Gluten-Free Chocolate Brownies Recipe

Gluten-Free Chocolate Brownies Recipe

Ingredients:
5 ounces dark chocolate
1/2 cup Spectrum Organic Shortening
2 large organic free-range eggs
1 cup firmly packed organic light brown sugar
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons ground pecan meal
1/4 slightly rounded cup sorghum flour
1 tablespoon tapioca starch
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3 teaspoons bourbon vanilla extract
1/2 cup extra semi-sweet chocolate chips for the top, if desired

Instructions:  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 9x11-inch baking pan with parchment or foil and lightly oil the bottom.  Gently melt the dark chocolate and shortening (double boiler).  Stire together and set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl, beat the eggs on medium high till frothy. Add brown sugar; beat until the mixture is smooth.  Add the melted chocolate mixture into the egg-sugar mixture a little at a time and beat for about a minute. The chocolate should look smooth and glossy.

In a bowl, combine the pecan meal, sorghum flour, sea salt and baking soda; whisk together. Add the dry flour mix into the chocolate mixture and beat well for a minute. Add the vanilla, beat for 30 seconds.

Spoon the batter into the prepared pan. Shake the pan a little bit to even out the batter.  Add a layer of semi sweet chips over the top.

Bake at 350 degree  for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the brownies are set. Do not overcook.  The brownies should be firm but give slightly when touched.  Cool on a wire rack.  Freeze leftovers.

Contact our office at 918-994-4810 for an appointment. You can live a headache free life!

Missy Briggeman

Empowering Patients, Educating Minds and Healing Bodies

701 W. Queens St. Suite 100
Broken Arrow, OK  74012
918-994-4810 Office
918-994-4816 Fax

How to Deal with a Recurring Headaches during your Menstrual Cycle

Q&A: What can be done about my headaches that I get during my monthly cycle?

In females, there are fluctuations of the hormones, estrogen and progesterone, throughout the month during each menstrual cycle. Imbalance of these hormones can result in cramping, mood changes, foggy thinking, irregular bleeding, and headaches. Balancing these hormones at certain times of the month, can help decrease any or all of these symptoms. 

Saliva and blood testing can help provide valuable insight into the timing of possible abnormal hormone changes. Once these abnormalities are found, hormonal balancing can be achieved with dietary and lifestyle modifications, bio-identical hormone treatment, or herbal supplementation at certain times of the month. 

Contact our office at 918-994-4810 for an appointment. You can live a headache free life!

Missy Briggeman

Empowering Patients, Educating Minds and Healing Bodies

701 W. Queens St. Suite 100
Broken Arrow, OK  74012
918-994-4810 Office
918-994-4816 Fax

Cortisol can cause You to Feel Frustrated, Overwhelmed or Stress

Q&A: I feel as though I cannot control my feelings. I feel frustrated, overwhelmed and stressed about small things. What can I do to overcome this?

There is a stress hormone in the body called cortisol. Normal cortisol levels should reach it’s peak in the morning to help you wake up (typically 6:00 – 7:00 AM) and decrease as the day goes on to reach its lowest point while you are sleeping. 

When you feel stressed, your body releases cortisol; if this occurs on a regular basis it can cause your cortisol levels to fluctuate. If your cortisol levels are not within normal ranges you will begin to have trouble sleeping, feel unmotivated during the day, have sugar or salt cravings, infertility issues and an inability to handle stress. You could also be experiencing adrenal fatigue or “burnout”. 

There are several herbal supplements (for example: licorice root extract) that can help balance cortisol levels if taken at the correct times during the day. Try to get your body on a routine by going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning. Meditation/quiet time, exercise and avoiding sugars can also be helpful. 

If you have tried these with no success you should consult a physician. We have same week appointments for new patients. 

Call us at 918-994-4810 so we can help you get to feeling better.

Missy Briggeman

Empowering Patients, Educating Minds and Healing Bodies

701 W. Queens St. Suite 100
Broken Arrow, OK  74012
918-994-4810 Office
918-994-4816 Fax

Get Yourself Moving First Thing in the Morning!!

Top of the mornin' to ya!  I always feel so much better when I rise early and get to movin!!  There is just something that makes me feel so accomplished when I have marked several things off the list even before my family has eaten thier breakfast.

Not everyone is a morning person - Here are a few tips to help you feel energized this morning. 

1. Stretch your muscles, reach for the sky and then reach your toes. Bend side to side and twist left to right. 
2. Drink a glass of water at room temperature with some lemon.
3. Go get some fresh air. Stand outside for just a minute and take 5 deep breaths that you can feel down deep in your lungs. 
4. Added bonus...sunshine helps increase your cortisol to normal levels to give you a boost of energy. 
5. Say a prayer and thank God for giving you the gift a new day.

