Five Ways To Feed Your Children Well

Everyone is on a different path to wellness and sometimes it can be really difficult to sort through all of the information out there. Deciding to eat better as a family is not an all-or-nothing practice. Our family has made gradual changes over many years to improve what we eat. If making change causes stress for you then you are not likely to stick with that change. Choose one thing at a time and the journey will not be as overwhelming. Here are five things you can do that will make a huge difference. Start with one then add more when you are ready!

1. Make sure that your child is well hydrated with the best water you can afford. Juice and sodas are full of sugar and will fill your child up with empty calories. You just don’t need them.

2. If you tolerate dairy, choose organic, grass fed, full fat dairy. Cows that eat grain need lots of medication to keep them from getting sick. They were meant to eat grass so look for that on your milk or ask a farmer. Choose full fat dairy so that you absorb all the nutrients fully.

3. Eat dark leafy greens every day. We are most lacking these foods as Americans. Raw, cooked, or in smoothies-get your greens in daily!

4. If you eat grains, choose gluten free. Today’s wheat is nothing like what our ancestors ate and it’s really inflammatory. You might also consider soaking the grains for proper digestion.

5. Add enzyme-rich fermented foods every day to restore proper balance in the intestinal tract. Examples are sauerkraut, kefir, yogurt, kombucha, tempeh, and natto.

Any or all of these changes will greatly impact the health of your family. Why not get started today?

CCM

Free Online Event: Healing World Cancer Summit

I just wanted to pass along this information about an upcoming event that I learned about from Sean Croxton at Underground Wellness. If you or someone you know is affected by cancer then you might want to check out this amazing event, the Healing World Cancer Summit.

For the second year in a row — starting October 31st – 10 of the top natural cancer doctors and researchers will share what they’re doing in their clinics throughout the world.

This group of experts includes doctors, nutritionists, advocates and survivors that will share their science, research and stories regarding options that are available that you may never have heard about.

Click here to find out more and register for this event.

Enjoy!

CCM

Homemade Kefir Popsicles!

With regular temps at or near 100 degrees here in Virginia we are always looking for ways to stay cool. Yesterday we made these awesome kefir popsicles with our girls. After breakfast we mixed up a batch, poured it into popsicles molds, then they were ready in time for an afternoon snack. These low sugar, probiotic, super healthy popsicles are a far cry from the FLAV-O-ICE things we used to eat as children. The girls loved them and we’ll have enough to share with cousins tomorrow!

CCM

Mother Earth News Fair Promotion!

Here’s something you’ll want to plan for right now. The Mother Earth News Fair is an amazing event going on at Seven Springs Resort this September 21-23. Three day passes are normally $35 but you can get them now through July 16 for $10!!! My husband and I went last year and we had a hard time choosing which amazing workshops to attend. Really an awesome scene and so many wonderful people in one space. Some of this year’s speakers include: Joel Salatin, Will Allen, and Temple Grandin! Oh, and little ol’ me:)

Here’s some more information:

MOTHER EARTH NEWS magazine helps folks live self-reliant, sustainable, meaningful lives. It’s the planet’s largest and longest-running environmental lifestyle magazine. More than 3 million people read the magazine worldwide.

BRINGING THE MAGAZINE TO LIFE!
MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIRS are fun-filled, family-oriented sustainable lifestyle events. FAIRS feature practical, hands-on demos and workshops:

• Renewable energy
• Small-scale agriculture
• Livestock
• Gardening
• Green building
• Green transportation
• Natural health and more

We hand-select local and national exhibitors to bring you the best in:

• Organic food and drink
• Books and magazines
• Tools and seeds
• Green contractors
• Handmade soaps
• Animal fiber
• Clothing and more

Visit this site for more information on the Seven Springs Mother Earth News Fair and a list of lectures and workshops.

I’d love to know if you’re attending! Maybe we can meet up for lunch!

CCM

Eating Well On Vacation

Here’s a photo from our camping trip this weekend. Having been chefs for eighteen years each my husband and I, if nothing else, will make sure our family eats well no matter where we go! We don’t confuse eating well with making complicated food, especially when camping with four children. For this breakfast we had home-cured bacon, scrambled eggs, peaches, and chili peppers. It kept us fueled for hours, even in 100 degree weather. Cooking food from scratch does involve more work than tearing open a package, but the result is well worth it!

I’d love to know what healthy meals you make when you go on vacation!

CCM

Hydrating Green Smoothie for the Summer

I put this little gem together after a day at the pool. In the hot sun. With four children.

1 small cucumber, peeled

1 peach, pit removed

1/2-1 cup coconut water

1 t chlorella powder

1-2 T soaked chia*

a few cubes of ice

Blend and drink right away.

*We keep a jar of soaked chia in the fridge to save time. You can add this the blender or stir it in to a prepared smoothie. Here’s how, courtesy of Mountain Rose Herbs:

One of the most common ways to consume Chia seeds is to make a Chia gel. To make Chia gel, place 1/3 cup Chia seeds into a sealable container, add 2 cups of water, and whisk briskly. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes, and then whisk again before placing into the refrigerator. The mixture will turn into a gel, and will last up to 3 weeks if refrigerated. The recommended dosage is 3 Tablespoons 3 times per day, and the gel may be incorporated into jam, cereal, yogurt, smoothies, or any other foods for consumption. One pound of Chia seeds will make approximately 24 cups of gel, which will last over a month if consumed at the recommended amount of 3 tablespoons of gel 3 times per day.

PS- Note that I am using a plastic straw in this smoothie. Boo. I need to invest in a few glass straws to make my drinks super healthy!

 

CCM

Real Food Summit Coming Soon!

I’m a huge fan of Sean Croxton at Underground Wellness and this is his latest amazing project, a free online summit.

Starting July 8, 29 farmers, nutritionists, and bloggers get back to basics and show us how Just Eating Real Food is best for not only our health but the health of the soil, the plants, the animals, and the future of our planet.

Check out the Real Food Summit and register right here.

Let me know if you are planning on registering!

CCM