Recipes using Essential Oil: Make your own cough syrup.

1 drop lemon oil

1 drop orange oil

1 drip frankincense oil 

1 drop peppermint oil
+

1 tsp honey 

IT REALLY WORKS!!!

Gavin's Tale Twister #53: CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS WITH CHEESE MELTING POWERS

So...Gavin and I were driving down the road on the way to soccer practice when Gavin says
" Mom,  if you could be any super hero with any super power, which one would you be?"
I just wanted to drive in peace and enjoy silence so I was irritated by the question.  I glanced over with the like really look on my face. Gavin's response ... "hurry Mom you only have 3 seconds 3..2..1..come on Mom 3..2..1."  Seeing that Gavin was really into this so called game, I obliged and with enthusiasm said "uh, uh  OK, uh, I'd be Super Ant with super strength!"
Gavin's eyes shifted my way and his head followed with this response " Really Mom! You know there is already Ant Man with super strength powers!"
"OK Gavin! Smarty pants! Your turn and you've got 3  seconds... 3,2,1...1,2,3 come on Gavin give me a good one too."
"First of all your not counting correctly and let's see, I would be Captain Underpants with cheese melting strength."
Now my eyes shift over to Gavin and my head follows.
"Really Gavin! What the heck is cheese melting strength?"
Now this is a true 12 year old explanation!
Gavin looked at me like duh and pointed to the road in front of us and said "slice of American cheese on the road!" He put his second and third finger of both hands on the temples of his head, squeezed his eyes together concentrating on the so called cheese on the road while he grunts and said "Bam!" He has one arm outstretched like he just performed a magic trick and says "Instant road hazard!!"
This followed with a bobble head nodding motion like yea I aced that question!  I know I only have a little time left before Gavin grows out of his childhood. His world is so great!!

Gavin TaleTwister # 52 : I WISH I COULD UN-SEE THAT!!!

So Gavin is at age 10 at a very sensitive age where he is starting to care what others think.  He feels criticized even if there is no criticism. We were at Papa's house and several times in the past, Gavin has hung on me while he moaned of boardem .  Finally one day Papa said to Gavin joking of course "Gavin leave my daughter alone!  You are bugging her and bugging her!"
Well gavin did not take this too lightly. That was 6 months ago.

So now every time we visit Papa,  Gavin tried to keep to him self as much as possible an even kept his lips sealed... Imagine that folks! Yep ....Gavin with nothing to say!! Doent happen often except now when we go to my dad's house.  As soon as we get there he is ready to leave, dying of boredom but still quite.
On this particular day, I had a rash on my leg that was starting to get infected.  I was mortified and did not show anyone but was thinking I needed a doctors advice. I am in the right place with dad being a retired physician.  Reluctant to ask my dad in fear of some holistic remedy he might propose, I sit quietly.  I show the spot to, my sister who is also a physician and instead of giving me medical advice she piped up and said "Dad loook at Usha's leg".
He did and immediately said with order in his tone. ... Usha you have an infection starting...Go sit in the HYPERTHERMIC DEAD SEA SALT outside and I promise you, it will get better.
I did and it absolutely did get better! I am now a believer in the mineral powers of the dead sea! Back to the story... Gavin patiently waited on the couch reading and playing games on his iPad.  Papa was sitting in the Dead Sea hot tub as well in his underwear!!! Yes I said in his underwear!  Papa stands up and is wiping the sweat off his face while his whitey tighty under wear is soaking wet and drooping down to his knees.  He wraps a towel around himself and drops his under whiteys off like a magic trick and slips on just his shorts (no back up underwear in site) .  He hobbles in with his widened gait and bowed legs, bear chest and  body still alittle wet quite redened from the heat of the tub water and his shorts now drooping from his body sweat and yes still with no underwear. His sweat, bear cheast and larger belly made it difficult to hold up his shorts so they hung a littl low.  OK so low that the top of his butt crack was showing.  I catch Gavin's eyes cut up to catch a glimpse at Papa.  He diid not want to get caught looking infear of being criticized but cant help but flatten his lips  like a duck, make his nose small and squint his eyes as if he smelled something bad.  He leans over to my sister who is sitting by Gavin and whispers to her "I wish I could un-see that!!"
  Gavin said just what everyone was thinking!

