tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37939464219600659202024-03-13T04:40:23.186-04:00Craving TraditionBrittany Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11379360154024740515noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793946421960065920.post-61602406174118868862017-07-14T16:28:00.001-04:002017-07-14T16:29:02.144-04:00Delicious Banana Bread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ah, bread. I have developed an obsession with making bread. If someone offered me the chance to open my own bread shop, I would do it immediately. It has become one of my favorite parts of this "homesteading" and homemaking experience. It is just SO good. Besides banana bread, I have experimented with sourdough, beer bread, and German pretzel bites. I will have to share my recipes with you all, but first let's talk about this yummy loaf that could double as a dessert or a side dish.<br />
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First things first, you need the ingredients. A few of them will depend on your allergies.. I totally go for the walnuts, but if that's not your thing then please don't add them! I also mix a little of honey and lemon into the dough to add even more sweetness. My coworkers loved this! Also, you can experiment with adding dried fruits, cinnamon and other spices, but that's not really my type of thing. I love to keep it pretty simple.<br />
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I don't have a lot of experience "writing" recipes online, so this will not be a traditional post. For this bread, you will need:<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ingredients and Supplies:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li>2 or 3 ripe bananas. I went with 2 but will probably add another next time.</li>
<li>a potato/veggie masher to mash those bananas with</li>
<li>1/3 cup of melted butter</li>
<li>1 teaspoon of baking soda</li>
<li>1 teaspoon of honey</li>
<li>1 teaspoon of lemon juice</li>
<li>a pinch of salt</li>
<li>1/2 cup of sugar</li>
<li>1/4 cup of brown sugar</li>
<li>1 egg large or extra large. if you are going to use a smaller egg I would double up on it... beat the egg with a fork.</li>
<li>a whisk</li>
<li>a mixing bowl</li>
<li>a bread pan or muffin tin</li>
<li>1 teaspoon of vanilla extract</li>
<li>1.5 cups of all-purpose flour</li>
<li>1/2 to 1 cup of walnuts (or other nuts if you don't like walnuts/are allergic). Or, no nuts at all. </li>
</ul>
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Note: Most recipes I found online did not require the brown sugar, lemon, or honey. If you want to make it traditional, forget these items and use 3/4 cup of sugar instead of 1/2 cup. Or, use slightly less brown sugar and slightly more regular sugar. You can adjust according to your own preferences.</div>
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You can substitute the butter for oil if you please. I'm sure some people may prefer this but I adore butter.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Prepping and Cooking:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li>Preheat oven to 375 Fahrenheit</li>
<li>Mash bananas with a masher or a fork in your mixing bowl. </li>
<li>Once bananas are mashed, add melted butter, lemon juice, and honey. Mix altogether.</li>
<li>Slowly add in and blend together following ingredients: baking soda, salt, sugars, egg, and vanilla. </li>
<li>Once everything is mixed together, slowly add in the flour. </li>
<li>All flour should be blended together with the "liquid" ingredients. Pour into individual muffin cups or into a loaf pan. </li>
<li>Cooking time is 50 minutes to 1 hour or until you can poke the center with a knife or toothpick and it comes out clean</li>
<li>A baker I know recommends letting all breads sit for 15 min to 30 min before just diving in. This is because, even though you have removed the baked item from the heat, things are still being baked together inside. Letting it sit for a little bit will keep you from having those weird bits in the center that seem like they weren't cooked all the way through. I've dove right in before without hearing this tip and I thought there was something wrong with the way I baked... turns out I just have not been very patient. Go figure!</li>
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Let me know how this turns out for you! This recipe gave me the loaf pictured above (I added flour over top before baking it. I do this to all of my breads... I just like it that way). If there were any inconsistencies you found in my recipe, please let me know! </div>
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<br />Brittany Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11379360154024740515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793946421960065920.post-8224763781224790802017-06-04T21:16:00.002-04:002017-06-04T21:16:51.074-04:00Making Your Own French Fries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the best things you could ever do to promote independence and revolution against the modern world is to "do-it-yourself" as much as you possibly can. We have developed a culture where everything is convenient and easy. It's so easy to go to the grocery store and buy ready-made meals or go through a drive through. So what in order to promote a life of slow-living, I am going to go back to blogging weekly with a DIY tip aimed at people in their early 20's.<br />
