Solar Cooking

A few weeks ago, we had a pumpkin that was starting to go moldy. (Lesson learned on better preservation for pumpkins than in freezing temperatures on the porch for Halloween before bringing them in the house.) Not wanting to waste the whole pumpkin, we decided to cut it up and take the majority of it that was good and prepare it for pies and cookies.

Needing to get this done on a very busy weekend, I pulled out our Global Sun Oven, cut it up into large pieces, placed them into a large roasting pan and put it in the oven before going to church. It was a cold (36 degrees) and partly cloudy day. After getting home from church three hours later, it was over 275 degrees and the whole oven cover was covered in condensation from the moisture the pumpkin was letting off as it cooked.

I let it go another hour to be sure it was done, but I needn't have done so. The pumpkin was perfectly cooked, if not a little overdone and was easily peeled and mashed.

My point is that if it had been an emergency, it would have been just as easy to cook a stew, make some biscuits, or cook some potatoes despite the cold weather. On warm spring days, I have gotten the oven up to over 400 degrees. As long as there is sun, it will cook or bake.

Having multiple methods with which you can cook is very important. I'll discuss other options later. Just rest assured that a solar oven makes the best baked potatoes. They're my favorites.

- Mark

Value is based on perception.

Dealing with Job Stress

How prepared are you for increasing job stress? Is the fear of losing your job causing you a lot of stress? How about the stress of picking up the slack caused by cutbacks? Is your company asking you to now do the work of two?

I have found that there are several major ways to relieve stress under these types of circumstances.

• Get enough rest. Sleep is often ignored when stressed, and this is one thing you will really need.
• Eat properly. Not only should you not overindulge to chase the stress away, but make sure you are eating fruits and vegetables to keep your health up. Getting sick will only add to your troubles.
• Exercise regularly. Working the stress out will not only make you feel better, it will keep you healthy. (You may want to visualize yourself overcoming, going through or solving your challenges while you work out. It adds to your mental health and can be fun to do when there may be no other alternatives.)
• Reduce your financial stress. Avoid eating out or going to the movies if you are worried about money. The short term benefit will not outweigh the long term load you are placing on yourself, regardless of what your friends tell you. Remember that this mess we are in was created by a "feel good today" attitude.
• Talk openly about your problems with your loved ones. Hiding the problems you are having today will only make it harder tomorrow to deal with them, especially if you have to explain why you did not communicate earlier. A little pain today can help make much happier tomorrows. Honesty really is the best policy.
• Find spiritual peace. Get to know God and the love He has for you. You'll find your very best friend.
  

Following these principles have made an otherwise stressful life very bearable. Try it, you'll like it.

- Mark

Value is based on perception.