Diverse Tea Tree oil

 

Diverse Tea Tree oil

 

I’ve recently had a few body aches and pains and swollen glands. After a few days of making sure I’m eating “clean”, drinking enough water and resting, there was still no change. We stay as far away as possible from using any medication. I’ll usually grab some Frankincense essential oil, but these symptoms did not seem to lift. After becoming quiet and seeking God for wisdom, I felt lead to using tea tree oil on my armpits!

 

It sounded quite strange at first, because I’ve been chemical deodorant free for a few years now, and we only use natural deodorant. I’ve done armpit detoxing and changed my diet. Excessive sweating and bad body odor are things of the past. I decided to follow through with what I heard, and trusted God in the process.

I replaced my natural deodorant with a drop of tea tree oil under each armpit in the morning and repeated it in the afternoon. Within two days my aches and pains started diminishing. I did two more days of underarm treatment. I then felt that I needed to place one drop behind each knee instead of my armpits, and a drop on the sides of my neck for a day. Within one week, all the aches, pains and fatigue were gone.

You see, essential oils are volatile oils, which means that it travels through the air, pores of the skin and mucus membranes, and can reach glands, nodes, muscles and blood.

There are more than twenty lymph nodes in the armpit which help fight infection. Nodes are small lumps of tissue that are part of the body’s lymphatic system. Lymph is responsible for draining fluid from tissues, transporting it to lymph nodes, which then destroy bacteria and other harmful substances. Clean lymph then flows through the main vein.

Tea tree oil is an all-round, versatile, affordable essential oil. This oil comes from an Australian plant and is drying, healing, cleansing, anti-bacterial, anti-septic, anti-viral and anti-microbial. It can be used as anti-bacterial medication without some of the nasty side effects of conventional medication.

 

Other tea tree oil uses and benefits:

·      Acne treatments and spots

·      Insect bites

·      Nail fungal treatment

·      Fights sinus infection – can inhale straight from the bottle!

·      Strep throat – apply to the sides of the throat or gargle and spit with a tea tree oil solution

·      Pneumonia – steam inhalation

·      Hand sanitizer

·      Scalp treatment

·      Add to home made cleaning products- helps to kill mould

·      Mosquito repellent

·      Skin infections

·      Add to a diffuser

·      Add a few drops to the lower abdomen when you have a urinary infection and add 3 drops to your bath water

·      Add a few drops to your washing machine when washing towels, dogs bedding, even underwear and socks

·      Mix tea tree oil with coconut oil for extreme vaginal infections

 

Tea tree oil can be applied directly to the skin. If you have more sensitive skin, mix with a little coconut oil or olive oil before application.

Not to be taken orally, except if it is in toothpaste or when gargling where you will be spitting it out. (I have personally not tried this)

Make your own all-purpose cleaner:

·      15 – 20 drops tea tree oil

·      ¾ cup water

·      ¼ cup apple cider vinegar or white vinegar (use less if it smells too strong of vinegar)

-       Shake well, spray onto surfaces, wipe with a dry cloth.

After reading all of this and listening to my testimony, doesn’t it make you wonder if it would not help in the prevention and treatment of viruses that are going around through gland application and inhalation?

Lizelle

Recipe:

Roasted chickpea, green pepper and cherry tomatoes

2 cans chickpeas

2 green peppers diced

2 punnets cherry tomatoes

Thai 7 spice mix (or any other spicy mix)

Olive oil

Sugar free sweet chilli sauce (Simple Truth brand)

Gluten free pizza bases or tortillas

 

-       Place everything into an oven pan, except the bases or tortillas.

-       Grill until tomatoes are shriveled and peppers are grilled.

-       Serve with pizza base or tortilla squares (lightly fry tortillas in a pan until golden, slice into triangles).

 

 

Boosting Beetroot

 

     Boosting Beetroot

Did you know that raw beetroot does not stain your fingers? It washes right off! Comparing it with peeling and chopping cooked beetroot, where you will be left with pink fingertips for a while! I always wonder what made people think of digging out beetroot in the first place and then deciding to cook it and see how it turns out when cooked!?

 

I always think of beetroot being “red” so it is good for blood, which is also red. Your blood needs iron. Whenever you are feeling tired, lethargic, dizzy and a bit run down, go for beetroot. Without iron, our red blood cells cannot transport oxygen around the body. Beets should especially be included during menstruation.

