What Happened to the Dinner Table?

  If you don't have a clue where I'm going with this, please slap yourself, because it's time to wake up! I'm just being serious.

 I just now about slapped myself. I stared at my online bank statements and decided to add up all the restaurant expenses to see if we had reached our max allowance. I regret to say that even though we had done "better" we were far from "cured" of the habit of eating out. Really. It's a habit, and a very bad one.

  All a sudden it struck me like lightning. We've replaced the dinner table. We've traded our sacred time of eating a home-cooked meal together, with bickering about what we want at drive-thru joints and sitting at restaurant tables at Golden Corral or East Coast Wings. (No offense Golden Corral, but your food is NOT homemade.) We cheat ourselves into thinking that somehow eating "together" at a restaurant is having "family time". 

  Eating out is a habit that's hard to break and it grows stronger over time. I grew up in a town that was so small it only had a Hardee's and a Bojangles (didn't get a Bojangles until I was 16!). I didn't start eating out a lot until I was married and had moved to a larger town. Truthfully, covenience is a killer. Many people eat out for different reasons. It's really a sign of the break down of family. Mothers have to work now. Men don't have wives to cook for them. Daughters aren't taught how to cook before they marry. Children are in broken homes and don't have a whole family unit to sit down and have a meal with. 

  We've become self-gratifying, entitled, and lazy. I hear all the time, "Let's just get some _______ (interject any restaurant), because it's faster." There's you're sign; you want something faster and that's self-gratification and impatience. Both are very bad habits that you just didn't just develope in one day. I've caught myself thinking,"Well, whatever, I didn't feel like cooking anyway!" Ouch! That's laziness rearing its head and I need a swift kick in the gut. Then when we order our food, we complain about the prices being too high. You're not entitled to choose what prices you want to pay. Quit griping, and go cook a home-cooked meal for yourself and you'll find that it would be much cheaper and more satisfying. Guess what? At least you won't have to tip anyone! 

  Our children need to learn the satisfaction of making something physically themselves and enjoying their success whether it's making a grilled cheese sandwich, or running a little lemonade stand. Constantly shuttling them through a fast food drive-thru will just teach them that they don't have to have patience, they don't have to do something for themselves, and they are entitled to get anything they want. Sometimes they need to learn that it's perfectly fine to sit around the table and enjoy pintos and cornbread or a bologna sandwich, as long as they are eating together at the family table. It's time to make the dinner table sacred once again. Dust it off and learn to love all the scratches and crumbs. It's part of what makes your family special. On that table you will read the Bible to your children, and teach them to pray their first prayer over their food. On that table, your children will do their homework or draw a picture for you to put on your refrigerator. On that table, you will learn that your husband is better than you at Chinese Checkers and Monopoly. But that's okay.

  

  Feeling guilty? That's awesome because that means that you still have a conscience and want to change. We all are guilty. But making excuses for your current family behavior isn't going to help your plight. You've got to resolute that you and only you can make changes that will embetter your family. It's not too late to clean off your dinner table and plan meals together. Let the whole family get involved: invest in a little chalk board or dry-erase board, and write down the meals for the week. If you can't cook, check out Youtube and Pinterest; you will learn a lot! Do you hate that the dishes pile up after every meal? Have everyone pitch in, wash their own plates, wipe  the table, and sweep the floor. The important thing remains: you're all together as a family. A family that eats together stays together. 

Oh, and read Acts 2:38. Just obey it!

-HRC

Why We Don't Do Vaccinations or Immunizations

Why, you ask?

My husband and I have several reasons why. I had a go-around a month ago with my baby's doctor, and despite her feverish attempts to force medical rhetoric down my throat, I made my stance firm. 

Number one, I don't want anything injected into my child's body unless I know 100% what is in there.  I'm responsible for my child's wellbeing, and only a mother knows best. Vaccines aren't as "pure" as they once were and let's face it, the pharmaceutical companies aren't that transparent about their products. We have no idea what we are putting our trust in. There have been numerous lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies as regards to medication, vaccines, etc. Here is a list of some of the chemicals that "enhance" said vaccines/immunizations today: MSG, antifreeze, phenol (used as a disinfectant), formaldehyde (cancer causing and used to embalm), aluminum (associated with alzheimer’s disease and seizures), glycerin (toxic to the kidney, liver, can cause lung damage, gastrointestinal damage and death), lead, cadmium, sulfates, yeast proteins, antibiotics, acetone (used in nail polish remover), neomycin and streptomycin, thimerosol (more toxic than mercury, & a preservative that is still used in many vaccines, not easily eliminated, which can cause severe neurological damage as well as other life threatening autoimmune diseases).

