I fell in love with gluten free cream biscuits after my kids bought me some from Whole Foods -- they were beyond yummy! Then...I stumbled across a recipe for Cream Biscuits -- oh, joy!! And the recipe is sooo simple, and here it is:
Ingredients:
2 Cups All Purpose GF flour
1 1/2 Cups Heavy Cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon GF baking soda
Combine dry ingredients well. Pour cream into dry mixture and knead into a ball (doesn't have to be perfect). Pinch Make desired sized balls (I make six) and place them into greased 8-inch baking dish. Bake in preheated 425-degree oven for approximately 20 minutes or until browned.
After removing from oven, I brush tops of biscuits with Kerry Gold Irish Butter. And they taste so good with organic honey. Ummmm...I ate FOUR of them this morning!
Monday, February 13, 2017
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Excerpt from novel, "The Wolf and The Eagle "
Lily reached out with a decidedly unfriendly hand and slapped the alarm clock. It was beside the point that the environmental alarm clock was playing her very own selection of waves crashing against the shore, a sound that she loved. It was still an alarm clock. “Who in the hell spawned the alarm clock?” she muttered. She felt sure that it was some sort of personal vendetta against her, though she couldn’t imagine whom she had pissed off to such a grand extent.
“Okay, Miss D,” she spoke aloud, yawned, and began a catlike stretch. With that innocuous movement, rather than slinking her way up out of the darkness of sleep, Lily was yanked awake to the violent pain that had recently invaded her body and her life on a more and more frequent basis. She was a prisoner and her body was the incarceration facility.
What irony Life throws around…it had taken her longer than most to feel masterful of her limbs and the rest of herself, and now here she was, having to learn a new way, a different lesson. She often thought of the pain that assailed her body as a fiery tiger stalking her; always in search of yet another trail to follow that would end in a new, all-enveloping and unwelcome heat. Her natural stoicism might flee momentarily, but like the Phoenix, it rose time after time, and after marshaling some reserve, Lily was ready to go another round.
“Okay, Miss D,” she spoke aloud, yawned, and began a catlike stretch. With that innocuous movement, rather than slinking her way up out of the darkness of sleep, Lily was yanked awake to the violent pain that had recently invaded her body and her life on a more and more frequent basis. She was a prisoner and her body was the incarceration facility.
What irony Life throws around…it had taken her longer than most to feel masterful of her limbs and the rest of herself, and now here she was, having to learn a new way, a different lesson. She often thought of the pain that assailed her body as a fiery tiger stalking her; always in search of yet another trail to follow that would end in a new, all-enveloping and unwelcome heat. Her natural stoicism might flee momentarily, but like the Phoenix, it rose time after time, and after marshaling some reserve, Lily was ready to go another round.
Simplicity
I dreamed I lived in a simpler time/In one room where all I needed was mine for a time/I never saw a shadow on the mountain plateau/And all the knowledge for the day was mine to know.
One Radish At a Time
Shopping at your local farmer's market for your produce, where they sell delicious radishes, among other vegetables, can reduce your carbon footprint on our planet and save you some money.
Likewise, patronizing restaurants that serve meat, cheese and produce purchased form local farmers reduces their carbon footprint multiplied by each patron they serve. We need to jump onboard this train while it's still in the station and get a momentum going, giving reason for more and more small farms to proliferate and come back into their own. For decades, we subsisted on food from local farms and not only were our bodies healthier, our pocketbooks were, too.
Did you know that the longer fresh produce is out of the ground, the more nutrients it loses?The produce section in the supermarket might be misted with water every thirty or so seconds, and I agree that those veggies are pretty... but do you know how long those good looking vegetables have been out of the ground...
We pay scads of money for organic produce because we believe it's healthier for us, and it probably is; but again the question begs to be asked -- how long has that produce been out of the ground? We aren't ingesting unhealthy pesticides, but are we also being shortchanged on the nutrients our bodies need? If we make a decision to support local farmers (who really do want to continue farming, by the way), we can eat healthier and save money, to boot.
The big problem surrounding this issue is one of taxes. The erection of more and more concrete jungles and sterile looking subdivisions (otherwise know as land development) inflate land values, which causes farmland to be hit with high taxes that the small farmer just can't afford. This is where we, as reasonable and intelligent consumers come in. The bigger the demand for local produce, the more farms there will be, and it all becomes one delicious cycle. Some things that were done in the "old days" have great merit. Change simply for the sake of change is really quite mindless.
Let's save the farmers, our health, our pocketbooks, and our planet by making eating the old-fashioned way the new and best thing to do.
Likewise, patronizing restaurants that serve meat, cheese and produce purchased form local farmers reduces their carbon footprint multiplied by each patron they serve. We need to jump onboard this train while it's still in the station and get a momentum going, giving reason for more and more small farms to proliferate and come back into their own. For decades, we subsisted on food from local farms and not only were our bodies healthier, our pocketbooks were, too.
