Some may notice that the topics I will be blogging about have changed.
I will start to slowly phase out some of the older labels in attempt of streamlining the label categories.
So today is Monday's Meal Plan. Tomorrow I will be going to the hospital for my monthly infusion of Benlysta. I am so looking forward to it. Because of the holidays I am a week later than normal and my body can tell the difference. I am starting to feel worse and worse each day. So tomorrow you will notice that I am primarly will be focusing on liquids for myself for the next few days. This is something normal for me as I have learned from the past, eating on days I get my infusion plus the day or two after, I throw up alot to be frank. It just hurts less if it happens with liquid instead of solid foods. I also have noticed when I juice or soup, the throwing up tends to be alot less.
Anyway, sorry to gross you out. If you are still reading here is what the boys will be eating. I will try to add photos later if I can figure out how to upload them from my ipod. My ipod and computer don't seem to like one another. That is what I get for using a dinosaur computer.
General rule in my home is that you have to try one of the two meals (mom's or dad's) then if you don't like it, you can have an alternative but you have to wait until we are done eating because you don't want to eat what I have cooked.
Monday:
(Chili for all of us)
Boys = Venision with red kidney beans for the guys topped with cheddar cheese and frito chips (aka Frito Pie)
Me = Vegetarian Version I have made in the past and was lucky enough to have a container left over in the freezer.
Tuesday:
Boys = Spaghetti, Hamburger Helper, or Tacos (whatever the DH decides, he has a pound of ground beef waiting for him in the fridge defrosting for tomorrow).
Me = Miso Soup
Wednesday:
Boys = Pork Chops in the slow cooker (I tend to use the slowcooker alot during infusion week.)
Me = Soup or juice with saltines
Thursday:
Boys = Chicken Rice-n-Gravy
Note: Rice n Gravy is a Cajun term used for a meat browned in a pot and deglazed to make its own gravy with the use of green bellpepper, white onion, and seasoning. It it then served over a bed of hot steamed white rice.
Me = depending on how I feel that day it may be either Miso Soup with a scoop of rice, or I just might try a bowl of rice with the gravy. (The doc ok'd me to start eating meat again, so I am trying to take things slowly. That first week I was so excited that I ate alot of different meats and then spent three days in bed in pain.)
Friday:
Pizza night (either frozen pizzas or carryout pending DH's mood)
Saturday:
Leftover buffet from the week
Sunday:
Spaghetti because DH needs leftovers for work the next day.
Lunches:
DH usually has either leftovers from the previous night or a sandwich everyday Monday to Friday. Oldest either eats sandwiches or school menu. Baby eats alot by stealing salad and veggies from Moma's bowl. Baby refuses to eat from his own plate unless its something he really likes and/or Moma decides to eat in peace when he's napping.
Breakfast is generally cereal with milk, grits with butter and cheese, oatmeal, or granola bars.
Snacks range from whatever fruit in the fridge (apples, oranges, grapes, or strawberries), carrot or celery sticks with Ranch dressing, granola bars, and the occassional cookies that seem to have currently bombarded our pantry thanks to Christmas.
If you are wondering, yes I allow our children to eat candy. As long as they keep getting rave reviews from their dentist, I won't take that treat away. Baby is learning the hard way that just because Leia (our dog) gets various "treats" during the day does not mean he gets a candy every single time. LOL
Hope you enjoy this post. What is for dinner on your table this week? I am always looking for new recipes to try out and get the kids eating healthier.
Blessed Be,
Crystal T.
Showing posts with label Food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Food. Show all posts
Monday, January 7, 2013
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Goals and New Page Added
I am adding a new page onto my blog dedicated to specific updates on my weight loss.
I am still considering whether or not I should post my "Before" pics. I simply don't know if I would be embarrassed by them or embarass my husband by my posting them. I am very ashamed of my body. There are many beautiful plus size women, but frankly I am not one of them. With shaving my head earlier this fall when my hair was falling out due to medical reasons, I just don't feel feminine anymore. I am hoping to bring back a better, healthier, beautiful me in 2013.
I have several goals in place for 2013.
Participate in the Crim Festival of Races.
Not be ashamed of my body.
Loose weight by nourishing my body with Gaia's bounty (aka fruits, vegetables, herbs, and grains) as the main source of food I consume. The doc has given me the green light to increase my protein intake but my body still gets sick everytime I attempt to do so. Seafood is still the primary source that does not get me sick and I stay the heck away from poultry as much as I loved it oh so long ago!
Cutting out the sugary drinks that I am so addicted too!
Using more organic products on my body (make-up, perfume, lotions, etc).
Losing enough weight so that I need a new wardrobe come this summer.
By "new" wardrobe, I mean majority of it upcycled from old clothes, remade into something new that is fitting and hopefully vintage inspired. If anything is purchased hopefully it will be vintage fashions or recycled items from an Etsy Shop, Salvation Army, or Goodwill store. I don't like today's fashions and hope that by losing weight I will be able to fit into treasures from the past. Only exception is shoes. I might invest in a new pair of shoes.
I am still considering whether or not I should post my "Before" pics. I simply don't know if I would be embarrassed by them or embarass my husband by my posting them. I am very ashamed of my body. There are many beautiful plus size women, but frankly I am not one of them. With shaving my head earlier this fall when my hair was falling out due to medical reasons, I just don't feel feminine anymore. I am hoping to bring back a better, healthier, beautiful me in 2013.
I have several goals in place for 2013.
Participate in the Crim Festival of Races.
Not be ashamed of my body.
Loose weight by nourishing my body with Gaia's bounty (aka fruits, vegetables, herbs, and grains) as the main source of food I consume. The doc has given me the green light to increase my protein intake but my body still gets sick everytime I attempt to do so. Seafood is still the primary source that does not get me sick and I stay the heck away from poultry as much as I loved it oh so long ago!
Cutting out the sugary drinks that I am so addicted too!
Using more organic products on my body (make-up, perfume, lotions, etc).
Losing enough weight so that I need a new wardrobe come this summer.
By "new" wardrobe, I mean majority of it upcycled from old clothes, remade into something new that is fitting and hopefully vintage inspired. If anything is purchased hopefully it will be vintage fashions or recycled items from an Etsy Shop, Salvation Army, or Goodwill store. I don't like today's fashions and hope that by losing weight I will be able to fit into treasures from the past. Only exception is shoes. I might invest in a new pair of shoes.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Shaunessy in Charge
So today I really needed to go get some produce for me to eat. Otherwise it would be back to the old processed food in my pantry that the rest of the guys can't seem to live without. I am cringing that I promised Lancer I would make him "Hamburger Helper" tonight for dinner.
