A few years back I followed the anti-Candida diet by Bee. Bee created a awesome milk-like drink with eggs, which is very soothing and satisfying. Infact, after eating an abundance of scrambled or boiled eggs during my pregnancy, now I find myself only wanting this drink. And my 3 year old loves this milk in the mornings [...]]]>

A few years back I followed the anti-Candida diet by Bee. Bee created a awesome milk-like drink with eggs, which is very soothing and satisfying. Infact, after eating an abundance of scrambled or boiled eggs during my pregnancy, now I find myself only wanting this drink. And my 3 year old loves this milk in the mornings when we first wake up. We drink it more often in the winter when our goats are pregnant and we are not getting any fresh milk. Try it, experiment and enjoy!!

Find the original recipe at: Bee’s Egg Milk

I’ve adapted Bee’s recipe to my own taste

• 2-3 cups filtered water
• 2 or 3 eggs, from pastured hens
• 1 T. extra virgin coconut oil
• 1-2 T. butter
• pinch of salt
• stevia or molasses to taste
• nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves to taste

While heating water in tea kettle or pan to boil, place the rest of the ingredients in blender or food processor. If you do not have some type of blender, place ingredients in a jar and use a hand-held blender. Blend ingredients until well mixed. While blender is still on, pour boiling water over the egg mixture. Blend until nicely mixed and frothy. Sometimes I use 1 whole egg and 2 egg yokes because the whites really make the milk frothy. This milk also tastes fine with only one egg if you are short. Keep in mind if you have never had coconut oil before, to start out with very little because it may make you feel nauseous from its strong anti-bacterial properties.

If there was a power outage in your neighborhood for the length of a day, how much of your household appliances and gadgets would be useless?

After a few good outages the past few years, I’ve grown to dislike the electrically powered appliances and tools we own. These include both small and large items such as, a sewing [...]]]>

If there was a power outage in your neighborhood for the length of a day, how much of your household appliances and gadgets would be useless?

After a few good outages the past few years, I’ve grown to dislike the electrically powered appliances and tools we own. These include both small and large items such as, a sewing machine, a hot water heater, a grain grinder, an oven, a washer and dryer etc. It’s not that I don’t appreciate electricity. I don’t doubt how wonderful the invention of electrical current is. However, I think that independent solar/wind/water generated power is the ideal situation.

But we do not live in an ideal world. Many are unable to attain independent homemade power because of cost and lack of knowledge and resources. But because of the days in which we live, I believe it is foolish to rely on our local power plants. One small step at a time we should move closer to owning and using non-electric tools and appliances around the house. I also must make mention that I do not just want to make do with the products we find at Wal-Mart. It is essential that we find items that will last a lifetime.

My own list of ideas include:

• Learn to enjoy sewing by hand, become very proficient at stitching fast and very well. I’ve heard stories that our great-grandmothers sewed beautiful small perfect stitches that created durable clothing, quilts and crafts.
• Invest in a well made iron grain grinder .
• Use a clothesline during warmer months, and a indoor drying racks throughout the year.
• Use dry land farming irrigation techniques for garden instead of relying on well water being pumped.
• Make lots of homemade candles and invest in an Aladdin lamp or other non-electric lighting
• Learn to work with leather, investing in a few essential leather tools.
• Eventually invest in all the expensive items such as, a wood burning stove for heating and cooking, non-carpeted floors dismissing the need for a vacuum, a hand-pump for the water well and a gas fridge and a well designed root cellar.

More thoughts to come. Please share anything you have found or thought of.

We use coconut oil for more than cooking at our house. With the naturally occuring anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-candida properties, coconut oil is a good friend in our home.  Remember, coconut oil is not a bad fat, though for years it was given a bad rap. It is full of saturated fats and medium [...]]]>

We use coconut oil for more than cooking at our house. With the naturally occuring anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-candida properties, coconut oil is a good friend in our home.  Remember, coconut oil is not a bad fat, though for years it was given a bad rap. It is full of saturated fats and medium chain fatty acids which are very important for your brain, heart and digestion. See Mary Enig’s A New Look at Coconut Oil for more info on the health benefits of coconut oil. Also see Research on Coconut Oil for info on the negative campaign against coconut oil.

