Italian Prune Crisp

Ha! I welcome kitchen help.
This guy decided to put his whole face in the whole wheat flour this weekend.
Maybe this is what he will look like in 60 years or so?

Many thanks to those of you to came to the class on Thursday!
I had a blast and really appreciated all your participation and questions/comments.

Here is the Italian Prune Crisp recipe that you asked for:
No added sugar!!

Preheat oven to 350
Wash, pit, and cut in half about 6 cups of Italian Prunes
Layer in 9x13 pan ( I used my stoneware)
sprinkle with minute tapioca (this will help thicken the juices as they cook)

In a bowl mix together:
2 cups rolled oats
1 cube of butter, softened
cinnamon and nutmeg (your preference, 1-2 tbs.

Evenly distribute oat mixture on top of prunes.
Bake in 350 oven for 50-60 min.

Serve warm or cold!

The prunes are sooo sweet. There is no need for extra sugar.
Enjoy!

Supplement Monday

Today's vitamin supplement is Vitamin B - 100.
People take B vitamins for multiple reasons and I've listed some health benefits below.
For me, I take this supplement to calm my nerves. Really! I tend to be a stressor (stress out about things) and this supplement really, really, helps me control my stress levels. I probably sound like a case right now, huh. When I am a little on edge I can tell that I haven't been taking my vitamin-B.
Also, just a bonus. Mosquitos won't bite you if your levels of vitamin B are adequate. So if mosquitos really love you, like they do me, then take this supplement and they won't want anything to do with you. Isn't that worth it in itself!
I swallow one of these each morning after I've eaten breakfast.
I don't give them to my kids.

Now Foods B-100 Caps (100 Caps)

B - Vitamins play a vital role in mood, cardiovascular health, cancer prevention and immune health. B-100 Caps are a blend of key B vitamins combined with other nutritional factors for enhanced synergism. This formula provides recommended potencies of the most important B vitamins. It is designed to supply your body's required daily intake in one complete supplement. Folic Acid and other B vitamins seem even more of a wonder drug than anyone suspected: Already known to prevent severe birth defects and heart attacks, they may also ward off broken bones from osteoporosis, two major studies suggest.

Now Foods Vitamin B-100:

• Nutritional Health
• B-Complex for Maximum Effectiveness
• Supports Energy Production

B vitamins are known to reduce levels of homocysteine, an amino acid already linked, at high levels, to an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and Alzheimer's disease. Now research shows high levels of homocysteine at least double the risk of osteoporosis-related fractures. How B Vitamins can help: Mind and Mood: The body needs folic acid, B6 and B12 to produce neurotransmitters. Studies show that some people who are seriously depressed or show signs of dementia have dearth of folic acid or B12. Fixing these deficiencies can alleviate the depression or improve concentration and memory. More important for the average person, even a mild lack of B vitamins may cloud the mind.

Immune Health: Even people with only slightly low levels of B-vitamins show signs of weakened immune function. Taking these vitamins may enhance their immune health. Cancer: Reduced levels of methionine increase the risk of cancer. Folic Acid and vitamin B-12 help the body convert homocysteine to methionine; that amino acid helps maintain the genes that prevent cells from turning cancerous. Osteoporosis (Hip Fractures): High homocysteine level in the blood is linked with future risk of osteoporosis and hip fracture. Women with high homocysteine levels had double the hip fracture rate, and men with high levels had four times the increase, compared to people with low homocysteine levels. The levels can be reduced by diet, particularly vitamin B-12 and folate, and by some medications. What are Neurotransmitters? Neurotransmitters are chemicals that control alertness and mood by speeding nerve signals through the brain.
http://www.healthsuperstore.com/p-nowfoods-vitamin-b-100.htm

Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil is my recent favorite thing!

I use it:
In pancakes, muffins, cakes, brownies....
To saute' vegetables
Massage oil!
(seriously I recently gave this to my food friend as a gift for her bachelorette party!)
Diaper rash (it is a yeast killer!!)
by the tablespoon when we get a cold (just eat it plain or dissolve it in warm water)
spread on my kids' toast
If I want to get a quick good tan I saturate myself in it before going out in the sun
(don't try this at home, or if you do, don't blame me if you fry!!)

Here is a recipe that I made up and LOVE!
If you've had my "toot sweet" brownies then you know what I'm talking about.
They are gluten free
They are dairy free
They are "white stuff" free (sugar, flour)
They are here for you to use and share but please link back to this blog!
Thanks :)

"Toot Sweet Brownies"
2 cups cooked black beans (you can use canned beans)
1 cup almond flour/almond meal (same thing)
2 eggs
1/2 cup pure, raw, honey
1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
5 TBS. unsweetened cocoa
dash salt
squirt of water
Blend together in a blender until it looks like brownie batter.
Bake in muffin cups 20-25 min @ 350
Enjoy and share with a friend!