Here are a few photos of what we bought that I did not realize I purchased until we got home. The cashier was helping Shaun unload his little cart while I was unloading mine. So really it was my fault for not paying attention.
His major score was this:
Chocolate covered bananas. I had no clue they even existed. He must have put this box in his cart while I was looking for my LaLoo's. Whole Foods is no longer carrying them (at least not my store, so I got to figure out how I am going to get my LaLoo's fix!!!)
The Xochitl chips in the background were a Shaun pick me up. He recognized the packaging and picked them up on his own when we went down the snack aisle. I wasn't planning to purchase any but since he did choose my favorite, how could I say no? LOL Also pictured are a big bag of red grapes (the boys favorite) as well as an avocado, big bag of oranges and a fresh pineapple for juicing and smoothies this week. Have I posted about my Pineapple Cilantro smoothie yet? I will have to check. Not pictured are the bag of onions, bok choi, cilantro, and various cucumbers plus many other veggies.
This is also my big spontaneous purchase of the month. I have been watching Forks over Knives and out of all the interviews conducted, Kris Carr really resonated with me. Today when I seen her book on the bookshelf at Whole Foods I knew I had to have it. It's been on my wish list to check out at my local library which is what I normally do because I don't have alot of money to spend on books and I want to know if they are "worth" my money purchasing. The reading begins tonight when the boys are in bed.
As I am uploading photos from my Ipod, I have noticed that Shaun took over my ipod today as well.
Here are a few photos from his point of view!
Yes my dining room table is currently under fire. It's a mess. His block toy with the shapes is on the table but I have yet to see where he and Leia have hidden the pieces. You can also see that batman still adorns our table after so many years (it was Lancer's first placemat he chose) and Shaun's taking a liking to it. You can also see my Time Life Music Big Band cd in that stack tower as well.
To keep Shaun occupied while I prepped my produce, I quickly put grapes on the table. These were the last of the previous batch we purchased last week. They did not last long.
The proof that "someone" was using Mommy's Ipod. Well actually there are about 100+ photos similar to this one!
This must be the photo when I caught him playing with my Ipod.
And more physical proof he was using it....he found the record button. LOL
Now back to trying to clean my kitchen and also my dining room table.
Sincerely,
Crystal T.
Here are a few photos of what we bought that I did not realize I purchased until we got home. The cashier was helping Shaun unload his little cart while I was unloading mine. So really it was my fault for not paying attention.
His major score was this:
Chocolate covered bananas. I had no clue they even existed. He must have put this box in his cart while I was looking for my LaLoo's. Whole Foods is no longer carrying them (at least not my store, so I got to figure out how I am going to get my LaLoo's fix!!!)
Rose Lemonade by Fentimans. The packaging is actually what caught my eye because it looked antique/vintage in a sort of weird way. This was my want to try it purchase. I always try something new every time I go to Whole Foods. This intrigued me.
This is also my big spontaneous purchase of the month. I have been watching Forks over Knives and out of all the interviews conducted, Kris Carr really resonated with me. Today when I seen her book on the bookshelf at Whole Foods I knew I had to have it. It's been on my wish list to check out at my local library which is what I normally do because I don't have alot of money to spend on books and I want to know if they are "worth" my money purchasing. The reading begins tonight when the boys are in bed.
As I am uploading photos from my Ipod, I have noticed that Shaun took over my ipod today as well.
Here are a few photos from his point of view!
Yes my dining room table is currently under fire. It's a mess. His block toy with the shapes is on the table but I have yet to see where he and Leia have hidden the pieces. You can also see that batman still adorns our table after so many years (it was Lancer's first placemat he chose) and Shaun's taking a liking to it. You can also see my Time Life Music Big Band cd in that stack tower as well.
To keep Shaun occupied while I prepped my produce, I quickly put grapes on the table. These were the last of the previous batch we purchased last week. They did not last long.
The proof that "someone" was using Mommy's Ipod. Well actually there are about 100+ photos similar to this one!
And more physical proof he was using it....he found the record button. LOL
Now back to trying to clean my kitchen and also my dining room table.
Sincerely,
Crystal T.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Meatless Monday - Hot n Sour Soup
How about that? TWO posts on Meatless Monday!
Dinner tonight for me.
This recipe comes from one of my favorite cookbooks. If you don't have it, you should look into adding it into your library. It's on page 58.
Here is the final result.
For the record, I left out the scallions and the peas because I simply did not have them.
Next time I want to try it with fresh Shitake Mushroom over the dried. I think its just a personal texture thing with fresh versus dried. Overall still good. Lancer said it smelled good when he got home from school but was not brave to try it. I want to try it with other vegetables next time, just don't know which ones yet.
Maybe a bit of shredded carrot, white onion and tofu next time. Maybe a mixture of mushrooms as well. I am not a big Seitan fan but wanted to try it out.
I love her book and if you like it as well, check out Robin's website by clicking HERE.
Sincerely,
Crystal T.
Meatless Monday - Pasta & Pesto
I found this photo from an old sd card that I took with my camera. I can't remember if I posted this or not, so sorry if its a duplication.
One night for dinner I decided I wanted pasta. So while I was making traditional spaghetti for the boys I decided to make myself a meatless version of pasta. I was in the mood for a pesto. I had a lot of the normal things that goes into a pesto...basil, olive oil, pine nuts but wanted something more than just that. I added about a cup of spinach to the mix with extra two cloves of garlic (yes I love garlic!). I had some marinated kale from earlier in the day that was still soaking in the lemon juice. I put the extra lemon juice into the pesto sauce and blended it into my Vitamix. I kept the kale out for added texture to the dish.
After the pasta was cooked, I mixed in the pesto and stirred it up until well coated. Then added the Kale and also some Whole Foods 365 line of their Vegetarian Shredded Parmesan Cheese. Topped with Fresh cracked black pepper and dinner was served with a side of hot crusty garlic bread.
I love it when a plan comes together. I have made this several times as pasta is a staple with the boys and kale is one of mine!
Sincerely,
Crystal
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Menu Plan
This week's Menu Plan is as follows:
Monday: Mom = Hot n Sour Soup (Veggie Version from my favorite Vegetarian Slow Cooker book)
Boys = By request, Pancakes
Tuesday: Spaghetti and Meatballs (Sshhh, the guys ate it up last week, no clue they are Veggie Patch!)
Wednesday: Mom = Pasta with Veggies
Boys = Chicken Pasta
Thursday: Going to try to talk E into going out, no Shaun tonight. He's going to Grandma's.
Friday: Fish & Chips Friday (Yes I still eat fish. It's one of the few protein's that doesn't make me sick.)
Monday: Mom = Hot n Sour Soup (Veggie Version from my favorite Vegetarian Slow Cooker book)
Boys = By request, Pancakes
Tuesday: Spaghetti and Meatballs (Sshhh, the guys ate it up last week, no clue they are Veggie Patch!)
