Dealing with Migraine Pain...Meh!

Today...was one of those days!  I woke up and instantly knew.  Gross.  Ick.  Yuck.  Ugh!  Migraine!

If you are a migraine sufferer, you know exactly what emotions I am talking about.  At this point in my life, it isn't even an emotion I feel.  It is a sense of dread.  Why dread?  My day is pretty much ruined when I get a headache of this magnitude.  It is nearly impossible to be a mom, a wife, or even function with a migraine.  Can I get an AMEN from all you other Momma Migraine Getters?!?

I have been getting migraines since I was 16.  I am now 32.  Do the math.  That is a whole lot of years of complete SUCKAGE (is that a word)?  I have been on medication to prevent the migraines, medication to take when I get the migraines, I have had a change in diet and exercise, no alcohol, no chocolate, lighten up on salt, watch out for too much sun or humidity...basically...be careful how you live your life.  Avoid these triggers.

I am going to be completely honest.  Migraines make me angry.  Let's take today for instance. My family had a perfect opportunity to enjoy our Sunday together.  I spent the entire day in bed and plus my in-laws had to take my kids, when my husband went to work, because I couldn't function well enough.  That angers me.  I missed out on an entire day, because the sound of my son's voice made me cringe.  This is sad to me.

I have to look at the bright side of all of this.  I only get a couple migraines a month.  I rarely end up at the hospital...yay? and most of the time, I can feel one coming on, so I can stop it before it blows up.

I do have a couple tips for those of you that suffer from this torture.  If you are like me, you are always looking for a new type of "relief."  Once the migraine hits, try to:

1. Take some Tylenol/Advil and then take a nap in a dark room with a fan running.  There is something about the sound of a fan that is so relaxing.
2. Eat an apple!  Weird?  It helps or just eat anything!
3. Caffeine!  Sometimes the cause of the pain, but when I need relief, it helps!
4. Ice pack on forehead.  So soothing!
5. Hot pack on neck...awesome!!!!
6. Limit bright lights and loud noises...if possible...hardest one for me to eliminate!
7. Take a hot bath or shower
8. NO electronics...there is no need to update Facebook right now!!!!!
9. Get some fresh air!
10. Drink some water!  Stay hydrated!
11. Peppermint oil on your forehead...just a dab :)

These are the main things I try to do whenever I get a migraine.  When I stick to this list, typically within 24 hours all major pain is gone.  If you suffer from migraines, what do you do to ease up the pain?  Any suggestions?  Share them below!

DIY Monday: Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Since I am getting a little "salsa-ed" out...80 jars will do that to you, I needed a recipe for all of my tomatoes.  Thankfully, my mom had a recipe for, Big Batch Tomato Sauce.  I thought, why not, and took the morning with my momma and made some spaghetti sauce!

Big Batch Tomato Sauce

3 Medium Onions-Sliced
3 Large Carrots-Grated
2 Medium Green Peppers-Chopped
2 Cloves Garlic-Minced
1/4 Cup Oil (olive or vegetable)

Cook until tender in a stock pot.

1 1/2 tsp Fresh Basil-Chopped
2 T Salt
1/2 tsp Pepper
12 Pounds Tomatoes-Peeled and Chopped
1-12 Ounce Can Tomato Paste
1/4 Cup Packed Brown Sugar

Add to vegetable mix.  Mix well.  Bring to boil.  Reduce heat to low.  Loosely cover pot and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.  Pour into sterile jars and can in a water bath for 15 minutes or you can freeze.

Makes roughly 9 pints.

All labels on the jars can be found at CindyBlue Designs! 

Another note...I am making the switch to Word Press!  My goal is to be up and running some time this week.  My new blog address will be:  www.stayinggroundedinfaith.com.  Bookmark it!  Follow it!  I cannot wait to continue this journey with you!!

Marianne

September Week 3, 30 Day Meal Challenge

Hello friends!  Sorry for being a day late on this..Boo!

First off, here are a couple of pics of what we ate last week.  This challenge has really helped me stay accountable to my family in preparing meals every day for them!  I am just glad I have stuck with it this long!!

Whole Wheat Waffles and Scrambled Eggs

Baked Spaghetti and Vegetables

Beef Stir Fry and Rice

Now for the upcoming week!

Sunday:     We had Reubens!!

Monday:    Beef Stroganoff 

Tuesday:    Eating out...It's my Birthday :)

Wednesday:  Stuffed Shells

Thursday:     Shrimp and Potatoes

Friday:         Turkey Dinner

Saturday:     Grill Night with Neighbors

Have a great week and happy cooking!

Marianne

Day 4: Ranch Chicken Wrap

I am on my way through this challenge...four days in!!!

Today's menu called for:

Ranch Chicken Wrap on a Whole Wheat Tortilla, with a side of
Zucchini

I must admit, I am enjoying eating the spoils of our garden!  Too bad here in Minnesota, it will probably be snowing next week :)

Just a reminder...I am off to the family cabin tomorrow but will continue the challenge there...unless I have one too many glasses of wine!  I will post pics when I return on Saturday!

Have a great rest of the week and keep cooking!!!  I'm so proud of you!

