Simple Path

My posting today is actually a re-post. I have another blog (Aspire to Lead a Quiet Life) and this is something I wrote back in December. With Spring knocking on the door and tulips poking through the dirt, we soon will be without Winter and her cold mornings. Although I am excited for greenery to fill my garden and summer sun to warm my face, I will miss the smells of simmering oatmeal on the wood stove...

Soft bubbles rise to the surface. They become more rapid in their ascent. Many more join until I can hear them knocking into the sides of the stainless tea kettle. The wonderful warmth of the wood stove heats the cold water into a frenzy of boiling bubbles. A favorite mug with a minty tea bag waits patiently in my hands. Soon I am sipping hot tea while stretched out legs offer chilly toes to wood stove warmth.

My son pads on out of his room. He wears his heavy morning slumber and rubs fists into eyes as if nudging them to accept morning's light. I hug his hot skinny boy self. My eyes close slowly, beckoning my internal camera shutter. My soul tries to capture this early morning moment and print it on my heart.

I mix rolled oats with their dust into a small pan of water. Thick, sweet, golden honey glops out of the jug and sinks to the bottom. Gently it rests under the oat mixture. I shake on dark brown pumpkin pie spices. The small pot, a lid, and its breakfast fare is set atop the wood stove. Soon I smell its warmth. And honey sweetness fills my nostrils. I add raisins, currants, and blueberries before taking it from the hot black surface. Scooped into a bowl with a wooden spoon and eaten with eager anticipation, my oatmeal concoction disappears.

Simple ways. Simple things. Simple gifts. Simple life.

When distractions of haste and a fast pace are set aside, it is easier for this Simple Country Girl to find God. 

His footsteps appear in the sand. I hear Him. I feel His hand in mine, tugging me along. I follow, trying to match my small steps into His large imprints. 

It is a simple path He walks.

What's Cookin' in Your Dryer?

It is time for another post about simple cleaning and healthy household tips...

Take out your dryer's lint trap. After you dispose of the lint (keep the lint and tuck into toilet paper rolls--use for starting fires in your wood stove or on camping trips), hold it under the faucet and run some water onto its surface. Now, take a look. Does that water pool up or does it freely drain right through? Chances are high that it pools up on the surface of your lint trap. Hmm...I wonder why? 

Most fabric softeners (dryer sheets especially) actually coat your meshy lint trap. As they toss to & fro in your heated dryer with the clothes your precious family wears, those dryer sheets release their gunk. Their smell. Their perfume. Their chemicals. Yuck! Not to mention the fire hazard posed by those dryer sheets...

I am always trying to do things healthy and simply for my family. Many years ago I switched to natural laundry products from Seventh Generation and Bi-O-Kleen. Those companies offer some great laundry and household items. I used the liquid fabric softener for years. Of course I diluted it by half water and then only put in half the amount--yes, you can get by with less! Several months ago I switched to an even cheaper, safer, simpler fabric softener. White vinegar.

Oh, it works, really it does. And no, you won't walk around smelling like a pickle! Just pick up a big ole jug or two (I get mine at Costco). Pour some (I have never really measured...probably about 1/3 cup) into the liquid fabric softener dispenser at the start of your wash cycle. That is it. If you miss the perfume smell (it about gags me and I can smell it on people and in their homes now), I don't know what to tell you except think about what absorbed into the skin of your family each time they wore "clean" clothes.

If you lean more toward a faint, natural scent, just buy some essential oils (like lavender) and take a scrap of fabric or an wore out ole sock, now put a few drops of oil onto mister sockie and toss it in the dryer near the end of the cycle. Or make up a concoction of water and essential oil in a spray bottle. When your clothes are spread out on your bed for folding, mist them with the scented water. 

Viola! Clothes free of cooked chemicals. Safe for the whole family!

I will post more later on other simple, cheap, and healthy house-cleaning hints...

Breakfast

My son and I rummaged through our big upright freezer a couple weeks ago. I was running low on fresh greens for my green smoothies, but I didn't want to make a trip all the way to town. I knew I had stashed extra garden wonders in the freezer all last summer. I just had to find them!

After we organized the icebox, I found that I had a smorgasbord of greenery. Here is some kale. Several months ago when kale was in abundance, I rinsed it, patted it dry, gently rolled it into green smoothie portion sizes, and wrapped plastic wrap around each bundle. I put 3-4 bundles into a big sealable plastic bag and tossed them into the freezer.

