Organic Fanatic Presents:The Maker's Diet and More

Pride & Joy Dairy

2009-07-14T16:35:00.003-04:00

I've recently come across a hidden jewel in Washington state: Pride and Joy Dairy. They offer raw milk, eggs from free-range hens, and beef. Their raw milk and beef is both free-range and certified organic. It also has a variety of other high-ranking certifications. Pride and Joy Dairy is available in a number areas in Washington states via buying clubs and health food stores. If you live in the Wenatchee Valley, as I do now, you can become a part of the local Pride and Joy Dairy buying club. Their milk is delicious and competitively priced for raw milk, especially if purchased directly from the farm.

Friday Freebies

2009-06-08T12:40:00.003-04:00

It's a new week! Post your comment on clothdiaperblog.com before Friday, June 12, to win the free diapers of the week!

This week two Gro Baby organic one-size cloth diapers will go to the lucky winner. It could be you!

Organic Valley Coupons

2009-06-02T11:39:00.003-04:00

Click here to print off new Organic Valley coupons. Enjoy!

Healthy Home Tips for Parents

2009-06-01T15:09:00.004-04:00

Keep you and your children safe from chemicals and toxins. Read EWG's most recent information on parenting green-style.

Article on Chesapeake Buying Club

2009-06-01T14:28:00.005-04:00

Check out this Daily Advance article on the new EssentiallyOrganic Buying Club in Chesapeake.

Soft Cloth Bunz Free Giveaway Fridays

2009-05-15T13:27:00.005-04:00

Let me introduce you to Soft Cloth Bunz "Feed Your Stash" Friday giveaway!

Soft Cloth Bunz is a fantastic online and storefront cloth-diapering retailer based in Norfolk, Va. They not only carry a variety of cloth diapers and accessories, but also organic/cloth sanitary items for women.

As I've mentioned before in older posts, it's important to consider the environment and one's physical health when choosing sanitary products. Products that are reusable (such as cloth pads and Diva cups) are healthy for you and good for the planet.

This week's Soft Cloth Bunz "Feed Your Stash" Friday giveaway prize includes a Lunapad Intro Kit complete with

(1) one Maxi Pad
(1) one Maxi Liner
(1) one Maxi Wing Liner
(1) one Mini Pad
(1) one Mini Wing Liner
(1) one Mini Pantyliner
(1) one Teeny Pantyliner
(1) one Bonus Mesh Laundry Bag

Soft Cloth Bunz's clothdiaperblog.com keeps you up-to-date on cloth diapering and other products and gives you a chance to win something free each week just by answering the question of the week. Visit now and post your answer to enter the drawing!

Modern Cloth Diapering - As Easy As Using Disposables!

2009-05-15T10:30:00.002-04:00

Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it?

Well, it's not. After trying out a variety of modern all-in-one and pocket cloth diapers on my little one, I've discovered that modern cloth diapering is not the chore it was 20 or 30 years ago. It's actually almost as easy as using disposables. And definitely saves money and the environment over the long run.

My two favorite cloth diapers are bumGenius 3.0 and Fuzzi Bunz Perfect Size. Yes, I know, the names are cute and funny, but they're seriously amazing diapers. Both are pocket diapers that can be stuffed with the accompanying micro-terry inserts (stuff with one or two inserts depending on desired absorbency), and then both the inserts and diapers can be washed. They have wonderful absorbency and no leaking!

The bumGenius 3.0 are a one-size diaper, which uses velcro across the tummy. Because it is a one-size-diaper, it grows with your baby from birth to about 2 years old. The Fuzzi Bunz Perfect Size comes in a range of sizes - small and medium are generally the only two sizes needed for 2 years of diapering. The Fuzzi Bunz uses snaps rather than velcro. The snaps are longer-lasting than the velcro of bumGenius, meaning you can potentially use the Fuzzi Bunz diaper for more than one child's diapering years. However, the bumGenius are a less expensive investment upfront. This type of pocket diaper is certainly more expensive than the traditional prefold-type diapering, but it is much LESS expensive than buying disposable diapers.

Here are the cloth diapering retailers I most highly recommend due to price, convenience and customer service.

Soft Cloth Bunz (weekly FREE diaper/item giveaways, convenient store front in Norfolk, Va., earn in-store purchase points toward FREE items!, best website layout and info, and owner Bryana is so experienced and very helpful)

Nurtured Family (best microterry inserts [4-layered!], offer Fuzzi Bunz-recommended fleece/flannel wipes, and best deal on Fuzzi Bunz-recommended detergent)

Kelly's Closet (best bumGenius pkgs and fast customer service)

If you are an organic/environmentally-conscious mom using disposables, you've got to check these out. You can save money and the environment, with hardly any inconvenience at all!

Practical Ways to Go Greener

2009-05-14T11:37:00.004-04:00

I'm always fascinated by people's suggestions on additional ways to save energy and leave a smaller carbon footprint. If you're already reusing and recycling, but you're looking for more ways to go green, check out this article by Jessica Knoblauch.

Had Your Daily Dose of Mercury? - One More Reason Not To Eat High Fructose Corn Syrup

2009-05-14T11:28:00.003-04:00

Nutritionists usually discuss the harmful mercury levels in fish, but a recent article in E magazine describes the hidden mercury levels in high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). If you're eating organically, then HFCS isn't something you're probably consuming anyway. But, this is just one more reason to avoid it!

Save $$$ - Organic Buying Club Opens in Chesapeake, Va.

2009-05-13T12:30:00.004-04:00

For those of you who live in the Virginia Beach/Chesapeake region of Virginia, you'll be excited to know that an organic buying club is starting up just down the street!

EssentiallyOrganic2 is led by a friend of mine, Michele, who has made alliances with a number of local farmers between southeastern Virginia and northern North Carolina. Unlike most buying clubs, Michele has set things up so that the members of this buying club get the best possible prices - and Michele doesn't take any kickback at all, but passes the savings on to the members.

Ordering for the buying club will begin tomorrow (May 14, 2009) with most farmers. Visit essentiallyorganiconline.com to find out more and sign up as a member.

Returning from a Baby Hiatus

2009-05-13T12:09:00.002-04:00

As you may have noticed, it's been a number of months since I published a post! My little boy is now almost 6 months old, and I'm finally able to catch my breath.

I'm excited to be back in the swing of things, though, and looking forward to posting some more info.

Labor Prep Herbs

2008-08-01T14:00:00.002-04:00

A friend of mine sent me this link to a page discussing three different labor prep herbs. The information is very interesting and helpful.

My friend took 5W with her first pregnancy and had a fairly easy labor of only 8 hours.

This same friend just delivered her second child and used Gentle Birth this time. Her actual labor only lasted mere moments, and with three pushes the baby was delivered. Only 6 hours elapsed from her first contraction to the actual birth. She attributes it to the herbs in Gentle Birth.

Read all the way to the bottom of the page on the link above for all the great info!

Natural Remedy for UTIs

2008-08-01T13:15:00.005-04:00

Are you prone to UTIs and bladder infections?
Are you sick of taking antibiotics for them?

Listen up!

This is what I do to get rid of UTIs and bladder infections and it works every time.

1. Increase your water intake abundantly. Drink plenty of water and tea constantly!

2. Urinate every hour. If you're drinking enough water, you should easily be able to do this.

3. Take Garden of Life Primal Defense Ultra 1 pill 3x daily (1 before each meal)
If you are not currently taking this supplement, add it in slowly. Start with 1 daily for a couple days, then 2 daily for a couple days, and eventually 3 daily if you are fighting a UTI. (This supplement it available online and through Vitamin Shoppe, among other stores.)

4. Take Carlson's Super Cod Liver Oil (1000 mg) 1 pill 3x daily.
This is a powerful anti-inflammatory. I purchase mine at Vitamin Shoppe. I take one pill daily on a regular basis, and up it to 3 if I sense a UTI coming on.

5. Take UriSense with Cran-Rich & Probiotic BB536 1 pill 2-3x daily.
Where I live, this supplement is not available in stores. It can be ordered online, though. My advice: stock up on it so you have it when you need it.

Now that I'm pregnant, I'm even more prone to UTIs that I used to be. I am currently taking all of these supplements on a daily basis (1 pill of each, once a day) in order to prevent UTIs.

Early in my pregnancy, I could tell I had a UTI, so I called my nutritional coach and the above is what she told me to do in order to avoid having to take antibiotics. I followed her advice, and after only 3 days, the pain from the UTI was gone. I followed the above regimen for a week just be sure, then took a urine test at my next doctor's appointment, and sure enough there was no UTI.

I hope this natural remedy is helpful to you all!

Kombucha - aka Orange Crush!

2008-08-01T13:01:00.003-04:00

I've been making standard kombucha the past couple of months using black Chai tea--following Sally Fallon's recipe which calls for black tea. A friend of mine, however, recommended that once I've been brewing kombucha with black tea for a while to try using Alvita's Chinese Green Tea (Tangerine) or (Orange). She swears these teas taste like orange crush once kombucha-ed! Her daughters now call dibs on the "orange tea," necessitating my friend's constant production of it on a routinely bi-weekly basis!

So for anyone brave enough to try it, give it a shot, and let me know what you think. I'm brewing a batch myself this week, and it should be ready in a couple days. I can't wait to try it!

I Finally Made Kombucha

2008-06-09T16:00:00.004-04:00

I've posted information about kombucha before, and even links on where to order a kombucha mushroom and starter culture along with recipes. However, up until last week, I had never attempted making kombucha myself.

Last week a friend of mine gave me a mushroom and some kombucha from her previous batch. I followed Sally Fallon's recipe in "Nourishing Traditions," and my kombucha was ready in 8 days.

I admit, i was a little frightened to taste it at first. It smelled quite sour and a little foreboding. However, once I tasted it I realized my first impression was completely wrong. Homemade kombucha is delicious. It is slightly sour and yet sweet. I made mine with organic black spiced chai tea. I'm sure that using chai tea made all the difference. The flavor turned out quite good. It's kind of like drinking iced tea that has a tang to it. It's very refreshing and invigorating. A perfect substitute for juice and soda.

Now each week that I make kombucha, my batch develops a second mushroom that i can give to a friend. It's a great way to encourage others to try something new and improve their health.

According to Sally Fallon:
"It seems surprising, even ironic, to conclude a health food cookbook, in which we have warned against sugar, yeasted foods and tea, with a tonic made from sugar, yeast and tea! But the kombucha 'mushroom' (which is actually a symbiotic colony of yeast and bacteria) acts on sugar and tea to produce not only acetic and lactic acid but also small amounts of a potent detoxifying substance, glucuronic acid. Normally this organic acid is produced by the liver in sufficient quantities to neutralize toxins in the body--whether these are naturally produced toxins or poisons ingested in food and water. However, when liver function becomes overloaded, and when the body must deal with a superabundance of toxins from the environment--certainly the case with most of us today--additional glucuronic acid taken in the form of kombucha is said to be a powerful aid to the body's natural cleansing process, a boost to the immune system and a prove prophylactic against cancer and other degenerative diseases.

More importantly, kombucha is the cure for a hot day--it tastes delicious and refreshing. A fizzy, dark colored, energizing beverage, at the same time acidic and slightly sweet, this gift to the world from the Ural mountain region of Russia qualifies as the soft drink of the twenty-first century, the answer to the scourge of cola drinks that now wreaks havoc with the health of Western populations."

Returning from a Blog Break

2008-06-06T12:35:00.002-04:00

You may have noticed the 3-month gap in between my postings recently: March 5-June 5. The reason for this is nothing but good news. After trying for a year, my husband and I are finally expecting. Over the last few months I have been plagued with constant "morning" sickness, although I still don't know who came up with that phrase because mine has truly 24/7 sickness, and I'm still not completely out of the woods yet.

In any event, I am finally back online and ready to post more info. Due to my condition, I will also begin posting health information with regards to pregnancy, such as vitamins, supplements, natural remedies for UTIs, natural vs medicated birth, herbal blends promoting better labor, and healthy food choices.

As always, thanks for reading.

Head of CDC Admits on CNN that Vaccines Can Trigger Autism

2008-06-05T16:34:00.004-04:00

An interesting clip has been posted on YouTube. While head of the CDC Julie Gerberding admits vaccines can trigger autism, she contradicts herself at the same time. Another example of the two-faced governmental facade going on with regards to the truth about vaccines (and the preservatives used in them).

Watch.

More on Water Issues

2008-06-05T16:31:00.002-04:00

A friend sent me a very interesting online article the other day addressing a variety of issues about water--how much water is really necessary (6-8 glasses?), what kind of water is best (distilled water vs. spring water or water treated with reverse osmosis), and lastly the issue of bottled water (with regards to plastics and toxins).

Some of the information and research I was already aware of, but some of it was new to me.

Check it out.

New Food Ingredient Will Genetically Modify Your Tongue!

2008-06-05T16:13:00.005-04:00

Unfortunately, these are sad times. A new, "secretive" chemical is being added to processed foods under the label "artificial flavors" that will genentically modify the tongue...all in the name of "good health."

According to Dr. Joseph Mercola: "Processed foods, by their very nature, do not taste good unless they have loads of artificial colors and flavoring agents, salt, sugar and often MSG added to doctor up the flavors.

"In fact, most processed foods would taste incredibly bitter if they weren't doctored up because of things like their extremely hot cooking processes and added caffeine (in soft drinks). So what do food companies like Nestle, Kraft, Cadbury Schweppes, Campbell Soup, and Coca-Cola do?

"They partner with and hire Senomyx, a biotech company that can skillfully manipulate your taste buds with synthetic chemicals. The company has already developed several chemicals that, although they contain no flavor of their own, activate or block receptors in your mouth that control taste. The chemicals can mimic or enhance savory, sweet and salty tastes, and are intended to reduce the use of sugar, salt and monosodium glutamate (MSG) in processed foods."

Read this article.

Pay Less for Garden of Life Products and Other Supplements

2008-03-05T15:20:00.003-05:00

If you regularly purchase or are considering purchasing any of Garden of Life's products (i.e. Primal Defense Ultra, Goatein, Super Seed, Living Multi, etc.), I strongly recommend you check out www.healthfoodemporium.com or its subsidiary site www.whole-food-vitamins.net for some of the least expensive prices around. On these sites, many of the items consistently cost 40% less than what you'd pay in-store. The subsidiary site also offers products by New Chapter Organics (living vitamins) and even organic health and body care products.

Approved Maker's Diet Food List

2008-02-29T11:16:00.004-05:00

For your reference, here is the total list of approved foods from Jordan Rubin's The Maker's Diet. These are the eating guidelines that I follow.

Notice that there are 3 phases. Phase 1 is very restricted in order to cleanse the body of toxins. Phase 2 is still fairly restricted, but some new food items are added in. Phase 3 consists of how to eat for the rest of your life in order to maintain optimal health.

Phase I: Foods to Enjoy (2 weeks)

Meat (grass-fed/organic is best)
Beef
Lamb
Venison
Veal
Buffalo
Elk
Goat
Meat bone stock/soup
Liver and heart (must be organic)
Beef or buffalo sausage or hot dogs (no pork casing—organic and nitrite/nitrate free is best) (Use sparingly in phase 1.)

Fish (Wild freshwater/ocean-caught fish is best; make sure it has fins and scales!)
Salmon
Tuna
Halibut cod
Scrod
Brouper
Haddock
Mahi mahi
Pompano
Wahoo
Trout
Tilapia
Orange roughy
Sea bass
Snapper
Mackerel
Herring
Sole
Whitefish
Fish bone soup/stock
Salmon (canned in spring water)
Tuna (canned in spring water)
Sardines (canned in water or olive oil only)

Poultry (pastured/organic is best)
Chicken
Cornish game hen
Guinea fowl
Turkey
Duck
Poultry bone soup/stock
Chicken or turkey bacon (no pork casing—organic and nitrite/nitrate free is best) (Use sparingly in phase 1.)
Liver and heart (must be organic)

Eggs (high omega-3/DHA is best)
Chicken eggs (whole with yolk)
Duck eggs (whole with yolk)

Dairy
Goat’s milk yogurt (plain)
Homemade kefir from goat’s milk
Soft goat’s milk cheese
Goat’s milk hard cheese
Sheep’s milk hard cheeses

Fats and oils (organic is best)
Ghee
Goat’s milk butter
Cow’s milk, butter, organic
Avacado
Extra-virgin coconut oil (best for cooking)
Extra-virgin olive oil (not for cooking)
Flaxseed oil (not for cooking)
Hempseed oil (not for cooking)
Goat’s milk butter (not for cooking)
Raw cow’s milk butter, grass fed (not best for cooking)
Expeller-pressed sesame oil
Coconut milk/cream (canned)

Vegetables (organic fresh or frozen is best)
Broccoli
Asparagus
Squash (winter or summer)
Beets
Cauliflower
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Eggplant
Garlic
Okra
Cucumber
Pumpkin
Onion
Lettuce
Spinach
Mushrooms
Peppers
Tomatoes
Peas
String beans
Artichoke (French, not Jerusalem)
Leafy greens (kale, collard, broccoli, rabe, mustard greens, etc.)
Raw leafy greens (endive, escarole, radicchio, arugula, frisse, etc.)
Sprouts (broccoli, sunflower, pea shoots, radish, etc.)
Sea vegetables (kelp, dulse, nori, kombu, hijiki)
Raw, fermented vegetables (lacto-fermented only, no vinegar)

Beans and legumes (soaked or fermented is best)
Small amounts of fermented soybean paste (miso) as a broth
Lentils

Nuts and seeds (organic, raw, soaked is best)
Almonds (raw)
Hempseed (raw)
Pumpkinseeds (raw)
Flaxseeds (raw and ground)
Sunflower seeds (raw)
Hempseed butter (raw)
Almond butter (raw)
Sunflower butter (raw)
Pumpkinseed butter (raw)
Tahini, sesame butter (raw)

Condiments, spices, seasonings (organic is best)
Salsa (fresh or canned)
Tomato sauce (no added sugar)
Guacamole (fresh)
Apple cider vinegar
Celtic sea salt (or Real Sea Salt by Redmond)
Mustard
Herbamare seasoning
Omega-3 mayonaise (Spectrum)
Umeboshi paste
Soy sauce (wheat-free), tamari
Raw salad dressings and marinade (recipes in book)
Herbs and spices (no stabilizers)
Pickled ginger (preservative and color free)
Wasabe (preservative and color free)
Organic flavoring extracts (alcohol based, no sugar added), i.e. vanilla, almond, etc.

Fruits (organi fresh or frozen is best)
Blueberries
Strawberries
Blackberries
Raspberries
Cherries
Grapefruit
Lemon
Lime

Beverages
Purified, nonchlorinated water
Natural spring water, no carbonation added (i.e. Perrier)
Herbal teas (preferably organic)—unsweetened or with a small amount of raw honey or
Stevia
Raw vegetable juice (beet or carrot juice—maximum 25 percent of total)
Lacto-fermented beverages (recipes in book)
Certified organic coffee—buy whole beans, freeze them, and grind yourself when
desired; flavor only the organic cream and a small amount of honey.

Sweeteners
Unheated, raw honey in very small amounts (1 Tbsp. per day maximum)

Miscellaneous
Goat’s milk protein powder (Goatein by Garden of Life)

Phase II: Foods to Enjoy (2 weeks)

Meat
All meats listed in phase one

Fish
All fish listed in phase one

Poultry
All poultry listed in phase one

Eggs
Fish roe or caviar (fresh, no preserved)

Luncheon meat (organic and nitrite/nitrate free is best)
Turkey, sliced (free range, preservative free)
Roast beef, sliced (free range, preservative free)

Dairy (organic, grass-fed is best)
Homemade kefir from raw or nonhomogenized cow’s milk
Kefir from pasteurized, nonhomogenized cow’s milk
Raw cow’s milk hard cheeses
Cow’s milk cottage cheeses
Cow’s milk ricotta cheese
Cow’s milk plain whole-milk yogurt
Cow’s milk plain kefir
Cow’s milk plain sour cream
Raw goat’s milk

Fats and oils (organic is best)
Expeller-pressed peanut oil

Vegetables (organic fresh or frozen is best)
Sweet potatoes
Corn
Yams

Beans and legumes (soaked or fermented is best)
White beans
Black beans
Kidney beans
Navy beans
Tempeh (fermented soybean)

Nuts and seeds (organic, raw, soaked is best)
Walnuts (raw)
Macadamia nuts (raw)
Hazelnuts (raw)
Brazil nuts (raw)
Pecans (raw or soaked and low-temperature dehydrated)

Condiments, spices, seasonings (organic is best)
Ketchup (no sugar) [I get Westbrae brand, fruit-juice sweetened]
All-natural salad dressings (no sugar/corn syrup, no preservatives)
All-natural marinades (no sugar/corn syrup, no preservatives)

Fruits (organic fresh or frozen is best)
Apples
Apricots
Grapes
Melon
Peaches
Oranges
Pears
Plums
Kiwi
Pineapple
Pomegranates
Passion fruit
Guava

Beverages
Raw vegetable juice (beet or carrot—maximum 50 percent of total)
Coconut water

Sweeteners
Unheated raw honey (up to 3 Tbsp. per day)
Stevia

Phase III: Foods to Enjoy (2 weeks and/or indefinitely)

All Meat, Fish, Poultry, Eggs, Luncheon Meat, Dairy, Fats and Oils, Vegetables listed in Phases I and II.

