Bloggy Break

I have been busy this week with much domestic goings on (the foofifying has begun), I am going to take a couple of days off from blogging until I finish up a few things.

I was hoping to get some pictures as we move along in our project (that´s half the fun), but as Jorge is traveling this week he has taken the camera along with him to the U.S. (Sigh..) The children and I are having fun though, and hope to be done with the painting before he gets home (Ssshhh, it´s a suprise!) I am amazed what a woman halfway to 100 can do when she is determined, but oh do I feel it! Thankfully, I have two great helpers. I´ll be back...........

Making Good Habits

So often we are concerned about imparting good habits into our children, but neglect the formation of good habits in our own lives.

We want our days to run easy and smoothly, but many times neglect the formation of habit to dominate our days. Instead, we allow each day to take care of themselves. This kind of thinking will bring frustration and discontentment to the atmosphere of the home and our precious families will suffer because of it.

I believe that if a mother will discipline herself and establish habits that are beneficial to her life, they will easily become habits to her children.

As a mother I have often failed in this area, not having formed my own habits sufficiently. Being inconsistent rather than determined not to fall into the tempation of complacency, because, well, it´s just easier.

Mother's have busy and full days, especially homeschooling mother's, and if we don´t allow the proper habits to form, by discipline and determination, we can expect nothing greater than mediocrity or quite possibly failure, in which case we best be on our knees in suplication to the Lord for help. This brings me to what I believe is the most important habit we need to form in our lives; prayer.

Each day can bring so many distractions for a mother, with days that are full to overflowing. The interuptions that steal away our good intentions must be fought with self-discipline and perserverance. Prayer and time of fellowship with God will do much to improve our ability to be consisitent in every other area of habit. Finding that space of time in the day to spend with the Lord should fit into our daily lives just as eating and sleeping - as natural as waking up each morning. A bit of discipline and determination, as we spend time each day with God will be a benefit to our entire family; what a tremendous responsibility we have...

Juicing

(These are some of the tropical fruits found here in South America. The yellow fruit is what Americans know as Passion Fruit, called "Parchita" here in Venezuela. This fruit is really interesting as it doesn´t really have any flesh inside, it is more of a yellow liquidy gel with many small seeds, it is a very appealing, acidy type juice that has such a pretty color. Once the shell is shriveled and old looking it is ripe and ready for use. The nobby green fruit is call "Guayabana" and I don´t believe this fruit is known in the U.S. It has a white meaty flesh with many black seeds throughout the flesh. It is not necessary to remove the seeds prior to blending. The texture and flavor of this fruit is almost like the mexican drink "Horchata", somewhat milky.)

-Michaelene had some questions about juicing that I have tried to answer here-

These are her questions:

(Prior to your juicer, was there any other way for you to make juice at home?? I know that a juicer can be expensive....any other ideas for making juice? Can you use a blender??)

It is important to consider with what we are nourishing our bodies. For this reason I start each day with a freshly extracted raw fruit or vegetable drink, usually the combination of both.

In considering the nutritional value of a fresh raw juice, the method of preparation must be understood.

The two methods of preparation that I am most familiar with are by Extractor and Blender. I believe these would be the most common household appliances used for juicing. However, there is a vast difference in the outcome and quality of juice prepared in one or the other.

Let´s talk about juicing with a blender. Although it is entirely possible to use the blender for making juices it is not really practical, from a nutritional stand point, because a blender merely cuts up the fruit or vegetables into fine pulp. In addition, water must be added to allow the pieces to move freely through the blades of the blender. Once it is sufficiently blended for drinking purposes you have a thick pulpy and rather unappetizing drink. It can be strained, but because water has been added you no longer have a flavorful concentrated juice and it will be inferior in every way to a juice made with an extractor. Sugar will, generally, need to be added ,as well, to give it an appetizing flavor.

Now, I have learned a few things about juicing along the way, and I can tell you, without a doubt, there is no comparing a juice made with a blender with one that´s been made by extraction; in quality or flavor. The extractor removes all the fiber or pulp from the fruits and vegetables leaving pure concentrated and delicious raw juice, full of nutrients that can be assimilated within minutes.

I believe that when we give thought as to how we are nourishing our bodies the benefits far outweight any doubt about whether the investment of an extractor would be valuable. I have seen good quality extractors for under $150.00. When we consider the cost of some of our other kitchen appliances this is quite reasonable. Not to say the least of the health benefits it will provide. I consider it a worthy investment and would recommend three points when considering healthy juicing:

• Buy the best extractor you can afford
• Look for the best quality produce, organic if possible
  
• Drink a mimimum of one pint a day, and preferably more

That said, I don´t want to leave the humble blender left as a worthless tool to be foresaken. I will admit to using it for a number of things, including using it daily, for our noon meal (in the way of which I have discussed above), in what is known in Latin America as "Aqua de Fruta." This translates as "Fruit Water", and for good reason, because they are made from any fruit, or combination of, by adding water. It is not really juice because the juice has not been extracted from the fruit, but water has been added while blending which draws some of the juice out of the fruit and blends it with the water, to flavor it. Depending on the fruit, it may or may not have to be strained. This is, definitely, a healthier alternative to the canned concentrated juices or the pasturized juice one finds in the supermarket, but it still does not compare in flavor or nutrition to extracted juice.

