Saturday, August 31, 2013

Smoothie Saturday #11 - Plum Fit


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Smoothie Saturday #11 - Plum Fit

A while ago I bought - The "NutriBullet". Since then I have been creating many smoothie creations.

Today is the eleventh "Smoothie Saturday" where I will share one of my smoothie experimentation.

In this recipe the plum is the feature ingredient.

PLUMS - have a high content of phytonutrients called neochlorogenic and chlorogenic acid -  which are powerful antioxidants.  Plums are high in vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber & potassium.  It is said that plums help prevent heart disease, cancer (specifically colon cancer), macular degeneration, arthritis and much more!


(again - I'm not a doctor - please see my "disclaimer" at the bottom of this post).

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1 to 2 plums (depending on the size) (washed & pitted)
1/2 banana (peeled)
1 teaspoon flax seeds
1 tablespoon pecans
1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder
1/2 cup kefir (or yogurt)
1/4 cup water (if it is too thick)

Begin with the smaller "NutriBullet" container and use the "nut & seed" blade to blend & chop the pecans & flax seeds. Now place the remaining ingredients (including the processed seeds & nuts from the first step) into the larger "NutriBullet" container and use the "smoothie" blade. Blend for about 30 seconds (or until fully blended).

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ENJOY!!
IMPORTANT: All of my smoothie recipes on this blog are measured for the "NutriBullet" and are a single serving - if you have a different kind of blender that has a larger capacity then you may increase the amount of ingredients according to your desired smoothie needs. The ingredients in this recipe measure close to the max line of the NutriBullet. 

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Please checkout this month's wonderful Sponsor!!
Angel from "Sew Crafty Angel" has an amazing blog full of delicious recipes, fun blog hops, great giveaways & crafty ideas!! 


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September Chain "Linky" CLIMB

There will be something exciting and new next month - Please make sure to join us in October!!

 
 God’s Growing Garden

 
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So you see - Networking really does work!!!

I'd like to thank everyone (both the climbers and the co-hosts) who participated last month!

Blog Climb by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo ClimbIntroFinal_zps566389ea.jpg

_________________Follow the Host & ALL of the co-hosts below_______________

Host:  Angie @ God's Growing Garden
 

Co-hosts:  Julia @ Julia's Puella Aeterna
            Stacey @ This Momma's Ramblings
            Sara @ Light in this Darkness
            Dolly @ Dolly Creates
 
 ______________________________________________
Blog Climb by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo ClimbRulesFinal_zps460d2792.jpg

This month I picked a Special September day by picking a number out of a hat (I won't tell you ahead of time - hehehe).  On that special day I will be doing a "Pinterest Push" - which means that I will "Pin" 1 post per blog that has joined the CLIMB by that date - So link up early!!  & ENJOY!!
CLIMB by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo ClimbLink_zpsf527c076.jpg



Remember - if you co-host I will give you a free Weekly Ad (click HERE to view how extensively I will promote your blog)

(The Ad will run live a few weeks after you have co-hosted)
CLIMB by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo ClimbCo-host_zpseca2ac09.jpg


by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo ClimbSig_zpsb98765b4.jpg




 

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Stevia Sweetened Lemonade Slushy/Icey with Lemon Squeeze Basics


Citrus Squeezing Basics by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 015_zps314541e3.jpg

Stevia Sweetened Lemonade Slushy/Icey

This is the most wonderfully refreshing summer drink & the Stevia makes it all that more inviting!!

Stevia is a healthy sugar substitute.  I stay away from the NutraSweet type sweeteners because I believe that those types of sweeteners are neurotoxic (my opinion).

