Recipe Review: Pecan Pie Bars from Without Adornment

Pecan Pie Bars

Thanks to Pinterest I found these yummy dessert bars that would be an excellent choice for a potluck. The shortbread crust and sweet cinnamony filling loaded with soaked pecans.....it all comes together for a great Paleo dessert that everyone will love.

This recipe came from Without Adornment and can be found here.

Note: I used coconut milk instead of almond milk, honey instead of maple syrup and opted for the grain free option of arrowroot starch. Arrowroot starch is not legal on the SCD, I think this filling would turn out substituting coconut flour for the arrowroot but I haven't tried it yet.

Sweet Potato Latkes Revisted

There was a great suggestion made in a comment on my previous Latke post. The suggestion was to serve these with maple whipped cream for dessert. There wasn't a name left but whoever you are thank you!

This morning I was testing adding some flour to the mix to help the patties stay together better and I realized I had some cream already whipped so I tried the combination. SHAZAAAAMMM!
It was a fabulous combination. I wanted to note that I added 2 T. coconut flour to the recipe and the patties held together much better.

Dairy Free Hot Chocolate

I have missed having a warm cup of cocoa early in the morning to warm up and jump start the day. It was 2 degrees when I first left the house this morning to take kids to the bus stop...never have I needed a jump start like I did today!

Dairy Free Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

1 c. water

1/4 c. full fat coconut milk

1 T. good quality cocoa powder

2-4 T. honey

vanilla or mint extract, optional

Method:

Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and heat through. Alternately you can combine all ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid, shake well then pour into a mug then heat in the microwave.

Dear Anonymous....

A few days ago I received this comment on my blog,

Anonymous said...

no offense but you don't seem to have a clear picture of the proper SCD diet. Garlic powder, worcestershire sauce, rice based cheese substitute?? you are not practicing the SCD diet, please go back and read Breaking the Vicious Cycle. SCD is all or nothing, it's the only way it will work.

Good luck

In the years I have been blogging I have never received negative comments. I can't say that it really bothered me but it did get me thinking about how far I have come since the SCD and what a blessing it has been to me, I wanted to share my reply with everyone.

Dear Anonymous,
I appreciate you leaving a comment on this blog, I really love to get feedback.

I first read Elaine Gotschall's book, Breaking the Vicious Cycle, in 2009. It took me a few weeks to decide if I was really willing to go all out and follow the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. In the end after much deliberating and discussion with my very supportive husband I decided to give it a try for a few months and I am so glad that I did, as I have become a better person for it.

In the beginning I was so sick I could not even tolerate the yogurt. I took things very slowly and with time was able to enjoy the yogurt and even whipping cream. I am still not able to eat any dairy that is not cultured. I made my own ketchup and barbecue sauce and ate very simply for over a year, never going out to eat and following the diet religiously. In that year I lost 42 pounds.

That was in the Spring of 2009. Since that time I have been in a constant state of evolution experimenting with what works for me and what doesn't. This blog is all about that evolution. I can now have chocolate, canned tomatoes, and many other foods that were not part of my diet when I first started the SCD.

My purpose in blogging about my experience is to help others out there who are also experimenting to find out what works for them. We are all different and I now know for the most part what works for me. I love that I am no longer held hostage by food, trading how I feel for a good meal, it just wasn't worth it. I know I benefit from many others who share through blogging or recipe sites and I am happy to be able to share with others.

I don't know if everyone will have the same outcome but since the SCD I have been backpacking at the beach, canoeing, hiking, am now a scout leader and have the energy to enjoy my family. It sounds like you really know the SCD and follow it. I hope you find relief from whatever circumstances led you to begin the diet in the first place.

Good luck to you,
Karen

Raw Lemon Pie turned Butterscotch Sauce

I was very humbled to read this post at Nicole's Special Diet Creations. In 2007 I started blogging here, my motivation being to "pay it forward" by helping other people because so many good friends (both through the internet and in person) had helped me in getting started to finding my way back to health.

Every so often I get busy and take a step back from blogging, then someone leaves a comment or I hear feedback somehow that someone was helped by my blog. Then I get STOKED! I haven't been posting much but have lots of recipes waiting. Thanks for the very kind words Nicole and I am so amazed at your idea of making a sauce out of a pie filling that didn't set up. In my book that takes some deep seeded creativity.

