The FUZZ Speech

With the New Year coming around, and many people making new year resolutions and striving to become a better person, I thought I would share "the fuzz speech" to help you get motivated to move once again!

Oh.... fuzz can also be called "loose connective tissue" for all you who have taken anatomy :)

Our Kosher Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving I decided to be adventurous and eat turkey. I think it's been about 2 years or so since I have tasted one. My mom and I went on a hunt to find a turkey for this event. While at Trader Joe's we found a Kosher turkey. This was exactly what I wanted. You know the turkey had followed good dietary laws, was killed correctly, prepared well, and didn't have anything added to it but salt. It's interesting to google how a kosher turkey is prepared.

Through this, we talked about ways we could prepare this. My mom was telling me about how her mom would cook a turkey in a paper bag. We looked up different recipes on how to do this, and found one that sounded good. Here is what we did:

 First thing is to butter the turkey. I can't handle butter right now. I thought about using ghee, but didn't have any. We used Olive Oil instead. It worked out well.

 Then you place the turkey in a paper bag. We placed the bag in our lasagna pan as well, to catch all the drippings, and keep it more secure.

 Online they said to staple, tape or sew the bag closed. We chose to staple it.

 It's all ready to go in the oven :) We had read many different temperatures to bake it. One was cook it at 500 for the 1st hour, 400 the 2nd hour, then 300 the 3rd hour. We may try this next time. This time we did it 325 degrees.

 After it is cooked, we slit the bag open, and checked the temperature

 It looked and smelled wonderful!!!

 Here's the kosher turkey out of the bag. It had a wonderful taste. We enjoyed the simple meal we prepared. I also made almond flour biscuits, and quinoa. My mom said some gravy using the pan drippings, and mixing some almond flour and water together. The whole meal was most enjoyed, and every bite was  savored.

After, other family members came over, and they had dessert, opened up Christmas ornaments, then played a few rounds of Chicken Foot, in honor of my Grandpa Black's birthday.

Happy Birthday!!!

This year, my Grandpa's birthday and Thanksgiving fall on the same day (I always thought he was lucky to have a birthday on a holiday - once in awhile). It would be 90 years ago today he was born in this world. He is an amazing person, who always had a story to share, a deck of cards or dominoes to play, the ability to make ANYTHING grow (oh the questions I would ask now), could build anything, fix anything, hike anywhere, take an ATC up any mountain (with a lot of grandkids hanging on the back) and could always seem to find a way to make me laugh. I still remember watching him turn on his record player doing the hokey pokey about 10 years ago. I thought I had one of the coolest grandpa's around :)

Happy Birthday Grandpa!!!

Easter Eggs

Have you ever heard of Easter Eggs in the DVDs? I was just told about them at my recent staff meeting (yeah we talk about EVERYTHING!). But they are hidden random things you can do during your DVD specials. I was told Pixar has some really funny ones.

Here is a link to one site that let's you know where to find some random things on your Disney DVDs.

Also, with the newest DVD Toy Story 3 out, here is a link to some of the random things and meanings you will find throughout the movie. 

Jake

Let me tell you the latest on our dog Jake....

Jake running back and forth through the irrigation water. (yea that was fun to watch, but not to clean up)

He has definitely been making our life a bit more interesting. I guess this is what happens when you don't have kids around :)

Jake has been very diligent at not letting me forget to take him on our morning walks. He LOVES his walks every morning. He get's excited when he hears me walking around when I first get up. His favorite thing to do when we leave the house is to run next door (by himself) and bark and jump against the tall brick wall, until the horse next door brings shows his head. It looks like they almost talk to one another. After this, Jake let's me put his leash on, and we go explore the local park. I think all the regular walkers at the park, now knows Jake by name. It's been a great way to get to know some of our neighbors. Jake has been the best dog we have had regarding listening and obeying what we say (when he understands of course).

Jake on the look out for the neighborhood cats

We (or I) have been realizing that Jake doesn't do well with grains, or rice. I am learning, that not a lot of dogs do though. Jake just REALLY shows this more than others. I took him off all grains when my parent's were away as an experiment. When we put him back on it, yep - we could tell his body does not digest the food well. I think he likes the cooked meals though :)

He is really funny to watch when he eats. He does NOT like to eat alone. We place his food in a designated "Jake" bowl in our kitchen. If it is on the wood floor, or if no one is around, he will pick up the bowl with his teeth and carry it in the room where others are. Or his other favorite place to eat is my parent's bedroom. I haven't figured that one out yet, as he would take his food in there to eat when my parent's are gone. 

