Random Thoughts (of Thanksgiving)

Just sitting here contemplating life as of late.

Hmmm.

Baby is coming very soon.

Very Thankful!

Our 9 year old son has been experiencing unusual neurological symptoms for almost 2 months now. (I will let you know our thoughts and journey on that at a later time!)

He is having a good day today.
Very thankful!

The little girls are creating a recipe in the kitchen.

They are calling it Apple Surprise.

I will be surprised if they actually clean up their mess when they are through!

Teenage daughter #3 just taught Jacob how to slur the guitar.

~Sounds impressive.

The house has 4 make-shift forts in the living room.

I know it is Tuesday (beans and rice night) but think we will have granola for dinner.

Made an eye exam for college son for when he comes home for Thanksgiving.

Thankful that he is coming home!

Making sweet potato casserole (recipe follows) to put in freezer just in case baby wants to come a bit early.

Even made Buckeyes with the kids to put in freezer for Christmas.

To tell you the truth~they will probably be gone before December 1.

That's the trouble with trying to get things done a little early.

Oh well. I try!

Trying to get the kids to finish their schooling before dinner.

They always seem to find something that is more important to do.

Like, the little girls going into my closet to find clothes for dress-up or

the boys going outside to shoot their bows and arrows.

I hear someone screaming.

I guess it is time for clean-up and schoolwork after all!

I have several children already asking for the Buckeyes in the freezer.

After you clean up, I say!

It's working.

Even 4 year old is cleaning up!

It's amazing, really.

She is usually the one that says I can just throw out her things, that she likes to play with sticks and stones anyway.

That's what she says when I tell her,

"If you don't pick up your toys, I will give them away and you can just play with sticks and stones like the American Indians used to do."

I have actually given away a lot of her toys.

We have way too many 'things' anyway.

Oh, a clutter-free Christmas sounds nice.

You know, gifts that will last out the month of December and maybe beyond!

A Little House On the Prairie Christmas sounds nice.

A doll and a stick of candy in Laura's stocking.

The clelebration was CHRISTMAS!

The gifts were:

ENJOYING RELATIONSHIPS: JESUS, FAMILY, FRIENDS

SPECIAL CARE WITH THE CHRISTMAS DINNER, ETC.

PRECIOUS TRADITIONS:

Reading the Christmas story,

A special breakfast and dinner.

Visiting special people.

I am thankful for the simple gift of Christmas!

Why do we make it more than that?

You know, worrying about how many different kinds of cookies we will make.

Running all over town for the perfect Christmas clothes we want our kids to wear.

Buying and returning. Buying and returning.
Decorating, thinking, planning.

I do all of these things.
It is fun!
Unless it stops being fun! You know what I mean?
When Christmas day comes, none of that matters, really.
Jesus was born!
He died and rose again!
It is both simple and extraordinarily miraculous at the same time!
We are happy!
We have the most precious and perfect gift!
Not just at Christmas,
but always!
So much to be thankful for!
Life is not always easy.
But it is good!
We have everything we need!
Our daily bread is given to us every day!
Oh, if I could only keep that thankfulness in my heart each and every day!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

Sweet Potato Cassserole adapted from Allrecipes.com
Serves 8-10

~4 1/4 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
~1/2-1 cup sugar, honey or agave nectar
~1/2-2/3 cups butter
~1/3 cup evaporated milk
~2 eggs, beaten
~1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
~1/3 cup butter, melted
~1 1/3 cups chopped pecans
~1 cup light brown sugar or sucanat
~2/3 all-purpose flour

1) Mix together sweet potatoes, sugar, 2/3 cup butter, milk, eggs and vanilla.

Spread in greased 9 x 13" baking dish.

2) Mix melted butter, pecans, brown sugar and flour.

Spoon on top of sweet potato mix.

3) Bake at 350` for 25-30 minutes.

~Can be frozen, thawed and heated when needed.

~Could add cinnamon and nutmeg.

~I plan on omitting the pecans or making 2 smaller dishes; one with pecans and one without.

Green Smoothie Girl

We are trying to incorporate more raw foods into our food plan.
A friend told me about Green Smoothie Girl.
She advocates whole foods, trying to eat at least 60% raw foods & drinking a green smoothie every day to get wonderful, very much needed nutrition, live enzymes, etc, for a strong, healthy body!

A recent blog of hers listed the 4 things she does every day, no matter what, in terms of feeding her family.

They are:
1. Drink raw kefir for breakfast.
~Kefir is a wonderful pro-biotic, yogurt-type drink that is best to make with raw, unpasteurized milk.
Now, you might be thinking, raw milk? Isn't that bad for you? We will surely die from it!
Do a little research.
Check out the info.
Of course, you can start out with a pasteurized, organic milk.
~Kefir is made with a starter. I currently do not have a starter, so I am in the process of looking for one. You can get a powdered type from the health food store. I do not have any experience with that kind yet, but I just may try it.
~The best starter is getting a bit from someone who is currently making their own kefir.
~Anyway, look into it.

