Finally, I am working on becoming a certified Hypnotherapist. After over two years of Teaching HypnoBirthing: The Mongan Method classes, I've known this was something I wanted to explore for a long time. Finding the time and means to become certified were the hard part. There is no ONE hypnosis organization, so it comes down to comparing programs. I honestly have a bias against online education after being a classroom teacher. I thought, how can this train me? So I looked at in-person classes. There was one class that was 5 days long (all day) and then you are certified. Sure, that sounds appealing, but I wanted to learn more and have time to absorb it. Then I found a program that was running for 7 weekends. It was ideal, but it meant 14 full days of childcare. Combine that with the cost of the course and the stress it was going to put on me, and it was no longer a positive venture.
So I came back around to one of the first programs I had checked out, the HMI (Hypnosis Motivation Institute) distance program. It's a well-established brick and mortar school with decades of experience that also offers distance training. Their program takes about 18 months, but can be completed at your own pace if you move through the units quicker. The classes are actually filmed lectures that you watch, so you are literally getting the classes you would in person, although some are a bit dated.
I love the coursework because its comprehensive, and allows me to take extra courses for specialized certifications (I'm already signed up for a PTSD training, and planning on getting certified in smoking cessation as well). The program allows me to become a certified hypnotherapist, rather than hypnotist, as well, which I prefer. **I will not be a doctor, but I will be able to help people, and that's what I want.
Moving forward with this feels so right , and I am so happy with this new chapter unfolding.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Gluten-Free Vegan Dehydrator Cookies
Of course I didn't measure anything... I blended steel cut oats and coconut to make my flour, then mixed in a date syrup (dates plus water blended until smooth), molasses, vanilla, coconut oil, and a dash of salt.
I rolled them into balls and flattened them onto the dehydrator. After 4-5 hours, I topped them with melted chocolate chips and toasted coconut and almond flakes.
My husband said he couldn't believe they were from the dehydrator because they got crispy (but still chewy inside). I think they taste like Samoas but better. We all agree that gluten-free cookies are still awesome!
I rolled them into balls and flattened them onto the dehydrator. After 4-5 hours, I topped them with melted chocolate chips and toasted coconut and almond flakes.
My husband said he couldn't believe they were from the dehydrator because they got crispy (but still chewy inside). I think they taste like Samoas but better. We all agree that gluten-free cookies are still awesome!
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Zucchini Pasta with Creamy Basil Avocado Sauce
2 zucchini, spiralized into noodles
1 avocado
2 cloves garlic
Juice from 1/2 lemon
Handful fresh basil
Garlic salt and nutritional yeast to taste
I blended everything except zucchini until smooth and tossed with my "noodles." My 3.5 year old not only loved the meal, but loved helping make it too. I let her turn the handle on the spiralizer and peel the garlic.
Since I get lots of questions about what spiralizer I have, this is the affiliate link to the New and Essential Spiralizer Tri-Blade Spiral Vegetable Slicer
on Amazon that I have. The blades are sharp, so make sure you supervise, but the turning is easy enough for the little ones to do.
St. Patricks Day is Coming! Gluten-Free and Green?
I just got an email from some business telling me Happy St. Patrick's Day. Am I the only one whose freckles just buzz with delight over St. Patrick's Day? I feel like green foods and vegans are just natural friends. It doesn't hurt that I've got a delightful little red head who is just in the last few months the proud owner of her own freckles.
In previous years, I've made a seitan or soy curl mixture that I "corned" with typical corned beef flavor. This year, I'm going to have to find a gluten-free delight. It's really about the carrots, potatoes, and cabbage anyway. I've been cruising lentil loaf on Pinterest, and I think that's going to be the perfect vehicle for my "corned" spices.
I found some sorghum beer, since I've read that gluten stays in your system for a long time and I'm still nursing, so green beer can still be on the menu. I don't think any Guiness is vegan, and I know it's not gluten-free... so that's out of the question.
What else? What are your St. Patty's traditions?
If you catch her, she has to grant you three wishes. Good luck catching her though.
In previous years, I've made a seitan or soy curl mixture that I "corned" with typical corned beef flavor. This year, I'm going to have to find a gluten-free delight. It's really about the carrots, potatoes, and cabbage anyway. I've been cruising lentil loaf on Pinterest, and I think that's going to be the perfect vehicle for my "corned" spices.
I found some sorghum beer, since I've read that gluten stays in your system for a long time and I'm still nursing, so green beer can still be on the menu. I don't think any Guiness is vegan, and I know it's not gluten-free... so that's out of the question.
What else? What are your St. Patty's traditions?
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Going Gluten-Free Vegan 2
Today started with a tofu scramble with mushrooms, collard greens, and yams. No complaints there.
Lunch was just a massive salad of romaine, grilled eggplants, artichoke hearts, kidney beans, red bell, carrots... I think that's it. Also we had popcorn, honeydew, and snacked on sugar peas.
Dinner was roasted tomato soup with vegan cheddar jalapeño soft baked pretzels. Epic win. Epic.
Lunch was just a massive salad of romaine, grilled eggplants, artichoke hearts, kidney beans, red bell, carrots... I think that's it. Also we had popcorn, honeydew, and snacked on sugar peas.
