Moving to a new blog!

As life is lived, and transitions happen, I have one ongoing myself — I am moving to a new blog! Recipes will remain one of the primary aspects of the new blog, but I am choosing to broaden the scope of purpose that I have with blogging. So go and make sure to subscribe to the new blog!

http://ladonnaskitchentable.wordpress.com/

(PS. if you are looking for one of the recipes that was previously found on this blog, please reach out to me via the Contact page of the new blog, or keep an eye out, as many of them will be making a return with adjustments and improvements to the original!)

Your temple

If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

1 Corinthians 3:17

One of the many verses the LORD used to convict me to invest in keeping myself healthy.

Cranberry Red Grape Sauce

Cranberry Red Grape Sauce

1 1/3 cups water

2/3 cup MonkSweet Plus

2 – 8 ounce packages Organic Cranberries

3 cups organic red grapes, cut in half pieces

½ teaspoon clear stevia

2-4 drops Young Living Orange Vitality Oil

Wash and sort the cranberries.  Wash and cut the red grapes into halves. Sit them aside in a bowl.

Put the water and MonkSweet Plus in a sauce pan and bring to a boil.

Add the cranberries and red grape halves and bring back to a boil.  Boil them for ten minutes.

Let it cool down for a little bit and then, run it through a food mill to get rid of the peelings from the fruit.  (The peeling is the bitter part of the cranberry,)

Add the ½ teaspoon of clear stevia and the Orange Vitality oil.

When cooled, refrigerate or freeze until ready to serve it.  I typically make it a week or two ahead of the holiday and freeze it.  I take it from the freezer and put it in the frig the day before, so it will be thawed out.  This is my way to pace myself and get the cooking done without pushing to do it all at the last minute.

The Many Names of Sugar

While trying to help someone having issues with candida, I ran across an article that spells out the names of sugar and makes a great point about how candida will eat any type sugar.

This is the excerpt with the names of sugar:

“To remove sugar from your diet you must read labels very carefully. All forms of sugar should be removed from the diet including the following:

Beet Sugar
Maple Sugar
Date Sugar
Organic Cane Syrup
Organic Cane Juice
Organic Cane Sugar
Dextrose
Maltose
Lactose
Maltodextrin
Fructose
High Fructose Corn Syrup
Brown Sugar
Powdered Sugar
Honey
Molasses
Coconut Sugar or Nectar
Fruit juice sweeteners
Barley malt
Maple syrup
Brown rice syrup
Agave

Alcohol is the most refined form of sugar you can consume.
Now granted, if you’re going to eat sugar, organic sugar is a better choice, because it doesn’t have pesticides in it and it hasn’t been stripped of all its nutritional value, unlike refined white sugar. But in regard to Candida, sugar is sugar. It doesn’t distinguish between organic or inorganic. It will be quite happy to eat either one of them and proliferate equally. The same applies to honey.“

This came from this site: https://www.holistichelp.net/candida-diet.html

I would add to this that if you are dealing with any kind of issue that results from inflammation, remember that inflammation and illness doesn’t care if the foods, starches or sugars are organic or not. They will use them to give you pain regardless of the source.

I have never regretted eliminating grains and sugars. I am so thankful to be able to support my immune system with healthier choices. I have heard it said many times and so agree: “Know better; do better”

2009-2019 What a difference!

Ten years ago, I was a stay at home, homeschooling mom. My health was compromised from years of poor nutrition. I had many issues. I was literally gritting my teeth to endure the pain I felt back then. We had a big party for our son, Daniel, that fall and my daughter, Hannah, did the work to put it together, because I could not. On November 20, 2009, Hannah drove me to Arapaho, OK, to attend a class to learn about Young Living Essential Oils. I made a decision to change my lifestyle, based on that class. Now, ten years later, I love my lifestyle. I am much healthier. Three of my four children are married. I can cook and drive and am enjoying my six grandchildren. I am so thankful the LORD convicted me to clean up my nutrition, my environment and use Young Living Essential Oils and supplements. What a difference ten years made! (My hair was dyed ten years ago, but no more!)

The first pic is at Daniel‘s birthday party in the fall of 2009 and the second one is at Diamond Bound, 2019.

For those of you counting with me, I have been off grains and sugar for 9 years, 3, 426 days or 9 years, 4 months and 16 days.

I am so thankful the LORD showed me that I could choose to walk in health instead of sickness with something sooo simple as cutting out grains and sugar.

Today’s task is to make some grain free, sugar free pies for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving dinner. It will be our tenth sugar free Thanksgiving and our food is delicious! Even people who eat grains and sugars and join us for our food like it!

Happy Thanksgiving y’all! I am thankful for life!

BBQ Sauce

This stuff is great with grilled meats of any kind and has become a family favorite.  I have been making it for a couple of years now.  We recently discovered Siete Almond Tortillas and leftover roast beef with this sauce is better than the fast food versions!

