Do It Yourself Projects .. Feel Satisfaction From Your HARD Work

I happened upon a blog recently that listed DIY projects that one could do around the house! Read the 7 Summer DIY Projects for your backyard that inspired me to write this post and to accomplish a few things around my home this summer! From that list, create a raised garden bed is still on my "To-Do" list.

A Healthy Body and Healthy Lifestyle includes challenging one's mind and body. The challenge includes not only physical labor but also research to figure out the proper steps to complete each task...and to understand when NOT to tackle a DIY project if it is beyond the scope of our abilities!

Some rather simple DIY Projects that many people can tackle, rather than have to pay someone to do the work include:
washing the windows and screens 9depending on HEIGHT and style of windows)
painting home interior
changing the knobs on cupboard doors to update the look in a kitchen or bathroom
sealing the grout in tile floors
finding new recipes and cooking more from "scratch"
establishing a garden (bed, container, or raised) to grow more of your own vegetables

You could enlist SOME assistance ...
Use the website LULU to turn YOUR photos into a customized calendar (a great gift idea)
Use Createmycookbook to turn your new recipes into a book (another gift idea)
Find a community garden and trade your excess with others

While you are in the mindset of DIY, think of others...
If you are organizing a closet, donate the clothes and shoes you find you have not worn in a while, or no longer fit but are just collecting dust. Your trash is another person's treasure!
Do you still have CD's sitting around the house? VHS tapes? If you no longer use them, take them to a library where they WILL have a greater chance of being used.

DIY can take on many names ... spring cleaning, "honey do list", and many others. The more we can accomplish on our own, the more satisfaction will will have from the project. Do your research and only tackle what you are capable of yourself, or with the help of a good friend! Injuries are NOT a badge of success!

How can I use CELERAIC?

I happened upon celeraic root at the farmer's market earlier this summer. I did not purchase the root but came home to look up uses for celeraic. I found that there were several that I was eager to try. Last week I purchased celeraic and made my version of two of the recipes I found online.

why would I wish to use this unattractive root? One reason, I can get it at the farmers market, a place where I know I can get food close to the source so it is as fresh as possible! Another reason, it's always good to try new foods to round out our diets. I AM A PICKY EATER so I tread carefully when trying something new.

I purchased a celeraic root that was approximately the size of a softball. The root was dense and the stems and leaves were a vibrant green.

I removed the leaves and put them in a bag. I washed and chopped a handful and added them to salad.

I used a potato peeler and cleaned the roots off the celeraic. I was careful to only remove a thin layer as I read that the MAIN nutrients are just below cut the root. I cut the root in two pieces...thinking I would use half of it in two different recipes. I modified the recipes I found online in the following ways:

Recipe 1: SOUP
1. I took a 1/2 celeraic root and 3/4 of a white onion. I sauteed them in olive oil in a pan
2. When the onions were translucent I added 2 cups of vegetable broth and brought it to a boil. After it came to a boil I turned down and let it simmer until the celeraic was soft.
3. The recipe called for adding parsley, sage, thyme, or chives to the soup for seasoning. I added green onions, and about 1 tsp of dry parsley, sage, and thyme to the blender. THEN I added the contents of the put.
4. I blended on "liquify" until the onion and celeriac created a thick liquid.

Add salt and pepper to taste at time of serving.

Recipe 2: Roasted Vegetables
I cut carrots, potatoes, and celeriac into small wedges and placed them on a sheet of nonstick aluminum foil
I added a small amount of olive oil to coat. On half of the mixture I added tarragon and on the other half paprika.
I roasted at 400 for about an hour

A great side dish. Serve with poultry, pork, red meat, or a sandwich.

For more information, read and watch the NPR story about Celeraic

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