One Pot Pasta (rice cooker) recipe

4 servings

INGREDIENTS
2 cups dry pasta (like penne, ziti)
2 cups liquid, (vegetable or chicken stock or water)
1 cup favorite pasta sauce, bottled pasta sauce or homemade
1/4 cup shredded parmesan or mozzarella cheese (optional)

METHOD
1 Place all the ingredients into the pot in rice cooker.
2 Close lid, press cook.
3 When the units switches to Keep Warm (approx. 18 to 20 minutes),
open lid and stir. Close lid and leave on Keep Warm setting for 5 minutes.
4 Serve hot.

Risotto with asparagus or peas (Rice Cooker) recipe

I found the following recipe online. I think the recipe needs more liquid and more salt though. 

Sometimes I use organic pearled barley instead of arborio rice because I like to vary the grains we use. When using barley I only use 1 cup and at least triple the amount of liquid to the amount of barley (i.e. 3-4 cups chicken broth/water to 1 cup barley).

You can also use 2 cups frozen peas instead of asparagus, but add it toward the end instead of the beginning. I also like adding minced garlic (about 2-3 cloves) and maybe a little lemon juice. I've also used goat cheese crumbles instead of Parmesan cheese. I might try adding 8 oz mushrooms next time.

My picky girls commented on how yummy it smelled as we put in the rice cooker!

Miriam

prep time: 5 min

cook time: 20 min

Servings:  4
Units: US | Metric

Ingredients:
8 ounces fresh asparagus, peeled cut 1 inch bites
2 cups arborio rice
1 small yellow onion, chopped
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
2 1/2 cups chicken stock

1/3 cup white cooking wine

3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions:
1 Note: When I say 2 cups of rice, this is calculated at the measure size that comes with your cooker which are two measures that is 3/4 of a reg measure cup. So Rice needed for this recipe is 1 1/2 cups in a regular measuring cup.
2 Measure out the rice and rinse with cold water well.
3 Add the first 8 ingredients together (except for the cheese) in the rice cooker.
4 Close lid and press cook lever down.
5 When the rice cooker switches to warm, add the grated fresh parmesan cheese.Stir in well.
6 Serve.

Read more at: http://www.food.com/recipe/risotto-with-asparagus-rice-cooker-2008-291461?oc=linkback

Rice and Black Beans (Rice Cooker) recipe

Very yummy and easy! I used all organic ingredients and vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. If using chicken broth make sure it's organic. For the rice I used brown not white. I did not use cheese, but my hubby added sour cream to his dish which worked well. I also added 1 tsp sea salt and to give it a kick for my husband I added several spices (cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper, white pepper, and black pepper).
Miriam

Total Time:  35 mins
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

1 cup uncooked rice
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (Ro-tel)
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can chicken broth
1 (15 1/4 ounce) can black beans
1 (14 3/4 ounce) can sweet corn (optional)
1 cup cheese (optional)

Directions:
1 Drain tomatoes, black beans, corn and put in Rice Cooker.
2 Add rice, chicken broth and stir.
3 Cook until cooker stops.
4 Add cheese on top.

Read more at: http://www.food.com/recipe/rice-and-black-beans-rice-cooker-352673?oc=linkback

Rice-Mushroom with Veggies Casserole recipe

I made this for the first time tonight by combining parts of four different recipes. It came out great, and even my picky 11 year-old loved it!
Miriam

Ingredients:

2-3 cups cooked brown rice (I used 3)

2 cups fresh broccoli florets

1 cup green peas (fresh or frozen)

1/2 green pepper chopped

½ bunch fresh basil (about 20 leaves) chopped
8 oz vegetable broth
2 chopped onions
2 garlic cloves minced
8-16 oz mushrooms
1/4 cup butter
1/4 tsp sage
1/4 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp oregano
Salt and pepper to taste

Cream sauce:

1/3 cup raw cashews
1 cup water
½ cup almond milk

Instructions:

In a high-speed blender, grind the cashews by themselves first until fine; add the water and milk, and blend thoroughly. Set aside.

