Babycakes Graham Crackers My Tips and S'mores

Normally I would put this recipe/advice in www.myfamilysfavoritegfcfrecipes.blogspot.com

but with Halloween coming....this is better than junky candy although I admit not much better....

When making the graham crackers recipe in "Babycakes Covers the Classics"

Use 1 and a half TBSP cinnamon that is plenty (she says to use 3 TBSPs)

I used maple syrup instead of agave.

Use COLD coconut oil and cut in with a pastry cutter or 2 knives.

You want to see the little bits of coconut oil in the dough.

Then make sure you roll out VERY thin (they will be lighter and crispier that way), roll out between 2 pieces of parchment paper and refrigerate or freeze then the graham crackers and they won't stick to the parchment.

A toasted marshmallow (has gelatin-not vegan) and a piece of chocolate and you've got s'mores (vegans try ricemellow creme and dairy free chocolate)

Food As Medicine by Mark Hyman MD ...forward by me

When I talk to people about how much better I feel from changing my diet I get varied responses. Some don't believe me, some believe I don't have Lupus "enough" (well check this link to see how much better I am)
 http://lupushopehealingplan.blogspot.com/2009/10/old-lupus-symptoms-problems-of-past.html
 , some say  "I could never change my diet like that I NEED my bread/cheese/cookies/icecream" (you fill in your own "blank") , some say "feeling better with a diet change was only your experience it wouldn't work for me if I changed my diet". 

1) Again to all of those people I say 2 things read the books on my Books for Healing Post many written by Holistic MD's with lots of their patient's success stories when they changed their diet and lifestyle.(some MD's even tell how they themselves had success changing their diet)
http://lupushope.blogspot.com/2009/03/books-to-read-on-healing.html

2)And get a celiac test first(and a IgG food allergy test also if you can afford it)...then try a diet change...or I wish I could feed you.... or you could go to a place like Hippocrates Institute or any other raw food (Tree of Life ) or macrobiotic retreat (Kushi Institute) where they feed you all healthy foods for a few weeks/month and let me know how you feel! Bet it would turn out that you felt much better!
Read Mark Hyman MD's post below on "Food as Medicine"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/food-as-medicine_b_1011805.html

Celiac Disease Lab Tests- When to order

Overweight? Can't lose weight?
Underweight? Can't gain weight?
Joint pains, achey?
Tummy troubles, vomiting/diarrhea/pain/bloating?
Migraines/Headaches?
Sinus Pain/Pressure/Recurrent Sinus Infections?
Asthma? Trouble Breathing?
Fatigue?
Brain Fog / Memory Issues?
Dizziness?
Anemic?
Bad Teeth?
Have Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis? Thyroid Problems (especially Hashimoto's)
Irish? Italian? You have a greater risk!

Time to get tested for......drum roll please......Celiac Disease!
Yes, Celiac Disease can cause all these symptoms and many more!

Click on the link below to find out more

****(You must be eating gluten at the time of testing, don't go gluten free until the test is over)*****

http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/celiac-disease/tab/test

Food Facts.com check out how your favorite foods stack up!

Happy Monday! Over the weekend I was looking at new recipes to try. Read on to hear about Food Facts.com

I found a recipe called Tuscan Style Chili  http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/tuscan-style-chili/c95a9b72-3490-4d4e-b13b-584c8f92bfc2/ looks yummy, but I wanted to make it dairy-free and healthier too. For my recipe "makeover" go to the end of this post.

The above recipe uses Progresso Vegetable Classics Soup and I wanted to look up the ingredients to see how bad they were and found this website. It looks great, the website NOT the soup! I wouldn't even touch the soup because it is in a can with a most likely BPA lining....that's something the Food Facts website does't mention...I also looked up store bought marshmallows (like Jet Puffed) and most if not all have  tetrasodium pyrophosphate I looked this up myself before and it says it's toxic. The website had no warning (controversial) on that ingredient. They also missed the corn ingredients...they're most likely GMO. But it gives you a ball park to strive for ...check it out!
http://www.foodfacts.com/NutritionFacts/Tomato-Based/Progresso-Vegetable-Classics-Hearty-Tomato-Soup-19-oz/15145

http://www.foodfacts.com/NutritionFacts/Bite-Size/Jet-Puffed-Marshmallows-10-oz/45699
If you click on each ingredient even the "OK" ones they have a dialog box that explains each ingredient.
www.foodfacts.com