The ingredients are organic and sugar free.  The Jovial Crushed tomatoes taste like home canned tomatoes.  Sometimes they are a little chunky so if I want the sauce smooth, I just puree’ them in my Vitamix.

The reason I use Yacon instead of maple syrup or honey which is more common in paleo cooking is to keep the glycemic index down to the minimum.   Yacon takes on the natural flavors of whatever foods I combine with it and has a mild molasses taste without the high glycemic index.   This is important for those with autoimmune issues.

I get most of my ingredients from Azure Standard, however, they can be found other places like Vitacost and Amazon.  If you live in a city with Whole Foods or Sprouts, you can probably get some of them there as well.

BBQ Sauce

Ingredients:
– 18 oz jar Jovial crushed tomatoes    https://www.azurestandard.com/shop/product/food/canned/tomato-products/tomatoes/crushed/tomatoes-crushed-in-glass-organic/14834?package=GY115  
– 7 oz jar Bionaturae tomato paste ( https://www.azurestandard.com/shop/product/food/canned/tomato-products/paste/tomato-paste-in-glass-organic/11325?package=GY179 ) 
– 1 cup water ( I just fill the tomato paste jar with water and shake it and pour it into the crushed tomato jar and shake again and then, into the pot. Gets all the good tomato out of the jars.
– 1/2 cup Bragg’s apple cider vinegar  I use Bragg’s
– 1/3 cup Yacon syrup  YL is fine, but as it was out of stock for so long at one time, I started getting this one at Azure.  https://www.azurestandard.com/shop/product/food/sweeteners/yacon/syrup/yacon-syrup-100-organic/11970?package=SW210  
– 1/2 Tbsp. ground black pepper

-1/2 Tbsp. Himalayan Salt
– 1/2 Tbsp. onion powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic

1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
– 2 Tbsp. prepared mustard
– 1 tsp. paprika
1/8-1/4 teaspoon Cedar House Natural Hickory Liquid Smoke or to taste (I see that is no longer on Amazon, so here is a link to another one that is just pure liquid smoke and no additives  https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I552GE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 )

– 1 drop Young Living Lemon Vitality Oil   

Directions:
1. Place all ingredients except the essential oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking. Bring just to a boil. 
2. Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for 1 hour or until thickened to your liking.  

3. Stir in the one drop of Lemon Essential Oil, put into jars and allow to sit in the frig at least overnight. (I use the Jovial jar for the bulk of it and a canning jar for the remainder.)  I write the date on the jar label with BBQ notated, so my family knows what it is.)

 

 

Adapted from http://www.paleocupboard.com/bbq-sauce.html

Why “Out of My Bondage”?

These are the words that kept coming to me when I realized that I had been in bondage, not just to sin and the world, but also to food that was keeping me sick. Thus, the name of my blog. In September, 1971, I was released from spiritual bondage by receiving the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. What a wonderful day that was!

As the years passed, I became progressively weaker in the physical realm. I was growing in the LORD, staying in His Word, but my physical pain grew until I was almost incapacitated. I was told several times over the years that I could reduce or eliminate my pain if I would just stop eating grains and sugar. As I studied it, I learned that MSG and glysophates (Round Up) were also culprits that caused inflammation and pain.

I looked for a “quick fix” for years. I didn’t want to eat different than my family and friends. I struggled and even prayed for God to heal me without me doing the work. “Just heal me, God” became my plea. As I got worse, I asked the LORD to take me to heaven. I told Him I was ready to die and be with Him. God had other plans for me. I knew I was ready to die, but could I live for Him and give Him glory from my life?

When I finally got sick and tired of being sick and tired, I cried out to the LORD, to show me the truth. I began to see all kinds of articles, blogs, and videos telling about eating grain free and sugar free. Then, the verses in the Bible about eating and drinking and living for the glory of God began to leap out at me.  God does not ever remove the consequences of our lifestyle choices.  I was living with some harsh consequences. I realized I had a choice to make!

The way I used to eat was bondage. The way I eat now is so freeing. Freeing from sickness and guilt because I know better! I am thankful He gave me another chance at living life without the pain of bad food choices.  Treating myself and my body as the temple of God has certainly taken me “Out of My Bondage”!!!

“Out of My Bondage, Sorrow and Night”
TEXT: William True Sleeper
MUSIC: Greg Thompson
1. Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,
Jesus, I come; Jesus I come.
Into Thy freedom, gladness and light,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of my sickness into Thy health,
Out of my wanting and into Thy wealth,
Out of my sin and into Thyself,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

2. Out of my shameful failure and loss,
Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come.
Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of earth’s sorrows into Thy balm,
Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,
Out of distress into jubilant psalm,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

3. Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come.
Into Thy blessed will to abide,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,
Out of despair into raptures above,
Upward forever on wings like a dove,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

4. Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
Jesus, I come; Jesus, I come.
Into the joy and light of Thy home,
Jesus, I come to Thee.
Out of the depths of ruin untold,
Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,
Ever Thy glorious face to behold,
Jesus, I come to Thee.