Stevia is the leaf of a plant.  It is 300 times sweeter than sugar but it is a low carbohydrate food!!  Herbalists say that Stevia can get rid of heartburn, Stevia can lower high blood pressure, can help with heart problems and it is also good for your pancreas.  It does NOT cause cavities!! (again - I'm not a doctor - please see my "disclaimer" at the bottom of this post)

Citrus Squeezing basics by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 2013-08-27_zps3b0c8090.jpg

Citrus Squeezing Basics

Before freshly squeezing lemons, oranges, limes or grapefruit always make sure that they are at room temperature (don't take out of the fridge & squeeze - wait until it is room temperature).  Also, before slicing in half  - press on the citrus fruit with the palm of your hand & roll back and forth on the counter a few times - this helps release the juices.

Four Citrus Squeezing Utensils (see the picture above)
1.  My mom bought this "machine" for me and unfortunately there is no name on the bottom - all it says is "made in China".  I love it though - all you do is place half of a citrus fruit on the stainless steel cone - press the lever & it does all the juicing for you!!.  There are electric versions but this is a manual one. 
2.  There are many plastic (or antique glass utensils) that can be used to freshly squeeze citrus fruit.  You must press down & twist at the same time for both of these shown above.  The white one shown above has a compartment underneath that catches all of the juice.
3.  Hand held squeeze utensils - hold half of the fruit in one hand & this utensil in the other (make sure that a bowl is below to catch the juice!) - press & twist and the juice will drip down.  The middle part of this utensil is supposed to catch all seeds.
4.  I used the wrong picture for this example - it should be the palm of my hand.  Simply squeeze 1 half of the citrus fruit with one hand - squeezing over your other hand so that the juice will drip through your fingers but not the seeds.    

Citrus Squeezing Basics by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 012_zpsa073d9d7.jpg

Lemonade Slushy/Icey
4 cups ice
1/2 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed - see tips above)
1 1/2 cups water (preferably filtered)
3 tablespoons Stevia Powder (I used "Stevia in the Raw bakers bag" click HERE to view)

Squeeze the juice (see Citrus Squeezing Basics above) & add to the blender along with the other ingredients.  Blend until crushed like a slushy. 

IMPORTANT:  I have a Calphalon blender & I used the "Ice Crush" function - make sure that whatever blender you are using is powerful enough & that it has the correct function/button.

Citrus Squeezing Basics by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 011_zps61a028eb.jpg

Serve immediately & ENJOY!!

Citrus Squeezing Basics by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 014_zps01345d47.jpg





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Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Introducing 3 New Engineers for "The Great Blog Train"


God’s Growing Garden


What is The Great Blog Train, you might ask.
 
A monthly blog hop departing from your online train station on the first Wednesday of every month!
 
About The Name & Blog Hop
 
The railway and trains helped build North America and brought people together. We also want this blog hop to bring people together -- we designed it so that nobody will be left out. Don't worry if you are late boarding this train! Even the caboose will be chugging down the tracks to new relationships because the very last entry will receive a feature next month!

The hostesses have been:

 
Well, our sweet Helen of Blue Eyed Beauty as moved on to greener pastures.  Literally!  She and her cutie pie husband are now living in a lovely home in the country with very limited access to the internet.  Hopefully, she will get to join us from time to time! 
While Helen can never be replaced, we have some new engineers joining The Great Blog Train.

 
 
Let me introduce you!

 



Kaitlyn at Three Sisters and Us
Three Sisters & Us




Lynn at Turnips 2 Tangerines
Turnips 2 Tangerines



So, beginning in September when you hop on board The Great Blog Train, your link will now be seen on FIVE different blogs!  Exciting news, right?

Remember to join us on the first Wednesday of every month!









Great Blog Train, by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Co-Hosting "Tuesdays With A Twist" - Week #5


I am so excited to be co-hosting this super fun blog hop for the 5th week!!

Firstly, I wanted to share with you what's been happening in "God's Growing Garden" last week.

I shared with you my "Beautiful Backyard Bounty & the Purple Surprise Pepper"

This dessert is so easy to make & so delicious!!:  "Peach Paradise Squares" 

Please enjoy some pictures of my "Rose of Sharon"

And 2 days ago:  Taming Your Tongue

Now, please link up & ENJOY this cool hop!
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Good Morning and welcome to another fantastic party!
 
