Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Herbs and Tinctures, Beans and Rice


(Herb tinctures cooking)

I was busy Monday getting my herbs tinctured. I learned about making my own tinctures several years ago and I love knowing that I have something so natural and helpful to give my family when they are getting sick.
The Bulk Herb Store also has teas that are wonderful. I have a peculator that I add about 1/2 c. of the tea to, add water and cook up come good teas for us. They have a new one this year called Cough Tea (under Herb Blends). I know that this will come in so helpful.

I have had several questions about how we cook our beans and rice. I buy dry beans (pinto, red, and black) in large bulk if possible (you nearest health food store should have them). I soak 4- 6 cups the night before. The next morning, I rinse them, and either put them in my slow cooker for the day covered in water, or in a large soup pan, filled with water and cook on low simmer for the day, adding water as needed to stay just above the beans. An hour or two before we eat, I saute an onion and 4-6 garlic cloves that have been minced, in olive oil till tender. I then add these to the beans along with salt and pepper (to taste), 1-2 teaspoons Cumin, and 1-2 teaspoons red pepper. Mix it all and enjoy. This is just a "basis" bean recipe. I will share some other recipes over the next few days.

For rice...I love brown rice...so much healthier. I couldn't live without my pressure cookers for rice. I "brown" the brown rice in olive oil (1 Tbl to one cup rice) till toasted. I then add 1 and 3/4 cup water (per cup rice). Cover with lid...bring to 2nd pressure, cook for 15 minutes, turn off hear and let pressure drop naturally. I know that this is confusing if you haven't used a pressure cooker. If anyone is interested in learning more about pressure cookers, let me know and I will share more. Pressure cookers are a regular part of my cooking and I am so thankful to have them!

Our school has started out well...Kalyn in 9th, Caresse in 6th, Landon and Kiana 4th, and this year added Garett in 1st. The children love school and were so excited to get started. Summer is great, however, the children start getting "lost" without the schedule of school. Do you find this with your children?

6 comments:

  1. Oh how I love our rice cooker. I don't use a pressure cooker - not sure I would use it for much since we don't eat any meat???

    We too needed school to begin and are loving it - the children do so much better with a schedule!

    Ahhhhh the sounds of learning all around me!

    Love and blessings,
    Jill

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  2. I have not used a pressure cooker, but love my crock pot and rice cooker. Look forward to seeing those bean recipies.

    Yes, we started school too and really needed the schedule. Praying for a smoother day today for my sensory challenged one! LOL!

    We purchased some head scarves towards your adoption fund. My girls loved picking out their prints.

    Delight in Him

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  3. Very interested in the healthy alternative to meds ... thanks for sharing. And school, it will start in our home soon, once we are a bit more settled in our new mission field.

    Hugs for your day,
    Sarah Dawn

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  4. Thanks for the tips on cooking the beans. Our son, Adam, brought up how in 2 Corinthians, the believers gave "more than they could afford", but he wasn't sure what this meant. We told him that they probably went without food (or ate very simply) so that others could eat. He said that he wanted to do this, but that since he didn't buy the food, he wasn't sure what he could do. He said that he could go without a birthday cake! I told him about what your family was doing and all of the kids were excited about doing this. I think that we'll do it in October. Thank for the encouragement.

    Blessings to you!
    Sarah

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  5. You are SUCH an amazing mommy! What a privilege it is to call you 'friend'.

    Love you!

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  6. Shonni,
    we are in process of adopting a child completely different from our race. (this will be the first). We have 5 kids already. would be so very interested at SOME POINT... you know... like you have time!, to hear REALLY what this has been like. We have been called to step out in faith, here. I am excited. We are excited. But truthfully, we look like such a "whitey" family, that i am scared (too). Specifically, i am worried about THE CHILD as he or she grows up. I want there to be more to come, but can't be sure.... wondering your thoughts on this. my email is sharnsberger @comcast.net (Tabitha), if you ever had time to answer a fellow Sister's heart-agonizing questions.
    thanks!

    ReplyDelete

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