Whole Wheat Brownies

I have really enjoyed trying the recipes over at 100 Days of Real Food

I just tried her recipe for these Dark Chocolate Whole Wheat Brownies. I doubled the recipe and used my Pampered Chef mini muffin pan to cook them in. Bite size brownies. I sprinkled chopped walnuts on top.

I used some dutch chocolate (cocoa) I had on had. I don't know if it was "dark" or not, but oh well. I also did the honey version. They were a little...bitter at first, but after eating 3 of them, I decided they were pretty good. There is no sugar in the recipe at all. I may try them again and change the recipe up to see if I can make them a little sweeter, naturally.

Whole Wheat Muffins

Orange/Cranberry Muffins-100% Whole Wheat

I got the recipe from 100 Days of real food and added 2 T orange zest and 1 C chopped, dried cranberries to the batter. These are really yummy. Hearty and just mildly sweet. There is no "sugar", just honey. I used fresh ground hard white wheat (my new favorite) flour.

Sorry for the bad phone picture. I left my camera in Idaho and am waiting for it's return. Enjoy!

Good Read

I just got done reading this great book called: "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan. This is the 'youth' edition and it says it's specifically written for kids, but it really didn't seem like a kids book to me. I don't know what the adult version is like, but if it's anything like his book "In Defense of Food" (which I also have read some of, but not all), it is probably a little too wordy for my taste. In this youth edition, he speaks in real people language, with no overabundance of flowery vocabulary, so it's reads easy and is down to earth.

The author, Michael Pollan is a journalist. This book follows him on a journey through our world of food, from "Industrialized" to "Beyond Organic". While you do get a sense for which type of food he prefers and supports, I still feel like he presents both sides and in between fairly well, without being too biased.

If you aren't too concerned about what kind of food you eat, this book probably won't interest you at all. If you are concerned and want to learn more about where your food comes from and how it is made, or if you want to make better choices in the types of food you eat, then I would definitely give this book a read. I loved it!

Red Mountain Egg Farm

I came across this place during my internet search for local chickens. It's called Red Mountain Egg Farm and it's right here in our area.

I ordered my eggs yesterday and they were delivered right to my doorstep tonight by the Farmer himself. What service!

These eggs are between 1-2 days old. Fresh! I love the idea of knowing where my food is coming from and it's also fun to teach my kids where our food comes from too. Katelyn was a little confused when the eggs came. She thought there were chickens inside. And I also love the idea of buying and supporting local people.

I am sure a lot of people think this might be unnecessary, but I personally am excited about it.

I enjoyed reading their FAQs listed on their website.

http://redmountaineggs.com/questions.html

Red Mountain Egg Farm

Day 1 wrap and onto Day 2

Day 1 went pretty well. I really enjoyed my Alkaline water. The breakfast smoothie was quite tasty, the only hard part for me was that it made about 40 oz. That is a ton of liquid to consume all at once...for me, that is. I was good after my first 16 oz. Lunch was OK. I really enjoy salads, but the dressing I made was way too lemony. I was puckering through about half of it. I missed my all natural Ranch dressing. A lot! I made my girls some wonderful homemade whole wheat pancakes for lunch (no really, they are amazing!) and I wanted some so bad.

Mid morning I started to feel some of the side effects. I felt a little light-headed, dizzy as well as just a hint of nausea (although, nausea is something I have trouble with on a fairly regular basis, unfortunately).

I was peeing ALL. DAY. LONG. Like crazy, which I thought was interesting because I have been drinking about 64 oz of water almost every day since I started the weight loss challenge.

I had some general "icky" feelings on and off through out the day. Headache, irritable, flushed cheeks, random mild sweating. I read somewhere that exercise would help, so I took my girls on a walk by the river. You can't exactly get a brisk walk in when your toddler is on foot though. Still, it was a beautiful day!