Beans and legumes (soaked or fermented is best)
Add these along with what is listed in phases 1 and 2:
Pinto beans
Split peas
Red beans
Garbanzo beans
Broad beans
Lima beans
Black-eyed peas
Edamame (boiled soybeans) – in small amounts

Nuts and seeds (organic, raw, soaked is best)
Add these along with what is listed in phases 1 and 2:
Almonds (dry roasted)
Almond butter (roasted)
Walnuts (dry roasted)
Tahini (roasted)
Pecans (dry roasted)
Macadamia nuts (dry roasted)
Sunflower seeds (dry roasted)
Pumpkinseeds (dry roasted)
Pumpkinseed butter (roasted)
Sunflower butter (roasted)
Peanuts, dry roasted (must be organic) (in small quantities)
Peanut butter, roasted (must be organic) (in small quantities)
Cashews, raw or dry roasted in (small quantities)
Cashew butter, raw or roasted (in small quantities)

Condiments, spices, seasonings (organic is best) – all those listed in phases 1 and 2.

Fruits (organic fresh or frozen is best)
Along with fruits listed in phases 1 and 2, add:
Banana
Papaya
Mango
Canned fruit (in its own juices)
Dried fruit (no sugar or sulfites): raisins, figs, dates, prunes, pineapple, papaya, peaches,
and apples

Beverages
Along with beverages listed in phases 1 and 2, add:
Raw, unpasteurized vegetable juice
Raw, unpasteurized fruit juice
Organic wine and beer (in very small amounts)

Grains and starchy carbohydrates (whole-grain, organic, soaked or sprouted is best)
Sprouted Ezekiel-type bread
Sprouted Essene bread
Fermented whole-grain sourdough bread
Quinoa
Amaranth
Buckwheat
Millet
Kamut (in small quantities)
Sprouted cereal
Oats (in small quantities)
Brown rice (in small quantities; pre-soak in water and an acidic medium for 7-12 hrs. before cooking)
Spelt (in small quantities)
Barley (in small quantities)
Whole-grain kamut or spelt pasta (in small quantities)

Sweeteners
Along with sweeteners listed in phases 1 and 2, add:
Pure maple syrup

Sourdough At Last

2008-02-28T16:51:00.005-05:00

Two weeks ago I began my first at-home sourdough starter... using freshly ground rye flour (from rye berries ground in my small coffee bean mill) and filtered water. I put both in a mason jar, following Sue Gregg's recipe. I also referred to Sally Fallon's recipe in Nourishing Traditions. Both are similar. I let my starter ferment in a mason jar on the counter (feeding it daily as instructed) for 9 days. In total, it was a 10 day process. When done, I covered it tightly in a glass container and put it in the fridge.

I pulled my sourdough starter out last weekend to use in my first from-scratch batch of sourdough bread. As instructed, I took it from the fridge 12 hours before use. I then put one cup of starter in a glass bowl, added the called-for amount of flour (spelt in this case) and covered it for with a warm damp towel for 12 hours.

The next morning, i added all other ingredients. I used sprouted spelt flour for the additional called-for flour in the recipe.

It took a long time to rise because I did not use any yeast. Nothing to make it rise but the natural wild yeast starter itself.

After letting it rise a couple of times (it only rose about 1/4 of its mass instead of double)--and the second rise I did in the oven at 170 degrees to help it along a little--I divided the dough into two loaves, let them rise in the oven on low, and then baked them.

The bread turned out absolutely scrumptious. However, the next time I make sourdough bread, I won't divide the dough into two loaves so that I will end up with one regular-sized loaf. When not using traditional yeast, the dough just doesn't rise that much, so my loaves turned out rather small. They are wonderful dipped in soup, though, or with butter on them.

I've never liked sourdough bread. But the only kind I had ever tried was store-bought and probably not made from a starter. This homemade version of sourdough bread is wonderful and moist.

Microwave Oven = DANGER!

2008-02-13T12:08:00.008-05:00

You've probably heard it before, right? And it's hard to change old habits, I know. But, honestly, using the microwave is no laughing matter.

Read the research. And consider ditching your microwave oven and replacing it with a countertop convection oven, like the one by Hamilton Beach.

Here is a snapshot of some of the Swiss research that's been discovered concerning microwaved food and your health.

Eating microwaved food:
Increases cholesterol
Increases white blood cell numbers
Decreases red blood cell numbers
Causes production of radiolytic compounds (compounds unknown in nature)

The following discoveries were made by Russian researchers at the Instituteof Radio Technology at Klinsk, Byelorussia, and relayed to US researcher William Kopp:

1. Heating prepared meats in a microwave sufficiently for human consumption created:
* d-Nitrosodiethanolamine (a well-known cancer-causing agent)
* Destabilization of active protein biomolecular compounds
* Creation of a binding effect to radioactivity in the atmosphere
* Creation of cancer-causing agents within protein-hydrosylate compounds in milk and cereal grains

2. Microwave emissions also caused alteration in the catabolic (breakdown) behavior of glucoside - and galactoside - elements within frozen fruits when thawed in this way

3. Microwaves altered catabolic behavior of plant-alkaloids when raw, cooked or frozen vegetables were exposed for even very short periods

4. Cancer-causing free radicals were formed within certain trace-mineral molecular formations in plant substances, especially in raw root vegetables

5. Ingestion of micro-waved foods caused a higher percentage of cancerous cells in blood

6. Due to chemical alterations within food substances, malfunctions occurred in the lymphatic system, causing degeneration of the immune system=s capacity to protect itself against cancerous growth

7. The unstable catabolism of micro-waved foods altered their elemental food substances, leading to disorders in the digestive system

8. Those ingesting micro-waved foods showed a statistically higher incidence of stomach and intestinal cancers, plus a general degeneration of peripheral cellular tissues with a gradual breakdown of digestive and excretory system function

9. Microwave exposure caused significant decreases in the nutritional value of all foods studied, particularly:
* A decrease in the bioavailability of B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, essential minerals and lipotrophics
* Destruction of the nutritional value of nucleoproteins in meats
* Lowering of the metabolic activity of alkaloids, glucosides, galactosides and nitrilosides (all basic plant substances in fruits and vegetables)
* Marked acceleration of structural disintegration in all foods.

As a result of these findings, microwave ovens were banned in Russia in 1976; the ban was lifted after Perestroika.

MORE ON MICROWAVES:

Standing in front of the microwave is harmful to your body's cell activity.

MICROWAVED PLASTIC WRAP HAS 10,000,000 TIMES FDA LIMITS OF CARCINOGENS!

Ten Reasons to Throw out your Microwave Oven:

From the conclusions of the Swiss, Russian and German scientific clinical studies, we can no longer ignore the microwave oven sitting in our kitchens. Based on this research, we will conclude this article with the following:

1. Continually eating food processed from a microwave oven causes long term - permanent - brain damage by "shorting out" electrical impulses in the brain [de-polarizing or de-magnetizing the brain tissue].

2. The human body cannot metabolize [break down] the unknown by-products created in microwaved food.

3. Male and female hormone production is shut down and/or altered by continually eating microwaved foods.

4. The effects of microwaved food by-products are residual [long term, permanent] within the human body.

5. Minerals, vitamins, and nutrients of all microwaved food is reduced or altered so that the human body gets little or no benefit, or the human body absorbs altered compounds that cannot be broken down.

6. The minerals in vegetables are altered into cancerous free radicals when cooked in microwave ovens.

7. Microwaved foods cause stomach and intestinal cancerous growths [tumors]. This may explain the rapidly increased rate of colon cancer in America.

8. The prolonged eating of microwaved foods causes cancerous cells to increase in human blood.

9. Continual ingestion of microwaved food causes immune system deficiencies through lymph gland and blood serum alterations.

10. Eating microwaved food causes loss of memory, concentration, emotional instability, and a decrease of intelligence.

Have you tossed out your microwave oven yet?

Find out more about the harmful effects of eating microwaved food in the following resources:
http://www.vaccinetruth.org/microwave.htm
http://www.geocities.com/missionstmichael/MicrowaveCooking.html
http://www.ghchealth.com/microwave-ovens-the-proven-dangers.html

Eat Fresh Whole Grains—No Grain Mill Necessary

2008-02-08T16:38:00.001-05:00

You don't have to have a grain mill to eat fresh whole grains. If you have whole grains on hand, you can use them in simple blender batter recipes, as described on Sue Gregg's website. I have made a number of her blender batter recipes with success every time: pancakes, banana muffins, cornbread, almond coffee cake, etc.

All you need is a good quality blender, which most people have, and some whole grains and cultured dairy (either yogurt, kefir or raw milk). It's easy, healthy and inexpensive! Check out Sue Gregg's sample recipes.

I Bought a Cow Share!

2008-02-08T16:30:00.001-05:00

I finally did it folks, as of two days ago, I bought my very own cow share through Full Quiver Farm in Suffolk, Va. Now I have delicious raw milk every week.

All my life I've had a milk allergy, resulting in severe bloating, abdominal pain, gas and diarrhea. Since drinking raw milk, I have experienced none of these. If you suffer from milk allergies as well, I urge you to consider raw milk. It's been a miracle for me.

Read the latest documented research, including amazing health benefits, on RAW MILK. You'll be blown away.

Homemade Sprouted-Grain Bread

2008-01-31T14:39:00.000-05:00

Since the New Year, I have been making homemade bread every other week with flour made from grain that I have sprouted, dried, and ground at home. I can’t even begin to describe how easy it is, how delicious it is, and how much money I’m saving!

My routine is this: I bake a double batch of bread every two weeks. One batch equals two loaves. I make two loaves of sandwich bread with hard red wheat (sprouted), and two loaves of cinnamon (honey) raisin bread with hard white wheat (sprouted). For my husband and me, this lasts about 14 days. I’ve also made cinnamon rolls and pizza crust, and those are delicious as well.

You may ask, “Why are you troubling yourself with sprouting the grain before grinding it, and, in fact, why bother with grinding your own grain at all?”

Good question.

It was only two months ago that I discovered how easy sprouting grain can be—and how much healthier it is to sprout grain BEFORE consuming it! When grain is sprouted, it turns from a starch into a vegetable-like compound. So, when you eat bread made from sprouted grain—your body digests it like a vegetable! How cool is that. Whole grain is often difficult to digest, so sprouting it first neutralizes both the phytates (difficult-to-digest proteins) and the protective casing of the grain.

Flour ground from sprouted grain doesn’t taste any different that normal whole grain flour—it simply digests differently. People have been known to lose weight when switching from regular whole grain or white flour to sprouted whole grain flour because their bodies are not clinging to the starch during digestion.

Interested in making your own bread from sprouted flour?

Follow these steps:

1. Start Buying Whole Grain
Co-ops are a good place to start. Buy the grain in bulk to get the best price: hard red wheat, white wheat, spelt, kamut, etc. Store it properly—either in the fridge or in a cool, dry place, placing a bay leaf in with the grain to keep the critters away. Buying whole grain for flour is far less expensive than buying prepackaged whole grain flour from the store. On average 1 cup of grain = 1.5 cups of flour.

I purchase organic grain from Quail Cove Farms. They sell organic hard red wheat for .56 per pound at 25 lbs, and .52 per pound at 50 lbs! You can sprout grain, or grind it into flour first (using a coffee bean mill or grain mill) and then soak it in cultured milk as part of a recipe (read more below). Soaking also neutralizes the phytates.

2. Review Sue Gregg’s Website and/or Buy Her Whole Grain Baking Cookbook
Sue Gregg has already done all the experimenting for you, so all you have to do is follow her instructions and recipes! Here are two pamphlets available online as PDFs showing Sue Gregg’s most basic sprouted/soaked bread recipes: Sprouted Bread, Soaking Process.

3. Purchase a Food Dehydrator (or Use Your Oven)
Once you have sprouted the grain, it must be completely dried before grinding it into flour.

The food dehydrator I own is the Nesco American Harvest Snackmaster Encore Dehydrator and Jerky Maker. I bought it at Bed Bath and Beyond using one of their in-the-mail 20% off coupons. With the coupon, it only cost $48. It takes about 12 hours for sprouted grain to dry using the Nesco dehydrator. No supervision is needed. I find this the most convenient method for my busy lifestyle.

The other option is to dry grain using your oven. The ideal temperature for drying sprouted grain is 150 degrees. However, most modern ovens don’t go below 170. A friend of mind dries her sprouted grain in the oven at170 degrees for about 9 hours. During this time, she periodically opens the oven to release some of the heat so as not to over dry or burn the sprouts. This method, though, demands that you be at home.

4. Purchase Tulle (Netting) from the Fabric Store
You will need about one yard. It will cost you about $1 at most fabric stores. Choose a light color other than white so you can see the netting once you cut it to fit your dehydrator shelves. The netting is what your grain will rest on while drying, otherwise the grain is so small it will fall through the cracks of your dehydrator shelves.

5. Use 3-4 Quart-Sized Mason Jars
These will be used for the actual sprouting process. Follow Sue Gregg’s instructions available in the links above.

6. Purchase a Coffee Bean Mill or Grain Mill
If you already have a coffee bean mill, it will do nicely for making small recipes calling for no more than 3 cups of flour. You will grind 1/3 cup of sprouted grain at a time in your bean mill. This will equal about 1/2 a cup of flour. Coffee bean mills can be purchased for $15-$20.

>If you wish to purchase a grain mill, there are many varieties available. I own the grain mill attachment for the KitchenAid Mixer. This costs approximately $130-$150, depending on where you purchase it.

The simplest choice is to start with a coffee bean mill, especially if you already own one, and then consider getting a grain mill once you get the hang of sprouting and using sprouted grain on a regular basis.

Sprouting and grinding your own grain is much less expensive than purchasing sprouted grain available online. And, sprouted grain, once ground, should be used as soon as possible so that it maintains all its nutrients.

Organic Milk on Trial

2008-01-29T17:03:00.000-05:00

The Organic Consumers Organization reported on an article published in The Denver Post a few days ago concerning the treatment of cows that produce certified organic milk.

The issue is this: just because a cow is not treated with chemicals (via feed and shots), should that justify the "organic" label? Many farmers whose cows produce certified organic milk are being called to account for the treatment of their cows in other ways (e.g. grazing time and transition).

Of course, the simple solution to this issue is simply to get raw milk instead of organic milk. Find out more about the newest research on RAW MILK.

Bananas Going Extinct

2008-01-29T16:49:00.000-05:00

Sounds crazy right? The delicious, crescent-shaped, inexpensive fruit that so plentifully lines grocery store produce shelves may not last another 10 years some scientists say. Here's another article on the topic.

Unsafe Plastics

2008-01-29T16:41:00.001-05:00

Many plastic containers and water bottles are made of unsafe and carcinogen (cancer-causing) compounds. Specifically, plastic products labeled with a number 7 are particularly dangerous. Read more about this.

For more infomation, take a look at the list of safe vs. unsafe plastics.

Stainless steel water bottles are a safe option, as opposed to plastic.

Sprouted Grain Digests Like a Vegetable--and is Available Online

2008-01-21T17:55:00.000-05:00

Sprouted grain flour IS available for purchase online!

The scientific findings concerning sprouted grains will blow you away. Check out this site and discover how sprouting grains turns it from a starch into a vegetable!--AND why most gluten-senitive people are actually starch sensitive--making sprouted grain flour a healthy option for celiacs.

Here's another site that sells sprouted grain flour as well.

You'll notice that the sprouted flour on these sites is pricey. However, if you sprout grain yourself, you'll save quite a bit of money. Most organic hard red wheat sells for around .56-.68 per pound. There are nine cups of wheat in a pound, and 1 cup of grain equals 1.5 cups of flour! Think of how much money you'll save sprouting grain at home, drying it and then grinding it into flour for recipes. You can even use your coffee bean mill when grinding flour for small-to-medium recipes!

Cloned Meat and Milk on the Market

2008-01-21T17:29:00.000-05:00

The FDA recently approved the commercial sale of unlabeled cloned meat and milk. That means the next time you go to the store and buy a pound of ground beef or a gallon of milk, you don't know if it's coming from the offspring of a cloned cow or not!

Government scientist do not feel comfortable with the FDA's decision, claiming it unsafe.

The only way to be safe is to exclusively buy organic and/or trusted-label free-range beef and milk products. There are also ways to make your voice heard on this issue.

Heritage Health Food, Virginia Beach

2008-01-17T17:13:00.000-05:00

Heritage Health Food is the largest health food store in the Hampton Roads region. I have hesitated to review it on this site up until now. However, after a recent visit, I have decided to note the wonderful variety and somewhat competitive prices.

Heritage offers large bins of loose bulk items including grains, legumes, dried fruit, trail mixes, etc. The grain and legumes are very competitively priced, and cost about the same amount as similar items in other health food stores in the region, including in-store items at Organic Food Depot.

A number of items at Heritage are too highly priced, in my opinion, when compared to online shopping at Organic Food Depot or Quail Cove Farms co-ops. However, Heritage's in-stock selection is enormous. I found things like fruit-sweetened syrups, organic makeup lines, a large variety of nut butters, frozen items, spices and other goods, many of which one can only get through Organic Food Depot or Quail Cove Farms if it is ordered in bulk. Case in point: I'd rather not buy a 12-bottle case of blackberry fruit-sweetened syrup if I know I can purchase 1 bottle of it at Heritage, albeit at 1-2 dollars more per bottle.

So, Heritage Health Food is worth looking at if you time to shop and you can price compare.

They also offer an organic deli counter at Heritage--a nice lunch spot.

More Thoughts on Trader Joe's

2008-01-17T17:03:00.002-05:00

Many of you may have read my previous posting on Trader Joe's. I've recently come across more and more Maker's-Diet friendly options that they offer. And their prices are amazing.

Many of their products are fruit-sweetened instead of sugar- and corn-syrup sweetened. And their organic options are wide. They also carry organic cultured sour cream and organic cultured butter, as well as organic yogurt, etc.

Their free-range meat/fowl selection is large.

They also carry all-natural corn tortilla shells made of simply ground corn (no flour or corn meal used), water and lime. The lime is the key ingredient here. By using lime, this indicates that the corn has gone through a soaking process (an age-old tradition) in order to break down the phytates in corn, making it easier to digest. I buy these corn tortillas, cut them into fours, brush organic olive oil (or sometimes organic safflower oil--not a Maker's Diet approved oil) on them and cook them for 8-10 minutes at 450 degrees. When they're done, just add sea salt. They make delicious homemade tortilla chips!

Please add your thoughts about Trader Joe's and their selection by posting a comment!

London Times Says "Organic Really Is Better"

2007-11-20T09:52:00.000-05:00

At last it looks like people might to take the organic vs. non-organic issue seriously.

An article entitled "Official: organic really is better" appeared in the October 28, 2007, Sunday edition of The London Times.

According to results from a $25-million study on organic food, the largest of its kind to date, this four-year, European-Union-funded study found that:

• Organic fruit and vegetables contain up to 40% more antioxidants
• Organic produce had higher levels of beneficial minerals like iron and zinc
• Milk from organic herds contained up to 90% more antioxidants

The researchers obtained their results after growing fruit and vegetables, and raising cattle, on adjacent organic and non-organic sites. They say that eating organic foods can even help to increase the nutrient intake of people who don’t eat the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

The UK’s Food Standards Agency, which has formerly said that there is no difference between organic and conventional foods, is reviewing the research findings.

Everything Made Easier . . . by Sue Gregg

2007-11-12T17:31:00.000-05:00

Sue Gregg's website is full of irresistable healthy recipes that boast delicious flavor and cost-effectiveness. She provides a variety of free sample recipes (with pictures) online, as well as a collection of her cookbooks. Finally, here is someone who can share the secrets of cooking with things such as coconut oil, whole and alternative grains, sprouted/soaked grains, honey and maple syrup, etc. while applying Sally Fallon's Nourishing Traditions research. Check out Sue Gregg's Desserts cookbook (and her yogurt pie!) and Meals in Minutes cookbook (a time-saving relief).