2. Make a green smoothie every day.
Green Smoothie Girl has recipes and one that she suggests is:
spinach, kale, peaches, mixed berries and banana.
Fill up a blender, blend and serve 2 cups to children and 4 cups for adults.

3. Put a raw fruit and a raw veggie in children's lunches.

4. Always serve a fresh, raw salad at dinnertime.

So, this is what we are trying to do at our house. I still need to find my kefir starter, but the rest is fairly easy. We just need to get into the habit of making the smoothies.
I leave my blender out now to make it easier.

Check out www.greensmoothiegirl.com for all info.
It is quite interesting and it is always nice to find ways to improve our health and the health of our loved ones.
God gave us a job to do here on earth and it's nice when we have the energy and good health to do it!

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
~3 John 2

The American Dream

The American dream is not just about money and material advancement. It is a dream of freedom.

~Alan Keyes

Thank you, Veterans, for freedom!

Thank you, family members, for sacrificing your loved ones for the freedom of all Americans!

We are free to dream!

We are free to hope!

We are free to believe!

This song was sung during World War I believing it would be the "war to end all wars."

~Written by Katherine Lee Bates

The New Crusade

Life is a trifle;

Honor is all;

Shoulder the rifle;

Answer the call.

A nation of traders

We'll show what we are,

Freedom's crusaders

Who war against war.

Battle is tragic;

Battle shall cease;

Ours is the magic

Mission of Peace.

Gladly we barter

Gold of our youth

For liberty's charter

Blood-sealed in truth.

Sons of the granite,

Strong be our stroke,

Making this planet

Safe for all folk.

Life is but passion,

Sunshine on dew.

Forward to fashion

The old world anew!

A nation of traders

We'll show what we are,

Freedom's crusaders

Who war against war.

Let Freedom Ring!

Thank God for a Vet!

Candy Monster

October is almost over!

I can't Believe it!

Halloween just around the corner! Yikes!

I think we just spent an equivelent of a college education at the dentist this year so I think we will pass out toothbrushes and dental floss.

Just kidding, though I am seriously condsidering a non-sugar/junk food alternative.

Hmmm.

Let's see what we can come up with.

I think I just thought of something!

Bottles of water!

Yay!

Every kid that runs around all night and eats candy until they are blue in the face are bound to be thirsting for water, right?

Maybe we can decorate them with Halloween stickers so they don't look so generic!

Do you think I will look like a Halloween Prude?

Will the parents roll their eyes and the kids hate me?

I guess I will just take my chances!

The children in our house already know that they have the option of trading in their candy for money and they always take me up on it.

Of course, they keep a few favorites!

I am not THAT prudish!

I know that collecting all that candy is a HUGE job!

They are fired up on the money, though.

They get a bit of their favorite pieces of candy, make some money to buy something they love and the rest of the candy we bring to the old folks home and pass out to the residents there.

Last year, we sang songs to the residents, made crafts and played Wii wth them, too.

It was really fun!

We also save some of the Halloween candy for our Christmas pinata.

We've even used Halloween candy for our Christmas candy houses in the past.

We plan on sending some of the candy to the US troops overseas, too, this year.

There is also Operation Christmas Child where you pack a shoebox full of essentials/treats for children in other countries.

There are so many different opportunities to brighten someone's day with the unused Halloween candy.

Of course, I know it's the money that motivates our children, but, oh well, they love to help others, too, with the candy I bought from them!

Just so you don't all think I am simply a health nut prude~

I do plan on snitching a few Tootsie Rolls.

And maybe a few chocolate bars for myself!

I just thought of something else!

We can always pass out dark chocolate!

I am sure you've heard of all the antioxidants and all!

Have a fun and safe Halloween and try to stay away from all the scary stuff!

(I am not just talking about the candy!)

Gluten-Free Recipes

We are trying to cut down on gluten in our home.
Our daughter, Chloe, has hypoglycemia.
Every once in a while she would get dizzy along with an overall funny feeling.
I brought her in to get a saliva and urine test and that is when we found out she had hypoglycemia.
It was recommended that she eat a gluten-free diet as much as possible.
We have made very small changes and she hasn't had an episode in quite some time.
Many people can be allergic to gluten without even realizing it.

Here are some symptoms of gluten intolerance:
~weight loss
~weight gain
~nutritional deficiencies
~gastro-intestinal problems
~poor digestion
~aching joints
~depression
~eczema
~headaches
~exhaustion
~irratibility and behavioral changes
~infertility
~cramps
~tingling and numbness
~slow infant and child growth
~decline in dental health

We are going to try to incorporate more gluten-free meals for our family.
I know we could do without having any of the above symptoms!
Anyway, I found this really wonderful site for gluten-free recipes.
Complete with menus and beautiful photos!
Please check it out if you are at all interested or curious!
http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/

I DO want to encourage all of you to never be afraid to be the person God created you to be!
You have a lot to offer others with your gifts!
We could all use a little help here, you know, and your specific gift can help so many!
Take the time to ask God to reveal what your gifts are and do NOT be afraid to use them!
You may not even feel you have anything to give.
But YOU DO!
All you have to do is
BE YOURSELF!
God knew what He was doing when He created you.
I just want to say~
~Thank you for just being YOU!