So Nicole took a recipe that didn't set up and made a sauce, then I took the sauce and changed it to one that is SCD friendly. I could not find butterscotch extract at the store (and didn't want to wait and order it), so I made a few changes and made a maple butter flavored sauce that is actually quite "butterscotchy". Luckily I had some ice cream in the freezer so I could try it right away.

Nicole's Raw Lemon Pie turned Butterscotch Sauce, SCD friendly

1/2 c. honey
1/2 c. coconut oil, melted
1/2 c. raw cashews, soaked 2 hours and then drained
1/2 tsp. imitation butter flavor
1/2 tsp. imitation maple flavor (extract)

Combine all ingredients in a high speed blender for 1-2 minutes. Enjoy warm or cold.

Note: Make sure you check the extract and butter flavor for added sugars

Paleo Backpacking

For Spring break this year we got to take a trip that I have been hoping to do for years. It has always been on my "bucket list" to camp on the beach, and living in Utah means that a beach trip takes some time and planning. Backpacking takes the planning a step further, every item is literally carried on your back so you want to be choosy. You have to ask yourself, "do I really need this?"

Eating Paleo took another level of planning, I couldn't just pick up some dehydrated meals and be off. I planned to take some of my home made beef jerky, some fresh fruit and vegetables (really too heavy, I am going to try dehydrated ones next time), some dehydrated egg powder, and some tuna in mylar packets.

This was only my 3rd time backpacking and I had never been for more than two nights, we were planning on three nights this trip. I learned a few things to do, and a few not to do, but the best thing I learned was that these dehydrated eggs are actually pretty good.

I purchased a non stick lightweight frying pan from REI before we left. I took some of the dehydrated eggs in a baggie, no refrigeration required. When it was time to cook them I measured some water into the pan (1 egg= 2 T. water and 2 T. egg powder), warmed it up then added the powder and stirred like crazy to get the mixture combined then placed it back on the burner for a few minutes while stirring. I failed to get any pictures of the eggs but they were really good, filling, totally paleo, and easy to prepare. Now that my kids are old enough I want to do more backpacking and am so happy I found these eggs, I could live on them for days. An added bonus is that they are quite inexpensive, you can use them in your everyday cooking too.

We were so close to San Francisco that we spent a few days in the city too. My kids went crazy with their cameras and got some really fun shots. Every picture I took of the Golden Gate Bridge was a landscape view, my oldest son took these and I loved his perspective.

It was a super fun trip and I loved falling asleep to the sound of the ocean and waking up to the beautiful landscape. I am always looking for more backpacking food ideas if anyone has some to share too!

Happy New Year!

The New Year is a time for new beginnings, a time to make a fresh start and implement changes. For me it is especially poignant because my birthday is on New Year's Eve. It is definitely a time for closing chapters and opening new ones as well as a time of reflection.

Last year on my birthday I wrote this list of 40+ things I have learned in 40+ years. This year I added # 42 to the list and hope to continue adding to this list for many years. There is wisdom that comes with experience and hence age. I didn't believe that in my 20's, I thought I had a handle on life, then life happened. There are many things we experience that are out of our control as we go through life; death, sickness, financial downturn. I do believe things happen for a reason and it is our reaction to them (see #39) that builds our character.

I have had the fortune to know a few elderly women who have a sparkle in their eye, they have taken on life and won, I don't know how to describe the peace that surrounds them. These women have lost spouses and children, had health issues and been through many tragedies and they have found joy and peace in their life. To find that peace is my goal...luckily I have a few more years to get it!

This year's addition (#42) comes from two books I read in 2010. Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder and Three Cups Of Tea by Greg Mortenson. Both are stories of men who have dedicated their lives to helping people who are living in situations most of us only hear about. Greg Mortenson has been building schools in Central Asia and Dr. Paul Farmer is bringing medical care to Haitians. These books spoke to something in me and I am looking at my life and realizing how much I have. I have never been without education, medical care, or even a meal. They are helping people who truly cannot help themselves. I was so touched and inspired I wanted to do something immediately so I organized a drive to collect items for our local woman's shelter. It is only a small thing but I am determined to give back in some way, as often as possible.

Here is my birthday list, with #42 added. I can't wait to see what I learn next year!

