Healthy Energy Snack Spread

Some people have difficulty eating coconut oil, but they want to enjoy its many benefits. I made up a little recipe for those people:

Healthy Energy Snack Spread

Into a small, jelly jar, add these items in equal parts, leaving room to stir:

• Chia seeds
• Natural nut butter (the kind you have to stir)
• Raw honey
• Coconut oil
• A pinch of love (I add this to all my recipes.)

Stir and refrigerate to solidify. You can use it as a stiff spread or warm it slightly and use as a dip. (Coconut oil will melt below 76 degrees.) 

I've been enjoying this snack on gluten free crackers, or rice cakes, or as a dip with celery, carrots or apples.

Just see if this little item doesn't make it easy to make coconut oil a regular part of your day.

~enjoy

Watch the video to learn more about energy foods.

Healthy Snacking

Becky's Healthy Banana Bites

Ingredients:

2 ripe bananas  
¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds
1 small handful raw walnuts
3 squares semi–sweet chocolate, shaved, or 3/4 oz
2-3 tbsp coconut oil, softened, but not melted.
1 sheet of waxed paper or parchment paper
Wooden toothpicks
1 pinch of love (I add this to all my recipes.)

The Process:
Finely chop or process seeds and nuts in a food processor.
Shave and add chocolate (I use a  knife on a cutting board). 
Put semi-soft coconut oil in the bottom of a bowl. 
Cut banana into bite-sized pieces and roll in oil, then in nut/chocolate mixture.
Arrange bananas on waxed paper on a plate.
Stab with tooth pics.
Freeze, then move to a sealed container and keep frozen.

~Enjoy~

Health Benefits of the Ingredients:

Bananas  

Pumpkin seeds

Walnuts

Coconut  oil

If you like, you can create a print-friendly copy of this recipe, with or without photos, by clicking the print friendly button below. 

(Not available if reading this post via e-mail, MOM)

Sharing this post with:
Strangers & Pilgrims on Earth; The Art of Homemaking
Deborah Jean's Dandelion House Farmgirl-Friday-Blog-Hop

Easy Crock Pot Ham and Potatoes and Moist Hands.

Today I used some of the spiral ham my brother and SIL gave us for Christmas to make crock pot potatoes and ham, Au gratin. (We've already enjoyed the ham with re-fried beans con queso & a salad on the side. And we've snacked on ham, sliced Gouda cheese and gluten-free crackers.)

A gluten-free recipe

Where do the moist hands come in?

While washing potatoes, separating the nicer ones to be baked, and the gnarly ones to be peeled ~ I put a small dollop of coconut oil into my hand and rubbed the skin of each potato. At the end of this process, I rinsed my hands lightly to remove potato debris and rubbed a paper towel vigorously between my palms. Walla ~ moist hands and potatoes ready to bake fora different meal.

Now on to the recipe: 

(Expand to suit the size of your family.)

Easy Crock pot Ham and Potatoes

One smallish crock pot
2 Tablespoons butter
3 potatoes, thinly sliced
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 cup ham pieces
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 generous pinch of love (I add this to all my recipes.)

Drop butter into crock and turn to low. Slice onion, chop ham into bite-sized pieces, shred cheese. Peel potatoes onto newspaper (hopefully you are composting). Layer potatoes, onion, ham, cheese to the top of the crock.

Hint: I usually turn my crock on high for one hour, then to low for 4 hours. If you plan to do this, set a timer to remind yourself to turn it down. Using this method, our meal was done in 5 hours and extended another hour, waiting for us to be ready.

I served our dinner with steamed broccoli and my very first batch of homemade sauerkraut.

Use the "Print Friendly" button below to print a copy of the recipe, with or without photos. ~Enjoy!

{Easy} Skin and Body Care with Coconut Oil

I'm a nut for coconut.

Much maligned by a few decades of false information, the health properties of coconut are well-documented and undeniable! New studies are finding coconut oil to be helpful in curing many of the dis~eases plaguing modern man.

Coconut oil is delicious in baked goods. It is wonderful on toast. It is easy to consume in tea, broth, or coffee. Please consider giving it a try.  

