Super food Spirulina

Spirulina

Spirulina  a super food.... a recent fav of mine. It it rich in so many vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, and antioxidants. 

Here’s a list: B complex 

Beta-carotene

Vitamin E

Manganese

Zinc

Copper

Iron

Selenium

Gamma linolenic acid (essential fatty acid)

It is amazing how many super packed combinations is in one source. This is one reason it is called a super food. It is known to boost immunity, fight cancer, helps against allergic reactions. In addition, it helps protect against liver damage and liver failure. 

Spirulina comes in a powdered form for quick absorption into the blood stream. I add it to my fresh juice in the morning. It goes well with smoothies etc... here is a link to more info

It is important to stay educated on the best foods for our bodies.... No one else is responsible for it. 

Enjoy!! Buen Provecho

Dina 

Kashi Lovers Beware!!!

Kashi Lovers you are getting more than you hoped for!! EEK

Ah Kashi!! I once enjoyed your selection....That was before I knew you were giving me more than I wanted. 

My family stopped consuming Kashi brand items 2 years ago. I began researching more and more the importance of ingredient labels. Kashi is not an organic product. So, (due to my tendency to be extreme), I let go of Kashi. I figured if a company is marketing themselves to be natural (which by the way,"natural" can mean anything), Why can' t they just be Organic? What is keeping them from the organic status? 

I just left them alone..... Which is a good thing. 

They were tested for genetically modified organisms ,and came up positive for GMO soy. Genetically modified organisms have been banned in many european countries. These GMO foods have proven track records to promote sterility, cancer, endocrine disturbances, just to name a few. The USA is lagging in their response to the public request of labeling foods. 

I write this blog post to inform you of the importance of food. Why it is important to be proactive in what we are putting into our bodies. For more information on these genetically modified organisms: visit the organicconsumers.org

Nourishing the Mind and Body

Reflection is necessary for growth. Shall we remain doing the same things over and over and expect change. 

As our household begins the new homeschool year, I prepare as Mom/Teacher/Wife. I want to honor the Lord with my mind and body. This includes the food I nourish my body with and the knowledge I nourish my mind with. I am in charge of what goes into my children's mind and body. Thus, I have been reading "Educating the Wholehearted Child," by Clay and Sally Clarkson. I am recommending this book to all parents. 

It provides a Godly perspective on the home and the education of your children. It encourages and provides tools for parents. Those seeking to homeschool, it is an excellent book to start with. 

Parents remember, whether you homeschool or public school, You are in charge of what goes in your children. Let us take pride and responsibility in their mind and bodies. Feed them healthy organic fruits, vegetables, and grains, it is the avenue to their bodies health. 

--Dina 

Organic Applesauce...An all time fav!

Organic Apples peeled by my kids

If your home is like mine, your kids love applesauce. Who doesn't? I am always trying my best to  make homemade snacks and meals. Since, my family enjoys eating applesauce, I figured, why not try it?

I used my Crock-pot for this one...

Recipe:

8 cored, peeled, & sliced organic apples

2 tsp of organic lemon juice (from fresh lemons)

1 tbsp of raw organic coconut nectar

Start by turning your Crock-pot to low, then place cored, peeled, and sliced organic apples, lemon juice and coconut nectar into the Crock-pot. Leave for 6 hours on low. Set timer! then allow the magic to happen. Of course Stir it on occasion... 

After the 6 hours are up, remove from Crock-pot and mash or you can puree it in processor. I use my magic bullet for this one. Place in Frig for about an hour or less or you can enjoy it warm as well. 

I bought these silicone icy pop molds, and I use them for all kinds of healthy treats. 

I used them this time for the applesauce.... and it is easy take on the go!!! I just realized I made my own organic buddy fruits lol... The kids enjoy them and so do I!

The remaining portion I place in a glass container. I usually try not to use plastic containers for food. After time, the plastic taste will destroy the yummy taste of foods. So, I don't want plastic to ruin my gourmet applesauce. After all, I worked so hard !! (Not). It was simple just needed some planning time thats all. Make time and you will reap the health benefits of organic eating. 

Enjoy!! Buen Provecho!!

Organic Girly

Organic Girly Supports her Local Farmer's Market! Do you?

Support Your Local Farmers Market....

