I think I blinked too long because what the heck? It's the last week of September already! I've had a serious bout of busyness lately, so I have been lax in many things.
A few thoughts before I proceed to my post of quick breakfast recipes that I promised a long time ago. First of all, I have an inspiring person who I've been so blessed with. She comes to me to talk about struggles she is having, and I always come away feeling like I got the better end of the deal, nuggets of wisdom. She and I were discussing the importance of prioritizing. You know that analogy with the rocks and the sand in the jar? Well, I was reminded once again that I need to take another look at how I spend my time and make some changes. It takes time and effort, but I can go to sleep knowing that the most important stuff is done. I need to write the things down, not so that they can be checked off, but as a reminder of what is most important. One priority is exercise. Not only do I want to do this for my health, but I also want my kids to have that example. I decided instead of saying, "I'm going to exercise 3 times a week", giving me permission to skip this day or that...instead I'm going to do something physically active every day, even if it's 5 minutes of stretching. So far, it has really helped.
Do you have trouble with priorities sometimes? If so, what have you done to stop and rearrange and start again? What helps you focus on what is most important?
Okay, onto breakfast recipes. The kids have been in school for a month and a half now, and we have not had store-bought cereal at all! The kids leave home feeling satisfied and happy. Here is a list of what we do:
Granola!!-Serve this with fresh fruit, sprouted sunflower seeds and some almond milk for a scrumptious, filling breakfast.
Toast-We serve toasted whole wheat bread with organic (or freshly made) peanut butter, a sprinkling of chia seeds (which are very filling and a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids, and is great for fighting depression as well!), and sliced fresh fruit. We've had a lot of peaches and plums lately. Pears, apples, bananas are all nice, too. We top it with a sprinkling of cinnamon and the kids are happy as clams.
Scrambled eggs-this is maybe a once a week to every 10 days, but take FRESH eggs, mix with almond milk, sea salt, fresh pepper and scramble. Sometimes I add sundried tomatoes, spinach and parmesan with some ribboned basil leaves for something different, or some salsa and black beans with cilantro. Anything to add variety!
Steel cut oats-this is wonderful for those chilly mornings. Rinse a cup of steel cut oats really well and put in 3 1/2 cups of boiling water with a dash of sea salt. Boil for about 20 minutes, maybe a tad longer. 1 cup of uncooked oats is enough to feed 1 adult and 4 children when you add fresh fruit, cinnamon, raw honey or agave nectar and a dash of almond milk. You can also add some raw nuts if desired. It is delicious! Oh, watch for the reboil. Sometimes it will boil over, but if you watch it closely that won't happen.
Overnight oatmeal-soak 2 cups of regular rolled oats in 2 cups almond milk and a dash of vanilla extract overnight in the fridge. The next morning, top with nuts, peaches (or other fruit) and a drizzle of raw honey or agave nectar. Simple and nummy.
Green smoothies-I usually do these in the afternoon, but if it seems like there is a cold coming on, we've done these in the mornings, and it helps during the day as the body fights it off. I need to knock on wood but it's been nearly a year since any of us have been to the doctor because we were sick! Woo Hoo! With 5 children, I can't count that as coincidence. I believe that what we eat plays a major role in our ability to fight off illness.
Leftover pancakes-about 2 or 3 times a month, we'll do pancakes for supper. I usually make lots of extra to freeze, pull out a couple per child, toast in the toaster oven and top with fresh fruit and drizzle with a smidgen of Grade B Maple syrup, fresh honey or agave nectar. Sometimes just fruit and a dash of cinnamon is enough!
What are some of YOUR favorite breakfasts?
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Pear Salad
We had this scrumptious salad for lunch today before church. It was filling and light and wonderful!
1/2 pound spinach (or more)
3-4 fresh pears, diced
1/2 c raisins
1/2 c raw shredded coconut
sprinkling of raw sesame seeds
1/2 c chopped raw almonds
Mix and use a sweet dressing. We used this one:
1/2 cup raw honey
1/2 c raw apple cider vinegar
1 c olive oil
1 T mustard
1 t sea salt
1/2 c onion
1/2 c alfalfa and red clover sprouts
Blend all together in your high powered blender and then add 1 T poppy seeds.