In a large pot, sautee onions in butter. Add garlic and mushrooms and sautee some more.

When the mushrooms look mostly cooked, add cream sauce, spices, and vegetable broth and mix. Then add rice, broccoli, peas, green pepper, and basil and mix.

Pour into large casserole dish (lined with coconut oil) and bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes.

The ten worst ways your children are being poisoned right now: vaccines, food, video games and more

Sunday, December 09, 2012 by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger Editor of NaturalNews.com (See all articles...)

(NaturalNews) Modern children are being poisoned like never before in the history of human civilization. No wonder the rate of autism in America has skyrocketed to 1 in 88 children over the last few decades, putting autism squarely in the "epidemic" category.

But don't expect any CDC action on this epidemic. The CDC knows full well why autism rates are exploding across America, but instead of admitting the truth, the CDC is running a cover story to protect the corporate interests of the real culprits: the medical corporations poisoning children for profit (see below).

It's not just medical companies that are poisoning our children, by the way: They're also being poisoned in other insidious ways that suppress free thinking, assault good health and crush children's souls.

Here's my list of the ten worst ways in which our children are being poisoned right now.

#1) Multiple vaccinations that inject mercury, aluminum, MSG and formaldehyde into children

It is an admitted fact that today's vaccines given to children are intentionally formulated with mercury, aluminum, MSG and formaldehyde, all of which is insanely injected into the body of infants and children.

This is openly admitted by the CDC itself, which has emerged as a criminal front group for the vaccine industry. Rather than trying to determine why vaccines are causing so much autism, the CDC tries to hide the evidence, delay the hearings, and deploy smoke and mirrors to protect the criminally-operated vaccine industry where nearly every single vaccine manufacturer operating today has been found guilty of multiple felony crimes.

#2) Mercury fillings

Astonishingly, dentists in the USA continue to fill children's mouths with the most toxic heavy metal known to man: Mercury.

They don't call it mercury, of course, because that would raise too many questions. Instead, they call them "silver amalgam fillings." But the No. 1 ingredient in these fillings is, of course, the heavy metal mercury.

#3) School lunches that use toxic processed food ingredients, including sodium nitrite

School lunches continue to serve our children a toxic cocktail of chemical food additives, partially-hydrogenated oils, chemical preservatives and even cancer-causing color fixers like sodium nitrite.

Sodium nitrite causes pancreatic cancer, colon cancer and brain tumors in children. It is intentionally added to hot dogs, sausage, bacon, pepperoni, lunch meats and nearly all processed meats. A nation that eats sodium nitrite on a regular basis will have sky-high rates of cancer as a result.

In addition to sodium nitrite, school lunches are also filled with GMOs which we now know cause huge cancer tumors in animals. The USDA, which is already in bed with Monsanto on the regulatory side, also buys masses of genetically engineered food to be used in school lunch programs.

#4) Television programming that poisons children's brains with messages of materialism and inadequacy

Television was invented as a way to educate and uplift and population, but it has become dominated by commercial interests who brainwash children into worshipping materialism and being manipulated into feelings of inadequacy.

The point of this is to push sugary cereals, action figures, toys and junk foods into the minds of children so that they nag parents into buying it for them. Virtually all Saturday morning television, for example, has devolved into a "nag factor manipulation matrix" designed to brainwash children into begging their parents to purchase consumable items that generate profits for corporate advertisers.

Where is the education in television these days? It is now relegated to a few channels that focus on documentaries and non-fiction subjects, and even those channels are still funded by corporate interests.

#5) Public education that teaches revisionist history and toxic ideas about society

American children are being insidiously poisoned by public schools and all the atrociously damaging ideas those schools teach.

Many schools are now teaching what is essentially socialism or even communism. They attack and ridicule students who believe in the founding principles of America: patriotism, the Bill of Rights, individual liberty and the U.S. Constitution.

Students are also now being microchipped and taught that they are slaves of the state.

