Homemade Artisan Pizza

After a big day of blood tests, errands, a good walk, and skating on our pond I figured we needed a good hearty meal. It was too warm for soup (global warming is making itself very present in Alberta this winter), too complicated to make something complicated and the fridge was too bare to enjoy much fresh healthiness. In a pinch, I decided to make my default- Artisan Bread. Where households have been known to grab a box of KD, Sidekicks, PB&J or hot dogs as their 'fast-go-to-cure' a few years ago my friend Lydia and I (shout out fire sister) etched a master recipe in our minds that changed our lives forever.

Bring it to a pot luck, holiday dinners or make it for your family at home (a perfect marriage with a cream of veggie soup!). You’ll wow everyone. I’ve turned this recipe into baguettes, pizza, buns & loaves. Its versatility is so that you can make it with just about any flour; come to think of it I haven’t found a type of flour that hasn't worked. (Gluten free friends- I’m sure it would work with your flour too!) Over the last year I’ve lived in two small rural towns in different parts of this vast country and have been able to buy local flour. It is surprisingly accessible to support your farmers, all you gotta do is look at the location labelled on the bag and make the right choice. I digress. For this particular pizza I mixed Kamut, Barley, Unbleached and Rye flours to finish off some bags and it turned out great! Mamas, the hardest part about this recipe is a) planning ahead (2 hours for it to rise) and b) not telling everyone how simple it is when they’re amazed!

Artisan Bread

3 cups of luke warm water

1.5 Tbsp Yeast

1.5 Tbsp Sea Salt 

(I only use 1 Tbsp, as I find the extra too salty)

6.5 cups of flour

Preparation

Pour water in a large mixing bowl. Add yeast and salt. Mix well. Add the flour. Stir with a wooden spoon or bread hook on your mixer. Do not knead! Cover bowl with a towel and let it rise for two hours.

Baking

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (ovens may vary). Grease a baking sheet. Cut your ball of dough into 4 rounds approximately the size of grapefruits. Each ball is one loaf. Mould the doughy loaf to the desired shape, handling as little as possible. If you are making the artisan loaf or baguette use a serrated knife to make a few quarter inch slits along the top of the loaf. Sprinkle the top of the loaf with flour. Place in the oven on the top shelf, and place a pan of water (1cup) directly underneath on the bottom shelf. The water is imperative as it will help it crust. Bake for 30 minutes.

Storage

This bread dough stores extremely well in the fridge for up to two weeks and it’s been said that the closer you use it to the end of the two weeks the better it tastes. Wrap the dough loosely in plastic wrap or an alternative(cheesecloth, reusable bowl covers, snug but not tight biodegradable wax paper, etc.) and place it in the fridge.

Top it off with some whoopie pies from your local bakery and you’re laughing (not to mention, pleasantly full). 

Simple. Healthy. Sustainable. Yummy. 

The Episencial Experience

Having a sick kid is never fun for anyone involved. Especially when it’s your own kid. We recently lived this first hand when found ourselves driving our wee one to the hospital. Turned out it was nothing but a deep chest cold, but they did keep the babe in for observation. During this time names of major infectious diseases and bacterial infections were tossed around the room. Then there was talk of transferring her to a larger hospital. All of it was scary. It was scary and we were responsible.  I was aware of this responsibility before but man; oh man did it ever ring true that day. Having a lethargic infant who can’t communicate how they’re feeling or what they want is not only heartbreaking but stressful. I want to take time out here, as I did in the hospital that day, to think and pray for all the families who feel this strain day in and day out.  

We decided as a family (with the doctor) that we felt confident enough to take our wee one home and observe her from there, agreeing to drive to the next town if we saw her condition worsening. For all those who have experienced a similar situation (every parent!) you know the ‘am I making the right decision?!’ broken record well. I’m sure as our wee one grows from babe to toddler and from tween to teenager we will be singing right along as though we wrote the album ourselves. We couldn’t have been happier with our doctor, and now feel a little more secure in our decision making as parents (although I’m not sure we’ll ever be 100% fortified!).