Coconut oil is delicious and good for you!
It's proven!
Check it out below!

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/organic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil.html

The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength. These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc.

http://products.mercola.com/coconut-oil/

• Promoting your heart health
• Promoting weight loss when and if you need it
• Supporting your immune system health
• Supporting a healthy metabolism
• Providing you with an immediate energy source
• Helping to keep your skin healthy and youthful looking
• Supporting the proper functioning of your thyroid gland

Coconut oil contains the most saturated fat of all edible oils. Don't be scared away by the negative view of 'saturated fat' portrayed by the media. Many studies have shown that a low-fat diet is not the answer for preventing heart disease, and some scientists are calling for new dietary guidelines that reflect this discovery. To really understand the benefits of saturated fat, I suggest you read Dr. Mary Enig and Sally Fallon's article "The Truth About Saturated Fat" to first dispel any lingering notions you may have that all saturated fats are dangerous.

Bell Peppers for snack

Raw, Bell peppers are one of my kids' favorite snacks. Slice them up, fairly thin and put them in a bowl on the table. You will be surprised how fast they disappear. No need for dips. Just plain old vegetables. Nothing better for you....except air and water :)
I saw this chart here. Check it out for more nutritional info. on peppers.

Nutrition Class

A good friend of ours was talking to my husband last week and she said something to him like this:
"So I used to think Andrea was totally off the wall with all of her healthy eating and minimal fast food but you need to tell her that I've totally seen the light and I want her to teach me everything she knows. I want her to go grocery shopping with me, cook dinner with me, and help me find things that my kids want to eat!"

When Jeff came home and told me the conversation I beamed. It's such a great feeling when someone wants to learn and change. I want to help everyone but not everyone is ready to learn.

This dear friend is really serious about this! She called me today to tell me that she scheduled for me to come teach a class, at her house, and that she invited 58 of her facebook friends.

So I'm totally there!
You should come too!
If you are interested leave a comment and I will let you know the location.


This Thursday September 29
10:00-11:00am
$5
Babysitting Provided
Come learn and eat tasty, HEALTHY, snacks!

I am going to be focusing the lesson on:
Water vs. Juice/pop/soda/coffee/milk.... how I get my kids to drink water instead of ________
Healthy pumpkin recipes.............Just because a recipe calls for pumpkin doesn't mean it's "healthy" but it can be with a few easy alterations!
Candida
Snacks for young children
Good fats

Supplement Monday

Vitamineral Green

Today's supplement is one is good for everyone! My older kids don't do this one yet. They don't like the taste and they don't swallow pills. My youngest eats these. Like chews them through the capsule.
I always double up on this when I am nursing so the child that is being nursed gets all the good stuff in here.

This supplement is basically all the green vegetables that we don't have the time/energy/availability to eat raw everyday.
Greens are a healer, detoxifier, and immune supporter. They also support healthy digestion, colon health, bone strength, and blood-sugar.
Good stuff right here!
This product is gluten free and yeast free.

For more information on this product check it out:
here

I purchase mine at the local Food Co-op.
It lasts me anywhere from 3-5 months depending on how much I am taking at the time.

Healthy Breakfast in a Crock-Pot

Do you LOVE rice pudding??

I do!

My grandma makes it for special occasions and it has always been my favorite treat. When I got married and moved away I called her and she told me the recipe over the phone.
Basically rice pudding is a ton of sugar, white rice, and milk.
All of the things I try to avoid.
Dang!

Now what do I do?
Well, when my grandma makes it for special occasions I still eat it. And I still love it! And I let my kids eat it because they love it and I want them to always remember that tradition.
Moderation, right.

This is how I make rice pudding in my healthy home.

Turn my 3 quart crock-pot on high
( I never measure....yikes! I think I need to start so I can tell YOU!)
Pour in about 3 cups of water
2 cups of short grain brown rice
1 can coconut milk, or light coconut milk
dash some cinnamon to your preference
add raisins if you please
Put on the lid and cook for 3 hours, or until the liquid is all absorbed.

And that my friends is really yummy, warm, stick to your innards, comfort food on a cold day,
Healthy Breakfast, lunch, snack....
In a crock-pot.

No added sugar. No gluten. No dairy.
Enjoy!