Homeschool vs. Public School Graphic

I think on an almost weekly/biweekly basis I have to defend my choice of homeschooling my kids.  It's refreshing to get numbers, real numbers that help me recommit to my decision to continue home schooling my children.

Home schooling is hard.  It's a commitment to learning and taking charge of your child's education, often with out any outside help.  So mom's who homeschool, take a look, a deep breath, and smile knowing you're doing great.

Primal Menu Plan

We don't have a lot of cooking to do this week.  Monday night I'm teaching in the evening so no dinner there.  Then we're going out of town Friday morning.


Monday: out
Tuesday: Slow Cooker Smokey Roast
Wednesday: Chicken with Cauliflower and Olives
Thursday: Paleo Sausage Stuffed Peppers


We are going camping this weekend so I thought I'd tack on some snacks that we'd like to take with us.

• Paleo Trail Mix
• Pumpkin Spice Granola

Linking back to Organizing Junkie

Roman History and Latin Curricula

Ok, slightly obscure.  My son has expressed interest in all things Roman.  He wants to learn Latin, and for history this year he wants to study the ins and outs of Roman History. The beauty of homeschooling is child directed learning. However finding homeschool curricula on this has been challenging.  Here's a list of what I've found to save you some time.  I'm inspired to write a curricula...because there's nothing out there that is the way I want it to be. I don't even know where to begin, but I just might work through it.

Anyway, here are some links to curricula that I am considering until I can space the time away to write my own.

1. Heritage History: Ancient Rome: At $24.99 for a CD of the entire curricula and study guide, this is a bargain and will be a great resource.  It's definitely being purchased.
2. Roman History Pockets: These are great supplement when combined with other forms of study.  They are fun projects that my children have enjoyed in the past.  Last year it was American History, and they just loved them.
3. Literature Pockets: Greek and Roman Myths: Another great project resource.
4. Rome Unit Study: This is a free unit study you can download and print out to use as needed. Free is fabulous...isn't it?
5. If your child learns best through worksheets, then Ancient Rome Thematic Unit may be a good supplement, too.

Latin Resources:

1. Latin: First Year: I was drawn to this one because of it's quizzes and tests book. I am a secular/classical schooler, so this test booklet is super important to me. Before purchasing though, I do suggest reading the comments listed below.  It got some not so great reviews.
2. Beginning Latin for the Homeschooler looks like a strong contender for us. This has great reviews and is very basic.  It seems to me that this book may be used before you begin the first book I linked. 
3. Latin's Not So Tough is a classical curricula with pacing, tests, study guides...it seems to have it all.  It seems difficult to obtain, and I suppose you are lucky if you get your hands on one. It also seems to be geared towards younger learners.  It looks appropriate for 2nd and 3rd graders, or maybe even a gifted 1st grader.

Any resources out there that you think I should add to the list?  Just comment below and I will take a look. 

Menu Plan Monday

Back to life, and back to menu planning.  I haven't been great at menu planning or keeping my life organized lately. It's expensive not to, and I don't eat as healthy and I put on weight.  Yuck. Anyway, here is my plan for our sad week.



Monday: Paleo Fish Tacos
Tuesday: Funeral Viewing (out)
Wednesday: Funeral (out)
Thursday: Primal Fried Shrimp and raw carrots (meal on the go)
Friday: Primal Pizza
Saturday: Caribbean Seafood Stew
Sunday: Grilled Chicken and grilled veggies

Finding a Secular Science Homeschool Curriculum

It's almost laughable. A secular science curriculum?  They are out there, and they are extremely hard to find. Lots of authors tip toe around the Christian majority who homeschool, and there are so many creationism curricula it's unreal.

Well, let me show you what I've found so hopefully you won't be driven to wine at 10:30am. Some stuff I've used, some stuff I will try this year. Please feel free to comment below if you've used any of these and have had success (or not) with them.

• Intelligo unit studies are a great resource.  Last year my son did one of their astronomy units, and found it very inspiring and thorough.  They are so secular they have TWO unit studies on Evolution, and frankly, they are one of the few curricula I have ever seen to have it.
• Last year we used Noe Science and if I get around to it I will write a complete review of it.  Currently the entire curricula is missing because of our move....so I'll have to find it first. It came with a science kit, lots of experiments and was pretty fun to use.  There are no tests, which I didn't like, so it was hard for me to know what my children were retaining.  We did Biology, and I'm sure it's pretty obvious, but evolution was never discussed.  Also, there is a biblical verse in the beginning, however the rest of the curricula had no reference to any religion.
• Real Science Odyssey is said to be a secular science curricula. This is a contender this year for my butterfly.  I'm betting this particular curriculum is to easy for my little science geek son, but it might be a good fit for my girl.
• Focus on Middle School Science is more of a contender for my son.  They also claim to be secular.
• Elemental Science is also a contender for us next year.  They go from pre-k to 7th grade and up. Edit: We ended up not choosing this curricula, so I have no personal experience with it. Comments below have noted that this is not quite a secular curricula but more of a neutral curricula. They do not cover evolution.
• Building Foundations is another secular curricula. It comes in different levels up to 8th grade.
• Last one I found that seemed worthy of a nod was the Nancy Larson science curriculum. This curricula is for kindergarten through fourth grade.

So there you have it.  Hopefully with this post I've saved some sanity for you.  If I missed any curricula just link it below, I'm happy to add any secular science curricula my readers may find.

Enjoy!

Menu Plan Monday - All primal

I'm grumpy...and I'm going to admit something.  I hate sitting down planning menus.  I truly enjoy eating from said menus.  We eat better, and stay within our budget when I plan out menus. I know some people sell menu plans...I sincerely wish I had the extra money laying around to buy one.  Also, we have a leg of lamb we got at the end of last summer that's been sitting in our freezer.  It's been in there long enough, maybe too long.  It must be eaten before it gets any more burned. Anyway...here I go with this week's menu plan.

