Spice Mixes and All That Sugar

No more sugar for me! Now that I've been diagnosed as diabetic (hubby has been for YEARS) I need to find a way to have the spice blends I like without the sugar. I also need to find some fulfilling recipes for candy that is sugar free which won't be easy as the sugar is crucial in some recipes to help set the candy up! And, I need one of the red circles with the slash that means "NO" to add to this sugar jar!

So, I'm on the lookout for DIY mixes that resemble the commercial spice blends and sweets. I'd been using what he likes for his and my preferences for mine when possible as a while back I was surprised at how many spice blends have sugar or corn syrup added. With hubby already diabetic, my diet changes have had to be those hidden sugars in things I eat that he can't. Yes, I knew they were there. The good news is it's working because I've managed to loose 15# without starving myself. I'm busy with the homestead, but with my disability I have to sit down a LOT and have little energy. Truthfully, I think I lost that weight in the candy aisles as I get no more 3 Musketeers, Snickers, etc. I now get to visit the dietary section with sugar free candies. They are EXPENSIVE too. So I'm on a new search to make my own spice blends and sugar free chocolates!

In the meantime, I had stopped at the health food store which I do a few times a year. I found the Pamona Pectin I wanted to try for sugar free jams/jellies and they had carob covered pleanuts on sale! In the check out line I snipped open the carob peanuts as I was wondering if I wanted one bag or more being there'd be 2 of us consuming them. (It pays to have finger nail clippers on my key chain!) Boy was that a GOOD move! I really REALLY liked it so ran to the aisle and got 2 more bags. I was nice and left 1 bag for someone else of course! ;) So I ended up with 3 - 3 1/2 # bags of them for $7.99 each bag. That's a far cry cheaper than 3 oz of sugar free chocolate at the store for $1.48 - 1.69! We'll have these for a long time as I've put 2 bags and 2 quart jars of them in the freezer. With the way the heat melts chocolate these days they'll keep nicely there and I have a few out for snacks. I also decided I need to stop by the health food store more often as I'd LOVE to find the carob covered cashews and almonds on sale too!

A kind person posted this DIY copycat spice mix that resembles Lawry's on a recipe group. I thought you might like it also. I'm going to start with eliminating the sugar altogether and if it really needs it, I'll try a packet of Truvia or Slenda sweetner. Hopefully we will enjoy it without any sweetner. It looks to be a good one and I had quit using so much Lawry's due to the sugar.

Copycat Lawry's Seasoned Salt

2 tablespoons salt
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cornstarch

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.
Pour the blend into an empty spice bottle to store.
Be sure to label the bottle!

I hope you all have a good day! I'm finally back on line and getting caught back up so hope to be here regularly again! I've missed blogging!

Around the Farm Update

BUSY BUSY BUSY is a good description!

I had a doctor appt. Monday and have been told I'm pre-diabetic. Yet on tv the doctor on a talk show said there is no pre-diabetic. Either one is or one isn't. That being, I guess being my blood sugar in the dr. office was 128 and the fasting blood sugar level prior to that was high, "I am". When I had the fasting test done, I had decided that I need to really cut back even more on sugars and carbs. So when I got some candy, I got sugar free. The chocolate syrup for my morning milk is sugar-free now too. I have more tests to get done and hopefully this new doctor will decide what she thinks. Either way, bah humbug. Both of my parents are diabetic so I figured at some point I'd become so too. I'm just glad it decided to wait til I'm 60 and didn't kick in when I was 20 - 30.

Raquel, the FF milkstand bronco, had FINALLY gotten to the point she was easier to get milked and with much less drama has injured herself! She got 2 cuts on her udder and a horrible inverted "V" on her teat. It's on the teat that she was letting me milk the easiest too, darn it! The cuts are where the teat and udder are attached on the other side. All is healing well but it's extremely painful. I can't milk it without causing her a LOT of pain and tearing it open so I'm only milking a bit to check the milk, get a feel of the teat, etc. She's drying up on that side which I hate, but I know it hurts like the dickens. She had been self-nursing and on that side. She sure quit that, which actually might have been better for her udder. We can't undo what's done! We can only fix things the best we can and deal with it. FORTUNATELY, she didn't cut deep enough in any of the 3 spots to leak milk. That's a huge blessing and much better for her of course. She does like milk so I'm also offering her her milk with hopes it is innoculating her system to hel avoid mastitis. Some folks do believe this helps with mastitis and I'm willing to give it a try with hopes it does and it helps her heal and not have problems for life from it. She's too nice a doe and with her nice-sized teats and great orifices, she milks really easy. I'm getting almost 2 quarts a day from her good side. Her dam is a GOOD and easy milker too.
I've been trying to get some good goat pics. They don't cooperate much! They are too busy trying to get me to give them treats so we are all working different agendas!

