A little Monday morning RESTORE

Good morning.....felt a little run down last week (sore throat, aches....) My awesome hubby left the country for a 3 week business trip and, well-- its a bit stressful managing all the people and critters around here single handedly. But, whatever it was, I knocked it out with a powerful blend of my favorite Mountain Rose herbal teas, adaptogenic herbs, Genesis specialized nutrients and minerals, DoTerra essential oils and REST!

So, I took it easy over the weekend with lots of reading, long walks,sunshine and some nourishing foods.

Thought today would be a great day for a "mini" RESTORE.  I started my day with a balance of immune builders and cleansing elixirs, while I enjoyed some quiet time and a much needed phone call from my best friend (my hubby). Ahhhh......such a great welcome to a Monday!  I will update my post through the day. But, know that I am busy in the kitchen preparing bone broth, kefir, green juices and raw soups to infuse and build my body with PURE goodness! 

I have a half gallon of raw goat kefir to enjoy today. It will flood my body with enzymes, protein and beneficial bacteria! 

Here is my strawberry kefir, sooo delicious.

I have a pot of bone broth on the stove (24 hours and counting) today's is Two Roosters soup. It is loaded with veggies and every herb in my garden( it smells divine) and yes, two roosters that were misbehaving (sorry, it's a fact of life-- overly "amorous" roosters can mame or kill your chickens. So, boys.....be warned, haha!)

And off to blend up a beautiful green smoothies to enjoy at lunch,with a boost of PURE Greens and Fresh Pomegranate (a fall favorite!)

How are you loving yourself today?

A Time For Renewal (Part 1 of 2)

Obviously my absence and sporadic posts are evidence--BUT, for clarity my life has been hectic and CrAzY this summer. It seems EVERY single week there has been something demanding ALL of my time and energy. The stress of construction and planning, animals, hubby’s travel schedule, my daughters surgery(broken collarbone), my hubby’s "repairs" (chainsaw –vs- finger AND and an abdominal hernia) and well, just LIFE. Don’t get me wrong, I am not whining about my life….I LOVE MY LIFE! We are being blessed seeing our dreams of the farm take shape. But, seriously my type A personality gets the best of me sometimes. I found myself not focusing on “ME” very much as I dug my heels in to take care of ALL the humans and critters I am responsible for nurturing!  I always preach the importance of self care and making a priority of taking care of the care taker. However, neglecting my own advice, I slid into a state of exhaustion and a bit of an “I don’t care” mentality. It is soooo easy to fall into old habits-- indulge in some not so NOURISHING comfort foods, skip my workouts, not have my prayer time in the morning, go for an afternoon coffee to perk me up, instead of an afternoon run……..well, screech. Someone put on the brakes. Who is this woman staring back in the mirror? where did my Diva GLOW go? What happened to my boundless energy? Where did my SMILE go? I found myself desperate for a reset button. Hmmmm….they say,ask and you shall receive, right?

