Gluten Free Quinoa Applesauce Bread

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Cathy Silver

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and it is hard for many people to digest.  Wheat is heavily subsidized, and promoted by the government in things like the food pyramid and it is pretty much everywhere. Breakfast cereals, cookies, cakes and crackers–and of course most bread. Growing up, we always ate whole wheat bread as my Father insisted on it.  However,  I know I feel much better these days when I avoid gluten. I feel bloated and it seems that it does not support an ideal weight. It often “stuffs me up” making it hard to breath.  Sensitivities also include constipation, or gas. Other related problems are allergies, celiac disease, brain fog, chronic indigestion and candida.  If you think you have a sensitivity–take notice of how you feel when you eat products that contain wheat, rye or barley.  Sometimes they occur immediately–sometimes not so immediate.  A good test is to remove all wheat and gluten products.  Rice pasta, and Oat bread–made with OAT FLOUR are available as substitutes, but you must read labels!  Other alternatives include gluten-free grains such as amaranth, brown rice, buckwheat, millet, quinoa, sorghum and teff. –Oh and be careful of those well meaning waiters who offer you a basket of bread upon sitting down at your favorite restaurant–not only is it tempting and hard to resist but it is easy to eat the very gluten you’ve been so good not to eat at home!

Gluten free and a wonderful easy homemade treat!

Gluten free and a wonderful easy homemade treat!

Quinoa Applesauce Cake

1 ¾ cups quinoa flour

1 cup currents

½ cup chopped pecans

½ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. aluminum-free baking powder

½ tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

½ cup unsalted butter

1 cup sugar

1 large organic egg

2 cups unsweetened, organic applesauce

Preheat oven to 350˚F. Sprinkle ¼ cup of the flour over the currants and nuts and set aside.  Blend the baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cloves with the remaining quinoa flour.  Separately mix together butter, sugar and the egg.  Combine all ingredients, adding the fruit and nuts at the end.  Spoon into a prepared 8 x 8 cake pan. (Or three small loaf pans work great also.) Bake or 40 to 45 minutes or until the cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.  The small loaf pans require 27-32 minutes.

This cake is not as sweet as banana bread and is great for those who are sensitive to gluten.  The currents and pecans give it a wonderful interesting addition.

Enjoy!

Be Well,

Cathy

http://www.energiesofhealing.com

http://www.cathysilverhealth.com

Filed under: Breakfast Ideas, Energies of Healing, FOOD, Good Eats, Healthy Living, Quinoa, Weight Loss | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Pesticide Residues in Produce

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Cathy Silver

As I ran into Whole Foods to quickly gather fresh organic ingredients for a pot of homemade chicken soup–I found that they had just run out of celery. Much to my dismay and to the young lady in the isle next to me–we inquired–and we’re told–No. They were sold out and would not have anymore until tomorrow. We briefly chatted, and I mentioned that celery was one of the worst in pesticide residue–apples are #1. So, I again put this information out for everybody to see. It is important that we increase our awareness. Our personal food choices not only have an impact on our bodies, and our health, but also the health of our environment.

Produce with the most residues.

Produce with the most residues.

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This information comes directly out of the book, Integrative Nutrition by Joshua Rosenthal.

“The Produce ranking, developed by analysts at Environmental Working Group (EWG), is based on the results of nearly 51,000 tests for pesticide residues on produce collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration between 2000 and 2009. EWG is a not-for-profit environmental research organization dedicated to improving public health and protecting the Environment.”

Be Well, and in Love and Light,

Cathy

http://www.energiesofhealing.com

http://www.cathysilverhealth.com

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Happy Valentines Day – Loving Yourself; The I AM in Each of Us.

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Cathy Silver

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Balance and Harmony are within ourselves.
Stay focused– we have no clock.
It’s time to take your power; it’s time to dance.
Have gratitude.
Look how far you have come.
Think health, vitality, energy and joy.
Focus on what you have.
Love your life now.
Give pure intent–purity cannot be shaken, it is driven by the core of our being.
Talk to your cells.
This is our third language.
It is the language of masterhood
It is yours for the asking.
Claim it today.
Have compassion for yourself and others.
Loving yourself is a daily walk that’s so peaceful and loving and different that your cells refuse to go into drama, anger or worry.
Connect to yourself; Stillness. Listen to your breath.
You are the great “I AM”
Own your beauty, your power, your divinity, your love and your joy.
It is who you are, you need only remember your mastery within.

