Low Carb Bread Recipe

 My sister found this recipe for very low carb bread using flax meal instead of flour.  It is not made in a bread pan the traditional way, but on a flat pan ( I used my Pampered Chef baking stone),  It is quick and easy to prepare and tastes YUMMY!

The only changes I made were that I used greased wax paper instead of parchment since I didn't have any and used 1 1/2 tablespoons of sugar.  If you like a sweeter bread, just add a little more sugar substitute.   Next time I am going to try adding some shredded cheddar, and then make some with garlic and shredded onions.......OH, YEAH!!

To make this recipe, you will need the following:

2 cups flax seed meal
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1-2 Tablespoons sugar equivalent from artificial sweetener
 5 beaten eggs
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup oil

Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare pan (a 10X15 pan with sides works best) with oiled parchment paper or a silicone mat.

1) Combine dry ingredients and mix well using a whisk

2) Add wet to dry, and combine well. Make sure there aren't obvious strings of egg white hanging out in the batter  (I didn't have this problem)

3) Let batter set for 2 to 3 minutes to thicken up some.  Leaving it too long will bring your batter past the point where it's easy to spread

4) Pour batter onto pan.  Because it's going to tend to mound in the middle, you'll get a more even thickness if you spread it away from the center somewhat, in roughly a rectangle an inch or two from the sides of the pan. For me, the bread was a little bit thick so next time I am going to spread my batter out to the edges of my pan

5) Bake for about 20 minutes, until it springs back when you touch the top and/or is visibly browner even more than flax already is

6) Cool and cut into whatever size slices you want. You don't need a sharp knife; I usually just cut it with a spatula.  The recipe says you will get 12 pieces but I cut mine into 15 smaller ones

If you try this recipe, please come on back and let us know if you liked it! :D

 

 Doesn't that look DELISH?

ENJOY! 
 
Nutritional Information: Each of 12 servings has less than a gram of effective carbohydrate (.7 grams to be exact) plus 5 grams fiber, 6 grams protein, and 185 calories.

Farm TV Episode 4 and a Busy Day

It's been a busy day here in the holler. We fed and watered all our animals, cleaned out part of the garden, did laundry, started to fix the latch on the coop door, and fixed the tarp on the run for our girls.  The weather had really taken a toll on the last one we had, tearing big holes in some sections and shredding the rest.  Now they have a place to go when it rains and to get out of the sun.

 

On days when we are all gone, I put the girls in the smaller run and the ladies in the bigger section.  Our girls are still a little small to put in with the bigger ones and are still on a finisher, so until they are all eating the same food, they will be separated.  It is funny to watch them communicate through the wire.  You can just imagine the conversation going on......."You just wait till I get in there, I'll show you who's at the top of THIS pecking order!"  LOL  Gena has gone broody again so she doesn't really care about what else is going on in the house.  lol

 Hey, girlfriend.........whatcha in for?  

LOL

The girls eating their watermelon

Some of the girls ~ Barred Rock and Rhode Island Reds

Skippy has come down with a nasty sinus infection and feels horrible.  He e-mailed me from work and requested soup for dinner.  I don't know how long he will feel bad so I am making a HUGE pot, loaded with veggies.  I am also making him a sugar-free cheesecake made with homemade vanilla and an almond meal crust.  Mmmmm......I can't wait to try that.   I hope it comes out good so I can post it for you later.

Well, it's time to get back to work.  Have a GREAT DAY!

Island Update

Skippy has worked so hard on this island and I am happy to say (for him) that it is.......

FINISHED!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GOO!

I am sending out lots of LOVE and ((((hugs)))) to my sweet Goo, as she celebrates her special day.  I have to say there is NEVER a dull moment when she's around.  Can you tell?  :D

HAPPY 9th BIRTHDAY, GOO!
WE LOVE YOU!

