In it to END IT

Slavery must end. Today we raise our collective voice for those who cannot raise theirs. ❌ #EndItMovement

My Rights

Laying down my rights, stepping out in faith, trusting my God who is ever faithful.

Huge Movement toward Ending It

This is awesome in the fight against slavery and human trafficking which is so close to my heart.  Sen. McCain, Sen. Bob Corker, Ashton Kutchner and Elisa Massimoni totally rock and I am so excited that this is coming to a bigger awareness where action can be made and rescue can begin to happen on a larger scale.  Ashton's testimony is so compelling and exciting! Thorn is doing amazing work.  Thank you God for this. 

End It . . . Action We All Can Take

Perspective! Pornography is the CATALYST of SEX trafficking. It objectifies both parties involved. It is the machine that drives the engine. Endorsing Pornography=Endorsing Sex Trafficking. Something to ponder: 
(#Repost @dalepartridge) ...It doesn't matter how many red X's you draw on your hands if those same hands are clicking on pornography sites in the darkness of your bedrooms. Recent statistics support that one-third of the girls in the videos you're watching and on the sites you're visiting are being actively trafficked. Quit the ignorance. Study after study support the unarguable connection between the growth in pornography viewership and the rise of human trafficking. In other words, your online participation is the very fuel the trafficking industry uses to maintain its growth. So you can keep on watching your documentaries, you can keep on partaking in your public protests, you can even keep on praying for these girls, but until you recognize that your online habit is wrong, sinful, and dangerous your efforts will remain impeded. 

Photo via @nytimes #DaleyWisdom #enditmovement #humantrafficking #purity

Why we freeze zucchini

A little bit of summertime from the freezer on this cold morning! 

#zucchinipancakes

Happy New Year

It's a new year! #2017 #beginagain #jesusislife

Friday Perspective

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17

Happy Thanksgiving

I have so much to be grateful! Enjoy your day with family and friends, remembering above all it is Christ who enables us from death to life! Speak words of life with those around, be a light and a difference that makes them want to know "who is this Jesus?" 

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also you are called in one body; and be you thankful. - Col. 3:15

Coconut-Coconut Granola & Banana Crunch Coconut Muffins

So, you've had granola.  And not another granola recipe, you say.  Almost opting yourself right out of reading this one.  Don't.. keep reading.  

In the past few years, I admit losing my love of granola. Super crunchy cereal, pantry basic.  No big deal.   And then, you try some that transforms this breakfast snack into another world.  This recipe did that for me and I will never look at granola the same.  It is found after many years of making dozens of versions.  Finally landed on this perfection.. and it's something I get excited about.   It is great by the handful.. or use it with cold milk alone.. deelish.  In yogurt, so good. In baked muffins.. ah-mazing!  So, try it.  It will change your ever loving granola life.  And, it's makes a great gift. Often I add chopped dark chocolate chunks.. makes an even more amazing treat! 

Banana Crunch Coconut Muffins

And soon after falling in love, make these muffins.  Barefoot Contessa's recipe for Banana crunch breakfast muffins which is probably my most requested muffins.. calls for 1 cup of granola and 1 cup of coconut. Using this coconut granola transcends the recipe.  Over the top yum.   I have my version of her muffin recipe posted below. Always trying to opt for a healthier, yet still delicious result.. this recipe was an easy one to bring into the light. Even with 1 cup less sugar (there's added applesauce) and switching to whole wheat flour.. these babies are still rich and decadent as far as muffins go.  Hey, there is still 2 sticks of butter in there.  However, it does make 18 good size muffins.. or 24 regular.  The original recipe would be closer to a dessert than a breakfast item.  Again, another great gift.

Back to the granola for a minute..  I am using coconut oil here, which not too long ago was wrongly looked down upon.  We were scared into believing that it was a horrible fat.  Well, just like olive oil, avocados and nuts.. we are learning that these fats are actually good for us and necessary for good health.  

The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancers, dental care, and bone strength. These benefits can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc. 

In other words, its AH-MAZING and we should try and use it wherever we can.   