My recipe "makeover" for Tuscan Style Chili

I will make my own homemade beans with a piece of kombu cooked in my pressure cooker. I will use vegan "Follow Your Heart" mozzarella cheese (if desired), and make my own homemade tomato- vegetable soup. I may put in organic sausage or bacon, or just stick with the beans to keep it vegan and add cumin or smoked paprika and/or fire-roasted tomatoes (can make or buy canned , I know.. watch the BPA lining) for a nice smokey flavor.
For that sausage flavor without the sausage, add sausage spices to the soup as well, here are some ideas.
http://www.lets-make-sausage.com/sausage-spices.html

Knowledge is Power...What Choice Would You Make?

If you were told tomorrow that you had cancer what would you do?

There are the changes you would probably make in life to make your life better..... love more, make more time for fun/things you enjoy,  speak softly and sweetly, make more time for family/friends, vacation, switch your job/purpose to one more meaningful.... since you don't know how long you'll live....and you want to make whatever time you have left amazing!

First bit of advice, implement these changes now, don't wait for a cancer diagnosis to change your life for the better.....don't wait make your life amazing NOW!

Also the reason I started and continue this blog is to make you aware of the choices out there. For all health issues and especially Lupus and other autoimmune disorders.

What would I do if I received news that I had cancer today?...my decisions would be A LOT different  now, than if I heard that news 6 years ago (before I started researching holistic health and nutrition)

6 years ago I would have gone to a regular oncologist and trusted that whatever he or she told me to do. Surgery, chemo, radiation...whatever.

Today 6 years later, if I got the news that I had cancer, for one I'd know I had choices of the protocol I wanted to follow. I would get a few opinions of conventional and holistic doctors.

I would know that doctors are not God, they don't know everything. Especially if you only see one doctor.... everyone should have a "team" of specialists available to them to get the best care, not just the celebrities....

I would know that the Gerson therapy exists and if I wanted to do very low dose chemo and no radiation, doctors exist that do that too.

I would know that celiac disease can cause cancer and to check that and avoid gluten if necessary.

I would know that many people with cancer have IgG food allergies/sensitivities and one of the top allergies that is many times off the charts with people that are diagnosed with cancer, on that allergy test is eggs, this from Dr. Steve Nenninger ND. (why this is so, I have no clue...) I would know I could save myself or kill myself by what I choose to put in my mouth, also I could have more energy or less energy depending on the foods that I eat.  What you eat and  the nutrition that your body receives, matters with any disease! If your doctor says eat whatever you like, as my rheumatologist said to me, don't you believe it for a SECOND! Detoxing and avoiding heavy metals, chemicals, pesticides, etc is also VERY important to your body's health and recovery from cancer.

So you have Lupus what's next? Click below

http://lupushopehealingplan.blogspot.com/2009/10/so-you-have-lupus-what-do-you-do-next.html

General healing tips for everyone. Click below

http://lupushopehealingplan.blogspot.com/2011/06/general-health-tips-for-everyone.html

Also, hopefully, I have changed my diet and lifestyle so that I won't ever get cancer...hopefully....

Do We Need Animal Products in Our Diet? Should We Be Vegan?

Do we need animal products in our diet? My opinion at this point in time from my research is Yes! Here is an article from Dr. Mercola MD on the issue. Click the link below.