Even if you don't like to eat coconut, feed some to your skin. My prince and I have been using coconut oil on our skin, exclusively, for over three years.

We have shallow, wide-mouthed jars in our bathrooms. This way, home occupants and visitors can enjoy this wonderful treat on their skin.

When you use coconut oil, rub it in, not just on. Your skin will absorb it, and in a few minutes there will be no more greasy residue. Use it on your face. Use it to remove make-up. Use it as a rub on your feet (then put on socks) right before bed. Use it everywhere!

Coconut oil is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic. It has no nasty additives or chemicals, like other skin care products on the market.

I even use coconut oil for my oral care regimen and in my homemade deodorant.

Here is a link to a website where you can learn more about this miracle oil:  Coconut Research Center . And here is a link to the book that that got me interested: The Coconut Oil Miracle, by Bruce Fife, C.N., N. D.

According to Bruce Fife, here are just a few things that coconut oil can prevent and treat:

• "Heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke
• Diabetes
• Develop strong bones and teeth
• Promote healthy weight loss
• Kill viruses that cause mono, flu, Hep C,
• Relieve symptoms of Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and stomach ulcers
• Relieve pain of hemorrhoids, protect from breast, colon and other cancers
• Prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay
• Prevent premature aging and degenerative disease
• Relieve symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement)
• Reduce epileptic seizures
• Prevent liver disease 
• Protect against kidney disease and bladder infections,
• Kill bacteria that cause pneumonia, earache, throat infectious, dental cavities, food poisoning, urinary tract infections, meningitis, gonorrhea, and dozens of other diseases
• Kill fungi and yeast that cause candida, jock itch, ringworm , athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, and other infections
• Defend against parasites
• HIV
• Reduce symptoms associated with psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis
• Relieve dryness and flaking
• Prevent and heal damaging effects of UV radiation from the sun, such as wrinkles, sagging skin and age spots
• Control dandruff
• Increase energy and metabolism"
  (~excerpt from The Coconut Oil Miracle)
• For a wealth of information about the many uses of coconut oil, click here: mercola.com

Please consider this easy, easy, easy way to nourish your skin and improve your health!

About 31 days of EASY: 

So many things in life are hard.  And some of those hard things are necessary. But why make things harder than they need to be?  For 31 days, I'll be writing about ways to bring ease.  I would be honored if you came along on my journey.  Pack light. 

If you want to know more about the 31 Day Blog Challenge, click here:
Nesting Place: It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful.
or here: Why 31 days?

Many Blessings to you.

Sharing with Deborah Jean's Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop

{Easy} Homemade Deodorant

Earlier this Spring I was part of a personal hygiene experiment.  A group of 3 blogger friends and I agreed to test three simple homemade personal hygiene recipes: shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant, in order to report our findings to the editors of  From Scratch magazine for a spread in the June-July issue. I like the deodorant so much, I can't go back to store-bought. 

Today I made my third batch.  It took about 5 minutes, possibly less time than that.  Why do I like this so much?  It is natural.  It smells wonderful. It is inexpensive. It is pure and healthy. And it works!  I have linked each ingredient to a web page explaining some of its known health benefits ~ simply click on the link to find more information.

Homemade Deodorant
1/3 cup coconut oil

2 Tbs baking soda
1/3 cup corn starch

10-15 drops lavender essential oil ( optional) 

Instructions:

Add dry ingredients to wet and stir for a minute or so.  Spoon into a shallow container and refrigerate until firm.  FAIR WARNING.  Due to the fact that coconut oil melts above 76 degrees, this will not travel well.  

While it might be easier to buy deodorant, this product works so well and is so simple to make, it is near the top of my favorite household tasks. Try it and just see if you don't wear your shirts an extra day or two. 

Pssst:  ~ It is EASY to print a copy of the recipe by selecting the Print Friendly button at the bottom of the post.

About 31 days of EASY: 

So many things in life are hard.  And some of those hard things are necessary. But why make things harder than they need to be?  For 31 days, I'll be writing about ways to bring ease.  I would be honored if you came along on my journey.  Pack light. 

