NATURAL JOY

Thanks for the memories

2011-02-13T20:08:00.000-08:00

2010-11-25T12:18:00.000-08:00

banner made by Faith, when asked where she got the idea "oh, Lindsay always makes those."

2010-11-16T14:38:00.000-08:00

This image struck me as happy today, my days of this boy being not a teenager are flying past me. Who knows what his future holds. My thoughts and posts are few and far between but I've become satisfied with mostly doing in the moment without it having to be documented or acknowledged. Some things just seem truer if I don't tell everyone.

I am a full-time, hardcore, since the beginning homeschooling teacher (aka alternative learning educator, part-time schooler, world learning educator, whatever people like to call it) I've never been one to talk to much about it or make it a big deal. I think the schooling of your children is a deeply personal and individual challenge and it's not my place to advocate to anyone what they should do there. I love what I do but would never say others should do it just like me. It's just not like that. Life seems to happen differently every minute and who knows what we'll be doing a year from now or 5 years from now. Things can always change, but for today tuesday November 16, 2010 I loved watching my beautiful 11 1/2 year old boy stitch up a little sock snowman and not have a bit of shame about it.

Photos by Lovely Lindsay

2010-10-13T13:35:00.000-07:00

2010-10-13T13:31:00.000-07:00

2010-10-13T13:27:00.000-07:00

2010-10-13T13:18:00.000-07:00

Yet again my sister-in-law goes above and beyond herself.

Harvest Time

2010-08-21T16:39:00.000-07:00

I love this garden it really makes me feel alive. There's just something about digging in the dirt.:)

2010-07-11T13:52:00.000-07:00

Made these today:

http://wewilsons.blogspot.com/2009/02/reusable-snack-bag-tutorial.html

Read this today:

happy

2010-06-30T17:38:00.000-07:00

2010-06-09T07:53:00.000-07:00

You sooo missed out:)

2010-04-27T11:31:00.000-07:00

February 23, 2010

2010-02-28T14:17:00.000-08:00

Breakfast:

7 grain cereal

fried eggs

Brown rice crisp cold cereal

rice milk

water

Lunch:

Quesadillas

Odwalla chocolate chip peanut bar

cucumbers

fruit leather

water

(this was in the big kids lunch boxes)

we also had leftover salmon, Lemon potato salad and wild, lentil rice.

Snack: homemade hot choc. made with cocoa, vanilla, sugar and rice milk (not claiming this is healthy but has a little less unnatural ingredients then a package)

Dinner:

Vegetarian Chili with tortilla chips. (this was a quick dinner)

Chili:

fried in sauce pan with a little oil:

onions

peppers

zucchini

garlic

then I put about 4 cans of different beans in a crock pot and 3 or 4 cans of diced tomatoes. I mixed in the fried vegetables and as much chili powder and cumin as my family likes. I left the crock pot on high for about 6 hours and then added some tomato paste to thicken it. This is kind of a made up recipe as you can see so it can definately be tweaked. Also this was quick but I do like to try and cook my own beans also, often I use a pressure cooker for that which makes then cook quite faster.

February 24, 2010

Breakfast:

Bob's red mill pancake mix pancakes.

Ingredients:

wheat, rye, triticale, oats, corn, barley, soya beans, brown rice, millet, flax seeds, nonfat dry milk, leavening, baking soda and salt. (I get this in the bulk section at Winco)

Blueberry syrup (froze blueberries cooked in a saucepan until they become close to a liquid)

Real Maple syrup (I know that this is extremely more expensive then the other stuff so our approach has become that we have it once in a while since nobody really needs sweet stuff all the time and just buy the real stuff)

Sometimes it's hard to realize what eating real food compared to fake really means since we just use our mouths and taste it. We say we like how it tastes or we don't and then move on. Anyway I like to think of other examples to help, let's use this one. Anyone that is a serious runner knows the value they put on their running shoes. They take good care of them, they replace them regularly and they buy they best ones regardless of the price. Why? Because they don't want to ruin their knees, hips or any other parts of their bodies buy the effects of running.

Thus the difference between Real Maple Syrup and the fake stuff. Just replace the knees and hips with the insides of your body.

Lunch:

Leftover chili in tortillas

chopped red peppers

Dave's killer bread, adams peanut butter (no hydrogenated oils) and three berry blend American Northwest jam.

Ingredients:

fruit (marionberries, strawberries and raspberries)

unsweetened pear juice concentrate

unsweetened white grape juice concentrate

pectin

lemon juice concentrate

Dinner:

BBQ chicken sandwhiches

Rudy's whole wheat hamburger buns

cut up chicken with no preservative BBQ sauce.

cooked asparagus and carrots

fruit salad

February 25, 2010

Breakfast:

Barley flakes (just like oatmeal but barley)

rice milk

toppings:

slivered almonds

unsweetened coconut

sunflower seeds

raisins

Dinner:

Taco salad

tortillas chips

lettuce

black beans mixed with preservative free taco seasoning(ordered from a company that makes deliveries here in the tri-cites once a month: www.azurestandard.com)

olives

tomatoes

green onions

sour cream (daisy brand has a little less additives)

salsa

cheese

February 26th, 2010

Breakfast:

Homemade granola and oatmeal

Granola:

2 cups rolled oats (not instant)

1 cup peanuts or toasted almonds

1/4 cup sesame seeds or pumpkin seeds

1/2 cup toasted sunflower seeds

1/2 cup coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)

1/4 cup toasted wheat germ, quinoa flakes or flax meal (you could probably substitute just about anything)

1/2 cup raisins or cranberries

1/2 cup other dried fruit (optional)

scant 1/4 cup cooking oil (not olive)

1/2 cup honey

Mix the oats, nuts and grains in a large bowl. Measure oil into the measuring cup and swirl it around before pouring into bowl.

Then measure out the honey in the same, unwashed cup. The oil will help the honey exit the cup. Toss everything together until evenly coated and then pour out into a baking pan. A cookie sheet with edges around it usually works. Bake at 300 degrees for 40 minutes, turning it with a spatula every ten minutes or so. You want everything to be an even golden brown. When it is done immediately pour back into bowl (if left on cookie sheet it will stick as it cools) and add dried fruit. Stir several times.

Lunch:

Quinoa macaroni noodles

baby carrots

grapes

Snack:

TLC cheese crackers

raisins

fruit leather

TLC chocolate chip cookies

TLC is a healthier brand so chocolate chip cookies and cheese crackers arn't good for you but these ones atleast don't have harmful additives or preservatives in them. The cookies actually have a lot of grains and seeds added. Anyway they can be found at Winco also, many other stores too. The cookies are good but nothing like a homemade chocolate chip cookies if you're looking for a treat!

Dinner:

Vegetarian sphagetti, garlic, onion, mushrooms, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, italian seasoning, basil, oregano, worchestershire sauce and sugar.

Whole wheat thin spagetti noodles

wheat french bread (not super good for you but better then the non-whole wheat version)

Green salad:

Romaine lettuce

tomatoes

carrots

cucumbers

preservative free parmesan salad dressing

Okay now I really, really want to hear some meal ideas from someone else!! That was more work then I thought! Kristin will you post your sushi recipe also. My kids loved it.

February 22, 2010

2010-02-23T13:28:00.000-08:00

Dinner:

Wild alaskan salmon broiled with wheat free soy sauce and lemon.

wild rice and lentils

broccoli

lemon, rosemary and salt potato salad

FHE treat:

Dave's killer bread with butter and cinnamon and sugar on it.

I forgot to record a few things this day.

February 21, 2010

2010-02-23T13:20:00.000-08:00

Breakfast:

Oatmeal

honey

bananas

blueberries

Lunch:

Leftover Malysian curry

leftover chip dip

leftover rice

Dinner:

Shawarma:

Shawarma is like the ultimate on the go meal. Thinly sliced meat, wrapped in a pita bread with veggies and sauce is a delicious quick meal. Before attempting a shawarma recipe, please read"Shawarma 101: Tips for Making Authentic Shawarma". You won't be disappointed!
Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (thinly cut)
1 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup vinegar
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cardamom pods
1 teaspoon allspice
juice from 1 lemon
___________________________
FOR THE SAUCE:
1 cup tahini
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons yogurt
___________________________
PITA FILLINGS:
8 loaves of pita bread or 4 large
thinly slice cucumbers
thinly sliced onions
1/2 teaspoon sumac
thinly sliced tomatoes
1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
pickle slices (optional)
Preparation:

Combine all ingredients except for chicken, fillings, and sauce ingredients to make marinade. If it seems a little dry, add a little olive oil (a tablespoon at a time). Here is an excellent tahini recipe, if you do not have some handy.

Add chicken, cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours, preferable overnight.

In a stockpot or large saucepan, cook chicken over medium heat for 45 minutes or until done. Be sure not to overcook! If chicken becomes a little dry, add a few tablespoons of water throughout cooking duration.

While chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce. Combine sauce ingredients and mix well. Set aside.

Take the onions, tomatoes, cucumbers and sprinkle with sumac. Add other filling ingredients in a large bowl and combine well.