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Today I want to share one of my favorite food-preps: making homemade french fries! This is so great. I want you to think of the prices you pay for the bags of french fries in the freezer sections at your local corporate versus a bag of potatoes and how long the bag would last you if cut the entire bag into fries. I can make mine last quite a while -- for now, it is just my husband and I. Obviously DIY was the best choice for us. The flavor is also so much better... you can add seasoning, just salt, or just leave them plain (my preference). The sky is the limit!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglutmrYWPbsQsqZpq0PeNEuB-75mzYwOt4gGehZri14CoOLE9irPxptQUYhP4X03qJaIPgnQz3ljjBC8Lzbgb0AFSld73qd1cF5dmqDLY9KfKqwbKxB8Hu2ecsQw80mwQqUlruVz7ZpCs/s1600/unnamed+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglutmrYWPbsQsqZpq0PeNEuB-75mzYwOt4gGehZri14CoOLE9irPxptQUYhP4X03qJaIPgnQz3ljjBC8Lzbgb0AFSld73qd1cF5dmqDLY9KfKqwbKxB8Hu2ecsQw80mwQqUlruVz7ZpCs/s320/unnamed+%25282%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
First, you should wash the potatoes you are going to use especially if they are store bought. I like to soak them for 5 minutes in hot water and then rinse them off and lay them on a long dish towel. Next, collect your sharp knife, cutting board, and gallon freezer bags. Also, if you are going to use any seasoning, add a little to the bottom of the bag before adding the slices of potato in.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1DBKjiRCDmH6jKvJBgnj2OkReVyrkOuMDfR1I-myML9iIEpHtE4p3u3uDuUMJzsS-wTLUTgWshUiKjkEY8CMn3IDCDQe3xa_sF24Ns2PeEEdcR3CcyfE5e7fKI5P-ktm3FBqN12bxRc/s1600/unnamed+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1DBKjiRCDmH6jKvJBgnj2OkReVyrkOuMDfR1I-myML9iIEpHtE4p3u3uDuUMJzsS-wTLUTgWshUiKjkEY8CMn3IDCDQe3xa_sF24Ns2PeEEdcR3CcyfE5e7fKI5P-ktm3FBqN12bxRc/s320/unnamed+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a>Next, chop them up in any shape you desire. I like to make some in the french fry shape, but also to chop them up like chips (you can prepare them like you do your french fries or look up how to make your own potato chips! Since hubby loves his chips, I plan to do this later and of course share my experience!). These can be used also for scalloped potatoes if you are a fan!<br />
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It is completely up to your family and you how much you chop up. I like to fill a whole gallon freezer bag with each shape I chop up. Remember not to go overboard in the amount of taters that you freeze, as they probably shouldn't be eaten after a year from the date they were frozen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvW9AMbMEBYE6-kyQd2lvmR1nfN9iGha_uNHCxI2U6shvLNQ2Z7q1-vreRB3HMAqSQhO-YqNxqh-pnOTXY_GbOcHUQcaHOyWOsDwMUftMCwVXguHb4TfmRq2PqEoiVqZ7TrWrbRhkeLwE/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvW9AMbMEBYE6-kyQd2lvmR1nfN9iGha_uNHCxI2U6shvLNQ2Z7q1-vreRB3HMAqSQhO-YqNxqh-pnOTXY_GbOcHUQcaHOyWOsDwMUftMCwVXguHb4TfmRq2PqEoiVqZ7TrWrbRhkeLwE/s320/unnamed.jpg" width="240" /></a>After you have chopped them up, put the slices in you sink filled with ice cold water for 5 to 10 minutes, then drain and rinse again. Add the slices to the bag, fill with seasoning if desired, then shake to evenly distribute seasonings. Release all of the air from the bag (or vacuum seal if you are lucky enough to have one). If you have a permanent marker, it is probably best to add the date and purpose of the bag onto the label so that you can keep track of expiration dates. If you know the date, add it to the label.<br />
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I know that this tutorial is nothing fancy or perfect... but it's a step towards self preservation - and it's beautiful. The flavor, in my opinion, tops any fast food restaurant I have ever been to. Homemade is ALWAYS where it's at when it comes to food. I used Russet Potatoes for these bags, but you can also try sweet potatoes, red potatoes, etc. Even better if you grow your own potatoes - something I hope to accomplish here very soon, the moment I can get my hands on a healthy seed potato! Please let me know if you have any tips or advice for me in the comments, and of course let me know how these turn out for you if you try them! I am always up to learn more or give any advice if you think I have missed something!Brittany Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11379360154024740515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793946421960065920.post-68815639653063731012017-03-20T02:09:00.004-04:002017-03-20T02:15:04.356-04:00The Working Woman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I expressed to my female higher-up at work that I wanted to be a stay-at-home once my husband and I were ready to start our family and after our home was purchased, I was met with a lot of ridicule and basically told to shut up. After I expressed that I wasn't the working type of woman, especially not in customer service (I would love my job completely and could get it done in way shorter time, leaving me more time to enjoy life if I never had to deal with patients), she told me to suck it up and accused me of having "problems at home", and that I could never stay at home because my husband was "unreliable at work" (he switched jobs to make more money to provide for us, not sure how that is unreliable since he works 10 more hours and for quite a few more dollars per hour than before, but, okay). Now, this woman has helped me out substantially in my career, and I could not be more grateful. My plan has to always keep up with keeping my licenses and certifications up to date so that I could return to work part-time (yes, only part time, to her disapproval) when the kids go to school or find a pharmacy to work for when shit hits the fan. However, when she said these things, my not-so-easily offended self couldn't help but be offended, hurt, angry, and confused all in one.<br />
