Domestically Inclined

7/18/12

Lacto Fermented Cabbage Relish

Lacto Fermentation

I went to the store the other day and saw such a beautiful display of cabbage in the grocery store that I had to praise the produce people for doing such a fine job!

Of course I had to pick up a head and bring it home.

Unfortunately the smell of cooking cabbage disagrees with my husband

so I thought I would try my hand at lacto fermentation!

It turned out nice with out that sauerkraut taste, but more

coleslaw like texture.

(Even though I'm of German descent, I don't care for sauerkraut)

Basically mixed veggies in a jar with spices,

2tbls salt per quart jar, 4 tbls per 1/2 gallon jar, and fill with distilled water to completely cover.
I use the 2 quart/half gallon jar to use up more vertical space in the fridge.

Place all ingredients in the jar and let stand on the kitchen counter for 2-5 days,
gently shaking each day to distribute spices,

and then place in the refrigerator.

The fermentation creates a food filled with beneficial lactic acid, and digestive enzymes.

A wonderful way to keep the flavor of harvest alive in winter!

You can mix and match the veggies, or layer them,

as well as choose from many spices.

Possible veggie list

Cabbage

Celery

Red, Green, or White Onions

Carrots

Cauliflower

Zucchini

Green, Red, or Yellow Peppers

Lima Beans

Kale

Broccoli

Turnips
Cucumbers

Possible Spice list

Mustard Seed

Turmeric

Dill

Chili Peppers

Celery Seed

Peppercorns

Coriander

Mint

Fennel

Other Possible Additives

A tablespoon of ....

Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar

Whey (The liquid that forms at the top of yogurt,

this helps begin the fermentation process)

Be creative! Experiment!

Keep in mind, if you are not used to pro biotics in your diet,

go easy on lacto fermented foods at first, until your system gets used to them.

This is not a government approved method.

We need to educate ourselves, and be responsible for our own food choices.
The US government has their own suggestions
National Center for Home Food Preservation

7/5/12

Thankfulness

Independence Day was wonderful in the Northwest. Felt guilty for the beautiful weather since most of the United States were under such oppressive heat, and many without electricity. We did take time to ask God for His mercy on all ya'all's behalf, and thanked Him for all His blessings on this Nation, and asked for His care on our military and their families.

The day started out cold, with an overnight low of 46, but not to worry, we will be joining the ranks of the overheated by the weekend when the temps get into the 90's! Now that is summertime for us! We spent some time getting some odd jobs done around the house after a "Hardy" breakfast of spuds 'n fried eggs. Around lunch time we were gathering all our things for a bbq on the front porch and we were treated to the annual traffic jam in front of our home from all the cars leaving the downtown parade. We had such a nice time waving to all the passersby as they drove or walked past, as we sipped our iced tea and ate our first hot dogs in many years! Conversations were short but sweet as the townspeople went on their merry way. Downtown is still like a Norman Rockwell painting at times.

After taking a nap and packing food for a bbq at a friends, we ventured out to a friends home. It was a day to celebrate so we enjoyed fired chicken with all the trimmings and cheesecake! We had a lovely time visiting with friends and church family, and ran into some old friends on our way home. We made it home before being blocked out of our driveway by those parking to make it to the fireworks that night. Turns out the city changed things, and no one was parked on our street this year. So we watched Capital Fourth, with all the fireworks on the Washington DC Mall, and then got bundled up with blankets and hot tea to watch the fireworks from the Lake, while we were all cozy on our front porch. Through the years the trees have grown taller so our view is now somewhat hampered, but the fireworks are still beautiful and we are still close enough to feel the thump in our chest when the fireworks are launched.

Again we enjoyed watching the people make their way home, and watched the neighbors set off their fireworks. While we enjoyed the beauty of the lights, it did remind us all those who have sacrificed so much for this Nation in war. As I drifted off in deep thought of these matters, speaking and listening in my heart to God I asked Him one more thing. You see, we have been eating REAL food for many years now due to allergies, and after celebrating with so many store bought foods filled with chemicals and preservatives and high fructose corn syrup, not to mention genetically modified foods, ok I mentioned it......I wasn't feeling to well. Still not feeling 100% but it's my own fault. Thank God for His mercy! :)

© Monika Hardy

7/4/12

Happy Independence Day America!

