Everyday Life

For yourself and your children...

2010-08-09T09:45:00.003-04:00

Don't we all want to avoid going to the doctor? Don't we want to do everything we can to keep our children healthy? Then educate yourself about the benefits of raw milk. We have been fed a load of crap (by the corporate food industry), about raw milk and I mean that literally.
What is wrong with pasteurization you ask? Well let me initiate your investigation into raw milk vs. pasteurized.

1. Pasteurization alters the structure of the milk itself.
Funny how milk allergies are blowing up across the board. Ever wonder why it seems like everyone has a milk allergy? In milk that is pasteurized and homogenized the lactose sugar is converted to beta-lactose. Beta-lactose, alone, can cause milk allergies.

2. Pasteurization destroys the creaming ability of milk and it destroys the souring bacteria. Pasteurized milk putrifies and raw milk sours (which is good for your body)

3. Pasteurization destroys vitamins C, B6, and B12. Your body can absorb the vitamin C in raw milk but not pasteurized. It also destroys enzymes, antibodies, hormones, and fatty acids (like CLA).

4. Pasteurized milk leads to a variety of problems. Infants do not develop well on pasteurized milk. Even calves who are fed pasteurized milk over their mothers natural raw milk develop poorly and sometimes die. Other problems consist of tooth decay, constipation, allergies, arthritis, cancer and osteoporosis. It can also diminish resistance to disease especially in the young.

5. Pasteurization isn't perfect. Based on the Center for Disease Control's own numbers, raw milk was responsible for 1007 illnesses and 2 deaths between 1998 and 2005. But pasteurized milk outbreaks have over 200,000 cases of illness and over 600 deaths.

This isn't about health though. Not for them. In 2006 the pasteurized milk business was valued at $23.4 billion. Raw milk has been outlawed completely in 15 states! It is legal in 9 and restricted in 26.

With healthcare in question, isn't it wise to take care of your body and your family yourself? Start with switching to raw milk. Not only is it healthier it tastes better! If you are interested locally in Fort Wanye please contact me and I'll get you hooked up. You may also visit www.realmilk.com

Fruit Leathers

2010-04-14T22:11:00.001-04:00

I thought that since Meijer has strawberries on sale for $1.00 a pound, this would be a good post for this week.

Who doesn't love a fruit roll-up?? Yummy goodness that you can carry around and chew... mmmm. I decided to try my hand at making some fruit leathers since the "good" ones are so expensive!! It's funny that the fewer ingredients a product has, the more expensive it is! Now why is that? Wouldn't you think the opposite, like when you see a huge paragraph of ingredients that the product should then cost you a lot of money? Ok so that's not the case. Well anyway, I bought 10lbs of strawberries and a bag of apples (or 10 small apples, I do one apple per lb of strawberries).

So here's my strawberry fruit leather recipe:

10lbs strawberries
10apples
3/4-1 1/2 cup honey (use whatever sweetener you want, I use honey to taste. just remember not to get it too sweet because they'll sweeten as they dry)

I added the apples to help add sweetness and texture. One apple per pound. That sounded good to me. I cored/peeled/sliced the apples and washed and trimmed the strawberries. I then cooked them down until they were nice and soft then transferred them to my food processor (add honey to your taste). Zip, zip, zip, till they were liquefied. Line a jelly roll pan or a baking sheet with saran wrap or wax paper. You want some to hang over the edges a tad bit. Now set your oven to the lowest temperature and stick 'er in the oven. I let mine dry for about 12 hours. Three lbs will yield about 2 trays worth. You want the mixture to be about 1/16"-1/8" thick. Check it every few hours. It will be shiny on top and not wet when done.

So there you have it. Simple, easy, and very healthy fruit roll-ups. One tray for me gave me about 40ish 2"x4" strips. It was hard to keep count since we kept nibbling on them :)
Ten lbs should yield 200-250 fruit strips.

my cost break down is:
strawberries $10.00
organic apples $ 4.00
raw honey $1.60
total cost for approx 225 fruit strips =$15.60 or $.07 each

Since this is such a good deal this week I'm planning on buying another 10lbs and doing almost all of this again... this time, instead of drying it, I'm going to put it in gallon size ziplocks and freeze it until I'm ready to dry it. Hope you give it a try!!

*Apple ones are even easier by using just apples or dehydrating your favorite applesauce!

Homemade Nutrigrain Bars *For Emily :)

2010-04-05T09:15:00.002-04:00

I found this recipe one day while scouring the internet for a recipe for something similar to a Nutrigrain Bar. Everyone here loves them so it's a keeper for us, maybe it will be for you too!

