tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13529352763012017852024-03-05T22:23:21.353-06:00Adventures in Green LivingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.comBlogger362125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-10439496587576314052014-05-15T11:13:00.001-05:002014-05-15T11:13:38.164-05:00Remembering the Mothers of Sick ChildrenA friend of mine shared this piece yesterday: http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2014/05/remember-mothers-sick-children.html.<br />
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Thankfully it was in the evening, as I may or may not have had an immediate mini-meltdown to the point that my husband put me to bed.<br />
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I'd say most days I do ok, but that's pretty much a lie. It's always there, under the surface. The consuming worry about my son's health and the weight of how the decisions I make for him affect it.<br />
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I feel like we are invisible, at best judged without being truly seen. There is compassion afforded to those who have more visible or better known illnesses. Ones that maybe require frequent hospitalizations, surgeries, or medications. And not to say I envy anyone those, not at all. There is simply an undeniable difference in support I've witnessed dependent on the type of illness.<br /><br />We are caught between a rock and a hard place right now. More is coming out all the time on digestive health and what can all go wrong with it, but it's still so new, not even many doctors understand what it all entails. We saw multiple doctors of various types over the past 2+ years, and all of them said my son was healthy or would grow out of whatever was going on. 'Just look at him, he's alert and active!' Yes! And I'd like to keep it that way! So what does that make me? The crazy, over-reacting mom?<br /><br />Pretty much.<br />
<br />No one else, besides my husband, is around 24/7 to see the changes. Or to have heard the constant pain in his cry those first few years of his 4 1/2 year old life. I'm not crazy. I've taken care of kids of all kinds for almost 20 years. I know the range of normal, and I know that my son is not in that range. But he's also not enough out of it, for it to be so obvious to others who don't see him as often.<br /><br />But back to the posted piece and the small hole it broke in my carefully constructed dam yesterday. <br /><br />I've felt so tired lately. Emotionally, mentally, physically. There's been a lot going on the last few years besides the issues with my son's health, which probably just exacerbates everything. After picking my husband up from work, I'd mentioned the tiredness and lack of feeling happy that day, blaming it mostly on hormones. While really silently saying to myself, 'God, I just need a break.'<br /><br />I remember what it was like to have a healthy child. To trust that the mood swings, night waking, off bowel movement, skin rash, etc. were just temporary and that her healthy body would right whatever was going on. I remember feeling joy to wake up in the morning and see my son snuggled in our bed, to trust that the breastmilk I provided him would make him healthy. <br />I remember feeling like I was finally doing some things right, after the first-child syndrome of feeling like I was doing everything wrong. <br />
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I haven't felt pretty much any of those things for the last 3 years.<br /><br />Instead, I have to be hyper-aware of changes in behavior, bowel movements, night waking, skin rashes. I have to try to determine the root cause of my son(or any of the others, for that matter) climbing in bed with us in the middle of the night. I have to carefully weigh and question everything I feed him and them. And wonder what mistakes I've made when something seems off.<br /><br />I can remember one day in the past year, possibly longer, that I felt a sense of pure joy for an extended period of time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaE9SYVgmy9Rg2eiHtsTcPG7N4YgJYoB9wixHxUJb9t9xlQRWLMOOVGDzynnawlh2rsf3I-iqc27XNeI1kUi42sKQ05TJspFcnegw6qXD1knizG_j0mhqztG4UDoFwsJ6XY7CebbI3G1w/s1600/anniemeorchard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaE9SYVgmy9Rg2eiHtsTcPG7N4YgJYoB9wixHxUJb9t9xlQRWLMOOVGDzynnawlh2rsf3I-iqc27XNeI1kUi42sKQ05TJspFcnegw6qXD1knizG_j0mhqztG4UDoFwsJ6XY7CebbI3G1w/s1600/anniemeorchard.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The day, but not the moment that I realized I was happy.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7TcwhBYJAwTDYdHseNyURmrv5fpj7yqLStPdLP4iXO0tRkpF6U21ifd6qHKXqo5qTll8VAXEAEA05hNdgu8PCzuQzXGrtHzrDuTGfDG0gxlEJ2H2Gbm1S35_uhhBYSP0iZ6tZLVgmHow/s1600/needtocrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7TcwhBYJAwTDYdHseNyURmrv5fpj7yqLStPdLP4iXO0tRkpF6U21ifd6qHKXqo5qTll8VAXEAEA05hNdgu8PCzuQzXGrtHzrDuTGfDG0gxlEJ2H2Gbm1S35_uhhBYSP0iZ6tZLVgmHow/s1600/needtocrop.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>I know this sounds like depression. But it is not. I know what depression is. <br />This is what it's like to have a child with an invisible illness few understand but many are quick to judge.<br />(Although, to be honest, even more 'awareness' doesn't seem to necessarily help- I feel those in the autistic community are so, so poorly treated and served. And they have an entire month dedicated to 'awareness'!)<br /><br />I do recognize this is no way to live, regardless of what's going on. I am working on shedding the guilt and self-doubt, so I can be happy for myself and model happiness for my children. But I want to convey what it's like for those us in these not-as-obvious trenches. It is hard, and we are tired. We don't need your quick judgments on the decisions we are doing our best to make for our families. Please carefully consider the comments, meme's, etc. you make and share in various places, like facebook. Please be more quick to offer support and encouragement to those you know are struggling, even if you don't understand the struggle. <br /><br />Don't know how or what they need? Ask. Just ask. The question alone would go a long way, even if we are unable to answer it.<br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-48291657818394077472014-01-17T01:49:00.001-06:002014-01-17T01:53:46.788-06:00I'm-multi-colored-in-a-herd-of-black-and-white-zebras-AND-I-am-awesome<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Would it be terrible of me to say, you're not really special?</span><br />
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And neither am I.<br />
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I don't mean it in a bad way. But it seems the idea of being special has morphed into something different than what was drilled into our heads in elementary and suddenly... not so good. Not so, I'm-multi-colored-in-a-herd-of-black-and-white-zebras-AND-I-am-awesome. </div>
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I've got problems. You've got problems. The person next to you's got problems. (Bigger problems than my grammar, promise.) And that's ok. There are more angles people are coming from in life than there are stars in the sky. </div>
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And this is where it appears things have changed. We seem so hell-bent on comparing ourselves against one another, of measuring our problems, our 'specialties' against the person talking at us. At us, not to us, or with us. We assume they don't get it, can't get it, DON'T YOU SEE MY PROBLEM IS BIGGER THAN YOURS? And the opportunity to lift each other up is lost because, I Am So Alone.<br />
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We aren't really so different. The shell, the container, the name of our struggle may be different, but the insides are the same. We're all a little afraid. We all need understanding, love, and support. So rather than look for all the many different ways we're wrapped, and measure ourselves against each other, please. Please. Let's look for the things we have in common and go from there. </div>
