A Year of Changes....

WOW. Has it really been a year of posts already? One year ago I began this blog, to sort of document the changes we were making as a family. How far we've come! It feels great. As we begin another year of healthy changes, and experience the beginning of Restoration Wellness, these are some of things our family is focusing on:

~Gluten free recipes to reduce inflammation in our bodies, experimenting with coconut flour and almond flour more often.
~Dairy free recipes for the same reason, experimenting with coconut milk and almond milk more often. NOT using soy products in place of dairy.
~More natural and organic personal products.
~Homemade household cleaners using 'yummy' essential oils!

We're super excited to begin a new phase in our healthy living journey.

What changes are you making on your journey?

These are a few of my favorite things.....

Changing ingredients in recipes to make them healthier can be tricky. Here are some of my favorite healthier alternatives:

White sugar- My favorite thing to use in place of it is Xylitol (same amount as the sugar & make sure you get a brand that is not chemically processed! Xylitol made from birch tree is super great! We like the brand Globalsweet) or raw honey (slightly less than the sugar)

Canola oil- grapeseed oil or coconut oil

Shortening- coconut oil

Margarine or vegetable spread- real butter

Brown sugar- sucanat

Soy sauce- San-J wheat free Tamari

Mayo- grapeseed oil veganaise

Enriched white flour- whole wheat flour or coconut flour

White rice- brown rice or quinoa

Chocolate for eating or baking- 60% cocoa dark chocolate

Soda- Zevia stevia sweetened soda

We've made a lot of changes in the last year. What changes are you making?

Organic or Not Organic?

Ever wonder what you should buy organic and what you can get away with not buying organic? Read this article:

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/06/01/dirty-dozen-produce-carries-more-pesticide-residue-group-says/?iref=allsearch

May I Have Some Water Please?

"And you shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless your bread and your water; and I the Lord God will take sickness from the midst of you." Exodus 23:25

Great article the importance of, and healing ability of good drinking water:

www.passionatehomemaking.com/2010/01/2010-health-goal-drink-more-water.html

So go on...Drink more water!