It is so nice to find a resource for truly natural and healthy recipes. No more guesswork! Enjoy.

Soaking & Sprouting Made Easier

2007-10-25T11:21:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago, I discovered that my husband and I are both sensitive to gluten. Gluten is found in such grains as wheat, spelt, kamut, barley, rye, and oats. After doing some research, I was able to find a variety of companies that sell all sorts of convenient and tasty gluten-free items. But while doing this research, I found information suggesting that those with gluten sensitivities can tolerate these same grains if they have first been soaked or sprouted. (Of course, if I had referred to my Maker's Diet book, I might have rememberd this!)

So I vigorously refreshed my search for a way to make sprouting/soaking easy, convenient, and successful for me. My previous experience soaking flour before using is in breads/muffins resulted in a moderate success, but not what i would call a win. My biggest issue up to now with soaking flour for bread is that the dough is inevitably too runny to cook nicely. I have even felt guilty adding additional flour to my soaked recipes just before baking.

The good news is, I have recently discovered one woman's answer to this baking problem. Sue Gregg offers two free online pamplets which solve the dilemma inherent in soaked flour baking. Her answer? Yes, you absolutely have to add more flour before baking soaked bread ... BUT, you should add sprouted grain flour. This way you get the easy-to-digest benefit of both soaked and sprouted grains, and your bread turns out delicious and moist ... and those with gluten-sensitivities can usually eat it.

Read Sue Gregg's tips on:
Sprouted Bread
The Two Stage Process of Soaking

As you noticed if you read through the above PDFs, Sue Gregg recommends using a food dehydrator and a grain mill. After talking with a few people who sprout their own grain, dry it and grind it, I discovered that you can also dry sprouted grain in your home oven. Many recipes suggest doing so at 150 degree F. However, many ovens nowdays don't go lower than 170 degrees. However, a friend of mine says she dries her sprouts all the time with her oven set to 170 degrees. She periodically opens the oven door to check on them a few times over about 9 hours. So, for those of you not interested in getting a food dehydrator, it is possible to dry grain sprouts in your oven.

However, I have done some research on food dehydrators as well. So, if your interested in purchasing one, my findings are below:

Food Dehydrators:

Option #1: The Nesco American Harvest Dehydrator (I believe it's FD-61), which is recommended by Sue Gregg. It is available one this site for 59.95. It is also avaiable at a variety of other sites, including Bed Bath & Beyond.

Option #2: Wal-Mart version, well reviewed - $44.88

Option #3: Target version, highly reviewed - $69.99

The next thing on the list is getting a grain mill.

I struggled at first with where to get this while keeping in mind the following concerns: cost, quality, and convenience. I spent days doing research online cross-referencing customer reviews on a variety of product models.

I found some very helpful websites for doing this:

http://waltonfeed.com/self/grinder.html
This page offers a break-down chart for grain mills based on price, features, convenience, noise, etc. The one they mention called the "Whisper Mill" no longer exists and has been replaced by the Nutrimill: http://waltonfeed.com/self/grinder.html

http://waltonfeed.com/self/grind5.html
This page offers more research and specifics on the results of each model reviewed.

http://www.wheatmiller.com/press/letters.html
This site notes that the “Best Grain Mill" offered by Lehmans.com—which I originally considered purchasing—is more faulty than Lehman’s leads one to believe. This site also notes that the Country Living Grain Mill (turned by hand, not motorized) is the best on the market. However, its costs around $300-$350.

Now, that all said. I spoke with my friend who is an avid Maker's Diet cook, and she highly recommended the grain mill attachment for the Kitchenaid mixer as it works well and does not heat up as it grinds the grain. This is a reasonable option for people who already have a Kitchenaid mixer. It costs around $99 and is available through a variety of vendors: Bed Bath & Beyond, Macy's, JcPenney's, Kohl's, etc. And, since I do have a Kitchenaid mixer, I will probably purchase the attachment.

However, for those of you who don't own a Kitchenaid mixer, I have documented some additional grain mill options:

Grain Mills:

Option #1: The Family Grain Mill - only $69 on this site. This same model is also available on this site - but for $109.

Option #2: The Kitchen Mill Wheat Grinder by K-Tec - $168-$211, depending where online you purchase. Here is another seller. It is also available for a little less cost on some sites if you are willing to purchase a slightly used one. If you are interested, do a search on the product to see what is available. This model is motor-based so you don’t have to grind the grain by hand. It grinds very finely, holds up to 24 cups, and grinds at a very low temperature. It has received wonderful reviews online, but like almost all electric grain mills, it makes a lot of noise.

Option #3: The Nutrimill Grain Mill - $259. I've also seen it on Amazon.com for $254. This one has all the great features of The Kitchen Mill Wheat Grinder by K-Tec, but in addition it is very quiet.

Things to remember, though: most electric grain mills like options #2 and #3 above will heat the grain sprouts as they are ground. Most hand-turned grain mills will NOT heat the grain. Heating the grain during the grinding process can compromise some of the nutritional value. So, this is something to keep in mind.

As I did research on the web, the most highly recommended grain mill is the Country Living Grain Mill. However, it can cost between $300 and $375 depending on which website you look at. So, you may find that the options mentioned above will be more practical for your needs.

In addition to a food dehydrator and a grain mill, another appliance which has been highly recommended to me for natural baking/cooking is the Hamilton Beach Countertop Oven with Convection and Rotisserie. This appliance can bake two 12-inch pizzas or cook up to a 4-lb rotisserie chicken. It could also easily be used to dry sprouted grain as well as it's temperature can be set as low as 150 degrees. (This appliance does not have a toaster-oven feature.) The best deal on this item is through Circuit City online, where it is currently on sale for only $76.49.

Let me know if the above information has been helpful. Happy baking!

Why Sprout?

2007-10-24T15:19:00.000-04:00

Here's another helpful explanation, this one on the health benefits of sprouted grain. This article breaks it down into these categories: Nutrition, Ecology and Economy, Easy to Grow. The article goes on to provide a chart for sprouting a variety of grains, seeds, legumes and other things. These simple how-to tips are very helpful. The article suggests you can simply eat the sprouts as a raw food. Another way to consume them is to dry the sprouts in a 150-degree oven or food dehydrator and then grind them into flour for use in cooking and baking.

Soaking Nut, Grains, Seeds, and Legumes

2007-10-24T09:56:00.000-04:00

Are you curious about the age-old culinary art of soaking foods before cooking them? Have you read my posts on this website and wondered why soaking such things as grains and legumes before cooking and consuming them is so helpful to the digestive system?

Here's your answer: a marvelous explanation of exactly what happens to nuts, grains, seeds, and legumes when you soak them, and a few suggestions as to soaking/cooking methods.

"Best Nutrient Bang for Your Buck"

2007-10-24T09:51:00.000-04:00

Read this wonderfully succinct and informative explanation about how to choose foods that will give you the most "nutrient bang for your buck." For those of you who are new to my blog and often have questions about what really constitutes a "nutritious food," read and enjoy.

The Environmental Magazine

2007-10-23T15:24:00.000-04:00

I have recently subscribed to emagazine.com, an online environmentally-focused e-magazine, due to its wonderfully informative contents on anything green. Take a look. Very interesting articles this week!

Funk Butter: Natural Deodorant

2007-10-22T17:31:00.000-04:00

Have you been searching for a natural, aluminum-free deodorant that actually works and isn't wet, sticky, and gets all over your clothes? Well, I have your answer: Funk Butter.

Funk Butter is an all-natural, aluminum-free deodorant (it is not an anti-perspirant) made by Oyin Handmade, an online company that provides exceptional service and amazing one-of-a-kind handmade products made especially for you each time you order.

For the first time, I've found a deodorant that actually keeps me smelling ... like absolutely nothing! I've tried the over-the-counter deodorants/anti-persperants, which I know are not healthy for me because of the aluminum contents. I've tried natrual deodorants including Crystal, Avalon, Kiss My Face, and a multitude of online natural deodorants claiming to be IT.

But so far, only one has ever worked! Funk Butter. Check it out. I highly recommend you get only their unscented products as the scents they use are very strong. So if you have allergies or are sensitive to smells, the scents may be too strong for you. And, while they do use some natural essential oils, the ingredients list also mentions essential frangrances, which are not always "natural." So, stick with the unscented. It won't make any difference as far as body odor goes. I use their unscented Funk Butter and never even miss a scent to mask any smell . . . why? Because there is none. Thanks to Oyin!

Since each product you order is handmade, once your order is processed, it can take up to 2 weeks for your order to be shipped to you, which means you may not receive your order for 3 weeks once you place it online. But the wait is well worth it. Shipping is a flat rate of around $6 no matter what you order or how much of it. Funk Butter is made from all natural ingredients and comes in a 4 oz. tin sold for $4.50. You apply it sparingly with your fingertips. I have found on really warm days that I need to apply it twice--once in the morning and once in the afternoon. But on mild to cool days, one dose lasts all day. (Do not apply right after shaving.)

Oyin also provides a number of other wonderful products, one of my favorites being their Whipped Shea Butter. This is pure shea butter that's been whipped until it's light and fluffy. A treat for dry skin. (Again, stick with the unscented flavor.)

I hope this post will help those of you who've been looking for a natural, chemical-free deodorant that actually works. With Funk Butter, you've found it!

P.S. If you decide to order some, let me know by posting a comment (or emailing me -- those of you who know me). I'm interested in splitting an order with someone to save on shipping.

Toxic Chemicals in the Body

2007-10-22T16:41:00.000-04:00

It's another one, friends. Check out this article. Find out how this mom discovered her child had 7 times the toxicity level as his parents -- all from the harmful chemicals found in the everyday items we use!

Sami's Bakery - What a find!

2007-10-22T15:11:00.000-04:00

While Jordan Rubin in his book The Maker's Diet recommends that we limit our intake of unsprouted/unsoaked grains, he does suggest that it is alright to have small quantities of grains/flours that are unsoaked/unsprouted.

Sami's Bakery is a wonderful option for these types of items.

They carry gluten-free millet and brown rice breads, flat breads, rolls, muffins, hamberger/hot dog buns, and even cookies (only the honey-sweetened ones).

Sami's pita chips are particularly good, as well as their lavash and burger buns.

Sami's Bakery products are available locally in Hampton Roads through the Organic Food Depot.

Here is a reminder of Rubin's list of approved grains/flours for easy digestion:

Grains and starchy carbohydrates (whole-grain, organic, soaked is best)
Sprouted Ezekiel-type bread
Sprouted Essene bread
Fermented whole-grain sourdough bread
Quinoa
Amaranth
Buckwheat
Millet
Kamut (in small quantities)
Sprouted cereal
Oats (in small quantities)
Brown rice (in small quantities)
Spelt (in small quantities)
Barley (in small quantities)
Whole-grain kamut or spelt pasta (in small quantities)

Baby Cold Medicine Possibly Deadly

2007-10-19T15:51:00.000-04:00

Remember this article the next time your baby has a cold. It's amazing what over-the-counter drugs are avaiable at the local pharmecy these days, especially ones, it seems, that have not been sufficiently tested prior to distribution.

Alzheimer's a Form of Diabetes?

2007-10-19T15:40:00.000-04:00

Here is an interesting article linking Alzheimer's with diabetes.

A friend of mind said this about the article:

"The research in this study and concurrent ones reveals a lot of factual information to educate us about how foods and chemicals are directly affecting our brains and how they control other organs and functions in our bodies. Eating has to be about being a good steward of yourself and all the daily functions of your body that you can LOSE if you eat chemicals, processed foods (loose interpretation), and satisfy your cravings rather than feed your body fue l(proper food) to run optimally and maintain YOU."

Aptly put.

Honey-Sweetened Whole Grain Banana Muffins

2007-10-04T11:28:00.000-04:00

After much experimenting (and many batches of underdone or burnt banana bread/muffins), I have finally discovered how to successfully make banana muffins using no sugar—only honey as the sweetener. I began by using my great-grandmother’s banana bread recipe and substituting, replacing, removing and adding ingredients. Enjoy!

Honey-Sweetened Whole Grain Banana Muffins
By D. Nelson

Set oven to 325 degrees. Prepare muffin pans with paper muffin cups, or grease muffin pan with extra-virgin coconut oil.

Combine and set aside:
- 2 cups whole grain flour (I use spelt)
- 1½ tsp. baking soda
- dash of salt
- ½-1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

In separate bowl combine:
- 3 very ripe bananas (best if they are overripe and their skins are turning black)
- ½ cup softened butter (2 sticks)
- ¾ cup honey
- ¼ cup plain whole milk yogurt (add to yogurt: a couple drops water and a couple drops vinegar to sour; try make the total about ¼ cup)

Add dry ingredients to wet ones. Stir.

Fill muffin cups ½-¾ of the way.

Bake for 40-45 minutes. Perfection!

Hidden Danger in Air Fresheners

2007-10-04T11:09:00.000-04:00

Whether you know it or not, a dangerous group of chemicals is hiding in most of the fragranced products being sold on store shelves in America today. These are called phthalates. One especially dangerous one is known as DBP.

You may have heard of phthalates before. I’ve mentioned them in other posts on this site.

Read this important news article on the specific air fresheners that do and don’t contain these harmful chemicals.

Phthalates are also commonly found in nail polish, cologne, perfume, cosmetics of every kind, body care products (shampoos, lotions, oils), etc. Basically anything on the commercial market that is scented contains phthalates. Even candles. (See my blog called “Finding Safety: Body Care, Hair Care, Skin Care, and Cosmetics” for alternatives to these phthalate-filled products.)

You can find out more about these harmful effects at www.safecosmetics.org (click “Scientific Reports” on the left).

Use www.cosmeticsdatabase.com as another resource for safe alternatives to phthalate-filled products.

Link Between Cancer and Cell Phones?

2007-09-05T11:49:00.000-04:00

Check out the research in this article.

Perhaps using an earpiece connection or the hands-free feature might be a healthy option.

Good Deal on Coconut Oil

2007-09-05T11:44:00.000-04:00

I recently discovered that Vitamin Shoppe offers a good deal of Nutiva's Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. Their 29 oz jar is only $14.99 compared to more than $16 through Organic Food Depot (OFD) and $18.99 through Quail Cove Farms (QCF). I made the discovery at the Vitamin Shoppe on Greenbrier Parkway in Chesapeake, Va., but I'd guess that other stores in the chain across the country offer similar pricing.

Costco Eggs, Cheese, Beef, and Salmon

2007-08-05T13:23:00.001-04:00

On a recent visit to Costco, I discovered that they carry Kerrygold's Dubliner cheese (2 lbs for about $5). It is not "raw" cheese, but is still from grass-fed cows (no antibiotics or hormones). Costco also carries very well-priced organic, grass-fed beef hamburger patties (8 per pack)in the freezer section. In addition, they carry organic, omega-3 eggs (packs of 2 dozen) for $5, that's $2.50 per doz--a very good deal; and they also carry frozen, wild Alaskan Salmon for a very good price.

Quail Cove Farms Price Comparison

2007-08-03T15:12:00.000-04:00

Here is a spreadsheet listing a sampling of the products carried by Quail Cove Farms in comparison other local competitors.

My First Quail Cove Pick-up

2007-08-03T14:08:00.000-04:00

I picked up my first Quail Cove Farms order this morning. I can't believe how much stuff I got for so little money! The smell of the fresh Amish butter was intoxicating as was the look of the cheese, chicken, eggs, juice, jam, spices, bread and veggies. I was even given a few Quail Cove Farms (QCF) fresh veggies "on the house!"

One of my secrets to figuring out what and how much I will need during the upcoming month was by planning out my family's meals for the next four weeks. I created a chart, decided on dinners and other meals/snacks (based on how much we've gone through per week in the past), and then made a list of all the items I'll need from Quail Cove to make it through the month. The items that I know I can purchase for less elsewhere I put on a seperate list and divided it into two-week columns. In this way, I'm hoping to lessen the amount of shopping trips I make in any given month. Up until now, on average, I have made grocery trips to 3-4 stores every week. This month, with my new monthly-food chart, I hope to only go to 3-4 stores once every two weeks. I may have to pick up produce weekly, but this will still be less shopping than I normally undertake. This will also save on gasoline.

Look for my Quail Cove Farms price comparison Excel chart in my next posting. I will also put together an electronic copy of my monthly menu/grocery list so that anyone interested can take a look.

Quail Cove Farms (Co-op)

2007-07-25T17:14:00.000-04:00

An acquaintance of mine recently shared some great news with me! - There is another co-op, Quail Cove Farms (QCF), in the Hampton Roads area, this one on the Eastern Shore. QCF makes deliveries once a month to locations up and down the East Coast, from Maryland to North Carolina. Many of their prices are extremely competitive. You can purchase products (produce, grocery, perishable, frozen) in bulk and save. And the quality of the products, particularly the produce, butter and free-range turkey, chicken and eggs, is top-notch!

I am currently working on a spreadsheet showing the price comparison of a variety of Maker's diet-friendly items through QCF and the Organic Food Depot, among other stores. I will post this in a few days.

Fasting: Make it a Regular Habit

2007-07-19T12:59:00.000-04:00

When I first started eating according to the The Maker’s Diet I followed it to the letter, beginning at phase 1, fasting on the fourth day, and progressing to phases 2 and then 3. But over the past couple of years I have not fasted once as Jordan Rubin recommends. According to Rubin’s research, fasting has aided and even cured those with severe illnesses. I was reminded recently of the importance of giving the digestive system a “day of rest.”

Rubin recommends a “partial fast” in his book, which includes abstaining from eating or drinking anything except water, small amounts of home-squeezed organic vegetable juice (not fruit), or kombucha (or other lacto-fermented beverage) for one whole day, except for a small, easily digestible meal in the early evening. That small evening meal can include any few of the following in minimal portions: meat, poultry, fish, raw cheese (only raw or cultured dairy products – no sugar), eggs, vegetables, fruit (no fruit juice), sprouted or soaked breads or grains, lacto-fermented beans or lentils, etc.

The point is to relieve the hard-working intestinal tract, and give it a day off. During this day of fasting, Rubin recommends taking 2-3 doses of Garden of Life’s Super Seed Fiber Powder (available at Vitamin Shop and OFD). This special fiber powder is unlike anything else on the market. It is predigested through a sprouting process, making it easy for the body to break down. I do not recommend taking any other fiber powder but Super Seed while fasting. Commercial fiber powders, pills, capsules, etc. are not predigested and put undue strain on the intestines, so it is best to avoid them completely.

This past week I decided to re-implement a weekly day of partial fasting as Rubin suggests. I did this particularly because, despite my healthy eating, I have been feeling bloated, excessively hungry, and digestively uncomfortable at times. I chose Sunday as my fasting day, particularly because as a natural break in my routine, I figured it would be easier to go without food on a day when I am resting anyway.

As a result, the very next day, I found that my appetite had decreased back to what it should be (in essence my stomach had shrunk a bit), I was no longer bloated, I no longer craved certain foods (even natural sweetners), and my digestive system became more regular. Overall, I feel fantastic!

I highly recommend that even if you are a healthy eater that you consider doing a weekly day of at least partial fasting. I can’t believe it has taken me so long to implement this as a part of my regular routine. Try it. You’ll be surprised how much good it will do you!

Trillium Organics Links to My Blog!

2007-07-19T12:46:00.000-04:00

Many of you probably read my recent post that provided a link to Trilium Organics' webpage on which my feedback about their products is posted in the form of a customer quote. I emailed them and asked if they could link my name to my Organic Fanatic blog page. They did! Check it out: www.trilliumorganics.com/facepol.html.

Perdue Chicken

2007-07-18T11:15:00.000-04:00

I was recently asked about the safetly and authenticity concerning supposedly "all-natural" Perdue chicken. Since I myself did not know the answer, I looked into the issue.

According to Perdue's website, they do not inject their chickens with hormones or antibiotics, and according the packaging label, they do not use artificial preservatives or additives either.

Their chickens are fed corn, soybeans, grains and vitamins and minerals. These chickens are not free-range, but are bred and grown at large farms contracted with Perdue. We can assume from the fact that the poultry is not injected with antibiotics that their living environments and food are relatively clean and safe. However, this does not mean that they are necessarily raised in open barns or farm yards.

According to Jordan Rubin in The Maker's Diet and Sally Fallon in Nourishing Traditions, the best poultry options are always either certified organic or (especially) free-range chicken. The diet of free-range chicken produces additional vitamins and nutrients not found in barn-raised chickens fed solely on corn, soy and grains, even if they are organic. Therefore free-range poultry is always the most beneficial, as are free-range eggs.

However, if your budget does not allow you to purchase free-range poultry, Perdue is at least a better option than other commercially-raised chicken.

