The End of One Year, The Start Of A New Year

Wow... December 31, 2010. I made it, while many who thought they would be here today, did not. So first, let me say "Thank You God." I am very thankful that I have one more day to figure out my place on the planet and why I am here.

2010 is not a year I would like to repeat so I am changing my behavior from Day 1 because doing the same things and expecting different results is by definition, insanity. I am preparing for a January Detox and Cleanse, I will be following the Martha's Vineyard Detox , if anyone wants to join me. I will be starting Friday January 7th because my husband wants to join me and he has some commitments next week that would make cleansing difficult.

You may remember that I did that Master Cleanse in 2010 and I enjoyed doing that cleanse but I felt and wrote after doing it that I did not feel that it was a complete cleanse for the liver and kidney as well as the digestive system. After doing my research, I wanted to do this one because a) it should provide me with a complete detox and cleanse; and b) the weight I lose will have a more long-term benefit as I come off the fast and eat 'normally' again. Finally, my expectation is that it will help me to permanently reset what my normal is as I will follow up with a 7 Day Cleanse every 4 months in 2011. You can do this program to just detox and cleanse if you don't have any weight to lose but you want to live with more energy and zest. Just read the book and learn how.

I am also adding a new item to my daily routine called ASEA. It's not a juice, not a vitamin, not an antioxidant. ASEA is redox signaling molecules in a bottle. I'm not going to say too much about it now, I'll wait until I have tried it. Adding any supplement or vitamin to a daily routine is an added expense at a time where finances and jobs are uncertain. And for me to add to my own bills is a step of faith and a fleece that signals I want change. Maya Angelou says that when we know better we do better. I want to always be in a posture of learning and being teachable.

So tonight I'm going to record my stats and take a picture. (I won't post them until the end of the Detox for our celebration day). Please come on this journey with me and leave your comments here and not via email or Facebook, those of you who receive this in that form. This will be the spot I go to when I feel like giving up and this will be the spot where I will record my results and post pics and videos.
By responding on the blog page you will be helping me save my life and teach a new generation on what to avoid. I have a great-nephew and niece now (and I believe more will come). I want to leave them generational blessings and not curses.

Happy New Year! Please come on this journey with me and let me know what you are doing to change for the better. No resolutions, just faith filled actions. Start by writing it down, encourage me as I encourage you, :-).
Peace and blessings,

dede

After The Master Cleanse - We Tally The Results

I'm winding down my first day after finishing the master cleanse. I went on the scale this morning and I'm down 11 lbs., a nice result. I forgot to measure my inches when I started so I don't know how many inches I lost. A pair of skinny jeans which did not zip up, slid on easily this morning so something did happen on that front.

I was able to have prayer time and alone time where I could look at the truths about who I am. I feel more present and able to appreciate the day. There are some friends I need to reach out to because being disconnected caused me to shut out some who didn't deserve it.

One thing you have to watch after completing a fast is the feeling of being afraid to eat again. Sometimes you look at that weight loss and you say, "hmmm, maybe I should keep going?"

If you want to continue to fast because you feel there are more toxins to get rid of or perhaps you do have a weight target in mind, then certainly continue until you have completed your goal. Where weight loss is concerned, when you start to eat normally again, if you were out of control before, that same behavior will put those lbs right back on and quicker than they came off.

But if you use a cleanse period as a way to make a lifestyle change or a period of attitude adjustment, then you can keep those lbs off and more. I don't crave fried foods anymore so I will limit my exposure to them, sorry french fries, you are gone.

Today after my meal I went on a two mile walk. It signaled to my body that eating time was over and gave me a clear break from grazing. When I get hungry again, I will eat and go for a walk after the end of the meal. I'll let you know in a couple of weeks how that works. Change Is Good.
Peace and blessings...

Master Cleanse 2010 - Day Ten Victory Is Mine

First off - Thank the Lord, I'm done. I've learned that I still possess discipline, (even though I don't always exercise it) and that I have the integrity to finish what I start - even if it gets hard. I needed that victory so I thank God for it.

I also thank him for every word of encouragement that I received along the way, my family and most of my friends live far from me but you all showed up here on the blog and through Facebook and emails to encourage me, I guess I'm not alone out here in California.

I'm going to continue with my CLEAN detox and figure out the next step. If I could end the year a few pounds lighter that would be a blessing too. I'll post some pics after the detox is over.

Things I've noticed after the fast?

