I WRITE FROM MY MIND, SOUL AND ENERGIES

A passage from my Mommy Duties Journal titled, I Write From My Mind, Soul and Energies.


"Sure enough, there it was, behind my eyes, struggling as it scans whatever it thinks might be interesting or what might be lurking up in front of it. How idle can you get IDEA? How is it that you are stuck without words to pen or lacking in vision to paint? Is there not a vast canvas that is waiting to be stroked by GENIUS?" 


"Reality surprises and the flow of energy can get stuck, like yummy honey on peanut butter.  So, then screw the sweet things and dive for the sour, sultry or salty, as there's no mistaking that, THOUGHT!"


                              I,
once had a voice that was fluent in many languages, that for those who were able to listen, were drawn by the messages and lived by what they could use and share from it with others. These messages were ancient. It spoke of and about who we were as human beings and as spiritual beings.  So, here is what I had experienced.

Driving up a winding road, gazing in amazement at the morning sun's ray, sprayed all over the awesome looking lichen covered trees that bow and stretch on all directions, arching the surrounding path towards higher grounds. One can't help notice the slender and craggy looking trunks and limbs dressed with various shades of greens, specks of yellows and amber spiraling and scattering all over the forest-like canopy of this mini forest, trailing up to the residential areas and further on to my daughters school. 


Each day for the last three years I get this treat which lasts only several minutes of driving time and yet it has burnt an image for eternity in my minds eye! This is natures language that I'm speaking off. 

On those foggy and rainy days, the trees lined passage and its surrounding habitats emit calm energy, fanning the light scent of sweet eucalyptus and wild grass that is ever mystical in their habitat. Ah and the tantalizing soft breeze echoing their vibrations, connecting me with their overall essence, soothing out all my heavy burdens for that moment in time! How I cherish every moment of this and like a tree growing with the elements, seasons and humans, I flourish too for that moment as a soul.  This I embrace as natures spiritual messages.


Photos by:Babe Barton

The Bitter Melon's Sweet Side Story

Hi there,

As much as I enjoy sharing favorite recipes, personal stories, photos and art with you, I get inspired when bringing to life the purpose of each topic. So join me over a hot or cool beverage as I introduce my first pickled *Bitter Melon Relish Salad or as we call it in the Philippines, AMPALAYA relish salad.!

Bitter melon "ampalaya" is crunchy, bitter and delicious! Why do many voice their "Yuck" frowning-puckering mouth gestures for this misinterpreted vegetable gourd? Lets find out if the following variations to making this vegetable edible to ones palate will change your taste buds.

STEP 1~Clean vegetable with tap water, wipe and gently slice lengthwise one or two bitter melons, scooping out the seed pods with your fingers or spatula. Set aside seeds for drying and for planting.

STEP 2~In a large bowl filled with water, add 1/2 tsp of salt and bitter melon slices, stirring it and covering it as it soaks for 1/2 hour or less. Thin slices will leach out the bitterness faster than thick slices. *I prefer to skip this step to preserve the bitterness.

STEP 3~Drain the salted water, washing the remaining salt from the AMPALAYA and wrap a cheese cloth or paper towel around vegetable, gently squeezing out water residue. *When leeching the bitterness out from the bitter melon, the water can be set aside to boil as tea. Reminder: Do not add salt if you are going to use the bitter melon water as tea.

STEP 4~Chop the following; 6 small to medium tomatoes, 1/2 white onion, 1 medium shallot and 3 garlic segments. Slice thinly, 1 jalapeno pepper and slice lengthwise 2 small Persian cucumbers and set aside.

STEP 5~ In a medium glass bowl, add 1/2 cup rice vinegar, 1/3 cup of virgin olive oil, 2 tsp of the herb stevia granules or Japanese mirin, 2 tsp Bragg's liquid amino, 1/2 tsp crushed ginger and 1/2 tsp of garlic,1/2 tsp Himalayan pink salt, crushed white and black peppercorns, 1/2 tsp grated turmeric root and cayenne powder. Marinade the vinaigrette spices for 20 minutes. Add vegetables to spiced vinaigrette.

Enjoy this relish salad for the next few days by itself or with grilled fish,chicken,lean pork or beef. Like all pickled veggies and fruits, the flavor gets robust and tastier.  I've read that raw or simmered vegetables and fruits provide wonderful nutrients and antioxidants whereas the tomato's lutein is activated when sauteed or fried.  Share your recipe and story, it would be nice to hear from you.

 (C)Babe Barton Recipes 2012

First Time Blogger

I have many reasons why I hesitate to write about anything. It's not that I'm shy; it could be writers block or my  thought processor going haywire, running silly and amok! Thoughts are expressions that are rooted deep in ones core or gut or behind your buttonhole. And that is the buttonhole truth!


Greetings and welcome to my first blog - EARTH CHATTERS. Let's begin the chatter of whatever comes to mind.


The Mama and Nana Do List


How can you say NO to your daughter when she argues in an embarrassing tone that her cell phone is "OLD"? After a couple of months of her staying after school and not saying much about her all girls Technovation Application Project, we were relieved during their superb pitch, explaining how their product can be uploaded on their cell phone. They won third place. Mama and Nana thanked the invisible guardians for the timely upgrade from OLD cell phone to a SMART phone. Smart Moms =Happy teenager!




MAY Birds Song


The last 3 months, the birds of Spring belts out bird chatters as I prepare breakfast and lunch for my family. There are moments when I get carried away by their music that I'd gesticulate my head and hand, flipping a perfect sunny side with their chirping rhythm and beat . My audience,, our family pets an indoor catahoulla~aussie and a peering outside the glass sliding door sixteen years old garden coon cat, patiently waiting for me to fix their morning meal. Ahh, to be depended on and adored by these creatures is priceless! Oh snap!
Daughter!! Wake up or you'll be late for school!