Today the Nourishing Road has moved over to WordPress. I’m so excited about the move. Continue reading
Pruning Thorns in Your Bed of Roses.
Life’s a bed of roses, eh?
Well some days the thorns get out of control. Today, I’m letting my fingers do the pruning. Typing out your thoughts is very therapeutic don’t you know.
Oh Baby! Cute as a button. A smile to charms the socks off anyone in a mile radius. But in the last week: up several times at night and at times only napping for 30 minute stints. That will teach me for saying out loud “My baby sleeps through the night.” Continue reading
Can Cholesterol make you smarter? Part 2
Charlie is a week away from his 9 month mile stone. Weighing in a just under 21lbs and crawling around everything in sight. This weekend, we were relaxing around the kitchen table, enjoying a family roast with my in-laws. We were all generally chattering away and having a lovely time, when out of no where baby Charlie repeated the words ‘Thank you’.
If I didn’t have the
witnesses I would never had believed it! He didn’t understand the meaning, but he was copying his Mama perfectly. Clever boy!
Posted in Cholesterol
Tagged Baby food, Cholesterol, eggs, liver, nutrient dense, super food, vitamins
Leave a comment
British Bangers and Mash
If there’s one meal we like in our house it’s the classic bangers and mash! This particular day has been a long, tiring affair. Working at the computer, cleaning the house, taking baby Charlie for his 8 month check up. All of a sudden I look at the time and it’s 5:30, and I haven’t even though about dinner!
Butternut Squash Soup
The frosty weather we’ve been experiencing in Bournemouth cries out for a heart warming soup. Steaming, flavourful and nutritious. With a splash of yogurt for good measure and how about some croutons? That’s the way we like to serve our soup around here.
This recipe is so easy, and keeps for days in the fridge. I use homemade chicken stock, which is an unsung Super-food in my book. Packed with vitamins and minerals this soup really is a nutritional boost on a cold, frosty day.
‘Lets put Cholesterol under the Microscope’. Part 1
So, you’ll be pleased to know I’ve been doing my homework. I’m going to explain what the basic structure of Cholesterol, how it works within the body and what would happen if we had none.
In a nutshell cholesterol is a nutrient. Continue reading
Lets put Cholesterol under the Microscope.
From years ago, I can still recall those shocking words, “your cholesterol is too high.” I was like…what? I’m in my twenties and should in no way have HIGH Cholesterol. Well I did. Horrified, I ran out to the supermarket and bought the margarine which promised to help shoot down my numbers.
Shoot being the operative word.
Nowadays, I have a different perspective on health and food. I ask questions like, “why do we banish cheese, steak and eggs – some of natures most perfect foods?” And, “why do I enjoy eating ‘unhealthly’ foods?”.
Questions. Questions. I just love finding out exciting new things. My latest interest is Cholesterol. It’s a big subject. Very controversial. But I just have to share my findings. Over the next few weeks, keep your eyes peeled for my series ‘Lets put Cholesterol under the Microscope’.
Sorry to keep you in suspense. It’s a big subject and I want to do it justice. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the topic I’m going to discuss:
Sorry to keep you in suspense. It’s a big subject and I want to do it justice. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the topic I’m going to discuss:
- Why Cholesterol is essential for life and we simply can not live without it.
- Why lack of Cholesterol can cause impaired cognitive function.
- How Cholesterol actually helps to HEAL the body.
- Why HEART DISEASE and other illnesses are not caused by Cholesterol.
- The real villain of clogged arteries and foods we SHOULD be avoiding.
Want to know what we eat in our kitchen? Well, I’ll tell you this, it’s got Cholesterol written all over it.
To find out the moment I have posted something new, sign up for my email subscriptions. Find this just below ‘My Reading List’ in the right hand column. You can also join my Facebook page.
Cheats Chili. Make a Meal of your Leftovers.
Cheating when cooking is a fun game to play. Especially when no one knows. It usually means saving money, as you are using up extra food. It always means being creative, which I love. And most of all, it makes eating Real Food simple and delicious.