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You see, I was raised by a stay at home mother and a hardworking stepfather. My mom would return to work when we weren't in sports or when money got a little tight, but for the most part (I would say 95% of my childhood), she stayed at home. I definitely think my parents' relationship is why I think the way I do. I've SEEN the traditional roles work out. My family definitely has many other problems, but that was never one of them. Having my mother there my whole life made me feel safe. I could always depend on her, as it should be. Looking back, I honestly wish I would have respected my parent's more than I did (I had a rebelling period after they made me move states right before graduating high school, though it was more of the economy's fault than theirs). All I can do now as an adult is show them unconditional love and gratitude for the way they raised me.<br />
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As I grow and mature a little more, and as my marriage goes on, I feel like I have found greater calling in traditional, western women roles. Motherhood and matrimony have always felt like the highest calling. Working full time disrupts this calling. It destroys the traditional family by giving the wife less time with her husband and with her children. As it is now, I only see my husband one to two full days of the week, and the other days just in passing, especially if overtime is given, because it is mandatory for him. This is an impossible and impracticable way to raise a family. The costs and risks of daycare is just too great. I would rather raise my own children, even before having family members help out.<br />
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Women working definitely brings down wages for men. Why pay men a living wage when the wife is working, too? Together, they should be able to provide for themselves, Now the system can tax two people and raise the prices of necessities. The wage gap feminists drone on about probably exists because of women working in the first place. Granted, women make better nurses and caretakers than men, but when it comes to other jobs, they should be left to the men who are far better at it, such as most physical labor and big business owning. Single and widowed women should definitely be hired before a married woman, unless the married woman's husband is laid off, fired, or for any other reason cannot work (disability, surgery, etc). This may seem very sexist indeed, but just because a statement can have a problematic label stuck to it doesn't mean that it's wrong.<br />
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I've been paying close attention to the woman I work with for the past couple of years, and I've come to a few conclusions about women in the working field;<br />
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<ul>
<li>They complain a lot. </li>
<li>It's hard to work during pregnancy or menstruation, and I'm actually pretty tired of this fact being ignored. We are told to push through these conditions and are shamed if our work performance slacks, but it's only natural. I for one cannot concentrate on my work when it feels like someone is stabbing me in the ovaries, and pregnancy makes you tired and more emotional. </li>
<li>They are slower than their male coworkers at many things.</li>
<li>Customer service is hard on women, especially because it is harder for women to control their emotions. I've been scolded many times for "acting stressed" after a patient screamed at me because of HER insurance expiring, which made my work performance slack a little. I've noticed that all of my male coworkers are sooo much better at customer service and satisfaction than the woman, even the friendliest of us all. This is because men are less emotional.</li>
<li>Sexual harassment is often provoked by the woman in the workplace, and it is often ignored because it's by a female.</li>
<li>Women are less likely to keep their jobs before finding another one if they dislike the work they have to do, except in the cases of good single mothers, mostly (there are bad single mothers, too).</li>
<li>Career women are pretty unattractive. Customer service working women are extremely unattractive for the most part.</li>
<li>Women are more likely to be late than men, and take longer breaks.</li>
<li>There is a lot of bitterness in the working woman. Serving your community is never a bad thing, but when it is at the expense of serving your husband, family, and children, that is when it becomes a problem. It is so much more of a problem when you work for a corporation. I've worked a short time for a small, family owned business, and all of us part time non-family employees were extremely happy. It barely felt like a job. </li>
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Now, these are my own personal observations, and there are definitely exceptions to all of these (and some cases where men are worse than women). However, I've found these observations to be more true than not in every situation. I think that a lot of modern women are in denial about this. A lot of "us" feel as if we should be more fulfilled in our careers, and if we choose family, it's suddenly something to shake your head at. It seems to be that a lot of women my age are extremely divided -- they either are 100% hardcore feminists who oppose the traditional way of life, or they are very conservative and long for those old days and old ways. </div>