This makes A LOT of dressing. I usually cut the recipe in half, and we still have enough for 3 humongous salads.
1/2 pound spinach (or more)
3-4 fresh pears, diced
1/2 c raisins
1/2 c raw shredded coconut
sprinkling of raw sesame seeds
1/2 c chopped raw almonds
Mix and use a sweet dressing. We used this one:
1/2 cup raw honey
1/2 c raw apple cider vinegar
1 c olive oil
1 T mustard
1 t sea salt
1/2 c onion
1/2 c alfalfa and red clover sprouts
Blend all together in your high powered blender and then add 1 T poppy seeds.
This makes A LOT of dressing. I usually cut the recipe in half, and we still have enough for 3 humongous salads.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Pear-adise
This recipe is for my son who said, "Mom, you need to call this 'Pear-a-dise'". Cute, huh?
Lots of spinach crammed into blender jar
1 1/2 c water
1 banana
2 fresh ripe pears
fill the rest with frozen strawberries
Blend blend blend!
This has a mild but sweet flavor. Very yummy!
Lots of spinach crammed into blender jar
1 1/2 c water
1 banana
2 fresh ripe pears
fill the rest with frozen strawberries
Blend blend blend!
This has a mild but sweet flavor. Very yummy!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
The Sun & Cleaning Products
It's been awhile since I've done a "wiser" post...
I started noticing about 3 months ago that when I use harsh cleaning products, it really affects my skin. And I'm lazy, I rarely put on gloves to clean. Then I started thinking about how much we absorb through our skin. For example, my Master's degree is in the psychology field, and in abnormal psychology I've learned about seasonal depression which occurs during the time of year when we see the least amount of sun. Combine that with the fact that our bodies need Vitamin D and the most beneficial form of Vitamin D is in the form of good ole straight sunlight, absorbed directly into our skin.
One of my friend's brothers attempted suicide many months ago, and one of the things that the doctors found in their testing was that his body was dangerously low in Vitamin D. Could this deficiency contribute to feelings of depression or even suicide? I don't know, but it's interesting the obvious correlation. My husband has said many times that the winter months are really hard on him, in regulating his mood.
Anyway, sorry about the tangent, back to what we absorb through our skin:
So, really, how much of what we expose our bodies to is exposed through our skin? Obviously Vitamin D through the sun is, but what about cleaning products? Shampoo? Soap? Deodorant? If I think too hard about it, I get really stressed because I can't afford for everything in my house to be organic! But I've tried (like the dirty dozen in fruits and veggies) to think about the worst things in my home.
That same friend that I spoke of above moved a year and a half ago (sniff sniff), and I went over to help her clean her house. I fell in love with her cleaning products because they smelled SOOOO GOOOD and they didn't bother my skin at all! The brand name is Method, and when I find it on sale, I buy it, but if I coupon I can get some glass cleaner for .25! It's a constant battle: cheaper or better for you?
Well, I got an email from the Krazy Coupon Lady that talks about homemade house cleaning solutions. Check this recipe out!
1 cup vinegar
1 cup water
2 T lemon juice
1/2 t peppermint oil
1 t cornstarch
Mix and put in a spray bottle; use to clean surfaces and glass.
Okay, doesn't that sound like it smells heavenly?
She also gives the following as inexpensive cleaners:
white vinegar-natural degreaser and disinfectant. Okay, I hate the smell of white vinegar. I've used it a few times, but rarely because I like my bathrooms to smell CLEAN, not smell like vinegar. But with the recipe above, I think it would smell clean! I love the fresh smell of peppermint and lemon! Anyway, if you like vinegar, mix 1 part vinegar and 1 part water. You can pour vinegar straight onto your stove and let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it clean---grease is GONE! :)
Baking soda-this is for scrubbing! Make a paste with water and it cleans everything, including your oven!!! No more fumes that you are breathing in!
