HealthyME Living

I absolutely love me a good biscuit and this year I've been working on converting my recipes to meet a plant-based lifestyle which brings us to this particular recipe. I didn't realize it would be so simple to convert and I'm over the moon I made the attempt cause they are absolutely delicious if I do say so myself. They were a hit with my breakfast guest as well which by the way 5 out of 9 were Vegan and those who were not weren't the wiser. Most importantly my daughter loved them and she is not only a picky eater but one of the harshest critics. I hope you enjoy them as much as we did. Till next time "It's Been D'Lish Dishing with y'all!"

Ingredients:

• 2 cups self-rise flour
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• 1 stick of plant-based butter(avocado or olive)
• 1/4 c. Milk (I used rice milk)
• 1/4 c. Buttermilk (plant based milk +a cap full of ACV)

Directions:

• Heat oven 375 degrees
• Add all ingredients to bowl in order making sure to moisten all parts
• Form together and flour
• Flour surface, roll out and cut
• Brush tops with melted butter (*optional)

Are you believing something about yourself yet your desire is the opposite of that belief. I know we have all had negative self talk at one point in time or another. However did you know that it is this negative self talk that is blocking your ability to reach your goals. In order to attain ones goals and dreams you must connect your beliefs with your desires. Ok here's a few examples:

Ex. 1- Mary wants to be a Make-up Artist yet she keeps saying, "Everyone loves my make-up but no one's gonna pay me to do theirs."

Ex. 2- John wants to create art that can go on canvas and t-shirts to start his own business, yet he keeps telling himself his art isn't good enough.

Ex.3- Shanta has always had a glowing smile however she began to tell herself after someone mentioning her crooked teeth that she really doesn't like her smile.

What do you think happened to each of these people? Well let me tell you. Mary kept getting compliments on her makeup and even began to do others make-up for them because people actually believed she had skills. However she didn't get paid for her services because she had already set up in her mind that it was not possible when she already had the proof.

John didn't start his business because he believed he needed to perfect his skills before starting and always had an excuse for not making the time. He didn't realize their are all types of art forms. It didn't dawn on him that Art and it's beauty is different for every buyer or collector. He could have started and perfected his skills along the way.

Shanta eventually stopped smiling because she had already set up in her mind that her smile was ugly to others because her teeth weren't perfect. He made her less happy when she should not have allowed an imperfection to still away her joyful moments.

If this is you no matter the situation be it trying to loose weight, starting a business or any other goal; your beliefs are keeping you from achieving your desires. Your beliefs are just that which you believe about yourself. You must create the life you want to live by speaking it into existence. This is called positive self talk or speaking lovingly to yourself. You must believe you are capable of it before it is even possible. So lets talk about 3 ways to connect your beliefs and desires.

1. Mind Changing- If your belief and your desire don't match up you must change your mindset. A belief is defined as: an acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists. While desire is defined as: a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen. A negative and positive thought cannot occupy the same space. You must decide which one you will feed.
2. Affirmations - Affirmations whether spoken or visual can be extremely powerful. The saying "You are what you eat" applies also to what you feed the mind. Create an affirmation board or a affirmation mantra to say each day.
3. Align your actions- Begin to do things that put you on the path to accomplishing your goals. A Dream without action will never come to pass.

When you begin to change the way you think it will change how you see yourself, family, business, etc. Affirmations come in many form for some we have notebooks or pads with motivational sayings, affirmation boards posted in our homes and offices, and for me personally it's the artwork throughout my house such as pictures and statues.

These affirmations are a constant reminder of what you are trying to keep or are striving to attain. Reading is another way to change or keep the appropriate mindset to the path you want to be on. What we read and watch are a direct affect on our emotions and begin to shape our thoughts which create beliefs and encourage or discourage desires. I hope this helps you in aligning your actions and to getting on the path to accomplishing your goals.

I started Artisan Body Treats out of necessity; I needed to create a solution to my daughter’s dry-itchy skin. There is nothing like a mother on a mission to ease the suffering of her child. I was tired of watching as she sat on the floor scratching at her legs as if it were a job she was getting paid to do. Doctors were telling me she has eczema she needs this and that cream, you’ll need to bathe her in this soap and apply this steroid cream on her. Well needless to say none of these things worked and I’m simply not a fan of steroids let alone any other drugs for that matter. So it became necessary to find a solution that would work.

I was on a mission as my days and nights were filled with researching just the right ingredients. Those days and nights turned into weeks and needless to say through much research, trial an error I came up with a recipe that worked great for her sensitive skin. But it didn’t stop there while the itching had calm down it was still an issue. I noticed it always started after bath time so again I was determined to solve this too.

As a result of my dedication to being her problem solver and having the determination like a dog with a bone my goal to come up with a solution to her problem turned into a business. The products created for her were the “Baby Love” Triple Butter & “Mother’s Love” Unscented Soap; she’s since graduated to the “Mother’s Love” Lavender Soap. By creating the products myself I was able to ensure the products were created with integrity and truly 100% all natural but decided to take it a step further by making them vegan. All of the products created are made in small batches with love and care; tested on my family and testers, never on animals.