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You are not alone. </div>
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And neither am I.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-15880787042414562612013-11-01T18:02:00.001-05:002013-11-01T18:02:17.692-05:00Where I admit to being a FitMom<br />Or a variation of.<br />
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I took some time to reflect on why the attacks on this woman are so upsetting to me- and realized it's because I am Fitmom by various degrees.<br /><br />Growing up, I was(and still am) smaller than most of my friends. Any time I made a comment about myself, I was(lovingly, mostly) told to shut up because I'm skinny. Unfortunately, they didn't hear my mom's constant comments about my feet being giant and see how that translated to me buying shoes a size too big. They didn't hear my mom's comments that 'no kid of mine ever fit in a slim jean!' and see how that caused me to buy baggy pants. My mom also told me for a long time that 'you should really jump on the Nordic Track for 20mins, you could stand to lose 10lbs'. So, I thought I was overweight. This was in addition to many assuming my family was the real life version of the Brady Bunch, while behind closed doors things were very, very bad. I ended up experimenting with cutting for a time and considered if it was worth continuing. Because I was thin(ner) it seemed I didn't have the right to voice my own body issues. I felt very isolated.<br /><br />I still feel very isolated. It seems the same physical assumptions from my childhood have followed me into adulthood, and now extend to the way I keep my house, or the choices I make for my family. Then I lost 10lbs a little over a year ago when we had to make dietary changes for my son.<br /><br />Ironically, a few weeks before Fitmom's picture went viral, I almost took a photo of myself to post to my facebook page in celebration of what I've achieved mentally and emotionally. I wore brown skinny pants, fitted cream sweater that didn't hide my butt/thighs, shoes the right size, and my hair pulled back(which I didn't do in high school because I was so ashamed of my skin). I did not post the picture, because I was afraid of the comments I might get. I don't think anyone would be intentionally mean, but I do know it'd only cause some to feel bad about themselves and post a comment alluding to as much. And that really hurts me, to know others are hurting. There was no caption I could think of that I thought could contain it to what it was- my accomplishment.<br /><br />So again, ladies, my plea. Be gentle with one another, be gentle with yourself. We are all Fitmoms by various degrees.<br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-27898346073236934672013-11-01T17:23:00.001-05:002013-11-01T17:25:09.732-05:00Where I Rant About Fitmom<div>
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(Or rather, the response.)</div>
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You've seen it. We probably all have. That picture of the ridiculously good looking mom with the abs I could wash my stretchy pants on, posing with her three kids around her. Caption: 'What's Your Excuse?'</div>
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I first saw it shared from a facebook page looking for 'thoughts'. Those always crack me up, those posts looking for thoughts. When I first started reading the comments I jumped in the same boat as most and was a little put off by that fit mom challenging me as I sat in my chair wasting more time on the internet. But not as put off as much as most. And then I came across a comment that bucked the trend, the commenter stating we didn't know this mom, didn't know of her personal struggles, that she(the person commenting) had followed the fitmom's blog for years and that the image was meant for her fitness group. So I went digging. And realized I was wrong in my initial judgement.<br />
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That's right, I said judgement. Because that's what it was. <br />
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'But Stacy! She is judging all of us for not looking like her!'<br />
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No, no she is not. She made a motivational image meant to inspire her fitness group. It wasn't made to disseminate to all women. It is a celebration of what she's accomplished despite her own personal hurdles. She makes no assumption of yours or mine(hurdles), doesn't even declare our goals to be synonymous. Because the image was never intended for us.<br />
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But the response- let's just call it what it is. Bullying. The bullying she received is very telling.<br />
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'Telling of what, Stacy? How catty women are? That's sexist!'<br />
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How much we hate ourselves. <br />
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How much we've been sold that we're not good enough, pretty enough, rich enough, skinny enough, fashionable enough, smart enough. You name it, we're not up to par. According to whom, I'm not exactly sure. Media, society as a whole, companies who's sole objective is to sell us stuff to make up for these perceived shortcomings. Take your pick, take them all.<br />
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It boils down to us. Ladies, stop comparing yourselves to one another, stop tearing each other down. The conspirator-ist in me can't help but think sometimes it's all meant to be a distraction. Because let's be honest, if we actually put our self-hate-filled-words down, and banded together, we would effect some serious change.<br />
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Kang wrote: “I’m sorry you took an image and resonated with it in such a negative way. I won’t go into details that I struggled with my genetics, had an eating disorder, work full time owning two business’, have no nanny, am not naturally skinny and do not work as a personal trainer. I won’t even mention how I didn’t give into cravings for ice cream, french fries or chocolate while pregnant or use my growing belly as an excuse to be inactive. What I WILL say is this. What you interpret is not MY fault. It’s Yours. The first step in owning your life, your body and your destiny is to OWN the thoughts that come out of your own head. I didn’t create them. You created them. So if you want to continue ‘hating’ this image, get used to hating many other things for the rest of your life. You can either blame, complain or obtain a new level of thought by challenging the negative words that come out of your own brain.”</blockquote>
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I challenge everyone to consider the root of your own self-hate, self-doubt, self-whatever you want to call it, and change it. The world really needs more compassion and care, and it has to start within.<br />
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Peace and Light. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-41307233518297816502013-09-18T14:16:00.000-05:002013-09-18T14:16:10.083-05:00Zucchini Fries- Nailed it. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Or maybe not. (queue maniacal laughter)</div>