One Big Miracle!

I am just figuring it out!

Life is one big miracle!

The human body, for example, is completely amazing!

All the little parts that work together to keep us walking, talking, breathing, for Pete's Sake!

Walking is a miracle!

Talking is a miracle!

Breathing is A MIRACLE!

The way the earth moves,

The way the wind blows,

The way every living thing grows!

IT'S ALL A MIRACLE!

All of our emotions~

loving,

crying,

feeling,

hurting,

laughing,

sharing!

thinking!

Working things out, working together, running, jumping, sitting, cooking, reading, singing, listening, playing.

EVERYTHING IS A MIRACLE!

I am constantly reminded of how life is so precious!

Every little thing is a miracle!

Conception of a baby~

The birth of a baby~

How a baby grows~

And learns, and feels, and moves!

Being loved is a miracle!

To love another!

Having a family is a miracle!

Having friends!

~Faith, joy, peace, forgiveness!

And even in this imperfect world full of God's miracles,

the greatest of all is that

every single person on earth has a chance at perfection!

The miracle of forgiveness, redemption and salvation!

God is being so very gentle in reminding me that we will only be perfect in Heaven!

But perfect we will be!

He sent His Son out of unconditional love to promise us perfection one day!

I can live with imperfection.

It won't last forever.

But I will try my best to live and love while enjoying this

ONE BIG MIRACLE

OF LIFE!

Simply September

Ahhh, September!
I love it!
I am so happy to be on a schedule again!
Of course, I don't want every minute scheduled~
We need time to relax and chill, too!
(As if we haven't been doing that all summer!)
I love the change of seasons and the change of schedules.
It makes life exciting and interesting.
Oh, but I do love a simple life!
Hmmm.
What can simple mean?
Let's see.
~More time at home.
~Less running around.
~Less clutter.
~More time for faith and family.
~More time outdoors.
~Listening to beautiful music.
~Reading wonderful children's books.
~Talking and listening to God.
~Simple, healthy meals.
~Enjoying the beautiful things in life.

So I said to myself~
"Stop dreaming, Laura, and start simplifying!"

The first thing I thought to simplify was our meals.
I came up with this plan that makes it easier for me to think about our meals.

A Meal Template!
Yay!
This is what it is: (I plan on using it until I am sick of it.)
I picked a main food for each day of the week and I create my meals from that.
~Monday is chicken or turkey day.
I cook a chicken dinner with 2 whole chickens along with all the vegetables. I then boil the bones and tiny bits of chicken into broth so I can use it for other meals.
~Tuesday is rice, bean and veggie dishes.
I know it's coming, so I pre-soak the beans the day before. I can even cook the rice before and then add whatever veggies and spices I want.
I could do Mexican, middle eastern, greek, italian. Whatever we are in the mood for.
Next Tuesday, I plan on making black bean and rice burritos with all the toppings.
~Wednesday is salad day.
I am thinking hearty salads, like cobb, chef, taco, greek etc.
I will add bread of some sort.
~Thursday is fish day.
Fish, veggies and a salad.
So simple!
Everyone loves it!
~Friday is homemade pizza day.
Lenny decided he will be the pizza maker.
He's all fired up!
He made it once and considers himself quite an expert!
It was really good~crispy crust, yummy sauce!
He found a thin crust recipe online.
I will post the recipes at a later time.
Every week could be a different flavor. There are so many types of good unusual recipes for pizza!
Now Saturday. Soup and sandwich day.
This is our running day and I didn't want to worry about what we were going to have for dinner, so I thought this would be a good meal.
I plan on using the crockpot and just making sure there are sandwich fixings in the fridge.
It could be as simple as vegetable soup and broiled tomato, basil and mozzarella sandwiches.
Sunday. Pasta day.
I plan on putting this meal together in advance.
I plan on lasagna this week so I will make it Friday and probably freeze it if I do not have enough room in my fridge.
I'll put it in the oven on Sunday morning before church. Or I could layer it in my big electric roaster. I have even made lasagna in a crockpot.
Other pasta ideas: spaghetti and meatballs, turkey tetrazinni, greek pasta salad etc.

So I have a plan.
Will I use it?
Yes, I will.
But I am enlisting every single child I have to help me!
I am not doing it by myself!
I don't need to!
The kids need to learn their life skills, you know!
I will ask each one for specific ideas for each meal and we are going to put on our aprons together!
Actually, maybe I will hang up mine and go take a nap!

I do know that every day won't be as easy as it sounds, so on those days, I have a back-up plan: breakfast for dinner!
Oh well!
It's better than the fast food on the corner!

Anyway, I look forward to more simplifying.
Does anyone want to share their simplifying ideas?
Oh, Please!!!
I long for simplicity!

Who Will Love Our Children When They Leave The Nest?

Our 1st child has gone away to college.