Wednesday: Mom = Pasta with Veggies
Boys = Chicken Pasta
Thursday: Going to try to talk E into going out, no Shaun tonight. He's going to Grandma's.
Friday: Fish & Chips Friday (Yes I still eat fish. It's one of the few protein's that doesn't make me sick.)
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Sunday's Supper - Dinner at the Table
So here it is Sunday and I am trying to figure out what to plan for our menu for the week. It's been raining the past two days so I do not want to go grocery shopping in the rain. I want to be a good Housewife! However, I have to also deal with reality...I hate shopping in the rain!
One of the things that DH and I strive for is to always eat at the dining room table for our nightly meal. We started it when we first moved in together back in 1996. I was amazed to the fact that whenever we went to his mother's we always had dinner at the table as a family. My family back home we really never ate at the table. I can remember doing it as a child, but once I "grew" up, it was no longer a requirement. We were always so busy that sometimes being able to just eat at the same time was a treat in itself being under the same roof. Whenever DH and I began a family of our own, this was one of the things we both wanted to start as "our" family tradition. Another thing I had to get used to is that I guess in the "South" people tend to say "Supper" over "Dinner". That was something I had to get used to. LOL So whether or not you have Sunday Dinner or Sunday Supper, I hope you have a good one!
Looking on hand in our freezer and pantry we do have enough things to get us through the entire week.
Here is my current and tentative plan:
SUN: Boys Menu - Baked Chicken with baked potatoes (even loaded!), cucumbers
Moma's Meal - Sauteed Mushroom Onion blend and a Baked Potato with Dayia,
Bacos, and Earth Balance Butter, cucumber salad
MON: Spaghetti & Meatballs (Shhh....The meatballs are vegetarian, don't tell the guys!)
TUE: Taco Tuesday! (The boys get the meat version while Moma uses "Match" substitute for hers!
(Goddess that brand of meat substitutes are AWESOME!)
WED: Pork chops in the slow cooker
Moma's Meal: Salad with whatever items she has on hand.
THU: Chicken and Rice
Moma's Meal: I eat the rice and make a stir fry with peapods, bamboo shoots, mushrooms,
carrot and broccoli.
FRI: Fish sticks and Mac n Cheese for the kids
Tilapia for Mom and Dad (Fish is one of the few proteins that does not make me sick,
so i still enjoy it once a week!)
SAT: Don't know yet...Moma needs to go grocery shopping!!!
So anyways that is the plan for this week!
Monday, September 17, 2012
Mabon Bounty
A few weeks ago, my friend Tiff shared her bounty with me from her share of her CSA. She had plenty to share and gave me all of this bounty.
She baked a few loaves of bread and gifted me with one of them as well. That loaf did not even make it until the next day...it was devoured during that night's meal. In the photo above we have cucumbers, cantaloupe, green onions, green beans, the bread, a lot of kale, lettuce leaves, onions, chard, dill, and basil.
This ended up being my dinner that evening. I made a massaged Kale salad using a honey ginger balsamic vinegar. I then made a tomato, basil, onion with mozzarella pearl salad, cucumbers with fresh cracked pepper, and then garlic green beans finished off with a rice pilaf mix the boys love. The first three items were of course raw. The green beans I needed to cook. I did not like their taste raw.
I am so grateful to have people like Tiff in my life. She is a good friend to me and I appreciate everything she has done for me and my family. I am definitely blessed to have met her. Thank you Tiff if you are reading this. Please know your friendship is cherished, even if I don't express it enough.
This Mabon I am so grateful for many things in my life, especially being ALIVE! I hope you have a wonderful Mabon and Harvest!
Sincerely,
Crystal
She baked a few loaves of bread and gifted me with one of them as well. That loaf did not even make it until the next day...it was devoured during that night's meal. In the photo above we have cucumbers, cantaloupe, green onions, green beans, the bread, a lot of kale, lettuce leaves, onions, chard, dill, and basil.
Then she gave me all these tomatoes as well!
I am so grateful to have people like Tiff in my life. She is a good friend to me and I appreciate everything she has done for me and my family. I am definitely blessed to have met her. Thank you Tiff if you are reading this. Please know your friendship is cherished, even if I don't express it enough.
This Mabon I am so grateful for many things in my life, especially being ALIVE! I hope you have a wonderful Mabon and Harvest!
Sincerely,
Crystal
Monday, August 6, 2012
Preparing for Cooler Months - Menu Planning
I know its only just barely into August, but this is the time when I begin my yearly DEEP cleaning up until snow hits the ground. I will be opening up the windows as much as possible to let the fresh air in and the old out. I will also begin to dwindle my pantry to use what goods are in it now so that nothing expires and goes to waste.
One of the things I like to do is to prepare a monthly menu so it takes the hassle out of planning and preparing meals in the last minute and not having all the items I need to make the meal I plan to.
With the colder months coming one thing I look forward to each and every year is utilizing my slow cooker.
Last year when I began the shift going Vegetarian, one of the first books I picked up was this one.
So I decided to try one of the soup recipes....
I really liked this soup. Think next time I will take out the yellow pepper. The one I used seemed to be really spicy instead of sweet. There was so much soup left over that I decided to blend it and put it into the containers that I normally use for my Gumbo when my sister or mother make it for me. They freeze into single servings for later use.
I plan to make more recipes from this in the future this fall...Its going to be one of my go to books this year.
Blessed Be,
Crystal T.
One of the things I like to do is to prepare a monthly menu so it takes the hassle out of planning and preparing meals in the last minute and not having all the items I need to make the meal I plan to.
With the colder months coming one thing I look forward to each and every year is utilizing my slow cooker.
Last year when I began the shift going Vegetarian, one of the first books I picked up was this one.
So I decided to try one of the soup recipes....
 |
| Potatoes |
 |
| Corn |
 |
| Yellow pepper |
 |
| Diced Tomato |
 |
| Salt and Pepper to taste |
 |
| I used the whole box, but think it only called for a few cups. |
 |
| Green onion on top. |
I really liked this soup. Think next time I will take out the yellow pepper. The one I used seemed to be really spicy instead of sweet. There was so much soup left over that I decided to blend it and put it into the containers that I normally use for my Gumbo when my sister or mother make it for me. They freeze into single servings for later use.
I plan to make more recipes from this in the future this fall...Its going to be one of my go to books this year.
Blessed Be,
Crystal T.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Meatless Monday
So last night I made the hubby spaghetti. Since I have changed my eating habits this past year, I don't really care for it anymore. Definitely don't miss the ground beef. So this is what I made myself.
What is it exactly?
