Today I decided to try a recipe from GNOWFLINGS.com for Almond Meal Bread.  It does not make a whole lot...just an 8x8 pan; but, it sure does look good (smells good too).  I am also trying to alter my moms recipe for Chocolate No-bake Cookies to make them refined-sugar free (not sugar free; just refined sugar free).

  Here is a picture of the Almond Meal Bread fresh out of the oven.  I haven't tasted it yet; but, I have read that it resembles corn bread in taste and texture.  I'll let you know more about that when I sample it.

Here is a picture of the modified Chocolate No-Bake Cookies.  They taste pretty good; but, I have had another variation (with refined sugar) that had some things I liked that I will have to try next time around.

My mom's original recipe is as follows:

1/2 C     milk

2 C        sugar

1/2 stick    butter

2/3 C    chunky peanut putter

Mix together in sauce pan and boil for 1 minute.  Remove from heat and add:

1 tsp     Vanilla

3 C    Oatmeal (Mom called for quick cook oats; but, I have used regular with great                         success)

5 Tbsp    cocoa

Stir all ingredients and drop by spoon fulls on wax paper to cool -- no need to refrigerate.

A variation I like had the following ingredient differences (all ingredients are the same save for the following):  1 stick of butter, 1 C of peanut butter, 1 Tbsp Vanilla, 4 Tbsp Cocoa and about 1-2 cups more of oats (I had to add a bit to keep it from being like soup).

My Refined Sugar Free Variation uses my Mom's original recipe but changes up the sugars...there is still 2 cups of sugar but it is broken up as 1 cup of Agave nectar and 1 cup Coconut Sugar.  After removed from the heat I also added 20 drops of Vanilla Liquid Stevia.

These are good; but, I liked the taste of the greater abundance of peanut butter and more vanilla in the variation listed above.  When I finish this batch I will use those variations along with the different sugars to see how that results.

If you have any suggestions please let me know!

 

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Posted by aestrello at 3:16 PM CDT

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Okay, I've been fairly good this week.  I did make it to the gym about 4 times and started a weight routine in addition to my swimming.  I am a bit sore.  According to the scale at the gym today I was 176...but, this isn't the usual gym scale I use (I will see that one tomorrow so I will find out if I really did do good this week). 

My niece graduated high school last weekend and her party was yesterday.  I did good all but the 1 1/2 Cokes that I had.  I know...there was water; but, I just couldn't say no.  I don't recall any bread so that at least is a good thing.

Last night I also made some sugar free ice cream.  It was sweetened with a bit of honey and liquid Stevia.  It turned out quite good.  I only ate about 1/4 of a cup.  I did make it full fat because I had some cream I had to use up and I only use full fat raw milk (I do get the cream when I want to make butter; but, I've been a little tired lately).  I do not feel bad about the fat content because it is from a good source, is loaded with B vitamins since it is from grass fed Jersey cows and carries needed vitamins in our bodies...most people don't realize that a lot of vitamins are fat soluble.

I have been good with my kefir this week; both water and milk.  My water grains are not looking quite as well as they should.  So, there is a little bit of doctoring going on for them.  This leads me to believe that our city has added something else into our drinking water.  I'm not happy about that. 

I have been good with my sourdough as well.  I made some fermented bread and it is taking a little to get used to; but, it is very filling...and dense.  Tonight I made a sourdough pizza dough and though it wasn't fully fermented it did have a good little kick to it.  Went very well with the breakfast pizza.  It wasn't fully gluten free but, it did have a bit less white flour than would normally be used as I had a little bit of my white flour substitute mixture on hand (it can only replace about 1/4 of the flour and still get good "bread" results [I'll have to find my recipe and mix up some more]). 

I am a bit tired and have to finish up some laundry.  I will let you know at a later time if today's scale is in line with my normal gym scale.  I hope so.  After two months of only gaining and losing 5 pounds on a consistent basis I am ready for some improvement.

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Posted by aestrello at 9:14 PM CDT

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Okay, for a while I have been a bit above what the ideal weight is for my height...just a bit because 40 lbs really isn't a lot...is it???????  I know it is, especially since I have had some issues with my foot and now have a new foot that really shouldn't have to put up with that type of excess.  So, I am going to commit to a change in diet that I have only used as a cleanse in the past. 