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It's hard to think of a solution to the problem of men being paid a living wage so that women can stay home with their families. What will it take? One step might be to stop pushing women to go straight to college and to stop telling young men and women in love that they "have their whole lives ahead of them, they shouldn't settle down". I married young and don't regret it one bit, and neither do a lot of us. Forcing women to instantly choose a career right after high school causes a lot of women to waste time and money on useless degrees and schools. Paying men a living wage will also help, but with our modern ways, feminists would destroy any company who dared to do so while still giving women lesser pay. There really is no winning. </div>
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Brittany Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11379360154024740515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793946421960065920.post-28554308327592950402017-02-17T00:00:00.000-05:002017-02-17T00:00:02.861-05:00Ideas for Rebuilding Communities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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If your community is anything like mine, the party mindset has taken over all young people. Or illegal drugs. It's sad that after only graduating 6 years ago {not even, actually, but pretty close}, I have several classmates who have died, a handful who are in prison or jail, many who have gotten their kids taken away, and lots who are still stuck in the days of getting high day in and day out with out a worry in the world. I'm certainly no perfect angel... I used to smoke occasionally and have been to a few house parties. One thing I have prided myself in, though, is that I never let it take over my life. It blows my mind that people could even do that, but maybe I'm just different from everyone else. Or maybe my mindset is. I really truly don't know. Now I am sober as ever and would never look back. No thank you! Red velvet cake and the smell of bread baking in the oven gives me a better high than any substance in this world ever could. Well, maybe, but I'm not willing to try it. I'm perfectly content. <br />
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So where do we go from here, what shall we do? I've definitely put some thought into this. Having the right mindset is the absolute first priority. That right mindset involves simply the desire to want better not just for yourself, but for the people around you. Look at how people act and look when you are at your grocery store. The true happiness of people has practically vanished. Everyone ignores each other. This is not a sign of a healthy community, it's a sign of a dying one.<br />
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It will take a lot of hard work and determination to get people wanting to be involved in anything community. It will involve planned ideas and activities, and even your free time and possibly a bit of money, which is unfortunately something that some communities do not have a lot of. I want to list all of the ideas I have and share with you my thoughts on them. I would be so delighted to hear what other people think, or if they could come up with ideas. Online brownie points to anyone who has a great story to tell on what they are doing for their communities! So here goes;<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Teach your skills</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">You would be surprised at how many people wish they could learn to do something, but don't know where to go. It's a lot easier to find teachers in the city than it is in a small town or suburb. If you feel you are pretty good at doing something, why not get a group together and help them? You can reach out to people in your local newspapers, business cards or flyers in gas stations, Facebook classified or buy/sell groups. </span><br />
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Set up a basic foundation for what you want to do. Lesson planning and a schedule will have to be involved. It may help to gather people who are interested first, make your own Facebook or email group, and find out when everyone is available to be in class. Decide whether or not you want compensated for your time. If you don't feel comfortable asking people for money, consider asking people to bring their own materials (help them determine what materials or tools they will need), and letting them know that you accept donations. There are usually kind souls willing to give what they can. <br />
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So, what can you teach? Here are some ideas;<br />
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<li>Knitting, crocheting, embroidery, cross-stitching, looming, quilting, and weaving. Men and women alike like the thought of being able to make their own blankets, hats, gloves, you name it. There's a sense of self-sufficiency to it.</li>
<li>Cooking and Baking</li>
<li>Taking care of farm animals or pets such as cats and dogs (grooming, training, riding, etc. etc.)</li>
<li>Wood-working, building things</li>
