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Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Is it the Chicken or The Egg?



Matthew 6:26
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

I like this verse that talks about how birds don't worry. I am terrible at not worrying. That's my grandmother's fault, I'm pretty sure it's hereditary ha ha! The verse talks about the birds don't worry what they will eat and where they will take shelter, the just know that God will take care of it all.

Speaking of birds, they give us a source of wonderful food, the egg. I have heard great debate in my 37 years, the egg is bad, the egg is good, no the egg is bad again. The trouble with it all is not with the egg itself, it is how the chicken in raised and fed. So, the studies must take in consideration the chicken when they are being conducted. So...what is it, good or bad? The egg is a creation of God and the bible tells us that the creatures and the plants were made for us for food. So, by that, I will trust that the egg is good. So let's take a look at why I say it matters to take in to consideration the chicken itself.

Benefits of Eggs
1. Egg keep you feeling full much longer than cereal or toast.The protein and fat in eggs helps sustain your energy levels, keeping you satisfied for longer and reducing the need for a mid morning snack.
2. Eggs assist weight loss.
This is a follow on benefit from keeping you satiated. Studies have shown that people who eat eggs for breakfast are more likely to lose weight than those who ate bagels.
3. Eggs are a great source of protein.
Whole eggs are one of the most complete sources of protein, meaning eggs contain all the essential amino acids which we must get from our diets.
4. Eggs tend to be relatively inexpensive.
Compared to other high protein foods such as red meat, even free range eggs are more budget friendly.
5. Eggs aren’t going to make your cholesterol worse.
While it’s true that eggs do contain a significant amount of cholesterol, the old formula of the cholesterol you eat impacting on your blood cholesterol levels, has been disproven. So there’s no need to worry about eating eggs increasing your risk for heart disease.
6. Eggs help with brain development and memory.
Choline, an essential nutrient found in eggs, stimulates brain development and function. It has also been linked with increasing memory retention and recall as well as improving alertness.
7. Eggs protect your eyesight.
Two antioxidants, leutin and zeaxanthin, are present in eggs and have been linked to protecting eyes from damage related to UV exposure. They have also been associated with reducing the likelihood of developing cataracts in old age.




Eggs produced by free-range hens compare favourably with those produced by battery cage hens. Eggs from free range hens had up to:

  • 1/3 less cholesterol
  • 1/4 less saturated fat
  • 2/3 more vitamin A
  • 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids
  • 3 times more vitamin E
  • 7 times more beta carotene

  • When we treat God's creations like they should be, the effects it has on the overall health of the animal leads to a better production in the eggs they produce and the meat from the animal itself.



    In this egg yolk picture to the left, you can see the comparison in color between the free range chicken egg yolk from a pastured chicken and the confined chicken egg yolk. The pale yellow egg yolk picture is from my confined chicken that was eating nearly 100% grains and was eating virtually no greens. Now you know too that there is a big visual difference between free range eggs from pastured chickens versus confined grain fed chicken eggs.


    See, it does matter how the chicken in treated. I know where my eggs come from. I buy them weekly and I drive to the farm to get them. I took a picture of them with the cows. I won't go in to all the details, but multi-species grazing is great for both animals and the soil itself. It helps the fertilizer spread to the grass when the chickens scratch in the field, helping the field and bugs that the chicken and cattle eat. It's a win/win situation to let them roam free together!


    


    If you want more information on my favorite local farm girl, feel free to message me for details. Indian Brook Farm Wendi and Craig Neibruegge.
    Here is what the eggs look like....they are just so pretty!

    Thursday, October 18, 2012

    No Flour, No Sugar..Snikerdooodles!

