McClure Family Blog

HOMEMADE ORGANIC HOT COCOA: GLUTEN & DAIRY FREE {healthy post monday} …

Saturday was one of those days where I felt like I was in a movie. We took our kids to see Santa, then visited little Nutcracker window displays around an outdoor shopping center where we live. We ended our perfect little outing with a trip to Starbucks. Later that day, we made “Gingerbread Houses” and watched our favorite Christmas movie, “Small One.” This was my favorite movie as a child and I still cry every time I watch it.

We made our “Gingerbread House” out of graham crackers, Dollar Store candy, frosting, and hot glue, none of which my kids can eat (pics to come tomorrow). They did so well not asking to eat it, with the exceptional silly “fake-out” from my 2 year old boy, sticking his tongue out toward a spoon full of icing and giggling hysterically. :) After touching and playing with all that candy, I wanted to provide a healthier alternative as a treat for following instructions; organic chocolate peppermint dipped marshmallows and organic, dairy free, gluten free hot cocoa.

I had a few organic marshmallows I purchased at Whole Foods a while back for a special event, some leftover organic chocolate chips, and organic, naturally dyed, corn-syrup free candy canes. I crushed the candy canes in a zippy bag and melted the chocolate in a small pot nestled in a second pot of simmering water. After I dipped the marshmallows in the chocolate, I sprinkled the crushed candy canes over the mallows. I placed them on freezer paper in the freezer while I made the organic, dairy free, gluten free hot cocoa. This was a last minute project and I was racing against the bedtime clock, so they aren’t that pretty and I’m sure there are better ways of making them. They did taste so yummy though. :)

I made organic, dairy free, gluten free hot cocoa from this site. The Nourishing Gourmet has amazing, healthy recipes and great information about eating clean and nutritious food. She has an awesome honey-sweetened marshmallow recipe here we have used several times.

These photos are terrible because I had to use the flash in our little den. Our light is broken so it is very dark at night! :) This was the first time my kids have had hot cocoa and they LOVED it! My boy looked so cute holding his coffee cup like a big boy. :)

I feel like I need to add a few more words out of respect for the tragedy in Connecticut. To be honest, Saturday’s bliss and “movie-like” experience with my kids was periodically disrupted with thoughts of despair and grief. I had to fight then and continue to fight tears throughout my day as I struggle controlling thoughts of those traumatized by the senseless violence. As a licensed clinical social worker and mental health therapist who worked with children and families affected by trauma, I agree with many opinions regarding the role of mental health in this tragedy. I do not pretend to have the answers and certainly do not know the details of this case, but I know mental health issues are often ignored due to social stigma and lack of funding.

Also, as a Believer in Christ, I can torture myself with the questions many are asking, “How could God allow such suffering?” All I can do is hold on to the principle that when I don’t understand what God is doing, I can know WHO HE IS through His Word. I KNOW God is loving, kind, just, compassionate, full of grace, merciful, forgiving, powerful, and sees and hears all who grieve loss and pain. I just hope and pray those affected turn to Him for strength, peace, and healing. I pray they do not allow a person who gave in to evil to define who they think God is. I pray they allow His Word and His Son, Jesus Christ, to determine in their hearts and lives who God is and that they welcome the peace and healing He offers through their suffering.

“EAT CLEAN, TRAIN DIRTY” + a gluten free Thanksgiving {healthy post monday} …

Every Thanksgiving for the past six years, my hubs and I have run the Von Franken Family Food Run in Tulsa. The entry “fee” is a food donation for the local food bank. This year I took my kids grocery shopping to buy Thanksgiving dinner for two families (minus the Turkey). 

Lots of families and dogs come out for the four mile route.

Matt took the first leg (2 miles) pushing the 85+ pound stroller full of kids through the crowd.

My boy LOVED every second. My girl, not so much. She was in a mood that morning. :)

I took the second leg (2 miles) pushing the stroller once the crowd dwindled and there was more room.

But shortly after I began, both kids were squealing to get out and run with us.