Photo Credit

Community.... Has this term been forgotten lately in society? or Are we simply ignoring the importance? Community is made up of neighbors that contribute to your local town or city. It is the ground on which live and breathe. So, why leave it as last resort?

I encourage you to find your local farmers market and get to know the farmers in your community. Know where your food comes from! There is a drastic change in health when you are aware of your foods source. You eat better, and you feel better....nothing to lose (but that extra  weight). Now, do not confuse losing weight with being healthy....This cannot be the focus to achieve great health. The motivation should be eat to live....for health. Our country has this twisted. I won’t even get into the media propaganda etc.... It just heats me up.

Organic Broccoli and Organic Strawberries from the Farmer's Market

Anyway, supporting your local community (especially the farmers market) benefits your health. Purchase organic as much as possible. But if you cannot buy organic all the time, you want to become familiar with the dirty dozens. Purchasing from farmer’s market helps your wallet and your health. They remove the middle man (grocery stores like Walmart etc...) and go straight to the source. Organic produce becomes less expensive than store bought, and most of the organic produce(@Farmers Markets) have been picked within 72 hours. So, there is another plus. Picked within 72 hours from the source and Organic, that is a big immunity booster.

So, make it out to your local farmer’s market and support it.....

For those of you local in Brevard County, we attended Brevard County Farmer's Market, click here
Here is there FBook page
Have fun

Organic Girly,
Dina

Fresh Tomato Basil on a Wheat Roll

Tomato Basil on Wheat

So I went Vegan tonight... Not in the mood for any kind of animal today, lol 

So remember those Whole Wheat Dinner rolls I made.. I made a bunch,  so needed to use them before they started to mold.  Yummy... I toasted the rolls in my cast iron then topped off with tomato and basil.

Ingredients: 

Organic Whole Wheat Rolls, sliced in half's (homemade recipe link above)

Organic Tomato, sliced thin

Fresh Organic Basil leaves

Sprinkle of Sea Salt and Organic Black Pepper

Warm your Cast iron pan to med low. Toast bread slices first till desired crispyness. Then place sliced tomatoes to sear for a few until desired browning.  Then top the rolls with tomato and basil leaves and sprinkle the tomato and Enjoy!!

Optional topping of Mozzarella for those of you who love cheese!!!

I hope you enjoy my simple recipes... Well some of them are anyway.

Enjoy !!! Buen Provecho!!

Organic Girly 

Joy of Learning

The Joy of learning !! Just out of having fun..... I am on a second year journey of homeschooling... It  was very difficult for me to allow for the free flow of learning. I am a product of the public school system... The traditional learning of the institution. It worked for me, I adjusted and adapted to this particular environment. I flourished! 

However, I noticed that my desire for learning was ignited in college. I never really enjoyed school in the elementary and secondary years. I was an A student, but never was super excited for school. 

So when I was a freshman in college, It was like a new door opened to me. The joy of majoring in what interested me!! It caused a roller coaster of love for knowledge. Soon, I was taking my general education requirements but I did not perceive them as boring or not applicable. My perspective changed. I viewed it as stepping stones for what I loved studying.

Therefore, as I homeschool my children.. I am learning to embrace the desire of my children’s interest in a particular subject. Then tailoring all subjects around it and including all five subjects in a particular theme. 

I love the passion I see when my children light up... So to keep that fire going, I have decided that this is our direction. If my children are interested in lizards (as they are right now and my youngest loves rocks), I will find a way to incorporate all five subjects in some form or fashion.. Maybe we will do multiplication and division facts with lizards, and counting with rocks lol. 

The methods of teaching my children has changed since the first year of homeschooling.  My children have taught me that learning is not just done in a classroom. It is something that happens everyday. Furthermore, the desire for learning will continue to burn if fanned.  

Learning is a lifelong process and it should not stop in the classroom.


"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. ⁷Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. ⁸ Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. ⁹ Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." Deut 6:6-9


I read this scripture every morning when I awake....God's word is clear on teaching (whether you homeschool or not). He is commanding and encouraging us with the importance of always teaching our children the goodness of God, regardless of location. His word is so powerful and full of love for humanity, it is not just to be taught one or two days a week. It is to be taught through out the day, every day. This is how adeqaute learning takes place. I apply this scripture in our daily spiritual life as well as homeschool. 


Learning is all the time and when filled with the love of God's word it penetrates down to the very core of your child to one day produce fruit in their life.




Organic Girly