Microbiome, Fermentation and Bread Making Class – April 4th, 2020

fermentation 1

Come and learn about the significance of the gut microbiome and how to care for it with the skill of preserving through fermentation of veggies, salsa, fruit and bread. The workshop is $10. You’ll get to taste lots of delicious fermented foods and take home your own sourdough starter.  Deadline to sign up is March 28th.

Did you know that what you eat and how you live directly impacts your health and how you feel? For every cell we have in our body there are 10x more bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa that are all talking to our mitochondria, coordinating repair and growth. We are only 1% human… the rest of us is an ecosystem that works harmoniously with our body if we are treating them right. Those little critters are the control center of the body, regulating hormones, inflammation, brain chemistry and what we do or don’t absorb. We know that 70% of our immune system is in the gut, where health begins. Our gut health even impacts our brain activity because more gaba and serotonin are produced in the gut than the brain. For every 1 message our brain sends to our gut, our gut sends 9. These messages include the activation of our immune system, the growth of new brain cells and the adaptability of these new cells to learn. More science is finding that our gut microbiome is critical to whether or not we experience chronic illness and impacts the health of our future.

Come and learn what foods trigger inflammation and which foods to eat more of. We will learn the simple skill of fermenting vegetables like kimchi and salsa, fruit chutneys and even fermented bread which lowers the gluten content significantly. Contact me for more info. Seating maximum for this class is 25. Class will begin at 1 pm. Please visit my events page to sign up for the class.

Pruning Class and Successful Organic Gardening Tips – March 7th, 2020

Bones of the Garden 3

Learn how to prune ornamental trees and shrubs, including roses, as well as fruiting trees, brambles and vines. We will also discuss ways to successfully grow organically, including ways to create beautiful soil and weed less. Cost of the class is $5 to secure your place. Deadline to sign up for the class is March 6th. Class capacity is 25 and will begin at 1 pm on the 29th.  Please visit my events page to sign up for the class.

Seed Starting Class Feb 1st, 2020

Seedlings Under Lights

Come and learn how to start and care for your own seedlings indoors! Starting your own seeds is simple and rewarding. We will talk about what to do and what not to do for transplanting outside. You will get to take home your own soil blocker that will last forever and save a lot of money long term on pots, as well as 1 tray with dome lid of 28 small 2 x 2 inch planted soil blocks in each tray, totaling 28 plants. You also have the option of just purchasing a planted tray for $15. There will be options to plant veggies, culinary herbs and medicinal plants.  Cost for the class is $50 with a soil blocker or $15 for just a planted tray.  Class capacity – 25. Deadline to sign up is Jan 18th 2020. Please sign up under my events page.

Women’s Healing Herbal Retreat May 2020

springville canyon pic

Join me for our first annual women’s herbal healing retreat located in Springville, Utah. The home we will be staying in is nestled close to the mountains where we can hike up Spring Canyon and Hobble Creek Canyon. It has an outdoor pool, large patio and indoor basketball court, giving us plenty of room to practice yoga inside or out! Here is a link of pictures of the house we will be staying in.
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/25883720?source_impression_id=p3_1572309080_YtXYM0KEKyMzAx1J&fbclid=IwAR041IYWpzTNhloa6G5TsnBRDsp08UkfaggYZ4uOXoDjnZak99XuyZnlWi0

Included in the retreat are 2 nights of lodging, nutritious meals we will get to make together, yoga and meditation, herb walk/hiking, a medicine making workshop specifically for women’s needs and plenty of relaxation time to unwind and decompress!  There are queen size beds and bunk beds. Some will need to share a large bed. Check in is at 4 pm on the 28th and check out is 11 am on the 30th. The total cost is $295 for the weekend if you pay through Venmo, or $305 if you pay through my website under my events page because of Pay Pal charges.  Contact me for my Venmo information. There are 6 spots open for the class as of Oct 30, 2019 (14 total). Refunds are available until May 7th, 2020 except for $62 for the house rental if we cannot find a replacement to come in your place. Once the class is full please contact me about being placed on a waiting list through my contact page. I will email you all the info needed for the retreat.

Note there will be an additional herb walk at my home on May 23rd the Saturday before the retreat to identify other plants that we will not find in the mountains. Please see the events page for more details. Let me know if you would like to attend the additional herb walk at no extra cost if you are already signed up for the retreat.

Looking forward to a wonderful weekend get away with you!

