Kefir Part II

So, my Kefir has finished and I added it to a batch of pancakes this morning.  My husband was delighted with the taste and texture.  The cakes were more fluffy and I made them a bit more thick than usual.  I am now making kefir daily and using it smoothies, baked goods and other wonderful items.

New product line for IBS

Once again I was perusing the net for health information and found a great article on IBS, rather a pioneer in the IBS field.  Her name is Heather Van Vorous and she has a complete line of herbal remedies as well as books that assist the IBS prone individual.  Check it out!  Heather's Tummy Care Her link is in my favorite links at the side bar.

If you are what you eat...please eat organic! Our food supply is not safe.

This information is so disturbing...If the cliche, "You are what you eat," is true...then it would make sense that eating poison will cause disease or kill you.  Please watch... (check out her link on my side bar under: allergy kids).

The Who, What, Where and Why of Kefir...

In my search to find intestinal balance, I tried every product I could get my hands on and afford.  Using yogurt and other probiotics in my diet was an everyday thing.  However, there were some drawbacks that I did not like, for instance, the added sugar, other sweeteners, and the fact that these probiotics weren't as active as they are touted as being. 

So, I searched for something new and promising.  Well, while not new in terms of existence, I have found something that appears rather promising.  I have yet to try it, however, I am in the process of preparing my kefir for consumption, starting with re-hydrating it.  

For those of you wondering what is kefir, let me explain.  Kefir is a cultured milk grain that  grows from a symbiotic relationship between the yeast and the probitotics.  It's grows much like a sourdough starter, however it does not contain any wheat, or other flour grains of any kind.  Kefir contains beneficial healthy yeast and probiotics that help to replenish and protect your intestinal tract.  This is the best, most economical and nutritive way to obtain probiotics. 

Studies have shown the benefits of Kefir to be substantial.  See the following links for added information regarding this wonderful milk culture.

 kefir

 natural news

yourkefirsource

Kefir Part I

I received my Kefir order three days ago.  I pulled out all of my little goodies and began the process of rehydration.
1.  I opened the package and poured the kefir grains into a glass jar.
2.  I poured 1 cup of organic non-fat milk into the jar.
3.  I covered the jar with a coffee filter and rubber-band.
4.  I let it sit in a lukewarm place for 24 hours.

The next day at the same time of day I poured off the liquid into a strainer and kept the grains. 
I placed the grains back into the jar and added 1 Cup of organic milk and covered it.  I placed it in a warm place for another 24 hours.  The liquid that I poured off was just like regular milk, no coagulation or thickening.
On the third day, which is today, I went to pour off the liquid and to my surprise there was lots of coagulation and thickening.  I poured the contents into the strainer over a bowl.  It was so thick, that I had to use my wooden spoon to gently stir and press the gooey substance through the strainer as I stirred.  But, not too much so as not to disturb the Kefir grains.  I then repeated the process.  Added 1 Cup organic milk to the grains and covered for another 24 hours.
I realized that the reason for the thickening was that I had used my oven last night, which was very close to where these grains were sitting.  It smelled fine, so I figure all is good.  I will keep you posted on the rest of the processing.
Sorry for no pics, as my camera is under repair.  I will post pics a.s.a.p.

How True Lemon Helps Support Your Urinary Tract Health

 I have always had problems with high oxalate foods.  In my twenties, my kidneys were always giving me problems.  I had frequent kidney infections and would constantly push myself to drink water.  In my thirties, it got worse.  The only remedy that I found to reduce the pain, with what I determined as kidney stones, was pure lemon juice.  If you have problems with some of these same things, check out this site.  See the link:

How True Lemon Helps Support Your Urinary Tract Health

3 Wet Ways to Lose Weight

3 Wet Ways to Lose Weight

Posts to come...

