Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower "Rice"

Where have I been?! If you have not tried making cauliflower 'rice' this is your chance! As a grain-free family, rice is something that I miss from time to time. Coming from a Latin home, rice is part of almost every dish ans it was hard to give it up. The other day I craved it and finally decided to try making cauliflower "rice". I am always looking for ways to incorporate a large variety of veggies for O. Cauliflower is not one we have often so it was time to add it in. 

So, here is a little taste of my interpretation on "Latin rice" 

Cilantro-Lime Cauliflower "Rice"

Ingredients:

  1/2 head of Cauliflower 

  1/4 cup frozen or fresh Peas

  1/4 cup thinly chopped Carrots 

  Handful of fresh Cilantro

  1-2tbs fresh Lime Juice 

  1/4 cup Onions 

  2 cloves Garlic (minced) 

  1/4 tsp Cumin

  1/4 tsp Sea Salt

  1tsp  of Ghee. Grass-fed Butter or Coconut oil (I used Ghee because if gives it a more savory taste)

Directions:

1. Break off the "flowers" from the core and place them in a food processor and pulse to the desired consistency. I like mine in small pieces for the rice consistency and pulse about 8-10 times. If you do not have a food processor, simply chop it into small pieces.

2. On medium heat, melt the Ghee and add minced garlic for about 15 seconds, add onions and sauté for a couple of minutes until golden in color.

3. Add the cauliflowerc, cumin, salt, pepper, lime juice, and sauté until you achieve your desired consistency. I like if to hold it's shape and to have a little crunch so I cook it for about 5-8minutes. Add Cilantro and mix in one minute before it is ready. Cool and serve! 

Enjoy!

If you have perfected this recipe or have any suggestions be sure to comment below. 

  

~ Blessings to All~ 

DIY Vision/Planning/Decorative Board

This is a simple, inexpensive, versatile and fun project! You can use any size cork board and it can be adjusted for every room in your home. I came across a $3 36x26 board and I saw lots of potential. All you need is:

  A board

  Fabric you would love to look at on a daily basis

  4-8 Thumbtacks 

  Acrylic Paint 

 and inspiration!

Step 1: Paint the border with an acrylic color of your choice. I chose yellow because it attracts attention and pulls you in. Be sure to paint it outdoors to avoid the fumes or paint in the bathroom with the fan on like I did. Allow the paint to dry. Try adding quotes, words, Flowers or paisleys or stickers. 

Step 2: Iron and cut out the fabric to the size or the board. Fold over the edges on all sides and use a thumbtack on each corner making sure it pulled tightly to avoid wrinkles. Add more thumbtacks to the areas that are needed which will depend on the weight of your fabric. 

That's it! :) 

This particular board is for my 'studio'. I am opening at Etsy shop in April to share my handmade goods with others. I call this my 'vision board'. This will serve a beautiful reminder of what I love, what inspires me which will be my favorite photos of my Son, reminders and quotes that I love. This is my special space that ended up costing me under $10. 

I chose to use thumbtacks to hold the fabric in place because I want to have the option of changing the fabric . A staple gun, hot glue or fabric glue could be used to attach the fabric to the board. 

I hope this inspires you to make a special board just for you!

~ Blessings To All~ 

"Mommy, Let's Live in the Moment!"

The other day I caught myself missing a beautiful moment with my Son.

The whole Curing Decay journey can be very energy consuming for me as a parent. It is a big part of our daily lives. Protocols, making sure he takes his supplements, adding minerals to the water, rinsing, brushing, etc. I have to keep an eye on the progress and every time it is nerve racking. I am human, and as many of us have my moments of doubt. When these moments arise, I remind myself to "trust the process" but many of us know how hard that can be. I am doing the best I can as a Mother and as a Woman.

My Son and I were having a conversation a couple of weeks ago. He laughed and I automatically glanced at his top 4 teeth. Peeking and seeing how things were going. Is there more decay? Any chips? Discoloration? No. All is well. Back to my Son. By the time I was done peeking, he was ready to walk away. I missed the eye contact. That moment of connection, joy, happiness and that fuel that a parent gets from seeing their child happy. That moment will never be back. I realized that my worrying (which is pretty normal Mommy life) and thinking of the past and the future was taking time from NOW. How did I drift off like that? It is a feeling that I do not want to experience again.  When I see myself drifting off, I remind myself to come back. "LIVE IN THE NOW!" I am going through the most amazing time of my life seeing my Beautiful little man grow. Everything else, comes after. 

Will I ever experience Motherhood again? I am not sure. What this taught me is that this experience came to us for a reason as with everything. It came our way to simply teach and push me to be a better, more conscious parent. Our lives, diets and knowledge of how the human body works naturally keeps expanding. It is my duty to educate myself and teach my Son what good, holistic oral health consists of. Could if have taught him this without the decay? Maybe since holistic dentistry it is something that has always has intrigued me. After all, I am grateful that his little body was able to signal his deficiency early on. 

Mamas: Look up. Look into your Child's eyes. Live that moment. Take it all in. They are telling you that it is all okay, that it will all work out and most importantly that they love you.

We are doing the best we can and that is simply all we can do. Let's live in the moment and keep pushing with LOVE.

