Not Celiac but a "Gluten-Free" eater...why I tightened up my diet without doctors orders

I am often asked if I've been diagnosed with Celiac.  No, I haven't, so why in the world would I go to all the trouble of eating a GF diet if I haven't even been tested for it?  And for heavens sake, why in the WORLD would I put my 3 year old son AND  my dog on the same diet??  Good question.

NOTE that this is OUR experience and OUR choice.  What is right for us may or may not be right for YOU.  But to really know if its something you should consider does NOT require you to go through a bunch of testing and have blood taken, although you can absolutely do that.  But it can be as simple as going on an "Elimination Diet".  (I can guarantee you that had I actually HAD all the testing done, it all would have come back normal anyway since none of my symptoms were "gut" related.)  Back to the elimination diet...  

An elimination diet in a nutshell is taking out certain foods that you suspect MIGHT be a cause of concern for a certain amount of days and then reintroducing them BACK into your diet ONE AT A TIME.  You simply determine how you feel when you REMOVE them as well as when you add a food back IN.  You can take out one thing at a time or multiple.  It is entirely up to you.  

So...let's get back to WHY I chose to try this.  I have suffered with hormonal migraines for YEARS. (at least, I thought they were hormonal b/c 1) they were worse around my cycle and 2) I was diagnosed with that by multiple doctors.  However, looking back at my childhood, I can tell you that sugar ALWAYS caused terrible headaches.  I avoided all candy and certain foods b/c they made me feel so awful.  Once I hit adolescence and the hormones kicked in, my headaches turned to migraines.  As I've aged they have only gotten worse.  Two summers ago I was basically living from coming off a migraine to heading into another one.  It was debilitating.  I was miserable.  

My chiro kept encouraging me to try eliminating gluten...but I had no GUT related symptoms and was so set on me being hormonally imbalanced that I ignored his heeding.  I went on NHRT (natural hormone replacement therapy) and started spending $55/month.  While I did see improvement, they did not go away and I began to wonder...what is really the root problem here?  (honestly, gluten was just ONE of the roots.  Going on elimination diets are so "fun" b/c I've now figured out I'm allergic to corn and tapioca, can't digest high fats like whole milk but can have cultured milk, etc)  

Finally I began to think...why not just take gluten out and see?  

IMPORTANT:  doctors will tell you 2-3 weeks is the recommended time to take gluten out of your diet, but it took me almost 2 MONTHS to notice a difference. I would absolutely never encourage someone to only go 2 weeks.  It takes a LONG time for gluten to exit your body, so plan on 6-8 weeks for NO GLUTEN before reintroducing it!

What I noticed:  Month 1 I saw NO change at all.  By month 2 my migraines were SIGNIFICANTLY less.  My thoughts were so much clearer, my energy was up, and this nagging "ache" in my lower back and hip totally went away.  Gluten LOVES to find any inflammation ANYWHERE in your body and CLINGS to it, EXAGGERATES IT, and basically, make your life miserable.  I didn't even realize how miserable I really felt b/c I had lived that way for so long...it was truly amazing.  The first time I had gluten I only had 2 bites and woke up with a migraine at 2am.  Since then, occasionally it slips into my diet and sure enough...migraine.  I still get headaches around my cycle, but they are so much more manageable.  And I've since taken out other foods from my diet as well as began a thyroid whole-food supplement, cats claw, and wild yam, all of which help me maintain a hormonal balance.  BUT...did you know...many of our foods completely disrupt our hormones?  Especially non-organic produce and processed foods...and GLUTEN.  

There is NO WHERE IN YOUR BODY THAT GLUTEN WILL NOT ATTACK.  Heart, auto-immune, skin, migraines, gut, emotional health, sleep patterns, etc.  We did the gluten elimination diet on my 3 year old to see if it would help his terrible insomnia.  After ALMOST A YEAR of him waking up in the middle of the night, 3 days after going GF and he slept (FINALLY!) all night long.  I was amazed.  And trust me, we've seen it multiple times...he has gluten, he doesn't sleep and and we have to start all over again.  Another perk?  He has always struggled with chronic constipation and now we see his gut is "moving" much better!   You MUST remember:  anything your gut cannot digest is POISON to your system.  It can take YEARS to figure out what your body can and cannot digest properly.  When it CAN'T digest a food and you continue to eat it, everyones symptoms will look different.  Your body's reaction to a certain food will more than likely manifest symptoms differently than MY body's reaction...which is why it is so hard for doctors to really diagnose.  So what do they do?  Treat your symptoms.  So you have arthritis?  Here's a drug to help you manage your pain.  (but won't heal your body)  You have migraines?  Here's a drug to help you function...but you might want to read the small print on all the side effects.  Get my point?  Taking a holistic approach to your health means getting to the ROOT causes and not just treating a symptom.  And more often than not, gluten does in fact, tend to be the ROOT CAUSE of many health ailments today.