Fruit and Grain Bars (posted by BaylorMom @ titus2.com)
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 cup oats
16oz jar strawberry or other preserves (I've found that the 11oz jar I buy is plenty)
1 teaspoon almond extract

Cream butter and sugar. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Add almond extract. Press 1/2 into the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Spread preserves on top and finish with remaining crumb mixture. Press down. Bake @ 350 for 20-25 min and let cool completely before cutting into bars.

Why Pudding Pops Are SOOO Great!!

2010-03-29T21:08:00.005-04:00

Who doesn't love a pudding pop? I mean it's chocolatey, thick and rich, and frozen like ice cream! You know what's great about giving them to kids? They don't melt and drip everywhere. You what to know what else is great about pudding pops... you can have both pudding in the fridge and pops in the freezer. When you eat a pop, you can just refill it with more pudding while eating a huge spoon of it! Man... does it get much better than this? Ok well that might be going a bit overboard but it is one dessert that is easy and quick to make, it's cost efficient, and deeeelicious.
So I know I've posted it before but here it is again slightly tweeked to make a larger batch (which I highly recommend if you have kids or a husband or if you're ever home alone)

Delicious homemade pudding/pudding pops

5 1/2 cups milk (come on... use the real stuff, you know, with the fat!)
1 cup sugar/brown sugar/honey/rapadura/whatever you like
6 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/3 cup (slightly overflowing is fine) arrowroot powder (cornstarch is fine too and I believe they are interchangable in measurements)
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons vanilla

In a saucepan disolve the sugar with the milk. Add cocoa powder and arrowroot powder. I suggest slightly above medium heat stir very often mixture will thicken fairly quickly. When mixture is thick and coats the back of a spoon, or is close to pudding consistancy, then pull it off the heat. Add butter and vanilla and stir.

Put it in the fridge if you're just making pudding or pour it into some popsicle mold to make the most oh-so-delicious, fudgy, creamy, pudding pops.

This post is part of Real Food Wednesdays by www.kellythekitchenkop.com

Cheap and Easy Seven Layer Casserole

2010-03-26T10:30:00.003-04:00

Don't we all seem to have our set 10 or so dinners that just get rotated weekly? Here's another recipe you can add to make it 11 :-) I always seem to make the same 2 or 3 dishes with ground beef... tacos, meatloaf, and hamburgers. What this recipe calls for you will more than likely have on hand which is what makes it nice. Ok well anyway here it is and by the way I found this on Recipezaar.

Seven Layer Casserole

Layer in order in an 8x8 casserole dish:

1 cup uncooked rice washed and drained
1 cup whole kernal corn
salt, pepper, dash garlic powder
1 8oz can tom sauce
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 lb ground beef uncooked (you can use 1 whole pound of course... it's a lot of beef!)
salt, pepper, dash garlic powder
1 can diced tomatoes undrained (use any kind/flavor you like)
4 strips bacon (optional)
Cheese (optional)
avocado (optional)

Bake at 350 for 1 hour covered. Uncover and bake another 30. If using cheese, add in the last 10 minutes. If using bacon lay the bacon uncooked across the top and let cook the whole time. If using avocado (yum yum), serve slices along side casserole.

*You can easily make this a NT recipe simply by soaking your rice before using and reduce the water to 1/3 cup.

This post is part of Nourishing Gourmets Pennywise Platter

Butter Toffee Soaked Peanuts

2010-03-15T15:06:00.003-04:00

If you are not aware of the benefits of soaking your nuts then here's what you need to know in a nutshell... :)

Nuts are a little powerhouse of nutrition and just like any other seed, it needs germination to unleash all of its goodness. Soaking your nuts mimics this process and releases enzymes that aid in digestion. Your body has less work to do and the nutrients are more readily available if soaked first.

Here's how to soak peanuts: (aka crispy peanuts)
4 cups raw peanuts
1 tablespoon sea salt
filtered water (or plain is fine too)

Mix peanuts with water to cover and salt and let sit out on your counter, covered, for at least 7 hours to overnight. Drain in a colander and place on a baking sheet. Bake in a warm oven (lowest setting possible) for 12 to 24 hours, stirring occasionally until completely dry and crisp.
You can store these in an airtight container.

Now for the sweet stuff!

