What's it all for?
I haven't published a blog post in ages, and my apologies. I've written a lot, but it was mostly for my own growth, and far too self centered to torture another with. I've asked myself the same old questions that I come to time and again, and each time the answers seem to get a little simpler, and a little clearer.
I was scrolling through posts here on Facebook, and happened upon a picture of an older celebrity holding his grandbaby. Seems he got the job of sitter for the night. He was holding this baby asleep on his chest, and granddad was smiling.
Another celebrity has recently taken to taking in farm animals with his family, and each seem to be a little more out of the spotlight, and likely making fewer dollars.
All of those weeks, and hours, pay periods and always saying just the right thing, or having just the right suit or hair cut...That wasn't the point...It never is.
It's, "The farm" and the grand babies, the grey hair and sleepy smiles. It's the moment when there isn't a crowd or a boss or a soul to please, except a few that a person might like to keep close. Even then, I'm not sure if pleasing loved ones is by accident or design, or maybe they love us despite us.
I think it's those moments of baby's breath and the stopping time when the stars come out when you just look and feel so small... I think that's what it's all for -the work, the struggle of all kinds. It's all for the sweetness of letting go...
with love,
tina jones
tinajonesart blog. Here, you'll find the thoughts of an artist, possibly some artwork, and most definately me.
Showing posts with label gratitude. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gratitude. Show all posts
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Low Carb Crackling Cornbread? and Ham (or Bacon) and Beans?!
A Gift for my fellow low carbers;
Upfront, I am not much of a cook, but I know simple foods that are nutritious and taste good. I miss high carb, Southern cooking, and when I came across a simple flax bread recipe, I got inspired. I'm four pounds from goal today, but I've made my first cooking video. I owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Atkins, About.com's Low Carb Forum, Kent Altina who makes inspiring videos on Atkins friendly recipes, and so many others who've been so encouraging. Nothing I could offer is going to be enough to repay the debt I owe for a new life and finally being healthy. Still, this is my gift back to them, and to the many others who are on the journey to better health. If I can do this, anyone can.
Here's my video with a few, hopefully humorous mistakes. Recipes are written below.
Cracklin' Mock Corn Bread?!:
Ofcourse in low carb recipies, corn meal and flour aren't wise choices as they are very high in carbs. This recipe is built upon one I saw online from Kent Altina. Seen here.
I'll be using the same ingredients with a few variations. Here we go!
1 oz. Pork Cracklings
1 1/2 Tablespoon of water
In a small bowl, Break up cracklings into small pieces, add water and toss. Leave sit for 5 minutes to soften
In a separate flat bottomed cereal sized bowl, combine the following ingredients:
1 Tablespoon melted butter
2 Tablespoons ground Flax seed. (Golden will look more corn bread-like, but I usually use brown as it's less expensive)
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon of Baking Powder
1 Tablespoon Almond Meal (I added the almond meal only because I want the familiar grit of cornbread.)
Add crackling and water mix to the second bowl, and mix all ingredients with a fork. Microwave on High for 2 minutes. It's done then, but I like to do more.
I remove my loaf from the bowl, and turn it upside down. I put this in my toaster oven, and toast to crisp the bottom side. After, I only top with butter, however if a person wanted, they could sprinkle the loaf with 1/2 packet of whatever sweetener they like. Southern cornbread is usually sweet, and a person could go in the tradition of Johnny Cakes. They'd use Sorgum Molasses or Maple Syrup on top. Ofcourse, we need to avoid sugars, so one could drizzle with just a teaspoon of Sugar Free Maple Syrup.
In this case, I like to take a separate small container and put a teaspoon or two of butter in it and melt it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. I add an equal amount of Sugar Free Maple Syrup, and drizzle this over my dish.