I did get this cute pic of the last kid, PattyCake. She's tiny, cute cute cute and just a sweetie! She's also been a pest when I'm milking. She decided if I'm milking that who ever is on the stand is her next snack producer! Personally, I think she had a hidden agenda. I think she decided to find out who's milk she likes best. She has given her mother up and adopted a new one - another FF no less! Her newly adopted momma likes her too and couldn't stand being on the stand the other night when her new daughter was outside and got out of sight! What a tizzy until Patty came running back to the barn door in response to the yelling! Danika had a buckling and I pulled him at birth! So this surprises me that she's decided she wanted a daughter! Patty's dam is a "NuPine" and Nipper, the ND buck, is her sire. She has a ND looking head and she's small. She also got all the frosting on her ear, muzzle and tail. Her "star" looks like a pair of wings.

The chicks are still hatching and drying off. There are around 25 chicks and 2 have died. One who is living has large eyes that bulge a bit. I have no idea why so am trying to find out. It looks like I'll have a nice bunch of chicks though. I'll have maybe 5 blue Cochins and a few blacks.

While cleaning out the other brooder, one of the little turkey poults flew out and before I could react, the 2 dogs close by grabbed him. Unfortunately, he died. The 2 dogs are still on my "bad dog list". I don't think they meant to hurt him but they did. They shouldn't have put their mouths on him at all. They should know better as they don't get allowed to do things like that ever.

I also lost my "Orpicauna" hen. She had gotten caught by the leg. I rescued her, but her induries were bad enough she didn't make it. I had her protected in the pen in one of the laying spots (hers) and was giving her milk, feed and water but she didn't eat that I saw. She's the one who laid the drab, olive greenish color I was enjoying. I have a daughter of hers from my first egg hatch who is also gold. I so hate loosing a layer!

Between being so busy and lots of rain, I've not been able to do much gardening. Everything is growing well except those raspberry plants. There was one with sufficient roots and it's doing well. I'm still hoping that some of the others can root and pull through. Unfortunately, the weeds are also trying to get ahead of me!

I also was told by my local feed mill that they are going out of business. This is VERY bad news. It means that I'll need to do 34-mile round trips to get feed. I have the goatie granola custom mixed and it's so nice and convenient to have it done locally and only a couple miles from home. I'm also going to miss the couple who own and operate it. Unfortunately it's another sign of the economy as several of their customers have gotten rid of their critters due to the rises in grain prices, economy and all. So they've had only 1 month in this year that they've been in the black. This will affect my decisions I'm looking at for the coming year and especially for winter care and numbers.

So, there's the update, as long as it is. And to think it's only the "highlights" of the last 4 days!

Finally Friday

Friday! It's finally here and it's about over! PHEW!

GOOD news today..... Hubby is done with the IV's and the visiting nurse came to check him out and remove the picline! He is down to the steri strips following the stitches being removed Wednesday. He can now walk in the house without the cane but being careful to not put weight on the inside of his foot. It's till oozy so we've used a bit of bandaging at night and tried to air dry it during the day some. I so so hope that this is the last "go-round" with diabetic foot issues, but reality is that it probably isn't. The ortho and dr have both said it most likely won't be. It's going to be a BIG challenge to try to subtly supervise his feet (sounds weird right?) but it's basically what I'll have to do. Since the stroke he doesn't "get it" with so many things and his common sense is diminished, as are the logic, reasoning and impulse control. Everyone tells me I have my hands full and job cut out for me, but no one has suggestions on how to succeed or tips to help me take care of the feet on his legs that he can't feel and neither can I. Yes, I gave him my GOOD makeup mirror that is magnified on one side and even with that he doesn't think to use it unless I remind him and he doesn't want reminded and told what to do. So it's quite a quandry to say the least!

