Blog Archives
DIY Monday: Re-Purposed BBW Candle Jars
I LOVE CANDLES! But most of all I LOVE Bath & Body Works Candles. No other candles compare; Seriously, They are truly my absolute fave! I think I have become more like obsessed with them over the years. I literally have one in every room. House smells like Heaven! But after the sweet smelling aroma has burnt out I often wondered what can I possibly do with all these empty vessels. They’re to pretty to just throw away. And as luck would have it I found some great re-purpose ideas on my favorite social media sites that I just had to share with you. Happy DIY’ing!
XO, Sunshine
15 Easy One-Pot Recipes for Date Night
Work. Meetings. Appointments. Playing Taxi Cab. Taking the kids to soccer practice. Helping with Homework. Choir Practice. The list just goes on and on. And after all that who has time for some quiet alone time with your spouse or significant other? Let alone stand over a hot stove and cook a gourmet meal. But don’t fret; Sunshine is here to save the day or night in this case. I’ve discovered 15 Easy One-Pot Recipes that you can re-create together for a special date night in. So light some candles, turn on some slow jams and open up a bottle of your favorite wine. It’s time to unplug and connect with some good food & adult conversation!
XO, Sunshine
1. Baked Chicken with Tomatoes & Garlic: Get the recipe on Brooklyn Supper
2. Skillet Chicken & Zucchini Parmesan: Get the recipe on Simple Bites
3. Potato, Kale & White Bean Hash: Get the recipe on Beard & Bonnet
4. Creamy Baked Millet w/ Butternut Squash: Get the recipe on Autumn Makes And Does
5. Barbeque Shrimp – New Orleans Style: Get the recipe on Wonky Wonderful
6. Mushroom Skillet Lasagna: Get the recipe on Savory Simple
7. Crispy Chicken Legs and Brussels Sprouts: Get the recipe on So Let’s Hang Out!
8. Saffron Shakshouka: Get the recipe on Brooklyn Supper
9. Spicy roast chicken with Carrots, Olives & Lemon: Get the recipe on The Crumb Blog
10. Slow Cooker Tuscan Tortellini Soup: Get 
the recipe on Nosh & Nourish
11. Sriracha Lime Chicken Skillet: Get the recipe on Running To The Kitchen
12. Chicken & Eggplant Sauté: Get the recipe on Lexi’s Clean Kitchen
13. Skillet Spaghetti: Get the recipe on Julie’s Eats & Treats
14. Thai Basil Cashew Chicken Skillet: Get the recipe on Running To The Kitchen
15. Saucy Chicken: Get the recipe on Diethood
Photo Credits: Simple Bites, Wonky Wonderful & Nosh and Nourish
Change Your Life With Chia
When you hear “chia,” you may think of “Chia Pets.” These are clay figures sold in the US that support the growth of chia sprouts. But chia has a much longer history as a medicinal herb. It originated in Mexico and was cultivated by the Aztecs. Supposedly, the Aztecs, Mayans, and Incans used chia as a staple of their diet and as an energy food. Chia means “strength” in the Mayan language, and they were known as the “Indian Running Food” because runners and warriors would use them for sustenance while running long distances or during battle.
The chia seeds are “super” because, like a superfruit, they deliver the maximum amount of nutrients with minimum calories. They have several of the same benefits as the more well-known “super seed” flax, but unlike flax seed, you don’t need to grind them to reap the health benefits. The nutritional benefits of chia include fiber, omega fatty acids, calcium, antioxidants and much more – even protein!
Not only are chia seeds gluten and grain free naturally, but one tablespoon of this SUPER SEED has more calcium than a glass of milk, more Omega-3s than Salmon and more antioxidants than blueberries. Who Knew? Lord knows I didn’t!
Anywho, Chia seeds are super high in soluble fiber which, in addition to filling you up, has cholesterol-lowering properties and prevents the absorption of fat. GIVE ME SOME NOW!!!! LOL Whether it be for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a simple mid-day snack, chia seeds are very easy to incorporate into your everyday diet. Try eating them raw. Or Try stirring two tablespoons of “whole” or “raw” chia seeds into a glass of water or fruit juice. Wait a few minutes, drinking them down before the seeds absorb the liquid and get hard. They are also perfect in oatmeal and puddings and they make an ideal addition to baked goods including breads, cakes and biscuits.
So go ahead and try a healthy “Cha-Cha-Cha-Chia” recipe today. It will help you curb those mid-day cravings!
What are you eating??? The truth about Turkey Bacon!
As the saying goes BACON makes everything better. Who doesn’t love a nice, big crispy strip of bacon? Lord knows I do but with a healthier leash on life I have traded that oh so love of bacon with turkey bacon. Well that’s what I thought until I read this here article. And boy was I surprised! I must admit I don’t always thoroughly look at labels. I know, I know Bad Sunshine. But after reading this I will most definitely be on my pees and ques. Besides knowing is half the battle. To read this eye opening article by Zakia Hassan please click on the link below.
What are you eating??? The truth about Turkey Bacon!
#LovingLifeList
This year the Porters are embarking on a new journey. The #LovingLifeList … 2014 Edition. Every month we will explore something new. Something Different. Something we have never done before. All while doing it TOGETHER! To be continued …
Ready. Set. EXPLORE!
DIY Monday: Homemade Chocolate Frosty
Question: Have you ever had a frosty from Wendy’s?
