Author Archives: Rhonda J. Smith

Friday Feature: Baking Soda

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Buy one, get one free. Get two for one. Fifty percent off sale. However it’s termed, I think we all like a deal where we get more when we only spend for one. What bothers me, though, is when I can’t use the second item or don’t want it. I usually have that problem with clothes at a discount store where the inventory is already limited. I have a hard time finding another item to complete my deal. I’m so glad this is not the case with several natural, non-toxic household products I use. I get more than a ‘two for one’ with most of them, and for a recovering strong black woman trying not to have a specific something for everything, that’s definitely a break that I more than welcome.

Baking soda
The advertisement on the box doesn’t exaggerate. There is a bunch of ways to use baking soda. Of course I use baking soda to clean my teeth if I run out of toothpaste and have used some with water the rare times I get heartburn, but following are the ways I use baking soda on a regular basis:

  • Cleaning fresh fruit and vegetables.

    • I wet fruit then rub a little baking soda on each piece. For soft produce and items that have a lot of ground in dirt, like beets, I soak them in a half sink-full of cold water with about a tablespoon of baking soda for about ½ hour. This is my preferred way to clean my mustard, turnip and collard greens. I rinse with cool water after rubbing and soaking.

  • Cleaning sinks and tubs.

    • After the boxes I use to deodorize the refrigerator and freezer need to be changed, I use these old boxes as cleansers for my bathroom and kitchen. This is the ultimate two for one!

  • Tenderizing greens.

    • Sometimes I just can’t find the small (young) collard green leaves, only the large ones, which are almost always tough. If cooking them a little longer than usual doesn’t work or I don’t have time to cook them for extra time, I put a pinch or two of baking soda in the pot toward the end of the cooking cycle. They easily go from tough to tender in a matter of minutes. I also use this method with other tough greens.

  • Cleaning my locks.

    • When I wore my hair straight and had product build up on my strands and my regular shampoo wouldn’t work, I would just switch to a different shampoo. That doesn’t always work with my dreadlocks. A natural hair care specialist gave me the tip of cleaning my locks with baking soda and this has worked well for me: I pour the desired amount of baking soda in a dish with enough water to make a paste. I then take the paste and rub it vigorously on a group of locks, particularly the ones where I can clearly see product and dirt build up. I rinse with warm water and my hair is literally squeaky clean. The baking soda can be drying so I make sure to follow up with a hot oil treatment.

    I hope these tips are as helpful for you as they are for me. Besides for baking, what are some ways that you use baking soda?

    Copyright 2011 by Rhonda J. Smith

    Gaining from Gloating

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    What Do You Think? Wednesday

    Sometimes you just don’t hit it off with people. No matter how you engage them in conversation, do a good deed, smile and give a hug, some folks just won’t be your best buds. I knew this when I met one of my husband’s relatives about 10 years ago. The whole night she talked about how the Lord had blessed her with a new home and a new car. She showed off her jewelry and talked about other material ambitions. I’m sure I twisted my face and rolled my eyes a few times before leaving the room. I couldn’t stand being in her presence. When I think back to it I probably didn’t like her because the pride I saw in her was what I hated seeing in myself. I couldn’t express that then, only “I don’t care if I ever see her again, Flynn.” But I did, on Monday, and briefly thought about not acknowledging her because she hadn’t noticed me. I decided against that. After reminding her who I was and getting her name again, she commented on my children and quickly said, “I’m so glad my kids are beyond that stage.” And I mustered a smile and shook my head knowingly; she continued texting, and that was the end of our conversation.

    Just the other day at the library some stranger hurried my sons on the elevator and said to me, “I’m so glad my children are grown. I had boys and they were busy.” I simply smiled. What do you say to people who don’t think before they speak, who assault you with their thoughts, who gloat about their gratitude, which serves to shame you? Ten years ago, I would have twisted my face and rolled my eyes and served up some shame of my own. But I have learned to smile and nod and not be tangled on the inside. “It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.” Because God has me in the season of small ones and different opportunities, I can gently ignore others who may have despised their season. My best friend Renee’s favorite verse is “The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me” (Psalm 16:6). And I have claimed its message strong in this season of small ones and different opportunities, knowing they all come from Him. I may not hit it off with everyone I meet, but those encounters will always show me how much I have grown (or need to grow), and that is a good thing.

    What encounters have you had that showed you how much you have grown or need to grow?