Gavin Tale Twister #51: WHY DON'T I JUST SKIP SCHOOL!

This morning, only the 4th full day of school, I overslept!!! I worked until 4AM and jumped in bed to grab a couple hours before having to do the morning school duties with the kids. Bill left for work at 6:00 AM and I am in lullaby land.
At 7:50 Sam runs into my room and screams "MOM WE'RE LATE!" I jump up  in a drunken sleep and yell up the stairs for Gavin to get up..."WE'RE LATE!"
Gavin pops out of his room "NO WE'RE NOT!"
"YES GAVIN WE ARE! HURRY UP WE'VE GOTTA LEAVE IN 10 MINUTES!"
In as very small voice "ok, I have to shower" like he was going to lolly gag through his morning rituals.
"GAVIN NO TIME FOR A SHOWER JUST PUT YOUR CLOTHES ON AND BRUSH YOUR TEETH, LET'S GO!"
Gavin looks down from upstairs knowing that he is going to say those dreaded words that have haunted Gavin since his early years when he had the D4 (See Tale Twister #3). Again in a small voice "but I have to poo!'
Sammy says "MOM WE'VE GOTTA GO RIGHT NOW !"
Feeling guilty about not getting the kids up on time and seeing the look on Gavin's face some how led  me to say "GAVIN, YOU WANT ME TO RUN SAM TO SCHOOL AND SWING BACK TO GET YOU?"
"yes please" Gavin says.
I return to find Gavin still on the pot. "GAVIN LET'S GO!"
A small voice replies "I'm pooping!"
I sigh and want to fuss at him for not being ready but the lingering guilt takes over and I say " I am going to take Maggie dog for her walk and when I get back, be ready!"
Small voice say "okaaa" fading at the end.
I know what that means... Gavin does not really want to be done pooping nor does he want to go to school.
After last year final report card came sighting Gavin's 46 tardies and 55 missed school days, Bill and I resolved that Gavin could not be tardy ever again.... until he is, like today! Of course that report card was a mistake obviously.  He was tardy a lot and just never went to the office to let them know he made it to school and of course they counted him absent. And Gavin had a few sick days too! It all adds up!
So back to today, I get back from the walk. I come inside and Gavin says take my temperature Mom. Well his head did feel warm so I did  and the thermometer read 98.8.  Gavin says I have a sore throat. Can I just stay at home.  I laughed "NO, GET IN THE CAR! LET'S GO!"
Small voice "ok".
On the way to school I ask "Did you eat a bowl of cereal?"
Small voice "no".
Guilty mom "you want me to drive through the Chick-a-fila drive through and get you something?"
Gavin replies "No we are going to be even later! Searching in his head for his schedule that day, his eyes suddenly light up as he says, "WE HAVE TO HURRY,  I CAN'T BE LATE FOR 2ND PERIOD!  I' ll just skip breakfast."
"What is 2nd period?"
"PE"
I laughed and said "Gavin your so funny! You could care less about first period Social Studies but now can't miss PE."
" No mom, not because I wanna go to PE, I just don't want to have to run if I am late!
"Gavin, 2nd period begins in like 3 minutes and we're still 10 minutes from school.  Your are going to be late to 2nd period PE no matter what.
Guilty mom "You want me to take you to Waffle House instead for breakfast and then drop you  off."
Long pause... "Well if am going to miss 2 classes, WHY DON'T I JUST SKIP SCHOOL?"
I am cracking up..."Funny Gavin!"  Of course my response is a lingering "Noooo! Chick-a-fila and then school."

