Bomb Proof Coffee

Many of you may have heard of the famous patented “Bulletproof Coffee” comprised of special beans, MCT Oil, and Grass Fed Butter.  It’s designed as a breakfast replacement to provide loads of energy with quality fats and caffeine.  The long-burning fats prevent the caffeine/blood sugar crash that people often experience after drinking black coffee or sweetened espresso.  Drinking the quality fats instead of eating a breakfast full of complex carbohydrates and protein give your digestion a break (also known as intermittent fasting).  This allows your body to perform lower priority functions such as healing, fertility, building new tissue, and immune restoration that do not occur until higher priority digestion has completed.

The high levels Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) found in Grass Fed Butter is a powerful antioxidant and aids in weight loss and prevent cancer while the Butyric Acid aids in colon health.  Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) found in Unrefined Coconut Oil absorb easily into the bloodstream for long-burning easily accessed energy, rather than being stored as fat in adipose tissue.

Coffee is one of most heavily sprayed crops, so buying Organic matters!  Instead of adding sugar, artificial Sweeteners and flavors that are pro-inflammatory toxins that get stored as fat, why not consume quality fats that taste sweet and satiate you by triggering your leptin hormone.  Give it a try!

Though I am primarily Paleo, I personally enjoy a twist on this recipe I call Bomb Proof Coffee that uses unrefined Coconut Oil instead of refined MCT, adds filling Gelatin for protein and bone / skin / digestive repair, and Organic Cold Brew Coffee, which is lower in Acid and higher in caffeine than hot brewed coffee.

All you need is a blender, unrefined Coconut Oil, Grass Fed unsalted butter, Organic Coffee Beans, and plain Gelatin.  Costco, Trader Joes, and the local Food Co-op have what you need.  Just soak your fresh ground beans in a coffee press overnight in cold filtered water (You can make enough for 2 days and refrigerate half for the next day) In the morning, press your coffee and heat it until it is nearly boiling.  Combine 1 TBSP each: grass fed butter, unrefined Coconut Oil, and gelatin in the blender and pulse until it is frothy.

Voila!  Enjoy.

Easy, Healthy, Tasty, Low Acid Coffee

Coffee has its pros and cons.  It can provide energy for your workout, antioxidants, promote weight loss, invokes peristalsis for regularity, and can be an enjoyable social event or meditative morning ritual.  However; Coffee is a stimulant, can become addictive, and when overindulged, can have detrimental health effects.  Hypertension, Osteoporosis, Disrupted Sleep, Stained Teeth, Acid Reflux, and Dehydration are common side effects of overconsumption.  Moderation is key!

Coffee is one of the most highly sprayed crops, and decaffeinated coffee is usually manufactured by using a chemical process.  So consider purchasing Organic.  Additionally, try to support Fair Trade Coffees, as the Coffee Industry is known to employ slave laborers and poor working conditions.  Sampling local and small Coffee businesses can be educational and fun.  Many offer free tastings.  The different flavors will enlighten your senses!

As for the acidity of coffee that leaches calcium from your bones and teeth, creating a bodily environment hospitable to unwanted bacteria and pathogens….there is a way to reduce the acid….It’s called Cold Brewing….There are several devices you can buy online.  But it’s inexpensive and easy to do at home without any special contraptions.

Essentially, you can soak your ground Coffee in a glass pitcher of water the night before.  In the morning, simply strain your coffee into another glass pitcher and refrigerate or heat as desired.  Your coffee will have amazing flavor with up to 75% less acid.  Please take note, the caffeine content will be stronger!

Additionally, you can compost those spent grounds or use them in the garden for acid loving plants.  Did you know that swishing with water after drinking coffee reduces teeth stains substantially?  And drinking a large glass of water will help rehydrate you afterwards.

Enjoy your cup of Joe!

 

Make Your Own Backyard Bitters

In my previous post about Bitters , I mentioned all the benefits of these wonderful medicines. If you have your own herbs and “weeds”, you can brew up your own magical elixirs.

