http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=qjRRz-SsmpYj  Here is a overview of the China Study by Dr. T. Colin Campbell and  his discovery of the realtionship between a high protein diet and cancer. I am thankful for his years of study and his willingness to share his discoveries  in the face of opposition. I am confident that many who adhere to his recommendation of a low protein, whole-foods, plant-based diet will in fact reverse many chronic diseases.

 www.hungryforchange.tv/   Here is the correct link to the "Hungry for Change" video that is for viewing for a limited time. You will need to copy and paste it into your search engine to view. It is very informative and inspiring in that you can take control over your health and not let it be left up to chance!

We have been blessed with much needed rain and everything is well watered now! It's exciting to see the earth come to life and plants that lie dormant all winter begin to emerge. What is so striking is each plant is unique in how it emerges. Our Creator loves diversity and the evidence is in everything we see around us in nature, including one another. There is so much beauty that surrounds us...I am reminded to slow down and take notice! This picture that was taken in our yard. Look at the simple, elegant design.

A picture of "Hens and Chicks." When I view what God  has created I am struck with the thought that there isn't anything in ALL of creation that was left to chance. Look at the intricate details of this simple plant! Amazing!

Recipe for the day:

Baked Oatmeal

3 cups of organic rolled oats

1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries

1/2 cup coconut, unsweetened

1/4 teaspoon of salt

41/2 cups water

1. Mix all ingredients in oil-sprayed 13x9-inch pan.
2. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.

This recipe can be made the night before and stored in the refrigerator and baked while you are getting ready for the day...easy! I like to add blueberries for a nutritious boost. Honestly, this is like eating dessert for breakfast! Enjoy!

Peaches or fresh strawberries is also a nice addition when you serve it up.

Per 1/2 cup:

   Calories 171

   Protein 4.2 g

   Carbohydrates 24g

   Fiber 4 g

   Fat 7.4 g

   Sodium 52 mg

A day in the Garden

Today was one of those days that one could call perfect....well almost perfect, I will save perfection for the paradise to come. It was a perfect day for planting and planting I did. Here is a list of  vegetables that was planted:

1. Lacinato (aka Dinosaur, Nero do Toscana) It's an Italian heirloom that dates back to the eighteenth century. The leaves are 10-18" long and the flavor is said to be excellent. Looking forward to seeing how this Kale performs.
2. Yugoslavian Red Butterhead(lettuce)
3. Asparagus Pea (aka Winged Pea) It is said to have been mentioned as early as 1734 by botanist Philip Miller. The flowers are red and its a low growing plant. The pods are suppose to be unique and are best steamed whole. It will be fun and interesting to see how this plant grows.
4. Collards which is a hardy biennial and grows to 3ft. Remember that greens are full of vitamins and antioxidants.
5. Rocky Top lettuce mix
6. White Onion sets
7. Red Pontiac Potato sets

Tomorrow is suppose to be a repeat of today, weather wise, and its also preparation day, so I hope to include some more planting in the day and if you couldn't have guessed it, I will be planting more greens.  Greens are high in fiber, low in calories and very satisfying, not to mention how nutrient-dense they are. Did you know that Leafy greens are higher in calcium than any other whole-plant food?
One good way to get plenty of greens is to add them to a fruit smoothie for breakfast.

Recipe for the day:

Chunky Vegetarian Chili

•  1 tablespoon vegetable oil (I use olive oil)
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped yellow bell pepper ( red pepper is a good substitute)
• 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, minced (you can add more garlic)
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 11/2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 28 oz can of tomatoes, un-drained
• 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell peppers, and garlic; saute 5 minutes until tender. Add sugar and remaining ingredients, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes. Note: Using dried beans is by far better, but if time is an issue then canned beans are a good substitiute.  Makes 8 servings

This recipe came from my sister, Susan, and is one of our favorites. As with most soups it is more flavorful the next day. We eat this year around!

Today we are having gentle rains that will begin the growing season and with a few warms days we will see early spring all around us. For me, it is an exciting time of year and I can hardly think of anything else but digging in the dirt and smelling that wonderful aroma that seems to impart life.The promise of a vegetable/fruit garden is uplifting and is a promise of hope. I can honestly say that I have spent many hours gardening and being renewed in my spirit and come away at the end of the day .....satisfied! On the other hand, I have toiled and worked for money and came away emptied at the end of the day...drained.