4 cups crispy peanuts
1 cup butter
1 cup honey
2 tablespoons water
sea salt (opt)
cinnamon (opt)

In a double boiler or in a bowl on a saucepan, heat butter. Add honey and water and watch the temperature. Stir contiuously. When the temp reaches 300 degrees remove from heat. Sprinkle nuts with salt and cinnamon if desired and pour mixture over nuts. Mix well and spread out on greased baking sheet or wax paper. Let cool and your all done!! Mmmm.....delicious

Easy Peasy Homemade Pudding

2009-11-04T10:51:00.002-05:00

I wish I could lay claim to this recipe, but it is yet another allrecipe.com find. The only thing I usually change in any recipe is the white sugar. I just don't use it and so I'll substitute it with honey or sucanat (natural unprocessed sugar) or coconut sugar. Either way, use whatever it is you have.

Chocolate Pudding

1/2c. honey or choice sweetener
3T cocoa powder
1/4c. cornstarch or 2 1/2T arrowroot powder
1/8t. salt
2 3/4c. milk
2T butter
1t vanilla

Heat honey, cocoa powder, starch, salt, and milk over med heat. Bring to slow boil and stir constantly. When mixture coats the back of a spoon, remove from heat. Add in butter and vanilla stir and let cool. Serve warm or cold!

Cream of Broccoli Soup and Pumpkin Cookies

2009-10-28T13:18:00.004-04:00

This soup is very good. It has a nice and thick consistancy, good broccoli flavor and it's easy to make. Can't beat that huh. Now the cookies, in my opinion, are absolutely delicious. They are light and fluffy yet very, very moist. Mmmmmm. If you don't like broccoli then try the cookies!

Cream of Broccoli Soup

2T butter

1 onion chopped

1 celery stalk chopped

4c chicken broth

6-8c broccoli (stalks, leaves, florets, the whole shebang)

3T butter

3T flour

2c milk

1/4c parmesan cheese

salt and pepper to taste

1-2 pieces cooked bacon crumbled (optional)

Saute onion and celery in 2T butter until translucent. Add broccoli and broth and simmer 15-20 min. Puree 1/2, 3/4, or all the soup, depending on how chunky you like it (a submersible blender works well here). Return to med-low heat.

In a small saucepan over med-high heat melt 3T butter. (If using bacon, add crumbles here, also add up to a tablespoon of bacon grease, this enriches the bacon flavor, not necessary, but good). Stir in flour for 1 min then add milk. Wisk until thick, creamy, and bubbling (careful not to burn). Add to broccoli soup with parmesan. Stir and season to taste. Top with more parm if desired.
*Variation of Best Cream of Broccoli Soup on Allrecipes

Pumpkin Cookies

2 1/2c flour

1t baking powder

1t baking soda

2t ground cinnamon

1/2t nutmeg

1/4t ground clove

1/2t salt

1/2c butter softened

1 1/2c brown sugar

1 15oz can pumpkin puree

1 egg

1t vanilla extract

Cream sugar, butter, and pumpkin. Add egg and vanilla and beat until well mixed. In another bowl mix flour, b. powder, b. soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and salt. Combine mixes in one bowl. Drop by spoonful onto a cookie sheet. You may want to tap them down a little because they won't spread very much. Bake 12 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Let cool and drizzle with honey, apple butter, or a light glaze if desired.

I made a soft glaze of 4oz cream cheese 1/4c brown sugar, 1T honey, and a splash of milk. I think adding butter to this would allow the glaze to harden more but I didn't want it to.

*Variation of Iced Pumpkin Cookies from Allrecipes

The Ever Delicious Homemade Pizza

2009-10-27T12:48:00.002-04:00

I love love love homemade pizza. I especially love it when you've found the right crust to make and for me I have found one. I am still a sucker for the Chef Boyardee pizza sauce (one of the few canned items I still buy), but I do make my own when I'm in a pinch. I found this recipe on allrecipes.com of course, and I've only tweeked it a tiny bit because it's really great as is. Here it is:

Jays Signature Pizza Crust (tweeked)
2.25t. yeast or 1 pk dry active yeast
1t honey
1.5c. warm water (110 degrees)
1t. salt
2T. olive oil
3.5-5c flour
3-4T melted butter

1. In a large bowl disolve yeast and honey in warm water. Let sit 10 min.
2. Stir in salt and oil and add 2.5c flour
3. Turn dough out on well floured surface and knead in additional flour until no longer sticky (I find this takes about 10 min and about 2 more cups of flour)
4. Place in well oiled bowl and cover. Let rise 1 hour or until doubled in size. When ready, punch down and form a tight ball. Let relax 5 min or so before you roll out. *This is when you can divide the dough and freeze half if you want. This recipe makes two bar pan size handtossed quality crusts, one very large, very thick crust, or I guess however you like it.
5. I do recommend baking on a stone if you have one, it crisps the bottom very nicely. If you do not, then oil your pan well, let rise another 15 min then prebake 10 min without your toppings. Remove from oven and top as usual.
6. Before you top your crust, brush exposed crust with melted butter. Now proceed with your toppings. (this part isn't necessary, but it adds more flavor)
7. Bake in a hot oven at 425 degrees for 15-20 min.

