On a strict diet or just want to eat more healthy?


From personal experience I know that it's very difficult to have allergies or health problems that limit a person to a very strict diet.  In simple English - It's no fun!  Besides myself, I have several family members and have many friends who are also on strict diets due to health and have to closely watch what they eat.  And the foods that seem to cause the biggest problems?  Grains, dairy, and eggs.  With so many people who have to avoid one or all of these things, I have begun writing recipes that will hopefully make life easier and a bit more sweet. So if you are a person who is on a strict diet or you just want to eat more healthy, I think I may be able to help.     (As long as you're not allergic to nuts too!)  Below I have posted a  recipe to get you started and give you a special treat for the Christmas season.  And maybe, just maybe, if enough people like this recipe, I may just have to share a few more. :)
- I even have a few recipes for those of you who are allergic to nuts! ... Well, that is unless you're also allergic to seeds as well.... hmm...

Merry Christmas!  

Missy

Chocolate-Cherry Snow Balls

Chocolate-Cherry Snow Balls

Recipe by Missy

2 Avocados
1 tablespoon cocoa powder (or carob)
1 to 1 1/2 tablespoon honey or agave
1 cup coconut or crushed nuts (Plus extra to roll balls in)
Dehydrated cherries


Remove peels and pits from the avocados and mash or blend well.  Add in the cocoa powder and sweetener along with 1 cup of coconut or crushed nuts.  Place a heaping spoonful in the palm of your hand then add 2-3 dehydrated cherries to the center.  Create a ball making sure that the cherries remain in the middle.  Roll the ball in coconut or crushed nuts and place on a cookie sheet.  Freeze balls then enjoy!


Chocolate-Cherry Snow Balls are a fun, easy, and HEALTHY treat just in time for Christmas!  (Avocados... Wow... Who would have thought... )

Make Your Own Almond Milk - It's EASY!

          Making your own almond milk is quick, simple and EASY! It is a great replacement for people like myself who don't drink milk and it is also great used in smoothies and baking!

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Simply place 1 cup almonds in a container and cover with water.  Let them soak for 4-8 hours or over night.  Next, strain the water out and place the almonds in the blender with three cups of water.  Add 1 tsp vanilla and 2-3 un-pitted dates to sweeten. Blend well and then strain with a metal strainer or a nut milk bag. Once you have strained out the pulp - you have almond milk!


Why not just use the water that you soaked the almonds in?  Almonds and many other nuts have something in them that make them hard for people to digest.  Soaking them releases this into the water so it can be then drained.  Some people regularly soak their nuts then re-dry them before using.

So what do you do with the pulp? Don't waste it! Make COOKIES!!! MMM!!!  


Squeeze the pulp to make it as dry as possible, then, crumble it in a thin layer on a cookie sheet to let it air dry (This may be a problem in humid areas) or place it in a food dehydrator.  Once dry, use a food processor or coffee mill to make flour.  Then keep an eye on this blog for fun and easy almond-cookie recipes!


~ Missy

Solid Perfume Recipe by Leah B.

Please enjoy this solid perfume recipe and article from our guest writer, Leah B!

This is the perfect homemade gift for every girl on your list!  Mother, co-worker, friend, grandma, or neighbor.  Perfume is a classic present, and when it's made by hand it makes it even more special!  This recipe is very easy, but you would never guess that.

Solid perfume has recently become very popular...you just pour this in a small jar or container (with lid) and it will last forever!  Beeswax and essential oils can become pricey depending on where you live, but you use very little in this recipe, which means you can use one batch of either over and over again.  This makes it very inexpensive gift.

3 Tablespoons grated beeswax
6 Tablespoons almond oil
4 Vitamin E capsules
Essential or Fragrance Oils

Combine beeswax and almond oil.  Melt mixture in a double broiler.  Remove from heat and add the Vitamin E by puncturing the capsules (with a pin) and squirting the contents into the bowl.  Fill a small container almost to the top.  Add 8-10 drops of oil and stir with toothpick.  Leave mixture undisturbed until it solidifies.  Wrap and give! 

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Natural Remedies: Colds

I am sorry this was late!  My life has been crazy so I did not get this posted on Wednesday -- sorry for the delay!

COLDS 

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Symptoms

§  Sore throat & swollen tonsils

§  Stuffed or runny nose

§  Coughing or sneezing

§  Watery eyes

§  Fever & headache

Home Remedies

§  STEAM: Inhale steam to release congestion and relieve a dripping nose.  This can be done through boiling water or with a humidifier in the house.

§  BLOW: Blow your nose often!  This is your body’s way of getting rid of infection!

§  GARGLE: Gargle with warm salt water or with apple cider vinegar.  This will moisten a sore or scratchy throat, bring temporary relief, and help kill those bad germs.

§  SHOWERS: Take lots of showers.  This will assist your body by keeping you clean, warm, and enveloping yourself with steam.

§  HOT PACKS: Apply hot packs around your congested sinuses.  These hot packs are better if moist/wet.

§  SLEEP: Sleep with an extra pillow on your head.  This will allow for drainage of the sinuses, allowing you to heal faster.

§  GARLIC: Consume as much garlic as possible – be it mixed with drinks, soups, or eating raw garlic.

§  HERBAL REMEDIES: Don’t forget to take your Vitamin C, Echinacea, and Zinc!

§  HONEY: Consume a tablespoon of honey at various times throughout the day in order to provide relief for sore or scratchy throats.  Honey also contains a high amount of antioxidants helping you fight the infection.  Honey can also be mixed with lemon juice or teas for a more tasty concoction.

§  GINGER TEA: Ginger tea (often mixed with honey) is known as a highly effective combatant against viruses.

§  VICK’S VAPOR RUB: Rub Vick’s Vapor Rub on the feet, back, and chest in order to help relieve congestion.

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Diet

§  ORANGES & APPLES: Give energy and increases body resistance to infection.

§  GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES: will regulate digestion and help remove toxins.

§  BROTHS: Broths are a very effective way of gaining nutrition, as well as staying hydrated.  These warmed broths will also sooth sore throats.

§  DRINK at all times.  Be sure to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses per day.  It is beneficial to drink lots of hot liquids, although the cold liquids will help keep you hydrated just as much. 

§  AVOID: ALL oily and spicy food, along with all sweets/sugar/caffeine and ALL dairy.

Other

§  REST as much as possible.

§  WARMTH: keep your body warm, as this will help keep your energy up (instead of your body having to fight to keep you warm!).

§  MEDICATION: Medicines are appropriate to use to bring relief if all natural remedies seem to be ineffective.  Just be careful to follow allow appropriate directions.

PLEASE NOTE: These are only natural home remedies that no professional has reviewed or written.  This is not to take the place of professional medical advice, it is merely to aid you at home.  If you are concerned, it is best to call your doctor and follow instructions given by him/her.

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Bath Salts Recipe!

We hope you enjoy this bath salts recipe from our guest writer, Leah B! 

Bath Salts - from Leah B.

Epsom Salts

Food Coloring

Scents (Soap scents can be found very reasonably at craft stores, but essential or fragrance oils work as well)

By combining these three simple ingredients, this is one of the sweetest things you can make for someone for Christmas.  Simply mix scents, food coloring, and epsom salts to the desired smell and color and quantity.  Allow it to dry on a paper towel for several hours and then package as desired. 

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