Prayer & Healing: my lil' guy's eczema

Lately I have been convicted that God wants us to pray reverently for healing. 

We can get caught up in our day to day routine of healthy eating, exercise, vitamins and oh yeah, work that we forget that God wants to be our Jehovah Jophe--Our God, Our Healer (Exodus 15:26).

I started praying over my son this week for healing.  On Saturday night, his eczema was bad.  The area behind his knees was red, itchy and flaky.  I cant imagine being 2 years old and having to deal with that.  And he just keeps on smiling in the midst.  And I could not figure out the cause.  He has A LOT of food allergies and I have been using NAET (www.naet.com) to clear his allergies.  For the past six months he was doing really well and then 2 months ago the flare ups started again.  I hadn't used any topical steroids or wet wraps for months but tried to tame the red as much as I could and started doing more allergy clearings.  The clearing I did a couple weeks ago on him I started seeing improvement but then the flare up and so on Saturday night all I could do was pray! 

God had me on my knees and hands on my munchie.  I prayed for direct healing, I told God I had faith He could heal if He wanted to and I was asking for Him to heal my son.  And while the next morning came, I did not see "results" physically on my son but I look back now and God was giving me wisdom.

The first was that I needed to get some natural crackers to replace the ones he got at school daily.  I wasn't sure if it would make a difference but it was worth a try.  I also started to keep a food journal that week too.  The other thing that I ended up doing, not really on purpose, was I did not let him play in the grass in the backyard.  And I kept praying, believing in healing . . .

On late Wednesday and Thursday, I noticed healing had begun to take shape.  He wasn't itchy, he was less red where you could almost see his natural skin color.  Then on Friday morning I reported this all to his nutritionist, Dr. Nelson.  We then compared snack ingredients and he pointed out all the artificial flavoring and coloring that was in the school snacks (trust me, we are working on changing that in his school).  And needless to say, my son was allergic to that.  And then I shared the grass bit with him too and while sharing I realized that my son had started spending more time in the backyard these past couple months as it has gotten lighter and warmer, hmmmm . . .And yet again, his tested positive to a grass allergy.  So on Friday we had a grass clearing performed on him.  We will slowly now introduce back to backyard play but watch him closely.
God did perform a healing this week.  He healed my son, he gave me the wisdom, clear headness and the right doctor to narrow down what was happening to my son.  To God be the Glory!

Structural Damage & Optic Neuritis

A few months ago I went riding on the beginner ride with Rock MTB (www.rockmtb.com) as my husband is one of the team leaders.  It was in Coronado, on a paved, flat pathway called the Silver Strand.  I think it is now to be the LAST bike ride I will ever be on as I fell.  Yes, clutzy me looked behind me for a second at husband and child and "ate it".  I hit the ground so hard that it resulted in an ER trip to get liquid stitches on my chin. 

Fast forward months down the road and my vision started acting up.  I could not understand it, I was eating right, taking my vitamins etc--why Optic Neuritis again?  I was told to have a partial computer analysis of my systems to see what is changed-- well, a lot.  A lot of improvements, yea! but there is was--cervical 1-5 was stressed.

What happened recently asked my doctor.  Hmmmm . . . hmmmm . . . oh yeah, the Coronado bike ride.  After that realization, I was ordered to stand up and the doctor looked at my posture and pointed out to me and my husband that clearly one shoulder was higher than the other.  I needed to have some work to get everything back in place. 

So that brings us to today, I am in the process of correcting the situation and was even given some at-home exercises. But it is still not perfect, but its getting better.  The blurriness comes in and out and is less.  Its just amazing to think how connected everything in our body is.  That we can get in a bike accident that makes your body ache but a few months down the line your vision is affected. 

It continues to affirm the importance of holistic medicine.  We need to look at the body as a whole, the way God created it so magnificently, and its connectedness to explore what is wrong and what is right in our system. 

