Stacia discovers she likes to eat the plate best of all! She's like a little puppy these days and chewing on everything!
Zander is sure to join the fun....but he prefers whole wheat "healthy" cookies to munch on!
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Munchin
Stacia discovers she likes to eat the plate best of all! She's like a little puppy these days and chewing on everything!Zander is sure to join the fun....but he prefers whole wheat "healthy" cookies to munch on!
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
The BACON Revolt!
There is nothing seriously wrong. It’s simply that after 5 ½ weeks of doing well with drastic changes some of my children staged a mutiny. It began with wanting bagels (which I’m looking to learn to make), then wanting store bought tortillas (which I make), it continued on until it became what we are calling “The Bacon Revolt”. I’ve explained that I am NOT trying to dictate food choices outside of the home. Some things are not good for them but it is their choice what they will eat when I’m not around….BUT in the home I want to keep things healthy. I want every food here to be safe for any family member to eat. This all sort of happened as they began to mournfully haul box after box of “good food” out to the van so that I could deliver it to a friend who needed it more than us (and who says that she doesn’t mind eating junk). I, myself, was shocked when moving the pantry to see how many of our favorites were banned….I’d implemented Feingold but cooking from scratch and hadn’t looked too much at some labels. So….lots and lots of baking things went, cereals, refried beans, etc. I did make some compromises. I bought some garden burger sausage patties….and some turkey bacon. I don’t like the long list of ingredients on either….but maybe it will help. Maybe not. I also told them that if they need sausage etc they should go to IHOP….or that I could have one day a month where I cook whatever they want….
Today was busy making all sorts of things to get in the freezer so that they can “grab” the whole foods. I made a double batch of refried beans…and froze them in individual serving portions. I cooked 5 lbs of hamburger and put it into 2 lb packages for quick meals. I made a banana cake (changed the recipe to have freshly ground flour, butter and honey instead of all purpose flour, shortening and sugar. It turned out good. Then I topped it with strawberries and a dab of cool whip. We had tacos with homemade tortillas (and some bought ones), homemade refried beans, the dessert, salad, cantaloupe and rice. Hey Kelly, I sound like your blog. {vbg} My goal was to have a meal that I could feel “ok” about, that was on the FG program, that the big boys would enjoy too. They ate huge amounts of rice and beans and such….and even big amounts of cake…..I thought the cake was fine, the strawberries and cool whip made it sickening sweet to me.
My goals for tomorrow: update the blog with pictures and such. Do school. Speech and a PAC meeting. Oh – the AETC chaplain is here and so we have a “real dinner” for Mike and me to go to tomorrow. Continuing to make GREAT tasting food that is familiar enough that my boys will join the revolution instead of staging further Bacon Revolts.
Today was busy making all sorts of things to get in the freezer so that they can “grab” the whole foods. I made a double batch of refried beans…and froze them in individual serving portions. I cooked 5 lbs of hamburger and put it into 2 lb packages for quick meals. I made a banana cake (changed the recipe to have freshly ground flour, butter and honey instead of all purpose flour, shortening and sugar. It turned out good. Then I topped it with strawberries and a dab of cool whip. We had tacos with homemade tortillas (and some bought ones), homemade refried beans, the dessert, salad, cantaloupe and rice. Hey Kelly, I sound like your blog. {vbg} My goal was to have a meal that I could feel “ok” about, that was on the FG program, that the big boys would enjoy too. They ate huge amounts of rice and beans and such….and even big amounts of cake…..I thought the cake was fine, the strawberries and cool whip made it sickening sweet to me.
My goals for tomorrow: update the blog with pictures and such. Do school. Speech and a PAC meeting. Oh – the AETC chaplain is here and so we have a “real dinner” for Mike and me to go to tomorrow. Continuing to make GREAT tasting food that is familiar enough that my boys will join the revolution instead of staging further Bacon Revolts.
Monday, March 20, 2006
WINDS DAY
As Pooh would say, this was a WINDS day. Mike and the boys installed the weather station a couple of weeks ago so we know for a fact that our house was getting wind up to 45 mph. {G} The wind made a very strange sound. What did we do with the windy day? We went to the park and played for a bit of time. Nolan conquered his bike this weekend. He was excited to be able to ride his bike with his friends at the park. I get such a kick out the close friendships that my boys and Adrienne’s boys have formed. Life in TX suddenly is wonderful in their eyes. God is good to have sent friendships in “due time”. Zander begins telling me about 10:30 each morning that he wants to go see his “other brothers”….these would be Caeden, Coby, Jordan and Cian. {G} It was so windy that Janae (petite 2 year old) was blown right off her feet. Stacia slept through it all snug in the sling. Heather, Adrienne and I got to talking homeschool curriculum at the park. I think I may have a Tapestry Tea. I would LOVE to see the DVD and I think I have to have 5 guests. Surely I could find 3 more who are interested if I advertised through our local homeschool group?