Monday: Leftover Cookout stuff
Tuesday: Paleo Kung Pao Chicken (can you believe it?!)
Wednesday: Fire Roasted Paleo Chili
Thursday: leftovers
Friday: Pankoconut Fish Sticks with sweet potato fries.
Saturday: Going to a cook out!
Sunday: Roasted Leg of Lamb


A recipe I'd like to try out this week: Breakfast cookies!
One recipe we tried last week that was awesome was this seasoning recipe for tacos.

Linking up with Organizing Junkie, be sure to check it out for more menu plans (just in case you hate to make them like I do!!).

No Sugar Jalapeño Raspberry Vinaigrette

After the stress of moving I've needed to clean out my diet.  Less hard cider, more salads. The stress of this move helped me put on five pounds, and I don't want my salads to be the same old boring salads.  I've always found that when I make my own dressing they taste so much better.  I had been craving a Jalapeño Raspberry Vinaigrette and I couldn't find a primal/paleo recipe anywhere so I made one up myself.  It was so good I had to share it with you.  If you like a sweet/spicey combo this one is for you. You should know, this recipe does not store long in the fridge.  Make small batches!

• 1/2 cup raspberries
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/4 of 1 jalapeño (or 1/2 if you want it really spicy)
• 1 garlic clove
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp salt

1.  In a blender mix raspberries, your bit of jalapeño, and your garlic clove.  Pulse until they are well blended. 
2. Add in oil, honey, vinegar and salt.  Blend again until you've reached your desired constancy. 
3. Chill in the fridge for an hour or two to let the flavors blend, best if used within 24/48 hours. 
4. If you need it to last in the refrigerator for more than two days, add a tsp of organic lime juice.

Settling in

As of today, we've been in our new house for 20 days. Strangely it feels like we've been here longer and I've been unpacking, cleaning and dealing with life.  I've noticed a few differences from when you move long distances vs. short.  The largest difference being the kind of pause your life takes.  When you move long distances, you have to bring everything to a close.  When I left Denver, I had to stop playing with the fun loving Denver Pops Orchestra, I had to give up the awesome violin/viola studio that I had started from the ground up, and any activity the children were a part of had to be ceased.  We cleared our slate.

This move however all of that was unnecessary, to my relief.  It did pose one problem.  Our life still carried on while we had to move and unpack.  The most time consuming commitment we had was my children's swim team. It was worth the time commitment, and I'm proud of what they did...but moving while your kids are competing twice a week is not for the faint of heart. Luckily the season is now over, here's a photo of their awards ceremony/pizza party.

One room in this house has received most of my attention and that is my sun room.  This room has so much potential and I see it's potential every time I walk into it.  I also see dollar signs. We are going to be using this room as our school room this year.  I can't think of a more lovely way to do school but in a bright sunny room. I'm not one who usually focuses on problems, but I want to list the problems with this room and if any of my readers have suggestions post them in the comments below.  I am open to suggestions!!

1. The carpet is old and stained.
2. The windows have black mold around the weather stripping.  I've wiped the mold away, but I worry about the integrity of them and I'm concerned they may need to be replaced soon.
3. The walls are brown and yellow.  At our old place we rented the family room had wood paneling and brick walls.  The room was hideously ugly and there was nothing I could do about it.  It turned me off on any kind of wood paneling so I'm thinking a paint job is in order in this room.  I'm thinking it might be the most affordable thing on this list so it might be the first project.
4. The sunroom has a door to the back porch which is not covered by a soffit or anything else so when it rains the door gets a lot of water on it.  Some of this water leaks inside and the door itself is showing some mild water damage.

I'm reminded that living on the east coast is wet, specially compared to the dry climate of Colorado.  I told my husband last night how a spot of mold wouldn't have concerned me out there, but I felt here it could easily get out of hand.

So that's what's been going on.  I haven't posted much because life is just keeping me busy and I haven't hit my rhythm just yet.  Moving is so tough crazy, and it's hard on the wallet.  So many projects will have to wait until we recover.

Keeping Chickens Cool when it's HOT!

The past few days at our new house have been super hot.  We haven't built the permanent chicken run yet, so my girls have a make-shift run in the back of the yard where there isn't a lot of shade in the heat of the afternoon.

I think most people don't realize chickens handle the cold much better than they handle the heat. Here in Pennsylvania it gets really humid when it's hot, so my poor girls really pant in the afternoon.  Here are a few ideas I have come up with to keep them cool.

1. This is the most important, and almost a duh: they must always have access to water. In intense heat, a chicken can go downhill really fast if they don't have access to clean water.
2. Secondly, they should have some shade that isn't the chicken coop. I've found that coops get super hot because of a lack of circulation.  Even well ventilated coops can get really hot on the hottest days.  If your birds aren't situated under trees or some other shade, get them a tarp or a shade umbrella.
3. Try freezing a cup of water in a disposable plastic cup.  On hot days around noon, I replace their water, and drop this huge chunk of ice in.  It only stays cold for about an hour, but they drink up the cold water gratefully.
4. Refrigerated watermelon is also a nice afternoon treat.  It's cold, and full of water and should help them beat the heat.
5. Frozen berries are also a great treat. They take some time for them to get into so it's also a good boredom buster.  Cold, sweet yummy treats on a hot day.  Yes, please?

During really hot days, chicken stool may be more lose than usual.  This is possibly due to all the extra water they are drinking.  When chickens are working on staying cool, they will pant, and pull their wings away from their body.  This is all healthy behavior, but be on the look out for droopy behavior, or pale comb and wattles.  If you see this, give your chicken a dip in a cool bucket of water.  

What are your ideas to keep your chickens cool on these hot summer days?

Menu Plan Monday -- All Primal

I'm back to it again.  After being in a weird stasis while moving, we are now detoxing with healthy primal/paleo foods.  We are going strict again to lose the 5 or so pounds we gained while being stressed about moving and drinking too many Angry Orchard ciders.  Here's what we're eating this week.


