Monday, December 24, 2012

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Skinny Monkey Cookies recipe

Since going gluten and largely dairy free for my son, we are always on the hunt for a new cookie recipe! I found this on Once a Month Mom a while back and forgot to share it. Super easy and yum.


You literally mash/mix all the stuff and let it set. I used gluten free oats.


I rolled it in coconut for something extra.


Bake, enjoy, freeze extra!

Ology by Walgreen's: Review


A few weeks ago I was contacted to do to review on Walgreen's new line, Ology. At first glance I was hesitant, wondering how on Earth a Walgreens brand would be applicable to my blog and lifestyle! Then I did a little reading and saw that Healthy Child, Healthy World had given them their blessing. That intrigued me!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

My 3 Favorite Family Themed Zazzle.com Products


I stopped by Zazzle.com today to look at what they have- check out the hilarious shirts!

My hubs really IS a Super Dad. Up all night with an angry, teething baby? Making dinner while I work a part time evening job(and juggling 3 kids 5 and under at the same time)? Scrubbing the bathtub, my most hated job eveah? Oh yes, yes he really IS a Super Dad!

Super Dad Stripes Shirt
Super Dad Stripes Shirt
Look at another t-shirts for dad

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

For the Love of Mothers


I've been thinking a lot lately about self image. And I've posted some about it before, but never could quite get what I wanted to say out. And then today a friend linked to this post over at Offbeatmama.

She really said it all so much more beautifully than I ever did or could. The only thing I want to add, is how I arrived at the conclusion that I am, in fact, beautiful. Not just saying it for my children's sake.

My grandma, perhaps the original Crazy Green Mommy.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Design Your Dream Nursery Contest!


I don't often ask but.... would you consider voting for my Force of Nature room in the Layla Grace contest, please?
It would be so awesome to be in the running! Thank you, thank you!

$500 Christmas Cash Giveaway!!

Christmas Cash Giveaway Event

Please take a moment to visit our sponsor: Emperola.com!

Emperola.com was founded in summer 2012 in order to provide visitors with daily updated list of contests, giveaways, sweepstakes and deals. Enter your email here for a chance to win $500 in cash. If you host any kind of giveaway or contest feel free to submit your contest at Emperola for free.

Stop by and say congrats to Mom to Bed by 8 who is celebrating their 3rd annual gift guide!

Who couldn't use a little extra holiday money? Have fun, good luck, and thanks to everyone for taking the time to enter our giveaway.

One lucky reader will receive $500 {winner's choice of Visa Gift Card, Paypal Cash or Amazon Gift Card}!

Giveaway ends December 5th at 11:59pm, open to worldwide, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Friday, November 2, 2012

Belated Pumpkin Pictures

Sorry, I'm slow on the picture uploads! Oh well, cute pictures don't really have an expiration, right?

Princess Nina and Baby Lion Sam

Crazy Green Daddy and Angry Cupcake Annie

We went to a local church's party one night and played games, bounced, etc. Then went to our local zoo for their 'Night Eye's' walk we do every year. Even hit up the small main street area I work on briefly! All before Beggars' Night! (And in one weekend)

This year we also did a little 'switch witch' with the kids. I think it went well. We took turns picking out a few pieces to keep, put the rest back in the bag and put the bag on the porch for the switch witch to exchange for a gift. She brought a felt prince crown and a stuffed chicken. The children were happy, the parents were happy, I do believe she'll be making a visit in the future for all such other candy surplus!

Easy Butternut Squash and Ham Pasta (recipe, if you can call it that!)


You may have noticed we are sans menu plan this week. That's right, I'm flying by the seat of my pants. Or the seat of my fridge/freezer/pantry. Life happens, ick sick happens, new part time job happens, and that's why you have stuff like THIS in the pantry, my friends.


An empty jar and paltry kids' bowl of leftovers. 'Cause I forgot and this is all that was left!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Dinner: Delicata Squash and Braised Radishes


Sometimes(make that oftentimes) my eyes/stomach win out over my brain and I come home with things I don't really know what to do with. Last week it was a delicata squash and bunch of radishes!

Egg from our flock with chives and purple basil, bacon from local farm, sauteed chard with shiitake mushrooms, delicata squash, radishes and some pear. We eat Real!

Monday, October 22, 2012

Menu Monday


Squeaking it in, I am! Feeling back to normal after the long weekend of laundry, laundry, and more laundry. But excited to try some new dishes this week using the groceries purchased from our local food cooperative. As I make them throughout the week, I will post the recipes.