When the chicken is done, you can shred it, slice it, or leave into large pieces. As long as it it thinly cut, there is not much difference. I prefer to cut mine into wide strips.
Prepare the Pita

Place enough chicken on pita that cover 1/4 of the loaf. Add veggies and pour sauce. Roll like a soft taco or burrito and you have shawarma! You can also stuff the pocket of the pita if you like. I prefer to roll large pitas (this is where making your own pita comes in handy), but it is hard to find large loaves of pita at the supermarket.
Serving Shawarma

You can serve shawarma with fries, falafel, hummus, or with a salad like tabouleh.
We used to get these when we were in the Middle East, we can't make them like they did but it was fun to try. They sold them everywhere you went kind of like burgers here, I guess.

Baked potatoes.

February 20, 2010

2010-02-23T13:17:00.000-08:00

Dinner:

MALAYSIAN CHICKEN CURRY IN COCONUT
MILK

1 chicken, cut into chunks
1 tbsp. chili powder
2 tbsp. curry powder
1 tbsp. paprika
1 tsp. cumin
3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 onions, chopped
2 tomatoes, roughly chopped
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
2 tbsp. oil
1 bay leaf
1 lb. potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
1 cup coconut milk
3 cup water
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in big pot and fry onion and garlic for 1 minute. Then add the chicken and continue cooking for 3 minutes. Add all the spices and stir together well. Add the potatoes. Let cook until chicken and potatoes are tender. Add the remaining ingredients.

Adjust seasoning and serve with steamed rice.

February 20, 2010

2010-02-20T14:37:00.000-08:00

Breakfast:

Mixed hot cereal:

quinoa

barley flakes

millet

oats

blueberries

honey

My husband threw all of this into the pressure cooker and made up his own 'mush' It was good-in case you were wondering.:) The pressure cooker cooks things that take a long time faster.

Lunch:

Leftover chip dip and red rice

February 19, 2010

2010-02-20T14:22:00.000-08:00

Breakfast:

(Faith's requested birthday breakfast)

Potatoes, eggs, bacons and cheese mixed together.

Orange juice.

Lunch:

Rice noodle and chopped vegetables,

(Faith's requested birthday lunch)

grilled cheese with fries.

Dinner:

Chip dip:

homemade refried beans

salsa

sour cream

cheese

tomatoes

onions

olives

(All of these are layered on top of each other)

Red rice

nachos

Homemade chocolate birthday cake with whipped cream frosting with organic caramel ice cream.

I know what you're thinking. Why bother with organic ice cream? It's obviously not good for you. Good point. My only reasoning is quality. If I'm going to buy anything that we are going to put into our bodies why not make it the best you can, I mean for your bodies sake right? If I buy a smaller carton of ice cream with better quality ingredients maybe it will cost the same as the big one that has 50 ingredient but what are those ingredients anyway and why do I need that much ice cream?:) Don't forget also where that milk came from and what's been fed or done to the cows.

(Faith's requested birthday dinner)

February 19, 2010

2010-02-19T13:56:00.000-08:00

Where do these days go? I was sitting in a restaurant face to face with my now 8 year old 'only girl' and I was filled with love, appreciation, awe and respect for her. Memories of her birth and our life when she was born came back to me, it was such a hard time but she brought such a bright spot to us. Her contribution to my life, to society, to her family are endless. I am so grateful for this. There is nothing more humbling that being witness to what they bring to life. I already miss her when I think about her growing up. We are the only girls. I love you Faith. (photo taken by Lindsay Stoyan)

February 18, 2010

2010-02-18T22:20:00.000-08:00

Breakfast:

Bob's red mill pancakes waffle multi-grain mix make by Gabriel

served with real maple syrup.

8 grain cereal

Lunch:

Cut up vegetables with dip

leftover vegetable soup

fried egg on toast (not claiming that this is healthy)

Dinner:

Bolthouse farms green drink

tomato soup (tried to get this stuff in before the blue and gold:)

Also various people in my family downed such things at the blue and gold banquet as:

jello

hot dog

chips

cupcakes

oh and don't forget the great big candy bar they got at the end!

Sighhh

I did manage to have some green salad.

February 17, 2010

2010-02-18T22:13:00.000-08:00

Breakfast:

Brown rice crisp cereal with rice milk

8 grain hot cereal

Lunch:

red rice, refried bean, salsa and cheese tacos

apples

water

Dinner:

MEDITERRANEAN VEGETABLE SOUP

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 carrot, halved lengthwise and sliced
2 stalks celery, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chicken or beef broth
2 cups water
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, not drained
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
1/4 teaspoon oregano
salt and pepper to taste
1 15 oz. can cannelini or white beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup pasta bows
Parmesan cheese (optional)
1 small head escarole (optional)

Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot and celery, and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, broth, water, tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and beans.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. If escarole is being used, wash, tear into 2 inch pieces and add to soup 15 minutes before soup is done, or at the same time as the pasta.

Add the pasta bows and cook 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the pasta and escarole is tender.

Serve sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

I used quinoa macaroni noodles for this and added zucchini instead of escarole which I didn't have.

We also had apples and toasted bread with parmesan cheese on it.

We also had a friend party for Faith today so there were some cupcakes & pizza involved with that. The only thing I can claim with that is that birthdays only come once a year and I didn't eat any, does that count? Her actual birthday is tommorrow so we'll see how we do then. I need some feedback here, I'm really not feeling like there is much to read about here.

February 16, 2010

2010-02-18T22:07:00.000-08:00

Breakfast:

(wheat free) 8 grain cereal with blueberries and honey

ingredients:

oats, brown rice, corn, soybeans, millet, barley, sunflower and flaxseeds.

This is a hot cereal. It takes maybe like 15 to 20 minutes to cook if it's in a regular sauce pan. You can get it at Highland's healthstore. They also have ones with wheat in them but I like to to try to get in as many other grains as possible since I know we will always have plenty of wheat.

bananas

water

Lunch:

Leftover mashed potatoes and gravy

carrots and broccoli

fruit salad

corn

water

Dinner:

Cashew garlic butter sauce on Cod:

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds fresh spinach, steamed and pressed to release excess liquid
6 (8-ounce) redfish fillets
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Cashew Garlic Butter, recipe follows
Warm Potato Salad, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Season spinach with salt and pepper and divide between 6 (15-inch) square pieces of aluminum foil. Season fillets with salt and pepper and, using a flat spatula, smear both sides of each fillet liberally with Cashew-Garlic Butter. Lay fillets on top of spinach, fold foil pouches up carefully, and bake 20 minutes. Serve immediately, accompanied with Warm Potato Salad.

Cashew-Garlic Butter:

1 cup roasted and salted cashews
1 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
1 tablespoon minced garlic, about 6 cloves
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon hot sauce
1/2 lemon, juiced

Place the cashews in the bowl of a food processor and pulse for 30 seconds. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse for 15 seconds. Transfer cashew-garlic butter to a small bowl and set aside while you assemble the papillotes.

My husband loved this but my kids did not, they usually like Cod though without the sauce.

Brown rice with leftover gravy on top.

water

February 15, 2010

2010-02-18T22:02:00.000-08:00

Dinner:

Black bean and chicken enchiladas with corn tortillas.

Filling:

2 cans black beans

2 breasts chicken cooked and cut up

1 cup salsa

put filling in tortillas that have been softened and put in pan that has enchilada sauce in it. Put enchilada sauce on top and sprinkle with as much cheese as you'd like.

Red rice

put oil in a pan put about 2 cups of rice in and let brown, stirring constantly. Pour 2 cans tomato sauce and 2 cans water in.

Pour in about a cup of salsa

salt and pepper

garlic salt.

cook until done with a lid on.

refried beans

February 15, 2010

2010-02-15T15:46:00.000-08:00

Breakfast:

Peanut butter granola with rice milk

Rolled barley flakes (like oatmeal but with barley) with rice milk

Oranges

water

Family outing car snacks:

5 bags of pre-popped organic gmo-free popcorn, popped by my son.

leftover whole wheat biscuits with butter.

Barbara's crunchy organic cinnamon crisp granola bars:

Ingredients:

oats,

organic cane juice

canola oil

sunflower oil

organic molasses

organic honey

organic oat fiber

cinnamon

2 mugs full of rice milk abuelita mexican chocolate(since we went sledding)

No this is not super good for you but has a lot less ingredients and preservatives then most mixes.

Now, on our way back we had a dilema that I really didn't want to post but knew I had to if I was going to be completely truthful here. It was after lunch, the kids already ate all their snacks and were hungry so we thought maybe we could just get some really plain burritos at the taco place (not to much unhealthy stuff but will fill them up for now) not so, they had processed cheese mixed into some beans and rice but were also a little spicy, needless to say the kids not being used to that were not fans of them and so a wasted stop and wasted money. After the fact also I was quite annoyed with myself because I knew I was recording everything we ate and that I hadn't been to said taco place in lets say like 10 years, or okay longer then I can remember but who's going to believe me now that it's in my 2 week report that represents what we eat for our whole lives. Maybe I'm going to have to keep recording our food forever. There you go.:)

February 14, 2010

2010-02-15T15:37:00.000-08:00

Breakfast:

Peanut butter granola with rice milk

Brown rice crisp cereal with rice milk

Bolthouse farms green drink

(fast breakfast for a sunday morning)

Lunch:

Leftover brown rice casserole

leftover quinoa noodles

Dave's killer bread toast.

