Posts
Free online organizer:
I haven't investigated this yet but it looks promising. I use Keep and Share to track 4-H activities for Record Books so I would have to see how they compare. I can tell already though that my brain type would not get the full benefit out of this tool; however, it may prove useful to someone:
http://www.cozi.com/
What's Cookin'?
Poutine: Seriously? French fries covered in gravy and cheese? I'm there! What indulgence! Use healthy fats for frying, homemade bone broth, organic potatoes (only $2+ per bag at Wal-mart), and real cheese. Then call it a health food. Seriously! (and I happen to have all of those ingredients on hand!)
http://www.cheeseslave.com/2011/07/28/poutine/
Dinner: I had some German sausage from a local farm and some pre-cooked kidney beans in the freezer. I put the beans to heat in the crock pot and about 30 minutes before dinner I cut up the sausage and put it in the oven to plump. Then I added it to the beans. I needed something to temper the spiciness of the sausage (I'm a wimp!) so I made some polenta. I had never made polenta. I had never eaten polenta. I wasn't quite sure what I was doing :). Since I hadn't planned it ahead and therefore did not soak the corn in lime I thought I would at least soak it a few hours in water with some lemon juice to hopefully neutralize some of the mold (aflatoxin? something in corn affects me the same as aflatoxin in beans). When I poured the water off of the soaked corn I measured it so at to replace it with the same measured amount. Except for that soaking I basically followed the directions on the package of Bob's Red Mill Polenta (I made a 1/2 batch). It was a big hit.
All Saints Day
I've been a bit overwhelmed with our move (and with catching something going around) so tomorrow's celebration will be simple, simple, simple. My plans:
- Pray the Litany of the Saints together.
- Go to Mass at noon.
- Make pretzels in the shape of a figure 8 to represent saints and martyrs. What great role models they are for living out our faith! I'll make either these or these.
- Dig through a few boxes and hopefully find our saints candles. One year each child chose a saint, I printed out a picture of each chosen saint, and we put them on votive candle holders (I chose St. Faustina).
- The dc like to dress up as different saints and we guess who they are. It usually takes me several tries but I've learned a lot through this activity :).
Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Furoshiki ~ Crepes and Cupcakes
What's Schoolin'?
Practical Life: Cloth Gift Wrapping
I love to wrap gifts in cloth but never know what I'm doing. So, although I love it in theory, I usually use bags and tissue. Now, finally, visual directions! I didn't know that it was an official way of wrapping, didn't know it actually had a name, and didn't know that it was an ancient Japanese art called Furoshiki. Here is a link to a page you can print out. Unfortunately it has a green background. I would rather have it white with black ink - especially since I've been out of colored ink for weeks. I doubt I'll print it but will hopefully refer to it often with dc. Great idea for Practical Life shelf work: put a tray with boxes and fabrics along with this page. No, not my idea ;), it's from Heidi's link also posted below:
http://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/attach/060403-5.pdf
Have a look at the above and much more in the winter newsletter here:
http://www.amonco.org/winter1/montessori_winter1.pdf
http://www.amonco.org/montessori_winter_handson.html
More on the technique:
http://furoshiki.com/techniques/
The above one in (yeah!) black and white:
http://art-maddie.blogspot.com/2011/08/wrapping-techniques-furoshiki.html
What's Cookin'?
Crepes: I made an adjusted version of crepes yesterday morning. It was actually much faster than pancakes because everyone just had one or two. They were filling and I was actually able to eat one without it messing up my morning blood sugar. I have been reading several of Dr. Amen's books about brain health and this cookbook is by him and his wife. I am NOT endorsing this book because it includes a lot of UNfermented soy, trans fats such as margarine, and processed foods such as egg beaters. However, I enjoyed looking through it and got some really good ideas. Plus it has a great list of the top 50 brain foods.
Their recipe ingredients for the crepes: flour, egg beaters, almond milk, stevia. Their filling was yogurt mixed with ground flax seed with mixed berries and bananas.
My ingredients for the crepes: soaked flour with fresh milk, real eggs (2 eggs equaled the 1/4 C), a pinch of rapadura sugar. My filling was less fancy: a dollop of homemade yogurt and a spoonful of thawed frozen cherries. After folding it over I sprinkled a little cinnamon sugar on top.
Directions: The night before, soak 2/3 Cup whole wheat flour (or flour of your choice but no reason to soak white flour) with 1/2 C milk. The next morning mix in a pinch or 1/2 teaspoon of rapadura (more or less sugar to taste) and 2 eggs. Stir until well mixed. I added more milk to thin it further (probably about 1/4 C more). Heat oil in a pan (I used about 1 Tablespoon coconut oil in an 8" stainless steel pan). Put about 1/4 C batter in the pan and swirl it around to get it spread out. Flip when the edges are firm and the bottom starts to barely brown. Cook the other side the same.
These crepes were very pliable and this recipe worked well. A long time ago I made crepes using another recipe and they froze well so these should also.
**This adjusted crepe recipe is part of Kelly's Real Food Wednesday:
http://kellythekitchenkop.com/2011/11/real-food-wednesday-11092011.html
Basic Vanilla Cupcakes: Here is a great versatile cupcake recipe from Alyss. I have a few bags of frozen cherries left so I may use those instead of the plums (no plums around here - they are a pit fruit so I try to get organic ones once in a blue moon):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alyssssyla/3941608828/
[Update: I used 1/2 the recommended sugar (rapadura) so it was more like a sweet bread (pan dulce) with fruit than a super sweet cupcake. I did not add any icing and everyone enjoyed them for a special snack. Definitely a repeat!]
What's Gardenin'?
I have 2 container roma tomato plants that I barely put out last month when we moved. They look great and have lots of flowers. If I get one good tomato at this late date I'll be thrilled. It will start freezing soon but I can bring them in at night.
Practical Life: Cloth Gift Wrapping
I love to wrap gifts in cloth but never know what I'm doing. So, although I love it in theory, I usually use bags and tissue. Now, finally, visual directions! I didn't know that it was an official way of wrapping, didn't know it actually had a name, and didn't know that it was an ancient Japanese art called Furoshiki. Here is a link to a page you can print out. Unfortunately it has a green background. I would rather have it white with black ink - especially since I've been out of colored ink for weeks. I doubt I'll print it but will hopefully refer to it often with dc. Great idea for Practical Life shelf work: put a tray with boxes and fabrics along with this page. No, not my idea ;), it's from Heidi's link also posted below:
http://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/attach/060403-5.pdf
Have a look at the above and much more in the winter newsletter here:
http://www.amonco.org/winter1/montessori_winter1.pdf
http://www.amonco.org/montessori_winter_handson.html
More on the technique:
http://furoshiki.com/techniques/
The above one in (yeah!) black and white:
http://art-maddie.blogspot.com/2011/08/wrapping-techniques-furoshiki.html
What's Cookin'?