If you want to know more about the 31 Day Blog Challenge, click here:
Nesting Place: It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful.
or here:
Why 31 days?

Many Blessings to you.

I am linking this post with the delightful HomeAcre Hop where you can find LOTS of information on: "Homesteading, livestock care, gardening, environmentally friendly farming, self sufficiency, preparedness, off grid living, healthy recipes, home remedies and herbal concoctions, green living, homeschooling, food preservation, environmentally friendly crafts and home decor, photo posts of natural living and homesteading subjects!"

Don't Leave Home Without...

If you have been a reader for a while, you know that I am a health nut. So you won't be surprised that I spent a month washing my hair with baking soda and rinsing with vinegar. Or that I swish coconut oil in my mouth for 20 minutes each morning. Or that I use a homemade deodorant. A recent experiment took my health nut status to a new level. Here is my story:

Click here for a free subscription to this fabulous online magazine!

A group of 3 blogger friends and I agreed to test three simple homemade personal hygiene recipes: shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant in order to report our findings to the editors of  From Scratch Magazine for a spread in the June-July issue. 

What is Oil Pulling? And Why would I do it?

While the other gals tried a homemade toothpaste recipe, I had already been cleansing my mouth and gums by oil pulling, followed by a good rinse and a brush and floss with baking soda, which is basically what the toothpaste was made of, so I kept up my regimen. Oil pulling is an ancient method of cleansing the teeth and gums, while killing bacteria and viruses. There are theories afloat that most disease begins with a bacteria or a virus. The thought is that destructive bugs find primary entrance into the body through the mouth. Oil pulling destroys them.

Here is how I do it. I keep a covered dish of coconut oil in my bathroom specifically for this purpose.  In the dish, I have a broken plastic spoon.  Each morning, I take a clump off the spoon and swish it in my mouth while showering and getting ready for the day, about 20 minutes. (Oil pulling is a solitary practice; do not try it when you think someone will ask you a question.) I discard the soiled oil into the trash and rinse with water. Then I dip my toothbrush into a little cup of baking soda, brush, floss and rinse.

THE RESULT: I can tell you that since I started oil pulling, I have noticed that my gums (that were previously receding) are healthy and growing back; and my teeth are stain-free and shiny.

Homemade Deodorant?

When I was asked to try homemade deodorant, I balked. I've avoided anti-antiperspirant because of the suspected link to breast cancer. The product I was using was great, though expensive. I must say, however, I am thrilled! The homemade version is a keeper.

The Recipe:  

1/3 cup coconut oil
2 Tbs baking soda
1/3 cup corn starch

10-15 drops essential oil ( optional) 

Desiring to try different scents, I put the mixture into several small containers. Since I had more than enough for the experiment, I shared two of the lavender-scented ones with my yoga buddies. One of the gals opened hers to smell, and it spilled. I literally had to "take it off her hands," giving new meaning to the oft-used phrase. Note: Since coconut oil changes from a solid to a liquid above 77 degrees, this recipe does not travel well. 

THE RESULT: I love the product, and will continue use.

Homemade Shampoo and Conditioner?

Washing my hair with baking soda and rinsing with vinegar for a month?  Yikes! That's what I use to clean the bathroom! Well, at least I didn't have to hunt for the supplies.  My first time rinsing with vinegar, I used my Bragg's unfiltered Apple cider variety and I thought I smelled like a salad. I confided my concern to the other participants, and my dear friend, Meredith quipped: "Don't leave home without dressing." Meredith...YOU CRACK ME UP! Thanks for the title. For the rest of the trial, I used distilled white vinegar.

THE RESULT:
After trying this shampoo for three weeks, I stopped.  Actually, I cheated at the end of the first week because I could not stand how my hair felt. Others have reported great success with this shampoo, however. Instead of sharing my recipe and process, I will direct you to the blogs of two of my friends: Katie, of Maple Grove; and Meredith, of Green Circle Grove.  By the way, Meredith has a line of homemade soap that she sells in her Etsy shop that I can't wait to try! And Katie has written a beautiful E-book called Pray - 30 days of Prayer, that includes a coloring book for children, to include the whole family. 

