Tropical (and Healthy) Pancakes

We've been experimenting with pancakes lately here at our place.  I've found an adaptation to my mom's recipe that I think just about anyone would love.  It comes on the heels of adapting some new and subtle changes into my family's diet, and I've found that these changes are proving to be an improvement in terms of both health, energy and subsequently mood levels!  Here's the recipe for what I call "Tropical Pancakes".  Don't feel you have to adapt everything to the healthy alternatives (even though I'd hope you do:), because no matter what "healthy" or not ingredients you use, this is a great recipe!

• 1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour –{We slowly changed from unbleached white to WW.  The kids hardly noticed, but to make it slow and subtle, we started with 1/2 c. WW to 1 c. white ratio, then 3/4 c. and 3/4 c., and so on, until we got to using all WW.  My family loves it, and don't even notice the pancakes aren't "white".}
• 2 T. "Just Like Sugar" –{Sugar is fine, but I'd switched to use this, and I believe it, along with using whole wheat flour, has very much helped me not get the sugar "high" and the subsequent "crash" of eating pancakes.  I can eat as many as I want and not feel like taking a nap.  This product is made of Chicory Root Dietary Fiber, Calcium, Vitamin C, and Natural Flavors from the peel of the orange.  The texture is a mix between the fineness of regular sugar and 10x sugar.  A little gritty, but it sweetens well, without the taste of aspartame or other artificial flavors.}
• 3 t. baking powder –{I'm switching to aluminum-free b.p., after realizing that aluminum is thought to contribute to Alzheimer's Disease.  I'm slowly switching to remove unnecessary metals from my food where I can.}
• sprinkle of salt –{We've started using sea salt here too –a brand called "Real Salt".  I have yet to learn more about the benefits of this.}

Add all those in a bowl,  

and then mix, of course. :)

Add in the wet ingredients,

which are these:

• 1 egg
• 1-2 T. oil –{use the "healthiest" you have} 
• 1 3/4 c. Almond milk –{I just tried this for the first time, in the place of regular milk.  HOLY COW, it's AWESOME!  It adds a great moisture to the pancakes, and just a touch of nutty taste.  My kids didn't even notice, and it is SO good for you!  (In a future post I hope to share what I've learned on the benefits of using other milks vs. cow's milk.)  Use 1 1/2 c. if you like thick pancakes, or 1 3/4 to 2 c. if you like thinner ones.}

And... mix!

I primed my griddle with coconut oil.  (It's in 2 pics above, black container.)  This adds great flavor in the place of butter or oil, and really adds the tropical flavor!  After learning the benefits of adding coconut oil to my diet (cold pressed, not "refined"), I try to use it every time I can in the place of butter or margarine. 

Once the griddle's going, add and cook the pancakes!

Let 'em get bubbly on top, just barely, and flip.

Somehow I always manage to end up with at least one like that... and somehow, it seems to taste better that way!  ha!

Serve them up with a little applesauce or other fruit – hopefully "tropical" fruit you might have on hand. ;)

I also spread a little more coconut oil on each one and sprinkle with Just Like Sugar - or 10x sugar if you like.  I found that just about 1/8 t. of the Just Like Sugar sweetens just as well as at least 2 t. of 10x sugar.  The combo of the WW flour, the Just Like Sugar, and the almond milk seem to all contribute to the ability of these pancakes to strengthen my body, rather than make it crash.  After eating these I end up with a full stomach AND lots of leftover energy to make it through the day.  Hope you enjoy too!!!  Let me know if you give them a try!

5 Mint Oreos to this recipe!  Maybe I need to change my rating method...
~Jen:)

You can do WHAT???

Many months ago I was introduced to a new method of addressing "healing" by a friend.  It seemed somewhat peculiar, as I had never heard of it before, and I couldn't find much information on the internet to back up the validity of it.

