Just Elizabeth Ashe

I Stopped The Flu Dead In It’s Tracks…

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Yeah, so this past week many in my not so immediate family have come down with the Flu. My mom got the flu and was really bad off for about week. It was quite bad because I have not seen my mom that sick in years. Topple that with the fact that my grandma is almost a one-hundred years old living right in assisted living.  She is the main one that visits my grandmother in the early weekdays. Since many of us are not able and work the rest of the days.

I hate not having my grandmother having someone come to visit her during the week. We all coordinate the visits to make sure someone is up there at least once a day all throughout the week.

However, I'm glad she didn't go and then run the risk of my grandma getting sick because her body would not be able to handle that at all. 

Then one of best friends kids all got the flu and we were over her house for a party this past week and now I'm afraid my kids might get sick too. No one has shown any signs as of yet except my youngest son.  He has been quite cranky and a little warm, but not to the point where I am calling out Flu at the moment.

Thank God. 

 

 

Anyhow one thing I have been doing is giving them Elderberry Syrup to boost up their immune system. I love some Elderberry it has one of the highest concentrations of vitamin c out there and is known to cut down cold's, and Viruses in half the time. Heck, it can even stop it in its tracks.

I gave all my kids this Elderberry syrup and I'm going to give it to all them for the rest of the week to stay in the safe zone. I also have been giving them Gaia herbs kids herbal defense drops too to go along with it.  This and the Elderberry Syrup are my two main things I use to help fight off the viruses in the very beginning stages.

So let's hope, nothing has progressed since then, the Flu that is.

Lord knows I don't need that in my life.

 

 

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How To Make Shepherds Pie the Easy Way

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easy shepherds pie recipe

 

 

Cooking is something I love to do and have been doing since I was a young girl. I remember starting off being taught by my grandmother how to tend to a garden and how to cook food that grows with the seasons. Yet today they might say what is growing locally and in your area. I use to sit next to my grandmother in her lap snapping peas, and with my own mom as she taught me how to cut greens and make her famous homemade gravy.

I've become so attuned from being around food at and early age and seeing it grow out of the ground in front of my own eyes. Really gave me a respect for food and the value it holds. Because of that, I picked up on how to cook with my senses and from the heart. Which when you cook from the heart it becomes really some of the best cooking you will ever eat each and every single time.

With being able to cook from an early age I learned how to cook a lot quicker and make the same great food in a short amount of time and have it taste just as great. That is why I want to share with you this super simple easy shepherds pie recipe. Some people get turned off by making shepherds pie because they feel they have to do all those extra steps like cook the meat and peel the potatoes.

Now, you do have to cook the meat and peel the potatoes the only difference is that I only make shepherd's pie when I make smashed potatoes the day the before.

shepherdspie2

 

That's right I like smashed potatoes not the regular russet potatoes, they take way to long to peel and to big for me. I prefer the yellow golden taste of the Yukon gold potatoes.  So in order to make this dish, you need to plan it out the day before by making mashed potatoes the day before and making enough for two separate meals. One for the dish the first night and enough to top the shepherd's pie the second night.

Once you have all that let's get started. 😉

 

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I only make shepherd's pie in a cast iron skillet the meat cooks a lot quicker and I can just turn it into a one pot meal and transfer the whole dish to oven right afterward.

First, you need to add some chopped onion and olive in the skillet to saute down a bit. Next ground the meat (grass fed) preferred in the skillet. While the meat is browning you can add whatever meat seasonings you prefer, I like to use regular old of all seasons salt. Once the meat is cooked to your liking then add in some butter and a little bit of flour. Just enough to give it a little bit of texture and thicken it up a bit. I then pour in some beef broth a little extra salt and pepper and let it simmer down a bit just enough to thicken it up slightly a little more.

When it has simmered a bit I then add in the corn and peas for the shepherd's pie. Just enough to warm it up. Then finish the dish with the smashed Yukon potatoes skin and all I made the day before.  I top the potatoes on top and load on the cheese. I like to use the organic Mexican shredded cheese package since it's  loaded with different types of cheeses.

Pop that bad boy in the oven for about 10-15 minutes to heat up the toppings and melt the cheese.

Yummy.

You're all done.

 

Ingredients: This dish I didn't measure it but just eyeballed out.

  1. cup 1/2 of peas depending on your family size
  2. cup 1/2 of corn (family size again)
  3. Beef broth
  4. About 4 tablespoons of flour
  5. Smashed potatoes ( Yukon gold)
  6. Organic Valley Mexican Cheese
  7. All seasoning mix (mix)
  8. salt and pepper
  9. butter

 

Steps:

  • Make the smashed potatoes one day ahead time then store in the fridge.
  • Cook down the onions with a dash of olive oil.
  • Cook the meat with the seasoning until brown, add a dash of butter and the flour and thoroughly mix.
  • Pour in some beef broth and then some salt and pepper, next add in the corn and peas.
  • Top with the potatoes and cheese, then heat the pie in the oven for 10-15 minutes.

 

 


Culture

I have a Confession – I like to eat Ice – Cream When its cold outside!

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You know what I have a confession to make, I like to eat ice cream when it cold outside. There is nothing like dipping that spoon into a huge scoop of handmade ice cream on a nice winter day. I don't know why I do this or even when I started liking ice cream during the winter. The only thing I can say is that it's darn good and that I'm an Ice-cream fanatic, especially on a cold, cold day.