Well it is my version of a RAW spaghetti. Yep that's right, everything on this plate is RAW.
Now it is not necessarily completely Vegetarian. I am still learning the lines on what is and isn't Vegetarian. It does have "real" cheese on top. It's a shaved Raw Parmasan I found at Whole Foods last weekend when I went shopping with one of my friends.
The pasta is a spiralized Zuchinni. The sauce is roma tomato, basil, carrot, brocolli, Celtic Sea Salt, onion, garlic, and black pepper. I also added a few brocolli pieces to give it a "meatball effect" and added more shredded carrot to the center of the dish just because there was a tiny bit left. Also on the very top are a few pieces of zuchinni slices that did not get spiralized as well.
This was really good. It's a take on one of the first raw food classes I took last year. I added more veggies to the sauce. I am really beginning to like this way of eating, I feel so much more better when I eat closer to Raw. Closer to Gaia's Bounty!
Blessed Be,
Crystal T.
Well it is my version of a RAW spaghetti. Yep that's right, everything on this plate is RAW.
Now it is not necessarily completely Vegetarian. I am still learning the lines on what is and isn't Vegetarian. It does have "real" cheese on top. It's a shaved Raw Parmasan I found at Whole Foods last weekend when I went shopping with one of my friends.
The pasta is a spiralized Zuchinni. The sauce is roma tomato, basil, carrot, brocolli, Celtic Sea Salt, onion, garlic, and black pepper. I also added a few brocolli pieces to give it a "meatball effect" and added more shredded carrot to the center of the dish just because there was a tiny bit left. Also on the very top are a few pieces of zuchinni slices that did not get spiralized as well.
This was really good. It's a take on one of the first raw food classes I took last year. I added more veggies to the sauce. I am really beginning to like this way of eating, I feel so much more better when I eat closer to Raw. Closer to Gaia's Bounty!
Blessed Be,
Crystal T.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Meatless Monday - Raw Food Favorites
So today for Meatless Monday, I am not going to be focusing on food itself. I will however be focusing on a few of the people behind the food that make it fun, healthy, and keep me inspired to eat it.
When I first set out on a path last October (I think, when I actually started to begin eating this way) one of the first places I found was Raw Food Rehab. Here is a website that is sort of set up in a virtual "Rehab meets Mansion" center. Their forums are comprised of various places you would see in your home such as the Kitchen for recipes, the Loo for "potty" talk (physically about what goes on in the bathroom, LOL), The Garden, The Tool Shed, plus many other wonderful rooms. Many of the ammenities are completely free and she also offers other services where an additional charge is necessary to participate.
Creator/Founder Penni Shelton is a remarkable lady. Penni has her own YouTube Channel (click HERE to watch) which I recommend if you are new to Raw Food, you will want to definitely subscribe to Raw Food Rehab's website (why not it is totally free to join and you have access to so much information) and also subscribe to her YouTube channel as well. At these two sources they both will surely help the newcomer to Raw Food, just like its helped me so much. If it were not for Penni's wonderful and informative videos I would most likely have not even tried attempting to eat a Raw Food menu or attempt to even give it a whirl. Her archived videos of Foodie Friday's gave me the opportunity to see how easy it is to create a beautiful meal out of raw food. Seeing what the food could look like motivated me to even attempt a few of my first recipes and I fell in love with raw food. Penni does not look down on you if you are not 100% raw just that you are trying to eat healthy and incorporate some raw food in your life because it is good for you.
One day while visiting RFR, I came across a video that Penni did with a woman named Dara Dubinet. Clicking Dara's name will take you to her YouTube Channel. There is not a day that I don't watch a video by Dara. I have started to watch her videos from the beginning. With over 500 videos on her channel, you too can have a daily dose of Dara who will inspire you to "Get Your Greens On" as she has inspired me to do so.
Lauren from the blog "Ginger is the New Pink" is another inspiration. She documents her life with eating raw food, healing from Chron's Disease, and daily life in general. She is another inspiration that led me to believe I can do this! I don't have Chron's but someone dear to me does. Battling Kidney Disease and Lupus wanting to heal myself with Food is something we both share. She has introduced me to products I normally would not have tried if not for her review of them. From cookbooks, Daiya Cheese, Hail Mary's, beauty products and Dharma Straws plus many many more. I check in to read her blog often to see what's new out there that makes life a little easier. If I am in the mood to look at food in photos (I really hate the term "food porn") I will usually go to her website for inspiration of what I could make for dinner.
Now I will just list a couple other inspirations for you to check out...
Amber Shea Crawley, Author of "Practically Raw"
The Shannon's whose cookbook will be out soon, they have re-written the Betty Crocker Cookbook VEGAN style! It is available for pre-ordering at their website Meet the Shannons.
Maybe with the upcoming weeks this will be an avenue to not only focus on food, but the people that make them as well.
Many thanks to the people that inspire me to eat better for myself and making the information understandable for a newbie to culinary worlds of Raw, Vegetarian and Vegan fun for a meat-lover like myself. (For the record, I am not Vegetarian for poticial reasons, but medical ones. Just look at me like an ex-smoker, I still want to eat meat, I just know its bad for me and a struggle I have to deal with every single day!)
Sincerely,
Crystal
When I first set out on a path last October (I think, when I actually started to begin eating this way) one of the first places I found was Raw Food Rehab. Here is a website that is sort of set up in a virtual "Rehab meets Mansion" center. Their forums are comprised of various places you would see in your home such as the Kitchen for recipes, the Loo for "potty" talk (physically about what goes on in the bathroom, LOL), The Garden, The Tool Shed, plus many other wonderful rooms. Many of the ammenities are completely free and she also offers other services where an additional charge is necessary to participate.
Creator/Founder Penni Shelton is a remarkable lady. Penni has her own YouTube Channel (click HERE to watch) which I recommend if you are new to Raw Food, you will want to definitely subscribe to Raw Food Rehab's website (why not it is totally free to join and you have access to so much information) and also subscribe to her YouTube channel as well. At these two sources they both will surely help the newcomer to Raw Food, just like its helped me so much. If it were not for Penni's wonderful and informative videos I would most likely have not even tried attempting to eat a Raw Food menu or attempt to even give it a whirl. Her archived videos of Foodie Friday's gave me the opportunity to see how easy it is to create a beautiful meal out of raw food. Seeing what the food could look like motivated me to even attempt a few of my first recipes and I fell in love with raw food. Penni does not look down on you if you are not 100% raw just that you are trying to eat healthy and incorporate some raw food in your life because it is good for you.
One day while visiting RFR, I came across a video that Penni did with a woman named Dara Dubinet. Clicking Dara's name will take you to her YouTube Channel. There is not a day that I don't watch a video by Dara. I have started to watch her videos from the beginning. With over 500 videos on her channel, you too can have a daily dose of Dara who will inspire you to "Get Your Greens On" as she has inspired me to do so.