Jake does this odd thing when we have a family dinner together. When we began to pray he starts to just walk really fast around the table. He goes in circles over and over and over. With wood floors, and doggie nails, you can hear this "tap, tap, tap, tap" the entire time. He also appears to stop when we finish praying. Haven't figured that one out either. 

Jake does not like the vacuum. He will start to bark at it, then run to the back door window, (as if pretending to ignore it), and then within seconds run back to the vacuum to bark at it. Then back to the backdoor to ignore it. We go through this, over and over again. - this dog loves to run in circles....

He LOVES to help me in the garden. He get's more exercise as he runs the entire backyard over and over making sure that there are no intruders. He keeps me company outside as I work out there. 

Dogs can definitely show us how to relax and just love the moments of living....

Onegai Shimasu

I like blogs with pictures... this has nothing to do with my post, but is of one of my siblings and I - Halloween 1984

In a self defense class I am taking, before and after working with an opponent we bow and say "Onegai Shimasu" or if we can't remember it "oh my gosh, a mouse" which means "I place myself under your teaching" or "Please assist me"... then I can get thrown on a mat, or throw them down:) 

I have pondered this phrase often. Anytime we interact with anyone or anything, in a sense we could be saying this, as it is a teaching moment. A time to stop and observe what it is that will guide us on our pathways, and help us to become better. Here are some things I have been "learning" or pondering about for the past 6 months:

Yoga and Tai Chi really do have amazing healing powers. I am understanding more as to why this is. How it can help calm the nervous system, help wake up different areas of the body, and help us to become more aware and accepting of the body is just a small part of it. 

How much propaganda is given to us DAILY!!! and how easy it is to believe that it is truth.

Doctor's are not the final authority, and do not have all the answers. It is good to ask questions, and to seek answers, and to not take any medication blindly without understanding what you are putting in your body.

Western medicine is not bad or evil. But it is not the only way, or only answer.

Foods will have an impact on your physical, mental and emotional well being. It is good to be aware of it and how it affects you. How food is cooked or not cooked will also impact these areas. The different ways the food can be prepared (microwave, oven, stove top, solar, BBQ, etc) will determine the different enzymes, energetic of food, and different nutrients you will or will not receive.

Laughter is a great medicine!

As a society, we tend to place way to much trust in the "government" on what they have decided to be "the way" to eat and live. A lot of the RDA (recommended daily allowances) are set very low - to prevent lawsuits. The food pyramid had a lot of influence from those who produced the food. It doesn't make sense how everyone needs to consume the same amount of things when we are all different shapes, sizes, and deficiencies. 

Blood work is not the final say on how we are doing. You can get different results based on which lab you go to, what you had eaten that day, or done, and the advancement techniques of the machinery the lab has. In addition, the government has set very odd ranges of what "normal" is supposed to me for all of us. Many times what is in the "normal" bracket of blood work is actually not normal, and indicates that something is not right and needs to be addressed before it goes out of the normal range. That being said, blood work is still good to get, as we gain a better idea as to what is going on and where to start. 

That as an aunt, sister, friend, I should not give or buy things that I wouldn't give myself (when I can eat it) or my own kids (when I have them)... sorry nephews and nieces, but no more processes store bought treats from me. 

The Vagus nerve is fascinating to study. It affects the internal organs (heart, intestines, digestion, lungs). This nerve assists as an anti-inflammatory. Stimulating it will help calm these organs down (which will calm you down). You can do this through deep belly breathing, cold showers, or placing ice (in bag) on top of your forehead - nose- mouth. 

Wheat promotes inflammation. Sugar is like throwing gasoline on a fire. 

My dog LOVES the horse next door. 

If we have a strong digestive systems, the other areas of our bodies will be healthier. 

Qi runs through the nervous system. 

Our personalities contribute largely from Qi - deficiencies, excess, balanced :) 

Qi is fun to study :)

The power of thoughts! Change your life - change your mind - As a man thinketh, so he shall become.

The scriptures and personal revelation is what will help us find true answers as to how to live. 

