Microwave - Can you live without it?

As a modern convenience to probably 90% or more of our society did you ever wonder if you could live without your microwave? A few years back I decided I was going to limit my use and put it out of reach so it wasn't as tempting (on top of the fridge). This did help, a lot actually. Then one day about a year and a half ago my husband moved the fridge away from the wall and SPLAT, there went the microwave! He of course felt really bad, but I was actually happy. I knew I wasn't going to buy a new one and got to see how I could function without the temptation. Usually the first thing people ask me when they see I don't have one is "how do you reheat things?" Uh... the same way I cooked it in the first place... the stove or the oven :o)

So, why am I not a fan of the microwave? It produces radiation to cook your food and also emits electric magnetic energy. Both of these things I like to minimize if at all possible. If you plan on keeping yours, try not to stand in front of it when it’s on. Also, don't heat your food in plastic. I know snopes issued a comeback saying this was perfectly acceptable, but let's look at it logically. Plastics are loaded with chemicals. Heat it up and expands and contracts, risking possible leaks into your food. The known carcinogenic in a lot of plastics, BPA, will attach itself to any animal fat when heated (so don't pour hot food containing animal fat into a plastic container). I will end with a quote from Deirdre Imus from her book "Growing up Green";

"Microwaves are a perfect example of American's obsession with convenience above all else...our insistence on taking shortcuts, even at our own peril."

Magic Eraser -- Not so Magical

Does anyone know what makes the magic eraser so magical? I wonder if it is the formaldehyde-melamine-sodium bisulfite copolymer it is made from? Holy crap, seriously people!? I of course learned this the hard way after it was rubbed on my kids arms and they started getting chemical burns on their skin. I'm really disliking chemists more and more these days. Let's just say I will no longer by buying this product anymore!

A Farm Near You

I went to a really great farm yesterday with the kids. It's called King Family Farm and Market. They have two locations; one in Myakka and one out east off SR70 and

Caruso Road

. They are not "certified" organic but they do everything as if they are. One of the neat things about it is they have signs above all the sections of produce telling when that batch was harvested. The stuff was amazingly fresh and super yummy! After we picked our produce we went out to cut our own flowers, which the kids loved! Then they had a few horses so we went to feed them. If you don't live around here, I encourage you to seek out some farms in your area. You will find not only is it cheaper then the grocery store, it is way fresher!

Here is their info:
King Family Farm and Market
4630 60th St E, Bradenton, FL 34203
Tues-Sat 9am-6pm
kingfarmmarket@gmail.com
941-773-1624 

Salmon Cakes

Here is a recipe for salmon cakes. It is SO yummy! Most of the time I used canned salmon (canned salmon is always wild) but if I have fresh salmon I will use that too.

1/2 cup cooked salmon
3 scallions
2 large potatoes peeled and mashed
(optional ) 1/2 red bell pepper (dice and sauté before you put in cake)
1 T lemon
Salt and pepper

Mold into cakes, dip into a bowl of egg with milk then into a bowl of breadcrumbs. Fry in a little bit of oil (I use safflower oil), then flip. When done put on cookie rack with paper towel underneath so that it drains but remains crispy.

 

Venting on Vending

Sorry it's been a while since my last post, I had a jam packed weekend. It was a nice family and friend filled weekend which left me with very little time to think, let alone post.

On Saturday we had Payton's tee ball then it was off to the Y. It was Healthy Kids Day there so they had all sorts of activities for the kids and it was all free...who doesn't love free! Now I do love the Y, however I feel like they miss the mark with nutrition. I have noticed quite a bit of overweight kids there, which is good that they are at the Y cause that means they are being active, but then you go to the rec room and see the vending machines.

Pepsi is a YMCA sponsor. Ok, I get it, the Y is non-profit and they need the money, but Pepsi, really? I can't think of a more unhealthy thing (OK, I can but let's not get off topic). There are 2 Pepsi soda vending machines, 1 water and a 1 Gatorade one (we've already discussed my feelings on Gatorade). But wait, that's not it. In between all these beverages is the snack machine. There is literally not one healthy snack in there! Then after the sports games they offer right outside the entrance hot dogs, hamburgers with chips and soda.

To me, there is no healthy without good nutrition. However, I learn more and more each day that for many, the two do not go hand in hand.

Better Candy Alternatives

This may seem like an unlikely post for a natural blog, but hey, who doesn't like a piece of candy every now and again right? I subscribed to the Green Helper newsletter (from the coupon post) and since Easter is right around the corner they had a website for a candy store online. The website is http://www.naturalcandystore.com/. There are two things I try to be strict about the kids not having, artificial colors and artificial sugar (although I admit every now and again I fold on the artificial colors). So I was pretty excited to see this website. They have a huge selection of stuff. Check it out!

Kombucha -- A Success!

Ok, so it's been a while since I have mentioned the kombucha. I went through two unsuccessful batches (operator error) and like they say, third times a charm. It is SO good. Even Gary, who never wants to try anything "crazy" I make said it was good. It tastes like sparkling grape juice. Now don't be scared, but here is what the SCOBY looks like and the juice.

