"Walking is man's best medicine. " Hippocrates

Sammy's garden complete with gumball tree.

Celebration...visited Hollingshead Family yesterday and loved see the grands...

Praying for...Gayle and Nathan...Leaders of Nations...families and orphans...


Scripture Meditations..."The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God." Deuteronomy 22:5 There is no denying the truth.

Commitment to Movement...walking more than anything else...loved seeing Jupiter in the predawn sky... "Walking is man's best medicine. " Hippocrates

Commitment to Healthy Deliciousness...joined the 6-week challenge and I did cook and eat more to the tune of 2 pounds up. Sigh... To tame my budget, I'm relying more on cabbage, chard, carrots, apples, brown/red/black rice, and beans-less on berries, mushrooms, and other expensive items. I've ordered a soy milk maker to cut the cost of milk and tofu. I made tofu last winter that tasted divine, but the time and mess involved made homemade tofu out of the question. I like making two pots of soup, a large pot of rice, and two pots of beans each week, cutting down on my cooking time and allowing more time for writing/working. Fast food doesn't have to be covered with grease and come in a paper sack. However, for my fast food idea to work, I must plan for a house full of hungry young men. I made a pot of our favorite lentil-leek soup to use for a few day's lunch, Spencer's friends cleaned up in short order. It is so good even the most confirmed junk food addict will love it.

4 leeks-white and light green parts, rinsed and sliced very thinly (or one large onion, pureed)
4 stalks celery, rinsed and sliced very thinly
2 c. lentils
4 carrots-sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 t. cumin
2 t. oregano
2 t. Ancho powdered chili
1 t. red pepper flakes
water
1 bunch kale or 2-3 cups cabbage, finely chopped
1 c. finely chopped cilantro or parsley

Soak lentils for 8-24 hours. First I cook the leeks or onions and celery in a pot of water on lowest heat for an hour or so to make a good soup base. Puree soup base and add garlic, lentils, carrots, more water, and spices. Cook on lowest heat for 30-60 minutes until lentils are tender Or pour into a thermal cooker for an hour or two. Add kale and parsley to wilt slightly. (Celery and left over cooked rice can be added as well.)


Commitment to Homemaking...Since I don't use salt to season my food anymore, I have developed quite a taste for add-ons: pepper flakes, black sesame seeds, a blend of dried onions, citrus peel, garlic, and pepper in a grinder, nutritional yeast, dulse flakes, Mrs. Dash, cayenne pepper, and a few more. For awhile I hauled this mass of bottle to the table and back again for each meal. One day I decided there had to be an easier way. Serendipitously, I spied a basket that was about to be discarded near the back door. Viola! It was the right size to fit in the cabinet and still hold my various condiments. Now I only carry the basket back and forth. And it looks so pretty on the table.

Commitment to Modesty...my five-year-old granddaughter was curious, why I only wear skirts. I told her it's because I like feeling like a girl. She  countered that girls wear jeans. I said, maybe so, but I don't like to wear men's clothes and jeans cut into my stomach. I don't like to talk about my reasons for my choice, because some people get so defensive over it. But that is what I say, when people ask.

Commitment to Loveliness...I've been struggling with my hair for several months. I won't cut it short, since I've grown to love long hair. But the grey is so frizzy. After using baking soda for a couple years, it was way too dry. I tried shampoo again for a couple months, but it was worse. I really wanted to go back to using Wen, but it is too expensive. So I visited Sally. Two women, probably mother and daughter were there both of which had silky long greying hair. After the girl at the counter couldn't help me, I asked them. The older one suggested Wen, but I told her I just couldn't justify the price. The counter girl overheard us and suggested their Wen compatible product. I snapped it up. After the first use, the frizz is way down. I'll report back after a week. I'm hopeful. I also plan to start giving my hair a final leave in rinse of yarrow.

Sound of Music...still haven't gotten back to PHX to pick up my violin. The restoration work that should have been done weeks ago on our house is still not finished. Maybe next week.

Toward a Real Education Through My Garden Gate...I think the reason that I haven't been able to do my garden lately is because God was gently steering me back to an idea I explored years ago, Permaculture. I read Gaia's Garden in 2000, when we lived at our farm near Seattle. I wasn't quite ready for the concepts, but now I am. Permaculture is a wonderful concept of harvesting water from the land, planting on contour, and using the ideas of natural forest habitat to plant forest gardens. This sort of gardening doesn't require all the digging and weeding and and and. With very little work after the initial set-up, it takes care of itself and provides an interactive wildlife/human habitat. I love the idea of this lifestyle, because it is so gentle and self-sustaining. If I live long enough, I would love to accomplish my goal of growing most of my food. Maybe I can realize this goal through the delights of a permaculture Forest Garden sometime.

From My Pen...Still researching and writing science, history, ethics, economics, etc. like crazy. I spent a lot of time finalizing the first term of my accelerated scholar program this week. I spent some wonderful time drawing again for the first time in months. Finally, the school is moving forward at a doable pace. My friend Erin and I are working on a wonderful project with great possibilities for the future.

The Dispensary..."Everyone has a doctor in him or her; we just have to help it in its work. The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well. Our food should be our medicine. Our medicine should be our food. But to eat when you are sick, is to feed your sickness...A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings, and learn how by his own thought to derive benefit from his illnesses." Hippocrates I discovered much to my disgust lately, that restaurant eating is out of the question for me. We traveled to my daughter's house for a visit. Eating at our favorite veggie restaurant on the way there, I thought I did great with a beautiful salad, tomato soup, and fruit smoothie. On the way home, we again picked up some food there. I discovered the tomato soup was filled with coconut milk (aka coconut fat) and lots of salt. Since I don't eat added fat or salt, I'm swollen up like a stuck pig or six month pregnant human female. Much misery followed this experience especially during the 3-hour drive home and my sleepless night. Today will be a fast day with lots of water, some carrot juice, and bed rest.

Contemplating...the beauties of the earth and sky...