    Copyright 2011 by Rhonda J. Smith

    Gain Perspective

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    Today I anxiously went to get the mail. I was looking for my author copies of Daily Guideposts Your First Year of Motherhood and they were there! As I’ve told you I’m excited about this project. Though I’ve written for years and have been featured in a number of publications, this is the first time my work has appeared in a mainstream book. And the book’s arrival today was perfect, after dealing with loss all around me. This morning I attended my second funeral in a week; I ministered to a woman yesterday who’s still broken after her mother abandoned her 18 years ago; and for the last few days I have been having a major discussion on Facebook about mothers who abandon their children, sparked by an article of a woman who did so to pursue her own dreams. This book, which speaks about pressing forward in the challenging face of new motherhood, reminded me that we can do anything God has commissioned us to do with some help and a Godly perspective.

    In addition to the devotionals, Motherhood, has a subject index, to help you easily find topics you’re looking for, and a special concerns section, which includes hard stuff like post-partum depression, dealing with loneliness and keeping your marriage healthy. My own devotionals center on a change in my outlook. I tell you why a crying baby is a good thing; how to get a vacation while in the midst of mothering; how two women criticizing my mothering helped me; and why I had to fire a good babysitter. Remembering the stories I wrote and anticipating reading those of my colleagues helped me focus on what I have: a great opportunity to grow and nurture even with loss, that around me and even personally; not being able to go when I want, where I want and doing all I want are temporary, losses so worthwhile because of what I gain from pouring into my boys.

    So join the discussion on Facebook and make sure you buy Motherhood. Just click the link here on the site. You don’t have to be in your first year of motherhood to get it. Buy it for a new mom you know; buy it to revisit how you may want to mother your other children; buy it to give some fresh perspective to a young mom you know. I believe you will be pleased.

    Copyright 2011 by Rhonda J. Smith

    Friday Feature: Immune Builders

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    I served a family at a funeral and a side of fries and tons more food to hungry boys and a starving man this week. And I served that man by serving our boys alone three nights of the week. Gloriously, I watched my laid back niece and nephew play with my rowdy ones and them all having fun as I occasionally refereed and heated plates to feed the whole bunch. I tried to sneak in pages to one of my good reads until the curious boys sought out a quiet mom and came to snuggle with me. As you can imagine, mama (and wife) is tired and I feel a tickle in my throat so this weekend I’m going to hang my “Do Not Disturb” sign to wind down with alone time and do whatever suits me. But first I’m going to pump myself full of this good stuff that I’m sharing to help you strengthen your immune system.

    In addition to my daily regime of minerals and supplements, with the immune building and energy supplying vitamins C and B-Complex, manganese, magnesium and zinc, I have five that I go to in emergency situations (though it’s all right in most cases to use them daily):

    Astragalus (AKA Huang Qi)—This root is nutrient-rich root is a powerful antiviral and antibacterial agent. I prefer to use this as a tincture but have also used it in a tea form.

    Probiotics—My choice is Lactobacillus Acidolphilus. This probiotic (good bacteria) not only builds my immune system but also helps my digestive system and fights against yeast infections.

    Pau D’Arco (AKA Lapacho and Taheebo)—The antiviral and antibacterial properties in this bitter herb (that I use as a tea) seem to be the most powerful for me, knocking out a number of issues simultaneously.

    Elderberry—Similar to astragalus with its antiviral and antibacterial properties, I sometimes use this along with or alternate it with astragalus.

    Ginger—I use a small wedge of fresh ginger in my fresh squeezed juices and as a tea. I’m still working on using the right amount of ground ginger in foods so that the taste won’t be overpowering.

    As I stated when I started Friday Feature, I’m just sharing with you the natural methods I have used that have worked for me. Make sure you conduct your own research, including consulting your healthcare professionals. Just because something is natural doesn’t mean it can’t be harmful.

    Copyright 2011 by Rhonda J. Smith

    Sources: Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 3rd Edition, by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC and James F. Balch, M.D. and Dr. Reginald B. Cherry.

    Aborting and Shaming Mamas

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    What Do You Think? Wednesdays. That’s what I think I’ll call this day that I have used to pose ideas for you to ponder. Today, the first Wednesday in Women’s History Month, deals with mamas. I guess it’s that kind of week. Unlike my Monday post, that highlighted a phenomenal mother, the following anti-abortion ad and fed-up mama video challenge the mothering instincts of women, the first one directly aimed at African American women.

    Bad grades land teen on street corner: MyFoxTAMPABAY.com

    What do you think of each, especially in light of Scripture? Here are a few verses to consider:

    “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:3-5).

    “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2).

    “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

    “Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death” (Proverbs 19:18).

    “Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him” (Proverbs 13:24).

    “A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him” (Proverbs 17:25).

    “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

    I look forward to hearing your thoughts. You can read some of mine in the comments section here.

    Copyright 2011 by Rhonda J. Smith