Lauren from the blog "Ginger is the New Pink" is another inspiration. She documents her life with eating raw food, healing from Chron's Disease, and daily life in general. She is another inspiration that led me to believe I can do this! I don't have Chron's but someone dear to me does. Battling Kidney Disease and Lupus wanting to heal myself with Food is something we both share. She has introduced me to products I normally would not have tried if not for her review of them. From cookbooks, Daiya Cheese, Hail Mary's, beauty products and Dharma Straws plus many many more. I check in to read her blog often to see what's new out there that makes life a little easier. If I am in the mood to look at food in photos (I really hate the term "food porn") I will usually go to her website for inspiration of what I could make for dinner.
Now I will just list a couple other inspirations for you to check out...
Amber Shea Crawley, Author of "Practically Raw"
The Shannon's whose cookbook will be out soon, they have re-written the Betty Crocker Cookbook VEGAN style! It is available for pre-ordering at their website Meet the Shannons.
Maybe with the upcoming weeks this will be an avenue to not only focus on food, but the people that make them as well.
Many thanks to the people that inspire me to eat better for myself and making the information understandable for a newbie to culinary worlds of Raw, Vegetarian and Vegan fun for a meat-lover like myself. (For the record, I am not Vegetarian for poticial reasons, but medical ones. Just look at me like an ex-smoker, I still want to eat meat, I just know its bad for me and a struggle I have to deal with every single day!)
Sincerely,
Crystal
Monday, July 16, 2012
Bay Leaf Cafe - Spearfish, South Dakota
Howdy All,
You might have noticed that my blog has been quiet. It's because I have been preparing and now completed a trip out West with some of my favorite ladies (Katherine and Dawn).
During our trip my eating habits were not the greatest...after all I was on vacation. One of the culinary gems on our trip was that in Spearfish, SD at a small cafe in the downtown area. It was Vegetarian friendly. I really enjoyed the food here and wanted to post a short blog about my experience.
The name of the cafe is called the Bay Leaf Cafe. If you click their name it will take you to their website. We luckily were able to make it in time to get there for lunch. I say "in time" because the city was shutting Main Street down to prepare for their "First Fridays" party. Upon first sight, I did not think it would be a big establishment with such a small storefront. However, when you walk through their doors, think of the shape of a shoe box, its long but narrow in width. The walls are filled with art from local artists which entice the patron's eye, while the smells of the place make your tummy grumble even more with hunger.
I ate the Portabello Sandwich. It was very good and juicy. It was a grilled Porta on a bun with Gorganzola Cheese and a side of sweet potato fries. They also serve a wide array of coffees and liquors as well. The table's centerpiece was that of a shiny bottle of Sun Wine. They had pretty colors of blue cobalt, bright sunny yellows, and ruby reds. I could have bought the wine just for the bottles alone they were so pretty. One thing I regretted not trying out was their poppyseed bread. My friends were trying to keep the carbs on the down low, so I did not want to tempt their tummies by adding a big loaf of bread to the table. I also wish I took a photo of my food, it was just so pretty a presentation! My stomach took over before my brain could and I inhaled my food. It was gone before I even thought about taking a photo!
If I am ever in the area again, I would definitely suggest stopping by there to eat. Next time I would like to go for dinner. There was a piano in one of the corners of the building and I think at night they might offer live entertainment.
Anyways, again, I would highly recommend this restaurant for any Vegetarian, Vegan, or to the traveler that finds themselves in Spearfish, SD in need of a restauarant that can accomodate both the Vegan or Hardcore Carnivore (as they have Elk, Buffalo, and many more options) as well.
Thank you Bay Leaf Cafe for providing me with a wonderful and memorable meal!
Blessed Be,
Crystal T.
You might have noticed that my blog has been quiet. It's because I have been preparing and now completed a trip out West with some of my favorite ladies (Katherine and Dawn).
During our trip my eating habits were not the greatest...after all I was on vacation. One of the culinary gems on our trip was that in Spearfish, SD at a small cafe in the downtown area. It was Vegetarian friendly. I really enjoyed the food here and wanted to post a short blog about my experience.
The name of the cafe is called the Bay Leaf Cafe. If you click their name it will take you to their website. We luckily were able to make it in time to get there for lunch. I say "in time" because the city was shutting Main Street down to prepare for their "First Fridays" party. Upon first sight, I did not think it would be a big establishment with such a small storefront. However, when you walk through their doors, think of the shape of a shoe box, its long but narrow in width. The walls are filled with art from local artists which entice the patron's eye, while the smells of the place make your tummy grumble even more with hunger.
I ate the Portabello Sandwich. It was very good and juicy. It was a grilled Porta on a bun with Gorganzola Cheese and a side of sweet potato fries. They also serve a wide array of coffees and liquors as well. The table's centerpiece was that of a shiny bottle of Sun Wine. They had pretty colors of blue cobalt, bright sunny yellows, and ruby reds. I could have bought the wine just for the bottles alone they were so pretty. One thing I regretted not trying out was their poppyseed bread. My friends were trying to keep the carbs on the down low, so I did not want to tempt their tummies by adding a big loaf of bread to the table. I also wish I took a photo of my food, it was just so pretty a presentation! My stomach took over before my brain could and I inhaled my food. It was gone before I even thought about taking a photo!
If I am ever in the area again, I would definitely suggest stopping by there to eat. Next time I would like to go for dinner. There was a piano in one of the corners of the building and I think at night they might offer live entertainment.
Anyways, again, I would highly recommend this restaurant for any Vegetarian, Vegan, or to the traveler that finds themselves in Spearfish, SD in need of a restauarant that can accomodate both the Vegan or Hardcore Carnivore (as they have Elk, Buffalo, and many more options) as well.
Thank you Bay Leaf Cafe for providing me with a wonderful and memorable meal!
Blessed Be,
Crystal T.
Friday, June 29, 2012
M is for Mushrooms
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| Photo by Shmuli |
This week let's focus on Mushrooms...
No matter if you love them or don't, Mushrooms play a valuable role in my life in both the magical realm and the mundane. They are apart of fairy tales and fairy rings and as a newly Vegetarian, I love to put them into many things. They are my new "meat" and also a snack treat.
Now for my disclosure:
When eating mushrooms, make sure you know what kind you are eating....the safest kind to eat are the ones that you purchase from your local farmer's market or grocery store.
DO NOT EAT MUSHROOMS FROM THE WILD UNLESS YOU ARE A TRAINED PROFESSIONAL!!!
