Happy Monday everyone! This week I've been working on plans for our upcoming trip to Colorado. My latest project is finding a condo (since there are 6 of us) with air conditioning and a pool, that won't be too painfully expensive. I didn't find much through VRBO.com, and only found one possibility on Homeaway.com. Do any of you have some other good suggestions to try? And what's the most economical way to rent a vehicle for this many people? (Or are they all about the same price?) It's pretty obvious that we don't travel much, huh?
Here are some Real Foodie links for you this week:
Have you seen the new, updated version of the “Clean 15” and “Dirty Dozen” so you know which produce you really should buy organic, and which ones are OK to buy conventional?- I just made these Chili-Lime Almonds again and tweaked the recipe more. I love these toooooo much…
- Coming up tomorrow, a tasty recipe for flourless blonde brownies. 🙂
Did anyone read Suzanne Somer's book? It's called, Knockout: Interviews with Doctors Who Are Curing Cancer–And How to Prevent Getting It in the First Place. I haven't read it yet, but I love this type of book because anything that challenges the normal, politically correct line of thinking is good, as it widens the world of possibilities for those dealing with a weighty health issue. As with all things, you can't blindly follow any advice without doing your own research, but even if you read this and decide that conventional cancer therapy is still your best option, at least then it's an informed decision. Someone recently told me, though, that because it was written by an actress, the whole Hollywood affiliation takes away from her overall credibility. I'm planning a post on cancer soon and am curious what you think about this.- A reader, Christy, asked this question last week: “Did you ever get a tortilla press? If so, what do you think of it?” My reply: “I got a $10 job at the Mexican market and it's a pain. I think that it's probably meant to be used for corn tortillas instead of flour because it only flattens a little and then I still have to roll it out to get them thin enough, unfortunately! I wrote about it more at this post for Spicy Pita Snackers.”
- My friend and reader, Jen, recently sent me this email: “Wow, amazing! They found out lard is healthier than typical snack foods! (Note the sarcasm…) What cracks me up is the line, ‘Although we can't pinpoint what component of these snacks is causing these pre-diabetes conditions…' Really?? DUH!” Here's the article.
Have you seen the new, updated version of the 
Did anyone read Suzanne Somer's book? It's called, 
Lildebbie says
Check out Gluten Free Registry. It is a state by state guide to Allergy friendly restaurants. Most are GF but you can find others also.
Auntie M says
I lost over 20 pounds doing Suzanne Somers’ “Somersize” program when I was first diagnosed with Type II Diabetes. I basically used the “Pro/Fats” recipes to create a low-carb, real food diet, and dropped my A1c number from 10.4 to 6.4 in four months. So, I’m a little biased in favor of her work. She gets doctors to back her up, so it’s not just “celebrity” nonsense. I haven’t read any of her newest stuff, but I imagine it’s interesting, if nothing else. If memory serves, she defeated breast cancer without chemo. Checking her out can’t hurt.
Robin says
Hi Kelly-For car rentals, we have had good luck using hotwire.com. I don’t really like using them to purchase flights (since I want to be able to pick out flight times and all), but for car rentals, the only thing you don’t know is the name of the rental car company, although you are guaranteed a major company (they list them on the site). The prices seem to be way cheaper going thru them though than by trying to go thru a company directly.
Lori @ Laurel of Leaves says
Have you tried looking on Craigslist for a place to stay on vacation? My in-laws scored a 4 bedroom house for $90/night on a lake in eastern Tennessee last year. 7 adults and 2 kids and not once did we feel cramped! You never know what you’ll find on that site.
KitchenKop says
I tried that without much luck, but will try again in a couple days.
Thanks!
Sue Schieman says
I have not read this book from Suzanne Somers but I followed her diet years ago and she was the first one who explained to me why fats are good and why low-fat stuff and white flour are terrible. I don’t know if she has revised her diet, because she recommended vegetable oils and skim milk products when combining them with carbs but I still kept her cookbooks for ideas of grain-free full fat meals. I don’t think her celebrity status deterred me from her books when I heard her speaking in an interview. I have heard her speaking about her health books and I was convinced it would be a good read. Like I said, I don’t know where she stands on things like coconut oil, cod liver oil, kombucha and other real food gems, but it would be great if she was passing along that knowledge. The word would be spread so quickly! She has a lot of followers.
Soli @ I Believe In Butter says
I have to admit I already have an opinion about Knockout, since I am generally suspicious of anything health-related done by a celebrity. But I also know she went through her own hel growing up and as a young woman, and it helped one of my aunts. Maybe I’ll pass this on to my mother’s naturopath and she’ll know something. (The one whose article I sent you a while back about why she doesn’t like cancer charities.)
Jill says
I have skimmed Suzanne Sommer’s book in the bookstore and was impressed by it. One of the things I liked is that it showed a variety of approaches from very conventional to alternative and the strengths of each. I thought it would be a wonderful read for someone searching for how to approach cancer, and especially a great book to give someone who you KNOW would benefit from at least SOME natural approaches, but would not be open to reading a book that was focused only on that approach.
Lenetta says
Haven’t done it myself, but I’ve heard campgrounds like KOA sometimes rent cabins. I lived in Colo Spgs for 14 months while working for a mission sponsored by the 3 dioceses in Colorado and really enjoyed it! It was prior to my switch to real food (OK, prior to working on said switch) and I really loved the fondue place in Manitou (Mona Lisa) and a little coffee shop called Montague’s that had amazing pumpkin tomato soup. (I am still considering writing them for the recipe.) Have a great trip!
