A Soup That Restores Health

Lately I have gotten tired and run down and have not stopped and taken the time to care for myself.  I noticed the first signs of a sore throat but just made sure to cut back on sugar.  A few days later I could feel something really coming on.  Being pregnant and caring for a two year old doesn't make sickness very easy to live with so I immediately pulled out all my health boosting remedies that are safe during pregnancy.  I took some homeopathic remedies, drank lots of water with olive leaf complex mixed in and made a pot of this soup.  I also had my husband and daughter pray for me and I got to bed a little earlier (not that I could sleep, but that is just pregnancy I guess).  Now it is two days later and I feel completely fine!  I am sold on this soup for whenever my immune system needs a boost.

As usual, I don't measure anything (especially not when making soup!) but here is the general idea.  I strain my soup before drinking it so I don't worry about cutting things uniformly and even leave the thyme leaves on the stem.

Combine the following in a pot and simmer until desired doneness:

• Chicken broth (home made bone broth is ideal)
• lots of garlic, roughly chopped
• diced onion
• lots of crushed red pepper and freshly ground black pepper
• salt to taste
• fresh thyme (or dried is fine)
• bay leaf

Once everything has had time to mingle, add fresh lemon juice to taste.  You can also add more (minced) garlic towards the end of the cooking for an extra garlicky kick (yes, you will have horrible breath!).  I like to drink mine strained in a mug.  It stays warmer this way and is easy to drink a lot at once.  It will be spicy (the peppers and garlic make it therapeutically hot) but should not be uncomfortable to drink.  Dilute with water if necessary.  I like mine really spicy and strong and feel like I have really helped out my immune system after a few cups of this soup!  Enjoy!

Keeping a Healthy Snack Close at Hand

Isn't food in Summer wonderful!  I have been in awe lately of all the fabulous produce we get every week from our farmer's market, CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and even our own garden.  It feels so good to eat such perfectly ripe foods just moments or days after they are harvested.  With a fridge full of delicious fruit I decided to start keeping a fruit bowl on the counter every day to encourage us to eat more of it.  I know it is helping us eat healthier snacks by keeping us out of the pantry.  We all could use a little more fresh in our diet and this has really helped!

Preparing for Childbirth

With baby #2 on the way I have been thinking a lot lately about gearing up for my next birth.  What a blessing children are and I am overwhelmed with God's goodness to us as I look at my precious daughter and picture this next baby coming into our lives!  Being pregnant is not always easy and certainly labor and delivery is challenging, but children are so very worth it! 

I had a (mostly) wonderful birth experience with my daughter just over two years ago.  My husband and I took Bradley classes and were so glad we did.  I felt so prepared and excited about what her birth would be like.  I was not afraid but rather confident in my body's God designed ability to produce, grow and birth new life.  I would have loved a home birth, but the need to be on blood thinning medication (Lovenox) made the hospital my only option.  The Bradley classes gave me the knowledge I needed to come up with a birth plan for the hospital setting. 

I started contracting three weeks before Audrey was born.  Sometimes they were strong contractions but mostly mild ones.  I was around 4 cm when I went into "active" labor and Audrey arrived five hours later!  With the threat of induction hanging over me, I took a long walk, ate almost an entire pineapple and then double pumped for 45 minutes!  I think I overdid it a little as labor came on fast and strong.  (I would not recommend the 45 minutes of pumping!)  I stayed home for the first 3 hours and labored mostly in the bath.  The warm water was so comforting and I enjoyed being alone while my husband packed the bag.  At the hospital I was coached and comforted by my husband, sister (who is a midwife) and my mom.  Other than wanting to induce me, my doctor was supportive of my choice of a natural birth.  Each contraction was so painful but I knew that they had a purpose.  I was not suffering but rather working hard to bring my baby into the seen world.  I knew that with each passing contraction, that was one less separating me from my baby.  I took them one at a time and relaxed as much a possible.  It was amazing! 