Here are several uses for extra virgin coconut oil:

• Lotion Coconut oil not only moisturizes your skin, it heals and protects it. When applied topically, coconut oil absorbs into you skin and through your cells, protecting the skin from sun damage and free-radicals formation (which is what ages your skin). It leaves your skin soft, by moisturizing and removing dead skin cells. Many have found relief using it for skin diseases, sores and wounds when applied topically, because of its anti-bacterial nature.
• Hair Care Use coconut oil to control dandruff  as well as moisturizing your scalp and ends by rubbing through your hair before washing. Every few months I spread it though my hair, put my hair in a braid and allow it to moisturize as I sleep. The next morning wash and style your hair as usual. It works wonders!
• Lubricant Coconut oil is an awesome lubricant both for squeaky doors and intercourse. Try it, it works great!
• Yeast Infections The natural anti-bacterial/fungal properties make coconut oil perfect for applying on yeast infections. It is safe for both internal and external use as well as using while pregnant (when most women are prone to yest infections).
• Candida When taken internally, beginning with a minimal amount and gradually increased, coconut oil helps kill candida. Candida thrive on carbs, so while using coconut oil for killing candida, limiting carbs is ideal. If you suspect you have candida, see a list of Candida Symptoms as well as Bee’s Healing Plan
• Animals Recently, I just tried using coconut oil for my chickens. I noticed some very watery stools coming from several of our new chickens, I sprinkled a few teaspoons of coconut oil over their feed. That was several days ago, and since then I haven’t seen any fresh watery stools. Coincidence? Not likely with how well coconut oil kills bad bacteria!
• Teet Rub Instead of dipping my goat’s teats in a store bought solution before milking, I rub coconut oil over her teets as well as my hands. I do make sure to wash her utters first with a rag that has been sterilized under boiling water. My method is: wash with rag, rub with oil, milk with hands. Coconut oil is the perfect thing to use for utters, and breasts for that matter, it moisturizes while it cleans.
• Toothpaste See: Coconut oil toothpaste recipe
• Diaper Rash Diaper rash is usually a sign of an allergy either from foods or from a certain diaper brand or soap. However the occasional rash can be treated with coconut oil and then allowing the bum as much access to air as possible.
• Beard Moisturizer My hubby specifically wanted me to mention how well coconut oil works on softening his beard. It really is nice to touch his beard after using coconut oil…especially for kissing! He usually rubs coconut oil on his beard during his shower or before bed.
• Weight Loss or Weight Gain See: Eat Fat Loose Fat
• Hormone Balance See: Thyroid Health and Virgin Coconut Oil

Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets

Here is a fun gluten-free treat to make for lunches or quick grab snacks. Put on your apron and put you little one up to the counter, these nuggets are easy and tasty! Always feel free to adapt and create your own variety of this recipe.

In a large bowl mix together:

This is a recipe given to me from a friend, but I have adapted it quite a bit for easier digestion and nutritional benefit. Please feel free to experiment with it yourself. So far it seems pretty flexible with experimentation. I am pretty sensitive to both cow dairy [...]]]>

Pre-Soaked Sour Cream Whole Wheat Pound Cake

This is a recipe given to me from a friend, but I have adapted it quite a bit for easier digestion and nutritional benefit. Please feel free to experiment with it yourself. So far it seems pretty flexible with experimentation. I am pretty sensitive to both cow dairy and gluten so I bake this cake for a treat for my hubby and for friends! See the following article if you are unfamiliar with pre-soaking grains: Why Soak Grains and Seeds?

The following day or several hours before you intend on eating the cake pre-soak the following in a bowl, well combined:

• 1/2 Cup extra virgin coconut oil
• 1/2 Cup butter, softened
• 1 Cup or 8 oz package of Cream Cheese, softened
• 1 Cup Rapadura or Sucanat
• 1 1/2 Cups unbleached white flour
• 1 1/2 Cups whole wheat flour

Please note: You are welcome to add additional whey or lemon juice but the sourness of the cream cheese should create a good break-down environment for the flour.

The next day or at least 7 hours later, blend together in larger bowl:

• 1/2 Cup additional Rapadura 
• 6 eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Once well combined, stir in the pre-soaked flour mixture a little at a time until smooth but do not over mix.

You are welcome to stir in chocolate chips, poppy seeds, or dried fruit at this point.

Pour thick batter into greased and floured bundt pan (I have used all sorts of pans too and they work pretty well.)

Bake at 300 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Enjoy with butter or just plain!

