tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33447506116704348622023-11-16T03:57:53.106-08:00my fat-free pregnancy and beyondI write this blog to compile information I have sought through the course of my pregnancy and for my journey back. It is also to share choices I've made and things that have worked for me. Its for those of us who are choosing to have an empowered pregnancy that leaves us feeling like super women, and not hopelessly cast into a lot of overweight struggling, exhausted women on the flip side.erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-37907748464155090552012-05-24T16:54:00.000-07:002012-05-24T16:54:16.844-07:00Recipes: No-Bake Summer DelightsMia and I have been loving my summer break from nursing school. Last semester was incredibly intense, so finals could not have come soon enough. I now have three blissful months to focus on my growing tot, and find ways to make each day amazing, while relishing in just the simple moments of our life as it is. <br />
Come June, we will be relocating to another nearby city in the valley, and leaving our house of nearly 7 years. It is the house we brought our daughter home too when she was born, the house she took her first steps in and spoke her first words. It is a place that has offered a blank canvas which we have filled with the portrait that is our lives, and I wouldn't change a thing. Except that everything is about to change, as it often does in life. <br />
I am looking forward to a chance at starting over in some respects, while silently mourning the loss of an era. Mia is growing daily, speaking longer sentences, comprehending more difficult tasks and emotions, and forming incredible bonds with her little buddies, which I pray last a lifetime, as many of mine have. <br />
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As I wake each morning in the grog of a never-long-enough dream, I think about what I can do on this particular day to stimulate, enrich and cultivate my daughter's life and learning experiences. Some days that entails involved art projects with glue, markers, stickers and cutouts from a dozen different sources, or experimenting with old crayons on a sheet of wax paper over a hot plate. Other days it simply means spending an hour building a pillow fort, then making popcorn and reading books inside of it, or painting rocks we find outside. At the end of every day, I know one thing my daughter has taken away is the knowledge and feeling that she is loved and totally accepted just as she is now, and that will never change, even as she does.<br />
Today, we decided a trip to the Zoo with her pals was in order. Upon arriving home, a cool tasty treat made for Daddy's birthday awaited us. My dear cousin offered up the recipe for an old favorite treat, and since my husband is on a Paleo/no-grain kick, I made a simple tweak so it would accommodate him and the need for a birthday treat. <br />
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Recipe via Hannah Wright:<br />
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Cookies<br />
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1 C. Organic Coconut Oil<br />
4 Tbsp. Organic Cacao Powder (raw is even better!)<br />
1 C. Organic Peanut Butter<br />
1 Tbsp. Vanilla (gluten free vanilla if you are Celiac or intolerant)<br />
3 C. Oats (not instant, and gluten free if required.. Bob's Red Mill has gf oats)<br />
Honey, agave nectar, stevia or coconut crystals to taste (I used approximately 2 Tbsp raw honey, then a dropperful of stevia, but you can experiment until you get the sweetness you desire)<br />
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Slowly heat coconut oil in a large sauce pan along with the cacao powder. Add the peanut butter, vanilla, and oats. <br />
Using a teaspoon, place mounds of dough on parchment lined baking sheets or another flat surface, and allow to cool. Immediately store in refrigerator or freezer. If you live in a hot spot like I do here in Arizona, they may not harden at room temperature, so you will need to let them set in the fridge. <br />
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To mix it up, you can add coconut flakes, chopped almonds, or use crunchy peanut butter. You can also add pinches of spirulina, dark chocolate chips, or dried cherries -anything you're craving at the time. I think one time I will try it with sprinkles of bee pollen, or add in a little cayenne pepper! You could also substitute the peanut butter for almond butter.<br />
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So for my husband who is eating completely grain-free, I simply substituted the oats for organic, blanched almond flour, and they turned out just delicious, and he was thrilled. Next time I am going to try them with my organic quinoa flakes. So much yum and so many options! <br />
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Raw cacao as you know has so many amazing properties. It has amazing antioxidants -more than red wine, blueberries, acai, pomegranates or goji berries combined!! It contains magnesium (heart, brain, relaxes cramps, increases flexibility, increases alkalinity), iron (314% of the U.S. RDA!), as well as chromium (balances blood sugar), manganese, zinc (critical for immune system), copper, vitamin C, omega-6 fatty acids, PEA (a class of chemicals naturally produced in our bodies when we fall in love!), anadamide (an endorphin produces after exercise!), tryptophan (mood-enhancing), serotonin (stress0defense), fiber (soluble) and theobromine (antibacterial!). What's not to love!<br />
And coconut oil is amazing for our bodies as well. Cocnuts and their products contain MCFA, which allow for sustained energy and fat burning. It is antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal. It helps regulate and support hormone production, and is a precursor to the anti-aging hormone pregnenolone. It increases thyroid function (metabolism!) helping with weight loss, and support healthy cholesterol formation in the liver. I could go on and on, but you get the picture. So although you're "indulging" in a delicous cool summer treat, these little cookies are actually quite good for you!!! <br />
<br />As a side note, I have found my new little miracle. Earth Balance brand has developed a peanut butter made with coconut oil. Amazing! I am on jar one and in love. Mia devours it, and asks for "more!" on her toast, or apple slices. <br />
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The second no-bake summer desert is a recipe repeated to me by a gal at Whole Foods, and man is it to die for! It is what Mia now refers to as "ice cream!!!!" to my joy. I call it....<br />
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Arizona Orange Delight<br />
<br />2-3 C. Frozen pineapple chunks<br />
1/2 C. Coconut Milk<br />
1/2 Banana (frozen)<br />
1/2-1 C. fresh organic carrot juice (I use my juicer)<br />
1/4 tsp. Cinnamon<br />
1/2 tsp. Nutmeg<br />
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Blend all ingredients, adding more coconut milk as necessary for consistency, but you want it rather thick. Pour into individual size glass or plastic wear, and freeze! Mia always enjoys a small bowel full right away, and then since it does harden quite a bit, I will usually pull a container out before I start preparing lunch, or prior to a swim to ensure it is soft enough to eat when we're ready. <br />
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Enjoy! And enjoy these days of summer, as hard as it can be at certain moments having our babes in our faces 24/7, remember that there will be a day when we'll wish they'd at least return our call or text, and relish that they are still wrapped around our fingers, begging for our attention and influence.<br />
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Namaste, <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZB2uNG6XUda1X9kTQlQk7MzDvfOi1C0YsN_m9A3Zl6q4ItetwNKF5zuZrLYM8JUxV3x4UB_VpMerYEzwnUlN49Sl_LzNvcoKqVf85gWwziNLM2LOk6iSWqOUBPX24QmRrXQH0imZFTg/s1600/MonogramEF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZB2uNG6XUda1X9kTQlQk7MzDvfOi1C0YsN_m9A3Zl6q4ItetwNKF5zuZrLYM8JUxV3x4UB_VpMerYEzwnUlN49Sl_LzNvcoKqVf85gWwziNLM2LOk6iSWqOUBPX24QmRrXQH0imZFTg/s1600/MonogramEF.jpg" /></a></div>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-39460340878057341372012-03-03T16:17:00.002-08:002012-03-03T16:31:05.280-08:00Sick Stress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupW5WjE6G3DQJHBCIMUkY_0YqXV_G7k0hawvksjYt_kOvkG5ESqAhhMuODuGEEUDfplY_somBTUJIfcW2AtBOwlRHv2Am9GttM2Fs9obeh54U8k-wAs5w-2qdjbD7PEtDatYpihnjfg/s1600/march+3,+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupW5WjE6G3DQJHBCIMUkY_0YqXV_G7k0hawvksjYt_kOvkG5ESqAhhMuODuGEEUDfplY_somBTUJIfcW2AtBOwlRHv2Am9GttM2Fs9obeh54U8k-wAs5w-2qdjbD7PEtDatYpihnjfg/s320/march+3,+2012.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ever notice how you tend to catch that cold or flu everyone has right after a few sleepless nights, or after a big event or deadline? How about when you've been running yourself ragged with work, school, life and parenthood, and maybe baby is teething and you're lacking Zzzz's? Do you think there is any connection between the two? Absolutely!</div><br />
Physiological responses to stress include immunological responses. The immune system differentiates between self and nonself, so that under normal conditions the body does not treat one's own cells as threats, in the way that the immune system treats bacteria, viruses, parasites or toxins. <br />
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Typically the immune system reconizes bacteria as a threat and attacks them. An antigen on the surgace of the bacteria cells identifies the bacteria as invaders. After being exposed to a particular antigen, the immune system remembers how to respond to that antigen and prepares to respond with anitbodies when the same antigen appears at a later time. <br />
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However, a virus sometimes creates an antigen very similar to a naturally occuring protein and the immune system attacks as if it were a threat. Problems occur when the immune system misinterprets antigens and responds too strongly, leading to an autoimmune illness. <br />
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The mechanisms through which stress affects the immune system are unclear. A prolongedj state of stress causes disease. Stress makes people ill as a result of: <br />
1) increased levels of powerful hormones that change our bodily processes; <br />
2) coping choices that are unhealthy, such as not getting enough rest or a proper diet or use of tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, or other substances; and <br />
3) neglect of warning signs of illness or failure to adhere to prescribed medications or treatments. <br />
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So how can you avoid illness related to stress? When you know you are about to be faced with a stressful situation, or when you first realize you are stressed, make a point to avoid things that will further tax your body, such as excessive caffeine, alcohol or drugs. <br />
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Also avoid things like prolonged sun exposure, dehydration, etc., anything that puts your body under duress. Then, make a point to get some extra Zzzz's if at all possible. Use a natural sleep aid such as melatonin (0.3-1 mg, 1-2 hrs before bedtime) if the stress is keeping you awake. Try and use relaxation techniques such as yoga, stretching, meditation, or just closing your eyes somewhere safe and relxaxing for as little as 10 minutes. <br />
Take a bath, or workout, whatever you usually do to effectively release stress and tension. Just get it in! Acupuncture, accupressure or a massage can help to relieve stress and balance tha excessive hormones circulating through your system. <br />
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Drinking lemon water and raw, freshly made green juices can help bolster the immune system as well as detox, helping to unburden the body. But beware, excessive detoxing falls under the category of stressing out your system, at least initially. The end result is fantastic, but never start a detox during a time of sickness or stress.<br />
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Lastly, make sure you don't slip on any nutrition, meals, supplements or prescriptions during that time. Make sure you are eating properly, even if you have choke down some raw almonds and carrot sticks, make sure to give your body ample protein to combat excess blood glucose (comes with the stress teritory). Trying these simple things may help to fight off the next cold or flu lurking around the corner when you feel some stress coming on. The faster and better you learn to cope with and reduce stress, the longer life you will have, and less illness/disease along the way. <br />
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Namaste!<br />
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erika<br />
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Source:Potter & Perry 7th Edition, Mosby Elsevier, St. Louis 2009erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-64421104648379328792012-01-09T14:29:00.000-08:002012-01-09T14:29:56.253-08:00Green on the Go!It has been <i>so</i> long since I've posted. I come up with great posts constantly, jot down notes, even start them in a Word doc, but they rarely get finished these days. Life seemed to go into warp speed the moment Mia started walking, er, running, and hasn't slowed down!<br />
My little peanut is my whole world. She fits beautifully into mine and Steve's world, and we have perfectly adjusted to being a family of three, raising a tiny tot full of vigor, imagination, energy, curiosity, and energy beyond that which you can imagine, even for a toddler!<br />
Keeping Mia healthy and training her pallet have been top priorities over the past months. Developing her taste for not only nutritious and healthy foods, but new and different foods on a regular basis. Every time I am at the grocery store I look for a new piece of produce that may catch her eye, such as star fruit, her recent favorite. She has developed a preference for ethnic food, just like her parents enjoy, and nibbles on treats like roasted seaweed, kale chips, raw cashews, purple carrots and fresh green juices I make her.<br />
Juicing has become a huge part of our lives since I finally talked Steve into letting us get one several months ago. Prior to that I was driving to our nearest juice stand weekly, and making green smoothies daily. Now that I have my juicer, life is even better. Mia helps, and she gets so excited when she sees me preparing to to make "juuuuuuuuice!" We wash our vegetables, cut up the larger pieces, and I <i>very carefully </i>allow her to assist me in putting the pieces down the chute.<br />
We get a straw, and she drags me into her little play house, which is her favorite spot to "dwink juuuuuuice!" (I highly recommend making healthy snacks "fun" with your tot by creatively developing a special place to indulge. Mia and I drink juice in her playhouse, we eat almond butter and apples out on the grass, and lately have been noshing on roasted seaweed in the tree!)<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=Miainthetree.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/Miainthetree.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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With my nursing program starting in one week, I know that life is going to get even more hectic around here. I know that I am going to have to "give" in several areas. Being the perfectionist that I am, I have already been challenged in parenting with "letting go" of things I cannot have control over. I am sure you have been faced with the same challenge! Now I will be pushed to my limits I am sure, but I am purposing to have the attitude of compromise, and appreciation for the moment and the way things are in that moment. I will likely have to "give" on having a perfectly clean, organized house all the time. I will probably have to "give" on having laundry done promptly, and before the baskets are full. I will certainly have to "let go" of having amazing and creatively healthy meals, made from scratch each night. I am going to have to find a way to keep my family healthy and well-fed in quicker, easier ways. Juicing is one of the methods I will use to get lots of raw veggies and fruits into them.<br />
Over the next two years my number one priority will be my daughters health and happiness, as well as Steve's. My number two priority will be the nursing program. But when I am with my daughter, I will be <i>with her</i> and not distracted by a messy house, or what I should be preparing for dinner. I refuse to clean instead of read to her, I refuse to fold laundry or cook unless she can "help" and it is a fun thing for us to do together. I will not allow myself to become overwhelmed by all the things I "should" be doing, but I will simply do the very best job with what is at hand. Finding the balance in being a "working" mom is something I will have to work hard at, and something millions of women and moms out there are doing at the same time. What an art it is!<br />
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Keeping my own health in tact will be a challenge, and I am nervous about that. I have received many emails from moms who are faced with that very challenge, who have asked for ideas for health on the go. It is so difficult in this fast-paced world to keep your health whole while being in a million places at one time, wearing so many hats. You women who have hit your stride, my hats are off to you! It is difficult, yet doable. I know this from examples I've seen, and from the last 8 months of juggling I've done personally with full-time online classes and being at at-home mom. Now I'll be really put to the test as I'll be <i>in</i> class and hospitals training for the next two years.<br />
My strategy at this point is lots of juicing (when at home, and for on the road), using some time on the weekends to shop and prepare simple and easy healthful snacks to take with me, and to make sure I get at least 6 hours of sleep per night. <br />
The kind of go-to snacks I will keep handy and available are:<br />
-Raw almonds<br />
-Pre-cut and bagged portions of cucumbers, celery and carrots<br />
-Green apples<br />
-Justin's Almond Butter (single-serving packets, life-saving!)<br />
-Hummus in mini-plastic/glass containers to grab 'n go<br />
-Green juice first thing in the morning, and one to-go in a glass jar (I know the enzymes die quickly, but it is better than nothing in the middle of the day when I have a break from labs!)<br />
-Green smoothies (if I have time to make them in the morning to take, in addition to juices)<br />
-Fruit<br />
-Goat cheese and homemade almond flour crackers (my favorite gluten-free gal and her recipe: <a href="http://www.elanaspantry.com/rosemary-crackers/">http://www.elanaspantry.com/rosemary-crackers/</a> )<br />
-Water, water, water!<br />
-Kombucha<br />
-Probiotics<br />
