Constipated?

If you or your baby hasn't had a BM in a day or two, try CASTOR OIL PACKS. Castor oil is derived from the castor bean. Internally, it can be toxic. But applied externally to the abdomen, it can work wonders on the bowels! Also, a great sleep aid. You'll notice your baby will TRULY sleep like a baby! And good for you too- helps detoxify the liver and decrease inflammation in the body.
Supplies:
-Castor oil (sold at any health food store for around $5)
-old towel
-hot water bottle (for adult use only)

For children (I started this with Cece when she was just an infant):
-After a warm bath, apply a small amount (pea-dime size) on your child's abdomen and gently massage it into their skin.
-The oil will get your child's clothes oily so dress him/her in old pjs.
-Best done before bed. Repeat until BMs are regular.

For adults:
-Apply small amount of castor oil on your abdomen and massage into skin. You can target the liver (upper right quadrant of abdomen) to aid detoxification.
-Cover abdomen with old towel.
-Fill hot water bottle with warm water. You can also use an electric blanket. The heat increases absorption.
-Do this for 30 minutes before bed.

This is a gentle yet effective way to move the bowels and to enhance yours or your child's sleep!

Refried Beans

Refried Beans are a great source of protein. You can give them to your child right out of the can (perfect texture for he/she to feed self) or you can make your own. Canned refried beans are often very salty so by making your own, you can control the salt content. Here is a delicious recipe for hearty refried beans.

Ingredients:
-2 tbsps. grapeseed or coconut oil
-1 large onion, finely chopped
-2 cloves of garlic, minced or pressed
-2 tsps. cumin
-1/2 tsp chili powder
-2.5 cups dry pinto beans
-3 quarts water
-1/4 cup water

1. Put beans in a large pot and cover with about 3 quarts of water (so that beans are covered approx. with 3 inches of water).
2. Bring to a boil and then let simmer until beans are soft.
3. Strain the beans from the water.
4. In a skillet, combine oil, onion and garlic. Cook until onion is translucent.
5. Add the beans to the skillet along with 1/4 cup water. Mash until beans are a rough puree. You may need to add more water.
6. Season with salt and pepper, chili powder and cumin.

Enjoy!

Nut 'n' Curry Hummus

If you like hummus, here is an interesting twist on the delicious chickpea spread. It has almond butter and curry powder in it to give it a creamy texture and an Indian flavor. When served with rice crackers, this is a perfect appetizer for entertaining. Or spread it on sandwiches for lunch.

Ingredients:
-3 cups cooked garbanzo beans (if using cans, that's 2 cans)
-1/4 cup water
-1/2 cup tahini
-3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
-1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp lemon juice
-1/2-1 tsp salt
-1/2 cup almond butter
-2 tsps curry powder
-paprika for garnish

Blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender. You may need to add a little extra water if it needs more moisture.

Source: Anti-Inflammatory cookbook

Wheat Free Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are wheat-free and refined sugar-free and include banana in them for added taste and moisture. They only take 10 minutes to prepare and you likely already have all the ingredients in your kitchen.

Ingredients:
- 1 cup oat flour (put 1 cup oats in your food processor/blender to make oat flour)
-1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
-1/2 tsp. baking powder
-1/3 tsp. baking soda
-1/2 tsp. salt
-1/2 cup honey
-1/3 cup oil or butter (I use melted coconut oil)
-1/3 cup plain soy milk (or coconut or almond milk)
-1/2 tsp vanilla extract
-1 ripe banana, cut into small pieces
-1 egg
-1/4 cup chopped walnuts or other favorite nut
-1/3 cup chocolate chips
*I like to add a little unsweetened shredded coconut.

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine first 5 ingredients in a bowl. Whisk together honey, oil, milk, egg, banana and vanilla in a separate bowl. Add wet mixture to dry ingredients; stir to combine. Fold in walnuts and chocolate chips.
2. Oil pan. Scoop dough onto pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes.