By the way, I am exercising now. I walk 1 mile uphill 3-4 times a week.  It gets my heart rate up and I sweat   Its a huge accomplishment for me and I'm proud of it.  Hopefully I will start enjoying it, like I enjoy reading a good book curled up on the couch.

Excercise and a chocolate shake! They don't go together, do they?

Healthy Eating? Check.  Vitamins? Check.  Reduced Stress?  Check. Exercise? hmmm, does walking around the San Diego Wild Animal Park count? 

Okay, so I confess, I don't exercise.  I really have never had to.  I've had a great metabolism.  But when my husband pointed out a roll to me on my stomach a few weeks ago (husbands, I DO NOT recommend for the health of your marriage to do this by the way)--I realized that now that my body is processing food in a good way and I was snacking on nuts way too much, I needed to make a change.  Oh and that my husband-- who himself is a marathon runner and Ironman -- also pointed out the need for heart health, I was doubly convicted.

In came the treadmill yesterday. My mom has had one getting dust on it in her garage, so we brought it into our house.  Therefore, this next week I am making a commitment to get up a half hour early the next week and use the treadmill.  Its a start and I am never going to be an "Ironman" but I want a healthy heart and the roll to go away and not get friends.  And by honestly telling you about it, my reader, I will have some accountability.

The other thing that hit me is that when I was watching Jamie Oliver, my mom and husband noted he had gained weight from his early days.  And I got to thinking, while he eats healthy and champions the cause of no fast food, he probably does not exercise the way he needs to.  He is a busy guy after all-- fighting the LA-Unified School District and being a husband/dad.  But all of us need to exercise, so here I go.

Ok, now onto the good stuff.  I got a craving this weekend for yogurt so yesterday we stopped by a yogurt shop.  In order to see if a blend was gluten free I obtained a copy of their nutrition facts.  And was startled to discover that at this particular yogurt place,  Yogurt Heaven,  their yogurt is all made with High Fructose Corn Syrup and artificial ingredients.  So I got up the courage and walked out.  I had never done that before.  And it felt good, like I actively using my "buying power" to say NO to something that was not good for you.

But this, of course, did not satisfy my yogurt craving.  So when we got home I went straight to the blender.  Can I make a shake with just the ingredients I had, I wondered?  I went for it. And it was good.

Therefore, I will share:
about 1-1.5 cups of coconut milk
7-9 ice cubes
spoonful of almond butter
1.5 tbsp of Dagoba cocoa powder
1/4 cup of melted Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips
1 tbsp of agave

Blend & enjoy!  Even my husband liked it and he is the true taste tester as his taste buds aren't "purified" yet.

A wedding gift, The Naked Chef and Food Matters

A couple weeks ago I ran into a family that the Mom, Mrs. J,  has MS.  A few years ago she let me borrow Montell Williams book on MS which I read but I was not ready to do the "holistic thing" at that time so I wasn't sure.  Mrs. J, was trying some of what was recommended about diet and nutrition as she couldn't handle the MS medication.  The medication definitely can do some crazy stuff to you.  Well, a few years later, and here I was talking to them about the importance of diet with your MS.  They could not agree more as they are working on slowly changing their diet.  Well, they recommended two things to me to look at:  Jamie Oliver & the Food Revolution and the documentary "Food Matters".  Just in the few moments I spoke to them, reminded me of how God has put people in our lives to encourage us, teach us and share with us.  We just have to be open to recieving it.
I went home from that and remembered I had a cookbook by Jamie Oliver in my cabinet, which I confess was a wedding present and I had never used it these past 5 years!!.  That day I opened the cookbook and was impressed by the easiness of most recipes and how they include a variety of produce.  Well I had just gotten my box of produce from my CSA Be Wise Ranch and it had fennel in it.  Fennel, what?  I had no clue how to make something good out of fennel--it just smelled like yucky black licorice to me.  But I made it in Jamie Oliver's Pan Roasted Summer Salmon dish and LOVED it! So I vowed to try at least 1 new Jamie Oliver recipe a week.  So 5 years later, an un-used wedding gift is bringing joy to my home with some delicious healthy recipes.
Also to mention is Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution.  Supposedly it is supporting getting healthy food back into our school system and keeping the cost low.  I'll be checking out the series as it airs on ABC.
links to Jamie Oliver:
http://www.jamieoliver.com/
http://www.jamieoliver.com/us/foundation/jamies-food-revolution/recipes