Your loaf can be cut in half or quarters for two Thick, hearty servings. Total carbs: 1.35, 1 serving 0.675 carbs which I'd round out to 0.68 net carbs
Warning, for those who've not had cornbread in a very long time, this is exceptionally good. Please do not make six loaves of this and eat it in a day. Not only will you consume an uncomfortable amount of fiber from the flax, when eating even low carb dishes in mass, we can go over our carb limits easily.
Ham (or bacon) and Beans:
3-4 oz. pre cooked, chopped ham (make sure there is no sugar added) or 4 slices of (no sugar added) bacon cooked and chopped (reserve fat and cool to room temp)
(Optional at 0.25 carbs per 1/4 tsp) 1/4 tsp. of ham or chicken flavored bullion (You may want to use 1/8 tsp, as this was salty though not too salty for me)
1/2 cup Eden black soy beans (Do not use regular black beans.) Keep the liquid. 8 carbs and 7 of them are fiber, so this is 1 net carb (I like to fork smash roughly 2 Tablespoons of my beans to make the sauce thicker, and leave the rest whole.) Do add roughly 1/3 of the juice from your can of beans
Black Pepper to taste.
Stir first three ingredients together ingredients together, and microwave for 4 minutes on high. Add pepper if you like. Done.
Optional additions (be sure to add the carbs) are Salsa or chopped Green Onion
Greens:
1/2 cup canned or frozen or fresh Collard Greens, Spinache or whatever you like. (If using fresh, rinse thoroughly and start with 2 cups of them. They will cook down measurably. Measure 1/2 cup for a serving after. For ease, I like canned collards) 1/2 cup cooked collards have 2 carbs and 1 fiber for a total of 1 net carb.
1-2 Tablespoon of reserved bacon fat
Salt and pepper to taste
Either add greens to skillet with cooled bacon fat, cook and stir until hot. (If using fresh, set on medium to low heat, cover and wait about 7-8 minutes. They will cook in their own steam and the fat. ) Cook to your desired tenderness.
Total net carbs for the whole meal: 2. 68 which I'd round up to
2.7 net carbs
Remember to add 1 carb for every packet of artificial sweetener, should you choose to use it. A bit of White Vinegar (Avoid Balsamic or Cider Vinegar, as these contain sugar/carbs), salsa or chopped green onion can be added. Just be sure to add the carbs from these.
This is a very filling comfort meal. One won't be hungry for a long time after this. Ofcourse, the Ham and Beans, and Greens can be doubled for two and the Crackling "cornbread" is already two servings. I hope you all enjoy, and stay true to you. You can do this!
Oh, and it's no extra carbs to go ahead and crumble your Crackling Mock Cornbread into your beans. Enjoy!
tina jones
p.s. I've already begun work on my blog for when I reach goal. I even got the perfect red dress! Stay tuned...
Upfront, I am not much of a cook, but I know simple foods that are nutritious and taste good. I miss high carb, Southern cooking, and when I came across a simple flax bread recipe, I got inspired. I'm four pounds from goal today, but I've made my first cooking video. I owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Atkins, About.com's Low Carb Forum, Kent Altina who makes inspiring videos on Atkins friendly recipes, and so many others who've been so encouraging. Nothing I could offer is going to be enough to repay the debt I owe for a new life and finally being healthy. Still, this is my gift back to them, and to the many others who are on the journey to better health. If I can do this, anyone can.
Here's my video with a few, hopefully humorous mistakes. Recipes are written below.
Cracklin' Mock Corn Bread?!:
Ofcourse in low carb recipies, corn meal and flour aren't wise choices as they are very high in carbs. This recipe is built upon one I saw online from Kent Altina. Seen here.
I'll be using the same ingredients with a few variations. Here we go!
1 oz. Pork Cracklings
1 1/2 Tablespoon of water
In a small bowl, Break up cracklings into small pieces, add water and toss. Leave sit for 5 minutes to soften
In a separate flat bottomed cereal sized bowl, combine the following ingredients:
1 Tablespoon melted butter
2 Tablespoons ground Flax seed. (Golden will look more corn bread-like, but I usually use brown as it's less expensive)
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon of Baking Powder
1 Tablespoon Almond Meal (I added the almond meal only because I want the familiar grit of cornbread.)
Add crackling and water mix to the second bowl, and mix all ingredients with a fork. Microwave on High for 2 minutes. It's done then, but I like to do more.
