The Modern Hippy

     It seems, though not confirmed by tests as of yet, that Rick has a gluten allergy or sensitivity. On Valentine’s Day he had shredded wheat for breakfast and felt horrible all day long. After that, he refused to eat gluten, and has taken great pains to avoid it. And surprise, he feels much better. In fact, he says that he feels better than he has in three years.
     Even if the tests come back without a definite ruling of “You are gluten intolerant, or have celiac’s ”, chances are he will continue to avoid it. That may happen because it has been two weeks since he has knowingly ingested gluten.

     So the grocery list has changed just a little. Because of all the rules and regulation that exist in the food labeling world I have to learn some new things to watch out for. I have to double check simple things like spices because sometimes things like wheat protein or something like that is added. Ridiculous, irritating that there are some many things that are not as they appear. Why can we not just have spices without fillers?
     Luckily, my mother has been doing the mostly “gluten-free” or GF thing for many years, far back beyond the days of finding Bob’s Red Mill products in many grocery stores. I’ve borrowed a book and will write a review once I am through. Luckily, in the last few years a lot of research has been done and many more gluten-free products have become available.

     Check back in a few weeks as I update The Modern Hippywith wonderful recipes and stories about my new cooking ideas.

     For many people animals are not a part of their lives. I think it is sad. Animals can be the best therapy, walking or other activity companion, bed-fellow and cheerful alarms. I consider myself very lucky. Animals have always been a big part of my life. I grew up in the country where animals dotted my parents home, outside and inside. When I was 12 I got my own dog, though I am a firm believer that we belong to animals. Her name was Guess. She was born on September 24th 1996. Sadly, this Tuesday, February 16th, my baby left us for what I have always imagined a beautiful place, doggie heaven. Though I am not religious and am not sure if there is life after death; if there is a heaven I would like to think that our constant companions, pets of any size, that steal our hearts, will wait for us to join them.
     I am heartbroken and will miss her very much – she has been a companion for half of my life. I have always felt a closer link to my furry friends than to most people.

     I have never made egg drop soup before, and actually never liked it at the restaurants. Rick on the other hand, loves it. The last time we made it, Rick was the one whom did it and I just watched. At the time, we were not eating totally healthy so we used the flavoring packet from Top Ramen. We will not be doing that ever again. Can you say MSG?

     All the recipes that I looked up had chicken stock listed as the base, but I didn’t have chicken bones to make chicken stock and will not use anything else that I do not make. I looked up how to make veggie stock and made that. It was so much better than veggie stock that comes in a can. Of course, it gave the soup a different flavor and because of the half jalapeño I added to the stock, a little bite.

     You will need the following:
• 4 cups of veggie or chicken stock
• 2 eggs
• Sea salt
• Green onions (I didn’t have any left after making the stock so there are not green onions.)

     Bring the stock to a gentle boil, add the chopped onion, taste, add salt, taste. Gently whisk the two eggs in a separate bowl. This next part may require two people. Turn off the heat just before you add the eggs. Hold a fork around 8 inches above the stock and gently pour the eggs through the fork. Stir the stock as the egg is poured. It is supposed to slow down the flow and create the little ribbons. I did not get the perfect little swirly egg ribbons as you can see in the picture, not sure why. It does not affect the way it tastes in my opinion. And Rick really liked it. If you make this on occasion and have any tips feel free to let me know!