This method allows us to stretch our produce further since, for example, I am able to use one-half of a large melon to make half a gallon of beverage compared to the same amount extracted making approximatley one 8oz. glassful, more or less. It is not the healthiest alternative, but truely healthier than some of the other options mentioned previously. Because it is prepared using raw natural fruit there will be the benefit of nutrients, but not comparitively when talking about extractor vs blender method.

I am not a purist by any means, though vegetarian and do consider with what I am nourishing myself and family. We must consider, economically, what is the most affordable way of doing that, and for our family it is a combination of good quality extracted juices and blender juices, just keep in mind that the extracted juices are far superior, nutritionally.

Heros?

My young friend, Danielle, recently read the book Watership Down and has asked her blog readers what their thoughts are about heros; What or Who are Heros?

I liked her question, as it made me think, and decided to post my answer on my own blog.

Here is an exerpt about the book from a reader review:

("This is a timeless and much loved novel of leadership, struggle and adventure! A group of individuals, dissatisfied with the government of their "country," and receiving prophesies of its doom, decide to leave and start a colony elsewhere. The individuals, of course, are rabbits, who are confronted with all the dangers of the "elil." The "elil" means their enemies, known to the rabbits as "the thousand" meaning the infinite number of enemies, i.e. foxes, hawks, etc. who prey on rabbits. The most dangerous elil, of course, is man.
This is a wonderful novel that discusses the nature of leadership, teamwork, individual achievement, and struggle, as the protagonists seek to set up a new colony free of dangers from man as well as "elil" and even other hostile rabbits. Their leader, Hazel, is neither the strongest (Bigwig is that) or the cleverest (Blackberry is that) but nevertheless we come to see why he is the emergent leader to whom the others look for guidance and inspiration. This is a fine study in leadership.")

Heros can be found in many places. Through art, history, science, the bible, wars, medicine, home and family, ect. I believe that heros most often have the same elements or qualities. They are people who have truth, who have made great contributions and who are noble and pure in their aspirations. I am not talking about perfection because we all know that we do not live in a perfect world.

Although there are many places that we can find heros, one place that we find them are amoung those of whom we are acquainted or are a part of our own lives. I believe parents are amoung a childs first heros, they look up to them. A parent that is admired or looked up to, I believe, has set an example of courage, selflessness, devotion, generosity, repentance, ect.

We all have heros. I think that people admire qualities in others where they may be weak, but are inspired and desire to become more like them. It is my thought that heros are honored for their good qualities. They are men and women who live purposeful lives and regard purity and sincerity amoung the highest of virtues.

Treasures I Have

Remember the bold colors of the 1970`s? I absolutely adored them. So much so, the first car I purchased was a lime green Volkswagen Karman Ghia. That little car took me many places in the years that I owned it, but that is not what I want to talk about...

(This picture was taken from an old snapshot, it´s the best I could get, but you get the idea. And, yes that is me, a young 19 back in the 70´s)

My mother was a wonderful, sweet and loving woman. She was very talented and truely enjoyed creating many beautiful and lovely things for her loved ones.
I was 19 when I purchased that first car and mom was so proud and happy for me. Within weeks she suprised me with a thoughtful gift to carry in my car for the cold evenings she knew I would be at football games. It would be handy to grab and looked really hip in the car with it´s matching colors.

This retro 70´s afaghan, made of granny squares, was all the rage back then (and is again). I am so thankful to still have this very special treasure, over thirty years later...

Child´s Play

My son has a keen sense of imagination and I love to watch and listen as he plays. He has such a variety of healthy emotion and happenings in his play, which are really engaging.

I´ve noticed that children develope the ability to imagine at a young age. Through play and good books a sense of wonder and imagination unfold in their minds, especially boys.

(Don´t you love those lips and that little carrot juice mustache , so cute!)

Ellis enjoys playing with his action figures. I believe because they allow him to face and conquer difficult issues. There is something about being the hero and coming out right that is important to boys, which I think is very enduring.

(Now how did that horse get up there? Why, he flew of course!)

When children have opportunities for imaginative play I think that it helps them understand life without us throwing the weight of the world on them. They also learn about other places in other times...however, the time period is not so much of what is important...



If you notice in these pictures Ellis is using 20th century action heros with medieval knights and castles. He is happily engaged in play, learning about life and making friends...

And sometimes they are even invited to breakfast!

Urbane

Living in a highrise on the 15th floor, we have quite a spectacular view of the city. I am not much of a city person, nor one for living in highrisers, but it does have it´s charms.

From each room in our home we have views of the city. This gives us the ability to see three quarters of the way around Urban Maracaibo.

If you look out from the back of our home you will see the city center. To the side, through each bedroom you will see the industrial zone, and to the front you will see the metropolitan district and Lake Maracaibo. Living at this altitude permits us to see much of the goings on around the city.

Cities are interesting places, quite different from the softer corners of suburban or country life. You would not believe some of the things we have seen from up here in our little nest.

But I digress.....

