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Travel Blog
Travel is a passion of mine. Be it a weekend getaway or a dream trip that has been planned for years, travel is a way of making the world a smaller place, making us culturally aware and also to appreciate different people and how they live. Today , travel is more accessible to every one, even those on tight budgets. With airlines and hotels vying for guests, and comparison internet shopping , the prices are better than ever. If travel is important to you , you will find the means.
I came upon a wonderful blog that I am sharing here today. So much to learn, tips , tricks, lists, what to wear, city guides and pretty much every question is answered here if you are considering visiting Europe. Bookmark this blog – you never know when you will need it. Do not let the blog name fool you , even non backpackers can learn so much from it.
On this blog I learned what the best travel socks were – who knew cotton was not the best for your feet on vacation!
Check it out!
https://thesavvybackpacker.com/
Moroccan Preserved Lemons
2 months ago I made this recipe and I have delighted in the results. Preserved lemons are used in Moroccan cooking, but I have been using it in almost every dish I make. The lemons give a tangy flavor to anything and disappear in the cooking process, that you do not know what tastes so fabulous. I have very successfully used it in pasta dishes , salads, chicken soup, stews, stir fry’s , curries, rice dishes , Pizza, stuffed tomatoes, store bought rotiserrie chicken, and even added it into my St Patrick’s’ Day corned beef boil! I have not tried it in a sandwich …. yet.
It is a secret the world should know, and its so easy to make. Find a clean Mason Jar and you are well on your way. It has become an ingredient I cannot do without.
This is a Marthe Stewart recipe and I was very happy with the result. Do not worry, the end product is not salty as you think it may be.
INGREDIENTS for making Preserved lemons
- 8 lemons, plus more as needed
- Juice of 4 lemons, plus more as needed
- Coarse salt
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
DIRECTIONS
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Leaving one end intact, cut lemons lengthwise into quarters. Using your fingers, stuff about 2 tablespoons salt inside each lemon, close them, and transfer to an 8-cup, sterilized, wide-mouth jar.
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Measure juice in a liquid measuring cup, add to jar along with half that amount of water, making sure liquid almost covers lemons. Add more freshly squeezed lemon juice, if necessary.
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Loosely cover jar and let stand, at room temperature, for 2 days, shaking the bottle each day.
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If there is room, add more cut lemons with salt and add to jar, covering with more lemon juice, if necessary, and olive oil. Cover jar and let stand at room temperature at least 3 weeks.
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To use lemons, rinse with water. Remove seeds and pith and discard. Use peel as desired.
here is the video and let me know if you try it.
http://www.marthastewart.com/249478/preserved-lemons
Google Images – organicfacts.net
4 Ingredients to a Natural Cleaner
I am so sceptical about using all the many chemicals and cleaners in the stores. They may work well but almost always will emit chemical smells and contaminate your lungs while being harmful to the environment.Cleaners are expensive and highly toxic . Bleach is never good for the septic/sewer system either. A year ago I tried to go natural with my cleaner and have not looked back since. It is simple to put together and smells pleasant while doing a fabulous job on any surface – Yes even wood!
I make a batch and keep in a spray bottle and this is the only cleaner I use for everything. The only surface it will not do the job on is mirrors because the lemon oil is present. For Windows and mirrors just use a mixture of vinegar and water.
Clean out an old spray bottle (24-32 oz.) well.
Add 3 tablespoons vinegar
4 squirts of Lemon oil
1 tablespoon natural dish liquid soap ( no chemicals)
Fill the rest of the spray bottle with distilled or filtered water.
Use as you please!
Image-Zazzle.com
Stop and Restart, a Lesson From Adele
What courage it took for multi Grammy winning songstress Adele to stop mid song on a live performance at the Grammy’s and say – it’s not right I have to start again ! While millions of viewers around the world watched, she did just that.
Here is a lesson for all of us , we may not be singing at the Grammy’s , but how often do we continue with things even when we know it’s not right. I know I usually tell myself the show must go on , onward and upward( my favorite phrase!) . But sometimes I think it’s better to stop , take a breath, think and restart.
Adele got more respect from the world and her peers, however embarrassing it was for her.You will always get more respect for admitting a mistake and starting again and it takes more courage.
here are a few instances that we can stop and restart.
A new recipe you are making and it’s not going right ….. Stop and Restart
A conversation with a friend which is not going well …. Stop and Restart
Your family has aggravated you and you scream at them …..Stop and Restart
You are on a tight deadline and the job you are doing is not quite up to your standard … Stop and Restart
You make a mistake at work or just in life … Stop and Restart
You nervously make an awkward comment at a party … Stop and Restart
You are on a date and you are saying all the wrong things …Stop and Restart
You are having a frustrating day and you are taking it out on those around you …Stop and Restart
Tell me dear reader, if you ever had the courage to do this and how it helped you.
Benefits of Kombucha
What is Kombucha? Kombucha was discovered by the chinese around 2,000 years ago and since of late has been the buzz in the health food world.
Kombucha is a fermented beverage of sugar and black or green tea and starts with a SCOBY or bacteria and yeast commonly known as a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast. Sugar or honey is used in the fermentation process. Once fermented, Kombucha becomes carbonated and contains vinegar, b-vitamins, enzymes, and a high concentration of acid (acetic, gluconic and lactic) and probiotic that have great benefits. As always keep in mind to check with a doctor and moderation is the key in any health food or supplements you may take.
Kombucha contains good bacteria for your body , such as,
- Acetobacter
- Saccharomyces
- Brettanomyces
- Lactobacillus
- Gluconacetobacter
- Zygosaccharomyces
Kombucha is,
- Good for digestion, gas bloating – although highly acidic it becomes Alkaline in your body.
- Supports weight loss
- Increased Energy due to it containing iron and some caffeine.
- Detoxifies the liver
- Immune Support
- Probiotic benefits
- Good for yeast infections
- Eases joint pain due to levels of glucosamine in it.
Kombucha can be fermented and made at home, however strict sanitary guidelines must be in place for your safety to avoid contamination of other bacteria present in a non commercial kitchen.
Source of information DrAxe.com
Make No Resolutions
Happy New Year dear readers!
It is back to work, back to school and another new year unfolds. I make no resolutions this year. I do not want that kind of pressure for myself. Last year I was resolute about learning Spanish, taking a graphics design course and furthering my hobby of singing
Other than for loosing a few pounds and getting in better shape health wise, I achieved none of the above and ended up feeling like a loser for lack of a better word!
No matter how your new year starts, any day is a good day to make a resolution about something positive.
Make each day bring you a new resolution.
I will not eat those cookies at work, I will not drive fast, I will try to stay off my phone, I will take deep breaths and relax and so on.
Even if you break it one day you have the chance to begin the next day.
The first day of the new year I ended up screaming at the kids for being late for school and eating breakfast in the car……tomorrow I shall be nicer to them!
It is easier on a day to day basis to keep a resolution.
No matter what is important to you, the following can always be your guide.
Eat better, move more, take care of yourself first
Be kind and generous to others (including your family!)
Have a good attitude no matter what the situation
Laugh often and at yourself
Pray
Work hard
Have more tolerance
Spend more time with your family and sincere friends
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