A little bit of what you fancy

“A maiden that is negligent in acquiring skills in the art of cooking should resolve to change and gain lessons that will assist her. A diligent young girl will read carefully and seek to learn all she can of rules, courtesies, and the keeping of a proper kitchen. She will delight to please her family and friends with pleasant tasting foods that she has prepared.” -Mrs. Martha Greene

I have a confession to make: I am not a good cook. Cooking is something I do because we need to eat but I don’t particularly enjoy it. But having said that, I must say that I do make every effort to cook meals that Chris enjoys and that are nutritious.

Something as basic as cooking should come naturally to us, but I am living proof that it doesn’t. Does that mean that I have given up and only serve canned goods or pre-packaged meals? Absolutely not!

Because I see that cooking is a vital part of keeping a home and most importantly, keeping a husband and children healthy, I often seek out recipes and tips to help me. I try to choose plain meals and I am most fortunate in that my husband loves meat, 2 veg and mashed potato! He would be happy with that for every meal.

Even knowing that he would be happy with a plain meal all the time, I try to vary it by alternating between vegetables and salads and methods of cooking. One night, I may serve a stew with the vegetables in that with a hefty serve of mashed potatoes. The next night it may be a grill with chips and salad. But basically, his favourite fare is meat based, with vegetables and mashed or chipped potato.

I feel that in preparing our menus that we should be diligent to take into account what our husband prefers and try to accommodate him. I have found that it is just as easy to prepare something he likes and enjoys than to try something new and find he doesn’t like it.

Being a good cook is important in your overall efforts to be a good homemaker. Memories are often centered around meals that were tasty and served with pleasant company. I feel there is nothing that deflates one’s spirit more than sitting down to a poorly cooked meal served with indifference.

Trying to feed your family well not only pays off dividends in better health through good nutrition, but it also livens ones’ spirit. Taking the time to plan and prepare meals will enhance family life and create a more pleasant meal time.

Let’s seek to improve our cooking as we remember the proverb that says “a little bit of what you fancy does you good!” It truly does everyone good!

© Glenys Robyn Hicks

“Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:” Genesis 27:9

Get some sun and air

Fresh air and sunshine are important elements for good health. Even though we are mostly self-isolating due to the Corona Virus, it is still essential to get ample fresh  air and sun.

History has shown us that people who were taken outdoors to convalesce following surgery or during an illness such as tuberculosis, generally fared better than those kept in dark musty rooms.

Convalescant homes by the sea were very popular and the seaside still is known for its' therapeutic properties.

Although we must stay at home, it would be very salubrious to go outdoors if you have a garden, or sit and read by an open window if it is possible.

Staying at home isn't existing for two or so weeks in a dank dark room. See if you can get some sun and air.

© Glenys Robyn Hicks

Come, my people, enter your chambers, And shut your doors behind you; Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment, Until the indignation is past. Isaiah 26:20

The importance of fresh air

There are two modes of nourishing the body, one is by food and the other by air. In the stomach the food is dissolved, and the nutritious portion is absorbed by the blood, and then is earned by blood-vessels to the lungs, where it receives oxygen from the air we breathe. This oxygen is as necessary to the nourishment of the body as the food for the stomach.

While the bodies of men and animals are filling the air with the poisonous carbonic acid, and using up the life-giving oxygen, the trees and plants are performing an exactly contrary process; for they are absorbing carbonic acid and giving out oxygen. Thus, by a wonderful arrangement of the beneficent Creator, a constant equilibrium is preserved. What animals use is provided by vegetables, and what vegetables require is furnished by animals; and all goes on, day and night, without care or thought of man.

American Woman's Home published 1869 ~Catharine Esther Beecher and Harriet Beecher Stowe

Blessings, Glenys

“Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs. Genesis 9:3

A little of what you fancy

“A maiden that is negligent in acquiring skills in the art of cooking should resolve to change and gain lessons that will assist her. A diligent young girl will read carefully and seek to learn all she can of rules, courtesies, and the keeping of a proper kitchen. She will delight to please her family and friends with pleasant tasting foods that she has prepared.” -Mrs. Martha Greene

I have a confession to make: I am not a good cook. Cooking is something I do because we need to eat but I don’t particularly enjoy it. But having said that, I must say that I do make every effort to cook meals that Chris enjoys and that are nutritious.

Something as basic as cooking should come naturally to us, but I am living proof that it doesn’t. Does that mean that I have given up and only serve canned goods or pre-packaged meals? Absolutely not!