My boy was a wild cannon, shooting back and forth across the path like a pin ball machine.

It was like herding cats to keep them out of the way of other runners, strollers, and dog leashes.

But boy, was my little guy in his element. He kept saying, “Ohhhh, I sooo tired!” I would say, “you want to get back in the stroller?” He would say, “NO! I run!!!” :)

I think my boy ran a total of two miles. Nonstop.

My girl ran a total of two yards before she would want to get back in the stroller and ride. In and out. In and out. Every two yards it seemed like. :)

We would run ahead a little bit, and then have to stop.

Downhill was our favorite.

When we reached the end of the run, my boy fought tooth and nail to stay out of the stroller. He screeched and screamed the rest of the way all the way to our car. Oh, the joys of two year olds! LOL. We got a lot of stares. :)

After our run, we went to my parents house for this … a gluten free Thanksgiving meal! My dad made stuffing from a gluten free corn bread mix. Everything else was pretty much naturally gluten free. We skipped the Hawaiian bread rolls. :)

I was in charge of dessert. Elana Amsterdam’s “Almond Flour Cookbook” to the rescue!

Gluten Free Almond Flour Double Chocolate Cookies

Gluten Free Almond Flour Coconut Berry Crisp

And the crowning glory to top it off …

Gluten Free rich and creamy Chocolate Cream Pie in an Almond Flour Chocolate Pie Crust- yummo. My mom said it was the best chocolate pie she has ever eaten. :)

While at the run that morning, my hubs said he saw a T-shirt that said “EAT CLEAN, TRAIN DIRTY.” He really liked the phrase “Eat Clean” because it encompasses so much more than a “diet.” I was surprised this was a new term for him as I have journeyed to embrace this lifestyle over the years since becoming gluten free.  Clean Eating = no processed foods, no artificial additives or preservatives, no artificial dyes or flavors, fresh food from the ground or animal, preferably raw (fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds), just the way God provided it. So many people ask me for gluten free recipes or cookbooks on eating healthy. There is no magic formula or perfect recipe book, just a new, healthy outlook and relationship with food, not to comfort or de-stress, but to benefit the body the most healthy way possible.  The bottom line is that when we consume clean foods, our bodies will function at the most optimum level - meaning reduced allergies, sinus trouble, asthma, reflux, digestion problems, headaches/migraines, infections, disease, etc.

Looking at the Standard American Diet (SAD), we have strayed so far from what God created and provided for us in terms of “food.” Most of what we eat isn’t even real food, meaning it can sit on a shelf for months, even years and the FDA has deemed it safe and “healthy” to eat. Ingredient labels look more like a chemistry experiment than real food items. Believe me, I didn’t always live this way. I cringe at the years of “bad” I put into my body before I realized what it was doing to my health, specifically my ability to have children. You can read about that story here. But knowing what I know now, I wouldn’t go back to that lifestyle for anything, especially since I have two little ones watching me. I don’t want to pass down any of my old habits or thought patterns about food for them to inherit. With greater knowledge comes greater responsibility. But the blessings are also greater and worth far more than the alternative.

Healthy Hostess Cupcakes {healthy post monday} …

When the news broke that the company, Hostess, was no more, my hubs and I were both very sad. I was sad for the 120+ employees in Tulsa and the thousands more across the country who lost their jobs right before the holidays.  My hubs was sad he can no longer sneak off to the convenient store to buy a Dr. Pepper and Hostess cupcake, only to leave the wrapper as evidence in his floor board for me to find later. :)

For his birthday, I decided to make a healthy version of his favorite chocolate treat from one of my favorite cookbooks, Gluten Free Cupcakes, by Elana Amsterdam. We shared them with my family who met us at a restaurant to celebrate. These cupcakes got raving reviews as the best gluten free cupcakes I’ve made to date! Here is Elana’s recipe that I tweaked just a tiny bit. 

CREAM-FILLED CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES {healthy ‘Hostess’ cupcakes}

BATTER

1/4 cup coconut flour

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

4 large eggs

1/4 cup grapeseed oil

1/2 cup agave nectar (I used local honey)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 9 muffin cups with paper liners.