Back to the Basics
   

 
Are you ready to party?
 
We're your co-hosts: 
 
Mary @ Back to the Basics and
AND please welcome Angie @ God's Growing Garden

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being featured. Be sure to check all of our blogs to see if you were featured!
 
My Features this Week are:

1. "Hubby's Awesome Baklava" by Born Again Farm Girl

2.  "Liver Detox Support Tea" by Herban Momma

3.  "Brave Thoughts" by Windsor and Main

 

If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

Back to the Basics
 
We all love comments!  we try to comment on each and every link. 

Please hop around and show some love!


The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 


Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!
*Pictures should be your own* 
By linking up you give us permission to use these photos
 (with proper link backs) in our features. 
 
And now for the party!



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Monday, August 26, 2013

Tomato Bacon Grilled Cheese Sandwiches


Tomato Bacon Cheese by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 008_zps48fb5d39.jpg

Tomato Bacon Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Adding tomatoes & bacon to a simple grilled cheese sandwich makes it a decadent delight!


Tomato Bacon Cheese by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 001_zps3cbcb66f.jpg

This will make 4 sandwiches:
8 thinly sliced pieces of Italian bread
1/2 package of bacon (fried & cooled)
3 large tomatoes (washed, drained, cored & sliced)
(2 large slices per sandwich) Cheddar cheese or marbled cheese (the cheese that I used was compact so I used 4 slices per sandwich)
mayonnaise
butter
Prepare the ingredients as listed above.  Spread mayonnaise on the inside of each slice of bread and on the outside of each slice spread some butter. 
Build your sandwiches:  In a large frying pan place 4 slices of bread butter side down.  Add cheese on each bread slice.  Place bacon (already fried) and tomato slices on top of the cheese.  Top the tomatoes with the remaining cheese and finally place the second piece of bread on top of that (remember that the mayonnaise side is the inside of the sandwich).  see top picture.
Place the pan over medium heat, cover for about 3 minutes (checking if you need to make sure it's not burning).  Flip each sandwich carefully (this flip can be difficult - just take your time).  Cover & cook the other side for another 3 to 5 minutes or until cheese has melted & the bread is a nice crispy golden brown (see picture below). 


Tomato Bacon Cheese by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 002_zps193c45c6.jpg

Slice each sandwich in half, serve & ENJOY!!

Tomato Bacon Cheese by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 004_zps4e702554.jpg

Other related posts:

Garden Filled Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Breakfast BKT (Bacon, Kale , Tomato) & Egg Sandwich

Three Unique Tomato Varieties






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Angel from "Sew Crafty Angel" has an amazing blog full of delicious recipes, fun blog hops, great giveaways & crafty ideas!! 


(Please click on the ad above)

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Taming Your Tongue

"Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.  We all stumble in many ways.  If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.  Or take ships as an example.  Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.  Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.  Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.  It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue.  It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.  Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.  My brothers, this should not be.  Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?  My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?  Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."  James 3:1-12
 I know that I have read this passage before but I am amazed at how new, fresh and modern it seems today - the description of our wild tongues is so true. 
First of all, "we all stumble in many ways" - we are all sinners both in action and in word.  I have struggled with a terrible temper for my entire life and I lash out saying things that I do not mean and things that I later regret.  So, this topic "taming your tongue" is not something that I have mastered - I am still working on it.

What we say; the topic or the content of our talk is the most important part when learning to tame your tongue.  If the content of your speaking is always Christ-like, then our tongue will never be "full of deadly poison."  However, timing, tone, translation and twisting can turn every word into an out-of-control wildfire. 
1.  TIMING

The tongue lashes out and reacts instead of responds.  Responding requires the use of our mind first,  before the use of our tongue.  A reaction is an act or word without thought.  Take the time to think before you speak.

There might be times when you need to confront someone about a problem - you don't want a crowd around while doing this - you want to pick a time when it is one on one, just you & that other person.  On the other hand, there might be a time when you need to stand up for what you believe in and you might need to speak up to a crowd. 