Note:
I asked my hairdresser about the baking soda / vinegar idea.  She said that baking soda would remove product build-up and some mineral build-up, but over time would dry the hair. She suggested using it no more than once every few weeks. For the time being, I am using shampoo and conditioner. Guess what? It has coconut oil as an ingredient! I bought it here: Vitacost.com.  The very same place where I buy my coconut oil.

Finally, I can't say enough how much I enjoy using coconut oil on my skin.  If you take nothing else from this post, please try coconut oil! Read all about it HERE.

Click HERE on the link to read about our experiment in the June-July issue of "From Scratch."

~Blessings!

Sharing this post with the lovely Deborah Jean's Dandelionhouse Farmgirl Friday Blog-Hop

{Five Fact Friday} Gardening, Soup, and Acceptance

1. This week, on my 57th birthday, I decided to accept myself -- gray hair, wrinkles, errors and all! (This does not mean I will not continue to color the hair and smear the skin with coconut oil, however.)
2. Number one is not as easy as it sounds. It is hard to change a bad habit, so every time I hear myself whispering "You idiot!" I am replacing it with: "Becky, I accept you." (It is my intention to succeed.)
3. Planning a vegetable garden, with all of its deadlines,  possibilities, and snafus -- takes courage, curiosity, science, determination, and faith. It also helps to have good information handy. In the next few weeks, I'll be setting plants and seeds in my first "compost sandwich," as instructed by Chris McLaughlin, in her book Vertical Vegetable Gardening.
4. It is almost time to say goodbye to some great soups and hello to fresh greens and iced tea.
5. Dogs can read faces. Mine will sneak down the hall and hide under the dresser if I even think about giving her a bath.  Today is bath day. 

Sharing my {five facts} with one of my favorite blogs:A Rural Journal

Affordable Healthcare / Steps to Wellness

Who isn't tired of listening to all the "talk" about health care?  I am. And I'm mostly frustrated with the ability of people to ignore some simple truths. If everyone implemented the practices below, the issue of health care and health insurance would resume its proper position in our national conversation.  Today I was inspired to share some of the things that I KNOW will help to build good health. I would suggest that you read through the post before clicking on links. Here goes:
Our bodies ask for what they need, but they can only order from the MENU they have been served.  Serve the good stuff.

Shop the perimeter of the grocery store: buy fresh food.

Make water your primary drink. To de-chlorinate water, leave it in a glass pitcher overnight.  I've started leaving a pitcher of water and a glass on my kitchen counter.  We drink and refill often.  After you start to adequately hydrate, your body will tell you to drink.

Build meals around simple foods, with few ingredients.  If you can't pronounce it easily your body can't easily decode it.

If you are struggling with illness, try avoiding bread for a few weeks and see what happens to your diet and your body. Much is being said about topics like gluten intolerance , and wheat belly. There are reasons for this!  

Refined Sugar, unfortunately, is the enemy.  Eliminate it, as much as possible, and you will live to discover its appeal is far less formidable, and that "regular foods" taste good.  

If conventional medicine has let you down, consider seeing a naturopathic doctor or integrative medical doctor; they will view your body as a whole, your symptoms as signals to listen to, rather than disease to cover up.

Use coconut oil in your cooking and on your skin; Also switch to coconut or palm-based soaps. 

My last tips: not the least tips:

Find an exercise program that you can follow and enjoy. It is never too late to start: even my 87-year-old stepfather is discovering how much exercise helps.

Develop thankfulness.  A thankful heart is light.

Laugh.  Laughter is good medicine 

Pray, respect God, and practice humility: Proverbs 3: 7-8 " Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth."  

Give the gift of your unique self to those around you, especially to your family; but also to your neighbor, friend and co-worker.

My love to you!

~Becky

Note: the links in this post are solely for information to my reader. I derive no benefit from any of them.

Bone Broth, By Any Other Name...

Jim has been asking all week long what I'm doing ...and when will I be done? I've been telling him," It is an experiment."  And each morning, Libby has barked and wagged, expectantly, as I ladled the steaming essence of life onto her Blue Buffalo kibble from my simmering pot.

I've been making Bone Broth.

