Messengers Of Nature

Found at Duck Pond in South Carolina

Ever felt as if when something appears over and over again, there is something about to happen?  It's what I've experienced more often the last few weeks since the full moon.  Everywhere I go, no matter where, feathers are always found at my feet.
I've always been told that feathers in your path is a good omen for things happening in your favor.
I know that it is.  Ever since the feathers keep collecting, everything I need is right at my fingertips.
No complaints here.  Just wanted to share how messages come in many different forms other than people.
My method for cleaning them when I get home is dish liquid, sea salt, lavender/jasmine oil, Florida water. Just cleanse, rinse, and put in favorite window to dry.

If you have any, share them with us.

HAPPY HARVEST 🙂🙂

Found at Falls Park in South Carolina

Much love,
Granny

Feel free to visit us at our other sites:
Proactive Eye  http://www.proactiveeye.com
Time With Granny  http://www.timewithgranny.com

Unrecognized Entrepreneurship

Photo from Google images

I remember growing up when life seemed complicated but it was a lot more simpler.  Although we
had major chores to do, families were more self sufficient than they are today.  We grew our own vegetables, had apple trees, pear trees, peach tree, grape vines, and we were the only family in town with a chestnut tree.
We were able to barter with our neighbors for anything else we needed they had that we didn't.  The money you made at work you mostly kept for bills instead of having to go to the store. One of our neighbors grew most every root and leaf you needed for tea and herbs.  Another one raised hens and chickens.  We traded with them all the time.
What I'm getting at is, it's very rare you see this anymore.  Most of the town has redeveloped with new businesses and they say it is for the better.  I personally think it only made us faster.  You buy everything from the stores now so most of your money is now out of the home instead of in the home.
How is it that we allowed ourselves to become entranced with a dollar bill that it caused us to be more dependent rather than independent?
We were already entrepreneurs during that time and didn't recognize it.
Don't mind me.  This is just one of those random memories that came up while reminiscing through our home town.  No, things aren't as they used to be.  But it would be nice if they were.

Much love,
Granny

Feel free to visit our other sites:
Proactive Eye  http://www.proactiveeye.com
Time With Granny  http://www.timewithgranny.com

Naked Detox

Growing up, we were encouraged to sleep with as less clothes as possible.
Old folks said, "It's good to let everything air out at night Gal so your cells can rejuvenate the right way. So let your body breathe." 
As I got older, I realized another important factor for sleeping naked with my spouse - DETOXIFICATION

The polarities of your Union (physically and spiritually) is the top ingredient in the two of you detoxing and replenishing one another at the same time while you sleep.
The more opposite you are, the greater.

It is a beautiful, calming, renewing cycle that should occur every night as possible (or whenever you sleep together).

Some other benefits sleeping naked with your spouse are:
1) a stronger bond
2) balances your melanin
3) help regulate your natural body temperature
4) better and deep sleep
5) enjoy the Dreamworld more as you sleep
6) boost your immune system
7) healthier sex organs
8) reduction in skin disorders

Old folks weren't crazy.
They knew how to keep us from the Doctor as much as possible.






Until next time ..........


Much love,
Granny

Feel free to visit our other sites:
Proactive Eye http://www.proactiveeye.com
Time With Granny http://www.timewithgranny.com

Ode To Zaan

No matter how many times you experience death of a loved one, you feel like this big heavy foot just landed in the middle of your chest and crushed your heart.  My little Zaan, although he was over 6ft tall, has transitioned to the other side.  It's always a little weird when the ones younger than you beat you to the other side.

Yep!  Granny is photobombing in the back...lol

What I remember of him most is his infectious dry humor.  He always found a way to make you laugh and he's just standing there with a straight face as if nothing happened.  Zaan was brilliant, unselfish, patient yet stern.  He enjoyed being with family and was always looking out for his baby sister Zaria.

Although he's no longer with us on this side, it feels good to no he's on the other side still looking out for his grandmother, mother, baby sister, and fiancé.

Zaan, I know this post is the shortest of my fondest memories, but I feel I would do you no justice if I said more.  Your exemplary life of how most women desire their son or man to be, you still are in Granny's memory.

Love you baby cousin ~ forever
And to all family members, love you too.

