Homemade Yogurt

I just made homemade yogurt for 1/3 of the cost, without the fillers and thickening junk they add in the store bought stuff and to top it all off, it was probably the easiest thing I've ever done in my life.

I googled a recipe, check it out: Here

I probably spent 5 minutes (maybe a little more because it was my first time) total actually touching the concoction. 

It was sooooooo easy!!!

Now to flavor it: I've tried strawberry jam, stevia powder, maple syrup and honey.

It is delish.

Step one was cook the milk to 180 degrees so it kills any bacteria- you want a clean slate (takes about 3-4 hours)
Then after it gets to that point, let it come back down to 110 degrees (took about 3 hours)- then add the 2 TBS of plain yogurt start. Let it sit overnight in the crock in the oven (turned off) to keep it warm 12 hours.

Strain it- I just used a dish towel and a big bowl.

It was thick! But runny- so I did want to separate some of the whey.

There's the whey! 

There was a lot of whey (and that goop at the bottom is yogurt that fell in because I was clumsy and dropped some as I was trying to get the thickened yogurt in a container. I don't know much about it or how to use it so I tossed it but maybe there is something people do with it? I'll look it up next time.

2 jars!!! I estimate that would have made at least 2- probably 3 bigger containers of yogurt (if I hadn't dropped some in the whey) from the store.

My next adventure I would love to make kefir.....if I can make yogurt, I bet I could make kefir!!! 

Can you believe how easy it can be to make something like yogurt? 

I love that it's that good bacteria for our guts and and free from nasty ingredients and fillers!!! And did I say it was cheap? Like less than a dollar per container? So awesome. 

It's weird too the kind beautiful happiness you get from knowing you made something like this. 

Like I feel like I can do ANYTHING!!! 

The "Voodoo" Doctor

That's what I've heard them called a few times- isn't that what you call your doctor Mandi? ha ha;)

Have you heard of muscle testing before?

It is soooo different, yet so neat.

I guess the basis is that your body knows what is going on and what it needs and what it is lacking and can tell you through your electrical impulses, which can be read through muscle testing.

It sounds different when you first hear about it- almost like magic or something but the more I've learned about it, the more I see how much it makes sense. Your body does know what it needs and it's so neat that there are those with this knowledge to help you read your body's signals.

So I found an alternative medicine clinic in our new city and called and asked if they could help me with a problem I have had for over a year.
I have had major scalp problems people. This isn't the occasional dandruff that  is embarrassing that you just "deal" with. I was having major self-esteem issues and didn't go to church a few times because it was that bad.

So you know I love trying all natural remedies and I'm excited learning about plants that are put here on this planet, made by our creator, meant to help us with illnesses and pain! Did you know that asprin comes from the willow tree? It's the exact molecular make-up except that it is man-made so it could be patented and someone could make some mula from it- you can't patent nature. Look into DoTerra Essential oils (the highest grade) and once you start learning about the amazing properties of these plants you will be aMAZED.

Anyway, so I've tried dealing with my scalp issues naturally:
changing shampoos to ones without the harsh ingredients,
not using shampoo at all- using baking soda and vinegar to wash my hair,
trying melaleuca oil on my scalp,
rubbing coconut oil on my scalp,

Each of these little remedies I tried for  a few weeks to a month or months, knowing that it might take time for them to start working. Nothing has worked.

Nothing has been more discouraging for a new mom, a woman who wishes to be beautiful, and a human being who wants people to see them and not just a condition that they have, to have a day where she wants to get ready and look beautiful and it's practically impossible because I'm sorry, you just don't look beautiful with specs of your scalp littering your curls. I tried to be positive and say things to myself like, "At least I have hair- isn't that wonderful?" and I knew it could be worse but it was seriously limiting my enjoyment of my life. And it seemed there was nothing I could do, especially not having the funds it felt to take care of myself. That is discouraging too.

Now, I would like to re-emphasize that I really am grateful that we have had this time to go through this as our little family. It's so so hard but I feel like it has given me a greater understanding and compassion and empathy for others. I don't know how I would have gotten this new and wonderful perspective any other way than through going through this and having to be uncomfortable and feel this way

So it's been a year that I've lived with this recurring problem- it wasn't always so bad but it was starting to really get to my spirits- so going to this doctor has been the best thing ever.