To make the batter, in a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, combine the wet ingredients. Blend the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients with a mixer until thoroughly combined. 

Scoop 1/4 cup of batter into each prepared muffin cup.

Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Let the cupcakes cool in pan for 1 hour.

MERINGUE FROSTING

1/4 cup agave nectar (I used local honey)

2 egg whites

In a small saucpan over medium heat, bring agave nectar to a boil, stiring constantly. Decrease the heat to low and simmer for 6 to 10 minutes, watching constantly and stirring occasionally, until the agave nectar darkens slightly. Remove from the heat and set aside.

In a deep bowl, whip the egg whites to stiff peaks using a mixer.  Stop whipping as soon as the egg whites are stiff. The foam of the whites willl be stiff enough to stand up in well-defined, unwavering peaks. 

Drizzle the warm agave nectar very slowly into the egg whites while whipping with a mixer, to keep the peak stiff. The meringue will become pearlescent and shiny.  Allow to cool to room temperature, then use right away.

CHOCOLATE GANACHE

3/4 cups heavy whipping cream

8 ounces dark chocoalte chips (74% cacao)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch of sea salt

In a medium saucepan, bring the heavy cream to a boil then immediately remove it from the heat. Stir in the chocolate until it is melted and smooth, then stir in the vanilla and salt. 

Let the ganache stand at room temperature for 5 minutes, then transfer to the refrigerator and chill until the ganache thickens and becomes shiny and spreadable.  This could take 10 to 30 minutes. Use immediately.

{Here is where I diverted from Elana’s instructions. I had about 5 minutes to fill and frost the cupcakes before running out the door to meet my family at a restaurant. And please excuse the terrible quality of the photos}.

Using a paring knife, carve out a small hole in the top of each cupcake.  Save the pieces to reseal after frosting each cupcake. 

Fill a pastry bag with the Meringue Frosting. Insert the tip of the pastry bag into the cupcake cavities and squeeze to fill. Seal the cupcakes with the carved pieces.

Frost the cupcakes with the Chocolate Ganache to a smooth finish, then decorate with the remaining Meringue Frosting, making curly-Q’s across the top of each cupcake. Serve immediately.

The ganache was very runny because I didn’t have time to let the cupcakes cool or to let the ganache thicken in the refrigerator long enough. But it did not affect the taste. :)

Excited to eat her Daddy’s birthday cupcakes …

He is serious about his cupcakes …

Funny story, so as my family was devouring these cupcakes at the restaurant, my brother-in-law asked my hubs across the table, “so when was the last time you had one of these from the store?” With eyes bigger than normal, my hubs said through the side of his mouth, “can we discuss this later?” Catching on to some secret he was trying to hide, I blurted out to my hubs, “have you been buying more of these at the gas station??” Totally busted, my hubs proceeds to tell everyone at the table how his sweet, caring office assistant brought him A CASE of Hostess cupcakes from Sam’s that day for his birthday. He admitted he MIGHT have had one, two, or more that day at work. But he was quick to assure me mine were a thousand times better. I was quick to assure him mine were a thousand times healthier too. He could have as many of my cupcakes as he wanted guilt-free. Busted. :)

Elana has an amazing website you can view here. All her awesome recipes are gluten free and grain free. Many are dairy free as well. I use her other cookbook, ”The Gluten Free Almond Flour Cookbook” all the time.  If you are more of a Twinkie fan than a Hostess Cupcake fan, check this recipe out. You won’t be disappointed. :)

I JUST COMPLETED A 9-DAY CLEANSE {healthy post monday} …

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nor do I claim to be. The “healthy posts” on this blog are about sharing what has worked for my little family in terms of health and nutrition.  I am also not a nutritionist. What I know I have learned from personal experience and my own research.  

