We Made It!

I love all the rich, savory holiday foods.  Gravies, real mashed potatoes, ham, turkey, eggnog, pies and baked brie all make my mouth water and my tummy rumble.  I am addicted to most combinations of butter, sugar and flour, especially if they contain chocolate as well.  But enough is enough.  My level of moderation has been exceeded and sluggishness is threatening to set in.

I am fully ready to return to modest meals of soup and bread, rice and beans, stir fries, salads and sandwiches.  It is good that we feast occasionally, our bodies crave the extra fats and proteins, especially in the cold weather.  As a daily indulgence, though, it is bad not only for our bodies - extra fat, cholesterol and unstable blood sugar - but also our budget.

homemade whole wheat bread

Eating primarily fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains may seem expensive on the surface, but when you experience the higher energy levels, better health, and increased "regularity" this type of diet provides, you begin to see that the less expensive packaged foods aren't really that great of a deal after all.  I had an episode of very painful symptoms a couple of months ago, I won't list them here, but suffice it to say, that when I completely eliminated all additives, preservatives, umm...big macs and processed foods (other than those I processed myself) my health returned.  I am hearing more and more stories like this lately, so there must be something to it.

You don't need a lot of fancy footwork to make a satisfying meal of natural foods.  Raw, juiced or lightly cooked is good for most veggies and fruits.  Whole grains and beans can be done in large batches and frozen in portions.  Here are a couple of my favorite quickie meals:

homemade cheese curds

Lunch: salad greens, chopped onion and homemade cheese curds with a drop of balsamic vinegar and a splash of olive oil, accompanied by a thick slice of homemade bread with real butter.

Dinner: stir fried brown rice or noodles with onions, carrots and brocolli, seasoned with fresh ginger and garlic.

If you need inspiration for transitioning to a fresher, simpler diet try some of my favorite websites:  www.savingdinner.com, www.hillbillyhousewife.com, www.chefantonia.com and www.thefresh20.com.

Here's to a healthier New Year for all of us!!

Homestead Blessings - The Art of Bread Making

Watch the West Ladies teach you how to make bread in their cozy homestead kitchen.  With their modest dress, beautiful long hair and colorful aprons, Jasmine, CeCe, Vicki and Hannah make you feel right at home while they explain how to make a number of different hearty, whole grain breads.  I've been making my own breads for many years, but I found their cornbread recipe (be sure to watch the video for some special tricks not included in the PDF recipes) to be out of this world.  I will never go back to my old ways of making cornbread!  I also plan to try their hamburger bun/cinnamon roll recipe, now that I've seen them do it a few times.

Though I didn't think I necessarily needed the how-to's in this video, I really enjoyed the presentation and I was reminded that you can almost always learn something from another's experience.  Guitar-picking in the background sets the mood for good ole' country cooking.  The West kitchen set is a homesteader's dream of honey-colored wood paneling and pantry shelves lined with dozens of canning jars with colorful contents.  I kept looking for the old-fashioned cook stove, but the bread was baked in a state-of-the-art electric range-oven.

The Homestead Blessings Series is a collection of 11 DVD presentations by the West ladies and Franklin Springs Media.  Homestead Blessings - The Art of Bread Making, copyright 2009, is delightful, instructional and entertaining; printable recipes are included.  Vicki and the girls are inspiring to watch.  Canning, gardening, quilting and crafting are just a few more titles for homesteaders or city folk who want to try their hand at these basic survival skills.