Cheesy Sauce

I'll tell ya, ball season at our house means quick dinners. Usually that makes kids happy because it seems like the quick dinners are their favorites. I miss the good ole fashioned long prep dinners but with only minutes of cook time in the evening, we have to settle for quick nutrition. 

They love a simple stuffed potato...probably because it is covered with cheesy sauce. The recipe I use is from my friend Molly's cookbook. You could put cheesy sauce on anything and make it tasty. I like this sauce because it is subtle and not processed. No Velveeta in my house. We have our limits.

Cheesy Sauce

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup flour

2 cups milk 

1 tsp. sea salt

1 1/2  cups grated cheddar (we use raw grass fed)

1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/4 tsp. dry mustard

pepper to taste

Melt butter in pan. Mix in flour and cook for a minute, stirring constantly. Stir in milk and cook until thickened, stirring. Add rest of the ingredients and stir until cheese is melted. Serve warm.

Coconut oil order

The coconut oil is in. Please email me so I can get them to you. I have placed the second order and will have that in a week. I will keep doing orders as I get groups together so if you are interested, just email me. When I get six together, I will put in the order.


Thanks!

Rhetoric

Ladies, I am here to chew you out. You need to cool it. You need to change your daily rhetoric. You need to reinvent the way you see things. You are not being fair to yourselves. You are stopping yourself from thinking of more important things. You are making yourself believe things that aren't true. You need to start being happy with who you are now. Truly happy.


I had an email from a sweet friend this last week about a post I did a little while back. It was a post on how I found myself and was happy with who I am. She just had a baby and that of course is a time when body image isn't at its peak! She is feeling less than adequate about herself and has all the emotions that goes with it. She wanted to know how I got to the point where I was happy with me. That made me think about my journey to where I am now. In addition to that email, another thing that gave me thought this last week was the women at the gym. They are constantly talking about their bodies and how horrible they look. I gave a friend a sincere compliment at the gym about how super skinny she looked (the truth) and she could only point out her thighs. Seriously, there wasn't an ounce of jiggle on her. But, as women, we are really good about talking about our faults, even if they aren't there, and not taking a compliment. We worry so much about being perfect that we don't even appreciate what we have. Honestly, I am tired of hearing women put themselves down.


The truth is ladies, we will never be perfect. Super models even have imperfections. If you are looking for perfection, you will never get there. If you tell yourself every day that you aren't slim enough, pretty enough, talented enough, etc.... you will believe exactly that. By definition, rhetoric is the art of using language in a persuasive way. We use daily rhetoric to persuade ourselves that we need to be a certain way to be content with ourselves. Just 5 pounds more and we will be happy.


Last year, I decided that I was going to give myself a break. Not that I ever felt horrible about myself but I would always look in the mirror with a grimace. I would weigh myself and the scale would tell me how confident I would be that day. Silly, really. No one else would notice  a slight change in my weight. No one else cared if I had my cute jeans on or not. I don't think there is anyone out there who is my friend because I was thinner that week than the last week. I decided that my attitude toward myself was not only stupid but damaging as well. If I felt bad about myself, I was less apt to think about others. I was a little more self centered and introverted if I wasn't happy with me. I decided that this attitude was selfish and needed to change.


I decided that when I look in the mirror and those less than pleasant thoughts come into my head (and we all get them), I was going to change the rhetoric and say things to myself to change the way I feel. I began to be thankful for my healthy body. If I felt bad about my thighs, I would instead by thankful that I had them to run with. If my belly stuck out a little more than I wanted that day, I would be thankful that it made 5 beautiful babies. I began to appreciate me and tell myself that I didn't need to be perfect. I began to believe myself.


Being happy with ourselves doesn't mean that we don't keep trying to look good and slim down, etc. We still need to get in shape and take care of ourselves, we just need to not let it define our feelings. We can't let that be our happiness. Some of my slimmest friends are some of the unhappiest. When I was at my slimmest point, I was more consumed with myself than I am now. It is really all in the attitude.


I think about this last year and how I am where I am now. I know that a huge difference has been the fact that I am so entirely busy that I don't have time to dwell on myself much. I have about 30 minutes to get ready so there isn't much time to stare in the mirror. There is something to the slogan, "Loose yourself in service." 


If you are unhappy with yourself, get out there and serve others. Get too busy to worry about your own problems. Start working out to feel good, letting go of looking perfect. Eat right so you will feel good. You deserve to have energy and health.


Bottom line: No one cares if you are perfect. In fact, people usually like you better if you aren't. People like those who are confident and are uplifting. Those who aren't negative and berating of themselves. Think of who you like to be around the most and you will see. If we become happy with ourselves, we will be better mothers and wives; better friends and better servants. 


