Breakfast Goodness

This is one of my most favorite low FODMAP breakfasts: Bok Choy, soft boiled egg, and sweet potatoes w/ some peanut butter. Yum!! It's super easy to make in my instant pot. Throw it all in for 5mins. and then it's done! I do have more sweet potato than pictured, but cut it up and didn't keep the fun flower shape. I have to stick close to fodmap safe foods and am really happy this one is a winner.

And this is THE BEST Paleo Pancake mix out there!

Sooo good!

Thank goodness I can order it on Vitacost.com and have plenty of it for me here in Okinawa.

I'll spread some peanut butter or almond butter on the pancakes with some really yummy organic vanilla strawberry jam by Stonewall Kitchen. 

I alternate between these two breakfasts, the photo at the top and this one.

I always look forward to breakfast!

Navajo Breakfast Burritos

If you are ever on the Navajo Reservation and see a sign that says "Breakfast Burrito" pull over and get one!! You won't be disappointed. Homemade Navajo "Naaniskadi" bread filled with spam, eggs, and potatoes is so GOOD!! 

Navajo grandmas are pros and don't use any measuring tools and just ust their hands and eyes to measure. But, here is a general recipe with measurements! Also, for starters start by cutting the recipe in half. I learned better that way and if I messed up I didn't have as much that I messed up, lol! And 4 cups makes alot. I also find that the warmer/hot, more on the hot side the water is, the better my dough comes out. Good luck!

Naaniskadi (Navajo Tortillas)

4 cups flour

2 T baking powder

1 tsp salt

2 cups warm/hot water

Directions:

1. Mix together flour, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the middle.

2. Pour 1 cup of the water into the well and stir together with hands for spoon. Slowly adding the water little by little as needed to make dough come together until you can knead it until it's not longer sticky, but soft. You don't need to over knead.

3. Put it in a lightly greased bowl and cover with a towel or plastic wrap. Let it sit for up to 30mins in a warmer araa. The longer it sits the softer the dough will get and makes it much easier to flap and stretch.

4. When the dough is ready tear off a tennis ball size or smaller piece of dough and form into a ball. 

5. You can use a rolling pin to flatten it out or use your hands to stretch it and flap it out like a true Navajo! Aye ;)

6. Heat the pan, I like cast iron pans, to med.-high heat. Grease it as needed and cook them on both sides.

Spam, Eggs, and Potatoes.....

I peel, chop, and cube my potatoes and put them in water to reduce the starch. Start to heat up the cast iron skillet on low while you prepare other things. Chop onions and spam. Then I turn the heat up on the pan and pour some oil in, throw the potatoes in with a little bit of water, and cover. Watch and stir them so they don't burn. After a few minutes take the lid off to finish them adding anymore oil if needed. You want to them brown on the sides and be soft in the middle. Once they finish I put them in a bowl and cover and start cooking the onions and let them soften a bit and then throw the spam in and cook for a few minutes. Then toss them in the bowl with the potatoes. Then cook the eggs. You can cook them with the onions and spam if wanted. When your scrambled eggs are done toss them in the bowl and its ready to serve!

Naaniskadi is also good with beef stew....

 And Turkey Soup....

All of this makes me miss my Shimasani! My grandma....

蛋餅 Dan Bing Taiwanese Egg Crepe!

We just came back from Taiwan and one of the boys favorite breakfast foods was Dan Bing! So, I found this recipe and gave a it a try. It turned out pretty good!

For the Crepe

1/2 cup flour

2 Tbsp. cornstarch

1 cup water

For the Egg

3 Eggs

1/4-1/2 tsp. salt, to taste

1/4 tsp. white pepper

Dash of Sesame oil

Chopped Green Onions

For the Sauce

2 Tbsp. Soy Sauce

1 tsp. Rice Vinegar

Chili Oil & Sesame Oil, to taste

Crushed garlic

Chopped green onions

Directions

1. Mix the flour and cornstarch together. Then add the water. Let it rest for 10mins.

2.  In the mean time chop green onions and garlic and put in separate small bowls. Begin to heat your non-stick or cast iron pan to medium low heat. Make the sauce. 