Happy Valentines Day!

Be Well, and in Love and Light,

Cathy

http://www.cathysilverhealth.com

 

 

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Opening the Window

Posted on February 8, 2013 by Cathy Silver
A metaphor for "life"?

A metaphor for “life”?

My friend Debbie opened the champagne; a bottle left over from her birthday. We were going to eat out, but I had all the makings of dinner. Around her dining room table, and over my simple grilled steak and sweet tomato salad, we seemed to naturally float into the world of “no time”. Our conversation spawn over many topics, all substantially of depth: divorce, death, kids, love life, and mysteries of the universe that included questions surrounding astrology, soul relationships and Akashic records.
She drew a book from her library. Write about this she proclaimed and read aloud: ” Two common misconceptions are that peace is a calm, placid state with little feeling and that intense feelings are not spiritual.” Debbie continued, “these misconceptions have nearly succeeded in killing us. . . Intense emotions are a natural part of life and the emotional body must vibrate to live. Strong emotions, both good and bad, create the vibration which allows us to connect with Source of energy, love and salvation. Fervent anger can be a powerful motivator for social change. Jealousy is a secret message, exposing unworthiness. Hurt feelings are the unacceptable parts of us, calling for love and illumination.”*

I nodded. I had spent a lot of time reflecting and questioning the ok-ness and appropriateness of just such topics and reactions both in the world of personal transformation and spirituality. The topic seemed even more important as we have moved into the new energy and new paradigm model.

Authenticity for me meant dropping the old that no longer serves and truly heal those parts of us that have been stuffed and stored down deep within our psyche; the illusion that they have been locked safely away in some vast storage unit. Not realizing that they are triggered when the monthly, quarterly or annual statement arrives and we are forced to write a check triggering off a cascade of feelings and emotions that have nothing to do with our current circumstance or event that sends us off crying, mad, hurt or in anger. On the extreme end, I see it as road rage, domestic violence and abuse–on the other end I see it as unhealthy relationships, passionless careers, addictions or self-defeating behaviors reflected in things like our food choices and eating patterns. All somehow related?

My childhood home was oftentimes filled with such confusion. The unspoken undercurrent and unhappiness loomed. We were not allowed to voice our displeasure or disagreement. There was no healthy way to communicate verbally. My Mother would often run to her room and slam the door. The harder the slam, the angrier she was. My Father never said a word or raised his voice. Only years later did I find poetry was his escape; unconsciously drawn to deal with this own pain–finding some relief as he wrote words on a yellow legal pads, paper napkins or crinkled envelopes. These learned dysfunctional behaviors, habits and beliefs I notice perpetuate in our family today among my siblings; sighting the elephant in the room is easy. Can we talk? I see it woven in the tapestry–on the other side, my ex-husband’s Jewish roots brought hot-blooded exchanges. That didn’t work so well either!

So, how do we learn to love ourselves and gain courage to move through the hurts and beliefs to neutrality where we are no longer so affected and able to face the fears directly? I suppose that is the million dollar question. I know that pretending these feelings do not exist does not work. It is not authentic or loving, and leads to our dis-ease and depression–heart attacks and cancer. Just pick up a copy of Louise Hay’s book, “You can heal your life” notice each label.
I know there are no magic bullets or wizard’s wands. It takes real work. Accept what isn’t working. Make a commitment to yourself. Ask for help. The answer lies within. Are we willing and open for the answer? Find a safe place or trusted friend. Remember, we always have choice. We always have the power and freedom to write a new story. The very appropriate metaphor of placing our mask over our nose first, before we can help others is important. By living our truth our way, we begin depositing rather than withdrawing from our emotional bank account. Once we examine our beliefs and take responsibility for our actions, and thoughts does it become possible to live in joy, peace, happiness and love. It is ours for the asking and willingness to walk through another doorway. Then old triggers become less and less like hurricanes; rather like breezes through your open window. Our new higher vibration will guide us closer to our true nature. What will we chose today? Each moment is a new opportunity!
“Not until the pain of the same is greater than the pain of change will you embrace change.”