After our walk, I was really, really sleepy. And cold. I came home and took a hot bath with Epsom salt. It's supposed to help rid you of toxins too, so I gave that a try. Then I lied down on the couch to rest for a bit.

Tried the Chocolate Smooth Move tea, which was nasty. I don't really like herbal tea anyway though. And it has not done it's job, if ya know what I mean.


For dinner, I ate a banana and half of an apple, followed by another big salad with sprouts, avocado, yellow pepper and cucumber. I couldn't stand the thought of that lemon/olive oil dressing again so I opted for my all natural Raspberry Merlot dressing by Bolthouse Farms, which is mostly fruit juice and olive oil anyway. And only 30 calories.

I kept track of what I ate on SparkPeople (I use this to track my calories/exercise daily). I can't believe I managed to get 1188 calories by eating only fruits/veggies. I estimated about 17 servings. I am looking forward to some MEAT!

I was in bed by 10:30pm and slept well.

Day 2

So, once a month in our church we fast for something, a cause, I guess you could say. You don't just withhold food or starve yourself, but you have a purpose and you include prayer for that purpose, whatever it may be. Then you donate the money that you would have spent on the meals that you fasted through, to help those in need. We call it Fast Sunday and it is typically held on the 1st Sunday of each month. Well, I forgot that was this Sunday, so I am going to have to modify Day 2 a bit. But here's what is outlined for the day:

Upon rising: 32 oz pure, Alkaline water with lemon

Breakfast: 16 oz green based juice "Green Drink" (the recipe I chose)
1 bunch leafy green lettuce
1/2 head celery
1 cucumber
1-2 Granny Smith apples, cored
1 lime, peeled
Put it all through the juicer and enjoy!

Mid-morning: Exercise- take a brisk walk

Lunch: Salad (I am so sick of salad right now!)

Mid-afternoon: Herbal tea, Smart Cocktail, or Ecstatic Elixir. I chose:

Razzle-Dazzle Cocktail
1 pint raspberries
6 Granny Smith Apples
1/3 C Sparkling Mineral Water

*Rest/Nap for one hour (yes please!)

Dinner: Balancing Broth & Salad with an Avocado Dressing

For the broth:
2 onions scrubbed, skin left on
4 carrots, not peeled
4 stalks celery
2 potatoes, any variety, scrubbed, skin on
2 C broccoli
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 C fresh chopped parsley
2 bay leaves
1.5" piece of kombu seaweed (couldn't find it, so I'm skipping that)
1 t each of thyme and basil-fresh or dried
pinch of cayenne, if desired

Chop it all up, put in a stock pot cover with 10 C pure, filtered water and bring to boil. Cook over low heat for one hour. Cool, strain, discard veggies and store broth in airtight container.

*In bed by 10pm

In closing, here is some food for thought (pun intended)~Taken from the book. *published in 2010

"Catastrophic disease in America is an epidemic. This year 35% of all deaths will be due to cardiovascular disease. At least 1 in 4 deaths are from cancer. Every single day, just under 8,000 people die from disease, which adds up to more American deaths annually than occurred during the entire Vietnam War. Over 4 million women are considered to be infertile. Depression, ADD, chronic fatigue syndrome, PMS and Fibromyalgia affect 70% of American women over the age of 17."

"The American Heart Association reports that among Americans 20 years old and older, 145 million Americans are overweight or obese. Over one-third of American children are suffering from weight related issues. The reality is that being overweight contributes to over 60 diseases."

"Before the 1940's, only a small percentage of the foods we ate were processed. Since 1940, the consumption of whole grains has decreased by at least 50%. The regular consumption of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables has decreased by a startling amount, yet the quantity of sugar in our diet has doubled. The regular intake of processed foods has increased fourfold, and food coloring additives are loaded into nearly everything packaged or processed. Soft drink consumption is up 300% since the 1940's, and currently 90% of the standard American diet is made up of foods that have been processed in some way. Statistics show that 90% of every food dollar is spent on processed foods. Yikes." pg. 2-5 Raw Food Cleanse, by Penni Shelton

Alkaline Water

This is the book I got at the library and is the cleanse I am following this weekend. I am only doing the 3-day Energy Boost Cleanse, but there are four options, including up to a 28 day cleanse. Wow!