Pre-Soaked Sour Cream Whole Wheat Pound Cake

Last summer our family was planning on moving overseas, so we began making preparations by selling or giving away most all our belongings. We didn’t have much to begin with but we did not want to bring furniture and kitchen gadgets with us. A change of plans from my hubby’s employer later hindered the “moving [...]]]>

Last summer our family was planning on moving overseas, so we began making preparations by selling or giving away most all our belongings. We didn’t have much to begin with but we did not want to bring furniture and kitchen gadgets with us. A change of plans from my hubby’s employer later hindered the “moving overseas” idea. So we were still in the States but with very little left of our possessions. Thankfully we had been living with family before the big move so we didn’t really need too much. However making our move to Libby MT instead of overseas, sure changed the way I use to think about needing “things.”

We moved into an old farm house equipped with lots of storage and space and ironically we had little to unpack. A mattress, no bed frame, a coffee maker and 1 mug, 1 cast iron skillet, no other dishes or utensils, a few clothes, no washer or dryer, two computers and some books, no other furniture or wall hangings. The first few days were a bit frustrating learning how to cook without much of anything, but let me tell you….I realized how much WE REALLY DON’T NEED! I’ll admit a few necessities have been purchased like a shower curtain and some dishes but we have been fortunate to find out how much we can live without. I have learned that I can estimate ingredients fairly well when cooking and don’t need a measuring cup. I’ve learned how to hang up clothes to dry on an indoor clothesline. I’ve learned that my hubby is pretty content with simple meals (he’d eat eggs at every meal everyday) and so many of my old appliances like a food processor aren’t truthfully necessary.

Most of our past belongings were things I felt like we needed but if I choose to adjust my life a bit, they aren’t. It’s the adjusting part that is so hard for us Americans. For instance what if we decided we would only make meals that didn’t require utensils for eating. Families in Africa eat millet porridge with their hands, and Indians scoop up their Dahl with chapati (flat bread). They do it in a clean way mannerly way, so why can’t we? And do we really need 12 dinner plates, when we have a family of 3? To tell you the truth we would have to stop by the thrift store for more bowls and plates if we had a guest….or I would just have to prepare finger food.

It seems weird that I would encourage people to take on a “live with less” approach, especially when many can afford “more.” But it really isn’t about money, though money is a factor for some, living with less actually makes life easier, less cluttered and less busy. I’m tired of the American image of living with every gimmick and plastic China made product that supposedly makes life better. Do we REALLY need what the media says we need? If you think that the answer is yes, just take a look at the lives of families in rural Russia, India, China, Africa, South America. Our ancestors who lived before processed foods and massed produced plastic actually lived healthy, happy, self-sufficiently and wisely.

Here is a list of some things I’ve learned to do without, just for some ideas:

• Sweeteners, I do use a bit of stevia (or honey as a rare treat) for a few things but I do not put sweetener in my daily porridge, in yogurt, in my teas, etc.
• Evening dessert, I grew up with a German Grandma who believed every dinner meal must be accompanied by each food group and a fresh baked dessert. It takes a while to ignore the craving for something sweet after your meal…but if you consider it is most likely candida cravings, meaning if you give candida a carby meal they will thrive, then you may think otherwise. Try the Asian and Middle-eastern way of drinking mint tea after your meal.
• A rubber spatula, and many other utensils. A strainer, an egg flipper, some knives, a can opener and my hands work pretty good for our family’s needs. You can peel veggies with a knife instead of a peeler. 
• A dryer. Someday if we ever learn to where less clothing, a wash board would be my dream. But for now we wash our clothes in a regular electric washing machine and then use a indoor or outdoor clothesline.
• Wall hangings and alot of furniture. We recently received a table and chairs and a couch from friends but had been contently using the ground and pillows for our table and couch. I do love to see pictures of loved ones so I tape them on the fridge, seems like other wall hangings are just too expensive for me to buy. I would rather see family artwork anyhow.
• I nice “new” looking house. As long as my house is clean, I’m happy. Buying paint, lawn, decking, new flooring, pretty curtains etc. just doesn’t seem as important to me as feeding a few hungry children around the world. 
• A food processor or blender. I use to love making nut butters, salsas, sauces and smoothies with my food processor but after giving mine away, I’ve realized I can truly live without it, I just have to adjust my regular meals a bit.