-Dave Ramsey

The journey is the reward!

Be well–in love and light,

Cathy

Sources for transformation:

Wellness and Nutrition: http://www.cathysilverhealth.com

Grief Recovery: (www.hollywoodhealingcenter.org)

Personal transformation: http://www.gratitudetraining.com

*Angel Blessing, by Kimberly Marooney

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Genetic Roulette-The Gamble of our Lives

Posted on February 3, 2013 by Cathy Silver
A Sobering look at deception and our growing illness. What are we EATING???

A Sobering look at deception and our growing illness. What are we EATING???

Please watch the following movie! It is sobering and eye-opening and we must be the change we want to see. We cannot afford not to watch and learn about the deception pushed upon us and served at every grocery store and restaurant across the country–that ends up on our plate–and in our body!

The documentary the summary states: “Experts expose the serious threats and how corporations like Monsanto hide the evidence.

NEVER-before-seen evidence points to genetically engineered foods as a major contributor to rising disease rates in the U.S. population, especially among children. Gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, inflammatory diseases, infertility are just some of the problems implicated in humans, pets, livestock and Lab animals that eat genetically modified soybeans and corn.

Monsanto’s strong-arm tactics, the FDA fraudulent policies, and how the USDA ignores a growing health emergency area also laid bare.  This sometimes shocking film may change your diet, protect you and your family, and accelerate the consumer tipping point against genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) already underway. Don’t miss this film!”

Go to http://www.geneticroulettemovie.com/press/

Be Well–and Love and Light,

Cathy

http://www.energiesofhealing.com

http://www.cathysilverhealth.com

Filed under: Energies of Healing, FOOD, GE, Genetically Modified Organism, GMO's, Good Eats, Healthy Living, Just Label it!, Self-help, Weight Loss | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Movement; A Daily Dose

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Cathy Silver
Yoga Class

Yoga Class

Any good mechanic will tell you that is much worst for an engine or piece of mechanical equipment to sit idle; cars, boats & planes are meant to be used. If fact, things that are not used–are not “thought about” breakdown much quicker or fall into disrepair often rusting away or crumbling.   The oil, gasoline and transmission fluids are all meant to circulate through the engine.  Can’t the same be said for us? And, if movement is good for us–why do most of us resist it so? Maybe we need to see exercise as a “get to“?

Over the years, I have been a big proponent of exercise–and always enjoyed the gym; I was an athlete in both high school and college and it just came with ease. Lately, I have stretched myself to include yoga. I know the breathing is good. It connects me to a higher consciousness and I enjoy the soothing voice of our instructor and the silent nature of the practice; a refreshing change from the bombardment of noise everywhere.  Contemporary Yoga practices are used to alleviate health problems, reduce stress and make the spine supple. And, my self confession: this is not easy for me. I can’t even touch my toes, but know it is complete exercise program and an exploration into an alternative from my usual. I go once or twice a week. Sunday morning is by far may favorite class, and as the weeks pass feel it gets easier. I say all this, as we all start somewhere. When beginning a new routine, we often feel very much out of our comfort zone.  The unfamiliarity makes us uncomfortable. But in reality, we compete only against ourselves–not with the person next to us or across the room. And truth be said, probably everyone else is feeling the same way.   This is true whether it is the elliptical machine or posing in warrior 4 or riding bikes or lifting weights.  Really, it’s all about being in the moment, and taking care of us!  Exercise is an ideal way of releasing a build up of physical tension, and developing a regular exercise program to suit your particular body type and lifestyle will have numerous rewards.

Sing while you walk. Use a kick board & fins to swim. Take a dance class. Ride a bike. Take the stairs. Play tennis. Maybe for you, it is a brisk 30-minute walk, shooting hoops or kicking a soccer ball? We all need exercise to thrive. Our bodies thrive on movement. Our minds feel better!

Start small. Make it part of a lifestyle. Do something that you like. What did you like as a kid? Find what is right for you. Too much, too little or the wrong type doesn’t work. Listen to your body and the movement it desires. And, if necessary find a buddy to support you–exercising can be much more fun if you have fun while doing it!

Be Well–love and light,Yoga

Cathy

http://www.energiesofhealing.com

http://www.cathysilverhealth.com

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Kittygate . . .