We took my dog off gluten b/c of his hyperactivity.  I had read that GF diets are great for kids w/ ADHD so why not our ADHD dog, right?  It calmed him down CONSIDERABLY, specifically in the area of IMPULSE CONTROL.  We can tell when he has gluten b/c he will completely disregard any commands.  He will run around our property literally in circles...its quite hilarious to watch until he starts chasing all the chickens and trampling through my garden! 

If you are "hungry" for knowledge regarding WHY gluten is bad, HOW it is bad, and WHAT to do next, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND "The Wheat Belly" by by Dr. William Davis.  This book explains it all.

SO...HOW TO TELL IF YOU COULD POSSIBLY BE "GLUTEN SENSITIVE"?  Honestly, I think everyone is.  BUT...if you want to see a list then you can read below:

List taken from mindbodygreen.com

More than 55 diseases have been linked to gluten, the protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. It’s estimated that 99% of the people who have either gluten intolerance or celiac disease are never diagnosed.

It is also estimated that as much as 15% of the US population is gluten intolerant. Could you be one of them?

If you have any (not all) of the following symptoms it could be a sign that you have gluten intolerance:

1. Digestive issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea and even constipation. I see the constipation particularly in children after eating gluten.

2. Keratosis Pilaris, (also known as ‘chicken skin’ on the back of your arms). This tends be as a result of a fatty acid deficiency and vitamin A deficiency secondary to fat-malabsorption caused by gluten damaging the gut.

3. Fatigue, brain fog or feeling tired after eating a meal that contains gluten.

4. Diagnosis of an autoimmune disease such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Ulcerative colitis, Lupus, Psoriasis, Scleroderma or Multiple sclerosis.

5. Neurologic symptoms such as dizziness or feeling of being off balance.

6. Hormone imbalances such as PMS, PCOS or unexplained infertility.

7. Migraine headaches.

8. Diagnosis of chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia. These diagnoses simply indicate your conventional doctor cannot pin point the cause of your fatigue or pain.

9. Inflammation, swelling or pain in your joints such as fingers, knees or hips.

10. Mood issues such as anxiety, depression, mood swings and ADD.

How to test for gluten intolerance?

An elimination diet and take it out of your diet for 6-8 weeks and then reintroduce it. Please note that gluten is a very large protein and it can take months and even years to clear from your system so the longer you can eliminate it from your diet before reintroducing it, the better.

The best advice that I share with my patients is that if they feel significantly better off of gluten or feel worse when they reintroduce it, then gluten is likely a problem for them.  In order to get accurate results from this testing method you must elimination 100% of the gluten from your diet. 

FOR MORE WAYS TO LIVE TOXIN FREE IN YOUR HOME, PLEASE VISIT OUR ONLINE STORE HERE!

DIATOMACEOUS EARTH? Say Wuh?

ARTICLE POSTED BY LOVE LOVE THING and taken from Prairie Homestead

Hello, Prairie Homestead readers! My name’s Danielle – but you can call me Dandy. I’m so honored and happy to be here with you today, but I’m afraid I have something to confess straight away: it’s a habit of mine here lately, a dirty one.

The truth is – I eat dirt. Every day.

Yep.

But don’t write me off just yet – let me explain.

I don’t eat just any dirt. It’s a special type, found in certain deposits around the world, and you might even have a bag of it in your laundry room or shed.

What dirt would that be? Why, diatomaceous earth, that’s what! If you’ve been following Jill or have read her books, you know she’s a fan of diatomaceous earth. My family is, too.

