Allergic to soaps?

All right! I have to admit it! I am slightly, mildly, nay, obsessivley addicted to Biokleen products. No, I am not getting any income from this post, I am merely sharing the wonders of cleaning products that don't make me sneeze, or itch, or stop my breathing! No breathing is not over rated, it is a must. With germs of all kinds beginnning to multiply in the Fall and winter months, I used to wipe everything down with bleach and spray Lysol to kill all those invisible germs. However, about 5 years ago I developed allergies to chemicals.
What was I going to do with out BLEACH!
Well, Biokleen and enzymes to the rescue! Biokleen is a line of products that uses enzymes to do the "dirty"work and not only kill, but "eat" those germs. Caring for an Alzheimers patient in the home brings some unfavorable messes and odors into the home, as well as germs that cannot always be tracked as the patient forgets where things are supposed to go.
I've used the Biokleen washing detergent now for a few years, and love the fresh clean smell of odor free clothing, free from perfumes or any odors. Bac-Out is a spray that I can spray on the carpeting or any other fabric in the home without chemicals that cause allergic reations. It also works great on stains...any stain. Just spray it on, and let the enzymes "eat" through the stain. Bac-out also works great on tuogh odors in the laundry.
Biokleen also has a line of dishwashing soap that smells great, from unscented to lemon-thyme, to grapefruit! Best of all my hands do not itch after doing the dishes! If you have any difficulties using other soaps and detergents, give Biokleen a try, I know I'm happy I tried it!
BIOKLEEN
© Monika Hardy

Today in History...

1738 -
English founder of Methodism John Wesley explained in a letter:
'By a "Christian," I mean one who so believes in Christ as that sin hath no more dominion over him.'

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Eph 1:3-6


But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1John 1:7


For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Romans 8:14

© Monika Hardy

Frugal Friday...

I've been busy caring for mum, and canning pears, and playing with those cute little granddaughters, and preparing to share the gospel with little ones, but here is a link us frugal folk might enjoy, as well as an added recipe with NO sugar and yet CHOCOLATE!
To the Frugal Friday Blog....
© Monika Hardy

Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup

I have been asked for the recipe a number of times, so I thought the easiest way to get it out to all is to type it up here and share it with you all.
There are many Chicken Tortilla soup recipe variations. This is a simple one that can be made for a crowd. Enjoy!

Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup

Place the following ingredients in a large crock pot
stir and let heat.

2 cups Chicken broth
2 cup cooked chicken cut in small pieces
2 cans Black Beans
1 Can Refried Beans
2 cans corn
1 can roasted green chiles
1 jar salsa
1 half packet Mexican Taco seasoning

just before serving stir into crock pot the following ingredients
5 cups crshed corn chips
1 cup shredded chedder cheese
Serve in bowls topped with
(optional but tasty... more corn chips, sour cream and cheese)



© Monika Hardy

At the Cross

At the Cross
Isaac Watts, pub.1707

Alas! and did my Savior bleed

And did my Sov’reign die?

Would He devote that sacred head

For such a worm as I?

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light,

And the burden of my heart rolled away,

It was there by faith I received my sight,

And now I am happy all the day!

Thy body slain, sweet Jesus, Thine—

And bathed in its own blood—

While the firm mark of wrath divine,

His soul in anguish stood.

Was it for crimes that I had done

He groaned upon the tree?

Amazing pity! grace unknown!

And love beyond degree!

Well might the sun in darkness hide

And shut his glories in,

When Christ,the mighty Maker died,

For man the creature’s sin.

Thus might I hide my blushing face

While His dear cross appears,

Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,

And melt my eyes to tears.

But drops of grief can ne’er repay

The debt of love I owe:

Here, Lord, I give myself away,

’Tis all that I can do.

© Monika Hardy

She works willingly with her hands

...she worketh willing with her hands. Proverbs 31:13b

I posted some pics of my canning results the other day, and received an email with photos from a friend whose mom did the same thing. I asked if I could share these photos with the readers of my blog, and she thought mom would be tickled pink!

My friend mentioned that when her mom is finished a portion of the canning she will put them all out on the table and enjoy them for awhile. I just love to so the same.

I put them on the table and after I am sure they are sealed I take the time to take off the caps and wash the jar and screw on cap, (not the seal) with hot sudsy water to avoid any change of germs growing as they jars are stored. Then I sit bakc and enjoy the view. I am so glad these photos were shared with me so I could share them with you! Just look at all those pickles, jams, salsas and freezer goods from their garden!