Canola oil-use a small amount with a drop of lemon juice to clean wood furniture. You can also put a drop of lavender oil in if you like!
Need to unclog those drains? Do the following: Pour 1/2 c baking soda down the drain followed by 1/2 c vinegar. Wait for it to bubble up, and then rinse it down with hot water.
Does anyone else have ideas for homemade cleaning solutions?
I started noticing about 3 months ago that when I use harsh cleaning products, it really affects my skin. And I'm lazy, I rarely put on gloves to clean. Then I started thinking about how much we absorb through our skin. For example, my Master's degree is in the psychology field, and in abnormal psychology I've learned about seasonal depression which occurs during the time of year when we see the least amount of sun. Combine that with the fact that our bodies need Vitamin D and the most beneficial form of Vitamin D is in the form of good ole straight sunlight, absorbed directly into our skin.
One of my friend's brothers attempted suicide many months ago, and one of the things that the doctors found in their testing was that his body was dangerously low in Vitamin D. Could this deficiency contribute to feelings of depression or even suicide? I don't know, but it's interesting the obvious correlation. My husband has said many times that the winter months are really hard on him, in regulating his mood.
Anyway, sorry about the tangent, back to what we absorb through our skin:
So, really, how much of what we expose our bodies to is exposed through our skin? Obviously Vitamin D through the sun is, but what about cleaning products? Shampoo? Soap? Deodorant? If I think too hard about it, I get really stressed because I can't afford for everything in my house to be organic! But I've tried (like the dirty dozen in fruits and veggies) to think about the worst things in my home.
That same friend that I spoke of above moved a year and a half ago (sniff sniff), and I went over to help her clean her house. I fell in love with her cleaning products because they smelled SOOOO GOOOD and they didn't bother my skin at all! The brand name is Method, and when I find it on sale, I buy it, but if I coupon I can get some glass cleaner for .25! It's a constant battle: cheaper or better for you?
Well, I got an email from the Krazy Coupon Lady that talks about homemade house cleaning solutions. Check this recipe out!
1 cup vinegar
1 cup water
2 T lemon juice
1/2 t peppermint oil
1 t cornstarch
Mix and put in a spray bottle; use to clean surfaces and glass.
Okay, doesn't that sound like it smells heavenly?
She also gives the following as inexpensive cleaners:
white vinegar-natural degreaser and disinfectant. Okay, I hate the smell of white vinegar. I've used it a few times, but rarely because I like my bathrooms to smell CLEAN, not smell like vinegar. But with the recipe above, I think it would smell clean! I love the fresh smell of peppermint and lemon! Anyway, if you like vinegar, mix 1 part vinegar and 1 part water. You can pour vinegar straight onto your stove and let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it clean---grease is GONE! :)
Baking soda-this is for scrubbing! Make a paste with water and it cleans everything, including your oven!!! No more fumes that you are breathing in!
Canola oil-use a small amount with a drop of lemon juice to clean wood furniture. You can also put a drop of lavender oil in if you like!
Need to unclog those drains? Do the following: Pour 1/2 c baking soda down the drain followed by 1/2 c vinegar. Wait for it to bubble up, and then rinse it down with hot water.
Does anyone else have ideas for homemade cleaning solutions?
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Community resources & Fried Okra
I had the opportunity to go visit the Amish community on Monday. This is a resource that I've known about....but I haven't REALLY known about! For $19 I got the following:
1 gallon fresh raw goat's milk
2 dozen freshly gathered eggs
4 lbs cucumbers
4 canteloupes
6 lbs tomatoes
2 lbs okra
3 lbs summer squash
2 HUMONGOUS butternut squashes (like, I'm not sure I have a pan big enough to cook them! But I'm super excited... I have a soup recipe coming up that is soooo delicious!)