It's been a troubling time without my deluxe digital camera.  It's broken and now I have to wait to post my foodie images.  But here is a tantalizing taste of what I'll post next...
Hawaiian Kabobs with Sweet-N-Sour Salad, and Coconut Smoothies.
Fabulous Chicken Curry...Hot & Spicy just the way I like it. 
Quinoa Mexicana Ensalada...a more exciting version of the one on my recipe blogs. 

Stay tuned for the follow up recipes...

Spicy Shrimp Ceviche

Spicy Shrimp Ceviche

1-2 Cups Cocktail Shrimp (in the cold section at the meat counter). 

2 Cups of diced cucumber, 

3/4-1 Cup diced tomatoes (I used Roma, however, a juicer tomato would be great), 

1/2 Cup diced Red Onion, 

Juice from 2-3 Lemons, 

Juice from 1 Lime, 

2 Tsp. Cilantro, 

*optional: 1 small, firm, diced avacado. 

Snowy's Bumble Bee All Natural Clam Juice 8 oz. bottle, 

*optional: 2 tsp. Olive Oil, 

1 tsp. Sea Salt (use more or less according to your liking), 

dash of pepper, 

1-2 Tbsp. Tapatio Chili Sauce.

1 Cup Cooked Quinoa or GF Crackers or GF Bread

Fold ingredients together and serve on a bed of cold cooked Quinoa. I loved this because it's practically fat free, low sodium, gluten free, and no sugar.

How to make milk Kefir

I just ordered from the Cultures for Health company and can't wait to try out their Kefir cultures for the first time.  I'll post my experience as soon as it ships.  Enjoy!

How to make dairy free yogurt

What can I eat...and the curious case of the belly button

Hmmm...Fiddle Faddle.  So, your tummy is your nemisis, your belly button feels like it's on fire and you have this knawing sensation that something is not right within that body of yours.   Sounds like the curious case of Ibs or better known as, I Better Surrender...to change!
I have to say that many of my friends and family sit the fence when it comes to going completely gf.  I think the thought of having to do without, pervades the senses with senselessness.  Who ever said you have to go without?  So, it takes some work and you have to clean out your pantry of all the food offenders, including those Twinkies (that will survive the next Millenia).  You may even learn to like being in the kitchen and trying out your newly found chef skills.  Regardless, you will be better off.  Not only will you like the way you feel, you will love the way you feel.  So...here are some oldie but goodie pointers to help you down the road to awesomeness!
1.  Be a label reader!
2.  Stay away from Wheat, Barley, Rye and Spelt and their derivatives.
3.  Stay away from pre-packaged foods (hamburger helper, processed meats, etc...)
4.  Unless something is made in a gluten free facility, you can still have gluten in that food.
5.  Manufacturers are not required to list all ingredients, however, they have gotten better at listing the main food offenders on their lables.  I'm finding that just because it says it's gluten free, does not mean that it is!
6.  Know which manufacturers are reliable with their labeling.
7.  Ask questions.
8.  Start a food diary.(I'll have to upload this as a new post so that you can make the most of it.)

How much water should we drink???

According to some physicians, drinking 8-10 glasses of water is debatable depending upon certain conditions, body mass and activity.  Not to mention the fact that we can also include high water content foods such as, watermelon, peaches, cucumbers and oranges.  Many of these are high in needed potassium.  In addition, one of the best forms of hydration can be found in coconut water.  This can be found in the white husked coconuts.   Regardless of our choice of hydration, it's important not to overdue our consumption, because of certain health risks associated with excessive fluid consumption.  My thoughts are, if you are exercising, you need to rehydrate a sufficient amount to replace fluid loss, this is outside of your normal 8 glasses of water per day.  If you are thirsty, drink!  We need to listen to our bodies and pay attention to the quantities we consume each day.  Many times, if we are busy, we can go all day without so much as a pint of water.  Our bodies are 70 percent water, and our muscles, tissue, blood and organs need the fluid to perform sufficiently.  In addition, if we want to stay regular our water intake needs to be adequate.  So, remember not to get water logged and to stay afloat of what your body is telling you...by remembering quality & quantity of fluid intake.