Everything went so well until Audrey was almost out and they realized she had aspirated meconium.  They feared that this could lead to pneumonia and she was taken to the NICU after only moments in my arms.  I kept waiting for the nurses to bring her back.  I had no idea that she would be in intensive care for 4 and 1/2 long days.  During that time my birth plan was completely ignored.  They administered eye ointment, gave her formula and a paci dipped in sugar water.  They didn't allow me to nurse her for 2 days.  This was all a very difficult end to an empowering birth.  My heart goes out to parents whose precious children stay in the NICU for much longer than our daughter did.  In retrospect we were so blessed but at the time it was grueling.  Our prayers were answered and she did not have pneumonia.  We were able to take her home on the 5th day.  What a joyful time that was!  She was finally ours!

Birth is unpredictable and no one is exactly alike.  It certainly helps to be prepared though.  I highly recommend the Bradley Method of Husband-Coached Childbirth!  After 12 weeks of class once a week you are armed with the knowledge and skills you need to welcome your baby into the world the safest way possible.  You learn how to have the healthiest pregnancy possible through proper nutrition and exercise.  When you remain low risk you have options during labor and birth.  My Bradley teacher also prepared us for breastfeeding by explaining what to expect and teaching proper latching.  She was available to answer questions both during pregnancy and after birth.  She was amazing!  Click here to find Bradley childbirth teachers in your area.

Amazing Garlic Croutons

Here is an excellent use for bread ends or bread that isn't as moist and fresh as it used to be.  These croutons add an incredible pop of flavor to any salad or soup.  They are a great way to sneak more garlic into your diet.  Start to finish they take about 25 minutes and are very hands off.

Ingredients:
Stale bread or bread ends (any kind will work)
Fresh garlic cloves (to taste, going a little overboard will make them extra tasty!)
Butter
Pepper
Parmesan Cheese

Start by preheating the oven to 350 and dicing the bread into little cubes.  While the oven is preheating, throw a generous amount of butter into a heat proof dish and stick it in the oven.  Once the butter has melted, mince the garlic into the butter and stir to combine.  Next throw in the bread cubes and toss to coat them evenly.  Sprinkle them with pepper (they really don't need salt) and then transfer them to a baking dish (glass works well for this).  Make sure they are not too crowded because you want them to crisp up nicely.  Bake for about 20 minutes or until desired crispness.  Grate some Parmesan cheese over the top and allow to cool if using on a salad.  Enjoy!

Swiss Chard Even a Toddler Will Eat!

I am new to cooking greens and sometime feel intimidated by them.  I know they are so very nutritious but I wonder how they will taste and if my family will actually eat them.  Swiss Chard (or Rainbow Chard) however is easy and tasty!  I am sure there are many ways to prepare this green but here is what worked for me.  As you can see, I don't really use measurements when I cook things like this.  Just put the amount that looks right and enjoy!

Ingredients:

• one bunch chard (I used Rainbow as you can see above)
• 1/2 red or yellow onion
• fresh garlic to taste (3 cloves for us)
• Butter or Coconut Oil, be generous!  It adds such good flavor.
• Salt and Pepper, other seasoning to taste
• Frozen Corn
• Precooked sprouted lentils (optional)
• Parmesan Cheese for topping

Thoroughly clean your greens then separate the stalks from the leafy part.  Chop the stalks and the onion and saute in butter or coconut oil for a minute.  Add in the garlic and salt and pepper as well as any other seasoning you like (crushed red pepper, granulated garlic, dried thyme, etc) and cook until just tender. 

 Meanwhile, roughly chop the leafy greens and add them once the stalks are slightly tender.  Continue to stir and cook until the greens are wilted. 

Then add frozen corn and lentils if desired.  The corn adds a sweetness that balances the earthy flavor of the chard and the lentils add protein and make this dish more satisfying.  Test for doneness and for flavor and top with Parmesan Cheese if desired.  If only it ended up as pretty as it started!

Delicious and Nutritious: Smoothies

One of the biggest challenges of being a mom is getting nutritious, whole foods into our children.  It is especially hard to get them to eat a variety of healthy foods when they are small and don't have all their teeth yet.  I introduced smoothies to my daughter a little before her first birthday and it was a hit!  For the last year we have been sharing a smoothie for breakfast almost every morning.  She learned to drink from a straw very quickly and will drink quite a bit! 

Here is how I make our smoothies:

Start with a whole, peeled orange and blend it up with either yogurt, kefir, raw milk, hibiscus or other herbal tea, or fresh juice of your choice (I don't recommend juice unless it is fresh juiced from organic, whole foods because of the sugar content and pasteurization of commercial juices).

