Yogurt on Steroids - Kefir

Well, it's not really yogurt, and no steroids are involved.  It's just a super-duper probiotic-filled, fermented milk full of nutritional goodness.  It's easy to make, inexpensive, versatile, and so good for you.

We started drinking kefir several years ago when I was on a quest for simple ways to improve our family's nutrition.  Since it's tart, we use it in smoothies, combining it with fruit, or with a protein powder, frozen banana and ice to make something like an ice cream treat.

A daily serving of kefir actually helps to recolonize the intestinal tract with good bacteria - - in a way, it's like repopulating the body with healthy microorganisms so necessary for balance and good health.

We make our kefir by using live grains.  The grains look something like a portion of cauliflower that is all gelatinous and squishy.  Drop some grains into a quart jar of milk and leave the on the counter to culture for the next 24 hours.  The grains I'm using now are small - I only drop about 1/4 tsp into the milk, and I have beautiful kefir in 24 hours.  As your grains grow, you can take them apart (just pinch and pull) and freeze individual portions so that you have spares for later.  The little boogers go into something like suspended animation - they come to life again when you start actively using them to culture your milk into this health-enhancing elixir.

I had a lot of excess kefir grains at one time in the freezer.  I didn't find out until too late that our boys had packed them all together and were attempting to create a football out of them.  Knowing they had tested passes and kicks in our yard was just too much for me and I threw the grains out and started over.

You can order live kefir grains from Amazon, or from Dom's kefir site.  If you want lots of information about kefir, look up Dom's site.

Cilantro – The Wonder Herb

If you love Mexican food like our family does, you’ve probably been exposed to this green bit of goodness.  If not, you need to try it.  Organic is often just over a dollar for a bunch, while non-organic costs less.  Because money is a consideration right now, we buy the non-organic and clean with sprays of colloidal silver and white vinegar.  To store it in the fridge, fill up a glass jar with water – I use part water, part colloidal silver, and cover the bunch with a plastic bag.  It keeps well and looks fresh until it’s gone from our house.  We use it in burritos, salads, baked potatoes, soups, and even on hamburgers, replacing the lettuce or other greens. 

Its benefits include not only helping clean and rid the body of toxic heavy metals (called chelation), it also has been described as having the following benefits: 

1.     Full of antioxidants

2.     Calming

3.     Helps with sleep

4.     Lowers blood sugar

5.     Natural fungal cleanser

6.     Source of vitamins A, B, beta-carotene, C, and K.  It is also a source of potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and magnesium.

Such a cheap, flavorful way of improving your health! 

Tortillas-With-a-Health-Bonus Recipe

2 c flour, 1 tsp Real Salt, 4 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil, and 3/4 c kefir. Mix ingredients by hand. Let dough rest for 20 minutes. Divide into 8 balls. Use a rolling pin to shape them into thin circular shapes. Cook in a nonstick pan on medium high heat (375 degrees), turning each tortilla as it browns and bubbles.

Go Away, Reflux!

There’s nothing worse at night than reflux.  I’ve had it for the past several years, beginning when I started working outside the home again.  Whether it’s the result of poor diet, aging, or stress, I don’t want it.  Like a lot of folks, I’ve been taking medicine to prevent it.  However, I’ve been concerned about the side effects. 

When Mom got into Young Living oils, I followed her.  My mom has a history of really good ideas and I like to learn from what she’s doing.  I had researched essential oils years ago when our daughter was just a baby.  Though I hadn’t pursued using them then, I’m all into them now. 

Research into something that would help my reflux led me to using Lemon and Peppermint oil, a drop each in my water each morning.  I noticed right away that the reflux problems decreased.  A side bonus was that my appetite was decreased and I started losing weight. 

The weight loss was encouraging, so I decided to change things up a bit and try Slique Essence, a blend of oils designed to help with weight loss.  Adding it by putting a couple of drops in my water, while also using the Peppermint and Lemon oils improved my results even more. 

Added, ongoing stress recently caused me to once again have some issues with reflux at night.  I modified my diet so that I was eating less fatty foods.  I also switched olive oil, coconut oil and butter for most of my fats.  Then, I ordered DiGize from Young Living oils. 

I mix a drop or two of DiGize and Peppermint Oil in a bit of coconut oil as a carrier and spread it around my abdomen.  If I continue to have heartburn, I simply take an empty capsule and put a couple of drops of each oil and swallow with water. 

I’m happy to say that my reflux is much, much better.  I’m not having difficulty lying down at night, and I sleep like a baby.  Perhaps the best thing is that I’ve now lost 20 lbs. since June 2^nd, 2 months.  I can’t wait to see what other things I can do with my essential oils to help me feel better.  

To buy find out about how to buy Young Living Essential Oils at wholesale and/or create a business with YL for yourself, follow my link:  https://www.youngliving.org/mamashodan

Solar-Powered Clothes Dryer

I love my clothesline.  There’s little more enjoyable than taking a break to go outside with freshly laundered clothes.  Sunshine and empty lines beckon me to hang out for awhile.  I breathe deeply, taking in the clean, fresh smells.  And, I take a break.  I often go outside to calm myself if I’m worried.  Or, I energize myself by getting up and moving, sometimes stretching as I go, so that I get a little mini workout.  The activity is satisfying to me. 

I’m one of the lucky girls to have her own old-fashioned clothesline.  My husband put me a beautiful one up in our backyard several years ago.  I used to call it my solar powered clothes dryer.  My retro-self loves to call a rose a rose – my beloved clothesline – it is what it is. 

Several years ago a friend asked me if it bothered me to hang clothes.  On the contrary, it is a respite for me – a time of relaxation, quiet, and contemplation. 

Some of the benefits of hanging your clothes out to dry: 

1)   If your dryer is electric, hanging your clothes saves money. 

2)   You get up and move during your day – hey, exercise is exercise. 

3)   You get some fresh air and sunshine – we’re almost all deficient in vitamin D these days. 

4)   It’s an opportunity to visit with a friend – you can be on the phone outside while hanging clothes, and your family is unlikely to interrupt. 

5)   If you want time with a particular family member, ask them if they would mind helping you.  Chances are they won’t, and you have a good opportunity for a time to just talk. 

6)   It’s gentler on your clothes than putting them through a dryer all the time. 

7)   The sunshine deodorizes and disinfects – no chemicals required, and its free!

8)   Clothes are often dry quicker than they would be in the clothes dryer. 

9)   A return to simplicity does not have to make life harder.  The practice of hanging your clothes to dry can help you readjust your thinking and realize that simpler living does not always require more time or strenuous work. 

Watch for my upcoming post on how I make my own laundry detergent.  Saves money on detergent, time (you only have to buy ingredients every few months) buying premade from the store, is more effective, and takes less space – the ingredients for months worth of detergent require little shelf space.  More later! 

Mama Lewis' Biscuit Recipe

Here's my biscuit recipe, for those who asked. I modified one from my favorite cookbook, Set for Life, that Mom and Dad gave me when Neil and I married. I've made many, many of the recipes, and we haven't found one we don't like yet. I'll give the recipe with my modifications - I modified enough that you could say the recipe is now mine!

Melinda's Biscuits

2 c flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 tbsp baking powder

3 tbsp coconut oil

1 tbsp butter

1 cup kefir

Mix dry ingredients, then add liquid ingredients and mix until just blended. Gently knead dough on a lightly floured surface for 30 seconds. Roll out dough into 1/2" thickness and cut with biscuit cutter. Place on cookie sheet that has been sprayed with nonstick spray. Bake at 425 degrees for 12-14 minutes.