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HEART TO HEART NEWSLETTER
ENCOURAGEMENT TO WOMEN
Compiled especially for YOU with LOVE by Lois Breneman

 

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2/17/05 CROCKERY COOKING, SPELLING, BABES, HOST FAMILY, PRESIDENTS

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IN THIS ISSUE:
CROCKERY COOKING

MY FAVORITE CROCKPOT RECIPE

THE DANGER OF HOMECOOKING

YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE A POOR SPELLER?

SPELLING TIPS

TEACHING CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE DAY
OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES

MOMS, BEWARE ~ CHECK THIS OUT

YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO HOST A FOREIGN STUDENT IN THE U.S.

PRESIDENTIAL QUOTES

 

CROCKERY COOKING
By Deborah Taylor-Hough - © 2005 - All Rights Reserved - Used by permission

 

When I think of crockery cooking, I always see in my mind's eye, my mother's old avocado-green crock sitting on the turquoise and white kitchen counter.  What a thing of a beauty it was ... NOT!

 

But today's crockery cookers are sleek, modern appliances you don't have to hide away in the dark recesses of the pantry or garage anymore.

 

If you like the experience of walking in the door and smelling dinner cooking without you slaving away in the kitchen preparing the meal, you'll love the convenience of a crockery cooker.  Take a few minutes in the morning before work or school to throw some ingredients into the pot, set it and forget it.  When you come home at dinnertime, you'll be greeted by the heavenly aroma of an easy dinner.  What could be better than that?  

 

At the end of the day when I'm tired and ready to put my feet up, the last thing I want to do is dive into a bunch of meal preparation work.  But in the morning, I'm refreshed and able to put more energy into food prep.  But even then, it's not much food prep.  Maybe a bit of chopping and browning, but no more than ten or fifteen minutes worth of work, at the most.

 

Benefits of the Crock

Some of the benefits you'll find from dusting off that lovely retro-crock in the back of Grandma's attic are:

 

* You can buy tougher (and less expensive) cuts of meat, since the crock acts as a tenderizer

 

* Meat shrinks less when cooked in the crock, and doesn't dry out.

 

* A crockery cooker doesn't heat up the kitchen nearly as much as the stovetop or oven, so it's a perfect hot weather cooking appliance

 

* Frees up space in oven and stove top, great to use for parties, large gatherings, or doing a large cooking session for the freezer

 

* Flavors have time to develop while your meal slowly cooks all day

 

* Tofu tastes better cooked this way because it has time to soak up the flavors from broth, spices and other ingredients

 

* Can be used on a buffet table for serving hot foods (soup, stew, sauces, meatballs in barbeque sauce, etc.)

Crockery Cooking Tips

You'll want to keep the following tips in mind when choosing and using your crock:

 

* Choose a crock with a removable liner.  You'll have more flexibility in ways to use it, and it's easier to clean.

 

* Buy a large one. 

 

* Best if used for recipes with a high water content -- things you'd normally prepare on the stovetop such as spaghetti, soup, chili, stew.

 

* For best results, fill the crock at least half full with food and/or liquid.

 

* If you're cooking something like a stew or soup, leave at least an inch (preferably two inches) empty at the top beneath the lid to allow for the food to bubble when it reaches a simmer.

 

* Don't peek!  Lifting the lid adds time to the cooking process by letting heat out.  Add 15-20 minutes to the cooking time for every time you lift the lid to peek or stir.

 

* High altitudes need longer cooking times.  Check with your crock's Manufacturer's User's Guide for their recommendations.

 

* Brown meats ahead of time for additional color and flavor.  Browning also removes some of the fat from the meat.  Fatty meat cooks more quickly in the crock than lean meat.

 

* Meat and poultry cooks best if cut into smaller pieces or chunks rather than cooking as a whole roast or a whole chicken.

 

* Fish and seafood should be added near the end of the cooking time in seafood soups, stews and chowders.

