Month: March 2017

Posted in Uplifting

What I Remembered From Playing “Pop the Pig”

Posted on by junebugphx

This last weekend I had the pleasure of having my four year old grandson for three wonderful days. I had plotted and planed all sorts of activity in advanced making sure most of the time was spent outside hiking or picnicking just to name a few.

As I went to pick him up that Friday morning excited for or adventure to begin the weather had other ideas, we had wind,rain and a lot cooler temperature. So onto plan B, lots of indoor games and other rainy day activities and one of my grandson’s favorite game “Pop the Pig” was a round the clock fun.

If you have no idea what kind of game this is let me explain, You feed the Pig by rolling the die and picking the right color burger to put in the pigs mouth then press his head down to feed him. You do this while each time you watch the belly get bigger and if he pops open on your turn you win but in our case we changed it to loose.

Not to brag but my grandson doesn’t mind loosing, yes he likes to win but the excitement of watching this plastic pig’s belly get bigger and bigger not knowing if it will pop on your turn was almost to much for him. Full belly laughs with rolling around on the floor were in order because the excitement was just to much to take.

I so enjoyed just being with him and laughing at who or when this belly burst would happen. I enjoyed not having a action packed scheduled weekend.

I was reminded of the simple joy of just being. To just enjoy the moment for life will change and one day we all will have our life come to an end. You never know when that burst will happen but it will, so enjoy the time you have.

Psalm 39:4 (NIV)

 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end
    and the number of my days;
    let me know how fleeting my life is

 

 

Posted in Recipes

Tomato Lentil Soup

Posted on by junebugphx

It is spring and with spring showers this is a great dish to enjoy.

I just love making lentil soup and doing all kinds of versions of it to me its fun to see what I can come up with. I tend to do my best cooking this way but when I came across this recipe in my yoga magazine I enjoyed it and I thought I would share.

This is from North India and has such warm spices.

1 tbsp. coconut oil

2 tbsp. lentils washed and drained

1 tsp dried ginger

3 large tomatoes, chopped

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp of black pepper

1/4 cup chopped cilantro, divided

 

In a large pan over medium heat, warm oil. Add lentils and ginger sauté for a few minutes. Add tomatoes cook until soft. Sprinkle in cinnamon, chili powder, and black pepper. Cook for a minute then add half of the cilantro cook for another minute. Add 2 1/2 cups of water and bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer, partially covered until lentils are broken down and mushy about 30 minutes.

If you like a smooth texture after the lentils are cooked cool them for about 5 minutes then add to a blender and blend until smooth.

Top with cilantro and enjoy.

This dish is so good and great for you, you get fat lots of fiber and a good amount of clean protein with low fat.

 

 

 

 

Posted in Uplifting

Curly Hair

Posted on by junebugphx

To say that I have curly hair is an understatement. I have frizz and curl that would make an 80’s hairstylist green with envy. I  fully embraced that decade with gusto, I could spike to my little hearts content. I could just roll out of bed only using my fingers and my good old friend aquanet and be on my way feeling like I was looking good. Awe those were the days.

I look back on pictures of me growing up and see not one good picture, I had wild blond curls that bounced all over with huge blue eyes that look like they are full of sparkle and energy.  I looked almost spastic as I sit next to my very pretty so put together and calm sister, yes I was that family member. The one we all laugh at in pictures the one that have that look like they would jump out of the picture.

It is funny to look back on and my mom the sweet women that she is would always say that my hair suited me. For years I fought my curls and if I got tired of them off they went then I would grow them out and the fight would continue.

I still try and tame my curls but not with such vengeance,  some days I let the wild curl just be.  I am choosing to think of my curl  like in the movie Forest Gump when he says  “Mama always said life is like a box of chocolate you never know what your going to get” That is my hair,  I may never know what I will get from one day to the other. As I learn to keep that in mind the more I see my curl as beautiful and the more I see my curl as beautiful the more I see my self as beautiful. I had for so many years saw myself as that spastic girl that couldn’t be tamed and how that was not a good thing. I have for years let hurt of my past identify me as not good enough. I let the toxic thoughts steal my joy and take away so much.

Just like my curl, the pain in my past and all the parts of me that make me are who I am.

I  embrace all those parts and the parts that are just to painful I give to God who can bring healing and beauty, I like to think that God is my curl serum.  When curl serum is used it takes the frizz to beautiful soft curly hair.

Psalm 147:3 “He heals the broken and binds up their wounds.”

 

Posted in essential oils, Recipes

Green Chile Enchiladas

Posted on by junebugphx

For those who don’t eat meat or try a meatless Monday approach to cooking and eating this is a very easy but good recipe.

You may put shredded chicken in if you would like meat but prefer to use black beans.

1-2 cups of black beans or if using chicken use 1/2 pound

8-10 white corn tortillas

1 cup shredded cheese your choice

Green chilies sauce ( to make your own it will take about an hour but if you have time it is worth it)

Green chilies sauce recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat.
  2. Add onion and garlic and cover.
  3. Cook until onions are soft but not brown (about 5–6 minutes), stirring occasionally.
  4. Stir in flour and cook for 2–3 minutes. Clumping is okay.
  5. Slowly add broth, whisking constantly to smooth out any lumps.
  6. Add cumin, chilies, salt, and jalapeno and bring to a boil.
  7. Reduce heat to low and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Sauce should coat spoon but still drip off.
  8. Remove from heat and stir in Vitality oils.
  9. Add additional salt to taste, if needed.
  10. For a smoother consistency, blend sauce in a food processor or blender

 

Instructions for the Enchiladas

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Spread a little less than half of the green chili sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 pan

Dip the tortilla in the sauce fill it with black beans (or if doing chicken shredded chicken) to desired amount, sprinkle with a little cheese, roll up and place in pan. Do this for the remainder of your ingredients.

