Coming Full Circle

Isn't it funny how you can start a journey because you get an inkling to do something  and have no idea where its going to take you? I was pouring through some old files and realized that this month is the three year anniversary of this blog.

When I started writing, it was to figure out my own feelings as to what the term "holistic health" meant. I knew I wanted to invite more holistic concepts into my life. I couldn't even dream of having a holistic career (although I knew I wanted to spread Reiki but that was about it). My first two posts to this blog were about enjoying simple healthy foods and also relaxing a bit by planting something. It seemed like a good place to start.

Here I am three years later, as a Holistic health coach and I love what I do. I get to talk about food and nutrition with my clients all the time. I also get to see how they become happier by taking control of their lives, and learning how to reduce stress. For me, it is the coolest job ever! I had no idea my journey would land me here, but its great knowing I helped make it happen by listening to my intuition and taking baby steps along the way.

Speaking of celebrating and baby steps.... I'd like to congratulate my dear friend Kerri on the birth of her son, this morning. She has met many obstacles on her journey over the years and it is wonderful seeing her live her dreams and be so happy!

Stay tuned later this week for my regular post. In the spirit of the warmer weather and years past, its time to start talking about gardening again. This year will be a little different because I don't have to use containers. Since I have the room, instead of joining a CSA, I am undertaking a fairly large gardening project. All o you will get to learn from my mistakes and hopefully enjoy my successes as well. The first two topics are going to be prepping and composting. I hope you enjoy. Have a wonderful day, its beautiful out!

ITs Spring! While the Hubby is Away, I will play....with food that is.

With the warm weather starting about a month early in my area, it feels great to get a jump on my spring projects. Spring is such an inspiring time of year and a great time to begin new journeys and goals. I also tend to find time alone very productive.The whole house, and my mood, feel so much fresher and more vibrant.  My husband has gone out of town for work for a few days and they also happen to be my days off, so I am in a project frenzy. I miss him already, (and he's only been gone a few hours), but I have to admit I get twice as much done around the homestead when he is not here. I am updating my resume and putting the finishing touches on the website for my coaching business.  I look forward to contemplative time working in my garden, sowing seeds for my summer veggies and even spring cleaning.  Note: If you want to clean without the chemicals, checkout a post I did a few years back on Homemade household cleaners.

My husband also tends to be a rather picky eater. He will not eat a number of my favorite veggies. Unfortunately, my remedy has become to only make the foods I crave (that he won't eat), when he is not around. His latest seasonal veggie victim is peas. No sense in denying myself the pleasure of some amazing veg, so I am using his time away to make all kinds of wonderful spring dishes. 

Here are a few spring recipes and yummy snacks that I will be treating myself to:

• pea & mint bruschetta, a yummy appetizer and I get to use mint form my garden, yay!
• Protein Power Goddess Bowl,  from the Oh She Glows blog
• Baked Kale chips, yummy & easy snack recipe by the gluten free girl
• Greek Quinoa salad, from Kath Eats Real Food

For dinner I'll be making pasta, since its something else I don't get often that Charley doesn't enjoy too much.
I'll be using whole grain pasta with homemade oven roasted tomato sauce.

Michelle's Oven Roasted Tomato Sauce
For the sauce take a couple of organic tomatoes and cut them in half. Drizzle with olive oil  and minced garlic and place in a baking dish. Slow roast them for about 2 hours at 250 degrees. The roasting will concentrate all the wonderful sweetness of the tomatoes & you won't need to add any sugar, like all the bottled sauces are full of. When the tomatoes are done roasting puree them in a blender or food processor. Then toss with your favorite cooked pasta. I'll be adding some zucchini and spinach to mine.


 I hope you get to enjoy all the beauty of the spring renewal season that is all around us and get some good quality time to relax and ground yourself like I am over the next few days. Happy Spring.

Healthier Convenience Baked Goods? Am I dreaming?

Happy Saturday! Its my one weekend off per month...hooray! I'm happy to report we have lots of fun things planned but the best parts are that my brother in law is spending the weekend with us and I get to see my good friend Sara later tonight. Whenever we have weekend guests I like to wake up and have some nice warm baked goods ready for our guests. After a crazy night out, the thought of getting up, proofing and baking dough is not exactly at the top of my wish list.  Despite it making my life easier, I refuse to buy the biscuits with a certain giggling rotund boy in a chef hat. I don't trust the chemicals & preservatives in the prepackaged doughs. This youtube clip pretty much demonstrates what I think of them , its entitled where croissants come from:



I was faced with this same dilemma about a month ago until I discovered the Immaculate Baking Company while in Wegman's. Their products were right on the refrigerated shelf next to the other pre-packaged doughs and cookies....so I almost missed them. Here's the skinny on what I thought of their products.

1) I love the fact that I can not only pronounce and recognize every ingredient on the label but they even explain they use non GMO Canola oil and aluminum fee baking powder

2) They also have gluten free and dairy free cookie lines as well

3) The scones are more like biscuits and have yummy things like cranberries or cinnamon in them.  They also don't leave that yucky film on the roof of your mouth when you eat them at room temperature like that other popular brand does. They also keep for a few days.

4) They actually taste pretty close to homemade...... almost as good. Homemade for me, is always best.

5) My husband really likes the cookies.

So basically yes, you can actually buy good tasting pre-made dough for baking that isn't full of nasty chemicals. I will still make 99% of my baked goods myself, but it is nice to know I have a trustworthy option if I decide to take  it easy and cheat once in a while.  (They have no idea I'm giving them this glowing endorsement BTW, I just was very pleasantly surprised by their products)