Did you know that the longer fresh produce is out of the ground, the more nutrients it loses?The produce section in the supermarket might be misted with water every thirty or so seconds, and I agree that those veggies are pretty... but do you know how long those good looking vegetables have been out of the ground...
We pay scads of money for organic produce because we believe it's healthier for us, and it probably is; but again the question begs to be asked -- how long has that produce been out of the ground? We aren't ingesting unhealthy pesticides, but are we also being shortchanged on the nutrients our bodies need? If we make a decision to support local farmers (who really do want to continue farming, by the way), we can eat healthier and save money, to boot.
The big problem surrounding this issue is one of taxes. The erection of more and more concrete jungles and sterile looking subdivisions (otherwise know as land development) inflate land values, which causes farmland to be hit with high taxes that the small farmer just can't afford. This is where we, as reasonable and intelligent consumers come in. The bigger the demand for local produce, the more farms there will be, and it all becomes one delicious cycle. Some things that were done in the "old days" have great merit. Change simply for the sake of change is really quite mindless.
Let's save the farmers, our health, our pocketbooks, and our planet by making eating the old-fashioned way the new and best thing to do.
Monday, January 23, 2017
Women's March Call to Action for Equality
Grassroots activism makes this country great. Do your part. Full citizenship demands responsibility.
Saturday, January 21, 2017
The Art of Reinvention, Part 6
Do You
The post below is the final part of a series on Reinvention that I wrote for Osiris Magazine, and I just unearthed it recently and I believe it's worth sharing and definitely worth my time to re-read.
"Do You" is one I have appropriated from Russell Simmons, who wrote a marvelous book on doing you; and my son, Sterling, often reminds me to "Just do you, Ma."
I thank you, Dear Readers for investing some of your precious time with me in your quest to become more of who you are; and of course the person who really deserves a lion’s share of the thanks is you! So find a mirrored surface and say, “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” to yourself.
We have only been on this journey for a short time, and remember that you will always be journeying because your life on the planet will always be about becoming all of who you are meant to be. That doesn’t mean that you should be down on yourself for where you might currently find yourself at any given time. Instead, it means to look forward with expectancy toward the greater things ahead because you know in your heart that those great things are just awaiting your discovery. And may I address greatness for a moment? Greatness has a different meaning for different people… I have often lamented the fact that I’m just taking up space and not accomplishing fantastic, out of this world things. When I shared this with my therapist (Yes, I have one! I believe that we all need at least one unbiased person in our lives with whom we can have an honest conversation about any- and everything), she suggested that I work on coming to terms with the idea that not everything worthwhile has to be on a super-grand scale. Hmm-mm. You see, I am guilty of having always functioned in a superwoman mode, and when various things in life happened to me, my cape was taken away, but my superwoman belief system was still deeply ingrained in my psyche.
Sometimes, we put too much pressure on ourselves to achieve what we perceive are the big things because we equate worthy with big. When we do that, we completely overlook the little things that have the power to mean so much to someone else (and ourselves). Example: I had to provide a Bio because I was sitting on a prestigious panel some years ago, and I was in a panic because I knew that the other women were “grand” in their accomplishments and then there was me. What had I done -- nothing!? Imagine my shock and bug eyes when my husband started listing the things that I had done. Wow! I. Was. Impressed. You see, many times the things that we do which are just automatic and normal to us because “we do what we do,” to someone else, those very things are something to admire and to which another can aspire and believe that they can reach because they saw that it had been done before; and you gave that gift of belief to them.
Also remember that you’re not in this thing all by yourself. We are all connected. Everything and everyone on the planet flows one into the other. Ask questions that will help you, but remember to use caution because everyone won’t be in your corner. Some people have not learned that there is enough for everybody in this world, and their scarcity thinking keeps them from wanting to share what they know because they are afraid that if you get something, then they won’t have enough. Believe in goodness, but watch your back.
As you continue to reassess yourself and adjust the direction of your travel, check in with your compass and then take the time to give yourself a thumbs up because you are the first and the most important one who needs to believe in yourself and where you’re going. Until we meet again, Happy Trails!
Peace and Love
The post below is the final part of a series on Reinvention that I wrote for Osiris Magazine, and I just unearthed it recently and I believe it's worth sharing and definitely worth my time to re-read.
"Do You" is one I have appropriated from Russell Simmons, who wrote a marvelous book on doing you; and my son, Sterling, often reminds me to "Just do you, Ma."
I thank you, Dear Readers for investing some of your precious time with me in your quest to become more of who you are; and of course the person who really deserves a lion’s share of the thanks is you! So find a mirrored surface and say, “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” to yourself.