If you do not have any pizza sauce on hand there are many many recipes on the web. I make a very simple one using tomato sauce, garlic salt & powder, onion powder, oregano, and basil, all to taste.

So one of these days when I get organized and find my memory, I'll take pictures of these recipes to post for you until then you'll just have to use your imagination!

Chicken Pasta Casserole

2009-10-26T08:33:00.002-04:00

I've made this a couple times now and we REALLY like it alot! I got it from pioneer woman Ree Drummond www.thepioneerwoman.com she has some really great recipes on her website.

Here it is for you:

2c. cooked chicken
2 cans cream of mushroom/chicken soup
2c. shredded sharp cheddar
1/4c. finely diced green pepper
1/2c. finely diced onion
1 4oz jar pimentos drained
3c. spaghetti broken into 2" pieces
2c. chicken broth (reserved if you cooked a fryer)
1t. seasoned salt
1/8 to 1/4t. cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste
1 additional cup shredded cheese

One fryer will yield approx. 2c. chicken. Cook spaghetti in same chicken broth until al dente. Do no overcook. When cooked combine with remaining ingredients except the 1c. cheese. Place in casserole dish and top with remaining cheese. Bake 350 for 45 min, if cheese browns too much cover with foil. This freezes well before you bake it, (I put the mixture in a gallon ziplock and freeze it flat) or you can refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Grilled Cheese on Homemade Bread with Homemade Tomato Soup

2009-10-22T12:17:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I finished my soaked bread recipe (if your not familiar with soaking your grains, in short, it makes them more digestible and vitamins are more readily absorbed) here's a link to the recipe I followed. Seriously it was like Aunt Millie stopped and dropped off a couple loaves!

www.suegregg.com/about/Two%20Stage%20Process.pdf

Once the bread was made the rest was easy. I just made regular grilled cheese, nothing fancy. I used sharp cheddar because that's what I had on hand.

For the Tomato Soup, it's super easy. I used:
4 8oz cans of tomato sauce
2T butter
1/4-1/2t onion powder
1/4-1/2t garlic powder
1/4c milk
1/2c water
salt to taste

There you have it. An easy (once the bread is made), healthy, delicious, homemade meal.

Mexican Rice Bowls

2009-10-21T08:47:00.002-04:00

Are you tired of making the same meals every week? Every month? I was to so I decided to make a change. I made a list of everything we like to eat and I mean everything, at home or out at a restaurant. I came up with a chart of approximately 40 or so meals to be made on a monthly basis. If there's something I don't know how to make, I just look up a recipe for it. My meals can change by what I have on hand, or what's on sale in the weekly ads. Anyway this has been working for me and it's been curbing our desire to eat out as often since I'm making a lot of those foods here at home now.

Since I am making these meals at home I can make them as healthy as I want. For example, I made a very delicious chicken pot pie for dinner the other night. I made the crust and the creamy soup inside. I used a free-range chicken and frozen veggies. No cans, nothing artificial, just healthy goodness. So I'll be sharing my recipes with you, daily if possible.

Here's what we had for dinner last night: Mexican Rice Bowl. Taco bell has something similar to this and my sister-in-law makes something close to this as well. Here's my spin:

Rice (I made spanish style using brown, but any rice will do)
Pinto or Black beans
taco style beef (or chicken I only used 1/2 lb for our meal and had some left over)
shredded cheese
sour cream
chopped tomatoes, green onions, black olives, lettuce, whatever...
avocado
taco sauce
doritos (optional)

On a nice large plate place a scoop of rice, top with following desired ingredients (i've found that whole beans make the meal less "mushy" than using refried beans, but to each their own) beans, beef, cheese, toppings, and if you like a little crunch then crush some doritos or tortilla chips on top. My kids loved this meal as did my husband.