40+ things I have learned in 40+ years:

1. My life is a miracle. Not just the "normal" kind of miracle but the fact that I was adopted by two loving parents and guided to a special husband makes it a miracle twice over.

2. It is OK to let a friendship go. Certain friendships are for certain times of your life and if one is no longer serving you let it go. If you have changed and are growing in different directions it is not healthy to keep hanging on because of your past. Make room for a new friendship.

3. When in doubt just be polite. This advise came to me via Dr. Laura's radio program, it has helped me through some tough times and relationships.

4. Have Fun. No matter what your life's circumstance are you can and should have a little fun now and then. No matter what your responsibilities are you will be a better (mother, caretaker, cook, etc.) if you take a break and do something really fun.

5. All the Proverbs are true, don't judge a man till you've walked in his shoes, early to bed early to rise, you catch more flies with honey, a penny saved is a penny earned...

6. The best thing you can do for a friend is to listen. Being a good listener is a skill I am still working on. I have noticed in the time I have been working on it all of my relationships have improved, especially my marriage and friendships.

7. Good Advice: Make a Bucket List. Write down the things you want to accomplish before you "kick the bucket" and keep it where you will see it often. Start making those things happen!

8. Listen to your body. Don't keep going and going when it is telling you to slow down. Learn to cancel appointments if you need to and let yourself have down time.

9. Sleep- the most important thing you can do for your body. Arrange your life so that you get enough, whether that means a full 8 hours or a nap in the day. If you are feeling a little off get some sleep.

10. Every day is a new start, if you don't like the way things went today tomorrow you can start fresh.

11. Children are worth it!

12. You can make a difference in someone else's life and when you do you find meaning in your own life.

13. I would rather walk than ride.

14. Laughter really is the best medicine.

15. There is beauty all around all the time, you just need to look for it.

16. I like to take pictures.

17. Sometimes the best way to help someone is to be patient while they figure the problem out themselves.

18. When someone does something that really makes you crazy, take a look at yourself. The problem isn't with them, it is with you.

19. The only thing that is certain is change. So if you are hoping a situation will change, be patient it will. If you are hoping things will stay the same, enjoy them because they won't.

20. Pick your battles and your goals, you can make things happen but you can't make everything happen (at least not all at once).

21. Having a plan doesn't mean you have to stick to it.

22. Travel is the best education available.

23. Music can change your mood in a moment.

24. Dogs are worth it.

25. Saying "I'm sorry" changes everything.

26. Health is the biggest and best blessing of all, cherish it.

27. My favorite place to be is in the garden.

28. Prayer can get you through anything.

29. To truly change your life you need to have a plan and be diligent.

30. Mid-life crisis is a real phenomenon.

31. Snow is beautiful.

32. Karma is real.

33. Teaching is my calling.

34. Love makes the world go 'round.

35. The best way to enjoy life is to focus on people not things.

36. Mother nature is smarter than I am.

37. True friends.....priceless!

38. Spend time with your kids, teach them about every facet of life and when they leave
you won't worry quite as much.

39. Your reaction to a problem is more important than the problem ever will be.

40. Life is full of surprises!

41. One day at a time, one child at a time, one meal at a time....enjoy the moment.

42. Even one person can make a huge difference in many lives. Find something you can do to help others and start working on it today.

Inside My Sick Mind

I am not sure how or why this came to me but I want to remember it. I think it is important to remember where you have come from as well as look to where you are going.

Fourteen years ago I had my 3rd child, my son Jacob. It was a very hard pregnancy and I remember craving sugar the entire time, I was eating the standard American fare chock full of sugar and white flour. He weighed 9 lbs 4 oz when he was born, I was huge and in pain much of the last trimester. I remember one time crying as I walked up and down the aisles of the grocery store because it hurt to even walk. Looking back I believe this was a trigger for my Celiac's Disease and digestion issues.

And so began a series of health problems that culminated over 10 years later, I was depressed, losing hair, suffering from arthritis, overweight and not able to lose it easily, I had severely dry skin and scalp as well as crazy female issues, I was constantly fighting off colds or the flu, the list of physical issues goes on. I always felt unwell and in pain from one thing or another. I was young, 27 years old, and when I would turn to a Dr. for help I was told I was "getting older" and usually given an antibiotic. I began avoiding the Dr's office but could not find an answer to my health issues, in my desperate state I was willing to try most anything that came along that seemed like it would help, including radical diet changes.