Gavin Tale Twister #50: A Squirrel In The Road

This years summer vacation was to visit to see Bill's mom, Nana, in the nursing home in Halifax and then on see some baseball in Boston. It was our last day in Boston and we had tickets to see the Red Sox play against the Detroit Tigers.  We were staying just around the corner from the famous Fenway Park Stadium. It was a breezy 65 degrees on Saturday July 25th, 2015. Yes I said 65 degrees ....and breezy!! Sam and his dad went ahead to catch some of the batting practice and Gavin and I followed behind. As we weaved our way throughout the traffic of people, cars, and vendors, Gavin took my hand as to not get lost. I yanked him this way, pulled him that way, abruptly stopped to avoid a car trying to get through the sea of people, then quickly ran across the cross walk to avoid any potential hazards. We zig-zagged around cars and people for 3 blocks and I could see a little sweat on the side of Gavin's head. "We are almost there" I said to Gavin.
I was  a little out of breath and  with a sigh of relief, I hopped up on the curb next to our entrance  into Fenway.  As we stopped and took a breath, Gavin said "Wheew! You know mom? Now I know just how a squirrel in the road feels! I have to agree!

RECIPE: HEAVENLY SWEEDISH MEATBALLS

HEAVENLY SWEEDISH MEATBALLS

INGREDIENTS

         2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

         1 onion, diced

         1 pound ground beef

         1 pound ground pork

         1/2 cup Panko*

         2 large egg yolks

         1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

         1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

         Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

        

         FOR THE GRAVY

         1/4 cup unsalted butter

         1/3 cup all-purpose flour

         4 cups beef broth

         3/4 cup sour cream

         Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

                  2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

INSTRUCTIONS

         Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until onions have become translucent, about 2-3 minutes.

         In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ground pork, Panko, egg yolks, allspice, nutmeg and cooked onion; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Using a wooden spoon or clean hands, stir until well combined. Roll the mixture into 1 1/4-to-1 1/2-inch meatballs, forming about 24 meatballs.

         Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Add meatballs, in batches, and cook until all sides are browned, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

         To make the gravy, melt butter in the skillet. Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in beef broth and cook, whisking constantly, until slightly thickened, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in sour cream; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

         Stir in meatballs and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through and thickened, about 8-10 minutes.

         Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired.

Gavin Tale Twister #49: Downward Dog

When just Gavin and I go to my mom's house to visit, we usually sleepJ in her great big king size bed.  On this particular night right before we hopped in bed I said to Gavin..."Gavin, we are getting in bed, going right to sleep and not awaking to any alarm.  We will sleep til we awake what ever time that may be. As per every other visit to moms, we jumped in bed and smothered our bodies into the luxurious mattress. This mattress has a familiar feel and each and every time we sleep on it, it feel so homey.

I was on my side and Gavin on his side. We were both so very happy... until early in the morning!!!! Gavin's legs crept over to my side and slid under me to keep himself warm. Of course that woke me up and irritated me. I kept scooting him over and he kept swiping his feet  first against and then under me. 

Finally, after about the 5th time, I swiped his legs out from under me, grabbed hold of my pillow, face down I quickly bore my body hard into the mattress to prevent Gavin's legs from being able to slip under.  Ah ha I thought I hope this works... and IT DID! Gavin swept his feet across my torso several times trying to find an in under me. NOT happening! As much work as it took for me to keep my entire body plastered to the mattress, I did it and  it was worth it. I won! Gavin gave up and retreated but now I was awake and so was Gavin. My eyes were closed hoping to get back to sleep and Gavin  was contemplating his next move. Enough time went by without a single swipe, I though I was home free!
Then Gavin said "Mom?"
I did not respond! I had my eyes closed and was just trying to sleep.
"Mom?"
No response
"Mom?"
Finally I said "Yes Gavin!"
"Mom I think we should do some exercises."
"I don't want to do exercises I am trying to sleep. "
"Mom, come on... we need to do some exercise. We can even do them while we lay here."
No response.
"Mom... this is important.  You are always saying we should exercise. Come on just one stretching exercise... you don't even have to get out of bed and you can keep your eyes closed too. I will talk you through it."
Exasperated and wanting Gavin to just be quiet, I said "Fine Gavin, you go a head."
"No Mom we have to do them together. "
"Fine!"
"Mom ...I'm in downward dog so do downward dog!"
"I am not doing downward dog."My eyes were still closed.
"Mooomm! Come on we are exercising. Do downward dog!"
I exhaled really loud and said "Fine!!!" I got in downward dog all the while trying to keep my mind in sleep mode and my eyes closed hoping to go right back to sleep.For those of you who do not know, downward dog is a yoga stretching pose where you get into a plank on your hands and toes and then raise your but in the air to get a full body stretch. I was now in downward dog.
"Good job Mom....we are done!
Still irritated I thought great! In my mind I thought that was too easy but who cares we are done. I plopped back down on to the bed only to find two legs deeply berried underneath me. Gavin wins!