Though I am not an earlybird (meaning I don´t wake up at five or six in the morning, much as I´d like too, but I´ve always been a night owl), there are those mornings when wake has nudged me out of bed. With the first rays of light peering through the gaps in the curtains I´ve been drawn to the window and have been treated to a delicious feast - sunrise over the lake, and oh the delight as I scurry to find the camera to capture the beauty of a day dawning.

Jorge and Paree have experienced this also, and each one has dashed for the camera to get that perfect shot before the sun lifts and the magic of the moment is gone forever...How awesome is our Creator and His creation...

Good Books

The introduction from "Honey for a Childs Heart", by: Gladys Hunt, was written by: Frank E. Gaebelein. His first paragraph speaks clearly my thoughts...

"Few THINGS are more important for a child than to discover the joy of reading. Give him a love of reading, and you have given him not only the most satisfying and useful of all recreations but also the key to true learning. The home is still the greatest educational force, and parents who make reading attractive contribute immeasurably to their children´s intellectual, emotional, and spiritual development. Forty-one years as a headmaster have convinced me that a genuinely educated person is one who knows how to read and who keeps on reading throughout his life. As Matthew Arnold said, "Culture is reading."

I whole heartedly agree with this, and have collected a broad and varied selection of books for ourselves and children through the years, providing hours and hours of delightful and thought provoking occupation.

One such book, "Flower Fairies" written by: Cicely Mary Barber has given us hours of enjoyment over the years. Miss Barber was a fabulous, British artist from the early 1900´s. She was just sixteen when her first work was published.

This delightful book is one of my personal favorites, for it´s pictures. The engaging details in the paintings are absolutely fantastic. Though the author has added poems that are lovely in themselves, it is the watercolor paintings that draw me back again and again.

I am not a big fan of faries, but I do appreciate good art and I like a book that will stretch the imagination of my children.


"A young child, a fresh uncluttered mind, a world before him - to what treasures will you lead him? With what will you furnish his spirit?" Gladys Hunt

Fresh Juices

Each morning I start my day with a freshly extracted glass of raw fruit and vegetable juice.

Today I started with two large carrots, a nice handful of flat leaf parsley and a Granny Smith apple. I use carrot as the base for all my juicing, because it has a pleasant taste and can be consumed in unlimited quantities.

In the early 1990´s, I was gifted with a wonderful Juicer, a real workhorse that is still going strong. I had been wanting one for several years and was blessed beyond measure to have been given one.

Being a vegetarian for most of my adult life, I became interested in the benefits of juicing. Back in the late 1970´s, when fresh raw juice was becoming popular, there was a Green Grocer in the neighborhood where I was living, and where I enjoyed shopping. It had a juice bar, which offered the most wonderful selection of juice combinations that you could ever imagine. Without fail, whenever I was in the store I would visit the juice bar. Buying these juices was quite expensive, so you can imagine the joy I had when I was gifted with one of my own, some years later.

Because extracted juice has no fiber it can nourish the body almost instantly, while the solid food (vegetable or fruit) requires many hours of digestion before it can begin to nourish the body.

The quantity of, say, two carrots, one handful of parsley and an apple would require alot of chewing and digesting before the benefits could be obtained. Not to be misunderstood, I do eat my fruits and vegetables, because I like them and because their fiber is beneficial to the bodies digestive process. But try to imagine eating two large carrots, a nice handful of parsely and an apple in one setting, three or four times a day, in order to have the nourishment of a few glasses of juice. Sheesh, what a workout that would be. Also, in juicing just twice a day I have found that I have almost boundless energy. And a bonus is that my children really like them. Ellis eats very few vegetables, so this is a way that I have been able to get them in him.

There is much that can be learned about the benefits of fresh raw juices. Besides that, they are a wonderful way to enjoy fruits and vegetables, full of nutrients and wonderful flavors. How I appreciate these colorful and varied foods that God created for us to enjoy and sustain our lives...

BREAKFAST

PLACES IN VENEZUELA

(I thought that it would be fun to share a little, from time-to-time, about some of the places we have visited while living here in Venezuela)

About an hour from Maracaibo (the city where we live), in Northwestern Venezuela is the Lagoon of Sinamaica. The Añuu is one of the countries indigenous groups who live in Palafitos on the lagoon. Palafitos are homes that are built on stilts and are constructed over bodies of water. Añuu, actually means "people of the water. The only way into this village is by canoe or boat.

You will often see the men and boys out on the lagoon in their boats with fishing nets, hoping to provide food for their family table.

The construction of this village has many waterways leading from one area to another, similar to the canals of Venice (though, primitive). It is said that "Venezuela" comes from the word Venice.

In recent years the government has helped finance and construct new schools, day care, a senior center, ect. There is a church, a few artisian shops (they sell things made of materials from their land - coconuts, grass, plants, ect), and small restraunts for the tourist´s they receive (though, our state is not known for tourisim).

The language of this group has been lost, now speaking only spanish, but there is a movement to revive their culture and especially the language.

Whenever we have visitors we are always sure to take them to this beautiful and interesting place, where we are taken by boat through the neigborhoods of this rather primitive community.