I am an animal lover and I support the utmost humane treatment of animals. I also don't feel that we need to eat a lot of animal products but organic free range eggs and raw milk if tolerated or organic free range meat and wild caught fish ocassionally can be beneficial. A plant based diet with a small bit of animal products would be what I strive for.  As always with any diet you choose make sure to get a nutrient profile as well as normal blood work to make sure your body has what it needs. A Metametrix Cardio Ion is one of the best tests for a full profile to see how your body is functioning. Remember even if your diet is "perfect" if your body's digestive system isn't digesting it properly you will have deficiencies that could lead to disease.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/10/13/vegetarian-movie-forks-over-knives--critically-reviewed.aspx?e_cid=20111013_DNL_art_2

Dr. Doni Wilson ND on The Hamptons Cleanse

I have met Dr. Doni before. She is very smart, she knows the ins and outs of nutrition and food allergies/insensitivities hormone balancing, neurotransmitter balancing and lifestyle changes to make her patients the healthiest ever! Check out this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QDuZ-zo9So

http://www.drdoni.com

Renegade Health - Healing Cancer World Summit

Kevin and Ann Marie Gianni are at it again! They are putting together a  "Healing Cancer World Summit". They will talk with alternative doctors and their ability to fight cancer and win. They will get the inside scoop on options everyone should know exist in the war against cancer.

http://www.renegadehealth.com/cancer/

Donna Gates' New Book " The Baby Boomer Diet"

Donna Gates is really smart when it comes to nutrition and creating health, reversing disease and anti-aging. Check out her new book. I already requested it from my local library, I'm waiting on it....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peNul3UoEZ0&feature=youtu.be
 Baby Boomer book promotion video

8 Scary Cleaning Chemicals to Avoid from Care 2

The more nasty chemicals you avoid the better, they can get into the tissues in your body and never come out. They can build up and can cause all kinds of havoc in the body. Make it a point to avoid harsh chemicals, there are always other choices. Please read the article below...

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-scary-cleaning-chemicals-to-avoid.html

Nattokinase- A Natural Blood Thinner

My holistic chiropractor had originally mentioned to research nattokinase when I said I didn't want to take blood thinning prescription drugs like warfarin and coumadin. I have antiphospholipid antibodies which can increase my blot clot risk, it makes for "sticky blood".  This information is for educational info. To let you know there is another choice to decrease the risk of blood clots forming.

If you take prescription blood thinners, never stop suddenly. ALWAYS check with your doctor. If you see a conventional doctor you may want to try a seasoned holistic doctor to help you get off of prescription medications. You MUST do this in an educated way with an educated practitioner. You are talking life or death here!

Also don't take nattokinase if you are taking blood thinners without a doctor's OK.

To read up on nattokinase click below :

http://www.nattokinase.org/

http://www.drsinatra.com/nattoplus.html?gId=&key=188662&utm_campaign=nattoplus&utm_source=loy-email-all&utm_medium=email&utm_content=sinatra-nattoplus-100411&sm_mid=5822&sm_rid=5822.1304.11964

October 2011- Lupus Walks and Lupus Awareness and Research

Find a Lupus walk and join in if you can. If you are too weak, get a friend to drive you and just go to "feel the love" from others. (Bring sun protection an umbrella, hat and long sleeves and pants.)
If you are in the hospital or bedridden and can't make it at all, may God bless you, and please read about some of the doctors posted below. Check the internet and get the doctors' books in print or on CD or MP3 and listen. They have protocols that can help you feel better!

http://www.lupusliqueens.org/content.asp?id=607 This walk is near me. Search the internet for the walk closest to where you live.

If you have changed your diet and lifestyle and feel better or reversed your Lupus let the world know that.

Start a blog, twitter about it, facebook it. Shout it out. If a doctor, holistic or otherwise helped you reverse your disease or live a much higher quality of life, PLEASE spread the word! Also feel free to comment here or send me an email. lonedoggy@netzero.com

Some people I know for folks to get in touch with to help you on your healing journey.

