Make It Yourself Monday

Strawberry Freezer Jam

I found this great tutorial from Marie @ Make and Takes on how to make strawberry freezer jam.

Strawberry Freezer Jam

Apr 29th, 2008 by Marie

I recently had a friend ask me how to make jam. I started talking about pectin and storing it in the freezer, and she didn’t know what I was talking about. So I’ve decided to do a little how-to for making Freezer Jam. It’s so easy and super delicious, you will never buy store jam again!

First buy a box of pectin. Pectin is the stuff that makes the jam jiggly. You will need it for any kind of jam you make. I usually buy the Sure Jell brand, but there is also Fruit Pectin, and others too. You can find it in the baking aisle, or next to the canning supplies. The directions to make the jam, whether it’s cooked & canned or for the freezer, are included right in the pectin box. Just follow the directions. Really all you need is, your pectin, sugar, and your fruit. There are some fruit flavors that will require lemon juice. Just check the pectin directions to be sure.

Because strawberries are so easy to get and cheap when they are in season, I have only made Strawberry Jam. I have used frozen strawberries too, but it’s better if they’re fresh. If you choose to use frozen strawberries, make sure you drain as much liquid as you can before you puree them. Cut up your strawberries, then mash them to a puree. I use a mini food processor, but you could use a potato masher or blender. You will need 2 cups of strawberry puree. Then add 4, yes I said 4, cups of sugar. I didn’t say this was low calorie, just delicious.

Then pour your pectin packet into a small pot and bring it to a boil with some water, read the directions from the pectin box for how much. Once the pectin is dissolved, stir it into the fruit/sugar mixture.

It’s now ready to pour into containers. I like to use plastic containers that are freezer safe. I found these great jam containers (with the purple lids) but I need a few more for a whole batch.

Now you are ready to devour your Jam. I keep one out to eat now, and save the rest in the freezer for later. It should last up to a year if stored properly. I have also given these little containers as gifts to neighbors. Enjoy putting this yummy jam on your toast or simply eat it with a spoon straight from the jar like my Grandma!

YOUR VALUABLE INPUT IS NEEDED!

Welcome To The Weekend!
Today I am going to ask a favor of you.
I am wanting to get YOUR VALUABLE INPUT. Please take a few moments to fill out my survey on Click Here to take survey . I am interested in finding out what you like or don't like and what topics you would like more info on or would like to see added. Your input would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!

After today I will be making this a sticky post for a bit so I can collect some more input so please pardon the sticky for a bit. Thanks so much for your time.

Family Friday! The Family That Plays Together Stays Together

Children are excellent observers. Even as newborns, they imitate their parents. During the elementary school years, discussions they overhear at home on a wide variety of topics are integrated into their own thoughts. By the time they are in middle school, when we ask our children to do something, a commonly heard response is "You don't do it, so why should I?"

Although it is never too late, the best time to start being a role model to your children is right away -- even from birth. Does being a role model for your kids mean you have to be perfect? Fortunately, the answer is no. In fact, a tolerance of imperfection is a good behavior to model! While it’s important to exercise and eat well, taking a day off from riding your bike or deciding to have dessert at a party is absolutely fine — as long as it’s in moderation. Similarly, if we yell at our children when we shouldn't, we can apologize and, by doing so, effectively model how to deal with a mistake.

Below is a list of behaviors that are among the most important to model for your kids:

Turn off the TV

By turning off the TV, you and your child will have time to do other, more important things together, such as talking, playing a game, reading, exercising, or pursuing other hobbies. Studies show that spending time with your child each day makes them more likely to come to you with problems and less likely that they will get involved in alcohol and drugs. Also, turning off the TV will decrease your chances of becoming overweight, because people tend to eat junk food while they watch TV.

Eat A Healthy, Well-Balanced Diet

By maintaining a healthy diet, you decrease your risk of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and some cancers. You will also feel better about yourself. People who eat a healthy diet will have more fruits and vegetables in their house than those who don’t, and this makes it much more likely that their children will also eat healthier. Instead of grabbing for that lollipop or cookie for your child, chances are greater you will grab a piece of fruit or some yogurt because it’s readily available.


Exercise Regularly

Exercise also helps decrease the risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Studies also show that exercising decreases the level of stress hormones in our body. By exercising regularly, you are not only improving your own health and happiness, but you are also teaching your children how important it is for them to take care of themselves. Chances are, if you have children and you exercise regularly, you will include them in your activities. You may go hiking or biking with them, play tennis or baseball, or bring them swimming or ice skating. This could also teach them to love physical activity and, at the same time, allow them to spend more time with you.


