Oatmeal Pancake Recipe

I needed a breakfast to feed the family and immediately thought, "Pancakes!" I did not have the time or resources to make super healthy ones, so I opted for some pancake mix. I pulled the bag down and I only had about a cup and a half of mix. I improvised and the end result was a big hit.

In fact, my daughter Lyvie said, "this is the greatest thing I've ever eaten!" Here some pics and the recipe!


Oatmeal Pancakes
This pancakes are so delicious. They are moderately healthy. If you have a gluten issue, you can purchase gluten free pancake mix and gluten free oats.


Ingredients:

• 3 part oats to 1 part pancake mix
• Cinnamon to taste
• Vanilla to taste
• 1/4 cup (or less) Vanilla Agave Nectar (see ad below for link)
• Warm water until pancake mix consistency

Directions

1. Ladle or pour onto hot griddle in pancake size portions.
2. Flip.

You will have a super yummy, moderately healthy, oatmeal cookie tasting - PANCAKE!

Effective Treatment for Alopecia - Part 2

I am not a doctor. I am not prescribing this plan in an attempt to treat a disease or illness. This is merely my opinion and the results of my own experience. Consult with your doctor before ceasing any medication.

Here we go, Part 2 of this blog series on how I effectively treated my Alopecia. I have gotten a few questions, so I wanted to address those in this blog.

How long were you on the diet?

I have now been on a modified version of the vegan diet (as mentioned in Part 1 of this blog series) for nearly a year now. I say modified because I cheat - often! I cheat out of laziness, being so busy, and pure cravings. However, I eat vegan more often than I do not.

How much hair growth did you have?

I only did the Fish Oil for about a month. I gave my bottle to a family member who needed it worse than I did. However, I am buying a new bottle today. That said, in the month that I did the fish oil, I did have peach fuzz on my head and nothing more. This is significant because I have had AU for over 25 years with no regrowth.

I am not going into this to grow hair but rather to build my cells and immune system. Hair growth would just be the icing on the cake.

Where do you get your calcium if you are not drinking milk?

This is a big one! Here is a FAQ that answers the why and now I will answer the what! I get my calcium through natural plant sources and then supplement with Vitamin D so that it is better absorbed.

Here are some plant sources of calcium (as found on Livestrong.com):

• Green Leafy Vegetables
• Legumes
• Nuts and Seeds
• Whole Grains

In Part 3 of this blog series, I'll answer more questions and maybe even throw in a delicious non-dairy milk recipe!

Effective Treatment for Alopecia - Part 1

I am not a doctor. I am not prescribing this plan in an attempt to treat a disease or illness. This is merely my opinion and the results of my own experience. Consult with your doctor before ceasing any medication.

While speaking at Alopeciapalooza last week, I made mention of how I used my diet to effective treat the symptoms of Alopecia. It is my desire to use what I have learned to help other, and not to profit from my experience. So here it is (for free) my personal treatment plan.

Omit from your diet:
All dairy and as many animal products as possible.
I completely removed milk, cheese, yogurt, and anything else containing dairy. I saw immediate results with this. My IBS symptoms disappeared and I saw much less joint pain and headaches.

Watch out for hidden sources of dairy. You do have to read labels. I'll be sure to list some calcium sources in my next blog along with other valuable information, including how to respond to negative comments about your diet. This will help it to not seem so overwhelming!

I personally removed almost all animal products. I occasionally enjoyed a little seafood and rarely some free range chicken or an egg. Other than that, animal products gone! It was easy once I got used to it. Trust me - healthy tastes much better than animal products.

Gluten be gone! I'm currently seeing a connection with gluten as well. I have found that if you remove all the processed junk, you remove most of the gluten. More fresh fruits and vegetables equals less gluten! I also cut out as much bread as I can, this helps as well. I try to buy gluten-free options when possible and affordable.

Supplement with:

• Pharmax Fish Oil (daily) - providing much needed Omegas. I believe this was a key contributor of my hair regrowth.
• Juicing - My favorite recipe. (As often as possible - at least once or twice a day. Don't let the word "weightloss" throw you - it can be used as a snack instead of a meal replacement.)
  Store bought juice does not count. This has to be freshly extracted juice made from a juicer - not a blender.

Improvements include:

• My monthly cycle completely regulated itself.
• IBS symptoms gone.
• No more headaches.
• Joint pain gone (including pain from ruptured discs in my back).
• Energy renewed.
• Glowing skin!
• Nails became healthy.
• A little hair growth.

Vegan Report Card - Target

Store: Target
Location:  Gastonia, NC 
Vegan Friendly Grade:  C


When this brand spanking new Target (now with Fresh Grocery) opened - the whole town got excited!  Yep - me too!  As nice as it is, I would have to give it a mid grade.  The vegan selections were not as impressive as I had hoped they would be.