Shane had his car packed to the brim, a smile on his face and thoughts of adventures as he pulled out of our driveway.

I was quite composed, I thought, for a mother who not only is dealing with her 1st child leaving the house but also quite hormonal due to this pregnancy at 44 years of age!

He turned his head and said,

"Thanks Mom, for everything!"

I went to the bathroom and bawled!

Our precious child that we have loved long before birth and has given us a world of joy is thanking me.

It didn't seem right.

Our lives have been so very blessed by the children that God is loaning to us while here on earth and I know I could never thank Him enough!

I try

but know that my thankfulness will only be enough in Heaven!

How has Our Loving Father taken such good care of us that He gives, and gives, and gives,

without us even being barely aware of it?!

He has given us a most precious gift in the children He has blessed us with!

As Shane was preparing to leave the nest, I knew I had to completely put him in God's care.

I am not equipped to care for him anymore like I was when he was little.

Oh, I knew that God was taking care of him all along but I guess I thought I was taking care of him better than anyone else at the time.

No one loves more than a mother, right!

Well, of course, I had to come to face the fact that, yes, someone does love more than a mother!

Our children's first Father!

I worried and prayed that Shane would be okay, stay on the narrow path, fight temptation, even study, for Pete's sake!

Then God hit me with a ton of bricks!

This is what I felt He said to me:

"I am His Father. I created him and had plans for him long before he was in the womb. I WILL TAKE CARE OF HIM!"

I felt a little sheepish!

It was all so clear!

I was just clouding it up with my own fear and doubt!

I have surrendered my child into the hands of his Father as I should have been doing all along!

It has given me peace!

I still love him and miss him as only a mother could!

I miss putting a plate a food aside for him when he comes home late from work.

I miss his smiling face.

And his whistling.

He has truly been, and still is, such a joy to all of us!

A precious child that only God could create.

A true joy straight from Heaven!

I am so very thankful for the time we have had together!

He has been homeschooled all of his life, except for kindergarten in Australia, and I believe that God has blessed us with that opportunity to treasure Shane's life even more.

I am so very thankful!

I am happy to see him go.

We are so very proud of him and we know we would never want to keep him from his path in life!

He knows he is loved and that is what I pray that all of our children will come to know.

That they are loved!

And truly they are!

More than we will ever know!

I pray for all the Mothers out there who have had to let go of their children in one form or another~

May the peace of God fill your hearts as you hear again how much your children are loved, for Our Heavenly Father has loved them all along and loves them as perfectly as only He can!

Homemade Hummus

We love homemade hummus at our house!

~With fresh veggies,

~tortilla chips,

~on a salad,

~with warm pita bread

~or on a sandwich!

My sis-in-law gave me this recipe years ago:


2 cups garbanzo beans (chick-peas). I use dried beans, soaked overnight, drained and then cooked until soft with fresh water, but you can use canned, too.

~Joni suggests adding kombu seaweed to the cooking water for a ton of extra nutrients!

~save a little bit of water for blending, if needed, for smoothness, etc.

1 teaspoon sea salt

Juice of 1 fresh lemon

2/3 cup tahini (sesame seed butter). I buy sesame seeds and use them whole with a little water instead of the tahini. My blender blends them up real good. Tahini is easiest but it can be quite exspensive. And anyway, tahini is nothing but sesame seed ground up into a butter!

1 teaspoon sliced green onions.

~You could add any vegetable you want, roasted red peppers etc.

1-5 garlic cloves.

1 Tablespoon-1/2 cup fresh olive oil

Water, as needed.

Put all ingredients in blender and blend, adding a little oil at a time.

~Add water as needed.


This is an easy recipe for a child to make!
You will never want to buy store-bought again!
I hope you LOVE it!

Just A Few Things

Just a few things I would love to share with all of you:

The Eat Clean Diet Newsletter has 4 tips to get your dream body: http://www.eatcleandiet.com/
1. Eat Clean!
~This is THE biggest factor! We could exercise until we are blue in the face, but if we choose to reinforce our bodies with worthless junk, the dream body just ain't gonna happen!
~Ditch the processed foods, white flour, white sugar, junk etc.
~Focus on whole foods.
~Read the ingredient list and stay away from anything you can't seem to figure out what it is.

2. Schedule a time, perhaps 2 times a week, for meal planning and preparation.
~It takes some effort but so worth it.
~Pack a cooler for the car
~No more running through the drive-thru when your hungry or picking up pizza for dinner when all your meals are planned and prepared to start your meals off right!
~Grill up a big batch of chicken breast or cook whole chickens and make a big batch of brown rice for tossing with veggies, spices, etc or putting in soup.
~Chop and store fresh veggies and herbs for grilling, stir-frys, salads, soups etc.

3. Get Active.
~Expect yourself to set up a time for evercise at least 4 times a week. Expect is a key word here!

4. Don't feel guilty!
~Just try for consistency, not perfection.
~ I always like to say: "We'll be perfect in Heaven!"
~It's just not going to happen here!