While we were in the hospital I noticed that the tiny, dry, benign bumps that had been on our baby’s arms, legs and forehead for the last couple of months (ones the Dr. was never concerned about) seemed irritated. Although I brought this to the medical teams’ attention, they felt the spots were unrelated. Over the course of the next few days they exploded, expanded and looked pretty gnarly to be frank. I started researching the possibilities of what this could be in part ready to hop back in the car in a b-line for emergency (you can safely assume I was just a tad nerved up after sleepless nights and stressful days). With a big sigh of relief, the closest thing I could find in a few books was what sounded like a case of the rare breed of eczema called Nummular Eczema (tip of the day: did you know that there are 7 different types with varying symptoms?). These coin shaped lesions mainly on the limbs of the body can worsen by temperature changes, environmental irritants and stress (namely emotional). Knowing more now, I am amazed at how these tiny bumps became completely inflamed and spread during our stay at the hospital- a time where our wee one was in very obvious emotional distress. Although our baby could not speak, the reaction (as well as the wails) was indicative.

In our follow-up appointment I had brought along an organic, ‘free-from-the bad-stuff moisturizer’ that we have rarely used to ask if it would be alright to use on this condition. I think it’s a good rule of thumb to always start off with a natural product in a medical setting. The worse they’ll tell you is that they recommend something else. To my surprise the medical doctor looked at the ingredients and agreed on the moisturizer. In fact, he suggested we lather those spots with it. Why am I telling you this? Because it works like a charm! In three days of using this lotion 2-3 times/day the Nummular Eczema has improved a ton! Episencial Better Body Butter ($11 USD) is free from additives, parabens, hormones, preservatives, nut oils, gluten, SLS, Fragrances & petroleum (and more), and is made with a whole bunch of organic plant derived oils (so many!). This line was developed for babies and kids by Kim Walls, a mother and environmental activist. I have recently checked them out, and their website goes above and beyond my expectations. It provides tons of resources from baby skin care to breastfeeding to birthing choices to homeschooling, cloth diapering, & mother’s sanity only to name a few! When I first bought it I was just looking for a safe baby lotion…who knew that months later it would be shooing Nummular Eczema from my baby’s skin!

http://episencial.com/

Other Natural Tips to Treat Nummular Eczema

-Keep the air moist, as well as the skin (cool-mist humidifier and healthy moisturizer)

-Reduce baths to 2-3 times/week. Use only warm water, no soap or shampoo until it clears.

-An oatmeal bath can soothe the itch. Place 1c. of oatmeal in a cotton bag or nylon stocking, hang under faucet and rub on affected area.

-Mangoes, apricots, carrots, yams, spinach and blueberries are good sources of beta-carotenes, which are essential for healthy skin.

-There are many other nutritional, herbal, homeopathic and other natural therapies available. Each mama needs to research and decide which is best for their baby chicks. 

Diapering Bums & Slaying Dragons

What mama wouldn’t slay a dragon to protect their wee ones? The owners of AppleCheeks cloth diapering didn't bat an eye when they were confronted! These two vivacious Montreal mamas took to the streets of Toronto not taking no for an answer. Aired on CBC January 18^th, 2012 Amy Appleton Venu and Ilana Grostern didn’t have much convincing to do on the Dragon’s Den….nor should they.  “A cloth diapering system for modern moms” sold it. The girls had the grumpy ol’ Kevin O’Leary wowed, if only for a minute. They didn’t even have to show how happy all our kids are in them and likewise for the mamas using them (although two of their darlings did make a cameo)!

My first introduction to cloth diapers in this decade (far removed from those with the large pads & safety pins I grew up seeing) was by AppleCheeks Two- Size Washable Diapering System at Maman, Bebe et Café and well before I had a child of my own. I've tried a few brands of cloth diapers on my daughter and other babies, and I have not found any cloth diaper (or disposable for that matter) that compares. This is a envelope diaper cover, made from 'breathable, waterproof polyurethane laminated polyester (PUL), sewn to a butter soft microfleece inner layer'. They come in amazingly cute, bright colors with snaps. The snaps have been the biggest seller for me. I would never try a Velcro cloth diaper again, as they stick to things in the wash (yes even if I closed them in on themselves) collect fuzzies and hair, and wear way too fast to maintain the level of sustainability and quality I’d like to receive for the price. Plus they make them more pleasantly adjustable. AppleCheeks diapers are used with super soft bamboo inserts that clean like a charm. (And for convenient purposes- they also sell a variety of other inserts). The elastics should be good for the diapers to go through 3 kids and if not they are very easily replaceable (tutorials come with the diapers and are online). AppleCheeks also have many accessories to support the cloth diapering mama- including great reusable bamboo breast pads which are a personal favorite. They're made in Montreal, affordable to boot and if you happen to live in the Haut St- Laurent area there is $100 refund with proof of your cloth diaper receipt (check @ the CLSC).