Natural Yeast Sourdough Boule

Sourdough Bread

I love baking with natural yeast. In a recent study done out of Italy, found that before wheat had gone through a fermented process the gluten content was 75,000 ppm. After a 12-24 rise the gluten content went down to 12 ppm.  In order for something to be considered gluten free the ppm have to be below 20.  This bread is easy to digest and contains living beneficial bacteria. It is a great option for those with diabetes and other autoimmune issues. This recipe makes 2 loaves and are 70% hydration.

Recipe

1/2 cup natural yeast starter or 100 grams

2  1/4 cups purified water or 540 grams

2 tablespoons olive oil (optional) or 45 grams

2  1/2 teaspoons sea salt or 18 grams

6 cups bread flour or 800 grams

*Side note: if you want to add any other flavors you can easily add 1 tablespoon of a seasoning for each loaf. Honey is also an option, about 1/4 cup for every 2 loaves.

Mix the starter, oil (if using), salt and water together with a Danish dough hook in a large glass or stainless-steel bowl.  Add half the flour and stir. Add the rest of the flour and mix by hand.  Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 30 minutes. Do one stretch and fold, gently to create a smooth ball and build structure.  Let rise for 12 -16 hours depending on the temp of your dough and house. When the bulk ferment is finished the dough should jiggle and have large bubbles. Divide dough in half. (about 1.5 pound loaves). Shape and place in banneton basket or bowl lined with a floured tea towel. You can let rise and bake or place covered in the fridge for another 12 to 24 hours.

When ready to bake without placing in the fridge, place on parchment or inside banneton basket and let rise for 1-2 more hours until doubled in size. Heat Dutch oven with the oven at 450. Remove plastic wrap, place on parchment paper and cut the bread with a sharp knife or lame in slits or an cross shape about a 1/2 inch deep at a 45-degree angle.  Once the Dutch oven is hot, take it out of the oven and place the parchment with bread on top inside the ditch oven. Place the lid on and bake for 2 0minutes.  Remove lid and bake for 30minutes more. If you would like a crispier crust place just the loaf back in the oven for another 10 minutes. Best served with Irish butter!

One Pot Chicken and Veggie Saute

One Pot Chicken and Veggie Saute

This was a creation I came up with in my head while at the grocery store thinking of something new to make. I mus tsay I had to pat myself on the back for this one. Wow is it so good!

Recipe

2 tablespoons avocado oil

2 tablespoons butter

1 pound chicken breasts or tenders

1 package spicy Italian chicken sausage

2 small zucchini, chopped

1 small yellow crook neck squash, chopped

1 small onion sliced

sea salt and pepper

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

Saute the chicken and Italian sausage (if not cooked) until browned and thoroughly cooked in 1 tablespoon each of the oil and butter. Add the onion and squash, salt and pepper and remaining oil and butter, until softened. Top with cheese off the heat and serve with rice and a green salad.

No Bake Coconut Cacao Bites

No Bake Coconut Cacao Balls

My kids beg me to make these for them all the time! They are a great healthy snack, simple and delicious!

Recipe

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/4 cup almond butter

1/2 cup maple syrup

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 cup almond flour

1 teaspoon sea salt

3 cups ground oats

1/4 cup raw cacao powder

1/4 cup shredded coconut (and more for sprinkling on top)

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl and roll into balls. Sprinkle the extra coconut on top and enjoy!

 

 

Chicken and Apple Green Salad

Apple Chicken Green Salad

Every time I go to Costco I pick up a rotisserie chicken and make this salad. It’s simple, filling and yummy!

Recipe

8-10 cups mixed greens of your choice

1 whole rotisserie chicken, chopped

2 Gala apples, chopped

1/2 red onion thinly sliced

1 cucumber, chopped

1/2 – 1 cup feta cheese crumbles (optional)

Toss ingredients together and serve with your favorite ranch dressing.

 

Simple Yogurt Fruit Salad

Simple Yogurt Fruit Salad

I love an easy delicious side. This is a great option for breakfast or dinner.

Recipe

1 quart chopped strawberries

1 banana sliced

2 green apples chopped

1 pint blueberries

1 cup Nosa yogurt in either of the following flavors, lemon, honey or strawberry rhubarb.

Gently combine all ingredients together and serve.

Waldorf Salad

Paleo Wardolf Salad

 

This is my version of a Waldorf salad. Simple and one of those filling feel good meals.

Recipe

8-10 cups mixed salad greens of your choice

1 whole rotisserie chicken, chopped

1 package turkey bacon cooked and chopped

1/2 thinly sliced purple onion

1 cucumber chopped

2 green apples chopped or sliced

1/2 cup dried cranberries or cherries

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Toss  ingredients together and use your favorite dressing.

I like to blend 1 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar, 3 tablespoons honey, sea salt and pepper. Delicious!