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I know that I won't be able to work out the way I have been over the past two years, but I know enough about myself to know that I need to do <i>something </i> every day, even if it is just 20 minutes of yoga before bed, or 4 sets of single and double leg wall squats. Hopefully I get to run at least 3 times per week, that is my goal, along with 20 minutes of weights 3 times per week. <br />
One of my all-time favorite 20 minutes kick-your-a** cardio/weight workouts is Jillian Michaels: 30 Day Shred videos (number 2 and 3 especially). If all you have is 20 minutes, she will give you a run for your money! I also always revert to my 100/100/100, wall squats, and just a 30 minute run with Mia in the stroller does the trick. For abs, my go-to is Ab Ripper X (P90X) because it is only 16 minutes long, along with Abs/Core + (P90X). I do yoga before bed, even if it is only 15 minutes of it, and I will lay over my textbooks in plank pose, until every muscle is shaking, while I study. You can always squeeze it in, and that is what I'm about to become an expert on! I hope.<br />
If I can do all of that, and keep my body properly nourished, I should be okay. I will have to continue working on my anxiety over being a busy "working"/student mom, and release my fears of my daughter feeling like I don't have enough time for her.<br />
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I recognize that I am entering a whole new era of mommyhood, one that I have not navigated, nor have I mentally prepared for, so I am choosing to take each day with stride, and focus on health and wellness for myself and my family, and the rest will hopefully fall into place. So "Hello!" messy house, overdue laundry, 5am mornings, eating on the run, tired eyes, and a whole new chapter in my life.<br />
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Here are a couple of Mia and I's favorite juice recipes, packed with raw superfood nutrition:<br />
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Mia's Orange Delight:<br />
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5-6 Organic large carrots<br />
2 Organic green apples<br />
Chunk of ginger root (cut off about a half inch from the root)<br />
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Juice and enjoy!<br />
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Mia's Green Goodies":<br />
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1 Large bunch organic spinach<br />
1/2 Bunch organic parsley (or more)<br />
1 Bunch red or green organic dandelion greens<br />
2-3 leaves of organic swiss chard<br />
1-2 Organic green apples<br />
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Juice and serve immediately!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=miaspurplesmile.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/miaspurplesmile.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Namaste,<br />
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<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=MonogramEFjpg.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/MonogramEFjpg.png" /></a>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-68098894783508290782011-10-22T14:07:00.000-07:002011-10-22T14:07:00.452-07:00Recipes: Chocolate Chunk Cookies<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gluten-Free Almond Flour Chocolate Chunk Cookies<br />
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</tbody></table>These delicious little treats taste exquisite fresh out of the oven -and they only take 15 minutes to make, so they are a perfect delight to whip up on a moments notice. They are made with protein and nutrient rich almond flour, sweetened with raw coconut crystals (palm sugar) which is a low-glycemic index food -win! I got the basis for the recipe from my favorite gluten-free blog, www.elenaspantry.com, but made some changes to suit my liking.<br />
<br />
2 1/2 C. Almond Flour (must be blanched, and for some reason Bob's Red Mill brand doesn't work well. I order my almond flour from www.nutsonline.com).<br />
1/2 C. Raw Coconut Crystals<br />
1/2 tsp. Sea Salt<br />
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda<br />
1 Tbsp. Organic Vanilla (gluten-free)<br />
1/2 C. Organic Coconut Oil<br />
1 Organic Egg<br />
1 C. Super Dark Chocolate Chunks (I love using Bakers Semi-Sweet Chocolate Squares -I chop them into chunks myself)<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Combine wet ingredients in a smaller bowl and mix well, then combine with dry ingredients. Stir in chocolate chucks.<br />
<br />
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, and form dough into 1 in. balls and space approximately 1.5 inches apart. Bake at 350 for 7-10 minutes (usually 9 minutes works for me, 8 if they are smaller size balls of dough).<br />
<br />
Enjoy with a glass of unsweetened almond or coconut milk -Mmm-Mmm Good!!!<br />
<br />
Namaste,<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=MonogramEFjpg.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/MonogramEFjpg.png" /></a>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-90317851391874566802011-10-03T15:32:00.000-07:002011-10-03T15:32:02.689-07:00Recipes: Balsalmic & Pesto Black Eyed SaladThis was another one of my spur-of-the-moment lunch creations. I knew I wanted salad, needed protein, didn't feel like meat, and wanted to feel like I just had something delicious and light for lunch.<br />
<br />
Excuse the iPhone shot of the salad, as I was nearly halfway through eating it before I realized I forgot to take a picture of it for the recipe. :) Ah, Mommybrain.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=lunch10-3-11.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/lunch10-3-11.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
1 C. Organic Baby Spinach<br />
1 C. Organic Mixed Greens<br />
Several leaves of fresh organic Basil, sliced<br />
3-4 Organic, multi-colored sweet small peppers, thinly sliced<br />
3-4 Organic Baby Bella Mushrooms, thinly sliced<br />
1-2 Organic green onions, sliced<br />
1/2 C. Organic Black Eyed Peas (unsalted, then sprinkle with a small amount of seasoned sea salt)<br />
1/2 package of Organic Basil Pesto seasoning (I use Simply Organics when no time to make from scratch)<br />
2 Tbsp. Fig Balsamic dressing (or plain balsamic vinegar and a drizzle of grapeseed oil)<br />
1 tsp. balsamic glaze (if you have it, or reduced balsamic vinegar)<br />
1 tsp. grapeseed or coconut oil<br />
<br />
Toss spinach and spring mix together in a large bowl, along with the green onions, mushrooms and peppers. Place black eyed peas (well rinsed, then lightly sprinkled with sea salt) in a separate bowl, along with the 1/2 packet of pesto seasoning and 1 tsp. grapeseed oil, and mix together. Drizzle balsamic dressing over salad, then layer with the black eyed peas. Garnish with freshly sliced basil, and enjoy!!!<br />
<br />
Namaste,<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=MonogramEFjpg.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/MonogramEFjpg.png" /></a>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-55006184617511488772011-09-01T07:49:00.000-07:002011-09-01T07:49:58.211-07:00Beautifully Broken<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/sanddollars1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/sanddollars1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">See these two sand dollars? They are broken, like the hundreds on the shore in Pacific Beach, WA. Not all were broken, while walking with my daughter Mia, now 18 months, we found a dozen or so whole sand dollars, and she gleefully picked each one up and placed it in her pail like I’d shown her to do. Earlier that morning I’d gone for a run along the shore, under the crystal clear robin’s egg blue sky, with the salty mist in my lungs and the wind across my body, I ran my heart out in that exquisite moment of perfection. That is why I had to stop and look at the broken sand dollars. </div><div class="MsoNormal"> There they were broken, broken in my exquisite moment of bliss on that shore, and yet although broken, they were perfect. Perfect because they were right where they should be, at the edge of the ocean, right where they were supposed to be in that moment. <br />
I saw that they were beautifully broken, not just half a shell. They were in that spot for a reason… if no other than to make my moment perfect. <br />
I think that so often after child birth we girls can feel oh so broken, imperfect. We’ve been stretched, stressed, burdened, huge, heavy, and sleepless, aching, hurting, and all the while in love with our new bundle, yet we do not feel like ourselves (at least most of us don’t).<br />
<span> </span>Our bodies have been out of our control for nearly a year, and counting, as we adjust to postpartum differences, breastfeeding, and a myriad of emotions that we can rarely put a name to. It can be difficult, and some of us struggle with things long after birth… I myself still have a couple little quirky issues that linger from birth, and since I am still breastfeeding, I some days still do not feel like I have my old body back (as much as I love being able to continue breastfeeding). <br />
So here is my thought in this moment… You are beautifully broken. You may not be completely back to normal no<span> </span>matter how many ab exercises you’ve done, how many miles you’ve run to burn off the baby weight, no matter what your issue is, maybe you’re feeling broken just today… but it is beautiful because it is exactly where you are supposed to be in your own moment. You are supposed to be here, right now, with your new baby or toddler, feeling all these emotions and taking this journey not back to who you were, your old body and self, but a journey forwards, morphing into the woman you are becoming. The mother, the lover, the homemaker or working mom, it doesn’t matter. <br />
This is your journey, your moment, and you are exactly where you are supposed to be, broken and all. Let yourself be in this moment and chose to see it as beautiful, and know that it is only temporary. Because love conquers all… love of one’s child, love of one’s self, and love of life. If you are broken, or just feeling broken, be beautifully broken, and don’t underestimate yourself. The best is yet to come, if you so desire.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Namaste,<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=MonogramEFjpg.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/MonogramEFjpg.png" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=sanddollars2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/sanddollars2.jpg" /></a></div>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-61887203633541267402011-07-08T21:08:00.000-07:002011-07-08T21:08:00.920-07:00Got Acne, Zits, Pimples, Breakouts, a Blemish, or as Mia calls them, “Mommy hurt?”<div class="MsoNormal">Let’s get real –we all get them from time to time, some worse than others… we all want perfect skin, and we all go through phases of glowing, blemish free skin to days when we feel like a leaper. Ugh! Those pesky things! I hate them! I went through most of my teens, my entire twenties, pregnancy and 1.5 years post partum with barely a blemish, and all of a sudden I started getting a few… then more and more! No! Tried everything –my diet was/is already very clean, I tried eliminating more foods and implementing others, but nothing worked. It had to be something else; hormones? I could only speculate. I began trying… <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everything! </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My normal (religious) facial care seemed to be doing nothing, and even harming my skin, making it worse. I’ve always had the “perfect balance” when it came to facial products and make-up (or the lack thereof… not a foundation girl, keep things to a minimum. Light powder, eye makeup, that is about it) so why did everything just stop working? At a time when I am already overwhelmed with classes and being Mia’s full time Mommy, I barely have time to get in my exercise, much less deal with concealer and spot treatments. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started doing some serious research, and started to realize it was indeed because of my hormones… what is up with turning 30 and everything in your body switching up on you –<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">again! </i>As if puberty, our monthly little visits, pregnancy, postpartum and then menopause aren’t changes enough, we have to deal with wacky hormones at the most inopportune times in life. C’mon!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had an ‘inkling’ of what was going on… had to be low estrogen along with maybe some vitamin A deficiency. Again, this was all speculation. I began eating more Maca… organic powder that I add into my smoothies. I also added evening primrose oil. I kept on with my beauty pearl, and doubled the dose (Beauty Pearl from Sunrider.com). I started researching more and more, and finally stumbled across some information from a Natropathic Doctor who is also a Holistic Esthetician in Portugual. Her words of wisdom –bless her words of wisdom! Have worked like a charm… things are starting to clear up, wonder of wonders! So I am passing on this information because it is so good, and I’ve been using it on myself with great success… I’d never pass on info that I didn’t already test on myself, so take it with your own personal grain of salt, try if you wish, and let me know if you get the same great results as I did from these natural solutions. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Here is what she recommended:</div><div class="MsoNormal">First of all, she prohibited the consummation of any/all pork products, because pork meat tends to carry the parasite/worm <b>Trichinosis</b> that causes severe acne. She then recommends doing a cleanse if this parasite is suspected, using a treatment with cloves, absinth and wormword for 21 days <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(I did not try this, and would go see a Naturopathic/other doctor if I thought I was infected with this parasite for a treatment under their care).</i></b> After the 21 days, she says to fill your diet with water, herbal teas, fresh fruit and vegetables, as much as you can eat (obviously this part I was already doing, and still do -70/30 alkaline fruits and veggies with cooked food/grains/proteins. She says to exercise, and avoid all soy products as soy products negatively affect your endocrine system (and ultimately your hormone balance). She says to avoid all gluten and diary and start consuming whole leaf Aloe Vera. She then recommends to do an external treatment consisting of clay (I use bentonite mixed with apple cider vinegar) mixed with grated yam (I did organic jeweled yams, about 1 Tbsp) and freshly grated ginger (I did about 1 Tbsp). Apply to affected areas and leave on for 1 hour per day, 15 days in a row. She says to not use soap or any products containing detergent like products, because they make the skin produce more oil, causing more breakouts. She said to wash with water only, and then afterward apply raw organic apple cider (I use Bragg’s) with a cotton ball, then organic, “biological” coconut oil (I use organic raw coconut oil). She said coconut oil is the very best moisturizer and product for your face because it is antiviral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial. She ends by saying that “anyone who does these things will no longer have problems with acne.”<br />
I for one thought that putting oil of any kind on my face after years of adhering to a strict oil-free everything regimen would certainly cause a massive breakout… but instead, my skin is glowing, and clearing like I can’t believe. I am excited… especially because these are natural solutions and I’m not spending hundreds of dollars on synthetic products that pour more toxins into my body. I’m loving the results and just had to pass it on. Cheers to your own personal glow!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Namaste,</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=MonogramEFjpg.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/MonogramEFjpg.png" /></a></div>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-18700137667224964492011-06-12T16:23:00.000-07:002011-06-12T16:23:51.447-07:00Long Lost Blogger MomSo I have had NO time lately to work on my many unfinished blog posts... Ahhhh, the folder under documents that says "Blog Posts" has a dozen or more deep-thought, research ridden nuggets to be shared, and eventually some day I am sure I will get to them each. But for now, I am caught up in the magical mayhem of life with a [nearly] 16 month old, a full school load (online so I can be at home with Mia) and just life. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=Easter201146-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/Easter201146-1.jpg" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Mia's first Easter egg hunt! She did such a good job!</i></span><br />
<br />
Every day I have to adjust and readjust my "to-do" list to make it more manageable, because as a good friend told me at my baby shower, "cross off 'today' and write 'month' at the top of your to-do list... you'll be a happier person." As I have done that, I have also been coming up with various things to make life easier as a Mom and human being; small adjustments and shortcuts and time-savers. I thought I'd share a few with you since I think we're all in the same boat. Forgive the randomness, it is what it is. ;)<br />
<br />
Workouts: Yes, working out is still a #1 priority for me. It HAS to be. And anytime that little voice starts to speak up saying that I should be doing something else with my time, I shut it down, because working out (at least for me) is one of the best things that I can do to make life better not only for myself, but for my family. If I've had a chance to burn off some stress, get my blood pumping and serotonin cruising, then I am happier, I am more relaxed, I have more <i>energy</i> and that radiates into my day and those I spend time with. Getting in the workout can be <i>hard</i>, especially with little ones, but it is crucial for your mental state. I have come up with many avenues of getting it in.<br />
1. Jump up first thing in the morning, babies in the jogging stroller and take off running. You can get in an amazing calorie kick and day-long burn if you start with some sprints. Warm up for 5 minutes, then start in on 30 seconds of your fastest sprint possible, then reduce to a slow jog or race walk for 90 seconds. Repeat 8 times and head home! I run along a wall in my neighborhood. And after my 30 seconds of sprinting, I park the stroller and do triceps extensions on the wall, followed by single-leg and formal wall squats.<br />
2. P90X Ab Ripper. This will get your tummy back from baby, and get you a 6 pack you've never seen before. The best part is that this particular segment is only 16 minutes long. I do with Mia climbing all over me after a run, or after I've read her 13 books in a row and need a break. She is happy and fine to play by herself for 16 minutes while I get in some core work. This is very doable, and if you can work it in 4x/week, you'll have a sculpted core in a couple of weeks. It's amazing! Best ab workout, ever.<br />
