Apple Cider Vinegar

I do not receive any remuneration for this product. It is my own opinion based on my own experiment with the product.

For many years I have suffered with frequent sinus headaches and constantly clearing my throat. This can really wear on a person and at times affect your whole personality as many of you know that suffer with any type of chronic pain.

I've been to the Dr numerous times and they always tell me the same thing...allergies. Take this prescription and use this nasal spray. If this doesn't work, we'll do a scan of your sinuses to see if there is a blockage. If so, you may need surgery.

Well, I don't want another surgery and I'm tired of getting a prescription every time I go to the doctor. I've tried the allergy meds and the sprays and they help somewhat, but I still had headaches and clearing of the throat. So I decided it was time to do some research of my own and see if I could find the source of the problem or else a natural product without side effects to help me.

I came across many sites and forums regarding sinus problems and found that many people recommended apple cider vinegar with the "mother" in it. Bragg's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar was found at our local GNC and we bought the smallest bottle. I began putting 1 teaspoon of the vinegar in a 12 oz glass of water and drinking it three times a day. Personally, I liked the flavored water. Maybe it's because I like vinegar tastes anyway such as pickles and such. Anyhow, I then started putting 2 teaspoons in the glass of water. I've been doing this now for over a month. It wasn't long after starting this regimen that I realized my headaches were GONE! I wasn't clearing my throat!!!

I'm SOLD on the stuff. I look forward to drinking this everyday. The "mother" is the little strands of things you see floating around in the vinegar. This is unfiltered and unpasteurized, thus the cloudy look of the vinegar.

Another problem I've had is a constant dry cough. This was going on for the past couple of years. I did some research on this too and found that it is related to acid reflux. Here are some changes I made based on the findings through the internet and also my doctor agreed:

• No dairy products (Okay, so I wanted to cry when I saw this!)
• No chocolate (more crying)
• No caffeine (I can handle that)
• No carbonated drinks (no problem)
• No fatty foods (*SIGH*)
• Eat 5-6 small meals instead of 3 big meals
• No food three hours before bedtime

As with all changes in our lifestyle, we start out strong and then weaken and give in. The coughing stopped within a couple of days of removing these things from my diet. The doctor did tell me that if I want to have any of these no-no's, to eat them earlier in the day. Okay, I like that!

I had a cup (actually it was a mug) of coffee one morning. The cough started shortly thereafter...okay...no more coffee. Now I drink hot tea in the morning with a little drizzle of honey. Cheese! My love!!!! I can handle it in small proportions early in the day. The other night I made the annual Jimmy Dean sausage cheese balls and ate them (not all of them...just 8) about 7:00 pm. Cough...cough...cough...(I'm so sad!!!!) I snuck just one yesterday (actually two) and was fine. Portions...have to remember portions!

Chocolate has to be in small portions as well. I found that out last week when sampling a chocolate cake and some buckeyes and ended up with a horrible headache and coughing.

I believe that a lot of our ills can be blamed on the portions of foods we eat. The Bible warns us of gluttony and many of us are guilty as charged. We even joke about it, which is wrong. Would we make jokes about any other sin? I can't think of any. So, I'm reforming my ways for a healthier life and a cleaner soul.

Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Pig Harvesting

My daughter's boyfriend and his parents live on a farm and it is that time of year when they harvest two pigs. Today I put up 25 lbs of ground sausage that they made. Let me tell you...I am grateful that our freezer is packed, but I honestly don't think anything else is going to fit in there. I had to rearrange just to get the sausage in there! Nope! Nothing else will fit. We are going to have to begin eating our way through the freezer in order to have room to stock it again next year. I kept some of the sausage out to make those fabulous "Sausage Cheese Balls" that everyone seems to make this time of year. I can really pig out on those things! (Pardon the pun).

The Christmas shopping is completed so now I must get some Christmas cards done this weekend in order to mail them out on Monday.

How is everyone enjoying the winter so far? It started a little early, huh? Tomorrow is going to be one of those "stay-in-the-house-and-drink-hot-cocoa-days-while-wrapped-up-in-a-cozy-blanket".

Let's take a moment during our prayer times to remember our service men and women and their families as they miss their loved ones during Christmas. If any of you read this blog, I want to thank you sincerely for your sacrifice and devotion to our country.

