I know it’s been awhile since I’ve posted so I just wanted to take a minute to say hello. The queen has been busy writing, but she has also stayed busy with her “raw” lifestyle. Eating raw has changed my life from the inside out. I am healthier and I have also reaped the benefits of losing weight and looking 10 years younger. Here’s  my latest recipe for a delicious Reeses Peanut Butter Cup green smoothie. This is a must try if you like peanut butter and chocolate! I hope you have a prosperous and healthy new year.

~Until Next Time

To Roscoe: I will always remember those great night walks. Thanks for being my friend. I will see you in heaven!

~Until Next Time

So is there an art to making a great green smoothie? The truth is that they are so simple to make and in minutes you can be drinking to your health! Does it look attractive? Maybe to some it looks like green muck! But if you like the color green then you’ll have no problem with it. If green doesn’t appeal to you, then close your eyes. The benefits of drinking one of these drinks are power packed with vitamins that you can’t ignore. And for us raw foodies these are a regular part of our daily diet.

Up to now, I’ve been slowly working my way up to getting the color right. I’ve been using organic milk and stevia as well. Remember; I am a 10 day old semi-raw foodie, so I am working my way up to all of this. But today I decided on making my first official green smoothie- No organic milk! I made an amazing tropical smoothie and it tasted great!

The ingredients were: raw organic shredded coconut, fresh pineapple chunks, 3/4 c of water, and one shredded large Kale leaf(this veggie is one of the healthiest vegetables you can eat). Kale doesn’t have much taste and the fruit flavor outweighs the kale-the results are an amazing tropical smoothie that tastes like pineapple and coconut!

I only used one packet of stevia, although I think it tasted great without any sugar at all! Perhaps tomorrows smoothie will be stevia-free! Okay, now it’s your turn. Get out your blender and start mixing your way to better health!

~Until Next Time

I’ll keep you posted!

Okay, so I decided to take a 180 degree turn in my food intake. So I changed my eating habits almost entirely. Not that I wasn’t purchasing some organic foods, I was-when I felt like spending the extra cash it took to purchase the golden halo food products. So here’s how it all began…

After a visit with my dentist and the laughing gas wore off, I was informed that my teeth did not need $2,700.00 worth of work done-they needed $8,000.00 worth of work done to heal them. Say what? I was no no longer laughing as I walked to my car that day.

That evening I began to do my research( not difficult for a copywriter right?) I began reading about “Ora-medics” and found out that my teeth could heal themselves naturally. Dentists do not promote such practices-for obvious reasons! So why couldn’t I take the necessary steps to heal my own set of teeth? I had dental disease and no amount of dental work was going to heal the disease. The fillings and root canals would be covered up and the disease would still lurk in my mouth and my body.

So what did I have to do? I needed to begin with changing what foods I ate. Hence-the raw food diet. As a beginner I knew this would not be easy, so I decided to classify myself as a semi-raw foodie. That means I eat meat 2-3 times a week-all organic by the way. I stopped by the local market and bought a few bags of organic food and spent over $200.00. The only shocking prices were the organic cheese and goat cheese-wow! I spent over four dollars on 4 ounces of goat cheese, which I had never sank my teeth into. Was it good? You bet! My 12 year old tried it and didn’t think it was too bad. He loved the organic cheese! The veggies and fruit were not too much more. Won’t need to worry about that for too long because I grow my own organic veggies and fruit. I will harvest most of them by the end of July. I have been eating strawberries fresh from my garden for around three weeks now and they taste wonderful! I add them to my smoothies.

So how is it going so far? I must say that I impress my own self! I have had 2 slips in one weeks time. I woofed down a cupcake in 10 seconds and I snuck one of my kids Reeses Cups. Besides that I am eating raw veggies and fruits and I feel better. I have more energy and I look better-rested! I have even lost 4 pounds. I have needed to shed around 25 pounds and nothing seemed to work. Duh-I wonder why? I gave up refined sugar(minus the 2 slip-ups) and use Stevia in my smoothies. FYI-Stevia tastes great! I stepped up to the plate and made my first green smoothie tonight. To my surprise-I loved it!

I am sprouting my brown rice and my chick peas too! The brown rice tasted amazing, but the chick peas tasted nasty. Back to the drawing board with them!

So here I am and I would like to say that if this works then I will certainly reap the benefits. I already am reaping in benefits. I am healthier, feeling better, and I am losing weight. Now-if I can save $8,000.00-ALL THE BETTER!

~Until Next Time

I’ll keep you posted!

If you want to read about the day in the life of a middle-aged white woman and how she deals with menopause, then you’ve got to read her blog! She will make you laugh. Oh and ladies-your color is of no importance. She clearly states that she just needed a catchy name for her blog.