<li>Fixing cars. Teach people how to change their own tires and oil! This is a valuable skill that soooo many countless people do not know how to do (unfortunately including myself, but I have plans to learn this summer).</li>
<li>Playing instruments. </li>
<li>Starting a garden, homesteading, house cleaning!</li>
<li>Babysitting services</li>
<li>Sign or minority languages</li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Community Field Trips</span></div>
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This one might sound weird, but hear me out. Every April, a big group of people in my area go trout fishing up north, and we ALWAYS have a great time! Oh, the stories we tell, the laughter we share... and we get food for our labor in addition! Consider similar getaways! Here are some things to think about regarding this;</div>
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<li>Think about renting a bus with responsible drivers. Everyone going should help pitch in with the budgets.</li>
<li>Same with a place to stay. Help each other out in finding somewhere comfortable, such as cabins, rental houses, hotel/motels, etc.</li>
<li>Make it annual or every other year or something. Always give a date 2-3 months (or even more) in advance, and remind people every 2 weeks so that they have plenty of time to make arrangements. Start a Facebook group, forum, or email group for easy contact and so that everyone can be involved.</li>
<li>Find out what everyone is interested in. Amusement parks? National parks? Hunting and fishing? Hiking? There a lot of things you could try, just ask people where they want to go. It doesn't even have to be the same place every year. Helping each other with the costs, or transportation, or some other service can make people's vacation dreams come true when they think they can't do it on their own!</li>
<li>Make sure everyone accepts personal responsibility, and don't be afraid to look out for loyalty and trustworthiness involving anyone joining, and expect it of yourself as well. </li>
<li>Consider bringing along someone who is first-aid and CPR certified. Always be prepared for accidents. Safety is a big concern. Maybe make it a requirement that people involved in this type of activity are health insured and do not drink excessively or do drugs. </li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Markets, Fairs, & Festivals</span></div>
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With permission from your town, of course, consider setting up group markets or fairs where people can sell things, entertain, make food for people, promote their businesses, or just have a good time. </div>
<ul>
<li>Make it annual. </li>
<li>You will want set dates, times, places, and rules so that everyone can know when, where, and how to get involved</li>
<li>Have animals? Show them off</li>
<li>Grow food? Sell it</li>
<li>Like to bake? Bake some goods and sell them</li>
<li>Make your own furniture, clothing, decorations, etc.? Sell those too</li>
<li>Get kids involved and set up lemonade stands, talent shows, mini classes teaching crafts</li>
<li>If anyone in your community is involved in music, set up a mini concert for them and have them perform!</li>
<li>Know the laws and regulations on all levels, including; city, township, county, state, district, and federal levels. It sounds like a lot, but you don't need to be worrying about getting in trouble when you are trying to provide fun for your community. Make sure to let everyone know what those laws and regulations are; you can make pamphlets and require everyone to have one/read them and sign a waiver before getting involved. See if you can somehow notarize it to keep your community safe.</li>
<li>Think of the costs with this one. Accept donations and see if anyone can help with the planning and/or funds. Make sure everyone who is doing a service for you is compensated, and set your goals for that as well. If you are renting a place to hold this, make sure that those costs are the first ones covered. </li>
<li>Look at how other places do these types of events. I'm talking things you might look over; a dress code (look at countries or small communities that have their own traditional dress! I am so inspired by that. Maybe your community can come up with their own design and work towards everyone having one), a theme (like colors, holidays, figurines), and a name for the event. </li>
</ul>
<div>
Why do I think strong communities will help fix problems such as drugs, loneliness, hatred, and depression? Well for one, having a community to belong to can give people not only something to do, but a sense of identity. I think something modern people strive for is a shared sense of belonging with the people around them. We want to trust those we live nearby. We want something that makes us happy to be home. Many people turn to degenerative behavior because they do not have this. Communities can work towards strengthening their citizens, getting drugs off the streets, and finding help for those who need it. Crime can also go down drastically. I would love to see this type of thing in inner cities.</div>
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<div>
Small town economies can be boosted in community oriented environments as well! This could be one way we bring back the American dream (or the dream of your respective country), and squashing power from the corporations taking away our sense of pride and stability. I am a strong believer that corporations kill communities and small towns, because it puts a lot of people out of business. Imagine everyone investing in each other instead of in corporate owner's million dollar mansions while their employees scrape for food and rent money.</div>