Here are the vegan pros and cons of this Target store.

Let's start with what is missing:

• No refrigerated faux vegan products - no soy dogs, Vegenaise, or Daiya cheese.
• No vegan or organic pet food.
• Very weak organic make-up selection.
• Most disappointing gluten-free offering.
• Very limited (if any) organic produce.

What was all right!

• Vegan snack options galore, include smoothie drinks for kids!
• Decent selection of "milk" options.
• Several non-chemical based cleaning product options.

Huge Redeeming Factor!!!

This Target store had a massive spice section with affordable spices.  I loved the little bottles and found msyelf really wanting to buy one of each.

All things considered, I would shop at this store to purchase snacks and spices but I would not use this Target store as my grocery shopping destination.




Code Red Alert!


Lyvie loved the Cutie drinks (made by the same folks that bring you the Cutie clementines) - I read the ingredients and they were all approved ingredients.

It wasn't until I went to the website that I found that some of them are not Vegan Approved!  New blog to come on that - the site says that each drink has 10 grams of Whey protein!  The one that Lyvie drank, Tangerine Pineapple did not have that ingredient on the label.  I'm looking into it!

WHAT?


Disclaimer:  I do not own, represent, or work for any brand mentioned in this blog.  I was not paid or provided with product to write this review.  This review is pure opinion based on my own shopping experience.  To submit your product for review, click here.

Breaking a Family Curse - Belly Fat!!!

EE and my beautiful Mother in 1964

All the ladies on my Mother's side of the family make reference to "Voncile's Belly."  My grandmother, who I affectionately referred to as "EE" was cursed with a bloated belly.  She was a thin, attractive lady but still had a belly.  I have always seen it as always looking like we are 4 months pregnant.  We have all allowed that characteristic to remain in our appearance because it we viewed it as a physical curse passed on from EE.

I can recall being a size 6 and still needing to wear a girdle.  That was so frustrating!

I've switched to a vegan (plant-based) diet in the last year and I've been surprised at how I lose weight but the belly fat remains.  WHAT?  That didn't seem fair that I was depriving myself of cheese and still have belly fat.  (The reminder of the cows not suffering engorgement for my cheese consumption brings me out of my pity party.)

Someone at my work mentioned that gluten is a common culprit in keeping belly fat - well, fat.  A light bulb went off!  Don't worry I'm bald so nothing to catch on fire...

So I tested this theory!

I woke up one morning after not having any gluten the days before and was amazed when I put on a dress with no girdle and no belly fat.

Keep in mind, I am the biggest I have ever been and I am trying to lose weight.  I have been wearing a size 12 dress because of my belly.  This was an empire waist dress so it was a size 8.

I looked in the mirror and saw a clean line.  No belly fat!  The dress looked very nice...

Two hours later I ate some homemade zucchini bread and guess what?  I found myself trying to hide my protruding belly under the conference table in our meeting.  That light bulb turned on me, busted me over the head and said, "I told you so."

So - this week without gluten, I have lost 5 pounds and the bloating is gone!

I know it is hard to imagine a life without gluten but it can be done and it is so worth it!

Feature Friday is Back...

I took a breat from writing the Feature Friday posts during the holidays because we were so busy! We're still super busy but I missed writing them. I thought I'd do a 2011 Feature Friday Recap for you. This will be a great quick reference to the notes I wrote last year!

In 2012 I have some great Feature Friday ideas. After all, Hallelujah Acres is celebrating our 20th Anniversary and I plan to have a lot of fun with that!

2011 Feature Friday in Review

What I'm Thankful For
This was my last note of 2011 and I took a moment to speak from my heart and share what I was thankful for. This was post just before Thanksgiving and I enjoyed the time of reflection.

A Vegan Thanksgiving
This note features vegan recipes covering all the courses of a holiday meal. These are not only delicious but they take the stress out of trying to keep a traditional meal on the table.

Desserts!
We all love desserts and it is the one thing that some people miss most when adopting a healthy diet. This note made took the guilt out of this pleasure in life. The post offers recipes, phone apps, and videos.

Our Kale Chips are Green!
I answered questions on the "green" factor of our Kale Chips. I also offered some suggestions on how you can recycle the Kale packaging.

Let's Talk Detox...
Do you know what detox is? This post discusses the symptoms, details, and remedies on detox.

Thyroid
This is a common issue that we get asked about so I wrote a note about. This note details iodine, vegetables to avoid, and other dietary suggestions.

Hypoglycemia
Inspired by a blog post of AM & PM, this note focuses on the symptoms of hypoglycemia and how to deal with this while on the Hallelujah Acres' Diet.