Crepes: I made an adjusted version of crepes yesterday morning. It was actually much faster than pancakes because everyone just had one or two. They were filling and I was actually able to eat one without it messing up my morning blood sugar. I have been reading several of Dr. Amen's books about brain health and this cookbook is by him and his wife. I am NOT endorsing this book because it includes a lot of UNfermented soy, trans fats such as margarine, and processed foods such as egg beaters. However, I enjoyed looking through it and got some really good ideas. Plus it has a great list of the top 50 brain foods.
Their recipe ingredients for the crepes: flour, egg beaters, almond milk, stevia. Their filling was yogurt mixed with ground flax seed with mixed berries and bananas.
My ingredients for the crepes: soaked flour with fresh milk, real eggs (2 eggs equaled the 1/4 C), a pinch of rapadura sugar. My filling was less fancy: a dollop of homemade yogurt and a spoonful of thawed frozen cherries. After folding it over I sprinkled a little cinnamon sugar on top.
Directions: The night before, soak 2/3 Cup whole wheat flour (or flour of your choice but no reason to soak white flour) with 1/2 C milk. The next morning mix in a pinch or 1/2 teaspoon of rapadura (more or less sugar to taste) and 2 eggs. Stir until well mixed. I added more milk to thin it further (probably about 1/4 C more). Heat oil in a pan (I used about 1 Tablespoon coconut oil in an 8" stainless steel pan). Put about 1/4 C batter in the pan and swirl it around to get it spread out. Flip when the edges are firm and the bottom starts to barely brown. Cook the other side the same.
These crepes were very pliable and this recipe worked well. A long time ago I made crepes using another recipe and they froze well so these should also.
**This adjusted crepe recipe is part of Kelly's Real Food Wednesday:
http://kellythekitchenkop.com/2011/11/real-food-wednesday-11092011.html
Basic Vanilla Cupcakes: Here is a great versatile cupcake recipe from Alyss. I have a few bags of frozen cherries left so I may use those instead of the plums (no plums around here - they are a pit fruit so I try to get organic ones once in a blue moon):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alyssssyla/3941608828/
[Update: I used 1/2 the recommended sugar (rapadura) so it was more like a sweet bread (pan dulce) with fruit than a super sweet cupcake. I did not add any icing and everyone enjoyed them for a special snack. Definitely a repeat!]
What's Gardenin'?
I have 2 container roma tomato plants that I barely put out last month when we moved. They look great and have lots of flowers. If I get one good tomato at this late date I'll be thrilled. It will start freezing soon but I can bring them in at night.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Texas History and State Study Resources
What's Cookin'?
Tortilla Soup "a la leftovers": I loosely followed a tortilla soup recipe (broth, diced cooked chicken, a handful of tomatoes from the freezer, sauteed then pureed onions, peppers, and a few tomatoes from the freezer in the puree, spices). Then I dumped in all of the leftovers from the refrigerator (yes, even the bit of spaghetti! It had grass-fed ground beef in it that I wasn't about to waste!). I put some crumbled organic tortilla chips (to avoid gmo corn although they weren't treated with lime) in a bowl, served the soup on top, and garnished with shredded low-pasteurized swiss cheese and a dallop of Daisy sour cream (not organic but only has cultured cream in its ingredients).
Tortilla Casserole: I (again) loosely followed a recipe that included making a mixture of cooked ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, shredded cheese, and a bit of milk to make it soupy. Normally I would use homemade cream of mushroom soup but I had bought the only commercial one I could find that I could eat to keep at my mom's this summer when we were in and out of her house a lot. I have to admit that it sure was convenient to grab a box! Grease the bottom of a 9x12 casserole dish (I may have used butter but I can't remember). Layer 6 tortillas on the bottom (I use either homemade tortillas or sprouted tortillas). Spoon 1/2 of the mixture over all of it; repeat. Finish off with some more shredded cheese. Bake at 350F for about 30 minutes. The dc really liked it. I would like to try it again with sprouted corn tortillas.
What I learned: Freezing tomatoes is easy at both freezing and cooking time! I had just quartered some farmer's market tomatoes and tossed them in a gallon bag to freeze. I made sure to lay it flat so they would not freeze together so much. At cooking time I got out what I needed and the peels just came right off by pulling it gently with my fingers - so easy!
Rice Krispie Treat Grotto for St. Bernadette: Okay... I *finally* uploaded this photo that goes with this post! It tells how I made the krispie treats, why I picked organic puffed rice, and how I made homemade marshmallows. Sequences!
What's Schoolin'?
Here are some resources that I've been using to make materials for our Texas studies:
We started with the dinosaurs :). I made 3-part cards and she uses them to place on the large felt map. I also made a paper copy of it for her to make a booklet for her lapbook. I selectively printed a few pages from this free activity/coloring book with great info:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_p4502_0094n.pdf
Outline map of ecoregions:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_mp_e0100_1070q_08.pdf
Same map in color:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_mp_e0100_1070u_08.pdf
Nice map of major cities:
http://www.tourtexas.com/texas_maps_cities.cfm
Different tribal maps (I really wanted to focus on the moment in time when Europeans first came; although things shifted and changed with some disappearing and others moving in from different directions. I thought that a pinpoint in time would help dd have a focus; then we can branch out to how it was different later as we study more):
Labeled and unlabel map of major rivers:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/texas/rivers/
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/statesbw/texas.shtml
Labeled/unlabeled and colored/uncolored maps of the regions:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/texas/naturalfeatures/
Really cool site with lots of info:
http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/
Excellent resource on different tribes:
http://texasindians.com/
More info on specific tribes and a good map:
http://www.native-languages.org/texas.htm
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept activity/coloring book:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_p4000_0016.pdf
Different maps of regions of TX (colored and uncolored):
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/texas/naturalfeatures/
Free curriculum for grades 4 and 7 that could be a stand-alone or supplement. For me it's a supplement. They are both parallel curr. so it would be easy to use for multi-age/grade groups or homeschooling. Some parts need more depth (such as distinct tribes):
http://www.tshaonline.org/tools/lessonplans/browse/index.html
Tortilla Soup "a la leftovers": I loosely followed a tortilla soup recipe (broth, diced cooked chicken, a handful of tomatoes from the freezer, sauteed then pureed onions, peppers, and a few tomatoes from the freezer in the puree, spices). Then I dumped in all of the leftovers from the refrigerator (yes, even the bit of spaghetti! It had grass-fed ground beef in it that I wasn't about to waste!). I put some crumbled organic tortilla chips (to avoid gmo corn although they weren't treated with lime) in a bowl, served the soup on top, and garnished with shredded low-pasteurized swiss cheese and a dallop of Daisy sour cream (not organic but only has cultured cream in its ingredients).
Tortilla Casserole: I (again) loosely followed a recipe that included making a mixture of cooked ground beef, cream of mushroom soup, shredded cheese, and a bit of milk to make it soupy. Normally I would use homemade cream of mushroom soup but I had bought the only commercial one I could find that I could eat to keep at my mom's this summer when we were in and out of her house a lot. I have to admit that it sure was convenient to grab a box! Grease the bottom of a 9x12 casserole dish (I may have used butter but I can't remember). Layer 6 tortillas on the bottom (I use either homemade tortillas or sprouted tortillas). Spoon 1/2 of the mixture over all of it; repeat. Finish off with some more shredded cheese. Bake at 350F for about 30 minutes. The dc really liked it. I would like to try it again with sprouted corn tortillas.