We celebrated Zander’s accomplishments at Mr. Gatti’s tonight. Or we went to “The Game” as Zander says. This is a Chuck E Cheese imitation. I was so glad that he totally avoided the mac/cheese (dyes), the pudding (dyes/flavors), jello (dyes/flavors) and dessert pizzas!!! Yippee! He had two pieces of cheese pizza. We added tomato based sauces back in last week….so we’ll see how he does. He had a blast. His favorite game was playing air hockey with Mike.
Just ended the day with finding some subs for items that are out of stock with the co-op. I want to make my own 7 grain blend and needed oat groats and millet. They were out of the 5# bags…so I got 2 28 oz packages of each….surely more money…but I must have my 7 grain mix….I’ve waited long enough. LOL
Now – I’m falling asleep at the keyboard and must call it a day. Oh wait – Cy won’t be home from work for at least 1 ½ hours….
We celebrated Zander’s accomplishments at Mr. Gatti’s tonight. Or we went to “The Game” as Zander says. This is a Chuck E Cheese imitation. I was so glad that he totally avoided the mac/cheese (dyes), the pudding (dyes/flavors), jello (dyes/flavors) and dessert pizzas!!! Yippee! He had two pieces of cheese pizza. We added tomato based sauces back in last week….so we’ll see how he does. He had a blast. His favorite game was playing air hockey with Mike.
Just ended the day with finding some subs for items that are out of stock with the co-op. I want to make my own 7 grain blend and needed oat groats and millet. They were out of the 5# bags…so I got 2 28 oz packages of each….surely more money…but I must have my 7 grain mix….I’ve waited long enough. LOL
Now – I’m falling asleep at the keyboard and must call it a day. Oh wait – Cy won’t be home from work for at least 1 ½ hours….
Miscellaneous Monday Type Thoughts
Mondays have gotten so much better around here now that Zander is on Feingold. Thank God for that missing puzzle piece.
A week or so ago we had the smoke/fire microwave popcorn incident. Mike is hoping to be able to fix our microwave. At this point it is out on the back patio. This means that when the kids want to heat up lunch left-overs they carry their plates through the dining room, living room, library and out to the back porch. I’m still not used to seeing the parade of food. Sister Val’s daughter Nikki would certainly say this is “ghetto”. Shoot….I commented over the weekend that the neighbors send wonderful smells of steak through the neighborhood when they cook out – we send the smell of burnt popcorn wafting through the neighborhood. {vbg}
Zander was told yesterday that if he would (hmm no nice way to say this) poop in the toilet we’d take him to Mr. Gatti’s. This is a place he loves to go and we’ve not gone to it for months…it isn’t on Stage One of Feingold. Would you believe he DID it last night? Again this a.m. I guess I don’t have to cook tonight and we’ll see how he handles the pizza sauce. The good thing is that he doesn’t eat much there – he really likes the GAMES – in fact he calls the restaurant “The Game”.
I’ve got bananas and grapes in the dehydrator now….hoping I can eventually get those yummy banana chips (think most of them have a coating on them to crisp them up – and I KNOW that most the brands I’m finding have artificial flavors)….as for the grapes…well they were cheap at Albertsons a couple of weeks ago but they just don’t taste as wonderful as the co-op ones. I ordered another case of fresh ones to eat from the co-op. thinking these might make nice raisins for park day or granola.
The phone keeps ringing today and ARIELLE shocked me by reading Thomas A. Edison – Wizard of Menlo Park and Little House to Nolan. School got done with very little help from me this a.m. This certainly not what I want to do every day but it was nice to see them carry on.
A week or so ago we had the smoke/fire microwave popcorn incident. Mike is hoping to be able to fix our microwave. At this point it is out on the back patio. This means that when the kids want to heat up lunch left-overs they carry their plates through the dining room, living room, library and out to the back porch. I’m still not used to seeing the parade of food. Sister Val’s daughter Nikki would certainly say this is “ghetto”. Shoot….I commented over the weekend that the neighbors send wonderful smells of steak through the neighborhood when they cook out – we send the smell of burnt popcorn wafting through the neighborhood. {vbg}
Zander was told yesterday that if he would (hmm no nice way to say this) poop in the toilet we’d take him to Mr. Gatti’s. This is a place he loves to go and we’ve not gone to it for months…it isn’t on Stage One of Feingold. Would you believe he DID it last night? Again this a.m. I guess I don’t have to cook tonight and we’ll see how he handles the pizza sauce. The good thing is that he doesn’t eat much there – he really likes the GAMES – in fact he calls the restaurant “The Game”.