A dear friend of mine, and fellow REAL food advocate at Pura Vida Livin, presented me with a product line that he had been using both personally and with his fitness clients. He knew I was VERY particular about the ingredients of supplements, foods, etc….(as he is also)And don't you guys know, that this knowledge junkie began intense research immediately. The first direction: I went to learn more about the founder and formulator of Genesis PURE , Naturopath and Clinical Nutritionist, Dr.Lindsay Duncan. I had seen a TED talk he did a couple of years ago and was impressed(You can watch HERE) I spent several days sifting through reviews and interestingly enough, I found no negative reviews only great success stories. Next, I began the products slowly and then ventured into the Genesis PURE’s signature DETOX protocol. The ingredients are ALL “ROCK Star” nutrients, adaptogenic and therapeutic herbs. Like….(MB) B Vitamins, Calcium, Iodine, Chromium, Guarana Seed, Garcinia Cambogia Fruit, Yerba Mate Leaves, Bitter Orange Extract, Gymnema Sylvestre Leaves, Rhodiola Rosea Root, Cacao (Theobromine), Coleous Forskhlii Root, Amino Acid Blends of L-Glutamine and L-Tyrosine, Green Tea, Ginger Root, Dandelion Leaves, Chickweed, Uva Ursi Leaves, Gotu Kola Leaves, Cayenne Pepper, Bladderwrack, Kelp, Piper Longum Fruit, Chinese Red Ginseng, Boldo (HANG ON NEED TO CATCH MY BREATH......)Leaves, Nopal Cactus, Trace Minerals.(FS)Aloe Vera Gel, Gentian Root, Wasabi Root, Hawthorn Berry, Betaine HCI, Peppermint Leaves, Pau D’Arco Bark, Milk Thistle Seeds, Eleuthero Root, Fennel Seed, Burdock Root, Suma Root, Licorice Root, Cardamom Fruit, Cayenne Pepper. (IB)Goji Berry Juice, Acai Berry Puree, Sorrel Flower, Schizandra Berry, Maca Root, Noni Fruit, Ashwaganda Root, MSM, Bamboo Stem Extract, Mangosteen Fruit, Ginger Root, Blueberry Fruit, Amla Berry, Harada Fruit Extract, Brahmi Plant, Nepali Shilajit Extract, Puncture Vine Fruit Extract, Fucoidan, Sea Buckthorn, Georgian Snow Rose Leaves, Siberian Golden Root, Velvet Bean Extract, Iron Rich Blackstrap Molasses (AC)Cacao, Magnesium, Oolong Tea, Powdered Hoodia Herb, Cha De Bugre Extract,(CC)Cascara Sagrada, Psyllium Seeds, Fennel Seeds, Cats Claw Root, Ginger Root, Boldo Leaf, Artichoke Extract, Slippery Elm Bark, Basil Leaves, Spearmint Leaves, Dandelion Leaves, Cornsilk, Licorice Root, Alfalfa Leaf, Clove Flower, Dandelion Root, Red Rasberry Leaf, Mullein Leaves, Red Clover Blossoms, Milk Thistle Seeds.(CS)Chlorella,Carrot Root, Fenugreek Seed, Flax Seed, Spirulina, Barley Grass, Pomegranate, Oats, Papaya, Digestive Enzymes, Beneficial ProBiotics, Chelated Minerals, Proteins and well, seriously people…..this is the most comprehensive organically based deep cleanse I have ever seen.

 All of these healing foods, elixirs, extracts and herbs Infused into your body. I added the suggested Alkalizing, anti-oxidant and phyto-nutrient rich herbs, fruits and veggies like berries, apples and citrus, cabbage, broccoli, beets, sweet potatoes, cauliflower.

So, fast forward only 7 days: I am down 12 pounds, Hubby is down 15 pounds. My energy is soaring, skin is glowing, digestion is completely efficient. The protocol is designed to focus on ALL 7 pathways of elimination and it has worked beautifully. I incorporated the use of Dry Skin Brushing, Infrared Sauna, Walking and Hydro-Massage for an extra boost to my lymph, adrenals, liver and pancreas.

Here is an overview of the generalized plan. I have also mentioned (below) what foods I chose for the *If needed categories below the chart. I do not believe in extreme fasting so I always elected to include the whole foods when prompted.

