So, this morning, I was out of sunbutter (sunflower seed butter). I wanted toast but I did not want eggs. I had some raw sunflower seeds and my food processor and got to work. I put about 1 1/2 cups of sunflower seeds and blitzed them until they started to stick. Then, I added some sea salt and sunflower oil. After some vanilla, honey, cinnamon, a dash of allspice and lots of trial and error, I made my own sunbutter. You can too (be sure to taste after each blitzed addition).
Spiced Sunflower Seed Butter
1 1/2 cups of raw unsalted sunflower seeds (feel free to use roasted...but, unsalted)
1/2-3/4 t. sea salt (to taste)
2 T. honey (add an extra if needed)
1 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. allspice
1-2 t. vanilla (to taste)
4 T. sunflower oil
Blitz all in your food processor! Put on toast or anything else you would use with peanut butter (don't get me started on how bad peanuts are for our bodies!).
Please note that they do sell sunflower butter at our local grocer. But, I had spent so much on pantry staples on a single trip to Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and Fruitful Yield earlier this month (but, I saved by doing it all in one trip, right?) that I was determined to not buy anymore for the pantry until next month! That, I have decided is a really good way to try new recipes! Enjoy!
Dairy-Free Artichoke Spinach Spread (and pizza topping!)
This evening, I wanted to fit more veggies into our dinner of salad and pizza. So, I grabbed a can of artichokes and some frozen organic spinach (both from Trader Joe's) and some goat cheese and 2 cloves of garlic and blitzed it my trusty food processor! Result: Hello Yum!
3/4 of a bag (about 2 cups) of Trader Joe's frozen organic spinach ( I could have added the whole bag)
1 can of artichoke hearts in water (mine were from Trader Joe's)
1/4 t. sea salt
1/4 c. goat cheese
2 cloves garlic
After spreading my gf pizza dough (I like Pamela's brand) with my sauce, I dolloped this spread on the pizza (with no other cheese) and put it in the oven to finish cooking. Again, Hello Yum!
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Self Expectations
Recently, our nephew and his family stayed with us. My 6-year-old did not remember, until they arrived, that three of them did not speak English (including the two kids), as they live in Mexico.
I was a little surprised (mixed feelings, really...pride? protectiveness?) to find him in his room with his door closed shortly after he greeted them with a wave (instead of words). He had his Spanish-English books out, trying to figure out what words he wanted to use to communicate with them. I assured him that he would be able to easily communicate with the girls through play and that he could speak English whenever he wanted. He did not believe me at first; but, he opened up and soon no one could see the language barrier.
Today, my 3-year-old was at his library story hour (among mostly 4-year-olds). They were spelling out "a-p-p-l-e" in a variety of ways and identifying letters. When we got to the car to come home, he told me that "he wanted to do his letters on the computer" (he really likes www.starfall.com). I did not know what to say; but, I do know that I do not want to put more pressure on him than he is already putting on himself. I just want to make available to him opportunities to learn.
I was a little surprised (mixed feelings, really...pride? protectiveness?) to find him in his room with his door closed shortly after he greeted them with a wave (instead of words). He had his Spanish-English books out, trying to figure out what words he wanted to use to communicate with them. I assured him that he would be able to easily communicate with the girls through play and that he could speak English whenever he wanted. He did not believe me at first; but, he opened up and soon no one could see the language barrier.
Today, my 3-year-old was at his library story hour (among mostly 4-year-olds). They were spelling out "a-p-p-l-e" in a variety of ways and identifying letters. When we got to the car to come home, he told me that "he wanted to do his letters on the computer" (he really likes www.starfall.com). I did not know what to say; but, I do know that I do not want to put more pressure on him than he is already putting on himself. I just want to make available to him opportunities to learn.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
My Dad
Well, my dad's last visit to our naturopathic doctor was good. His trans fats are going down and his overall health is improving. His short-term memory has definitely improved and he is now down to just two medications a day. He is taking chlorella and amino acids to reduce the toxins in his body and further enable his body to heal. He experiences very little pain and sleeps well at night and gets around well during the day. We even recently got a basketball hoop for him from Freecycle (thank you again, kind lady!) because that has always been his favorite pastime. He has already enjoyed making baskets (lowered a bit; but, high enough for an ego boost!).
However, he has had a dramatic weight loss in the last few months. He only weighs 126 now (and, he is 6'2"). I honestly don't know how much he weighed in February or even last year. I do know that it seemed his weight loss was slow at first (I thought because of his eating healthier); but, it has seemed to go faster the last 3-4 months...and, obviously there is not more to lose! I was concerned about that and his muscle weakness; so, I contacted his medical doctor. She ran some blood tests which revealed some slight anemia, but nothing else. She probed him and checked his heart and lungs and said, "he does not have much time left." I started crying (thankfully, my dad was not in the room). She may be right; but, she may be wrong. Only God knows when he will take my dad home.
After consulting with my siblings (who have offered their input), we do not want to do any invasive, risky and uncomfortable tests because we also don't want him to go through treatment that could be painful in his already weakened state. I hope that I am doing the best things for him--keeping him as happy and as comfortable as I can, as long as I can. I pray that when his time comes, he is not in pain (physical or emotional) and that he is at peace. Amen.
However, he has had a dramatic weight loss in the last few months. He only weighs 126 now (and, he is 6'2"). I honestly don't know how much he weighed in February or even last year. I do know that it seemed his weight loss was slow at first (I thought because of his eating healthier); but, it has seemed to go faster the last 3-4 months...and, obviously there is not more to lose! I was concerned about that and his muscle weakness; so, I contacted his medical doctor. She ran some blood tests which revealed some slight anemia, but nothing else. She probed him and checked his heart and lungs and said, "he does not have much time left." I started crying (thankfully, my dad was not in the room). She may be right; but, she may be wrong. Only God knows when he will take my dad home.
After consulting with my siblings (who have offered their input), we do not want to do any invasive, risky and uncomfortable tests because we also don't want him to go through treatment that could be painful in his already weakened state. I hope that I am doing the best things for him--keeping him as happy and as comfortable as I can, as long as I can. I pray that when his time comes, he is not in pain (physical or emotional) and that he is at peace. Amen.
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