So, timing is very important - knowing when to say whatever it is that needs to be said.  Think first!!! 

2.  TONE

The way in which we say things is almost as important as the content.  Keep in mind that what we say and how we say it might be the only glimpse of Jesus that people will ever see.  The tone of our words is very important.

Have you ever forced yourself to apologize for something but it comes out sounding nasty?  The words "I'm sorry" are hissed through your front teeth with an evil eye glaring at the other person.  This example is not a very sincere apology.  This type of tone will be met with hostility, rejection and mocking.  Tone and aggressive non verbal communication will fuel the fire causing more strife and increase the argument (or cause an argument).

In the future - pay attention to the way in which you say things.

3.  TRANSLATION 

Inferring or interpreting what someone says can be just as poisonous & fire starting as the speaking.  Monsters have been created out of a simple misunderstanding.

There have been many times when what I have said has been misunderstood causing great pain and havoc.   I am always floored when I find out what somebody inferred from me speaking.  I'm also deeply upset when I am not given the chance to explain my true motive or defend my words.

Ask or clarify before responding.

4.  TWISTING THE TRUTH
Gossip spreads like a wildfire burning everything in it's pathway.  Nothing good can come from gossip and spreading rumors - it destroys relationships;  it destroys growth and it destroys trust.
Spreading one's own interpretation of what somebody else said without actually going to that speaker to clarify what he/she said is no different than deliberately twisting the truth.  Sincerely talking about someone with the intent of helping that person is different than gossip  - just make sure that the person with whom you are sharing this information has the same helpful motives.

Only speak the whole truth and not a twisted version of the truth. 
Our mouth has 2 extremes:  praising & cursing.
Is your tongue starting a wildfire? or is fresh clean water flowing from your words?


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Saturday, August 24, 2013

Introducing Week#4 Co-host(s) for the August Chain Linky CLIMB

 
 

God’s Growing Garden


  
Please welcome The August Chain "Linky" CLIMB week#3 Co-hosts:  

1.  Anne from "Crochet Dyverse"
(Click on the title below to visit her blog)

Crochet Dyverse

You will be amazed at the Crochet creativity coming out of this blog!  Anne shares many different crocheted items from her own store as well as featuring other crochet artists.  Also included in this blog are giveaways and the most wonderful inspirational posts.  She even makes crocheted earrings!! - You must check it out - they are beautiful!

 
2.  Annmarie from "The Simply Swift Blog"
(Click on the button below to visit her blog)

The Simply Swift Blog
 
Annmarie is so much fun!!  She blogs about her life - she is newly married, she loves photography and social media, she even includes  some giveaways and techie tips.  The most wonderful part of her blog is her great sense of humor that shines through her writing.  Please visit her blog - I guarantee it will make you smile! 
 
 
 
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Friday, August 23, 2013

Regal Rose of Sharon


Rose of Sharon by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 004_zpsdff6c2ee.jpg
Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Regal Rose of Sharon

The Rose of Sharon is a royal and regal looking flower - and it literally is the easiest flower to grow.  Simply: plant, water and leave.

I have 3 different varieties of the Rose of Sharon as seen in this post.  This flower is related to the Hibiscus plant and if you look closely - the middle of each Rose of Sharon flower resembles that of the Hibiscus.

The Rose of Sharon does not have a scent.  This flowering bush can grow up to 12 feet in height.  It starts to flower at the end of July and continues to bloom for more than 1 month.  Last summer was extremely hot and my Rose of Sharon bushes only flowered for about 3 weeks.  This summer is much cooler and we are headed into the fifth week of blooming!

Please ENJOY the pictures!

Rose of Sharon by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 012_zps4a898197.jpg
Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Rose of Sharon by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 013_zps06d207d6.jpg
Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Rose of Sharon by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 005_zps3b66973c.jpg
Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Rose of Sharon by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 011_zps47bc2af1.jpg
Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

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Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Rose of Sharon by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo 012_zps2d53de33.jpg
Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

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