Marianne

30 Day Challenge...Meal Planning

Who doesn't love a challenge?

Eli says...How about ice cream for dinner?

Last week as I was meandering through the grocery store, I realized something.  I have NO idea what I am going to make out of this food!  I am always prepared with a list, but my organization and preparation ends there.  Every night, it is the same thing.  What should we have for dinner?

Natalie says...Let's go out to eat!

 I mentioned the idea of a 30 day meal prep/plan challenge to my mom and her response was "people have been having this problem since the beginning of time."  I do believe she referenced cave men and dinosaur meat....

My problem is my husband works totally erratic hours and a lot of those are nights where he sleeps right through dinner, so it is just me and the kids.  We all know how well a six and three year old eat!  Mac and cheese, hot dogs, spaghetti, etc....but I want more for my family and I hope you want more for yours!

Homemade Pizza

Now for the challenge!  The month of September, I am going to be challenging myself to plan out my meals EVERY Sunday night for the week (based on our schedule...and my cravings) and EVERY day I am going to post a picture of what I prepared for my family.  It doesn't have to be extravagant.  It doesn't have to be hard.  It could be mac and cheese.  It could be a month of crock pot meals.  It is the idea of taking the time each week and planning out what you are going to eat.  The goal is to make our lives a little bit easier!

Roasted Chicken

Now seems like the perfect time!  Kids are going back to school.  Sports and practices are back.  Schedules are crazy.  Lets make life a little less crazy together.  Right now I am sharing the challenge and later today I will add my weekly meal schedule.

Fresh Veggies!

I'm excited!  

Marianne

Salsa...A Recipe that People will want to PAY you for!!!!

No kidding!  In the past two months, my family has had more than one person, offer us money for a jar of our "famous" salsa!  Is it really famous?  I think it is!  It is fantastic!!!  So fantastic, that the entire reason my husband and I have a garden (other than asparagus and raspberries) is for the ingredients for salsa.  Last year we canned 96 jars and we ran out two weeks ago...sad day!  We give it as gifts, I cook with it and we eat it...A LOT!!!!

My mouth is watering as I type, because I have our first batch on the stove, and now I am going to share my family recipe with you...and you don't even have to pay me!  You.Are.Welcome.

Lets break it down.  It's Salsa time!  Feel free to dance a little while you make the salsa, it makes canning SO much more fun!

Start with:

8 cups chopped tomatoes (skinned first)...Need directions on skinning tomatoes?  No problem, let me know!  I have directions for that too!!

2 cups chopped white onion

2 whole green peppers, chopped

Some of the Necessary Veggies

Chopped Green Peppers

Eight Cups of Tomatoes

My Cry Baby...Cutting Onions

Tomatoes, Green Peppers, and Onions

Take these three ingredients and add them to your stock pot.  I typically peel and skin my tomatoes a day or two before I make the salsa, so some of the water comes off.  I prefer a thicker salsa.  This is your preference!

Next take:

8-16 jalapeño peppers, depending on "hotness" level

-we typically do 12 peppers and we mix them with yellow peppers, red cherry bombs, and jalapeños.  I cut them in half and take out most of the seeds.  Wear rubber gloves!!!

8 cloves garlic

2 small cans tomato paste

1 cup sugar

2 cups white vinegar

1/2 teaspoon alum

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons salt

Ready to Mix it Up

Process all of the above ingredients together until smooth.  We use a Ninja blender, but you can use a hand blender or a food processor too!

Add the blended mixture to your tomatoes/green peppers/onions. 

Stir.  Bring to a boil.  Stir.  Cover.  Simmer on low for 45 minutes.

While on simmer, be sure to have your jars in a hot water bath.  This step calls for a canner (not a pressure cooker) and we typically get seven pint jars out of each batch.  I also use wide mouth jars.

Add salsa mixture to jars and return to water bath.  

 

Set timer for 10 minutes and boil jars.  Remove from bath and wait for the pops!!!!

Hopefully there is some extra to snack on!

If you enjoy the sugar label you see or the salsa labels above, they can be found at my Etsy shop!  Check them out, we have many styles available!  

I would love to hear what you think of the salsa!  Seems like a lot of steps, but it is super easy!!!

I hope you love it as much as everyone else I know!!!!

Marianne

DIY Monday: Roasted Corn

What?  You boil your corn?  How boring!

People keep telling us to bake the corn in the oven.  "It is so good!"   "The best corn you will ever have," they say!  Well....we got some corn from my mom and dad and decided to try roasting it.  All I knew was 350 degrees, so we did what we do best...we winged it!

Here are the directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Corn...Before

Clean off any extra hairs, strings, dangly things...whatever you want to call them!  I just used a scissor.  You don't want to start a fire!  In case you do, call 911 :) or just keep the oven door closed!

Corn...Cleaned

Scraps

Place corn directly on oven rack (don't remove from husks)

Starting to Roast

Cook for 30-35 minutes

The kitchen will start to smell of corn!

Almost Done!

Finished Product!

Yum!

Remove from husks...they peel right off like a banana and ta-da!!!

Best.Corn.Ever!!!!  So simple!

Enjoy!

How do you like to eat your corn on the cob?

Marianne