I remove my loaf from the bowl, and turn it upside down. I put this in my toaster oven, and toast to crisp the bottom side. After, I only top with butter, however if a person wanted, they could sprinkle the loaf with 1/2 packet of whatever sweetener they like. Southern cornbread is usually sweet, and a person could go in the tradition of Johnny Cakes. They'd use Sorgum Molasses or Maple Syrup on top. Ofcourse, we need to avoid sugars, so one could drizzle with just a teaspoon of Sugar Free Maple Syrup.
In this case, I like to take a separate small container and put a teaspoon or two of butter in it and melt it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. I add an equal amount of Sugar Free Maple Syrup, and drizzle this over my dish.
Your loaf can be cut in half or quarters for two Thick, hearty servings. Total carbs: 1.35, 1 serving 0.675 carbs which I'd round out to 0.68 net carbs
Warning, for those who've not had cornbread in a very long time, this is exceptionally good. Please do not make six loaves of this and eat it in a day. Not only will you consume an uncomfortable amount of fiber from the flax, when eating even low carb dishes in mass, we can go over our carb limits easily.
Ham (or bacon) and Beans:
3-4 oz. pre cooked, chopped ham (make sure there is no sugar added) or 4 slices of (no sugar added) bacon cooked and chopped (reserve fat and cool to room temp)
(Optional at 0.25 carbs per 1/4 tsp) 1/4 tsp. of ham or chicken flavored bullion (You may want to use 1/8 tsp, as this was salty though not too salty for me)
1/2 cup Eden black soy beans (Do not use regular black beans.) Keep the liquid. 8 carbs and 7 of them are fiber, so this is 1 net carb (I like to fork smash roughly 2 Tablespoons of my beans to make the sauce thicker, and leave the rest whole.) Do add roughly 1/3 of the juice from your can of beans
Black Pepper to taste.
Stir first three ingredients together ingredients together, and microwave for 4 minutes on high. Add pepper if you like. Done.
Optional additions (be sure to add the carbs) are Salsa or chopped Green Onion
Greens:
1/2 cup canned or frozen or fresh Collard Greens, Spinache or whatever you like. (If using fresh, rinse thoroughly and start with 2 cups of them. They will cook down measurably. Measure 1/2 cup for a serving after. For ease, I like canned collards) 1/2 cup cooked collards have 2 carbs and 1 fiber for a total of 1 net carb.
1-2 Tablespoon of reserved bacon fat
Salt and pepper to taste
Either add greens to skillet with cooled bacon fat, cook and stir until hot. (If using fresh, set on medium to low heat, cover and wait about 7-8 minutes. They will cook in their own steam and the fat. ) Cook to your desired tenderness.
Total net carbs for the whole meal: 2. 68 which I'd round up to
2.7 net carbs
Remember to add 1 carb for every packet of artificial sweetener, should you choose to use it. A bit of White Vinegar (Avoid Balsamic or Cider Vinegar, as these contain sugar/carbs), salsa or chopped green onion can be added. Just be sure to add the carbs from these.
This is a very filling comfort meal. One won't be hungry for a long time after this. Ofcourse, the Ham and Beans, and Greens can be doubled for two and the Crackling "cornbread" is already two servings. I hope you all enjoy, and stay true to you. You can do this!
Oh, and it's no extra carbs to go ahead and crumble your Crackling Mock Cornbread into your beans. Enjoy!
tina jones
p.s. I've already begun work on my blog for when I reach goal. I even got the perfect red dress! Stay tuned...
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Celebrating One Year of Blogging!
Today is the day! It's been one whole year!