I knew I needed to portion out the sizes beforehand. Frozen kale leaves all stuck together would be hard to separate for my pond sludge slurpies. ;-)

My smoothies have been as fresh and healthful this week as they were when the sun was shining and the garden was growing. 

Green Smoothie Recipe--Kale Delight:

To my kale, 

I added water (2 cups), 

frozen blueberries (handful)

a couple large frozen strawberries (more produce that I got fresh and froze for extended use), 

and some freshly squeezed lemon juice. 

Yum.

Simple breakfast. 

My son loves his fruit and honey laden rolled organic oatmeal to jump start his day. He drinks a small smoothie, but tops off his cavernous 5-year old tummy with our homemade oatmeal. 

I add hemp milk for the good fats and great protein--all essential for a growing boy!

Boil water.

Add whole oats.

and honey to taste.

Add some cinnamon.

Toss in a handful of blueberries

and some currants.

Cook for a minute.

Turn off stove.

Let concoction sit for a few minutes.

Healthy eating for my family works best when it is simple. 

For us, simple is repeatable and achievable. 

Day after day.

Do what works for you!

Green Smoothie Anniversary & Experiment

This month marks my one year anniversary with green smoothies! One year ago a dear friend told me about these seemingly gross pond-sludge drinks that she concocts in her kitchen. Multiple times each day. I read the book she suggested ("Green For Life" by V. Boutenko). I gathered the greens, fruit, revved up my K-tec motor, and got busy with the smoothies.

My health improved. Simple fact.

Food cravings - gone.

Energy - up.

Weight - down.

Recovery from physical exertion - fast.

Hair - thicker.

Skin - clear.

Nourishment of body - excellent.

Food craving amendment - crave fresh veggies & fresh fruit.

Blood sugar levels - better control.

Insulin - dosage cut in half.

All in all, green smoothies have done wonders for my health, including my Type 1, child-onset, insulin-dependent diabetes. My insulin requirements have cut way, way back. Amazing. Some even believe that I will be "cured" of my diabetes if I stick to this. 

*(Please be advised that Type 2 diabetes for the most part, I think is self-induced with gluttony, lack of exercise, and lack of knowledge--the pancreas still manufactures insulin, the body just gets really mixed up on how to use it. To the contrary, with Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas makes no insulin, making injections or insulin pumps mandatory.)

If you are new to this site, please revisit previous posts regarding green smoothie facts & recipes, also look here for an intro to green smoothies. And it is true, I don't write as much here as I used to. Life is happening. God is leading. My family is following. That takes priority.

By the way, I conducted an experiment on myself. Oh yeah. I must say that I learned a lot. And I must also say that I would like to smack my forehead and say "duh" about my findings. You know, I did it for your sake. For the sake of those who doubt about why I eat this way. And drink this way.

Two days ago I ate some store-bought, non-raw food corn chips. Oh yes I did. I ate probably 15 of them. I also got out my hubby's tub of store-bought, non-raw food salsa and I dipped away. My taste buds didn't know what to do. My mouth burned. My stomach churned and gurgled and protested. My tongue started to swell. My mouth felt coated and gross. In a fit of desperate regret, I downed a bunch of live culture acidophilus. 

I went on my merry way for the rest of the day. 

Results from shocking my raw food body...

Same day: felt sluggish, grouchy, slight head ache, by bedtime was beat, did not sleep well that night.

Next day (yesterday): Made an intense green smoothie with lots of cilantro (blood purifier) and felt worse before I felt better... sick to my stomach, felt like I was gonna blow for the first half of the day, wanted to lay down with my ugly guts, clear skin replaced with the opposite, felt flu-ish (and foolish), slept like I was riding a rail car last night...  

Today: ready for green smoothies, lots of lemon water, and for my system to get back under control.

My experiment proved to me that eating a raw-food diet, complete with green smoothies is the best thing for my body. I have no desire to indulge in that sort of food fare again--the chips and salsa from the store. 

I will make my own flax crackers. And my own salsa. Thank you very much!

Living bodies do thrive on living foods!

Nori Rolls, Noodles & PAUC

Oh, I can hardly believe that it has been over two months since my last posting. Winter weather, big changes in my husband's job, and an impending move have played a role in my time away from the keyboard. I do miss plucking out health tips, raw and/or whole foods ideas and suggestions. 

Recently my son and I had a lunch of raw food Nori rolls. He also ate some cooked food--whole grain noodles with an oriental sauce. I added black beans to his noodle mix as well.

For Christmas, in celebration of Jesus' birthday, we made a special PAUC. What is a puac? Pineapple Apple Upsidedown Cake. We made a vegan recipe and used whole grains. Everything that we toss the bowl, pot or pan is organic. As a reminder, I would suggest that you buy the majority of your ingredients as organic. 

