So many folks get freaked out by a fever, but in many ways fevers are our friends. When the mercury goes above a certain degree, the panic sets in - especially when the fevering person is a child. But what is the fear about? According to the National Institute of Health: Fever is an important part of the body's defense against infection. Most bacteria and viruses that cause infections in people thrive best at 98.6 °F. … [Read more...] about Is Reducing a Fever Always Bad?
Lemon Socks For A Fever
A few weeks ago I finally got around to listening to the audio recordings from the last Wise Traditions Conference on childhood fevers. An interesting lecture, Dr. Cowan discusses a possible link of chronic fever suppression to the propensity for developing cancer later in life. Hmm. I certainly am not a huge proponent of fever reducing medicines (like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin) used in excess, but his presentation … [Read more...] about Lemon Socks For A Fever
Beautiful Beet Borscht
Hello. My name is Monica and I am a Real Food Nerd. I love exploring faraway cultures through food and food custom. A couple of years ago, I spent about a month wandering through Poland. Eating my way from one place to the next and learning traditional Polish food ways from Polish grand-mamas...other people's grand-mamas...okay, strangers. Language barrier be damned! You see, this was a truly magical trip. So many wise … [Read more...] about Beautiful Beet Borscht
My Family Ate 40 Pounds of Butter in 3 Months
In mid-December a 40 pound block of butter was delivered to my home on the back of a motorcycle driven by a soft-spoken, burly man named Ren. This butter was no grocery store butter. It came from Petaluma Creamery and Spring Hill Jersey Cheese in Northern California where the cream is carefully crafted into cultured butter, made exclusively from Jersey cows raised on grassy pastures. Now most folks can admit that butter … [Read more...] about My Family Ate 40 Pounds of Butter in 3 Months
7 Shortcuts In A Real Food Kitchen
Soaking grains, drying nuts, fermenting veggies - so much of real food takes time to prepare - not necessarily hands-on time, but time nonetheless. So here are a few of my favorite shortcuts in a real food kitchen for saving myself some precious minutes that add up throughout the week. 1 - Prepare large batches When it comes to food prep, the biggest consumer of time in my kitchen is the clean up. And as much as I love … [Read more...] about 7 Shortcuts In A Real Food Kitchen
Chicken And Spaghetti Squash Carbonara (Dairy and Grain Free)
Ladies and Gentlemen, do you remember pasta? (not imposter pasta). Comforting, tantilizing tendrils of spaghetti? The perfect accompaniment to wine, candle light and children who fall asleep with full happy bellies. Are you on the GAPS diet? Are you not eating dairy? Even if the answer to these questions is yes, I do not believe this means you should be deprived of life's little pleasures. I don't think we should be … [Read more...] about Chicken And Spaghetti Squash Carbonara (Dairy and Grain Free)
Folk’s This Ain’t Normal: Book Review
I love to read. But with two small kids, an acupuncture practice, this blog, a busy kitchen, and my secret trashy TV habit, I rarely get a book in these days. Until I discovered AUDIO BOOKS! I easily drive at least an hour per day in the car (don't feel too bad - it's a gorgeous commute complete with mountain vistas, sparkling ocean waves, and sometimes even dolphins) but I typically spend that time yacking to my family … [Read more...] about Folk’s This Ain’t Normal: Book Review
8 Reasons To Grow A Garden This Spring
Birds are chirping and the air is warming, time to get outside! Are you thinking of starting a garden this year but need a little nudge? #1 - You like food that tastes good Have you ever tasted a tomato plucked fresh from the garden still warm from the sun? There is nothing like it. Growing up in Pennsylvania, I mostly despised tomatoes. Probably because they were typically represented by mealy, translucent, and … [Read more...] about 8 Reasons To Grow A Garden This Spring
Mushroom Moussaka – Grain Free And Freezer Friendly
Warning: This dish takes time, energy, and a bit of enthusiasm. Yet, today I had no interest in cooking. But my family and I still enjoyed the most delicious and complex wonders of freshly baked mushroom moussaka. Why? Well, besides being time consuming, this recipe is quite simple to double or triple, and on another day, I was much more in the mood for whipping up a casserole extravaganza. You can share the extras or … [Read more...] about Mushroom Moussaka – Grain Free And Freezer Friendly
Perfectly Seared Beef Bavette
I am drawn to food lovers as friends. Many times, my friends will call or text with a few hours notice that they'll be in my neighborhood around dinner time and couldn't possibly brave the wilds of Los Angeles traffic. So, impromptu dinner at mi casa it is! What I'm about to share with you is an elegant, easy, and delectable way to share a spontaneous dinner with friends. First, ladies and gentlemen, I have a confession: It … [Read more...] about Perfectly Seared Beef Bavette
Apple Ginger Soda Recipe
Have you made your ginger bug? Today, when you crack the lid, does it whisper an excited sigh that says you can now magically create sodas that are not just delightfully delicious but great health promoters for you and your family? Sodas that do not taste like health food but like....well, soda! Let's try an easy one first and later we'll try more complex tasty creations. Time to have some fun! Apple ginger soda … [Read more...] about Apple Ginger Soda Recipe
The Best Formula for Your Baby
Sometimes, babies need formula. So what is the best formula for your baby? Regardless of how adamantly you or I may suggest, persuade, or insist that breast milk is the best food for a newborn, the fact remains that about 25% of newborns in the U.S. are not breastfed and 64 % of children are receiving supplemental formula by 3 months. (From the CDC's 2008 statistics). Based on these numbers, nearly two-thirds of our … [Read more...] about The Best Formula for Your Baby