Ham and Zucchini Italiano -Gluten Free

Original recipe found in the Feb/March 2012 issue of Taste of Home.

3 small zucchini/yellow summer squashes
1(+) tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon dried basil
10 slices smoked deli ham, sliced
1 cup marinara or spaghetti sauce
2/3 cup mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Thinly slice zucchini/summer squashes, place in bowl.  Mix olive oil and basil, sprinkle over veggies and mix.  Spread out on baking sheet, bake at 450 degrees for 15-18 minutes. 

Lightly grease 8 inch baking dish.  Place half of baked veggies in pan, layer with 1/2 the ham, 1/2 the marinara, and half the mozzarella cheese (repeat), then sprinkle on parmesan cheese. 

Make uncovered at 450 degrees for 10-12 minutes. 
4 servings
(some parts of this recipe were changed from the original)

I really enjoyed this, it was like a nice lasagne...without noodles!  Mmmm!

Why Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)?

According to the "Body Ecology Diet" (many phrases word for word from book):
~  "antidote" when you've had too much salt or sugar
~  because of the mineral content...especially potassium...it get's the body into an acid/alkaline balance
~  it has antiseptic qualities that cleanse the digestive tract
~  the acidity helps remove calcium deposits from joints and blood vessels and has no effect on normal calcium levels in bones and teeth
~  the pectin in ACV promotes elimination and healthy bowels
~  the potassium regulates growth, hydrates cells, balances sodium, and enables proper performance of the nervous system

Use: raw, unpasteurized, and containing the "mother"

According to the "Earth Clinic":
~  cures allergies, sinus infections, acne, high cholesterol, flu, chronic fatigue, candida, acid reflux, sore throats, contact dermatitis, arthritis, and gout
~  breaks down fat
~  daily dose of ACV with water has high blood pressure under control in 2 weeks (?)
~  good for pets (follow link to find out)
~  healthy rosy glow in your complexion
~  pH becomes more alkaline (less acidic*)
~  for dosages and recipes click here.

According to "Natural Home Remedies" (ACV with natural honey):
~  "contains many vitamins, minerals and enzymes that are essential to clearing harmful free radicals from your body and keeping your organs working at top speed"
~  helps with weight loss and aging prevention
~  cleanses and detoxifies
~  natural disinfectant in your body and around your house (see link)
~  washes out impurities in body (good prescription for acne)
~  alkalizes (= more balanced) your body *
~  processed and packaged foods mostly make your body more acidic
~  supposedly after a week or two the taste is less alarming and more enjoyable


We use a "splash" in a glass of tepid water.  Something I just learned from looking up more info for this post is that you should sip not chug.  Ok, I'll try that.  And to drink it throughout the day to keep your body balanced all day long.  We'll see.  One step at a time.  :)


*  When our bodies are more acidic, we are more prone to bacteria, viruses, and the start of diseases. 

For kids:  slice apples, pour over 2 tablespoons of ACV, let sit in bag for a day or two, serve.
Tea:  24 ounces water, 2-3 tablespoons ACV, blueberry tea packet (Celestial Seasonings suggested)

Oh, I could keep finding more things to type, but if you want to know more...research!

Laundry+ Monday

Last summer, I was doing some laundry every day and hanging it out on the line.  This summer, I'm doing things a little differently.  I don't want to wash laundry everyday.  I also don't want to hang out every single sock and underwear that takes up half or more of the pins and lines.  So, I decided to wash all 3 loads in one day and combine all the socks/underwear/small items in one dryer load and hang out the rest!  It works great!  It also all fits on the line.

Then since my kitchen is the central location of the house (between washer, outside line, girls playing in living room/dining room), I spend my other bits of the day in there.  I am trying out a quinoa casserole...which may have too many new and interesting parts in it to be really edible by our family...but we'll try.

End result...fairly good.  It wouldn't be on the monthly rotation, if I had one, but it was good.  Kj at all her red peppers and so I passed her some more of mine, and L liked the other veggies (zucchini and eggplant).  The recipe was in the Vive Le Vegan cookbook by Dreena Burton.  Something I would change would be to add more veggies!  Maybe add some yellow summer squash.  Mmm...

Impromptu Fun

The girls and I decided to have a little outing to Target this morning.  As we were pulling out of the driveway, I changed directions to stop at a friend's house and see if they wanted to come along.  They did, and as God had great plans for our day, we happened upon a mutual friend at Target.  We quickly bought our 2 small items and headed to the park for our 5 kids to play.  They had so much fun and the moms too.  Our children are all a little more independent on the playground this year and we just sat and chatted, except for this bit...

Can you see all 5 of them?  I just walked down the line and pushed one after another then went in front for "foot 5s".  What a great morning.  L stayed awake long enough to get home for a nap, so I am now assured a bit of quiet time!