I still have my days where I don't feel the best but those are pretty fleeting now. I just change my tone and get out the door. I can honestly tell you all that I am the happiest I have ever been in my life. Consequently, I am not the slimmest I have been. But, that's ok

Coconut oil order

I am putting in a group order for my very favorite coconut oil from Tropical Traditions. A one gallon pail of the Gold Label organic coconut oil is $60, that includes tax and shipping. I am putting in the order Thursday. You will have to pick it up from me if you want it. I need a minimum of at least 6 gallons to get this price.

I will also be ordering oils and supplements on Thursday as well.

Email me if interested. 

Thanks!

Dish scum

Are your dishes looking cloudy and filmy from the dishwasher? Your not alone. I have had this problem for a few months and tried all sorts of detergents, totally natural and not. I have a new dishwasher and blamed it on that. I almost unhooked it to return it. Then, my sister in law told me she was having the same problem and also another friend. They too thought it was their machine. We had to do the vinegar rinse just to get the baked on film off our dishes. Thanks to a comment from  Katie, the case of the cloudy dishes has been solved. Don't go out and buy a new machine.


It seems that phosphates have been removed from most dish detergents. That is a good thing in that phosphates are bad for our environment and we don't really want that in our water system or our households. However, it is the phosphates that caused the breakdown of hard water and for the dirt to breakdown in the cleaning cycle. Now, we are left with less than adequate cleaning products. That has been a very recent change so that is why we are all just discovering it. 


I have searched for a more natural cleaning product that still makes my dishes shine like they were hand cleaned. I was successful.

I have tried quite a few powdered natural detergents but was never happy. I have a new love. It is "Wave" detergent in Organic Lavender. I got it at Sprout's but you can probably find it elsewhere. It smells great and contains pure and simple ingredients. No more cloudy dishes and no more worry over chemicals left on my drinking cups. Oh, happiness. 

Thanks for solving the mystery, Katie!

Fresh Finds.....Costco

Just a couple finds at Costco lately I thought I should share.....

Rudi's Gluten Free Bread in the freezer section. Two loaves for $6.99. Much better than $5.99 for Udi's single loaf. It tastes great as well. Wish they wouldn't put corn in everything but life isn't perfect!

Frozen Organic Blackberries. I think it is around $8.99. Great for smoothies!

20lb bag of peruano beans. If you don't know what these are , read my old post here. They are my very favorites for mexican food, especially refried beans. You usually pay around $1.40 per pound but at Costco, this 20lb bag ends up being about $.73 per pound! Yipee! Grab them while they have them. There is a long storage life. 

They had some organic romaine hearts last time I went but not this time. Hopefully that will come back.

***I have found these at my Costco at Gilbert San Tan. 

Anyone else find some great deals out there? 

Piano Lessons

To anyone in the Gilbert area interested: My almost 15 year-old daughter has a couple more opening for piano lessons. Lessons are 1/2 hour long and $10 per lesson. She is a very good teacher; very organized and great with the kids. She plays beautifully and can sight read anything. She had 7 years of lessons and really enjoys teaching. 


Email me or leave a comment if interested.


Another note, someone emailed me about water kefir issues and I somehow deleted the email. Email me back so I can answer you.


Thanks!

The Vinegar Solution

If you told my father growing up that you had a stomach ache or were suffering some minor health issue, you were sure to hear the words: "Go drink some vinegar". I don't know how many of us actually did this but now that I know a few things, the man was right. Oh the wisdom of elders. Vinegar is the nectar of Gods. Really. It can do everything. It should be in everyones year supply. Both white distilled and apple cider vinegar. It has replaced so many things in my household and it is so very cheap. 


Here are some of my favorite uses:


HEALTH USES


Stops the sting/itch of insect stings


Soothes a sunburn


Help clears acne: mix 1:1 ratio of apple cider vinegar to water. After face is cleansed and dried, dab on this mixture and let dry overnight. The acid in the vinegar kills bacteria that is responsible for acne and will eat away dead skin on the face that leaves a dull appearance.


Fixes a sour stomach. Drink 1T. in a cup of water.


Kills warts. Apply vinegar to a piece of cotton the size of the wart and cover with a band aid. Let sit overnight. 
Repeat until gone. Use Bragg's apple cider vinegar.


For an itchy scalp or dandruff, rinse head with 1:1 ratio of apple cider vinegar and water. Also good for kids that smell like dogs in the summer time!


Cleaning Uses


Unclog a drain. 1/2 cup baking soda to 1 cup white vinegar. Pour in drain and let foam for a while. Follow with hot tap water to flush out.