Don't be afraid of sensations or pain. They are a way to communicate. These things are a way to assist us with learning, understanding and seeing.

Inflammation is what will bring on "predisposed" conditions (or genetic) to occur. 

The power of definitions. At one time, I had thought that a feeling I was experiencing was "pain" than someone showed me that it was my body trying to get it working again. All of a sudden it was not pain anymore for me, but a welcome sensation.

There is great power in unity. 

There is great power in prayer. 

You shouldn't drink soda - it will leach calcium from your bones... plus a lot of other things.

There is great power when you can be present. 

There is great power when you forgive.

There is great power in a calm mind.

There is great power in touch. 

Music is literally all around us. Whether or not we can hear the tones is a different thing. 

Vitamin D is more powerful, and effective than the flu vaccine. - it is also a great anti-inflammatory.

Cold foods are not the best for digestion.

Drinking too much liquid at a meal is not good for digestion (impairs digestive enzymes). 

That if we understand the covenants and principles the Lord teaches us through many means (nature, families, interacting with others), and when we work to live them, we would live a better life. 

How powerful traditions are.

The power of "names" and "labels". 

That words can literally hurt us (once again music is all around us... or you could say vibrations...)

Anger (or any emotion) is not bad if it is used wisely, and not to excess. Anger helps push us to do things we need to do, or to get out of a situation. 

Emotions are a way to communicate to us what is going on. 

There is more to families than all that we can understand. I believe that our minds can't even fathom it at this point. 

Life is a journey, be kind to yourself, trust the process the Lord takes you through, and enjoy the adventure!

That we need to take what I say, and others with a grain of salt. Ponder it, perhaps experiment upon it, seek for witnesses, and pray about it, seek truth through scriptures and revelation. The Lord will help you see and understand the truth. 

The Garden... continued

I wrote a blog on my garden update, and then hit a key (I can't remember which one) then it was GONE! So instead of writing it again, here is a short synopsis.

Sunflowers can get REALLY tall!

It may not have been as fruitful as desired, but it was fruitful spiritually. It taught me more about myself then I would have ever imagined.

I understand the scriptures so much more when the Lord talks about "fruit of the trees", and the vineyards, etc.

I discovered that my dog is REALLY good at knowing when cantaloup will be ripe. He would get to them before I could. He would then either hide them somewhere in the backyard, or eat them.... this was not a good experience for him after though...

So the summer garden has come to an end. The squash beetles basically ended everything early. But the new one is about to begin again.

Yea! It's Fall Equinox!!!!

Digestion Series - The Art of Chewing

As I have been dealing quite a lot with digestion problems my whole life, I have taken on a quest to learn and understand all I can about the digestive system. The more you know, the more empowered you become (especially when talking with doctors).

I have learned quite a bit, and have been working to change my eating habits in order to gain better digestion. Changing my ways have been very difficult I have found, as it is so easy for me to go back to my old ways. I have found a prayer before eating for help really helps :)

I have decided to share some of the information I have learned regarding digestion. The first will be "The Art of Chewing"

Digestion begins in the mouth. Here the teeth break down the food we eat to allow our digestive system to function more effectively. Remember there are no teeth in the stomach. If it does not break down in the mouth sufficient enough, it will have a harder time to be processed. Which will become harder for the body to take the nourishment, vitamins, energy, etc. it needs in order to do it's job.

While in the mouth we create a liquid called, saliva. Saliva plays an important role in digestion. Saliva contains enzymes used to break down the starch and fat of the food. If you don't have the proper enzymes in your body, then you have a harder time breaking the food down. So those who are "lactose intolerant" don't produce the enzyme lactose in order to break down the lactase in food. You can take an enzyme pill (Lactaid) to help provide this enzyme.

As the saliva is in our mouth, mixing in with our food, it is also able to tell what food we are bringing into our bodies. It will send a signal down to the stomach, forewarning it. This will then allow it to be prepared as to how to digest it properly. If we eat to fast, the stomach does not have time to prepare, and the food will then need to sit longer (this is not good digestion).

So the next time you eat something, think about these steps, and the wonderful body we are given to allow ourselves to function at our optimum. Remember to chew well and slowly!