Sprinkle cheese over top of enchiladas put in oven and bake for about 20 minutes

If you would like you may put back olives on top of the cheese before you bake them, one more tip is when the enchiladas are done and you put them on the counter to cool a bit you may also want to try sprinkling with cilantro.

 

I got the green chili sauce recipe from Youngliving and enjoy cooking with essential oils but dry herbs, black pepper and lime juice work as well you just adjust the amount.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Health and beauty

DYI Face Mask

Posted on by junebugphx

Here is a quick do it yourself mask at home that doesn’t cost much but the benefits are great.

I found this mask on Pinterest and yes it is one that is not a Pinterest fail.

(This will also go well with the blog on Geranium oil)

2 Tablespoons of raw honey

1 Tablespoon of baking soda

and if you choose you may also add a few drops of Geranium oil.

Mix all together, massage in a circular motion. leave on for 15-20 minutes then rinse

This is so simple but gives great results.

 

Posted in essential oils, Health and beauty

6 Essential Oils For Skin

Posted on by junebugphx

From the accent times to now  people have used essential oils in all aspects of their life. I will touch on just six that have wonderful benefits for they have for skin.

The first is Lavender, this one is a great oil to start with. Not only is it a multipurpose  oil but it is gentle enough for all skin types.  I will give a few ways on how to use this oil for your skin.

  1. Simple way to try this oil is add a drop or two to you facial moisturizer. This will give you a mini facial.
  2. A great body scrub, use coconut oil, sugar and a couple drops of lavender oil. The amount you use is up to you depending on your taste.
  3. If a spa is what you want to go for then use Epsom salt and again its up to you on the amount, then start with adding 2-6 drops of lavender oil in you bath water with the Epsom salt.

The next oil is Frankincense, this oil has been sought after for so many centuries and regarded as a sacred oil. This oil is also for all skin types but is very beneficial for rejuvenating and moisturizing skin so this is so wonderful for more mature skin.

  1. To boost your skin’s radiance after cleansing put a drop or two on your finger  rubbing into you skin,then apply moisturizer.

The 3rd oil is Cedarwood this too is good for all skin types and one that is great not only for skin but your hair as well, this will nourish your skin and hair.

1.  Add 2-6 drops to your favorite lotions, it is totally up to you on the amount. This oil has a woody fragrance so go slow and add as you feel is best.

2. Since Cedarwood is great for hair/scalp mix 5-8 drops into coconut oil massage into scalp 30-60 minutes before showering. wash and rinse as normal.

3.Add 3-4 drops to a bowl of hot water, put your face over the bowl with a towel over your head then breath deeply for a few minutes. This will open your pores giving you a facial and with this calming aroma it has a soothing affect for you to enjoy.

 

The Fourth oil is Tea Tree oil, this is wonderful for oily skin because of cleansing properties that it has.

  1. Use as a spot treatment by putting on a few drops to a cotton swab apply to problem areas.
  2.  Add 1-2 drops to your shampoo lather let sit for a few minutes, you will feel is working. Rinse as usual.

Now number five, Geranium oil, this is for all skin types but really helps all those who suffer with dry skin. This oil helps sooth and tone skin but will not dry the skin out.

  1. Use 1-2 drops to a face mask (I will put a DYI mask on my blog that will work great with this)
  2. Put 4-5 drops in two oz  of water then spray on for a revitalizing effect.

For the last of the six but not the least is Ylang Ylang  this is a uplifting fragrance oil that is good for all skin types but works really well on dry or mature skin to revitalize and moisturize.

  1. Add several drops in to a carrier oil, one of many is coconut oil. Apply this combination to the skin. For better results massage into the skin.
  2. Add 2-3 drops to your bath water.
  3. This oil is fine if applied directly to your skin. You may apply 1-2 drops or as needed to your skin and moisturize as normal.

 

I enjoy learning about oils and how to use them, I learn from many different books but one useful source that I use a lot is Youngliving and that is because I am a distributor with them and like the seed to seal promise they  give but the information I have is not bias to them. It can be backed up by other sources and you may use what oils you find best.

 

 

 

 

Posted in Uplifting

The Shopping Cart

Posted on by junebugphx

Some of us are shoppers others (like myself) are not really into shopping but what ever the case may be we all at one point or the other have to go to a store. We go for food or items we may want or need.

Have you ever thought that life is like one big store, we look for the best cart you know the one that drives great with no bum wheels and no sound. A cart that is large and drives great so we can get our shopping done with ease.

In this store everything we could ever want or desire. Isles and isles full of what we think is just what we want and is perfect for us. We put all we can fit in the cart and enjoy every minute eyes glazing over and laughing with what we think is making us so happy.

As the exciting fun of the shopping trip comes to an end we get in line and empty our cart on the belt our excitement grows with the anticipation of getting all we want. Now imagine the casher taking all of the stuff that we wanted and putting it in a box then putting it aside but the last item that you really didn’t want but was suppose to be good for you they hand to you then say enjoy and have a great day.

What would you do? Would you be pleased and thankful for that one item and leave happy or would you stand there arguing? Or  perhaps hand back that item leaving upset and angry.

We all tend to think that God is that cashier and if He was real or loved us we would get all the things we wanted, we would get that big box not some small thing that is good for us that we really didn’t want but I like to think that God is looking out for us, He knows what is good for us even when we don’t see it. Being thankful for the small things and in turn we walk away with so much more.