To the Zoo We Go!!

What a wonderful spring day yesterday!  It was the most perfect time to go to the Topeka Zoo.
My oldest kiddo decided to stay home and help dad with cows and run errands.  So, I packed up the other 3 boys and the two cutie patootie girls that I watch and we headed to the zoo. 


Last year we went right in the middle of summer,it was way too hot, and they were renovating a majority of the animal habitats.  It was rather disappointing but I bought a season pass nevertheless in the hopes that with all the work they were doing would greatly improve our little zoo.

Wow, what a great improvement from last year!  It was not too warm out, so we saw just about every animal they had.  Our highlight was the mama hippo and her baby.  We had seen them last year, and it was exciting for the kids to see how they were getting along now. 

I think we watched the orangutans for 15 minutes.  The kids were fascinated by their climbing and jumping skills....I could not tear them away.  I think maybe they could relate with them and was just hoping they were not picking up any new ideas.

For some reason, the girls were enthralled with the African Crested Porcupine. ???? They had a blast!

 

She was very taken with all the flowers in bloom.  She's a woman of not too many words....but said over and over..."I loouvvee flawoors".  And in case you can't speak "2 yr old", it's, I Love Flowers! 

After seeing the zoo, we went across the road and enjoyed our picnic lunch....then the kids played at the awesome park for nearly an hour.  I was exhausted just watching them, but I knew if I just let them keep going.....it was going to be a nice, peaceful ride home....minus the snoring.

I think the older "cutie patootie" was a little worried about the squawking  geese roaming along the path near us.  I think she's going to make a break for it.

We can't wait to visit the zoo again next month for their homeschool education program.  The Topeka Zoo also has a summer camp, and tons of other fun experiences for kids! 


One exhausted mom,
Aimee

Healthy Recipes

I'm trying to lose weight not only for my health, but before the dreaded bathing suit season.....YIKES!!!

My brother and his wife are advisors and distributors for a company called, ADVOCARE.  I love this program....you're not starving yourself (those diets are doomed to fail), their products are natural, and nutrient rich.

Well, I just got done with the first week, which is the cleanse week.  I never felt hungry or deprived!  Needless to say, I'm loving my results!  I'm down 5 lbs, 2-1/2 inches around the waist, 1-1/2 inches around the hips!

They are big encouragers of losing weight the right way.....real food, vitamin enriched protein shakes, and supplements. Foods that are less processed (not easy). Exercise is recommended, which I'm starting this weekend. Adovocare is basically a springboard for a healthier lifestyle.

Anyway, I wanted to share a few food ideas that are healthy and a great way to help you lose weight....the right way.

Chicken Berry Salad

• 4 oz. chicken diced, cooked,  and seasoned with rosemary, basil, and sea salt
• organic 1/2 & 1/2 salad (spinach & spring mix) I use Wal-Mart's Marketside brand
• Fresh Strawberries (cut into bite sized pieces)
• Fresh Blackberries
• 2 TBSP Light Balsamic Vinegar Dressing

Salmon and Roasted Asparagus with Cherry Tomatoes

• Wild caught Salmon, 
• 1 bunch fresh Asparagus
• olive oil
• sea salt & pepper
• Grape Tomatoes
• Mrs. Dash's (Salt-Free) Tomato, Basil, Garlic seasoning

Very lightly, coat salmon with olive oil, (use a pastry brush).

Season salmon with Mrs. Dash and bake on a baking sheet or glass pan, in a pre-heated 400 deg. oven for 12-15 min .
Rinse asparagus and dry it well. 

 Break or cut off bottom ends.

Drizzle 1 tsp. olive oil over asparagus and sprinkle with salt & pepper to taste.

Cut grape tomatoes in half (length-ways) and combine with asparagus.

Mix the asparagus with your hands to evenly distribute all ingredients.

Place on a baking sheet in a single layer, and roast on top rack of oven at 400 deg. for 15 min.

I usually serve this with organic brown rice, or you could roast some red potatoes too!

I'm experimenting with quinoa, so stay tuned!



Here's to a long and healthy life!
Aimee

Rainy Day Playdough

Last week it rained every single cotton-pickin' day!   We had a blanket fort day, a movie day, a day at Science City, a catch up on our reading day.....and as the walls started closing in around us, and the boys were crawling up them, I was desperate for something to keep their little hands busy! 