The Prime truck just delivered Babygirl's books. If you've ever homeschooled you know that the curriculum must be adapted to the individual child and if you plan to homeschool you will discover it during your journey.  So when we first started we chose to use technology as I thought this would be the best option after all it seem the simplest and I thought hey it will free up my time as it would do most of the work. Ha the joke was on me, fat chance I was getting out of anything and rightly so. I realized I really needed to take a more hands on approach at least until middle school and a routine had been established.

My lovely child who is apparently too smart for her own good had figured out how to trick and bypass the system and because of this she was not learning the work. As a parent it is ultimately our responsibility to ensure their learning whatever that looks like; we must do the work as well as them. I knew I didn't want to be the parent that said I wish I had invested more time or it's my fault she is behind in her learning so I jumped in the driving seat. We've tried a variety of tools such as online learning, Raz-kids, Moby Max, Time 4 Learning, ABC Mouse, Khan Academy, Kids A-Z, and Vocabulary Spelling City. Technology is truly not her friend; I realized just alone with the math on the computer she kept getting it wrong however when I'd write problems on the dry erase board and allow her to work them out they were always correct, wow huh.

So long story short we are going old school, yes doing things the old fashioned way in all its simplicity can solve so many problems. It always me to know exactly what she is doing and when, yes I have to correct it but hey this is all a part of homeschooling; it really isn't for the faint of heart. I mean that in the nicest way. This homeschooling thing is an extra job. No matter the tools you choose be sure it fits your child's learning style, it cover the required areas of content (math, language arts, etc...) and you are checking his or her progress along the way. I hope this was helpful and here's what we choose for our homeschool lessons:

Math

Math Lessons for a Living Education

Science

Exploring Creation with Zoology 1: Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day

Language Arts

180 Days of Language 180 Days of Reading 180 Days of High Frequency Words 180 Days of Writing

Social Studies

180 Days of Geography Urban Intellectuals Black History Flashcards Vol.1

Today felt like a soup day and it was perfect cause I had lots of fresh veggies that needed to get cooked before going bad. As they say "Waste not, want not" and I love making my own food as it allows me to know what exactly is in each dish. Did you know the best time to be creative in the kitchen is when you try to come up with a dish based on ingredients on hand.

Exactly how this came about, veggies needing to be used not sitting unloved in my refrigerator. In showing these veggies some love meaning prepping them to have a party in my tummy as they say on "Yo Gabba Gabba" this delicious soup came to life. And who says you need recipes. This soup will allow variety as it can go over couscous, rice, risotto, pasta or beans. The featured image shows it over couscous as it is what I had for lunch and then for dinner I ate it again with Basmati rice.

Ingredients:

• 8 cups of water
• 1 1/2 cups sweet potatoes, diced
• 3 tall celery sticks, chopped
• 4 medium carrots, chopped
• 7 med.-large kale leaves
• 1/2 orange bell pepper (can also use yellow, red, or mix all 3)
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 cup vegetable puree
• 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt

Note: table salt and kosher salt are not equal.

Directions:

1. Add first 7 ingredients to the pot and cook till veggies are tender (approximately 30-45 min).
2. add last 3 ingredients
3. Eat your soup as is or pour over a bed of rice or option of your choice.

Did you know that sour cream can be substituted with yogurt. Well we made burritos and forgot we were out of sour cream so what the heck we tried it. Of course we didn't have regular we only had vanilla. Yes that's right we put Chobani Vanilla Greek yogurt on the burritos. It actually tasted pretty good. So next time you need a go to Ingredient or a recipe calls for sour cream try Chobani for a healthier alternative. Yes I received my 1st container free with a coupon I received as your friendly #BzzAgent however I bought my 2nd container myself cause the first was so good and will be going back for a 3rd this week. Now these also come in individual servings in strawberry and blueberry. It's always Dlish Dishing a new find with you all.

The smell of a kitchen is distinctively different when everything's homemade and while cooking up this pot of colorful beauty the house was smelling so delicious. I couldn't help but to think of my grandmother who was an amazing cook. This dish actually came out much better than expected you'll find everything you need to know to redo this meal listed below.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp. olive oil, divided
• 1 small bundle of asparagus (trim ends)
• 1 medium red bell pepper (stem removed an seeded)
• 3/4 cup thinly sliced shallot
• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 1/4 cup sauvignon blanc wine
• 1/4 tsp each salt and black pepper
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (vegan cheese option)

1. Using a medium saucepan heat broth over medium heat; once it comes to a simmer reduce to low heat to keep it warm.
2. While that's warming take a large pan place on medium heat. When hot add 1tbsp. oil, asparagus and bell pepper to skillet and saute about 3-4 minutes until tender. Remove and set aside.
3. Add remaining tbsp. of oil and add shallots to pan. Saute 1-2 minutes until softened looking slightly brown.
4. Add Arborio rice cook for a minute; remember to occasionally stir.
5. Add wine and gently stir cooking about 1-2 minutes until liquid absorbs.
6. Ladle in the broth 2-3 ladles at a time allowing the risotto to return to a simmer each time before adding more broth. You want the risotto to cook however you don't want it to boil or it will cook too fast and become gummy. Also remember to stir occasionally.
7. When all the broth is gone and rice is cooked "al dente" should take about 15-20 minutes remove rom heat and stir in parmesan cheese and the cooked vegetables.

