Saturday, January 30, 2010
Cayenne Pepper Stories
copyright 2010 Bettina Network, inc.
Stories about Cayenne Pepper and what it does for you have been floating around the breakfast table at a couple Bettina homes for several years.
The first time we heard about cayenne pepper - other than as a spice in your food - was from a Canadian Guest, in town to run a 26 mile Marathon. He was a serious runner who trained extensively. Before leaving for that particular Marathon, he asked his host family for cayenne pepper. They obliged and guests watched as he put liberal amounts of cayenne pepper in the inside of his running shoes. Of course, that generated much conversation. Before leaving to run the Marathon he had to answer many questions - how long had he done this; what affect did it have; how did he find out about cayenne pepper, etc.
At the end of the day, the only person who came back still walking and in pretty good shape was the Marathon runner who, that morning, liberally sprinkled cayenne pepper in his shoes.
We tried it for a couple months and it works. We don't run or train for the Marathon, but we do shop and shop and shop. Before leaving home we always sprinkle cayenne pepper in our shoes and it works amazingly well. What was once a tiring time has become a time which puts a spring in our step. We don't know what happens or why, but we do know sprinkling cayenne pepper in the bottom of our shoes seems to drop years and gives us much more energy to do our chores.
But for bed & breakfast, we would still be walking on tired legs and feet.
TO RESPOND TO THIS BLOG email comments to info@bettina-network.com
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IF YOU ENJOY OUR BLOG, USE OUR SERVICES TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS WHEN YOU
TRAVEL!!! 1-800-347-9166 inside U.S. or 617-497-9166 outside or inside the U.S
Stories about Cayenne Pepper and what it does for you have been floating around the breakfast table at a couple Bettina homes for several years.
The first time we heard about cayenne pepper - other than as a spice in your food - was from a Canadian Guest, in town to run a 26 mile Marathon. He was a serious runner who trained extensively. Before leaving for that particular Marathon, he asked his host family for cayenne pepper. They obliged and guests watched as he put liberal amounts of cayenne pepper in the inside of his running shoes. Of course, that generated much conversation. Before leaving to run the Marathon he had to answer many questions - how long had he done this; what affect did it have; how did he find out about cayenne pepper, etc.
At the end of the day, the only person who came back still walking and in pretty good shape was the Marathon runner who, that morning, liberally sprinkled cayenne pepper in his shoes.
We tried it for a couple months and it works. We don't run or train for the Marathon, but we do shop and shop and shop. Before leaving home we always sprinkle cayenne pepper in our shoes and it works amazingly well. What was once a tiring time has become a time which puts a spring in our step. We don't know what happens or why, but we do know sprinkling cayenne pepper in the bottom of our shoes seems to drop years and gives us much more energy to do our chores.
But for bed & breakfast, we would still be walking on tired legs and feet.
TO RESPOND TO THIS BLOG email comments to info@bettina-network.com
TO LEARN MORE about the Bettina Network, inc. try www.bettina-network.com
IF YOU ENJOY OUR BLOG, USE OUR SERVICES TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS WHEN YOU
TRAVEL!!! 1-800-347-9166 inside U.S. or 617-497-9166 outside or inside the U.S
Labels: Guest comments and talents, Making Connections
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
A Change to Bettina's Coconut Cake
copyright 2010 Bettina Network, inc. by a guest
I made the Coconut Cake and it was just as great as I had hoped it would be. I did a few things a little different and wanted to share that with you.
For the icing, I used whole eggs instead of just the egg whites. I hate to waste and I knew I woulnd't be up to making Bettina's Chocolate Pudding or anything else after I finished this cake. I put four whole (organic free range) eggs in the mixer. I bought the Cuisinart stand mixer when you wrote that blog on your thoughts about mixers. I let the mixer beat for about 15 minutes. That is how long it took for the eggs to become fluffy the way I wanted them to.
In the meantime, I put the sugar and water on to boil. I used 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1 1/2 cups water instead of the 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in your recipe because I wanted lots of icing.