A lot of my weight is due to the fact that my thyroid is functioning lower than it should. 

(Just a bit of history, it wasn't always like this...I used to be SUPER skinny and unable to gain weight because my thyroid levels were too high.  Then I got zapped with radioactive Iodine and they killed most of my gland.  I was left with a little bit of functionality; but, I've had to be on medication ever since and getting the meds right is a whole other story.  That was in late 1997 or early 1998--I can't remember for sure.  All I remember was, Cool I'm radioactive...and NOT cool because my husband has chicken pox and can't hold or feed the baby.  Trying to feed a 10 month old at arms length isn't the easiest thing to do.)

Okay, so the main thing that is causing the weight gain is my under active thyroid and probably my decreased mobility due to my foot issues.  But, the thing that is next in line is...(sound effects...dom dom dom!!!) Candida.  Candida is an ugly little bacterial yeast that can get into your system through your blood and travel all over the place in your body.  It has many symptoms that are typically overlooked by doctors and misdiagnosed.  Some of them are: digestive inconsistencies (you know, going back and forth from one extreme to another...it is usually diagnosed as IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome), brain fog (not being able to concentrate or think clearly), dry skin, visual changes, ear infections and/or ear pain, bloating of the gastric tract...and many other things.  I believe that it even effects my thyroid; but, that is yet to be proven though we'll see after I get all of this crap out of my system.

So, the main change in diet for getting Candida out and keeping it out is that you have to eliminate Sugar.  Tell this baker that it isn't so!!!!  I love my sugar and I love baking and cooking.  So, I am going to have to totally change the way I eat.  This includes even the sugar in fruit.  I am not going to do a hard core Candida cleanse diet at this time because I can't stand most veggies and totally thrive on beef.  I can see a cow in the field and start to salivate.  Just so you know, I know my body and it does function much better on a diet of lean red meat  I have lost weight in the past from being on a nearly completely red meat diet (nearly 30 pounds). 

In short, I am documenting this to hold myself accountable for sticking to this.  I am not prescribing these methods to anybody else just keeping tabs on what I am doing, have done...what worked and what didn't.

I am also exercising quite a bit.  I swim at least 4 times a week and am doing water weights until my stick of a leg regains all of its muscle and range of motion (I had reconstructive surgery in August of 2010).  So, I have been doing the swimming for 2 months now without so much of a pound of lost weight.  A little discouraging; but, at least the cottage cheese look on my legs is starting to diminish.  I have taken measurements so that I can track the non weight loss improvements which are as follows: Weight 180 lbs, Thigh--24", Upper Arm--14 3/4", Chest--42", Bust--43 1/2", Waist 40 1/4", and Hips 43 1/2". 

Just know, I know I am not obese...but, you have to realize that my whole life I always been skinny...stick skinny.  I was made fun of as a child and called Bird Legs and Skinny Minny along with other "fun" names.  I by no means want to be back to the skinny state; but, I do want to be at a healthy weight and size and for that 40 pounds needs to come off.

The FIRST things I am doing in my diet are incorporating more kefirs and cutting the sugar.  I culture my own milk and water kefir from respective grains that propagate like rabbits when fed properly.  This renders a pro biotic that is far better than any yogurt ever hoped to be.  Having the grains also means less expense as I do not have to buy dried cultures.  And all of my family benefits...even the dogs as they get the fermented fruit from the cultures and that totally helps their tummies as well.  I have started my sourdough starter and am actually making one without any sugar at all...it is built on brown rice flour, water and water kefir.  I love bread and have to get my fiber from more than just the 3 veggies I like.  The bread will be a fermented loaf which will make it a lot more digestible as the good-yeast in it will have already pre-digested everything.  I know, it sounds sick; but, it makes for much healthier eats!  I will also not be using any wheat in this bread.  (I am probably going to have to invest in a couple of cookbooks...one in particular is one by Abby Eagle "Learn to Cook the Way Grandma Did..." which is all cultured food...cultured mainly by kefir http://rejoiceinlife.com/...and "The Art of Gluten Free Sourdough Baking" by Sharon Kane http://glutenfreesourdough.blogspot.com/.    I do not have a wheat allergy anymore thanks to N.A.E.T. http://naet.com/ (again, another story); but, I do not want any of that over refined grain in my system...at least not right now...might add whole wheat back at a later time.  FYI, both the

So, after my friend from Bible college stops by today to have some of the beautiful marble cheesecake I made for her birthday I will start to commit to the elimination of yeast in my system.  I will try to keep the two who read this updated on a regular basis :)  Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me!