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We could also work towards repairing homes and public buildings, parks, schools, and libraries this way. It will have a karmatic effect; once trust is established, working towards rebuilding your hometown is practically inevitable. </div>
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<div>
People who work in retail based jobs will be happier if they truly feel a part of the community they serve, especially those who work for corporations. This sense of belonging will make the job less dreadful and establish a sense of pride.</div>
<div>
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<div>
I wasn't sure whether to address this, but consider giving everyone a chance in your area. Don't be so quick to exclude people. This sense of belonging will only happen if you are willing to give your all to everyone! You may even find that this is exactly what your towns, cities, states, and countries needed all along! You already share the same home, why not work to share the same culture that you can all be proud of? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I think these are such great ideas and can really help a community establish an identity. Groups like these don't have to be big, they just need to have locals involved and happy. What else could really matter?</div>
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If you have anything to add, please don't be afraid to share! I will definitely be sharing my experiences on my blog, so subscribe to me if you are interested in seeing my plans turn into actions ;)</div>
Brittany Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11379360154024740515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793946421960065920.post-28799268276058468202017-02-16T00:35:00.003-05:002017-02-16T00:36:24.633-05:00Embracing Womanhood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-n4NoHeJpAfv7hjDvBvHgJnT0y8VUXEcL5WxsDhNh-DWoTImdMVOvvcC5sC6w9Oz11Q16te-lk3rz1P6SJEoF9xuE9yL8CQGlniwCh1OA6Fs2Jpbr-E5N4aKl8F-7aH5qufwG1GlsyY/s1600/1920389_493077384135759_1448882358_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-n4NoHeJpAfv7hjDvBvHgJnT0y8VUXEcL5WxsDhNh-DWoTImdMVOvvcC5sC6w9Oz11Q16te-lk3rz1P6SJEoF9xuE9yL8CQGlniwCh1OA6Fs2Jpbr-E5N4aKl8F-7aH5qufwG1GlsyY/s320/1920389_493077384135759_1448882358_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
As controversial as this may sound, I have come to believe in and respect gender roles, especially those of Western value. I certainly wasn't always this way -- for a few years, I slowly became an ugly sjw type who believed women should have high end careers and that the thought of staying home with children was weak. However, growing up I desperately wanted to be married with children. It seemed like the highest calling of a woman, a role so taken for granted. I have come full circle to believe in this again. As a mature adult, I KNOW that my place is as a wife, and a mother if circumstances allow. My career is not who I am. It's only a small factor.<br />
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For two years, I put a lot of stock into my job. I both regret it and appreciate it. For one, the stress has taken major toll on my body, but at the same time the work was something I was good at and that I could be proud of. Let me make it clear that I have nothing against women wanting to have a career (because sometimes staying home, especially before you have kids or after they are grown up can be extremely BORING). I just don't think that it should be expected or treated as something extra special. <br />
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It saddens me that for a culture that puts so much effort into women's rights, that we have forgotten that there is still things that a woman feels more compelled to do naturally. Men and women are certainly different in more ways than what is between their legs. Equality shouldn't mean that we are treated the same -- it should just mean that we should have the same basic rights. With that, I 100% agree with feminists. And I thank them for what they have done to make it possible. However, it stops there for me. I don't want to be treated like a man. That is where my husband comes in -- he provides the masculinity in our partnership. <br />
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One gender role of the woman that I particularly love is the supportive wife. I want to be there for my husband. Oh, what I wouldn't do for him. I long for the chance to keep a happy home for him and to raise his children. Right now it's something we struggle with, but it's a future plan that is inevitable. I'm still thinking of ways to cut down to part-time and making it work where he becomes the provider. Naturally being a hard worker, staying home all the time is probably not an option for me.<br />
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Another gender role of the woman that I admire is the role of motherhood. For the ups, for the downs. I want to be a mother in all it's glory. To teach my children, to love my children. To cook for them, to clean for them. Even things like taking them to dentist and doctor's appointments are somethings I look forward to. Women who can easily conceive just do not realize how lucky they have it!<br />