If you keep a fairly stocked pantry you should only have to buy a couple items to make this meal. I had to purchase an avocado ($1.50), a tomato (.22), green onions (.50), and a can of diced tomatoes & green chilis ($1.00) I added to my rice. My weekly out of pocket for this meal was $3.22. I already had beef, rice, whole beans, lettuce, chips, sour cream, olives, and cheese.

So there you go, easy and delicious Mexican Rice Bowls. Hope you enjoy!

I'm A Racist and You Could Be Too!

2009-10-15T15:06:00.003-04:00

It has come to my attention that I must be a racist. You see I listen to one on the radio at least 3-4 times a week. I support him by tuning in. And you know what's astonishing to me? I usually agree with him 99% of the time (it's usually his food topics I disagree with him about, not his politics).

Rush Limbaugh, for those of you who are not familiar with the story, was rejected as a potential buyer for the Saint Louis Rams. It's being said the rejection was due to racist remarks and his controversial show. Since when did 'truth' and 'racism' start carrying the same definition?

It absolutely infuriates me to hear that the people that care for this country, should we disagree with the liberal flow, are now concidered racist. Rush doesn't have the listener support he has because what he's saying is malicious, slanderous, crude, or improper. He has the support of Americans who do not want to live in a Europe, or a Canada, or anywhere else in this world for that matter. We want to live here in our free country.

So the NFL wants to call me and millions of other Americans racist? Ok, I see. Then they don't need my money or my tv viewing time. That's my turned cheek. I wouldn't want them to receive support from a racist such as myself.

Keep Your Lettuce Longer

2009-10-06T20:16:00.002-04:00

This summer we had a small garden. We had several different vegetables including a very abundant amount of lettuce. I usually picked it fresh but sometimes when I picked too much I'd put it in a bag and stick it in the fridge. Well one day I didn't have a ziplock to put it in so I used a different bag and oh my gosh did that lettuce last forever (which I know because I had 'found' it in the fridge quite a long time later).

It was a Meijer bag. I know, I know, but I really couldn't believe how long it kept my lettuce fresh and crisp. I mean no slimy goo, no strong or strange smells, no brown or black lettuce, just nice green, crisp, beautiful, lettuce. So since then I've been keeping my lettuce in the Meijer bag. I usually buy a head of green leaf lettuce and when I get home I chop the end off, rinse it, spin it dry, and toss it back in the Meijer bag. While it certainly doesn't keep indefinitely, it will (or seems to) keep longer than in a ziplock and it certainly is cheaper.

Oh So Yummy Sushi Bowls!!

2009-10-05T20:53:00.002-04:00

I love sushi! The 'straight-to-the-brain' effect that too much wasabi can produce can be so very addicting. My cloudy, ginger infused soy sauce mixture just begs for another delicious maki roll to take a quick dip. Oh yeah.
This type of dining however can be a bit expensive. Scott and I can easily spend $50 for the 2 of us a Japanese restaurant (if not more). So here's a way to quench that craving and I can tell you, it's pretty darn near close to being there. Here's what I did:

I like the raw fish rolls and Scott likes the California rolls. This is what you'll need to have on hand. Now if you have to purchase a lot of these items for the first time you might think it's a bit expensive, but you won't have to make these purchases everytime. Trust me that that little tube of wasabi will take you far!

bag of short-med grain white rice
soy sauce
prepared wasabi mix (tubes can be found with the soy sauce)
avocado/cucumber whatever you like in your rolls (I prefer avocado and some california rolls have both)
crab (imitation is used most often, but get what you like)
mayonaise
sesame seeds
tuna steak, or a salmon filet (for you raw fish lovers!)
fresh ginger root (optional)

So there's the list and here's what you do. Cook your rice a little early so you can allow it time to cool. By adding a tablespoon of a sugar/vinegar mix this helps to make your rice more sticky, more sushi like. I personally didn't do this since I was eating it out of a bowl and not rolling it up. If you like the california rolls then just mix your crab meat with some mayo, enough to make it moist but not overpowering. If you're using a raw cut of fish well just cut off how much you like and put the rest back in the freezer. A $4 tuna steak from Kroger will give me 3 sushi bowls. That's not too bad. So now you're ready to assemble!

It doesn't really matter because you'll probably stir it all up anyway but...
we did rice first
then I topped with my raw tuna and Scott his crab/mayo mix
then avocado
sprinkle sesame seeds (you can toast these in a skillet first if you like, I was too hungry to)
and a nice dollop of wasabi
next a generous amount soy sauce
and last but not least I grated fresh ginger over the top of mine (you can also buy the pickled ginger like what they serve there if you like but this works just as well. you can put the gingerroot in a baggie and throw it in your freezer until the next time too!)