Why do I need to even write this? Because someone somewhere might be tempted to pick mushrooms out of their backyard or forest and eat them not knowing specifically what kind they are and if they are safe to eat. Just don't do it.
There are many various kinds of mushrooms. Some of them are poisonous and can cause psychedelic effects. They can also kill you!
Because of their abilities to cause "visions" it is thought that the priests and shamans wanted to keep this little known fact to themselves. After all, who wants their followers being given the ability to talk to their God, Goddess, Great Spirit or in my personal past experience watched a friend hold a very long conversation with a tree for over an hour. (For the record it was not me!)
Just a few bits of Correspondence:
Diety: I was unable to find a specific God or Goddess however I am going to list the Fae here. Also according to an article written by Patti from About.com, she writes that the Egyptian Gods consumed mushrooms. You can read the article by clicking HERE.
Element: Earth
Planetary: Mercury and the Moon
Sabbat: Yule
Intent: Visions, Protection, Creativity, Prosperity (as its nutritional content is high in Copper), Immortality, Strength
I am still doing research so I don't have too much information. I hope to add to this in the future.
For further reading I would suggest picking up a copy of Magic Mushrooms in Religions and Alchemy by Clark Heinrich.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Magic in Meals
When I first started out this project, it was going to be entirely focused on food. As always life happens. I was unable to physically put in the time and effort I needed each week to research the items I originally wanted to write about. Simply, there are not alot of resources for foods out there when it has to do with Magic. There are a few cookbooks here and there as well as some books on herbal correspondence.
The main book I have found that is my current go to is Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen by Scott Cunningham. There is a second book also by Cunningham called Magic of Food: Legends, Lore and Spellwork.
There are a few other books out there but they just don't meet my specific needs when trying to research correspondence and food. So I have been creating my own for my magical use.
Why have I even began to take on this project started a few years ago. I was talking to one of my friends and we were trying to think of how to simplify our spells especially due to the economy. We simply just don't have the money to purchase many of the items we were able to a few years ago. The money isn't there. I don't have the money to burn literally and physically like I used too, this is specifically related to candles. I just don't have the money for candles anymore. Majority of my budget goes to food to feed my family.
So our conversation was basically about where could we "cut" corners? What could we use that we already had an what we could not live without. That is when I began to shift my focus to food. It is something we have to use every single day. We need to eat and drink to survive. Why not take something we do every day, several times a day and turn it into something magical.
Why couldn't I find the "Magic in our Meals" ?
So I began to research, find books, articles, and I continue to do so to this day.
I have a few binders worth of recipes I have scribbled notes upon with magical correspondences. There are recipes I only make during specific Sabbats, Esbats, and specific phases of my life (birthdays, funerals, baby showers, etc).
Why not eat something from the mint family or green to increase prosperity?
Why not use things that are culinary aphrodisiacs in love spells?
Why not make cheese during Imbolc or have Cherry Pie during Beltane?
Shortly I will be traveling on a Sacred Journey to the Medicine Wheel in Wyoming. I will be gone for a number of days. I don't know yet if I will be bringing my computer with me. After all its a magical journey I will be taking with my covenmates as well as a few Sisters of the Craft. It will also be a mini vacation to get my Goddess on....LOL
Anyways, after I return I hope to return to posting about food for the remainder of this project. At least I hope I will be able too.
So here is to returning to my roots and what I originally hoped for whenever I started this Pagan Blog Project and "Finding the Magic in our Meals".
Blessed Be,
Crystal T.
 |
When I first started out this project, it was going to be entirely focused on food. As always life happens. I was unable to physically put in the time and effort I needed each week to research the items I originally wanted to write about. Simply, there are not alot of resources for foods out there when it has to do with Magic. There are a few cookbooks here and there as well as some books on herbal correspondence.
The main book I have found that is my current go to is Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen by Scott Cunningham. There is a second book also by Cunningham called Magic of Food: Legends, Lore and Spellwork.
There are a few other books out there but they just don't meet my specific needs when trying to research correspondence and food. So I have been creating my own for my magical use.
Why have I even began to take on this project started a few years ago. I was talking to one of my friends and we were trying to think of how to simplify our spells especially due to the economy. We simply just don't have the money to purchase many of the items we were able to a few years ago. The money isn't there. I don't have the money to burn literally and physically like I used too, this is specifically related to candles. I just don't have the money for candles anymore. Majority of my budget goes to food to feed my family.
So our conversation was basically about where could we "cut" corners? What could we use that we already had an what we could not live without. That is when I began to shift my focus to food. It is something we have to use every single day. We need to eat and drink to survive. Why not take something we do every day, several times a day and turn it into something magical.
Why couldn't I find the "Magic in our Meals" ?
So I began to research, find books, articles, and I continue to do so to this day.
I have a few binders worth of recipes I have scribbled notes upon with magical correspondences. There are recipes I only make during specific Sabbats, Esbats, and specific phases of my life (birthdays, funerals, baby showers, etc).
Why not eat something from the mint family or green to increase prosperity?
Why not use things that are culinary aphrodisiacs in love spells?
Why not make cheese during Imbolc or have Cherry Pie during Beltane?
Shortly I will be traveling on a Sacred Journey to the Medicine Wheel in Wyoming. I will be gone for a number of days. I don't know yet if I will be bringing my computer with me. After all its a magical journey I will be taking with my covenmates as well as a few Sisters of the Craft. It will also be a mini vacation to get my Goddess on....LOL
Anyways, after I return I hope to return to posting about food for the remainder of this project. At least I hope I will be able too.
So here is to returning to my roots and what I originally hoped for whenever I started this Pagan Blog Project and "Finding the Magic in our Meals".
Blessed Be,
Crystal T.
Monday, May 21, 2012
A Raw Slaw
There is no exact recipe since I don't really measure anything at this point....guess I should start measuring out stuff.
This is a Raw Slaw made from (approx measurements):
5 Kale Leaves, shredded
1 small baby Bok Choy, chopped
1 Red Delicious Apple, diced
1/2 a Yellow and 1/2 an Orange Bell Pepper, diced
1 small carrot diced
The dressing is made from:
3 TBS Olive Oil
2 TBS Apple Cider Vinegar
Dash of Salt (Himalayan)
1/2 teaspoon of Kelp Powder (my choice for salt substitute)
Fresh grated Pepper to taste
1 teaspoon of Dried Thyme (I powdered it in my Mortar and Pestle)
Whisk the above dressing items together and then pour over the veggies. Use hands to gently toss the slaw. I let it sit in the fridge for one hour before eating so the flavors could marry.
This was surprisingly pretty good. Not as sweet as I usually like but nice. Next time I think I might add about 1/4 cup of either Apple Juice or fresh squeezed Orange Juice. I think it would make it even better. This also made about 3 servings for me as a side dish. It would make a very large serving if you ate it as a meal. Actually, I don't think I could eat the whole thing even if I was starving...this made a large amount of food!
