Nutrition is a science focused on the interactions between living organisms and their food. It also includes the study of the biological processes used in consuming food and our body’s ability to use the nutrients found in food.

Nutrients are the chemical substances contained in food that are necessary to sustain life. There are 6 classes of nutrients that our body requires to function optimally, those are:

1. Water – Water is the most important nutrient in the body, it is about 60% of our body composition. Water helps to transport nutrients, regulate body temperature, remove wastes, flush toxins, lubricate joints, improves oxygen delivery to all our cells, enables cellular hydration, moistens oxygen for easier breathing, cushions bones and joints, absorbs shocks to joints and organs, prevents tissues from sticking, improves cell to cell communication, maintains normal electrical properties of cells and empowers the body’s natural healing process.

2. Proteins – Proteins compose about 18% of our body. Proteins are the building blocks of the body. Our body uses and assembles 50,000 different proteins to form organs, nerves muscles and flesh. Proteins are responsible for building enzymes, antibodies, hemoglobin, hormones. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. All proteins are a combination of 20 amino acids. 10 of these are essential, meaning the body cannot produce them, therefore we need to consume them from our food. 10 are nonessential and can be synthesized by the body.

3. Fats – Fats compose about 15% of our body weight. Fats provide a source of energy for the body. They are the building blocks for cell membranes and hormones. They are required for the absorption of the fat soluble vitamins; A, D, E and K. Fats are required for the adequate use of proteins, serve as a protective lining for the organs of the body, play a role in slowing the absorption of food for proper energy regulation and last but not least, they make food taste great!

4. Carbohydrates – Carbohydrates compose about 2% of our body.  They provide fuel for the brain, a quick source of energy for muscles, help regulate protein and fat metabolism. Carbohydrates provide a source of fiber which helps with eliminating waste materials, help fight infections, promote growth of body tissue such as bones and skin, lubricate the joints.

5. Vitamins – Vitamins compose less than 1% of our body. They function as coenzymes or helpers in metabolism, are essential for growth, vitality and health. Helpful for indigestion, elimination and resistance to disease

6. Minerals – Minerals compose about 4% of the body. Minerals are provide solely by food sources, they are not produced by the body. They act as co-factors for enzyme reactions, maintain pH balance and osmotic pressure, facilitate the transfer of nutrients across cell membranes, maintain proper nerve conduction, contract and relax muscles and regulate tissue growth.

The recommended amount of macronutrients in an optimal healthy diet (with some room for shift as we are all uniquely bio-individual) are;

40% Carbohydrates – (Preferably 20-25% non-starchy and 15-20% starchy)

30% Fats

30% Proteins

The best sources of these macro-nutrients are as follows;

Carbohydrate foods = low glycemic vegetables, fresh organic fruits, whole grains that are properly prepared by soaking or sprouting, legumes that are properly prepared or sprouted, and tubers such as potatoes.

Food sources for FAT = raw soaked nuts & seeds, raw cold-pressed oils from nuts & seeds, cold pressed extra virgin olive oil, saturated fats from healthy animal sources, such as butter, tallow or lard.

Protein foods = Grass fed beef, wild meats such as; bison, elk, buffalo, venison and so on, pastured poultry, whole raw dairy, pastured eggs and wild seafood.

From a biological perspective we are still hunter gatherers. 99.9% of our genes were formed BEFORE agriculture. There are several major milestones that led to the ‘corruption’ of the above stated optimal diet;

1. The Agricultural Revolution – 12,000 years ago we went from hunter gatherers to farming societies.

2. Introduction of Refined Sugar – 400 years ago the ability to refine cane sugar for mass production was discovered. This has likely had the most health detriment to us in our modern day.