Dinner:

Mashed potatoes

Gravy (rice milk, natural beef broth mix, no preservatives. salt and pepper, flour, drippings from roast)

Grass fed local beef roast (It's funny because I cook beef so little these days that I didn't even really know how to cook it and it was tough, go figure)

cooked carrots and broccoli

spinach salad with cranberries and almonds

homemade biscuits made with whole wheat pastry flour

heart shaped valentines brownies (no I'm not going to post this recipe because I'm not going to pretend it's healthy)

February 13, 2010

2010-02-15T15:35:00.000-08:00

Dinner:

Brown rice Broccoli casserole

Spinach cranberry feta salad

oranges

(I am not including a recipe for this casserole this was the first time I had ever made it and it wasn't very good. Don't be discouraged however because there are many ways that brown rice is good)

February 13, 2009

2010-02-13T15:41:00.000-08:00

Lunch:

Quinoa macaroni noodles topped with either:

spaghetti sauce or parmesan cheese and veggies. (depending on who you are in my family)

(if you're not familiar with quinoa here's a link that talks a little bit about it:

http://quinoa.net/)

rice crackers and hummus

chopped yellow pepper, carrots and cucumbers with dip.

Pineapple chunks

water

after lunch snack:

half of a banana with nutella on it. (if you've never had nutella your missing out!)

February 13, 2009

2010-02-13T09:05:00.000-08:00

Breakfast:

Banana pancakes

real maple syrup

apples

Bolthouse farms green drink

water

Banana Pancakes

Ingredients

1 cup spelt flour
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 ripe bananas, mashed

Directions

Combine flour, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, mix together honey, egg, milk, vegetable oil and bananas.
Stir flour mixture into banana mixture; batter will be slightly lumpy.
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Cook until pancakes are golden brown on both sides; serve hot.

2010-02-13T08:56:00.001-08:00

I am a sloppy blogger and I don't keep it up pretty but maybe I should. All things in order like your house? Anyway I am committing to something that will actually be hard. This girl has actually asked me several times about "eating right" of which I have given some pathetic answers or not really fond the time to really answer. I mean who really is an expert at this anyway right?? It's my passion but when confronted with it I feel the inadequacies mounding up, if I tell people something I want it to be perfect! That said saying nothing really doesn't work either so for her birthday (which is today) I am committing to a 2 week journal of what we eat. Wish me luck and don't hate me if there might be a little birthday cake snuck in there. This is also a link to a blog I post on sometimes with recipes. http://eatcooksmart.blogspot.com/ I'll try to do better at that too!

How to cherish a 4 year old:)

2010-01-12T12:26:00.000-08:00

Recently I've been thinking about my 4 1/2 year old and if I'm teaching him what he needs to know. I magically came across this when I was looking up the "lists" of stuff he should have in his head, it just centered me again. I didn't write this so if you don't agree so much just take it for what it is. Those kid years are SO precious.

What should a 4 year old know?
I was on a parenting bulletin board recently and read a post by a mother who was worried that her 4 1/2 year old did not know enough. "What should a 4 year old know?" she asked.

Most of the answers left me not only saddened but pretty soundly annoyed. One mom posted a laundry list of all of the things her son knew. Counting to 100, planets, how to write his first and last name, and on and on. Others chimed in with how much more their children already knew, some who were only 3. A few posted URL's to lists of what each age should know. The fewest yet said that each child develops at his own pace and not to worry.

It bothered me greatly to see these mothers responding to a worried mom by adding to her concern, with lists of all the things their children could do that hers couldn't. We are such a competitive culture that even our preschoolers have become trophies and bragging rights. Childhood shouldn't be a race.

So here, I offer my list of what a 4 year old should know.

She should know that she is loved wholly and unconditionally, all of the time.
He should know that he is safe and he should know how to keep himself safe in public, with others, and in varied situations. He should know that he can trust his instincts about people and that he never has to do something that doesn't feel right, no matter who is asking. He should know his personal rights and that his family will back them up.
She should know how to laugh, act silly, be goofy and use her imagination. She should know that it is always okay to paint the sky orange and give cats 6 legs.
He should know his own interests and be encouraged to follow them. If he could care less about learning his numbers, his parents should realize he'll learn them accidentally soon enough and let him immerse himself instead in rocket ships, drawing, dinosaurs or playing in the mud.
She should know that the world is magical and that so is she. She should know that she's wonderful, brilliant, creative, compassionate and marvelous. She should know that it's just as worthy to spend the day outside making daisy chains, mud pies and fairy houses as it is to practice phonics. Scratch that-- way more worthy.

But more important, here's what parents need to know.

That every child learns to walk, talk, read and do algebra at his own pace and that it will have no bearing on how well he walks, talks, reads or does algebra.
That the single biggest predictor of high academic achievement and high ACT scores is reading to children. Not flash cards, not workbooks, not fancy preschools, not blinking toys or computers, but mom or dad taking the time every day or night (or both!) to sit and read them wonderful books.
That being the smartest or most accomplished kid in class has never had any bearing on being the happiest. We are so caught up in trying to give our children "advantages" that we're giving them lives as multi-tasked and stressful as ours. One of the biggest advantages we can give our children is a simple, carefree childhood.
That our children deserve to be surrounded by books, nature, art supplies and the freedom to explore them. Most of us could get rid of 90% of our children's toys and they wouldn't be missed, but some things are important-- building toys like legos and blocks, creative toys like all types of art materials (good stuff), musical instruments (real ones and multicultural ones), dress up clothes and books, books, books. (Incidentally, much of this can be picked up quite cheaply at thrift shops.) They need to have the freedom to explore with these things too-- to play with scoops of dried beans in the high chair (supervised, of course), to knead bread and make messes, to use paint and play dough and glitter at the kitchen table while we make supper even though it gets everywhere, to have a spot in the yard where it's absolutely fine to dig up all the grass and make a mud pit.
That our children need more of us. We have become so good at saying that we need to take care of ourselves that some of us have used it as an excuse to have the rest of the world take care of our kids. Yes, we all need undisturbed baths, time with friends, sanity breaks and an occasional life outside of parenthood. But we live in a time when parenting magazines recommend trying to commit to 10 minutes a day with each child and scheduling one Saturday a month as family day. That's not okay! Our children don't need Nintendos, computers, after school activities, ballet lessons, play groups and soccer practice nearly as much as they need US.

They need fathers who sit and listen to their days, mothers who join in and make crafts with them, parents who take the time to read them stories and act like idiots with them. They need us to take walks with them and not mind the .1 MPH pace of a toddler on a spring night. They deserve to help us make supper even though it takes twice as long and makes it twice as much work. They deserve to know that they're a priority for us and that we truly love to be with them.

Love, peace, joy, kindness, eternity

2009-12-21T09:47:00.000-08:00

Eternity sign

My husband's last blog post has left my mind swirling and this little song I've been hearing all season just kept coming back, it seems to sum it up so perfectly for me.

(push play to the right if it's not playing) I think in a nutshell it's just kind of black and white all the traditional and pretty stuff and fun stuff is great and fun but it's just that, I just can't take it to serious when I compare it to what it would mean to give someone a true "gift". Just imagine if we all could give each other something like this, the gifts of eternity. Reminds me of a note sent to my brother when he worked and did everything he could to finally take his beautiful wife and baby to the temple. Dear brother, thank you for reuniting our family forever, thank you for sealing the link back up, thank you for what you did today for your posterity and mine. That is a gift I will never forget.

So yes I will have fun getting the beautiful wrapping and fun gifts but above lies my true wish list that I pray for and wish for all year not just at this time, if I was to receive from it, therein would be my try joy. Wishing you love, peace, and everything your heart desires at this time of year.

2009-11-17T14:40:00.000-08:00

Why do I like change so much?

Empowerment

2009-10-05T20:51:00.000-07:00

Crying, Sweating, Running, Hurting and Accomplishing. "Do or do not, there is no try." Jedi Master Yoda
There are times in our lives when we learn new and better things and become just a little more then we were before. Most of us believe that we can't do most things that are available for us to accomplish in this life. I am most certainly included in that group. However this fall I have encountered a new perspective. I accomplished something that in my mind was impossible, completely and utterly impossible for someone like me to do. I never even thought of trying before. This has opened my eyes to a whole new way of living. What have I missed in life by just throwing by the wayside and saying "someone like me can't do that." Why not? I've proved to my own self that if you want it hard enough you can have it. It's all about the work, you have to step up and say I will do the work it takes to accomplish that or have that. But don't we all know that the only things worth having in life take work and are hard. I'm going to do more of these things, I mean what's life about if not to do your best and improve yourself more every day, it's called progression. My new empowerment is never ending. I'm going to accomplish what I want no matter how bad I think I am at it, how silly it makes me (can't get much sillier then this picture) or how hard. It also has opened my mind just a little bit more to what I can become if I trust God and have faith in what he wants me to be. There are no limits. Take life and do want you want don't let life do what it wants with you. It's your turn now, accomplish the impossible. Why wait.