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My son's intolerance results have necessitated a very big diet change, and one we've striven to make for all of us so he doesn't feel left out. We are mostly limited to lamb, turkey, and a lot of seafood right now for our protein(pinto and garbanzo beans are also ok). This has been a new territory for me, including the turkey due to the inability to use my favorite herbs, thyme, rosemary, sage, etc with it!<br /><br />I'd like to demonstrate the ability to craft a delicious meal even with his restrictions, so I will be trying to post more frequently again on the things we are making for our family. Some turn out great, some, (as seen above!) do not. In the zucchini fries' defense, I can't bread to save my life so I'm a pretty poor tester of that recipe! The kids didn't seem to mind, though, and gobbled them all up.<br /><br />One of the reasons I held off initially on making these diet changes- in addition to thinking fad and cost concerns- was believing it to be too difficult. I'd like to help dispel that notion for others possibly considering similar changes. I know how much of a difference it's made for my son, and really hope others look into diet as both the cause and solution to their own struggles.<br /><br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-91257517894327482162013-09-16T00:41:00.001-05:002013-09-16T00:41:48.858-05:00It's not just a fad- The food intolerance epidemic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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These sweet faces are the reason I get up in the morning, the reason I fight so hard to provide them some semblance of safety in our food, environment, etc.<br />
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The little guy on your left is Sam, my 3-almost-4 year old son. Sam loves superheroes, bugs, Charlie Hope, running fast, and snuggling. Sam has 126 known food intolerances and sensitivities. And I am really tired.<br />
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It's difficult to pinpoint exactly where our journey began. It wasn't until some time later that I realized something was wrong, and began to consider what brought this all about. My gut tells me it kicked off with the IV antibiotics we had in our birth. I remember asking the hospital midwives if there was any risk for my baby due to my husband's allergy to penicillin. They assured me there was not. At 6 months old, we discovered he is indeed, allergic to penicillin like his dad.<br />
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Sam was always a poor sleeper, seemed uncomfortable and in pain at night. It didn't really ratchet up though until he weaned at 17 months due to my pregnancy with his younger sister and then stepped on a rose thorn at 18 months. After the rose thorn, that's when the bumps started. At first on the bottom of his foot at the puncture site, then spreading slowly over the rest of his body. I guess they call it chicken skin. But my pediatrician at the time never called it that. He actually wanted to give my son a tetanus vaccination when I took him in to be seen for the rash. For all the mistakes I have made over the short years of his life, I am thankful I knew enough to decline.<br />
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We tried all kinds of special lotions, oils, creams, and even supplements to try and get on top of the unexplained rash and suddenly worsening eczema. Nothing worked, though I admit I was unwilling to slap steroid creams on my toddler. We began limiting dairy at home but not eliminating it all together.<br />
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A few months prior to his second birthday I began hearing more about gluten issues. It just seemed like a fad and I refused to pay attention to it. Eventually it was so prevalent a topic on many of the blogs I followed, I couldn't help but catch some of what these moms were talking about. And it sounded too familiar for me to continue to ignore. After reading 'Cure Your Child With Food,' by Kelly Dorfman, all thoughts of gluten being a fad flew out the window.<br />
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We spoke with our new pediatrician about his issues, (bloated stomach, crying at night, mood swings, unformed bowel movements, rashes, eczema, etc) and were given a referral to a pediatric allergist. There we were tested for diary, wheat, corn, dust, and feathers via the RAST test. All came back negative, with no reactions whatsoever. The solution offered was steroid creams, lotions with chemicals, and just hoping he'd outgrow whatever was going on. None of which were acceptable options for us. Thankfully, due to much research on my part, I'd been prepared for the negative results. Despite disbelief by many in my family, we chose to pull dairy and gluten on our own to see what happened.<br />
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The improvements over the next 4 weeks were unmistakable. First his eczema disappeared. His other symptoms lessened, and over time his chicken skin went away, as well. That took the longest. I wanted to believe we were the clear at that point, but in my gut I knew there was more going on. Eventually he started regressing and some of those symptoms started increasing. At this time I began hearing more about different testing than the RAST- namely, the ALCAT and ELISA. While the RAST tests IgE reactions, the ALCAT tests IgG and if I understand properly, the ELISA tests the IgA. We didn't have either done due to financial issues, and my continued hope that his symptoms would just go away. I made most of what we ate, we ate organic, what else could there be?<br />
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As it turns out, a lot more.<br />
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Right before he turned 3 1/2, we chose to have the full panel ALCAT run for him as I didn't think I could handle trying to figure it out by myself. The results were heartbreaking. Bell peppers, peppermint, thyme, apples, bananas, chicken, beef, pork, sweet potatoes, eggs, spinach, black beans, corn, soy, strawberries. The list goes on. And on and on. Fluoride is on his list, that is of course in our water. Oddly, red dye is not a problem for him(well, at least not as an IgG issue) but green is a moderate and blues a mild reaction. There are a couple common food molds and- wait for it- common indoor/outdoor molds. Our first pediatrician thought I was positively nuts for insisting the bumps on his foot, which spread to his legs, were related to the rose thorn he stepped on.<br /><br />Basically Sam developed these food issues due to the damage in his gut. The foods we ate often passed through the gut wall into his bloodstream, causing an immune response. Ah, the immune. That, folks, is why I wage this war. Because they know chronic inflammation leads to disease and cancer. And I am absolutely willing to do anything to keep my kid(s) from joining that horrible statistic.<br />
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There's so much more I want to share, but for now we'll stop here. Peace and Light.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-1936022546426273652013-07-28T22:04:00.001-05:002013-07-28T22:04:08.674-05:00Mid-Life CrisisFYI, I'm having a mid-life crisis. Growing up, there were some sayings or whathaveyous that struck a chord and I thought everyone was similarly affected. For example, 'Never Again'. I really believed it. How could we possibly allow something like the Holocaust occur again? We all read the same pages, saw the same pictures. Or others like, Leave it better than you found it, Treat others the way you want to be treated, An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.<br />
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Did they affect you, too? There aren't enough people calling for an end to some very bad things. Please get involved in whatever stands out to you as wrong. It's 2013, and we apparently still have a need for something called the Lakota People's Law Project. In the USA. This isn't some far off country. I can't keep up, can't figure out what wrong to focus on first. Please get involved in something if you aren't already. And please consider what can and what can't be fixed if it is allowed to continue, or what is truly a matter of free agency. Some things will always be in flux, others will only get progressively worse and we'll be hard-pressed to correct them once we do turn our attention towards them.<br />