In addition, Harris Teeter now offers bags of frozen organic chicken breasts (5 pk.) in their freezer section for $12.99, a very reasonable price for organic chicken. Harris Teeter also carries organic free-range whole chickens in their meat/poultry cooler section.

Duck and Quail at Harris Teeter

2007-07-13T17:13:00.000-04:00

Just today I saw that Harris Teeter has added two items to their frozen section: duck breast fillets and preseasoned quail. The duck breasts come from a group of Amish Farms. The preseasoned quail has not hormones or antibiotics, but the preseasoning isn't organic. However, it might be a fun change to try them. They both look delicious.

My Comment Got Posted on Trillium!

2007-07-13T17:08:00.000-04:00

Trillium Organics, the organic skin and body care company I have so highly recommended, has revamped their website this month. In fact, my feedback in response to their Oil-Free Face Polish has been posted on their website! Check it out: www.trilliumorganics.com/flacepol.html.

Kerrygold Butter

2007-07-10T14:12:00.001-04:00

As many of you may have already read in my blog, I have been planning to experiment with making my own butter. However, after more than a month I have had not gotten around to it. This past week I finally decided to scout around for a high-quality, cultured butter from pasture-fed cows.

I discovered a brand that I am now in love with: Kerrygold. Kerrygold is an Irish company that produces high-quality butter and cheese. The milk that Kerrygold uses to produce their products comes from a number of small farmers scattered all over Ireland. The cows are pasture-fed and are never given hormones or antibiotics. The butter contains no artificial ingredients or preservatives and is made from cultured pasturized cream. (I was glad to see that the cream, though pasturized, is at least cultured.) It is a deep, rich golden color, characteristic of pasture-fed cow's milk butter. And it is delicious! I have never beofre seen butter this yellow, or tasted butter this good.

I have yet to try their cheeses, but I will do that next!

For those of you local to Hampton Roads, you can purchase Kerrygold products through the Organic Food Depot. Enjoy!

Harris Teeter: Frozen Meats

2007-07-10T13:38:00.000-04:00

Thanks to my husband's keen eye, I recently discovered that Harris Teeter is now carrying bags of organic chicken breasts (5 pk.) in the freezer section for $12.99. In addition, they have frozen ground bison (natural: no antibiotics, no hormones, vegetarian fed) for $5.99 lb, frozen organic beef hot dogs for $4.99, frozen organic hamburger patties (didn't catch the price), and packages of two frozen Purdue game hens (no antibiotics, hormones or artificial ingredients/preservatives) for $7.99, I believe.

This is just one more option when searching for healthy meats.

Beef, Elk, Duck, Goose, and Game Hen at Central Meats

2007-07-05T16:56:00.000-04:00

I discovered this past weekend that in addition to their standard beef and chicken, Central Meats also carries all natural/free range buffalo (ground, steak, burger patties, etc.) and all natural/pasture-fed elk burger patties as well. These are available in their frozen section.

In addition, they also carry frozen duck, goose and game hen. However, these are commercial, I believe.

Wise Traditions: Sally Fallon Responds

2007-06-21T17:00:00.000-04:00

I recently stumbled across a website produced by the Weston A. Price Foundation featuring a FAQ section with responses by Sally Fallon, author of Nourishing Traditions, which I have mentioned before and which Jordan Rubin references in his books.

Fallon discusses a host of foods and health issues, including soy, supplements, the benefits of cod liver oil, sweeteners and concerns with raw dairy just to name a few.

If you haven’t read her book yet, reading her answers to some of these questions will give you an idea of her stance on nutrition.

Making Kombucha at Home

2007-06-21T16:09:00.000-04:00

You may have read my previous blog on kombucha, a raw, highly nutritious fermented drink containing naturally occurring vitamins, probiotics, amino acids, antioxidants, etc.

After a month of purchasing kombucha from the store, I am considering ordering a starter kombucha “mushroom” and making the drink myself at home. It only costs 20 cents a cup when made a home! Whereas, if you purchase it at a health food store, it usually costs $3.50-$4.00 per 32 oz. bottle

There are a number of places online where you can order a kombucha starter. Sally Fallon specifically recommends two websites:

www.gemcultures.com

www.laurelfarms.com

I particularly recommend you check out the Laurel Farms website. Laurel Farms is the only place you get a starter kombucha “mushroom” and kit that has been approved by the FDA. Laurel Farms website also gives instructions on how to make kombucha at home.

The kombucha benefits are enormous. Read more.

One thing you may notice when purchasing kombucha, even the kind that contains 5% fruit juice, is the somewhat sour taste. But due to the added fruit juice in some versions sold at the health food store, the taste is quite palatabe, even delicious. My sister has made kombucha at home and commented on the extremely potent sour taste of the homemade version of the brew. However, if you mix it with a small amount of fruit juice, you can take the edge off of it quite easily.

Soaked-Flour Breads

2007-06-21T16:05:00.000-04:00

I have continued reading Sally Fallon’s Nourishing Traditions and have been attempting many of her recipes. For those of you who don’t know, Fallon’s bread recipes call for the flour to be soaked in yogurt, kefir or homemade cultured buttermilk (or water and homemade whey for those with milk allergies) for 12-24 hours prior to baking. (Many of these recipes are also referenced in Jordan Rubin's The Maker's Diet.

I made my first loaf of bread (banana bread to be exact) this way the other night. It ended up taking 2.5 hours to cook and I still do not think that it tastes banana-y enough. However, the bread is very moist and the texture is delicious. I have decided to alter the recipe the next time by adding an additional banana, as well as a ½-¾ cup of additional flour just before baking. I think this may help the flavor and the baking time.

In addition, I made her basic muffin recipe (adding blueberries for a blueberry muffin version) last night. After the long cooking time of the banana bread, I was worried that the muffins might take just as long also. So, after soaking the flour for 24 hours in water and whey, I added the rest of the ingredients (doubling the amount of maple syrup called for to ensure the muffins were sweet enough for my taste), then I added an additional cup to cup-and-a-half of spelt flour to thicken the batter a bit. (I like spelt flour best for baking.) Rather than taking 1 hour to bake as the recipe indicated, my muffins only took 30 minutes to bake. I’m sure that was due to the additional flour. The muffins taste fine, although they are a bit hearty and not as moist as the banana bread. In addition they are not blueberry tasting enough. Simply adding 7 blueberries on top of the dough just doesn’t cut it. The next time I make them, I’ll mash ½ cup of blueberries and add it to the batter, and add only ½ cup of additional flour at the end rather than a full cup. Then I’ll continue to add the blueberries on the top of the muffin dough prior to baking.

Soaked flour breads are much healthier for you than regular breads as they allow the flour to sour and ferment, giving it a natural ability to rise without the help of yeast or other additives, and breaking down the hard-to-digest qualities of the grain so that your body can more easily absorb the nutrients.

My next project will be attempting Fallon’s Sourdough Bread Start recipe, which calls for rye flour and takes 7 days to make. From there I’ll be able to use the starter to make real, old-fashioned sourdough bread. Sourdough starters can also be bought online (if you do not wish to take the time to make them yourself): www.gemcultures.com/bread_leavens.htm

Sourdough bread can then be used not only for sandwiches, but also for other recipes like kvass and other healthy fermented beverages.

The Maker’s Diet: How to Get Started

2007-06-07T10:27:00.001-04:00

The Maker’s Diet is a 40-day plan to help reboot your body and make a lifestyle change in your eating habits. If you have read the book, you’ll know there are three phases to the 40-day plan: Phase 1 (restricted diet/cleanse), Phase 2 (less restricted diet/cleanse), Phase 3: how you will be eating for the rest of your life.

If you are healthy person and/or do not feel the need to lose any weight, Jordan Rubin suggests that you can simply start at Phase 3. If, however, you are suffering from an illness or condition and would like to do a cleanse to detoxify your body and/or lose weight, you should start with Phase 1.

If you have decided to start at Phase 1, then you should look at the list of foods at the back The Maker’s Diet that you are to eat during that phase and do your grocery shopping accordingly.

If, however, you would like to start with Phase 3 and simply slowly transition from the way you are currently eating to a Maker’s Diet lifestyle, here is a list of what I consider to be the initial essentials:

Distilled, Pure Water – If you get it at the grocery store, make sure it says distilled somewhere on the label at least. Some companies just label them “pure,” “drinking water” or “spring water." Some of these may be distilled, but not all of them are. So look with a savvy eye at what you're purchasing Better yet, find a pure water store in your area that distills and purifies its water.

Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil - I order Wilderness Family's Extra Virginia Traditional Fermented Philippine Coconut Oil in bulk along with a group of friends. We purchase a case of 6 1-gallon buckets. Each is around $50. It lasts a long time, you can use it in all your cooking/baking, and the Wilderness Family brand tastes less "coconuty" than any other brand I've tried. If you're not interested in ordering from Wilderness Family, Nutiva is a decent brand that is cost effective.

Organic Unrefined Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Spectrum or Napa Valley is what I get – it’s unrefined and cold-pressed)

Organic or Free-range, Raw Cow’s Milk Cheese - Horizon now sells raw cow’s milk cheese. Organic Food Depot also offers raw cow's milk cheese - the brand name is Morningland Dairy. However, I purchase raw milk cheese through Quail Cove farms because it is a comparable price to the other brands, but more importantly it tastes so much better! They carry two good brands: Bunker Hill raw milk cheddar and Minerva signature raw white cheddar. Both are delicious.

Raw or Nonhomogenized Whole Cow’s Milk - from organically fed or preferably free-range, pastured cows – If you are hestitant to make the committment to raw milk (necessitating investment in a cow share if you live in Virginia), then your next best option is something like what Yoder Dairies provides. Yoder Dairies is located just off the corner of Princess Ann and Kempsville in Virginia Beach. If you live elsewhere, do a search for a local dairy in your area … make sure the cattle are not given hormones or antibiotics and there are no preservatives or additives in the milk.

Free-range Eggs - I get mine through Quail Cove Farms. They are the least expensive free-range eggs I've yet to find: 2.79 per dozen, and they're large and delicious. Yoder Dairies also carries free-range eggs from time to time. Organic Food Depot also sells local free-range eggs (Wilda's) for about $3.50 per dozen.

Organic Whole Milk Plain Yogurt (for smoothies – go here http://www.biblicalhealthinstitute.com/Resources/JordanRubinsRecipes/tabid/80/itemid/206/Default.aspx for a recipe) – Purchase plain, organic whole milk yogurt from pasture-fed cows. Seven Star Dairy is my favorite brand. It is available through Organic Food Depot. I purchase fruit (usually stawberries) seperately (enough for 2 cups), puree them in the blender, adding 2 Tbsp of raw honey and 2 Tbsp of pure maple syrup. I then add this to my plain, organic whole milk yogurt. This recipe makes the most delicious yogurt I've ever had--and without sugar!

Raw Honey - Obtaining raw, unfiltered, unheated honey is very important. However, as it is expensive, I have a few suggestions. If you and your family eat honey on toast, in homemade salad dressing or in anything else unheated, use a brand like Really Raw Honey, or something comparable like Honey in the Rough, or Al & Bea's Pure Honey (Elizabeth City, N.C.) Be sure this honey has never been heated and is completely unfiltered. Honey such as this is avaialbe through places like Organic Food Depot, some Vitamin Shoppe stores, and of course through local bee farmers. If your finances do not allow you to use raw unheated honey for cooking/baking, purchase something such as local unfiltered, raw honey (produced by Golden Angels Apiary - available through Organic Food Depot) which has never been heated above 110 degrees. While this is slightly heated honey, it is more cost-effective when baking wherein the honey will be heated anyway. One option for Virginians is Golden Angels Apiary raw, unheated, Tupelo, light and mild in 5 lb jars for around $20.

Sprouted Whole Grain Bread or Whole Grain Spelt, Kamut, or Sourdough Bread – Berlin Bread Factory is a good brand or Food for Life's Ezekiel Bread (although I like it better toasted). If you are like me, you may prefer to make your own bread, which is extremely cost-effective. I purchase organic wheat berries (grain) for anywhere from .52-.71 per pound, depending on brand and if I purchase in bulk. This is extremely inexpensive. I also purchase spelt berries (grain) as well for around $1.09 per pound. I also buy a variety of other grains including Kamut, barley, rye, dry corn, rice, etc. All of these items I get through Quail Cove Farms, which has the best prices on grain in the Hampton Roads area. I sprout the grain, dry it and grind it into flour for baking bread. If you don't wish to sprout your grain, you can also use it for soaked recipes. Sue Gregg's recipe books offer a number of usage options for whole grains using simple, everyday appliances such as a blender and coffee bean mill. If you do not have the time for this, try to stick to Ezekiel bread for the benefits of sprouted grains.

Other Sprouted Grains – hamburgers, burrito/taco shells, hot dog buns, etc. All of sorts of items are available in a sprouted-grain format through companies like Food for Life and Alvarado Street Bakery.

Pure Maple Syrup (organic or natural)—we buy ours at Costco in bulk, not organic but it’s still pure.

Organic Fruits and Veggies – Organic Food Depot carries an enormous selection of competitvely-priced produce. Many of their items are even less expensive than non-organic produce at other grocery stores like Farm Fresh and Harris Teeter, etc. For example, I have purchased organic green peppers for .51 cents each and organic red peppers for $1.51 each at Organic Food Depot. See my blog for the link to what fruits and veggies to buy organic.

Organic or Free-Range Meat - Organic Food Depot sells a wonderful local brand called Gryffon's Aerie. Their beef is the most delicious, free-range beef I've ever eaten. (I also sometimes buy the organic Naturals beef at Harris Teeter because it’s certified.) Another fantastic option is Trader Joe's, which carries a wide selection of free-range meats. (Just make sure the meat you’re getting is antibiotic free, hormone free and preservative/additive free.)

Organic or Free-Range Chicken - I buy chicken through Quail Cove Farms. They sell Amish-raised free-range chicken that is priced so well my friends can't believe it. Harris Teeter also sells organic chicken, but is it far more expensive than Quail Cove Farms.

Celtic Sea Salt - Available at both Heritage Health Food store and Organic Food Depot. Real Kosher Sea Salt via OFD is also a decent option.

Seasonings – Get rid of all seasonings in your cupboard that have sugar in them. Replace them with organic and/or natural seasonings as you can afford. Your seasonings should never say "natural flavorings" on the ingredient label. This could mean they contain MSG. The most cost-effective seasonings that I've found are available through Quail Cove Farms. You can buy them per cup or per pound. Either way, it equals a huge savings!

Organic, Unfiltered Juice - You want to purchase juice as close to raw as possible; not from concentrate. Harris Teeter, Farm Fresh or Organic Food Depot all carry not-from concentrate organic juice. Bionature is a good brand.

These are the major things you should start by changing. When my husband and I switched to eating this way, it was very costly at first because I wasn’t sure where to find the things we needed, and we ended up overspending simply from lack of information as to where to purchase things in our area. We do not have a Whole Foods in Hampton Roads, so I went to a lot of small, overprice health food stores in the area at first. When we found the Organic Food Depot and Quail Cove Farms, I was overjoyed. Then when Harris Teeter and Farm Fresh started carrying some organic foods, particularly Harris Teeter’s very reasonably priced ones, it became even easier to shop organically on a budget.

For those of you wanting to start eating according to The Maker’s Diet, don’t be afraid about the money. If you plan your meals and snacks ahead of time, you can shop and eat following The Maker’s Diet with only a small increase in your budget. For example, before switching to this way of eating, I had a budget of $100 per week for food for my husband and me. Now that we are eating The Maker’s Diet way, I spend about $115-125 per week. Overall, that’s only about a maximum one-quarter increase in my budget—-not bad considering how much better we both feel eating this way.

Here are a list of other things to add to your as continue to transition into Phase 3:

Make sure the nuts you buy are raw and organic – commercial nuts absorb a lot of pesticides. Before consuming, be sure to soak raw nuts and seeds in water/salt mixture (brine), then dry them in either a dehydrator at 115 degrees or on your oven's lowest setting (can take up to 9 hours). This is the only healthy way to consume nuts and seeds. (Flax seeds and sesame seeds when consumed in small amounts are the exception).

Switch from chips and processed snacks to some of the snack options I mention on my blogs about where to shop: organic dried fruit (no sugar added)—Harris Teeter and OFD, organic raw nuts (prepared as described above)—Harris Teeter and OFD, baked millet and flaxseed pita chips by Sami’s (via OFD), organic salsa—Harris Teeter and OFD, Lara Bars (via OFD), etc. A lot of these items are also carried at places like Whole Foods. Or you can make your own tortilla chips using natural corn tortillas (containing only corn, lime and water) from Trader Joe's - spread with organic extra virgin coconut oil and broil in the oven, then add sea salt.

Ketchup – switch to fruit-sweetened ketchup in order to avoid the high amount of sugar and high fructose corn syrup in commercial ketchups. Westbrae Fruit Sweetened Ketchup is what I get via Organic Food Depot, but I know that Whole Foods stores carry it also.

Organic Omega-3 Mayonnaise with Flax Oil – this is a product made by Spectrum. Switch to this in order to follow The Maker’s Diet list of healthy oils and fats. It’s delicious. Carried in many health food stores, Organic Food Depot, Whole Foods, etc.

Super Seed fiber powder by Garden of Life – for when or if you decide to go back and do Phase 1 of The Maker’s Diet. This is also good to have on hand for weekly cleansing during a day of fasting, etc.

Primal Defense Ultra by Garden of Life – time-release living soil and probiotic organisms for healthy digestion, I swear by these.

Cod Liver Oil – a very healthy supplement for natural source of vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. Be sure to purchase a brand that uses only wild cod so that mercury and other toxins are not present (i.e. Olde World Icelandic Cod Liver Oil by Garden of Life, or Cod Liver Oil by Spectrum)

Organic Flax Seed Oil – do not cook with; instead use in homemade salad dressing, smoothies, and other things to give you healthy omega-3 fatty acids and living enzymes.

Kombucha – fermented Chinese tea drink (sweetened with 5% fruit juice) containing enzymes, amino acids, probiotics, antioxidants, etc. It’s a great substitute for soda if you’re used to carbonated drinks. I often drink this instead of juice as well – less calories. Kombuch is extremely healthy for you. The guava flavor is good and so is the mango.

Finding Safety: Body Care, Hair Care, Skin Care, and Cosmetics

2007-06-01T17:37:00.000-04:00

Are you fully aware of what types of chemicals are being absorbed into your body? Probably more than you realize! Not to mention what these personal-care toxins are doing to damage the environment. Men though they may use less personal care products over all, are subject to this commercial ingredient lunacy as well as women. Even babies are being born with high counts of toxins in their bodies.

Last fall I decided it was time to start switching over to more all-natural/organic personal care products. Many of you may want to do the same. But, with the host of companies trying to sell you on their brand of organic or natural items, how do you know what’s best?

After doing a year’s worth of research, trying various products, and using the Environmental Working Group’s sub-site Skin Deep (a personal care product rating system based on ingredients and known toxins) to determine what products have the safest ingredients and still work well, I have come up with a number of products that I love.

My biggest piece of advice? Check out the Skin Deep website above. It has a catalogue of not only gazillions of commercial personal care products and cosmetics, but also a number of organic and all-natural ones as well. Visiting this site will give you an idea of how products are rated and what ingredients to avoid. This is a fantastic place to start. Do a quick search to see how your products rate. Here is Skin Deep’s link to “what not to buy” due to very high-risk ingredients. Also, here is a link to their recent news reports.

Here is a list of ingredients I avoid:
Propylene Glycol
Aluminum
Artificial Colors (such as FD&C)
Benzoates
DEA, MEA, TEA
Hydroxyl Acids
Retinoic Acids
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
BHT
Isopropyl Alcohol (made from petroleum)
Phthalates, Dibutyl Phthalate, DBP (on label: “fragrance”)
Fragrances (this does not include essential oils)
Parraffin
Formaldehydes
Parabens
Mineral Oil in all its forms (see below)
Talc
Toluene
Benzoates

Various Names of Mineral Oil:
Petrolatum
Paraffin
Clearteck
Drakeol
Hevyteck
Filtrawhite
Frigol
Kremol
Kaydol
Albline
Nujol
Paroleine
Saxol
Adepsine
Glymol
Lignite
Carnea 21
Ervol
Gloria
Hydrocarbon oils
Peneteck
Primol
Triona B
Blandlube
Crystosol
Molol
Protopet
Bayol F
Crystol 325
Fonoline
Bayol 55
Kondremul
Neo-cultol
Parol
Penreco
Perfecta
Petrogalar
Primol 355
Primol D
Tech Pet F

It is important to ALWAYS read the labels—even for all-natural and organic products. Not all companies that advertise their products as all natural and/or organic actually avoid the ingredients listed above. So it is essential that you become aware of what ingredients to avoid. This will make your shopping experience much more efficient. I keep a list of ingredients to avoid in my wallet for when I shop (either online or in-store).