If you answered yes then you know that on a HOT summer day there is nothing better than this chocolaty treat. It’s Rich, Creamy and Oh So Dreamy! So when I ran across this copy cat recipe I was like, SCORE! So go ahead, INDULGE a little! It’s inexpensive, delicious, and you will score “The Coolest Mom EVER!” points! Besides you deserve it.
P.S. Don’t let the summer pass you by without giving this recipe a try.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup (4 ounces) chocolate syrup
- 1 (7 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS
- Whisk together the milk, chocolate syrup, and condensed milk, and refrigerate until chilled, at least one hour. In a separate mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream and vanilla until soft peaks just begin to form. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Turn on ice cream maker. Pour the chocolate milk mixture into the already running bowl of the ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturers instructions (about 15 – 20 minutes). Once the ice cream is thick, turn the maker off, remove the paddle, and fold in the chilled whipped cream until it is completely incorporated.
- Serve immediately, or transfer to a covered, freezer-safe container and freeze. (If freezing, let ice cream soften a few minutes before serving; you want it to be the consistency of a milkshake.)
7-Up Biscuits
Ingredients
- 2 cups Bisquick
- 1 cup lemon-lime soda
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Melt butter and put and place in a baking pan. Set Aside.
- In a medium bowl cut the sour cream into the Bisquick. Then add the 7-up. Mix until well incorporated. *Note – Dough will be very tender. Makes for very yummy biscuits
- Put down a piece of parchment paper and sprinkle some additional baking mix on your working surface. Flour your hands and shape the dough into a 9 inch square; 1 inch thick.
- Cut dough with a knife or pizza cutter into 9 squares. *Note – Flour your cutting utensil after each cut.
- Place the biscuits into the baking pan on top of the melted butter.
- Bake in the preheated oven until biscuits are golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Let biscuits rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Initiate Your Blessing
eVotional is extracted from, Woman Thou Art Loosed Holy Bible (NKJV) – TD Jakes (General Editor)
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. — Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV
You must initiate your blessing. Go to God with the facts of your situation and lay them out in a systematic order, not with wild wailings and flailings. Never allow the enemy to use your emotions against you!
If you never ask for anything, you will never receive anything. Many people are so passive that they hang around life as limp as old rag dolls and never stand up to circumstances or enforce change. At the other extreme are the people who argue about everything. They are bitter and mean, priding themselves on being overbearing and outspoken.
Neither is effective. Overbearing women isolate themselves because men find them so obnoxious that they had rather hide from them than confront them. Passive women are taken for granted and abused because they feel powerless to provoke change. God wants women who will speak up without ranting and raving. The trick is to balance the two extremes.
However, even God will not release blessings to someone who will not speak up. He teaches emphathetically the necessity of being an initiator. If you don’t initiate it, nothing significant will ever occur in your life. It is totally up to you. If there is no asking, seeking, and knocking, there will be no giving, finding and opening. Can you see why many women are living in frustration? They are filled with wonderful memories and fantasies, but their reality may not be what they desire.
Too many people sit around and wish something would happen. This will make you stagnant and miserable. If you have dreams and aspirations, move toward those goals with vigor and precision. Most Christians feel that God will do it all. That’s not true. If Hannah had not prayed in the spirit for a child (faith) and then slept with Elkanah (works), there would have never been a Samuel (fruit). You can find this story in 1 Samuel 1:20.
You have to make your actions line up with your convictions, or you will live a fruitless life. What is even worse is the fact that in your old age, you will have to eat the fruit of what you did in your youth. Be careful what you cook. Initiate your blessing.
Health Benefits of Honey & Cinnamon
Article re-posted from Jennifer Messing-Buehler Facebook Page
Drug companies won’t like this one getting around. Facts on Honey and Cinnamon:
It is found that a mix of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also note honey as very effective medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without side effects which is also a plus.Today’s science says that even though honey is sweet, when it is taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm even diabetic patients. Researched by western scientists:
HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, put it on toast instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol and could potentially save one from heart attack. Also, even if you have already had an attack studies show you could be kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of cinnamon honey strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as one ages the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and the veins.
ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients can benefit by taking one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. When taken daily even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week (out of the 200 people so treated) practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain — and within a month, most all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis now started walking without pain.
BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder….who knew?
CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water given to a cholesterol patient was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, when taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol-could be cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.
COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and, clear the sinuses, and it’s delicious too!
UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also is said to clear stomach ulcers from its root.
GAS: According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that when Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.
IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles (where DNA is contained) to fight bacterial and viral diseases.
INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food is eaten relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals
INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ‘Ingredient’ which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.
LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Use four teaspoons of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of boiling water to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans increase and even a 100 year old will start performing the chores of a 20-year-old.
RASPY OR SORE THROAT: When throat has a tickle or is raspy, take one tablespoon of honey and sip until gone. Repeat every three hours until throat is without symptoms.
PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it off the next morning with warm water. When done daily for two weeks, it removes all pimples from the root.
SKIN INFECTIONS:Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin Infections.
WEIGHT LOSS: Daily in the morning one half hour beforebreakfast and on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. When taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.
CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been
cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder three times a day for one month.
FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, even when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, when taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M., the vitality of the body increases within a week.
BAD BREATH: People of South America, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water first thing in the morning so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.
HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing.
Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!
I Am Lady Fab 