 

* Vegetables such as carrots and potatoes, should be added to the bottom of the crock beneath any meats, etc.  Hard vegetables need a longer cooking time, and the bottom is the first part of the cooker to heat up, so they'll start cooking sooner.

 

* Stir in cheese at the end of cooking, or use processed cheese.

 

* Milk curdles during long cooking times.  Add milk near end of cooking time (the last hour, or so).

 

* Add spices near the end of the cooking time.

 

* Stirring usually isn't required during slow cooking on Low heat.  You might want to stir once or twice during the last hour, but remember that every time you lift the lid, you're adding to the cooking time.  Two stirring sessions equal a minimum of half an hour longer cooking.

 

Suggestions for a Safe and Sane Crock

The crock itself should be safe to use providing you don't have an old one with frayed cords or some other defect.  The following tips on safe user ideas can help keep your family healthy and the cook from being burned:

 

* Use fresh or completely thawed meats.  Don't add frozen meats directly to the crock.

 

* Be sure the crock is clean before using. 

 

* Keep perishable foods refrigerated until ready to use.

 

* Always include liquids in all crockery cooking recipes.

 

* Remove the cover by opening away from your face.  The steam is hot enough to burn badly.

 

* Don't leave the cooker turned off with food in it for any length of time.  Start cooking right away, and serve hot from the cooker.  Don't let food sit at room temperature to cool.

 

* Keep the crock covered while cooking.  The lid on a crock doesn't provide a tight seal (it isn't suppose to), but it's important to keep the lid in the center of the crock for best results.

 

* Don't set the hot crock on a cold surface unless you put a hot pad, trivet or towel underneath.

 

* If the power goes out while you're away from home with the crock running, throw the food away even if it looks hot and done.  The power might have been off long enough for the food to cool, start growing bacteria, and then reheat by the time you arrived home.

 

* Don't reheat leftovers in a crock, but you can use the crock as a food warmer for foods that have been cooked and heated in the oven or on the stovetop.

 

For complete details and recipes for the crock, you'll find lots of helpful information in the following recommended books:

 

Slow Cookers for Dummies, by G. Vance and T. Lacalamita http://amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0764552406/simplepleasuresp/

 

Fix It and Forget It, by Ranck and Pellman
http://amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1561483397/simplepleasuresp/

 

The Everyday Low-Carb Slow Cooker Cookbook
http://amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1569244286/simplepleasuresp/

 

The Complete Crockery Cookbook, by Wendy Louise
http://amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1891400290/simplepleasuresp/

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Tips&Quips:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tips-and-quips/  A variety of short homemaking tips, parenting ideas, family-friendly recipes, quotes, recommended books & resources, random thoughts, articles, & more!   Deborah Taylor-Hough - http://hometown.aol.com/dsimple/  

 

 

MY FAVORITE CROCKPOT RECIPE

Beef Chuck Roast or Turkey Breast ~ Put into a crockpot.

Mix together in small bowl and spread over meat:

        1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup

        1 envelope dry onion soup mix

Cook on LOW for 10 - 14 hours.  You can speed up the time by using the HIGH setting for part of the time, but slow cooking is best for melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. 

 

Notes: Turkey breasts are often on sale for 99 cents a pound and that's the time to put a few extras in your freezer.  Plan on cooking chuck roasts when they go on sale for $1.99 - half the regular price.  I like to cook in larger quantities by putting several roasts in a large crockpot with the appropriate amount of soups.  When the meat is very tender and falling apart, turn off the crockpot and pour the gravy into a container to refrigerate, until the hardened fat can be removed.  Let the meat cool enough to remove the all the visible fat and pull the meat apart, if you wish.  Separate the meat into meal size portions for your family.  Pour defatted gravy over the meat and freeze for multiple delicious quick and easy meals later.  Recently when cooking two chuck roasts in my crockpot , I added one can of cream of mushroom soup, one can of tomato soup, and two envelopes of dried onion soup mix.  That was also a delicious combo.