Just recently, in fact, several students were suspended from Kearney High School for painting the American flag on their chests for a lip-sync music video project sponsored by the school.

This is all a type of mental poisoning of our children, done under the banner of "education."

#6) Toxic personal care products made with cancer-causing poisons: Shampoo, skin care, toothpaste, air fresheners, laundry soap and more

Children everywhere are being bathed in toxic poisons from all their personal care products, including soaps and shampoos, laundry detergents, fabric softeners and even toothpaste.

Most personal care products are loaded with cancer-causing synthetic chemicals. Laundry detergents bathe children's clothing in cancer-causing chemicals which are then worn by the children and absorbed into their bodies. When children become teens, the toxic burden is increased even more through deodorants, makeup and cosmetics, perfumes and colognes. Nearly all conventional body care products contain cancer-causing chemicals, including the high-end, expensive brands.

#7) Toxic hydrofluosilicic acid dumped into the water supply after being mislabeled "fluoride"

Children are being wildly poisoned by the dumping of hydrofluosilicic acid into the water supply. This is incorrectly called "fluoride" but it's actually a toxic byproduct of the chemical fertilizer industry or aluminum smelting industry.

As Natural News has proven, fluoride is sold as an insecticide chemical and a metals smelting chemical. It is one of the most toxic substances yet discovered, which is why it kills insects so effectively.

Fluoride is so toxic that dumping it into a river or stream in the United States would be considered an act of ecological terrorism. Yet, somehow, it is legal to dump it into the water supply of human beings who then urinated it back into the rivers and streams where it poisons the environment.

#8) Toxic indoor air environments at homes and schools: Formaldehyde, molds, glues and synthetic pollutants

Indoor air pollution is a significant source of toxic chemical exposure for children. Carpets, paints, wood floor and even furniture all give off toxic fumes that can promote cancer and aggravate allergies.

Many homes, schools and commercial buildings are contaminated with toxic molds that are also ingested by infants and children. Even hospitals circulate potentially deadly superbugs that can kill children.

#9) Video games

Make no mistake that children -- especially boys -- are being mentally poisoned by video games. These games teach boys that violence is normal through the relentless assault of ultra-realistic first-person shooters that put players in the position of violently murdering other human beings.

These games desensitize children to the real world, and they train children to grow up and join the military. Some of the most popular games are actually engineered and published by the military as recruiting systems for teens.

Take a look at the ultra realism (and violence) of "Far Cry 3" in this teaser video. This is what your kids are playing when you buy them an Xbox:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qTMrNCgzBg

#10) Mind-altering psychiatric drugs

One of the greatest crimes against children today is found in the realm of psychiatry. That dark art of anti-medicine pretends to "diagnose" children with "disorders" which are then claimed to be treated by mind-altering psychiatric drugs such as Ritalin and Prozac.

The entire industry of modern psychiatry is a criminal drug ring conducted for the sole purpose of generating profits by treating children as pharmaceutical disposal objects. Most of the psychiatric disorders found in the DSM-V manual are completely fabricated works of fiction. The drug industry and modern psychiatry run their fraud as a tag-team of criminals who prey on children.

The most effective group fighting this today is the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), found at www.CCHRint.org

I have also recorded and produced a music video on the psychiatric drugging of children which you can see on YouTube.

Yes, in addition to being the editor of Natural News, I'm also an established activist rapper. See more of my songs and music videos at www.Amethios.com

Here's the video for S.S.R.Lies:

	Stay informed! FREE subscription to the Health Ranger's email newsletter Get breaking news alerts on GMOs, fluoride, superfoods, natural cures and more...
	Join over four million monthly readers. Email privacy 100% protected. Unsubscribe at any time.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/038290_children_poisoned_vaccines.html#ixzz2Eg8bta8u

10 Reasons Parents Take Healthy Children To Chiropractors

Some adults may wonder why more and more children are starting to see chiropractors. That’s a good question and the answer is simple: whether we have a large spine or a tiny little spine, if that spine is creating nerve distress then our magnificent bodies may not operate smoothly…

The nervous system is the ‘Master Controller’

The nervous system is the master controller of our body and if its communication channels become fuzzy, distorted or damaged then we experience all sorts of communication errors. For babies and children, this ineffective communication may play out as colic or irritability, an inability to suckle and breastfeed, poor sleep, developmental delays, digestion issues, asthma, behavioural problems, low energy, inability to concentrate, headaches, etc – the list is endless. In fact, regardless of what the end result or symptom may be, all roads lead back to  the body’s ability to self-regulate and function at a peak level.