~Love to All~

RAW Cacao-Maca Covered Strawberries

With Valentine's day being tomorrow and organic strawberries on sale, I decided to whip up a special treat for Papa and I. Organic, Raw Cacao-Maca Covered Strawberries! I love chocolate. I admit it. Raw Cacao, that is! It is a nice, homemade treat without the junk! The Chocolate is RAW dairy-free and sweetened with raw, local honey. Depending on the type of raw honey available to you, the consistency of the Chocolate may change. The honey I use is raw, unfiltered and pretty thick which is great for this type of treat. 

Let's get started!

RAW Cacao-Maca Covered Strawberries

You will need:

• Parchment Paper
• A plate or small flat container 
• A double-boiling system. I don't have one so I simply use one smaller Pyrex pot inside the other. Improvise! 

Ingredients:

• 6 Large Organic Strawberries
• 2 TBS Raw, unfiltered Honey
• 2 TBS Coconut Oil
• 1/4 Tsp Vanilla Extract OR 1/4 tsp of Vanilla Bean (what I used)
• 3 TBS Raw Cacao powder
• 1/2 TBS Maca Root powder
• 1/4 Tsp Cinnamon
• pinch of Himalayan or Celtic sea salt

Directions:

1. Get your double boiler setup and turn on the stove to LOW/MED heat and let is sit for 5mins, then down to LOW. If you are not familiar with the double boiler setup, simply fill  a large pot with about 1/4 water. Then, place a smaller pot inside the larger pot. 
2. Mix dry ingredients together in a bowl and set aside. 
3. Wash Strawberries ;-)
4. Add Coconut oil  to the pot and allow it to melt.
5. Add Honey and stir until mixed well into a creamy consistency. 
6. Add Vanilla, Cacao, Maca, Cinnamon, & salt slowly while stirring. This may require that you remove the small pot onto a stable surface. Mix well until until completely blended in. Taste test! Make sure it is sweet enough and perfect for you. :)
7. Get your dish ready with parchment paper (I taped the sides to ensure a flat surface)
8. Dip the strawberries in the chocolate and use a spoon to set it where you want the chocolate to be. You can drizzle or simple dip them as I did. 
9. Set the tray in the freezer for 5 minutes and then transfer to the refrigerator.  

REMEMBER: Coconut Oil melts at 78 degrees F. Keep them in the fridge until you are ready to serve.

ENJOY!

~ Blessings & LOVE ~ 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Curing Toddler Tooth Decay Naturally

First, I want to start off by saying that I believe that every situation that comes my way is one to challenge my beliefs, to help me grow and learn. This is how I choose to take this experience. I am sharing our personal story to help and inspire other parents who are faced with the same situation to seek alternatives and do research. There is information out there. There are alternatives and ways to help your child’s teeth. There is support.

After  my Son’s 1^st birthday I started to notice that something was off with his top 4 teeth. A couple of weeks later his right incisor chipped and his teeth felt soft when I put pressure on it with my nail. I immediately made an appointment with a local Holistic Dentist to confirm my suspicion of tooth demineralization. We saw the dentist but the consult was completely discouraging. The Dentist took a quick look and asked if I gave him fruit juice on a regular basis. I never had! He was exclusively breastfeed up to that point and was not interested in food. She proceeded to tell me that his teeth would get worse, turn dark and that in fact there was Demineralization. The Dentist blamed it on the night breastfeeding. Wait. How? What? Why are there so many children that night nurse all over the world that do not see tooth decay? What was I doing wrong? I mentioned our healthy diet because I knew that our bodies are able to regenerate and heal when properly supported. I also mentioned how he started taking Fermented Cod Liver Oil and how we were starting to incorporate some of the things the Weston A. Price Foundation recommend. I also mentioned that there was a book named "Cure Tooth Decay”. During the Dentist's many years of practice,  she had never seen a case where tooth decay was reversed with diet. I was told that my Son’s teeth were going to get worse and dark. That I also had to stop the night nursing and co-sleeping.  I left that office in tears. I cannot explain the feeling of having failed my son with something so basic. The helplessness and frustration took over me. I didn’t understand. We eat organic, clean food. Why?  That evening,  I sat down, got myself together and reminded myself that our teeth are living organisms just like our skin, our organs and our hair. I knew there was a way to bring them back and was determined to do my best. But before that, I had to figure out why and how this happened so I spent many, many late nights reading and researching.

There is no better detective than a worried, determined mother.

The Pediatric dentistry information I came across is very vague. I came across a lot of information that blamed it breastmilk. This just didn’t sound right to me. I read this article which proves that wrong. Breast milk actually helps clean the mouth. As a mother with a child with tooth decay, I was faced with two options. 

1. Allowing the teeth to get worse and have them pulled later on or 

2. Get teeth filled. 

Both these options require local anesthesia and that simply was not an option for us. It is way too risky to put a child under at his age. There had to be something else out there!

I started immersing myself in information on healing decay, reading success stories and connecting with other mothers in the same situation. I had heard of the “Cure Tooth Decay” book a couple of  years ago and was so intrigued then. Healing cavities naturally is not something that is talked about regularly. There is no money involved or profit to be made by healing naturally so it is kept under the radar as most natural forms of healing. Most folks go in, get their teeth drilled, filled, pay a lot of money and go on with their lives. Months or years later, you go in and get some more drilled. Something is wrong with this picture. You only have one set of teeth. Why drill away? Cutting things off my body is just something that has ever resonated with me. I am saying this as a person who has had many fillings, braces and not the best history of oral health.  I finally got the “Cure Tooth Decay” book from a Mom in the same situation. She mailed the book to me and in the cover wrote that she would pray for both of our families on this journey. That melted my heart and gave me a lot of strength. I knew she had felt what I did at a point and that support really gave me an extra boost to keep pushing. Thank you, Katie! I devoured the book within a night and applied everything I could right away.