Headin' Out

It is a beautiful morning here in the holler.  A little overcast at the moment, but the temperature is nice and cool, just the way I like it.  So, I have decided that we are "Blowin' This Popsicle Stand" today and TAKING THE DAY OFF!   I'm going to Wal-Mart to get a new pair of sneakers, then who knows.  Maybe we'll go to
McDonald's and get a sugar-free French Vanilla latte.  Yeah......that's sounds PERFECT! 

Are any of you taking the day off to relax and do something FUN? If so, what will you be doing?

HAVE A GREAT DAY, FRIENDS!!

Recyled Parmesan Cheese Container

I hate to throw things away, so when I can find a good use for something and not have to add to send it to the landfill, I get a nice feeling of doing something positive for our environment.

While I was on pinterest a few weeks ago, I found this really cool idea of what to do with those empty parmesan cheese containers.  The bottoms I already use to hold pens and pencils on my computer desk, but I never really had a use for the lids……until now.  

Did you know that these lids fit perfectly onto the jelly and pint canning jars?  Yup, they do.  I don't know about the quart jars with the regular lids since I only have those with wide mouths.  These are great to hold those homemade seasoning mixes in.

Do you have any good recycling ideas to share?  Please leave a comment with a link bast to your post so we can stop by and visit!

An EGG-citing Morning

Every morning I go out and let the ladies out of their coop to run around and chase bugs, to play, and forage.  However today, I had a couple of errands to run so before I left, I put them in the run.  As I was getting everyone together, I noticed one of the ladies walking off to my left, over by the shed.  I just went ahead and finished putting the others in, knowing that when I called her and shook the bag of oatmeal, she'd come running.

When I was finished corralling all the ladies and the babies and put them in their different runs, and gave them all food and water, it was time to go get the girl.  I called her and shook the oatmeal bag but nothing.  I tried again, nothing.  This is very strange, they always come when I call them.  After 15 minutes of calling and searching, nothing.

Then, all of a sudden, I heard a noise.  I listened carefully.......it was my sweet lady, and she was talking to me.  She said, "HERE I AM, MOM!" Well, at least that's what it sounded like to me!  lol  "There you are!  Come on, baby....come get a treat!"  But she didn't move.  I continued to call her and she continued to stay right where she was.   By this time almost twenty minutes have passed.  Normally I would have just gone over and picked her up, but she was in the back yard in the wooded, overgrown area over the rock bed and creek……where the snakes are.  And anyone who knows me, knows that I am deathly afraid of snakes.  Yes, I’ll admit it….I’m a 6’1” AMAZON WEENIE! 

After getting a little bit closer and watching my baby for a few minutes, I realized she was stuck in briary branches.  It looked like she was inside a bird cage made of weeds.  OH, GREAT!  Now I really DO have to go into the woods.  (insert terrified l-00-k here)

By this time, Kiddo has come out wondering what is taking me so long. I told him what was going on and asked him to stay with me while I went into the woods and that I needed him with me in case I got attacked by a ferocious snake and I needed him to run to the neighbor’s house for help.  “Oh, Mom!” was his response!  Lol

So, with snow shovel in hand, I went one square foot at a time, plowing through brush, climbing over rocks and the creek and banging my shovel, all the while shouting at the top of my lungs.  (if the neighbors didn’t think I was crazy enough after chasing a rabid raccoon into the creek, they sure will know I am now)   After a few minutes, I finally get right up my sweet lady…..and she gets up and runs away.  "Hey, come back here............. I thought you were stuck?”

Then I saw something on the ground.  Am I really seeing what I think I’m seeing? 

Yup, I certainly was.  My sweet girl was laying her eggs in the woods.  Honestly, I am a little perplexed.  When I find out a reason for this, I will let you know.  After I found the eggs and took a picture, I always have my camera with me) I immediately stopped and scanned the ground.  Eggs ~ snakes……GET OUT OF THE WOODS!  I don’t think I have ever moved so fast in my life.  LOL

When I got my sweetie back in the run, I took the eggs inside to check them over. I am happy to say that all the eggs were good.....WOO HOO!

Low Carb Crustless Spinach Quiche

This quiche is wonderful and very satisfying.  It has become one of my favorites.

