Xclear Sinus Nasal Spray

Here is the WAY COOL Nasal Spray I've been using ever since my Horrible Sinus Infection... Knock On Wood - I haven't had one since!
 I use it 3 times a day... ahhhhhhhhhhh

I prefer the first one - stronger pump... really makes it all the way to my throat in one pump :)

Watch our for the Artificial Enemy!

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SeriouslyWhatNow.com

Carrie

Hi there, hello, and how are ya? Before you FREAK, the answer is YES. You are probably eating and feeding your family large amounts of artificial ingredients without even knowing it.

This absolutely amazed me when I first started on this "All Natural" Journey. SO MANY PEOPLE ask me what is wrong with artificial Color and Flavors...
I've decided to define them for you and let you make your own decisions :)

BTW, the following Quotes and definitions are from a book by Elizabeth Strickland, MS, RD, LD.  It's one of the simplest explanations I've found in my research.

 ARTIFICIAL COLORS

The SEVEN artificial colors now permitted in our food (in the USA) are:
Blue #1
Blue #2
Green #3
Red #40
Red #3
Yellow #5
Yellow #6
"There's an additional issue that many parents are not aware of [earlier she linked artificial color to Autism, ADD, and ADHD]. Most Artificial colors are made from a mixture of phenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heterocyclic compounds called Coal Tar."

Here are some definitions from www.thefreedictionary.com

Phenol

1. A caustic, poisonous, white crystalline compound, C₆H₅OH, derived from benzene and used in resins, plastics, and pharmaceuticals and in dilute form as a disinfectant and antiseptic. Also called carbolic acid.

2. Any of a class of aromatic organic compounds having at least one hydroxyl group attached directly to the benzene ring.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon

Any of a class of carcinogenic organic molecules that consist of three or more benzene rings and are commonly produced by fossil fuel combustion. Also called polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon.

heterocyclic compound/Coal Tar

A viscous black liquid containing numerous organic compounds that is obtained by the destructive distillation of coal and used as a roofing, waterproofing, and insulating compound and as a raw material for many dyes, drugs, and paints.

More about Coal Tar:

"According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, any product with a certain percentage of crude coal tar is considered a Group I carcinogen."

ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS

"Artificial Flavors are chemically synthesized compounds added to foods to either imitate or enhance a natural flavor.  There are currently 1,700 artificial flavors approved by the FDA."

MSG is one of the worst (monosodium glutamate). 

"It's used commercially as a flavor enhancer and found in many common food products such as canned soups, beef and chicken stocks, flavored potato chips, snack foods, frozen dinners, instant meals with seasoning mixtures, and foods from fast food restaurants."

Here is the Ringer!

MSG isn't always easy to spot on a food label.

It can be labeled as spices,  natural flavorings, disodium inosinate, or disodium guanylate !!!

"[MSG] is classified  as an exitotoxin, and animal studies indicate that ingesting high levels of it causes brain damage."

Here are a few links about MSG:

Resource for Life

healthy-holistic-living

msgtruth  (Okay, this one seems a bit radical, but it gave me some good ideas about more things to google!! lol. )

ARTIFICIAL PRESERVATIVES

More to Come - I'm Working on it!

ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS

More to Come -  I'm Working on it!

What/How to pack for a hotel

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Carrie

Prep Time: 

MOM with "pack mule" (a.k.a. husband) + kids that can read - 2 hours

MOM with "pack mule"( a.k.a. husband) - 3 hours 

MOM with kids that can read - 4 hours

MOM alone - 6-8 hours    (This method is highly discouraged - May cause extreme grumpiness)

Anytime we decide to take a little vacation (which involves staying at a hotel) I take a few deep breaths and repeat..
There's no place like home -
            There's no place like home -
                       There's no place like home ...
                                    (BTW.. This doesn't work - even if you click your heels. So GET PREPARED!)

AND THEN... I begin feverishly making a batch of Chocolate Chip oatmeal Cookies and/or Biscotti. While the goods are in the oven I boil a box of pasta and make a VAT of Mae's favorite Sushi Rice :)
I will list things that I DO, BAKE, and PACK below. Feel free to copy and paste into your very own spreadsheet with a "check box" next to it. It's what we do!!!
The following is for a 2-night stay at a hotel with  an outdoor pool. I will add sections for variations (such as an indoor pool, a longer stay, no breakfast bar etc... ) I have many more articles planned: "How to attack Disney" and "How to enjoy Seaworld" in Orlando, Florida as well as "How to Move a family across the country".   

