Why Did I Wait SO Long?

I purchased this Deluxe Kithcen Crop 4 tray Seed Sprouter 1 year ago.  Added a link just in case anyone wanted to check it out. No I don't get any credit for anything - I will not be doing that on my blog. My purpose of showing you things is only for your information.  Also these photos came from the listing of this on Amazon. It runs about $21.91 on Amazon.

Anyway I bought it a year ago and I was overwhelmed with learning how to use it. I don't understand why because yesterday when I decided it was time to use it I read through the directions and washed it all up so it would be ready for this morning and it all clicked. I don't know why I get overwhelmed with things sometimes. But I knew it was time to learn this great art. It is important to get all the nutrition that we can get. Especially through these chaotic times. I don't know about you but I have been eating more sweets than I should from the extra stress and I want to get back to giving my body the things it needs and I felt this was one important way to do that.

 As you have figured out by now I have been watching prepper/homestead youtube videos lately. Many different people seem to think that things are fixing to get really tough and that it is a good idea to have extra supplies, food, medical stuff etc on hand. And I tend to believe them. I remember back in 1999 - people thought that when it turned 2000 that there would be a huge issue with computers and many people stocked up then as well. And we all know that there didn't seem to be any major issues. Well I would love to think that this upcoming election is not going to cause a major chaotic mess - but I am afraid that no matter which way it goes we are headed for tough times. And me learning to sprout seeds is one way I can help myself be more prepared.

This came with a small thing of Alfalfa seeds so I started those on Monday morning. Directions say to pour 2 cups of water over them 3 times a day. I can't wait to start having the sprouts to use in my salads and such! One of the videos that a friend sent to me that had a whole bunch of truth on it stated - 2020 Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. I hope that you my friends are preparing for the worse. I would be very unhappy with myself if we do hit some hard times and I did not take the time to share these thoughts with you and warn you. So what else will I be trying this week? Dehydrating some potatoes- I have them on hand ready to get process. I will just have to start it early cause the book says it could take 6-8 hours - one of the youtubers that dried some potatoes said it took 10 hours for hers - I think. I will try to share the video if any of you are interested in it. I am thinking it might be good to have these things on hand just in case. 

 Hope for the Best 

Prepare for the Worst

Try and Try Again

Have you tried a fruit or vegetable and just didn't like it? Well I have too. But as I have been studying nutrition, I have realized how valuable those fruits and veggies are for us and so I have made myself try things more than once. You don't know if maybe you got a bad one and that is why you didn't like it.

When I was a young teenager - I remember picking blueberries when visiting my dad one time. I loved the blue berries. Well as and adult I just didn't eat many of them. Just as I was having to have chemo a friend gave me a couple of big bags of frozen blue berries and I remember making blueberry smoothies throughout chemo - and I honestly feel that the blueberries is one of the main reasons that my blood levels did not go way down -like they do for a lot of people. Each chemo brought the numbers down a bit but I never got into the dangerous levels that cause chemo to have to be postponed. I tried some fresh ones but just didn't like them that much. But realized how very good they are for you. Dr. J. Furhman suggests eating berries every day for good health! So I tried them again until I began to like them and then love them. Yes- sometimes the blueberries won't be as good but they are still good for you so I eat them anyway.

Brussel Sprouts were another thing that I have wanted to like. They are a cruciferous vegetable along with cabbage and broccili - another group of foods that is suggested to eat every day. These foods help protect against cancer. I have tried brussel sprouts several times - I have tried them fixed with a sauce and all but just didn't seem to like them. Well I picked up a package of baby brussel sprouts from Aldi's and I cooked them up for my lunch and lo and behold - I like them! I didn't have to do hardly anything to them. A little sprinkle of salt and they were good! I am so excited to like another healthy food.

As we eat healthy foods we gain a taste for healthier foods and enjoy them more and more. I am so happy that I kept trying. Are there foods you don't like? Well try them again and then again. You too, might find you like it after all! And what a benefit it is to you when they are healthy foods that give your body what it needs to be healthy! :O)

I would love to hear what healthy foods you used to not like but now you do?!

Healthy tidbits~ Red Light Foods

Healthy Tidbits...Yellow Light Foods

Healthy Tidbits ~ Green Light Foods

Healthy Tidbits

Fever is it good or bad? Many times when we have a fever we rush to take something to bring the fever down - but I think that if we understand what the fever is for we may rethink what we do when we have one. Read the quote below to see what I mean.

This quote is from Gunther B. Paulien , Ph.D book The Divine Prescription and Science of Health and Healing

Fever Burns Bacteria and Impurities With Heat 

Fever is one of the body's own defense mechanism created and sustained for the deliberate purpose of restoring health. The high temperature of a fever speeds up Metabolism, inhibits the growth of the invading virus or bacteria, literally burns them with heat and accelerates the healing process. Fever is an effective protective healing measure not only against colds and other simple infections, but also against serious diseases such as polio and cancer.

Getting More Phytonutrients #6

Today we will be looking at the last point in our series on Getting More Phytonutrients - from the handout "2015 The Institute for Functional Medicine"

"Be Creative with Substitutions 

One way to get more plant foods would be to think of foods that are commonly eaten that may not be as nutrient dense and replace with nutrient-dense options. Some plant foods clearly give us more phytonutrients than others! For example you could substitute mashed potatoes with mashed purple potatoes or sweet potatoes. You could substitute white rice with purple, brown, or black rice."

We have replaced rice with brown rice mostly. I have bought and tried black rice. It is actually pretty good, it has a nutty flavor.