What I learned: Freezing tomatoes is easy at both freezing and cooking time! I had just quartered some farmer's market tomatoes and tossed them in a gallon bag to freeze. I made sure to lay it flat so they would not freeze together so much. At cooking time I got out what I needed and the peels just came right off by pulling it gently with my fingers - so easy!
Rice Krispie Treat Grotto for St. Bernadette: Okay... I *finally* uploaded this photo that goes with this post! It tells how I made the krispie treats, why I picked organic puffed rice, and how I made homemade marshmallows. Sequences!
What's Schoolin'?
Here are some resources that I've been using to make materials for our Texas studies:
We started with the dinosaurs :). I made 3-part cards and she uses them to place on the large felt map. I also made a paper copy of it for her to make a booklet for her lapbook. I selectively printed a few pages from this free activity/coloring book with great info:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_p4502_0094n.pdf
Outline map of ecoregions:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_mp_e0100_1070q_08.pdf
Same map in color:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_mp_e0100_1070u_08.pdf
Nice map of major cities:
http://www.tourtexas.com/texas_maps_cities.cfm
Different tribal maps (I really wanted to focus on the moment in time when Europeans first came; although things shifted and changed with some disappearing and others moving in from different directions. I thought that a pinpoint in time would help dd have a focus; then we can branch out to how it was different later as we study more):
Labeled and unlabel map of major rivers:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/texas/rivers/
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/statesbw/texas.shtml
Labeled/unlabeled and colored/uncolored maps of the regions:
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/texas/naturalfeatures/
Really cool site with lots of info:
http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/
Excellent resource on different tribes:
http://texasindians.com/
More info on specific tribes and a good map:
http://www.native-languages.org/texas.htm
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept activity/coloring book:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_bk_p4000_0016.pdf
Different maps of regions of TX (colored and uncolored):
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/texas/naturalfeatures/
Free curriculum for grades 4 and 7 that could be a stand-alone or supplement. For me it's a supplement. They are both parallel curr. so it would be easy to use for multi-age/grade groups or homeschooling. Some parts need more depth (such as distinct tribes):
http://www.tshaonline.org/tools/lessonplans/browse/index.html
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Free Lapbook ~ Texas History Lapbook
As I was scouring the internet for a pre-made Texas History lapbook (I *really* don't want to start from scratch right now even though I love creating) I thought I would check out HOAC.
The Freebie right now at In the Hands of a Child is a full lapbook for Island of the Blue Dolphins (click on freebie at the link). It says grades 4-7 but I don't think my 4th grader is ready to really appreciate it yet. I've saved it for later:
http://www.handsofachild.com/
Texas Lapbook:
They DO have a Texas History Lapbook! I would need to add to it for it to be a complete study for the year and be more comprehensive in the History area but it would make a great spine. Plus, for 4th, even if I didn't add much it would still be "enough" and she would remember it so much better through lapbooking. I remember trying to teach it all in 4th in public school - it was sooo much info for them! For the indigenous peoples I divided the class into groups; they did research and made projects; and then presented to the class. That was one way for everyone to have exposure to all of the tribes and learn and *remember* details about at least one :). How I wish I had known about lapbooking 20 years ago!
http://tinyurl.com/69gup2v
It turns out that the HOAC Tx History lapbook is on sale right now at currclick. Yeah! $9.95
http://www.currclick.com/product_info.php?products_id=2493&it=1
Hmmm.... decisions, decisions. I found free resources in my google search of Texas History Lapbooks but this one is more "History" and I've always been pleased with their products.
Books I need to Buy/Check out:
A Child's History of Texas
http://tinyurl.com/6zzsnn3
Texas (Eyewitness Books)
http://tinyurl.com/6c6vdh2
The Story of Texas
http://tinyurl.com/4xnz6aq
I keep waffling back and forth about getting this one - I would have already gotten it if I had unlimited resources:
Dinah Zike's Big Book of Texas History:
http://tinyurl.com/3svxu9z
You can see them better at this older post made back when the Amazon widget was working:
http://eclecticlvng.blogspot.com/2010/08/chemistry-coloring-book-texas-history.html
Now I'm going to start working on some Montessori-inspired Texas History shelf work... I'm thinking a big map that can be used for dd to place things like dinosaur pictures; different tribes; city labels; rivers, etc. Basically a TX version of the world felt map. I just found this great resource link to make some type of dinosaur work (I think fossil hunting will be a must of a field trip!):
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/kids/wild_things/dinosaurs/
The Freebie right now at In the Hands of a Child is a full lapbook for Island of the Blue Dolphins (click on freebie at the link). It says grades 4-7 but I don't think my 4th grader is ready to really appreciate it yet. I've saved it for later:
http://www.handsofachild.com/
Texas Lapbook:
They DO have a Texas History Lapbook! I would need to add to it for it to be a complete study for the year and be more comprehensive in the History area but it would make a great spine. Plus, for 4th, even if I didn't add much it would still be "enough" and she would remember it so much better through lapbooking. I remember trying to teach it all in 4th in public school - it was sooo much info for them! For the indigenous peoples I divided the class into groups; they did research and made projects; and then presented to the class. That was one way for everyone to have exposure to all of the tribes and learn and *remember* details about at least one :). How I wish I had known about lapbooking 20 years ago!
http://tinyurl.com/69gup2v
It turns out that the HOAC Tx History lapbook is on sale right now at currclick. Yeah! $9.95
http://www.currclick.com/product_info.php?products_id=2493&it=1
Hmmm.... decisions, decisions. I found free resources in my google search of Texas History Lapbooks but this one is more "History" and I've always been pleased with their products.
Books I need to Buy/Check out:
A Child's History of Texas
http://tinyurl.com/6zzsnn3
Texas (Eyewitness Books)
http://tinyurl.com/6c6vdh2
The Story of Texas
http://tinyurl.com/4xnz6aq
I keep waffling back and forth about getting this one - I would have already gotten it if I had unlimited resources:
Dinah Zike's Big Book of Texas History:
http://tinyurl.com/3svxu9z
You can see them better at this older post made back when the Amazon widget was working:
http://eclecticlvng.blogspot.com/2010/08/chemistry-coloring-book-texas-history.html
Now I'm going to start working on some Montessori-inspired Texas History shelf work... I'm thinking a big map that can be used for dd to place things like dinosaur pictures; different tribes; city labels; rivers, etc. Basically a TX version of the world felt map. I just found this great resource link to make some type of dinosaur work (I think fossil hunting will be a must of a field trip!):
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/kids/wild_things/dinosaurs/
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Green Polka Dot Box Free Year Membership!!
The Green Polka Dot Box, an online buying club for organic products at reasonable prices, has extended its promotional offer of a free one year membership through October 9th. Hop on over and check it out. You have to watch their 30 minute webinar which is a blurb about their higher membership and then sign up. As an example, I found this Spectrum Refined Coconut Oil for under $5. I don't get a lot of pre-packaged food (except for this summer during our "living in 4 homes in 3 months nomadic adventurous move") so I won't benefit from the savings on the bulk of their products, but I still found plenty of items I use.