I don't have the ravenous feelings of hunger that I had before. I hope that translates into eating smaller portions when I do eat.
I don't have the cravings for fried foods I had before.
I want to be more aware of what I eat and the effect it will have on me and my productivity.
Drinking water is vital for life and health.
I will never be anorexic - I'm looking forward to eating again.
And finally, I need to walk every day. Period. When I feel like it and when I don't. For my metabolism, if I do not make exercise a part of every day, I am susceptible to gaining weight. I'm probably not the only one. Right now, walking is my exercise of choice and I am looking forward to make it lifestyle. And it starts today.

Here's to new beginnings. Who wants to do a cleanse or fast with me to start the new year? Peace and Blessings...

Master Cleanse 2010 - Day Eight and Nine

Wow, Friday and Saturday just flew by and tomorrow Sunday will be my last day. Physically, my body has settled into the fast and I could go for another four days and do and complete a two week fast instead of ten days. But psychologically, I think I'm ready to end things tomorrow night and to move on to another detox (which includes food) to end out my second week. I'm going to do the detoxification plan recommended by Dr. Alejandro Junger. He is not a fan of the Master Cleanse because he says that it does not support the cleansing of the liver. He believes that you can detox easily and effectively while you continue to eat as long as you are cutting out the foods and other substances that interfere with the detoxification process. Make sure you check with your doctor before you start any detox. Also be sure to drink A LOT of water.

This menu plan for a seven-day elimination diet comes from the GOOP.COM website that I mentioned in the last blog. The posting includes instructions, menus and recipes for juices, smoothies and meals that will continue the detox process. I think it will be a good way to ease back in to eating solid foods again without stomach upset.

Dr. Junger's book about his cleanse comes out in paperback on December 28, 2010. It is called, CLEAN and it is another source for those of you seeking to do and cleanse, make a clean break from old habits and embrace a new way of living. I'm on my way to optimal health. I plan to explore other things too and increase in knowledge. We have such power as human beings and anything that we focus on and pay a lot of attention to will show increase in our lives.

Tomorrow will be my last blog about the Master Cleanse fast and I won't be posting every day after that. But it will represent only the beginning of my journey to optimal health. And everything that I try and vet that works, I will share with you.

Peace and Blessings...

Master Cleanse 2010 - Day Seven, The Home Stretch

Day 7 - wow, it is certainly going by quickly! It is funny how you get in a zone after Day 4 and the mechanics of doing the cleanse get easier. It still is an exercise in discipline for me, make no mistake about it. Anyone who has had an addiction knows that after the physical cravings go, you have to deal with the mental cravings. And unlike other addictions, we do have to eat. Every day. So after this break I have some decisions to make about what I'm going to do now.

Living in California I find that there are many people who are trying to live an organically clean lifestyle, people who are conscious about everything they put into and on their body for optimum health. To be honest, it is hard to wade through the information and to come up with what is right for you. I am blessed to live in an area where organic food is plentiful and reasonably priced most of the year. So as I learn to do better I can afford to do so as well. My energy levels have increased so I can also get back to my daily exercise to keep my limbs moving and active. An interesting website is goop.com which has lots of lifestyle information. It was started by Gwyneth Paltrow and the info is presented in a easy to read format with recipes, stories, lots to keep you busy. I also told you about the Curezone site, which is harder to wade through and there is also the Master Cleanse site if you just want to try the cleanse for yourself.

My cousin just told me about something called Asea which sounds interesting. Anyone out there have any more information about this product? One of my older sisters also told me about Isogenix cleansing and fat burning system. There is a lot of new science out there about the human body. Of course my battle is that after buying groceries and paying bills I don't have a lot of extra money for new products. So for me, I'm searching for the lifestyle changes that I can incorporate into my daily life that won't require me to get a new job to pay for them.

We are on the home stretch. I would like to do a liver flush after the 10 days and I am in the process of deciding which one to do. I suppose some may think that I must be self-absorbed to write about this and to think anyone would care about whether or not I eat in a world where many do not eat because they cannot. When it comes to my body this is a battle that I have been fighting for years. If you look at earlier entries you can see what I looked like when I was over 100 lbs heavier and still after all that good effort I am still overweight. My belief is that I will not die overweight and there will be others who will need to know what to do when genetics, life, circumstances or simple bad habits put you in a situation where you need to grab hold of yourself and save yourself. I will succeed and as I do I want to help as many others as I can, with a prayer, a positive word, a lifestyle change or a product that has changed me too. Peace, blessings and Happy Thanksgiving weekend to the Canadians out there.