Since we're finally getting eggs again, eggs are on the menu!

Friday, October 19, 2012

Rooster, you reprobate!



The first twenty minutes or so of my morning usually goes something like this: after rolling out of bed in the wee hours of the morn, putting a kettle on and sitting down to my email, I soak in the remaining silence.

But it hasn't been so silent here of late. Enter, Rooster. Cock-a-doodle-doo!

(Apologies for blurry picture, he's a mover and a shaker)

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Eat your heart out, Marthas! Canning


Just a portion of the delicious things we've been up to!


We were busy, busy the past few weeks working on canning produce from our garden. Our apple trees are still very young, so we were thankful to have access to apples from my dad's house. He has 2 MacIntosh and 1 Jonathan tree. Despite a late freeze, his neighborhood was a pocket where the apple trees did extremely well. I'm sorry to say most of them went to waste despite my efforts to talk with the homeowners and get apples to those who would use them. *tear*

Monday, October 15, 2012

Weekly Menu October 15


It's no secret that I like food. Love, food. Am very passionate about food! It's been an every evolving process over the past 5 years, starting with cans of ravioli. Oh, yes. We all have to start somewhere. I've felt strongly about chemical use and GMO's for some time and am now beginning to do better at locally sourced foods. My hope is that my weekly menu will continue to evolve and better reflect what is available to me locally, seasonally.

Currently, 'tis the season of squash and root vegetables- my favorites!

Grass-fed, local hamburger patty with homemade pickles and relish, some avocado and greens on a GF bun. Side of oven roasted sweet potato fries. We eat well at the Crazy Green House!


Sunday, October 14, 2012

Saturday, October 13, 2012

You Say Tomato...(dehydrating)


Despite the crazy hot temps this summer, we did manage to get a few tomatoes. The larger variety didn't do that great but the cherry ones really took off. I had hundreds of sweet little things! So when the first big freeze loomed I knew we had to grab everything out that we wanted to save.

What's a girl to do with a bazillion cherry tomatoes?

Google, baby!

I found a few different ideas and settled on dehydrating, since my mother in law had let us borrow her machine to do apple slices.(Now on my Christmas list!)

Such pretty little things, in a bowl or a pitcher or cut up on the tray.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Glider to Porch Swing- DIY Conversion

My pretty white swing (purchased on clearance, from Lowe's, 30$) went the way of the DoDo finally. I tried budgeting in for all of our yard stuff this year but didn't figure in the cost of a new swing. And I'm not about to wait until fall to try and score another clearance one. The pergola swing is My spot. My perch, if you will, by which I survey the yard, gardens, children and chickens. I *need* my swing!

My loving husband moved the glider we got off craigslist for free last year, to the spot where my swing was so I'd have a place to sit. (He knew I was agitated with out it, haha.)

And that gave me the brilliant idea- why not convert the glider(which I didn't really like)- to a porch swing?

Before the dismantling

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Many Happy Returns!


I'm Alive.

the Big Girl and Moi.

Life got crazy so I took a break, but have been feeling the pull to write again and share things we're learning, so here we go! Back in the saddle. I can do this! What exactly will 'this' look like? Not entirely sure. We've gone gluten free and mostly dairy free. Learning more about nutrition, herbs, gardening and the like. Always trying more recipes! May or may not do reviews and giveaways. Or if I do, will hop in a hop and let someone else drive that train(haha).

Before when writing, I was somewhat careful to try and mask quite a bit of who I am and what I'm really all about, in part an effort not to make anyone feel disenfranchised, but also just because I wasn't brave enough. So here's me, shaking that off.

Hi, my name is Stacy. I'm 30 years old and live in the midwest. I come from a big family and have a really, really, really big extended family. With lots of opinions! I grew up attending both Lutheran and Latter Day Saints(Mormon) churches but currently do not attend any. I enjoy cooking, learning new things, making something out of nothing, gardening, reading, singing. I am against GMOs, question much of modern medicine and am fascinated by holistic practices. We choose to cloth diaper, sometimes use baby carriers, breastfeed as long as we can, do not vaccinate, do not circumcise and attend public school. I am for Marriage Equality. Some day I'd like a picture of my gardens to be in a magazine, to write and publish a book and learn to play the cello. We try to follow many attachment type parenting ideas but seem to fail more often than not. I am really concerned about our environment and our food system.

I have a lot to learn, and you are welcome to join me.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Motherhood: In My Gut

I'm fascinated by the gut. If I could choose one thing to go back to school and learn everything about, it would be all about the gut.