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I do believe, if everyone gets involved, it will get better.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-54960657522387971552013-07-17T15:16:00.002-05:002013-07-17T15:16:43.310-05:00'Practice makes Perfect!'‘Practice makes perfect!’<br />
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The line rang out from the lips of a very sweet 8 year old, directed at my 6 year old daughter regarding some project they were working on. I’ve heard it a million times in my own life and never really thought much of it. But today I did. And I decided it’s a terrible phrase.<br />
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What exactly constitutes Perfect? Who decides? And is it even truly achievable?<br />
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Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about working hard and progressing in life. But I have an issue with being setup from a young age to think Perfection is something we’re supposed to achieve to validate our efforts. Or that your end result isn’t good enough if someone (including yourself) thinks there may be room for improvement.<br />
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Maybe not everyone else got caught in this trap. I know I did. And what joy is lost in life because of it? While I’m out watering my garden, I see the need for more mulch, more or less order, the spots on the leaves, the dead heads of the spent flowers. There’s awkward chicken fencing around the beds to (try) to keep the chickens, dogs, and yes, even children, out. I look at the fruits of my labors and all I can think about is how great they will be in time. <br />
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What about now? What about in this moment?<br />
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I have a yard, the space alone many in the world would envy. A place for my kids to play, my dogs to run, my chickens to range. I have fruit trees and fruit bushes, several raised beds that provide food for my family. And still extra space to have many of my favorite flowers. Does it look like something out of a gardening magazine? No, not to me anyways. Should it? A part of me still wants that. But I understand now it’s not only unrealistic, it’s unhealthy.<br />
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Because it’s more than just gardens. It’s a whole life outlook, feeling not good enough. That other’s are watching and finding me wanting. And all the self-imposed limitations set based on that perception. What things did you not try because you didn’t think you were good enough? I was afraid to sing, to learn an instrument, to pursue painting and writing. I never bothered applying to my college school of choice.<br />
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Of course there’s no telling the impact that perception and fear has made in my life at this point, but I think it a fair estimate to assume there may have been some big things. I wouldn’t change where I am or who I am now, but I would like to change who I am going forward. If only to shake the fear I’ve allowed to dictate my life for far too long.<br />
<br />
First up, cello lessons. <br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-56135646748614880452013-04-16T13:13:00.001-05:002013-04-16T13:13:51.250-05:00<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/2674784/?claim=5phtuxhj5qp">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-77759296357749075002013-02-01T10:34:00.002-06:002013-02-03T18:26:01.207-06:00Melissa & Doug $350 giveaway is open tonight!!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpQgmoCSCbEk-LHC7S3vrzNlKPlkVCrh3Yb5g8NxgluZIrFUcgZQ89af1hrwwr9gsSwW1gUn0V6YdjfCqun1Y5Hy17XniJIBBsLF6Llspey3_3xu0yvBOwKy-v-ltdUl_mY_OCnABio8/s1600/10-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSpQgmoCSCbEk-LHC7S3vrzNlKPlkVCrh3Yb5g8NxgluZIrFUcgZQ89af1hrwwr9gsSwW1gUn0V6YdjfCqun1Y5Hy17XniJIBBsLF6Llspey3_3xu0yvBOwKy-v-ltdUl_mY_OCnABio8/s200/10-2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>$<span style="font-size: x-large;">35</span>0<span style="font-size: x-large;"> Melissa & Doug </span>Toys Giveaway</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sponsored by <a href="http://www.melissaanddoug.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Melissa & Doug</a></div>
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Hosted by <a href="http://www.coupongatormommy.com/" target="_blank">Coupon Gator Mommy</a><br />
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Co-hosts: <a href="http://www.tabbyspantry.com/" target="_blank">Tabby's Pantry</a>, <a href="http://monicasrrr.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Monica's Rants, Raves & Reviews</a>, <a href="http://www.littlebitsofeverything.com/" target="_blank">A Little Bit of Everything</a>, <a href="http://www.favorcreative.com/blog" target="_blank">Happy Green Mama</a>, <a href="http://www.momtobedby8.com/" target="_blank">Mom to Bed by 8</a>, <a href="http://www.homeschoolingmom4two.com/" target="_blank">Homeschooling Mom 4 Two</a> and <a href="http://www.dutchgirlsfavoritethings.com/" target="_blank">Dutch Girl's Favorite Things</a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<i>From
puzzles to puppets, plush to play food, magnetic activities, music and
more, Melissa & Doug® is one of the leading designers and
manufacturers of educational toys and children's products.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Over 23 years ago we started our company in the garage of the home
where Doug grew up — we had to be careful not to disturb Doug's parents
who were still living there! Thanks to your support, we've been able to
move into a real office down the road, a building that actually has
separate ladies and men's bathrooms! Our philosophy has remained the
same over the years–to make each and every customer<span class="text_exposed_show">
a happy and permanent member of the Melissa & Doug family, while
offering products with tremendous value, quality and design. Our line
offers something for everyone with over 1,000 innovative products for
children of all ages! We've always welcomed customer suggestions, and we
continually strive to make improvements to our products. We're honored
by the faith you place in us and view it as our responsibility to
continue to earn your trust in the years to come!</span> </i><br />
<br />
<span itemprop="description">Read Coupon Gator Mommy's <a href="http://www.coupongatormommy.com/2013/02/melissa-doug-toys-review.html">Melissa & Doug Toys Review</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNJ8L65L4YZNdr6C3FNZ_y7ascwgeYW5e0eccakdOaLtWJV9VoCennegtY6bjkwbLAGbWPaLDy08Wv0h7udG6YXOg4c2w7yJMHPSbgLIc94mo-24IFSJxyD4Ni985KKZzV4ZHQrNW1tU/s1600/27-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNJ8L65L4YZNdr6C3FNZ_y7ascwgeYW5e0eccakdOaLtWJV9VoCennegtY6bjkwbLAGbWPaLDy08Wv0h7udG6YXOg4c2w7yJMHPSbgLIc94mo-24IFSJxyD4Ni985KKZzV4ZHQrNW1tU/s200/27-2.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4Q_zlgbs7bq2I0YYiulPZvf40v5hq1fgR0WBNwb00PN3O-ZtJuq31ffXYegURGWuhyphenhyphenHbV0t9_7YWlHWVJ4Xv1LrTWrMhtB0YUgB_rMFkNr7fA7AA3p7kDfvhlVqHLQMIngNAMs47o84/s1600/27-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4Q_zlgbs7bq2I0YYiulPZvf40v5hq1fgR0WBNwb00PN3O-ZtJuq31ffXYegURGWuhyphenhyphenHbV0t9_7YWlHWVJ4Xv1LrTWrMhtB0YUgB_rMFkNr7fA7AA3p7kDfvhlVqHLQMIngNAMs47o84/s200/27-3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Three lucky winners<span style="font-size: x-large;">!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Grand Prize:</span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> $250 in Your Choice of Melissa & Doug Products</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">1st Runner Up:</span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> $50 in Melissa & Doug Products</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2nd Runner Up:</span><b><span style="font-size: large;"> $50 in Melissa & Doug Products</span></b><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This giveaway ends Feb. 26, 2013 at 11:<span style="font-size: small;">59</span>pm EST. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Open to US and Canada residents.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Good Luck!</div>