Aside from the cuteness of the product the best thing about these AppleCheeks diapers are the faces behind the name. The support and confidence Ilana and Amy have given me in parenting and in cloth diapering is indispensable- and I have no doubt in my mind that they would do the same for you! 

applecheeks.com

H2Oil

Living in a peak oil culture some our generation is beginning to think of solutions. Without seeming too paranoid, I’ll suggest that as we look towards resolution and alternative renewable resources for the future we shouldn’t set aside and forget the precautions we need to take in the present day situation. In a recent move to Alberta, we have become more aware of the reality of the tar sands. As most of us nestle down in the southern-most parts of Canada, it is easy to forget about the far (and not even that far) north. Because we don’t see the physical reality of what is happening to what was the boreal forests, it is easy for our eyes to glaze over and our ears to not fully understand when we hear the news reports. I urge you to awaken to what is actually happening just hours north of our southern-Canadian nests. Tar sands sites are planting themselves beside the Athabasca River in Alberta. The pollution levels that go into the water and the surrounding land are astounding. A case study of the Aboriginal people of Fort Chipewyan (downstream from Fort McMurray), says it all. Rare forms of cancer; types that are only found in every 100, 000 people have been found in more multiple residents of this small town. Families have been plagued by various types of cancers and brain tumors. The images of the distorted, discolored, tumor-riddled fish from Lake Athabasca are a good testimony to something not being right. Of course the Canadian government attests to properly monitoring the pollution, and vows that the Athabasca River (and lake) remains unpolluted and safe. Private researchers have found otherwise. If you're still not convinced, it seems all too fishy (pun-intended) that the Alberta government laid charges and persistently threatened Dr. O’Conner’s practice in Fort Chipewyan on excuse of “raising un-due alarm” to the cancer rates.  Really?! Studies haven’t gone much past this town, but I’m sure the effects of the tar sands have. 

In this day we’ve gotta protect our own, mama hens. Because I live just hours away from this town and river (although thankfully upstream) our family has invested in our own water filtration system. The pollutants are seeping from the tar sands toxic pools into the earth. Our water at home comes from a well, and you guessed it, from the very same earth the tar sands are on. My very sweet and caring husband bought me the lovely gift of a Santevia water filtration system for Christmas (yes, ladies it appears the day of diamonds and jewels are over… I was so happy to open this. It was better than any blood diamond traveled here from Africa!). Although it did travel from Germany, the Santevia system not only filters out the bad (bacteria, parasites, germs, chlorine, herbicides, pesticides, pesticides metals, chemicals, detergents, lead, mercury etc.) but adds good (natural silica, higher oxygenation and added alkaline, infrared, ionized minerals (proper levels of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, sodium, potassium and zinc) etc).

I urge you to find out more about your water source and not necessarily trust the government officials who jot down in their reports that the quality seems just fine to them. It may be just fine, but wouldn’t it be great to know for sure? Our local community Public Health Centre tests residents’ water once a year free of charge and more frequently for $35 but it is up to the resident to take the initiative.

Filtration is not an overall solution but a healthy choice and protective choice for our family. I can’t believe we live in a world where I’m beginning to think I need to protect my drinking water…

To learn more:

Tipping Point: the age of the oil sands: 

http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/natureofthings/video.html?ID=1769597772

H2Oil: http://h2oildoc.com/home/

When the Water Changed: How one family doctor is speaking out about the  tar sands industry: http://canadians.org/publications/CP/2011/summer/tar-sands.pdf

Santevia: http://www.santevia.com/

Sick baby. Sick daddy. Busy mommy.