3. The Industrial Revolution – starting in the 1800′s completely adulterated foods were born.

4. The Food Giants – born in the 1900′s made the ability for processed foods to go even further.

5. World War II – Even further increase in production of processed foods.

These milestones, perhaps seen as advancement and convenience at the time, have had a huge impact and grave consequences on our health as a population. In the early 1900′s an amazing man and dentist by the name of Weston Price began to make the correlation between our health and diet. He first observed this through the teeth of his patients. He then traveled to various indigenous nations/tribes untouched by modern civilization to study their teeth, only to find some amazing nutritional principles. Also around that time, 1932-1942, a doctor by the name of Francis Pottenger studied the effects of nutrition on cats, and the impact on the future generations of cats. His study was a profound help in understanding what is currently going on in our modern day with all the declining health and degeneration.

What Price & Pottenger Discovered Regarding Nutrition

Price discovered that while the diets of healthy societies varied greatly, there were several commonalties; 

1. They contained no refined or denatured foods.

2. All used some type of animal products with some raw. (there was no vegan culture that was truly healthy)

3. Diets were four times as high in calcium and other minerals, and encompassed 10 times the amount of fat soluble vitamins as that of the modern diet.

4. Foods with high enzyme content were included.

5. Seeds, grains & nuts were soaked, sprouted, fermented or naturally leavened.

6. The fat content of the diets varied from 30-80% of total calories. (with only 4% from polyunsaturated fats)

7. The diets contained nearly equal amounts of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids

8. Salt was always included. Good real unrefined or processed salt.

9. The bones of animals were made use of, usually as a bone broth.

To read Price’s work on nutrition through his travels and studies of native cultures untouched by processed foods, check it out below. It’s not a sit down and read all at once kind of book, but it’s a great resource to refer to if you want to really see for yourself how profoundly traditional diets can keep one very optimally healthy. ‘Nutrition and Physical Degeneration’, by Weston A. Price

Pottenger’s Studies Show Us:

1. The degeneration of the 2nd and 3rd generation cats is a mirror image of our current social & health situation, such as structural deformity, social stress, allergies & reproductive problems.

2. It took him 4 generations through a reversed diet that was actually appropriate for the cats to return the cats health to normal.

To read more about the work of Dr. Pottenger, check out the book that recorded his extensive studies of feeding experiments done to determine the effects of heat processed food on cats. It’s really a compelling study that is useful in giving us insight into the root cause of preventable illness so common and widespread in society today. ‘Pottenger’s Cats’, Francis M. Pottenger, Jr., MD

Finally, a wonderful bible of a nutrition book and recipe book that you simply must read and own is by far ‘Nourishing Traditions’ by Sallon Fallon. In it, Fallon goes into great detail regarding the foods I have discussed above as well as how to properly prepare foods for optimum nutrient absorption. It’s a critical read if you want to understand how to nourish yourself through your food.

I have been dry skin brushing for quite some time now. I have grown to love it and really look forward to it. Since I don’t shower every day I don’t dry brush as often as I’d like. I am considering trying to make it a daily habit because the benefits are so wonderful. In my studies through NTA, we are currently learning about detoxification of the body. Dry brushing is one way to help detoxify, so this practice is fresh on my radar. (I feel another month long challenge coming on – anyone interested?) In his book, ‘Dr. Jensen’s Guide to Better Bowel Care‘, Bernard Jensen explains the benefits of dry skin brushing;

No soap can wash the skin as clean as the new skin that you have under the old. Our bodies make a new top layer of skin every 24 hours. Skin brushing removes the old top layer and lets this clean new layer come to the surface.

The skin is one of the five main elimination channels of the body, throwing off about two pounds of toxic material each day in the form of perspiration. The skin has been called the third kidney because of it’s ability to rid the body of toxic waste material. Do not hinder the skin by using oils, creams or other noxious glop that serves only to clog it in the name of beauty. Instead, see what regular skin brushing can do for you.

