Starting the Soy Story

Soy has become the health food rage of the past decade. The push began with the "Dow Chemical" company. (if that doesn't make you suspicious about the "healthiness of soy" I don't know what would.) It has been pushed as the "Ecological choice protein" by the vegetarians and animal right activists. They have made claims that it is the only vegetable protein that is "complete," that will help fight off cancer, that will help you loss weight, and so on and so on.

The longer the claims have been made, the more those of us weary of the claims have had time to research and refute them. Let's get one this straight, I DO NOT PROMOTE EATING SOY PRODUCTS UNLESS THEY ARE NATURALLY FERMENTED. Ahh, I feel so much better now.

Soy is not a health food! Even though most of the food manufacturing industry would like you to think that it is. Why? Because if you are buying pre-packaged foods, you are eating tons and tons of this stuff...then if you buy soy-milk you are getting even more...

There is no evidence that consuming soy products can improve health, reduce environmental degradation or slow global warming. In fact, the evidence suggests quite the opposite.

I know lots you won't believe me, so I am going to just give you tons of links in this post that link to credible sources for you to do some of your own reading. All the below links are to Pub-med research.

Overall risks and benefits of soy assessed

Latest review by American Heart Association

Soy inhibits iron absorption

Poor iron bioavailability

Poor calcium bioavailability

Calcium and zinc absorbed better from milk than from soy -- even without phytates

Soy provides no benefits with respect to heart disease risk

Soy causes bladder cancer

Soy isoflavones during pregnancy increase breast cancer risk in female offspring

High levels of cadmium in soy formula

Soy linked to peanut allergy and increased risk for asthma

Whole milk vs. soy beverage -- asthma risk

Persistent sexual arousal syndrome associated with increased soy intake

Genistein: Does it prevent or promote breast cancer?

Don't worry, I will post much more on soy. This is just to get you all started.

Alphabetical "About" page listings

The about pages contain lots of information about foods we eat. This is the alphabetical list of all the about pages. You will notice there will be subheadings under all the categories. Please take your time and read them! They are full of wonderful information that will help make feeding your family nutritious meals easier. I cannot take all the credit for the information found on the pages. They are summarized from books I have read, Internet sites, or newsletters received from doctors, when possible I will provide links for those of you wanting to read more.

Dairy Information

• Which Yogurt do I choose
• Why Raw Milk and How to Choose a supplier
  

Fats

• Dry skin: Omega-3's and Fats

Gluten Information

• Gluten Allergies
• Baking Powder: Not Gluten Free
  

Grain Information

• Gluten Allergies
• Soaking Grains
• Grinding Grains
  

Miscellaneous

• Dry skin: Omega-3's and Fats
• Thickening soups, sauces, gravies, custards, etc. without a "starch"
• Candida Yeast Infections
• The Gut, Immune System, and Your Well Being
• Constipation: Bathroom Distress
  

Nut Information

• Soaking Nuts

Soy Information:

• Starting the Soy Story
  

Sugar Information:

• Overview: Public Enemy Number 1
• Turbinado (sugar in the raw) debate
• High Fructose Corn Syrup and Mercury
• Sugary and Not So Sugary Problems
• Spoon Fed Deception
  

Food Supply Information

• Future of Food
• Kitchen Freedom
• Canned Tomato Safety: A product you can trust
  

As I add more pages I will always list them here.

Roasted Carrots

So, I really enjoy Carrots, but I definitely get sick of steamed or boiled...so, I highly recommend this twist on the carrot. Roasting them. We did 10 large carrots for 4 adults and 3 children...it was enough with no left overs..

10 large carrots, peeled and sliced into thin sticks and sliced in 1/2 or 1/3's
large roasting pan, buttered or coconut oiled
1 Tbsp Butter or Coconut oil

Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees. Place cut carrots on an oiled or butter pan, and place in the oven for 30 minutes. The carrots will start to brown a bit. Add 1 tbsp of coconut oil or butter and return to the oven for another 10 minutes. Remove and enjoy!

A How To Guide

Welcome! We are glad you are here! I hope you find this cookbook blog easy to use. In order for you to maximize your time here I wanted to give you a "tour" of our place.

All recipes are logged by Main Ingredient (MI), Entree type, or Breakfast type. The links list of recipes are in the right hand column under "Main ingredient list." You may also search for a specific ingredient in the search box in the bottom right hand corner of the blog. The recipes will show their description and ingredient list. If you would like to see the method, please click the "read more" button.

Since the inspiration for the start of the cookbook was my passion for Traditional Nutrition and Wellness, it would be silly to not share that with you all too! If you want to know more information about a specific food, nutrition, ingredient, category, or my kitchen essential tools please visit the Tools and Nutrition Homepage for an alphabetical listing of topics. This will be updated reguarly. If you just can't wait and want more information about a specific topic, please post a comment.

In the future, there will also be a wellness homepage, and a Meal planning homepage. I am still working on them, when they are ready, I will post the links along the top of the blog for you all to access.

If you see wording in bold, that means there is a link to another site. I typically will paraphrase the information, but I am providing you a resource to find out more information. There are times, however, when I don't have an electronic source. I will make every attempt to tell you the books I read the information in.

The goal is to make you a well rounded "All things alternative" kind of a cook! If you feel I am missing a huge category that would be helpful to you, please let me know.

Good luck, and if you have any questions, or comments, or you want another "about" post on a specific topic, please feel free to leave a comment or email me.

Happy hunting!

Millet/Rice Muffins (overnight soak)

I found these from Theresa Brown and adapted them for millet use. If you don't have a rice allergy, I will note where you need to change the recipe. These are a very versitile muffin, you can add zuchinni, carrot, fruit, etc. Get creative with the base and change it up a bit!
Makes 12-14

1 1/2 cups millet flour (or rice)
about 3/4 cup warm water
2 tablespoons whey (or lemon juice or vinegar)
1/2 cup coconut oil (or 1/4 cup for rice flour)
1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda (1/2 tsp for rice)
1/2 teaspoon homemade baking powder

Zucchini Muffins

1 1/2 cups grated zucchini
1/4 teaspoon dried ginger

Carrot Muffins

1 1/2 cups finely grated carrots
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Fruit Muffins

1-1 1/2 cups blueberries, blackberries
or raspberries

Mix the first three ingredients and soak overnight. After soaking mix oil and honey thoroughly in a separate container. Add eggs, then salt, soda, powder, and any spices. Combine flour mix and egg mix with fruit or vegetable. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes,or until a toothpick comes out clean.