Monthly Archives: July 2018

Food

Clean Classic – Chicken Soup

 

Low Carbohydrate version pictured

Gluten-Free · Dairy-Free · Grain-Free

Can be made:  Low-Carbohydrate

 

This soup is deep gold and bursting with flavor and nutrition – better than anything you’ll ever taste out of a can!    It’s full  of collagen, minerals, vitamins and is even healing to the digestive system.  It’s rich and comforting to the soul and a nourishing remedy for colds or flu.  I enjoy it for spring lunches, fall and wintertime dinners, and at least once a month all year around “just because”.  It also freezes well and I usually have some stowed away for quick meals or illness that pops up unexpectedly. 

 

Ingredients

  • 1 whole, raw chicken
  • 2 teaspoons raw apple cider vinegar
  • minimally processed sea salt (like Himalayan or Celtic – not white)
  • 30 turns of freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
  • a smidge (start with 1/16 of a teaspoon) of ground Bird’s Eye Chili or Cayenne pepper to taste
  • 1 cup wild rice (wild rice is actually the seed of a grass and not a grain)
  • 1 large white, yellow or red onion
  • 8-10 cloves fresh, raw garlic
  • 2 large or 4 small stalks celery
  • 4 medium-sized carrots
  • 2 medium-sized zucchini
  • 2 medium-sized yellow squash
  • 4 Roma tomatoes 
  • 2 tablespoons chopped, fresh oregano (or 2 teaspoons dried)
  • 1 medium-sized head of cauliflower – Low-Carbohydrate version only

Directions

  • Cover chicken with water in a large stock pot.
  • Simmer on low, sprinkled with 2 teaspoons of sea salt, cracked black pepper, Bird’s Eye or Cayenne and apple cider vinegar for 10 hours (I usually do this part before bed).
  • Remove chicken from the pot and set in a large bowl.  It should be falling apart so use tongs, a slotted spoon or a small strainer to scoop everything out.
  • Remove the meat, shred with fingers and set aside. 
  • Return the rest of the chicken (including bones, cartilage, fat and skin.) to the pot to continue simmering for 4-6 more hours.
  • Remove all parts of the chicken from the broth with a slotted spoon or a strainer and continue to simmer broth.
  • Add wild rice, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.  *Omit wild rice in grain-free version
  • Mince (or use a food processor to make tiny pieces of:  onion, garlic, carrot, celery and cauliflower.  *cauliflower in Low-Carbohydrate version only.
  • Add to the pot, stir and allow soup to return to a simmer.
  • Mince/process softer vegetables:  zucchini, yellow squash and tomato.
  • Add to the pot, stir and allow soup to return to a simmer.
  • Add shredded chicken back into pot.
  • Add oregano and more seasonings to taste.
  • Cover and simmer everything on low for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to come together and mature.

Low-Carbohydrate Version:

  • substitute cauliflower for wild rice
  • If you are on a strict Low-Carbohydrate diet, substitute 1 orange bell pepper for carrots. 

 

Life

The Little Things

This is  Wild-Haired Child #3 in our unkempt backyard this past spring.  She loves wildflowers, as many young children do.  They seem to naturally notice, appreciate and even get excited over what most adults consider weeds and a nuisance.

She reminds me to take a break from dirty socks, calendars, and the unrelenting world of social media to quietly marvel at ordinary, everyday miracles that so easily get lost in all the chores.

To observe the fuzz on the white spotted jumping spider and look long and closely enough to catch my reflection in it’s eyes – even if there’s still a little anxiety and disgust mingled in with the wonder.

To rejoice in the first buds of a tomato plant and feel genuine awe and gratitude when a new species of bird alights on our fencepost.

To stroke Child #3’s matted curls that she refuses to let me brush, tendrils that envelope her brilliant, inquisitive green eyes as she delights in the wildflowers we failed to mow in a neighborly manner.

There’s so much to be afraid of, angry and disappointed over in this world.   But if we can find true thankfulness we can know hope, peace, and joy in the midst of all that hurts, like wildflowers sprinkling a neglected lawn.  And if we learn to see the little things there is no shortage.  EVER.   Of blessings to be thankful for.

More:

1000 Gifts

 

 

 

Health, Life, Poetry

Enough

But your illusions of intellectual supremacy fade as the truth rouses open our eyes. And finite and futile are your imminent days as the awakened rise up and dismantle your lies.

I’m not one to tell others what they should think or do.  I am a relentless advocate of personal rights and responsibility.  I make a point of encouraging people to critically evaluate information from different perspectives, form their own educated opinions and to make and own their decisions.  It is doubtful that I will ever cease in that conviction and mission.   

As an extension of what I just mentioned, when it comes to certain specific topics like childbirth and vaccination, I don’t often publicly share the full extent of my own well-developed views so as not to overly influence that important opinion-forming process in others.  But I have written poetry most of my life and I have decided to share some of it at the risk of repelling those who disagree or don’t understand.  These blog posts will be less doula-esque in that I will not attempt to simply share resources while projecting neutrality.  I’ve seen too much now – too much medical bullying, suppression of safe and effective natural options, manipulated “science”, mangled flesh and tears.  So at this point,  through this particular outlet, I will share some controversial personal sentiments openly and unapologetically.  It is still my penetrating belief that others have the right and responsibility to develop their own thoughts and beliefs for themselves.  

I am convinced that many aspects of Western medicine have an important place in our world and that there are some outstanding doctors, nurses and other professionals out there.  However, there is also a great deal of corruption and deception in this so-called “conventional” medical system that renders too many well-intended healthcare practitioners the unwitting accomplices of it’s crimes, and results in the needless harm and death of innumerable people.  I see it regularly in many areas of medicine, perhaps most notably those related to vaccination and cancer treatment.  The following words are born of righteous anger, passion and years of research and experiences.  They are directed toward the nefarious individuals and systems that knowingly and repeatedly place profits ahead of people.  Your reign of greed and ego-fueled carnage is unravelling.

Enough   

 by Cristina Howell

 

You monopolize wisdom,                                                                                             

wielding scepter and crown,                                                                                       

while your science is weak                                                                                         

and your logic’s unsound.

You brandish credentials                                                                                             

as the curtain frays thin,                                                                                             

and your impotent dogma’s                                                                               

found lacking again.

Those who need to partake                                                                                         

in your masquerade will.                                                                                         

They’ll assault and defend                                                                                           

or close their eyes and lie still.

But your illusions of intellectual supremacy fade                                               

as the truth rouses open our eyes.                                                                     

And finite and futile are your imminent days                                                       

as the awakened rise up and dismantle your lies.

 

                                                                                                                     

Don’t know what on earth I’m talking about?  Maybe it’s time to do some digging of your own.