KitchenKop says
Oh my, I’ll have to track down that place for the soup!!! I’ll check out the campground idea, thanks Lenetta!
teresa says
I sure wish you were coming to North Caroline. Boy! Do I have the perfect place for your family to stay. I have a guesthouse on homeaway check it out :
www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p300233
Sharon says
I have read Suzanne Somer’s book and it is a wealth of information. I have also read her other book Breakthrough (I think). There was a doctor that lived a few hours from us interviewed in that book. That was the Hotze clinic. It was life changing experience for me. The focus was not on the latest pill but lifestyle changes and treating the problem.
NancyO says
Hey Kelly…Manitou is actually connected to Colorado Springs…you can’t tell when you leave one and enter another. If you’re in Manitou, be sure to walk up the hill on the left at the end of the main street and visit Summit Ministries. They offer non-denominational worldview conferences all summer long for 17-22 year olds that are unmatched by anything my husband and I have seen. We sent both of our older two several years ago, and are already planning on it for our younger ones. My daughter worked there after attending. It’s the best money we’ve ever spent in their training and development. They welcome visitors, and it won’t take but a few minutes to take a look…if you have the time in the middle of all the other fun, of course! Lol!
I’ll happily read Suzanne Somers’ book. As one who has experienced incredible healing of Stage 3 cancer from a whole foods diet change (with no treatment), I’m always open to reading anything that helps sharpen my focus on changing the body landscape to keep cancer from gaining a foothold. If I remember correctly, Suzanne has battled cancer for a number of years, and has taken a largely natural approach. I don’t know that we’d agree much on nutrition, but I’d love to find that I’m wrong there. We can learn so much from those who are willing to think outside the established box. I’ve read Drs. Cowan, Gonzales, Mercola, as well as plenty of lay folk like her on treatment and prevention. It’s amazing how much each brings to the table on how to solve this. After over 5 years of reading everything I can, I’m convinced there are MANY ways to treat cancer, but only one way to prevent it…whole food nutrition! Any approach that improves the landscape of the body has value…anything that doesn’t should be viewed with skepticism. Conventional treatment in some situations may be necessary, but if the landscape isn’t improved, then no ground has been gained in the long run.
KitchenKop says
Great insights from someone who has been there!
Also, I’ve heard of Summit ministries from my years of listening to Focus on the Family (can’t wait to visit them) – I sure wish I could get Kal to go to that, but he won’t… 🙁
Barbara Grant says
Suzanne Sommers had cancer herself, so she has some experience in looking for cures.
Barbara Grant says
I have seen interviews with her, and she is not the dumb blonde of “Three’s Company.”
Freebies says
Kelly- you crack me up- manual tortilla presses are always for corn tortillas 🙂
jenetta
Freebies says
but that said- here is a different type of “tortilla
KitchenKop says
No kidding?!! Crappy carumba, no wonder it didn’t work! I’m glad I only spent $10 on it. 🙂
Freebies says
silly goose 🙂
jenetta
KitchenKop says
More dense than silly I’m afraid, LOL!
Freebies says
if you don’t like corn tortillas you just need to think of other ways to use it- anything with a soft dough that you want round. How about mini pizza crusts?
jenetta
Paula says
Are you against all sleeping in the same room/beds? We are a family of 6, and we love staying at Holiday Inns. We ask for the suite. There are two queen beds, and two couches (one folds out into a bed). We sleep me and hubby in one bed, two kids in one bed and one kid on each couch. VERY comfortable and VERY economical! The room has a fridge and microwave (I know, not the best way to heat food, but for one week out of the year while on vacation, we do it). We also do a lot of coffee pot cooking (although that is getting more and more difficult as more and more rooms are going to single serve coffee machines instead of coffee pots.
We make sushi (we have a fridge in the car), hard boiled eggs, power bars, chicken salad, sardine salad, dehydrated homemade flax crackers.
We actually live in the Springs, so if you need ideas of where to go, let me know. (Be sure to check out the Olive Tap in Manitou Springs if you have never been to one!) And I would LOVE to know restaurants you find here. 😀 We hardly ever go out to eat because it is so difficult with dietary restrictions. 🙂 Feel free to email me! Because we live here and don’t visit here, I can’t really help with a condo or rental place (we have a mini van that we drive every where). Good luck and hope you have a fun trip!
KitchenKop says
I’m not sure if Kent will go for the one room thing, LOL! What’s the Olive Tap (I guess I could google it!) and how far is Manitou Springs from Colorado Springs?
Thanks for your help, Paula!
Kelly
Paula says
The Olive Tap is a store dedicated to olive oil and balsamic vinegars. They have several different kinds on tap for you to taste test and then buy. We LOVE the Basil Olive Oil and the Fig Balsamic Vinegar. I have never been an oil/vinegar person on my salads (dipping bread yes, but now that we are grain free, can’t really do that anymore), but THIS I can do. I just drizzle on salad add a touch of sea salt and devour.
As someone already said, Manitou is JUST around the corner from Colorado Springs. I do know Adams Mountain Cafe (restaurant) there is very healthy. Not sure about NT though. But it has a bunch of QUAINT little shops to shop at. And if you goto Old Colorado City (another city just around the corner from the Springs and touching Manitou) Gertrude’s is also a pretty healthy choice to eat at (but again, not sure about NT).
Can’t wait to hear about your stay and all you do while in the area! 😀