Productive Days & Recipe

What do you consider a productive day?

Getting errands done?
Grocery shopping?
Cleaning a few rooms?

For me, productive days fall into categories (and probably for you, too), such as, Homeschooling,
Writing, Editing, Shopping, or Baking or Cooking, to name a few.  Today I had a productive Kitchen day. (Don't you just love a productive kitchen day?)

For me, it looked like this: I got the kids started on their respective homeschooling lessons, made fermented oatmeal, started a batch of yogurt, picked up our week's supply of raw milk and cage-free eggs from a local farm, AND I started a fermented granola recipe (which takes 24 hours to ferment so you can't finish it all at once) and made my first-ever loaf of Paleo bread. (I'm really proud of that bread! It's sitting on my counter cooling right now and smells great.)

Here. I took a picture for the curious. :)  It didn't rise as high as the picture on the recipe looked. I used a different bread pan, which I suppose could account for that.

 It came out more as a quick bread style loaf, rather than sandwich style, so I'll keep trying new recipes until I get one that works for sandwiches. BUT I just tasted a slice and it's really good! (recipe below)

I also finished up my May recipes for the month, and have almost finished the accompanying shopping lists. When I get a month's worth of recipes in place, that means I have a plan and I don't have to worry about last-minute "what's for dinner" panic moments.  I also feel that I've accomplished something worthwhile.

My youngest is done with school for the day and my high schooler is almost there, so I'm just about ready to take an iced drink outside to the deck to enjoy this beautiful spring sunshine before starting dinner.

How about you? Did you get any good gardening done today? Or baking? Writing?
Tell me what makes you feel like you've accomplished something worthwhile by leaving a comment and you'll be entered into the current drawing for ENGLISH COUNTRY HOUSE MURDERS, book on the right.
("More Tea, Vicar?" is unfortunately no longer available--I'm substituting it with another English and/or Jane Austen themed CD. Details to follow. Sorry for the change!) But the book and a similar CD will be awarded to one commenter by the 15th of the month.) So leave your comment today!  

:     And here's the Paleo Bread recipe I followed, originally from Elana's Pantry. (Click the link and you'll see her bread looks much more like a sandwich bread than mine. I'll have to look into getting that "Magic Line Loaf Pan," that she used.) Anyway, the bread has no flour, no sugar (a small amount of honey) and practically no carbs at all. I wouldn't go crazy eating half a loaf, however, since it does have a lot of nutrient-dense nut flours and healthy fats. Enjoy!

Paleo Bread

1 1/2 cups blanched almond flour (available on Amazon.com)

2 Tablespoons coconut flour

1/2 cup golden flaxseed meal

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

5 eggs

1/4 cup coconut oil

1 Tablespoon honey

1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1. Place almond flour, coconut  flour, flax, salt and baking soda in a food processor. (I just whisked my ingredients. This could be another reason my bread turned out differently. When I saw that it only called for "pulsing," I figured I could get the same results without the processor. Apparently, I was wrong!)

2. Pulse ingredients together.

3. Pulse in eggs, oil, honey and vinegar

4. Pour batter into a greased 7.5" x 3.5 " Magic Line Loaf Pan

5. Bake at 350 F for 30 minutes.

6. Cool and serve. 

Happy Baking! And don't forget to leave a comment to enter the drawing. When you comment on more than one post, you get more than one entry. (One entry per comment)

Thank you and Good luck!

Recipe --and Giveaway

Homemade Foaming Hand Soap

You get the same puffy-creamy soap as in the commercial stuff, only you'll know exactly what yours is made of.

Last summer I was at a Bed and Bath Store when they were holding a special sale of their wonderfully scented foaming hand soaps. It was something like 6 for $20, plus a bonus free one for a total of 7. Needless to say, those nice smelling soaps are long gone. With a household of seven, the only ones that lasted any length of time were the two I kept for the master bathroom. (Coconut-Lime, yeah!)

Well, had I known then how easy it is to make my own foaming hand soap, I wouldn't have spent $20 bucks on theirs, good scents notwithstanding. I've also since learned that fragrances are some of the worst offenders when it comes to carrying heavy toxic loads of nasties, and who knows what else is in their soap? Most commercial soaps and skin care products--of all things--have really bad neurotoxins like parabens, sulfates, and propylene glycol. (Check your favorite brand--you'll probably find one or more of these few that I've just listed!)