Because I see that cooking is a vital part of keeping a home and most importantly, keeping a husband and children healthy, I often seek out recipes and tips to help me. I try to choose plain meals and I am most fortunate in that my husband loves meat, 2 veg and mashed potato! He would be happy with that for every meal.

Even knowing that he would be happy with a plain meal all the time, I try to vary it by alternating between vegetables and salads and methods of cooking. One night, I may serve a stew with the vegetables in that with a hefty serve of mashed potatoes. The next night it may be a grill with chips and salad. But basically, his favourite fare is meat based, with vegetables and mashed or chipped potato.

I feel that in preparing our menus that we should be diligent to take into account what our husband prefers and try to accommodate him. I have found that it is just as easy to prepare something he likes and enjoys than to try something new and find he doesn’t like it.

Being a good cook is important in your overall efforts to be a good homemaker. Memories are often centered around meals that were tasty and served with pleasant company. I feel there is nothing that deflates one’s spirit more than sitting down to a poorly cooked meal served with indifference.

Trying to feed your family well not only pays off dividends in better health through good nutrition, but it also livens ones’ spirit. Taking the time to plan and prepare meals will enhance family life and create a more pleasant meal time.

Let’s seek to improve our cooking as we remember the proverb that says “a little bit of what you fancy does you good!” It truly does everyone good!

© Glenys Robyn Hicks

“Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:” Genesis 27:9

Way beyond blue

The first time I came across post-natal depression was when my daughter had just given birth to her first child. She was elated with her baby but about a week later she had crying fits that came for no apparent reason. At first we put them down to baby blues. But then came irrational thoughts and feelings. She believed her husband didn’t love her anymore. Feeling ugly, she was sure her husband was having an affair. She believed her mother-in-law didn’t like her and was trying to overtake her baby. None of which was true.

One night when the baby was about 5 weeks old, we were called to her home by her frantic husband- she had packed all hers and the baby’s clothes in the car and was demanding the car keys. We raced to her home and were met by a daughter we had never seen before. Red-faced, unkempt and crying loudly. Fortunately her husband had the foresight to hide the car keys as she was in no fit state to drive anywhere. She tried to take the baby out of her crib to take her away, but we stood in front of her so she could not get her.

I tried to reason with her but she just kept screaming that she had had enough- her husband didn’t love her or the baby- she was fat and he was certainly seeing someone else. It was heart-breaking to see him in tears too pleading with her to calm down and declaring his love for her.

Eventually she ran out of voice and strength and collapsed in my arms quite spent. I stroked her hair and her husband came and took her in his arms and comforted her. He was able at last to reason with her and she agreed to see a doctor the next day. We took the car keys with us at his request. Satisfied that the immediate danger was over, we returned home. The next day, my daughter and her husband went to see a doctor who diagnosed post-natal depression. For about 2 months my daughter took anti-depressants and became the loving calm girl we had always known. It was frightening to see what hormones can sometimes do to a woman.

We were a little apprehensive when she gave birth to her second child. In fact the post-natal depression manifested itself in panic-attacks the first few hours after she gave birth. I notified the midwives at the hospital about my daughter’s agitation and previous depressions and they sent a doctor up to see her. She was put onto medication immediately and was much more relaxed and happy with motherhood. The medications were only needed for about 2 months. I was so glad that I had noticed the signs sooner this time.

I would say to all new mothers or grandmothers that if a depression goes beyond the blue that most of us experience in the first few days after childbirth, a doctor should be consulted. Hormones play a major part in promoting and maintaining pregnancy and lactation, but can sometimes also cause major depression. This can lead to disastrous results if left unattended. If my daughter ever has another child, I will be alert to any mood swings signaling post-natal depression. It should never be underestimated and should be treated promptly when discovered.

I thank God for medication and a sensible son-in-law. Sometimes we mothers need a little help in getting well when our hormones make our depression soar way beyond blue...

Footnote to this post: my daughter has since had another child, suffering no panic attacks or post-natal depression. This just goes to show how fickle hormones can be and the need to be observant with each pregnancy and confinement. We praise the LORD for answered prayer!

© Glenys Robyn Hicks 

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. Matthew 14:14

Do you get enough sleep?

Chris and I used to often go late night shopping and we couldn’t help but notice the amount of people up  at past 10pm.  Children, I also mean  pajama clad toddlers,  often being pulled along by impatient adults or sitting half asleep in shopping trolleys.

People are working longer hours to cater for late night shopping and families are having to accommodate this, often suffering from lack of quality family time together. The world certainly is spinning fast with little regard to the importance of getting adequate sleep.