Yesterday, I scavenged the forest and the winter Herb Garden to Wildcraft some homemade Bitters. Following Rosemary Gladstone’s recipe, I gathered the following bitter food ingredients: Unfiltered Raw Apple Cider Vinegar, dried Licorice root, Golden and Italian Oregano, Cayenne Pepper, Thyme, Sage, fragrant Rosemary, Lemon Balm, cleaned Dandelion roots, fresh Peppermint, scraped and washed Oregon Grape roots, Orange peel, Lemon peel, and Grapefruit Peel. I finely minced the ingredients and submerged them under 2 inches of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar to start the anaerobic tincture process.

The sealed, clear glass jar will sit on the window sill for 4-6 weeks, while I shake it daily to help the enzymes extract the properties from the plants. Afterwards, I will strain the liquid into dark glass bottles, to prevent oxidation for up to 1 year. These Bitters can be taken daily, with each meal for optimum digestion, nutrition, and overall health.

Recipe for Healing Within

Sometimes skies are grey, life seems dull,  and we feel lost.  We cannot always control external factors, so we must look within.  We can focus on nourishing our bodies, to support our minds, heal our hearts, and lift our souls.

Realize the majority of your body is inhabited by non human cells including bacteria and yeast. Stress,  sugar,  processed foods,  and other unhealthy lifestyle choices disrupt healthy flora equilibrium.  When this happens, opportunistic candida colonizes sending signals to all parts of your body in forms of unhealthy cravings and negative thoughts, leading to fatigue and depression.

Drinking more water,  resting,  yoga, positive meditation,  nature and good company are great ways to combat these invaders.  When that’s not enough, send in the troops by with one of the most probiotic rich medicines ever known…. Sauerkraut! . Here’s a basic recipe from Sally Fallon’s “Nourishing Traditions”,  one of my favorite cookbooks.

Organic cabbage is local to the Pacific Northwest in winter,  so load up!

I skip the whey (I am lactose intolerant) so I make up with mineral rich sea salts.

Sampling to ensure it tastes perfect before smashing in a gallon jar.

The salt releases the enzymes and lactobacillus proliferates in the firmly packed,  dark anaerobic environment for a week or longer before consumption and refrigeration.

A fork full a day keeps the bad bugs away!  Namaste

Easy Clean Paleo Dinner #7

OK.. I was exhausted tonight. .Rough weeks happen,  so it’s OK to simplify.  Still,  the kids were delighted to have Trader Joe’s Organic Broccoli Slaw, Nitrate Free Turkey Dogs, and Gluten Free Mac and Cheese. . Obviously, Paleo Mom abstained from the rice pasta and instead had an extra weiner and large helping of Slaw. . Slaw includes Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar, Natural Mayonnaise, Organic Fugitive Apple, Organic Raisins, Soaked and Dehydrated Pecans, Turmeric, and Pepper. AND EVERYONE CLEANED THEIR PLATES!

Easy Clean Paleo Dinner #6

There is no better tuna than fresh caught steaks. If you are fortunate enough to have a fisherman in the family,  or live near the water and have a local market,  pickup some tuna steaks. . Iron grill with lemon and minced garlic on medium on all sides. . Quality fish can remain raw inside,  but I choose to cook thoroughly since I have young immune systems to feed. . Organic Sweet Potatoes Coined with Powdered Ginger and Fresh Rosemary baked with Coconut Oil at 375 until tender. . Organic Spinach,  Avocado,  Organic Celery, Organic Carrots, Grape Tomatoes, EVOO,  Sea Salt,  and Apple Cider Vinegar.  TOTAL TIME: 30 Minutes.  Omega 3,6,9s to assist uptake of all the Fat Soluble Vitamins A D E and K in one meal.  Absolutely Nutritious and Delicious.