Support Mad Woman-read her blog today!

http://madwoman53.wordpress.com/

Okay,I thought I’d never say this but her goes: I found some products that smell and lather just like Bath and Body Works delectable shower gels . Let me assure you, I am a loyal B&B Works customer. I have been using their products for years and swore up and down I would never use anything else.Then low and behold, I discovered Suave’s mean competition. Walmart had a great sale on leftover holiday shower gel scents. Before I purchased the products, I did the old fashioned sniff test. I was properly surprised to get a whiff of some very familiar scents. Hold the phone-Where had I smelled these scents before? Then it hit me-these smelled like two of my favorite body washes: Twisted peppermint and Warm Vanilla Sugar. I quickly grabbed the left over bottles like a mad woman rushing to get the last of the leftovers on Black Friday. I dared anyone to reach over my shoulder to grab one of these gems.

Once I arrived home it was time to put them to the real test! Here are the final results: Wow! Yippee! Shazaam! These imposters come close to the real B&B works real deal. Okay, they weren’t a perfect match, but I enjoyed my foamy bath and was pleased beyond all the words you are reading in this blog. How much did I spend? Each 12 oz. bottle was a mere $1.75. While I still love my B&B Works, I was more than thrilled to get such a great deal! A 10 oz. bottle of B&B works shower gel is over ten dollars. This was a sweet deal, there was no getting around it! I went back the following week to see if Walmart had any more left. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised to see that I had purchased the last of these holiday wonders. So, next year be on the look out for Peppermint Bliss and Toasted Vanilla and Sugar! You won’t be sorry and this is from a true lover of B&B Works bath products. Go ahead and scream:TRAITOR! I got a great deal and you know what- it doesn’t bother me in the least!

~Until Next Time

Today I witnessed the birth of a baby of different sorts. I witnessed the birth of a baby goat. And while others my shake their heads in disagreement-I witnessed a birth much like many other mothers including myself. It was an experience that was embraced by more than myself and my neighbor Sammi-it was embraced by an entire community who had been waiting for God’s precious miracle to occur.

I arrived to the gala affair with my rubber boots and rain jacket. As it had begun to rain when I left the house. I was going to help Sammi because I knew he hadn’t slept well for the past few days. Many babies were making their grand entrance this week and my friend was keeping a watchful eye on these precious newborns. There was no doubt that Sammi’s goat farm was growing leaps and bounds, and it wouldn’t be long until these babies would literally be doing some leaping themselves!

I woke up from an hour long nap and looked ouside. It was raining and I scratched my head, wondering if I should venture out in the wet mud and Georgia clay. It was around 5:15 PM and for some reason I felt this urge to go even if it was a muddy mess outside my door. I had purchased my rubber boots today from Walmart , so I could now wander in mud and dung and everything would be alright. I threw on my rain jacket and flew out the door. Destiny was waiting in the wings as I revved up the engine to my old Explorer and drove down my long gravel driveway.

Sammi looked rather surprised to see my pull in his driveway. I jumped out of my truck and told him I was there to help. He said that the little ones needed some loving and walked me out to the gate. Petting the babies would make them more pet friendly and easier to sell.  He showed me how to open the gates so I could come at my own leisure. By this time we were now on a first name basis and I was becoming a regular on the farm.

Pregnant does were crowding around one particular stable as the alpha buck stood nearby. Some of them were pacing and others just stood still as if time had frozen for the affair.Babies were running about.   Some were nursing and others were scrambling about trying to find shelter from the rain. The thought of it all tickled my heart. It looked like a nursery with toddlers running about and moms frantically chasing their babies. If  Santa Claus really did live in the North Pole with tons of busy elves scampering in all directions, this tied in to a close second.

My kids were long past the days of diapers and milk. And even though these kids didn’t require a pamper, they all needed the same thing my own babies did-love. As I cradled each one in my arms, my mothering instincts kicked in full throttle. Suddenly they were not baby goats, the were simply babies. Babies that were rocked and coddled just like any other baby. Babies that looked up at me with innocent doe eyes and uncertainty. Babies that would nestle into the cradle of my arms and fall asleep.

It was time to go but not without a final surprise. Time had moved on for one mother and I was there to witness her special moment. Within a blink of an eye, another life had entered this world. I took out my camera and apologetically clicked away as I was obviously interfering with her privacy. Two other babies were kicking and moving about, eager to join their sister.

I watched the new mom clean her baby as the other “dams to be”  looked on. Fern was peering through the gap in the wooden gate with another expectant doe.  She walked up to me and cuddled next to me leg.  It was silent for a couple of minutes as everyone crowded around the stall. I thought of Jesus and how the animals gathered together in cerebration of his birth. An event as simple as this and there was still a gathering, a celebration of life.  I was awestruck by the miracle itself and the gathering of kindred souls was evidence of something more than a mere birthing of  a goat. It was a gift from God. A gift to be honored and celebrated. It was a gift of love for all those who were there to embrace the moment.