Master Cleanse 2010 - Day Six

Well yesterday I finished Day Six of the Master Cleanse and I wanted to write about it but I fell asleep before I could. Now for many people that might not be a big thing but usually I am unable to get to sleep until about 2 am in the morning and I would have to take some kind of sleep aid if I wanted to sleep earlier in the evening. Last night that was not the case so maybe this is the start of something good. I just wish I knew what it was that I cleaned out of my system to make that happen.

One really great thing about doing a cleanse is that you have so much more free time to do productive things. This week I have been reading, writing, composing music and making plans for the next 90 days. I always like to use the last quarter of the year to assess where I am and to try to get rid of things that I do not want to take into the new year. I used to feel so bad during the last week of the year thinking about New Year's resolutions that did not come to pass and promises that were broken. For the last two years I switched it up and by doing an assessment now, I can make sure that December 31 is a final day of Thanksgiving for the year.

I've been reading the Curezone.com website about the Master Cleanse and many people on the site recommend a Liver Flush after completing the cleanse. I am going to have to read more about it for the next few days and I will let you know if I do one. I am finding that my physical cravings for different foods have faded and now it is just the visual or sensory carvings that one feels when you see or smell different foods. I'm staying away from the Food Network and the Cooking Channel this week.

Peace and Blessings...

Master Cleanse 2010 - Day Five

Some people have asked me, "how can you go 5 days without eating? Don't you get bored?" Boredom could be an issue on this cleanse if you let it, because the stimulus of food is everywhere, on billboards, buses, TVs, magazines, online, so there are distractions everywhere. And let's not talk about how wonderful food can smell at times. Your sense of smell during a cleanse becomes so heightened and it can be overwhelming. This is why I decided not to accept any friend's invitations to socialize while on the fast.

I also wanted to post more info about the Grade B Maple syrup and the cayenne pepper, why do we use them as ingredients?

Grade B Maple Syrup
-Contains manganese, an antioxidant mineral which helps neutralize free-radicals. Just 2 teaspoons equals 22% of your daily value
- Provides energy with its high levels of B vitamins and amino acids (amino acids are the
building blocks of protein).
- It also contains zinc, which helps maintain a healthy immune system. Zinc is required by
hundreds of enzymes in your body for normal functioning.

Cayenne Pepper
- As the best blood circulation stimulant known, capsaicin (its active ingredient) stops
platelets from clumping together and therefore allows blood to flow more easily.
- It soothes the digestive tract and stimulates the flow of stomach secretions and saliva.
- It is considered a thermogenic, which raises metabolism and aids in weight loss.
That info was from The Master Cleanse website. It is a great source of information about the cleanse and resources, books, and a community of people who have either done the cleanse or are in the process of doing it.

I'm thankful for another day completed. I am not weighing my body throughout the cleanse because I'm not doing this for weight loss, I am doing it to clean out my mind and body. After I have finished the cleanse I am going to add a vegan diet (a couple days a week) to my life. This fast has reminded me that there are foods that make your body feel well and foods that make you feel sick.

Peace and Blessings...

Master Cleanse 2010 - Day Four

Today was a much better day. I'm glad I made it this far because each time I've fasted I've had people tell me, "I could never do that", or I'll support you while I make an sandwich, lol". I'm not saying that I do not find it to be a challenge but I can tell you for me and my own personal metabolism, this works. I've also heard from others who have similar stories.

The main point is that a cleanse or a fast is a highly personal experience. There are buttons inside you that others may not know about that only a fast can expose. That is why many people who are at a change point in their life, who seek direction for their 'next' have found a fast or a cleanse to be a great way to clear the mind from the task of daily foraging for food to concentrate on their inner self and the quiet voice of God within.

My favorite Bible passage is Isaiah 43 and it is one that I have claimed as my own. I place my own name in it where others are mentioned. So for me it starts like this:

Isaiah 43

1 But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, Dede,
he who formed you,Dede:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; Dede, you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters, Dede,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

from the Bible Gateway

I like to meditate on a God who is with me through the task of living a purpose-filled life. I thank God for another day and I will now breathe and be thankful that I made it through another day. Thank you so much for sharing it with me.

Peace and blessings.

Master Cleanse 2010 - Day Three

Today was just as awful as I thought it would be but not so bad that I had to quit. At this point in the cleanse it seems that the toxins built up in your body come out from various places and that is uncomfortable. But I also noticed my sense of smell was more acute and my memory and thought process seemed a bit better. Also, perhaps because I stabilized my vitamin supplement regiment my mood was up and my sense of humor was intact.