If you try this, let me know what you think about it!
Sincerely,
Crystal
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Trial and Error - Pineapple Starfruit Salsa
So I had these items on hand. I needed to use them relatively soon because I did not want them to go to waste or spoil. I had been craving Salsa so I thought about the Salsa at Whole Foods. Not wanting to spend around $5 for a very small container, I decided to attempt to reverse engineer it and then add a few extra things in it for my own taste.
So first I chopped/processed a few of the veggies and the fruit. I manually chopped the Starfruit, Pineapple, Green Onion and lime for its juice.
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| Don't forget to remove any seeds from the fruit. They can be bitter if large. |
I sliced the Starfruit as I found on YouTube. I have never eaten it before but heard wonderful things about it. I processed the Vidalia Onion by itself because I am planning on making a traditional salsa today as well. I also like onion in my salsa but not a whole one. Then I processed the Jalapeno, Garlic, and about 1/4 of an orange bell pepper that I had leftovers of from my raw coleslaw I made the other night (will post about that probably next time). The Cilantro I processed last. Next time I plan on doing the cilantro first because it kind of stuck to the sides from the moisture of everything elsse.
After everything was chopped/processed including the tomatoes for my traditional salsa I then folded the ingridients into two separate bowls. One with the Fruit, Jalapeno Mixture, White Onion, Green Onion, Cilantro and lime juice. The other with the Tomatoes, Jalapeno Mix, White Onion, Cilantro and Lime Juice with a bit a Himalayan Salt and Fresh Cracked Black Pepper. This is what it looks like.
As you can see I have a small jar of Pineapple Salsa for my friend Pilar because she was the first to speak and say, Hey I want to try some! Now her challange should she chose to accept it, is to pick it up before I eat thru the other two jars before hitting that little jar last! LOL (well seriously, I will wait to break that one open last Pilar).
This is what I plan on eating for lunch today....What do I use to scoop the salsa with? Celery Sticks!
I am sure I will be having tacos for the guys in the near future as well, so maybe I can use any leftovers (yeah like that is gonna happen, LOL) for a Tropical Style Salad possibly? Or maybe on a bed of Basmati Rice and top with the Pineapple Salsa and possibly some marinated Kale with lemon juice and sliced strawberries? I still have alot of those that need to be eaten as well. Now that I think about it, the possibilites are endless!
I hope you have a get lunch today, I know I will be!
Sincerely,
Crystal
Monday, May 14, 2012
Meatless Monday - Cashew Cream Sauce
When I first read about this sauce I knew it had potential! In the past at one of my Raw Food classes at Nourished Body & Soul by Deb K I learned that the cashew is a very versitile nut. The first time I had it was as a Mock Alfredo Sauce served over Kelp Noodles and I was hooked. I have not however been brave enough to try it out until I saw this recipe for Cilantro Cashew Cream Sauce and knew instantly I had to try it!
I was in luck, I happened to have all the items in my pantry or fridge as well so I knew it was a sign that I had to make this sauce! I am not using it for burritos as the recipe's main page is using it. I decided to use it another way. I decided to use it on a salad.
First I soaked my cashews like in the original recipe.
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| I blended them in the vitamix and then added the other ingridients as stated in the original recipe. |
 |
| This is the amount I recieved...a large mason jar's worth. |
 |
| Then I prepared my salad by starting out with marinated Kale in lemon juice. I let it sit for an hour. |
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| Then I used my new Spiralizer for the first time and cut some Zuchinni. |
 |
| I added half of an avocado. Then I massaged them all together. Next time I plan on adding the avocado before the zuchinni. |
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| Next came for my seasoning..today's choice was Organic Kelp Noodles. I have to limit my salt intake and this gives me a nice substitution. |
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| Just for the heck of it, I added black sesame seeds. Think next time I want to add Poppy Seeds. |
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| For the final product, I also added some more cilantro because the sauce was just not Cilantro enough for me. I also added sliced strawberries because I was not in the mood for tomatoes. I also dusted it with the Whole Foods 365 Line of Vegetarian Parmasan cheese (its another one of my staples transitioning). |
So this was my dinner tonight, what did you eat and how Raw are you today?
Sincerely,
Crystal T.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Sister's Published - Circle Magazine
Hey All!
I am just so proud of my sister! She is published in the Spring 2012 issue of Circle Magazine!
So go buy it and see what she wrote!
You can buy the current issue here.
Congrats Annette, I love you!
Sincerely,
Crystal
Infusions and Intent
In one form or another, a witch that casts some sort of spell has placed his or her intent into that spell. After all, without having a reason to cast the spell in the first place, would it even be cast?
For me this past year I have dedicated myself to studying and finding the Magic in my Meals. Finding the Magic in the food we eat on a daily basis to find out how a person can cast the most simpliest of spells by doing something they do every day, eating and drinking. In this manner, it would not matter if you were "Out of the Broom Closet", stradling that doorway, or completely inside peeking out a crack in the door every once in a while to see if anyone knows you are there.
With my particular case, I also focus on not only finding the magic in food, but its healing properties as well. One of the things I do is drink nourishing infusions.
I first learned about Infusions about a decade ago from a woman named Susun Weed. On her website I began my research into herbs, weeds, and the Wise Woman Tradition which I began to study. I also found a mentor in J.R. who had apprenticed with Susun that I have also learned from in the form of monthly Moon Lodges, herbal walks, and weekend intensives that hosted many classes from connecting to your inner Goddess, drumming ( including a 12 hour heartbeat healing session with the drumming), plus many many other avenues where I first tasted Nettle Infusion.
Now my friends and my mentor J.R. know that I am not a big fan of Nettles. She (the herb) is a stinging herb and very protective about who touches her. Those that do touch her, do so with much respect to her defense mechanisms and treat her gently and kindly if they wish to consume her healing energies that she holds inside. Even though I am not fond of her specific taste, right now she is one of my strongest Herbal Allies that I can use. Once my sister Annette told me "What you want and what you may need might not be the same thing in the Goddess's eyes". She will give you what she thinks your needs are which could be completely different and have been that way most of my life. With adding a bit of Raw Honey to sweeten Nettles up, she is more pleasing to my taste buds and now I am enjoying her nourishment in the form of an Infusion every morning.
