Plan Ahead Smoothies

Hello friends!

Today, I am sharing something that I drink almost every day – fruit smoothies. Several years ago on a girls’ weekend a friend brought her Blendtec blender and we had green smoothies almost every morning or as a snack in the day. After that I knew I wanted my own Blendtec blender because I wanted more smoothies and knew how healthy they can be. (Link to Blendtec blender like I have on Amazon)

What I like about drinking smoothies is that I can drink 2-3 cups of fruit but there is no way I could sit down and eat all that. Weird, I know, but when you combine a banana, strawberries, pineapple, and honey with some yogurt and blend it all up, it is so tasty and is quite the treat. It goes down so much quicker as a drink. The health benefits are obvious.

Most days I replace either breakfast or lunch for a smoothie. It is filling plus I am getting almost half of my goal for fiber in one smoothie. Even more when I add flaxseed!

A few months back we were going to spend a night or two at my father-in-law’s. I had to plan my breakfasts before we left since I am gluten free. My husband is from Small Town, USA. You know, one red light, everybody-knows-everybody-else (and their business), three restaurants in town (one being a McDonald’s), two gas stations, etc. You get the idea.

Being gluten free, going out of town can be a challenge. My father-in-law has been a widow for several years and does not keep much in the way of food the family can eat, in particular what I can eat with my restrictive diet. Usually, Wade and the kids pick up a breakfast sandwich at McDonald’s while we are in town and then we’ll skip lunch and have dinner out at one of the other two restaurants. (Or if it’s a holiday, I’ll cook.)

It occurred to me a few days before that I could make some smoothies to bring along. So the night before we left I tripled my recipe, divided it into freezer bags, and placed the bags in the freezer.




When we arrived at his house, I put it in the freezer but took it out and put in the refrigerator the night before I would need it. (Do not forget straws if you are doing this while traveling! Thankfully, I remembered.) We worked cattle that morning so it was a cool and healthy breakfast to have.

Recently, a friend was telling me how she would like to make smoothies more for her boys to drink but did not like having to get all the ingredients out and make the mess. I shared with how easy it was to make big batches and freeze. She liked the idea and thought it was the answer to her drawback to making daily smoothies.

I like to use either pint size Mason jars or freezer bags when freezing my smoothies for planning ahead. Remember to leave space for the smoothie to expand especially if you are using a glass jar!

When I make smoothies I do not use “recipes.” If I can avoid washing measuring cups then I will eyeball ingredients when I'm in the kitchen. I did start using a general recipe at first though and started playing and experimenting from there.

Here is what I do…..
  • 1 banana
  • About ½ cup yogurt (I buy organic Greek yogurt.)
  • 1 cup of another fruit
  • ½-1 cup of some other fruit
  • 1 teaspoon honey (Other great natural sweeteners are maple syrup and Stevia.)
  • 1 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon
  • 1 scoop fruit and vegetable powder (This is what makes my smoothie “green” because of all the green, healthy goodness in this powder. If you do not have this then you can use kale or spinach. Contact me if interested in ordering the powder I use.)
Other things I like to add for nutritional value: flax seed, maca powder, Bragg apple cider vinegar with mother, chia seeds, turmeric powder, ginger

Things you can add for flavor: Vanilla extract, flavored Stevia (like SweetLeaf brand)

Favorite fruit combinations (always with a banana, the first fruit would be 1 cup and the second fruit would be ½ cup, usually)
Strawberries and pineapple
Mango and blueberries (blueberries will overpower the mango so I usually use ½ cup blueberries)
Pineapple and mango
Peaches and strawberries
Pineapple with coconut milk and a dash of vanilla extract for a Piña Colada smoothie
Strawberries, pineapple, and blueberries (equal portions of each)

In place of yogurt you could use orange juice, apple juice, or coconut milk (or some other milk like almond milk).

You can use almost any fruit (or vegetable) in a smoothie. Use what is in season whether from your garden or at the grocery store. Play around and see what you like.