Bike Rack Setting

So, I am cleaning my kitchen...like taking things out of the cupboard and only returning what we use.  It is nice!  I have a bit of information that I wanted to share:

Saris Bones 3 bike rack + Chevy Malibu =

Arm: 10 and Leg: 3 for the setting. 

Blessed Beyond Measure

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

Just wanted to share some ways that I have been abundantly blessed.  It is good to keep track of these things you know!!  Then when you do go through the "valley of the shadow of death", you can remember! (starting with some little things, that are still fun to record)

~  My mom acknowledged that, yes, my hair is getting more curly, and she even took a picture!  (my mom and sister both have wavy/curly hair, and mine has always been pretty straight, but theirs started out that way to, so it is a dream come true...partially)

~  Our extended family loves God, loves family, and loves our girls enough to want to care for them over the weekend and take them to see their great-grandparents!

~  I met a sweet lady last night who was passionate about African Violets.  Can others see my passion?  Do they know by just one meeting that I love God, and love and care for my family, my friends...?

~  I made a connection at the local Red Mango and my gluten free months were helpful...I think to her daughter's newly diagnosed gluten intolerance.  And they stayed open late when my friends and I walked in at a few minutes to closing time.  Thanks!  (another past helpful but painful experience)

~  My husband got a raise.  Wow.  So, what to do with our excess now...

              - side notes:  Have you heard of the book 7 experimental mutiny against excess by Jen Hatmaker?   Very thought provoking.

              - a family we know is planning on leaving to re-enter the mission field with Wycliff Bible Translators, they plan to leave soon (2 weeks) and don't have all their funds...which in this case means they can't go...I think that is what I heard.  Their last name is Voss, you can search for them here.  

~  SUNSHINE!

~  Just emailed a new/old acquaintance, soon to be great friend, I am sure, just to see if we could get together and if she liked to sew.  She does!!  So, thankful for friends that sew and kids that nap.  It is a great combination!  

~  I guess I could go on and on, but ... I have some dishes to wash so the ants don't come back in full force.  They were gone for a week or so, and then...here they come, one by one...

Picture Update

Nana on an outing with three granddaughters!

 

L possibly after previous outing...I love these pictures of her.  I have quite a few and I think I have shared some previously!  Now, if we were to lay her in her bed or previously in her crib, she would wake up instantly, but just setting her on the floor she does just fine with.

 

 A few friends over for me to babysit for a bit.  They were such a good crew!!  We're having a mini-muffin snack on the front step.

To most this may only be a picture of a chopped onion, but for those who know me it's A CHOPPED ONION!!  In my kitchen, done by me!! 

L teaching BGB about the potty.  It never hurt to start early...

Carpool again...this time we are packed in every seat, but there was still room in the back for more "stuff". 

My girls on the road this morning, excited to go to Nana's house.  "Nana's 'ouse, Bumpa's 'ouse" ~L  L was a bit confused about the above carpooling trip.  We never did make it to Nana's house and so this was a treat. 

Boy Pants

Friend J was swinging one day when he got stuck on the swing...oops.  My friend brought the pants over so I would have a pattern to make J some pants or shorts, but I decided to challenge myself (and my machines) and try to fix these pants.  I did it and now he has an extra pocket!!  I also made him some corduroy shorts using a pair of Kevin's worn pants...thus shorts not pants...I could only salvage enough for shorts and the additional panel for these pants.  I guess I don't have a picture of the shorts though. 

Since I do not have boys myself, I had to talk a couple friends into my making their sons pants/shorts.  This friend had an ill-fitting band t-shirt that I made into her sons new pants.  It was so fun.  She gave me the pants on the left, which L is so kindly holding steady to the ground, as a pattern pair.  Since I took the logo from the top front of the shirt to put on the leg, I had to use a bit of a gray shirt to finish off the waistband.  Now all that is left is to fit the elastic...if you have tips for or a site for measuring elastic without a model, let me know!!

Kid Crafts

Sewing

Kj has been learning how to sew.  This Father's Day Hanky project she is just practicing small stitches and the in and out of the needle.  She's also learned to knot the thread and thread the needle.  she quite enjoys it especially when I get her out of bed at naptime to do it.  L still requires a nap daily, but Kj...maybe once or twice a week.  So, we get to sew together!

Sorting/Matching

Kj is wearing her Africa dress and so decided that after sorting some laundry she would put her pile on her head and carry it like the ladies in Africa carry their baskets/jars.  Off to the bathroom to drop off the nose wipes.  She's also been matching up socks and sorting 2T/4T clothes.

Enhancing

Before heading on a long road trip with Nana, Bumpa, Aunt C, Kj, L, Kevin, and me, Aunt C found this fun game to bring along.  It is a memory game by Melissa and Doug.  We decided to make some extra pages.  So, using stickers from Nana and Curl Grandma and an old cereal box, I marked where the pictures went and the girls each had a sheet to put matching stickers on.  Top by Kj, bottom by L.