Each night before going to bed, I boil my kettle of water. I place a handful of Nettles in the bottom of a large mason jar. When the water is nice and hot, I pour it over the herbs. Next I take a cap and secure the lid on the jar. I then place the jar upon one of the altars in my kitchen on my pentacle trivet next to a lit candle and then "Infuse my Intent" of healing my body from the inside out with the help of my herbal ally. I don't just infuse my intent with my herbal infusions, I do it with every meal while I am preparing it and cooking it (mostly cooking for my family as I am tending to eat more raw foods from Gaia's Bounty)
Anyone can add their intent to their food and use it as a spell. Just focus on the ingridients and their properties they hold. If you look at my past posts for Pagan Blog Project you will see a few items whose properties I have already listed out for you. If you want something for protection, simply use garlic, salt or black pepper. It is as simple as that if you know the properties of the food you are using and want to focus on them magically.
Utilizing my herbal allies as Nourshing and Magical Food is not all I am doing to take charge of my health. Last year I was able to benefit by receiving healing energies from a wonderful group of people over at the Temple of Witchcraft co-founded by Christopher Penczak. I am very grateful for being able to receive those healing energies from them. Should you be reading this, thank you Stevie the wonderful woman that was my "Case Manager" if you will for everything you and the Temple has done for me, my health continues to improve with each passing month (though lately I have been battling alot of cold, flu and respiratorty viruses and bacterial infections on top of my kidney disease). The Kidneys however are OH SO MUCH BETTER than last Summer! For those that have the extra energy they would like to channel and help heal others whether it be thru Reiki, candle lighting, or what other form you possess, please check out their Healing List and offer any energy you can to help them out! You can view the current list here . You will notice my name is still being listed since I have an ongoing battle. Also while I am thinking of it, send Christopher a Happy Birthday note since his birthday is the day before mine. Happy Birthday my fellow Taurus!
Well that is all for now...until next time.
I hope you find the Magic in your Meals!
Blessed Be,
Crystal T.
For me this past year I have dedicated myself to studying and finding the Magic in my Meals. Finding the Magic in the food we eat on a daily basis to find out how a person can cast the most simpliest of spells by doing something they do every day, eating and drinking. In this manner, it would not matter if you were "Out of the Broom Closet", stradling that doorway, or completely inside peeking out a crack in the door every once in a while to see if anyone knows you are there.
With my particular case, I also focus on not only finding the magic in food, but its healing properties as well. One of the things I do is drink nourishing infusions.
I first learned about Infusions about a decade ago from a woman named Susun Weed. On her website I began my research into herbs, weeds, and the Wise Woman Tradition which I began to study. I also found a mentor in J.R. who had apprenticed with Susun that I have also learned from in the form of monthly Moon Lodges, herbal walks, and weekend intensives that hosted many classes from connecting to your inner Goddess, drumming ( including a 12 hour heartbeat healing session with the drumming), plus many many other avenues where I first tasted Nettle Infusion.
Now my friends and my mentor J.R. know that I am not a big fan of Nettles. She (the herb) is a stinging herb and very protective about who touches her. Those that do touch her, do so with much respect to her defense mechanisms and treat her gently and kindly if they wish to consume her healing energies that she holds inside. Even though I am not fond of her specific taste, right now she is one of my strongest Herbal Allies that I can use. Once my sister Annette told me "What you want and what you may need might not be the same thing in the Goddess's eyes". She will give you what she thinks your needs are which could be completely different and have been that way most of my life. With adding a bit of Raw Honey to sweeten Nettles up, she is more pleasing to my taste buds and now I am enjoying her nourishment in the form of an Infusion every morning.
Each night before going to bed, I boil my kettle of water. I place a handful of Nettles in the bottom of a large mason jar. When the water is nice and hot, I pour it over the herbs. Next I take a cap and secure the lid on the jar. I then place the jar upon one of the altars in my kitchen on my pentacle trivet next to a lit candle and then "Infuse my Intent" of healing my body from the inside out with the help of my herbal ally. I don't just infuse my intent with my herbal infusions, I do it with every meal while I am preparing it and cooking it (mostly cooking for my family as I am tending to eat more raw foods from Gaia's Bounty)
Anyone can add their intent to their food and use it as a spell. Just focus on the ingridients and their properties they hold. If you look at my past posts for Pagan Blog Project you will see a few items whose properties I have already listed out for you. If you want something for protection, simply use garlic, salt or black pepper. It is as simple as that if you know the properties of the food you are using and want to focus on them magically.
Utilizing my herbal allies as Nourshing and Magical Food is not all I am doing to take charge of my health. Last year I was able to benefit by receiving healing energies from a wonderful group of people over at the Temple of Witchcraft co-founded by Christopher Penczak. I am very grateful for being able to receive those healing energies from them. Should you be reading this, thank you Stevie the wonderful woman that was my "Case Manager" if you will for everything you and the Temple has done for me, my health continues to improve with each passing month (though lately I have been battling alot of cold, flu and respiratorty viruses and bacterial infections on top of my kidney disease). The Kidneys however are OH SO MUCH BETTER than last Summer! For those that have the extra energy they would like to channel and help heal others whether it be thru Reiki, candle lighting, or what other form you possess, please check out their Healing List and offer any energy you can to help them out! You can view the current list here . You will notice my name is still being listed since I have an ongoing battle. Also while I am thinking of it, send Christopher a Happy Birthday note since his birthday is the day before mine. Happy Birthday my fellow Taurus!
Well that is all for now...until next time.
I hope you find the Magic in your Meals!
Blessed Be,
Crystal T.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Live Jolly Foods
For my Meatless Monday entry, I was excited to see that Live Jolly Foods is now available for online ordering! If you like Raw Food be sure to check them out! I definitely will!
I first heard about Live Jolly Foods from Lauren at Ginger is the New Pink blog. After I did a little research I learned that Chef Chris Jolly attended my alma mater LSU (GEAUX TIGERS!)
They are also offerring 20% off your first order! So if you like Kale chips, Flax Seed Crackers, Cookies, Brownies and more, be sure to go check them out at HERE . I am trying to figure out what I want to order this week! I want to make sure I get some goodies for my trip out west this summer to the Medicine Wheel for the Summer Solstice this year with my Coven Sisters.
If you click on their link for their blog you will find a few recipes as well!
Find the Magic in your Meals!
Blessed Be,
Crystal T.
I first heard about Live Jolly Foods from Lauren at Ginger is the New Pink blog. After I did a little research I learned that Chef Chris Jolly attended my alma mater LSU (GEAUX TIGERS!)
They are also offerring 20% off your first order! So if you like Kale chips, Flax Seed Crackers, Cookies, Brownies and more, be sure to go check them out at HERE . I am trying to figure out what I want to order this week! I want to make sure I get some goodies for my trip out west this summer to the Medicine Wheel for the Summer Solstice this year with my Coven Sisters.
If you click on their link for their blog you will find a few recipes as well!
Find the Magic in your Meals!
Blessed Be,
Crystal T.
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