Tooth decay is attributed to many factors. It can be attributed to genetics, a diet high in Phytic Acid with grains and gluten, a diet high in processed sugar and fruit sugar as it can have the same effect. It could also come from a gut issue with unbalanced gut bacteria or from a mother who was deficient in nutrients while in utero. I will share what I believe to have caused MY Son's but please do your own research. I can only share what applies to us. I ended up doing the diet with my Son at the begining. I had nothing to loose and everything to gain.

He was already Gluten and Grain-free. Our family used Fluoride-free toothpaste, we drank and bathed in clean water, ate Organic, local and clean sources of meat and dairy so we were already doing many things right. I attribute my Son's tooth decay to 3 things

You can read details about our protocol here.

Fruit Sugar

This whole breast milk thing had me reflecting on my diet. Was I providing the healthiest of milk for him? I came to the realization that I was taking in way too much fruit. You see, it was the middle of the summer where local cantaloupes, watermelon, peaches and nectarines were abundant and cheap. I could eat fruit all day! But it is fruit. Isn't fruit GOOD for you? It is still sugar. My Son consumed a couple of pieces per day just like I did and he loved it. Unfortunately, that did not help his already weak teeth. The busy SAHM lifestyle and the quick, easy meal to go was ideal for these situations. Can you say 5 bananas a day? Oy! We also used to snack a lot. Once on our protocol to heal tooth decay, fruit was completely cut out from both of our diets. We also condensed meals to three times per day and did not snack. Fruit sugar can throw off your blood sugar levels and your body needs to leach phosphorous and calcium from your bones in order to balance out. Teeth are usually the first place where those minerals get leached from. Aha! 

Vegan Diet

Yes, I am going there.  Prior to my pregnancy, I was Raw Vegan for 1.5yrs and vegetarian prior to that. I had sensitive teeth for most of the time which is thought to be “normal” for that diet from what I read. I was adviced to cut down on fruit and rinse often.  Little did I know there was a underlying issue. I cleansed and detoxed so much for so long and didn't replace the minerals. When I was pregnant and up until my birth I really wasn't fully comfortable eating animal products until today. I felt amazing while vegan for the first year on the diet but after that something began to happen. I craved eggs, fish and cheese. I have always loved those three things but remained committed to my diet. Little did I know that all that time my body was craving Healthy fats, calcium, K2, vitamin D and minerals that it needed. At the beginning of my pregnancy I was tested for Iron and vitamin D. Both came back extremely low so I began to supplement both while still mentally trying to maintain a vegetarian diet. This was a huge shock because I  ate very well, supplemented and kept on top of that stuff.  Later on, I realized that a diet lacking animal products while pregnant was not safe for ME. Yes, there have been women who have had healthy children while vegetarian, vegan, raw, etc. For me, this was not the way. I had to change. My body was craving it and I had to put my beliefs aside and nourish my growing Baby.

FAT SOLUBLE vitamin D, A, K2, and cholesterol are vital for healthy, strong teeth. These vitamins are found in grass-fed animal products, raw dairy, seafood and organ meats. Animal products nourish the body while vegetables cleanse it. I realize that now. You do not have to agree with me on that. I also don't feel like I should be supplementing things that I can get from healthy, clean sources. 

I was low in minerals - now I drink bone broth! I was lacking most of these important vitamins. I also learned that the top 4 teeth are formed in Utero at around two months. If the mother is lacking nutrients around that time, the child may also.

Unbalanced gut bacteria at a young age or while in Utero and may also cause decay which is the case of many other Mothers I have met. This is caused by taking antibiotics while pregnant, or the child being put on antibiotics at a young age for ear infections. Balanced gut bacteria is vital to healing decay.  We make sure to take a form of Probiotics daily and rotate often. 

Upper Lip Tie

My Son had an undiagnosed Upper Lip Tie that was missed by his pediatrician and the first Dentist. What puzzled me about his decay is that it was only the top 4 teeth that were affected. It was mysterious. The top bottom 4 teeth were white, strong and in great shape. While conducting my research I came across many similar cases. All of them had one thing in common. An Upper Lip tie! These are diagnosed along with tongue ties early if there is nursing trouble. Since we had no trouble and I had a very forceful letdown A lip tie did not cross my mind. I DID notice that his upper lip was a little tight when he smiled.  Also, many children live with lip ties and don't experience decay. The skin stretches or naturally tears during the toddler years (which is what happened with my Son at 2yo). Dentists do not really look for it either. I had to ask the dentist about it for him to even look at it. In most cases, these are corrected by putting the child under and snipping it or by a child being held down for a 5 minute lazer Frenectomy. Both of those were not options for us. No, I was not going to put him through it unless I really had to. I knew that there was an underlying nutrition and hygiene issue in our case. Once the nutrition was corrected and with now being aware of the Lip tie, I took extra precautions. After every meal, before a nap and before bed I make sure he rinses with water and I clean under the lip and apply coconut oil. That has worked very well for us.  