In addition to the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep website, there are plenty of other helpful websites:

One of these is Dr. Bronner’s. Not only does Dr. Bronner’s sell some of the most pure soap available on the market, but in addition, their website provides some wonderful information on how to read the labels of organic/natural skin and body care products. Make sure to check it out. (And you wouldn’t believe what some companies put in soap these days. Try switching to Dr. Bronner’s. It’s safe, it’s economical. You can get it in bulk. It’s available at most health food stores and through the Organic Food Depot)

If you are one of those people who needs convincing about switching your personal care products, view this article about the toxins and cancer-contributing ingredients found in everyday beauty products. I can’t believe the government can allow the use of some of these things.

Another great website is www.treehugger.com. This website is a wonderful resource when scoping out what products are available and what products are safest. It provides a large list of options on alternative cosmetics and personal care products. Wonderful stuff!

Another fantastic website is www.organicconsumers.org. Here you can read articles on the latest issue regarding organic food ratings, what to look for when buying organic food (how companies can trick you) and personal care products as well. You can even find a list of ingredients to avoid in personal care products and a survey you can submit to be a part of petitioning for healthier restrictions.

Without further ado, here is my personal-care list of Top Safe Favorites:

Cosmetics

Meow Cosmetics
Pure mineral foundation powders, blush powders, eye shadow powders, eye liner powders. This company is at the top of my list. Check out their website. Need I say more? I don’t think so.

Ecco Bella
Ecco Bellas products are available through the Organic Food Depot online catalogue or via other sellers online. I endorse their lipsticks, lip glosses, eye liners, eye shadows, blush powders, face powders, concealers, mascaras etc., but I DO NOT purchase their lotions, skin care, liquid foundation and a few other products because they contain parabens (estrogenic chemical preservatives). Make sure to double check on this when viewing their webpage, but the last time I checked these few products were not paraben-free.

Real Purity
Wonderful blushes. My favorite is Pearl Mocha. They offer lots of other cosmetics and skin care that is safe and pure as well, even toothpaste! These products are also available through www.bewellstaywell.com.

Anise Cosmetics (Nail Polish)
What a find this has been! Nail polishes that are formaldehyde-free, phthalate-free and toluene-free. I can personally vouch for how amazingly healthy and long my nails have gotten since I stopped using highly toxic, commercial nail polish. Instead I use Anise nail polish a couple times a month. My nails no longer discolor when using their polish, and my nails no longer peel, break and chip so easily. For those of you living in Virginia Beach or Chesapeake, you can get Anise nail polishes from DSW Shoes in Greenbrier, across from the mall. Otherwise, you can order them online.

Gabriel Cosmetics & Zuzu Luxe Cosmetics
I have not yet had a chance to try these products, but many of them look wonderful and have gotten good reviews from other consumers. Not all of the products are the safest on the Skin Deep rating list, but take a look and be sure to review the ingredients. You can also do an assessment of your own on the Skin Deep website be inputting the ingredients of a product not listed in order to see how it will rate. Gabriel and Zuzu offer skin care and cosmetics.

Jane Iredale Cosmetics
These products are especially made for women who have sensitive skin or who have undergone plastic surgery of some kind. Most of these products rate quite well. Again, be sure to check Skin Deep for ratings and look at the ingredients. (When visiting the site, click on “Jane Iredale direct” to view products.) My favorite Jane items are the daytime eyeshadow kit, the 24-karat gold shimmer kit and the lip liners. The lipsticks and glosses are nice too and have a 3 out of 10 rating.

Organic Makeup Company
Foundation, powders, lipsticks, lip liners, eye shadows, etc. I have tried their eye shadow liners, their lipsticks and their glosses, all which I love. Their products are available through Amazon.com and www.bewellstaywell.com, as well as other websites. The latter site is also a good place to find other safe brands of cosmetics. But once again, read the labels. There are some products on bewellstaywell.com that don’t rate as well as others and contain talc and other ingredients that are best avoided. Organic Makeup Company’s main site does not actually sell its products, but it does provide a wonderful guide of ingredients to avoid in cosmetics.

i.d. bare minerals
This is a mainstream, commercial mineral makeup company. As such, they do not post their product ingredients on their website (generally a sign that they are hiding something). Through doing some research, however, I found that ONLY their eye shadow powders, blush powders, and select foundation powders are safe, pure minerals. Some of their products are not completely pure such as Mineral Veil, as well as their lipsticks, lip glosses, mascaras, etc. The Mineral Veil, for instance, contains parabens (estrogenic chemical preservatives). So, if you choose to purchase product by i.d. bare minerals, make sure to read the label, or simply stick with the eye shadows and blush powders.

Honeybee Gardens
Nice products: lipsticks (not as few ingredients as Real Purity and some others, but still non-toxic), mascara, lip glosses, eye liners, eye shadow powders, etc. I have not tried any of these products yet. I have only tried their water-based nail polish and deodorant powder—neither of which I was thrilled with. However, I still plan to try their cosmetics, as many of their colors look wonderful. They also carry skin care products, I believe, but not all of them are as pure as other skin care products I’ve seen. Again, read the labels.

Afterglow Cosmetics
Powder foundations, powder blushes, eye shadows, powder eye liners, lipsticks, lip glosses. Afterglow has pure products. I have tried their powders, but not their lip products. Personally, I wasn’t a huge fan of their foundation powder and blush. However, I have yet to try their lipsticks, which, if you look at the website, look very colorful. However, of all the mineral pure companies, I prefer Meow Cosmetics.

Skin Care, Body Care, Hair Care

Trillium Organics
This is a recent find of mine, and I am in love with this company’s products, all of which are handmade. Organic body polish, organic body oil, organic body butter, organic body soap, organic face polish, organic perfume etc. All products are made with the purest ingredients. Their organic body polish serves as a body scrub in the shower and a moisturizer. The organic body soap contains pure saponified oils that gently cleans without being harsh. Their products are scented with pure essential oils. The most popular scent is pink grapefruit. I cannot say enough about how wonderful these products are. Their body soap can even be used as a shampoo. All of the oils and other ingredients used are non-comedogenic, meaning they won’t clog your pores.

Kiss My Face
Kiss My Face’s “Obsessively Organic” is a great skin care line. But I don’t use any of Kiss My Face’s products that are not in the “Obsessively Organic” line. The ingredients for "Obsessively Organic" rate between 0 and 4 on the Skin Deep site. Most of these products do, however, contain “organic water of ---” ingredients. So, according to Dr. Bronner’s informative website that I mentioned above, these may not be the purest organic products. However, they are relatively safe compared to their more commercial counterparts. I have been using Kiss My Face Obsessively Organic skin care (normal to oil) for almost a year and have noticed a substantial difference in the way my skin feels and looks. The most amazing product they offer is the Break Out Gel. This stuff clears zits like nothing I’ve ever used. It will even prevent and significantly reduce oral cold sores on the lips.

derma e
Derma e carries a variety of skin and body care products. They have a regular line and an organic line. Both are reputable. All products are paraben free. I usually supplement my organic Kiss My Face skin care products with a few anti-aging products from derma e. Their anti-aging products work well and include many of the same ground-breaking components found in commercial skin care lines, but with one key difference--derma e's products don't contain all the additional fillers, chemicals, and synthetic preservatives and fragrances.

Burt’s Bees
This company has achieved a lot of notoriety recently, even to the point that their products are now carried in many Rite Aid pharmacies and Wal-Marts. Most of their skin care products are safe, but always check the label nonetheless and search for the specific product of your interest on the Skin Deep Website to see how it rates. Not all of the Burt’s Bees products are the best choices, but many of the skin and body care products are very nice, especially the lemon butter cuticle cream and hand repair cream. Most of their skin care products are comparable safety-wise compared to Kiss My Face, but not all of them.

Giovanni Hair and Body Care
I love this company’s shampoos, hairspray, root booster, etc. Wonderful organic products. Do look at the ingredients. I know a few of their products contain parabens. You can purchase the hair care products at your local Vitamin Shop. All of their products (hair care and body care) are available via the online catalogue through Organic Food Depot for those of you living in the Virginia Beach/Chesapeake area.

Aubrey Organics
Aubrey offers great organic hair care. It is very pure. They pride themselves on providing truly pure, non-toxic products, while avoiding fillers that even some other organic companies/labels use. They also offer some cosmetics and perfume, none of which I have tried yet. But I have been very happy with their Clarifying Shampoo. Some of their products, as with most companies I suppose, contain a few too many ingredients for my taste, but on the whole they have very pure ingredients and rate between 0 and 4 on the Skin Deep website (with the majority of those ratings being 2 and 3). Some of their products do contain benzoates, so do look at the labels.

Aura Cacia
I can’t vouch for all of all of Aura Cacia’s products, but I do love their Pure Essentials Aromatherapy Spritz and their essential oils. The Pure Essentials Spritz can also be used as a perfume (I have not tried their actual line of perfumes yet). I am someone whose asthma flares up at the slightest commercial scent, and even some “organic/all-natural” ones, but this particular brand has given me no problems. The vanilla scent is my favorite. The spritz simply contains pure essential oils. Watch out for those ingredients, though. Some of their other products contain things I don’t want to use.

Other companies I have looked into but haven’t tried yet include:
EO and Terressentials.

Menstrual Care & Personal Lubricant

It’s important when getting rid of toxic products in your home to remember that commercial tampons and sanitary pads are not healthy, nor safe. The rayon used in commercial tampons and pads is bleached with chorine, creating dioxins (a toxic byproduct). And the cotton used in commercial tampons and pads is filled with insecticides and pesticides—not a healthy combo for sensitive regions. Here’s another link with more info.

Organic Cotton Tampons & Pads
One solution is to switch to organic 100% cotton tampons and pads. Here are some reputable companies: Natracare, Organic Essentials (this is not a direct link to their site, but rather to a separate seller), Seventh Generation. A number of these companies also sell organic cotton balls, organic cotton nursing pads, etc. In addition, the Organic Food Depot sells Natracare and Organic Essentials products via their online catalogue as well as a few in store.

The Diva Cup
Ladies, let me tell you the truth about this, while we’re on the subject. I am a convert of the Diva Cup! I will never go back to using tampons, organic or not. Do you want to experience a period that doesn’t feel like a period? You’ve got to try the Diva Cup. Not only is it economically and environmentally friendly, but also you can reuse it for a long time—one Diva Cup can last up to ten years! It’s made of silicone and is safe and easy to use. Check it out. Warning: after using the Diva Cup you may never try using anything else! Here’s a link to the least expensive seller of the Diva Cup that I’ve found online. The Organic Food Depot also sells it through their online catalogue.

Personal Lubricant
This is another important topic, although no one really discusses it. Ever think about what kind of ingredients are in those commercial lubricants? Well, let me just say it’s stuff we don’t want to be using! Take a look at the label on your KY Jelly or Astroglide sometime—whoa, there are a whole lot of toxic ingredients there!

Instead try Firefly (all natural) or Flutterby (organic), lubricants that feel better, last longer, don’t contain toxins and don’t dry out.

Deodorant

There are a number of aluminum-free deodorants on the market, most made by organic/all-natural companies. I have tried a lot of them, and the only one I’ve found that really works is Crystal. Their product comes in the following forms: rock salt, roll-on or spray on. The one that works for me is the roll-on. I have learned that in order for these products to work, you have to use a lot of them, sometimes even a couple of times a day. But at least you’ll be toxin-free in doing so! You can get them at most local pharmacies, some grocery stores and even Wal-Mart.

However the best natural deodorant that I have found yet is available through an online-based company called Oyin Handmade. Their deodorant, called Funk Butter, is handmade just for you each time you order, so it can take up to to three weeks for you to receive your products, but the wait is well worth it. Funk Butter is available in two scents as well as unscented. I strongly recommend the unscented. Their scented versions both contain fragrance oils rather than essential oils. The unscented version works just as well.

I hope this information has been helpful. Remember, become an expert label reader and know your ingredients! That is the only way to really keep yourself safe as you shop for these kinds of products. All of the information I’ve noted here is not necessarily the “hard and fast” rule for personal care products because companies can always change their products or the ingredients in their products. So again, become a savvy label reader and you’ll do a lot to keep yourself healthy.

Also, feel free to experiment by making your own skin care products and cosmetics. There are recipes on the web (Skin Deep’s campaign for safe cosmetics section has some as well as Really Raw Honey, etc.)

Recipes

2007-05-21T12:08:00.000-04:00

Here are a bunch of recipes that I use.

You’ll notice that most of them fall into Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the Maker’s Diet. For Phase 1, my husband and I mostly ate cooked/baked/grilled chicken/fish/beef with seasonings along with some sort of cooked vegetable at dinner, and I sautéed the veggies and meat in extra virgin coconut oil. We also ate a lot of yogurt and made smoothies using yogurt and organic frozen berries. I also ate tuna for lunch (The Maker’s Diet has a good tuna salad recipe at the back) and snacked on fruits and veggies. We also ate eggs and omelets for breakfast. We only did Phase 1 for a week and then moved on to Phase 3 because neither of us was in bad health or needed to lose weight, so we just did a 1-week cleanse instead of a 2-week cleanse. But you may wish to do the 40-day diet precisely, and, if so, then the recipes below will not help during Phase 1, but may come in handy later. For recipes specifically for Phase 1, and as well as the Phases 2 and 3, see Jordan Rubin’s The Maker’s Diet (in the back of the book) or go to the Biblical Health Institute website to view a variety of recipes by Jordan Rubin, Sally Fallon and others.

Also, just so you know, not all of these recipes call for soaking the flour or using yogurt rather than yeast as Sally Fallon's Nourishing Traditions often recommends. I am currently in the midst of experiments with more of Fallon's recipes and have not posted them here. But I highly recommend you purchase her book and start experimenting as well.

(Use all organic ingredients as much as possible with the following recipes.)

*Note on honey substitutions: Honey has a greater sweetening power than maple syrup, sucanat, rapadura, or traditional sugar. Twelve ounces (weight) of honey equals one standard measuring cup. In baked goods, reduce the amount of liquid by ¼ cup for each cup of honey used; add ½ teaspoon of baking soda for each cup of honey used; reduce the oven temperature by 25 degrees to prevent oven browning. For easy removal rub a bit of extra virgin coconut oil in the measuring cup before adding honey.

APPETIZERS/SNACKS/CONDIMENTS

Healthy Salad Dressing
1 part organic oil (sesame, peanut or flax seed are good; avoid the oils listed on The Maker’s Diet AVOID LIST)
1 part organic vinegar (or organic rice vinegar or organic apple cider vinegar)
1 part raw honey (unfiltered and UNHEATED) – Organic Food Depot

Mix. Delicious on salad.

Hot Cranberry Punch
4 C. unsweetened pineapple juice (if you can’t find organic, just use regular—at least it
doesn’t have sugar in it)
4 C. Cranberry Juice (Harris Teeter carries it organic)
1/3 C. Raw honey
1 C. water
1 tsp whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick

Tie cloves and cinnamon stick in cheesecloth. Combine all ingredients in crock-pot. Cover and cook on low setting for 4-10 hours. Serve hot, in punch cups.

Protein Balls (snack item)

½ C. Goatein (by Garden of Life, available at OFD)
½ C. Raw Honey
½ C. Peanut butter (organic is best)
½ C. Whole rolled oats (no quick oats)
½ C. Sunflower seeds
½ C. Sesame seeds

Blend.

Add: Chopped dates (optional), walnuts (or other nuts), and unsweetened shredded coconut.

Roll into balls and refrigerate. You can also roll in crushed granola (unsweetened) before refrigerating.

BREAD

Banana Bread
(my Great-Grandma’s recipe with my modifications)

½-¾ C. of raw honey
½ C. extra virgin coconut oil
½ C. sour milk (you can use regular milk just add a few drops of vinegar to sour it)
1 tsp. soda
2 C. flour or more, depending on consistency, (I use Spelt) and dash of salt
1 C. walnuts (optional)
2 eggs
3 bananas, ripe (mashed) [don’t use more than 3]

Bake at 300 degrees for 1-2 hours, depending on flour used. Spelt takes less time than Kamut because it’s denser.

Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
3 eggs
1 c. extra virgin coconut oil (or if all you have is olive oil on hand, you can [though it’s
not the healthiest choice] use ¾ c. olive oil and ½ stick of butter)
3 tsp vanilla
1 2/3 c. honey
3 c. grated zucchini (about 3 medium-sized zucchini or 2 zucchini and 1 carrot (chop in food processor
2 1/3 c. flour (spelt) – at end, add more if needed (don’t want too runny)
½ c. alkaline-free organic cocoa
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. alkaline-free baking powder
½ c. nuts (optional)
1 c. grain sweetened chocolate chips (by Sunspire)

muffins – 25-30 minutes @ 350 degrees – makes about 2 dozen
bread – 45 minutes @ 350 degrees (more crumbly)

Start with oil, eggs, vanilla and honey
Add zucchini, carrots
Mix all dry ingredients together first, then mix in to wet ingredients

Add nuts and chocolate chips at end.

Mini-Muffins Recipe
From Michele’s Kitchen
(All Ingredients are Organic)
Ingredients
½ cup Amaranth Flour (Arrowhead Mills)
1 cup Graham Flour (Bobs’ Red Mill)
2 tsp. Baking powder
1 tbsp. Vanilla Extract (Simply Organic)
1 egg
½ cup kefir or yogurt (Lifeway) – this helps it to rise, amaranth flour is delicious and
healthy but doesn’t have gluten in it
¼ cup sunflower oil (Hain)
¼ cup of honey (Southworth)
1 Banana, mashed
½ cup each Just Tomatoes dehydrated fruit, use two berry types

In a medium bowl, sift together the amaranth flour, graham flour and the baking powder. In a large bowl, beat together the vanilla, egg, kefir or yogurt, oil and honey. While stirring with a wooden spoon, gradually pour the flour mixture into the liquid mixture. Beat for a few seconds, just until the mixtures are blended. Fold in the banana and the fruits. Spoon the batter into oiled mini-muffin tins. Bake @ 350*F for 15-20 minutes or until done.
*****You may use one or several of the following variations on these muffins.
Substitute Pumpkin or applesauce for bananas.
Substitute Safflower Oil for Sunflower Oil.
Substitute Pastry, Rice, Spelt or Oat flour for Graham Flour.
Add cinnamon and/or nuts instead of dehydrated fruit.
Add spice of your choosing such as, cinnamon, nutmeg or cloves.

Pizza Crust
1 C. warm water (I just use a mug and fill it about 2/3 of the way full)
1 tsp. raw honey
1 Tbsp. yeast (Rapunzel is a good brand through OFD, or just regular quick-rising yeast)

Dissolve yeast and honey in warm water, stir. Set aside until frothy.

Pour yeast mixture into large bowl and add:

Flour (I use Spelt, make amazing pizza crust)
1 tsp. salt

Mix. Add more flour if needed to make dough consistency.

Grease your pizza pan or stone with extra virgin coconut oil.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place kneaded dough on pan and spread. Add toppings and cook for 25-30 minutes (depending on your oven). At about 12 minutes, put aluminum foil over pizza to keep cheese from browning.

Blend olive oil and fresh garlic (or organic garlic powder) and spread with brush on the crust.

Rachel’s Cornbread
(mix by hand)

1 C. cornflour/meal (finely ground)
1 C. brown rice flour (or other flour such as spelt, kamut, millet, etc.)
4 tsp. baking powder
1 C. milk
1/3 C. extra virgin coconut oil
1 Tbsp. raw honey
1 egg – don’t over beat (do egg last)

Grease 9 x 9 pan
Bake 425 degrees, 22 minutes

MAIN MEALS

Beef Stroganoff
2 pounds of stew meat
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 pkg. onion soup mix
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 8 oz pkg. mushrooms, sliced
Heat on low all day. Just before serving, add half a cup of sour cream.
Serve over rice or noodles.

Chicken and Corn Chili (this one’s really good!)
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 (16 oz.) jar salsa
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
1 (11 oz) can Mexican style corn (I just use regular corn and put my own spices in it)
¼ lb dry pinto beans, soaked and cooked (or a 15 oz can pinto beans)

Place chicken and salsa in slow cooker the night before you want to eat this chili. Season with garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook 6-8 hours on low setting.

About 3-4 hours before you want to eat, remove chicken from slow cooker, and shred it using two forks. Return meat to the pot, and continue cooking.

Stir the corn and pinto beans into the slow cooker. Simmer until ready to serve.