Much love,
Granny

Feel ree to follow our other blogs:
Proactive Eye http://proactiveeye.com
Time With Granny http://timewithgranny.com

Who Called Me Granny

Photo from Google Images

The origin of Granny began with my Godson whom I affectionately call Cee Cee.  He was my shining star.  When he started talking at a year old, his parents tried to get him to call me "God Mommy"; but he insisted on "Gammy" laughing each time he said it.  Of course I loved every time he said it, he was Granny's boy.  As time went on and Cee Cee's speech got better with age, he began saying Granny and so did every one else:  all Granny's Godchildren, their parents, the church, Students, and their parents, etc...

Of course you have the naysayers ranting about the use of a young person in her twenties being comfortable using the name Granny.  As usual, what did I care?! I loved it.  I told them at some point in my life, it would be the name that would bring me a great pay check.  And so, after starting this blog, I called it Elegant Granny; naming my company in honor of my Godson Cee Cee.  Turns out, EG is beginning to spread like wild fire.  So many magazines soliciting me for articles; radio shows soliciting for guest spots.  Thank you Cee Cee and to everyone else who enjoys Granny.  I appreciate you much.  If only I was able to show you as much as I can tell you. 

Much love,
Granny

Feel free to visit my other sites

Proactive Eye  http://www.proactiveeye.com 

  * Proactive Eye is revision of the former Be Wise and Know blog*

Time With Granny  http://www.timewithgranny.com

Granny's Back!!!

It has been a while since being with you.  I have really missed everyone.
My life has changed so much since the last time we were together.
For one thing, I got married to the most wonderful person in the universe.
Everything in my life has been so much more abundant since bonding with this beautiful being.
He is the very.....How should I put this?..... fire beneath my hind parts I needed to get me going with all my business plans.

Meet Osei Kufuor - Metaphysican, Author, Counselor, Poet, and Father

I also became an Author and published my first book last year.
It isn't the one I originally advertised as my first book but it has proven to be the best decision to put out first.

Now that I'm back on schedule with writing, editing, and publishing; you'll be seeing a lot more literary work coming in soon.

Going to get busy writing now

Much love,
Granny

Let me know what you've been up to since the last time we spoke.

I AM LIFE

Growing up, I used to feel the need to be what everyone else wanted me to be.  The worse thing you can ever do to yourself is lie.  Lying about who you are according to someone else's standards or desires other than your own can lead to so many things such as, low self-esteem, anger, anxiety, unfulfilled goals, etc....

It can also make you feel as if you are a zombie.  Operating as the living dead wasn't working so I had to change. 

It is so important to realize that you already are important without the validation of anyone.  Just be yourself.  Getting to know the real you can make you so happy and fulfilled. 

Today, I'm sharing a poem I wrote about my experience with trying to be someone else other than me because of the circumstances surrounding me at that time.

Yes, Granny is back.  Hope to hear from you soon.

I AM LIFE 

Growing up, I learned a lot about fear and reverence.  I fought so hard every day to be what others believed to be infallible and true only to become lost like a single needle dropped by a seamstress traveling through the woods as she sojourned to receive patronage for great alterations that made you happy because now you fit into something that wasn’t intended for you.  It was never intended for us to fit into different molds other than the one that shaped us before exiting the canal from the mother land.  It was then that we were already who we are attempting to become. 

I asked myself as I looked into the mirror one day, “Why are you trying to be who you already are?”  I could not answer myself until I studied the history of my people.  After which, I began to understand what was once considered as vain, ugly, animalistic, and defiled is really successful, beautiful, majestic, and pure. 

It is without doubt, since the redevelopment of my mind, that all things about me are only controlled by how I perceive myself.  I AM a living well full of black gold nourishing the future Kings and Queens from my bowels to sustain life and replenish the earth as I pledge allegiance to my ancestors who did the same before me.  

I wear my scars inflicted upon me from childhood to an adult openly as medals of victory.  These lessons attempting to suppress me have only encouraged the Queen I AM to break through the mentality of inferiority and step forth to rule my Kingdom as a warrior Princess does protecting her people from the “elf” translating the right of the mind to go left. 

I love my life because it was customized just for me.  Though hard, it’s good and absolutely no one else can live it for me.  No one else can testify about it the way I can.  I especially love the fact that whatever I put into it, I get more out of it.  I also love that what others consider as failure, I consider as lessons learned to catapult me to my greatest life.

I AM life.

I AM loving my life. 