Since then, I have searched and searched to learn more about this technique, preferably from reputable sources.  In doing this searching, I believe I have found some, and I hope to share a little bit about it.

The healing technique is called Muscle Response Testing, or MRT.  The idea behind it is that we have many "bodies" within us.  Our physical body, our spirit body, our energy body, our emotional body, and our mental body.  (I think I've captured each one!:)  Each part makes up our "body".  When we present something to our body which is true, the energy around our body will be able to resist pressure from an outside source.  For example, when we think of something that we love, and wish to express that love, our "energy" is stronger.  However, when we think of something, perhaps a food, that we don't like or that is harmful to our body, our energy will be less strong, and less resistant to pressure.  When physical pressure is applied to one's arm (while they are trying to resist that pressure), the arm will hold stronger or weaker, according to the strength or weakness of the topic addressed. 

Many chiropractors use this technique in determining which vertebrae is dislocated.  They will hold the muscle area, and tell the client to "hold", while they push down on the client's extended arm.  If the muscle/vertebrae area wants help, the arm will go down.  If the muscle/vertebrae area is in good shape, it will resist the pressure, and hold strong.

I don't know who discovered it, but this testing can be done vicariously, through a "facilitator".  So while thinking of you, someone could push down on my arm, and the results would present as they would for you, not for me.  The overall premise of this is that since energy flows through our bodies, we are also interconnected through a giant energy framework.  Somehow, this energy is able to be transferred, or read, vicariously through someone whose intention it is to act on our behalf. Perhaps this is much like the idea of wifi internet.  I don't know how it works, but it does, and it is a great blessing in our lives!

Since discovering this method, I've been trying to balance it with my perspective of the spiritual realm, and figure out how the two are compatible, especially in hopes to ensure that I am aligned with God.  I would hate to do anything that would cause me to follow a path that served other gods, or delineated from Him.  In seeking out methods and training, I feel very assured that I have found a tool that can be so helpful to bettering one's health, and have found a "mentor" who has been willing to train me while keeping alignment with my faith in God. 

After many months and classes, I feel comfortable in "practicing" the skills I have learned with those interested in working toward healing their bodies (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, etc.).  Others offer these services for a fee, and once I get better acquainted with these skills, I hope to do likewise.  But for the meantime, I would like to offer anyone who is interested to be able to "experiment" with this amazing tool a chance to learn more by allowing me to practice my skills on their behalf.  It has been quite a blessing in my life.  "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." (Matthew 7:20) 

So I'm putting up an open offer for what is called a "priority", and for the time being, I'm doing this free of charge.  (If you'd like to learn more about what a priority is before contacting me, you can check out my mentor's site here.)  What basically happens is you drop me an email letting me know you're interested in having a priority done for you.  I email you back with a few questions; you respond, and then I'll do the testing here on my end.  Once completed, I can either send an email with the results, or we can have a phone conversation at a good time for both parties.

If you're interested in trying this out, drop me an email at jenheadjen [at] gmail [dot] com.  I'm grateful for anyone willing to let me practice with them while I better these skills, so please don't hesitate to ask questions or drop me an email if you're interested!  This has been a wonderful tool that has helped me and my family on so many levels –spiritually, emotionally, physically and more!  Just keep in mind... I'm still learning and practicing! :)

And one last comment.  While this is a tool to help each of us work toward "healing", just as modern medicine and psychology are tools, I want to say how grateful I am for the one true healer, Jesus Christ, the Savior.  It is through Him that real and everlasting healing occurs, and I am so grateful to celebrate His birth in a few days.  

Merry Christmas to all!
~Jen:)

Faithful, Fit & Fabulous, by Connie Sokol

Wow.  What a wild book!  And that's wild in a good way!

I was thinking of a song to listen to while writing this review, and the one that best comes to mind is "Two Pina Coladas", by Garth Brooks.  I know Connie might not approve of the alcohol reference, but this is such a book with a positive outlook, one can't help but find a song with a beach theme and a "fresh start" attitude.