1 Complete Shake- Berry, 1 Metabolic Boost, 1 Ionic Blend, 1 Capsule Cleanse, 2 Fasting Solution, 1 Appetite Chew
Breakfast	Mid-Morning	Lunch	Mid-Afternoon	Dinner	Evening (before 9pm)
2 Metabolic Boost with 16oz. water. 15-30 min later, take 4oz. Fasting Solution and 1oz. Ionic Blend with 8oz. water, followed by 1 Appetite Chew	4 oz. Fasting Solution, 16oz. water, 1 Appetite Chew, fruit or shot of GoYin	2 Metabolic Boost with 16oz. water. 15-30 min later, take 4oz. Fasting Solution, followed by 1-2 cups *vegetables, or mineral broth if needed	4 oz. Fasting Solution, 16oz. water, 1 Appetite Chew, fruit or shot of GoYin	1 Appetite Chew, 8oz. water, *vegetable or fruit juice mixed with Fruit & Fiber Mix, if needed	*Vegetable/mineral broth, if needed. 1 Capsule Cleanse or more^ with 8oz. Water
2 Metabolic Boost with 16oz. water. 15-30 min later, take 4oz. Fasting Solution and 1oz. Ionic Blend with 8oz. water, followed by 1 Appetite Chew	4 oz. Fasting Solution, 16oz. water, 1 Appetite Chew, fruit or shot of GoYin	*Vegetable/mineral broth, if needed. 1 Capsule Cleanse or more^ with 8oz. Water	2 Metabolic Boost with 16oz. water. 15-30 min later, take 4oz. Fasting Solution, followed by 1-2 cups *vegetables, or mineral broth if needed	4 oz. Fasting Solution, 16oz. water, 1 Appetite Chew, fruit or shot of GoYin	1 Appetite Chew, 8oz. water, *vegetable or fruit juice mixed with Fruit & Fiber Mix, if needed
16oz. water, 2 Appetite Chews, blanched vegetables or mineral broth, if needed or shot of GoYin	2 Metabolic Boost with16oz. water. 15-30 min later, eat a *palm-size portion of protein, 3 cups vegetables, 1 cup whole grain or sweet potato, 1 TBSP flax or coconut oil	16oz. water, 2 Appetite Chews, blanched vegetables, if needed or shot of GoYin	Complete Shake (with 2oz coconut water, 4oz nut/seed milk and 4oz water), 8oz. water	2 Metabolic Boost with 16oz. water. 15-30 min later, Complete Shake (with 2oz coconut water, 4oz nut/seed milk and 4oz water) and 1oz. Ionic Blend	1 Capsule Cleanse or more^ with 8oz. Water
2 Metabolic Boost with 16oz. water. 15-30 min later, Complete Shake (with 2oz coconut water, 4oz nut/seed milk and 4oz water) and 1oz. Ionic Blend	16oz. water, 2 Appetite Chews, blanched vegetables or mineral broth, if needed or shot of GoYin	2 Metabolic Boost with16oz. water. 15-30 min later, eat a *palm-size portion of protein, 3 cups vegetables, 1 cup whole grain or sweet potato, 1 TBSP flax or coconut oil	16oz. water, 2 Appetite Chews, blanched vegetables, if needed or shot of GoYin	8oz. water, *palm-size portion of protein, 3 cups vegetables, 1 cup whole grain or sweet potato, 1 TBSP flax oil	1 Capsule Cleanse or more^ with 8oz. Water
2 Metabolic Boost with 16oz. water. 15-30 min later,1 cup. organic slow-cooked oatmeal with nuts and dried fruit to sweeten and 1oz. Ionic Blend	16oz. water, 2 Appetite Chews, blanched vegetables or mineral broth, if needed or shot of GoYin	2 Metabolic Boost with16oz. water. 15-30 min later, eat a *palm-size portion of protein, 3 cups vegetables, 1 cup whole grain or sweet potato, 1 TBSP flax or coconut oil	16oz. water, 2 Appetite Chews, blanched vegetables, if needed or shot of GoYin	Complete Shake (with 2oz coconut water, 4oz nut/seed milk and 4oz water), 8oz. water	1 Capsule Cleanse or more^ with 8oz. Water

