Saturday, December 14, 2024

Keepin' it Simple...Eating

 


Keepin' it simple when it comes to eating is one of the absolute best things you can do for yourself. Simple, i.e., clean eating, keeps you healthier on the inside, keeps your skin looking and feeling better, eliminates brain fog, and gives you more energy. Keepin' it simple with your diet isn't hard to do. And despite what a lot of people claim, it's budget friendly-as long as you know how to shop. 

*Buy fresh fruit--focusing on those that are in season. And don't buy beyond what your family eats in a week. But also, you don't need to worry if the bananas get soft/brown. Turn them into banana bread! Grapes last a long time-or freeze them for an extra-crunchy treat. Oranges and apples last a while, too.

*Buy potatoes in bulk. Spend a couple of hours peeling and cooking them. Then freeze them to mash or broil later. Sweet potatoes are GREAT when you par-boil them, remove the skins, cut into chunks, and freeze. They go great in stir-fry or mashed with salt and grated parmesan-which is a lot healthier than all the sugary stuff. Skip the bagged lettuce mixes and go for the less expensive heads. You don't have hardly any waste--especially when you consider how quickly the bag mixes get brown and yucky. 

*Skip the instant oatmeal packets. Not only do they cancel out the healthy in oatmeal, but they are expensive. Instead, buy the cheaper and healthier box of instant oatmeal, add in some fresh chopped apple, dates, or raisins, along with some chopped walnuts, a dash of salt, and a teaspoon of REAL butter. Other add-ins: chia seed, honey, bananas, and pecans. 

*Please, oh, please give up the junky popcorn packets you toss in the microwave! Again...YUCK! Buy a bag of popcorn kernels for a fraction of the price (not to mention one bag makes oodles of popcorn). Get a simple microwave popper, add 1 teaspoon of olive, grape, or avocado oil so it's not too dry, and pop according to directions with your popper. Completely natural, healthy, and one of the best snacks you can have. 

There are SO many ways to keep it simple and healthy when it comes to eating, which means you can be sure we'll visit this subject again...and again...and again.... 

Keepin' it simple,

Darla, aka, Momma D 




Thursday, December 12, 2024

Keepin' It Simple In The Neighborhood

We could all do with a little more 'kind', right? And there's no better place for that to start than with you. It's simple, really. You literally just do and say to someone else what you would want them to do and say to you. That's it. 

Don't worry. I'm not going to leave you hanging with that. I know a lot of people are out of practice on stuff like this. For more than one reason, we've become a society of people who are afraid to smile, make eye contact, make conversation, or even offer a wave or a nod to our neighbors. There's nothing to be afraid of. You don't even need to be afraid of people looking at you like you're crazy or 'running' in the opposite direction when they see you coming. And just so you know-there will be those people. But I promise you that they will be the exception, because most people want to be friendly and kind. They just need someone or something to give 'em a little nudge in the right direction. That 'someone' is YOU. Or it can be if you...

*Post positive messages on the community or neighborhood social media pages. 

*Snag some clearance racks for holiday puzzle books, hot chocolate gift packs, and fidget toys. Add them to blessing bags for pediatric hospital patients, backpack programs, or surprise your kids and/or the kids in your neighborhood with a 'just because' or Happy 2025 gift. 

*Invite a family from church to your house for soup and sandwiches after services. 

*Make a list of service providers (dentist, hvac, mechanic, tire shop, bank, insurance agent, home repairs, etc.)-complete with phone numbers. Keep several copies handy to give to new neighbors and other newcomers to the community you come in contact with. 


Keepin' it simple, 

Darla, aka, Momma D 

Who am I?

 

I’m Darla Noble—Author, Speaker, and Ghostwriter with over thirty years of experience. I am known for being a great storyteller, but not merely for the sake of telling a story. The stories I tell are a) true and b) they always have a takeaway, i.e., a life lesson meant to help you be a better version of yourself.

I’m Darla Noble—wife, mom, nanna, and a little ‘oldish’ lady who loves Jesus, her family, playing in the dirt, walking…walking…and more walking, riding bikes, eating popcorn, roast beef, Mexican food, reading, and watching old sitcoms.

What do I write? 

 

Inspirational nonfiction—Christian devotionals, books that spark the creativity in every mom and nanna’s heart, and one that breathes new life into the art of being a good neighbor and reminds you of why it matters.

Historical nonfiction—WWII and family memoirs.

Character Education & Family Fun—Books that use science and scripture to teach positive character, scavenger hunts of all kinds that are both educational and FUN, and write-in journals for tweens and teens.

 

What do I say and who do I say it to?

 

*WWII hands-on display and presentation based on “All My Love, George…Letters from a WWII Hero”. The presentation consists of brief reading from the book, an interactive time of Q&A, and time for participants to view and examine a variety of WWII memorabilia including George’s original letters and medals.

*Keepsake In The Making Classes, using the book, “Please Pass the Memories” as inspiration, the class consists of exploring and brainstorming fun, creative, and interesting ways we can use your family’s keepsakes, recipes, photos, stories, and even traditions (YIKES) to bring past, present, and future generations of your family together. Everyone needs and wants to have a sense of who and where they come from, and the Keepsake In The Making Class is the perfect way to do just that!

*Women’s ministry events/conferences/retreats. I offer several programs that are easily adaptable to fit your needs and timeframe. Workshops for each one are optional. Programs offered include: “Jesus and Zinnias Make Me Smile”, “Deuteronomy 6 Parenting”, “Please Pass the Memories:, “Love, Momma D; Getting to the Heart of Parenting From the Heart”, and “Sippin’ Tea With Jesus”. NOTE: I am also happy to speak on a topic/subject matter of your choosing.

*The Nanna Subscription—an easy, but oh, so fun mini-class which equips Nanna, Gma, Granny, Mama, Mimi, or whatever name your grandkids have for you, with EVERYTHING you need to engage and connect with your grandkids on a regular basis. No matter how young or old they are, no matter how many miles separate you, no matter how many grandkids you have, no matter…anything!

*Brighten the Corner Where You Are” is my newest book as well as the focus of an event I offer to individuals, community chambers of commerce, neighborhood organizations, HOAs (Home Owner Association), church groups, and anyone else interested in reviving the art of being a genuine friend and neighbor. Participants will discover (or rediscover) the value of kindness among neighbors, and of having a small circle of people you can count on and who can count on you…no matter what.

*Fun with science and a few illusions, “The Sneaky Banana Lesson (plus 26 more)” is a character education program for ages 5 to 15. This event is engaging, interactive, and overflows with life lessons young people relate to and that will make them want to be a little better and stand a little taller.

*If you don’t think it’s possible to have fun teaching math, science, verbal skills, ordering, rational thinking, and grammar, social skills, and team building, think again! “The Medium-Sized Book of Scavenger Hunts” event gets kids up and about, inside and out, talking and listening, and learning on the sly. This event is fun for classrooms, parties, family events, social gathers, team building, and lots more.

Fees for events vary. For more information, questions, or to book an event, CONTACT ME at dnoblewrites@yahoo.com, on Linkedin (Darla Noble), or on Facebook (Darla Noble).

Where can you find me?

 

My books are available worldwide via Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or directly from me when you email me at dnoblewrites@yahoo.com. You can also request any title from your favorite brick and mortar bookstore or order on my Square Store

 


 

Keepin' It Simple This Spring