First I'll say I haven't finished this book, and that's due to the challenge issued from the start.  This is a book that's meant to be worked through, one chapter at a time.  The idea is to take 8 weeks and transform your life, reading and applying a chapter a week.  I'm about three chapters in, having read the first two, and then the third is to be chosen at random as my needs dictate.

So to review the first two chapters, I'll say I was grateful for the opportunity given to review this book.  There is an introduction which lets you know how the book operates, and the first chapter allows you to jump straight to action, focusing on the foundation to monumental change in one's life.  Connie recommends some seriously awesome rewards (which you choose) when you complete the task you've set to do.  I really appreciate that idea, as I seem to not recognize the achievements I've done.  This idea is stellar.

The second chapter adds to that foundation, inviting the reader to literally pen their life's goals, aspirations, and dreams, so that they may be molded into reality.  The following chapters are unique and to be chosen as the reader feels so inspired.

Thus far, I'm really enjoying this book.  It would be a great gift to anyone, not just faithful, fit & fabulous women, but perhaps men too, if they can get past the daisy on the cover!:)  I'm hoping that by the end of my 8 weeks I can truly say that I'm seen a transformation.  I'm being faithful... :)

My only warning to the adventurous reader would be to follow Connie's advice and stop when she tells you to.  Otherwise it would become a daunting adventure.  This book is not one to be rushed through, rather to be taken week by week, and even day by day.  It's meant to change your life, not to be read as a novel.

I would also say that a book like this is only as powerful as the reader.  The ideas shared will only work as far as the reader is interested in actually trying.  But Connie's approach is positive, and highly spirited.  Truly wild!


If you'd like to get yourself or a loved one a copy, you can buy it at Amazon here.  Connie's website is www.8basics.com, and she has all sorts of fun Christmas freebies and learning opportunities there as well!  Hope you enjoy the book as much as I am!

5 Mint Oreos thus far!

~Jen:)
xoxo

p.s. - I was offered a copy of this book to review, via Tristi Pinkston's Book Tours.

A Major Shift

Hi all!

I've been working on this blog for several years now, and some major changes are in order!  Dan's finished up school, which leaves our family some opportunities for new growth, change, and movement!  It's an exciting time, that's for sure.

Over the last year, my focus has seemed to have adjusted from doing reviews of books, stores, and products to other venues of learning.  While I'll be keeping this blog open to add to from time to time, I've decided to open up another one which will more closely follow what I've been doing.  Hopefully it'll allow me a new creative outlet, where those who are interested in joining in can do just that. 

The new website is called "A Major Shift".  My determination is to find out more of what's real in this life, and more of what matters in an eternal perspective.  I've spent a lot of time trying to figure things out, and it seems that there's so much out there that is much more than meets the eye.  I've also realized that my focus has been so temporal, and not so much on things that really matter.  This new blog will likely focus on scripture, prophecy, and experiences or learnings of those willing to contribute, with the goal of helping boost one another to a more useful, purposeful life.  While much of the focus will be on Christian beliefs, particularly with an LDS focus, I welcome any and all to read and contribute to it.  There may be some book reviews that pertain to those topics, discussions on ideas that supplement the focus, and more.

So I think what I'm trying to say is, please join me!  The website is in progress and due to the format, it may take some time to adjust.  It doesn't appear to allow me to add a "followers" link, so hopefully I can figure that out so it can show up on your blogrolls.  But I hope to see you there, and once you get a feel for it, please send me some of your own learnings so that we can post them too.

The site is located at www.amajorshift.blogspot.com.

Thanks for following me thus far in this blog!  I'll keep it going, and hope to see you at the other one as well!

~Jen:)
xoxo

p.s. - Once you arrive, click on the link at the top left that says "Classic".  For some reason it automatically goes to "Flipcard", which is a little less user friendly.  Kinks! ;P xo