This month for my daughters birthday, we did a drive by birthday party with a food drive for Out of the Garden Project. This program has been really stretch thin since the virus has hit the US. Previously they were able to go and purchase pallets of canned goods from a warehouse store. But it's just not a reality now.  If you are inclined to donate, they can use could use more food donations of canned meats and vegetables. They already have enough beans, plus who wants to eat so many beans. So if you have a little extra food or money you can donate to an organization who is taking care of those who have been hit hardest by this pandemic please consider them. They are serving the children with the greatest need for food during this time. Previously they sent home backpacks of non-perishable food for the weekend when these children were in school. 

Four Fun Things I've been up toThis past week I've been keeping myself busy with the following activities. 

1) I've started back to my weekly, now twice weekly Boot Camp, except now it's a social distancing type of camp. It's great to be getting together and exercising with friends outdoor. We are using our own parking spots as 6 ft markers. 

2) I made Psylly Turtles this weekend. OMG, they are amazing. My daughter likes them with mini chocolate chips, by Enjoy Life. I like them with cacao nibs. These turtles are a slightly sweet treat, with side benefits. LOL right. Check out the benefits of psyllium husks:

• psyllium husks are food for your gut bacteria. Yes, even your gut needs to be feed. 
• these magic husks can heal your poop problems, such as change the runny to firm and firm to softer. YAY
• helps clear LDL cholesterol from your bloodstream making your liver and heart happier. <3 :)
• improves insulin sensitivity and blood sugar. 
• here check out what else these beautiful husks can do. Note the recipe is towards the bottom of page. 

3) I made more sourdough bread. This time I made mini loaves to share with more friends. It's so much fun sharing the baking love.

Over the past week we have seen a response to George Floyd's killing as elsewhere in the United States and across the world. After the protest, then riots and destruction. Comes the beauty of rebirth. The artwork on the boarded up windows shows the path we, society, needs to take, because BLACK LIVES MATTER!! Their life is at stake everyday just doing normal day to day activities. Whereas white lives don't have that same fear. I hope you too will take steps to learn what racism is, to unlearn the little things whites do, consider donating to black charities. This is one way to help change the world and read books on white privilege and the black experience.
We can't continue to ignore what is happening to a large portion of our population, the African-American population. 

The last 2 months have left me feeling like I've lost a chunk of my life. However there have been good things that have happened as a result of the lock down. 

1) I am now baking bread weekly. That is HUGE for me. That is one baking experience that has not been successful for me. This week I even made Sourdough Pancakes, gluten free, dairy free but not vegan. Maybe next time. They were the most fluffy pancakes we've had since going gluten free. I love being able to use the sourdough discards in this way. ​

2) I am now running again, 2 times a week. This excites me greatly, because I broke my foot in January and was unable to run for  3 months. I am a bit tired and sore, but I'm much happier getting in regular exercise. 

3) Starting June 17th the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market is starting a program for prepared food and craft vendors to pick up pre-orders on Wednesday mornings. Please message me if you are interested in picking of orders from PaleoLove on Wednesday mornings. 

4) I will continue to offer my online store and offer products on Gate City Harvest online store for the time being. 

5) At this time I still have Momma Bear Shots available. I am considering repackaging them in returnable, reuseable. recyclable containers. I would like your feedback on the Momma Bear Shots if you are still using them and the new packaging is something you would prefer or not prefer and why. 

6) Since graduating from the Functional Nutrition Alliance as an educator/coach. I am starting a Facebook Group called Rethinking Food. Click here to join. or check it out. ​

We have now been in quarantine 9 weeks here in North Carolina. How are you doing? Have you learned anything new? Tried any new recipes? I've been busy at home and online. 
I truly miss going to the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market. I miss my market family but most of all I miss talking with you and making new friends who happen to stop by my booth. Keeping my fingers cross that June will bring back community connections. In the meantime here is what I have been up to. 
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1) Still making sourdough bread. LOL, are you? I am so excited about this accomplishment. In the past I have tried making bread and failed miserably! The fact that I MADE sourdough bread with my own STARTER still has me giddy. So giddy that I attempted to make a fancy round loaf like the gluten full kind I have been watching. And you know what I did and it turned out gorgeous. I also gave that one to a new member of the gluten free family. This young woman, a teen, is still adjusting to this lifestyle. I hope she enjoys that loaf as much as my family and I do. 

Now is the time to accept the #dochangechallenge. ​

​Over the course of the last 8 weeks we all have been through a lot of changes and challenges. I've made a few new connections in the community for selling my granola, Momma Bear Shots and donuts, see below. I've also been picking up new skills and resources for shopping. 

1) You can find our products online at the PaleoLove Shop. Pick up at the Corner Market in the advance order tent or purchase at Susan's Table. In addition to Aubrey's farm - Gate City Harvest online store.  
 
2) I'm sure you have been watching everyone make sourdough bread online, wishing you could too. Nicole over at Gluten Free on Shoestring has a recipe for a gluten free sourdough starter and bread. It's not that hard to make AND the bread smells & tastes AMAZING.  Just ask my family.

I have fallen love with the paleo coffee, bulletproof kind without the collagen. But I much prefer my own brand, Momma Bear Shots. Made with grass fed butter, coconut oil and cocoa powder for the chocolate ones and pumpkin puree with pumpkin spices for my favorite Pumpkin Spice Momma Bear Shot. I love the creamy mouthfeel, the luscious chocolaty taste and warm pumpkin scents. Message me for how you can get Momma Bear Shots in your coffee or tea. 

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My family loves donuts, as just about everyone I know does. As a results we have made donuts of all flavors. Summertime donuts lemon-blueberry, fall donuts pumpkin spice, apple cider and a savory donut, lemon-rosemary.  Donuts have become a favorite at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market at our booth along with our tasty and nutritious paleo granola. 
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This Saturday, November 18th, is the Apple Pancake and Celebration day at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market. We will also be celebrating too, stop by our booth to smell the apple cider donuts, pick one up to have with your cup of coffee from Gate City Coffee. 

We are so excited to be a part of the upcoming Gluten & Allergen Free Wellness Event in Greensboro. We have attended this event in the past and enjoyed it thoroughly. Learning what foods are available in and around Greensboro, practitioners who help you feel better and we even discovered a great documentary called the Celiac Project. This event is on November 11, 2017 at the Guilford Convention Center, 3113 Cedar Park Rd, Greensboro NC 27406.  It will be open from 10am -3pm. 
Come enjoy an allergen friendly product that fits your dietary needs. Learn about services that are available for you or your child. Stop by just to say hi and grab a taste of Momma's Mammoth Munch.