 

Beets are also packed with nitrates, which the body convert to nitric oxygen. This compound dilates the blood vessels, which improves blood flow and lowers overall blood pressure. Nitrates are exceptional elements for sports performance and recovery.

Raw beetroot contains more vitamins, minerals and anti oxidants than cooked beet. Like all vegetables, the longer the cooking process, the lower the nutritional content, except with tomatoes. Nutrients leach out into the cooking water.

Where to use beetroot:

·    You can add beets to your raw vegetable juices through your juice extractor.

·    We enjoy making a raw beetroot salad/salsa to add to salads, in gluten free wraps, on cooked potatoes. Peel and grate a few raw beetroots, peel and grate an apple, add some pink salt, apple cider vinegar and black pepper. Toss and let stand at least half an hour before serving.

·    Roasted beetroot caramelizes the beet sugars giving you a wonderful, sweet beet to work with. Cook whole beets in an oven tray covered with foil until tender. Cool and peel the beetroot. Cut into chunks, drizzle with balsamic vinegar, olive oil and pink salt. Roast open until slightly shriveled. You can add some goats cheese or feta, rocket or freshly ground black pepper to glam it up for guests.

·    Grate raw beetroot into coleslaw.

·    How about adding a cooked beetroot when making hummus next time?

 

Other beetroot benefits:

-High in anti-oxidants

-Boosts brain health

-Boosts heart health

-Aids digestion (High in fibre)

-Anti inflammatory

-Boosts detoxification process

 

*Remember that store-bought, bottled beetroot is full of added sugar, so try to stay away from it as far as possible.

If you are not up to the whole schlepp of cooking, peeling and chopping beetroot, and you just don’t have time for beetroot, then look out for the following products;

·    Redibeets powder by AIM (0nline orders)

·    Superscoop mix by Lisa Raleigh containing many superfood ingredients including beetroot, wheatgrass, alfalfa and mushrooms.

·    Nature’s Nutrition super greens and reds with 32 organic superfoods and dairy free probiotics. (faithful-to-nature.co.za online)

·    Health Connection Berry Beetroot Superfood mix including chia seeds.

You can find most of these at Dischem Pharmacy or on the online shops mentioned above.

If all else fails, then sit with your feet up and snack on a packet of crunchy beetroot crisps! So no excuses!

Lizelle

 

 

 

Fountain of Youth

 

HEALTH AMPLIFIED

Fountain of youth

With the heat wave that has spread across South Africa this past week or two, fires raging and almost drought like conditions, everyone is in desperate need of water. Water is a basic, essential need, and without it people can die.

Our family drinks a lot of water! We don’t keep juice in the house, except when we have visitors. So it is mostly water, smoothies and rooibos tea during the day. We love flavouring our water with bursts of flavour of cucumber, mint leaves, ginger, cut up fruit or lemon. Then we add some chia seeds for texture, nutrition and fun! The little seeds swell after about 10 minutes in water and are packed with protein and fibre, and our kids love the fun element in it! Make sure to give it a good shake or stir before you have a sip. We sometimes call it vegetarian caviar!

Store bought flavoured water is actually cooldrink. It is filled with sweeteners and flavouring, it just lacks the colourant. Most store bought flavoured water contains high amounts of sugar, non-nutritive sweeteners, fructose, flavouring, vitamin C balls, chia seeds, basil seeds or carbonated water.

Try to stay away from sugar water and non-nutritive sweeteners, it will only cause havoc with your hormones and can cause chemical imbalances. Even if it does contain healthy “happy” seeds and vitamin C balls. Rather grab plain or sparkling water and a fruit if you want hydration and vitamins.

Checkers has a flavoured water which is just water and flavouring. It takes a bit to get used to if you are a regular flavoured water drinker. There is also a sparkling flavoured water available containing fructose and flavouring. Fructose does cause a little less havoc, so keep this in mind when looking for water next time.

I’m very excited to try Kangen water! This is a water machine that you can install in your kitchen, and is manufactured by Enagic. This machine has the ability to change the pH level of your water, depending on what you want to do with the water. Our bodies function better if it is more on the alkaline side, that is also why a diet rich in raw fruit and vegetables contribute to a healthier pH level in our bodies.