Super Easy Turkey Vegetable Soup

When it’s cold outside and you need a fast, nutritious filling meal,  this soup will warm you up quick. 

Costco Organic Frozen Peas,  Nitrate Free Cooked Turkey Breast, Organic Chicken Broth,  Organic Canned Sliced Tomatoes,  Pine Nuts,  Himalayan Sea Salt,  Organic Celery,  Pinch of Cayenne,  and Fresh Rosemary. . Boil in a Stainless Steel Pot and Voila!  15 minute meal with leftovers to spare.

Easy Clean Paleo Dinner #5

Do you want an easy fast dinner without sacrificing quality? Grab 2 kids, and go to Costco.  Pick up a ripe pineapple,  Organic EVOO,  Organic carrots,  Organic Salad mix,  Aidelle’s Pre-cooked Chicken Teriyaki Meatballs and Grape Tomatoes. Adult Supervision required for cutting and cooking.

This took 15 minutes from package to plate.  Enjoy!

Easy Clean Paleo Dinner #4

EZ Taco Salad

EZ Taco Salad

It’s Taco Night.  If you’re like me, I have other mouths to feed.  So, even though I eat Paleo Style, I allow my children legumes and sprouted grains once in awhile..they also consume dairy.  Every body is different, so this meal is sure to please the whole crew, plus almost everything came from Costco!  Super Simple and affordable!

 

 

• Taco Meat – Coleman Organic Ground Turkey from Costco- cooked to temperature in EVOO with natural TACO seasoning
• Organic Black Baked Beans reheated – from Trader Joes – for the kiddos – because these are a Paleo No No
• Ezekiel Sprouted Wraps – baked in an iron skillet with olive oil for the children
• 

  Coleman Organic Ground Turkey with Ezekiel Sprouted Wraps and Organic Black Beans

   

• Chopped white organic onions from Trader Joes – pungent and spicy
• Chopped organic Cilantro from Fred Meyers – so fragrant, cleansing, and refreshing.
• Organic Jacks Salsa from Costco
• Chopped Grape Tomatoes from Costco
• Sliced Avocado from Costco
• Natural Cheddar from Costco shredded for the children – and know that cheddar cheese contains a “natural food coloring” to be colored with Annatto.  Again, this is a treat for them.

• 

  Condiments

Easy Clean Paleo Dinner #2

Pumpkin Apple Carrot Bisque with Broccoli and Garlic Chicken Meatballs

This dinner was alot easier than it looks, and it contains fresh food from my garden.

But, rest assured, you can get everything you need from the store.

For the Bisque, I had already baked my backyard pumpkin, and froze it.  I of course, roasted, salted, and ate the seeds!  So, I simply threw 3 cups of frozen pumpkin in a pan to melt it.  I chopped up a few slices of fresh ginger and 4 large Organic Costco carrots and simmered them in a pan to sweeten them up.  After cooking, I threw them in a Vitamix with 2 cups of Organic Treetop Applesauce from Costco.  I blended into a Bisque, added purple sage sprigs from my herb garden and Voila!  A warm, sweet, and spicy treat filled with Vitamin A and Carotenoids!

As for the Broccoli….well, Costco has pre-packaged portions of Organic Frozen Broccoli, so into the pan with some water for steaming it goes!  It is important not to overcook broccoli or to use too much water.  Many of the overcooked vitamins will end up in the liquid if so.  You want to savor the antioxidants from this cruciferous vegetable.  This is why lightly steaming is so important.

Lastly, the already-cooked Organic Aidells Sweet Chicken and Roasted Garlic from Costco go into the Stainless Steel Pan for 10 minutes to get re-heated.  We only cook with Cast Iron, glass, Ceramic and Stainless steel, because aluminum, teflon, and other unnatural surfaces cause cancer and other health issues.

Total time tonight?  30 minutes from freezer and garden to plate.  I even added candlelight to the dinner table.  So, c’mon….you can do this too!