Personally, I’m not a big fan of raspberries or blackberries mainly because of the seeds – the crunching of them and how they get in my teeth. I have a time with blueberries as it is but I like the taste. If you like other fruits, then by all means, throw them in and try it out. I have also found most pears give my smoothies a grainy texture I do not like.

I recently read about the benefits of maca powder and ordered some from Vitacost. Amazon sells it as well. (Sign up to Vitacost with this link and save $10 on your first order. I will also receive a $10 credit if you place an order.) "Maca Powder is loaded with nutritious vitamins, minerals, amino acids and plant sterols, including vitamins B1, B2, B, C, D, E, iron, potassium, copper, magnesium, selenium, phosphorous and calcium. It's a fiber-rich food and a good source of plant protein (about ten percent). Maca root is also a source of fatty acids, and it contains four unique alkaloids (Macaina 1, 2, 3 and 4)." link  I bought the gelatinized maca powder because the starch is removed and it is easier to digest and absorb. It gives you a boost of energy like caffeine without the jitters and crashes. This is the brand I use and like on Amazon.

Other great things people add to their smoothies to supercharge them are nut butters (cashew, almond, peanut, etc), seeds (hemp, sunflower, sesame, etc), and herbs/spices (already mentioned Ceylon cinnamon and ginger but also nutmeg, mint, or frozen herbed tea cubes).

Before I go, I want to share my dessert smoothie that is good for you too! I found it in the Blendtec recipe book that came with my blender.

Peanut Butter & Cocoa Smoothie
(click here to print)

1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 tablespoon peanut butter
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 banana
1 cup ice cubes

Add ingredients to blender jar in order listed and blend until smooth.

Do you drink smoothies? What is your favorite recipe(s)?

Metallic Leaf Skeletons

If you have been following our blog for the last year or so then you will know that I enjoy taking things from nature and using it in my home décor. (Check out my post, Painted Pine Cones and All Their Uses.) Several weeks ago I was walking my dog, Jax, when I started noticing all the leaf skeletons along the edge of the woods.

Picking up a couple to inspect their shape, I realized how they had their own beauty with the lines and texture. I dropped them to the ground and kept walking but my creative juices started churning. What would be a way to use them in my fall décor? What if I did something to accentuate the beauty of the skeletal lines?

Then it hit me! I could spray paint them with metallic paint! I love to spray paint things and I have also been admiring how many are using metallic accents to add elegance and flair to home décor.

Later that day on my next walk around the farm with Jax, I picked up some leaf skeletons to play with. They turned out great so later I collected more to spray paint. 

Most of my craft projects are easy. This is one of them.

Supplies needed:
Leaf skeletons
Spray paint color of choice – This is the brand I used and recommend.
Box or plastic – a safe place to lay your leaves while spray painting
Parchment paper or wax paper – a nonstick surface to put your leaves while they completely dry

*NOTE* When I first spray painted my leaves some were curly and bent. I was okay with that but wondered if I could flatten them out better. When I collected a second batch, they were damp from a rainfall the night before and were flexible. So I scouted out more leaves and ran them under water (low pressure, they can be fragile), and then placed them between paper towels and placed weight on top of the towels to flatten them while they dried. I do like having some flat and some with curls and folds.

Instructions:
Make sure your leaf skeletons are free from any dirt, bugs, or debris.

Put them on a protected surface to paint. (I used a large box outside in the grass.) Shake your spray paint according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Spray an even coat on one side of each leaf. Let dry 10-20 minutes or until you can carefully flip them over the spray the other side.

Wait about 20 minutes before transferring to a nonstick surface like parchment paper to dry completely.

The fun part is next – use to decorate! Use them on your mantel, as part of a centerpiece for your table, framed for quick fall art, as a fall garland, wrapped around a candle votive (and tied with string), on a fall wreath, as an ornament on your Christmas tree…there are lots of ways to make them work for you.

