National Marshmellow Toasting Day

August 30 is National Marshmallow Toasting Day.. Who knew there was a Day for Toasting marshmallows. 

Most people have many memories for sitting around a camp fire and toasting Marshmallows. Taking the time to toast them just right. Or simply setting them on fire and blowing until you can blow no more.

So for one of the last weekends before school starts have a family night that you can (safely and with in the laws of where you live, check to see if there is a fire ban, or if you need a permit etc.) Have a fire in a fire pit, or BBQ.  Make some good family memories and talk about when you were a kid and your memories of toasting marshmallows. You know having to go find the right toasting stick in the woods, just big enough, just green enough and how you were able to use a pocket knife to take off the bark and make it into a point. Now days we can just go a buy toasting sticks at any store that sells camping supplies. Which we do own and we do use.

Enjoy this great day tonight by a campfire or bonfire, toasting a big, soft, sticky and sweet marshmallow, or two, or three, or….. Summer would not be the same without a campfire and this great campfire treat. Summer is short. Summer is good. Let's enjoy it while it is still here. Toast a marshmallow and forget about everything else.

And, don't forget to make a few S'mores.

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S'mores Recipe: Ingredients:

• Chocolate candy bar
• Honey Graham Crackers
• Marshmallows

Instructions:

• Break off a square of Graham cracker
• Add a piece of Chocolate.
• Toast a big marshmallow over the campfire.
• Add the hot marshmallow.
• Top it with another graham Cracker.
• Eat , savor and enjoy! 

 The origin of S'mores dates back to the 1920's. It's believed the recipe was created by the Campfire Girls. Girl Scouts soon discovered it, and found it to be chocolatey delicious.  Before long, S'mores became a campfire staple for everyone. S'more folklore suggests that S'mores got its name right by the campfire. After eating one, young kids chanted "gimme some more!"


Take the time and spend time with your family! What a great way to talk about memories, fire safety and listening to the crickets sing at night! 

More herbs and less Salt day

August 29 is National More Herbs & Less Salt Day. 

 We all know that we need salt to live, but most people consume way to much salt and sodium in their daily diet. Mostly because it is hidden in many things. 

So as you are harvesting your garden and putting the fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily meals do not forget about the fresh herbs. You may have a herb garden. Time is right to harvest and use and even dry some herbs for use later. If you do not plan to grow a few herbs next year, even on your deck or patio in pots.

Learning to cook with fresh herbs is really easy. You do not have to use fresh you can use dried as well. Tips for using herbs and spices:

• Avoid overwhelming a dish with too many seasonings, and never use two very strong herbs together. Instead, season with one strong flavor, and one milder flavor to complement the food.
• When cooking, add dried herbs early in the process, but use fresh herbs at the end for optimum flavor.
• Add herbs and spices to cold dishes several hours before serving to allow the flavors to blend.
• Fresh leaves should be chopped very finely. Exposing a greater number of surface cuts will allow the food to absorb more of the herb’s flavor.
• When necessary, a mortar and pestle can be kept in the kitchen to powder dry herbs.
• If doubling a recipe, you may not need to double the herbs. Use just 50% more.

 Dry herbs and spices carry more flavor than fresh. Use this guide when following a recipe: ¼ teaspoon powder = ¾ teaspoon dried = 2 teaspoons fresh

 How to store herbs and spices: 
Proper storage is essential to retaining the flavor of herbs and spices.

• Dried herbs and spices should be kept in a cool, dry, and dark place. Storing right next to the stove, although convenient for cooking, is not the best location, because heat, air, and bright light destroy flavor.
• Store dry herbs and spices in tightly covered containers.
• Date dry herbs and spices when you buy them. Try to use them within one year.
• If you can’t smell the aroma of an herb when you rub it between your fingers, then it is time for a new supply.
• Treat fresh herbs like a bouquet of flowers: Snip the stems, stand the herbs in a glass of water, and refrigerate.
• To increase shelf life, freeze or dry fresh herbs. To freeze fresh herbs, wash and pat dry. Remove the leaves from the stems and store the leaves in a freezer bag. They can also be chopped and frozen in ice cube trays and then stored in a freezer bag. 