I think that's it, but it feels like I'm forgetting something. But seriously! That is some cheap food, and it was all freshly picked that morning before I got there! They had bushels of green beans for $15, concord grapes by the bucket, homecanned items, gobs and gobs of things! I made yogurt and kefir with the fresh milk, and the kids and I are still eating on the cucumbers. I froze most of the tomatoes for winter cooking, and made a healthier version of fried okra, and still have enough for 2 more batches! See below for the recipe.
I don't know that I'll go every week, as it's about a 40 minute drive...but I will definitely go 1-2 times/month. The quality of food plus the price makes it worth the effort, especially while I'm in between summer and fall planting for my garden. (It's soooo hot here that every time I try to plant fall crops, they wilt as soon as they break through the surface. So, I've started seeds inside and will transplant them as soon as the weather cools a bit.)
I know that there are resources that aren't well known in every community, you just have to look for it. Eating healthy does NOT have to cost an arm and a leg! What have you found in your community?
1 gallon fresh raw goat's milk
2 dozen freshly gathered eggs
4 lbs cucumbers
4 canteloupes
6 lbs tomatoes
2 lbs okra
3 lbs summer squash
2 HUMONGOUS butternut squashes (like, I'm not sure I have a pan big enough to cook them! But I'm super excited... I have a soup recipe coming up that is soooo delicious!)
I think that's it, but it feels like I'm forgetting something. But seriously! That is some cheap food, and it was all freshly picked that morning before I got there! They had bushels of green beans for $15, concord grapes by the bucket, homecanned items, gobs and gobs of things! I made yogurt and kefir with the fresh milk, and the kids and I are still eating on the cucumbers. I froze most of the tomatoes for winter cooking, and made a healthier version of fried okra, and still have enough for 2 more batches! See below for the recipe.
I don't know that I'll go every week, as it's about a 40 minute drive...but I will definitely go 1-2 times/month. The quality of food plus the price makes it worth the effort, especially while I'm in between summer and fall planting for my garden. (It's soooo hot here that every time I try to plant fall crops, they wilt as soon as they break through the surface. So, I've started seeds inside and will transplant them as soon as the weather cools a bit.)
I know that there are resources that aren't well known in every community, you just have to look for it. Eating healthy does NOT have to cost an arm and a leg! What have you found in your community?
Fried Okra
Note-this is best done in a cast iron skillet...but I don't have one. It's on my wish list. :)
Okra, diced (discard the top of the okra)
popcorn
coconut oil
1-2 eggs
Put popcorn in your high powered blender and blend fresh corn meal. Crack the eggs and mix with the okra til it's pretty slimy. Mix in the cornmeal until everything is thoroughly covered. Warm coconut oil until warm enough for frying, but not smoking. Fry okra on both sides until crispy and slightly browned. You can serve with ketchup or eat plain. All of us love fried okra, but I admit, it may be an acquired southern taste. Have you ever had fried okra? What do you think?
Say YES to Fun School Lunches!
Allright, here we go. I'm doing this post mostly for me, but I know there are a lot of other parents out there who are at a loss on how to pack healthy lunches for their kiddos, that are fun too! (And that don't take an hour every morning to prepare!) I will be adding to this post as I go!
Black Bean Taco Salad
1 handful of salad greens with fresh veggies (cucumbers, peppers, whatever you want to add)
1/4 cup of black beans mixed with a bit of salsa or taco seasoning
1 handful of chips, crushed in hand
The dressing is salsa, so pack this is a sealed cup. Everything else can be in compartments so that the kiddos can assemble their own salad and it's not all soggy.
Tuna Salad
1 can tuna
1 apple, finely chopped
handful of raisins
1 small stalk of celery, finely chopped
seeds of your choice (sunflower, pumpkin, sesame, etc)
Mix all together with a bit of vegenaise, onion & garlic powders, cumin
Serve on a bed of greens and chopped veggies
(I actually made this last week with leftover crockpot chicken. The kids loved it!)
Black Bean & Corn Salad
2 c cooked black beans
1 1/2 c fresh corn
1/4 red onion, finely chopped
1/4 bunch cilantro chopped (leaved only!)