Green Cleaning

Years ago when I was working and before I had kids I had a cleaning lady. I remember coming home and smelling the bleach throughout the house and thinking "ahhhh the house is so clean now". Now I think back and cringe at all that stuff seeping into my lungs. Bleach is definitely not in my cleaning regime anymore. I can't even tolerate a whiff of it without it burning my eyes and nose.

There are lots of different things you can use to clean your home. Plain old white vinegar will clean almost anything. If you are not a fan of the smell you can add essential oils. I read an article that Sara Snow wrote and shared it with some friends and everyone enjoyed it so I will post it here for everyone else.

Vinegar inhibits mold and bacteria growth, and will cut through grease and soap scum in your kitchen, bathroom or anywhere else in the house.  It last forever and it's cheap!  Use distilled white vinegar instead of apple cider to avoid staining surfaces, the smell dissipates as it dries.

- For a basic all over the house cleaner, mix together equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Use on countertops, glass and floors.
-Clean your floors with a mixture of ½ cup white distilled vinegar and a ½ gallon of warm water. No need to rinse. Just wipe and go.
-For windows, fill a spray bottle with water and a quarter cup of white vinegar or lemon juice. A great way to recycle your newspapers is to use them in place of paper towels for a streak-free finish.
-Clean your disposal and drains by pouring 1 cup of white distilled vinegar down the drain. Let it sit and flush.
-A ½ cup of distilled white vinegar added in to the rinse cycle of your washing machine will act as a natural fabric softener and will rinse clothes cleaner, getting out excess soap and detergent.
-To freshen a toilet bowl, pour two to three cups of white vinegar into the toilet bowl, let sit for a few hours then scrub and flush.

A basic liquid soap (non-petroleum based and free of dyes - castile and other plant-based soaps are a great choice) will clean anything.
-Use a touch of soap and warm water to wash down countertops.
-Clean wood floors using a large bowl of warm water and a tablespoon of soap with rags.
-Sprinkle a grimy surface with baking soda and follow up with a soapy sponge

Olive oil is great for moisturizing and conditioning.
-Mix two parts olive oil to one part lemon juice for an all natural furniture polish.
-To keep brash from tarnishing, rub with olive oil after cleaning.
-Rub olive oil onto stainless steel surfaces to remove streaks and prints.

Baking Soda is a fantastic scouring agent and an odor neutralizer
-Get rid of carpet odor: sprinkle them with baking soda before you vacuum.
-Mix a small amount of baking soda with liquid castile soap to get your countertops, sinks and tubs shiny. For a 'fresh smell' try adding a few drops of rosemary, orange or lavender essential oils.
-To clean your oven mix together three parts baking soda with one part salt and one part water. Spread the mixture across the oven surface and allow it to sit up to eight hours. Scrape and wipe clean.
-To clean your toilet, pour 1 part baking soda to 4 parts vinegar into the toilet basin. Let it sit 15-30 minutes, then scrub and flush.
-For a clogged drain, pour ½ cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by ½ cup of white vinegar. Allow the mixture to fizz then flush with hot water.
-Add a ¼ cup of baking soda to the wash cycle of your laundry machine to soften fabrics naturally, eliminating the need for chemical, and often highly fragranced, fabric softeners.

Lemon Juice cuts through grease naturally so it works well for kitchen cleaning especially.
-For a healthful alternative to common aerosol air-fresheners, combine ½ quart of hot water with equal parts baking soda and lemon juice (about a teaspoon each).
-Mix together a mild liquid soap and lemon juice for an excellent dish soap. (not to be used on silver)
-To brighten whites in the wash, add a small amount of lemon juice to your machine's rinse cycle.
-A spray bottled filled with water and a quarter cup of lemon juice will get greasy windows and mirrors clean.
-Place dried lemon peels into small cloth pouches or tea bags to keep out-of-season clothes fresh and to deter moths and other rodents.

BONUS: Tea Tree Oil is naturally a fungicide, germicide, antibacterial agent and antiseptic. It can treat mold and mildew and even freshen the air in your house.
-To treat household areas with mold and mildew, mix tea tree oil into your white vinegar and water mixture, then spray and wipe. --Help shower doors and tile stay cleaner by wiping them with a mixture of tea tree oil and water.

To spot treat your carpets, mix together equal parts of borax, salt and white vinegar. Apply the paste to the stains and allow to dry, then vacuum up the paste.

Coupons!

I have a few friends who are couponers... not just skim the Sunday paper kind either, the ones that have binders of coupon flyer's and a list of websites all of which the research before they go shopping. My impression of that at first was "yeah, that's great but I don't buy any of the things they have coupons for". Well that was until my friend shared these links with me. I am so excited to be able to actually save some extra money on some of the stuff I buy! Happy couponing!
http://yourgreenhelper.com/2011/04/whole-foods-deals-april-6-12.html
http://www.mambosprouts.com/
http://dealseekingmom.com/coupons/

For those with Candida

Hello all!  I just wanted to send everyone a note from the candida section. Most of Morgans blogs are not regarding Candida even though some are appropriate, so I have dedicated a section to Candida only as a separate link. However, I wanted to let everyone know that  today is the big day "blood work". I'm in the doctors office now, crossing my fingers. I'm on month 6 with a couple of months prior leading  into my treatment.

