Curried Quinoa & Millet w/Vegetables

It's been awhile since my last post.  Lots going on.  I've found out more about my condition.  Fibromyalgia is so complex because many of the symptoms mimics other conditions.  And, just last year, did I find out it has many layers to address!  I kind of knew this but when you are the one feeling the myriads of symptoms day in and day out, it's really difficult to pinpoint where all the symptoms are coming from.  Doesn't help I get fibro fog every now and then!  Even as I'm typing this post, I have to read it over and over again to make sure I am making sense!  Ha!  You can let me know ;-)

But I am looking up and confident as my doctors, specialists and I team up to address the many layers, I will continue to heal.  Taking it one day at a time!

In the meantime, here's a recipe I came up with as I didn't have time to look one up!  Story of my life    ;-)... lately anyway!  By the way, do your best to get local and organic produce.  Much more nutritious and tasty than conventional (which is 0 nutrition).

INGREDIENTS

- 1 cup of millet and 1 cup of quinoa* (soaked in filtered water and drained.  Optional:  You can sprout after draining.)
- 4 cloves of garlic (you can add more if you like)
- 1/2 chopped yellow onion
- thumb size chopped ginger
- 3 sliced organic red potatoes
- 1/2 chopped red bell pepper
- 1/2 sliced large jalapeno
- organic curry (to taste)
- 1/2 cup of organic coconut milk (I use SoDelicious)
- Himalayan sea salt (1/2 tsp or more to your liking)
- black pepper (1/4 tsp)

*Note:  Technically, millet and quinoa are not true grains, but seeds.  Check out the links below for further information.

http://chetday.com/quinoa.html
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=53

STEP 1

Make sure the millet and quinoa grains are completely drained .  Heat pan for 1-2 min.

STEP 2

Toss in the red potatoes and pour 1/2 cup of filtered water into pan.  Let it simmer for 15 min or until you can poke a hole in the chopped potatoes and water has evaporated.  Add the drained millet and quinoa.  Let it sit for another 10 min or until the grains are semi-translucent.  The mille

STEP 3

Then toss in the rest of the ingredients and turn the temperature to low heat.  Sautee for 5 min.  DO NOT cook the vegetables!  All you are doing is softening the vegetables.  Cooking it will take away all the nutrients, enzymes, etc.

The end result should be a colorful, delicious dish still packed with nutrition!

  

House Cleaning Time! Part I

DISCLAIMER:  Please consult your physician before taking on a detox program.  What I have posted here is my personal experience and suggestion-- not a cure to a medical condition, etc.   

Every year, we all do spring cleaning around mid-March to early May.  Really it all depends when the weather is warmer and whether you live in the North or South.  We live in Hawaii where you'd think the weather would be warm year-round.  However, since we've moved here in 2009, I've learned it does get cool here to the point where I need to wear a light sweater!  And it rains a lot where we live!  And I mean a lot!!  So, when the sun came out this week, I eagerly went outside to soak the sun in and let it hit my body to generate some Vitamin D ;-)

Well, this post has nothing to do with cleaning your house.  But it does have a lot to do with the occasional need to clean our insides, or what's called detoxing.   I first discovered detoxing sometime after I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.  I was encouraged by my D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathy) to research it and incorporate it in my treatment plan.  So, off I went to Barnes & Nobles and Borders.  I sought out all the books I could read in the Nutrition and Health section of the book stores.  I ended picking up a book entitled "Complete Colon Cleanse" by Dr. Edward F. Group, III.

Because of the personal nature of this topic, I will just say it was like taking a shower from the inside, if that makes any sense.  I felt lighter and was less symptomatic.  In fact, in my first cleanse my symptoms were not as severe.  I even had days where my pain level was 0!  But because Fibromyalgia takes awhile to heal, due to its complexity, my symptoms came back.  Each cleanse can be customized to your needs.  And for my need, I had to do the 6-Day Program as often as I could with regular "maintenance" between programs.

Today I only need to follow the maintenance portion (which is 1-2 times a week of detox).  Dr. Group recommends you eat only fruits during the detox and maintenance program.  He highly recommends organic or locally grown to avoid letting chemicals (in the form of pesticides, etc.) back into your body.  Fresh fruits provide lots of nutrients, live fiber, pectin, water and oxygen, ideal in supporting the elimination and cleansing process.  He goes into more detail in his book.  Click the link below to check it out if you're interested.  I just recently visited his website and saw that he updated his book.  So, I included the link to his new book right below.