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I also love the woman's role in her community, and friendship. My job has provided me with some lifelong friends (and unfortunately, enemies) that I have learned so much from. I would love to be able to show them how much I appreciate them! I also cannot wait for my future community-building ideas to take place. I really want to teach women how to garden, cross-stitch, knit, and crochet, cook, etc. etc. That is one reason I created this blog. Of course, I have ways to go on improving these skills myself. <br />
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For all of our flaws, women are pretty amazing. What we are meant for and what we can do amazes me everyday. I cannot wait to raise daughters that will be proud of their womanhood, just as I have come to be. Brittany Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11379360154024740515noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793946421960065920.post-64357434322784185322017-02-14T00:02:00.000-05:002017-02-14T05:52:32.534-05:00Homemade Beer Bread!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeRhC0f6ROf57Im6OeCmMTSlAXqWy7sctVbQHyK7UnhYyMpvzZXyxeMq1SQxm2C9SWHjYRRUG3ymSywKT2HvUNUk_5KNADUwn_HUHNyb6J8YwmGQf2a6jw3fFLxm5MvNwnGoJrE_sS0k/s1600/homemade+beer+bread.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeRhC0f6ROf57Im6OeCmMTSlAXqWy7sctVbQHyK7UnhYyMpvzZXyxeMq1SQxm2C9SWHjYRRUG3ymSywKT2HvUNUk_5KNADUwn_HUHNyb6J8YwmGQf2a6jw3fFLxm5MvNwnGoJrE_sS0k/s320/homemade+beer+bread.png" width="320" /></a>There is something special about homemade bread; it tastes delicious, smells heavenly, and gives you a sense of pride as you pull it out of the oven. One of the great things about making something with your own hands is that you can tailor it to suit your needs, wants, and to use what you have in your kitchen-- fast food joints aren't the only places where you can "have it your way". </div>
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Take beer bread, for example. Are you wanting to do a sweet dessert bread? Try a warm, delicious vanilla ale with brown sugar. Or, try a light beer and add in cheese, onions, and peppers and make a delicious side for your dinners {or spice up a sandwich!}. I am sharing with you the base recipe here for the bread, and I encourage you to add in your favorites and make it your own!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What You Need:</span><br />
<ul>
<li> A bread pan</li>
<li>A mixing bowl and mixing spoon</li>
<li>12-16 ounces of beer {adding extra ingredients will require more liquid to mix it together, but don't add too much!}</li>
<li>1/4 cup of melted butter</li>
<li>3 cups of sifted, self-rising flour</li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">What Can You Add?:</span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Jalapenos</span></li>
<li>Cheese</li>
<li>Honey</li>
<li>Vanilla Extract</li>
<li>Onions</li>
<li>Spices</li>
<li>Cocoa </li>
<li>Chocolate Chips</li>
<li>Brown sugar</li>
<li>Whatever else sounds good to you! </li>
<li>Or, you can leave it plain and use for delicious sandwiches. </li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Directions:</span></div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees</span></li>
<li>Slowly melt butter in a saucepan</li>
<li>Butter and flour your bread pan and set it aside</li>
<li>Sift and measure out 3 cups of flour and add it to the mixing bowl</li>
<li>Add any other dry ingredients and blend well</li>
<li>Add 12 ounces of beer and mix. Do not stir too much, and do not knead the dough! If you need a little more liquid, add just a little extra beer until all flour is mixed in</li>
<li>Pour into bread pan and add any toppings, then finish off with coating the top of the bread with the melted butter. This will create a crispy and buttery taste to the bread. When you are making a sweet bread, glazing the top with honey makes it extra delicious</li>
<li>Bake for 40-45 minutes. At the 40 minute mark, you will need to check on the bread to see how it is doing. Depending on your oven, it could be done, or it could even need longer than 45 minutes. </li>
<li>Let cool for at least 10 minutes, then test out your loaf with a slice of butter! </li>
</ol>
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Some notes: I have found at times that I added too much flour, {or did not sift it well enough}, and the dough is still too... doughy after baking. Be careful not to add too much flour or beer. It may take several times of messing with the recipe to create one that is perfect for YOU. It is important to use self-rising flour and to not knead the dough or stir too much after the beer is added. I am also not the world's most perfect baker or recipe writer, so please feel free to comment any advice or criticisms {or praises} regarding this recipe! Best of luck to you all, and let me know how it turns out and what YOU did to make it your own!</div>
