Dear Impish one,
You are the reason for this newsletter. I'm dedicated to
supporting the "imp" in you - especially this month the
Irresistible Mouthwatering Pleasures in your life.
You're receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to it,
you're a member of "The Imp Community" online, or a friend
passed it on. Sign up or unsubscribe at the end.
A special welcome to new subscribers! Earlier editions are
archived: http://www.theimpjournal.com/archives/
============================================================
1. Feature Article: Blackberry Bliss, Blueberry Heaven and
Zucchini What?
2. Coaching Q&A: "Help! I'm running out of money! How do I turn
the financial tide?"
3. News, Comments, Success Stories, Winners
4. Inspirational Message to Ponder
============================================================
1. Feature Article: Blackberry Bliss, Blueberry Heaven and
Zucchini What?
One of my favourite things about August is Nature's bounty!
Do you like berry picking? I love it! In the evenings now my
husband Wray and I walk in a nearby park where blackberries are
plentiful and return with several containers of them.
Earlier in the summer we picked blueberries. It remember an
enchanted place where I picked blueberries years ago. A narrow,
gravel road through woods sloped down to the riverside blueberry
farm. Part way down, through an opening in the trees, I glimpsed
a gingerbread house and a pond - straight out of a fairy tale!
I loved the place and picked berries listening to the roaring
music of the river.
Here in the Comox Valley we have a fantastic Farmer's Market.
Last Saturday I gave a copy of my zucchini recipe booklet to a
vendor when I was buying zucchini.
There's a story to that Zucchini booklet. First the lead in.
During winter evenings of 1990-91, my son Mike and I got in the
habit of playing Poker. We soon got tired of the variations we
knew such as Blind Baseball and High Chicago and started creating
our own. On a roll, and with much laughter, we made up 20 new
Poker games!
Mike decided to get into the mail order business so we made a
small booklet. We still laugh about the fact we decided to
advertise in The National Enquirer.
By summertime, "OK, let's make another booklet. What about?"
With zucchini in the garden, we found our topic. Mike had the
title, "The Zucchini Solution" and I had the recipes - all
things that could be canned or frozen.
Several summers later, with most of the booklets still sitting in
a box, I set the goal of selling 20 booklets. Whenever I
approached anyone who grew zucchinis, I usually heard, "Oh Bev,
you take the zucchinis." Many batches of zucchini mincemeat and
ginger-zucchini marmalade later, I had only sold 5 booklets!
The Imp's gift to you this month is the following set of recipes.
(My apologies to raw foodist readers.)
"Oh" says The Imp, "do buy a booklet or 2! Be kind and provide
the solution to those with a glut of zucchini. The Poker booklet
makes a great stocking stuffer. You do do your Christmas shopping
early, don't you?"
Canadians, simply send a cheque. Americans, a Money Order in
Canadian funds. Each booklet is $4 including postage. Mail to
Bev Howden, #155 2401 Cliffe Ave. Courtenay, B.C. Canada V9N 2L5
BLACKBERRY BLISS: Simmer enough blackberries and put them through
a sieve to get 2 cups of seedless pulp. Add 1/4 cup sugar. Set
with one package of plain gelatin. Just before it sets, fold in
whipped cream. (Use 1 small carton.)
This works equally well with raspberries or concord grape puree.
It's Mouthwatering Perfection!
BLUEBERRY HEAVEN: Dump 3 cups of fresh or frozen blueberries
into a casserole dish and top with crumbly topping.
Topping - melt 1/3rd cup butter. Add it to mixture of 1 cup
rolled oats, 1/3rd cup whole wheat flour, 1/3rd cup brown sugar.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 - 40 minutes.
It's Marvelous with Peach (or mango) ice-cream!
When my kids were growing up and I was going back to University,
they would pop this in the oven along with a salmon loaf from the
freezer and have dinner ready for me when I got home. I made the
topping up in quantity and had it in the freezer.
ZUCCHINI MINCEMEAT: Combine all ingredients in a large pot.
Simmer for 2 hours, stirring frequently. For canning, process
jars for 25 minutes. Or freeze. Makes about 6 pints.
8 cups zucchini (diced, unpeeled), 4 cups raisins, 2 cups brown
sugar,1 cup coffee, 4 Tbsp lemon juice, 2 Tbsp grated lemon peel,
1/3rd cup vinegar, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp allspice.
Use this to replace dates in 'date' squares.
Indulge in Mincemeat Pleasure!
============================================================
2.Coaching Q&A: "Help! I'm running out of money! How do I turn
the financial tide?"