I’ve got bananas and grapes in the dehydrator now….hoping I can eventually get those yummy banana chips (think most of them have a coating on them to crisp them up – and I KNOW that most the brands I’m finding have artificial flavors)….as for the grapes…well they were cheap at Albertsons a couple of weeks ago but they just don’t taste as wonderful as the co-op ones. I ordered another case of fresh ones to eat from the co-op. thinking these might make nice raisins for park day or granola.
The phone keeps ringing today and ARIELLE shocked me by reading Thomas A. Edison – Wizard of Menlo Park and Little House to Nolan. School got done with very little help from me this a.m. This certainly not what I want to do every day but it was nice to see them carry on.
SUNDAY SUMMARY
We had a different sort of Sunday. We didn’t have RE (Religious Education) this past week at the chapel, due to spring break. I wonder if most churches take off for this. We have found that so many in the military travel during these breaks that it is very common to take the week off.
ALSO – this Sunday was the one year anniversary of the start of the Gospel Service. We skipped the service we normally go to and went to this one instead. It was a great service. They had a pastor from down town here and he was so REAL. He spoke on the verse from 2 Corinthians that says to “examine yourself and see if you are in the faith”. Wow – he was good. He shared what he personally found when he examined himself. His level of honesty was refreshing. I have been examining myself since yesterday afternoon and realize that I need to keep a close rein on “apathy”. There is really no excuse for apathy. Sometimes I feel like I should be excused for it because we are ministering in a setting that has unique services, blessings and challenges…but we all serve the same God and I dare not let apathy take root in my spirit and heart. Even if we don’t have all the facility and programs that some off base churches have.
Sunday night we sat out on the patio together watching a thunder storm. We are still new enough to this area of America to love the storms. The little ones and I huddled under a blanket on the porch swing and the big ones just sort of toughed it out. The rain began to really come down hard – I love that. I love a gully washer over incessant drizzle any day of the week.
Mike helped me figure out why I could NOT get the SAGE order to agree. The Composite order was $150 higher than the totals from individual orders. It turns out that I had somehow messed up the formula in one column on one order (happened to be OURS) and so the order total was reading $150 instead of $300 and something. Mike downloaded the software from the Shop Natural site for me to be able to order via the internet. That was cool…and much quicker than setting up the Composite order each month. I need to read the book that will get here eventually and figure out how to set up accounts for each of our members. Then THEY can input their own order and I will simply put them all together into one big order.
ALSO – this Sunday was the one year anniversary of the start of the Gospel Service. We skipped the service we normally go to and went to this one instead. It was a great service. They had a pastor from down town here and he was so REAL. He spoke on the verse from 2 Corinthians that says to “examine yourself and see if you are in the faith”. Wow – he was good. He shared what he personally found when he examined himself. His level of honesty was refreshing. I have been examining myself since yesterday afternoon and realize that I need to keep a close rein on “apathy”. There is really no excuse for apathy. Sometimes I feel like I should be excused for it because we are ministering in a setting that has unique services, blessings and challenges…but we all serve the same God and I dare not let apathy take root in my spirit and heart. Even if we don’t have all the facility and programs that some off base churches have.
Sunday night we sat out on the patio together watching a thunder storm. We are still new enough to this area of America to love the storms. The little ones and I huddled under a blanket on the porch swing and the big ones just sort of toughed it out. The rain began to really come down hard – I love that. I love a gully washer over incessant drizzle any day of the week.
Mike helped me figure out why I could NOT get the SAGE order to agree. The Composite order was $150 higher than the totals from individual orders. It turns out that I had somehow messed up the formula in one column on one order (happened to be OURS) and so the order total was reading $150 instead of $300 and something. Mike downloaded the software from the Shop Natural site for me to be able to order via the internet. That was cool…and much quicker than setting up the Composite order each month. I need to read the book that will get here eventually and figure out how to set up accounts for each of our members. Then THEY can input their own order and I will simply put them all together into one big order.
Whooeeee!