The “strong water” setting’s pH is alkaline at a pH of about 11 on the pH scale. This pH is recommended when washing your fruit and vegetables. Normal tap water does not remove any wax or oil substances on your produce. Chemicals, pesticides and dirt is in this waxy layer. The “strong water” setting emulsifies the wax when washing and ultimately helps to keep your produce fresher for longer. You will also not have all those terrible chemicals entering your body.

There is a water setting that can act as a surface household cleaner, without bringing harmful chemicals into your house. The pH level can kill germs, emulsify oils and dirt, and make your house sparkly clean without using other products.

The drinking water setting has an optimal pH that will hydrate your cells in your body for optimal cell metabolism, energy and better performance.

Then there is my favourite, “Beauty water”… With the optimal pH for your skin, you can place it in a spritzer bottle to hydrate and freshen your skin wherever you are going. This is also seen as an anti-ageing water because it also helps to plump up your skin cells. Use this settings water when you want to wash your face. I wouldn’t suggest bathing in it, because it will take a while to fill up your bath using that little machine!

Vichy Skin Care uses thermal water in their skin care products. There are also other skin care products available on the market that use thermal water as an ingredient. The water has a unique composition acting as a purifier, anti-oxidant and calming agent. Vichy is well known for their face spritzer.

I have personally not made use of Kangen water, because the machine can cost you R70 000. BUT, I think if you had to add up cleaning products, health bills and skin care products, it can quickly add up to R70 000. I would love to hear anyone’s comment on this machine. Please have a look at the links below to find out exactly what this machine can do for you!

https://youtu.be/10s-0gkSoEA 

https://youtu.be/zfzD-eEz8Fo

Lizelle

 

Recipes:

Healthy “Halva”

This is a Turkish sweet treat made with sesame seeds and sugar. I used to always have “Halva” on my Christmas present list as a child! This is my healthier version. Our kids don’t like it very much, but it is for me!

1 Cup desiccated coconut

1 Cup sesame seeds (ground in seed/coffee grinder)

1 tsp vanilla

3 Tbsp melted coconut oil

2 Tbsp raw honey

-Place everything in the food processor and process until it starts to stick together.

-Press into a small flat dish or oven pan lined with baking paper. Press down and inwards to compact it.

-Freeze until just set (about 15 min).

-Cut into small blocks, place in airtight container and keep in the fridge or freezer.

 

Peanut honey snack

Raw peanuts (Find it in the isle where the dried beans, lentil and soup mixes are.)

2 Tbsp honey

Cinnamon

Pinch of pink salt

-Oven 170 degrees Celsius.

-Place raw peanuts in an oven pan to cover the bottom.

-Roast peanuts in the oven, giving it a good shake every 5 minutes to prevent burning etc.

-Roast about 20 minutes.

-Remove from the oven, drizzle honey over the peanuts, sprinkle cinnamon and a pinch of salt over it, mix well.

-Place it back in the oven and roast until golden and sticky.

-Remove from the oven, and let cool.

-Use a spatula to loosen nuts from the bottom from sticking. (The honey hardens as it cools.)

-Store in an airtight container when completely cooled.

* Optional: Replace cinnamon with masala powder or any spice of choice.

 

Buckwheat

 

             Health Amplified

Buckwheat

We love using buckwheat in pancakes, flapjacks, and porridge! It is a healthy cereal grain, and is part of the ancient grain family. With its nutty, earthy flavour, it is similar to brown rice or wheat kernels. Fortunately, it is not a wheat, and it is totally gluten free.

 

Buckwheat is a highly nutritious grain and is high in protein and fiber. The high protein content keeps you feeling fuller for longer, and the fiber is excellent for your gut. If anyone has a constipation issue, then this is a grain to consider adding to your pantry. The high quantity of anti-oxidants also makes it a superfood.

 

Benefits:

·    Improves heart health by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.

·    High in anti-oxidants.

·    High digestible protein.

·    High in fibre.

·    Can help prevent diabetes.

·    Non-allergenic.

·    Supplies important vitamins and minerals.

Buckwheat seeds are also called groats or kasha in some areas, and this seed has been eaten in abundance in Asian countries, with buckwheat soba noodles being at the top of the list. Now buckwheat soba noodles are not readily available in S.A. If you do find it, you will find it at a price.

 

Be sure to incorporate the grain in soups, stews, and stir fries. Our family enjoys it when I cook half oats and half buckwheat kernels as a breakfast porridge. Serve with cinnamon, plant-based milk and dates or a little raw honey. You can purchase the flour to use in baked goods, even substituting some of the flour  when baking bread.