Much love,

Granny 


The purchase of other affirmation poems like the one above is available at: http://yourgrannyforever.webs.com/bookstore 

Granny's Punch It Up Orange Juice

Ever come across something that is good for you but you just hate it?  That's how I always felt about oranges or orange juice.  I've been at home this week taking care of myself per the Doctor.  When the weather does a lot of changing, sometimes it is difficult for the body to keep up without the proper nutrients that help ward off some of the illnesses that come during this time.
One of the things my Grandparents used to do when I was a little girl was to fill us up with oranges or orange juice.  I never liked them.  They thought it strange that I would make such faces trying to get it in while everyone else wanted more.

Last night as I was trying to force myself to get the juice in, I went into the lab (my kitchen) to concoct a recipe to make it go down a little more pleasant.  It was a success and I am ready to share it with you.  Being that I was on a restriction from going anywhere by the Doctor, I only used the fruit that was left in the house.  Feel free to use what you want as much as you want.  Make this recipe to your liking.

Granny's Punch It Up Orange Juice

Large pitcher (mine is 3L)

2 cans of frozen orange juice

Cold water
Fruit of choice
Ginger Ale

Put content of both cans of frozen orange juice into picture.  Add the amount of cold water as directed by can.  Stir until well blended.  Add Ginger Ale to your liking.  Add fruit of choice.

I left the fruit in the container until the end so that I could enjoy them as a delightful dessert when the picture was empty.

Hope you enjoy as much as I did.

Much love,
Granny

Decided to throw in the remainder of the fruit not used in the glass

Anything in your edible arsenal you had to change to satisfy your taste buds for your enjoyment?  Share with us in comments below.




Get ready for Granny's launch of her first book on Amazon March 30, 2014

Doing Something About It

Ever wanted something in your life to change?  I sure did.  You know what?  I did something about it.  I wanted to lose what was causing me to be so unhappy, unhealthy, and keeping me bound so I could not enjoy my life.

220lbs

I lost a lot of weight since this photo. I was so tired of taking so much medication and not being able to breathe.  Nothing was going to change until I made the decision to change it.  The decision to change wasn't even the ticket.  It was me putting action behind my decision to change.

So many times in our lives we complain about things that need to change, but still haven't put action behind what we know to do it.  Until then, that very thing will remain the same or get worse.

When I put action behind my words, all this weight started shrinking.  And so did the medical difficulties with it.  Next week, I'll post a side by side view of the differences.  Hope this message inspires you to put some action behind your words and create the change you want to see.







More information of health journey and the mindset it took to get me there in upcoming book. Launching on Amazon March 30,2014.

Changing My Mind So I Can Be Healthy

There are times when you are bullied for things you have no control over.  What people don't realize at the time is how it shapes your mindset as you get older.  Not only are you bullied in your childhood, but in your adult life as well.

As a child, I was teased for being so skinny by my peers and adults.  There were so many names and different things adults used to tell me about how people with more meat on their bones looked better.  I worked so hard to look better that I almost killed myself doing it.

Thing is, I ate more than anyone else in the house.  As I got older, my eating habits drove me to gaining more weight than my health could handle.  As a result, my asthma attacks became worse.  How I got over this mindset and change was a great journey.  You must get over how people feel about you so you can treat yourself better.

Here is a shot of my sisters and little cousins in the front.  That's me in the rocking chair hiding because I was always to myself because I never felt pretty enough to be in front of a camera. That rocking chair was soothing to me.  It helped me escape and not think about people's words.  The picture is blurred on purpose to indicate how I felt because of the words that taunted me from others because I was so small.

Children take in more than you realize.  It is so important to watch what you say and how you say it.  You never know what the result may be.  So glad I worked to get over how people feel about the way I look.  It has caused me to live my life over with so many possibilities being fulfilled.

Were you bullied as a child because of the way you looked?  Did it carry into your adulthood?  Share with us below.

Much love,
Granny

Put Your Time In

Just had a flashback down memory lane while in discussion in class this morning.  We use to sing a song in church that only had two lines:  Put your time in, pay day coming after while.  My Grandmother use to love saying, "Put your time in baby cause pay day coming after while" when I would tell her of a project I was working on.  It didn't matter if it was for school or Girl Scouts.

