I have a favorite new book ... Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon.
Its not for the faint of heart. In fact the subtitle is "The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats." Yeah. Like I said. The subtitle actually had me at hello. Then, I started reading.
This book WILL challenge everything you've always "known" to be true about health, diet, foods, etc. If you don't want to be challenged in that, DO NOT read this book.
Even though its technically a cookbook, much of it reads like a book. Like a research book. And I like research - especially about this topic. It has helped re-invigorate a passion in me for good nutrition and serving my family in that manner.
Many of you know that as a family we made some drastic diet changes back in 2002-2003. We nixed sugar, wheat, corn, cow dairy, soy and others. Then, in Dec 2005, we moved to Iowa. And started homeschooling. And had another baby. And moved again. And again. And, well, I just got lazy in the food department. We still stayed mostly gluten-free and organic at home, but I was very lax when we were out and found myself using more processed foods than I knew I should & I had allowed the sugar to creep back in. Its sort of like exercise. As long as you're in the habit and rhythm, it becomes part of your life. But, when you stop, going back is really hard! Being lazy is just much easier. Or at least it feels that way until you get your butt off the couch and feel the adrenaline rush of regular exercise! (can you tell what I need to do?)
In the last few months, Jordan has developed psoriasis. It took months to even get a diagnosis and now that we have one, we're still not any further ahead. After trying everything in my arsenal of natural remedies, we've resorted to a conventional dermatologist. Anyone that knows me, knows that isn't my preference and certainly not my first choice. But, the biggest part of going the "alternative" route is being responsible for your health. And, frankly, laziness just doesn't jive with that! Besides, there is a time and place for medicine. I don't have a beef with conventional medicine, I have a beef with the OVER-USE of conventional medicine & a beef with anyone being in control of your health except you. But, that's a soapbox for another day.
My point today is that I've decided its worth the effort to take the reigns of my family's health once again. So, what I know to be true is that skin issues=liver issues. I'm not brave enough to try a cleanse on a 9 year old, so that means I need to feed her foods that help the body detox. She's a GREAT eater. But, she ain't THAT great. She is nine, after all. So, we supplement. That's all well and good. But, still, we're not getting ahead of the autoimmune disease.
Then, I get my hands on Nourishing Traditions (NT) and it just rocked my world. I am learning so much! It is overwhelming in many ways, but much of it lines up with what I've been researching lately. Especially with regard to soaked and sprouted grains. I've been grinding my own grain (!!) and while I haven't made soaked or sprouted grain bread yet, I have made soaked pancakes, flatbread and granola bars. All yummy and big hits with the kids. I won't lie. Its really time-consuming. I've spent a lot of time in the kitchen lately. But, I'm quickly figuring out how to plan and streamline it all. Planning is really the key. I've pretty much always had some sort of menu plan, now that plan just requires a little more planning! LOL! For example, to make the soaked flatbread, you have to have yogurt (which takes a full day to make), plus grind wheat & mix with the yogurt and let that soak for 24 hours ... then, you roll out the dough! Even though its basically a 3-day process, it doesn't require any extensive amount of time on any one day. Its just the PLANNING that's important!
NT is not about being gluten or dairy free ... or free of anything necessarily. Its about eating the foods that are good for our bodies in ways that our bodies can use. There are many recipes and most of them are time-consuming. Some of them are downright daunting. I said its not for the faint of heart. Its also not for the time-crunched. I know that probably doesn't "sell" you on the book, but I'm just calling it like I see it. Everything in life is a trade-off and the changes I'm making in my kitchen are worth it for our family in this season. That may or may not be the case for your family.
Here's the irony of this book. About half-way through, I dug out some of the diet stuff I'd gotten from my midwife in Iowa (remember the food-nazi?). Guess the ONE book she recommended? Yup. I just wasn't ready then. Now I am. At the end of the day, that's what it takes. She planted the seed and God watered it in His time. So maybe I've planted the seed for you! :)
My little brother, Erin is getting married!
His shirt says "I AM ... ALL THAT IS MAN"
The 'boys' riding in the wagon
Jadyn & Jace in the wagon, seconds before Jace passed out :)
Kylie & Jace takin' a snooze
Stopping for a snack
Eric with my kids
Me with my "little" brothers, Eric & Erin. 
Being silly with his cake and Jace's sippy cup
Cinderella, Storm Trooper and Princess Leia ... we had a mini-Spider Man as well, but he was in no mood to be photographed! 
Who knew Spider Man woke up grumpy from naps?.JPG)
And, being silly: 
This is the 3rd season for 3 of the boys to play together and the second for another two boys - and it shows on the field! They are so fun to watch! Jake loves it more every week. He has become a pretty good defensive player. Its really fun to watch him develop and work hard. We've talked about him doing some exercises at home to prepare for Spring soccer so that he has more endurance when he gets the chance to play offense. Which totally cracks me up. I mean, he's SEVEN! The kid has some serious focus for sure! He just showed up that way. 
(without much luck!),
roasted marshmallows & ate smores,
slept in a tent,
saw alligators, armadillos and deer, 
climbed trees,
played games 
and had plenty of boys around to play with! He even got to help with one of the flag ceremonies. 
What more could he ask for? 
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Trampoline fun
Jace climbing up to the slide
Jordan being silly
Jadyn enjoying a popsicle
Jake - not terribly interested in stopping for a photo
Jadyn again ... I have a gazillion of her.
And, on other days ...
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I had to girly it up a bit with matching hairbows!
Then, I used the bows as ribbons on their gift bags. 
The best I can do are pictures from when I first started blogging. 
February 2007
September 2007
September 2009