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Cathy Silver

The debate and comments continue about the Red Tent, aka “kittygate” here in Delray Beach, Florida.  The polarity is quite astounding and I find myself drawn to blog once again, and ask, what is the bigger picture? Can we not live in harmony with the  animals?  Does everything have to conform to our will and whim?  Are versions of reality so different and our hearts so hardened and fear so rampant we cannot see fit to bring compassion to this situation?  This drama happening at the Red Tent has both sides firmly entrench in their beliefs based on their version of reality and of right and wrong. I still believe this is the shifting consciousness playing out but pose some rhetorical questions for the audience to ponder.

Taking this situation to the 10,000 foot level, can we extrapolate,  and ask: are we a microcosm for our current world? One side warring against beliefs of loving and compassionate acts of feeding, “nature”? Or the Oneness of us all? And, what I dare ask might be the bigger purpose of animals in our lives?

How do these and ALL animals fit into our world? Are they here to bring balance in our circles of energy? The balance of Mother Earth? After all, they do not carry hidden agendas. Certainly we know how much love pets bring to others, by the profound grief their owners experience when they leave. Love is an energy that cannot be defined but we can never forget our personal experience or hardly explain it to another.

Cats--Part of the flavor of divinity.

Cats–Part of the flavor of divinity.

And how can we judge these acts of kindness and caring? Lisa is a healer after all.  How can this be compartmentalized–one minute she is–and the next minute she is not?  In the Hindu tradition, Shasthi, the goddess of childbirth is depicted riding upon a cat. Hum–another level of energy and meaning?

Are traditional  domestic animals here to be loved and to love? So what about the wild ones? Are they excluded from love and caring? And just because that may not be our  way, is another way any less valued or important? Do the wild cats actually give us an opportunity to show compassion and unconditional love stretching us to look outside our point of view, habits, assumptions, and attitudes? Can we step aside to see the oneness and connectedness of our existence? Do these animals, by their very divine purpose of creation bring balance and centering for many who enter the Red Tent?  Are they here to help humanity? Are the cats in this story divine universal workers? The soup of divinity has many different flavors? Are they part of the flavor of God?

Are the animals here to support humanity while peace develops on earth? In the USA? In Florida?  In Delray Beach?  At the Red Tent? Peace on Earth must begin inside us.  We can no longer look outside and wait for others. Our acts of kindness and  compassion, will open our hearts and minds; spreading the light right here in a place that energetically is calling out for help.

“Realize that there are many things in the world for which no cause shall be found; not because it does not exist, but because we know to little to find it.”
Voyager by Diana Gabaldon

Be Well, and with Love and Light,

Cathy

http://www.Cathysilverhealth.com

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Practice Cooking? Stretch Yourself to Try Something New this Weekend!

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Cathy Silver
Make it your own--practice cooking. Organic and Healthy right from your own kitchen!

Make it your own–practice cooking. Organic and Healthy right from your own kitchen!

The music moved through me.  Classic Queen playing, the volume up–and heading into the kitchen to be creative.   This was a new recipe for me, but I thought only just to make it before sharing.  It was quick to make and I enjoyed every bite. (work well done–right?) Huevos Rancheros is something that would be great to serve for Sunday brunch–filling and satisfying and a break from the regular Sunday fare of bacon and eggs and toast.

Chef notes . . . I placed the black beans in a sauce pan rather than just sliding the black bean mixture aside as noted in the recipe below.  I liked the simplicity but chose to add onion, and 2 T. of poblano pepper that I keep frozen in my freezer.  If you are unfamiliar, they add flavor without adding heat.  Instead of the cheddar cheese, I crumbled organic feta goat cheese.  I found and used Mission yellow corn tortillas–because upon reading the ingredients list of many of the other varieties–all contained hydrogenated oil of some kind–and this is another word for trans fat and should not be in our food supply!* I also spooned the black bean mixture on top of the eggs–and served additional salsa on the side.  (Living almost 20 years in Texas, including El Paso, I grew fond of salsa with my eggs.)

Huevos Rancheros
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Fresh cilantro growing in my backyard was a nice addition.

Fresh cilantro growing in my backyard was a nice addition.