I Thank You All for the support, the tears and laughs through this past year. I look at the thoughtful comments and statistics page, and see people from all over the world are reading. I had no idea that would happen, and I often wonder what I have to offer you. I'm a painter from a little town in Kentucky, U.S. I have Autism, I'm 14 years clean and sober, and I'm a cancer survivor. There have been more failures than successes in this life, and I would not change a single thing...... Don't you see? My life wasn't supposed to be this good. smiles. Thank you!
I hope that you've found reason to smile, seen the value in simply being you, and have had opportunity to be still now and then. I hope you've had cause to see beauty in life, moments of gratitude and a few laughs. I hope you've seen the acceptance and love we all look for in your own eyes, and I hope you've had the chance to love others just because it feels good to be the love that you are.
I don't know where we're going in the comming year, but as long as people like you are beside me, I'm ready. smiles. So, here's to more paintings, more decadance, more insights into a world of my often misunderstanding, more passion, more gratitude, and another precious day at a time to simply be.
Many blessings, and in this moment..... live! smiles.
tina jones
I Thank You All for the support, the tears and laughs through this past year. I look at the thoughtful comments and statistics page, and see people from all over the world are reading. I had no idea that would happen, and I often wonder what I have to offer you. I'm a painter from a little town in Kentucky, U.S. I have Autism, I'm 14 years clean and sober, and I'm a cancer survivor. There have been more failures than successes in this life, and I would not change a single thing...... Don't you see? My life wasn't supposed to be this good. smiles. Thank you!
I hope that you've found reason to smile, seen the value in simply being you, and have had opportunity to be still now and then. I hope you've had cause to see beauty in life, moments of gratitude and a few laughs. I hope you've seen the acceptance and love we all look for in your own eyes, and I hope you've had the chance to love others just because it feels good to be the love that you are.
I don't know where we're going in the comming year, but as long as people like you are beside me, I'm ready. smiles. So, here's to more paintings, more decadance, more insights into a world of my often misunderstanding, more passion, more gratitude, and another precious day at a time to simply be.
Toward friendships, old and new, I can only give you what I have. Here are some photo steps of my latest portrait. A video featuring these photos, and much more can be seen at my youtube channel here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQDwRcr1Wxo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQDwRcr1Wxo
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| Canvas in grey (black an white gesso) Grid in White Charcoal. Laying in features in Black Acrylic. |
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| Using Black with much medium, laying in shadows. |
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| Shadows on the whites of the eyes and contour. |
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| White brings out facial topography, indicates moisture in the eyes and on the lips. |
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| "Conchi" portrait of a friend 16x20" Acrylic on Canvas |
Many blessings, and in this moment..... live! smiles.
tina jones
Monday, May 23, 2011
Perspective of Emotion: Seeing
If you want to know who I am, listen carefully to what I say about others. There will always be a bit of truth about me in what I say or think about you or others. Everything I perceive is seen through my own eyes and experiences. My beliefs about the world and myself are one and the same.
No person who speaks of others is a mystery. I see what I am.
Guard your thoughts and words. Be especially careful of any negative words. Instead of "stupid" or "idiot" try "struggling" or " still learning." In either case, you'll be announcing to the world who you are, not the other person. Seek to see beauty and find things to be grateful for. Talk about these things and often! You are becoming them. When invited to complain or gossip, give of love instead. See the beauty in those who might hide behind talk of others. They speak of their own fears. Love them away, and never condemn. To do so is to condemn yourself. To love them, to lift them, is to rise with them in dignity.
You cannot improve yourself without improving the world. We are one. When you see fault in another apply love to correct it in yourself. Again, we see what we are. I am part of you, and you are part of me. To take care of me, to heal me, love yourself. Likewise, when you see beauty in the world, guess who you're seeing? smiles. You.
