How To Accommodate Different Food Tastes And Needs – 7 Tips

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We are a miss-matched family when it comes to our eating habits. My daughter has an illness that gets aggravated by some food additives, and she is a Vegan. My son is a vegetarian, my husband a dedicated meat-eater, but who needs to watch his blood pressure, and I, well I am healing my thyroid naturally – that means no soy or soy products, and a long list of other foods, including some veggies, I should and will not eat. (I wrote more extensively on my allowed and disallowed food list here) Oh, and my dogs are allergic to commercial dog food, so I cook for them as well. Tired yet? I am.

Making meals that all of us can enjoy is a challenge. My over-the-road truck driving husband, is thankfully cooking mostly for himself, when he is driving, making food prep at least meat-free. That leaves us three people and the three animals. Thankfully the cat can (and will) eat whatever I put in front of him.

So what do we do to make it all work?

1. We meal plan. Once a week, my daughter and I create a meal plan for our entire week. We have some go-to recipes, but are always searching for something new, and are not afraid to look at foreign language websites to get inspired. Which also makes for a great homeschool lesson.

2. We look for or I create our own recipes that are easily adjusted (from vegan to vegetarian, or the other way around). I have shared some of these recipes on this blog, and will share some more on occasion.

3. We communicate. There is no shame in speaking up and saying that one of us did not like a meal or an idea. Suggestions on how to make a meal easier or better are always welcome and openly encouraged. We are a team here.

4. We have meals, where we share our space but not the same meal. Use today, as an example. All three of us had Mexican food. My son ate a bean taco, my daughter a tofu,carrot and cabbage quesadilla, and I ate a Mexican style zucchini wrap. It was relatively easy to adjust for our individual tastes, and most importantly we still had a complete meal as a family. (My husband is currently driving over-the-road, otherwise, he would have joined us with a traditional taco)

5. We are not afraid to try new things. None of us are afraid to try new recipes, flavors, and techniques. The kids are used to our trial and error system, and will speak up when something did not work for them.

6. We do not expect perfection. I am not a Five-Star chef, and I did not grow up cooking vegan or even vegetarian meals. Because of that alone,I do not expect that every meal will come out as planned. Letting go of creating that perfect meal, made my life a lot easier, and cooking a lot more stress-free.

Meal Prep Containers By Prep RX Available on Amazon

7. We use meal prep containers. I have a collection of meal-prep containers in different sizes, some with sections, others without. Not only do they make it easy for me to make meals ahead, freeze, and then reheat in the microwave, but they also make wonderful containers to prepare healthy snacks for each of us. Mine often contains a boiled, egg, veggies, and maybe some cheese, while my daughters will be filled with some nuts, veggies and an individual container of hummus.

I will introduce you to one of my recently acquired containers in more detail in an upcoming review soon, meanwhile, you can check them out on Amazon – Spoiler alert: They have a tight seal, and are wonderfully stackable, I love them! 

Question: How do you plan your meals? Do you meal prep? I would love to hear from you! Just leave a comment below!

 

A Deodorant For People With Aluminum Zirconium Sensitivity – Cruelty-Free And Vegan

——-This post may contain affiliate links – see disclosure page for details ——-

As many people who are allergic to certain product ingredients are aware of, it is often a hassle finding a product
you can safely use, one that does not leave bumps, redness, and itchy irritation behind. For a long time, that was my
major problem with commercial deodorants.

There are some wonderful folks on Etsy and various local shops that create perfect handcrafted beauty products for people like me, and while I am forever grateful to them, I am often left looking for another alternative after a shop closes,
or we move, which has happened rather frequently throughout the years.
So finding a deodorant that does not include Aluminum Zirconium or any other ingredient that I might have a reaction to,
and being able to order it from Amazon makes my life so much easier.

Natural Sea Spray Deodorant by Skin2Spirit  does not only fit my sensitivity needs, but is also cruelty-free, vegan, gluten-free, paraben free, and 100 % natural.

Instead, it contains the following wonderful ingredients:

Purified Water, Organic Aloe, Magnesium Chloride, Witch Hazel (alcohol-free), Essential Oils and / or Natural Flavors / Scents,Glycerine, Potassium Sorbate, Silver Dihydrogen Citrate, Citric Acid (Vitamin C), Water
MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE OIL: Pure and natural from the Dead Sea, antiviral, antimicrobial, helps reduce odor from bacteria

ORGANIC ALOE: Moisturizer, emollient, and excellent for scars, burns, rashes, and dry skin.