Crock Pot Mushroom Chicken
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 package of chicken gravy mix (or any gravy mix, sometimes I use a shitake mushroom gravy mix from OFD)
1 cup organic white wine (or 1 cup chicken broth)
1 can of cream of mushroom (or chicken) soup
8 oz. cream cheese

Put chicken in crock-pot. Sprinkle gravy mix on top. Pour soup over that, then pour wine or broth over that. Cook on low all day. 30 minutes before serving, put cream cheese in. When ready to serve, remove chicken and whisk the sauce together. Serve over pasta or rice.

Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
¾-1 lb. (when dry) great northern, pinto, or cannellini beans, soaked and cooked (or 3 15 oz cans)
2 1/2 c. chopped, cooked chicken
1 c. chopped onion
1 1/2 c. chopped red, green, and/or yellow pepper
2 jalapeno chili peppers, stemmed and chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried oregano, crushed
3 1/2 c. chicken broth
Shredded Monterey Jack cheese (optional)
Healthy chips (optional)

In a crock pot combine the drained beans, chicken, onion, sweet pepper, jalapeno peppers, garlic, cumin, salt, and oregano. Stir in chicken broth. Cover; cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4 to 5 hours. Ladle soup into bowls. Top each serving with some cheese and healthy, no-oil chips (see my posting on food available at the Organic Food Depot), if desired, or serve with hearty bread. Makes 8 servings.

Dev’s Chili Con Carne
2 lbs. ground hamburger
1 large onion, diced
1 28 oz. can whole tomatoes (drained), or diced tomatoes
½ lb. dry beans (red, pinto or black), soaked & cooked (or 2 -15 oz cans red kidney beans)
1-2 chopped cloves of garlic (or 2 Tbsp. of garlic powder)
2 Tbsp chili powder
2 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cocoa powder
2 tsp oregano
A dash or two of red pepper powder (don’t get too crazy with it)
Brown hamburger with diced onion and garlic. Drain. Mix browned hamburger with all other ingredients (except beans) in crock pot, chopping up whole tomatoes with firm spatula while mixing in spices. Then add beans (precooked). Mix. Cook on low all day. Serve topped with shredded cheddar cheese. You can serve with healthy chips or whole grain sourdough or sprouted bread.

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup (thick enough to be a chili)
Original recipe yield: 8 Servings

INGREDIENTS
1 onion, chopped
¼ lb (when dry) chili beans, soaked and cooked (or 16 ounce can chili beans)
¼ lb (when dry) black beans, soaked and cooked (or 15 ounce can black beans)
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer (OFD carries organic beer)
2 (10 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning
3 whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 (8 ounce) package shredded cheddar cheese (or preferably raw cheddar cheese)
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream (or piima cream, see my dairy fermentation posting)
1 cup crushed healthy chips (optional) – (available at Organic Food Depot, see posting)

DIRECTIONS
Place the onion, chili beans, black beans, corn, tomato sauce, beer, and diced tomatoes in a slow cooker. Add taco seasoning, and stir to blend. Lay chicken breasts on top of the mixture, pressing down slightly until just covered by the other ingredients. Set slow cooker for low heat, cover, and cook for 5 hours.
Remove chicken breasts from the soup, and allow to cool long enough to be handled. Stir the shredded chicken back into the soup, and continue cooking for 2 hours. Serve topped with shredded Cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and crushed healthy chips, if desired.

DESSERTS

Honey-Sweetened Cream Cheese Frosting (delicious on Chocolate Zucchini Muffins)
8 oz. cream cheese softened
1/3 cup raw honey
1 tsp. vanilla

Blend until smooth. Ice cake while warm.

Honey-Sweetened Fudge Sauce/Frosting
Blend raw honey with cocoa powder or carob powder until desired texture and flavor are achieved.

Monster Cookies
Preheat to 350 degrees
½ cup extra virgin coconut oil
1 cup Sucanat or Rapadura
¾ cup raw honey
(or you can use 1 & 1/3 cups raw honey and no sucanat or rapadura)

Cream together.
Add 3 eggs and mix. (When cutting recipe in half, use 2 instead.)
2 tsp baking soda. Mix.
1 tsp. vanilla. Mix.
2 C. peanut butter. Mix.
1 C. flour (spelt or spelt/kamut blend). Mix.
4.5 C. rolled oats. Mix.
Optional:
1 C. grain sweetened chocolate chips (by Sunspire)

Shape into 1.5 inch balls. Press somewhat flat on cookie sheet. Bake 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
Makes 5 dozen.
(I usually cut this recipe in half.)

Whipped Cream Topping
(Sally Fallon also suggest an alternative using Stevia)
1 cup chilled coconut cream (or heavy whipping cream)
2 Tablespoons maple syrup, or honey 
In a chilled bowl with chilled beaters gently beat the Coconut Cream (or heavy whipping cream) to not quite soft peak stage (The cream must be cold, taken from the fridge). Add the maple syrup or sweetener of your choice. Carefully beat to desired stiffness.

PIE

Healthy Pie Filling
(see Pie Crust and other filling recipes and tips below)

3 Options:

1) Sucanat/Rapadura and spelt flour
2) Maple syrup and cornstarch
3) Apple juice and cornstarch (this is my favorite—or a blend of #2 and #3)

When using cornstarch as thickener:
Heat syrup and/or juice to BOILING. Mix 2-3 Tablespoons cornstarch in ¼-1/2 cup cold water and mix into boiling liquid (in a medium sized stove pot, don’t use a small one or it will boil over). Pour over fruit filling. Sprinkle with spices of your choice.

Pie Crust (using extra virgin coconut oil – so good and so much more healthy!)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (I use Spelt)
1 t salt
1 T. raw honey
3/4 C chilled, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces (this is technically not the best choice according to The Maker’s Diet, but I’ve never tried it using ,only extra virgin for the whole recipe)
coconut oil)
3/8 C (6 T) chilled extra virgin coconut oil
1/4 C ice water
2 tsp. apple cider vinegar

I use a food processor to combine the dry ingredients with the butter and coconut oil. Put the flour (spelt), honey and salt in the food processor and add the chilled extra virgin coconut oil (broken into pieces). Pulse until the coconut oil is worked into the flour and no large pieces remain. Add the chilled butter and pulse until the largest pieces of butter are no larger than small peas. At this point I dump this mixture into a bowl since I prefer to incorporate the water by hand using a fork. Add the apple cider vinegar to 1/4 C ice water and then add this mixture to the flour mixture, a couple of tablespoons at a time, tossing the mixture with a fork. As you continue to add the liquid the mixture will begin to come together in a ball. At this point you can squeeze the mixture together by hand. You don't want to knead the dough; work it just enough to bring it all together in a cohesive mass. Divide the dough into two equal pieces, wrap each piece in plastic wrap and smash it down somewhat to make a thick disk. Chill the dough for at least an hour before using.
This crust is absolutely delicious either for double crust pies or for single crust pies where the crust is not pre-baked. I have found from experience that this crust is simply too rich to bake empty and then fill. When I have attempted to bake the pie crust by itself it tends to melt down and slide to the bottom of the pie pan.

Fabulous Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Here is a healthy version of a classic pumpkin pie recipe. 
Nut Crust: Makes one 9 inch pie crust. 
2 1/2 cups finely ground nuts (pecans are the best, almonds, walnuts or a combination of mixed nuts works very nicely too)
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
1 T to 1/3 cup sucanat, raw honey or natural sweetener of choice - depends on how sweet you want your crust (see my note at the top of this page on raw honey substitution)*
1/4 cup extra virgin coconut oil (or butter) melted 
Stir together ground nuts, cinnamon and sugar. Mix in melted extra virgin coconut oil. Set aside 1/2 cup of the nut mixture for topping the pie. 
Press mixture onto the bottom and up the sides of a 9 inch pie plate. Chill for about 30 minutes. 
Pumpkin Pie Filling
1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree (either canned or home-made)
1/2 cup maple syrup or or honey
1 1/2 cups coconut milk
4 eggs
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
(2 Tablespoons flour if you use maple syrup, honey) 
Heat the pumpkin puree in a heavy pan, stirring frequently. Add the coconut milk to the pumpkin, continuing to stir. Keep it hot, but don't let it boil. In a heatproof bowl, beat the eggs and maple syrup or honey together. Beat in the dry spices. When the pie crust is ready, beat the egg mixture, while slowly adding the hot pumpkin mixture into it as a thin stream. The resulting mixture will be hot, but you do not want to have "cooked" eggs. Carefully pour the hot pumpkin filling into the hot pie crust. Return to the center of the oven and bake at 400 degrees. If the pie is very full, finish filling it when the pie is part way in the oven with a cup or ladle so that you do not slosh the filling all over. The pie is done when the outside edge of the filling is firm and slightly puffed, but the center is still jiggly. Place on a rack to gently cool, so the custard can finish cooking and set. When cool, add a whipped cream topping.  
OTHER PIE RECIPES

Stir-&-Roll Pie Crust
1 1/3 C flour
1 tsp Salt
1/3 C Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
3 tbsp cold Milk 
Pumpkin Pie Filling
3/4 C sucanat or rapadura
1/2 tsp Salt
1 3/4 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice *
2 large eggs
1 15 oz can pumpkin
1 12 oz can evaporated milk  Mix sugar, salt, Pumpkin Pie Spice in a small bowl. Beat eggs in a large bowl and stir in Pumpkin and sucanat spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk. Pour into 9" pie shell. Bake in preheated 425 degree oven 15 minutes. Lower heat to 350 and bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near,center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours and serve or refrigerate. Makes 8 servings. 
• Can use 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground ginger and 1/4 tsp ground cloves instead of Pumpkin Pie Spice. 

Glutenless Crust
2 Cups glutenless flour (buckwheat, amaranth, quinoa)
¼ to ½ Cup extra virgin coconut oil
¼ teaspoon salt
?? water

Mix flour and salt, cut in extra virgin coconut oil, add water gradually until the dough holds together. As with the sprouted crust, I recommend just pressing the dough into the pan, and using waxed paper if you make a top crust. You could also roll out a bunch of mini-crusts and patch them together.

Details and Tips for Pie Crusts
Pies are either two-crust, like apple and cherry, or one-crust, like pumpkin, pecan, and cream. All the above measurements are for a two-crust pie. The top crust is always smaller, so for a one-crust pie, reduce everything by about a third, not by half.

Measurement is only important in the liquid oil crust, because to maintain flakiness you shouldn't add more stuff after stirring. In every crust, what matters is the liquid-solid balance, for a dough that will be pliable enough to roll out but not so wet that it sticks to everything and comes apart. In flaky crusts, you take care of this during the water-adding stage. With sourdough, I start it kind of wet and then add more flour until it's stiff enough. So I generally don't measure at all.

In a two crust pie, separate the dough into two balls, one of them noticeably bigger than the other. After a few pies you'll develop a feel for the relative sizes. Then roll out the big one for the bottom crust.

For a roller, I just grab the nearest wine bottle. In ease of use, it's so close to a rolling pin that it's not worth my trouble to get the rolling pin out of the drawer. (And it's easier to clean!) You will probably need more flour than you think. I spread some on the counter, roll the crust a bit, flip it, roll it more, then add more flour, because the original flour gets absorbed in the dough. You need to keep both sides floured. Start rolling with light pressure and work up to heavier pressure as it gets flatter. What you're aiming for is a circle close enough in size to what you need that you don't have to trim the edges. This is a skill that comes with many crusts. You'll probably get nowhere near a circle and have to trim and patch.

There's nothing wrong with a patched-together pie crust. It tastes the same and you can't even see the patching unless it's on the top crust, and even then it's only going to bother people you don't want to associate with anyway. Even after making hundreds of crusts, I often end up patching because whole grain flour is so uncooperative. Some people take the trimmings and bake them separately (or tragically throw them out), but I use everything in the crust.

So you roll out the bottom crust, wipe a thin coat of oil in the pie pan, put the crust in, roll out the top crust, then put the filling in and quickly put on the top crust and get it in a hot oven. The wetter the filling is, the more important it is to put it in the oven very soon after you put the filling in, or the wetness will soak into the bottom crust and damage it. Some people like to do a little sculpture at the edge of the pie where the top and bottom crusts join. I just press them roughly together. The important thing here is that the filling doesn't run out of the bottom crust and down the inside of the pan. If it does, you'll just get a caramelized spot.

Baking time varies between pies. The temperature is generally 350-400 F, at which a filled crust will be done in around 30 minutes, but the filling often takes longer.

Local vs. Organic

2007-05-21T11:50:00.000-04:00

Time magazine online recently posted an interesting article on the dilemma of eating local vs. eating organic.

I agree that if you are buying organic oranges that have been flown from California to your local Virginia health food store or supermarket, you may, in fact, be supporting a process that is harmful to the environment. Polluting the air with extra gasoline in an effort to ship organic food to buyers can be taken to the extreme. So choose wisely when you buy. The best option for consumers is to look for food that is both local and organic. It may sound hard to do, but it can be done. Local co-ops like the Organic Food Depot carry fresh, local produce daily, as well as local honey, and other products. Yoder Dairies, as I’ve mentioned before, is a great way to support local dairy in the Hampton Roads area. Yoder also carries local, free-range eggs. The Organic Food Depot carries Gryffon’s Aerie beef and other meats, which are local and grass-fed, and Central Meats provides local meat and fowl as well. Supporting your local (and organic as much as possible) farmers is a good way to ensure that such products remain readily available in your area.

If you find that certain items that you need cannot be found locally, then I advocate purchasing what is most healthy for you. We are stewards of the earth, yes, but we are also temples of the Holy Spirit. So let's make sure our bodies are healthy first and foremost, while continuing to do our best to protect the environment as much a possible at the same time.

Maker’s Diet Sweeteners

2007-05-18T10:25:00.000-04:00

Find out what the healthiest sweeteners are, where to get them, how to use them and where to look for recipes …

Jordan Rubin’s book The Maker’s Diet lists acceptable sweeteners as:

-Stevia
-Honey (unheated and raw) - (no more than 3 Tbsp. per day)
-Maple Syrup

Although sucanat (dehydrated cane juice) and rapadura (raw, organic sugar) are not included on this “ok” list, they do appear in some of the recipes in Rubin’s book.

Sucanat & Rapadura
In doing some research on sucanat and rapadura, it appears that they do not promote tooth decay as much as refined sugars, and they do not spike insulin quite as much a refined sugars, although they could do so if used daily. They also do not promote yeast growth as highly as refined sugar. These raw cane sugar forms have 85% the sugar content found in commercial refined sugar due to their retaining of natural molasses and nutrients.

The point is this, using rapaduar or sucanat once in a while will not harm your Maker’s Diet lifestyle, but consumption of either of these products is not recommended either while doing a cleanse or in consistent daily quantities.

Sucanat and rapadura can be purchased at most health food stores as well as Organic Food Depot.

Stevia
Stevia is a South American herb that has been used as a sweetener by the Guarani Indians of Paraguay for hundreds of years. The leaves of this small, green Stevia rebaudiana plant have a delicious and refreshing taste that can be 30 times sweeter than sugar. Very popular in Japan where it has been widely used as a sweetener for over 35 years, Stevia is sold in the U.S. as a dietary supplement.

Stevia comes in powder, tablet, and liquid forms. Of these, the liquid drops are the tastiest. I have found that Stevia powder does not taste very good in coffee, oatmeal or tea, but the liquid drops are quite delicious. And both forms are often called for in Stevia recipes. Stevia can be purchased online, at a variety of health food stores, and even via the Organic Food Depot.

Stevia has been found to be a healthy substitute for diabetics because it does not spike insulin levels.

There are Stevia recipe books available, as well as a number of websites providing free Stevia recipes.

Remember, as always, too much of a good thing isn’t good. The key with Stevia and other sugar substitutes is not to go on eating tons of it as people currently do with refined sugar—we must cut way back and instead use these healthy sweeteners sparingly. The FDA has not yet approved Stevia to be used commercially in grocery-store foods and food products because of a study conducted in which rats were fed enormous amounts of Stevia over a many-month period. This led to reproductive problems, cancer, and problems with energy and metabolism. This study, however, is nothing to be concerned about if you’re using Stevia in moderation as people have done for thousands of years.

Honey
Raw, unheated honey is the only form of honey you should be eating. If your honey has been processed, heated, filtered or treated, you are missing out on all of the beneficial living enzymes naturally present in raw honey. Raw, unheated honey has been used to treat ailments for thousands of years. It is delicious when used in cooking and has a greater sweetening power than sugar. Twelve ounces (weight) of honey equals one standard measuring cup.

You can purchase raw, unheated honey at health food stores and now at a few regular grocery stores (but look at the labels carefully). Local health food stores in Hampton Roads, including the Organic Food Depot, sell a variety of raw honeys including Really Raw Honey, Golden Angels Apiary (a local Virginia producer), Garden of Life and others.

Cooking and baking with honey can take a little bit of practice and a little math, but it is well worth it. Click here for Real Raw Honey recipes. Click here and scroll down for additional links to recipe lists.

As a general rule when substituting honey for sugar in baked goods, reduce the amount of liquid by ¼ cup for each cup of honey used; add ½ teaspoon of baking soda for each cup of honey used; reduce the oven temperature by 25 degrees to prevent over browning. For easy removal, rub extra-virgin coconut oil or olive oil on the inside of the measuring cup before adding honey.

Once again, you don’t want to overdo it with honey. It is much sweeter than sugar, and it does affect insulin levels. Jordan Rubin recommends no more than 3 Tbsp. per day.

Maple Syrup
Pure maple syrup is not as potently sweet as honey and can be used for more than just topping your waffles and pancakes.

Commercial brands of syrup, such as Mrs. Butterworth’s and Log Cabin, are terribly unhealthy as they contain high-fructose corn syrup. Pure maple syrup, on the other hand, is healthy in moderation and contains zinc and other minerals.

Pure maple syrup is rated by grades: A, B, and C. Grade A pure maple syrup is light amber, grade B is a medium amber, and grade C is very dark and not usually available for purchase as it is used in commercial baking. Grade A maple syrup is the most tasty for things like pancakes. Grade B is often used more in baking.

You can purchase pure maple syrup at most grocery stores, but you can only purchase organic pure maple syrup through health food stores. As I mentioned in another post, I often purchase pure maple syrup (non-organic) in bulk at Costco.

Click here to see a history of maple syrup and its nutritional content.

Here are a few links to maple syrup recipes:

http://www.shadymaple.ca/en/recettes/

http://www.whfoods.com/recipestoc.php

http://www.recipes4us.co.uk/Specials%20and%20Holidays/Maple%20Syrup.htm

Some of the recipes on these links may call for sugar. Try to avoid those or attempt to substitute the sugar for rapadura, sucanat or honey.

Summary
You can find more recipes using honey, maple syrup, rapadura or sucanat in Sally Fallon’s Nourishing Traditions

If you have questions concerning any of these sweeteners, please post a comment. I hope this has been helpful.

Culturing Your Dairy

2007-05-18T10:14:00.000-04:00

If you read my previous posts on dairy fermentation (Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3) and you’re wondering where to purchase a piima culture, read on …

You will most likely have to order a piima culture online as I did.

Moonwise Herbs is one of the places I have found for purchasing a piima culture. I ordered mine from them. They also offer kefir cultures as well. However, if you would like to order a piima culture from Moonwise, do it in the next few days. As of May 21 Moonwise will cease shipping piima cultures until September 2007 due to summer heat.

When you order your piima culture ($12) from Moonwise, it will usually arrive within two days. They charge around $6 for shipping in order to ensure that it gets to you quickly as the culture could be damaged if in transit too long. Once you have your piima culture, you never have to order it again as long as you remember to save some from your starter batch for your next batch.

Along with your piima culture, Moonwise Herbs sends an introductory sheet on how to use your piima. Refer to Sally Fallon’s Nourishing Traditions as well. Fallon’s piima starter recipe, however, calls for one “envelope” of piima culture. Moonwise sends its piima as a starter culture in a little jar, so follow Moonwise’s instructions for creating your starter culture. I believe it is1 pint cream and 1 Tbsp. piima.

After growing your starter culture with the piima sent to you by Moonwise, you can refer to Nourishing Traditions for other piima recipes.

In addition to Moonwise Herbs, Fermented Treasures sells piima cultures in envelopes ($8 ea.). They advertise them specifically for making piima yogurt, but you can use the piima culture for other things as Sally Fallon instructs in Nourishing Traditions. I believe you can order the envelope of piima culture from Fermented Treasures at any time of the year.

Here is an additional link to information on lacto-fermented foods with references to Nourishing Traditions.

And here’s another link to some basic fermenting recipes from Nourishing Traditions, a few which call for piima.