I have to share with you, my dearest friends, that I woke up this a.m. and my whole house smells like onions. {G} I filled the dehydrator with onions before bed last night. It's not a bad smell, just a strong smell. I much perferred the "apple pie" smell from the past week. Yum. I have done several batches of apples...sprinkling them with cinamon and leaving them until they become CHIPS....removing some earlier for those who like the traditionally chewy dried apples. {G}
That's all for now....Nolan is wanting some fresh waffles....which means grinding some flour.
That's all for now....Nolan is wanting some fresh waffles....which means grinding some flour.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Updates!
FRIDAY – Stacia finally got her first tooth to pop through. She’s been fussy this week with the impending arrival of said tooth. Maybe things will settle down now.
De’Etta’s Dr. Appointment – thumb nail still in tact. I opted for “wound cleansing” rather than a tetanus shot. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? It turns out they clean with hydrogen peroxide and salt water. Ah well…I avoided the needle once again. {G}I’m to keep it wrapped. It only bleeds and throbs when Stacia grabs it or I bump it. While in the office I took the opportunity to ask for a new migraine prescription. I now have a new med and hopefully will NOT have to use it. Dr. Woods loved Stacia’s sling. She was the belle of the clinic for that brief moment.
Mike took Nolan to speech while I was at the doctor.
PRODUCE – lots of fresh produce. I had to laugh when I received 11 heads of Green Leaf Lettuce. We didn’t order any the time before. I REALLY wanted some. It keeps longer from the wholesaler. I DID tell Heather that she could add to my order because I wanted the lettuce. I think it will last. We’re eating lots of salad – but we usually do. I’ve never been in a produce co-op like this. We all get to say exactly what we want and then she tries to make cases. You don’t always get what you want – but we seem to the majority of the time. The choices are so nice….but I feel for Heather because I know the incredible amount of work it has to be to figure out these cases every two weeks. Invariably the wholesaler will be out of the variety you order or the size you need. I think the Natural Foods co-op will be easier for me to organize….things won’t go “out of season”. {G}
My sweet husband bought me a Belgian waffle maker. It’s like the ones we saw at the breakfast buffets in hotels along our trip. I have wanted one but have been patiently waiting for the $5 maker to die. Last week I dropped the lid and broke the clip that holds the top and bottom together. I told Mike this and he was ready to buy the Belgian one. THEN Jamin remarked that he’d fixed the $5 maker. Aw MAN. Mike said to go ahead and buy the Belgian maker anyway! Yippee!
Stacia was up ALL night long. I discovered Saturday a.m. that her second tooth had popped through.
SATURDAY – I made wonderful waffles this a.m. {G} with fresh ground flour and honey….and maple syrup to top it off. YUM. I made a quadruple batch (not really impressive I need a double batch for one breakfast anyway) and made up the rest to freeze for breakfasts next week. Arielle, Nolan and I also made “healthy” cookies. Shoot - the Nestles, Wal-Mart and Sam’s brand chocolate chips all have artificial flavors in them. We chopped up some semi-sweet Bakers chocolate. We are determined if nothing else. We made a batch for now and put balls of dough in the freezer for the next time Zander needs an Oreo or a treat to take somewhere. We will take some cookies to church tomorrow for him.
Mike began rearranging my pantry. It is currently in the garage. We’ve been trying to come up with a way to move it inside. I hit on the idea of using the entry closet (currently our game closet) for the pantry. We moved the craft supplies, games and school games etc out to the garage pantry. We’ll need to get some sort of lock on it so that Zander doesn’t have free access to the supplies and game pieces. I headed out to buy shelving while Mike continued working on the move. We took the opportunity to sort through the food in the pantry and kitchen and pull out everything with synthetic flavors, colors and BHA, BHT and TH…something or other. Shoot….our refried beans had both BHA and BHT. I nearly cried when I had to put the giant box of graham crackers in the give away box….and all the chips, almond bark that I bought on sale a couple of month’s ago had to go. I wonder HOW to make Christmas goodies without almond bark. All the food dyes etc – gone. I did keep the Gatorade and I have no idea why. Its Mike’s favorite. It’s full of yellow dye. Zander loves it. I think Mike will take both giant cans to the office. The shelves look bare but I have a co-op order coming on the 27th. I bought 5 more buckets while out yesterday for things that are coming. I think I need to buy one of those bins for storing potatoes and onions and put it in the kitchen. Having the food in this closet will make things easier and will also keep the food cooler with summer coming.
In my spare time I worked on the first SAGE order. I have it all compiled now and only need to double check it and then enter it all onto THEIR form.
Late in the evening, Mike and Jamin moved several things up to the attic and we sorted through a couple boxes of books that were in the garage. I’ll have several new ones to post to my Paperback Swap bookshelf. OH - go the 8 minutes in the morning book – guess I’ll soon be loosing 2 lbs a week. {Vbg} I also got notice that *Patches of Godlight* is available for me. YES!