WITCH HAZEL (Alcohol-Free): Soothing, natural astringent to help alleviate stinging for sensitive skin. Antibacterial & anti-inflammatory

ESSENTIAL OILS: Including Tea Tree, a natural antibacterial and anti-fungal solution from the Melaleuca tree

SILVER CITRATE / POTASSIUM SORBATE: When combined make a powerful broad spectrum
antimicrobial that helps stop odor in its tracks

I have been using this deodorant for more than a week now, and I am very happy with the result. I  must say, that people
who use natural deodorants for the first time – which is not the case for me – should expect a detox period, meaning that
it will take about two weeks before this deodorant or any natural deodorant will bring full the full effect you may
desire. This is normal and should not discourage you from making the switch – your skin and health will
thank you for making that decision.

I highly recommend this product for anyone with allergies and sensitivities to standard and mass-produced
deodorants, even more so if you are vegan, and want to live a cruelty-free lifestyle.

Disclaimer: This product was given to me at a deep discount in return for an honest and unbiased review. See the
disclosure page for more details.

Peppermint And Predictions – A To Z Blogging Challenge Post Tea Leaf Reading Symbol Dictionary

Good to have you back for another day of Tea Leaf Reading Symbol Dictionary – A To Z Blogging Challenge Eddition. As usual I do not just talk about the symbols but want to also mention other interesting tea facts. I predict that you will find these just as interesting as I do.

My favorite herbal tea is Peppermint tea. It’s leaves, when brewed loose are a perfect match for Tea Leaf Reading. But it also holds plenty of health benefits, that make this tea not only delicious but an important staple in anyone’s household. Simply place one heaping  spoonful of the dried leaves into your favorite cup, fill with hot water, and strain (unless you are using the leaves for a reading) after 6 minutes. Sweeten to taste.

Here are a few examples of Peppermint tea has to offer:

 

A word of caution: Some people are allergic to this and other herbs. If you are prone to allergies to herbs, consult your health care professional before drinking this tea. Also, as always the information given in this blog is for educational purposes only. See disclaimer page for details.

Let’s get to our Tea Leaf Reading Symbol Dictionary:

Letter P:

Padlock: Is it open? That is a positive sign, it means a happy surprise. Closed? Be careful and take precautions.

Palace: Wealth and abundance are on the way

Palm Trees: A symbol of increased wealth, fortune and honor. There might even be some fame and recognition involved.

Parrots: It looks like you might have some travel outside of the country on the horizon. But there could also be some gossip surrounding you that is not all favorable, so be on the watch out for rumors.

Pears: You are receiving good news, and are able to advance in life. One pear means an addition to the family of some kind.

Piano: You are making the most out of what is given to you, and that is a good thing. Keep on doing that.

Pig: A successful symbol specifically in the realm of gardening, agriculture and related fields. There might be an unexpected amount of money coming your way.

Potato: Patience is needed.

Purse: Watch your belongings. Warning of possible burglary or theft.

 

I hope you enjoyed today’s dictionary.

Are you still looking for a Mother’s Day Gift? Then check out this wonderful and thoughtful gift idea from Julep!

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A To Z Blogging Challenge: Tea Leaf Reading Dictionary “C”

Did you know that green tea can help you linder your allergy symptoms if you are drinking it daily? It does not matter if you use the caffeinated or decaf variety. And better yet, you can use this tea perfectly for practicing tea leaf reading!

Today’s letter is C. Enjoy!

Letter C

Camel: there are delays in your plans, which can get very frustrating, responsibility. If the camel is fully laden, this symbol can mean good fortune from a long distance away.

Cannon: good fortune – military and/or naval display and honor. This could indicate that someone you know who is in service will receive a promotion soon

Car: approaching wealth, visit from friends. This symbol has the same meaning as carriage.

Cart: waiting for a settlement when it comes to financial issues. A potentially long drawn out process.

Castle: unexpected fortune or legacy, but only if the building is in good repair, otherwise it indicates marriage or relationship trouble.

Cat: difficulties caused by treachery, and the meanness of another person. Someone wishes you ill.

Cathedral: great harmony and success with those who are dearest to you. Also a symbol of prosperity within the home and family
Cattle: If you have business transaction you want to see this symbol as it speaks of success in your business endeavors, especially dealing with the financial area

Chain: chains symbolized binding yourself, committing yourself to someone completely, usually via an engagement or an actual marriage. If the chain is broken however it symbolizes a broken, even dysfunctional relationship.

Chair: with this symbol size and type matters in a reading. A rocking chair speaks of comfort in old age, a small chair speaks of the arrival of a child into the family, and a large chair speaks of an impending deliberation of a large plan that affects everyone in your household

 

Church: a symbol of honor, tradition and legacy, a good omen that brings with it a peace of mind. (Includes all houses of worship)

Circles: meaning of this symbol speaks of your circle of friends, and your circle of influence, also is a symbol of money and presents.

