Caregiver Hope: Yearning for Greener Grass?

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Caregiver Hope: Yearning for Greener Grass?

Help, I’m drowning!

“…is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow…when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.” (James 1:2-4, TLB)

Okay, so I admit it! I can almost see your expression as you read that verse. Your thoughts are running something like this:

“Hey, lady! The first part is correct. My life IS full of difficulties and temptations; and you don’t know the half of it. I’m at my wits end and no help in sight. You really expect me to find a blessing? And top that off by being happy?”

This week’s drastic weather changes have added to the daily stress of caring for family and others. Here in the Ozarks we can literally wade in our back yard and might consider building a boat. On the other hand, some of my readers would pay a big price to get a few drops of precious rain on their parched lands.

Some days are just plain too long!

I recall those days when the only blessing I could envision was my bed at night; that is, if I thought I would be able to muster the strength to get into it. Through the years I learned the value of identifying at least one blessing before I went to bed. Maybe my blessing was simply surviving another day. As time went on, a blessing might be remembering a soft smile when I kissed a cheek. Sometimes it was simply the smell of freshness on that last load of laundry for the day.

Close your eyes for even two minutes–yes, just TWO minutes! Sit up straight, breathe deeply and exhale slowly. Relax. Thank the Lord that He has promised never to leave you or forsake you. Thank Him for fresh air and freedoms and abilities to help others. Thank Him for His blessings.

News Flash: For You!

By the way, did you know that YOU are one of His blessings? Yes, you are!

As we continue this journey together, I trust I will be an encouragement to you; just a nudge to let you know you are not in this alone. Be assured I have prayed for each person reading this including you. Thank you for caring and sharing.

For more encouragement and practical help, consider working through the discussion guides in the second edition of MY MOTHER MY CHILD with a friend or family. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Hugs,

Feel free to share this trailer with others who have not yet read MY MOTHER MY CHILD. Thanks.

3 Things to Know Before Using Ground Turkey

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3 Things to Know Before Using Ground Turkey

Is ground turkey really a better choice for your family?

With beef prices rising, many families today are having to make choices and substitutions in their favorite traditional recipes. If you use a lot of ground meat, you may be considering ground turkey, especially the white meat. When seasoned well, turkey is a great substitute in chili, burgers, stuffed peppers, spaghetti and pasta dishes, casseroles, meatloaves, meatballs and sauces.

1. The nutrition pros and cons of beef vs. turkey.
Before jumping on the turkey bandwagon just to save a few dollars, consider the needs of your family. Ground turkey breast has less fat and calories but more cholesterol. Beef has more protein and potassium than turkey. Ground beef is much juicer and flavorful than white turkey meat. As with any foods, make sure your purchase is fresh and will be used right away or frozen.

2. Solving the problem of drier turkey meat over moist ground beef.
As a rule, ground turkey (especially the breast) will be drier than ground beef. This will mean you need to add ingredients to make moister, palatable dishes. Perhaps you can do ½ and ½ as you experiment with flavors and recipes. Depending on your tastes and what you are cooking, here are a few suggestions:
finely chopped mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, peppers
bread crumbs or dry bread soaked in milk
salsa, fresh or canned
diced apples or pears
soy sauce, ketchup, BBQ sauce

3. Which herbs and spices are best with ground turkey?
Substituting turkey for ground beef will require adding more flavor enhancers as well as moisture. Some good additives are herbs (especially fresh) and spices. Someone has wisely said, “I check the aroma of a spice or herb; if it smells appetizing to me, I try a little in my recipe.” Some good choices are oregano, thyme, rosemary, basil, pepper, chili powder and garlic. Also add shredded Parmesan or other cheeses.

A simple recipe and a reminder.
Here is a basic burger to try: 2 lb. ground turkey, ½ cup grated zucchini, ½ cup chopped onion, one egg. Add salt, pepper and other seasonings as desired. Serve on toasted bun with spicy mustard and pickles. Yum! A reminder: ground turkey must be cooked thoroughly, no medium or rare turkey burgers!

Let me hear from you; what changes are you making in your household to keep your family healthy as prices go up?

Hugs,

My Mother My Child is now available on Amazon.com.  If you have read the book, please go to Amazon.com and comment! Thanks!

You Can Make Time to Write While Caregiving

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You Can Make Time to Write While CaregivingCaring for Your Loved One

You are busy caring for your loved one and someone casually offers a little advice: “you need to be writing your caregiving experiences down.”

Have you been there? You would like to tell others your experiences and hopefully be an encouragement. However, right now, daily survival seems to be the key word of the day.

How to Write a Book

Even knowing I was to write a book, I was in awe of the magnitude of the idea. So you are thinking that knowing this was to be, I had this wonderful notebook and pen in my pocket at all times.  I would be prepared to keep a running storyline as I lived each day.

No! No! Not! Truthfully, I began jotting notes on the most unbelievable scraps of paper available and tossed them into a bucket. Sometimes, I would write on a paper cup or the back of some important paper. Forming those notes into a book was another project.

Ten Interviews in Ten Days

Recently, I have been interviewed on ten occasions for a Virtual Book Tour. It has been challenging; perhaps some of these interviews may spark your enthusiasm to write a bit of your own story; we learn so much from each other as we share life experiences.

Here is a link to one of the most fun interviews; you will enjoy the creative questions from “Straight From the Author’s Mouth”.  Please, jot a note at the end of the article to encourage the interviewer and myself along our paths. Thanks!

Click here for a fun interview: http://straightfromtheauthorsmouth.blogspot.be/2015/05/straight-from-mouth-of-my-mother-my.html

Hugs,

My Mother My Child e-book is now available on Amazon.com.