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Posted by aestrello at 9:07 AM CDT

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Well, I seem to be in all natural form today.  No, I am not referring to my appearance; but, rather making all natural foods and stuff today.  I began my morning by checking the progress of my granola in the dehydrator (it is all natural with an assortment of soaked nuts, almond meal flour, organic applesauce, spices, coconut, oats, liquid vanilla cream stevia and coconut sugar.  It smells awesome.  Since most of it was dry, I turned it over (off of it's little holding mat) and set to trying to dehydrate some raw-milk Kefir along with it...on a separate tray.  I then started a new batch of milk Kefir (I only use raw milk in my house {just FYI}) and have revived my water Kefir grains.  Gotta get another drink going on to help get me off of sodas.  I'm not too much on the sugar/sweet of sodas, I just really love the bubbly.  Gotta make sure I get all of the Candida cleared out of my system once and for all; so, I am really trying to be good.

In addition to the kefir and granola I am also soaking some unsweetened coconut (I would prefer raw and fresh; but, I would eat all of it if I had a fresh one...besides, I haven't had good luck with getting a good coconut here lately...beyond that, the dried is just so much easier) that I am going to use to make homemade coconut milk so that I can experiment with making coconut yogurt (with my kefir as the culture--so it will NOT be dairy free).

I have also gathered some redbud seeds (mainly for my hubby because he loves the way they flour; I have to say that I do too).  I have tried to germinate them in the past with no success. This time I'm going to try to do it close to the same way you sprout grains with the exception that I poured boiling water over them...and that they will sit in this water for 7 days without refreshing or pouring off any...and then they will get a bit of cool/cold treatment.  So, I guess the only way this process is close to sprouting grains is that they will sit in water for a period.  Most seeds I sprout by putting them between sheets of moist paper towels and letting them sit in a zip top bag with small holes popped in it.

So, it would seem that I really need to get my little indoor greenhouse set up and placed so that I can begin work on seeding other seeds I've gathered.  I was just telling my Love that it's that time of the year when I need to start keeping a little bag with me at all times so that I can gather seeds from trees/bushes that I like.  I have quite a little store of seeds going on as it is; but, not all of them have been successful.  I do have 2 Japanese Orchid Trees that seem to have survived our weird winter.  I haven't read up much on these trees; but, I have noticed by observation that if the leaves die new ones will not sprout in that place...they only come out on new limbs...but, typically they do not drop their leaves if the temp. is right.  I have a bundle of 2nd year lilies going in a pot out front (had to remove only one bulb that rotted over the winter) and a batch of sproutlings that I put out of house yesterday to get fresh air and direct sunlight (they've been in their own little greenhouse since sprouting before Christmas).  I have a ton of seeds from my parent plants (amaryllis) and some seeds from a newcomer I obtained last year.  I am going to try again to see if I can get any of the newcomer seeds to sprout as previous attempts ended in fluffy mold (apparently they don't sprout the same as my amaryllis...which would tend to make sense as the seeds are so vastly different).  It shouldn't be long before my parent plants start to bloom...I have already gotten many new leaves shooting up.  That means that it will not be long until my daughter rolls her eyes at me for force pollination (she screams at me to stop having sex with the flowers in the front yard).  I could avoid all of that if........if, I was able to acquire some Blue Orchard bees.  They can be rather expensive to start up; but, I would so totally love to give it a go!  I'm sure all my flowers and bushes would love it too!

With that said, I need to eat some breakfast, that my Love has so lovingly prepared, and get to work thinning out my lilies and planting some new posies.