Now we can get to the fun part - "Eating From the Rainbow" Coming soon! :O)

Getting More Phytonutrients # 5

Continuing our series on Getting More Phytonutrients - from the handout "2015 The Institute for Functional Medicine"

"Maximizing Combinations 

When we put certain foods together, we may achieve a better effect than if we just had to food by themselves. Sometimes, there can be a "synergistic" result from combining certain foods. For example, putting turmeric with black pepper together with olive oil could enhance the phytonutrient effects of all three foods on your health. Adding lemon juice to spinach could help the iron become more absorbed by your body. try putting plant foods together for an enhanced health benefits."

I have never tried lemon juice with spinach before. I will have to try it. I will try to get on here and let you know what I think about the combo. :O)

Getting More Phytonutrients #4

Continuing our series on Getting More Phytonutrients - from the handout "2015 The Institute for Functional Medicine"

"Vary Your Choices 

There are thousands of phytonutrients in nature. If we eat the same foods over and over again, even if they are colorful, we may be missing the universe of important phytonutrients in foods. One helpful hint is to try a new food every week to ensure that you are getting different foods to try!"

I have to agree- by trying new fruits and veggies -you find favorites you never knew you had before! I know I eat quite a few things now that 5 years ago I didn't.

Getting More Phytonutrients #3

Continuing our series on Getting More Phytonutrients - from the handout "2015 The Institute for Functional Medicine"

"Eat the Rainbow of Colors
Instead of getting the full rainbow of color, you may be eating the standard processed food colors of brown, yellow, and white. For example, think of the typical breakfast menu- waffles, pancakes, ready-to-eat cereal, sausage, and eggs- which does not necessarily provide much color early in the day. however, if you had a fruit smoothie with blueberries, peaches, and raspberries, you'd have three colors of the seven colors of the rainbow first thing in the morning! Make it your goal to get the full seven colors every day with a variety of foods."

That is a pretty big challenge right there, worth working towards for sure!

Getting More Phytonutrients #2

Today we will look at number two on our handout from "2015 The Institute for Functional Medicine."

"Know Your Phytonutrient Sources 
Phytonutrient- rich eats are limitless, making ti fun to experiment with new varieties and colors even within one category of good. Here are some source of phytonutrients to get you started: Any and all plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and even herbs and spices."

Start paying attention to the brilliant colors of fruits and vegetables. Along with those colors comes some wonderful nutrients!! 

Vegan 101 ...Waffles

Today is your lucky day! Someone asked for the recipe for the Pinto Bean Waffles - so today I will be sharing that recipe with you all. These are very hearty waffles - but you would never guess there were beans in them if you had not been told. Well at least I couldn't with the delicious fruit topping, which I will share as well. 

Pinto Bean Waffles 

1 cup soaked pinto beans 

1 1/2 cup rolled oats 

1 1/4 cup water

1 T. oil 

1 T. honey or agave nectar \

1/2 tsp. salt 

1. Combine all ingredients in blender. Blend until light and smooth. Let stand 5 minutes. 

2. Again, blend briefly. Pour needed amount onto heated waffle iron and bake approximately 8 minutes or until nice and brown or crisp as desired. Top with fruit topping or other sweetener or topping of choice. 

Fruit Topping  

1. About 1/4 cup each of dried fruit of your choice- dried pineapple tidbits, diced apricots, papaya, mango, pears, peaches, cranberries, strawberries, dates and raisins. Use 3-4 different kinds. 

2. 1 ripe banana, diced

3. 1 tsp vanilla. 

In a 2-quart pot add 3-4 cups water. Add the dried fruit of choice and 1/4 cup of tiny tapioca pearls if you so desire. Bring water to a boil then let simmer until fruits are soft, stirring every few minutes to keep fruit from sticking to the bottom of the pot. If not using tapioca pearls, make a cornstarch slurry by mixing 2 tsp. of cornstarch and 1/2 cup of cool water. Add slurry to simmering fruit and stir until thickened. Sweeten mixture to taste. Remove from heart. Add diced banana and vanilla before serving. Use to top waffles, pancakes or cereal, dry or cooked. 

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By adding the beans to the waffles you are upping the fiber content of the waffles. Plus beans are very good at helping to stabilize blood sugars. When you eat beans and legumes - it not only helps your blood sugar for that mean but also for the next meal or two. So try to see what ways you can incorporate beans into your meals. Here are just a couple of great ideas: bean recipes, adding beans to soup, topping your salad with beans, making hummus and there is even a hummus recipe that uses cocoa and is great with strawberries. There are many great ways to get more beans into your diet. Don't be afraid of beans and legumes - they have so many benefits!! 

Not "Have To", But "Get To"

So recently I have been trying to mix up my fitness routine a bit. It's good to mix things up every now and then so you don't get into a rut.

I have shared how I like to work out with Jennifer from Rise Up Ministries  I have the channel with Directv channel 378 I believe. But if you can always go to her website - she offers some workout videos there. Also I believe there are some on youtube as well. Lots of great options.

Well right after the Rise Up program comes Faithful Workouts. I have begun recording a few of her workouts. She has a whole lot of energy and moves quickly - it can be challenging to keep up with her sometimes. But I decided to start working out with her at least 10 minutes if possible and then go do my other workouts.

Anyway so on one of the programs Michelle shared about how several years ago she had a bad ski accident and was not able to exercise for a while. So she said it's not a matter of having to exercise now it is that she gets to exercise now. I think perspective is great to have. To look at exercise as something we get to do. If we have been blessed with the ability to exercise then we truly are blessed. If you have a good attitude about exercising, then you get so many more benefits! It is well worth developing a good attitude about working towards fitness.

So maybe you might want to mix it up a bit and try a work out from each of these sites! :O)