When I recently discovered how quick and easy it is to make my own foaming style soap, I determined never to buy another commercial concoction unless my dispenser breaks. (You need a foaming soap dispenser to start with, so you'll have to buy one if you don't already have one.)

Foaming Soap Recipe  

(This is so easy, I can hardly call it a recipe.) 

 

Fill soap dispenser 3/4 full with cool water. Fill the rest of the way with Castile soap, leaving just enough space for the pump, so it doesn't overflow when you close it up. Shake to blend, and presto! You now have your own foaming soap.

 

For those who really want a recipe, or if you're a purist, you could do it this way:

Take about 1 cup of distilled or boiled water, and mix with about 1/4 cup of Castile soap.

 

Not a purist, but just want to save money by making your own? Use the 3/4 water to 1/4 soap ratio, but use any liquid soap in place of the Castile. It will still work just as well. The only difference is that you've got commercial dyes and fragrances as usual. 

 

Like homemade but miss the fragrance? Buy some essential oils and add about 20 or so drops to your soap. You may need to experiment to get it to the level of fragrance you want. 

 

I have only one caution if you use my method, which is, the Castile soap. There is a warning on the label not to get Castile in the eyes. For adults, the soap poses no hazard since it's very diluted, and most grown-ups don't go around sticking their fingers or fists in their eyes. Children, who love to play with suds and, in this case--foam--may experience some irritation. So, if you have little ones in the house, you might want to avoid the liquid Castile. 

 

 GIVEAWAY**GIVEAWAY**GIVEAWAY**GIVEAWAY

The current giveaway is still open. Just leave a comment related to any post this month and you could win!  Please include your email so I can notify you.

This month's giveaway is the hardcover: English Country House Murders and, the British CD "More Tea, Vicar?"

English Country House Murders is an exciting collection of some of the very best writing in the genre by top-notch writers of the past century (and the 19th). You'll find names like P.D. James, Wilkie Collins, G.K.Chesterton, and even P.G.Wodehouse. Dame Agatha Christie  is here, of course, as well.  As the insert of the book says, this is the "first hardcover anthology devoted entirely to mystery, crime, and detective stories set in the specialized and surprisingly dangerous world of the manor."

The dust jacket is a bit dog-eared but otherwise, English Country House Murders is in perfectly eerie-reading shape. 

More Tea, Vicar?-- "Gentle Teatime Classic". "Music on the theme of tea, with a hint of coffee thrown in for those who like their caffeine from beans, not leaves! A light-hearted brew of old favourites and familiar songs for tongue in cheek listening while sipping the glorious nectar which is tea!"

To enter the giveaway, leave a comment. Start off by telling us of a lovely house-museum you've visited, or perhaps how you may have been influenced by Billy Graham at some point in your life.

Warmest Blessings,

Linore

 

Homemade (Safer) Laundry Detergent

As I've gone increasingly natural in my food choices for the family, I've branched out slowly into other areas of the home. Living well in this modern world takes effort and thought.  I'm on my second batch of homemade toothpaste, for instance, and I'm hooked on it, as it's a "remineralizing" concoction, something that commercial toothpastes don't even try to do. (Besides being flouride, additive, and preservative free!)

Three ingredients are all you need for homemade laundry detergent.

Today I thought I'd share the recipe I recently used to make homemade laundry detergent. Perhaps laundry detergent isn't high on your list of products to go natural with, but if you look at what typically is in commercial detergents, you may decide to add it to your list!

If you suffer from chemical allergies, you should certainly give homemade products a try.
We don't have allergy issues in my home, (thankfully) but the very real issue of toxicity was enough to make me interested in trying safer alternatives.

There are two ways to go with homemade laundry detergent: Powder, or liquid. I made the powder. My friend Rachael tells me that the powder may not be ideal for septic systems, but the website I got the recipe from says it's fine. To be safe, I plan on making the liquid version as well, and using it every other load.   

Close-up view of the powder after mixing.

Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent

1 cup finely grated Castile Soap (such as Dr. Bronner's), or Fels Naptha, or Ivory

2 cups borax

2 cups washing soda

optional: 6-10 drops essential oil for fragrance, if desired

 

1. Grate the bar soap into a fine powder. I used a cheese grater, but a food processor would work also. I needed one bar and about 1/4 of a second bar to get one full cup.