While chiropractic may be able to help with a number of health issues, our focus is not treating or curing ailments; our focus is ensuring the nervous system has every opportunity to work efficiently and effectively.

Can you cook at night with the lights out?

For example, imagine your nervous system is like the lighting system in your home. If the lights start to dim, you might not be able to cook dinner very well, you may start banging into furniture, you may trip and hurt yourself, you may feel frightened, etc. Exactly how the dim lights influence you will vary but the issue is still the same – there is a communication problem between the wiring and the intended outcome which needs detecting and fixing.

In the same way, chiropractors spend years studying the nervous system to be able to detect and correct these ‘communication errors’ in the body.

Another question you may ask is…

“How do little kids get nerve irritation?”

Nerve irritations (or vertebral subluxations) occur as a part of normal daily life. They result from physical, chemical and emotional stressors or ‘insults’ to our health, such as bad posture, prolonged postures, sleeping on the tummy, knocks and falls, poor food choices, dehydration, exposure to chemicals and toxins, and stress and anxiety. Even before these lifestyle stressors have an impact, nerve irritation can occur in the uterus from awkward positioning, restriction of movement, and exposure to toxins, and from birth complications such as long labours, very fast labours, or forceps or caesarean delivery.

When we appreciate how important the nervous system is and how easily it can be hindered and impaired it makes sense that more parents are having their child’s spine and nervous system assessed.

10 reasons parents take their children to see chiropractic may help:

1. To maximise their child’s neural plasticity (brain and nerve development).
2. To enhance their child’s overall health and wellbeing.
3. To strengthen immunity and reduce the incidence of colds, ear-aches and general illness.
4. To help with colic and Irritable Baby Syndrome.
5. To help with asthma, breathing difficulties and allergies.
6. To improve spinal posture.
7. To improve their child’s ability to concentrate.
8. To assist with behavioural disorders and enhance emotional wellbeing.
9. To help alleviate digestive problems.
10. To assist with bed-wetting and sleep issues.

Your child’s health is their greatest asset. In our household we utilise the skill and knowledge of homeopaths, Chinese medicine practitioners, chiropractors (obviously) and wellness-oriented physicians.  I urge you to explore all possibilites you have to strengthen your child’s health.

For more information about improving your child’s
nervous system function and general health,
please see Chiropractic & Children and Holistic Parenting.

REFERENCES

Read more —> http://welladjustedbabies.com/why-parents-take-children-to-chiropractors/#ixzz2EDOAiT9T 
Get a free subscription to "Healthy Families" Magazine

Gluten-Free Organic Blueberry Coconut Superfood Muffins recipe

From Natural News:

Preheat your over to 350 degrees (F) while you gather the following items:

Hint: Always choose organic where possible, as organic foods are grown without the use of toxic chemical pesticides and herbicides.

1 cup of coconut flour
1/2 tsp of baking soda
1/2 tsp of baking powder
1/4 tsp of sea salt
5 free-range eggs
1/2 cup coconut butter (or oil)
1 cup coconut sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup chia seeds
1 cup almond milk
1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)

Directions:

1. Mix 1/2 cup of almond milk with chia seeds and set it aside for 30 minutes.

2. Combine coconut flour, baking soda, baking powder, sea salt, vanilla, and coconut sugar and mix well.

3. Add eggs, coconut butter, chia seeds (the texture should be thick) and the rest of almond milk.

4. Blend in the frozen blueberries by hand, being careful not to crush the blueberries.

5. Pour this batter into paper muffin liners that you've placed in a muffin baking pan. Fill them completely.

6. Bake the muffins at 350 degrees (F) for 35 - 40 minutes, or until they are golden brown on the outside and completely cooked on the inside.