When I first started writing this book I'm currently working on, I was so excited.  I worked on it day and night.  Then a curve came into play.  I realized I was writing two books at once and had to start the game plan all over (3 times).  It's taking longer than expected to get this project out, but I inherited a "Don't Give Up" spirit when I was a child and I operate in it a lot these days.  My goal is to have the first book completed and published by the beginning of 2014, and the second to follow shortly after that.

I just wanted to drop a line of encouragement this morning that no matter how tough it is, no matter how frustrating, no matter how long it seems to reach your goal, continue putting your time in.  Your project will be completed as you continue to do so.  Before you know it it's pay day.

So put that time in and get those projects done.  Pay day is coming after while.

Much love,
Granny

Is there a project you're currently working on you would like to share with us?  Leave us a comment so we can encourage you.

Growing Up In The 70s

I was one of the fortunate beings growing up in the 70s.  It was a fun time to grow up in.  There were some bad times, but the good out weighed them all.  Here is a list of things I found on Google that we experienced during that time.

Photo courtesy of Google Images

Some of the other things I remembered experiencing were:

• Colored beads hanging in the doorways
• Big Afros
• Dashikis 
• The TV went off at 12 midnight
• You only had 3 stations to look at.  No remotes to the TV, only dials (the children were the remotes).  Rabbit ears on the TV (sometimes you put aluminum foil on the tips of the rabbit ears to pick up signals
• Lava lamps you stared at for hours
• Doughnut trucks coming to your neighborhood on Saturday mornings
• Ice cream trucks every evening when school was out
• Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, And Jimmy Carter were Presidents
• Mealtime with the family at the table was huge
• Splash parties where the kids played in the water shooting from the fire hydrants
• Sunday dinners at church after morning worship, or at a family members house on the regular
• Oldie but goodies playing on the hi-fi and we would pretend we were the groups singing (wearing some of Grandma's and Granddaddy's old clothes for costumes)
• Soul Train with Don Cornelius and American Band Stand with Dick Clark
• The famous Super Heroes were:  Superman, Wonder Woman, Almighty Isis, Evel Knievel, Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, Batman and Robin, Captain Marvel, etc....

My sisters and I growing up in the 70s.  Granny in the middle.

I'm sure there are way more other great things I can't seem to think of that was popular during that time.

Help a Granny out and post what great things you remember from that time in the comment section below.

Much love,
Granny

Don't Give Up: You're Closer To Your Destiny Than You Realize

Until my oldest nephew moved to Texas, we would occasionally take road trips together.  The best part of the road trip was getting lost and finding our way to our destination.  Later, we would recount the reaction of the other person realizing we were lost and the process of getting to our destination.

Last week, I had a business lunch in Richmond with a new business friend, Dr. Traci Teasley.  She was willing to meet me half way, being we are 2hrs apart, but I wanted to continue on with my adventurous self and travel the whole distance alone.  Dr. Traci emailed directions to the Baker's Crust Restaurant, and the morning of the road trip, Granny was set.

Dr. Traci Teasley of Teasley & Associates in Richmond, VA

I made it to Richmond safely, but while there, I looked down briefly at the directions once again to see which exit I needed to take.  There were two that almost appeared the same.  As I looked up, I took what I thought was the right exit.  I knew it wasn't when I got to the third toll (the directions only mentioned one).  I asked the lady at full service toll which was the best way to get to my destination and she gave me directions from where I was.  I immediately called Dr. Traci to let her know I was in town but was attempting to get back on the right track.  At one point, I forgot a piece of the direction the lady at the toll gave me and called Dr. Traci back.  She attempted to assist me as well.  As it turned out, I was so much closer than I realized to my destination.  All I had to do was turn the corner at the end of the road.  I made it only losing 15min to my appointment time with Dr. Traci. 


SO WHAT'S THE POINT IN THE STORY GRANNY?

The point is, there are so many times we are on our way to our destination (goals, dreams, aspirations) and we get a little distracted which causes us to get off track.  If we don't give up and continue to be adventurous as we usually would when traveling in unfamiliar territory (as becoming an Author for me), we will begin to see we are closer to our destination than we realize.  In the story above, I was only 15min. off course, but I made it.  In other areas of our lives, we are only off course just a little bit.  Don't Give Up!  You are so much closer than you realize.  Your destination is just around the corner.

Much love,
Granny

Is there a plan, dream, or goal, you're working on and became a little distracted?  Did the distraction take you off course?  Share with us below how you got back on course and made it to your destination/goal.