A 2-night stay at a hotel with a outdoor pool.  If you'd like the excel file e-mail me at MrsMathCanHelp@Gmail.com :)

	THINGS TO DO		COOLER		DRY GOODS		CLOTHES
	BAKE COOKIES		SANDWICHES		PILLOWS		PANTIES
	BOIL PASTA		YOGURT		TERYAKI SAUCE		SOCKS
	MAKE SUSHI RICE		PASTA		PASTA		COLD PJS (flannel)
	BAKE BISCOTTI		RICE		RICE		WARM PJS (cotton)
			APPLE SAUCE		CEREAL		TEVAS
			TORTILLAS		ALMOND MLK		TENNIS SHOES
			NUGGETS		APPLE CIDER		FLIP FLOPS
			ICE PACK		BREAD		STUFFED ANIMALS
			HOT DOG		ALMOND BUTTER		T-SHIRTS
					JELLY		SHORTS
					FRUIT JUICE		JACKETS
					CRACKERS		HANNAS (daydresses)
					RUBBER GLOVES
					LARABARS
	KITCHEN				CHIPS
			BATHROOM		FRUIT
	PLATES
	CUPS		HAIR BRUSH
	SILVERWARE		TOOTH BRUSH				POOL
			TOOTH PASTE		BEACH
			PUMP SOAP				SUNBLOCK
	MEDICINE		BAR SOAP		SUNBLOCK		SWIMSUIT (regular)
			SHAMPOO		SWIMSUIT		COVER UP
	TYLENOL		CONDITIONER		COVER UP		SUN HAT
	ADVIL		BLOW DRYER		SUN HAT		FLIP FLOPS
	BENADRYL				FLIP FLOPS		PADDLE BOARDS
	ALLERGY MED		LOTION		PADDLE BOARDS		FLOATIES
	ITCH CREAM		CLORINE BALL		ARM FLOATIES		WATER PUMP/GUNS
	ANTIBIOTIC CREAM		BUBBLE BATH		SAND TOYS		DIVE RINGS
	BANDAIDS				UMBRELLA		NOODLE
					SUN GRUBBIES		SUN GRUBBIES

 

Chia - The "Happy Pill"

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Carrie

Chia Seeds

It is important here that I mention that although all of the Omega's are important (3, 6, 9) our bodies currently have  WAY TOO MUCH Omega 6 and hardly any Omega 3. According to my research and the links below, the "Ideal" ratio is 1:1. According to Sally Fallon in her book "Nourishing Traditions"
most of us eat a ration of 1:20 !!!!!!!! Which is leading to all sorts of health issues. Heart Disease and inflammation being just a couple.  It is very difficult to find foods that have more Omega 3 than 6. Certain types of fish do, but let's be realistic. It would be easier for me to single handedly build a spaceship than get Mae to eat something she doesn't like on a daily basis!!!  So the source of Omega 3's HAS to be tasteless and inconsequential.

Talk about a  GREAT MOOD BOOSTER!!! Just one hour after eating a Tablespoon of Organic Chia seeds - her mood lifts to the point of giddiness.  After she eats them (You're probably wondering how on earth I get her to eat them... Just be patient - I will tell you soon enough:) she starts running around the house with her sister acting silly and carefree. Now, for those of you new to this whole philosophy and diet, it might not work as quickly. Some say it takes several weeks for the first real "kick" of upbeat mood. But at this point Mae has been, for the most part, 100% free of artificial color, flavor, HFCS, and Casein for over a year and a half. 

So now, for the moment you've all been waiting for....
How I get her and her sister to eat them.
the answer: Fruit Smoothie! (This recipe is for her and her sister to share - I add more if I am having some)
I simply put a few
Frozen or Fresh

Strawberries

Blueberries

Peaches

Banana

2 Tablespoons of Chia seeds

2 Tablespoons of Calcium liquid 

(This is also how I get the Calcium in her!)

