DIETS!!  Which one is the best for losing fat?  Which one is the best for improving your health?  For Cancer?  For Diabetes?  Should we be eating animal protein?  and on and on we go….

Ya know, we can research and research till we are blue in the face.  At some point, we really just need to give it to the Lord and ask HIM about what we should eat.  Here are some conclusions that we’ve come to:

• Vegetarian and Vegan diets have their place.  If someone had a serious disease or needs to cleanse their body of toxins…eating large amounts of vegetables can transfer the body into a healing state and help the body to detox.  Note:  Fruits help the body to cleanse.  Veggies help to nourish the body with many vitamins and minerals that the body needs to heal and repair. Notice, that I didn’t include bread (or any grains).
• Juicing - has some tremendous benefits.  Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead shows this clearly.  Juicing can provide the body with concentrated nutrients from vegetables.  Sometimes the body might not be able to digest a lot of fiber initially.  By taking the pulp out and just drinking the pure juice is like giving your body super nutrition that doesn’t require a lot of digestive effort.
• Green Smoothies – also have tremendous benefits.  By using a VitaMix or a Blendtec, you can produce a yummy smoothie filled with lots of greens including the pulp, which is excellent fiber. Fiber is great for the small and large intestine and will promote elimination.
• Eat Meat in small proportions.  Instead of eating a big 16oz. steak at one sitting, we should be eating about 4oz. or less.  About the size of the palm of your hand.  This is true for children too.  The rest of our meal should include veggies and whole grains.  Fruits are best eaten as snacks between meals.  Also – you don’t have to have meat at every meal!  Try mixing in a vegetarian meal a couple of times a week!  (eg. Veggie Fried Rice or Sweet Potatoes)
• When eating Animal protein – eat ONLY organic, free-range eggs and chicken, grass-fed beef, wild fish and wild game. (Venison, Antelope, Elk etc…)  We recommend not eating any Pork Products because of the bacteria/parasite issue that brings.  Raw milk and raw milk products are full of good enzymes and natural probiotics.  Raw milk cheese is expensive, so we get organic or Tillamook brand cheese.  We buy organic butter when it’s on sale, otherwise we feel that Tillamook brand butter is second best.   There is definitely a balance here.

I recently picked up a copy of Jordan Rubin’s book, “The Maker’s Diet”.  (at a thrift store)  Upon reading it, I knew instantly that this was the right diet for us!  Jordan talks about the importance of probiotics for the gut, eating a variety of fruits and veggies, good quality meats in small amounts, whole grains and learning how to prepare them correctly and the benefits of raw goat milk.

We also have introduced a lot of fermented foods into our diet in the past couple of years.   Homemade Kefir and Sauerkraut are a main staple in our home!  These help to supply quality probiotics to the digestive tract, thus increasing the absorption of nutrients from our foods.   And it’s awesome for our teeth!

Being a vegetarian or vegan is not a bad thing.  Long term?  Not sure if that’s a good thing.  If you are a strict vegan (no eggs, dairy or meat) you need to be sure you are taking a Vit. B12 supplement and checking for any other vitamins and minerals that are only found in animal proteins.

There’s one thing for sure:  WE NEED TO EAT MORE VEGGIES!!

Nutritional Typing can help you determine what your specific needs are.  Protein type, Carb type or Mixed type.  Dr. Mercola offers this test for free – HERE, and included a free cookbook that can help you get started!

What do you think?  We’d love your feedback!  Use the comment area below.

From Our Family To Yours,

Kevin and Amy Jo

What an inspiration!  There’s a lot of really good informational documentaries out there that can teach us how the food industry work, about genetically modified seeds & foods, natural healing therapies etc…   Documentaries have opened up a whole new way to find out the truth about specific issues and more!  It’s helped us to make better & wiser choices for our family.

The other night, Kevin and I were cracking walnuts and decided to watch Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead while we did our task.  We love, loved this film!  I think the 2 things we learned the most from this documentary is this:

1)  People make changes in their life & diet only if they are serious and committed. Sometimes it takes a heart attack or a other serious health challenge to wake a person up.  All others will remain in their lifestyle because it’s where they’re comfortable.  It takes work and motivation to do something different and therefore reap the benefits.  In this case, a very obese truck driver, chose to make a change for the sake of his health (of course), but also for the sake of being able to play ball with his son.  He chose to take a break from truck driving and laser focus on a 60 day fruit & veggie fast and doing some form of exercise every day.  It started with a 10 minute walk down the street…because that’s really all he could do.  My goodness, to see the transformation in this man’s life after 60 days was so incredibly inspiring!  Obesity is rampant and it doesn’t have to be that way.  It is a personal choice.  This is just one of the stories this film documents.

2)  It’s really quite simple. Once a person is committed and have their “Why” in front of them, there is really no stopping them.  Juicing is super easy to do and can change your life.  Same thing is said for exercising or taking good supplements.  Once the commitment is there, make a small goal and just do it!  You will feel so good and begin to see results to keep you going!