When the water and sugar reached the 240 degree stage I started to pour it, very slowly, into the eggs while letting the mixer keep going.
When I finished that, I started to put into the mixer the butter. I cut the butter into small pats and threw each pat into the mixer letting it mix for a few seconds. Altogether I used three sticks of butter.
I also put in about 1/3 cup organic virgin coconut oil - which was hardened since that is its natural state. I got the idea to do that from your suggestion of using coconut milk in the cake. If you use coconut milk in the cake, why not coconut oil in the icing. It is the consistency of butter, whips up into a very light confection like butter and sure enough, it worked.
I let the mixer beat the icing until it turned into a light buttery like creation. At the end, before stopping the mixer I put in the vanilla oil you suggested in another recipe - the organic oil, you remember? That was the ultimate.
I did not put shredded coconut on my cake, I put the icing on as it was. The coconut milk and oil carried the day and gave the taste so I didn't need the shredded stuff.
It was unbelievably good. Thanks for the recipe. In case you don't remember me, I am the one who asked for the recipe and I appreciate your putting it on the blog.
Enjoy this change - it is nice to have more than one way to do something.
A loyal guest!
Thanks for not using my name. We are all paranoid these days.
TO RESPOND TO THIS BLOG email comments to info@bettina-network.com
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IF YOU ENJOY OUR BLOG, USE OUR SERVICES TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS WHEN YOU
TRAVEL!!! 1-800-347-9166 inside U.S. or 617-497-9166 outside or inside the U.S
I made the Coconut Cake and it was just as great as I had hoped it would be. I did a few things a little different and wanted to share that with you.
For the icing, I used whole eggs instead of just the egg whites. I hate to waste and I knew I woulnd't be up to making Bettina's Chocolate Pudding or anything else after I finished this cake. I put four whole (organic free range) eggs in the mixer. I bought the Cuisinart stand mixer when you wrote that blog on your thoughts about mixers. I let the mixer beat for about 15 minutes. That is how long it took for the eggs to become fluffy the way I wanted them to.
In the meantime, I put the sugar and water on to boil. I used 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1 1/2 cups water instead of the 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in your recipe because I wanted lots of icing.
When the water and sugar reached the 240 degree stage I started to pour it, very slowly, into the eggs while letting the mixer keep going.
When I finished that, I started to put into the mixer the butter. I cut the butter into small pats and threw each pat into the mixer letting it mix for a few seconds. Altogether I used three sticks of butter.
I also put in about 1/3 cup organic virgin coconut oil - which was hardened since that is its natural state. I got the idea to do that from your suggestion of using coconut milk in the cake. If you use coconut milk in the cake, why not coconut oil in the icing. It is the consistency of butter, whips up into a very light confection like butter and sure enough, it worked.
I let the mixer beat the icing until it turned into a light buttery like creation. At the end, before stopping the mixer I put in the vanilla oil you suggested in another recipe - the organic oil, you remember? That was the ultimate.
I did not put shredded coconut on my cake, I put the icing on as it was. The coconut milk and oil carried the day and gave the taste so I didn't need the shredded stuff.
It was unbelievably good. Thanks for the recipe. In case you don't remember me, I am the one who asked for the recipe and I appreciate your putting it on the blog.
Enjoy this change - it is nice to have more than one way to do something.
A loyal guest!
Thanks for not using my name. We are all paranoid these days.
TO RESPOND TO THIS BLOG email comments to info@bettina-network.com
TO LEARN MORE about the Bettina Network, inc. try www.bettina-network.com
IF YOU ENJOY OUR BLOG, USE OUR SERVICES TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS WHEN YOU
TRAVEL!!! 1-800-347-9166 inside U.S. or 617-497-9166 outside or inside the U.S
Labels: Bettina's Cookbook, Guest comments and talents
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Breakfast at Bettina's - By a Guest!