3. Stretch with your kid(s). Mia now knows when I am "exercising" or "stretching" and she is starting to get into it. What a good example to set for them about staying physically active and healthy. She loves it when I'm on the floor with her anyway, and throwing her around is almost better then a session of kettlebells (my second fav workout).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=Easter201131-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/Easter201131-1.jpg" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Mia swimming with her cousin Mark; she loves the water!</i></span><br />
<br />
Food: <br />
1. One of my favorite short-cuts lately are lemon cubes! I snagged a bag of lemons off my brother and sis-in-law's trees, came home and juiced the whole bag, and used a couple jars of fresh juice, but froze most of it in ice cube trays, and that has been amazing! I will make a smoothie and toss 1-2 lemon cubes in with a handful of spinach, a dropperful of stevia, green powder, coconut milk, handful of blueberries, and an avocado, and BAM, awesome smoothie. I put a cube in my water with a drop or two of stevia for fresh lemon water, and add a couple mint leaves from my garden. Delicious. I've even added a cube to my vegetable stir fry. They come in really handy.<br />
2. As soon as I get my organic produce for the week, I take the 30-60 minutes when I get home to "prep" it all for fast use during the week. This seems like a pain but it ends up being a <i>huge</i> time saver. I chop melons into cubes and put them in a container, I wash grapes, lettuce, carrots, celery, etc., chop it all and place into separate baggies for easy snacking and access.<br />
3. I make a triple batch of organic quinoa 1-2 times per week. I use chilled quinoa on top of my salads, or I just toss in some cucumber and avocado with the quinoa and drizzle balsalmic on top for a snack. I sautee veggies and eat them over quinoa, or I have quinoa with almond milk and fruit for breakfast. In short, it is an amazing gluten-free, protein rich grain that has proven essential to have ready-to-use in my fridge.<br />
<br />
Chores:<br />
1. Yah right! Ha... :) They are never ending, but as long as I get 3 things done everyday, I don't sweat the rest. If those three things happen to be super basic, like Mia's laundry, a load of towels, and a trip to the grocery store, I call it a super day. Don't sweat the small stuff. I focus on the basics -if I can get the floors done and counters disinfected, and a "quick sweep" of the bathrooms, I am learning to live with that for the time being. It just not worth worrying about! Errands I can take Mia with me, and I can involve her in cooking and make it fun, but just take one day at a time and don't worry about what you don't get to.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=Easter201149.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/Easter201149.jpg" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The best "job" in the world xo</i></span><br />
<br />
Mia has grown up so much in the past several weeks. She is signing like crazy thanks to the introduction of the Baby Signing Time videos from my girlfriend... Mia signs cat, dog, thank you, please, sleep, poop, eat, all done, more, car, cracker, bird, bunny, frog, horse and many, more, and she gives kisses all day, and blows kisses... it is precious! She talks up a storm, having double the verbal vocabulary as her signing one... saying "flower, butterfly, kiss, dog, Dada, Mama, Gramma, sleep, rest, cracker, more, please, sign, curtain, truck, choo-choo, Kipper, uh-oh, uh-uh, help, stuck, hug, etc. It blows my mind how fast time is going. She runs around in her little pig tails, smiling with blue sparkling eyes... she is getting into coloring, and is growing out of all her baby toys. She is obsessed with her new wagon, and wants nothing more then to be in the water all day... whether it's helping Mommy water the garden and flowers, swimming in the pool, or playing in the bathtub. And who knew how much fun a couple of kitchen utinsels and a bucket of water on the porch could be? And she loves "painting" our brick fireplace with a paint brush and a cup of water (very supervised of course). I am loving every minute of being a Mom, and learning to adjust to life outside of the ridged structure and task-completion that I was once used to.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=June20011.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/June20011.jpg" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Becoming quite the little person with a huge personality!</i></span><br />
<br />
The other day she finally managed to scale the railing of her crib and flipped out. It was <i>horrifying</i> but we managed to get through, with just a bump on the forehead. As I speak a muffin crumbled Mia is looking up at me having just awoken from a nap and had her snack, so I am off once again on the Mommy Marathon, but can do so with more peace then ever knowing that I only have to take things one day at a time.<br />
<br />
Namaste,<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=MonogramEFjpg.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/MonogramEFjpg.png" /></a>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-86615837405582609612011-06-03T12:23:00.000-07:002011-06-12T14:49:37.825-07:00Recipes: Killer Quinoa MuffinsI got the base of this recipe off the back of my quinoa flakes box, but it needed some serious fixing up. So after I made a couple of changes, and added a thing or two, these muffins were the perfect start to my Sunday, and Mia ate them up. Completely gluten and dairy free, they are rich in protein, and melt in your mouth.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=bananamuffins.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/bananamuffins.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>2 Ripe Bananas<br />
2 Eggs<br />
2 Tbsp. Organic Raw Honey<br />
7 drops Liquid Stevia<br />
1 tsp Organic (gluten free) Vanilla<br />
1/2 tsp Pink or Sea Salt<br />
1 tsp Banking soda<br />
2 tsp Baking powder<br />
1/4 tsp Nutmeg<br />
1/2 tsp Cinnamon<br />
1/2 C. Quinoa Flakes<br />
1/2 C. Blanched Almond Flour<br />
<br />
Preset oven to 400 degrees. Mash bananas and combine with vanilla, stevia, honey and eggs. Stir together well. Whisk together dry ingredients in separate bowl, then combine all ingredients. Grease muffin tins (I use coconut oil spray) and fill about 2/3 full with batter.<br />
Bake at 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes, possibly more or less depending on your oven (start checking about about 13 min). Mine were perfectly done at 15 minutes. Mix it up by trying the recipe with peaches or blueberries, both also SUPER yummy! Also, you can add 2 Tbsp of cacao powder to make them chocolate banana muffins... probably the best thing you'll ever taste muffin-wise. :)<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
Namaste,<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=MonogramEFjpg.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/MonogramEFjpg.png" /></a>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-29371500210692138352011-05-02T14:34:00.000-07:002011-05-02T14:34:50.768-07:00Recipes: Wonder Wrap of the Week!What have I been eating for lunch this spring? Lots of "wraps" since my swiss chard grew like a weed, and my Grandmother's as well, so we had to get creative as to how to use it up. Since I am gluten free and don't typically use bread (even the gf stuff is an occasional treat) wrapping things in lettuce, chard and kale has been one way I've done lunches. But this one I've been making for a few weeks takes the cake, so I thought I'd share as summer is fast approaching and cool lunches are a must! Try and make all the ingredients organic, especially the lettuce.<br />
<br />
2 large lettuce leaves, your choice, washed<br />
2-3 leaves of swiss chard, stems removed, washed<br />
2-4 slices of organic turkey* (or any meat of of choice, as long as it's ORGANIC; if vegetarian, skip it)<br />
2-4 thin slices of cheddar style goat cheese<br />
Drizzle of Organic Honey Mustard<br />
Several sweet basil leaves, sliced thin, or not<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=wrap2.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/wrap2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Pile everything in the center of the leaves, and fold like a burrito! Some variations I've done include drizzling balsamic glaze instead of honey mustard, fig infused goat cheese vs. the cheddar style, and I also enjoy adding some sun dried tomatoes!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=wrap1.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/wrap1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I have traditionally been vegetarian, or mainly "pesatarian" but lately due to my health issues and the guidance of my naturopath, I've had to incorporate some organic lean meats again. If you are vegan, try omitting the turkey and cheese for jalapeño almond cheese, and replace the turkey/meat with a large sun dried tomato or some grilled portobello slices -also super yum!<br />
<br />
<br />
Enjoy!<br />
<br />
*I'm currently loving Applegate Organics Herb Roasted Turkey slices, they are gluten free too, yum!<br />
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<br />
Namaste,<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=MonogramEFjpg.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/MonogramEFjpg.png" /></a>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-3745729798790703312011-04-15T15:35:00.000-07:002011-04-15T15:35:27.980-07:00Recipes: French Fries My WayCraving something indulgent yet guilt free this evening? Try these tantalizing fries with a twist! Sure to satisfy with half the calories and oodles of nutrition!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=FrenchFriesMyWay.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/FrenchFriesMyWay.jpg" /></a></div><br />
1-2 Organic Sweet Potato's<br />
2-4 Organic Turnips<br />
1/8-1/4 Cup Grapeseed Oil<br />
1/2 tsp. Sweet Paprika<br />
Dash or 3 of your favorite "Garlic & Herb" seasoning (I love Mrs. Dash)<br />
Fresh ground pepper and Pink (or Sea) Salt to taste<br />
<br />
Wash and scrub turnips and sweet potato's thoroughly (leave skins on -super nutritious!). Cut into <i>even</i> slices, then sticks, about a 1/2 inch or so, just eyeball it.<br />
Place all slices in either a large bowl or a gallon size zip lock, drizzle grapeseed oil and spices. Coat fries evenly with your hands, or working on even coat over in the bag.<br />
Use parchment paper to cover two baking sheets, and lay fries out, try to avoid piling. Bake at 425 for about 20 minutes, or until crisp and brown as you like! It is a good idea to take them out about half way through and turn fries over so they are evenly crisp.<br />
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Enjoy with a salad or some lettuce-wrapped ground turkey. Yummy!<br />
<br />
Namaste,<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=MonogramEFjpg.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/MonogramEFjpg.png" /></a>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-20548025944112240002011-04-12T20:47:00.000-07:002011-04-12T20:47:53.593-07:00Retox<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I know I am slacking on posts, life with a one year old is crazy-busy! I have a lot of articles in the works; I just need time to finish them –thanks for being so patient with me! <br />
You THINK you're going to have all this time to get things done when they are napping or playing, but it's not so. When my daughter is up, she is UP and ABOUT and there is no slow-down in her day. She wants interaction, stimulation and education without pause. She is my tiny sprite, whom I adore, and who runs me ragged. She couldn't be a happier one year old, saying so many new words (diaper, dog, duck, "buh-fly", bird, all done, peas, broccoli, nana, book, ball, bubbles, swing...) and learning her signs (please, all done...) she fills my heart with joy, and I love attempting to match her energy every single day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=summer2011.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/summer2011.jpg" /></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>A quick SUP (paddleboard) lesson for Mia before Mama hit the ocean with her girlfriends last weekend!</i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So not to be behind the gun, but let’s chat about spring cleaning -not your house but your temple. Your insides! The reason why I usually wait to address this until later in the spring is because when spring first hits, I just want to enjoy it! I want to squeeze the fresh OJ from the fruit on my trees, and plant some new seeds and veggies to have during the summer... If I can keep he AZ heat from killing them that is. So when the temperatures do start to rise, like now (80's here!) that’s when I start thinking cleanse because I realize that bikini season is fast approaching. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the way... although I just used that phraseology, I HATE thinking "bikini season" or "swimsuit season." the reason why? You should be swimsuit ready year-round! I figure if I "pretend" like I'm going to have to hop into a two-piece at anytime during a year, and stick to my exercise and healthful eating, then there is no rush nor panic as soon as the weather warms, and I don't have to crash-cleanse just to jump start my way into shape. But what do I do when I’ve had an especially hectic week or weekend with little to no self-care? Or when I’ve recklessly eaten some foods that I exclude from my diet normally? (corn, rice, diary… I have never wavered on gluten) I do a quick 1-3 day retox. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Why “Retox” and not “Detox? Because I believe that you don’t suddenly need to remove everything “toxic” out of your body in a harsh manner, as some do with teas, laxatives, food fasts, etc. I believe that <i>if you provide your body with everything it needs to nourish and support its systems, that it will naturally purge itself of toxins and waste debris on its own…</i> with a little help. So here is what I do:</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span><b>Immediately exclude all diary, meats</b> (except fish), <b>refined sugars, simple carbs and coffee</b> (I do not drink sodas or any similar beverages so those are a non-issue for me).<br />
</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span><b>I minimize the cooked foods I eat</b>… I’d say raw vs. cooked becomes an 80/20 ratio, respectively.<br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span><b>I cut out all grains at first</b> (I’m already gluten free, 4 years and counting!), replace with organic beans, and eventually may add organic brown rice and/or organic quinoa (<i>occasionally</i> gluten free oats). Those are the only grains I typically ingest.<br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span><b>I add juice</b>. Not your typical juice nothing you buy pre-made, I’m talking what you get at the Whole Foods juice bar… and not the fruity stuff. The hard core stuff… like “I’ll take a 20oz of all the greens you have, plus lemon, plus garlic and a little green apple” kind of juice. I also do one that is just carrot and apple. In the mornings I pick oranges from my trees and juice them and drink it in the morning. About 16oz. I would say that I would take in 40-80oz of these juices (only 16oz of the oj) on one of these retox days. And as much as I can on the other days. Garden of Life does have a raw green powder that you can use with some fresh lemon and a few drops of stevia when you can’t get to a juice bar or juice at home <a href="http://www.gardenoflife.com/ProductsforLife/SUPPLEMENTS/FoundationalNutrition/PerfectFoodsupsupRAW/tabid/1836/Default.aspx">http://www.gardenoflife.com/ProductsforLife/SUPPLEMENTS/FoundationalNutrition/PerfectFoodsupsupRAW/tabid/1836/Default.aspx</a>.<br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do coffee enemas [GASP!] Yes, I do coffee enemas</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Before you flip out and start thinking of piping hot java powering up your rear like Old Faithful, calm down and hear me out. The coffee enema is </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">not</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> like colon hydrotherapy or similar therapies (for those of you so lucky to have experienced). The tube is tiny, and it is something you can </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">easily</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> do in the privacy of your own bathroom/room and isn’t as “invasive” as anything you would do otherwise. Now let me shed some light onto the biological basis of “why” with these java treatments, as I refer to them. “The coffee, once introduced to your colon, dilates the bile ducts. The coffee stimulates an enzyme system in the liver known as </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">glutathione S-transferase</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (GST) that removes a vast variety of free radicals from the bloodstream. Under the influence of a coffee enema, the GST enzyme system increases in activity to </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>650%</i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> above normal and removes free radicals (electrophiles) from the bloodstream. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>No other material other than coffee is known to stimulate free radical quenching in such proportion</u></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (not even coenzyme Q10 or OPC). The free radicals are mopped up and removed by GST enzymes through the use of coffee cleansing of the lower gut. During the time the coffee is being held in the gut, all the blood in the body passes through the liver at least five times (12-15 minutes). The blood circulates through the liver every three minutes. The palmitate compounds and the caffeine, Theobromine, and theophylline in coffee cause dilation of the liver’s blood vessels and bile ducts, relaxation of smooth muscles, stimulation of intestinal peristalsis and elevation of bile flow. Toxic bile is flushed out along with its bile salts to bring about effective dialysis that is advantageous. The coffee [enema] removes ammonialike products, toxic-bound nitrogen, protein derivatives, polyamines, amino acids, coagulated clumps, and complexes, all of which are waste products of metabolism. Getting rid of them frees the body from becoming poisoned by its own wastes.”