Remember, when culturing your piima use whole-milk dairy products that are either raw or only gently pasteurized (not ultra-pasteurized) and nonhomogenized.

Pasha Ottoman Bakery & Café - Restaurant With Organic Selection

2007-05-17T13:27:00.000-04:00

Pasha is a wonderful Hampton Roads option when eating out while still eating healthy. Their meat, fowl and seafood in many dishes is wild and/or free range. Many dishes are organic— with organic vegetables, rice, sauces, etc.

An average entree for dinner at Pasha is about $12. Not bad, quite comparable to an evening out at Applebee's.

I’ve eaten at Pasha several times, once was on a date with my husband. The atmosphere was wonderful. Two Turkish waiters, who were also obviously very talented musicians, serenaded the guests in traditional Mediterranean/Turkish style. Quite lovely. And the food was delicious.

Kombucha

2007-05-17T13:10:00.000-04:00

Kombucha is a raw, fermented drink containing billions of living probiotic organism, electrolytes, amino acids, antioxidants, etc. It is wonderful for the digestive system as well as a number of other things.

My sister suggested I try Kombucha. I discovered that the OFD carries some flavors in stock and others are available to order through the online catalogue. The brand I have tried and love is called Synergy. It comes in different flavors. My sister’s favorite is the mango. Unfortunately, although the drink IS available at Organic Food Depot, the mango flavor is only available via a split, and I couldn’t find enough people to split it with me this week. So, instead, I just ordered the grape flavor and the guava flavor since both are carried in stock.

A word of warning: don’t shake the bottle. The drink is very carbonated due to the fermentation. It tastes a little vinegary, almost a little like alcohol but not. It fizzes in your throat after a sip. It is a raw and organic drink.

It is actually quite good. I think the guava flavor is better than the grape. The immediate after-taste is the fruit 5% fruit juice that they add to it, and then right after that there’s a fermented after-taste. But on the whole, it’s great. It’s supposed to be fantastic for digestion and some people have even used it to help heal from cancer.

I’m excited that my sister told me about this. I had never heard of it until last week. The Kombucha will be a great thing to have to keep in line with what Sally Fallon recommends in Nourishing Traditions—make 50% of your daily diet fermented, cultured or sprouted foods AND make sure to eat something fermented or cultured at ever meal. Fallon’s word of advice is if your meal will not include something fermented or cultured, then it’s a good idea eat something of that sort prior to your meal in order to prep your digestive system to better break down and absorb your food.

I don’t know if I’ll be able to make fermented, cultured and sprouted foods 50% of my total diet, but I can at least eat them as often as possible. And with Kombucha in the house, I’ll always have something fermented on hand.

Organics at Trader Joe’s

2007-05-17T13:02:00.000-04:00

My thoughts on Trader Joe’s …

Currently there is only one Trader Joe’s in the Hampton Roads area, located in Newport News. I have been there a couple of times, but do not frequent it on a regular basis as it is about a 45-minute drive from where I’m at in Chesapeake.

Trader Joe’s does carry a variety of organic and “all-natural” items. Again, one must really look at the labels. They do carry some organic dairy as well as organic pasta, jams, sweeteners, organic canned goods, etc. However, they do not carry a number of the reliable products and brands that most health food stores do.

Although Trader Joe’s prices are certainly competitive, I am personally a very picky Maker’s Diet shopper, and both times I have visited Trader Joe’s I did not always find what I was looking for as far as ingredients. Their meat selection in the frozen isle is decent though. They have a few of wild/free range items.

If any of you happen to make a trip to Trader Joe’s and have any updated info, let me know.

Dairy Fermentation & More - Day 3

2007-05-17T12:43:00.000-04:00

Here is my account of day three in the process of fermentation (both dairy and other things).

(5/14/07)
This morning I made porridge with the oats that I soaked in whey and water overnight. It took about 15-20 minutes total, but most of that time, I didn’t really have to do anything. I started by boiling 1 cup of water and ½ tsp. of ground sea salt. Once the water was boiling, I added the oats (which had doubled in size overnight). Then I turned the burner down to low to simmer them. I finished making lunches, started getting ready and came back 10 minutes later to stir the oats. I finished doing some other morning preparations and came back another 10 minutes later. They were done, perfectly moist and absolutely delicious. I put about ¾ cup of porridge in a bowl and topped it with pure maple syrup. Yum! (You can also cut the recipe in half if cooking for only one person and the cooking time will be reduced.)

This morning I also scooped the cream cheese from the cheesecloth, that had been sitting out all night dripping whey, put it in a clean jar and stuck it in the fridge. I put a lid on the separate jar with the whey in it and put it in the fridge too.

I took a taste of the cream cheese after it had had time to chill. It is really quite bland, not at all like the cream cheese that I am used to. The texture and consistency are perfect, just like cream cheese. But the taste just isn’t there. I will have to do some research to see if I can season it or anything to give it some flavor.

Dairy Fermentation & More - Day 2

2007-05-17T12:39:00.000-04:00

Here is my account of the second day doing dairy fermenation (and other fermentation) at home based on Sally Fallon's recipes:

(5/13/07)
I used 1 cup of my homemade yogurt in my smoothie this morning (Jordan Rubin’s Berry Smoothie recipe from The Maker’s Diet) and it was THE MOST DELICIOUS yogurt smoothie I’ve ever had! As Sally Fallon says in Nourishing Traditions, the homemade yogurt is not as thick as commercial yogurt. But, I have to admit, it is really good in smoothies!

Now on to Whey & Cream Cheese …

I’ve just started a batch of the above using 1 cup of the yogurt I made yesterday. The whey is already draining through the cheesecloth in the strainer. It will probably be tomorrow before my cream cheese and whey are done. With the whey I’ll be able to ferment fruits, veggies, beans, grains, etc.

I have also started a batch of piima cream (sour cream). I took ½ tablespoon of piima starter culture that I made yesterday and added it to about ½ pint of whole cream from Yoder (not ultrapasteurized). It is fermenting in the cupboard now for 24 hours. I’ll use it in my chili tomorrow night.

Soaking beans …

I’m soaking beans for chili tonight. I’ve never done this before. So, I’m experimenting a bit. I put 1 lb. of pinto and red kidney beans (dry and organic) to soak in a large bowl with equal amount of room-temperature water to the beans and added 2 tablespoons of my homemade yogurt to ferment/soak them. They should be ready for cooking after about 8 hours. However, Sally Fallon says 12-24 hours. I hope 8 hours will be enough.

Later …

I have hit a snag with my soaked beans for the chili. I soaked the beans for 8 hours then added them to the other ingredients for my chili (sans remaining water from soaking). It was apparent when I added them that they were going to need more water in order to simmer and expand. I added water, brought them to a boil and then reduced the heat to medium-low. I realized though, after referring again to the soaked-bean recipes, that I probably should have cooked the beans before adding them to the chili. This means my chili will take longer.

1 hour later …

I just checked the chili and it is sticking/scorching on the bottom of the pot–the beans mostly. I’ve added more water, as the other has been absorbed by the beans already.

In the meantime, while waiting on my chili, I am putting organic whole rolled oats to soak for our breakfast tomorrow. I’m trying Sally Fallon’s basic porridge recipe: 1 cup warm water, 1 cup whole rolled oats, 2 tablespoons homemade whey. Cover and let soak at least 8 hours and as many as 24.

I just sampled the piima cream and it delicious! More smooth and sweet than any commercial sour cream I’ve tasted.

3 hours later …

Ok, my chili has now been simmering for 4 hours. I’ve added a total of probably 6 cups of water since first adding the soaked beans to the chili pot. I guess next time I WILL COOK THE BEANS before using them in anything. Ha, learned my lesson there.

Dairy Fermentation & More - Introduction & Day 1

2007-05-17T10:10:00.000-04:00

After looking through Sally Fallon’s book Nourishing Traditions, I decided to take a shot at her chapter called “Mastering the Basics” in which she explains how to culture your own dairy for maximum health benefits. I documented my dairy culturing and a couple other food fermentation experiments over a three-day period. Here is my account of the first day:

Sally Fallon’s first recipe calls for something called a “piima culture.” According to Fallon, “Piima culture (also called vili or Finnish culture) is derived from the milk of cows that feed on the butterwort plant. Centuries ago, Scandinavian farmers discovered that milk clabbered better when their cows consumed this herb” (82).

Dairy that is allowed to ferment has been shown to naturally break down “thirty to forty percent of the lactose present […] so that the high lactose content is reduced. However, a special enzyme activity also takes place. Fermented products that are not pasteurized or heated in way that destroy the enzyme activity have significant levels of enzymes that contribute to the digestion of lactose in the intestine” (Dr. Betty Kamen, Health Freedom News in Fallon’s Nourishing Traditions 82).

Although I have had a milk allergy since I was young, I decided to see if consuming homemade fermented dairy would help my body react less to dairy products.

(5/12/07)
I bought creamline milk and whole cream from Yoder Dairies yesterday. I tipped the creamline jar upside down to get a feel for the thickness of it, but it didn’t move! I was a little nervous because of that. When I got home from work, I shook the jar of creamline really hard and finally saw liquid movement in the jar. I shook it some more and then poured myself a glass. Some congealed cream tried to pour out as well, but I kept that in the jar, put the cap back on, and shook hard again before returning it to the refrigerator. I tasted the glass of milk I’d just poured. Delicious! Now that is milk!

At this point I took the piima culture (in jar) out of the fridge. I had previously cleaned a few mason jars and lids, using hot water and natural dish soap. Sally Fallon’s instructions for fermenting dairy (in Nourishing Traditions) explain that the jars must be “immaculately clean.” When I opened the piima culture jar, I saw that its consistency is very similar to whipped cream cheese, but a bit thicker. I cut the starter culture recipe in half since I didn’t want to use my whole point of cream up for just the starter. A pint is 2 cups, so I measured out 1 cup of cream with an equally clean measuring cup, and then I added ½ tablespoon of piima culture. I stirred it using the measuring spoon and then took my roasting thermometer and turned it on to test the temperature not only in the kitchen, but also in the cupboards, etc.

Piima’s ideal culturing temperature is 72-75 degrees. One of my cupboards was 73 degrees, so I put the starter culture in there cupboard, and I put the remaining piima culture (the original one) in the freezer. Later in the evening, about 2 hours later, I checked the temperature in the cupboard again. It had dropped to 69 degrees, so I took the starter culture upstairs. It’s always warmer upstairs. My bedroom closet registered 73 degrees, so I put the starter culture in there for the night. This morning I checked the temperature in the closet and it is 74.9 degrees. So, once 7:30 p.m. rolls around tonight, if my starter culture looks reasonably thickened, then I’ll put it in the fridge where it’s supposed to firm up.

Once it has done that, I will add a bit of starter to the rest of the cream from Yoder Diaries to make piima sour cream.

Now, on to making yogurt …

I will use 1 quart of creamline milk (must be only gently pasteurized and non-homogenized as well) from Yoder Dairies along with ½ cup of commercial organic plain whole milk yogurt. The instructions say to heat the milk on the stove to 180 degrees. Once it reaches that temperature, take it off the stove until it cools to 110 degrees, then add ½ cup yogurt and mix together. It then says to pour it into a glass, ceramic or stainless steel dish and cover, and then place in oven set to 150 degrees. I will use my Pyrex glass (small) casserole dish. The instructions say to leave the mixture in the 150-degree oven overnight, but since I’ve never done this before, I don’t feel comfortable leaving the oven on all night. So, I’m going to put the mixture in the oven for 8 hours during the day instead. After that it goes in the fridge where you check it every so often, mopping up (with a paper towel) the whey that rises to the top.

I first went to preheat the oven to 150 degrees when I realized that my oven doesn’t heat below 170 degrees! I was concerned, but then I remembered that my toaster oven heats as low as 150 and is just the right size for my Pyrex glass casserole dish. Whew!

I started heating my creamline milk on the stove in a saucepan using my roasting thermometer to check the temperature (the recipe calls for a candy thermometer, but I’m sure a roasting one will do). I began by heating the chilled milk very slowly, stirring periodically. Every 3-5 minutes I’d test the temperature. If it ever stabilized, I turned the burner up one notch. Once on level 8 for my stove (on a scale of 1-10)—the equivalent of about medium-high I’d guess—the milk reached 180 degrees. This took close to ½ an hour. I took the milk off the hot burner and set the thermometer in it. I am now watching the temperature drop …

It has now taken almost 45 minutes to cool the milk from 180 degrees to 110 degrees. Note: when making yogurt, allow plenty of time in your schedule. While waiting for it to cool, I’ve emptied the dishwasher, eaten breakfast, swept the floor, etc. Finally, the milk made it to 110 degrees! I had let my commercial organic plain whole milk yogurt sit at room temperature for the last ½ hour. I added ½ cup of yogurt to my warm milk. Stirred. Then emptied the mix into the glass casserole dish and set it in the toaster oven set to 150 degrees, with a stainless steel toaster oven pan covering it. We’ll see how it’s doing in 8 hours …

Tonight at 7:30 p.m. I checked on the piima starter. It had thickened nicely so I put it in the fridge.

I took the yogurt out of the toaster oven—it had thickened and cultured well. I covered it with the Pyrex casserole plastic lid and put it in the fridge. A few hours later I checked it for whey, mopped up what had collected, and put it back in the fridge. I will try to my homemade yogurt in my yogurt breakfast smoothie tomorrow.

Yoder Dairies

2007-05-16T17:34:00.000-04:00

Yoder Dairies is a marvelous resource to those in Virginia Beach and the surrounding areas. Originally owned by a Mennonite family, Yoder Dairies offers very gently pasteurized and non-homogenized milk from cows that have not been given antibiotics or hormones. And their dairy contains no preservatives.

Yoder Dairies is the only place in the area where I have been able to find whole, non-homogenized milk (essential for making homemade, cultured dairy products; see my other postings on culturing your own dairy and/or see Sally Fallon’s Nourishing Traditions).

Their cream, buttermilk and creamline (whole, non-homogenized milk) are all top quality. I have used them to make cultured dairy at home, and it has turned out better by far than anything I’ve ever bought commercially.

They also carry local free-range eggs as well.

Their juices, however, are not organic and are from concentrate, so they are not your best choice for juice.

But the dairy is marvelous, and you can arrange to have them deliver your dairy right to your door!

Raw Milk in Hampton Roads, Va. and Beyond

2007-05-16T17:20:00.001-04:00

While doing research for local dairy, I discovered that though buying and selling raw, non-pasteurized milk is illegal in most states, including Virginia, there is an option called “cow sharing.”

Cow sharing consists of purchasing a share in a cow. There are about 20 shares in a cow. They usually cost around $100 per share, and then around $25-$35 per month to help pay for the care of the cow. In return for your investment, you get at least 1 gallon of fresh raw whole milk straight from the cow every week.

From this raw, whole, non-homogenized milk you can make a variety of dairy products including butter, sour cream and yogurt.

If you are not a resident of Virginia, visit this site to find out about your state's laws concerning raw milk and where you can get raw milk nearby.

For residents if Hampton Roads, Va., there are two farms near the Chesapeake/Virginia Beach area that participate in cow sharing.

FULL QUIVER FARM

- This farm is located in Suffolk, Va. You can purchase a share in a cow through Scott and Alison Wilson, the owners, as well as a variety of other things like free-range eggs, free-range chicken and turkey, pre-ordered free-range beef, etc. I own a cow share through Full Quiver Farm and just love it. The milk is rich and delicious. As someone who grew up with a severe milk allergy my whole life, discovering raw milk has been a miracle for me. For the first time, I can drink milk (raw) and not get sick.

HOLLY GROVE FARM

- This farm is located in Ivor, Va., just past Suffolk. You can purchase a share in a cow through them, as well as free-range beef.

There is a lively debate surrounding the issue of raw dairy. Some people swear by it, others believe it’s dangerous. Until I read the research, I was torn on the issue as well. Now, there's no doubt in my mind that raw milk is best. Read the documented research now and decide for yourself.

Water & Health

2007-05-16T17:15:00.000-04:00

Switching to healthier water is a must when starting the Maker’s Diet. Many bottled waters at the grocery store say simply “pure,” “filtered,” or “spring water.” But what does that mean?

As many of you may have seen on the news in recent months, companies that produce these waters don’t always go to that much trouble to make sure they’re pure or filtered. For all you know, the water you drink out of some bottles could be tap water. So, it’s important to find a reputable company who produces distilled water that you can trust.

Water & Health Inc (located on Sams Drive in Chesapeake and on Lynnhaven Parkway in Virginia Beach) is one of the most reputable places in the southeastern Virginia area I’ve found for truly pure water. Water & Health Inc puts their water through a double distillation process. It is so pure, it can sit for years in a jar in the sunlight and never discolor (unlike the city tap water found all over the country including Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Suffolk—which turns varying shades of brown over a period of months while sitting in the sun).

At Water & Health you can purchase a membership at varying levels which INCLUDES a certain number of gallons of water (i.e. 250 gal., 500 gal., etc.). In addition to the water, you may decide to purchase a dispensary system either through Water & Health or at a local Lowe’s or Home Depot. My husband and I purchased our dispensary unit 2 years ago and a $200+ membership with Water & Health and we still haven’t run out of water yet!

You can taste the difference from Water & Health, which is why I so highly recommend it. You may find other places in the area that suit your needs or location better, but always make sure to get tour of the place, find out how they distill/purify their water and price compare.

The Real Bread Shop

2007-05-16T17:07:00.000-04:00

Although breads and baked goods from The Real Bread Shop are available for order online via OFD (for a few cents less individually), The Real Bread Shop store is fun to visit and offers the added benefit of a hole-punch card. Once you buy 12 loaves, you get a free loaf of bread. This is actually a better deal than saving 5 cents per loaf via OFD.

The Real Bread Shop is located in Fairfield Plaza on Kempsville Road in Virginia Beach, directly adjacent to Blockbuster on the corner in the plaza.

The Real Bread Shop uses freshly ground organic flour and local raw honey.

Again, the breads that I stick with in order to stay as close to the Maker’s Diet as possible are the Bible Bread, the Sourdough Bread and the various Spelt Breads.

Organics and More at Farm Fresh

2007-05-16T16:42:00.000-04:00

Within the past two year, Farm Fresh has started to carry organic food produts. The Farm Fresh located at the intersection of Kempsville and Volvo in Chesapeake, Virginia, has the best organic selection I’ve found of any Farm Fresh my area.

A lot of their items are a little more expensive than OFD and Harris Teeter, but they do have a few things at a better price. My favorite peanut butter by Maranatha is less expensive at Farm Fresh than anywhere else, even OFD.

They carry some organic produce, organic canned goods, organic dry good, organic frozen items, and others, etc.

However, Farm Fresh, like Harris Teeter (HT Naturals), now has their own organic brand called Nature’s Best. Beware of this brand. Every product that I’ve seen so far under than brand label, while it does contain organic ingredients, it ALWAYS has sugar in it. I highly recommend staying away from these products, as they are not ideal.

However, Nature’s Best is certainly not the only brand carried at Farm Fresh.

In addition, Farm Fresh carries items in bulk: organic dried fruits, grains, seeds, nuts, beans—and even grain-sweetened chocolate covered raisins. The organic dried figs are delicious, as well as the organic dry beans.

Also, if you feel, as I have, that the products in the organic section of Farm Fresh are limited and sometimes overpriced, you can also look in the regular isles for certain products. For instance, Farm Fresh also has two brands of organic canned tomatoes in the regular canned vegetable isle, AND they are less expensive than the brands carried in the “organic section.” So, it pays to do a little extra research in the regular isles before settling on that high-priced item in the fancy “organic section.”

A Guide to Pesticides in Produce

2007-05-16T16:33:00.000-04:00

Check out the Food News page on ewg.org (at the bottom of the page) for a guide to pesticide levels in produce so you can shop more wisely when buy organic and/or commercial produce.

Organics and More at Super Wal-Mart

2007-05-16T16:21:00.000-04:00

Super Wal-Marts began carrying organic and "all natural" products in the last year or so. The two locations I frequent are the one on Princess Ann Rd. in Virginia Beach and the one on Battlefield Blvd. in Chesapeake. Not all of the natural/organic items that Wal-Mart carries are the best choices while on the Maker’s Diet (specifically because many of them contain sugar). However, here is a list of the items I’ve found at Super Wal-Mart stores that fall under the Maker’s Diet guidelines, or at least close to them.

PRODUCE

- Organic romaine lettuce hearts – less expensive than anywhere else

- Organic apples by the bag – less expensive than anywhere else

- Organic avocados

- Organic lemons or limes (depends on what’s in stock)

- Organic celery

- Organic carrots

- Organic kiwi

- Amy’s Organic frozen meals (Mexican style) – cheapest of anywhere (however, I try to stay away from microwave foods and from the microwave in general, but when in a pinch, we’ve eaten Amy’s frozen meals before.)