Vegetables we had on-hand for the Nori rolls... Avocado, carrot, cucumber, celery, carrot, and tomato. Just use whatever you have. If you want to plan a special menu for your Nori rolls, then go do it. But just remember that this Simple Raw Food Mamma doesn't fret about details of perfection. 

Place the strips of veggies on the nori sheet. Don't bother toasting the sheet as per the instructions. Keep it raw! Moisten both inner ends along the edges. Roll from one end, tighten the wrap with a gentle squeeze, and keep wrapping and rolling.

Here is my son's lunch. Yum. And yes, he eats all his veggies! I cut my roll in bite sized pieces while he likes the chewy nature of a whole nori roll.

Our birthday cake for Jesus. My son and hubby said it was really good. Let me tell you that it smelled awesome. Here is a link for where I got the cake recipe. We used pineapple, but as a modification, we added chopped apples and honey. Like I said, don't get caught up with the details of perfection, just make food that nourishes a living body.

Simple Eating & Drinking

Simplicity. 

If you are a regular follower, you know that I am certainly a Simple Raw Food Mamma. There are two reasons I have not written much lately. The first is that I am homeschooling my son and it takes time...time that I gladly devote to him and his education. The second reason is that I have been eating and drinking so simply that I don't know what to tell y'all about! 

But alas, as the cold weather settles in, I am sure that those vegan raw comfort foods with substance will soon make a comeback in my dietary realm. So stay tuned for raw food recipes and how-to's for crackers, holiday desserts, "burgers," and even breads. With less time outside, more time will be spent inside doing food prep and eating.

So, what have I been eating that is so basic and simple for the past month? I start out the day with a green smoothie. I make a large batch and put half of it in the fridge for later.

Basic Green Smoothie

- water (1 cup)

- kale or rainbow chard (crammed in the blender to the 3 cup mark)

-> blend until smooth

- frozen blueberries (1 cup)

- frozen strawberries (1 cup)

-> blend again to smooth

Then for lunch I eat a 

Simple, Simple Salad 

- zucchini chopped

- tomato chopped 

- hemp seed sprinkled on top

or

I eat a 

Simple Raw Food Wrap

- zucchini cut into strips

- tomato sliced

- greens (kale, lettuce...)

- 1/2 avocado sliced, smeared, or chopped

- red pepper sliced

- raw (do not toast) nori sheet(s)

-> follow directions on nori sheet package; put veggies onto wrap at one end, moisten edges, roll wrap tight with sushi mat (or just use bare hands), cut if desired

~ here is a link to a previous post a nori wrap recipe & photos

And then for dinner, I usually make my two fellas something cooked (whole wheat pasta with sauce, baked potatoes, rice & beans...) and a bowl of mixed raw veggies. I either eat the veg. salad or drink my remaining green smoothie or both.

So, it has been a simple culinary autumn around here as we have been busy with dehydrating and freezing foods for wintertime...and doing homeschool.

I been requested to teach a raw food class concentrating on holiday dessert ideas. Keep an eye out for that event.

Welcome new readers. I hear there are a couple of you.

Keep it simple.

See results.

Feel better.

Stick with it!

Oh yes, watch out for some mustard greens! Yum-yum-yum. If you are a mustard green newbie, start with small bites. Oh, they are so good and add such a flare and flavor to your salad or even your smoothie. I grab wads of the greens throughout the day and cram into my mouth! Yeah, love that spicy sensation...

Catch-up--recipes & photos

Even though it has been many days since I updated this blog, I still have been snapping photos with the intent of posting. So, here is a little catch-up...

My son and I made a salad of sorts a while back. I did cook the blue potatoes, but the rest is raw. 

We snapped green beans, popped out some peas, chopped some tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini. We tossed those fresh veggies with made a simple olive oil-lemon juice dressing and the cooked potatoes. Viola! 

Simple Raw Kiddo is the one who reminded me to take a photo. He said, "Mom, take a picture of my salad. The people will want to see it."

Do take the time to involve your kids in food preparation. They will not only learn basic kitchen skills, but they will learn to love food for its nourishment.

Well, I don't know about all these people he thinks are spending time at this blog... I do hope that someone is encouraged to improve their health by the ideas I share, facts I pass along, and photos I post.

Here are some homemade pizza photos too. I made a wheat-free crust, spread some homemade pizza sauce (olive oil, chopped tomatoes, italian seasoning--smash & simmer), topped it off with lots of fresh veggies and a little vegan mozzarella cheese. 