12 years and never a dull moment! Happy Anniversary.

2009-08-16T09:57:00.000-07:00

2009-07-10T15:37:00.001-07:00

Happy Summer.

2009-05-03T10:10:00.000-07:00

Needless to say I didn't get the food for our full two weeks on here but we did manage to do it. It has been interesting too to notice how those foods made us feels after we hadn't eaten them. Jeff especially can actually notice that it hurts his stomach if he eats wheat now. So what are we going to do you ask? I don't know other then be very moderate. I haven't decided what the next step after that is. Mostly other grains, not much dairy. Lots of fruits and vegetables. Funny thing is that there are plenty of grains out there and some of them are better for you then wheat so it's not such a bad thing to have to expound ourselves is it? Did you know if you have a wheat grinder you can grind just about anything else and make it into flour? Beans, oats, lentils, rice, whatever. Here's a recipe we tried last week that turned out pretty good.

Range-top Rice pudding with fresh fruit

4 cups milk (whichever kind you like: cow, soy, rice, almond)

1 cup brown or white rice (obviously the brown will be healthier)

3 tbsp sugar or honey

1/4 tsp salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon allspice

2 small bananas

lemon juice

1 large kiwifruit

1/2 cup seedless graps

or whatever fruit you want

1. In 10 inch skillet over high heat, heat milk, rice, sugar, and salt just to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 20 minutes (for white rice). If using 1/2 or all brown rice, simmer 20 minutes in water in a 1 quart sauce pan, then add to milk mixture to finish cooking, then simmer another 20-25 minutes.

2. Remove from heat: stir in vanilla, cinnamon and allspice. Serve rice pudding warm or refrigerate to serve cold later. Pudding will thicken as it cools.

3. Just before serving hull strawberries, cut into thick slices. Slice bananas: sprinkle with lemon juice to prevent browning. Peel and thinly slice kiwifruit. Cut each grape lengthwise in half.

4. arrange fruit on top of custard.

2009-04-11T21:29:00.000-07:00

Wednesday:

lunch: Bananas, chili, green peppers, grapes, cod (leftovers)

dinner: Brown rice, corn and grilled vegetables, this was supposed to be a taco of sorts but I don't think it turned out like the recipe was supposed to be.

Thursday:

Breakfast: oatmeal, apples, peanut butter on rye crackers

Lunch: tuna fish on rye crackers, oranges, cliff bar, spinach, strawberry and almond salad, cashews

dinner: gluten free scones. (I made these with the wonderful bob's red mill bread mix, they're actually pretty good)

lentil soup

brussel sprouts

Friday: Breakfast: Quinoa with honey and blackberries

lunch: lentil soup, chopped up vegetables

Dinner: Bean and salsa taco, fried eggs, mandarin orange and chicken salad (didn't have a lot of time tonight kind of a weird mix) popcorn for a snack

Saturday: Breakfast: Oatmeal, bananas, cashews

Lunch: Chili, strawberry tofu shake (frozen strawberries, half a carton of soft silken organic tofu, juice concentrate, some type of milk, I used rice I think, you can add bananas too)

Dinner: gluten free pumpkin bread:

Gluten free Pumpkin Bread
4 eggs
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 15oz. can Libby's pure pumpkin
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup oil
4 cups gluten-free flour mix (I couldn't decide so I used 1/2 featherlite and 1/2 Carol's sorghum mix)
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. ground flax, opt.
2 tsp. xanthan gum
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. each: cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg
1 cup water or milk (I use water)
about 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

In a very large mixing bowl, beat eggs (I use a hand mixer). Beat in sugar, pumpkin, applesauce and oil.
Whisk together all the dry ingredients and beat in 1/2 at a time. ( I just dump it in after measuring and beat in 1/2 the flour last)
Slowly beat in water until mixed and there are no flour lumps. You can add chips now or later.
Pour batter into 6 greased and floured small loaf pans (5 3/4"x3"x2 1/2 ").
Gently stir in without scraping the edges, 1/4 cup chocolate chips into some of the pans(incase your peeps can't have/don't like chocolate like my peeps )
Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for about 40-45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. (I use a convection oven) My breads rose great and were light and fluffy and sooo tastey.
Cut a loaf in 1/2 and take a big muffin to work.
You can make muffins, just reduce the baking time and you only need to spray the pans. Or bake in cake pans too. I would advise only trying a big bread pan with one loaf b/c the batter is heavy and the bread may not get done in the middle.

Turned out pretty good actually. I used coconut four mixed with rice flour and a bob's red mill flour mix which has several flours in it. I didn't put the chocolate chips because we're doing no sugar but I think they wouldv'e been pretty yummy.

spanish rice

Mexican chicken (chicken, black beans, salsa, cumin, chili powder, tomato sauce.)

black bean and tomato Quinoa salad:

ingredients

2 teaspoons grated lime zest

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 teaspoon sugar

1 cup quinoa

1 (14- to 15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

2 medium tomatoes, diced

4 scallions, chopped

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

preparation Whisk together lime zest and juice, butter, oil, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Wash quinoa in 3 changes of cold water in a bowl, draining in a sieve each time. Cook quinoa in a medium pot of boiling salted water (1 tablespoon salt for 2 quarts water), uncovered, until almost tender, about 10 minutes. Drain in sieve, then set sieve in same pot with 1 inch of simmering water (water should not touch bottom of sieve). Cover quinoa with a folded kitchen towel, then cover sieve with a lid (don't worry if lid doesn't fit tightly) and steam over medium heat until tender, fluffy, and dry, about 10 minutes. Remove pot from heat and remove lid. Let stand, still covered with towel, 5 minutes. Add quinoa to dressing and toss until dressing is absorbed, then stir in remaining ingredients and salt and pepper to taste.

I thought this was pretty good. One more week to go.

2009-04-08T11:28:00.000-07:00

Okay so what's on my mind right now. Food allergies. Are they real? Why do so many people have them especially if I can't tell anything bothering them? My husband (bless his heart) has had sleeping problems ever since I've known him and recently he went to a doctor to try again to figure out what to do. She gave him some supplements to help his adrenils get balanced and said I think you have food allergies and sent him to get a blood test. Yes of course he is allergic to everything that Gabriel is which is basically everything on the planet it seems. Wheat, dairy, eggs, peanuts. You get the picture. So we say what are these foods doing to your bodies and what will you feel like if you're not eating them. The theory is that they for some reason have a negative reaction to their bodies and the body actually builds up antibodies against them when they eat them. Which in turn is obviously hard on all the organs and doesn't give you any nutrients if you can't properly digest them. Okay so I say why wheat? I'm done my research on dairy and I know or feel that it's just not that good for anybodies body but wheat? It's supposed to be good for us right. I pull out my omnivores dilemma and read about the gross changes that have happened to our grains over the years, who know maybe their not even grains any more maybe they're just like chemical mutations that are somehow programed to grow. Yet we still eat it, now I don't know where it all comes from , which kinds of wheat have been grown with seeds that have been preserved etc. so who know what you're getting but I've come to realize that even if we are eating the purest kind of wheat we're still having to much. Why do we only eat wheat? There are tons of different grains out there, some that are better for you then wheat. I'm assuming that it just became an American way or it was cheaper or that is just what the farmers grew, kind of like corn. So the point in fact is where do we eat wheat? Bread, noodles, crackers, pancakes, tortillas, cookies, cake, pies etc. etc. So you could go a whole day and possibly just eat wheat or what used to be wheat and has been so modified that you're just eating some kind of starch or maybe just nothing (i.e. white flour). I have to think after decades of this happening to your body your body has to revolt. Kind of like the baby that starts throwing pureed green beans at you after you've tried to stuff them in his mouth enough times, who really likes those anyway? My course in action. Find different grains. Give our bodies a rest a detox of sorts. My husband has started his 2 week no dairy, wheat or sugar to just clear out his body and I'm jumping on his band wagon. Maybe we just need to change it up sometimes, I mean it makes sense right? So new foods these 2 weeks, watch for what we're eating.

Monday:

Breakfast: gluten free banana bread (made by Gabriel)

oatmeal

apples with sunbutter or peanut butter

Lunch:

Vegetable soup with quinoa

brwon rice noodle with spaghetti sauce

India palace buffet (yum) we all ate seperately obviously

fruit

dinner:

Cod bakes with olive oil or smart balance butter spread, lemon and pepper

brown rice pilaf:

brown rice, green peppers and onions sauteed in butter spread then cooked with chicken broth

asparagus.