Hope you feel energized this morning!!  Make this a GREAT day!

Missy Briggeman

Empowering Patients, Educating Minds and Healing Bodies

701 W. Queens St. Suite 100
Broken Arrow, OK  74012
918-994-4810 Office
918-994-4816 Fax

photo credit: SD008 via photopin cc

Carrot Crackers Recipe Packed with a Punch of Chia and Flax Seeds!!

I found a great recipe today that I have to share from the Lyn-Genet Plan!!  This recipe is easy to make and so very healthy!!

Carrot Crackers:

2 cups grated carrots
1/8th cup flax seeds
3/8ths cup chia seeds

Season the "dough" as you would like or leave them plain. Place in food processor and blend.

Let the "dough" sit for 45 minutes so chia and flax can help bind into a "dough"

Roll the carrot mixture out using your "flour" of choice (suggested almond or coconut)  into 1/8th inch thick dough.  Use a round cookie cutter to make crackers - suggested size is 4inches.  Yields approximately 10 crackers.

Let us know how you like these or any variations of this recipe!!

Missy Briggeman

Empowering Patients, Educating Minds and Healing Bodies

701 W. Queens St. Suite 100
Broken Arrow, OK  74012
918-994-4810 Office
918-994-4816 Fax

ArthoSoothe Cream for your Arthritis - Relief from Joint Pain!!

Arthritis plagues many people in the United States - and its no longer an ailment of the elderly.  Many people have inflammation throughout their body specifically in their joints.

ArthroSoothe Cream is a great product that we carry for our patients that are suffering with arthritis.  The cream is a perfect moisturizer for your knees, shoulders, hands and other joints.  It is rich in natural ingredients such as emu oil, MSM, glucosamine-chondroitin and a proprietary herbal extracts of white willow, capsicum, arnica and menthol.  This blend gives you cooling relief and can be used several times a day as desired.

There are other things you can do to reduce the inflammation and swelling  in your joints - give us a call at our office to set up a consultation!!  We will review your health history and offer you a strategy to help reduce the level of pain you are experiencing from your arthritis!!

Missy Briggeman

Empowering Patients, Educating Minds and Healing Bodies

701 W. Queens St. Suite 100
Broken Arrow, OK  74012
918-994-4810 Office
918-994-4816 Fax

Zucchini Chips - Great Healthy Snack!!

Healthy Delicious Zucchini Chips

Ingredients:
1 lb (about 4 cups) thin sliced Zucchini
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
½ tsp olive oil (this can be omitted)
1 tsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions:
Slice Zucchinni
In a medium bowl whisk salt, pepper, olive oil (if used), and vinegar
Add sliced zucchini
Toss with the “dressing” to coat
Arrange slices on dehydrator trays
Dehydrate at 135 degrees for 5-6 hours or until crispy


Missy Briggeman

Empowering Patients, Educating Minds and Healing Bodies

701 W. Queens St. Suite 100
Broken Arrow, OK  74012
918-994-4810 Office
918-994-4816 Fax


photo credit: Vanessa Pike-Russell via photopin cc

9 Ways to Use Coconut Oil in Your Home

The more I read about Coconut Oil, the more convinced that it is almost a cure-all ingredient!!! Ok, maybe it doesn't cure ALL, but there are so many ways that you can use it! This week I am focusing on 10 ways that you can use it around the house.

Check these out and be sure to comment if you have additional ideas!!

1. Perfect for moisturizing/cleaning Leather (always test first)
2. Remove Chewing Gum from hair – just rub some coconut oil around the chewing gum, all it to sit for about 30 minutes and it will come out easily.
3. Make your own "Goo Gone" –  Put equal parts coconut oil and baking soda in a bowl and mix into a paste.   Allow the paste to set on the sticky area for a minute and then scrub off.
4. Insect repellent – mix coconut oil with peppermint oil extract and rub it all over exposed skin. Much safer than using products with DEET.
5. Oiling wood cutting boards and wood bowls
6. Polish bronze by rubbing a little oil into a cotton towel and then wipe the bronze area to clean and deepen the color.
7. Polish Furniture – coconut oil  with a little lemon juice works well on wood furniture (be sure to test small discreet area first)
8. Season your cookware
9. Homemade Soap – coconut oil can be used as one of the fats in soap.

I hope these tips will help you rid your home of some of the everyday chemicals that are stashed in your home.  It can be hard to part ways with your trusted cleaners - but in the end you are providing chemical free atmosphere for you and your family!!