Yields: 2 servings
Ingredients:
4 eggs
4 tortillas
1/2 cup cooked black beans
1/2 cup medium salsa
Possible Toppings:
grated cheddar cheese
chopped scallions
chopped parsley or cilantro
tofu or almond milk cheese
Directions:
1. Heat tortillas in oven or toaster just until soft.
2. Warm salsa and black beans in a nonstick pan.
3. Move to one side. Crack eggs and cook 3-5 minutes to desired firmness.
4. Place two warm tortillas side-by-side on a warmed plate and slide eggs and half the salsa and beans
onto the tortillas.
5. Repeat with remaining eggs.
6. Garnish with your choice of topping

*From the New York Times–an Editorial published June 25th, 2005

“As things now stand, the FDA acknowledges that trans fats are unhealthy at any level, and yet maintains that the partially hydrogenated oils that contain them are basically safe.  The agency can’t have it both ways.”

Be Well, and in Love and Light,

Cathy

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Nutritional Bites: Trans-FAT–Take a second look!

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Cathy Silver
Look for the word "Hydrogenated"--If you see if--DON'T EAT IT!

Look for the word “Hydrogenated”–If you see if–DON’T EAT IT!

I was horrified as I read Martha White Yellow Corn Muffin mix contains “partially Hydrogenated soybean and Cotton seed oils.“ This means in layman’s terms: TRANS FAT. Yesterday, I pulled a box from my pantry shelf and read the ingredient list.  Unhappily, I proceeded to make the mix–but called the company asking if the ingredients had changed. No, I was told after I gave the pleasant-voiced customer service woman the bar code on the box.  How does this happen?  Companies are allowed by law  to label their Nutritional Facts  “0 trans fat” if it is less than 500 mg. per serving; sneaky and untruthful. Especially given the amount of unhealth and disease in this country: Coronary Heart Disease, Blood Lipids, Insulin Resistance, Inflammatory Dysfunction, Blood Pressure . . . It was the echoing voice in my head from Walter Willet, MD, PhD and Chairman of Harvard’s school of Public Health, “on a gram for gram basis–trans fats are twice as bad as saturated fats, which should make you pretty concerned.” Trans fat also lower the good HDL cholesterol. Trans fats are used because they increase shelf life. Great. The manufacturers are worried about their bottom line–not our well-being. So I put this out here to anyone who will listen, read the ingredient list and be discerning; it may ultimately save your life. You know, its kind of like teaching your kids to look both ways before crossing the street! I also began to  wonder, is it GMO corn? Probably–another day and another blog. We always have a choice, and in the end, FYI, I threw out the corn bread; choosing not to serve it for dinner.

Be Well,

Cathy

Blocks of trans-fat in the bottom left hand corner--preserve shelf life--NOT OUR LIFE!

Blocks of trans-fat in the bottom left hand corner–preserve shelf life–NOT OUR LIFE!

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Balance for 2013

Posted on January 2, 2013 by Cathy Silver

This was a big Ah-ha moment when I read this and I share it with you this morning–

"Permission for life extension, and it’s going to start withwater!" Kryon

“Permission for life extension, and it’s going to start with
water!” Kryon

NUMBER 1:

“The very cells of the body sit in a water bath. Life sits in a water bath. The
earth is mostly water. Water will now start to show you something you never saw
before . . . energies of healing. Watch for a plethora of water cures on this planet!
Water is the life of this planet. It is alive with the essence of healing. It is the vehicle for
live essence, and this is what has been meant all along—a live-essence curative energy
in water! There will be a whole number of them that you will think of as being “energetic water”.

“. . . Certain kinds of treatments of water, both natural and by using
magnetism, chemistry, and atomic structure affect the interdimensional life
within it. This, therefore, changes the very attributes of the life within it. When
ingested into the interdimensional Human Being, these attributes of life in water then
interact with the water in your body.

Rejuvenation at the cellular level. It includes permission for life extension, and it’s going to start with
water!” KRYON ON WATER—BOOK VIII– PASSING THE MARKER

A live-essence curative energy in water?

A live-essence curative energy in water?

Be Well, and with Love and Light,

Cathy

http://www.energiesofhealing.com

http://www.kangendemo.com

Filed under: Alkaline-ionized micro-clustered mineral rich water, Alternative Medicine, Energies of Healing, FOOD, Healthy Living, Kangen Water, Self-help, Weight Loss | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

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