It's $9.95 shipping for any order under $150 and free shipping after that (I can't find exactly where I read that on the website but that's what I remember, anyway, from when I was on it before joining). Memberships are usually $50.
I love being able to support a company that is in turn supporting companies that are non-GMO or moving in that direction - and that's easy on a thin, crumpled pocketbook. I can't say at this point that I'll continue my membership next year without the promotional freebie, but I'm happy to give it a go and make a few orders; even if it takes saving up for a few months to consolidate it for the free shipping. The prices on some of the items phenomenal.
Here's the link:
http://www.greenpolkadotbox.com/
Here is my referral link, but I'm not hung up on getting referral points - I just want to get the word out about the freebie and about this company that has great promise. Anything else would be homemade, natural dye, real butter and sugar icing on the cake! Here's my referral invitation (which I didn't even know existed until after I had written the post):
http://www.greenpolkadotbox.com/invite/9904/
Let me know of your experiences with this company. So far they even helped me over the weekend when I was having trouble getting my free membership to work and I am already impressed with their helpfulness.
It's $9.95 shipping for any order under $150 and free shipping after that (I can't find exactly where I read that on the website but that's what I remember, anyway, from when I was on it before joining). Memberships are usually $50.
I love being able to support a company that is in turn supporting companies that are non-GMO or moving in that direction - and that's easy on a thin, crumpled pocketbook. I can't say at this point that I'll continue my membership next year without the promotional freebie, but I'm happy to give it a go and make a few orders; even if it takes saving up for a few months to consolidate it for the free shipping. The prices on some of the items phenomenal.
Here's the link:
http://www.greenpolkadotbox.com/
Here is my referral link, but I'm not hung up on getting referral points - I just want to get the word out about the freebie and about this company that has great promise. Anything else would be homemade, natural dye, real butter and sugar icing on the cake! Here's my referral invitation (which I didn't even know existed until after I had written the post):
http://www.greenpolkadotbox.com/invite/9904/
Let me know of your experiences with this company. So far they even helped me over the weekend when I was having trouble getting my free membership to work and I am already impressed with their helpfulness.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Portfolios ~ "BOATLIFT, An Untold Tale of 9/11 Resilience" video
BOATLIFT: A Must-Watch Video
What's Cookin'?
Food Show Recipes:
Dc will be using the following recipes for their contests this year.
Dd-9 is making Banana Nut Muffins. We soak ours but will actually follow a recipe for a change for the contest :). Of course this will take some testing so we're making them in a few minutes. I found this recipe online. For the contest we're making the following adjustments but for real life I would soak them overnight with adjustments: whole yogurt instead of low-fat; rapadura/sucanat for the sugar; and vegetable oil instead of canola oil (much of canola is genetically modified)(we'll probably use sunflower oil).
http://eatingcleanrecipes.com/2010/02/whole-wheat-banana-nut-muffins/
Dd-14 is making zucchini bread. I'll try to type that up soon.
Dd-15 is making pancake crackers (scroll down to What's Cookin'? here) and homemade peanut butter (I posted here about peanuts).
What's Schoolin'?
What do I do with all of their work?? Well, this has worked well for us for several years... but you'd have to understand my NOT left-brain type (and compensations for my Lyme brain). It would probably drive many of you crazy!
Throughout the year we simply toss "keepers" in one of these wonderful Sterilite plastic drawers that I kept in the closet of the old house
. It includes Math pages, tests, art work, etc, etc, etc. Then during the summer (okay, it was every TWO summers for a while!) we go through it and they/I choose the real keepers of the year, take a photos with all of the rest spread out on the floor, and put the real keepers in a binder. I punch holes in the art work or papers when appropriate and put others in those plastic page protectors when appropriate. I can also put any cards, letters, smaller items and even notes to me in those page protectors.
This has worked so well that I plan to continue using it. When we switched to lapbooking the "keepers" went down considerably because the unit pages are in the completed lapbooks that we keep on a shelf in the schoolroom. When we switched to spiral notebooks for the different subject areas the "keepers" went down even more because random assignments or shelf work follow-up work is done in spirals. Each spiral may span several years and when one if full we chunk it in... the drawers until summertime :). At that time I simply store the full spriral with their other portfolio binders.
I hope posting this "system" will help others struggling with keeping/organizing their children's work.
Enjoy!
What's Cookin'?
Food Show Recipes:
Dc will be using the following recipes for their contests this year.
Dd-9 is making Banana Nut Muffins. We soak ours but will actually follow a recipe for a change for the contest :). Of course this will take some testing so we're making them in a few minutes. I found this recipe online. For the contest we're making the following adjustments but for real life I would soak them overnight with adjustments: whole yogurt instead of low-fat; rapadura/sucanat for the sugar; and vegetable oil instead of canola oil (much of canola is genetically modified)(we'll probably use sunflower oil).
http://eatingcleanrecipes.com/2010/02/whole-wheat-banana-nut-muffins/
Dd-14 is making zucchini bread. I'll try to type that up soon.
Dd-15 is making pancake crackers (scroll down to What's Cookin'? here) and homemade peanut butter (I posted here about peanuts).
What's Schoolin'?
What do I do with all of their work?? Well, this has worked well for us for several years... but you'd have to understand my NOT left-brain type (and compensations for my Lyme brain). It would probably drive many of you crazy!
Throughout the year we simply toss "keepers" in one of these wonderful Sterilite plastic drawers that I kept in the closet of the old house
. It includes Math pages, tests, art work, etc, etc, etc. Then during the summer (okay, it was every TWO summers for a while!) we go through it and they/I choose the real keepers of the year, take a photos with all of the rest spread out on the floor, and put the real keepers in a binder. I punch holes in the art work or papers when appropriate and put others in those plastic page protectors when appropriate. I can also put any cards, letters, smaller items and even notes to me in those page protectors.This has worked so well that I plan to continue using it. When we switched to lapbooking the "keepers" went down considerably because the unit pages are in the completed lapbooks that we keep on a shelf in the schoolroom. When we switched to spiral notebooks for the different subject areas the "keepers" went down even more because random assignments or shelf work follow-up work is done in spirals. Each spiral may span several years and when one if full we chunk it in... the drawers until summertime :). At that time I simply store the full spriral with their other portfolio binders.
I hope posting this "system" will help others struggling with keeping/organizing their children's work.
Enjoy!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Montessori Kindle Books
What's Schoolin'?
I've been considering a Kindle or some other reader for quite a while now for the olders. Here is a compilation of Kindle Montessori books for download. In case you don't already know, you can install the Kindle reader on your computer free of charge. I did that when I downloaded some free test prep books for the olders a while back.
