"Tell me more about the Whole Foods Binder System"

 This is my reply to the question I was asked today. I thought I could share it with you too.

Question:  "I am very interested in your notebook... Tell me more about it."

Answer:

"The Binder System is what happened when I wanted to feed my family well and was overwhelmed with lots of recipes and food combination techniques. I was organizing my healthy recipes into a binder so I could take out the recipes for the week and post them on my wall to make it easier. I was color coding each recipe for how it worked in food combining when it dawned on me that other people would benefit from the work I was doing. I then undertook the major effort to type up each recipe and add directions. While I was doing that I realized that I couldn't leave it at just recipes but I would have to also explain 'why' I was feeding myself and my family in the way I do, and how to use the food combination system. I added shopping tips and food budgeting tips, and everything else I could think of at the time that would be helpful for people wanting to feed their families well and lose weight and gain energy in the process. It was months of work every day. Brian did not have a job, so he was able to take care of my other Mom duties until I finished it.

When my family moved to the farm, we became penniless and had to start relying on whatever food we could get - most of it being given to us at the time. We were in survival mode pretty much. We were grateful for the food but it wasn't the kind of food that supported the healthy lifestyle we were used to. I began putting on weight and we started getting sick more frequently.

A few months ago I started selling bread and vegetables from my greenhouse and we started having more of an income. I was able to go to a natural healer to get on a cleanse and we have been able to start eating like the Binder system shows how to do. I was actually very excited to pull out the Binder and start using it again. I had been thinking for a few days that I needed to get some healthy recipes together and start using a system to make sure we always had good options to consume rather than eating whatever was fastest and most convenient. I got out the Binder and was tickled to use it. It is exactly what I need and I hope it helps other people too.

I have been losing weight again since employing the techniques I talk about in the Binder, and have had more energy. I am still working through some of the health problems that have crept up since not eating well but I am confident that I will be able to move past them. There is always food to eat because of the tips on food prep. that I have been employing, and I am not so burdened with trying to figure out what to eat.

I am in the process of adding more recipes for the Spring. They will include more in season veggies and tips on how to prepare them. The Whole Foods Binder System teaches less of a reliance on meat and dairy and more intake of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains. You don't have to be completely rid of meat and dairy, just have less of it. I explain why in the front of the Binder. I don't go into too much detail because the main idea of the Binder is the techniques of how to eat healthy. I give lots of resources in the back of the Binder if you want to become more well read on the 'why's' of whole foods. There are about 80 pages of 'why's' in the Binder and the rest is recipes."

A few things I forgot to mention in my response. I am continually improving the Binder. As I do so, I will be sending out any improvements or changes to everyone who has a copy. So, if you have a copy and want to suggest a change or improvement I am all ears. The same goes with the recipes. If you find something that isn't quite right or if you have ideas for how to make them better, I will take it into consideration. Some of my friends have added spices and herbs to dress up some of the recipes and I love how it has turned out. I am quite busy with the farm, but when I have time I have been working on improving and adding to the Binder.

Also, I forgot to mention the 'Stages' within the Binder. This System is designed to take anyone from the Standard American Diet and move through stages towards healthier options which equal a healthier life. It can be as gradual as you want and as fast or slow as you want to take it. It also provides for compromise within the family unit. Some members of the family may want to go more slowly than you in change of diet, or not change at all. Dietary changes can be the most difficult changes you make in your lifetime. The food you eat can be very dear to some people and hard to give up. The Binder makes allowances for those differences within the family. You can also choose which 'Stage' is best for you to stay on.

I have had good feedback from people using the Binder System. It is fun to create something that will help others. :)

More information about the Whole Foods Binder System can be found at my website www.inthegardenofeatin.com. 