My dog was not as happy because there were no meals being made(with all the accompanying smells) and no food to beg for so his life has been curtailed as well. I'm looking forward to this next stage of the cleansing fast where your antenna to God is locked on full force and there is no static getting in the way of the still small voice inside you that guides you to the next step. I also thank God that I am still in charge of my flesh and when my body needs to be brought into submission, I have the discipline to start and the common sense to stop at the right time. Thank God for one more day.

Master Cleanse 2010 - Day Two

Whew! I made it through Day Two. It is the end of the day and I am winding down. I did boil the distilled water with raw peeled ginger root. It added another kick start to the drink (along with the cayenne pepper) and I found it to be a refreshing drink which I enjoyed drinking. So yeah! I prepared my drink for tomorrow with both the ginger and two cups of mint tea that I made from the distilled water and fresh mint leaves. I tried it out and it tasted really good. What I don't know is the effect that will have on the cleansing process. But it does make this something I can drink for a long term. And I have 8 more days to go so that is a good thing.

Unfortunately though I feel like crap but my body is definitely responding to this break from crazy food. I've had a real craving for fried foods in the last few months so I hope this fast breaks that cycle and I can eat more a more raw, vegan diet. I still love a good steak but if I felt better I could learn to live without it. There are so many great fresh choices in Southern California so I do have options and I love to prepare different things. Right now, I'm going to sign off because this would be the time I had a late night snack with my dog and that is not happening tonight. So pray for me on Day Three which will start in just a few hours...

Master Cleanse 2010 - Day One

Usually this day is not the most physically challenging, that credit usually goes to Day Three, but this day is usually the most mentally challenging. It is so easy to go "My bad, did I say cleanse, I meant to say pig out, and then proceed to eat everything in the cupboard. But I know that because I am blogging about this, then my failure will live forever on the internet and future generations will know that I lacked the commitment to do something really good for my body. And I am no punk, so here we go. I stuck to the Agave Nectar for the lemonade drink and today for some reason it tastes better and it goes down easier. I had my herbal tea this morning and I enjoyed the warmth of it as I sat thru a rare thunder and lightning storm in Los Angeles.

I think I will have to have more tea later in the day to keep warm. I'm also going to get a new book to read so I don't pass these initial days thinking about all the food I will not be eating. During one cleanse I watched the Food Network for 10 hours straight and fed and tortured myself with those visuals of everything I was trying not to eat. Instead today I will reflect on why I want to be successful with this and what the ultimate benefits will be. I remember how clear my mind was after 15 days of one successful fast and how the ideas flowed. My energy levels were up my skin looked amazing. I want that again so this is worth it and so am I.

Thankful Thought:
I am thankful for family and friends who are as close as family. I am thankful that troubled times do not last forever and after every season of pain and doubt comes a season of joy. I thank God for showing me how great the younger generations are and the new way they have of thinking and processing their world. I am thankful for who I am on this day, and I see myself as part of God's great creation. Many of you read these blogs as an email or FB note and send your comments as such, but I would appreciate if you stopped by the page to give a shout-out sometimes too. Peace and Blessings.

Prepping for Master Cleanse - Ginger Mint Julip Anyone?

Master Cleanse Mixed Juice With Ginger And Mint



In reading about the Master Cleanse on www.curezone.com, I discovered that some people do prep work before going on the cleanse to prep both the body and mind. I have never done that in my earlier cleanses but since I was changing the recipe this time (substituting Agave Nectar for the Maple Syrup) I decided a little prep time might be beneficial.

I went out and bought my lemons and a few limes as well and the Agave and today I mixed my first batch according to the recipe discussed in the previous blog. I found that I needed to increase the amount of Agave by 1/4 cup, bringing the total to 1 cup for 120 oz., not 3/4 cup as initially described. It still tasted "watered down", something I did not find with the Grade B maple syrup from Dr. Stanley Burroughs' original recipe. Should I make the adjustment now and go back to the tried and true recipe that worked before?

I decided that I will make another batch with a 1/2 cup Agave Nectar and a 1/2 cup Grade B Maple Syrup to see if that makes it taste more substantial. A cousin of mine, Taryn, emailed and said she only lasted 4 days when she tried it so I told her that I would try to also add some zested ginger (using a microplane zester)and see how that affected the taste. Perhaps some crushed mint as well, what do you think? I also find that crushed parley in small amounts can add a depth of flavor without overpowering if done right. I will go back to the lab, (I mean the kitchen) and get started.