Enjoy!

Stop hair loss and damage with these natural remedies

I  tried the baking soda shampoo and apple cider vinegar rinse mentioned below.  It felt really strange, but my hair looked great after I styled it.
Miriam

Saturday, November 24, 2012 by: Carolanne Wright

(NaturalNews) Americans are not known for their lush locks and it is no wonder -- their diet tends to be high in harmful fats, laden with sugar and heavy in animal protein along with dairy. All these foods contribute to hair loss and breakage according to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Harsh shampoo as well as chemicals in the water aren't helping the matter either. But there's hope. By revamping the diet, adding a few supplements and introducing shampoo-free cleansing, a healthy head of hair is possible.

Want a lustrous mane? Look to the diet

Most don't make the connection between diet and hair loss, but the link is strong. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that immoderate consumption of sugar is the main culprit of shedding hair. This would explain why Americans suffer from the malady in greater numbers than most. Even excessive fruit consumption can lead to thinning hair. Many who embrace a raw food diet have experienced this phenomena. On the other end of the spectrum, overindulging in animal protein and dairy also contributes to balding and weak hair due to acidic blood. Yet another offender, unhealthy fats congest the hair follicles -- encouraging hair loss. Iodine deficiency and hypothyroidism along with dehydration are obstacles to healthy hair too. The best bet for glossy, thick locks is to adopt a whole food diet that is abundant in vegetables, healthy oils like coconut and olive, nuts, seeds, low sugar berries and seaweed. Flax and chia seeds are especially beneficial due to their high essential fatty acid content.

Focus on hair-enhancing supplements like B vitamins (especially biotin), zinc, iron and calcium. It is also important to inhibit hair thinning DHT which is derived from the hormone testosterone. Natural remedies that block DHT include saw palmetto, stinging nettle, green tea, pygeum extract and pumpkin seed oil.

Environmental enemies of healthy hair

Two chemical culprits found in city water, chlorine and fluoride, weaken hair -- leading to breakage, clogged follicles and shedding. Both irritate the cuticle on the hair shaft too, thereby creating dull, lifeless locks. A trusted shower filter is a must for healthy hair.

Shampoo is antagonistic as well. Filled with harsh cleansers and additives, hair doesn't stand a chance. Even when natural brands are used, hair is stripped of natural oils and subsequently revolts against the abuse. Conditioner is then required to tame the disorder. Follicles are subsequently clogged -- triggering fallout. To avoid this anarchy, a simple and cost effective remedy is available: baking soda and vinegar. Hair settles down, loss is minimized and luster restored. To cleanse the hair with baking soda, mix one tablespoon of powder to one cup of water in a squeeze bottle. Shake well and apply to the roots, massaging for a minute or two. Rinse well. Next comes the vinegar wash which conditions, calms and boosts shine. Mix a quarter cup white or apple cider vinegar with one cup water. Pour over hair, avoiding the face and eyes. Rinse thoroughly with water.

A full head of hair need not be a pipe dream. By choosing a nutrient rich diet, supplementation and shampoo-free cleansing, tiresome hair frustrations can be laid to rest.

Sources for this article include:

"How to delay or stop hair loss -- Naturally" Kevin Gianni, Renegade Health, April 27, 2012. Retrieved on November 15, 2012 from: http://renegadehealth.com

"Ten Natural Ways Grow Hair and Reduce Hair Loss" Melanie Grimes, Natural News, February 26, 2012. Retrieved on November 15, 2012 from: http://www.naturalnews.com/028251_hair_loss_balding.html

"Tips and Tricks to go Shampoo-free" Rural Spin. Retrieved on November 15, 2012 from: http://ruralspin.com/2012/04/22/tips-and-tricks-to-go-shampoo-free/

