Pneumonia

For those of you who don't already know, I haven't been blogging lately because I ended up in the hospital for a few days with pneumonia. I am now home and on the mend, but everyone tells me it's a long recovery. So I don't know when I'll be back regularly, but I'll do what I can when I can.

In the meantime, I hope you are enjoying your summer!

Sincerely,

Katrina

Harvesting Honey

If you're at all interested in buying fresh raw honey from a local beekeeper or other supplier, now is the time.

We were literally scraping the bottom of the barrel, so we called our local beekeeper again (he didn't respond to our first message), who told us he would be harvesting this week. And we live in one of the coldest parts of our state, so that means most everywhere else that can support bees should also be harvesting.

My father-in-law, who is a beekeeper (as I've mentioned here and here), took these beautiful pics of bees in his area earlier in the season. I also love them because they remind me of what an efficient and industrious creature the bee is, which are qualities I strive to develop.

For a reminder of all the health benefits of honey, click here and check out all the links. Now might just be the time of year you need some of these helps. And it's definitely the time of year to stock up your honey supply so as to have these benefits available during the winter (like building the immune system and helping arthritis). Not to mention, a supply with which to cook sweet goodies during all those winter cravings for comfort foods... :)

To find a local beekeeper who sells honey, do an online search for just that, which should get you started nicely. You could also try simply looking up beekeepers in the phone book, as some of them are listed that way as well. And if you think your city is too urbanized to have this option, think again. When we lived in Cincinnati, we found a local beekeeper within 10-15 minutes of us. And at least one man in New York City does rooftop beekeeping (see link for short video).

Turkey Tortilla Casserole

We had a lot of turkey left over after a large, extended family meal, and I wanted a new turkey recipe to use some of it up. I found this one and tried it out, and it just hit the spot! I think it would also be just as good using more beans and less turkey (or none), and adding other veggies to the mix. And it's also fun because you cook it in a pie dish.

Turkey Tortilla Casserole

3 10-inch whole wheat flour tortillas

4 c. cooked turkey (or chicken) cut into 1-inch chunks

1 15-oz can black beans (or another kind), drained and rinsed (or, if using dry beans, a heaping 1/2 c. of dry beans cooks up to the amount of one can)

1 c. tomatillo salsa verde (we were out of this--so sad--and had to use red salsa instead, which was very good)

2 1/2 c. grated monterey jack or cheddar cheese

1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. chile powder

1/4 c. crumbled feta or cotija cheese (optional)

garnishes: avocado, sour cream, hot sauce (or red salsa)

Heat 1 Tb. oil in skillet. Add tortilla and cook until bubbled and browned, about 1 minute on each side. Repeat with other two tortillas. (This quick fry keeps the tortillas from getting soggy while baking.) Set aside.

In large bowl mix together remaining ingredients, except for feta or cotija cheese (if using).

Grease a 9-inch round pie pan.

Lay one tortilla on bottom of pan. Cover with half the turkey mixture. Lay another tortilla on top and cover with remaining turkey mixture. Cover with last tortilla and sprinkle feta/cotija cheese on top, or cover with additional monterey jack or cheddar.

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

Serve with desired garnishes.

Freezing Fruit

...Peaches, in particular. I came across this article about the do's and don't's of freezing peaches and learned something new. Since this is the season to can and freeze fresh fruit, I thought I would pass it on, in case it can be of help to others, too.

Stay-at-Home Mom = Gold Mine!

A friend of ours once told my husband that I am a gold mine. I was flattered but unsure of what she meant. Then she showed my husband the figures and explained.

My being a stay-at-home mom means that our family does not pay for daycare, extra transportation, or pre-prepared or restaurant meals. I also don't have to buy a professional wardrobe (including the cost of dry cleaning), or pay any other work-related expenses. When you factor in how much each of these things cost, that's huge! I have considered this before, but never looked at it quite in this way.

Generally the feeling is that a second income is needed just to meet the family's basic expenses in today's economy. But the reality is, once you do the math, many second income workers bring home less than 1/3 of their income, since they also have to pay for the above expenses that a family with a SAHM doesn't.

Of course, this is a very personal decision and not one to be made lightly, and not every woman can be a SAHM. (If you're trying to weigh the pros and cons, see this great article.) But, as my friend pointed out, just by staying home and taking care of my family's needs from home, I am saving my family a huge amount of money. I appreciate having that perspective. And, of course, the emotional and spiritual investment I am making in my family's well-being is even greater.

Budget (and Earth) Saver Tip #24: For Breastfeeding Moms

If you're a breastfeeding mom using disposable breast pads, you know how quickly that expense can add up. It's not a lot, but it is a regular expense that could be eliminated. A typical box of 36 pads costs $4. But that's only enough for 18 days (assuming you don't use more than 2 per day). For a month's supply, you'd actually end up spending more like $6.64. That's about $80 a year for disposable breast pads. Depending on your economic situation and how you look at it, that's not really a ton of money. But looking at it from an environmental standpoint, putting 712 breast pads per year in a landfill is a big deal, since they don't biodegrade very quickly at all--if ever.

On the other hand, if you invest in reusable/washable breast pads, you may spend an average of $8 for 6 pads. This, of course, means you would have to buy at least two boxes for an almost-week's supply at $16. Or, if you don't want to do laundry quite as often, buy 3 boxes at $24. Initially, this is significantly more expensive than $6.64, but since you won't have to buy any more pads again ever, that's actually $80 per year (disposable) vs. $24 per year (washable)--a savings of $56 the first year. And if you breastfeed more than one child, washable breast pads will save you an additional $80 each year that you use them.

I am lucky to have been given all my reusable breast pads, so I've never had to buy any--and if you're handy with a sewing machine, you can make your own. If you're like me and you have three children, whom you breastfeed for a year each, using the above formula, washable breast pads would save you at least $216. And prevent 2,136 disposable breast pads from going to a landfill!

(Of course, be sure to research the product before buying, as there are a few different options out there and not everyone likes the same thing. Also, many experts will tell you not to wear pads with plastic backing, as they can cause yeast infections. Here is one article with ideas on what to look for.)