 

I prefer to buy the buckwheat groats, and then grinding it into a flour as I need it. One of our daughter’s favourite meals is buckwheat pancakes or flapjacks topped with home made apple sauce. We gently simmer peeled, chopped apples in a little water until soft. Add some cinnamon and mash it up. ( See recipe below for flapjacks and pancake recipe.)

 

A Sunday night winner is buckwheat pancakes served with a little raw honey, cinnamon and a squeeze of lemon juice. It fills you up much more than processed white cake flour pancakes due to the high protein and fiber content. You can really pull it up a notch by having it with healthy home-made Nutella…

 

A showstopper sure to impress guests, is serving buckwheat flapjacks with cherry sauce or compote. We are going into cherry season soon, be sure to look out for it, or have a look in the frozen berry section. I made a healthier version by simmering cherries in a little water until soft. Remove from heat, add in some chia seeds to thicken it up. Mash it a little and let stand for half an hour for chia seeds to swell. You can add a little honey if the cherries are too tart for your taste. Serve over flapjacks with a dollop of coconut cream or milk. You can use any berry in the same way, and this can then be substituted for jam.

 

How about making your own berry non-dairy ice cream and serving your flapjacks with a scoop of ice cream?

 

You can be as basic or as creative as you would like to be. Have the basics in place and let everyone in the family invent a topping that is healthy and delicious. In this way, you can even have dessert for breakfast or as a main course!

 

Lizelle

Recipes:

Buckwheat flapjacks and pancake batter

1 Cup buckwheat groats (soak in 2 cups water for half an hour)

Blend in soaking water.

Add 1 cup raw oats, blend again.

Add a pinch of salt.

Add 1 tsp vanilla.

Add one flax “egg”/chia “egg”/chicken egg

Add quarter cup tapioca flour.

*Optional: Add 2 chopped dates or a 2 tsp raw honey.

Blend together, add more water for flapjack consistency.

(I grind 1 cup buckwheat in a grinder to make flour. No need to soak the buckwheat  groats then, OR buy buckwheat flour)

*To make flax or chia “egg”, use 1 Tbsp flaxseeds or chia seeds, mix with 2 or 3 Tbsp water and let stand for 10 min.

*You can add 1 grated apple and a tsp cinnamon to your batter.

Fry ladles full in a little coconut oil.

Turn when bubbles form. Fry till slightly golden in colour.

FOR PANCAKES, DILUTE FLAPJACK MIXTURE WITH MORE WATER OR PLANT-BASED MILK TO GET A MORE RUNNY CONSISTENCY.

Cherry non-dairy ice cream

2 Thirds frozen bananas

1 Third fresh or frozen cherries or berries

Little coconut cream or plant-based milk (about 100ml or less depending on the amount of bananas.)

-Peel and chop bananas into 2cm chunks, freeze in sealed container.

-Place everything in a blender or food processor.

-Blend or process until smooth and creamy. (It may take a while. Stop and mix in between)

-Serve immediately for optimal flavour and consistency.

Enjoy!

Spring has sprouted

 

           Health Amplified

Spring has sprouted

One of my early childhood memories is of a glass jar with seeds in it standing on the kitchen counter. It had a thin blue, breathable dishwashing cloth over the opening, sealed with an elastic band. I remember watching and waiting for the little shoots to appear. We ate the sprouts on sandwiches with Marmite, or in salads.

Spring has sprung, or shall I say sprouted! Little buds and blossoms everywhere, fresh birdsong in the morning. It’s time to plant and grow. Why not start growing your own sprouts straight out of your kitchen? Alfalfa seeds, lentils, mung beans, chickpeas, fenugreek. Alfalfa seeds are the quickest and easiest to grow. Make sure that your lentils are whole and not the split ones.

 

Why eat sprouts?

Sprouts are the first that appear on germinated seeds of beans, grains etc. Fresh raw sprouts are a rich source of vitamins B, C, iron, fiber, folic acid and phytonutrients, magnesium etc. Sprouting helps specific enzymes become activated during certain stages of germination. The nutrition from the sprout is more readily available for the body to absorb it.

 

Sprouts are easy to grow, very affordable and highly nutritious. If you don’t feel up to the challenge, then buy some sprouts at the supermarket. Add to sandwiches and salads. These are a bit of a challenge with kids! Maybe they can help grow them and mom and dad can eat them?!