<br />
<div class="pgtContainpgt" id="pgt986455874pgt">
<a href="http://giveawaytools.com/giveaway.php?sk=986455874" rel="nofollow" target="_BLANK2">Entry</a><script src="//giveawaytools.com/wid/embed.php?sk=986455874" type="text/javascript"></script><a href="http://giveawaytools.com/giveaway.php?sk=986455874" rel="nofollow" target="_BLANK2">-Form</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria,serif;"><i><b>A special thanks to all the amazing bloggers who are participating in this giveaway!</b></i></span></div>
<br />
~Disclaimer: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own.<i> Adventures in Green Living </i>is not responsible for shipping prize to winner, nor
did I accept any compensation for this promotion.~<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-37960199995159941282013-01-25T12:30:00.001-06:002013-01-25T12:30:01.672-06:00Free Blogger Event! Melissa and Doug Toys!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0CMSKaehZFU/UO7kRUuVlGI/
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Free Blogger Event!</b></span></div>
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Hosted by <a href="http://www.coupongatormommy.com/" target="_blank">Coupon Gator Mommy</
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<span style="font-size: large;">Prizes: $250 Melissa & Doug Toys Gift Card</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2 Runner Up Prizes: $50 Melissa & Doug Gift Cards</span></div>
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<b>Free Link with Announcement Post</b></div>
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Event Dates: 02/01 - 02/26</div>
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<a href="http://www.coupongatormommy.com/2012/09/join-amazon-prime-amazon-prime-runs-3.html" target="_blank"><b>Bloggers Sign Up Here!</b></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-59411177885557930682012-12-24T13:10:00.000-06:002012-12-24T13:10:04.746-06:00Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Skinny Monkey Cookies recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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.</div>
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<a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/skinny-monkey-cookies/">Skinny Monkey Cookies</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2_7GzkB0hmDd6DWCAJnfAYZH5BMIuJUWPoZL7KduOMRZMzILM8YRdSqZo-oK4u-Iy01jZdDAYt-QHoPe2xDaCENCM5RYEnzDpxUdm2e20jRMINMU0Nsz80gNLDXVdlWTntjlkoF2Uck/s1600/DSC_0900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2_7GzkB0hmDd6DWCAJnfAYZH5BMIuJUWPoZL7KduOMRZMzILM8YRdSqZo-oK4u-Iy01jZdDAYt-QHoPe2xDaCENCM5RYEnzDpxUdm2e20jRMINMU0Nsz80gNLDXVdlWTntjlkoF2Uck/s320/DSC_0900.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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You literally mash/mix all the stuff and let it set. I used gluten free oats.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9skaFeUStDZ62AG9cCDGz8B-ThRQYjRJLos1ZlYm23gC-6HBpgZ-jGzjMLVy_5zfouvI_3pbVmNRbEfquNc9oktTxKtWgloW-NkrZajU5CVYSC3UDZnAtaF3Wd7y60iedkSTNAxhKLc/s1600/DSC_0898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9skaFeUStDZ62AG9cCDGz8B-ThRQYjRJLos1ZlYm23gC-6HBpgZ-jGzjMLVy_5zfouvI_3pbVmNRbEfquNc9oktTxKtWgloW-NkrZajU5CVYSC3UDZnAtaF3Wd7y60iedkSTNAxhKLc/s320/DSC_0898.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I rolled it in coconut for something extra.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVSPIT1zINA0YY1pyB0Kuo1RiPphycoO0Jwb7bb4Xnn_AZLmibAXjZfHu2HtU_SlI8CigTcyyw4PogiePGFMHreGB0hQ7aUAFoQ37A7h15Q_M7Mzl4U0mGv7I2qMOHljx7ELdI-fpoyQ/s1600/DSC_0901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggVSPIT1zINA0YY1pyB0Kuo1RiPphycoO0Jwb7bb4Xnn_AZLmibAXjZfHu2HtU_SlI8CigTcyyw4PogiePGFMHreGB0hQ7aUAFoQ37A7h15Q_M7Mzl4U0mGv7I2qMOHljx7ELdI-fpoyQ/s320/DSC_0901.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bake, enjoy, freeze extra!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyPODzQ3osbmeFkIcQDVKYcaj7FwRsPhOXZpIzPEeOuV9z_boMRnsrSlVyEjvAwV3P4ZZ5PsEITTBCtvVae88dqFQP-tQBIy3GrJMm-YkveTi-awCAdZV11dBA0IizdH2dZwwNrp4D-o/s1600/DSC_0902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyPODzQ3osbmeFkIcQDVKYcaj7FwRsPhOXZpIzPEeOuV9z_boMRnsrSlVyEjvAwV3P4ZZ5PsEITTBCtvVae88dqFQP-tQBIy3GrJMm-YkveTi-awCAdZV11dBA0IizdH2dZwwNrp4D-o/s320/DSC_0902.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-41206798822321277192012-12-24T12:11:00.000-06:002012-12-24T12:32:14.851-06:00Ology by Walgreen's: Review<br />
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!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6RncgGsGenB3UAsOxcyByyRD5SFn-VkxYnjlq7I4Mze1N9V8lbQlrlKyNA9d25YlFAa6fk8DcSwe7l7cIVHfThfLeSjEvaVydWJgd5rydUFLnBtMdC9poqM30MaBFQtoRZn39XC13zg/s1600/346379_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6RncgGsGenB3UAsOxcyByyRD5SFn-VkxYnjlq7I4Mze1N9V8lbQlrlKyNA9d25YlFAa6fk8DcSwe7l7cIVHfThfLeSjEvaVydWJgd5rydUFLnBtMdC9poqM30MaBFQtoRZn39XC13zg/s320/346379_4.jpg" width="305" /></a></div>
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Ology is a new brand of personal products hot off the press to be formulated free of harmful chemicals found in many of the more accessible brands at various nationwide chain stores. Walgreens developed the brand to answer a growing consumer demand and (hopefully) soon to be updated chemical laws via senate approved 'The Safe Chemicals Act'. In addition to being nationally accessible, the products are also all very affordable. (Side note: Walgreens recently added a rewards program that stands to save their customers even more money! I totally signed up.)<br />
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The facial and bath tissues are made from sugar cane husk and bamboo; copy paper is 100% tree-free and bleach free; all-purpose cleaner is free of ammonia harsh solvents, dyes and artificial fragrances, etc. Even their bottles are made of 100% post-consumer materials. Impressive!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OrMWTwcwwKp3CzBcuho40kP6r6tvscmmd2s0ExVjB1Wd58w3giAcmcZHFilhNJAeDuYGC7-uLptne9X8aMFUmPwIicJu2DRTD6yyrO6rkZ3E8JZJTOGAG31eWLSKg-Yuo5c8Y-nYEJ8/s1600/P1010059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OrMWTwcwwKp3CzBcuho40kP6r6tvscmmd2s0ExVjB1Wd58w3giAcmcZHFilhNJAeDuYGC7-uLptne9X8aMFUmPwIicJu2DRTD6yyrO6rkZ3E8JZJTOGAG31eWLSKg-Yuo5c8Y-nYEJ8/s320/P1010059.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Upon closer inspection, the only ingredient I'd find questionable in the baby All in One is Phenoxyethanol. While not my favorite, it still is lacking in the dyes, parabens, silicones, phthalates and animal byproducts that really concern me. And how wonderful to have an affordable product easily available for everyone!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTFOL4F4e-IJ6QNJRvA0LMZRWlKZGehPQv_DMfrNJRYOK0bqXf0xgG9OEB0nB2xsgZ1GH88027of_iz6mzIyq3_aETzmkndM2v7jfy8k-RsML9BaL44SqECqg_nc8jEIhsC2nC_cq6Vk/s1600/220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTFOL4F4e-IJ6QNJRvA0LMZRWlKZGehPQv_DMfrNJRYOK0bqXf0xgG9OEB0nB2xsgZ1GH88027of_iz6mzIyq3_aETzmkndM2v7jfy8k-RsML9BaL44SqECqg_nc8jEIhsC2nC_cq6Vk/s1600/220.jpg" /></a></div>
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I'm really happy to see Walgreens taking the initiative in making healthier products available for their customers. In general, they've made many updates to the store overall that I really enjoy. While I was in purchasing the Ology products for review, I also found they carry an awesome assortment of homeopathic teething aids for babies! Camilia, Humphrey's, brands I've always bought online. So glad to now know I can pop in for them rather than running out and then having to reorder and wait.<br />