People Who Feel Better With a Diet and Lifestyle Change (have or have had Lupus)

www.lupusgirlgoesraw.com

http://www.inspire4health.com/

www.lupushopehealingplan.blogspot.com

http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Stacey_Becker  (she has great articles)

Met another woman in Montana (she doesn't have a blog or other information out to contact her- sorry)

Doctors Who Can Help (These are holistic doctors that believe in food allergies,intolerances, diet change, getting rid of heavy metals, de-toxing and lifestyle changes such as stress reduction)

http://drhyman.com/ Mark Hyman MD

http://www.drfuhrman.com/ Joel Fuhrman MD

http://fredpescatore.com/drpescatore Fred Pescatore MD

http://web.me.com/stevenenninger/SteveNenninger/Home.html Steve Nenninger ND

Taking Down Monsanto from Dr. Mercola

Please watch the below video/s. If you live in California please help their initiative! Be a volunteer to collect signatures to get labeling GMO's on the ballot in November 2012!
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/10/03/cbi-taking-down-monsanto-gmo-products.aspx?e_cid=20111003_DNL_art_1

October is Non GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) Month

There are Non-GMO events, protests, folks are trying to stop GMO's, encourage heirloom/organic seed saving and if GMO's are in products or produce is GMO, make it mandatory/law to label GMO foods as such. Here are some websites for more information. Have a nice weekend!

http://www.nongmoproject.org/  The Non-GMO Project Website

http://www.responsibletechnology.org/posts/?tag=labeling-of-gmos Jeffrey Smith Fight for Labelling GMO's

http://organicconsumers.org/monsanto/index.cfm Millions Against Monsanto (Monsanto creates GMO foods/ seeds and is trying to take over the world's seed crops and not allow farmer's to save their own seeds)

Also see my post on iradiation/ produce codes... if produce little sticker reads a 4 digit PLU code beginning with a  #3 (example-3498) the food was irradiated, treated with radiation, to kill bacteria/bugs. What does that do to the food? What does it do to us when we eat it?
http://lupushope.blogspot.com/2011/09/plu-produce-codes-tell-if-organic-or.html

Deadly Listeria and Canteloupes by Natural News

Yes, if you haven't heard, beware melons, but also beware the gov't. The gov't should try to find out why the canteloupes are contaminated,  not be trying to take more control of the food supply, to irradiate (sterilize the produce with radiation) and otherwise "mess" with the food's integrity and nutrition. Read on for Mike Adam's at Natural New's updates. Happy Friday!

http://www.naturalnews.com/033739_cantaloupes_listeria.html

High Fructose Corn Syrup and Agave by Jonny Bowden PhD CNS

http://naturalhealthsherpa.com/dirty-truth-high-fructose-corn-syrup/52786?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=14747471&utm_campaign=NL%20-%202011-09-29%20-%20HFCS

Jill Harrington and Water Fasting

Just a quick mention to read  or re-read "The Lupus Recovery Diet" by Jill Harrington . The way Jill Harrington found out that it was the food she was eating that was giving her the Lupus symptoms she was having was to try a water fast. She then realized she felt BETTER on the water fast, her symptoms went away! If you do a water fast ALWAYS do it under medical supervision.

A couple of other ways to see if foods are bothering you,  is try green smoothies only for a few days to a week and see how you feel, or just eat veggies for a few days to a week and see how you feel. A warning here.... many times you feel worse for the first few (3-4) days. Then there is a clearing and you feel so much better.

For another plan you can also eat salmon, sardines small portions (4 oz/day) and veggies raw or cooked lightly (add brown rice if you are still  hungry) and a few low sugar fruits (berries, lemons, pears) (skip the apples and bananas at first, many have reactions to these) Drink filtered water or herbal tea throughout the day.
Skip the coffee/dairy/bread/pasta/sweets/eggs/corn see below also etc


Another way is to try an elimination diet. Take out all the wheat, gluten, oats, dairy, eggs, corn ,meat,  from your diet then add them back in one by one for a week each. If you have a reaction to a food. Go back to the elimination diet til the symptoms subside remove the food that caused the problem and then add another food on the list. Keeping a food diary or journal really helps keep track. You can do this with the help of a holistic doctor as well if you don't want to go it alone.