I often wonder what it must of been like in the first garden where GOD walked with Adam and Eve and they enjoyed one anothers company in the cool of the day. How perfect it was...nothing but goodness and love all around. Imagine, everything  that Adam and Eve needed was there...nothing lacking. No need for a TV, or a computer or any other thing that man has come up with to try and satisfy the hunger that is within.....everything  they needed and wanted was right in the garden!! Hmmm, I think I will ponder on that a bit. Everything they needed was right in the garden!

This past fall and winter I had an experiment going with 4 Season Gardening and much to my surprise I have successfully grown winter greens, a variety of  lettuce (corn salad-dutch, claytonia- miners lettuce), carrots, beets and onions, oh, and my beloved Kale. Our lowest temperature so far has been 14 degrees and the Kale has grown and supplied us with organic greens all winter. I consider Kale to be "King" of the garden and it also is a super nutritious food. It contains high levels of beta carotene, vitamin A and E. It also provides folate, iron and potassium.  Kale has protein and calcium, in fact just 1 cup of cooked Kale has 6.4g of protein and 270mg of calcium. Also Kale has bioflavonoids the help protect against cancer and like all greens it is high in fiber. Now when people ask me "where do you get your protein since you do not eat meat," I can say I get it from the "King" of the garden! Eat yours greens!

"The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land." Song of Solomon 2:12

"The Heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows and proclaims His handiwork." Psalms 19:1
This picture was taken from the deck on January 24th, 2012

Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls

3 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup  unbleached flour

2 teaspoons yeast

2 Tablespoons Vital Wheat Gluten

1tsp. salt

3 Tablespoons honey

3 Tablespoons olive oil (can use other types of oil)

11/4 cup of water

This recipe has been made for a bread machine, but only for the purpose of mixing it up and letting it rise once.  Place  all the ingredients in the bread machine and set it on  the homemade setting. While the dough is mixing it is good idea to check and see if the dough has formed a nice soft dough...not too dry or not too wet. If it seems too dry add a few drops of water at a time until the dough comes together into a soft dough. If the dough is too wet add a Tablespoon of flour as it mixes until you reach the desired soft dough. Allow the dough to rise once in the machine.  Melt 1/4 cup of Earth Balance (or another type of margarine spread)Set aside. Next, mix 1/2 cup of brown sugar or raw sugar with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

 After the dough  has risen, place the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll the dough out using a rolling pin and shape  into a rectangle. The dough should be about a 1/2 inch thick. Spread the margarine  over the rolled out dough leaving 1/2 inch at one end free of margarine. Then sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar leaving the 1/2 inch at the same end free of the cinnamon sugar. You can add raisins, nuts, or dried cranberries at this point if you so desire. Begin rolling from the longest end of the rectangle and roll in a tight roll ending where you have allowed the 1/2 inch dough free of the margarine and sugar mixture. At the end of the roll pinch the dough together to help keep the dough together once the rolls  are cut. Cut the rolls into 1 inch pieces and place on a lined baking sheet(parchment paper) or lightly oil a baking sheet. Place the cut rolls side by side and cover with a light weight towel in a warm place until the rolls have risen almost double. 

Place in oven. Check at  20 minutes to see if the rolls have begun to brown, if so continue to cook until the rolls are a light golden brown around the edges and tops. Remove from oven and cool. You can add a powdered sugar glaze by mixing 1 cup of powdered sugar with 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract and add 1 Tablespoon of water and mix and continue adding a few drops of water until you reach the desired consistency of the icing. I like for it to easily pour off the end of a spoon and then I drizzle it over the cooled rolls. Enjoy!

"There seem to be but three ways for a nation to acquire wealth. The first is by war, as the Romans did, in plundering their conquered neighbors. This is robbery. The second by commerce, which is generally cheating. The third by agriculture, the only honest way, wherein man receives a real increase of the seed thrown into the ground, in a kind of continual miracle, wrought by the hand of God in his favor, as a reward for his innocent life and his virtuous industry."- Benjamin Franklin

"Globalized industrialized food is not cheap; it is too costly for the Earth, for the farmers, for our health".  Vandana Shiva