There are many different opinions and methods in regards to detoxing and cleansing the body. Some claim detoxing and cleansing is the magic bullet to eliminate all ailments and diseases. Others claim it is nonsense and there is no scientific proof that it is beneficial.  You can read from this post my understanding of cleansing.  The concept makes sense to me, even though I don’t fully understand all the biology and chemistry details.  I do know we overload our bodies with toxins through poor food choices when we eat processed foods that are full of preservatives, additives, artificial colors and flavors. I also know we breathe in pollution and chemicals. We ingest chemicals through our skin when using skin care and beauty products. And we take medications. It isn’t rocket science to understand how something becomes “run down,” “contaminated,” or “toxic” when it is constantly exposed to and filled with things it is not designed to consume and process. 

I now know from personal experience that it worked for me. My hubs has completed a 9 Day Cleanse four times over the last several years and reports success as well.

We used the Isagenix 9 Day Cleanse system. You can read more about it here. In a nutshell, it works like this:

• The first two days you consume a natural cleanse drink four times throughout the day and drink a ton of water.
• The next five days, you get to drink two whey protein shakes and eat a healthy meal each day. 
• The last two days you consume the natural cleanse drink four times throughout the day and drink a ton of water.
• When you order the kit, it comes with little chocolate protein snacks to help curb cravings. I didn’t have those so I snacked on raw almonds.

I wasn’t sure what to expect since I have eaten a fairly clean diet from going gluten free five years ago. You can read more about this decision by clicking here. I didn’t know how much “detoxing” my body would do or how my body would react. Oh my. Was I surprised. The following is what I experienced … 

Day 1: Excruciating.  Mistake #1: I did speed work that morning which I would NEVER recommend now. I should have held off on the exercise and rested the first few days. My body needed every ounce of energy while detoxing. I also incurred the worst migraine headache I have ever experienced and eventually threw up. I wonder if I also had a stomach bug because the next morning, my girl also threw up. She did not have any other symptoms and recovered immediately, not skipping a beat. So who knows? 

Day 2: Much better, but I continued to have a slight headache.

Day 3: Relief. I was able to drink two shakes and eat a healthy meal. It tasted so good. :)

Day 4: Great.

Day 5: Amazing. I had so much energy I felt like I could have sprinted 10 miles effortlessly. I did more laundry and cleaned more dishes in one day than I had maybe … ever?! It was surreal. I also had an immense sense of inner peace. Now, I’m not suggesting anything goofy, but something was WAY different deep inside. Irritability and grumpiness that comes with fatigue was gone. I had to make myself go to bed around 11:30 p.m. My normal routine is to crash when the kids go to bed with barely enough energy to walk up the stairs. My hubs asked if an alien had invaded my body. :)

Day 6: Great.

Day 7: Great.

Day 8: Back on the cleanse drink. Not bad. Much easier than the first two days. However, the first serving I drank, I broke out in a rash starting around my mouth that moved down my neck, chest, arms, and around my knees. It disappeared after 30 minutes. I admit that was kind of weird. I called my physical therapist friend who introduced me to Isagenix. She is also certified in nutritional counseling. She assured me my body was ridding itself of toxins the fastest way possible through the rash. Go figure?!

Day 9: Back to feeling tired. And grumpy. My muscles were a little achy like I had run a really hard race, but it was manageable. My body was working overtime to remove the last of the toxins.

Day 10: Glorious! Halloween and family birthday dinner. I broke my fast with an awesome gluten free meal from Carrabba’s, an Italian restaurant in town, and dessert after Trick or Treating was my homemade, organic, healthy, gluten free candy found here. :)

CONCLUSION: I can honestly say, this 9 Day Cleanse was definitely beneficial to me. I still have more energy than I’ve had in a long time. When I say long time, I mean pre-kids. My oldest is 4 1/2 years old. So there is my scientific proof. :) Also, the way my body responded to the cleanse was classic text book detox symptoms-headache, vomiting, fatigue, muscle ache, and rash. I am sleeping MUCH better and actually still have energy … basic energy that had been non-existent for so long. 