Let me ask you – do you want an effortless way to detox your body? Do you know someone who would like to lower their blood pressure? Would you like to have natural parasite protection for your pets and livestock? Well, read on; I’d love to talk more about this precious powder, and share with you many of the ways it can be used to help improve your health, your home, and of course, your homestead.

Let’s get started!

What Exactly is Diatomaceous Earth?

I thought you’d never ask!

Diatomaceous earth technically comes from the cell walls of fossilized single-cell diatoms – essentially, it’s a fossil, ground into a very fine powder. There are two general types of diatomaceous earth: food grade and industrial grade. While industrial grade is toxic to humans and pets, food grade diatomaceous earth is non-toxic and very beneficial on multiple levels, and is the type I’ll be discussing with you here today.

Diatomaceous earth exhibits some interesting properties:

• When viewed through a microscope, it looks like a hollow cylinder, with holes throughout the side.
• It carries a strong negative charge. If you’ll recall your science lessons, you’ll remember that negatively charged ions are attracted to positively charged ions.
• Therefore, when taken internally, the diatomaceous earth attracts and absorbs positively-charged pathogens into its cylinder – it absorbs the things we want to stay away from, likeviruses, pathogenic fungi and bacteria, heavy metals, prescription drug residues, pesticides, parasites, radiation, and the like – and sweeps them out of our bodies.
• Diatomaceous earth is also very hard. On a scale of “hardness”, if diamonds were a 9, diatomaceous earth would be a 7. This helps us too – as this powder makes its way through our digestive tract, it gently “scrubs” the packed-on residue we have there and sweeps it out of our bodies. Nice, diatoms!
• Also, because of this quality, it is very sharp. Organisms such as parasites, lurking in our intestines, are sliced up and killed, and swept away when we empty our bowels, and weare left unharmed.
• The last quality I’ll mention is also powerful: food grade diatomaceous earth is 84% silica, and contains some 20 trace minerals. Did you know life can’t exist without silica? It is essential for the building of healthy bones and teeth, skin, hair, and nails. As our mineral resources are getting depleted, our food is containing less and less silica. Do yourself a favor and add this divine diatom to your diet.

How Do I Take Diatomaceous Earth?

(Some of the following links are affiliate links)

I’ll start with a public service announcement: YOU MUST ONLY BUY AND USE FOOD GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH. Sorry to yell, but the distinction is very important. Fortunately, it is easily found both locally and online.

Where to buy food grade diatomaceous earth?  You can purchase it online www.happyhearthome.com (listed under "pets")  **NOTE:  if you'd like to purchase some withOUT any essential oils added, just contact Misty via her webpage under "Contact Us".

Now that I’ve made that clear, I’ll give the instructions: to take diatomaceous earth, all you have to do is mix a spoonful into some water or other liquid, and drink. Follow with another cup of water. (Diatomaceous earth can make you thirsty – make sure and drink plenty of water while using this supplement.) It’s that easy! You can also add it to smoothies – it’s totally undetected that way.

Dosage: If you are just beginning your diatomaceous earth journey, start with a teaspoon mixed in liquid, as I’ve detailed above, once a day. Slowly increase to twice a day, and then slowly increase the amount taken, up to a heaping tablespoon, and up to three times a day.

Please hear me: slowly. Diatomaceous earth is a way to detox your body, and if you start with too much, your body will get rid of toxins too quickly and leave you feeling under the weather. Yes, it really does work that well! If you start experiencing light headaches, you’ll know you took it a little fast. But don’t stop altogether, just do yourself a favor and take it slowly – no need to rush.

Pregnant and nursing mamas, you’re in the clear – diatomaceous earth can be safely taken during either stage. Just be sure to drink plenty of water. It is also fine for children to take in smaller doses. My children get their DE in their smoothies.

How does it taste? Well, if you want to know the truth, you’ll feel like you just licked a mud puddle. Ha! Not that you’ve ever done that, but it just tastes… like dirt. Sometimes it is hard for me to get down, but I am so motivated by the positive changes it’s brought to my body!

Would you like to know my favorite way to take it? I mix a spoonful with about six ounces of coconut water and add 1/2 a teaspoon of honey. Mmmm, it’s delicious! The honey is optional; it tastes great without it as well. You could also try taking it with fresh vegetable juice, whatever works for you.

