Water.Coffee.Tea.Milk

We are made of nearly 70% water, a drink that was rarely given priority in my childhood. Milk was. And cow's milk was it. How times have changed. We now have oat, almond, cashew, goat, and coconut milks, to name a few, occupying exalted positions in our multifacetted diet.

As a teen, I began drinking tea, Red rose tea, the only tea available on the grocery shelves in 'those days'. Mom drank senna tea and black coffee and nothing else. Both brewed drinks were laced with lots of sugar and cream or milk. For me in the rare instance I drank tea was with orange juice. It seemed to be the only way enjoy the benefits of the one and only tea I drank.

Nothing seemed amiss. Choice did not exists..Milk was never added. It just seemed wrong. At the grocery store, even dog food was in limited supply, occupying only half an aisle. When I left home. I became a dog owner to a rescue about whom I have written. Why I wonder was glucose-fructose in the hamburger- like packages of Dr. Ballard's dog ' dry food? Sugar belongs somewhere, I guess, but not in the main diet of humans and our pets. Would cats tolerate that? They are smarter perhaps?

Coffee is number one for many of us. Not for me, however. I cannot drink it though it was a family favourite, a constant throughout my childhood. ... It is a hot drink commonly offered at parties, conferences, events, the office and of course weddings. Tea is available upon request. Whenever my mom and I shopped I was in charge of grinding a bag of coffee beans, twice, on 'very fine'. I loved the aroma as I closed the bag on its second round. Drinking it was not possible.

Tiramisu is a favourite dessert of mine, an Italian delicacy. Why I adore it I do not know. Coffee is laced in the lady fingers of this delicious dessert. I crave it whenever it is offered. Black coffee which my husband loved is a healthy drink, he was reminded, often. hoping he would continue drinking it. I offered to make it whenever. Millions of people around the world who drink coffee must know something. Recently I discovered that the addition of milk to tea or coffee reduces the benefits of these century's old hot beverages. Lemon juice is my add-in, a recommended choice all around.

With tea, I have found my elixir..Mixing different types for different reasons aids in health. Why eat or drink anything long term if there is no health benefit? Seems reasonable to me. When it is pop time, I drink the healthiest available, a few sips till the food is gone. Sugar is a better choice than other substitutes, lauded by the companies that use them....

Hibiscus and dandelion root, as well as licorice root, black, green and white tea all factor into my menu planning. Hibiscus for high blood pressure is the latest along with dandelion root and licorice root whose taste I dislike. A slow introduction into the diet helps my taste buds become acclimatized to these new tea sensations. A 2-3 bag limit in my mug happens regularly.

Minor changes in the drinks and foods we drink and prepare can result in major changes in overall health. Lemon juice, no salt or soy sauce added are simple changes at can help. And cooking at home is the body's health secret.

Tea, coffee and water are formative tools in our daily diet. Much to learn about these clear drinks. If milk is wanted, drink separately. Choose the milk that benefits. Small changes with dramatic results occur. Simple, clear and clean. That is all.

Overwhelming Grief....

When life changes, new routines begin. Grief is a profound emotion fraught with unexpected 'spells', small in nature but oh so real. Surrounded by family keeps these moments of remembrance in check. A phone call is a ray of sunshine from grandchildren or a friend. The card in the mail is another loving measure from loved ones, a reminder that imprints on us forever.

A new chapter begins. It must. The former loved one is no longer with us. We must forge a new path, a brighter future or the conclusion of another path begun with 'them'. Crying happens as often as it does, a component of the grieving process. When your pet suddenly collapses, while you are coping with another medical crisis, grief is multiplied. Your failure to help your precious pet adds to the immense emotional toll. Pet owners understand. 

Decades ago, when it seemed that we might not be able to have children, adoption came to mind. I wondered, could we love another child not of our making? Then I laughed. What a ridiculous thought. I love my pets as though they are people. Then I knew. Eight dogs and one cat later filled our lives with happy, funny moments. The life expectancy of dogs made our choices both easy and difficult. But they needed homes.Our  adult children followed in our footsteps. Everywhere I looked, a replacement fill my heart with the love that has been lost. Pets are critical to Momsey's grieving process; my heart a little less heavy with each passing day. They are miracle workers in my heart..  