And much like those who were there for the birth of my children, there were crowds of anxious on-lookers also waiting to celebrate a new life. There were no pink or blue balloons. I didn’t notice any bright paper packages sitting on a shelf. There wasn’t a comfortable bed or a doctor nearby to check on mom and baby. The only crib available for this baby was a bed made of hay.

It was time to go and I thanked mom for being gracious. Fern walked up to me one last time and rubbed next to my leg. I reached down and gently touched her pregnant belly, hoping to feel a kick or two. I was told that it was rare that a doe would even allow such a thing. Yet, Fern and I had something in common. I think Fern knew I was a  mom too . Moms come in all shapes and sizes a. A mom is a mom in any language and in any species. We all carry that special bond.

I reached down and gave her a kiss on the nose and walked outside. It was pouring now and my boots began to sink in the mud. I thought about the King of Kings and how he lay in the hay over 2000 years ago. My thoughts turned over to the new baby I just left behind who was sleeping in the hay. “Lucky kid”, I thought. “Lucky Kid”!

~Until Next Time

I knew snow was on the way. How much snow was a matter of reckoning.All I could do was wait. My son and me stayed up late this Christmas eve watching movies and just spending time together. Christmas morning came and I ran to to the window to see if snow had arrived as predicted by the weather channel. Low and behold and of no surprise to me there was more than I expected! Snow was falling in buckets and the ground was completely covered in a winter wonderland.

It’s funny how you can go to bed one minute with no snow and wake up to 7 inches of snow and icicles hanging from the house. It was Christmas day and Bing Crosby couldn’t have sung it any better. The snow was so thick that you couldn’t see my neighbors house up on the hill. The sky was a grayish shade of white from all directions. I felt like I was 10 years old again in upstate New York where snow falls in gallon buckets each year! I called my Parents who reside in Florida:

“It’s snowing, it’s snowing! It’s a white Christmas”, as each word tried to escape my obvious excitement.
It was my son’s first white Christmas and mine in over 34 years! I skipped around the house as if I had been taken back in time to those tender Christmas yesteryear’s when Santa was real and Rudolph led the sleigh. Eight stockings hung from the stair banister and toys for eight children filled the living room. I don’t remember how many of those holidays were filled with powdery snow and elegant snowflakes, but I’m sure many of them were as magical as this present Christmas day!

I took out my camera and began to take pictures of the momentous occasion. As I spoke with my folks I felt a sudden emptiness. They weren’t here. I remembered those Fry family Christmas’s from long ago. They seemed to be a hundred miles away, yet somehow I could still touch them. A real tree cut down by my dad graced the large family room as the flicker of dancing flames warmed us from the fireplace. The turkey was in the oven and we ate home made cookies as we waited in anticipation for our Christmas feast!

It was Christmas and we were all together. Now we are spread out in 4 states from Florida to Colorado. Those Christmas days have long gone. I cried as I told each of my parents how much I loved them. I thanked them for creating those 100 mile memories that I could still touch and feel as though it was yesterday! I looked at the Christmas tablecloth my mom gave me that once covered my childhood Christmas table and smiled. My home looked much like the one’s I grew up in today. A real tree was beautifully decorated with old fashioned ornaments and plates filled with home made treats could be seen in every available space in the kitchen!

Old fashioned Christmas music was playing as presents were opened. And best of all-it was snowing outside! I wished for gallons of snow and it came just in time.

We put on our snow gear and went outside to go sledding on the hill next door. Today I went back in time, even if it were only for a couple of hours-it was great to be 10 once again!

As I ventured into town today I couldn’t help but notice the streaming clouds that elegantly grazed the tips of her mountains majesty. It was cool and crisp and I sang to the Christmas music of 92.3 FM. It wasn’t snowing but the weather reports have all been in sync- a white Christmas was in the forecast!

Upon returning from my trip to the local DG I nearly went straight home and decided to make a right instead of left towards the ole homestead. Less than a mile down the road was a menagerie of animals much like those I imagined that stood watch over the baby Jesus over 2000 years ago. I stopped at my neighbors house and parked my car. I jumped out and ran across the street to greet my neighbors who seemed excited to see me.

Twenty or more sheep, goats, and some new neighbors I hadn’t met came running as if I were their next meal! Amber had grown since the last time I saw her. I barely recognized her.

“Is that you Amber?”, I asked.

She kept following me so I concluded that the golden colored goat with the floppy ears was indeed-Amber!

Gavin the baby cow was nearby and I stopped to bid a quick hello. He wasn’t interested at the time, so I continued my neighborly stroll through the cow dung and goat curd.