I will also add, the 9 Day Cleanse was an amazing spiritual journey for me as well. I kept thinking about how Jesus fasted 40 DAYS. Seriously? How in the world did He do that? He did not depend on food or drink to take him to His happy place, to comfort Him, to take away His stress. Even when tempted by Satan himself, Jesus was able to say “no” because “man does not live on bread alone, but by the very WORDS of God.” found here  and here). I pondered how often I think I NEED a Starbucks, chocolate, or chips and salsa. Or sometimes I think I DESERVE special treats because I’ve had an especially stressful day. How often do I turn to food and drink for comfort or to cope with negative emotions instead of turning to my Creator who knows me better than I know myself? Surely He has more to offer me than a sugary, chocolate bar or a caffeinated drink.

Another Biblical truth that gave me strength was “everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial,” found here and here.  In other words, just because I CAN have something, does not mean I SHOULD.  What a lesson in self-control and instant gratification. I am thankful for this experience as it removed some physical toxins from my body and some spiritual toxins or lies, from my heart. :)

HEALTHY HALLOWEEN CANDY {healthy post monday

This year I took my kids Trick or Treating for the first time. It was so much fun! I knew I needed to offer a healthy alternative to all the sugary candy I knew they would receive.  So I did a search on some of my favorite healthy sites for some of my favorite candy recipes and this is what I came up with. The only sweeteners I used were raw, local honey, maple syrup, and coconut sugar. All of this candy is best kept in the fridge, but the healthy “Butterfinger” is crispy-perfect when kept in the freezer. 

Healthy sugar-free Peanut Butter Cups found here. 

Healthy “Mounds” bites and “Almond Joys” found here. 

Heathy “Butterfingers” or Healthy “Heath Toffee” found here.

We Trick or Treated in my parents’ neighborhood with my mom, my sister, and her little 3 year old purple fairy princess. My parents had a big bowl ready to pass out and my kids were curious about it’s contents.  The competition was fierce and I could see the wheels spinning in my girl’s head. She surveyed the packaged candy and asked repeatedly “is this candy healthy for my body?” 

The quality of this pic is horrible, but aren’t these cousins cute?

Trick or Treat!! They had the routine DOWN after the first house. :)

The highlight of our night … running into singing Princesses. Yes, they were singing Disney songs as they walked down the street. Lily was star-struck.

Once we got back to my parents’ house, they took two steps in the door before they dumped out their goods onto the floor.

Lily has never seen or touched so much candy in her life!

But as soon as I brought these out, they excitedly traded their junk candy for the GOOD stuff!  The candy in the middle is the healthy “Butterfingers” without the chocolate for my sis. :)

I think they liked it.

This entire tray was almost gone by the end of the night!

HAIL MERRY MACAROON COOKIES {healthy post monday} …

These little cookies have become my all-time favorite treat. They are found in a refrigerator in the raw food section at Whole Foods. My kids and I zip down that aisle first, tear open a bag, and the rest of my shopping experience is much more pleasant. My kids become strangely quiet and submissive when I hold the power of this cookie in my hand.

The best part of this treat is that I can give them to my kids and know that it is good for them. Health benefits of these cookies include the following:

RAW - full of live enzymes to improve digestion. This maintains optimum nutrients and vitamins that are not destroyed through baking heat

COCONUT OIL - hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength. Includes properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, and soothing.

COCONUT - rich in protein, fiber, and Omega 6 fatty acids (this is good for you). Coconut provides quick and lasting boosts of energy. Improves the outward appearance of the body, including softening skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, controlling dandruff, and keeping the scalp and hair healthy.

MAPLE SYRUP - organic, raw syrup can boost your immune system, age-proof your skin, calm tummy troubles, and more. It is packed with anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds which may help prevent inflammatory diseases like cancer, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s. Contains essential nutrients like zinc and manganese, which can help you ward off illness.

COCOA/CACAO POWDER - may help to fight cancer, heart disease and aging through its antioxidant boosting effect. May lower LDL cholesterol, reduce the risk of blood clots, increase blood flow to the arteries, lower high blood pressure, boost cognitive performance and provide essential minerals such as calcium and potassium. Also has anti-depressant effects.

