Last day of my CAN CAN Clease, Easy Jerky Recipe, and Finally The Juil Contest Winner Announced!

So today, I finished my last day of the CAN CAN Cleanse. I do have to say, I won't be doing that for a while. It was by far one of the harder things I've done in my life. I seriously recommend it to anyone who loves a good challenge. But I definitely feel more clear headed and my skin is glowing. So call the girls up and tell them I sent you!!

I'm ready to get back to eating my food vs. drinking it. I prepped my meals for tomorrow and am treating myself for a very special snack: beef jerky! Jerky happens to be one of my favorite snacks, but it's a difficult one to find without soy sauce, sugar, wheat flour, and other ingredients I try to stay away from. I usually buy my beef jerky from Fatted Calf, but it also happens to cost $40lb! That's some expensive meat! So I decided to save a few bucks and make my own.

Beef Jerky
Ingredients
1/4 lb of lean cut beef (I used flank steak)
2 tsp fine grain Celtic salt
2 tbsp raw apple cider vinegar
2 tsp raw honey

Process:
1. Place beef in freezer for 2 hours
2. Remove beef and cut into thin slices
3. Put all ingredients into Glasslock container and shake for 1 minute

4. Place container into refrigerator for 6-24 hours, depending on how long you prefer to marinate it. I did it 24 hours.

5. Set oven on dehydrate setting and set temperature to 145 degrees. If you don't have a dehydrate setting then set on lowest setting (could be 200), and prop oven oven doors leaving a 3 inch gap using a dish towel.

6. Place meat on Silpat mat. You can also just do it on the oven rack. Don't use parchment paper or foil, because you won't get the same results. You need air to circulate all around the pieces.

7. Dehydrate/Bake for 8-12 hours (depending on your oven)

8. Enjoy!

And finally, I would like to thank the wonderful team at Juil for sponsoring this contest. I hope everyone that entered will consider buying a pair or 2 or 3 of these amazing sandals and shoes. Personally, I'm looking forward to the Mary Jane's they are working on! Using, RANDOM.org, I put everyone's name in a list to randomize and the winner is Maryin Quezada! Please email me your address, the shoe you would like as well as the size to Gabyatacraftygourmetdotcom. Congratulations to you and thank you to everyone who entered. Please don't forget to enter my The Spice House Contest and good luck to you!

Dont Forget to Enter My Two Contests

Juil Sandals Giveaway 


The Spice House Gift Box

Get Grounded by Winning a Pair of Juil Sandals!

A few months ago, after a wearing a pair of super uncomfortable heels all day, I decided to make a commitment to myself: stop wearing things that make me miserable! I looked through my closet and realized that I was avoiding more than half of my shoes, because I knew that after 2-4 hours in them, I'd end up in pain. As part of this endeavour, I began researching shoes known for their comfort. That's when I came across Juil.

Juil sandals and shoes are more than just comfortable footwear, they help you connect to the natural healing energy of the earth. The shoes were created based on the concept of Earthing, the belief that the Earth has an energetic field of charged free electrons. It seems that we are seldom connecting to this energetic field because we wear shoes that insulate us from it. According to a recent study published by the National Institutes of Health, Earthing has been showed to reduce blood glucose levels in diabetics and improve thyroid function. After reading the study and watching the video interview below with Dr. Stephen Sinatra, a cardiologist, the idea of Earthing really began to me.

Have you noticed how much better you feel when you're on vacation and spending lots of time running around barefoot outside? And that feeling of wellness goes beyond just the fact that you are vacation...





So I invested in my first Juils and I bought a pair of Brios.





These sandals are equipped with 12 copper alloy conductors (one for each toe and another at the heel) that conduct the Earth's charged electrons and help you be "grounded", or connected to the Earth's energy. Mostly importantly, while wearing them I feel more aware of the connection I have with the Earth and it's energy. I'm sure that may sound a bit new-agey for some you, but it's the truth.

The wonderful people at Juil sent me a pair of Copenhagen clogs to compare to sandals. Both the Brio sandals and the Copenhagen clogs are by far the most comfortable shoes I've ever owned. I also think that it's great how a pair of shoes has helped me be more mindful. Also, I have definitely felt a difference in my mood when wearing my Juils walking outside. In comparison to the days when I don't, I feel more energized and more upbeat. To be honest, I love these shoes so much that I tend to wear them 3-4 times a week.

I want to share my love for these wonderful shoes, so I am giving away a pair to one lucky reader. To be entered into the contest, first visit my Facebook page and like ACraftyGourmet. Then visit Juil.com and leave me a comment about which pair you'd like to own. If you've already liked my page in the past, no worries, just let me know if your comment. Only those who have commented below and liked the page will be eligible. You have until Thursday, September 13th to enter. Good Luck!!