"Hair Loss Remedies" Earth Clinic. Retrieved on November 15, 2012 from: http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/hair_loss.html

"How to slow or reverse hair loss with a healthy diet and nutritional supplements" Dani Veracity, Natural News, October 27, 2005. Retrieved on November 15, 2012 from: http://www.naturalnews.com/012893_hair_loss_male_pattern_baldness.html

"Taking hot showers could harm your health" Shelley Huang, Taipei Times, January 25, 2011. Retrieved on November 15, 2012 from: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2011/01/25/2003494382

About the author:
Carolanne enthusiastically believes if we want to see change in the world, we need to be the change. As a nutritionist, natural foods chef and wellness coach, Carolanne has encouraged others to embrace a healthy lifestyle of organic living, gratefulness and joyful orientation for over 13 years. Through her website www.Thrive-Living.net she looks forward to connecting with other like-minded people from around the world who share a similar vision. 

Follow on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/Thrive_Living

Read her other articles on Natural News here:

http://www.naturalnews.com/Author1183.html

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/038081_hair_loss_natural_remedies_healthy.html#ixzz2E2azeWoM

Fluffy Coconut Flour Pancakes recipe

by SHANNON on JULY 23, 2010 · 404 COMMENTS · in COOKING

Edited to Add: You must check out the latest update on this recipe including tips and tricks.

When it comes to an easy breakfast I love pancakes. As you can probably tell from my soaked buckwheat pancakes and soaked, flour-free oatmeal pancakes. They are just so simple to cook – mix, ladle, flip, eat. No wonder our pioneer foremothers served them frequently on their trek out west.

But for those of us who don’t eat grains or are restricting our carbohydrates the smell of pancakes can feel a bit isolating. I’ve tried probably a half dozen coconut flour pancake recipes over the past year and have the same complaint with all of them – they are thin and eggy.

So I tweaked, tested, and tweaked again and finally came up with a pancake that is fluffy, not overly eggy, and pretty darn tasty.

My husband said these taste like donuts as he slathered them in coconut oil and honey. That’s coming from someone who does eat grains, is skeptical of coconut flour, and knows his way around a pancake. So when he said that I knew my recipe testing was over.

Finally, a coconut flour pancake worth eating.

Fluffly Coconut Flour Pancakes

Recipe Notes: Both cow and coconut milk work well in this recipe. You can also add cinnamon or fruit as desired. Just keep the pancakes small and watch them so they don’t burn.

Ingredients

• 4 eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup milk (raw cow’s or coconut both work)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon honey or a pinch of stevia
• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• coconut oil or butter for frying

Directions

1. Preheat griddle over medium-low heat. In a small bowl beat eggs until frothy, about two minutes. Mix in milk, vanilla, and honey or stevia.
2. In a medium-sized bowl combine coconut flour, baking soda, and sea salt and whisk together. Stir wet mixture into dry until coconut flour is incorporated.
3. Grease pan with butter or coconut oil. Ladle a few tablespoons of batter into pan for each pancake. Spread out slightly with the back of a spoon. The pancakes should be 2-3 inches in diameter and fairly thick. Cook for a few minutes on each side, until the tops dry out slightly and the bottoms start to brown. Flip and cook an additional 2-3 minutes.
4. Serve hot with butter, coconut oil, honey, syrup, or fruit.

http://www.nourishingdays.com/2010/07/fluffy-coconut-flour-pancakes/

How to avoid Aflatoxin in Peanut Butter – A Carcinogenic Chemical Being Consumed

This is why I buy only Arrowhead Mills Organic Peanut Butter for our family.

Miriam

Aflatoxin in Peanut Butter – A Carcinogenic Chemical Being Consumed

1 comment

by Mike Barrett
October 24th, 2011 | Updated 11/09/2012 at 12:35 pm

Aflatoxin in peanut butter is creating even more concern for peanut and peanut butter consumption. Many individuals – especially kids – treat peanut butter and jelly as a staple in their diet, but unfortunately no one told them that peanut butter could actually harness aflatoxin – a cancer-causing chemical almost always found in peanut butter.