That brings the blog current. I've been asked to make waffles....think I have some red wheat I could use....
De’Etta’s Dr. Appointment – thumb nail still in tact. I opted for “wound cleansing” rather than a tetanus shot. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? It turns out they clean with hydrogen peroxide and salt water. Ah well…I avoided the needle once again. {G}I’m to keep it wrapped. It only bleeds and throbs when Stacia grabs it or I bump it. While in the office I took the opportunity to ask for a new migraine prescription. I now have a new med and hopefully will NOT have to use it. Dr. Woods loved Stacia’s sling. She was the belle of the clinic for that brief moment.
Mike took Nolan to speech while I was at the doctor.
PRODUCE – lots of fresh produce. I had to laugh when I received 11 heads of Green Leaf Lettuce. We didn’t order any the time before. I REALLY wanted some. It keeps longer from the wholesaler. I DID tell Heather that she could add to my order because I wanted the lettuce. I think it will last. We’re eating lots of salad – but we usually do. I’ve never been in a produce co-op like this. We all get to say exactly what we want and then she tries to make cases. You don’t always get what you want – but we seem to the majority of the time. The choices are so nice….but I feel for Heather because I know the incredible amount of work it has to be to figure out these cases every two weeks. Invariably the wholesaler will be out of the variety you order or the size you need. I think the Natural Foods co-op will be easier for me to organize….things won’t go “out of season”. {G}
My sweet husband bought me a Belgian waffle maker. It’s like the ones we saw at the breakfast buffets in hotels along our trip. I have wanted one but have been patiently waiting for the $5 maker to die. Last week I dropped the lid and broke the clip that holds the top and bottom together. I told Mike this and he was ready to buy the Belgian one. THEN Jamin remarked that he’d fixed the $5 maker. Aw MAN. Mike said to go ahead and buy the Belgian maker anyway! Yippee!
Stacia was up ALL night long. I discovered Saturday a.m. that her second tooth had popped through.
SATURDAY – I made wonderful waffles this a.m. {G} with fresh ground flour and honey….and maple syrup to top it off. YUM. I made a quadruple batch (not really impressive I need a double batch for one breakfast anyway) and made up the rest to freeze for breakfasts next week. Arielle, Nolan and I also made “healthy” cookies. Shoot - the Nestles, Wal-Mart and Sam’s brand chocolate chips all have artificial flavors in them. We chopped up some semi-sweet Bakers chocolate. We are determined if nothing else. We made a batch for now and put balls of dough in the freezer for the next time Zander needs an Oreo or a treat to take somewhere. We will take some cookies to church tomorrow for him.
Mike began rearranging my pantry. It is currently in the garage. We’ve been trying to come up with a way to move it inside. I hit on the idea of using the entry closet (currently our game closet) for the pantry. We moved the craft supplies, games and school games etc out to the garage pantry. We’ll need to get some sort of lock on it so that Zander doesn’t have free access to the supplies and game pieces. I headed out to buy shelving while Mike continued working on the move. We took the opportunity to sort through the food in the pantry and kitchen and pull out everything with synthetic flavors, colors and BHA, BHT and TH…something or other. Shoot….our refried beans had both BHA and BHT. I nearly cried when I had to put the giant box of graham crackers in the give away box….and all the chips, almond bark that I bought on sale a couple of month’s ago had to go. I wonder HOW to make Christmas goodies without almond bark. All the food dyes etc – gone. I did keep the Gatorade and I have no idea why. Its Mike’s favorite. It’s full of yellow dye. Zander loves it. I think Mike will take both giant cans to the office. The shelves look bare but I have a co-op order coming on the 27th. I bought 5 more buckets while out yesterday for things that are coming. I think I need to buy one of those bins for storing potatoes and onions and put it in the kitchen. Having the food in this closet will make things easier and will also keep the food cooler with summer coming.
In my spare time I worked on the first SAGE order. I have it all compiled now and only need to double check it and then enter it all onto THEIR form.
Late in the evening, Mike and Jamin moved several things up to the attic and we sorted through a couple boxes of books that were in the garage. I’ll have several new ones to post to my Paperback Swap bookshelf. OH - go the 8 minutes in the morning book – guess I’ll soon be loosing 2 lbs a week. {Vbg} I also got notice that *Patches of Godlight* is available for me. YES!
That brings the blog current. I've been asked to make waffles....think I have some red wheat I could use....
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