Weather Preparedness
This note was written during a time of bad weather. Considering that most of us juice, process, blend, and dehydrate - a power outage would leave us nibbling on lettuce! This note tells ways to cope with an outage and how to prepare for such an event.

Kids
A detailed compilation of articles, books, videos, and tips for raising kids on the Hallelujah Acres' diet.

Blogging
Do you have a blog? This is a post about being inspired to blog and why you may want to have your own blog.

Common Misconceptions About the Diet
You shared the common misconceptions you've faced and I offered the answers to those questions. Topics covered include protein, calcium, muscles, boredom, and the meat argument.

Sprouting Tips
Fellow Facebook users offered tips for sprouting. You asked for it and we delivered!

The Hallelujah Acres' Diet on the Job
This note explains how to be on the Hallelujah Acres' Diet when you have to travel or work outside the home. All first hand advice that makes it work!

Overabundant Harvest
This Summer we were asked, "what do I do with all these vegetables?" If you are harvesting more than you can eat, there are ways to perserve them and we talk about them here.

July 4th BBQ - Vegan?
No ribs or meat burgers at this BBQ! This note offers some great Summer recipes!

Vegan Vacation...
This post made it easy to have a go-to place for all the many nuggets of advice given for travelling while on a vegan diet.

Vegan Mayonaise
A burger and sandwich staple, mayonaise does not have to be history with vegan alternatives available. All the details are found in this note!

Vegan Pizza
Need I say more?

Tips from Willi, the Hallelujah Acres' Organic Gardener
Willi, the Organic Gardner at Hallelujah Acres, was kind enough to take the time to compile a list of gardening tips. This post gives you those tips! Thank you Willi!

The Very First Feature Friday
I admittedly used this first Feature Friday for a shameless plug of Health Ministers Training. Don't get too upset - I'm sure I'll do it again this year!

Thank you all for a wonderful year in 2011 and I look forward to 2012!!! What Feature Friday topic would you like to see in 2012?

Holiday Food Rant...

I had a bad week on the diet front. I ate horribly because of a super busy schedule. I am paying for this physically!!! Now on to my rant!

If I can't handle eating right when I am busy, what am I going to do about the Holidays? Food is huge during the holidays for my family. This is what we do! We have so many traditions that are focused on food. I am on the quest to find replacements for all my traditional Holiday favorites!

I know I am not going to find a Turkey replacement but what about everything else? Suggestions are appreciated!

I have found a Raw Pumpkin Pie and I just found a Gravy Recipe today. Oh, I totally plan to make this Sweet Potato Casserole because I LOVE coconut. Also, I can make cranberries by using agave nectar and oranges. So, what's left?

Vegan Versions of the Following:

1. Really fluffy mashed potatoes
2. Magic Cookie Bars
3. Green Bean Casserole
4. Stuffing
5. Pecan Pie
6. Some type of whole wheat dinner roll

Do you have a great vegan holiday recipe? If so, please share!

Fell off the bandwagon and hit by a truck!

Lesson learned!!!

I fell off the whole foods, plant based diet bandwagon and paid a great price for it. We had a crazy busy weekend and although I didn't spend it eating tons of animal flesh, I did eat some really unhealthy stuff. Then my daughter had to be taken to the hospital for a fever and it just went downhill from there.

There's a saying that goes, "I feel like I've been hit by a truck." WELL, when I fell off the bandwagon - I was hit by a truck! I am so sick now! I've got this unrelenting cold that is turning into bronchitis that is keeping me up all night coughing and gasping for air. Miserable I tell you!

So, it's back on the Raw Vegan bandwagon for me. I don't like this feeling at all and I am not willing to feel this bad anymore!

1. Probiotics - check!
2. BarleyMax - check!
3. Processed sugary foods

Keep checking back, I've tried a new hair care product that I love! I'll be sure to post a review one day this week.

Camp Cuisine

I spent the week at Alopeciapalooza. It was a great week. I made new friends and got to catch up with some old ones. Flew bald - that was pretty awesome. (If that just totally confused you - just read my bio and it will all make sense).

I was really worried about being vegan at camp. Vegan - at camp! One more time, vegan - at camp! You know camp, ice cream, milk, cheese, yogurt, hamburgers, sausage, hot dogs, pizza, bacon, CAMP! I am proud to announce that I totally did it with only one slip up - I did have some chocolate cake with some vanilla ice cream. It was a childhood thing - had to relive it.

I ate salads at lunch and dinner and fruit at breakfast. It wasn't really all that hard. I even had a vegetarian pizza in the airport! I'm pretty awesome - I'm just sayin...