Help Others

We all have the responsibility to help others who are less fortunate than we are, even if it is simply by carrying groceries into the house for an elderly neighbor or picking up trash off the side of the road. Plus, it makes us feel good. Children are aware at a very young age that we are helping others, and they want to imitate us. During pretend play, they may pretend to pick up trash off the side of the road or serve food at a homeless shelter. They also learn how important it is to think about and respect other people and to care about other aspects of the world, such as the environment.


Cuddle Up And Read

By reading our own books, we instill in our children a love for books and knowledge. Reading also teaches them the art of relaxation and quiet time. Our lives are so stressful these days that it's important to build in relaxation time. In addition, it's also fun to have several family members sitting together on a couch reading their own books on a rainy day or a lazy weekend afternoon.


Drink Responsibly

Almost half of all teen deaths in the United States is due to motor vehicle accidents. Almost one quarter of teenagers involved in fatal crashes had been drinking. How can you help decrease the leading cause of mortality among teens? By acting as a role model and refraining from drinking any alcohol before you drive. If you are going somewhere after drinking, make sure you assign a designated driver -- and let your children know. It is also a good idea in general not to drink too much or too often for your own health and for the benefit of your children, as they notice everything.


Wear A Seatbelt

It is important to show your children that you are always thinking of safety and that they should as well. It's a good idea to wear a helmet when biking, roller blading, skiing and doing other sports which carry a risk of head injury.


Don’t Smoke

Everyone knows smoking can cause lung disease and cancer, may worsen asthma, and even has secondhand effects. Studies also show that teenagers are more than twice as likely to smoke if their parents do.So, if you smoke, now is the time to quit to increase your health and to show your family that you are motivated to improve yourself even if it’s hard work.


Keep Your Cool

Children learn how to cope by watching their parents deal with stressful situations. If you lose your cool and yell at your children when you get upset, they learn to deal with disagreements the same way. Teach your children to discuss issues calmly by remaining calm yourself, listening to all sides of an argument, and respecting all involved.


Maintain A Relationship With Your Significant Other And Friends

While it is very important to spend quality time with your children, you should also spend time with your significant others and friends. This teaches your children that all relationships are important and require nurturing. It also helps keep you happy and reduces your stress, which are important factors for all of us, adults and kids alike.



By Stacy Beller Stryer, M.D., FAAP
Content provided by Revolution Health Group

Tidbit Tuesday!

Well another Tuesday is upon us I have few juicy tidbits for you today. I hope you might find one that works for you.

For all those out there that have a above ground pool. With everything going up these days, it is hard to buy chemicals for the pool. I was told by a professional pool man that you could use baking soda to keep the ph level up in the pool. It works, and it only cost about $0.25 to $0.45 a box.

The best and cheapest way to get rid of weeds growing in the cracks of sidewalks is white vinegar. On a nice bright sunny day just squirt the vinegar all over the weed and into the sidewalk crack. The hot sun will take care of the rest. It's not only cheap but environmently friendly. And it's safe enough to have the kids do this job... I put it in a squirt bottle and have my son do this.

Sprinkle old coffee grounds around places you don’t want ants, or on the ant piles themselves. The little buggers will move on or stay away. Used grounds are also said to repel snails and slugs.

To clean those filthy artificial flowers, just pour some salt into a paper bag and add your flowers. Shake very well .The salt will absorb all the dirtydebris and leave your artificial flowers clean and new!

If your scissors get dull, just layer about 7 pieces of foil and cut through them a few times, and the scissors are sharp once again!

Be sure and stop over @ Melinda Zook to see what great tidbits she has today as well.

Make It Yourself Monday!

Happy Monday!

It is great to be back in action after a little over 2 weeks. I was up till 2:30 am trying to catch up my Entrecard drops. I dropped about 150. I tryed to get everyone that had dropped on me in my absence. So back to business.

I found a cute little project over @ Splitcoaststampers that would be wonderful for wedding favors or baby showers or even a birthday. They are made like those sour cream containers you get at restaurants. They seem very simple to make and would be a great touch to any party as a little treat for each guest.

So click here for the tutorial on this wonderful project.