3. For each crepe, in a bowl beat one egg with 1Tbsp of green onions, a dash of sesame oil, and a pinch of salt and white pepper. 

4. When your pan is heated oil it add about 1/2 cup of batter to the pan swirling as you do to coat the bottom (lifting and tilting the pan works best if you don't have a crepe spreader). Cook for 3-5 min until the top has set. 

6. Flip the crepe over and add the egg mix to the top spreading it over the crepe keeping most of it on the crepe. Cook until the egg is just about set and then flip to the other side.

6. Cook for 10 seconds or so.

7. Flip the Dan Bing onto a plate or cutting board, egg side up. Roll it and cut into sections. Grab your dipping sauce and enjoy!!

Navajo Breakfast Burritos

My Shimasani (Grandma) came for a visit and she made some Naaniskadi, Navajo Tortillas, for breakfast burritos!

All the kids gathered around her, just like I did with my other cousins when we were little, and she let them help her make the Naaniskadi.

I cooked the potatoes, eggs, and of course spam!

Top it off with some salsa because my kids like it with salsa and I had to get a picture fast before they were all gone!

Grandma's Naaniskadi is the best. I definitely can't get mine anywhere near hers yet!

Father's Day Breakfast

Our Daddy sure did enjoy his Father's Day Breakfast...

Drop Biscuits & Sausage Gravy

Ree Drummond Recipe

aka The Pioneer Woman

Biscuits and Gravy was a favorite of mine growing up. When my Grandpa lived with us for a few years he frequently made this yummy breakfast. I know he was smiling down on me while I was making it! We were staying with our good friends on this special day and all six boys helped us two moms prepare in one way or another!

Biscuits Ingredients

• 3 cups All-purpose Flour
• 2 Tablespoons Baking Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1-1/2 stick (3/4 Cup) Cold Butter, Cut Into Pieces
• 1-1/4 cup Buttermilk

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Add flour, baking powder, and salt to the bowl of a food processor (or a large bowl.) Add butter pieces and pulse until butter is completely cut into the flour mixture (or use a pastry cutter if using a bowl.) While pulsing (or stirring) drizzle in the buttermilk until dough just comes together and is no longer crumbly.

Drop in clumps on two baking sheets, then bake for 15-17 minutes, or until golden brown. (Optional: Brush with melted butter when biscuits first come out of the oven.)

SAUSAGE GRAVY

• 1 pound Breakfast Sausage, Hot Or Mild
• 1/3 cup All-purpose Flour
• 4 cups Whole Milk
• 1/2 teaspoon Seasoned Salt
• 2 teaspoons Black Pepper, More To Taste

Preparation Instructions

Brown the sausage over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Sprinkle on half the flour and stir so that the sausage soaks it all up, then add a little more until just before the sausage looks too dry. Stir it around and cook it for another minute or so, then pour in the milk, stirring constantly.

Cook the gravy, stirring frequently, until it thickens. (This may take a good 10-12 minutes.) Sprinkle in the seasoned salt and pepper and continue cooking until very thick and luscious. If it gets too thick too soon, just splash in 1/2 cup of milk or more if needed. Taste and adjust seasonings.

Spoon sausage gravy over warm biscuits and serve immediately!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2013/03/drop-biscuits-and-sausage-gravy/

We also made her Best Breakfast Potatoes Ever and some scrambled eggs.

Enjoy because our dad's sure did!!!

Our Favorite Bacon & Egg Sandwich

This is one of my kids favorite breakfast Bacon & Egg Sandwich!

I don't bribe them with candy, I bribe them with Bacon!!

Seriously. To get them up and going in the morning I say, "If you hurry and get in the shower, get dressed, and come downstairs...I'll make you some bacon."