1 in 13 have food allergies...go figure!

Is it any wonder, with all of the pesticide use and genetically modified foods that our children are becoming more sensitive to what they eat.  Knowing that seeds are genetically modified to contain the pesticide is alarming.  Parents have to be vigilant to know what is going into their child's body and be aware of any potential reactions.  Statistically speaking, 1 in 13 children have food allergies.  Check out  this link for more information.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/43472109#43472109

Best Gluten Free Foods...You be the judge!

Over the years I have tried many gluten-free products.  Some of my favorites have been included in this post.  Tell me what your favorites are.  http://www.shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/the-best-gluten-free-foods-2486894/

• BobsRedMill-  Love his flours and grains.  I order in bulk from his shop in Oregon.
• EnerGFoods.  Great foods as well.  Pastas, grains.
• Thai Kitchen.  If you love oriental foods, this is a great place to start.  I've tried many of their tried and true recipes from their website.  Check them out!
• Prego.  Yes, it's gluten-free!
• LaVictoria.  Again it's gluten-free!
• Alfresco sausages.  Love them!
• Tinkyada rice and pasta!  This is a staple at our house.

• Annies pastas, salad dressings, snacks.  Wonderful!  My daughter loves their gluten-free mac and cheese.  Delightful!  

Hope this helps direct you a bit.  These are all great food suppliers for the gf diet.

Sweet Potato Spice Cookies

Delicious Canned Yammie Cookies:

Flour Blend:

1 Cups Sorghum Flour

2/3 Cup Millet Flour

1/8  Cup Potato Starch

1/8 Cup Arrowroot Starch

1/2 tsp. Sea Salt

2 Pinch of Cloves

2 tsp. Cinnamon

1 tsp. Ginger

1 ½ tsp. Vanilla Extract (Pure)
1/4 C- Dark Agave or 1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 C- Honey or Molasses

¾  Cup of Mashed Sweet Potato or Yams (canned) * may substitute 1 Cup pureed carrots, yams, or pumpkin

1/4-Cup Grapeseed Oil  (use smaller amount if reducing fat intake or if you like a dryer cookie)
*1/4 Cup Almond Milk (optional)  If you find that the batter is too thin, you may omit this ingredient.
*1 egg or 2 egg whites (optional)

Optional mix-in’s:  2/3 Cup Chocolate Chips, 2/3 Cup Raisins, 2/3 Cup Almonds, walnuts or pecans. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Drop cookie batter onto cookie sheet.  Bake for 12-15 minutes until soft but firm.  This recipe will make 24 mini cookies or 12 larger cookies.  Enjoy!