© 2000 Greg Thompson Music.

I am eternally grateful for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.  I am also thankful that the LORD gave me conviction to treat my body, His temple, as a sanctified vessel that deserved to be fed better.

What a victory He has given over sin, hell and the grave!  What a victory He has given over food and drink!

I choose to live for Him, to eat for Him and for His glory to be the best me I can be until He calls me home or returns for the church!

Fudge Frosting

fudge frosting…

 

1/3 cup coconut oil

1/3 cup coconut milk 

1/2 cup Monk Sweet Plus, powdered in the blender first

1 cup Lily’s Chocolate Chips

1.5 Teaspoon vanilla crème stevia

1 Tablespoon Vanilla

Combine coconut oil, milk and Monk Sweet Plus in a small saucepan.

Bring to a boil over medium high heat and let boil for 1 minute.

1.5 Teaspoon vanilla crème stevia & chocolate chips until smooth and shiny. Add Vanilla. Stir well.

Immediately pour over a 9×13 cake or brownies.

Let cool completely to set.

Vanilla Yellow Cake

2/3 cup & 1/4 cup sifted Coconut Flour

2 Tablespoons Rumford Aluminum free Baking Powder

3/4 teaspoon salt (Real brand or himalayan)

2 Tablespoons Arrowroot Powder

6 eggs, separated, so you can beat the egg whites

1 cup MonkSweet Plus (or 1 cup Erythritol plus 1 teaspoon clear stevia)

2 cups coconut milk (Pacific brand original unsweetened is my favorite)

1 Tablespoon Vanilla

1 teaspoon Almond Extract

3/4 cup oil

Preheat oven to 350F.

Sift all dry ingedients into a bowl and set aside.

Beat egg whites until they look like meringue and set aside.

Beat the egg yolks, sweeteners, vanilla, and almond extract in a mixing bowl until well blended.  Gradually add milk and dry ingredients, alternating until all are mixed well.

Add oil and mix well.

Finally, mix in the beaten egg whites.

Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes in a 9×13 or 11×14 depending on how thick you want the cake.  We like cake a little thinner, so typically do the 11×14 pan.  Line the pan with parchment paper if you want to take it out and decorate it.  I almost never do that.  I grease the pan and pour the batter in and we eat the cake straight from the pan.

This cake can also be baked in two nine inch pans for 25-30 minutes.  See the wedding cake photo below.  Not my strong suit but with the help of a dear friend, we actually had homemade, sugar free, grain free, decorated wedding cake for Hannah!  So, it can be done…

If you want to remove it from the pan, cool it ten minutes in the pan and then, dump it out onto a cooling rack. (Be sure you lined the pan with parchment paper to make it easy to remove from the pan.)

This is the cake we used for Hannah’s wedding cake and it got rave reviews, so we have continued to use this recipe several times a year.

 

 

 

 

New Beginnings, Renewed Promises

Folks, I am soooo excited about the fresh start of a New Year! I woke up at 5 am planning my day and year! I have easy food prepped for today’s Sunday dinner. Yet, I still woke up early.

Do you wake up early and excited to face each new day?

Do the possibilities of the new year excite you?

I love new beginnings!  Every day, week, month, and year are exciting to me!

It was not always so, so why is it this way now?

In 2009 & 2010, I made permanent non-negotiable changes in my life.  I made myself a promise never to turn back or quit.  As a result, I feel better now than I did 10 or even 20 years ago.

I improved my nutrition, kicked out sugar and grains, and added in Young Living Essential Oils and oil infused supplements.  At the same time, I began reading more labels and I changed my household and personal care products to eliminate toxic substances and use clean products that are safe for my family and for the environment.

I am NOT a tree hugger, folks, but a clean environment is a healthy environment and it does matter!  While I don’t worship nature, I very much appreciate the gift the plants are to us from the Creator!

As the new year approaches, I am so thankful for all the many blessings of this past year!

I am thankful for the faithfulness of the LORD Jesus Christ in my life.

I am thankful for the Bible, the Holy Word of God and enjoy reading it from front to back each year.

I am thankful for my family and my church.

I am thankful for healthy foods and household products.

I am thankful for Young Living Essential Oils and all the wonderful products that now fill my home.

I am thankful for chiropractic, massage therapy, manual therapy, and all the healthy modalities I have learned over the past few years.

I am thankful the LORD led me to make changes accompanied with a promise to never give up and never stop moving forward, thus continuing to seek healthy ways to manage my health and wellness.

I love helping people in their health journey.  I love being a mom and grandma, helping my family, and have learned that I can do it all better when I take care of me, too.  In fact, I am better at helping others when I take care of me first, physically and spiritually.

I look forward to 2019 not with resolutions, but with the promise to myself to stay the course!