Works every time.

I don't always buy it, but when I do they are sure quick to listen and get movin. Lol! The breakfast norm is oatmeal, so they look forward to this!

Here are our special ingredients....

Sure, it's a no brainer to make a egg sandwich, but just like any fine dish it's all about the ingredients and where they came from.

These are locally raised and pastured farm eggs and I can talk directly to the friend that I got them from. They can tell me exactly everything the hens eat, which includes bugs, spiders, and insects. I can also see for myself where hens live and where they roam, which is everywhere around the yard and farm. My kids LOVE going to play at their house and chase and catch the chickens. Very cool!

Happy chickens = Healthy Eggs

Here's a good article to know why...eggs are definitely NOT created equal.

It's so important to understand the differences of the eggs you can buy and why it's important to eat pastured eggs. Even buying organic eggs at the grocery store doesn't even compare to pastured raised chickens.

And I can't forget to mention that you know you have a good healthy pastured egg just by the color of the yolk. It's so beautiful, I can't even say how lovely they look after you crack them open and drop it into the pan or bowl. It's a nice golden color. It's not a dull or yellow.

Here's the difference...

Photo from the article above, The Rising Spoon.

Well, I hope I've convinced you to seek out a local farmer that will sell you their eggs!

I fry them in some butter on our cast iron skillet and sprinkle some garlic powder, sea salt, and pepper on top.

Next up....

The Bacon!

Just as the eggs, it's important to buy healthy bacon. Which most people are scared to eat (for good reason due to certain health conditions), but when bacon comes from the right place it has a plethora of healthy fats, which our brain and body need!

This Applegate Organics is a good stuff...uncrured, isn't preserved, no nitrates or nitrates added, no antibiotics given, and is also gluten and casin free for those sensitive and/or intolerant to those proteins. Which, because I am so sensitive I have to avoid regular store bought bacon because of all the ingredients included.

Then top it all off on some 100% Sprouted Whole Grain Ezekiel Bread.

My kids love this cinnamon raisin toast.

Sprouted grains breads are better than other wheat breads because...

Sprouting grains, nuts, seeds, or beans (soaking the gain or seeds in water before use they begin to grow/sprout) releases vital nutrients that are in these foods. It becomes alive, which give it more protein, vitamins, and minerals that make it easier for our bodies to absorb properly and digest to get the best and most optimal nutrients.  Because there is something in grains called phytic acid which binds to minerals and other nutrients in our body and when it exits our bodies it has bonded to and takes these important nutrients along with it. This binding decreases the absorption of vital nutrients, like iron, zinc, calcium, and magnesium.

So, that is why many people, especially among ancient civilizations and cultures, soak their grains to reduce the phytic acid, which of course they didn't know about phytic acid, but they did pay attention to how foods digested better in their bodies due to how they felt. Genius. The more I learn about food the more I come to know that our ancestors knew SO MUCH about how to properly store, prepare, use, and make use of the food they grew and came upon to get the most nutrients out of them and help their bodies function and work properly. It's no wonder nowadays all the health problems we face because of our improper use, preparation, and consumption of food. It's so important to listen to your body. Pain = your bodies way of telling you something is wrong and needs to be fixed. But, think of pain as your friend and try to figure it out and feel better!

Well, that's what I think, but not all agree. I always say, "we live now, today and you have to give and take." Because I can't do things exactly as my ancestors did, but I can learn as much as I can and do my best to provide me and my family the best way of life.

But, when we don't have any Ezekiel Bread we use our favorite good ol' Apsen Mills Honey Whole Wheat Bread. Made in Utah, which when family comes we have them buy and bring like 12 loaves for us to put into the freezer. :)

So, hopefully you can go out and find some good fine ingredients to make your....

Yum!

  

Breakfast Scrambled Eggs

These are my favorite scrambled eggs to make!