</span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(The Gerson Way -Charlotte Gerson, Morton Walker D.P.M. via Dr. Max Gerson)</i> <a href="http://gerson.org/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1&zenid=19bc134ecbcf069f12f7f84942a2124d" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://gerson.org/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1&zenid=19bc134ecbcf069f12f7f84942a2124d</a></span></li>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span><b>I eliminate as much salt as possible</b> from my diet by consuming all the fresh fruits and vegetables, lightly cooked vegetables and raw juices. I add no salt to my cooking during this time, and eat minimal salt period. The reason for this also goes back to my following of the Gerson Therapy (which I stick closely to on a daily basis, and strictly to when I am sick, or feel like I am coming down with something). Dr. Max Gerson believed that one of the basic problems of disease was the loss of potassium from tissue cells and the penetration of sodium into the cells. “The cell, in attempting to maintain its integrity, binds the toxic sodium material with water. This is called <i>edematous fluid retention</i>. With the penetration of sodium into the cell, and therefore into tissues, enzyme function is inhibited and the normal tissue activity becomes disturbed or at worst, blocked. While a minimum of sodium is needed by the body for normal function, this inorganic substance is also considered to be an <i>extracellular</i> mineral, since it must remain outside of body cells in their fluids. Potassium is the <i>intracellular</i> mineral, since it is needed for metabolism within body cells. When the extracellular/intracellular balance is disturbed, health problems start from damage to the cells. The body is normally able to excrete excess sodium through the kidneys and feces, but when it becomes overwhelmed daily, year after year, with huge amounts of excess sodium, there comes a point when the body’s ability to excrete this excess is reduced or lost. Now a person’s many enzyme systems, his or her immune system, and eventually the liver, are damaged. The result is symptoms of illness and the creation of disease dysfunction.” <i>(The Gerson Way -Charlotte Gerson, Morton Walker D.P.M. via Dr. Max Gerson)</i></span></li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> So that’s what <i>I</i> do to “retox” –I retox my body with all the superfood-good-stuff in order to naturally detox. I start adding in SO much of the good things, raw fruits, vegetables, freshly pressed green and other juices, and minimizing animal protein/dairy, almost exclude salt, do a couple of “Java Rx’s” and wham! I am feeling mighty fine. Trust me… for a couple of days you won’t be missing any of your typical go-to food items. You will be SO full on fruits, veggies, juices, beans, organic raw cold pressed flax oil (two tablespoons per day!) that you won’t miss any of it. You will sleep deeply, you will be hypereliminating and streamlined for the rest of your week, month, spring or summer. You will feel amazing. Your energy levels will be <i>so high</i>… You have to trust me. I have</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> always advocated that if you introduce enough good things, nourishing, raw, healthy things to your body, your cravings and desires for the “bad” will just slowly shrink away on their own. This is a much better approach than to simply STOP all your normal behaviors and try and starve your body into healthful submission any other way. When you have time, mindfully add in some yoga, an early morning jog (plunk baby into the stroller and take off!) or swing some kettlebells (can you get in 250 swings a day?) Just get your blood pumping... You know how I feel about the 100/100/100!</span><br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Enjoy your own retox and revisit it frequently so that when you start smelling spring in the air in the future, you don’t catch your own breath and start to meltdown because you have to have flat abs yesterday. Relax… and Retox.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Namaste,</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=MonogramEFjpg.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/MonogramEFjpg.png" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-20873325480399216662011-02-08T08:46:00.000-08:002011-02-08T08:54:17.947-08:00Why No-Soy for Me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0I1ekP_a0PsGSKf-q9_Y0FSgmW2sZm9heM6xG96bcT-bb1fpFY5j9JgUG4IcVtZmacX_CdKaO3gcGAtZ8UmE53brnyY6q4S9AXh5vmFBtsWfkmdlr6eiGzP9en-4JbWE02zmgTVYNg/s1600/istock_photo_of_soy_foods.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0I1ekP_a0PsGSKf-q9_Y0FSgmW2sZm9heM6xG96bcT-bb1fpFY5j9JgUG4IcVtZmacX_CdKaO3gcGAtZ8UmE53brnyY6q4S9AXh5vmFBtsWfkmdlr6eiGzP9en-4JbWE02zmgTVYNg/s200/istock_photo_of_soy_foods.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571362365751610754" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; ">I cannot but imagine that many of you will not be appreciative of this blog post. I know many of my vegan/vegetarian/raw (and so on) friends are big fans of the bean, but over the past few years I have steered clear of the product. Initially it was because I noticed that when I regularly included it in my diet, my skin broke out, so for me initially the decision was purely vain. I started doing research and my Naturopathic physician at the time actually told me a few reasons why to avoid soy. I’m not saying that I avoid soy at all costs, well most of the time I do, or that I never occasionally indulge in my <i>favorite </i>treat –a tall soy chai no water latte from Starbucks –but I avoid it as a rule in my daily diet. Not just soy, but all soy derivatives (soy lecithin, etc.) Just like gluten, you would be <i><u>shocked</u></i> to find out how much soy is artfully crafted into millions of food products. Remember, too much of anything is generally no bueno for you. Before I continue let me make a distinction. Fermented soy products are totally different and do not wreak havoc on your body the way unfermented soy products do. Examples of <i><u>unfermented</u></i> soy products to which I am referencing as having a negative impact on your health in this blog are soy milk, soy cheese, soy ice cream, edamame, etc.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">SO, why no soy… in Timothy Ferriss’s book The Four Hour Body he uses a quote from Dr. Richard Sharpe, director of the Medical Research Centre for Reproductive Biology in Edinburgh, Scotland which states: “I’ve seen numerous studies showing what soy does to female animals. Until I have reassurance that it doesn’t have this effect o on humans, I will not give soy to my children.” This was exactly the way I feel and why I have never, nor will I ever allow my daughter to have soy (as far as I can help). I love what Tim says following up that quote, “Food is complex and humans are overconfident.”<br /><br />That being said, in a nutshell the #1 reason why I go “no-soy” is because most soy available today, 91% to be exact, is GMO (genetically modified organism) soy.<br />Why do they genetically modify soybeans? Because they have to make them resistant to the herbicide Roundup which means the soy you eat is loaded with this toxic pesticide. The plants also now contain genes from bacteria that produce a protein that has never been part of the human food supply, and is causing huge problems with allergic reactions and more in our bodies.<br />In special regards to women and our babies… Since the introduction of GM foods in 1996 there has been an upsurge in low birth weight babies, infertility and other problems in our population, and animal studies thus far have shown devastating effects from consuming GM soy. Soy infant formula… nearly 20% of U.S. infants are now fed soy formula, but the estrogens in soy can irreversibly harm the infants’ development and reproductive health. Infants fed soy formula take in an <b>estimated five birth control pills’ worth of estrogen per day.</b> Infants fed soy formula have up to 20,000 times the amount of estrogen in circulation as those fed other formulas or human breast milk -(<a href="http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/01/02/soy-formula-part-seven.aspx">http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/01/02/soy-formula-part-seven.aspx</a>). And unfortunately, in recent Russian research soy is being linked to infertility in future generations. After being saturated with herbicides, the harvested soy is separated into soybean oil and soybean protein, neither of which is natural. These products are foreign to our bodies and our bodies naturally therefore attack them upon consumption <i>(check out Dr. Kaalay Daniel’s ‘The Whole Soy Story’ for thousands of studies)</i> which causes complete immune system breakdown, thyroid dysfunction, cognitive decline, reproductive disorders and infertility, to name a few. All of you soy-fans out there are going to be very unhappy and argue with me about this, but remember, all of the “health benefits” from “soy” are actually <i><u>only</u></i> from <b><i><u>fermented soy</u></i></b> products. Those advertising how good soy is for you are lumping fermented with unfermented, which we know is not the case. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">Examples of fermented soy which is good for us: Temph, Miso, Natto and soy sauce. Examples of unfermented soy which you want to avoid: Soybean oil (check ingredients listed), soymilk, soy cheese, ice cream, yogurt, soy “meat”, soy protein of any kind, edamame, soy infant formula.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">Soy lecithin (found in everything!!!) is used as an emulsifier in many foods and supplements and is derived from soy but there are some newer products that extract it from sunflower. Look for those products instead and try to avoid soy lecithin.<br />So the reasons why fermented soy products are good for us are that it is the best food source of Vitamin K2. This vitamin helps prevent against osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and diseases of the brain such as dementia, and protects against various cancers including prostate, lung, liver cancer and leukemia. Vitamin K acts synergistically with Vitamin D to keep you healthy.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">A few other reason why non-fermented soy products do us harm are that they contain goitrogens which are substances that block the synthesis of thyroid hormones and interfere with iodine metabolism thereby inhibiting normal thyroid function. They contain hemagglutinin which is a clot-promoting substance that causes your red blood cells to clump together. These clumped RBC are unable to properly absorb and distribute oxygen to your tissues. Soy contains phytates which bind to metal ions, preventing the absorption of certain minerals, including calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc –all co-factors for optimal biochemistry in your body. Soy has toxic levels of aluminum and manganese because they are processed by acid washing in aluminum tanks, which can leach high levels of aluminum into the final soy product. Soy formulas have up to 80 times higher manganese than is found in human breast milk. These are just a few reasons why unfermented soy is no bueno for you.<br /><br />According to Timothy Ferriss’s recent research <i>(The 4 Hour Body)</i> he has learned that “the phytoestrogens in soy are dangerous for adults and, to a greater extent, children, even when used in moderation.” Studies have demonstrated that “… just 30 grams of soy per day (about 2 Tbsp.) for 90 days can disrupt thyroid function.” The Swiss Federal Health Service equated 100 milligrams of isoflavones (phytoestrogens) to a <b><u>single birth control pill</u></b> in terms of estrogenic impact. “How many birth control pills are you inadvertently eating each day?” Tim asks. WOW –this sealed the already pretty much decided deal for me. “Estrogen dosing isn’t good for either gender unless you’re aiming for sterility.” He gives some stats of total isoflavones in 100 gram servings:<br /><br />Instant Soy Beverage: 109.51 mg<br />Raw Soybeans (Japanese): 118.51 mg (in less than ½ cup)<br />Fried Tofu: 48.35 mg (7-8 small pieces)<br />Temph: 43.52 mg (in less than 2/3 of a cup)<br />Common Infant Soy Formula: 25 mg</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">So now you’re wondering why I ruined your day with this blog post. I’m truly sorry about that, but you know me, I like to read and report –especially when the reports concern the health of our babies and children, and our own bodies’ during/before/after pregnancy.<br />Plus I’ve received many questions the past few months about soy, and many observers asking why I don’t include it in my diet at all. As far as I’m concerned, my daughter will not be given soy as a part of her diet, not at all, not in the least, no exceptions. When she is out in the world making her own decisions that will be up to her.<br />As for myself, I’ve avoided soy for vanity purposes for a while, and now I know why –my particular body doesn’t like that much estrogen, and since I’m already gluten intolerant, it’s easy to see why other foreign substances like GMO soy products are attacked by my body, making me feel super icky.<br />But aside from that, I am a huge avoider of all GMO products anyway.<br />You’re asking “what about organic soy?” well it’s certainly better for you than non-organic GM soy, but remember, <i>regular soy isn’t a health food that benefits your body-</i> only <b><i>fermented</i></b> soy products like the ones afore mentioned.<br />Obviously what you do with your own diet and body is totally up to you, and as I always say, find your own balance in whatever you choose. Don’t freak out over this blog post, do your own research and do what is best for you, your body and your family. Just be aware of what you’re being “sold” out there, and be your own best doctor. An educated mind won’t ever go to waste. Educate yourself on what you’re putting into your body.<i> Read ingredient lists and labels</i>. You’ll be surprised how often they sneak soy and other (like corn) products into your food.<br />If you are a soy milk advocate, give almond milk a whirl. Or even hemp. Tasty stuff! If you like tofu burgers, try temph. There are options for you. I personally can’t wait for the day that Starbucks offers organic coffee and almond milk options… but for now I typically patron Mom & Pop coffee shops who offer those choices, or every once in a while, yes, I have been known to consume a chai soy latte. I don’t live in fear that it will put me in the grave, but I just order a “Short” latte vs. the Tall latte (yes, they have a Short size, which I’ve been ordering for years, and everyone acts shocked, but that is the normal small in Europe!). Follow your gut, always follow your gut and you will be doing well. Here’s to your health!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span">Namaste,</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=MonogramEFjpg.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/MonogramEFjpg.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>My Sources:</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%">The Whole Soy Story: The Dark Side of America's Favorite Health Food by Kaalay T. Daniel, PhD -<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0967089751/optimalwellnessc">http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0967089751/optimalwellnessc</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%">Timothy Ferriss –The 4 Hour Body <a href="http://www.fourhourbody.com/">http://www.fourhourbody.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%"><a href="http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/09/18/what-s-so-bad-about-tofu.aspx">http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/09/18/what-s-so-bad-about-tofu.aspx</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%"><a href="http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/09/18/soy-can-damage-your-health.aspx">http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/09/18/soy-can-damage-your-health.aspx</a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%"><a href="http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2002/06/08/soy-part-seven.aspx">http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2002/06/08/soy-part-seven.aspx</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-4024723495211327842011-01-20T13:19:00.000-08:002011-01-20T20:33:51.301-08:00A Little Bit 'O Almond by Your Side: Why You WANT to Soak Your Almonds!<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >My Almond Notes:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Almonds [Organic, Raw] are a staple in my diet. They are easy to grab 'n go, they travel well, they are packed with nutrition. If eaten [properly] they can be an amazing source of nutrition. I survived on them (quite literally -being gluten free and not being able to eat crackers during the first trimester of my pregnancy, I ate almonds allllll day; and being in full time school until the end of my pregnancy, almonds kept me sane in long lectures). Almonds are so high in nutrition and are one of the greatest energy sources during pregnancy -trust me! They provide excellent nourishment for both you and baby... eat up!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Almonds have one of the highest protein concentrations ounce for ounce than any other food. Sixteen times more protein per milligram than any other protein source<i>. </i>Digestion in your body is set according to the first foods you put int your mouth in the morning. Eating protein first lets the pancreas know how much protease to release for proper digestion. Eating carbohydrates before protein gives the pancreas an inaccurate account of how much protease to have available to process the food as it travels down the intestines. * </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >This is why first thing in the morning I eat 11-12 <i>soaked</i> almonds. I soak them in purified water overnight at least, sometimes longer (never soak more than 72 hours). Soaking the almonds in purified water releases the nitrogen, which when digested will set the full strength of hydrochloric acid in your stomach for a day of optimal protein digestion. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Almonds are <i>covered</i> in toxic enzyme-inhibiting substances (for their own survival) which is not really beneficial to us. Soaking the almonds overnight (at least 6 hours, no longer than 72 hours) removes these toxic enzyme inhibitors so that the enzymes secreted during digestion can do their job. Phytic acid (can inhibit some absorption of minerals) is reduced. You can see the debris in the water from these soaked almonds:<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=AlmondSoaking.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/AlmondSoaking.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >These almonds are raw, organic almonds... you should see the almonds I bought once that were non-organic. I soaked them overnight, and you literally could not see through the water. It was murky and there was an overwhelming amount of gross debris. Triple the amount in the ones I have pictured here. Moral of the story? Buy organic and soak overnight! You'll love the benefits. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Namaste,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=MonogramEFjpg.