     

    Almond and Coconut Flour Snickerdoodles







    Ingredients:


    1cup blanched, fine ground almond flour
    1 cup coconut flour
     
    1/4 teaspoon salt
    1/4 teaspoon baking soda

    1/3 cup coconut oil or organic butter
    1 organic egg

    1/4 cup Truvia
    1 Tablespoon vanilla extract



    Cinnamon coating:

    3-4 tablespoons truvia

    3-4 tablespoons ground cinnamon


    In a medium sized bowl mix all the cookie ingredients. How easy is that?????
    For coating: mix the truvia and cinnamon in a bowl.  You may have leftovers..just save them for next time :D

     
     
    Using a rounded tablespoon, scoop out the dough, then gently form into a ball. Roll in the cinnamon mixture. Place the balls of cookie dough on a parchment lined baking sheet, about 3 inches apart. Use a mason jar or glass and flatten the cookies on the sheet. Bake at 350 for about 8-10 minutes.  Let cookies cool completely on sheet..they may seem under baked at first, but they will harden as the cool. ENJOY your sugar free, grain free coo


    kies!!

     
     





     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    Wednesday, September 12, 2012

    Annie Sloan Chalk Paint China Cabinet Makeover-Reduce, Re-Use, Re-Cycle

    This post has nothing to do with food, but just my lifestyle in general.  My friends know I like to reduce, re-use, recycle :D I like to go to garage sales and I like the shabby chic style.  My mamaw passed away 3 years ago and my papaw passed away in Feb.  They kept and saved everything.  They are the people that taught our family this lifestyle and healthy eating and gardening and working for what you have.  Since they passed away, I have been trying to re-use their things.  I have used a lot of old things in pictures for my photography business.  I recently went to retrieve one of the many old pieces of furniture that was hers and give it a face lift and bring it in to my home. 

    Thursday, August 30, 2012

    This Cookie Will Change Your Life! No sugar and No flour..what??????

    Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip (you can also make it with Almond Butter, YUMMY!)

    

    I haven't posted much on my own blog lately.  First was summer, then we decided to put our house up for sale, then school started, then our house is still for sale, and now here we are and I have decided to jump back in to my own blog.  I post on my church's once a week and that's about all I had time for this summer, so...we all know what comes first.  God's blog postings first and not my own.  Now that I have my computer back during school hours( my boys take it over) I can now get back to posting.

    I have been doing  clean eating  classes for you in the local area and have lots of new ideas and recipes to share.  I, personally, try to eat very little grain or wheat and no sugar on a daily basis.  Everyone likes to have a treat, so why does it have to be bad for you to be a treat.  It doesn't! I am going to be posting some yummy grain free and sugar free desserts..and YES, my kids love them!! Yah me!!

    Here is the first cookie that will change your life!

    Tuesday, June 12, 2012

    Snack Attack!!

    Snack Attack
    I bet you are thinking..what is she posting a picture of that junk for!!?!?! This is what you end up eating when you are starving and are not prepared for a snack. The vending machine or gas station start calling your name and this is what happens.

    Proverbs 20:4

    The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing.

    If we are not prepared in life for things that we know are coming, the end results will not be as good as they could have been.

    I try to plan meals and snacks so that I don't get in a situation where we are all starving and we grab junk. We are going on vacation this week. As you read this, we are in Destin, FL! We made preparations on the front end for our traveling adventure. Last week, you saw me mention that I come with accessories. Here is one of them:
    This little bag is packed with healthy choices all the time. I had a few people ask me, what do I even pack in there for snacks for me and the kids. Well, I am glad you asked. What I pack for me is the same things the kids eat! So here are some ideas of what healthy snacks are in there. Little tip: I keep a cold pack in there with my items. :D

    Thursday, April 12, 2012

    Eat Clean French Toast and Fruit Kebabs





    Eat Clean French Toast and Fruit Kebab

    8 large organic eggs
    2/3 cup organic milk
    pinch of sea salt
    1 tsp cinnamon
    1/4 tsp vanilla
    1 loaf of whole wheat bread (if you don't bake your own, Ezekiel is great brand)
    2 Tbsp organic butter
    fruit of choice..I used bananas, strawberries, and blueberries.

    Tuesday, April 10, 2012

    Free Zevia product when you like them on Facebook!!