Today I actually had time to go do chores and to take some time to sit down in the romper room (2009 does) and visit with them, check them out, handle them, marvel in their growth, watch behavior, and be chewed on, my hair pulled and noses in my face checking me out. Violet, a full Boer doe has a bit longer and very fluffy winter hair is soooo soft and cuddly. She feels like the little kids SOFT and fluffy stuffed toys. She let me hug on her and "play" in her cuddly hair - what a sweet doe she is too! My twin Boer x does (Latte and Coffee Bean) born here the beginning of August are almost as big as Violet and Mo'nique who were both born in March/April. The 3 NuPine does are growing like weeds and still very elegant looking. I can't tell about my 2 ND does. They will be a year in February and being with all the other does who are big, they just keep looking smaller and smaller.

Does this mean I don't have enough ND's to compare them with? That could be a problem! Of course I just KNOW I'll need another ND buck in another year, if that.

I've already decided I really think I need another reg Alpine doe and I really need one BADLY of course. I NEED one with color to her and a pattern so she can be bred to Nipper for mini Alpine kids and not get all black kids! Oh, I want wattles too. I LOVE wattles on a goat. (Some folks don't like them and some actually cut them off the kids at birth.)

I enjoyed my sit-down with the girls. They seemed to enjoy it too. They did seem to think it was odd that I gave them their goatie granola and hay and then came in to visit. A few thought that was rather suspicious at first and especially when I was wanting to lift feet (need to do some trimming, I do!) and heavens forbid, check the udders they don't have! After that strange human behavior and a few picture taking moments things were "tolerable" and rather enjoyable to most! A couple just plain wanted to eat, the little pigs! I guess that granola is mighty tasty!

I also had time to have a talk with the hens and remind them that the days are lengthening and I expect to find a few eggs. I had to remind them how much we farm girls like our farm fresh eggs that they are suppose to be doling out to appease me for the trade of all the feed I responsibly drag home and give them. That being, I gave them some not fresh enough sour cream and milk with some cracked corn. They really liked it so hopefully they'll decide to spare me buying store eggs again!

All in all, it's been a pretty good day and was warmer out too!

Friday Ramblings

Being a day for self analysis and review, there are some thoughts that come to my busy mind such as:

* 78 days til Spring!
* We'll acquire aproximately 2 more minutes of daylight daily and some days 3!
* Ground Hog's Day is now NEXT month! Maybe I need a count down banner for this too! After all, the price is right - FREE!
* In spite of January having 31 days, NEXT month is the shortest month and a "quick step" to Spring. (Still 78 days)
* My kidding season is getting closer! We looked at the does today and we pondered over the looks of the belly on a few hoping we are looking at pregnancy being the cause. We are mid way into the 5 months of gestation on a couple IF they bred when we thought they did. It also makes me ponder on the possibility of a doe's pregnancy being similar to a mare's in some ways. It's been proven in mare's that some are more reactive to the testoserone of the male fetus in the last half of the pregnancy. Also some mares can be more aggressive and will act in heat late term. I wonder if goats do the same! IF so, that MIGHT be why a couple of the does were so obnoxious today! I even YELLED at them and banged my pitchfork against the wall and then pointed it at them. It had the desired response and they did stop, but geez!
* It's time to switch to the new calendar for appts and notes.
* Getting the seed catalogs is EXCITING and make it worth getting the mail (compared to a zillion medical bills)!
* I think the romper room does are dancing to the song that goes: "ding ding the witch is dead..." refering to the herd crab, er queen being moved to the other pen. Isn't that song from the Wizard of Oz? I'm not good at songs and the movies they are in, their titles and such. You also don't want to hear me sing but I do subject the milkers to some singing when milking them.
* 2 weeks more of IV's and MAYBE he'll be done. (This and the dressing changes takes about 6 hours a day! Plus he's to be off his feet so I'm doing extra foot work. He was granted a short visit to the barn if driven there.
* 2 weeks and they will take the stitches out. Diabetics have to have them in longer and don't do as well with tiny, neat and precise stitches in their feet so they get wide spaced and big ones so IF the foot abcesses there is an easier escape route so it's caught faster and easier to treat than another hole in the foot. Neuropathy means NO feeling in the feet or a horrible stinging and painful sensation in the feet all the time. Both take away the early warning signs that something is amiss.
* 2 more weeks and then I can get the chicken trade done with a nice gal I met online. Her mom wants BROWN eggs and the hens she has don't lay the medium or dark brown eggs. So we're making a trade and her mom will have some darker brown eggs and be happier. I'll be happier too as my single hen of the breed doesn't have a mate. I'm hoping to hatch a few of her eggs as she's a really nice little hen and soooo pretty.
*2 more weeks and I can go get the other chickens I'm buying from a friend. I already got some Cochins and a couple Orpingtons from her and am getting the rest of her Orpingtons and a few others she wants to sell to reduce her flock.
* It's time to start a few more new things here on my blog that I was waiting for the first of the year to do. It's finally time!
* It's time to start the garden planning in more depth and make some decisions as to what else to try growing and where.