-2-6 organic eggs

(depending on how many I'm feeding)

-Sm. amount rice/coconut/almond milk

-1tsp garlic infused olive oil

-1/2 tsp coconut aminos

(it's like soy sauce)

-Sea salt & pepper

- maybe some sesame oil

-chopped red/green/yellow bell peppers

-chopped cilantro

I first put some ghee or you can use butter to heat in pan. And then cooked the bell peppers.

Everything else I gently mix in a bowl and then add to the pan.

Good thing to remember when cooking eggs is...low and slow.

So, turn down the heat and cook 'em slow.

I put it over rice and might add a little bit more coconut aminos.

Yum!

Macadamia Waffles

Macadamia Waffles

AUTHOR: Danielle Walker - AgainstAllGrain.com

SERVES: 6

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup raw macadamia nuts
• ½ cup coconut milk
• 3 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
• 3 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon coconut flour
• ¾ teaspoons baking soda
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the Syrup

• 2 peaches, pitted and sliced
• 2 plums, pitted and sliced
• ½ cup cherries, pitted (frozen or fresh)
• ¼ cup honey
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Place all of the syrup ingredients in a saucepan and simmer over medium heat while you prepare the waffles, or about 15 minutes. Keep it at a low but constant boil to bring out the juices from the fruit and reduce the syrup.
2. Preheat a waffle iron to the lowest setting.
3. Add all of the ingredients to a blender, making sure to put the liquids at the bottom for easier blending.
4. Blend on low for 30 seconds, then increase the strength to high and continue blending until completely smooth, about another 30 seconds. If you do not have a high-speed blender, it may take a bit longer and a couple of times of pushing the batter down the side of the jar with a spatula.
5. Spoon the batter into the waffle iron, filling half way full and spreading evenly over the mold.
6. Cook on the low setting for 45 seconds to a minute, until the steam stops rising from the machine and the waffles easily release with a fork. Keep the waffles in a warm oven while you finish the batter.
7. Allow the syrup to cool and thicken for 15 minutes before serving.

URL to article: http://againstallgrain.com/2013/02/04/macadamia-waffles-with-fruit-syrup/

I change up this recipe a little bit by adding ghee instead of coconut oil and I don't melt it. And I can't do honey, so I add 1 1/2 tablespoon of organic maple syrup. And I don't add the vanilla extract, just to take out unneeded things for myself. I also don't do the fruit syrup. I just "butter" it with some ghee, which is clarified butter. Soon, enough I'll try some blueberries.

They are a bit more delicate and fall apart easier than regular glutenous flours for breads.

These are seriously my favorite. Enjoy!

I also highly recommend Danielle Walker's Cookbooks they are excellent...

Found here and here at Amazon. :)

Progress...

This breakfast is huge progress for me!

Family and friends who know of my food struggles/intolerances/sensitivities/decline in health would be jumping for joy for me.

For the last year I have greatly struggled to find foods that my body will tolerate/digest/breakdown/absorb. It's been such a rough year.

However, challenges can bring a monumental amount of strength and growth.

I always say, "You gotta know the bad to know the good."

And good health is SO important! You have probably heard the phrase...

"You are what you eat!"

Which is sort of true. The more correct phrase would be...

"You are what you can digest."