May we never forget the love and sacrifice

made by so many to make this

The Land of the Free

and

The Home of the Brave.

May our Flag e'er wave from Sea to Shining Sea,

across the amber waves of grain,

in a beautiful background of

purple, majestic mountains!

America, America, may God shed His grace on you!

May God's Truth go marching on forever within the hearts of

your people America!

May we remember that but for the grace of God,

we stand, and without Him we will fall.

2/23/12

Free Amazon E-Book

Just found another free e-book on Amazon that I can't wait to dig into!

I thought I might share it with you all as there are many others to choose from.

This particular book is "The Book of Missionary Heroes" the beginning is intriguing to me.

2/7/12

To God be the glory, great things He has done!

But by the grace of God I am what I am,

and his grace toward me was not in vain.

On the contrary,

I worked harder than any of them,

though it was not I,

but the grace of God that is with me.

1Corinthians 15:10

I laboured more than they all - That is, more than any of them, from a deep sense of the peculiar love God had shown me. Yet, to speak more properly, it is not I, but the grace of God that is with me - This it is which at first qualified me for the work, and still excites me to zeal and diligence in it. ~Wesley

We are what we are by the grace of God. Surrendered to His will and His ways we fulfill the work He sets before us. Not of our own doing or own talents, but by the power of the Holy Spirit within us.

It's not easy to live life in this way as many times it goes directly against the ways accepted around us.

Oh but stand firm! For to live in this way pleases the heart of the Father!

Loosing face...not too expensive

Loosing friends ...costly

Loosing our selves in Jesus..count the cost, but it is worth it!

The thought of putting a smile on God's face by pleasing Him....priceless!

To God be the glory, great things He has done!

2/6/12

You can learn alot from a Rose

A Rose by any other name would still smell as sweet!

Beauty without virtue is like a Rose without scent.

A rose, is a rose, is a rose.

“Loveliest of lovely things are they On earth that soonest pass away. The rose that lives its little hour Is prized beyond the sculptured flower.”

I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. Song of Solomon 2:1

1/10/12

Keine Lust zu Beten (I just don't "feel" like praying)

My new favorite beautiful song from the

heart about the best relationship ever

and taking time to simply talk

with the only One

that can truly understand you.

The believers hearts cry...

"can we just talk, somewhere, simply?"

Homeschool Science Project

Just watched a Video on making Bio Plastic and thought it would be great for a homeschool science project!
To make it easy I wrote out the recipe from the Video.
(Video Link Below)

Materials needed for Bio Plastic Video
Pot
Silicone spatula
Stove
Teaspoon
Tablespoon
Silicone pad or aluminum foil

Recipe:
4 Tbls Water
1Tbls corn starch or tapioca starch
1 tsp Glycerin (used in making soaps)
1 tsp Vinegar

Place all ingredients in to pot mix all ingredients thoroughly then turn on heat stir constantly
(entire process takes only a few minutes)
Will turn thick then to an opaque gel
when clearer and bubbly it is done, but keep stirring and turn off heatp
Pour out onto silicone pad or aluminum foil or into molds

Experimental options
pour liquid plastic over gauze
add coloring (not sure what kind would work...experiment)
make a key chain

Homemade Plastic Video

Some helpful hint comments from video comments...
Glycerin+vinegar can be replaced with vegetable oil (very little, 2-3 drops per a tablespoon of starch, serves as a plasticizer). In that case starch and water are better to be equal volume (if you're not sure about that, add a bit more water, most important is no excess starch after heating).

© Monika Hardy

11/22/11

Happy Thanksgiving week to you all! The Fall has been beautiful and the few snow showers make me look forward to winter and Christmas.
However we in our home and you in yours will take time to thank our God for the many blessings He has given us, not just on this day the government has Proclaimed as a National Day of Thanksgiving, but every day.

I've heard it said...

"What if we woke up tomorrow

with only the things we thanked God for yesterday?"

Do we cultivate a thankful heart in our selves and in our home and live it out in front of others? Count your many blessing, count them one by one, and give thanks to our Father in Heaven who gave each one from a loving heart because He loves us.
Then, when and if things are not so tight again, remember to continue to give thanks. It is with a heart of gratitude that our House and all in it will gather together to sing His praises one more time, as we look forward to His soon return. God bless you and yours at this special time in History...with little or much... we have much to be thankful for.

© Monika Hardy