Someone suggested playing with play-dough, but I had long ago  tossed it into the trash after scrapping it out of the carpet...but I did have the ingredients on hand to make it.

So, here it is.....no guarantee that it won't stick to your carpet, but it is natural, and non-toxic!

Mix the following ingredients in a pot over low heat ( recipe makes 1 lb) :



1 cup flour





1 cup water



       

 



1/2 cup salt



    



1 TBSP vegetable oil



                                   



1-1/2 tsp cream of tartar



                                            
                

  



Food coloring



              



Stir, it won't take long

   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          



before it starts to clump



                   

                         

  



dough is ready when it rolls into a ball



store playdough in Ziploc bags in the fridge



   
   

                                

                                        Use waxed paper and hold it down

                           with painters tape for a non-stick 
                             work surface.

                                          I set out a bowl of plastic cutlery,
                            cookie cutters, a rolling pin, and
                            they had a blast!

Take that rainy day!
Aimee

                                                      

                      

                                                                             

          

Garden Planning

UPDATE:   If you're a homeschooling family, pop on over to  The Homeschool Village and enter to win "Exploring Creation with Botany" text and notebook!  Hurry, I think submissions close in a day, as of May 2, 2012.

Ahhh, spring has sprung here in Kansas!  The grass is green, the birds are singing, and the temperature has been unseasonably warm!!
I am so glad we are through the winter months, even if we did have a mild winter!  Thank goodness, the sunshine has brought me a little more energy....
So, that brings me to thinking of replanting a vegetable garden.  If you're like me, I do not naturally have a "green thumb".  I need lots of assistance as far as, when to plant, when to harvest, etc...
I do not keep a gardening journal....really, people do that? 
My idea of gardening before, was around April, I would plant whatever I wanted in the garden, all at the same time, paying no heed to temperature or acidity of the soil, and when to exactly plant according to where I live.
Then, at good ol' Wal-Mart, I was thumbing through magazines and happened upon Mother Earth News: A Guide to Wiser Living. 

It was actually an issue discussing organic gardening.  While I'm no hippie, I do value and realize the healthful benefits of foods with no pesticides, chemicals or harmful toxins.  I try to buy organic when I can.  This can be somewhat challenging out in the middle of nowhere Kansas.  We do however have a farmers market that offers wonderful produce, the only other option nearby is, you guessed it, Wal-Mart.
Anyway, they had a wonderful article about garden planning!  It was so exciting....I bought the magazine ,brought it home and immediately set to planning my garden!

This is an example of a planned out garden, not mine, but it shows how you can make it into whatever your little heart desires.

If you visit the  Vegetable Garden Planner site from Mother Earth News, you will not be sorry!
It offers precise planning as to when to plant according to your neck of the woods, and when to harvest!
Plus you can draw your garden on a grid and it spaces everything out according to what you are planting.  It was so simple for me to use.  Plus it keeps record of what , when, and where you planted to make crop rotation  a snap!
Oh, and did I mention yet that you get a FREE, yes FREE 30-day trial?  No credit card required....you just set up an account, which is just your email, and password.  Then you're ready to go.
Here's a peek at mine if you're curious.  I still have some tweaking to do, but it'll give you a good idea!

My Garden!

Need a little more info?  Here's a tutorial you can view, that helps with using the planner.

Good luck, and may the "green thumb" be ever in your favor! Sorry, a little Hunger Games humor.

Aimee

Guest Blogger on Hip Homeschool Moms: Acting Pretty When Things Get Ugly

All of us homeschool moms have had rough days.  Days when you have had just about enough!  Days when you're trying to encourage your youngest to finish his work, your middle child is flicking paper balls into the fish tank,  your eldest son sprays half a bottle of Axe body spray in his room and it filters through the house  resulting in an evacuation to the porch, leaving lunch cooking on the stove, and you already have a splitting headache...oh, and it's raining. Not that I'm saying that this happened to me...wink, wink.
Well, it's good to know that we're not alone on the bad days...why does it cheer us up to know someone has had miserable days  like us?  Hmm...
Hip Homeschool Moms has guest bloggers on their site sharing encouragement, woes, and ideas.
So hop on and share in the trials and tribulations of this homeschool mom and how she deals with it.