This could be Moira, Betty or Dolores speaking. With my Starting
Life Over program, I've had emails from women who are struggling
with little or no financial resources following a separation, job
loss or in one case, having to return to Canada with little money
after having taken her savings and moved herself and 2 children
to live with her sister in the US (hoping to immigrate).
It's darned hard struggling with such financial realities and
being on an emotional roller coaster!
1. First tackle the way you feel. Feelings of hopelessness and
anxiety are normal but unproductive. When you find yourself
caught up in fear, do whatever you can to refocus on action -
just little steps that you can take. It's important to get your
emotions under control. Focus on deep breathing or go out for a
walk. Many times in these newsletters I mention the Emotional
Freedom Technique. You can learn to apply it yourself.
Find out more at www.emofree.com
2. The way you think can keep you feeling trapped or can be a
doorway to freedom. Stop complaining about your lack of money!
This focus saps your strength, wastes your time, and may
immobilize you as well as attract more lack into your life.
Take time each day to feel gratitude for what you do have.
If you catch yourself saying, "I can't", reword it. "How can
I...?" Instead of "I can't afford it. "say, "I'll put it on my
wish list". Then do it! Start a wish list. Surprisingly, it will
help you clarify your values. ("Do I really want that?")
In his book "Law of Attraction", Michael Losier uses a financial
situation as one example of creating change. I recommend
Michael's book as one tool in making a turnaround.
3. The next step is to put your financial facts down on paper.
Make a list of all your expenses: mortgage/rent, utilities, food,
clothing, etc. This fact sheet will make it easier for you to
deal with the reality of your situation - the gap between outgo
and income.
4. Cut expenses in as many ways as possible. What's essential,
what's not? I learned how to be frugal at a very young age. If
you have no idea how to 'stretch a dollar', contact me.
5. Find creative ways to bring in more money. There are the
obvious ones such as holding a garage sale, getting a part-time
job, borrowing. Barter, too, where possible.
What rusty forgotten skills might help out now? Sewing - doing
alterations? Tutoring? Are there government retraining programs
for which you qualify?
One year I volunteered at an International Residential High
School which provided room, meals and a small stipend. While
there, I rented my condo and put the rental income into savings.
I've heard the story of a single dad with a young son who could
only afford a small apartment. Not what he wanted! Instead he
rented a large house and sublet rooms to 3 others who worked
different shifts or who travelled a lot. Result - he and his son
had the place to themselves much of the time and the income from
the 3 paid the entire rent!
While writing "The Imp Journal", I was a live-in Nanny for two
school-aged children.
6. Finally, don't go it alone! Find or create a support group.
Practical help - moving, babysitting, lending clothes for an
interview - and emotional support - being able to call when you
are caught in a downward plunge on the roller coaster.
Brainstorm together. Hold the vision for each other.
Have fun together, too! Boy, you will learn to live creatively!
Part 3 of my 7-week Starting Life Over e-coaching program is a
comprehensive look at the role of money in your life.
Only to subscribers and for a limited time, I'm offering Part
3 by itself (PDF file) for just $16.95US.
http://www.theimpjournal.com/aboutmoney
What challenges are you facing on your journey to greater self-
empowerment? When your question is used in this column, you'll
receive a complimentary 40-minute coaching session by phone or
a set of whimsical imp notecards.
Client names are changed to protect identity and maintain
confidentiality. Go ahead! Send your question to:
. Your question will be answered promptly.
No waiting til the next newsletter.
============================================================
3.News, Comments, Success Stories, Winners
Fiona Dietzel loves the Imagine Magnificent Possibilities t-shirt
her husband won. It fits her! And last month's winner Carole
finally claimed her t-shirt.
There are 3 ways to be eligible to win a t-shirt:
1. Request game cards and mark your location on The Imp's guest
map. It's fun! There's only one rule to this game - don't get
caught doing it! http://www.theimpjournal.com/where-in-world.htm
2. During the first month as a new subscriber.
3. When you become a member of "The Imp Community" online,
which happens automatically when you purchase the book.
============================================================
4.Inspirational Message to Ponder
The Imp encourages you to write the quote on a card, read it
regularly, and then journal about your thoughts, insights,
feelings and, especially, actions.
"Strive to be grateful for the little blessings each day that are
there to be found. Especially rekindle a sense of awe; absolute
awe of the Universe from the distant stars to the tiniest of
details - a ladybug, cobweb, dandelion gone to seed. Be thankful
for the abundance Nature provides, for the planet Earth that is
our home."