Tuesday:

breakfast: organic breakfast os with rice milk or soy milk (not the best choice if you're being ultra detox because it's processed but I'm doing my best here)

lunch: chili and corn chips

green salad

dinner: birthday party so there was a slight break in the schedule ( so is life right? I think if we all ate well and only had slight breaks in our healthy habits we'd be doing great)

Wednesday:

Breakfast:

gluten free pancake mix with real maple syrup

grapes

I hope I can keep this up, stay tuned my vegetarian cooking classes start thursday night, I'm hoping to have all kinds of ideas then.

Thought....

2009-04-03T15:24:00.001-07:00

Thursday, another busy kid day. Cameron came at 2:30, had to get the pinewood derby snacks ready, never really did my hair. Cathy calls, have you talked to Lindsay? I can't tell if she's really in labor or it's just braxton hicks, Ginger says she can see her. I will go over there right now. I knock on the door Lindsay's in her pajamas, she's calm and I can feel her trying to be brave. I ask her how it feels. Are they getting harder, how long have they been coming? I know she wont ask for anything but we need to go, I tell her I'm going to get my van. I shove all of the 5 kids I have at the moment into my van, I go get Lindsay and Lucas, I drop off my big kids. We drive to Ginger's, Lindsay says I don't know maybe it's stopping, maybe it's not a big deal, I say we can check, it doesn't hurt to check, trust the mother instinct. Your mom really needs to know. I drop off Lindsay, we drive to the park. Lindsay calls so we turn around and pick her up. She's definately on her way but how much longer? I ask her should we go get the tub? Andrey's getting it. I take her back home, I feel the birth aura, that thin line between this life and another, it's around us. Lindsay is going to her place I can see her, she's being brave, it's different this time, this baby is going to come a different way then his brother. I see what needs to be done, do you need food, what about your bed, do you want me to put together the crib? I put Elias River on the floor and quickly make the bed, this sheet first then that, yes I remember. Clean towels, garbage bags, yes. Food, hmmm. I'll be back. We take the kids to the park, how fast is it going to be? When will Cathy get here? We take the kids to my house and I go to the store, good for you food, recharge, snacks, ibprofen, nursing pads, tucks, what else? I come back, Ginger's car is here. Is it really happening? I take the stuff over and open the door just a little bit. I put the bags in and run back home, I tell Amy It's real! It's real! Go get Cathy now! She goes and we gather up all the kids and go to the pine wood derby. We wait, the phone rings, he's here before Gabriel's car even goes down the track, he's here. I'm in shock, I call Karen and say baby boy out right now can you believe!! She says yes I can believe. I take Lucas back to see his brother, I'm having an adrenalin rush I walk in and Ginger hugs me, there is a real baby, I feel so proud of Lindsay she has grown so much, she is trusting herself, she is becoming something more, I feel her spirit taking a little bit more control of her being, I tell her I'm so proud of her, I cry, she say thank you for helping her, she cries, I hug her. I hold the baby boy, he's peaceful, such a good birth for him. He proves that there is so much more, we must keep trying, for them. Lindsay is changed, she has climbed her mountain, she will be able to do more and more now, she is calm and willing now to do her mother work, I admire her so much.

Thank you Mrs. Obama!

2009-03-11T10:59:00.000-07:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/11/dining/11lady.html?_r=1&em

2009-02-25T14:37:00.001-08:00

As you all can probably tell (all 2 of you that read my blog) I am not good at keeping up my blog. To that I have to say I have come to peace with the fact that I am using my time elsewhere, I do needless to say constantly have something I want to tell people. My endless obsession with health and nutrition persists. So I will slowly, when I have a free second throw something out there that is one my mind that day. I think this will probably from now on take up the entirety of my blog since it is what I have to say to the world. It is my passion and hopefully I can make it my talent. If you are someone who actually wants to see what my family is doing, well I can invite you to my daily kids learning log blog (lots of pictures there) which consequently is the foremost reason that this blog is so lame, I'm good with that. I love it. Anyway here's what's in my mind right now:

http://www.schreiberandsons.com
Community Supported Agriculture, CSA, is a concept that has become increasingly popular throughout the United States. CSAs are established to provide members with fresh, high-quality, local food all through the growing season, while guaranteeing local farmers a secure market. This partnership allows growers and members to share the rewards and challenges of farming.

The CSA is starting up soon and it's time to sign up. It feels so great to support the guy right down the street and eat way better produce and what's in season. It also saves time, energy and money by not having to transport the food. Check it out.

Also the last couple of weeks we've had this for breakfasts, I love this recipe:
Melinda's Homemade Granola

2 cups rolled oats (not instant)
1 cup peanuts or toasted almons
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup coconut (unsweetened or sweetened is fine)
1/4 cup toasted wheat germ, quinoa flakes or flax seed meal.
1/2 cup raisins or cranberries
1/2 dried fruit (dried apricots, craisins, dried apples or blueberries)
scant 1/4 cup cooking oil (not olive)
1/2 cup honey

Mix the oats, nuts and grains in a large bowl. Measure oil into the measuring cup and swirl it around before pouring into the bowl.
Then measure out the honey in the same unwashed cup. The oil will help the honey exit the cup.
Toss everything together until evenly coated and then pour out into a baking pan. Put on 2 large cookie sheets with a lip. grease the pans first. Spread it out evenly. Bake at 300 degrees for 40 minutes turning it with a spatula every ten minutes or so. You want everything to be an even golden brown. When it is finished cooking, return the baked granola to the mixing bowl, add the raisins and fruit and stir to combine. Stir gently several times as it cooks, so that it doesn't clump together too much. I usually double this recipe for a large family that likes to eat.

2009-02-06T09:53:00.000-08:00

And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their naval and marrow to their bones;

And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;

And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.

D&C 89:18-21

The lord keeps his promises.

2009-01-20T13:23:00.000-08:00

http://titancast.titantv.com/p/kvew/s/CBC-Martin-Luther-King-Jr-Day/15BO0Y5Q.aspx

2009-01-13T18:39:00.000-08:00

Life just seems to be passing me by, whizzing, running on like I coudn't even catch up if I was running. I only hope I can squeeze in enough time spent with my kids to be satisfied with it when I'm old and their gone. I'm so glad I have them around so much. I feel like I am slowly morphing into something more, I know why God wants us to have kids. Giving up the good for the best. Ahhh... but it takes so much effort to not be selfish. I will be so glad in those grandma years when I am trying to remember all those things I used to think I wanted to do.:)

You have to try this!

2008-12-31T07:58:00.000-08:00

Chicken Makhini

1 tablespoon peanut oil
1 shallot, finely chopped
1/4 white onion, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1 cup half-and-half
1 cup tomato puree
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 pinch salt
1 pinch black pepper

1 tablespoon peanut oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup water
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DIRECTIONS
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Saute shallot and onion until soft and translucent. Stir in butter, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, 1 teaspoon garam masala, chili powder, cumin and bay leaf. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add tomato sauce, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in half-and-half and yogurt. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Season with salt pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat, and season with 1 teaspoon garam masala and cayenne. Stir in a few spoonfuls of sauce, and simmer until liquid has reduced, and chicken is no longer pink. Stir cooked chicken into sauce.
Mix together cornstarch and water, then stir into the sauce. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes, or until thickened.
FOOTNOTE
Garam masala may be purchased in Indian markets and in the gourmet section of some supermarkets.

2008-12-22T21:54:00.000-08:00

2008-12-01T11:17:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday Jade!

New artwork

2008-11-20T13:33:00.000-08:00

New artwork in my home thanks to my husband. In case you're wondering the 4 olives on the olive branch are our children.

inspiring

2008-11-07T09:39:00.001-08:00

http://www.theflyingjib.blogspot.com/

Vote!

2008-10-31T07:37:00.000-07:00

Our election is only 5 days away!! It is so exciting. I've been thinking a lot lately and listening to people talk and I just want to say do your research! There is no "right" candidate only differences of opinion. Many good people have been involved in both parties (Pres. Faust was a democrat-if you're mormon you'll know who that it). So bottom line don't vote just for a party, vote for how you want our country to be, vote for who you think can represent our country to others best especially over seas, vote for someone who's character can uplift our country and bring us together, vote for someone you feel you can trust, vote for someone you have learned about and feel good about. All the main issues will be decided by the branches of government so don't stress to much about them, learn about them but don't think they make the deciding factor.

We are such a blessed country and we have this right so be smart! Don't vote for someone because of how they look, don't not vote for someone because of their name, don't vote for someone because of what you have or have not heard about them on you-tube, you get the picture.

For the next 5 days take this vote sign from my blog and stick it on yours and tell people to pass it on, it's like I just tagged everyone!!! Vote!!!!