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Brittany Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11379360154024740515noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3793946421960065920.post-79707884123273234852017-02-13T11:13:00.001-05:002017-02-15T01:33:17.028-05:00What every woman should get for her kitchen<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgYWC3MJOTeSxm68Fr75pr4Sfybq06_CssPpRFG0aBwk44EqpsPBjpTgVqZ15GX91dHhmqesiOtUPv8O5C1DKnHbgi4e22-VbTKadNqFof1QIzC3ubDwpOOMyhXNv_rE17TlJJKzX1gQ/s1600/whateverywomanneedsinherkitchen.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgYWC3MJOTeSxm68Fr75pr4Sfybq06_CssPpRFG0aBwk44EqpsPBjpTgVqZ15GX91dHhmqesiOtUPv8O5C1DKnHbgi4e22-VbTKadNqFof1QIzC3ubDwpOOMyhXNv_rE17TlJJKzX1gQ/s320/whateverywomanneedsinherkitchen.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">picture from Pixabay.com</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My generation is anything but kitchen savvy. Fast food, and the normalization of eating processed foods {aka, the easy way out}, has made real, traditional cooking almost obsolete. Most kitchens of my friends have the very basic kitchenware: forks, spoons, knives, plates, bowls, cups, maybe a mug or two, and a cookie sheet. The only appliances are toasters and microwaves. Even as a more "modern" couple, my husband and I have a deep fryer, big soup pans, a food processor, and more. <br />
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Even though I hate the idea of blogs that just make posts with boring lists, I've actually put some good thought into a list of things that I would like to put in my traditional kitchen with a touch of modern. My desire to embrace more homemade foods is the inspiration behind this article... it's actually for me, but I thought it would be a great idea to share with those women out there who also want to embrace a more traditional lifestyle. <br />
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First thing that you should know, is that I do have affiliate links attached to this list. I am in no way implying that you NEED to buy these things, but it is a fun way for me to monetize my site while also making it easy for readers to create a shopping list all in one place, or to even add these to a wish list {don't be afraid to share your amazon wish list around Christmas time!}. <br />
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So enough boring rambles, here is my not-so-perfect list of items every woman should consider adding to her kitchen.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Rolling Pin</span><br />
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A great rolling pin is the perfect from-scratch baking companion. My favorite type is the classic roller with handles like <a href="http://amzn.to/2kIT0cp">this one here</a>. I can remember helping my mom and grandmother with one of these every holiday season, and I loved being allowed to roll the dough. There a few different types of rolling pins-- there are some <a href="http://amzn.to/2kJhJgR">without handles</a>, and the most popular materials are plastic and wooden. A good wooden one is ideal, but no one will judge you for buying a plastic one of course.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Flour Sifter</span><br />
Baking with flour can sometimes be annoying without a <a href="http://amzn.to/2lFgDjV">sifter</a> {also sometimes called a sieve}. I am a big fan of making beer bread, but I've found that the recipe works out more in my favor if the flour has first been sifted. This makes for a lighter dough, and makes for easier blending of dry ingredients. I use one with a hand crank that is stainless steel, and, with the proper care, will last me a few good years. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mason or Glass Jars</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Canning, storing, making crafts-- Mason jars are very popular in the DIY world. My family seemed to have an abundance of these lying around-- at least one stood somewhere in every room of the house. The possibilities for usage are ENDLESS with these jars. It's best to <a href="http://amzn.to/2kJai9y">buy them in bulk</a>, because they can get a tad pricy. Handle them with care and keep them clean when not in use. There are of course other types of useful <a href="http://amzn.to/2kJhUIU">glass jars</a>, so if Mason jars aren't your thing, there are other options out there for you. Either way, you can't go wrong. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Colander</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Whether you are straining pasta or cleaning fresh vegetables, a colander or strainer is super useful for your kitchen. It is similar to the flour sifter, but usually is much bigger and can be made of either <a href="http://amzn.to/2kL5eBe">steel</a> or <a href="http://amzn.to/2kL19NI">plastic</a>. If you grow your own vegetables, make your own pasta, or fry a lot of meat, you will definitely find a ton of uses for one of these filters. They are pretty inexpensive, especially if you decide to opt for one of the plastic types. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cutting Board</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>One of the most necessary items in all of home food preparation is a cutting board. I use mine to cut up vegetables, fruit, meat & nuts, and also with kneading dough, rolling it out, etc. <br />
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Cutting boards come in many different materials; wood, <a href="http://amzn.to/2kL9GjA">bamboo</a>, <a href="http://amzn.to/2koQioY">plastic</a>, rubber, silicone, glass, and steel. in my opinion, the wood boards are the best, though glass would definitely be easier to clean {but also is more likely to break, therefore not really worth the money}.</div>
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This is by no means a perfect or extensive list, but for anyone wanting to know where to get a good start in homemade cooking, these utensils are ideal. <br />
<br />Brittany Alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11379360154024740515noreply@blogger.com0