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Colon-Cleanse-Vitality-Longevity/dp/1569755949

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/books-videos/health-begins-in-the-colon.html

And if you're interested in his detox program, click this link.   You will notice he also revised the cleanse to 7 days.

http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/cleansing/7-day-oxygen-colon-cleanse

Finally, here's the basic recipe to his cleansing tonic.

- Start w/1 gallon of distilled water or purified water.
- Pour out 4 ounces of the distilled water.  You can either save this water for future use or throw it out.
- Add 2 tbsp of organic apple cider vinegar (ACV),  Shake the ACV well before adding to water.
- Add 2 ounces of organic aloe vera juice.
- Mix well and keep refrigerated.

I have become a firm believer that detoxing is necessary to maintain a healthy life, especially in the time and age we live in (SAD* diet, fast-paced lifestyle, etc.).   I hope this will somehow encourage you to do a little house cleaning as often as possible to help your body function optimally.

Stay tuned for Part II  ;-)


*Standard American Diet which consists of processed foods, additives, etc.

My Son's Scholarship Essay

Okay, this post is not about food or my healing journey.  But it is my son's essay for a scholarship he applied for and part of the application process is to post it on a blog.  So, if you have the time, please read and enjoy!  I personally think it's a worthwhile read ;-)

School Pride Scholarship

            When I think of California Maritime Academy, the first thoughts that come to my head are not that of a university, but of a family. This school works closely with its students to make sure that they are the most successful individuals that they can possibly be. The small campus of about 900 creates an intimate environment of students and teachers. This school is not only an excellent place to learn and grow in your specific major; it is an opportunity to become a distinguished individual that strives to be excellent as a contributor to society and a model working class citizen.

            While many colleges give off the allure and appeal of a party and hangout place first, academic institution second, California Maritime stands alone as a university that strongly stresses the importance of success. While other colleges may have a lecture hall, give a lecture, then send you on your merry way, this college’s staff works with you in order to achieve success. It is unique in that it provides for the students a serious and competitive work and educational environment while simultaneously maintaining the comfort and intimacy necessary for natural intellectual growth.  

            Not only is the intimacy of the staff and students unique to California Maritime, but this university, unlike others, strongly emphasizes the role of leadership in the world. In addition to their studies, students become a part of the Corps of Cadets. This is the school’s program designed to develop the quality of leadership in each and every one of its students. Students learn to be responsible, work as a team, and lead that team while making use of each of its member’s strengths. Leadership is a key quality when entering the working world, and California Maritime makes sure to instill that into each and every one of its members.

            Nowhere else will you find a college that cares so deeply about the success and growth of the students that go there. It is truly a college of challenge and nurturing, two components not often found infused together. These unique qualities set California Maritime Academy apart from other universities and make it a college worth striving for.

This <a href="http://www.centurylinkquote.com/scholarship">scholarship</a> is sponsored by <a href="http://www.centurylinkquote.com/">CenturyLinkQuote.com</a>.

Quinoa & Kale Salad

I was introduced to kale when I was a teenager in the '80s.  Used to see it on display in the salad bar at Sizzlers.  Hahaha!  Boy, did it come a long way!  Today, I see it in soups, salads, casseroles, even in smoothies! Had no idea it's such a versatile green vegetable.  And highly nutritious. I can get into the specifics of kale's beneficial nutrients.  But I don't want to bore you.  Just know it is high in antioxidants,  has tons of vitamins & minerals, considered a super food as it has anti-cancer fighting agents and helps lower blood cholesterol levels.  Should be enough to convince you it's super good for you, right?

I've even learned to eat it raw.  I've incorporated it in my salads and smoothies.  And have made kale chips!    Hey, maybe one day I'll come up with kale brownies.  Hmmm, off to the kitchen I go to experiment!  And I'm not kidding either.  Ask Ray and my teens.  They'll tell you how I'm ALWAYS in the kitchen.  ;-)

Here's one recipe that is so easy. 

- 10 kale leaves (w/stems removed, thinly chopped,)

- 2 medium sized carrots

- 1/4 of a purple cabbage

- soaked & cooked organic quinoa

- Himalayan sea salt & cracked black pepper

- organic apple cider vinegar

- macadamia nut oil or EVOO

- dash of Zsweet (or any other natural sweeteners)

Chop by hand.  Or run in your food processor.  So much easier.  Mix all the ingredients.  You can adjust to your liking.  Voila!  You've got a simple, healthy, delicious salad.  Enjoy!

Raw Vegan Desserts So Yummy!

I've been eating raw vegan desserts since 2008 and you know what?  I am loving it!  The options and possibilities in making raw desserts are endless.  I will write some more about raw desserts later on.  But here's a taste of what it's like to eat raw desserts.