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/MonogramEFjpg.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >*<i>(Yes, No, Maybe, Chronobiotic Nutrition by Marcella Vonn Harting and G.I. "Atom" Bergstrom )</i></span></div>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-23211420922869011962011-01-20T13:13:00.000-08:002011-01-20T13:18:49.370-08:00Recipes: Ridiculously Delicious Caramelized Onion, Sweet Golden Beet & Kale Salad<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >I made this for dinner last night... it was ridiculously delicious :) </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=KaleSalad2011.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/KaleSalad2011.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; "><b>Caramelized Onion, Sweet Golden Beet & Kale Salad<br /></b></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >(Serves 6)</span></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>2 </b>Heads of Organic Rainbow Kale (or your choice of Kale, coarsely chopped)</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><div style="text-align: left;"><b>1 </b>Large Organic Sweet Onion (coarsely chopped)</div> <b><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b>2 </b>Organic Golden Beets (this is really good with red beets as well if you can’t find golden)</span></div></b> <b><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b>1 Tbsp.</b> Organic Coconut Oil</span></div></b> <b><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b>¼ C. </b>Bragg’s Liquid Aminos</span></div></b> <b><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b>20-30 Drops </b>Liquid Stevia <i>(or add a couple drops at a time, tasting as you go; stevia and liquid aminos are my standard mixture for a “teriyaki” type of flavored sauce in all my cooking)</i></span></div></b> <b><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><b>Ground Pepper</b> to taste</span></div></b></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >It’s a good idea to cook the beats prior in the day in a Crockpot (or oven), on high with a little bit of water for 2 hours or so, depending on if you halve or quarter them. Keep testing for softness with a fork. Gently heat coconut oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until caramelized, about 10-15 minutes. Do not add salt. Add beats (diced into large chunks) until they warm, then add the kale, sautéing and stirring constantly for about 5 minutes, then remove from heat and cover to let the kale steam for another 5 minutes or so. Grind a bit of pepper on top, and there you have it. Simple, easy, and ridiculously delicious! A great compliment to a salmon dish, or even chicken… it is also delicious as its own meal (vegans) served over organic brown rice. </span><br /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Namaste,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=MonogramEFjpg.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/MonogramEFjpg.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-64411008500172964332011-01-05T16:18:00.000-08:002011-01-05T16:43:05.088-08:00Recipes: Grain-Free 'Almond Joy!' Cookies<div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; color: rgb(102, 51, 0); ">This fabulous recipe is from one of my favorite blogs:</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.lauraschmittne.com/2010/02/almond-flour-cookies-gluten-free-dairy.html">http://www.lauraschmittne.com/2010/02/almond-flour-cookies-gluten-free-dairy.html</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; color: rgb(102, 51, 0); ">and these cookies are dairy and gluten free... and could be vegan, although I did not make them that way. Check out Laura's blog for more great recipes. I've modified this recipe to my liking, and to make the cookies a little bit more moist and chewy. I found the originals to be a bit dry. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; color: rgb(102, 51, 0); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >They are protein packed, superfood packed, and even though they are a sweet treat, they are great to grab for an on-the-go snack that is good for you and will keep you satisfied. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=AlmondCookies.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/AlmondCookies.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>2 1/2 Cups Organic Almond Flour (the last 1/2 cup you can also sub Coconut Flour)</b></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>1/2 Cup Organic Medium Shredded Coconut (or more Coconut Flour)</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>1/2 Cup Organic Raw Almond Butter (or Organic Peanut Butter is <i>yummy</i> too!)</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>1 Cup Dark Chocolate Chips (you can also make your own Raw Chocolate and break into pieces!)</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>1/4 Cup Organic Coconut Oil</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>1/2 Cup Organic Honey, or Grade B Maple Syrup</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>1 tsp. Organic/Gluten Free Vanilla</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>1/2 tsp. Baking Soda</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>1/2 tsp. Sea Salt</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>1 Organic Egg (for vegan you can sub 1 Tbsp. milled flax seed with 3 Tbsp. hot water; this = 1 egg)</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >(I've done this recipe also with adding a 1/2 Cup Organic Applesauce to make them even more moist and tasty!)</span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=AlmondCookies2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/AlmondCookies2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>Mix all ingredients into a bowl, spoon into balls and press down with a fork or spoon. Bake at 325 degrees for 12-17 minutes (15 minutes usually does the trick) and ENJOY!!!</b></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Namaste,</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=MonogramEFjpg.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/MonogramEFjpg.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-64196142095245624162010-12-19T09:46:00.000-08:002010-12-19T09:56:51.407-08:00Coo-Coo for Coconuts!<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Meet your new best friend… The coconut! This friendly nut has nothing but goodness in store for you and your body. Let me start you off with a few fabulous facts on what coconut can do for you to get you interested in this rich, buttery, tropical oil that can change your health:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=3-coconut.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/3-coconut.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:.25in;margin-left:30.0pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in; line-height:normal;mso-pagination:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>They improve digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and amino acids.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>They are valuable to the immune system as they contain healthy antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial saturated fatty acids, helping to naturally fight off viruses, bacteria, and fungal overgrowth (more about this below).</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>They improve the utilization of blood sugar and can lessen the symptoms of hypoglycemia.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>They improve the absorption of the right kinds of calcium and magnesium ions.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>They consist of 90+ percent <u>raw </u>saturated fat – a rare and important building block of every cell in the human body. Unlike long-chain saturated animal fats (that have been associated with creating poor health), the saturated fat in coconut oil is in the form of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). MCFAs support the immune system, the thyroid gland, the nervous system, the skin, and provide fast energy.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>They contain powerful antioxidants in the form of raw saturated fats and oils. Coconut oil contains the most lauric acid (a powerful antiviral substance) of any plant source (the closest second is palm kernel oil).</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>They help the body use the essential fatty acids (omega-3, omega-6) and other fatty acids and phospholipids (e.g. choline, lecithin, etc.) more efficiently (coconut oil and omega-3 fatty acids are twice as effective when taken simultaneously).</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>They help regulate and support healthy hormone production.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>They are a nutritional precursor to the anti-aging hormone compound known as pregnenolone.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>They increase the speed of the thyroid, thus <u>allowing the body to drop excess weight and accumulated toxins</u>. Contrary to some previously held beliefs, <b><u>coconut cannot be stored in the body as fat</u></b>; it actually needs to be burned up on the spot, which helps fire up our excess fat-burning metabolism instantly!!!</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>They help displace toxic hydrogenated trans-fatty acids (e.g., partially hydrogenated soybean oil).</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>They restore natural saturated fat levels to the skin, subcutaneous fat layers, and to the individual cell membranes. The saturated fats in coconut products are also vital for the health of growing nervous systems in children… so eat up pregnant/breastfeeding Mama’s!).</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>They increase metabolism and help with weight loss due to the presence of medium-chain saturated fatty acids. Farm animals fed coconuts and coconut oil never become obese. When fed partially hydrogenated soybean oil and other rancid fats, the animals gain weight rapidly.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>They contain no appreciable levels of cholesterol and actually support cardiovascular health.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>They support healthy cholesterol formation in the liver. This high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the kind of cholesterol we want and that is essential to healthy hormone production.</span></li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;line-height:normal;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" > Interested in my friendly little nut yet? You should be! And all these benefits above are just from coconut oil! I’m not going to get into coconut water in this blog, but let me give you a couple of highlights from the benefits of coconut water here:</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in; margin-bottom:.25in;margin-left:30.0pt;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in; line-height:normal;mso-pagination:none;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>An excellent nutrition source for infants.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Great for rehydration.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Contains organic compounds possessing growth-promoting properties- coconut is excellent for improving muscle size and general physical growth in children.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Helps to calm urinary tract infections (struggling with these in your pregnancy?)</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Effective in helping to alleviate the pain of kidney and urethral stones. Coconut water helps to fight nanobacteria and the production of bad calcium in the kidneys.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Used as blood plasma substitute because it is sterile, does not produce heat, does not destroy red blood cells, and is readily accepted by the body.</span></li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" >So how does this all work? Well the part I’m super interested is the effects against all kinds of viruses and bacteria for our immune system. The part of coconut oil mainly responsible for this is Lauric Acid. According to Bruce Fife, C.N., N.D. in his book, The Coconut Oil Miracle (I highly recommend this read! It is responsible for most of the info in this blog) our bodies convert the coconut oil into a form that is “deadly to troublesome microbes yet remains harmless to us.” He goes on to explain that the triglycerides in coconut oil are nothing more than three fatty acids hooked together to a glycerol molecule. When we ingest the oil, the triglycerides break apart into diglycerides, monoglycerides, and free fatty acids. It is the monoglycerides and free fatty acids that have the antimicrobial properties. The most active being lauric acid and capric acid and their monoglycerides –monolaurin and monocaprin., The monoglycerides and free fatty acids are active, and the diglycerides and triglycerides are inactive. The antimicrobial properties of coconut oil (which consists of tryglercides), therefore, become active ONLY when ingested or otherwise converted into free fatty acids or monoglycerides. Lauric acid is amazing! “When coconut oil is consumed, the body makes the disease fighting monolaurin, the monoglyceride of lauric acid. Kabara and co-workers have shown as early as 1966 that lipophilic compounds had an adverse effect on lipid coated viruses. Later it was found that simple lipids could inactivate bacteria, yeast, fungi and enveloped viruses by disrupting the lipid membranes of the organisms. The antimicrobial effects of added and endogenous fatty acids and monoglycerides are additive and total concentration is critical for inactivating viruses. Among the saturated fatty acids, lauric acid has the maximum antiviral activity.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Kabara, although a professor emeritus from Michigan State University, continues to promote the practical aspects and the potential benefit of nutritional support regimen for individuals infected with genital herpes and other herpetic viral problems using medium chain lipids.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/Erika/Documents/Coo.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%; ">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;line-height:normal;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Here are some examples of lipid-coated microorganisms that lauric acid is effective at fighting off (according to Fife; Note –It is not suggested that lauric acid alone will “cure” any of these diseases):</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;line-height:normal;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Lipid-Coated Viruses:</span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom:.25in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-pagination:none;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>HIV</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Measles virus</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Herbpes simplex virus</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Herpes viridae</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Sarcoma virus</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Syncytial virus</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Human lymphotropic virus (Type 1)</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Vesicular stomatitius virus (VSV)</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Visna virus</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Cytomegalovirus</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Epstein-Barr virus</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Influenza virus</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Leukemia virus</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Pneumonovirus</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Hepatisis C virus</span></li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;line-height:normal;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Lipid-Coated Bacteria:</span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom:.25in;mso-add-space: auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:normal;mso-pagination:none;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Listeria monocytogenes</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Helicobacter pylori</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Hemophilus influenza</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Chlamydia pneumonia</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Staphylococcus aureus</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Streptococcus agalactiae</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Groups A, B, F, and G streptococci</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Gram-posistve organisms</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" >·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span>Gram-negative organisms (if pretreated with chelator)</span></li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.25in; margin-left:.25in;line-height:normal;mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >(These bacteria are responsible for such illnesses such as stomach ulcers, throat infections, pneumonia, sinusitis, earache, rheumatic fever, dental cavities, food poisoning, UTI’s, TSS, ringworm, Candida, thrush and giardiasis.)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;line-height:normal;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Now you Mom’s must be wondering why I am fixated on coconut as it pertains to us… well, we all know about how important breastfeeding is, so let me share with you one of the components of breast milk that is so crucial for our little ones!<br />The fatty acids that make coconut oil so effective against germs are the same ones nature has put into breast milk to protect children. Human breast milk (and the milk of other mammals) all contain small amounts of MCFAs (medium-chain fatty acids). These MCFAs are what protect the newborn baby from harmful germs at his/hers most vulnerable time in life –just after birth, while their immune systems are still developing. This is exactly why (if you look at the ingredients list of your infant formula, if you use it) these MCFAs are added to infant formula. Unfortunately most brands add a substitute, not actual coconut oil. They ad MCT oil which is more cost effective for them, and although it is not as good as coconut oil, it is still okay. MCT oil contains about 75% caprylic acid and 25% capric acid, with little or no lauric acid, which we know to be the most important antimicrobial MCFA. As a mother, if you consume coconut oil, you will have <i>even more</i> MCFAs in your milk to help add protection and nourish your baby even better. MCFA’s not only help infants with the absorption of much needed fats, but it increases their ability to absorb fat-soluble vitamins, minerals and <i>protein</i>.