I remember during one of my pregnancy with my second son Austin all I wanted was Ice cream constantly day and night. My poor husband would go to the store for me like clockwork just to get me a pint of ice cream every single night. It got so frequent that when he would come home from work he would bring a pint of ice cream with him.

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The strange thing is that all I wanted was strawberry cheesecake, all the time. Now I can't even look at that kind of ice cream or really even want to eat it. I'm more of a chocolate girl with lots of nuts mixed inside of it. I'm more of a cookie dough or Rocky road sort of girl, so when I took my boys out to Lake Eola with my husband on a cold day here in central, FL.

Which is quite rare you know for us Floridians. 

I couldn't wait to get to take them to one of my favorite spots for handmade ice cream here in Orlando! Kelly's handmade ice cream is so good and my kids loved it too. At first, they were a little hesitant, and all they were telling me is “Who eats ice cream in the cold”? but I would let them know “I, do”.

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As you can see, by the enjoyment in their faces that they loved Kelly's Handmade Ice- cream. However, I think they just liked the Ice cream because it was so good.

Not because it was cold outside…

 

 

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Fitness

20 OF THE BEST YOUTUBE FITNESS CHANNELS TO WORKOUT WITH!

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youtube-fitness

 

So with the new year and with my new fitness goals, I am pushing myself to get into shape and regain my physical strength back. One way that I love to workout is at home. If you're a mom and if you work outside the home, sometimes it can be hard going to the gym, heck it's hard to even find time to go to the gym!

That is why I love working out with youtube fitness channels, for one many of them are free and you don't have to pay a subscription for. I remember growing up and fitness shows would come on in the morning in 30-minute intervals, and if you missed the show. Well too bad you were not able to record it and if you wanted to continue working out you had to buy some sort of fitness DVD. But not these days you can just stream all your fitness shows on the Roku, chrome cast or even your amazon firestick.

I have amazon prime, so I am able to view a lot of the fitness videos for free too!

I will have to say that youtube has some of the best youtube fitness channels hand's down compared to many! 😉

All you really need is some basic equipment like dumbbells, a workout mat, kettlebell and maybe even a jump rope. Who needs the gym right in the beginning when you can really start getting in shape right at home with youtube fitness channels.

Here are 20 of my favorite youtube channels for fitness that I love to workout with.

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Popsugar Fitness – Is one my favorite youtube fitness channels it features all sorts of new and advanced workout videos. These are not just beginner workouts but a little bit of something from the new to the more advanced at working out.

BodyFitByAmy – Another of my top favorites, Amy works out in her own home and does some serious kick your butt weightlifting and all over body type fitness stuff. Your body will love working out with Amy.

TheFitnessMarshall – If you're into dance and sort of good at it like I am.. Then you will love the fitness marshall. He has some fun really quick workout sessions that will leave you in a sweat. But don't worry the fitness marshall will walk you through each step, step by step. Literally!

Gymra – A collection of fitness videos all dedicated to different parts of the body, one might be only legs while another one only arms and some full body. Great for an all around workout routine.

Revfitrev– Is a fitness studio that is all about empowering women to get in shape and have fun while working out. Many of their videos are short and low impact and are really great to get into. So fun.

Shinedancefitness –  One of my favorites for warming up with, they have tons of great dance workout videos that walk you through each move step by step and easy to do. So no worries, anyone can dance with Shine dance fitness.

Toneitup – Is a great one and who does not like the cool meal plans they have and the awesome girly workouts that vary for all levels. Tone it up brings the fun to working it out.

Bodyrocktv – Now if you're really adventurous and really can go the route and push yourself than Body rock t.v. just might work for you. This girl has some real abs of steel. I would love to have some Abs like that!

Sid vicious– Ok, so by now you know I love to dance, this girl is the truth and my total go to fitness channel when I really want to move and shake my but.

Fitness Blender- Is a total all around mash up of fun family friendly fitness videos with health and food tips along the way.

Befit -Features full-length workout videos from some of the most well know, like jane Fonda, Denise Austin, and Jillian Michaels

Bodyproject – a mixture of low impact and advanced circuit training workouts.

Superherofitnesstv– Dance, dance and this is Keira lashae does. Dancing is my favorite pastime and quickest way to lose weight.

Tiffanyrotheworkouts – A new one to me and this woman is in so much shape, I love it.

Xhit – Another new one to me that features a ton of new age techniques like pilates and outdoor fitness.

Jessicasmithtv– Is a great youtube fitness channel that also features full-length workout videos.

Supersistefitness-  One I just found about and now I am hooked on their fun at home quick and simple workout videos.

Sarahfittv – A great one stop shop for fitness videos and getting health.

Fitness Beauty – An eclectic arrangement of Fitness videos by Tracy Anderson that uses a mixture of body weight and dance moves to help with getting fit.
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Natural Hair

My Four Month Loc’d Hair Update

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This past weekend I was able to go and get my hair loc'd for my monthly wash and re-twist. There is nothing like going in and getting my hair and scalp massaged and reinvigorated. I love my monthly hair update and I love getting my strands re-twisted to look brand new and fresh. It has been 4 months now since I re-started my loc's and I will say it has been the best thing that I have done in a long time for my hair.

I will never go back again to loose natural hair at least not at the moment.  😉