Water

Blend and VWALAA!
The only way I can think of to explain the taste and texture of the Chia seeds is to liken them to the little black seeds on the outside of a strawberry.  Once Mae heard this she swallowed them right down without a word.

NOTE 1:

I highly recommend giving the smoothie at least 4 hours before bedtime :)
All of the fiber seems to run through them right around the 4 hour mark.
Can anyone say "Potty Time!"

 NOTE 2:

Beware of the farts! They will create a lovely musical sound around the house - lol
which is highly beneficial for the entertainment of the young ones you are trying to cheer up! Just go with the flow....

There is an incredible amount of research detailing the effects of Omega 3's on Mood. Here are a few I ran across today:

ScienceDaily (Mar. 4, 2006)
ACT - Changing Tomorrow (December 11, 2007)
Omega 3 Fatty Acid Treatment in Autism (February 14, 2010)


If you are wondering which seeds I buy here is the link:
Navitas Organic Raw Chia Seeds

Casein Free Blueberry Muffins

Yummy!  I thought I'd better get this up since it's now Blueberry picking season in our area! I know in Maine it won't be for another month or so - but here in the Northwest we are already sneaking into the fields early  - and I am NOT naming names -


Casein Free Blueberry Muffins

Preheat Oven to 375 Degrees

WASH 

1-2 Cups of Fresh Blueberries (If frozen, rinse off ice and set aside)

(I have 2 little girls that always seem to make my Blueberry stash disappear while it's waiting for me in the measuring cup - which I why I always start with 2 Cups. If you, however, have no secret snackers in your home then you can start with 1 Cup!)

Blend

1/2 - 1 Cup Sugar  (if you have company over that's used to "sweet" stuff use 1 Cup. My girls don't eat much sugar so 1/2 Cup is plenty)
 1/2 Cup Earth Balance (or coconut oil)

1 Egg

1 Cup Fiber (I used 1/2 Cup Dried Coconut Flakes and 1/2 Cup Almond Meal - See End for Pics where I use 1 Cup Oatmeal)

Add all of the following at the SAME TIME before mixing on slow speed

1 Cup Flour

1 Tbs Baking Powder

1 Cup Almond Milk

1/2 tsp Salt

 Use Spatula to scrape the sides and stir by hand for a few strokes

 Gently stir in 

1-2 Cups Blueberries

 Spoon into muffin pan

 BAKE for 30 Minutes (at 375 Degrees)

If you choose to use Oatmeal for your 1 Cup of Fiber - this is what it will look like:

Casein Free Chocolate Biscotti (with or without Chips)

Carrie's Casein Free Chocolate Biscotti (with or without Chocolate Chips)

Note that this recipe is SIMILAR to my regular Biscotti but NOT THE SAME!!!
So please read thru ingredients... certain items are increased or taken out completely...

Mae and Rose love to eat them for breakfast soaked in Almond Milk. Or as a crunchy snack while outside playing (not recommended in the car - too crummy!).

Preheat Oven to 350 and set out two sheets of baking parchment paper

First you blend

1 1/2 Cup Soft Earth balance Butter

2 Cups Sugar
When blended, Add in

6 eggs

Then blend in

1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract

1/2 teaspoon Salt

2 Cups "Fiber" ( This picture is of dried coconut flakes and Oatmeal -but I used ground Oatmeal flour and Almond meal in this particular batch - you'll notice the white flecks of almonds in the final picture)

Blend in

2 Tablespoon Baking powder

3 Cups flour

2 Cups Cocoa Powder

1 Cup Chocolate Chips - Optional (I didn't use them in this particular batch)

Make 2 piles of dough on the parchment paper

Bake one at a time for 30 minutes. Then take out and carefully cut into slices and roll onto side (without breaking in half!)

(for pics of the cutting method - see my other Biscotti Recipe)

When done cutting place back into oven for 20 minutes.

Then VWALAA!! Here is the end result! Wait until they are cooled and hardened... usually overnight.
The more "stale" the better!