Okay, so that's that! You can find tons more inspiration at http://www.eatcleandiet.com/

NEXT!

I also received a newsletter from Precious Health Campaign.
~Anyone at all interested in what is in vaccines, the latest legislature on vaccines or anything else you may be wondering about vaccines, please visit http://www.childhoodshots.com/ and just browse around on the site.
~I happened to watch Mary Tocco's dvd "Are Vaccines Safe?" a few years ago and found it to be quite helpful in helping me clarify a few things about vaccines.
~I even sent an email with a question I had to the website and I received a response right away.
~They really just want everyone to get more informed about what options we have as parents of our very precious children.
~It is definitely something to look into.

One more thing that I just have to say:

~Of course, it is just my opinion, but if anyone out there that is residing in the beautiful state of Michigan and is ready for a new Governor, I highly recommend you check out Pete Hoekstra's web page at http://www.hoekstraforgovernor.com/.

~He is 100% pro-life, fights for the rights of parents etc.
~The primaries are this coming Tuesday, August 3, and I urge everyone who loves life to vote!

Thanks for reading and I hope you found something that inspires you!

"Jesus, Tender Shepherd" and the Best Earache Remedy

The other night our almost 4 year old woke up in the middle of the night with an earache.


I bet it was from swimming every day during the hot weather that we had.


My old stand-by remedy is to crush a clove of garlic and then mix it with a tiny bit of water to create somewhat of a paste.


I dab the garlic paste onto the outside of her ear with a cotton swab.


I do not go into the ear canal, but I do dab it onto the earlobe.


Then I warm a rice-filled sock or just a plain dry cloth and hold it onto her ear.


I usually put a drop of peppermint oil on the sock or cloth, but our teenage daughter was using it for cramps and she wasn't at home at the time.


So this time I just used a warm cloth.

Then I gave her reflexology on the bottom top half of her foot (the side that the earache was on)~the toes and the area just underneath the toes.

I use firm pressure with my fingers and thumb.


Of course, this little child came into our bed and I asked her if she wanted me to sing her a song.


She did.




She chose "Jesus, Tender Shepherd" which is a bedtime song that my grandparents sung to me and all of my cousins.


All of us cousins still love that song to this day and we fondly connect to each other whenever it is brought up.


It is a favorite with all of our children, too!


Our little 'earache child' went to sleep shortly after and she slept the rest of the night!
Here are the words to our favorite bedtime song, which is actually a prayer but we have always known it with a little tune.


"Jesus, Tender Shepherd"

Jesus, Tender Shepherd, hear me;
Bless thy little lamb tonight;
Through the darkness be Thou near me,
Keep me safe till morning light.

All this day thy hand has led me,
And I thank thee for thy care;
Thou has warmed me, clothed and fed me;
Listen to my evening prayer!

Let my sins be all forgiven;
Bless the friends I love so well:
Take us all at last to heaven,
Happy there with thee to dwell.

If by chance you happen to see one of us 'Storm' relatives and you want to know the tune, we would be delighted to share it with you!

May God bless your days and your nights!

PS. Don't you just adore the painting? I found it on http://www.allposters.com/ and the original was painted by Bartholome Esteban Murillo.

The title is called, "Christ Child as Shepherd"

I am putting it on my list of favorites.

"Grow Your Own Drugstore"

Lenny was flipping through my 'vacation' magazine (June 7 th issue of Woman's World) and came across a wonderful tip for poison ivy itching.

Find an impatiens plant, slice the stem and rub the inside on the poison ivy itch.

It works amazingly well.

You can smooth wrinkles with chamomile by steeping 1 t fresh or dried blossoms in 1 cup hot water for 15-20 minutes, strain and pat on as a facial wash.

The scent of geraniums bring on happy hormones with the added bonus of keeping mosquitos away.

Aloe is great for burns. Just break off a stalk and squeeze the gel right onto the burn.

Sniffing basil boosts energy, reduces migraines and eases depression.

Fill an old sock with the flowers, leaves and roots of ground ivy, hang it on the faucet as you fill your tub and soak for 20 minutes. This will ease back pain and sciatica and also give you softer skin.

Chickweed relieves itches, bee stings and bug bites. Slice open the stem and apply.

Find your joy, peace, happiness and natural remedies while working in your garden enjoying the fresh air, sunshine and earth!
God's bounty is right at our fingertips!

Have a Happy Day!

Bug Off!

I was searching for natural insect repellents and came across a few ideas that I am going to try.

1. Pure vanilla dabbed on the wrists, neck and ears. And we would smell wonderful, too!

2. Witch hazel with a few drops of either tea tree oil, lavendar oil or peppermint oil in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the body.

3. Rub a lavendar flower on your body and clothes OR~lavendar oil mixed with a carrier oil on the skin. Smelling nice again!

4. 4 drops thyme oil

8 drops lemongrass oil

4 drops lavendar oil

4 drops peppermint oil

~Put 2 drops of this blend in with 2 t. carrier oil such as olive, almond, jojoba

~OR~put 5 drops of the above blend with 1 T witch hazel and 4 T water.