Our bodies were created for rest. Our children need their sleep to grow properly and to process all their new experiences and learning during the day. We are now told that teenagers need just as much sleep as their younger siblings. If healthy teens and children need adequate sleep to function properly, how much more those of us who suffer from chronic illness and pain? Surely it is most important for us to rest and to try to schedule in more sleep! 

When I was seeing my rheumatologist for lupus/fibromyalgia problems, she told me that it is not an old-wives' tale that the hours of sleep prior to midnight are the most refreshing. Apparently, an hours' sleep prior to midnight is equal to 2 after. This goes on our circadian rhythm. She advised me to be asleep by 10pm at the latest every night and to make bedtime a regular time- and getting up.

We know that a lot of chronic illness and certainly chronic pain can result in lack of good quality sleep, so it is even more important that we try to regulate sleeping in order to work with and not against, circadian rhythm. So do as I now do, and plan a regular time for retiring each night and work out a routine that tells your body that it's time for lights out! 

If your children are not used to having a nightly ritual or routine, may I suggest starting one? It may be difficult to initiate, but it would be well worth it. With the household quiet of an evening, it would be more conducive to strengthening your marriage and allowing for more togetherness. This would benefit everyone.

© Glenys Robyn Hicks 

When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.  Proverbs 3:24

In a panic attack, God is right there with us

We are all wonderfully and fearfully made. But sometimes in our genetic makeup, we inherit or are "assigned" genes that are predisposed to anxiety.  Or we do not produce sufficient neurotransmitters such as Seretonin or endorphins, which result in our nature being one of anxiety and fear.

Like many mental illnesses, people often only see the outward manifestation of our illness, which produces a response in us sufferers of panic/anxiety disorder that not only produces fear in us, but often derision and judgement from others.

The person who suffers from panic disorder and anxiety often suffers more acutely because people do not realise that our body simply is not programmed properly. Often we contend with alienation from others born of their misunderstanding of our condition. We suffer deeply.

We who suffer intense depression at times are not weak as some suppose. Indeed, because we carry our condition within ourselves, and exhaust our limited supply of Seretonin and other "happy" neurotransmitters, we battle our condition on a daily basis.

We do not wish to stay this way and fight it, praying constantly. And many of us feel abandoned by God when we need Him the most! Which is far more frightening than suffering rejection and judgement from others..

As a Christian who battles with this disorder, I know that often it is the sufferer of Panic/anxiety disorder who is really quite strong in character. We are born in a battle and this battle often continues all our lives. Even with God in our lives.  It is endogenous: meaning it comes from within and as such, we carry it everywhere.

I believe that we should seek out medications to help us. God made them for a reason. Just as I take my Diabex medication for diabetes, so I take my anti-depressants. With a glad heart. For we are to look after the body: it is a temple for the Holy Spirit.

I must bring every thought into the captivity of Christ. I try not to dwell on sad events that I can do nothing about except pray. I also try to remember to think only of those things that are pure and good.  And, most importantly, I practise forgiveness of those who are ignorant of my disorder. Ignorance is usually hurtful, but not intentional hurt.  People generally are ignorant of mental illness...I try to remember that.

By far the greatest self help is to memorise scripture and use it and apply it to your life, so that when the anxiety comes, you can put on the armour of God, and quench it with the Word.  YOU SIMPLY MUST REMEMBER THAT GOD IS STILL THERE AND LOVES YOU IN SPITE OF YOUR FEELINGS.

Emotions are not what our salvation is based on!

It has taken me a life time of conquering this disorder. It hasn't been easy, but it is possible to gain the victory. Panic and anxiety is NOT YOUR LIFE it does NOT DEFINE WHO YOU ARE!

Nothing, not even a panic attack can take your salvation away from you, no matter how much "IT" bares its' teeth at you!  This is a fact that you should cling to in those times!  We will overcome!..

I do not have constant depression or frequent panic attacks any more. For this, I praise the LORD and give thanks. I write of my experience with depression to bring it out in the open.

People are often ashamed of being depressed. Especially Christians who feel that they have let the LORD down. But that is not so. We are still good living people who happen to have a problem with brain chemicals imbalance. We are not second rate people like the Enemy whispers in our ear. And we are courageous.

We sufferers of this disorder are actually stronger than we think... and feel it or not, God is right there with us...

© Glenys Robyn Hicks

 This is my life verse: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if  there be any virtue, and if  there be  any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8