2.  Using a large container, mix the grated soap with the borax and the washing soda. Use this container, tightly covered, to store your detergent in, or transfer to another container.  That's it!

One-quarter cup or thereabouts is enough for a large load. 

So far, I've seen no difference in my laundry using this formula, which is exactly what I'd hope for. What I'd like to do next is find a natural substitution for dryer sheets! Anyone out there know of a good way to soften clothes and remove static without using those toxic dryer sheets? Please share it here!

When I make the liquid version of the detergent, I'll share that here as well.

If you store the powder in a kitchen container, as I did (above), be sure to label it!

 

 

Everything you need for this recipe can be found in most supermarkets in the detergent aisle. I never noticed these things before I went looking for them, but they're there, all right. 

What about you? 

What natural versions of commercial products do you favor in your home? Got any good substitutions you'd like to share with us?  

I am itching to give away a three-tin set of English Tea, but I haven't had enough commenters to hold the drawing! 

According to my Google stats, I do get a lot of viewers here, but only a few choose to leave a comment. I'd still like to have a minimum of ten to twelve before doing the drawing, so please, if you would, spread the word! I'll pick one (leave contact info) from among the next ten or more commenters to win this tea.

Warmest Blessings,

Linore

Something Extra: Coffee-Banana Breakfast Shake

(This is where the "practically usable" of my blog heading comes in!)

Being an author doesn't mean I've abandoned my kitchen. I made such a scrumptious breakfast today that I have to share it with you:
Before I give the recipe, let me suggest a few tips you can put into practice so that whipping up healthy shakes like this are a snap.

Tips:

1. Never discard a banana. When they start to brown more than you like, peel them, cut roughly into large chunks and freeze in a sandwich or freezer bag. These are perfect for shakes.

2. Got extra coffee in the pot? Don't dump it. Let it cool a bit, take an ice cube tray and fill it with coffee instead of water. Freeze. Empty coffee ice cubes into a plastic bag. Keep it near your frozen banana chunks.

3. Have a good protein powder mix on hand. I get mine from Dr. Mercola. They're pricey but the quality is assured and they come in various flavors. For today's shake I used the Banana Whey Protein Powder, but any flavor of your choice would work.

4. A good blender or food processor should be on your counter.

With these tips in place, it takes only a minute to whip up a wonderful summer breakfast that is healthy and filling. Note: To some people, coffee isn't healthy. I love the stuff and drink about three cups a day. Use your discretion. Note #2: To others, bananas are too carb-filled. Use sparingly. End of notes. :)

Coffee-Banana Breakfast Shake

6 to 12 coffee ice cubes
1 small frozen banana
1-2 scoops protein powder
1 cup coconut milk (or milk of your choice.)
A couple of dashes of 1/2 and 1/2 (optional. I like my shakes rich.)
Cinnamon powder to dust the top

Place coffee cubes in blender or processor and crush. Add the frozen banana, coconut milk and protein powder. Use CHOP or CRUSH setting for the banana, and then switch to STIR. Your drink should come out all thick and frothy. Sprinkle the top with cinnamon powder.
Enjoy!

If you use 12 coffee ice cubes you could split this into two servings. Otherwise, have a tall glass ready!

Author Gone Paleo!



Todays' post is about food, which may surprise you. But what we put into our bodies is really a part of living and should be one of the ways we seek to please God. So, "Author Gone Paleo" is about some beneficial changes I've made recently in my eating habits that I wanted to share with you.

What is Paleo? It's an eating style--more, a lifestyle--which tries to universally reject modern food tinkering such as GMO's (genetically modified food), over-processing, pesticides, growth hormone-injected meat, etc. It's nothing new in essence, but there are new scientific findings that support this type of eating with one major new factor. Unlike the organic-food eaters of the past, the Paleo diet does away with modern grains. Yes, that means no whole-grain flours, organic wheat flour, etc. But make no mistake: this is NOT your typical low-carb regiment. With newer research showing that coconut flour (and oil) are actually good for you, that eating nuts and seeds are powerhouse nutrient sources and that these, too, are GOOD for you, the Paleo diet becomes rich in its own goodies. Almond flour is now a staple in my pantry. Squashes of all types, sweet potatoes, and fruit are important elements of eating this way, too.

