Freezer Meals

With baby coming, I have been trying to make sure that I have meals in the freezer and ready to go after baby is born.  I don't want just any meals though...I don't want just any meals, however. I am talking healthy meals!  Now, I am not opposed to the average freezer pizza or anything like that from time to time.  I plan on stockpiling 2-3 of those, actually, for the days when I truly just want to pop something in the oven and have something a little bit less healthy.  But I don't want to buy freezer and microwave meals from the store to eat.  It's just not healthy...nor is it budget-sensitive.

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 Instead, I am prepping my own freezer meals.  I have another list

Modesty Survey

A Christian gal on another blog hosted a modesty survey to see how guys view girls.  It is very enlightening and I hope you all will read it to see how we should dress in order to not be stumbling block to ourselves and our fellow brothers in this world.  Hope you all check it out!  :

http://purposelyathome.blogspot.com/2012/01/modesty-survey.html

Natural Remedies: Pink Eye/Conjunctivitis

Pink Eye/Conjunctivitis

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Symptoms

§  Redness in one or both eyes

§  Itchiness in one or both eyes

§  Gritty feeling in one or both eyes

§  Discharge (often forms crust at night) in one or both eyes

§  Tearing

Home Preparations & Body Cleanliness

§  STOP WEARING CONTACTS: These irritate the eyes, and may spread symptoms

§  EYE DROPS: Over-the-counter eye drops often help relieve symptoms.

§  WASH BEDDING: Pillowcases should be changed daily. Wash all bedding frequently.

§  DISINFECT: Disinfect everything with diluted vinegar solutions and hydrogen peroxide.  Make sure to wash toys, counters, doorknobs, and any frequently contacted services.

§  MAKEUP: If wearing makeup, all makeup that may have come in contact with the infection must be immediately disposed of.  Do not wear makeup during infection.

"A Smudge of Paint"

          When I was a little girl, my family and I would sometimes go out to a special restaurant together.  Located on one outside wall of the building was a painting.  If you stood right beside the wall and looked at the painting from that angle you may assume that only a person who was intoxicated could possibly have been the artist.   Strange smudges of paint were everywhere with apparently no order and no clear lines to define any sort of an image.  The wall was a mess.  However, if you walked a distance away from the wall until the whole image was in view, you would then discover that the wall was not a mess but was a breathtaking painting of a peaceful little cottage on a beautiful spring day.  In the same way, God is the artist and is painting a picture that makes up each of our lives.  From our point of view, standing next to the wall, we may think that God is making a horrible mistake as we watch Him paint. Smudges may appear on the wall and nothing is clearly defined.  It looks like a horrible mess.  But we cannot see it from His perspective.  We cannot see the whole painting.

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God uses circumstances and events in our lives to shape us and form us.  If our lives were perfect with no trials, there would be no need for a God at all!  We could simply live our lives and never feel the need of a Savior.  The reality is that it is our choice whether we let the difficult things that happen in our lives tear us down or help us to fly.  It’s our choice to let ourselves become depressed, bitter, or angry at the world and at God or to learn something from each experience and let it develop characters that are strong and pleasing to Him.  I know that I would not be the person I am today if I had not gone through many of the trials that have come into my own path.  Many times when I wanted to shout at God, “Why did you paint a black smudge there on my wall?!” or “Why would you let this happen to me?!” I instead have learned to ask, “Lord, what is it that you would have me learn from this situation?  Please use this trial to create in me a character that is pleasing to you.”  I am not a perfect person by any means and I certainly don‘t do it right every time, but I have been learning to find something in every situation to learn from.  I have found in doing so that it not only builds character,  but it also helps me to learn to let God be in control and to trust Him with every area of my life.  I know that I cannot see the whole painting of my life - but He can.

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 “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 2:28)  And, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)

~ Missy

LISTS!

I don't know about you ladies, but I am list oriented.  Even if I don't have a list written DOWN...I have one in my head.  And I mentally check things off as I go along.

With baby coming along, I have been worried I would forget some things so I have a ton of lists printing for February & March of this year.  I am going to pin them on my bulletin boards and check things off...that way I won't have to remember as much and I will know what I have and have not done.

My biggest concern is making sure I pay all the bills.  I am really good about getting a bill and paying it off within 24 hours...but with baby coming, what if the bill comes while I'm in the hospital?  Or what if I am just so tired I won't remember?  So this is just one of my lists - the bills and payments that I need to make every single month:

Lists are a great way to keep yourself organized and things on track.  What are some of the lists that you all use and why?  Would love to hear from you!