Could Breast milk and an upper lip tie cause the decay? The combination may contribute to the decay IF there is a nutritional deficiency in my opinion. That upper lip area needs to remain clean and rinsed after meals and before naps and bedtime. I always add a little magic antibacterial and antifungal coconut oil to the affected area.  

After about a month of following the protocol, I began to see positive changes. His teeth began to look strong and shiny and less chalky. The color started changing to a more of a white tone and since then I have not seen the decay get worse. With child tooth decay, things happen very quickly. I learned to identify the stages of decay and how to tell if it was active or not by how hard or soft the area was. Baby teeth are not as strong as adult teeth and more susceptible to decay. After about 4 months I compared photos from previous months and was ecstatic! I saw growth above the decay that looked white, strong and healthy. What was even more amazing was that the area of decay started to fill in with new enamel. Could this really be what I thought it was? I decided to share it with my Mommy tribe and they confirmed my suspicions! It was NEW growth. Healthy and strong! I began searching for an open minded local dentist that would simply confirm what I was witnessing.  I finally got a recommendation for a mainstream but open minded dentist. I had to know and finally took him in.

I went in to that office not expecting anything but also prepared not to be walked over. I knew than many Dentists aren't aware of the protocol and simply don’t believe that teeth can REminiralize. At the beginning of our visit, he looked in my Son’s mouth and I pretty much felt like our first visit. He blamed the decay it all on breast feeding and advice that I take him to the local Children’s hospital to put him under anesthesia to get those filled. He chuckled when I told him I had been following a protocol to heal his teeth. Once he asked what we were eating everything changed. I explained how we were eating a WAPF diet of healthy fats, clean water, grass-fed meats, pasture-raised beef and tons of vegetables. Then, I decided to show him a of photos above and he was amazed. I took a minute to ask what the white line above the decay was and he confirmed my suspicion. NEW, HEALTHY growth! He told me to keep doing what I was doing, that I had nothing to lose and all to gain. I walked out of there with the biggest smile in my face. It was all worth it!

My Son is worth it. His teeth are worth it. There are other options out there. His Baby teeth may never look the same way they used to. But I know that the decay is halted, that healthy growth is coming in and that I am doing all I can to ensure that his adult teeth are nice, strong and decay-free. 

He is perfect to me. We are happy, hopeful, continue to nurse and have kept his body intact. 

Coming Full Moon into Motherhood

How do you find balance between who you were before motherhood and who you are now? You ride the wave. You learn. You experience and live. Live through the struggle of confusion. Learn through living off 5hrs of sleep. Through those days where you don't feel your best. Those days full of exhaustion where you cannot take off because you are a mother. Those days where you just need to walk away and be with yourself. 

2013's winter solstice brought a lot of clarity my way. I felt energized, renewed and ready for a change. It brought with it the realization that in order for me to take care of others, I must put myself first. Growing up, my vision of motherhood was sacrifice. Somehow I subconsciously felt like I had to give up myself and serve, serve and serve. Do most mothers go through this? I am not sure. All I knew is that something did not feel right.

I realized that I have to do things that make me happy and complete. Things that make my body feel good and healthy. Things that nourish my soul. I had to do this not only for me, but for my Son. I had to do some time traveling to the zen-me a couple of years ago. Spiritually I was at a beautiful place. What happened? Well, I was stressed. Let's face it, Motherhood rocks your world! In a good way, of course. In that transition, I let go of the things that brought me peace because time for yourself is very limited. Your priorities completely change. You forget about yourself. I left meditation, yoga, painting, crafting, working out and being on top of my diet. Once I traveled back to that place I realized that I am still ME. That those things are still part of my life and that motherhood has just made me stronger, wiser and more confident. 

I love myself enough to make the effort and make myself happy because that is the only way to give the best of me. I love myself enough to wake up at 5am and dedicate an hour to my soul. I love myself enough to work on making myself happy and complete so that I can in return provide that to my Son and partner. I am worth it. I love myself enough to commit  at least 15minutes to moving my body, to slow down, to meditate and relax. 

I commit to myself because I am worth it. 

You are worth it, Sisters! Love yourself. Take care of yourselves. Treat yourselves with love and compassion. Fall in love with the experience, the ups and downs. Take good care of the vessel you are in now. It is the only one you have. You are worth it! 


Watch out, Universe! Here come many more confident, empowered Mothers! 

~Love to All~ 

A Typical Day Curing Tooth Decay

 YES! It IS possible to REminiralize teeth and reverse tooth decay!

This post is intended for those Parents already in the trenches with me battling toddler tooth decay. Many have asked what we are doing to cure my Son's (Orion  -17mo) decay and REmineralize his teeth. This is a good time to share. Today is a special day Abecause after 3.5months, the REminiralization and new growth is definitely VISIBLE! I will blog about our story in more detail in the future, but for now here is our protocol for those interested. I am sharing what has worked FOR US, please do your research and do what is best for you and yours.

I will start by saying that we were a healthy, organic, clean eating family prior to the decay and that this came as a complete shock to us. It has been a very humbling, difficult journey for me as it is for any parent experiencing this. But, it has also been empowering and rewarding. The body is amazing and once supported correctly, it is capable of regenerating and healing. The hardest part of all of this is having patience. Patience in knowing that things will get better. This whole journey has taught me trust. To trust the body to regenerate, trust myself to follow my gut and make the right decisions and to trust the universe.