     Since moving to Everett January 1, I have not been able to go to my favorite grocery store, Central Market as often. I go when I work and I do not work every day. Someone reminded me that there is a food co-op in north Everett, the Sno-Isle Food Co-op. Yes! It’s less than a mile from here. Today I went out, on Valentine’s Day for my “treat”. Though normally I hate grocery shopping, the aisles can be too small, the people rude. If I can browse a store that is full of alternative things without rushing, I’ll actually have fun and find cool things.
     I did, must have taken 20 minutes and I walked out with five things, nutritional yeast, an oatmeal mix, castile soap, hazelnut milk and Flax4Life muffins. The muffins are what I will rave about. I have had them before. Today, I bought them for Rick and for me. Though we know nothing for certain, Rick may have a gluten allergy. We’ll know if he does have a certain, very uncomfortable allergy in about a week or more. This morning he had shredded wheat with almond milk and was feeling sick within an hour. Our deduction went a little like this. Yogurt, which he also had, does not make him feel ill. All the ingredients in the hazelnut milk he has had before without problems. The shredded wheat is the only thing that seems to bother him. Each time he has tried it he has felt poorly. It takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours for things to move from the stomach to the small intestine, which is where the problem would be if he had this certain problem. (Think, like celiac disease.)
     He was so miserable he swore off wheat today. I felt bad for him because I know he may be forced to give up all sorts of yummy things. Though he doesn’t eat a lot of wheat, mostly artisan breads, gluten allergies cuts out more than just bread – some noodles, buns, cakes, muffins, and many cereals. As I was browsing today, I ran across the muffins I had enjoyed so much in the fall last year. I bought Tantalizing Cranberry and Orange muffins. They are gluten free and are actually healthy because of all the natural ingredients and one specific ingredient, flax that is very high in omega 3 fatty acids. These little bits of heaven are made in my favorite town, Bellingham, Washington. They have a cute little website, will ship to you, and are carried in many local stores and co-ops. Please check out Flax4Life. Baker Kasondra has family members whom have celiac disease. A simple over view of this disease is that it is an allergy to gluten, which kills the villi in the small intestine, which impedes absorption of nutrients, resulting in unhappy, unhealthy people. The fix for this disease is to quit eating gluten-containing foods. Read the About Us page for the full story.
     I have tried the tantalizing cranberry & orange and the chunky chocolate chip. There are three other flavors, wild blueberry, faithful carrot raisin, and Hawaiian pineapple coconut. I can hardly wait to try them! It’s great for this “modern hippy” because I was supporting the local co-op and a local baker – thus great for the environment. These muffins have only traveled about 60 miles from Bellingham to Everett, versus many big brands that must travel many states to get here from their huge plants.
     Oh and of course so far, Rick has no complaints, he thinks they are wonderful!

     I’ve been on a no-red meat kick. Do in part to a serious decrease in funds, we have not been able to buy higher quality meats. I noticed the other day that the ones we started buying we making me feel ill. Just after I would finish eating I would feel like I had eaten a fast-food burger. So I quit trying to force the stuff and set out to the pantry looking for alternatives. I know beans and rice is the ultimate combo of veggie friendly foods for protein so I used up my canned beans and the rice I bought around the holidays. After about a day of no cheap meat, I felt a million times better.
     I have started experimenting. I made this “stir fry” tonight. Using left over rice I sautéed it in olive oil and walnut oil. Spices of chili, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, coriander, oregano, chopped up roasted almonds, some broccoli, and an egg added after everything was finished cooking, I came up with a fantastic meal. I do not follow precise recipes so if you want to try it experiment, taste, have fun. Make sure though that you do not over cook whatever veggie you add. Over cooking foods diminished their nutritional value. Your end result will be a tasty delight of textures and tastes.

     I will say that I am not advocating turning “veggie”. If you so choose to cut out all meats there is extra work involved in preparing a balanced meal. Protein is essential for a healthy body. Above all, whether or not you are a vegetarian, vegan or non-denominational fussy person like myself – listen to you body. If you feel sick after eating a food, don’t make yourself eat it again. Cravings are your body’s way of letting you know that the balance is lost.
     Please also remember I am not a nutritionist but a passionate person whom tries to make food choices that I believe in, whether it be to cut out cheap meats or to eat organic-free range chicken or only fish. If you feel you are missing something, please find a reputable nutritionist whom will listen and respect your ideals/morals. They do exist and will be happy to help once you find them. Until next time – happy cooking!