You know the saying, 'I've got a gut feeling.' Well I never really thought about it in depth until recently. They call the gut our second brain due to the information actually gathered there and sent out about our health to our body. The health of our gut influences our mood, for one. It makes me wonder about how our Standard American Diet has impacted our gut- perhaps leading to such high use of antidepressants?

Today I had a little convo with another mother about their journey in becoming gluten free. Her child exhibits the same symptoms my son did/does. I mentioned how this past weekend, after being gluten and dairy free for several weeks, I cheated. With pizza. Pizza has been one of the big things we've been missing and one of the first things I planned to eat when my family wasn't around. That same night I woke up with some of the most painful cramps I've ever had in my life. If I had my head about me, may have helped to use my Hypnobabies training to cope! It was that bad.

And it occurred to me, this must be how my son feels when eating gluten and dairy. All of those times he cried about his belly hurting. The awful diapers. The sleepless nights.

The horrendous sleep deprivation.

The constant suggestions by family to let him cry it out so as to learn to sleep through the night.

No, this isn't another post on why not to CIO.

It's a post on why to follow your own gut as a mother.

You see I knew all along something wasn't right. That it wasn't just a matter of him learning to sleep on his own or through the night. I could hear it in his cry. It was frustrating to be told repeatedly just to leave him alone. Or offers of taking him for a week so he could be 'taught'. This may also tie into why now it's so hard for me to feel comfortable in letting him go anywhere for long; even with family, it's difficult to trust they will be paying attention to what's going on under the surface of what may appear to be typical toddler behavior.

Despite having the gut knowledge that they were wrong, after a while I wanted them to be right. I was so exhausted. And I did try it. Twice. Once, he had a bug in his pajamas. The other time, he had an awful dirty diaper that you couldn't smell until it was removed. No, I did not let him cry himself to sleep either time, but still let him cry when I felt something was wrong because someone was there telling me to(let him).

After that I said no more. But it wasn't until today that I put two and two together, to understand and bring some closure to the sleep(less) experience we barely survived. I still don't know what propelled us to this point. How an otherwise healthy baby can be breastfed for 17 months, have a fairly healthy diet and still end up with these digestive issues. Was it the IV antibiotics we had during his birth? The one antibiotic dose he had before we discovered his penicillin allergy? Or just genetics? I didn't know then what I know now about probiotic use, so I'm not sure. Maybe it's a combination of several things.

As I get deeper into Motherhood with all of it's challenges(Oh baby, are there many!), I'm gradually exploring my own personal power to discern what's best for my children, regardless what society or my family deems normal. If this knowledge was there all along, what else am I capable of?

Have you had a similar experience?

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Make your own detergent


Many of my friends have made their own detergent and I've seen it all over the 'net. But I'm always late to the party. So I didn't give it a go until this past weekend. Here's what we did:

I modified a recipe found on Padded Tush Stats. This is a great link as it breaks down what people have found work best for washer type and water type. Part of why I waited so long to test this out myself was being unsure of it's effect on cloth diapers. What Padded Tush Stats put together really makes it easy!

Chicks!

Cheep, Cheep!

Black Copper Maran or Olive Egger(think it's the Olive)


Jump, jump, little buddy!

Friday, March 23, 2012

Booty Buns 500$ Cloth Diaper Giveaway!

Booty Buns Giveaway Event
Welcome to the Go Green ♥ Give Charity Cloth Diaper Giveaway Event sponsored by Booty Buns Cloth Diapers! Over 175 blogs have teamed up to present this amazing cloth diaper giveaway hosted by Daily Mothering.
Here's your chance to win an entire stash of one-size cloth diapers!

This amazing cloth diaper prize pack includes:

20 Booty Buns One-Size Cloth Diapers
(these true one-size cloth diapers fit 3-45 lbs!)
20 matching flannel/terry cloth wipes
40 microfiber inserts
20 cotton flannel liners
Booty Buns Cloth Diaper Giveaway
(picture does not show inserts or liners also included)

First, a little about Booty Buns...

