Guesting Posting Today At Cooking Traditional Foods

Today I am guest posting at KerryAnn's blog, Cooking Traditional Foods, about the amazing benefits of raw organic apple cider.  So, hop on over to KerryAnn's blog to read more about how you can heal your body with raw apple cider vinegar.  HERE is the post!

KerryAnn has an amazing blog with a wonderful newsletter, menu mailers, and ebooks to help you learn how to incorporate traditional foods in your diet.  Whether you are new or a pro at cooking with traditional foods, you will want to take a look at what KerryAnn has to offer!

Aromatherapy and Stress Part Two

The workplace environment is often a place that produces stress.  Aromatherapy can be very helpful to reduce stress levels and create a more inviting work environment.

Photo credit: en.wikipedia.org

Photo Credit: elavenderoils.com

Please remember that when you are working with essential oils, it is critical to buy from sellers that have organic, high quality oils that have not been diluted in any way.  One the right side of my blog, I have three recommended sellers.

An easy way to enjoy essential oils at work is to place 2-3 drops on a cotton ball and set that next to your computer at your workspace.

Photo Credit: acutedesigns.com

The following is a recipe from Healing Home Spa, by Valerie Cooksley, for an uplifting and purifying blend.  These oils can be placed in a 2 ounce dropper bottle (you want one that is colored - these can be purchased at Mountain Rose Herbs, as can the essential oils.  Simply click on my link to the right.)

9 parts lavender essential oil
3 parts lemon essential oil
2 parts geranium essential oil

Place these oils into your jar and place on the jar's cap.  Gently roll in your hands for a few seconds to blend the oils.  Label and date your jar.  This should last 6-9 months.  To use, place 2-3 drops on a cotton ball and set at your workstation.  As with all essential oils, it is good to rotate through your different oils and not use the same oils daily for long periods of time.  Try this synergy (blend) 2-3 times a week as needed.

*If you are pregnant or nursing, should consult your health care provider before using any essential oils.

Cultured Mondays - Sourdough, Why Do It?

It's Cultured Mondays once again and this week I will be discussing sourdough.  I would like to start out discussing the benefits of sourdough...why even go through the process in the first place?  Well, here are a few good reasons:

*Yeast - Baking yeast is modern invention (you can read more about it here).  The problem with this yeast is that the amount that is used to make bread is MUCH higher than the amount that occurs in naturally fermented (ie - sourdough) bread.  While this is not the only factor, it is a factor that contributes to yeast overgrowth in the digestive system and body, which leads to various health issues.

*Phytic acid and mineral absorption - Breads made with bakers yeast do not break down much of the phytic acids in bread, which prevents mineral absorption and they are more difficult to digest than their sourdough counterparts.

*Gliadin - This is component of gluten that many people have trouble tolerating.  Sourdough breaks down this component of bread much better than bread made with baker's yeast.  You can read more about this HERE.

Fed Whole Wheat Starter

 I recently started to use a whole wheat starter (my previous starter was rye, but it sadly died after a long time of faithful service), and I actually like this starter better.  I don't bake with rye as a rule, so it has been easier for me to maintain this starter since I use a lot of soft wheat (low gluten) flour in my cooking.  Some say that rye is easier to maintain than whole wheat, but so far I have not found that to be an issue.

I bake with my starter about twice a week.  To maintain a healthy starter, you need to feed it at least once a week.  Getting the hang of sourdough will take a few weeks, but once you have it figured out, you will never want to stop!  You can do all kinds of things with sourdough which include muffins, cakes, pancakes and more!  Happily, my sister is doing a sourdough series on her blog and I have linked you to two of her recipes HERE and HERE for a basic loaf bread and a breakfast cake.

Sourdough Bread Rising

(Featured on The Healthy Home Economist, Kelly the Kitchen Kop, The Nourishing Gourmet)

Nourished Living Network

I'm so excited to take a break from Whole Foods Friday today to announce that I am now a contributing writer for Nourished Living Network.

Nourished Living Network is a fabulous group of bloggers who are dedicated to real and traditional foods that follow the teachings of Weston A. Price, and to natural health and family living practices.

Come take a minute to check out our page, here, and enjoy the wealth of recipes and information that awaits you!    We would love to have you follow us on facebook, pintrest, or twitter.

Photo Credit: phoenix.org

My New Knife - Sharpest Ever and Under $10!

Being a whole foodie means a lot of chopping!  I've been through a few knives in my time and have not been very happy with any of them.  Following a tip from the Nourishing Gourmet, I found these knives.  I ordered THIS one,  for vegetable chopping and THIS bread knife.

Set of Komachi Knives (Photo credit: Themodernhome.com)

I have been so happy with these knives and even if they need to be replaced more frequently than my more expensive knives, I won't mind.  These are also extremely light weight, which I find makes chopping a lot easier.

I am looking forward to trying their paring knife and their serrated multi-utility knife

DIY Organic Dishwashing Liquid

I was thrilled to run across this recipe for a DIY organic dishwashing liquid.  The idea of making my own has been on the back burner for a while and time is running out as I am almost out of my current dishwasher powder.

A fellow blogger, Rebekah at Potholes and Pantyhose, has presented an easy recipe for making your own organic, non-toxic dishwashing liquid.  I can't wait to give this recipe a try!

You can read her recipe here...it's so easy to make.

Make a cute label for your detergent and store in the refrigerator. Use about 2 TBS per load.