Day 6 - Cleanse	2 Metabolic Boost with 16oz. water. 15-30 min later, take 4oz. Fasting Solution and 1oz. Ionic Blend with 8oz. water, followed by 1 Appetite Chew	4 oz. Fasting Solution, 16oz. water, 1 Appetite Chew, fruit or shot of GoYin	2 Metabolic Boost with 16oz. water. 15-30 min later, take 4oz. Fasting Solution, followed by 1-2 cups *vegetables, or mineral broth if needed	4 oz. Fasting Solution, 16oz. water, 1 Appetite Chew, fruit or shot of GoYin	1 Appetite Chew, 8oz. water, *vegetable or fruit juice mixed with Fruit & Fiber Mix, if needed	*Vegetable/mineral broth, if needed. 1 Capsule Cleanse or more^ with 8oz. Water
Day 7 - Cleanse	*Vegetable/mineral broth, if needed. 1 Capsule Cleanse or more^ with 8oz. Water	2 Metabolic Boost with 16oz. water. 15-30 min later, take 4oz. Fasting Solution and 1oz. Ionic Blend with 8oz. water, followed by 1 Appetite Chew	4 oz. Fasting Solution, 16oz. water, 1 Appetite Chew, fruit or shot of GoYin	2 Metabolic Boost with 16oz. water. 15-30 min later, take 4oz. Fasting Solution, followed by 1-2 cups *vegetables, or mineral broth if needed	4 oz. Fasting Solution, 16oz. water, 1 Appetite Chew, fruit or shot of GoYin	1 Appetite Chew, 8oz. water, *vegetable or fruit juice mixed with Fruit & Fiber Mix, if needed
How to Maximize Your Program
*Vegetable/mineral broth - At the beginning of the DETOX, I made a large batch of Vegetable Mineral Broth with Garlic, Tumeric, Cayenne, Ginger and Savory Herbs.
*Vegetables can be eaten raw, blanched or lightly steamed. Juice should be freshly juiced and not prepared (no V8).I steamed my vegetables (Carrot, Cabbage, Spinach, Broccoli, Beets and Cauliflower with Garlic and Fresh Herbs) As an alternative, I blended my veggies into a warm soup and topped with turmeric and garlic for a satisfying and filling dinner.
^Capsule Cleanse dosage may be increased by one per day until you achieve 2-3 bowel movements per day. May also use Liquid Cleanse in place of Capsule Cleanse.
Fruit should be in season and low-glycemic (LOW glycemic ex: apples, berries, citrus. HIGH glycemic ex: tropical fruits such as bananas, mangos, melons and pineapple.)
Protein should be either plant-based or organic, naturally-raised animal-based (preferably chicken or turkey thigh or salmon, all of which contain healthy fats). However, to achieve a more thorough cleanse, focus on plant-based protein.
Whole grains do NOT include bread or baked goods. Whole grains include amaranth, barley, buckwheat, bulgur, kamut, millet, oats, rice (brown, wild, red), rye and quinoa.
Drink 80-100 oz. of quality alkaline, ionized water throughout the day. May add fresh lemon juice and cayenne pepper to water for flavor and additional cleansing.
For strong cravings for sugar, carbs or fat, try one TBSP organic, raw coconut oil.
Exercise for 20-30 minutes each day (sweating and breathing deeply). Bounce on rebound trampoline or bounce/shake body in place for 5 min daily to move lymph system.
Dry-brush body every morning using a natural bristle brush, making long strokes along limbs and circular strokes around joints, breast and abdomen.
Please refer to the "Golden Rules for Health and Vitality" for more dietary and lifestyle recommendations.
ADDITIONAL GENESIS PURE PRODUCTS: You may use the following additional products during your cleanse.
Cell Water: You may add Cell Water to your purified water when drinking throughout the day.
Control: You may take Control in place of Metabolic Boost.
Coral Calcium: You may take Coral Calcium before bed.
Fruit & Fiber Mix: You can take additional Fruit & Fiber mix if you have constipation issues or need additional fiber in your diet. Recommended daily fiber: 25-40 grams
Green Coffee Bean: You may take Green Coffee Bean with Control or Metabolic Boost before meals.
Noni: You may take Noni to help purify your liver, blood and digestive system.<
Probiotic: You are encouraged to take Probiotic in the morning and/or evening on an empty stomach.
Silver: You may take Silver to help eliminate unhealthy bacteria, fungus and pathogens.<

I will continue to share my experience of my transition to a nutrient dense RESTORE diet and add in more of the SUPER Fruits, Sulfur, Daily Build, Coral Calcium, Cell Water, Alkaline Water and the very cool GPS  sports support products. Well, off to finish drinking my Pure Café, Green Coffee Bean drink and head out to work off some of this PURE Energy! Thank you to my AWESOME friend Jared, for sharing this company with me. I believe in the products so much that it is now part of each nutrition client protocol that I prescribe. Hubby and I are gifting our parents and a few friends with their very own DETOX kits.  If you want more information, please comment below and I will schedule a complimentary Skype consult with you to explain how to start on your journey to a healthy Genesis PURE future~  Have a GREAT day!