The other suggestion this family made was to watch "Food Matters".  Wow is all I can say.  It is definitely thought provoking about our food supply, disease, vitamins, and raw foods.  I must say that after watching it I am trying to make breakfast my "raw" food meal by having a smoothie with some veggies in it.  It's actually tasty and good for you too!  Also I did talk to my allergist about the documentary and he said he has seen the Vitamin C treatment for cancer work in patients that have come to the Center for Advanced Medicine.  Definitely something worth thinking about.

Healthy Banana "Ice Cream"

Last night we had dinner at my cousin's house.  And for dessert she made something that she calls healthy  "ice cream" for the kiddos and me.  Because I try very hard not to have ice cream this recipe was appealing me especially with summer coming. I thought it was yummy . . . So in her honor, here is the recipe:
2 cut up frozen bananas
1 teaspoon of honey
1 tablespoon of almond butter
(and if want to: 1 tablespoon of cocoa poweder-- I like http://www.dagobachocolate.com/ as it is organic, etc. etc.)

Put this all in a food processor and blend it up.  It makes an "ice cream" custardy-like treat.  Especially as hot-weather might (its definitely been chilier for us San Diegans) be on its way soon . . .

Idols and a Special Treat

First off, I have not been taking my MS medication since December.  That's 6 months and I feel great!

One area I have been allowing Jesus to transform is my stress level.  I've been working on living in the present.  Someone explained that if we live in the past we deal with shame and regret and all the future thoughts usually land in the area of fear and anxiety.  And that is why God call us to live in the present.  He is with us each day to tackle whatever is before us for the day.  Well I'm a list maker so when I start to think about something that needs to get done today or tomorrow I just put it on a list.  And God and I will deal with it when it is time.  I've made a decision not to worry about it.  Easier said than done, right? 

I've been reading this daily devotional, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  It's been awesome.  The book mentioned the idol of control.  whoa . . . I never thought that my desire for control was an idol but just my personality.  But yes, its an IDOL.  By wanting control I am worshiping the idol of control, I am putting that before God and I am breaking a 10 commandment.  I was convicted!  And the Holy Spirit was able to work in my life so I would be open to His transforming power.  It's still not easy to defeat a habit I have had for 20 years or so (or maybe my whole life) but I can now recognize it and hand it over to Jesus in prayer.

Finally, just a couple foodie comments:
One, I've found that if I make a smoothie for breakfast in the morning I can put my green veggies in it and they are yum!  Try it if you don't already.  I just like almond milk, almond butter, spinach, blueberries and a banana. 
Two, I have been really good about my sweet in-take but there is a place that has super yum, organic, gluten-free cupcakes: Cups La Jolla, http://cupslj.com/.  They also have some classes on cooking gluten free and even my CSA, Be Wise Ranch, has classes on how to cook with your vegetable box.  I'll be trying those soon.
Thirdly, I want to give props to my friend Pete and his Tender Greens, http://www.tendergreensfood.com/locations/san-diego/.  It's organic, slow food and has grass-fed beef.  I love the backyard steak salad and their awesome chicken soup. 

