From Bees to Balm

September is not only the month of my birth, but one I share with the appreciation of  BEE's !. How fitting should I dedicate this little piece of writing with one of lifes' simple pleasures (not that one!) HONEY. September is National Honey Month!  This piece of information came to me recently. So it is fitting that I write about my first pass at creating a Honey Balm, or skin cream of course "Au  Naturale"

Honey I found to be so multi-useful -  therapeutic, an energy booster, skin moisturizer, cough suppressant, a main ingredient in Honey Ale/ Meade-one of which I am dabbling in- (that will be a blog of itself) and Healthy all alone. This one little creature produces a simple ingredient that can be used a multitude of ways. 

So here I share my balm, my moisturizer, my cream! This must be what a scientist feels like. Hence forth my kitchen, is turned into a lab of sorts. Coconut oil , Almond oil, Bees wax, Vitamin E, and Lavender oil (E.O) and water. That's it! melt, stir, add and cool down, and before you know it, Voila a moisturizer is assembled. Wow who knows it would be so easy. So creamy, okay, the first pass a bit grainy, a bit too much water perhaps. The consistency was thick, smelled very nice and white. I impressed myself, yes I was quite smug with my results. As with all experiments, one must have testers and yes I do. Several of my friends, received testers ( those who would like to test, need only ask!) Next to survey results. Will write the results in a future blog.

 On a much Sweeter Note, and another use for Honey.  Here is a recipe for Welcoming Fall 

  Honey Pumpkin Muffins 

 

Did you know that  Honey acts as a humectant and retains moisture in baked goods, which results in an incredibly soft, moist muffin. And because of its antimicrobial properties, honey gives baked goods a slightly longer shelf life. Who knew one ingredient had so much functionality?
 

• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, softened
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1 egg
• 1 cup solid pack pumpkin
• 1 cup chopped toasted walnuts

In medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg; set aside. Using an electric mixer, beat butter until light; beat in honey, egg and pumpkin. Gradually add flour mixture, mixing until just blended; stir in walnuts. Spoon into 12 greased or paper-lined 2-1/2 inch muffin cups. Bake at 350°F for 25 to 30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove muffins from pan to wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Enjoy with a cup of Chai, or your favorite cup of Tea! 

Silver Years or Silver Lining ?

It is often said that one should look forward to the "Golden Years" when aging. You know that time in your life when the fruits of your labors have come full circle, the time when you should be enjoying your spouse, significant other, traveling and doing all things you've dreamed about. Well, I think someone lied! Sure, there are many who are enjoying all those things. Lately, by my count there are a good many who are not. Troubled by medical "issues" and Dr.s appointments, many of these "Golden Agers" are finding that their having to enjoy life around appointments.  Not to say, folks do not take care of themselves. Reality is what it is. However, we must begin to take care of ourselves now, so that we can do all those things. Mom & Dad, I love you for having taught me that. I look at you two and feel blessed that you two are still young and are enjoying life, even at 80!

Today I celebrate another Birthday and approach the "Silver years of life" , I find myself gravitating to enjoying life, it's challenges and oh the "journey". Did I take a wrong turn? Perhaps, the unexplainable has been in front of me all along, yet I failed to "embrace" it. To my friend Elisabeth, you were right .  So now I am embracing this journey, and have accepted to aging with grace. Let it be known, I have NOT reached that benchmark yet .To my friends, who have started their journey, I look to you for support, love, friendship and for answers, (even if we are still seeking them LOL) and to the males in my household, well, your in on this journey too like it or not.

So I ask myself is this the beginning of my Silver years, or the Silver lining in the best years of my life.

A HAG Adventure on the Transquaking River, Cambridge, MD

" He who knows not where he is going, for the ocean will decide. It is not the destination, it is the glory of the ride."

Not sure who said that, however I have to agree with the sentiments. Yesterday's  HAG adventure was about the glory of the ride! A few months ago, my friend (of many years) calls me and says, I met this awesome woman at a Social Media event and had the opportunity to talk with her afterward and extended in invitation to attend a  HAG Travel event. So my thoughts were, okay Social Media is good, but what is a HAG event?