My favorite detox drink is diatomaceous earth mixed with coconut water and honey.

What Can Diatomaceous Earth Do for Your Body?

• Since it sweeps out foreign matter, you will begin to notice better nutrient absorption and less fatigue.
• Studies show that DE can help your body lower cholesterol and high blood pressure. Believe it or not, some users report a 40-60 point drop in blood pressure points after only a month of use.
• The beauty mineral: the silica in DE helps hair and nails grow faster. Since I’ve started taking it, my nails have turned from flimsy to hard as a rock. My hair, which partially fell out earlier this year due to a difficult surgery recovery, has begun filling in nicely. I have read many, many testimonies of people who have reported that it reversed their baldness. The silica also helps reduce wrinkles, age spots, and acne, and it also strengthens teeth and bones, tendons, and joints.
• Metal detoxification: since DE sweeps heavy metals out of the body, this is helpful especially to those with heavy metal poisoning or mercury fillings, which leach mercury constantly into the body. Aluminum is also swept out, lowering the risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
• Helps repair and maintain lung function, acts as a cough decreasing agent
• Helps prevent kidney stones, osteoporosis,
• Decreases vertigo, tinnitus, and insomnia
• Regulates bowel movements, lessens gastrointestinal inflammation, cleans out the colon, treats both diarrhea and constipation. It is a great choice for families on the GAPS diet!
• Treats head lice and fleas (make sure you don’t inhale the powder)

Diatomaceous Earth for Furry Friends

It’s true – your pets and livestock will reap the benefits as well.

• Sprinkle a little DE on your pets’ food daily for the same benefits you receive. This is a great de-wormer!
• Carefully sprinkle onto your pets’ and livestock’s coats – making sure none is inhaled – for protection from lice, ticks and fleas.
• Sprinkle in the kitty litter box and pet beds for extra odor and flea protection.
• Sprinkle in your barn, stalls, nesting areas, and coops for pest protection.
• Decreased mastitis and increased milk production in livestock with internal use. Causes healthier coat and hooves.
• Better and stronger eggs produced by hens who have it sprinkled in their feed.
• For dosage instructions and more benefits, visit this page.

Diatomaceous Earth for the Home and Homestead

Homemade Diatomaceous Earth Toothpaste

You can use DE around your home in the following ways:

• Sprinkle around windows and entrances to protect from ants, spiders, and even scorpions. (The DE scrapes their exoskeleton and dries it out, leaving them dead.)
• Sprinkle a ring around your garden plants for protection from garden pests. (Do realize, though, that DE kills beneficial insects as well. Avoid applying onto flowers. – Does not harm worms or beneficial soil microorganisms.
• DE will destroy ant colonies, even fire ant colonies. Sprinkle around and in the hole.
• DE can be used to treat a bedbug infestation.
• Sprinkle DE in your garbage bins for odor and pest protection.
• Got a compost heap? Apply DE to keep odors and pests away.
• Add to manure heaps to keep flies and larvae down.
• Add to bulk grains to keep pests and moisture out.
• You can use DE to make your own homemade toothpaste! I have a recipe coming to my blog soon.
• You can add DE to your homemade “DE”odorant – I am also working on a recipe for this.
• You can sprinkle DE in your toilet for a little extra scrubbing power – it won’t harm porcelain.

FYI: if the area where you applied the DE gets wet, such as in the garden, please reapply.

As you can see, there are so many uses! I hope I’ve intrigued you today about my friend, diatomaceous earth. I believe no family, home, or homestead should be without it. It’s worth a shot, don’t you think?

Do you use diatomaceous earth already? Let us know in the comments!

Peace, Love, and Diatoms,

Dandy

Danielle is first and foremost a daughter of the Most High God. She is married to her best friend, and they have four children. She is a recovering procrastinator, a real foodie, and an unapologetic dreamer. And yes, she eats dirt daily. You can find Danielle blogging about life, love, simplicity, and her affinity for bacon at http://lovelovething.com– Don’t forget to join the discussion on Facebook too.