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I hope everyone will give the new Ology line a try- they've really made reducing chemical exposure in our homes very easy and it's so, so important to take those steps!<br />
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">I was sent a Walgreen’s gift card for the purposes of obtaining Ology products to review. No other compensation was offered or received. No suggestions or requests to select specific products within the Ology line were offered. I was in no way obligated to write a positive review and all opinions are mine and mine alone.</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-9346966475524529332012-11-15T10:47:00.002-06:002012-11-25T11:22:13.889-06:00 My 3 Favorite Family Themed Zazzle.com Products<div style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<br />
I stopped by Zazzle.com today to look at what they have- check out the hilarious shirts!<br />
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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!<br />
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<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/super_dad_stripes_shirt-235009867342871509"><img alt="Super Dad Stripes Shirt" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/super_dad_stripes_shirt-rcad7ca407b714a0fa6f5d364db940b1b_8nhma_325.jpg" style="border: 0; width: 325px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/super_dad_stripes_shirt-235009867342871509">Super Dad Stripes Shirt</a><br />
Look at another <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/dad+tshirts">t-shirts for dad</a></div>
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Definitely going to remember this one should I momentarily lose my last shred of sanity and, you know, find reason to use it. Given that I put my shirt on inside out and left the oven on while the door was open(supposedly cooling off) it's probably best there is not cause for such a sweet shirt just yet.</div>
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<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/secret_big_sister_tee_shirt-235557159331446537"><img alt="Secret Big Sister Tee Shirt" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/secret_big_sister_tee_shirt-rafedf1ef170a47758c0b622d05672963_f03pd_325.jpg" style="border: 0; width: 325px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/secret_big_sister_tee_shirt-235557159331446537">Secret Big Sister Tee Shirt</a><br />
Browse another <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/big+sister+tshirts">big sister t shirt</a></div>
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And this. This one is my favorite. I'm a poop sleuth, poop is big stuff here in the Crazy Green House! I mean, as a parent you know poop is something you sometimes find yourself cheering for anyways. Add in dietary issues and... let's just say this shirt cracks me up.</div>
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<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/i_pooped_today_tees-235377313372067757"><img alt="I Pooped Today Tees" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/i_pooped_today_tees-r3a4ba647b92947fcb19caeacf9140a76_f0cbx_325.jpg" style="border: 0; width: 325px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/i_pooped_today_tees-235377313372067757">I Pooped Today Tees</a><br />
Browse more <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/kids+tshirts">kids t shirts</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>***I received a gift card for my time and participation, however all opinions are my own***</i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-82188661395233954112012-11-13T16:30:00.000-06:002012-11-13T16:30:01.070-06:00For the Love of Mothers<br />
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 <a href="http://offbeatmama.com/2012/11/telling-daughters-im-beautiful?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook">this post</a> over at Offbeatmama.<br />
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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.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeyM2GpW5rLMH8fi-Qxh-cpTn6rP5vqwiND0jnXVUvN1qI6vKPNi29UKoT4pv0NVQJa6G6DgcKErn2b0jeO_qAUKh5sjM_yHTjWqIy2B6xUMynX9iBSYuXaniLCfrtkanI9hllc2C4KQ/s1600/DSCF1567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeyM2GpW5rLMH8fi-Qxh-cpTn6rP5vqwiND0jnXVUvN1qI6vKPNi29UKoT4pv0NVQJa6G6DgcKErn2b0jeO_qAUKh5sjM_yHTjWqIy2B6xUMynX9iBSYuXaniLCfrtkanI9hllc2C4KQ/s320/DSCF1567.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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My grandma, perhaps the original Crazy Green Mommy.</div>
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I've always thought my oldest beautiful. But never thought she looked much like me; I can see so much of her father's family in her. She has a lot of cousins on his side and one older one in particular looks like the dark haired, dark eyed version of my daughter. A perfect counter just like their dads! (Her dad is dark and my husband is fair) For my birthday this year I dressed up in a party dress with my oldest just for fun. We snapped a cheesey phone picture that I posted on my personal facebook page. So many people remarked that she looked just like me- so I looked closer. And you know what? She does! She looks just like me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOog6IPKe7Na8-GVQoGOY8uRMvFwn6Zp6Hr50iv6dHDEmESv0QSjfKDYX87FTi_FmtqWE0sOWijG5zutFK1XEKii4ahQzP02jmmaVEgK8nsqEOSuHpqgt7RyMqLAAaDtB72F541B2kiA8/s1600/momandnina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOog6IPKe7Na8-GVQoGOY8uRMvFwn6Zp6Hr50iv6dHDEmESv0QSjfKDYX87FTi_FmtqWE0sOWijG5zutFK1XEKii4ahQzP02jmmaVEgK8nsqEOSuHpqgt7RyMqLAAaDtB72F541B2kiA8/s320/momandnina.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The cheesey birthday picture.</div>
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So that, my friends, is how I came to accept the fact that I am truly beautiful. It's only logical! If my children are, and a piece of me, then I must be, too. And like Amanda said in the linked post, it's something we need to model for our children. Not just in beauty of course. They will imitate what we show them. I was reminded of this just the other day after putting on a new to me dress and asking my husband how I looked. My daughter later asked the same of her outfit, imitating me right down to the way I'd slightly put my foot out.<br />
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I am beautiful. I am smart. I am capable. I am kind. I am lovable.<br />
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And so are you.<br />
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- Stacy</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-71047117654887267792012-11-05T06:00:00.000-06:002012-11-05T06:00:06.369-06:00Design Your Dream Nursery Contest!<br />
I don't often ask but.... would you consider voting for my <a href="http://expressyourstyle.laylagrayce.com/boards/1247-force-of-nature">Force of Nature</a> room in the Layla Grace contest, please?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMhMwqZ99K7rPxjjePAauH1dmeyU0igdodTDsz1Rmu53IX5d_KZeRdSWLx3n89hzSg_hWgGgYg7GotuqzSux6-rdk5tdInUBJTyuzQPe15Ks5Z_VLcEt1d9B8hrswEUn37Fjkd_VvZE4/s1600/1247_original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMhMwqZ99K7rPxjjePAauH1dmeyU0igdodTDsz1Rmu53IX5d_KZeRdSWLx3n89hzSg_hWgGgYg7GotuqzSux6-rdk5tdInUBJTyuzQPe15Ks5Z_VLcEt1d9B8hrswEUn37Fjkd_VvZE4/s320/1247_original.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It would be so awesome to be in the running! Thank you, thank you!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-47584462342562982622012-11-05T00:30:00.000-06:002012-11-05T00:30:01.158-06:00$500 Christmas Cash Giveaway!!<h3 style="text-align: center;">