Monday: Chimichurri Meatballs with a big salad
Tuesday: Chicken Satay with grilled veggies
Wednesday: Fish Tacos
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Grilled Sausage and Garlicky Summer Squash Fritters
Saturday: Grilled Chicken Legs and Avocado Kale Salad
Sunday: Roast Beast!

Here's our shopping list, and since we just moved it's huge.  Most of this we don't have in the house.

2 pounds of ground beef
2 pounds of chicken tender/strips
1 pound of fish (light fish, tilapia or whatever is on sale)
1 package of sausage
3 pounds of chicken legs

small ginger root
1 onion
3 avocados
fresh cilantro
2 summer squashes
bunch of kale
2 tomatoes
Bag of carrots
Package of mushrooms

Lime juice

Linking back to Organizing Junkie

Plastic: Safe or....?

The information about plastics can be confusing.  Sometimes plasticware like these Ikea mugs.... so cute, cheerful and colorful it's hard not to want them.  I want them, look how cute they are?

So why should you worry about plastics in your life?  How harmful are they, and can you really avoid them?  They're in everything, cars, your computer, ziplock bags, food containers, the list goes on and on. Here's some things you should think about though.

1. The compounds in plastic are toxic. 

• Firstly is BPA (Bisphenal A). It's a building block of polycarbonate plastic and is used in thousands of consumer products, including food packaging. Research shows that BPA exposure is linked to breast cancer.
• Phthalates are a group of endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in PVC or #3 plastic. Phthalate exposure has been linked to early puberty in girls, and increases the risk of cancer.
• Other chemicals found include Styrene, Dioxin, and Vinyl Chloride all used in plastics for food, and have been shown to be carcinogens, and endocrine disruptors.

2. BPA Free does not mean safe. 

• Some companies have switched BPA to BPS (Bisphenal S), a similar compound with similar effects of the body as BPA.  However because their products no longer use BPA they claim they are safer and BPA Free. The effects of BPS have not been as widely studied as BPA, but research indicates that BPS is an artificial estrogen just like BPA, with clear potential for carcinogenic effects and damage to reproductive health. 

3. Plastics are bad for the environment. 

• Plastics just aren't green. Plastics are made of petrochemicals (think oil here).  These chemicals are heavily processed which creates lots of pollution.  On top of that, plastic doesn't degrade easily, and most plastics aren't recycled so it will just sit and sit in landfills. Don't forget the Pacific Garbage Patch which is almost completely made of discarded plastics.

Ok, so what do we do?  How do we even start getting rid of plastics out of your life?

1. Try using glass water bottles. That link is one of my favorite water bottles, and with the silicone on the outside, it's ok to drop it.
2. Get rid of the plastic lunch bags, and deck yourself out with some eco-friendly (and beautiful) options from companies like ECOlunchbox.
3. Toss your child's plastic sippy cup and get one of these cute Klean Kanteen Sippy Cups.  They even make baby bottles, too.
4. Toss all that tupperware out of your cabinets and get some glass food storage containers.  We recently did that, and it's nice to know you can safely store leftovers with out worrying about microwaving the container with the food inside. 
5. Ok, last one.  Stop forgetting to bring your bags with you to the grocery store. These cute little bags fold up so you can stick them in your purse, your car...whatever.  Just keep them with you and stop your contribution to the garbage patch.

Do you have any other great ways to keep plastics out of your life?  What has worked best for you?

Links:

Is BPA Free a Lie?
Chemicals in Plastics
5 Reasons to Avoid Plastic Containers

Menu Plan Monday

It's getting harder and harder to stay organized as my stress levels increase.  We didn't even get through all the meals I had planned last week, it was just too stressful and crazy.

Anyway, here is the plan for the week.  Lots of reused links, but enjoy!!

Monday: Chicken Marsala
Tuesday: Fair-food
Wednesday: Primal Chicken and Mushroom Casserole
Thursday: Loaded Buffalo Chicken Cassrole
Friday: Grilled Moroccan Chicken
Saturday: Leftovers
Sunday: Grilled meat!

Linking back to Organizing Junkie

Primal No-Sugar Chocolate Ice-Pops

It's been getting warm out...really warm out. My daughter has been pestering me for chocolate ice pops, and I couldn't find any recipe that looked good to me.  I have issues with using raw eggs to get a creamy smooth texture, especially since bananas do it so well, and sweeten things a bit, too.  So I threw this together, and it was super good, and even the kids in the neighborhood liked it.  If you're not doing milk, a can of high fat coconut milk would be a good substitute for all the milk and cream.

Directions:

• 3/4 cup of milk 
• 1/2 whole cream (or skip all the cream and milk and use 1 can of full fat coconut milk)
• 3 tbsp Cocoa Powder
• 1 banana
• 2 tbsp honey
• a dash of cinnamon
• a sprinkle of salt

1. Put everything in a blender, and mix it well.
2. Freeze for at least two hours, really does well after 4 hours.
3. Enjoy!!

Menu Plan Monday - All Primal

Busy week ahead of us as we begin the process of moving to our new house.  Here's what's on our menu while our kitchen is still open.  I'm thinking it will be closed by the end of the month. Linking up with Organizing Junkie for the menu this week.  I'm wishing I had half her organizational skills right now, packing up seems so overwhelming!

Anyway.  Food.  Here. :)

Monday: Primal Coconut Shrimp
Tuesday: Italian Sausage with Cauliflower
Wednesday: Primal Chicken and Mushroom Casserole
Thursday: Loaded Buffalo Chicken Cassrole
Friday: Grilled Moroccan Chicken
Saturday: Leftovers
Sunday: Grilled meat!

Final Pregnancy Update...

I had hoped this week's post would be a cute, happy update on my 13th week of pregnancy.  Instead, I'm having to inform you of our loss.

Up until this moment, everything had been going beautifully.  Two weeks ago, I had an ultrasound which I had posted a picture of.  At the ultrasound everything was perfect.  A strong heartbeat, a perfect tiny bean.  I knew I felt flutters now and then, and my cravings were so strong and weird. Monday, I had my OB appointment which I had mentioned I was looking forward to.  Only because I needed that reassurance that all was well, and I wanted to hear that strong heartbeat again.  However when I got there, first thing they did was go to listen for the heartbeat, and one couldn't be found.

