Saturday, November 19, 2011

Indulgences or Necessities? Coconut Oil?

This is strange, but why not?
The past few years I've really been into redoubling my efforts on self care. Any step in the direction of better health is a good to me. I was one to want perfection in everything I did overnight, but there were some problems with that. For me, it wasn't that I couldn't achieve perfection. My problem was that I had such an ego, that truly believed I knew what perfection was.
  Dropping that idea, was one of the first steps in better overall health. For me, doing the next good thing for myself and others, learning the next way to be gentle and putting that single idea into practice has helped me. I'm never sure what's good for anyone else. My only advice would be that if it's loving to you, chances are it's going to be loving to those around you. Taking care of myself makes me more able to be there for others. My main goals in life are to be a good Mom, a good friend, and if self  loving acts get me there, it's ok to let go of the idea that it's a selfish in a bad way. Indeed, I've come to believe responsibility begins with caring for the self as does love.
  I've not always felt love for myself, but it wasn't necessary to feel it. I've heard Love is about action, so I could begin with small actions, getting enough sleep, eating well, challenging myself to learn and do new things, and being gentle on myself with my progress. Being honest with myself never saying I didn't do well enough, or I wasn't smart enough or strong, rather that I tried, and I'll do better tomorrow.
  Love encourages. It turns out, when I act on love the feeling comes.
  Newest on my list of self care, has been hair care. Seriously. Follow me back to a time when I'd yank at my hair, burn it with blow dryers and curling iron, and you may see a lack of love. This is my body, in my care, not in my violence. Daily, ways that I've treated myself less than loving are revealed to me. I've done a good job at changing my diet, and getting better physical health, I rely on meditation, I make sure my day includes humor and I look for beauty in the world. I'm gentle with others, yet I'm hurting my hair? Well, there's always room for progress.
   About a week ago, I started doing something terribly decadent. I began daily hair oiling. Now the old part of me that still whispers, "You have more important things to do!" is still there, but I find nothing more important than love. (I do argue with myself. hehe) The genter I am with me, the gentler I am with others. To be kind to one and not the other is to me, two faced and very dishonest. So, in this next effort to balance my life, I'm putting oil on my head! giggles! I've made a few videos. I'm just learning this, so patience is appreciated. I wanted to title this, "OIL! Here I am petting myself!" haha! Yes, doing things that are good for ourselves is not always familiar territory. It feels wierd, selfish, and terribly decadent. It also takes a lot of bravery. Again, though if I don't, the price is high. I may not notice my suffering, but it trickles into the lives of everyone I know. I owe to others I love to be good to me.
  So it seems I'm learning about coconut oil. Isn't life strange? I wonder what I'll learn next. It's kind of exciting. Here are a few videos I've done containing what I've learned so far along with some results. This may be obvious to many of you, but the uses of this oil are new to me, and it's fun learning new things.

Light Oiling for Daily Use:



Heavy Oiling: Please enjoy the sexy Do Rag and Towel scenes! (Having a great laugh! Laughing is such a healing exercise! Enjoy!)

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Low Carb Crackling Cornbread? and Ham (or Bacon) and Beans?!

A Gift for my fellow low carbers;
   Upfront, I am not much of a cook, but I know simple foods that are nutritious and taste good. I miss high carb, Southern cooking, and when I came across a simple flax bread recipe, I got inspired. I'm four pounds from goal today, but I've made my first cooking video. I owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Atkins, About.com's Low Carb Forum, Kent Altina who makes inspiring videos on Atkins friendly recipes, and so many others who've been so encouraging. Nothing I could offer is going to be enough to repay the debt I owe for a new life and finally being healthy. Still, this is my gift back to them, and to the many others who are on the journey to better health. If I can do this, anyone can.
   Here's my video with a few, hopefully humorous mistakes. Recipes are written below.



Cracklin' Mock Corn Bread?!:
 Ofcourse in low carb recipies, corn meal and flour aren't wise choices as they are very high in carbs. This recipe is built upon one I saw online from Kent Altina. Seen here.  
 I'll be using the same ingredients with a few variations. Here we go!
1 oz. Pork Cracklings
1 1/2 Tablespoon of water
 In a small bowl, Break up cracklings into small pieces, add water and toss. Leave sit for 5 minutes to soften
In a separate flat bottomed cereal sized bowl, combine the following ingredients:
1 Tablespoon melted butter
2 Tablespoons ground Flax seed. (Golden will look more corn bread-like, but I usually use brown as it's less expensive)
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon of Baking Powder
1 Tablespoon Almond Meal (I added the almond meal only because I want the familiar grit of cornbread.)
   Add crackling and water mix to the second bowl, and mix all ingredients with a fork. Microwave on High for 2 minutes. It's done then, but I like to do more.
  I remove my loaf from the bowl, and turn it upside down. I put this in my toaster oven, and toast to crisp the bottom side. After, I only top with butter, however if a person wanted, they could sprinkle the loaf with 1/2 packet of whatever sweetener they like. Southern cornbread is usually sweet, and a person could go in the tradition of Johnny Cakes. They'd use Sorgum Molasses or Maple Syrup on top. Ofcourse, we need to avoid sugars, so one could drizzle with just a teaspoon of Sugar Free Maple Syrup.
  In this case, I like to take a separate small container and put a teaspoon or two of butter in it and melt it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. I add an equal amount of Sugar Free Maple Syrup, and drizzle this over my dish.
  Your loaf can be cut in half or quarters for two Thick, hearty servings. Total carbs: 1.35, 1 serving 0.675 carbs which I'd round out to 0.68 net carbs
  Warning, for those who've not had cornbread in a very long time, this is exceptionally good. Please do not make six loaves of this and eat it in a day. Not only will you consume an uncomfortable amount of fiber from the flax, when eating even low carb dishes in mass, we can go over our carb limits easily.

