a must repeat meal

There are many things happening around here to get our lives back in order.  One thing is all the healthy eating going on, however, I would like Braveheart to eat MUCH healthier yet. Thank God I juice for him or he just wouldn't get enough veggies in his little body.  

So, we are up to our ears in squash, so I warned everyone in the family to be ready for lots of squash.  Mmmmm...some just wouldn't try my squash cookies..they are a little bland but they taste good. I will work on that though.

Our other issue is B's ankle. Please take a moment and pray for that will you?  We have an MRI on Thursday so we will see.

Here is the awesome meal I made up, although it is just typical stuff!  For those of you who know me, I usually don't use the canned soups for recipes, so if it calls for it, I usually make a healthier home made version.  Well, I have a few cans of better for you organic ones without all the hydro...blah blah additives in it.  I used it yesterday.  This is not any new concept but here is what I put it in and note that I do not like measuring much and I love to DUMP AND GO!

USE UP WHAT YOU HAVE GROWING OUT OF YOUR EARS CROCK POT DISH

1 can of organic mushroom soup

1 batch of potatoes I dug out of the garden  (about 5-6 med size give or take)  

1 whole small head of cabbage cut not too small  ( I will add more of this next time)

1 can of tuna  

1 cup chicken broth ( I just gestimated that amount)

add your favorite seasonings like mama garlic, salt, pepper, dash of chipotle flakes, real garlic, etc...

Cook on low for a few hours.

Add with a couple hours before dinner:

1 cup sour cream mixed with dijon mustard and tasty seasoning ( I love mama garlic, quick easy, yummy)

    

sprinkle in some quinoa  ( you can look that up if you don't know what it is)

If you want to add another grain, just get some of them in sooner to get cooked enough like brown rice, maybe more liquid.

1-2 summer squash (I think cauliflower would taste nice here and hide well)

mix all of these together and....

cover with 1-2 cups moz cheese (use any you like here)

This dish was an instant hit.  All of my family loved this with the exception of my 20 year old who works, didn't eat it and most likely wouldn't because he is just that way and since he is gone all the time working, we don't harass him too much about what he eats...we try anyway..hee.  Kids were getting up and getting more!  I put a big salad on the table too. Yep, from my garden.  These last two things make my heart so happy!

I had to eat two bowls of little salads so I didn't eat too much of it myself, as I could have went back 3 or 5 times..I do love my own cooking sometimes, you know what I mean?  I often pat my own back, but hey, I am not picky....thank God for my mom and my Agent boy, #3.  They lift up my cooking skills the most.

See what you can do to make this your own tasty dish.

TIP ON SQUASH:

A long time ago my mom bought me this weird dicing thing which I stored in the basement thinking I didn't have room.  Recently I pulled it out and have been using it for tiny cutting.  I love my knife the best but find when I need dicing, this thing is the bomb!  

So I quickly slice the squash, then, 2-4 at a time, threw the squash in this 'thing' with tiny squares, then I pull the lid down and boom...tiny little perfect squares...it took me 20 seconds to have a whole squash in tiny pieces.  This is how I added it to the dish to make it small and easy to eat without big squash chunks and it was worth it!

I don't know what this is called but when I figure it out I will let you know.  It's is similar to a mandolin but no slicing, just dicing fry stuff.

May God bless your eating adventures............so your body may function as He designed it!

CARAMEL CORN with a twist of good for you

I couldn't remember where I found this recipe, but then when I looked closer I saw that it was originally from the WWW.HILLBILLYHOUSEWIFE.COM.  I can't NOT give her credit of coarse.  I have been making this recipe for some time now, but I changed things up a bit. First by using butter and not margarine. I would simply, never use margarine.  Here is the recipe MY way:

Caramel Corn

• 8 cups popped popcorn
• 1 cup peanuts (optional) I switch off with other nut types but not for the kids.
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup margarine butter and coconut oil  (I haven't gone 100% coconut oil yet)
• 3 tablespoons corn syrup   coconut nectar 
• 1/4 teaspoon each salt & baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Arrange the popcorn (and peanuts, if you are using them) in a well oiled 9″ by 13″ pan. Get out a 2 quart sauce pan and combine the brown sugar, margarine, corn syrup and salt over low heat. After the margarine melts, cook without stirring for 3 minutes. It should be bubbling gently during the 3 minutes. Stir in the baking soda and vanilla. Quickly pour this over the pan of popcorn. Mix gently to coat the popcorn evenly. Bake the pan at 300 degrees for about 15 minutes. Break it up into pieces and serve. This stuff is so good that it doesn’t last long, but if you do end up with leftovers, store them in a sealed container, or bag. It is good tucked into lunch boxes too.


I will elaborate on Coconut Nector here.   I bought this last year when I was ordering foods online to try out on my family.  I never used it because it was thick and sticky and quite frankly....annoying.  It strings along much like melty cheese.  I almost NEVER use corn syrup, but resigned myself to using it in this one recipe or that every other year candy at Christmas thing. However, while making this recipe, I was always thinking of other ways to health it up.  So I started adding some coconut oil to the butter base, 'in place of' would be more correct.  I wanted to replace the corn syrup but you need something tasty and something that will crisp up in the oven.  Now...last night I had a food epiphany....what if I use that stuff in the cupboard..it is syrupy-like!!!  I made it and it was the bomb!! Perfect...good tasting...good for you...low sugar level and index!!!  Even the kids loved it.  Braveheart said it was the best one yet.  Daddy, I could tell without saying, he might of done without the pumpkin nuts...but hey, even he needs a parasite cleanse now and then!!

I don't have a good sugar replacement, but hey...it's caramel corn, it is what it is....I ate it and still lost .2 pounds the next day...eat occasionally and enjoy!

Read more below about coconut products!

http://www.naturalnews.com/030110_coconut_nectar_vinegar.html

9 months

Sat was 9 months since his transplant. We are filled with joy.  So many of the effects of the meds are showing up, so many struggles but we focus on our thankful hearts and all God has done for us and him.  So many answered prayers. Thank you Jesus.

2 weeks no visit, 2 more to go

We are hanging in there for two weeks.  He seems to be getting heavier and heavier, but we are watching him close.  So want him to feel better.

progress continues

I am continuing to juice daily for myself and Braveheart.  The more I read about the healing benefits, the more I am excited about it.  I already do feel many of those benefits, but I am also in a weight loss mode and detoxifying so I can feel icky and tired at times, due to that.  I have been doing many things to help that though.  Adding powdered greens to my water and taking protease enzymes help my body to release the toxins safely.  I know I have an Adrenal Fatigue issue, so my healing is slow but steady. Plus, I can't really get rid of ALL my sweets.  I have greatly reduced, allowing myself occasional light caramel corn I found by Kettle Corn brand, pudding, healthy home made cookies. I really like the pumpkin oatmeal I made.

 B is not on a detox level of juicing, I just add 4-8 ounces to his diet for veggies that are hard for him to eat..he eats broccoli and sweet potatoes and squash, but greens are another matter altogether! He is a real trooper. I am trying my best to help his kidneys recover more and facilitate all the prayers which is his ultimate healing tool!

My friend and I talk about doing a 'juice reboot' but I feel a bit hesitant to push myself to do that one.  I have now lost 19 pounds!  I am please and thankful for God's help in the journey.

slowin' down

Well......I have lost a whopping 16 pounds so far but it is really slowing down.  I have very far to go and I won't give up.  Please take a moment and pray for me.  :)  Next birthday #20!

planting started

I started planting in the garden.  It was great! My man put up a little fence to keep the bunnies away from my new little greens.  I moved my blueberry bush to a new, better spot.

Weight day tomorrow.  I am excited!  Will let you know how it's going.  Today I ate:

Budwig cottage cheese for breakfast, 4+ cups of fresh veggie juice, hamburger, steamed cabbage, a few sweet potato fries.

Dessert: One little piece of dark chocolate with a spread of natural peanut butter.

Someone's birthday is tomorrow!!

#15