    If you know me..you know I love zevia. It's soda with stevia and no artificial junk in it.  It flavoring and carbonated water with stevia.  If you haven't tried these you need to!! I love the Dr Zevia..just like Dr Pepper only no calories and junk and Chad likes the Mt Zevia like Mt Dew..the boys like the grape soda flavor!

    Like the on facebook here to get your free product!!

    Monday, April 9, 2012

    Fishing Trip to Ga...Ate Clean Fish right out of the Lake :D

    I haven't fallen off the face of the earth...well we were close to the edge in the middle of no where :D...We went on a fishing trip to a cabin in the woods on the lake in a state park in Ga..very little cell phone service and no wi fi..no apple products needed :D..I wish I could say they didn't play on them at all..but when it's storming at night in the woods with one tv in the cabin, they came out...

    Thursday, March 29, 2012

    Eat Clean Southwest Chicken Wrap..toasted!




    This recipe is so quick and delicious!! You are going to love it!

    Eat Clean Southwest Chicken Wrap

    2 whole wheat wraps (I use Ezekiel Wraps)
    Oven Roasted Chicken Breast Strips (you can roast your own or for a quick idea use the Hormel brand with no preservatives and clean ingredients) I used the whole box for 2 wraps
    1/2 cup roasted red pepper
    diced tomato
    lettuce or mixed salad greens
    2 Tbsp organic corn
    2 Tbsp black beans
    1 Tbsp (or more to taste) organic chipolte ranch dressing
    sprinkle of cheddar cheese

    Wednesday, March 21, 2012

    Greek Yogurt Snack Idea

    Hunting for a new snack idea?? Greek yogurt is oh so good for you! Lots of protein...I buy the plain kind with no flavors and no sugar and fix it for a snack the way I like it.  There are so many ideas that you can do..Here is one of my favs!

    Thursday, March 15, 2012

    Eat Clean Energy Bites..No Bake with peanut butter and chocolate chips!!




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    If you know me..I love anything that combines peanut butter and chocolate! Thanks to my friend Karen for telling me about this recipe and telling me I should make them clean! WOW! Love it! She can't keep them made fast enough in her house..think we will be the same here.  These are so healthy and so full of energizing nutrients! I am taking some to a mother of two certain twins today! You know..she needs me to come and bring her some and watch the babies while she eats a few! What twins momma doesn't need some healthy energy???!?! :D
    The recipe below can be changed to fit your favorites..peanut butter can be any kind of nut butter, you can use agave or some other kind of sweetener if you prefer..the honey does help them stick together nicely, you can add some dried fruits and berries or nuts.  The possibilities are endless!

    Saturday, March 10, 2012

    Babies..... x2



    So this is not about eating..but it is organic and all natural..ha ha :D!!
    These are the newest addition to our family!! I haven't posted much this week because we have been really busy with what came yesterday!!  My sister was scheduled for her c-section on March 9th and just like clock work..they decided to try to come on their scheduled day.  She started labor at 4 am and they were born at 8:24 and 8:25 by c-section.  The full moon and spring equinox making brooms stand up must have pulled them to come on their day anyway.. :D

    Thursday, March 1, 2012

    Eat Clean Quick Chocolate Mug Cake with Coconut Sugar




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    EAT CLEAN QUICK CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

    Thursday, February 23, 2012

    Coconut Sugar...low glycemic index sugar that is great for baking!




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    This is coconut sugar pictured above.  I have been baking with this sugar since before Christmas and it is now one of my favorites!  This makes wonderful muffins, cakes, and desserts and it has lots of vitamins and minerals and is low on the glycemic index.  It does not in any way have the taste of a coconut just FYI.  Dr. Oz just did a little segment on this and I posted that below....

    Monday, February 20, 2012

    This is for your skin..The Oil Cleansing Method!!