Here is the Kindle:
Dr. Montessori's Own Handbook (free)
http://tinyurl.com/3zt8l8c
Spontaneous Activity in Education (free)
http://tinyurl.com/3f2jmw6
The Montessori Method
http://tinyurl.com/3l55j77
Montessori from the Start
http://tinyurl.com/45ysnjj
Montessori Madness! A Parent to Parent Argument for Montessori Education
http://tinyurl.com/3pjk75k
Understanding Montessori
http://tinyurl.com/3j2aavo
Montessori FAQs Unplugged Book One
http://tinyurl.com/3w5f5dq
Montessori's Own Handbook
http://tinyurl.com/3m4yr28
What's Cookin'?
Weird, I know, but I've been thinking a lot about fish heads lately, lol. Yes, between all of the chaos of our current living arrangements I've been thinking about being brave and trying to make a similar recipe to what I remember from the beach growing up in the tropics. You would have to scoop around the fish head to serve your bowl of soup. Since I was so easily eeewww-ed as a kid (having spent my first 9 years up here in the States and only summers below the tropical latitude) I would quickly scoop and try not to make faces at the fish head staring up at me. Unfortunately my "ewww-ness" made me miss out on taking full nutritional advantage of nutrient-dense traditional foods that I simply wasn't used to eating.
What's Green?
I found 2 scorpions in our new house as I was prepping it to move in the other day. (sigh) One was in dd's closet and the other live one in their bathroom. The dead one in their hallway relieved me somewhat.
So... I'll be looking into their natural predators, natural pesticides, spraying and praying. If I remember right crushed glass is what exterminators use for scorpions. I have a bucket of food grade garden Diatomaceous Earth somewhere in storage. I may sprinkle that along the outside of the house for now as I think that is also a scorpion killer. I sure don't have to worry about rain washing it away because we're in drought here with it only raining once all Summer (and 3 months straight with above 100F temps).
I've been considering a Kindle or some other reader for quite a while now for the olders. Here is a compilation of Kindle Montessori books for download. In case you don't already know, you can install the Kindle reader on your computer free of charge. I did that when I downloaded some free test prep books for the olders a while back.
Here is the Kindle:
http://tinyurl.com/3gjuk83
http://tinyurl.com/3st3gso
http://tinyurl.com/3n4b4qs
http://tinyurl.com/3k2382t
Dr. Montessori's Own Handbook (free)
http://tinyurl.com/3zt8l8c
Spontaneous Activity in Education (free)
http://tinyurl.com/3f2jmw6
The Montessori Method
http://tinyurl.com/3l55j77
Montessori from the Start
http://tinyurl.com/45ysnjj
Montessori Madness! A Parent to Parent Argument for Montessori Education
http://tinyurl.com/3pjk75k
Understanding Montessori
http://tinyurl.com/3j2aavo
Montessori FAQs Unplugged Book One
http://tinyurl.com/3w5f5dq
Montessori's Own Handbook
http://tinyurl.com/3m4yr28
What's Cookin'?
Weird, I know, but I've been thinking a lot about fish heads lately, lol. Yes, between all of the chaos of our current living arrangements I've been thinking about being brave and trying to make a similar recipe to what I remember from the beach growing up in the tropics. You would have to scoop around the fish head to serve your bowl of soup. Since I was so easily eeewww-ed as a kid (having spent my first 9 years up here in the States and only summers below the tropical latitude) I would quickly scoop and try not to make faces at the fish head staring up at me. Unfortunately my "ewww-ness" made me miss out on taking full nutritional advantage of nutrient-dense traditional foods that I simply wasn't used to eating.
What's Green?
I found 2 scorpions in our new house as I was prepping it to move in the other day. (sigh) One was in dd's closet and the other live one in their bathroom. The dead one in their hallway relieved me somewhat.
So... I'll be looking into their natural predators, natural pesticides, spraying and praying. If I remember right crushed glass is what exterminators use for scorpions. I have a bucket of food grade garden Diatomaceous Earth somewhere in storage. I may sprinkle that along the outside of the house for now as I think that is also a scorpion killer. I sure don't have to worry about rain washing it away because we're in drought here with it only raining once all Summer (and 3 months straight with above 100F temps).
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Montessori Pencil Holders ~ More Gottatries...
Aren't these pencil holders from Montessori Services beautiful?
If you can't or don't want to pay high prices for pencil holders such as this you have quite a few options. You could paint recycled food cans; use clear acrylic containers from a hobby store and put stickers, paper, or paint on them; even use those colored plastic cups (I just saw that in image google when I went to get a photo). You can find nice wooden containers to paint (or not!) at a hobby store as well.
What did we do when youngest dd was little? We used baby food jars nestled in a short-sided box that she could carry to her work area. In those jars she kept colored pencils, markers, and even crayons sorted by color. I didn't find it necessary to color-coordinate the jar, she just sorted them by color and knew where to return each one by the colors already in there.
However, if you want the finished look of a commercial product, here are a few:
What's Cookin'?
Some more Gottatries:
No Bake Pecan Pie (uses 1 C each almonds/raisins for crust; 1 C pecans, 1 C dried figs):
http://www.squidoo.com/the-wholesome-life
Zuke Chorizo Lasagna (Mmmm)(sliced zukes/yellow squash for lasagna noodles, so it's low carb). I always hesitate (and thus never buy) chorizo even though it has great ingredients and is readily available in my area because of the whole mass food industry pork issue. I've been getting my pork once in a blue moon from local farms but no chorizo in sight. I'd like to say (and have actually said) that the only place I eat pork outside of the house is at Chipotle... but that would be a lie because once in a while I do find myself giving in at a breakfast restaurant - I just love bacon way too much (you know, the other food group!). Anyway, I will try to look into the chorizo possibilities so here is the recipe:
http://www.beyondthepeel.net/2011/08/zucchini-chorizo-sausage-lasagna-no-pasta-was-harmed-in-this-recipe.html
Easy Pancakes (change to soaked):
http://www.naturalfamilyawareness.com/health/index.php/2011/07/25/leas-easy-pancake-recipe/
Strawberry yogurt popscicles (1 qt yogurt; 2 C fresh or frozen strawberries in blender or food processor; put in molds)
http://www.naturalfamilyawareness.com/health/index.php/2011/07/02/leas-creamy-strawberry-yogurt-popsicles/
Zucchini Ideas (stir-fried summer squash; zuke spice cake; zuke fritters; zuke pancakes):
http://www.homegrownandhandmadethebook.com/2011/08/zucchini-here-there-everywhere.html
Double chocolate chip cookie:
http://www.cookiedropletsetcbymarelie.com/2011/08/my-double-chocolate-chip-cookie.html
Anther mayo recipe (used a hand mixer):
http://stuffifeedbrian.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to-make-homemade-mayonnaise-gluten.html
What's Green?
A kitchen counter cleaner with 2 T washing soda, 3-5 drops dish detergent, hot water to fill the spray bottle and lavender or peppermint oil optional:
http://www.16ballsintheair.com/2011/02/simple-baby-step.html
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Fresh (Food) Start ~ Gottatries
What's Schoolin'?
Oldest DD: Mommy, we need to study Colloids!