Dr. Traci Teasley can be connected via:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DrTraci
LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/in/drtraciteasley

Feel free to visit my other sites:
Be Wise and Know  http://bewiseandknow.com
Time With Granny  http://www.timewithgranny.tumblr.com

Related post:
Don't Give Up   http://bewiseandknow.com/2012/11/26/dont-give-up/

Granny's Secret Ingredient for Fantastic Eggs

Most of my life in the south has been centered around food.  Working around the house, food was set out to make sure we snack in between to keep our energy going.  Family and friends show up, food was always served to entertain them.  Singing rehearsals at our Grandparents house, food was always sitting around for us to snack on when we were hungry.  Anything happening at church, food was always served after service.  Is there any wonder why I post so many recipes of my favorite dishes on this blog? 

One question I'm asked all the time is, "Granny, what is your secret ingredient for your eggs?  They are the bomb!"  So I decided to share this secret ingredient I use in my fantastic eggs:

That's it in a nutshell. Just a splash of white wine mixed with anything else you use except milk (doesn't compliment each other well).  Any white wine you prefer to drink is good.  Granny never uses cooking wine.  Why would I when the greater stuff is in the house already?  I'm partial to my Robert Mondavi Private Selection.  I never stray from it and use it in a lot of my dishes.

Breakfast was really great Sunday.  No starches used this time.  I've trained myself to cut back on bread.

FYI:  Sunday is my "Be Greedy a Little Day". It's the day I allow myself to have a little more than usual.  Now you know the reason for the extra piece of veggie sausage on my plate.  Turns out, I was full before I got to it so I saved it for the next morning.

Much love,
Granny

Do you have a secret ingredient used in special dishes you're willing to share?  What is the main compliment you receive when you use it?  Share with us in comments below.


Feel free to visit my other sites:
Be Wise and Know  http://www.bewiseandknow.com
Time With Granny  http://www.timewithgranny.tumblr.com

Cabbage and Kielbasa

One thing is for sure, my sisters and I always thought we were being rewarded when Nah Nah served us this dish when we were little.  Whenever we would sneak into the kitchen to see what she was cooking and saw the ingredients for this delightful meal, we were just as excited as if Christmas was the next day.  It is still one of our favorites to eat whenever we are together -- Cabbage and Kielbasa.

Me using Tofurky Kielbasa.  Regular Kielbasa is richer in color.

By the first sentence, you can tell we were stinkers for girls, huh.  Nah Nah used to say, "Raising my girls is like raising boys; rough and always hungry."
This recipe will include both Nah Nah's (beef) and my version (vegan). Two recipes in one post.  Lucky you!

Ingredients
Large head of cabbage
Large sliced onion
Crushed garlic (optional)
Salt and Pepper
Beef Kielbasa or Vegan Kielbasa by Tofurky 

Clean cabbage as usual.  Cut cabbage to fit in pot.  Add all ingredients into pot, except kielbasa.  Bring cabbage to boil.  Stir, reduce heat to medium-high.

If you desire boiled Kielbasa:
Cook cabbage for approx 10 min before adding kielbasa.  Continue cooking meal, stirring occasionally, until cabbage and sausage are to your liking.

If you desire Kielbasa sauteed or grilled:
Saute separate in pan with very little oil of your choice, or, grill to your liking.

Add ingredients together in large bowl, without liquid, from pot (this will cause the cabbage to be too wilted and reduce the great taste of the creation).  

Another great option is use the Kielbasa with Granny's Sauteed Cabbage which can be found here.

Serve with Granny's Corn Cake found here and you have yourself something wonderful.

Enjoy!

Much love,
Granny

Feel free to visit my other sites
Be Wise and Know  http://www.bewiseandknow.com
Time With Granny  http://www.timewithgranny.tumblr.com

   

Compilation of Childhood Snacks

Growing up in the '70s, the grownups seemed to be very concerned about children's bowel movements.  They believed most illnesses came from unhealthy colons.  Every Friday night, we had to get in line for some form of laxative to ensure we remained healthy.  The choices often used then were Castor oil, Cod Liver oil, Ex-Lax chocolate, Milk of Magnesia, or Feen-a-mint gum.  Of course there were more used then, these were the top five used in my household.