What if you say, “Leslie, I don’t have acres of woods to gather leaf skeletons like you do.” Well, never fear! You can actually transform regular leaves into leaf skeletons with some science. One of my kids had it as a botany science experiment a couple of years ago – bringing washing soda and water to a boil with regular leaves in the solution. The leafy part falls away from the skeleton giving you the look you want. Google it and you will find instructions!

Do you have any ideas of how to use these little beauties? Let me know! Leave a comment below or tell me on our Facebook page. We love to hear from our readers!

Honeybun Cake

Once upon a time the hubs and I were married without kids. The pastor currently at our church was not a pastor yet but would travel to preach and Wade went with him a few times. The first time Wade went with him, I was being trying to be a good wife, and I baked a cake for them to take. They were driving to Alabama to a meeting. Story goes that the cake was gone before they arrived. There were full bellies and a proud husband….oh, and a recipe request. ;)

Honeybun Cake
Printable recipe here

1 box yellow cake mix (If gluten free, my favorite is King Arthur’s GF yellow cake mix.)
3/4 cup coconut oil
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla, divided
8 ounce sour cream
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups confectioner’s sugar
4 tablespoons milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix yellow cake mix, oil, eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and sour cream; pour into greased 9x13-inch cake pan. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over cake; swirl with a fork all over. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes or until tested done with toothpick. For icing, mix confectioner’s sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and milk (may not need all the milk); pour over warm cake.

When you use your fork to swirl the brown sugar/cinnamon into the cake batter, it causes these yummy swirls of sweetness throughout.

It is so good. Granted, I am not calling this a healthy recipe with all that sugar, but it is a nice treat to have every once in a while. I rarely make desserts and our family are not “cake” people, but this is one cake we ALL love. It is easy and another one of those recipes I like to take to families when they are in need of a meal. My family likes it as a dessert but also to go with hot tea or coffee, like a coffeecake (basically telling you we eat it for breakfast).

Do you have a favorite dessert recipe that is your go-to or favorite for potlucks or to share with others? Tell me about it. I love to try new recipes. Share in the comments below or find us on Facebook!

Improving Your Prayer Life with Technology

One of the great things about the age of technology and smart phones is how it can be used to better your life. Fitness apps, Bible apps, bank apps, grocery list apps - it helps us to save time, money, and keep up with how we are doing physically AND spiritually.

An area of my life I have been burdened to work on for a while is my prayer life. I would pray every day and throughout the day. Walk the dog, I pray. Folding clothes, I pray. Drive down the road, I pray. However, I was and still am FAR from arriving at where I need to be in my prayer life, and I am convicted of it often. (I want to get that straight before anyone keeps reading!)

There were things I needed to pray for that I was forgetting and there were things I needed to include in my prayer life - like a time of praise and thanksgiving.

I Chronicles 23:30 "And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even."

Hebrews 13:15 "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, 
that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."

Many more verses in God's Word talk about how we should praise and give thanks.

A couple of years ago I made this really nice and elaborate prayer journal.....but it just did not work for me. While getting ready about a month ago, I was thinking there should be an app where you can input the things you want to pray for daily and the things you want to pray for weekly.

Well, you may have heard "there is no new thing under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 1:9) I searched for "prayer" in the app store and sure enough, many apps came up. Sadly, most were not meant for the Christian, but I waded through looking at characteristics and found one that had features similar to what I had in mind. It's called PrayerMate. It's available for FREE in the Google store and the iTunes store.

It's become one of my favorite apps in the last month. The app actually has everything I wanted and needed in an app plus some extra neat features I wanted to share.

When you download it, it comes set up with a few "categories" but everything is customizable. Here is a glimpse at my categories:

Within each category you can add "subjects." This can just be a list if you want. Such as in my "Fab Farmer 4," I have added my husband and two kids. (I am an English nerd who like alliteration, so please excuse me. Haha!)