My doctor moved me to the ultrasound room, seemingly unalarmed.  I tried not to be too worried. He booted up his old machine, and took a look.  There's my baby...with her arms and legs, but nothing moved.  The tears came.  I told the doctor I was scared, and I asked what was going on.  All he said was: I'm not an ultrasound technician, let me grab another doctor and see if he can find something.   He handed me a tissue box.

A few moments later, another doctor came in to join him.  Again, pressing the wand to my lower abdomen, in hopes of finding a heartbeat.  Nothing. I lost it. They both told me it looked like I had lost the baby, and that I would need to go get another ultrasound today to confirm.  I called my husband, sobbing uncontrollably.  He couldn't understand me at first.  My kids were in the waiting room, I had thought this was only going to be a quick routine visit. Not the end of my pregnancy.

Fast forward a few hours, my kids are at my girlfriend's house, and we're getting our next ultrasound.  It confirmed everyone's fears.  The baby had died about 3 days ago. The doctor said, it's not my fault, please know that first.  These things happen for reasons we never know, and he urged me to consider getting a D&C.  Initially I balked at the idea, but I was such an emotional mess I couldn't decide that day.  He said don't decide today, nothing will happen today, or tomorrow.

After lots of research, and conversations with friends, and my husband, I decided that a D&C was the best option for me.  It was a late term miscarriage, all things considered.  Passing it could take upwards of a month, and could potentially be very painful. Wednesday, I went in, sad, scared, and was received by a knowledgable doctor, and a caring, sympathetic staff. As I waited in the prep room, I heard the delivery of a baby.  The doctor who I was waiting for just did a c-section.  It was such a beautiful sound to hear that baby cry. I felt so happy for that mom, that she didn't go through what I was about to go through.   Her day today would be enjoying her new baby. I felt a small twinge of sadness for my baby...that it would never make those sounds, or be held in my arms.

After things were done...they were done, and I can now begin healing my heart, and my body.  Miscarriage is something I feel women do alone, even though we're not alone, we grieve alone.  We grieve the most, but I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many people who help me through my grief. I've been leaning so hard on my friends, and family.  I don't know how long I will tear up in quiet moments, maybe always.

Her name would have been Anna, and she was already so deeply loved.  Be well sweet, Anna. You will always be in my heart.

Summer Bucket List

This morning I was thinking of some nice things to do with my kids today, and asked on Facebook for some suggestions.  I got some awesome suggestions, but some that weren't practical to do on a whim.

So, were not ones who like to sit still, and next summer will be very different with an infant.  SO, let's make the most of this summer right?  Here's my bucket list.

Things to do, see, visit:

1. Visit Dutch Wonderland
2. Visit Columcille
3. Bushkill Falls
4. Visit Catocin Zoo
5. Go to Florida to see my new niece!
6. Visit Gettysburg
7. Visit Colonial Williamsburg

Whew...that's a lot to do on a tiny budget.  Hopefully we can check through it all.  Florida being the big trip for us.  What are your plans for the summer?  Anything exciting?

12 weeks!

I think I need to start getting my husband to take my picture instead of doing self pics in a mirror.  What do you think? ;) Not much change from last week.  I even still have on regular jeans, albeit they're my fat jeans. :)

How far along: 12 weeks

Total weight gain: 0lbs

Maternity clothing: Not yet, but it will be soon.  These are my fat pants, and they fit around my waist, but they're baggy everywhere else, so they look horrible.  I did break down and get some clothes.  It's fun.

Stretch marks: No new ones yet.

Sleep:  Pretty good.  I'm getting up less to pee at night.  I think I read somewhere that my uterus starts to move upward this week relieving pressure on my bladder.  I can definitely feel that.

Best moment: Went to the neurologist last week, and was told that my eyes are absolutely perfect.  I have no increased pressure.  They are being extra careful though, and I have another neurologist appointment next week.

What I miss:  Energy..still.  Even though it's getting better, and I'm finding I have actually had some afternoon energy this week.  Hopefully it continues to improve.

Movement: Nothing yet. 

Food cravings: Chik Fil'A.  I know, it goes against all green, natural eating with it's processed junk and soybean oil.  Before last week it had been over 5 years since I stepped foot in a Chik Fil'A, and now I have gone twice in two weeks.  *sigh*

Gender:  Don't know yet, but I still haven't found a boy name that sits right with me.  I'm beginning to wonder if that's just because I'm having a girl.

Labor signs: None.

Belly button: in

Symptoms: I haven't really had many symptoms this week.  Early on this week I've had more energy, and rarely do I feel nauseous anymore.

Wedding ring: On and loose.

Looking forward to: my OB appointment next week.  Maybe I'll get a final due date...even though the baby won't care, and will stick around after.

Green Polka Dot Box

About a month ago, I discovered The Green Polka Dot Box, and online grocery store that sells only Organic, Non-GMO products.  Win!

My long time readers know, last year I moved to rural Maryland after living in a suburban neighborhood located between Boulder, Colorado and Denver Colorado.  Square in the middle.  Boulder boasts three Whole Foods stores, and when I was leaving there was a whisper of a Trader Joe's being built there, too.  Between that, and Mile High Organics (a local organic delivery) I was absolutely completely set for natural, organic, and non-gmo foods, and products.  I was pretty spoiled, too.

I moved out to rural Maryland, and was suddenly faced with the challenge of finding fresh organic fruits and vegetables, and meats.  Finding safe household cleaners was laughable.  The closest Whole Foods is in Annapolis, which for us is an hour and a half away. Do you live in an organic/natural foods black whole?  Is the only store available to you a tiny little natural foods store that charges the highest full price for their items? (Oh I know all about that, too).