Check out this raw rap!  ;-)


http://tv.naturalnews.com/v.asp?v=6EE0D5AC11AA5D2DF18D8B3D316FE870

Nutritional Benefits and Use of Flaxseed

Flaxseeds are so rich in nutrients, omega-3 fatty acids and they contain high amounts of plant compounds called lignans.  Lignans are converted by the digestive system into enterolactone and enterodiol.  These compounds have been found to protect women from breast cancer by blocking the effects of estrogen and making it less available to your cells (there are "unfriendly" estrogen produced in women's bodies that can lead to a high risk of estrogen-related cancers).

Also, flaxseeds stop tumor growth in men.  See the section on "Flaxseed Puts the Brakes on Prostate Cancer Growth" in the link below; and for further information on the use and nutritional benefits of flaxseed.

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=81

For awhile now, I've been drinking flaxseed tea.  I usually boil 4 cups of purified water into my pitcher filled with 4 tbsps of organic whole flaxseeds.  Let it sit to cool off then I place it in the refrigerator to store.  I would do this in the evening before bedtime; then I would have it available and drink it throughout the following day.  I've made this a practice since the beginning of 2011.  It was difficult in the beginning because it was "another thing" I had to add on my "to do" list.   

So, this no ordinary tea has become a practice for me to drink on a daily basis. I got the idea from my friend, Diana, to buy a VOSS purified water and keep the bottle.  It's the perfect size and storage for my flaxseed drink.  And it's sooo easy to clean!  I've gotten a lot of stares and strange looks because it's a clear bottle so you can see all the seeds floating inside.  Also because none of my friends or family have ever seen or heard of it before.  At one time, a friend of mine even said it reminded her of a lava lamp.  Hmmm, maybe I can start calling it "flaxseed lava lamp tea."  :)

I wish I can find this drink at a local Starbucks or Peet's Coffee shop.  It would make my life a whole lot easier as it would be one less thing for me to do.  But, this "another thing" for me to do has actually become like second nature as I've been doing it for awhile now.

Making tea out flaxseeds is just one way to use this superfood.  You can also grind the flaxseeds and add to your smoothies, sprinkle it in your cereal, add it to your muffin mix, the list can go on and on!  You can purchase whole organic flaxseed or ground flaxseed at Costco, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's or any natural health food stores in your area.  Here in Hawaii, I get whole organic flaxseed at Down To Earth,Whole Foods or Celestial.  They usually come in packaged form or bulk.  When you buy it in bulk, make sure the container is securely covered and the store has a good product turnover to ensure maximal freshness.

Here's the recipe I've been following from Dr. Steelsmith of Steelsmith's Natural Health Center.

For 1 serving:

- 1 cup of boiling purified water
- 1 tbsp of organic whole flaxseeds

Pour the water into the cup of flaxseeds.  Let it sit and cool.  Then store in the refrigerator and drink when desired.  The whole flaxseeds will soften as it soaks.  When you drink it, you can eat the seeds as well.

Since I drink it throughout the day, I adjust the recipe to meet my 4 cups of serving per day.  Below you'll see how the end product looks.  The purified water will become cloudy and gooey.  It kind of reminds me of runny egg whites.  And the longer it sits, the cloudier it will get.  The taste is not very pleasant.  So, it's a good idea to sweeten it with stevia, xylitol, Zsweet or Lakanto.  These natural sweeteners have 0 grams sugar; therefore, they do not spike your insulin levels.  If you have no issue with your insulin, then by all means, enjoy it with organic natural sweeteners such as agave, raw honey, coconut palm sugar or maple syrup, just to name a few!

So enjoy as you "drink and eat" your flaxseed tea!



Finally! US Gov Is Now Admitting Raw Milk Is Safe.

I introduced raw milk to my family back in 2006 because I learned about all the health benefits.  And when the kids drank it, I noticed their allergies weren't as bad as it would usually be during allergy seasons.  I only saw the positive effects when they would drink it on a regular basis.  But because of its controversy, Whole Foods stopped carrying it!  Then I found out it was deemed illegal to sell it in some places in California.  Not sure what the status is today.

Now that we live here in Hawaii, I am in search again for raw milk as it is illegal to sell it here.  I did  find a farmer at a local Farmer's Market who may be able to sell me some raw milk.  It's considered okay to sell it as long as it's not sold in stores.  I still have to follow up on it as soon as I'm freed up again.  Ahh, the busy life we have as moms!

And I'm so happy to find out that the government is now admitting raw milk is safe to drink!  Finally!  Hopefully, this will change the laws and raw milk will be sold in stores again.

http://www.westonaprice.org/press/government-data-proves-raw-milk-safe