Why is she suddenly interested in the colloids from her Chemistry book from which she just stopped taking notes? Well, it just so happens that the following are in the colloids group: milk, butter, whipped cream, and marshmallows. I have homemade marshmallows in my little freezer that's stored in my mom's garage at the moment and our beater (to make whipped cream) is in storage. "Oh well, I guess we'll just have to have some chocolate milk," is dd's solution. Hmm.... I happen to have some cacao and rapadura/honey... Who am I to get in the way of Chemistry studies?
What's Cookin'?
Hopefully we will close on our new home this week and I'll have a kitchen again (yeah!!!). The first thing I plan on doing is soaking some beans and making some bone broth while they soak. I'll also be digging out my bread recipes and trying to remember which was our favorite recipe. Soaking almonds for homemade almond milk (for dd) will top the list also. I'm glad she hasn't really taken to the store-bought kind we've been using throughout the summer.
I did a lot of food compromises throughout the summer and here are some steps I'll be taking to get back on track:
No more breakfast cereal. Although we were getting natural kinds with no food dyes, no fake sugars, no HFCS, etc, etc, it is still highly processed. This may require some withdrawals but we'll be switching back to eggs, soaked oatmeal, arroz con leche, and other homemade breakfasts.
No more drive-thrus. This happened as a consequence of driving back and forth so much this summer but we won't be driving like that as much once school starts and we get our belongings out of storage. I tried to choose "better" drive-thrus but, you know, let's just say they aren't the best choice for our health. Chick-Fil-A switched to canola oil so I'm bummed about that but their chicken salad sandwiches sure are good and filling :). I don't feel bad (physically) after eating there like I do with other places or frozen processed foods. Chipotle is the best around but is on the opposite side of town where we would drive and only went there once or twice during the summer drives. Braums does not use hormones nor "routine" antibiotics in their dairy cows so I (naively) assume that their burgers are the same.
No more processed sandwich meat. This will also cause some withdrawals (from them for the taste and from me for the ease). We get some with no nitrites/nitrates but it is still highly processed and who knows if they use that 'industry standard' meat glue (disgusting!!)[Watch this short video!]. By the way, I always (if possible) cook our sandwich meat to steaming when we do make lunch meat sandwiches to kill any listeria or other baddies. Deli meat is NOT recommended even in the mainstream for pregnant moms unless cooked so I do this as a matter of course.
No more paper plates, plastic forks, spoons, cups! We'll be setting up our "UNpaper towels" in a handy place in the kitchen.
No more store-bought yogurt for daily use. Cottage cheese is a tough one though because my attempts failed and organic is sooooo expensive for something I eat almost every day (dopamine precursor is in cottage cheese). I get Daisy cottage cheese and sour cream because it just has cultured cream but it's not organic. No hormones but probably antibiotics. Organics also sometimes have lots of unnecessary ingredients like some organic yogurt I've seen lately and unhealthy food additives.
Revive my dairy kefir grains. We'll see how they do after only being changed once during the summer and being pushed back in the fridge. Otherwise, I think I have some in the freezer.
Fermented drinks. That sounds fun, doesn't it, lol? Actually, I meant lacto-fermented drinks for me and the dc. We'll start with fermented lemonade and I'll also make some beet kvass.
My mom will be so glad, I'm sure, to get my little freezer and boxes of staples out of her garage (and study - when I saw that the new Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil I bought in bulk was pure liquid in a plastic container in the 115F+ garage I moved it to the study inside - where it still stayed liquid but not as hot). She has been such a good sport about our stuff this summer.
These baby steps for a fresh start are part of Kelly's Real Food Wednesday:
http://kellythekitchenkop.com/2011/08/real-food-wednesday-8172011.html
Gottatries
I always tag more than I put in my gottatry lists but here are some recipes I'd like to try asap:
These sweet potato and black bean enchiladas will go right along with the beans I'll be making and I *love* sweet potatoes:
http://www.realfoodallergyfree.com/2011/08/sweet-potato-and-black-bean-enchiladas-with-mole-sauce/
Crunchy Granola (I can never have enough granola or granola bar recipes to try):
http://ruthsrealfood.blogspot.com/2011/08/crunchy-granola-for-hippies-and-others.html
Lacto-fermented dill pickles:
http://www.pennilessparenting.com/2011/08/perfect-dill-pickles-recipe.html
Eggplant Parmesan (smaller eggplants have less seeds; eggs; breadcrumbs)(serve with angel hair pasta and mozzarella)(maybe even just serve plain with the cooked eggplant):
http://www.theadirondackchick.com/2011/08/eggplant-parmesan-traditional.html
Ooo yeah, watermelon ice cream! I don't have an ice cream maker but I wonder how this would do just frozen in little popsicle molds or cups; or maybe in a big bowl and stir every hour or so until frozen? I tried giving them 'fresco de sandia' once and it didn't go over very well. Then many years later I got some from a stand at the open-air market in San Antonio and they only tasted it. How can you not love fresco de sandia??? This may work, though:
http://recipestonourish.blogspot.com/2011/08/creamy-watermelon-ice-cream.html
Roasted Eggplant (eggplant, salt, olive oil, garlic cloves)(can be frozen for a fast side dish - can it get any better than that?):
http://www.traditional-foods.com/recipes/oven-roasted-eggplant/
Kohlrabi Fritters:
http://amomonamission.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/kohlrabi-fritters/
Monkey French Toast (this should help ease the pain from leaving behind breakfast cereals!):
http://angelfoodskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/08/celebrity-cook-along-rachael-raymonkey.html
No-Tomato Sauce (uses carrots, beets, seasonings)(video):
http://realfoodforager.com/2011/07/videorecipe-the-no-tomato-sauce-scdgaps/
Black Bean and Cream Cheese burritios:
http://debbidoesdinnerhealthy.blogspot.com/2011/08/black-bean-cream-cheese-burritos.html
Single serving quick peanut butter cake. This may be worth trying - in the oven though:
http://www.extremepersonalmeasures.com/2011/08/one-minute-peanut-butter-cake.html
Lemon curd. A must-try! (3 eggs, lemon zest, sugar, butter):
http://creativekitchenadventures.com/2011/08/02/lemon-curd-perfect-summertime-treat/
Zucchini Boats (zukes, cream cheese, mozzarella, parmesan):
http://www.greenbeangardens.com/zucchini-boats/
Kefir Cream Cheese:
http://www.stacymakescents.com/kefir-cream-cheese
Banana Crunch Muffins:
http://pattietierney.blogspot.com/2011/08/banana-crunch-muffins.html
Grain-Free Skillet Lasagna (uses summer squash for noodles!!):
http://nourishedandnurtured.blogspot.com/2011/08/grain-free-skillet-lasagna.html
I have been mulling this over for a while. I was even joking recently with my cousin on the phone about having to scoop your soup out of the pot around the fish head as children:
http://thepurposedheart.com/homemade-fish-stock/
Vegetable Frittata:
http://premeditatedleftovers.com/vegetable-frittata/
Another version of fudgesicles using avocado without cooking (just blend ingredients):
http://recipestonourish.blogspot.com/2011/07/homemade-fudgesicles.html#comment-form
Vidalia Salsa:
http://www.tendergrassfedmeat.com/2011/08/02/raw-vidalia-salsa-provides-balance-for-grassfed-meat/
How to freeze fresh corn:
http://www.halleethehomemaker.com/2011/08/freezing-fresh-corn/
How to freeze herbs:
http://wholenewmom.com/recipes/the-easiest-way-to-preserve-herbs/
Almond Date Bar (like a LARA bar)(with video):
http://realfoodforager.com/2011/07/videorecipe-almond-date-energy-bar-scdgaps/
Cheese Scallion Muffins:
http://debbidoesdinnerhealthy.blogspot.com/2011/08/cheese-scallion-muffins.html
Chewy Cinnamon Almond Cookies (gluten free)(can be used for ice cream sandwiches)(would normally have all ingredients on hand as well - 2-1/2 C almond flour):
http://nourishedandnurtured.blogspot.com/2011/07/chewy-cinnamon-almond-cookies-gluten.html
Fermented bread and butter pickles:
http://nourishedandnurtured.blogspot.com/2011/08/fermented-bread-and-butter-pickles-gaps.html
Petite Lasagnas (uses wonton wrappers)(make in muffin tins)(make sure to have 1-1/2 C ricotta or cottage? and 1-1/2 mozarella or swiss? plus tomato sauce and cooked ground meat):
http://sensibleshoppers.blogspot.com/2011/07/petite-lasagnas.html
Breakfast ideas:
http://realfoodlittlerock.blogspot.com/2011/08/back-to-school-breakfast.html
Lunch ideas:
http://realfoodlittlerock.blogspot.com/2011/08/back-to-school-lunches.html
Roasted Pesto Tomatoes (basil (pesto), oil, tomatoes, salt):
http://www.artfoodlifeblog.com/2011/08/roasted-pesto-tomatoes/
Blueberry Muffins (gluten and sugar free) (2 C almond meal):
http://momsforsafefood.net/2011/08/02/gluten-sugar-free-blueberry-muffins/
What's Gardenin'?