If you have a hard time finding food and products you trust, you should check out The Green Polka Dot Box.  I recently had my first order with them, and I am seriously impressed.  I messed up the order..of course I did.  It's me we're talking here.  Well, their customer service number is easy to find.  It's right on the bottom of the page.  No clicking contact us, no emailing and waiting a day or two.  I called, and a LIVE PERSON answered the phone.   There was no wait, no cheesy hold music.  There was a cheerful, likeable, funny person on the other side of the phone who fixed my mistakes and got my order correctly taken care of.  It took all of five minutes.

So here's my rundown of things I love about The Green Polka Dot Box.

• They have a huge selection of foods, ranging from dry foods to fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats.
• They have dog and cat food, they have cleaners, toiletries, even seeds and grow kits.
• They have baby food, body products, vitamins and supplements.  They even have a kitchen gadget section. 
• Have I mentioned the huge selection of stuff?  This is with out a doubt, all the kinds of things I am used to finding at Whole Foods, and other natural type stores...with out the big price tag.
• They are a small business, with personable people.  I would not be surprised if I called customer service again and spoke with the same friendly girl.  They have one office, and helpful staff.  I'm a hard win when it comes to customer service, and they are truly about as good as it gets. You know when staff is happy, they are treated well by their employers.  A happy business is easy to do business with.
• When your order is finished, your items are quickly shipped to you.  They also have cold shipping so they can ship delicates like milk, and cheese to you.

Go check out their website see what they've got.  Their Facebook Page sometimes has special promotions and deals, so be sure to check that out too. I'm about to place my next order with them, I will be sure to let you all know how it goes!

Honey Sweetened Strawberry Jam

For my birthday a few weeks ago for my I made some awesome grain free honey biscuits.  When Danielle, the author of Against all Grain pictured with a side of jam, I knew I had the perfect compliment sitting in my fridge.

I've been making and canning my own jams for a few years, and initially I canned with traditional sugar methods.  However after committing to a primal lifestyle, I've swapped the sugar for honey.  This is still a temporary treat, and I'm currently working on a low sugar recipe.  Once that is perfected, I will be posting that as well.  You won't miss any sweetness with this recipe, and it spreads so wonderfully.

Ingredients:

4 cups of organic strawberries (or pick your favorite berry, any will do!)
2 tbsp organic lemon juice
1 package of powdered pectin (I use Pomona)
1 cup of honey (local, and/or raw)

Put the berries and lemon juice COLD in a saucepan.  While still cold (COLD!) mix the pectin, juice and berries.  Now turn on the burner on high, and stir constantly until the mixture comes to a boil.  Add the honey and stir again until it gets to a boil that cannot be stirred down.  Now start your timer for about 10 minutes, and stir slowly the whole time.

Ladle the jam into half pint canning jars.  This recipe may be put directly into the fridge, where it can be kept for a few weeks.  If you choose to process them (which I would recommend), sterilize your jars beforehand (10 minutes in boiling vinegar water), and ladle the jam into them.  Leave about 1/4-1/2 inch head room and process for 5 minutes.  (Note you will need to increase the boiling process time if you live in a higher elevation, please check government standards).

Enjoy!!

Menu Plan

Oh let's see what my pregnancy cravings have in store for me this week.  Hubs has to work a crazy week this week so I'm on my own in the kitchen.

Monday: Coffee Pot Roast
Tuesday: Spinach Stuffed Chicken
Wednesday: Moroccan Beef Skillet
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Coconut Curry Shrimp Stir fry
Saturday: Barbeque Chicken Cookout
Sunday: Leftovers

Here's what we had to get:
5-6lb chuck roast
cilantro (had to buy later this week)
2lbs of ground beef
chicken legs/thighs
3 garlic bulbs
2 onions

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11 weeks!

My neighbor pointed out last week I had a baby bump, so I decided I'm going to start weekly updates on how the pregnancy is going.  Just cause it's fun! :)

How far along: 11 weeks

Total weight gain: 0lbs

Maternity clothing: Not yet, but my pants don't fit anymore around the waist.  I've been living in yoga pants, but I just went out and got some maternity capris..hopefully they'll last me all summer. :)

Stretch marks: No new ones yet.

Sleep:  Pretty good so far.  I get up a few times at night to pee, but I think that's supposed to stop for a little while (until I have a bowling ball sitting on my bladder).

Best moment: My husband and I have birthdays one day apart, and they were last weekend.  It was a fun weekend. :)

What I miss:  Energy!  I'm used to being able to go pretty solid all day long.  Now my days have an early afternoon intermission (nap).

Movement: Nothing yet.  Now and then I think I feel a flutter, but it's just too soon.

Food cravings: Oranges, pimento cheese, ham and fish.  Just not all together. :)

Gender:  I have a girl name picked out so far, and have not settled on a boy name that resonates with me.  So, life would be slightly easier if it's a girl, but who knows just yet.

Labor signs: None.

Belly button: in

Symptoms: I wake up nauseous still, but it goes away when I shake off the grogginess.  All of my nausea has pretty much revolved around being tired.  I also hit a wall about 1:00 in the afternoon where I must nap, and if I don't manage to get that nap in, I'm in bed by 9:00.  Generally I'm pretty happy too, I don't think I've been overly moody.  My husband would know best.

Wedding ring: On and loose.

Looking forward to: finding a new house for us all to move in so I can start getting babies bedroom ready.  We've been house hunting for so long, and it's frustrating and tiring.

Oh...baby?

Well, I think it's time to announce it.  This green momma is having a green baby!  We had our "oh crap" moment about 6 weeks ago when my like clockwork system came to a screeching halt.  Hubs and I have been talking about ending our reproductive abilities and then this!

We couldn't be happier though.  I always wanted three babies, and assumed about two years ago we were just done.  My youngest will turn 8 before this little one is born, so quite an age difference here.

Here is the ultrasound I got last week.  What a beautiful thing.  We couldn't hear this little one's heart beat just yet, but I saw it beating strongly.  What a moving moment.  We're so thrilled.  Now it's time to move, and start researching who to have the greenest, most natural baby I can and share what I learn with you all.