I noticed the new family additions up on the hill in front of me. Four llamas stood proud and tall looking down on me. They looked at me as if to say, “Good day to you my friend and how are you this fine evening”! Their necks stretched with great pride and the only thing missing were their black tuxedos. No doubt, these llamas were in a sophisticated class of their own!

I reached out to pet a few more of my furry friends(those that weren’t skiddish or shy) and walked towards my car. With mud on my jeans and manure on my boots, I couldn’t have felt better! A white truck parked a couple of houses down sat in suspicion as I skipped across the street to my Explorer. I drove off and waved good-bye to my menagerie of friends wishing them a Merry Christmas.

As I drove towards home I reminisced of a similar scene that took place many years ago. Okay so maybe I didn’t have Joseph, Mary, or the three wise men there on the scene- but I did have some of the same animals and some hay. I might not have had the shepherds or a manger, or even a baby-but Jesus was there just the same! He was with me as I kindly greeted each animal and said hello to those I personally named. He was there when I reached down to pet Amber and tried to chase after Gavin. Even after I drove off, Jesus followed me home with his cloak of protection-making sure I would arrive safely to greet my 12 year old son.

Yep, this wasn’t the same manger scene that colored the world over 2000 years ago, but it colored my world today-and it was a pretty awesome manger scene just the same. And here’s the best part: This manger scene wasn’t very far from my own front door.

Merry Christmas to all-and to all a good night!

As I began decorating for the holidays, my son pulled out a worn manger and it’s matching accessories from a Christmas box.

“This is falling apart mom, we need a new one”, my son insisted.

I turned to look at the aging manger and replied,
“That manger is perfectly fine, I don’t need a new one”!

As my 11 year old careful unwrapped the animals and the three wise men he couldn’t help but insist they were a stones throw away from the garbage can.

“But mom, the camels head is missing and the donkey’s tail is about to come off”!

As he was about to tear off the jack-ass’s tail I jumped up and gently grabbed the paper mache animal that had graced my home for over 20 years.

“No, don’t!”

“But mom , look this whole thing is way too old and we need a new one”, he added!

Okay I admit..the donkey was part of a less than perfect menagerie-but I still loved them despite the fact that some had legs missing and even lost their heads during their 60 year existence. I carefully finished unpacking my old treasure and placed it underneath the tree.

“There…it looks perfect!, I exclaimed.

My little guy shook his head as if I were one step closer to the funny farm and walked off to play his X box 360 in the neighboring game room.

I sat there and proudly looked on at my less than perfect manger scene. Sixty years ago a young couple just starting out had this very manger scene sitting underneath their tree. They didn’t have much money and they had been married less than a year. That young couple had their entire lives ahead of them. They were to live a full life with a house full of children. They would laugh and cry as they were handed a plate full of life. They carried their kids to church and raised them to believe in God. Every year as Christmas approached, that manger was unpacked and placed underneath the Christmas tree. And whoever did the most ‘good deeds’ had the privilege of placing baby Jesus in the manger that Christmas Eve. It was an honor, and we all worked hard to earn that privilege. Now that young couple have grown old. They had eight children and they have all grown and have children of their own. And each year as I unpack that old mess of a manger, I think of that same young couple who gave it to me over 20 years ago. I bake the same Christmas cookies my mom made and I even play the very same Christmas album I listened to as a child, thanks to modern technology.

A new Manger? Never! I didn’t see a donkey about to lose his tail. I didn’t see a decapitated camel or a manger that was peeling apart in places. I saw my childhood each time that manger was unpacked. I saw nearly 60 years of Christmas’s and a young couple with barely a penny to spare many years ago. I saw a father who made toys from his bare hands and a mom who so lovingly baked and cooked a lovely Christmas dinner, even though she had little sleep the night before. The manger was as new to me as it was to the couple who bought it many moons ago.

My son came back into the room and glanced at the manger scene. He knelt down to take a closer look and had a puzzled look on his face.

“Mom, have you noticed that the only three figures that still look perfect are Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus”?

As I took a moment to look, I hadn’t realized it, but he was right! They remained intact and perfect for all these years! I smiled at the thought of it all and went to the kitchen to make some snowball cookies.

As I was rolling out the dough I stopped to reflect. This was one of the best gifts I ever received and didn’t realize it until today! A new laptop would have been nice. A 42″ flat screen TV would have been spectacular. Ah, but a manger scene with years of memories-nothing could compete with that! No one can strip us of those magical Christmas memories and the folks who helped create those heavenly moments that stay etched in our minds for-ever.

Merry Christmas to that young couple who started a tradition 60 years ago. Merry Christmas mom and dad! Thanks for making my Christmas special every year as I unwrap the best Christmas gift of all! I love you!

1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love!

Merry Christmas Everyone!