Tylenol and Motrin Recall

This was just passed onto me, in case you haven't received this notice. It's a voluntary recall for some Tylenol and Motrin products. It's good to be aware of what we are putting in ourselves as well as our children's bodies. I am learning this the hard way, as I am now seeing more the damage of the medication I was on during my life, has done to me.

http://www.mcneilproductrecall.com

Quick Tip - Quinoa/Rice

I want to pass along something I learned and utilize EVERYDAY... Right now Quinoa has become a staple in my diet. It's cooked similar to rice. It can take up to 20 minutes to cook on the stove. At times I don't have time to sit around the kitchen to watch it and make sure it doesn't burn. Or I will go off and do something and then forget about it (family members I'm sure can attest to my forgetting food on stove - right Jen:))

Recently I decided to experiment with how I cook it. So I put water on the stove, bring it to a boil, add the quinoa, cover it and turn the heat off. I let it sit, and it cooks perfectly each time. I can then go off and do what I need to, and whenever I come back it's done. I haven't timed it yet to see how long it takes, but at times it seems to almost take the same amount of time to cook as if it was utilizing heat. My dad and I have experimented this cooking method with rice as well. It has worked out great - and helps my dad as well to not burn the rice.

So here's my quick tip to - "Set it and forget it!" with rice and quinoa :)

Slowly it's become a little homestead

Ok, so secretly I would LOVE to turn our home into an small homestead... and it is slowly feeling that way. With a horse next door, and all the cats and kittens that have been perusing our backyard lately. We have been seeing more and more cats in our area. These cats, have been having kittens. They are so cute, yet I know to stay far away. What's great about them, is that we don't have a gopher or rat problem anymore... or really a gecko, and slowly a bird problem..... hmmmm.

I asked my dad today about the possibility of raising lamb. It sounded like we may need to buy more land for that. Perhaps we need to start off small.... chickens.... yet I can't eat chicken...

Here are some pictures of my garden (I feel like these are my kids :) ) It will soon be time to harvest.

My sunflower's are almost in bloom. They are so tall! This is a view from me standing under it.

Spaghetti Squash

Cantaloupe... there are quite a few of these... this crop is taking over the place it feels like

Watermelon are finally starting to grow. Here is a baby one I spotted Saturday morning.

Cucumbers. These are getting to be REALLY big. I have no idea of when to pick them.

Black Bean Brownies

Yesterday, our ward had an Emergency Preparedness Fair. They asked for some of us to make an item that could be taken from food storage. I looked online and found this super easy recipe that was supposedly taken from a Weight Watchers recipe. So for all those out there following the points plan, this is only 2 points per serving. What I learned from this (since I can't eat it), is that you can use black beans in place of oil and eggs in a recipe. Plus it will add more fiber and protein to the snack :)

Black Bean Brownies

1 box brownie mix

1 can (15 oz) black beans

Open the can of black beans, rinse well. Place the beans back back in the can. Add enough water to cover beans. Put in blender or food processor and puree. Add puree to brownie mix, and then bake according to package directions.

You DO NOT add the eggs or oil that the recipe calls for, JUST the black bean puree!

Bake as indicated on the box.

Makes 20 brownies-- 2 Weight Watcher Points each!

There coming!!!

Yesterday in my garden I spied this! I am not sure if it is a cantaloup or a spaghetti squash. I have learned that I can't trust my memory when it comes to remembering what I planted and where. Which will also be exciting, as when the plants come, it will be like Christmas :)

Oh how the garden grows...

My garden has really grown these past few weeks. It's been exciting to watch. This morning, I noticed bees around the summer squash! I was happy to see them doing their job, and choosing my garden to do it :) I can't wait for the harvest season... although I am already starting to think about what my Fall garden will be. There are some great benefits living in Arizona.

Here are the watermelon plants just trying to take over the area. The trellis' will be going up by the weekend :) This will be fun!

Here is the newest edition to my garden. I planted some winter squash, which has grown really fast. There is 4 different varieties planted here. Behind it I am growing Amaranth.

Got Ghee?

A Naturopathic doctor I saw last year introduced me to ghee. This is clarified butter, used in a lot of Ayurveda cooking. What's great about ghee is that it is lactose and casein free. I prefer the taste to butter, as it is a bit sweeter. It also has a very high melting point, and can be used in a variety of cooking. In addition, there are a lot of health benefits from it.

