Dairy-free

After relying on cow dairy products all my life, I now have to give it up.  It seems I have developed an allergy to it.  I can and will come accustom to soy, rice, and almond milk.  I will learn what taste better in desserts and what doesn't.  My biggest problem will be butter.  Not only do I prefer the taste over margarine, but I like to make my own.  Butter is "pure" without chemicals.  Margarine is chemicals and oils made in a prefab mold that is some how suppose to be equal to butter.  blah!  I do know there are many more alternatives out there then there use to be years ago that are more pleasing to the pallet.  Yet I fear the taste of butter on a warm bagel or toast is a distant memory for me. Hopefully I can find something that is made of natural ingredients that taste decent.

On a positive note, by omitting dairy from my life will force me to avoid many tempting treats that I should avoid anyway. 

Ahhh! Sweet Blackberries!

Blackberries grow wild just about all over the United States, but in the Pacific Northwest there is an over abundance of them.  Right now blackberries are in peak season and I do so enjoy picking free food.  They are great with a little bit of sugar sprinkled on them or better yet, make a blackberry crisp.  I've tried 3 different recipes so far, and the best one had oatmeal in it.  It's WONDERFUL with homemade vanilla ice cream made with fresh vanilla beans or real vanilla extract.  If homemade is not possible, I suggest using a premium brand were you can really taste the vanilla.

The link below is not one of my recipes and I wouldn't add lemon but it's pretty close to what I make.  Try it if you have access to blackberries.  It's a great "semi-healthy" dessert.  Blackberries are high in antioxidants too!

Blackberry Crisp Recipe

Breakfast

I know you've heard it,  "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day."  "Breakfast gives you energy."   Yadda....yadda.....That wasn't reason enough for me to eat all those extra calories when I really didn't care to eat in the morning anyway.  All I need is a hot cup of tea to get me going.

Last night, I read that breakfast actually boosts your metabolism.  Now that IS a reason to eat breakfast.  Check out the link below.  This is just one of many links I viewed.


http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art841.asp

Had a baby

I had a baby girl about 5 months ago and I still have unwanted pregnancy weight.  Not that I'm skinny.....far from it, but while I work on my goals of self sufficiency and a holistic lifestyle, I will be adding diet and exercise too.