We have only been on this journey for a short time, and remember that you will always be journeying because your life on the planet will always be about becoming all of who you are meant to be. That doesn’t mean that you should be down on yourself for where you might currently find yourself at any given time. Instead, it means to look forward with expectancy toward the greater things ahead because you know in your heart that those great things are just awaiting your discovery. And may I address greatness for a moment? Greatness has a different meaning for different people… I have often lamented the fact that I’m just taking up space and not accomplishing fantastic, out of this world things. When I shared this with my therapist (Yes, I have one! I believe that we all need at least one unbiased person in our lives with whom we can have an honest conversation about any- and everything), she suggested that I work on coming to terms with the idea that not everything worthwhile has to be on a super-grand scale. Hmm-mm. You see, I am guilty of having always functioned in a superwoman mode, and when various things in life happened to me, my cape was taken away, but my superwoman belief system was still deeply ingrained in my psyche.
Sometimes, we put too much pressure on ourselves to achieve what we perceive are the big things because we equate worthy with big. When we do that, we completely overlook the little things that have the power to mean so much to someone else (and ourselves). Example: I had to provide a Bio because I was sitting on a prestigious panel some years ago, and I was in a panic because I knew that the other women were “grand” in their accomplishments and then there was me. What had I done -- nothing!? Imagine my shock and bug eyes when my husband started listing the things that I had done. Wow! I. Was. Impressed. You see, many times the things that we do which are just automatic and normal to us because “we do what we do,” to someone else, those very things are something to admire and to which another can aspire and believe that they can reach because they saw that it had been done before; and you gave that gift of belief to them.
Also remember that you’re not in this thing all by yourself. We are all connected. Everything and everyone on the planet flows one into the other. Ask questions that will help you, but remember to use caution because everyone won’t be in your corner. Some people have not learned that there is enough for everybody in this world, and their scarcity thinking keeps them from wanting to share what they know because they are afraid that if you get something, then they won’t have enough. Believe in goodness, but watch your back.
As you continue to reassess yourself and adjust the direction of your travel, check in with your compass and then take the time to give yourself a thumbs up because you are the first and the most important one who needs to believe in yourself and where you’re going. Until we meet again, Happy Trails!
Peace and Love
Thursday, May 19, 2016
We Need Therapy, Seriously
May is designated as Mental Health Month, and if you haven't considered it before now, this is the perfect time to choose to springboard your way to getting your head (and heart) squared away.
I posit the bold opinion that the United States of America, collectively, needs therapy. The current mess that is the presidential election campaign of 2016 has demonstrated quite clearly that the 'U' in USA is a misnomer and perhaps for the sake of truth in labeling, should be replaced with an 'S', for Schismed because we sure as hell aren't trying to come together and personify an entity that can factually be called united.
It has become far too easy for people to evoke the name of Hitler these days when hurling insults, but I'm not trying to hurl insults, just sharing a thought worthy of consideration: When a person who is a legend in his/her own mind is given a platform to light and stoke fires that speak to the basest of human desires and ideas and the fears that are buried just beneath the surface, and those desires and fears are fanned into a roaring fire which spreads uncontained, you can see how Nazism became the rule of the day in Europe. It wasn't that Adolf Hitler was such a great person -- it's that he tapped into the worst thoughts of the human being and fanned those sparks into an all-consuming flame; and that's when it became okay to personify evil. It happened before...and it can happen again.
Each of us has learned to embrace some smelly thoughts, even if we've kept them under wraps for the most part. I say that we learned to embrace ugly thoughts because only brand new babies are untainted with the sense and fear of otherness. That choice to keep undesirable thoughts under wraps comes from a deep knowing that stinkin' thinkin' is not the best of who we are or were meant to be.
You or I might not be the smartest, funniest, most attractive, etc., in the room, but there's no reason for either of us to fear the person who does embody the traits or characteristics that we might be without, because God has imbued each person with their own individual gifts. So we need to work on tamping down that fear...there is enough for us all. Abundance abounds. And YOU are enough. Additionally, tearing someone else down doesn't build you up. No, it actually decreases your stature, even to yourself if you're honest. A good mnemonic for fear is: False Evidence Appearing Real.
I began this piece by saying that we need therapy, and we do, so that we can come to terms with the real deal of who we truly are as individuals and realize that one plus one can indeed equal three, four, five, six, ad infinitum; because when we grow together, we do so exponentially.
Peace and love.
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Reality
As I drifted into sleep/
I looked into the distance which became a forest/
And I beheld myself as a tree//
Actually, a sapling was I, with crooked spindly branches/
I observed the wonderfully strong verdancy around me and it
was beautiful/
I was not/
So I was ashamed, and it showed in the way my trunk began to
hunch and my branches became even more crooked//
Then something from deep memory, of those who came before me
whispered my name and reminded me of the inherent strength of
my kind/
And I felt myself grow, stretch and strengthen/
Bright and lovely leaves appeared and actually smiled as
they shimmered in the breeze//
Before sleep overtook me, I came to know that the real me
stands as tall as the majestic tree.
