What Kind Of Swimmer Are You?

Ivy says:

The past year has been one of vast changes for me. Some have been beyond my control, like the death of my grandma. Others I have initiated, like my weight loss/exercise program. All of it reminds me of how people approach a pool that’s somewhat cold.

Now, I like to swim in water that is bathtub warm, but I love swimming so much, I’ll tolerate colder water, if it’s not too cold. I love to watch how people get into the cool water. Some very gradually get in the water, toe deep, ankle deep, knee deep, etc. Others jump right in. Me, I dip a toe into the water and determine whether it’s too cold to go in altogether. Then,  I jump right in. The way I figure it, you’re in for a terrible, terrible shock at first, but you quickly get used to it and then have a lot more time to enjoy swimming around than the gradual folks do.

Major life changes are a lot like swimming, if you think about it. Sometimes you’re thrown in and don’t have a chance to decide, but a lot of changes are based on choice. While in swimming, I am a jumper-inner, in life, I tend to be more of a gradual type. It’s occurred to me that I need to be more like the way I swim. Jump right in, deal with the big shock, then enjoy the swimming. That’s how I’ve been trying to handle it lately.

What about you? Are you a jumper-inner or a gradual swimmer? What about in real life?

Economic Fear

Heather says:

Yesterday I monitored the news as the House of Representatives voted down an economic bailout package. Wall St.’s reaction was swift and concerning, but the reactions I saw through various social media platforms ran the gamut from logical and relevant to, “The sky is falling! The sky is falling and a piece of it landed on my tail!” I’m paraphrasing of course, but I did chuckle when I saw someone suggest that it would only be a matter of weeks before we are all starring in a Mad Max movie.

What can be done by average Americans?

• Call or email your Congressman and let them know whether or not you agree with their vote on the bill and why. There will be similar bills discussed in the very near future.
• Do not make large financial decisions without discussing it with a trained financial advisor, emotions are running high and any rash actions could have long term consequences.
• Ensure your performance at work is stellar. Management worried about the bottom line will be less likely to tolerate poor habits such as tardiness.

Take heed, I am not suggesting there won’t be serious economic consequences. I am stating that panicking is not the answer. Educate yourselves and take a crash course in frugality. 

Finally, remember that practicing a spirit of gratitude and generosity with the things we do have will much to improve our perception of many situations.

Menu Monday 9/29

Heather says:

Another week, another menu.

More recipes will be added throughout the week. Tell me Home Eccers, what is on your menu? Please feel free to link to your own menu in the comments.

• Monday - Beef stirfry, rice
• Tuesday - Vegetarian chili, grilled cheese
• Wednesday - Stuffed chicken thighs (spinach, onion, garlic), baked sweet potatoes  
• Thursday - C.O.R.N.*
• Friday - Tuna noodle casserole, green beans
• Saturday - Oven fried chicken fingers, ranch potato wedges, steamed broccoli with cheese sauce
• Sunday - Grilled steaks, tossed salad, macaroni salad

*Clean Out Refridgerator Night

Sunday Confessional

Heather says:

Welcome to the “When Home Improvement Projects Go Awry” edition of the Sunday Confessional. Mr. Heather and I are usually competent do it yourself type people. In our old home, a 100+ year old home in Minnesota, we hired out for some major projects. Thankfully, our curent home is newer and thus far has only needed minor repairs and cosmetic changes.

Which brings us to our shower. In June, Mr. Heather and I agreed it was time to strip out the old caulk and replace it with a new mildew resistant caulking. We decided we’d let the shower dry out for 72 hours after stripping the caulk and using a bleach solution. It’s now September and we are still using the shower on the other end of the house.

So Home Eccers, comment and tell us about your abandoned projects.

I did manage to reintroduce my floors to a mop a few hours after the last confessional; I’m hoping this one has a similar effect.

Retro Saturday: Super Simple Broccoli Soup

Heather says:

A non-blogging friend of mine recently admitted that she has never attempted to make soup. After I picked my jaw off the ground, she does know her way around the kitchen, but she finds the idea of soup intimidating. I offered to hold her hand and walk her through a few recipes. You, my lucky readers, get to join us on her cooking adventure.

This version of cream of broccoli is reasonably low in sodium, if you use: low sodium broth, homemade stock, or Better than Bouillon, instead of traditional bouillon cubes or canned broth.

• 2 TBSP butter
• 1 medium onion - sliced
• 1 medium potato - diced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 3 cups broccoli (florets and stems) - chopped
• 1 cup half and half
• salt and pepper to taste
• pinch of nutmeg (optional - I omit it)

Melt the butter over medium high heat in a pot (at least 3qt in size). Add the sliced onion and cook until soft.

Add the diced potato. In a microwave safe bowl heat the broth. I use my 4 cup glass measuring cup and heat half at a time. While it’s heating don’t forget to stir your potatoes and onions.

Pour the broth into the pot and add the broccoli. Cook until the broccoli is soft, stirring occasionally.

Using a standard or immersion blender puree the soup until smooth. If you use a standard blender just return it to the pot when you are through.

Add the half and half, salt and pepper to taste, and stir until heated through.

Enjoy.

Send your domestic questions to helpme@home-ec101.com

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