As I have become more aware of nutrition over the last couple of years, I do have a very strong belief in whole foods. Meaning, when I learn about eating whole foods, I get a very strong feeling of "truth", for me. I am not ready to become a fanatic and maybe I never will be. I am also not ready to make a complete overhaul on the way I eat, because frankly, it's too overwhelming all at once. Some choices I have made recently are to stop using refined flour and sugar (in my home). This one is a very easy thing to change. I am also trying to limit the "processed" foods we have in our house, but that one still needs some more work and education.

So, the cleanse: Day One

Luckily my kids slept in today until around 8:30. Shorter day means less time thinking about what I am not getting to eat today.

I start by drinking 32 oz of pure, Alkaline water with lemon. Alkaline water is a big deal in the world of whole/raw food, from what I have gathered.

Here are some things she lists that can make us too acidic:

• meat, including chicken, pork, turkey and fish
• dairy products, including eggs
• bread, pasta, potatoes, and baked goods
• cigarettes, and other forms of tobacco
• alcohol, Rx drugs and recreational drugs
• coffee and most commercial teas
• processed or fast foods
• sugar
• artificial sweeteners
• soft drinks and sports drinks
• no exercise
• stress, negative emotions, and spiritual emptiness

(And by the way, I made sure to acid myself up real good last night. Those valentine candy bins at WinCo got the better of me-sorry Stacey! {my partner})

She also discusses how dehydration and high acid levels both contribute to stalling weight loss.

"Your body retains fat as a protection against the acids produced by the lifestyle outlined above. Some of the acids are eliminated through the bowels, urinary tract and skin, but whatever is left behind has to be buffered and neutralized. Your ingeniously created system goes to impressive lengths to keep you in balance by storing fat, building cholesterol plaque, draining calcium for your bones, and leaching magnesium from your heart or muscles. When you're dehydrated, your body goes into preservation or fat-storing mode. If your body has been dealing with a major acid intake, your fat is actually protecting your cells, tissues and organs" pg. 22-24


All I can tell you is that this Alkaline water that I purchased at Fred Meyer is really, really, really good. Probably the best tasting water I have ever had!

And this goes without saying, but I am no expert on any of this. All I am doing is sharing information and a little about my cleansing experience.

Breakfast: Raspberry Love Smoothie (you can choose what recipes sound appealing to you)
1 pint fresh or frozen raspberries
2 ripe pears
2 handfuls spinach
2 C chilled water
Blend until smooth (really wish I had that Vitamix right now!)

Lunch: Salad with lots of veggies and a dressing made of olive oil, lemon and sea salt

Evening: Smooth-Move herbal tea (hmmm, hope that doesn't backfire!)

Dinner: All raw, beginning with lower acid fruits such as berries and stone fruits and then a salad

*In bed by 10pm

Here's to trying to live with better health!

I might be crazy

My friend asked me if I would like to be her partner, for the "Put a Stop To the Muffin Top" partners weight-loss challenge. (same challenge I did last year, just with a partner this time). I had success last time and lost 21 lbs in 3 months and took 4th place. Well, I gained some of that weight back and was feeling like I need to do something to get a few more pounds off, so I agreed to be her partner.

I was so much more motivated last year. I had just signed up to run a 1/2 marathon and had lost 25lbs since having Alaina. It felt so good. This year, although I got some of those lbs back, I just feel like I'm in such a better place physically. And I am struggling to stay motivated. And lets just face it, I really enjoy eating!

And while we're facing things. Counting calories = sucks! It works, but it's no fun!