This was on RFW for tomato blight/garden fungal problems:
http://shanonhilton.blogspot.com/2011/08/fighting-blight-fermented-recipe.html
Oldest DD: Mommy, we need to study Colloids!
Why is she suddenly interested in the colloids from her Chemistry book from which she just stopped taking notes? Well, it just so happens that the following are in the colloids group: milk, butter, whipped cream, and marshmallows. I have homemade marshmallows in my little freezer that's stored in my mom's garage at the moment and our beater (to make whipped cream) is in storage. "Oh well, I guess we'll just have to have some chocolate milk," is dd's solution. Hmm.... I happen to have some cacao and rapadura/honey... Who am I to get in the way of Chemistry studies?
What's Cookin'?
Hopefully we will close on our new home this week and I'll have a kitchen again (yeah!!!). The first thing I plan on doing is soaking some beans and making some bone broth while they soak. I'll also be digging out my bread recipes and trying to remember which was our favorite recipe. Soaking almonds for homemade almond milk (for dd) will top the list also. I'm glad she hasn't really taken to the store-bought kind we've been using throughout the summer.
I did a lot of food compromises throughout the summer and here are some steps I'll be taking to get back on track:
No more breakfast cereal. Although we were getting natural kinds with no food dyes, no fake sugars, no HFCS, etc, etc, it is still highly processed. This may require some withdrawals but we'll be switching back to eggs, soaked oatmeal, arroz con leche, and other homemade breakfasts.
No more drive-thrus. This happened as a consequence of driving back and forth so much this summer but we won't be driving like that as much once school starts and we get our belongings out of storage. I tried to choose "better" drive-thrus but, you know, let's just say they aren't the best choice for our health. Chick-Fil-A switched to canola oil so I'm bummed about that but their chicken salad sandwiches sure are good and filling :). I don't feel bad (physically) after eating there like I do with other places or frozen processed foods. Chipotle is the best around but is on the opposite side of town where we would drive and only went there once or twice during the summer drives. Braums does not use hormones nor "routine" antibiotics in their dairy cows so I (naively) assume that their burgers are the same.
No more processed sandwich meat. This will also cause some withdrawals (from them for the taste and from me for the ease). We get some with no nitrites/nitrates but it is still highly processed and who knows if they use that 'industry standard' meat glue (disgusting!!)[Watch this short video!]. By the way, I always (if possible) cook our sandwich meat to steaming when we do make lunch meat sandwiches to kill any listeria or other baddies. Deli meat is NOT recommended even in the mainstream for pregnant moms unless cooked so I do this as a matter of course.
No more paper plates, plastic forks, spoons, cups! We'll be setting up our "UNpaper towels" in a handy place in the kitchen.
No more store-bought yogurt for daily use. Cottage cheese is a tough one though because my attempts failed and organic is sooooo expensive for something I eat almost every day (dopamine precursor is in cottage cheese). I get Daisy cottage cheese and sour cream because it just has cultured cream but it's not organic. No hormones but probably antibiotics. Organics also sometimes have lots of unnecessary ingredients like some organic yogurt I've seen lately and unhealthy food additives.
Revive my dairy kefir grains. We'll see how they do after only being changed once during the summer and being pushed back in the fridge. Otherwise, I think I have some in the freezer.
Fermented drinks. That sounds fun, doesn't it, lol? Actually, I meant lacto-fermented drinks for me and the dc. We'll start with fermented lemonade and I'll also make some beet kvass.
My mom will be so glad, I'm sure, to get my little freezer and boxes of staples out of her garage (and study - when I saw that the new Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil I bought in bulk was pure liquid in a plastic container in the 115F+ garage I moved it to the study inside - where it still stayed liquid but not as hot). She has been such a good sport about our stuff this summer.