Early January I had blood work which indicated major progress. My liver enzymes were still up, my thyroid still working a little too hard, my PH still is off, but Dr. Mann was so happy to know that my intestinal wall was sealed off, my blood much cleaner, and even though she is concerned that my white blood cells were still on guard and my immune system still isn't exactly where she wants it to be, I received a shining review. We have now gone some time with additional treatments for my liver, assisting my thyroid, and so forth. She has been a saving grace through it all, but I am still experiencing serious "die off" at times. I'm looking forward to getting my new blood work so we can tweak things a little, and regain my progress. It seems to me we have hit a bit of a plateau of sorts.

For those of you who are not sure if you have Candida and or would like more information on getting started. Check out my blog page under Candida and use the food sheet provided in the link below to know what you can and cannot eat.  This site was very helpful to me and has many recipes and stages that were approved by my doctor as "being on the right track" when I first started. Ofcourse you have to be very careful. For instance if you have a tender liver there are things you must not take. If you have serious candida coconut can throw you into the worse die off of your life. I learned this all the hard way. Get to a doctor first and work through it with them. You need your blood work first so you know exactly what your dealing with here before you start your diet.

my email is beth@bethmay.com

http://www.thecandidadiet.com

I will take you through months 4-6 soon and introduce some foods that are easy and that I love like

A brief intro:

PUMPKIN SOUP

Take 1 small pumpkin, cut it in half, and remove the seeds, cut one half into squares and remove the outer skin. Put half of the pumpkin into a medium sauce pan and fill with water to cover the pumpkin squares. Take 1/2 of 1 red onion and dice. Place into sauce pan. Boil all ingredients on high until the pumpkin is tender. Place everything into a blender and mix until smooth. Serve hot, sprinkle some basil and some sea salt to taste. If you'd like a topping you can take the pumpkin seeds and put them in the oven and bake until fully toasted. 

THE EASIEST STIR FRY EVER

Seriously I'm not a master chef. I only started cooking about a year and half ago, and when your busy its even harder to learn. The easiest candida safe thing you could cook is this stir fry. Literally take a saucepan and about 6 tomatoes which you cut into halves and throw in, cut long thin slices of onions, and slice some zucchini and red peppers. Add some olive oil to the bottom of the pan. Candida safe make sure the olive oil is Cold Pressed and Extra Virgin, and literally cook them until they start getting brown. Use a spoon to smash the tomatoes and onions. Stir until brown. Once that is done add your cooked brown rice and the rest of your ingredients. Its easy, its fast, and Candida hate it! Its perfect, and it tastes so good! Flavor! Ahh. 

I know it seems really overwhelming, so if you need a friend, or have a lot of questions send us your comments or email me directly and we can talk. Its all going to be okay, and we can get through this together! If you have recovered from Candida, we would love to hear from you~!

Thank you again to my friends who have helped me through this, and to my new friends who have taken such an interest! I love you

Quinoa Oatmeal

So the other day after making my quinoa meatballs (recipe in older post) I had some left over cooked quinoa. I put in the fridge and forgot about it for a few days. Then when I rediscovered it I decided to make oatmeal out of it. I just put some milk (can also use almond or coconut milk), vanilla extract and a little sugar (you could also use honey or real maple syrup) on the bottom of the pan and heated it till the sugar dissolved (didn't take long). Then I added the leftover quinoa and some raisins and cinnamon and mixed till it was hot. It definitely has a different texture then regular oatmeal but it was really yummy!! It reminded me of rice pudding. I forgot to take a picture but I will make it again and take one so you can see how delish it looks!.

What's in your Gatorade?

So I was at the zoo today and it was pretty hot. I drank all my water and needed some refreshment and fast. I was looking in the cooler and saw some Gatorade. You can tell I was overheated cause my brain said ahhhh, that sounds yummy. So I open it up and start chugging. After my brain cells have been restored from the heat I turn it over and read the ingredients. It wasn't "that" bad (except for all the sugar, but not high fructose I might add) until I got to the glycerol ester of rosin (does it sound like wood...oh that's cause it is) and the brominated vegetable oil (banned in most countries except US of course). UGH! I really wish chemists would stop making food and beverages! Apparently adding these two toxic ingredients together keep citrus flavored drinks from separating. Well I don't buy it (not literally, figuratively...I already bought it lol). There are plenty of citrus flavored drinks without either one of these ingredients, some of which Gatorade makes. Many of you won't know, cause I have only seen them sold in Whole Foods, but Gatorade makes a natural line with no food dyes or wood or oil for that matter. Anyway, no more orange Gatorade for me!