Anyway, I lost some weight and then I was back up a lb at last weigh in. Some of my fellow contestants started the challenge out by doing a cleanse (a nasty sounding one) and I thought maybe I'd give it a whirl. I tried to do one last time, but gave up after a day. I'm only doing a 3 day cleanse and I still get to eat salads. Yay! Thought I'd document this to try and hold myself accountable, but I'm not going to make any promises. Don't be jealous of my iron will!

I have been trying to eat healthier in general, but seriously, don't you have those days when you just want to eat some good old fashioned crap!?

big deal

If you know me really well, you know that I pretty much hate seafood, especially anything of the rubbery or chewy variety. However, as I have grown (matured?) I have on several occasions been willing to try different forms of sea creatures. A few successful attempts have been made, but overall I still have a really, really hard time with fish. Hello? Have ya smelled it?! But I want so badly to like it because of the health benefits it offers.

Well. Let me tell you, the light has come...I think. I have been attending a healthy cooking class offered by a lady at church. At our last class, she showed us her meat rub and grilled up some Salmon. I try Salmon as often as possible because everyone always says to me, "Have you tried Salmon? You've gotta try Salmon". I always give it a try, but few times have gone over well. So at our class, I tried it and LOVED it! Her meat rub is delicious, the fish was FRESH and those two things together made all the difference.

I liked it so much that I went to Fred Meyer THAT evening, purchased a whole Wild Caught Sockeye Salmon (it's cheaper that way), had the seafood guy fillet it, and went home and grilled half of it up for dinner. I actually touched the fish and plucked out the remaining bones (which, truth be told, was the funnest part). You then put melted butter over the fish, then the rub and slap that bad boy on the grill on med heat for 20 min. Yum!

One thing I learned: If I am going to eat a fish, it needs to be eaten as fresh as possible. I cooked the second half of the fish two days later, and had a much harder time with it.

Oh, and the rub consists of: paprika, thyme, kosher salt, ground onion and ground garlic. 1 C of each. It'll make quite a bit.

fall baking

I got this fun recipe for candy corn sugar cookies from a friend.
When I saw her post about it on facebook, I didn't realize they were bite size
cookies and was a little confused for a minute when I went to cut them out.
Anyway, it worked out and they are so cute and fun for the holidays.
Let me know if you want the recipe.

I made fresh rolls for dinner last night. Justin suggested using
the fall cookie cutters, so we had pumpkin and leaf shaped rolls.

They were also delicious.

*recipe from Shalise Reid

Yummy Fruit Pizza

I made this fruit pizza yesterday for our Primary Meeting.

It was pretty yummy!

Here is the recipe if anyone is interested:

1 pkg (20 oz.) refrigerated sugar cookie dough

1 pkg (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

1/4 C confectioner's sugar

1 carton ( 8 oz.) frozen cool whip, thawed

2-3 kiwi fruit

1-2 firm bananas, thinly sliced

1 can (11 oz.) mandarin oranges, drained

1/2 C red grapes, halved

1/4 C Sugar

1/4 C orange juice

1 T lemon juice

1.5 t cornstarch

pinch of salt

*fruit choices by preference, of course

DIRECTIONS:

Pat cookie dough into an ungreased 14" pizza pan

Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes or until browned; cool

In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, and confectioner's sugar until smooth

Fold in whipped topping. Spread over crust. Arrange fruit on top.

In a saucepan, bring sugar, water, OJ, lemon juice, cornstarch and salt to a boil,

stirring constantly for 2 minutes or until thickened. Cool.

Brush over fruit. Chill. Store in refrigerator. YIELD: 16-20 servings.

*note: make sure your pizza pan is large enough or the

cookie dough will bake over the sides, spilling into the oven.

This will then burn while in the bottom of your oven

and will result in your house filling with smoke, the alarms going

off, your child waking from a nap too early, and your house

smelling like burnt food for the next several days....

(not that I have ever experienced this, I'm just saying...)