Removes sticker residue.


Cleanser: 1/4 cup Baking soda, 1 T. liquid soap. Add enough vinegar to make the right consistency. 


Wood floor cleaner: 1 cup white vinegar to 1 gallon water


Cleanse chrome. Spray on full strength and then rinse off. 


Deodorize: plastic containers, fridge, sinks, garbage pails, etc.


Cleans the toilet: Let sit in toilet overnight and flush in the morning.


Takes soap residue off dishes instantly. You know that soap scum that has been baked on in the dishwasher and won't come off with water and soap! Fill the sink with vinegar and a little water and one dip and they are clean!


What is your favorite uses? Love the stuff! Once again, no need for chemicals. Give me some vinegar, baking soda and a little essential oils and my house will shine. Plus, your pocket book will thank you.

Grain-free Brownies

I am absolutely in love with coconut flour. You can make the tastiest gluten free/grain free treats around. They don't have any after taste like some of the gluten free grains do. Coconut flour recipes are actually good so I actually want to eat them as well. Giving the gut a little break from gluten is always good. 

These gluten free brownies are delicious. They would even be better with some GF chocolate chips sprinkled on top before baking for a little extra delight. I make these a little less sweet with the coconut sugar but you can always make them with white sugar for the real deal brownie. However, using coconut flour, coconut oil and coconut sugar yields a very nice low guilt treat!

Grain-Free Brownies

1/3 cup coconut oil or butter, melted

1/2 cup cocoa

6 eggs

1 cup coconut sugar or other sugar

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup coconut flour

Coconut milk as needed

optional, nuts and chocolate chips

melt coconut oil/butter with cocoa on stove until smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool. In a bowl, mix together the eggs, sugar, salt and vanilla. Stir in cocoa mixture. Whisk in coconut flour until there are no lumps. It will thicken as you stir.Add coconut milk if too thick. I seem to add about 1/4 to 1/3 cup. Pour into greased pan or individual muffin tins. (I love the square muffin cups) Bake at 350 for 30-35 for whole pan , 8X8 or 12-15 minutes for square muffin pan or mini muffin size. Don't over bake so check during baking. All oven times are different.

***Recipe taken from the Tropical Traditions website.

The scorpion sting, in summary.

You may all be pleased to know I survived the day after the "scorpion" incident. It is amazing how something so painful can be gone without a scar. 


I am also pleased to report that I am quite sure that I killed the little bugger a couple days later. If not, it means there was another one in my house. I am going with the first scenario. I searched for two days and couldn't find him. I somehow managed to sleep in my bed. I used the black light to look through everything before I went to bed. I checked one night and didn't see anything. I was watching TV before bed and all of a sudden decided to get up and check again for some reason. I searched the room...nothing. I then decided to start down the hall. I took a step just as my daughter took a step out of the bathroom. We were literally one foot apart and she gasped. Right there between us was a scorpion. Both she and I almost stepped on it. Call it luck but I am going with inspiration and guidance. Any case, he has passed on to the next world. 


Since I have now had some experience with the nasty stings of death, I have learned a few tricks that help. I am convinced that you will always have to suffer some sort of personal hell when you get stung but there is a way to speed the process along and lessen the effects.


First: Helichrysum oil. Apply right on the sting and rub in as well as you can. I didn't rub it in as well as I should have at first. 


Second: Apply pressure like a tourniquet so that the venom won't travel far. When I was stung on my foot, the venom spread up my leg instantly, I cinched my leg under my knee, where it already was and hung on for dear life. It never passed that point. I firmly believe that the Helichrysum helped stop the spread as well.


Third: ICE! Ice will constrict the blood vessels and help slow the flow of the venom. It also helps with the pain. I couldn't function without the ice pack. 


Fourth: Apply peppermint oil and Helichrysum throughout the day. With my first sting, I applied the Helichrysum once but never again. This last time I did an experiment. About 12 hours into it with still a pretty good amount of pain, I applied it to my sting on my lady lump and rubbed it in well. Instantly the pain was gone. I didn't apply it to my finger and the pain lasted a few more hours until I then put the oil on that sting. It then went away. My conclusion is that you need to reapply the oil a few times as it takes a while to break down the venom. Wish I knew that before.


So, there you have it. I actually had wanted to know the best way to deal with these stings before I got stung so I could give some advice to others. Now I am a pro. Although, every sting is different. A scorpion can regulate the venom they deliver so if you make them really mad, you will get more. I am also convinced that the foot is worse as you have all the nerve endings in the foot. Any case, it stinks.