ALMOND FLOUR - high in protein, low in carbohydrates and low in sugars. Highly nutritious packed full of essential vitamins and it is gluten free!

The only down side to these amazing cookies is that our budget can’t keep up with the demand for Hail Merry’s at my house. So last week, I set out to crack the code on these scrumptious babies to make them at home. I googled and found a couple of great recipes here and here.  Then, like most foods I make, I had to improvise and tweak them a bit to come up with my own version. This time it was due to my girl spilling almost the entire bag of cacao powder (another non-cheap food we treasure around here).  I love to include my kids while preparing foods, but they keep me on my toes! Also, the store bought cookies are dehydrated, but I found keeping them in the fridge, gives almost the same texture.

HOMEMADE “HAIL MERRY” MACAROON INGREDIENTS:

1 heaping Cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut 

1/4 Cup Coconut Oil

5 Tbsp. organic Cocoa or Cacao Powder

2 Tbsp. Organic 100% Maple Syrup 

1/2 tsp. Vanilla

1/8 tsp. Sea Salt

Pulse coconut in a food processor a few times.

Add the remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly, scraping down sides if necessary.

Scoop small balls with a batter scoop (or roll by hand, which is kinda messy) and place in a dish lined with parchment paper. 

Refrigerate immediately and store in a covered dish in your fridge or freezer.
Makes 10-15 macaroons, depending on size.

NOTE: *for the vanilla macaroon version, I substituted the cacao powder for 8 Tbsp. of blanched almond flour

Notice the “GMO Free” label! Please watch THIS video by Oct. 17 if you haven’t already.

Smooth, creamy, yumminess.

Hey! Where did those sneaky little fingers come from?

That’s the cute little smirk of a boy who is having a cookie for breakfast. 

“Why take a bite when I can put the whole thing in my mouth?”

JUICING SMOOTHIES {healthy post monday} …

I am such a big advocate of juicing and making fruit and vegetable smoothies. It is the easiest way to flood your body with a huge variety nutrients and vitamins already broken down (predigested) and easily absorbed.

Two years ago, my hubs gave me a Vitamix blender for Christmas. I would trade my washer and dryer for it now. We use it daily, sometimes several times a day. It does everything but vacuum your house. It makes smoothies, juice, nut butters, salad dressing, ice cream, soup, and so much more. Plus, it is SO easy to clean.

Here is a basic smoothie/juice “recipe” we make several times a week.  It is a great morning starter, post workout replenisher, and energy booster.  I use the word “recipe” loosely, because we never use the same ingredients twice. The trick is to use as many colors of the rainbow that I can find in our fridge, with the base always being GREENS. Greens are always a must in our smoothies/juice because of the nutritional advantages they have.  Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, any Supergreen I can find will go in first. Plus, it is so much easier to drink a salad than eat one! :)

This morning’s smoothie/juice:

Two handfuls of raw spinach

Handful of champagne grapes

1/2 an orange

1/2 lime

1/2 celery stalk

About 1/2 cup of mango

Small handful strawberries

2 dates to add extra sweetness

Smoothie/juice “extras”:

1 tablespoon of organic, raw, apple cider vinegar

1 1/2 teaspoons of Spirulina

1 tablespoon of whole flax seed

1 tablespoon of whole chia seed 

Instead of peeling citrus, I cut both ends off with a knife, then slice the colored part of the peel, leaving the white part of the rind because it contains essential vitamins, including calcium.

Before I pile up my produce in my Vitamix, I start with 1 cup to 1 1/2 cups of water or organic Apple Juice.  Then I add my seeds, grapes and spinach, then throw everything else on top, ending with a cup of ice.

Blend it for a minute or two and Volia! Smoothies/juice for everyone in the family!

Papa Bear, Mama Bear, Big Sister Bear, and Baby Brother Bear. Yummmmm. And the best part is knowing my kids have started the day off with a huge healthy kick with a strong immune system. Happy Juicing!