I know that if I added other fruit juices this would also give it more flavor but I don't want to change the benefits of using the lemon as the main juice source. I want to stay true to the principles and the idea of the Master Cleanse. But the occasional drop of Angostura Bitters might be a fun addition... So who is going to join me? We start tomorrow....

In Addition

I would just like to say a prayer of thanksgiving for my dog Chachi. He was in the hospital this week for two days for diabetic ketoacidosis. Imagine a small dog on IV meds including insulin and antibiotics fighting to get better. But he is a fighter and he is back home. Thanks to Dr. Heim, Dr. Tanaka and all the support staff at the Animal Medical Center of Southern California.

It’s Master Cleanse Time Again…

Master Cleanse Recipe

 

Daily Mixture (for 120 oz of liquid a day)

1 ¼ cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice (organic if possible)

3/4 cup Agave Nectar or 1 ¼ cup Grade B Maple Syrup

Pinch of Cayenne Pepper (to taste)

Distilled Water - 115 0z.

Mixture should be made fresh daily so to keep the enzymes alive and fresh.

Also you need to have a Smooth Move Tea every morning and a gentle herbal laxative at night because the lack of fiber in your diet will make elimination a challenge.

Start with a pinch or two of cayenne and gradually increase to 1/10th teaspoon. Do NOT put cayenne pepper (capsicum) in capsules and take separate from the lemonade drink. It changes the action of the formula, and if sent directly to the stomach can cause inflammation and excessive mucous secretion. This may lead to sinusitis or to bowel mucous, and can even contribute to inflammatory bowel syndrome.

Drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces every day. (example: If you weigh 100 pounds, you should drink 50 ounces)

Agave nectar and Grade B maple syrup are two of the most balanced of all sugars, containing a balance of positive and negative ions. Neither enters the bloodstream as rapidly as honey or sugar which is better for people who react adversely to sugars, (becoming restless, sleepless, and energetic after consuming sugar), or may be borderline or pre-diabetic. Diabetics should definitely substitute agave for the maple syrup, using up to 1/4 tablespoon.

For the deepest cleanse, it is recommended that you cleanse for at least two weeks. Exercise enhances the cleansing action of the program.

During the middle and later phases of the cleanse, the body chemistry changes, and energy levels may begin to increase. One may experience minor discomforts, such as headaches, upset stomach, or low energy, as toxins and parasites are released from the body. These symptoms will be short-lived.

 

It is important that you have a positive attitude during cleansing or fasting. If you are unaccustomed to the process, you can prepare yourself by fasting one day a week. The biggest obstacle to successful cleansing is fear of failure and not knowing what to expect.

 

To fast for 24 hours, it is easiest if you begin at noon and finish at noon on the following day or from one dinner to the next.

 

Again, drink plenty of water.

 

As you begin a fast, you may experience some unpleasant side effects of cleansing, such as headache, nausea, bloating, or irritability. These symptoms are part of the cleansing response and are often a result of toxins and waste matter being purged from the body, which usually takes place within 12 to 36 hours.

If you experience these symptoms, you can cut back on your fluid intake, and turn to vegetable juices; carrot juice, and 50/50 mixes carrot and celery, spinach and broccoli is really good. Carrot with a little apple juice or carrot, apple, and a little lemon juice is good to facilitate the continuation of the cleansing. Six ounces of carrot juice, one ounce of apple, and 1/2 ounce of lemon juice will help keep the pH steady, slow the diarrhea, and keep the cleansing action going.

If you are feeling nauseated and bloated, it is an indication of two possibilities: 1. poisons are being released at a very rapid rate and may be backing up into the liver. Keeping the lever cleansed and flushed is extremely important. So it would be good to take ledum essential oil in a capsule at night or early morning. Ledum has a very strong effect on the liver and kidneys as a diuretic and a bile duct dilator. (be sure the ledum essential oil is a therapeutic-grade, approved for internal use)

 

 

Additional information about the Master Cleanse is taken from http://curezone.com/

New Recipe - New Orleans Muffaletta Omelette Breakfast

I was in Canada visiting family during the month of July. I was privileged to see my niece have her first baby, a beautiful daughter named Willow and of course to spend much needed time with both of my parents. During the trip I stayed at one of my sister's homes and call it jet-lag, climate change or just life, wouldn't you know it I caught a bad cold on my last day in Canada. And by the time my plane landed in LA, I was a hacking, sneezing, coughing mess. And trust me, I did not feel like cooking.