Happy Healthy,
Elisa

Mystery Photo

WHAT IS THIS?  :)  

Crocuses

I planted these crocuses last fall. I was picturing these sunny flowers as I planted them, knowing that when they came up spring would be right around the corner. I had to take a picture and share it with those who might not know the joy of crocuses and for those who know full well the joy of the first flowers in spring. I love to grow vegetables but I do look forward to the pleasure that beautiful flowers bring. 

My New Rolling Pin :)

You may have seen the post I did on making Pita Bread where I had to use a baseball bat to roll out the pitas. Well, a kind soul who has begun ordering food from the farm took pity on me and brought me a rolling pin when she picked up her food! :)  Can you believe it? It was the first time I had met her and she was so generous. I am so thankful to be meeting such wonderful people in the community.  Having a business and lifestyle that connects us with the community is so rewarding and fulfilling. Thank you Dawn O.!

Dawn handing me the prized rolling pin.

Check out what she and her friend did with the farm fresh eggs. Yum.

Breakfast juice

This is my 6 year old making his morning juice. So responsible and healthy:)

Natural Every Day Cleaner

This is the cleaner I have been using for 2 months now and I love it.
I pour water and vinegar into a spray bottle in equal proportions and add some lemon juice for its smell and its grease cutting properties.
I use this in the bathroom and in the kitchen. On the floors, counters and stove or wherever I need general cleaning.
The smell of the vinegar goes away when it dries, but it isn't too bad when you use lemon juice along with it.

Do some research on vinegar and you will find that it is an excellent replacement for the harsh cancer-causing chemicals you may be using currently.
Happy Healthy Cleaning!

Essential Oils, Herbs and Healing

I used to be a distributer/seller of essential oils with two different companies. I love how the oils work and I still use them as needed but I am not convinced that selling them is my life's work. :) I focus more on the whole foods aspect of health and my sister focuses on the herbs, essential oils and energy type healing. We are a team! This is her website if you are interested in her helping you with your health through those means. She is a Master Herbalist student and does effective consultations  at a discount. http://kerissataylor.com/blog/     

Kerissa Taylor/ Master Herbalist Student

 The two companies I have been a part of have talked about how pure and wonderful they are. After hearing not so good things about them, I start looking elsewhere. The last company I was with started adding things to their oils and the lady that sourced their oils for them got out of her contract with them because she won't work with anything but the most pure oils.(I have met with her and trained with her, and I TRUST her). She has moved to a different company where she can make sure that they are the most pure, organic, and from plants with the most nutrition and compounds that she can find. There are many sources for these pristine oils around the world that will only work with her because they know her integrity.
 
This new company is called Green Organics International.  If you want to make sure that you are getting the best oils you can, I would suggest going to their website to order them. I am not doing this as a business, but it will give me a commission if you order from my link. It helps us both out. You get quality life giving oils and I get a check in the mail. :)  If you feel the call to make a business out of it, my sister Kerissa has been going through trainings from Lorrene Davies, a self made millionaire(she has made millions from a couple of different ventures) for a few years now and has learned a vast amount of business knowledge. I am sure she would be willing to help you along and maybe even get you training with Lorrene Davies.

I am a certified Home and Family Herbalist from the School of Natural Healing,  and I use herbs and essential oils as a first choice for the health needs of my family. It is health promoting and saves us a lot of money. We use conventional medicine when we are not able to treat things at home. This knowledge has blessed our family with health and I am so thankful for it. It has been a few years since I did that training and I still use it. I learned how and when to use herbs, and about how to feed myself and my family in the best way possible.  By clicking the link above, you would get a discount to take the course for yourself. My sister Kerissa has taken the course also, but is going much further into it to be certified as a Master Herbalist. In the last few years, she has learned muscle testing, A.I.R. treatments with essential oils, and so many more things that I can't even keep up with. She is amazing. When my family has a health issue, I think of what I can do and then call Kerissa! She always has good advice. She is able to give advice on cleanses, allergies, personalized herbal and oil schedules, and so much more.

I hope this information reaches someone who needs it. :)

Happy Healthy,
Elisa