You always end up with this one person who was the odd ball in the fold, namely me, whose body just did not react to things as everyone else did.  So my family decided to give me all types of snack food to help me.  The one thing I hated so much were prunes.  I could not stand the smell of those things (even to this day I cringe and gag at the smell of them).  Weird story before giving you a tasty recipe, huh.  I know, but it was the only one that came to mind as I was writing this.

The snack I'm sharing with you today is a compilation of things I like.  In the 70s, we didn't do much with dried fruit except bake them into cakes.  This recipe makes it easier to carry the snack to work and store in my locker, or purse, until I'm ready for it.  I haven't come up with a name for this combination as of yet so I am requesting help from each of you to help me name this delightful treat.  Now on with the recipe Granny!!!

Ingredients
Unsalted Cashews
Dark and Golden Raisins
Dried Cranberries
Banana Chips

Just take a little of everything and mix in a bowl.  If you're not really big on sweets as I am, you can add more nuts to balance the flavor of the mixture. Around the holidays I tend to use mixed nuts because that's what everyone else prefers when I serve this treat.  Normally, I would use carob for chocolate but it is so
hard to find in my area now.

Hope you enjoyed Granny's weird post for the week.  Enjoy the snack and enjoy life with a happy colon.

Much love,
Granny

What were some of the things your parents/grandparents gave you for your colon health?  If you have a name to help Granny attach it to her snack, leave it below in comment section.  

Feel free to visit me at my other sites:
Be Wise and Know  http://www.bewiseandknow.com
Time With Granny  http://www.timewithgranny.tumblr.com

Sauteed Cabbage

** In honor of Mother's Day, I decided to do a post on an Auntie who was also a Mom for everyone that encamp around her.  Pictures of Auntie and her work will be in August's post.
 
Hello everyone!  Granny here!!
Nice to be back with you with another great recipe.  This one is a favorite dish we all love for Aunt Beverly to fix when we visit her in DC: the famous Cabbage Dish.  I call it Sauteed Cabbage.
The ingredients are diverse and very pleasant just like Aunt Beverly.  A woman of many talents and always pleasant.  She is very skilled in playing the piano, videography, historical documentation, and training people to find their singing part.  OH, did I mention she has been a Nurse for over 30 years as well as an Artist who grace us with her own designs of Birthday and Christmas cards each year.  In another post this summer when I post mini biographies on my family members, I will showcase some of Aunt Beverly's work.

Now to the recipe (Granny's version, of course):

Ingredients
Large head of cabbage
1 whole onion sliced (the size of onion depends on how much you like)
1-2 cloves of fresh garlic crushed (you may substitute with garlic salt if you wish)
Fresh carrots sliced (the quantity depends on how much you like)
Olive oil (or oil of choice)

Begin cutting cabbage open and cleansing to prepare it for cooking as you would any other time.  Set aside to drain.  Place sliced carrots in pan of olive oil cooking on med-low, covered (the amount of oil used is of
your preference when sauteing). Stir frequently to keep from burning.  Cook until soft.  You may brown them just a bit if you choose.  Once done, but into a bowl and set aside.

You may use the remainder of the oil used for the carrots or use another pan with fresh oil for cabbage.  Place cabbage in oil using the same med-low heat (cabbage cooks quicker than you realize).  Add onions and garlic (or garlic salt).  Cover cabbage.  Aunt Beverly just uses regular salt and black pepper for seasoning.  Stir frequently to keep from burning.  Cook to your liking (Granny likes her cabbage with a little crunch, Aunt Beverly cooks hers longer to get very soft).  Mix all ingredients together in large bowl and allow to sit covered for approx. 10 min to allow all flavors/seasonings to incorporate.

**Sometimes Granny mix in a pan of fried potatoes in the mixture

Serve with cornbread or bread of choice and enjoy!

Much love,
Granny

Do you have a memory of a recipe from an Auntie or other relative you loved them to fix when you visited as a child?  Comment Below. 

**Stay tuned for next week when Granny shares a combination of different childhood snacks into one tasty treat**

Feel free to visit me at my other sites:
Be Wise and Know  http://www.bewiseandknow.com
Time With Granny  http://timewithgranny.tumblr.com 


Click links to see who I honored last year on Mother's day:
http://www.1elegantgranny.com/2012/05/these-mothers-of-mine.html
http://www.1elegantgranny.com/2012/05/these-mothers-of-mine-part-2.html

Tasty Treat

One of my favorite snacks growing up was Dairy Queens Ice Cream.  It's still one of my favorites today.  But since I'm working out more, I've decided to do healthier snacks like smoothies.  My first remembrance of tasting one was in high school on one of my visits to the mall with my best friend Renay.  We use to go to Orange Julius as soon as we got there for one.

