Almond Milk

 I am constantly on the look out for more things to eat and make my life easier and healthier!  I put it off thinking it would take too long to make my own ranch dressing.  Silly me.  It was so easy.  Ranch dressing from scratch made with canola mayo and almond milk.  Tastes so good.  It is quite runny.  I may add some Xanthan gum next time.  It was a nice touch to my meal with no side effects. 

Today I had my teeth worked on.  I can't eat much yet.  I decided to make a peach smoothie with my almond milk.  It was so good and I got to make it just for me.  No one else is  home right now.  Ahh- school is in session!  I love my kids but we all need breaks!  I just used half a quart bag of frozen peaches, 1 tsp vanilla, and enough almond milk to make it smooth.  I had home grown and packed peaches.  They are probably sweeter than store bought.  A bit of sugar, honey, or agave would sweeten it up. Enjoy!

Blah, blah, blah

So I have been asking myself, why would I risk hurting my body so much by eating things that are bad for it?  I see others with diabetes or some other disease and think, why don't they take care of themselves?  It seems so selfish to not take care of yourself when others are depending on you to be alive and able to take care and help them- especially those with children. 
In my musings I have decided I really keep thinking I can take care of this later.  I eat well for a while and feel great and then I get tired or busy and just eat something fast and easy.  If I have planned ahead healthy foods for me that is fast and easy but inevitably I run out.  If I am not bothered by the allergen I decide I can eat it for a while.  I'll get back to eating well later.
A few weeks ago I had an enchilada that really closed up my throat.  I was miserable with the gas pains of air I breathe in but can't get out since the airway is so constricted.  I drank benadryl and it worked out eventually.  I had to ride it out just like every other time I have done that to myself.  I couldn't even pinpoint what gave me the reaction because there were so many allergens in the enchilada.
I am learning a lot. I really try not to judge others with their problems because I have as many or more than they do. 
Even though I put off taking care of myself I keep coming back to it.  I still have a sore in my mouth reminding me to eat healthy.  I'm not sure if it was the ham deli meat(preservatives) or the white bread(wheat, soy, and potato flour).  Good times everyone!

Breakfast anyone?

One dish, two ways

Loved the oat pancakes and blueberry syrup with eggs over easy.  I liked them even more the second time when I stacked them so beautifully together.  I love the sweet and salty mix and keeping my

pancakes from being too dry.

I made the syrup by boiling some blueberries in a some water for a minute or so and adding a dash of  stevia powder.  I have also used black berries which is yummy but the seeds can get bothersome.

Rosemary Chicken with vegetables

Winner winner chicken dinner!

I didn't worry about making much because I thought most of the kids wouldn't like it. 

Turns out they all liked it. Lucy even ate the broccoli!  They loved the sauce. So I made it again that week almost doubling  the recipe.  Well they said it wasn't the same but still good the second time.  I had mine on groats, everyone else had theirs on rice.

Not so fast food

Really enjoyed this dinner.  If you have the time it is so worth it to cook at home!

Hamburger with my oat cakes.  The other day I started making oat cakes for my sandwich and found out I had less than a cup of oat flour left.  I could have pulled out the grinder but the rest of the dinner was already made.  So I threw in some rolled oats and sesame seeds.  Yummy!  

Love the yam/sweet potato fries.(There is such a disagreement on what is and isn't a sweet potato or yam) These were labled yams and cost less than the sweet potatos.  When they were out of yams the other day I bought some white sweet potatoes.  They were yummy but my throat started to close up.  I'll have to feed the rest to my family.  I don't fry my fries.  I oil them and put them on a pan in the oven.  400 degrees for 20 minutes.  

Comfort foods

This home made chicken soup was so yummy.  Since I have my carrot and potato allergies my soup is usually a bit bare.  I was inspired last time I cooked this soup and put in yams for the potatoes and carrots.  My family didn't even notice.  I put in celery, onion, parsley, and yams for the veggies.  Loved it!

Oatmeal cookies

These were so yummy!  I really need to give them away before I eat too many cause it happens almost every time.  Really I don't make cookies that often- much to the disappointment of my family.  These were full sugar and chocolate chips but I used canola oil and whole oat flour.  I need to make some with honey and rasins now.  I am eating healthier and feeling better!  I am sure I will break at some point but for now minimal allergens.  My body can't take the abuse of eating all the crap!