This particular day I had some left over bolognese sauce in the fridge. Feeling like anything but the same dinner two nights running, I let my creative juices flow and out popped CHILI. Hands up, it doesn’t top my sister’s chili recipe (sorry everybody, I will pry it out of her). But, it is still pretty darn tasty and easy as pie.
Meal serves 2-3 (more if you use beans and rice)
200g left over bolognese sauce (I used grass fed beef in my bolognese sauce, full of healthy fatty acids and vitamins)
1 Onion (I like a lot of onion, you could leave it out as the bolognese sauce will contain some)
1 Chili chopped very fine (I can take a little heat, so I keep the seeds in)
1/4 tsp Chili powder
1/2 tsp Cumin Powder
1/2 tsp Coriander powder
1/2 tsp Cocoa powder
(It’s traditional to use beans, but I didn’t have any to hand)
Fry the Chili and onion in coconut oil (or another stable fat) for 5 minutes or until the onion has softened. Add the spices and fry for another 5 minutes, stirring continually. Frying your spices first help bring out the flavour. Then add your bolognese sauce, cocoa powder (and cooked beans if using) and gentle heat through for another 10 minutes or until hot.
For the vegetables I used whatever I had from my organic box delivery.
2 Leeks chopped finely
2 – 3 Carrots grated
(Again, I just used what I had to hand. Onions, peppers, courgette, butternut squash would also work beautifully)
Coconut oil/or another stable fat to fry with.
Fry all your vegetables for approximately 5 minutes or until cooked. Add extra butter and real salt to serve. Add cheese for extra protein and flavour.
This could easily be accompanies with rice, a baked potato, or just some sliced bread. I like to work in a few ‘GAPS‘ friendly meals every now and then, just so when we do need to be on the GAPS diet, it wont be such a big change. This basically means no starchy carbs like rice, potato or pasta.
Do any of you have good ways of using up leftovers? Please share in the comments below, or join my Facebook page.
Book Review: The Mood Cure
Never has one book taught me so much about basic human nutrition. I always settled for thinking:
“Milk = Calcium, and Oranges = Vitamin C”.
But did you know that for the body to assimilate calcium you also need adequate levels of magnesium and vitamin B? Did you know that vitamin C requires bioflavonoids to work efficiently?
Well I did not. I also didn’t know that my ‘false moods’, (i.e. feeling depressed for no tangible reason, or crying with no cause) were actually because of deficiency in amino acids! Yes, amino acids can give you back your zip, zest and zeal!
Before we find out how, here’s a little background knowledge on the author. Julia Ross is a specialist in the treatment of eating disorders and addictions. She is described as a pioneer in the field of nutritional psychotherapy. For over 15 years she has been working with natural nutritional solutions at The Recovery Systems Clinic in Mill Valley, California where she is the Executive Director. She studied Clinical Psychology to Masters level and is author of 2 books: The Diet Cure and The Mood Cure.
One of the first pleasant surprises I read in ‘The Mood Cure‘ by Julia Ross, was the diet. Ross explains that a ‘happy, stress reducing diet’ must include about 30 grams of protein with every meal (yes even breakfast!) and also heaps of good fat. Ross explains that a good diet, exercise when appropriate and good quality vitamin supplements are sometimes all it takes to start to feel ‘sunny’ again. For those of us who are ‘burnt out’, extra supplements and amino acids are required. A good way of telling if you have any problems is to take the questionnaire. CLICK HERE to take it now. Once you have a better understanding of your specific needs and which amino acid you are deficient in, you can read the book. [ It is essential to read the book for yourself, and not to rely upon my experience. I am not a doctor or a medical professional.]
Ross focuses on several area of the body which can be damaged due to lack of nutrients. Thyroid function, blood glucose levels, adrenal glands, amino acid levels, sleeping problems and sex hormone imbalance. The two areas I want to go into more detail about are ‘False Mood’ and Amino Acids.