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    Hear is an all natural, wonderful way to cleanse your skin!! I was a skeptic until I tried this and my skin feels wonderful!! Personally  I am not sure how it is possible..but I have been developing wrinkles and pimples at the same time..for about 3 years.  The dermatologist has given me wonderful advice and an array of medications and multiple visits and said "welcome to your 30's baby".  In the last year, she has told me that it is a hormone problem and I have finally gotten that fixed.  She is all about natural cleansers and promotes healthy ways to cleanse skin.  I have been trying this for a few weeks and WOW!! What a difference!! I am going to do the natural shampooing next!!

    Sunday, February 19, 2012

    Tropical Smoothie with Coconut Milk




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    A little taste of the tropics on this snowing evening is nice....

    Wednesday, February 15, 2012

    Eat Clean Chicken Salad Recipe for One with Greek Yogurt!!




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    This is a great, quick and easy recipe for chicken salad for one person!! Well, you can double it for two ha ha :D No one in this house likes chicken salad but me.  So..I can make one portion just for me....not a big batch that will go bad before I get it all eaten!!
    This can be eaten on bread or placed on top of romaine for a salad!! I love it on my homemade bread.  You can whip this up and take it to work for a lunch on the go.

    Tuesday, February 14, 2012

    My ♥ Loves Chocolate!!




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    Happy Valentine's Day!! Lot's of people get chocolate treats today!  Well my ♥ Loves chocolate and so does my mouth!  Chocolate is very good for..but not all chocolate is created equal.
    The beneficial effects of chocolate are likely due to its antioxidants, called polyphenols, which may help to protect against heart disease.
    According to a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, in terms of healthy antioxidant content, the chocolate hierarchy in order from best to worst is:

    Sunday, February 12, 2012

    Eat Clean Baked Spaghetti..KID APPROVED!!




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    My boy's don't like casseroles or anything that is all mixed together.  They usually won't even eat spaghetti either.  They are just like my dad :D They are meat and 2 sides kinda boys...BUT.....THEY ATE THIS! They not only ate it..they ate seconds! YAH!! Thanks to my neighbor Brooke who eats like my children, for bringing us this dish when my papaw was sick and telling me when I make it to leave all my onion and peppers and seasonings out for the kids to eat it :D..

    Here is a great, fast, and kid approved version of eat clean baked spaghetti..

    Friday, February 10, 2012

    Making Can Green Beans taste like Fresh Green Beans


    I know what you are thinking! Is she seriously going to tell us how to cook canned green beans?!!? Yuuppp! (as my boy fans of storage wars always say)!!

    I like fresh green beans from the garden..but they just aren't possible all year round.  I don't like just heated up beans from a can. So..what is a girl to do??

    Sunday, February 5, 2012

    My Papaw Joe


    This is a picture from just a few weeks ago of me and my 98 year old Papaw Joe.  Most of you may have noticed that I haven't posted in about 2 weeks.  My papaw went to be with Jesus and my mamaw in heaven on Thursday.  It has been a rough few weeks for us all.  I have not posted because I have spent all my time with him and my family.  He was 98 and fell and hit his head while living at home still.  He suffered a brain bleed and his conditioned worsened throughout the week and he passed away. 

    Sunday, January 29, 2012

    Using What you Have..Our Baby Shower Craft Idea

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    Part of  having a healthy hive in this house uses the motto "reduce, reuse, recycle".  That's probably why I love yard sales so much!
    Most of you know that my sister is pregnant with twins..one of each.  At her baby shower we made a craft instead of playing a game.  We used what we had to make some really cute onsies.  We cut out fabric in shapes and used fabric glue to put them on.  The fabric came from my grandparent's basement and was my mamaw's from when she worked at the old Remnant Shop.  She saved everything so we had lots to choose from.  So, not only are they cute and resourceful..they have meaning.  The kids loved it to and they all made one too with our help.  They turned out great!

    Monday, January 23, 2012

    Chili Recipe Wins First Place


    This is my sister-in-law, Tiffany, with a chili trophy in her hand.  She won a chili contest with my healthy recipe for clean eating chili!  Yah for Tiff!! See.... eating healthy and clean actually taste very good...actually BETTER than other junk foods!! The original recipe was given to me by my aunt and I just cleaned it up by using all clean ingredients.  I challenge you, if there is recipe you love, just clean it up.  If you don't know how, shoot me an email and I will be happy to help :D  Here is a link to the recipe..today would be a great day to try this chili since it's raining like cat's and dog's out there!!!