Acting Pretty When Things Get Ugly!

Guest Blogger Sarah is a homeschooling mom of 5, ages 3 months to 8 years. She tries to take life one day at a time, even when several days attack her at once. You can find out more about her (and how she really, really, really tries not to lose her mind) at Ordinary Days.

Enjoy!

Aimee

Easy Homemade Microwave Popcorn

My family loves popcorn!  It's an easy, healthy (if done without oils) snack that pops up in no time.  However, with a family of 6, buying the convenient packs of ready made popcorn can get pricey....and it can be not good for your health with the additives, and preservatives.

So, are you ready for a really complicated recipe?

Here it is:

Easy Homemade Microwave Popcorn

• popping corn
• brown bag (lunch bags)

Yep, that's it! Now here's the difficult part...I hope you're paying attention...

For a single serving, pour just 1/4 cup of the popping corn into the paper bag (which you can reuse!)

Fold the top of the  bag over 2x's...please no staples, we don't want sparks in the microwave!

Voila!  There you have it!  Fresh, HEALTHY, homemade, cheap popcorn!!!
If you want, you could melt a little butter and drizzle over the top of the popcorn, or maybe just a little salt.If you're watching you're figure, use the spray butter to control the calories!

Other flavor ideas

• Parmesan cheese
• cinnamon & sugar
• herbs & butter

Enjoy!

Aimee

Homemade (NO GRATE) Bodywash

I am always trying to find ways to save money by making things myself (if I can).
So, I usually end up searching on "One Good Thing" By Jillee and am never disappointed!

I started making my own laundry detergent and thought, why not try and make homemade body wash?
I figured how hard can it be, right?  Turns out it is way easy, and it's a way to save lots of MOULA! 
Got your attention now? 
Today's recipe of homemade body wash is brought to you by "One Good Thing" By Jillee. 

Homemade Body Wash

6 cups of water

3 bars of soap ( I used Dove)

Put the water into a large pot and bring to a boil on stove, then turn down heat to medium.

Microwave the bars of soap, One bar at a time, for 90 seconds each and put in pot of water immediately! This is the exciting part, because usually, like the homemade laundry soap, you would have to grate the bars of soap....and me no likey that part....I still have a cut on my hand to prove it!

Continue stirring your soap soup occasionally over medium heat until all the soap is well dissolved.  It may take a little bit, but you want to be sure it's all melted! Go give yourself a facial while you're waiting, you know you deserve it!

When completely dissolved pour into a glass jar or bowl ( I used some canning jars) and allow it to cool.

It will thicken after about 24 hrs.  If it gets too thick, just add a little bit of water until it's where you want.

Math Breakdown

I bought a six-pack of bars for about $6.88

I used 3 of the bars at a cost of $3.44

This made approximately 48 oz. at  $1.72 for a 24 oz. bottle!

That's a saving of 75%!!!!!!

Here's to all of us smelling good for a lot less $$$$$
Happy washing!
Aimee

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie (Low Cal)

Raise your hand if you love pumpkin pie (ME, ME, ME)!!!

Now, raise your hand if you love smoothies!!!

Guess what?  Your in luck today...I'm gonna give you my recipe for a 

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie!

8-10 oz Almond milk or skim milk

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp nutmeg

2 tsp stevia or other sweetner

1 med ripe banana

3-4 ice cubes

Blend Away and Enjoy!!

*Recipe is for 1 serving

My Hunger Games Obsession

Ok, so I just want to start by saying that I haven't been this excited, obsessed, or inspired to read a series of books in a long while, until The Hunger Games!  I started reading the first book of three on a recent trip and finished before I got home.  I loved it so much, I was tempted to buy book two while on our trip, even though I already had a copy at home.  I HAD TO HAVE IT!!
Everything is so different about these books....I love the names....Katniss, Peeta, Rue, Haymitch....they're so different.  There's science-fiction, intrigue, action, and love...