With all of these physical issues it was very hard for me to look outside of myself. It felt to me like the world was out to get me at times. Looking back, I feel bad for my husband who had to deal with me. I was self absorbed and constantly frustrated. Any kind of stress at all sent me into a tailspin. At one point my husband commented that I was always sick on vacation, I didn't understand why I was and didn't deal well with his comments either. I know now that the small amount of stress involved in getting ready for the vacation left me wiped out. It is so easy to look back and say duh!

My point in writing this post is that we don't know what other people are experiencing. We can't judge them not knowing what is going on in their lives. I feel I have crossed a threshold, I have the knowledge to take control of my health and what a sweet world it is. I have noticed that I can sometimes get frustrated with people in my life who make poor choices and then complain, but I have to remember my situation and I pray for them to find their answers and take control of their lives.

The sweetest part of this story is how new and different it is to have the energy to think about others, including my family. I am very busy, it is easy to lose sight of others, but I have the emotional and physical energy that I didn't have two years ago. This is new for me, I guess that is the point of this post, all of this has taken me by surprise. A very pleasant surprise.

Speaking of surprises, take a close look at the picture above, did you notice the window is broken out in the shape of a heart? I took this picture in an alleyway in downtown Salt Lake City last month. I like to think that there is always something good in everything, we just need to look for it.

40 Things I have learned in 40 years

Today is my birthday, I am in the 40 something club. A few years ago I saw a list like this someone posted and I started writing my own. There is wisdom that comes with age. Here are the things I have come up with so far. Of course friends that are older than me assure me that I am still young and still have a lot to learn....and I believe them.

40+ things I have learned in 40+ years:

1. My life is a miracle. Not just the "normal" kind of miracle but the fact that I was adopted by two loving parents and guided to a special husband makes it a miracle twice over.

2. It is OK to let a friendship go. Certain friendships are for certain times of your life and if one is no longer serving you let it go. If you have changed and are growing in different directions it is not healthy to keep hanging on because of your past. Make room for a new friendship.

3. When in doubt just be polite. This advise came to me via Dr. Laura's radio program, it has helped me through some tough times and relationships.

4. Have Fun. No matter what your life's circumstance are you can and should have a little fun now and then. No matter what your responsibilities are you will be a better (mother, caretaker, cook, etc.) if you take a break and do something really fun.

5. All the Proverbs are true, don't judge a man till you've walked in his shoes, early to bed early to rise, you catch more flies with honey, a penny saved is a penny earned...

6. The best thing you can do for a friend is to listen. Being a good listener is a skill I am still working on. I have noticed in the time I have been working on it all of my relationships have improved, especially my marriage and friendships.

7. Good Advice: Make a Bucket List. Write down the things you want to accomplish before you "kick the bucket" and keep it where you will see it often. Start making those things happen!

8. Listen to your body. Don't keep going and going when it is telling you to slow down. Learn to cancel appointments if you need to and let yourself have down time.

9. Sleep- the most important thing you can do for your body. Arrange your life so that you get enough, whether that means a full 8 hours or a nap in the day. If you are feeling a little off get some sleep.

10. Every day is a new start, if you don't like the way things went today tomorrow you can start fresh.

11. Children are worth it!

12. You can make a difference in someone else's life and when you do you find meaning in your own life.

13. I would rather walk than ride.

14. Laughter really is the best medicine.

15. There is beauty all around all the time, you just need to look for it.

16. I like to take pictures.

17. Sometimes the best way to help someone is to be patient while they figure the problem out themselves.

18. When someone does something that really makes you crazy, take a look at yourself. The problem isn't with them, it is with you.

19. The only thing that is certain is change. So if you are hoping a situation will change, be patient it will. If you are hoping things will stay the same, enjoy them because they won't.

20. Pick your battles and your goals, you can make things happen but you can't make everything happen (at least not all at once).