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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 <a href="http://www.emperola.com/win-cash" target="_blank">here</a> for a chance to win $500 in cash. If you host any kind of giveaway or contest feel free to submit your contest at <a href="http://www.emperola.com/submit-contest" target="_blank">Emperola</a> for free.</div>
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Stop by and say congrats to <a href="http://www.momtobedby8.com/" target="_blank">Mom to Bed by 8</a> who is celebrating their 3rd annual gift guide!</h3>
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<em>Finally a special thank you to our lovely co-hosts whom without them great things would not be possible: <a href="http://bayareamommy.net/" target="_blank">Bay Area Mommy</a>, <a href="http://www.coupongatormommy.com/" target="_blank">Coupon Gator</a>, <a href="http://www.frugalmomeh.com/" target="_blank">Frugal Mom Eh!</a>, <a href="http://rmg-anordinaryhousewife.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">An Ordinary Housewife</a>, <a href="http://www.spendwithpennies.com/" target="_blank">Spend With Pennies</a>, <a href="http://www.to-sew-with-love.com/" target="_blank">To Sew With Love</a>, <a href="http://www.funnypregnantlady.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Funny Postpartum Lady</a>, <a href="http://www.giveawaybandit.com/" target="_blank">Giveaway Bandit</a>, <a href="http://blog.stay-a-stay-at-home-mom.com/" target="_blank">Stay a Stay at Home Mom</a>, <a href="http://www.confessionsofamessymama.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Confessions of a Messy Mama</a>, <a href="http://countingtoten.com/" target="_blank">CountingToTen</a>, <a href="http://www.dragynally.com/" target="_blank">The Dragyn's Lair</a>, <a href="http://www.lovinglymama.info/" target="_blank">Lovingly Mama</a> and <a href="http://www.savingmyfamilymoney.com/" target="_blank">Saving My Family Money</a>!</em></div>
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<a name='more'></a><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a21fd0379/" id="rc-a21fd0379" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. Adventures in Green Living is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-38322926132896373842012-11-04T11:00:00.000-06:002012-11-04T11:00:03.672-06:00Apple Sausage Quiche (recipe)<br />
Today's quiche recipe was found on a search for freezer type things I could make ahead. That's not what I ended up doing with this, but not matter! Found on Once a Month Mom, this is also gluten free and dairy free!<br />
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<a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/gluten-free-dairy-free-apple-sausage-quiche/">Gluten Free Dairy Free Apple Sausage Quiche</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDR4c6gZQSQoIGGG4K2PuEFelTmpk_iRdsSWRrvl2L_g5_N-L-dotkyPi8_J6FiJrIA_DHHY6DLiHj1bjA6zBpgys6XiuK38kQ0NbBSKsj_LO6OmcNoXqVfpgMY_bNBY-3BHqSwZwJA7A/s1600/DSCF1564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDR4c6gZQSQoIGGG4K2PuEFelTmpk_iRdsSWRrvl2L_g5_N-L-dotkyPi8_J6FiJrIA_DHHY6DLiHj1bjA6zBpgys6XiuK38kQ0NbBSKsj_LO6OmcNoXqVfpgMY_bNBY-3BHqSwZwJA7A/s320/DSCF1564.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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All it needs is a cup of hot chocolate and an english muffin...</div>
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One big thing I may have neglected to mention- when cooking, it's best to use quality ingredients. Sounds common sense, right? But it really can make or break a recipe. I realize not all of us are able to walk to the coop in their backyard and grab a fresh-laid egg, but, there are still plenty of things we can do with a little advance notice.<br />
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Example: The sausage. It's from a friend of mine's Animal Welfare Approved farm. Taken to a locker that they trust. And done properly.<br />
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A couple years ago we ordered a half hog to split with my mom. Our first foray into bulk meat purchasing, I was enticed by the 'free range' hogs. Unfortunately, the locker I chose did a poor job of processing it and the taste of the meat was just not there. It made me hesitant to try again, but this time I knew my farmer better and trusted that they knew who was best. (The first time we had to choose the locker and then pickup the meat ourselves- this time my friend picked the meat up and brought it to us.)<br />
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And you all know why buying mass meat in the store is bad, so no need to go there.<br />
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But the sausage, that's pretty big! And even the apple. Have you ever eaten an organic apple and then tried a conventional? Bleh. Conventional just doesn't taste right. We may not be able to afford all organic all the time, but apples are on the dirty dozen so those are one thing we don't skimp on.<br />
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Whoops, back to the quiche. It's delicious. I sub'd a sweet potato because that's all I had. And never have shallots, so used onion and garlic. Also no red bell on hand, but next time I will make sure to use it as the color and additional flavor would be really nice. This is an excellent weekend dish to make for the family while enjoying a slow morning.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-32851255245444515902012-11-03T11:00:00.000-05:002012-11-03T11:00:06.121-05:00Slow Cooker Vegetable Casserole (recipe)<br />
Thanks to picking up a part time retail gig, I've needed to dust off the old slow cooker and try to get things together for the family when I'm gone. One of the recipes I came across recently was the <a href="http://www.yumsugar.com/Sunday-Slow-Cooker-Vegetable-Casserole-2185369">Sunday Slow Cooker: Vegetable Casserole</a> off yumsugar.com.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbpYbPnrJoGqUYeHh1Kr3A5FshgU84N6c2ejmKALX2qCMlhzAU6e8ppxZa6zPeuWpnD9xxnGQJmOnFNy0XRBWnMuQmfuefZwKHwe4LYqWTH50IqrELsewJsS2nsfyHhyphenhyphenDhKraHDhlF-4/s1600/DSCF1508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbbpYbPnrJoGqUYeHh1Kr3A5FshgU84N6c2ejmKALX2qCMlhzAU6e8ppxZa6zPeuWpnD9xxnGQJmOnFNy0XRBWnMuQmfuefZwKHwe4LYqWTH50IqrELsewJsS2nsfyHhyphenhyphenDhKraHDhlF-4/s320/DSCF1508.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Vegetable casserole served with rice and pear.</div>
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Ignore the goofy glops of pesto!</div>
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I'm intrigued by polenta and have been testing it out ever so often, so was pleased to find it in this recipe. We didn't have radicchio or shredded cheese though. And I'm just remembering no cannellini beans, either! So it was a little different than intended. But still thought it was good and worth trying again. We did add diced eggplant as we had it on hand. A melty cheese would definitely make this super delicious! As with anything, you can easily sub whatever you want or have on hand- bottom line, I love putting food into the slow cooker and just walking away...<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-77776025336277814402012-11-02T15:00:00.000-05:002012-11-02T15:00:05.900-05:00Belated Pumpkin Pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sorry, I'm slow on the picture uploads! Oh well, cute pictures don't really have an expiration, right?</div>
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Princess Nina and Baby Lion Sam</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia648BQveUWqpSrjkEs0zPpl0jj-MSOrTTX5NaS2Elo0ixBnCeVjMH6ZH8uR_578gaRL_oXLFvIvujO_Io70XHQltmZt-KB4-uIqXiVTU8Ax9TBXL-DGjfaKFWD9OVZeEUKYbnZl2O05k/s1600/DSCF1525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia648BQveUWqpSrjkEs0zPpl0jj-MSOrTTX5NaS2Elo0ixBnCeVjMH6ZH8uR_578gaRL_oXLFvIvujO_Io70XHQltmZt-KB4-uIqXiVTU8Ax9TBXL-DGjfaKFWD9OVZeEUKYbnZl2O05k/s320/DSCF1525.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Crazy Green Daddy and Angry Cupcake Annie</div>