Bring smiles where you can, point out the perfection of dandelions, the dance of life, and see that all is well, and all answers are known. If I see anger, it is with my own angry eyes. If I see incompetence, it is with my own insecurity. Therefore, see the abundance of forgiveness and the wisdom of the simple. This is not to claim the nonexistence of pain, but to claim your place in Love. The problem with what I see is never what I see, but a problem with my own eyes. I have to shift my focus and look in the direction of Love. Then I find the beauty I see reflected in me.
It is in you too. I see it all of the time. smiles.
tina jones
No person who speaks of others is a mystery. I see what I am.
Guard your thoughts and words. Be especially careful of any negative words. Instead of "stupid" or "idiot" try "struggling" or " still learning." In either case, you'll be announcing to the world who you are, not the other person. Seek to see beauty and find things to be grateful for. Talk about these things and often! You are becoming them. When invited to complain or gossip, give of love instead. See the beauty in those who might hide behind talk of others. They speak of their own fears. Love them away, and never condemn. To do so is to condemn yourself. To love them, to lift them, is to rise with them in dignity.
You cannot improve yourself without improving the world. We are one. When you see fault in another apply love to correct it in yourself. Again, we see what we are. I am part of you, and you are part of me. To take care of me, to heal me, love yourself. Likewise, when you see beauty in the world, guess who you're seeing? smiles. You.
Bring smiles where you can, point out the perfection of dandelions, the dance of life, and see that all is well, and all answers are known. If I see anger, it is with my own angry eyes. If I see incompetence, it is with my own insecurity. Therefore, see the abundance of forgiveness and the wisdom of the simple. This is not to claim the nonexistence of pain, but to claim your place in Love. The problem with what I see is never what I see, but a problem with my own eyes. I have to shift my focus and look in the direction of Love. Then I find the beauty I see reflected in me.
It is in you too. I see it all of the time. smiles.
tina jones
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| "Patience" (Self Portrait) 36x48" Acrylic on Canvas |
Saturday, March 5, 2011
If I Could
If I could, I'd tell you that all is well. There is no need for worry about cobwebs. It's ok if the spoons aren't stacked just so, and it's alright if you don't do the dishes. It's ok if you want to cry, and it's so beautiful when you dance. If I could I'd take away any self doubt you had, and show you not only that you're loved. I'd show you, you're love itself. I'd let you know that you're never alone, that alone is an impossibility. I'd show you that we're all one, and how very precious you are to all. I'd show you the best of your heart, and give you the beauty I see in you. I'd make the strands of light and love that connect us all glow for you. I'd show you a common purpose that is so simple. Love and be loved, and simply be Love. I'd take away the "if only," and "Yes, but," and I'd replace them with peace. I'd give you the stars that are already yours, I'd lay the ocean in your hands and show you your bothers, I'd give you mountain ranges and show you your mother, I'd point at the birds and show you that you fly. I'd show the sun and show you how you outshine it. I'd give you music, your music, your song, and I'd let you hear it in the heart of God.
But I have only this paintbrush, and eyes that don't always see. I get so involved in the illusion of what's real, and at times bills or a stray stroke of paint define my existence. Hangnails bode the end of time, and politics in my mind can all but steal my hope....when I forget that these tools are not my God. When I fight of my will against material ideas, I forget I am more than made of material. The physical me is no more me than the reflection I see in a mirror. I forget that like you, I am the stuff of stars. Since we are one, though perhaps you'll see you, if I show you me. I who stumble, and forget I am Love, remember with me.
tina
But I have only this paintbrush, and eyes that don't always see. I get so involved in the illusion of what's real, and at times bills or a stray stroke of paint define my existence. Hangnails bode the end of time, and politics in my mind can all but steal my hope....when I forget that these tools are not my God. When I fight of my will against material ideas, I forget I am more than made of material. The physical me is no more me than the reflection I see in a mirror. I forget that like you, I am the stuff of stars. Since we are one, though perhaps you'll see you, if I show you me. I who stumble, and forget I am Love, remember with me.
tina
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"Tribute to My Fellow Angels" 8x10 Oil on Canvas |
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