Daily Mantra: "My Son has beautiful, strong, healthy teeth!" 

 Daily Mantra to Orion: "You have beautiful, strong, healthy teeth!" 

^Yes, they help! 

Please note that I made all of the same dietary changes to MY diet so that I could provide the most nutritious of breast milk to aid his REminiralization. I understand this is a 'controversial' topic. If Alcohol can inhibit breast milk, wouldn't excess sugar and gluten? Wouldn't the blood sugar level affect the quality of breast milk? Something to think about.... I  simply wasn't taking the chance and take full responsibility for the milk I am providing for my Son.  I know this whole lifestyle change may be difficult for some. Honestly, you have nothing to loose and so much to gain - your HEALTH! You will feel wonderful by cutting out gluten, grains and adding in all those nutrients!

Our diet (My son and I) was Gluten, Grain, Soy, Dairy-Free and organic, local, etc. We had a lot of fruit though. Orion wasn't much into food and was still BF a lot. He liked fruit and I had it so often (SAHM you know, fast on the go meal?!), there was so much in season that I thought it was perfectly ok for him to have some. I was WRONG! So we cut fruit completely out of both our diets. This is the ONLY type of sugar that him and I consumed and the biggest change to our diet. It was not easy, especially for me but Orion didn't seem to mind. Yes, if he saw a banana he wanted it and asked but I would offer something else instead. 

------------------------------------------------

Here is our Gluten, Grain & Soy-Free routine. We don't snack often and try to keep meals together to 3x/day.

Supplements:

• 1/4 tsp daily Fermented Cod Liver Oil - Plain

• 1/4 tsp daily High Vitamin Butter Oil - I buy them separately and combine them myself. That way I feel in control of the proportions and can keep track. 
• Living Silica - I add this to his water This is the brand I use
• Trace Minerals - I also add to his water This is the brand I use
• Hyland's Homepathic Cell salts1 & 2  -  4 of each per day 
•  Acerola Cherry powder (Whole food vitamin C)
• Magesium: Epsom salt baths every other day 

 Food:

• Pasture, Soy-Free eggs for breakfast every day. I try to change it up and sneak leafy greens and veggies in there 
• Ground Beef with Organ meat: We have this at least 3-4 times per week with tons of veggies
• Pasture, Soy-Free chicken cooked IN broth usually in soups 
• Beef and lamb Stews cooked in broth with a butternut squash base
• Fish: Wild caught salmon, Icelandic Haddock once per week
• Grass Fed Goat Yogurt with a splash of Goat Milk (FOR Probiotics/gut flora)
• Grass Fed, Homemade Goat Kefir (FOR Probiotics/gut flora)
• Everything is always dipped in Grass fed, cultured butter 
• Lots of Himalayan sea salt
• Treat: VERY limited such as my NO-Crust Pumpkin Pie or low sugar fruit like ground cherries 
• Homeade Bone Broth daily, I cook ALL his veggies in broth.
• Raw Grass fed Cheese (once per week - he is not a fan yet)

Hygiene: 

• Toothpaste: Mostly Coconut Oil, I used Cinnamon Earthpaste for a while once per day and now I am making my own using Great Plains Purified Bentonite Clay, CO and will add Xylitol soon.  
• NO snacking 
• Brush 20 mins after each meal
• Drink water to rinse after meals (he can't rinse yet)
• Clean upper lip with cloth and CO before bed and naps to make sure there is no food in that area. 
• Make sure mouth is closed during naps so saliva covers his top teeth

 ---------------------------------------------------------------

 We are still Nursing 3x/night and did NOT reverse the upper Lip Tie. 

 

Trust. Patience. Consistency. 



A big THANK YOU to Ramiel Nagel for writing and sharing the "Cure Tooth Decay" book with the world. I cannot recommend it enough!

~Blessings and LOVE to all of you here with me doing our best to save our Children's teeth~

Pumpkin Bread {Gluten, Grain, Soy and Dairy FREE!}

At last! A bread that is Gluten, Grain, Soy and Dairy free that doesn't contains tons of eggs. Most Paleo bread recipes call for 5 eggs and to be honest, I really don't like the over the top "eggy" taste. I had to figure out a way to use less eggs without jeopardizing consistency. Then I realized that Chia seeds could be used! They absorb water, are gelatinous and would be able to hold the bread together perfectly. It took several months of playing around but here she is at last! 

If you have never tried baking with coconut flour , please note that the texture is a little different than what you may be used to. 

Here is a guilt-less treat for you and your family!

Pumpkin Bread {Gluten, Grain, Soy and Dairy FREE!}

Ingredients

• 3 ROOM TEMPERATURE  Pasture Raised Eggs (makes fluffier bread)
  
• 1 cup of Fresh Pumpkin Puree
• 1/4 Cup of Organic Coconut Oil
• 1/4 Cup Organic Grade B Maple Syrup  
• 1/2 Cup Organic Coconut Flour 
• 1+1/2 - 2 Tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice or Cinnamon 
• 1 +1/2 Tsp Ground Chia Seed Powder (about 1 tsp chia seeds)
  
• 1/2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
• 4 TBS Coconut Milk or Water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. In a large glass bowl, add eggs and beat for one minute.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients EXCEPT water and Chia Seed powder and mix.
4. Add Chia seed powder and water and mix until you achieve a creamy consistency. Add 1Tbs of water if it too thick.
5. Grease Glass loaf pan with Coconut oil and add ingredients
6. Bake for 25-30minutes, cool and serve!