Cajun Skillet Beans

This recipe is fast (cooks in 20 minutes), easy, and quite delectable! It has mustard and honey in it, giving it a unique sweet and savory taste. Perfect for the whole family. Great for toddlers as a finger food. Double the recipe and freeze for a quick and easy meal later in the week.

Ingredients:
-1 medium onion, chopped
-3 garlic gloves, minced or presed
-2 tbsps. vegetable oil (I prefer to use grapeseed oil or coconut oil)
-5 celery stalks, chopped
-1 cup frozen corn
-1 cup frozen spinach (or 3 cups fresh)
-1 tsp thyme
-1 tbsp basil
-1 tbsp oregano
-1/4 tsp black pepper
-pinch of cayenne and salt
-1 can tomatoes
-1 tbsp honey or molasses (more or less)
-1 tbsp dijon mustard (more or less)
-4 cups cooked black-eyed peas (two 10-ounce frozen packages or two 16-ounce cans, drained)

In a heavy saucepan or skillet, saute the onions and garlic in the oil on medium heat. Chop the celery and bell peppers, and add them to the pan. Continue to saute for about 5 minutes, stirring occassionally. Add the thyme, basil, oregano, black pepper, cayenne, and salt. Cove and cook for 5 minutes or until the onions are golden, stirring once or twice. Add the tomatoes, honey or molasses, and mustard, and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the beans, cover, and stir occasionally until thoroughly heated. Canned beans will be hot in less than 10 minutes, but frozen beans need to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.

Top with cilantro or grated goat cheese if you like! Also, try sprinkling on some nutritional yeast (see post on nutritional yeast). Serve with cornbread muffins.

NUTRITIONAL YEAST

Nutritional yeast is a perfect addition to soups, veggies, potatoes, scrambled eggs, tofu, beans, casseroles, and whole grains. You name it. The possibilities are endless!

It is an inactive yeast so it is not going to make your bread rise (no active enzymes). But it will give you and your child an extra boost of energy, for its an excellent vegetarian source of vitamin B12. It is also rich in protein! It is yellow in color and is tremendously delicious- has a nutty and cheesy flavor. You can find it in the bulk food section of your grocery store. It comes in a flake or powder form. Think of it as a parmesan cheese substitute.

Although you and your family may be eating a well balanced diet, it is often difficult to get al the vitamins and minerals that your bodies need. This is an excellent way to get those vitamins in a non-pill, food-like form.

Warming Socks- ideal remedy for colds and coughs

Warming socks (or wet socks) are like natural tylenol decreasing fevers, inflammation, and congestion. You can do this starting when your baby is a newborn.

Indications: Sore throat or any inflammation or infection of the throat, neck pain, ear infections, headaches, migraines, nasal congestion, upper respiratory infections, coughs bronchitis, and sinus infections

How does it work? This treatment acts to reflexively increase circulation and decrease congestion in the upper respiratory tract, head, and throat. It has a sedating action and will help your child sleep much better during the treatment. This treatment is also effective for pain relief and increases the healing response during acute infections. The wet sock treatment is best if repeated for three nights in a row.

What you will need:
-1 pair white cotton socks
-1 pair thick wool socks
-Towel
-Warm bath or warm foot bath

Directions:
1. Take a pair of cotton socks and soak them completely with cold water. Be sure to wring the socks out thoroughly so they do not drip.
2. Warm your feet first. This is very important as the treatment will not be as effective and could be harmful if your feet are not warmed first. Warming can be accomplished by soaking your feet in warm water for at least 5-10 minutes or taking a warm bath.
3. Dry off feet and body with a dry towel.
4. Place cold wet socks on feet. Cover with thick wool socks. Go directly to bed. Avoid getting chilled.
5. Keep the socks on overnight. You will find that the wet cotton socks will be dry in the morning.

This treatment is not just for kids. Try it on yourself or other family members when feeling run down. It works wonders! I have been doing this warming sock treatment on Cece ever since she was an infant. I have found no reason to give her antibiotics or over the counter medicines thus far!