Aflatoxin in Peanut Butter – How You Could be Consuming a Carcinogenic Chemical

Aflatoxin is is not naturally found in peanuts, but rather is produced by naturally occurring fungus in soil that peanuts are grown in. Peanuts, unlike many other nuts which are protected by a hard shell, are encased in a soft shell, which makes them vulnerable to contaminates such as fungus. The fungus produces aflatoxin which is easily absorbed by soft-shelled peanuts and if regularly consumed can lead to liver cancer.

It is interesting to note that natural and organic peanut butter often contains higher levels of aflatoxin than commercially processed peanut butter. However, even though organic peanut butter may contain higher levels of aflatoxin, it is still a far better choice than commercially processed peanut butter due to the huge difference in pesticide exposure. While pesticides can cause some damage when sprayed on any crop, peanuts are especially vulnerable compared to other nuts due to their soft shell.

Unfortunately, humans consuming peanuts are not the only ones at risk of exposure to aflatoxin. Pet foods have repeatedly been recalled in the past due to contamination with aflatoxin. In fact, just last December at least 3 pet food recalls were initiated due to aflatoxin levels above the ‘acceptable’ limit. Some of the recalls included:

• Cargill Animal Nutrition

• Procter & Gamble’s Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy dry dog food

• Advanced Animal Nutrition’s Dog Power

Does Aflatoxin in Peanut Butter Make the Food Bad for You?

As mentioned, organic peanut butter should be your first choice when shopping for peanut butter. Even though there may be aflatoxin in peanut butter, there are methods to reducing the absorption of the cancer-causing chemical. The first thing you can do to prevent this problem is buy Arrowhead Mills organic peanut butter. Arrowhead Mills grows their peanuts in New Mexico, and aflatoxin has had no recognition there due to extremely dry soil. In addition, it carries the organic label so it is free of harmful pesticides.

To reduce aflatoxin exposure and fungal growth, always refrigerate your peanut butter. By placing your peanut butter in the refrigerator, you are stopping any fungus which may be present from multiplying. Chlorophyll has also been shown to reduce the  absorption of aflatoxin which make green vegetables great for decreasing the carcinogenic effects of aflatoxin.

Additional Sources:

Mercola

Read more: http://naturalsociety.com/is-your-peanut-butter-full-of-carcinogens/#ixzz2DwSQSHVS

No Grain Honey Bread recipe (uses coconut flour)

I made my own coconut flour by grinding shredded coconut in my coffee grinder. Also, here's a tip I found  for mixing the eggs, milk, and butter. Unfortunately, I found it "after" I made the recipe. It still came out pretty good considering I did that part wrong.

When mixing butter with egg and milk do this.

In bowl # 1:
ROOM Temp. egg - whisk it smooth.
Add the milk to egg and whisk more!

IN bowl # 2:
Melt butter over med-low heat or microwave on 30% power for 90 sec. stirr butter to completely melt.

Let melted butter cool down for about 1 min.

Add melted butter from bowl #2 to milk/egg in bowl #1 and whisk!

Look - no scrambles eggs!! You did it!

Miriam

No Grain Honey Bread

by SARAH, THE HEALTHY HOME ECONOMIST on MARCH 31, 2010

My post on no grain muffins last month proved to be very popular, so I am posting another no grain recipe I use frequently in our home.    This particular bread recipe uses coconut flour instead of nut or bean flours.    Baked goods made out of coconut flour tend to have the consistency of Sara Lee pound cake.   When I was a gradeschooler, my breakfast often consisted of a slice of Sara Lee pound cake with some peanut butter smeared on top.    Not an ideal healthy breakfast, by any means, but I do have a soft spot for the soft, spongy texture of pound cake even to this day!

