A Christmas Celebration in Blogging.

http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com
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Welcome to Sage Hill Farms, this is where I live and work.

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One of my favorite times of the year is the Thanksgiving and Christmas Season, it allows me to reflect on the past year and to be truely grateful for all I have been blessed with.

It also brings snow and cold, both of which I love!

Decorating for the holidays is a treat that I never tire of.....I'm like a kid in a candy store.

I would like to share some very special holiday ideas, stories, foods (recipes) and I would love to have your feedback.

So visit the Beaatitudes every day during the month of December and lets get aquainted!

Tonight I'm sharing my very special hot chocolate recipe with you. It is yummy good and has a kick for your immune system too!

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(Bea's Chocolate Cup)

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2 squares (2oz's) unsweetened chocolate

1/4 cup sugar (or to taste with Stevia, Agave, or Honey)

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

A few skakes of ground Cayenne Pepper( very light shakes)

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1 cup hot water

1 cup hot strong coffee

2 cups hot milk

1-1/2 tsp vanilla

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Melt chocolate over hot water in the top of a double boiler.

Add the next 4 ingredients.

Stir in 1/4 cup of water and cook over direct med/low heat for 30 seconds.

Add remaining water, coffee, and milk.

Cook only until hot, stirring to keep skim from forming over the top.

Add vanilla. Serve hot

Makes about 6 cups.

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Will keep you toasty warm while playing in the snow, at a ball game , or just lounging in your favorite spot.

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The best of Holiday Times to you!

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Bea Kunz/Sage Hill Farms

Reflections..of Food and the Holidays.

As much as we might dislike thinking so...the holiday's are very much about "food".......now I'm not a diet person, I usually eat healthy, the things I know my body needs to function at its best, and, always in moderation. So far that has served me well.

So how do I eat during the holidays? Very cautiously, but not in a way that is boring or that deprives me of special foods.

I'm home all day, alone, and sometimes that can lead to eating/snacking, simply because it is there. But, do I let temptation get the best of me? No, on most days I can honestly say no.

Keeping busy is a must, having a routine that requires structure, interesting hobbies or projects can fill the space where food thoughts are tempted to take up residence.

And...planning a nice , well balanced dinner can also give us something to look forward to. It can even include a favorite treat or dessert.

A very tasty and healthy snack for during the day is a simple blending of your favorite fruits. One of my favorites is banana and pomegranate.
Just put the desired fruits in a blender, refrigerate, and treat yourself to a fancy glass or cup while you work. Add a dash of ginger, or whatever spice will compliment the fruit, and "presto" you have a very tasty, healthy, and pretty snack.

Make the holidays special just for you...EatWell-BeWell!

Bea Kunz
Sage Hill Farms

Oregano Oaties-A Cookie For Any Occasion.

Happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday to you all.I know we don't usually consider Oregano as one of the more sought after herbs/spices for holiday cooking. But...this cookie recipe will change your menu listings forever. If you have young children or in need of a very special, yummy tasting treat for a special after dinner coffee.. or tea..this is perfect.

This recipe makes about 18 to 20 cookies.They are delicious served just after baking, but will keep for a few days in an airtight container.They are also good served with an assortment of cheeses.

(Oregano Oaties)

1-full cup of whole-wheat flour...extra for sprinklinggenerous
1/2 cup of oat flakes
1 tsp baking powder
pinch of real salt
1 tsp dried oregano
1/3 cup real butter
3 tbsp milk

In a bowl mix the flour, oats, baking powder, salt, and oregano
Rub in the butter until the mixture is like fine bread crumbs, slowly stir in the milk using a fork until the mixture is well worked together
Sprinkle flour on a clean counter and roll out the dough to 1/4' thickness

Using a pastry cutter, cut cookies to desired size and bake on a greased cookie sheet for 20-25 minutes, cool on a wire rack and transfere to an airtight container.

If you want a milder, sweeter taste use sesame seeds instead of the oats.
These are not only delicious but healthy too.

Enjoy!
Happy and healthy holidays!
Bea Kunz
http://www.sagehillfarmsandvintagestore.com

The Pilgrims and The Mayflower=Thanksgiving ?

History...something to be grateful for, in awe of, and aware of the fact that it is often steeped in myth and legend.

Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that most people do not have a true and complete understanding of how it happened, or should we say how it did not happen.

Thanksgiving as we celebrate it did not materialize until 1863, when Abraham Lincoln made it a national holiday .Franklin D. Roosevelt set the 4th Thursday as the official day and Congress approved it in 1941.The Pilgrims did not celebrate Thanksgiving in the manner that is taught in classrooms and has become the accepted standard fact.

A very dedicated and knowledgable man by the name of Caleb Johnson has spent years on research and documentation and has the most accurate information of this historical time that I have ever found.
Over the next two weeks I will share other November news, but for now, I would like to invite you to follow this link and become familiar with our Mayflower history, the ship, the crew, the passengers, and the aftermath of the landing.http://www.mayflowerhistory.com/index.php

It is a wonderful piece of history that we should all know more about and commit to passing on the real story to our children and grandchildren.

November Blessings to you!Bea Kunz/Sage Hill Farms


by BeaK.
9:45:00 PM