Each passing day helps to bring new experiences and maybe new people. Cooking for one keeps leftovers smaller than usual. Forging deeper relationships with grandchildren because my 'compass' is gone forever leaves family to fill the role. He was family the moment we met. Fifty-four years later a chunk of me is gone forever. Sadness happens. But there are too many reminders of life, laughter and kindness and a brighter future filled with the family we created. I am lucky.

I am now thinking of interviewing the newer generation to get a glimpse into who they are and what they want. Benefits arise through this real life face-off. Smart phones, not invited. The intellect of these young children: 4 boys and 4 girls, are gems to take notice of. digital devices are not welcome. Why worry, after all. The human mind is the greatest computer or digital device in the world.

Turkey Dinner for One

Downsizing the ritual of turkey dinner has succeeded. Cooking for two has been a daily ritual for The Momsey for many years. In the beginning it was a large turkey. Then buying two birds to increase the number of legs for those wanting them. Now I am cooking for one, on a regular basis. My thinking has begun to change.

Last week my thoughts of dressing, gravy and mashed potatoes took on a new look. There is no turkey small enough for me to buy so that I am not eating it forever. Being the only one wanting this special meal, size does matter.. I do not want to be eating turkey and all its fixins forever or freezing the leftovers for another future date, only to be forgotten. After awhile, turkey can lose its lustre for me. Waste is not in my vocabulary.

Homemade cranberry sauce using frozen cranberries with maple syrup is made. It can be used as a spread for breakfast or with the main act: turkey dinner.

Stuffing for the meal for one is downsized easily using a small fry pan for its inital preparation. This tactic helps to contain the celery, dill, parsley, salt and pepper, thyme, poultry to a reasonable quantity,easily. Once completed, the homemade dressing is gingerly encapsulate within the skin of the split turkey breast, bone and skin intact, in a 330 degree oven. Size will determine length of time. Basting juices form to easily coat the 'roast' in flavour and moisture.

A small footprint in the oven in a covered porcelain roasting pan serves as a perfect delivery system for roasting the turkey for one, with dressing and any vegetables desired. Basting the contents is a delicious reward. And a funny thing can happen. Sufficient food can be created for unexpected company.

In these days of simple and clean eating, unexpected dinner guests can be accompanied easily. A salad wilth help deliver that extra nutrient punch along side the roasted meal that has been cooking in the oven. There might not be any leftovers when company visits but repeating the task of a meal for one trains us to eat less and appreciate diversity. What is next?. Soup is a great meal using leftovers and giving the body is change of pace while perhaps widening the festing window in between. Yum. Yum.

With friends or family nearby, another occasion for another meal for one can excite us all. The question that bears asking: Shall Pirogies or cabbage rolls for 'one' be next? Perhaps that requires a different approach for invited guests. How many are you willing to make?

"I love You More Than I Thought"

I was caught off guard. The comment so resonated with me that I asked my grandson to repeat what he had just said. “I love you more than I thought.”, he remarked. We were all in disbelief.

At the time, I was in their kitchen, (visiting yet again), for a couple of days during a family medical crisis. I had been emptying the dishwasher, making myself useful. In the beginning, when the voice of another child had greeted me on the phone with a “Baba, do you want to sleepover?” I was surprised by both the invitation and young voice calling but happy to accept a most gracious invitation, a grandmother visiting her daughter-in-law, son and grandchildren.

Today's out-of-the blue statement by a four-year-old left me speechless. He smiled and corrected me when I used the word 'like' instead of love in my attempts to repeat to mommy and daddy what he had said.. His correction was one of surprise, too. His parents had been listening.

Christmas would soon be here though the magic of the holiday season has permeated the air for awhile. With family within reach, the feelings of love, joy and comfort are all around. On December 24^th, my husband died. He had been in hospital since the summer resulting from many medical issues facing him. Whenever he 'rallied', as he lay in the ICU, he would shock his medical team. Those moments gave his family hope. But alas it was not to last.