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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)</div>
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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!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-6806702850989535972012-11-02T14:30:00.000-05:002012-11-02T14:30:02.650-05:00Easy Butternut Squash and Ham Pasta (recipe, if you can call it that!)<br />
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.<br />
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An empty jar and paltry kids' bowl of leftovers. 'Cause I forgot and this is all that was left!</div>
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Butternut Squash and Ham</div>
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Ham</div>
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Jar of Butternut Squash pasta sauce</div>
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Box of pasta</div>
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1. Start pasta noodles.</div>
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2. Dice ham.</div>
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3. Fry ham in a deep-ish skillet until hot and toasty.</div>
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4. Pour jar of sauce on top and take off heat. </div>
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5. Drain noodles, put back in pot, add sauce/ham to pot with noddles and mix.</div>
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That's it. </div>
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Fast. Easy. Simple. Inexpensive. And it's out of this world delicious! So much healthier than a box of cheese-like pasta, people. Use whatever noodles you like. We do gluten free. Don't want ham? Sautee mushrooms. Maybe some greens. I am a Dave Gourmet's newest, biggest fan. I found our first two jars at Costco and recently found them *plus* Dave's whole line at World Market. We definitely will be trying more- but now consider the butternut my new pantry staple! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-29109060366544764562012-10-25T15:03:00.001-05:002012-10-25T15:03:49.972-05:00Dinner: Delicata Squash and Braised Radishes<br />
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!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1y0QDVb9S9b86e4ZJ53oRWwsP7U7peNlDp_6bFB9XLiEWz_U1Nx04YbGhyphenhypheniH3EQv2QhiygFR-sEjqQKp3KFVl4TIqqaimsutINeFsLfy8dBgo4jBPZXN44BLnkgSzW4g5ke8WNEnU1A/s1600/DSCF1504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1y0QDVb9S9b86e4ZJ53oRWwsP7U7peNlDp_6bFB9XLiEWz_U1Nx04YbGhyphenhypheniH3EQv2QhiygFR-sEjqQKp3KFVl4TIqqaimsutINeFsLfy8dBgo4jBPZXN44BLnkgSzW4g5ke8WNEnU1A/s320/DSCF1504.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">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!</span></div>
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I called up my best friend, Google, and came up with the following two recipes for my new adventures:</div>
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<a href="http://summertomato.com/better-than-butternut-roasted-delicata-squash-recipe/">Better Than Butternut: Roasted Delicata Squash Recipe</a></div>
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and</div>
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<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/braised-radishes-recipe/index.html">Braised Radishes</a> via Food Network/Rachel Ray</div>
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We have another name for the roasted delicata- Squash Fries. Oh yes. The children will eat them! Easy to do thanks to no need for peeling and they really do taste very similar, if not more creamy and rich, as a butternut squash. Butternuts are my favorite so I may be biased! But I'm putting delicata on my list of things to grow next year. I'd recommend sticking to the smaller sized ones when purchasing so as to get a more tender rind.</div>
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For the radishes I pretty much stuck to the recipe, except the shallot. I just don't keep those on hand. So I sub'd garlic. These really were a pleasant surprise! Growing up, growing radishes was fun because it was so easy to get them to germinate, but I didn't actually like eating them raw. And my mom never did anything with them. Now I'm all motivated to plant more next year just so I can try this more often. They end up very mild and almost sweet. Yum!</div>
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Happy eating! And am I the only one already planning next year's gardens with glee?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-65127521893863051752012-10-22T15:00:00.000-05:002012-10-22T15:00:18.907-05:00Menu Monday<br />
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.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLsLSFACIBa4QB3V_i9ZgjK97UyriWnANL-dvqUm4cOA618OzHLolo6-_1_8oUa1553rBx8n9SB9XOUZ2gkLajG5O6GCBkx6itdlEW56kYsXzjAr_9vLjMPziurDBDur3sHtV3GTrtAM/s1600/DSCF1490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLsLSFACIBa4QB3V_i9ZgjK97UyriWnANL-dvqUm4cOA618OzHLolo6-_1_8oUa1553rBx8n9SB9XOUZ2gkLajG5O6GCBkx6itdlEW56kYsXzjAr_9vLjMPziurDBDur3sHtV3GTrtAM/s320/DSCF1490.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Since we're finally getting eggs again, eggs are on the menu!</div>
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Breakfast:<br />
Cereal, banana<br />
Oatmeal x2<br />
Pancakes, berries x2<br />
Apple sausage quiche<br />
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Lunch:<br />
Leftovers x2<br />
Sweet potato corn chowder<br />
Ham and butternut squash pasta<br />
Indian Dahl<br />
Shepherd's Pie<br />
Eggs and waffles<br />
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Dinner:<br />
Omelettes with mushrooms, chard, delicata squash and braised radishes<br />
Chops, baked cauliflower and sweet potato fries<br />
Vegetable casserole with polenta<br />
Beef stew<br />
Pumpkin/butternut squash soup<br />
Dipping tacos<br />
Papa's house(or leftovers)<br />
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Exciting? I think so! I'm beginning a new part time job this week, so will be trying a few things in the crock pot. Wish me luck and/or link me to some of your favorite GF/DF crockpot meals!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-32803332698299242652012-10-21T17:05:00.003-05:002012-10-21T17:05:41.109-05:00$500 Christmas Cash Giveaway!<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-16418" height="300" src="http://momtobedby8.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Christmas-Cash.jpg" title="Christmas Cash" width="300" /></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Christmas Cash Event hosted by <a href="http://mompoweredmedia.com/" target="_blank">Mom Powered Media</a></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Prize: $</strong>500 Visa Gift Card OR $500 Paypal
Cash OR $500 Amazon Gift Card {winner's choice}</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Event dates: 11/7 - 12/5</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Free Blog Event! Sign-up here, <strong><a href="http://www.momtobedby8.com/2012/10/bloggers-wanted.html" target="_blank">BLOGGERS WANTED</a></strong></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1352935276301201785.post-34866957918738290702012-10-21T11:34:00.001-05:002012-10-21T11:34:18.133-05:00SickGot waylaid by the dreaded stomach bug. It's making rounds through the family, so I will need to take a day or two to get through it. I have a fridge full of awesome food coop stuff to get recipes for and no appetite! That's a sad combo. Back in a jiffy.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03151440870799638170noreply@blogger.com0