Skin brushing is accomplished using a natural-bristle brush with a long handle to reach those hard-to-get-at-places. The whole body (except the face) should be brushed one half hour after rising and prior to the morning bath or shower. You may wish to skin brush again before retiring for the night. Note the powder that comes off your skin as you brush. These are crystals of uric acid and other dried waste products that came out with the perspiration.

Always brush the skin when it is dry, and never expose the brush to water. Although the bristles may seem a bit stiff at first, this is because the brush is new and your skin is not yet used to the brushing. If you find the brush is too stiff, you may, just once, hold the bristles in hot water for no longer than one minute and no deeper than one-half inch. This will soften the bristles a little. However, it will not be long before you desire a stiffer brush! Your skin will love you for brushing it regularly, and you will love the way your skin feels and looks too.

How to Dry Brush Your Skin

Use a natural bristle brush about the size of your hand or larger.  The brush should have a long handle so you can reach all parts of your body.  If unable to find a natural bristle brush, satisfactory substitutes are a loofah mitt, or coarse bath gloves.

Tip:  It is advisable to start with a less harsh brush and brush gently at first, until the skin is “seasoned”; then switch to a coarser brush.

Starting with the soles of the feet, brush vigorously making rotary motions, and massage every part of your body.  Press brush against your body as much as you can comfortably stand.  Sensitivity of the skin varies with every individual.  Also, various parts of the body vary in sensitivity.  Brush in this order:  feet, legs, hands and arms, the back, abdomen, chest and neck, the face.

Here is the dry skin brush that I currently use:

I am considering purchasing this one to reach my back more easily:

How about you? Do you dry skin brush? How has it benefitted you? Does anyone want to take part in a month long challenge to make this a daily habit? Comment below………

Welcome to my weekly meal plan, where each Monday I will post 5 dinners that my family enjoys. Often they will just be my previous week’s meal plan. We are a family of five, with four hungry growing boys ages 13-4 and myself. Around here, we consume pastured/grass fed meats at every meal, lots of veggies, very little grains or starches (more so in the winter), something raw or fermented at every meal if possible, and as much in season as possible. We follow a properly prepared nutrient dense diet as taught in Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon, based on the teachings of Weston A. Price. We eat soup or stew as a family at least one meal per week in the winter, as it is a total budget saver. Often we’ll have leftovers on the weekend so I can take a break from cooking.  Additionally, I often batch cook meals to freeze some for a later date. This is a convenient way to save time, energy and stress. I love it when I can pull dinner out of the freezer. We don’t have desserts very often, perhaps once per week. All our food is gluten free as well. If that sounds like the way you would like to eat, then be sure to subscribe to my feed and have a week of meals in your inbox each Monday. I may or may not include links to the actual recipes I post. The point of this is mainly to inspire ideas to implement.

Dinner #1

Duck, Ginger & Noodle Soup

Sliced veggies and apples and cheese

Dinner #2

Wild Salmon Teriyaki

Mixed Salad with Sunflower Seeds (soaked then toasted)

Ginger Vinaigrette

Chocolate Heart Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting and fresh raspberries

Dinner #3

Oven Roasted Baby Back Ribs with Homemade BBQ sauce

Kraut Slaw with Kefir Dressing

Lacto-fermented garlic pickles

Mashed potatoes

Kombucha

Dinner #4

Veggie Heavy Chicken Soup

Carrot sticks

sliced New Zealand grass fed cheddar

Dinner #5

Salmon Cakes with creme fraiche & minced herbs

Mixed Green Salad

Red Pepper slices

Ginger Kombucha

How about you? What does your meal plan  look like this coming week?

I created this recipe quite some time ago. It’s a super simple and very tasty meal to pull off. I try to incorporate at least one meal of salmon per week in my home. Salmon is just so loaded with nutrition, it’s a mainstay dish in our home. Thus my need to vary it up a bit. I fumbled onto this recipe one night when I was in a rush and the only think I could think of to marinate the salmon with, was my ginger vinaigrette. (be sure to refer to this link to continue with this recipe.)  It worked beautifully!