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Posted by aestrello at 10:48 AM CST

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For those who know me you know that I fully believe in the healing power of Jesus Christ through the blood that was shed on Calvary.  I have experienced this healing power on many occasions.  I do also believe that God uses people to bring about His healing as well.  Every blessing comes from the hand of God; but, I would be willing to bet that none of you have seen the physical hand of the Almighty God hand it to you Himself…He uses people.  Not every healing is miraculous nor is everyone of them instantaneous.  I know this and accept it and truly believe it with my whole heart.  What I have issue with is people who think that because I am having surgery that I lack faith that God can heal me.  Now, this is not from anyone within the past 14 years; but, it was something said to me prior to my first ankle surgery when I requested prayer from a church leader that I had looked up to for guidance and teaching for several years.  I knew in my heart that I had faith that God could heal me and I even shared afterwards that it was a miracle because the surgery only cost me $8…my insurance covered every single other thing regarding it. 

Well, with a second surgery on the horizon and a previous two miraculous healings to the same foot I began thinking about those insensitive words that were spoken to me prior to my last foot surgery.  I have been earnestly asking God to provide a way of explanation to anybody who may feel that going through surgery to fix my foot goes against the word of God that they are incorrect—but in the most simple of ways.

He did just that for me this morning.  A friend of mine posted a quote from a well respected man of God and within it was the scripture of Isaiah 53:5  touching on the stripes that Jesus received for our healing.  Now granted, the quote was pointing more to the fact that God has already paid for our healing and it is promised to us because of those stripes; but, God gave me a little something more.  Imagine if you will the afore mentioned scripture.  Those bruises and stripes did not just miraculously appear on Jesus’ body…they were put there by man.  God brought about our healing because of something man did to His Son.  Why is it so farfetched for people to realize that healing can also be brought about by the hands of man?    

In my mind it actually takes more faith to put myself in a situation where I have to rely and trust undoubtingly that God will use and guide the hand of an imperfect man to bring about healing in my body.  I don’t know about you; but, I do not have a close intimate relationship with any of my doctors beyond seeing them in their office on the rare occasions I have need of their services.  My trust is never in a man but God.  I am a realist and know that even on my best “Godly” day that I fall short of being all that He has called me to be.  This should truly scare me because I do not know the condition of my surgeon’s heart but I have perfect peace in knowing that my God will take care of me.  And up until the scheduled day of my surgery, My God is fully able to perform a supernatural healing and restoration of my foot…and I would willingly and gladly accept it.  Until then, I will allow Him to bring about His healing in my body through a man who is a master in this field and I will trust that He will not let any evil befall me.  So, tell me, how is that not faith?

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Posted by aestrello at 6:41 PM CDT

Updated: Monday, 12 July 2010 6:42 PM CDT

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The other day I heard on a Christian radio station that a lady was so excited because her 8 year old child approached her and asked what she needed to do in order to be saved.  This is totally awesome news...where the story gets me kinda in a not so awesome mood is that the mother had to call her friend to find out how to lead her child to Christ.  I am glad that her friend knew; but, as a Christian parent she should have known what to do herself (well, at least that's what I think otherwise I have to actually question the salvation of the parent).  As a Christian period one should know how to lead someone to the Lord. 

I shared this little story with my daughter without imputing my opinion of the mother's lack of knowledge and she totally went down the same road of thought.  What she proceeded to tell me was completely cool.  She said that the mother needs to learn her ABC's!  I asked for further explanation and this is what I got, "A=admit you're a sinner; B=believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose from the grave; and C=confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and ask Him to be your Savior."

So, for any of you out there who lacks the knowledge to lead someone to the Lord you should probably learn your ABC's too.  Kids have a way of making things so much more simple than adults tend to.

What have we learned today???  Admit, Believe and Confess!  There you have your ABC's of becoming a Christian. 

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Posted by aestrello at 3:19 PM CDT

Updated: Monday, 5 July 2010 3:34 PM CDT

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Well, the yogurt is out of the machine.  But, I kinda wasn't home when it was done; so, it separated.  I have some really strong curds and whey.  I probably should have reduced the culturing time since I used so much more kefir.  Well, next time we won't be caught up dying someone's hair purple (and trying to remove purple dye from someone else's hands because of faulty gloves).  Today is going to be busy with church and the completion of someone's purple transition; so, I do not see any more trials being made today.  But, tomorrow is a holliday off from work and that would be a perfect time to try something new!