The hardest part for me was that for these last 10yrs. I've learned so much about good overall health, well-being, and diet, yet the harder I tried to eat more healthy the sicker I got. Weird I know. My body was having such a hard time digesting food and left me with little to no energy, constantly fatigued, which with both of these I related to having kids and being non-stop pregnant and/or nursing for six years = little sleep and rest, and losing a great amount of weight, eventually a dangerously amount because my food sensitivities became so great, I was left with almost nothing to eat. My diet has been so healthy and clean it's crazy....very minimal to no processed foods, no refined grains, sugar, foods, no dairy, no unhealthy oils, no this and no that! You'd think I'd be on top of the world eating organic, raw/cooked veggies, pastured meats, plant based, vegan, paleo, and all this healthy diet and that healthy diet. But, nope I've had such huge and extreme abdominal discomforts of bloating, gas, burning, diarrhea, constipation, cramps, pain, pain, pain. I've seen so many doctors and specialist both conventional and functional (naturalpathic). That eventually they say, "I don't know what to do with you." Great. It has been discouraging. It's hasn't been until I've been in my own way my own doctor that I've been able to put the pieces together and figure this out. Ultimately, it has been through much prayer that I have been able to get through this. There is only one heavenly being that knows what is going on with me and know how to help me. And how THANKFUL I am for a wonderful and loving Heavenly Father who hears our cries, listens to our prayers, knows how to help, and guides us in every way possible. Even if that means learning the hard way by taking lots of dead ends. I know that I've needed to travel these rough roads to have the knowledge of what wouldn't help and what would. It's been a slow road, but things are coming into perspective and I'm able to make much better choices about the way I go about this. I have read so many articles, websites, blogs, books, etc. about health and our well-being. In conclusion...OUR BODIES ARE INCREDIBLE AND SUCH A WONDERFUL GIFT. We think we may know so much about these magnificent bodies, but really we know so little. It is only our great creator that truly knows how to help and heal our spirits, mind, and body. But, we have to be in tune with our bodies and seek for that inspiration to know how to retain good optimal wonderful spiritual, mental, physical health. Which leads me to this video clip from Elder Nelson, a LDS Apostle, "God's Greatest Creation" I love it....

So, finally for me on this health journey I finally discovered what the major problem has been. And is called FODMAP's. Yeah, FOD-what? you might be saying. It's a crazy acronym for a crazy complicated name that stands for...Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, And Polyols. These are quote, "All types of carbohydrates found in many different types of fruits, vegetables and grains." And, AND..."The most common Paleo foods high in FODMAPs are:

• Fruits: apples, avocados, cherries, mangoes, peaches, pears, watermelons, fruit juices and dried fruit.
• Vegetables: onions, garlic, cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts, asparagus, artichoke, eggplant, mushrooms, cauliflower.
• Other: sugar alcohols (any sweetener that ends in -ol), honey, agave.

This isn't a complete list, but it gives a small idea of problematic foods. It's no wonder I was in so much pain trying to eat fruits, veggies, plant based foods, etc. All this research about FODMAPs is quite new too, within the last decade. It has greatly helped solved much of the IBS community sufferers digestive problems. I also have a fructose malabsorption again fructose is found in SO MANY AMAZING WONDERFUL fruits, veggies, plant based foods. Sigh.

Read this article that explains the FODMAP problems, diet, and explanation very well...

http://paleoleap.com/fodmaps-and-paleo/

It's no wonder, it was my latest attempt at following a strict Paleo diet with supplements that threw me overboard that greatly exasperated my symptoms and problems. Inside I blew up with pain, inflammation, and lots of suffering. This last year has been quite terrible, but it very good to know why. WHY WHY WHY has been a huge question. But, the better question to ask is HOW HOW HOW, how do I fix this??? Slowly, but surely I am learning how to help my body heal and why it has had such difficulty. It's still hard to think about sometimes and I get so frustrated and miss my days as a child, adolecsent, and young adulthood days of a properly functioning and working body.

One day I will be better and stronger than I ever have been. That's a promised blessing and I will not give up and I will fight and I will win. It's taken a year for me to get a hold of this and things are finally calming down in my body to where just recently I can eat something like this among a few other things. WHAT A BLESSING. Seriously. "Count Your Many Blessings..."

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

Count your blessings, see what God hath done;

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

   And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold.

Count your many blessings, money cannot buy

Your reward in heaven, nor your Lord on high.

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged, God is over all;

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

So, all in all, to those wanting to regain your health, slow down, regather your thoughts, meditate, pray, and listen to your spirit, listen to your body.

The help and answers will come!

Thanks be to God.