Three days later, I was feeling a bit stronger and decided to make myself a special breakfast. Because I had been traveling I had not bought any groceries for two weeks and had to see what I could put together from the fridge contents and the presents I had received from Canada.
Inside the fridge I found eggs, serrano peppers, garlic, apple-wood bacon, and goat cheese. I also had a bottle of pickled gardenia mix (canned cauliflower, red peppers, and carrots) that my niece had canned this year and some onion stuffed olives from Olive-It International (www.olivelovers.com ).


I fried up the bacon first, and the apple-wood smoked hickory aroma immediately woke up my dog who became attached to my leg while I was cooking. I laid the bacon strips out to drain the oil off them and diced the gardenia mix, garlic, peppers, and olives.
After adding the bacon strips to the mixture I realized that it reminded me of a sandwich I had in New Orleans called a muffaletta. It originated in the French Quarter and it is made with good crusty bread and an olive salad. The rest of it is ham and cheese with some salami and pepperoni tossed in. I decided to make a Muffaletta Omelette or at least my version of one.

I quickly mixed up my egg mixture (2 eggs, 2 tablespoon of milk, a pinch of black pepper, and sweet basil). I did not add any salt because my muffaletta mix had salt from the bacon, gardenia mix and the olives. I placed my pan on medium heat with a light coating of olive oil. When it warmed I poured my egg mixture into the pan. As it started to set I poured my muffaletta mixture into the middle third of the pan, added the goat cheese and folded the omelette over it. As the egg mixture cooked I kept folding it over until I lifted it out of the pan. I placed it on my plate and garnished with the remaining olive mixture and goat cheese.

I then took a large croissant, slice it open, decorated it with romaine lettuce and put my Muffaleta Omelette on top and served it sandwich style.




The smoky hickory taste of the bacon, the delicate creamy goat cheese and the salty brine of the olive gardenia mix was heavenly. The garlic and the sweet basil layers were noted but not overpowering. I would definitely make this for a Sunday brunch with guests. You should try it out and let me know how you like it. My word of caution again would be to not add any salt to your egg mixture before cooking - the muffaletta mix will have all the salt you need. And if you feel compassionate, give a tiny piece of bacon to the dog...

Muffaletta Omelette

Ingredients:

* 2 eggs
* 2 Tbsp. whole milk
* 1 serrano pepper (you can substitute with ¼ cup green pepper if you don’t like the heat or remove the seeds for less heat)
* 2 strips of apple wood bacon crisply fried
* 2 oz goat cheese
* ¼ cup gardenia mix (mine was canned by my niece but you can substitute with Bick’s® Hot Mixed Pickles (http://www.bicks.ca/en/products_sub.aspx?pid=92)
* 4 garlic stuffed olives, chopped ( I used Olive-It ‘s Garlic Stuffed Olives, http://www.olivelovers.ca/products/stuffed-olives/garlic )
* ¼ teaspoon sweet basil, dried not fresh
* Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
* 2 Tbsp clarified butter or whole butter

Preparation:

1. Fry up the bacon first, lay the bacon strips out to drain the oil off them and crumple them up in a bowl.

2. To create the muffaletta mix, chop the gardenia mix, serrano pepper, and garlic stuffed olives and add them to the bacon and mix them together.

3. In another bowl, mix up the egg mixture with your dried spices (the 2 eggs, 2 tablespoon of milk, a pinch of black pepper, and sweet basil). I did not add any salt to mine because my muffaletta mix had salt from the bacon, gardenia mix and the olives.

4. Heat a heavy-bottomed nonstick sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add the butter and let it melt.

5. When the butter in the pan is hot enough to make a drop of water hiss, pour in the eggs. Let the eggs cook for up to a minute or until the bottom starts to set.

6. With a heat-resistant rubber spatula, gently push one edge of the egg into the center of the pan, while tilting the pan to allow the still liquid egg to flow in underneath.

7. Pour the muffaletta mixture into the middle third of the pan, add the goat cheese and fold the omelette over it.

8. As the egg mixture cooks keep folding it over until it is ready to be lifted it out of the pan.

9. Gently transfer the finished omelette to a plate. Garnish with the remainder of the chopped muffaletta mix and goat cheese if desired.

10. Take a large croissant, slice it open, decorate it with romaine lettuce and put the Muffaletta Omelette on top and serve it sandwich style immediately.


Dede Blunt (The Blunt Instrument)