Wow, with just a few moments spent pondering this new year and life, and I can already see I'll be BUSY! It might be a new year, but being busy isn't new!

Saying Goodbye to 2009

Today is the day we say our last goodbyes to 2009!

2009 has been a very rough year for us here. We've had a lot of blessings along the way that have helped me keep my chin up. A couple have choked me up in appreciation. There's been a couple times I've been choked up in fear of the situation, such as hubby's 2nd hospitalization with septicemia, osteomylitis, and diabetic ulcer. He was critically/gravely ill and it was actually worse than when he had the stroke 3 years ago and was in a coma! We're still working on healing and he's still on home IV's. He had surgery a week ago and today was a doctor visit. The ortho is pleased with the progress and said he can use just a cane now IF he can keep the weight off the inside/toe area. This isn't easy for him due to the stroke's change in his balance and gait. He can't use crutches because of the pic-line (for long-term IV's) on the inside of his upper arm. But he doesn't need to use the walker now unless it's for a long walk (like in the dr's office). He's still to be off his feet though and have them elevated as much as possible. The stitches won't come out for another 2 weeks though because the diabetes is involved and he needs stents. No insurance so the stents are on hold for a while longer which the specialist said was ok. (I'm sharing this because I hope it helps someone to be more careful with their diabetes or a family member/close friend who needs the support and more of a diabetic reality check!)

So, adios 2009! May 2010 be a better year for all!

Update on Hubby

A diabetic update that comes with the hopes that you can help encourage any relatives or close friends with diabetes to take care of their feet and their diet! It STILL blows me away that one can break their foot and not feel a thing... and a BAD break that is completely separated! That is diabetic neuropathy at work. :(

Yesterday hubby had to see the orthopedic surgeon. This was the followup to the hospitalization for the septicemia (blood infection), osteomylitis (that hubby called osteoMileyCyrus ;) and the broken foot and ulcer on his foot. The bone growth from the healing break has pushed the bone at the amputation site further out and down to the point his ulcer can't heal. The infection is clearing up (probably due to the 2 x a day IV's that are $440 each) he's feeling better. I wish they had taken that whole bone out as part of the amputation of his MRSA infected big toe and the joint below it. Had they taken that whole bone this wouldn't be the current situation. Because the joint of the bone was removed the bone isn't attached to the bones beside it so it was able to be pushed at an angle resulting in this mess. You're probably saying "wow" about now or maybe "yikes"! I can tell you it's a night mare for me!

The good news is that on Wednesday he will have surgery to remove the bone so the tissue can heal and it won't keep causing ulcers and damage. I never knew there was evening surgery but we have to be at the hospital at 5:00 pm and surgery is 6:30 pm! That's going to be a LONG day and I'll have a long drive home. I hope the roads aren't bad! Fortunately they feel they can still save his foot and just remove this bone. THANK HEAVENS for small miracles!

Also, this all started 3 years ago with his stroke. He's now 58 so it's not like he's a "real old" guy! So, if you are diabetic, have family or friends who are, please encourage them to take care of themselves as diabetes isn't just the diabetic's disease.... it's the family's disease and a nasty one at that.

Sorry for such a solemn post. But, as the saying goes, it is what it is and it's what I'm dealing with here on the homestead.