A healthy pizza that tastes as good as it looks. My boys ate it up! Yummyumm.

With autumn fully upon us we have been busy harvesting and preparing food for winter storage and ultimately winter consumption. My son helped me make some spiced plum butter and spiced apple butter. Mostly he helped with the clean-up--licking the spatulas and bowls.

Even boys can be in the kitchen. It does help if one wears camouflage pants under their mamma's red apron though!

Another use for ripe plums and apples... 

Cooked Vegan Dessert: 

Slow Baked Plums & Apples

Core 'em, chop 'em, smother 'em in honey, sprinkle in some pumpkin pie spice, top 'em off with oats & chopped almonds, cover and bake at low heat (250) for a couple of hours. Before serving, take off foil and bake at 425 for a few minutes. The house smelled marvelous and my guests said the dessert was delish too!

* I have made this with the crock pot too.

I have been making green smoothies all week with some lovely collard greens. 

-water

-collard greens

-pear

-blueberries

-blend until smooth!

Whew, until next time...

Please remember that health and vitality 

is as close as your next mouthful of food! 

Make it fresh.

Make it from scratch.

Make it simple.

Make it count.  ;-)

Protein--Healthy Truth

How do you get enough protein in your diet?

That is one of the most common questions I get in regard to eating a raw food vegan diet. 

Well folks, quite simply put, there has been way too much hoopla regarding "complete" & "high-quality" protein in one's diet. The fact is, you can achieve and maintain a very healthy body by consuming plant-based proteins! Steaks, chops, roasts and burgers have been scientifically proven to promote diseased bodies, whereas the plant-based proteins have been linked to longevity.

If you haven't heard of, read, watched/listened to an interview with Dr. T. Colin Campbell in regard to his book "The China Study," you must make the time to do so. In trying to prove that the meat and dairy way of eating is the best, he came across startling evidence so he undertook a 20-year long study looking at and establishing a cause & effect between protein sources and incidence of disease. Startling evidence...

Early in his career as a researcher with MIT and Virginia Tech, Dr. Campbell worked to promote better health by eating more meat, milk and eggs -- “high-quality animal protein … It was an obvious sequel to my own life on the farm and I was happy to believe that the American diet was the best in the world.”

The research project culminated in a 20-year partnership of Cornell University, Oxford University, and the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, a survey of diseases and lifestyle factors in rural China and Taiwan. More commonly known as the China Study, “this project eventually produced more than 8000 statistically significant associations between various dietary factors and disease.” 

The findings? “People who ate the most animal-based foods got the most chronic disease … People who ate the most plant-based foods were the healthiest and tended to avoid chronic disease. These results could not be ignored,” said Dr. Campbell.

above quote taken from http://www.thechinastudy.com/news.html

Why are his findings so startling? And why isn't this making headline news on more airwaves, doctor's offices, hospital hallways, and around water coolers? The answer really is simple. Human nature. Human nature dislikes change. Human nature is resistant to reality. Human nature doesn't like to be startled.

I would like you to be startled just enough to educate yourself and then make an informed decision about the health and welfare of you and your family. At least take the first step by reading an excerpt from his book right here. After that, it is up to you to reclaim your health and vitality. I am here to pass along pertinent information and promote an eating style that has proven itself time and again...

China Study excerpt 

Oh yes, back to the protein topic. We learned in our high school biology class or basic nutrition in health that amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Some amino acids we make within our bodies and others we must consume. In the old days, food combining was thought of as the best way to assist our bodies in the manufacture and utilization of "complete" proteins. But nowadays, it  has been shown that our bodies keep an amino acid pool. And from this pool, our body can assemble and assimilate "complete" proteins! 

These amazing bodies that God gave us in the Garden were first made to consume only plant-based foods, remember? So, God already made our bodies with the intent to survive and thrive on a plant-based diet. Hmmm.

I for one have noticed over the years as I refine my diet (my story) that my muscle mass is more lean, I recover from athletic endeavors quicker, and I have way more energy. Tri-athlete (Brendan Brazier) and even some champions in the Mr. Universe and body building world are vegans. Hmmm.

Cows. Horses. What do they eat? Where do they get their muscle mass? Where do they get their energy? How do they grow, reproduce, lactate, and live? Yes, indeed those massive animals eat plant-based diets. Hmmm.

In a future post or two I will go into more detail about protein, but I just wanted to give you a taste (pun intended) of what your protein source is doing to your health --or lack thereof.