Guide to using Herbs and Spices

Herb or Spice	Use to Enhance
Basil	Italian foods (especially tomatoes, pasta, chicken, fish and shellfish)
Bay leaf	Bean or meat stews and soups
Caraway	Cooked vegetables such as beets, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, turnips and winter squash
Chervil	French cuisine, fish, shellfish, chicken, peas, green beans, tomatoes and salad greens
Chili powder	Bean or meat stews and soups
Chives	Sauces, soups, baked potatoes, salads, omelets, pasta, seafood and meat
Cilantro	Mexican, Latin American and Asian cuisine; Rice, beans, fish, shellfish, poultry, vegetables, salsas and salads
Cumin	Curried vegetables, poultry, fish and beans
Curry	Indian or southeast Asian cuisine; Lamb or meat-based dishes and soups
Dill (fresh)	Seafood, chicken, yogurt, cucumbers, green beans, tomatoes, potatoes and beets
Dill (seeds)	Rice and fish dishes
Ginger (dried)	Rick, chicken and marinades
Mace	Baked goods, fruit dishes, carrots, broccoli, brussels sprouts and cauliflower
Marjoram	Tomato-based dishes, fish, meat, poultry, eggs and vegetables
Oregano	Italian and Greek cuisine; Meat and poultry dishes
Paprika	Spanish dishes, potatoes, soups, stews, baked fish and salad dressings
Rosemary	Mushrooms, roasted potatoes, stuffing, ripe melon, poultry and meats (especially grilled)
Sage	Poultry stuffing, chicken, duck, pork, eggplant, and bean stews and soups
Tarragon	Chicken, veal, fish, shellfish, eggs, salad dressings, tomatoes, mushrooms and carrots
Thyme	Fish, shellfish, poultry, tomatoes, beans, eggplant, mushrooms, potatoes, and summer squash
Tumeric	Indian cuisine; Adds color and taste to potatoes and light-colored vegetables

 info from:  http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/nutrition_articles.asp?id=297


Good luck and have fun with using your herbs.

Day to day, planning for the elderly you care for

Day to day. As each day passes before you know it a whole year has gone by. I think I get things back on track and on a schedule and then something BIG happens and the things I want to do for "me" do get pushed to the side.

I have daily lists of things to post and a whole notebook of great ideas. I just need to fine a few minutes to be able to sit down and post here on the blog.

Being a full time caregiver of and elderly person who needs you all the time, taking time to post on a blog gets pushed to the back burner since I still have to care for my family, cook, clean and all that great wonderful stuff we all do every day.

So on that note....

 Getting a small kit for the Grandma, or Grandpa together if you care for them is a huge deal.

A few things I have had to "add" to Grandma's kit. You may have to add things every six months as things change quickly for elderly people!

One week of Medicine and Prescriptions!
Diapers, Chuck pads, and wipes, extra towels
Puzzle books, book to read, pencils, and pencil sharpener.
Extra glasses
Extra clothes, being that she has accidents more often than not, extra clothes and wash clothes are needed!
Things to help her feel comfortable, photos, blanket, sweater, stuff animal, etc.
List of all medications, doctors names and numbers.

Medical history written down and copies of the ID and such. Important paperwork!
Bottle of water "just for her".
Snacks for her.
Ask them what they may want or have them help put the kit, bag, etc together. 



We have a safe zone in our house for when we get tornado warnings. In an extra drawer in the room I have placed all her "items". I also have a bag packed for her in case we have to leave the house for any emergency.

Know that older people and the elderly can not move that fast, especially if they have a disability.  You may have to talk to them many times about the emergency plans, what to do and such. They may not understand the reason why you are making them move and go in to a certain room. They may not understand the danger you maybe in! Try to stay calm and explain again and again. Give them something to do and sit and talk to them.

You can not pick them up and move them like a small child. You have to give them as much warning as possible. When we get a tornado watch. I tell her that we have a Tornado watch and tell what is going on and if I tell her to get to the bathroom, which is right across the hall of her, she needs to move now. Not after a show, or commercial, not after I read this page in the book. When I say now, I mean now! After a while they "may" get it and then depending on the conditions of each person they may not.


If you have a plan and the items in place you will be more prepared and ready to handle the emergency that may come along. So you can be calm and can think with a straight head and not be running around trying to figure out what to do!

Each family is different, each person is different. You kit may need other things or things I have listed you do not need. Make your own list, make your own kit for your needs and the needs of those you care for!

Here is a blog post I thought covered things well.
 http://momwithaprep.com/emergency-preparedness-for-elders/