Totally Simple Pizza Sauce and Wheat Free Crisp Bread Crust

When I first saw this recipe, it sounded awfully simple and bland. But it's always been a huge hit with my family and friends. The original sauce recipe comes from John's Pizzeria in New York City, published in Family Circle Magazine in 1984.

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Basic Pizza Sauce 

1 can (2 lb. 8 oz.) whole tomatoes in puree or juice
2 fresh basil leaves OR: 1 tsp leaf basil, leaf oregano or leaf marjoram, crumbled
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 Tbsp tomato paste (optional)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Combine all ingredients in a heavy, 2 quart non-aluminum saucepan. Coarsely crush tomatoes with wooden spoon. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Lower heat and simmer for 45-60 minutes to thicken.
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 Crust:

If you know how to make your own rye crisp bread, then this wouldn't pertain to you. You can buy big packs of these rye crisp breads. Finn Crisp, Siljans, and Eksands are the most common brands you can locate in your supermarket's cookie and cracker isle.

You can have a pizza party with the kids and buy the smaller sized crisp breads and have them top their own. A fun and simple meal for a crowd!

Simply spread the homemade sauce on the wheel, add your favorite dairy or non-dairy cheese (or none) and toppings.

Bake in oven for 10-12 minutes or until cheese (if using it) melts. The crust will be surprisingly moister but sturdy enough to eat and slice like any pizza.

Are You Ready to Awaken?

A really interesting and enlightening film, full length and free to watch.

Yet Another Blog on Meditation

So you've heard it all before. We should meditate. You've seen all the pictures, with a perfectly thin and young person meditating with a smile on their face. I'm telling you right now....

Forget that nonsense. This isn't a contest. 

In the beginner's mind there is no thought, "I have attained something." All self-centered thoughts limit our vast mind. When we have no thought of achievement, no thought of self, we are true beginners. Then we can really learn something. --Shunryu Suzuki-roshi

Ya so, you can't meditate. Your mind wanders too much. Your own mind drives you crazy. You're too busy. Other things interest you more. You can't make it "blank," as some gurus tell you to do. Well of course you can't! You aren't supposed to.

The fact our own minds drive us crazy points to the fact that we really do need to meditate. Hey, if you can't stand your own thoughts, can others? Are those thoughts truly productive?

In the beginning, it was just the same for me. It was hard work because I was really fighting myself. Wrestling with my own mind, a very determined resistance against letting go. It seemed easier to hang onto my thoughts than letting them go. After all, I thought those thoughts were important and helped me survive. Wrong. It's really just the opposite. The quiet is what we cover up with our thoughts--and being able to recognize this actually helps us organize our thoughts without all the drama.

Have you ever seen someone over-react to a situation? Have you ever over-reacted? This is what happens when our thoughts are in control of us, rather than us being in control of them. Meditation helps us to curb or control our thoughts. You can begin to see what is behind the over-reaction (it's always fear of something - not being acknowledged, agreed with, being wrong, liked, etc.).

I read Suzuki's book (above) years ago. It helped me realize the nature of the mind and meditation (and beyond). Though it's attributed to Zen Buddhism, he outlines concepts rather than dogma, that is particular to human nature, not a religion. In it, he explains the thoughts are like a river, a waterfall. You can no more stop the waterfall than the thoughts. They're going to happen no matter what you do. The struggle ends when you simply allow them, become aware, and watch them fall away like the waterfall. That doesn't mean you won't get pulled back into the stream of thought. It's an ongoing process. In time, it takes only seconds to allow thoughts to drop, and then the recognition that we are above thoughts, not in them. Above all, don't chastise yourself for thoughts taking you over (that's just more of the same). Acknowledge that you're aware of it. That's a pretty big deal really.

But meditation is not something you "do," it's something that happens whenever we are with one mind completely. Have you ever noticed when you're truly interested in something, not as an entertainment, but as genuine interest that absorbs you, that other thoughts don't enter?

No matter what god or doctrine you believe in, if you become attached to it, your belief will be based more or less on a self-centered idea...  In constantly seeking to actualize your ideal, you will have no time for composure.  But if you are always prepared for accepting everything we see as something appearing from nothing... then at that moment you will have perfect composure. --Shunryu Suzuki-roshi

We need thought (or rather, should I say, memorization) in order to remember how to drive, not to burn ourselves, and the like. But these have no judgment or reaction. Apart from that, opinions, prejudices and reactions are what most get caught up in, the thoughts that tell us to forget about who we truly are and get caught up in the drama (the soap opera that never ends).