Did you enjoy this recipe? Leave a comment below and share!

~ Blessings to All ~

Cranberry Alkalizing Green Juice

Green Juice! One of my favorite things in the world! 

Juicing is one of the best changes I have implemented to better my health so far. As soon as I drink green juice, I feel light, energized and nourished. The most powerful thing about green juice is that the nutrients are absorbed right away! Easy on your body and digestive system.

I have been juicing for about 4years now. I still love it as much as I did on day one. After several juice fasts of 5, 10 and 20 days I felt absolutely wonderful! These fasts did a lot to heal my relationship with food, to clear my mind and most importantly cleanse and give my digestive system a break. 

Throughout the years I have developed a palette for green juices without fruit sweetener. In fact, I avoid juicing fruits because the high sugar content may throw off blood sugar levels. Unbalanced blood sugar levels cause the leaching of phosphorus and calcium from teeth and bones. An occasional juiced apple or orange is okay but prefer to eat fruit whole. I also stopped juicing dark leafy greens that contain Oxalic Acid such as Spinach and Kale. Why? Oxalic Acid has been linked to kidney stones. It also may cause the absorption of calcium and iron and irritate the intestinal track. I juiced tons of Kale in the past years because of the deep, delicious earthy green taste. Now, I simply enjoy it sauteed with tons of garlic and onions as a side dish.

All the bases for my Green juices contain celery and cucumber. I love those two together - they are like nature's 'Gatorade' minus all the processed sugar and bright neon colors. Both veggies are mostly water and are two of the most 'bang for your buck' veggies to juice. Cranberries are fresh and in season so it is great to take advantage and add them to your green juice. Ginger is always present in my juices. I love the spicy kick and it is such a powerful root with so many benefits.

Celery: High in vitamin K, antioxidants, contains natural salt and it is anti-inflammatory.

Cucumber: Made up of 95% water, anti-inflammatory and filled with B vitamins and silica.

Cranberries: Anti-inflammatory, high in vitamin C, contains antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. 

Ginger: Aids digestion, Immune Boosting and contains anti-inflammatory compounds.

This is one POWERFUL, tart, anti-inflammatory and nutrient packed health drink to brighten your day! :)

Cranberry Alkalizing Green Juice

for one 

• 4 ribs of Organic Celery
• 1/2 Organic Cucumber with Peel
• 1 cup Fresh Cranberries
• 1/4 Organic Lemon (Peel optional, it will make the juice bitter)
• 1 inch Fresh Organic Ginger
• pinch of Himalayan Sea salt (to bring flavors together)
• OPTIONAL: 1 Organic Granny Smith Apple

Directions:

1. Wash all your organic veggies and juice, juice, juice! If you would like a bit of sweetness to your juice or you are simply starting out, add the apple, core and all.
2. Snack on something while you drink your juice. It will get saliva going and help with assimilation and absorption of the nutrients. 

Enjoy! 

~Blessings to All~

Pumpkin-Chia Smoothie (Dairy-Free)

It is Pumpkin Season! They are abundant, local and fresh. So why not take advantage?

Here is a quick and simple Pumpkin-Chia Smoothie recipe that can be made without dairy. You could also use half Coconut Kefir and half coconut milk. Or half Raw milk Kefir and half raw milk if it is available to you. Kefir will add Probiotics to the the smoothie making it easier to digest and flooding your gut with beneficial flora. Probiotics are vital for immune function and digestion.

Chia Seeds are the 'small giant' of seeds! They are a powerhouse of nutrients and a super food loaded with Calcium, Iron, Magnesium and fiber. They absorb a lot of water and create a gel-like consistency that is sure to satisfy hunger. I enjoy putting these in smoothies to create a thicker consistency. They have a mild, versatile nutty flavor that goes well with many dishes.

*Be sure to add the Chia seeds AFTER you blend the smoothie unless you have a high-speed blender such as Vitamix* 

PUMPKIN-CHIA SMOOTHIE

Ingredients:

• 3/4 - 1 cup sweetened Homemade Coconut Milk
• 3 TBS Fresh Pumpkin Puree
• 1 Raw Egg Yolk (from Pasture raised, soy-free chickens)  *OPTIONAL*
• 1/2 Tsp Chia Seeds
• 1/2 Tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice OR 
•  1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
•  1/8 Tsp Ground Cloves
• 1/2 Tsp Maca Powder
• 1 Frozen Banana 
• 2 small cubes of Ice 
• Pinch of Himalayan sea salt 

Directions:

• In a blender, add Coconut Milk (If you want a thicker smoothie, only use 3/4cup of milk),
• OR 1/2 cup coconut milk, 1/2 cup coconut kefir OR 1/2 cup raw milk kefir, 1/2 raw milk if available to you 
•  Add Pumpkin Puree, raw egg yolk, Spices, maca powder, sea salt and blend well. 
• Add frozen banana, ice and blend until you achieve a smooth consistency and serve.
• Add Chia seeds and blend in with a spoon, let it sit for a couple of minutes and enjoy. (If you have a high speed blender, simply add to the mixture and blend)  

ENJOY and feel free to add anything you love to make it your own. 