This is great! I've had this secret wish to be a journalist for a long time. I do a lot of writing, but all scientific and publishing for scientific journals so you can guess I am an astrophysicist, and those who stay at Bettina's a lot and recommended this house to me - you know where I am - with my family this time, not on business. i had to show my wife and children this house. They love the doll houses and all the toys. The kids slipped out of the room very early in the morning. At first I panicked, how do I keep them reined in here - and I almost lost it when I thought of all those antiques in every room of the house, then I heard .......... offering them a cup of hot chocolate and I knew I could go back to sleep.
Since they were playing right outside the door - one into the doll houses, the other hauling toys up to the landing from the toy room downstairs, I felt ok to sleep without worrying about them. The place was a grand mess when we finally got up and dressed. No one seemed to mind so we just left the mess because we knew it would only recur. We did clean it up before we left for home - for those of you who don't want me to ruin a good thing for you!
Breakfast was really special. Having read the Blog, I wondered about those 'stock tips'. Maybe I would be at breakfast the morning a great investor dropped a huge tip which would make us a fortune. Well I was at breakfast with a fairly heated discussion about a couple stocks. Much heat, not enough light, but I am going home to buy the one which won the battle - Ford Motor Company. A couple, who are in the stock market on a regular basis, talked about their 'investments' and they just bought Ford Motor Company. My first thought was - WHY? It just didn't sound very exciting and given all the trouble with the automobile companies who would jump in and buy one. By the end of breakfast I was quietly convinced I should put nice money into Ford. It is selling today at about $11, according to my breakfast mates. They bought Ford at about $8. I am going to buy around $11-12. Hopefully, I will make enough to pay for this trip.
Because it is a holiday - although not my holiday, our hosts put a book at each plate. That was our Christmas gift. Its great. You can't move in that house for tripping over books so it made sense that a book would be a gift. Being very comfortable since I've been here a zillion times, I had to ask if I could swap the book they gave me for one I was reading in the bedroom and of course I could, so I am going home with three books - one a first edition. My wife is horrified at my lack of manners, but I go downstairs late at night in my robe and pajamas to get hot milk, why not ask about another book? Is it possible to feel too much at home? I actually feel as though I am visiting my parents - I would say grandparents, but they are going to read this blog and I want to be welcomed back.
My wife plays the piano so she enjoyed playing on the grand piano in the house. I'm not sure the rest of us did. Later in the day we heard fantastic music coming from the piano. We were really tired and didn't go down to see who was playing. It was so nice just to listen, in bed. I know enough about music to know it was Chopin, and to know it was good, but I did fall asleep in the middle of the music.
Oh, I almost forgot. While my wife and I were sleeping the kids made playdoh - well not the real thing, but a pretty good imitation. It was the highlight of their stay and they are bringing it home with them. They made it out of flour, water and salt cooked up in a very large pot. Given our lack of an organic home and our tendency to buy all of their toys, they were really excited about this amazing experience.
Hope you enjoyed my blog. It was fun writing it. Is this payment for the books I am bringing home?
TRAVEL!!! 1-800-347-9166 inside U.S. or 617-497-9166 outside or inside the U.S
Since they were playing right outside the door - one into the doll houses, the other hauling toys up to the landing from the toy room downstairs, I felt ok to sleep without worrying about them. The place was a grand mess when we finally got up and dressed. No one seemed to mind so we just left the mess because we knew it would only recur. We did clean it up before we left for home - for those of you who don't want me to ruin a good thing for you!
Breakfast was really special. Having read the Blog, I wondered about those 'stock tips'. Maybe I would be at breakfast the morning a great investor dropped a huge tip which would make us a fortune. Well I was at breakfast with a fairly heated discussion about a couple stocks. Much heat, not enough light, but I am going home to buy the one which won the battle - Ford Motor Company. A couple, who are in the stock market on a regular basis, talked about their 'investments' and they just bought Ford Motor Company. My first thought was - WHY? It just didn't sound very exciting and given all the trouble with the automobile companies who would jump in and buy one. By the end of breakfast I was quietly convinced I should put nice money into Ford. It is selling today at about $11, according to my breakfast mates. They bought Ford at about $8. I am going to buy around $11-12. Hopefully, I will make enough to pay for this trip.