Once this mixture is smooth add any or all of the following:

• organic frozen berries or fruit (I use blueberries, strawberries, peaches, cranberries and pineapple)
• fresh organic spinach or other green (spinach is mild and doesn't really change the flavor)
• banana or other fresh fruit
• green powder (we like Garden of Life's Perfect Food Berry)
• ground flax seeds
• spirulina, beet powder, olive leaf complex, zinc lozenge or other healthy supplement
• for a treat you can also add cocoa powder, cinnamon, or vanilla extract

Your smoothie will be loaded with fiber and vitamins!  It tastes great and will help you get more fruit and veggies into everyone's diet.  When my daughter is sick I love to add supplements to our smoothie that she would not take alone.  Recently she had a runny nose that she just could not shake and we tried olive leaf complex.  Within 2 days of introducing it into her smoothies and mixing it with her water she was completely better.  Try to use organic ingredients when possible to reduce your exposure to toxins and to get more nutritional bang for your buck.  If your budget limits your organic choices try to stick with organic for the most contaminated fruits and veggies.  A helpful list is located here.

Make at Home: Refreshing Mouthwash

I have been making my own personal care products for the last few months and have had mixed results.  Occasionally something will turn out better than what I have been buying.  There have also been times I have had to throw my concoction out and start over, or repurpose it (for example sticky lotion can become shaving cream).  I mixed up this mouthwash yesterday and am so happy with it!  It really left my mouth minty fresh with a slightly herbal taste.  It is made of simple ingredients and you can tweak it to fit your individual preference.  Here is what I combined in a glass jar:

• water
• baking soda (aluminum free if possible)
• aloe gel
• vegetable glycerin
• peppermint oil
• clove oil
• lemon oil
• tea tree oil

I did not measure the ingredients, but this is roughly organized by largest quantity to smallest.  Once combined, shake well and try it!  I had to tweak mine a few times to get that strong peppermint flavor I was looking for.  Make sure to use organic or high quality oils that can be used internally (not labeled external use only).  I found my peppermint oil and baking soda in the baking isle of my grocery store and the rest I have purchased from Mountain Rose Herbs or Whole Foods.  It is so fun to make your own products, especially when they really work well!  I would love to hear what adjustments you have made to make this recipe work for you!

Nasty BPA

Are you aware of how awful BPA is? Bisphenol A is a toxic chemical used in plastics that disrupts hormone levels in our bodies. I think most people have heard about them in plastic disposable water bottles and nalgene type reusable ones. Not surprisingly they are found many other places as well. After reading this article on Civil Eats, I was so sad to see that canned goods are such a huge contributor to BPA in our food. I have been giving my toddler organic canned beans and heart of palm (good source of minerals) on a daily basis. Now I know that she has been ingesting chemicals from the lining of the cans! I called the manufacturer of the heart of palm and they were aware of the BPA in the cans and had phased it out of some of their other products, but not the ones we buy. This is so frustrating! It is not enough to buy foods that are organic, we can not trust that these manufacturers are concerned about anything other than their bottom line. It seems almost everything that is convenient and modern has a dangerous flip side. I am now being more diligent to soak my dried beans, which gives me a chance to sprout them, cook and freeze them. I know this is healthier anyway as sprouted legumes and grains are more easily digested an their nutrients absorbed. Other countries have banned BPA from anything that comes in contact with food, but not the US. It seems the corporations who profit from cheaper plastics that contain BPA have too much power in our legislature.

Eden Foods is one brand of canned organic foods that is willing to pay a few cents more per can in order to package their goods more safely. I think I will still avoid canned foods now but will certainly purchase theirs in a pinch. After all, who knows what they will find next in plastic to be harmful? This is yet another wake up call to avoid plastics altogether and opt for glass, wood and safe metals and ceramic in the kitchen. Also this reminds me that we live in such a greedy, polluted world and can not possibly avoid everything that is a threat to our health. I am so thankful to know Jesus and to know that I can pray and trust Him with my health and the health of my family. We make a point to bless our food and give thanks for it at every meal and I know that God does bless it when we do this. I am so thankful that I can rest in Him! With that being said, I still strive to do all that I can with the knowledge I have been given to make the best choices for my family but my trust is in Him.

If you would like to find out more about BPA here is another good resource.