Brain Fog

I've just finished reading an article entitled 5 tips to banish brain fog and I think I've just read something that will not only help me but also help a lot of my friends. It is specifically written for those of us with funky thyroids but I think it will apply to many others - my friends with Crones Disease, Colitis, Diverticulitis, Chronic Fatigue, IBS…you name it, this might just be your ticket.  
What caught my attention was the description of 'Brain Fog':  …staring at your computer screen, walking into a room, standing in front of a cupboard or being in a store and wondering, "Why am I here again….What was it I was going to do/get/buy?" 

The possible answer to this frustrating scenario was a bit shocking and very new to me.  Brain inflammation.  What's that again?  Inflation of the brain, which actually leads to brain generation, which is likely connected to - you got it - diet and lifestyle.  Ugh! Why is it everything seems to trace back to diet and lifestyle? 
After reading the article it seems like there are several things we can do to make a drastic difference in nourishing our bodies and promoting balance. Some of the suggestions to regaining balance are:

• ·         Heal your gut by drinking bone broth and going pro-biotic
• ·         Get more sleep
• ·         Eliminate gluten
• ·         Cut back on sugar
• ·         "Rebound" - a cute word for 'oxygenating' your body through aerobic exercise. 
• ·         Dry Brushing.  Say what?  Dry brushing, so the article says, is a better way to start your day than a cup of java.  Dry brushing means to 'brush' your skin, that is brushing your dry skin (not wet) in circular, smooth motions from your ankles to your neck. This act promises to both relax and invigorate your nerve endings. 

Even if you just decide to tackle just one of these suggestions perhaps you'll feel better and be glad you did!

Here is the link, in case you want to check this out in more detail. 

http://hypothyroidmom.com/5-tips-to-banish-brain-fog-when-you-have-thyroid-disease/

Creamy Asparagus Soup

 

 

 

 

 

Creamy Asparagus Soup

 3 cups steamed asparagus

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp dried thyme

1/4 tsp dried dill

1/8 tsp pepper

1 cup light cream

Wash asparagus and chop off bottom 3-4 inches and discard.  Steam asparagus in about 1 inch of water for 6-8 minutes or until cooked. Using blender or food processor, blend asparagus and 1 cup of chicken broth 1 minute or till smooth. Set aside.

In medium saucepan melt butter. Stir in flour seasonings, salt and pepper. Add milk all at once.  Cook and stir till slightly thickened and bubbly. Cook 1 minute more.

Stir in blended asparagus and remaining broth.  Cook and stir until heated through.

Makes 4 servings.

176 Calories

8.5 Carbs

15 Fats

4.5 Proteins

2.25 Fibers

Cherilyn's Fresh Zucchini & Carrot Fritters

Cherilyn's Fresh Zucchini & Carrot Fritters

I'm not big on zucchini but these are so tasty! I have officially been converted!

1 medium zucchini,grated

2 large carrots, peeled and grated

1 tsp salt

6 green onions, sliced

3 eggs, beaten

1/4 fresh dill, chopped

2 Tbsp fresh tarragon, chopped

2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

1/2 cup almond flour

salt & black pepper to taste
3 Tbsp butter, melted
3 Tbsp olive oil

Toss zucchini and carrot with salt and let set in colander 30 minutes, then squeeze to remove excess moisture. Roll veggies in a cloth to dry.  

Combine the grated veggies, onions, eggs, and chopped herbs in a mixing bowl. Mix well then add the flour, baking powder and pepper. Stir well.

Combine the butter and oil. Heat a 12 inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the butter mixture to pan and coat evenly.

Add 1/4 cup of the zucchini batter, flattening the fritters with a spatula. cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through. 

Remove fritters from pan and set on paper towels for a minute.

Wipe excess butter from skillet then repeat the process to make 8 fritters. Serve immediately.

For each fritter:

135 Calories

4.5 Net Carbs

10.5 Fats

4.5 Proteins
2.5 Fiber

Feeling Life and Embracing it!

I've noticed something about myself - sometimes I just 'get through' life. That's not the same 'embracing' life.  It's more like 'pushing through the pain'.  I imagine myself with my eyes shut tight, my fists tight and my teeth clenched. And I realized that that is not the way I want to go through life.  I've been reading about 'meditating' -- more like stopping long enough to actually recognize what I'm feeling - really feeling- and allowing myself to feel it instead of running away from it.  I decided I wanted to stop managing my life and start actually experiencing it - the good and the bad feeling parts.  I decided to try an experiment, and I am the Guinea  pig.  Part of this experiment has been to start a new job - one that involves serving the public.  At a place where I don't know any of my coworkers or customers. And most of the time I don't know what I'm supposed to do. I had a wonderful trainer but there are many parts to the job and several computer programs and it feels like I am supposed to remember everything, all at once -- while on display to my customers.  Sometimes I forget the steps. I make mistakes. I feel very exposed.  It's been good for me but it feels crunchy. Really, really crunchy.  It has provided many opportunities for me to be humble and express thanks to my customers and coworkers for their patience and understanding - which I am happy to say are qualities most people are more than willing to share when asked. 
As I anticipate the beginning of another work week I can feel the butterflies in my stomach. I can feel the anticipation of the discomfort I know I will feel several times this week.  I feel the draw to my old comfort zones  - where I knew what to expect and how to do what was expected of me.  I also feel I am doing a good thing.  I am feeling life and embracing it!

 

I introduced a similar recipe at Christmas but Meringue Cookies can be used as an object lesson to teach children about the resurrection of Christ! Very sweet...in more ways than one!

Easter Story Cookies

**To be made the evening before Easter

1/2 c. whole pecans  

1 tsp. vinegar

3 large egg whites            

A pinch of salt

1 c. sugar                   

Ziplock baggie

Wooden spoon      

 Tape 

Bible

Preheat oven to 300F. Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden  spoon to break into small pieces.  Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He  was beaten by the Roman soldiers.  Read John 19:1-3 Let each child smell the vinegar.  Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.  Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross He was given vinegar to drink.  Read John 19:28-30. Add egg whites to vinegar.  Eggs represent life.  Explain that Jesus gave His  life to give us life.  Read John 10:10-11. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand.  Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.  Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by  Jesus' followers and the bitterness of our own sin.  Read Luke: 23:27. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.  Add 1/2 c sugar.  Explain that  the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us.  He wants us to know and belong to Him.  Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16. Beat with a mixer on high speed for up to 15 minutes, until stiff peaks are formed.  Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes for  those who’s sins have been cleansed by Jesus' death.  Read Isaiah 1:18 and 1John  3:1-3. Fold in broken nuts.  Drop by teaspoons onto a wax paper covered cookie sheet.   Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt 27:57-60. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and **turn the oven OFF.  Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door.  Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.  Read Matt. 27:65-66. 
NOW GO TO BED!  Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.  Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.  Read  John 16:20 and 22.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.  Notice the  cracked surface and take a bite.  The cookies are hollow!  On the first  Easter morning, Jesus followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt. 28:1-9.

 

Each cookie has about

Calories 24

Carbs 3

Fat 1

Protein .5