<br />The most important component once again is lauric acid. This is the primary saturated fatty acid found in coconut oil as well as breast milk. Lauric acid is the most abundant MCFA found naturally in mother’s milk, so if you are breast feeding, baby is getting plenty. The ration of lauric acid to other MCFAs in coconut is closest to that in mother’s milk than any other source. Our bodies naturally do not produce a large amount of MCFAs. However, if you begin to add MCFAs to your diet, you will consequently begin producing breast milk richer in MCFAs as well. “When nursing mother’s eat coconut products (shredded coconut, coconut milk, coconut oil, etc.) the levels of MCFAs in their milk increase significantly. For instance, eating 40 grams (3 Tbsp) of coconut oil in one meal can temporarily increase the lauric acid in the milk of a nursing mother from 3.9% to 9.6% after 14 hours. The content of caprylic and capric acids is also increased. If the mother consumes coconut oil every day while nursing, the MCFA content will be even greater.” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.25in; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=Coconut_Oil.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/Coconut_Oil.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;line-height:normal;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Ladies, this is why I am so strongly advocating the consumption of coconut oil!!! I personally consume anywhere between 3-6 Tbsp per day. In addition I drink coconut oil, eat lots coconut in my superfood snacks, and my favorite “take-out” is Thai food, because I can order coconut curry dishes with vegetables. There are so many great ways to ingest coconut, but don’t get carried away and think that by ordering a case of Almond Joy’s from Costco is going to do the trick. Get organic, raw, coconut oil and consume that (<a href="http://www.sunfood.com/">www.sunfood.com</a>; <a href="http://www.nutsonline.com/">www.nutsonline.com</a>; <a href="http://www.ultimatesuperfoods.com/">www.ultimatesuperfoods.com</a>) and use organic, unsweetened shredded coconut in all your recipes. Buy organic, raw coconut milk (when possible) and purchase pure, unsweetened coconut water. These products are a sure-fire way to get the right kind of MCFAs into your diet. I use <i><u>only</u></i> coconut oil in all of my cooking and baking. I use it as a spread on my gf toast (when I am eating grains) instead of butter, with a little bit of raw honey. I put it into my smoothies, and warm beverages. If the day is closing and I realize I haven’t had enough, I just take a tablespoon of it. Either way, I get it in, and you can too.<br />Coconut oil is not only safe for us it is safe enough for a newborn baby. It is so complex that it can kill off all kinds of bacteria, microbes, viruses and germs, yet is gentle enough for the newborn digestive system. How amazing!<br />Nature made MCFAs to nourish and protect us against infections illnesses. Coconut oil is much better than riddling our bodies with synthetic drugs that come with so many negative side effects and toxins, right? Coconut oil is nature’s own antimicrobial weapon. Regularly ingesting coconut oil will greatly reduce your chances of being infected with so many illnesses and diseases. What a simple thing we can do for our bodies and our babies.<br />If you are not a pregnant or breastfeeding Mom, you still need coconut products! Men, women, children, we all need to up our intake. If you are planning on becoming pregnant, start now with the coconut products. The kind of fats you consume and store in your body now are the same ones that will be used later in the making of your breast milk. These stored fats along with whatever fats you consume daily are what will be used to nourish your baby. “If you ingest plenty of MCFAs, especially lauric acid and capric acid (coconut products), your milk will be at its maximum nourishment level for your baby. You can have as much as 18% of the saturated fatty acids in your milk in the form of lauric and capric acids” if you do so. Mothers who do not ingest these MFCAs will only produce approximately 3% lauric acid and 1% capric acid. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;line-height:normal;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" >If you are struggling with weight loss postpartum, then coconut oil is your ticket out. Farmers began feeding their livestock coconut oil at one point to promote fast weight gain for economical purposes. But what they discovered is that the livestock began losing weight while maintaining muscle mass! What?! Yes! The farmers found that “the high polyunsaturated oil content of corn and soybean quickly did what the coconut oil couldn’t. Animals fed corn and soybeans packed on the pounds quickly and easily. The reason these oils worked so well is that their oils suppressed thyroid function, decreasing the animals’ metabolic rate (soybeans are particularly bad because of the goitrogens [antithyroid chemicals] they contain). They could east less food and gain more weight. How awful! Many people are in a similar situation. Every time we eat polyunsaturated oils (soybean and other vegetable oils), our thyroid gland is assaulted and loses its ability to function normally. Weight gain is the unhappy consequence.” Coconut oil is amazing because the instant your body digests it is used to produce energy and <i>stimulate</i> your metabolism vs. sabotaging it. Many athletes therefore use coconut oil to enhance their performance. The thermogenic effect of coconut oil doesn’t last a mere hour or two after ingesting it, studies show that after eating a single meal containing these MCFAs, metabolism remains elevated for at leaset 24 hours! During this time you will have a higher energy level and will be burning calories at an accelerated rate. I could go on and on here, or you could just buy the books… I’ve already had to edit this blog down significantly, ha! Either way, who doesn’t want all of these amazing benefits from this seemingly unreal nut?! </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:.25in;line-height:normal;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Scientists are jumping all over coconut oil in their research against these diseases, weight loss and more, and you should be too! There is nothing but goodness in store for you in adding coconut oil to your daily diet. Prevention is <i>always</i> the best medicine, and coconut oil can certainly help prevent so many illnesses, promote healthy weight, and optimally nourish our infants and more. I don’t have enough room to get into all the details of coconut oil and its beneficial properties here, but I am available for questions if you have them, feel free to email me. Also, I would strongly encourage you to read David Wolfe’s book, Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future, Bruce Fife, N.D.’s book, The Coconut Oil Miracle, and the report on coconut oil published by Dr. Kabara, for more information on this amazing little nut. That is where I have gleaned most of my knowledge which I have regurgitated in small part here for you.<br /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /><!--[endif]--></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Namaste, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=MonogramEFjpg.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/MonogramEFjpg.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p> <div style="mso-element:endnote-list"><!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /> </span><hr align="left" width="33%"> <!--[endif]--> <div style="mso-element:endnote" id="edn1"> <p class="MsoEndnoteText"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="file:///C:/Users/Erika/Documents/Coo.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" title="" style="font-size: small; "><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="line-height: 115%; ">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" > <i>HEALTH OILS FROM THE TREE OF LIFE (NUTRITIONAL AND HEALTH ASPECTS OF COCONUT OIL) By Jon J. Kabara, Ph.D.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></p> <p class="MsoEndnoteText"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >Other sources for blog information:<br /><i>The Coconut Oil Miracle, by Bruce Fife, C.N., N.D.<br />Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future, by David Wolfe</i></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoEndnoteText"><b><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></o:p></b></p> </div></div>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-20352652271125504432010-11-27T09:57:00.000-08:002010-11-27T10:23:19.348-08:00Recipes: Super {food} Peppermint Mocha<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypf-QsD7ONkw0-ipcZ4D64V2LbcdFwgIkZtcz4aJJAIoN_leZXE58Rs0YObeHhQKvBamEcT98mi-8_xBdASqKwRYp-mOVaK_SnHjvr6i0H30-wvUBMxqNL21hHf2nTAZlGJfBoX_3eg/s1600/cacao-004.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypf-QsD7ONkw0-ipcZ4D64V2LbcdFwgIkZtcz4aJJAIoN_leZXE58Rs0YObeHhQKvBamEcT98mi-8_xBdASqKwRYp-mOVaK_SnHjvr6i0H30-wvUBMxqNL21hHf2nTAZlGJfBoX_3eg/s200/cacao-004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544295508461555218" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />Starbucks hasn't got a thing on this delicious, so incredibly good for you steaming hot drink. Perfect for a morning accompaniment to your newspaper reading or email checking, or a warm drink to make your latest read even better. </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Aside from tasting <i>amazing,</i> this warm chocolaty beverage will help you focus, reduce your appetite cravings, calm your growling stomach, curb your sweet tooth, fill you up and help you lose weight <i>(the coconut oil & cacao!!!)</i> "HA!" you must be thinking, but oh no, I assure... would I drink it otherwise? Come on now ;)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I created this recipe specifically because the holiday season is upon us, I am craving my traditional Starbucks Holiday Latte's, and just don't want to make room for that kind of sugar calorie in my diet, nor do I want to risk lowering my immune system while breastfeeding. So here you go. Taste and see that the drink is good! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">12 oz Silk</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> (or other brand) <b>Almond Milk</b> (I use original flavor, but its up to you) </span></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">3 Tbsp (rounded) Organic Raw Cacao Powder</span></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">2 Tbsp Grade B Maple Syrup</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> (you <i>must</i> use grade B for the nutrients, the other is just sugar with no benefits)</span></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">1-6 drops of Stevia</span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> (I <i>love</i> the dark chocolate flavor of stevia for this OR the pepermint flavor! Note: I use the stevia if I need it sweeter -I usually do, but don't want to add more calories from the maple syrup, so I just sub stevia drop by drop until I'm happy with the sweetness)</span></span></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">1 tsp Organic, Gluten-Free Peppermint extract</span></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">1 <i>heaping</i> Tbsp. Raw Organic Coconut Oil</span></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></b></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Heat the almond milk on the stove in a saucepan until you reach desired heat. Try to avoid boiling. Remove from heat. In your mug, mix the raw cacao powder with the grade B maple syrup until a chocolate syrup consistency. Add in the stevia drops and the coconut oil. The coconut oil will probably be solid, don't worry about mixing it together with the chocolate syrup. </span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Add the heated almond milk to your mug with other ingredients, mix until all ingredients are dissolved, including coconut oil. Avoid reheating if possible. </span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">***Note: If you want to turn this into a genuine mocha beverage, which I commonly do in the wee small hours of the morning ;) then simply add <b>6 oz coffee </b>to <b>6 oz almond milk, or 8-10 oz off coffee and less almond milk</b> depending on your preference; and there you have it. If you are not a coffee person, this is also delicious with caffeine free <b>peppermint tea, or a plain black tea like Tazo.</b></span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Please try and make <b>ALL</b> the coffee/tea you drink organic (and fair trade!!!). Organic coffee isn't treated with the same awful pesticides that regular coffee is. Those pesticides are extremely hard on your body's organs of detoxification; your skin, liver, kidney, etc. </span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Enjoy!</span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Namaste,</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=MonogramEFjpg.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/MonogramEFjpg.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-40537175469651249562010-11-20T08:43:00.000-08:002010-11-20T08:53:13.801-08:00FFP Hotspot: GFC Bakery<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >How many of you out there are either gluten intolerant, gluten sensitive or celiac? How badly have you missed delicious fresh-from-the-oven confections that you don’t have to struggle over yourself? Well then, you simply MUST visit my friends at Gluten Free Creations Bakery in South Scottsdale (AZ).</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=GFCBakery2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/GFCBakery2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >If you’ve ever eaten the tasty gluten free pizza at Red, White & Brew, Spinato’s, Sourdough Pizza Restaurant, Vitos’ Pizza, Nello’s Pizza, Barros Pizza or Streets of New York, then you are already familiar with the tasty handiwork of GFC Bakery! They also provide gluten free delights for other fine establishments in the valley such as Indulge Burgers, J.W. Marriot’s Blue Sage Café, Gooseberries Lunch & Tea Room, Octagon Café and more!<br /><br />They offer a wide variety of treats right out of their bakery location, including many mixes you can take home and whip up yourself. Sweet and basic baking flours, bread mixes, desert mixes, mock-graham cracker crumbles for crust, breakfast mixes for pancakes or waffles.<br />You can pick up fresh loaves of cheddar cheese bread, English muffins, tasty donuts (you simply must try the “Insane Chocolate” flavor!) almond flax bread, cinnamon coffee cake, brownies, pecan wedding cookies, and many more. </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=d4u_InsaneChocolate.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/d4u_InsaneChocolate.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >They have tasty bagels, muffin and cupcakes, breakfast breads, cinnamon rolls, everything your little gf heart could desire. They also have dairy-free selections for my lactose intolerant friends. If you’re looking to pick up a couple of deserts for the holiday’s, they can help you out there too. They have delicious pumpkin bread, cinnamon rolls, pumpkin and pecan pies, date nut bread and harvest donuts!<br />My favorite feature is their wonderful birthday and celebration cakes! Lisa (the fabulous gf pastry chef) will create a wonderful cake for you, anything from red velvet to German chocolate, French vanilla with raspberry filling, and beautifully decorated. Gluten Free Creations Bakery is located on the S.E. corner of McDowell and Miller near the Peter Piper Pizza and H&R Block, or visit their website to order online!</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.glutenfreecreations.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >http://www.glutenfreecreations.com/</span></span></span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" > <a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=GFCBakery1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/GFCBakery1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >Namaste,</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=MonogramEFjpg.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/MonogramEFjpg.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></span></p>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-63013539082660480422010-11-16T06:20:00.000-08:002010-11-16T06:42:29.098-08:00The Food Angle<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Life is going by too quickly! I can't believe the holiday's are already upon us. Mia is growing so fast, such a strong, independent and happy girl. I am in love! Is there any other better feeling? I can't imagine. She astounds me daily, and I am constantly humbled that I have been entrusted with such a sweet spirit as this darling girl. Here are some newer pictures...</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=frazer045.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/frazer045.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=frazer065.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/frazer065.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >So I’ve been driving myself a bit crazy lately, I’m not going to lie. I am feeling more and more torn between all the different “food angles” (as I refer to them) that are out there for our information and education. As I feel pulled in a few different directions, and have for the past six months or so, I am also finding a strange sense of balance, which is what I want to share with you. It is <i>so easy</i> to get caught up in the latest and greatest when it comes to what we put in our mouth, or don’t. But what can you do to “stay on track” and at the same time being doing the very best thing for your own body? </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >I’d like to shed some light on the particular “food angles” that I am mulling through, and share with you the balance that I am finding between them. I think often we are pressured to commit our entire lifestyle around one conviction, like my fellow Vegan friends. I’ve been there –I was Vegan for two years (I recommitted to Veganism during my pregnancy, right after Food Inc., came out!), Vegetarian for 5 or 6, nearly completely Raw for one year. I’ve toyed with Macrobiotic, Alkaline, and most recently, the Chronobiotic “lifestyle” and have avoided dairy completely since just before my daughter was born, about 9 months (until recently). Back in the day, I even did a couple months of the <i>awful (should be illegal)</i> Atkins diet, and the Zone Diet (I still have value from that and use some principles), as well as the South Beach diet. Basically there is nothing about diets or food/nutrition that I haven’t researched and dissected completely.