Such a Nice Weekend

We had a really great weekend here in sizzling hot Florida.  Even the weather took a little break and was not in the high 90's the entire time.  We had a few showers that cooled things off a little bit, too.

On Saturday we decided to go on an adventure.  For us, you know, sometimes an "adventure" means that all three of us are in the truck and we're not going to a doctor's appointment!  So for us to go out of town – and not to a doctor – was an especially adventuresome day.

We took a trip to a grocery store:  Whole Foods Market in Orlando.

We didn't even know about this chain of stores, nor that we had one close by.  So when my brother, Michael, told us about it, we were eager to check it out.  (and praise the Lord for his other recommendation of "don't forget to take a cooler!")

It was one of the best shopping experiences we've ever had.  The employees in the store were extraordinarily helpful and polite. (Unlike the man at the mall last Saturday who asked me NOT to stand in front of his kiosk with Isaac if I wasn't buying anything because I was blocking his display!  And he did not have one customer at the entire enclosure!  So rude!) 

It was Saturday, so of course, the store was very busy; but even the other shoppers were polite and kind and smiled at my child.  Doug commented on it as we were living – that it was one of the nicest shopping trips for Isaac in a long time.  No one stared, or commented…maybe it was just because we were in a bigger city.  I don't know, but we had a nice time there.

Of course, everything was extremely expensive.  I'm going to be checking out their website today to see if they have online coupons or a magazine or newsletter, something that might have the occasional coupon.  If you know of anything, please let me know.

(The first thing I did see on the website this morning, as I grabbed the link for you, was a recipe.  And just look what recipe it was!!!  So funny, considering last week's mix-up!)

We found lots of yummy foods to try.  It was especially nice to have choices in the frozen food sections.  It is good for us to have a few convenience foods in our freezer all the time, and while we can find organic, healthy things at our local grocery store, our choices are very limited.  There's only one frozen organic vegan soup that doesn't contain soy (which I try to avoid); and only one cheeseless vegetarian pizza on a whole wheat crust.  It was really exciting to have so many choices and be able to try a few new dishes.

The produce was lovely and they had a nice selection.  The prices there weren't too bad, about the same as our local store.  If we were presently eating meat or seafood, they had many, many choices, including an octopus salad that was so gross looking I couldn't even stand to take a picture of it!  <<<shiver…>>>

There was a huge deli and pizza bar, along with a massive cold and hot food bar.  There were still lots of things that we really shouldn't eat for our diet, but it was nice to just look and smell.

On Sunday, we were both able to go to church, which is always a blessing.  We also worked really hard all weekend on laundry.  I feel like we made a respectable dent in it! : )

Well, it's lovely to be starting a new week.  I pray that you have a productive and peaceful Monday!

Blessings,
Alesha

ENERGY!!!

Today, for the first time in over 2 months, I woke up with a bit of energy!

I
was able to work in the kitchen, only stopping to feed Isaac and take
out the dog, for about an hour and a half this morning.  I have not
been able to do that in such a long time!  Praise the Lord!

I
am still in considerable pain.  My chiro explained that it is nerve
pain I am feeling, from disks in my back that are inflamed, pinched or
damaged.  We're not sure which, but are not going to spend a lot of
money finding out right now.  The best thing for my back right now is
periodic adjustments, continued weight loss, an optimal diet and
moderate exercise.  For now, my exercise is working in my house,
something I haven't been able to do for a while.

We are
continuing on our Hallelujah Diet, although it has not been easy the
past several weeks.  We are juicing our carrots and taking our barley
and all of our daily supplements.  They really do help us to feel so
much better when we do that every day.

Here's a little something I thought you would enjoy:


(they sell these on the Hallelujah Acres website, and I just could not resist!)

I also have a fabulous recipe to share with you.  It was sooooo yummy!!!  The recipe is found in Recipes for Life from God's Garden by Rhonda J. Malkmus.

Stuffed Red Peppers
4            medium red bell peppers
1/4 c      onion
1 c         celery
1 c         corn kernels (I used organic canned corn, but fresh would be better)
1/2 tsp   rosemary
2 c         vegetable soup stock (I use "Vegetarian Better Than Bouillon" in water)
1/4 c      chives (I used dry, about 1/8 c)
1/4 c      carrots
1 c         basmati rice (I used brown basmati rice)
1 clove   garlic
1 tsp       parsley flakes (I used about 3 stalks of fresh)
Celtic Sea Salt to taste

Bring
soup stock to a boil, add basmati rice, reduce heat, cover and cook for
25 minutes.  Turn off heat and allow to sit an additional 15-20 minutes.
Slice
tops off peppers, remove seeds and stems, and dice the remaining red
part of the top of pepper.  Dice the onion, celery, chives and carrots
and combine with diced red pepper and corn.  Mince garlic and *steam
saute this vegetable mixture until  tender – about 5 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine rice, vegetables and seasonings.  Fill peppers and bake about 30 minutes.
*To steam saute, place veggies in very small amount of water and cook in skillet on stove top with the lid on.