Definitions
Hag - a wizened old woman, or a kind of fairy or goddess having the appearance of such a woman. (Wiki) Travel - to journey or traverse ......... Travel Hag - a wise old journeying woman with goddess attributes

With that being defined, our first Travel HAG adventure was a camping adventure on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Cristfield's Janes Island was the destination of our first HAG adventure.  Now Shari and I have been on a good many adventures in our years. I knew we could handle this. By the time the weekend came around a third friend Elisabeth joined us among the 12 or HAGS from Maryland. The Janes Island adventure started on Friday with check in, set up tents, bond with our fellow HAG ladies, Kayak on trails that lead to the bay, pot luck dinner on the pavilion and return home on Sunday. Sounds fun, relaxing no brainer stress free.

What is that they say a picture is worth a thousand words. Recap from that weekend!

On to the next HAG adventure.... A Haunted Paddle adventure and Old Salty's for Dinner

This past weekend (August 6, 2011) 16 Travel HAGs mostly from Maryland of course along with the Delaware HAGs met at Drawbridge Road Crossing of the Transquaking River outskirts of Cambridge, MD and launched our kayaks and paddled through some of the most beautiful, scenic and some say haunted landscape in Maryland. There were a few HAG men on this adventure. HAG men can accompany their HAG, but they are not the center of attention. 

The five mile paddle was breathtaking, the weather was perfect and we had the opportunity to get to know fellow HAGs. The trek was perfect for any beginner, we had the opportunity to see bald eagles, turtles, herons, and a few snakes or two. ( I didn't stick around to long when I did!)

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 Locals claim that this area is said to be haunted by spirits from the Dorchester's past. We finished are mystical journey, as the weather quickly changed and mother nature churned the current and gave us 2-3 ft white caps. Not sure if it was mother nature or Big Lizz and the spirits of the past. We finished at DeCoursey Bridge a well-known haunt of Big Lizz, an African slave who was beheaded by her master, after she followed his instructions to bury his money in the swamp. DeCoursey Bridge is a frequent stop for curiosity seekers and those hoping to see Big Lizz.
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After, a long day of kayaking with my fellow HAGs, I was famished! After all I burned a lot of calories and was looking forward to a good Eastern Shore Crab Cake. Going to Hooper's Island and eating at the Old Salty Dog was a good end to a day's  hard work. Old Salty's Crab cake is the bomb! I have had some good crab cakes but I don't think anyone can match these guys and worth the trip. No fillers and it's made with Maryland back-fin, lump crab meat.

Crab Cake at Old Salty's - Hoopers Island, MD (pictures by Mindie, travelhag.com)

Old Salty’s Restaurant
2560 Hoopers Island Rd
Fishing Creek, MD 21634
(410) 397-3752

Can't wait for our next HAG adventure!

Out with the Old in with the New

2010, by far was not the best year! In fact, reflecting back, seems like there is a pattern forming here. I am beginning to wonder like some great cosmic explotion is all part of the great devine plan. Approximately ten years ago ..well let's just say wasn't so good either. 2010, I have to say, made me more conscious of my spending habits, made me realize that I have to take better care of myself and put me in control of my destiny. So I cannot really say it was all that bad.


In with the New! ahh yes.. my first week in 2011, I made it through Bootcamp, and survived a blizzard with two teenagers.Now that's a good start. This year I did not make any resolutions, it's easier that way to avoid any disappointments to myself for a promise not kept. However, I did make small goals for myself ( yes I even wrote them down) weekly goals, so that I can better track my progress.. seems to be working. Notice, how I said for myself. I have found that I am in a much better place internally if I do this.
Example:
Week 1
Run or walk at least Twice this week
Treat myself to a chai
Smile at a stranger at least once a day
walk away from frustration (and angry teens.... this one is hard .. especially not to engage back!)
Spend 15 min a day just on me.. (this is a hard one too!)

You'd be amazed at the results.. so far so good! Now it helps to have great friends to keep you motivated and engaged, with out them my short weekly goals would not be accomplished.