So there you have it. Sushi easily made in your own kitchen.

I'm back.

2009-10-01T16:59:00.003-04:00

Ok so here I go again. I keep trying this blogging thing and maybe this time it will stick. I've had a rough one these past 6 months, but I think I'm ready to take this on once again. So quick recap, my mother passed away in April from the horrible beast of breast cancer (I hate you breast cancer), but more on the positive side I am expecting another baby!! Due to arrive sometime in February. So I survived the first trimester woes and I'm approaching the half way point. Thank you Lord!

Well that's good for today, I don't want to over do it :) I'll be back with more I promise and maybe someone out there will read it!

Soap Nuts??

2009-06-12T10:20:00.002-04:00

Ever heard of using soap nuts?? Well I hadn't either until I found them on this blog. They are pretty interesting I must admit. They are actually what they're name suggests. You use them mainly for a laundry detergent replacement but they have many uses. Go here to learn more!

http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/

Eating Itinerary 5/11-5/17

2009-05-10T21:41:00.000-04:00

I believe many of our health problems today are caused mainly by fungal toxins (a.k.a. mycotoxins). We unknowingly eat a large variety of contaminated food on a daily basis. This diet is about starving the fungus already in our body and limiting how much we take in. It is about replenishing the good flora and bacteria we've lost due to all the antibiotics we take. There are 3 phases to this diet. I will be sharing the 2nd phase because I am a nursing mother. The first phase is more restrictive on your carbs.

Don't misunderstand this diet, it is not just another 'low-carb diet'. Fungus feeds on sugar and carbs and unfortunately much of our grain supply is contaminated by mycotoxins especially corn. Here's what you should start to avoid: corn and all corn products, peanuts/pistachios and all peanut products, yeast, sugar, mushrooms, and cheese (with a few exceptions such as goat).So until then here's what my menu looks like for this week

Monday
B- eggs n bacon (uncured and no-sugar)
L- tortillas w/cream cheese, sliced lunch meat, veggies (green onion, lettuce, cucumber...), fruit (strawberries & blueberries)
D-Spaghetti w/Prego Marinara, diced tomatoes, maybe some zucchini, salad w/sunflower seeds, cucumbers, green peppers, and o/v dressing w/Mrs. Dash.

Tuesday
B- frozen fruit shake- 1c. yogurt, 1c. frozen fruit, stevia to taste dash of oj or water. Blend well
L- leftover spaghetti
D- taco salad- ground beef (preferably grass-fed) seasoned with 1-2T. chili powder, 2t. garlic powder, 1t. cumin, 2t. salt, onion powder, cayenne pepper if desired. Add to that rinsed can black beans. mix well with beef. Top lettuce with beef/bean mixture, tomatoes, avocado, black olives, onion/green onion, salsa, sour cream, and toasted flour tortilla crumbs if desired.

Wednesday
B- eggs n sausage
L- sliced ham w/carrots and dip (dip= equal parts sour cream and cream cheese mixed with a combo of Mrs. Dash, garlic powder and salt blend to taste, add 2 tablespoons to cream mixture)
D- homemade meatballs w/fried rice- 1lb ground beef & 1/2lb sausage, 1egg, ground oat flour (made by putting oatmeal in the blender) garlic powder, salt, minced onion, bake 350 40 min. prepare rice as normal. Heat oil in a wok or large skillet (preferably sesame oil) add onion, green peps, whatever veggies, and some scrambled egg. Add rice and meatballs.

Thursday
B- shake probably
L- leftover rice
D- it's my birthday we're having sushi! (probably 90% legal)

Friday
B- eggs n bacon or sausage or both?!
L- leftovers if any or salad
D- something easy, maybe spaghetti, or homemade legal baked beans with sausage

Saturday
B- shake
L- grill burgers maybe?
D- fend for yourself (ffy)

Sunday
B- shake
L- out with family
D- tortilla wraps

Snacks- I eat baby carrots with dip non-stop just about, I'll also eat an apple or other fruit, but mostly veggies and dip. For fruit you can only have berries, citrus fruits, and green apples. Also you should really only be drinking water or green tea. I like to buy 2-liters of sparkling water then add some lemon or lime to it. You can also make lemon-ade with real lemons and adding stevia to taste.

