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July 16, 2017 Leave a comment
I picked these herbs a couple of days ago. I have them drying now, although basil and cilantro can be used fresh from the garden. I have so much, I decided to dry these and use them fresh another time. Pictured are basil, sage, cilantro and thyme. We also have dill and chives. The aroma is heavenly! Photo credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
May 10, 2017 Leave a comment
I am learning more and more about healthy cooking. We grow a very large garden every year. We love our veggies! We have a large freezer and a smaller one that we fill up each year, canning and freezing our vegetables to use throughout the year until we plant the next garden.
Last night, I made a stir fry, put it in aluminum foil and grilled it. I also grilled corn on the cob. The stir fry consisted of smoked sausage, potatoes (not from the garden, we were fresh out), tomatoes, peppers, green beans and onion, all from last year’s garden.
I put just a bit of real butter on top, added infused garlic canola oil, sea salt, freshly ground pepper and a bit of garlic powder.
It was delicious!
I love grilling. It is so much healthier than frying. We grill as much as we possibly can. Jeff bought a grate to put over our fire pit, so we will be cooking on it soon too. You have to be careful which type of wood to use when using the fire pit for cooking. We have peach and apple which is sure to make whatever we cook very tasty.
What do you do for healthy eating? Let me know and I will share you cooking ideas and pictures with all the readers!
Let’s all join in and eat healthy to live longer!!
My grilled stir fry! Delicious!
Photo credit: Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
May 2, 2017 Leave a comment
Do you like growing a garden?
We do. This year we are expanding our garden, including many more vegetables and herbs. I will be sharing more about our garden and the plans we are making in the upcoming months.
We grow tomatoes and one cherry tomato plant for our granddaughter Penelope. She just loves them! We also grow potatoes, asparagus, strawberries, peppers, onions, zucchini, egg plant, green beans, cucumbers, lettuce, banana melon and maybe more to come!
I am growing herbs too. Cilantro, basil, chives, parsley, mint, dill, sage, thyme and echinacea. I also bought two lavender plants. I just love the smell!
We make our own salsa and tomato juice. Our tomato juice also has peppers and onions in it, which is delicious in chili!
We also freeze tomatoes and peppers. It is a lot of work, but it is well worth it! Fresh, home grown veggies are better than any store bought ones!
We also enjoy grilling vegetables. Stir fry on the grill is good for the taste buds. Seasoning makes the difference. That is where the herbs come in. I freeze some and dry some. I am new to this, but I am learning!
We bought a green house this year to start our vegetables and flowers in. If things go as planned, Jeff will be building a bigger and better green house!
Jeff teases me about planting flowers. He says they aren’t edible so why plant them? I find the beauty of flowers very calming and soothing. The color they spring from their stems is so beautiful! I even planted more this year! I can’t wait to watch their vibrant colors come to life!
I am also a distributor for Young Living Essential Oils. They are fantastic and have many uses. One of which is seasoning. There is a black pepper oil, nutmeg, ginger and so on. I just started getting more of the seasoning oils, so I will let you know how I use them in the future. They are very healthy and chemical free! I diffuse them, make roll-ons to wear to help with allergies, sinus problems, etc. Someone commented on how much they liked my perfume the other day. I had oils on! And, yes they smell wonderful! Penelope loves them. She is only 2 1/2 and comes up to me, wrists out, waiting for me to put some on her!
If you are interested in oils, contact me. I have many on hand that you can smell. I can also order them for you. They are the best oils available, in my opinion.
I will be posting many pictures of our endeavors over the summer. Healthy living is a passion for us. I hope to inspire others to take the same path. And, it is good for the soul. Jeff and I spend a lot of time outside in the spring, summer and early fall months, working in the garden and spending time together. This summer, Penelope will help us when she is here visiting. We bought her little garden tools and a wheelbarrow to put the veggies in! She loves to pick her tomatoes!
We have so much going on this summer. As I said, more to come! I can’t wait to share our adventure with all of you! Have a wonderful day! The sun is shining! I need some Vitamin D. How about you?
Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love! Sitting Bull
March 3, 2017 Leave a comment
By Denise Gilliland/Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub
How many people are dedicated to exercise and eating healthy?
It isn’t an easy task. In an effort to be healthier, I have been drinking more water.
I am sure that sounds very simple to most people, but it hasn’t been easy for me. When my eyes open in the morning, my first thought is of a nice hot cup of coffee.
I have made a change to my morning routine. I open my eyes, rise and shine and drink a glass of water. I do still drink coffee, but I have cut down on my coffee intake.
I have discovered as I age, my body changes. No surprise to anyone my age or older. One of the many changes is my tolerance of caffeine. I have determined too much caffeine causes heartburn. Who wants that? Not me.
I have set goals for myself as well. I drink three glass of water by noon every day. Each glass is twelve ounces, so I have 36 ounces of water before I eat lunch.
Not only am I hydrating my body, but I am not as hungry. Drinking water before a meal curbs your appetite. I eat less and feel better. I make sure all meals are nutritious. I am not an expert, but I am improving each day.
I find myself reading more labels than I ever used too. Incorporating vegetables into my diet is easy. I love vegetables! There isn’t one I don’t like. I have also discovered eating more protein is good for a diet. I eat yogurt, hard boiled eggs, peanut butter, almonds (raw) and salmon, among many foods I enjoy.
I hope I have offered a bit of assistance to those trying to diet. It is never easy! As far as exercise, I will discuss that next week.
Denise Gilliland/Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
March 1, 2017 Leave a comment
By Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief
Happy March 1st everyone. I have decided to add a new category to my blog called Lifestyle/Health.
I will be including different articles in regards to each subject, and some may overlap from lifestyle to health.
The one wish I have is to include YOU! I want to hear your stories on each subject, or one of them. I have discovered as time passes, I am more concerned than I use to be about my lifestyle, which in turn relates to health.
I have changed some things in my life. I have had my own struggles, which I will be sharing along the way.
I am hoping if others choose to share their stories, we can all learn from each other. Let’s give it a try!
My first article will be posted by the end of the week. If you have a story to share, please submit it to me via email at katcountryhub@gmail.com
I can’t wait to hear from you!!
Kat Country Hub 
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