In an effort to consume more liver in my diet, I knew I needed to come up with a more palatable option, not only for myself, but my kiddos! In paging through my many cookbooks one day while looking for meal inspiration, I came across what looked like a winner! Crispy Chicken Livers. The recipe was touted to be the most requested recipe of a restaurant in my area, so I thought I’d give it a try. Of course many tweaks were necessary, considering it needed to be gluten free as well as use healthy appropriate fats. Additionally, I prefer my liver pieces very small, so I don’t have to chew on a big ole piece of liver. Yeah, I still have liver texture issues. BUT, that said, all in all this recipe is a keeper! And yes, you can pass this one over on the kids. Just tell them it’s like a kind of healthier homemade chicken nugget. The balsamic reduction sauce is what will really win you over in this recipe!

This post contributed to Traditional Tuesdays.

A friend of mine actually requested that I post good book suggestions and specify why I recommended each. I thought I’d start out with several books that I think would be great for those either just starting out in the world of real traditionally prepared foods, OR books for those who need further convincing to ditch processed foods and start on a path of consuming only properly prepared nutrient dense foods for optimal health. Phfew, that was a mouthful!

Books I Recommend for Beginners (and really any real foodie will want to read these!)

Nourishing Traditions

First, I will start with a book that really transformed my thinking about food in a major way. NOURISHING TRADITIONS. If you do not have this ‘bible’ of a real food book, you simply must own it! It is chockful of nuggets of gold – you can always learn something new from this book, and you will never run out of recipes to try! I have made so many recipes in this book and they all really are exceptional. Not only that, but I have learned the foundations of creating a healthy optimal diet!

Forgotten Skills of Cooking: The Time Honored Ways are the Best – Over 700 Recipes Show You Why. Darina Allen

700 recipes – 700! I can’t believe I haven’t known about this book sooner in my life, nor owned it until just this year! Wowee! What an amazing book, it should be a must have right alongside Nourishing Traditions. This book is so thorough, anything you want to know about traditional food cookery – it’s in there! Loaded with information, colorful pictures and fabulous ‘to die for’ recipes! I promise you will want to kiss me for telling you about this book! Darina Allen, the author, is considered “The Julia Child of Ireland”. You seriously can’t live without this cookbook for another minute, I’m telling you!

The Unhealthy Truth: One Mother’s Shocking Investigation Into the Dangers of America’s Food Supply- and what every family can do to protect itself. Robyn O’Brien and Rachel Kranz

This book really impressed me! This was the first book I read that dug deep into the behind the scenes underworkings of what is really going on with our food supply. This was the first time I understood genetically modified foods thoroughly, and the first time I really got an understanding of Monsanto and their impact. Prior to that I only had a small idea! This book will be eye opening for anyone not yet convinced to give up processed foods. I can’t recommend reading it enough! You can likely borrow it from your local library, but my guess is you will want at least one of your own copy. (If not more to pass out to friends and family!)

Real Food – What to Eat and Why. Nina Planck

Nina Planck has such an easy way of teaching just what exactly real food is and why it’s critical to consume grass fed meats, pastured eggs, raw dairy, organic produce and more. A former vegetarian, after growing up on a farm, Planck also explains why sticking to our Omnivorous roots is a good idea! I have recommended this book to so many people, and have only been thanked profusely for it!

Traditional Foods Are Your Best Medicine: Improving Health and Longevity with Native Nutrition. Ron Schmid N.D.

This book, is a good summation of what is taught in Nourishing Traditions, only in a more thorough succinct style. In it, Ron Schmid explains how returning to a traditional diet can help you reduce numerous health maladies all too common in our modern day. It focuses on the principles of a properly prepared nutrient dense diet, enabling you to tailor a diet to your own special needs. I think it’s a great addition to have right beside Nourishing Traditions.

Pottenger’s Cats: A Study in Nutrition. Francis Marion Pottenger Jr. M.D.