 

I’ve recently started using mung beans that we found in a local health shop. It sprouts so easily and the unsprouted bean can be made into a wonderful soup when cooked with onions, carrots, turmeric and cumin. These little green beans can pack a punch. They are one of the healthiest sources of plant protein, if you have a look at the amino acids or building blocks in nature.

 

Benefits of mung beans:

·    Anti-oxidant

·    Anti-microbial

·    Anti-tumor effect

·    Lowers cholesterol

·    Lowers high blood pressure

·    Fights obesity, keeps you fuller for longer

·    High protein content

·    Decreases PMS symptoms

·    Easier to digest than many other beans

 

How to sprout:

-Place 3 Tbsp seeds, lentils or mung beans into a clean glass jar. Cover seeds with water.

-Cover jar with a muslin cloth or new blue dishwashing cloth. (It also comes in a roll.)

-Cover with an elastic band.

-Soak in water overnight.

-In the morning, discard water through the cloth with the cloth still on.

-Open up the jar, fill with water, close cloth again and drain water.

-Repeat process at night.

-Continue rinsing and draining morning and night for 3 days. Shoots will start to appear.

-Let the shoots grow a bit.

-Scatter into a plate and leave open for about an hour.

-Seal in a Tupperware, keep in the fridge.

-Eat within 4 days.

WARNING! MAKE SURE THAT YOU REMOVE ANY SEEDS, GRAINS OR LEGUMES THAT DID NOT SPROUT. YOUR TEETH WILL THANK YOU LATER…

Sticking to the topic of tiny bits. A good friend of mine recently introduced me to toothpaste in pellet form. This is a very interesting concept! You put the small tablet in your mouth, bite down until it disintegrates. Wet your toothbrush and start brushing. Rinse as usual and you’re done! No mess, no fuss.

You can find it online at  https://shopearthly.co.za/, a proudly South African brand. These toothpaste bits are bought in a biodegradable refill bag and you can store it in a small metal tin (also available from them.) Just refill as needed. It comes in mint flavour, as well as teeth whitening activated charcoal. Some of the ingredients include activated charcoal, spearmint, sodium bicarbonate and xylitol.

This company is all about natural ingredients, no nasty chemicals and preservatives and is environmentally friendly. No more toothpaste holder wastage. They also sell bamboo toothbrushes and nifty bamboo toothbrush holders. Have a look at some of their other products that include soap-, shampoo- and conditioning bars. It contains some luxurious ingredients like olive oil, coconut oil, dried rose petals and essential oils.

I think these can make wonderful, unique gifts for someone, even if it is toothpaste and a toothbrush holder!

Happy sprouting!

Lizelle

Conversion

 

Conversion:

Why are many people converting to a gluten free, dairy free diet? More and more people are suffering with allergies and intolerances. Is it just a fad that will pass or do we need to make some serious changes?

The Bible mentions milk, wheat and honey on numerous occasions. That’s dairy and gluten! We all know that raw honey is good for us, but the words “gluten free” and “dairy free” are becoming household names. Let’s push honey aside a bit and focus on dairy and wheat.

I don’t think that God would categorise milk and wheat as a place of abundance, blessing, nourishment and fertility, if He intended it to make His children sick. So something happened between Biblical times and 2020.

Factors influencing milk and wheat:

·     Pesticides.

·     Bleaching of wheat.

·     Separation of the grain structure.

·     Manipulation and modification of the gene strands (GMO)

·     Antibiotics in the animals.

·     Growth hormones.

·     Type of feed for the animals.

·     Processing and pasteurization (enzymes which aid digestion of the milk are destroyed.)

·     Fear, anxiety and stress. (This causes disruption of digestion in your gut)

What did milk and wheat look like in its original form? Clean raw milk from grass-fed, pastured animals may provide many health promoting nutrients. Most of this might be lost due to modern day technology.

In the book “Everyday life in the Old Testament Times”, E.W. Heaton writes about beverages used by the Israelites. Quote; “Since water was scarce and not very palatable, a good deal of milk as drunk. It came from goats and sheep. Hebrew has a word for fresh milk, but in the climate of Palestine, it cannot have been used as much as another term meaning sour milk and curds. As soon as the fresh milk was put into the goat-skin bottle, it thickened slightly and went sour. All the better, it was thought, for quenching the thirst.”

