Sisters of the Craft Gathering

Yes, I packed "light".  Just ask Ravenswood!

View from Driver's seat.

KOTH sister and First Degree Dedicant, "M"

View of the lake from the dock.

View from dock looking up to the lodge.

Stairs between the dock and the Lodge.

M's been experiencing Phoenix's these past few weeks and we both saw them in the fires this weekend.

Well the SOTC gathering for 2011 has come and gone.  We had a wonderful time.

During that weekend, The Sacred Birch Society also ordained one of the SOTC "Sisters" into their Clergy.  It was a magical weekend and I am honored to be apart of it.

To my sisters both old and new, it was a wonderful weekend full of crafts, workshops, and bonding as women and sisters.  It was also great to meet two of our "Mom's" as well (Ravenwood's Mom and Amistis's Mom in law). 

Doc Visit - Results of becoming Vegetarian

Well today I went to my Nephrologist and received the results of my monthly bloodwork and urine tests.  From my original numbers in the hospital I went from 11.4 grams of protein per oz to 2.3 grams!  In just under two months of changing my diet, I am on the way to recovery!  My doc even said he has not seen numbers drop this drastically due to dietary changes and even asked permission to share my experience with a few other patients who's numbers are not changing or not feeling better as a possible option! 

I am still no way close to being "normal".   Normal is considered to me less than 150mg (1,000 mg per gram) in one ounce.  But for it to drop that much in two months is a huge victory!  Giving up meat is definitely one "sacrifice" I am glad I decided to do.  The benefits are showing for my hard work and effort!

So I just wanted to share the "good" news.   There was a bit of bad news, that my kidney functions themselves are not as good as normal, but doc is hoping that it was just a day that maybe possibly I was not as hydrated as I should have been.  So I need to keep track of my food (journal) more than I usually do.  Better than I have in the past, so for the next month I will be focusing on trying to do that better!   Knowing that what I do and eat could help others is definitely a motivation!

Hubby purchased me a Vitamix!  So I have a wonderful tool (the blender) to help me in my quest for eating health from now on. My husband spoils me so!  He rocks!

Camping Menu

This weekend, I will be attending the Sisters of the Craft Gathering hosted by KOTH, SBS, and WOW.  (Those would be Keepers of the Hearth, Sacred Birch Society, and Women of the Willow in which I am a member of all three.)

I am so excited, Jenn will be receiving her ordination from SBS!  Looking forward to camping out the entire weekend with a wonderful group of women as well.  Sorry guys, you are only allowed during the public ritual timeframe for SBS's Mabon Celebration....then we are kicking you out shortly after 9pm to resume our Wild Women Weekend! LOL

With all my dietary restrictions it seems now a days, I have no clue what to pack to eat.  Guess this weekend would be a wonderful time to come up with a Raw or close to Raw menu!  But alas, there will be some cooking involved, there is no way I am passing up a campfire and not having a smores or two or three, or four.....

I keep racking my brain on what to pack, so that way I am not spending alot of time prepping my veggies or food while I am there.  So I basically have two days to figure out what the heck I am going to eat and go grocery shopping tomorrow as well. 

Here is what I am thinking:  Just don't know if I want to spend alot of time in the kitchen on Thursday...

Breakfasts:
Though I have a problem with protein, I also have a problem with low blood sugar and Hypoglycemia.  So I still have to eat some protein.  I am going to narrow it down to Yogurt with Granola and or a hard boiled egg for emergencies (I will be bringing two.)  Fresh fruit of some sorts (most likely apple or orange since I have those well in stock will be the lucky fruits).

Lunch:
I really only need lunch for Saturday, so I am thinking of making a few jars of Gazpacho soup that I can keep cold in the cooler and grab a jar whenever the hunger strikes.  If I make it smooth enough I could even drink it instead of eating it like a soup. 
Bruschetta.  Yeah I eat alot of tomatoes....this could be another option and throw it on top of some kelp noodles if I can score a bag prior to leaving...I have already demolished my supply...need to order a case of them.
Tabouleh is another option...well I do plan on bringing at least a small container with me, cause I eat it every single day...its my snack.

I am making two chili's for the potluck...one meat one and one veggie one, so dinner will at least be covered as well for me.  I just hope the veggie recipe is a good one, its the first time I will be making it and I am always worried about not trying a recipe prior to brining it to a potluck. 

I now its not exciting, but if I can make it to Trader Joe's then maybe I can pick up some of their dried fruit mixes.  But then if I go to Whole Foods, I can look at their stuff too.

Oh the stress of packing!  It will be alot of fun....I just hope my poor little car can hold everything!

Crystal

Protien

Lately I am finding myself researching protein.

With my kidney disease, my body has a problem with protein.  I have to limit the amount of it that I eat every single day.  Past few months I have switched to Vegetarian diet and I am attempting to go Raw and Vegan with time.  However, as I research, I find that some of the vegetable proteins are just as dangerous for me as animal proteins.

Most websites I am seeing/researching offer high protein options to substitute for the meat.  This unfortunately is not what I need.  I need little to no protein in majority of the food I consume in a daily basis.  I am trying to not exceed the minimum amount required for me which is 40 grams a day.  (FYI an egg has about 7 grams of protein)

At my last raw food class I had a dish that involved Kelp Noodles.  These were actually awesome.  I plan on doing a post on the dish itself shortly.  It was a mock fetucinni alfredo.  It was pretty good.  Can't wait to get my Vitamix to try it out.  I did it in my food processor and was a bit more chunky than at the Raw class.

Need to ask Whole Foods about a class that focuses on LOW PROTEIN!  I can't seem to find a class on it anywhere!

Sincerely,
Crystal