Pottenger’s Cats is an eye opening experiment done back in the ….. In this experiment 4 generations of cats were observed. Each passing generation the cats that were not fed an optimal diet had severe degeneration. It took 4 more generations to return them back to good health. This book depicts our modern conundrum of degenerative decline. It’s a compelling look at what is happening to the human population. Hopefully, this will inspire you to fight for optimum eating habits for the sake of the future generations. I was blown away by reading this, and will never look at our current generations health the same!

Water – The Ultimate Cure. Steve Meyerowitz

Your Body’s Many Cries for Water. F Batmanghelidj M.D.

Diet is Great, but without adequate water intake your health won’t excel. Not to mention the quality. It’s so critical to learn about our water quality and just how much we really need to function optimally. The following two books cover in great length what health ailments can be remedied by simply drinking enough quality water. Also, you will learn how to test your water at home and what types of water filtration systems to look for. This is incredibly important information to have on hand, especially considering what really is lurking in our water these days! I think both books bring something different to the table and are a good supplement to each other. Though if you need convincing regarding your health, I’d pick ‘Your Bodies Many Cries For Water‘. And if you need help navigating how to pick out safe drinking recepticles and filtration for your home, I’d go with ‘Water the Ultimate Cure‘.

Primal Blueprint. Mark Sisson

Finally, I’d like to throw in a shout out for this concise and sensible book regarding optimal diet. It’s not as in depth about food preparation so much as it is about nutrient categories. This book is more about clean eating, eating that makes sense for our modern day and how to reset your fat burning primal genes. It’s so simply laid out and you will love Mark Sisson’s style. For those of you that just want to eat simply and nourishing this may be more up your alley. The principles are to eat what Grok (paleolithic man) ate – meats, nuts, seeds, vegetables and berries for the most part. With a very generous idea of trying to eat at least 80% this way with some properly prepared tubers, fermented dairy and non gluten grains. Overall, I think it’s a good addition to a real food library! It’s likely something you guys would lean toward – or even those in the fitness world!

 
What about you? What foundational get started books are on your real food bookshelves?

One of the first principles in healing is to remove the cause and the aggravating factors of the illness. For example, a wound must be cleaned and disinfected before applying the dressing otherwise the remaining debris and germs will aggravate it and prevent complete healing. The same is true in healing from adrenal fatigue. In most instances, there are lifestyle components that either caused or contributed to the adrenal fatigue and that often continue as aggravating factors. Therefore, it is essential to remove the health limiting factors if the adrenals are to recover and heal properly. ~ James L. Wilson, from his book; ‘Adrenal Fatigue. The 21st Century Stress Syndrome.’

A Lifestyle Leading to Adrenal Fatigue

(Read here where I share my story of recovery from adrenal fatigue.) There were so many factors in my own life that led to Adrenal Exhaustion. Lack of sleep for at least 5 years due to having babies close in age. 3 kids in 5 years and one miscarriage in between kid #2 and #3. Poor food choices, namely lots of starchy carbs, sweets and coffee with WAY too much sugar added. Living in a situation of powerlessness, feeling trapped and oppressed, both in my marriage and the church culture I was a part of. Constantly depriving myself of things that were meaningful to me, things that would have fueled my passion for life overall. Essentially raising my kids alone. I lived in unrelieved stress for too many years. Relocated 3-4 times in less than 3 years. And on, and on.

Repeated stresses such as these can add up. Yours may look different than mine, but whatever the stressors, it’s the accumulation of them that takes a huge toll on your adrenal health. Whether they be emotional, physical or chemical they all affect the body the same way. If stressors keep piling one on top of the other, your body will eventually end up with nothing left to give.

Obviously, stress will creep into your life at some point, there simply is no avoiding it. However, you can control your stress to the stressful situations that come your way. And you can reduce the stressors that you CAN control. First, figure out what in your life is contributing to your stress, what things are detracting FROM your health. Finding out what you can control that is detracting from your overall health can go a long way in stressful situations not having as much of a physical effect on you.