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Posted by aestrello at 9:29 AM CDT

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Well, I have to say that I am a bit excited about my new yogurt machine.  Don't let the name fool you...it does not make it for you.  It is more of an incubator for your recipe.  I made my first batch Thursday night and tried it for the finished product yesterday afternoon.  It was not as thick as I would like; but, it has an awesome flavor!  I am sorta experimenting with making traditional yogurt but with live active homebrewed kefir.  I have found no recipes online for this other than just culturing the kefir until it is thick enough to be call yogurt.  Well, I want a little more flavor than that; so, this was my first attempt...the major part of this recipe was provided by The Spunky Coconut so it is milk free with the exception of my added culture.  The recipe goes as follows:

2 Cups Coconut Milk

2 Cups Almond Milk (home made)

1 TBS Vanilla

2 TBS Agave Nectar (orig recipe called for Honey; but, I'm trying to help my husband's blood sugar by using the Agave...one might want to try Brown Rice Syrup as well...but the intent is to avoid refined sugar here)

2 TBS Kefir whey

1 TBS Kefir solids

Okay, boil the coconut and almond milk until it reaches about 120 degrees.  Add the vanilla and Agave nectar.  Allow to cool to about 92 degrees and add Kefir whey and solids.  Whisk until well incorporated.  Pour into sterilized canning jars without their lids and place in the yogurt machine for 11 hours.

This is what it all looks like once inside the machine.

Once the time has elapsed then remove the jars from the machine and place lids on them.  Chill in the refrigerator for about 7 hours.

After 7 hours this is what I had.  It didn't stay solid enough to be called yogurt; but, it sure tasted great!  It was more like a yogurt drink.

Well, I'm on my second batch.  I decided not to go the milk free route.  I only use raw milk; so, I decided to try again using it and a bit more kefir.  I still made the almond milk but took out the coconut milk (so that if my sister wants to try it she can since she's allergic to coconut).  So in place of the coconut milk I used 1 Cup whole Kefir  and 1 1/2 Cups raw milk.  I only simmered the almond milk not the raw milk or kefir...I want to keep all the goodness in my milk (I trust it's source and all the bacteria in the kefir will take care of any baddies). 

So, it is all made and in the machine.  I'll touch base with you tomorrow and let you know how this batch is:). 

Posted by aestrello at 10:26 AM CDT

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Have you ever had to use all of these words in one sentance, "Don't bite that, you'll burn down the house?" Those were never words I had used together until just a couple minutes ago. And it's not going to be as entertaining as you might imagine. The words were spoken to my Maja kitty as he was chewing on the barrel of the childproof BBQ lighter. This kitty is such a goof! Being that he is of the breed Bombay, he loves to chew on metal. He has pulled out earrings while I'm sleeping and he loves watches and all jewelry in general. He will even lay in the sink so that he can chew on the faucet. He loves metal. So, it should be no surprise to me that he honed in on the long metal extension on the lighter to get a little nibble on! At any rate, I had to take the lighter away from my cat. I can't let him go around starting new badder habbits!

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Posted by aestrello at 6:19 PM CST

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When playing Rock Band with the family I usually play drums. That is except when I sing the "girl" songs that my husband does not want to do. That creates some tense moments becasue nobody else wants to play the drums. Kera usually ends up doing it but gripes about it all the way. Tonight, though, Reuben was asleep and Kera wanted to play. But, she wanted us both to do the guitar (which we found out we can do without getting another guitar for the game because the guitar for Guitar Hero works on Rock Band). So, we both played guitar. She did lead and I did bass. I think I did pretty good for my first time. I did start out on easy; but, quickly found out that I'm too good for that. Medium was still a challenge; but, I tried hard anyway. And I did pretty darn good! My wrists hurt, though, now. I will not be able to type much longer because after a couple hours of that game, anybody's wrists/fingers would be hurting.

Besides that, I have a Maja kitty laying on my lap making it hard to type.

So, all of you, go on in your lives now knowing that I totally rock...whether it be on drums, singing or even now on the bass! I so totally kick butt! I'm so awesome I scare myself! I'm the greatest! Haha! I rule!

Yeah, whatever...I can no nonger say that I've never played the guitar on Rock Band. If you don't have this game you have so totally got to get it! It is loads of fun and a great way to get your family together!

And did I mention that I totally rock?!

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Posted by aestrello at 6:12 PM CST

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