10 Eco-Friendly Mother's Day ideas

It's May and mother's day is around the corner and if you have an Eco-conscious mom you're shopping for here are some ideas for gift giving.  My husband thinks I'm so difficult to shop for, but here's a list of things I know I'd love to have.

1. Fair Trade Chocolate.  My favorite is dark chocolate.  Two brands that are most commonly found in grocery stores are Divine pictured to the right, and Black & Green.  Spoil your mom (of wife) away with some yummy chocolate. These bars are large, and typically cost about $4 each.

2. Organic Flowers. Here's an online store to get some organic flowers for your mom.  If they are out of your price range, check the local farmer's market for flowers.  Remember organic is good, so is local and it's great to support local farmers.

3.  If your mom has a green thumb, get her a gift that will keep on giving.  Some fruits that grow well in pots include strawberries and blueberries.  One of my favorite gifts I received two years ago was a blueberry bush.  It's still alive, it's easy to care for and it still gives me blueberries once a year.

4. Get mom some pretty grocery shopping bags.  My favorite is the Envirosax.  They usually run about $8 a pop, and they come in a multitude of colors and sizes. If you follow Mama Bargains she sometimes has them for about half the price, which is where I got mine.

5. If mom is a practical gal, one idea would be glass food containers.  I recently got some Pyrex glass containers.  I got new ones from Target but if your mom is into vintage stuff, I think something along the lines of those on the right would make a snazzy gift.  Storing your food in glass instead of plastic helps reduce your exposure to nasty chemicals like BPA.

6.  Make her dinner!  Taking her out to dinner is ok, but we tend to skip that in my house because Mother's Day is one of the busiest restaurant days of the year. Make the dinner special by getting her favorite foods locally.  If mom's a meat eater, get some meat from a local farm.  There really is a huge difference.  Fresh vegetables are available in some parts of the country now, get a nice spring mix of veggies and make her something special.

7. If mom is really into the local food movement, while you're out getting meat and veggies for the dinner sign her up for a local CSA so she can have fresh fruits and veggies all season long.

8. Mom like the outdoors?  One lovely way to spend the day is going on a hike.  I could give you a few links of how to find the best local places to go hiking, but honestly the best way is word of mouth.  Ask your friends on Facebook, or your neighbors (or her neighbors!).  The best places are almost never online (because people want them to be kept secrets!).

9.  Get mom a gift certificate from an online (or local) boutique that sells natural and organic hair care items and cosmetics like Soap for Goodness Sake.

10. Lastly, don't forget to give her a card.  Be sure to check for recycled green options like these or you can get crafty and make her something yourself.

Soap for Goodness Sake -- Giveaway

I stumbled across this cute little online shop a few months ago, and just knew my readers would love this place. Soap for Goodness Sake is a one man show (well, lady actually).   Kathy Byrd, with the support of her husband John began making soaps and cosmetics back in 2001.  She studied toxins and their effects on people carefully and worked to keep harmful chemicals out of her products.

There are so many natural and organic products to chose from, and even organic baby products.  I was spoiled a while back, when I lived in Colorado.  These types of products were readily available at the corner Whole Foods (because their was practically a Whole Foods on every corner).  However in rural Maryland finding healthy, organic products is hard.  Next to impossible it seems with out traveling a long distance to find them.

What I love about Soap for Goodness Sake:

• It's a small family company, run by a wife with the support of her husband.
• There are so many products to choose from and her prices are very reasonable.
• Shipping is also reasonable, which makes shopping here worthwhile.
• She lists the ingredients of each product right on the website.  Are you a label reader? Me too. She provides it all so you can chose what product is best for you.
• She's easy to reach.  Have a question?  Ask her. She's fabulous at checking her email, and gets back fast.

Kathy sent me a lovely shampoo and conditioner to try out.  The Exactly Geranium and Ylang Ylang Organic Shampoo and matching conditioner. My daughter and I are both using it, and it leaves our hair so soft and easy to manage.  My daughter's hair is especially tough, she has tight curls that can be a bear to manage.  This conditioner makes her hair so easy to comb out.  It smells lovely too.  I love the light fragrance I can smell when I kiss the top of her head. I also love knowing that there are no harmful chemicals, so I feel safe knowing she is using it.

We're doing a quick giveaway this week!  One lucky winner will receive a $15 gift certificate to Soaps for Goodness Sake.  Fill out the rafflecopter entry form below for your chance to win. If it's taking a long time to load (which it does sometimes) click here for my back up post. It loads faster!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Menu Plan Monday

What a week last week was.  I didn't even get any of my posts in.  Chicken death, acquiring new chickens..house hunting, taking the kids to the aquarium.  It was an insane week last week.  Hopefully this week settles down, and I can get stuff done.  I doubt it, but one can hope.  Right?

Anyway, enough of that here's what we're eating this week.  I am so glad we do these menu plans...because when life is insane, it's nice to not have to worry about dinner.  Right?


Monday: Spring Slaw with Smoked Shrimp
Tuesday: Caribbean Seafood Stew
Wednesday: Spinach and Feta Stuffed Chicken
Thursday: Crispy Chicken Wings
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: My birthday, busy day
Sunday: Hubby's birthday, out for maryland crabs!

Things I'd like to make if I have time:

Strawberry Honey Lime Spritzer

Grain Free Granola Bars

Honey Biscuits

Shopping List: Totaled to just about $100
Chicken thighs/breast
spinach
feta cheese
2lb bag of shrimp
bag of coleslaw mix (shredded cabbage)
bag of organic onions
heavy cream
1lb of white fish (what's on sale, think haddock, cod, halibut)
Wax paper
Cashews
dried cranberries (no sugar)
bag of oranges
bag of carrots
chicken wings bulk
frozen broccoli



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Menu Plan Monday

We're getting to the part of the month where we're scraping the bottom of the barrel.  We have only $60 to spend on groceries this week, and here's what we're doing with that.