Missy Briggeman

Empowering Patients, Educating Minds and Healing Bodies

701 W. Queens St. Suite 100
Broken Arrow, OK  74012
918-994-4810 Office
918-994-4816 Fax

photo credit: legends2k via photopin cc

Flourless, Sugar free and Gluten Free Pumpkin Muffins

Pumpkin Muffin 

• 2 1/2 c oats (gluten free but regular is fine if you do not have celiac disease)
• 1 c plain nonfat greek yogurt
• 1/2 c honey
• 1 1/2 t baking powder
• 1/2 t baking soda
• 1 t cinnamon 
• 1/2 t nutmeg
• 1 c canned pumpkin
• 1/2 c chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions:  Preheat oven to 400 degrees and spray tin with non-stick cooking spray. (Olive oil spray is a healthy choice). You could also use a silicone muffin pan. No liners are needed. 

Place all of the liquid ingredients in the blender (including pumpkin), and then blend adding oats in 1/2 c at a 
time until smooth. You may need to stop the blender a few times to stir. Stir in chopped walnuts after blending is complete.  Divide batter among 12 muffin cups  and bake for 20 min. or until toothpick comes out clean.


Missy Briggeman

Empowering Patients, Educating Minds and Healing Bodies

701 W. Queens St. Suite 100
Broken Arrow, OK  74012
918-994-4810 Office
918-994-4816 Fax

Chemical Free Liquid Soap

Homemade Liquid Soap
Great for cleaning dishes and hands.
 
1 cup warm water
1/2 cup liquid Castile soap
1tbsp vinegar 
1tbsp backing soda or washing soda 
20 drops of your favorite essential oil
(We like using lemon or peppermint)

If you would like a thick liquid soap just add shredded bar soap. 
Once it's all mixed just pour into a soap dispenser!!

Missy Briggeman

Empowering Patients, Educating Minds and Healing Bodies


701 W. Queens St. Suite 100
Broken Arrow, OK  74012
918-994-4810 Office
918-994-4816 Fax

Chemical Free Hair Gel - Kid Friendly!!

Homemade Hair Gel

1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin 
1 cup warm water

Mix together and refrigerate 15 minutes before use. 

Add essential oils for fragrance. 
Safe to use on kids. Refrigerate between uses. Lasts up to two weeks. Cost pennies.

Missy Briggeman

Empowering Patients · Educating Minds · Healing Bodies

701 W. Queens St. Suite 100

Broken Arrow, OK 74012

918-994-4810

918-994-4816 Fax

Hormones in our Daily Foods

Our children are sexually and hormonally developing earlier then past generations. Women are experiencing menopause symptoms in their 30’s. Cancer is spreading as if it’s contagious. Could the food we eat be playing a role? 

FDA: Food and Drug Administration or is it Food Destroying America?
The FDA has approved several steroid hormone drugs to be used in beef cattle and sheep. These hormones include estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and their synthetic versions. FDA says “These drugs increase the animals’ growth rate, the efficiency by which they convert the feed they eat into meat, and the leanness of their meat.” These hormones are also used in milking cows, chickens and pork.

The hormones are in pellet form and placed in the animals ears. The FDA does require that the ears are disregarded. The hormones are continuously released into the animal. Cows, just like humans, cannot produce milk unless they are pregnant or have just had a baby. The milking cow is artificially inseminated or given hormone injections to simulate pregnancy in order to produce milk. The day their calf is born it is taken from the mother. The mother cow is then hooked to a milking machine several times a day and artificially inseminated again.

An average cow’s life expectancy is 15-20 years. A milking cow typically lives four years and is then slaughtered for it’s beef. According to Wikipedia, “In 2009, approximately 19% of the US beef supply came from cull dairy cows: cows that can no longer be seen as an economic asset to the dairy farm. These animals may be sold due to reproductive problems or common diseases...”

Milking cows can get irritation, yeast, cracks and bleeding on their utters. They are given injections of antibiotics that are supposed help with the symptoms, but unfortunately puss that oozes from the cracked utters gets into the milk. The government does not regulate the amount of puss allowed in milk. They do however regulate raw milk that was hand squeezed from a cow or goat that was raised on a family farm with no added hormones.

We are not saying or implying that you should not eat meat or drink cow milk. We just want you to be aware of the facts that can be found on the FDA website. If you would like to try an alternative to cow’s milk there is almond milk, rice milk, and coconut milk.

When purchasing meat from a grocery store, look on the label for “hormone free”. Purchasing grass fed beef is also a good idea. There are local farmers who sale grass fed cattle for beef. Typically you purchase half a cow or a full cow, and freeze the meat to last throughout the year.

My grandfather is raising a grass fed cow for us right now. He lives on my great-grandma’s farm that has fed five generations. It’s located in Tahlequah, Ok. If you are interested in purchasing half a cow or a whole cow just leave a comment and let us know.