~Blessings to All~

Simple, Nourishing Stove-Top Chicken Broth

After the birth of my son, I started to experience discomfort and aches in my knees and ankles every time I got out of bed. After several weeks of discomfort I was ready to do something about it. I knew that mineral and nutrient deficiencies caused joint discomfort. I started freezing the bone leftovers from the whole chickens we roasted once a week and started making chicken broth. After drinking this broth for three days, the aching was GONE and has not returned since then. The aching may have been from the 50+lbs I gained during my pregnancy, or from the 48+hr labor or simply from having all the minerals in my body depleted and not replaced. A woman's body is amazing and is able to adjust through many changes while pregnant and giving birth. It is important that we care for ourselves first so we are able to care for those we love.

This is one of the most inexpensive, nourishing foods to add to your health routine. I have been making bone broth at home for over a year now. This is a great way to use leftovers bones from your roasted organic chickens and vegetable scraps. I highly recommend this for anyone experiencing  bone or joint discomfort, arthritis or tooth decay and sensitivity. Homemade chicken broth is economic, healthy and delicious!

What is Bone broth?
Bone broth is a traditional dish used throughout the world for thousands of years that is known for its healing qualities. Bone broth is the liquid 'soup' leftover from bones and vegetables that have been simmered in low heat for about 24hrs. The slow heat extraction process transforms the water into a nutrient-packed soup rich in phosphorus, gelatin, collagen and other trace minerals. 

Benefits of Bone Broth

• Easy to digest - The minerals are already broken down and in liquid form, making it easy on the gut and intestines to absorb.
• Heals and nourishes the gut - Many gut healing diets such as GAPS encourage the use of broth to aid the gentle healing process.
• Decongestant- Great for drinking when sick and congested with a cold. Chicken soup, Anyone?
• Reduces inflammation and joint pain - Provides the body with trace minerals for bones and joints.
• Supports bone growth and REmineralization - Bones need phosphorus and calcium to grow and to REminiralize, both present in bone broth.
• Promotes Beautiful Skin - Broth is rich in beautifying collagen and gelatin!
• Hair and Nail growth- ^
• Promotes sleep and relaxation 

Now that you know some of the amazing benefits... Lets get on to the recipe so you can start making your own at home!

Gratitude.
It is important that we show appreciation and gratitude toward the animal that we are consuming for our own nourishment. No one likes to talk about this but it is an important and mindful ritual for me. Being grateful will send love to the animal's spirit. When preparing food in a state of love and gratitude your meal will taste better and it will transfer the love and good energy to those consuming it. 

SIMPLE, NOURISHING STOVE-TOP 
CHICKEN BROTH 

  Ingredients:

• 1 gallon Bag full of frozen Pasture Raised, Soy-Free Chicken bones or 2 organic chicken carcases
• 2-4 chicken feet
• 2-3 Large Sweet Onions, roughly chopped
  
• 2 Large Carrots, roughly chopped
• 5-6 stalks of Celery, roughly chopped
• 1/2 bunch of Parsley
• 1Ts Peppercorns
• 5-6 Quarts of Spring or reverse osmosis water (Please make sure your water is NOT fluoridated) 
• 1Tbs Organic, Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

Directions:

1. In a large stainless steel pot, add water, raw apple cider vinegar and mix together.
2. Add bones, feet, 1+1/2 chopped sweet onions, 1 Carrot and 3 chopped stalks celery and let it sit for 30minutes.
3. Turn the burner ON to medium heat and bring to a boil.
4. Scoop out foam from the top (if any).
5. Bring the temperature down to Low/Med heat to a slow simmer (you should see a couple of bubbles).
6. Cook on low heat for 8-12hours and then add peppercorns, the remaining onions and celery. If leaving overnight and water is low, add another two quarts of water, bring back to a boil and then drop and leave at low/med setting.
7. Cook for another 8-12hrs at low/med heat. 
8. Ten minutes prior to your broth being completed, add parsley.
9. Allow broth to cool down for 30mins, strain with a stainless steel strainer and place liquid into glass jars. Store in fridge.
10. In a couple hours, the fat from the broth should rise to the top of the glass container. Skim that off and toss it. In a day or so your broth should turn thick and gelatinous. That is what you want! 
11. Freeze excess broth as it should only sit in your fridge for about 3 days. 
12. TO ENJOY: Heat in low/med heat and serve! Add sea salt to taste.

 

In my home, we simply drink it in the morning instead of Tea or coffee, use it as a base in soups and to cook vegetables.

Why chicken Feet? 
Chicken feet are one of the sources with the highest amount of Collagen and Gelatin! These two are vital for skin, hair and nail growth. 


Did you enjoy this post? Leave a comment below and share with your friends and family!

  ~Blessings to All~ 

No Crust Pumpkin Pie (Paleo)

There is nothing in the world that I love more than Pumpkin Pie! I have loved it ever since the first time I tried it at the age of 10. When I made the change to a healthier lifestyle, Pumpkin Pie is what I missed the most. There is nothing like it!  