Because it is a holiday - although not my holiday, our hosts put a book at each plate. That was our Christmas gift. Its great. You can't move in that house for tripping over books so it made sense that a book would be a gift. Being very comfortable since I've been here a zillion times, I had to ask if I could swap the book they gave me for one I was reading in the bedroom and of course I could, so I am going home with three books - one a first edition. My wife is horrified at my lack of manners, but I go downstairs late at night in my robe and pajamas to get hot milk, why not ask about another book? Is it possible to feel too much at home? I actually feel as though I am visiting my parents - I would say grandparents, but they are going to read this blog and I want to be welcomed back.
My wife plays the piano so she enjoyed playing on the grand piano in the house. I'm not sure the rest of us did. Later in the day we heard fantastic music coming from the piano. We were really tired and didn't go down to see who was playing. It was so nice just to listen, in bed. I know enough about music to know it was Chopin, and to know it was good, but I did fall asleep in the middle of the music.
Oh, I almost forgot. While my wife and I were sleeping the kids made playdoh - well not the real thing, but a pretty good imitation. It was the highlight of their stay and they are bringing it home with them. They made it out of flour, water and salt cooked up in a very large pot. Given our lack of an organic home and our tendency to buy all of their toys, they were really excited about this amazing experience.
Hope you enjoyed my blog. It was fun writing it. Is this payment for the books I am bringing home?
TO RESPOND TO THIS BLOG email comments to info@bettina-network.com
TO LEARN MORE about the Bettina Network, inc. try www.bettina-network.com
IF YOU ENJOY OUR BLOG, USE OUR SERVICES TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS WHEN YOUTRAVEL!!! 1-800-347-9166 inside U.S. or 617-497-9166 outside or inside the U.S
Labels: Guest comments and talents, Making Connections, stock tips
Monday, January 4, 2010
The harpist you heard at a Bettina home is ----
Deborah Henson-Conant. A fantastic jazz harpist and Grammy nominated electric pedal harpist. If you have a chance, don't miss one of her concerts. In the meantime if you want to see her again try this
www.youtube.com/watch?v-pECeohhUBSs or www.hipharp.com
A great, fun experience!!! She has quite a few videos on Youtube.com. I don't know if she has CD's out but I suspect she probably has! We are delighted you were able to have that experience!
TRAVEL!!! 1-800-347-9166 inside U.S. or 617-497-9166 outside or inside the U.S
www.youtube.com/watch?v-pECeohhUBSs or www.hipharp.com
A great, fun experience!!! She has quite a few videos on Youtube.com. I don't know if she has CD's out but I suspect she probably has! We are delighted you were able to have that experience!
TO RESPOND TO THIS BLOG email comments to info@bettina-network.com
TO LEARN MORE about the Bettina Network, inc. try www.bettina-network.com
IF YOU ENJOY OUR BLOG, USE OUR SERVICES TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS WHEN YOUTRAVEL!!! 1-800-347-9166 inside U.S. or 617-497-9166 outside or inside the U.S
Labels: Guest comments and talents, Making Connections
Friday, January 1, 2010
What I like most about Bettina homes!
I read your update on adding computers to Bettina homes. I call only Bettina's when I travel and because of my research I mostly travel to Harvard Square Cambridge. I wouldn't stay anyplace else. When you leave home you leave all your conveniences. I like to play the guitar when I get home from a tough day. When I get to Cambridge, the home where I stay has a guitar which I take over and take to my room and play it evenings. I've met other people who stay in your homes because they have access to other musical instruments. Another house in Harvard Square has a harp which people can use. I've been there to see friends staying there so I've seen and played the harp (sort of). I met a woman there who plays beautiful harp - jazz harp, that was quite a while ago. She played a brief concert for us and I will never forget hearing her. Don't remember her name!
Your network is really a fantastic way to travel.