In Health and Happiness, Melissa

Easy like Sunday morning.....

Finally.....a slow, peaceful morning in my life to write a few lines and hopefully update those who may be still following my much neglected blog (chirp, chirp,chirp,chirp from the crickets).Still working on transferring to my domain but having to wait on a new intern to catch up with m

Over the next weeks, we are preparing to bring in more power lines, dig the well and pour the slab for our HOME on the farm.....this small and efficient barndominium living has been fun. But our dream has always been to have a place for family and friends to gather,relax and entertain. I will share the construction journey as it progresses. 

Even though we are in transition to our home, permanent barn,etc... it has become official, I am a goat farmer now. Just owning a few goats was simply having my own personal petting zoo. But actually breeding, kidding, milking and bottle feeding is a whole NEW lifestyle. Oh....did I mention that I am in heaven? 

My herd queen Bella, had her first baby, under a FULL moon, about 2 weeks ago. A little Doeling named "Moonshine". This little girl is a spunky little thing and is giving me hours of giggles with her classic baby goat antics. Bella is already blessing us with over a half gallon of milk every day which is keeping "Moo" in bottles of milk and providing cheese, kefir and soap for my family.

Settling into a routine of twice a day milking has been a little challenging. But, as with anything new, it is becoming just part of my daily routine. Hubby and I milked this morning, then bottle fed the baby. Now enjoying homemade sourdough breakfast sandwich made with einkorn ancient grain wheat, grass fed butter, our raw goat cheese and local eggs. What a delicious Sunday morning treat. And of course, it would not be complete without a glass of raw goat kefir....this batch is flavored with vanilla bean and organic maple syrup ( a new favorite recipe). 

Well off to track down a cow that seems to have taken up residence on our property. Has left quite a few, ummmm patties all over the place. I already asked hubs if I can keep it if we can't find it's owner-haha. And then while we are cow hunting, we are on the lookout for our neighbors Emu that got loose last night! What does your day hold? 

Here is my delicious einkorn sourdough using ancient grain flour from Jovial in Italy. It is crusty and delicious.

Raw goat kefir with maple syrup and vanilla bean- my recent obsession!

And lastly, Moonshine(1 hour hold) and her friend ,6 month old , Ellie Mae......Awwwwww!

Summer Salsa

I have had several requests this week for my Salsa recipe. We are officially in Tomato season in Texas and loving our local bounty but needing to get creative with preserving these beauties. So today I am sharing my recipe for the BEST salsa ever (If I do say so myself). Later in the week, we will share a fermented ketchup recipe that my hubby is working on.

 Fermented Summer Salsa

(Makes 1 qt)
6-8  Fresh tomatoes
2- 3 green onions, chopped
1 large size chopped jalapeno(seeded)
6-8 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped or pressed
1 bunch cilantro
juice of 1-2 limes
2 T. sea salt
1/4 c. filtered water with tsp of salt (This is the brine)

Pulse in food processor until it reaches a consistency that you enjoy. Some prefer a "chunkier" salsa. Place in a quart-sized, wide-mouth mason jar. Press down lightly until the juices rise up; if there is not enough liquid to cover the vegetables then add a little brine water. The top of the vegetables/liquid should be about an inch below the top of the jar. Cover with a loose jar lid OR a towel, place jar in a bowl to catch any expansion overflow and keep at room temperature in a dark and undisturbed area for about 5 days before sealing and transferring to the fridge.
A note about timing: that “5 days” is a very subjective figure. It depends on a number of factors.  The temperature of your kitchen is also a factor. I like the flavor that develops at 5 days BUT have gone several weeks before.

 How do you know when it’s done? Taste it every single day. Twice a day if it’s really warm in your kitchen. Open it up, press the vegetables down, and give them a taste. When it tastes really good (slightly effervescent) it’s done. As you can see, there is pretty much no way to get this wrong.
If you use the no whey-extra salt method, like I do, you’ll know it’s done when it starts to taste less salty.

 I don’t know that I’d let this one go TOO long… probably better slightly fermented than sour-kraut-level fermented.