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Loving Is All, But Can Be So Hard
Have you ever really thought about Love, and what it truly is; what it truly means to love? Yes, it's a heart thing, but I also believe that agape (ah-gop-ay) love is a heart and head thing; at least in the beginning. I believe that because we find some people to be just plain ol' unlovable, no matter how we try to flip it. That's where the head part comes in; because we want to always be loving individuals; nice girls and guys who wouldn't hurt a fly. But. You see the blowhard who you can just picture being stuffed down a toilet (by you), and that love just ain't there in your heart. You wrestle and struggle, saying 'Come on, Heart, don't fail me now.' Heart ain't havin' it. Nope, don't want to attend this party. Engage head...'Okay, I see blowhard and I must work at it, but I can handle it and have love.' It might take more than a minute, but hang on in there for your sake and the sake of humanity.
Agape love is a beautiful thing, but it takes practice because it's pure, untainted love. You're wondering right about now if I could have love for someone who committed unspeakable acts against me and mine, aren't you? The answer is that I would have to work like Paul Bunyan and his ox, Blue, and it just might take me years, but I wouldn't give up on myself because I want Peace in my life/soul/spirit. I don't want to drag around chains like Jacob Marley ('A Christmas Carol').
It's easy to love those who are good to you, and that's a wonderful thing. We all need wonderful in our lives; but Life ain't easy, Baby. It's tender, then it can be crushing; joyful, and despairing; uplifting, dragging you down to the pits. In those negative times, love is the last thing on your mind; but you can train yourself to let it be the second or third thing on your mind. This time, the one you are loving is YOURSELF. We sometimes forget about ourselves because we're so focused outward; and truth to tell, we sometimes think that we are undeserving or unworthy of showering ourselves with compassion and love. But. I believe that when you love you, it's so much easier to love others.
So as the song says...'Let a little love in your heart.' And I say...remember to also use your head, as needed.
Peace, Blessings, and Love
Saturday, May 23, 2015
The Art of Reinvention, Part 5
I thank you, Dear Readers for investing some of your precious time with me in your quest to become more of who you are; and of course the person who really deserves a lion’s share of the thanks is you! So find a mirrored surface and say, “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” to yourself.
We have only been on this journey for a short time, and remember that you will always be journeying because your life on the planet will always be about becoming all of who you are meant to be. That doesn’t mean that you should be down on yourself for where you might currently find that you are at any given time. Instead, it means to look forward with expectancy toward the greater things ahead because you know in your heart that those great things are just awaiting your discovery.
And may I address greatness for a moment? Greatness has a different meaning for different people… I have often lamented the fact that I’m just taking up space and not accomplishing fantastic, out of this world things. When I shared this with my therapist (Yes, I have one! I believe that we all need at least one unbiased person in our lives with whom we can have an honest conversation about any- and everything), she suggested that I work on coming to terms with the idea that not everything worthwhile has to be on a super-grand scale. Hmm-mm. You see, I am guilty of having always functioned in a superwoman mode, and when various things in life happened to me, my cape was taken away, but my superwoman belief system was still deeply ingrained in my psyche.
Sometimes, we put too much pressure on ourselves to achieve what we perceive are the big things because we equate worthy with big. When we do that, we completely overlook the little things that have the power to mean so much to someone else. Example: I had to provide a Bio because I was sitting on a prestigious panel some years ago, and I was in a panic because I knew that the other women were “grand” in their accomplishments and then there was me. What had I done -- nothing!? Imagine my shock and bug eyes when my husband started listing the things that I had done. Wow! I. Was. Impressed. You see, many times the things that we do which are just automatic and normal to us because “we do what we do,” but to someone else, those very things are something to admire and to which another can aspire, and believe that they can reach because they saw that it had been done before; and you gave that gift of belief to them.
Also remember that you’re not in this thing all by yourself. We are all connected. Everything and everyone on the planet flows one into the other. Ask questions that will help you, but remember to use caution because everyone won’t be in your corner. Some people have not learned that there is enough for everybody in this world, and their scarcity thinking keeps them from wanting to share what they know because they are afraid that if you get something, then they won’t have enough. Believe in goodness, but watch your back.
As you continue to reassess yourself and adjust the direction of your travel, check in with your compass and then take the time to give yourself a thumbs up because you are the first and the most important one who needs to believe in yourself and where you’re going. Until we meet again, Happy Trails!
For the space of this one moment, think a beautiful thought.
...Sarah McCormick
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