salad for my mom

From Clean Eating Magazine
March/April 2010

Citrus Rice Salad
2 cups cooled brown rice, cooled to room temperature
1 recipe Orange herb Dressing
1/2 cup fresh orange slices, halved and membranes removed
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 small red bell pepper, diced
red and green leaf lettuce for serving (about 3 to 4 leaves), optional
1/2 oz toasted unsalted pecans, chopped

Place rice into a large mixing bowl and toss with Orange Herb Dressing, orange slices, parsley and red pepper. Refrigerate until ready to serve (can be kept in fridge for up to 5 days)

To serve, line individual serving plates with lettuce leaves, if desired, and arrange 1/2 cup Citrus Rice Salad on top. Sprinkle with pecans.


Orange Herb Dressing
2 tbsp fresh orange juice
2 tbsp white balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp fresh tarragon, minced, or 1/2 tsp dried tarragon
1/2 tbs fresh oregano, minced, or 1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp orange zest
sea salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together all ingredients. Refrigerate until serving or use immediately. Store in a sealed container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

I made the salad a little differently by mixing the lettuce in with the other ingredients, using dried parsley, roasted mixed nuts and by adding alfalfa sprouts.

2010 Reading

All Things for Good
The Steadfast Fidelity of Stonewall Jackson
by J. Steven Wilkins

"There was not another man like him- he was born for war. His contemporaries stood in awe over his audaciousness and 'battle sense.' His enemies feared him. His friends rejoiced at the mere mention of his name. Military experts and historians hint that he may have been the greatest military mind of all time."

"Rather than willfully violate the known will of God, I would forfeit my life."
~Thomas J. Jackson

This Northern gal is for the Confederates!


The Cabin Faced West (re-read)
by Jean Fritz

"Ann lifted her chin. Well, she was going to plant another vegetable garden in the spring. It was important for her to do it. She was important to the Western Country. George Washington had said so."


Twelfth Night
or, What you Will
by William Shakespeare

"Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage..."

A Tribute to God's Providential Provision Part 2

On a January morning in 2007 I decided I need a gaby, which is an IV I had received at Born Clinic years ago. I had forgotten about Born Clinic, but the Holy Spirit prompted me and I was convinced that an IV was all I needed to heal. Although that was naive it was also God's providence. I could handle getting an IV. I could not handle knowing everything that would happen throughout the year. God mercifully gave me one step at a time. When I called Born Clinic they scheduled me a few weeks out with Dr. Born. Not confident I would live that long I called again and was given an earlier appointment with Dr. Hendricks. Marigene Betts drove my mom and I to that first appointment and took me several other times. Dr. Hendricks told me that everyone has a chance and I didn't have to do anything I didn't want to. Those two statements were precisely what I needed to hear and gave me confidence and trust in Dr. Hendricks. His credentials are better than any patient could ask for and yet the fact that he was willing to work with what I was willing to do was what meant the most to me. Dr. Hendricks proved himself to be a knowledgeable and excellent doctor.

I began vitamin c IVs and nutritional IVs with trips to Born Clinic three times a week.. My mom drove through Michigan's fierce winter weather. When we had vehicle problems friends and family loaned us a vehicle. Several of my friends as well as my brothers, their wives and my dad took a turn driving me to Born. My friend Anna took me every Friday for a few months. Those Friday's were not a pleasant time to be with me as the vitamin c IVs often made me ill. Anna did not shy away from any task in taking care of me. My mom used those days to wash my sheets and catch up on household chores.

The IV room at Born is staffed by Liza and Kim who took excellent care of me. Dr. Hendricks received a call from them almost every time I had a vitamin c IV. None of them complained, but quickly took care of everything. Liza and Kim answered many questions and made every effort to see I was well taken care of. If you have to be poked they are the ones to have around. Liza and Kim have always been compassionate and thoughtful.

In April I started UV treatments along with the IVs. Dr. Hendricks sent me to a surgeon and I had various tests at Metro Health Hospital. In July I was admitted to the hospital. When I left I was put on TPN IVs at home. Over the next few months I was in the hospital a few times and had surgery in September and December. God gave me a great surgeon in Dr. Ryan Figg who was always very good to me. The staff at Metro Hospital took great care of me. Rita in the radiation department and Mary and my other nurses were most kind.

Throughout that time I continued nutritional IVs at Born Clinic as well as acupuncture. Acupuncture has been extremely beneficial. When I first went to Born I was in a wheel chair and not able to move my right leg. With acupuncture I was able to walk a little more after every treatment. Dr. Wong was at the Born Clinic the first several months. After he retired I started acupuncture treatments with Arkadiy. After my first surgery I went through withdrawals from pain medication. This was a miserable time in my life. I was shaking and not able to sleep for a couple of weeks. After acupuncture I slept for six hours. It was wonderful. Since then Arkadiy has helped me with any problem and has been invaluable to my recovery.

When I became ill I wanted to go abroad for treatment. I was not interested in the painful and invasive treatments common in America. Financially it was not an option to travel to another country. However, it wasn't necessary. God gave me the most excellent care in the world just over an hour drive from my home. To Dr. Hendricks, Arkadiy, Liza, Kim and the entire staff at Born Clinic I will always be immeasurably grateful.