Although I have felt quite rigid around putting much of anything pharmaceutical into mine and my husband's mouths over the last 5-10 years seeing our dear wee one with a mucousy, awful sounding cough today had me reconsider. For all you mamas out there, I'm sure you can relate. An immediate 'Give me anything to help this child out!' type reaction had me running to our vitamin shelf in the linen closet. I had a few homeopathic remedies for babies and for adults but few things to remedy her symptoms. Hmmm...it's a Sunday afternoon and I live in a rural town....I felt my options were limited. After putting her down for a nap and leaving my hubby in front of the tube I was pleasantly pleased to see that our local pharmacy was very well stalked with natural remedies, and uber surprised to find a pharmacist agreeing that homeopathic remedies are best for babies (with cold) under 1 year. As I've been told by a family friend who has practiced homeopathy for years, the homeopathic remedies in the pharmacy aren't nearly as good as they would be from a homeopathic doctor. It's true, the remedies at your local pharmacy do have many remedies mixed into each vile to cover a wide range of symptoms (fever, dry cough, mucous, pain, congestion). A private doctor would conversely study your child's case and nip the specific symptoms they are experiencing in the bud (clear mucous? kali bicromicum. Mastitis? Pulsatilla. Or something of that sort).  However, when your in the state of mind that you'll do anything to help your kid and their ailment on a Sunday afternoon in the country these general homeopathic remedies will do more than suffice. In fact they've been working really well. I bought Coryzalia Cold (no alcohol, sugar, coloring or preservatives) from Boiron and Cough and Cold Night-time formula (no side effects, dye-free and sugar-free) by Homeocan. Both are Canadian companies. I have yet to report on the latter (let me know if you're interested) but the former is a winner in a pinch! Wish us well!

Oh and if you're wondering how this mama has escaped this nasty cold the answer is all wrapped up in Elderberry drops from SURO (also Canadian)....amazing, natural and helps you fight a cold like NO other! And slippers...can't forget the slippers. Looking for a good pair? www.padraigcottage.com

Bio Vert

All mamas and friends of mamas need a good- no, great- stain remover. Ya ya, Tide to Go was all the rage when it first came out and it does work. But there is more plastic on the tube than the actual Tide product inside. In thinking along the same (streaky baby food) lines, fast-forward to a way more sustainable product. Bio-vert laundry detergent is THE absolute best thing I’ve tried. Although I had used it pre-baby every now and then, it was recommended to me when I bought our cloth diapers (residue-free, scent-free, softener-free, glycerin-free detergent). It is the best product I have tried out of a number of green, phosphate-free, biodegradable products. After months of using it, it is my very own mama who pointed out that it is also an excellent stain remover. Just dab the spot(s) with detergent prior to loading your washer with all other clothes. Rub it in and let it sit while you load the clothes. I find this long enough, although longer wouldn’t hurt (but who has that kind of time?!). Throw the spotted item(s) in with the rest of the wash and it comes off like magic! You can purchase this at most Health Food Stores, refill your bottle at some, and even some branches of Pharmaprix/Shoppers Drugmart are carrying it. For those who do like scent, Biovert also make a Morning Dew version. Little effort, big results, healthy for us, healthy for our planet- gotta love it. 

Ask Ask Ask....

So as I was watching T.V. the other night with the hubby we happened upon the Sundance Channel that is being previewed for the month of January. Not only do they air some good thought-provoking shows and movies but things make it on that typically wouldn't be on mainstream tele (which is mostly so repulsive these days that I barely watch anything any more). This channel even plays short films during the commercial break and this particular night they were airing the Green Porno series. Firstly, hilarious. Secondly,informative. Thirdly, these shorts triggered something within  that was bubbling up inside me in the last weeks anyway: if you're curious ask. Don't just wonder or take someone else's word for it. Don't become glazed over at the splendors of live (talking to myself here as much as any reader). If someone tells you something, ask more about it. Ask about food- where does it come from, how did it get to your house and on your plate? Ask about products- don't believe what the celebrity says about the soap s/he's advertising, they didn't make it, what do those ingredients actually do. Does the biodegradable diaper bio-degrade? Ask ask ask. There are endless things you could ask. It has become so overwhelming that people(myself included of course) have decided to stop asking, and some have even forgotten how. So please mamas, ask. Oh, and check out the Green Porno by Isabella Rossellini while your at it!

P.S. As I seek and ask I will post findings that work well for our family in the appropriate pages listed across the top of blog. Please share what you find too. Sharing is caring!