Anyway they hook you up to a machine called a meridian stress tester and the computer reads your electric signals and they are able to see what in your body is calling for help.

Apparently it was not only my scalp- although that was the most obvious. I also had weak lungs and a weak heart (they go hand in hand) and the tester asked me if I have been short of breath. I almost cried.
Yes. Yes I have been short of breath and whenever I take a deep breath it's almost painful. I figured I was just out of shape and just needed to practice yoga breathing or something.

So the diagnosis was:
1. mold exposure that my body couldn't get rid of
2. pesticide allergy- breathing it in

I recall cleaning black mold before these problems started in the Bungalow and I just discovered that the basement room we stayed in for months was unknowingly growing black mold and is currently being gutted out and cleaned up. I have no idea where I'm breathing pesticides- she said it was probably a recent exposure since my body is responding really well to treatment.

So they give you these homeopathic drops that help your body recognize what it needs to get rid of and I've been on a special diet- no yeast or sugar (yikes- I thought that would be easy until I realized my whole diet consisted of toast and fruit).

So far I've been on it for about a week and a half and my body seems to be responding! The scalp problem is lessened and I feel beautiful again. I even bought a cute shirt and put on make up and did my hair the other day! Can I just say it feels good to be getting better!

Oh and yesterday I could breath deeply and it felt....normal. I wasn't straining for breath. I am so grateful this place exists and that I was able to go!!!

Oh and guess what?!

Jay got a job! So we can afford my treatments;) I know Heavenly Father is looking out for us and answered our prayers- I might have to do a little post about that.

Cloth Diapers...a Quest...

I am finding out there are yucky yucky things in disposable diapers. 

They are so convenient, yes but really? Dioxin? Ah! Terrible. 

So I am in the market for some cloth diapers. Every company is like, "these are so good because blah blah blah". Because I have never cloth-diapered before and there is a language I just don't quite understand yet, "hook and loop" "aplix" "double inner gussets". What the heck?

I just really don't want to invest in diapers unless I know they will work. I might just have to get a few different ones and try them out. Ugh though $30 a diaper? In the long run it will save you money but that initial cost is yucky. Then I have no idea how to clean them. What do you do with poop? I might just start by buying one diaper and trying it out. But I would really love to have enough for a day: so about 7. What is 7 x 30? Ah! Yikes. Okay, we'll just start with one. I have heard really good things about Rumparooz from a friend so I think that's the one I'm going to try. Unless anyone else has any advice from me or just loooovvvves their cloth diapers and convinces me to try that brand. Anyone?

Mango Berry Salad Recipe!

I've said it and I'll say it again- I am not a salad fan. In fact, most of the time I would use the word, "hate" to describe my relationship with them. My mom used to say, "Pretend to be a bunny and nibble on the leaf" and that helped when I was younger but I just don't find the same joy in it now for some odd reason.



 Being pregnant, I usually am good with scarfing down whatever food is in sight nowadays- but on this particular night I was feeling very apathetic towards food in general and was indecisive down to the core. Jay and I were on a double with Mandi (his sister) and her date and we all decided to meet at Zupas.  Everyone went ahead and ordered but when my turn came, I couldn't say I wanted anything. To make matters worse, there was no pressure to hurry and order because there was nobody in line behind me. So I sat and pondered, just looking at the menu glaring down at me, pushing me to make a decision. I just couldn't- I sat there and just couldn't decide what I wanted and I was getting embarrassed because the staff were all telling me to order different things. But then, Pete- one employee- finally said he would help me decide. He told me of this salad they had (SALAD?! Yuck!) that had fruit in it and that his wife loves it when she is pregnant. (Funny how that will stop me in my tracks of throwing up in my mind thinking about eating a salad-just hearing about another pregnant lady who said she liked it). So, somewhat reluctantly I agreed to try a sample of the dressing. Yum. It was surprisingly really tasty. Okay, I agreed to try an order of the salad, knowing that it could be a waste of money but then what if it was good, I dared hope.

This Zupas salad flipped my world upside down. Salad no longer=yuck.
It actually could be scrumptious. I finally made it the other day for my family and both Bethany and Ward (teens who hardly ever touch any sort of vegetable) actually tried it! They said, and I quote, "It tastes like a treat! Like candy!" So now I am convinced this is the best salad ever because you think you are eating a treat but really you are getting to eat green leafy stuff coated in heaven.