Health experts say that the answer is beta-casein. This is a protein found in cow’s milk and there are two types: A1 and A2. Most people who are intolerant to cow’s milk are sensitive to A1 beta-casein and lack the ability to digest it. A1 is apparently highly inflammatory for many people, which can lead to leaky gut syndrome. What do you think about this theory?

Did people in Biblical times drink sheep-, goat-, camel- or cow’s milk? Goat’s milk is more easily digested than other animal’s milk. It is the closest in composition to human breast milk. Certain studies that were done concluded that humans stop producing a specific enzyme to digest the milk after weaning. So are we not supposed to drink animal milk even if it was mentioned and consumed in the Biblical times?

On the other hand, wheat was eaten in its most raw form. Kernels where crushed and made into a flour and the chaff s blown away by the wind. That means the grain’s oil was still available for people to utelise. These days the oil is removed to prevent rancidity of the product. The grain oil aids our body’s cell metabolism, feeding and nourishing the cell walls. This enables toxins to exit your cells, and nutrients to enter your cells. Sufficient energy is then made available to our bodies to use. Today’s processing destructures the entire grain, separating it into many pieces, and then assembles it to create a variety of wheat flours and products.

Solomon in the Bible was seen as the wisest man that ever lived, and received wisdom and understanding from God. 1 Kings 5:11 says that Solomon gave Hiram 20 000 kors of wheat as food for his household every year, and 2 kors of beaten oil (pressed olive oil). I don’t personally think that he would have blessed someone and tried to kill them with so much wheat at the same time!?

Exodus 29:2 “…and unleavened bread and unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers spread with oil, you shall make them with fine wheat flour.”

Deuteronomy 8:7,8 “For the Lord your God is bringing you into a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey.”

Psalm 81:16 “But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

Ezekiel 4:9 “But as for you, take wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet and spelt, put them in one vessel and make them into a bread for yourself, you shall eat it…”

Deuteronomy 32:13,14 “He made him ride on high places of the earth, and he ate the produce of the field, and He made him suck honey from the rock, and oil from the flinty rock, curds of the cows, and milk of the flock, with fat of the lambs, and rams, the breed of the Bashon, and goats. With the finest of wheat…”

Judges 4:19 “I’m thirsty”, he said. “Please give me some water”. She opened a skin of milk , gave him a drink and covered him up.

Proverbs 27:27 “You will have plenty of goat’s milk to feed you and your family and to nourish your servant girls.”

If we want to stay healthy, we are going to have to convert to plant based milks or have a cow or a goat in our backyards in the near future. An option is resorting to stoneground flour and learning how to bake your own breads if you want to eat bread.

The same conversion is necessary when it comes to your skin care products. Are you willing to convert back to products that contain raw, organic ingredients that may contain beneficial essential oils? Or do you want to stay with chemically laden, overly processed ingredients with a fragrances and a hint of essential oils? My answer is, get the product closest to its God given state. It will be like food for your skin!

There are many good skin care products out there, and by making a little effort you will find one in your budget. Be sure to have a look at this home grown, budget friendly, natural skin care range. The Oribi Organics range uses ingredients closest to nature and botanical ingredients to provide essential nourishment for your skin. Everything is created in small batches to ensure a longer shelf life. It is also Petrochemical- free. Frankincense oil and Rose oil are just some of the ingredients used. Go to https://www.oribiorganics.co.za/ and use code SHARE10 when you order something.

So what are you waiting for?

Lizelle

Recipe:

Butternut and spinach lasagne

1 Large onion

1 Packet mince or meat alternative

1 tsp masala powder

1 tsp turmeric powder

Half tsp garlic

Pink salt to taste

-Fry the onion and spices.

-Add the mince and fry until cooked.

-Put aside.

-Steam and chop 1 bunch of spinach.

-Add to the mince.

Roast 2 packets cubed butternut with a little coconut oil.

Blend with plant- based milk and a little Marmite until creamy.

-Layer half of the butternut mixture, gluten free lasagne sheets (we made our own with spelt flour).

-Add a layer of the mince mixture and top with butternut mixture.

-Sprinkle with a little non dairy milk and a little grated cheese. (we used a little Picorino as a treat, or you can use vegan cheese.)

-Bake at 180 degrees Celsius for about an hour.

 

Compromising on Health

 

Compromising on health

Today I will be sharing a little bit of our family’s testimony. Ever since our children were very young, we made radical changes to our family’s diet. We wanted a healthy family, free from sinus issues, allergies, fatigue, skin problems and flu. Not to mention avoiding doctors, prescription medications and hospitals as far as possible.