Booty Buns One-Size Cloth Diapers
In case you haven't heard about them, Booty Buns Cloth Diapers are incredible one-size cloth diapers that truly fit from birth to potty training! They feature a snap-down rise with 5 different snap settings (most one-size diapers only have 3!) and a waist with 10 regular snap settings plus 2 crossover snap settings. The diapers have hip snaps to prevent wing droop on smaller sizes. The incredible size range of this diaper fits from 3-45 lbs!
Booty Buns One-Size Cloth Diapers
Booty Buns Cloth Diapers are pocket diapers and each diaper includes 2 snap-on microfiber inserts that can be stuffed into the diaper or laid on top with the included cotton flannel liner against your child's skin. The diapers have a waterproof PUL outer and a soft suedecloth inner with dual gussets on the inner lining to ensure everything stays IN the diaper! Booty Buns One-Size Cloth Diapers come in an assortment of bright colors and each diaper includes a matching handmade flannel/terry wipe. You can find out more about the diapers at Booty Buns, or check out the detailed Booty Buns One-Size Cloth Diaper Review at Daily Mothering!
Booty Buns Cloth Diapers
Booty Buns is dedicated to encouraging others to "go green" and "give charity." Shannon, the owner of Booty Buns Cloth Diapers, leads by example. For every diaper that Booty Buns sells, she donates one Booty Buns Cloth Diaper to a child in need in the US and third-world countries. Booty Buns is the exclusive cloth diapers donator for Operation Showers Of Appreciation, and they are also donating diapers to babies that have severe medical issues here in the US. Shannon hopes to donate a lifetime supply of cloth diapers {20 diapers} to every baby in need around the globe. You can join in this effort by purchasing your own set of Booty Buns Cloth Diapers and telling your friends about Booty Buns!
Make sure to stop by and follow Booty Buns via Facebook, Twitter and Blog for news and giveaways!

And now for the giveaway!!

Booty Buns Cloth Diaper Giveaway
ONE WINNER will receive this gigantic cloth diaper prize pack valued at $546!
And, the winner will get to select their choice of diaper colors!
This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada.
Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.
Sign in using your Facebook account OR your name and email address.
Click "Do It" for instructions on how to complete each entry.
There is no mandatory entry. Complete as many entries as you wish.
The more entries you submit, the better odds you have of winning!

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary

How are things going in your gardens?

The crazy early spring here in my neck of the woods has meant super early planting. Much, much earlier than anything I've ever done before. Granted, I'm usually late on my cool weather stuff so even being on time would be early for me!

Monday, March 19, 2012

Who's that Girl?

Growing up, my mom told me all the time how my feet were huge.

Ok, she really was just complaining about how quickly my feet were growing and lamenting my seemingly constant need for new shoes. But that's not how I heard it!

She also frequently told me I should get on the elliptical for 10 minutes to lose a few pounds.

Sneak Peek: $500+ Cloth Diaper Giveaway Starts Saturday!

Booty Buns Cloth Diaper Giveaway

Would you like to win a LIFETIME SUPPLY of cloth diapers?!
The Go Green ♥ Give Charity Cloth Diaper Giveaway Event sponsored by Booty Buns Cloth Diapers starts this Saturday, March 24th!

Over 175 blogs are coming together to present this fantastic fluffy giveaway hosted by Daily Mothering. Mark your calendar because you don't want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win an entire stash of one-size cloth diapers!

ONE WINNER will receive a gigantic cloth diaper prize pack valued at $546!
And, the winner will get to select their choice of diaper colors!

This amazing prize pack will include:

20 Booty Buns One-Size Cloth Diapers
(these true one-size cloth diapers fit 3-45 lbs!)
20 matching flannel/terry cloth wipes
40 microfiber inserts
20 cotton flannel liners
Booty Buns Cloth Diaper Giveaway
(picture does not show inserts or liners also included)
This giveaway will be open to U.S. and Canada.

Come back March 24-31 for your chance to win it all!

Monday, March 12, 2012

You're Going to Feel Itchy

The Man. He keeps kicking me when I'm down!

Last Monday my oldest said her head itched. I looked and didn't see anything. Tuesday she was really itching and complained again. This time I saw red spots around her ears and neck. So I jumped on the net to google up what was going on. Imagine my dismay when I realized what we had.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

The Top 10 Baby Items Every Parent Needs


Have you ever checked out a big box store's registry 'suggested' list for new parents? It is a little overwhelming. And I'm here to tell you, most of it isn't truly necessary. All of that extra stuff just costs money and takes up space! I don't know about your house, but space is at a premium here in our little home. I'm ok with that as I'm not big on taking care of junk that goes unused. As parents, we have enough to do without clutter absorbing our time. Here is my list of must-haves in no particular order of importance:

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Teething Got You Down? Camilia by Boiron Review

Teething. The thought makes me shudder. And yet, at just almost 4 months it seems that's where we are heading all too quickly with Miss Annie! My kids are early teethers and very slow, painful teethers. We get fevers, rashes, icky diapers, etc. that lasts for months. And sleep if there ever was any, out the window! I've tried Tylenol, Motrin, amber necklaces and other homeopathic tablets. For my son, nothing worked! Until a friend introduced me to the wonders of these bitty little drops...