Here is the trailer for Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead:

Click here to view the embedded video.

We watched the entire documentary at Hulu.com.  I bet you could even find it on Youtube.com as well. The Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead website is HERE.   There’s lots of great info here.  Take some time and view this!  It may inspire you to move into action or you might think of a friend who might benefit!

Watching this film has motivated us to making our green smoothies every day.  We are committing to doing a 10 day green smoothie fast this month also.  (Once all of our Holiday festivities are done)  What a great way to start off the new year!

Have you seen the film?  What did you think?  Let us know in the comment area below!

From Our Family To Yours,

Kevin and Amy Jo

This is such a sweet time of year!  Grandma and Grandpa have been at our house all week spoiling us rotten.  We all went to the Nutcracker Ballet and hunted for the perfect Christmas tree.  We hung the stockings above the fireplace and put our Nativity scene out for display.  The lights went on the fence outside and the cookie baking has begun!

This past year has been an amazing time in our life.  The Lord has been good to us and has taught us a lot.  We are humbled by his grace, mercy and provision.

Kevin just finished putting in a wood stove insert into our fireplace.  After 9 years of using oil heat, this is such a huge blessing!  The house seems so cozy now with the crackling of the fire and the kids taking turns bringing in wood.

The farm is busy as usual.  We had a full garden this year, with lot of raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, cucumbers, zuccini, kale, butternut squash and various herbs.  We planted some fruit trees and also added a fig and almond tree!  What fun it will be in a few years!  For the first time in 9 years, we actually got a walnut crop off of our tree (the squirrel population has really dropped around here).  We have bags of walnuts hanging from the ceiling in our living room at the moment!

We raised 27 meat chickens this past spring and learned how to process them ourselves.  This was quite the experience with Kevin cutting himself pretty good on chicken #2!   Over the next few weeks, we eventually got them all processed and in the freezer.  What a delight to go out and get a 8# organic chicken out of the freezer to cook up for a meal!  My bone broth has never been so good!  The kids also raised laying hen chicks.

We started our dairy goat herd this summer by purchasing 2 baby kids and an adult doe.  Brooke and Foxy are Saanens and Brown Sugar is a Nubian.   What fun they have been!  Kevin and the kids built me a milking stand, feeder and a “playground” for the babies.  Our next project is to get a completed fence around all of the blackberries so they can feast them away!  It’s been so satisfying to get our own organic raw goat’s milk too!

I taught beginner riding lessons again and thoroughly enjoyed the kids that God brought me!  It’s so fun to see the smiles and laughter of kids learning all about horses and how to ride them.  Blitz just loves all of the attention he gets and even got ridden by a couple of students.  Sequoia is 21 years old now, and is a super lesson horse.  She is gentle but can be a bit testy…which is really good for the kids.  She taught several students how to canter this year, including Baylee and Bryce.

The kids are growing fast.  Baylee is 8 and enjoys climbing trees, roller blading and loves to draw and paint!  Bryce is 6 and enjoyed BMX racing last summer.  He loves picking on his sisters and reading books.  He helped Dad “pull out the guts” when we were processing meat chickens…I think partly to gross out his sisters….  Breanna is 5 now and refers to herself as the “little Mom”.  She loved taking a ballet, tap, gymnastics class this fall.  They just did their Christmas program at a local retirement center.  It was super cute and she did a great job! Brielle turned 2 in August and is a little sweetheart (in between her stubborn streaks).  She is in the midst of potty training and loves to wear “unnerwear”.  She loves tapping around the house with Breanna singing songs.   We are full-time homeschooling now and the kids are just thriving with their learning!   All of the kids have been involved with a local Classical Conversations community, which has been a real blessing.  It’s amazing how much they (and myself) are learning!

The kids have also been learning about how to pray and this past summer started asking God for a “playground” in the backyard.  So far, we’ve aquired a trampoline and a swingset.  The slide and yellow monkey bars are still on the prayer list!  We were also blessed with a mini piano from a neighbor, so the kids and I have been taking Free Piano Lessons online and have learned a lot so far!

Kevin keeps busy working our businesses.  He is truly a man passionate about natural health and healing and continues to work with our Mannatech and OW Company customers.  When he’s not on the phone, he’s usually in the garden or repairing something in the shop.  It’s nice to be married to a handyman!

Looking upon this past year, we are Thankful and Blessed to be in God’s hands.  He is good and is forever by our side through every circumstance.  We are so grateful for our family and friends and pray that you and your families are well and encouraged this Christmas season.

Please let us know how you are doing!  Give us a call or make a comment below >>

May the Lord bless thee, and keep thee.

May His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee,

May the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

Merry Christmas!!

Kevin, Amy Jo, Baylee, Bryce, Breanna, Brielle

Tara Lynn (Bordercollie), Blitz and Sequoia (Haflingers), Tiger & Stripes (cats), Foxy, Brooke & Brown Sugar (goats), and the chickens.

