Teeth. Teeth? Yes, teeth.

As some of you may or may not know we have been thinking more and more about oral care.  This post really challenged my thinking on our brushing with toothpaste and flossing is the best way to go theory.  I had never really thought about it before I just sort of went with the flow.  We tried the remineralization toothpaste but for the amount of work and the lack of cavities in our home we decided to go with just plain salt.  We also changed our way of brushing.  http://www.orawellness.com/ has a video that explains a way of brushing teeth that just made sense to me.  My gums need just as much focus during brushing as my teeth do if not more!  (I know Mum, I know, you taught me this a long time ago but it has JUST sunk in.)

As we undertook this endeavor we also read up on the tooth blog about tooth whitening.  WOW!  This was more of a change that we expected.  Take a look.

Attractive, I know... One more... this one is me... embarrassing. 

Now after about a week and a half of brushing with charcoal, not regularly mind you and still drinking coffee and the like. 

Not perfect, but it's coming.  By the way, sorry for the terrible pictures.  We really wanted to get these up ASAP because we are super excited to share this with you!


Ok, interested?  Wanna try?  Here's how.  Buy some charcoal pills.  Most health food stores will carry them from what I understand.  I bought mine at a health food shop in the Comox Mall.  Then it was just a matter of cutting open the gelatin capsule and dipping in a toothbrush that was on it's way out anyway. 

From there we brushed our teeth for two minutes.  Not too bad for taste, just a bit dry in my opinion.  This was what Anthony looked like while brushing!

Just a tip for you, you won't want to do this over your porcelain sink.  Apparently this stains.  Might be a good idea to wear some older clothes or a bib and brush over your kitchen sink.

I'm interested in hearing thoughts on this post.  Feel free to comment.
-Olivia

Money, money, money

I noticed that many of you have interest in how to afford paleo eating, especially as a family.  We have done a few things to help with that.  One major one is cutting back on eating out.  We used to have a line in the budget for eating out and now it's gone.  We have a "slush" line in the budget now instead that we have to decide, do we want something pretty.. something fun... or should we splurge on a chance to eat out. 

Groceries we have budgeted ourselves in at $500 per pay, that's every 2 weeks.  Some would say that's a lot others are on par with us.  We eat a lot and we have four children and two adults under our roof.  We also try to have friends over for supper at least once a week for a meal. 

To keep the budget down lower I try to keep the extras out.  We call them treats in our house. 

Lastly I make a meal plan.  Planning can actually make your grocery bill go up if you aren't careful.  A few tips I've learned to use are....
1) Plan with your favorite grocery store flyer(s) in front of you.  Plan your meals according to what is on sale.
2) Buy your meat bulk.  You have to save up in the months leading up to getting the animal in the freezer but it makes the months to come easier to breath.
3) Plan for leftover meals/snacks.  If you don't do this part you'll end up with waste.  Let's face it, no one wants yucky spinach "melting" in your fridge.  Gross.
4) Be willing to shop at many stores AND farmers markets.  It's worth it, trust me!  Also, on the farmer's market note.  When you shop local you not only are doing your "neighbor" a favor by supporting their business, and your body by getting nutrient dense food, but they will likely get to know your name and throw an extra tomato in your basket or something along those lines.  This is not something to expect from them mind you, but it is nice when it happens.

I'm interested to know what kind of questions some may have about this.  Comment on this post if you have further questions.

The search is on! Part 2

I have taken the Nursing Mother's Tea, it worked.  I'm leading up to a weekend that we will be away for three days though and will be leaving the children with my dad.  I am going to leave him with both hemp milk and coconut milk to give baby 4.  She has accepted both, but still prefers mama's milk.  In case you are wondering coconut milk is served to her straight from the carton or can.  And for hemp milk I used hemp seeds that I bought from coolhemp.com.  I use a 3 to 1 ratio water to seeds and soak overnight and then blend in the morning.  From there I strain and put into the baby bottles.  Not all babies like it but my first and last babies have.

Curried Quail Eggs

Curried Quail Eggs

Ingredients:                               

2 (28 oz) cans diced tomatoes

2 (14 oz) cans coconut milk

1/2 tsp each: cumin,fennel seed, anise seed, caraway seed

1/4 tsp each: dried ginger, allspice, nutmeg

2 1/2 tbsp garam masala

1 1/2 tbsp hot curry powder

1 1/2 tsp tumeric

1 cinnamon stick

1/3 cup honey

5 carrots

3 celery stalks

30 quail eggs

Preparation:

Boil quail eggs.  Place in cool water and peel and halve them lengthwise, distracting hungry children as needed. 

Combine spices in mortar and pound until well blended.  Coffee grinders work great for this too.

Preheat pan, add spices with oil of choice.  Heat for 2 or 3 minutes. 

While this is taking place blend tomatoes and coconut milk in food processor or blender until smooth. 

Pour over spices and set to simmer over low heat stirring occasionally.

Slice carrots celery and other veggies of choice and add to the sauce, add honey and quail eggs. 

Cover and simmer for 30 minutes stirring occasionally. 

Voila!

The new year - ponderings

I'm finding the blog a little overwhelming.  I have left things to Anthony to post and he's just as busy, so just as a heads up things are going to be as infrequent as it has been.  I hope to add a few more of my rants to the blog to share what I'm learning.  It's hard to do when we have little ones who want to eat, be clean and be loved.  I want to do all that so I'm attempting to do less.

I have been thinking about dropping some things and adding others for the benefit of the whole home.  I think that I will drop one Bible study (maybe), be less focused on my craft hobbies and drop my Jr. Church Co-ordinator position (already done).  In their places I am planning on running a seminar to teach more about Paleo to friends and members of the Titanium Crossfit gym in Courtenay in order to learn more about it myself.  I am also thinking about selling Watkins for a bit of revenue but mostly for their associate discounts.  I also want to focus more on the pre-school homeschool curriculum I have put on the back burner and focus on choosing curriculum for our oldest for the new school year in the fall. 

I've been craving spending time with God so much more over the past few months.  He is changing the desires of my heart, my oh so stubborn heart.  

In the end what I need to keep reminding myself is........this is why I'm doing it.    -ov

Homemade Pig's Head Porchetta

It isn't finished yet but wanted to let everyone know that we have begone the process and will have a recipe and pictures posted soon. Hope Christmas went well for everyone!!

The search is on! Part 1

I'm worried that I am starting to dry up with baby number 4.  I'm going to be taking nursing mother's tea (or maybe just picking up some fenugreek or blessed thistle and make a tea from it) as soon as I can get out of the house to get it but.... that's easier said than done these days.  I plan on finding a Plan B if all goes wrong, I'm thinking something to do with coconut milk.  I have used hemp milk in the past and that worked with our oldest but number 2 and 3 refused it.  I still have hemp seeds left in the freezer.  If you know of anything about coconut milk formulas please let me know.  -ov