Number two, I am an Apostolic Pentecostal, and do not support abortion period. Unborn babies' body parts are being used everyday to conduct studies and are used in vaccines/immunizations. These vaccines are grown and strained through animal and human tissue, such as  monkey and dog tissue, chick embryo, calf serum, human diploid cells (the dissected organs of aborted fetuses), pig blood, horse blood and rabbit brain. 

Number three, neither I, nor my family, would not have any faith in God whatsoever that He can heal and protect if we constantly took medications, injected ourselves with a plethora of chemicals (a.k.a. vaccines/immunizations). Does my family take any medication or anything? I proudly say no! We eat healthy and exercise, and that's it! My husband and I, and our three children  are the epitome of health. As long as we trust God, we will stay that way! After all, He made our bodies, so He knows how to take care of His creation!

Choose what you think is best for your family, but as for me and mine, we are fine without vaccines/immunizations. Thanks anyway..

Boosting Breastmilk Supply

 So as you know, I just had my third child two months ago. My milk supply has been up and down ever since he was born and I thought that I would never get my supply back! I had tried the Mothers Milk Tea and Fenugreek capsules with my middle child so I decided that this time I would try different remedies since the tea and capsules didn't provide me with the results that I was hoping for.

 You are probably reading this thinking, "Oh boy, another list of things to try and I've tried them all!"   What I'm about to say is so simple that it's ridiculous!

 I recently tried different strategies to save my own milk supply, which is notorious for drying up in the second and third month after delivery. I scratched the mother's milk tea, fenugreek capsules, lactation cookies, etc. I simply starting eating on schedule every day (small frequent meals throughout the day) and drinking a lot of whole milk, water, and juices. I started noshing on a lot of apple slices, yogurt, and trail mix when I wanted a nutritional snack. I began eating a lot of peanut butter on crackers, peanut butter on toast, easy tuna fish salad sandwiches, nuts, hard boiled eggs, etc. I had studied that an average nursing mother needs approximately 71 grams of protein daily to have a healthy and nourishing milk supply for her baby. So I basically increased my intake on protein and my milk supply slowly but surely came back! I also began to pump a little before feeding and in between feedings to stimulate my breasts to produce more. I discovered that it's all about supply and demand! Before, I was having to thaw the milk that I had previously stored in the freezer to feed my hungry little one, but now I can meet his demand and have a little extra to freeze.

 It's totally fine if you don't have extra to freeze; never get disappointed with yourself! The important thing is never to give up on yourself! Just remember three things:
• Supply & Demand!!!
• Protein, Protein, Protein
• Plenty of liquids

 I hope this blog helps all you breastfeeding moms out there! Feel free to comment below and let me know your results ladies!

-Hannah Caudle-

Meet the New Addition!

  Yes, I know I have not been blogging like I should here lately. I profusely apologize. But in my defense, I have been quite busy as of late!
  I have been growing a human for 9 months! I kept it a secret from social media for a long time and until recently, I had not let anyone know, aside from my immediate family and church family. After a while it gets hard to hide the bun though!
  I found out that I was carrying a surprise baby in October of 2014. Apparently, I had became pregnant in early September while training for a 5k with my husband. Unbeknownst to me, I was 6 weeks  pregnant when I ran the 5k. It was grueling and I was exhausted afterwards!
  My original due date was July 8th, but after a routine anatomy scan, they found that our little baby was measuring 3 weeks older. So, they moved my due date to June 16th. We also found out to my husband's delight that I was carrying a baby boy.
  After being 3cm and fully effaced from 36 weeks on, I was very ready to have him! I had battled a very large and immensely painful vaginal varicose vein, so they decided to induce me. I was induced on June 9th at 39 weeks. My husband and I got up at 5 am on June 9th and had to be at the hospital at 5:45 am. At exactly 7 am, my doctor gently broke my water and they started me on a small dosage of pitocen to jumpstart my contractions. By 8 am, I was having regular contractions with barely any pitocen (they had to cut it back to the bare minimum). I quickly dilated to 10 cm and by 10:20, it was go time. I had Timothy at 10:26 am after only 3 minutes of pushing!!!! I was only in labor for 3 hours and 26 minutes. He was a healthy 6 lbs and 12 oz and was 20.5 inches long. We were overjoyed when they allowed us to go home 26 hours after he was born! I thank God everyday for a healthy and speedy delivery with absolutely no complications!  
 Yes, our days are very full, and I never have appreciated hot steamy showers and nap time more! But I would not trade my life as a full-time mother for anything! I give all praise to Jesus for all the blessing He bestows on my little family! 