Being with family during these heavy times buoy us all as we grieve the loss of a life held dear. But those who have lost a child bear the deepest loss of all, a loss that can change the DNA of those left behind. I am grateful for having been chosen by him in the early years. I wasn't looking. He had been.I was simply working, going to school, changing careers and cities with him by my side. When children arrived, my new path was chosen. His career began.

“I love you more than I thought” came out of nowhere that day. His mom and dad were nearby. A new generation of kindred spirits seemed to be building in this grandson, one of many. Soon we will have 8 grandchildren: 4 boys and 3 girls, and one, soon to-be-announced. My world will begin to take shape once again but this time without him. I'm 'unbalanced' rfor the moment, doing everything and hoping I know what I'm doing. It 'ain't easy easy', made harder without my special boy, Mr. Wiggles who left us in early Sept. created joy in our lives. Ella fills that void now whenever I visit and hopefully a new sidekick will appear in the new year.

Wishing you all a happy new year with love – in all its forms – arriving in abundance. Thank you for reading the MomseyBlog. It is an honour that anyone reads what I have to write. I am not on Facebook or other social media platforms that showcase our busy lives. Time taken to illustrate my boring life is a waste of time - yours and mine- taken away from the precious lives we engage with children, grandchildren and other loved ones and pets. There is a trade off. 

The Elixir that is Chicken Soup

Recently I redesigned my recipe for chicken soup, again, the absolute miracle in the homemade soup category. It seems I have done that often over the years. This soup's magical healing powers cannot be underestimated or overlooked.

The power of the spice tumeric found its way into my chicken soup last year and continues today. During the winter months of colds and flu, any food that alleviates the harsh affects of illness deserves prominence on the menu. Chicken soup is my go-to-food. When paired with the spice, ground black pepper, the pepperine in this common add-in spice magnifies tumeric's power in the food into which it has been added. Yum!! Cardamon and ginger are new add-in favoritesi of mine; cardamon, for reducing blood pressure.

Recently, I made chicken soup in a flash, using thighs, this time, bone-in, chunks of onions, including the paper thin skin, coarse iodized salt, covered with cold water. Remove with slotted spoon when done. (Bones contain the marrow which adds incalculable flavour and health benefits.).... (Even scientists have stated that chicken soup has medicinal qualities, not fully understood, elevating its powerful food status.)

A chunk of celery, the bottom part which holds the celery stalks in place, was removed and added to the stock as it cooked on medium heat. High heat is not considered in making chicken soup as a cloudy broth can result in its wake. This was a new fact not known to me.

We've had snow and cold temperatures since the beginning of November in Canada so chicken soup is in monthly reruns, much like certain Rom-Com movies I have enjoyed, over and over again. My pressure cookers are in repair so the making of chicken soup takes longer at present. Not using the hydro unnecessarily, also helps keep the electrical bills lower. Cooking all things in shorter times simply makes more money available for other things not dependent upon electricity, taxes, for example!!

Carrots and celery, parsley, can be included to customize the soup. Since chunks of onion were used to develop the soup's essence/flavour more does not need to be added unless desired. Garlic powder, dill can be added as well as chives, marjoram leaves and other spices thus adding more flavour. I will make dumplings or spaetzle to adorn the soup as required, keeping these 'noodles' (00 flour, water or oat milk, eggs, salt) tender and not mushy.

Use a tiny spoon to drop batter into boiling water. for dumplings. Remove with slotted spoon and add nutmeg to cooked noodles/dumplings in a bowl. Use large hole grater to make spaetzle if a spaetzle maker, a simple kitchen tool, is not available. Keep noodles separate from soup when storing in fridge. Re-heat with soup as needed...... (Chicken parts or wing tips that are rarely part of the wing when purchasing chicken wings for dinner can be used.) Much collagen is found in these discarded parts).

Freeze some broth for later use, thus saving time and labour. Use the broth for making sauces or gravy, too. Gravy is my super food when it's homemade. Yum! Yum!