Today started out as an opportunity to check out a pop up location of which I decided to take a friend to do the same. If you haven't learned by now I'm a sharer. I had the pleasure of meeting AJ and Tonya of EntrePODneur and I must say these ladies have come up with what Audria Richmond of Uncloned Marketing would call an uncloned idea. I also checked out a fairly new restaurant Rosie's Coffee Cafe which at the moment has a Groupon available where you can get $30 for $15. I ordered a Garden Salad, Fried Green Tomatoes and Homestyle Potatoes. Everything was pretty good; babygirl really fell in love with the French Toast w/strawberries. The day was getting away by now so we still needed to make a trip to the Farmer's Market & Sevananda. On our trip to Sevananda babygirl wanted to help fill the bags and weigh them so I turned it into a math lesson after all she's homeschooled and the best way to learn is hands on and when you don't realize its a lesson. We weighed bags of quinoa, lentils, and Arborio rice.

Here are pics of my mini-me helping me make this homemade vegetable broth. I let her dump all the vegetables un as I cut them up, do the stirring and added of all other ingredients. As you can see something so simple made her day

Vegetable Broth

Ingredients:

• Tbsp. Avocado oil
• 1 Vidalia onion (with skins/ chopped up)
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. minced garlic
• 4 medium carrots
• 4 celery stalks (chopped)
• 2 tsp. kosher salt (can use sea salt)
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 10 cups water ( I used filtered water)
• 1 cup chopped greens (kale, collards, etc../ I used kale)
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 Tbsp. ground thyme
• 1/2 Tbsp. ground rosemary
• 2 whole bay leaves
• 1 can tomato paste (about 5-6 Tbsp.)

1. Heat pot over medium heat and add oil, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, salt and pepper. Stir sauteeing about 5 minutes or until softened. Remember to stir frequently.
2. Add the water, greens, parsley, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Increase heat to medium high cooking until it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer and tomato paste. Stir to break up paste then add lid to the pot leaving a crack.
3. Cook for 45 minutes to an hour. The flavor will infuse better the longer it cooks.
4. At his point you can add more salt and pepper to taste or spice it up with hot sauce.
5. Allow it to cool before pouring through strainer and putting in jars.

Purée:

Waste not want not they say; so we've taken the leftover veggies; blended them up in our Vitamix and can now eat as a soup or add to other meals for extra flavor.

I hope you enjoy and until next time "It's Been D'Lish Dishing with ya'll."

Finally made it to the Snellville Farmers Market; even though it was raining it still was a successful trip. I found Blueberries, Peaches and Zucchini. Can you say happy dance like David Venable on "ITKWD". So my honey has been asking for sweets and after filling an order for Banana Pudding and a Lemon Pound Cake for someone else on Saturday I had to satisfy his sweet tooth. His taste buds were pleased as he kindly tooted my horn on Facebook.

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups sugar ¤4 large eggs
• 1/4 cup milk ¤3 tsp. Lemon Extract
• 2 1/4 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. Baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. Salt
• 1 1/2-2 cups Blueberries, rinsed

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven 350°. Grease bunt pan. Beat Butter in a large bowl with Electric mixer On Medium until creamy.
2. Add sugar beating until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time beating in well after each addition. Add milk and lemon extract. Beat about a minute.
3. Combine in separate bowl flour, baking powder, and salt, mix well. Add half of flour mixture to butter mixture, beat well then add remaining mixture and again beat well.
4. Fold in Blueberries and pour into pan.
5. Bake until toothpick inserted comes out clean about 1 hour.

Finish this cake last night just in time for a midnight snack just me and the "Bossy Diva", yum! Til next time remember, "It's Been D'Lish Dishing w/Y'all!"

What is Holistic Living? Holistic Living is the heart of a healthy lifestyle and is defined as the art of living in balance with ourselves and our environment. When we do so we are understanding and respecting that all things are intertwined therefore connected. Holistic Care focuses on healing the whole person through the unity of body, mind, emotion, spirit and environment. So everything we put into and do to our bodies, everything we read/hear/speak, what we feel/express, and all that we allow to be around us and that we go around is directly gonna affect everything that unfolds or doesn't unfold in our lives. Join me and learn more about how our day to day affects us and those around us. While you're here let me know how I can help you on your journey?

Our "Head 2 Toe Love" Triple Butter is made with premium ingredients which are also vegan. The different essential oils used to make up the following variations:

Bare, Citrus Dream, Lavender, Lemongrass and Neem

Each of theses scents made up using essential oils have been chosen for their wonderful benefits.