1/2 red bell pepper
1/2 green bell pepper
1 diced cucumber
1 handful spinach
Combine and drizzle with the following dressing:
1/2 c agave
1/4 c rice vinegar
1/3 c lime juice
1/3 bunch cilantro (leaves only)
2 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
sea salt to taste
Blend in a blender.
Fresh Mango & Mint
That's it! Chop up some mango, chop up some fresh mint leaves, mix and voila! It's super tasty!
Strawberry Salad
Spinach or romaine, rinsed and torn
1 cucumber, diced
1 apple, chopped
8 strawberries, quartered
1/2 c dried cranberries
1/2 can mandarin oranges
crumbled blue cheese
1/4 c slivered almonds or chopped pecans
Combine in a bowl and put the dressing on the side in a disposable cup:
1/3 c agave
1/4 c rice vinegar
8 strawberries
Blend in blender.
Yogurt Dip
1 cup homemade kefir or yogurt
Add agave nectar & cinnamon to taste (thanks Jessica!)
Strawberry Dip
1 cup plain yogurt
frozen strawberries, 6ish?
a bit of agave nectar
Blend in your blendtec and pour into those disposable cups to dip apples, oranges, bananas, strawberries, pears, etc.
Black Bean Dip
Salads
1 handful of salad greens with fresh veggies (cucumbers, peppers, whatever you want to add)
1/4 cup of black beans mixed with a bit of salsa or taco seasoning
1 handful of chips, crushed in hand
The dressing is salsa, so pack this is a sealed cup. Everything else can be in compartments so that the kiddos can assemble their own salad and it's not all soggy.
Tuna Salad
1 can tuna
1 apple, finely chopped
handful of raisins
1 small stalk of celery, finely chopped
seeds of your choice (sunflower, pumpkin, sesame, etc)
Mix all together with a bit of vegenaise, onion & garlic powders, cumin
Serve on a bed of greens and chopped veggies
(I actually made this last week with leftover crockpot chicken. The kids loved it!)
Black Bean & Corn Salad
2 c cooked black beans
1 1/2 c fresh corn
1/4 red onion, finely chopped
1/4 bunch cilantro chopped (leaved only!)
1/2 red bell pepper
1/2 green bell pepper
1 diced cucumber
1 handful spinach
Combine and drizzle with the following dressing:
1/2 c agave
1/4 c rice vinegar
1/3 c lime juice
1/3 bunch cilantro (leaves only)
2 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
sea salt to taste
Blend in a blender.
That's it! Chop up some mango, chop up some fresh mint leaves, mix and voila! It's super tasty!
Strawberry Salad
Spinach or romaine, rinsed and torn
1 cucumber, diced
1 apple, chopped
8 strawberries, quartered
1/2 c dried cranberries
1/2 can mandarin oranges
crumbled blue cheese
1/4 c slivered almonds or chopped pecans
Combine in a bowl and put the dressing on the side in a disposable cup:
1/3 c agave
1/4 c rice vinegar
8 strawberries
Blend in blender.
Fruit Dips
1 cup homemade kefir or yogurt
Add agave nectar & cinnamon to taste (thanks Jessica!)
Strawberry Dip
1 cup plain yogurt
frozen strawberries, 6ish?
a bit of agave nectar
Blend in your blendtec and pour into those disposable cups to dip apples, oranges, bananas, strawberries, pears, etc.
Veggie Dips
Black Bean Dip
1 cup black beans - lightly pulsed in a blender/food proccesor
1 cup salsa
1/4 carrot puree (blend raw carrots in blender until smooth, add water if needed)
1 Tbsp taco seasoning
1 Tbsp fresh cilantro or 1 tsp. dried cilantro
Mix together and serve with an array of sliced fresh veggies.
Salsa
This is for you folks out there who don't care for raw tomatoes (like me!)