References:

1. http://diatomaceousearthsource.org/
2. http://www.earthworkshealth.com/How-Diatomaceous-Earth-Works.php
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth
4. http://www.naturalnews.com/039326_diatomaceous_earth_detox_mercury.html
5. http://www.naturalnews.com/033367_silica_diatomaceous_earth.html

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are for educational and entertainment purposes only. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Homemade Kitchen Clean Up Wipes Recipe...BRILLIANT! :)

**RECIPE TAKEN FROM www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com

These simple-to-make kitchen wipes are the perfect example of a great all-natural alternative cleaning product!  #1) They are REUSABLE, #2) they’re RECYCLED, and #3) they’re completely CHEMICAL-FREE.

Take an old t-shirt (or PJ’s, or whatever) that is bound for the donation bin, and cut it up into “rag-size” cloths.

Pour 1 cup warm water, 1/8 cup (or 1 ounce) liquid castile soap, and 5 – 10 drops ofyour favorite essential oil into a jar with a tight-fitting lid.

With its refreshing minty scent and powerful antibacterial properties, peppermint essential oil is a perfect complement to many homemade cleaning products.

Place the rags into the jar with the liquid. (I think I ended up with about 8 or 10 rags.)

Put the top on the jar (or whatever lidded container you prefer) and turn upside down a few times until all the rags are soaked.

After being used, the cloths can be washed and returned to the jar for REuse over and over again.

Now whenever you have a messy spill or just want to freshen up the countertops after you’ve finished kitchen clean-up for the day…pull one out and enjoy knowing you’re saving time and money because you now have one less cleaning product on your shopping list.

Toxin Free Living: This one's for the Ladies! (for reals, ladies ONLY)

WARNING!  This article is going to contain some serious TMI.  Serious.  So serious, in fact, that I've tossed and turned for so long as to whether or not I even POST such an absurd, personal blog on the INTERNET of all things!  But this one little change in my life has literally brought back my QUALITY OF LIFE.  And seeing that most of my followers are ladies, I decided its time.  Time to share with my lady friends something that has changed my life.

Today's topic:  PERIODS.  (Ok, men, time to "x" out now.)

DEAR GIRLFRIENDS,
 Let's have a talk, shall we?

"This" is personal.

"This" is embarrassing to discuss.

"This" is TMI.






"This" is how I feel as I type this:

Do I dare???  REALLY GOD???

"This" is how I will feel after I click "Publish":

I cannot BELIEVE I just did that...

But "this" is far too good to keep to myself.  It has changed my life and even how I view that dreaded week.

"This" is not for everyone.

"This" may totally gross some people out.

"This" in my opinion, is TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!

So what is "THIS"????  Introducing to you:  (drum roll please)...

THE DIVA CUP!!!!!!

Definition:  A menstrual cup is a flexible cup or barrier worn inside the vagina during menstruation to collect menstrual fluid. Unlike tampons and pads, the cup collects menstrual fluid rather than absorbing it. Menstrual cups are usually made from medical grade silicone.  It is reusable and designed to last for up to 10 years.  (some manufacturers recommend replacing every year as it is a hygiene product.)  A Diva Cup is an eco-friendly “natural feminine hygiene alternative” and it falls under the larger umbrella of silicone menstrual cups (yup, there are several different brands of these things).

Basically, it’s a medical-grade silicone cup that collects your menstrual fluid; when it’s inserted correctly it forms a seal around the top of the cup and takes care of business. It fully replaces toxic tampons and pads. In fact, I have never bought a package of tampons since I switched over.  I have saved LOADS of money by making the switch.  But that's not the only reason why I LOVE "this".  

HOW COME MY OB/GYN NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT IT????  You would think this topic would be heard by every OB doctor when a woman has her annual checkup.  But they aren't talking about it and I don't get why.  Rather, a very good friend of mine called me up one day and said, "Hey, have you ever heard about the Diva Cup?"  As we were on the phone together I googled it and was hooked almost immediately.  I ordered one that very night and have NOT ONCE regretted my decision to do so.  

I won’t get overly graphic because there are many sites that explain the how of the cup better than I can, and if you’re wondering about the fit, the Diva Cup website outlines the nitty-gritty details, pictures of the cup, and instructions.  I even watched a youtube instructional video!  HA!  (it was very tasteful and not at all graphic visually...just a woman explaining how it works)    But let me add...some of the tutorials were HILARIOUS!  Do NOT be looking for my youtube on this particular subject!  Moving on...