Homemade Yeast Donuts 101

I recently promised my husband that I would make him a batch of donuts, and since it was raining today, I thought I might as well make good on my promise! Since we do not have a Krispy Kreme around here, I decided to try my hand at making my first real donuts using my handy electric fryer, aka the "the Fry Daddy". I made a total of 24 donuts and 36 donut holes with this recipe! Needless to say, my husband and kids are now hooked at first bite! I have had Krispy Kreme donuts and these are pretty much just like a Krispy Kreme donut! 

INGREDIENTS: 

Donuts:
3 (1/4 ounce / 7g) packages yeast (I used Rapid Rise yeast)
2 1/4 cups warm water
3/4 cup  sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
3 eggs
1/2 cup butter
7 1/2 cups self-rising flour
canola oil for frying

Glaze:
1/4 cup Karo syrup
3 cups (375g) powdered sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons vanilla
6 -9 tablespoons of lukewarm water
1 teaspoon of butter (melted) (Optional)

STEP 1:
In a large mixing bowl, empty the packets of yeast, and add the sugar. Then add the warm water (not too hot or you will kill the yeast) to the yeast and sugar and stir to dissolve them. The yeast will "feed" off of the sugar causing better results for the rising process. Then add your melted butter, salt, and eggs. After all those ingredients have been mixed thoroughly, slowly add the flour in 2 cup increments, stiring until smooth to avoid lumps. You are welcome to use electric beaters if you would like! The dough is going to be sticky but I coated my hands in canola oil and gently worked my dough a few seconds to make sure it was thoroughly mixed. The canola oil also helps the dough separate from the bowl better. Cover the mixing bowl loosely with plastic wrap and let it stand for a full hour to allow it to properly rise. 

STEP 2: 
Ready to have fun?? Cover your table top (or other flat surface of choice) with wax paper and table it in place. This will make for a super easy cleanup process! Then, dust the wax paper with flour and empty your dough into the floured surface. Grab the dough and flip it to the other side and then gently fold and knead it a max of 3 times. This helps it not be so sticky and have more elasticity. Next, roll out your dough (not too thin!) to about an inch thick. Choose what you want to use as the cutter for the donut; I used a wide-mouthed coffee mug, which was about 3.5-4 inches in diameter. (It is all about your preference!) Next, I used a Starbucks glass container to cut out the middles (I collect the frappe glass containers that you can buy at most convenient stores). You can really use anything, as long as it has a diameter of at least a half an inch. The middles that you cut out are perfect for doughnut holes, so save them in a separate pile! 

STEP 3:
Get your fryer out (I use the Fry Daddy electric fryer that my husband purchased for me 2 years ago at Walmart) and fill it with canola oil to the max line (about 3 inches deep) and let it heat up. The correct temperature should be between 350-375 degrees (Fahrenheit). 
While you are waiting on your oil to heat up, begin making your glaze (Karo syrup, water, powdered sugar, vanilla, and butter- butter is optional)  to dip your donuts in after they are cooled! 

STEP 4: 

Now you are ready to work the magic! Check your oil to make sure it is ready for frying, by dropping a tiny scrap of dough into the fryer. If the oil bubbles and boils as soon as the dough hits the oil, then it is ready! Using a heat-safe  spatula (fryers usually come with a heat-safe dipper), gently lower your doughnut into the oil. Fry each side of the donut for 30 seconds. You are aiming for a warm golden brown color. Do not flip the donut sooner than 30 seconds or the inside will be gooey and uncooked! After the donut is fried on both sides, transfer it to a rack or pan lined with paper towels to allow it to cool and let any excess oil be absorbed by the paper towels. Repeat these steps until you have fried all of your donuts and donut holes.

STEP 5: 

You are in the homestretch of enjoying your work!!! Remember the glaze you made? Dip your cooled donuts into the glaze, generously coating the entire surface of the donut and allow the excess icing to drip off before transferring the donuts to a plate lined with wax paper. Repeat until you have coated all your donuts. You may also use powdered sugar or any other coating for your doughnuts if you wish!!  

Voilà! Now pat yourself of the back and and enjoy your little taste of heaven! You just made donuts!!!!!!! 