 Ham (or bacon) and Beans:
   3-4 oz. pre cooked, chopped ham (make sure there is no sugar added) or 4 slices of (no sugar added) bacon cooked and chopped (reserve fat and cool to room temp)
  (Optional at  0.25 carbs per 1/4 tsp) 1/4 tsp. of ham or chicken flavored bullion (You may want to use 1/8 tsp, as this was salty though not too salty for me)
  1/2 cup Eden black soy beans (Do not use regular black beans.) Keep the liquid. 8 carbs and 7 of them are fiber, so this is 1 net carb (I like to fork smash roughly 2 Tablespoons of my beans to make the sauce thicker, and leave the rest whole.) Do add roughly 1/3 of the juice from your can of beans
  Black Pepper to taste.
   Stir first three ingredients together ingredients together, and microwave for 4 minutes on high. Add pepper if you like. Done.
  Optional additions (be sure to add the carbs) are Salsa or chopped Green Onion

  Greens:
    1/2 cup canned or frozen or fresh Collard Greens, Spinache or whatever you like. (If using fresh, rinse thoroughly and start with 2 cups of them. They will cook down measurably. Measure 1/2 cup for a serving after. For ease, I like canned collards) 1/2 cup cooked collards have 2 carbs and 1 fiber for a total of 1 net carb.
    1-2 Tablespoon of reserved bacon fat
    Salt and pepper to taste
     Either add greens to skillet with cooled bacon fat, cook and stir until hot. (If using fresh, set on medium to low heat, cover and wait about 7-8 minutes. They will cook in their own steam and the fat. ) Cook to your desired tenderness.

Total net carbs for the whole meal: 2. 68 which I'd round up to
  2.7 net carbs
 Remember to add 1 carb for every packet of artificial sweetener, should you choose to use it. A bit of White Vinegar (Avoid Balsamic or Cider Vinegar, as these contain sugar/carbs), salsa or chopped green onion can be added. Just be sure to add the carbs from these.
    This is a very filling comfort meal. One won't be hungry for a long time after this. Ofcourse, the Ham and Beans, and Greens can be doubled for two and the Crackling "cornbread" is already two servings. I hope you all enjoy, and stay true to you. You can do this!
  Oh, and it's no extra carbs to go ahead and crumble your Crackling Mock Cornbread into your beans. Enjoy!
tina jones
p.s. I've already begun work on my blog for when I reach goal. I even got the perfect red dress! Stay tuned...

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Ongoing Understanding of Neurotypicals: A Cure

I'd like to know what causes Neurtypicalism.
    I don't want to cure all of it, just the parts that make them uncomfortable. You know, like competiveness to the point of self injury like in football, wearing high heels or incurring debt just to fit in, or the following of groups they don't agree with just to be part of a social group, thus being untrue to themselves causing ulcers and any number of neurosis. Then there's the talking when one has nothing to say that sometimes causes them distress in having to chit chat. This can put off dinner to appease neighbors in order to keep neighborhood peace with people they may not even like when family they love is waiting, thus causing hungry people if not disgruntled families.
     If we could cure the need to fit in, then it ought to follow, they'd have less trouble with others who were different. Neurotypicals who'd sing in the shower, get giddy and jump about like cheerleaders by sheer natural joy, would have less problem with hand flappers like me who are doing the same thing, if quieter.
    No, it's probably better to look to myself for the problem. I have a problem with acceptance, perhaps. I need to just accept them like they are, even if they don't make sense, even if their joys and sadness are expressed differently, comfort when I can, encourage when I can, and realize that everyone has their own ways, even neurotypicals. I also realize this won't be heard as the love it's intended in, because not all are capabable of stepping into another's frame of mind. Love them anyway.
    As far as what causes Neurotypicalism, as far as I can see, it must be fear of rejection. What we autistics can do to help is embrace them, and accept them exactly as they are. Some day, they may be able to do the same. Some already have. There is hope.
tina jones