In the book "Healing with Whole Foods" by Paul Pitchford, he says this about Ghee,

"A unique feature of clarified butter (ghee), which is butter with the milk solids removed, is a healing property not found in other saturated fats. According to Ayuvedic teachings, clarified butter enhances the ojas, an essence that governs the tissues of the body and balances the hormones. Ample ojas ensures a strong mind and body, resistance against disease, and is essential for longevity. Clarified butter promotes the healing injuries of gastro-intestinal inflammations such as ulcers and colitis.

The ability of clarified butter to support physical and mental renewal has been substantiated to some degree by science. According to Rudolph Ballentine, M.D., clarified butter contains butyric acid, a fatty acid that has some antiviral and anti-cancer properties, and which raises the level of the antiviral chemical interferon in the body. Butyric acid also has characteristics found to be helpful in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Ayureveda also describes clarified butter as one of the finest cooking oils; it increases "digestive fire" and thereby improves assimilation and enhances the nutritional value of foods... Can be used when cooking with high temperatures, especially abaove 320F."

I had been buying ghee at the stores, as someone told me that it was difficult to make. Recently I have been learning how easy it is to make. I made my first batch last Friday. It turned out great! And now it will only cost me 1/2 as much instead of paying for it at the stores. You just need butter and time.

Ghee (recipe adapted from the book "The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia" by Rebecca Wood)

Ingredients

1 pound cultured unsalted organic butter

Place all the ingredients in a saucepan and slowly melt over medium heat. When the butter comes to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered and undisturbed, for about 30 minutes. As the temperature reaches the boiling point of water, the butter's water content vaporizes, foaming and making tiny, sharp crackling noises. It will be ready when the crackling noise stops and the sound becomes a rounder, boiling sound. The foaming almost ceases; the butter turns a lovely, clear golden color and the white sediment (milk proteins and salts) that forms on the bottom turns a light tan color. Immediately remove from the heat since the ghee can easily burn. (If it burns it will begin to foam rapidly again and turn brown instead of golden.) Cool slightly. Pout hot ghee through a stainless steel mesh strainer (or place paper towels or a coffee filter in a colander to help strain it.) When cool, cover tightly. This will stores for 4 months or more at room temperature. Can also be refrigerated - but will become solid (which is what I do anyway). Makes 1 1/2 cups or 13 oz.

Here are some additional sites that have posted pictures on how to do it, and a video:

Pictures: http://blog.asmartmouth.com/2008/10/10/homemade-indian-ghee-if-you-dare/

Video: http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-ghee-clarified-butter-241324/

Going Gluten Free

With my recent post about food allergies, I have had some questions asking me what it means to go without gluten. So here is some advice on how to take gluten out of your diet. A lot of this information has come from the book "Food Allergy Field Guide: A Lifestyle Manual for Families" by Theresa Willingham:

Gluten and wheat has become a staple in food products for the USA. It's in nearly all baked goods, used as a thickener in sauces, puddings and soups, dusted on candy, and used in colorings and flavorings. It can hide in additives such as mono and diglycerides, in dextrins and hydrolyzed vegetable protein.

When reading labels (it's important to read and understand ALL the labels) become informed on what the products/ chemicals are. Here are some to beware of and avoid, or one's are that ok:

Calcium caseinate or Sodium Caseinate (contains MSG) - (Calcium phosphate, calcium chloride-ok)

Dextrins - (maltodextrin made from corn- ok)

Hydrolyzed vegetable protein - (if they state the exact source it's ok)

Hydrolyzed plant protein - (if they state the exact source, it's ok)

Malt - (maltodextrin is ok)

Modified food starch - (or know the exact source, e.g., potato - ok)

Mono and di-glycerides - (if they state the exact source it's ok)

Rice malt (can contain barley or Koji) - ok to use rice or other flour without malt

Barley

Bulgar

Bran

Couscous

Durum

Einkorn

Farina

Graham

Kamut

Orzo

Rye

Semolina

Spelt

Tritcale

Wheat

Regarding Oats: most literature recommends avoiding them. More contemporary studies say the biggest problem with oats is the possibility of cross-contamination with wheat due to shared processing facilities. Studies are showing conflicting reports, and are unable to determine if this is a safe grain or not. The recommended way to consume them is to take them out, get your health back on track, then try them to see if you have a reaction. If no reaction, do not consume more than 50g or about 3 ounces a day. And when consumed to make sure that it states that it has not had any cross contamination with wheat or other gluten products.