Storyline:
The story is set in North America in a post-apocalyptic nation known as Panem.  There are 12 districts who do not have contact with each other. They are oppressed and starving. The Capitol is the cruel "overseer" of the outlying districts, and every year to punish the districts for their uprising 75 years before, they have the Hunger Games.  Two people from each district, a girl and boy, are chosen through a lottery to play in the games, a fight to the death with only one winner. 

So, I'm on book two (started yesterday) and most likely will be done reading it today.  I'm telling you, I just can't put it down. 
Thank goodness the last couple of days have been nice so I can kick the kids out to play and READ!! (After lessons, of course) I told you I was obsessed! 
With all that said, to those of you that have read the books....are you as danged excited to see the movie as I am? I mean really, how many times can I say the word "excited" in one post?  I need to consult my thesaurus. 
Mark it on your calender if you haven't already...March 23!

Katniss and Gale (sigh...Gale)



I'm rooting for Peeta as Katniss' love interest, but Gale is pretty darn hunky.  I do love the fact though that Katniss is a strong female character. 

 Not just in her physical abilities but the fact she hasn't caved to her feelings for either Peeta or Gale. At least not yet.... 

Like I said, I'm on book two, so don't spoil it for me if one of the above mentioned hunks dies....I don't think I could handle it. 

I mean, how could you choose if you were Katniss?  I had a hard time when putting myself in Katniss' position as I was reading the books, let alone looking at the cast for the movie?

Ok, so I really encourage you to read The Hunger Games, then go see the movie! 

The Hunger Games Trilogy Set
The Hunger Games (Book 1)
Catching Fire (Book 2)
Mockingjay (Book 3)

Learning with Math Songs

Hey all!  Just want to share a few math tricks that has worked for our family.  I am by no means being compensated with this product or for my review.  I purchased the following products at a homeschool convention and love them! 
The company is Audio Memory and they make Cd's with songs on topics like;addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, grammar, geography, states & capitals, and U.S. history. 
We have tried the addition, subtraction, multiplication, and grammar.  They are a  wonderful compliment to our regular studies.

The addition and multiplication songs are what we used this morning to get the day going.

 
The kids usually dance around the room singing and being silly....but that's how we learn,  right?  At least at this age, if you make learning fun, they ( and you ) get more out of it. I still have the additon song for the 5's in my head, and probably will for the rest of the day...that's good, right? Or maybe slightly annoying to every one else, because you know, I just can't keep it to myself.

My boys are playing with Lego's as we listen to the math songs.  Got to keep those hands busy, and yes they do actually learn better this way.

Here are some links where you can purchase!
Multiplication Songs
Addition Songs
Audio Memory

What do you use to make learning memorable and fun? 

Happy learning!
Aimee

Upcoming in March

Well, February is almost over.  I get one more day to plan out fieldtrips, lessons,  family activities, and events thanks to this year being a leap year!
Just a rambling list of what's to come in March! 

• Tulsa Aquarium
• 2 birthday parties to attend
• A trip to Tennessee
• Topeka Zoo to participate in a homeschool program
• House planning
• Spring cleaning
• SPRING!!!
• DAYLIGHT SAVINGS!!
• Get scoped...again (reflux)
• Find a way to use my children's energy for good and not evil
• Organize (that's code for throw away) junk in  the boys' rooms
• Pioneer Woman cookbook signing ( Excited doesn't begin to explain)

What about you?  Anything exciting happening in March?  Mundane?  Weird?  Please share so I can live vicariously through you.....please? 

Children of the Corn

CHILDREN OF THE CORN!

This is what I lovingly call out to my children when I want them, whether if it's in public or at home.  And the funny thing is, they answer to this better than if I just yell out their names. Hmmm, is that weird? I don't know when it started or why, but it just did.. ...Ok....hello, still there?
So the only similarity between the title of this post and what I'm actually going to write is ...CORN. 
But every time I go to make cornbread that phrase pops into my head....I know, I have issues. 
Tonight, we are having this scrumptious corn bread with some crockpot black-eyed pea soup.  Sometimes we have it with chili, or I make some sort of casserole concoction with the mix.

CAST IRON CORNBREAD

Preheat oven to 425

• 1 cup corn meal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 TBSP sugar
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt

Mix the dry ingredients together with a whisk until well blended. 

Add the following ingredients and mix until smooth.