Clouds: whatever plans you had they are going to fail. Be cautious

Clover a very lucky sign, happiness and prosperity. At the top of the cup it will come quickly at the bottom of the cup it means less money or less distant

Coffin: not a good sign as it symbolizes the death or injury of someone in your circle of influence.

Comet: expect unusual and interesting events to occur in your life. The weather will play in your favor.

Compasses: your job may require you to do some travel, or you will switch to a job that entails more traveling

Cow: calmness – this symbol is a restful and peaceful one

Cross: there is trouble on the way, expect delays and roadblocks on the way to wherever you are trying to get to. Obstacles will appear. Be ready to adjust your path accordingly

Crown: you will attain your biggest ambition

 

The above post is a part of the following blog hops:

Amaze Me Mondays

Manic Mondays

Be Inspired 

 

5 Interesting Facts About Cocoa Butter You Might Not Know

Disclaimer: The following post contains affiliate links. I have received the product mentioned for free in return for on honest review – see disclosure page for details

If you love chocolate, you are at the right place, because today, I am writing to you, about one of the key ingredients for the world’s most loved treat – cocoa butter. But, cocoa butter is much more versatile than you might think. Let me tell you a little more, with this list of 5 interesting facts you might not know about cocoa butter:

1. It is very popular in vegan cooking. Sweets treats, such as cakes, chocolates, and others do not need to be missed a part of a vegan diet when incorporating cocoa butter to your food prep. But not only sweets benefit from a cocoa treatment – because of its easy to melt consistency, it can also be used to pan-fry items such as tofu.

2. It makes a great base for DIY cosmetics. Body butters, lip balms, and facial masks are just a small example of what this wonderful butter can be used for. And if you have, like I do, problems with handling overly scented beauty products, those created with cocoa butter as a base, are a breath of fresh air (or chocolate) for our sensitive noses.

3. Cocoa butter is often used as the base of luxury bath soaps. These soaps are especially great for preventing dry or cracked skin, leaving you feeling especially soft. If you are prone to oily skin, I would rather suggest not to use it as a base for facial soaps and cleansers

4. 100 grams of cocoa butter contain up to 900 calories. This fact, in combination of the realization that it also contains 60 % saturated fat, makes it a winner when it comes to beauty products and no so much in the kitchen – no matter how good it tastes

5. It is an essential component of the “chocolate” used for massages. Ever tried chocolate massage therapy? If you have not, you have missed out on something special, not only because the combination of shea butter, cocoa butter, and cocoa powder is wonderful for your skin, but because it smells divine, and is incredibly relaxing. making it the perfect treat for anyone.

Natural Beauty Goddess was kind enough to send me a 1 lb package of their raw 100 % cocoa butter to review. This type of cocoa butter is not food grade, but rather thought for the above-mentioned beauty treatments. Rich and thick, this great raw and organic cocoa butter is Kosher certified, and comes in a beautiful screw top container, that makes dispensing it easy. I suffer from contact allergies, which, after I applied it to my arm, felt immediately better. The smooth, beautifully scented butter is one of the few things, I can put on my skin without hesitation while loving the smell, and luxurious feeling. The only downfall I found is, that due to the lack of outer packaging, my container came with a slightly broken lid. so, improved and additional packaging would prevent any breakage. That did not diminish the high quality of the product, which by the way comes with a free ebook, containing recipes and information about cocoa butter. I am planning on creating a few of the mentioned DIY cosmetics shortly

Check out today’s deal from our sponsors:

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The above post was a part of the following blog hops:

Coastal Charm 

No place like home

At Our Home

Cozy Little House

Stone Gable Blog

Bernideen’s Blog

 

A Day Of Dog Pampering – A Dog Care Supply Haul I Am Excited About

Disclaimer: I have received the products mentioned free of charge in exchange for an honest review. This post also contains affiliate links. See disclosure page for details

Due to the many allergies my little-adopted furry dog  friends have, do I refrain from sending them to a groomer, and rather take care of their needs myself. Even if that means some extra work – and the occasional times when I end up wetter than the dogs taking a bath – I love pampering my pooches, while the cat watches on from the distance.

But before washing them with our favorite Burts Bee Hypoallergenic Shampoo (for Dogs), however we had to try out our new Furbabies Retractable Dog Leash, and the dogs had a blast with that thing.