 

THE DANGER OF HOMECOOKING

By Gregg Harris ~ Contributed by Barb Campbell of Mississippi

Think for a moment, What would you do if your neighbor, seeing you grilling hamburgers over the back fence, stepped up to you and said, "Boy, I admire you!" You cook for your children every day, don't you?  Boy, I could never do that!" 

So then they launch in with these kinds of statements:

Our children are too valuable to be left to amateur cooks.
Only certified nutritionists should be allowed to cook.
Home kitchen equipment could never be adequate.
All children should eat three standardized meals per day- in government cafeterias.
Home cooked meals can be abusive!
Children must eat with other children to learn proper table manners.
I could never cook for my children every day, so I send them out to local restaurants, they're professionals.
If everyone cooked at home, the restaurants would close and millions of people would starve to death.

Believe it or not, everyone of these statements or questions have been framed in opposition to teaching our children at home.  And the amazing thing is that we don't respond to those questions, in context of teaching, with the same kind of chuckle that we do when we hear them apply to cooking!  There was a time in which the idea that people were not qualified to teach their own children at home would sound just as ridiculous!  If we don't do something about the direction of the family, and of the nation and the society as a whole, the day may come when these arguments would all be taken very seriously!  We could find our kitchens under state regulation, and we could find our children required to have their tests on a regular basis to make sure that they are getting all the nutritional needs that someone has decided that they should have!

 

 

YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE A POOR SPELLER?
(Don't overlook this because it looks weird. Believe it or not you can read it, and fast, though I wouldn't advise you to spell like this.)
 
I cdnuolt blveiee that I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd what I was rdgnieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer inwaht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is that the first and last ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. This is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.  Amzanig huh?  Yaeh and I awlyas thought slpeling was ipmorantt!

 

 

SPELLING TIPS

Sometimes zooming in on certain letters or making up silly word pictures can help make spelling much easier and more fun for some words.  Four examples are given.

 

sovereign - The r is surrounded by two e's (ere)

inauguration - The g is surrounded by two u's (ugu)

guarantee - Picture in your mind: The guard ran toward the tee.  Begin by spelling all but the last letter of "guard."  That continues with the word, "ran," and ends with "tee."

baccalaureate - Break it down into bacca-laure-ate - Think of a girl named Becca, but make that Bacca.  Think of a girl named Laurie, but drop the i (laure).  Bacca and Laure - who ate together - (The l is also surrounded by 2 a's - (ala) - (bacca-laure-ate) 

 

Spelling books often have a list of the most misspelled words.  Copy that list and carry it in your purse for times when you have to wait.  When you have time to kill, go through the list and mark the words you know well and study the other ones.  Have your children give you a spelling test sometime, maybe ten words at a time.  They will see that learning is still very important to you, even if you are out of school and don't have to learn them! 

 

TEACHING CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE DAY
Copyright 2003/2004 Tracy Catarius

Children are like sponges, constantly absorbing information.  We need to remember this as we can take full advantage of this fact or we can ignore it and lose a valuable opportunity.

 

Use the Outdoors:

When the weather cooperates, take your children outdoors. You can give them several science lessons. Show them the leaves turning or growing on the trees and use this time to discuss how photosynthesis works and why the leaves turn color in the fall.

 

Look for different bugs. Most children love bugs and will take enjoy any opportunity to discuss them. There is so much to learn about bugs!

 

Have your child run around kicking a ball.  Use this experience to teach about cause and effect.

 

Lay down and look at the clouds - discuss the different types of clouds, why the sky is blue, etc.

 

If a plane flies overhead, use this as a chance to talk about how planes can stay in the air.

 

Watch people walk by, discuss the differences in hair color, height, etc. discuss how genetics works. Maybe someone is wearing glasses, what are some of the reasons a person may need glasses?

 

Use the Kitchen:

Cook together. Not only is this a great bonding experience, but it is a great learning experience. We can teach fractions and addition using measurements of ingredients. You can discuss how electricity and/or gas works by discussing the appliances that refrigerate and cook your food. Teach organizational skills by looking for ingredients and appliances in your cabinets.

 

Show your child how the freezer freezes water into ice.

