PEPPERy

So, yesterday I gave you the lesson of your life on salt.  Today, we’ll cover pepper.  But today will be different because I’m feeling different.  Pepper adds heat and tonight I’m feeling HOT – not in temperature  - in emotion.   Three months ago I was laid off from a sr. executive position in brand management in NYC – I have since become a stay at home mom/entrepreneur/consultant/job seeker…

Three months ago my neighbor Kanani and I started a gathering for neighborhood women called W.I.N.O.S – “women in need of separation.” (Actually a gathering  that I brought with me from Blue Bell, PA – which I borrowed from my friend Kathy in St. David's - who I think borrowed from her friend…)  Anyway, I digress,  an opportunity for women to get together taste great wine and release from all that they manage to balance. 

To say the least it has been quite a transition for me.  Today is an example of how good it can get.  Every morning is a challenge to get the boys (beautiful 7 and 4 year olds) out of the door in time to get JJ to school by 8:40 and then Carter to school by 8:50 so that I can start my entrepreneurial consulting job seeking by 9:00.  By the skin of our teeth we make it.  But today was different.  Jonathan cooperated for the 1^st time in 3 months and was dressed, teeth brushed, face washed by 8:30.  Carter decided that he had to go to the bathroom at 8:30.  Marc took Jonathan to school so he wouldn’t be late and all hell broke loose.  Carter screamed and melted down until 8:58.  I screamed and melted down until 8:57.  I had an appointment for my entrepreneuring at 9:15.  Not enough time to get him out of the house to school and to the appointment – he’ll just have to come with me.  We’re there by 9:10 but he won’t get out of the car.  I do what any good entrepreneurial consulting job seeking mom would do - - I leave him in the car and have my meeting outside in the rain – this way I can keep an eye on the car.  So imagine how shocked I am when I get back to the car and he is missing.  Yes – the car seat is empty.  Did someone walk by and steal him – yes, he is that cute – and a little boy!!!! OMG – I can’t breathe!  “Carter !  Carter!”  Don’t panic– what will I tell the police?  Did he change his mind and try to find me?  “Carter!”  What the F!!!?  Wait, do I hear rustling from the trunk?  Walk around the car… open the trunk of the SUV.  “Mommy, how did you know I was in here?”  Big smile.  “You know everything.”  I know you better get your little behind back in your seat and I better take a walk around the car to get myself together because I think I want to choke you.  Drop off was accomplished and BOY was I looking forward to W.I.N.O.S!  7:00 won’t be here soon enough!

Fast-forward to 9:00 and the phone rings Marc is just leaving the office – forget about W.I.N.O.S.  Yes, I’m a big girl, I’m a powerhouse, a force, a mom, an entrepreneurial consulting job seeking wife and I am disappointed, angry and HOT!  I am PEPPERy. And can you believe we don’t have any wine in the house?!  I was going to go to the store on my way to W.I.N.O.S  and he didn’t bring any.  I am RED PEPPERy. 

Which leads me to tonight’s subject – Pepper – the perfect compliment to salt.  

Pepper is a flowering vine, cultivated for its fruit, which is usually dried and used as a spice that adds heat to meals. The fruit is known as a peppercorn when dried. Peppercorns, and the powdered pepper derived from grinding them, may be described as black pepper, white pepper, red/pink pepper, green pepper, and very often simply pepper. 

But did you know that pepper also has some very unique usages?  Didn’t think so – well here goes:

·      Stop a car radiator leak

·      Use as a decongestant

·      Keep colors bright

·      Get bugs off plants

o   2 tbsp cayenne pepper
- 2 large cloves of garlic
- 4 medium sized onions
- 4 cups water
- In a blender or food processor, blend until completely smooth. Then add about a gallon of water and you are ready to spray your plants.

·      Deter deer from your garden

·      Keep ants out of the kitchen

·      Kill an ant colony

·      For arthritis pain you can make your own homemade warming massage to sooth where it hurts.

o   Recipe: Mix together

o   1 dropper of almond oil (Always use a carrier oil such as almond, jojoba or olive oil)
2 drops of pepper
1 drop ginger
2 drops lavender

Massage on the affected area and feel the warmth working.

 

Resources:

www.rd.com/advice-and-know-how/extraordinary-uses-for-pepper/ article23981.html

www.isnare.com/?aid=165490&ca=Cooking

OK we’ve passed Spice 101 and tomorrow will move onto something spicier.  Provided the day is better than today – don’t want to get stuck at PEPPERY. 

Easy spicy recipes and fun and quick gathering ideas tomorrow.

 

Tastefully yours,

Kimberly