After working out yesterday, I made one and I believe it was the tastiest one yet.

 So glad I made enough for later.  It was delicious then too.

This smoothie was so helpful giving me what I needed to replenish myself after a good work out.

Ingredients
bananas
sliced peaches
blueberries
raspberries
almond milk (for sweetness instead of using sugar)  


Mix everything in blender and enjoy

Much love,
Granny

What do you use to replenish yourself after a great workout?  Leave comments below.

Feel free to visit my other sites

Be Wise and Know  http://www.bewiseandknow.com
Time With Granny  http://timewithgranny.tumblr.com
 

  

Pinto Bean Soup

Hello Everyone!  Granny here!!

I know it's been a while since hearing from me.  Granny has been a very busy bee lately.  I really appreciate you waiting for me. 

This week, I do believe a Granny outdid herself.  I made a pot of Pinto Bean Soup that was out of this world.  While creating this dish, I thought about the song my sister use to sing every time Mama would make a pot of beans, "Beans, beans are good for your heart.  Beans, beans will make you fart."

Most of my recipes consist of beans so I'm assuming that is the reason for me not experiencing the above dilemma.  Those beans sure help a Granny keep a flat belly. 


Ingredients:
1 lb pinto beans
chopped onions
1 clove fresh garlic (crushed)
diced tomatoes
ground cumin
chili powder
oregano
diced red, yellow, and green peppers
2 pkg. Morning Star Grillers Recipe Crumbles (may use real meat if you so choose)
1/2 pkg 100%  whole grain elbow macaroni noodles

Prepare beans according to package.  Add onions, garlic, and other dry seasoning half way through beans cooking time.  45min - 60 min before beans are done, add remaining ingredients.  When soup is complete, allow to sit (in pot) for approx 20 min before eating to allow the ingredients to marinade together.

Very simple recipe for a very busy lifestyle.  You may use other ingredients to suit your taste if you so choose.  I prefer the Morning Star Grillers Recipe Crumbles over ground beef because it reduces the salt intake.  It is flavored enough for me where I don't have to add salt.

Top the soup with shredded cheese and sour cream and go to town eating -- ENJOY

Much love,
Granny

Any other ideas of what to add to the soup are welcome.  Share comments (or bean stories) below if you enjoyed the soup.

Feel free to visit me at my other sites:
Be Wise and Know  http://www.bewiseandknow.com
Time With Granny  http://timewithgranny.tumblr.com

 

Queen Enhancement Event

Photo courtesy of Clarise Hicks

This passed weekend, I attended another great event hosted by Clarise Hicks of Creative Adventures Event Services.  The Queen Enhancement Event was created to enhance the women in the community and to build relationships of women owned businesses in the Central Virginia area.  To see an earlier post of the first event, click link:  http://timewithgranny.tumblr.com/post/33435414679/queen-enhancement-event

The highlight of the event was the feature of a new R&B/Soul/Pop Artist, Tiffany Renee.  Tiffany Wowed the audience with her beautiful voice covering Alicia Keys' Superwoman.  You can listen to this beautiful  songbird by clicking link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=y4Yymc8vMwk






There were many vendors at the event ( Forgive me for not mentioning names.  I failed to ask everyone's name so to be fair, I'm choosing to not mention anyone's):  

Service Production and Management Organization
Author & Workshop Facilitator
Independent Brand Partner for Nerium
Female Empowerment Educator
Life Coaching
Photographer for Photo Shoot
DJ provided us with wonderful music
Independent Jewelery Retailers
Masseuse
Independent Home Crafted Body Scrub Retailer

The event was successful informing women of different aspects of business and providing them with network connections to partner with other businesses.  Looking forward to the next event in May.

Much love,
Granny

Have you visited events in your area lately?  How successful were they?  Leave comments below.

Feel free to visit my other blogs:
Be Wise and Know:  http://www.bewiseandknow.com
Time With Granny:  http://www.timewithgranny.tumblr.com