Powerhouse Antioxidant

Blueberries! These little gems have been ranked #1 in antioxidant activity when compared with 40 other fruits and vegetables (USDA Human Nutrition Center study).

Researchers say that they help to reduce LDL (bad cholesterol).

It's recommended that all try to eat a cup a day - ok - so if you don't have heart issues maybe you don't have to do this every day - but YUM! Fresh, frozen, dried.....I don't much like the "texture" of blueberries plain...but I love them in fruit salads, muffins, SMOOTHIES....this is something easy to do for my health.

*info in the first paragraph based on the gym's newsletter

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Texas Driving....

Let me clear this up. ::snort:: ALL students MUST attend a DRIVER'S ED COURSE - and the schools don't teach driver's ed in our district.

You can go to one of the businesses and attend a course ($300 + and given in 2 weeks). I heard the parent taught option was better. You send money, they send you the state approved course...you teach, log hours (teaching and driving), provide affidavits that you taught etc.

At the end of the course (whichever way it is taken) you are given a license. A parent can CHOOSE for a child to take a driver's test.....but most I've met do waive it. What parent would EVER waive a driving test without a lot of confidence that their child was ready for the license? Not I. Included in the packet is a list of what is covered on a skill's test and how they mark it - so really every time he's driven with me has been a skills test. ::snort::

Sorry, if I gave the impression that you walk off the street and get a license. I have blogged repeatedly last year about teaching Jamin to drive and the driving course we received from the State. I much prefer Driver's Ed in a Box, BTW. LOL I was blogging hurriedly yesterday afternoon and figured blog readers would remember other posts and photos and know that Jamin had been in the process of learning to drive for quite some time.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Cutest Blog?

Is anyone else having trouble accessing The Cutest Blog on the Block? I keep getting the Gateway Search page. Wouldn't you know this would happen when I have a few minutes set aside to update the PWOC blogs? ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Passports - Take One

You can always count on the local post office for a bit of fun. We headed over to get passports for the boys. We had spent the a.m. filling out scholarship applications, visiting a notary, and registering for their trip. All I needed to do was have two boys apply for passports. The fun began.

We needed a question answered. AhHa...you must wait in line to ask a question. OK. Question answered, back to filling out forms.

NOT ANOTHER QUESTION! We sent Jared to wait in line to ask the second question. He was thrilled to be of assistance.

Jared received a reprieve when the last sentence said that BOTH Mother and Father had to sign in the presence of someone big and mean looking. Oops.....we'll try the passports again.

We got home to find out that the trip they were planning on may have to be cancelled. The big group that was planning on going has backed out. We've asked them how many it takes to make a "group" - maybe we can find our own group. ::snort:: They offered the boys to go on one of the Mission Trips in the summer...since we'll be moving and we're not sure WHERE...it seems prudent to turn down that offer....but then again....

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Big Day For Jamin

They tried to talk him into waiting until he was 18 so he could have a "regular license," but he wouldn't have it. I finally got it all together to get down to the DPS (DMV). Jamin was thrilled to get his license....can you believe there is NO driving skills test in the state of TX. Well, they have it, but parents can waive it. AND it only cost $5 to get his license???? Amazing.

Jared says, "I can't read ANY of these instructions!" Then we realize it's all in Spanish.

Finally....

Congrats, Jamin.

When he was having his photo taken we realized that he is NOT 5'11" - he's 6'2"....and so is Jared. ::snort:: Yes, we DID have a great time at the DMV and we DID have the whole place laughing by the time we left with our fun observations.

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Balsamic Vinaigrette

*For Margie's Mom....and the ladies that asked last night at PWOC. LOL I have a minute - dinner is in the crock pot (BBQ meatballs) - and so I'll post NOW.....

This recipe sort of adapts. It's one that my sil, Rebecca, came up with. I change the sugar to Agave Nectar or Honey (AN is better tasting) and so adjust the vinegar....adding the balsamic to a bit more....basically I make this by taste...but here's the recipe.LOL

Start with a 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup.

Mix together:

3 Tbsp sugar (sweetener of choice), 1 Tbsp Lemon Pepper (black pepper works in a pinch), 1 1/2 tsp sea salt, two pinches of dry beef bullion (I always skip), 2 large cloves of garlic (I use dried and guess), 1 scant Tbsp dry mustard

Add:

Fill to 1/3 C line with Balsamic Vinegar (remember to go a bit higher if using liquid sweetener)

Fill to 2/3 C line with Red Wine Vinegar

Fill to 1 3/4 C line with Canola Oil (I use Safflower)

Stir and that's that. I also put a bit of this in with steamed veggies....

For more recipes check out my recipe index page (and linked in the sidebar).
Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.

Establishing Routine

I spent the vacation establishing a great new Tryst time.....but it wasn't established in "real time".

This week I'm busy establishing 2009's routine - Tryst, Workout, Homeschool, Outside activities....As often is the case, when I'm the busiest, I have less time to blog. When I'm not busy, I blog about appliances and picking noses. ::snort::

I have several posts in mind (new emphasis, physical goals, children's happenings, devotionals)...things are good....we're disciplined...we're accomplishing much....

For now (hopefully blogging tonight or tomorrow night) here's a photo I caught at breakfast....wonder who she's been watching? (Hint - they are males). This is her new favorite book...and she is sure that each baby is HER. ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2009 D.R.G.