Thanks for your holiday greeting. Keep up the good work and lots of luck in 2010!
A reader (no name please)
editors note: Whenever we receive an email or phone call or etc. We put your notes in Bettina's Blog, but we don't ever put your name or other identifying information unless you tell us its alright to do so.
TRAVEL!!! 1-800-347-9166 inside U.S. or 617-497-9166 outside or inside the U.S
Your network is really a fantastic way to travel.
Thanks for your holiday greeting. Keep up the good work and lots of luck in 2010!
A reader (no name please)
editors note: Whenever we receive an email or phone call or etc. We put your notes in Bettina's Blog, but we don't ever put your name or other identifying information unless you tell us its alright to do so.
TO RESPOND TO THIS BLOG email comments to info@bettina-network.com
TO LEARN MORE about the Bettina Network, inc. try www.bettina-network.com
IF YOU ENJOY OUR BLOG, USE OUR SERVICES TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS WHEN YOUTRAVEL!!! 1-800-347-9166 inside U.S. or 617-497-9166 outside or inside the U.S
Labels: Bettina Network Info, Guest comments and talents, Making Connections, Reader Feedback, Travel Bettina Style
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
An Interesting New Book by a Bettina Guest
NUMINA ~ Power, Spirit Place
by Anne Gordon
What follows is an interview of Anne Gordon by Anne Allanketner about the process that went into the writing of "NUMINA".
"Anne discovered labyrinths in 1997 and became a Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitator in 2002. She lives in Eugene, Oregon, is married, and has a 20 year-old son. She is a bookkeeper and in addition to presenting lectures on the history of the labyrinth, she has been on staff at Sacred Heart Medical Center as a Labyrinth Facilitator for six years. She is self-publishing "Numina" through LuLu.com. Anne Gordon's novel is available from LuLu.com or by contacting Anne at greeneden@comcast.net.
Your novel is called "Numina ~ Power, Spirit, Place". I understand this is your first book. What does Numina mean and what happened along your path that brought you to writing a novel?
"Numina" is a Jungian term referring to a spiritual force or influence present in an object, phenomenon or place. It is the product of a lifetime of musings. I think we all carry with us deeply felt emotions and ideas. I did not set out to write a book, but I found that when our only child left for college, I had the opportunity to transfer this tapestry of thoughts and reflections to paper. These reflections came out as short stories and ultimately as the story line of "Numina."
This is a work of fiction. Are there labyrinths or labyrinth experiences in the novel?
There is a labyrinth and a labyrinth experience in "Numina." In the literal sense, one of the main characters who resides in a different time period, makes an annual pilgrimage to a Gothic cathedral. At the end of her visit there, she walks the labyrinth. In the symbolic sense, the flow of the book is very labyrinthine. As I mentioned, there are short stories and these are interwoven with the main narrative. The main narrative takes place in present time and also several hundred years ago. While I take great liberties with linear time in the novel, the characters, whether those of the main plot or those of the short stories, are all traversing a path much like that of the labyrinth. They are in different places on the path. The characters are held by the container of the book as we are held by the container of the labyrinth when we walk. What might appear to be a detour or backtracking from the plot is actually a necessary meandering. As the reader enters the book, softening his or her focus, it is evident that the characters are all moving towards a common center. This is very similar to watching people walk the labyrinth. The order and interrelatedness of things is apparent only over time.
What are some of the themes in the book?
Women's History, religion, politics, evolving consciousness. When I began writing "Numina," I thought the book was going to be an examination of the Burning Times, a time in our history when many women (and men) were executed for being different. These people were driven to the margins of society. They were ostracized and condemned for worshpping differently, for being healers, or simply being eccentric. As I followed the story in my mind's eye, watching it unfold through the main characters, I was led to the topic of our creation story. The characters in "Numina" spoke to this damaging portrayal of women and how it may have played a role in allowing atrocities to be committed against women and against many people who revered the feminine face of God. The result was that "Numina" became a story about the betrayal of the feminine and of our relation to the Divine Feminine as she is present in Nature.