1 28 oz can whole tomatoes
1-2 raw roma tomatoes
1 bell pepper cut into big chunks
1/2 medium onion
2-3 cloves of garlic, crushed and minced
1 T lime juice
1 t sea salt
1 t cumin
1 drop hot sauce
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Pulse all ingredients (except cilantro) in blender until you reach desired consistency. Stir in cilantro. Serve with pita chips, rice chips or organic tortilla chips.
Spread homemade peanut butter on a whole wheat tortilla, sprinkle with raisins and cinnamon. Roll up and slice.
Spread hot refried beans, mozzerella cheese, and shredded veggies (squash, carrots, etc); roll up and serve.
Make homemade guacamole (I wish we all loved this, but only my hubby does) by dicing or mashing a ripe avocado with taco seasoning and sea salt to taste, some lime juice and some salsa. Mix well and roll in a tortilla.
Toast a piece of whole wheat or sprouted bread. Spread with almond butter and top with sliced bananas, raisins and cinnamon.
I will post some soup/chili/stew recipes this fall (my absolute favorite season ever!) that you can send with your child. See here with the link to our soup/leftover container.
I will also post a pre-school breakfast post soon with some breakfast ideas besides that sugary bowl of cereal. My son finally eats a variety of breakfasts instead of mini wheats every day! Woot Woot!
You can always serve a homemade muffin with fresh fruit and veggies and dip. We do this 1-2 lunches/week and the kids looooove muffin day! Here is a link with some muffin recipes!
Salsa
This is for you folks out there who don't care for raw tomatoes (like me!)
1 28 oz can whole tomatoes
1-2 raw roma tomatoes
1 bell pepper cut into big chunks
1/2 medium onion
2-3 cloves of garlic, crushed and minced
1 T lime juice
1 t sea salt
1 t cumin
1 drop hot sauce
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Pulse all ingredients (except cilantro) in blender until you reach desired consistency. Stir in cilantro. Serve with pita chips, rice chips or organic tortilla chips.
Wraps
Spread homemade peanut butter on a whole wheat tortilla, sprinkle with raisins and cinnamon. Roll up and slice.
Spread hot refried beans, mozzerella cheese, and shredded veggies (squash, carrots, etc); roll up and serve.
Make homemade guacamole (I wish we all loved this, but only my hubby does) by dicing or mashing a ripe avocado with taco seasoning and sea salt to taste, some lime juice and some salsa. Mix well and roll in a tortilla.
Toast a piece of whole wheat or sprouted bread. Spread with almond butter and top with sliced bananas, raisins and cinnamon.
I will post some soup/chili/stew recipes this fall (my absolute favorite season ever!) that you can send with your child. See here with the link to our soup/leftover container.
I will also post a pre-school breakfast post soon with some breakfast ideas besides that sugary bowl of cereal. My son finally eats a variety of breakfasts instead of mini wheats every day! Woot Woot!
You can always serve a homemade muffin with fresh fruit and veggies and dip. We do this 1-2 lunches/week and the kids looooove muffin day! Here is a link with some muffin recipes!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
A few smoothie recipes
...for those of you who exercise or just need a little bit more energy:
-5 stalks organic celery, chopped into chunks
-1 1/2 c water
-1 apple
-4-5 frozen bananas, broken into chunks
Blend Blend Blend! This tastes so creamy, and is almost treat-like. :)
-3 stalks organic celery, chopped into chunks
-2 bananas
-1 c frozen mixed berries
-1 c water
Blend Blend Blend! This is so simple and so energizing!
For either of the above smoothies, add a couple of handfuls of your favorite greens to help boost the vitamins and minerals!
-5 stalks organic celery, chopped into chunks
-1 1/2 c water
-1 apple
-4-5 frozen bananas, broken into chunks
Blend Blend Blend! This tastes so creamy, and is almost treat-like. :)
-3 stalks organic celery, chopped into chunks
-2 bananas
-1 c frozen mixed berries
-1 c water
Blend Blend Blend! This is so simple and so energizing!
For either of the above smoothies, add a couple of handfuls of your favorite greens to help boost the vitamins and minerals!
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