For an in-depth look at what it's all about, visit The Wellness Mama . This Christian lady not only gives the first excellent argument I've ever read explaining why grains are bad for our health, reconciling it wholly with Jesus's calling himself "the bread of life," she also gives scrumptious recipes, tips and ideas that are really helpful. (Read her blog post called, "How Grains are Slowly Killing You." This one post did more to transform my thinking and get me eating better than anything else I've ever read.)

I explained my eating transformation to my friends like this: It's like when Neo (in the Matrix movies) suddenly sees the bad guys as nothing more than CODE--he realizes that they're not real beings, they're computerized code that he is seeing as real. AT that point, he becomes invincible and easily does away with the baddies. Well, reading that article on how grains are slowly killing us made that leap for me: instead of seeing a yummy bagel or doughnut, I suddenly saw POISON.Let me tell you, I love good good food and I come from a family where food is the center of our celebrations, but it was absolutely no stretch, no effort, for me to start eating differently after digesting these food-facts.

Does it work? Well, I lost twelve pounds in the first two months without even trying. I was eating a great deal of fruit and nuts. If you TRY to lose weight on this eating style, you can easily do so by eliminating most fruit, and by eating less nuts and seeds. I wasn't trying, so I ate what I wanted--and lost weight, anyway.

I'm not trying to explain the whole lifestyle here, but I did want to share my Paleo "Cereal" that I ate this morning. It's filling, and chock full of
protein, antioxidants, fiber, micronutrients, and healthy fats. (Not to mention, yummy!)

Linore's Paleo "Cereal"

In a nutshell (pun intended), this is basically a kind of trail mix that I added coconut milk to, and ate as a cereal. The best trail mixes are homemade as you can customize them to what you like best, but this is my current version. Feel free to customize your own as you like. Dried fruits like pineapple or apricots (use moderately), other seeds, nuts, and even spices like turmeric or cinnamon can be added.

Get a one or two quart container with an air-tight lid to store this in. Refrigeration is not necessary. (Ironically, I'm using a cleaned-out container that once held chocolate chip cookie dough--poison, lol!)

Three cups walnuts, chopped or not
Three cups pecans, chopped if preferred, but not fine.
One cup dried cranberries
Two cups pistachio nutmeats
One-two cups sliced almonds
Half cup pine nuts
One cup sunflower KERNELS
1/2 to one cup DARK or bittersweet chocolate chips (optional)
coconut flakes (optional)

I put in the chocolate only because it's Christmas week. But it's perfectly fine to eat a small amount of DARK chocolate every day.

IMPORTANT:
Don't eat scads of this stuff on a daily basis. It's nutrient-dense, so a little goes a long way.
I take a 4-6 ounce mug, fill it about 1/2 to 2/3 full of mix, and then add coconut milk. I wouldn't have this every day for breakfast, but it's a great energy-boosting filler and good for you, to boot.

NOTE: You must understand that if you're going to keep eating all the unhealthy white bread and grains in your diet, then adding paleo foods like trail-mix won't do you many favors.
In fact, you'll gain weight.

The key to using these foods to benefit your body is to remove the grains from your
diet, first. Don't try to do it all at once, but keep removing sugar or white flour
(or any flour) on a weekly basis.

Better health=better productivity in all areas of your life! This past Thanksgiving I made a totally Paleo feast (including grain-free stuffing), and two days later when I weighed myself, I had actually lost two pounds since the previous week. LOST weight, after THANKSGIVING! And I ate until I was more than full.

Resources: Wellness Mama 101--The Basics
Everyday Paleo by Sarah Fragoso and Robb Wolf

Paleo Spirit

Mark's Daily Apple: Primal Living in the Modern World(Ignore the evolution idiocy--for a guy who researches everything about the food he eats, why doesn't he do the same for so-called "facts" of evolution, carbon dating, the fossil record, etc? Even scientists who aren't ready to call themselves Christians conclude that evolution is a religion, a chosen belief-system, based on interpretation of facts that skew the evidence (which overwhelmingly supports a higher-intelligence Creator). After all, evolution is a THEORY. Funny how everyone leaves that word out when referring to this widespread heart-held belief system. Since even museums uphold this theory with religious fervor, people think it must be true.)

Resources:
Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (DVD)

Answers In Genesis/Creation Scientists

The Riddle of Origins Series


Warmest blessings,

Linore
Linore Rose Burkard.com
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