Ok so there's the shake down for my house this week. I know there are carbs in my meals but research has found rice and oats to be pretty safe. Also with pasta, the mycotoxins cook out in the water and are lost when the pasta is drained. As for the tortillas, make sure you read your ingredient labels, no yeast, corn, or sugar allowed. You may have to hunt but it's worth it. You may also cut out the carbs entirely for faster results.

Thanks and good luck!

Change of Life

2009-04-29T20:42:00.000-04:00

In the wake of my moms funeral I've spent some time thinking about how I would treat cancer should that happen to me. I decided that the results of both a convential method or a nonconvential method would yield better if my body was in a healthier state to begin with. While I may not have made a definite decision on which method I would choose, I have made the decision to prevent what I can by changing what I eat.

I would like to encourage anyone who has and/or doesn't want any aches and pains, headaches, inflammation, extra weight, stomach problems, skin problems, or anything else to join me in a change of life. This is more than just changing your food, it's making the decision to take your health care into your own hands. I don't want chemo to be my only option because my body is so weak. I've seen one choice and I don't want to die the way my mom did.

I will post my weekly menu along with snack ideas and other treats. I will provide where I am getting my information and if you are interested in doing or knowing more then this will help you.

I, personally, am not doing this for weight loss alone but more for the care of my health. Weight loss will happen regardless. I don't know that my actions won't prevent cancer, but at least I'll know that I tried.

Here's A Rake

2009-04-16T21:02:00.000-04:00

So with spring coming in full swing now, I actually went out to tend to my land. Ah yes my land, the ever so large 127x33 sweet piece of land I own downtown. It may not be much but I can definitely call it my own. As I am out with my garden rake ripping up weeds and cultivating the soil I was met with the most amazing aroma. Could dirt smell this good?

My house is the small oasis of color and plant life in my neighborhood. We're not on welfare or food stamps. I have a husband who works and has never been to jail. Our fence isn't sagging (yet), and our yard is clean. So how is it that we, a young couple on one income, with 2 small children, could possibly care about our home? I mean it's pretty obvious that no one else in the neighborhood does.

My children are getting restless. They're telling me it's time to eat. I set the rake aside and look at the blisters that have already formed and broke on my thumbs. The sweet scent that I tilled up is there for everyone. For those who work for it. So here's a rake.

For My Mom

2009-04-14T21:01:00.000-04:00

I don't know who coined this phrase but I don't ever want to hear it again. Whoever first referred to someone as having "lost their battle to cancer" obviously didn't sit there and watch the fight.

I had front row tickets that I didn't want. For almost 20 years I watched my mom go round and round with this wicked disease, but not for one instant would I ever say she lost her battle. Her cancer is dead, not her. She is still living and her life is even more amazing than she could have ever imagined.

Cancer is like a tangible sin. It's as though the devil himself has reached up from the depths of hell and touched you. While this demon of cancer may slowly suffocate your earthly body, it can never reach your soul or your spirit, not on its own anyway. This is something you have to give up yourself, it can't just come and take it. Though the body may be dying, the spirit thrives and strengthens.

Nancy Reese defeated cancer, that's what's in that box. Not her.

Short/Long Hiatus

2009-04-12T21:27:00.000-04:00

Since starting this blog we've moved and my mother has passed away. Between grieving and putting boxes away (with 2 small boys) I just can't find the time to keep current. Hopefully that will be changing soon and I can get the kick start that I desperately need.

So for today here's what I have to say:

At least once a day don't second guess yourself. I know it sounds simple, but you'll find that more often than not we don't follow our first instinct. At least not initially. I suggest you give it a try (especially if spring cleaning) you'll find your decision making process much easier and you'll feel more confident about yourself *plus you'll get rid of WAY more junk than you would have before, if you're first instinct is a 'yes I want this' then keep it. If it isn't than gift or garage sale it. We keep things like there isn't a WalMart/KMart/Meijer/Sams/Goodwill/ect... right down the road.

Anyway best of luck to you and hopefully I'll be back before the month is over!

Practical Tip Tuesday

2009-03-16T22:25:00.000-04:00

I've been gone for a minute, we were getting our computer fixed... that always sucks! Anyway I'm putting in my practical tip for Tuesday on Monday night. I know I won't have time otherwise. So here goes...

A Helpful Tip For Your Weekly Menu:

Most, if not all of us, have a few meals we make all the time. You could have as few as 2 or 3, or as many as 15 or 20. Either way we all have something. One of the best tips I was given was to plan your weekly meals around the Sunday circular ads. Instead of planning what your going to have for the week and then trying to shop for it, you look at the weekly ads and see what's on sale. Between the food on sale and what you already have in your pantry you should be able to assemble a menu rather quickly.