 

Discuss why the water goes down the drain in the direction it does.

 

Discuss why we wash the dishes, and the germs that can be left behind by certain types of foods, etc.

 

Use Your Child's Playroom:

The opportunities for learning from different toys, puzzles, books, games, etc. are innumerable.

 

The books teach reading and whatever subject the book may be about. Puzzles teach patience, spatial reasoning, coordination, etc. Games teach sharing, patience, counting, fairness, losing, etc.

 

There is so much more in everyday life that we can use as tools for teaching. But I think the number one thing to remember is that spending the time with our children and using these moments for bonding as well as teaching is the most important part. Remember, enjoy the time spent with your child and have fun!

Tracy Catarius (wife & mother of two) lives in Massachusetts and is owner of Mattcmama's, a resource site for parents and Greatest Kid's books, a site devoted to children's education. You can visit her websites at: http://www.mattcmamas.com/www.mattcmamas.com/">http://www.mattcmamas.com/</a>  and  http://greatestkidsbooks.comwww.greatestkidsbooks.com/">http://greatestkidsbooks.com</a>

 

 

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES

A scripture from Elinor Wright of Virginia that goes along with her grandson, Max's quote:

"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.  For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?  Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?"  II Corinthians 6:14 (NIV)

Five year old Max has a big crush on Anna, a little blonde girl in his class.  He frequently tells me about her, for instance, where she sits in proximity to him during circle time or in the school van, etc.  Yesterday, when looking at our e-mail prayer/praise list from church, I shared with him that Anna asked Jesus into her heart!  He replied, with relief, "Oh good!  NOW I can marry her!"

 

Another one from Elinor: When Andy was younger, his dad had told him that if he kept asking for things the answer was automatically "no!"  So one day Andy was looking at a Christmas catalog and was having a good time "wishing."  His reaction was, "Oh, I wish I could borrow this!"  (He made sure he didn't ask to have it ... just to borrow it!) 

 

 

MOMS, BEWARE ~ CHECK THIS OUT

Contributed by Brenda Lindsley of Virginia 

This is a site that you may want to post in your newsletter.  It sure opened my eyes!  It's not a great subject but, as parents, something we need to consider.  It's the Sex Offender Registry and was given to me at our neighborhood watch meeting.  It is posted on the State Police website.  What I'm listing is the page that you need to insert information to get the offenders in your area (I found out that there are two right near me).  The best way to get the fastest information is just to enter your zip code and click on Submit.  The Quick View will give you a quick picture of the offender on the page.  If you click on their name, it will give you their address, where they work and offenses.  http://sex-offender.vsp.state.va.us/Static/Search.htm

 

 

YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO HOST A FOREIGN STUDENT IN THE U.S.
By Beverly Suhr of Virginia