Lessons Learned: Quick Fixes for Stained Laundry

My grandmother always said that, "It all comes out in the wash!" But we as moms know that  it doesn't always work that way. Some stains are just stubborn. Well, I have had my share of woes with stains, and more times than I would like to count! I have two toddlers ages 18 months and 2.5 years old, so stain removal knowledge  has come with a price. It is frustrating to say the least, but hopefully a few mistakes I have learned from can help you salvage or entirely avoid throwing your laundry in the trash! I do not claim to be a "stain doctor" in any way, so if any of you ladies have any more tips to add that I have not covered, please feel free to leave them in the comment section! Your knowledge is very valuable!

Tip #1: Let's say you spatter oil from your favorite greasy food onto a new cotton shirt and it leaves ugly greasy spots on your clothing; if you can, always change immediately so you can treat the stain! Time is always of the essence when it comes to stain removal. Place the shirt on a flat surface and take dawn dish washing liquid and put a generous amount directly on the stain. Let the stain set for 10-15 minutes if you can and then wash the shirt in warm/ hot water. the combination of the hot water and the grease-busting dish washing liquid will break up that grease stain.

Tip #2: Windex removes red! I have not tested this technique on every type of fabric/ material, but I have found that most red stains can be removed by removing the soiled clothing and directly spraying Windex onto the stain and letting it set for about 10-15 minutes. Then promptly wash the clothing in lukewarm water.

Tip #3: Washing your clothing on the correct temperature setting is important to keep them looking clean and looking great. Always separate your clothing; brights/dark colors should be separated from whites/pastels, and towels should always be separated from regular clothing to prevent annoying fuzz balls. To keep your towels looking clean and crisp, always separate colored towels from white towels. It depends on the color of the clothing to determine which temperature setting to use. For example, bright/ dark clothing needs to be washed in cold water to avoid causing color fade, and pastels/ whites need to be washed in warm water. If you are washing towels, try to use hot water if possible and separate them according to color. If they are white towels, use bleach (but not too much or you will end up with holes!). For colored towels, use a color-safe bleach or simple washing powders (I use liquid All detergent for mine).

Tip #4: Don't fret over ink stains! It's safe to say that I have removed about 500 pen stains. The important thing is to check your clothing for pen stains before you wash the clothing, because washing the clothing before you properly treat them is a sure-fire way of setting a nasty permanent stain!! Once you locate the pen stain lay the clothing flat, and spray any generic non-aerosol hair spray onto the stain. I use White Rain hairspray from Dollar Tree, but you can use any brand you would like. Just be sure to use the old type style of hair spray bottles and not the new mist kind (aerosol). You want to drench the stain in hair spray! Let the hairspray works its magic for about 5 minutes, and then put the clothing through the wash (I always use All detergent and combined with the hairspray, it takes the stain right out!)

Tip #5: Color bleeding is an awful mess to deal with, but with proper methods you can correct, and prevent future mishaps. All you need to do is cut up an old white cotton t-shirt into strips, and toss them into your laundry during the wash cycle. These cotton strips will act as a color-catcher and when your garment bleeds its color, the strips of cloth will "catch" the color preventing runs and bleeding. From reading this blog, you can already tell that my go-to washing detergent is All! It removes some of the toughest stains! Examine the garment after removing it from the wash and make sure the stain has been removed and the colors are no longer bleeding prior to putting it in the dryer! This is important, because if you dry the clothing with the stains still present, it will permanently set the stain! If the stain is still there, put the clothing through another cycle with the strips of cotton cloth.

Tip #6: Hydrogen Peroxide removes blood stains! Simply soak a cotton ball in peroxide and clean the affected area. Wash the soiled clothing afterwards!

I hope this short blog has helped ladies, and again, if you have any other tips that I haven't mentioned above, please feel free to leave me a comment! I would love to hear your input!

Best Cornbread 101

  Yes I know it's been a while since I have posted a blog! I have missed y'all! I hope you will forgive me and enjoy this delicious recipe that I and my family have fallen completely in love with!



1 cup of self rising flour
1 cup of cornmeal
1 egg
1 cup of milk (or buttermilk if you prefer)
2/3 cup of sugar
A pinch of salt
1/3 cup of butter or margarine

  Preheat the oven to 375°. Mix sugar, flour, and cornmeal together, then heat the butter and pour it over the mix and allow to set for a couple minutes (helps the cornmeal to swell and gives richer flavor). Then add your salt,egg, and milk and mix thoroughly. Grease a 9x13 pan with lard or vegetable oil based Crisco, and pour mixture into the pan. Slice a half a stick of butter into small slivers and place the slivers on top of the dough in the pan, and place in the oven. Bake for 20- 25 minutes, until cornbread is a golden color. (Check the middle with a fork, and if it comes out clean, then it is done.)
  Enjoy!


-Acts 2:38, Obey it!
Hannah Caudle