21. Having a plan doesn't mean you have to stick to it.

22. Travel is the best education available.

23. Music can change your mood in a moment.

24. Dogs are worth it.

25. Saying "I'm sorry" changes everything.

26. Health is the biggest and best blessing of all, cherish it.

27. My favorite place to be is in the garden.

28. Prayer can get you through anything.

29. To truly change your life you need to have a plan and be diligent.

30. Mid-life crisis is a real phenomenon.

31. Snow is beautiful.

32. Karma is real.

33. Teaching is my calling.

34. Love makes the world go 'round.

35. The best way to enjoy life is to focus on people not things.

36. Mother nature is smarter than I am.

37. True friends.....priceless!

38. Spend time with your kids, teach them about every facet of life and when they leave you won't worry quite as much.

39. Your reaction to a problem is more important than the problem ever will be.

40. Life is full of surprises!

41. One day at a time, one child at a time, one meal at a time....enjoy the moment.

Book Review: The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down

The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down; A Hmong Child, Her American Doctors and the Collision of Two Cultures by Anne Fadiman

Have you ever been drawn to a book? Have you ever been looking through a shelf at the library or book store and one says to you, "pick me, pick me"? It has happened to me only a few times in my life, the most recent being this one. I was at my local library looking through a number of books that had been donated but that the library did not want on it's shelves for one reason or another, they were all marked .25 cents. I picked this book up and it spoke to me, the picture on the cover, the unusual title, it just said you have to read me and find out what I am all about.

This story is heart wrenching. It is about a refugee family from Laos that is relocated to the United States. The only possessions they have with them; their family and their culture, which they cling to desperately. Their infant daughter suffering from epileptic seizures is brought to the local county hospital for treatment and the story unfolds revealing a clash of Western and Eastern medicines with a young child caught in the middle. This is not the usual case of the parents either declining treatment or insisting on non-standard treatment. These parents want treatment but do not even understand how to administer the prescribed medicines and are sent home expected to comply and then held accountable for the care of their daughter who is at one point placed into state custody because of their non-compliance.

Anne Fadiman's writing is incredibly rich and easy to get caught up in. If you have ever wondered about our medical system and why sometimes you feel like you are running into a brick wall to get the help you know you need but can't find the right avenue to get it you will understand the dilemmas in this story. I don't want to give too much away but I can say I learned more about the Dr./patient relationship, our medical system, the Hmong and their culture as well as enjoyed the beautifully written story.

Christmas Fun with Legos

This year we found a screaming deal on Christmas Trees at Home Depot. One of our traditions is to have a real tree and there have been years we have paid over $100 for a tree. Sounds crazy but we live in a small rural town and the nearest shopping is in Park City, a very upscale and trendy resort town so sometimes we have to take what we can get or drive over an hour to Salt Lake City.

Anyway back to this year's tree search. We found such a good deal my husband said, "we can get two!". We put the 2nd tree in the basement family room and let my two boys decorate it. They chose to make Lego ornaments.

This one is a snowflake

Santa on a Segway

Very creative star for the top

And they even made Lego presents for under the tree!

Thanks for following my blog, all your great recipes and correspondence and I wish you all a Merry Christmas and wonderful health in 2010!

Need to Simplify? Go Backpacking!

A few weeks ago we took an adventure we had been looking forward to all of our married life (23 years). We took the family (minus my daughter and son in law) backpacking. My husband is an avid outdoors man and has wanted to get me involved in backpacking trips for many years, needless to say between having small children and health issues I haven't been able to go with him. We walked 19 miles in two and a half days, down into and up out of a 1000 ft canyon. It was amazing!
I have been reading Zen Habits and using the FlyLady method trying to simplify and de-clutter my life for quite some time. But to really simplify and de-clutter I suggest you go backpacking for at least 2 days. It is interesting to see what you can do without. When you know you have to carry EVERYTHING you are going to wear, eat, sleep on, and cook with on your back, you really think it through before you pack it.

The scenery was breathtaking and the experience was incredible for my kids. No x-box, cell phones, or Facebook, we laughed and talked and joked and walked till we were silly with exhaustion.


Two years ago I never would have guessed I would be well enough physically to attempt something like this. I know it is the changes in my diet that made it possible. I want to share the message, what you eat has everything to do with how you feel and your quality of life! Get away from the sugars and processed foods, eat foods without an ingredient list. Take the time to shop and cook for yourself, take some down time each day and get all the sleep you need!

Make your health a priority, don't give up, keep searching for answers and keep an open mind to try new things. Life will give back to you what you put into it!

My Life is now Complete!