Cupcakes and cream cheese frosting

First, I would like to say I am being pretty disciplined---accountability right.  Especially as I was in charge of the gluten free cupcakes for a bridal shower last weekend and now my son has his 2nd birthday this coming weekend aaannndd . . . I'm hosting a Stella & Dot jewelry party at my house where I am supposed to have some yummy treats for the guests.
Healthy example #1: I picked up my first box from our local CSA organic co-op, www.bewiseranch.com
Healthy example #2:  I learned to make beet risotto, yum! (the beets were from my box)
Healthy example #3:  I made swiss chard tonight and liked it (and amazingly so did the hubby)!  (chard is from my box)

With that said, here are the recipes for 2 of the 3 cupcakes I made and also the recipe for sugar-free cream cheese frosting:
 

Publish Post

Banana Cream Pie Cupcakes by Elana's Pantry
1 ½ cups blanched almond flour
1 tablespoon arrowroot powder
¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
¼ cup grapeseed oil
¼ cup agave nectar
1-2 very ripe bananas (about ¾ to 1 cup mashed)

1. In a large bowl, mix together almond flour, arrowroot powder, salt and baking soda
2. In a smaller bowl, combine eggs, grapeseed oil and agave and then stir in mashed bananas
3. Mix wet ingredients into dry
4. Scoop batter one heaping ¼ cup at a time into lined cupcake tins
5. Bake at 350° for 15-18 minutes
6. Remove from oven, allow to cool, then frost 

Chocolate Cupcakes from Elana's Pantry & me!
with Raspberry Puree Filling
¼ cup coconut flour
¼ cup cocoa powder
¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
3 eggs
3 tbsp Sour Cream
¼ cup grapeseed oil
½ cup agave nectar
½ cup raspberry preserves (like the organic one as Trader Joe's)

1. In a medium bowl, combine coconut flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking soda
2. In a large bowl, blend together eggs, sour cream oil and agave
3. Blend dry ingredients into wet thoroughly
4. Place 1/2 cup of Raspberry Perseveres in food processor to make filling 
5. Line a cupcake tin with paper liners and scoop a scant 1/8 cup into each, then add 1 tbsp of filling and then finish by adding 1/8 cup on top.
6. Bake at 375° for 20-22 minutes
7. Cool

 Finally, here is the sugar-free cream cheese frosting

3 tbsp butter
1/2 cup xylitol (found at Whole Foods)
6 tbsp light cream or unsweetened coconut milk
4 oz. cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla

Heat butter and xylitol until xylitol is dissolved.  Pour into a blender and add cream cheese, cream/coconut milk and vanilla.  Blend until smooth. Let stand or cool until spreadable.  Refrigerate.

** I used this frosting on a Carrot Cake cupcake recipe I got from the Baby Cakes NYC cookbook.

Enjoy!

It's been waaay too long and frosting . . .

Friends,
Its been too long since I posted.  In the past few months I feel neglecting this blog has been a result of me slowly easing up on my diet.  Well, not easing up all the way but less serious about rotating all my foods.  And having a little too much "sweet" ie. agave, palm sugar dark chocolate than I should. 

Therefore, tomorrow is a new day and I'm going to start going back to being more strict. I am done with traveling for awhile, which makes a great excuse to be less stringent. Sweets should be an occasional treat and I need to eat more vegetables.  So here is to a fresh start in March.

Also I need to add my latest find.  While I have been making gluten-free, non-processed sugar cupcakes for a bridal shower this upcoming weekend for a friend, I landed on an amazing sugar-free frosting recipe thanks to this cookbook my mom brought home, "The "I CAN Eat!!!" Candida Recipe Book" by Canadian Jane Daniel.  Her website is www.icaneatrecipebook.com.  Besides this recipe, I have tried a couple so far of her vegetables dishes--they are healthy and yummy!  So without further ado, the amazing frosting recipe:

Fluffy White Frosting
 1 c. Xylitol (can be found at Whole Foods)
1/3 c. water
1/4 tsp Cream of Tarter
2 egg whites
1 tsp vanilla extract

--over medium high heat in a saucepan, stir together xylitol, water and cream of tartar until all is dissolved and mixture is bubbly
-- in medium mixing bowl, whip the egg whites and vanilla to soft peaks.  Gradually add the xylitol mixture while whipping constantly until stiff peaks form, about 7-10 minutes.  This frosting must be refrigerated and will keep for a couple days.

I will try to post the cupcake recipes I use as soon as the shower is over.  Maybe I'll even have a few photos and this will be my accountability to not eat too many.