I see the guard cat has the best seat in the house, but unfortunately has fallen asleep on duty :)

© Monika Hardy

Christians are like Pumpkins

This was sent to me via email from a friend. I have seen it in years past,

but still think it is worth sharing with you all you "Pumpkins"

Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin.

God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you.

He opens you up, and scoops out all the yucky stuff--

including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc.

Then He carves you a new smiling face

and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see.

This was passed on to me from another pumpkin.

Now, it is your turn to pass it to a pumpkin.

Happy Autumn and God Bless You~ ~ ~

© Monika Hardy

Cheese Experiment #1

My oh my!
I was cleaning out the fridge a while back and happened to notice that the cheese I put away for storage
had now aged a full six months!

I took a break from cleaning and made a pot of tea, and sliced into the cheese.

This particular cheese was made with raw milk, and a maple yoguhrt starter.

I was so thankful that I had made the tea ahead of time and had something to drink quickly after I tried the cheese!

I am one that does not particularly care for sharp cheese, or a very strong flavor, although there are exceptions like Limburger...I'm German, you gotta love Limburger.

The cheese I made tasted very sharp with a hint of blue cheese.

Sharp might have been alright, but I most certanily do not like blue cheese.

If I wanted mold I can grow some on the window sill not in my cheese!

For those of you who like blue cheese, you might have loved this cheese, but not I.

I have a few more wheels of cheese to try and will post my results when the wheels are fully aged for six months. At this point, I like the cheese best after allowing it to age for one week.
Aging for one week makes for a mild creamier cheese.

When all my experimenting is done, I will post all the pics and directions for cheese making on Frugality 101

Needless to say, I went back to cleaning the fridge.

© Monika Hardy

Harvest Time

To keep debt, dirt, and the devil out of my cottage has been my greatest wish ever since I set up housekeeping; and although the last of the three has sometimes got in by the door or the window, for the old serpent will wriggle through the smallest crack, yet thanks to a good wife, hard work, honesty, and scrubbing brushes, the two others have not crossed the threshold. CH Spurgeon

Autumn breezes were in full force the other day. A strech of the highway was closed due to a dust storm that brought visability down to less than 5 miles. I'd definitely say that the winds of change are upon us. This morning was a beautiful crisp Fall morning complete with a light frost on the pumpkins. Ok so the pumkins, and water melons and cantalope only grew to tennis ball size. we can live with that as it brought joy to Great grandma everytime she helped water them or sit out on the front porch while listening to her son play guitar and look at those pots on the porch with loads of tiny grape tomatoes and minature melons, it was worth it this year to have a container garden for just such moments as these.

It was nice to pick up some fruit at the local Farmers Markets and fruit stands to can some fresh peaches without high fructose corn syrup, and make some jam and preserves without a large amount of sugar. The fresh fruits and veggies have been great to juice as well, and makes it much easier to get your days allotment of them both.

The days will grow dark and dreary soon enough. The work put into putting up the bounty of harvest will help in the winter when gluten free, preservative free, high fructose corn syrup free items sky rocket in price when the snows hit! Due to allergies in many families such work is priceless as the American stores are filled with items that are so unhealthy and full of fillers.

Frugal shopping throughout the year will help you stock your pantry with much healthier products for the winter months ahead. Yes, we pray for our daily bread, and plan for the future. With Great grandma, it makes it difficult if not impossible to get out and go shopping when the weather gets so fierce, which makes planning ahead a necessity. It also makes for reserves when others are in need. What a pleasure it is to be able to share of what God has provided!

I suppose this may sound overkill or even perhaps foolish to the modern day American who can stop at the deli, hamburger joint, or coffee hut anytime they wish by starting up the car to pick up a meal or a snack or treat anytime they wish. Convienience costs dearly. However with a bit of planning one families budget can be stretched to help many others.

Fresh Peaches, Peach jam, Rasberry Peach jam, Plum Butter, are all great on oatmeal or yoguhrt in the winter, or Great Grandma loves any of them with her peanut butter.

The Jalepeno pepper jelly is great with lamb, or as an appetizer on a soda craker with cream cheese.

You can find links to plenty of Canning and Preserving recipes on the side bar of my other site...Frugality 101

I should get back to work now. Hope your Autumn is off to a great start, and that you are keeping your eyes on Jesus!