My First Soaked Grain Bread

So....BREAD! Guess what? It can actually be good for you. With most healthy folks having a strong aversion to carbs (and for good reason), we've kind of convinced ourselves that all leavened baked goods will make us fat. Now, if the bread that we bought at the store was actually fresh and made from whole grains then this might be a different story.
I'm learning that there are a lot of nutritional benefits to grinding your own whole grains so that they're fresh and to soaking those grains before you bake with them. Lindsey at Passionate Homemaking does a GREAT job explaining this...here! So read what she has to say and then try to make some bread! :)
My recipe below is a combination of hers and my friend Lynette's (here) and my own head.

Soaked Whole Grain Bread

3 c whole wheat flour

3 c all purpose flour

1 c coconut flour

2 c steel cut oats

1 c oat bran

1 c flax seed meal

1 c flaked coconut 

1 c sunflower seeds (ground)

¾ c plain yogurt

¼ c apple cider vinegar (I used the yogurt and vinegar because I didn’t have any kefir on hand, but you can definitely use 1 c kefir here instead)

¼ c honey

¼ c agave nectar

½ c coconut oil

¼ c butter

3 c warm water

Let sit at room temp for 12-24 hours

2 ½ T active dry yeast

½ c warm water

1 t honey

Let yeast fully proof (basically get foamy so you can’t see the yeast granules anymore) then add to dough mixture. Mix until dough no longer clings to the side of the bowl. Knead 10 times. Form into a ball and place in a greased bowl. Cover with a wet cloth and let rise for 1-1 ½ hours (until doubled). Punch down, turn the ball of dough over and let double again. Divide into fourths. Roll each piece out with a rolling pin and then roll up (like a Little Debbie Swiss Cake Roll) place each dough roll in a greased bread loaf pan. Place in oven to rise (you can turn oven to “warm” but no higher) for 45 minutes. Bake bread at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes. Let cool and remove from pans. ENJOY!

Happy Mothers Day

Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all!

Proverbs 31:29

Possessing outstanding qualities, Merriam-Webster's dictionary says this is what "noble" means. It says that it can also mean "grand" or "impressive", among other things. My mother is outstanding, grand and impressive, she possesses qualities that I aspire to have and lives in a way that I have seen few women do. I love her, and if you've met her, you probably do to...she kind of has that effect on people. 

I'm coming to think that life is about finding balance. So much of what makes God holy is His perfect balance of virtues - grace and justice, joy and anger, stability and flexibility. And I think that something that is so impressive, grand, and outstanding about my mother is her persistent pursuit of godliness in a way that is very clearly bringing balance to her life. 

I've had the privilege of knowing her for 26 years (give or take a few months), and in that time I have seen both change and consistency. The change has come as she disciplines herself, as she balances things out, and as she grows. I think that that is noble. She has one of the most real, disciplined, and reflective relationships with God that I have ever seen. People in darkness, without a home, and estranged from love grab at her heart in a way that drives her to action and prayer. She loves people even when they don't love her back.

Consistency is seen in the qualities that God handcrafted into her, those things that make her unique and unlike anyone else. My mother is creative, vivacious, joyful, loving, kind, genuine, innovative and intelligent. Like Mary Tyler Moore - she can take a nothing day and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile.

Now that I am a wife and mother, I understand and appreciate my mom in ways that I never did before. While I don't think that I see my childhood through rose-colored glasses, I can honestly say that there was never a time that I did not feel loved by my mother. I know that is rare in this world, and I can't imagine what my life would be like without her love, influence, and sacrifice.

I love you Mom! You are beautiful and a success. In a word - noble!...If you're not sure about that, just look at the works of your hands (and you're heart), Proverbs says that they will praise you at the gates. And I don't  think it meant the weeds in the garden or the dishes in the sink, but those works that are walking around your house calling you "Mom" and "Namma." And if you're not sure about THAT...we're praising you "at the gates."

Happy Mothers Day! 

Making Beads!

Check this out! My sister Sarah started doing this yesterday, and I'm totally getting on board. I'm going to try to make my own beads. I'm also considering putting some yummy smelling things on them. Wouldn't that be fun? A lavendar scented, handmade beaded necklace?! Oh the possibilities!
Check out her blog for the instructions!