What is BONE BROTH?  Merely bones and veggies, water and a jalapeno, simmered for a long time! So long, that the nutrition is pulled out...so long, that the bones become soft enough to crush between your fingers.  So soft, that they can end up here:

Encouraged in my experiment by a fellow blogger, I've sipped the broth  for breakfast with a dollop of coconut oil, while rolling my eyes with delight!  

       

....BONE BROTH...

Our adult children would prefer another name for this new fascination of mine, I've suggested a few alternative titles: bone stock, bone soup...but bone is the objectionable word, I think.  Just as well -- it is the best name for something that used to be trash at my house.

I used to throw all sorts of things in the trash that I now see as treasure!

I found out that kitchen scraps don't go down the disposal...they now go here:  as treats for the flock of 7 chickens that nest and play behind a 30' span of our 15' tall Oleanders. 

 ( And , no...the Oleanders have not poisoned the birds...They didn't poison the kids, the dogs, cats, rabbits, ducks or the goat... either.)

I've learned in the past year --raising chickens, recycling, and composting -- how wasteful our modern society has become.  A "ton" (literally) of stuff that I used to throw away has been recycled.  If it doesn't go to the Hen Pen,  It goes into one of two compost bins, along with grass clippings, weeds, leaves, dryer lint, newspaper, chicken droppings.  And it gets turned into this: 

Thus, the essence of life continues to  be a blessing in places like this:

Kelly and I planted a veggie garden last year in her backyard that went crazy! We learned what to plant and what to plant less of, namely spaghetti squash!

I'm showing a small fraction of our squash. All from a few small seedlings!  Much of it was given away.  Some was fed to the hens.  

Hens, who gave us these.

After our eggs are boiled and peeled they go all sorts of places.  By now, I think you can guess at least three locations for the shells.  

Here is one of my favorite uses of the edible parts of our eggs.  

Now more of my story about bone broth. Last week I discovered another 2+2=__.

The eggs that I collected went right into the broth.  And after simmering 40 minutes, I ate them, rolling my eyes again with joyous delight...because they tasted like jalapeno and soup!  Guess where the jalapeno came from?  Yep...the garden.  This basket is full of bounty from our backyard...all produced by the very items in the basket...life!  

And that is what Bone Broth is!  A bowl of life!  

Try some. 

Next time you have a roast chicken, or ribs or steak ... plop it into your crock pot, add water and simmer  your brew for days and days...add herbs if you like, veggies in the freezer too long?...Plop them in...?  Sure!  Add water as the week progresses.  Spoon some broth onto your pet's food.    

Then strain.  If you don't have chickens, you will have to throw away the bones. So sad...  

But you will still be able to enjoy a cuppa...

BONE BROTH with a dollop of coconut oil! 

In fact, here is my breakfast!

YUM!

And here is a link to more from my teacher: (http://butterfliesandbumblebees.org)  Blessings upon you!

Okay...You Asked For It

I am sitting in my office on a rare, rainy Autumn day.  Behind me lies a snoring, mini Bichon-Poo.  In another room sleeps the darling little 2-yr old who named me, Mimi. I should be working on the piles of paperwork strewn over my desk.  And the thought of this work nags like a growling stomach needing a tuna sandwich!  But I have been urged to start a blog (perhaps because my children think I'll write about coconut oil, instead of constantly telling them about it).

     "I'm not sure I have anything to say,"  I protest, meekly,  (hoping she will give me some ideas).

     "Just write about Coconut oil," grins RL , her chocolate tootsie-pop eyes eager, yet soft.

Maybe I could share my health tips (after all, coconut oil isn't my only suggestion for healthy living ).

Sure, I can do that.  But what else?  Well, I've been thinking about what I am supposed to do with my life now that I am finished rearing children.

So here I am; a recent empty- nester;  a recent grandma;  a blessed wife and mother, sister, friend, daughter of AJ and Bill , and the adopted daughter of God.  And what will I write?  My thoughts: theories, prayers, some poetry, pursuits, wisdom , and yes -- my tips for healthy living.

But later, because my stomach is growling for a tuna sandwich and some coconut milk.