AWOL

I was definitely AWOL and not able to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. Hubby ended up with the doctor sending him from his office directly to the hospital. He is finally feeling better today but he's still very ill with an infection in his blood and whole system, the diabetic ulcer which has worsened and the broken foot which has worsened. The new bone from the break has pushed the toe and foot bones up and the bone at the previous amputation over and down, so it resulted in the ulcer. He'll need surgery but he's too sick to do it so will come home soon with a pic-line. It's an IV port threaded from his upper, inside arm into the aorta in the chest for IV's that are being delivered into the chest and throughout. He's also on blood thinners.... and "one sick puppy". He did decide today that he's either a basset hound or blood hound as they are slow moving and look sad. I suggested he go with the bloodhound as his legs aren't short enough for a basset (nor as short as the Corgi's here ;). He saw the humor and wasn't crabby so he's definitely feeling a little better.

Looking for the good in all of this (to remain sane of course;), I decided I'm very glad I'm not a diatician as I'd hate to have been that gal who came in to tell him NO he couldn't have a salt shaker and no he can't have pizza and no he can't have anything else he wants to eat ..... I sure wish his menu didn't have all the diets on it and only his own so he didn't see what was available for the patients on a general, eat as you want diet! He's on a diabetic and heart diet so 1800 calories and no salt. Yuppers, glad I'm not responsible for being his diatician!

I'm also thankful his nursing care has consistently been above expectations! What wonderful nurses they have ALL been! Of course he's still wanting cute, young gals! So even at just-turned-58 he's got the good foot out of the grave! ;) (Go ahead and laugh. One needs to see the humor in things or break down from the stress of it!)

I've sure been perusing a LOT of magazines! WOW, some of them are quite interesting as to current trends for those who are well off or those who are well into debt to live a well-off lifestyle. I do love some of the wall colors that are now popular. I also enjoy the recipes a lot and the crafts and such! There's the song with the phrase "little bit country" and I am POSITIVE I'm a little bit more than all country! I love the old farm houses and country decorations. I also saw a wall hanging today that I LOVE! It's a huge barn with trees and such around it and some metal horses..... and it's a whole lot country.... just my style! The price has been lowered to $125 which I about choked on and they came down and offered it to me for $60. I just can't decide. I know I shouldn't spend that, but I soooooo want to. Boy do I want too! I LOVE it! It's ME! They'll be open on Wednesday again...... should I? Do I? I wonder if I offered a bit lower....??????? The metal horses are the expensive "Home Interiors" and I have 1 of them. They are expensive new and out of stock now I'm sure. I wonder if I sold one or both if I'd get anything off them on eBay? I sure do love that barn...... and don't need the horses so I'd end up with a great deal, wouldn't I? What do you think, readers? (No, I didn't go shopping over the weekend. I only stopped and picked up bandaging material for hubby's foot as I need 2 rolls of the wide (4") sterile gauze per day.) Help me decide.... this is a one of a kind ceramic type wall hanging and quite good sized. Should I?

It's hard to believe December is trying to get in the door. I don't have my list of pre-winter chores done as I've been at the hospital other than doing chores. That stock tank is now ready to be moved and I need some time to move it and fill it asap. ;) I have hay coming in the morning so I'll work on that while I wait for the hay guy. Even if I don't fill it full it will be a good start. The electric cord is there and ready for the heater to be put in the tank and plugged in. I need to put the 2 stakes in marking where the cord is at for the winter so it doesn't get caught in a snow plow, etc. That won't take long but I want to get the heater plugged in first so if I have to move the cord some I can do it. It just fits to the heater cord and tank. Then after the tank if full, I need to pull the hoses and drain them. I use them all winter and drain them when done being used. I rarely have a problem other than it's a pain to drain them as I generally can soak 2 pairs of gloves easily. So much to do and so little time.....

I'll be back soon and hopefully have something more interesting. I do hope that my posts about hubby's diabetic issues will educate people so they take diabetes more seriously and don't have to go through the stress and pain. It's a huge emotional pain for the family and a physical pain and all to go through for the diabetic. If you're not diabetic and have family or close friends who are, I hope you can help them understand how bad it can be and give them some support in their efforts to live with it and make the necessary diet changes. I'm taking much better care of myself now in the last year and a half as I have it in my family also and I don't want it! I need to loose more weight too! It's a devastating and horrible disease at best.