All Natural Baby Safe Dryer Bags

SO...ever since I started using Soap Nuts for my laundry (read info here and here), I've been trying to figure out a way to get my clothes to smell lovely and fresh. There were some suggestions on adding some essential oils to the muslin bag that I put the soap nuts in, but that didn't really work. And I didn't want to use dryer sheets, because they just coat my clothes with chemicals that irritate our skin.
But then I saw these HUGE fusible tea bags on From Nature with Love, where they say one of the uses is dryer bags. What?! What a stinkin' good idea! So I bought some lavender, chamomile, and orange peel (all safe for babies) from the Bulk Herb Store, and started experimenting.
My first bags last for about 5 loads, then the tea bag gets too thin to hold it any more but the herbs are still fragrant, so I can use it then in my pillowcases or dresser drawers. :) Here's how I made them:

Gilmore Baby-Safe All-Natural Dryer Bags


1/2 c orange peel (cut)
1/2 c chamomile flowers (german)
3/4 c lavender buds
12 drops each orange, chamomile, and lavender essential oils
5 Large Tea bags


Shake all ingredients in a tupperware container with a lid.
Scoop approx. 6 tablespoons of the herb mix into each Tea bag.
Throw in the dryer with your laundry.


The laundry (and our laundry room) smell great! I'm trying to see how I can get the bags to last for more than 4-5 loads, because a busted dryer bag is not a good thing. For now though, I'm very happy with this solution.

TIP: If you're still using dryer sheets because of static cling, just throw 1/4-1/2 cup apple cider vinegar in with your clothes during the rinse cycle of the wash. It gets rid of static like a charm and the vinegar smell completely dissipates when the laundry is dry. So here's the laundry routine --> Wash: Soap Nuts (oxygen bleach for nasty stains), Rinse: Apple Cider Vinegar, & Dry: Herb Dryer Bags. All-natural, gets rid of all dirt, bacteria, fungi, and viruses, and keeps your clothing looking and smelling great!

Grace Is...

Planting wildflowers with my son
Weeding my garden and envisioning new growth
Soaking in songs and light
Sunny, breezy days
Open windows and painted pots
A sun-kissed nose and son-kissed cheeks
Sharing a milkshake with my husband
Learning from my students as I grade their work
Laughter, shows and love
Books, panda bears and zebras
Crayons, sidewalk chalk, and purple
Sand and sunrooms, flowers and hammocks
Peace amidst uncertainty and anxiety
Freedom from shame and oppression
Life abundant with a lovingkindness kind of God

I woke up today expecting to be tired. I woke up today almost dreading what laid ahead of me as I anticipated an endless weekend of grading papers in a messy house. I woke up under a cloud of grayness and self-oppression. In spite of my self-centered attitude and ridiculous expectations, I woke up today and received grace! Grace that covers me, seeps into my soul, and brings gladness to my heart.

Thank you Lord!

Naturally Free LLC

Post 201!
This weekend was great! I had a wonderful day on Saturday with Elliot and Evan. After last week, we felt like we hadn't spent much time together at all...not a good feeling, so we stayed home on Saturday and relaxed. Then Sunday, Sarah and I presented our business plan to Mom and Dad and they offered to invest in it!!! We also got our temporary logo from our graphic designer...

So that is lots of fun! It's also what I've been putting a lot of energy into lately, thus the lack of postings. And now, I'm very VERY tired. So I'll be going to bed and updating more later.

Cows, Antibiotics, and Plants

This week at the Gilmores has been quite eventful! Last Friday we picked up our cow from Seven Sons. It's now been divided among the masses and we've had steak and kabobs that are second to none this week! Evan and I both had strep throat starting this last weekend and we're pretty sure that Elliot has it now too. He'll be going to the doctor today to make sure it's nothing else. I've had to work late to of the three days I've gone in to work this week. Monday I stayed home sick and today we get off as a paid holiday!
However, despite the sickness and late nights, we have had some lovely things happen this week. Monday, Elliot was able to pick the first flower of spring from our yard - a daffodil. He treated it with the utmost care for about two hours and then he ripped it to shreds. Tuesday some of our Carmin Hall daughters came over for dinner and painting pots outside on the lawn to plant some african violets. We had a great time with them! And last night Elliot and I were invited over to the Smith's for a lovely patio dinner prepared by Sarah and Emily. Complete with a pretty tablecloth and cherry blossoms (or at least I think that's what they were) picked straight from the tree.
Two things though - first, my husband has been incredible this week! He's put so much effort into our home and into supporting me with my work craziness and sickness. Thanks a million, babe! Second, I have the most loving joyous son! He's fantastic and delights my heart to no end.
Here are a few pictures from the week! We're looking forward to a lovely weekend too....shopping with Ev and Elliot today, Passover dinner at the Smiths tomorrow, and Easter dinner and an egg hunt here on Sunday! We hope you and your family have an awesome weekend celebrating our risen and alive Savior and King.