Recipe: Pickled Jalapeños

SUPPLIES:
  Pickling Jars
  Jar Lids and Rings
  Processing Pot
  Jar Tongs
  Labels

BRINE INGREDIENTS:

2 cups white vinegar

2 cups water

½ tsp pickling salt

JARS INGREDIENTS:

Jalapeno peppers sliced

1 clove per jar garlic minced or whole cloves peeled

1/8 tsp per jar dill weed fresh or dry

5 whole peppercorns

8-10 chunck pieces white onion cut up in chunks
 6-8 carrots slices

DIRECTIONS:

COMBINE BRINE INTO A POT AND HEAT TO NEAR BOIL

STERILIZE JARS IN BOILING WATER

DROP LIDS AND RINGS INTO HOT WATER (DO NOT BOIL)

REMOVE JARS FROM BOILING WATER AND DUMP OUT WATER

FILL JARS WITH JAR INGREDIENTS   MAKING SURE TO PACK IT AS TIGHT AS POSSIBLE.

POUR HOT BRINE INTO JARS

COVER JARS WITH LIDS AND RINGS JUST HAND TIGHTENING THEM

PROCESS THE JARS WITH JALAPENOS AND BRINE FOR 10 MINUTES

REMOVE FROM PROCESSING POT ON TO A TOWEL AND LEAVE OVER NIGHT TO SEAL

IF THE LID HAS NOT SEAL PLACE IT IN THE REFRIGERATOR FOR COMSUMPTION

Gavin's Tale Twister #48: Stephen Hawkins is White!!!

The Setup:  Sam(15 and Asian), Gavin(11 and Asian) and a neighbor kid(11 and caucasian)  were eating hotdogs at the bar for dinner last night.  The conversation led into who was smarter in math.... Gavin or the neighbor kid. So brother Sammy suggested they do a math off to dicide.  Gavin did not want to participate, I am sure in anxiety that he may loose. Sammy of course was wanting Gavin to loose so he could bring out Gavin's lack of intelligence and then forever make fun of him.  This was Sam's big brother duty!

The conversation went something like this:
Sam: "Why don't you guys do a Math-Off!"
White Neighbor Kid: Enthusiastically "OK!"
Gavin: "I don't want to!"
Sam: "Come on!! You should want to  ...you will do well because you are Indian!!" Like saying this would convince Gavin to participate.
And it did!!!
Gavin: "Oh yeah! OK!
Caucasion Neighbor Kid: Immediately on the defense says "Hey!!!!!"
Gavin quickly pacifies his little buddy by interjecting..."No offense !!! You got Stephen Hawkin  and he is White!!!!"
The Neighbor Kid suddenly not offended anymore nodded in content and agreement!
AND THE GAMES BEGAN!!!

Gavin Tale Twister #46 : SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT PLACE TO RAISE YOUR KID MOM!!

April 13, 2015

The Set Up:

I got in the car with Sam (15) and Gavin (11) to take them to school this Monday morning. Sammy in front as it is an odd numbered day and as Gavin would say HE IS ODD!  Gavin is EVEN so he is in the back seat.  That how we decide who gets to sit up front except when Awah (my mother is in the car). She always sits in front. She is so small, she should probably sit in the back seat and in a booster for her own safety. Ha! That's my children's argument as to why they should sit in front instead of her. 