Father, We Thank Thee

Father, we thank Thee
For this wonderful day,
For all our blessings
Along life's way.
Guide us, protect us,
And forgive all our sins.
And be ever present
As this day now begins.
Amen.

Grandpa Storm used this as a table grace and we do, too, but I love it as a morning prayer, too.
The original table grace uses the word 'meal' instead of 'day'.

Natural Homemade Sunsreen

I don't think it makes sense to load up my family's skin with chemicals just to protect it from something God so lovingly provided~
~the sun!

So I go to the health store and buy Aubrey Organics Natural Sun lotion made with herbs and green tea.
It's exspensive but well worth it.

I might make my own sunscreen this year, though, with one of these recipes:

Recipe #1:
Buy zinc oxide ointment in the diaper rash section of your favorite store and mix it with your favorite natural lotion.
My friend, Melissa, makes wonderful natural lotion that I just love and use for my reflexology business. She has a beautiful etsy shop @ www.ElegantRoseBoutique.etsy.com.

Recipe #2:
3 T grated beeswax
3 T shea butter
1 T avocado oil
1 T coconut oil
1 T sesame oil
1 T olive, almond, jajoba or sunflower oil
3 T aloe vera gel
3 T lavendar hydrosol
1/2 t. borax powder (laundry section)
1 vitamin E gel caplet

~Melt in double boiler: beeswax, shea butter, avocado oil, coconut oil, sesame oil and olive, almond, jajoba or sunflower oil. Do not boil. Remove from heat.
~Add vitamin E caplet to oil/butter mixture.
~Warm aloe vera gel, lavendar hydrosol and borax in separate pan until well blended.
~Mix aloe vera mixture with butter/oil mixture and whisk until creamy.
~Store in airtight jar and refirigerate.
~Will last up to 1 month.
~You can add 5-6 drops of grapefruit seed extract (natural preservative) to mixture and it will last up to a year.

Recipe #3:

1. On low, heat 1 cup olive or almond oil.

2. Add 1 oz. crumbled beeswax to heated oil until wax melts completely.

3. Remove from heat and immediately add 2 T zinc oxide. Mix thorougly.

4. Pour into sealable container and store in refrigerator. Shake container if oils separate.

Eating deep green, red and yellow fresh produce also protects the skin and provides tons of antioxidants, so remember to get those in if you want to be healthy in the sun!

And you know what they say about avoiding too much sun exposure between the hours of 10:00-2:00. I think we should just be wise about it and wear a hat, etc.

The sun is a GOOD friend, not a bad one, but I think we should use a little caution.

I am sure all of you had a grandparent that you remember wearing hats and long sleeves in the summertime.

They weren't laying around baking in the sun.

Well, maybe some of you might have to think way back to the great-grandparents!

Anyway, give these recipes a try or check out Aubrey Organics products.

My Super-Easy June Wokout

My exercise classes are done for the summer!

I need a plan to keep me going!

So this is what I am doing for June:

1. Tea time in the morning. Quiet time to calm AND energize me before my day starts (see Tea Time (15 Minutes In the Morning) post)

2. Walk/run. Check out previous post on walking for a few different ideas.

3. 15 minutes of weight training. I absolutely love Joyce Vedral's books and the one I am using now is "Definition" which is a 15 minute workout 6 times a week or 30 minute workout 3 times a week.

Working out with weights is so important for muscle strength, energy, endurance, bone density and re-shaping the body.

4. Yoga and stretching and deep breathing. Even if I just get 15 minutes in, I'm happy!

My plan is to do this workout 5-6 days a week. I try to go rollerblading on Saturday mornings instead of walking and I keep my Tea time and yoga/stretching/breathing for every day!

Working out first thing in the morning works best for me as the day just keeps coming up with all kinds of reasons why I should be doing something else.

Of course, I need to have a plan B and even a plan C on occasion.

Just pick your best time and stick with it for the rest of the month.

So, put your plan down on your calendar, whatever you decide, and enjoy your health, energy and altogether better outlook on life as you get your mind, body and spirit in tip top shape!

I am also going to focus on eating a huge array of colorful, fresh veggies and fruits and drinking my water (12+ glasses per day).

It really is a simple plan-

~Quiet time

~walk/run

~weights

~yoga/breathe

~water

~colorful produce=

Happy mamma, happy family, happy life, happy anyone who comes across her path!

Rediscover Walking Outdoors

Putting my feet on the earth.

Enjoying fresh air and sunshine!

Clearing my head.

Finding time to truly be thankful.

Strengthening my heart.

Working my muscles.

All because I can!

The wonderful blessing of walking outdoors.

I think there is something to say about feeling the earth beneath our feet and the air all around us.

Marvelling at God's great big, beautiful world!

And even the tiny things of nature~like tiny flowers beside the road or a bunny scurrying into the bush.

Or even the workings of a city street.

All created by a loving God.

And we get to enjoy it as much as we want!

