Nutrition

I went a fun class last night. It was by Tiffany Higgins. http://www.healthorigins.org/

She talked about fats, cholesterol, sugar, soy, and more. What did I learn?

I need more saturated fats. Ex: Eating Peanut Butter with veges, or yogurt with fruit. It helps fills us up and stay somewhat full longer. So, add the butter to your eggs! (real butter, not the fake stuff) yum! Use palm oil for frying, coconut oil for baking, no vege oil. Olive oil is still great! Just don't get a big bottle. When exposed to air it starts to go bad. Whole milk has less processes, and has the saturated fats, milk does a body good. Be careful about formula! She talked about a company that sold a formula that caused brain damage. They of course got caught, but look at ingredients, several brands have fructose in it! Sugar! And why do we have a rise in obese children? Crazy.

I need to eat eggs. It helps our cholesterol, keep those egg yolks! If your cholesterol is high, add more fiber.

Sugar is bad. Don't eat it. I know, like that's going to happen, but just think it always goes to your liver and turns to fat. Appetizing? When you use a sweetener, use honey. NOT Agave Nectar. Not good for you at all. Use unrefined sugar, like maple syrup, molasses... just make sure it comes from a good source. If you still want to use sugar, go ahead, but maybe use less. This is so true, the blue berry muffin recipe that I love so much from Am. Test Kitchen, I always take more sugar out of it. Way to much sweetness going on. And they taste awesome w/o ALL that sugar.

Soy is awful!!! Do not eat anything with soy. No soy milk, soy beans, soy anything! It has extra hormones and 'stuff' in it. (Also heard this from my mom and friend Beth) If your allergic to milk, stick to Rice Milk or Almond Milk. Soy sauce? Well, the best is Organic natural fermented for at least 6 months found at Sprouts.

She also talked about our emotions and how they effect our health. This is so so true. We have to figure out our bodies. The signs it gives us, lets us know when we are stressed and to step back and think about our environment and what stage we are in. Protection mode or safe mode. We are always in one of these categories. She suggested writing things down. Just let it out. I have heard this from my cousin, Sarah too. Never done it, I'll have to try it.

There are a lot more things she talked about, but these were the ones I want to focus on. My mom is going to her bigger seminar next weekend. I'm looking forward to all the info she is going to let me in on.

Please try to stay healthy! Thanks to all those who have shared info with me. I have heard some of these things from others and I am grateful for the knowledge.

Message through food

These are super cute ideas for Easter! The cookies are from my sis-in-law Meghan, and then the buns are from Positively Splendid.

This is a great activity to do with children to teach them the Easter Story. These cookies are slightly different than a traditional meringue because they are meant to be hollow and are started at a higher temperature. The initial heat makes the moisture evaporate quickly and an air pocket forms. These work very best in a dry environment, so avoid running your dishwasher or boiling water while making the meringue. If cookies are not all the way dry in the morning, you can bake them in a low-temp oven for a few more minutes (although I prefer them a bit wet & chewy). Make sure your beaters and bowl are really clean - the egg whites won't form peaks if there is any trace of oil.


-her Aunt Janet McClellan

Begin this recipe on Saturday, the day before Easter.
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon or a wooden meat hammer
duct tape or packing tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300*F.

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon or hammer to break them into small pieces.


Explain that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.


Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 teaspoon of vinegar into the mixing bowl.


Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.


Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life.


Explain that Jesus gave his life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.


Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste. Then put your pinch of salt in the bowl.


Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus's followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27


So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing! Add 1 cup sugar to the bowl.


Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because he loves us. He wants us to know and belong to him. Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.


Beat with a mixer on high speed for 10 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks form.


Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.


Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheets.


Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus's body was laid. Read Matthew 27:57-60.


Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape to seal the oven door.


Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed. Read Matthew 27:65-66.


Leave the kitchen. If you've been making these cookies just before bedtime, GO TO BED!


Acknowledge that the kids are probably sad that they've worked hard to make these cookies, and now have to leave them in the oven overnight. Explain that Jesus' followers were in sad when Jesus died and the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.


On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Ask the kids to notice the cracked surface. Have them bite into the cookies. The cookies are hollow!


Explain that on the first Easter morning, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.


HE HAS RISEN!

Resurrection Buns

15 individually frozen rolls, thawed (I use Rhodes brand)
15 large marshmallows
1 stick butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Flatten each roll into a circle and place one marshmallow in the center of the circle. Wrap dough around marshmallow and pinch to seal. Make doubly sure that the dough is sealed tightly around the marshmallow to ensure when the marshmallow melts during baking, the sugar does not leak out.

In a shallow dish, combine cinnamon and sugar. Dip each marshmallow-filled ball into melted butter. Dredge in cinnamon/sugar mixture, coating evenly on all sides. Place in greased 9x13 baking dish, seam side down. Repeat with remaining rolls. Cover pan with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator to rise overnight.

On Easter morning, heat oven to 350 degrees. Remove rolls from refrigerator. Remove plastic wrap from pan and bake rolls for about 30 minutes, or until golden. Serve warm and enjoy this little reminder that Christ is risen indeed!

Publish Post

Carrot Frame

Seriously, so sad to find this only a few days before Easter, but want to keep it on file! From Positively Splendid.

For this project, you will need...

Carrot templates

Green and orange fabric

Fusible Peltex (a very heavyweight interfacing)

Coordinating thread

Dimensional adhesive foam dots

Craft glue

A washable ink marker

1 piece of yellow cardstock

1 pieces of white cardstock

Letter stickers

Black pen

(1) 8x10 frame

Basic sewing supplies (machine, shears, etc.)

step 1 / Iron your Peltex to the wrong side of your green and orange fabrics according the the product instructions. Use a marker to trace your carrot base and carrot top templates onto the interfacing side of your fused fabric (orange for the bases, green for the tops). Cut out all of the pieces.

step 2 / Use your washable ink marker to trace two little bunny-sized teeth marks onto one of your carrot base pieces. Trim away the excess. Now, head to your machine and edgestitch around the perimeter of each of your carrot base and top pieces. (This stitching is optional, but it really does make this project pop!)

step 3 / Trim a piece of yellow cardstock to 8 inches by 10 inches, and a piece of white cardstock to 5.5 by 7.5 inches. Place foam dots on the outer corners of your white cardstock piece, and adhere it on your yellow cardstock piece, taking care to ensure it is precisely centered. Use craft glue to adhere your carrot tops to you white cardstock, as shown.

step 4 / Apply foam dots to the back of each of your carrot base pieces, and adhere them to your white cardstock so they are centered over their respective top piece. Make sure to reserve the "chomped" carrot for the third place in line. Adhere letter stickers with your chosen sentiment (I used "Yum") just below the cut-out portion of your third carrot. If desired, use a black pen to create faux "stitching" all the way around your piece of white cardstock for added impact. Now, slip your creation into your frame.

All done, and (almost) good enough to eat!

Going to Disney

Mickey Clippies or Princess? I'll put my pic up of my mickey fabric clip after I get a pic.

http://www.girlythingsbows.com/mouse_ear_clippies.html

http://nobownogo.com/item_2/Princess-Clippie-Instructions-Set-of-10-E-Books.htm

I know a girl who makes these, so of course I thought.. I can make one of those too. I found it one online and whamo, ok I haven't tried the princess ones... maybe next time..