Casein Free Lemon Drop Scones

These are my disappearing Lemon Scones :)
Don't worry - you won't have to roll out any dough and cut it into pretty shapes!
I created the recipe for the busy mom who doesn't have the extra time and patience. These still taste heavenly - even without the classical scone "shape"

You'll notice I chose to make them with Half Flour and Half Oatmeal - so my girls get some form of nourishment. Aren't moms always trying to "sneak" something in? lol

Before you begin you will need 3 Cups of Ground Oatmeal.  I recommend using a food processor and making plenty to store for future use.  I have not tried this with Oat Flour, but it should work just as well. (Let me know if any of you out there use it - and the result.) Note: If you have a friend with a nice Cuisinart processor just bring over a bottle of Red Wine along with your large bag of Oatmeal :) This also works. 

First of all I find a clearing on my table for three sheets of parchment paper (this is much harder than it sounds).  Does anyone else's dining room table become a "catchall" for anything and everything?!?!?!?

Then:

Grate the peel of

ONE Lemon (set aside for later - put the bald lemon back in the fridge-we don't need it)

BEFORE we add the Butter I want to give you a TIP on how to measure cold butter. In the picture below I took a measuring glass and filled it with 1 Cup COLD water.... Then started scooping cold butter into it.  Although this picture is a "picture in progress" you would keep adding butter until the water line reaches 2-Cups....  Simple rule of water displacement :)

Blend (you don't have to use the whisk - the simple attachment will work)

ONE Cup Cold Earth Balance Butter

and

ONE cup Sugar

 PREHEAT OVEN TO 400 Degrees!!! (You're on the homestretch now)

Then add

The Grated Lemon Peel

and

3Eggs

Blend well.

 

Add 

3/4 Cup Lemon Juice

and 

15 Drops of Lemon Essential oil (ONLY Young Living Brand) This is optional.

 Blend well.

This is where I choose to change the mixing attachment to the dough hook. 

Slowly blend in

3 Cups of Ground Oatmeal (you might be able to substitute Oat Flour but I haven't tried it) 

Slowly Blend in
3 Cups of Flour
3 Tablespoons Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Salt

I "drop" the batter by the spoonful onto my 3 sheets of parchment paper and then press them flat with my hand.
 

 Bake for 12-14 minutes at 400 Degrees.

Make simple icing while they are baking by stirring together some

Powdered Sugar

and 

Lemon Juice

If you want a "thin" layer of icing then apply when they are warm out of the oven.

 

Carrie's Casein Free Chocolate Cupcakes / Cake

These are HANDS DOWN the best Chocolate Cupcakes I've ever had!!! and I'm not just saying that because they are mine :)

I have included many, many pics to prove my point.  I dare you to not eat spoonfulls of batter! 
Here goes:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Spray stone cupcake pan with Spectrum oil (You'll have to experiment if you use metal pans with cupcake holders - I am a pampered chef connoisseur) NOTE: This also makes 2 round cake pans of batter if you'd like a layered cake

Blend:

3/4 Cup Earth Balance Butter

1/3 Cup Brown Sugar

1 Cup regular sugar

When whipped nicely Add:

3 Eggs

Then add

1 Cup Almond Milk

3/4 Cup Vanilla Coconut yogurt

Slowly mix in

1 3/4 Cup Flour

1 1/4 Cup Cocoa powder

1 Tablespoon Baking Powder

8 "cranks" Sea Salt ( This might be around 1 teaspoon?)

Whip for a minute or two.

Pour into greased cupcake stone (or pan with liners).

This is where I note the amount...

The batter (if used entirely) will make:
12 "Muffin Top" cupcakes (which is what I did in the pictures below)
or
18 regular cupcakes - filled only 3/4 of the way up the mold/paper cup etc...

(Note: if you eat a few Tablespoons of batter - like I usually do! - then it will make 12 regular cupcakes. This is why my recipe makes a little more than the needed amount. This batter with a glass or two of wine is the perfect "snack" while baking. lol)

Place in oven slightly above center.

Every oven is different  - but
I bake for 27 minutes.

Let set for 20 minutes (At least) before taking out of mold.

Please don't drool on your keyboard!

I LOVE BUBBLES!!!!

I have moved my blog to another page. Please visit me here!