There are only three items or "subjects" in this "session" as you see above. I want to pray for all three every day, so I have it set to three. If I had a list of say 18 items like I do for our Sunday school group members, then I know there is no way I can sincerely pray for all the families every day. For that group, I have chosen to pray for three items every time I go through my list.

Back to your subjects...if you want to get more detailed (and this is something I continued and still continue to customize over time), then you can add "notes" - things you want to remember to pray about for that subject.
See where it says, "Tap here to add notes..." - well, tap there! ;)

Type in what you want to add....


This is what the subject looks like when you are in edit mode.

Below is what Elizabeth's prayer page looks like finished.
The "notes" are in a slightly smaller font as you can see above.

So see that picture up there of my girl? Yep, you can add those too. I "stole" that from her Instagram account. I also used some of my friends on Facebook. I think it helps (at least it does me) to SEE the person when you are praying for them. I also accidentally discovered that if you do not delete the photo before uploading another for a subject then you can have more than one and it slowly scrolls through the pictures as you pray for that person or family. Pretty neat!

Other things you can change is the scheduling mode which is different from how many items you pray for in each category. This is how often you want to pray for each subject. So if I want to pray for my family daily, I can. If I want to pray for one person on a list daily but the rest on a different schedule, then I can. My husband and I have committed to pray for our Pastor and his family daily so I have it set them to come through my prayer session daily.

If you do not change the scheduling mode then it will be on "default" which means if you have 18 items and pray for three every session, then you will go through each subject every six days. For the families in my Sunday school group, I am praying for them at least once a week. In time, I may up this so I'm praying for them more than that, but I wanted to start at a point I knew I could handle.

Just like if you start reading the Bible for the first time (or after a long time of not reading), it is better to start slow, say 20 verses or one chapter and not try to read 5-10 chapters at a sitting. I have been praying for years, but with this improvement of my prayer life I am praying longer in one sitting.

Regarding scheduling, you can also set up a reminder to alert you when to pray.

When the reminder goes off and I open the app, this is what I see. (If I did not get to pray through my list then when I open the app it will be where I left off until the next day.)

It's an overview of what I will pray for that day. The little circles at the bottom shows where you are in the series of items. You just use your finger to swipe through as you pray.

That is a lot of screen shots to show you how I have been using the app. I start out with a "Praise to the Lord" category where I have added verses that are verses of praise I can pray to the Lord.

Next I go to my "Being What I Need to Be" where I pray through things concerning my spiritual life, my physical self (any health issues or whatever), my roles as a wife, mother, daughter, and friend, and then the ministries I am involved in at church. For each of those I can pray for areas I am weak and characteristics I want to strengthen.

If you noticed my "Temporary Requests" above, that is for things I have told friends I would pray for or things I want to pray for a short period (families who had a loved one die, people who are sick, etc). That is another area I have tried different ways to try to help me remember and many have failed, but so far this has been working great. :)

When you start using the app you will discover more features that I am not explaining in this post - things such as downloading prayers (I found a good one to use for our Pastor), attaching PDFs to subjects if there is something you want to remember while praying (an example could be a recent prayer letter from a missionary), import your phone contacts so you do not have to type it all up, font size, backup to Dropbox so you do not lose all the information you have added, etc.

I Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."

Prayer is one of the great things about our Christian life. Most of us (ME! ME! ME!) need to improve. I am thankful we can use technology to help us do this since it is such a part of our lives.

I have been using this app while walking the dog, getting ready, waiting at appointments, and relaxing on the sofa to name a few places. As I mentioned above, if you do not get through the whole session then it will stay where you left off until the next day.

Try out this app and see how it can help. If you have found an app that helps you in your prayer life then please share below in the comments or on our Facebook page. Let me know if you have any questions!

