COVID-19 Coronavirus Common Sense & CALM

COVID-19 Coronavirus Common Sense & CALM

I felt the need to take a break from the "Spring Cleaning Our Personality" series to talk about our current Pandemic situation that we all find ourselves in.
Thinking back in history, there have been dangerous circumstances that this country has respectfully endured - whether it's hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, blizzards, the Spanish Flu of 1918 or World Wars.  This country has always been able to put aside differences to work together to overcome difficulties.  The best example of this common sense world wide togetherness was during World War II.  I think of England's "Keep Calm & Carry On" motto or the American song "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive" by Johnny Mercer (lyrics) and Harold Arlen (music).  
There is so much that we can learn from this song and put into practice during our current viral problem.  In this post we will take a detailed look at each line in the chorus of this song.

NOTE - I am NOT a doctor! - The information that I am sharing below are either facts that I found during my online research OR knowledge that I've learned from personal experience.  I am NOT giving medical advice. (see my disclaimer highlighted at the end of this post)



I have included three different versions of "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive" in this post:
1. Bing Crosby
2.  Aretha Franklin
3.  Perry Como

A special thanks to "Bing Crosby" for sharing this with us on YouTube

Definition of Accentuate - to make (something) more prominent or noticeable
Taking the positive view of our current situation will help everyone around us (including ourself).
Possible outcomes of being positive:
- staying quarantined is bringing families closer together
- all those home tasks that you never had time for are getting done
- our houses are cleaner because we always have to disinfect everything
-  we are all learning more about medical conditions
- we are being forced to think more about other people

I could go on and on but my point is obvious - thinking positive about difficult situations will help yourself and those around you.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
Philippians 4:8

(click HERE to read "Healthy Laughter = Healthy Person")

Unfortunately, negativity has continued and even increased exponentially during this crisis.
Examples of negativity occurring during this Pandemic:
- mainstream media ridiculing the President for basic facts (saying that this virus started in China is not racist but fact)
- celebrities attacking the First Lady on twitter and wishing that she will get ill
- people purposely coughing on fresh produce at the grocery store

These examples are extreme but even just a speck of negative thinking can balloon into those kinds of despicable actions.

James 3:8 -

(click HERE to read "It's Time To Tame Your Tongue")

(click HERE to read "Don't Become Warped & Frustrated")

Definition of Affirmative - asserting that the fact is so
Let's focus on the FACTS.
Recent Coronavirus facts:
- just a few days ago, Dr. Anthony Fauci (during one of the daily Coronavirus Briefings) said that 98.6 percent of people who get COVID-19 will recover 100%
- people with underlying medical conditions who contract COVID-19 are at most risk

- just yesterday, a 93 year old woman from Washington state had fully recovered from the Coronavirus

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html

This "Mister-in-Between" is the "What-if" that controls our mind when we are panicking.
I considered listing some "What-if" examples but if your anxious mind is anything like mine, then it's very suggestive and these "examples" might make things worse instead of better.

Also, this "Mister-in-Between" might be avoidance and denial.  Instead of facing and dealing with this Pandemic situation head on - we might try to totally ignore the facts and put our head in the sand.  This type of behavior could be deadly to both self and others.

 
(click HERE to read "Avoid, Deny, Ignore")

A special thanks to "Aretha Franklin" for sharing this with us on YouTube

This song also talks about Noah & the Ark and Jonah & the Whale.
Read Genesis Chapters 6 through 9 to learn about Noah & the Ark.
And to learn about Jonah & the Whale read Jonah Chapters 1 through 4.
I especially like this passage which was part of Jonah's prayer when he was in the belly of the whale:
"To the roots of the mountains I sank down;  the earth beneath barred me in forever.  But you, Lord my God,
    brought my life up from the pit."
Jonah 2:6



I'm sure that we can all think about someone in our life that was just overflowing with joy.  Their bubbly personality is catchy and can not be ignored.  It can bring everyone up out of despair.


(click HERE to read "Fruit of the Spirit - JOY")

I would have worded this sentence a little differently.  Bring gloom down?  When one is gloomy they are down in the dumps.  I would have said "Turn gloom off" or "Erase gloom".  It's probably obvious to everyone that I could never be a lyricist - haha - lol.