And yes, that is my daughter’s burp cloth from 4 years ago. I learned this trick from my sister/cousin-in-law, Cameron featured in a post you can find here.  Towels or “burp cloths” make a great “cutting board” as I can fold it up, carry it to the trash can, and drop all my peels and rinds into the can. Plus, it’s not plastic.  I can wash it in the washer and dryer, killing any bacteria that may linger on plastic or wooden cutting boards.

GMO-FREE EATING {healthy post monday} …

This is my dear friend, Cameron. Our husbands are cousins. Don’t they look like twins?

If you knew their personalities, which are so much alike, you might for sure think they were brothers. What’s crazy is the similarities between the wives they chose. From the day I met Miss Cameron, I felt like we were soul sisters. If we didn’t live an entire state away from one another, we might just be neighbors, sharing everything from a yard to a few chickens and a goat! :) She is beautiful inside and out.

We have so much in common, it feels like we’ve known one another our entire lives. She is the one who introduced to me to the world of health and nutrition when my husband and I were struggling with infertility. Because of the knowledge she shared with me, my husband and I were blessed with two precious children. You can read about that story here.

I have learned so much from Cameron in the last six years I have known her. She has so much knowledge, I feel sometimes she is a walking encyclopedia on health! One of the recent new “light bulbs” I have gained from her is about eating a nonGMO diet. For the longest time I didn’t know what in the world she was talking about. GMO … MSG … gluten free … corn free … I was so confused! I am still trying to wrap my brain around the enormity of it all. But after watching this documentary, and reading more about research and studies that show the dangers behind GMO foods, here is what I now know.

A GMO is a genetically engineered organism. It can be a food or an animal. Peter Parker as Spiderman seems eerily more believable. This is not inbreeding.  It is crossbreeding. Read for yourself about the “Spider-Goats,” “Super-Salmon,” “Glo-Fish,” “Glo-Pigs,” ” and even, “Cows engineered to produce human milk.”  It sounds like a sure plot for a horror movie. Google any of these or “GM animals” to learn more.

What is a GMO food?

Biotech companies have genetically engineered food that we eat every day and don’t realize it.  GM foods were first commercialized in the US in the early 1990s.  The US food regulator, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), allowed the first GM foods onto world markets in spite of its own scientists’ warnings that genetic engineering is different from conventional breeding and poses special risks, including the production of new toxins or allergens.  The FDA overruled its scientists in line with a US government decision to “foster” the growth of the GM industry. The FDA formed a policy for GM foods that did not require any safety tests or labeling. While it does not protect the public, it may protect the FDA from legal liability in the event that harm is caused by a GM food. 

So what foods are GMOs?  

Crops that are high-risk GMOs are the following:

• Alfalfa (first planting 2011)
• Canola (approx. 90% of U.S. crop)
• Corn (approx. 88% of U.S. crop in 2011)
• Cotton (approx. 90% of U.S. crop in 2011)
• Papaya (most of Hawaiian crop; approximately 988 acres)
• Soy (approx. 94% of U.S. crop in 2011)
• Sugar Beets (approx. 95% of U.S. crop in 2010)
• Zucchini and Yellow Summer Squash (approx. 25,000 acres)

The five major varieties—soy, corn, canola, cotton, and sugar beets—have bacterial genes inserted, which allow the plants to survive an otherwise deadly dose of weed killer. Farmers use considerably more herbicides on these GM crops and so the food has higher herbicide residues. About 68% of GM crops are herbicide tolerant.

The second GM trait is a built-in pesticide, found in GM corn and cotton. A gene from the soil bacterium called Bt (for Bacillus thuringiensis) is inserted into the plant’s DNA, where it secretes the insect-killing Bt-toxin in every cell. About 19% of GM crops produce their own pesticide. Another 13% produce a pesticide and are herbicide tolerant. In other words, when a bug eats this GM corn, it’s stomach explodes and it dies. Even if I don’t die right away when I eat this corn, common sense tells me it is NOT good for me or my small children. 