    Eat Clean Chili Recipe

    Friday, January 20, 2012

    B's Tea's


    All Queen's have tea time, right!?!  My new winter obsession is hot tea.  They are so good, warm me up, and help get my get that hard to get water in.  There are lots of great choices out there with a huge list of health benefits!!  I do drink caffeinated in the morning and... Yes, I have to drink decaf after lunch because I will be up on night now!  When did this happen!?!?  I am not anti caffeine ..but I do limit it to once a day.   Anyway...here are a few of my favorites and let me review their benefits at the end...

    Thursday, January 19, 2012

    Oatmeal raisin cranberry cookies...made with whole wheat



    These are some great oatmeal cookies.  Remember..these are "clean" but they still contain sugar..so limit your intake of them and have them as a treat!!

    Tuesday, January 17, 2012

    Stawberry Spinach Salad



    I just got some really good strawberries at Ingles..finally!! Strawberries aren't the best in winter, but they are starting to get better now.  You can add some chicken to this and make it a meal!! Remember, strawberries are on the dirty dozen so it is one of those that does matter to buy organic .

    Friday, January 13, 2012

    Eat Clean Chipolte Grill Cilantro Lime Brown Rice Recipe


    I love Chipolte Grill. We don't have one close to us, but when we go out of town we like to go there. They have healthy fresh ingredients.  They are also "Green" restaurant and they support local farmers and ranchers. Chad loves Mexican so we have been doing mexican buffet in our family.  We take whole wheat tortillas and fix chicken and beef with onions and peppers and make our own chipolte grill.  We us black beans, this rice, avocado, tomatoes, lettuce and more to make our own burritos or fajitas.  One of their key ingredients is there cilantro lime rice..they now have brown rice at most of their locations.  Here is the recipe to do it at home..

    Wednesday, January 11, 2012

    How to beat the Winter Blah's..Vitamin D and more


    Well..what's that picture of you are thinking??? That's off my front porch today. Why did I take such a"blah" photo?? That's exactly what it looks like off my porch.  I didn't make it "blah" the tilt of the earth made it blah and gray.  If you are my friend or family, you know I dislike winter.  I don't like snow, I don't tolerate cold well, I don't like the gray skies and no leaves and no flowers in my view...and so I get..."blah"....So..beat it! Here are the reasons we feel bad in winter.  Some of us feel real bad, some of us suffer for seasonal affective disorder (SADS).  There are scientific reasons and ways to beat it. 


    The light is pleasant, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun.
    Ecclesiastes 11:7

    Ways to Beat Winter
    1. Get more D!

    Sunshine releases vital chemicals in our brain which makes us feel alive, alert, confident and contented.  In the winter months the earth's axis is tilted away from the sun. We receive the best sunlight when the sun is more directly overhead because this provides the shortest travel of sunlight and ultraviolet photons through the atmosphere. However, in winter, the sun angle is much steeper. Therefore, sunlight has less intensity in winter and progressively less intensity as the distance from the equator increases. Sunshine on our skin causes our bodies to absorb Vitamin D from the sun.  What does Vitamin D do??

    Vitamin D3

    A partial list of disorders in which there is evidence that an appropriate level of Vitamin D is overwhelmingly useful:
    • Assists the immune system
    • Assists with insulin secretion
    • Lower risk of high blood pressure
    • Reduced hypertension
    • Lower risk of osteoporosis
    • Fewer falls among the elderly
    • Lower risk of alzheimer's disease
    • Lower risk of cancers
      • breast, prostrate, colon and other cancers
    • Lower risk of skin conditions
    • Lower risk of multiple sclerosis
    • Lower metals and toxins in the brain
    • Lower triglicerides
    • Lower death rates
    • Lower cholesterol
    • Lower hypertension
    • Lower incidence of Depression
    • Lower risk of types 1 and 2 diabetes
    I take 5000u soft gel Vitamin D3 every day.