HealthyLittleNIche

I'm amazed at the last 4 years and perplexed at the same time.  For one, my health issues began many years ago however, serious symptoms started to rear their ugly head in 2007.  My realization that gluten was not in my future, started me on a path to find my happy place and my happy tummy.  After years of research and hundreds of doctor visits, yes hundreds!  I can say that my doctors did not reveal any one of my health issues.  I found them all, well, the Lord and I found them all.  From Celiac, food sensitivities, liver and reproductive health issues, they all come down to an unhealthy liver. 
Those numerous epiphany's really made me re-think the role of doctors in the care of the patient.  I've realized that today's doctors do not know how to treat the whole person.  The whole person being, spiritual, physical, and environmental.  They treat symptoms only and if something doesn't show up on a test that deem you a hypochondriac or send you on your way...either way...you lose!
So, self healing and self helping is the pathway for me.  Chinese and Western herbal medicine appears to be the best way to treat the whole person.  For we are not only a physical being, our bodies often become ill for numerous reasons, that if the traditional medical community would pay attention, would realize that they aren't trusting their instincts enough or that of the patient.
I've discovered my acute sensitivity to phytoestrogens in plant sources, but further than that, isoflavones found in soy products that mimic estrogenic hormones.  Through much research I've also discovered that the liver has to filter out these hormones and all the other junk that we expose our bodies to either through ingestion or environmental contact.  However, my liver doesn't do this job very well and it has seen better days.  After years of being told that Tylenol was the safest thing around, I found myself curing my pain with this toxic stuff for years.
Funny enough, I considered myself a health nut and Tylenol was in my opinion okay, since the doctors said so. I've always been very cautious about what goes into my body, and thank goodness!  If I were to have abused my body, I couldn't say that I should even be alive today.  Happy day! I've learned not to pull full trust in modern medicine, that plant and herbal medicine is best and that our bodies weren't designed to take the full capacity and overload of what modern medicine deems as "healthy."  Moderation in all things and reservation where modern medicine is concerned is my mantra.  I'll keep you posted on my journey to healthy meals that take into account all my needs.  And, if my hopes are validated, I will be successful in finding my happy, healthy little niche in life.
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=47
http://fanaticcook.blogspot.com/2006/08/isoflavones-in-soy-foods.html
http://www.wellness.com/reference/healthwellness/isoflavones-in-foods/

http://www.sensiblehealth.com/Journey-01.xhtml

Roasted Carrot Curry Stew

I love Curry and Tumeric (Curcuma longa).  These are some wonderful spices to incorporate into your meals.  Because of the beneficial phytochemicals in these spices, Curcumin in particular, not only will your taste buds be happy, your body will be healthier.  Tumeric fights those awful free radicals that ravage our bodies.  It protects the liver from toxic overload as well as aids in circulation.  It has antibiotic, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it great for those with arthritic conditions.  So, cook up a batch for your health and enjoy...  

http://www.turmericinfo.com/curcumin_arthritis.html



Roasted Carrot Curry Stew
1 Cup Lentils
1/4 Cup Canola or Olive Oil
2 1/2 Cups Chicken Broth
1/2 C Water
1-2 tsp. Tumeric
1-2 tsp. Curry
1-2 tsp. Garlic powder
1/2 -1 tsp. Louisiana Cajun Seasoning *optional (this does contain salt, so if you are on a low-salt diet adjust accordingly) or you may add salt in place of this seasoning.
2-4 tsp. Crushed Basil (dry)
1/2-3/4 Cup Coconut Milk
2 Cups cooked chicken or cooked ground turkey
8 Oven Roasted Carrots (see recipe below)

Directions:  Do this step first.
Carrots:
Peel and rinse 8-10 carrots.  Cut off ends.  Slice the carrot in half and then, going lengthwise, cut into quarter strips (the strips should be no more than 1/4 inch thick).  Put into large bowl.  Once all the carrots are finished, pour 1/8-1/4 Cup of canola or olive oil over the carrots and toss with your hands, making sure all sides are coated with the oil.
Place carrots onto a baking sheet, make sure they are spread evenly on the sheet (1 layer thick.  Do not stack on top of each other).
Bake the carrots in a 400 degree oven for 30-40 minutes, or until carrots start to have a roasted appearance and are tender.  Once cooled, carrots will crisp a bit.
Stew:
Rinse and sort lentils.  I usually put the lentils into a large pot and pour cool water over them a few times to release any foreign matter, drain and rinse twice.  Once rinsed, and drained.  Put lentils into a large pot. Add the chicken broth and water, meat, and all spices and seasonings into the pot.  Bring to a boil for 5 minutes.  Simmer for 30 minutes.  Add coconut milk and 1-2 Cups of roasted carrots from oven. Continue to simmer for an additional 15 minutes.  Serve!
*Lentils should be tender.  If not tender enough for your liking, simmer for an additional 10 minutes.

Note:  Because Tumeric does stimulate bile production it is not recommended for those with bile duct obstruction.

Blueberry Hot Cakes...German Style!