2008-10-28T21:24:00.000-07:00

Vintage Club pots found at the goodwill. I love them. I wanted to post these so I could feel like her:)

My 2 cents again-healthy muscles

2008-10-02T16:04:00.001-07:00

I haven't blogged this much in months but this has been an off day all around so what the heck! This last pregnancy has thrown me when it comes to wacked out stomach muscles. My front muscles split every time I have a baby but this time they were not going back for anything. I have been seeing a physical therapist that specializes in this and I wanted to share a few secrets with anyone that has the same problems as me. 1st of all to see if your muscles haven't completely gone back together like they should lie on your back and do a half sit-up, find your belly button and feel for your tensed muscles. If you can feel 2 muscles on both sides and basically a hole in bewteen (not good) they are separated. If you have this don't do sit ups! When your muscles are seperated sit ups can separate them more. Here are a few things you can do:

Lie on your back with your knees up. suck in the lower part of your tummy, just the muscles. Put your hand on your chest to make sure your not moving it to know you're doing it right. Pretend you're pulling to your back for 5 seconds then release. Do it like 15 times. Do it every day. It also helps flatten your tummy which is a major plus right after you've had a baby. After you do that do the same thing only lift each leg up about an inch for a few seconds while you're doing it. If you're doing it right it should be kind of hard. Anyway these are the starters, I have some more for over all strength of your tummy area, maybe I'll post those next.

My 2 cents-budgeting

2008-10-02T15:59:00.000-07:00

I found a really fabulous way to actually keep up on a real budget, which in my opinion is good for your health and well that's what I'm all about right. www.quickenonline.intuit.com. I've been tracking our spending daily and it does everything for you, I'm feeling really good about our budgeting future and "mentally healthy" when I know I'm being wise with my money. Check it out.

2008-10-02T14:08:00.000-07:00

I've never done one of these tag things but Jade tagged me and I felt so honored that I had to do it. So here goes:

#1: 8 things I am PASSIONATE about:

1. Health

2. My family

3. Having an open mind

4. folky music

5. Not wasting! Anything I can reuse makes me happy, thrift stores are like 'save the environment stores' to me.

6. The gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

7. Seeing new places

8. Trying new things

#2: phrases I say often:

1. "i'm tired"

2. "not good for you" Sorry kids

3. "I didn't get eveything done yet"

4. "lovey"

5.

6.

7.

8.

#3: 8 things I want to do before I die:

1. Get a bacherlor's degree in Natural health and nutrition, maybe more

2. make a cd

3. live in California (we'll see)

4. have a beautiful yard and garden

5. be satisfied with myself

6. go on a mission

7. grow all my food

8. Have a totally green house

#4: 8 places I would love to visit:

1. europe

2. Middle East again

3. South America somewhere

4. canada

5. Southern California

6. mexico

7. Falls Church

8. Bastyr University

#5: 8 things I have learned from my past:

1. Things don't get better, we decide if we do.

2. God knows more then me

3. My parents did the best they could

4. Saving money is good

5. It's good to take care of myself

6.

7. Don't waste time when you're young, you can do so much

8.

#6: 8 things I currently need or want:

1. To be satisfied with how I look no matter how uncool my clothes are.

2. good exercise

3. more rest

4. chocolate

5. a job for Jeff that he loves.

6. to hang out with people

7. better self-mastery

8. an unstinky bathroom (long story)

people I tag:

1. S. Schuller

2. kristin A.

3. angie w.

4. Catherine P

5. Allison

Now we'll see if anyone reads this, it's been pretty dead lately:) What can I say I don't always like to blog.

Bruschetta on whole wheat bread, cucumbers, tomatoes, and cantelope from the garden and zucchini quiche-eat up!

2008-09-20T21:33:00.000-07:00

I must say I really feel like my blog has all but died but I guess it gets as much time as I have to dedicate to it. This time of year is really the busiest for me so though I probably don't look like much through my blogging eyes I sure hope I'm getting credit somewhere else. Needless to say I did have to take this one picture the other night for being proud of myself for accomplishing a good dinner (yes it's been that busy). Also all this "Nie Nie" stuff is really making me want to go Veggie, anyone else? Maybe it's my time.:) I hope they're doing okay. Happy learning season!

Soulmate

2008-09-02T09:41:00.000-07:00

This last month has flown by like the wind! It's a busy month for us and I haven't even had time to pay tribute to him. 11th anniversary August 16th, 33rd birthday August 31st. He is my idol not to mention he's the handsomest man I've ever known, oh and let's not forget about the great hair (insert roll your eyes Jeff) really he gets comments from strangers:) Anyway here's to you the smartest, kindest, most spiritual, happiest, wisest, most open-minded man I know. Love knows no bounds. I am scrambling to keep up 'cause you just keep getting better!

On Decisions

Two eyes, one horizon

Two ears, one call

Two feet, one path

Two arms, one embrace.

Only the past is certain

Only the future is uncertain

Only the present is mine.

Mr. Furious

San Fran

2008-08-21T14:37:00.000-07:00

I didn't eat any rice-a-roni but I did ride a cable car that had an add for it on the side from the 1950's. Fabulous. It was a good time to regroup and get away.

My favorite place right now

2008-07-07T08:25:00.000-07:00

"I can't express why, but I feel it, everybody needs to keep in touch with nature, with the rhythm of the earth. Somehow it's bad for people when they can't. There's something humbling there, something like being in tume with the spirit."

Dallin H. Oaks

RIVER BOY

2008-06-23T15:48:00.000-07:00

2008-06-17T18:49:00.000-07:00

Family Home Evening Lesson:

Gabriel: Is it better to have armor, shields and swords or to have Heavenly Father?

Asher: A sword.

Gabriel: No. Goliath had armor, shields and swords and David had the lord of host.

Amelia: Excellent.

2008-06-03T14:13:00.000-07:00

Lately I am in that wonderful post pregnancy stage where nothing really fits and if it does it doesn't look that good. I've realized however this time that going out and actually shopping for clothes has been near impossible. Actually getting to somewhere I can look for clothes and then finding something that's not to teenagerish but not to grandmaish, well it's just to much work. Maybe 4 kids is the limit, maybe this is where God is trying to refine me into a more selfless less worldly person. Maybe this is where I wake up and put 'these' shoes on and "last years" pants and say "I don't need new clothes to feel good about myself, I don't care what others think of me and I'm happy even if I have a ponytail in my hair for the 30th time this month. Well so far I don't think it's worked but I am getting worn down so maybe in some strange way I will reach that point.:) The worth of a soul is great in the sight of God. (I'm pretty sure he didn't mean in my shoes but if so I'm kind of in trouble)

Badger Mountain

2008-05-25T07:46:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Amy I had a great hiking companion saturday morning, it was perfect weather and there were flowers all over the mountain. We conquered Badger Mountain saturday, it felt great! And if any of you are thinking my last post was weird I promise I really really love my baby Elias and he is getting slowly better. I think I was in a weird mood that day sorry about that. I'm so glad I can hike again! Who wants to go next time?

2008-05-23T22:18:00.000-07:00

Dear Chloe Bates,

I hear that you have found the cure for colic. I feel it is only right that you provide the world with your knowledge. I have suffered from colic ever since I was born and would very much appreciate it if you were to share. I know you're older and wiser but I'm a little impatient, you never know I might be as big as you even if I'm not as old. Thanks again and keep smiling.

Sincerely yours,

Elias River Larson

p.s. If you ever need someone to talk to about the "colic months" you know I can understand- it's like we're kindred spirits.

p.p.s. If you're not Chloe Bates please pass this message on, it's quite urgent.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH! MAY 16

2008-05-15T16:56:00.000-07:00

Today is Sarah Schuller's birthday. Sarah is one of the first friends I had when I moved here. I first saw her in nursery the first week we were at church, she was newly married and beautiful. I thought she belonged in some Audrey Hepburn movie and was way to young and hip for me. So when she actually decided to be my friend I was so honored. Her "chicken coop" house will always be in my memory, I knew I loved her the first time I walked in, anyone that was willing to paint on their walls was up my alley. Even now it's painful for me to drive by where it used to be. Her creativity and decorator skills have forever transformed my house, she brings beauty wherever she goes, so today celebrate your creative side, Thanks for being one of my best friends Sarah, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Here are a few reminders of Sarah that are around my house, I'm so glad I grabbed them before she moved away!

NUTS-My 2 cents

2008-05-14T18:02:00.000-07:00

My blogging ability has been somewhat dampered lately owing to the fact that Elias is just not interested in blogging, imagine that! Anyway many months ago I told her that I would post about healthy snacks for kids. I'm going to attempt since I'm feeling like I'm somewhat in a black hole lately, it will probably take me several more months to complete. By the way the "her" I referred to prior is having a birthday this week!

Obviously my first snack item to be focused on is nuts. We all know nuts are good for us right? Good fats and protein and all. I've been trying to have nuts more available instead of other things they might go for. My favorites cashews and almonds are great mixed in a bag with cranberries. If that's the snack in my bag they eat it up, sometimes a few chocolate chips in there is good incentive. I like to put them out in a bowl on the counter so my kids will snack on them. Another funny thing is the more nuts I eat the more I like them, so maybe you just gotta get into the habit. It's a really great way to boost your energy during the day and a great source of protein so you can eat meat a little more sparingly. Anyway these words sound dumb to me, I think the tiredness is taking over. Don't forget the nut butters, my kids love sunbutter (made out of sunflower seeds) but don't get the ones with high fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated oils! Eloquence in writing has left me so I will move on to my 100th breastfeeding session for the day, more snacks later.