Gingerbread Cookies without Molasses

Tori asked me if I knew how to make gingerbread without the molasses.

My Answer: Tori, you got me! :-D I didn't know so I looked it up and found the following recipe. I have NOT tried it, but it sounds good. Also I found that some people said you can substitute corn syrup or honey, however, the taste will be different.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 (3.5 ounce) package cook and serve butterscotch pudding mix
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:

In a medium bowl, cream together the dry butterscotch pudding mix, butter, and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, and cinnamon; stir into the pudding mixture. Cover, and chill dough until firm, about 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease baking sheets. On a floured board, roll dough out to about 1/8 inch thickness, and cut into man shapes using a cookie cutter. Place cookies 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until cookies are golden at the edges. Cool on wire racks.
Source:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Gingerbread-Men/Detail.aspx

I hope this helps you Tori and also anyone else who either doesn't like molasses or isn't able to obtain it.

Why Are So Many Not Saved?

The following answers are taken from the sermon, Jesus, A Savior from Sinning, written and preached by Charles Finney. I have paraphrased these answers. However, I would recommend that you read his sermon in full. If you are not familiar with Charles Finney, please read a brief biography of him here.

1. Many do not want to be saved from their sins. The daily practice of their sins present no grief or pain to them.
2. Many may show a desire to be saved from sin, but aren't willing to give up their sin.
3. Many mistake Salvation from their sins to be a salvation from punishment and hell. They want deliverance from their punishment yet refuse to give up their sins.
4. Others are so self-righteous that they rely upon their outward morality. They see other professed Christians and say that they are as good as them, yet are never saved from their sins.
5. Many are born into upright, moral families and never fail to attend church meetings and live their lives morally, yet deep in their soul they know they have never come to Christ Jesus. They felt they had no need to come to Him because of their moral righteousness.
6. Many struggle to get faith by their works. They feel the need to perfect themselves before coming to Christ. Thus, they never make it.

This sermon, has MANY lessons and again, I recommend it to be read in full. You may think it is difficult to read at first because his sermons were written in the mid-1800's and this man an extremely intelligent man, yet he speaks plainly. Keep reading because you will soon become accustomed to it. My husband and I have learned much from this man's writings. How can you ignore a man who is responsible for hundreds of thousands of lives being saved and 85% of them remaining true to God throughout their lives?

It makes me think how sad it is that many Christians, including myself, waste so much time on trivial matters instead of delving into the richness of God's Treasures. He wants to bless us and show us His Mighty Power, but how often we quench it. His ways are different than the world's ways and seem odd to us. Are we so afraid of being different that we would give up many of the blessings that we could have? My heart yearns to know more about my wonderful Savior! It's time to get away from the milk and get into the meat of His Word.

Christmas Decorations (Picture Loaded)

Here's the bay window in front of the house.

Here's the front door. (That's the reflection of the lights in the glass storm door.)


This is a grapevine wreath my daughter made and then wrapped with lights. It's hung outside beside the kitchen door. If you can't read the sign, it says: Back Door Guests are Best

Here's the back porch.

One of the gingerbread ornaments on the tree.

Another gingerbread ornament.

The Christmas tree in the living room.

This is the gingerbread doll I crocheted.

The mantle. I have another Christmas picture that I swap out, but cannot find it this year. It's around here somewhere and I'll probably find it once Christmas is over. ;-)

China cabinet.

Cutest salt and pepper shakers.

Here's a craft I did recently. Took an old cookie sheet and spray painted it with chrome paint and then after it dried, I painted the gingerbread and sign. The other little small gingerbread boys and girls are rub-ons.

Kitchen towel.

Spoon rest

Thank You, God

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of my page and turn off the player to listen to this song. It's one of my all-time favorite hymns, but I found this in an instrumental with the slide show and it's beautiful.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

To me, this is what Thanksgiving Day is all about. Being with family and friends and sharing what we are thankful for.

This year I am very thankful for:

• our health. No one had to be put in the hospital!
• the men and women in our military who still believe in America and fighting for our freedoms.
• as always, I am thankful for God sending His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for us and is now sitting at the right Hand of God interceding for us.

Do you have something you are especially thankful for this year?

May you and your families have a blessed Thanksgiving!!!!