Look up elimination diets on line Dr. Cranton has a great one. Or check out the "Ultra Simple Diet" book by Mark Hyman MD.
http://drhyman.com/the-ultrasimple-diet-kick-start-your-metabolism-and-safely-lose-up-to-10-pounds-in-7-days-3402/

Do not "cheat" on these diets... especially in the first week (or two or three if you have the willpower) or you will never know for sure if you could feel tons better by avoiding foods you are intolerant to. If you cheat that little amount of food that your body is sensitive to can cause a huge reaction in the form of headaches/joint pains/sinus problems and a whole lot more.

Dr. Steve Nenninger ND has a 96 food IgG food allergy blood test if you can afford that, if the food elimination seems too hard without hard "proof" of what you should avoid.

Questions? Please comment below or email me at lonedoggy@netzero.com

Check Out Ronnie and Minh's New Gardening Video

Woody in the pool!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFCr9CEs3w8&feature=youtu.be Ronnie and Minh's Gardening in the Desert Video (has tips for gardening anywhere as well)

http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/3038/2 Grape Leaves (Raw) Nutrition Facts (never thought about eating grape leaves raw...til now...)

Doggy Dancing- For a Laugh

My dog, Kylie, playing in the pool as we were emptying it .

It's World Gratitude Day today and I saw a video on Doggy Dancing/ Canine Freestyle and it's something I am grateful for and want to share . Laughter is the best medicine they say!

I am also grateful that dogs are so much fun and can be trained to do so many things, from finding bombs, finding arsonists, to assisting blind people and handicapped folks, to just plain making us giggle with agility obstacle courses and disc dog routines to doggie dancing (canine freestyle). Check out this video!

http://youtu.be/HqbVbPvlDoM Doggy Dancing Video

I am also grateful for God giving me the information to help myself feel better.

Iam grateful for you, the followers and other readers/visitors of my blog.

I am grateful for the holistic doctors in my life that keep on healing me and other folks when conventional doctors say it can't be done.

I am grateful to God giving me the ability to cook really well to be able to stand up to the challenge of making great tasting gluten free/dairy free and egg free foods for myself and my family as well as sharing with you all.

I am grateful that I am a dog trainer.

I am grateful that I am a Nutrition Consultant.

I am grateful for the opportunity to learn something new each day.

I am grateful that I got Lupus (you heard that right) to take a  long hard look at what I was doing to my body and CHANGE my life and health for the better. (and it changed my family's life as well!)

That I have the basics, a roof over my head, food to eat, and heat and running clean water, a family.

For my 2 children, that though they are challenging at times, they are growing into healthy, smart, and respectful individuals.

For my husband seeing the changes in my diet and how my body responded to them and believing in me and my diet change.

For my animals, that although they can be hard to care for at times, how much love and laughter they give me at other times.

That I have a reliable car to get around in.

That most days I feel well, although tired at times...

I am sure there is so much more! Thank you God I am grateful!

What are YOU grateful for? Please think about it or even write it down for yourself to look at if you are having a day when you are feeling down.

Beware Gluten in School Supplies - from Angie at GlutenFreeClub.com

All of Angie's Recipes are gluten free but check for eggs and dairy. I think many of her recipes have eggs but  I enjoy her list for her great information like the following....

Hi Toni,

Kids are back to school and so is Gluten!

School, believe it or not, is loaded with gluten and not just in the food. Other places gluten sometimes can lurk is in the following school supplies:

* Glue
* Paint
* Crayons
* Modeling clay
* Soap
* Band-aids
* Chalk
* Stamps
* Pasta for craft projects
(The only way to be sure that it's gluten free is to check with each of the above listed items manufacturer.)

Yes, gluten does appear in the oddest places, because the protein quality that makes bread sticky and elastic, and stew become thick, is the same quality it gives glue and other school items that must be thickened (such as school paints).

You can keep your child safe with some pre-planning and communicating with your child's teachers to ensure your school is aware of your child's needs.

If you'd like more information I've written an article on "Gluten Free Schools" right here:

http://www.glutenfreeclub.com/g/schooldays

Lastly, a great way to get your children up for school is to start them off with these Berry Good Waffles.

http://www.glutenfreeclub.com/g/BerryGoodWaffles
Enjoy,

Angie.

PO Box 2124, Cochrane, AB, Canada, T4C 1B8