2008-05-12T18:46:00.000-07:00

Excellent baby wrap made by Lindsay Stoyan, baby-wearing in style!

Dimples and chub

2008-05-12T07:31:00.000-07:00

HAIRCUTS?

2008-05-06T11:26:00.000-07:00

Does anyone have a good suggestion for where to get kids hair cut? This is a really not pretty post but so is my life right now:)

puffy jean jacket-wild hair-& many many animals

2008-05-04T08:03:00.000-07:00

Wonderful time spent with my precious 3rd child. Asher is a person all his own.

Happy things-what are yours?

2008-04-20T15:20:00.000-07:00

My music friends, when you see me next ask me if I've been playing them:) They don't see me very much lately.

2008-04-20T15:19:00.000-07:00

All of these people of course.

2008-04-20T15:18:00.000-07:00

My Tulips

2008-04-20T15:17:00.000-07:00

My tomato starts

Happy things

2008-04-20T14:57:00.000-07:00

I seem to be feeling slightly overwhelmed these days and maybe even a little sorry for myself. Today at the church the theme was definately getting beyond yourself and serving others which was exactly what I needed. So even if I'm feeling not pretty and overwhelmed I'm going to get over myself:) To start here are some happy things from my life, you try it, it feels nice.

Heart pancake made by Gabriel.

Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful, Boy..........

2008-04-12T09:31:00.000-07:00

2 weeks, 2 weeks tomorrow. It took so long yet it's going so fast:) 4 births I've had and yet 4 completely different experiences. I think the lord must have something new for me to learn each time. Elias made me work for him a little more, maybe he wanted me to know how much he was worth or maybe it was just so I could be a little bit more humble of a person, all I know is that birth has made me closer to Christ. Such a physical feat I couldn't do alone! He has suffered way greater for my sake so I think this small suffering for my own child is only fitting. I am no perfect mamma of 4 kids, it's hard but I am so overwhelmed by gratefulness at having 4 beautiful perfectly healthy children. Could there be anything greater? Thank you to her and to her. Thank you also to beautiful grandmas. What a blessing to have them here for me.

Today-A beautiful saturday with yard sales all over, Today-a husband and child racing west, Today- a beautiful sister-in-law doing what it takes, living a real life and being such an inspiring example to me of commitment that I am all choked up:)Happy married life to you. Missing them all.

...unto us a son is given...

2008-03-30T14:48:00.000-07:00

Elias River

March 30, 4:15 a.m.

9 pounds, 8 ounces

22.5 inches

One more week........

2008-03-20T14:00:00.000-07:00

My kids and I got a kick out of this picture, this is the view from under my belly, do you think it's time:)

Wednsday

2008-03-20T11:26:00.000-07:00

My kind of baby clothes!!

2008-03-12T15:08:00.000-07:00

http://www.oldnavy.com/browse/outfit.do?cid=37279&oid=OUT11431

Who needs all those nasty pesticides and chemicals on their baby!

2 more weeks......

2008-03-12T14:47:00.000-07:00

It's just so easy! My 2 cents:)

2008-03-03T08:56:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for an inexpensive way to clean your house? What about a safer, chemical free way of cleaning? Natural cleaning methods are for you! Forget the pre-made cleaners that tout antibacterial protection with their long list of chemical ingredients. You can clean your home naturally, while leaving it pleasantly scented and protected against harmful germs without a lot of expense or chemical residue.

When using natural cleaning methods there are a few basic, inexpensive cleaning items to have on hand at all times. Baking soda is great natural cleaner for scrubbing tubs and showers, freeing stoves and pans from baked on grease and neutralizing odors. Make a paste with water and baking soda and scrub away. More water will equal a softer, more liquid scrub and less water will give more oomph. Baking soda can also be used for brushing your teeth, washing your hair, and exfoliating your skin. It is the most gentle, while still be extremely effective, scrubber to be found in the chemical-free cleaning world.

Vinegar can be used to naturally disinfect bathrooms, counters and floors. Mix one part water, one part vinegar in a spray bottle and clean away. If you’re worried about the odd smell of vinegar being left behind in your home, don’t fret. The smell will dissipate and you’ll be left with an odor free home. Add a ½ part of rubbing alcohol to the mixture and use it to wash windows and glass surfaces. Apple cider vinegar can be used to rinse your hair after washing it with baking soda. Your hair will be shiny and soft as if you used an expensive shampoo after using the baking soda/apple cider vinegar combo for a while.

A natural cleaning product that will kill germs is easy with rubbing alcohol. Along with removing gum and paint, rubbing alcohol can be used to disinfect surface after they are contaminated with raw meat. However, rubbing alcohol should not be used on wooden cutting boards at all because they will dry them, crack them and allow more bacteria inside. Hydrogen peroxide is a good natural cleaning product choice for cleaning wooden cutting boards.

Where do you get your vegetables? my 2 cents:)

2008-02-29T14:36:00.000-08:00

Okay, I've been wanting to put this post on for a while but it never seems like I have the time anyway if any of you went to the Stake enrichment last night they had a great class on nutrition which inspired me since well I guess weird things get me going. Anyway it's getting to be spring and it's a great time to think about where your produce is actually coming from. In the store, maybe anywhere really but probably not from a local farm. I know that seems silly wouldn't it just be easier to get it down the road? We got our produce from a great farm last year that is just about 15 miles up road 68 and they do a coop. You pay a certain amount for the season and every week you pick up the current produce that's in season where their drop spot is. You get fresher local produce and you support the local farmer. Check out the website it's worth looking at. To learn more go to the Schreiber and sons coop farm down in the green links. Happy Spring!

2008-02-24T15:23:00.000-08:00

It seems like I always have a million things I'd like to say to someone, or maybe just to myself but when I get to my blog it doesn't come out. Maybe it's the new idea that anyone can look at it or maybe I think a lot of the time my thoughts are just happy or important to me or maybe even just "out there". Well anyway I guess that's why we're here to have our own minds and decide what's right for ourselves but I think when it comes to voicing any of my opinions the insecurity seems to seep out.

I had an experience this week that I can't call exactly good but in my life I guess it was. I have a cousin that lives in Utah that was having her 4th child and was due when I was. She found out that her baby had a lot of problems and this week they took him by c-section and on friday he passed away. Needless to say this is not a happy story and I feel for them being almost ready for my 4th as well but it has put a new spin on my plight in life and a better understanding of life and eternity. I love birth, the closer
I get to the bare roots of it the more I feel the eternity of it. A God given gift that we have to work for through the pain and the endurance that makes us better people in the end with an empowerment that we can do anything if we can do that. I even am grateful to God for not making it easy, why should it be easy to get the most important thing you can get in life and how better to appreciate them? So today I am having a CELEBRATION OF BIRTH. I am grateful for my aching back, I am grateful for a huge belly, I am grateful for heart burn and nausea and no sleep and smashed lungs and everything else! I am also grateful for a cousin with a spirit that was able to go through the experience of loosing a son and also bless my life and many others with his presence. So new baby through the chaos and stress and complaining and business that is my life I am so excited for yet one more birth celebration that is to be mine in a couple of weeks, thank you.

Faith is 6!

2008-02-24T15:08:00.001-08:00

Faith's birthday was last week but the camera's been dead for a little while so were just getting around to this. Thanks to aunt Lindsay for the cute project the girls painted on and the awesome "box of secrets" she made for Faith's present. Happy Birthday Faith!

Crazy Friday update and my 2 cents

2008-02-15T14:05:00.000-08:00

2 cents for today, did you know you can buy pastry flour and use it instead of white flour in all you baking recipes? It's a softer form of wheat that hasn't been processed the way white flour has so it still has the nutrients from the wheat but it looks more white then normal wheat flour. It also stays in your body longer not making you have a sugar low the way white flour and white sugar do. I usually get it in bulk at winco.
Also I know by now many of you know "Lovely Lindsay". It's been a hard week for her with some sicknesses that wont go away so keep her in your prayers. She's a sweetheart.

Happy Valentine’s Day Luv!

2008-02-14T13:37:00.001-08:00

Thank you Sarah!

2008-02-13T16:33:00.000-08:00

Because of my intense love of Trader Joe's this was quite a thoughtful gift sent from Sarah Schuller herself. My kids also made me this little gem of a cake.

Happy Birthday Nat!

2008-02-13T13:06:00.001-08:00

2008-02-08T14:04:00.001-08:00

Only 2 candidates have lived out of the country=good at foreign policy, only one voted no on the war in Iraq, only one served as a pow and only one has worked with the real people (not in politics) but down in the streets. What do you think?
I read this one, fascinating, anyone read a good one on Hillary or McCain?

I shouldn't complain-don't respond if you feel sorry for me:)

2008-02-06T18:05:00.001-08:00

Is it harder this time? I sit here looking as sad as possible, needing everything, a haircut, a makeover, a workout, 35 less lbs. hmmm. I've got a heating pad on my aching back and a support belt trying to keep up my huge belly. It seems like all reality is slipping away today. Food poisoning for five days sick kids for 5 more, missing a very important family event this weekend. I guess that's what it's all about, for me anyway. I make this blog and I tell myself I have goals and aspirations, some people do a lot at 50 right? I will keep trying, I will keep watching those of you that inspire, but don't worry I will try to not let you see me in this condition:) Ah what it would be to have small babies. I will vote in the primary this week, I can put that in my mailbox, one little step...