(click HERE to read "Comforting Green Patures & Quiet Waters")

Definition of Pandemonium - a wild uproar (as because of anger or excitement in a crowd of people), a chaotic situation
This has happened!!  People have become hoarders!  Many of the shelves in my local grocery stores are empty.  All toilet paper is gone and with no hope of replenishment because each new shipment is gone in minutes.  There's no flour or sugar.  It truly is a chaotic situation.
But we have to have faith!

    "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5 & 6


(click HERE to read "Becoming a Christian Soldier - PRAYER")


(click HERE to read "How To find God's Answers")

A special thanks to "Jack Gauntt" for sharing this with us on YouTube

(click HERE to read "Does Worrying Make You Do Silly Things?")

Please remain CALM and use Common Sense.  Follow the guidelines from the experts.
God bless!

We will get through this!

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Take Up The THANKFULNESS Challenge!

I challenge you to thank God for something everyday for one year!  Either write it down in a diary OR share with us on a blog.  If you have a blog & would like to share your THANKFULNESS posts with us, then please fill out this form: 365 Days of Being THANKFUL form - click HERE and you will be added to the THANKFULNESS page.

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Garden Delights - WELCOME APRIL! (with RECIPES)

Featuring products from "Mary's Heirloom Seeds"!!


This week I am featuring APRIL RECIPES & FEATURES

Plus, there is an amazing SALE going on right now at "Mary's Heirloom Seeds"!!

Below I featured 7 April recipes that I previously posted on this blog.  Each post is from a different year starting with last year (2018).  Finally, at the end of this post I feature some of the amazing deals available this month at:
 "Mary's Heirloom Seeds"!!


(click on the title to view the entire post)

PARSNIPS & ASPARAGUS - My Favorite Spring Veggies

Benefits of Eating Healthy Fermented Foods

Springtime Cherry Blossom Tarts

Wheat-Free Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cauliflower Slaw - Better Thank Cole Slaw

Blueberry Lemon Shortcake

"Shirley" Goodness Hot Cross Buns

Click on each title below if you would like to purchase the item/s:

Easy Starter Kit - $19.00 (regular $21.00)
Includes the following:

You choose the seed combination using the drop down menu.

Each starter kit includes:

-SEEDS

-12 Coconut Coir Pellets

-Plant Markers

-TOOLS: CULTIVATOR IS 9" LONG --- SPADE IS 10" LONG

WOOD HANDLES & A HANDY LEATHER LOOP TO HANG ON PEGBOARD HOOK

SEEDS OPTIONS:

1. Mortgage Lifter Tomato, Large Leaf Basil & Black Beauty Zucchini

2. Cal Wonder Bell Pepper, Large Leaf Basil & Tom Thumb Lettuce

3. Black Beauty Eggplant, Green Zebra Tomato & Large Leaf Basil

Squash & Pumpkin Garden Starter Kit - 
$15.99 (regular $17.99)
Includes the following:

-Seeds: Black Beauty Zucchini, Golden Crookneck Squash, Spaghetti Squash, Delicata Squash and Small Sugar Pumpkin

-20 coconut Coir Pellets

-Plant Markers

-Sowing and Growing Tips included

Mountain Flower - Nitrogen Boost - $1.99 (Regular $2.50)

Includes the following:

Hydrolized Fish Powder for a quick shot of nitrogen for your plants

Easy to use instant fish-based foliar feed or Tea.

Choose the 1 or 5 gallon option. 

Each 1 gallon packet packet  makes a gallon of full strength liquid feed or 2 gallons of diluted feed

Each 5 gallon packet packet  makes 5 gallons of full strength liquid feed or 10 gallons of diluted liquid feed

Use:

Foliar feed

Transplant root soak to reduce stress/shock

Pre-Soak for seeds

DIY Liquid fertilizer

Most effective when applied at pre-bloom, again at early leaf development, again at fruit set, and during periods of expected plant stress. Combine with kelp extracts and other foliars as needed. Beware there are fish powders on the market with lower Nitrogen and higher oil content, which can cause leaf spotting, poor solubility and phytotoxicity.

Foliar Feeding works best when utilized on a regular basis. Plants will rapidly consume a foliar application of Liquid Fertilizer. Common timing for foliar feeding is 2-4 applications, spaced 10-14 days apart within a month prior to bloom and again within one month of bloom.