• 1 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup canola oil

Put about 2 TBSP butter in the cast iron skillet ( it's ok to use something else if you don't have one)

Place skillet, with just the butter, in the oven until melted and bubbly.

Remove the skillet from the oven and scoop mix into the skillet and bake for approximately 15, or until golden brown.

VARIATIONS: Sometimes I use one or more of the following if I'm feeling a little frisky: green chilies, whole sweet corn, bacon, ham, peppers, jalapenos, etc...

Strawberry Kefir Smoothie

My Yummy liquid lunch! A strawberry kefir smoothie! 

And believe it or not....it's filling! 

Here's my scrumptious recipe:

• 8oz. Almond Milk
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
• 2 TBSP flax seed
• 1/2 cup kefir ( if you don't have any, substitute plain greek yogurt)
• 1 medium banana
• 1 TBSP natural honey (or stevia-2 tsp.)

That's it!  Just blend away and enjoy!

FYI...I'll be posting on how to make kefir soon! 



I'd love to hear your smoothie recipes!  It's always nice to have a variety to choose from!  Please comment below with your favorite recipe! 

Thanks!

Aimee

Kefir, Cat Brains, and Smoothies

Kefir......raise your hand if you know what the heck I'm talking about.
I have to tell you, I had no idea until my pastor's wife, and friend told me all about it.  The boys and I had been on antibiotics and suffered from colds and illnesses it seems like all winter.  I was also suffering from a terrible bout with acid reflux.
 My friend mentioned that I should try her homemade kefir. 
Excuse me, what? 
She then explained to me EXACTLY what it was.  So, instead of trying to repeat EXACTLY what she said, I'm going to give you information from kefir.net .

Kefir is a cultured, creamy product with amazing health attributes.

Kefir’s tart and refreshing flavor is similar to a drinking-style yogurt, but it contains beneficial yeast as well as friendly ‘probiotic’ bacteria found in yogurt. The naturally occurring bacteria and yeast in kefir combine symbiotically to give superior health benefits when consumed regularly. It is loaded with valuable vitamins and minerals and contains easily digestible complete proteins.
For the lactose intolerant, kefir’s abundance of beneficial yeast and bacteria provide lactase, an enzyme which consumes most of the lactose left after the culturing process.

How is Kefir Made?

Kefir can be made from any type of milk, cow, goat or sheep, coconut, rice or soy. Although it is slightly mucous forming, the mucous has a “clean” quality to it that creates ideal conditions in the digestive tract for the colonization of friendly bacteria.
Kefir is made from gelatinous white or yellow particles called “grains.” This makes kefir unique, as no other milk culture forms grains. These grains contain the bacteria/yeast mixture clumped together with casein (milk proteins) and complex sugars. They look like pieces of coral or small clumps of cauliflower and range from the size of a grain of wheat to that of a hazelnut. Some of the grains have been known to grow in large flat sheets that can be big enough to cover your hand!. The grains ferment the milk, incorporating their friendly organisms to create the cultured product. The grains are then removed with a strainer before consumption of the kefir and added to a new batch of milk.

So, you can see how this would help someone who had been on antibiotics and had all the "good" bacteria killed off. 
My friend gave me some kefir grains so I could make my own concoction of the healthful brew. On the way home,  I made my oldest son hold the glass jar that held the grains . 
"Uh, mom..... WHAT. IS.  THIS" ? 
"Oh it's just a couple of cat brains "
Yes, that's a horrible thing to tell your child, I realize this...but it didn't stop me, hehe!  You'll see what I mean when I post the photos. CAT BRAINS, CAT BRAINS, CAT BRAINS.......Sweet dreams tonight!
I then felt sorry for him, he had a look of horror on his face and nothing was coming out of his jaw dropped ,open mouth.  So, I told him what it really was.  BIG MISTAKE!  I don't think he will ever eat yogurt, kefir, or anything close to that......EVER. For some reason, he took it much better when he thought it was cat brains???!!
 Yesterday, I did make a batch despite the looks and comments from my horrified children.  But, I didn't take pictures.......OOPS!  The good news is I'm going to make some more in a couple of days , so you'll be able to see the tantalizing (input sarcasam) photos. 
My first batch is in the fridge and ready to go into a yummy smoothie!  I can't wait to try it tomorrow in my liquid breakfast! 
Want to make some for yourself you say?  Great! I'll post photos and the recipe in a few days and we can all drink yeasty bacteria together!