Here are a few ideas to spruce up your walking routine:

1. Warm up at a moderate pace for a few minutes.
~Speed up to a fast pace and really pump your arms.
~Slow down to a moderate pace.
~Speed up again and add long stride walking lunges. (Ignore the passing cars~After all, YOU are the ONE exercising!)
REPEAT EACH STEP for as long as you want but at least 20 minutes.

2. Another great walking routine is actually a walk/run routine where you:
~warm up for a few minutes
~and then run for a 1/2 mile
~and then walk at a brisk pace for a 1/2 mile
~continuing to alternate the run/walk for a total of 4 miles.
*time yourself and try to beat your time.
* I did this routine for many years with a few faithful partners and it never got boring as we tried to beat our time each time and we would add walking lunges periodically.
*Vary your route if you have to in order to get a few hills in and to make it exciting.

3. Walk at the local high school or college track and walk up and down the bleachers in between laps.

4. Find an area close by where you can go hiking. The closest metro or state park may have some really good trails.
~Bring along a child and find some walking sticks and pretend you are in the old days.
You can tie a bandanna filled with a few trail snacks around your stick.
~Look for cool and interesting plants, bugs and trees.

5. Walk along a deserted beach (again, try the metro and state parks) really pushing your feet into the sand, stop and do 10 jumping jacks, 10 push-ups, 10 squats and 10 crunches. REPEAT.
When you are done, lay on the sand and marvel at the sky.

6. Run or walk as fast as you can up your own driveway, walk down. REPEAT.

We can get our imaginations going and really think of a ton of ways to get outside and enjoy the freedom we have to exercise the body God gave us.

Walk by yourself, with a baby, child, spouse, friend, neighbor.

Make a plan and stick to it.

Think of it as a blessing and a privilege, which, of course, we know that it is!

Photo from All Posters

Rain

It's raining.

I hear thunder and wind and pittering on my windows.

I feel cozy at home.

As if God gave me a vacation day in the middle of the week.

The errands can wait.

I can pitter in my bedroom and organize a forgotten corner.

I can snuggle with the children all day long if I want.

We might venture to the library and pick out new books and jump in a puddle or two when we get there.

I am calmer.

Less stressed.

Oh, the necessary will get done.

Just relax!

The rain is saying~

slow down, slow down, slow down.

Sigh!

My heart is calm.

All is green and beautiful!

Thank you, God, for this gift!

Laugh, Little Fellow

I came across this poem and fell in love with it!

It is a wonderful reminder to me to be happy always! I have so much to be thankful for!

Laugh, little fellow, laugh and sing

And just be glad for everything!

Be glad for morning and for night,

For sun and stars that laugh with light,

For trees that chuckle in the breeze,

For singing birds and humming bees~

Be one with them, and laugh along

And weave their gladness in your song.

Laugh, little fellow, laugh and sing

And coax the joy from everything;

Take gladness at its fullest worth

And make each hour an hour of mirth,

So that when on the downward slope

Of life the radiant sky of hope

Will bend above you all the way

And make you happy, as today.

Written by Wilbur D. Nesbit

The Simple Living Guide's 28 Secrets to Happiness

I spied this book on the table of a very resourceful young wife one year when a friend and I popped in on her for a quick visit.

It was the very first time I had met her.

She had a table full of canned applesauce and fresh bread warming on the counters.

Hmmm.

I liked this girl already.

She didn't even have to say a word!

So, next to the jars of applesauce, I spy a book:

"The Simple Living Guide" by Janet Luhrs

I searched for it at the library, checked it out, read it and bought it at Border's when I got a 40% off coupon.

It has chapters on:

Time

Money

Work

Simple Pleasures and Romance

Virtues

Families

Gardening

Holidays

Etc.

In the introduction it lists 28 Secrets to Happiness.

1. Live beneath your means and within your seams.

2. Return everything you borrow.

3. Donate blood.

4. Stop blaming other people.

5. Admit it when you make a mistake.

6. Give all the clothes you haven't worn in the last three years to charity.

7. Every day do something nice and try not to get caught.

8. Listen more; talk less.

9. Every day take a 30-minute walk in your neighborhood.

10. Skip 2 meals a week and give the money to the homeless.

11. Strive for excellence, not perfection.

12. Be on time.

13. Don't make excuses.

14. Don't argue.

15. Get organized.

16. Be kind to kind people.

17. Be even kinder to unkind people.

18. Let someone cut ahead of you in line.

19. Take time to be alone.

20. Reread a favorite book.

21. Cultivate good manners.

22. Be humble.

23. Understand and accept that life isn't always fair.

24. Know when to say something.

25. Know when to keep your mouth shut.

26. Don't criticize anyone for 24 hours.

27. Learn from the past, plan for the future, and live in the present.

28. Don't sweat the small stuff.

I like this list.

I would like to add forgiveness to the list.

~To forgive and to be forgiven.

Life is way too complicated without forgiveness!

Other than that, I think it's a wonderful list!

Does anyone have any other ideas?