Coconut Coir Pellets-50  - $11.95 (Regular $13.95)

Includes the following:

Quantity: 50

The very best pellet for seed starting!

Add water, and the Coconut Pellets quickly swell to become a perfect self contained pot with its own perfect medium for starting seeds. Seeds are nurtured within the pellet to germinate faster into young seedlings. Roots emerge easily through the porous walls of the pellet as a result of the enhanced air circulation created by the unique design and characteristics.

The Coconut Coir Pellet - complete with the started plant inside - goes directly into the ground. As a result, no transplant shock occurs, and the plant has full vigor to mature faster. All the young, tender roots remain totally intact.   NEW Coconut Coir Pellets are more eco-friendly!

Also, checkout these 99 cent Seed Pack SALE!!
click HERE

ENJOY!!

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This post was featured on:

Thursday Favorite Things

Linked to:
Thursday Favorite Things
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Over the Moon Linky Party
Happiness is Homemade
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You're the STAR

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Click the button below to enter the Great Giveaways going on now!!:

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Our sweet potato crop this year was abundant and continues to be delicious!  Each harvest I always try to create new recipes using sweet potatoes.  Most recently I shared my (click on title to view entire post):
Lemon Pepper Sweet Potato Side Dish
and here is a compilation of previously shared sweet potato recipes:
Thankful for Sweet Potatoes

Today I am sharing my Sweet Potato Fries recipe.  I cooked these fries using my Air Fryer.  Trust me, use an Air Fryer - you won't miss the dripping grease and bloated gut (which usually happens when eating deep fried foods). 

4 large sweet potatoes (peeled, sliced into fry size, rinsed)

salt water for soaking

1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil

seal salt or season salt to taste

Begin by preparing the sweet potatoes as described above.  After you have cut the sweet potatoes into fry size, place all cut fries into salt water for about 30 minutes.  Rinse and pat dry.  Pour all fries into a large bowl and coat with 1 to 2 tablespoons of olive oil.  Cook in air fryer - following the manufacturer's instructions.

Serve, salt to taste or serve with ketchup.  For something different try dipping these sweet potato fries in French Onion Chip Dip!
ENJOY!
(Caution - they will be hot!)

Copyright, Permissions & Disclaimer

This post was featured on:

Over the Moon Link Party

Shared with:
Over the Moon Linky Party
Happiness is Homemade

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Grow your own!

Many wonderful garden products from

 "Mary's Heirloom Seeds"!!

click to view

Homemade Granola Bars That Don't Crumble Apart - Apple Cinnamon

Homemade Granola Bars - Apple Cinnamon

Almost all of the homemade granola bars that I have ever eaten should have been called "granola crumble" because it just didn't stay together.  Today I am sharing with you my granola bar recipe that actually sticks together and remains a "bar".



Printable Recipe

2 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1/3 cup dried chopped apples

1/3 cup raisins

1/3 cup ground almonds

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon flaxmeal (optional)

2/3 cup almond flour

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup honey

Melt the butter and honey together and then place aside.  Place the remaining ingredients in a food processor and pulse until it resembles the picture above.  In a large mixing bowl combine the dry ingredients with the butter/honey mixture and stir until combined (see picture below).



Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (making sure that the paper goes up along the edge a little).  Pour the granola batter onto that lined cookie sheet and press down on the granola so that the entire sheet is evenly covered with granola.  Use a spatula (I used my pastry tool) to completely compress the dough (see picture below).



Score the batter into granola bar sizes (see picture below).


Bake in a preheated 300 degree oven for about 35 to 45 minutes (or until desired golden brown is achieved) IMPORTANT NOTE: Baking for just a few minutes too long will result in a burned taste - be careful.




Remove from the oven.  Rescore/cut each bar and place on a cooling rack.


Serve & ENJOY!

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Linked to:
Happiness is Homemade
Pretty Pintastic Party
Turn It Up Tuesday
LouLou Girls
Tuesdays with a Twist
You're the STAR
Thursday Favorite Things
Simple Homestead Blog Hop

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Recently on "Essential Oil Saturdays"
We learned how essential oils are extracted from flowers/leaves/roots.
Click HERE to read.

Click HERE to view more about Essential Oils