When going out to restaurants you will want to ask for the ingredient list for the foods you are ordering. Nowadays you are able to find most ingredients online before going. Also know what questions to ask when going out:

"Are hamburgers all beef with no fillers" (gotta watch out for what they put in the fillers)

"Is flour used for seasoning or dusting French fries or any other foods?" If so what type of flours are used.

"Are foods like French fries or sweet potato chips cooked in "clean" oils, and not contaminated by recycled oils used for things like fried, breaded chicken or onion rings or fish?"

"Do you use soy in any way (if soy is a problem)?"

"What type of oils do you use? Peanut, canola, or something else?"

"Are grilled meats or poultry marinated in anything and are the marinades shared by beef, chicken, fish, etc?"

"Is the grilled cleaned between uses, or are separate grills used for different types of foods?"

Request sauces, condiments, and dressings on the side to avoid cross-contamination or allergens (or just bring your own)

Be aware of when the label states "flavorings, seasonings, or natural" ingredients. The company is able to place whatever they want in this and are not required to state specifically what is in them. This is supposed to allow them to keep their "secret sauce/recipe" secret. The problem can be though that you eat something that has a product in it that you are intolerant to. You can contact the company and ask if any have the food allergy in them.

Here is an example of ingredients listed in a product that one may not be aware of. I use to think when ordering a Grilled chicken sandwich with no bun, that it would be safe...but beware. It took me awhile to learn this. I always wondered why I felt sick after getting foods I thought were "safe"...

Burger King Tendergrill® Chicken Sandwich

Tendergrill Chicken Breast Filet [Chicken Breast with Rib Meat, Water, Seasoning (Maltodextrin, Salt, Sugar, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Garlic Powder, Spices, Natural Flavors, Onion Powder, Modified Corn Starch, Chicken Fat, Chicken Powder, Chicken Broth, Disodium Guanylate and Disodium Inosinate, Citric Acid, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Dehydrated Garlic, and Artificial Flavors.), Modified Corn Starch, Soybean Oil, Salt, Sodium Phosphates. Glazed with: Water, Seasoning [Maltodextrin, Salt, Sugar, Methylcellulose, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Partially Hydrogenated Sunflower Oil, Modified Potato Starch, Fructose, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Dehydrated Garlic, Spices, Modified Corn Starch, Xanthan Gum, Natural Flavors, Disodium Guanylate and Disodium Inosinate, Chicken Fat, Carmel Color, Grill Flavor (from Partially Hydrogenated Soybean and Cottonseed Oil), Chicken Powder, Chicken Broth, Turmeric, Smoke Flavor, Annatto Extract, and Artificial Flavors], Soybean Oil], Sesame Seed Bun [Enriched Unbleached Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour Or Alpha Amylase From Aspergillus Orizae, Niacin, Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Folic Acid, Ascorbic Acid), Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup Or Liquid Sucrose, Yeast, Vegetable Oil (Canola And/Or Soy) Or Soybean And/Or Cottonseed Oil, May Contain 2% Or Less Of The Following: Salt, (Vital) Wheat Gluten, Soy Flour, Corn Starch, Yeast Nutrient (May Contain One Or More Of The Following: Ammonium Sulfate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Calcium Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate) Dough Conditioners (May Contain One Or More Of The Following: Wheat Starch, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sorbitol, Sodium Chloride, Magnesium Stearate, Distilled Monoglycerides, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Ascorbic Acid, Azodicarbonamide, Mono- And Diglycerides, Ethoxylated Mono- And Diglycerides, Calcium Peroxide, Calcium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate, Datem, L-Cysteine), Enzymes, Preservatives (Calcium Propionate And/Or Sorbic Acid), Vinegar, Sesame Seeds. Contains: Wheat and Soy], Honey Mustard Spread [Soybean Oil, Water, Dijon Mustard (Distilled Vinegar, Water, Mustard Seed, Salt, White Wine, Citric Acid, Turmeric, Spices, Tartaric Acid), Corn Syrup, Sugar, Cider Vinegar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Honey, Egg Yolks, Contains Less Than 2% of Salt, Mustard Bran, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Spice, Garlic, Onion, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzonate and Potassium Sorbate (as Preservatives), Artificial Color, Lactic Acid, Propylene Glycol Alginate, Calcium Disodium EDTA added to protect flavor, Aquaresin Paprika, Annatto & Turmeric], Tomatoes, Lettuce

In the beginning...