Are you convinced? Well, don't take my word for it- try it yourself.

I found a recipe online that I tweaked a bit so I'll give you my version of Zupas Mango Berry Salad:

I also made it bigger so this is a family-sized recipe:


For the Salad:
2 cups chopped fresh strawberries
1 small package fresh blueberries
1 fresh ripe mango chopped in small pieces
8-10 cups green leaves of some kind (I used a spring mix)

Dressing: (mix in blender)
1/4-1/2 cup plain greek yogurt (I used honey vanilla flavored)
2 Tablespoons Rice vinegar (the recipe called for rice wine vinegar but I couldn't find that)
*I think if I would have cut the rice vinegar down to 1 Tbsp it would have been even better or tried lemon juice instead....maybe next time that's what I'll do but it's still good with the vinegar.
1 large ripe mango, pitted and peeled.
1/2 tsp salt

Mix and if too tart add some honey!

Topping:
1/4 cup chopped almonds or walnuts caramelized in raw organic sugar and cinnamon. (The cinnamon flavor with the mango dressing is like dancing the samba in your mouth).

Mix the greenery and berries and mango with a little of the mango yogurt dressing (I actually had a little left-over dressing so just eye-ball to see how much you want/need for how much lettuce you have).

Such a perfect summer salad! We had it with fajitas and I'm sure would be good with whatever main course you choose-
or just have it for dessert!
Yum!!!

How to Get Them Veggies

Like eating veggies?
Me either. I hate it. They are so...I don't know....boring? How about gross, slimy, strong tasting, feels like you are eating someone's shoe- let's just put it this way: nobody would eat them if they weren't good for you.

Well, on my quest to be in better shape, healthier and happier I knew I had to eat more of these alien looking foods so I went on an all-veggie cleanse last year (a couple months before I got pregnant so if you are trying to avoid that maybe these drinks aren't for you *wink). It all started when I began researching nutrition and reading all sorts of books and my parents found this movie called, "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead" on Netflix- I would recommend watching it- it's amazing to see how vegetables can change someone's life. That just sounded really lame and boring ha ha- but really it is cool, I promise.

Well, they have a program of eating fruits and veggies and drinking pure veggie/fruit juices and nothing else. I did it for 5 days and I actually have been wanting to write about it here on the blog- stay tuned. I have way too detailed notes and everything that you won't want to miss out on.

Today, I am going to share with you my 2 FAVORITE veggie juice recipes that I have tried so far and continue to supplement my normal meals with. Because I have been having such a hard time eating veggies, I figure this is the next best thing and I know I am getting a lot of nutrients from these drinks and they really taste good.

The first one we call the 'Green Drink". Sounds epic I know, but this is actually the first juice the program has you make to get you to think that all veggie drinks will taste alright. 

(You will need a juicer for these)

Green Drink: 

6 leaves of kale

4 stalks of celery

2 cups of spinach

2 apples (I like gala)

1/2'' ginger root (which I leave out most of the time but it is good with it)

My next favorite has beets in it but it is actually quite good and looks so pretty because of those beets:

Sunset Blend:

2 large red beets

1 sweet potato

2 med carrots

1 red bell pepper

2 golden delicious apples

1 orange (optional- but totally recommend)

I think beets have a tendency to taste like dirt but not in this recipe! Really this recipe is sooooo good and the orange I think really helps it have a sweeter taste. 

Each juice probably costs around $5 depending on the kind of deals you can find but it is so worth it and I just use them as a supplement to trying to eat healthy. I love knowing I am putting all these good things in my body and that my baby will benefit from it as well. 

Then I drink a smoothie almost every other day and this is what I usually put in it:

Protein Fruit Veggie Smoothie

1/2 c. greek yogurt

1/2 c. frozen blueberries

1/2 c. frozen strawberries

13 grams whey protein powder

1-2 c. spinach

1 c. almond milk

1 Tbsp. raw honey (if you want it sweeter)

This gives me protein, fruit and veggies! And you don't taste the spinach at all or see the green color because the blueberries make it dark. I love it- I should start experimenting with other ingredients but this one is just really good so I make it a LOT. I actually did make it with kale one time and it wasn't bad. 

I'm going to keep trying new recipes and I'll share the ones I love here.