        The American Academic & Cultural Exchange program was started by Irene Siegler because she saw a real need to help "bridge -the -gap" between other cultures and Americans by placing bright, motivated teenage boys and girls from other countries into good, American families and schools.  The students become immersed in our culture and begin to grasp a little of our customs, our foods, our traditions, our history, our politics, our faith, etc.  The students are screened, tested and interviewed in their home country. They must be recommended by their teachers and have a working command of the English language.  They come in mid-August and go home in mid-June.  In the past students have come from Mongolia, Turkey, Thailand, China, Japan, Brazil, France, Germany, Spain, Russia and a few other countries.  They come with their own health insurance (usually bought through the Agency), spending money - and usually lots of fear, excitement, and anticipation.
         The "host family" can be a couple of any age or a couple with children of any age.  Often younger children look up to the exchange student and help him relax and fit into the family. Older children can be a life line to making friends at school, on teams, at church, etc.
         The host family agrees to make the student a part of their family by providing a loving, caring environment. They provide a place to sleep (their own bed but not necessarily their own room), a place to study, meals, chores (just like everyone else), and gifts for their birthday and at Christmas.  They take the student with them on family outings, shopping, vacations, family reunions, etc.  If the family goes to Sunday school and church the student is encouraged to join in because that is one of the things that the family does together. The family should encourage the teen to join in on school/community sports, a music program, youth groups, or anything else that would expand their cross-cultural experience and enrich his/her time here.
         Once a family expresses interest, there is an application to fill out, references to provide and an in-home interview to do.  After being accepted into the program the host family gets to choose the student they would like from the bios and pictures that are provided. The earlier the family is confirmed, the sooner a student can be chosen.  At present there are AACE representatives in Ohio, Utah,Tennessee, North Carolina, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida, and Virginia.  If someone from another state is interested, arrangements probably could be made.  The AACE agency provides a training session for the host family before the student arrives and one for everyone after his/her arrival.  The area representative stays in close contact with the host parents and the student in the first month and thereafter on a monthly basis. If any problem arises for the hosts or the student, the representative is as close as the phone. Monthly reports are written by the representative to send back to the home country and the student is advised to call home twice a month and e-mail twice a month. 
         If the host family desires that the student go to a private school, someone other than the birth parents must provide the tuition.  The reason for this is that all students coming on a J-1 visa are guaranteed by the U.S. government one year of free schooling.  Often a friend or group of friends or a scholarship program makes it possible to pay tuition to a private school. 
         There is no monetary compensation to the host family through this agency.  Accepting a foreign student into one's home for nine months has to be a "calling."

        As in raising one's own children, it has its ups and downs and it is work.  BUT it can have great dividends for both parties and longtime friendships can be formed.
         If you are interested in such a program and live in the Roanoke, Virginia area, please contact Beverly Suhr at (540) 563-0079.  Those outside this area should contact Susan Stallings at (804) 453-6111.  
 

 

PRESIDENTIAL QUOTES

"My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw.  All I am I owe to my mother.  I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her."  -- President George Washington

"Every man, conducting himself as a good citizen, and being accountable to God alone for his religious opinions, ought to be protected in worshipping the Deity according to the dictates of his own conscience."  -- President George Washington

 

"Almighty God, Who has given us this good land for our heritage, we humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will.  Bless our land with honorable ministry, sound learning, and pure manners.  Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.  Defend our liberties and fashion into one united people, the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues ... all of which we ask through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen" -- President Thomas Jefferson

 

"I am much indebted to the good Christian people of the country for their constant prayers and consolations; and to no one of them, more than to yourself."  -- President Abraham Lincoln   
 

"I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.  My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient. One stormy night I tossed on my bed, unable to sleep as I thought of the terrible sufferings of our soldiers and sailors. I spent an hour in agonizing prayer.  -- President Abraham Lincoln

 

"When there is a lack of honor in government, the morals of the whole people are poisoned. There is no such thing as a no-man's land between honesty and dishonesty. Our strength lies in spiritual concepts."  -- President Herbert Hoover

"I believe with all my heart that standing up for America means standing up for the God who has so blessed our land. We need God's help to guide our nation through stormy seas. But we can't expect Him to protect America in a crisis if we just leave Him over on the shelf in our day-to-day living."   -- President Ronald Reagan   

 

"Our coins bear the words 'In God We Trust.'  We take the oath of office asking His help in keeping that oath.  And we proclaim that we are a nation under God when we pledge allegiance to the flag.  But we can't mention His name in a public school or even sing religious hymns that are nondenominational."  -- President Ronald Reagan

 

"In Scripture, God commands us to reach out ... love somebody just like they'd like to be loved themselves."  -- President George Walker Bush

 

"Millions of Americans seek guidance every day in prayer to the Almighty God.  I am one of them." -- President George Walker Bush

 

"Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. -- Proverbs 14:34

 

God bless and keep each on of you!

Love from your "Heart to Heart" friend,

Lois

The purpose of the Heart to Heart Newsletter is to bring godly and practical encouragement to women through creative ideas for the Christian family – regarding homemaking, marriage, children and much more.  You may receive this bimonthly newsletter by sending your name, city, state, country and the name of the person who referred you to Lois Breneman at [email protected].

 

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