Dinner was roasted tomato soup with vegan cheddar jalapeño soft baked pretzels. Epic win. Epic.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Gluten-Free Vegan Goodness
Last night I made Hungarian mushroom soup and garlic breadsticks using Bob's Red Mill GF Pizza Crust mix. It was so good and we had extra breadsticks, so this morning we enjoyed those with avocado, then had apples for snacking.
For lunch I made collard green wrapped enchiladas with refried beans and Daiya cheese and La Victoria enchilada sauce. Super simple.
I ran some errands and my husband and the kids ate some rice and peas.
Dinner was hassle back yams, BBQ quinoa polenta, and steamed broccolini with maple mustard dip. My daughter ate all her broccolini plus most of mine. I forgot to take a picture until we had already been eating, but my husband still had some on his plate.
Desert is leftover key lime pie with a millet and Brazil nut base.
For lunch I made collard green wrapped enchiladas with refried beans and Daiya cheese and La Victoria enchilada sauce. Super simple.
I ran some errands and my husband and the kids ate some rice and peas.
Dinner was hassle back yams, BBQ quinoa polenta, and steamed broccolini with maple mustard dip. My daughter ate all her broccolini plus most of mine. I forgot to take a picture until we had already been eating, but my husband still had some on his plate.
Desert is leftover key lime pie with a millet and Brazil nut base.
Gluten-Free Vegans: Trying to Find Peace and Sleep for our Children
The more and more I read stories of parents who found the answer to their children's ADD, sleeplessness, or emotional outbursts with a gluten-free diet, the more I found myself slowly cutting out gluten without really making an intentional choice.
I have a friend who has found amazing success for her family by going gluten-free, and through her I've seen links to blogs of other moms who are overwhelmed by how a GF diet gives their children a new calm. My kids could use a little calm.
My son has never been a sleeper, and my daughter didn't start sleeping well until well past the 2 year mark. Even at 3.5, if she wakes in the night she's sometimes up for hours. This has NOT been working for us. Really not.
So as I was weeding out gluten, I made a conscious choice to try a month of GF when we move (we are likely moving in the next month or so). But once the idea was planted, it seemed silly to wait, and I wanted to start trying out GF foods. So I ended up going about 5 or 6 days without gluten, and next thing you know, my son sleeps for 5 hours straight (the longest in his life). The next night, he slept for 6 hours straight (!!!!!!!), but we had had Tofurky pizza that night with a gluten crust, so I chalked it up to not being the gluten. Too bad. I went right out and got a loaf of Dave's Killer Bread, we had some ravioli the next day, and finally I made yummy homemade cinnamon rolls (the recipe is Chloe's Kitchen is amazing). After that first day, back on gluten, my son became not only sleepless at night, but also emotionally distressed. Lots of pouting and whining. Lots of heart ache for mommy.
Now I am resolved to give this GF thing a real go. After two days back off gluten, my son only woke twice last night, and then slept in until seven. Normally he's known for getting up for the day at 4am!!! Like I said, this sleeplessness really isn't working for our family!! For the first time ever, he slept in later than his sister today! He's been much less whiny, and my daughter has only had one fit today (she's been so emotional).
Since I've figured out how to update from my phone, I'll be posting what we're eating, since many GF people feel like going vegan would create a diet too restrictive to function. I'll share recipes when I have them and at least some pictures and descriptions to give people ideas.
I hope all your children have peace and calm in their lives, it's such a gift!
I have a friend who has found amazing success for her family by going gluten-free, and through her I've seen links to blogs of other moms who are overwhelmed by how a GF diet gives their children a new calm. My kids could use a little calm.
My son has never been a sleeper, and my daughter didn't start sleeping well until well past the 2 year mark. Even at 3.5, if she wakes in the night she's sometimes up for hours. This has NOT been working for us. Really not.
So as I was weeding out gluten, I made a conscious choice to try a month of GF when we move (we are likely moving in the next month or so). But once the idea was planted, it seemed silly to wait, and I wanted to start trying out GF foods. So I ended up going about 5 or 6 days without gluten, and next thing you know, my son sleeps for 5 hours straight (the longest in his life). The next night, he slept for 6 hours straight (!!!!!!!), but we had had Tofurky pizza that night with a gluten crust, so I chalked it up to not being the gluten. Too bad. I went right out and got a loaf of Dave's Killer Bread, we had some ravioli the next day, and finally I made yummy homemade cinnamon rolls (the recipe is Chloe's Kitchen is amazing). After that first day, back on gluten, my son became not only sleepless at night, but also emotionally distressed. Lots of pouting and whining. Lots of heart ache for mommy.
Now I am resolved to give this GF thing a real go. After two days back off gluten, my son only woke twice last night, and then slept in until seven. Normally he's known for getting up for the day at 4am!!! Like I said, this sleeplessness really isn't working for our family!! For the first time ever, he slept in later than his sister today! He's been much less whiny, and my daughter has only had one fit today (she's been so emotional).
Since I've figured out how to update from my phone, I'll be posting what we're eating, since many GF people feel like going vegan would create a diet too restrictive to function. I'll share recipes when I have them and at least some pictures and descriptions to give people ideas.
I hope all your children have peace and calm in their lives, it's such a gift!
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