Monday: Grilled Chicken leftovers
Tuesday: Cold dinner, chicken salad on the go
Wednesday: Taco night
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Primal Chicken Nuggets and Sweet Potato Fries
Saturday: Grilling time!!

Linking back to Organizing Junkie

Gluten Free Banana Muffins

I found this recipe the other day browsing the internet for healthy yummies to make for the family.  I tweaked it just a bit to suit my tastes and it was amazing, so here I am sharing it with you!

Here's what you'll need:

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
  
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 maple syrup (or honey)
• 3/4 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp. baking soda

Optional things to include:

• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 chocolate chips
• 1/2 crushed walnuts or pecans

Pick one!

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and line muffin tin with muffin papers, OR grease muffin tins with coconut oil.
2. Mix bananas, applesauce, and syrup in a bowl. 
3. When mixture is smooth, add dry ingredients.
4. Fold in any of the optional ingredients you choose, and then fill muffin tins 3/4's the way full.
5. Bake for 30 minutes.

The nutrition facts were based off this recipe making 20 muffins.  I love how it rated it a C+ in nutrition, crazy nutritionists!  Anyway,  enjoy!

8 Creative Ways Materials can be Recycled

Courtesy of: Fast Haul

Menu Plan Monday

This week's plan is somewhat simple.  We're always super busy at the beginning of the week, and I'm ready for the business to stop already.  It will soon, and we can slow down as the warmer weather comes.  Also, I'm mourning the loss of winter vegetables.  Spaghetti squash is no longer available at the grocery store, which just reaffirms my goal to grow all I will want/need for the following year. I love the earthy warm flavors of winter vegetables, and honestly, I'm not a fan of spring veggies..hence why I threw in one more winter casserole this week.  I'll get there, when it's hot.  As for now, I'm going to enjoy what earthy root veggies I can get my hands on.


Monday: Spaghetti with italian sausage
Tuesday: Salad to go
Wednesday: Creamy Primal Chicken and Sweet Potato Casserole
Thursday: Bourbon Mustard Pork Chops
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Grilled Chicken thighs -- Cook out!

Linking back to Organizing Junkie

Prosperity Candle Review and Giveaway

The Journey of a Candle

I'm so happy to introduce you to a very special candle company.  Prosperity Candle is not just a candle company, they are a social enterprise with a mission to empower women who have suffered the effects of war, and help them rebuild their lives through entrepreneurship. Prosperity Candle trains women in candle production, teaches them entrepreneurial skills to build and manage their business.  The company's focus is on creating real and sustainable market opportunities for women, as they believe that the key component to poverty alleviation is market-based solutions that complement traditional aid. I'd like to introduce you to one of the many women this company has helped.

Meet Moo Kho.  Born in Thailand, she was taken back to Burma when she was barely four years old by her grandmother, leaving behind her mother and father.  She was not reunited with her mother for another 15 years, at which time her father had tragically died. While in Burma, she experienced the horror of her village burned down, and people brutally killed in front of her.  She fled the country and settled in a refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border.

In 2008, Moo Koh, her husband and their young daughter arrived in the United States. It was part of a resettlement program in Springfield, Massachusetts coordinated by the Lutheran Family Services. Shortly after moving, she gave birth to twin daughters.  Today, Moo Kho proudly shares her accomplishments including having just been ordained as a minister in her Burmese church in Springfield.  When asked about her dreams, she quietly replies, "I am a servant of God.  Whatever God asks of me, that is what I will do."

Moo Koh works along side other women from Burma in their studio in West Springfield, Massachusetts. For many of these women, this is their first job and most of them have just started to learn English.  They produce a large number of candles, carefully pouring wax and trimming wicks.  Prosperity Candle is expanding, and has a pilot program in Haiti, and in Iraq.

I was sent a Peace, Prosperity, Opportunity Travel Tin to sample, straight from the studio in Springfield.  The fragrance of the candle was lovely.  Strong, but not overwhelming, I could even smell the fragrance when the candle wasn't lit.  This candle's fragrance filled my home, better than almost any candle I've tried.

Now you get a chance to win a sample, too!  The winner of this giveaway gets one recycled bottle candle pictured below. Enter the Rafflecopter form below to try this awesome candle.  Please know it's taking a bit to load, if you don't see it below and need to hurry click here for the faster loading post.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ten Reasons to grow a Vegetable Garden

I look forward each year to growing my own vegetables.  Here's a few reasons to give it a go if you haven't already.

1.  It's eco-friendly.  The food you grew in your back yard didn't travel 100 miles (or more) to get to your table. It's local food at it's finest, and is just a few steps away from your kitchen.
2. It's healthy.  You know what you've put into your vegetables, what you have or haven't sprayed on them.  It will also encourage you to eat your own vegetables because you worked hard to get them!
3. It's exercise.  Ever dig a hole?  What about digging up a hole garden? It's a work out! Weeding is too.  Gardening gets you outside, enjoy the fresh air. If you live in a hot climate like I do, make sure you do your digging and weeding first thing in the morning before the heat hits, and feel the benefits of a good work out the rest of your day.
4. It's educational. I homeschool so I find the educational value in everything. We're beginning a botany unit study and it's perfect to start our own seeds in and watch them grow.  Great timing, too.
5. It's cheap. This should have been #1 right? Done right with proper planning gardening can be cheap. It can be expensive, too. Ever read the $64 tomato?  If you're looking to stretch your budget, get your seeds, and get moving.  Seeds can be as cheap as $1 a packet, and you can get so much food for that dollar.
6. It's delicious. Any food you grow yourself is going to taste better than the bland stuff they sell at the store.  The kinds of vegetables they sell at the grocery store are usually varieties created to have a long shelf life so they can survive their trek to you.  Try new varieties or even old heirlooms that were created to taste good. Imagine... a red tomato. It's a marvelous thing.
7. It's a silent protest. I have lot's of issues with the FDA, and food in American in general.  When I grow my own food I don't buy it from someone else. Period. Don't like what's going on with food politics?  Stick it to the man, and grow it yourself. 
8. It's therapeutic.  Kids been yelling all day?  Boss get on your nerves at work?  Go outside, and pick at your garden. Listen to the birds, the kids playing in the neighborhood and unwind.  I always feel better after I get my evening pickins in.
9. It's beautiful. I love gardens of all kinds.  I have seen some breathtaking vegetable gardens.  Don't forget to mix in flowers and herbs in your garden.  Marigolds to keep the rabbits gone, some nasturtiums because they're yummy, and any other small little flower to attract bees and other pollinators to your back yard grocery store.
10. It's communal. I have swapped seeds with neighbors on both sides, and across the street.  We trade heirloom seeds, garlic, whatever we have on hand just to help each other have a beautiful variety of things to grow.  We also talk about solutions to problems we all might have.  Bottom line, it gets us talking and builds community.