Oh So Yum, Those Noodles!!

Noodles, noodles, everywhere. So easy, so fast and oh so yum....

Lately, making noodles seems to be my go to meal. Spending time with my extended family during a very difficult time, I have been making noodles, three times within a week. It seems that these noodles are a hit with my grandsons.They have learned how to make them so they now love them better than the 'other ones'. Health makes wealth. Sleepovers now come with delicious learning benefits. 

My adorable 'daughter' enjoys these delectable add-ins- homemade noodles - alongside other foods on her plate. Italian flour -00 -is our flour of choice here, has been for years in my house and lately in theirs. My son's addiction to homemade noodles with cottage cheese is well known. It is also mine. My grandsons simply love eating these  homemade creations, especially when they make them, adorned with tomato sauce.

The protected nature of the milling processes in Italy makes a healthier flour, especially for those of us with gluten sensitivities. It is the miracle growing under the sun. Being able to eat pizza in Italy makes life a little bit easier while vacationing there. The milling. harvesting and growing of wheat is a cherished tradition from a country known the world over for its food and history.

Product of Italy are words of comfort. The gluten in 00 flour seems to assail our bodies on a gentler note. What am I talking about here? It makes eating gluten a possibility. It has been said many times, online. Gluten and the thyroid hormone are closely related so problems arise when the thyroid slows down. These two embattled 'cousins' can sadly pose the problem of weight gain, dry, thin hair and other maladies. Pay attention. To lessen these problems is to simply eat homemade 'carbs' less often and commercially made carbs rarely to lessen the load on our bodies. 

We all need a break from things from time to time. In the case of food, the goal: to reduce the overwhelming load of gluten in our diet must be taken. Homemade is one answer. Give soup and salad top tier attention, admission into the miracles in the kitchen. 

Next on my list: chicken soup, another re-mix, faster and more flavourful than ever. Throw in some noodles. The miracle in a bowl.

 

Doggie Rom-Coms, Simply the Best!

There're the best. Doggie Rom-coms.They've become my go-to- movies whenever sadness overcomes me. With my Mr. Wiggles gone this past September 3^rd, I am heartbroken. Keeping busy was not a problem. There was much to do. Special Education would top my list, bringing my yeast dough program to another audience. But I needed an outlet to soothe and make me smile and laugh.

Doggie rom-coms are a panacea for my broken heart. We have Happy Howlidays and Walking the Dog adorning my heart,raising my happiness quotient a bit higher. In the first movie, a single woman, while on her way home, in the rain, one evening, rescues a large dog being held hostage within the confines of a wooden fence. The precious creature follows her home and begins to wreak havoc on her heart and home.while falling in love with another of his species at the animal shelter they visit. Nothing goes as planned. This story of life, love and humour does not disappoint. I've watched it 5 times. 

In Walking the Dog we have another winner, a tale of two lawyers, both fostering dogs, who begin the plot line on opposite sides in a courtroom, defending their positions regarding the bike lanes in a small town. Another gem, in my opinion, having watched this gem several times. Many television actors are superb in the acting s they perform. A-listers are not required here.

Movies of animals, love and humour have my attention each and every time. Even the latest Jurassic Park movie has me crying as the dinosaurs are depicted as a species needing protection from humans. No kidding.

Rom-coms, the latest in television seduction, help in making my llfe a little more stress free. When sadness envelopes, a Hallmark doggie rom-com comes to my rescue. There is Love and Sunshine.  It is the story of a woman who fosters a retriever for a soldier is another happy movie to watch and smile about. The level of interest is over the top as both the lead characters focus on 'their' puppy and their relationship with each other. Another winner.

T.V. movies, of the animal genre, are a mainstay in my entertainment diet and my heart. They help bridge the loss of my sweet, kind, lovable Wiggler who suddenly passed away. I see and feel him everywhere I look. Everywhere. He was larger than life, my life. He was family who loved company with all who visited. When little “Ella” comes to visit, it's no longer a playdate for momsey. It's now a sleepover, one that excites me beyond anything else, except, perhaps, my grandchildren.