Now, while I had a great week, today was extremely difficult to walk away and not engage my warm, ever-so loving teen who sometimes I think try's so hard to push that button. I made it through Friday. Why does parenting have to be such a challenge? Well, looks like number #1 and # 5 will be checked off twice this week :)
2011 is off to a great start.. I am in control!

I am open to discussions on parenting and teens.. any takers?

Lesson on Life

Politics has never been my cup of tea, until this years mid-term election began to boil. Tea Party that is ! Delaware's Senate race was a real life,eye awakening political extravaganza that I had never experience until now. Although, I realized that our country was in a financial mess, one really doesn't take it all in until it hits home. Humbling as it is to admit, I like every middle-class family have taken steps to cut back on what I consider to be luxuries.No more do I go to a gas station, fill my car and get a cup of coffee, a luxury. No more do I go out shopping and aimlessly buy something because it is on sale ( not that I did before). My point here is, I make a conscious effort in deciding weather my purchase is a necessity or a want. Life as it was, a mere year ago, no longer is today. Thanks impart to society, spending and to our government. It angers me to know that it is the politicians that control the average american household. It is a House and Senate that make the laws by which we live by. These are the same individuals that we put in office. During the election cycle, candidates make their rounds to various parties to endorse and we give money to the cause. Yet the cause, of the unemployed, the homeless, those who struggle seem important at the time of election. So where are these same candidates now? The reality is many people (hundreds, thousand,) who've already lost jobs, many have even lost their homes and have only a mere unemployment check mostly to cover the cost of basics needs will loose that small priviledge as well in the next few weeks. Congress is playing roulette with the lives of thousands of people.
In the next few days, congress will determine weather to extend unemployment benefits. Now Congress, I ask... wouldn't that be the gift that keeps on giving.. at least to our lagging economy.  Theses same people will go home on taxpapers expense (hence, we put them in office) enjoy the holidays, buy expense gifts for family and friends and for a few short days forget about the world who employs them.

I know, I am ranting, I am angry, but I do feel a sense of humbling spirit that I have a loving family, a home, food on my table and know that during these hard economic times that your never too old to have a harsh lesson on life. 

Tis the Season

Last evening, after a great walk with my "running"group I felt wonderful and looked forward to a nice hot shower and a relaxing evening after what seemed like a week of living the life of an MTV realty show. To my surprise, I came home to teens that have returned home for the holiday weekend excited to share and catch up on the lives of one another. Of course, I enjoyed the chats and feel honored to be included in such updates about new guys, breakups and the drama that follows the lives of teens. Today I reflect on my own life and what this season of Thanksgiving means to me. Being unemployed, I have become very humble and have learned to differentiate between necessities and what are considered luxuries. I am thankful for what I have, my home, my friends and most importantly my family. So this Thanksgiving, I will be more appreciative for the little things in life, after all "multum in parvo"!

For the Love of Food & Friends

A few months back, while strolling through Face Book, I discovered a long lost friend from High School. I must explain that while I am not a "creeper" or a FB "stalker", ( I will explain the terms for the novice FB users) I did find my best friend from HS through another HS friend. Creeper or Stalker by FB definitions if there are any, is one who looks or follows others on your friends list. I actually, found my friend Deborah through a post she had written on a mutual friends post. ( how confusing is that ) So, in FB fashion I friend requested Deborah and now we are forever BFF's ! (Best Friends Forever). We decided on our course of multiple telephone and emails that a road trip to West Virginia was eminent.  A date was set and off I traveled with my oldest son and friends in tow. It was a weekend filled with adventure (for the teens) food and and wonderful years of friendship rekindled. We shared our love for food, and exchanged recipes. I still say Mountain Man (my new name for Steve, Deborah's Husband) should have his BBQ sauce marketed. The weekend like all good things came quickly to an end. But like all good things, our friendship will continue will continue to grow into our older golden years. I look forward to weekly conversations about the many new teen adventures that occur in my house or in Deb's homestead. Yea, she has a "new" teen.. her adventures are just beginning. Mine are in their prime! I always say, "there is never a dull moment" when teens are involved. On a more serious note.. I enjoy my political talks with Mountain Man and the direction this country is going.

I truly am blessed to have such great friends, regardless of how near or far my friends may be. You know who you are and know you are loved. <3.