... there was dirt, and in the dirt there was a seed, and in that seed was the ability to become something big, beautiful, powerful, and full of life and nourishment. Now all I have to do is sit and wait, and water and talk and sing to my beautiful garden.

I am so excited. I was FINALLY able to put seeds in the ground today, to start the garden I have been talking about for months now. It has taken a lot of work to get it to this place. A couple of Saturdays have been dedicated to clearing off the land, cultivating it, preparing it, buying supplies, and then seeding it. My parent's have an amazing backyard. With LOT'S of potential to become a great farm/garden area. This is becoming a hobby I have been needing to add to my life :) Plus, I won't have to spend so much money on vegetables and fruit now.

I don't really know much about gardening, but I am trying to learn as much as possible. A resource I have really enjoyed is from the book "Extreme Gardening" by Dave Owens. He is also know as "The Garden Guy" in Arizona. He has written a few books where he talks about how to garden successfully (and organically) in Arizona. He has a great website with info as well: www.gardenguy.com. I am hoping with his help, and my dad's and everyone else I ask odd questions to, that this garden will be very fruitful, and vegetablful.

I may have started off bigger than I can handle, but when I spend as much money as I do on food, I would like to find ways to cut it down and become more self-sufficient. So I decided to just plant as much as possible. I planted: watermelon, muskmelon (canteloupe), strawberries, tomatoes, sweet onions, summer squash, cucumbers, beans, spaghetti squash, and sunflowers... oh and we still have my dad's grapes still growing.... I'll let you know how things go. Stay tuned...

(the picture above was taken after the land was made ready on Saturday. Today I finally had time to put the seeds in.

Thoughts on wheat/gluten/dairy senstitivity

I am learning more and more, how I have always dealt with a wheat/gluten/dairy allergy. Looking at my life as a baby, toddler and child, I exhibited all the symptoms, yet no one knew them, or could identify them for us.

I was always sick as a baby, and didn't double my birth weight when I was one - I weighed only 15 pounds. The sign of "failure to thrive" is a big one. In addition, if you tend to be sick frequently, get colds constantly, or even have ear infections - could be a sign of a food intolerance. What I am noticing is how this has started to become accepted as the "norm" for our society.

It is being discovered that those of European countries are of the highest risk of having a wheat sensitivity. It's so prevalent in Italy, that most everyone is tested by the age of 6. This autoimmune disease also can run in families.

A few interesting signs that I am learning about celiac or wheat sensitivities is that those with it tend to have long eyelashes, have what is called "wasted butt" (or no butt), and a pot belly - or stomach that sticks out - bloated looking.

Signs can be gastrointestinal, nausea, vomiting, headaches, hives and rashes. In addition you can experience asthma, eczema, rhinitis, glue ear, constant "flu like" symptoms, muscle spasms, inability to lose weight, insomnia, seizures, irritability, fussiness, ADHD, learning disabilities, bedwetting, arthritis, and joint pain. In addition, you can experience the reaction immediately, a couple hours later, or even a couple of days later. I have had the experience of seeing reactions 2 days after eating something. I learned that wheat can stay in your body for 30 days after being consumed. There is so much information I have been learning about this topic of food intolerances. This is just the tip of the iceberg regarding symptoms. Studies are finding that it is more prevalent than once thought. 1 in 5 people have a food allergy/ intolerance, and wheat/gluten/dairy are the highest.

I guess I desire to post this information, so that others may become more aware of it as well. Some times things we accept as a part of ourselves that is "normal" is not really normal. We may be able to feel better, and not have to take medication or experience pain or discomfort in our life by merely looking at our diets and taking out a few items that our bodies are not able to handle. If you wonder if you have a sensitivity, you can have a food test (although sometimes they are not accurate), or just take the suspecting food out for 3 weeks and see how you feel.