NOTE: We had a recent batch of salsa that we let ferment until it was practically explosive. It had fermented for 2 weeks in Texas summer (78-80 degrees in my kitchen at times). Anyway, it tasted good, but it is very bubbly.  Almost like a champagne salsa which is a very refreshing flavor. If you personally want to avoid this, transfer to your fridge before the “exploding with bubbles” stage. There’s a lot of variation in this process, and with practice you get better and better at it. Give yourself the permission to experiment and fail, and you can’t go wrong.

There are MANY variations with salsa.....experiment with a few of your favorites. Add a variety of fresh peppers, fruits, carrots, etc... My favorite Salsa Verde would substitute the tomatoes with tomatillos and an addition of cucumber. VERY refreshing and light!

 ENJOY!

Nuno Felting

No, I am not writing about food, fitness or beauty today. But, I am sharing a bit of creative therapy that I had the opportunity to explore today.

 

I enjoyed a break in my schedule for a class on Nuno Felting....! It is truly a primitive art form, using natural fibers such as mohair, alpaca, silk, wool, etc... I hope you enjoy this brief history of Nuno and some pictures of the scarf I created today.

 

 

"Felted fabric is thought to predate woven or spun fabric. Among the oldest examples of felt are 3,500 -year-old hats found in Scandinavia..." It's not hard to imagine the use or almost necessity of felt in colder climates, but nuno felt was developed with just the opposite in mind. "When Polly Stirling codeveloped nuno felt with her assistant Sachiko Kotaka, her intention was to create a cooler, wearable felt for the warm climate of Australia, where she lives part-time." For me, that was a big draw too. Living in the humid subtropic of southeast Texas.



"Nuno is Japanese for fabric or cloth." It's the word that became associated with this technique during the collaboration of Stirling and Kotaka. "Today they are widely credited with popularizing the technique, although northern Europeans developed a similar technique about a decade earlier. Their term 'laminated felting' is preferrred by some feltmakers, since Nuno is also the name of a textile design company in Japan."

"To create nuno felt, very small amounts of wool are layered on a pre-existing fabric, usually silk or cotton. During the felting process, the wool fibers migrate through the weave of the cloth and entangle, pulling the cloth along with them as they shrink. The result is a fully integrated and highly textural fabric..... Nuno...gathers in all directions rather than just one, making the fabric appear bubbled. ..... Nuno felting strips things down to the bare bones, making use of wool's alchemic power even when using so very few fibers. When we experience the total transformation of so few bits of wool on cloth, somehow the power of the process is more starkly revealed to us. ..... nuno felt is also very practical as a wearable fabric. It is incredibly lightweight and drapes the body beautifully. Not only is it gorgeous, but it also completely takes people off guard when they hear how it's created."

Here is a close up of the laying down or placement of my natural fibers onto my cotton muslin.



(Above is the scarf, before the felting process began) Wetting, soaping, rolling and tossing....it was a workout over the course of this 3 hour class. But the scarf turned out beautifully and I am not sure whether to wear it OR hang it on my wall.

If you get a chance, research this technique.Its so beautiful. I plan to do a larger project for an art piece in my new home and maybe even a few scarves for Christmas gifts. I am hooked!

The HEAT is on.....!

Well....the AC has officially been turned off in Texas! The humidity is brutal. And this outdoor primitive lady is too diva to smell too natural.

Here is a recipe for a natural DIY deodorant that rocks!

Equal parts of:

Baking Soda

Arrowroot Powder

Sea Salt 

Coconut Oil

Vitamin E Oil (just a few drops)

Essential Oils (use adequate amounts of your favorite therapeutic grade brand- I use Tea Tree, Lemongrass, lavender)

*men may want to use a blend of YL Thieves or DT's OnGuard for an extra anti bacterial protection!

Once blended, you may store in a small jar in a cool area. It works great and it's no chemicals,metals, parabens or synthetic fragrances. 

 

Blog about to get a FACELIFT.....!

Well it is time.....preparing to update LOOK and LOCATION of Primitive Diva! Stay tuned for lots of FUN news, products and announcements this summer. In the meantime, come and walk on the WILD side at our Facebook page Primitive Diva!