     We all work too much. Most of us eat poorly and most of us screw up our relationships with everyone. But we all get our coffee or tea, we all get to work on time and work late to make our checks bigger. Many of us look fabulous while waiting for our caffeine carrier of choice. We all try to pay our bills, most of which are not necessary for survival. Most of us get fat now. Most of us will have a disease caused or complicated by our weight. But we all still put in 40 hours a week. Sometimes meals are skipped but rarely medications for the ache in our slumped shoulders or the depression that hides our smiles. Why? Americans have horrible reputations now, not just because of our leaders but because we are self-righteous, impatient, drinking coffee out of a disposable cup, honking our horns because the bitch in front of us didn’t take that tiny second chance to turn left on a busy street. Why? Take time to choose the “for here” options at the coffee shop. Remember that turning left means you have to cross two or more lanes of opposing traffic and that we never get enough sleep so that woman in front of you might need a bigger opening because her reaction time is much slower than yours because she was up all night with a sick kid. We are all so self-centered and paranoid, thinking the whole world is out to make us late.
     Why not opt out of over-time not required? Go home early; pick up your kids early from daycare and go to a park. Kiss your lover longer than normal. Turn off your television and listen to the sounds out the window. Most of the things we think we need are bogus. Everyone needs food and water, a place to sleep, a way to get those things and maybe a hobby, time to sleep and time to eat, time to raise your own kids, instead of handing them off to someone else. All the other stuff is extra, enslaving things that bring no satisfactions beyond nasty competition no one admits between themselves and neighbors, friends or family to have “more”.

     Sunday I spent a day in Bellingham, “touring” with friends whom live there, to experience things I have not seen. It is calling my name – nature and a smaller, slower moving community. I had forgotten how clean the air smells and feels away from the city. Later I was looking at this picture and thought something was different – I figured it out…. no concrete in this picture.

     Please forgive the lessening of posts in the last few weeks. We are going through a lot. My husband lost his job in November and his chronic disease is progressing to the point of preventing him from getting another job. It’s hard not to fall into a sad pathetic pity party. I have been reading a lot of books that are non-fiction, informational, about holistic health. Once I finish them, I’ll write reviews.

     I have also decided to go back to school. It may not be this year, but I have accepted that with a struggling economy being a massage therapist is not consistent enough for us. I need something that will provide stability that we need so that we can deal with Rick’s illness. Inconsistency causes stress that makes Rick worse. Nursing seems to be the direction for me. Since I am not pleased with western medicine, I will choose a more holistic approach, hopefully utilizing aromatherapy, massage and anything else I learn along the way.
     I have also decided to give up my business. I no longer have the energy or desire to continue with something that takes so much time away from Rick. As of March 1, I will hand over the business side of my job to the chiropractor with whom I work. Also, I will continue to work in that office until late spring, early summer and then we are moving again, to a smaller town up north, either Skagit Valley somewhere or near Bellingham. Snohomish county is too big for us.
     On the plus side I will continue with The Modern Hippy. I am trying to recruit a couple of friends to write guest posts. So perhaps this site will continue to grow with new information and different takes on green living. Stay tuned!

     A couple of days ago I realized I was almost out of my Avalon Organics shampoo and conditioner. At the same time, odd because that never happens. So I went off to the store in looking for another alternative to rotated into my hair care. I found that Central Market carried Beauty Without Cruelty products. I found shampoo and conditioner, along with hair spray and something else. How exciting. I’ve been using their face products off and on for the last several years. I love them!

     So after looking at the three options at the store I decided, in part because of scent and purpose, to get the Lavender Highland Shampoo and the Moisture Plus Conditioner. The great thing about these products is they smell like the “real” thing – because they actually contain real ingredients and rarely sensitizing ingredients. They aren’t perfect, I learned recently that one of the common ingredients, ascorbic acid or vitamin C, is actually synthetic, not what comes from oranges. However, it’s a start and has not caused me problems. I applaud this company for providing cost effective decent products that are usually vegan (thus cruelty free) and less harsh that other common brands commonly found in stores.

     My opinion after the first usage this morning is: I’m a fan of both. They both smell wonderful. My scalp or hair did not feel stripped. The consistency of the shampoo is thinner than a normal shampoo, which is not a negative or positive. The conditioner was not too thin and coated well. Some natural conditioners can feel too thin. I did have to wash my hair more than once – that however, is not out of the norm. After washing and conditioning I could comb through my hair easily. We’ll see what happens after a week or more. Basically, I am glad I bought it.