The first time someone meditates (and for quite sometime after that), they think, "Oh, that didn't do anything, so forget about that." If you were to start piano lessons, would you say the same after just one lesson? Sure, if it didn't interest you. But what if you really wanted to master it? You know it will be years of hard work and practice to perfect it. Meditation is no different. If our goal is peace, a mind at peace where no outward influences can disturb it, you would want to master your own mind. Accept that it may take quite some time to achieve. But also recognize that your pure intent will drive you to accept that state of being.

In reality, we've spent many years of hard work creating a thought system, rather, buying into a thought system that is always there, whether we want it or not. It's a matter of training our minds to refute and ignore the outer world's insanity.

Meditation is the total release of energy. – J. Krishnamurti

Now, and always, the world is at extreme unease. We see it in the news daily. When we don't tune into the news, we hear it from friends or family. We can be that anchor, that haven of peace in our own homes if we don't give thought credence. World peace is really up to each individual. No one outside of us is going to give it to us--not a politician, religious leader or anyone. We have it within us. We only have to remove what blocks our recognizing it. Meditation is the key to this observation that unblocks awareness.

 

Sweet Pan Toasted Pecans

When searching Google for recipes to sweeten pecans with stevia, I'm telling you - everybody and their brother is using the same recipe, perhaps slightly modified. It's unfortunate people copy other people's ideas and at least don't give credit. Now I've experimented making my own sweetened pecans. Ok, so they aren't shiny from using egg whites or whatever. But they are very tasty just the same. It goes without saying that all ingredients should be organic.

Sweet Pan Toasted Pecans

1/4 cup Pecans
2 Tbsp pure water
1/2 tsp stevia powder (it's the real deal, green ground leaves)
1/2 tsp real vanilla
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Toss all ingredients in a small saucepan. Heat on medium, stirring constantly to avoid burning and to distribute ingredients. Heat until the ingredients have completely evaporated and the pecans are no longer soggy. They may look a little strange because of the green stevia, but they taste heavenly on a tossed salad. Some of the stevia will have dried to the bottom of the pan. Before washing it out of the pan, you can cook some oatmeal or something else you want to sweeten, to soak that up.

Another idea would be to make your own stevia water by steeping stevia leaves (not powder) in hot water, straining out the leaves, then using this in place of the water and stevia powder.

Health care discussion: NDs, EMFs, Chiropractic and Dentistry

My goal in writing this article is to let you know some of my standard referrals for medical care. When I leave the Seattle area for our Chicago home, I hope to equip you with resources of where to get treatment you need.

Several years ago, I worked as a medical intuitive consultant for a medical doctor that used treatments I'd never heard about. I discovered they were trained by Dietrich Klinghardt, MD, PhD. There are interesting videos, articles, and products at his website. Find it here at Klinghardt Academy. You can find more of his videos at Klinghardt TV.

I don't know if Dietrich still practices or if his time is taken up by his lectures and living in other countries. But there are various naturopaths and other practitioners that work out of his clinic, that have been trained by him. It's Comprehensive Medical Center in Kirkland.

My long time buddy and an additional referral for naturopathy is in Lynnwood. Find Dr. Rebecca Hoppins here.

It's especially important that if you or someone you know is planning to have a baby, this video should be a (very small) first step in information to get your body ready. Now, if only I knew how to measure electro magnetic fields (EMFs), because it has come up in several readings I've done over the years. In fact, a woman who used an electric blanket, after she miscarried, wondered why she miscarried. I told her to stop using that device. And that was back in 1987!

Why the U.S. Needs Pre-Conception Healthcare (talk by Dietrich Klinghardt, MD, PhD)



Now with cell phones, wireless everything, microwaves, ultrasound, and all the power lines close by, we have to discover how we can eliminate some of these currents that travel through our bodies. It's not just unborn children who are effected - it's all of us. Many folks with serious diseases, all the way to cancer, have been effected by EMFs.