When buying coconut oil.. virgin is best where not heated to a high heat, but warmed and used.  Virgin coconut oil has a distinct light coconut flavor.    It is an investment, but worth it.   However, I have noticed it newly upon the Trader Joe's shelves and their prices are always very reasonable.  Just remember.. IF heating, don't use virgin.  Try coconut oil when making popcorn.. so good!

Jojo's Coconut Coconut Granola
     6 C. rolled organic oats


     1 2/3 C. unsweetened shredded coconut

     
1/2 C. raw clover honey

     1/3 C. virgin coconut oil

     
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
     
1 tsp. kosher salt
 

1. Heat oven to 300º F.
2. In a large bowl, combine oats and shredded coconut.
3. In a small saucepan, cook honey, coconut oil, vanilla, and salt over medium heat until the mixture just begins to simmer.
4. Pour honey/oil mixture over oats and coconut flakes, and stir with a wooden spoon until well combined.
5. Spread out granola on a baking sheet. Place in oven, bake for 10 minutes, then stir granola. Repeat until granola is well-toasted..  approximately 40 minutes total cooking time.
6. Cool on baking sheet, stirring occasionally.  When cooled, store in airtight containers for up to 2 weeks. Can refrigerate or freeze for longer shelf life.





Banana Crunch Coconut Muffins

3 cups white whole wheat flour
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

2 sticks unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 extra-large eggs
3/4 cup whole milk

1 cup applesauce
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (2 bananas)

1 cup medium-diced ripe bananas (1 banana)
1 cup small-diced walnuts

1 cup Jojo's coconut coconut granola
1 cup shredded coconut

Topping:  Dried banana chips, roughly chopped and shredded coconut, optional

1.  Preheat the oven to 350º    Line 18 large muffin cups with paper liners. 

2.  In bowl of stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3.  Add the melted butter and blend.
4. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, applesauce, vanilla and mashed bananas, and then add them to the flour-and-butter mixture. Scrape the bowl and blend well. Don't over mix.
5.  Fold the diced bananas, walnuts, granola, and coconut into the batter.
6.  Spoon the batter into the paper liners, filling each 1 to the top. I use a large ice-cream scoop.
7.  Top each muffin with chopped banana chips and coconut, if desired.
8.  Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the tops are brown and a toothpick comes out clean. 9.  Cool slightly, remove from the pan, and serve.

Zucchini Bread Simple & delicious

Zucchini Bread

This recipe for basic zucchini bread is my tried and true.  It works every time.  It's delicious. It has less sugar than it used to and I don't miss it. It's got more zucchini than most recipes.  It freezes well.  It's sturdy and is even more delicious topped with tarragon chicken salad served as a light lunch or as an hors d'oeuvre. 

If my zucchini bread ever needed a profile for a dating site.. there you have it. It's all good.. you should make it yours. 

Jojo's Zucchini Bread

Dry Ingredients:

3¼ cups ap flour (whole wheat white is what we prefer)

1½ teaspoons salt (I use Kosher)

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons baking soda

1½ cups of sugar

Wet Ingredients: 

1 cup of Olive Oil (or Coconut oil .. but be sure to warm it to liquid state)

4 eggs, beaten

2/3 cup of water

3 cups of zucchini, grated on a box grater

zest of 1 lemon

1 teaspoon lemon juice (juice after zesting!) 

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat Oven to 350º

Butter or spray (2) 9x5" loaf pans or (5) mini loaf pans. Sprinkle buttered pans with sugar, emptying out excess. (Sugar is optional.. I like it because it gives a crunch to the crust.)

Whisk together all dry ingredients (except nuts if adding) in a large bowl.  In a separate bowl mix together wet ingredients, then fold into the dry.  Add nuts or add ins*

Bake 1 hour or until done.  (Tester comes out clean, no wet batter) 

*Add ins.... 

Besides walnuts ... You can also try pecans, pistachios, raisins, chocolate chips, cinnamon chips, dried coconut flakes, chopped dried apricots or figs, chopped crystallized ginger or some combination thereof. To start, keep the add-ins to a cup or less. 

Note.. Often this bread takes me 10-15 minutes more baking time.  This is depending on oven, pans, etc...  Always test the center. 

