This has become my staple recipe for basic sourdough. I use a Nutri-Mill to grind my spelt berries into flour. I use the Real Salt brand for our celtic salt, and filter the water through our Berkey. I feed my starter organic pastry flour from Azure. For the process on freshening the starter and benefits of sourdough, check out this post. I freshen my starter in the warmer months around 5pm and start the dough at 8-9pm. In the cooler months, I freshen my starter in the late morning sometime and do the dough later in the evening.

(almost ready to bake!)

Spelt Sourdough Bread

(enough for 4 loaves)

Ingredients:

• 5-6 cups active starter
• 5 cups filtered water
• 2 TB Real Salt
• 14-16 cups spelt flour (check for right consistency as ever flour is different, especially the difference between freshly milled and not)

Method:

1. Add ingredients as order above in mixer (I use a Bosch), adding flour 2 cups at a time or so.
2. Mix ingredients until the dough is not too wet and not too dry (you’ll have to check it as you get at the end of the amount of flour added)
3. Mix on setting 3-4 for about 5 minutes if using a Bosch and on a medium speed if using other mixer for about 7-8 minutes.
4. Take out and place in fridge (in a plastic or ceramic dish, not metal).
5. Leave overnight in fridge, next morning first thing take it out.
6. Grease and dust bread pans (I use palm shortening and rice flour).
7. Allow to do a second rising until it reaches just to the top of the bread pan (about 3 hours or longer in winter).
8. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 415 for 15 minutes.
9. Turn oven down to 350 and continue to bake for another 30-35 minutes.
10. Take out of pans and allow to cool on their sides (or if the bottom is quite browned, you can cool it on the bottoms).

In an effort to create recipes that are simple and utilize only a few items, I am modifying some of my baking recipes. My older children are in the kitchen more and needing recipes, so this is one we adapted for them to bake their own snacks.

(Caleb (13) making cookies – nevermind the morning mess on the counter)

Sprouted Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup organic butter, (we like Rumiano from Azure)
• 2 cups sucanat
• 1 tsp pink salt
• 2 tsp baking soda, aluminum free
• dash stevia powder
• 4 pastured eggs
• 6 cups sprouted flour (we use one from Azure)
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Mix butter and sugar together until smooth.
3. Add salt and baking soda and mix until combined.
4. Scrape sides and then add one egg at a time, mixing in completely.
5. Add 1 cup of flour at a time until achieving a good firm consistency.
6. Add chocolate chips (and any additionals – like nuts or coconut flakes)
7. Mix the rest by hand to be sure all flour is off bottom of mixer bowl.
8. Scoop out and bake cookies at 375 for 12-14 minutes.
9. Cool and enjoy with some fresh milk!

Was looking through old posts looking for a good “diet” to adhere to while one is trying to shed some unwanted weight. Here is a re-post from one I did two babies ago (yes, that’s how I count most everything, not years, but babies. Love them!)

The baby fat from this last pregnancy (#8) has been the hardest to lose! I do understand why. Many different organs and body systems have to be working correctly in order for the body to properly metabolize stored fat (on its own as designed, without extra metabolism boosters and dietary fads). The body naturally was created to desire to maintain a comfortable body weight – one just right for your body type. Not too skinny, not too heavy, just right. In order to obtain this, certain body systems have to be detoxed and working efficiently, or no matter the diet or exercise has little impact, so it seems.  Here’s the check list of important organs/systems to have in order for optimal weight loss:

• Thyroid/Hypothalamus/Pituitary
• Pancreas
• Liver/Gallbladder
• Colon
• Lymphatic

1. DO A MAJOR DETOX: A real simple way to make sure everything is working right would be doing an overall detox/cleansing program. Look for quality companies, no fillers, just herbs and foods. I like Garden of Life products,Nature’s Sunshine, Dr. Christopher or Dr. Schultze and the like. Check out the notes from our detox workshop and get on a good program.
2. Check for specific problem areas:

• Do you have a low thyroid? If so, get some sea vegetables to support it (Pure Herbs TW, for example).
• Do you have low or high blood sugar issues? Get lots of protein, stay away from all sugar sources, and get a good pancreatic support (Nature’s Sunshine Pro-Pancreas, for example).
• Do you have Leaky Gut? Get on the GAPS diet.
• Do you have colitis or other colon issues? Do similar GAPS diet, but also take a colon support (Dr. Christopher, or Chinese Medicinal Herbal Combinations – see a local acupuncturist).
• Congested Liver or Reoccurring Gallstones? Get a good liver support (Nature’s Sunshine has several, like this one. I am sure there are many others. OrGallbladder Formula). Getting that liver and gallbladder cleaned out will make a huge impact. Drinking 5-10 drops of lemon essential oil by Young Living or other reputable sources in water each day will also support and cleanse.
• Over-worked lymphatic? Do some skin brushing, rebounding, lemongrass essential oil on the bottom of the feet twice a day, drinking green drinks (greens blended in the blender with water – up to a quart a day). Barley grass and other grass powders are also very helpful.

3. Stick with your Real Foods Lifestyle with these alterations:

• Drink/eat only fermented fresh dairy – drinking raw milk has sugars we are trying to avoid at this time (think yogurt, kefir, soured cream)
• Eat only sourdough or sprouted bread minimally (1-2 slices a day).
• Eat 1 meal with properly prepared grains (like brown rice, soaked barley, or others).
• Avoid starchy vegetables that would add to the sugar count (like potatoes).
• NO refined Sugar at all – no sucanat, nada. Healthy sugar is fine when you get to your desired weight. For now, use Stevia – NuNaturals, without any flavorings or raw honey (if you don’t have high blood sugar issues).
• Eat all the healthy fats, non-starchy vegetables, properly prepared nuts/seeds, fermented, organic, preferably raw and pastured dairy and pastured, organic meats and eggs that you would like!

4. Moderate exercise: Try to get in some stretching, walking, playing with your kids, going on nature walks, doing some weight lifting with your older kids… you get the picture. Stay active. Use your rebounder for 5-10 minutes a day. It’s not about working out for hours.This is a life-style, not a diet. So, the exercise should be something you can do in real life, with all the kids, and in budget and within time restraints.

5. Take some Moringa leaf or other superfood multi-vitamin to be sure you’re filling in all the gaps, especially if you have one or more compromised systems you’re working on strengthening.

6. Keep eating your fermented veggies – these will act not only as an amazing food enzyme, but a probiotic and powerhouse of nutrients. Shoot for 1-2 Tablespoons each meal.

7. Be prayerful! Keep a thankful journal and stay connected to the Ultimate Healer for wisdom and guidance.

That’s it! Losing weight shouldn’t be so difficult. Clean up and avoid simple sugars. If you’re already on a Real Foods diet, this should be an easy move for you. If you’re still transitioning over to a Real Foods diet, keep at it! Learn all you can. Make those baby steps, or go major! Whatever is going to work for you.

**If you are nursing or pregnant, you cannot use the detox herbs. If you’re nursing or pregnant and want to clean up minimally, I recommend Detox + from Bulk Herb Store – something with just activated charcoal or bentonite clay in it. These will absorb toxins without circulating them to the baby. Other than that, do NOT CUT CALORIES. You can do the above Real Foods diet with the alterations, but never go hungry. Remember you have a little one counting on you! Eat extra helpings of soup, salad, yogurt, lots of healthy fats, etc.

God be with you as you go on your journey to complete health! Remember that weight loss is the added benefit of a healthy lifestyle and optimally functioning organs. Watch for healthy, nourishing sugar free dessert recipes. I started on this a week ago, so I will be posting recipes, like chocolate bars 😉