Oh Camilia, how I love thee! Let me count the ways... 

Vacationing in Winona, Minnesota!

We took off for an extended weekend the first of March in celebration of our 6th Anniversary! So what do we do to celebrate and relax?

Go to my mom's.

No, really.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Belated New Year's Resolutions

A day late and a dollar short.

What does that mean, anyways? Well, I think it may be applicable to this post. In addition to the, 'better late than never' phrase, too. It may be March but hey! No sense in waiting until next year to kick off doing things in a better way!

Introducing, Stacy's 2012 New Year's Resolutions:

1. Don't get pregnant.

2. Get in shape. And not a round shape. See #1.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

How Not to Screw Up Your Kid

So there's this funny thing about giving...

I've been pondering the subject of giving lately. Specifically, what happens post-giving. Example: I give or do something that isn't necessarily easy for me, for someone else. And then am flooded with random blessings.

My question is this: Is it karma, or do we simply see things differently after having made a sacrifice?

Sleep, Allergies and Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

Also known as bleh. (The cookies. Ok, maybe the other two, too.)


Friday, February 24, 2012

SPD in Pregnancy and What Worked for Me

About the 30 week mark the past two pregnancies, I start getting some pain in my left leg. It starts in the hip, down the thigh, and progresses until it reaches my foot. No position brings relief- sitting, standing, laying down. Sleep is elusive due to the discomfort. Walking is even worse. I believe this, my friends, is called Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Thirsties All in One: Review

The other day I was placing my millionth Amazon order for Camilia(more on that stuff later) and you know, just can't resist the 25$ minimum order free shipping. Crafty, crafty marketing! In addition to the things we truly needed, I decided to get a new cloth diaper to try out: The NEW Thirsties All in One! Honestly I didn't even know it was new at the time. Then after ordering of course saw a ton a buzz on the 'net about them.

Look at me lookin' like I have some clue as to what's going on(not really).

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Wordless Wednesday- Haircut!


Looking for a new Ped: Vaccination and the Right to Choose

*Recognizing this may raise the ire of some, but that's ok. We are all entitled to our own opinions. Please remember, if you have something to say and it's not kind, post it on your own page. Thank you!

Last June, my son stepped on a rose thorn while gardening at the front of the house. I got to him immediately and removed it; making sure there were no additional thorns or anything left behind. Either Tuesday or Wednesday(can't remember for sure which!) after his bath I noticed the bottom of that foot had an odd bruisey-rashy thing going on. We soaked it in some hydrogen peroxide and that seemed to reduce the redness some.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Spring cleaning

Spring is definitely in the air! Not only do I have almost all of my garden seeds in my hot little hands, but I've also caught a big case of Spring Cleaning. It's times like these, I'm so thankful for my little house!

There was a great article in the Vitacost newsletter last week talking about clutter. Basically, that we are stressed out because we have too much junk in the house. I totally believe it. In the past I attributed my craziness with things being in their place or toss/donation happy to a light case of OCD. Now I'm starting to wonder if my brain is just ahead of the game!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Have you seen a Hemangioma?

One thing I've learned repeatedly with all my kids- each kid is different. Very different! I thought I'd seen it all until Annie came along. She had some swelling in the chest area due to hormones(had read about it but never saw it with the other kids; that was interesting) and she also has what's called a hemangioma.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Honeysuckle Breastmilk Storage Bags


In my quest for breastmilk storage bags, this time I turned to Amazon to see what was out there. Sure, I could get the usual Lansinoh or Medela in town. But I haven't been thrilled with them. The Medela ones were just too small and stiff in my opinion. And Lansinoh I dislike even more. After using them for almost 4 years, I decided we were through playing the 'Is this one going to break and we'll lose all that milk?!' game. 

Friday, February 17, 2012

A Little Love for the Ladies!

Here's a little peek at the lovely ladies supplying us with seemingly endless eggs of late:

Our Black Australorp

An all white Easter Egger

One of our Barred Rocks(the other escaped the camera)

Our other Easter Egger

Our Rhode Island Red.

And my favorite chicken of all. 

They really are so fun to listen to outside. I love closing my eyes and feeling like I'm on a farm! The kids love to watch them, too. My husband says they are his friends. I'm not even joking. These are some very coddled hens. They've spent nary a night this winter without their heat lamp on! But hey, whatever makes the man that's cleaning the coop happy!
 
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