Our family’s health started improving drastically, doctor’s bills decreased, our energy levels increased, everyone’s emotions stabilized and we felt happier. What we didn’t bargain on, was the reaction of people. We have spent many years being judged, criticized, ridiculed, all for the sake of good health.

As time went by, we learned to adapt wherever we went. Not everyone is on the health train yet, and we needed to take that into consideration. It’s about more than just food. It’s about enjoying life together, building each other up, motivating and strengthening the one beside you.

But what if your physical and emotional strength begins to weaken because you have become more lenient for the sake of others around you? We changed our standard of healthy eating, because we still needed to fit into society and be accepted. Children have an even bigger need to fit in. If they don’t join in on eating all the junk and sugar laden food, then they are seen as weird. We don’t want anyone to end up without friends or be seen as outcasts.

 And with so many food temptations surrounding us, it can be really hard for anyone, not to mention a child. There is also some ridiculous lie out there that children can eat the junk and adults have to learn to restrain themselves and not eat the junk. You have to teach your children from an early age, not only when they reach adulthood. You will spare your child a lot of problems later in life.

We used to teach our children to have one or two biscuits or small unhealthy options whenever we go somewhere or visit people. If we do go out alone as a family and we see something decadent that is unhealthy, then we would share it. But what do you do when occasional visits, parties and social events become more regular, and becomes a lifestyle? If you have to make two unhealthy choices a few times a week? A roller coaster ride sets in, because an unhealthy lifestyle has come into motion!

 On compromising on my health this past month, I reaped the most terrible PMS and menstruation of my life! Nausea, bloatedness, period pain, sleeplessness, body aches, feelings of depression and anxiety, heavy period and tearfulness. So is it really worth changing your standard?? Will you be able to build relationships, build other people up and encourage them if you are the one that is feeling miserable??

Today I want to ask you; What is your standard? Who decides what your standard must be? Are you brave enough to change your standard, even if it costs you being judged and criticised?

An unhealthy lifestyle will wreak havoc in the long run. Do you want to continue jeopardizing your health and wait for next week to take responsibility for your health? It is time to change before you get sick. Everyone says that they want to be healthier, but what are you doing about it? How are you educating yourself to learn how to take control of your health?

Healthy food can be tasty and appealing, you just need to put a little effort in. There is a wonderful website that can help you in this department. A couple with 4 children that can inspire you, get some new recipes and show you where you can make changes in your home. Go to www.naturallivingfamily.com

My next question is, what healthy options are available wherever you go? What healthy options do you have available in your home for your family or guests to enjoy?

If we all make changes, it will be easier across the board, because there will be healthier options available that you can eat together. This will in turn build healthy relationships, literally and figuratively. We can’t be lukewarm anymore. You will be helping your family, friends and community.

It is time to take ownership of your health.

Lizelle

 

Recipes:

“Cheesy” butternut pasta: (serves 4)

 

1 butternut

1 large onion

non- dairy milk

Warm water

Pink salt

Nutritional yeast (2  heaped Tbsp)

Gluten-free pasta (Sam Mills corn pasta)

-Roast butternut in oven.

Gently fry onion. Set aside.

-Cook pasta.

Add butternut to the onion.

-Place mixture in blender or food processor.

-Add plant based milk and water to mixture, blend until creamy. (Quantity will depend on how muck milk and water you would like to add for creaminess.)

·     -Add salt according to taste.

·     -Mix into pasta. Place it in a serving dish. Garnish with parsley or paprika.

 

Raw carrot cake balls

 

1 peeled and grated carrot

Three quarter cup almonds

Half a cup pressed cut dates (Soak in water if it is too hard.)

Quarter cup raw oats

1 Tbsp melted coconut oil

Cinnamon (half a tsp)

Nutmeg (quarter tsp)

Ginger powder (quarter tsp)

Clove powder (1/5 tsp)

Desiccated coconut

·    - Place almonds in food processor until ground to almost fine.

·     -Add carrots and dates . (Remove any soaking liquid first.)

·     -Process, then add coconut oil.

·     -Process, let stand for 5 min. (Oats will absorb some moisture and soften.)

·     -Process again. Roll in balls, roll in desiccated coconut.

 - Store in an airtight container in the fridge.