I have been staying away from retractable dog leashes, as I had a bad experience with them, having been cut, after it wrapping itself around my leg. So I was pleasantly surprised when the Furbabies 15 ft retractable leash offered a flat soft leash, that will prevent these accidents from happening. While it states, that it is for small dogs – and I originally accepted the offer, because I wanted to use it on a small toy chihuahua, it is better suited for my medium dogs of 30 pounds (Welsh Corgi/Beagle mix), and a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix (45 pounds).The handle of the dog leash alone would have been heavier than our little friend, so we are sticking with a generic, non-retractable leash for our cute sweetheart.  But, for my two larger high energy dogs, this leash is now my favorite.

Adding the finishing touches to their day by using our Safari dog nail clippers, my dogs are again presentable, even if they might not have enjoyed the last part as much as the did the new leash. I contemplated the use of doggie nail polish, but I am pretty sure, my husband would have thought I was completely crazy, so I led that one go.

After such adventure, we are usually all exhausted, as you can see by how one of my puppies passed out, watching us play Sorry!. 

 

Question: What are your favorite ways to pamper your pets? Do you have a special groomer you take them to, or do you also DIY their beauty routine at home?

 

This post is a part of the following blog hops:
March Week #4 Blog hop

What Are You Doing In March Blog Hop

Winter Is Leaving Blog Hop

No Rules Weekend Blog Party

 

 

 

How to Find Energy to Follow Your Dreams Despite Chronic Illnesses – 4 Tips

(Disclaimer: The following post includes affiliate links. Opinions and experiences are my own)

Living with chronic illness does not have to be the end of your dreams. In fact, it can be the motivating factor to do more, to live a better life, to take better care of yourself and those who you love. It is all about making the choice of what you want to do with what is given to you.

I speak from experience. I have hypothyroidism, chronic anemia, partial deafness, and various allergies while my daughter has a severe form of a  chronic tic disorder – which leaves her often in pain from involuntary muscle spasms, as well as allergies. Despite that, we do not let this stop us from following through with our dreams and goals. While it might take a little more effort, planning, and motivation to follow through, it also gave us an opportunity to test our resolve and find ways to make things happen, no matter what is in our way.

Here are four tips on how to find the energy to follow through with your goals, despite chronic illnesses

1. Exercise – exercise (of course done under the supervision of your medical health professional) releases endorphins, powerful chemicals in your brain that energize your spirits and make you feel good.
2. Meditate – I know sitting in silence does not necessary sound like something that will give you energy, but it is amazing to find how energized, relaxed and stress-free you will feel when you begin adding a regular meditation routine to your life. Not only does it have a positive affect on your overall health, and therefore, whatever chronic condition you have, but it also gives you a positive, relaxed state of mind, which makes it easier to focus, an essential tool when you are trying to achieve a goal and stay motivated.
3. Eat right – that is a given. Whatever your dietary needs are to make your illness more comfortable or maybe even go into remission, follow through with it. No one can feel energized on a junk food diet. Remember what you put in, is what you get out. That goes as much for your work as it goes for your body and health.
4. Create rituals – a well thought out morning and evening ritual can assist you throughout your day. It is a lot easier to stay focused and motivated if you are following a carefully constructed routine, that prepares you for the upcoming daily activities. Tailor those rituals to fit your individual illness or disability, and if necessary, enlist help to get it set up.

Check out the following book on the subject for more information:

 

How To Live Well With Chronic Illness and Pain by Tony Bernhard

available on Amazon

How To Make Your Own Cat Food

 

Disclaimer: The following post contains affiliate links, see Disclosure page for details

Upon request of a dear reader, I am writing today about making your own cat food. But before sharing a recipe with you, I would like to take a moment to caution you about making your own pet food. My dogs are fed exclusively on homemade dog food, due to severe allergies. They simply can not eat the commercial stuff without loosing all of their fur, and breaking out.  My cat, on the other hand, is almost exclusively fed on commercial food, because he has no allergies. If you are feeding all of your pets homemade food, do not feed the same food you make for your dogs to your cat. With very different nutritional needs, you would have to cook separately. That said, I make homemade cat food as an occasional treat, which he enjoys very much.

 

There are a few foods that should never be added to homemade cat food. Those are:

 

• Garlic
• Onions
• Raisins
• Raw Egg whites
• Tomatoes
• Grapes

Some people will tell you that garlic keeps away fleas, in both cats and dogs, but it is also poisonous to their system. So stick with the commercial flea protection like Bayer Advantage  and skip the garlic

 

When feeding the amount of homemade cat food, keep the following factors in mind, when giving food:

1. Age
2. Activity level
3. pre-existing conditions
4. size of the cat

 

You should consult your holistic veterinarian for feeding guidelines, or consult books specifically written on the subject.

