Creative Homemaker

 Superfoods!  Superfoods! What makes them Super, and how can we implement them into our diets. From Coffee to Turmeric, these foods can have great benefit to our health and of course, our Trim Healthy journey.   Check out this Good Housekeeping article to read the benefits of superfoods.   There’s also a section on fermented foods. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/a42159185/superfoods-list-2023/?fbclid=IwAR0hDXTHj3vVZEo5_GaNUYtIsnjvAVe8n62c89D2dDsiN3TGOjtT58FWv9I

  Sprouted Flour and Expensive Groceries We’ve talked about sprouted flour before, how the sprouting process lowers the glycemic index of the whole grain and helps to level your blood sugar. Now you can buy your sprouted flour on-line at Thrive Market (subscription), Vita-Cost, Azure Standard or Amazon.   But did you know that you can make your own sprouted flour? Recently I can across a post by Amber Smith on the main Trim Healthy Mama page describing the process and just how those savings can add up.   She compares the cost of purchasing sprouted flour vs. creating your own.   Wheat berries (kernels) are cheaper than the sprouted flour so if you are able to do your own, you can save money on your grocery budget.   Some specialized household tools are needed, but most you’ll already have: bowls, strainers, an oven or food dehydrator and something to mill the wheat, a grain mill or strong blender will do the trick. Check it out the FB post here: https://w...

  Health benefits of eating sourdough. 1.        It’s good for your gut a.        The fermentation process creates properties similar to prebiotics and probiotics b.        The whole grain contains fiber which is gut healthy as well. 2.        It can lead to better digestion. a.        Fermentation-altered enzymes in the bread’s wheat potentially help to counteract adverse reaction to gluten.   Some gluten sensitive people can safely consume sourdough bread. 3.        It promotes healthy aging. a.        Habitual consumption of whole-wheat sourdough bread may help lower the risk of various ailments in older adults. 4.        It can help keep your blood sugars in a healthy range. a.        Sourd...

Slow Your Roll, Kefir! Are you overrun with quarts and quarts of kefir? Is it growing swimmingly, and now you’re swimming in it? You can slow down your kefir, with no ill affects on your grains.   This is how! You’ll need: 3-4 quart jars, 3-4 airtight lids for refrigerator storage. 1.      On the weekend, or whatever day you want to slow it down, strain your grains and pour one quart of milk over the top.   2.      Place your kefir grains in the fridge with an airtight lid.   Leave them there until you are ready for another quart of kefir. 3.      The night before you want to start, pull them out of the fridge and place on the counter overnight.   In the morning, look for signs of separation, small “rivers” of whey near the bottom of the jar.   4.      Strain your grains and place your kefir to second ferment if desired.   Then in the “grains” jar, pour a quart o...

 Fermenting I've started a new way of life.  Actually it started in 2015, I just haven't written on the blog since a hundred years ago.  Ha!  So, back in 2015 my doctor told me I was in the pre-diabetic category.  So because it is hereditary and I don't want to be dependent on insulin, I decided it was time for a change in my diet.  Controlling what goes into my body is easier than shelling out $$ for medicine. I’ve been a THM mama since 2015. I had a friend tell me about this way of eating when I reached out for help with my elevated blood sugar. The following year, I worked hard at losing weight and had lost over 30 pounds. Some challenging events happened, including my husband having colon cancer and us moving over 1700 miles across the country to start new jobs; and the weight came back on over three years. A year and a half ago I decided that enough was enough and I needed to regain control of the way I was eating. This time around, I paid mor...

Beginning Canning With Mary Malone AbleQuilter@Gmail.com 208-705-9454 Overview: Canning your summer produce is not rocket science but it is very specific.   As a beginning canner, now is not the time to improvise or create your own recipe.   There are literally thousands of recipes out there on the web, but until you understand the science behind the recipe it’s best to stick with recipes from a trusted resource.   I recommend The Ball Blue Book as a good beginning resource.   (This will also be listed in the table of resources.) There are two types of canning; Boiling Water Bath canning or BWB and Pressure Canning. In this beginning class we will be covering the first and most basic type of canning: Boiling Water Bath canning.   Acidic foods such as fruits or pickles can be safely processed in boiling water. Low acid foods have a pH value higher than 4.6, they must be processed with a pressure canner unless you are adding lemon juice or cit...

As a professional longarm quilter, in my opinion, it is my duty to make you look good.  I've discussed this with several longarmers.  They complain incessantly about how this client brought a quilt that has loose ends, threads, or a bit of animal fuzz.  I look at it this way; your bit of lint, or thread isn't any worse than my studio. We have a dog.  He's not a dirty dog by any means, but he does shed.  I use my lint roller constantly to remove fuzz from any quilt that get's quilted at Mary's Custom Quilting.  Loading your quilt on my Tin Lizzie is my job.  Getting the edges straight is my job.  Rolling the lint roller over your quilt to remove loose threads and lint is my job! And I'm darn good at it.  Most of my customers are extremely tidy, and seams are pressed the correct way.  One quilter even presses them all open so there is no bulk at the seams.  Her quilts are a joy to finish! But honestly, if pressin...