Two-Bean Soup Recipe

It happens all the time-
I throw something together for dinner with the ingredients I have on hand, and then am amazed how good it actually turns out, and thrilled with how much my kids love it.

Here is a recipe for what I made tonight:

Two Bean Soup

Ingredients: (I recommend organic EVERYTHING)
1 tbsp. Olive Oil
1 small onion, chopped
3 carrots, sliced
3 potatoes, sliced and quartered
3 cups water
40 ounces chicken broth*
1 tsp. dried oregano
2 tsps. dried basil
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups cooked pinto beans
2 cups cooked navy beans
5 stalks Swiss chard, thick ribs removed and leaves chopped (about 4 cups)

Directions:
1. Sautee the onion in olive oil for about 6 minutes.
2. Add chopped carrots and potatoes and sautee for about 2 or 3 more minutes.
3. Add water, broth, oregano, basil and garlic and bring to a boil
4. Turn down to simmer until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.
5. Add beans and chopped Swiss Chard and simmer 2 or 3 more minutes, until heated through.

Serve and enjoy!

Adults and children who don’t mind spice might want to add a little pepper.
It is delicious as-is, but also good with a little grated cheese on top.

*Why the unconventional amount? I swear by Better Than Bouillon and it calls for 1 teaspoon to 8 ounces of water. So, I used 5 teaspoons and 40 ounces of water.

Natural Treatment, Prevention

Magic Onions

Holly Leave a comment

When my kids have a cold, we do some pretty unconventional things. First of all, we quarantine them until there are no signs left of the virus. I know this is pretty radical, as evidenced by all of the coughs I hear and runny noses I see everywhere we go.

And for years I have been using an odd technique to loosen congestion in my children while they are healing from a respiratory infection. It always elicits the same response in the morning.

Why is there an onion next to my bed?

There was a story floating around online for a few years about onion’s healing properties, but not for the same reasons I believe they heal. The internet story was not far off from this excerpt from a Los Angeles Times article circa 1913:

“In a sickroom you cannot have a better disinfectant than the onion. It has a wonderful capacity for absorbing germs. A dish of sliced onions placed in a sickroom will draw away the disease; they must be removed as soon as they lose their odor and become discolored, and be replaced by fresh ones.”

Whether or not that’s true, historically onions have been regarded as very healing. The Wall Street Journal noted in 2009 “The idea that onions have medicinal properties goes back millennia and spans many cultures. Egyptians thought onions were fertility symbols. Ancient Greeks rubbed them on sore muscles, and Native Americans used them to treat coughs and colds.”

Cutting up an onion usually causes us to cry- the sulphur content in the onion stimulates the eyes to create tears, and makes our noses run. This make onion a powerful healing herb and a powerful remedy for colds. Onions break up thick mucus and help clear the nasal passages.

Herbalists note that the World Health Organization recognizes onion extracts for providing relief in the treatment of coughs, colds, asthma and bronchitis.

At the first sign of congestion, I slice up an onion and place it on the nightstand next to my child’s bed.

I leave it there overnight, and they sleep better as the onion opens the sinuses and clears congestion.

Ask Holly, Products, Recommendations

What Should I Take To The Hospital?

Holly 4 Comments

“I love your post on having a baby in the hospital naturally. I will be having my first baby in about a month and would love to hear your suggestions on what I should take in my birth bag. Thank you!”

Anna J

Hi Anna- thanks for the question. The post you are referencing is How To Have a Natural Childbirth in a Hospital. It can be done! I’ve done it twice. And yes, it’s a good idea to be prepared with a well stocked birth bag!

Here is a list of things to have in your birth bag:

1. A music player and a great playlist. This was SO important to me and got me through some tough moments. It is now such a joy to remember the songs that were playing when each of my babies was born. My playlist had empowering songs, some hard rock, lots of Hawaiian, Willie Nelson, hymns, classical music, singer/songwriter, you name it. I can not recommend this enough! And now with all of the great wireless speakers on the market, it will be super convenient. We love this Jam Box.

2.Organic Preggie Pop Drops, lollipops, gum, etc. I found I needed a variety of these with my first baby.

3. Lavender essential oil- lavender dulls and eases uterine pain, increases the strength of contractions and has an incredible calming effect.

4. Rescue Remedy . I used this with my second baby, and I was so calm while I was in labor. Even during transition. It was pretty unexpected, but I welcomed the feeling!

5. Organic Lip Balm- Important! Labor makes lips chapped!

6. Hair ties or a head band. Just be prepared to want your hair out of your face pronto. I went with about 10.

7. Socks. My feet got super cold during labor and delivery. Though I must not have been wearing any socks during my second baby’s birth, because I still remember the delivery nurse complimenting me on my pedicure. The color was Meet Me On the Star Ferry by OPI (I love that OPI has take the top three toxic chemicals out of their polish!)