Do I have your attention yet?  

10 REASONS WHY I LOVE IT:

1.  CONVENIENCE:  It can be worn 10-12 hours at a time.  Yep, that's right.  It's is COMPLETELY SAFE because there’s no risk for TSS like with tampons.  

2.  DESIGNED FOR THE ACTIVE LIFESTYLE.  It's designed for ANY activity.  This thing, when inserted correctly, STAYS PUT.  EVEN...get this...EVEN if you have prolapse issues which a lot of women have after having babies naturally.  

3.  YOU NEVER HAVE TO SEND THE HUSBAND TO THE DRUG STORE AGAIN!  :) Nor do YOU have to go.  It is AN IDEAL TRAVEL companion, especially for those who travel/live in 3rd world countries.  I know this sounds nuts, but I've considered buying this for missionaries on the field!  Or even for women around the world...this would change their lives in a real, practical way. 

4. IT'S "GREEN" AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY.  The cup is reusable for a decade (unless your dog eats it) and there is nothing else you have to buy to use with it. You aren't filling up landfills.  This is recycling at its finest!

5.  COST EFFECTIVE:  I’ve done the math ladies. The amount of money we spend over our lives on disposable pads and tampons is mind boggling. If I roughly guesstimate a woman’s fertile life ranges from age 13-48 (seems like a good average to me), that’s 35 years!

Now for the very very rough mathy math:

• Tampon Pack: $5
• Pad Pack: $5
• Monthly Cost: $10
• Yearly Cost: $120

Lifetime 35-year cost: $4200
(This number does not account for inflation or taxes either!)

Basically, we’re making the companies behind Always and Tampax rich. Especially when you consider about 50 percent of the population needs this stuff. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather save thousands of bucks by buying a couple of Diva Cups over my lifetime. That’s just good financial sense. Period.  (excuse the pun)  

I purchased mine off amazon for $25.  Eventually I would like to purchase 1 more so I can have one in my purse at all times for those emergency situations.

6.  SLEEP:  No more midnight bathroom trips. No more sleeping on towels. No more doubling-up. The Diva Cup can be worn all night long, unlike a tampon. Sleep soundly for 8-12 hours. I dare you.  Of course, unless you are a mommy or have a snoring husband.  :)

7.  FREEDOM:  Stop stuffing your purse full of tampons and pads. Carrying stashes of girlie stuff is a thing of the past. With the Diva Cup, your period worries are no longer woes. Go to school or work and forget about it. No more bathroom trips till you get home hours later. You are free.  Sometimes I forget completely that I even have it!  You can use it when you don’t have your period. That means if you are expecting your period you can have it in already and not have to worry about soiled clothing. 

8.  LESS CRAMPING.  I don't know the scientific reasons why...maybe less toxins?  maybe because it doesn't mess w/ my PH balance?  But I swear by it.

9.  COMFORT.  You don’t feel a thing.  

10.  IT'S SAFE AND NON-TOXIC, unlike the chemical laden tampons and pads.  Even if you use organic cotton tampons, you are still messing your PH balance.  The non-BPA medical-grade silicone is far safer for your lady-parts than the surfactants, adhesives, and additives they use in tampons and pads.  There is NO risk for TSS.  Your natural PH balance is not compromised.  

CONS:

1.  LEARNING CURVE:  It takes about 3 months to get the hang of it.  Be patient.  It DOES get easier.  Once you have it down you'll be SO glad you stuck w/ it.  There IS a learning curve and until you get it down you will most definitely leak, so you'll need liners.  You can even buy organic reusable panty liners online!  

2.  INVASIVE.  You have to be comfortable w/ your body.

3.  DISCREETNESS:  Difficult when in public bathrooms.  This could POTENTIALLY be tricky...BUT...keep in mind that it's good for up to 12 hours at a time so the chances that you'll even have to be in this situation is RARE.  You can do your own research or message me privately to see how others are "discreet" if in this situation.

4.  INVESTMENT:  You have to buy one to try one.  If you end up hating it (rare, but it happens) then you are out the $$ you spent on it to try...and it's not really the type of thing you re-gift to someone!  HA!

5.  SANITIZE:  This is not a con for me, but I do sanitize mine in boiling water after use.  This may be a con for some due to the inconvenience.  