<br />Sound obsessive? I had to try everything! You’re right, I am obsessed with nutrition and optimum health and wellness, and most importantly, having an iron-clad immune system. After working in the medical field and wanting to continue doing so in the future, I’ve had plenty of microbiology/biology classes that have left me, well, a little bit worried about the amount of bacteria and viruses out there. I don’t believe they are just waiting to prey on those of us with poor immune systems however, they have no power over a healthy and alkaline digestive system, let me tell you! I have gotten off track…<br />I have been completely gluten free for 3+ years, and after reading Tim Ferriss’s article (<a href="http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2010/09/19/paleo-diet-solution/">http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2010/09/19/paleo-diet-solution/</a>), I’ve been totally grain free for the past 6 weeks, including rice and corn (including quinoa, even though it’s not technically a grain)… until this weekend, that is. It started with not being able to resist the cheese I bought for a party I was throwing, and of course who can eat decadent cheese without some delicious gluten free (corn) crackers, and a dish we had made for the party which included rice; I mean, a cook can’t serve without tasting, right?! And then, as a fanatical patron of my latest and greatest dining spot, Nourish (<a href="http://nourish123.com/">http://nourish123.com/</a>) which caters to those of us who are gluten free, soy free, vegan, lactose free, nut free etc., I couldn’t resist a wonderful breakfast which included a gf bagel… it’s been years since I’ve had a bagel! So needless to say, I fell off the wagon of my own construction and woke up feeling “ugh” this morning. Upon reading deeper into my new slew of books, I felt this peace come over me. And I had to remind myself of the truth that has gotten me through years and years of ups and downs and different “food angles” –It’s all about the balance. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >Who says we can’t take our favorite components of these different food angles and piece them together for our very own tailored lifestyle and needs?<br />So where am I at? That is just what I am balancing out, and using this blog to jot it down for my own sake. Bear with me.<br />Each of us has a delicate balance to be found in our own set of systems… endocrine, digestive, circulatory, immune, lymphatic, muscular, nervous, reproductive, etc. So the gentle balance of what may work for one of us, may not necessarily work for another. Do I believe it is a close call between what works for one and for another? Absolutely! I believe whole heartedly in some simple truths about food and the human body and disease. Like certain meats and diary. These are universally accepted as being very hard on our bodies. And as we’ve seen by the rise in celiac disease and gluten intolerance, there is certainly something to be said about the over-saturation of gluten in our food and food-like substances (how I prefer to refer to pre-packaged, processed junk food).<br />Another is sugar. Sugar, in all its forms, <i>especially</i> high fructose corn syrup and the like, is “the devil.” No joke. It should be made illegal (I’m not saying that it isn’t delicious!)<br />Then there are your “bad fats” of course, such as Trans and (animal) saturated… we all know about these things, or should. So what about those of us foodies who have been living a step beyond all these basic facts for a while now? We skip from one food “lifestyle” to another, or maybe stick with the same one, whether or not it is negatively affecting our health or immune system. Some of my Vegetarian and a few Vegan friends are sadly amongst the <i>unhealthiest</i> that I know! They avoid meats and/or dairy/animal products, but instead fill up on breads, pastas, sugar-saturated snacks, and other simple carbs!<br />They over-indulge in cheeses, white/brown rice and other things. They’ll stand there eating a package of Cheese-Its talking about how becoming Vegetarian was the best thing they ever did for themselves, and I’m flabbergasted.<br />I am <i>in love</i> with the recent upspringing of food knowledge and education that has been flying around the past 7-8 years or so. I love the hard work that is being put into research, studies and publications regarding super foods, alkaline living gluten free lifestyles and more. Everything is so accessible, and everyone seems to be answering the call of our sick nation with solutions and information. So what do we do with all this information? We take what makes sense for us, and leave the rest. And when/if what we’ve taken and applied is no longer effective, we revisit old information or seek out new information, and try again.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >It’s very difficult for me to commit to one thing. I find so much value in so many places, that I don’t want to leave anything behind. It’s hard sometimes though to make it all work together for my body, especially in lieu of the past 18 months of my life which have been dedicated to being pregnant, than a breastfeeding new mom. I had to give up on being completely raw and vegan, which I had been back to doing for three months starting a couple of months after my daughter was born. I was simply not able to maintain the amount of calories I needed to keep up a healthy milk supply, and provide myself with enough nutrition simultaneously. Under the supervision of my Naturopath I began eating specific meats (organic, free-range/grass fed bison and turkey) a couple of times per week. It was <i>very </i>difficult for me to do, but my body responded so well, that I continued to keep it up. I let go of the red meat (bison, never cow) and continued on with the turkey, adding in some organic chicken here and there. She also suggested organic New Zealand lamb, but I just could not do it. With the addition of the meats, not diary, I was able to revive my milk supply, and my hair stopped falling out, my finger nails stopped flaking and breaking, my skin plumped back up and I was able to sleep again, and had daytime energy. This is what I individually had to do as a breastfeeding mom for my body and my daughter. I am now beginning to lean towards cutting certain meats back out. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" > I’ve not wavered from my gluten free lifestyle at all since my “diagnosis” three and a half years ago. The one or dozen times I’ve accidentally ingested gluten have sparked such uncomfortable and irritating side effects, I’m happy to avoid the stuff like a plague. Adding in the avoidance to rice and corn however, was a difficult challenge. I’ve read the book Dangerous Grains, twice (<a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Dangerous-Grains/James-Braly/e/9781583331293">http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Dangerous-Grains/James-Braly/e/9781583331293</a>) and then along with Tim Ferriss’s article, felt that I needed to try it for my body. The results were magnificent. Do I think I will eternally be able to avoid rice, corn and quinoa? Nope. I especially love quinoa, and find that I sometimes need to include it in my diet to ensure I am getting adequate calories in a day. I make sure I always buy organic/non-GMO when it comes to the grains I do ingest, and when I don’t, I feel the difference.<br />Tim Ferriss advocates for meats, however, which was kind of hard for me. If you’ve ever read The China Study you can understand why (<a href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/China-Study/T-Colin-Campbell/e/9781932100662/?itm=1&USRI=the+china+study">http://search.barnesandnoble.com/China-Study/T-Colin-Campbell/e/9781932100662/?itm=1&USRI=the+china+study</a>). But without eating <i>any grains</i> whatsoever for 6 weeks, I had to add in organic chicken/turkey into my diet, along with fish. For me, it was a very difficult task still breastfeeding six times per day, to consider living on fruits, vegetables, nuts/legumes alone. It simply wasn’t enough for me. Without breastfeeding could I do it? Sure, but life sure wouldn’t hold much food pleasure for me!<br />Add in my daily attempt to stay as alkaline and Chronobiotic as possible, while ingesting optimum amounts of super foods, and I am literally walking a food angle tight rope! I don’t exactly recommend this! You will drive yourself crazy like I occasionally find myself doing. Let’s talk about the balance.<br />As I am approaching a milestone birthday in December, I must consider all that I am passionate about and figure out what components of these passions make up how I am going to function on day-to-day basis, which is exactly what you need to do to. Number one is to <i>never</i> interpersonally judge or punish for falling off whatever wagon you have built and placed yourself within. As women we tend to live in prisons of our own creation, and remain there crucifying ourselves for our failures, and falling. No more. This is the most glorious time in your life! Whether you are pregnant for the first or ninth time, single, newlywed, divorced or playing the field, embrace where you are at and punish no more! <i>SO MUCH</i> of what happens in our bodies is mind-related.<br />Our delicate female hormone balance is directly related to our thoughts and perception of ourselves. Empower yourself with the gift of grace. Grace in your own personal “food angel,” grace in letting go of your past, grace in embracing what lies before you, grace in fortifying your health and immune system. If you are struggling with a sleepless baby, let go of that last failed nap or sleepless night and remember that every minute is a change to change it all. Even if that change happens only in your mind for the moment; what we will in our minds will eventually play out in the universe, one way or another. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >So all things considered, what do I take away and implement at this point in my life from all these different food angles? The best of all worlds, as applied to me, of course! Here’s a glimpse of what that looks like (in response to multiple email requests for samples of my daily routine) in order to get your own ball of balance rolling.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >I start my day Chronobiotically with 11-12 organic, raw, soaked almonds before even sipping water; (1 almond for every 10 lbs of desired body weight). Why? Let me take an expert from the book: “Soaking the almonds in purified water releases the nitrogen in them to set the full strength of the hydrochloric acid in the stomach for all day protein digestion.” (Harting & Bergstrom: “Yes, No, Maybe” Chronobiotic Nutrition”)<br />I then have 1 cup of Cobalamin Tonic for hormone balancing (8 oz cup of organic fair trade coffee, with 1 tsp of raw cacao powder mixed with 1 tsp of grade B maple syrup). I usually follow that with a <i>huge</i> glass of warm water with lemon. I work out (either P90X, Sprint 8’s with Mia, weights, running, yoga, something) and then start finish up my Chronobiotic morning with some fruit and nuts. I then turn alkaline by ingesting about 1-2 oz of Aloe Vera leaf gel, followed by a cup of kombucha tea.<br />I have my green smoothie (there are morning where the green smoothie may be replaced by the Nana-Cacao smoothie, or the Cobalamin Tonic replaced by the Incan Warrior Hot Chocolate; again, trying not to box myself in). I usually go back to chronobiotic for lunch and dinner, eating 5-6 times per day. Chronobiotic is basically the science of eating certain foods at certain times of the day. Simply explained, you start at the top and work your way down. Breakfast is at the tree tops, meaning fruits and nuts, afternoon is 4ft to ground level, meaning vegetables, some fruits, dairy and meats (if you eat them). Evening/night is anything ground level and below, mainly root vegetables, fish/seafood, and eggs (she explains why eggs in her book: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Yes-No-Maybe-Chronobiotic-Nutrition/dp/0971068429">http://www.amazon.com/Yes-No-Maybe-Chronobiotic-Nutrition/dp/0971068429</a>). This isn’t always possible for me to stick to, but I do my best. I implement my super foods as I can, and try not to eat anything after 7-8pm. With a baby, this isn’t always possible. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that there weren’t many nights where we don’t get to eat until after 8pm for one reason or another. I just try and make the meal light, in that case.<br />For a balance on all the food angles; if I eat meat, I try and make it organic 90% of the time (this is easy at home, most difficult when traveling/eating out). I stick to fish, chicken and turkey. I avoid red meat, that’s just me. But if I had to eat it, it would be free range/grass fed/organic. I buy organic eggs, and never have them more than 1-3 times per week. I avoid all dairy, almond milk is my replacement of choice, and if I’m really craving cheese, I buy goat cheese. I try and make that local and organic. I do not eat gluten. I avoid rice and corn as much as humanly possible, but sometimes I do eat rice, and corn, and when I do, I try to make sure it is organic/non-GMO. I love quinoa. I still eat it and just try not to over-saturate my diet with it, or any one thing. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >That was what was happening to me with the gluten-free products and rice. All these new delicious gluten-free products out there on the market, they are so tasty and amazing! Suddenly cinnamon rolls, muffins, chocolate cake, brownies, pancakes, waffles, bread, cookies, cereals and more, are all readily available and gluten free! It’s hard to resist, but I was over-doing it in all of my excitement over the new uprising in gf products. So I had to eliminate it, and will slowly add back in things on occasion as the exception, not the rule. I mean, let’s face it. I am going to PIG OUT on the gf birthday cake my husband promised me. :)</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=frazer016.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/frazer016.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >I try and make 60-70% of all my foods raw, with as much super food ingredients as possible. The rest I cook lightly, use grapeseed and coconut oils almost exclusively, and keep green smoothies and other handy snacks readily available. I go easy on fruit, drink gallons of water each week, and keep wine (wine is raw!) to a 1-3 glasses a week.<br />The only thing I’d change if I were pregnant from my lifestyle? The wine. Other than that, I can honestly say that my food lifestyle helped me to maintain a healthy pregnancy weight, and <i><u>quickly</u></i> shed the baby weight postpartum. I now feel like I am in the best health and shape of my entire life. But when I start striving for more, or overwhelming myself with information, I stop, step back, and remember my balance. Find your balance. Take what’s best for you, and leave the rest behind. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >Namaste, </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=MonogramEFjpg.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/MonogramEFjpg.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; color: rgb(102, 51, 0); "><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=frazer052.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/frazer052.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></p>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-87511913604711380062010-11-01T13:59:00.000-07:002010-11-01T14:01:18.305-07:00Recipes: (Gluten Free) Sweet Corn Muffin Cakes<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=gfCornMuffin.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/gfCornMuffin.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >Ring in this fabulous time of year with a comforting favorite addition to your meal! These little corn muffins are wholesome and hearty, and nicely compliment a bowl of turkey chili, a cup of soup or stew, or are even delicious as a morning breakfast with a bit of your favorite buttery spread, a heaping spoonful of organic applesauce and a few drizzles of maple syrup!</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >1 C. Organic stone-ground cornmeal<br />1 C. Gluten Free Flour (Bob’s Red Mill or your other fav)<br />1/3 C. Organic Sugar<br />2 ½ tsp. gf Baking Powder<br />½ tsp. Sea Salt<br />1 C. Organic Buttermilk<br />1 C. Organic Sweet Corn (frozen or canned)<br />6 Tbsp. Organic Sweet Butter, melted<br />1 Organic, Free Range Egg, slightly beaten</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >1. Preheat oven to 400</span></span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >˚F. Grease 10-12 muffin cups<br />2. Stir dry ingredients together in a bowl, then stir in buttermilk, corn, butter and egg, and mix gently<br />3. Spoon batter into muffin cups, set on the middle rack of the oven, and bake for approximately 20 minutes (check with a toothpick or knife, depending on your oven, 15 minutes may be plenty)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >Enjoy!</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" >Namaste,<br /><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=MonogramEFjpg.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/MonogramEFjpg.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></span></p>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-48717894041124433662010-10-23T11:01:00.000-07:002010-10-23T11:13:00.940-07:00Getting in the Burn<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >My little Mia is getting so big! She turned 8 months on the 17th of October, and time is just flying by. It's getting harder and harder to work in my daily exercise, but I am still determined! Mia is busier by the day, crawling all over, pulling herself up on absolutely everything, putting everything in site in her mouth, I'm sure I'm burning a few extra calories chasing my pink pixie around the house. Since Mia is 8 months, how about we discuss 8 sprints that can change your life?</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=October7.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/October7.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Like I said, we don’t have a lot of extra time as busy Mom's, but the time you do have to work out you want to make the most of. I get it. Well if you don’t have those extra 30 minutes to jog in the mornings, how about 20 minutes for some intense and yet incredibly effective cardio? Here are some pointers that will help you to see result when you try on your skinny jeans in a couple of weeks from now.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >For starters, let’s talk basics. What are you doing before you work out?</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The very best time of day that you can work out is </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >first</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" > thing in the morning. So after you’ve been woken up at that wee small hour of the morning, such as 5:30, or 6:30am, this is when you start thinking “I’m going to get my burn in.” </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Start with drinking a massive glass of water. I’m not talking one of those 12oz Crate and Barrel tumblers in your cupboard. I’m talking one of those giant 24-32oz brightly colored plastic cups you keep on the top shelf, so guests don’t see them immediately. Fill it up with room temperature or warm water, and preferably some lemon. I keep sliced lemons in a Ziplock in the fridge for just those occasions, or if lemons are out of season, I buy organic lemon juice in those squeezy little yellow plastic lemon-shaped deals and use that. I might even add a couple drops of stevia. Pound the whole thing while you are nursing or feeding baby their first meal of the day. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:12.0pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >best</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" > time to exercise in the morning is prior to consuming </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >anything</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" > at all. Studies show that exercising after a night of fasting will lead to maximum fat burning. Some say that consuming high quality whey protein 30 minutes to working out is second best to fasting, and can even up your fat burning a little bit (</span></span></span><a href="http://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Abstract/2010/05000/Timing_Protein_Intake_Increases_Energy_Expenditure.21.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >http://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/Abstract/2010/05000/Timing_Protein_Intake_Increases_Energy_Expenditure.21.aspx</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >). But if you’re like me and like to avoid whey, then consider a superfood made with hemp protein powder.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >My favorite pre-workout snack is 2-3 of my spirulina-hemp-cacao balls</span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" > (titled “Little Black Balls” under my recipes label)</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" > or a cup of my Incan Warrior Hot Chocolate. I try and go on an empty stomach, but let’s face it; sometimes we just can’t pull that off. I usually need a little “umph” to get going, especially after a rough night, so that’s when the Incan Warrior or superfood balls come in handy. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The worst thing to eat before hitting the pavement or hand weights is carbohydrates </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >(fruits, energy drinks, a bagel, cereal, etc.)</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >. Eating carbs activate your parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS), which promotes energy storage. This reduces your fat burning efforts, which is the complete opposite of what you're trying to do! </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The same applies to your post-workout regimen. You </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >must</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" > avoid the sugar/starch/simple carbs post workout </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >(including energy drinks!)</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >, otherwise you are sabotaging your body’s HGH production, limiting your ability to burn fat. Avoid these type of foods for at least 2 hours post workout, otherwise your insulin sensitive and HGH production will be inhibited (check out Dr. Mercola’s in depth article regarding this topic here, if you are interested: </span></span></span><a href="http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/10/19/post-workout-routine-and-fat-burning-strategies.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/10/19/post-workout-routine-and-fat-burning-strategies.aspx</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >). So what do you eat? Eat a low-carb meal such as an egg white scramble with some vegetables, or you can also go with something like my green smoothie </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >(under my Recipes section)</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" > which is just vegetables, fats and hemp protein powder. Try and avoid protein and other meal supplement-type bars, as they are usually loaded with unseen sugars and carbs.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Now moving on to what you should do for maximum fat burn in a minimal amount of time; “Peak 8” exercises is the absolute best. Here’s what I do. I take off from my front door, jog over to a long stretch of street with minimal traffic, and break into a sprint.<br />I sprint for 30 seconds, then jog or walk for 90 seconds. Repeat this 8 times (hence their name, “Peak 8’s”). If you are having a particularly energized day, try for 9 or 10 sprints. Then simply jog home.<br />Jogging to the street where I like to run my sprints takes about 5 minutes, then the 8 sprints take about 20 minutes, then I jog 5 minutes home, and in 30 minutes I’ve burned more fat in a day than a lot of people will. If you don’t have 30 minutes, but have 20?<br />Take off with your first sprint right out the front door! Don’t have 20 minutes? Try for 6 or 7 sprints… something is always better than nothing!<br />Your goal is to get your heart rate to its maximum (220-your age; mine is 191). If you are really getting into this and want to check your heart rate, then simple take your pulse at your wrist or neck, count for 15 seconds and multiply by four. Otherwise, I’m sure if you’re going all-out for 30 seconds for all 8 sprints, you are doing just fine. J </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >I don’t carry a stop watch, and usually I am giving Mia attention in her B.O.B. stroller in between sprints, so I just keep track on my phone or in my head. As soon as I start to somewhat catch my breath in between sprints, I know it’s time to go again. If you are a real hard-core runner, then you can do the stop watch and everything, or running on a treadmill, using an elliptical or stationary bike are also optimal for this kind of workout. But if you’re a Mom like me, and getting into the gym has turned into a long running family joke, then take to the streets ladies -early in the morning, baby in the stroller or napping at home with Daddy on duty. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The reason why Peak 8 exercise is so effective </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >(also Circuit Training, same concept; Peak 8 can also be done on a stationary bike, elliptical, etc. as I mentioned above)</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" > is because it is the </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >only</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" > type of exercise that is going to promote the production of HGH in your body. HGH is produced when your “super-fast” muscles are engaged, in contrast to engaged your “slow” or “fast” muscle fibers. For a detailed report on this concept see Dr. Mercola’s article: </span></span></span><a href="http://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2010/07/27/the-growing-promise-of-shorter-more-intense-strength-training-workouts.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >http://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2010/07/27/the-growing-promise-of-shorter-more-intense-strength-training-workouts.aspx</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >This is just more proof that there </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >is</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" > a way to get it all in. Even if you just do these 8 sprints 2-4 times per week, you </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >will</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" > see results and feel a million times better for getting in the burn. Your clothes will start to fit a bit loser, and your daytime stamina will increase, as well as your deep sleep at night. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Now for the question you pregnant gals are dying to ask… “Can I do these sprints pregnant?” I did. They got slower and fewer towards the end of my pregnancy, and I wasn’t a maniac. I listened to what my doctor said about where my target heart rate (for pregnancy) should be, and I did what she said. I was in great shape prior to my pregnancy, so I didn’t just start all of this out of the blue once my e.p.t. test came back positive, so use your common sense, talk to your doctor about all of your questions and concerns, and go with your gut. I found the sprints to give me marvelous energy, and avoid unnecessary fat gain during my pregnancy. But only you know your body, and when/how/where to push yourself. If you have never had a consistent workout routine, and want to start one for the first time during your pregnancy, then I would consider some other options, as a beginner. Talk to your doctor about a good place for you to start, and maybe work up to some moderate sprints. Either way, stay hydrated and </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >always</span></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" > use your common sense. </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >You can do this!</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Namaste, </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> <a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=MonogramEFjpg.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/MonogramEFjpg.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></span></span></o:p></p>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-31011704845634979912010-10-22T16:28:00.000-07:002010-10-22T17:15:19.394-07:00Recipe: Decadent Chocolate Layered Nut Bars<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=CacaoLayerBar1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/CacaoLayerBar1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >So there I was craving a decadent desert the other night... and since I am on my 100% grain free kick (usually just gluten free, and I'll eat corn, rice and quinoa, but I've eliminated those for 30 days) I had to come up with something delicious that would make me forget about the big fat gluten free cupcakes I wanted. </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >This is how the process works girls! You have to think of the ingredients you want, and find substitutes and stay within your range of eating style. Especially if you have dietary restrictions like I do, or are simply trying to lose that baby weight, keep from putting on the baby weight, or just want something you can devour without feeling guilty about it. =)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >I was craving the flavors of chocolate, nuts and coconut. So here is what I came up with; mix, press, refrigerate, and enjoy!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1 Cup Organic Raw Cashews</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1/2 Cup Organic Raw Almonds, slivered</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1 Cup Organic Raw Coconut, shredded</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1 Cup Organic Dates, chopped</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >2 Tbsp Organic Raw Coconut Oil</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1 Tbsp Organic Raw Honey</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1/4-1/2 tsp Sea Salt</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1 tsp Organic, Gluten Free Vanilla (or inside of 2 vanilla beans)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1 Heaping Scoop Raw Maca Powder</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Chop ingredients in food processor (depending on size of food processor you may have to do it in two batches).</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Spoon nut mixture into an 8x8 or 9x9 pan or glass baking dish greased with 1 tsp. raw coconut oil. Using a piece of parchment paper (or wax paper works too) press mixture firmly into the pan, pressing on the top and edges with the palm of your hand until solid. Set aside.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Using a double broiler (a glass bowl on top of a sauce pan with a cup or two of boiling water works), slowly melt approximately 1 1/2 - 2 cups organic raw cacao butter. You will need to shave the block of cacao butter so that it melts quicker and doesn't over-heat, losing it's raw properties.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Slowly stir in: </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1 tsp. vanilla</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1 tsp. stevia powder</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1 Scoop (approx. 1 heaping tbsp) either Lacuma or Mesquite powder</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >3-4 Heaping Tbsp. of Raw Cacao Powder</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >I always have to play around a bit with the amounts of cacao and sweetener... Add the sweetener and cacao powder to your liking, there is no "wrong" with raw chocolate, unless it tastes awful, ha ha. But just keep playing around with your sweeteners! Sometimes I like to add a dash of cayenne pepper or cinnamon!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >As soon as all the ingredients are mixed thoroughly and clumps are dissolved, remove from heat (as quickly as possible) and set aside. Allow to cool for about 3-5 minutes.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Pour chocolate evenly over the pressed nut mixture. Place in refrigerator and allow to cool for 45-90 minutes. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Some tasty twists include spreading Nutella on top of the cooled bars (if you have no milk allergies and aren't avoiding sugar) or sprinkling shredded coconut on top of the cacao prior to cooling. Both are fun and yummy, and the bars 'naked' are my fav. =)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Enjoy your raw, gluten free, superfood packed sweet treat with zero guilt, and share with family and friends to really impress ;)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=CacaoLayerBar.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/CacaoLayerBar.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Namaste, </span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=MonogramEFjpg.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/MonogramEFjpg.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-15704890332776786142010-10-20T22:15:00.000-07:002010-10-22T17:29:17.907-07:00Recipe: Grain Free Granola Squares<span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >These super chewy goodies will keep you full and satisfied while on the go, during a road trip, or a handy grab 'n nosh for the diaper bag. My husband loves them, and they don't stay in the fridge for long! I can't seem to keep them stock! </span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >(Use organic whenever possible!)</span></span></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1/2 Cup Raw Cashews</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1/2 Cup Raw Almonds</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1 Cup Dried Apricots, chopped</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1 Cup Dates, chopped</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1/4 Cup Chia Seeds</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >2 Scoops Raw Maca Powder</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1 Tbsp. Raw Honey</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >2 tsp. Gluten Free Vanilla</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1/2 Cup Raw Coconut, shredded</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1/4 Cup Raw Sesame Seeds</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1/2 Cup of dried Currants, dried Blueberries, or dried Cherries</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >2 Tbsp. Raw Coconut Oil</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1/2 tsp. Sea Salt</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >1/2 tsp. Cinnamon</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Combine all ingredients in a food processor, possibly in 2 batches. Place mixture on a large piece of parchment paper, oil a rolling pin with raw coconut oil, and roll 'dough' out to about a 1/2 inch or so. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=GrainFreeGranolaBars.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/GrainFreeGranolaBars.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Cut bars into the size of square or rectangle that you desire, place in container and refrigerate. Mmmm!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=GrainFreeGranolaBars2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/GrainFreeGranolaBars2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Namaste,</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=MonogramEFjpg.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/MonogramEFjpg.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3344750611670434862.post-77400193641641272432010-10-18T10:04:00.000-07:002010-10-18T10:12:18.575-07:00Looking To Save $$$ ?This is more of a "tip" than a blog post, but I had to pass along this great information for those of you still unaware as I was just a short time ago. <div><br /></div><div>A client of mine recently tipped me off to the great savings you can accumulate by becoming and "Amazon Mom" on Amazon.com! You can sign up for free, no obligation, to have your choice of diapers, baby food, wipes and a million other wonderful, organic and baby essential items shipped to your house for %15-%30 off store prices! </div><div><br /></div><div>You sign up for the products you want, the amount, select the frequency you'd like your favorite products to be shipped to your door, and there you go! You can change items, delete/add items, or cancel all together at anytime, again with <i>no obligation</i>! It is absolutely fantastic, and wow, what a time-saver!!! Forget running to the store at 10pm because you forgot to grab diapers earlier in the day, or running out of wipes at the worst possible poomergency moment. You can even order home essentials and great baby-friendly cleaning products you use everyday like Seventh Generation and more! They even carry all the on-the-go baby food I like to keep in stock, such as Ella's Kitchen, World Baby Food, Happy Baby Organics, Plum Organics and tons more.</div><div><br /></div><div>Had to pass on the tip; I've signed up and have been loving it so far. I am currently saving almost $13 per package of diapers... I am currently using the Huggies Pure & Natural diapers with Organic Cotton, and am getting 144 diapers for $28. That is a steal of a deal! Sign up if you are interested, or share any other money saving tips in the comments section!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/subscribe-and-save/details/index.html">http://www.amazon.com/gp/subscribe-and-save/details/index.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Namaste, </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/?action=view&current=MonogramEFjpg.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d193/erosthanatos/MonogramEFjpg.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></div>erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12915842275921814734noreply@blogger.com0