8.Nursing pillow. Mine is organic, and I’m convinced it is the best one on the market. I used this to get comfortable during labor, and then when I had my baby I used it immediately to position him during breastfeeding. Since it is all organic with no fire retardant chemicals I felt comfortable putting my brand new baby on it, AND I had laundered the case in safe, non-toxic laundry detergent!

9. Organic and Natural baby products to use on the baby for his or her first bath. I’m not sure what the hospital uses, but I can be pretty sure it’s not the first chemical I want touching my sweet baby’s new skin. The nurse at the NYC hospital where I delivered my firstborn cackled with delight that I had my own baby shampoo, lotion and oil. She said in her 22 years as a baby nurse, this was the first time she’d been requested to use specific products. I’m sure it’s become more common in the last 5 years.

10. Nipple Cream. Breastfeeding a new baby hurts. A lot. It gets better (to the point where you won’t feel a thing) but in the first few days, use this!

11. Nightgown and robe. I did not want to have to wear those awful hospital gowns for my whole stay, so I bought a black nightgown and robe one size larger than my usual size and wore that.

12. Middle of the night snacks- Unless you want to eat the graham crackers the hospital supplies (the ones they gave me had trans fat in them, which I know passes into breast milk so I couldn’t eat them.) I had trail mix, dark chocolate, and a variety of whole food bars.

13. Hot water bottle- the old fashioned kind. It comes in useful for lower back pain during labor. I also used it to warm up the baby’s bed before laying him in it, so he wouldn’t be shocked by cold sheets. Put it where he will lay for about 5 minutes, then remove it before laying him down (obviously.)

14. Toiletries and cosmetics- you’ll want your own shampoo, conditioner, body wash and razor. Especially if you have to share a shower with another new mom like I did in New York City. Side note- that first shower is amazing. Don’t forget your make-up: think visitors, photos, etc.

15. Slippers- (what non-Hawaiians call flip-flops). Very important for walking around the hospital floor- especially after that first shower!

16. Nursing bra- I have a few favorites. Check out Japanese Weekend, La Leche League Wrap ‘N Snap Nursing Bra and Elle Macpherson.

17. Clothes for the ride home for you and baby. I prefer anything in a kimono style for baby, as putting clothes over their little heads was terrifying to me in those early days. Try KicKee Pants or Kate Quinn Organics

What have I missed?

Recipes

Sweet Potatoes with Lime and Cilantro

Holly Leave a comment

This recipe is an eye-opener for those who find sweet potatoes cloyingly sweet or those who are tired of eating them smothered in marshmallows and brown sugar.

Prep time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 30-40 minutes Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
4 sweet potatoes
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro
2-3 limes
butter or olive oil, salt (optional)

Directions:

Wash the sweet potatoes and bake them whole, in their skins, at 375 degrees until tender, about 40 minutes.
Wash and chop cilantro leaves.
When sweet potatoes are done, slit open the skin and place on serving plate. Season with salt and dots ofbutter or a sprinkle of oil, if you like, then squeeze fresh lime juice all over, and shower with cilantro leaves.

Nutrition

New Beginnings

Holly 2 Comments

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.” -Mark Twain

I’ve been thinking so much about New Year’s Resolutions…me and the rest of the world, including my 5 year old son. “Hey mom- for that new year thing where I try to do something better, I’m going to do more construction so I can practice because I’m going to be a construction worker when I grow up.”

Sandra Bullock’s New Year’s Resolution is to make better lunches for her three year old son. As un-relatable as the rest of her life might be, most parents can relate to that.

While living in Italy I briefly followed the zone diet to-a-T. I still remember counting out 7 peanuts for a snack on the steps of St. Peter’s Basilica. I will say I had no cravings- some friends were dipping cookies in Nutella and it didn’t remotely appeal to me. But then I wisened up to my surroundings and realized my mind, body and spirit would be much happier if I drank cappuccinos and ate gelato on a regular basis. When in Rome!

But I digress…something valuable stuck with me from reading The Zone- “you’re only as good as your next meal.” In other words, don’t stress over what you’ve just eaten, or how bad your kids snack was this afternoon. You always get another chance. At your next meal or snack, you have the opportunity to make healthful decisions for yourself and your family.

Since we feel we have a fresh start with the new year, ’tis the season to make changes. However the beauty of our lives is that we have fresh starts more than once a year. We receive them with each new month, each new week, each new morning.

“Stars when you shine
You know how I feel
Scent of the pine
You know how I feel

it's a new dawn it's a new day and i'm feeling good