A ‘False Mood’ is described by Ross as an inappropriate response to a circumstance or situation. I remember some of my worst ‘false moods’. The feeling of sheer panik before going to work or somewhere I had any responsibility. Crying at the slightest, most insignificant problem. I had no actual reason to feel sad, worried, scared or anxious. Now I realise I was burnt out. My level of amino acids were depleted and I felt like hiding under the duvet and just letting the world pass me by. At the time I took anti-depressants, which boosted the levels of serotonin in my brain and helped me feel more normal. The trouble with anti-depressants is they are addictive and have unpleasant side effects. I would urge anyone thinking of taking anti-depressants to read this book and try amino acids first.
Amino Acids are concentrated forms of protein, the same kind we find in food like beef and eggs. They are completely natural, not addictive and have very few side effects. Here are the four main amino acid’s which Ross holds responsible for our moods:
Serotonin (makes you feel happy)
Catecholamines (giving you motivation)
GABA (Reduces your stress levels)
Endorphins (Your buffer against the pain of life)
(Read this if you missed my previous post about The Mood Cure)
At the back of the book you are given your own supplement chart. Individually we all require varying quantities of supplements and amino acids. I am still going to do more research before taking the amino acids (until I am sure they are safe for a breastfeeding mum). Once I have tried them out I will let you know how I get on. I must stress, that amino acids work to re-balance the bodies natural stores, so you only need to take them for a few weeks or months. Your body will then be OK to carry on without them, provided you are healed.
The basic supplements Ross recommends for her patients to take are :
Multivitamin (to be taken four times a day!)
Calcium
Magnesium
Vitamin D
B complex
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids
Fish oil (I already take this)
Of course I am not ‘suffering’ as I used to with false mood issues. But I would still like to have more energy and a greater ability to cope with stress. I have a few friends who have started their own unique supplement plan, following the advice in The Mood Cure. If they are happy for me to share their stories, I will let you know how they get on. Also, once I find out which pills are safe for me, I will share my results. [UPDATE: I have just spoken to a supplement advisor, and they can not recommend a breastfeeding mother takes any form of amino acids. So I will just stick with the multi vitamins for a nursing mum and my fermented cod liver oil].
I really can not recommend this book highly enough. If you would like to read ‘The Mood Cure’ for yourself, click here to view the book.
I wonder if anyone has had similar experiences with False Moods? I would love to hear more about you, and any ways you have found to cope with the stresses life brings.
Posted in Book Review
Tagged book review, healing stress, natural alternatives, The Mood Cure
1 Comment
Butter 101
My wonderful sister-in-law Liz (check out her craft blog here), makes her own butter from raw milk. It tastes so amazing that I asked her to share how she does it. It is surprising easily, and best of all it retains all the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. So welcome to Liz and her amazing butter!
My comments are in italics.
To make butter:
1) Separate the cream from your milk (preferably raw, but pasteurised cream will work too) and leave in a warm room overnight.
[When we made this the cream was too cold, so Liz had to literally hug the jar next to a radiator. HA! It must be room temperature, or you just get whipped cream.]
2) Then, pour the cream into a blender/smoothie maker (anything that will agitate the cream) and whizz for several minutes.
3) You will see a yellow top forming in the blender. This is your butter! When there doesn’t seem to be any more butter rising, use a spatula to scrape the butter out and put it into a mixing bowl. You may want to whizz the rest of the cream up further to check for any little bits of butter that were missed.
4) Using filtered water, clean the butter by squashing it and moving it around in the water. Empty the bowl of water, using a sieve to catch the butter, and repeat about 10 times. It is very important to make sure that every last bit of the cream is out of the butter, as it would make the butter go off. If in doubt, wash one more time.
5) Then, shape your butter, and put it in a butter dish. Keep at room temperature and enjoy! You can use the leftover cream in any recipe that calls for milk. [if your milk is raw, you can let it sour then use it as a soaking agent for grain recipes like Crepes]
Thanks you Liz for sending me the pictures and the ‘how to’ explanation. If you have something you’ve made, or done that is ‘nourishing’ for your family and you’d like to see it posted on my blog…send it my way: thenourishingroad@gmail.com. I’d love to learn more about you, so include any information your happy for me to share.
What do people think of Liz’s butter? Please share your thoughts in the comments below. Or how about joining my Facebook page (click here)?