8 more weeks..............

2008-02-01T19:27:00.001-08:00

Who wants a smoothie? My 2 cents for today.

2008-02-01T17:33:00.000-08:00

Often times it's just really hard to decide 10 times a day (when they ask) what to feed your kids that is semi- healthy. I've learned that my kids will eat anything I put into a "shake" as they call it. I have many different versions but I found one today they loved, if you're brave you can try it too:)

Coconut milk smoothie

One can coconut milk
One box soft tofu (I find mine in the little asian section right after the produce at winco, mori-nu silken tofu in a little box)
1/2 cup juice concentrate, or more if it needs it. (Great source of protein to start off the day)
1 packet powdered super food or you could put a swig of liquid flax seed oil(omega 3's for little kid bodies), or powedered vitamins, sometimes found at the health section.

Now I know tofu? powedered super food? It's pretty out there and I have to admit that I don't usually go crazy like that but my body's been reacting a lot lately to unhealthy food so I've been a little more fanatical. Also I was amazed at how much my kids actually liked this smoothie and how long it kept us full. Okay and about the green or super foods here's a little info:

Plant Power in Small Packages

When we talk about "green foods," we’re referring to a group of foods that includes young cereal grasses like barley grass and wheat grass, as well a blue-green algae known as BGA. Nutritionally, they are close cousins to dark green leafy vegetables, but offer far greater levels of "nutrient density." In other words, an ounce of these concentrated green foods contains much more of the beneficial phytonutrients found in an ounce of green vegetables.

The results of many experimental studies show that green foods have marked beneficial effects on cholesterol, blood pressure, immune response and cancer prevention. These effects are attributed in part to their high concentrations of chlorophyll.

Chlorophyll, the phytochemical that gives leaves, plants and algae their green hues, is the plant equivalent of the oxygen-carrying red pigment hemoglobin in red blood cells. Dietary chlorophyll inhibits disease bacteria and exerts therapeutic effects on bad breath and internal odors.

Blue-Green Algae (BGA): Spirulina, Chlorella and more

The single-celled plants known as blue-green algae (BGA) are sold in health food stores as superior sources of protein, chlorophyll, carotenoid antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and disease-preventive phytonutrients. There are several types of BGAs, the most popular being spirulina and chlorella.

The existing research, while lacking in many regards, suggests that BGAs exert some significant and perhaps unique preventive-health effects, most likely due to their polysaccharides, antioxidants, nucleic acids, and peptides. Preliminary evidence suggests that they have the following benefits:

Spirulina inhibits the infectious power of many viruses—including HIV, flu, mumps, enterovirus, measles, and herpes—probably because a sulfated polysaccharide called calcium spirulan prevents viruses from entering human cells.
Chlorella helps prevent cancer and the growth of tumors, probably because its glycoproteins enhance the migration of T cells to tumor sites
Chlorella binds to toxic heavy metals and dioxin and helps eliminate them from the body.
Chlorella protects the intestinal lining against peptic ulcers

Both Spirulina and Chlorella:

Help diminish allergies such as hay fever
Help protect the liver from toxins
Reduce blood pressure and cholesterol
Help control symptoms of ulcerative colitis
Exert strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects

BGAs are rich in essential fatty acids, phenolic antioxidants, chlorophyll, B vitamins, carotenoids and minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium and zinc. BGAs—especially spirulina—are also good sources of gamma linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid with many healthful properties, which some people’s bodies have trouble producing, and which is lacking in the standard American diet.

Anyway you can buy these super food or green foods in many forms I just buy it powdered and it's easy to add to things, it even has a lemon-lime flavor so they think it's good. Obviously the superfoods could be excluded and you would still have a healthy yummy smoothie and no you don't really taste the tofu, I myself am not a huge tofu fan but when it is sometimes mixed into things it makes them creamy, the juice concetrate really helps to sink into it and absorb the taste. I am going to experiment some more so if I have some more yummy options I'll let you know. My 2 cents.

FAITH ASTORIA

2008-01-29T09:06:00.000-08:00

Breakfast-for your health

2008-01-27T09:16:00.001-08:00

Okay so for my 2 cents on breakfast. Here's some ideas anyway. Veggie omelet, my whole family loves them. Make sure your getting grass feed eggs with no antibiotics or hormones fed to the chickens(ask me about it). Saute a little mushrooms, peppers, onions, or tomatoes and maybe a little cheese. Oh and don't forget the tea pot in the back ground. It's the perfect weather to get into some warm yummy herbal tea. I know hot chocolate is the yummiest(I love it) but you can't go wrong if you get the right herbs to help your body. Right now I'm working on a pregnancy tea with all the herbs that make your body healthy for birth plus some really yummy ones like mint and licorice root. Want to know more about it, ask me! Last of all I found this granola at Winco last time I was there. It is in the bulk section and it is made of several grains, organic honey, peanuts and peanut butter, and a few other things. It's a great combination though because usually we eat a lot of grains(which turn to sugar or glucose in the body) or sugars for breakfast and don't get our protein which keeps us feeling strong and not making our body have a blood sugar crash before we know it. The peanuts and peanut butter do that in this cereal, there's a lot more ways then just meat to get your proteins. Okay enough of my 2 cents.

Siblings

2008-01-26T09:10:00.000-08:00

Me and my siblings all grown up. I don't know if you can tell but I'm the oldest of this bunch. It's kind of cool when we all grow up it seems like we're all the same all of a sudden. Anyway I like this picture because it's rare that I see them and rare that we have a picutre all together. I guess that's why I'm going through all these pregnancies, so my kids can have siblings right?:)

today's 2 cents

2008-01-25T11:17:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wanted to make a difference, even a small one? Today I bought some "green" bags from Winco. They were only 88 cents each. Each one is totally made out of non-toxic, non-allergenic, and recyclable material. They are really sturdy and have handles (which is wonderful), they save thousands of plastic bags from being thrown away and their company takes their ethics all the way to the factory, no sweat shops for the greebag Co. I think you can get these bags at other stores also. They're usually green (representing saving the earth) and close to the check-out. The winco ones say Winco on them but I think they come with all kinds of different things on them. Don't take my word for it check out the website it's awesome! www.greenbag.info. Now I just need to remember to always put them back in the van for next time but hey that's a small price to pay right! My 2 cents. Ask me about it:)

Dinner last night

2008-01-24T09:00:00.000-08:00

Kusherie (Egyptian Rice and Lentils
Easy to make, despite the recipe length, and high in protein.
In Egypt this is served with plain yogurt as a side dish.
From Mennonite cookbook More-With-Less.(love this cookbook)
6-8 servings
45 min 10 min prep
Rice and Lentils
2 tablespoons oil
1 1/4 cups lentils

3 cups boiling water (or stock)

1 teaspoon salt

1 dash pepper

1 1/2 cups rice

1 cup boiling water (or stock)

Sauce
3/4 cup tomato paste

3 cups tomato juice (or tomato sauce or pureed tomatoes)

1 green pepper, chopped

1/2 cup celery leaves, chopped

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or crushed chilis to taste)

Browned Onions
2 tablespoons oil
3 onions, sliced

4 garlic cloves, minced

0. In a large heavy saucepan over medium heat, brown lentils in 2 Tbsp oil, about 5 minutes, stirring often.
0. Add the 3 cups boiling stock and the salt and pepper.
0. Cook uncovered 10 minutes over medium heat.
0. Stir in the rice and 1 cup stock.
0. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 25 minutes without stirring.
0. Meanwhile make sauce: Heat all the sauce ingredients together in a medium saucepan.
0. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 20-30 minutes.
0. To make browned onions, heat oil in a small skillet.
0. Saute onions and garlic over medium heat till browned.
0. To serve, put rice lentil mixture on a platter, pour tomato sauce over and top with browned onions.

I love making something healthy and feeling like I'm taking care of my children's bodies and ensuring them a better future of physical health. I'm not saying I deny them treats but it's amazing how food affects you once you really start finding out, Ask me about it:) Current books I'm delving into: Omnivores Dilhema and In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan.

Martin Luther King Day

2008-01-23T17:01:00.000-08:00

My first post happens to fall on the week of Martin Luther King Day so that will be our beginning. Ever since we've been married we have gone to the local celebration of Martin Luther King Day. When we lived in D.C. we went and stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and looked out where he would have given his speech. Now I know that all that doesn't seem relevant now but his ultimate service to mankind is kind of what we're all striving for, kindness and peace towards everyone, willing to give what it takes, christlike love. Also the influence that is still seen today makes us believe we can all make a difference even if we are just one person. What do you think? CBC celebrates Martin Luther King day at 12:00 every year starting at the Martin Luther King statue, did you know they had one of those?