life.  He tries to keep it all together, but with tragedy assailing the family, he realizes that God has bigger lessons to teach him.  Precedent is the final chapter of the Molinsky family, but shows some very positive conclusions how a broken family can endure so many trials, yet stay close to God and trust Him to see them through.

Paula has taken a story and made a real life saga of how a family goes through very difficult valleys, yet keeps coming back to God.  I am so impressed with the depth of character that Paula creates in each person.  What I loved most was the relationship Bobbi developed with Jack (Chuck's son from the affair).  He was definitely a glue that really held the family together even though his birth came through unwanted circumstances.  Paula touches emotions in her readers and her characters tackle tough life issues in real ways.  I would highly recommend this series to anyone who has difficulty in their family as a beacon of hope in this fallen world.   These books are absolutely amazing!



*This product was provided to me free of charge for purpose of this review. This is my honest opinion of this book and no monetary compensation was received for my opinion.*

Visit Paula's website.
Learn more about Contingency .
Learn more about Indemnity.
Learn more about Precedent. 
You can also visit Paula on Facebook.