How I Learned to Revamp My Lifestyle

I realized that I was not powerless and could change some situations in my life. For example, I did not need to stay committed to a church that was ultimately robbing me of joy and vitality, and the same with my marriage. I tried in some cases to change myself to adapt to these two situations, but that did not work. There are times when that can be an option, but was not the case for me. I had to leave both situations. My life depended on it. Sometimes people need to leave an environment that is toxic to their overall well being. Whether it be a religious affiliation, marriage or job. It is not a cop out either, so no guilt. Just know that if something is literally sucking the life out of you, you’ve tried to change the situation or adapt and it’s just not working and you are only spiraling, you have permission to get out.

Once I got two of the biggest harmful stressors out of my life, I was able to tackle smaller issues, that were just as important to my overall health. First, I learned how to get adequate sleep, which I covered last week here; ’5 Keys to Keeping Your Adrenal Glands Healthy: #1 – Sleep‘. Then I tackled diet which I will cover next week, but suffice it to say if you’ve followed my site you likely understand the diet portion. I was also able to add exercise, slowly and consistently over time. (and I will cover exercise as point #4 in an upcoming post). Additionally, I started to remove other obstacles that were burdening to my own lifestyle at the time. I stopped homeschooling and put my kids in school, which was a huge burden relief. I had to be honest with myself and realize it was too idealic and not realistic for my situtation. I ditched coffee, a huge burden on my adrenals. I used it as a whip to keep me going, when really I needed to not stimulate, but rest and really recover. I took toxic cleaning products out of my home, and switched our personal care products. The more pressures I could remove from myself the better. I had been bearing far too much for far too long and it was time to put down my load and rest. Ultimately, if your lifestyle does not allow you any adequate rest and relaxation, something has GOT to give. Consider lightening your load and giving yourself the gift of R&R.

Take a look at all the energy robbers in your life, all the negative forces that surround you. Whether they are people, environmental, your diet, your job, your home life  and consider just how they are draining you. Start to replace them one by one. Instead of those detriments, put things in their place that will contribute to your health.

Learn to Love Yourself & Let Go

In his book, ‘Adrenal Fatigue’, James L. Wilson says that, ‘Healing from adrenal fatigue requires a combination of things; first and foremost, your recovery depends on your lifestyle. How you spend your energy, how you conserve your energy, and how you create energy are all extremely important. Your recovery is also contingent on what you eat and drink, as well as on the thoughts you feed your mind and the beliefs you base your life on.’

This all bore true for me. However, one of the most key things may have been getting freed in my own mind of many thoughts I had believed wrongly. Thoughts about how I viewed myself, thoughts about my own value. I go into all of this much more deeply in my post, ‘Healing From Adrenal Fatigue: Renewing Your Mind‘. Suffice it to say, if you don’t have a healthy view of yourself, figure out why. Learn to love yourself instead. Once I learned how to do that, I began to live life in color again! It was like all of a sudden I was a kid again and life was just a big playground! Talk about seeing life through rose colored glasses!

Letting go is also a concept that most of us don’t have under wraps. Too many of us worry, worry, worry ourselves sick. But who of you by worrying adds one single second to his life? If you want to enjoy the benefits of living with a sense of peace, learn to let go. Relax. Try getting counseling or taking up yoga. Write in a journal daily and express your deepest thoughts and cares and then shut the journal and enjoy your day! Think on the positive good things in your life, not the stresses. Make lists to help you stay organized and from keeping too many tasks in your mind. Think on lovely things, be grateful for the beauty in your life. You really can control your worry, it’s ultimately a choice you can make!

If you are enjoying this series, stay tuned for next week’s post on #3 – Diet! In the meantime, what things in your life need to be replaced? Is there anything robbing you of joy and sucking the life out of you? What do you do to retreat/relax and rejuvenate?