Summer Hexagon Project

Summer in the Farmer household has been in full swing. Wade and I enjoyed a glimpse of what it will be like as empty nesters a couple of weeks ago while the kids were on a ministry trip in Ohio helping a new church plant. We enjoyed it so much that when an opportunity came up for them to go to teen rally the past few days, we said, "You're going!" (Actually, they did want to go so all was good!)

The first of June I made up a list of projects I want to get done this summer. There were ten things on the list. I have completed three. I am pretty happy with that since we have been gone about four times since mid May (when our "summer" starts for us homeschoolers). Most of the items on my list entail putting things on my walls. As I mentioned almost a year ago, most of my blank walls have been already decorated in my head. I know exactly what I want to do to most of them.

The most recent project I have been working on is what I refer to as our "kid guest room." I have had people ask, "You have a kid guest room?" We do. It is a smallish bedroom that was in our house plans and is in between Elizabeth and Andrew's bedrooms. We did not have any other ideas of how to use the space and it shares Elizabeth's bathroom which is nice for when she has friends spend the night. She has called it her "office" in the past since it does adjoin her room and bathroom. Ha. We just call it the kid guest room because of its small size and location.

We have had two groups of college students stay with us in the last month or so. That was what got me motivated to do something with it - guests using it! We had four ladies stay with us in May and then just a few weeks later, we had five college men who were part of a quartet (and the piano player) stay with us. (Find out I like to prepare for guests on my post, Prepping for Guests.)

The best part about decorating this room is that I get to do WHATEVER I want. I want the room to be unisex so if we have boys or girls stay in it, it does not make them feel like they are staying in their brother or sister's room.

Last week I finished this hexagon art piece. It makes me smile.

Over a year ago, I had pinned something similar from this blog post, Repeating Hexagon Wall Art. I had wanted to recreate it ever since for a space in my house. When I was working on this wall in the kid guest room, I knew it was what I wanted to go there!

Most of what I used to make it was scraps from my past scrapbooking days. All I bought for this project was the 11.75x36 inch poster frame which cost $15.97 at Walmart. I have a roll of kraft paper I have used for wrapping gifts, to cover tables for art projects, and other various things that I used for the background to mount my hexagons. I thought about using the backside of the information insert that came in the frame which was white and would have worked well color-wise, but I did not like how flimsy it was.

I created a simple hexagon pattern on my Silhouette to cut out all my pieces. Do not worry if you do not have a die cutter like mine, you can hand cut them. Find a simple hexagon shape to print sizing it in Word or using a copier. The file below you can save to your computer and open it with your Silhouette software. Size accordingly for your project. Click on it to save and use!

I sized my hexagon to fit three wide on the frame I was using. I picked similar colors from the bedding in the room concentrating on more of the reds and blues (my two favorite colors!). I made the colors go from pink to red to orange, yellow, green, and blue. That is how I also organize my scrapbook papers and clothes in my closet with purple thrown in after blue (and then I have brown, white, and black). ;)

As I cut the hexagons out, I positioned them how I wanted the colors to flow. When I had enough cut out and the colors I wanted, I started in the top left and removed the pieces and began numbering them. I had forty-nine hexagons or half hexagons for some of the corners and edges.

Using the back cover of the frame as a template to cut my kraft paper, I gently folded it in half lengthwise and made a pinch in the middle to know where the center was. Then I once again began to put the hexagons back on using the numbers on the back to help.



Once I had them all spaced evenly and how I wanted, I used scrapbook adhesive tape to start sticking them to the kraft paper. Here is the adhesive applicator I use and have had good results with for years.


If you wanted to make a quicker version of this, you could cut strips of paper in maybe 5-7 colors (like a variety of blues or greens) and just cut them as rectangles and/or squares. Search on Pinterest for "strip quilt" to get some ideas and then translate that to paper!

Have any of you been working on projects this summer that have been put off? Share with me what you have been up to in your home! And if you use my file whether for an art project or to create something else, then please share with me either sending me a link in the comments below or post the photo on our Facebook page.
 
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