15 min. Super Easy Healthy Mac & Cheese (Rice Cooker Method)

This recipe is super easy, super pleasing (kid's favorite!) and quick!.. about 15 minutes.  It puts to good use the rice cooker.  I actually make rice on the stove and only use my rice cooker for this recipe.  It is my go-to when we want something quick, wholesome and delicious.  Most of which is pantry staples.  We often add a vegetable...  sometimes broccoli, sometimes peas, sometimes baby carrots.. Add some cauliflower if you think  your kids won't enjoy seeing green in their mac and cheese.  A good stir at the end and it disappears, but those nutrients don't!  Simply delicious on it's own too.   Change the cheese.. and possibilities are endless.  We use homemade chicken bone broth or a good quality low sodium chicken broth when we don't.  The broth makes it savory, completely absorbs into the pasta and adds a good source of protein.     

Bone Broth Mac and Cheese (Rice Cooker Method) 

2 cups pasta (your choice we use all kinds)

2 cups bone broth or chicken stock (enough to barely cover pasta) 

pinch of sea salt (depends on your broth)

Add pasta, broth and salt to rice cooker, cover with lid and turn to cook setting.  Let bubble away...  My rice cooker takes about 10 minutes. Liquid should be mostly gone and pasta tender. 

Add:

1 1/2 cups grated cheese (I like a combo of cheddar, mozzarella and parmesan)
1/2 cup whole milk

Stir to combine (adding vegetables, if you choose to) Cover with lid and cook 5 more minutes.  
If you like a crust on the bottom, don't stir til finished.  If you (are completely mad and) don't like a crusty cheese crust, then stir a time or two. I happen to think the crust is the best part.  Scarlett however does not like this part at all. It works out great for us. 

Options..

add 1/2 teaspoon of dry ground mustard and a shot or 2 of Worcestershire sauce 

Real Energy

Lacking energy? Today we focus on 2 major practices and a whole food supplement that I have found has changed my world drastically.  Reseting your circadian rhythm and raw liver pills. 

Adrenal Healing (PROTEIN) 

Contrary to popular belief, I believe that most of our health issues are not age based.. but rather loss of function.  When your adrenals are damaged and not working properly, it effects so much.. and the symptoms look like aging.  I have been reading The Adrenal Reset Diet by Dr. Alan Christianson NMD and am learning so much about how important protein is.  How important it is to consume at least 30 grams of protein 1st thing in the morning. Actually, within an hour of waking for hormonal and weight balance.  Protein provides the amino acids that are an essential part of all living organisms and we cannot heal our bodies without it.  Protein consumed 1st thing in the morning actually resets our circadian rhythm which assists energy levels throughout the day and helps us sleep soundly at night.  Hello? 3-4pm slump anyone? I've always struggled with that. Bigtime. 

Well, this certainly isn't something I have really ever done.  Breakfast is not a priority unless it follows a more than decadent night out, usually with regret.  Hello, brunch anyone?  Favorite meal ever.  I used to swear that the best hangover cure was a greasy burger.   But besides that, I never seem to be hungry first thing in the morning.  I don't want anything except maybe coffee and a good french baguette or toast with some butter.  I'm sure I shared this already but when I was a designer living a bit more stressful life in NYC and at the Jersey shore.. I was the girl who's more than most days of the week breakfast was a big cup of coffee with cream and sugar. I would then nurse that and a few more until around 2-3pm when I would actually go eat something.  That was my world.  No wonder my adrenals have issues!  And funny thing is that I thought it worked quite well for me.  I was always thin, never had a muffin top or a belly.. perfectly flat.  Buzzed around doing a thousand things, nothing could stop me until I hit a wall around 3 or 4pm (slump) and then would get another cup of coffee or a sugar hit to keep me going.  I saw no need to change it.  It was not ideal but my body didn't seem to want more.  The outside may have been working, but the havoc wreaked on my insides, not very good. Now I can't even have a regular cup of coffee. My adrenals are pretty much shot.  I am that girl at Starbuck's ordering a decaf now. Yep, that's me.  It's kinda like a cone of shame for coffee lovers. 