OK, maybe that title is a little drastic but I have wanted to have chickens for years and come close a few times to getting them but it never worked out. Last week I took the plunge and we now have 3 hens (the rooster had to go back after waking us up at 5:30 am!) who will be laying in a few months. Yahooooo!

Summer Fun thanks to the SCD

Devil's Gate, Wyoming

Sunset from my house

Best Friends by the Fire

Dryer Yoga

Pink Echinacea

Newly Opened Sunflower

At the Waterpark with my kids...

Something I couldn't have done last summer!

Garden Update

It is amazing anything can grow up here at 6500 feet but it does and tastes great! We had a very wet and cold June and the plants did not get going as soon as usual but so far we have harvested peas, lettuce, spinach, green onions, zucchini, carrots, strawberries, and some herbs. This is my first year growing spaghetti squash and pumpkins and they are both growing like crazy, I can't wait for the Fall to make some pumpkin pie and muffins and hopefully the tomatoes will be coming soon.

Here is what my garden looked like a few months ago.. in May. Amazing how quickly things can grow!

Having Way Too Much Fun!

This is what happens when you plan a morning of garage sale hopping on the way to a camping trip. You end up with all your garage sale bargains stuffed on on top of your camping gear and you have to unload it to get to your gear. The neighbors in the campground look at you weird and you take a bunch of pictures and can't stop laughing!

Book Review: Mimus

I love to read in the summer when it's so hot in the afternoons that even in an air conditioned building you still feel sticky. My problem is finding a good book, you know the kind I am talking about, where you read the first few pages and then can't put it down. You read in every spare moment you can find and almost can't sleep till you finish the book and if you do fall asleep you dream about the characters.

Mimus was a book like that for me. My 16 year old daughter suggested I read it after she finished it and now my younger son is taking his turn. It is classified as a Young Adult book but hey..I just turned 40..I can use all the Young anything I can get. Mimus is the story of a young prince who is captured by the enemy kingdom and forced into being a jestor in the court of the enemy king while his own father(and king) is locked up in the dungeon sentenced to death. Anything more and I will be giving too much away. It was a very engaging read and perfect for the lazy days of summer, I will be reading it aloud to my youngest son next. What books have you been enjoying this summer?

Holly Hocks and a Great Quote

A great quote from the book "Days of Healing, Days of Joy", by Earnie Larsen and Carol Larsen Hegarty

"As long as we are alive we have the power to polish, recut, and place the precious jewel of the self in a brand new setting."

I love this quote because it illustrates a lesson that was tough for me to learn, I have the power to make myself what I want to be. It is easy to use other people in your life as reasons you cannot have what you want but the truth is that you are the one who is ultimately responsible for your body, your happiness, and your life. It is never too late to change!

Mountain Hiking in the Summer

A picture is worth a thousand words....

Book Review: Organic Housekeeping by Ellen Sandbeck

Ellen Sandbeck is one of my newly found favorite authors. I read two of her books this past Winter and have a few more on my TBR (to be read) list. This book was literally life changing for me. Because of my past health issues I have been interested in organic housekeeping for the past 13 years. I have purchased too many expensive organic cleaners trying to help myself and my family, after reading this book and employing Ellen's methods I am enjoying a clean house and spending a fraction of the time and cost to do it.

The subtitle of this book is "In Which the Nontoxic Avenger Shows You How to Improve Your Health and That of Your Family While You Save Time, Money, and Perhaps, Your Sanity". It is a mouthful but truly explains what the book is about. The first chapter starts at the beginning, how to organize, store and declutter, after all why learn how to clean it if you don't really need or want it? The following chapters go into detail on how to clean the kitchen (everything from the refrigerator to the toaster and safe food handling), bathrooms, bedrooms, laundry and general cleaning tips. The last chapters cover your car, indoor air quality, the yard, and pet care. Needless to say everything a typical home needs to keep clean is covered in these 400 pages from your coffee pot to your dog.

Now I know you are thinking, 400 pages? on cleaning? how boring.... but Ellen has a style that presents the information in an interesting and at times humorous way. She recommends using vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and natural soaps, things you can buy at your local grocery or drug store. Last but not least the book has an excellent index which I have used many times since reading it as I have needed to reference a particular item. I can't say I enjoy cleaning the bathroom but I have a system now that gets it clean without harsh cleaners in a minimal amount of time and with minimal cost.