Blueberry Muffins - Wheat/Gluten/Dairy/Sugar (kinda) free

I am trying to find a variety of different foods to eat, to get myself on a good rotation diet. As I seem to react to a lot of different flours, I decided to experiment with coconut flour, as I haven't had any of it for a VERY long time. One of my favorite blogs - Elana's Pantry, had a recipe for Blueberry muffins using coconut flour. I adapted it to meet my present needs. They turned out really good! I took out the sugar, but added fruit (so there is still sugar, just not as intense as other forms). I also am not able to eat eggs right now. I found out that you can sub. 1/2 a banana or 1/4 cup of applesauce for 1 egg. As I am still not sure if I can tolerate apples at this time, I decided to venture with the banana. Although next time, I think I would do half bananas and half applesauce. The mixture became really thick with the bananas.

So for all my family members venturing out on the gluten/wheat/dairy free circuit, here is something to try:

Blueberry Muffins

1/2 cup Coconut Flour

1/2 tsp. Salt

1/2 tsp. Baking Soda

6 eggs (replaced it with 3 bananas)

1/3 cup agave or honey (I omitted this due to sweetness of coconut flour and bananas)

1/3 cup oil

1 Tbsp Vanilla (check ingredients on vanilla - sometimes they will add additional ingredients)

1 cup Blueberries (frozen or fresh)

1. In a small bowl combine flour, salt and baking soda

2. In a large bowl combine eggs (banana or applesauce), oil, vanilla, and agave (if you so choose to).

3. Combine dry ingredients with the wet ingredients

4. Add blueberries and stir (to prevent blueberries from dropping to bottom, dust them with some coconut flour)

5. Place in muffin cups

6. Bake at 350degrees fro 20-25 minutes

Yields 12 muffins

I cooked mine in mini muffin pans. To make the cup liners, I cut up some coffee paper filters I found. I also made them in a mini bundt pan. I just cut up coffee filters to line these as well. To make it more fun, I also added some unsweetened coconut flakes I recently purchased. It added a nice crunch for a topping.

California Crusade

Last weekend, my parent's and I ventured to Mountain View, CA (aka Silicon Valley) to see my newest nephew. He was born at the beginning of March. During this trip, we also celebrated his older brother's 2nd birthday. I can't believe that he will be 2 this week!

I've never been to this part of California before. We made plans to visit San Francisco, and see some of the Redwoods. It was a wonderful trip full of good memories and laughs.

Here are some pictures of of outings and musings:

Here is my nephew with one his newest friends - Grandpa. He soon discovered how much fun grandpa can be:)

We went to San Francisco and hung out at Pier 32. Here is a picture of me with a lot of sea lions in the behind me. There were a LOT of them, just laying around - it was very relaxing to watch.

Some of us sampled the fresh seafood cuisine there. I was told it was the best fish they had ever had.

We went on this really cool drive around San Francisco. Here is the Golden Gate bridge.

We stopped at walked around the Golden Gate park. This is similar to Central Park in NYC. Calvin and Trevor had fun in the Rose Garden area :)

They had a few redwood trees at the park that we were able to see for the first time.
On Saturday, we celebrated my nephew's 2nd birthday. Part of this celebration was a picnic at one of his favorite parks. The weather was perfect!

I was amazed at all he could do at the park. He loved the swings, ball, slides... eating took too long...

Grandma brought some "big bubbles" to play with as well at the park.Here is a picture of my newest nephew showing us his infamous smile. He is so cute!
Here's his brother showing his contagious smile as well. He LOVED the chocolate chip pancakes his dad made for him for his birthday breakfast.
My sister did an outstanding job of cooking the most amazing meals. She made an incredible salsa that was talked about the entire weekend! She really knows how to cook.

One of my nephew's favorite birthday presents was a basketball hoop and ball. He was happy playing that from the time he woke up, till the time he went to bed. He was also great at sharing it was everyone.

We sang to him with some homemade brownies. He was great at waiting till the end of the song to blow out the candles. I think his mom had been practicing with him. I helped out by making the brownies. I lined the pan with foil, for easy cutting and cleaning.

On Sunday, we went to church and saw my nephew receive a beautiful blessing.

After church, we went on a very long walk, where I was able to see the area where they live. It was beautiful!

On our way to the airport, we took a detour (3 hours), and saw some redwoods. It was amazing the beauty and peace that can be felt in those areas.

Here is my nephew with one of his favorite aunts :)