This post contributed to Monday Mania.

Welcome to my weekly meal plan, where each Monday I will post 5 dinners that my family enjoys. Often they will just be my previous week’s meal plan. We are a family of five, with four hungry growing boys ages 13-4 and myself. Around here, we consume pastured/grass fed meats at every meal, lots of veggies, very little grains or starches (more so in the winter), something raw or fermented at every meal if possible, and as much in season as possible. We follow a properly prepared nutrient dense diet as taught in Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon, based on the teachings of Weston A. Price. We eat soup or stew as a family at least one meal per week in the winter, as it is a total budget saver. Often we’ll have leftovers on the weekend so I can take a break from cooking.  Additionally, I often batch cook meals to freeze some for a later date. This is a convenient way to save time, energy and stress. I love it when I can pull dinner out of the freezer. We don’t have desserts very often, perhaps once per week. All our food is gluten free as well. If that sounds like the way you would like to eat, then be sure to subscribe to my feed and have a week of meals in your inbox each Monday. I may or may not include links to the actual recipes I post. The point of this is mainly to inspire ideas to implement.

Dinner #1

Teriyaki Salmon with Broccoli Stir Fry

Ginger Kombucha

Dinner #2

Lamb Meatballs with Yogurt dipping sauce

Roasted Asparagus

Roasted Potatoes

Chocolate Bavarian Cremes

Dinner #3

Roast Duck

Wild Rice Pilaf

Roasted Beets, Carrots & Onions

Sauteed Green Beans

Dinner # 4

Pastured Pork Tenderloin

Mashed Potatoes

Mixed Green Salad with Homemade Balsamic Dressing

Organic Red Wine

Cherry Chocolate Walnut Bliss

Dinner #5

Turkey & Wild Rice soup (this was a ‘pull it from the freezer’ dinner!)

Salad with homemade dressing

Ginger Kombucha

What does your menu plan look like for this coming week? Will you be doing something special for Valentine’s Day Dinner? Share in the comments……..

Lamb is one of my favorite types of meat. I love it for it’s unique flavor, not to mention all the wonderful ways one can prepare it. I love to vary the menu with lamb every now and again. Typically, with the cost of lamb, it’s just not in the budget. However, I have found that ground lamb can be very affordable, so I try to get some once a month or so. My four boys also love lamb. They go nuts when I tell them we are having it for dinner. And rightly so! Lamb has a lot of nutrient variety to offer other than beef.

I came up with this super simple lamb meatball recipe a few summer’s ago when I wanted to serve them with some tzatziki made with fresh summer cukes. They are delicious and have become one of our mainstay meals. These meatballs are quick to fix and very tasty! They’d be a great recipe to add to anyone’s repetoire!

Adrienne at Whole New Mom shares her Almond Joy Bars and Chocolate Coconut Macadamia Cookies.

Debbie at Easy Natural Food offers her Apple and Blackberry Crumble

Lea at Nourishing Treasures offers up a Pumpkin Cookies and Coconut-Orange Macaroons.

The Nourishing Home provides you with Decadent Fudgy Brownies.

Lydia at Divine Health offers her Cherry Chocolate Walnut Bliss.

KerryAnn from Cooking Traditional Foods brings you her Decadent Chocolate Truffles, Grain-Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Three Minute Ice Cream- Three Flavors.

Jessica at Delicious Obsessions shares with you her Pumpkin Bread (Gluten and Grain Free), Healthy Homemade Peanut Butter Cups, Warm Chinese Pears With Cinnamon and Nuts or Bananas Foster with Dairy-free Vanilla Ice Cream, Easy Bread Pudding, and Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies – Gluten Free .

Finally, Donna at Cultured Food Life offers her Chocolate Lavender Pots of Kefir Creme.

We hope you have enjoyed our recipes and it makes your Valentine’s Day extra special