Food And It's Uses

apples	Protects your heart	prevents constipation	Blocks diarrhea	Improves lung capacity	Cushions joints
apricots	Combats cancer	Controls blood pressure	Saves your eyesight	Shields against Alzheimer’s	Slows aging process
artichokes	Aids digestion	Lowers cholesterol	Protects your heart	Stabilizes blood sugar	Guards against liver disease
avocados	Battles diabetes	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin
bananas	Protects your heart	Quiets a cough	Strengthens bones	Controls blood pressure	Blocks diarrhea
beans	Prevents constipation	Helps hemorrhoids	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Stabilizes blood sugar
beets	Controls blood pressure	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones	Protects your heart	Aids weight loss
blueberries	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Stabilizes blood sugar	Boosts memory	Prevents constipation
broccoli	Strengthens bones	Saves eyesight	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure
cabbage	Combats cancer	Prevents constipation	Promotes weight loss	Protects your heart	Helps hemorrhoids
cantaloupe	Saves eyesight	Controls blood pressure	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Supports immune system
carrots	Saves eyesight	Protects your heart	Prevents constipation	Combats cancer	Promotes weight loss
cauliflower	Protects against Prostate Cancer	Combats Breast Cancer	Strengthens bones	Banishes bruises	Guards against heart disease
cherries	Protects your heart	Combats Cancer	Ends insomnia	Slows aging process	Shields against Alzheimer’s
chestnuts	Promotes weight loss	Protects your heart	Lowers cholesterol	Combats Cancer	Controls blood pressure
chili peppers	Aids digestion	Soothes sore throat	Clears sinuses	Combats Cancer	Boosts immune system
figs	Promotes weight loss	Helps stops strokes	Lowers cholesterol	Combats Cancer	Controls blood pressure
fish	Protects your heart	Boosts memory	Protects your heart	Combats Cancer	Supports immune system
flax	Aids digestion	Battles diabetes	Protects your heart	Improves mental health	Boosts immune system
garlic	Lowers cholesterol	Controls blood pressure	Combats cancer	kills bacteria	Fights fungus
grapefruit	Protects against heart attacks	Promotes Weight loss	Helps stops strokes	Combats Prostate Cancer	Lowers cholesterol
grapes	saves eyesight	Conquers kidney stones	Combats cancer	Enhances blood flow	Protects your heart
green tea	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Helps stops strokes	Promotes Weight loss	Kills bacteria
honey	Heals wounds	Aids digestion	Guards against ulcers	Increases energy	Fights allergies
lemons	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin	Stops scurvy
limes	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin	Stops scurvy
mangoes	Combats cancer	Boosts memory	Regulates thyroid	aids digestion	Shields against Alzheimer’s
mushrooms	Controls blood pressure	Lowers cholesterol	Kills bacteria	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones
oats	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Battles diabetes	prevents constipation	Smoothes skin
olive oil	Protects your heart	Promotes Weight loss	Combats cancer	Battles diabetes	Smoothes skin
onions	Reduce risk of heart attack	Combats cancer	Kills bacteria	Lowers cholesterol	Fights fungus
oranges	Supports immune systems	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Straightens respiration
peaches	prevents constipation	Combats cancer	Helps stops strokes	aids digestion	Helps hemorrhoids
peanuts	Protects against heart disease	Promotes Weight loss	Combats Prostate Cancer	Lowers cholesterol	Aggravates diverticulitis
pineapple	Strengthens bones	Relieves colds	Aids digestion	Dissolves warts	Blocks diarrhea
prunes	Slows aging process	prevents constipation	boosts memory	Lowers cholesterol	Protects against heart disease
rice	Protects your heart	Battles diabetes	Conquers kidney stones	Combats cancer	Helps stops strokes
strawberries	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	boosts memory	Calms stress
sweet potatoes	Saves your eyesight	Lifts mood	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones
tomatoes	Protects prostate	Combats cancer	Lowers cholesterol	Protects your heart
walnuts	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	boosts memory	Lifts mood	Protects against heart disease
water	Promotes Weight loss	Combats cancer	Conquers kidney stones	Smoothes skin
watermelon	Protects prostate	Promotes Weight loss	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	Controls blood pressure
wheat germ	Combats Colon Cancer	prevents constipation	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	improves digestion
wheat bran	Combats Colon Cancer	prevents constipation	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	improves digestion
yogurt	Guards against ulcers	Strengthens bones	Lowers cholesterol	Supports immune systems	Aids digestion

Happy Fourth To Everyone!