There is also Hawaiian papaya and a small amount of zucchini and yellow crookneck squash, which are engineered to resist a plant virus.

OTHER high-risk food are animal products (milk, meat, eggs, honey, etc.) because of contamination in feed. We now only buy grass-fed beef, organic dairy from nonGMO fed goat or sheep, and eggs from free-range chickens that are not fed corn. 

This is a lot to take in, I know. But basically, to narrow it down, if you have corn, corn syrup, canola oil, or soy listed on a food label, there is a pretty high chance it is genetically modified. Buying organic is a step closer to eating nonGMOs, but is not guaranteed. A GMO food can be labeled as organic, but still be genetically modified.  As far as buying fresh corn, make sure you know where it is coming from. Buy local if you can and ask if it is from a GMO corn seed. Whole Foods guarantees none of their produce is genetically modified.  

As a gluten-free family, we were consuming a lot of corn. It is in many gluten-free processed foods like GF crackers, corn chips, corn tortillas, cereal, etc. We recently have started eating primarily a grain free diet. But when we go out, we now bring our own nonGMO corn chips/tortilla chips to our favorite Mexican restaurants.  Or we go to local restaurants that only serve local, organic, nonGMO foods.  If you live in Tulsa, Cafe Samana, Elote’s, and The Vault are our favorites!

So why avoid GMOs?

Consuming GMOs have been linked to allergies, lower immune function, damaged digestive system, liver problems, behavior and emotional problems, reproductive problems, infant mortality, sterility, disease, and death. You can read more about health risks here. 

A nonGMO lifestyle is not hard once you learn to read labels and use resources like the free nonGMO app on your phone. Making more food from scratch instead of buying processed foods is also a sure way to avoid GMOs.

Click here for a corn syrup-free and dairy free ice cream recipe my kids love. We pour this 3-ingredient chocolate found here and pile fruit and nuts on top for an awesome healthy treat. 

Our “toppings bar” …

This homemade chocolate turns into healthy “Magic Shell” when it is poured on cold ice cream …

By the time I got everything set up, the ice cream was quickly melting, but it was still good!

He liked to stir his for a long time. Mmmmm, ice cream soup …

“Coooold ice cream soup!”

“Mahh-velous darling! Now give me a kiss!”

My girl definitely approves. :)

Now to relax in the hammock …

My girl: “I’m going to ignore wiggle worm next to me and soak in the sweet sun.”

My girl: “Trying to ignore … trying to ignore …”

My boy fulfills the little brother role well.

“Is she still ignoring me? Or should I start kicking some more?” 

Most of the information about GMOs on this post came from the nonGMO Project site and the Institute for Responsible Technology. There is still so much information to learn. Please do your own research to educate yourself how to keep you and your family safe and healthy.

What is a GMO? {healthy post tuesday} …

A little over five years ago, my perspective on health and food drastically changed. After experiencing three years of infertility, I became pregnant after removing gluten from my diet. You can read more of that story here. Since then, my understanding and knowledge of health and nutrition has deepened and evolved to what it is today. I am still on a quest to learn all I can about the correlation between what we eat and our health and I’ve developed a passion for sharing it with others because I know from personal experience what a difference it can make. 

For the past year, I’ve been trying to understand the role of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) in our food industry and how they affect our health. I came across the best resource last night and watched it on my phone. I HIGHLY encourage … may I even say, I shamelessly beg you to watch it. It is called “Genetic Roulette.”

You can view this important film for free for this week only:  September 15-22, 2012.  So, clear away 1 hour and 24 minutes from your busy schedule this week and sit down and watch it, preferably with your spouse and kids (teenagers) if you can.  Our children need to know about this too as our actions today will most impact their generation.

I’ve also downloaded this app to my IPhone to help me when shopping for nonGMO products. If you, your child or someone you know experiences food allergies, gastrointestinal difficulties, Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Leaky Gut Syndrome, Autism, Asperger’s, cancer, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune disorders, and/or Alzheimer’s, please educate yourself about GMOs.