Let me know if you try these, and how you liked them.  We enjoyed them a lot!

Our
church's Junior Camp is taking place this week.  We have an awesome
place, called Camp Glory, out in the middle of the Florida woods where
our camps take place every summer.  I attended them from the time I was
around 8 years old until the summer I graduated from college.  I have
wonderful memories of fantastic adventures, awesome friends and
decisions made for the Lord. 

My brother and sister in law
will be out there this week, along with many other counselors, campers,
cooks, speakers and parents.  I am praying that God will speak to many
hearts and change many lives this week. 

I am also praying the Florida mosquitos will be kept at bay and the temperatures will not be tooo scalding.  Oh, and I told my brother I would also pray that he would have a cabin full of boys who sleep all night long!!!

I pray you have a wonderful week,
Alesha

That’s Just Crackers!

First soak 2 cups of flax seeds in 2 cups of water.  I used 1 cup
golden flax seed and 1 cup dark flax seed.  Let them soak for 1 1/2
hours.  As they absorb water, you'll need to add more.

Then add 1/4 cup Bragg's Amino Liquid, and seasonings of your choice.  I added 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon paprika.

Pour the ooey-gooey mixture onto dehydrator sheets.

Stack the trays of your dehydrator and turn it on.

After 4-6 hours, flip the sheet of crackers over.  They look like this:

After about 2 hours more, when they are completely dried, break them up into cracker-size pieces.

Y-u-m-m-y!!!

Just a Bad Cold

(one day last week when Isaac was feeling better.)

Isaac
didn't have fever today, but we still kept our appointment with the
doctor.  His cough sounds much worse today and he slept all day until
we got him ready for his appointment. 

But Praise the Lord,
his ear, sinuses and lungs are all clear!  He only has a bad cold.  So
we'll just keep doing our asthma treatments and giving him lots of TLC
and, Lord willing, he'll be feeling better soon.  

Here's a
new dish I tried last night.  It was very tasty, and I even enjoyed it
today for lunch with crackers.  It's super easy: 

Sweet Corn Salad
1 large ear of corn (raw)
1 large tomato
1/4 c. sweet onion
1/2 a red pepper
1 celery stalk
3T parsley
Cut the corn from the cob, and dice everything else.  Combine and chill.

I
served mine with a little Olive Oil and Vinegar Salad Dressing (Paul
Newman's).  It was really yummy.  I do think, however, I will leave out
the parsley next time.  I found that I really didn't care for the taste
of it.  Just my opinion, fwiw!

That's it for today…I need to start supper.

May the Lord bless you with a peaceful evening (or "morning" for Laura and Hammie ),
Alesha

Tuesday, 31 March 2009

I got so many things accomplished yesterday! 

I baked bread,
cooked a big pot of black-eyed peas, made 2 dessert cookies and cut up
veggies to store in the frig for this week's salads.  I find that I am
very motivated in the mornings these days; and I can get so much
accomplished if I just get right at it.

Today, I was just not craving a salad.  My doctor said that would occasionally happen.  
So I did what he suggested.  I made a nice fruit salad:  bananas,
pears, grapes and oranges from our tree.  I also put in chopped pecans
and a sprinkle of coconut.

It was delicious!

For my dessert, I included some Pecan Spice Delight Cookies
that I made yesterday.  These are raw, but so yummy.  My mom tasted
them and said, "It tastes like Christmas!"  What more could you ask for
from a raw cookie? 

(Please
keep in mind that when I link to these recipes, it doesn't mean that I
endorse everything on the website.  I have only read the recipes.  I
really have no idea what the "philosophy" may be on a particular site.)

My tummy is full and my appetite is satiated.  Mmmm…mmm…mmm!

Tonight we plan to eat leftover black eyed peas over brown rice, along with a nice salad.

We
were blessed by our state again this spring, just like last year, and
they are sending Isaac some diapers, wipes and washable pads.  That is
such a HUGE blessing to us!  We are very grateful!

Today we were able to get a dehydrator.  I am excited to see what kinds of new treats I can make with it. 

<<<More experimenting in my la-bor-a-tory!!!  Mwha-ha-ha-ha!!!>>>

We also picked up these cute little Ball jars (remember I ran out of jars when I was organizing?)  That baby holds a whole pint!

Well, I guess that's it for today.  I pray you have a great evening (or morning, Laura!).

Blessings to you,
Alesha