Anyway, everyone was relatively quiet. We went through the usual chat ... the check list of items for school, the pick up plan, and the after school plan. We talked about how Jordan Spieth at age 21 just won the Masters Golf Tournament. WOW!!! Then there was a pause in the conversation. In usual fashion , I bring up a subject to talk about and this is how 

The Conversation Goes:

So Sammy you know the Bob Taylor whom your dad and I work with. 

Sammy:  No

Yes you do ...His has 3 kids go to your school. 

Sammy: Oh Yeah I know them... what about them?

Well they are moving to Colorado as soon as school lets out.

Sammy: Really...Why?

Well ... I search in my head for the answer ... trying not to say anything negative about their desire to leave small town life...it is beautiful there and they want to be where the mountains and nature are so they can be outdoorsy, go hiking and stuff like that.  Also there are good public schools there and if they go to public school they save about $40,000 a year in tuition ....

GAVIN CUTS ME OFF :  YEA  AND MARIJUANA IS LEGAL .... THAT SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT PLACE TO RAISE YOUR KIDS!!!

I laughed because it really never occurred to me that someone would move there for just that unless they had a sick child. Just in case your wondering, those thoughts do occur to an 11 year old!!!

Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Casserole

Ingredients:

3 heads broccoli (or substitute with cauliflower)

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup heavy cream 

2 cups nonfat  milk

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

1 cup pepper jack cheese

1 cup sour cream

1 cup grated cheddar

Directions:

Bring 6 quart water to boil

Add broccoli 

remove after four minutes and set in a baking dish

Heat butter in wide skillet

Sprinkle flour into butter

Whisk together on medium heat until smooth and emits nutty aroma

Heat Cream and milk in a separate 

Slowly add milk stirring constantly with whisk  adding 1/4 cup at a time and stirring until glossy each time 

Continue until all milk has been added in

Add Salt , Pepper, Cayenne pepper, and pepper jack cheese

Stir until jack cheese is melted and sauce is bubbling 

Turn heat down and fold in sour cream

Pour over broccoli  and sprinkle 1 cup cheddar over broccoli.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 min. 

Recipe: Asian Pot Roast

Ingredients:                                 Instructions:

• 1 (2 1/2 pound) boneless beef chuck roast
• 
  1Tbs coarse Sea Salt and 
  
  1tsp fresh ground black pepper to taste
  
  8 cloves garlic chopped or 2 tsp minced garlic 
  
  1 tsp sage
  
  1 tsp thyme
•  1/2 tsp rosemary
• 1/2 tsp marjoram
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
•  2 Tbs all purpose flour
• 3 Tbs olive oil

Rinse roast and pat dry.

Sprinkle with Sea Salt, Pepper, Minced Garlic, Sage, Thyme, Rosemary,

Marjoram, and Nutmeg.

Rub spices into beef.

Sprinkle all purpose flour on the beef. 

Heat on med-high the olive oil and seer all sides of the beef. 

2 medium yellow onions chopped in large pieces                       Add onion next to beef in remaining 

1 cup mushrooms chopped                                                          oil and stir fry until softened. Add 

1 cup carrots large pieces or baby carrots                                    mushroom, carrots, baby carrots, and

1 red potato skin removed and cubed                                           red potatoes. Stir to coat with oil. 

2 Tbs chopped fresh parsley                                                         Sprinkle parsley over the vegetables.

2 Tbs ground cumin                                                                   Sprinkle cumin, coriander, and cayenne 

1 Tbs ground coriander                                                              over vegetables and stir to combine  

1 tsp cayenne powder                                                                 spices with vegetables. 

1 Juice of Lime                                                                           Add Lime over vegetables.

2 C chicken Broth                                                                       Add Chicken Broth, Rotel, and 

1 (10 oz) can Rotel tomatoes and green chiles                           coconut milk . Stir to combine liquids 

1 (14 ounces) can coconut milk                                                  with vegetables.

Cover with lid and simmer on stovetop on low for 4 hours stirring frequently. 

OR

Slow Cook in crockpot on low for 6-7 hours.