Celebrate With Real Food

About Me

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One of the reasons I am so passionate about health is that I lost my mother, father, and grandmother to diseases that could have been prevented.I want to be part of the solution to the health care crisis in this country. People can be inspired to choose education and prevention instead of operations and medication.It is exciting to empower others to make better food and lifestyle choices so that they can transform their health.The quality of my own life improves as I help people find the path to wellness.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Gluten-free Cooking

A gluten-free diet is recommended to treat Celiac Disease and wheat allergies. You can find gluten-free pasta, cereal, bread, waffles, pancakes, and cookies at most natural foods food stores, many supermarkets and some local grocers.

Here is a list of gluten-free foods:

  • potatoes
  • buckwheat
  • oats (must be labeled gluten-free)
  • corn/maize
  • rice
  • quinoa
  • amaranth
  • teff
  • millet
  • beans
  • nuts and nut butters
  • eggs
  • fresh fruit
  • fresh vegetables
  • herbs and spices
  • meats and fish purchased without sauce or seasonings
  • home-made soups (avoid bouillon cubes and barley malt)
  • juice (all-natural, 100% fruit juice)

Monday, March 12, 2012

Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal

I found this recipe on my friend Stephanie's gluten- free blog. It has become a family favorite and I hope you will enjoy it too.

3 Cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Oats
3 free range eggs
1 cup milk
3/4 cup Xylitol ( or palm sugar or brown sugar)
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Grease the sides of a deep bread pan with butter and preheat the oven to 350.
Mix eggs, milk, and vanilla until eggs are well beaten.
Add sugar, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and pumpkin puree. Mix well.
Add oats and baking powder.
Place in a bread pan and bake for 40 min. or until center is cooked through.
Slice and enjoy with butter and honey.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Spinach, Mango and Avocado Salad


fresh organic spinach
1 mango sliced
1 avocado sliced
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1 packet Truvia natural sweetener
Dash of toasted sesame oil (optional)


Directions
Place spinach leaves on two plates
and top with mango and avocado slices.
Sprinkle slivered almonds over both salads.
Combine rice vinegar with Truvia and  a dash of sesame oil and pour over both salads.
Enjoy!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

The Healing Power of Lavender Oil

Lavender oil is considered the swiss army knife of oils because it can be used in so many ways. It has a delightful aroma (sweet floral scent). The ancient Greeks and Romans celebrated Lavender for its perfume and cleansing properties. They put it in soaps and baths. During celebrations the flowers were strewn on the floor and fragrance was released when they were stepped on. During World WarI and World War II, the Korean War, and in Viet Nam, soldiers and medics carried lavender oil with them into the battlefields for disinfecting wounds, to soothe fears, and to help with pain.

Today lavender is recognized as an analgesic, anti-coagulant, anti-convulsive, anti-depressant, anti-fungal, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, a sedative, and for cell regeneration.
Lavender may help with abcess, arthritis, bronchitis, bruises, candida, cold sores, convulsions, cystitis, depression, earaches, hayfever, headaches, blood pressure, hives, hysteria, insect bites, infection, insomnia, migraines, stress, sunburns, throat infections.

Skin care: Lavender acts as a deodorant. Just put a few drops under the arms. Also helps with acne, burns, chapped lips, dry skin, reduces scars, itching, and skin recovery after tattoo removal. Add the oil to hand lotion for skin recovery. For pimples, dap lavender right on the area.

Immune System: Lavender fights infection and revs up the immune system. This oil increases the production of white blood cells to gobble up foreign invaders.

Lavender may be diffused or applied topically. For muscle pain, add 11 drops of lavender to 2 oz coconut oil and massage onto the body. To reduce stress, put one drop on the back of each ear.
Lavender bath: Mix 4-6 drops into ½ cup of Epsom salts. Put in the bottom of the bathtub and add very warm water. Stir in and soak for 15 minutes. This will relax muscles, relieve tension, and steady emotions.

Headaches: Apply lavender to temples for general headache. For migraines, apply to muscles at the base of the neck and on the bones behind the ears.
Insect bites: Rub lavender on the bites.
Internally: Lavender may be taken internally in capsules with coconut oil or as is. It provides anti-bacterial protection and is anti-nausea. Lavender keeps the stomach, spleen, and liver strong.