So, here we are.  Mending adrenals and thyroid for me and preventative health for little one. Back to the topic of protein for breakfast.  Well, as you read, it's not that easy for me so the best thing I have found to make this actually happen is SMOOTHIES for Scarlett (7) and BONE BROTH for me.  Smoothies are way too cold for me in the morning.  I prefer a hot cozy cup of shut the hell up, aka don't talk to me and give me hot coffee...  not a bright cold cheerful chatty smoothie.  However, she loves a smoothie anytime.  Therefore, a hot cup of bone broth has become my perfect protein-within-an-hour-of-waking solution.  

For smoothies there are a lot of great protein options out there.  Here are my favorites to add: 

• Organic Hemp Protein (Living Harvest or Nativa) plant-based
• Grass-fed Whey Protein (365fit)
• Peanut Protein powder and Brown Rice Protein (only if no other carb is added) 

It's a challenge when you are not used to eating protein 1st thing upon waking, but it has made a huge difference.  I believe that resetting our circadian rhythm is crucial to good health, healing and regaining that energy. 

Raw Liver

Another way I get protein in the morning and needed iron is consuming raw organic beef liver.  Low iron in women, especially me (I have always been anemic and struggled with that).. is a major reason we are lethargic and lack energy.  Liver is such a super food rich with iron that is highly usable but also so many needed nutrients that you cannot get as easily and absorbable anywhere else.  Here's a few nutritional facts...

• High iron 
• Excellent source of protein that your body can easily absorb
• High in all the vitamin B's, especially B12
• Folic Acid
• CoQ10
• Best source for trace element Copper
• Zinc and Chromium
• Fights fatigue 
• Good source of purines, nitrogen-containing compounds that serve as precursors for DNA and RNA

Such a super food.. And there is nothing like liver that makes as drastic a difference in me and pretty instantly too.  While I love the smell of cooked liver and onions, (I actually crave it)  but I can barely handle actually eating it, chewing it.  Texture thing..  kinda makes me sick.  Maybe it is the I keep hearing "Johnny, I want your liver back.." sing-song and haunting my ass right back to the 4th grade.  Seriously!! lol  So, I've learned how to get around it because as I said, there is nothing that makes me feel better than liver and I know I need it in my diet.

Here's how I've learned to get it in our diets regularly besides cooking it for dinner.. 
Grated frozen raw liver into our smoothies. Yes, you read that right and before you barf.. hear me out.  
Simply keep a piece of liver frozen and grate on a metal box grater right into the smoothie. Blend up and viola! Iron and protein rich super food smoothie.  Did I mention you can't even taste it? Shh.  So good. 

 Raw Liver Pills This is even easier and what I do regularly.   Simply get an organic liver.. and then freeze it.  Cut it up into capsule size (small enough to swallow whole).  Flash freeze the capsule size cuts on a sheet pan separately and then place in an airtight container once frozen solid.  Each morning I take 3-4.. swallow whole like a pill. No taste, no problem.  And for 

Important when using Raw Liver 

Always make sure you are buying a fresh liver from an organic source that was freezes the liver immediately after butchering.  

Keep it frozen for at least 2 weeks before consuming raw. 

Never use the liver bought in a conventional supermarket when you are going to consume it raw.  Know your source!  It's not worth taking a guess on the risk. We buy from local organic farmers.  They know I want the liver and set it aside for us. 

Beef and Bison are best source of iron. Grass-fed is always best. 

If you consume up to 4 a day, that is equal to a serving of liver a week. (2-3 ounces) 

Fresh organic Beef liver, frozen then cut into pill (swallowable) size.
It's easier for me to handle when frozen.  If feeding to children, I
cut into pea-size.  Scarlett has no issue swallowing these capsule size. 

Lay out on parchment paper, single layer and flash freeze til solid,
about 15 min. Then transfer to an airtight container and keep in the
freezer til ready to use. 

For smoothies, grate frozen liver quickly on box grater.
Add to your favorite smoothie.  I find mixed with blueberries is
the most concealing.. We also add maca and spirulina which
I am sure masks the liver.