Thanks for all your advice. They are all being considered. We are getting screens for our vents, we are getting chickens. Already have 5 cats in the back yard. I am seeking professional advice but still won't go for harsh chemicals. I actually prefer scorpions to toxins in my home. They won't kill you. You just feel like you are dying. But.....it ends. 


Sleep well. Check your sheets before you dive in. 

Irritated.

I have this recurring dream ever since we found scorpions at our home 2 years ago. Oh, and also Black Widows. Since I am the one who goes out hunting for them at night, I very often dream they are in my bed. I jump up, throw back the covers until my husband tells me I'm crazy and to go back to bed. 

Last night, 2 hours into my slumber, I jumped up, threw back the covers, tore off my shirt and as my husband was looking at me like I was crazy, I assured him that this was the real deal. He then jumped up too and the bed was stripped in a matter of seconds. Maybe I willed it into my bed with my dreams or maybe they were out to get me because I killed their family. In any case, I got stung right there on my delicate baby feeder with the bonus round of my finger that I used to flick it off. Two for one. Seriously irritated. Even worse, we cannot find him. We tore the room apart and used a black light and he is no where to be found. How can something that little make you feel like a machete was pulled on you during the night. Now, I have just two hours of sleep under my belt and a schedule that makes me tired just to look at not to mention my throbbing girlfriends. 16 two/three year olds will be parading through my house soon so I will pretend that I am fully rested and ready to party. The show must go on.


There are few things that I hate in this world but scorpions are one of them. Really, why did they need to be created? 


My friends out there, what do you do to get rid of these unwanted demons? Any tips? A war has now been waged. My personal bubble has been big time violated.

Supplement order this Friday.

I am ordering supplements on Friday for those of you in need. After this shipment, probiotics will most likely go up in price as I have to have them overnighted due to the temperature outside. This always drives up the cost. Stock up now.


For essential oil, the liver cleanse pak is still $25 and the staph pak is still $100. Super great deals. 


If you need any direction into what your body may need, feel free to shoot me an email. 

Canned Cheese

I must have sparked some interest with my "canned cheese" line in the last post. LOTS of emails. No, I am not canning it myself and the only time I am going to use it is if I have to. But, this cheese is the real deal. No artificial ingredients. Nothing bad except for the fact that it is in a can which I don't usually love. However, if cheese is not available to us, this cheese will be divine. It slices, shreds, melts, etc. It is real cheese and has been made by this company since 1899 for places that don't have refrigeration.

Where can you get it? Well, I found it at the MRE Depot online by the case of 36. I think you can get a smaller amount now as well. I just bought the last case on Amazon but it wasn't much cheaper. Check out the details about what it is and how it is made at the MRE depot here.

Taco Time

It was another night that gave me 15 minutes for dinner prep. Baseball season is a killer. I had some grass fed beef ready to be used in the fridge that in no way was I going to let go to waste. Add to that a beautiful orange bell pepper, a couple tomatoes and garden lettuce. Super. I could make taco's in 15 minutes and it is a meal the kids would also be thrilled about.  I usually make taco's with black beans so all beef taco's would rock their world. 

As part of my 90 day meal supply , I keep taco shells on hand. These babies pictured above are a pretty decent lot. In a perfect world, they would be organic and treated with lime but I take as near perfection as I can get. The ingredient list is simple:

Corn

Salt

Coconut oil

Where do you ever see coconut oil listed as an ingredient? Pretty rare. I am SOOOO sick of seeing canola oil, corn oil and safflower oil. Total junk. These shells are on sale right now at Basha's for $1.45. With a good shelf life, they are a great thing to stock. 

Now, don't go and ruin your healthy taco with that packaged taco mix. Way too much salt and preservatives. It is so easy to make a taco taste right. I just dump the ingredients so I can't give any exact measurements but here is the general idea:

Cook your ground beef with onions and peppers as desired. Drain if you need to. Use black beans and grains if desired as well. 

Add cumin (about 1/2 to 1 tsp per pound beef)

Add Chili powder until desired spice is achieved.

Salt

Pepper

Garlic if desired

Add some salsa to the mix to just moisten and add flavor. 

That simple. Fill the taco shell with cheese, meat, lettuce, tomatoes, avocados, etc. 

For my 90 day supply meal, I have planned it with black beans, quinoa and salsa. You always have to plan it like you don't have any fresh ingredients for worse case scenario. Man, that would be a toughy for me. But, at least I will have some great flavor. I am adding some canned, natural cheese to my stash so at least I will have that to add. 

How's your supply coming? In case you haven't been paying attention, the world is a bit nuts right now. Stock up. Prepare. Be responsible.