Stay tuned!
Aimee

Mexican Pasta Skillet

                       
Here is a quick and easy meal I go to when in a hurry or tired (which is alot).  Simple, fast, tastes great, and the kids will love it! It will serve about 4-6 people. Enjoy! 

                                                            Mexican Pasta Skillet

• 1 lb. lean ground beef, browned & drained
• 16 0z. (2 cups) jar salsa
• 8 oz. tomato sauce
• (1 1/2 cups water)
• 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
• 1/2 cup shredded 2 % sharp cheddar cheese (please shred your own, it's so easy and tastes better)!!

1. Combine browned beef, salsa, tomato sauce & water in a large skillet. 
2. Heat til boiling. 
3. Stir in macaroni & corn
4. Reduce heat & simmer 15 min, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender.
5. Sprinkle with cheese!

What's on My Mind

Lots of stuff going on inside my head these days.  I know, scary, right?  Here's a random list!

What are we gonna do for dinner tonight? I usually do e-mealz, but too much going on today so hubby's going to bring home some Papa Murphy's pizza hopefully.

House building.  Although very exciting, I think the process of building a new house is going to be anxiety ridden, challenging, scary, and expensive.  With that said, we are so darn, stinkin' excited!  Here's the plans for the new house, so far, minus the garage that's in the picture...House plans

REFLUX...My reflux has returned in full force.  I've been dealing with less than pleasant symptoms since my surgery to "fix" it, but now it's so bad I thought that I had a bad case of strep throat.  Apparently it was a  bad case of esophogitis accompanied with ulcers in the back of throat and esophogus.  I know, TMI, but I decided to post all my ups and downs associated with acid reflux in hopes it either helps someone else or maybe someone else might have suggestions for me.  Acid Reflux

Depression...sigh...not many people know I suffer from depression.  It's kind of one of those things that you don't go around telling everyone, ya know. I've had talk therapy in the past, and have tried different medications.  On a new one now, so I guess we'll see!  With those of you who live with depression, either yourself or know someone, I don't have to explain the daily struggles associated with this.  To everyone else, be kind to everyone you know or meet, you may not know just what that persons battles are. Depression

Topeka Zoo Homeschool Program    I'm am so excited to have discovered this at the Topeka Zoo!  It's every 3rd Wednesday of every month, and allows for the kids to mingle with experts and up-close animal contact!  Topeka Zoo Homeschool Program

Time to make lunch, so bye for now!
Aimee

Homemade Laundry Soap & Fabric Softener

I've been making my own laundry soap off and on for about a year now.  I've tried different recipes but they're virtually all the same (In my opinion).  Not only have I saved tons of money since I'm not buying overpriced laundry detergent, but I like the fact that the homemade stuff doesn't have anything in it that's unnecessary.  It's great for people with sensitive skin....dye free, fragrance free (unless you want to add your own). 
Anyway, here is the recipe I use for Laundry Soap  

I love that she recycles orange juice containers for her soap.  I however, did not have any on hand when making my soap. So, I used a huge container with a locking lid.  It's not like baking, so if you don't follow it exactly like it is written, it will still come out fine! 
One tip I might share with you (If you use the large container vs. jugs) is that after your detergent "gels" overnight (you'll understand once you read the recipe), break up the gel with a large spoon or whatever large utensil. Add a few pitchers of warm water and break it up with your hands and then a whisk.  This just gives you a smoother soap with less lumps.  Although if your soap has lumps it will still work just fine, it's just me being anal!  No lumps = Everything is right in the world....Well, it's a good start anyway!

For all you people who love softer clothes with less wrinkles and static electricity here is the recipe for the liquid version Liquid Fabric Softener .  TIP: Use the cheapest conditioner that has the scent you like!  For making dryer sheets, just cut the recipe in half and put in a spray bottle.  Spray a wash cloth with the mix and voila!  Throw it in the dryer with your clothes and you'll be surprised at how well it works. 

Look for my next posting which will include homemade, natural household cleaners!

Happy MUCHO Savings & Washing!

Aimee