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Carrie

I was wandering thru Whole foods last week frowning at the wallet I was about to empty on bath bubble juice. So far the only two that came close were California Baby (which costs an arm and a leg and a nose... and an organ) and some cold and flu concoction

PLEASE NOTE: I have included the inscription from the website with a "milk allergy" statement. BUT, so far Mae has not had a reaction. And she played in it for 30 minutes. I will run a few more "tests" and see how she fares... but so far so good! And the bubbles/suds last forever!!! Wish me luck. (update at bottom)

Key Ingredients:
Lemon Balm (soothing, antioxidant)
Shea Leaf Extract (antioxidant, antibacterial)
Handcrafted Shea Butter (moisturizing, protective, emollient)

Full Ingredients:
Aqueous extracts of Shea Leaf (Butyrospermum parkii) and Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), Decyl Polyglucose, Lauryl Glucoside, Shea Butter* (Butyrospermum parkii), Glucose, Glucose oxidase & Lactoperoxidase.

Calming Lemon Lavender Also Includes:
Lavender Essential Oil, Lemon Extract

Comforting Eucalyptus Mint Also Includes:
Essential Oils of Spearmint and Eucalyptus, Orange Extract

Sensitivity Information:

This product is gluten free.

For those customers with milk sensitivities we don't recommend use of this product. It does contain a milk enzyme for preservation - Lactoperoxidase.

Jump to the website directly :)

UPDATE:

The girls had another bath 3 days ago with twice as much bubble juice - for twice as long. 

THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE GETTING AWAY WITH MURDER!!!

Still no side effects... So, my theory is - because the Lactoperoxidase  is an enzyme it doesn't affect people with a Casein issue. One is an enzyme - one is a protein.  Therefore, they can't both attach themselves to the same receptor in the brain etc... hope this helps! I am always looking for a good "Deal" a.k.a. "Cheap"!

Casein Free Yogurt Popsicles

Casein Free yogurt Popsicles

Ingredients:

So Delicious Yogurt (4-5 6oz) (mine love Raspberry/Blueberry swirled)

Popsicle sticks ( I use the skinny ones)

Ice Cube Tray for sportsbottles

FIRST - make sure you separate the ice tray and wash in the dishwasher (use natural detergent!)
Also run the popsicle sticks thru the dishwasher. :)

There is a link to a place to buy this on my "products I buy page" :)

REATTACH the bottom - It will "snap" back into place.

I pour the 4 or 5 cups of Yogurt into the molds. You can get away with 4 6oz containers if you are very miserly and scrape out every last bit. BUT if your girls are hovering over you like mine do licking the cups and swiping fingerfulls from the mold - It will take 5 :)

Then simply place sticks in each mold and Freeze overnight !!!

These have Raspberry poured into the bottom inch and Blueberry filled to the top

Taking them out is a bit tricky ....

1.) Snap OFF the bottom
2.) Run warm water over the "legs" for 10 second or so
3.) push with your fingers from the bottom until they start to move
4.) slowly pull them out by the sticks

I then put the popsicles back in the freezer in either a large ziploc bag (not preferred) or a large airtight tupperware.  VWALAA!!!

Carrie's Casein Free Biscotti

This is a recipe very close to my heart :)
It has become a STAPLE in our home. Whenever we travel I make a TON of these. Mae and Rose love to eat them for breakfast soaked in Almond Milk. Or as a crunchy snack while outside playing (not recommended in the car - too crummy!). I have photos at the end of some of the ingredients (I have verified them to be casein free)

Here goes!

Carrie's Casein Free Biscotti 

Preheat Oven to 350 and set out two sheets of baking parchment paper

First you blend

1 1/2 Cup Soft Earth balance Butter

1 3/4 Cup Sugar (you may make it sweeter if you like ~ 2C)
When blended, Add in

6 eggs

Then blend in

1 Tablespoon Almond Extract

1/2 teaspoon Salt

2 Cups "Fiber" ( Here I chose dried coconut flakes and Oatmeal - but sometimes I use nut meal)

Blend in

1 Tablespoon Baking powder

4 Cups flour

1 Cup Chocolate Chips!
(nuts optional)

Make 2 piles of dough on the parchment paper

Bake one at a time for 30 minutes. Then take out and carefully cut into slices and roll onto side (without breaking in half!)

When done cutting place back into oven for 20 minutes.

Then VWALAA!! Here is the end result! Wait until they are cooled and hardened... usually overnight.
The more "stale" the better!

Here are some of the ingredients:
(The rest can be found on my "What food I buy" page.)