Secrets of Women Who Never Get Sick

I took these notes from a health magazine quite some time ago and now I can't remember what magazine it was from.

Some of these women haven't been sick in 25 years!

Here are the tips that they had for staying healthy:

1. Get a massage (or reflexology:)-reduces anxiety, blood pressure and heart rate.

2. Take a cold shower- keeps you cold-free, gets skin glowing and increases energy.

3. Treat GI problems 'gingerly'- slices of fresh ginger in a mug of hot water.

4. Lather Up (A LOT)- wash hands for 20 seconds up to 12 times a day.

5. Try a cold-blasting cocktail-try the product Emergen-C once or twice a day plus zinc lozenges or spray.

6. Eat more garlic-raw garlic quartered and put in applesauce. Also, comes in capsules.

7. Stay positive!

I think I might print this out and hang it in a cupboard that I open often just as a reminder that there are some simple things I can do to keep illness away!

And let's not forget to get fresh air and sunshine, drink plenty of pure water, eat whole-foods, exercise, be thankful and happy, and live a SIMPLE LIFE!

Enjoy all the blessings in your life and have a wonderful day!

Homeschool Administration Panic!

How do you sum up 12 years of homeschooling your child on one single piece of paper?

Can you really give a grade for each academic 'class' the child took?

Of course, he gets all A's!

How can he not!

I mean, you love this child and you work and work and work with him until he masters whatever he is learning.

It might take him 2 years to get the biology with lab down.

And less than a year to get the Algebra 2 down!

It is a lifetime of learning coming down to one piece of paper~

The high school college transcript!

Well, as his administrator, teacher, guidance counselor, college prep counselor, vice principal, curriculum advisor, etc, etc, I just have to say:

The kid is brilliant!

Not according to the world's views, oh, no!

But coming from a mother that loves her child and learns of every weakness and every strength and watches the child struggle and then overcome~

It's a beautiful thing!

Struggling to read in his early years and then, completely on his own, decides he wants to read Homer and Hippocrates!

Nothing short of amazement in this mother's eyes!

No academic grade or honor can come close to watching a child grow in strength and character, confidence and responsibility, leadership, integrity, perserverence~

And believing that anything is possible.

The doors of learning have opened!

To be able to see that opportunities abound, that learning never ends and that the whole world is your classroom, is what education is all about.

Try putting that into a one page transcript!

Can't do it!

I am sure similiar feelings arise out of every parent, whether your child is homeschooled or taught in the private or public schools.

You can't put a grade on the person that God created in your child!

They are more than a grade!

They are off the charts!

They are NOTHING SHORT OF

BRILLIANT!

Am I right?

Of course, I'm right!

Be proud of your child today!

They are Masterpieces!

Let the Sun Shine In!

I was reminded of how much the sun affects our lives, body, mind and spirit!

We all know it gets us in a happier mood!

Just sitting next to a sunny window seems to calm me and bring serenity into my day.

Closing my eyes and bringing my face toward the sun somehow makes me feel loved!

And I know it is because that big bright star that we can see during the day is from our One and Only Heavenly Father who created the entire earth, Universe and me!

So, of course, I feel loved!

Seeing the sun shine on my dirty windows isn't exactly soothing, but if I move past the smudges and get outside and really enjoy the brightness of the day it somehow makes me feel less anxious and so happy!

Cleaning up the yard and getting the garden ready for planting is nourishing to the soul!

I am so thankful to have a 'bit of earth' to sow a few seeds.

The sun lifts our spirits, gives our bodies much needed nutrients and vitamins, and even helps ward off sickness and heal wounds~I believe not just the physical but the emotional as well!

It seems a bit easier to get out into the sunshine on a warm day, but just sitting by a window with cooler weather sun is so good for us!

You have all heard by now the importance of vitamin D and how it helps to build our immune system. In fact, there is quite a list of how beneficial it is to our entire bodies.

You can get sufficient vitamin D from sitting in the sun for 15-20 minutes a day.

If you sit indoors by a window, open it a little to let the fresh air come in.

You can also get it from foods such as wild salmon, fish oil, low-fat milk, and eggs.

You can even take a supplement if you feel that you are not getting enough from food or sunshine.

Dr. Mercola always has so much info on vitamin D and all the latest and greatest reports etc.

You can always visit his website at http://www.mercola.com/.

Let us all enjoy the sun and be reminded of all the blessings that God has given!

Putting our feet to earth and enjoying nature and sunshine as we walk in our neighborhood with a special person or even by ourselves is enough to slow down our minds and ponder the blessings in our lives.

It gives us a bit of time to truly be thankful!

Let the sun shine in!

Let the Son shine in!

Be someone's Sunshine today!

PS:

Our 19 year-old son just announced that he wants to be a chiropractor! I think he would be a great chiropractor! My prayer has always been for God to lead each child down the path HE has created for each one and that we, as parents, can give them the encouragement and confidence they need to go down that path.

I can see now that God has been shaping Shane's life for a path of health, fitness and wellness and I pray that wherever that path leads him that God will bless him with success and happiness!