    2. Get some Color!

    What picture do you like better?? The first one of my porch or this sunny colorful one??  I love fashion BUT...fashion designers kill me! Why do you want us to wear more gray, black, and brown in the winter when everything else is gray, black and brown?? Oh..bring me down some more!
    Maybe that's why I like Christmas decorations so well..lights and color in a drab environment.  Decorate your home with vibrant colors...wear some vibrant colors.  You can wear your black and gray..but pop it with some red, yellow, hot pink accents.  It can be done tastefully and will increase your mood.  In your home, set our colorful blankets, pillows.
    love the red and gray! White couch + bright bold accent pillows~ perfect
    Simply seeing the color red can enhance strength and quicken response time.
    Exposure to red boosts recall and attention to detail, which can result in more accurate work.
    Red increases enthusiasm.
    That is probably why I love my new purse so much..
    On sale at Dillard's New Year's Day..
    Could be the reason I am trying to find me a pair of these: RED BOOTS!!

    red boots!

    3.  Get Out and Get moving!
    Personally, I would be happy sitting here on pinterest and not moving during the winter months. I hate cold air and snow touching my skin.  It hurts.  But..I feel much better if I don't sit inside and I get out and do exercise videos..walk when it's warmer outside. Some crazy people in Scandinavia go in a sauna and get all warm and then go jump in the snow or ice water to boost circulation and reinvigorate themselves.  You can get the same effect in the shower by alternating three-five minute intervals of hot water followed by a 3 second blast of cold water.  Go for it, if you so choose!
    4. Light it up!
     Candles are a very warm welcoming environment and they smell really good.  Try lighting some around and see how it increases your mood..and makes your house smell all good.  I personally love coconut scents in the middle of winter.
    5.Eat a Healthy Diet!
    Don't tell me you didn't know that one was coming!! Diets full of processed foods and preservatives will bring you way down!!  These foods are not only devoid of the nutrients your body craves, but they zap your energy levels and can affect your mood—causing depression, lack of concentration, and mood swings. Try to incorporate more complex carbohydrates (whole wheat breads, brown rice, veggies, fruit) and get your daily 8 cups of water. These healthy foods provide your body (and mind) with nutrients, and stabilize your blood sugar and your energy levels.

    Monday, January 9, 2012

    Crock Pot Rotisserie Chicken



    I have a GREAT recipe for you!! This chicken tastes just like the good ole rotisserie chicken with out all the junk in it like artificial colors, chemicals I can't pronounce, ect. and IT"S SO EASY!!!


    Crock Pot Rotisserie Chicken
    1 whole chicken
    2 tsp kosher salt
    1 tsp paprika
    1 tsp onion powder
    1 tsp dried thyme
    1 tsp Italian seasoning
    1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
    1/2 tsp black pepper
    4 cloves of garlic
    1 yellow onion quartered

    If you get the chicken from the store..make sure to get the skinless or take the skin off and take the neck and other stuff out of it's cavity :D

    In a bowl, combine all the dry spices.  Rub the spice mixture all over the chicken, inside and out.  Plop the chicken, breast-side down into your slow cooker.

    If desired, place the garlic and onion inside the body cavity.

    DO NOT ADD WATER.

    Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours, or on low for 8 hours.  The meat is done when it is fully cooked and has reached your desired tenderness.  The longer you cook it the more tender the meat. 

    If you are wimp, don't scroll down and look at my chicken pictures ha ha :D I got my big ole chicken from my favorite farm girl!  No antibiotics, no hormones, free range chickens....

    My spices

    My rub all in a bowl

    Chicken cavity

    Yep, I shoved garlic and onions in there..gives it lots of flavor

    my chicken had to go in on it's side cause it was a big one

    falling off the bone

    I took this to my parent's and we all ate it for dinner. It was wonderful, just like the store bought kind..but clean and healthy