Easy Homemade Almond Milk

My list of new recipes to try seems to be monumental right now!  But trying almond milk has been near the top right now as I have been looking for creative liquids to give my toddler.  One of my sister's happened to be in town last week and she has made almond milk before, so she gave me a little lesson.

Photo Credit: Youthfulhearts.com

We covered 2 cups of almonds in water and left them overnight.  In the morning we poured out the soaking water and placed the almonds in my vitamix (a strong blender should work as well).  We then added 2 cups of water and blended on high for about 1 1/2 -2 minutes.  We strained the liquid through a very tiny mesh strainer, then place the pulp back into the vitamix and added another 1 1/2 cups of water and ran it again on high for 1 1/2 - 2 minutes.  We strained the liquid again and were left with some yummy almond milk.  I saved the pulp and have used it in smoothies, oatmeal, and sourdough bread.  Don't want those nutrients to go to waste!

We will be enjoying this in our house on a regular basis now, I hope, though definitely not daily, as almonds have oxalates which can interfere with calcium absorption and can be difficult for some people to tolerate.

(Featured on Nourishing Treasures, Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms, My Sweet and Savory, Healthy Home Economist, Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker, Ruth's Real Food, Homestead Revival, Real Food Forager, Simply Sugar and Gluten Free)

Cultured Honey Mustard Dressing

It's Cultured Mondays once again!  How are your fermenting goals going so far?  Today I am going to share a super easy salad dressing recipe using the cultured mustard that I made a few weeks back.

This salad dressing is tangy, sweet and a breeze to whip up:

*1/2 cup cultured mustard

*1/2 cup raw honey

*1/2 cup organic raw apple cider vinegar

*1/2 cup organic extra virgin olive oil

Simply place all four ingredients in a medium sized bowl (at least 4 cups) and briskly whisk until all ingredients are well blended.  This will take a minute or two.  Place in a canning jar or other glass jar with lid so that the dressing can be shaken before use.  

This is also delicious served over cooked chicken breast or as a dip for raw vegies.  And the best part...it's full of the healing properties of the probiotics in the mustard and the enzymes in the organic raw apple cider vinegar and raw honey.

(Featured on Raising Isabella, Ruth's Real Foods, Nourishing Treasures, A Southern Fairytale, Home Savvy from A to Z, Homestead Revival, Organizing Junkie, Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker, Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms, Delightfully Dowling, The Healthy Home Economist, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, My Sweet and Savory, You are Talking Too Much, My 1929 Charmer, Marvelously Messy, Real Food Forager, Learning the Frugal Life, Simply Sugar and Gluten Free, Chef-in-Training, Savvy Southern Style, Frugally Sustainable,  Food Corner, The King's Corner IV, Kelly the Kitchen Kop, This Chick Cooks, Mind Body and Sole, Raising Homemakers, Beyond the Peel, Frugal Follies, Miz Helen's Country Kitchen, Gluten Free Pantry, A Little Nosh, Real Food Whole Health, Food Renegade, Real Food Freaks, Six Sister's Stuff, Butter Believer, Natural Mother's Network, Cultured Mama)

Whole Foods Friday - Ham and Potato Chowder

t's Whole Foods Friday!  I will be sharing a recipe for Ham and Potato chowder from my sister's website, Whole Foods on a Budget.  This is a perfect winter chowder; thick, filling, and enjoyable with all this chilly weather!  Click HERE to read the recipe.

(Featured on Kelly the Kitchen Kop)

How to Care for Someone who has Miscarried

I recently walked through the pain of a miscarriage with a D&C at 14 weeks.  I never knew how emotionally (and physically!) difficult it could be until my own experience.  Many friends and family want to know what to say and how to help, but don't know what to do.  I found THIS post very helpful and a good guide for what to say and do for a loved one who is walking through this sad experience.

Photo credit: newark1.com

Chicken and Arsenic

I'm pretty passionate about organic food; keeping what's on my table as organic as possible.  When I read articles like the one I have linked in this post, I hope you can see why I'm so passionate about organic food, and staying informed.  The FDA has FINALLY admitted that the product Roxasone, which is a Pfizer product,  that is fed to conventional chickens, is laced with arsenic.  Apparently, this type of feed has been given to chicken for 60 years now.  And, sadly, the poop from these chickens is then fed to conventional cows - so you are getting it in your conventional beef supply, too!

Photo credit: sodahead.com

The sad reality is that the FDA is not protecting our food sources.  There are too many special interest groups involved at this point.  I think the FDA was started with good intentions, but those now seem to be long gone.  It's really up to you now to protect yourself, your family, and your food sources.  I love seeing the increase of small local organic farms.  Let's do what we can to support them and provide healthier food sources for ourselves and our children.

A great resource about eating whole, organic foods on a budget is my sister's site: Whole Foods on a Budget.  Check out her blog for all kinds of budget friendly ways to incorporate organically raised meats into your diet.

If you have a minute, read this short article.

Photo Credit: Motherearthnews.com

Cardamom

Last week I posted this recipe for a delicious, medicinal chai.  One of my favorite ingredients is cardamom, as it helps add depth and intensity of taste to my chai recipe.

Photo credit: guerlain.pl

Cardamom has many wonderful health benefits, which include:

*detoxifying benefits

*digestive aid and helps with stomach discomfort, including a reduction in acid

*a good source of minerals like calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, manganese and copper

*the pods are a good source of vitamins that include vit. C and vit. B

*helps to cleanse the kidneys and strengthen the urinary tract system

*improves the circulation of the lungs and can be helpful for treating asthma

*can help to reduce depression

Photo Credit: bigoven.com