These baby steps for a fresh start are part of Kelly's Real Food Wednesday:
http://kellythekitchenkop.com/2011/08/real-food-wednesday-8172011.html
Gottatries
I always tag more than I put in my gottatry lists but here are some recipes I'd like to try asap:
These sweet potato and black bean enchiladas will go right along with the beans I'll be making and I *love* sweet potatoes:
http://www.realfoodallergyfree.com/2011/08/sweet-potato-and-black-bean-enchiladas-with-mole-sauce/
Crunchy Granola (I can never have enough granola or granola bar recipes to try):
http://ruthsrealfood.blogspot.com/2011/08/crunchy-granola-for-hippies-and-others.html
Lacto-fermented dill pickles:
http://www.pennilessparenting.com/2011/08/perfect-dill-pickles-recipe.html
Eggplant Parmesan (smaller eggplants have less seeds; eggs; breadcrumbs)(serve with angel hair pasta and mozzarella)(maybe even just serve plain with the cooked eggplant):
http://www.theadirondackchick.com/2011/08/eggplant-parmesan-traditional.html
Ooo yeah, watermelon ice cream! I don't have an ice cream maker but I wonder how this would do just frozen in little popsicle molds or cups; or maybe in a big bowl and stir every hour or so until frozen? I tried giving them 'fresco de sandia' once and it didn't go over very well. Then many years later I got some from a stand at the open-air market in San Antonio and they only tasted it. How can you not love fresco de sandia??? This may work, though:
http://recipestonourish.blogspot.com/2011/08/creamy-watermelon-ice-cream.html
Roasted Eggplant (eggplant, salt, olive oil, garlic cloves)(can be frozen for a fast side dish - can it get any better than that?):
http://www.traditional-foods.com/recipes/oven-roasted-eggplant/
Kohlrabi Fritters:
http://amomonamission.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/kohlrabi-fritters/
Monkey French Toast (this should help ease the pain from leaving behind breakfast cereals!):
http://angelfoodskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/08/celebrity-cook-along-rachael-raymonkey.html
No-Tomato Sauce (uses carrots, beets, seasonings)(video):
http://realfoodforager.com/2011/07/videorecipe-the-no-tomato-sauce-scdgaps/
Black Bean and Cream Cheese burritios:
http://debbidoesdinnerhealthy.blogspot.com/2011/08/black-bean-cream-cheese-burritos.html
Single serving quick peanut butter cake. This may be worth trying - in the oven though:
http://www.extremepersonalmeasures.com/2011/08/one-minute-peanut-butter-cake.html
Lemon curd. A must-try! (3 eggs, lemon zest, sugar, butter):
http://creativekitchenadventures.com/2011/08/02/lemon-curd-perfect-summertime-treat/
Zucchini Boats (zukes, cream cheese, mozzarella, parmesan):
http://www.greenbeangardens.com/zucchini-boats/
Kefir Cream Cheese:
http://www.stacymakescents.com/kefir-cream-cheese
Banana Crunch Muffins:
http://pattietierney.blogspot.com/2011/08/banana-crunch-muffins.html
Grain-Free Skillet Lasagna (uses summer squash for noodles!!):
http://nourishedandnurtured.blogspot.com/2011/08/grain-free-skillet-lasagna.html
I have been mulling this over for a while. I was even joking recently with my cousin on the phone about having to scoop your soup out of the pot around the fish head as children:
http://thepurposedheart.com/homemade-fish-stock/
Vegetable Frittata:
http://premeditatedleftovers.com/vegetable-frittata/
Another version of fudgesicles using avocado without cooking (just blend ingredients):
http://recipestonourish.blogspot.com/2011/07/homemade-fudgesicles.html#comment-form
Vidalia Salsa:
http://www.tendergrassfedmeat.com/2011/08/02/raw-vidalia-salsa-provides-balance-for-grassfed-meat/
How to freeze fresh corn:
http://www.halleethehomemaker.com/2011/08/freezing-fresh-corn/
How to freeze herbs:
http://wholenewmom.com/recipes/the-easiest-way-to-preserve-herbs/
Almond Date Bar (like a LARA bar)(with video):
http://realfoodforager.com/2011/07/videorecipe-almond-date-energy-bar-scdgaps/
Cheese Scallion Muffins:
http://debbidoesdinnerhealthy.blogspot.com/2011/08/cheese-scallion-muffins.html
Chewy Cinnamon Almond Cookies (gluten free)(can be used for ice cream sandwiches)(would normally have all ingredients on hand as well - 2-1/2 C almond flour):
http://nourishedandnurtured.blogspot.com/2011/07/chewy-cinnamon-almond-cookies-gluten.html
Fermented bread and butter pickles:
http://nourishedandnurtured.blogspot.com/2011/08/fermented-bread-and-butter-pickles-gaps.html
Petite Lasagnas (uses wonton wrappers)(make in muffin tins)(make sure to have 1-1/2 C ricotta or cottage? and 1-1/2 mozarella or swiss? plus tomato sauce and cooked ground meat):
http://sensibleshoppers.blogspot.com/2011/07/petite-lasagnas.html
Breakfast ideas:
http://realfoodlittlerock.blogspot.com/2011/08/back-to-school-breakfast.html
Lunch ideas:
http://realfoodlittlerock.blogspot.com/2011/08/back-to-school-lunches.html
Roasted Pesto Tomatoes (basil (pesto), oil, tomatoes, salt):
http://www.artfoodlifeblog.com/2011/08/roasted-pesto-tomatoes/
Blueberry Muffins (gluten and sugar free) (2 C almond meal):
http://momsforsafefood.net/2011/08/02/gluten-sugar-free-blueberry-muffins/
What's Gardenin'?
This was on RFW for tomato blight/garden fungal problems:
http://shanonhilton.blogspot.com/2011/08/fighting-blight-fermented-recipe.html
Friday, August 12, 2011
"Course of Study" Yearly Planning Form
What's Schoolin'?
Here is a "Course of Study" to use in planning for the year or for use as a record of the school year to help with transcripts later. Our goals will be set by the student in individual parent (teacher)/student conferences. Knowing my dds we will probably continue on the back of the page!
http://www.4shared.com/file/P9WK0rHs/Course_of_Study_-_yearly_plann.html
What's Cookin'?
I got some fresh dill from the grocery store and added it to some cream cheese for a dip. Very fresh tasting.
I tried to preserve some jalapenos that I got at the local farmers market. I had about 20 to preserve. I sliced and froze some; others I sliced in half, seeded, and fermented in apple cider vinegar with salt (on the counter 2 days then in the fridge for 2 weeks before ready); and the rest I sliced thinner and fermented the same only I added some fresh dill that I didn't want to waste (that also helped to keep the jalapenos submerged under the level of the brine).
What's Inspirin'?
Here are the lyrics from Laura Story's song Blessings. I like to click on the video and then read these words while she plays. If there's nobody around I'll sing along too :).
http://www.lyricshall.com/lyrics/Laura+Story/Blessings/
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGmKC34UZ68&feature=player_embedded
We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?
We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
And all the while You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
And what if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise
When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the achings of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst
This world can’t satisfy?
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise?
Here is a "Course of Study" to use in planning for the year or for use as a record of the school year to help with transcripts later. Our goals will be set by the student in individual parent (teacher)/student conferences. Knowing my dds we will probably continue on the back of the page!
http://www.4shared.com/file/P9WK0rHs/Course_of_Study_-_yearly_plann.html
What's Cookin'?
I got some fresh dill from the grocery store and added it to some cream cheese for a dip. Very fresh tasting.
I tried to preserve some jalapenos that I got at the local farmers market. I had about 20 to preserve. I sliced and froze some; others I sliced in half, seeded, and fermented in apple cider vinegar with salt (on the counter 2 days then in the fridge for 2 weeks before ready); and the rest I sliced thinner and fermented the same only I added some fresh dill that I didn't want to waste (that also helped to keep the jalapenos submerged under the level of the brine).
What's Inspirin'?
Here are the lyrics from Laura Story's song Blessings. I like to click on the video and then read these words while she plays. If there's nobody around I'll sing along too :).
http://www.lyricshall.com/lyrics/Laura+Story/Blessings/
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGmKC34UZ68&feature=player_embedded
We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops?
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?
We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
And all the while You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
And what if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise
When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears?
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near?
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the achings of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst
This world can’t satisfy?
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise?
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