If you love pound cake as I do, chances are you will like this wonderful alternative to the typical wheat based pound cakes.   The bread does have a hint of coconut flavor, but it is not overwhelming and does not detract from complete enjoyment of the texture and overall flavor of the bread.   This bread does not get completely brown on top like wheat based pound cake, but the texture is quite similar.   This bread is also very low carb and unbelievably filling for those of you who are limiting them for health or weight reasons.   It’s amazing how just one slice fills you up.

No Grain Honey Bread

6 – eggs

5 – tablespoons butter, melted

6 – tablespoons coconut milk or whole milk

6 – tablespoons honey

1/2 – teaspoon sea salt

1 – teaspoon vanilla

1/2 – cup sifted coconut flour (I use Bob’s Red Mill  brand)

1/2 teaspoon, no aluminum baking powder

5 drops stevia

Whisk together eggs, butter, coconut milk, honey, sea salt, vanilla, and stevia.    Mix coconut flour and baking powder in a separate bowl and then sprinkle this dry mixture in with the wet ingredients a bit at a time.    Once everything is mixed, keep whisking until the batter is very smooth with no lumps.   Pour into a glass loaf pan and bake at 400F for 20-25 minutes or until loaf starts to slightly brown on top.

Makes 1 medium loaf, 12 muffins, or 24 mini muffins

I LOVE a slice of this bread with some Arrowhead Mills organic creamy peanut butter on top!   Why Arrowhead Mills?   Because this company sources their peanuts from the Southwest USA where mold in peanuts is very rare.    My husband and kids like it with a big slab of butter and a bit of raw honey.

By the way, I am submitting this real food recipe to the “Real Food Wednesday” blog carnival at http://kellythekitchenkop.com/.  Check out this blog for other great real food recipes!   

Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist

Karina's gluten-free pancakes recipe

I just ground up millet, buckwheat, and almonds into flour for homemade gluten-free pancakes tomorrow! The batch smells so good! I'm going to try this recipe but with almond or coconut milk, not soy. I used my BlendTec blender for the millet and my coffee grinder for the buckwheat and almonds. I think the buckwheat would probably work fine in the BlendTec too.Miriam

karina's gluten-free pancakes recipe

Since going gluten-free in 2001, I've tried all most of the gluten-free pancake mixes out there. And I found them less than inspiring. So I tried making my own g-free flour blends. And most attempts were good. But not blog-worthy. The one exception was my fall centric Pumpkin Pancakes. They were lovely.

But today I wanted a wanted a pancake that didn't taste like pumpkin. A pancake recipe suitable for Sundays year round. A pancake reminiscent of my pre-celiac days. Light and flavorful, not too heavy. Not too thick. Just. You know. Perfect.

And this combo worked. Like a charm. Magic happens.

Dry ingredients:

1 3/4 cups sorghum, millet or brown rice flour*
1/4 cup buckwheat flour
1/4 cup almond flour
1/4 cup tapioca starch
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum

Wet ingredients:

1 cup soy milk (or milk of choice)
1 cup water
2 organic free-range eggs, beaten
4 tablespoons organic coconut oil
1 tablespoon honey or raw agave nectar 
1 teaspoon bourbon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions: 

Heat a griddle on medium-high heat. If your griddle requires greasing, do that now.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Make a well in the center and add in the wet ingredients. Beat well to incorporate. Your batter should be silky and smooth. Not too thick.

Test the griddle by shaking a drop of water on it. If it pops and sizzles, your griddle is hot enough.

Using a ladle, pour a scoop of pancake batter on to the heated griddle. Repeat for as many pancakes as you can fit at one go.

When tiny bubbles have formed in the batter, carefully flip the pancakes with a thin flexible spatula. Cook a minute or two until firm- but don't over cook. Overcooking pancakes makes them tough.

To keep warm- or eat immediately?

The truth is- gluten-free pancakes are best eaten straight off the griddle- while hot and tender. If you keep these warm in the oven they may toughen a bit.

If the batter thickens as it stands, add a little more liquid to thin it.

Serve with vegan butter and warm maple syrup.

Serves 4.

Recipe Source: glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com

http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/2011/08/karinas-gluten-free-pancakes.html