- Organic ice cream – has evaporated cane juice in it, but a nice treat once in a great while (Wal-Mart has the best price for the most organic ice cream of anywhere I’ve found so far)

- Organic soups – Amy’s and other brands – best priced organic soups anywhere

- Natural Jams/Jellies by Polaner – fruit juice sweetened (only $1.50, less expensive than either Farm Fresh [$2.49 ea.] or Harris Teeter [$1.99]). We have been buying these to save money rather than buying organic fruit juice sweetened jam, which can get expensive.

- Organic canned beans – less expensive than other places (however, canned beans are not the best, as Sally Fallon mentions in Nourishing Traditions, but sometimes it is easier to use them if one is in a hurry. In the long run, though, it is cheaper to buy organic dry beans and cook them yourself.)

- Organic sour cream, decent price, but not cultured like Nancy’s, and certainly not as good for your or tasty as making it at home yourself.

These are most of the products that I get at Wal-Mart. Be sure when shopping for the best price on something, that you make sure to look at the label to see if it contains sugar. They can get pretty tricky with the labels. I believe Wal-Mart also carries organic frozen vegetables and eggs as well for a good price, probably the best price around.

Organics and More at Harris Teeter

2007-05-16T16:10:00.000-04:00

Here is a list of Maker’s Diet-approved food items available at Harris Teeter stores that I have found helpful and often cost-competitive.

- Organic Peanut Butter (HT Naturals brand)

- Organic canned tomatoes (diced and others) – a few more cents than Wal-Mart’s but Wal-Mart’s organic canned tomatoes have sugar in them, so I avoid them!

- Organic salsa (HT Naturals brand – very good salsas!)

- Organic produce, including peppers, squash, oranges, lemons, limes, apples, pears, onions, potatoes, lettuce, etc. Price compare on the organic produce – sometimes it’s better at Harris Teeter, sometimes it’s better at Organic Food Depot; I usually just stay away from things like fresh organic berries completely because they are so expensive no matter where you get them from.

- Organic brown rice – HT Naturals brand, brown basmati rice (very good!) – best price I’ve found for the most rice

- Organic canned veggies, beans and tons of other things, but the price isn’t as good as WalMart.

- Organic flours, oats and baking items – HT is usually more expensive on these items compared with ordering them online via OFD

- Organic Juice – a few whole, not-from-concentrate juices are available. HT also offers organic juice from concentrate, which I know is a no-no according to Jordan Ruben … but if getting the unfiltered organic juice is just too expensive for you (which it sometimes is for us) we will get our Organic Juice from Harris Teeter … they have a couple different brands, one is less expensive than the other.

- Organic frozen fruit – better price on frozen berries and other fruits on HT Naturals brand than any other brands elsewhere

- Organic, free range beef and chicken, good quality (if you’re a VIC member, the organic beef is a really decent price. The chicken, though, is a bit pricey.)

Low-Fat Diets Are Not Healthy - Finally Mainstream Nutritionalists are Understanding the Truth

2007-05-16T11:18:00.000-04:00

Check out this article on MSN Health & Fitness. Hello, this is what people like Jordan Rubin and Sally Fallon have been saying for years! We need healthy fat in our diets. The key there is "healthy" fats. Things like whole milk, natural fat from healthy, free-range beef, plenty of free-range eggs, etc. Low fat diets can even contribute to infertility in women.

Shopping at Organic Food Depot (OFD)

2007-05-16T10:05:00.001-04:00

The Organic Food Depot—I call it OFD—is a wonderful organic and natural food co-op. It has a number of store/pick-up locations in Hampton Roads. You can go online and sign up to be a member. It's FREE! Once you become a member, you can order products online (orders close on Tuesdays at 10 a.m.) and pick them up in-store on Fridays after 5 p.m. The OFD carries a lot of products in stock, but even more products are available through them online. You can split cases of items with other members, buy items in bulk to get a better price, or simply buy individual items as well.

Listed here are some of the products they carry that are in line with eating according to the Maker’s Diet.

PRODUCE

OFD carries a variety of organic produce, much of which is local—everything from grapes, kiwi, oranges, apples, pears berries, bananas, lemons, avocados, onions, potatoes lettuce, mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach, and number of other things. The organic produce I usually purchase from OFD includes
- green bell peppers (the price is better than other places depending on the season)
- baby bella mushrooms
- fresh heads of lettuce (the best prices I’ve found around)
- pears
- red potatoes
- tomatoes
- grapefruit
- grapes
- oranges

One of the most valuable resources for me concerning produce has been the Food News page on ewg.org. This website lists the pesticide levels present in a variety of fruits and vegetables. The things at the top of the list I always buy organic. The things on the bottom of the list I don’t bother to buy organic. This has helped me to balance my budget and make more informed choices. For instance, bananas hardly absorb any pesticides, so I continue to buy regular bananas at the grocery store.

GROCERY

- JUICE: Unfiltered organic juice, with pulp to get the most living enzymes (Golden Acres apple juice is really good. It's local and a decent price, though it isn’t organic. You can get it through the online catalogue if you're looking for this type of “whole” juice.)

- RAW HONEY: Really Raw Honey is the one of the only raw, unheated, unfiltered brands of honey on the market. It is delicious! It comes in a variety of sizes and is in it's natural solid, unheated state. This ensures that the living enzymes contained in raw honey straight from the comb are still active and alive. Another local alternative is Golden Angels Apiary. Their honey is also very good, but very few of their honeys are raw and many of them are slightly heated. However, the latter is less expensive. Choose what works best for you depending on your budget. I use raw, unheated honey in cooking and on cereal, in tea, etc. (When baking, if something calls for 1 cup of sugar, I use about ½-¾ cup of honey—so it’s not a one-to-one ratio. However, when substituting honey for sugar in baked goods, reduce the amount of liquid by ¼ cup for each cup of honey used; add ½ teaspoon of baking soda for each up of honey used; reduce the oven temperature by 25 degrees to prevent overbrowning.)

- DRIED/CANNED FRUIT, NUTS & SEEDS: organic raisins, a variety of organic dried fruit, organic unsweetened shredded coconut, organic canned fruit, organic peanuts and other nuts, organic seeds—sunflowers seed, sesame seeds and others

- PASTA: Food for Life offers wonderful organic sprouted grain pasta. Vita Spelt offers organic spelt pasta. Bionature offers organic spelt and whole wheat pasta. Tinkyada offers brown rice pasta (brown rice pasta is what I prefer by because it tastes more like white pasta but is so much healthier for you). OFD also carries quinoa pasta.

- SAUCES: Muir Glen Pasta sauces are good and well priced. OFD offers other pasta sauce brands as well. Muir Glens offers a wonderful pizza sauce too. (See recipe blog for Spelt Pizza Crust recipe – coming soon.)

- SPROUTED CEREAL: Food for Life offers sprouted cereals—they are not sweetened, so they are best when eaten them with a little raw honey or fruit. Although the Maker’s Diet prohibits eating any cereal but sprouted grain, OFD does carry a good alternative to Rice Crispies if you have a hard time giving up regular cereal—it’s Brown Rice cereal by Erewhon/US Mills. Technically this is not your best choice as it is processed and no longer a living food.

- MAPLE SYRUP – OFD carries many brands. Some are better priced than others. Just make sure it has no added sugars or corn syrup. It should be pure maple syrup. I usually just look for the best price or try to split a case with other members (See recipe blog for the Healthy Pie recipe – coming soon. This pie recipe uses maple syrup and/or apple juice to sweeten the filling. It’s delicious.) Also, Costco sells Pure Maple Syrup in bulk for a little better price. It isn’t organic, but still very healthy, no sugar or corn syrup.

- OILS: Organic Flax Seed Oil (in the refrigerator at OFD and available online of course); Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil - Nutiva is the brand that seems to be the best priced, but look at the other brands for sales; Organic Olive Oil – Spectrum or Newman’s Own both are well-priced (make sure it’s cold-pressed and unrefined); Rapunzel Pure Organics carries an Unrefined Spanish Olive Oil that looks really good—I haven’t tried it yet. (All of the Rapunzel products are great, their unsweetened cocoa for baking is wonderful.)

- FLOUR: I buy Spelt Flour from OFD in bulk (25 lbs. at a time). So far it seems to me to be the best flour for baking when doing substitutions in recipes. I haven’t yet gotten the hang of baking with Amaranth flour (which you have to leaven with yogurt or kefir, I’m still experimenting with that). Brown rice flour (has no gluten in it, so won’t rise without yogurt or unless blended with spelt flour)—brown rice flour is very flaky and I haven’t really liked it when used in baking. It is very good in pancakes though. Kamut flour is good, but you have to blend it with spelt or it too is too flakey (it also needs yogurt to rise well). I’ve make cookies, breads and muffins, etc. all with spelt flour, using honey instead of sugar and adding nuts or grain-sweetened chocolate chips

- GRAIN SWEETENED CHOCOLATE CHIPS: Sunspire is the only brand that makes these. They are sweetened with malted barely and corn. Technically, the Maker’s Diet doesn’t recommend malted sweeteners because they are hard to digest, but I break the rule once in a while and enjoy some grain-sweetened chocolate because at least it doesn’t have sugar in it. These chocolate chips aren’t as sweet as regular sugary chocolate chips, but I’ve gotten used to them and they’re just as good in cookies.

- OTHER BAKING PRODUCTS: baking soda, baking powders, corn starch, etc. all available through OFD

- TEA/COFFEE: OFD carries a variety of organic teas and organic coffee beans.

- SNACKS/FIG BARS: I know they’re not sprouted, but sometimes it’s hard to find filling snacks you can grab on the go. We sometimes snack on gluten-free, sugar-free fig bars by Barbar’s Bakery. (Although lately, I’ve fallen in love more with organic dried figs available in the organic bulk section at Farm Fresh on Kempsville and Volvo.)

- SNACK/CRACKERS: Midel makes molasses-sweetened Honey Graham Crackers. They're all natural (not organic) sweetened with molasses and honey, no sugar. OFD also sells other crackers online, like Dr. Kracker. I haven’t found very many that don’t use safflower/sunflower oil (not exactly on the Maker’s Diet kosher list), but a number of the crackers have other healthy ingredients like flax seeds. (See Sally Fallon’s Nourishing Traditions book for recipes on making your own healthy crackers.)

- SEASONINGS: OFD carries all sorts of organic seasonings and seasoning packets: fajitas, tacos, alfredo pasta, chili, basil pesto, dips, soup mixes, etc.: But really look at the ingredients on some. Some contain corn syrup or sugar, etc.

- SALSA: OFD has tons of salsas to choose from. Our favorite is by Walnut Acres – Fiesta Cilantro. We buy it by the case.

- SOUP: OFD offers tons of canned soups and broths. But again look at the ingredient to make sure there’s no sugar. OFD carries Amy’s canned mushroom soup – best price I’ve found on this so far. Again, it is also preferable to make your own stock and soup, but sometimes it is difficult to find the time. (Sally Fallon’s Nourishing Traditions has tons of recipes on soups.)

- PICKLES & VINEGAR: OFD carries a variety of organic pickles online and some in the store, I believe, as well as a variety of organic vinegars and pickled/fermented vegetables.

- SALAD DRESSING: OFD has lots of dressing available, but again, check the ingredients. (See recipe blog for a vinaigrette dressing that is delicious – coming soon.)

- CONDIMENTS: OFD offers fruit-sweetened ketchup, as well as organic mustards and horseradishes. OFD also carries the Maker’s Diet-recommended mayonnaise by Spectrum: Omega-3 with Flax Seed Oil.

- SPROUTED BREADS: Food For Life – sprouted English Muffins (delicious!); Food For Life Ezekiel Bread (the bread’s ok, a little dry. Makes really good toast though!); Burger Buns (very good); sprouted Taco/Burrito Shells. In addition, Alvarado Street Bakery is a brand that offers sprouted Taco/Burrito Shells (these don’t break as easily as Food For Life’s), sprouted Bagels, sprouted Hot Dog and Hamburger Buns.

- OTHER BREADS: OFD has bread available from a local bakery called The Real Bread Shop (located on Kempsville at Fairfield Shopping Plaza). Their breads are fantastic, and you save a few cents by ordering the bread through OFD rather than at the store itself. They grind all their own whole organic flour and they sell “Bible Bread,” their version of Ezekiel bread (however their Bible Bread is not sprouted), and many different kinds of organic Spelt Bread. They also make a great Whole Wheat Sourdough. And all their breads use organic flour and only honey and molasses for sweetening. They’re big slices and they’re not dry as some natural bread brands can get. Make sure you stick with the Spelt Bread, the Bible bread, or the Whole Wheat Sourdough – their other breads use regular wheat and unsprouted grains, which are not as healthy or as easy to digest.

- PEANUT BUTTER: Maranatha is personally my favorite brand. (However, although OFD carries it, it is more expensive at OFD than Farm Fresh on Kempsville and Volvo in the organic section). OFD carries other brands of organic peanut butter as well. When shopping for peanut, make sure it is ALWAYS ORGANIC (do this for your raw, loose peanut as well). Commercial peanuts have very high levels of pesticides. Harris Teeter also carries its own Naturals brand of organic peanut butter that is very decently priced.

- CHIPS: Sami’s Bakery - Millet & Flax Pita Chips. In The Maker’s Diet, Jordan Rubin cautions against chips fried in oils, etc. since it changes the molecular structure of the oil, which is not healthy. OFD sells the most delicious alternative to regular chips … these are Millet and Flax Pita Chips. Both the plain and the garlic ones are safe on the Maker’s Diet. Very good, hearty and filling.

- BEANS: OFD sells organic canned beans and also organic dry beans (uncooked) which you can soak overnight for hearty soups. Much healthier to soak things and let them sprout, releasing the nutrients.

PERISHABLE

- EGGS: (Pete and Jerry’s – good price for organic, cage free eggs) – Wal-Mart also has organic eggs now (less expensive than other places) but they’re aren’t cage free … depends on what you’re willing to spend—at least if they’re organic, then it’s healthier than being commercially raised.

- CREAMS: Nancy’s cultured sour cream, cottage cheese, and cream cheese – lots of living healthy bacteria

- MILK: Natural by Nature Organic Grass Fed Cow’s Milk – I believe this is one of the few places this brand is available in the area.

- YOGURT: Seven Stars Dairy, organic yogurt – Maple or Plain. Both of these flavors have no sugar in them. The Maple flavor is only sweetened with maple syrup. You can also just get plain yogurt and make your own yogurt by blending the plain yogurt with fruit in the blender and adding some honey. Redwood Hill Farms also offers a wonderful organic goat’s milk yogurt with a wonderful honey-sweetened blueberry version. (Goat’s milk digests in 20 minutes rather than 4 hours as with cow’s milk! So, it is a healthy option when doing a cleanse or if you are sensitive to dairy.)

- BUTTER: Organic cow’s butter and/or Ghee if you prefer (both available)

- CHEESE: Morningland Dairy raw cow’s milk cheese is a local dairy that sells cheese through OFD. They offer cheddar, sharp cheddar and Colby cheese. Very good! If you don’t have time to shred your raw cheese, OFD carries many different kinds of organic shredded cheese, but they are not raw.

- BEEF OR CHICKEN HOT DOGS: Applegate Farms – their organic beef or chicken hot dogs have no nitrates added and are organic. The beef ones are particularly tasty.

- TURKEY BACON: Applegate Farms – Organic or all natural turkey bacon (no nitrates added)

- SANDWICH MEAT: Applegate Farms: organic and nitrate-free turkey (offered in a variety of roasting styles including maple and honey, smoked, etc.), chicken, beef.

- FROZEN FRUIT: OFD has a variety of brands.

- LOCAL GRASS-FED BEEF: Gryffon's Aerie – this local company provides a variety of good grass fed meats.

- KOMBUCHA: an organic, raw, fermented Chinese tea drink containting 1 billion probiotic organisms and lots of antioxidants. It is carbonated, sweetened with fruit juice and a delicious substitute to soda and other drinks. It is fantastic for the digestive system.

SUPPLEMENTS

- OFD all of the Garden of Life supplements mentioned in The Maker’s Diet. My favorite supplements include

o Ultra Primal Defense (“Ultra” is the latest version of Primal Defense, even better than the regular Primal Defense because it has a time release factor and even more probiotic organisms … and even though the instructions on the bottle say to take three a day, once you do a good cleanse you only need to take one or two a day). The Ultra Primal Defense through OFD is the cheapest that I’ve found anywhere, even compared to other online stores. By buying Ultra Primal Defense at OFD you will save at least $5 compared to The Vitamin Shop (but only if you order from OFD via online to get the 15% discount for members).

o The Living Multi Vitamins are good too. They now have them specifically for men and women

o Super Seed – the living fiber powder recommended in The Maker’s Diet.

o Perfect Food (original or green label). This is wonderful stuff too, comes in powder or capsules.
The thing to remember when trying to figure out what supplements you can afford is what will make the most difference for you. For me personally, I take Ultra Primal Defense and Perfect Food every day. I would like to take the Women’s Living Multi but we just can’t afford to do everything. So, I take a regular vitamin and then take the two supplements I just mentioned.

PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

- OFD also offers tons personal care products: natural and organic beauty products and toiletries. I’ve done a lot of research on this subject, especially through Skin Deep on ewg.org. Go to this website to get a better education on what ingredients commercial personal care products have in them and their harmful effects.

SUMMARY
You can get just about anything from OFD. If there’s something specific you’re looking for that you can’t find or are wondering if it’s a decent price compared to other stores, just post a question in my comments section, and IF I know the answer I’ll let you know. If I don’t know the answer, go ahead and do some of your own research, price comparing and let me know what you find. Even though OFD offers a lot, there are still items that I can get for a lower price at Wal-Mart or Harris Teeter, and sometimes Farm Fresh.

My Maker’s Diet Testimony & Avoiding Sickness

2007-05-15T16:17:00.000-04:00

If you have not yet read Jordan Rubin’s book The Maker’s Diet, or his latest book The Great Physician’s Rx for Health and Wellness, some of the information discussed on this blog may seem odd, foreign or confusing. My advice? Read the book and read the rest of this posting.

The Maker’s Diet is not a "diet" in the sense that it is a way to lose weight, although some people may lose weight especially during the Phase 1 cleanse. Rather, the Maker’s Diet is a lifestyle; it’s about making healthy food choices and learning how to give your body the nutrients it needs. God designed the body, so it is important to know how God intended us to eat.

As a personal testament to the Maker’s Diet lifestyle, I have not been sick with a cold, flu, virus or infection of any kind since beginning it. I no longer have to worry about whether I will lose my voice prior to a concert or performance. I no longer have to worry about coming into contact with a friend who has a cold or the flu. I just don’t catch sicknesses anymore.

One of the biggest keys to this, in addition to eating cultured, fermented and living foods, is avoiding processed sweets and sugars. Jordan Rubin specifically cracks down on this. In our over-processed, over-sanitized, microwavable world of pre-packaged food, there is very little nutrition left. If you look at the ingredients on most labels in the grocery store, just about everything contains sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, or some other unnatural chemically created sweetener.

According to scientists, 1 tsp. of sugar is enough to lower the human immune system for 6 hours! Our bodies were not meant to process this kind of stuff. Not only is it very difficult to digest, which can result in all sorts of medical problems, but it also corrodes our teeth and lowers our ability to fight off sickness.

I heard about a recent study done on rats with regards to high-fructose corn syrup. All the female rats that were fed the high-fructose corn syrup over a period of time became infertile. All of the male rats that were fed the high-fructose corn syrup died! Hmmm … and what’s the main ingredient in Mountain Dew and other sodas?

Jordan Rubin’s list of optional sweeteners is minimal compared to what is usually listed on an average prepackaged treat today.

Acceptable Sweeteners (according to The Maker’s Diet)
[organic is always best]
-Unheated raw honey (no more than 3 Tbsp. per day)
-Pure Maple Syrup
-Sucanat or Rapadura (in limited quantities) – available at the health food store
-Stevia

In addition, remember that all white flour, white rice, and any other grain that has been bleached basically breaks down into white sugar in the blood. Foods that have been bleached have no nutrition in them. So, be sure you always read the labels.

In future blogs I will discuss what stores in the local Hampton Roads area carry the types products mentioned in Jordan Rubin's book, and which stores carry the most affordable versions of those products. In addition I will keep track of my own experiments in the kitchen learning to culture my own dairy products and ferment my own grains, vegetables, fruits, beans and other foods. I will also include as a separate blog a variety of recipes that you may find helpful, especially when learning to cook with alternative sweetners and oils.