A Tribute to God's Providential Provision Part 1

Three years ago I was very ill. My blood work was so bad I was told there was nothing to be done. I remember my mom sleeping on my floor and at the foot of my bed listening for any sound I made. It was exhausting for me to speak a single word. My dad brought me a hospital bed and other home health care supplies I needed from Airway Oxygen where he works. Our friend Marigene checked into getting hospice and gave of her knowledge from many years experience as a nurse. As we prayed I would live we also prepared for me to die. And so I set about planning my funeral. In the midst of the pain, tears and constant struggle to get better I did enjoy planning my funeral. Pastor Brian Spencer from Calvary Baptist Church in Battle Creek and my friend Bob Hegerberg from Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home graciously came to our home to assist me. Funerals can be expensive, but having read enough to know it doesn't take a lot to bury someone I wanted mine to cost as little as possible. My Aunt Colleen was going to take care of printing a funeral program, my coffin would travel in my dad's truck and my brothers along with our friend Ricky and my friend Tim would lower my coffin into the ground with ropes. Ropes worked in the wild west and they would work for us. There were only two things remaining to secure: a grave and a coffin.

My friend Anna and I had visited a home church shortly before I became ill. The ladies of that church kindly visited bringing gifts and praying with me. Kimberly let me know that her husband digs graves. I imagine it was awkward to offer such information, however, I was elated. I was going to die. I needed a grave. God provided.

The Burke family had been helping us by picking up needed items, cleaning, and doing other things for my mom. Marci often called to see if we needed anything. Brian, Andrea and Allison brought me gifts and notes and read aloud to me. Mr. Burke offered to build my coffin. Again, I was elated. I was going to die. I needed a coffin. God provided.

Within a short time I had everything I needed for a funeral. God knew I wouldn't need a funeral at that time, but I didn't know and in His mercy His provision was complete. When death appeared so close it was a comfort to know my funeral plans were set.

This summer Marci Burke mentioned to my mom that she thinks of me when she sees their library shelves. This puzzled my mom until Marci explained that their library shelves are built with the wood Mr. Burke had set aside for my coffin. When Mr. Burke offered to build my coffin I checked that off my list assuming when I died he would throw something together. However, he had taken the time to set aside wood and they had purchased a book on how to build coffins. It may be a small detail, but to me it is a vivid example of God's provision.
It seems a fitting use for those boards to now hold books as reading is a delight of mine. I was expecting to die and yet every night, "I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me." Psalm 3:5

Making Soap with Miranda

Vegetable Patties

This recipe is from Easy Indian Cookbook by Manju Malhi

2/3 cup peeled and chopped baking or Idaho potatoes
2/3 cup diced carrots
2/3 cup shelled peas, thawed if frozen
2 green chilies, finely chopped
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons rice flour
about 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Boil potatoes until very tender, then drain well. In another pan boil the carrots and peas until tender and then drain well.

Mash the potatoes, carrots and peas. Put them in a bowl with the chilies, lemon juice and salt and mix until fairly smooth.

Put the rice flour on a plate. Wet your hands slightly and roll the mashed potato mixture into 8 balls of equal size, then flatten them to about 1 1/4 inches thick. Coat them in the rice flour.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add as many vegetable patties as will fit and fry them about 4 minutes, turning over once, until golden brown and crisp on both sides. Remove the patties from the pan, drain well on paper towels, and keep them warm in the oven set on low. They can be fried in advance and reheated in an oven set at 350 degrees for 10 minutes before serving.

My Notes: These are good without the chilies and lemon juice, were easy to make and my mom and I like them. I used more than 2 tablespoons of rice flour.

Dog Treats

Banana Treats

Combine:
2 eggs
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup milk
2 mashed bananas
3 cups oats
1 1/4 cup rice flour (may substitute same amount of wheat flour)
1-2 Tablespoons dried parsley

Form into desired size mounds and place on greased baking sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes. Store in refrigerator or freezer.

Places to Sleep

2010 Reading

"When the skunk finished drinking the sauce of milk, Homer decided to keep it for a pet because he had read somewhere that skunks become excellent pets if you treat them kindly. He decided to name the skunk Aroma."

~Homer Price by Robert McCloskey


"A man who's warm can't understand a man who's freezing."

~One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzhenitsyn

New Year

Quotes to ponder as the new year begins:

"There are some things that grown-ups can help you with. And there are some things only God can do."

~Mr. Charles Hetletvedt
(My first cousin once removed)

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes, its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
~Jeremiah 17:7-8

"And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, 'Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown'. And he replied: "Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way."

~Miss Minnie Louise Haskins

"The American Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal, but the socialists want to say that all men should be kept equal. I'm for equality at the starting gate, but not at the finish line."

~Winston Churchill

"I believe I am not mistaken in saying that Christianity is a demanding and serious religion. When it is delivered as easy and amusing, it is another kind of religion altogether."

~Neil Postman

"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about."

~Anne of Green Gables

Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe is from Flying Apron's Gluten-Free & Vegan Baking Book by Jennifer Katzinger. My neighbor Miranda visited just after I baked these and continually asked for another one.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 3/4 cups brown rice flour
1 1/2 cups plus 1 Tablespoon garbanzo bean flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup canola oil
1 cup organic whole cane sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup rice milk
1 cup (8 ounces) dairy-free dark chocolate chips
3/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Cocoa powder, for dusting the cookies (optional)

Combine the oil, sugar and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and rice milk. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.

Scoop on to greased or parchment lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 17 minutes. Dust with cocoa powder while cookies are still hot.

Due to the bean flour I don't care to eat the dough, but after baking they are the best gluten free chocolate chip cookies.