Is this a book for men as well as women?
Absolutely. Men and women were cast out of the Garden, and we have been dealing with the repercussions ever since. "Numina" is about healing our stories and ourselves.
Some people think this book is very radical. What do you think about this? Are there radical elements in this story?
Well, if taking a break from thousands of years of acceptance of a story that demonizes half of humanity is radical...then I guess it might be considered radical. If on the other hand, you feel comfortable examining long-held assumptions in a different light, it would be a story about just that.
You have taken on enormous historical topics in "Numina." Why is it a work of fiction?
Many wonderful and informative non-fiction books have been written on these topics. I am not claiming to be a historian, but I was able to weave a large amount of historical fact in with an ineresting human story. in writing "Numina," I realized there was a lot going on in the world that did not suit me, so I created the world I wanted. This book contains a great deal of history and no small amount of political thought, but it is not about pointing fingers or ranting against the patriarchy. It is about posing questions instead of prescribing answers. It is about healing, rather than judgment. "Numina" considers the possibility of restoring a Partnership Paradigm.
You mentioned following the story in your mind's eye. What do you mean by that?
When the storyline of "Numina" first appeared to me, it was in the form of a movie. I imagined being in a small, darkened theater. The screen was black and the sounds of the opening scene came first. Then, I could see in my mind's eye what was happening. When I was able to quiet my mind, often as I walked the labyrinth, I could re-enter the world of "Numina" and gradually more and more of the book was revealed. Eventually I stopped listening to the radio when I was driving, I wanted to be available if ideas for the book entered my imagination. Gardening was a place of inspiration, so I kept a notepad handy when I worked in the yard. Many ideas and conversations from the novel's characters came to me as I walked the labyrinth. Since I didn't really want to interrupt by walks, I found it became necessary to walk with paper and pen in hand.
How did you know the book was complete?
The characters stopped talking. At first it seemed as if they had moved away. Then I realized they had not moved away, they had simply finished telling me their story."
To the readers - Anne Gordon introduced the Bettina Network to labyrinths. We learned about them over several breakfasts with Anne and have introduced them to other homes in the Network and to other people we have met. Anne wrote an article for the Bettina's Blog about her experiences with labyrinths and we are very grateful to her for the introduction. We take the opportunity to look for and walk labyrinths wherever we travel. You will find the location of several labyrinths in Bettina's Blog and we will probably add more as we find them. Click on the label "labyrinth" and enjoy another great read.
We hope you will buy and enjoy reading "Numina".
TO RESPOND TO THIS BLOG email comments to info@bettina-network.com
TO LEARN MORE about the Bettina Network, inc. try www.bettina-network.com
IF YOU ENJOY OUR BLOG, USE OUR SERVICES TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS WHEN YOU TRAVEL!!! 1-800-347-9166 inside U.S. or 617-497-9166 outside or inside the U.S.
Labels: Guest comments and talents, Labyrinth, Making Connections
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Divining at Breakfast
by Marceline Donaldson
copyrighted to Marceline Donaldson 2009
It was an amazing happening! She has promised to write something for Bettina's Blog on water divining - if I am calling it the right thing - so you can all share in the process.
We thought her divining rod would point to the Charles River. Instead it led her to the front door and pointed definitely down just before getting to the door. We didn't understand why this divining rod would point to water at the front door until someone realized that water comes into the house exactly under the spot where the divining rod turned down.
I tried it, but it didn't work for me - I have been practicing since and hope to get this perfected in the not too distant future. In the meantime, the old lady you see walking around with a v- shaped tree branch, followed by a trail of squirrels - that will be me!
TO RESPOND TO THIS BLOG e-mail comments to info@bettina-network.com
TO LEARN MORE about the Bettina Network, inc. try www.bettina-network.com
IF YOU ENJOY OUR BLOG, USE OUR SERVICES TO BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS WHEN YOU TRAVEL. 1-800-347-9166 or 617-497-9166.
Labels: Guest comments and talents
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