Have you ever used Essential Oils?  We’ve been using them as a part of our family wellness plan for many years now.  I think the first time I was introduced was when Kevin suggested using Frankincense and Myrrh on our new baby’s umbilicus after she was born.  He said that it would prevent the possibility of infection etc…  That was all it took for me to dive into researching more about the what, how and why of Essential Oils!  Today, we use them almost every day and what a blessing it is to have something natural – be so effective!

So, WHAT are Essential Oils? >> (this is an excerpt from Young Living)

“Essential oils are the natural, aromatic volatile liquids found in shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes, and seeds.  The distinctive components in essential oils defend plants against insects, environmental conditions, and disease. They are also vital for a plant to grow, live, evolve, and adapt to its surroundings.  Essential oils are extracted from aromatic plant sources via steam distillation, and are highly concentrated and far more potent than dry herbs.

While essential oils often have a pleasant aroma, their chemical makeup is complex and their benefits vast—which makes them much more than something that simply smells good.

Historically, essential oils have played a prominent role in everyday life.  With more than 200 references to aromatics, incense, and ointments throughout the Bible, essential oils are said to be used for anointing and healing the sick. Today, essential oils are used for aromatherapy, massage therapy, emotional health, personal care, nutritional supplements, household solutions, and much more.”

Here is a list of some of our most favorite Essential Oils >>

Lavender Oil ~ relieves stress and anxiety (eg. tension headaches), is a natural antiseptic, pain reliever, treatment for minor burns, sunburns, cuts, scrapes, bee stings and bug bites.

Eucalyptus Oil ~ relieves symptoms of influenza, coughs, stuffiness, nose/throat/ear congestion, natural antiseptic  and analgesic (reduces pain).   Breathe in, apply to chest/back and use in a vaporizer.

Peppermint Oil ~ may enhance memory, reduce sleepiness, relieve sore muscles and increase blood circulation.  It leaves a refreshing feeling of renewal and increased energy.  It can be used as a flavoring for making homemade ice cream and/or toothpaste.

Tea Tree Oil ~ antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic…used for relief of many skin conditions including infections, dandruff, lice, mites etc..)  It can be added to Citronella Oil to be used as a natural bug repellent.

Angelica Oil ~ relieves irritated skin, bruises, psoriasis, accumulation of toxins, arthritis, gout, rheumatism, water retention, bronchitis, coughs, anemia, anorexia, flatulence, indigestion, fatigue, migraine, nervous tension and stress related disorders….whew!  That’s a good one!

Orange Oil ~ antisepti c, anti-depressant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and calming oil.  This oil may also be used alongside Tea Tree Oil and/or Lemon Oil for natural household cleaning!

How To Use >>

General Use – Place 2-3 drops in the palm of your hand.  Rub hands together and breathe in slowly.  Rub oil through your hair, apply to chest, arms and body.  Apply along the spinal cord and to the bottoms of your feet, where the pores are most plentiful!

If you haven’t read Raising Meat Chickens Part 1, click on the link!

When we got meat chicks to raise in the spring, we knew that we wanted to try butchering them ourselves this time.  Kevin did some research and we began to gather the equipment that we would use.  We bought 30 Cornish X chicks early in the spring and began raising them.  They grew unbelievably fast and within 2 1/2 months we were ready to start butchering.  It almost doesn’t seem right that they would grow so fast and we’ve already begun looking into other meat chicken breeds for next year!

Kevin came across this video that gave him some good information about how to butcher a chicken the most humanely:

Click here to view the embedded video.

This is the process we used:

1)  We used an old 5 gal. bucket and put a hole in the bottom of it.  Hanging it from a tall/stable ladder, we put the chicken upside down and pulled his head through the hole in the bottom.  Kevin cut the jugular vein and let them bleed out and then cut the head all the way off.

2)  We placed the chicken into a large tub of boiling water…holding by the feet, he dunked them a few times until we could pull out the feathers easily.  This is called scalding and makes the feather plucking job pretty easy.

3)  We both tag-teamed the feather plucking job and then proceeded to cut off the feet and gut the bird out.  We kept the gizzards, hearts, livers and necks and filled up a bag of chicken feet (for making bone broth).

4)  Once the birds were gutted out and free of feathers, we washed them up and placed them into a cooler of ice water.  After a few minutes, they were bagged up and placed into the freezer.

We had 27 chickens to butcher total (3 baby chicks died)…and we had about 60% roosters and 40% hens. The roosters weighed in at 8-9lbs and the hens 7-8lbs bagged! So much better than a wimpy 5lb organic chicken from the store!

We butchered 4-5 chickens at a time and got them all done within a 2 week period.  That worked best for us.  I think if we were to do it again, we would make or invest in a killing cone and build or buy a Whizbang Chicken Plucker.  All in all, we were pretty happy with how it all went!

What a BLESSING to have 27 free-range chickens in the freezer!  I can’t believe how much more rich these chickens make my Bone Broth…I get a thick layer of fat on the top now and the broth tastes so so yummy!

From Our Family To Yours,

Kevin and Amy Jo

Here are some fun photos of our Chicken Butchering adventures >>