Do you have a horrid brown thumb?  Next best solution to a back yard vegetable garden is joining a CSA.  Find a farmer, and keep it local!

Menu Plan Monday

Busy week this week, and lots of food to squeeze in during the week.  Here's our plan that ended up being less than $100 in groceries for the week.  Here's a picture of my husband's Citrus Cumin Pork Chops, the recipe will be up soon!!

Monday: Pan Roasted Chicken ThighsTuesday: Chicken Salad to go
Wednesday: Italian Sausage and spaghetti
Thursday: Citrus Cumin Pork Chops
Friday: Primal Pizza
Saturday: Butter Chicken
Sunday: Leftovers



Here's a breakfast treat I've been craving that I'll make at some point this week: Paleo Oatmeal

Linking back to Organizing Junkie.

Rain Barrels -- Green Projects

Here is a simple weekend project. Instead of paying a couple hundred bucks I don't have, I think we'll make one of these after the coop is finished.



Mr. Sexy Voice...

Dealing with Cancer as a New Mother - A Guest Post

I'd like to introduce you to to Heather Von St. James, a cancer survivor.  I know this isn't a green topic, but it's one of the heart to me.  My mother is also a cancer survivor, and cancer touches everyone.  Everyone.  We all need a story of hope, and triumph now and then, and here's one that will lift your heart.  For my friend Su, who's just beginning her battle, I hope this story gives you courage.  I think of you every day and the fight you're about to begin.

Here is Heather's story:

Dealing With Cancer as a New Mother

My Daughter Gave me The Courage to Triumph over Cancer

My daughter, who is only seven years old, frequently tells people the following words: "I saved my moms life." She says these words automatically, in the same way that she tells me when she is hungry or that she is not feeling well. Her feelings about saving my life are so much a part of her nature that she says the words without even thinking about them ahead of time. A few individuals may think her words are greatly exaggerated, but these persons simply do not comprehend the underlying truth of my daughter's words. Nevertheless, I am always the first person to let people know that Lily's words are absolutely correct.   

Cameron, my dear husband, and I never discussed the possibility of having children until we were married for seven years. I was already 35 years old, and I felt a certain amount of anxiety about the idea of having a baby at an older age. I really did not know how long we would need to wait before I got pregnant, but, after only three months after we decided to have a baby, and after taking three pregnancy tests, we received the news! I was definitely pregnant, and I was going to have the experience of being a MOM!  Whenever I reflect upon how quickly I began to act like a mother, I always start to laugh. I used to place my hand on my stomach and rub it because I knew that our tiny baby was slowly developing. I know I thought of many different things as I contemplated the thought of being a mother. What type of mommy would I be to our child? Would my baby think it was fun to spend time with me? Would I be strict enough to instill my child with good values? Would I be too strict? The only thing I really knew, more than any other thought that was floating around in my brain at the time, was that the most important thing was for me to be an excellent mother. 

Even though I experienced a very easy pregnancy, the experience soon became more difficult. Lily was a breech birth, and I had to have an unexpected emergency C-section. I am, to this very day, shocked when I think about the degree of emotion that overpowered me the first time I held Lily. In an instant, I recognized the fact that I was going give my baby daughter an abundant amount of love, security and joy. I had the desire to help her to attain her greatest potential in life. I wanted to be her teacher and coach. I wanted to give her all the love that I was capable of giving to another person. As soon as I had the experience of holding my daughter, everything else was insignificant. I knew that my future life was going to be focused on Lily. I did not want to ever let her go. This was an incredibly perfect moment. In fact, it was so flawless that it was impossible to imagine the turmoil that was about to come into my life.

I received the devastating medical diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma 3 ½ months after my daughter was born. Besides the bad news, my physician informed me that I would only live for 15 more months unless I began a treatment program right away. I thank God for the inner strength my husband possessed when he heard the negative report. As for myself, I was in a state of shock. I could only think about my daughter. I could not imagine Lily and Cameron living their lives without my presence. While all of these thoughts were racing through my head, my husband Cams paid close attention to the available options mentioned by my physician. Cameron didn't wait for as long as one minute to decide that we were going to travel to the place that offered the most drastic treatment plan. We went to Boston and met with a famous mesothelioma doctor who performed a complex surgical operation that involved removing my left lung, the lining of my heart and my diaphragm. I spent a total of 18 days in the hospital and an additional two weeks in an excellent Boston outpatient clinic. After this period passed, I traveled to my mom and dad's house to recuperate. I spent two months in South Dakota with my parents, who took care of Lily. At the end of the two-month period, I traveled back to my house in Minnesota to start chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

I believe I did what any other mother would do in the same situation. I made sacrifices so that I could provide Lily with the care she needed while she was growing up. I had to spend one month away from Lily, which was very difficult. But, my little daughter enabled me to conquer my fears and undergo surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

When I think about my experience with mesothelioma, a type of cancer that has a survival rate of only 5 percent, I know that the thought of being a mom helped me to fight the battle. The reason why I was able to continue was because I knew that Lily was going to need me for a long time. So, when Lily tells people, "I saved my mom from dying," she is stating a true fact.