I've mentioned to many of you that I've been seeing a dentist for TMJ.I didn't really know I had it until I saw him. The low level of pain grew over the years but I adapated (or so I thought). My gait was uneven purely because my bite was uneven. I've had hearing difficulties because my eustachian tubes don't drain properly due to improper bite. There are many other factors about dentistry that greatly impact our health: amalgam (mercury) fillings, bacteria, root canals, improperly done root canals and tooth extractions that leave behind infection in the bone, and incorrect metals of crowns.

There's an interesting chart on tooth meridians and how it might be impacting our health. Here it is, from the website Natural World Healing:

The PDF version can be found here: Tooth-Organ Acumeridian Chart

I don't know a good resource in Seattle for this sort of dentistry. I know of one dentist that does such, but he is extremely (and I feel, unwarranted) expensive. My sense is that some dentists do what they do purely for the money. If I find a good dentist, or you know of one, let me know and I can add them to a referral list.

Finally, I wanted to mention a chiropractor in the Seattle area that could be helpful. They don't use what I call "rack and crack" techniques (which is essentially Palmer Technique). It's Direct Non-Force Technique (DNFT). I've had a session with the chiropractor and believe his work is very good. Contact Dr. Robert Rushing, DC, LMP, if you're in need of conquering some of those nagging aches and pains. He also has referrals to other body workers.

Spaghetti squash noodle soup, Avocado Almond soft serve dessert

I thought this was a good recipe for those cutting out grains. Spaghetti squash noodles rather than wheat, rice, corn or other grain noodles, can be a great substitute. I've read so much about tofu being toxic these days, that I'm not advocating its use by passing on this article. You can substitute something in its place or leave it out. I also liked her dessert suggestion.

Cats in the Kitchen: Spaghetti squash noodle soup with fall and spring ...: Bailey decides to get political and demand more food I was a little on the activist side this week when a group of us decided to deliver ...

Sweet Oats and Sweet Tea

Though I've cut out grains almost entirely from my diet, I've been having oatmeal on a regular basis, based on Charlotte Gerson's therapy for metabolic disorders, from her book Defeating Obesity, Diabetes and High Blood Pressure - The Metabolic Syndrome. I don't follow the book to the letter, but it has helped me tremendously.


To make oatmeal a "fast food" breakfast, I put these ingredients in a one cup capacity, wide mouth thermos at night before bed. You can add hot water to make it thinner and warm in the morning. The key to making them sweet without added caloric, artificial or toxic sweeteners is to get real organic stevia leaf (not extract) or powder. My favorite source is Mountain Rose Herbs, the links above.

Stevia leaf, when used whole or powdered, has the ability to help balance blood sugar.

It is best not to heat any foods in the microwave, and oats are no exception. If you need to heat them, do so gently and briefly on the stove burner, or simply add some additional boiling water, to the consistency you like, in the morning.

Sweet Oats

Basic sweet oats:

Toss this in a thermos:
1/3-1/2 c organic rolled oats
1 tsp, rounded (or more or less to taste) stevia leaves or powder (not extract, see links above)
Fill thermos with boiling purified water (filtered or distilled is best)
Cover and let sit overnight

Optional ingredients (not all added at the same time)

These are just some ideas you can use to vary the taste of your oatmeal. Not all are used at the same time, use your personal preference and additional ideas. 

Add to the hot water mix above:

1/2 tsp (more or less) organic cinnamon
dash organic nutmeg
1/2 tsp real organic vanilla (liquid or less if using powder)
1/2 cut up organic apple, pear, mango, strawberry or other favorite fruit

Add these only when the oatmeal is not heating, and in the morning after the oats have cooked.

Fresh organic fruit
Organic Chia seeds, ground fresh
2 Tbsp organic pumpkin seeds (or other favorite seeds or nuts), 1/4 cup water, finely blended to create pumpkin seed "milk" - no need to strain
1 Tbsp organic flax oil
Organic Applesauce
Organic goat milk yogurt
1-2 Tbsp Mt. Capra Mineral Whey (I get the largest size available, but there are smaller, less expensive sizes)

Enjoy!

Sweet Tea

This is ridiculously simple, but I thought I'd throw it in as an idea.

Take your favorite organic tea and brew as usual. Toss in a pinch or more of stevia leaves, to taste, while brewing.