 

Basic Cat Food Recipe:

 

• 1/4 teaspoon olive oil or salmon oil
• 7 grams of feline vitamin/mineral supplement
• 30 grams of potato, cooked without skin
• 50 grams of carbs (choose one: cooked pasta, white rice, barley, oatmeal, peas)
• 83 grams of cooked animal protein (whole meat chicken, lamb, rabbit, beef, pork, tuna, salmon)

Mix all of the ingredients together (a blender works really well for this purpose) and store the food in the fridge until needed

 

Some of my vegan friends consider feeding their cats and dogs an animal protein-free diet. I personally do not recommend that the same goes for raw diets. Most people making homemade food for their pets will agree that liver should only be fed on occasion as the animal protein given. I completely stay away from liver, as my dogs both seem to have an adverse reaction to it (even though they love the flavor). Every animal will react different to a homemade diet, therefore, your vigilance is required.
Here are two books I highly recommend on the subject:

Dinner PAWsible: A Cookbook of Nutritious, Homemade Meals for Cats And Dogs

available on Amazon now

 

 

 The Ultimate Guide To Cats Food

available on Amazon now

 

 

This post is a part of the following blog hops:

Amaze Me Monday

Manic Monday Blog Hop

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop

Keeping It Simple

Show And Share 

Not Just For Families With Allergies: Happy Baby Home Party!

(Disclaimer: The following post contains affiliate links, see Disclosure page for more details)

If you have a family plagued with allergies, or just want to do your part for the environment by using clean, not tested on animal products, then I have an opportunity for you. Seventh Generation is giving away all that is needed to host a Happy Baby Home Party, and all you have to do is sign up for a chance to get selected!

What is a Healthy Baby Home Party?

Seventh Generation’s home parties are powered by people like you who are focused on creating a healthy environment for the next generation. Developed with input from non-profit partner, Healthy Child Healthy World, they are a great way to get together with friends, share helpful information, and make an impact!

Healthy Baby Home Party kits are provided to all selected hosts and are filled with educational info about our environment, helpful tips, a fun game, and samples and coupons from Seventh Generation and other favorite family-friendly brands like  bobble, Plum Organics, and Zarbee’s Naturals.

What is the Application Process?

• Sign up at generationgood.net to join the Generation Good community, or log in if already a member
  • Accept the Healthy Baby Home Party Application offer on your Generation Good dashboard and complete the application.
  • Applicants will be notified by end of March if they have been selected to host a party, via an email to the email address assigned to their Generation Good member profile.
  • All selected applicants will then need to confirm their participation by accepting the Healthy Baby Home Party Mission in Generation Good and confirming their shipping address.
  • 1,900 FREE Party Kits will be distributed in this round.
  • Hosting spots are open to US residents only at this time. Canadian parties are planned for later in 2016!
  • Full terms and conditions are available within Generation Good in the “Healthy Baby Home Party Application” offer.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up today!

Living With Allergies: Making My Own Dog Food

(Disclaimer: This blog post contains afiliate links, experiences and opinions are always my own. Check with your holistic veterinerian before adjusting your pets diet )

As I have mentioned on this blog before, our allergies do not only extend to all of the people in the household but also include one of my three rescues, Athena. She is the sweetest Rhodesian Ridgeback you will ever meet, mellow inside of the house, and full of energy as soon as she goes outside.

Athena, when she was a puppy

She has an allergy to gluten not affecting her stomach and digestion,  but rather giving her the most uncomfortable rash and skin irritations that you can imagine. At one point during our search for finding her comfort, she had almost lost all of her fur and it was hard  to keep her from scratching herself raw.. On top of that she is allergic to fleas, some grasses, any type of household bug spray and some cleaners.

She is the reason we are living in a home without carpet, and in an area where her access to grass is limited and controlled.

Paleo Chef for Dogs: Homemade Gluten-Free Dog Food Recipes

One of the many things we have done to give her relief – which she has now all of her fur back and is back to her normal, beautiful energetic self – is that I make the dog food myself. Thankfully there are many websites, and books available now, which cover this subject, and even if it is time-consuming, it is worth it for me. Her comfort is above that little bit of extra effort.

I have collected a few links to recipes here,  so you can make some for your own dogs.

Homemade Kibble

5 “Best” Dog Recipes (includes chicken and fish based dog food)

Question:

 Do you have a special needs pet you are taking care off? What are your experiences?

P.S. Thankfully the other dog in our home does not have any allergies, but during her surgery to be fixed, they nicked her bladder, which means as soon as she gets excited, she leaks. Poor baby, we love her no matter what.

Blessings!

Claudia