I do hope you all have a great week coming up.

Thursday Thank You

It's been a very hectic couple of days! I have a couple paragraphs of differing topics so if one doesn't appeal to you please scroll a bit and hopefully the next will!

FOLLOWERS
I am THANKFUL for having 3 followers of my blog. What a bright spot in my day to find I had my first and in a short time I have 3 wonderful folks who feel my writing is worthy of them checking in on my blog! ROSES and SUNNY DAYS to you 3 wonderful people and any more who come along and want to follow too! THANK YOU!

DIABETES - Yes, there is a time to be thankful!
I guess diabetic foot ulcers and neuropathy will be one of my "causes" to give people a heads up since dealing with hubby and his major health crisis over the last couple years. We're on our third ordeal with ulcers with the 2nd getting a myraid of nasties and MRSA/staphs resulting in a fast gangrene and amputation of the large toe and supporting joins and bone structure with opening for drainiage of the whole under part of the foot to the heel. We are now back to another ulcer and with NO feeling in his feet, he severely broke his foot and we didn't know it. Due to bad circulation the swelling wasn't attributed to a break but rather the blueness of his feet and he can't take water pills and make an hour drive to the docs. (He opened the car door while tooling down the road one day, scaring the beegeebies out of me.) Anyway, the specialist had an emergency and they couldn't see us and couldn't get ahold of us so we showed up. Due to my asking about the previous weeks culture and if he needed back on the antibiotics before going another week, they shipped us to another specialist and it took all day to do the med visits and get prescriptions! The result being, yes he needed back on antibiotics right away BUT the culture was much better than 3 weeks ago!!!! PHEW!!!! I'm thankful I learned that one NEVER EVER takes too many "deep breaths" until the ulcer is so scabbed over there can't be any penetration of nasty microbes!!!! We'll be several months to that point but I'm thankful for an improvment along with the minor set back. Yesterday a podiatrist was listening to me about not using a minor type adhesive bandage the bottom of a foot of a diabetic as the bandage rolls and causes a new friction blister in the middle of an existing ulcer resulting in loss of several weeks of healing! PHEW, thankful for a doctor taking a minute to LISTEN to us!

SUNSHINE!
We're getting a bit of sunshine on and off today. I so love a sunny day and I live in the "land of snow and ice" for a winter so we have VERY FEW sunny days and I'm not wanting to let what we do get go. However, it's not in my control so I REALLY am thankful for what I do get! It's a good motivational aspect in my life!

GOATS!
I'm very thankful that my goats have gotten to the point they can handle the very occassional crash of their beloved schedules! We've also just had DST and they are still LOUD over that when I arrive in the barn. I will hope they are yelling thank you at me as I show up to dole out their vittles and provide their expected (read that demanded) maid service and attention. Yesterday their schedule was a blow to their expectations but they greeted me whole-heartedly today and were thankful to be served their custom mixed feed they so relish. They are a blessing and I'm very thankful for them!

Still on the goat theme, I'm thankful for my 2 new girls! I made a trade of 2 NICE young Boer (traditional) bucks for them. More on them later too!

CHICKENS
Another new addition is I also brought home some new hens and hopefully a roo at rock bottom prices for young birds! More about them later but I'm very thankful for this addition.

FOOD
I'm VERY THANKFUL for an unexpected "windfall"! We stopped at WalMart to get the prescriptions filled on the way home from the med visits and while wondering I crossed paths with another couple who were pointing and talking about the 2 turkeys in their shopping cart. So I asked if they had turkeys on special or something and YES.... They SURE DID! Limit of 2 and only 40 cents a pound!!!! WOW! I have a turkey in the oven for dinner and I'll take it apart and freeze most of it into individual meals for stir fry, turkey melt sandwiches or calzones, turkey and homemade noodles, etc. I love doing this. I love turkey and being able to get 6-8 meals (2 of us) and lunches out of a big turkey. When that turkey was only $8 it's a WINDFALL IMHO! I wish they weren't 34 miles away as I'd go back for a couple more and then do the freezer game of trying to get them all in there with everything else I have frozen!

I'm thankful for many things but that is the highlight for today! I'm thankful you have stopped by to read my blog and would love to have you return!

Have a wonderful day!