I have been making desserts and transforming them by using clean ingredients for several years. I really enjoy the process, and more importantly knowing that I am creating a delicious, healthy alternative. Pumpkins are in season now and in great abundance at my local farmer's market. I purchase what produce is in season and prepare what is freshly available. There is just something that I really enjoy about having a connection with our local farmers. It is a wonderful feeling to know where your food comes from, who grew it and be able to recognize and appreciate the love that went into the process.

Here is a simple treat that is Soy, Dairy, and processed sugar-free. A total guiltless dessert that does not need a crust to satisfy your taste buds. I could eat this every day! This dish is one that I feel completely comfortable feeding to my Son as a treat.

*For those of you who want to jump right into it, the recipe is below.

For those who are interested in WHY I use the ingredients I use, there is more information towards the end of the post.*

∙∙∙No Crust Pumpkin Pie (Paleo)∙∙∙

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups of Fresh Pumpkin Puree.
• 2 Large Pasture Raised, Soy-Free Eggs
• 1 cup of Homemade Coconut Milk - Recipe Here! (If you decide to use store bought milk please make sure it is Carrageenan-Free)
• 1/2 cup of Organic, Grade B Maple Syrup
• 1 Tsp. Organic, Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil (I prefer the Dr.Bronner's brand)
• 1 Tbsp. Organic Coconut Flour
• 2.5 Tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice (start with 2tsp and taste test to see what you like. I personally enjoy the pronounced, strong taste of the spices) OR
• 1 + 1/2 Tsp. Cinnamon
• 1/4 Tsp. Nutmeg
• 1/4 Tsp. Ground Cloves
• 1/4 Tsp. Cardamom
• Pinch of Pink Himalayan Sea Salt to bring all the flavors together

Directions:

1. Cut pumpkin in half, remove seeds and roast at 400º for 45-60mins on middle rack. Scoop out and set aside.
2. Prepare Homemade Coconut Milk -> Recipe Here!
3. Preheat oven to 350º
4. Grease Glass Pie Dish with coconut oil or grass-fed butter
5. In a large Glass bowl, add Eggs and whisk together.
6. Add the Pumpkin Puree, Coconut Milk, Maple Syrup, Coconut Oil  and mix well.
7. Add Coconut Flour, Spices and a pinch of Salt.
8. Pour Mixture into your glass pie dish.
9. Bake at 350º for 50-65 minutes and allow to cool,then serve.

*I find that the Pie to taste BETTER the following day! Cold and delicious!*

OPTIONAL Whipped Topping

Ingredients:

• Organic Coconut Cream OR Grass-Fed, Raw Heavy Cream (for those who have access to it) – I do my best to avoid canned food items even if organic and BPA-Free. Coconut Cream is hard to find in stores but can be ordered online Here.
• ½ tsp of Organic, Raw and preferably local (to you area) Honey
• ¼ tsp Cinnamon
• ¼ tsp of fresh organic vanilla bean OR extract

Directions:

Add Coconut Cream, Honey, Cinnamon and Vanilla bean to a high-speed blender, immersion blender, or mixer and blend until you achieve a thick consistency.

Chill, serve and enjoy!

Quality Matters.

Here is a quick overview on why I use certain equipment and ingredients in the recipe. I will go into more depth into these subjects in the future.

I take the quality of the food I put into my body very seriously. It is important to know how your food was grown, prepared and processed. With a profit-driven food market, quality is often not a priority. We must eat consciously and be aware of what we are putting in our body and how it affects us.

Why Organic? Organic refers to food grown naturally without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and possibly Genetically Modified Organisms.  If you are not eating organic, you may be ingesting chemicals known to disrupt the body's normal functions. 

Why Pasture Raised Soy-Free Eggs?  Most commercial eggs come from unhealthy chickens that live their life in cages in packed quarters. Even "cage-free" or "free-roaming" eggs can come from chickens packed 10,000 deep into barns never seeing the light of day. If a chicken is allowed to roam outside on pasture, it can absorb vitamin D from the sun and eat its natural diet of insects, grubs and worms (Chickens are NOT vegetarians). 

Why Cook with Organic Grade B Maple Syrup and NOT Raw honey? Many recipes call for Raw Honey; I personally do not like Heating Raw honey. Raw Honey is antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal and contains phytonutrients, minerals and enzymes. Heating it degrades the quality of its constituents. I make sure to ingest it raw and use it on special occasions. 

Grade B Maple syrup is collected later on in the season giving it a deeper maple taste and a darker color which is said to contain a higher mineral content. I personally LOVE that woody, dark, rich taste and prefer it over Grade A. It is my sweetener of choice for baking.

Why Cook in Glass? I avoid non-stick and Aluminum baking pans at all cost. Most of them are covered with Teflon, a synthetic Polymer. When heated, some of the synthetic polymer is released giving off toxic fumes. That is something I do not want to ingest or breathe in! Aluminum is a neurotoxin which has been linked to Alzheimer's. Pyrex glass is a safer alternative and what I use to bake in my home. Making sure the pan greased with plenty of oil will ensure there is no sticking.

Why Pink Himalayan Sea Salt? Not only is this ancient salt from the Himalayan mountains absolutely beautiful, it is also filled with 84 trace minerals & iron that naturally occur in the ocean. This is the salt I personally use the most in my home. 

 Did you enjoy this post? How did your Pie turn out? Leave a comment below!

~Blessings to All~