Missy Briggeman
Empowering Patients · Educating Minds · Healing Bodies

701 W. Queens St. Suite 100

Broken Arrow, OK 74012

918-994-4810

918-994-4816 Fax

Homemade Detergent - Liquid and Powder

Liquid Detergent:

1 cup Borax
1 cup Washing Soda
1 bar of soap or 3 cups liquid Castile Soap (as natural as you can find)
5 Gallon Bucket

If you use bar soap you will need to cut it into 1 inch cubes and boil in 6 cups of water. Once the cubes have disappeared let it cool for a few minute. Then stir in Borax and Washing soda.
Use ½ cup per load. 

If you use liquid Castile Soap, mix it with 3 cups water, Borax and Washing Soda.

Then fill the 5 gallon bucket with 4 gallons of water and stir in the mixture. As time goes by (usually 24 to 48 hours) it will start to thicken to a gel like consistency. If you feel like it's too watery you can add more boiled down soap or liquid Castile soap.

Powder Detergent:

1 box Borax
1 box Washing soda
1 bar of soap (as natural as you can find)
1 large container

Grind the soap down to a fine consistency. You can use a food processor or cheese grader to grind the soap. Then mix the soap, borax and washing soda together in a large container.
Use ¼ cup per load.

Missy Briggeman
Empowering Patients · Educating Minds · Healing Bodies

701 W. Queens St. Suite 100

Broken Arrow, OK 74012

918-994-4810

918-994-4816 Fax

How to Roast some Common Vegetables

Have you tried roasting your veggies?  If not, you are in for a great little treat!!  Its easy to prepare and the flavors of the vegetables come bursting through when they are roasted. 

Eating a good mixture of raw and cooked vegetables is good for your digestion - so try to rotate and implement both.  

Below we have some information on how to cut your vegetable, how long to roast it and a recommended garnish for each.
All Vegetables will be roasted at 450° F


Asparagus

• Trimmed
• Bake 10 to 15 minutes
• Sprinkle with freshly grated lemon peel.

Broccoli

• Trim the stem
• 10 to 15 minutes
• Sprinkle with grated Cheddar cheese after roasting.

Brussels sprouts

• Trim and halve through stem end
• 15 to 20 minutes
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

Butternut squash

• 2-in. pieces
• 40 minutes
• Toss with 1/2 tsp. dried rosemary, crumbled, before roasting.

Carrots

• 1-in. pieces
• 30 to 40 minutes
• Toss with 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice before serving.

Cauliflower

• Cut into small florets
• 20 to 30 minutes
• Sprinkle with fresh parsley after roasting.

Eggplant

• 1/2-in.-thick slices
• 20 to 25 minutes
• Drizzle with EVO after roasting.

Fennel

• Trimmed and each cut into 12 wedges
• 35 to 40 minutes
• Sprinkle with freshly grated orange peel.

Green beans

• Trimmed
• 20 to 30 minutes
• Toss with some fresh lemon juice and dill after roasting.

Onions

• Cut into wedges and separate 
• 20 to 30 minutes
• Brush with mixture of 1 Tbsp. brown sugar, 1 tsp. cider vinegar; roast 5 minutes more.

Sweet peppers

• Cut into strips
• 30 minutes
• Sprinkle with 3 large fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced, after roasting.

Sweet potatoes

• Cut crosswise in half, then lengthwise into 1-in. wedges
• 30 minutes
• Toss with 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary before roasting.

Zucchini

• Trim and cut in half length wise, then chop into bite size pieces
• 15 to 20 minutes
• Top with freshly grated Parmesan.

Now there is no reason not to eat your Veggies!!  Enjoy!!

Missy Briggeman

Empowering Patients · Educating Minds · Healing Bodies

701 W. Queens St. Suite 100

Broken Arrow, OK 74012

918-994-4810

918-994-4816 Fax

photo credit: joannova, a/k/a foodalogue via photopin cc

Gluten Free Granola Recipe - So YUMMY!!

Yummy gluten free granola! 

This can be eaten during the detox prep week. 

Microwave 1 cup peanut butter and 1 cup honey until smooth. 

Then add 1 teaspoon of vanilla and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.

Fold in 4 cups gluten-free oats.

Spray cookie sheet

Bake at 375° for 10 to 15 minutes or until brown.

This is a healthy sweet snack. It can also be eaten as a cereal with almond milk.

Let us know if you have other ideas of how to eat it. Lets get creative!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for more ideas and tips on healthy living and alternative healing options!!  

Missy Briggeman

Empowering Patients · Educating Minds · Healing Bodies

701 W. Queens St. Suite 100

Broken Arrow, OK 74012

918-994-4810

918-994-4816 Fax