So there you have it.  Something that I've wanted to share for a very long time but my own embarrassment kept me from doing so.  But maybe, if it helps just ONE GIRLFRIEND, then I can rest easier tonight knowing that by putting "my business" out there...it was all worth it.   Know why?  Because YOU are worth it!   

Love ya girlfriends.  ~Misty

PS:  this is yet another way to live  TOXIN FREE!  For details on our line of toxin-free household products, please visit our website HERE and/or like our business page on Facebook listed as 'HAPPY HEART HOMESTEAD'.  

The World's Best Chicken Noodle Soup (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Soy Free) FREEZE FRIENDLY

WHEN WE MAKE THIS:  AFTER I ROAST A CHICKEN,  a couple of days later I always make this w/ my leftovers.  For my recipe of roasted chicken, click HERE.  I end up w/ most of the prep work already done for  me.  (cooked potatoes, cooked onions, beautiful run off juices that I can add to stock, and leftover chicken!)

To make the Worlds Best Chicken Noodle Soup (large batch, freeze leftovers)

6 cups of homemade broth (click HERE for directions)  If you don't have any homemade ONLY USE ORGANIC chicken or vegetable stock)
2 tbsp of flour of choice (spelt, buckwheat, whole wheat, unbleached white...whatever you want)
2 tbsp of EVOO
large chunks of organic red potatoes
2 cups (or so) of shredded cooked chicken
1/2 large onion-cut into chunks
1 heaping tbsp of diced garlic
3 tbsp of dried rosemary
1 bay leaf (optional)
4 carrots, cut into small sections
4 celery, sliced
2 cups cooked BROWN RICE NOODLES.  For this recipe, I buy Tinkyada brand Fusilli.  It is shaped like corkscrews.  Highly recommend.  They taste just like normal noodles, are GF, and whole grain.  I added about  2 cups Uncooked to water and ended up w/ a lot of leftovers which I put in the refrigerator and will use for spaghetti.

sea salt/ground pepper to taste

Directions:

1.  Pour EVOO into stock pot.  Turn heat to medium.  Let oil get hot.
2.  Toss in chunks of onion and cook for several minutes until browned.  Remove.
3.  Add flour to EVOO and stir for several minutes.  It will become "goopy" and thick.
4.  Add STOCK slowly, whisking constantly.  Turn heat up to medium high and continue to whisk until it comes to a light boil.  Turn down heat to simmer.
4.  Put cooked onion and some of the raw carrots in an emulsion blender.  If you don't have one (I have a magic bullet) then use a regular blender but you'll have to add some of the stock to the bottom)    Blend onions and carrots.  I have to do this in batches b/c my magic bullet is small.  Once blended ADD TO Broth.
5.  After adding all the emulsified carrots and onion to broth, add GARLIC and potatoes and chicken.
6.  Add celery and rosemary and bay leaf, salt and pepper.  (you'll have to taste broth to see if more salt/pepper is needed)  Stir well.
7.  Add cooked noodles...about 2 cups or so.  No right or wrong.
8.  put a lid on and let it simmer low for a long time...45 minutes or so.  You can do less than that if the potatoes are already cooked.

Sooo healthy, hearty, yummy!

**LEFTOVERS:  if you have some left over, we will 1) give it away to neighbors or someone we know who has the flu or 2) freeze it for future dinners.  All you have to do is thaw and reheat.

GLUTEN FREE CORNBREAD

Top of cornbread may brown a tad more than picture shown

INGREDIENTS:

1 /2 cup of oils of your choice:  any combination of EVOO, Coconut, butter, etc.

2/3 of sucanat or brown sugar

2 eggs

1 cup of buttermilk (don't buy any, just add 1 tsp of lemon juice or vinegar to milk and let sit 5 min)

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 cup organic cornmeal

1 cup GF flour blend

1/2 tsp salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8 inch square pan.
2. Melt oils in large bowl or skillet.  Remove from heat and stir in sucanat (or brown sugar). Quickly add eggs and beat until well blended. Combine buttermilk with baking soda and stir into mixture in pan. Stir in cornmeal, flour, and salt until well blended and few lumps remain. Pour batter into the prepared pan.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.