Remember, with any recipe, feel free to tweak it and make it your own by adding ingredients your family loves.


For this recipe you will need the following:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 5 eggs, beaten
• 3 cups shredded Muenster cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9 inch pie pan.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft. Stir in spinach and continue cooking until excess moisture has evaporated.
3. In a large bowl, combine eggs, cheese, salt and pepper. Add spinach mixture and stir to blend. Scoop into prepared pie pan.
4. Bake in preheated oven until eggs have set, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Excuse Me.......I Have What?

For years I have been suffering with joint pain throughout my body.  I thought it was probably from  all the weight I had gained over the years, or perhaps arthritis, or maybe even fibromyalgia.  I have siblings that have fibro, as well as cousins, an aunt, and even a close friend.  I have heard that it can be brought on by a traumatic event, which in my case, was falling off the front porch like I had done back in 2007.  There were many times my body would hurt so bad, like you do when you have the flu, but I never ran a fever.  I would have days where my skin, my hair, and even my eye brows would hurt.  I know, sounds strange, but that's how I felt.  Skippy would hug me and it was painful.  The cats would come up to snuggle and I would wince when they walk on me.

Back in January, I had gotten on the scale and fell apart. I couldn't believe I had gained that much weight.   At that point, I just didn't care anymore.  I thought, what's the use, nothing seems to work, I'm going to be like this for the rest of my life.  But then I started feeling pressure in my neck and that worried me.  Back in 2001, my mom had to have her carotid arteries cleaned out.  She later died in 2004 from heart problems.  I didn't need another sign to tell me it was time to go see the doctor. 

After a series of blood tests, my doctor called with the results.  I was told I once had Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, but amazingly, my body was able to fight off.  However, my vitamin D was at critical levels and they found that I had sky high traces of Lyme........I had Lyme Disease.  I have WHAT?   Never did Lyme Disease come into my thoughts.  My sister C has had it for about three years now, and I didn't have any of the symptoms she did.  She was so sick she could barely get out of bed, and that wasn't how I was.  I was extremely tired all the time and in pain, but was still able to function.

On my first visit to the doctors after my diagnosis, I was put on two antibiotics, mega doses of vitamin D, and a ton of other vitamins.  I was told to stay away from sugar, processed carbs, and meat.  Are you kidding me?  I am a carb freak.  Fresh bread, pasta, pizza, potatoes, rice, etc., that was my way of life.  Those were things that were the cheapest to buy to feed my family as well.   WHAT AN EYE OPENER!

I asked the doctor what sugar, carbs, and meat had to do with anything.  She told me that those are just three simple things that I can remove from my diet that will help alleviate some of the pain because they can cause inflammation in your joints.  Let's face it, with Lyme Disease, you don't need any extra help in the joint pain department!  LOL 

How am I going to do this, I thought to myself.  It was then that I prayed to God, asking for His help.  I knew I couldn't do it on my own.  I know my family was going to be supportive, but I needed more than that.  I needed to give it all to Him in order to win this battle that was put before me.

Since that day in February, I quit sugar, carbs, and meat, only allowing myself those treats on special occasions or when I don't have anything else available for me to eat.  I knew if I tried to wean myself off, it wouldn't work, so cold turkey was the way I needed to go.   My outlook on food and life has done a complete 360 degree turn.  I am now eating healthy, exercising, and lifting weights.  I have so much more energy now than I have in years.  I am happy to say that as of this morning, I have lost 47.2 pounds and am THRILLED! 

When people learn that I have Lyme, they tell me how sorry they are.  Don't be sorry for me, it could have been so much worse.  I thank God that it IS Lyme Disease.  It has turned out to be best news I could have gotten.  I will continue on this journey with God and my family right by my side.  I will praise my Lord through my storm and I will not quit until the weight is gone and I am free of Lyme Disease!

I praise You, Father, and give you all the glory!

This is me 12 1/2 pounds ago.  I can't tell you how much better I feel!