Continuing the 6 Week Challenge - Week 4

This week I continue the six week challenge that is on www.ourfamilyeats.com. I jumpstarted the challenge by doing weeks 1 to 3 at the same time.  Now, I am on to week 4 and removing the artificial fragrances. So this will be about reading labels and getting rid of the (hopefully) few items I have don’t meet the standard.  I am also going to try lavender in an essential oil form to replace things I do like to have fragrance.

I know this is worth it after running into one of my daughter’s teachers at school last week when I had to pick her up due to Atlanta’s version of a blizzard and icestorm (i.e. 2 inches of snow with a layer of preventable ice).  She was praising my daughter for how focused she’s been and how she’s been picking up things so quickly when she is focused. It was enough to make a mother proud and truly committed to these changes.  Plus, the rest of us are eating better and not polluting ourselves as much.  It does help that I bribe their cooperation with fresh baked muffins, biscuits, and cookies…

See my Pinterest page (www.pinterest.com/momadored) for some of the recipes I’ve made and plan to make.   I add a teaspoon or so of flaxseed into just about everything I bake and they are none the wiser.

My Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Muffins (Yummmmmmy!!!!) - Kids and Hubby LOVED them

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins (from ourfamilyeats.com - with my modifications)

(We made this last week Monday and they are SOOO DELICIOUS!!!)

Makes 12 muffins

1/4 cup unrefined coconut oil, melted (if you don't have this use oil)
1/2 cup milk
2 large eggs
1/2 cup light brown sugar, or palm sugar
4 ounces unsweetened applesauce (subbed a 1/2 cup plus about 2 tsp sugar)
3/4 cup old fashioned oatmeal (I used a 1/2 cup so my daughter wouldn't complain too much)
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour (I used whole wheat)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons ground flax seeds
1/2 cup chocolate chips
 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin pan with paper liners and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl stir together coconut oil, milk, eggs, sugar, and applesauce.

In another mixing bowl stir together oatmeal, flour, baking soda, salt, and flax seeds.

Add flour mixture to the wet mixture and stir until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.

Divide mixture evenly between muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.

Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Turkey Sausage Patties - Made from Scratch (well from Ground Turkey)

The recipe I used was courtesy of www.ourfamilyeats.com.  This is the site that has the 6 week challenge to remove damaging ingredients from your diet to improve a myriad of conditions including ADD and ADHD.  We have started the challenge by going jumping right into it with eliminating things she has in weeks 1 through 3.  Yesterday was our first official day and so far, so good.  Eliminating some of the bad has made room for some family bonding with baking homemade chocolate chip cookies this afternoon.  You have to have balance.  I know I'd  have a revolt if everything that was tasty and pleasing to the palette went out the door!

So here it is: Turkey Sausage Patties from scratch.  Below is her original recipe.  I followed it pretty close but note there are no measurements for several of the seasonings so go heavier to have more flavor.  My next batch will be made with organic ground beef. 

What I would tweak: Add a bit more salt and pepper than a pinch.  I found that after cooking them they seemed to need a tad more salt.  I used sea salt for mine.  Even so, they passed the kid approval test and my husband was pleased as well.

Here's mine!

1 pound ground turkey

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)

1/4 teaspoon oregano (or to taste)

1/8 teaspoon pepper

pinch of salt

add 1/2 teaspoon of any of the following according to your preference:

crushed red pepper flakes

parsley

thyme

basil

minced garlic

In a medium sized mixing bowl mix together turkey and spices with your hands until spices are distributed evenly.  Divide mixture into 12 evenly sized patties.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a non-stick skillet.  Add patties and cook about 3 minutes on each side, or until no longer pink.

Getting the Fake out of the Food

I'm reading this stuff on MSG and artificial food colors and artificial food flavoring. It's a bit scary what we put into our bodies. MSG literally KILLS YOUR BRAIN cells. I didn't know that until yesterday. At least this might help me rid myself of my desire for sour patch kids and starbursts.

I am starting the challenge below, but accelerating the removal of excitotoxins, artificial colors, and artificial flavors. I 'officially' start on Sunday of next week (hey we have 2 birthdays in our house this week and I don't believe in setting myself for certain failure).

I must say thank you thank you thank you to my mom for not giving us those sugary and colorful cereals (I still don't eat them) and for watching what we ate based on what she knew.

Learn more about the 6 week challenge, MSG, and other things from this mom who changed her families diet to help with adhd/add but had other great side effects! http://www.ourfamilyeats.com/the-6-week-challenge/

I jump started yesterday by doing a pantry purge with a little purge of the fridge.  See the pics below of the stuff I sent off to the food pantry (in the carry bag) and the stuff being sent straight to the garbage.  

Anyone else want in? We can live longer and better together.

Happy Thanksgiving and Season's Greetings

This is the time of year we go inside to seek shelter from the cooling weather and winds.  It's when home cooked meals warm the body and the spirit and we are reminded of just how warm and comfortable home can be.

There are so many important things that this season brings.  Family, laughter, new memories, visits from loved ones (I must add - those living and those in spirit) and of course the showing of appreciation and love through the giving of gifts.
I hope that in the hustle and bustle that starts soon you can remember the simple pleasures that truly give this season meaning.

Over the next five weeks I will be quietly preparing for my 2014 adventures while making home and family and joy-filled holidays my priority.  One of the changes for 2014 will be my availability to see clients.  With my soon to be two year old entering Montessori school during the day at the start of January, my schedule opens up quite a bit.

I am sitting here now thinking of how much I need to get done and all the projects that have been on hold since before he actually arrived in January 2012.  I am sure I can fill the time between work and home and hope to see many more clients next year as I expand my practice of healing and spiritual messaging and mediumship.

In the meantime, have a Happy Thanksgiving. As we enter December, enjoy your holiday of choice.  There are so many!  So....Season's Greetings and blessings to you and your family.

With Love,
Bernette
(Mom Adored)
also posted on my www.adored.co site

More than a Month!

Life gets crazy sometimes. The past month has been 3 dimensional world busy!  My husband and I went to Spain for a week (Que bueno!) and though he worked most of it, I had a great vacation by myself and with him. 

After getting back the realities of having a toddler and a tween really hit home.

I even had to take a break from FaceBook (except real work stuff) and have barely had a chance to write about anything.

School issues and education have taken top priority and they continue to keep me dancing.  I have even had to tell my spiritual helpers that if I am to do what I was put here to do, I need some help. 

I am not going to vent or rant just suffice it to say that this mom IS going to get through the next couple of months between tween drama, potty training, lack of daycare options, and educational testing it's all going to be a roller coaster of a ride into 2014 so if you don't hear from me again for another month, know I am trying my best to keep a happy, healthy, well-adjusted family while maintaining my sanity, spiritual compass, and purpose.

In the meantime I am also continuing to develop myself spiritually - the other thing keeping me busy and just started a class last night which I am super excited about.  As a Certified Reiki Master Healer, I am also offering free Reiki through a general distance healing list. Check out my Adored website or my Adored facebook page for more information.

Yay!!! Now I am a Certified Akashic Records Reader / Book of Life Reader

I have recently trained in accessing and reading the Akashic Records and the next phase is offering readings to others who are open to learn from spirit and God, what life holds for you. These initial truly inspired readings are free.

To learn more and get your free email Akashic Record-Book of Life reading visit http://adored.co/akashic-record-reading-book-life-reading/ and complete the form.

Free readings will be available as long as I am led during my practice period.

I am so excited to be on this amazing journey and living my life purpose as a spiritual healer, messenger, and guide.

Check out the other things I do at www.adored.co.