For example, one dinner I like to make is hero sandwiches. Everyone has a different name for them but they're just your basic meatball and sausage. Now, I know this is something I make periodically so when I see ingredients for my meals on sale I buy them. Last week there was some sweet Italian sausage on sale so I bought it. I have frozen meatballs from one week when Meijer had them on sale. This week Prego (which is what I like) is on sale and so are Aunt Millies deli buns. Dole salad mix is also on sale. I'll add green peppers and onions which I already have from last week. I'll make this probably for Thursday night.

Anyway you probably get the idea. It's not a difficult one but I will admit that it was difficult to adjust to. It's like working a crossword. You have your menu on the side there and you have to find the ingredients in the fliers. Well anyway it has definately been a money saver for me. I rarely buy anything at full price and if you have a coupon for it it makes it even better!

Take A Hike Pat White

2009-03-13T21:29:00.000-04:00

Please WOWO for the sake of your listeners give Pat White the hike!
There are some of us who like to listen to your station about local events in the 3:00-6:00 time slot; currently though I am forced to listen to 610am out of Ohio because their host is funny and tolerable.
Don't change the format, or even the topics... just the host please.

How Clean Is Your Hair?

2009-02-26T07:19:00.000-05:00

A week or so ago I decided to stop using shampoo and conditioner. In the winter, I always get a very dry scalp and right now I'm nursing. I didn't want to use anything heavily medicated for my hair so I decided to go for a dip into the ole' world wide web and see what I could find.

Baking soda and apple cider vinegar is what I've settled on and I don't wash it everyday. I have seen a very big difference in my scalps well being. It isn't as itchy or flakey. I take a small palm full of the b. soda (1/2-1 Tablespoon), get it slightly wet and massage it into the scalp. Obviously this will not lather up like normal soap but the point of washing your hair is to clean it and this definately does the trick. The rinse is what you can play with and by this I mean you can add scents and essential oils. I'm not quite there yet because I wanted to see if there were results with just plain vinegar first. Now that I know there are I'll probably take on infusing my vinegar with herbs to suit my needs.

Here is one site I've found that was pretty helpful:
http://www.chagrinvalleysoapandcraft.com/shampving.htm

While I know this isn't for everyone there is something freeing about not being reliant upon industry, this is their kick in the pants.

Practical Tip Tuesday

2009-02-24T13:31:00.000-05:00

Super Easy Oatmeal Bars

I usually have these on hand and we eat them for breakfast with some fruit or as an after dinner treat! I use honey instead of sugar and decrease the water to 1/2. They're good both ways and I add different things each time I make them...

1 c. Sugar
2/3 c. Water
1 c. PeanutButter
1 T. Vanilla
5 c. Whole Oats
1 c. Chocolate Chips (or raisins or peanutbutter chips)

Heat in saucepan water, sugar and pb. When sugar disolves cool 3 min and add vanilla. Stir in oats and choc chips. Press into 9x13 pan (I've never had any problems with not greasing it) refrigerate 2hrs. Nice simple recipe, no fat and very tasty! (T=tablespoon)

While we still can...

2009-02-19T08:47:00.000-05:00

Read the bible in public (like a park or coffee shop)
Paddle our children
Own and operate a wood burner in the home
Outdoor grilling and campfires
Sing Christmas songs about Jesus
Nativity scenes
Fourth of July fireworks (unless they're green!)
Homeschool
Home births (already taken from us here in Indiana)
Fast Food
Natureopathy/Homeopathy (until the AMA takes it over)
Vote
Free Speach
Arm ourselves

Taking the high road doesn't always have to be a quiet one. Speak up for what you hold to be true... what you believe. Our children are watching us.

Practical Tip Tuesday

2009-02-17T21:58:00.000-05:00

Ok so here's my tip: How to easily double your expensive jam

I've only done this with the 'simply fruit' type of jam not jelly so I'm not sure how it would work but anyway when you have an empty jar of jam, save it. Then when you buy jam again take half out, add some water (i buy the small jars so i only add about 1/4-1/3 cup water per half), then heat thru in the microwave until just hot. Pour back into the jar and refrigerate. That's it. It gels back up and will be firm just like before. If your unsure then just start out with less water, but anyway it's a great way to make your jam last longer, definitely worth it for us!