I love something warm and fluffy in the morning, topped with butter and agave.  I was perusing my favorite cookbook and found something that called out to be "tweeked."  My old, "Joy of Cooking," cookbook had this wonderful recipe for "Pfannkuchen or German Pancakes." Because of my inability to eat certain grains, I opted for a recipe that incorporated egg whites instead of the flour as an option.  And, because of my undeniable love for anything lemon, I created this wonderful morning hot cake.  I have another version called, "Lemon Meringue Pancakes," which I will post at another time.  While the original recipe does not call for flour, I felt it needed some body and added a touch, although you can omit the flour altogether if you like (just use less liquid).
Health note: Eggs pack quite a bit of protein, however the egg white packs 4 grams of protein alone, while the whole egg is 6 grams total.  Egg whites also have no fat or cholesterol, and added bonus to those watching those numbers.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/84504-nutritional-content-egg-egg/

Blueberry Hot Cakes...German Style!
4 egg whites (whisked into a meringue)
1 tsp. Pure Lemon Extract or Pure Almond Extract or Pure Vanilla Extract
3 1/2 tsp. Sugar or Honey or Agave
1/8- 1/4 tsp. Sea Salt
2 tsp. Arrowroot Starch
1/3 - 2/3 Cup Gluten Free All Purpose Flour or Flour Blend, *optional( Bob's Red Mill GF All Purpose Flour)
1/4 C. Lemon juice *optional (fresh squeezed), or Almond Milk or other liquid (This is to dilute consistency for thinner cakes.  If you like thicker hotcakes, omit this liquid).
1/4- C. Blueberry "Ocean Spray Craisins" or fresh blueberries
*Note:  If using honey or agave, add these to the wet (meringue) mixture, if using sugar add to the dry (flour) mixture.  Mix all wet ingredients separately and all dry ingredients separately, then combine together.
Directions:
Mix egg whites into a meringue.  Add extract and liquid and blueberries to meringue and fold in till well combined.  Set aside.  In a separate bowl mix, GF flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, cream of tartar and arrowroot, until combined.  Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and fold until combined.
Heat griddle and coat with butter or oil.  Scoop a large Tablespoon full of the batter and put onto griddle, cook for 3 minutes and flip.  Each side should be a golden brown.

Gluten Free pumpkiny-chocolate muffins

 

Hmmm...Pumpkin and chocolate, two of my favorite things.  This version of muffin uses many things we may have in our cupboard on a regular basis.   I chose to replace the sugar with sweetened condensed milk, which created a lovely, moist pumpkiny-chocolate muffin.  Because we cannot use corn in our house, I make my own baking powder, using cream of tartar and baking soda.  The additional eggs add needed protein to my daughter's diet,  not to mention the fact that the added Vitamin A and K and iron will support additional nutrition needs throughout the day.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/86339-nutritional-value-canned-pumpkin/ 

GF Pumpkiny Chocolate Muffins

3 1/2 C Brown Rice Flour

3/4 Cup Arrowroot Starch

1 Tbsp. Cinnamon

3 1/2 tsp. Cream of Tartar

2 tsp. Baking Soda

1 1/2 tsp. Salt

8 whole eggs (or egg whites)

2 14 oz. cans Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 Large can Pure Pumpkin

1 1/3 C. Imperial Margarine

1/2 C Almond Milk

1/2 C Honey

*1 1/2 C Chocolate Chips (add these last, after everything is well blended)

Directions:

Mix all dry ingredients together.  Set aside.  Mix all remaining (wet) ingredients together in a separate bowl.  Once combined, mix both the wet and dry ingredients together until well blended.  Add chocolate chips and mix well.  Spoon into greased muffin cups and bake @ 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or until when knife inserted comes out clean.

Here is my new gluten free site...Enjoy!

Finally!  I'm back at posting.  I will try and attempt to import everything from my previous blog, www.gluten-freefarmgirl.blogspot.com.