Natural Remedies: Anemia

Anemia

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Symptoms

• Fatigue
• Pale skin
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Ringing in the ears
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain/Headache
• Dizziness/Faintness
• Cognitive Problems
• Colds hands & feet

Remedies & Cures

The Next Few Months....

Just to keep you updated, the next few months may be a little crazy here on Pure Femininity.  With Chip and Missy very busy with things at home, and with a little one coming to my household, we have staged posts to automatically post through the end of March.

That being said, with life going crazy for all of us, we would love to receive some guest posts and ideas for keeping Pure Femininity going!  Please leave comments or drop us an email with your ideas and suggestions!  We'd love to hear from you!

The Pure Femininity Team

Natural Remedies: Mononucleosis

Mononucleosis

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Symptoms

§  Fatigue

§  Weakness

§  Sore throat (may act & look like strep throat)

§  Fever

§  Swollen lymph nodes in your neck and armpits

§  Swollen tonsils

§  Headache

§  Skin rash

§  Loss of appetite

§  Soft, swollen spleen

§  Night sweats

Home Preparations

§  Throw away toothbrushes

§  Bleach all glasses, etc.

§  Change bedding

Resting in His Strength

"....And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness...'" (2 Corinthians 12:9


This year has been the happiest in my life with my marriage to my amazing husband and now with the expectancy of our baby coming.  It has also been the hardest.  As I mentioned in my previous post on leaving, leaving my

Leaving

"....For I will never leave you nor forsake you...."


It is a verse that most of us probably memorized at some point in time.  In the AWANA Bible clubs, you learn it in kindergarten or first grade.  It's a verse that I've always loved, but I was realizing this morning how much more meaning it has taken lately.

When I was a little girl, people would leave from my life.  Friends, extended family -- they came and went.  But I had a constant rock in Him and also my family.  My parents taught us

Natural Remedies: Stomach Aches & Flus

 

STOMACH ACHES & FLUS

  

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Symptoms 

• Stomach Ache
• Vomiting 
•  Diarrhea 
• Fever/Chills 
• Body aches/Headaches

 Home Remedies

• TEAS: Chamomile, Ginger, and Mint/Peppermint teas help sooth both the patient, as well as the stomach. 
• CHARCOAL: Charcoal tablets absorb all poisons that are causing the stomach ailment.

§        Diet 

• BANANAS: Ripe or green bananas are known to stop diarrhea.  They also increase levels of potassium and magnesium which are quickly lost with stomach ailments. 
• LEMON: Acidic fruits should generally be avoided, but one teaspoon of fresh lemon juice to one cup of water can help stop diarrhea.  This method is best used as a preventive, however. 
• SALT: Sodium is rapidly depleted during stomach flus.  Broths are a great way to replenish sodium, but if broths cannot be handled, add small amounts of salt to teas and water to keep sodium levels up. 
•  RICE WATER: Cook rice until just soft.  Strain rice out of the water.  Drink the rice water.  This is a great way to gain nutrition during recovery, as well as slow diarrhea and vomiting.  If patient cannot handle rice water by itself, add a little honey and cinnamon (for taste) or honey and ginger (to sooth the stomach). 
• APPLESAUCE: Apples contain pectin.  This absorbs poisons within the stomach as well as slowing diarrhea and vomiting. 
• BERRIES: Blueberries are high in antibacterial and antioxidants properties.  This absorbs the poisons, while also decreasing the symptoms.  This seems to be especially effective on children.  Blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries also have very similar properties, though blueberries are considered the best. 
• GINGER: Ginger cookies can help soothe stomach aches. 
• AVOID: Spicy foods and all dairy.   
•  DRINK: Drink lots of water, teas, and ginger ale.  If ginger ale is unavailable, sprite or 7up are good second choices.

 Other 

• REST as much as possible. 
• WARMTH: keep your body warm, as this will help keep your energy up (instead of your body having to fight to keep you warm!). 
• MEDICATION: If battling a fever with a stomach bug, only use Tylenol/Acetaminophen as Aspirin/Motrin/Ibuprofen are known for aggravating stomach aches. 

PLEASE NOTE: These are only natural home remedies that no professional has reviewed or written.  This is not to take the place of professional medical advice, it is merely to aid you at home.  If you are concerned, it is best to call your doctor and follow instructions given by him/her.

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